Consecration Of The Windermere Lodge, No. 2217.

are depicted in that inimitable Charge . It is even so we discover the lofty ideal which Masonrv exhibits to the view . It is like Jacob ' s ladder , reaching from earth to heaven , on which the angels of all good descend and ascend from this sublunary abode to the Grand Lodge above . And what want we more to infuse within us a greater love for our Order , and a deeper sense of the value of its precepts ? What want we more to acquaint us more perfectly with its aims and objects , and enlighten our minds more vividly with

the knowledge of its nature and principles ? If more is wanted , repair to its ancient landmarks , repair to its symbolical studio . Sit there and read your lessons and draw your sketches from that rich and vast emporium of Masonry . What is that apron we wear , of lambskin pure and white , but the symbol of purity of heart and life ; that as the operative Mason wears his apron to preserve his garments from stain , so does the speculative Mason wear his to remind him of the avoidance of moral defilement ? What which identified with

are those white gloves we put on but the symbol of clean hands , are the pure heart , and signify the careful observance of the four cardinal virtues ? And what are the working tools of operative Masonry but the chosen symbols of the speculative ? What is that gauge , that gavel , that chisel , that level , that square , that trowel , that plumb ? What are they all in their combined significance but the symbols of our faith and works , teaching us the great principles of morality , and the and

great truths of religion ? Time would fail us to enumerate those symbols , language prove inadequate to convey their meaning . The outside world may deride the Mason , but it cannot deride Masonry . The system itself is faultless , whatever the man himself may be . With all earnestness we say " Prosper the Art . " Cling to it , advance it , adorn it , study it , be enthusiastic in it . It is worthy of all the effort we can strain , and all the vigilance we can bestow to make it a name and a praise in the earth .

" Hail ' . Masonry divine , Glory of ages , shine—Long may ' st thou hold ; Where ' er thy lodges stand , May they have great command , And always grace the land—Thou art divine . "

The elements of the consecration , viz ., the corn , wine , oil , and salt , were duly applied , and the lodge No . 2217 was declared duly constituted and dedicated for Masonic purposes . The W . M . Designate , Bro . G . J . McKay , was then presented by the

W . D P . G . M ., to Bro . Armitage , to receive the benefit of installation , when he was installed and proclaimed with all the honours , and the following were invested as officers ; Bros . J . G . Gandy , S . W . ; T . A . Argles , J . W ,: W . Harrison , Treas . ; J . F . Thornber , Sec ; R . P . Hunter , S . D . ; C Rishton , J . D . ; J . Theobald , D . C ; and A . Horrax , I . G . Bro . DALRYMPLE then addressed the W . M ., Bro . PATERSON , the

Wardens , and Bro . H . COOKE , the brethren . Bros . MCKAY , VV . M ., GANDY , S . W ., and ARGLES , J . W ., as first Master and Wardens of the new lodge , asked the brethren to accept from them unitedly the chairs , pedestals , columns , and other beautiful new furniture supplied from Bro . George Kenning ' s establishment , London .

Bro . COPELAND moved , and Bro . HOGG seconded , that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded to the three brethren for their very handsome present , which was passed with applause . We may , wilh all prudence , call this the "bantling" or infant lodge of the province , but , when we append the following as the founders , some of the senior lodges in the province may begin to make comparisons : Bros . G .

J . McKay , P . M . 129 , P . G . Sec . ; J . G . Gandy , 129 , 357 , P . G . Reg . ; T . A . Argles , 129 . P . G . Swd . Br . ; J . Bintley , P . M . 129 , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . J . Nelson , P . M . 129 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Copland , P . M . 129 , P . P . S . G . D . ; C . E . Paget , Sec . 129 ; R . P . Hunter , P . W . 1073 ; H . Wearing 1073 ; John Robinson , Sec . 1073 ; J . Theobalds , 1073 ; W . Harrison , E . John , son , Alfred Horrax , Dr . Redmayne , J . F . Thornber , E . Speight , J . Turner ; and C . Rishton , all of 129 .

On the motion of Bro . MCKAY , W . M ., the following were unanimously elected honorary members of the new lodge : Bros , the Right Hon . the Ear ] of Bective , M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . ; Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . P . G . M . of East Lancashire ; L . F . B . Dykes , P . G . D . Eng ., D . P . G . M . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerk , P . G . D ., G . Sec . Eng . ; Rev . James Anderson , P . P . G . Chap . ; Rev . W . Chaplin , and Geo . Dalrymple :, P . P . J . G . W .

With " Hearty good wishes from the many visitors present , many from a great distance , the lodge was closed in due form and good harmony . Subsequently the brethren dined at the Windermere Hotel , under the genialpresidency of Bro . McKay , W . M ., supported by the Grand Masters for East Lancashire , and Cumberland and Westmorland ; grace was said by the Grand Chaplain , and the menu was , in a word , of the choicest , and pleased all .

The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given from the Chair , also that of " The Past Grand Officers of England , " coupled with the Grand Master for East Lancashire , Bro . Col . STARKIE , who replied by expressing the great pleasure it gave him to meet the Grand Master of the sister province

and to be present at the consecration of the new lodge and the installation of Bro . McKay as their first Master , and he hoped it would go on and flourish and be like the crystal streamlets that How down the mountain sides that fill the beautiful lake Windermere , and be both pure and prosperous .

"The Health of the R . W . P . G . M . of Cumberland and Westmorland " was proposed by the R . VV . PROV . GRAND MASTER of East Lancashire , with great cordiality , and responded toby the brethren with a regular round of applause .

The R . VV . PKOV . GRAND MASTER of Cumberland and Westmorland , in responding to the toast , said it gave him much pleasure to meet the provincial chief of what may be termed the neighbour province , at the consecration of the new lodge , and hoped that Bro . Col . Starkie would again try and be with them at no distant date . With many other toasts and songs , a most pleasant evening was spent on the banks and braes of bonnie Windermere .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND .

fhe ahnual communication of this Provincial Grand Lodge , which was this year convened under the auspices of the senior lodge of the province ( St . John ' s , Nos 279 ) , was held at Freemason ' s Hall , Halford-street , Leicester , on VVednesday , the 19 th inst ., when a very large assembly of the

brethren of the province was present . In the absence of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , the meeting was presided over by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , who was supported by Bros . VV . Kelly , F . S . A ., P . P . G . M ., and G . Toller , P . G . S . B . England , P . D . P . G . M ., acting as Deputy Prov . Grand

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.

Master . The attendance included the following Provincial Grand Officers , viz .: — Bros . J . Young , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . W . R . Hurd , P . G . Chap . ; R . Waite , P . G . Treas . ; E . P . Steeds , P . G . Reg . ; Rev . C . H . Wood , M . A ., P . G . Sec . ; J . H . Thompson , P . S . G . D . ; C . F . Wike , P . J . G . D . ; F . B . WilmerP . G . Supt . of Wks . ; C . J

, , Wilkinson , P . G . D . C ; f . H . Marshal ] , P . A . G . D . C ; Capt . W . J . Freer , P . G . S . B . ; E . Simpkin , P . G . Std . Br . j W . H . Barrow , Mus . Bac , P . G . Org . ; C . F . Massie , P . G . Purst . ; VV . Marchant , P . Asst . G . Purst . ; G . C Oliver , S . Knight , J . G . Murdin , and C . K . Morris , P . G . Stwds . ; and 'I * . Dunn and James Tanser , Prov . G . Tylers ; also Bros . W . Beaumont Smith , E . F . Mammatt , J . T . Thorpe , G . T ,

Willan , C . E . Stretton , and F . J . Barnes , P . P . S . G . Wardens ; W . S . Allen , M . J . Walker , and Major J . G . F . Richardson , P . P . J . G . Wardens ; Rev . S . Wathen Wigg , P . P . G . C ; G . A . Wykes , P . P . G . Treas . ; L . P . Chamberlain , P . P . G . Reg . ; S . Cleaver , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . Watson , R . Michie and J . Hassall , P . P . l . D . Deacons ; F . Griffith , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; VV . Keep , A . M . Tindall , and J . Wiggins , P . P . G . Swd . Brs . ; E . H .

Butler , D . Challis , and B . A . Smith , P . P . G . Std . Brs . ; VV . Vial and T . B . Laxton , P . P . G . Orgs . ; R . L . Gibson , P . P . G . Purst . ; H . P . Brown , P . P . A . G . Purst . ; E . Mason , S . A . Marris , and VV . M . VVilliams , P . P . G . Stwds . ; C . A . Murcott , W . M . 50 ; T . G . Charlesworth , S . W , and J . B . Waring , I . W . of 523 ; F . G . Boden , W . M ., and

E . J . Thompson , S . W . of 779 ; C Lowenstein , VV . M ., and Dr . T . F . Corcoran , S . W . of 1007 ; E . Jeeves , W . M . 1130 ; W . H . Goodwin , W . M ., and T . Coltman , S . W . of 12 ( 35 ; R . B . Starkey , S . VV . 1391 ; G . Jessop , VV . M . 202 S ; W . H . Lead , W . M ., and J . L , West , S . W . of 20 S 1 ; and many others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the preceding annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge confirmed , and the rolls of Provincial Grand Officers and of private lodges called and duly responded to , the reports of the Provincial Committee of General Purposes and the Provincial Charity Committee were read and adopted .

The Report of the Committee of General Purposes , after dealing with the subject of the Masonic celebration of her Majesty ' s Jubilee , and referring to the conferring of Past Grand Lodge rank on the D . P . G . M ., stated that the progress of the lodges had been on the whole satisfactory , the numbers showing a nett increase of 28 , after making allowance for members of more

than one lodge . The total number of subscribing members appeared to be 502 ; the returns showed that the lodges had been regularly held , and the landmarks observed , and that the requirements of the Book of Constitutions and the provincial by-laws received more attention than heretofore . The tendency of candidates to seek initiation in lodges remote from their place

of residence seemed to be still increasing , and therefore the necessity for the exercise of caution , recommended in the last report , was not lessened . The publication of the Masonic Calendar of the province , under the able direction of Bro . B . A . Smith , P . P . G . S . B ., the new editor , was very favourably commented upon in the report , which also touched upon the question of Masonic

casual relief to distressed Masons , by expressing the opinion that the time seemed to have arrived when something might be advantageously done in Leicester to place the distribution ot such relief on a better footing , and to decide more readily between deserving and undeserving cases . A proposition had been made by one lodge ( 20 S 1 ) to appoint a joint committee of

representatives from the several local lodges to consider the question , and the Committee of General Purposes expressed their approval thereof . Thc report concluded by referring at some length to the losses sustained by the

deaths of several well-known brethren of the province , amongst them being the Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . Dr . VV . Carrick Crofts , P . M . 779 ; and Bro . the Rev . F . H . Richardson , M . A ., J . P ., vicar of Belgraveand rural dean , P . M , 1560 , P . P . G . C .

The Report of the Charity Committee was also of a very satisfactory character , the province having a nett balance of 2566 votes for the Masonic Charities , which would be available at future elections . The Committee acknowledged the services of Bro . John Metcalfe , P . M . 1767 and 202 S , P . P . G . S . of W ., who represented the province at the last annual Festival

of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , when his list reached the handsome sum of £ 241 ios . After dealing with some matters of local interest , the report concluded by recommending that the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls be the Charity to receive the special support of the province for the coming year , and voted a sum of 20 guineas , to be placed upon the list of the Steward representing the province .

Satisfactory reports from the Prov . Grand Registrar and Prov . G . Treasurer were received and approved and the Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts passed , Bro . Waite , Prov . G . Treasurer , being re-elected to that office for the ensuing year , and a vote of thanks accorded to him for his

past services . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then appointed and invested the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Bro . S . Cleaver , P . M . 279 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . Mclvor Tindall , P . M . 1330 ,., ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . WR . Hurd 1 Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . Selwyn C Freer ... ... ,., J „ R . Waite , 279 , P . M . 466 ... ... ,., Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Vial , P . M . 1007 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . M . 1560 ... ,,, Prov . G . Sec . „ E . Bullen , P . M . 779 ... ... ,., Prov . S . G . D . „ C . A . Murcott , VV . M . 50 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ E . Teeves , W . M . 1130 ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ Miles J . Walker , P . M . 1265 , P . P . J . G . W . ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ W . H . Lead , W . M . 2081 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ J . Gessop , VV . M . 202 S ... .,. Prov . G . awo . * - »• » i Ii . Beazley . PM . 1319 } Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ G . Newsome , P . M . 523 ... .,, ) „ W . H . Barrow , 523 , Mus . Bac . ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ E , Mason , P . M . 1391 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ C . Lowenstein , VV . M . 1007 ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst-E . Holmes 279 . . . ")

,, , ,, ,, ,, „ E-J . Thompson , 779 ... ... ... | >* T . F . Corcoran , 1007 ... ... - L Prov . G . Stwds . „ h . K . Smith , 1330 ... ,,, ... , „ R . R . Starkey , 1 391 ... ... ... I „ J . Young , 2028 ... ,., ,, J „ James Tanser ,,, ,., „ , Prov . G . Iy 16 ** '