The Boys Festival.

who reads these lines would endeavour to apply them to himself , and determine to put their truth to the test—they would start with the knowledge they were working for a good cause , and one that was deserving of general and hearty

support , a fact that is ample demonstrated when we mention that upwards of two hundred and seventy boys are now being educated , clothed and maintained in the Institution ' s School at Wood Green—not provided for , be it understood , in any

niggardly way , but with as much consideration for their health , happiness , comfort , and future welfare as we should bestow on our own children—surely a substantial base from which to solicit help from all who are in a position to accord it .

Before closing these remarks and waiting for the actual result of this year ' s celebration we may appropriately express the hope that Lord Egerton of Tatton will be enthusiastically supported in his presidency , and that he may have as much

reason to congratulate himself on the result of the efforts of the Stewards who will support him as he undoubtedly already has in regard to their number , for a Board of five hundred Stewards is alone sufficient to allow of his regarding the result of his Chairmanship with pride .

The customary visit of Stewards and friends to the Institution will be held the day preceding the Festival , Tuesday , 2 nd prox ., on which occasion the prizes will be distributed by Her Grace the Duchess of Buckingham and

Chandos , who is taking very great interest in her husband s presidency at the Festival this year . Following the prize distribution the Boys will give a representation of the opera " The Pirates of Penzance , " and those who had the privilege

of witnessing the efforts of the pupils when they played " H . M . S . Pinafore" will doubtless look forward , as we do , with pleasurable anticipation to this part of the day ' s programme . Tea , Coffee , and other light refreshment will

then be provided for the guests , after which the Boys will go through their Fire Drill and in this will doubtless also win the applause of their Visitors , many of whom will

require no further evidence of careful training and ability than is here provided , and all of whom must be delighted with the way in which the exercises are gone through—that is , if they are as nearly perfect as we have witnessed them

on previous . In consequence of the large Board of Stewards , each member of which receives a ticket for himself and lady , the issue of other admissions is limited , but we have no doubt

Bro . McLeod will endeavour to find room for any other friends of the Institution who may desire to be present if they apply to him for the necessary tickets , although in this matter he is bound by instructions from the Board of Management , so

as to avoid the inconvenience and unpleasantness of over crowding , and as a consequence early application is necessary . The business of the day will commence at 2-45 p . m ., by

which time it is hoped the Visitors will be seated in the Assembly Hall , and we venture to predict it will prove a successful prelude to a greater success at the Anniversary Festival the following day .

Consecrations.

CONSECEATIONS

— : o : — THE FURNIVAL LODGE .

ALTHOUGH only some 18 months have elapsed since a seventh Lodge of Fieemasons was established in Sheffield by the consecration of the White Bose of York , No . 2491 , the Craft has made such progress that an eighth was added to the roll on Friday afternoon cf last week , by the formation of the Furnival Lodge , No . 2558 . The ceremony was performed by the Provincial Grand

Consecrations.

Master Bro . the Right Hon . W . Lawies Jackson , M . P ., who was supported by most of the present and many of the past members of his Provincial Grand Lodge , including Bro . Henry Smith Deputy Provincial Grand Master . There was a large attendance , including the Worshi pful

Masters and many of the Officers and Brethren connected with all the existing Lodges in Sheffield and district . The picturesque and unique ceremonial was greatly heightened iu interest and irupressiveness by the tasteful rendering by a body of musical Brethren of the beautiful and appropriate musical setting of part of the ritual , composed by Bro . F . C . Atkinson .

At a convenient period of the proceedings , the Piovincial Grand Master delivered an address . After expressing his warm acknowledgment of his cordial reception , he said they had been engaged in a very interesting ceremony , and one of considerable importance as marking the progress of Freemasonry . Every new

Lodge consecrated was , so to speak , a new family formed within the Order . That was the second Lodge which , during his period of office , he had had the privilege of consecrating , and , curiousl y enough , both had been within the city of Sheffield . It was a pleasure to him to know that Freemasonry was making such

progress in the good old town . He could not pass over the interesting connection there was historically between the town of Sheffield and the name chosen as that of the new Lodge . It was no doubt interesting to trace the connection of names with particular places and particular events . Sheffield was rich in its

old traditions , and it was not too much to say that the name of Furnival deserved to be honoured and respected . It was a fact that to one bearing the name of Furnival Sheffield owed its original incorporation and freedom . One Gerald de Furnival obtained from Richard I . the hand and estates of Maude .

daughter of a former Lord of Hallamshire . They held the manor for over two hundred years . Some were Crusaders , and one fought at Crecy . One sat in Parliament as Lord Furnival , and he in 1281 obtained from Edward I . a charter granting the privilege of holding in Sheffield a weekly market and an annual

fair . The promoters of that Lodge had that day received from Albert Edward the Most Worshipful Grand Master a charter which , if it did not confer a privilege upon the whole of the inhabitants of Sheffield , yet did confer great benefits upon those who belonged to the new Lodge , those who took office in it , and

those who should succeed them . The Furnival he had spoken of exercised the very considerable power he was possessed of for no selfish purpose , but for the benefit of the district . He hoped that that example would be followed by the members of that Lodge , and that nothing would be done to limit or restrict the

undoubted benefits which it was in the power of Masonry to bestow . He congratulated Sheffield on the growth of Masonry , and hoped that every good wish he could express on its behalf would be realised . The White Bose of York , he was interested to know , was making progress , and ' was doing credit not only to

the promoters but to the Craft at large . There were now 77 Lodges on the roll of West Yorkshire , which , as a Province , he might say without boasting , held a high position in Masonry throughout the Empire . He trusted that nothing would be done by anyone connected with the new Lodge to tarnish the honour

of the Order to which they were all so proud to belong , and he especially urged the Brethren to be careful not to propose , or in any way support anyone for admission into the Order unless they were satisfied , after most careful inquiry , that they would ultimately reflect credit on their choice .

The Worshipful Master of the new Lodge Bro . C . Stokes was then installed by Bro . H . T . E . Holmes P . P . G . D . C ., and he then invested his Officers .

A banquet , at which over one hundred were present , followed , and was served in Bro . Robert Turner ' s best style . Bro . Charles Stokes W . M . presided , and was supported by the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy , and many Officers and Brethren .

The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts having been given from the chair and honoured in ancient style , the Chairman gave the health of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master and of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , present and past . He said that

Bro . Jackson accepted the post with hesitancy , but he had so filled it that already it would be difficult to supply his place . He had visited Sheffield three or four times since his appointment , and the oftener he came the more welcome he was .

The Provincial Grand Master was most cordially greeted on rising to respond . Having warmly thanked the Brethren for their kind reception of him , and expressed his regret at being obliged to leave them early , he said there were no better or more loyal citizens than Masons in the whole of the wide world . He

urged the Brethren to cultivate a spirit of peace and harmony in every Ledge , and trusted that each individual Brother would feel a personal responsibility in maintaining the best of fraternal relations , and that nothing he might do or leave undone would have any tendency save to promote good fellowship and concord throughout the province of West Yorkshire . Passing on to propose the toast of tha Worshipful Master of Furnival Lodge , the Provincial Grand Master said tbey bad