The Field Lane Institution.

districts of London , the amount of relief it affords to these poor people is very remarkable , livery day food is distributed , which comprises the broken and other food left over by thc employes of certain City firms , and is collected daily . Again , there are

the Mothers' Meetings held weekly , and which are very popular , and attended largely . The Boys' and Girls' Certified Homes , which are situated at Hampstead , Girls' Sewing Classes , Youths ' Institute , & c , all of which are energetically attended , and worked by the Institution .

We will now look to thc financial side of the question . At the last annual meeting it was shown that the expenditure over the income was £ 509 , and that the Institution was in debt to their bankers to the extent of 5 G 000 . This should not be , and

we would earnestly appeal to our readers to generously meet their urgent efforts in reducing thc amount , and placing them in the position they should be , viz ., free of debt . Such an

Institution as this cannot fail to strike one of the earnest endeavours to meet the continued strain put upon it by the increased applications of the poor people of thc district in which it labours , and we do not think we are appealing in vain in

doing so . Any contributions , donations , & c , however small , will be gratefully acknowledged by the Secretary , Mr . Peregrine Piatt ,

who , by the way , has boon connected with thc Society 28 years , and who will also gladly send a report to anyone applying to him for the same , to the Field Lane Institution , Vine-street , Oerkcnwell .

Consecration Of The Bridge Trust Lodge, No. 2878.

CONSECRATION OF THE BRIDGE TRUST LODGE , No . 2878 .

The consecration of the above lodge took place on Wednesday , the 13 th instant , at the Grammar School , Grove-lane , Handsworth . There was a large and influential muster of brethren , especially of Installed Masters and Wardens , to do honour to the occasion , and to support the Earl of Dartmouth , Prov . Grand Master , in the consecration ceremony . With the constitution of this lodge , there

are now 3 6 lodges in the Province of Staffordshire , five of which—viz ., Lewisham ( Smethwick ) , Foster Gough ( Stafford ) , Legge ( West Bromwich ) , Victoria ( Wolverhampton ) , and now the Bridge Trust—have been consecrated during the Prov . Grand Mastership of Lord Dartmouth , who was installed in 1 S 04 , at Wolverhampton , by the late Right Hon . tho Earl of Lathom , M . W . Pro G . M ., in the presence of the largest gathering of Freemasons that has ever taken place in

Staffordshire , The name—Bridge Trust—is a peculiar but popular one , the idea b « ing to form a lodge in connection with a foundation round which cling many cherished memories bearing the name of a Charity , the origin of which is lost in obscurity and may , therefore , with but little stretch of imagination be claimed as from " Time Immemorial . " In the long ago a gentleman in Handsworth left " certain messuage ? , land , and hereditaments , the rents and profits of which were to be employed towards the repairing and maintaining of bridges within the

parish as need should require ; and , if it should happen that there should be any overplus of the rent , then the same slnuld be employed and bestowed on some t ; 0 'i < l and charitable uses within the parish of Handsworth . " In later years , owing to change ! conditions , the Trust money accumulated , and through the Charity Commission ! rs the Fund was devoted to purposes of education in Handsworth and thc School , at first called Bridge Trust , is now the Handsworth Grammar School .

The new lodge comprises presjnt and past Governor ; , Masters , and pupils , and members of their lamilies , the names of the founders , in alphabetical order , being as follows ; Bros . A . J . Abrahall , 794 ; William Alltnin , 482 ; C . J , Chapman , 1031 j T . E . Forsyh , 4 82 ; F . H . Goffe , 887 ; S . J . Holliday , 2784 ; Frank Hughes , 482 ; G . H . C . Hughes , 1260 ; G . H . Johnstone , 74 ; W . H . Kendrick , 2582 ; W . H . Keys , 662 ; Henry Loveridge , 482 ; Bedford McNeill ,

2127 ; J . H . Pearson , 347 -, Harry Richardson , 2385 ; h . E . Spencer , 101 . 1 ; W . H . Welshman , 141 ; Robert Whitehill , 482 ; and F . W . Willmore , 539 . The names inserted in the warrant are Bros . Frank Hughes , W . M . designate ; W . H . Kendrick , S . W . ; Henry Loveridge , J . W . j Stephen James Holliday , George Hope Johnstone , Joseph Hickman Pearson , and William Henry Welshman .

The Prov . G . Master was assisted as Consecrating Officer by Bros . Colonel Walker , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . Master ; G . C . Kent , P . A G . D . C , P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; James Stone , P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; the Rev . W . Solly , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; J . Dunbar Steen , P . G . Sec , as Sec . ; Major Wilkin ? , P . G . D . G ., as D . C . ; and Thorn is Cooper , P . G . P ., as I . G .

1 here were also present Bros , the Rev . W . C . R . Bedford , G . Chap . Eng . ; Thomas Taylor , j . G . D . Eng . ; Robert Clay Sudlow , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; George Betch , P G . Std . Br . Eng ., D . P . G . M . Warwickshire ; J . F . Pepper , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Kendrick , P . P . G . S B . Worcestershire ; Joseph Whitworth , P . S . G . D . ; E , Wood , 662 , P . P . G . D . C .-, the Rev . W . E . Rosedale , ' P . G . Chap .-, E . S . Sumner , P . M . 1060 , P . D . G . D . C . Warwickshire ; E . Kendall , P . M . 1031 , P . P . A . G . D . C Warwickshire ; 1 . Mervyn Wood , P . M . 546 and 2187 , P . P . G . Rev . ; H . A ,

Frewer , P . M . 2487 ; W . Baker , P . G . StwJ . ; A . Parker C iter , W . M . 726 ; Waller N . Landor , W . M . 194 1 ; L . C . Lamsdale , W . M . 4 S 2 ; H . Wilkins , P . M . 69 6 ; T . Harris Spencer , P . M . 662 , P . P . | . G . W . ; J . F . Webster , W . M . 347 ; A . D . Belcher , W . M . Gy 6 ; J . Viggir ? , W . M . 2064 ; Thomas Small , W . M . 637 ; J . H . Bamber , S . W . 6 \ j ; k . AudL-y , l . P . M . 2214 ; Herbert Manley , P . J . G . W . Worcestershire ; Waller II imblett , W . M . 2 S 4 S P . M . 317 , P . G . Stwd . ; W . Lister , P . M 482 , P . P . G . Reg . ; G . Wihon , 6 y 6 , P . P . G . S . B . ; P . H . Whitehead , P . M . 482 ; and E . Booth , l . P . M . 482 .

Apologies were announced iron ) Bro . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . Mister of Warwickshire ( who presented his " Hearty goo I wishes " for the success of the lodge ) , Bro . Sir A . F . Godson , Prov . G . Master of Worcestershire ; the Grand Secretary , and iome 40 others . At the school excellent arrangements had been made for thc ceremony .

Bro . Lord DARTMOUTH havirg briefly addressed the brethren on the motive of Ihe meeting , the opening jir . iyt r by the P . G . Chaplain loll awed , after which the brethren of Ihe new lodge were arranged in order , and the Prov . Grand Seciel . iry re ; id the warra-it or charter of constitution from the Grand Miister , H . R . H . the Duke of Connau ^ ht , K . G . The warrant w . is dated Ootober 3 rd , iiji > l . The brethren having formally signified their approval of the officers nanud in thewariant ,

Consecration Of The Bridge Trust Lodge, No. 2878.

The PROV . GRAND CHAPLAIN delivered the following oration On the nature and principles of Masonry : Masonry is of such a nature as to appeal not only to a man's inherent desire for the society of his fellows , but in a higher and more worthy sense it also appeals to his reasoning faculty , and through that to his intellect . Masonry is a progres . sive science , and requires the exercise ol the intellectual faculty in order to adequately discover the manifold treasures which underlie the grand principles

of our noble Institution , therefore progress in Masonry is attained not by completing a certain period of membership , but by making a daily study of its secret arts and hidden mysteries . Ever learning that we may know , ever searching that we may find , ever pursuing that we may advance . Every candidate for initiation is solemnly informed that there is nothing in the nature of Masonry incompatible with his religion . As this undeniable assertion is made before admission into the Order , it necessarily

implies that the vows of fidelity which he is about to take coincide and are consistent with the religious belief he already holds , so that it is only reasonable not merely to infer , but emphatically state , that it was never intended that the Masonic system should supersede but supplement our faith . By studying and acting up to the " natura " of Masonry , we shall attain " closer union with the " persona" of our Divine Architect , and by our secret arts and hidden mysteries

we shall the better be enabled to unfold the beauties of true godliness . The religion of Masonry is a priceless help in building up the life in God , but the relig ion of God must not be lost or forgotten in Masonry , The lesser must not be a substitute for the greater ; but the greater should embrace and permeate the lesser . This , I take it , is the light in which the nature of our Masonic Order should be viewed and considered .

With regard to the purposes of Masonry , they are legion . They embrace every , thing which tends to make a Mason a man worthy of the Creator ' s love , a shining light in his family circle , an example of considerateness and straight dealing in his commercial avocation , an acceptable addition to any body or society to which he may belong , and a friend to the distressed . These and other kindred virtues are to be acquired by carrying out the purposes of Masonic life . And it is gratifying to realise that there is a further demand for the addition of a new

lodge through the medium of which our noble principles and tenets may ba infused into the lives of the already existing brotherhood formed in school days . We have met to-day to take part and share in the joy of erecting and consecra . ting this lodge to the honour and glory of the Great Architect of the Universe , and under the title of " Bridge Trust . " May you , my brethren , who are now to be appointed as officers and members continue to act and abide by the ancient

usages and customs of the Order ! May the Divine blessing ever rest on you , your lodge , ard all who in the future may be added to your members I In carrying out the purposes of Masonry , may the world , the Craft in general , and this Bridge Trust Lodge in particular , be all the better , nobler , and the more godly by your membership ! May you flourish and prosper , and leave behind you a name , and influence for good , and thus prove to the world the blessing of Masonry !

The office of consecration was then proceeded with in accordance with the usual ritual and practice . Solemn music suitable to the occasion , including several anthems and Longfellow ' s "Psalm of Life , " set to the Austrian National Anthem , was introduced under the direction of Bro . Richardson , of Lichfield Cathedral , assisted by Bros . Fredericks , Harrison , and Lamsdale ; organist , Bro .

A . J . Silver , 482 , F . R . C . O . The dedication and constitution followed in order of the proceedings , after which the W . M . designate was presented by the Dap P . G . M ., and was duly installed in an able and impressive manner by Bro . Sudlow , who is so well-known in connection with " Emulation , " and has given valuable advice and assistance on many occasions to Staffordshire lodges , The anthem " Be thou faithful unto death " was admirably rendered by Bro . Fredericks .

Bro . Lord DARTMOUTH , before vacating the chair , said when he accepted the invitation to be present that day he forgot that the lady who managed his concerns with a certain amount of dignity and precision had made another engagement for him which it would be necessary for him to attend . He should not like to leave them , however , without taking the opportunity of saying a word of thanks and a word of gratitude to all those who had been concerned in their ceremony that day . They were all glad to welcome in that province Bro . Sudlow , whose name was known world-wide among Masons . He should like also to

congratulate the founders upon the satisfactory manner in which they hid set the ball of the new lodge roiling , He offered his personal thanks to those who had assisted him in performing the ceremony , and he felt that he could not overlook the very excellent rendering of the music which they had listened to that afternoon . He thought it was seldom that a lodge at its initiation heard the musical portion of the ritual so perfectly rendered . He thanked all the brethren for their presence , and congratulated the officers of the lodge upon the successful ceremony . He wished every success , long life , and prosperity to the youngest lodge in their

province . Prior to his departure the P . G . M graciously accepted the Hon , Membership of the lodge and a jewel commemorative of the occasion . The newly-installed W . M . appointed his officers as follows : Bros . S . J . Holliday , P . M . 662 , l . P . M . ; W . H . Kendrick , P . P . G . S . B . Wore , S . W . ; Henry Loveridge , P . M . 482 , J . W .,- G . H . C . Hughes , Prov . S . G . W . War ., Treas . ;

W . H . Keys , S . W . 2784 , Sec . ; Harry Richardson , P . P . G . Std . Br . Wore , Charity Representative ; F . H . Goffe , S . D . 887 , Almoner j F . E . Spencer , S . W . 1031 , S . D . j Robert Whitehill , 482 , J . D .: William Allman , P . M . 482 , D . C . ; F . W . Willmore , P . P . J . G . W ., and A . J . Abrahall , W . M . 794 , Orgs . ; T . E . Forsyth , 482 , I . G . ; C . J . Chapman , 1031 , and Bedford McNeill , 2127 , Stwds . j and PeterMyatt ( Tyler of Dartmouth Lodge , No . 662 ) , Tyler .

After the appointments , the VV . M . presented Bros . Sudlow and Col . V / alker with founder ' s jewels , on behalf of the lodge , in token of the appreciation in which their services had been held , and , with Bros . Kent , Stone , the Rev . W . Solly , J . Dunbar Steen , Major Wilkins , an 1 Thos . Cooper , conferred upon them the hon . membership of the lodge . After the proceedings in lodge , an excellent banquet was served in the gymnasium of the school , which had been specially arranged for the occasion . Tne W . M ., Bro . Frank Hughes , presided , with his Wardens in the vice-chairs .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and a feature of the dinner , as at the consecration , was the admirable concert given by the Glee Party , the items "Lend me your Aid , " " The Wolf , " and "Genevieve" calling for special mention . The W . M . proposed the toast of " His Majesty the King , Protector of the Order . " The toast of "The M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., & c , & c , " was proposed by the W . M .

The W . M ., in proposing the toast of "Tho M . W . Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl Amheist ; the R . W . Dep . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick ; and the olher officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " referred to the long service of the M . W . Pro G . M . as Prov . G . M . of Kent and his work at the recent

installation ol the M . W . G . M ., also to the labours of all Grand Officers in their respective spheres , especially those present that evening . Bros . BKDI- 'OKI ) , TAYLOR , KKNT , and BBKCII , responded . The W . M . in presenting the toast of " The Right Wor . the Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Daitmouth , " made references to services in various walks of life and to the career of his lordship as a Mason , especially as a Prov . Grand Maste r , ' who was ever ready to undertake any work for the good of