Consecration Of The Hampstead Lodge, No. 2408.

T . Kempton , 1706 ; ] . F . Haskins , Org . 1364 ; F . Atkinson , P . P . G . Org . ; S . Pownceby , P . M . 55 ; IT . Sadler , Grand Tyler ; W . W . Lee , S . W . 23 S 1 ; and others . The lodge having been opened , the hymn " Hail , Eternal by whose aid" was sung . The Consecrating Master , addressing the brethren , then said they had assembled on an occasion which was a very important one in Masonry . They had met to perform a ceremony which probablv manv

present had never witnessed—namely , to consecrate and dedicate a new lodge . They were all aware of the large number of lodges in . London , and it was therefore difficult to obtain a warrant for a new one . The area of the London district was , however , a large one , and here ancl there were places in the suburbs which were still untenanted b y Masonry , ancl where opportunities

occurred ot starting new lodges , lt happened 111 this particular district of the suburbs that there was no lodge in the vicinity , and certain brethren living there joined together in petitioning the M . W . G . M . for a new lodge . The M . W . G . M ., after clue deliberation , was pleased to grant a warrant , and they were to be congratulated on that fact . They had met that day to give effect to the warrant by constituting and forming the Hampstead

Lodgewhich would meet in excellent premises—and it would be the members own fault if the lodge was not a success . He would say what he always said on these occasions , which was to urge them to be very careful in the selection of candidates , for Masonry was so much before the world that many were desirous of joining who were not eligible . It was in their own hands to make their lodge one to be proud of , and if they only weighed the antecedents and character of every candidate , and ri gidly excluded every applicant who was unworthy , they would be successful . He hoped they would be careful to follow that advice , as it was important , more especially in a new lodge . They had an experienced brother to preside over them , and if the founders worked together they would make it an excellent lodee .

The founders signified their approval of the officers named in the petition and warrant , and Bro . Rev . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . C , delivered an eloquent oration on the nature and principles of the Institution . The ceremony was proceeded with , and the new lodge was dedicated and constituted in solemn form .

Bro . Andrew Miller , M . D ., P . M ., W . M . designate , was then installed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , and invested the following officers : Bros . Thomas J . Barratt , P . M ., acting I . P . M . ; Nicholas Hanhart , S . W . ; T . Sansome Preston , J . W . ; George Low , P . M ., Treas . ; George Haynes , Sec ; Nicholas I . West . P . P . G . Treas . Cornwall . S . D .: Alfred

Lamb , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Surrev , J . D . ; Henry Harben , P . M ., D . C . , * G . Titus Barham , P . M ., I . G . ; and Charles W . P . Dyke , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Dorset , and Herbert Haynes , Stwds . On the motion of the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , a vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating officers , and Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec , was unanimousl y elected an honorary member .

Several propositions for initiation and joining were received , and a Committee to frame the by-laws having been elected , the lodge was closed . An excellent banquet was served b y Messrs . Beale , the table being tastefully decorated with flowers , and the usual toasts were subsequently given . "The Queen and the Craft" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " received hearty recognition , and the Worshipful Master then gave "The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . Rev . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . Chap ., in response , said he had been called upon to reply rather suddenly , but the fact that his name was to be coupled with the toast having been kept from him had enabled him to enjoy his dinner . He always felt diffident in responding in the presence of Bro . Fenn , who was his senior as a Grand Officer , although he , Bro . Martyn , happened by chance to occupy an office a little hi gher . This was a tremendous toast to respond for . They knew that the Pro Grand Master

and the Deputy Grand Master were excellent and good Masons , and whether holding the high office of Provincial Grand Master or in private life , better men could not be found . In their own provinces he happened to know that the Pro Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master were very popular , and if the brethren wished to know what kind of men the other Grand Officers were they had only to look round that evening . It was at all times a great pleasure to visit different lodges and receive , as the Grand Officers always

did , so kindly and hearty a welcome . He did not know how many lodges the Grand Secretary had consecrated , or how many times Bro . Richardson liad acted as D . C , but he knew that Bro . Fenn ' s name was a household word . He thanked the brethren for the reception accorded the Grand Officers , and expressed good wishes for the success and prosperity of the iodge .

1 he WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Consecrating Master and his Assistants , " and said they were deeply indebted to those Grand Officers who had kindly taken part in the consecration ceremony , and he was sure the manner in which the beautiful ceremony had been rendered by them had been a revelation to all of how it should be performed . He rave the

toast , and would ask the Grand Secretary to respond . Bro . Colonel SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Grand Secretary , returned thanks or himself and those who had assisted him for the very kind way the toast had been received . They had been very pleased indeed , and it had been a great gratification to them to be able to attend and perform the ceremonies the brethren had witnessed . He was delighted to hear those

ceremonies had met with their approbation , and it would not be right to omit saying the success had been owing to the excellent assistance he had had from the distinguished brethren on his right . The Grand Chaplain had spoken of their excellencies generally , and he would speak of them in particular , for . he had been fortunate in being assisted by such a band of brethren . He knew he spoke their sentiments when he said they were all

delighted to be present , and looked forward to its future success . The lodge was located in a large and very prosperous district , ancl it would be the '" embers own fault if they did not , in their neighbourhood , get a very excel-¦ cut lod ge together . He was sure they would be well governed , and he was iVr ec " t 0 se ? ' :, lat among ' st 'he officers there were no less than eight Past _ asters , w ' ' ch brought an excellent leaven of experience into the lodge , j . i i " was certain there would be no rashness in its working and " ¦ at it would progress as it should do . He would now go on to

H'opose the important toast of "Thc Health of the W . M . of the new . od ge . " He often had the privilege of consecrating lodges and installing ''" st Masters , and he generally pointed out that the position of first W . M . vas a more pleasing one than the ordinary Mastership of a lodge , because vnereas a Master went on by practical seniority , a Master of a new lodge as one who was chosen from amongst the founders by his colleagues as a \ vl ° ' W ' was tne most W 0 I " t ' iy person to take the chair . In that lodge , * * ere there were many Past Masters , they found Bro . Dr . Miller had been

Consecration Of The Hampstead Lodge, No. 2408.

selected as being the most worthy brother to launch this new ship on its career . It was a great compliment to Bro . Miller , and whom he thought was thoroughly deserving of it . The W . M . had served in the chair of a well-known lodge in London—the Empire Lodge—and belonged to another ,

and wherever he had worked he had done his work well , and therefore he was sure that under Bro . Miller ' s sway the business of the new lodge would be well done . He would ask the brethren to drink the health of the first W . M ., congratulating him on the position he had achieved , and wishing him and the lodge a prosperous future .

Bro . ANDREAV MILLER , M . D ., W . M ., said it was with very mingled feelings that he rose to respond . He was deeply indebted to the brethren for the manner they had received the toast , ancl was exceedingly obliged to the Consecrating Master for the terms in which he had proposed it . He was deeply sensible of his unworthiness to hold the position , and all unworthy to be the first Worshipful Master of this lodge and to preside over so brilliant an assembly . It had been for some time thc cherished wish of his

heart that a Masonic lodge should be established in Hampstead , and he was extremely happy to know this was now an accomplished fact . Nothing succeeded like success , and if the brilliant assembly that evening could be taken as an augury of the future , then their success was assured . On all sides they had received assurances ancl kindly encouragement , and he could only say , in thanking them for having proposed and received the toast , that if he did not merit the kind things said of him , he should , at least , in the future do his best to deserve them .

Bro . LENNOX BROWNE , P . P . G . W . Essex , Vice-President Board of Gen . Purps ., acknowledged the toast of "The Visitors , " and said the visiting brethren were exceedingly obliged to the founders for the handsome reception given them . If , as the W . M . had said , this was only a full-dress rehearsal , and they were going to do anything better in the future , then the visitors

would be only too pleased to take tickets for the first night ' s performance . He understood that the beautiful hall was not usually occupied for banquets , but he hacl seldom seen a more artistically decorated table , and it was not difficult to discern that hands had been busy whose efforts were not often seen on these occasions . He would tell the other visitors who did not know

the W . M . as well as he did that the founders had a brother at their head who would work , and would make them work , or know the reason why . In the Empire Lodge Bro . Miller worked up the-ritual to a pitch that had never before been equalled , but had been equalled in the present year by the

brother on his left—Bro . G . Herbert , the W . M . If the brethren were present on the first initiation ceremony in this lodge they would see the ceremony performed in a way that would impress them , for it would be rendered in a perfect manner . The visitors not only wished the lodge success , but predicted it would soeedily attain a high position in the Craft .

" The Officers " was given , and the Tyler ' s toast then closed the proceedings . The musical arrangements were in the hands of Bro . J . F . Haskins , who was assisted by Bros . Dutton , Atkinson , Fryer , and Kempton . *

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is the business to be transacted on Wednesday next : —• The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for

confirmation . THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 15 th July to the 20 th October , 1 S 91 , both

inclusive , which they find to be as follows : To Balance Grand Chapter ... £ 49 6 19 2 By Disbursements during the „ ,, Unappropriated Quarter £ 309 3 2 Account 190 17 10 „ Balance 48 S 1 10 „ Subsequent Receipts ... 297 1 10 „ „ Unappropriated Account ... ' ... 1 S 7 13 10 £ 984 iS 10 £ 984 iS 10

which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have also to report that they have received the following petitions : —¦ ist . From Comps . the Rev . Joseph Cater , M . A ., B . Mus ., F . G . S ., as Z . ; John Bulgin Snow Lancaster , as H . ; Edward Henry Gale Crowdy , as J . ; and seven others for a chapter to be attached to the Bisley Lodge , No . 2317 , Bisley , to be called the Bisley Chapter , and to meet at the National Schools , Bisley , in the county of Surrey .

and . From Comps . George Harlow , as Z . ; Walter Solomon Whitaker , as H . ; George Briggs , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Grays Valley Lodge , No . 2147 , St . Mary Cray , to be called the Grays Valley Chapter , and to meet at the Institute , St . Mary Cray , in the county of Kent .

3 rd . From Comps . Walter Hailes , as Z . ; Francis Nelson Wright , as H . ; Edward Samuel Dunn Tumber , as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Lodge Harmony , No . 43 8 , Cawnpore , to be called the Harmony and Fidelity Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Cawnpore , in the District of Bengal .

4 th . From Comps . Benjamin Hill Russell , as Z . ; Arthur Gompertz Gamble , as H . ; Edwin Thomas Wigelsworth , as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Doric Lodge , No . 3 62 , Grantham , to be called the Doric Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , St . Peter's Hill , Grantham , in the county of

Lincoln . 5 th . From Comps . John Percy White , as Z . ; George Robert Harriott , as H . ; Frederick Oxley Harvey , as J . ; and eig ht others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Paul ' s Lodge , No . 2277 , Cyprus , to be called the St . Paul's Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Rooms , Limassol , in the Island of Cyprus . The foregoing petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted .

The Committee have likewise received memorials , with copies of minutes , for permission to remove the following chapters : — No . 1008 , the White Rose Chapter , Bury St . Edmunds , from the Angel Hotel to the Masonic Hall , Chequer-square , Bury St . Edmunds . No . 1624 , the Eccleston Chapter , London , trom Freemasons' Hall to the Criterion , Piccadilly . The Committee recommend that the removal of these chapters be

sanctioned . ( Signed ) ROBERT GREY , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 21 st October , 1891 .