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Pennsylvania have also bestirred themselves , and are rapidly raising funds for their new Home , vvhich has been opened in abeauiilful locality , and bids fair to become an honour to the Grand Lodge and all concerned . A capital illustration of the premises appeared lately in the " Freemasons ' Repository , " proving that the comforts of the " old people" have been well considered , and their "last days" made as happy as possible .

An Asylum for the Widows and Orphans of deceased brethren has just been projected in New York , and already it is stated " thousands of dollars are pouring in to put up its walls . " We ' are glad to be assured this is not a mere figure of speech , for 5000 dollars have been paid into the coffers , as the result of the great pageant held by the Palestine Commandery ( K . T . ) quite recently , and a still further sum is anticipated when the accounts are

closed . There is now a competition as to the site for the Institution . Herkimer county has offered land worth 25 , 000 dollars for the purpose , and Rochester has promised 20 , 000 dols . to provide the grounds , and a similar sum towards building , if their neighbourhood is selected . Great efforts are being made by Grand Master LAWRENCE and his numerous friends to free the

Masonic Temple from debt , and through their well directed efforts the liability now is not more than £ 40 , 000 . As there are some 80 , 000 members in New York there should be no difficulty in raising the balance by loans without interest and gifts ; especially when the rents derived from the lodges which meet in the Temple will be sufficient to support the Asylum , when the Hall is free from debt . We wish them all the success they deserve in their labour of love .

Consecration Of The Highbury Lodge, No. 2192.

CONSECRATION OF THE HIGHBURY LODGE , No . 2192 .

The consecration of what will no doubt prove a valuable addition to the roll of London Lodges took place on Monday , the 14 th instant , at the Cock Tavern , Highbury Station . The ceremony was performed by Bro .

Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . C , as Chap . ; J . H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br ., as D . C ; and J . S . Eastes , P . G . D ., as I . G .

The founders present were Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . M . 1964 , P . G . Std Br ., VV . M . designate ; Alderman Joseph Savory , 21 , S . W . designate ; T Hastings Miller , P . M . 1964 , P . P . G . O . Middx ., J . W . designate ; CF Hogard , P . P . G . S . Wks . Essex ; W . Shurmur ; J . Barnett , jun . ; W Maple ; W . H . Baker , and R . Baker . The other brethren present were

Bros . Alderman Sir John Staples , P . M . 2020 ; T . Fenn , President Board General Purposes ; Wm . Roebuck , G . Swd . Br . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; Col . J . Peters , P . G . S . B . ; J . L . Mather , V . P . Board . General Purposes ; B . L . Barnett , D . D . G . M . Queensland ; Richard Eve , G . Treas . elect ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta , Sec . 2127 ; A . Lucking , G . Purst . ; F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; C . E . Soppet , P . G .

Stwd . ; F . West , D . P . G . M . Surrey ; J . Speller , 1677 ; H . Brookman , 1471 ; N . D . Church , D . C . 1365 ; T . VV . Vaughan , 2030 ; C . Stanger , S . VV . 12 ; R . Brookman , 1426 ; Rev . Dr . Maguire , D . D ., Chap . 1964 ; J . Oldis , I . P . M . 12 SS ; R . Westrop , 180 ; F . H . Horscroft , 211 ; J . H . Lane , W . M . 1369 ; J . Coombe , 1471 ; T . Adams , W . M . 181 ; A . Boyton , 1830 ; H . G . Moxon , P . G . S . B . Herts ; H . J . Dutton , 170 ! : ; J . H . Floss , 1964 ; - C . Belton , 1 ; J . H . Thompson , W . M . 1471 ; H . Taylor , P . M . 2000 ; Col . J . C . Radcliffe , W . M . 1964 ; T . Griffiths , P . M . 907 ; J . Kift , 1791 ; J .

Holloway , 173 ; D . P . Holness , P . M . 1471 ; T . Erroll , P . M . 1288 ; J . Botiboi , J . VV . 188 ; George Kenning , 249 , P . M . 192 and 1657 , P . G . D . Middx . ; C . Steel , P . M . 1365 ; VV . Finch , P . M . 1365 ; F . R . W . Hedges , P . M . igoo . Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; Capt . E . H . Bowyer , 1964 ; A . Madell , 1201 ; J . Willing , jun , P . M . 1319 ; G . A . Fletcher , P . M . 1 S 0 ; A . Simner , W . M . 177 ; A . C . Halestrop , P . M . 1471 ; VV . J . Ctvitch , P . G . D . Herts ; T . Hunt , S . W . 1471 ; W . McNaught , J . W . 1298 ; j . Da Silva , P . M . 205 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 .

Letters and telegrams were received Irom Bro . H . B . Marshall , P . G . Treas ., - » nd other brethren . After the lodge had been formally opened , The GRAND SECRETARY , in addressing the brethren on the motive of the meeting , said they were assembled on an occasion that was very interesting to all good Masons , and to give effect to the commands of the M . W ,

G . M . It had been his duty on former occasions to explain the great desirability of moderating the number of London lodges . There were at present a large number—about 350—and , unless very good reasons were given , his Royal Highness objected to a further increase . But all rules have exceptions . In the present ^ case some distinguished Masons who live in the district had petitioned the M . W . G . M ., stating that there was a good

opportunity for a new lodge , and there was reason to believe that a large number of the inhabitants of Highbury would come forward tosupportit . H . R . H . had taken these points into consideration , and had been pleased to look upon the petition favourably and grant a warrant . They had , therefore , met to give effect to his letters patent to establish a new lodge . It was fortunate in having so good and distinguished a Mason

at its head as Bro . Edgar Bowyer , and it vvas also fortunate in having amongst its ranks several whose names are well known in Masonry . He always felt it his duty to warn new lodges against the indiscriminate admission of members . They should be very cautious whom they admitted , for it was very easy to get a man into Masonry , but very difficult to get him

out of it . By observing that rule carefully for three or fouryears , the members would find that their lodge , although small , was made of the best material , and was , therefore , a desirable one , it being difficult to gain admission . He did not think those remarks to be necessary in the present instance , for he had no doubt that under such able guidance the Highbury Lodge would prove a success .

At the conclusion of the address , Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . Chap ., delivered an eloquent oration , which will appear , together with portraits ot the W . M ., S . VV ., J . W ., and Secretary , in our next issue . The consecration ceremony was then proceeded with , and on its completion Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., was installed as W . M . The

following officers were invested : Bros . Alderman J . Savory , S . W . ; T , Hastings Miller , P . P . G . O . Middx ., J . W . ; Capt . Baker , Treasurer ; C F . Howard , P . P . G . S . of Wks . E- > sex , Secretary ; J . Barnett , jun ., ( . D . ; W . Shurmur , D . C . ; VV . Maple , I . G . ; and J . Morley , Tyler . Bro . J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I ., vvho was appointed S . D ., was unavoidably absent .

The addresses were then delivered by the GRAND SECRETARY in his usual fluent manner .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said their first duty was to pass a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , for attending and performing the ceremony in such an excellent manner , and to ask him to accept the honorary membership of the lodge . He had also to ask his acceptance of a Founders' jewel ,

Consecration Of The Highbury Lodge, No. 2192.

The vote of thanks having been seconded by the S . W . was carried by acclamation . The GRAND SECRETARY said he was really quite overwhelmed b y thj s treble compliment . He had no idea he should be honoured in lhat manner

but he should appreciate it as a mark of brotherly good will lor any services he had rendered . He accepted the honorary membership with pleasure and should always look upon the jewel as a memento of that day ' s work . On the motion of the VV . M ., seconded by the J . W ,, a vote of thanks was also passed to those Grand Officers who had assisted , and they were unanimously elected honorary members .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , G . Reg ., on behalf of the Grand Officers , acknowledged the compliment , and accepted the honorary membership with pleasure . A Committee consisting of the founders was formed to frame the by-laws , The WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed two of his sons as candidates for initiation at the next meeting , and several brethren were proposed as joining members . Letters of apology were read from several distinguished Masons , and lodge was formally closed .

The music throughout the ceremony was admirably rendered under the direction of Bro . Chaplin Henry , assisted by Bros . H . J . Dutton , Henry Taylor , J . Kift , and F . H . Horscroft . Some excellent music was also given by these brethren after the banquet , to which ample justice was done . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were subsequently honoured , " The Queen and the Craft" being first heartily received .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in giving "The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ,, " said the brethren were aware how deservedl y popular H . R . H . is , for it was hardly possible to take up a newspaper without seeing that he had been doing some good work for the country at large . "The Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M ., " was next given by the WORSHIP - FUL MASTER , who said he was sure the brethren would join him in heartil y drinking this toast , for those who attended Grand Lodge knew how well the Pro G . M . presided over its meetings .

" The Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " vvas proposed by Bro . HASTINGS MILLER , J . W ., who said that by command of the VV . M ., or he might say through his kindness , he was permitted the honour of introducing this toast . He considered it a very ' great honour , because on an occasion like the present the toast of the Deputy G . M . and Grand Officers , Present and Past , must bean important

one . He knew the delicacy of the VV . M ., and well understood the reason he had deputed the task to him . Luckily , it required no eloquence to gain for it the favourable consideration of the brethren . They were honoured by the presence of many Grand Officers , and it augured well for their new lodge , when such a number of distinguished brethren assembled to witness its start . The members of the Highbury Lodge would not forget the

remarks of the Grand Secretary with regard to the admittance of members , The toast would need no further comment to recommend it ; he would simply ask them to receive it cordially , and he coupled with it the names of Bros . Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., and F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . Bro . Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . Chap , in reply , said it was a very great privilege for a brother to be called upon 10 respond for this toast at any

time , but more especially , on the present occasion , when he was surrounded by so many distinguished Grand Officers , brethren who had been selected by the M . W . G . M . to wear the purple of Grand Lodge . He would say , on behalf of the Grand Officers , that those brethren were second to none in their zeal and efficiency . They were always happy to be in the company ot other brethren , and especially en an occasion like the present ,

when they were assembled to add another lodge to the roll . They had assisted to start a new lodge under the auspices of their well known and esteemed Bro . Edgar Bowyer , who was supported by brethren who would carry out those principles that had so long adorned the Craft . As they had heard him at considerable length in the lodge , when he thought he trespassed too long on their patience , he wonld ask Bro . Philbrick to say a few words .

He was afraid that brethren of his cloth often trespassed too long . It reminded him of an excellent caricature by Leech , which appeared in Punch many years ago . Two hunting men going over a ditch noticed the parson , who had come to grief there . " Shall wetake him out" asked one ? "Oh , no , " observed the other , " we shan ' t require him until next Sunday . " He

always felt a great diffidence , after exhausting their patience in the lodge , in dwelling upon the advantages of Freemasonry . But they must allow him one excuse , which was that he was a very old Mason , having been initiated in 1842 . He assured them that , both as a clergyman and as a member of society , he had observed the good effects of Masonry .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., also replied and said that the Grand Officers take a great interest in the success of a new lodge . They had heard from the Grand Secretary , and nothing could be truer , that if the future of a new lodge was to redound to the credit of Freemasonry , the admission of members must be closely guarded , and it must be made to be felt that it was an honour to belong to it . He was glad to think and know

that Masonry now enjoys a proud position in the estimation of the public , and also in the regard which those who belong to it have for their Order . They must , therefore , be careful whom they admitted , so that it would continue to be the honour to be made a Mason , and not the honour which was conferred upon the body by those who joined . Having ventured to emphasise the wise remarks which fell from the Grand Secretary , he wished

to add another word , while they were a great , powerful , and yet growing Society ; while their Institutions for the relief of distress were a good example to the world , such as no other combination of men possessed ; while all things were going on swimmingly , of course they could have recruits as many as they would , and if perils came to them , they we the perils which attend the state of prosperity . He was quite sure tne vvotil

Grand Officers need have no ap prehension that the favourable gale - * induce the mariners of that new lodge to be regardless of their course , f " 1 he was convinced they would have good hands on board . The Hig hbury ; Lodge would endeavour to do its work well , and to be a pattern for othe r ; lodges , and in the hands in which it was placed , was the best guarantee ior the future . That success might attend them , was the hearty wish of the iilu

Grand Officers . I here was nothing in this world worth having , that ' not to be worked for , and the success of this venture would depend up ° the work of its members . If that was borne in mind , a bright and prosper- \ ous career was in the future . Wishing them prosperity , he begged to exp / 65 ; the thanks of the Grand Officers for the kind recognition ol their service ' : i

Ihe GRAND SECRETARY then said it had fallen to his lot to propose » next toast , and he felt it an honour to have the task entrusted to him- ] was one which , ol course , they would regard as of the greatest imp 01 ' *" on the present occasion . He was not going to make the lime-honoured \ mark about the " toast of the evening ; " but when they remembered " >