Provincial Grand Chapter Of Sussex.

grateful to his Royal Highness for placing him in the chair . When he reflected that he was following such companions as Sir Walter Burrell , John Henderson Scott , and Gerard Ford , he felt that he had an uphill task before him . He was deeply sensible of the responsibility of the hig h station , and wished to assure the companions of the province that he _ would do his utmost to promote the welfare of the chapters in Sussex . The Grand Superintendent then appointed the other Principals and officers as follows :

Comp . Col . Lord Algernon Gordon Lennox ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Bransby Roberts , M . D . ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ V . P . Freeman ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ H . E . Price , M . D . ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ J . M . Reed ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ R . Pidcock ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . C . Woodman ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ H . Kent ... ... ... ... Prov . G . i st A . S .

„ T . H . Crouch ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S „ W . H . Russell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ G . E . Chapman ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Mortimer Hancock ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C „ A . King ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . " ^¦ l ? - ? arrett - - - - ] Prov . G . Stwds . ,, T . Hardy ... ... ... ... ) H . H . Hughes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

The chapter having been closed , the companions adjourned to the banqueting room , where they sat down to an excellent banquet , served in elegant style b ) Comp . J . Sayers . The Grand Superintendent presided . The customary Royal Arch toasts were duly honoured . A very pleasing programme of vocal music was sustained by Miss Minnie Freeman , Miss Maud Bond , and Mr . C . T . West , under the direction of Comp Alfred King , P . Z ., Prov . G . O .

Consecration Of The Eclectic Mark Lodge, No. 410.

CONSECRATION OF THE ECLECTIC MARK LODGE , No . 410 .

The progress of Mark Masonry was further marked on Friday , the 18 th inst ., by the consecration of the Eclectic Lodge , No . 410 , which promises to be a valuable addition to the roll . For the first time on record , the ceremony took place at Mark Masons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , and was performed by Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , assisted b y " Bros . R . Eve , P . G . M . O ., as S . W .: C . H . Driver , as J . W . ; Rev . A . W . Oxford , Prov . G . C , as Chap . ; R . Berridge , P . G . M . O ., G . D . C , as D . C ; A . R . Carter , G . Std . Br ., as I . G . ; and F . H . Cozens , P . G . Organist , as Organist .

Previous to the consecration , a lodge was opened by Bro . R . Glasspool , P . G . Steward , and , by dispensation of the M . W . G . M ., the following brethren were advanced to the Degree : Bros . R . Pittam Stevens , P . M . 901 ; W . Surridge , J . W . 1201 ; Le V . D . Anley , S . D . 1201 ; J . H . Haworth , J . D . 1201 ; A . T . Foreman , P . M . 1201 ; W . H . Munday , P . M . 1201 ; H . Anley , I . G . 1201 ; J . White , 29 ; R . Jourden , 1201 ; S . E . Stanbridge , 2205 ; G . Mullin , 332 ( I . C . ); F . J . Ingram , S . D . 742 ; P . Healy , 858 ; H . J . Pellatt , 1194 ; C . J . Richardson , 1210 ; and F . G . Hughes , 2266 .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER having taken the chair , and appointed his officers pro tern ., addressing the brethren , said they were met to witness one of the most interesting ceremonies that could possibly take place in any Degree—the consecration of a new body . On the present occasion it was of even more interest than ordinarily , and he flattered himself that every one who would assist at the ceremony of consecrating that lodge—whether as a Consecrating Officer or simply as

a spectator—would remember it so long as he continued his connection with Freemasonry . That was the first consecration of any description held in that building , and they were not only that night about to consecrate a new lodge in the service of the Mark Degree , but they were also about to consecrate the hall to the use of their Order . For many years the Province of Middlesex and Surrey had ruled the whole of the lodges in the London district , with the exception of a few " time immemorial" lodges , who at the formation of the province asked to be relieved

from allegiance , and it was only on the most rare occasions that the M . W . G . M . wouldallowalodgeto . be in the London district , and not under the provincial rule . Very good reasons having been shown in the present case , his Royal Highness had been pleased to permit that lodge to work without being under the control of the Provincial Grand Master , and they were met to consecrate and dedicate the lodge . As was customary in all Masonic assemblies , they would seek guidance and assistance , and for that purpose he would ask the Grand Chaplain for the benefit of prayer .

1 he ceremony was proceeded with , and , an oration having been delivered by Bro . Rev . A . W . Oxford , the Eclectic Lodge was solemnly consecrated and dedicated with the customary formalities .

Bro . J . A . Gartley , S . W . 144 , the W . M . designate , was next installed as the Master for the ensuing year by Bro . C . F . Matier , G . Sec . The Treasurer and Tyler were elected , and the following officers invested : Bros . C . H . Chauffourier , S . W . 238 , S . W . ; R . H . Lyon , 377 , J . W . ; R . Glasspool , P . G . Stwd ., I . P . M . and Treas . ; A . T . Foreman , Sec . ; R . Pittam Stevens , M . O . ; W . Surridge , S . O . ; Le V . D . Anley , J . O . ; J . H . Haworth , Reg . of Mks . ; W . H . Munday , S . D . ; H . Anley , J . D . ; J . White , I . G . ; R . Jourden , D . C ; G . Mullin and F . J . Ingram , Stwds . ; and R . H . Goddard , Tyler .

A Committee was elected to frame the by-laws , and Bro . Glasspool was unanimously elected to represent the lodge at the Benevolent Fund Festival . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Consecrating Officers , and they were unanimously elected honorary members , the compliment being appropriately acknowledged . Lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where an excellent banquet was served .

Bro . RICHARD EVE , P . G . M . O ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " said that as Bro . Matier was reserved for another toast , he was sorry a senior officer to himself was not present , but he had pleasure in thanking the brethren for the way the toast had been proposed and received . They felt it was a great honour to be present at the consecration of the first Mark lodge in the new building , for it marked an era which would be felt for many years . It had been said there was no room

for Mark Masonry , but he thought the fact that they had succeeded in making 410 lodges showed there was plenty of room for it . It now had a habitation of its own—a building vieing with the best in London—and a home worthy of the Order to which they belonged . With such distinguished officers as the Marquis of Hertford and Lord Egerton of Tatton , they should not fail in discharging the

duties appertaining to the Grand Officers . As the W . M . had set an example of short speeches , they would excuse him if he did not prolong his remarks . They trusted the lodge which had been consecrated under such excellent auspices would last long , and that there would be a continuation of W . M . ' s to maintain the credit of the lodge . The Grand Officers wished them great success , and trusted the lodge would rank with the best in Mark Masonry . Bro . C . H . DRIVER , having been called upon , said he attended as a spectator , but was p leased to have been able to assist in the work . Bro . Eve had been told

Consecration Of The Eclectic Mark Lodge, No. 410.

there was no room for Mark Masonry , but they would agree with him that they now had several rooms for that Order , and he trusted they would be filled , and give good returns for the expense incurred . He trusted brethren would find the advan . tage , and that they would consider their wants had been adequately attended to . He congratulated the lodge on the very happy meeting , and hoped it would have ; a long and prosperous career . Bros . BERRIDGE and CARTER also replied .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in submitting " The Consecrating Officers , " said he would not attempt to dilate upon the excellent qualities of Bro . Matier , as he was sure they were well known to all present . They were all greatly indebted to him for the kind manner in which he had consecrated the lodge , and the brethren would heartily drink his health in conjunction with the excellent brethren who had assisted him .

Bro . C F . MATIER , P . G . W ., G . Sec , returned thanks to the W . M . for the very graceful manner in which he had proposed the health of himself and of those brethren who had so ungrudgingly assisted . It had been to them all a labour of love to attend and consecrate that lodge within what he hoped would be some hundred years hence the time-honoured walls of Mark Masons' Hall . They could not talk about their antiquity ; they could not talk of their ancestors , but they

would talk of posterity . As an old Lancashire man had remarked—posterity would not do anything for them ; but they would do something that 49 years hence , when the lease was up , would induce the Grand Lodge of the Craft to give their successors a renewal of that lease , so that they mi ght carry on the business of the Mark Degree , as he trusted the brethren thought it was now being carried on . That evening he had been exceedingly fortunate . He had been assisted by a band

of brethren who were willing to go anywhere and able to do anything , and he trusted they would be called upon to perform the same duties many times in the future . For the manner in which the W . M . had mentioned his services he thanked him heartily . He now came to a toast which it was his privilege to propose , and he would , therefore , ask the principal officers to be upstanding . The toast he had to propose for the first time it had ever been given in that lodge was " The Health of the W . Master . " Bro . Gartley , the W . M ., must have been well known and

greatly endeared to the brethren or else he would not have been placed in the proud position he now occupied . The W . M . must have occupied principal chairs in Masonry , otherwise he would not be eligible for the office , and he must possess a large amount of the suffrages of the hearts of his brethren or he would not have been chosen to preside for the first year . They knew their W . M . far better than he , and he need not , therefore , tell them his good qualities . He asked them heartily , cordially , and enthusiastically to drink to the health of the W . M .

Bro . J . A . GARTLEY , W . M ., said he was glad to think that short speeches were the order of the evening , He had first to return his very sincere thanks to Bro . Matier for the kind and flattering way in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for so cordially receiving it . He felt it a great honour indeed that he should be the first W . M . of that lodge . It might seem strange to those not connected that he should be the first W . M . considering the noble lot of men num .

bered in the Eclectic Lodge and Chapter . He was at a loss to express his thanks for being placed in the position . When he first entered Masonry he looked upon it as grand , and as he heard the work in the other Degrees the more beautiful it became , and that night he had found it still more beautiful , and in doing so it arose in his heart a stream of vanity . It was a great piece of vanity , but he must express what he felt , which was that there must be a little good about himself or

a noble band of brethren would not have chosen him as the first W . M . of the lodge . He could assure them that it was not real vanity that made him say that , although there was a vain thought passing through him . He was not a member of the Eclectic Lodge , but hoped to be one some day , and was not a companion of the chapter . He had been a visitor to them both so frequentl y that the members seemed to have found out good qualities that he did

not know he possessed until he had that great honour . He sincerely thanked them for that honour , and could assure them that as far as lay in his power he would do justice to the honour conferred upon him . He was not as bri ght in the work as he hoped to be , but his brother on his left ( Bro . Glasspool ) would be pleased to give his assistance , and he must not forget the good qualities of the S . W . ( Bro . Chauffourier ) , who first spoke to him of forming that lodge , and who

first proposed that he should be the first W . M . He could not let that opportunit y go by without expressly thanking the S . W . for that great honour . He hoped to have health and strength , and would then make that lodge shine out as bri ght as it should in the first year . He must ask the officers to give him all the assistance they could , and he was certain from the eager manner in which they put themselves forward in their anxiety to be advanced , that they would perform their duty to the utmost . He hoped the Eclectic Lodge would go on and prosper , and become one

of the brightest of Mark Masons' lodges , and leave its mark as time travelled along . Before resuming his seat he would propose " The Mark Benevolent Fund . " The great object of Masonry was Charity , and without Charity they were nothing worth . Their first idea in forming that lodge was to support the Charities , and they had elected their most excellent Bro . Glasspool to go up as Steward . He would ask the brethren to show their appreciation of the Charities by subscribing liberally to his list , and let that lodge be well represented , and make a bright and telling mark in the list of subscriptions .

Bro . R . GLASSPOOL , P . G . Steward , thanked the W . M . and brethren for electing him to represent them at the Festival on the 23 rd July next . That lodge had set a good example to others b y appointing a Steward almost before it was able to walk itself . He would not go up with a list that he should be ashamed of , and thanked Bro . Matier and the W . M . for their help , and hoped the brethren would assist him to the best of his ability .

Bro . Capt . T . C . WALLS , replying for "The Visitors , " said it was an onerous task . He felt great pleasure , indeed , at being present at the inauguration of that lodge , in the first place because thegood S . W . and he were members of the Leopold Mark Lodge and kindly invited him , intimating there was work for him to do . He attended and was pleased to contribute his humble mite to the glorious success . He congratulated the members on being advanced in a most admirable

manner by Bro . Glasspool . He had had the honour of seeing many work the Degree , and he could say without the fear of contradiction and without flattery , for he did not believe in it , that working was equal to any he had seen . He also congratulated them on having had the opportunity of seeing the consecration ceremony performed , and he might say

with regard to the work of the Consecrating Officer—whom he had known for 17 years—that he had that evening surpassed all previous efforts . He believed that that lodge which had been launched would be a very powerful factor in Mark Masonry . That lodge was one of the special lodges under the Grand Mark Lodge of England , but not under the Provincial Grand Lodge . The other day he saw the Grand Mark Hall which when properly decorated would surpass many .

Several brethren also replied , and "The I . P . M ., Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers " having been dul y honoured , the T y ler ' s toast terminated the proceedings . Bros . F . Cozens and H . Schartau rendered the musical portions of the ceremony , and several others assisted in a musical programme , which was enjoyed by all . Special mention should be made of a pianoforte solo admirably rendered by the juvenile daughter of the W . M ., Miss Gartley , which was thoroughly appreciated .

In addition to the Consecrating Officers the following were present : Bros . Capt . T . C . Walls ; Lichtenfeld , Henniker Lodge ; A . Mostyn , 40 o ; Nicholls , R . P . Stevens , R . Jourden , J . White , H . Anley , W . H . Munday , A . T . Foreman , J . H . Haworth ^ W . Surridge , Le V . D . Anley , F . G . Hughes , S . E . Stanbridge , G . Mullin F . Ingram , H . J . Pellatt , P . Healy , C . J . Richards , and W . W . Lee 400 .