Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memorandum As Regards The Present Position Of The Grand Orient Of France.
to say , a cant meaning for French Freemasons . The meaning of the French word ' solidarite" by itsell does not help us , and we can only arrive at it by implication . It seems to mean " The Humanitarian Entirety , " or an " all-embracing humanity , " as a distinct force , even a " Cultus " in the affairs of this world . The President of the Council of the Grand Orient , Bro . St . Jean , speaks
quite recently : Talking of the Grand Orient , and French Freemasonry , he says : " travaillant en vue de perfectionnement et moral intellectuel Ces hommes et dc leur bien etre , elle demande a ceux qui veulent etre admis dans son sein , des sentimens el'honnetete et de 1 ' amour du bien qui lui permettent de cooperer etre utilement a son ceuvre de progres et de civilization . "
Thus the phrase would imply apparently that French Freemasonry seeks the perfection of entire humanity qua humanity . But , as we said before , some doubt must exist as to the exact meaning of these words . i o . We may now here note how ill this accords with earlier French teaching . In tbe " Histoire & c . de la tres Venerable Confraternite , " published by Varrentraap , at
Frankfort in 1732 , we have a translation of the English Constitution Book of 1723 , and under the head " Touchant Dieu tt Religion , " a Mason , exactly as with us , is declared " il ne sera jamais un Athee stupidc ou un libertin sans religion . " This declaration is repeated in the " Histoire des Francmacons , " published at Paris in 1745 , and plenty of evidence might be adduced to prove that French
Freemasonry , until quite recently , has always professedly been Theistic . It is true that the "formula " recently expunged is not of ancient date , but the general teaching of French Freemasonry has incontestably been in accord with our English teaching , despite the struggle which has , more or less , been going on for years , and has culminated in the last vote of erasure of the French Grand Orient .
The just complaint against the French Grand Orient then seems to be this , that taking Belief in God , & c , out of the Constitutions , any acknowledgment of T . G . A . O . T . U . ( a foundation truth of Freemasonry ) , is henceforth prohibited in French Freemasonry , and that , both abstractedly and avowedly , liberty of conscience and human solidarity are substituted for any profession of belief in
T . G . A . O . T . U . If the ritual is now modified to meet this altered declaration , French Freemasonry departs both in profession and practice , " from the cosmopolitan teaching of Freemasonry . " It may be observed here , that Bro . Hubert , the able editor of the Chaine ( VUnion , has declined an unanimous election to the " VeSne-Jrulat , " or Master ' s chair of the loelge ,
in consequence of his dissatisfaction with past and present , and his fears for the future ; that Bro . Marchal , of Nancy , has resigned the chair , and that his lodge only continues in obedience to the Grand Orient on the condition that the ritual is not altered ; and that there are a large number of French Freemasons who deeply deplore the vote of the Grand Orient .
In Belgium the same unwise course has been followed , so that in France and Belgium all believers in God are , as it is known , discouraged and alarmed , and even as Bro . Be . hr stated in the Grand Orient itself , "blackballed . " Profession of actual unbelief in God , on the contrary , is often applauded , and is a not uncommon thing in French and Belgian lodges .
It seems that by a " Vceu " to be shortly discussed , the Grand Orient proposes to claim lo give warrants in all Masonic jurisdictions where the ruling body has not fraternal relations with it , not " en relations fraternelles . " Nothing more is needed to point out the dangerous and revolutionary proceedings in every sense of the Grand Orient of France .
Such seems to be the actual position of affairs , from our English point of view , without exaggeration or misconception , as a matter of fact , and though to those who have followed the struggles of French Freemasonry it is neither surprising nor unexpected , it must create the greatest anxiety in the minds of all who , under the Grand Lodge of England , seek for and desiderate the peaceful , orderly , loyal , religious progress of Universal Freemasonry .
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
CONSECRATION OF THE BAYARD CHAPTER , No . 1615 .
This new chapter was consecrated on Saturday last , at the Hall , 33 , Golden Square , by the Right Hon . Lorel Skelmersdale , Grand H ., and Grand Superintendent of the Western Division of Lancashire . The companions present on the occasion were Col . H . S . Somerville Burney ,
Frank Richardson , Captain Richard P . Lceson , Captain Henry Andrews , Sir Thomas Dyer , Bart ., W . Bezley Thome , M . D . ; Capt . T . Morris , P . Z . 784 ; G . H . D'Avigden , Captain Compton , Francis E . Compton , Col . Burdett , G . Supt . Midx . ; Gen . Browmigg , G . Supt . Surrey ; J . M . P . Afontagu , G . Supt . Dorset ; Gen . H . Clerk , P . Z . 13 j Col . A . W . Adair , 1-183 ; Capt .
N . G . Philips , G . S . N . ; John Hervey , G . S . E . ; John B . Monckton , P . G . P . S . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . G . Supt . Bengal ; S . Rawson , P . G . Supt . China ; Col . Shadwell Clerke , P . Z . 19 ; Hyde Pnllen , P . Z . 175 , P . G . G . C ; Peter ele L . Long , G . P . S . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . Z . fire ; R . J . Bristovv , Capt . Francis Pavey , J . Muzio , Chevalier Habicht , Col . Randolph , Capt . A . N . Sherson , T . B .
Purchase , Bev . Ambrose Hall , Henry Thorn , Col . L . H . Hamilton , A . F . Godson , Major Barlow , Rev . C . W . Arnold , Captain Wemyss , Walter B . Lcthbridge , John Messent , Al . J . Mclntyre , Q . C ; Sir Michael Costa , C . E . Willing , andH . Massey ( Freemason ) , P . Z . 619 .
The lodge to which the chapter is attached , the Bayard Lodge , No . 1615 , has not yet been established two years , and the rule of Grand Chapter is that no charter for a ehapter shall be granted to a lodge unless it has been established three years at least , the principle on which they proceed being that there shall be sufficient Masters or
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
Past Masters of the lodge to keep up a constant supply of Principals for the chapter . Of course until the third Master is installed there cannot be a brother eligible for the third chair , unless indeed the lodge starts with several P . M . ' s . Grand Chapter has , therefore , with very few exceptions , constantly refused to grant a charier to a lodge less than three years old . The exception
whenever it has been made has been uneler very special circumstances , and such circumstances were unanimously allowed to exist in the case of the Bayard Lodge , and at the Quarterly Convocation of Grand Chapter last November , after full discussion , a charter was granted for the Bayard Chapter , subject to the confirmation of the minutes which took place on the 6 th inst . No time was lost in getting thes
chapter consecrated , and the ceremony , as we have said , wa performed last Saturday . The Bayard Lodge derives it name from the Chevalier Bayard , whose picture in Hamp " ton Court Palace must be familiar to many of our readers-The Bayard Lodge adopts the arms of the Chevalier , and his motto , Sans peur el sans reproche ; and the name , arms , and motto are also taken by the Bayard Chapter . The
ceremony of consecration was exceedingly impressive , all the arrangements having been previously made with the greatest care . Grand Chapter was formed , Lord Skelmersdale presiding as Z . ; Colonel Burdett , as H . ; General Brownrigg , as J . -, Comp . John Hervey was S . E . ; Captain N . G . Philips , S . N . ; Comp . Peter de L . Long , P . S . ; Sir Michael Costa , ist A . ; and
Comp . Hyde Pullen , 2 nd A . ; Col . Shadwell Clerke was D . C . The principal portions of the ceremony were admirably performed by Lord Skelmersdale , General Brownrigg , and Col . Shadwell Clerke ; and when the ceremony was completed Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , P . Z . 784 , was placed in the chair of M . E . Z ., and Comp . Frank Richardson , P . Z . 8 , in the chair of H . Comp . John
Hervey then installed Comp . Captain Richard P . Leeson as J . As soon as this ceremony was over the M . E . Z . said the first duty which devolved upon him was to propose for the acceptance of the companions the hearty thanks of the chapter to Lord Skelmersdale . He was aware that Lord Skelmersdale had come at great inconvenience to himself very kindly to consecrate the Bayard Chapter , and
do the companions the honour to place the Principals in the chairs . He therefore proposed a vote oi thanks first to Lord Skelmersdale , Granel H . of England , for so kindly presiding over the Grand Chapter that day . To save time he would also ask the companions to accord another vote of thanks to M . E . Comps . Col . Burdett , to Lieut . General Brownrigg , to the Excellent Scribes E . and N ., and to the
other Grand Officers who had also so kindly assisted in the consecration and installation , more especially he would name Comp . Hervey , G . S . E ., who had undertaken at a short notice the installation of J . Comp . F . Richardson , H ., seconded the motion , which was then put and carried by acclamation . The passing of the vote having been communicated by the M . E . Z . to Lord Skelmersdale , his
Lordship said in his own name , and in the names of those who had been associated with him in the vote , he thanked the companions most heartily for the vote which had been passed , and he was sure he was only echoing their sentiments when he said that he was very much pleased to have consecrated the chapter , and hoped that it would last and go on prospering continually .
The M . E . Z . said he could not that evening appoint all the officers , as some would have to be balloted for ; but he begged to propose that Comp . J . C . Ridgway be P . S . ; Capt . Gilbert , ist A . S . ; and Capt . Andrews as 2 nd A . S . The proposed S . E . was not yet a companion but he would ask Comp . F . Compton to take that office pro tern . Comp . Bristow he proposed as S . N . jand the Chevalier Habicht as
Treasurer , and Comp . Austin as Janitor . The next duty was the election of honorary members , anel he proposed the names of Lord Skelmersdale , Col . Burdett , General Brownrigg , John Hervey , Capt . Philips , J . M . P . Montagu , H . D . Sandeman , Major-Gen . Clerk , Capt . Dadson , Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke , and Peter de L . Long , to be honorary members of the chapter , in commemoration
of the assistance they hail given that day , and also for signing the petition for a charter . Comp . Frank Richardson also seconded this motion , which was likewise put anil carried unanimously . A long list of joining members ( 15 ) was then proposed , and a numerous body of brethren ( 17 ) for exaltation . A committee was appointed to frame the bye-laws , anil the alms bag
was thereupon passed rounel the chapter by the Rev . Ambrose Hall , and realised £ 2 7 s . The M . E . Z . saiel there was yet one other duty they had to perform . There was one to whom personally—and he was sure all the other companions as well—he felt under such deep ' obligation , viz ., Col . Shadwell Clerke , who had performed that evening the duties of D . C , and without
whose assistance the ceremony could not have gone off so well . Comp . Frank Richardson seconded the motion , which being carried , another vote of thanks was passed to Comp . C . E . Willing for the very great service and assistance he had rendered by performing on the organ . A vote of thanks was also passed to the companion visitors , to whom the M . E . Z . wished a hearty welcome ,
hoping that he would often see them at the meetings of the chapter . Letters were read from Ex . Comp . Lord de Tabley , G . J ., who regretted that his absence from England prevented his attendance at the consecration , and from Comp . Col . Mutton Gregory , regretting that absence from London would prevent his attendance .
Chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to the Grosvenor Gallery , New Bond-street , where an elegant banquet was served by the manager , F . C . Michels . After banquet the customary toasts were proposed . " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " and "The Prince of Wales , the Grand Z ., " having been proposed and honoured , the M . E . Z . proposed " Lord Carnarvon , Pro G . Z ., Lord Skelmersdale , Grand H ., and Lord De Tabley , Grand J . "
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
In doing so he said he should especially couple with this toast the name of Lord Skelmersdale , who had so kindly come among the companions that evening to consecrate the Bayard Chapter , and had honoured them with his presence at the banquet table . When they reme .-nbered the great Masonic claims there were upon his lordship ' s time as Provincial Grand Master and Superintendent of
West Lancashire , the most numerous province in England , where there were eighty lodges , and in addition to this office holding that of Deputy Grand Master of England , Grand H . of the Royal Arch , besides occupying several other positions in different degrees and Orders which he could not name then , his time was pretty fully taken up . The companions would therefore the more appreciate his
kindness and goodness in attending the Bayard Chapter ; and they esteemed it a very great honour . For this honour he ( the M . E . Z . ) returned Lord Skelmersdale his hearty personal thanks ; and he esteemed it the greatest honour he could have that he had been invested as Z . of the Bayard Chapter by him . It was not only his kindness in coming among the companions at all times he could
that drew the companions towards his lordship , but his kind manner , his true Masonic feeling , must always arouse in their hearts sentiments of esteem . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Skelmerselale , who on rising to reply was received with enthusiastic cheers , said it was most flattering to him to hear his health—for he must really put himself
first just for the present—so kindly proposed by the M . E . Z . and so well received by all the companions . He only regretted that Lord Carnarvon had not been present to fulfil the duties of consecrating and installing at the Bayard Chapter . If he had been present no one would have been more gratified than he to see the great success that had attended the Bayard Lodge ,
which had resulted in the establishment of the Bayarel Chapter . Lord de Tabley was abroad at present or he would have been there . The companions did not see much of his lordship in London , but there did not exist a more earnest Mason than he was in Cheshire . For his ( Lord Skclmersdale ' s ) own part it gave him infinite pleasure to be present at the consecration of the Bayard Chapter . It
was not often that he was able to attend meetings of private lodges or private chapters , but he did so whenever he possibly could . If he might call them so , his public duties took up a certain amount of his time ; but whenever it was in his power to meet a private lodge or chapter , or to be of any use to them , he was too happy to be called upon . Masonry had made such enormous strides during the past few years
that it was no sinecure for a public man to hold high office in the Order . A man was wanted not one day only , but every day , and to do Masonry thoroughly you ought to do it five times a day , and if there were any shortcomings found either in Lord Carnarvon or any of the other Grar . d Officers it was not from want cf goodwill to the Craft but from want of
time . His lordship concluded by saying that he only hoped that the Bayard Chapter might have a long lease , a very successful career , and might redound to the honour of Masonry . The M . E . Z . said the next toast he had to give was that of "The Present and Past Grand Officers of the Holy Royal Arch . " That evening they were favoured
with the presence of several of those companions . The Grand Superintendents of Middlesex , Surrey , and Dorsetshire were present , and the Past Superintendents of China and Bengal , and also with that of several of the working Grand Officers for the year ; added to whom were some of the Past Grand Officers , as well as the Grand Scribe E ., the Scribe N ., the Principal Sojourner , and Comp . Monckton ,
and also Grand Registrar . These companions were a host in themselves—the Order would not be able to go on without the able exertions of Grand Registrar , to whom the Bayard Chapter was particularly indebted , for he strongly supported its cause in Grand Chapter . The companions would not consider it necessary that he should take up their time by entering into the ^ merits of all the
companions , and he should therefore simply propose " The Health of the Present and Past G . Officers , " and with the former he should couple the name of Colonel Burdett , and with the latter that of Comp . J . B . Monckton . Col . Burdett , replying for the Present Grand Officers , said there were several of these companions present who had for a long time been exercising the authority which had
been delegated to then by the Grand Z . ; and he trusted that they had exercised that authority to their utmost , at least he was confident they had to the best of their ability , and he hoped to the satisfaction of the companions . They trusted to do so for a long time to come , and if they were supported in the same kind way by the Order generally as they had been hitherto , their duties would be performed
with happiness and pleasure , and with a great deal of benefit to their respective provinces . The Grand Officers exerted themselves to the best for the purpose of producing good to the whole body of Royal Arch Masons ; and il they followed the excellent example of Lord Skelmersdale ( and it was reasonable to suppose they would follow his lead ) , they would be approved by the provinces in
general . Comp . J . B . Monckton , replying for the Past Grand Officers , said : In the happy and prosperous present you will like to hear as little as possible on the gloomy and melancholy past . ( Laughter . ) Therefore , I thank you sincerely and sit down . Lord Skelmersdale proposed "The Three Principals . "
He congratulated those companions who belonged to the new chapter on having selected three Principals so thoroughly worthy of the places they respectively occupied , He also congratulated the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry that men of the position of the three Principals were to be found to take the part they did in this particular degree , working it out , and teaching others to work it out . He could only repeat what he said before , and wish the utmost
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Memorandum As Regards The Present Position Of The Grand Orient Of France.
to say , a cant meaning for French Freemasons . The meaning of the French word ' solidarite" by itsell does not help us , and we can only arrive at it by implication . It seems to mean " The Humanitarian Entirety , " or an " all-embracing humanity , " as a distinct force , even a " Cultus " in the affairs of this world . The President of the Council of the Grand Orient , Bro . St . Jean , speaks
quite recently : Talking of the Grand Orient , and French Freemasonry , he says : " travaillant en vue de perfectionnement et moral intellectuel Ces hommes et dc leur bien etre , elle demande a ceux qui veulent etre admis dans son sein , des sentimens el'honnetete et de 1 ' amour du bien qui lui permettent de cooperer etre utilement a son ceuvre de progres et de civilization . "
Thus the phrase would imply apparently that French Freemasonry seeks the perfection of entire humanity qua humanity . But , as we said before , some doubt must exist as to the exact meaning of these words . i o . We may now here note how ill this accords with earlier French teaching . In tbe " Histoire & c . de la tres Venerable Confraternite , " published by Varrentraap , at
Frankfort in 1732 , we have a translation of the English Constitution Book of 1723 , and under the head " Touchant Dieu tt Religion , " a Mason , exactly as with us , is declared " il ne sera jamais un Athee stupidc ou un libertin sans religion . " This declaration is repeated in the " Histoire des Francmacons , " published at Paris in 1745 , and plenty of evidence might be adduced to prove that French
Freemasonry , until quite recently , has always professedly been Theistic . It is true that the "formula " recently expunged is not of ancient date , but the general teaching of French Freemasonry has incontestably been in accord with our English teaching , despite the struggle which has , more or less , been going on for years , and has culminated in the last vote of erasure of the French Grand Orient .
The just complaint against the French Grand Orient then seems to be this , that taking Belief in God , & c , out of the Constitutions , any acknowledgment of T . G . A . O . T . U . ( a foundation truth of Freemasonry ) , is henceforth prohibited in French Freemasonry , and that , both abstractedly and avowedly , liberty of conscience and human solidarity are substituted for any profession of belief in
T . G . A . O . T . U . If the ritual is now modified to meet this altered declaration , French Freemasonry departs both in profession and practice , " from the cosmopolitan teaching of Freemasonry . " It may be observed here , that Bro . Hubert , the able editor of the Chaine ( VUnion , has declined an unanimous election to the " VeSne-Jrulat , " or Master ' s chair of the loelge ,
in consequence of his dissatisfaction with past and present , and his fears for the future ; that Bro . Marchal , of Nancy , has resigned the chair , and that his lodge only continues in obedience to the Grand Orient on the condition that the ritual is not altered ; and that there are a large number of French Freemasons who deeply deplore the vote of the Grand Orient .
In Belgium the same unwise course has been followed , so that in France and Belgium all believers in God are , as it is known , discouraged and alarmed , and even as Bro . Be . hr stated in the Grand Orient itself , "blackballed . " Profession of actual unbelief in God , on the contrary , is often applauded , and is a not uncommon thing in French and Belgian lodges .
It seems that by a " Vceu " to be shortly discussed , the Grand Orient proposes to claim lo give warrants in all Masonic jurisdictions where the ruling body has not fraternal relations with it , not " en relations fraternelles . " Nothing more is needed to point out the dangerous and revolutionary proceedings in every sense of the Grand Orient of France .
Such seems to be the actual position of affairs , from our English point of view , without exaggeration or misconception , as a matter of fact , and though to those who have followed the struggles of French Freemasonry it is neither surprising nor unexpected , it must create the greatest anxiety in the minds of all who , under the Grand Lodge of England , seek for and desiderate the peaceful , orderly , loyal , religious progress of Universal Freemasonry .
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
CONSECRATION OF THE BAYARD CHAPTER , No . 1615 .
This new chapter was consecrated on Saturday last , at the Hall , 33 , Golden Square , by the Right Hon . Lorel Skelmersdale , Grand H ., and Grand Superintendent of the Western Division of Lancashire . The companions present on the occasion were Col . H . S . Somerville Burney ,
Frank Richardson , Captain Richard P . Lceson , Captain Henry Andrews , Sir Thomas Dyer , Bart ., W . Bezley Thome , M . D . ; Capt . T . Morris , P . Z . 784 ; G . H . D'Avigden , Captain Compton , Francis E . Compton , Col . Burdett , G . Supt . Midx . ; Gen . Browmigg , G . Supt . Surrey ; J . M . P . Afontagu , G . Supt . Dorset ; Gen . H . Clerk , P . Z . 13 j Col . A . W . Adair , 1-183 ; Capt .
N . G . Philips , G . S . N . ; John Hervey , G . S . E . ; John B . Monckton , P . G . P . S . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . G . Supt . Bengal ; S . Rawson , P . G . Supt . China ; Col . Shadwell Clerke , P . Z . 19 ; Hyde Pnllen , P . Z . 175 , P . G . G . C ; Peter ele L . Long , G . P . S . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . Z . fire ; R . J . Bristovv , Capt . Francis Pavey , J . Muzio , Chevalier Habicht , Col . Randolph , Capt . A . N . Sherson , T . B .
Purchase , Bev . Ambrose Hall , Henry Thorn , Col . L . H . Hamilton , A . F . Godson , Major Barlow , Rev . C . W . Arnold , Captain Wemyss , Walter B . Lcthbridge , John Messent , Al . J . Mclntyre , Q . C ; Sir Michael Costa , C . E . Willing , andH . Massey ( Freemason ) , P . Z . 619 .
The lodge to which the chapter is attached , the Bayard Lodge , No . 1615 , has not yet been established two years , and the rule of Grand Chapter is that no charter for a ehapter shall be granted to a lodge unless it has been established three years at least , the principle on which they proceed being that there shall be sufficient Masters or
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
Past Masters of the lodge to keep up a constant supply of Principals for the chapter . Of course until the third Master is installed there cannot be a brother eligible for the third chair , unless indeed the lodge starts with several P . M . ' s . Grand Chapter has , therefore , with very few exceptions , constantly refused to grant a charier to a lodge less than three years old . The exception
whenever it has been made has been uneler very special circumstances , and such circumstances were unanimously allowed to exist in the case of the Bayard Lodge , and at the Quarterly Convocation of Grand Chapter last November , after full discussion , a charter was granted for the Bayard Chapter , subject to the confirmation of the minutes which took place on the 6 th inst . No time was lost in getting thes
chapter consecrated , and the ceremony , as we have said , wa performed last Saturday . The Bayard Lodge derives it name from the Chevalier Bayard , whose picture in Hamp " ton Court Palace must be familiar to many of our readers-The Bayard Lodge adopts the arms of the Chevalier , and his motto , Sans peur el sans reproche ; and the name , arms , and motto are also taken by the Bayard Chapter . The
ceremony of consecration was exceedingly impressive , all the arrangements having been previously made with the greatest care . Grand Chapter was formed , Lord Skelmersdale presiding as Z . ; Colonel Burdett , as H . ; General Brownrigg , as J . -, Comp . John Hervey was S . E . ; Captain N . G . Philips , S . N . ; Comp . Peter de L . Long , P . S . ; Sir Michael Costa , ist A . ; and
Comp . Hyde Pullen , 2 nd A . ; Col . Shadwell Clerke was D . C . The principal portions of the ceremony were admirably performed by Lord Skelmersdale , General Brownrigg , and Col . Shadwell Clerke ; and when the ceremony was completed Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , P . Z . 784 , was placed in the chair of M . E . Z ., and Comp . Frank Richardson , P . Z . 8 , in the chair of H . Comp . John
Hervey then installed Comp . Captain Richard P . Leeson as J . As soon as this ceremony was over the M . E . Z . said the first duty which devolved upon him was to propose for the acceptance of the companions the hearty thanks of the chapter to Lord Skelmersdale . He was aware that Lord Skelmersdale had come at great inconvenience to himself very kindly to consecrate the Bayard Chapter , and
do the companions the honour to place the Principals in the chairs . He therefore proposed a vote oi thanks first to Lord Skelmersdale , Granel H . of England , for so kindly presiding over the Grand Chapter that day . To save time he would also ask the companions to accord another vote of thanks to M . E . Comps . Col . Burdett , to Lieut . General Brownrigg , to the Excellent Scribes E . and N ., and to the
other Grand Officers who had also so kindly assisted in the consecration and installation , more especially he would name Comp . Hervey , G . S . E ., who had undertaken at a short notice the installation of J . Comp . F . Richardson , H ., seconded the motion , which was then put and carried by acclamation . The passing of the vote having been communicated by the M . E . Z . to Lord Skelmersdale , his
Lordship said in his own name , and in the names of those who had been associated with him in the vote , he thanked the companions most heartily for the vote which had been passed , and he was sure he was only echoing their sentiments when he said that he was very much pleased to have consecrated the chapter , and hoped that it would last and go on prospering continually .
The M . E . Z . said he could not that evening appoint all the officers , as some would have to be balloted for ; but he begged to propose that Comp . J . C . Ridgway be P . S . ; Capt . Gilbert , ist A . S . ; and Capt . Andrews as 2 nd A . S . The proposed S . E . was not yet a companion but he would ask Comp . F . Compton to take that office pro tern . Comp . Bristow he proposed as S . N . jand the Chevalier Habicht as
Treasurer , and Comp . Austin as Janitor . The next duty was the election of honorary members , anel he proposed the names of Lord Skelmersdale , Col . Burdett , General Brownrigg , John Hervey , Capt . Philips , J . M . P . Montagu , H . D . Sandeman , Major-Gen . Clerk , Capt . Dadson , Lieut .-Col . Shadwell Clerke , and Peter de L . Long , to be honorary members of the chapter , in commemoration
of the assistance they hail given that day , and also for signing the petition for a charter . Comp . Frank Richardson also seconded this motion , which was likewise put anil carried unanimously . A long list of joining members ( 15 ) was then proposed , and a numerous body of brethren ( 17 ) for exaltation . A committee was appointed to frame the bye-laws , anil the alms bag
was thereupon passed rounel the chapter by the Rev . Ambrose Hall , and realised £ 2 7 s . The M . E . Z . saiel there was yet one other duty they had to perform . There was one to whom personally—and he was sure all the other companions as well—he felt under such deep ' obligation , viz ., Col . Shadwell Clerke , who had performed that evening the duties of D . C , and without
whose assistance the ceremony could not have gone off so well . Comp . Frank Richardson seconded the motion , which being carried , another vote of thanks was passed to Comp . C . E . Willing for the very great service and assistance he had rendered by performing on the organ . A vote of thanks was also passed to the companion visitors , to whom the M . E . Z . wished a hearty welcome ,
hoping that he would often see them at the meetings of the chapter . Letters were read from Ex . Comp . Lord de Tabley , G . J ., who regretted that his absence from England prevented his attendance at the consecration , and from Comp . Col . Mutton Gregory , regretting that absence from London would prevent his attendance .
Chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to the Grosvenor Gallery , New Bond-street , where an elegant banquet was served by the manager , F . C . Michels . After banquet the customary toasts were proposed . " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " and "The Prince of Wales , the Grand Z ., " having been proposed and honoured , the M . E . Z . proposed " Lord Carnarvon , Pro G . Z ., Lord Skelmersdale , Grand H ., and Lord De Tabley , Grand J . "
Consecration Of The Bayard Chapter, No. 1615.
In doing so he said he should especially couple with this toast the name of Lord Skelmersdale , who had so kindly come among the companions that evening to consecrate the Bayard Chapter , and had honoured them with his presence at the banquet table . When they reme .-nbered the great Masonic claims there were upon his lordship ' s time as Provincial Grand Master and Superintendent of
West Lancashire , the most numerous province in England , where there were eighty lodges , and in addition to this office holding that of Deputy Grand Master of England , Grand H . of the Royal Arch , besides occupying several other positions in different degrees and Orders which he could not name then , his time was pretty fully taken up . The companions would therefore the more appreciate his
kindness and goodness in attending the Bayard Chapter ; and they esteemed it a very great honour . For this honour he ( the M . E . Z . ) returned Lord Skelmersdale his hearty personal thanks ; and he esteemed it the greatest honour he could have that he had been invested as Z . of the Bayard Chapter by him . It was not only his kindness in coming among the companions at all times he could
that drew the companions towards his lordship , but his kind manner , his true Masonic feeling , must always arouse in their hearts sentiments of esteem . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Skelmerselale , who on rising to reply was received with enthusiastic cheers , said it was most flattering to him to hear his health—for he must really put himself
first just for the present—so kindly proposed by the M . E . Z . and so well received by all the companions . He only regretted that Lord Carnarvon had not been present to fulfil the duties of consecrating and installing at the Bayard Chapter . If he had been present no one would have been more gratified than he to see the great success that had attended the Bayard Lodge ,
which had resulted in the establishment of the Bayarel Chapter . Lord de Tabley was abroad at present or he would have been there . The companions did not see much of his lordship in London , but there did not exist a more earnest Mason than he was in Cheshire . For his ( Lord Skclmersdale ' s ) own part it gave him infinite pleasure to be present at the consecration of the Bayard Chapter . It
was not often that he was able to attend meetings of private lodges or private chapters , but he did so whenever he possibly could . If he might call them so , his public duties took up a certain amount of his time ; but whenever it was in his power to meet a private lodge or chapter , or to be of any use to them , he was too happy to be called upon . Masonry had made such enormous strides during the past few years
that it was no sinecure for a public man to hold high office in the Order . A man was wanted not one day only , but every day , and to do Masonry thoroughly you ought to do it five times a day , and if there were any shortcomings found either in Lord Carnarvon or any of the other Grar . d Officers it was not from want cf goodwill to the Craft but from want of
time . His lordship concluded by saying that he only hoped that the Bayard Chapter might have a long lease , a very successful career , and might redound to the honour of Masonry . The M . E . Z . said the next toast he had to give was that of "The Present and Past Grand Officers of the Holy Royal Arch . " That evening they were favoured
with the presence of several of those companions . The Grand Superintendents of Middlesex , Surrey , and Dorsetshire were present , and the Past Superintendents of China and Bengal , and also with that of several of the working Grand Officers for the year ; added to whom were some of the Past Grand Officers , as well as the Grand Scribe E ., the Scribe N ., the Principal Sojourner , and Comp . Monckton ,
and also Grand Registrar . These companions were a host in themselves—the Order would not be able to go on without the able exertions of Grand Registrar , to whom the Bayard Chapter was particularly indebted , for he strongly supported its cause in Grand Chapter . The companions would not consider it necessary that he should take up their time by entering into the ^ merits of all the
companions , and he should therefore simply propose " The Health of the Present and Past G . Officers , " and with the former he should couple the name of Colonel Burdett , and with the latter that of Comp . J . B . Monckton . Col . Burdett , replying for the Present Grand Officers , said there were several of these companions present who had for a long time been exercising the authority which had
been delegated to then by the Grand Z . ; and he trusted that they had exercised that authority to their utmost , at least he was confident they had to the best of their ability , and he hoped to the satisfaction of the companions . They trusted to do so for a long time to come , and if they were supported in the same kind way by the Order generally as they had been hitherto , their duties would be performed
with happiness and pleasure , and with a great deal of benefit to their respective provinces . The Grand Officers exerted themselves to the best for the purpose of producing good to the whole body of Royal Arch Masons ; and il they followed the excellent example of Lord Skelmersdale ( and it was reasonable to suppose they would follow his lead ) , they would be approved by the provinces in
general . Comp . J . B . Monckton , replying for the Past Grand Officers , said : In the happy and prosperous present you will like to hear as little as possible on the gloomy and melancholy past . ( Laughter . ) Therefore , I thank you sincerely and sit down . Lord Skelmersdale proposed "The Three Principals . "
He congratulated those companions who belonged to the new chapter on having selected three Principals so thoroughly worthy of the places they respectively occupied , He also congratulated the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry that men of the position of the three Principals were to be found to take the part they did in this particular degree , working it out , and teaching others to work it out . He could only repeat what he said before , and wish the utmost