Consecration The Lodge Of Hope No. 2153.

CONSECRATION THE LODGE OF HOPE No . 2153 .

ON Wednesday afternoon , the 12 th instant , the interesting an impressive ccrem > nv of cotisti > ntin < r a n « w Lodse wns performed in the Thormrate Hall , Gosport-, hy the Risjht Worst i of nt the Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P . ) , v ho wn « accompanied bv several Provincial Officer . - ' There was n good muster nf the members of the new Lodge , whioh has been

established more particularly for members of the Services and of visiting brethren . The P . G . M . having taken the chair and appointed the Wardens pro tern , delivered an address , remarking that tho application for the warrant for the Lodge indicated a desire to promote and extend the benefits of Freemasonry . There would , it was

perfectly true , be little cause for congratulation were there any doubts ns to the success of the Lodge in tbe future , or as to the gincere wish of the brethren who were joining it to promote it . That , he trusted , thpy might dismiss from their minds . No donbt the brethren of Gosport , emulating their brethren in Portsmouth , who

had such a nnmber of Lodges , wero desirous of extending their Lodges , which was not surprising , considering the growth that Gosport was making . That being the case , and a number of brethren having signified ( heir wish to join in promoting a new Lodge , he had every desire to assist them by all means in his power , and

therefore he had come there that day , it being one that he thought would probably be convenient to them , and on which he could be spared from the House of Commons , though tho bnsiness . on most days was rather of an entrancing natnre . What was tho work on which they were engaged ? Was theirs a society based on the

princ'ples of yesterday ? No , ifc was a society based on principles which had existed for thousands of years . It was curious that almost from day to day things were brought to light whioh showed that Freemasonry mnst have existed even for a longer time than they bad an idea of . They had remains of buildings brought to

light which bore traces of Masonio emblems , showing that in those days there wero brethren who desire to perpetuate their society . It had been found that in countries which they had no idea had any contact with the civilised portion of the world Freemasonry must have existed , and how it could possible have permeated to those

remote places was a perfect marvel to them . But , as a rule , Masonry had been synonymous with , and had extended wifch knowledge . This showed thafc Masonry was one of those societies which were allied to the best interests of civilisation . Their society promulgated some of the best principles which , apart from Christianity , could be inculcated .

How could what was tanghfc in their ritual fail to exercise a favourable influence npon the conduct of men if only they acted up to them ? It waa only for them to do so and they would become better citizens , better men , and have increased reverence for the Great Being who created the world and all that was in it . It was

surprising , considering the length of time that Freemasonry had existed , that there were hardly any casps where brethren or Lodges had fallen away from the principles which had been inculcated . There had been a melancholy instance in recent times , which ho trusted might never occur again . Most of the Lodges in France had fallen

away from the faith and traditions of their forefathers and rejected the name of the Supreme Being within the walls of their Lodges . Had this repudiation been received with favour in other countries P Far from it . They had been refused intercourse with Freemasons in other countries , and in England they had been accounted as ont of

the pale of the Masonio Order . Ho thought this showed thafc the brethren of this day were determined not to reject the excellent lessons given them in the past . He trusted that the work in which they were engaged might bo fraught with prosperity to the Order , and that the Lodgo of Hope would shed a bright influence around and

be an honour to the Order they loved so well . The P . G . Secretary having read the petition and warrant for the establishment of the new Lodge , which is to be held on the third Wednesday in each month , at the India Arms Hotel , a short address in advocacy of charity was delivered by Bro . the Rev . J . N . Palmer , Grand Chaplain

of England , after which the ceremony was proceeded with , Bro . T . F . Wilton presiding at the harmonium . The W . M . designate of the new Lodge , Bro . Francis Powell P . M . P . P . G . Pursuivant , was pre . sented to the P . G . M . by Bro . G . F . Lancaster , officiating for the D . P . G . M . ( Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre ) , who , ifc was explained , was in

London on other Masonic duty , and on the completion of the ceremony of installation the W . M . appointed the Officers , ns under : —Bro W . Green P . M . S . W ., T . Stretton J . W ., Rev R . Measham P . M . Chaplain , H . Crisp Treasnrer , W . J . Pawsey Secretary , T . Pearson S . D ., Major E . S . Innes J . D ., T . W . Holdstock I . G ., J . G . Williams

D . C , D . Batson Org ., E . Jewell and E . H . Buck Stewards , L . Canvin Tyler . Before close of the Lodge several members wero proposed , and hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the P . G . M . and to tho Officers for presenting the collars and jewels . Letters of apology for non-attendance had been received from , among others , General

Sir G . Willis , Captain Lord C . Beresford , M . P ., General Sir F . Fitz Wygram , M . P ., Captain Sir Alfred Balliston , R . N ., Colonel Sir F . Testing , R . M . A ., Captain Colomb , R . N ., and Colonel Crease , R . M . A . Tho W . M . presided at the banquet which followed , at the India Arms Hotol , when the usnal toasts were proposed . —Evening Mail .

Consecration Of The Surbiton Lodge, No. 2416.

CONSECRATION OF THE SURBITON LODGE , No . 2416 .

ANOTHER Lodge has just been added to the roll of the Craft , and , leaving aside the question so often discussed as to whether the multiplication of the branches of Freemasonry is wise in policy or otherwise , we must congritulate onr brethren of Snrbiton npon

the excellent start that was made by this latest addition to the Fraternity on Tnesrlay last . This is the thirty-first Lodge which has been established in the county of Surrey , aud the event , graced aa it was by the presence of the Provincial Grand Master , General

Consecration Of The Surbiton Lodge, No. 2416.

J . Stndholme Brownrigsr , C . B ., drew a large number of the Prov . Grand Officers from various centres in tho county , aa well aa brethren from London and Lodges iu adjacent Provinces . The weather was delightfully fine , and a "day in the country" was thoroughly enjoyed , as it should be at this season of the year , when

this purlieu of tho silvery Thames appears at , its brightest , clad with the livery of Sp ins , ' . Tho brethren assembled in the Lodge-room afc noon , and had time to inspect and admire the commodious and suitable hall which had been provided for the purpose , with the whole of the arrangements aud appointments of which they

expressed themselves delighted . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master took the ohair , appointing as his Wardens Bros . W . H . Ferryman A . G . P ., and Thomas Long P . M . and Treasurer 889 P . P . G . D . C , who was assisted in the consecration ceremony by Bros . Rev . Geoffrey Hughes P . G . C . Surrey Chaplain , John G . Horsey

P . P . G . D . C . Surrey Director of Ceremonies , R . Sebastian Hart P . G . S . D . Surrey Installing Officer , James Squire P . P . G . S . B . Surrey , Charles Greenwood jun . acting P . G . Secretary P . P . G . Reg . Surrey , and W . W . Morgan P . M . 211 . Amongst the Visitors were Bros . Samuel Hewett 1614 , James Packham 3 , John Divwett S . W .

1638 , W . Drewetfc J . W . 889 , George Moorman J . W . 1981 , G . W . Avliffe 946 , Wm . Chapman S . W . 889 , H . J . Rose 1793 , James Hill W . M . 1658 , Edwin Q . Anster 7 , J . Jacobs I . P . M . 1614 , Edward Jacobs P . M . 1614 , George Coleman P . M . 1614 , E . Stillwell P . G . S . W . M . 1872 , W . H . Bays P . M . 1658 , Henry King P . M . 1639 , Robert

Walden D . C . 1658 , A . Alchm 2033 , J . W . Moorman W . M . 1638 Seo . 1981 , H . Weaver W . M . 889 , G . T . Clayton P . M . 1872 P . G . A . D . C . The Lodge having been opened in the three degrees , the Prov . G . Master was saluted , and the acting Secretary having handed the petition and warrant to tho Prov . Grand Master , the latter addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting , in the course of his brief

but practical observations expressing fche gratification it afforded him to witness the progress that Freemasonry was making . He was always pleased to recommend the petition for a new warrant in cases where it was , in his judgment , and that of the brethren , desirable , and they would all agree that this was a case in whioh snch petition

had been very properly applied for and acceded fco . The founders of the Lodge were Bros . Dr . C . C . Gibbes P . M . 1872 ancl P . P . G . J . D . the Worshipful Master Designate , Albert Storr P . M . 1658 and A . Wilson P . M . 1298 the Wardens Designate , J . W . Allen , Austin , T . Beck , G . F . Budden , 0 . Brain , S . Hewett , F . P . Hill , J . H . Jarvis , A .

Jobbins F . Lockett , W- Metcalfe , W . McMillan , J . Packham , W . W , Wakeford , 0 . Worry , and W . Douglas Young . The brethren of the new Lodge having been arranged in order , the Director of Cere , monies read the petition and warrant , to which the names of the above founders were appended , and the brethren signified in Masonio

form their approval of the Officers named in the warrant . The Prov . Grand Master then called npon Bro . W . W . Morgan for an address upon the nature and desisrn of the Institution , and in re . sponso Bro . Morgan observed that knowing the Prov , Grand Master had other engagements it made it desirable that brevity shonld

prevail on this occaoion , and therefore the remarks he waa about to submit to the brethren would be few , though they need not lack earnestness of purpose . On looking around he found himself surrounded by brethren who had distinguished themselves , and had brought the full benefit of their experience to bear upon the Craft

and therefore he need not detain them with auy exposition of the nature of the Institution , the objects and constitution of which they knew so well . But as a natural consequence of the formation of a new Lodgo the design of the Institution might well demand a little more of their attention , and he reminded them that a Lodgo of

Freemasons , to be successful and harmonious in its sphere , should consist of men who wonld enter heartily and thoroughly into the work set before them , -with a desire and a will to do the best they possibly could for those around them , and more especially to uphold and support each other in all their doings in life , so far as these did

not prove derogatory to their personal interests and duties . He spoke earnestly on the essential importance of studying closely and practising the principles and tenets of the Craft in their entirety , as by so doing thoy wonld do much to enhance the happiness and prosperity not only of themselves , but of the human family

universally . Casnally referring to the use and tho abuse of the ballot , which subject had recently formed a matter of considerable comment in certain circles , he briefly reminded the brethren that judicious nso should be made of the privilege thus accorded to them , that the black ball shonld not be employed unless in cases of

necessity , and the power absolutely vested in them exercised only in extreme cases . The bonds of brotherl y love which cemented them as one body in this grand Institution should teach them the principles of temperance and generous forbearance , wisdom and discretion tempered with their zeal ; and , from what he had seen and knew of

the brethren wbo had forunded this Lodge , he was assured they would ever inculcate those precepts amongst the brethren who shonld be enrolled nnder its banner . In a properly organised Institution such as their own , there was but one aim and object that bonnd them all together in family relationship ; and

matters in which no cardinal points were involved might be amicably arranged without recourse to extreme measures , whioh were frequently the means of sowing fche seeds of discord and discontent in even the most prosperous Lodges . If this idea were carried out , there was ample scope for the Lod >; e to progress to their

mutual advantage , and tbe benefit of the district in which they were now assembled . He congratulated the brethren upon the successful launching of their new venture , which he was perfectly assured , under the wise and able guidance of their estimable Prov . Grand Master , wonld prove a most valuable acquisition to the Craft . The

anthem commencing "Tis a pleasant thing to see , was then snng , Bro . Sebast ' aa Hart presiding at the organ ; and this , as well as the other musical portions of tbe impressive rito , was efficiently carried out . The first po ' t on of thr > dedication prayer was theo said by the Chaplain , Bro . Rev . Geoffrey Hughes P . G . C . Surrey ; and the brethren taming to the East , the Prov , Grand Master gave the