Cripplegate Lodge, No. 1613.

CRIPPLEGATE LODGE , No . 1613 .

SATURDAY last was the day appointed for the Consecration of this new Lodge , and a large gathering of the brethren of our honoured Craft assembled at the Albion Tavern , to take part in the interesting ceremony . Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution , had been appointed Consecrating Officer , and all who have seen how our worthy Bro .

Terry does his work on these occasions will agree with us that no better qualified brother could have been selected . We have now so frequently to record the consecration of new Lodges that our readers will agree with us that , on this occasion , we need not go into details , suffice it to say that the ceremony throughout was conducted in a highly satisfactory way , and gave the greatest

gratification to all present . The approval of the brethren to the Officers named in tho warrant having been given , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . J . R . Foulger , P . M . 177 , was presented to the Lodge by Bro . W . Crutch D . C , and received the benefit of installation at the hands of Bro . Terry . The customary salutations having been given , the following appointments were made : —Bros . G . M . Felton

1056 S . W ., C . J . Benson 192 J . W ., Corke Treasurer , R . Abbott Sec , McCarthy S . D ., B . Groner J . D ., Seares I . G ., Stevenson D . C , R . Clark W . S ., E . Coste P . M . No . 9 I . P . M . The warrant was recommended by the W . M . and brethren of the Domatic Lodgo , and bore the names of the following petitioners : Bros . Curie , Baker , Bright , Edwards , Medwin , Cohen , Lake , King and B . Groner . At the conclusion of tho ceremony

Bro . Terry received the deserved encomiums of every brother . Numerous propositions for joining and initiation were handed in , and hearty good wishes were tendered from the members of the various Lodges present . The J . W . then proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . James Terry , tho Consecrating Officer , and also the brethren who officiated , viz . Bros . H . H . Hodges , H . G . Buss , J . Constable , and

W . Crutch . The W . M . in putting the proposition , said he had heard the ceremony performed many times , but never better than on the present occasion . Bro . James Terry appropriately replied for himself and the brethren named . Bro . Felton S . W . proposed and Bro . E . Coste I . P . M . seconded , that Bros . James Terry , H . G . Buss , H . H . Hodges , J . Constable , and W . Crutch , should be olccted

honorary members . This was carried unanimously . The Lodge was then closed and the brethren , who mustered to the number of 65 , sat down to a sumptuous aud recherche banquet , provided by Bro . W . G . Jennings , and superintended by Bro . Keeping . The W . M . proposed the toast of Her Majesty the Queen and the Craft . The national anthem was sung by Bros . Chaplin Henry , G . T .

Carter , J . W . Simons and F . H . Cozens . The W . M . then proposed the toast of H . R . H . tho M . W . Grand Master , whom they wero pleased to see had returned to his native country in health , they all looked with pride to him as the head of the Order , he had received a hearty welcome during his progress in India , and they were delighted again to see him among them . ( Cheers . )

The new national song and chorus , " Welcome to our Prince , " verses by F . Enoch , and the music specially composed by Sir Julius Benedict was then sang . The toast of the Pro G . M . tho Earl of Carnarvon was afforwards given . Bro . Chaplin Henry singing a new song , composed by Bro . Louis Dieht , entitled " A Song of Neptune . " The toast of the R . W . the Earl of Skelmersdale D . G . M . was then

given by tho W . M ., who said he had received letters from Bros . J . Hervey G . S ., and Bro . J . B . Monckton P . G . D ., President of the Board of General Purposes . He rogretted their absence on this occasion , bat they expressed a wish to be present at a future meeting , and he was sure the brethren would only be too pleased to see them whenever they would honour them with their presence . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Cozens sang " Down by the Brook Side . " Bro . E . Coste said , ho had been appointed I . P . M . for the ensuing year , and in that capacity he had to propose a toast , that was the W . M . Every one holds him in high esteem , and he hoped he would havo a successful year of office , he would call on the brethren to give him a hearty reception , as he was sure tho Cripplegate Lodge

would flourish under so able a Master . The W . M . in reply said : Brethren , I rise on this occasion with the greatest amount of diffidence , feeling overwhelmed with the reception you have been pleased to accord to the toast which the acting I . P . M . has so eloquently , and , on my part undeservedly , placed before you . ( No , no ) . When the move was made for a new Lodge in Cripplegate ,

I was somewhat astonished to find myself in the proud position of the first Worshipful Master , and I am doubly gratified to know the Grand Master has confirmed the choice you , brethren , had been pleased to make . I sincerely hope that the Cripplegate Lodge will be true to the precepts of the Order , that the members will unite in promoting its interest , and do all that is honorable in our noble cause ,

and , more especially , work zealously for tho Charities of the Order , to which we point with such laudable pride . It is said , charity should begin at home ; but , brethren , after judiciously considering this , let us show to the authorities of Grand Lodge that Cripplegate has been well selected , and that it is here where they may find brethren who have the cause at heart . Not only have we an Asylum for our Aged , and

Schools for onr Girls and Boys , but we have the energy and determination to support these to tho full extent of our power ; and we may depend that the more the principles of the Craft become known , the greater will be the accession to our number , with a corresponding patronage and support to our noble Institutions . It may not be out of place here to glance at the past history of this ward of Cripplegate , and I beg to recapitulate a few facts that I have jotted down . I find

it stated that , in 1010 , when the Danes approached Bnry St . Edmunds , Bishop Alwyu removod the body of Edmund the Martyr to St . Gregory ' s Church , near St . Paul ' s , and as it passed through Cripplegate , such was the blessed influence , that cripples became straight , and thanked God for their miraculous cure . We have also records of such names as Milton , Fox , and Cromwell , while the vaults of the old pile contain the ashes of more worthies than these . Iu the year 1244 the gate of the Ward was re-builfc by

Cripplegate Lodge, No. 1613.

the Brewers of London , and again in 1491 . In 1739 a Lodge was held at the Mitre , Union-street , Cripplegate s but now no Mitre exists , although it is believed that the Five Bells is the same place where the former stood . Lord Blaney , then G . M ., was present at the Lodge in 1776 , at which period the initiation fee was 21 s , visitor ' s fee 13 6 d , quarterly subscription 2 s fid , and supper 6 d . If

we contrast these with the different fees now paid , a lesson might be learned with some advantage . In March 1808 H . R . H the Prince of Wales , G . M ., commanded that the Gentlemen of his household should be initiated in the Lodge . And in December of the same year the W . M ., with his two Wardens , were summoned to Special Grand Lodgo to accompany the G . M . to lay the foundation stone of Covent

Garden Theatre . These are but a few of the historical facts that are to be gleaned in connection with Cripplegate and Freemasonry . Speaking now more of myself . It was in Cripplegate that I first planted tho seeds of my career , and there I had my first residence ; there it was , too , that some amount of success attended me , and I married there also ; my offsprings saw light , and were baptized in the

old church of the Ward . In the same parish I became a Freeman and Liveryman , in fact , my whole life has been spent in Cripplegate , hence I venture to say that I have some claim as a brother in this very celebrated district . In conclusion , I hope that prosperity may surround all our proceedings , and that brotherly love , relief and truth will distinguish us while the Lodge lasts . I beg to thank you

most heartily . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the Consecrating Officers , coupled with the name of Bro . James Terry , who he complimented for the able rendering of the ceremony . It was always a pleasure to listen to Bro . Terry , but upon this occasion he had excelled himself . Bro . Terry responded on behalf of himself and the brethren who had

assisted him . Bro . G . Carter then sang " Madoline . " The W . M . said he had to propose a toast for tho first time , and it gave him a great amount of pleasure ; it was that of the Visitors . The names on the list were numerous , many of them were distinguished in tho Order , he hoped they were all enjoying themselves , and , in the name of the Lodge , he would give them a hearty welcome . Ho then called

on Bro . Abbott P . M . 192 to respond . Bro . Cozens then humorously sang " Nancy o' Bristol , " this created roars of laughter . Bro . Abbott responded , and was followed by Bros . Scott and Capt . Wilson , who expressed their thanks for the hospitality shewn them , and accorded especial praise to the Consecrating Officer . The W . M . then proposod the toast of the recommending members of the Domatic Lodge , No .

177 . He was sure they were not ashamed of their child ; he was pleased to see among them the W . M . of that Lodge ( Bro . Treadwell ) . He felt proud to say that No . 177 was his Mother Lodge , and he hoped they would give the toast the reception it merited . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Treadwell remarked that he did not anticipate he should have the pleasure of responding to the toast . He had been a member of the

Domatic Lodge for 27 years and the W . M . of this new Lodge had also occupied its chair , with credit to himself and satisfaction to tho brethren . He was thoroughly proficient in his duties , and having inaugurated his career in so satisfactory a manner he was sure the new Lodge would flourish . The W . M . then said he had a toast to propose that would go to their hearts : that was " The Masonio

Charities , " We have to-night the pleasure of the company of the worthy Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , who is a true and zealous brother , and when we begin to support our Charities we must not forget him , nor tho Institution with which he is associated . At tho same time we must not forget the other two Charities . However , he would now couple the toast with the name of Bro . James

Terry . Bro . Chaplin Henry then sang " The Friar of Orders Grey . " Bro . James Terry in the course of his reply said : on Wednesday next the Festival of the Boys' School will take place , and he was pleased to say it had 285 Stewards , who would all exert themselves on that occasion . At a formor Festival the large sum of over £ 14 , 000 was contributed , but ho hoped this time that amount would be exceeded . The Charities

have been nobly supported in tho past . At the Festival for the Aged the amount contributed was £ 9 , 380 . The last Festival of the Girls produced £ 8 , 200 ; and we can with pride say tho result of the three Festivals amounted to £ 31 , 200 . An increase had been given to the male and female annuitants . There were three aged candidates over 80 years of age who were placed as annuitants without an election . Many brethren present that day had visited the Asylum at Croydon ,

the Girls' School at Battersea Rise , and also the Boys' School at Wood Green . But if there were any present who had not seen either of those noble Institutions , then let them visit the Boys' School on Monday , there they will see the result of " Our Hercules '" great labors in which he has been ably assisted by the brethren at large , and he hoped the members of the Cripplegate Lodge would give their support to tho aged as the first Charity they might be induced to represent . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Corke , Treasurer , said he would like to see their new Lodge a Vice-President , and as a nucleus , he and his partner , Bro . Abbott , Secretary , would each give the sum of £ 10 , and he hoped the brethren would support him . Bro . E . Coste I . P . M . had only five days since consented to act as Steward , and he was proud to say ho would take up on his list over £ 120 for the Boys' School ,

notwithstanding this , he would only be too pleased to contribute his share . After a very short interval , the W . M . announced , amidst great cheering , that the brethren had nobly responded to the call , and had contributed the snm of £ 60 . This would make the Lodgo a V . P . of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and £ 10 coald be given for one of the other Charities . This amount would , no doubt , be augmented afterwards . Bro . James Terry said , this the 61 st Lod

was ge he had consecrated , and it would indeed give him pleasure to inform his Committee of the noble manner the Cripplegate Lodge had , on its first meeting , behaved . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the Wardens . The Treasurer , Secretary and Officers was afterwards given and responded to . Bros . H . Massey P . M . 619 and H . M . Levy P . M . 188 responded to the toast of the Masonic Press . The Tyler ' s toast was then given . Every brother and visitor present expressed the greatest gratification at the Masonic , treat they