Consecration Of The Fellowship Lodge, No. 2535.

/ Vv Treas . ; | . Stephens , P ' . P . S . G . D . Bucks , Sec . ; W . Thomas , LP . M . 21 ( 18 , S . D . ; K . Kogtrs , P . C .. Stwd ., S . D . ; E . 1 . Reed , I . G . 2021 , I . G . ; H . F . N * sh , P . M . 1 / ' .

On the proposition ol the W . M ., seconded by the Secretary , the Consecrating Ollicers were unanimously elected honorary members , and were each presented with a fotinder ' s-jewel as a souvenir of the occasion . ll was propo .-. ed by Bro . E . L . P . VAI . KRI . VNI , P . M ., J . W .. and carried unanimously , lhat 25 guineas should be voted to each of the three Institutions to be ; placed on the lists of the three Stewards representing the lodge , viz :-W . Master ' for the R . M . I . B ., Pro . Major l * rob > n forthe R . M . B . I ., and Mis Stephens for the R . M . I . G .

Other business vvas transacted , including thc proposition of many candidates for initiation and joining , and thc lodge was closed . An adjournment was made to the banquet hall , where a rcchcrchi banquet was served iu a manner reflecting the highest credit on the establishment and all concerned .

Ihe usual toasts were interspersed with a capital selection of music rendered by Miss Edith Wynne , Miss Ethel Bevans , and Bros . May , Chilley , Strugnell , Kilt , and Tito Mattei . "The Oueen and thc Craft , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., '' having been given , the W . MASTER said the brethren would

next show their readiness to pay a tribute lo "the Grand Officers " for the manner in which they came forward to discharge their duties . They , who had met for the first time under the banner of the new lodge , could recognise the work undertaken by them , and how spontaneous and kind they had been in coming to assist in their inaugural meeting ..

Bro . Sir J . B . MONCKTUN , P . G . W ., in reply , said that this had been in every sense a great occasion , even in the eyes of those with many years experience of similar functions . Not only vvas there a greatassembly—great in every sense of thc word , Masonically as well as numerically—but the whole circumstances had been such as to redound credit on the present , and he thought he might prophecy the future , of that which had taken place .

In thc lirst place , the ceremony of consecra'ion had never bean better performed . He had heard his good friend , the Grand Secretary , do it , his predecessors , and others , and had even done it himself , but he was bound to say he had never heard it better done . It was a good start for a new lodge . It was impossible to have a better Master , and although he knew very little of that brother before , hc had shown in the lodge and al the banquet what

sort of man he vvas . The lodge had started on a charitable career of an admirable kind , and that augured well for il in every sense . Old Mason :, would rejoice , and young Masons would have an example and pattern in lhat lodge which would exist from generation to generation . For the toasl so heartily drank , he would simply say to one and all he heartily thanked them .

The WiiKsiiiiT * 1 . Mvsnrn then said he placed the toast of "The Consecrating Officers " before them vvith the greatest diffidence , because he felt it was impossible for him to express how sincerely he felt its importance . The majestic , stately , and delightful manner in which the whole of the ceremony vvas presented by the whole ot those engaged in it would be borne out by thc testimony of all present , and he must confess that if any element of pride

entered into one ' s constitution , it was that on an occasion like this—so unique of its kind—one heard the ceremony sn charmingly portrayed , and saw how true and good Masonry was . They had to sincerely , deeply , and from their hearts thank the Grand Secretary for the admirable manner in which he discharged the duty , and which every one present would remember as long

as he lived . They thanked him for undertaking that ceremony , and fordoing more than his duty by infusing that feeling which touched the hearts of all . To those who assisted the Grand Secretary they owed a debt of gratitude , and he would express a hope that iheir ranks would remain unbroken for many years lo come .

The GRINU SKI-RETAR-I said he felt he should ill requite the attention ' and pat ence with which they had Iistencl to him elsewhere , were he to attempt on the present occasion to inflict a speech upon them . He would , therefore , in the fewest possible words on behalf of those with whom he had been associated , thank them for the hearty reception given the toast . During the thrce years he had had the honour to occupy

the position he now filled , it had been his duty to consecrate many lodges , but he could say with all sincerity that he had never consecrated a lodge which had started into existence under more favourable auspices than this , and he vvas only giving expression to the wishes ol those associated wilh him when he expressed the hope that thc Fellow hip Lodge might have before it a career of very great and unbroken prosperity . Before he sal down

it was his privilege , and he icgarded it as a great privilege , to propose to lhem the toast of the evening . He asked litem to join with him in drinking " The Health ol their Worsh ' pful Master , " whom be had bad the great pleasure c I installing into ( h ? chair . He ventured to think that this lodge wou'd , to a gieat t : lt nl , ba * , eture by having as the first W . Master one no able to guide them in this , the firs ' , and most critical year

of its existence . Bro , Bailey , as they all knew , was not an untried Mason . 'I hose around the table who had known him in Staffordshire would testify to the admirable manner in which he bad discharged all Masonic duties devolving upon him , and those around the centre table would testify to the high esteem in which commercially , and in every other respect , he is held by those who had the privilege of knowing him .

He felt confident thai under such able and genial rule , this lodge would noi fail to prosper , and he could only express thc hope lhat under his guidance ,, it would support the dignity of the Order , promore obedience tothe excellent laws and regulations , and preserve thai bond of unity and brotherly lovewhich was the foundation ol their Masonic structure . ' 1 he WIIRSIIII ' ITI . MASTER , in response , sa d he could neither thank the

Grand Secretary for the more than kind words used , or his brethren assembled for the kind manner in vvhich they had received the toasl . He nerd hardly say ibat it was given to few men to rise without some small ftthi-. g of natural juidc to respond to the toast of the first Master of the Fellowship lodge , lie hoped thc first Master would be the worst , and ino , t unvvorihy the lodge might havc , and lhat the lodge would go on anti pro-per . it was the Fellowship Lodge , and a proud name

it was . 11 was admirably alluded to by the Chaplain in lhc ceremony , and ihe mtu . b is would try to bind themselves together in a bond as ilrong as Masonic bonds would allow . lt was their desire to make the lodge a guod and great one—not great in numbers , for that were ind-jtd easy —but to make it as it ought to be—a lodge composed of good and line men , lied logetlm in the magic circle which was expressed by the v , oid Ftllot - . ship . Ht thought hi , days ol Masonic work vvere over

Consecration Of The Fellowship Lodge, No. 2535.

aud had visions ol happy leisure , until he listened to the far too seiuctive charms of the Secretary ; but now he fell the old spirit of the war horse , and would dolus level best—it vvas a good Masonic word—forthe Fellowshi p Lodge . If they would only overlook his shortc linings , il would be the greatest support and incentive lo him to serve the lodge to his utmost

powers . Bro . Lieut .-Col . G . LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., acting I . P . M ., in proposing " Thc Masonic Charities , " sri'd he recollected the small beginnings of the Girls ' School , and also of the Boys'School . He also remenibrrred when Ihe " Old People ' s " vvas a divided Charity , but , by the aid of Bro . C-ucefix , Ihe two were brought together . Progress had been made , and th ; lodges

had done good suit and service in relieving the poor and n ; ed y and the infants . He was a Past President of the Old Masonians' Institution , and appealed lo the brethren to assist the object of thai Institution in finding situations for the boys when they vvere launched into the world , Wilh regard lo Ihe Benevolent Institution , when Ihey had passed away , the nine of Bro . Terry , the Secretary , would be long respected . Bro . TERRY , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., in the course ol bis response .

said Bro . Col . Lambert bore upon his breast a jewel thai 110 other Mason in lingland wore , or could wear . It was the jewel presented by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement to its lirst Preceptor , Bro . Peter Gilkes , bequeathed by him to one of the annuitants of the Benevolent Institution , and given to Col . Lambert , and therefore in himself , Bro . Lambert embodied from the lirsl foundation until the present momeml that one decoration a memento of

the foundation of the Benevolent Institution . He ( Bro . Terry ) was indebted lo his friend , Bro . Probyn , for his gre it kindness in accepting the position of Steward for the Old People in the lirst year ' s existence of this lodge . Bro . J . M . MCLEOD , Sec . R . M . I . B ., also returned thanks for the generous contributions made to the Boys' and Girls' Schools equally with the Old People . He was glad to see the excellent manner in which that lodge was

endeavouring to carry out its name . He knew the excellent work the W . M . had done in the past , and it was but natural he should elect to represent the Boys ' , being on the Board of Management . ll was also natural that the wife of the Secretary should select the Girls' School . He congratulated the W . M . and members on the splendid evening , which was but the forerunner of many good evenings to come , and of gre it assistance to the Charitable Institutions .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in giving " The Visitors , " accorded them a hearty welcome , and said their presence was an accession of strength . He had intended to couple the name of Sir F . Seager Hunt , M . P . —one whose whole life had been spent in doing good to his fellowmen—but . lhat brother was , unfortunately , under the doctor ' s orders not to speak in public .

Bro . J . R . RIBBELSDELL , D . D . G . M . South Africa , said that coming from a long distance he regarded it as a great honour to reply . He had been gratified at the working , which was very similar to the work he was accustomed to , and perhaps he would be able to take back some hints to South Africa . He was grateful to thc Grand Secretary for the opportunity of being present . Bro . R . E . H . COFFIN , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , also replied .

Bro . Dr . W . H . DAVEY , P . M ., proposed " ihe I . P . M ., lrea , urer , and Secretary , " and said that in the acting I . P . M ., they had a ripe , experienced , and eminent Mason . Their Treasurer , Bro . Welford , was an expsrienced financier , and , if their funds were handed over to him , he would administer them in a manner redounding to the credit of thc lodge . Then he came to thc Secretary , and he was almost overwhelmed with the subject . He hardly knew where to commence , for if he went back to the beginning , it would be

to the moment this lodge was began in the Secretary ' s brain . The idea was with Bro . Stephens from that time to this ; he had overcome every difficulty , what he could not do himself he had found others to do , and the lodge bore the mark of a successful lodge . Bro . Stephens had selected his workers with great wisdom , and they were a body that would support the W . M . during the coming year and launch the Fellowship Lodge on a period of prosperity . Of the great and indefatigable exertions of the Secretary they could form some notion from what they had seen that evening .

Bro . J . WEI . I ' ORD , P . M ., Ireas ., said hc could only endorse the good things said about the lodge , and say , as Iheir Treasurer , that they were in a strong position . He did not expect that three quarters of a century would be voted at once , bul hoped that would not end their Charitable contributions each year .

Bro . J AMES STEPHENS , P . P . S . G . D . Bucks , Secretary , in responding , said their existence in this world was made up of surprises , some pleasant and others not so . That night , having had an experience of Masonry , perhaps , greater than the majority present , hc was in the proud position of being tbe originator , the one who conceived Ihe idea and founded this lodge , and the founder of this his sixth lodge . Il was said that practice made perfect ,

and he hoped thc last had culminated to their satisfaction . He had to recall Ihe moment when hc first conceived thc idea , and when they asked first of all Col . Lambert to honour them by being the first Master . That brother was a Grand Officer , and his acceptance would have been an honour . Bro . Lambert having declined , the W . M . in the chair resisted accepting in a r . liong manner by corresp < j . idence . Wi ( Bro . Stephens ) did not wish for lhc

position from the fact lhat he had already attained that honourable position as lirst Masterof the Rothschild Lodge , and having done so , did not wish to deprive another brother of that honour . He struggled on in correspondence with Bro . Bailey until he accepted . I le knew the power and strength he held in their W . M ., who wrote , "you most persistent of all good fellows , I suppose you musl have your own way . " Was he right in his conception of the W . M ?

He was proud of that night beciuse of the W . M . in thj chair , who , as the Grand Secretary had rightly said , was beloved and respected in the commercial world equally with the M isonic world . The Treasurer had told them they were in a sound position , for B-o . Welford had the pleasure of receiving a cheque for ^ . | io ns . They had expenses incidental to the consecration , but they could give their 75 guineas to the Charities with

impunity , and let him hope that the prosperity of Ihe lodge under the regime oi the W . M . would not only enable them to do likewise , but might they double il . He was reminded of one Ihing , that , when they were deciding the name ol the lulgc , one suggested " Friendship , " and at lasl Bro . W . I * . Smithson said " Fellowship . " lie called il a right good name , and might

hc express the hope that that fellowship which had been predominant that night would ever bc associated with them in the future , In thc future he would do everything he could to enhance the prosperity ol lhat , his lasl , lodge . He vvas pleased to tell them thai , having only solicited one-hall ot the members , his wife ' s list for the Girls' School was already something over £ > y > " The Officers' " and the Tyler ' s toasts concluded an eminentl y satisfactory and successful gathering .