Red Cross Of Constantine.

Little . (" Loud and prolonged cheering . ) He has not only come here to-day at much inconvenience to himself for the benefit of the order , but he has been here , there , and everywhere—everywhere when called upon . He has been all over England , Scotland , and Ireland , and even to Jersey and

Guernsey , to advance the interests of the order , and I feel confident that , so long as we can boast of such Knights as Sir Knight Little to help us to carry out the order , the " Red Cross " will flourish beyond everything . It is to his exertions that the order is indebted for its present proud position . He

brought it forward , and it was by his exertions it arose , backed by others who sympathised with him . We now stand in a very high position , not only in England , but throughout thc world , and therefore I give you " Sir Knight Little and the other Past and Present Members of the Grand Imperial Council . "

Song— "The Sea is England's Glory "—Sir Knight Marsh , P . G . S . G . Sir Knight W . Little , who was received with acclamation , said : The toast which has just been proposed by your illustrious chairman is one of which we , as recipients , ought to be justly proud ,

and I must personally return my best thanks for the very complimentary manner in which my name has been mentioned , and the cordiality with which it has been received . Whatever services my coadjutors or I have rendered I assure you have been rendered verv willing ! v , and whatever we have done

has been done with a single eye to the future interests of the order . You may expect me to tell you that tlie order is in a very satisfactory condition . Thc only hitch is at our own headquarters in London , although the order is progressing most favourably in England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales—in

America , and throughout the colonics . Wc cannot obtain an efficient clerk in thc office in London , and I need hardly tell you in this great commercial centre that , unless there is a proper arrangement in that direction we cannot do satisfactorily . 1 trust , however , that by tlie exertions of the Executive

Committee , who have resolved to devote their special energies to remedying this shortcoming , wc shall soon have a better state of things . There are now 121 conclaves in existence in various parts of the world , with a membership of about 3 , , obtained during thc last nine or ten years , and that is

a result upon which we may sincerely congratulate ourselves . The principles upon which the 01 der is founded must command the respect , and attention , and sympathy of every intelligent Freemason . I heartily thank you for the very hearty manner in which vou have received thc toast .

Colonel Burdett next gave " The Illustrious Intentlant Generals of the Order , " and in doing so , he said they exercised a very large amount of ' influence , whicb . was used with great discrimination and discretion . The Int . Gen . for West Lancashire ( Captain Turner ) , had excited himself to thc

utmost to secure the success of their order , and he believed that Lord Skelmersdale , who had that day been appointed to thc position formerly held by Captain Turner , , would use his influence in thc same direction . They must all feel personally

indebted to Captain Turner for having brought the order to its present position in Liverpool , andhehad no hesitation in saying that it occupied a higher position in Liverpool than in almost any other town in thc kingdom .

He hoped the example set by Sir Knight Capt . Turner , would be followed and . extended throughout thc country . Song— "Tlie men of merry England "—Sir Knight Washington .

II . Sir Knight G . Turner thanked the assembly very much for the manner in which the toast had been received , which was ample recompense for any slight service he hacl rendered . To show that he hacl not only preached but practised , he had

that day consented to give way to Lord Skelmersdale , whom he considered in every way worthy to fill thc office of Int . Gen . He trustee ! they would all support his lordship , and do tlieir best to continue the success which had attended the establishment of the order in that division .

Gen . Sir Knight Dr . J . K . Smith , Dep . Int . Gen . also responded , and gave an explanation of the change of leadership which had taken place that day , adding , that he hoped Lord Skelmersdale would long continue to fill thc post of Int . General .

He would ahvays have great pleasure in acting as his lordship ' s deputy , as he felt it was a good arrangement to have Lord Skelmersdale at the head of the order in that division , and would be for its ultimate good . Em . Sir Knight Matier also briefly responded .

Recitation , "Bingham on the Rhine "—Sir Knight Shakespeare . Colonel Burdett next gave " The Sovereigns of thc Different Conclaves , " responded to by Em . Sir Knight Stretton , M . P . S ., 44 ; Em . Sir Knight Clark , M . P . S ., 55 ; Em . Sir Knight Nelson , P . S .,

Red Cross Of Constantine.

77 ; Em . Sir Knight J . Banning , M . P . S ., 97 ; Em . Sir Knight Wheeler , M . P . S ., 114 ; Em . Sir Knight Little ; Em . Sir Knight Marsh ; and Em . Sir Knight Green , St . George ' s Conclave , Bolton . The Colonel then proposed "The V . E . G . Preceptor and the rest of the Grand Senate , " which

was acknowledged by II . Sir Knights Dubois , Thiellay , and the Rev . J . R . Jenkins . II . Sir Knight Turner , proposed " The Health of those who had assisted in the proper reception of the Grand Conclave , " and in doing so alluded to the fact that about 50 members had joined the

Order ofthe K . H . S . within about a fortnight . He also referred to the admirable services rendered by Sir Knight Hayner , Recorder of No . 97 Conclave , in thc drill which had been so much admired that afternoon , and thc valuable services of Em . Sir Knight Goepcl , P . S ., 55 , in the way of decorations .

Em . Sir Knight Goepel , in a humorous speech , thanked thc assemblage for the favourable mention given to his name , stating he wished to show the nature of the reception to the Grand Council , by even " simple country rustics . " Sir Knight Hayner , Recorder , 97 : and Sir

Knight I . W . Robinson , 55 , also responded . II . Sir Knight Dr . Smith proposed , "The Musical Brethren , " which was acknowledged by Sir Knight Skeaf , Recorder , 77 , who had presided at the pianoforte during the evening .

II . Sir Knight Turner gave , " Prosperity to the Liverpool Conclaves , " which was acknowledged by Em . Sir Knight H . M . Molyneux , P . S ., 55 , and Sir Knight J . B . McKenzie , 55 . The pleasant evening ' s proceedings shortly afterwards terminated .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Middlesex, And Consecration Of The Francis Burdett Lodge, No. 1503.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX , AND CONSECRATION OF THE FRANCIS BURDETT LODGE , No . 1503 .

{ Continued from page 736 ) . Bro . thc Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., P . G . Chap-Iain , continuing his oration , said * . I would

advise you to be a charity amongst yourselves , and I pray that God will give you His good spirit , thus enabling you to carry out thc duties of the lodge with greater fervency . I trust that kindness and urbanity will diffuse themselves to those brethren who are assembled together to-day . We have a good warrant for thc well-being of this lodge . I

have known the First Master for many years . He is one that will give a grand start to this lodge . I think it will be one ofthe best in thc Province , and one that we shall be able to look back upon with real and true pleasure , and by-and bye , when our lodge shall change and faces pass away , I trust we shall all meet in thc Grand Lodge above .

Anthem . —( 133 rd Psalm . ) " Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is : brethren lo dwell in unity . It is like thc precious ointment upon thc head that ran down unto the

beard , even unto Aaron's beard , and went down to thc skirts of his clothing . Like as the dew of Her mon , which fell upon the Hill of Sion . For there thc Lord promised his blessing and life for evermore . "

The consecration prayer ( first part ) , * was then given by Bro . Rev . R . J . Simpson , thc brethren all chanting " So mote it be . " Sanctus , " Glory be to theo , O Lord . " After the Scripture readings , all the brethren turned to the east , whilst the Presiding Officer

pronounced the invocation , to which the brethren chanted " So mote it be . " Thc lodge board was then uncovered , and the Presiding Officer and his two Wardens carried thc consecrating elements , corn , wine , and oil , three times round thc lodge during solemn music .

Anthem . " Glory be to God on High , peace on earth , goodwill towards men . The Chaplain then carried the censers three times round the lodge , during solemn music , then halted in the east , and delivered the consecration prayer ( second part ) , the brethren chanting ' ¦ So mote it be . "

Anthem . " Glory be to God on High , Let Heaven and earth reply , Praise ye his name ; Masons his love adore ,

Tiled in their mystic lore , And cry out evermore , Glory to God . " The Presiding Officer then constituted the lodge in ancient form , the brethren chanting " So mote it be . "

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Middlesex, And Consecration Of The Francis Burdett Lodge, No. 1503.

National Anthem . God save our gracious Queen , Long live our noble Queen ! God save the Queen ! Lord heal her bleeding heart , Assuage its grievous smart , ' Thy heavenly peace impart , God save the Ouecn !

Our Royal \\ idow bless ; God save the fatherless , God save the Queen ! Shield them with loving care , Their mighty grief we share , Lord hear our fervent prayer , Gcd save the Oueen !

O Lord , our God , arise , Bless England's enemies , On Thee we call . Let sorrow whisper peace , Bid wrong and anger cease , Let love and truth increase , Make evil fall .

In this our nation ' s need , With Thee wc humbly plead , God bless our Queen ! Her life woe sanctify , Her loss untold supply , Thyself be ever nigh , God save our Oueen !

The ceremony of consecration was carried out without a single hitch , and thc consecration prayers gave additional weight to thc interesting proceedings . V . W . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Sen ., then presented Bro . Col . Wm . Wigginton to the presiding

officer for installation , saying that the new W . M . was an old member of the craft , ancl had filled the chair of many lodges , and felt sure he ( Bro . Wigginton ) would exhibit his usual excellent qualities in presiding over thc new lodge . Lodge was then resumed to thc third degree , and all the brethren

below the rank of V . M . retired . In their absence a Board of Installed Masters of upwards of fifty in number was held , ancl Bro . Wigginton was installed as thc first W . M . of the Francis Burdett Lodge , I 503 . The brethren on their re-admission , all saluted the newly chaired W . M . in the several

degrees , ancl tlie following brethren were invested officers for the ensuing year : W . H . Saunders , S . W . ; J . Tomlinson , J . W . Thc Secretary , Treasurer , J . G ., ecc , not being present , their election was postponed . W . Cox , S , D ., I . Decks , J . ., Rev . R . J . Simpson , Chaplain of Harmony , Tyler .

Votes of thanks were proposed and presented to the Consecrating officer , and lo those who so ably assisted him , namely , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Bro . John Hervey , and Bro . H . G . Buss , and all four were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge . After these compliments had been

duly acknowledged , Bro . Little proposed that a cordial vote of thanks should be presented to the members and visitors present , ancl that a vote of thanks should be forwarcd to thc Vicar for hiskindncss in giving them thc use of thc Church . After

some further remarks he would also propose that a vote of thanks should be given to Bro . thc Rev . R . J . Simpson for his very excellent address . He ( Bro . Little ) never heard such a discourse more to thc interests of Freemasonry than on that day . ( Cheers ) .

Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson in responding , said : It gives mc pleasure to return you my thanks for the kind appreciation you have shown my humble services this day . And I am sure the Vicar will be

highly pleased with the vote of thanks . I beg to thank you for him . And I feci grateful if I havo in any way added to thc glory of the great Architect of thc Universe . ( Cheers ) . Lodge was then closed in proper form .

The brethren then went by [ train lo Richmond , and repaired to the Greyhound Hotel , when a grand banquet was served in the large hall . Bro . Colonel Francis Burdett presided , supported by Bros . Col . Wigginton , Rev . S . Simpson , Past

Chaplain , Little , Hervey , Buss , and others . After the removal of the cloth Bro . Col . Burdett , proposed the health of the " Queen and the Craft , " to which tlie brethren lustily responded . The National Anthem was then ably sung .

Bro . Colonel Francis Burdett next proposed " H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , M . W . Past Grand Master , thc Princess of Wales , and rest ofthe Royal Family . " Wc have , he said , in H . R . H . one who has shown himself energetic in the cause of

Masonry , and will , I am sure , still show further zeal in thc future . ( Hear , hear ) . The toast was enthusiastically drank , and the National Song , " God bless the Prince of Wales , " was sung by the brethren . In giving "The Deputy Grand Master , the Earl