Consecration Of The Philbrick Lodge, No. 2255.

by his Deputy . They all knew the interest which attached to the birth of any child . The expectant father watches outside , and the mystic words were uttered , "Boy or girl ? " He sincerely trusted they might be told that this lodge was appropriate , both boy and girl . He hoped it would be manly in every act , and vet have the winning attributes necessary to succeed in enticing many within its

folds . He had much pleasure in attending that evening , and hoped the lodge would be a valuable addition in the province over which he presided . He sincerely trusted that the members would hold the highest principles ever before their eyes — the highest principles of Charity , good fellowship , and good brotherhood . He hopedas their W . M . had said—that he should always be allowed , not only by

right , but also as a privilege , to attend the meetings of their lodge . The kindness with which he had always been supported by the province had been again extended to him that evening . He thanked them again for the proposition and reception of the toast , and congratulated them upon their lodge , which he wished every success . He wished to propose a toast which

he knew would be very heartily received—it was " The Health of the W . Master . " Bro . J . Terry was so well known that it was needless for him to dilate upon his merits . The breast of that brother was covered with emblems showing the manner in which he had worked in Masonry for many years . The founders could not have a better man as their first W . M . than the

brother who was sitting on his left , and whose health he begged to propose . Bro . J . TERRY , P . G . S . B ., W . M ., said he rose to thank the Prov . Grand Master for the handsome manner in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for their hearty response to it . He could assure the Prov . Grand Master that his words would have a deep impression on him , and that he would endeavour , as the first W . M ., so to conduct the duties of the

lodge as to cultivate those attributes he wished to see . He wished to bind together the different brethren who had assisted in the formation of the lodge , so that they might worK as one united family . Knowing his officers so well , he was convinced he should be well supported by them . He trusted the future of the lodge would be such that the godfather would not look

upon his godchild with anything but the highest amount of respect , and that it would prove a sturdy strip ling-, the name of which the worthy brother who brought it into the world would be proud to hear mentioned . He would do his best to promote Masonry in the province , and especially in the Philbrick Lodge .

The W . MASTER then submitted "The Health of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . F . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Reg ., " after whom the lodge was named . When he had the pleasure of mentioning lo that distinguished brother the earnest desire of many brethren that the name of Philbrick should be perpetuated in the Province of Essex , a county where his name , and particularly as the Recorder of Colchester , was held with respect , he said he had refused on

many occasions , but did not think he could refuse that request , on the distinct understanding that they would uphold the name , and would not allow it to reflect upon him . They had a great trust , and it was with pleasure that he proposed the health of the brother who had honoured them with his name and by installing their first W . M . In Bro . Philbrick they had the Lord High Chancellor of the Order , who would be down upon them if

they trespassed any rule or forgot themselves in any way . It would be their duty to keep within the landmarks of the Order , so that when the lodge was mentioned Bro . Philbrick would feel proud of the child born after his name . Long might Bro . Philbrick continue to be connected with the province in some capacity or other , and the members of the lodge have the privilege of welcoming him whenever he came amongst them !

Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C ., D . P . G . M ., said , as well might be imagined , he rose with feelings somewhat different and somewhat more acute than those he had previously experienced at the consecration of a lodge in the province . He felt he was amongst those who bore the name he also bore , and felt , as it were , in one ' s own family . At the consecration of every lodge in the province started since he had had the honour of serving under Lord

Brooke , he had always felt that any effort he could make and any service he could render was his duty in the interests of Masonry in Essex . Hehad always taken , and trusted would always take , the deepest interest in Masonry in their province . On that occasion , when the W . M . did him the honour of expressing the kind wishes of the founders , he felt that to an old friend —he would not go back into ancient history to say how long that friendship

had existed , for he had known , and to know was to respect , Bro . Terry for many years in various relationships , and since he had taken an active part in Masonry had honoured him for his conduct and his character—and when he came and represented the wish of the founders , he felt that he could not refuse . It had , however , always been his idea , and still was his idea , that in a prominent body like Masonry , where they had to hand down the great

principles of that great Institution , he rather felt that the fleeting name of one who was connected with it was not so preferable as one more permanent . The W . M . put it to him in terms he could not refuse , and he yielded . He did not yield too readily , because he felt it was rather too great a compliment , and he considered whether it was one he ought to take advantage of . He then wished to say how pleased and glad he was to see the lodge

started and consecrated . He knew the W . M . was one of those who , when they put their hands to the plough , do not turn back , and he would be supported by those who would make it a success and an example to the province . It was but a week ago that they were associated in the same room for a similar purpose . The Philbrick Lodge was the 28 th in the province , and the loth since he had had the honour to be associated with it . They had increased

the number of lodges 50 per cent . They had not increased in a similar number those who ranked as brethren in the province , but they had the greatest guarantee that their lodges were working bees in the hive . Drones they did not want . The working bee was the insect that attracted attention and respect , making for itself an honourable career , and carrying out the inieniion lor which it was created . He trusted that that lodge would be a

working lodge in the great hive of Freemasonry , and as long as it was presided over b y an active Mason like their W . M ., so long would it set a good example , and be able to do that which every lodge could not do—viz ., carry out its work in a way reflecting credit on " those who founded it . He was sure of one thing , and that might , perhaps , be a coincidence , but coincidences were what they met with in everday life . One of the wisest men that the history of the nation could produce—Lord Bacon , whose words were

replete with the ripest wisdom ever penned in the English language—spoke of coincidences , and the lessons wise men could draw from them . They knew how significant was the number seven , which was considered to signify perfection . ^ If they looked at the number of the lodge ( 2255 ) they would find two 55 ' s and two 2 ' s , making twice 7 , and the lodge should therefore be twice perfection . He trusted none would ever have cause to regret the foundation of that lodge , and he hoped that those who succeeded the W . M ,

Consecration Of The Philbrick Lodge, No. 2255.

in the chair would be true and faithful followers of the starters of this enterprise . He sincerely trusted that the motto of the lodge , " Vesti eia nulla retrorsum , " would be observed , and that no footsteps backward should be made , but onward be their motto . He heartily thanked the W . M for the kindness with which he had proposed the toast—in words with which he did not deserve ; but one thing he would venture to say , and that was , he hoped most sincerely , and should most heartily endeavour , to deserve and fulfil those kind wishes expressed concerning him .

Bro . DIXIE , l . P . M . Chigwell Lodge , in reply for "The Visitors , " returned sincere thanks for the manner in which they had been received . He assured the founders , on behalf of the members of the Chigwell Lodge , that they welcomed any new lodge in the province , for they knew that they would not suffer . Any assistance that the members of his lodge could render to the Philbrick Lodge they would be pleased and happy to perform . Bros . H . SADLER , Grand Tyler , PRICE , and TERRY also replied . "The Officers" having been given , and responded to b y the S . W . the Tyler ' s toast closed a pleasant and successful inaugural meeting . " '

Consecration Of St. Leonard's Lodge No. 2263, At Sheffield.

CONSECRATION OF ST . LEONARD'S LODGE No . 2263 , AT SHEFFIELD .

Saturday , the 21 st inst ., was a notable day in Masonic circles , it being the occasion of the consecration of a new lodge . Ten years have elapsed since a similar event occurred in Sheffield . The new lodge is numbered 2263 , and its title is " St . Leonard . " There are now five lodges in Sheffield—Britannia , Royal Brunswick , Wentworth , Ivanhoe , and St . Leonard , the latter having sprung out of the Wentworth . A sixth , to be called " The Hallamshire , " arising out of the Britannia , is expected to be consecrated later in the year .

Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , was the Consecrating Officer , assisted by the following Present and Past Grand Officers : Bros . Henrv Smith , D . P . G . M ., Past G . D ., as S . W . ; W . H . Brittain , J . P ., Past G . S . B ., as J . W .: Rev . Dr . T . C . Smyth , Past G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Frank Richardson Past G . D ., as D . C . ; and J . M . P . Montague , Past G . D ., as l . G . There were over 100 Freemasons present , including 44 Past Masters . Among others from a

distance were Bros . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . of Bengal ; Herbert G . E . Green Prov G . Sec . ; O . L . M . Latrielle , P . M . and Sec . 1260 ; Armstrong , P . M . ; Powers P . M . ; Sutton , W . M . ; and Bowler , J . W . 325 . ' ' The brethren assembled in the ante-room of the Freemasons' Hall , Surrey-street and walked in procession to the lodge-room , where the Prov . Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., Past G . Deacon of England , opened Prov . G .

Lodge , and asked the Consecrating Officer to take the chair and appoint his Wardens ( pro tern . ) After the opening hymn , the CONSECRATING OFFICER addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting , and gave directions for the ceremony . The brethren of the new lodge were then arranged in order , and the petition and warrant were duly read .

The founders of the new lodge are Bros . H . T . E . Holmes , P . M . 1239 ; Thos . H . Vernon , 1239 ; Verdon G . S . Deardon , 1239 ; William Edward Marples , 139 ; G . H . Dunnill , 1239 ; Walter C . Fox , l . G . 1260 ; William Brown , 128 9 ; j ! Grayson Lowood , 296 and 1239 ; H . A . Brook , 1239 ; and Joseph Abson , 139 . The brethren having signified their approval , in Masonic form , of the officers named in the petition aiid warrant ,

The CONSECRATING OFFICER called upon the Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire , Bro . Tew , to deliver the oration . Bro . TEW expressed the pleasure the brethren felt in receiving that day the G . Secretary and other officers of such high rank from the Grand Lodge of England , who had graciously consented to perform the solemn ceremony . West Yorkshire took that opportunity of acknowledging the compliment , and of offering their

fraternal regards to such distinguished visitors to Sheffield . Their presence gave special significance and interest to the new lodge ; and he trusted they would carry away to London the conviction that a most orderly and harmonious body of Masons congregated in their Masonic Hall , and most devoted to the Masonic watchwords , " Religion and Charity , " " Loyalty and Patriotism , " and convey to the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the certainty that the warrant he had been graciously

pleased to grant , being No . 226 3 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , would be transmitted to the Worshipful Masters in the chair of that lodge pure and unsullied , as had been the warrants of the existing four lodges in Sheffield , from the year A . D . 1765 to this , the 51 st year of her Majesty ' s reign . In proof of the prosperity of the Craft and the attachment of the members to the principles of the Order , he mentioned that the four lodges in Sheffield numbered 30 + brethren

and 66 Past Masters , to December 31 st , 1887 . The contributions of the Sheffield lodges to the Masonic Charities amounted to the splendid sum of ^ 4580 . At the Girls' Centenary Festival , held last month in London , of the ^ 50 , 500 subscribed , West Yorkshire . Province gave £ 2600 ; and in their excellent Bro . W . H . Brittain , who especially represented the Prov . Grand Master on that occasion , the M . W . the Grand Master would feel that he had not a more loyal province to the

throne , to this country , and to himself than this generous Province of West Yorkshire . Passing on , Bro . Tew said the Lodge of St . Leonard , as well as Ivanhoe , cherished in the names traces and reminiscences of Saxon , Norman , and mediaeval times . The Lodge of Britannia perpetuated the nationality of England and the Empire ; " Royal Brunswick" the reigning dynasty ; "Wentworth" the nobility of this neighbourhood ; and "Ivanhoe" local traditions ; and this last lodge , "St .

Leonard , the patron saint of captives and of Charity in Sheffield . He gave an interesting account of St . Leonard ' s life and work in the relief and rescue of prisoners captives , and slaves ; touched upon the historic association of Sheffield with the Lovetots , the Furnivals , and the Talbots ; King Henry , the fallen Cardinal Wolsey , and the hapless Queen Mary . He pointed out that one part of Sheffield was to this day known as " Spital , " or " Hospital hill , " from the fact that on that ine

eminence , in the reign ot Henry the b irst , or Stephen , was erected , oy v * Lovetots , then Lords of Hallam , a hospital for lepers , probably the first ever built in Sheffield , and was dedicated , as were also the churches at Wortley and _ Thiybergh , to St . Leonard , the patron saint of captives . He had confidence in this lodge that it would in . practical deeds of benevolence , mercy , and Charity , P rove , f ; worthy rival of the good old parent lodges of the " County and Town of Sheffield . He had , therefore , the greatest satisfaction in asking Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke and officers of the Grand Lodge of England to consecrate St . Leonard ' s Lodge rnat

aay . . The ceremony of consecration was then performed by the Grand Secretary an his assistants , according to the ancient rites and customs of the Craft . Bro . Co . Shadwell H . Clerke discharged the onerous duty with great dignity , and the service , which occupied over two hours , was profoundly impressive . The ' - " ° nsec p . ing Officer having duly constituted the lodge , an anthem was sung , and the Chap a

pronounced the Benediction . . , Bro . H . T . E . Holmes was subsequently installed as the first W . M . of thel ° | ' and took the chair , his officers being Bros . Thomas H . Vernon , S . W- ; » . «• • Dearden , J . W . ; J . Grayson Lowood , Treas . ; W . E . Marples , Sec . ; " ' Dunnill , S . D . ; Walter C . Fox , J . D . ; H . A . Brook , l . G . ; William Brown , u . of C . ; Joseph Abson , Steward ; and Bro . C . Burch was appointed Tyler . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . E . H . t . e F . C . O ., and Bro . H . A . Brook , l . G .