Consecration Of The Regent's Park Lodge, No. 2202.

officers were invested : Bros . E . C Mulvey , S . W . ; J . K . R . Cama , J . W . ; Dr . N . I . Goodchild , Treasurer ; C . Sheppard , Secretary ; N . Goodchild , S . D . ; Dr . Powdrell , J . D . ; A . Giddings , D . C ; W . H . Hosegood , I . G . ; and R . Whiting , Ty ler . The addresses were then delivered by the GRAND S ECRETARY in his usual faultless manner .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said their first duty was to pass a hearty vote of thanks to Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , for the impressive way in which he had performed the ceremony , and to ask him to accept the honorary membership of the lodge . He had also to ask him to accept a founder's jewel which he pinned on his breast . carried b

The vote of thanks having been seconded by the S . W ., vvas y acclamation , the GRAND S ECRETARY thanked the brethren for the very hearty way in which they had carried the vote of thanks . He vvould accept the honorary membership with pleasure , also the beautiful jewel which they had presented to him , which he should always consider as a memorial of that day ' s proceedings .

On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the J . W ., a vote of thanks vvas passed to the Grand Officers who had assisted , and they were unanimously elected honorary members . Bro . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . Chap ., thanked the brethren on behalf of the Grand Officers , and said they had very great pleasure in accepting

the honorary membership . A Committee was formed to frame the bye-laws . The S . W . then proposed three gentlemen for initiation and several brethren as joining members . The music throughout the ceremony was beautifully rendered by Bro . T . F . Knight Smith , assisted by Bros . Tabb , Embley , and Poynter ,

who also enhanced the pleasures of the evening by their excellent singing . After ample justice had been done to an excellent banquet , which was served in a manner that reflected great credit on their worthy host , Mr . F . J . Holden , who vvas to be their first initiate , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received in a manner worthy of the occasion .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing the toast of "The Queen , said they yielded to none in their loyalty to the Queen . People in general , but Freemasons in particular , were looking forward to the Jubilee Celebrations , and they vvere fortunate in starting their lodge at that eventful period . He was a native of a conquered country , but by her wise and peaceful rule she

had endeared herself to them all , and no country vvas more loyal than India . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in giving the toast of "The M . W . G . M ., " said they all knew how popular he was , and how he had , not long ago , shown his zeal for their welfare by initiating his eldest son , and elevating him to the rank of S . G . W ., but , whether as a Mason or not , he was a

worthy son of a worthy mother . " The Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G . M . ; the Earl of Lathom , Dep . G . M . ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next given by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who said that he always spoke of the former as the two great pillars of Masonry . With regard to the others , he regretted that want of space prevented them having more present with . them that

evening . The senior Grand Officer on his left , Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap ., was well-known and highly esteemed by them all . Bro . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . Reg ., he should always remember vy ith feelings of very great pleasure for the kindly words he had spoken to him when investing him with the collar of Grand Treasurer of Supreme Grand Chapter , those words had made a deep impression on him which he would always cherish till time with him was no more . Bro . Major Lambert , P . G . S . B ., to

whom he mentioned his intention to stand as candidate for Grand Treasurer , he should always remember with feelings of gratitude for his kind words of encouragement to go in and win , and to Bro . J . L . Mather , Asst . D . of C , the youngest Grand Officer present , he offered his heartiest congratulations . The toast required no further comment . He asked them to receive it cordially , and coupled with it the names of Bros . F . A . Philbrick , O . C , G . Reg ., and Major G . Lambert , P . G . S . B .

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , G . Reg ., in reply , said it had devolved upon him to return thanks for the toast so kindly and so ably proposed by their W . M . He could have wished the task had been entrusted to one

more worthy to respond than himself , but failing that he was too old , and he trusted too true a Mason not to obey the commands of the W . M ., he had spoken in terms of great praise of the Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master , and it vvas a grand illustration of their W . M . when he said that they vvere like the two great pillars which stood at the entrance of the Temple , we hail in this Iodge a Master who is also a Past Grand Officer , his position there that night was in some measure a type of the universality

of Freemasonry which knows no distinction of creed or race so long as they be good men and true ; this feeling , he trusted , would have a good effect on them and would be conveyed to the whole Craft . That success might attend them was the hearty wish of the Grand Officers , the prosperity of the lodge would materially depend on the fact that there was nothing worth having that had not to be worked for . He begged to thank them for the kind recognition of their services .

Bro . Major G . LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., then said the W . M . had spoken of his country as a conquered country ; he thought the happiness of his country vvas very bound up with this . Did they not see their young men coming over and benefiting by the instruction gained in our Universities and other centres of learning ? Did they not see them becoming judges , and holding high positions under our rule ? The country had buckled to , and made for

itself a proud position among the nations of the earth . Would that he had the chance to go there and see that glorious empire . What have they not done ? They met and saw them standing belore them in every station in life . Might he mention Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy as a glorious example ? . He thanked him lor the very kind way in which he had spoken of the Grand Officers , and also for the kind sympathy shown to all classes over which her Majesty

was reigning . 'Ihe GRAND SECRETARY then said he had to propose the next toast , and he felt it an honour to do so . He would not make the usual remark about it being the "toast of the evening ; " but it vvas a great honour to arrive at the position of Master of a lodge , especially the first Master , as had been accomplished by Bro . Cama that night . When the founders of that lodge

looked around among themselves for a Master , they found in Bro . Cama one who possessed all the necessary qualifications . He had many great offices , culminating in that of Grand Treasurer . He belonged to many Orders , and he was quite sure he vvould fulfil his office in a manner that was worth y of his high position , and be a bright example to them all . He wished him

every success during his year of office . Bro . D . P . CAMA , P . G . Treas ., W . M ., thanked the Grand Secretary for the very kind way in which he had proposed his health , and the brethren for its very cordial reception . It was by the kindness of the founders that he vvas in that proud position , he would do his very best to maintain and

Consecration Of The Regent's Park Lodge, No. 2202.

uphold the tenets of the Order and the dignity of the lodge , but that could not be done by the W . M . alone . He must be assisted b y his officers and members of the lodge who should all work in peace and harmony . g what he had seen of them that day he had no misgivings as to the future success of the lodge . He begged again to thank them .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing the toast of the Consecrating Officer , said the noble and gallant Colonel , the Grand Secretary had perl formed the ceremony of consecration in a manner that would commend itself to them all . His abilities were too well known to them all to need any words ot his to induce them to drink his health in a bumper .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Grand Secretary , said they had so overpowered him by their kindness that he could scarcely find words to thank them . As their executive officer , it vvas his duty to perform this ceremony but he did not do it merely as a point of duty , it vvas a labour of love ' everything had passed off most satisfactorily , and he wished them every possible success .

The "Masonic Charities" vvas next proposed by the Worshi pful Master , who said we have three great Charities , the Festivals of two of which have been held , the third has yet to take place that of the Old People , turned out a great success . The Girls ' vvas not quite so successful , in view probably of their approaching Centenary in 18 S 8 , that of the Boys' had yet to take place , and he trusted

Bro . Binckes vvould meet with all the success he deserved , they are all in great need of our continual support , and he trusted thev would always keep this fact before them . The Girls' School had resolved to admit all their candidates without election , and he trusted the others would feel themselves in a position to follow their example . He vvould couple this toast with the name of Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , P . G . Chap .

Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , in responding , said : It is always an honour to return thanks for our Masonic Charities . I beg , without contradiction , to say that they are not only the best commentary on Masonic professions , but are the crown , shining and precious , 20 to say , of all our efforts and all our " outcome " as Freemasons . It is , indeed , a very remarkable " totality " which is represented by our Masonic Charitable

Festivals and returns year by year , and reflect the greatest credit on our warm-hearted and beneficent Order . No humanitarian society , that I am aware , can compete with Freemasonry to-day in this praiseworthy evidence of genuine and unselfish Charity . Unselfish , did I say ? Surely , yes , brethren . We give nothing as of right , nothing as a " quid pro quo . " We are not a " Benefit Order , " but we give freely and liberally , on good

grounds , on a proper claim . We cause the " poor widow ' s heart to beat with joy , " we relieve the old lodge companions and fellow workers of years , and we adopt and educate the children of our less fortunate brethren when left behind , almost often helpless and friendless , in the world . It is a mistake to suppose that Freemasons are a very wealthy Order . That is not so ; but the great result of their yearly offerings , representing the

interest at three per cent ., of more than a million and a half , is brought about by the warm hearts and liberal hands of English Freemasons . Your W . M . has indeed set an example which all in a similar position may well imitate . He and his good wife are Patrons of all our Charities , and I am therefore both honoured and privileged in responding to the toast of the Charities of our Order , as so ably proposed by him . 1

In proposing the toast of "The Visitors , ' " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said they had few visitors there that ni ght , as their room was limited , most of those present being joining members . This toast vvas responded to by Bro . T . F . KNIGHT SMITH . Bro . Dr . N . GOODCHILD replied for " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said he had the greatest posssible pleasure in accepting the office of Treasurer . He would do his very best to render the lodge , financially , a success .

Bro . C SHEPPARD , in responding for the Secretary , thanked the brethren for the kind way in which they had received the toast . He would do all in his power to forward their best interests . The WORSHIPEUL MASTER next proposed " The Officers , " and said to

Bro . E . C Mulvey , S . W ., the credit was due of initiating the idea of starting that lodge , and on him principally devolved the onerous duty of successfully carrying it through with what measure of success they were all well aware . They had a good staff of officers , many of them Past Masters and Preceptors of lodges of instruction , which augured well for their future

success . Bro . E . C . MULVEY , S . W ., thanked the W . M . for the very kind way in which he had spoken of him , and trusted he should meet them for many years in that lodge .

The toast vvas also responded to by Bros . J . K . R . CAMA , J . W ., and W . H . HOSEGOOD , I . G . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a most successful meetin g . The banner , which was much admired , was designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of Striguil Lodge, No. 2186, At Chepstow.

CONSECRATION OF STRIGUIL LODGE , No . 2186 , AT CHEPSTOW .

The consecration of the above lodge took place in the Masonic Hall , Chepstow , on Friday , the 13 th inst . A large number of brethren from the neighbouring lodges and surrounding provinces attended to do honour to the occasion . The ceremony vvas performed by the Prov . Grand Master for Monmouthshire , Bro . Col . Lyne , assisted by Bros . Capt . Homfray , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Wm . Watkins , P . S . G . W . ; Col . Perkins , P . J . G . W . ; E . W . Evans , D . of C ; Rev . J . W . Osman , Prov . G . Chaplain ; and other Prov , G . Officers .

The musical arrangements vvere under the direction of Bro . VV . B . Broad , P . Prov . G . Organist . At the conclusion ot the ceremony of consecration , Bro . the Rev . D . C Davies , P . M ., P . P . G . C , was installed by the Deputy P . G . Master as first Master of the new lodge , the ninth within the Province of Monmouthshire . 01

The following brethren , who with the W . M . constitute the seven founders this lodge , were appointed to office and invested : Bros . Alexander MiH er > S . W . ; C . W . Whalley , J . W . ; Callaghan , Treas . ; A . K . Griffiths , Sec , C . M . King , S . D , ; and C J . Lindam , J . D . . The usual addresses were then delivered by the Installing Master . * * 3

names ot several brethren were proposed as joining members , ana * several were proposed as candidates for initiation . The new lodge room and ante-room , though small , are very commodiously and suitably arranged . They have been provided and generously placed at the sole disposal of the lodge , on very easy terms , by the benio Warden . Bro . Miller .