Consecration Of The Viator Lodge, No. 2308.

i * A the brethren again for the hearty manner in which they had responded to the ° * ^ r , G . FERGUSON , P . M . 177 , Treas ., said on other occasions the W . M . ' s mig ht be considered the toast of the evening , but on this occasion the W . M . ^ rUo earrl his spurs , having just been placed in the chair . Their thanks were ¦ t to the Consecrating Officer , by whose influence and assistance their W . M . had h placed in that dignified position . He therefore thought they should express

" . , „ I-IIQ f / mcomlino OflWr nnrl thnsp wnrtbv brethren who had SO . jhanks to the Consecrating Officer and those worthy brethren who had so M assisted him in discharging that important and interesting duty . The remarks * L by the Grand Secretary and by the Grand Chaplain he commended to their mS . serious consideration , being worthy of their deepest thought , for if they , ;__ them over and acted upon them they would be better men , and while those ' nciples actuated this lodge it would stand in a proud position . They were

P .. 1 .. 1 ., m-o + Af . il in thc \ r Cnnspcrnri no- Officer for havinp- left a function in the 'ticularl y grateful to their Consecrati ng Officer for having left a function in the C ' tv that mig ht be more interesting , for the purpose of assisting in the important •emony , and they could only express their gratitude and war . : stthanks , wishing h ' n sound health and expressing the hope that ho would discharge his duties for •. nv years to come , and always be as ably supported as on the present occasion .

The brethren assisting the Consecrating Officer left nothing possible to expect , everything Deing performed ably , and the members might congratulate themselves - pg . ng launched into existence under the most satisfactory auspices . The brethren would rise and heartily drink to "The Health of the Consecrating Officers . " The GRAND SECRETARY , in response , said the worthy Treasurer had spoken in

far too flattering terms of the services that himself and his colleagues had had the opportunity of giving that night . As he had already had the pleasure of saying in lodge , those services were works of love , and performed with the greatest pleasure , and they were only too delighted to find their work had given satisfaction to the brethren present . There were brethren present who had assisted him , and with

whom he had had the pleasure of working on many occasions . He should be very ungrateful indeed , did he not acknowledge the great assistance he had received from those distinguished brethren . As had been remarked , it would be quite impossible for any one brother to carry on such a ceremony unless he was supported by brethren in whose hands were the various details . Fortunately he was most efficiently supported by various Grand Officers , and therefore it was that their little show had been a success . They had heard his voice " ad nauseum . " So that he

would only assure them in his own name , and on behalf of his colleagues , how thoroughly they appreciated the fraternal reception and recognition , and how much they hoped that that lodge , which they had started , might be the success they all believed it would be in the future . They thanked the brethren very much , and he again assured them it had been a great pleasure to attend to do what little they could to start the lodge ,

In proposing "The Visitors , " the W . M . remarked it was always a good thing to encourage and welcome visitors , as visiting was conducive to cementing and forming that friendship and brotherly love which should at all times distinguish Freemasons , and added considerably to efficient working as it created a friendly rivalry . There were present that evening many distinguished Masons , including the District Grand Master of Jamaica , many Past Masters and Worshipful

Masters , and one brother from Massachusetts , whom he trusted had been satisfied with the ceremonies and happy amongst them . There was Bro . George Everett , well known to almost every brother present for his genial , kindly , and hearty manner in welcoming brethren into his own lodge , and for the manner in which he would give assistance and advice . Bro . Everett was an old friend of his and installed him into the chair of the Domatic Lodge , and was his sponsor there .

There were also present Bros . Horne , P . G . W . Oxon ; Harvey , W . M . 177 , and Spurrell , J . W . 177 , the lodge which was kind enough to recommend the petition for the Viator Lodge , and to which they owed a debt of gratitude . He should not trouble them to read all the names , but would call upon Bros . G . Everett , G . Britten , R . Harvey , and Dr . Horne to respond . ¦ Bro . GEO . EVERETT , P . M ., Treas . 177 , in reply , said the proceedings of that

evening recalled many pleasant reminiscences of some years ago , when their good brother , the Grand Secretary , performed a similar function in a lodge of which he ( Bro . Everett ) was the first W . Master , and he had a lively recollection of many acts of kindness received at his hands . On that occasion he contracted a large debt of gratitude to the Grand Secretary , which would take many years to wipe off . With regard to the W . Master—Bro . Price—he and that brother had been firm friends in private life for many yearsand had worked shoulder to shoulder in

, Masonry , and none knew better than himself the sterling qualities with which the W . M . was endowed . He felt interested in being present in consequence of all the officers , with one exception—Bro . Buxton , who was a child of the Kennington Lodge , with which he also was connected—being members of the old Domatic Lodge . He had been very pleased and proud at being present to hear the ceremonies worked so beautifully , and he sincerely hoped the Viator Lodge would have a prosperous and successful career .

Bro . G . P . BRITTEN , P . M ., said he appreciated the honour of having been elected an honorary member , and therefore thought he should not have been called upon to reply to this toast . He had been associated with the Worshipful travellers as long as he could recollect , and knew no more estimable , honourable , or capable body of men in the country . This lodge being founded for their convenience , he took it for granted that the success was ensured , for their name was legion . ° '

th V- ^ r" ^ 0 RNE > P . G . W . Oxon , also replied . He said the lodge was called e Viator , and he himself was a traveller , having travelled up from the provinces w ' rti fv an ( ^ ^ ^ ' ^ ' know whether that was the reason he had been coupled the toast . He returned hearty thanks for the reception accorded the visitors . oto . RICHARD HARVEY , W . M . 177 , responded , and , having returned thanks , xpressed his belief that the W . M ., like the great sailor—Nelson—after whom he as named , would do his duty well .

j . ., , e Treasurer and Secretary " was given by the W . M ., who paid a high Pe ° to the qualities of Bros . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas ., and Morris , Sec . Bro . , guson had done valtiahlp work in rhp Flnmaf-ir . T . ndtre . and he honed snrcessivfi

Posit •els * many years to come would be enabled to re-invest him in the No j ° ' f ^ ° " Morris , Sec , was of proved ability , and had been Secretary of ' 77 or 10 or 11 years , doing his duty in a very efficient manner . moreH , ' RGUS 0 N , P . M ., Treas ., in response , said he had to return thanks in rather fn „_ j an 'he usually sincere manner on that occasion , because to some of the

affa | ° ^ . the lod ge he was unknown , and , therefore , to entrust the financial W fn ° ™ ! str ° ng proof of faith , and a strong proof of the opinion they should " * /) ° " ^' ' ^ ^ y g rat'ned at the mark of their confidence and R ,. 5 7 ° ur to discharge his duties in a manner worthv of that confidence . » " . MORRIS , Sec , having replied , B "X TO » nj ? cets" was g ' > and replied to by Bros . ERNEST SMITH , S . W ., t N i J . W ., and others . W . M , i 7 , to tne Viator Lodge " was given in cordial terms by Bro . R . HARVEY ,

Consecration Of The Viator Lodge, No. 2308.

The W . MASTER proposed a special toast to the brethren who had performed the musical programme in the lodge and banquet rooms with such marked ability , and which had given such complete satisfaction and enjoyment to the brethren present , and paid a high compliment to Bro . Cranch , P . M ., the musical director , and his assistants , Bros . H . Dutton , Arthur Weston , Wakefield Reed , and F , Laughlin . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

The lodge has started under favourable auspices , each officer having presented the collar and jewel of his office : bible , cushion , square , and compasses by the W . M ., Bro . H . N . Price ; working tools by the S . W ., Bro . Ernest A . E . Smith ; ashlars and tripod by the I . G ., Bro . J . J . Higgs : tracing boards by the W . S ., Bro . F . Smith ; columns by Bros , Buxton , J . W ., and Hobbs , S . D . ; gavel blocks by Bro . Stephens , J . D .

Consecration Of The Blagdon Chapter, No. 659, At Newcastle.

CONSECRATION OF THE BLAGDON CHAPTER , No . 659 , AT NEWCASTLE .

The consecration of the Blagdon Chapter , No . 659 , of the Province of Northumberland , took place at the Masonic Hall , Maple-street , Newcastle , 011 the 27 th ult . The Consecrating Officers were as follows : Comps . Col .

Addison Potter , C . B ., G . Supt ., as Z . ; George Spain , P . G . H ., as H . ; G . F . Charlton , P . G . J ., as J . ; Joseph H . Bentham , P . P . G . H ., as S . E . ; J . S . Wilson , P . P . G . H ., D . C ; and John Nicholson , P . P . G . O ., Musical Director .

The Principals installed were Comps . James Eadington , Z . ; Edward Forster , H . ; James Carmichael , J . The incidental music was rendered by Comps , John Nicholson , Walker , Whitehead , and Nutton .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

The half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday evening last at the Holborn Restaurant . In the unavoidable absence of the M . W . Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , and the Pro Grand Master , Lord Egerton of Tatton ,

the chair was occupied by the Right Worshipful the Deputy G . Master , the Marquess of Hertford . The post of Deputy Grand Master was filled by Right Worshipful Bro . William Kelly , Prov . G . Master of Leicestershire , and the chair of Senior G rand Warden by R . W . Bro . the Earl of Euston . Bro . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., filled the chair of Junior Grand Warden . Among the other brethren present were

Bros . Col . Marmaduke Ramsay , P . G . M . of the Mediterranean ; Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M . Middx . and Surrey ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . M . Gloucester and Herefordshire ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . W . ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . W ., G . Sec ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., A . G . Sec ; C . H . Driver , G . M . O . ; Robert Berridg-e , P . G . M . O ., G . D . C ; Col . Addison Potter , C . B ., P . G . M . O ., asS . G . O . j George Cooper , P . I . G . O ., as J . G . O . ; J . E . Le Feuvre , P . G . M . O . ; C . Belton ,

P . G . M . O . ; Alfred Williams , P . G . M . O . ; Col . H . S . Burnev , P . G . M . O . ; Major A . B . Cook , P . G . M . O . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . S . G . O . ; O . H . Pearson , P . S . G . O . ; James Stevens , P . J . G . O . ; G . King Patten , P . J . G . O . ; Rev . J . A . Lloyd , G . Chap . ; Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , D . P . G . M . Cheshire , P . G . Chap . ; Frank Richardson , Vice-Pres . G . B ., G . Reg-. ; R . L . Loveland , D . P . G . M . Hants and I . of Wight ; Col . A . T . Perkins , D . P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; R . B . Reed , D . P . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ;

P . A . Scratchley , S . G . D . ; Horatio Ward , P . G . D . ; Dr . Geo . Mickley , P . G . D . ; G . J . McKay , P . G . D . ; D . P . Cama , P . G . D . ; E . X . Leon , P . G . D . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . D . ; Henry Lovegrove , P . G . I , of W . ; J . Ramsey , A . G . D . C ; Lieut .-Col . G . J . Haldane , G . S . B . ; Controller S . G . Bake , P . G . S . B . ; Henry Stone , P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Brings , G . Std . Br . ; F . Graves , G . Std . Br . ; C . F . Ho-jard , P . G . Std . Br . ; W .

Stevenson Hoyte , F . C . O ., G . Org . ; R . J . Voisey , G . I . G . ; C . Coupland , G . Allen , L . G . Gordon Robbins , W . H . Stanger , Algernon C . Bauke , Gordon Miller , W . H . Kempster , F . Levick , and VV . Kent , G . Stwds . ; J . Mamvaring , Henry Faija , Henry Massey , Major Henry Stephens , VV . Lake , Jabez Church , and J . Unwin , jun ., P . G . Stewards .

After the formal opening of Grand Lodge , the Deputy Grand Master was saluted in ancient form , and the minutes of Grand Mark Lodge of 6 th December , 1888 , and of the Special Grand Lodge of 25 th February , 188 9 , were read and confirmed . The following Report of the General Board was then received and ordered to be entered on the minutes , on the motion of Bro . F .

RICHARDSON , Grand Registrar , seconded by Bro . ROBERT BERRIDGK , Grand Dir . of Cer . The Board have to record , with the most sincere regret , the death of their President , the M . W . Bro . the Rev . Canon Portal , Past Grand Master , intelligence of which melancholy event was formally communicated to them at a special meeting on the 12 th April , and it was unanimously resolved that a letter of condolence should be forwarded to Mrs . Portal , which was sent in the following terms : —

" Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , & c , & c . " 8 a Red Lion-square , 17 th April , 1889 . " Dear Madam , —The melancholy intelligence of the sudden death of our distinguished brother , the late Rev . Canon Portal , was officially communicated to a specially convened meeting of the General Board of the Grand Lodge on Friday last , and received with expressions of most extreme regret . Our late brother had guided the deliberations

of this Board—over which he presided for many years—with eminent ability , and by none of the numerous administrative bodies with which he was associated will his I 0 S 3 be more severely felt than by the General Board cf the Mark Grand Lodge . By an unanimous vote at the meeting on Friday , R . W . Bro . the Earl of Euston , Grand Senior Warden , in the chair , it was resolved to convey to you and the members of your family the assurance of the deepest sympathy in the terribly distressing bereavement with Board

which you and they have been visited . On behalf of the General , regarded as representative of the members ot the Order generally , we pray that the Great Overseer of the Universe mav inspire you with fortitude in this hour of trial and afffction , waitingthe mitigating effects of time to alleviate the pangs of so sudden a separation . " Painfully aware of the loss , whether considered in his private or public capacity ,

of one so universally regarded and esteemed as your late and lamented husband , we recognise the inadequacy of words to describe the appreciation of his lengthened and valuable services , which tve are confident will not only not be forgotten , but gratefully remembered by all whose good fortune it was to be associated with him in the various spheres of labour in which he played so conspicuous a part .

" Accept at our hands this imperfect tribute of respect and affectionate remembrance , with our warmest regards , and every good wish for your family and yourself . " Signed * on behalf of the General Board , " FRANK RICHARDSON , Vice-President . " EUSTON , Chairman of the day . " FREDERICK BINCKES , Grand Secretary . "