Consecration Of The Christ's Hospital Lodge, No. 2650.

abroad , it might inlerest them to hear , in such an assembly and under such circumstances , that two most popular young fellows he met in Bombay were Old Blues . One was second in command of a P . and O . boat , and the other the Secretary ol the Bombay and Baroda Railway . He went to the house of the latter and saw the hounds fed , and it was gratifying to find English sport so well cared for by an old school boy of Christ ' s Hospital . Although

the hounds were hunted on a Sunday , he saw his young friend in his surp lice , leading the choir in the eveninp * . On behalf of the Grand Officers , he returned thanks , aud looked forward to a long and prosperous career for that lodge . The W . M . next gave "The Consecrating Ollicers , " and said that in the lodge—that beautiful room in which the lodge was consecrated—he had the opportunity of expressing their gratitude and approval at the way in which the

consecration and installation were performed . To him , it was exceedingly pleasant to find the three principal Consecrating Officers were three old friends . HehadhadthepleasureofenjoyingBro . Fenn ' sfriendshipformoreyearsthanJhe cared to remember , and it was also pleasing that Bro . Grey should be present . The Grand Secretary they all knew so well that it would be unnecessary

to say much of him . Bro . Richardson had also been a good friend , and also Bro . Langton . He would not overlook Bro . Sadler , the G . Tyler . whom he had known for a great number of years . Their lodge had been exceptionally honoured by the services so admirably performed by thc Consecrating Officers , and the ceremony must have made a deep impression upon all present , especially those who had not seen the ceremony before .

Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Secretary , in reply , said he often wished on occasions such as this , that the Consecrating Officer who was privileged lo take a leading part in the ceremony might be permitted to afterwards occupy a back seat and allow someone more competent to take the position he unworthily occupied . He was not insensible of the high compliment paid him in associating his name with the toast . The Consecrating Officers , as they

all knew , were busy men and all of them had much to do , but he knew he w . as expressing their feelings when he said there was no duty they were called upon to perform which gave them greater pleasure than assisting as they had been privileged to do in starting a lodge which they felt sure had before it a career of the greatest possible success . It had been a peculiar pleasure to them to take part in the ceremony for everything had been in their

favour , the Court Room was in every way adapted for such a function , they had the advantage of a most admirable address from the Rev . G . Chaplain whose absence they all regretted at that moment ; and they had had the most charming music beautifully rendered , and moreover they had had the great advantage of a kind and sympathetic audience . On behalfof the Consecration Officershetendered his warmest thanks for the toast

just drunk . Next , might he be permitted to propose the toast of the evening — "Success to Christ's Hospital Lodge , " and with that toast associate that of " The Worshipful Master , " whom he had had the great pleasure of installing into the chair . In addressing those he saw around him , he felt it unnecessary to dilate upon the merits of the W . M ., who was well known in the Craft , and he hoped that in a very few days they would have the great pleasure of hearing him proclaimed as Grand Treasurer of England . The

W . M . was no novice in Masonry , and for years had been the leading member of the Burlington Lodge—a lodge in which he had filled the chair on three occasions . Their W . M . was also W . M . of another lodge-the Cordwainer . They all wished that new lodge a great success—a success worthy in every respect of the traditions which the noble Institution inherited . He gave them " Success to Christ ' s Hospital Lodge , " and associated with it the name of the W . M .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER thanked the Grand Secretary for the kind way in which he had proposed the toast . That that lodge would be a success he had no doubt , for Old Blues , when ever they put their hand to the plough , managed to make a success , and that new lodge would live and flourish for many years . It had been consecrated under very good auspices . He had the honour of being elected W . M . of his mother lodge in the same year that

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was elected Grand Master . He had made many valuable friends , and altogether it had been a very pleasing time for him , although he could not look forward to another 23 years of Masonry . The Consecrating Officer had been good enough to refer to an honour which he ( the W . M . ) hoped to be spared to enjoy next week , and he woulel then be the Grand Treasurer in the same year that he was installed

as W . M . of that lodge . That lodge had been started for the purpose of bringing together old Blues and old Masters and Officers of the Institution and as far as possible nobody would be elected but those connected with the Hospital . He had to delicately hint to one brother that before the cjnestion of a joining fee could be discussed with him , that brother must give a donation of £ 500 and become a Governor of the Hospital before he could

qualify for membership of their lodge . There was a good custom in connection with Christ's Hospital—an admirable toast , which included everybody , and he would therefore conclude by asking them to drink " The Religions , Royal and Ancient Foundation of Christ ' s Hospital , may thote prosper who love it , and may God increase their number ! "

"The Visitors " was next given by the W . M ., who included with it the names of Bro . Passmore Edwards—a ' distinguished man , who might well be termed an operative Mason , having helped to build many good buildings—Bro . Bartley Denniss , Prov . G . W . Middx . —who would not have the opportunity of replying again for the visitors , having been proposed as a joining member—and Bro . Rev . S . T . H . Saunders .

Bro . PASSMORE EDWARDS expressed his delight at the proceedings , which would be amongst the happiest remembrances of his life . Bro . BARTLEY DENNISS , Prov . G . W . Middx ., replied , and said he was reminded of 35 years ago , when , as a little boy of seven , he went througli the examination in Christ's Hospital . It would give him great pleasure to

join lhat lodge , for the brotherhood which was characteristic of all old Blues would be carried out in any society of which they were members . Bro . the Rev . S . T . H . SAUNDERS , P . P . G . Chap . Middlesex , also replied . " The Officers " having been honoured ,

Bro . R . L . FRANKS , S . W ., in replying , expressed on behalf of the founders their gratitude to the W . M . for the great interest he had shown in the formation of the lodge , and for the generosity with which he had undertaken to defray the cost of the lodge furniture ; and asked his acceptance of a founder ' s jewel as a slight token of their appreciation of his kindness . The W . M . thanked the founders for the compliment they had paid him ; and a most successful evening was brought to a close by the Tyler's toasl .

The musical arrangements , which were all that could be desired , were under the direction of Bro . Herbert Schartau , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., assisted by Bros . F . Tebbutt , Sidney Tower , F . Bevan , P . M . ; J . Kift , and H . Tipper , P . M .

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

The annual festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was held on the evening of the 26 th tilt ., at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br ., acting as W . M . in the lodge , and Bro . I *' . T . Rushton , as P . M . The number of brethren who attended to witness the working in the lodge , as well as participate in the supper with which this festival always closes , was far in excess of the number in past years' experiences , much as that number has increased at each succeeding festival . Between 500 and 600 brethren were in attendance and the Temple in which the lodge was held was filled . Bro . Lieut .-Gen . J . Wimburn Laurie , P . G . W ., Past Grand Master of Nova Scotia , Provincial Grand Master for South Wales

( Western Division ) , had kindly consented to preside at the supper , and he entered the lodge at an early hour of the evening . The brethren began to assemble as early as half-past five . Bro . Edward Cutler , Q . C , P . G . Org ., who for several years past has not omitted one occasion io enhance the enjoyment of the evening by accompanying the visit of the brethren by performing some exquisite musical selections on thc organ , was again in his usual place , and played the following beautiful programme with extreme taste and feeling : 1 . Overture to " S imson "

( Handel ) 1 2 . Offertory ( Wely ) ; 3 . March from " Tannhauser" ( Wagner ); 4 . Inlerme / . / . o " Colombo " ( Gounod ); ( a ) Consecration March ( dedicated to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ) , ( A ) Minuet , ( r ) Gavotte ( E . Cutler ) . The performance appeared to be highly appreciated , many brethren making it the subject of observation . The appreciation was further manifested b y the close attention of the large gathering during the whole period of the perform nice .

The list of Stewards of the festival comprised the names of Bros . Edward Letchworth , F . S . A ., G . Sec , Treasurer ; Sir | ohn B . Monckton , P G . W . ; Thomas Fenn , P . G . W . ; Robert Grey , * P . G . W . ; " Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; ludge Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ; James Henry Matthews , President Boird of Benevolence ; Henry J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D •R Clutton , P . G . D . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; James S . Eastes , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Kent ; J . C Parkinson , P . G . D . ; Col . I A .

Bindley , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Staffordshire ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C * ' las Tertius Collins , P . G . S . B ., D . P . G . M . Warwickshire ; \ V . M . Bywater , P . G ' . S . B . ; Frederick Mead , P . G . S . B . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Clay Sudlow P G . Std . Br . ; ' A . C Spaull , P . G . Std . Br . ; Walter Hopekirk , P . G . P . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; C . J . Andrews , 165 ; Thos . Win . Allsop , W . M . 2492 ; F . A . Abraham , 742 ; Major R . L . S . Badham , 21 ; A . Stewart Hrown , 4 , P . P . G . W . Middlesex , G . Steward ; J . S . E . Berryman , 548 ; S . G . Budd , I . P . M . 181 S ;

A . M . Barnard , W . M . 1964 ; Wm . R . Bennett , W . M . 1965 ; G . R . H . Chrk , 1965 ; M . V . Cassal , 1415 ; E . P . Debenham , P . M . 1479 , P . P . G . Reg . Herts j James Duffy , 2346 ; J . W . Drysdale , P . M . 26 3 ; M . B . Evans , S . W . 8 , G . Stwd . ; J . V . Vesey Fitzgerald , Q . C , P . M . 502 , P . S . G . W . Warwickshire ; J . W . Freeman , P . M . 147 ; W . P . Fuller , I . P . M . 8 , P . G . Steward ; F Baden Fuller , 1494 ; James D . Graham , P . M . 1559 ; F . A . Hazzledine , P . M . SK ; George B . Hemming , P . M . and Sec . 256 ; W . G . Kentish , P . M . and Sec . 1203 , P . P . G . D . Middx . ;

R . G . Fenn Kidson , 1820 ; bredk . Kebbell , S . W . 16 G 2 ; J . Lancaster , P . M and Sec . 534 ; Chas . Lewis , P . M . 1706 , P . J . G . D . Essex ; R . E . F . Lander , I . P . M . 2086 , P . S . G . D . Herts ; Chas . I . Marrian , S . W . 24 S 9 ; Percy G . Mallory , 2319 ; C . M . Mapleton , P . M . 256 ; Thos . Wm . Ockenden , P . M . 1512 , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; Henry Pritchard , P . M . 1415 , P . M . and Sec . 26 3 , P . P . G . Treas . Middlesex ; Geo . Powell , P . M . and Sec . 142 ; F . T . Rushton , P . M . 8 , P . G . Steward ; Joseph

Russell , P . M . 8 , P . G . Steward ; Geo . W . Rankin , 1641 ; M . Spiegel , P . M . 1981 ; E . H . Simmons , Sec . 2043 ; Percy Sloper , 8 ; T . Y . Strachan , W . M . 8 , P . G . Steward ; Rev . C . W . Servants , 17 GS ; Edmund V . Salaman , 19 S 7 ; F . A . Sargeant ; Geo . R . Scott , W . M . elect 8 S 9 ; Henry A . Tobias , P . M . 1502 , P . P . G . S . of W . West Lancashire ; James E . Terry , P . M . and Sec . 1964 ; C . F . Van Duzer , 2397 ; H . S . Wellcome , P . M . 3 , 2397 ; CI . Weller , 212 S ; and D . D . West , P . M . 108 .

Amongst other brethren present were B .-os . H . Richards , District Grand Master of the Transvaal ; Ernest St . Clair , A . G . D . C ; James Boulton , G . P . ; George Everett , P . G . Treasurer ; Archdeacon Stevens , G . Chaplain ; Rear-Admiral A . Hastings Markham , P . D . G . M . Malta ; Dr . Mickley , P . A . G . D . C ; George Read , P . G . D . ; T . H . Gardiner , P . A . G . D . C ; D . D . Mercer , P . G . P . ; W . A . Scurrah , G . Std . Br . ; J . A . Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C ; P . A . Nairne , P . G . D . ; W . P . j | Brown ; J . D . Langton , D . G . D . C ; Horton Smith , Q . C , D . G . Reg . ; and the Rev . J . H . Rose .

The First Lecture was worked as follows : ist Section b y Bro . the Rev . C . W . Ssrvante , 1768 ; 2 nd by Bro . D . D . West , P . M . 10 S ; 3 rd by Bro . G . R . H . Clark , 1965 ; 4 th by Bro . Wm . R . Bennett , W . M . 1965 ; 5 th by Bro . Chns . Lewis , P . JL 1706 ; Gth by Bro . A . M . Barnard , W . M . 1964 ; and 7 th bv Bro . F . Baden Fuller , 1494 , Bro . R . Clay Sudlow putting the questions . The whole of the work was beautifully performed , and all the brethren paid marked attention Lo it .

At the conclusion of the labours , a vote of thanks to the workers was proposed by Bro . Gen . LAUKIK , who remarked that ceremonies were of little use unless they were effective , and that in institutions like Freemasonry that was the more apparent . On the effectiveness of the work that evening it was scarcel y necessary to say much , as all the brethren had seen , ad nired , and wondered at it . The usefulness of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was indisputable , the work learned in it being spread all over the metropolis and the kingdom and

handed round to the brethren of other lodges of instruction , and through them to regular lodges . He could not speak too highly of it , and the inlluence of the lodge was felt everywheie . The vote he was proposing was no peifunetory one ; it waa a vote proposed as the result of splendid working . The marked attention the brethren had paid to the ceremonies showed they thoroughly appreciated the

performance . It had been his lot to be thrown among large audiences , but he did not think he was ever in an assembly wliere such close attention was paid to what went on . He believed he was interpreting what all tha brethren desired to express when he proposed a vote of thanks to those who had done them such good service that night—Bros . Sudlow , Servants , West , Clark , Bennett , Lewis , Barnard , and Baden Fuller .

Bro . THOMAS FENN , in seconding the vote , said he had had some experience of those things , and he felt exceedingly gratified at the manner in which the Sections of the First Lecture had been delivered . He was sure that everyone had been as delighted as himself with it . Bro . R . CLAY SUIILOW , the vote having been unanimously adopted , in acknowledging the compliment , said ; Following precedent in this lodge , he although not himself a working officer , had the duty of returning thanks for the seven brethren who had given the various sections of the Lecture for the vote

that had been passed with so much cordiality . He knew that each of those seven brethren had been extremely anxious to sustain the prestige of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . He lelt : aiie also that in the vote , and the kind words that had been said about the working , those brethren found a full reward . The pleasure with which thosi : brethien received the vote would be enhanced by ils having been seconded by the late old W . M . ol the lod ge , Bro . Thomas Fenn . Passing on to another subject he believed the . predominant wish in the heart of nearly every brother present who was not already a member of the