Consecration Of The Montague Guest Chapter, No. 1900.

Raffaello Costa , P . G . D . C , as S . N . ; and Frank Richardson , as D . of C . There were also present Founders : Comps . John Montague Guest , M . P ., P . G . N . ; Giovanni P . Testa , J . 77 ; p . R . VV . Hedges , 1319 ; S . Brooks , Z . 975 ; Harry Slyman , P . Z . ; A . R . Carter ; Wm . H . Gardener ; E . J . Petts ; and John Goddard . —Visitors : E . Grisbrook , P . Z . 414 and 771 , * Thos . VV . C . Bush , 141 ; H . J . Rous , 4 ; A . M'Dowall , P . Z . 948 ; J . D .

Collier , P . Z . 749 and 1366 ; G . Fletcher , Z . 1 So ; Albert Fish , Z . 95 ; Wm . Slyman , P . Z . 753 , * J . S . Mutch , 13 ; A . Fenn , 13 ; T . H . Hartley , 975 ; N . Goodchild , Z . . 45 ; J . B . Chancellor , 1196 ; VV . W . Morgan , 141 ; Raymond Thrupp , P . G . S . B . ; Robert Grey , P . G . A . S . ; F . Binckes , P . Z . ; H . Sadler , G . Janitor ; Seymour Smith , 1369 ; John Hodges , 19 ; G . T . Carter ; W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason ) , and others .

The chapter was opened at 5 p . m ., and the ceremony proceeded with . In such hands as that of the Grand Scribe E . and his assistants it is needless to say that the beautiful ritual was rendered in a faultless manner . The Consecrating Officer afterwards placed the Principals in their respective

chairs , viz ., Comps . Montague Guest , M . P ., P . G . N ., M . E . Z . ; Giovanni P . Festa , H . ; and F . R . W . Hedges , J . The other officers appointed were Comps . Brooks , Scribe E . ; John Goddard , Treas . ; H . Slyman , P . Z ., S . N . ; A . R . Carter , P . Soj . ; W . H . Gardener , ist A . S . ; E . J . Petts , 2 nd A . S . ; and Banp , Janitor .

The FIRST PRINCIPAL , on taking the chair , expressed his thanks to the companions for the honour they had done him , and his wishes for the prosperity of the chapter . Letters of apology for not being able to attend were read from Viscount Holmesdale , Lord Cremorne , Sir Albert Woods , and others . Several members were then proposed for exaltation , and the chapter was closed according to ancient custom .

A banquet afterwards took place , under the presidency of Comp . Montague Guest . The toast of " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry " having been duly honoured , The M . E . Z . proposed that of "The Grand Z ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " remarking that his Royal Highness carried into Masonry especiall

y all the energy and perseverance which characterised him in all his work . He was about to introduce to Masonry his eldest son , thus ensuring that when in time , which he hoped would be far remote , he would vacate the position he then held , he would leave behind him one who would carry out the duties and whom the Craft would doubtless rejoice to honour .

"The Prov . First Grand Principal , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next given , and responded to by Comp . PHILBRICK , who remarked that on this occasion there were present nine Grand Officers , equal to the Muses , and competent to form a chapter , and he took that as a happy augury of the success of the one they had just assisted in constituting . The names of the rand Officers

G were always received with enthusiasm . Both the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom deserved well their thanks . The establishment of a chapter in connection with a lodge , so aptly alluded to by the J . in his oration as the crowning stone of the Arch , was always an evidence of the progress and success of a lodge . The Arch was not only an institution for carrying out the ritual and ceremonies , but it had a spirit and vitality , of which this was only the outward and

visible sign , which had caused Masonry to be strong and progressive , and its further development in this Degree showed that those who ranged under its banners were carrying out their duties with energy and perseverance . The . lodge of which this chapter had been an outcome was a great success , and the Grand Officers must be gratified at the establishment of a chapter in so early a period of its history . Col . CLERKE then proposed "The Health of the Three Principals . "

tie said Comp . Montague Guest had shown in every degree of Freemasonry in which he had taken part activity and strength , and the chapter had been fortunate in securing such an able First Principal . He was ably supported by Comp . Festa , who was very well known as a Mason , full of zeal and full of energy , as he himself could testify ; and J . Comp . Hedges had come forward to occupy a position in Masonrv to which he had a inst claim .

l'he M . E . Z ., in reply , said it was not given to all men to speak in such eloquent language as had been used in proposing the toast . He wished he had Comp . Philbrick ' s gifts in saying things so gracefully , but , whatever lnsjanguage vvas , it was intended to heartily express his thanks to the companions present . It was always an interesting thing to witness the birth and watch the life of a new institution . ] Like the life of a man , a lodge or a chapter had its ups and downs , but he looked forward with confidence to a successful career for their new chapter .

The M . E . Z . then gave them "The Health of the Consecrating Officer , <_ omp . Shadwell H ; Gierke . " His name was known wherever Masonry was Known , and he had personally , and in the name of the founders , to thank mm most heartily for the services he had so ably rendered them on that occasion .

Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE said he felt greatly obliged for the nattering terms in which his health had been proposed . It had been a great pleasure to be there to perform the ceremonies . He was very proud w be the representative of the M . E . Z . that night . He offered his best tnanks to Comps . Arnold , Richardson , and the other Grand Officers who \ ^ AI ° a _ y assisted him ! to the Director of Ceremonies he was especially ¦ naebted , as on many other occasions .

nio A Visitors" was the next toast proposed by the M . E . Z . He was S ? t 0 se u over . - ^ P resent - and he trusted their future meetings "ould never be wanting m that pleasant feature . vi . itn ?" ^ " £ r °£ _? HILD ant J BuSH havin S responded on behalf of the on th ? ' „ E * Z £ * Proposed "The Officers of the Chapter , " commenting " tlle excellence of the material thev had fnr thP f „ H , r _» _ , „; i ,. __ . f . _»

nam f ^ J commenced . He would couple that toast with the mr ^ irr V ^ P * Brooks , who had carried out the duties he had undertaken D _ 7 . « vt . y ' a"d ? ° mp' SIyman * but he could not let that opportunity 1 ass without mentioning how much they were indebted to the energy and erseverance of Comp . Festa . The success of the Ind ™ «_ ,, o-rp _ . tk . Vw tn

the _ 1 _ Y 1 C do " bted v ? ry much if it had not been for Comp . Festa whether < - iMontague Guest Chapter would ever have been brought into existence . in wh £ ? i u ° , ° ' '" , P , e * thanked the M . E . Z . for the kindly manner them . . I P P ? the toast . As officers they could not congratulate whatth ° " aching that had been done ; but they looked forward to credit t _ ? _ miff . _ i ° ° ' trusted that , at all events , they should do Luit to the name of Montague Guest . ' J-omps . SLYMAN and GARDENER also mnn ^ Wa

__ Com Fr * ^ V ! tbat ° / The Cha rities , » coupled with the name of the GiVis' % M cha " " ° an active member of the Executive of Com D ° o 1 and a Ilberal P atro " the Charities . ^ omp . RICHARDSON , in response , said they had reason to be proud of

Consecration Of The Montague Guest Chapter, No. 1900.

the Charities . It was only a fortnight since that , in response to an appeal for the Freemasons and widows of Freemasons in need , a sum of over ^ 17 , 000 had been subscribed , and about the same amount was annually collected for the Boys' ancl the Girls' Schools . There was no Institution which spent so much in Charity as the Freemasons . They had all been much gratified at hearing of the success of the candidates who had gone up for the Oxford and Cambridge examinations from both the Boys' and Girls '

Schools , In the former 16 out of 17 had passed—several in honours ; and in the Girls' School all had passed ; and this remarkable success had been obtained three years in succession . All subscribers had the satisfaction of knowing that the money spent was properly applied , and that the education was such that the pupils were able to occupy any position in life , instead of being obliged to take anything that might offer . The Janitor's toast brought the proceedings to a close .

A notable feature ot the banquet table was the elegant floral decorations , an emblematic border of cinerarias and violets occupying the space in front of the Three Principals , the thoughtful gift of Madame Festa . The musical part of the ceremony was undertaken by Comp . Seymour Smith , assisted by Comps . Hodges and Carter . The chapter was furnished by Comp . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Saye And Sele Chapter, No. 1973.

CONSECRATION OF THE SAYE AND SELE CHAPTER , No . 1973 .

The above chapter vvas consecrated on Tuesday , the loth inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Belvedere , Kent , by Lord Holmesdale , Prov . Grand Master and Prov . Grand Superintendent , assisted . by the following : M . E . Comps . J . S . Eastes , P . Z . 503 and 709 , P . G . H . Kent , as H . ; C . Coupland ,

P . Z . 913 , P . P . G . S . Kent , as J . ; T . S . Warne , P . Z . 20 , P . G . S . E . Kent , as S . E . ; A . Penfold , P . Z . 913 , P . P . G . 1 st Asst . S . Kent , S . N . ; Rev . R . Jamblin , M . A ., M . E . Z . 1837 , Org . ; Rev . T . Robinson , M . A ., P . Z . 354 , 709 , 1174 , P . P . G . H . Kent , P-G . 2 nd Asst . S . England , as D . C ; and H . Sadler , P . Z ., G . Janitor England .

The chapter being opened , and the companions admitted , his LORDSHIP addressed them , and spoke of the chapter about lobe consecrated as another link to the chain of Royal Arch Masonry in Kent ; and he was satisfied that it would be successful , as it was evidently necessary in that portion of thc province . After some further remarks appropriate to the occasion , he gave directions for the signatories of the petition to be arranged in order , when S . E . read the petition and warrant , and they having approved of the Principals named for office , his Lordship declared the chapter oonstituted .

Comp . COUPLAND then delivered the oration , in the course of which he said the deeply interesting and solemn ceremony in which they bore a part that day could not do other than bring before them the aims , principles , and objects of the Sublime Degree , namely , the honour and glory of God , and the promotion of brotherly love , relief , and truth ; but , while they kept those principles before them , let them remember that the worship and adoration

of the Most High was their higher aim , and that the name of God is the only basis on which the Order was founded . As the ceremonies were founded on the great and mysterious name of God , so lhey adored him , his omnipresence , his omnipotence , and omniscence . As , then , the aim and object of the Degree was the worship of God , let them with humility and reverence carry out his behest with a cheerful obedience , and be pure and unsullied in their lives , diffusing happiness to their fellow-creatures of all

souls and conditions . Might that newly-consecrated chapter be beautiful , peaceful , and a flame to promote with zeal the glory of God ; might the practice of every Masonic virtue characterise every one of its members , so that finally they might hear the Master say , " Come , brother , and be admitted into the heavenly temple , there to enjoy in the presence of the Most High , light , glory , and bliss ineffable and eternal . " The ceremony was then proceeded with and finished .

M . E . Comp . Robertson then assumed the office of Z ., and installed the three Principals in grand style as follows : Comps . Rev . Hayman Cummings , P . Z . 1837 , as Z . ; Jas . Giesman Chillingworth , P . M . 1973 , as H . ; and F . Wood , P . M . 1973 , as J . ; E . B . Bright P . Z . 778 and 1691 , P . G . G . J . Middx ,, Treas . ; A . H . Bateman , S . C . The other officers were not invested . Votes of thanks were accorded to Lord Homesdale and the companions

who assisted him in the consecration ceremony , and it was ordered that the same be recorded on the minutes of the chapter , and they were also elected honorary members by acclamation . A cordial vote of thanks was specially tendered Comp . Robinson for his splendid installation of the Principals , for which honours thanks having been severally returned , the chapter was closed in due form .

The following are the founders of the chapter ; Comps . Chillingworth , Wood , Bateman , E . B . Bright , W . G . Kentish , D . Flaxman Spurrell , W . G . Lemon , and A . Penfold . Among the other companions present were Sir C . Bright , Knt ., P . Z . 77 8 and 1691 , P . P . G . H . Middx . ; G . W . Loftus , P . Z . 807 ; H . Moore , P . Z . 20 , P . P . G . R . Kent ; J . West , M . E . Z . 54 8 ; T . D . Hayes , P . Z . 913 , P . P . G . 2 nd Asst . S . Kent ; W . B . Lloyd , P . Z . 913 ; H . Mason , P . Z . 913 ; R . Edmonds , H . 913 ; T . R . Richardson , 913 ; and C . Jolly , 913 ( Freemason ) .

The banquet was partaken of at the Belvedere Hotel , and the M . E . Z . gave the toasts of "The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . Z ., " in felicitous terms . Comp . CHILLINGWORTH was entrusted with that of " Lord Carnarvon , Pro . G . Z ., " and Comp . E . B . BRIGHT with that of " The Earl of Lathom , G . H ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " coupling with it the name of Comp . ROBINSON , who referred feelingly to the great loss Grand Chapter had sustained by the death of Col . Creaton , but as one fell

out another took his place and carried on the work . Although ihere was not so much work in Grand Chapter as in Grand Lodge , yet what had to be done was done well . He regretted not being present at Grand Ch . ipter when the warrant for the chapter was applied for , or he would have given it his most cordial support ; however , he congratulated them upon obtaining it . He spoke of their G . Supt . and Comp . Eastes , and referred to ihe evcellent work done by both for the welfare of the province , and concluded by thanking them in the name of the Grand Officers .

The M . E . Z . then proposed the toast of " Lord Holmesdale , Grand Supt . of Kent , " and said it was not a mere formal one to be heralded in by a few sounding phrases and jingling of glasses . As an army in the field had its brigades , battalions , and companies , commanded by their several Generals , Colonels , and Captains , whom those in the ranks would follow to the death , so in that Province of Kent they had leaders , to whom they , as Masons , and especially Royal Arch Masons , were as deeply devoted as an army to its commanders . That night they had their colonel in