Consecration Of The Duke Of Albany Lodge, No. 1963.

rule the Crichton , of which he was the originator and first founder , rose rapidly and firmly in reputation and numbers . It , therefore , augurs well for the new lodge that its founders have been able to secure the services of so popular and successful a Master , and there is every prospect that the Duke of Albany Lodge , now in a strong and vigourous infancy , will speedily take rank with our best lodges . Ten candidates are already proposed for initiation . It maybe thought worthy of notice that the W . M . is a Life Governor and Steward of a ' ll our Charities , and that the S . W . will stand as Steward for the Boys' School at the forthcoming festival in June .

The Consecrating Officers were unanimously and heartily thanked for their valuable services , and consented to become honorary members of the

lodge . A vote of thanks was also given to His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , and the brethren sent their humble and heartfelt congratulations on his marriage , and their earnest wishes that every blessing maj ; be showered upon the Royal pair by the all-bounteous hand of T . G . A . O . T . U . The officers invested were : Bros . R . J . Vincent , S . W . ; C . Wilson , J . W . ; F . Kerry , Treas . ; John White , Sec ; R . Slokoe , S . D . ; V . T . Gill PinkSteward

Murchc , J . D . ; T . Harrap , I . G . ; G . , D . C . ; W . T . , ; H . Maidment , A . S . ; and Walkley , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ( Somerset ) , Tyler . The banquet was excellently served by Mr . Stanley , of Lavendar-hill . Fifty o-uests attended the ample board , and did justice to the bounteous hospitaliity of the founders . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to with great enthusiasm . The following visitors were present : Bros . S . H . Goldschmidt , W . M . 1641 ; T .

Gardiner , P . M . 1 G 41 ; T . E . Heller , S . W . 1 G 41 ; T . H . Maunder , Org . 1641 ; W . Cooper , 1641 ; C . Bird , 1 C 41 ; O . L . Finch , 1 C 41 ; G . Girling , 1 G 41 ; H . R . Baker , 1641 ; J . Dallison , 1641 ; J . Nicholl , 1641 ; T . Nettleship , 1641 ; T . Weeks , Sec . 1641 , 1421 ; Dr . Kempster , P . M . 1420 ; I . J . Hiscox , 1420 ; ] . T . Pilditch , P . M . 1420 ; J . W . Hiscox , P . M . 1420 ; A . Southam , P . M . i 4 "o ; " Young , S . W . 1420 ; Radford , J . W . 14 = 0 ; Cooch , 1420 ; Taylor , 1420 ; Sinclair , Grummart 1 Steele

W . M . 1420 ; F . Pink , 1420 ; J . Noble , 13 ; D . Rose , P . M . 73 ; , 559 ; , 172 ; Hal ) , 259 ; Stevens , 1657 ; Chapman , 1257 ; MeWish , 1 S 53 ; Wishatt , 17 S 9 ; Dr . Bayfield , 392 ; Moody , 1 S 53 ; H . Vickerey , P . M . 1475 ; Witts , P . M . 144 ; Jame ? , W . M . 957 ; Dr . Oakman , J . W . 1 S 53 ; Runacres , W . M . 1922 ; and H . Sadler , P . M ., Grand Tyler . The lodge was furnished by Rro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Eastes Lodge No. 1965.

CONSECRATION OF THE EASTES LODGE No . 1965 .

An important consecration meeting was held on Wednesday , at the Bell Hotel , Bromley , when the Eastes Lodge was inaugurated . The meeting was summoned for two o ' clock p . m ., when the lodge was opened in the Three Degrees by Viscount Holmesdale , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master for Kent , by whom the consecration of the new lodge was performed . He was

assisted by the Prov . Grand Officers for the current year in the performance of the ceremony ; the S . W . ' s chair being occupied by the V . W . Prov . G . Senior Warden , Bro . J . L . Worship , and the other principal chair by the V . W . Prov . G . Junior Warden , Bro . W . Wood . Bro . the Rev . R . Jamblin , Vicar of Willington , who holds the position of Prov . Grand Chaplain also , attended in his official capacity . The only officer engaged in

the ceremony who does not belong to the province was Bro . Horatio Wood , P . Provincial Grand Warden of the Province of Wilts , who acted as Director of Ceremonies ; and we are bound to say that the choice of this brother to act in that capacity , reflects the utmost credit upon those upon whom the arrangements fell , for his duties could not have been performed in a more able manner . Bro . Alfred Avery , P . Prov . Grand Registrar ,

acted as Sword Bearer at the entry of the Provincial Grand Master into the lodge . The Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Eastes , who has allowed the lodge to be called by his name , and who installed the Worshipful Master , occupied a seat on the right of the Consecrating Officer while his lordship was performing the ceremony .

The musical arrangements were entrusted to Bro . Cosby , who was assisted by Bros . John Hodges , Charles Beckett , and R . de Lacy , members of the choir of St . Paul's Cathedral . Among the visitors present were the following : Bros . H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Sec ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; Thos . Styles , P . P . G . D . ; lules Bue \ P . P . G . O . Oxon ; Peter Harvey , P . M . 299 , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; A . Avery , P . P . G . R . Kent ; E . Tate , P . P . G . D . C ; A . Spence , Prov . G . Sec . Kent ; Rev . H .

Cummings , P . P . G . Chap . Cornwall ; John Brothers , P . M . 709 ; Eugene Montennis , W . M . 14 ; E . Monckton , W . M . 167 S ; Thos . Will , P . M . 299 ; Joseph Langton , P . M . 1 C 73 , C . S . A . Atkinson , P . M . 709 ; J . O . Langton , W . M . 1673 ; W . Roots , 1273 ; J . Brignall , 15 S 6 ; Philip Phelps , 709 ; J . F . Huggins , P . M . iS ; W . J . Light , P . M . 299 ; W . G . Kentish , W . M . 1293 ; w . C . Banks , P . M . 1223 ; A . Fyson , 176 S ; G . T . Saunders , 551 ; B . H . Thorpe , P . M . 709 ; G . A . Rowbotham , W . M . C 6 ; H . C . Frances , P . P . G . D . ; and E . C . Massey , P . M . 1297 ( Freemason ) .

The lodge having been opened in Three Degrees as already mentioned , Lord HOLMESDALE addressing the brethren assembled , said that they were aware that the purpose of that meeting was to add another name to the band of lodges belonging to the Province of Kent . Certain brethren considering that for good reasons it was desirable to have a second lodgt / at Bromley , had petitioned the proper authorities for the necessary warrant ,

and it had given him considerable pleasure to support the petition . The increase of Freemasonry in the county and the district was , he thought , sufficient reason why this additional lodge should be inaugurated . His Lordship added that he did not consider it necessary for him to address any further remarks to them at present on the subject , as they would hear from the Chaplain an oration on the princip les and practice of Freemasonry . The CHAPLAIN then offered up the first portion of the prayers for the

occasion ; and the Director of Ceremonies having arranged the founders of the lodge in order , and presented the Worshipful Master designated in the warrant to the Presiding Officer , the Acting Secretary ( Bro . W . Alfred DAWSON ) , read the petition and warrant , and the Presiding Officer having upon inquiry ascertained that the founders approved of the officers named in the warrant , called upon the Chaplain to address them upon the principles of the Order .

Bro . the Rev . R . J AMBLIN said that this was to him a very congenial task , though it was difficult to perform adequately to its importance ; but it was congeniai to his feelings , both in his clerical position and as a member of the grand old Order to which all present belonged . The religious aspect of Freemasonry should never be lost sight of ; the ceremonies all had a re'igious character ; and though the ceremonies were in themselves most impressive , the justification of the existence of the Order lay in the religious aspect of those ceremonies . In former times there was a strong feeling

Consecration Of The Eastes Lodge No. 1965.

against Freemasonry . It was charged against Freemasons that , if their ceremonies were not improper , trey were , at the best , trivial . But all serious objections had now disappeared . There still were some objectors , who asserted that Freemasonry was impracticable , and that its principles were quite elementary . As to the first , if the practice of Freemasonry was found to be impracticable , it was the fault of the men who

lived under it , and not in the principles of the institution . He wished to remind them solemnly that if they entered Freemasonry they were bound to live up to its principles ; it was not a mere flimsy decorative organization ; it was a real bond of deep set principles . In answer to the charge that the principles were elementary , he asserted that as far as they went they were both precise and definite . To take only the principles of

the Craft with regard to morality—what could be more definite . It was necessary that there should be in these principles that which is elementary , for the reason that they wish to attract men and not to repel them . If , again , the principles were elementary , the ) ' had the advantage that they put a minimum standard , not a maximum . It was full of comprehensive morality , and life in society depended upon this for its happiness and for its

success : take away the principles of morality and the whole thing crumbled to pieces . They were very precise on this point ; required strict morality , just dealing , and obedience to the laws . With regard to science there was sufficient of detail in reference to the seven liberal arts and sciences . He believed that all the world might learn something from Freemasonry . And the ultimate end of this

branch of Freemasonry was the throne of God , a principle which the speaker thought was too often forgotten in these days among those who cultivated the sciences . On the subject of religion the principles were perhaps more elementary than in the other branches ; but there was a wonderful amount of definite belief , and Freemasons bound themselves to observe these definite principles , which were the very foundation of all religion . After

referring to these principles in a detailed manner , which it would not be Masonic to publish , the reverend brother concluded by pointing out that Masonry is a vast and increasing body , capable of large influence , and that that influence was day by day increasing ; and that if Masons conducted themselves humbl y in the sight of God , and did their duty honestly in the world , every taint of reproach would be removed if they would show forth its true character b y the purity and holiness of their lives .

The singing of the first anthem followed the Chaplain ' s address , which in its turn was succeeded by the first portion of the dedication prayer . The Consecrating Officer then delivered the invocation , and the Chaplain read the portion of scripture appointed for this ceremony . After the hymn , which was then sung by the whole assembly , the lodge-board was

uncovered , and the lodge solemnly consecrated . During the ceremony the second hymn was sung ( to music which had been specially composed for the occasion ) , and when the Chaplain had offered up the second portion of the dedication prayer , the R . W . P . G . M . duly dedicated and constituted the lodge , and the ceremony was brought to a close by the musical brethren singing the anthem " I have surely built Thee a house to dwell in . "

Lord Holmesdale then left the chair , and the V . W . Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Eastes , assuming it , proceeded to install Bro . Robert Clay Sudlow , W . M . designate ; a ceremony which he performed with great care , and then called upon Bro . Sudlow to invest the two principal officers named in the warrant , and to appoint and invest the remainder of his staff , which Bro . Sudlow did very ably , pointing out to each the signification of the

various implements , and giving a few kind words of congratulation to each of them . The full list of officers is as follows : Bros . R . Clay Sudlow , W . M . ; S . W . Shaw , S . W . ; G . Henri Bue , J . W . ; A . W . Duret , Treasurer ; W . Alfred Dawson , Secretary ; T . Truman Tanqueray , S . D . ; Alfred Pocock , J . D . ; W . Hunter , Johnston , I . G . ; E . M . Morriss , M . C . ; and A . C . Wickens , Steward .

The W . M . then rose , and said he desired at once to exercise the first privilege that his office entitled him to , and that was to propose a vote of thanks for the very admirable manner in which the Consecrating and Installing Officers had performed their duties . No one who knew the ritual could fail to appreciate the excellence of the work . They had also to express their thanks in the same way to the Prov . Grand Chaplain for the impressive words of his oration . The W . M . concluded by proposing " That these votes of thanks should be recorded on ihe minutes . "

The motion having been seconded by the J . W ., was put to the meeting by the S . W ., and carried unanimously , and Lord HOLMESDALE , Bro . EASTES , and the Rev . Bro . J AMBLIN , returned their acknowledgments for the compliment . The W . M . then proposed that the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Eastes ; the Prov . G . S . W ., Bro . Worship ; the Prov , G . J . W ., Bro . Wood ; the Prov .

G . Chaplain , Bro . Jamblin ; the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . Spence ; and Bro . Ward , P . P . G . W . Wilts , should be elected honorary members of the lodge . This motion was seconded by the SECRETARY , and this also was carried unanimously . The compliment was acknowledged by Bro . EASTES , who requested , however , as far as he personally was concerned , that his name might be inscribed in the lodge books as a subscribing member .

A large number of initiates and joining members were then proposed , and the SECRETARY , in reporting communications , said he had had a considerable number of letters of regret that previous engagements prevented the presence of writers . Among these he was sorry to find the names of the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ; Bros . T . Fenn , A . A . Richards , Manly , Ranking , Pickering , and others .

The lodge was then closed in due form , and the greater part of the brethren afterwards dined together , the W . M . presiding , and having on his right Lord Holmesdale and Bro . Eastes , the Grand Officers and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers being ranged right and left of the chair . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed the dinner , as a matter of

course . In proposing "The Health of the Grand Officers , " the CHAIRMAN said that he believed that the Grand Officers were selected year after year with the greatest care and discrimination , and that the purple was bestowed as a well merited reward for long and faithful service to the Craft . They had that evening been disappointed of several Grand Officers , but Grand Lodge was still well represented , as they had Bro . Murton , a Past Grand Deacon , with them , and also their old friend , Bro . Buss , the Assistant Grand Secretary .

This toast was responded toby Bro . MURTON , who saw with p leasure that a number of the members of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement formed a constituent part of this lodge , and he believed they would do honour to the lodge , and by and by to the Craft . The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Health of the Prov . Grand Mas-