Essex.

ESSEX .

THE -annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of this division is fixed for Thursday , 18 th July , at Loughton , under the banner of the Bagshaw Lodge , No . 1457 . The day selected immediatel y follows that on which the installation of H . R . H , the Duke of Connaught as Grand Master

is arranged ta take place , and in view of that fact , together with the high position occupied by the Provincial Grand Master in the Craft , and the short distance of the meeting place from London , we anticipate there will be an exceptional attendance of distinguished visitors on the occasion .

Consecration.

CONSECRATION .

Norfolk Lodge , No . 2852 . THE newest of Masonic Lodges bears the name " Norfolk , " and is No . 2852 on the Register of the Grand

Lodge of England . Some time ago Bro . Chas . E . Noverre conceived the idea of establishing in London a Lodge to serve as a home for Norfolk Freemasons who might be permanently or temporarily engaged in the metropolis . With that business-like energy and tact which characterises the

late Norwich citizen , Bro . Noverre speedily made the movement take a workable form , and , after much anxious thought and a great amount of labour , it was decided to apply to the Grand Lodge for a Warrant This was granted by the

M . W . Grand Master the Duke of Connaught , and on Wednesday , 19 th inst , at Freemasons' Flail , Great Queen Street , London , the Lodge was duly consecrated and constituted .

To bring a Lodge into existence a number of founders are required , and no difficulty was experienced in securing the co-operation of many prominent members of the Craft residing in London and the Norfolk Province . The following is a list of the Founders , most of whom were present at

Wednesday ' s function : —Bros . Lord Amherst of Flackney Charles A . Bathurst Bignold , Sir Courtenay Boyle , William G . Brighten , George Moore Chamberlin , Sydney Monckton Copeman , Edward J . Dodd , H . Work Dodd , Colonel Robert W . Edis , William Pinder Eversley , Sir Forrest Fulton , Sir

Charles Gilman , Arthur D . Hansell , Ferneley Cozens-Hardy , Sir Kenneth H . Kemp , Hermann Klein , William J . Lancaster , the Dean of Norwich , Hamon le Strange , Frederick Miller , John Moore , Bruce Morison , Charles Edwin Noverre , Wm .

Reginald Palgrave , Captain William Pattrick , Arthur George Russell , C . H . Scriven , Edward Palgrave Simpson , James T . Southgate , Harry J . Sparks , Robert J . Symonds , Walter Wellsman , Professor Ernest W . White , Herbert Winder , and William Flenry Wyon .

The ceremony of Consecration was performed in a masterly and effective style by Bro . Edward Letchworth Grand Secretary , assisted by Bros . J . V . Vesey-Fitzgerald , K . C ., Dep . G . Reg . as S . W ., Philip A . Scratchley J . G . D . as J . W ., the Right Rev . the Lord Bishop of Barking P . G . Ch .

as Chap ., Frank Richardson P . G . D . as D . C ., G W G Barnard P . A . G . D . C . as I . G . The prayers , passages of Scripture , & c , were most impressively recited by the Bishop of Barking , who also delivered an eloquent oration on the nature and principles of the Institution . Bro . Iiermann Klein , a native of Norwich ,

Consecration.

who plays a prominent part in musical life of London , accompanied and directed the singing of the anthem , hymns , & c , which greatly enhanced the beauty of the service . The Lyric Vocal Quartet , consisting of Bros . Thomas Powell , Etherington Smith , Charles Strong , and Florace Reynolds , gave a very finished interpretation of this music .

The installation of Bro . rlamon le Strange as the first W . M . was then proceeded with , Brother Letchworth ably carrying out the duties of Installing Master . The Treasurer and Tyler having been elected , the W . M . appointed and invested the following as his Officers for the year : —Bros .

Lord Amherst of Hackney P . G . W . acting I . P . M ., Sir Forrest Fulton P . G . D . S . W ., the Very Rev . William Lefroy , D . D ., J . W ., William J . Lancaster Treasurer , Charles E . Noverre Secretary , H . J . Sparks D . P . G . M . Norfolk S . D ., S . Monckton

Copeman , M . D ., J . D ., Walter Wellsman P . A . G . D . C . D . C . H . W . Dodd , F . R . C . S ., I . G ., Hermann Klein P . G . O . Org . William G . Brighten Assist . D . C , Prof . Ernest W . White , M . B ., Assist . Sec , Arthur D . Hansell and James T . Southgate Stewards , C . Patrick Tyler .

The five Consecrating Officers were elected honorary members of the Lodge , and Lord Suffield was also elected an honorary member . It is intended that the Lodge shall meet in February , April , and November , in addition to the gathering for the Installation . The names of seven gentlemen were mentioned as candidates for initiation . Other

business having been transacted , the Lodge was closed in ancient form . At seven o ' clock the members sat down to an elegant banquet , served in the Crown Room . Proposing the King and the Craft , the W . M . said the

Brethren had scarcely become acquainted with this new form of the toast . In a Lodge named after the King ' s own county the toast was something more than a merely formal one . Norfolk Masons were particularly pleased that King Edward VII . was not going to forsake the county in which

he had lived so long and become so beloved as the Prince of Wales . The toast was drank with the utmost cordiality , and Miss Ruth Vincent ( who , as a Norfolk-born vocalist , kindly came forward and offered her valuable services on this interesting occasion ) , in ringing tones , led off the singing of the National Anthem .

Referring to the toast of the M . W . trie Grand Master H . R . FI . the Duke of Connaught , the W . M . remarked in a very short time members of the Craft would see His Royal Flighness installed . All were very sorry tO' lose the Grand Master who for twenty-six years had presided over them

with such conspicuous success . He had seen the Duke of Connaught perform important Masonic functions , and was convinced that , beyond their Royal patron , no one could be better fitted to occupy the Grand Master ' s chair , and to him every Mason would loyally transfer the affection borne for so many years to their late chief the Prince of Wales .

The toast of the M . W . the Pro Grand Master the Earl Amherst , the Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Warwick , and the rest of the Grand Officers present and past was also given from the chair . The proposer said that it was needless

to expatiate upon the excellency of the work of these Brethren . Fie was pleased to be supported at the inaugural meeting of the Norfolk Lodge by such a galaxy of Grand Officers , and he thanked them for coming to help to usher

Ad00203

RoyalMasonicInstitutionforGirls. OFFICES — 5 FREEMASONS' HALL , GREAT QUEEN STREET , LONDON , W . C . 2035 Girls hai > e been provided vOith Education , Clothing , and Maintenance , the full number of Girls novO receiving its benefits being 26 U . The 114 th Anniversary Festival will be held in MAY 1902 , under the distinguished Presidency of THERIGHTHON.THEEARLOFLATHOM,P.G.W., R . W . PROV . G . M . LANCASHIRE , WESTERN DIVISION . Telephone No . 29 S 2 , Gerrard . Registered Office Telegraphic Address : "Giriands , London . " F . R . W . HEDGES , Secretary , do . School do . "Machio , London . " 5 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C ,