Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed . The brethren adjourned to the Lower Hall , where the banquet was served under the supervision of Bro . and Mrs . Drinkwater . Bro . T . Cox presided , and the usual Masonic toasts were given and cordially honoured . Bro . E . HORNE , in responding to the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " mentioned that the grand total of the Boys' Centenary Festival had since been increased from ^ 134 . 000 to ^ 141 , 000 .

Consecration Of A Masonic Temple At Chipping Norton.

CONSECRATION OF A MASONIC TEMPLE AT CHIPPING NORTON .

The New Masonic Temple in the Over Norton-road was formally consecrated , with full Masonic honours , on the 28 th ult ., by the Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , the Earl of Jersey , assisted by the Dep . Prov . Grand Master and the ofiicers of the Prov . Gra nd Lodge . It is built in the Renaissance style , and its exterior will scarcely explain the purpose for which it has been erected ; but one has only to make the most cursory examination of the interior to discover how admirably it has been adapted to the purposes of Freemasonry . From

lodgeroom to the offices , everything seems to have been done to answer the purpose for which the building has been erected , and few towns or cities in the provinces possess a building so suited in every respect to the requirements of the Craft as Chipping Norton is now fortunate enough to own . Mr . A . J . Rowley , of Oxford , is the architect of the new hall , which has been built to his designs by Mr . A . Groves , builder , Chipping Norton . The total cost of the building is about £ 1200 .

The formal consecration of the Temple took place on the above day , when there was a large gathering of brethren of the province to witness and participate in the ceremony . The Provincial Grand Lodge was constituted as follows : Bros , the Earl of Jersy , Prov . G . M . ; Lord Valentia , D . P . G . M . ; G . C . Druce , W . M . 340 , P . J . G . W . ; Geo . Briars , P . M . 1763 , P . S . G . D . ; Colville Smith , P . M . 357 , P . G . Sec ; A .

Rowley , P . A . G . Sec ; F . M . Davies , P . M . 47 8 , P . G . Treas . ; T . T . Blockley , 357 and P . M . 1479 . P-C Chap . Oxon , and P . P . G . Chap . Herts . ; M . Winkfield , 2414 , P . G . D . of C ; J . Rush , I . P . M . 1763 , P . A . G . D . of C ; J . Rogers , W . M . 1515 , P . G . S . of W . ; J . W . Blomfield , S . W . 589 , and J . H . Wilkinson , S . W . 340 , P . G . Std . Brs . ; A . E . Mace , P . G . S . B . ; J . Mitchell , J . W . 340 , P . G . Purst . ; Ralph Foort , 1515 , P . G . S . j J . Rhodes , W . M . 1399 , P . G . S . ; E . J . Day , J . W . 340 , P . G . Org . ; G . R . Norwood , 357 and 478 , P . G . Tyler ; and J . Goold , I . P . M . 340 .

The ceremony commenced with a procession , which was headed by the officers of the Bowyer Lodge , who proceeded to take their appointed places in the lodge . The W . M . and Past Masters of the Bowyer Lodge followed , bearing the corn , wine and oil to be used in the ceremony . Then came the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the P . G . Chaplain , and P . G . Secretary preceding the Deputy and Prov . Grand Master . The brethren all remained standing until the Prov . Grand brethren had taken their places , after which the lodge was duly opened in the First Degree , and the brethren saluted the P . G . M .

A prayer by the Chaplain of the lodge , Bro . PHILLIPS , was followed by the singing of the Masonic dedication hymn to the tune of Melcombe . The lodge Secretary , Bro . W . WARNE , then read the minutes and formally asked the P . G . M . to dedicate the building . The first portion of the dedication prayer was offered by the P . G . Chaplain , Bro . BLOCKLEY , followed by the invocation and responses .

The Prov . G . Master , followed by his Deputy and Wardens , then proceeded around the lodge , solemn music being played by the P . G . Organist , Bro . Day . Corn was scattered over the lodge in the east by the P . G . M . as an emblem of plenty , and the building was dedicated- to Freemasonry . The responses having been made , the procession a second time proceeded around the lodge , and halted

in the west , when -wine was poured out by the Prov . Grand Master , and the building was dedicated to virtue . The responses having again been given , the procession moved a third time around the lodge , and halted in the south , when oil was poured out , and the building was dedicated to universal benevolence . The responses having again been made , the Prov . Grand Chaplain read II . Levitticus , chap . 13 .

The CHAPLAIN having offered the concluding portion of the dedication prayer , the Prov . Grand Master solemnly dedicated the building to Freemasonry , virtue , and universal benevolence . The oration was then given by the PROV . G . CHAPLAIN , after which the Prov . G . Master and Wardens vacated their chairs , which were taken by thc ofiicers of the lodge , and the regular business of the lodge was proceeded with .

This having been completed , the lodge was closed in the usual form , with prayer , and the singing of a hymn . The banquet was served in the dining hall of the new temple . The W . M . of the Bowyer Lodge presided , and was supported by the Prov . G . Master and his ofiicers , and the officers of the Bowyer Lodge . The toast list commenced with the usual toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " proposed from the chair , and duly honoured .

TheW . M . then proposed "The M . W . G . M . of England , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupling with the toast Bro . the Earl of Jersey , Prov . G . M . The PROV . GRAND MASTER , tn responding , said Masonry had suffered by the death of the Pro Grand Master ol England , Lord Lathom . ( Hear , hear . ) He was sure that any person who had an acquaintance , personal or otherwise , with

the late Lord Lathom would deeply regret his decease , and would feel that one of the worthiest of Englishmen of our time had passed away . ( Hear , hear . ) He congratulated the brethren of the Bowyer Lodge upon having obtained a most excellent Iodge , which contained all those accessories and additions which added so much to the comfort of the brethren , and he could congratulate them upon having obtained such a substantial building . He could also congratulate the

lodge upon its officers . No lodge in the world was better equipped with a W . M . than was the Bowyer Lodge —( hear , hear)—and he could also congratulate the lod ge upon its I . P . M . and Wardens . Masonry owed much to its ritual , but it owed still more to the men who carried out its principles . ( Applause . ) The Bowyer Lodge was exerting great influence , not only over its membeis , but he thought he could say over a much wider circle , and it was a happy position for the

1 rov . Grand Master to dedicate a building to the use of the lodge , which was working so well , and doing so much good . As the W . M , had hinted , in the course of his lite he had seen something of Masonry outside thc shores of Grou Britain . It waa true that he had , as had Masons abroad , looked with the deepest fespect and esteem to the Grand Lodge of England —( applause )— . vhich had for its Grand Master H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales . ( A pplause . ) The Grand Lodge of England had earned and retained the respect of Masons everywhere , because

Consecration Of A Masonic Temple At Chipping Norton.

it was recruited by Masons from every part of the country , so that whatever was good and deserving amongst Masonry was recognised by the Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) He was sure the Grand Lodge of England would never have held the position it did if it had not been for such good and excellent lodges as the Bowyer Lodge , and he congratulated them most sincerely upon the great work they had carried out . -

The Prov . G . Master then left the Iodge room to catch his train . The W . M . gave the toast of " The R . W . the Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Jersey , and the V . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Viscount Valentia , and the Prov . Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past . " He coupled with the toast the name of the Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Lord Valentia . The DEP . PROV . G . MASTER , in responding , said he could congratulate the

members of the Bowyer Lodge on the new temple which had just been consecrated . The worthy architect ( Bro . A . J . Rowley ) had produced a temple which was not only a credit to him , but was worthy of the Fraternity it had to house . He thought the architect had set an example to his own professional craft in having given his services fully gratis and for nothing . ( Applause . ) As in these days time was money , the brethren of the Bowyer Lodge would understand how great

was the sacrifice which Bro . Rowley had made . He could , however , not only congratulate the members of the Bowyer Lodge on the temple they had obtained , but upon the spirit of the brethren who filled the temple . As the strength of the province depended upon the strength of the private lodges , it was a happy augury for the future of Masonry in the province when they had such lodges as the Bowyer . So long as they had such lodges the high tone of Masonry would be well maintained . ( Applause . )

Other toasts were given of " The Worshipful Master , " " The Past Masters , " " The Visiting Brethren , " and " The Officers of the Lodge . " Bro . Schofield presented a jewel to the I . P . M ., Bro . Rowell , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .

A Veteran School Manager.

A VETERAN SCHOOL MANAGER .

We have much pleasure in publishing the following correspondence , which relates to our respected Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., Past G . Chap ., and speaks for itself : " Vere-street , Clare Market , W . C , October 12 th , 1898 . "Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A . "Rev . and Dear'Sir , —It is with heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God that we , the undersigned , staff of Vere-street School , hear of two important and recent events in your life—that on Michaelmas Day you were permitted to

reach the ripe and honourable age of seventy-six , and also to complete your 'Jubilee' as Minister of God ' s word . " We are reminded that , as Chairman of the Managers , you have devoted many of these years to the welfare of this school , and we feel sure that much of its success during that time is immediately due to the kindness , care , and fatherly love you have always shown towards us and our scholars . Very many of the latter look with pride to the fact that they came under your guiding influence , and we shall ever treasure the memory of your genial friendship , sympathy , and courtesy .

We feel it our privilege , and ask to be allowed to congratulate you most cordially upon these two events , and we pray that God ' s mercy may still follow and bless you , and that you may be spared for many years to continue your encouraging and beneficent labours . —With all good wishes , believe us , Reverend and Dear Sir , yours affectionately and obediently , " L . A . Attwater , L . Fricker , M . F . White , M . G . Ennis , A . M . Sparkes , " M . Wakefield , G . Elson , A . Milligan oer A . M . S ., G . G . Landragin , " F . R . Johnson , W . O . Cattell , F . E . Newman . "

" October 14 th , 1898 . " My Dear Kind Friends , —I have been deeply gratified by your most kind and touching letter of congratulation and good wishes . Accept my cordial thanks , and although the letter is characterised by a too generous estimate of my humble labours for the best of Masters , and amongst Ihe rest for our Schools , yet I highly value the kind feeling and warm friendship that have dictated it .

" Be assured I sincerely reciprocate the friendly opinions and wishes you express , and I pray to God to bless your valuable and successful labours among the dear children of our schools , whom I know you seek not only to teach to be apt scholars in book learning , but to train as Christian boys and girls who shall be fitted to serve our God and country in their generation . There is no part of greater practical importance than this in either our Church or nation .

My years , my dear friends , are drawing to a close , but as long as memory holds her place , your kind words and wishes shall be cherished and faithfully remembered by your ever affectionate friend , " R . J . Simpson . " Mrs . Attwater , Mrs , Sparkes , Mr . Landragin ; and Assistant Teachers . "

It may be of some public interest to our readers , says our correspondent , to know that Bro . Simpson was one of the very few clergy of the Church of England who associated himself with the work of the first School Board for London , and has continued to act under the Board up to this day . He took this step by the advice and at the suggestion of the late Rt . Hon . W . H . Smith , and became for

several years Chairman of the Divisional Committee—No . 1 , for Westminster , hearing cases in St . Martin ' s Hall . At the same time Bro . Simpson , as rector of St . Clement Danes , secured the reconstruction of his old National Schools , under a most favourable scheme for the great bulk of the children of the parish , and then not only supported the building of the Board Schools as supplementary , but became Chairman of the Managers of the latter .

Christmas Appeal.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL .

QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S LYING-IN HOSPITAL . This Charity , which was founded in the year 1752 , and is the largest of its kind in Great Britain , receives over 1100 patients into its Wards yearly , and attends a like number of women in their own homes as out-patients . To carry on the work of the hospital efficiently , more than , £ 4000 is needed annually , but the assured income amounts to i * 2 ooo only , thus leaving £ 2000 to be raised every year from fresh sources . List year there was a deficiency of 677 6 . The

. growth of thc work of the Charity has been so rapid of recent years that it has been found necessary to further enlarge the hospital and to build a new Nurses ' Home . These works arc well in hand , but upwards of £ 5000 are still required for them . Contributions to both thc Maintenance and Building Funds are earnestly solicited , and maybe sent to thc Bankers ( Messrs . Cocks , Bidduiph , & Co ., 43 , Charing-crois , S . W . ) or the Secretary ( Mr . Artnur Watts ) , at ihe Hospital , Marylebone-road , N . W . Gifts of ' gams , and clothing for mo : hers and nfants , are always most acceptable .