Consecration Of The Charles Edward Keyser Lodge, No. 2518.

be absent from the meetings of the Prov . Grand Lodge , and that the brethren wcud feel it was a duty incumbent on them to attend the Prov . Grand Lodge and keep up the prestige of the Charles Edward Keyser Lodge . With regard to tha Deputy Grand Master and the other provincial officers , he ventured to say , in the lodge , how much he was indebted to them

personally for their attendance . They saw what a good worker Bro . Lake wis , as they had seen on many occasions . He was a member of the lodge at Watford , with which Bro . Lake was identified . They were fortunate in having in the province a brother who could do the work like him . All the Grand Officers of the province he welcomed , and expressed his greatest gratification at their attendance .

Bro . THOMAS FREDERICK HALSEY , M . P ., Prov . G . M . for Herts , replying to the toast , said he felt it a great responsibility upon him in having to reply for such a large body of brethren as were standing up with him . It was 20 years since he was first installed as Prov . G . M . of Herts . It was not due to any merits of his own . The W . M . had pointed out that he ( Bro . Halsey ) had many things to occupy his time and attention ,

and it was a fact that he was not able to give the time he could wish to the affairs of Masonry in the province . But through the valuable assistance of the brethren then standing up with him he felt a pride in presiding over such a province . During 20 years the province had more than doubled the number of its lodges j from a strength of eight it now had a strength of 22 lodges , and it had also progressed in the other branches , in the Royal Arch

and other Degrees to which he need not particularly allude . The progress had been good and genuine . Masonry had multiplied ; there had not been a depletion of old-established lodges ; those lodges had held thejr own , had gone on , progressed and improved . It was a genuine addition to the strength of the province . Small as the district was , they might well be proud of the increase of Masonry in it , and he thanked them most deeply from the bottom

of his heart for the support they had given him during 20 years . Coming to that lodge , he felt sure from the beginning that it would prove a most valuable addition to the strength of Masonry in the province . The very name it bore was that of a man whose name was a household word in Masonry , not limited to that province , but belonging to all Masonry . That name alone was enough to put the brethren on their mettle , and act up to

the character of the man . From the enthusiasm and energy imported into the formation of the lodge and that inaugural meeting , he was sure the brethren felt the responsibility that was on them , and that they would never disgrace or discredit the lodge . He then proposed " The Health of the W . M . and Success to the Charles Edward Keyser Lodge . " Good wine needed no bush , and no words of his were necessary to recommend the name

of the W . M . to the brethren . They knew what Bro . Keyser had done in Hertfordshire , what he had done in other lodges , and how he had taken a leading part in Masonry . He was quite sure Bro . Keyser would do the same with that lodge that by their experience they knew he had done on behalf of other lodges . If he said more he was certain he would be clouding

the subject over . Bro . C . E . KEYSER , W . M ., in replying , said he felt sorry they were so hurried on account of the trains , but he was obliged to respond to the toast before he departed . He felt that a very great honour had been conferred on him that day , first because the lodge was called after his name , and secondly because he was invited to be its first Master . The brethren interested in the

founding of the lodge would bear him out that both those honours were entirely unsolicited by himself . He would go further and say that they had to put pressure upon him to get his consent to call the lodge by his name , and to be the lodge ' s first Master . However , having done so he should do his best to promote the interests of the lodge . He hoped it would assume a high position in the province of which it now formed a part . His name had to

some extent been connected with the Masonic Charities , and he would therefore bring before the brethren the names of others so connected . They had with them Bros . James Terry and James Morrison McLeod . There would not be time for those brethren to respond to the toast of "The Charities , " but perhaps they would have a chance on some future occasion , and the lodge , he hoped , would never forget the Charities . He thanked the

brethren very heartily for their kind reception of him . He was proud of those who were associated with him as founders of the lodge who he believed were going to make it create its mark in the province . They had already shown what they could do in providing for the comforts of the visitors . They would be able to develop forces all round in Masonry which would conduce to the prestige of the lodge . It was a matter of sincere regret to him that he could not stop longer with the brethren as he would

have liked to propose " The Health of the Visitors , " of whom a large number were present . They came from Herts , Middlesex , Cambridge , and Yorkshire . He would also have liked to propose " The Officers , " but he must leave all these duties to Bro . Heard . He was glad everything had gone off so well , and he was sure this was the beginning of a most successful year for the Charles Edward Keyser Lodge , No . 2518 . The brethren who were going to London then left , and W . M . ' s chair was taken b y Bro . Heard .

The singing between the proposing of the toasts and the responses was performed by Bros . Etherington Smith , Robert J . Harris , Powell , and Will Edwards , under the direction of Bro . W . Emerson .

Consecration Of The Roll Call Lodge, No. 2523.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROLL CALL LODGE , No . 2523 .

The total number of lodges in the Province of Middlesex has been increased to 40 by the consecration of the Roll Call Lodge , No . 2523 , which took p lace at the Oddfellows' Hall , Hounslow , on Tuesday , the 10 th inst . As the significant title of the new lodge indicates , the founders are mostl y

connected with the military profession , and besides being a very strong body they are animated with an enthusiasm for Freemasonry which should ensure a successful career for the new venture in the future . Additional interest was given to the proceedings from the fact that this is the first lodge consecrated by the present Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P ., since his accession to office about a year ago . The Prov . G . M . was assisted by Bros . Raymond H . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , Dep . Prov .

G . M . ; Lieut .-Col . W . Ruston , Prov . S . G . W ., as S . W . ; A . Stewart Brown , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec ; Dr . S . Hague , Prov . G . D . C , as D . C ; and W . Fisher , Prov . G . Treas ., as I . G . The founders , the majority of whom were present , are Bros . W . J . Trewinnard , P . M . 434 , P-Z-, P . P . A . G . S ., W . M . designate ; H . T . Cooper , P . M . 1567 ; W . Mountford , 1436 , S . W . designate ; J . Price , 1567 , J . W .

Consecration Of The Roll Call Lodge, No. 2523.

designate ; Rev . E . L . G . Houndle , P . M . 1826 , P . P . G . C ; G . Brown , J . D . 95 ; W . J . Gardeivr , W . M . 865 ; C . Robinson , W . M . 60 ; J . Harding , 1604 ; P . Mecklenburg , 60 ; C L . Floyd , 1604 ; J . Finlay , 1994 ; H . Dockrill , P . M . 1567 ; H . Perks , P . M . 209 ; H . C . H . H . Houndle , P . M . 1826 , P . G . W . ; VV . J . Gomm , J . W . 780 ; A . Toulmin '

P . M . 1503 ; W . Ruston . P . M . 1871 , P . S . G . W . ; H . A . Trevanion , J . W , 1871 ; W . Godley , 2195 ; R . Carpenter , 1604 ; W . Sheffield , 670 ; F , Butler , 1496 ; J . Mayers , 555 ; VV . M . Hill , 500 ; C . Sheppard , 267 ; B , J . Booth , Stwd . 1539 ; W . Knell , 2195 ; E . C . P . Hodkinson , 509 ; E , T . Baker , 217 ; W . Langdon , 1567 ; VV . Funge , S . D . 975 ; J . Hunt , 1604 ; C . Weedon , IS 67 ; and R . Aldington , 2012 .

The visitors were Bros . H . Sidler , G . Tyler ; W . Pescud , 2400 ; G . Bond . 2400 ; S . Zucker , 165 S ; F . N . Cole , 1257 ; W . J . Brooker , 1567 ; W . Fletcher , 209 ; } . Lewarne , S 65 ; W . Essex , 865 ; J . Anderson , 2444 ; E . Clare , P . M . S 65 ; E . H . Lewis , VV . M . 2444 ; and VV . W . Lee , W . M . 1 S 97 , I . P . M . 23 S 1 .

The lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees by the Prov . Grand Secretary , the Prov . Grand Master , accompanied by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . Grand Officers entered in procession and were duly saluted . The PROV . GRAND MASTER , addressing the brethren , said they had assembled for the purpose of c instituting and consecrating a new lodge , and

he was commanded by H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . to act for the time being as his Deputy and perform the requisite ceremony . But before he discharged that duty he wished to say a few words in his capacity as Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex on that , the first occasion on which he had been present at the constitution of a new lodge . By the wisdom of those who governed the destinies of the Craft they had baen divided into p ovinces , and it became a matter for those entrusted with the management of a province to

carefully consider when application was made for a new lodge that the interests of the Craft were well looked after . The principles which had actuated him on that occasion and in the future would be never to recommendjany petition for a new lodge except those which were purely local , so that the lodges established in the province might in no sense be dependent upon extraneous support . Those were the principles which his respected predecessor acted upon , and he believed they were conducive to the best interests of the Craft .

The ceremony was then impressively c irried out , and an excellent oration having been delivered by the acting Chaplain , Bro . Rev S . T . H . Saunders , the new lodge was solemnly dedicated and constituted . The Dep . Prov . G . M . installed Bro . W . J . Trewinnard , P . M ., as W . M ., and the following officers were invested : Bros . VV . Mountford , S . W . ; J . Price , J . W . ; Rev . E . L . G . Houndle , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; W . J . Gardener , Treas . ; G . Brown , Sec ; C Robinson , S . D . ; J . Harding , J . D . ; P . Mecklenburg , I . G . ; C . L . Floyd , and J . Finlay , Stwds . ; and Hill , Tyler .

Propositions were received , a Committee was appointed to frame the bylaws , and the lodge was then closed . A banquet followed , at which the Prov . Grand Master was unable to be present , and the usual toasts were subsequently honoured . Bro . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , P . A . G . D . C , Dep . Prov . G . M ., responding for " The Grand Officers , " said it wis always an honourable thing to have

one ' s health connected with a set of noblemenjike those who presided over them . Lord Lathom and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe were earnest , zealous Masons who gave up a great deal of tiine and gave the governing body valuable advice as to the bast meins of ruling the large body of Masons " and conducing to their happiness . It was to men like the present Grand Secretary and Bro . T . Fenn , who had but recently

retired as President of the Board of General Purposes , and who had done more for Masonry in his time than probably any man before him—it was to such men they owed a debt of gratitude for all they had done . Bro . Robt . Grey , the President of the Board of Benevolence , was another brother who gave up night after night to assist in making grants to those in distress , and in enquiring into the various cases . The only reward the Grand Officers received was the slight acknowledgment made at the dinner table , showing

that tho brethren appreciated their efforts . The position of a Grand Officer was no sinecure , for during his year of office there were nine Grand Lodge meetings and two additional meetings in the country . They felt that that evening they had done a great service to the province and the Craft by consecrating that new lodge . The founders had their heart and soul in the work , and were go id M isons and would work conscientiously , and do honour to the province . He wished them God-speed in their endeavours .

The VVORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Deputy Prov . G . M ., and Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said the brethren could vouch for what the Provincial Grand Officers could do , as they had seen their work that night in one of the noblest and greatest services that could be rendered to Masonry—the consecration of another lodge

in the interests of the Craft . The founders would not let it be said that through their dilatoriness those good services would be thrown away , for they had the metal , the will , and the disci pline , which was an important thing . He hoped the Provincial Grand OHi ; ers would live to enjoy their well-earned honours for many years to come .

Bro . A . STEWART BROWN , Prov . J . G . W ., congratulated the W . M . and Wardens on the name selected for the lodge—the Roll Call Lodge—which bore well upon the profession with which they were connected . It was a name which would surely carry the lodge to fame . The Prov . G . M . was well known to them and throughout the country , and during the time he had held his present position had thoroughly showed himself to be a hard-working and zealous Mason for the progress of Masonry in the province . In this

work he was well supported by the Dep . Prov . G . M . The Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Room , was always amongst them , and during the last five or six years had shown himself a most genial and energetic brother and in every way a splendid Prov . G . Sec , of whom any province might bz proud to toast . He ( Bro . Brown ) was extremely pleased he had had the pleasure of being present to assist in the consecration , and thanked them for their cordial reception and excellent hospitality .

"The Health of the W . M . " was given by the DEP . PROV . G . M ., who said he had not the pleasure of a long acquaintance with the W . M ., but he knew with what persistent energy he had kept up the idea of that lodge , and how , repulsed on the first onset , he had returned again to the charge , and was now proud of the victory gained . In B 0 . Trewinnard they hid the

right man in the right place , for he was an old Mason wh > se heart was in the work . He would say to the offi ; ers that if they wished to back up their VV . M . and make the lodge a success , they must never let the W . M . have to look round to see after them . They should keep at their work , for in the W . M . they had one who deserved support , and their lodge would be a great success .