Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight

him . It was a great thing in Freemasonry to feel that those vvith whom one was connected met him in this way , that any Mason could feel there were those who would join with his gladness and mourn with him in his hours of distress . The P . G . M . concluded with some earnest words in defence of the principles of Masonry , and with the assurance to the brethren that the remembrance of their kindness would always be indented upon his memory .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in the absence of Bro . Eve , then movid " That the sum of 200 guineas be given from the Provincial Grand Lodge Funds , in aid of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , on the occasion of the celebration of its Jubilee in February next . " He added that the sum would be divided among the Stewards , of whom there would be a great many .

Bro . the Rev . J . N . PALMER seconded , and the motion was carried unanimously . The PROV . GRAND MASTER asked the brethren to express their congratulations to Prince Albert Victor upon the auspicious event announced

in that morning ' s papers , and moved a resolution to that effect , which was seconded by the D . P . G . M ., and carried with hearty acclamation , as was also a vote of thanks to the Duke of Connaught for his presence , which his Royal Highness acknowledged with a bow . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed .

The meeting was followed by the annual festival of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic and Educational and Benevolent Institution , over which the P . G . M . presided . The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , and "Success to the Institution " was proposed by the CHAIRMAN .

Bro . G . F . LANCASTER replied , and said that every child for whom application was made , had been found eligible , and placed on the fund . He read the following list of subscriptions : —Bro . VV . H . Halliday , 35 , ^ 20 ; Bro . VV . A . Hill , 309 , £ 10 ; Bro . J . VV . Willmott , 342 , £ 22 6 s . ; Bro . L . Steele , 359 , ^ 10 ios . ; Bro . A . Hewitt , 394 , £ 2 2 s . ; Bro . W . Bates , 804 , ¦ £ 35 ss . ;• Bro . I . R . P . Sharp , 1112 , £ 6 13 s . r Bro . VV . Miller , 142 S ,

£ 34 13 s . ; Bros . A . J . Brown and J . Methven , 1461 , ^ 10 ios . ; Bro . G . Hayter , 1776 , ^ 15 15 s . ; Bro . Lieut . Knowles , R . N ., P . S . G . W ., ^ 52 ios . ; Bro . G . Williams , 2068 , £ 36 5 s . 6 d . ; Bro . T . Stretton , 2153 , £ 8 iSs . 6 d . ; Bro . G . F . Lancaster , 1990 , ^ 31 ios . ; and J . D . Morant , 1069 , ^ 5 5 s ., making a total of ^ 291 is . 6 cl . Bro . Lancaster added that Lieut . Knovvles's was a personal contribution , but the votes would be given to his lodge . The proceedings , which were of a highly successful character throughout , shortly afterwards terminated .

Consecration Of The Grays Valley Chapter, No. 2147.

CONSECRATION OF THE GRAYS VALLEY CHAPTER , No . 2147 .

On Wednesday , the 9 th inst ., Earl Amherst , Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch Masons of Kent , consecrated a new Royal Arch chapter attached to the Grays Valley Lodge , No . 2147 , at the Institute , St . Mary Cray . His lordship was assisted by Comps . Eastes and John Lovett , the H . and J . of the province , and Comp . Thomas Samuel Warne , the Grand Scribe E . of the Province of Kent . The other companions present on the

were : Comps . J . C . Russell , Treas . ; George D . Warner , T . H . Price , Edwin D . Hobson , Arthur Hubbard , J . H . Roberts , S . Vanin , Francis Powell , P . Z . 1174 ; C . Congland ; T . R . P . Champion , P . Z . 829 ; George R . Cobham , Z . 20 ; Alfred Pearce , P . Z . 1572 ; W . Medwin , P . Z . 192 ; G . Harlow , 1572 ; H . Sadler , G . Janitor ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 , P . Z . and M . E . Z . 1928 ; W . R . Clisby , 1623 ; H . P . Cryer , 1572 ; M . Wright , Edmund H . Joynson , A . Jones , 1339 ; W . W . Barker , Sidney Matthews ,

W . Wiggins , 20 ; W . H . Cole , 1572 ; Walter W . Arter , 1572 ; W . Poole , 1572 ; James Cowan , P . S . 1572 ; Joseph S . Fletcher , S . E . 874 ; John Abrey , J . 8 74 ; L . J . Brice , jun ., P . S . 1050 ; John Ryder , H . 8 74 ; W . Kingwell , H . 1572 ; R . H . Stimpson , 2 nd A . S . 59 ; W . Price , 2182 ; Frank Swinford Smith , 2182 ; J . M . Hodder , P . Z . 1572 ; M . J . Avery , 1572 , P . P . G . S . Devon ; H . Tyrer ; George Briggs , 1572 ; W . S . Whitaker , P . Z . 1572 ; R . H . Goffin , P . Z . 1572 ; C . A . Hooper , and Charles Shepperd , Janitor .

The musical portion of the ceremonies was admirably performed under the direction of Comp . VV . W . Arter , who was assisted by Comps . VVm . Price , Z . 21 S 2 , and Frank Swinford , 21 S 2 . After the chapter had been formally openeel , Earl AMHERST said the companions were assembled for the purpose of adding another Royal Arch chapter to the roll of the Prov . Grand Chapter

of Kent . It was a most interesting occasion—interesting to Freemasonry generally , ancl especially interesting to the Royal Arch Masons of Kent . From what he learned from those who petitioned for the charter , the prospects of the success of the chapter were assured . He was rejoiced to hear it , because Freemasonry in the Province of Kent was very successful . Thc

Grays Valley Lodge was a very prosperous lodge , and he was quite sure that the chapter that was now going to be attached to it would be equally prosperous . He hoped the companions would be able to look back to the present solemnity with perfect satisfaction , ancl that the Grays Valley Chapter would be one of the best chapters in Kent . Comp . LOVETT , Prov . G . J ., afterwards delivered the following address . He said . *

We are assembled here to-day to add another chapter to our province , and I esteem it a great privilege to assist on the occasion . The Royal Arch Degree is a very beautiful and impressive one , and a Royal Arch chapter is a bond of union of no mean significance . Most of us are from lengthened experience conversant with its ceremonial and its high value at the conclusion and completement of our whole Craft system . I will not dwell on the beautiful ceremony of consecration in

which we are about to take part , but I venture to point out , though perhaps imperfectly , some of those lessons which suggest themselves on such an occasion . The Royal Arch Degree is and must be the ne plus ultra of Freemasonry , the very climax and cape-stone of the Order , for it deals vvith a theme which is above all themes , and which no other can approach , much less surpass . Masonry would be incomplete unless it led us by gradual steps to the contemplation of the Great

Jehovah , the Incomprehensible I Am , the Alpha and Omega , Who vvas , and is , and is to come , the actual present , future , and all-sufficient God , Who alone has His being of and from Himself , and gives to all others their being , Who vvas , and is , and shall be the same from everlasting to everlasting , all creation dependent on His Almighty Will . Therefore , the more we reflect on the vital principles inculcated in the solemn ceremony we are engaged in the more anxious vve ought to be to treat

it with the reverence it claims and to enforce on all companions of the Order the necessity of regarding this august and Supreme Degree vvith the amount of 1 everence it deserves . Freemasonry draws the parallel between our actual everyday life and a true Masonic career—from our dependence on others . Even for the preservation of life , in the first portion of our existence we deduce the moral that it is our duty to learn and practice an abiding lesson of mutual dependence and

Consecration Of The Grays Valley Chapter, No. 2147.

regularity . Passing on vve reach the period and opportunity to practice these principles . We are taught to rightly employ the hours given to us and to consider them as precious talents to be used not only for our own benefit and for the benefit of those who are dependent on us , but also for the good of our f el low creatures and for the glory of our Creator . Masonry in this Degree points vvith no flattering finger to the future beyond the grave when vve shall stand face to face with the Great I Am ,

who is the Eternal Ruler of the Universe , the elemental life , the primordial source of all its principles , the very spring and foundation of all its virtues . The Royal -Arch Degree stands as a beacon , a pillar of light to guide us through the wilderness of doubt and difficulty by vvhich vve are surrounded in our earthly pilgrimage only leaving us when having passed through the dark portals of the Valley of the Shadow of Death , vve enter the promised land where the true secrets of Freemasonry shall be disclosed , never again to be concealed or lost . Still superlative

as I claim this Degree to be , I emphatically call on you to remember that it is still but a link in the golden chain which binds together in mutual dependence our whole Masonic system . May you , companions of this chapter , ever uphold the good and true , may the practical exercise of all Masonic virtues be the distinguishing characteristic of every member of this chapter ; may peace , harmony , and brotherly love ever prevail amongst you , and may you ever remember that you are to act in accordance vvith the high principles of the Order , and carry . out in your life and actions the sublime teaching of Royal Arch Masonry .

After the address had been delivered , the formal ceremonies connected with the consecration of a Royal Arch chapter were conducted , and thc chapter was solemnly dedicated . When the ceremonies were concluded , Comp . Warne , Prov . G . S . E ., was requested by Earl Amherst to perform the ceremonies of installation of the First and other Principals of the new chapter , and Comp . Warne most impressively conducted the work .

The officers of the new chapter were Comps . George Harlow , M . E . Z . ; Walter Solomon Whitaker , H . ; George Briggs , J . ; Nelson Reed , S . E . ; Sidney Matthews , S . N . ; Edmund H . joynson , Treas . ; W . H . Cole , P . S . ; Claude A . Hooper , ist A . S . ; H . Tyrer , 2 nd A . S . ; and C . Shepperd , Janitor . Votes of thanks were afterwards passed to Comps . Earl Amherst , Eastes , Lovett , Warne , and the other companions who assisted in the consecration , and Comps . Earl Amherst , J . S . Eastes , Lovett , and Warne were made honorary members of the chapter .

The chapter was then closed , and the companions partook of a choice banquet provided by Messrs . Hill and Sons , of Bishopsgate-street . Ihe usual toasts followed . After the toast of " 'Ihe Queen and Royal Arch Masonry " had been honoured , Comp . HARLOW , in proposing the toast of " The Prince of VVales , M . E . G . Z ., " said he could not help congratulating his Royal Highness on the

coming marriage of his eldest son , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , Prov . Grand Master of Berkshire and P . G . W . England , with the Princess May . He considered himself very highly favoured in being able to mention this event , because this was the first new chapter which had been consecrated since the joyful message was read out that the Provincial Grand Master of Berkshire was about to take unto himself a wife . It was a matter

of congratulation to all Masons that a happy union of a son of the head of the Masonic Order was about to be effected with a Princess who was loved by the people . At the same time he was p leased to assure the Prince of VVales of the joy that all Masons felt at thc recovery of his second son from a serious illness .

Comp . J . S . EASTES responded to the toast of " The Earl of Lathom and the other Grand Officers , " and he predicted a bright future for the Grays Valley Chapter . Comp . HARLOW , in proposing- "The Health of Earl Amherst , Grand Superintendent of Kent , " reminded his lordship of the consecration of the

Grays Valley Lodge five years ago , and assured him that the efforts which has been made to bring about the success of the lodge would be made in the chapter . The lodge gave annually 100 guineas to the Charities , besides other sums for local charities . In the Benevolent Fund of the lodge there was now ^ 40 , and they intended always to keep in mind that the object of their Institution was benevolence .

Earl AMHERST , in responding , said his heart was in Royal Arch Masonry , and ever since it was established in Kent by a Provincial Grand Chapter he had done everything he could to support , it . The Royal Arch was the capestone of Masonry , and it was with peculiar pleasure he came that day to consecrate the Grays Valley Chapter . He knew very well what the Grays Valley Lodge had done since its consecration five years ago . With regard

to the chapter , he had heard that they had several candidates for the Royal Arch Degree , but he advised them not to be in a hurry . He knew perfectly well the quality of the companions who formed the chapter , and he was sure that they would look more to quality than to quantity in respect to membership . Care in selection ought always to be exercised , and he had no doubt that such care would be taken . He thanked the other Grand Officers ofthe

province for their able assistance in the consecration , ancl he congratulated the chapter on the event of the day , and hoped that the Grays Valley Chapter would flourish . Comp . WARNE responded to the toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers , " and expressed the pleasure he felt at having had to assist in thc consecration and installation . He hoped to visit the chapter again from time to time , and when he did he was sure he would see it flourishing . Comp . RUSSELL also replied .

Earl AMHERST proposed " The Principals . " He was certain that a good selection had been made , as he knew what had been done in the Grays Valley Lodge . The Principals would be able to give the best counsel , and he hoped the other companions would back them up . Comp . HARLOW , in reply , said the Principals would do their best to make the Grays Valley Chapter a success , and . would endeavour to work on the

lines laid down that night by Earl Amherst—not to make the chapter big - only , but one that the Grand Superintendent of Kent might be proud of . Comps . VV . S . WHITAKER , H ., and BRIGGS , J ., also replied , and said that having once put their hand to the plough they would not look back . Comps . FRANCIS POWELL , COI ' ELAND , A . T . PEARCE , GOFFIN , and AVERY responded to the toast of " The Visitors . "

Comp . NELSON REED , S . E ., replied for "Thc Officers , " and was followed b y Comp . MATTHEWS . Comp . H . TYRER also replied , and said he should do his best to forward the interests of the chapter . In the Grays Valley Lodge they were striving to promote brotherl y love , charity , and unity , and they would do the same

in the Grays Valley Chapter . The companions of the chapter would unite in trying to add one more link lo the bond which they had formed in thc lodge to do the best they could for their fellow creatures . Comp . SHEPPERD gave the Janitor ' s toast , and the companions having most heartily drank it , the proceedings of a most delightful evening were brought to a close .