Consecration Of The Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge, No. 2675.

were Masons who had at heart the expansion of their Order , and the deepening of their belief in all its grand principles . Of late years the Order had advanced by rapid strides in this country , and it was necessary from time to time , to ask whether , at the same time as it had advanced—it had struck ils roots deeper into the roil , for the wider the branches of a tree , the firmer must it be at the root . It was for them to ask themselves whether

b y their presence they indicated their determination not merely to be Masons , but . to be true , real Masons , and to practice those principles upon which Masonry was based . He need not tell them that those principles were brotherly love , relief and truth . There was much in the world , around them to indicate that those principles were encouraged . The support given to the Masonic Charities showed a steady increase , and , therefore , if a tree was

judged by its fruits , Masonry could be judged by the outside world by these results . There were other points they mi ght consider . During the ceremony there would be certain symbolism introduced—the corn , wine , oil , and salt , each of which had its significance . It was to be trusted they were not empty symbols , but would signify something that would mark the future of this lodge , and characterise the Order and the conduct of its members .

The incense taken round would equally symbolise their belief that without Divine protection and help all human effort was unavailing . There were one or two other points one liked to think of . Freemasonry , as rightly understood , was a practical thing which should influence them during the 24 hours of the day . It taught them mutual dependence . As in the rearing of a great edifice , there were some who drew the design , executed that

design , raised the scaffolding , or performed insignificant duties , so they all had their insignificant work to do to carry out the design of the Great Architect . If they were to lay but one brick in the social edifice , let them lay it well and truly . As Masons , they were in search of someihing that was lost . They had not attained all the knowledge for which they looked , but were ever aiming and ever looking forward to something better than that

they had attained . So they went on , hopefully , trustfully , and manfully , doing their duty as men and Masons m society , as well as in the lodge . So long as they did their part well and loyally they believed they were contributing to the completion of the beautiful design of the Great Architect . In years to comemightthatlodgebedistinguished , not merely by thenumberofitsmembers not merely by the perfect way in which the working was carried out , but

more and more by the adherence , loyal , heartfelt , deep , and true , of each one to those grand principles which bound together , not only the members of their Fraternity , but which should bind and cement the whole framework of that Society in which they lived and in which they were called upon to do their part in promoting and carrying out the grand design of the Great Architect , the Grand Geometrician , the Most High .

The ceremony was proceeded with , the emblems of Plenty , Joy , Unity , and Friendship being each distributed with appropriate solemnities , and the lodge was formerly dedicated and constituted . Bro . C . J . Smith was next installed by the Grand Secretary as the first W . M . of the lodge , and the following officers were invested : Bros . A . F . Lay , P . P . A . G . D . C , acting I . P . M . ; G . E . Gratton , S . W . ; F . Ranger , J . W . ; Rev . T . Lloyd , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; J . F . Saunders , P . M ., Ffrench Bromhead Suotof Works i rirtntn 01

Treas .: H . . P . P . G . . . Sec : E . Cuer . reas . ; n . uromneaa , r . r . vj . oupt . worKS , oec ., * C . uuer , S . D . ; Rev . C . Hoyle , J . D . , * J . Edwards , I . G . ; C . R . Alexander , D . C . ; W . T . Barwell , F . D . Coard , F . S . Collier , F . Cuzner , J . Hadwen , J . Hertz , and W . E . James , Stwds . ; Jefferson Davis , Org . ; and D . Legg , P . M ., Tyler . On the proposition of the W . M ., a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officers and in intimating this fact officially to the Grand Officers , the W . M . said it was customary to ask them to accept a jewel to

commemorate the event . Bearing in mind the large number of jewels these distinguished brethren must already possess and the fact that this lodge was formed to commemorate the longest reign , the founders asked each Consecrating Officer to accept an umbrella , hoping they would be able to use them without difficulty or trouble and that no cloud would arise to mar their happiness .

The gold mounted umbrellas were then presented , each bearing the recipient ' s name suitably inscribed , and in acknowledgment the GRAND SECRETARY returned thanks for the extremely useful present . He had no doubt that during the coming winter the Consecrating Officers would be frequently reminded of the consecration of this lodge . A Committee was elected to frame by-laws , a large number of

propositions for initiation and joining were received , and the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to a large marquee where banquet was served , Bro . Geo . Hughes' Orchestre francaise playing selections meanwhile . The subsequent musical items were supplied by Miss Nellie Finigan , and Bros . Harry Greene , Jeff . Davis , Louis Breeze , and Frank Martin . The

programme and arrangements for the ceremony were bound up into a handsome volume , containing over 60 portrails of the founders . Not the least striking feature of this unique souvenir of an interesting occasion was the cover , the artistic design for which was the work of the indefatigable Secretary , Bro . Ffrench Bromhead .

Bro . Ihe Ven . Archdeacon STEVENS , P . G . Chap ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " concurred with the expression of regret used by the W . M . that so many Grand Officers had been obliged to leave to catch their train lo town . He could say for the Grand Secretary that his heart was in Masonry , and that applied to all the Grand Officers . They desired to see Masonry go forward and prosper in every way , and nothing gave the

Grand Officers greater pleasure than to feel that the highest interests of Masonry were being more widely recognised and spread throughout the country . It was no light matter to respond for them , because one could say in their absence what one could not say in their presence . All must have felt that the Grand Secretary represented Grand Lodge well and woithily , as it should be represented in such a ceremony , and those who attended Grand Lodge must feel that the Grand Officers were doing their

utmost to uphold the highest possible standard of working and of the high principles upon which Masonry was based . They were most gratified to be present at the installation of the VV . M ., and they wished , most heartily , success and prosperity to the lodge so successfully launched that night . In the launching of a ship there was sometitres an anxious moment to see if she would take the water at the critical time . Anyone present at the launching that night must have seen that she had taken the water properly , and that there was a most prosperous and useful mission before the lodge .

Bro . W . SHURMUR , P . G . S . B ., said a very great honour had unexpectedly devolved upon him , which was to propose the toast of the evening - — " The Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge , coupled with the name of the W . M . " They all agreed that the ship had been well launched , and also

Consecration Of The Victoria Diamond Jubilee Lodge, No. 2675.

that they had a splendid captain , who would pilot them into therhaven of success . They knew the W . M . was well " up in the work ,. for he told his Wardens he should expect them to be punctual , and perfect in their dutie ? in orderto make the Iodge the success he wished . - They had good , men ; in ; the Secretary and the officers , and they were pleased indeed to find ike W . M . so well supported . The Iodge was bound to prove a great success ,, and they would all unite in hoping it would be one of the principal lodges iii the Metropolitan district . ' . , '*

Bro . C . J . SMITH , W . M ., said it would be idle for him to . attempt , to expresshis appreciation for the kindly proposition ' and receptipnif tlje . toast ^ for fie did not know what he had done to entitle him to that honoured position . He thanked them sincerely from the bottom of his heart , and it would be the ambition of his life to repay them for the honour done him , for

living for one ' s self was idle waste of time . There was much to be done in Masonry , and especially in Charity . He had on his right the Secretary of the Boys' School , Bro . McLeod , and that Institution would next year celebrate its centenary . Something should be done by the lodge on that occasion and the movement would have his cordial support . , '¦ , ""

The W . M . briefly proposed " The Consecrating Officers , " and in response Bro . W . A . SCURRAH , P . G . S . BI , expressed hearty thanks . It . had been a great pleasure to them to come down to consecrate the lodge , which they hoped would be a credit to Masonry . From the grand beginning , made they could justly anticipate success . ' . A . x ' . The W . M . proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and Bro . BROMHEAD ,

P . P . G . Supt . of Works , Sec , added a few remarks by special request . .. He said he wished to apologise for the Treasurer and himself , as it was their intention to propose in the lodge that the sum of 50 guineas should be voted to the Boys' School . He wished Bro . McLeod to know the lodge would be represented , and that that sum would be placed on the list . He should , moreover , expect every member to celebrate the record reign by a record

subscription . Un behalf of the officers he wished to say they desired to mark their sense of the services rendered by the W . M . to Freemasonry in Essex and elsewhere—and particularly in connection with this lodger-by presenting him with a gold-mounted umbrella . He might add that . the Treasurer had already received ^ 400 in subscriptions , but they started with expenses paid and a good portion of funds in hand .

Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , P . G . S . B ., Sec R . M . I . B ., thanked the Secretary for the words of encouragement , and congratulated the members on the successful foundation of the lodge . It was gratifyin-j to know that on the foundation the lodge could so liberally support the Charities . That Institution was bent on doing a great work , and on laying the foundation-stone of new schools to enable them to extend their sphere of operations . It

would require a large amount of money , but they had confidence that , the- ! Craft would continue the good work done for so many years . The YV .. M would carry on the work with the earnest conviction that it was a just cause , ' j and he wanted every member to be equall y convinced , so that the efforts . of : the Board of Management might be crowned with the success they felt they deserved .

Other toasts were given before the proceedings terminated . In addition to the founders present ] who numbered about 60 , the large number of visiting brethren present included—Bros . T . J . Ralling , P . A . G . D . C , I ' rov . G . Sec . Essex ; H . Miller , I . G . 2501 ; W . " G . Norman , Sec . 2504 ; ] . Marchant , Stwd . 1805 ; E . Tholander , P . M . 1457 ; W . White , I . P . M . 1757 ; W . Gower , W . M . 2501 , Prov . G . Treas . Essex ; 'H . Sadler ,

G . Tyler ; B . Cohen , 1658 ; J . C . Ring , P . M . 126 9 ; Humphrey Cohen , ' P . M . 1658 ; W . H . Welpton , P . M . 169 ; J . F . Henley , 2504 ; W . Halloway , PMiljiy ^ J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C ; A . H ; Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; Orlton Cooper , P . M . 211 ; W . Dring , W . M .- '! 453 ; F . C . Atkinson , P . P . A . G . S . Suffolk ; f . ' G . Hammond , jun ., P , M . 2 i 84 : -L ***

Oxley , P . M . 1306 ; J . G . Osborn , 2509 ; C . H . Bestow , P . G . P . Essex ; . C . C . Black , *' P . M . 2504 ; W . Latter , P . P . G . Org . Essex ; H . Clinch , S . W , 1623 ; W . H . W > ltonv-P . M . 169 ; J . W . Gibbs , P . M . 1804 ; C . Feitherstone , W . M . 1540 ; B . aWhite , - - ? P . M . 1604 ; G . T . Peall , P . M . 2361 ,- R . S . Walker , P . M . 1598 ; J . Bladon * . P . Mji 1839 ; S . J . Cross , P . M . 2212 ; W . W . Lee , P . P . G . D . ; and many others . ¦ * -., ; . * ,- „ -.-.

Presentation To Bro. Robert Michie.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . ROBERT MICHIE .

Bro . Robert Michie has been made the ' recipient of a handsome testimonial In , recognition of his faithful services as Treasurer to the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 , " having been appointed to that position in ' December , 1884 . * The testimonial , ; which was presented at the last meeting of the lodge by Bro . E . Holmes , held in ; the Masonic Hall , Halford-street , Leicester , took the form of an i 8-carat gold-, albert and appendage . .. *• ¦ . ¦ ¦ - .

The appendage bears his monogram and the following inscription : " From St ; John ' s Lodge , No . 279 , to W . Bro . R . Michie , in token of great fraternal esteem . Nov . 3 rd , 1897 . " •• ¦¦ ¦'• ¦;•¦ ., - '¦ * There is no doubt such a splendid acknowledgment of services rendered to local Freemasonry will be highly prized by B . ro . Michie .. ..-, ¦ ¦ ., .

The Old Masonians.

THE OLD MASONIANS .

A capital evening was spent by the members of the above Association on the nth instant , at Anderton ' s Hotel . The gathering on this occasion took the form of an " At Home , " the "old boys " and their lady friends mustering in strong force . Mr . J . Swinford Francis ( an old Masonian ) , on b ; half of the Committee , actedas host and received the guests On their arrival . " *' - *'¦¦¦¦ ¦ ' ' ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ •'¦ ¦'• ¦ -

An excellent musical programme-was successfully carried through . ' The . members were fortunate in securing Miss Norah Jones , who completely won al , hearts in her rendering of " Awake " and " On the banks of Allan Water , " and as an encore " Ye Bankes and Braes . " Madame A . H . Watkins in . " her two ' songs , also came in for a good round of applause . Songs were also rendered by Miss Elderkin ( soprano ) , Mdlle . Nuia Augele ( soprano ) , Mr . W . C Peskett * ( tenor ) ,

and Mr . Land ( bass ) , each being well received b y an appreciative audience . Two clever violin solos were given in a masterly style by Miss Ada Molteno and a wellexecuted pianoforte solo was rendered in opening by Miss Lewis . The humorous element was well sustained by Mr . Harry Goring and Mr . * Jinks , the foi ' mef cr aling a great amount of merriment by two very funny recitations . Mr . Vincent J . Lee , an old Masonian , in a highly comical " stump speech , " delivererl