Consecration Of The Earl Of Clarendon Lodge, No. 1984 At Watford.

Francis Prov . G . Or * ., T . Woodman Prov . G . P ., F . Hall Prov . G . A . P ., and Bros . T . Wright and C . Thomas Prov . G . Tvlers . There were also present during the proceedings the following brethren , viz . —RroB . J . L . Mather P . P . G . D . C . S . W . designate , H . J . Giller J . W . designate , T . Kent P . P . G . D ., F . Davidson P . S . G . W . Middlesex Frederick Binckes P . G . Steward , C . F . Mntier P . G . W . Greece

D . M . Dewar 1415 , George Kenning P . G . D . Middlesex , James Stevens P . M . P . Z ., C . W . Reynolds P . P . G . A . P ., H . Bnlderson P . P . G . J . D ., G . Mickley P . P . G . D ., Foord P . P . G . Reg ., J . Shilcock P . P . G . J . W ., W . 0 . Thompson P . P . G . Chaplain , C . Veal P . G . J . D . Surrey , H . C . Fineh P . P . G . Re ? ., A . P . Brett P . P . G . S . W ., G . Finch P . P . G . Chnp ., W . Wilson , W . Large . A . Cotton , Webster 1479 , Yonng

1707 , W . T . Graves , Noves 1327 , Hodges 1706 , Ward 1541 , Wilding 1541 , G . Smith jnn . 1839 , J . Stedman 1765 , T . Carter 403 , J . Shpar . man 1146 , J . Kingston 1385 , J . T . Bolding 173 , G . F . Francis 403 , J . Penroth 1479 , C . E . Kevser 404 , J . Freke 1827 , C . Payne 404 , C . Killick W . M . 1580 , J . Gibbs 1603 , J . G . Yolland W . M . 1385 , Deedes 1479 , J . T . Lee W . M . 401 , C . W . Allen 1385 , J . Britten

1385 , J . Bristow 657 , P . Cooper 591 , H . J . Bell 404 , H . Mnssey P . M . 1928 , Sydney Martin 404 , J . Belcher 1784 , T . C . Grant 38 , G . J . Flint 404 , E . Burnford W . M . 1519 , B . Hatch 357 , T . W . Lane 1249 , and many others who did not sign the attendance book . A brief address from the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and Consecrating Officer opened the business of the consecration , which was carried

throughout in the most effective and reverent manner . The well delivered extempore oration , given by the Rev . Brother W . O . Thompson , Past Prov . Grand Chaplain , was certainly one of the best , if not the best , we have ever beard on similar occasions . It was not lengthy , but was most expressive , and thoroughly interested those who listened to the speaker ' s forcible language . Bro . J . L . Mather P . P . G . D . C .

carried out the duties conneoted with the ceremonial to perfection , and the whole order of proceedings was , under his attentive care , smoothly and efficiently conducted . An excellent choir , under the direction of Bro . W . T . Graves , amongst whom were Bros . J . Lyndon Hodges , J . Stedman , G . F . Smith , and Frank Ward , made the musical portion of the consecration ceremony very nttraotive , and at

its conclusion the brethren expressed their appreciation of the services of all concerned . Certainly the Earl of Clarendon Lodge was consecrated under especial auspices , and its introduction to its sister Lodges was worthy of its distinguished founders . After a brief interval , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master reqnestpd the V . W . Bro . Shadwell H . Clerke Grand Secretary to instal the W . M . designate of

the new Lodge , and bimself presented W . Bro . Dr . Wilson lies for that purpose , with a few very kindly remarks expressive of his great esteem for his Deputy Grand Master , with whom he said he had been so pleasantly associated in Freemasonry . The Installing Master having addressed the R . W . P . G . M ., the Lodge then duly in . stalled Dr . Wilson lies into the chair of K . S ., Bro . F . D . Knyvett

F . G . Steward acting as Director of Ceremonies . After the usual salutations , the following Officers of tho Earl of Clarendon Lodge were invested , namely , Bros . J . L . Mather P . P . G . D . C . S . W ., H . S . Giller J . W ., G . Tidcomhe jnn . Treasurer , W . Wilson S . D ., W . T . Graves J . D ., W . Large M . C ., T . C . Grant I . G ., A . Cotton Steward , Charles Thomas Tyler . The ceremony of installation was

completed by the addresses of the Installing Master , delivered with the customary ability and easy address of the Grand Secretary , to whom a vote of thanks for his services was unanimously accorded . The W . M . of the new Lodge then called upon his Officers and members to perform their first duty in saluting , as an act of allegiance , the Prov . Grand Master , which having been done , he next proposed the

election of the Prov . Grand Master and the Grand Secretary as honorary members of the Lodge . ; this was carrier ! . Both the distinguisbed brethren responded , with acceptance of the compliment , and kindly promises to assist the progress of the Lodge by every means within their power . A vote of thanks to Bro . George Lambert , Past Grand Sword Bearer , for his kind loan of the consecrating

vessels , was cordially passed . Several propositions for initiation and joining having been mnde , and greetings and hearty good wishes having been expressed by the Visitors , the Lodge was closed with prayer . The banquet was held in the Corn Exchange , which had been prepared for the reception of the guests of the Lodge , and was decorated with abundance of choice ferns and evergreens . It is a fine

assembly room , but somewhat cold for the purposes of a dining hall . Nevertheless , the attention which had been given towards securing as much comfort as possible somewhat mitigated the effects of an atmospheric change , distinctly felt by even the strongest amongst the company , but which soon save way to a more genial temperature as tho several courses disappeared . The viands were extremely good

, and the cuisine deserving of notice ; and had it not been for the want of warmth in what was set before tho guests , nothing but the utmost praise could have been merited b y the host , bis chef , and his attend , ants . After grace had been snng by the choir above named , the several toasts , which wero comrnendably few , were given by the W . M . Referring to the Grand Master his Roval Highness the Prince of

Wales , the W . M . called attention to the strides which Masonry had taken since tho Installation nf his Royal Highness as Grand Master at the Albert Hall , an event which he was sure no Mason who had been then present could ever forget . The progress of Freemasonry under his rule was not to ho wondered at , for the Grand Master , by the genial and kiud-heartcd exercise of his important functions , nnd

endeavours to promote its fjood , had made Freemasonry popular and fashionable . Ho hoped the Earl of Clarendon L idge might add to a local popularity also , but still earnestly advocated tho principle that such popularity stionld not result in the acceptance of other than worthy and properly qualified candidates . In tho glee which succeeded this toast , "Hail to thee , Albert , " Bro . Stedman sang the solo with orcut

effect , and received a well-deserved meed of applause . In submitting the toast of the M . W . the . Pro Grand Master , the M . W . Deputy Grand Master , and the rcat of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , tho W . M ., after extolling tho merits of Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon in the discharge of his high and important duties , referred with kindly expressions to Bro . the Earl of Lathom as the brother-in-law of the

Consecration Of The Earl Of Clarendon Lodge, No. 1984 At Watford.

Earl of Clarendon , whose name the Lodge bears , and then speaking of tho Grand Secretary as the right man in the right place , conpled his name with the toast , which was drunk with mnch enthusiasm . Bro . Frank Ward sang " Charity , " a difficnlt composition , which only a thorough vocalist , as is Bro . Wardy conld so render as to secure the satisfaction the company expressed . Bro . Colonel Shadwell Clorke

G . S , acknowledged the honour and pleasure which he felt in responding to the toast of the Grand Officers , which was indeed a comprehensive one . He considered it not only a great pleasure , but a privilege enjoyed by them , to attend and work in Freemasonry whenever opportunity offered , and he , as one amongst them , was only too happy and too ready to afford what services he could in assisting the

brethren generally , and the Lodges in particular . Having cordially thanked tho W . M . and brethren of the Lodgo , the Grand Secretary proposed the health of the Prov . G . M . the R . W . Bro . T . F . Halsey , whom he congratulated on the snecess which had attended the Province since his accession , some ten years ago ; success which had resulted from the deep and personal interest he had taken in each of

its Lodges . His genial and pleasing conntenance was to be found in all Masonic circles where bis position and inflnence could be brought to bear for the good of the Order , and he ( tho Grand Secretary ) hoped that it might long be so for the sake of all who then heard him . The toast was heartily responded to , and the glee "Evening ' s Twilight " was well sung by the choir . In a capital speech , whiob

was listened to with deep attention , the Prov . G . M . expressed his satisfaction that not only in his own Province , but generally , Freemasonry is holding its own , and doing its full work . He thanked the brethren for the confidence reposed in him , and re-endorsed bis former pledges to use bis ntmost towards the continuance of the same good state of things . But he must not , could not , forget , that

even Provincial Grand Masters required and received support from Provincial Grand Officers , and so , whilst acknowledging the compliments he received , he felt bonnd to recognise the sterling qualities and the unwearied efforts of his Deputy Grand Master Bro . Dr . Wilson lies , and his Grand Secretary Bro . Dawson , who , with the remaining Officers , vied as to whioh should do most for the good of

the Province . It is the duty of Provincial Grand Masters to make personal acquaintance with the members of the several Lodges under their rule , and this could not be done without the assistance of Provincial Officers . Through them this new Lodge was founded , and the successful commencement of its operations , now being celebrated , would , he hoped , lead to a great result in respect of the Province of

Herts . He begged of tbem not to be ambitious of numbers m their Lodge , bnt of quality . The Provincial Grand Master then proposed the health of the Depnty Provincial Grand Master and W . M . of the Earl of Clarendon Lodge , again referring to the great assistance he had received at his hands , and publicly thanking him for valuable support . The toast was enthusiastically received . Bro . Stedman

sang in good style , "Tell her I love her so . " The W . M . returned thanks in his dual capacity , and in the course of his remarks said that he did not think the Ritual of Freemasonry was better worked than in the Lodges of the Province of Herts . The Watford Lodge was a good exemplar of working in Freemasonry , and to that Lodge waa clue much of the good resulting from such work , and , in reference to

the present occasion of meeting , a recognition of the assistance given towards the formation of the Earl of Clarendon , which he hoped wonld work as well , and be as successful as the Watford Lodge had been . He thanked the numerous brethren of that Lodge , as also the many Visitors present , for their attendance on this occasion . He took it as a very great compliment , which he should not readily

forget . The W . M . then gave the toast of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , coupling therewith the name 3 of the Prov . Grand Senior Warden Bro . J . E . Cnssans , author of the " History of 11 rtfordshire , " and the P . P . G . Chaplain , the Rev . Brother W . 0 . Thompson , whose oration that evening in Lodge he , the W . M ., felt assured wonld be long remembered by those who had listened to it .

Both brethren briefly responded , the hour for breaking up and depar . tare fast approaching . The Visitors was proposed by the W . M ., with many thanks for their attendance , and especially to the London brethren for their journeying to Watford on such an unpleasant day . Brother Lyndon Hodges sang " The meeting of the Waters" in his usual effective manner , and but _ for pressure of time would have obeyed an encore . Bro . F . Davison

P . G . S . W . Middlesex , and C . F . Matter P . G . W . Greece , severally responded , and the Masonic Charities having ' been proposed , and replied to rapidly , but with effect , by Bro . Frederick Binckes , the " train " became the most important consideration , and a rapid termination of the proceedings the result . By the courtesy of the manager of the London and North Western Railway Company , the up express was stopped at Watford , and the London brethren reached Buston at 11 , much pleased with the success of the day's proceedings .

Tho annual meeting of the York Lodge , _ No . 23 b , will take place on Monday next , at the Masonic Hall , Dancombe-place , York . The brethren will assemble at four o ' clock . Bro . George Kirby is the "W . M . elect , and Bro . J . Todd P . M . P . P . G . Begistrar will officiate as Installing Master .

Tho installation meeting of the Joppa Lodge , No . 18 S , will take place on the first Monday in January , at Freemasons' Hall , where , in future , this Lodge will hold its meetings .

Bro . Harris , Superintendent S . Division of Police , way , on Friday , presented with a very haudsome jewel , by the brethren of the Domatic Lodge , as a mark of esteem , and in recognition of his valuable services , as Master of the Lodge during the past year .