Consecration Of The Fellowship Chapter, No. 2535.

and consecrating a new Royal Arch chapter , to be attached to a lodge he had the honour of consecrating about 12 months ago . He could only express a hope that the chapter they were about to start into existence might prove itself in every way worthy of the lodge to which it would be attached . The ceremony was then proceeded with , and an excellent oration on the princip ' es of the Order was delivered by Comp . THOMAS FENN , acting J ., after which the chapter was duly dedicated and constituted .

The installations were then proceeded with , and the following companions were duly ins' . alled into their respective chairs : Comps . Wm . H . Bailey , M . EZ . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . Middx ., H . ; and E . Rogers , P Z ., J . The officers elected and invested were Comps . Walter

Adams , P . Z . 73 , acting I . P . Z . ; J . J . Thomas , P . Z . 753 , & c , S . E . ; W . H . G . Rudderforth , S . N . ; James S ' ephens , P . Z . 753 . & c , Treas ; J . R . Roberts , P . Z . 1196 , P . S . ; F . Farrow , M . E . Z . 1196 , 1 st A . S . ; J . S . Mountford , 2 nd A . S . ; VV . J . Batho , D . C . ; T . B . Harpham , Stwd . ; and T . C . Edmonds , P . Z , Janitor .

The M . E . Z . proposed that a hearty and cordial vote of thanks should be accorded the Consecrating Officers for the magnificent and delightful manner in which the very impressive service had been rendered , that they should be asked to accept a founder ' s jewel , and allow themselves to be ranked as honorary members .

Comp . VV . A . SCURRAH , H ., seconded the proposition , which was carried nem con ., and the GRAND SCRIBE E . returned thanks on behalf of himself and colleagues . The Three Principals , S . E ., and Treasurer were elected a Committee to fiame the by-laws , and eight candidates were proposed for exaltation and

joining . Letters of regret for non-attendance were announced from Comps . Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , Sir F . Seager Hunt , and others , and the chapter was closed . A recherche repast was followed by the customary toasts , which were

heartily honoured . In proposing " The Grand Officers , " the M . E . Z . said they were proud of the goodly number present on that occasion . The companions felt that every officer of Grand Chapter did his duty in promoting the extension and expansion of their glorious Institution .

Comp . T . FENN , P . P . C . G . P ., said that before responding he felt he must offer some personal explanation in the way of an apology . He was not , as they were aware , a Grand Chaplain , and had acted somewhat in a false character . About 35 years ago , he was performing that office very frequently for Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , who at that time was ths great Consecrating Officer . The Grand Secretary did not at that time consecrate

lodges , and did not do anything but attend to his duties in the office . On one occasion , he ( Comp . Fenn ) performed the duties of Grand Chaplain when the consecration ceremony was performed at the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , so that he was not new to the office . He once consecrated a distinguished lodge which was now holding a very high position , when Bro .

Binckes acted as Chaplain , and very well he did it . To return to the immediate object of the toast , he thanked them sincerely for the compliment paid the officers of Grand Chapter . Those Grand Officers made a very good appearance in Grand Chapter , and formed the majority of those who attended .

The M . E . Z . proposed " The Consecrating Officers , " and said the compan ons would receive the toast with peculiar satisfaction and pleasure . It had not been his good fortune to hive seen many consecrations of Royal Arch chapters , but he thought the ceremony he had seen that day had made an impression which he should never forget . They were deeply grateful to the Consecrating Officers who were good enough to a ' . tend and give them

the benefit of their invaluable services . No ceremony could have bsen more delightfully rendered , and the companions thanked those officers from the bottom of their hearts for their assistance . He therefore asked them to join him in giving a hearty welcome to the Consecrating Officers , and especially the Grand Scribe E . for the magnificent and delightful manner in

which he placed the whole of the ceremony before them . Two Grand Officers had ^ left—Comps . Richardson and Keyser—but they were grateful for their assistance . From the commencement the chapter had made they hoped to make a goodly record , and if they failed it would not be their fault for the want of trying , for they would endeavour to carry out the wishes of the Grand Scribe E .

Comp . E . LETCHWORTK , G . S . E ., said that once more he found himself designated as the mouthpiece of the Consecrating Officers , and privileged in thtir behalf as well as his own to tender their warmest thanks for the more than kind reception given the toast proposed in such cordial terms by the M . E . Z . He could assure them it had afforded the Consecrating Officers , one and all , the [ greatest possible

pleasure to be present and assist in starting into existence , under such favourable auspices , that new chapter . He extremely regretted that some of the Consecrating Officers had left , but he felt sure that both Comps . Richardson and Keyser were present in spirit . He had to acknowledge the great services rendered to him personally by those who had done him the honour to assist him . He referred particularly to the services rendered bv Como .

Stiles as H ., and also ( o those services so admirably rendered by Comp . Fenn as J . He hardly presumed to say how fully he endorsed every word with regard to the manner in which the priestly functions had been performed by Comp . Fenn , and the oration delivered by him could not fail to have made a great impression upon all present , -whether they regarded his eloquent diction or the information with reeard to Roval Arch Masonrv

which that oration afforded them . On the part of the Consecrating Officers , he thanked them for the reception given them . It was his agreeable duly to propose the next toast , and ask them to join in drinking " The Health of the First Principal of the Chapter , " whom he had had the great privilege of installing into his chair . It seemed but a few imonths since he had the pleasure of installing- Comp . Bailey into the chair of the Fellowship Lodge , and he

hoped on the 29 th of next month to have the pleasure of greeting him as a brother Grand Officer . They all knew what place Comp . Bailey occupied in the hearts of all present , and they most heartily congratulated the companions on the fact that during the most important and critical year of the existence of the chapter it would be presided over by a companion who enjoyed their deepest respect and warmest affection . He gave them " The Health of the M . E . Z ., H ., and J . " of the chapter .

Comp . W . H . BAILEY , M . E . Z ., said he did net know how to thank the G . S . E . for the very kind words used in proposing the toast of his health ts First Principal of that chapter . He felt so conscious of his own shortctmings that in looking to the future he felt nervous for the first time in his

Consecration Of The Fellowship Chapter, No. 2535.

life . He would much sooner seek a bubble reputation at the cannon s mouth than endeavour to control that chapter , but he would do his level best and should rely upon the support of all the companions in making it a credit and an ornament to Royal Arch Misonry . He thanked the Grand Scribe E , for his kind renarks and would endeavour to deserve them , and

nothingshould be lacking to do what he could to carry out the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the members . His experience was small and he knew so little that they would pardon him , nervous as he was , from saying more than that he would endeavour to deserve the good things ssid of him and the kindly feelings of all the members of the Fellowshi p Chapter .

"The Visitors" was next given by the M . E . Z ., and Comp . IRVINE replied , as representing the St . Pancras Chapter , in which the M . E . Z . was exalt . d . He apologised for Comp . Graham , M . P ., the M . E . Z . of Sr . Pancras Chsp ' er , who had been obliged to leave for the House of Commons . He said it would be impossible for any companion to leave without feeling a belter man than he was b fjre . With reference to ths request of the

M . E . Z ., that any shortcomings might be overlooked , he thought Comp , B liley must have been well coached to have performed sj creditably . Comps . W . MARTIN and A . REEVE aho replied . Comp . WM . STILES , G . Treas ., briefly proposed "Success to the Masonic Institu ' . ions , " and Comp . J . M . MCLEOD , Sec . R . M . I , for Boys , returned thanks .

Comp . J AMES STEPHENS , Treas ., replying for " The Officers , " said that a few weeks ago he never expected to see such a splendid gathering . They were delighted to see the Grand Scribe E ., for he had endeared himself to all , and with respect to Comp . Fenn , who was for many years President of the Board of General Purposes , they hiped he would be spared for many years to continue in the work , a fair sample of which they had had that ni ght .

He ( Comp . Stephens ) conceived the idea of the Fellowship Lodge , and at that time there was a warfare between the M . E . Z . and himself as to who should be the first W . M ., as both declined to take the position . Knowing the sterling qualities of Comp . Bailey , he felt that success was assured . That lodge had been established for 15 months , and in five weeks hence they would be most pleased to see the Grand Officers present . It

was no uncommon thing for a first WorsMpful Master to leave the lodge heavily in debt , but their lodge had given £ 100 to the Charities—the lists amounting to ^ 700 , which was very satisfactory , and something to be proud of . He remembered at the consecration of the Hugh O ^ en Lodge the W . M . said they would like to establish a scholarship for th ; Girls' School , and if they could only have the same prosperity in the chapter as they had enjoyed in the Fellowship Lodge , they might find the 1000 guineas to do it .

There would be a balance in the lodge funds of £ 500 when the W . M . left the chair , after recognising the honour refl .-cted on the lodge by the election of Bro . Bailey as Grand Treasurer , and presenting him , as they hoped to do , with the insignia of his office . Whatever he ( Comp . Stephens ) could do in the future he would be pUased to do , and was glad Comp . J . J . Thomas had accepted the office of Scribe E . The Janitor ' s toast closed the proceedings .

The Schartau Part Singers—Comps . Schartau , Bradford , Bartlett , and Appleby—carried out the musical arrangements , and both in the ceremonial and in the after-dinner proceedings , gave every satisfaction and enjoyment to all present .

Consecration Of The White Rose Of York Chapter, No. 2491.

CONSECRATION OF THE WHITE ROSE OF YORK CHAPTER , No . 2491 .

A ceremony of an interesting character attracted a large number of members of the fraternity to the Freemasons' Hall , Surrey-street Sheffield , on the 25 th ult . Two Royal Arch Chapters have flourished in Sheffield for

a great number of years , and the membership has reached proportions which were held to justify the establishment of a third . The necessary charter from Grand Lodge was obtained , and the consecration of the White Rose of York Chapter , No . 2491 , in connection with the White Rose of York Lodge , consecrated a couple of years ago , naturally excited a special

interest in local Masonic circles . It is nearly 100 years since any such event occurred , the Paradise Chapter having received its charter in 179 6 , and the Loyalty three years previously . In the absence of the Grand Superintendent of West Yorks , Comp . the

the Right Hon . Wm . Lawies J ackson , M . P ., the ceremony of consecration was delegated to Comp . Ensor Drury , P . Z 139 and 296 , Past Prov . Grand H ., whose labours on behalf of Royal Arch Masonry are well-known and highly appreciated , not only in Sheffield , but in a wider area outside .

Provincial Grand Chapter ' was opened at four o ' clock , among those present being—Comps . Henry Smith , P . G . P . Soj . of England , P . Pcov . G . H . ; W . H . Brittain , P . G . S . B . of England , P . Prov . G . H . ; Harold Thomas , Prov ., G . Reg . ; Herbert G . E . Green , Prov . G . Scribe E . ; J . H . Gration , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; J . PHewitt , P . Prov . G . So ]' . ; H . W . Pawson , P . Prov . G . Scribe N . ; H . Arnison , P . Prov . G . Scribe N . ; H . J . Garnett , P . Prov . G . H . ; J . Hunt , P . Prov . Asst . G . Soj . ; E . Billington , P . Prov : G . D . C . ; W . Watson , P . Prov . Asst . G . Soj- ; and Simeon Hayes , P . Prov . G . Scribe N .

The CONSECRATING PRINCIPAL , who was supported by Comps . Henry Smith , as H ., and John Shaw , as J ., briefly addressed the companions on the character of the ceremony to be performed , after which the P . &¦ REGISTRAR read the petition addressed to Grand Chapter , and the charter granted in response thereto . tro

The Dedication Prayer and the Invocation having been rehearsed , . Consecrating Principal perambulated the chapter strewing corn , emblematical of plenty ; pouring wine , emblematical of gladness ; pouring oil , emblematical of peace ; and strewing salt , emblematical of friendship . The chapter having been formally constituted , the CONSECRATING P KIN ' CIPAL aeain briefly addrdssed the companions , and proceeded to invest the

three Principals designate : Comps . John Hunt , P . Z . 139 , as M . E . Z . ; J ' Shaw , P . Z . 139 , as H . ; and T . H . Vernon , M . E . Z . 139 , as J . ., The other officers invested were Comps . W . Gadsry , Scribe E ; j " Gunstone , Scribe N . ; C . F . Brindley , P . S . ; Dr . John Stokes , 1 st A . i > ., and Geo . Wish 2 nd A . S . .. .

, Provincial Grand Chapter having withdrawn , a number of proposition , for joining and exaltation were received , and after ' ¦ Hearty good wishes had been tendered by the visiting companions , the chapter wis closed .