Consecration Of The Caterham Lodge, No. 2095.

CONSECRATION OF THE CATERHAM LODGE , No . 2095 .

On Saturday afternoon , the 23 rd inst ., there was an influential gathering of Masons in one of the loveliest of Surrey ' s lovely valleys—that of

Caterhamto witness the ceremony of the consecration of the Caterham Lodge , which has been established through the exertions of R . W . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , Past Dist . G . M . Bengal ; Bros . Alfred S . Tomkins , P . M . 822 ;

George John Eady , M . D ., J . D . 21 ; Frederick A . Guimaraens , W . M . 416 ; Fred . W . Mansell , 1297 ; Joseph E . Street , 263 ; Andrew Lockie , 173 ; and Chas . W . C . Webb , S . VV . 1397 . The Drill Hall made a

commodious lodge room , and here between 40 and 30 brethren from all parts of Surrey , as well as from town , assembled shortly before four o ' clock , when lodge was at once opened in ancient

form . The consecration ceremony was performed by R . W . Bro . General Brownrigg , C . B ., P . G . M . Surrey , assisted by the Deputy P . G . M ., V . W . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , M . A ., G .

Chap . ; V . W . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , as S . W . ; Bros . Capt . Nathaniel G . Philips , Past G . Deacon , as J . W . ; Charles Greenwood , Prov . G . Sec , as Sec ; and John Lees , P . M . 416 , P . P . G . W ., as D . C .

V . VV . Bro . the Rev . C . W . ARNOLD , G . Chap ., in an impressive manner pointed out that they were not operative Masons , as were the first brethren of the Order , who wandered about from place to place , and whose was a material work , which in the course of time would crumble away . They were speculative Masons , and as such ought to do

an eternal work—they ought to erect a Temple to Cod Most High ; yes , a spiritual temple in their own hearts , and in the hearts of others . The great temple that Solomon built and its furniture were but symbols of the spiritual temple of which he had spoken . They were told that in the building of that temple no sound was heard ; and it was just so with the temple that should grow up in their hearts . The operative Masons selected

some good material with which to build , and this they carefully prepared . They then cemented it closely to the courses above and below , as well as to the stones on either side . Surely this taught them the great lesson of purity of life , and to be true and righteous in all their dealings . They should be closely cemented to those in their own course , sharing their distresses , relieving their necessities ,

and doing to them in all things as they would they should do to us . So , too , they should be closely united to those who had preceded them ; that was , the course below them , remembering that they had borne the heat and burden for many days , and had fought the battle of truth and honour . So , again , should they be closely united to those who were to succeed them ; that is , the course above , and in order to do this they must carefully educate their children in the Sacred Law , and at the same time take care

that they themselves were walking worthily , lest they should crumble beneath the weight of the responsibilities they had to support , and so they should be rejected as stones unfit to remain in the Temple of God . The Mighty Architect himself in the glorious work of creation had taught them the great lesson of unity of design , for everything that He had created was exactly fitted for the place it held . So they , as His creatures , should be careful to fulfil the duties for which He had designed them , so that they hereafter

might come to that glorious Temple above where they hoped to see the Mighty Architect Himself , and live in the glory of His presence for evermore . Let them apply this lesson to themselves to-day . They were here to erect a fresh temple to the glory of God and of the lodge of this province . Might each and all of the members of it labour together for one common end . In the first place , within the portals of this lodge might all things be conducted in harmony and in conformity with the beautiful ritual of their Order ; and , secondly , that when without the gates of the lodge they must show that they were

ever mindful ot the lessons they had learned within it , and prove to the world that Masonry was something which was real , something which was good , and something which could help them to live better and more useful lives . Brethren , continued the Grand Chaplain , he who is about to be placed over this lodge is a brother who has held a most distinguished position in the Craft , and I am sure all those who know him intimately must respect and revere him . 1 feel sure that under his auspices this lodge will ever be growing up towards that perfect character which I have endeavoured to pourtray .

The oration , which was of an eloquent character , was warmly applauded . At the conclusion of the consecration ceremony the W . M . Designate , R . W . Bro . Hugh Sandeman , was impressively installed into his office by the V . W . D . P . G . M ., and the R . W . Brother afterwards invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . A . S . Tomkins , P . M . 822 , S . W . ; Geo . J . Eady , J . D . 21 , J . W . ; Fred . A . Guimaraens , W . M . 416 , Treas . ; Fred . VV . Mansell , 1297 , Sec ; Joseph E . Street , 263 , S . D . ; A . Lockie , 173 , J . D . ; and Chas . W . C . VVebb , S . W . 1397 I . G .

, Votes of thanks were passed to the R . W . P . G . M ., the V . W . D . P . G . M ., and the other P . G . Officers for the part they had taken in the proceedings of the day , and they were elected honorary members of thc lodge , a similar compliment being paid to Bro . Lees . Several brethren were proposed as joining members and two or three candidates for initiation , and the visitors present having offered their congratulations and " Hearty good wishes , " the interesting proceedings were brought to a close .

A banquet was afterwards served at the Drill Hall , thc new W . M . presiding in a most genial and happy manner . After dinner the W . M . gave the first Masonic toast , " The Queen and Craft , " which was loyally received ; and then proposed " The M . W . Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " They owed , he said , to his Royal Highness a deep debt of gratitude for the interest he took in Masonry , the latest proof of which was

that as soon as ever his son became of an age when he might be initiated into the mysteries of the Order , H . R . H . not only got him initiated but he himself was the Master who performed the ceremony of initiation . ( Loud applause . ) In proposing " The Prov . Grand Master and the Grand Officers Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he took it as a very graceful comp liment to them that they should have so many purple aprons amongst , . -- - — . -.. » . ... w , — ., VUIU ..... w . . . . . . . . . . . . J . U . J .. I . «^ . U .. J u . l . w .., ^ . . . .

^ mem , and it was a pleasing fact that two amongst them had command of an entrance to the Albert Hall when the Prince of Wales was installed Grand Master , whilst a third was at present President of the General Purposes Committee . ( Applause . ) Bro . FENN responded , and alluded to the great number of aspirants to ° mces in Grand Lodge as a proof of the vitality of the Craft . Off ! PROV * GRAND MASTER responded to the toast of the Prov . Grand mincers , and mentioned that when he accepted the honourable office of

Consecration Of The Caterham Lodge, No. 2095.

P . G . M . 14 3 'ears ago there were only nine lodges in the province , whereas in a few days there would be 29 . ( Applause . ) He hoped soon to overcome the only difficulty hc had ever experienced in his work—namely , the difficulty of rewarding merit in the province . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then gave "The Visitors . "

Bro . GREENWOOD responded , remarking that they were all pleased to assist at the inaugurating of their excellent lodge . ( Applause . ) When he first took the office of P . G . Secretary there were only four lodges in the province , and this was something like the 28 th . He had attended every consecration since his appointment , with one exception , when he was debarred by illness . With its present W . M . and under its present auspices there was a certainty that the newest-born lodge would prosper . ( Applause ) .

Bro . GREENWOOD then , in felicitous terms , proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master . " ( Loud applause . ) In other climes Bro . Sandeman had held the highestoffice to which he could attain , and since his return he had taken a very active part in the proceedings of Grand Lodge , and those who attended the meetings of Grand Lodge might have often seen him take the highest office it was possible for a man to hold . It was exceedingly fortunate for this lodge to be presided over b y one who was

so capable , and was so highly esteemed by all men and all Masons with whom he was brought in contact . ( Applause . ) Amongst all the lodges at the consecration of which he had been present he had never known one that was started under better auspices than was the Caterham Lodge . ( Applause . ) Bro . Sandeman would make one of the best Masters in England , and no one stood higher in the Craft than their Worshipful Master . The toast was drunk most heartily , and with all the Masonic honours .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER suitably responded , and then gave " The Masonic Press , " and paid a high compliment to the Freemason , whose representative responded , as also did thc Editor of the Surrey Mirror ( Bro . G . RALLING , 51 ) . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then , in warm terms , proposed "The Health of the Musical Brethren . "

Bro . STEDMAN acknowledged thc- toast . "The Officers of Caterham Lodge" was acknowledged by W . Bro . TOMKINS , S . W . ; and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close b y the Tyler ' s toast , given by Bro . AUSTIN , who acted temporarily as Tyler . Some excellent music was rendered at the banquet , as well as at the ceremony of consecration , by Bros . Street , Stedman , Hodges , Rainham , and I-awler .

Amongst those present during the day besides those already mentioned were Bros . Dr . G . Stanley Elliot , 1426 ; J . A . Wilson , P . M ., P . Z . S 22 and 29 ; W . J . Ford , P . M . 5 ; Robert E . Grant , W . M . 21 ; S . J . Webb , 1397 ; N . Stanhope Stott , W . M . 1397 ; J- E- Renardson , 1491 ; W . A . Matthews , P . G . S . D . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; W . R . H . Sandeman , S 22 ; Webster Glynes , P . M ., P . Z ., G . Stewards' Lodge : H .

Clark , P . G . D ., 13 S 3 ; Ernest H . Morrison , P . M . 41 G , P . P . G . R . Surrey ; D . G . Sandeman ; Geo . E . Pym , 41 G , P . P . G . D . C ; D . A . Howden , P . M . 263 ; T . Franklin Lloyd , P . M . 41 G , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . M . P . Montague , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Dorset ; F . Flood , W . M . 1149 , P . G . S . of Works ; T . J . Cantrell , P . M . 1397 ; George C . Harvey , S . D . 1397 ; A . Parriet , J . D . 1397 ; VV . Bennett , P . M . 1397 ; T . Lawler , P . P . G . D . ; John Stedman , I . P . M . 1765 ; A . W . Tower , 1491 ; and Ernest Trower , S 22 .

We need offer no apology for presenting to our readers a pen-and-ink sketch of Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , first Worshi pful Master of this new lodge . It will probably suffice if we state that he is among the most distinguished Masons of our day , being Past District G . M ., Past D . G . Supt ., P . P . G . Mark Master , and Past Prov . Prior of Bengal , and now fills the important office of Grand Secretary-General of the Supreme Council , 33 , Ancient and Accepted Rite .

Consecration Of The George Price Lodge, No. 2096.

CONSECRATION OF THE GEORGE PRICE LODGE , No . 2096 .

A new lodge lor the Province of Surrey was consecrated on Wednesday evening , at the Greyhound Hotel , Croydon . The new . lodge is called the George Price Lodge , and derives its name from the Grand Treasurer of Surrey , who has held that office for a quarter of a century , and who in that character , has won the esteem and respect of all thebrethren of the province , It was deemed a fitting tribute of acknowledgment of his worth that a Surrey

lodge should be named after him , and the founders , who considered there was room for another lodge in the province , selected his name for its title . The Deputy G . M . of the province , the Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C , performed the ceremony of consecration , having Bro . George Price in the S . W . chair , and Dr . Strong in the chair of J . VV . Among brethren who attended and assisted were

Bros , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London , P . G . J . W . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . ; W . D . Merrion , Prov . G . Chap . ; W . G . Goode , F . J . Ridpath , James S . Fraser , John G . Horsey , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; Charles Greenwood , jun ., Prov . G . Reg ., P . G . Swd . Br . ; Turle Lee , S . VV . 1922 ; H . Massey , P . M . G 19 and 192 S ; Charles Greenwood , P . G . Sec . ; James Browning , C . H . Woodward , Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . ; George Price , P . G . Treas . ; Albert Lucking , A . G . P . ; R . W . Price , J . R . Hubbard , H . Saxelby , P . M . 4 G 3 ; Rev . H . W . Turner , Chap . 1 . 547 ; B . H . Ridrre . P . M . AKI ¦ P .

Cambridge , 4 G 3 ; T . W . Eastgate , I . P . M . 156 3 ; C . Lacey , P . G . Stwd . Herts ¦ Rev . G . P . Merrick , P . M ., P . P . G . C , P . M . 1 S 1 G ; W . H . Lee . P . M . 975 ; John Rhode , P . G . Org . ; J . Newton , P . M . 174 ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; J . T . H . Woodword , Prov . G . Sec . Middx . ; J . Sargeant , W . M . 1790 ; E . Whitaker , P . M . 1 790 ; W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 ; W . Foulsham , P . P . G . J . W . Northumberland ; H . J . Strong , P . P . G . W . Surrey ; ThomasF . Harvey , W . M . 174 ; Crawford Wilson 1196 ; Robt .

, Boyer , P . M . 17 G 3 ; Thomas Perrin , P . M . 1297 ; J . H . Garland , 19 S 7 ; Walter Hubert , 4 G 3 ; H . Sadler , G . T . ; F . Kingsley , 1185 ; Wm . Fraser , 174 ; j . A . Brown , 1 G 72 ; Franklin Give , 1319 ; ' Fred . West , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . R , Surrey , Grand Stwds . Lodge ; C . White , 1790 ; W . P . Brown , P . M , 90 ; R . Clay Sudlow , W . M . 263 ; C . E . Ferry , P . M . 0 $ ; John A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; E . Henry Tavlor , P . M . 586 ; and W . Lake , P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason ) .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . James A . Brown , who was assisted by Bro . Henry Taylor , Bro . Franklin Clive , and Bro . Turle Lee ( organ . ) The Rev . C . VV . ARNOLD , after theformal opening of the lodge and the singing of an introductory anthem , said the brethren had assembled that day to consecrate a new lodge for the Province of Surrey . He understood that the

brother who was about to preside over it was one who was initiated in Freemasonry at a very early age , and he felt sure from studying the names of those brethren who were the founders ofthe lodge , that they would do their best to maintain the efficiency of the lodge and to admit only good men and true into the Craft , whereby he hoped that the lodge would become a good and useful lodge in the province .

The PROV . GRAND CHAPLAIN delivered an oration , but refrained from dilating on the principles of the Order , feeling sure that the brethren were thoroughly imbued with them .