Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

BIRKENHEAD LODGE . rip HE prominent position and progress enjoyed by the I Masonic Order in the Province of Cheshire , of which Earl Egerton of Tatton is the Provincial Grand Master , were substantially advanced on Saturday afternoon , 25 th ult , when another Lodge was added to the already long list specially

attaching to Wirral division of the county . Although the " city of the future " has had for years within its borders no fewer than six Lodges , bearing the titles of the " Combermere , "

the " Mersey , " the " Zetland , " the Minerva , the " Rock , " and the Wirral , " it was only on this occasion that a new body of Masons had been formed into a Lodge bearing the name of the town of its birth .

The consecration of the Birkenhead Lodge , No . 2620 , was an event which aroused the liveliest interest amongst those more immediately concerned , as well as the members of the Craft throughout" the district ; and the interest of the important

gathering was greatly increased by the fact that the impressive ceremony of Consecration was performed by the popular veteran Craftsman—his Honour Judge Sir Horatius Lloyd Past Grand Deacon of England and Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire .

The scene of the inaugural ceremonv was the Masonic Chambers , Hamilton Street , but the regular meetings of the members of the Birkenhead will be held in future at the Park Hotel , Charing Cross .

At the conclusion of the installation proceedings banquet was served at the Masonic Chambers in excellent style by Bro . F . Rollwap-fjon , of the Albion Hotel , New Brighton , and in the course of the evening the standard Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and cordially honoured .

The Craft In India.

THE CRAFT IN INDIA .

THE Lord Bishop of Bombay was present at the installation meeting of Lodge Orion in the West , No . 415 , held at Poona , and in the course of the after proceedings he proposed the toast of the new Worshipful Master Major-General C . J . Burnett , C . B . The Bishop said he was sure it must be a singular pleasure , to all present to drink the health of the gallant

and distinguished gentleman , who had been installed Master of the Lodge . From a Masonic point of view he had no claim to discharge the function that day . Pie was sorry he did not belong to any Lodge . Some years ago he was initiated into the mysteries of the mystic Craft in Lodge Victoria . In the

interval he had forgotten a great part of what he knew , except , perhaps , the penalty that attached to one who disclosed the secrets of the Craft . Hence it was incumbent upon him to make a personal explanation , as had he not been armed with his diploma , he thought he should have suffered the humiliation

of being sent away from their company that evening . Pie now proceeded to perform the pleasing duty which had been entrusted to him , to propose the health of Major-General Burnett . He must congratulate the Lodge upon having secured such a gallant and worthy soldier as its Master . He

was , as they all knew , every inch a man and a soldier . After the confession he had just made of ignorance of the ceremonies of the Craft , it would be unbecoming on his part to speak of the General ' s qualifications as a Mason . He thought he had conducted himself admirably well in the Lodge , and showed

great aptitude for the performance of the duties for which he had been called . It was often said that if a man is a good Mason he cannot be a bad man , and he supposed the converse would be also true ; if a man be a good man he cannot be a bad Mason . The General was known to be a good man ,

and so they were justified in calling him an excellent Mason . ' mey knew he had served his country honourably for over forty years ; he has distinguished himself in the field in times of war ; he had won medals in Ashantee and in ' Kandahar . He believed he was also Director of the Commissariat—an

office which required great administrative qualities , which they knew the General possessed in a high degree . Those who have come in personal contact with him knew his qualities

very well . He last year combated successfully that direful epidemic which was carrying away hundreds upon hundreds of their fellow creatures . His untiring exertions in allaying the sorrovys of the afflicted , in smoothing away difficulties , and explaining restrictions , made him respected everywhere ,

The Craft In India.

In connection with that , they could not forget the sad loss he sustained at his own hearth , which touched the hearts of everyone of them , and would never be forgotten . In spite of the heavy hand laid on him he was seen morning alter morning moving about , and by his kind sympathies affording

every possible relief to the sufferers . He was sure his plague administration was a grand success , because , as he had said , he was a soldier . He knew that a certain thing had to be done , and he saw that it was done properly—or else he would know the reason " why . These were , he thought , admirable

qualities in a soldier and admirable in the administration of a Lodge . Pie would be an acquisition to the Lodge , and would , he felt confident , make the already popular Lodge still more popular . Pie hoped many more recruits would be added to Masonry by his example .

The toast was received with musical honours , and in response the Worshipful Master said he thanked his Lordship for the very kind way in which he : had proposed his health , and the Brethren all for accepting it . Pie felt almost that he was standing there rather as an impostor . Plis Lordship had made an honest confession like a man . He said he had

neglected Masonry for a number of years . Pie was interested in Lodge Orion many years ago , but he went away , and since that time he had had many other things to do , and he , too , had neglected Masonry ; but having been elected to the Office of Master and having accepted it , he intended , as far

as lied in his power , to carry out the duties , thoroughly to the end of his year . If they all regarded Masonry from its basis —Charity and Brotherhood—and if the principles of Masonry were extended to the whole world , it would be far better "for

everybody , and especially for the struggling poor . Pie thanked his Lordship very much for his kind reference to the sad loss he had sustained in his house ; and he thanked the Brethren for their kindly-expressed sympathy . He hoped that the Brethren who had been elected to the various Offices

would all work with a will , and do the very best in their power ; and he sincerely trusted that when the Pro District Grand Master of Bombay payed his official visit , which he hoped to do before the termination of his stay in Poona , that everything would be in thorough working order ; that there would be

no neglect , no tutoring , no hanging back , and that everyone would ; thoroughly understand the duties which he had to perform in the Lodge . If they referred they would see that every single Office had a symbol and a meaning , and they would that

see these implied not the mere repetition of a number of words . In grasping the principles , in practicing what they preached and in recognising their solemn obligations , Masonry would become for them a bright and guiding star .

Church Stone Laying.

CHURCH STONE LAYING .

THE foundation stone of the new Parish Church of Carnoustie was laid with Masonic honours on Saturday afternoon , 25 th ult . A good deal of interest was manifested throughout the burgh in the proceedings , and as a result there

was a very large turnout of spectators . Brother J ames Berry Provincial Grand Master of Forfarshire , who was to lay the stone , was accompanied by Brother the Plon . C . M . Ramsay Provincial Grand Master Depute .

Previous to the function proper , a special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Municipal Buildings . When the Grand Lodge had been constituted , Bro . Berry said he desired the suspension of the standing orders , in 'order that he might move a resolution of sympathy and condolence

with the Countess of Airlie . Since they last met they , as a Forfarshire Province , had sustained a distinct loss in the death of Lord Airlie at the front . The nature of the late Earl ' s

calling prevented him from coming amongst them , but he had always evinced a keen interest in Freemasonry throughout Forfarshire . He moved that a letter of condolence be sent to the Countess of Airlie .

Bro . the Hon . C . M . Ramsay seconded . He said he did not have the good fortune to know the late Earl as a Mason , but he knew him well otherwise , and had looked upon him as one of the best and kindest friends one could possibly have

. He enjoyed a reputation second to none , and his loss was one of the greatest in the war . He worked himself up , and had gained an honourable position by sheer force of merit and persistence . The motion was unanimously carried , and it was also agreed to transmit a donation of three guineas to the Airlie Memorial Fund . The Brethren from the various Lodges in Forfarshir ^