Consecration Of The Rye Lodge, No. 2272.

qvrnbol a magnificent truth , full of beauty , but only understood and seen by the eye of the soul . It reveals to us in the very simplest view of it the nossibility , and under certain conditions the certainty , of ascending up to the very throne of God Himself . The ascent begins low down at the low igvel of man's natural state on earth , and it proceeds upwards through clouds and storms , terminating only where all is purity and peace . It is a

symbol full of comfort for all who in this transitory life are in sorrow , need , sickness , or any other adversity . It suggests rest to the weary , hope to the depressed ' , strength to the tempted , and consolation to all who rightly comprehend its meaning . And when we recollect that the clouded canopy is the symbolic covering of every lodge , does it not suggest to us that we should endeavour , by the eye of faith , to press through the clouds and storms of this lower atmosphere , until , we can pierce and enter into

that higher , purer , and brighter region of the Grand Lodge above , where we hope at last to dwell ? May this lodge become in every possible respect worthy of the traditions of the Craft , and may those of us here this evening , as we shall have passed , silently , one by one , into the tomb of trangression , arise out of it in due course of time , and by our life here spent upon earth , by the religious life , for that is the chief point in Masonry—may each , throug h the mercy of the Most High , shine , as the stars of heaven , for ever and ever .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with and completed . The musical portion was performed in fine style under the direction of Bro . E . Pettit , assisted by Bros . J . Hodges , A . Kenningham , T . Hanson , and T . Kempton . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ., then installed as first VV . M . of the

new lodge Bro . J . W . Dewsnap , 'P . M . 188 , who afterwards invested as his officers the following brethren : Bros . W . Cock , P . M ., S . W . ; F . Dunn , P . M ., J . W . ; G . S . Mansell , P . M ., Treas . ; T . G . Collier , Sec ; G . P . Nightingale , P . M ., S . D . ; P , G . Philps , P . M ., J . D . ; W . Castledine , I . G- ; T . Cray , D . C . ; S . C . Greenfield and W . T . Warner , Stewards ; E . Pettit , Org . ; and T . Bowler , Tyler .

A vote . of thanks was then unanimously passed to the Consecrating Officers , who were at the same time elected honorary members of the lodge . The lodge , after an acknowledgment of the compliment by Col . SHADWELL CLERKE , was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was admirably supplied by Mr . Reed . The usual toasts followed the banquet .

The W . M ., in giving "The Pro G . M ., the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said the example set by the Grand Officers kept the Craft in its present state . Four or five Grand Officers were present that night . Whenever there was a lodge about to be consecrated , or any lodge wanted assistance in any ceremonies , brethren

could go to Grand Lodge and get some one to come down and assist . The Rye Lodge was pleased to welcome the Grand Officers on that occasion , and they hoped to see them among them on many occasions . This was not a formal invitation , but meant sincerely , and the brethren hoped to see the Grand Officers soon with them again .

Bro . PHILBRICK said the W . M . had kindly given the brethren a hint that the speeches ought to be short , and he was quite right . He hoped every other speaker would do what he would do—endeavour to make them hearty as well , because on an occasion of this kind he was sure , from the M . W . G . Master to the veriest tyro initiated in the Craft , it would be summed up in one hearty good wish of success to the lodge that had been

that day consecrated . On the part of the Grand Officers , whose presence that young lodge recognised , he begged to offer his sincere thanks . The recognition of those of place and dignity was always grateful to the Craft . Of the honoured names associated with that toast , the Earl of Carnarvon and the Earl of Lathom all Masons were proud , and legitimately proud , for no institution could boast noblemen as brethren who were more

identified with them , and whose labours had been more ungrudgingly given for the best interests of the Craft than those distinguished noblemen . If he might venture , despite the authority of the W . M ., to say one word which perchance might run contrary to what he . said , they , as Masons , while they thoroughly recognised the honour that those distinguished noblemen had done them in joining the Craft , felt that in joining the Craft .

They were on an absolute equality with them , and that , as Masons , they were equal , and while they felt proud that those of high position came and recognised the power of Masonry , they all knew Masonry was in itself a power , which could attract the highest , as well as the lowest , in the land . He thanked the brethren very much for the kindness with which the Grand Officers had been received . For those whose names had been

included in the toast how much they wished prosperity and success to the new venture ; how they trusted that coming through the Rye might always lead to harmony , and that the foundations that evening laid might be those of a lodge strong in its elements , respected in its constituents , thoroughly carrying out the great principles of Freemasonry , a success in its locality , and a model to all who desired to found other lodges .

The W . M . next proposed "The Consecrating Officers , " the brethren who had taken so much trouble , and been at so great inconvenience , to take part in consecrating that lodge . One of them had travelled 150 miles to come to the lodge , and had to go that some distance back again before he got home . All those brethren they had known before , many of them exceedingly well , and the principal one , the respected Grand Secretary . He lel

t fully convinced that it was to him the lodge was indebted for its warrant . The Grand Secretary could not say no , or he did not say no , when he was asked . The brethren owed a great deal to the Grand Secretary for his great kindness at all times . He would always hear what brethren had to say , and they would always get a polite answer . All the Grand Officers they were pleased to see among them , and as long as the lodge lasted they hoped they would come to see them .

Col . SHADWELL CLERKE , replying , said he felt highly flattered by the very pretty remarks the W . M . had used about himself and his colleagues , hut he must in the first place protest against the particular character he was pleased to give him when he said he could hot say no . That was not the case . It devolved upon him very frequently in his official capacity to say no ; but he thought the W . M . ought rather to thank the M . W . G . M .

. 'or not saying no . The brethren who were petitioners had given good reasons for establishing the lodge , and the G . M ., with that justice for which "e was celebrated , did not say no . He ( Col . Clerke ) very often said no ; "e was afraid he should often have to say no . His colleagues and himself Were very much obliged for the kind way in which they had received their ass 'stance that day . They had done their best to deserve the brethren ' s j-ncomiums , and if the brethren thought they deserved them they were glad ' *• He should not be worthy of his office if he did not receive with per-

Consecration Of The Rye Lodge, No. 2272.

fect courtesy all the brethren who came to see him . He did not have more than 200 or 300 before him in the course of the day , and if any one had 200 or 300 letters to read and . answer they did not mind being interrupted by 200 or 300 callers ; they rather liked it . If he did not slay the visitor on the spot , that visitor did not know his inward feeling . He felt that forbearance on his part deserved the recognition of the VV . M . This was one of the

p leasures of a man in an official capacity—having brethren coming from north , south , east , and west constantly . But he was extremely pleased to say he had had the assistance of some esteemed colleagues that night , without which he could not have gone through the ceremony so well . Altogether , he thought they had had a very good time of it ; they had all pulled together very well , and had had a very fine innings .

Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE next proposed " The First Master of the Rye Lodge . " Bro . Philbrick had a good joke about going through the Rye , but he ( Col . Clerke ) thought his a better joke when he said " the bloom is on the Rye , " because it was high festival that evening . On these occasions he generally made the same remark in proposing that toast—that , whilst it was a great honour for a brother in an ordinary way to go up to

the chair , working his way to it from the lowest rung ot- the ladder , it was a greater honour to be chosen to be the first Master of a lodge . But it was an honour still greater in that Rye Lodge , because of it there were some 50 founders . From so large a number to be chosen the Master was a very unusual thing indeed , and therefore he thought Bro . Dewsnap should be very proud of being selected as the brother who deserved that high honour . Bro . Dewsnap was not an old Mason ; he was only of about 12 or 13

years'standing ; but still that was the third chair he had filled as W . M . That showed his services must have been good . He ( Col . Clerke ) had known him in certain Masonic capacities , and he was sure he would make a most excellent Master in the first year of the Rye Lodge . The brethren of the lodge were to be congratulated on having Bro . Dewsnap in the chair . Under his gavel the lodge would succeed in a most satisfactory manner . There was a good year before the lodge , and , as he had said earlier in the evening , there was a large area from which to supply members .

Bro . DEWSNAP , W . M ., in responding , assured the brethren that words failed him to reply suitably to the flattering remarks of the Grand Secretary . It would be his endeavour as long as he was in the Rye Lodge to do his best to uphold the dignity of the lodge and of Freemasonry , which the Grand Secretary impressed upon them in the lodge . He should do his utmost in presiding at the banquet table to do it in such a manner as to

obtain the brethren ' s approbation . They could not always do as they would , but the brethren would endeavour to provide accommodation and the good things of this world as far as possible to meet the wishes , of the brethren and the pockets of the Treasurer . As to his being a prime mover in the business , he must explain that it was brought to his attention some time ago . Being associated with some brethren , of whom the

S . and J . were principals , they put their hands and heads together , with the result which the brethren had seen that night . He did not take any credit to himself ; he was not superior to anyone ; but he was chosen to be the first Master , not for any merit of his own , but for the want of bashfulness of the J . W ., and from the S . W . being the Master of another lodge . 7

Bro . theRev . G . W . WELDON , P . G . C , proposed " Prosperity to the Rye Lodge , " in a speech replele with droll allusions ; but he foresaw , he said , that the success of the Rye Lodge , was already secured , by the energetic way in which the founders had put their shoulders to the wheel . If they carried on the good beginning , the Rye Lodge , would take its place prominently among the lodges of the Craft . He would remind the brethren that they did not come together merely to engage in convivial festivity , as

the uninformed and captious world of critics were pleased to think . If Freemasons' gatherings were promoted for the purpose of making provision for animal gratification , Masonry would long ago have vanished from the face of the earth . But Masons were human , and there was nothing human or Divine against a good dinner . But along with that the Charities came forth , and he thought Masons might challenge all other systems of the United Kingdom to produce at the end of the year such a magnificent result as was produced by the three Masonic Charities .

The SENIOR WARDEN responded to the toast , and said he was quite sure of the success ot the lodge . Bros . HILTON and LEONARD replied to the toast of "The Visitors , " and the J UNIOR WARDEN to that of " The Founders and Officers , " which

was proposed by Dr . TURTLE PIGOTT . The other toasts followed , and the brethren separated . A beautiful selection of music was performed during the intervals between the toasts by the brethren , who performed the music in the lodge . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The Loyal Monmouth Chapter, No. 457, At Monmouth.

CONSECRATION OF THE LOYAL MONMOUTH CHAPTER , No . 457 , AT MONMOUTH .

A large gathering of Royal Arch Masons assembled on Wednesday , the 3 rd instant , for the purpose of consecrating this new chapter . The ceremony was performed by Comp . S . G . Homfray , P . G . S . B . of England , P . G . H . Mon ., as Z ., assisted by Comps . Wm . Pickford , P . Z . 471 . P . P . G . P .

Mon ., as H . ; Henry J . Gratte , P . Z . 471 , P . P . G . J . Mon ., as J . ; Wm . Watkins , P . Z ., P . P . G . Treas . Mon ., as D . of C ; R . B . Evans , P . Z ., P . G . S . E . Mon ., as E . ; and Henry Richards , P . Z ., as Janitor . Among the visitors present who rendered valuable assistance were Comps . J . Jones ,

M . E . Z . 471 ; J . Saunders , P . Z . 683 ; L . W . Paynter , J . 471 ; T . G . Jones , J . 683 ; A . S . Townsend , J . 120 ; E . G . R . Richards , 471 ; G . Driver , F . Phillips , and Henry Faulkner , of 683 . The founders of the chapter were installed to the following offices :

Comps . H . G . Griffiths , Z . ; T . R . Oakley , H . ; F . A . Powell , J . ; Champney Powell , S . E . ; John Thomas , S . N . ; T . R . Hyam , P . S . ; Geo . Higgins , Asst . S . ; and after a vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers , they adjourned to dinner , presided over by Comp . H . G . Griffith , M . E . Z .

The usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a pleasant evening spent .

BERKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , 1 , Berkeley-street and 77 , Piccadilly , London , W . First class accommodation for residents , with a Restaurant newly attached for high class luncheons and dinners , at fixed prices and £ 1 la catte * C . DIETTE , Manager . - [ ADVT . ]