Consecration Of The Maristow Lodge, No. 2725.

great claim for Freemasonry rested on the three tenets—Brotherly love , relief , and truth ; relief to be interpreted as lifting humanity higher . The dedication prayer having been offered by Bro . H . V . Bickersteth , Prov . G . C , the Consecrating Officers ( the Prov . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., and Bros . G . S . Strode , P . S . G . W . ; P . M . Deas , P . J . G . W . ; John Stocker , P . G . Sec . ; and J . R . Lord , P . G . D . C . ) went on with the ceremony , after which the lodge was declared duly constituted by the Provincial Grand Master .

The Prov . Grand Lodge having been closed , the first meeting of the Maristow Lodge was immediately held , the principal business being the installation of Bro . R . Robinson Rodd , P . M . 105 , as W . M . The ceremony was carried out in a very impressive manner by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . G . C . Davie , P . A . G . D . C . England .

The Treasuer and Tyler having been elected , the officers were invested as follows : Bros . T . G . Taylor , acting I . P . M . ; J . J . Blagden , S . W . ; E . Mariette , J . W . ; C . E . Cottier , Sec . ; R . A . Toop , Treas . ; W . E . Corbett , S . D . ; R . Toop , J . D . ; W . Foot , I . G . ; E . Arthur , D . C . ; A . W . Debnam , A . D . C ; and J . Atwill and W . H . Westlake , Stwds .

Before the newly-consecrated lodge was closed , Mr . Henry Y . B . Lopes , M . P . for Grantham , wa ^ s nominated as a candidate for initiation . The musical arrangements were carried out under the direclion of the Prov . G . Organist , Bro . F . J . Shapcott , assisted by Bro . W . Willoughby , P . P . G . O ., who had secured the services of a choir . Tenor solos were taken by Bro . Pastfield , and the bass solos by Bro . P . J * -Dunn , 1205 .

The consecration banquet was subsequently held , Bro . R . Robinson Rodd , P . M . 105 , presiding over a large attendance of provincial and other brethren , including Bro . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . The catering by Bro . Eastcott , Steward of the Club , and Mrs . F . astcott , afforded general satisfaction .

After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the W . M . proposed in felicitous terms " The Health of the Prov . Grand Master and Past and Present Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire , " which was received with extreme cordialitv .

In responding , Bro . Sir STAFFORD NORTHCOTE acknowledged the assistance which he received from the oflicers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and extolled the courtesy , ability , and kindness with which they performed their respective duties . He warmly congratulated the W . M . of Maristow Lodge upon the successful inauguration of that lodge , and upon the favourable circumstances under which it had been constituted .

Speaking for himself , Bro . Sir Stafford assured them that his interest in Freemasonry was a very genuine and sincere one , and he esteemed it to be a great privilege to visit any part of Devonshire , and certainly not l » ast the 'three Towns —( applause)—where he always received the kindliest of welcomes , to do anything in his power to promote the welfare of the Craft . ( Applause . ) Anyone who occupied a position of authority in the

Brotherhood ought to assist whenever possible in the formation of new lodges , which , by their geographical position , might afford less excuse to brethren for not attending them when summoned . He was glad to think that , thanks to the energies of others throughout the province , since he had had the honour of occupying the office of their Grand Master , Freemasonry had gone on increasing by leaps and bounds , and he trusted it was still far from having

attained the summit of its strength . ( Applause . ) He congratulated them upon the fact that they were going to secure as one of the first recruits of Maristow Lodge one of the sons of their excellent friend and neighbour , Sir Massey Lopes . ( Loud applause . ) When Mr . Lopes found himself surrounded by such an able and excellent body of Freemasons , he would be sure to be encouraged to pursue his studies in the Craft

in which they hoped he would eventually rise to a high position . ( Hear , hear . ) The question had been asked as to whether a possible change in his connection with the county might have the effect of separating him officially from Dconshire Freemasonry . All he could say in connection with the subject was that so far as hc knew at present , although it

was impossible to speak absolutely as to the future , he was aware of no reason why , so long as they were pleased to continue to repose their present confidence in him , they should not remain on their present footing . ( Loud applause ) He concluded by wishing long life and prosperity to Lodge Maristow . ( Applause . )

" The Consecrating and Installing Officers" was submitted in suitable terms by Bro . J . J . BLAGDEN , and responded to by ) lro . G . C . DAVIE , D . P . G . M ., who expressed his assurance that the new Iodge would flourish and prove a great convenience to brethren , who , though they carried on their daily business in Plymouth , resided in the neighbourhood of Yelverton . ( Applause . )

The P . G . MASTER submitted " The Health of the W . M ., " and said the strength of Freemason lodges in the country would derive an appreciable gain by the formation of the Maristow Lodge , and in the election of Bro . Rodd as its lirst Master . ( Applause . ) In the course of his reply the W . M . remarked that some inconvenience was experienced by the members of Lodge Fortitude living at Yelverton and the neighbourhood in having to come to Plymouth in order to attend their

lodge , and hence there was a desire to institute a lodge nearer home . Yelverton was a growing district , and he was satisfied that as time went on their membership would correspondingly increase . They might depend upon it that whatever was in his power to do for the good of the Maristow Lodge would be rendered with the greatest willingness , and to the best of his ability . He sincerely thanked his brethren for the compliment they had paid him in electing him their Master . ( Loud applause . )

The succeeding toasts were " The Ollicers of the Lodge , " given by Bro , P . M . DEAS , P . J . G . W ., and responded to by Bros . J . J . BLAGDEN , K , MARIETTE , and CE . COTTIER ; "The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . li , MARIETTE , and replied to by the P . S . G . W ., Bro . G . S . STRODE ; and " Our poor distressed brethren . " The toasts were interspersed with songs .

Freemasonry In Norfolk.

FREEMASONRY IN NORFOLK .

GRAND INSTALLATION CEREMONY .

Norwich was on the 1 st inut . visited by an unusually large number of Freemasons , who were attracted thither by two important installations , namel y that of Comp . Sir Francis G . M . Boileau as Grand Superintendent of Prov . G . Chapter , and that of Bro . Hamon Ie Strange , P . G . D ., as Prov . G . Master of Norfolk . Perhaps no more fitting place could be selected for

Freemasonry In Norfolk.

such a ceremory than the Blackfriars' Hall , surrounded as it is by many historic associations . The hall had been suitably decorated and fitted up for the purposes of the occasion . A platform at the east end had been erected , on which was placed the grand throne and the chairs of the Grand Officers , surrounded by screens representing the firmament , while the floor was covered with a carpet representing the square pavement with tesselated

border . The banners above the grand throne were charged with crape rosettes , and the brethren also were in mourning , as was the furniture of Provincial Grand Lodge , by reason of the recent death of the Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master of England . When filled with brethren wearing their various aprons , jewels , collars , & c , the hall presented a brilliant appearance .

Among the notabilities who took part in the ceremonies of the day were Bros , the Earl of Euston , Instslling Master ; T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P . G . M . Suffolk ; Col . Cook , P . G . D . ; Sir Reginald Hanson , Bart ., P . G . W . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; G . W . Speth , P . A . G . D . C ; Col . Caldwell , Prov . G . M . Cambs ; and Frank Richardson , the acting D . C . for the Grand Lodge of England , who directed affairs throughout the day with conspicuous ability .

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER . The first business to engage attention was the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter , which was held at 11 . 30 . After the usual formalities had been complied with , Comp . Sir Francis Boileau was duly installed by the Earl of Euston . Comp . Sir FRANCIS BOILEAU suitably expressed his gratitude for the honour that had been conferred upon him .

The Grand Superintendent subsequently appointed and invested the Prov . G . First and Second Principals , and also the other Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year . Comp . A . N . Mann was elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and the following were appointed to serve on the Committee of General Purposes : Comps . Sir Charles Gilman , J . B . Bridgrnan , H . J . Sparks , and G . W . Page , and after two Auditors had been named , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed .

At 1 . 30 the Present and Past Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Chapter , also Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the lodges , and Principals and Past Principals of the chapters in the province , partook of an invitation lunch at the Masonic Club , St . Giles ' s-street .

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . Blackfriars' Hall , which had been re-arranged , was again resorted to at half-past two . The banners of the different lodges had been placed in position round the hall , and under them the brethren ranged themselves . Bro . Sir Francis Boileau presided , and was supported , amongst many others , by the following distinguished brethren .-

Bros . H . Chamberlain , P . M . 313 , P . S . G . W . ; C . W . Smith , P . M . 107 , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . L . G . Pollard , 313 , and Rev . A . J . Alpe 52 , P . G . Chaps . ; A . N . Mann , P . M . 1 Soo , P . G . Treas . ; H . Warne , W . M . 1500 , P . G . Reg . ; G . W . G . Barnard , P . M . 943 , P . G . Sec . ; J . T . Spurrei , P . M . 102 , P . S . G . D . ; J . Green , P . AI . not ) , P . J . G . D . ; C . li . Todd , P . M . S 07 , P . G . S . of W . ; A . N . Tyrrell , P . M . 100 , P . G . D . C ; R .

Harrison , P . M . 1 * 114 , P . A . G . D . C . ; F . A . Bond , P . M . 85 , P . G . S . B . ; S . Cole P . M . 213 , and F . J . Burrage , P . M . 174 , P . G . Std . Brs . ; G . Hare , P . M . noj , P . G . Org . ; W . Oliver , J . D . 913 , P . A . G . S . ; F . Gregory , P . M . 1 S 0 S , P . G . P . ; W . Buckenham , S . W . 213 , P . A . G . P . ; and F . W . Lewis , S . D . ioo , W . R . Smith , 107 , J . H . Colman , 213 , J . Gaymer , S . W . 102 , G . Hammant , 317 , and G . S . Barnard , S 03 , I ' rov . G . Stwds .

After the Prov . G . Lodge had been opened , the Installing Master , with the Grand Officers , entered . Bro . Sir Francis Boileau left the chair , and Bro . Lord Fusion took control . The valedictory address of Bro . Lord Suffield was read , in which he offered the brethren his heartfelt thanks for the unvarying kindness and loyalty they had displayed towards him during his long term of oflice .

Thc Prov . G . Master designate ( Bro . Hamon le Strange ) was then introduced , and was subsequently installed as Prov . G . Master in a most impressive manner by Bro . Lord Euston . Before the investiture the Prov . G . Master was asked to accept a full set of dress and undress clothing , also a chain and jewel of oflice . He was also presented with an illuminated address .

The newly-installed PROV . G . M . then addressed the brethren , remarking that his first duty was to express his deep thanks to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for the extreme honour paid him in selecting him to rule over the province in which he himself resided . His second duty ^ was to oiler to the brethren his deep gratitude for the splendid reception that bad been given him on tbis occasion , and more especially for the practical form which their

good will had assumed in the presentation of jewels and clothing . He was deeply touched by such kindness . The gifts would ever remind him of that eventful day . He had appointed to co-operate with him in tbe discharge of his duties Bro . Sir Francis Boileau as D . P . G . M . of the province , a choice which , he had the satisfaction of knowing , met with the heartiest approval of the entire province .

Bro . SIR FRANCIS BOILEAU was then obligated and installed , and returned thanks in well chosen terms , promising his undivided support to the P . G . M . and his interest in all that concerned the welfare of thtt

province . The PROV . G . M . then explained the absence of Bro . Lord Sullicld , who felt unable to be present , and in a formal manner take leave of the province , 'l'he illuminated address and Past Master ' s jewel , which had been subscribed for by those who had been promoted to provincial rank during Bro . Lord Suffield ' s Mastership , would be placed in his lordship ' s hands as speedily as possible .

Ihe PROV . GRAND MASTER moved a vote of thanks to the Earl of Euston , who had so willingly and efficiently performed the novel duty of installing the two principal officers of the province . He felt certain no better exponent of the ritual could have been secured . Bro . Sir FRANCIS BOILEAU , in seconding the proposition , referred to the

remarkable ability and extreme courtesy exhibited by his lordship in the earlier ceremony of the day . ln reply , Lord EUSTON thanked those present for the kind vote . His attendance had given him great pleasure , and he was glad his work had given the brethren satisfaction . He , however , felt that he was being thanked for merely doing his duty .