Consecration Of The Alliance Lodge, No. 1827.

good lodge like this established . The brethren must a i [ feel that the W . M . had spoken most modestly of himself with , regard to the formation of the lodge , but , depend u p " on it , the petitioners for the warrant did perfectly right , arid it only showed what crafty Craftsman they were in associating such a name as his with the lodge as its first Master . There was nothing like a good beginning in

these matters / as in every thing else in life ; even in racing there was nothing like a good start ; and he congratulated the Alliance [ Lodge on having made an admirable start . Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary , proposed " Success to the Alliance Lodge , and the Health of the W . M . " He saidi though he little deserved the honour of proposing this toast , he felt that the W . M . had placed a degree of

confidence in him which he really did not think he entertained ; ljUt whether he did or not he was quite satisfied of one thing , that the W . M . would realise the trust which the brethren had placed in him , and that he would carry out the duties ot the chair in a manner , if not unsurpassed at any rate unsurpassable . It had been his ( Bro . Hervey's ) happy fate f ° many years to be associated with Bro . Monckton ,

not only in Masonry as an enjoyment , but he might almost say in Masonry as a business . They had been associated together in carrying out the work of the Craft , and iu seeing to the wants of their fellow Masons in Griqualand , of which the brother next to him ( Bro . Giddy ) was a worthy exponent , who well looked after it at all limes . It was the duty of the President of the Board of

General Purposes to attend to anything and everything which pertained to the well being and well working of the Craft . How Bro . Monckton had looked after those interests he would leave the brethren to judge ; and if he had looked after the interests of the Craft as a body so well and so worthily , so also the brethren might look forward to his caring for the interests of the Alliance Lodge in a

manner which would not only reflect honour on himself , but credit and success to the brethren . He ( Bro . Hervey ) was glad indeed to be present , and to have had the honour of receiving an invitation , and to see the work done in the lodge in the masterly way in which it had been performed by their good friend and brother Col . Shadwell Clerke . Me was glad to see that fraternal spirit existing

among the brethren of the Alliance Lodge , and he trusted it would endure for many years and enable the brethren to cairy the lodge on to prosperity and success . He would not say anything more about the W . M ., but with respect to the lodge , he wished what all the visitors as well as the members of the lodge wished , that the lodge might prosper , and that for many years they might come and see it from

year to year , increasing in numbers , in respectability , and in whit he , as an old worker in the Craft , did not think onght to be disregarded , the working of the ceremonies of the Order . The W . M . could instruct the brethren in those ceremonies . He did not mean to say that he would set up a rival lodge to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement : he did not expect that he would endeavour to cut that lodge

in Great Queen-street out j but he knew one thing , that if heunfortunately wished to do so unfraternal an act , at any rate he would have the power of doing it , if he had not the disposition . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Hervey concluded by proposing "Health and Long Life to the W . M ., and

Prosperity to the Alliance Lodge , No . 1827 . " The W . M . in reply , said the Grand Secretary had drawn a very heavy bill upon him , wliich he at once confessed his inability to meet , but if the Grand Secretary would bear with him till the end nf the year he would be inclined to endorse and would endeavour to honour it . He had

done little enough for the Alliance Lodge and the Alliance Lodge had little enough to thank him for . He must take care that the good wishes that had been expressed should not be disappointed , and he took it that they were not so much expressions of gratitude for the past as hopes for the future . He woultl now propose " The Health of the Consecrating Master , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , " who kindly

ami readily came to perform the most important act of consecrating a new lodge . He had done it in a manner that no Mason , whether old or young , could ever hope to see excelled . He had been in many lodges , but he had never heardit more ably performed . He hail heard many consecrations and had dabbled a little in consecrations himself , but he never saw the work better done than it had

been that night by Col . Clarke . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., in reply , said he was really so utterly overthrown by the complimentary manner in which the W . M . hail introduced his name to the notice of the brethren that he positively did not know how to thank him for it , and , besides that , the brethren had had so many eloquent speeches that a great deal of what he

would have said had been taken out of his mouth . However , he would only say this , that it was a very great matter of pleasure to him to be asked to perform the ceremony of consecration . He accepted the office of Consecrating Officer with mingled feelings of pride , of pleasure , and of terror—pride that he should have been chosen , as a very humble member of the Order , to have been put in he

'conspicuous position of the Grand Master on this occasion ; pleasure that he should have been able to do any small service in his power to a dear friend of his and many other members who were personal friends of his ; . te « ot that be should have the awful eye of the President of the Board of General Purposes on him . Howf as this terrible functionary had not ordered him out

' . ? C-tion , he might take to himself heart , and believe Wat what he had done he had done to the satisfaction of the "ethren . He had performed the ceremony with the greatst possible pleasure and satisfaction . It was a very great ° nour to hold the position he had held that evening , and should

e never forget it . He should always watch the "ire of the [ Alliance Lodge with great interest ; but he s . " ' such n" < " »" be"s and such officers the lodge -Id m a short time hold a position in the Craft second none , and he wished all the brethren health , happiness , an

Consecration Of The Alliance Lodge, No. 1827.

The W . M . then proposed "The Honorary Members oi the Alliance Lodge . " It was a toast which he wished to interpolate , as it was only that evening they could do it within the term of their natural lives . When they recollected that these brethren were five in number , the members of the lodge must all feel pleased to honour them . Every one of these brethren had performed his duties

most admirably , whether it was the Consecrating Master , the Wardens , the Chaplain , or the Director of Ceremonies . These brethren had long been known in Grand Lodge by their devotion to the interests of Masonry . With reference to the Chaplain , they must all admit that his address was most valuable . Moreover , he had looked after Masonry in the . province of which he was Deputy Grand Master , and had attended to the discipline which was necessary . The

Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , General Brownrigg , had a most valuable officer in Bro . Arnold . Whether they looked at one or other of the Consecrating Officers , they must all feel thankful to them for having given the light of their countenance to the proceedings . He did not think he should be doing wrong in calling upon Bro . Arnold to respond , and in calling upon him he did it as a matter of curiosity , to see whether his voice after dinner was as mellifluous as it was before .

The Rev . W . C . Arnold , in reply , said that in the name lo those whcThad been elected honorary members of the edge he had to thank the W . M . and brethren most sineerly for the toast and the hearty reception which hail been xtended to them . The W . M . had , as it were , challenged him , but it was rather hard when big folks had preceeded him , because , he had had the wind taken out of his sails .

He might consider that the brethren had already heard quite enough of him . It was very hard that he as a Mason from the wilds of Woking should have to respond and acknowledge the great hospitality the honorary members had received ; but still , the Woking brethren were equal to the occasion , and if the London brethren would go there they would see how Masonry was conducted .

There was one thing he had omitted to say , which was especially applicable to thc brethren round the festive table , and when they were met together in their lodges , that from all their lodges , and on occasions like that they banished religious and political discussions . He believed that this was one of the secrets of success of Masonry . It was said that when a traveller across the desert saw the trees rising

in the distance he knew that there was an oasis where there wouldjbe fresh sparkling water , and he would be able to refresh himself . Just in the same when way we saw a Masons' lodge we knew that after the hard work and toil of the day when we had been rubbed about by things certainly disagreeable by which our temper had been naturally tried , we should go to a haven where we should

find rest , brotherly love , and sympathising hearts . It was for this reason especially he believed that so many persons were now pressing into the ranks of Masonry . At the same time we should always take a higher stand and hope that they came not only for that , but that they might be refreshed by those beautiful moral charges of Masonry which would elevate their minds and raise them higher

and higher that they might at last ascend to those immortal mansions from whence all goodness emanated . The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Visitors . " Bro . Kingston , District Grand Master of Malta , was the first to reply , and said he had the pleasure of being present in the Lodge of St . John and St . Paul , in Malta , when Col . Shadwell IT . Clerke was installed . While Col . Clerke

was Master of the lodge he carried out his duties with zeal and ability , as he promised to do when he was installed . It was not his ( Bro . Kingston ' s ) place , neither was he able to make a long speech or enlarge upon Masonry , but nevertheless he might say that Masonry was not better exemplified in any part of the world then in his district . He held a District Grand Lodge in a distant part of that

district sometime ago , to which hc had to take a sea voyage of 400 miles , and there were in that Grand Lodge four or five different nationalities , and certainly not less then four or five different creeds . Notwithstanding the difference of nationality and creed they were working together under the banner of Masonry , the Protestant and Roman Catholic , the Mahomedan , and the Hebrew , and very likely some offshoots from those creeds . However , he

met there with the very same cordial reception from one and all , which he found was accorded to visitors in England . He felt very pleased on this his visit to England to receive so much kindness . He did not often come to the mother country ; it was six years since he was here before ; but he had been so warmly received among his brother Masons wherever he had gone , that really he felt that there was something in Masonry which bound men together in such a manner as was not found in any other

Bro . Frank Richardson , replying to the same toost , said on behalf of himself and the other visitors he felt it a very great honour to have attended the consecration of the Alliance Lodge . Many of the brethren , no doubt , ha . d been at tne consecration of various lodges within the last few months , but not one of those lodges had a better chance of taking a first place in Masonry than the

Alliance . At the consecration of a lodge thc brethren had not much opportunity of seeing the new W . M . ' s work , but he could say that , having had the pleasure of a long acquaintance with Bro . Monckton , the work would be done in unexceptionable style . Although the visitors had not that day had the opportunity of congratulating the VV . M . upon his work being well done , he hoped that at a future

time the W . M . and brethren would give them an opportunity of seeing the work , on which occasion , no doubt , they would express themselves approvingly of it . Bro . Fowler said that with reference to what Bro . Kingston had said an anecdote might not be out of place .. A gentleman , of the name of Blackmore , married his mother's sister . He was one of the unfoitunate people who was going out to be guillotined ^ during the French Revolu-

Consecration Of The Alliance Lodge, No. 1827.

tion , On his way to the fatal drop he made a Mai : omc sign to the officers through whom he passed , and he was taken away by one of them and escaped to England . Bro . L . F . Littell , S . W ., replied to the toast of " Th . Officers , " and , after expressing the pleasure he felt at being called upon to fill the office of S . W ., said he had no doubt the other officers felt as he did . They would not forget the

observations that were addressed to them by the Consecrating Officer with regard to their duties . It would be their pleasure as it was their duty to support the W . M . in every possible way , and they would endeavour to discharge their duties in an efficient manner . He hoped that at the end of the W . M . ' s year of office he would not have any

cause to regret the choice he had made . The Tylei ' s toast was then given , and the brethren separated . The proceedings of the evening were eulivened by some excellent singing and music by Bros . W . W . Brown , Seymour Smith , and other brethren .

Funeral Of Bro. W. A. Butt.

FUNERAL OF BRO . W . A . BUTT .

On Monday afternoon , the 28 th ult ., the remains of the above lamented brother were borne to his resting-place at Littlehampton , amid all the marks of sympathy and respect which it was in the power of a bereaved township—for such it is—to bestow . Soon after three o ' clock the melancholy assemblage began to gather near the residence of the

deceased in Arundel-road , and about half-past three the coffin —of beautifully polished oak—was borne from the house to the hearse which awaited it , and the sad procession commenced its way to the churchyard , where the family of deceased have a vault . Nearly every shop in the town was shut during the mournful ceremony , flags were flying halfmast high , ar . d a large concourse of people gathered' to

witness the sad sight . The Fire Brigade—of which deceased was the captain—led the way . They comprised not only the Littlehampton Brigade—whose excellent equipment and organisation are due in large measure to the deceasedbut representatives from Worthing , Brighton , Midhurst , Cliftonville , Chichester , Horsham , and Bognor . The vicar and the Rev . A . S . Thompson , incumbent of St . John ' s ,

walked next , then Drs . Evans and Vines , and after them came the hearse containing the body , and preceded by Mr . Snewin , who had charge of the funeral arrangements . Immediately following the body were the two brothers of deceased , and his immediate male relatives , numbering about twenty . The Freemasons , of whom Bro . Butt was a Past Master , came after , all dressed in black , with

white gloves , each bearing a sprig of acacia ( the emblem of friendship ) , and headed by their Chaplain , the Rev . Mr . Dunlop . Then followed the numerous workmen in the employ of Messrs . John Eade Butt and Sons , and after them the tradesmen and townspeople , with many friends from Arundel , all in emblems of mourning . There was scarcely a tradesman absent—we think we may almost say

not one , willingly . Slowly the cortege moved down Arundel-road and High-street , filling nearly the whole length of the latter , to the church , wheie the coffin was removed from the hearse , and the Past Masters and officers of thc Howard Lodge stepped forward and bore the pall , the firemen having meantime formed a double line and kept a pathway to the door of the church . The clergy , the Revs .

Rumball , Thompson , and Dunlop , took their places before the altar , and when the large assembly were seated the first part of the solemn service was read by the vicar . The coffin was here covered with wreaths of splendid flowers and immortelles , laid with touching reverence and many tears upon it ; and the large building was crowded . This part of the service over , the Masons left the church and

formed lines closed to the open grave , through which the body was brought , and the Revs . Messrs . Dunlop and Thompson read the remainder of the funeral service . The friends then took their last sad look of the coffin , the Freemasons cast their sprigs of acacia in the grave , the townsmen filed in long procession up to look their last upon one who has been almost beloved , and the ceremony was over . So sad a spectacle—and one in which not the mere

show of outward respect but real sorrow was so largely manifested—has , perhaps , never been witnessed in Littlehampton ; and if anything can give comfort to the relatives in their irreparable loss , it must be the fact of the spontaneous sympathy and sorrow which the community , almost as one man , displayed towards the memory of their deceased townsman . Bro . Butt was thirty-two years of age , and his body rests in the family vault , near the northern entrance to the churchyard . —Sussex Dailii News

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of this Institution met on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons' Hall . Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , presided . There were also present Bros . R . B . Webster , A . IT . Tattershall , H . A . Dubois , E . Letchworth ,

Col . Peters , Henry Venn , James Moon , C . F . Matier , Thos . Cubitt , Herbert Dicketts , F . R . W . Hedges ( Secretary ) , H . Massey ( Freemason ) . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , one petition was received , and the candidate placed on the list for next election .

The Audit Committee having recommended that £ 2000 of the General Funds be invested , the Chairman said that as it would be necessary to build a boundary wall to ' the grounds of the Institution , in lieu of the wooden fence , which was now worn out , he thought it would be better not to invest the whole of the X 2000 as money would be

required for the building of the wall , and he proposed that £ 1500 should be invested . The Committee adopted this view and ordered the investment of £ 1500 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings . - . ¦ '