Consecration Of The Æsculapius Chapter, No. 2410.

Comp . FRANK RICHARDSON responded , reciprocating the feelings of regret which had been expressed for the absence of Comp . Letchworth , more particularly on his own ( Comp . Richardson ' s ) account . Comp . Letchworth had been ill , and it was quite a toss up on Thursday whether he would be able to be present that evening . However , he had attended , and the companions had seen with what energy and how admirably he performed

the ceremonies . It was a pleasure at all times to Grand Officers to do some work in the Order to show they were worthy to bear the colour they had ; therefore it had given them pleasure that evening to be present , but it was a double p leasure to consecrate a chapter connected with such a well known lodge . When after two or three years they could find that the lodge was strong enough to establish a chapter as strong as this chapter it showed what

extent and good work there must have been in the lodge from which it sprang . He was pleased at all times to assist in Masonry , and he felt much honoured and flattered by being elected an honorary member . He should take advantage of it and visit the chapter , when he was sure he would see the work well done , and he wished both a happy and prosperous year to the M . E . Z . and success to the chapter .

Comp . Dr . DIXON , P . Z . 73 , replying to the toast of " The Visitors , " which was proposed by the M . E . Z ., and also responded to by Comps . BEXTIIAM , WYXN WESTCOTT , and SrR . vrr . iNG , said he had held the proud position of a P . Z . for about 2 S years . At that time he felt it was his duty to take steps to have a chapter formed in connection with his mother lodge , the Mount Lebanon , which had then existed upwards of a century . It might

not be known to the companions that a century ago the Royal Arch Degree was often worked in a lodge , and that was the way with the Mount Lebanon Lodge , but the custom was dropped at the Union in iSt . V However , he thought when he went into the chair that every lodge of a fair number of members ought to have a chapter , because it was a principle of Masonry that a man was only perfect when the Royal Arch Degree was obtained , and that

it was a duty a Mason owed to himself to take it . Ihcrefore , he took great p leasure in founding a chapter attached to his mother lodge , and to be the lirst M . E . Z . He had also been a founder of two other chapters , which had , like the Mount Lebanon , been a great success . He need not tell the companions about the Royal Arch being the climax of Freemasonry ; he spoke not only as a Royal Arch Mason of 30 years' standing , but as a professional

man of 40 years' standing . ' From what he knew of his professional brethren , he could say that from the intelligence they showed in life , and the interest they took in Masonry , were of themselves a guarantee of the success of that chapter as well as of the lodge to which it was attached . He knew the sentiments of the companions present with regard to the most efficient and

able way in which the ceremonies had been conducted that evening , that went of itself ; but he could also say of those who where connected with the chapter that the beautiful ceremonies of the Order would be well illustrated by them henceforth and for ever , and he joined with every visitor in wishing the chapter the utmost prosperity , and the M . E . Z . every good he could wish for himself . Comp . J . BRINDLEY J AMES , S . E ., responded to the toast of "The Officers " and the lanitor ' s toast closed the pleasant proceedings .

Old Boys' Lodge, No. 2500.

OLD BOYS' LODGE , No . 2500 .

Ax ADDRESS DELIVERED DY BRO . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , P . G . C , AT THE CONSECRATION . Human friendship is unfortunately a sensitive plant . It is easily injured —easily killed . Modern civilisation brings with it increasing work and increasing hurry . What profession is there where thc real hard working man

does not have to crowd into his day s work an amount almost double of that which his grandfather did . I am afraid one result of this is that most modern work lacks the thoroughness and stability which wheel the glory of the great works of the past . But the evil to which I want specially to direct attention to-day is the fact that the extreme pressure of modern work makes friendship even more sensitive and more perishable . Look back on the

history of your past lives . Does not every one of us recall the names of many in whose society we took the greatest pleasure ; whose tastes and inclinations were in harmony with our own ; who in critical moments of ' our lives have been good and true friends ; who were honest enough to give us good advice even when that advice was not in perfect consonance with our own wishes ; men who were real friends . Where are they now ? We do

not even know their address ! We do no even know if they are ahvc ! And why is this ? There has been no quarrel . We parted in absolute friendship , but simply as we became busier—as the serious work of life increased , we had no time for friendship . One , and I venture to think not the smallest , of the good things which our Craft does to-day—does specially in this great busy Metropolis—is that it forces us lo make lime for friendship ; hinders us

from the great evil of losing our friends . Your lodjje has , I understand , this object very specially in view . You recognise the value of school friendships . You realise the danger of losing them . You mean to use our Craft as a means for hindering their decay . One word only of humble advice . Friendship , if it is to last , must be something more than a sentimental selfish

luxury . Friendship must exist not merely for yourself but for others . A true friend heightens our moral nature . A true friend leads us to a higher level of existence . ' Strive as years roll on to see that you are doing something for those who honour you with their friendship , especially those who honour you with their Masonic friendship , not only by making their lives p leasant , but also by making them more honourable and more useful .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held in St . Mary's National Schools , Rawtenstall , on Thursday , the 15 th inst . The chapter was opened at three o ' clock b y the Grand Superintendent , Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie ; and Comps . J . II . Sillitoe , P . G . II . ; and James Hi-flis , P . G . ] . There were also present , Comp . John Chadwick , P . G . S . E ., and other influential Royal Arch Masons . The roll of chapters was called over and only one out of the 3 8 in ( he province was unrepresented . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed .

Comp . S ILLITOE read the annual report of Prov . G . H . and J ., which was adopted and p laced upon the minutes . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were submitted to the meeting , and the Auditors

Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

reported thereon . A sum of 20 guineas was voted to the Girls' School and 10 guineas to the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic BenevoW Institution . Comp . W . I lalstead , P . Z . No . 283 , was unanimously elected Treasury for the ensuing year .

The Grand Superintendent appointed his officers as follows : Comp . J . 11 . Sillitoe , 645 ( reappointed ) ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, James Heelis , 62 ... ' ... ... Prov . G . J . „ John Chadwick , 1 ^ 2 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . ,, * [ . T . Newbold , 42 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ VV . Hatstead , P . Z . ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ A . W . Slack ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ S . F . Butcher ... ... ... Prov . Dep . G . Reg ., W . Ragdale ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . S ' ,, E . Hardman ... ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . ,, Charles Swinn ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ E . Harris ... ... ... ... Prov . Dep . G . S . B

„ W . Shackleton ... ... ... " [ r >„ < - C . J n „ T . Stopford j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ Buckley Car ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ,, Thomas A . Hamer ... ... ... Prov . Dep . G . D C :: ioScLy ::: ::: :: ;} prov . A . G . D . cs : ' „ A . Holt ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

,, James Newton ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . ,, E . II . Flowers ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . Comps . S . Butcher , 62 , and Allett , 152 , were appointed Auditors . The Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed and the companions adjourned to the Oueen ' s Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served by the host , Bro . Brown , and was presided over by the Grand Superintendent whose genial presence always ensures a pleasant and enjoyable evening ' s entertainment .

Humber Installed Masters' Lodge, No. 2494.

HUMBER INSTALLED MASTERS' LODGE , No . 2494 .

1 he following address was delivered at the consecration of the Humbcr Installed Masters Lodge , No . 2494 , by Bro . W . HARLING SISSONS D . P . G . M . Lines . In asking a brother of an adjacent province to address to-day you have emphasised one of the essential characteristics of Freemasonry . Vw purposes of organisation and discipline the Craft forms itself into lodges ,

chapters , provinces , and districts . In its essential nature such definitions are unknown . It teaches us that we are all children of one family , members of one Brotherhood , partakers of one faith . The lodge we are about to establish to-day will move forward on these lines . In a town of the size and importance of Hull there must necessaril y be several lodges , each doubtless with its characteristic individuality . Our new lodge will enter

into rivalry with none of these . It leaves to them the important duty of choosing who of the outside world shall be permitted to cross our threshold , join our assemblies , and be partakers of our mysteries . It will neither initiate , pass , or raise . But opening wide its doors to the best and worthiest of the brethren of these lodges it will link them together for the happiness and benefit of all . What then , we may ask , are thc objects which the promoters of the

new lodge hope to bring before you . The syllabus you hold in your hand stales that the first will be the promotion of Freemasonry in its arch ; eological and philosophical characters . In an early stage in Masonry we are advised to make the liberal arts and sciences our future stud )' . To the student ol Masonry there are very pleasant by-paths of interest and knowledge . For a somewhat extended acquaintance with the beautiful churches of my province I

am indebted entirel y to Masonry and Masonic friends . I have had pointed out to me , and have recognised , the marks of the York Masons in the beautiful part of the statel y abbey which in former years soared above the fens at Cnwland . 1 have noted in many a church like Sleaford , or churchyard like Bourne , the impressive emblems of mortality , and in various ways and places have come unexpectedl y upon Masonic teachings . In

this department your lodge will have the advantage of being presided over , as its first Master , by one whose cultured taste in literature and music have not only been a life-long pleasure to himself , but an inestimable benefit to those brethren who have been privileged to know him , Of the social advantages that will be offered I need hardly speak . It is no small merit to bring together at regular intervals brethren from different parts of the town ,

of varied occupations and interests , of many fortunes and of many minds . Lastly , you are to endeavour to raise the standard of Masonry and to support the principles of the Craft in their highest sense . 1 have often thoug ht that the walls of the great University where some among you spent your early days crystallises in a sentence the tenets and principles of Masonry . Deitin tenets rcgem honorato virtutem calito . Fear God , honour llie

Sovereign , encourage virtue . To fear God , seek his aid in all our lawful undertakings , and to look up to Him in every emergency for comfort and support is the first lesson of Masonry . To pay d " obedience to the civil laws of the country in which we live or for the time are making our residence is thc next one . Then how many virtues does not our beautiful ritual urge upon its . There are weak and erring brethren in

Masonry as there are weak and erring men in the world . The brother who falls , falls in spite of Masonry and not because of it . Her lessons teach us by apt illustration and impressive precept to walk upri ghtly , to live pure > honest , straighlforward , truthful lives , to be charitable in thought and worii to be given to alms . It is sometimes painful , my brethren , to do our duty * it is never so painful as not lo do it . In the matter of doing good , to the

Freemason obligation only ceases when power fails . Masonry is in no respect a benefit society . We expect those who join us to have a reasonable expectation of keeping their position in the world . ^ know , however , that as some men come into the world l 0 succeed , so others , equally good in many ways , come into the world to fail . The cruel law of the survival of the fittest was never more

incisive than it is to-day . There are many bitter cries echoing throug h the world . There is no bitter cry than the cry of the man or the woman who has seen better days . None the less bitter , because from a sense of pride or shame it too often but faintly uttered . When misfortunes come , it is the blessed privilege of Masonry to help in the time of need . Such , briefly , are some of the tenets

and principles of our Order . May they be transmitted through this lodge , p"re and unsullied from generation to generation , and when the circle of oUf Masonic duties is completed , may each one realise for himself in all its fulnc ' thc dream of the poet and the hope of the believer . " On earth the broken arcs , in heaven the perfect soundi"