Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

GRAND FESTIVAL . The Grand Festival of this Order vvas held at Freemasons' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., and as this ivas the first Grand Festival of the Order ever held in England , the officials were a little anxious as to the result of their endeavours . The whole affair was a splendid success , far exceeding the expectations of the brethren . The Grand Council was announced to meet at 5 p . m ., but ere it met , several distinguished candidates were inducted into the Order , so that

they too , might take part in the subsequent ceremonies . The Grand Council having been opened , M . W . Bro . Dr . Zacharie , Grand Supreme Ruler , in lhe chair , the GRAND R ECORDER brought up a lengthy report , presented by a Committee consisting of Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Philbrick , Matier , Thomas , Sandeman , and others , appointed at the last meeting of the Council . The report ^ presented the Order as in a flourishing state , new

members pressing in daily , and on all sides . The Grand Council then [ formally sanctioned the report of the Committee , which included the proposal to appoint Grand Stewards . The next business was the election of Grand Supreme RnW for the succeeding- vear : and , on the proposition of

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Bro . Dr . Zacharie was unanimousl y re-elected to that office . The brethren newly appointed to Grand office , together with all P . S . R . " s of the Order , were then admitted and received at the hands of the G . S . R ., assisted by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Second and Third Degrees of the Order , which were given in a very impressive manner . The list of Grand Officers of the year is as follows :

Bro . Dr . Zacharie G . S . K . „ Col . Sir Fras . Burdett , Bart . ... P . G . S . R . „ W . W . Bramstone , Beach , M . P . P . G . S . R . Capt . Nath . G . Philips P . G . S . R . „ J . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A . ... D . R . O . „ Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) G . Chancellor . „ W . G . Lemon , LL . B G . Treasurer . „ Lord Brooke G . Chamberlain . ,, Lord Euston G . Guide .

„ D . P . Cama Past G . Guide . „ W . J . Spratling , B . Sc G . Recorder . „ Rev . G . W . Weldon , M . A . ... G . Visitor . „ Thomas Fenn G . Visitor . „ Baron de Ferrieres G . Std . Bearer . „ Augustus Harris G . Bow Bearer . „ Charles Gross , M . D G . Guarder . „ j . M . Collins G . Councillor . a , A . E . Sansom , M . D G . Councillor . „ Frederick West G . Councillor .

. ; , Major f . Dunbar U . Councillor . ,., Webster Glynes Past G . C . „ Robert Berridge Past G . C . „ George W . Rowe G . Sentinel .

While the Grand Council was holding its session , Grand Conclave was assembling in the glee-room , which proved far too small for the purpose . Altogether there must have been more than a hundred members present . The Grand Officers having formed in procession marched in to the sound of the organ , played by Bro . John Read , Grand Steward , who acted as Grand Organist .

Ine Grand Officers being duly seated , Grand Conclave was opened by the Grand Visitor , Bro . Weldon . The P . G . S . R ., Bro . Shadwell H . Clerks , then announced to Grand Conclave that Bro . Dr . Zacharie had been unanimously elected as G . S . R . for the coming year . He then vacated the chair , was duly obligated , invested , re-ipstalled , proclaimed , and saluted , the brethren all standing to order

in the manner customary in this Degree . The next business was to invest the Grand Officers of the year . Telegrams and letters were read from Bros . Lord ] Halsbury , Lord Euston , T . Fenn , and Philbrick regretting their inability to attend , but sending " Hearty good wishes . " After the installation of the officers of the Grand Council

the G . S . R proceeded to invest the Grand Stewards of the year as follows : Bros . J . M . Bastone , President of the Board of Grand Stewards , Alex . Stewart Browne , E . C . Mulvey , F . E . Pocock , M . D ., John Read , Robson Roose , M . D ., and Japheth Tickle . Appointed on the recommendation of the conclaves—Bros . H . E . Frances , W . C . Fooks , LL . B ., F . E . Lemon . LL . B .. Horatio Ward . I . 1 . Pakes .

Secretary Board of Stewards , H . W . Jones , T . P . Dorman , L . M . Biden , and H . R . Mackintosh , M . D . This being done Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE pro-P ° se < i ( for Bro . Philbrick ) the following resolution : "That the following new Constitution be and it is hereby approved oy Grand Conclave and ordered to be inserted next after w ° - 22 in the Book of Constitutions of the Order . Every

conclave shall have the power of recommending one of its members for appointment to the office of Grand Steward for a rii-l ensu ' ?' - Such recommendation must be made , ? ? i " % name of the brother recommended must be returned ; Grand Recorder , not later than the first day of May in each year . Grand Stewards Present or Past shall be omciajs of Grand Conclave and be entitled to vote therein .

ne Urand Recorder shall summon a meetingof the Grand Rewards for the year on the first Wednesday in June . * s meeting shall be presided over by the Grand Recorder broth "" u ther member of 'he Grand Council , and the them " Present shall make such arrangements as to niplf- seem fitting and proper in preparation for the entitlli Grand Conclave . Grand Stewards shall be 'Stei ! i , wear " ordinary jewel , bearing the inscription ons i v ' , suspended from the neck by a crimson ribbon K-l . ^ road . and Past Grand Stewards shall be distinpu' k j rast \ jranu otewarus snail ue

aiaimm J- . by a rosette of the same coloured ribbon ^ ' ^ e . Iy above the jewel . " closed Ji L carr 'ed unanimously , Grand Conclave was Where' brethren proceeded to the Crown Room . Was or , " ? P banquet , of which 52 brethren partook , Aft Pread »^ d justly dealt with . at > d the O ^ > , the toasts proposed were "The Queen to- < c-pj ; i > ' which was , of course , heartily responded LL . B •«? ?' A ' ' " P P osed by Bro . W . G . LEMON , 'he GS R De Puty Ruler of the Order , " proposed by Possihlp ' ™ and received by thebrethren in the heartiest j- " : manner . G . W w ?! of " The Grand Officers , " Bro . the Rev . '" deed " VI ! ' M , A , » G > V " responding , said it was » ery gratif ying to be present at a Gtand Festival

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

conducted under such auspicious circumstances and marked by so much unanimity and fraternal feeling . In Masonry the grand principles of Charity , brotherly love , relief , and truth were distinctive characteristics . In this order friendship stood forth pre-eminent . All remember the old Greek tragedian who won the plaudits of the assembled multitude by exclaiming " I am a man and nothing human is strange

to me . Here we are met as friends—the tie of our common humanity binds us together—I have next me a brother ( Bro . Cama ) coming from the far east . He here meets with that full friendship and sympathy which is meted out to all others present . He is one of our fellow countrymen and a Mason , and as such he is ahvays welcome . By this order we are taught to enlarge our sympathies to

admit no disqualifications of race , creed , or colour , but as the children of the one Great Supreme Ruler of all to recognize the bond of universal goodwill and ever enduring friendship . To the toast of "The Grand Stewards , " Bro . * J . W . BASTONE , President of the Board , responded , and the excellent way in which these brethren had carried out the

duties of their office was readily acknowledged on all sides . Tothe toast of "The G . T . and G . R ., " Bros . LEMON and SPRATLING responded , and gave a pleasing account of the flourishing condition of the finances of the Order . " On the proposal of Bro . HANCOCK , of the Anglo-American Conclave , No . 6 , a toast to the memory of the

late Emperor Frederick of Germany , was drunk in solemn silence . The Sentinel ' s toast closed a very happy and joyous evening , the whole thing having passed off in excellent taste and style , and without a hitch in any part of the proceedings .

Consecration Of The Cleve Fast Conclave, No. 8.

CONSECRATION OF THE CLEVE FAST CONCLAVE , No . 8 .

There was a numerous attendance of the members of this Order at the Holborn Restaurant , on Tuesday , the igth inst ., when a new conclave , to be designated the Cleve Fast Conclave , No . 8 , was consecrated , the ceremony being performed very satisfactorily by Bro . C . F . Matier ,

who was ably assisted by sundry G . Officers . When the Consecration was over , Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . S . R ., was installed as S . R . ; and the latter then appointed as his officers Bros . D . P . Cama , P . G . G ., Councillor ; E . C . Mulvey , G . Stwd ., Guide , and others .

A number of brethren having been inducted as founders , the other business was disposed of and the conclave closed . The brethren then dined together . Among those present were Bros . Tickle , Treas . ; W . Biden , Sec ; Col . Gordon , Stwd . ; Gregory , ist V . D . ; Tattersall , 2 nd V . D . ; J . J . Thomas , 3 rd V . D . ; Bilby , 4 th V . D . ; Strutt , Guarder ; Kilcady , D . C . ; J . K . R . Cama , Org . ; W . J . Spratling , G . R . ; Lewis Thomas , D . RO .

East Indies.

East Indies .

RANGOON . — Royal Burmah Chapter ( No . 832 ) . —At a convocation of the above chapter held at the Masonic Temple , on the 18 th ult ., the presentation of a Past First Principal ' s jewel to Comp . Joseph Dawson , Past District Grand H . of Burmah , took place . Owing to the inclemency of the weather there were not many present . The duty of presentation devolved on Comp . W . A . Nicol ,

Past Z . of the Chapter , who gave the following address : Companions—A very pleasing duty has fallen to me this evening . You may recollect that a few months ago a Past First Principal ' s jewel was unanimously voted for Comp . Dawson , the oldest member of our chapter , as he was exalted in this chapter when it first opened on 13 th January , 1 S 66 , and has all along continued an active

member of it , excepting the two years he was away from Rangoon . During a period of 22 years he has held office in various capacities from Scribe N . to Principal Z ., the last named office he held in 1873 , 1876 , and 1 S 87 , in a most efficient and satisfactory manner , and while not in office , his attendance was most regular , and his services always available for the work of any absent officer of the

chapter , duties which he invariably carried out cheerfully and efficiently , and the continuous working of Royal Burmah is no doubt mainly due to his untiring zeal and fidelity . Comp . Dawson , it falls to the lot of very few to distinguish themselves in R . A . Masonry in the manner you have done , and I am sure I express the unanimous feeling of the companions of this chapter that you have

well-merited and honestly earned the jewel with which I now invest you in the name of this chapter . May you be long spared to wear it and continue your useful services to the chapter . Comp . Dawson gave the following reply : M . E . Comp . Nicol , —I thank you and the members of this chapter very heartily for the exceptional honour you have done me this

evening in decorating me with a substantial souvenir , that I can hand down to my posterity , for my services to Royal Burmah Chapter . Most Excellent , you have spoken in most flattering terms of my career as a Royal Arch Mason for 22 years . If I have achieved the success you have so eulogised , it must be due more to a combination of favourable circumstances than to actual merit . It was my privilege

when I first saw the light of Royal Arch Masonry to serve my apprenticeship , under such distinguished Principals as the late M . E . Comps . Colonel Greenlaw and General H . T . Duncan . It was also my good fortune to gain the goodwill and efficient co-operation of the very worthy companions of this chapter , while my avocations weresuch as to localise me in Rangoon for many years . It has been said that I

attempted to disintegrate Royal Arch Masonry , but I trust my long connection with it has dispelled this idea , and shown that my earnest aim is to consolidate it , for while I would gladly see the introduction of more healthy working chapters , yet I think their formation at present would be premature . It is a matter for congratulation that this chapter has worked continuously since its opening in 1866 ,

and has thus " given energy and permanence to its constitution , " while others in the province have collapsed , or are in a languid and declining position , the result , I fear , of attempting too much , and causing a waste of power and Masonic energy . " Masonry is a progressive science , " and to attain successful progress we are instructed in this Degree to pass through the several chairs of office ; that is —our progress to honour should be step by step , and not

East Indies.

by royal leaps and bounds , for as you ascend the Masonic ladder , and pause at each step to receive instruction , your love for Masonry will increase , your knowledge of it improve and mature , and your permanent usefulness to a chapter or lodge must generally be the well-earned result . So long as it may please T . G . A . O . T . U . to spare me in health and strength , I trust that I may always be found

second to none in continued usefulness to Royal Arch Masonry generally , and to this chapter in particular , and worth y ^ of the decoration it has just bestowed on me . The jewel is of regulation pattern , of 18 carat gold , and cost 11 guineas , being manufactured by Comp . George Kenning , London . On the circle , in raised letters , is the name of the Chapter Royal Burmah , and on the base of the

triangle is ' [ No . 8 32 , " the number of the lodge to which the chapter is attached , while the crown is ornamented with three rubies and two diamonds . On the back of the jewel the following inscription is very neatly engraved : " Presented to M . E . Comp . Joseph Dawson by Royal Burma Chapter , No . 832 , in recognition of his varied and useful services to the chapter during a membership of 22 years . "

The'bars on the ribbon represent the sceptres of the three Principals , and between the First and Second Principals ' sceptres is a scroll , in gold , with " M . E . Z . 1873 , 1876 , 1887 , " engraved thereon , indicating the years the office of First Principal was served . The jewel is on the whole very

handsome and well designed , and is most creditable to the manufacturer . At this convocation the following companions were present : Comps . J . Dawson , W . A . Nicol , B . Samuel , G . E . Walker , J . Patterson , W . G . Thornton , G . Bridgewater , H . Whitney , E . Neal , and E . Reilly .

Presentation To Bro. J. Baker.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . BAKER .

There was a very numerous and interesting gathering at the Cock , at Highbury , on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., when a testimonial was presented to Bro . John Baker ( Islington Lodge ) , who has retired from the management of that well-known Masonic centre , after thirteen years service

on account of ill-health . Bro . Charles Townley ( Savage Club Lodge ) , presided , being supported by Bros . W . Hastings Miller , H . Friend , R . Baker , J . Hollyman , S . Price , CC , P . Forge , Potter , Perry , Phillips , J . Furlong , and a large number of gentlemen representing various societies .

The testimonial , which was beautifully illuminated on vellum , was accompanied by a purse containing 100 guineas . During the evening a musical entertainment was given by Messrs . Lovett King , Odell , A . Combes , H . Leffler , M . Ryan , and Geoffrey Thorn .

We are very pleased to learn that the new manager , Bro . J . W . P . C . Austin , is also a memberof the Craft , having been initiated in the Islington Lodge , so there is no break in the Masonic tradition connected with this wellknown house .

A Distinguished Masonic Career.

A DISTINGUISHED MASONIC CAREER .

By the intended departure of Bro . T . Y . Strachan , D . G . M . Northumberland , from Newcastle for London next month , the Freemasons of Northumberland will lose a most valuable worker . Bro . Strachan was initiated into the mysteries of the mystic Craft about the year 1862 in St . Hilda's Lodge , South Shields . Soon afterwards he joined Newcastle-upon-Tyne Lodije , No . 24 , and in the

course of time became W . M . He was also invested with similar rank in the Northern Counties Lodge , No . 406 . Six years after becoming a Mason , he was appointed Master of Northumberland Lodge , No . 6 S 5 , held at the Assembly Rooms , Newcastle , thus taking the chair of three lodges . With a view of obtaining a further knowledge of Freemasonry , Bro . Strachan was made a Mark

Mason at the Northumberland and Berwick Time Immemorial Lodge , in Maple-street , Newcastle , and so greatly was he respected by the brethren that he was honoured by being elected to fill the chair . When the Hotspur Mark Lodge was founded at Alnwick , he was nominated its first W . M . Going still further into the higher reaches of Freemasonry , he became a member of

the Royal Arch , and obtained the distinguished rank of P . Z . When the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was formed for Northumberland and Durham , Earl Percy was elected first P . G . M ., and Bro . Strachan , P . G . S ., which office he held for three years . At the retirement of his lordshjp , Canon Tristram was appointed his successor , and Bro . Strachan served under him as S . G . Warden for one

year , and his Deputy for twelve years , which rank he still continues to hold . In the Craft he also served the office of Provincial Grand Steward , Provincial Grand Deacon , and Provincial Grand Warden . Afterwards , by special request of the Provincial Grand Master , he took the office of Provincial Grand Registrar , and in that capacity wrote up a complete register of the Province . He served as Steward

of Masonic Charities once or twice , and for the Mark Benevolent Fund four times . Only a short time since , he was one of the guests at the great Masonic Centenary Festival in relation to the Masonic Girls' School , which was presided over by his Royal Hi ghness the Prince of Wales , supported by the King of Sweden . Bro . Strachan ' s

labours have been very warmly appreciated , not only by the Provincial Grand Master and Mark Masons , , but by members of the Craft generally . This is not to be wondered at , considering the great zeal and the unwearied assiduity displayed in furthering the interests and general prosperity of the Order , of which he is so distinguished a member . —Newcastle Weekly Chronicle .

Thursday the 28 th instant being the 50 th Anniversary of the Queen's Coronation there were the usual parades and salutes and other ceremonial observances in houour of the occasion , but owing to the recent death of the Emperor Frederick , her Majesty's son-in-law , the celebration , which would otherwise have been of a more than usually imposing character , passed off quietly .

A banquet will be given at the Star and Garter Hotel , Richmond , on Monday , the 16 th prox ., to Bro . Sir John W . Ellis , Bart ., M . P ., when a piece of plate will be presented to our distinguished brother as a mark of gratitude for his gift to the town of Richmond of the Castle Hotel Buildings . H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge has promised to preside on the occasion .