Loyalty Of The Craft.

LOYALTY OF THE CRAFT .

|) ERHAPS at no time in the history of Freemasonry * has the loyalty of its members been more manifest than is the case just now , when troubles in South Africa have aroused the enthusiasm of all classes

of the community , but—we think we are justified in saying—particularly those associated with the Ancient Order of Freemasonry .

In all parts of the country we hear of collections being made at the festive board of the Craft in aid of one or another Fund started on behalf of the "

Absent-Minded Beggars " of the Empire , and we are proud to say that the result is invariably such as the members of the different Lodges may be proud of . Can any better answer than this be given to the

insane abuse levelled against us from time to time b y members of the Romish Church , which abuse has once again broken out in the correspondence column of the "Catholic Times , " as a reference to another part of

this issue , where we reproduce three recent letters , will prove . We feel some amount of satisfaction in connection with this latest attack , however , as even the most bitter of the writers seems to be of opinion that

it is only a very small " external " section of the Craft —none of which appear to be associated with the English Order—which is to be condemned , while the

other , the " internal" section , is worthy of praise . As we have recently observed , the time may not be very far distant when even the Romish Church and

Freemasonry , in its true sense , will work hand in hand in the great design they both profess—of benefitting the human race .

A Church Service in aid of the War Fund and under Masonic auspices is to be held in Edinburgh on 4 th February , and will be conducted by the Rev . Dr . Colin Campbell , of

Dundee , Grand Chaplain , while the reading will be undertaken by the Hon . James Hozier , M . P ., Grand Master of Scotland . Lord Rosebery has intimated his intention of being present at the Service if possible .

The accounts of Bro . David Reid Grand Treasurer of Scotland , showing the income and expenditure of Grand Lodge for the quarter ending 13 th January 1900 , gives the number of entrants during that period at 2 , 107 . The total

income amounted to £ 2 , 319 is 8 d , and the expenditure , including £ 246 os 6 d paid into Benevolent Fund and £ 105 paid into the War Fnnd , amounted to £ 1 , 226 14 s nd , leaving a balance of £ 1 , 092 6 s gd in excess of expenditure .

The votes and interest of Governors and Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys are earnestly solicited on behalf of Albert Dingley , aged 9 1 years , son of the late Bro . George Dingley , who was initiated in the Harrow Lodge , No . 1310 , on 4 th July 18 93 , and remained a

subscribing member until the time of his death , which took place on nth December 189 , 8 , leaving a widow and seven children ( one a cripple ) unprovided for . The case is strongly recommended by all the members of the Harrow Lodge , No . 1310 ( of which the father was J . W . ) and by many other Brethren .

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS LODGE

rpHE necessary Warrant having been granted by the _ L Grand Master , Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Secretary consented to consecrate this Lodge , No . 2795 , on Saturday , 13 th inst , at the Hotel Cecil , Strand , on which

occasion he was assisted by Bros . Perceval A . Nairne P . G . D . as S . W ., F . Mead P . G . Swd . B . as J . W ., Rev . Canon Brownrigg P . G . Chap , as Chap ., Frank Richardson P . G . D . as D . C ., J . M . McLeod P . G . Swd . B . as I . G .

The interesting and beautiful ceremony proceeded upon the customary lines , Bro . Letchworth being heard at his very best . It was a day that will live long in the memory of those who had the good fortune to be present . The Lodge was formally dedicated and constituted , and the ceremony concluded with the Patriarchal Benediction .

Upon its termination a Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Brother R . A . Tidmas P . M . 1815 the W . M .-designate was presented to Brother Letchworth , who formally installed him in the chair as the first Master of the Lodge .

Having been proclaimed and saluted in the three degrees , Bro . R . A . Tidmas W . M . invested the following Officers : Bros . Herbert O . Budd S . W ., Thomas Elliott J . W ., John Irwin Sec , B . Kench S . D ., C . W . Bailey J . D ., Chas . Hall Simmons I . G ., John M . Maynard D . C ., John Poole Robinson and Alexander Allen Stewards . These ten

Brethren are also the Founders of the Lodge . Upon the conclusion of the addresses , which were impressively delivered by Bro . Letchworth , the W . M .

proposed a cordial vote of thanks to the Consecrating Officers for their services , and that they should be elected Honorary Members of the Lodge . The proposition was seconded by Bro . Budd S . W ., and carried unanimously .

Bro . Letchworth , in acknowledging the compliment , said as the mouthpiece of his colleagues he must express the very great pleasure it had given them to be present , and to consecrate the Lodge , which they hoped would have every

success and prosperity . The Consecration banquet was served in the handsome Dining Room of the Hotel , and reflected very great credit upon the staff of the establishment .

Bro . Edward Terry P . G . Treasurer responded for the visitors in a humorous speech which was heartily enjoyed . He said he could not claim to be a Commercial Traveller , although he had frequently to take orders—not the kind of

orders that made the Rev . Bro . T . H . Russell smile . He said he noted a train on the Founders' jewel , and he could fancy it was labelled " Edward Terry ' s Company , for Glasgow . " He wished the Lodge every prosperity and

success . The Officers of the Lodge having been complimented the proceedings were brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast .

nnHE first regular meeting was held at the Hotel Cecil , on _ L Saturday , 20 th inst ., and subsequent ones will be held at the Hotel Cecil the'third Saturdays in January , February , March , October , and November .

Bro . R . A . Tidmas W . M . was in the chair , and after the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the consecration meeting a successful ballot was taken for live joining members .

A dispensation was then read from Grand Lodge , when six gentlemen were balloted for , the result proving unanimous , viz . : Messrs . Frederick Coysh , William Walter Gibbings , John James Hanson , Rev . William Henry Maynard , M . A ., Morris William Coopman , and Harry Enderby . They were