Consecration Of The Selwyn Chapter, No. 1901.

It is quite possible for a letter perfect Mason to be a had worker . Every one shou'd be clear and distinct . There is no language so beautiful as the English , none more difficult to speak ; every word requires its proper motive , every word requires the most distinct articulation . Lastly , be brief . It is unfortunately very common indeed for inexperienced Masons to call themselves Preceptors . Trying

to improve they mar our ceremonies . Remember , we have none of us any right to add one particle to our ancient ceremonies . We have no right to say badly in ten minutes what vve could say better in five if vve adhered to our ancient ritual . I must apologise for having spoken thus in the presence of so many experienced Masons , but t am conscious , if I mav use the words , that I am only endeavouring to strengthen others , like the hone which gives edge to a razor , but itself has none .

Thc ceremony vvas then resumed , and the chapter solemnly dedicated and constituted in the usual form . The installation of Principals then took place as follows : Comps . W . Davies , M . E . Z . ; Edwin Gauntlett , H . ; and John Lightfoot , J . ; after which the election and investment of the following officers took place : Comps . W . H . Hook , acting I . P . Z ., Treas . ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; J . Evans , S . N . ; H .

R . Hobbs , P . S . ; W . J . Alford , ist A . S . ; T . H . Ford , 2 nd A . S . ; A . H . Fraser , Steward ; andT . Bowler , Janitor . The M . E . Z . rose and proposed " That the heartiest thanks of the companions be given to the G . S . E . and the rest of the Grand Officers for their eminent services in consecrating the chapter , " remarking that it had been

most beautifully performed , and that they were all deeply grateful to them for their great kindness and for the great ability they had witnessed . He trusted that the chapter would imitate and make its record in South London . This was ably seconded by Comp . E . GAUNTLETT , H ., and , having been put by Comp . J . LIGHTFOOT , J ., was carried vvith acclamation .

It was proposed by Comp . J . LIGHTFOOT , J ., and seconded by Comp . W . H . HOOK , P . Z ., in a few very appropriate words , " That the Consecrating Officers be elected honorary members , " which was likewise unanimousl y carried .

In reply , the GRAND SCRIBE E ., on behalf of himself and his colleagues , tendered his warmest thanks , and acknowledged the very kind terms spoken of him for his small services . It was to him the greatest possible pleasure , and he wished the chapter every success . Their pleasure was thc more increased by being elected honorary members .

Eleven propositions for exaltation having been handed in , with " Hearty good wishes " the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to an excellent banquet , provided by Comp . Pow , the proprietor , which was most highly appreciated , as was shown by the ample justice done by all the companions . The cloth removed , the M . E . Z ., in appropriate terms , gave the toast of " The Oueen and Royal Arch Masonry , " which was loyally received .

That of " The First Grand Z ., H . R . H . the . Prince of Wales , " was as loyally given and received . The toast of " The Pro First Grand Principal , Earl Lathom ; the Second Grand Principal , Earl of Mount Edgcumbe ; the Third Grand Principal , Bro , W . W . B . Beach ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the M . E . Z . stated , was the most important one of the evening , especially in having the noble representatives sent down and consecrating the Selwyn Chapter , for which they were all indeed deeply indebted to them .

In reply , Comp . FENN said he felt very highly honoured in being called upon to reply . He would rather the G . S . E . had responded by precedence , who could tell much more of the Grand Officers' work than he could . However , on that occasion it had been a most pleasing duty in starting another chapter into the world , with the hearty wish of all the Consecrating Officers that its life would be a most successful one .

The toast of "The Consecrating Ofiicers" followed , in proposing which the M . E . Z . said was the one above all others , for they had indeed been highly honoured , and were deeply grateful . The splendid ceremonies that had been witnessed would be remembered by the companions till the day ot their death . He hoped the death of the Selwyn Chapter would be a long , long way off , and he wished the Grand Officers long life and happiness . In reply , Comp . LETCHWORTH , G . S . E ., said how pleased the

Consecrating Officers were to hear the kind manner in which their services had been spoken of , and said it only gave them every possible pleasure in launching another chapter , which he trusted would have as great success as the lodge . Personally , he was very delighted to be introduced to Comp . Hook , the father of the lodge , and one of the founders of the chapter , and he was sure that under his fostering care the chapter would achieve that success which the lodge had done .

1 he toast of " The Principals was given by Comp . LETCHWORTH , who spoke in excellent terms of each , and especially admiring the courage and pluck of the M . E . Z ., who , although he had met with a serious accident —a broken arm—yet had done his duties most satisfactorily . He wished the Principals a prosperous and happy year of office such as they had experienced while acting as VV . M . of the lodge .

The M . E . Z ., in reply , thanked all most cordially for such a hearty greeting and trusted that the Consecrating Officers would at some future time pay the chapter a visit , when he hoped to be able to give a much better account of himself , having had the opportunity of qualif ying himself for the honourable position which he then held .

Comp . E . GAUNTLETT , H ., saidhefelt fully alive to the great responsibility which had been thrust upon him . He should never forget thc splendid ceremonies that had been rehearsed in the installations . He would state that during his Mastership of the lodge the formation of a chapter was really his hobby , as Comp . Stone , S . E ., would bear out , but now it being an accomplished fact , through his great exertions , he ( Comp . Gauntlettl

would do his utmost for its success . Comp . LIGHTFOOT , J ., in reply , said this was one of the most memorable days in his life . It vvas only another great honour conferred upon him as the brethren had done in electing him as W . M . of the Selwyn Lodge . He trusted that the Grand Officers who had done them a great honour that evening would at no great future date visit them when they trusted to give a good report of their work .

The M . E . Z . next gave the toast of " The Visitors " with a most cordial greeting , remarking that no chapter could get on without them . They had several distinguished ones with them , some had left , and apologies for nonattendance had been received from others whom they would been delighted

to have had among them , especially Comp . Grummant , who had taken a lively interest in the formation of the chapter . They all deeply regretted his inability to attend on account of the serious illness of his father . Of those present they trusted to see them again to witness their working . Comp . RUSSELL , P . Z . 73 S , Natal , replied , and said it gave him very great pleasure to be present there that night . He had inst returned to

Consecration Of The Selwyn Chapter, No. 1901.

England on a short visit , after an absence of 42 years . He remembered the neighbourhood in which they were holding their chapter since he was a little boy at school , 50 years ago , and some of the liveliest recollections of his youth vvere associated vvith that locality . He was initiated into Masonry in the year 1858—when it was first introduced into Natal—and , with one exception , he happened to be the oldest living Mason in the colony . He had

filled all thc offices in the lodge , and finally became W . M ., and subsequentl y in the year 1 S 76 he became a Royal Arch Mason , in which Degree he had passed all the chairs . When the Grand Lodge of Natal was formed he vvas nominated as a District Grand Master , but that position he declined , as he felt his abilities were not equal to so important a position . He vvas afterwards nominated to the position of Grand Warden of the colony , and that

position he now held . He also retained office in his mother lodge , the brethren of which when they knew he was coming to England speciall y , requested him to see how everything was done in English lodges , and by the kindness of the Grand Secretary he was with them that evening . He took that opportunity of expressing his great delig ht at the beautiful ceremony of consecration , and also his pleasure at the able manner in which it had

been rendered . He was glad to have had the opportunity of witnessing the ability , zeal , and assiduity with which the various companions of the chapter had performed the duties vvhich had devolved upon them . In the colony things were different , and there was not the kind fellowship and brotherl y unity which he had observed that evening , and which he . predicted would go

far to make that chapter as great a success as the Selwyn Lodge , trom which it took its birth . He had to thank them for their kindness for allowing him to have the opportunity of being amongst them , and he should carry back to the colony none but the liveliest recollections of his visit , and the cordial hospitality with which they had been pleased to greet him .

Comp . SADLER , G . J ., said he was delighted at the kindly reception which had been accorded lo the visitors . He congratulated the founders on the success which had attended their efforts , and from what he had seen that evening he felt he might safely predict a most satisfactory future for the chapter . He trusted sincerely that every member of it would prosper

likewise . Comp . HILTON thanked the M . E . Z . for the kindly manner in vvhich he had proposed the health of the visitors . It was with the utmost gratification that he had been able to witness the consecration of the chapter in which he felt a peculiar interest . From the first moment it had his best wishes , and any assistance , individually or collectively , which he could

render towards the promotion of its success would always give him the greatest pleasure . He trusted the chapter would always be distinguished by its good fellowshi p amongst the companions , and that it would be the forerunner of many more chapters in South London . It would always receive his most cordial support . Comp . VOISEY desired to thank the companions for having given him the opportunity of witnessing another consecration of Royal Arch Masonry ,

and of enjoying its hospitality . The speech of Comp . Russell had reminded him of a letter he had received from Australia the other day , in which the writer spoke very highly of the way in which Freemasonry was conducted in that country . He thought these things went to show the extent of the cordiality which existed amongst Masons , and he was always glad to notice how in every lodge and every chapter the brethren and companions were

delighted to show how well they could do their work . He thought the chapter had a great future before it , and being a local chapter , no doubt , go on and disseminate those grand principles which must tend to the good of Freemasonry in general . He was delighted to see Comp . Lig htfoot installed into the chair of J ,, whom he had exalted some years before in the Sphinx Chapter .

Comps . WILLS and MURCHE also ably responded . The M . E . Z . next gave the toast of " The Officers , " congratulating himself on having such an excellent array , all of whom were well able to perform their respective duties even before thc Selwyn Chapter existed . Each officer most suitably replied , acknowledg ing the privilege of being among the first set of officers , and pledging themselves to do their very best

for the Selwyn Chapter . The Janitor ' s toast closed a most auspicious event . The musical arrangements were under the able management of Comp . W . H . Hook , ably assisted by Comps . C . H . Stone , W . J . Alford , and H . R . Hobbs . Comp . J . Evans ably presided at the organ . The chapter was furnished by Comp . George Kenning .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

ELECTION OF THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER . A Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Devon was held

at Torquay , on Monday the 17 th inst ., and was largely attended . Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , M . P ., P . G . M ., presided , and . was supported by Bros . Captain G . S . Strode Lowe , D . P . G . M . ; Dr . G . Evans , 372 , P . S . G . W . ; J . B . Gover , 66 , P . J . G . W . ; M . Axworthy , 16 , P . G . S . O . ; J . Oldfield , 16 , P . G . T . ; W . Taylor , 319 , P . G . Reg . ; H . Stocker , 15 , P . G . Secy . ; G . Gurney , 169 , P . G . S . B . ; T . Worledge , 48 , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . F . Westcott , 66 , S . H . Hare , 36 , P . Hannaford , 76 , P . G . Stewards , J . Gidley , 383 , P . G . Tyler . There were also amongst

those present , Bros . C . F . Matier , G . Secy . ; W . J . Hughan , P . U . W . ; the Hon . H . V . Duncombe , G . S . O . ; J . Lane , P . G . S . O . ; F . Crouch , 16 , P . G . D . ; J . Du Pre , P . G . S . B . ; C . G . Vicary , 215 , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . Aitken-Davies , P . P . J . G . W ., 9 6 ; F . R . Thomas , 35 , P . P . G . M . O . ; W . Allsford , 16 , P . P . J . G . O . ; J . Chapman , 35 , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . Leonard , 16 , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . Harris , 215 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . R . Lord , P . P . G . I . of Wks . ; J . Olver , 21 s , P . P . G . D . C . ; T . C . Lewarn , 76 , P . P . G . D . C . ; C . H . Fulford , 15 , P . P . A . G . D . C ;

C . Hunt , 91 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Dillon , 9 6 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; J . Dodge , 319 , P . P . G . Reg . ; H . R . Langmead , P . P . G . Purst . ; G . W . Hancock , 16 ; A . W . King , 16 9 ; T . H . Wills , 319 ; A . W . Searley , 319 ; G . West , 319 ; VV HLander , 215 ; J . M . Elliott , 187 . A . Roberts , 66 ; J . W . Cornish , 7 6 ; W . (*• Watson , 64 ; Rev . T . C . Lewis , M . O . 438 ; J . Taylor , S . W . ; S . Wills , Chap . ;

J . W . McKellar , D . C ; W . H . Rowland , S . D . ; J . M . Glanfield , Org . 3 ' 91 J * Endicott , J . W . ; W . Cutler , J . O . ; R . H . Batstone , Sec . 48 ; D . Carwithen , S . W . 16 ; W . Gould , J . W . ; E . H . Shorto , M . O . 15 ; G . Dunsterville , J . W . 35 ; H . Reynolds , S . W . 3 83 ; R . Hambly , jun ., S . O . 215 ; R . H . Grimbly , J . W . 215 ; J- Buiton , LG . 50 ; T . S . Grossman , P . S . W . ; J . E . Newton , Ty ler ; T . Beckett , 319 ; and J . Porter , 16 .

The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY reported that since the last annual meeting there had been 5 6 advancements in the year , and allowing for deaths , removals , & c , there had been an increase of nine members in the province , making at the close of 1891 , 508 members . The restriction that no office