Consecration Of The Earl Of Sussex Lodge, No. 2201, By H.R.H. The Duke Of Connaught.

to weep with them that wept . There was just one other thought , this happened to be St . Swithin's day . Their lodge had met in sunshine , and he prayed that the sun from Heaven might shine upon the lodge , and that the b-ethren constituting it might form a lodge abiding in prosperity and happiness .

" The oration was succeeded by the singing of the anthem " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . " The mure solemn part of the ceremony was then proceeded with by the Duke of Cnnnqneht , nnd it is not from any spirit of flattery , because the P . G . M . is an exalted personage , it is simply an honest admission of the truth to say that we never heard the dedication prayers or the invocation delivered in so de ** otinnal . heartfelt , and impressive manner as that in which they came

from his Royal Highness ' s lips on this occasion ; and from a reference to the ceremony which he made in a speech at a later period , it was plain that he was acutely alive to the solemnity of the occasion . It is sufficient to say that the whole ceremony was conducted to its close with the greatest earnestness and precision , and , after dedicating the lodge in ancient form , the Provincial Grand Master declared it to be duly constituted , and the ceremony was brought to a close by the singing of the hymn " Glory be to God on High . "

By command of the R . W . P . G . M ., the V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , assumed the Master ' s chair , and proceeded to install Bro . Gerard Ford . P . M . 271 , P . G . D ., and D . P . G . M ., to be Master of the Earl of Sussex Lodee , a ceremony which , it is needless to say , he performed with his pccustomed precision and dignity .

The newlv-installed W . M . then proceeded to invest his officers as follows Bros . Gen . Randoloh . as I . P . M . ; Right Hon . W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P .. P . G . Steward , S . W . ; R . Clowes , P . P . G . W . Essex , J . W . ; V . P , Freeman . Sec ; VV . H . Hallett , Treas . ; Mnjor-Gen . B . Ford , S . D . ; M ** jnr Hancock , J . D . ; H . Kemball Cook , D . C ; H . E . Price , I . G . ; C . W . Hudson and C . B . Warre , Stewards ; and Henry Hughes , Tyler .

The ceremony was brouyht to a close by the Grand Secretary reciting in a masterly manner the three orations to the Master , the Wardens , and the brethren nf the lodge . It was proposed bv theS . W ., and seconded by the W . M ., that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and the V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke be entered on the books as honorary membeisof the lodge , in recognition of the share thev had taken in the ceremonies just brought to a close .

H . R . H . and the G RAND SECRETARY having acknowledged the comp ' iment . the thanks of the brethren were tendered through Bro . Gen . Randolph to the W . M . for a very handsome banner which had been presented by him to the lodge , bearing the Royal Arms and the Coat and Shield of H R . H . Ths Duke of Connaught and , . in reply ,

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER tendered Bro . Marriott and the other officers his thanks for their co-operation with him , and expressed a hope that this noble little army that had just been enrolled would march unbroken beneath thai banner for manv , many years to come . The lodge was then closed , and the company adjourned to luncheon in the King ' s banqueting room . The musical arrangements vvere under the management of Bro " . H . S . Gate ; , Prov . Grand Organist , whose band , stationed on the lawn , played a selection of music while the luncheon

¦ progress . I In proposing the first toast , " The Queen and the Craft , " Bro . FORD [ said that it was the first time in his life that he had had the honour to [ propose her Majesty ' s health in the presence of one of her sons , often as [ that toast had been confided to him . Her Majesty was often styled the head and patroness of the order , and in effect , she was its head , and in her

illustious male relatives the Craft had , from time to time , enjoyed the privilege of Royal brotherhood . In this celebrated year it was a great happiness to hirn ( the speaker ) to welcome a new link between the Royal Family and Masonry In the Province of Sussex , and he called upon all those assembled on this auspicious occasion to drink with more than usual cordiality the health of " The Queen and the Craft . " The loast was received with the utmost enthusiasm .

In proposing "The Health of the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , " the CHAIRMAN said it was unnecessary ( or him to expatiate on the G . M . ' s Masonic excellences , as they vvere so well known to all the brethren , but he must inform them that the Duke of Connaught would make a point of informing the Prince of all that had taken place to-day . He was sure that the Prince would take great interest in hearing of their doings . The Prince

of Wales , they would remember , came down to Brighton last year , when the brethren had the pleasure of seeing him install their Right VV . Prov . G . M ., but lor vvhich ceremony the Duke of Connaught would not have been before them now . He concluded by saying lhat bethought the Prince of Wales was the pride of Freemasons both here and throughout the world , ard by his untiring devotion to duty illustrated how truly he was possessed fo ihe real Masonic spirit .

The CHAIRMAN said he would now proceed to give them toast number thr e <¦ •*» the list , " The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , the Right Worshipful Dfputy Grand Mast-r , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , and officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past ; " and this toast was one which was always honoured in Masonic meetings , where the services of the Eail of

Carnarvon , the Earl of Lathom , and the other Grand Officers were always recognized as they fully deserved to be . He was sorry to see that the Earl of Carnarvon found it would be necessary for him to go to the antipodes on account of his health , but hoped he would soon be amongst them again , invigorated and refreshed by his voyage . As regarded the Grand Officers as a body , they knew that in the past , and

they hoped that for the future , they would always have the right man in the right place . The Officers of the Grand Lodge were often among them at Brighton . By their presence , and their precept , and their example the brethren of the province benefited a great deal . They were glad to have their good advice , and glad also to follow it . He proposed their hearty rood health .

Bro . FENN , Chairman of the Board of General Purposes , whose name the Chairman h id associated with the toast , said that in obedience to the W . M . he rose to respond to the compliment which had been paid to the Grand Officers . He had hoped that the Chairman would have connected the name of Bro . Shadwell Clerke , the G . S ., wilh that toast , because , after

the prominent part he had taken in the proceedings of the diy , he had much more claim to the honour . The Earl of Carnarvon and the Eari of Lathom must both regret their absence on this occasion , but on behalf of the Grand Officers , he was sure that he was speaking their sentiments iu saving lhat they were extremely happy to have been present on an occasion which . in . ust . be very dear to his Royal Highness . He would not , as

Consecration Of The Earl Of Sussex Lodge, No. 2201, By H.R.H. The Duke Of Connaught.

time was short , detain them by any lengthened remarks , but he was sure that all the Grand Officers , whether present or unavoidably absent , would watch the future progress of this lodge with the greatest interest . The CHAIRMAN next rose to propose "The Health of the Right Worshipful Prov . Grand ^ Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , & c . " This province was honoured b y having the

Duke as its chief , and he ventured to think lhat his Royal Highness ' s gratification in being connected with the province of Sussex vvas second only to that ol the brethren in having such a ruler . His Royal Highness vvas only in England for a short time ; he was going back to the Indian clime , where they all hoped he would enjoy health and happiness . However , the Chairman said he trusted that he might soon again return to these shores , and

that they might again have the pleasure ol seeing him presiding over them His Royal Highness had done the speaker the honour to depute him to act for him in his absence . He felt himself unworthy of the position , especially after having seen the Duke perform the work he had done that day , and he might add that the excellent manner in which that work had been performed led him to hope that for his o . vn sake the R . W . Prov . G . M

would soon be enabled to resume his personal sway over them . He was only echoing the sentiments of the whole of the province when he said that the brethren bid his Royal Highness most loyal and fraternal welcome , and considered that whilst the Prince would doubtless hold ita matter of duty to preside if he could ; yet , considering the ceaseless calls upon him

whilst for a short term in England , it would not be denied that it is a great kindness on his part to find time to come among them . He would only add that they heartily , and sincerely , and Masonically wished the Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master long life and happiness whether in India or in England .

In reply , the Dukeof CONNAUGHT said : Worshipful Master and brethren , I find it difficult to find words in which sufficiently to express how very deeply I feel the very hearty manner in vvhich you have received me here in this province . Having been away ever since the time when I was appointed Grand Master , you will naturally feel some disappointment at my not beino * among you , but the reception you have given me to-day has shown me how very kindly and how very warmly you look upon one who has the honour to

stand at ihe head of this province . The ceremony of to-day has been one of the most interesting ceremonies I have ever witnessed , and the important part lhat your Provincial Grand Master was enabled to take in the ceremony has impressed him , and I hope it has impressed us all , with the deep solemnity of the ceremony we were then engaged in . Few things could be more striking than to see the whole of that ceremony . It was very gratifying to be able to come here to-day to show you how truly and thoroughly I have the interests of all Masons in the province at heart .

the Dukeof CONNAUGHT again rose to propose the next toast . He said a most pleasing task had devolved upon him ; it was lhat of proposing "The Heahh ^ of the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Gerard Ford , P . G . Deacon , andalsolhe Health of theofficersof the Prov . Grand

Lodge , Present and Past . " He was very pleased to have been asked to propose this toast , and to be able to thank his Worshipful Brother ,. Bro . Ford , for having so ably carried out the business of the province in his ( the Master ' s ) absence . From Bro . Ford ' s and Bro . Ford ' s family connection wilh Masonry , he had every confidence in his tact , judgment , and loyalty , and that iherelore it afforded him ( the Prov . Grand Master ) the

very greatest pleasure to be able to give his health , more especially as he was also Mas er of the new Lodge , vvhich they had that day inaugurated . He was sure lhat Bro . Foid was ready to promote anything that was for the good of the Craft , and he did not know anything that could give him greater pleasure than the prosperity of the lod ge of which Bro . Ford was the first Master . His Royal Highness went on to say that he would now be allowed

to congratulate Bro . Ford on the honour conferred upon him at the great meeting at tne Albert Hall . It was an honour not onl y to himself , but it was an honour to the province . Time was s ' : ort , and it would ill become him ( the speaker ) , in the presence of thc MvH .-r , to depart from his ruling , but ha hoped that the brethren would all join him in most heartily drinking Bro . Ford ' s health , both as Deputy of the Province and Master of the Earl

of Sussex Lodge , and the health also of the other offiicers of the province . Bro . FORD said he hardly knew how to find words to express his sense of the great kindness that had been done him in the expression of confidence that had been made by the Prov . G . M . as to his ability to carry on the work of the province in the absence of the P . G . M . He

ventured to assure his Royal Highness that he would endeavour to carry on the business in his absence as in his presence . No body of men could be more anxious to carry on iheir duties than the Masters of lodges and officers of the province ; but with such a body of officers as they had , it was scarcely possible that things could go wrong . He respectfully thanked His Royal Highness for his gracious words .

'Ine Right Hon . VV . T . MARRIOTT , Q . C , S . W ., proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " associating vvith the toasl the names of Bro . Puleston , M . P . for Devonport , and Bro . Farncombe , Mayor of Lewes , both of whom , he said , liked Brighton so well that one ol them lived there altogether , and

the other came as often as he could . It vvas the first timefor years lhal they had a Mayor who was not a Mason , and he must say that the Mayor was very much concerned at being unable to take a greater part that day in welcoming his Royal Highness . He was pleased , however , to see that the son of the Mayor was present .

Bro . PULESTON , M . P ., and Bro . FARNCOMBE having acknowledged the compliment , in very felicitous terms , Bro . Dr . PIGOTT proposed " Success to the Earl of Sussex Lodge , " coupled with the name of Bro . HALLETT , the Treasurer , who responded . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then proposed "Success to the Masonic Charities , " and , as they were not otherwise represented , coupled the name of the Grand Secretary with the toast .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE responded , and said that he hoped m a day or two to hand a cheque for about £ 2100 to each of the three Charities as the outcome of the great gathering in the Albeit Hall . ( Great applause . ) The 'T yler ' s toast was then given , and his Royal Highness left amidst enthusiastic cheering , when alter being driven along the sea front for awhile he relumed to London in a saloon attached to the *; o ' clock train ,

being escorted throughout by the D . P . G . M . The lollovving vvere among the provincial officers present : Bros . Kdvvd . Broadbridge , P . J . G . D . ; VV . A . Tooth , P . P . G . Chaplain : W . R . Wood , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . VV . Lambert , P . P . G . Organist ; Geo . F . Lewis , P . P . G . S . B . ; jM 1 ? Anderson , P . P . G . P . ; John Hallett , P . G . S ., VV . M . 5 ; W . H . Rus * ell , P- ^ A Sussex ; Edwd . Collings , P . G . S . B . ; A . T . Long , P . A . G . D . of C . ; Richard Pidcotr , P . G . tteg . ; G . A . Wallis , P . M . 916 ; T . C . Woodman , P . G . Stewd . ot . Sussex > -. Thos . Trollope , P . G . D . Sussex ; B . Sargent , P . G . Asst . Purst . Sussex : G . T , Hard ** .