Knights Templar.

onr Order is governed . I shall now proceed to consecrate this hall for the purposes of Masonic Knight Teniplary according to ancient custom . ( Loud applause . ) The ceremony of consecration was most ably performed by the M . E . and S . G . M ., assisted by the G . Prelate , who did the duty appertaining to his office with his accustomed reverence and ability . Some very intricate , but very beautiful , evolutions

of the Sir Knts ., designed by the G . D . of Cers ., were excellently performed , and caused congratulations to flow from all sides to Sir Knt . Meymott ; and the Grand Organist , assisted by Sir Knts . Thomas Young and Donald AV . King , sang several pieces of music , one of which was composed by S . Bernard , who gave the first Knights Templar their rule , and were pronounced to

be most effective . At the close of the solemn ceremonj-, Sir Knt . the Rev . Jomt HUYSHE , tbe Prov . G . Com . for Devon and Cornwall , made the following address : —Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , —The important ceremony we have just witnessed has not been without great interest to vis who are present , and , doubtless , its consequences will

produce an equally beneficial result to those Knights Companions of our Order , who , from various circumstances , have been unavoidably absent . I trust that the brilliant commencement of what I may almost term a new era in our existence , may be followed by an hereafter of prosperity hitherto unknown in the annals of this exalted , religious , and military fraternity . ( Hear . ) As the

Senior Provincial Grand Commander in England , I can ' assure you that we especially , who carry on our duties in the provinces , and have only occasional opportunities of visiting our Knights Companions in this metropolis , are much gratified at finding our head quarters assembled in a place so convenient in itself and so entirely under the control of our Supreme Chief . I feel , most Eminent Sir , on my own part ( and I believe I may

say on behalf of all the Provincial Grand Commanders , that they also concur with me in tbe feeling ) , that the holy and sublime mysteries , associated with this Most Christian Order , cannot be duly ami efficiently performed unless in . a hall suitable for , and peculiarly dedicated to such a purpose ; and I am persuaded that tbe simple fact of our meeting this day in this beautiful building is one great step taken in tbe right

direction . In the name , therefore , of all my companions in arms residing in the provinces , I congratulate you , most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , on the proceedings which have now taken place , and I tender to you our cordial thanks for the munificent support and zealous co-operation by wliich you have promoted so desirable an object , and now brought it to so

auspicious a termination . In conclusion , Sir , I would willingly express my belief that the commencement made this day by the Grand Conclave itself , will prove an incentive to the various encampments under our jurisdiction to imitate the example thus set before them , and procure for themselves places of meeting suitable for the solemn services to be performed therein ;

convinced , as I am , that services so performed are more likely to impress the hearts of those who witness them , with tbe solemnity of that engagement into which they enter when enlisting themselves under the banner of their Redeemer . ( Hear , hear . ) May this noble hall , Most Eminent Sir , tend to foster such impressions . My fervent prayer is that every Knight Companion ,

who shall assemble within these walls , may cleave the more closely to his profession without wavering , never forgetting the holy emblems of his most sacred faith , —even the blood-stained Cross which he bears on his shoulder , and the brilliant star which decorates his breast . May each one of us grow in grace as he grows in years , and continue Christ ' s faithful soldier and servant to his life ' s end . ( The Reverend Sir Knt . was loudly applauded on resuming his stall . )

The minutes of the Grand Conclave of May the Sth were read and confirmed , and Sir Knt . Law , G . Chancellor , read the following REPO - or THE COMMITTEE . Your committee beg to congratulate the Order on the completion ol the new hall and rooms in which the Grand Conclave has this day assembled , and trust the exertions of Sir Knt .

Spratt , our Grand Superintendent of Works , by whom the necessary alterations have been effected , and the labours of the sub-committee , in providing the requisite furniture and decorations , will meet with the approbation of Grand Conclave . The Masonic Union Company , limited , in whom the property of the hall is vested , has been duly constituted , and will

proceed , in manner prescribed by law for regulating companies so formed , to elect its directors and complete the arrangements requisite for its perfect organisation at a general meeting on the 1 st of February , 1861 , the day appointed by the Act of Parliament for such meeting to be holden ; and in the meantime the Provisional Directors will proceed to the allotment of shares after the 1 st of January next , and the committee urge on the

members of Grand Conclave the propriety of supporting the undertaking by taking shares . In consequence of the indisposition of the V . E . Sir Knt , Hinxman , Prov . G . Com . for the province of Kent , the committee have not had the alterations proposed by him laid before them for their consideration , and they have deemed it , therefore , expedient to defer for the present making any report .

Since the May meeting the " Cornubian" Encampment , of Falmouth , which had for some time lain dormant , has , under the sanction of the Grand Master , bean removed to Redruth , in Cornwall , and promises to meet with great support in its new locality . The ancient " Conclave of Redemption , " of time

immemorial , originally worked at York , but since removed to Hull , has come under the banner of the Grand Master . And , lastly , a new encampment , to be called tbe " Harcourt , " and meet at Chertsey , in the county of Surrey , has received a warrant from the Grand Master . ( Signed ) J . HAESEV LAW , Grand Chancellor . December 10 th , 1863 .

The offertory was then commenced , and the alms collected amounted to £ 3 18 s . ; after which the Grand Conclave was closed , and the G . M . retired with Templar honours . The whole ceremony was as near perfection as it could be , and all Sir Knts . present , from the junior to the M . E . and S . G . M ., warmly expressed their admiration of all that had been clone both by Sir

Knt . Meymott for the ceremonies of tlie day , and of Sir Knt . Spratt for his untiring energy in producing so handsome , commodious , and useful a ball . The Sir Knts . having retired , the hall was cleared and the banquet tables prepared .

TUB BANQUET , which was universally pronounced one of the very best ever p laced before tbe members of the Order , having been done full justice to , the cloth cleared , and tho dessert put on the table , the M . E . and S . G . M . rose and said , that with Knights Templar , Freemasons of every grade , and the whole of the subjects of her Majesty in this country , there was ever one toast which

always came lirst—that of the Queen ; and as he felt it would be useless to endeavour to say one word in her praise that they did not know and feel already , he should request them to receive it without any further observations from himself . The D . G . M ., COIOKEI I VEUXOX , said it was scarcely necessary to call for bumpers in honour of tho next name ho should propose as a toast . The proceedings of the day had been s o