Consecration Of The Fairfield Lodge, No. 2224, Long Eaton.

smoothing the roughness , it may be , of Colonial life ; cheering the existence of settlers in barbaric cities ; helping the struggling , supporting the weary in the towns of the Old World , and generally holding the right hand of fellowship and sympathy throughout the length and breadth of the world . Truly , brethren , Masonry holds an unique and necessary place in modern social life ; it is in a manner a necessity of our time . The other characteristic of a good society—the second in the order

mentioned—is illustrated by your presence here to-day . The characteristic is , that it should be capable of expansion and should be independent of local circumstances . I may be pardoned if I congratulate here the W . M . and brethren upon the establishment of this new lodge , No . 2224 , illustrating the spread of Masonry and the gratifying progress that its Charitable principles are making through the land . Every new lodge that is founded acts like a drop of rain

that falls upon the surface of a lake , causing a rippling circle which grows and expands ever wider and wider , taking under its influence all within its reach . May the G . A . O . T . U . take this lodge under His especial care , causing its beneficent influence to be more and more felt as time goes on , increasing its prosperity by arraying within its numbers an ever expanding proportion of new members . And may the lodge in its turn , like the lake , supply a drop , which may

make another circle elsewhere by sending out as spirited a founder of a new lodge in another place as is the originator of this one . Whilst wishing that the first W . M . of this the Fairfield Lodge and his assistant officers a prosperous , peaceful , and harmonious year of office , let us not fail to give our most grateful thanks to the G . A . O . T . U . for His present help hitherto , humbly asking Him to allow the bright beams of His grace to illuminate them and us in our duties towards Him and towards our neighbour and to protect and preserve us to all eternity . So mote it be .

The P . G . Chaplain was deservedly applauded for this beautiful address . After the hymn " Hail , universal Lord , " had been sung , the P . G . Chaplain offered up the first portion of the consecration prayer , and Bro . William Gadsby sang " Behold how good and joyful" in excellent style . The

consecration ceremony was then proceeded with in the customary manner by the D . P . G . M ., assisted by the P . G . Chaplains and other P . G . Officers , and the lodge dedicated to Masonry , Virtue , and Universal Benevolence by the aid of corn , wine , and oil . Bro . Okeover completed the ceremony by pronouncing the dedication prayer and blessing .

The W . M . designate , Bro . Silver Hall , was , after the usual preliminaries , installed into the chair of K . S . as first Master of the lodge by Bro . Thomas Cox , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Treas . Bro . Thomas Cox subsequently delivered the address to the W . M ., and on the re-admission of the Master Masons , the fact was announced to them of Bro . Hall ' s installation , and they saluted him in the customary manner .

The following brethren were invested by the W . M . as his officers for the ensuing year , viz .: Bros . J . P . Fearfield , S . W . ; W . H . Farmer , J . W . ; Rev . J . W . Tapper , P . P . G . C . Jersey , Chap . ; J . W . Chambers , Sec ; N . Ashurst , S . D . ; Edgar Home , J . D . ; Jas . O . Manton , D . of C . ; VV .

Gadsby , Org . ; Edward Smith , I . G . ; H . N . Hughes-Hallett and R . btorer , Stewards ; and C . H . Benham , Tyler . Bro . Cox addressed the Wardens and brethren , and the P . G . Chaplain concluded the ceremony of installation .

The W . M . said he should make it his first duty to propose a vote of thanks to the D . P . G . M . for his kindness in coming there to perform the

consecration ceremony . The proposition was speedily seconded , and carried with acclamation . A vote of thanks was also accorded Bro . Thomas Cox , P . P . S . G . W ., Installing Master , hr his appreciated services . Both brethren responded in appropriate terms .

A vote of thanks was ordered to be sent by letter to Mrs . Fea ; field ( wife of the S . W . ) for her generosity and kindness in presenting the lodge with a handsome banner , and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded Bro . the Rev . Charles Groves for his beautiful oration . The W . M ., on behalf of the members , presented Bro . J . P . Fearfield , S . W ., with a Founder ' s jewel lor his highly esteemed services . A number of propositions for initiation were announced and handed to the Secretary .

Letters of apology for non-acceptance of invitation to be present were announced as received from Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . G . Sec . ; C . F .

Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; John Woodall , P . G . Treas . ; Rev . Sanders . P . G . Chap . ; John Watson , Past G . D . Eng ., Prov . G . M . Notts ; Jas . Terry , P . G . Std . Br . ; John Chadwick , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec . E . Lanes . ; S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . ; W . H . Farmer , P . G . D . C ; E . Mammatt ,

P . P . S . G . W . Leicestershire ; W . B . Tate , P . P . S . G . W . Notts ; VV . B . Hextall , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire ; A . Slubbs , Asst . P . G . Sec . Notts ; V . J . Greenhalgh , P . P . J . G . W . Derbyshire ; Fitzherbert Wiight , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire ; VV . Wynne , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire ; J . D . Simpson , W . M . 1952 ; and others .

Bro . Charles Henton Wood , P . P . S . G . W . and Prov . G . Sec . Leicestershire and Rutland , in a letter of apology to the W . M . for non-attendance , regretted his engagements prevented him from accepting the invitation to be present at the consecration of the Fairfield Lodge . The noble hospitality he had received on the occasion of the centenary of the Tyrian Lodge would never fade from his and the Leicestershire brethren's recollections , who

were fortunate enough to be present , whilst the kindly and fraternal way in which the Derbyshire brethren allowed himself and friends to join their party when journeying to London to attend the Masonic Jubilee Festival at the Albert Hall would be ever remembered with pleasure and gratitude . He was sure he expressed the feelings of all his Leicestershire brethren in wishing the Fairfield Lodge a long course of prosperity .

When "Hearty good wishes" had been expressed by the numerous visitors , the Dep . Prov . G . M . retired , and the lodge was closed in due form . At a later period the brethren sat down to a capital banquet , alter which the usual loyal toasts were proposed and honoured . The W . M . proposed "The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " "The Earl of Carnarvon , " and "The Musical Brethren . "

Bro . FEARFIELD , S . W ., proposed "Bro . the Right Hon . the Marquis of Hartington , R . W . P . G . M ., and Bro . H . C . Okeover , V . W . D . P . G . M . " Bro . A . T . MITCHELL , P . M . 1405 , proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " which was well received , honoured , and duly responded to . Bro . C . MALTBY , P . M . 1179 , P . P . J . G . W ., proposed "The Visiting Brethren , " and Bros . S . STEVENS , 47 , and HENRY GEORGE , P . M . 1661 , P . P . G . D . of C . Notts , responded .

Bio . W . H . FARMER , J . W . and P . M . 1434 , proposed "The Worshipful Rasters and Brethren of the Derbyshire Lodges , " and Bros . FLETCHER , P . M . 1 ijg , and SEVERN-TAYLOR , J . W . 731 , responded . The W . M . proposed " The Officers of the Fail field Lodge , " and Bros . J- P . FEARFIELD , S . W ., and J . VV . CHAMBERS , Sec , responded . The toast list was brought to a close at an early hour with " To all poor and distressed Masons . " . ^ lod ge will meet on the first Wednesday in every month from October

Consecration Of The Dene Lodge, No. 2228, Cookham.

CONSECRATION OF THE DENE LODGE , No . 2228 , COOKHAM .

Freemasonry in the Province of Berks and Backs has b ; en reinforced by the addition of another lodge to its roll of iS lodges . The pretty village of Cookham is the home of this latest addition to the Masonic family , and the occasion of its birth on Saturday last was duly celebrated in a manner that gives promise of a strong and healthy career . Bro . Charles

Belton , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , is mainly responsible for its existence , and was on that occasion installed as VV . M . A goodly number of brethren , among whom were many Grand Officers , assembled at the lung ' s Arms Hotel , Cookham , and at 3 o ' clock Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., D . P . G . M . Berks and Bucks , proceeded to consecrate the lodge . He was assisted b y Bro . Major

A . B . Cook , P . A . G . D . C , as S . W . ; Bro . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C ; and Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., as I . G . There were also present as visitors : Bros . Bradley , Prov . G . Sec , P . G . S . B . ; Batting , P . P . G . Reg . ; Dr . E . M . Lott , P . G . Org . ; Fredk . Binckes , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Terry , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . Thomson , W . M . 165 ; W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; S . Smith , R . Groom , and others .

Letters of regret at not being able to be present were read from Bros . Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Raymond Thrupp , Dr . Stewart , F . A . Phiibrick , G . Reg . ; Thomas Fenn , R . E . Clutton , C . F . Matier , J . L . Mather , F . West , and Hait . The ceremony of consecration , which has often been described in the pages ot the Freemason , was , in the hands of the expert Craftsmen just named , very ably carried through , and the Dane Lodge was declared duly constituted .

In place ol the usual oration on the nature and principles of Freemasonry , which the Consecrating Officer remarked , would , in the presence of so many Grand Officers and Past Masters , be somewhat unnecessary , he gave a shott address only . The Installation of the W . M . was than proceeded with , and Bro . Belton

was duly inducted in the chair of King Solomon . He appointed his offijers as follows : Bros . VV . Boutcher , P . M ., S . VV . j R . E . Goolden , P . M ., J . vV . ; Richard Eve , G . Treas ., I . P . M . ; Fredk . Major , Treas . ; J . VV . H . Thompson , Sec . ; J . B . Clark , S . D ' . ; H . Clark , P . M ., J . D . ; and Geo . Clark , jun ., P . M ., I . G .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in thanking the Consecrating Officers and those who had assisted him in the ceremony , proposed that they should show their sense of the obligations they were under to those brethren , and he therefore proposed that the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Major A . B . Cook , Dr . Ralph Gooding , Frank Richardson , and Robert Grey , as well as Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , and Robert Bradley , Prov . G . Sec , be elected honorary members of the Dene Lodge .

Ihe VV . M . then proposed that the founders of the lodge be a Committee for framing the by-laws " . This being carried , two gentlemen , viz ., Mr . Alfred Major , of the War Office , and Mr . W . A . Rixon , of the Royal Society of Artists in Water Colours , were proposed as candidates for initiation , and Bro . Major Bishop , late of No . 60 , as a joining member . The lodge was' then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet under the genial presidency of the W . M .

The toasts of " The Queen and the Craft" and " The M . W . G . Master " were briefly put and dul y honoured , and , as the W . M . was desirous of consulting the convenience of the majority of the brethren who wished to return to town by an early train , he said he would be equally brief in introducing the toast of " The Grand Officers . "

Bro . ROBT . GREY , in responding , said that as the W . M . had set them the key note , he would only say a few words in reply , but those words would be very sincere . It was generally the custom , he said , for Grand Officers on such occasions to give words of advice , but with such a Master as Bro . Belton , he felt no advice was needed . He congratulated Bro . Belton on the success of the day . He had attended many consecration ceremonies , but , on looking around , he had never seen so many Grand Officers in proportion to the brethren present .

Ihe W . M . next gave the toast of "Bro . Brownri gg , " who , he said , appeared to them as a Grand Officer , Dep . Prov . Grand Master , and also as the Consecrating Officer . He thanked him personally , and in the name of the lodge , for his services on that occasion . He had set them an excellent example 111 many respects , and he hoped the officers of the Dene Lodge would profit by it .

Bro . BROWNRIGG , in reply , said that he was gratified at having fallen amongst old friends . They had . it was true , referred with some amount of sarcasm to his having broken the record in the speed with which he had gone through the ceremonies of the day , but he forgave them , and should look forward to many enjoyable meetings of the Dene Lodge . He hoped the W . M . would not consider him tedious when singing his praises , but lie felt the greatest gratification in proposing "The Health of Bro . Beiton , " who would , he felt sure , make that lodge a credit to the Craft .

Bro . BELTON , in reply , thanked Bro . Brownrigg for the k ' . nd expressions he had used . Every brother at the table , he said , was a personal'friend , and he had an extreme pleasure in investing Bro . Eve as I . P . M . The Grand Treasurer was a distinguished Mason . ' It had fallen to the lot of few men to have perlormed a greater amount of Masonic work , and it was with peculiar pleasure that he became associated with Bro . Eve in the formation of the lodge .

Ihe VV . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Visitors , " said that the majority of the visitors present were Grand Officers , who had already been adverted to in a previous toast , and he assured both those and the other visitors that they were received by the Dine Lodge with a very cordial welcome ; and he called on Bro . VV . Lake to respond .

Bro . LAKE , in reply , congratulated the VV . M . and members on the inauguration of the Dene Lodge under the able guidance of Bro . Belton , who had associated with him so many good Masons . He referred to a remark that had fallen from the Consecrating Officer in the lodge , with which he thought the brethren would agree—mat , although lodges existed in most of the larger towns in the province , there was still plenty of room for such lodges as the one they had inaugurated that day in districts sufficiently remote to be free from clashing with those already in existence .

Bro . EVE then gave the toast of " The Charities . " They must remember , he said , that even when they were there enjoying themselves , those who had enjoyed themselves in times past , and who had left others to carry on the work of Masonry , were needing the help of their more fortunate brethren . They recognised two brethren present who had done much to