Consecration Of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1631, Gorleston.

CONSECRATION OF ST . ANDREW'S LODGE , No . 1631 , GORLESTON .

The consecration of a new lodge is at all times of great interest to the Craft , but more especially so when it occurs in their own province . On Monday morning a large muster of brethren from Yarmouth , Lowestoft , Halesworth , and other places in Suffolk , as well as a few

brethren from Norwich , mustered at St . Andrew ' s Hall , Gorleston , for the purpose of assisting at the ceremony of opening a new lodge in that remote corner of Suffolk . The foundation of thenew lodge is entirely due to Bro . E . P . Youell , Esq ., a resident in the town—who takes great interest

in the Craft—and who not being able to find a place suitable for the purpose , has erected , at his own cost , a small but convenient lodge-room , adjoining the St . Andrew ' s Hall Lecture Room , and fitted it up with every requisite for the work . The new lodge has been named the " St .

Andrew ' s Lodge •" but why this name has been chosen we cannot say , although as the church is named after St . Andrew , we suppose that Saint was the patron of the fishermen of the town and neighbourhood , as St . Nicholas is the patron Saint of Yarmouth .

The ceremony of consecration was intended to be performed by the P . G . Master for Suffolk ( Lord Waveney ) , but his lordship was unavoidably detained in Ireland , and the Deputy Prov . G . Master ( Bro . Rev . E . I . Lockwood ) having recently died , the Rev . C . J . Martyn . P . G .

Chaplain of England , was deputed by the P . G . M . to perform the important office . Excellent arrangements were made for the purpose , but unfortunately the space was so limited , and the number of brethren present so numerous , that the ceremony , therefore , lost a great portion of

its effect . The lodge was summoned for halfpast eleven , some time being usually required on these occasions , when so many visiting brethren are present , to settle the order of proceedings . At half-past eleven the lodge was duly opened by Bro . Lucia , P . G . Secretary of Suffolk , after

which the warrant of constitution from the Grand Lodge of England was read , and the names of the brethren proposed as officers having been duty approved of , Rro . Rev . C . J . Martyn , accompanied by the P . G . Officers for the Province , was then introduced in due form . The ceremony

of the consecration was ably carried out by him , Bro . Rev . T . Tweed , P . G . Chaplain for Suffolk , assisting , with Bro . Mann ( of Lowestoft ) , at the harmonium . Bro . Martyn then called upon the W . Master elect ( Bro . Youell ) to answer certain questions , which being

satisfactory , he was inducted in due form into the W . M . ' s chair amidst the applause ofthe brethren . He then proceeded to appoint the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . Capt . Dods , S . W . j J . Hammond , J . W . ; Thurlby , S . D . * Stainer , J . D . ; Fiske , I . G .: Bro .

Bond , of the Friendship Lodge , being appointed as the I . P . M . The business of the lodge so far having been concluded , the brethren then arranged themselves in procession , and , preceded by the band of the West Norfolk Militia , wended their way to St . Andrew ' s

Church , where arrangements had been made with the Vicar for a special service to be held . A large number of the inhabitants were present . The sermon was preached by the Rev . J . Tweed , 1 'rov . G . C , from i Ecclesiasticus , ioth Verse , the offertory on the occasion being given ( by desire ) to the Church Restoration Fund . On their

return to the lodge-room , a vote of thanks was moved by the W . M . to the Prov . G . Chaplain for his admirable Masonic sermon on the occasion , and to the Vicar for kindly granting the use of h's church . A vote of thanks was also passed to the Halesworth brethren for signine the

petition to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge , after which the lodge was closed in due form . As many of the brethren on these occasions come from various p : irts of the county it will not allow nf rrtimt . 4 . ;» . A * 1— l-. * . 1 f _ 1 i . l . _

„ -- .. w .. ... uv . IU , .. . - "ter five o ' clock the brethren . assembled •n an adjoining building , called St . Andrew ' s f-all , which had been most tastefully decorated 'or the occasion , and where a most elegant ¦ "epast had been prepared . The W . M . ( Bro . / ouell ) presided , and was supported by Bro . --vt artyn and the other Provincial Officers of the

Consecration Of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1631, Gorleston.

Province , as-well as by maDy visiting brethren . After dinner the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , that of " The W . M . " being given in a most felicitous manner by Bro . Martyn . The proceedings were enlivened by some excellent

singing by some of the brethren present , and a most agreeable evening was spent . We must not omit to state that the band of the West Norfolk Militia played various pieces of music during dinner in a most admirable

manner . The official number of the new lodge is 1631 , and by that it appears there have been 131 new lodges opened in various parts of England since the "W alpole Lodge , No . r ^ oo , was consecrated in Norwich two years ago .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"T HIS RELIGIOUS LITE OF ENGLAND . " Part 1 . By HENRY MORLEY . Cassell Petter and Galpin . We have received this part , No . 17 in fact , of Cassell's Library of English Literature , and are mnch pleased with it , and recommend it to our readers . It travels over a " terra incognita" to many of us , and gives information , often only accessible to Antiquaries and Archaelogists . But of

the histor ^ the religious thoughts of our people are very interesting , and though we are not quite prepared to say , that we agree with all the views expressed by the Professor , the substantial fact remains , that he gives us an insight into ancient MSS . and forgotten works , opens out before

us the roll of a buried past , with great care , skill , and lucidity . " Facts , " as we often say , " are stubborn things" and " words , " equally speak clearer and more fully for themselves , especially when ungarbled , the " ipsissima verba " of the writer , than the paraphrases of commentators or the explanations of Editors .

THE MASONIC MAGAZINE . This Masonic periodical , at one time the only magazine dealing with Masonic matters in England , is now in its fourth year of existence , and deserves , we think , the support of our Order . It emanates from our worthy publisher , who has sought , at great cost to himself , to give the Craft a monthly magazine , replete with useful information ,

didactic articles , archaeological information , and amusing reading . In this we think that he has succeeded , as several of the papers published in the " Masonic Magazine " have been " unique " of their kind , and are most valuable for reference and information . We know of no better present for a lodge library than the three volumes ofthe " Masonic Magazine . "

THE " R OSICRUCIAN . " This quarterly magazine continues its useful course . It is also published by Bro . Kenning , and is mainly devoted to High Grade literature . It is very ably edited , and it cannot fail to afford both gratification and edification to those for whom it is principally designed . Our publisher surely deserves the thanks of all who wish for Masonic lis-lit . and value Masonic literature . It is true that we

arc not all High Grade Masons , and some of us object to High Grade theories and the like . But surely that is a very narrow and unworthy view of the whole question . He must be a very superficial Mason who denies thc " status" of the High Grades , by the side of Anglo-Saxon Masonry , and a most intolerant individual who would refuse them a fair hearing , or ignore their claims to regard , respect , and goodwill .

Masonic Demonstration At Drybridge.

MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT DRYBRIDGE .

A general meeting of the Lodge St . Andrew , Drybridge , was held on Wednesday , Nov . 8 th , for the purpose of installing the Proxy Master and Wardens , and investing them with the Masonic clothing of the lodge . A number of the members of Grand Lodge , including Bros . W , Barton , S . M . Munro , and W . M . Bryce , the Grand Tyler ,

attended to take part in the proceedings . The lodge was opened by thc R . W . Master , Bro . John Campbell , and some preliminary business having been disposed of , the Proxy Master , Brother Hugh Munro , and Proxy Wardens , Brothers J . Macpherson and A . Duff , were introduced with the usual honours , and addressed by the Master on the duties of their offices , and thereafter regularly

installed and invested in the very handsome clothing , specially designed for the occasion . Thereafter the lodge did honour to Brother ex-Convener Daniel Robertson , the V . W . Grand Bible Bearer of the Grand Lodge of Scotland—who , as representing the Grand Lodge , had in the most felicitous manner laid the foundation-stone of their new and beautiful hall on 11 th August , 1872—by

presenting him a very handsome silver trowel as a memento of that occasion . Thc trowel , bore thc following inscription , viz . : — " Presented by the Lodge ' St Andrew , ' Drybridge , No . 380 , to Brother Daniel Robertson , the V . W . Grand Bible Bearer of thc Grand Lodge of Scotland , as a memento of his having laid the foundation-stone of thc new Freemasons' Hall , Drybridge , on 17 th August , 1812 . " At the request of the Master , the

presentation was made in a very eulogistic address by Brother John Laurie , the Grand Secretary , amid the plaudits of the brethren ; and Brother Robertson , in his usual happy manner , returned thanks for the compliment paid to him . Thereafter Brother D . Shepherd was deputed by the Master to present Brother Laurie with a very handsome gold pen and pencil case , in testimony of the lodge ' s appreciation of his uniform courtesy towards them , and

Masonic Demonstration At Drybridge.

the careful attention he had given to their lodge business at all times . Brother Laurie thanked the brethren for their kindness , and assured them of the constant and deep interest Grand Lodge ever took in their welfare and ongoing . The Proxy Master and Wardens were for a short time called on to rule the lodge , and gave perfect

evidence of their qualification to hold their respective offices . The brethren invited the members of Grand Lodge to dinner , and all spent a very happy evening together . The unquestionable result of the proceedings will be most satisfactory for the Lodge St Andrew , Drybridge .

Ireland.

IRELAND .

The Lord Mayor gave a brilliant ball on Friday the ioth inst ,, to their Graces the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn , His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught , and about 1000 other guests , including many representatives of the gentry , military and naval services , the professional classes , and leading merchants of the city .

On no previous occasion of a similar kind have the hospitalities of the Mansion-house of Dublin been dispensed with greater munificence and splendour . The entertainment vras intended to have a twofold character—as a parting tribute of respect to the Duke of Abercorn , whose approaching retirement from the office of Viceroy is regarded with universal regret , and as a warm welcome

to the young Prince , whose name and title bespeak a loyal and hearty reception in Ireland , and whose courteous and genial demeanour have already made him a popular favourite . In the preparations for the event no effort was spared to render the festivity worthy of the presence of the distinguished guests , and the historic Round Room , in which its gaiety culminated , and which is admirably

adapted for such an occasion , never presented a more picturesque and vivid spectacle . It was decorated and arranged with special care . The Oak-rooms and reception rooms adjoining were also elegantly fitted up , and all the available space in the building was pressed into the service of the company . His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught arrived at 11 o ' clock , attended by

Captain FitzGerald , Equerry in waiting , and Captain Scott , and shortly afterwards the Viceregal cortege arrived at the entrance of the Mansion-house , escorted by a troop of Dragoons . His Grace the Lord Lieutenant , accompanied by the Duchess of Abercorn , Lady Georgiana Hamilton , and the principal members of the Viceregal household , were received with the customary honours bv a .

Guard furnished by the 93 rd Highlanders , who , with their band , were drawn up in front of the building . The National Anthem gave notice of their Graces' approach to the assembled guests , and was repeated by the band of the Rifle Brigade , which was stationed in thc gallery of the Round-room , and supplied the music for the ball . Thp f . nrd Mayor , with his Royal Highness the Duke of

Connaught , and attended by the civic officers with their , insignia , awaited for the arrival of the Lord Lieutenant , and conducted his Grace and the Duchess of Abercorn into the ballroom , where a canopied dais had been prepared for their reception . A quadrille was then formed .

the Duke of Abercorn dancing with the Countess of Granard , thc Duke of Connaught with the Duchess of Abercorn , and the Earl of Granard with Lady Georgiana Hamilton . His Royal Highness and the Viceregal party retired at 2 o ' clock , but dancing was kept up with unflagging spirit until a later hour .

The Conference of the Head Masters of the Schools more immediately connected with the universities will meet this year at Rugby on Thursday and Friday , Dec . 21 and 22 . INSURANCE . —The value of property insured in London is jC ^ iO . ooo . ooo . Of the fires which occurred

in London for thc past five years , four-fifths occurred to uninsured property . The stone of which mention is made of the " Great fire " ( found at 25 , Pudding-lane ) is now in the City Museum , Basinghall-street , having been presented to the Corporation by Messrs . King and Son , of Aldgate . It was set up in 1081 .

ALEXANDRA PALACE . —Rumour has been very busy disposing of this property . Up to the present it has been assigned for a new cemetery , to the London and North-Western Railway Company , to the Zoologica Gardens and for a small-pox hospital . This day ( Saturday ) will be the 6 ooth night of ) the production of Mr . H . J . Byron's comedy of " Our Boys " at the Vaudeville Theatre .

The Masonic Fraternity of Shenandoah , Iowa , have subscribed 2500 dols . towards the erection of a building expressly for the use of thc Order , to cost 4900 dols . The Dublin Corporation has determined upon a scheme which contemplates as a beginning the outlay

of nearly £ 20 , 000 in creating health spaces in Dublin by clearing away old buildings , thc nests of disease , in which the working population is overcrowded . A new Museum and a Lecture Hall , in connection with thc Watt Institute , at Greenock , have been opened by Bro . Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart . The museum and hall are the gift of Mr . James M'Lcan , of West Bank ,

and have cost £ 6400 . Over 24 , 000 Masons were made in North America during last year , and the whole number of affiliated Masons on the continent at this time exceeds 600 , 000 . Two gates to the East which require looking after—Constantinople and Temple Bar . — " Punch . "