Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

A special Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the 15 th inst . in the Town Hall , Highbridge , under the bannerof the Rural Philanthropic Lodge , No . 291 , and under the presidency of Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . of England and D . P . G . M ., to propose resolutions of regret at the death of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and of sympathy with the Hon . the Countess of

Carnarvon and famil y in their affliction . There was a large representative muster of the brethren throughout the province , and especially of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , Past and Present , Bro . T . F . Elworthy officiating as P . S . G . W ., and Bro . A . Duckett as P . J . G . W . The P . G . Secretary , Bro . J . C . Hunt , first called the roll of lodges in the province , and it was found that all the lodges were represented with the exception of the Benevolent Lodge at Wells .

Bro . R . C . ELSE , D . P . G . M ., in addressing the brethren , remarked that they were met together upon a sad and solemn occasion—the most sad and solemn , in fact , for which any Prov . Grand Lodge could be convened—namely , to deplore and record the great loss they had sustained by the death of their illustrious Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon—a severe blow indeed , not onl y to the province , but also to the Grand Lodge of England and the Craft

generally , for in him Masonry had lost one of its highest and brightest ornaments . It was not for him at such a time to exalt his graces and praise his virtues , but he felt he was using no words ot exaggeration when he said that their lamented brother was a true type of a courteous English gentleman , an amiable and accomplished Englishman , an eloquent Statesman , a refined man of letters , and a true and zealous Freemason . Bro . Else proceeded to briefly sketch the Masonic career

of the late Earl of Carnarvon , who was appointed Prov . Grand Master in 1869 , and had thus been their honoured ruler for 21 years , during the whole of which period it had been his ( Bro . Else ' s ) privilege to serve under him as an executive officer of the Provincial Grand Lodge , six years as Provincial G . Secretary , and fifteen as Deputy , and for the remainder of his days—be they many or be they fewhe should retain with lively satisfaction the recollection of his lordship ' s invariable courtesy and kindness , and the remarkable fact that on no occasion did any

difference of opinion arise between them . In conclusion , Bro . Else proposed" That this Provincial Grand Lodge , in special lodge assembled , desires to express and place on record the profound regret lelt by the Freemasons of Somerset at the lamented death of their beloved P . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon ; their sincere sympathy with the Hon .- the Countess of Carnarvon and family ; and their earnest prayer that the Great Architect of the Universe may be graciously pleased to console and support them in their deep affliction . "

The resolution was seconded by Bro . J . S . STOTHERT , whose remarks were read b y the P . G . Chaplain , Bro . F . L . BYRDE , on account of Bro . Stothert ' s inability to speak from temporary indisposition and loss of voice . In the course of the speech testimony was borne to the Masonic and other virtues of the late Earl of Carnarvon and the valuable services he had rendered to Freemasonry in the Province of Somersetshire .

Bro . EDMUND WHITE , P . S . G . W ., supported the resolution , which was unanimously agreed to , and the Secretary was requested to forward it for presentation to the Hon . the Countess of Carnarvon . The sum of £ 2 13 s . iod . was collected in the Prov . G . Lodge , and it was resolved that this amount be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Bridgwater Infirmary .

Consecration Of The Cricklewood Lodge, No. 2361.

CONSECRATION OF THE CRICKLEWOOD LODGE , No . 2361 .

The consecration of the Cncklewood Lodge , No . 2361 , was performed on Friday , the 18 th inst ., at the Crown Hotel , Cricklewood , by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . The Consecrating Officer was assisted in his duties by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Sir J . R . Somers Vine , J . G . D ., as J . W . ; the Rev . R . W . M . Pope , P . G . C ., as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . of C . ; and A . A . Pendlebury , A . G . Sec , as I . G .

The other brethren present were Bros . J . Willing , jun ., J . R . Stacey , J . Potter , J . Stephens , S . Spooner , J . S . Wilkes , A . W . Paul , T . W . W . Burgess , W . Wellsman , S . Yardley Tilley , J . C . Whiddington , F . E . Hedges , and P . Rose Innes , P . M . 1261 , founders .

The visitors were—Bros . A . A . Mortimer , 10 GS ; A . Rathbone , 2021 ; H . J . Dutton , 140 ; A . Weston , 1979 ; W . Price , 28 ; A . Cranch , P . M . 1216 ; H . Massey , P . M . 160 , 619 , and 192 S ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 19 S 7 ; G . W . Andrews , 2021 ; J . W . Cuff , W . M . 511 and 160 S H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; Haswell J . Turner , P . M . i < SoSj N . Turner , P . M . 72 ; G . B . Worth , 172 ; J . M . McLeod , 113 ; H . N . Parker , 204 S ; ' A . C . Stephens , W . M . 1425 ; S . Barnet , P . M . 185 ; J . J . Thomas , P . M . 753 ; C . J . Taylor ; R . Kirk , 160 S C . Hunt , P . M . ; G . V . Wood , 1608 ; and J . W . Warden , 19 S 7 .

The lodge having been formally opened in the Three Degrees , Bro . Colonel SHAD - WELL H . CLERKE , addressing the brethren , said there were few ceremonies in Masonry more important and interesting than that which the brethren were assembled that day to perform , viz ., the consecration and institution of a new lodge on the roll of the United Grand Lodge of England . Although there were a large number of lodges in the metropolitan area , still in that great Metropolis , which was ever

increasing , the suburbs were daily increasing , and spreading more widely , and were becoming more densely populated . Hence they found from time to time unoccupied areas in the London district which afforded scope for still more Masonic energy on the part of those brethren who lived in the localities , and where it might be reasonable to suppose that there were many persons who would be candidates for the Order , and who would be glad to find a lodge , the meetings of

which would be convenient for their respective dwellings . In the present case those provisions came in . There was here a large neighbourhood in which there was no Masonic lodge . It was true that some years ago he consecrated a lodge at Hendon at the Welsh Harp , but that was not by any means close to Cricklewood , and , therefore , when the petitioners for the Cricklewood Lodge presented their petition to the M . W . G . M ., his Royal Highness was good enough to take a

favourable view of the case , and he granted a warrant for the new lodge , to take the local name of Cricklewood , and to meet at the Crown . The warrant was entrusted to the hands of a well-known , experienced , and energetic Mason—Bro . James Willing , whom he had had much pleasure in installing on other occasions as the first Master of new lodges , and under whose able sway he felt sure the Cricklewood Lodge would be well conducted . On these occasions it was his usual custom

to address a word of caution to the founders of the newly-consecrated lodge not to be too anxious or in too great a hurry to get members into the lodge . The endeavour should be to get in the best materials for building up the Masonic edifice , not those persons who have in their hands only the silver shekels , but those who would become an honour to the Order . If they did not get such men

it was a shocking thing , the men who ought to begot in were men of honour , tone , and character . If the members of the Cricklewood Lodge did that they would reap their reward . Cases had occurred where that principle had not been followed , and unfortunate results had been the consequence . He was sure , however , that would not be the case with the Cricklewood Lodge . The ceremony was then proceeded with as far as the point where the Chaplain delivers the oration , and the Rev . Bro , R . W . M , POPE , in giving it—said :

Consecration Of The Cricklewood Lodge, No. 2361.

Brethren , —It has been customary from time immemorial that a few words should be spoken at the consecration of lodges as to the nature and principles of Freemasonry . And it is well from time to time that we should recall to our minds the wise and grave teachings of our Order , so long as the words spoken are short and to the point . Let me remind you that Freemasonry teaches us in the very strongest terms belief in God . No man can be a true and genuine Mason unless he believes in the great Father of us all . And more

than that—we are taught His wisdom , strength , and beauty . Wisdom , from Him is all knowledge ; strength , He holds the isles in the hollow of His hand and counts them as a very little thing ; beauty , from Him came whatsoever things are lovely , whatsoever things are pure , whatsoever things are of good report . Then , too , we are taught to think , not only of our duty towards this Gracious Supreme Being , but also of our duty to our brethren , when we first inculcated the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth . So

we observe that we really learn the three great virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity . Charity in its widest sense—love to God and love to man . Faith in our belief in our Divine Father—Hope that this life ended we shall dwell with Him in the life everlasting . And when I look round and see the lodge in mourning , these few words should come home with a doubly solemn meaning . We have lost him who to us Masons was only second to the heir to the throne . He was a man of singular and remarkable abilityone of whom we were proud—who was always ready with wise counsel for our Order .

His was a devoted service to his Queen and country , to our Craft and to his God . Brethren , living as Lord Carnarvon did and dying as he did , may it be our lot to go before the great Judge of all with hope like his . The time must come when all our Masonic symbols shall pass away , when the shadow shall be swallowed up in the substance ^ " Now we see through a glass darkly " —oh , horn darkly when we consider the mysteries of sorrow found in life— " Now we see through a glass darkly , but then face to face ; now we know in part , but then shall we know even as also we are known . "

After this oration , which was enthusiasticall y received , the ceremony of con . secration was regularly gone through , and Bro . James Willing , jun ., was installed as W . M . The brethren invested as officers were Bros . J . R . Stacey , P . M ., S . W . ; Joseph Potter , J . W . ; James Stephens , P . M ., Sec ; Spooner , S . D . ; S . Wilkes ' , J . D . ; Burgess , I . G . ; Paul , D . C . ; and Richard Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . Col , SHADWELL H . CLERKE completed his duties by delivering the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren .

The new W . M . then proposed , and the S . W . seconded , a vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers , Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , F . A . Philbrick , Sir J . R . Somers Vine , the Rev . R . W . M . Pope , and A . A . Pendlebury for their services that day . The vote of thanks was accompanied by the honorary membership of the lodge .

The vote was unanimously agreed to , and Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE returned thanks for the compliment . The founders were elected a Committee to frame the by-laws , and the names of candidates for initiation and joining were read by the SECRETARY . The lodge was thereafter closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The toasts were afterwards given and honoured , " The Oueen and the Craft "

being first laid before the brethren . In giving " The M . W . G . M ., " Bro . WILLING made a tender and kindly reference to the late Earl of Carnarvon , stating that on account of his death a great amount of work was now thrown on the Prince of Wales . The brethren of the Cricklewood Lodge were greatly indebted to his Royal Highness for granting the lodge ' s warrant , and the brethren would do their best to make the lodge worthy of the honour conferred on them .

Bro . the Rev . R . W . M . POPE , P . G . C ., responded to the toast of " The Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " He stated that years ago as a young man and a Mason he had thought much of Masonry , and he had during his life been devoted to it . The Grand Officers he had looked upon as the old gods who dwelt in Olympus , of whom we knew very little , and who did not know much of sublunary matters . But since he had attained to the

dignity of the purple he felt that he had arrived at Olympus , and he found that the officers of Grand Lodge were very much concerned indeed with all that affected Masonry in England , and had the welfare of Masonry at the very bottom of their hearts . The Grand Officers were deli ghted to see that new lodge started under such brilliant auspices , and felt confident that a lodge with such a W . M . as Bro . Willing and such officers to assist him must do well , and come to the front .

Bro . WILLING then gave "The Consecrating Officers , " and said he was afraid that Col . Shadwell Clerke was almost a martyr to his duties , but he assured Col . Clerke that he would go away from that lodge with the greatest respect , esteem , and brotherly love of every brother who was present . Whenever Col . Clerke came among the brethren they rejoiced at his presence , and they would like him if possible to come more frequently . Those who saw him perform the ceremonies

were glad to see them done in such an irreproachable manner . He came among them as a friend , he would live with them as a friend , and they would never like him better than they did at present . Associated with him were Bro . Philbrick , a man of great discernment ; Bro . Sir Somers Vine , who had made great strides in Masonry ; Bro . Richardson , who was always ready to perform the duties of D . C . ; and Bro . Pendlebury , the Assistant Grand Secretary . There was also Bro . Pope , the Grand Chaplain .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , in responding , said the W . M . had said much in the Grand Officers' favour , but he had omitted to mention that they were the most modest set of men that existed anywhere . The Grand Officers thanked Bro . Willing very much for his remarks . For himself he need scarcel y say he was always at the service of the Craft . He did what he could to justify the position he had the honour of holding . Anything to further the interests of the Order he was delighted to perform , provided it was consistent with the duty he

owed to the Craft . He was sorry to say he had to use that unpleasant word " No " sometimes , but when he did so it was from a sense of duty and not from churlishness . It was a great pleasure to him to be there that day to consecrate that lodge , and he must sincerely thank those very excellent brethren whose names had been mentioned for the kind assistance they had given him ; because if it had not been for them it would have been quite impossible to carry out his work as he hoped he had done . Thanks to them , he had launched the new ship successfully , and he wished it every prosperity .

Bro . PHILBRICK , G . R ., also replied , and said that whether , by their presence or by their good wishes , the Grand Officers were extremely glad to testify the interest and satisfaction they felt in assisting at the consecration of a lodge that was likel y to prove an honour and to set an example to English Freemasonry . Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE proposed "The W . M . " He said the position of W . M . of a new lodge was very different to that of a brother who had arrived

at the chair by election or regular gradation , because a first W . M . was chosen generally by several Past Masters as the best man to conduct the lodge through the most critical period of its existence . It showed also that they highly esteemed him . Such a compliment had been paid honestl y and justly to Bro . Willing . They had all known him many years , and had seen his love of Masonry . That was not the first time he ( Col . Clerke ) had . consecrated a lodge and installed Bro .

Willing as its first W . M ., and he could testify to Bro . Willing s great ability and to the immense amount of time and trouble he threw into Masonry . The brethren were fortunate in having him for their first Master ; at the same time he must congratulate Bro . Willing on adding yet another flower to his button hole . Let them hope he would go on and continue his energy , and show in the future , as he had shown in the past , his great interest in the welfare of the Order .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in reply , said he thought when the Grand Secretary said in the lodge that evening that they ought to be careful whom they admitted , that he had heard that before ; but with the happy auspices now he should think the observation would be more merited than ever . The Grand Secretary , however , must judge them in the future by what they did . He was extremel y obliged