Consecration Of The Prince Leopold Mark Lodge, No. 238.

CONSECRATION OF THE PRINCE LEOPOLD MARK LODGE , No . 238 .

The Prince Leopolel Lod ge of Mark Master Masons , No . 238 , was consecrated on Monday , the 7 th inst ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , by Bro . W . G . Brighten , P . M . No . 1 44 , Grand Superintendent of Works , and Prov . Grand Secretary for Middlesex and Surrey . Prior ,

however , to the consecration of the lod ge , Bro . Brighten advanced Bro . Sir Charles James Palmer to the Mark Degree , for which purpose a special dispensation from Grand Mark Lodge v . as granted . The brethren present at the consecration were Bros . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Past Grand Mark Master ; Col . W . Wigginton , A . Tisley , Charles Horsley , T . R .

Richnell , J . N . Rogers , F . H . Cozens , Don . M . Dewar , J . W . Baldwin , A . H . Hubbard , E . Hopwooel , Dr . E . Passawer , H . C . Levander , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The consecration was appointed for the 7 th April , on account of that day being the birthday of Bro . His Royal Highness Prince Leopold , who , in addition to granting peimission for the lodge to bear his name , most giaciously

per-mitted the lodge to use his crest and arms upon the summonses , jewels , and lodge banner , and having further conferred upon the lodge the distinguished honour of enrolling his name as its first honorary member . After the lodge had been formally opened , the Consecrating Officer called upon Bro . Beach to deliver the address .

Bro . Beach thereupon said that probably there was nothing in Masonry so remarkable as the progress of Mark Masonry in recent years . Not so many years had elapsed since Mark Masonry was practised only to a small extent in England , and throughout the worlel also to a limited degree . But of late years Mark Masonry had increased in an unparalleled degree . Lodges had sprung

up in every part of the country , and in every colony and dependency attached to the British Crown , through the exertions of brethren who were animated by a desire to extend the principles of Mark Masonry , because they believed that Mark Masonry was an intrinsic relic of the past , ( hat it was indissolubly blended with the best interests of Freemasonry , was an important link in

our traditional history . That being so , they bound themselves together to spread it to the utmost of their ability all over the world . Some brethren , hewevcr , who presided over Craft Masonry declared that M irk Masonry was not a part of ancient Freemasonry , according to the traditions they had received from their Masonic ancestors . Mark Masons then took the resolve to establish an authority of

their o . vn . It woulel not have been fair to themselves , or to Mark Masons in every part of the world , were they deprived of some supreme power to rule over them . However zealous Freemasons mi ght be to c irry out their principles , it was necessary that they should have a supreme head , to which they might look for directions , and therefore Grand Lodge of M . M . M . was established ,

and it had reached to a point of permanent success . There were attempts at one time to check it , and attempts to depreciate it , but they had been totally unsuccessful . because the Mark Masons pursued their course undeviatingly ; they did not set out hastily , but followed their object with steady resolution . Tliey endeavoured to cany out those true principles i > f the Craft , endeavours to promote a good

understanding between all the degrees of Freemasonry , and by that means they had achieved their great success . At first , of course , Grand Lodge of . Mark Masters was not acknowledged in every part of ihe world or in many quarters , but of late Mark Grand Lodge of England hail been acknowledged in most parts of the world , and had obtained a position which now it would be difficult to put

aside . It woulel be the tffort of those connected with the Order to do their duty to the best of their ability for the welfare of the degree , anil it was the duty of brethren who were entering a new loelge and establishing a new lodge to exert themselves to make that lodge an important unit among the lodges which wire

ruled over by the Grand Mark Master M isoas' Lodge . He trusted that all the brethren then present wou'd do their best to support this lodge . It was a very gratifying thing to have new lodges established , especially when there was every reason to believe that they would be successful .

I he consecration of the loelge was then proceeded with , Bro . Brighten being in the Cous-.-crariiig Officer ' s chair , Bro . Beach in the Deputy Master ' s , Bro . Baldwin in the S . W . 's , and Bro . Ilopwood in the J . W . ' s . The ceremony was performed throughout in faultless style . The music il portion was most effictivcly rendered by Bros . Cozens and Hubbard .

When the lodge had been formally dedicated to Mark Masonry , Bro . Brighten installed Bro . Col . William Wi gginton , P . M . 181 , Past Grand Supeiiutetident of Works , and Past Provincial Grand Superintcnele-nt ot Works , Middx . and Surrey , as W . M . of the lodge . I he brethren invested as officers for the year were Bro . T . C . Walls ( J . W . 211 ) , S . W . ; Bro . A . Tisley ( Sec . 211 ) , J . W . ; Bro .

Charles Horsley ( P . M . 1 ) , M . O . ; Bro . T . H . Richnell ( 1503 ) , S . O . ; Bro . C . J . Palmer , J . O . ; Bro . Charles Horsley , Treas . ; Bro . J . N . Rogers , Sec ; and Bro . G , Harrison , Tyler . Before the lodge was closed , the W . M . read letters of apology for inabi ity lo attend from Sir E . Lechmtre , Sir A . Trollope , Lord Henniker , j Lord Holmcsl 'ale , and the letter from Bro . Collins , Secretaiy to His

'loyal Hi ghness Prince Leopold , anni uncing that H . R . H . gave permission co the lodge to use bis arms and crest . I ' riiice Leopold was then electee ! an honorary member ° f the lodge , and the thanks of the lodge wire voted 'o Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , for furnishing a sketch of Prince Leopold's arms and cres ' . The following brethren were elected honorary members of the lodge : —Prince Leopold , the Earl of Limerick , the Rev .

Consecration Of The Prince Leopold Mark Lodge, No. 238.

G . R . Portal , Sir E . H . Lechmere , Bro . W . W . B . Beach , Lord Skelmersdale , Lorel Henniker , Col . Burdett , Bro . Brighten , Bro . II . C . Levander , Bro . F . Binckes , and Bro . Donald M . Dewar . Bro . Beach acknowdedged the compliment , and a vote of thanks was afterwards passed to Bro . Brighten for consecrating the lodge and installing the WJvI . The

lodge was then closeel , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The usual toasts were proposed in due course . The W . M . proposed the toast of " Prince Leopolel , and the other Honorary Alembers of the Lodge ; " and Bro . Beach , in responding , said he had had the opportunity of meeting Prince Leopold several times in Masonry , and he could fully testify to the truth of the remarks that had been made

as to his merits . He wimessed His Royal Highness ' s installation as Provincial Grand Master of Crafc Masons for Oxfordshire , since which time as well as be-fore , he had taken the warmest and most active interest in Freemasonry He hael never relinquished his interest in Masonry , but wherever he had been resident he had made a point if possible of attending any Masonic ceremony . It was very

gratifying to the feelings of Misons that His Royal Highness felt so much interested in the . ancient Craft , and it was much to be regretted that his health had prevented him from being oftener among the brethren than he had . The brethren hoped , howevtr , for better health f . r him , and that they -might have the p leasure of his presence more frequently than hitherto . His talents anil his wishes

eminently qualified him for a Masonic career . He ( Bro . Beach ) had never hea . rd any one , when he was first made Provincial Grand Master , more qualified and able to preside over Masonic ceremonies than he . I le had that gift of eloquence which enabled him to preside with tfficiency over a body of Masons . Willi regard to the honour this lodge had done him in electing him

an honorary member , the lodge had done itself an honour . The other honorary members felt very grateful for the compliment paid to them . It was very gratifying when any one had done his duty for a number of years to have his exertions acknowledged . It was the highest reward which a soldier who had fallen on the field of battle coulel have , that his services were appreciated by his

country . When Freemasons had done their duly they hoped their brother Masons would fully appreciate their endeavours . The honorary mcmbeis of the Prince Leopold Mark Lodge thoroughly valued the honour that had been conferred on them . It woulel incite them to take a warm interest in the prosperity of the lodge , and he hoprel that the auspicious work commenced that day

woulel lead le ) gre-at success . Bro . B ; aeh also replied to the toast eif " Lorel Skelmersdale-, " which was proposed by Bro . Brighten , and reminded the brethren ol what he had said in lodge as to the great progress of Mark Masoiry . He remembered when Lord Carnarvon was the first Giand Master of the Mark Grand Lodge of Englaml , and various changes were made at

different times . But there was one circumstance which he recollected that occurred during his ( Bro . Beach ' s ) own Grand Mastership , which he rather hid to congratulate himself upon , and that was , lhat for the first time moveable Grand Loelges were held . It had been complained for some time in Craft Masonry that the Grand Lodges were not sent throughout the country . But it was resolved that

in Mark Masonry there should n t be this compUint , and therefore the brethren did what they could to remove any cause for it . That was carrieel out during his year of office , and one or two moveable Grand Loelges were held , and he had the great pleasure of presiding over them . The system had a most beneficial effect , and it had been continued ever since . It hael been productive of very good

results . It did not interfere with the meetings in London , and it offereel a very nice occasion for visiiing different parts of the country , and giving Mark Masons an opportunity of rallying round the standard of the Order , and conducing to the progress of the degree . Since the time when he had the honour of presiding ovtr G . Lodge of the Mark Degree great progress hael been made , which he believed

was very much owing to the exertions of Bro . Poital , than whom , he thoughr , no one had ever taken so much interest in the degree . Since Bro . Portal ' s time other Granel Masters had presided , all of whom took great interest in the Older , and the result had been such success that while obtaining a firm footing in this country , the Grand Lodge of Maik Ma-tirs had been acknowledged by the Grand

Lodges and Grand Chapters of either countries . Bro . II . C . Levander , Grand Registrar , replied to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " and Bro . Brighten to the toast of " The Consecrating officer . " Bro . Beacli proposed " The Newly-Advanced Brother , " to which toast Sir Charles Palmer responded , and stited that he felt deeply gratifieel at having entered the Order ,

which he looked upon as an essential part of Freemasonry . In proposing the toast of " The Officers of the Piince Leopold Lodge , " Bre ) . Brighten referred to the great services Bro . Charles Horsl-y had rendered to Freemasonry for many years , whom he described as a veritable Atlas , almost the world being on his shoulders . He prophesied

continued success for the lodge with such an officer , and trusted he might live to a ripe old age to witness the fruit of his exertions on behalf of the lodge . Bro . Horsley replied , and the proceedings were shortl y afterwarels brought to a close . Some beautiful singing was given during the evening by Bros . Cozens and Hubbard .

MASONIC SONGS . —A selection of Masonic Songs , set to popular airs , written by Bro . E . P . Plnlpots , M . D ., F . R . G . S ., is now ready , forming a handsome volume , bound in cloth , with gilt edges , 35 . Sent post-free fiom the office of this paper on receipt of stamps or post-office orJir value 3 s . 2 d . —Advt .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

On Thursday , the ioth inst ., the first meeting of Stewards of the Girls' School , 1879 , took place at Freemasons' Hall at four p . m ., when Bro . Major Ramsay , Deputy Grand Master I ' unjaub , was elected President of

the Board of Stewarels , and Bro . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., was elected acting Vice-President . Bro . Hedges announced 221 Stewards . The usual routine business was transacted , and the Stewards' fee fixed at two guineas . The festival will take place on the 14 th May . The Chairman is not yet fixed , although hopes are

entertained that H . R . H . Prince Leopold may yet be able to preside . The next meeting of the Board will take place on Monday , the 28 th inst ., at 4 . 30 , at Freemasons' Hall . There was a numerous assembly of Stewards for a first meeting .

An Old Mason.

AN OLD MASON .

Bro . Chas . Marsh , of Tunbridge Weils , in his ninetyfirst year , was initiated into Freemasonry Aug . 6 th , 1819 , in Royal Cumberland Lodge , Bath , 41 , then 48 ; became W . M . in 1828 . In 18 32 was appointed P . G . S . D . for the County of Somerset ; was also a member , and became P . Z ., of Royal Arch Chapter . He was subscribing

member to both lodge and chapter over twenty years , when he removed to Liverpool , and subsequently went to Sydney , New South Wales , where he was one of the founders , and was elected honorary member of Zetland Royal Arch Chapter there . On his return to England in 1856 he lost his sight . Soon after he took up his residence in Tunbridge Wells , and in 1861 was one of seven to form the

Holmesdale Lodge there , 874 , and acted as P . M . lill the first W . M . had passed the chair . Though increasing infirmity has prevented him from attending the duties he has been subscribing member ever since . Reference was made to him in the report of the March monthly meeting of the Bath Lodge in our columns , and in the meeting of

the lodge this month the W . M ., Bro . Philip Braham , proposed that Bro . C . Marsh should be elected honorary member , which met with a unanimous response , and the following letter was addressed to Bro . Marsh ' s son at Dover , who is a member ef Loelge 199 : — Apiil Gth , 1879 . Dear Sir and Brother , —

At the regular lodge held on Thurselay , April 3 rd , the Worshiplul Master , Bro . Philip Braham , pioposul that your dear father , and our old esteemed brother , should be elected an honorary member of this , his mother lodge , and I need scarcely say that the proposition met with the unanimous response of the members present . There can

be no eloubt our brother is the oldest living Mason in England . I shall feel much obliged if you will cause to be conveyed to your father the fact of his unanimous election , and the proud pleasure this ancient lodge feels that their old Past Master is still living , and may the Great Architect of the Universe continue to shed His protecting influence around him .

Believe me , dear Sir anil Brother , fraternally yours , C . W . RADWAY , Sccrttary .

The Fifteen Sections will be worked at the Southwark Lodge of Instruction , Southwark Park Tavern , on Wednesday , the 23 rd inst ., by Bro . T . Pulsford , P . M . 1158 , assisted by the brethren of the Southern Star Lodge of Instruction . The collection of funds instituted by the

Dutch Central Committee for Arctic Exploration for the renewed outfitting of the Willem Barernts , which vessel is shortly to start on another expedition of some ei ghteen months' duration , is progressing so favourably that it may be reasonably expected that the 50 , 000 florins which are required for the expedition will soon be completely subscribed . —Nature .

COMPLIMENT TO A LIVERI-OOL THEATRICAL BiioTiii-it . —Bro . R . J . Roberts , of the Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 , a popular comedian , and the stage manager of the Royal Alexandra Theatre , Liverpool , who will sail for Australia next Tuesday , under a speciil engagement with Bro . A . Garner , was emeitained at a farewell dinner at the Union Hotel , 0 : 1 Wednesday evening , the 9 U 1 inst ., when there was a good representative irathcrinir of trentlemen

connected with the theatrical profession , along with several private fiiends . Bro . F . Wilkinson , S . D . 1609 , occupied the chair , and Bro . J . Clegg , P . M . 1299 , tin : vice-chair . After a recherche dinner , provided in first-class style by Mr . Thomson , the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed . The chairman afterwards ga-. e the health of ihe

guest of the evening , referring to his many amaible qualities , his professional ability , anil wishing him the greatest success at the antipodes . The vice-chairman also bore testimony to Bro . Roberts ' s many excellent j qualities-, and after the toast had been received with the utmost cordiality , it was acknowledgd in suitable and ! feeling terms by Bro . Roberts . Other toasts followed , and a pleasant evening was spent .

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