Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.

wardships , anr \ enjoy the companionship of many esteemed friends . This year there was an alloy , which was the absence of their beloved Prov . pM With regard to his colleague , Bro . Greenwood , the Prov . G . Sec , he performed his duties most ably , for his work as Prov . G . Sec . was no sn gr 0 . C HARLES GREENWOOD , Prov . G . Sec , in reply , said it was customary . the Prov . G . Sec . to make a few remarks in reference to the progress of M « onrv in the province . He had already told them , both in the Prov . G .

Lodge and Chapter , how brotherly love and unity were pre-eminent , and that was a matter for sincere congratulation . The number of brethren now n the new register of the province was about 89 8 . The lodges had increased by three during the past year , which was also a matter for sincere Licratulation . : ] What they required were strong lodges , and not a number

, f lodges , which were apt to decay for lack of support . 1 hat had been f sentiment of the Prov . G . M . and officers who had the interest of the orovince at heart . There was a matter which he wished to touch upon , and that was the date at which the returns should come forward . They had not only to study the convenience of the Secretaries , but he was sure , from the kindness they had always shown him , that they also desired to study the convenience of their Prov . G . Sec . His work had considerably increased with the number of lodges during the past year , and , as the Dep . Prov . had had

Q M . had told them , he required some assistance . He working with him one of his brothers who had taken a great interest in Freemasonry , and he therefore thought the Prov . G . M . could not do better than appoint him as Asst . Prov . G . Sec . He had to thank the brethren , and particularly Bro . Pile , for their kind courtesy and assistance in the proceedings of that rjav . " They had all been struck with the excellent arrangements made and attention shown by the entertaining lodge , and for the consideration paid to their creature comforts . He again tendered his sincere thanks for the

proposition and reception of the toast . Bro . HUGH M . H OBBS , Prov . J . G . W ., in response to the toast of " The Prov . G . Officers , " said he could scarcely find words to express his thanks to the Dep . Prov . G . M . for so kindly mentioning his name . It was to him a matter of sincere congratulation that he had been unexpectedly made a Prov . G . Warden . He was quite sure that the words of their Dep . Prov . G M . would not be lost on them , and that they would carry on their duties

in a better manner for having heard them . Bro . Rev . Lord VICTOR SEYMOUR , Prov . G . Chap ., also returned thanks , and , in reference to their Church Restoration Fund , trusted the day would not be very far distant when the Prov . G . Lodge would be invited to open the new portion of their building . It was a gigantic task , requiring £ 10 , 000 , but he was glad to say that the majority of the Committee were Masons .

" The W . M ,, Officers , and Brethren of the Wallington Lodge , and members of the Mozart Chapter , " was next given , and appropriately acknowledged by Bros . Filmer , Walls , and Pile . "The Visitors , " " Masonic Charities , " and "Masonic Press" having been given , the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings .

Consecration Of The Philbrick Lodge, No. 2255.

CONSECRATION OF THE PHILBRICK LODGE , No . 2255 .

The consecration of this lodge took place at the Forest Hotel , Chingford , on Monday , the 23 rd inst . The objects for which it was started , as the name implies , are to perpetuate the name of the distinguished Dep . Prov . G . M . of the Province , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Reg ., and to carry on the work of Masonry . There can be no doubt but that under Bro . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., the W . M . designate , it will worthily carry out the ideas of its formation .

The ceremony was performed by Lord Brooke , Prov . G . M ., assisted by Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Reg ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Thos . J . Humphreys , Prov . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; G . H . Finch , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; A . Lucking , P . G . P ., as D . C . ; T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec , as Sec ., - Alfred J . Dixie , l . P . M . 453 . as l . G .

Founders : Bros . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., W . M . designate : Chas . Salter , S . W . designate ; Michl . Chas . Meaby , J . W . designate ; R . W . Board , H . W . Clarke , A . R . Chamberlayne , and J . M . Broad . Visitors : Jas . E . Terry , W . M . elect 1964 ; J . F . Rumball , J . W . 1623 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; A . Cook , 1366 ; Selwyn Davies , Org . 917 ; W . Priee , 28 ; H . Davie , 1685 ; G . W . Justin , P . M . 86 ; W . C . Hall , P . M . 382 ; A . J . Hanson , 3 82 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 .

The Prov . Grand Master having taken the chair , and appointed his officers ( pro tern . ) , the lodge was opened in the Three Degrees . A hymn was then sung , after which The PROV . GRAND MASTER , addressing the brethren , said it was his pleasing duty to say a few words as to the purpose for which they had met . It afforded him great pleasure to add another lodge to the long list of the

province . He understood that that new lodge had been well started , and it could not certainly have a better situation than at the borders of that beautiful forest . He congratulated the province on having a lodge bearing the name of one who was so much beloved , esteemed , and respected by the brethren . It would have been a curious thing if , during Bro . Philbrick ' s time of office , some action had not been taken of this nature to acknowledge "' s labours and the excellences of his adminstration . He was convinced

that Bro . Philbrick appreciated the honour done him , and the brethren assembled were only too pleased to honour him by calling the lodge after his name . He had often said that , although it was a great pleasure to him t 0 see lodges increase , it was always his wish that they should not interfere with one another , and , from all he heard , that lodge was likely to be well Supported . He again expressed the pleasure it afforded him to be present , an d said he would proceed with the ceremony by asking the Chaplain to tavour them with the benefit of prayer .

th 6 * ounders having expressed their approval of the officers named in /> e warrant , the following oration on the nature and principles of Masonry Was given by Bro . Rev . T . COCHRANE , P . G . Chaplain , and heartily a Ppteciated by all present .

what 1 i ' omary in this country , on the occasion of the consecration of a lodge , for bep , s termed an oration to be delivered by a Chaplain , and at very short notice I have pres requ ? sted to undertake that duty . It is no affectation when I say that in the n ol £ so manv distinguished Masons , men of far greater learning in Masonic as

!? rom M ° . e ' can P ' end t 0 > * approach my task with great dirhdence . that th ™? ason ' paper I observe that it is but one week ago , and in this same room , "ratio ! r' ^ . . ° . rthy and distinguished brother , the Grand Secretary , gave you as an I reeret * ir * i . ' ' on on ' ^ mean > ng of the lodge as used in Masonic phraseology , and it £ ;]?' ' through not hearing of the consecration of fhe Warner Lodge until 1 saw wraed as an accomplished fact in the Freemason of last Saturday , I could not be

Consecration Of The Philbrick Lodge, No. 2255.

present . In the short oration which I shall now have the privilege of delivering to you , I shall confine myself to speaking of some of the distinctive marks by which the Freemason , if he correctly understands the principles of the Order , should be recognised among men . By common consent we , as Freemasons , should ever bear in mind that the most important part of our duties are those of religion—religion which recognises the power of Divine mercy and love , which believes in a future state , which inculcates humility and holiness , which seeks to subjugate evil passions , and prompts us by Divine

aid to _ seek for eternal life . But we know that religion is often characterised by dissension and animosity . ^ The history of the Church to which most of us belong has been too often signalised in bygone times by bigotry and intolerance , while the system of Freemasonry has been so widespread and comprehensive that it has embraced men of every sect , since the religion of Freemasonry is founded on the dual principle of love to God and love to men , which the great author of the Faith which I profess declared to be the sum and substance of the Decalogue . Next to religion I apprehend that most

men would say that political duties are the most important . _ With politics in their baser sense—the strife of party , the contention of faction , the intrigues of cliques —< ve , as Freemasons , have nothing whatever to do . Although as freemen exercising our opinions in a free State , we have the right to form our own opinions , and to act upon them , political discussion is not only prohibited , but 1 venture to bay is unknown in any lodge under the English Constitution . And however high political animosity might be , I venture to say that amongst English Freemasons it has never disturbed a Masonic

friendship or injured our Masonic ritual . But in the higher sense M . sonry is intensely political . Everyone who comes amongst us is taught to be a peaceable subject in the country in which he may reside , to pay due attention to the laws of the 'tate in which he may happen to live , and , above all , to remember the allegiance due to the Sovereign of his native land ; and , as inspired writings tell us that to serve God and honour the king is the whole duty of man , then vve may assert that Freemasonry is very synonymous with the Apostolic injunction . This is a commercial country . Nearly everyone

lives by trade . All of us are affected by its progress or by its depression , and there is no one who is not proud of that good feeling and that reputation which accompanies the name of the British merchant in every part of the world . But , I would ask , what better principles could there be to act upon than those which told every Mason that he should so act that he could always meet on the level and part on the square ? Our private duties are not forgotten . We are reminded in the most solemn way that it is possible to imagine of that natural equality and mutual dependence which ushered us into this

mortal life ; we are taught to walk humbly before God , not turning to the right hand or to the left , and that all our movements ought to be guided by prudence , chastened by temperance , supported by fortitude , and guided by justice . We , as Freemasons , if we are true to our principles , have a noble mission to perform . We should seek to rescue from heathen domination , from the laws of tyranny and sin , a small part of the heritage which God gave to men . It is our duty , not by force of aims or wordy strife , but by

the more persuasive eloquence of precept and example , to win back that world of love and happiness which our first parents forfeited , and by obedience to the Divine law recall that glorious time foretold by the Hebrew seer and sung by the Latin poet , that day of universal happiness when the songs of the angels of Bethlehem— "Glory to God in the highest , on earth peace , good-will towards men "—shall be echoed from every heart , and when the good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people may be not only believed in but practically and implicitly obeyed .

The ceremony was then proceeded with , and the lodge duly dedicated and constituted . The Prov . Grand Master then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . F . Philbrick , D . P . G . M ., who installed Bro . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., the W . M . designate into the chair . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Chas . Salter

S . W . ; M . C . Meaby , J . W . ; R . W . Board , Sec . ; H . W . Clarke , S . D . ; A . R . Chamberlayne , J . D . ; R . M . Broad , l . G . ; and Goddard , Tyler . Bro . PHILBRICK , the Installing Officer , then delivered the addresses in his customary effective manner . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said his first duty was , in the name of the

founders , to express their grateful thanks to the Prov . Grand Master and the other distinguished brethren present , for attending and consecrating the lodge . He asked all those who assisted in the ceremony to accept from him a most cordial vote of thanks , and also to honour the lodge by accepting the honorary membership .

The SENIOR WARDEN seconded those remarks , which the members cordially endorsed . Bro . Lord BROOKE , on behalf of the Consecrating Officers , returned thanks . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he had next to ask the Prov . Grand

Master to accept a copy of the founders jewel as a memento of the occasion . It would ill become them if they did not also acknowledge the honour conferred upon them by Bro . Philbrick in allowing them to use his name , and he therefore asked that brother to also accept a founders' jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning ) .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER and DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER briefly acknowledged the kind gifts . The founders were elected a Committee to frame the by-laws , and the W . M . was elected to represent the lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee . A bible , square , and compasses were presented by the W . M ., and the lodge was then duly closed .

After a recherche repast , the loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with the customary heartiness . "The Queen and the Craft , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " having been given , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed "The Grand Officers , " remarking that the Grand Officers had rendered good suit and service to the Craft , and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Rev . T . Cochrane .

Bro . Rev . T . COCHRANE , P . G . Chap ., in reply , said he could assure them that he felt very small to return thanks for such a toast as that of the Grand Officers . The Pro G . M . and Deputy G . M . were thoroughly conversant with their duties , and on many occasions , and particularly recently , the brethren had reaped the benefit of their judgment and advice . With regard to the rest of the Grand Officers , he thought they were not

altogether appointed to Grand Office for what they had done , but it was also their duty to do all they could in the provinces , or wherever they might be called upon . They were most ready and proud to do all they could for Freemasonry . He thanked the W . M . for the kind manner in which he had alluded to the duties they had performed that evening , and he hoped it would not be the last occasion on which he should visit the lodge .

"The Prov . G . M ., Lord Brooke " was then proposed by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who said they were indebted to Lord Brooke for his kindness in attending to perform the consecration . He hoped that the lodge would be worthy of its accoucheur , and assured the Prov . G . M . that they should be pleased to welcome him amongst them on any future occasion , and should be proud to show him they were a working and not an ornamental lodge .

Bro . Lord BROOKE , Prov . G . M ., thanked the W . M . for the heartiness with which he had proposed and the brethren had received his health . He confessed that he had some difficulty in returning thanks in appropriate terms , and in placing any novel aspect in the few words he should address to them . The W . M . had alluded to him as the accoucheur of this charming child . If he might carry out the simile , he would say that he had assisted at the birth of a considerable number of children since the time he first obtained his diploma . In that interesting ceremony he had been assisted