Consecration Of The Cricklewood Lodge, No. 2361.

to the Grand Secretary for proposing his health , and he was also under deep obligation to the brethren for coming down to see the consecration . Thanking the brethren on behalf of himself , he assured them that he would do his best for the lodge and for Masonry . But there were other Past Masters able , willing , and energetic who would co-operate with him in endeavouring to make the lodge a success b y adhering to the princip les which had been enunciated that day . When they had made the lodge a success he hoped the brethren would not forget it .

The WORSHIPFUL M ASTER then proposed " The Visitor , " and referring to Bro . J . M . McLeod , said that that brother , who was now the Secretary of the Boys ' School , had an arduous work before him . Bro . McLeod had come in with an unexpectedl y large majority . Honestly and sincerely he ( the W . M . ) thought the best man had got the place . Now that he was there the brethren were going to do their best to give him a fair chance in the performance of his duties .

Bro . J AMES MORRISON MCLEOD—whose first appearance in public this was after his election as Secretary of the Boys' School—said it was always to him a great pleasure to visit a lodge in London , but more especially was it so when a dear old friend of his like Bro . James Willing , jun ., was in the chair . He was delig hted to see Bro . Willing as first Master of a new lodge . That was the first time he had visited a Craft lodge since his new appointment , and under such a

good Mastership he was very pleased indeed to come . He thanked the brethren for the very kind way in which they had received that toast ; he knew the kindness he had received at the hands of the brethren in all parts of the country . It had been such that it had endeared Masonry to his heart more than before , and that was not a little . He thanked those who voted for him and those who worked against him . He knew he would have the support of both now that he was in , and under such favourable auspices his work for the future

would be very much lightened , and he was certain he should have the good will of all those who put him in the position , and also all those dear friends who did'their best to put him out of it . ( Laughter . ) He would do the best he could for the benefit of the Institution , and he trusted he should have the support of all the brethren of the Cricklewood Lodge . The W . M ., in the fulness of his heart and the generosity of his whole being , had offered to stand Steward for the Boys ' School for next year , and he took that opportunity of thanking him for being so early in the field .

Bro . STILES also replied , and the other toasts were given , honoured , and responded to , and the brethren separated . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Arthur Cranch , P . M . 1216 , who was assisted by Bros . H . J . Dutton , 1706 ; Arthur Weston , 1929 ; and William Price , 28 .

Consecration Of The Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge, No. 2362.

CONSECRATION OF THE BLOOMSBURY RIFLES LODGE , No . 2362 .

The consecration of the above lodge took place on Wednesday , the 9 th inst . at the magnificent head-quarters of the Bloomsbury Rifles ( 19 th Middlesex ) , Chenies-street . The officers' mess room was devoted to the use of the lodge . It is a lofty and interesting room , containing , in addition to the portraits of by-gone military celebrities , panelling with the arms thereon of officers , past and present , of the regiment , old arms and armour . One interesting relic is the colours of the Bloomsbury Trained Band , pioneers of the present Volunteer movement , which were paraded before King George III . in Hyde Park in 1790 .

The Consecrating Officer was Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , assisted by Bros , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , P . G . M . Norths and Hunts , as S . W . ; Sir Lionel Darell , Bart ., P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Very Rev . the Dean of Battle , G . C ., as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C ; and Lieut .-Col . Arthur B , Cook , P . A . G . D . C , as I . G . The founders were Bros . Claud Scott , P . M . ; Matthew H . Hale , G . E . Grimes , J . Lewis Miller , W . H . Faircloth , James Jackson , and Harry Sillis . Among the visitors present were :

J . W . Vrooman , M . W . G . M . New York ; Thomas Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; F . A . Burnham , Chief Commissioner , P . D . D . G . M . New York ; Theodore Tilton , P . D . D . G . M . New York ; E . B . Harper , President Board of Trustees New York ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; Henry Sadler , P . M ., Grand Tyler ; F . J . Fur , P . M . 1306 ; W . B . Scott , P . M . S 22 ; William Vincent , P . M . 1194 ; J . H .

Price , W . M . 1321 ; J . Greenway , 1310 ; E . Daker , 1306 ; W . Wills , 1901 ; Frank C . Joseph , 2048 ; A . W . Gerrard , 1415 ; J . Jackson , 128 9 ; T . Powell , 2182 ; H . Reynolds , 2182 ; E . Smith , 2182 ; Arthur Scurrah , 2206 ; G . Goddard , g ^ 3 ) H . J . McFarlane , 1929 ; W . H . Sillis , 127 ; W . O . Welsford , 1321 ; Henry White , 1671 ; C . A . Murton and others .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER , in his opening address , remarked upon the difficulty in procuring warrants for London lodges , and the rule to grant none save where exceptional reasons for same could be proved , which had satisfactorily been done in the present case , and they were about to add another lodge to the present

role of London military lodges which already number twelve . At the onset he congratulated the founders upon the honour conferred upon them by the presence of the M . W . G . M . of New York and three of his principal officers , and he believed it was the first time in the history of the Grand Lodge of New York that the Grand Master has ever visited an English lodge .

The GRAND CHAPLAIN then delivered an appropriate oration on the principles of the Order , in the course of which he compared the steady gradual rise and progress of Freemasonry to the orderl y and stately rearing of King Solomon ' s temple . He also spoke in a very feeling manner of the loss the Craft had sustained in the death of the M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , and pointed to his Masonic life as a noble pattern to us all .

1 he lodge was then consecrated in due form . Bro . Claude Scott , P . M ., was installed W . M . by the Consecrating Officer , and invested the following brethren : Bros . M . H . Hale , S . W . ; G . E . Grimes , J . W . ; J . L . Miller , Secretary ; W . H . Faircloth , S . D . ; J . Jackson , J . D . ; and Harry Sillis , I . G .

The W . M . stated his first and most pleasing duty was to propose to the members that in order to show their deep sense and appreciation of the honour conferred upon the lodge by the M . W . G . M . of New York and his Grand Officers being present at the consecration , they should vote them first honorary members of their lodge , which was carried unanimously .

The M . W . G . M . of New York , replying on behalf of himself and his colleagues , expressed the great pleasure and gratification it gave them to be present at the consecration of an English lodge , especially one of a military character , which was of particular interest to him . In his own jurisdiction , which in size was second only to the Grand Lodge of England , there was at present no military lodge , but at the time it was founded six of the nine were military , and was

founded on the warrant of a lodge which was granted over a hundred years ago by the Duke of Athol , and when the War of Independence was over , and the English evacuated New York , to the lasting credit of English Masons , for Englishmen were and are honourable men , they left the warrant in the sacred precincts of the lodge room for their American brethren , who have worked under it ever

since . This fact alone would cement the bonds of brotherhood between Masons on both sides of the water . He and his colleagues would ever remember and appreciate the trul y fraternal manner in which they had been received , and ever value the honorary membership which had been conferred upon them . Honorary membership was also conferred upon all the Consecrating Officers . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellently served

Consecration Of The Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge, No. 2362.

banquet , prepared for them in the sergeants' mess , which reflected great credit upon the catering of the regimental club steward . The usual loyal toasts were given and duly honoured . In giving the toast of " The Grand Officers , " the W . M . touched briefly but feelingly upon the death of the Earl of Carnarvon .

Bro . Lord EUSTON , in reply , said : On behalf of myself and the other Grand Officers , I thank you for the hearty manner in which you have received this toast . It is a labour of love to assist you on the road of prosperity , and a great pleasure to us all . 1 have never before visited a military lodge , and it is a singular coincidence that the first I do visit and assist in its consecration should be the 6 th

Volunteer Battalion attached to my old regiment , the Rifle Brigade . You wear the same uniform , with a slight difference only in the badge , and I sincerely trust and believe that as there seems to be the same go and energy in the lodge as in the regiment you are named after you will continue to prosper in numbers and proficiency , and show a good record and be as smart in your working as the regiment is in drill .

The W . M ., in giving the toast of "The Consecrating Officers , " said it was the toast of the evening . The way in which they had worked the ceremony was an example which the lodge would do well to emulate . He trusted the lodge would follow the example of the regiment , which had gained and maintained a desirable reputation in the field , and it was his wish as an officer in both regiment and lodge that it should do credit to the regiment which had received them as the representatives of Masonry under its colours . Without further comment he would give the toast of the Consecrating Officers , which was drunk with great enthusiasm .

Bro . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in reply , said that as he had been talking for a considerable time he was afraid they would be tired of his voice , but he assured them it had been a particular pleasure . He was , like Lord Euston , an old soldier , and their hearts warmed to see military men going so thoroughly into Masonry . It was a deli ght to see discipline and brotherhood combined in the double bond of the

soldier and the Mason . If they keep the attributes of both before them the lodge could not be otherwise than successful , and they had launched that new ship on the ocean of Masonry without any doubt upon those grounds . He sincerely thanked Lord Euston and the other distinguished brethren for the assistance they had afforded him .

In proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " Bro . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE congratulated him on being appointed first Worshipful Master , and stated upon him would depend the lodge ' s future prosperity , also upon the honour to be conferred him by his first candidate for initiation being the colonel of the regiment . The toast was dul y honoured . The W . M ., in response , expressed himself hopeful for the future , having the confidence and cheerful assistance of the officers .

In giving the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . coupled with this popular toast the names of his respected father , founder and P . M . of the Victoria Rifles Lodge , and Bro . Scurrah . Bro . SCOTT , P . M ., in reply , gave a brief history of the foundation of the Victoria Rifles Lodge , 33 years ago , of which he is the only founder still living , and

added that , as his son was a P . M . of that lodge and first Master of this one , he might almost consider himself its grandfather . He wished it might flourish as the old one had done . Bro . SCURRAH also replied . The toast of " The Officers " was also given and received .

Bro . HALE , P . M ., S . W ., responding for "The Officers , " related how the difficulties of founding a new lodge had been surmounted , and of their intention to support their W . M . on all occasions . The musical portion of the ceremony , as well as an excellent programme after

the banquet , was efficiently rendered by Bros . Smith , Reynolds , and Powell , under the direction of Bro . H . J . McFarlane , for which a hearty vote of thanks was tendered to them , on behalf of the lodge , by the W . M ., which was suitably acknowledged by Bro . MCFARLANE . The Tyler ' s toast brought to an end a successful and enjoyable evening .

Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

FESTIVAL OF THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

The 22 nd Anniversary Festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of the Rig ht' Hon . the Earl of Euston , Deputy Grand Master . Some 220 brethren and ladies sat down to a choice banquet .

The programme of music was under the direction of Bro . Henry R . Rose , A . R . A . M ., Past Grand Organist ( Professor at the Royal Academy of Music ) , who was assisted b y Madame Clara Samuel , Miss Ethel Bevans , Bro . Bernard Lane , Mr . W . W . G . Forington ( solo violoncello ) , Bro . Hans A . Brousil ( solo flute ) , and Bro . W . Lewis Barrett . During dinner music was performed by a string band . At the close of the dinner grace was sung by the musical party , and the toasts were then proposed .

The Earl of EUSTON , in giving " The Health of the Queen , " said he was sure all the brethren and ladies would receive the toast with the heartiest enthusiasm , because he knew that both the ladies and the brethren were one and all loyal to her Majesty . The toast having been heartily drunk , the National Anthem was sung by the musical brethren and ladies .

The Earl of EUSTON next proposed " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " Not only in Masonry , but in all other relations of life , the Prince of Wales worked most heartily . His Royal Highness , on account of his many engagements , could not very often come among Mark Masons , but one thing was quite certain , that whenever he did come among them he always would get a most hearty welcome . This toast was also most enthusiastically received .

The Earl of EUSTON next said that the toast he had now to propose would be honoured by all the company , the same as the other two toasts . It was the toast of " The Marquis of Hertford , the Pro Grand Master , and all the Past Grand Masters , " of whom there was a long list . They had all done good and trusty service to the Degree ; they had all in the several years of their life as the heads of this Degree done their utmost to forward its interests . During the many years

that the Grand Mark Lodge of England had been established there was only one of them who had passed away , and that was only recently . All the brethren lamented the decease of the Earl of Carnarvon , and all those who were related to his lordship had the heartiest sympathy of the brethren in their bereavement . All the Past Masters had the greatest interest in the success of the Degree , and they were all entitled to receive the best wishes of the brethren .

Bro . Sir LIONEL DARELL , in proposing " The Health of the Chairman , the Earl of Euston , " said that that was not an ordinary occasion , and he felt it a privilege and a gratification to propose the Chairman ' s health . He did it most heartily , and he assured the brethren and ladies that it would be impossible for him to descant

as he ought to do on the Chairman s Masonic virtues ; but he said that without fear of contradiction , and there was no man who since he became a Freemason had done more to promote the hi ghest and best interests of the Order . The Earl of Euston spared no time , pains , or trouble to do everything he could , or to go to any place where he felt he might benefit Masonry at large . That evening Lord Euston