Consecration Of The St. Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891.

glory to pass by us , it is because wc arc not able lo endure thc sight . To submit to this wisdom of our heavenly Father is then surely our highest interest as well as duty ; and though the full light of His presence cannot yet be seen by mortal eye , let us use tlie light He lias given us , the light of nature , thc light of science , thc light of conscience , and the light of Revelation , and " walk as children of the light . " Is it not suited to such a discipline

of our reason and affections as may fit us for a higher world that humility and submission to the will of our Creator should be enforced upon us now ? Many an obvious analogy points to such a rcasjiiablc service . The child that should refuse to accept the advice or obey the command of a parent till tlie entire propriety of that advice and command could be argued out and explained would scarcely be deemed a model of filial love or duty .

Are we not too often , brethren , ready to pamper the pride and self-sufficiency of human nature , and to follow our own vain imaginations rather than the plain and steadfast word of eternal truth ? Like thc Syrian leper do wc not seek our health and cure in the proud waters of Damascus , rather than in the despised stream of Jordan , though appointed by a prophet ' s voice ? My brother Masons , on the volume of the Sawed Law let us build our firmest faith ,

our brightest hope . Let us hold fast , without wavering , our Masonic taith in the holy doctrines and practice it enjoins , and in the Divine authority which it claims . Thus instructed and trained as men and Masons we shall not have consumed our years in vanity ; but having been shown "the path of life" wc shall after its first portion is over find our second and better portion in that " presence " of the Grand Master where is " the fullness of joy , " and

at whose right hand there are " pleasures for evermore-At the close of the oration , the acting W . M ., assisted by his officers , performed the ceremony of consecrating the lodge , with choral accompaniments . The ceremony of installing Bro . the Rev . Ambrose Hall as first W . M . was then proceeded with , the ceremony being rendered most impressively by the Grand Secretary , and it is due to all concerned to say that the work throughout was very ably

performed . The following were the petitioners : Bros , the Rev . Ambrose Hall , I . t .-Col . Somcrville Burney , F . W . R . Ramsey , M . D ., S . Rawson , G . W . Marshall , VV . H . _ Smith , Chas . W . Tayleur , and Chas . J . Foakes . The remainder of the founders were Bros . VV . B . Harvey , H . Harris , Thos . Holland , W . D . Beckitt , Robt . Gilford , George Edwards , P . P . Perry , Jas . Clabcry , G . White , J . Mallet Jones ,

J . II . Pippins , Ludvvig Lechtwertz , D . Pocock , J . Plowman , and P . Skar . Col . CLERKE in presenting thc warrant , said that it was customary to say . on such occasions that it had been handed down through a long list of worthy Past Masters , but he could not say that now ; it had , however , come direct from , and bore the signature of , their Royal Grand Master , and it could not be presented to a more worthy Mason than Bro .

Ambrose Hall . Ihe following is the list of officers for thc year designated in the warrant as appointed by the W . M .: Bros . Lieut .-Col . Somcrville H . Burney , G . D ., S . W . ; F . VV . Ramsey , M . D ., J . W . ; Chas . W . Tayleur , S . D . ; Chas . James Foakes , J . D . ; Dr . Pocock , I . G . j Chas . Drummnnd , D . C ; W . II . Smith , Treas . ; and Thos . Holland , Secretary . The W . M . before closing thc lodge , said that he had a

proposition to make that would be received by members and visitors alike with enthusiasm . They had that evening ' amongst them several distinguished brethren who had come forward to perform the ceremony of consecration . ' His first thanks were due to Col . Shadwell Clerke , who had so ably inducted him into that chair , equally did he feel a debt of gratitude to the Rev . J . R . Simpson , who had favoured them with the oration they had justhoard , lie

thanked him heartily , and regretted lliat he would be unable to remain with them at the banquet , which regret was increased by a knowledge of the reason that prevented him , likewise he thanked Capt . Philips , whom they all esteemed so much , both on account of his private character , and his services to Freemasonry , lie regretted the absence of Bro . Sandeman , who , he believed , was blocked in by the snow , but his place had been taken by their old and esteemed friend , Bro . Rawson . Bro . Frank Richardson , too ,

whose work was only secondary to that of the Consecrating Officer , had ably " fulfilled his duties . He had much pleasure in proposing each of the brethren namicd as honorary members . He did not do this as a mere compliment , but hoped they would now and again come to the lodge . He . tendered them at the same time their best thanks for the services rendered on that occasion . This was seconded by the . S . W . and carried with acclamation .

Col . SllADWici . i . CLERKE , on behalf of his colleagues as well as himself , thanked them for their kind expressions . He considered it an honour as well as a privilege li > have performed the ccrcmony , and also thanked them for electing him as honorary member , and hoped as time rolled on to come amongst them often . The W . M . then said they were especially honoured that evening by the presence of representatives from the Grand

Lodgeof Nova Scotia , the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and the Grand Lodgeof Ireland , and he hail much pleasure in f reposing the R . W . Bros . P . Mcl . agen , M . I ' ., J . Winborne . auric , and H . C . Close as lion , members . This was seconded by the S . W . ami carried unanimously . The R . W . Bro . J . W . LAURIE , I ' . G . M . ( Nova Scotia ) , speaking for himself , said that the reception he had met with hail given him very great pleasure ; an old English

Mason himself , he had risen lo the position of presiding over the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia . He had often performed the ceremony of consecration and installation himself , but he had experienced great plea ? tire in seeing it so ably performed by the Grand Secretary of England . He most cordially thanked them for the honour they had just conferred on himself and friends , by electing themas hon . members of so promising a lodge as the St . Ambrose . The W . M . then proposed the founders as members of

the lodge , and the following as joining member :, ' , Bros . J . Hill , M . D ., C . Druimnond , and ' George Augustus Berkley . Several candidates were also propo-ed lor initiation at the next meeting . Letters of regret at being unable to be present were rend from Bros , the R . W . the Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Lathom , Lord Tenderdeii , Sir Albert Woods , Sir Patrick Colquhoun , Col . Uurnaby , Sydney Turner , and others . A committee for preparing the bye-laws was next appointed , and thc brctlneii adjourned to a banquet .

Consecration Of The St. Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891.

Thc W . M ., in proposing "The ^ Qucen and thc Craft , " said there was no assembly in which it was better received , not because they were Masons , but because all Masons were loyal subjects . This being duly honoured , thc VV . M . next gave that of "' The M . W / Grand Master , H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , " remarking that the toast came from his heart , and he felt sure that the hearts of all present would be animated with the same feeling towards theii Royal

Grand Master , Briefly lie would state that theirs was tile only warrant granted for a lodge in London during the past year , lie hoped it would be in his power to thank 1 lis Royal Highness personally for thc honour he had done the St . Ambrose Lodge . The toast of " The Pro . Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , and thc rest of the Grand Officers" followed . Thc VV . M . said that they were honoured that evening with the presence of several Grand

Officers , Present and Past , and he would couple that toast with the name of Bro . R . F . Gould , S . G . Deacon . Bro . Goui . n , in reply , said that he wished only to speak personally and for himself , for Bro . Richardson to-night was the industrious apprentice , and he was thc idle one . He had started for thc lodge on the Metropolitan Railway , and had been moving from one station to another until he must have been taken for a travelling inspector . Coming in so

late he regretted that he should have been asked to respond in the presence of so many distinguished visitors . The year ' s work of the Grand Lodge had been a memorable one . There was the remarkable campaign in the West of England , and more recently the banquet to the G . M . at the Mansion House , which would long be remembered in Masonic annals . He regretted he was not present at thc installation , but was quite sure that the illustrious

brethren who had handled the forces so dexterously and well on Ihe occasions he had just named , had done equally well in the present ceremony , and that it would serve to prove to young Masons that there was no Royal road to advancement in Masonry . The W . M . then said that he rose to repay a debt of gratitude to those who had helped to bring them into existence—he referred to Bros . Col . Clerke , Capt . Philips ,

and Frank Richardson—he was very nearly forgetting one of his own cloth—Bro . Simpson , who had given them such an excellent oration , and trusted they would not feel it an empty compliment that they were elected hon . members . They should be always pleased to see them at the lodge , and when they came they would always find a knife and fork . They had been long - personal friends of his and he hoped they would not consider him egotistical when he said that

a feeling of personal attachment to himself had much to do with their being present that evening . Col . CT ERKE tli ' anked thc VV . M ' . for ' his kind and fraternal words ; he had already been privileged toVcspond to similar sentiments in the lodge-room , and would only say that he had long had thc pleasure of personal friendship with the VV . M ., and it gave him great satisfaction to sec him installed that day in the chair of King Solomon .

He regretted that the Chaplain , Bro . Simpson , was not able to remain with them , a recent family bereavement preventing him , and concluded by congratulating the W . M . on the position he had arrived at as Master of thc St . Ambrose Lodge , whicn he felt sure was destined to occupy a high position in Masonry . Bro . Ambrose Hall had been a Mason forty-six years , and they all hoped he would serve ' another forty-six , and he begged them to drink with him "The Health of the VV . M . "

1 he VV . M ., in responding , thanked the brethren for Ihe reception they had given to thc toast . He had a feeling of diffidence as to carrying on the work of the lodge , but it gave way to a feeling of joy and exultation at arriving at the position he then held . The brethren might be assured , by what he had done already , he should not fail to exert himself to the utmost to benefit the lodge , and , although he might fail in some things , he should receive their united

aid in the work , lie thought it right that they should be informed briefly under what circumstances the lodge had been started . lie had been asked by several residents in the neighbourhood , who wanted to hail under the banner of Freemasonry , to take steps for its formation . Then the question came , What should it be called ; and as his name was Ambrose , it occurred to him that "St . Ambrose " would be suitable . He did not know whether St . Ambrose

was a iMason , but , from what he knew of his Charities and erudition , if the members of the lodge would only emulate his virtues they would be right . He was just reminded by Bro . Laurie that he must have been a Mason if he possessed those virtues , but if not a Mason , according the ritual , he was one in his performance of good works . He wished to add to the remarks he had made , that he had been assisted most ably by those who had associated themselves

with him in founding the lodge , and concluded bj heartily thanking all who had taken part in the day ' s proceedings . The VV . M . then rose to propose a least which , he said , was an exceptional one . It was rarel y that they had at such meetings so many representatives of sister Grand Lodges . He felt a peculiar pleasure in the fact that the St . Ambrose Lodge on its first meeting was honoured by representatives of the Grand Lodges of Scotland , Ireland , and Nova Scotia ,

m the persons ol Bros . Mcl . agen , Close , and Laurie . It would have been his duty to have called on Bro . Close to respond , but that pleasure had been anticipated . In addition to being an officer of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , he was one of themselves—a Past Grand Warden of England . I le had great pleasure in giving them " The I lealth of Bro . McLagan , P . G . M . Linlithgowshire ; Bro . Laurie , I ' . G . M . Nova Scotia ; and Bro . Close , P . G . M . Armneh . "

I ' m . CLOSE , in responding , thanked them on behalf of ( lie Grand Lodgeof Ireland . He trusted that the fraternal feeling existing between the two Grand Lodges would be everlasting , and ho offered lathe W . M . the best wish that one Mason could convey to another—that thc lodge might prosper under his hands . Bro . LAURIE , in response , said it was a good deal to assume to be the representative of " half

a million of Freemasons ; but he begged to thank them for the honour they had done him . ' It was sometimes said on the other side of the Atlantic that English Masons devoted themselves loo much to the " Knife and Fork Degree , " but all he could say was that they were equally famous for their Charities ; and if English Masons

tool ; tlu-tr pleasures as sadly as they had done that night , long might they continue them . , liro . ' MCLAGAX , on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , heartil y . reciprocated the feeling that bad been expressed . ' . - ' 1 he brother who had just sat down had alluded to the Charities , and it had been said that there was much less attention paid to that Masonic virtue in Scotland than

Consecration Of The St. Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891.

in England . It was true they had not there thc magnificent Institutions that existed in England , but he hoped that in Scotland before long they , too , would be able to show that the ) ' had some regard for charity . The VV . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Visitors , " said that if hospitality failed , Masonry would fail , and he hoped this lodge would never fail in that duty . They had with them that day many excellent visitors . Bro . Sir

Norman Pringle he had met to-day for the first time , but hoped in future to have that pleasure often . Col . Haldane , too , he was glad to welcome among them . He called on Bro . Sir Norman Pringle and Bro . Letchworth to respond . Bro . Sir NORMAN PRINGLE , on behalf of himself and the other visitors present , thanked them most heartily for the reception the toast had met . As a very young Mason he | could say that since he joined the body he had

been more and more impressed with the fact that in Masonry they met together as brethren , casting aside all unworthy considerations . He congratulated the W . M . that another tent had been pitched in Masonry . He trusted that prosperity might remain now and for ever with the St . Ambrose Lodge . Bro . LETCHWORTH said that after the eloquent speech of Bro . Sir Norman Pringle , and the feast that had been

spread before them , he had little to say , but it had afforded him the greatest pleasure to be present at a lodge presided over by his personal friend , Bro . Ambrose Hall , whom he considered a worthy representative of that Saint whose name had been given to the lodge . " 'The Health of the Founders " was then proposed by Bro . LAURIE , who said fiat although there ivcre over 300 lodges in London already , and no other lodge had been

chartered 111 London during 1 SS 0 , it was quite clear there was a demand for it in the neighbourhocd , and that the founders had supplied a clearly expressed want . Bro . RAMSEY , in returning thanks , said that when it became known under whose auspices thc lodge was to be formed it met with ready support . They had fully arrived at the necessity of being particular as to thc position and character of those who wished to become

members , and he lelt quite sure that the honour of Masonry would be fully maintained by the St . Ambrose Lodge . Thc toast of "The Officers " was coupled with the name of Bro . Col . SOMERVILLE BURNEY , who responded , and said that he considered it a compliment to be appointed to office . He should be always happy to attend to the duties ,

more especially under the Mastership of such a distinguished Mason as thc W . M . The Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . J . Mallitt Jones , assisted by Bros . G . T . Carter , Theo . Distin , and Thos . Baxter .

Grand Concert In Liverpool In Aid Of Masonic Charities.

GRAND CONCERT IN LIVERPOOL IN AID OF MASONIC CHARITIES .

The name of Carl Rosa has become synonymous with all that is good and efficient in the operatic world , and as a consequence of this " name and fame" the morning concert given at Liverpool last Saturday afternoon by the chief members of his first-class company in aid of Masonic

Charities excited an amount of interest which has not been equalled for many years . The locale of the musical meeting was the Queen's Operetta House , Bold-street , the free use of which was most generously given by Bros . Bell , P . M . 1 C 09 , P . P . G . J . D . ; Woolrich , P . M . 1356 , Treasurer 1 C 09 ; and Brown , P . M . 241 and 1609 , ' P . G . Treasurer , the lessees of this charming place of cntertainm ; nt . The

concert was given in aid of the West ' Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution ( thc boast and the glory of the province which enjoys the Masonic rule of Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., R . W . P . G . M . ) and the Benevolent Fund of the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1 C 09 , under whose auspices thc concert was inaugurated and carried out . The original idea with respect to the concert rightly belongs to the

orchestral members of the Rosa Company who are connected with the Dramatic Lodge , and the spontaneous offer of their services was warmly taken up and carried out by the leading members of a lodge which has always been noted ' for its benevolence and true charity . A committee was appointed with the view of doing something towards securing the complete success of the proposed concert , the

Chairman being Bro . VV . Sandbrook , VV . M . ; Hon . Secretary , Bro . J . M . Boyd , Secretary of the lodge ; and the Treasurer , Bro . John Atkinson , S . W . Mr . Carl Rosa , in a hearty and spontaneous manner , which is above all praise , did not hesitate for a moment to allow the full use of his undoubtedly great operatic resources , and each of the vocal principals , on being asked , most readily gave their services ,

which were all the more appreciated because they were given in a good spirit and in the cause of true charity . The concert was not advertised , and , therefore , all the more credit is due to the chiefs of the Dramatic Lodge , who succeeded in securing a complete success to the concert , notwithstanding the lukewarmness of other lodges in the effort . A capital programme , supported by a company of vocal

and instrumental artistes which has not been equalled in this city for many a day , proved sufficient lo draw a crowded audience , and there was no mistaking the genuine enthusiasm which was elicited b y each member on the most attractive bill of fare . The vocalists were Miss Georgina Burns , Miss Clara Perry , Miss Josephine Yorke , Mr . Joseph Maas , Mr . j . \ V . Turner , Mr . Leslie Crotty , Mr .

G . II . Snazellc , and Bro . Henry Pyatt . The solo instrumentalists were Bro . E . Glover , violin ; Bro . J . F . Rudersdorff , violoncello ; and Bro . J . Van den Berg ; and the orchestra was composed of about fifty instrumentalists . Where there was so much that was excellent it is scarcel y possible to single out any artiste for special praise . Taking the vocal " members " in their order , we should state that

Bro . Pyatt sang Bishop ' s song , " Oh , firm as oak ! " with manly force and feeling ; Miss Clara Perry created a most lastingly pleasant impression by the extremely natural and effective reading she gave to Barri ' s song , " Beloved Again ; " Mr . Leslie Crotty , the most promising of modern baritones , gave the ballad from "Thc Siege of Rochelle " with irresistible power and artistic refinement : Miss

Josephine Yorke , occupying the first rank amongst living contraltos , sang Gounod ' s lovely air " When All was Young" with exquisite taste , the value of her efforts being greatly enhanced by the remarkabl y well played violoncello obligate of Bro . J . F . Rudersdorff ; Mr . Joseph Maas created quite a furore by his splendid rendering of "The Death of Nelson ; " Miss Georgina Burns , a prima-donna of the best order , secured " golden opinions " by her brilliant