Consecration Of The Somersetshire Lodge, No. 2925.

were well known , and as Bro . Trehawke Davies was also his Secretary , he could give him excellent testimonials . Bro . T . A . Bullock , the Acting I . P . M ., proposed the toast cf " The Treasurer and Secretary , " whom he could testify were of no common order . Bro . Danford Thomas held the important position of Treasurer in three other lodges . The

Secretary , although an Alderman of Marylebone , had never relaxed his efforts and duties to the lodge , which had culminated in that successful meeting . Both their funds and organization were in good hands . Bro . Danford Thomas , replying , said that up to the present

the Secretary had performed his duties as well as his own , but he had no doubt his office would be a very pleasant one . Bro . Trehawke Davies , Secretary , in reply , expressed appreciation of the toast . He had taken up the duties of Secretary somewhat late , but knew he would have the

support of Bro . Danford Thomas , whose name was worldwide . He would endeavour to give the Worshipful Master tho same satisfaction as he hoped he had given the Masters of the other two lodges of which he was Secretary . The Worshipful Master , in proposing the toast of " The Officers , " informed the brethren that the credit of originating

the lodge must be given to Bro . Chant , who was ably assisted by Bro . Newland . He knew he would have valuable support from his officers , and he promised to support them . The Grand Secretary , who ought to know the value of an officer , had remarked to him that Bro . Trehawke Davies was one

of the best Secretaries he had met . Bro . Chant , S . W ., replying , said that at present the officers were an unknown quantity , but they were actuated by the same spirit as King Alfred , and intended that nothing - should be wanting on their part .

Consecration Of The Tamesis Lod Ge, No. 29 26.

Consecration of the Tamesis Lodge , No . 2926 .

THE consecration of the above , the latest addition to the roll of lodges in the Province of Berkshire , took place at the Ray Mead Hotel , Maidenhead , on Wednesday , August 13 th , in the presence of a large assembly of the brethren , both of the province and from London . There were seventeen founders . The ceremony was performed

by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( in charge ) , W . Bro . John Thornhill Morland , P . G . D ., assisted by Bros . C . W . Cox , P . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; George Gray , PJ . G . W ., ' as J . W . ; Edward Margrett , P . G . Std . Br ., in the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Chaplain , discharged the duties of that

office ; J . W . Martin , P . A . G . D . C ., Provincial Grand Secretary , as D . of C . ; and C . Batting , P . P . G . D . C . of Berks ., as I . G . In the course of an interesting oration , W . Bro . Margrett said they had met to consecrate a lodge , which meant an assembly of Masons met in brotherly love . They were

starting a new lodge , but not a new institution . It was the adding of a link to the chain which was venerable with hoary antiquity , whose history was lost in the dim past ages . Ancient buildings bore witness to the fact , as in many of them our Masonic traditions could be traced , and they still held all that was best in the old builders' guilds .

At the conclusion of the ceremony of consecration , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master installed Bro . Frank Crocker , I . P . M . 2786 , P . P . G . Swd . Br . Hertfordshire , as W . M ., who invested Bros . J . L . Goldstein , P . M . 226 5 , W . M . 2743 , as S . W . ; J . T . Matthews as J . W . ; C . Offord Burgess , P . P . S . G . W . Berks ., A . G . D . C . England , as Treasurer ; and Harry Burkett

as Secretary . At the banquet which followed , in proposing the toast of "The Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master tendered to Bro . C . E . Keyser the sincere and hearty thanks of the founders for the invaluable assistance he had so liberally rendered them in

obtaining their warrant , and expressed a hope that he would continue to take a paternal interest in their progress . Bro . Keyser tendered his thanks on behalf of the Grand Officers and for himself . It had been a great pleasure to have been of assistance to the foundersand , knowing many of

, them as he did , he believed that the Tamesis Lodge meant to make things hum in the province . In proposing the toast of " The Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( in charge ) , " The Worshipful Master said that those who knew the province were familiar with the wisdom of his

rule and the urbanity and dignity , combined with amiability , which characterised him at all times . No doubt these happy methods had been produced by a close study of the principles of Masonry . He had won that clay the gratitude of the founders and the respect and admiration of all present .

Bro . J . Thornhill Morland , replying , thanked the Worshipful Master for the flattering terms of the toast . It had been a pleasure for him to have consecrated a lodge which Bro . Keyser had recommended , a fact which assured him it would be a source of strength . The other Maidenhead lodge , the Ellington , had also extended it a welcome , which was a healthful sign . He congratulated

the lodge upon its start , and proposed the toast of "The Worshipful Master , Bro . Frank Crocker . " His work in the lodge was worthy of an old Mason , but to his surprise he learnt he was young in the Craft . This proved he had made the most of his time , which was a good augury . He hoped he would have a prosperous year of office and be spared for

many years to work in the province . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said words failed him to express his appreciation of the kind remarks which had been made by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and he would do his best to make the Tamesis Lodge worthy of the province .

In proposing the toast of " The Consecrating Officers , " the Worshipful Master assured them that the founders intended by honesty of purpose , and adhering to the truest principles of Freemasonry , never to bring trouble or disgrace upon the province which had received them , and of which

one of their number , Bro . C . O . Burgess , A . G . D . C , was Past Provincial Grand Warden . In Bro . Martin , Provincial Grand Secretary , who had so ably performed the duties of Director of Ceremonies , they had a brother who had not only clone yeoman suit and service to the province , but had been most

kind and helpful lo the founders . Bro . J . W . Martin replied on behalf of the Consecrating Officers . The toast of " The Visitors " was duly proposed , and was responded to by Bros . W . J . Mason , P . G . Std . Br ., Collis Clarke , and E . L . Berry , P . P . G . D . Surrey .

The toast of "The Masonic Charities" was entrusted to Bro . C . O . Burgess , who asserted that he knew all would agree with him that their main object was far from being conviviality , or in making or meeting friends . It had wider and more comprehensive aims , and the greatest of these was Charity . It promised well for their new lodge that the

Worshipful Master had that afternoon succeeded in getting ^ 120 upon his list for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . They were honoured by the presence of Bro . Colville Smith , P . G . D ., Secretary of that Institution , for whom , in his new capacity , they could predict a successful career .

Bro . Colville Smith , who , upon rising , was received with a hearty round of applause , thanked the brethren for the kind and hospitable manner in which they had received him . That was his first appearance at a lodge as Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and that was his

maiden speech , and as maidens were coy and hesitating , so must he be forgiven if his speech lacked eloquence , but there was no need for it in Berkshire , which had always been such a consistent supporter of the Charities . He trusted they woukl do in future as in the past , and , if possible , this year a

little more , as sugar for the new bird . The toasts of "The Treasurer and Secretary" and " The Officers " brought the proceedings to a close . Great credit is clue to Bro . Harry Burkett , the Secretary , for the splendid manner in which he organised and arranged every detail for the comfort of the founders and their guests . It promises well for the future Secretarial work of the lodge .