Consecrations.

been engaged in an interesting ceremony , without which it would be impossible for Masonry to extend its limits , because there was a limit to the number of members who could effectively and with advantage belong to a Lodge . But wider and wider on ™> ared the horizon covered bv Masonry and to still further

extend them that day had been to him personally a great pleasure and privilege . Sheffield stood high in the world as regarded her manufactures . She stood in her own characteristics second to none . She had made her reputation and , though many attempts had been made to deprive her of it , they had

always failed . She had a reputation , also for her hospitality , and " he could himself bear testimony how well it was deserved , for no one knew better than himself the real warmth and genuine friendliness of a Sheffield welcome , which was especially distinguished for its earnestness and reality . Next week

Sheffield would have an opportunity of welcoming one who had come from afar . Let them try to appreciate if they could the feelings of one who for the first time saw western civilisation to which they were accustomed every day . Still he thought it well that the Shahzada should come to England to see for himself

something of the power and energy which had shown its force throughout the world . It was well that he should come to Sheffield to see the evidences of the manufacturing power and skill which had made the city what she was , for he believed that

Sheffield was a type of England and of the United Kingdom . The new life born that day they could not hope would be free from vicissitudes , but he trusted that it would be so engrained with the principles of Freemasonry as ever to display them to the best advantage .

The Worshipful Master suitably responded , stating that the Furnival Lodge had the best wishes of all the seven sister Lodges in the town . The health of the Installing Master was heartily drunk , on the proposition of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master .

Bro . H . T . E . Holmes P . P . G . D . C ., in responding , mentioned that it was twenty-one years since he was initiated , that fourteen years ago he had the pleasure , when in the chair of Wentworth

Lodge , of initiating Bro . Stokes their Worshipful Master , and seven years ago he himself was appointed first Worshipful Master of the St . Leonard ' s Lodge on the occasion of its consecration .

The toast of the sister Lodges , proposed by Brother G . H . Hutchinson S . W ., was acknowledged by Bros . E . Dickinson , W . E . Gray , M . J . Dodworth , W . Tyzack , H . A . Brook , J . J . Parker and J . Jackman , the respective Worshipful Masters . Other toasts followed , and the speeches were agreeably

interspersed with songs and instrumental selections by Bros . W . Gadsby , W . Foxon , T . E . Barker , R . C . Honey , H . A . Brook , C . Stokes , M . Miner , and A . E . Drury ; Brother J . W . Phillips presided at the piano , accompanying with his usual taste , and playing a striking composition of his own with much acceptance . — " Sheffield Independent . "

Manchester Lodge.

MANCHESTER LODGE

ON Friday , 14 th inst ., this new Lodge , numbered 2554 on the Register , and making the 109 th in the Province of East Lancashire , was consecrated at the Masonic Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester . In the unavoidable absence of Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie

rrovmcial Grand Master , the ceremony was conducted by Bro . J . H . Sillitoe P . G . S . B . England and P . P . G . W . East Lancashire . There was present a large and influential gathering , including representatives of the Grand Lodges of East and West

Lancashire , Cheshire , West Yorkshire , and other Provinces , while amongst the Brethren of high rank was Bro . H . J . Strong P . G . A . D . C . England and Medical Officer of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , Crovdon .

The impressive ceremony was performed in an admirable manner , the musical portions , under the direction of the P . G . Organist , being rendered very effectively . Bro . the Rev . J . Kelty , in the course of an address on the nature and principles of the institution , said Masonrv was no

new foundation of the nineteenth century or mere organisation for social purposes , but a living organisation founded on the very purest principles and having as its aim above all things the moral and social welfare of its members . Because their forefathers

nad acted upon these principles Freemasonry had become a power in the land . Its Charities were unrivalled , and its membershi p was coveted by the very highest . It sought to promote the glory of God and peace and goodwill among men .

At the close of the consecration ceremony , says the , Manchester Guardian , " Bro . W . B . Ackerman P . M . was installed as the first Master by Bro . Sillitoe . The Provincial Grand Master and Brother J . H . Sillitoe installing Master were unanimously elected honorary members ° t the Lodge . Brother W . A . Boyer was elected charity

Manchester Lodge.

representative ; and the W . M . announced that all the ten founders had qualified as Life Governors of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . In the evening there was a banquet , at which the Master presided . We hope to give a more extended report next week .

Ark Mariners.

ARK MARINERS ,

AT Chacewater on Monday , 17 th inst ., there was consecrated a Royal Ark Mariners Lodge to be attached to the Boscawen Mark Lodge , No . 101 . Bro . F . Crouch P . M . P . G . D . England , who was the Consecrating Officer representing the Prov . G . M . M . M . of Cornwall Bro . Sir Charles B . Grave 3-Sawle , Bart ., was assisted by Bros . George Dunsterville , H . Langmead , and A . Trout P . C . Ns . Sincerity , No . 35 .

At the conclusion of the consecration ceremony nineteen Brethren were elevated to the degree . Bro . W . L . Chegwidden was ably installed in the chair by Bro . Dunsterville , and appointed and invested the Officers for the first year .

The thanks of the Lodge were accorded the Visiting Brethren for their presence and assistance , and , on the proposition of Bro . Major Shanks , seconded by Bro . Bennett , it was suggested that Bros . Crouch , Dunsterville , Trout , Parker , Langmead , Lillicrap , and Clark be elected honorary members of the Lodge .

Bro . Crouch , on behalf of Bro . Sholto H . Hare , presented to the Lodge four handsome collars and jewels . The gift was accepted , and a unanimous vote of thanks to the donor was passed .

Immediately after the closing of the Lodge all the Brethren were photographed in a group by Bro . Opie , of Redruth . An adjournment was then made to the Banqueting Hall , where an excellent repast was laid .

After the removal of the cloth the usual toasts were given and responded to . The health of Bro . J . Retallack W . M . Boscawen Mark

Lodge , No . 1 , and Bro . Chegwidden W . C . N . Ram Lodge , submitted by Bro . Rev . Fraser-Frizell Chaplain , in a cordial speech , was well received , and was acknowledged by Brothers Retallack and Chegwidden .

Papers by Bro . Dr . Crawley , " Irish Notes , III ., Some Irish Medals , " and Bro . R . F . Gould , " The Duke of Wharton Grand Master 1723-4 ; with an account of the True History of the Gormogons , " are to be read at the meeting of Lodge Quatuor

Coronati on Monday , 1 st July . The members of this Lodge go on two days excursion to Winchester and neighbourhood at the end of next week , the cost , exclusive of train fares , being two guineas .

A letter from the Grand Lodge of Hungary , says a contemporary , states that on the 2 nd May 1892 , the first fifty florins for the Grand Lodge building were received , and to-day there are collected 50 , 000 florins . The lot has been purchased ,

and it is expected that on the celebration of the millennium ( 1896 ) the new building will be dedicated . This is certainly a proof of the great willingness for offering for which the Brethren of Hungary have always been distinguished . All the Grand

Lodges on the face of the globe will be invited to participate in the celebration and dedication of the building . The Grand Lodge of Hungary will also publish a History of Hungarian

Freemasonry , the first volume of which will embrace the eighteenth century , and the second , principally the time from 1869 to 1895 . A synopsis of these works will also be published as a popular edition , either gratis or at the lowest possible price .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA ,

WITH extreme regret the " South London Press " announces the death of Bro . John Hicks Worshipful Master of the Brixton Lodge , 1949 , which took place on the 6 th inst ., at his residence at Heme Hill , from rapid consumption , which had supervened after an attack of influenza . The deceased , who was only 42 years of age , was an enthusiastic Mason , ever ready in

the cause of charity ; a life subscriber to each of the Masonic charities . His installation into the chair of the Brixton Lodge in February last was a very successful function , in which he was supported by a large muster of Brethren and Visitors . He was

also a founder of two or three Lodges of Instruction in South London . The funeral took place on Monday , 10 th inst ., at Norwood Cemetery , Bio . Palmer ( Mount-Edgcumbe Lodge ) undertaking the necessary arrangements .