Consecration Of The Mizpah Chapter, No. 1671.

CONSECRATION OF THE MIZPAH CHAPTER , No . 1671 .

An interesting ceremony was performed at the Hotel Cecil , on Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., when the Mizpah Chapter , No . 1671 , was consecrated in the presence of 60 R . A , Masons . The founders have been particularly fortunate in securing as the first M . E . Z ., Comp . W . H . Cole , who is a P . M .

of the Mizpah Lodge and a P . Z . of the Carnarvon and Cray Valley Chapters . He will be ably supported by Comps . A . G . Darby and J . G . Vigo , as the Second and Third Principals . The other founders are Comps , J . Bergmann , C H . Dancocks , C H . Denny , J . P . Hamilton , W . R . King , Josiah Russell , P . G . W . Typke , H . H . Wells , and T . W . Withers .

The Consecrating Officer , Comp . E . Letchworth , G . Scribe E ., was assisted by Comps . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., as H . ; Rev . Canon Brownrigg , G . Supt . Bucks ., as J . ; T . H . Gardener , P . G . S . B ., as S . N . ; and J . H . Matthews , P . G . D . C , as D . of C The visitors included :

Comps . R . Clowes , P . G . S . B . ; T . A . Bullock , P . A . G . D . C . ; W . F . Smithson , P . G . S . B . ; A . G . Sandberg , D . G . D . C . ; W . Cleghorn , G . S . B . ; H . Sadler , G . Janitor ; George Cowen , 1 st Asst . Soj . 1851 ; G . M . Bond , P . P . G . P . ; Milner Jutsum , P . Z . 95 ; H . Dehane , P . P . G . P . S . Essex ; R . Nicholson , PZ . 771 . 1501 ,- XV . S . Whitaker , P . P . G . R . Kent ; R . Kilsup , M . E . Z . 534 ; J . Nowakouski , P . Z . 534 ; G . Rawlinson , P . Z . 1657 ; W . S . Heath , P . Z . 91 ; F .

Arnold , P . Z . 806 ; C . Arnold , 806 ; J . J . Avery , P . Z . 1572 ; T . P . Dickson . P . Z . 1572 ; J . Marchand , J . 1572 ; M . Goldstein , P . Z . 1572 ; R . J . Davis , 1572 ; R . W . Harris , 2147 ; C . Sissons , H . W . Schartau , 2091 ; C . Ellison , 25 ; W . Llewellyn , 2395 ; J . F . Bell , 2147 ; B . Kauffmann , P . Z . 619 ; J . W , Facey , Geo . Harlow , P . P . G . S . B . Kent ; W . K . Burton , 1572 ; H . T . Reed , P . Z . ; Claud A . Hooper , Prov . G . S . B . Kent ; L . Mantell , M . E . Z . 173 ; E . J . Jones , P . Z . 134 ; W . W . Lee , P . Z . 1524 ; and others .

The chapter having been opened , the CONSECRATING OFFICER , addressing the companions , said : " It will not be necessary to occupy your time for many moments with any words of my own . We are met , as you know , for a very interesting purpose—that of constituting and consecrating a new Royal Arch chapter . That chapter will be attached to a lodge which

has been in existence , as the number indicates , for many years , and which , I believe , has enjoyed a career of considerable prosperity . I feel sure you will all join in the hope that this chapter we are about to start into existence may prove itself in every way worthy of the lodge with which it will be connected , and that it may have a prosperous career is , I feel , the wish of all present .

An interesting oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . Canon BROWNRIGG , G . Supt . Bucks , after which the ceremony was proceeded with , and the new chapter was dedicated and constituted with the usual solemn formalities . Comps . W . H . Cole , M . E . Z . designate , and J . G . Vigo , H ,

designate , were inducted into their respective chairs , and Comp . A . G . Darby was installed as J . by Comp . the Rev . Canon Brownrigg . The other officers invested were Comps . J . P . Hamilton , S . E . ; T . W . Withers , S . N . ; J . Bergmann , Treas . ; Josiah Russell , P . S . ; P . G . W . Typke , 1 st A . S . ; and Goddard , Janitor .

The Consecrating Officers were thanked by the M . E . Z . for their services , and were each presented with a gold match-box as a souvenir of the occasion , for which the G . S . E . returned thanks . Several brethren were proposed for exaltation , and the chapter was closed .

After an enjoyable banquet the customary toasts were given , " Ihe Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and " The G . Officers " being first briefly submitted by the M . E . Z . Comp . Rev . Canon BROWNRIGG , G . Supt . Bucks , in reply to the last toast , said that his work in Royal Arch Masonry was chiefly in the province where he tried to keep them up to the mark . As a matter of fact , Royal Arch Masonry was rather that happy haven where one was not worked as hard as in other things .

The M . E . Z . then proposed "The Consecrating Officers , " and referred to the able manner in which those companions performed the ceremonies . It had been his privilege to see those ceremonies performed on more than one occasion , but never in a more dignified manner . They would all remember the oration they had heard for a good many days to come . The H . had

very little to do , unfortunately ; but all the officers did their work in a magnificent manner , and the founders were obliged for the trouble they had taken . He had intended to ask the Consecrating Officers to allow themselves to become honorary members , but , unfortunately , he thought that could be done at the banquet . He apologised for that omission , which would , however , be rectified .

Comp . E . LETCHWORTH , Grand Scribe E .: In view of the very charming musical programme , the quality of which we have already tasted with so much pleasure , and having regard to the brevity of the speeches of the M . E . Z ., which is most commendable , you will not expect a speech from me . I wish the M . E . Z . had associated the name of my companion on my right ( Comp . Brownrigg ) . Those who were privileged to attend the Board

of Installed Principals could not but be struck with the admirable manner in which Comp . Brownrigg installed the J ., and had h fallen to the lot of Comp . McLeod to install the H . he would have done it in an equally able manner . It has afforded us the greatest pleasure to be here this evening and assist in starting into existence this chapter . I feel confident it is one which cannot fail to prove a very great success , and will not be one of the

least important in this metropolis under the Supreme Grand Chapter . We all regret the absence of Comp . Matthews , who has been obliged to leave , and also of Comp . Keyser , who had undertaken the duties of S . N ., but probably it is within the knowledge of many that he had the melancholy duty of attending the funeral ol a Grand Officer—Bro . Lake , the Dep . Prov . G . M . for Herts . The duties of the S . N . were undertaken by Comp .

Gardener at the last moment . I must also acknowledge the very kind observations of the M . E . Z . with regard to our becoming hon . members , and should you do us the great honour to which he has referred , we shall accept it with a great deal of pride and pleasure . On behalf of the Consecrating Officers 1 tender you our warmest thanks . It now becomes my privilege to propose the next toast , which is really the toast of the evening , " The Health of our M . E . Z ., " whom I have had the great privilege of placing in the chair

as the First Principal . I do most heartily congratulate the chapter on having as their First Principal one who is so competent in every way to rule and guide them in this , the first and most important year of its existence . Comp . Cole , as you are all aware , is no novice in Masonry . Not only is he P . M . of the lodge with which this chapter is associated , but he has had considerable experience in Royal Arch Masonry , because , I am informed , he is not only P . Z . of the Carnarvon Chapter , but also of the Cray Valley

Consecration Of The Mizpah Chapter, No. 1671.

Chapter in Kent . I feel confident he will rule you in such a way as this chapter should be ruled during its first year . He has other claims , because he is a most generous supporter of the Charities . I ask you , with all cordiality , to join in drinking the health of your M . E . First Principal . Comp . W . H . COLE . P . Z ., M . E . Z ,, sincerely thanked the G . S . E . for his kind remarks . The Mizpah Lodge had been in existence for 22 years ,

and for some time it had been considered that the objects of the lodge were not completed until they had a chapter practically associated with it . This had been the work in view of the most promising members of that lodge for many years . They had been waiting an opportunity , until they thought they were strong enough to start a chapter properly . Th » y had now come to the conclusion that they were

strong enough to start it as it should be started . The result was the gathering of that evening , and they were gratified with the manner in which everything had gone off . They expected rather more to attend , but illness had kept some away . They were taught that brotherly love should be a feature of Freemasonry . He might say that genuine brotherly love existed in a most remarkable degree in the Mizpah Lodge , and he , therefore , had

great confidence that he would preside over a very united chapter . Another great feature of their Masonic Order was Charity . This was also a very satisfactory feature of the lodge , for the brethren always responded in a most noble manner , whether for distressed brethren or for appeals from the excellent Masonic Institutions . During the existence of the lodge no less a sum than . £ 3230 had been contributed , viz ., / 1266 Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution ; . £ 1043 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and ^ 924 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . This was a result upon which the lodge might fairly claim a little credit . It had also been done without any pressing , the money being freely subscribed in all good will . The chapter would follow in the footsteps of its parent , perhaps not so largely ; but already the by-laws arranged that a percentage of the funds

should go to a Benevolent Fund . He was also given to understand that the chapter would send a Steward regularly to the various Institutions , and he had reason to believe the list would not be the smallest . Coming to the more personal element , they had known him for many years , and he could only say he did not expect to make brilliant records in Freemasonry . He could promise them that nothing he should ever do would disgrace the

chapter , and , as far as the duties were concerned , they could be safely left in his hands . He found they had not an officers' toast in the list . He was supported by as fine a body of Royal Arch Masons as any M . E . Z . ever had under him . He had known them all , and had never known anyone let any work go past that , fell to his share , and , as a very able Mason expressed it , they were " gluttons for work . " They had an excellent Treasurer in Comp . Bergmann , who , in the ordinary course of events , as the

senior Past Master of the Mizpah Lodge , would have occupied the post of M . E . Z . Comp . Bergmann was , however , already M . E Z . of two chapters , and it therefore fell to his ( the M . E . Z . ' s ) share . He wished to thank the S . E ., Comp . Hamilton , for all knew that there was a great deal of detail work to be done in the formation of a chapter , and this work had been done in a manner reflecting the highest credit . He again thanked the Grand Scribe E ., and asked all present to drink to the prosperity and long life of the Mizpah Chapter .

For " The Visitors" Comps . S . WHITTAKER , P . Z . ; AVERY , P . Z . ; READ , P . Z . ; and BOND , returned thanks , after which the Janitor ' s toast was given . Bro . H . W . Schartau was assisted in the excellent musical arrangements by Comps . C Ellison and W . Llewellyn , Misses Annie McBride and Emily Foxcroft , and Mr . Wallis Arthur . The various requirements were manufactured by Comps . George Kenning and Son .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF ESSEX .

The annual meeting of the above Prov . G . Chapter was held on Tuesday , the ^ Sth ult ., at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford . Comp . his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , G . Superintendent , presided , and was supported by a large gathering of Grand and P . G . Officers and companions ! The minutes of the last annual Provincial Grand Chapter ( held at Southend-on-sea ) , having been read and confirmed , letters and telegrams were read from several companions unavoidably prevented attending . The roll of chapters was called , and all were found to be represented .

The Report of the Board of General Purposes showed the present strength of the Province to be 341 , the number of exaltations during the year had been 20 , and their had been seven joining members , whilst the resignations had been 25 , deaths seven , and exclusions nine . The Board recommended a grant of ten guineas to the R . M . I , for Boys . The report was adopted , and Comps . G . H . Finch , P . P . G . J ., T . T . C . Turner , P . P . G } ., and W . li . Dring , P . P . G . H ., were elected as the Board of General Purposes for the ensuing year . Comp . Andrew Durrant , P . Z . 276 , was , for the 17 th year , re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer .

The officers of the year were appointed as under ; Comp . Sir Wm . Abdy , Bart ., P . Z . 10 : 14 ... Prov . G . H , „ H . G . Giles , M . E . Z . 51 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ Thos . J . Railing , P . Z . and S . E . 51 , P . G . S . B . } , < , ., Eng . ( 17 th year ) ... ... ... j Prov * C , < b'h " „ T . Gariand-Wrighton , M . E . Z . 453 ... Prov . G . S . N . „ A . J . Arthy , H . 1000 ,.. ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ F . H . Bright , P . Z . 1024 ... ... Prov . G . P . S . ,, Basil Stewart , I . P . Z . 2501 ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . S . ,, James Block , M . K . Z . 2184 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ C . H . Bestow , H . 2374 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ G . M . Long , M . E . Z . 2256 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . Lucking . P . Z . and Treas . icoo , P . A . G . ') r , n ... - „ D . C . Eng . ( 17 th year ) < Prov . G . D . of C

,, J . P . Green , M . E . Z . 27 G ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . „ VV . Hayman Cummings , Chap . 2005 ... Prov . G . Org . ,, James Clark , S . K 2374 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . ,, A . W . Martin ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . On the motion of the G RAND SUPERINTENDENT , a hearty vote of thanks

was passed to the entertaining chapters for the excellent arrangements they had made for the meeting , and having announced that the meeting next year would be held at Colchester , the Prov . G . Chapter was closed . About 50 companions afterwards dined together at the hotel , under the genial presidency of the Grand Superintendent .