Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

sition proves that I have done it to your satisfaction . fr -o f can only express to you my earnest wish , in fact full intention , to redouble my efforts to make myself ' onversant with the duties of the W . AL I will endeavour perform those duties in accordance with those ancient charges which the installing Alaster brought forward to-Kv In accordance with the Book of Constitutions , and to

the satisfaction of the brethren of De Shurland Lodge . In whatsoever I fail—which I am sure to do in some measure _ -I have full confidence in thc co-operation and support of the P . AI . ' s and the assistance too of the P . AI . ' s and the kind sympathies of the brethren . I again thank you most sincerely and heartily for thc way in which you have drunk my health . Bro . Page next gave " The Health of

Bro . Ri g-i P . M ., " anil passed a high compliment on him for the way in which he had conducted the affairs of the lodge during his past year of office . Bro . Rigg in replyreferred to some of the difficulties which the lodge unfortunately had experienced , but rejoiced in having overcome them . Happily , the lodge was now prosperous , and he congratulated thc brethren on having elected as their W . AL

a brother who would do the lodge good . That brother had now a straightforward conw before him , and there was notabrother in the town he felt more proud ot than Bro . Bourne . He had made a good choice of officers , and they would well support him . If they did , Bro . Bourne woultl come out with flying colours . Bro . Page afterwards proposed a special toast for Bro . Copland , S . W ., to which Bro . Copland responded that it was with some diffidence

he had accepted the office , but having accepted it he would discharge his duties with fidelity and zeal . He had been but a poor attendant at the meetings , but Bro . Bourne had no doubt thought that he woultl do credit to his choice . He hoped it was so , and that his future conduct would not falsify the belief . "The J . W . and the rest of the Officers" was the next toast , which all the officers replied to , and the brethren shortly afterwards separated , having spent a delightful day .

Consecration Of The Chislehurst Lodge (No. 1531).

CONSECRATION OF THE CHISLEHURST LODGE ( No . 1531 ) .

A new lodge for the province of Kent was consecrated on the 1 llh inst ., at thc Bull , Chislehurst , and from thc enthusiasm displayed by the brethren of the province , as evidenced by the numerous attendance on the occasion , many coming from very long distances , it was clear that the

latest addition to the provincial roll was looked upon as an event of great importance . A consecration never took place under more favourable circumstances , and a long career of usefulness may be expected from the establishment of this other centre of Alasonry on the confines of the metropolis . Among thc brethren who attended , according to thc signature book of the lodge , were Bros . J . J .

Hatchings , 147 ; Wm . Tongue , P . P . G . J . W . ; Robt . Runt , P . P . G . D . C ; CCoupland . P . AL , 913 ; W . T . Birts , P . P . A . D . C ; W . Page , P . G : j . W . ; Alfd . Spencer , P . G . S . ; S . Pownccby , J . D . 55 ; Joseph Storey , P . G . Sup ., W . AL ; A . IT . Tattershall , P . AL 140 ; A . Wilson , P . G . S . B . ; G . Adamson , P . G . D . C ; W . Adamson , S . W , 1208 ; W , A . Hill , P . G . Chaplain ; W . Cessford , Prov . G ,

Purst . ; Hugh Hallett , W . AL 709 ; James Griffin , P . AL w T . Robinson , P . G . S . W . ; W . A . Smceth , W . M . 1208 ; H . Cotty , 5-J 4 ; VV . T . Hurt , jun ., W . AL 79 ; James Terry , P . P . G . S . for Herts ; George W . Reed , J . W . 13 ; James Eastes , D . G . AL ; Ii . Gloster , 1326 ; W . Ncvins , W . AL 1076 ; J . Alason , 309 ; H . " Massey , P . AL 619 ( Freemason ); G . Bolton , P . AI . 169 ; C . Renter

VV . AI . 1109 : W . Bray , 311 , and Charles Lacey , P . AL The lotlge was opened by the V . W . Bro . James S . Eastes , Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , who on the formation of the lotlge anil after salutation , deputed the office ofConsecrating Alaster to Bro . James Terry , the Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies , Herts . That brother then proceeded to consecrate the lodge , a duty which he

admirably performed , assisted by thc Rev . VV . A . Hill , Prov . G . Chaplain ; thc Rev . Thomas RoVinson , Prov . G . S . W . ; Bros . Tongue , P . Prov . G . D . C . ; Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . Sec . ; and Cessford , Prov . G . Purst . The Prov . G . Chaplain , in delivering the oration , drew attention lo the interesting nature of the proceedings , and to the fact that such a goodly assemblage of brethren had

been collected together to take part in them . It indicated plainl y that although the locality was difficult of access there were a number of brethren who were moved by a desire for the spread of Freemasonry , its principles and powers . The interest of the proceedings was increased by the nature and solemn character of the work , which was none other 'ban the dedication of a lodge to Almighty God . It was

not a temple of wood or of stone that they were dedicating , put a spiritual house , " not made with hands , " but " eternal " 1 the heavens ; " the selection of men who would erect a 'emple that would last when " the long drawn aisles and netted roofs" of the cathedral hail faded away under the crushing hand of time . It was his dut y on such an occasion as this to say

something with respect to the Order to which they all belonged , they would not have joined it unless they had felt interested in it ; or continued in it unless they had considered that as men and creatures destined for immortality " was their duty to support it . Of its advantages he "" g lit say it was an oasis in the great desert of the World , which the exhausted traveller would fain reach ,

an < - which , when he . had reached it , afforded him refreshment arid repose . Away from the noise of the busy world , ,. ° m business harassments , political excitement , and rejgwus contests , in tranquillity antl peace , he pressed the r ' - ht hand of fellowship of a brother , and gained strength In ! i UrSU e a ain the battlc of lifc '* The High-born and the wl y wh 0 gave tnc j r -dhcsjo- t 0 * t met oll all e ( | Uai j ot ' - - The advantages of Freemasonry consisted also lhe doctrines and tenets which Freemasons held . The

Consecration Of The Chislehurst Lodge (No. 1531).

foundation of the structure rested on the revealed will of God . The Freemason undertook to accept the Bible as the rule and guide of his faith . Freemasonry was not Christianity , but it was its handmaid . The lessons of the Sacretl Law taught us how to comfort ourselves in this lifc in prospect of the blessings in store for us . Wc learnt from it lessons of a highly symbolical character , which

taught us through the creative power narrated 111 the Book of Genesis the dignity of honest laoour , and the duty of humility . Were we not daily taught that there should , be subordination , and reverence to those sent to rule over us ; that some were sent to rule and govern and that others must learn td submit and obey ? Freemasonry inculcated this also , and it also taught that when we were laid in the

grave wc should all be equal . Steady perseverance was also inculcated . The lessons wc were taught in Freemasonry we were to carry into actual practice . In another place we had lately heard that the watchwords of thc Order were " Loyalty and Charity , " and while these survived Freemasonry would be cemented . Let there be concord , friendship ,

brotherly love and affection ; let us cultivate thc gifts and graces put in our way ; carry into the world the principles taught in the ICHICTO , ami oo wc ahould be best promoting the spread of the Order . At the termination of this oration , of which the above is a very brief outline , Bro . John Coutts , P . G . P ., P . M . 27 , 1 3 , antl 1348 , was presented to Bro . Terry by the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster of Kent ,

Bro . Eastes , and installed 111 the than . Bro . Eastes , 111 presenting him , said that he was quite satisfied , from the fact of his being nominated as W . AL , that Bro . Coults must have the confidence of the brethren who formed the lodge , and that he would do everything he could for the good of Freemasonry in general , and this lotlge in particular . ( Hear , hear . ) Thc following brethren were

appointed ofliccrs : —Bros . G . F . Guest , S . W . ; VV . Kipps , J . W . ; F . Walters , Treas . ; James Griffin , Sec . ; il . Gloster , S . D . ; Thomas Skinner , J . D . ; Hardman , I . G . ; Hox , W . S . ; Hatchings , D . C . ; and T . Grand , Tyler . On the motion of Bra . Walters , seconded by Bro . Griffin , the thanks of the brethren were unanimously voted to the brethren who had assisted at the ceremony , Bros . Eastes

Terry , Hill , Robinson , Page , and Spencer . The W . AL , in presenting this vote of thanks , saitl that as Alaster of the lodge lie sincerely felt indebted to these brethren . This had been an excellent inauguration of thc lodge , and he hoped it would go on as well as it hatl begun . It would be his earnest endeavour , as far as was in his power , to make the lotlge a good lodge , and the brethren

would look back on this day as a red letter day in the annals of the Chislehurst Lotlge . The Dep . Prov . G . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said that he and the oilier Prov . G . Officers had attended with a great deal of p leasure , ll was , moreover , a matter of duty for them to do so . They were of course anxious tt > sec Alasonry ( loutish and prosper in Kent , and in lhat

district of Kent , and they reatlily . fell i-i with th * views of the promoters of the lodge that they should be present at its consecration , as they did when any lotlge was to be consecrated in the province . He and the other Prov . G . Officers wished thc ^ Chislehurst Lotlge every success . On the motion of Bro . Wallers , seconded by Bro . Guest , Bros . Eastes , Terry , Hill , Robinson , Page , antl Spencer ,

were elected honorary members of the lodge . Each of the elected brethren returned thanks , and the lodge proceeded to choose Stewards for the Alasonic Institutions . Bro . Kipps took the stewardship of the Boys' School ; Bro . Guest undertook to represent the lodge at the next festival of the Girls' School ; and Bro . Coutts consented to accept the post of Steward for the Royal Alasonic Benevolent

Institution . Bro . James Terry on behalf of the three institutions returned thanks to these brethren for taking the office , and wished each of them every success iu making up good lists . Lotlge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The Deputy Grand Master , in returning thanks for "The Provincial Grant ! Officers , " referring to Lonl Holmesdale ,

said that his lordship had taken a great deal of interest in thc promotion of this lodge ; he felt great pleasure in the granting of the warrant , and nothing but pressing engagements prevented his being present al the consecration . It was not only the formation of new lodges , but the proper working ofiodges already formed , that Lordliolmesdale took an interest in . For himself ( the Dep .

P . G . AI . ) he would inform the brethren that this was the first time he had attended the consecration ol a lodge in his official position ; but nothing coultl afford him greater pleasure than to find lodges increasing in number in the province of Kent . The Grand Officers knew that the lodges would be conducted in such a manner as to reflect credit 011 Freemasonry and the province of Kent .

He hoped every care would be taken as to thc admission of members ; and of this he had no doubt , judging from what he had heard that day . There were many nice lodges in Kent , and he trustcd _ . hat this lodge , starting as it tlid under favourable auspices . would take care that every thing was done to protect it from intrusion by unfit anil improper persons . There were now 39 lodges in the

province , which was increasing in the number of its members as well . The social status of those members was also increasing ; and when they arrived at that point , numbers need not be thought of . Men who were likely to be an ornament to thc society were the men only who should be admitted to it , and he would advise all the brethren , particularly those who were already Past Alasters of

other lodges , to devote their attention to that matter , and also to sec lhat the province stood well in the list of provinces , and also with respect to the charities . That was another point he wished to call attention to . At the provincial meeting at Favershatn a few days ago the brethren carried some bye-laws on this subject which would secure the election of candidates sent up from Kent . Those byelaws would probably be carried at the Grand Lodge to be

Consecration Of The Chislehurst Lodge (No. 1531).

held at Gravesend on the 6 th if July . Unless thc brethren organised themselves there was no chance of getting their candidates elected , and the votes were really thrown away . Now they wanted to avoid such a result , and therefore lliey proposed to get each lodge lo elect a Steward , and to carry a particular candidate . If that was done the province woultl stand pre-eminent for thc amount

of money sent up , and for the success of their eandiuates . With respect to this new lodge hc hoped they would assist the province in this object . lie was sure the brethren woultl do everything they coultl . After again thanking the brethren for the toast , the Dep . G . Alaster saitl he coultl not sit down without thanking Bro . Terry for so kindly undertaking the ofiice of consecrating and installing Alaster .

No one could have witnessed the ceremony of that day unmoved . Bro . Terry's words antl the splendid oration of Grand Chaplain nmst have impressed upon thc minds of the brethren that Freemasonry was not a mere myth , but that Freemasons were earnest and sincere in what they undertook , and zealous in and desirous of carrying out thc principles of the high Order . ( I lcar

hear . ) Bro . Robinson , G . S . W ., ! lr .- > . S-wnrv-r , G . R .. Tiro . Hill , G . C , and Bro . Page , G . J . ., also urged the same topics , exhorting the brethren to bear in mind the words c" the Deputy Grantl Afnster , and to introduce into the Order only such members as they believed would adorn it . Thc VV . AI . 's henllh was proposed by the Dep . G . AL ; and the

VV . AI . in replying said he trusted the lodge would go on as prosperously as it had begun . After Ihe toast of " The Visitors" had been proposed and responded lo , the W . M . gave " The Charities , " the Keystone of the Alasonic Order . Bro . James Terry , in reply , said he thanked the memhcis of the lotlge for having taken thc very uupivccdenlcd step they had taken at the first meeting of the lotlge , of

electing Stewards to represent them at each ensuing festival of the three Masonic Institutions . Alter referring lo each ut them and the support extended to them , Bro . Terry saitl there were now 570 boys , girls , and old people depending for their support on the liberality of the Craft . There were 7000 or Sooo Alasons made every year , but only 300 or 400 of these supported the charities . What were the

remainder doing ? Knowing what obligations they were under we had a right to look to all who came into the Order to support thc institutions . Tha province of Kent stood very well in this respect . It was fourth on the list . The hi ghest was West Yorkshire ; the next was East Lancashire ; the next West Lancashire ; and the fourth , Kent . 1 le hoped

that at the next festival Kent would again make its name known , and by a combined effort among the lodges allow their contributions to hc announced as front the province of Kent . During the time the new Prov . Grand Alaster had presided over thc province of Herts , which was his own ( Bro . Terry's ) province , a great impetus had been given to Freemasonry . There were only ten lodges ; but

at the last festival of the Benevolent Institution £ 260 was brought up from five lodges there . He advised cooperation in the province of Kent , and that the total amount collected in the province might be announced . Referring to this lodge , antl the pleasant part of the county in which it was located , he saitl thai many brethren living iu Loudon would be glad to come down lo

it . ll was a most enjoyable part of the province * , antl llicie was a good opportunity of partaking of the hospitality of the men of Kent . He had himself from lime to time enjoyed the hospitality of every lodge throughout thc province , and he did not know a more warm-hearted county , or a more prosperous one . He could also say , as the Secretary of one of the Alasonic institutions , that he did not

know a province that had so persistently and consistently supported the claims of the three Alasonic institutions . I le looked upon it as a mine of wealth . There was not a Provincial Grand Lodge which took place in it at which then * was not a large sum of money given to the charities ; and if report spoke truly , of the next meeting at Gravescml all three institutions would derive strong support . He wished for a prosperous year of office for the W . AL , and that

when he retired from that post he woultl find thai he had given a prestige to thc lodge which should never fade . As a member already of the Granil Lodge of England nnd the Prov . ii . Lodge of Middlesex lie hoped to see the VV . M . also hold office in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent , and thc Chislehurst Lodge not the least of the lodges he belongetl to . ( Hear , hear . ) Thc brethren shortly afterwards separated .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LINCOLNSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire was held on Thursday , the 10 th inst ., at the Assembly Rooms , Boston , when Major Smythe , the Deputy Grand Master , presided . The Provincial Grand

Lodge was heltl " under the banner of the Harmony Lotlge 272 , " of which Bro . J . Ashlin Thomas , Prov . G . J . W ., is W . M . There are alread y 19 lodges in the province , nil of which answered when the roll was called over b y Bro . Marsden , the Prov . G . Sec . The attendance , therefore , was large , and Alasonic enthusiasm displayed on the

occasion was warm and hearty . The spread of Alasoniy in ihe province was generally remarked upon , , 'int ! a strong proof of it was said to be the large increase in the attendance at Prov . Grantl Lotl ge this year over that of last year . Prayers were reatl in St . Botolph ' s Church at half-past twelve , and on their conclusion at one o ' clock Harmony

Lodge opened first , and on the admission of Grantl Lotlge procession of officers , the Deputy Provincial Grantl Alaster bad thc gavel handed to him b y Bro . Thomas , and Grand Lodge was opened . Banners of the uudcrmenliniu'd lodges adorned the walls : — Pelham Pillar , Franklin , Ancholme , St . Hugh , Olive Union , Shakespeare , Harmony ,