Consecration.

Comp . Frank Eichardson , as D . C , carried out his part . Of course they knew he was a Companion of very great experience , but at the same time practice did not always confer proficiency . Then as to Comp . Mead as Scribe N ., his reading was excellent , and he ought to have been a bishop . Their best and warmest thanks were due to the Consecrating Officers .

Comp . E . Letchworth Grand Scribe E ., responding , said although he was deeply sensible , of the high compliment the M . E . Z . had paid him in associating his name with the toast of the Consecrating Officers , he could not but feel that it was due to the fact that the Companion whose honoured name this Chapter bore , from some unexplained cause , had been absent

from the ceremonies that evening . He was quite sure Comp . Philbrick could not but feel most deeply disappointed at not being present , because he had heard from Comp . Philbrick ' s lips how highly he appreciated the very great honour the Companions and Founders of this Chapter paid him in asking his permission to take his name . He could only express the hope

that wherever Comp . Philbrick might be he was passing as pleasant an evening as the Companions of the Philbrick Chapter were . With regard to the Consecrating Officers , he thought he might say on behalf of those with whom he had been associated , as he did on his own behalf , that the consecration of a new

Chapter was to one and all of them a duty of love . There was no duty they had to perform which gave them greater pleasure , and it was always a great satisfaction to him when he found himself associated in the ceremony with Companions as proficient as Comp . Fenn , whose services had been recognised by them all , and by Comps . Eichardson and Mead .

Comp . Letchworth had now a very pleasing duty in proposing the health of the three First Principals of the Philbrick Chapter , and particularly Comp . William Shurmur , whom he had had the great privilege of placing in the chair of this Chapter . In addressing the Companions he saw around the table it was quite unnecessary to dilate on the merits of Comp .

Shurmur , who was already well known to all of them . Comp . Shurmur was respected by them all , and he was beloved by them all . Few men had done more than Comp . Shurmur to advance the interests of the Craft and the Royal Arch in the neighbourhood in which he resided . This was the tenth year he had filled the chair of Z . of a Chapter , and in all that time

he had exalted no less than 100 brethren . The members of this Chapter might well be congratulated on having at their head , in this , the most important and critical period of the Chapter ' s existence , a Companion so well qualified in every way to rule and guide them . Therefore it was with the greatest possible pleasure he asked the Companions to join him in drinking the health of the M . E . Z ., wishing him a most agreeable and

prosperous year . Comp . William Shurmur , in replying , said it had been a great pleasure to take part in preparing the foundation of the Philbrick Chapter , and he earnestly hoped that the members might be able to raise a super-structure perfect in its parts and in some way worthy of the honoured name which the Chapter

would bear . The majority of those present were what their Grand Superintendent of Essex had been pleased to call " Essex Calves , " and they very much regretted his unfortunate absence . They knew that something very extraordinary must have occurred , because they had often had the privilege of sitting under his genial rule , and they knew he was never more happy than in

taking , part in contributing to the happiness of Freemasons , and furthering the interests of that grand society . To many men the absence of one whom they must recognise as the principal character in the Chapter would have beeu a knock down blow , but they hoped they might amend and stand up . There had been a large amount of opposition to this Chapter , but when he had such

good friends as he had on his left and right , opposition was like wind to a kite—the more it blew the higher the kite rose . Twelve months ago they applied for a Charter for the Philbrick Chapter , with eighteen petitioners . It was opposed . They applied again with twenty-six petitioners , and the Charter was granted without reservation , and by virtue of the kindness of the Grand

Ghaptsr Officers they had had a grand kick-off , and they intended to make this Philbrick Chapter a grand success . They started right ; they recognised that their Order was founded upon the basis of Charity . They started by giving twenty guineas to the Boys School—good business ! and he was quite sure that with such friends as he had in the

formation of this Chapter it would prove one of the greatest successes at that end of Loudon . Thoir idea was that Comp . His Honour Judge Philbrick being the Grand Superintendent of Essex they ought to have an Essex Chapter , but they found there were some Chapters in Essex not so flourishing as they could

wish , therefore they went geographically . Walthamstow geographically was in Essex ; otherwise it was in London . Thoy had continued faithful in well doing , and this Philbrick Chapter had become duly constituted and consecrated , and he had not the slightest hesitation in saying it would prove , an

Consecration.

unbounded success . The H . and J . were P . M . 's of the Beaconsfield Lodge , and had proved their worth by making that Lodge a great success . They would exert themselves to the utmost to do the same with the Philbrick Chapter , and would leave no stone unturned to effect that object . Comps . Wildash H . and Harris J . also responded .

Archdeacon Dunbar proposed the Visitors , to which toast Comp . G . J . R . Tijou P . A . G . P . England , W . D . Church P . Z . 1471 , A . F . Lay Z . 2501 , Capt . T . C . Walls P . D . G . D . C , and James Bunker P . Z . 1471 responded , after which the Janitor ' s toast was given by Comp . Maidwell , and the Companions separated .

The name of Brother and Companion William Shurmur , of Hainhaulfc Lodge , Prospect Hill , Walthamstow , is one of tlio bost known and widely respected in the Lodges and Chapters of tho Province of Essex . Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since he received the Light of Freemasonry in the Koyal Standard Lodge , No . 1298 , at Islington . He afterwards joined the Islington Lodgo , No . 1471 , and after filling every office in theLodge with credit , he was elected Master in 1886 . Since that date his Masonic career

has been one of great energy and untiring activity . In 1887 ho was one of the Founders of tho Highbury Lodge , No . 2192 , of which he became W . M . in 1892 . In 1888 he was one of the chief promoters in the foundation of the Warner L xlge , No . 2256 , of which ho was Treasurer , and is now a P . M . The following year he assisted in starting the Lennox Browne Lodge , No . 2318 , at Buckhurst Hill , in which he has served several offices . The climax was reached in 1890 , when several brethren desiring to recognise his services to

tho Craft , petitioned Grand Lodge for tho establishment of the Shurmur Lodge , in which lie was nominated as the first Master . The petition was one of tho most remarkable over presented to the Grand Master for approval , bearing as it did the signatures of no less than sixty-three petitioners . At tho consecration , which was performed by the Grand Secretary Bro . Letchworth , thero were nearly 400 brethren present , of whom more than one

fourth wore Installed Masters . As we stated in our last report of this Lodge , it has now a roll of 120 members . It is a Patron of the Eoyal Masonio Benevolent Institution , with 600 votes in perpetuity ; a Vice-Patron of the Boys School , with thirty votes ; and a Vice-Patron of the Girls School , with twenty votes ; the amount subscribed to the Charities being no less than 750 guineas .

At the mooting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex held at Waltonon-the-Nazo , 30 th July 1890 , the brethren evinced their confidence in Bro . Shurmur , and their appreciation of his Masonic work , by unanimously electing him to the post of Provincial Grand Treasurer , and he was congratulated by Lord Brooke ( now tho Earl of Warwick ) upon his well deserved honour . In 1893 ho was a Founder and W . M . designate of the Walthamstow Lodge , No . 2472 , and his final step in this direction was reached only last year , when he promoted the Guardian Lodge , No . 2625 , and was made acting I . P . M .

In Boyal Arch Masonry Comp . Shurmur has shown equal activity . He was exalted in the Islington Chapter , No . 1471 , and quickly passed through the various offices , until in 1887 he became Third Principal . He was elected to the post of M . E . Z . in 1889 , and at the urgent request of the Companions he remained iu office for three years , viz ., till 1891 . Wo are compelled to abbreviate the remainder of his Offices . He is P . Z . and Scribe E . of the Empire Chapter , No . 2103 ; a Founder and first M . E . Z . of the Warner

Chapter , No . 2256 ; Founder aud first M . E . Z . of the Guelph Chapter , No . 1685 . In December 1802 he was installed tirst M . E . Z . of the Shurmur Chapter , No . 2374 , aud was appointed Provincial Grand J . by Comp . F . A . Philbrick Grand Superintendent . He is a Founder and Treasurer of the Crusaders Chapter , No . 1677 ; Founder and first Z . of the St . Leonard Chapter , No . 1766 ; and lastly became Founder and M . E . Z . designate of the Philbrick Chapter , No . 1662 .

In Mark Masonry he is W . M . of the Royal Naval Lodge , No . 239 ; a Founder and present W . M . of the George Graveley Lodge , No . 461 . He is a Royal Ark Mariner in the Panmure Lodge , No . 139 , and a member of the Grand Master ' s Council , No . 1 , of the Royal and Select Masters of England , and he belongs to the Mount Oalvary Chapter , Rose Croix of H . R . D . M .

Bro . Shurmur has served twenty-one Stewardships to the Central Masonic Charities , and is Vice-Patron of all three . With such a record any Brother might well bo satisfied , but wc should not be surprised to hear very shortly that he contemplates a further addition to this long list . We sincerely trust that T . G . A . O . T . U . may grant him health , strength and long life to carry out such a magnificent career of usefulness . So mote it be .

An Outside Opinion.

AN OUTSIDE OPINION .

T "* * i HE ono chief merit of the Freemasons is that they are not JL a demonstrative body of men . This assertion may be doubted by persons unfamiliar with the Craft , and who notice the conspicuous display which Masons make when they demonstrate in gala attire . But that our assertion is true is proved by the fact that the public know so little about Masons and Masonry ,

and the principles and practices which the Craft enforces on its members . Of course they would know more if the Masons were as the Oddfellows are , and made the public a confidant in their social methods , and their fraternal operations . Some people who ought to know better manifest a strange aversion to Freemasonry because the Lodges are held in camera , and the greater part of

the work oi the Order is carried ou under the bond of secrecy , But those who are most bitter in their attacks on Masonry really know least about it and its animating principles . In its main respect Freemasonry is a religion , and no one who loyally carries out its principles can be an alien to the faith of Christianity . In so far as its charitable work is concerned , Freemasonry

is a fraternity of a most practical character , not dreamy and illusory , but helpful and utilitarian to the furthest degree . " If one member of a Lodge suffers , all the other members suffer with him . " In the succour it affords to the bereaved and unfortunate , Freemasonry exemplifies the Christian precepts of mutual social helpfulness , and many volumes might be written of