Consecration Of The Stanley Of Preston Lodge, No. 2600.

meetings of the lodge will be held , in the presence of a very numerous and thoroughly representative gathering of the leaders of the Craft . The selection tf Bro . the Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Derby , who , in addition to his Masonic rank , holds the distinguished position of Lord Mayor of Liverpool , was one which gave universal satisfaction , and this was clearly •hown by the interest and enthusiasm which marked the whole of the

proceedings . In the absence of Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Prov . G . Master , on ( fficial duties at Court , Bro . Col . Le Gendre Nichclas Starkie , Past G . W ., Prov . G . M . of East Lancashire , was deputed to perform the ceremony of consecration , bting assisted by Bros . T . W . Rice , P . S . G . W . ; W . H . Arnott , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . C . C . Bluett , P . G . Chap . ; W . Bowden , P . G . Reg . ; W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec . ; Thomas Vernon , P . G . D . C . ;

and G . Harradon , P . P . G . Treas ., acting as I . G . The ceremony of consecration was very impressively performed , an eloqui nt oration being delivered by the PROV . G . CHAPLAIN on the traditions , history , teachings , and objects of the Order . The music of the ceremony was very effectively rendered by Bros ,

Livesey , Preston , Coward , Cornall , and T . Hogg , who presided at the organ . At the close of the consecration the chair was taken by Bro . Robert VVy lie , Past G . D ., D . Prov . G . M ., who most efficiently installed Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Derby , P . M . 32 , as the first W . M . The following officers were subsequently invested : Bros . G . Oakey , acting I . P . M . ; Capt . H . W . Johnston , V . D ., P . P . G . D ., S . W . ; T . Nevett , P . P . G . S . of W .,

. VV . ; Major J . Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Barber , P . M ., Sec ; W . W Elton , P . P . A . G . D . C , S . D . ; W . H . Johnston , J . D . ; Captain T . R

oily , P . P . G . Treas ., D . C . ; J . J . Dallas , I . G . ; J . F . Wood , Org . ; and J . Hankin , Tyler . Bro . Nevett , P . M ., was appointed Charity Representative . The addresses to the W . M ., officers , and brethren were admirabl y given by Bro . Rev . T . BARTON SPENCER , Past G . Chap . Before the lodge closed , Bro . Capt . Johnston , S . W ., presented the W . M .

with a founder ' s jewel , and in acknowledging the gift , his brdship said he received it with the greatest pride and pleasure . The institution of the lodge in a town in which he took the deepest interest was a source of sincere p leasure , and he was most gratified to renew interesting associations with brethren with whom he had been associated years ago , from whom he had always received the greatest kindness and brotherly courtesy .

After numerous propositions for membership had been made , and apologies for non-attendance from various brethren of distinction had been read , the lodge was closed . Subsequently a banquet was served in the Assembly Room , the chair being occupied by the W . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Derby . Upwards of 80 brethren sat down to a sumptuous dinner , which was admirably served .

In the course of the evening the W . M . proposed the toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " and "The M . W . the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , " in felicitous terms . ' Bro . LAMBERT gave " The Earl of Lathom , Pro Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " responded to by Bro . E . ASHWORTH ; Bro REVELEY submitted the Deputy Prov . G . M . and Prov . Grand Officers , " acknowledged by Bro . R . WYLIE ; and Bro . Colonel

LE GENDRE STARKIE gave the toast of " The Worshi pful Master the Right Hon . the Earl of Derby , " which his lordship responded to in eloquent and sympathetic terms . " The Consecrating Officer , " proposed by the W . M ., was acknowledged by Bro . Col . STARKIE ; and then followed the toasts of " The Visitors , "

submitted by Bro . NEVETT , coupled with the name of Bro . Helme ; and " The Officers , " proposed by Bro . SIMPSON , and acknowledged , by Bro . Captain J OHNSTON , who bore testimony to the interest and zeal which their noble W . M . had shown in connection with the institution of the new lodge . "The Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . PIMBLETT , was eloquently acknowledged by Bro . W . GOODACRE .

In the course of the evening , a choice selection of music was rendered b y the St . Cecilia Glee Party , Bro . T . Hogg being the accompanist The banner of the lodge , bearing the Stanley Arms , was unfurled during the proceedings amidst the greatest enthusiasm .

Sixth Annual Dinner Of The Perseverance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1743.

SIXTH ANNUAL DINNER OF THE PERSEVERANCE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1743 .

The sixth annual dinner of the above lodge of instruction was held at Ridler ' s Hotel , High Holborn , on Monday evening , the 4 th instant . The lodge was previousl y opened , and five new members were elected . Twenty-five brethren sat down to a most excellent repast , which did credit to the host , Bro . J . Whaley . The toast of " The Queen" was received with musical honours , and after the "sua ! Masonic toasts were disposed of ,

Bro . G . DAUNTON proposed the toast of "The Chairman , " which was received with great enthusiasm .

In replying , the Chairman , Bro . R . POORE , P . M ., expressed gratification for the evident appreciation of his services as Preceptor . It was a subject for pleasant reflection for him to count the goodly number of brethren then either Worshipful Masters or Past Masters of lodges , who had received their Masonic training in that lod ge of instruction .

The Perseverance Lodge of Instruction " was proposed by Bro . FARRINGTON " 1 eloquent terms . A song , " Birds of Passage , " by Bro . Linfoot , was much enjoyed by the company . Bro -G . S . DAUNTON , the Secretary , replied for the lodge , and remarked he ou ght the policy of the Preceptor was a good one , which was to confine the * ork to perfecting brethren in the ceremonies of the three Degrees and installa-10 n , with certain little lectures on the why and wherefore in between .

The next toast , " The Treasurer and Secretary , " was proposed bv Bro . F . W KOBINSOJ . "

Bro . W . Perrins sang " Queen of the Earth " in a style which brought forth well-deserved applause . , The Treasurer , Bro . A . COLLINS , who has only recently been elected to this Portant office , but nevertheless appears to be held in high estimation by the e "iDers , promised assiduity to the duties of the office he had undertaken .

Sixth Annual Dinner Of The Perseverance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1743.

In proposing "The Perseverance Lodge , No . 1 743 , " the CHAIRMAN expressed regret that their members' names did not appear more frequently on the attendance book ; yet he was glad to work under their license or warrant , and hoped the cause of his regret might be speedily removed . A recitation , by Bro . F . W . Robinson , of a mirth provoking character followed .

The on' . y member of the Perseverance Lodge present was Bro . H . J . BRIDGMAN , who ably responded for the lodge , and promised he would use his influence to induce the rising members of the parent lodge to attend , and so help in the good work of making successful the useful lodge of instruction / which was working under their sanction . Bro . Linfoot , by desire , gave a song , " The Smuggler King , " in excellent style .

The toast of " The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . S . R . PHILLIPS in a befitting manner . This was followed by a humorous account of " How the Battle of Waterloo was won by Bill Adams . " Bro . A . R . CHAMBERLAYNE , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Essex , responded . In his observations he touched upon his close relationship with many of the brethren

present in his Masonic career , and bore testimony to the excellent training which aspiring young Masons might obtain by joining that efficient lodge of instruction . He was once a member of the Perseverance Lodge—in fact , was initiated there . He hoped the time might come when he could re-join his mother lodge , which he had felt called upon to resign some years ago .

Bro . DAVIS , P . M . 1283 , next responded in a very fluent and masterly way , particularly commending the policy of Bro . Poore in not going in for the Section Lectures , but leaving them to special lodges of instruction , who could command the attendance of brethren who had passed the chair , and whose energies were not absorbed by their ordinary duties , and were blessed with plenty of means , leisure , and commendable ambition . A song , " The Distant Shore , " followed , to which Bro . W . Perrins did ample justice .

" The Perseverance Lodge of Instruction Benevolent Association was proposed by Bro . A . CATLINS , followed by a song , " Father O'Flynn , " by Bro , Linfoot . Bro . F . W . ROBINSON , responding , pointed out the good work that Association had done , and hoped the members would do all they could to support it in the continuance of its excellent objects .

The SECRETARY proposed " The Health of the Brother who acted as Pianist and the Entertainers , and also the Host , " who had so carefully provided for their comfort . These were cordially received . The Tyler's toast concluded a successful annual celebration .

Grand Officers Royal Arch.

GRAND OFFICERS ROYAL ARCH .

GRAND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES . Comp . GEORGE GRAVELEY , who is known among his friends and familiars as the " Masonic Patriarch of Essex , " was initiated in the Temperance-in-the-East Lodge , No . 8 9 8 , on the 23 rd February , 1876 , and , having passed through the junior offices , was successively appointed Junior and Senior Warden , and elected and installed in the chair of K . S . in May , 1883 . He is also a joining member of the

Old King ' s Arms Lodge , No . 28 , and a member of the Correspondence Circle of Lodge Quatuor Coronati . He was exalted in the Yarborough Chapter , No . 554 , on the 14 th November , 1878 , and in February , 1887 , after occupying successively the chair of Third and of Second Principal , was installed M . E . Z ., and tor the second and third times in 1888 and 188 9 . He is now , and for the last five years has been , Treasurer of the chapter . In July , 1884 , he was founder and first M . E . Z . of the

Temperance-in-the East Chapter , No . 898 . In 1893 , he was chosen to fill the chair of J . ; in 1894 and again in 1895 , that of H . ; and at the present time is again presiding over the chapter as its First Principal . In March , 1892 , he was a founder and first acting P . Z . of the Guelph Chapter , No . 1685 , and is now its Treasurer ; while , in November of the same year , he was founder and first H . —and has since been installed M . E . Z . —of the Shurmur Chapter , No . 2374 , his ' services in its

behalf being recognised , a month after its consecration , by his appointment as Prov . ist A . G . Soj . of Essex . In the Mark Degree , to which he was advanced in the Beaconsfield Lodge , No . 205 , in November , 1878 , he served as its W . M . in 1884 ; was appointed the same year Prov . G . S . B . ; and the year following Prov . S . G . O . East Anglia ; is a P . M . of the Old Kent ( T . I . ) Lodge ; was founder and first W . M ., in 1885 , of the Temperance-in-the-East Lodge , and , on vacating the

chair , was elected Treasurer ; while , in 1885 , he was appointed G . I . G . in Mark Grand Lodge ; and , in 1885 , had conferred upon him the brevet rank of P . G . S . B . He joined the Panmure Lodge in 1886 , and three years since was founder and first W . M . of the Mark lodge , No . 461 , which bears his name . He is , in addition , a Royal Ark Mariner , P . C . N , of the Panmure Lodge ; and in the Order of the Temple , into which he was installed Knight in i 83 o , is Past E . P . of the Mount

Calvary Preceptory , as well as a Past Prior of the Order of Malta . He was perfected Rose Croix , and is Past M . W . S . in the Mount Calvary Chapter of that Degree , and has taken the 30 in the A . and A . Rite . He is also a member , and has won high distinction in the Royal Order of Scotland , the Royal and Select Masters , the Allied Degrees , the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , and the Rosicrucian Society , while , as regards oiir Charitable Institutions , he has

served as many as 14 Stewardships , and is a Life Governor of all of them , while for many years he has served as an elected P . M . on the Board of Benevolence , He has , indeed , done most excellent service during his Masonic career of 20 years , and more than one lodge and chapter is under a debt of gratitude to him for assistance on some special occasion . The honour he has just received in R . A . Masonry is well-deserved .

PAST GRAND OFFICERS . Comp . GORDON MILLER was initiated into Freemasonry in the Phoenix Lodge , No . 257 , Portsmouth , and is a Past Master both of it and of the Shadwell Clerke Lodge , No . 1910 , while he was exalted in the Chapter of Friendship , No . 257 , and ranks as P . Z . in R . A . Masonry . He has also assisted in founding the St . Clair Lodge , No . 2074 , Landport ; the Grafton Lodge , No . 2347 ; and the St . Stephen ' s Lodge , No . 2424 ; and is among the petitioners for the Navy Lodge ,

which is shortly about to be consecrated . He is Past G . Treasurer of the Mark Grand Lodge ; G . Capt . of the Guard in the G . Council of Royal a . nd Select Masters ; G . Treasurer of the Allied Degrees ; andG . Marshal in the Imperial G . Council of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine ; while , as regards our Charities , he is a Vice-President of the Girls' School , and a Life Governor of the Royal Masonic Benevjlent Institution , and has served two Stewardships for the former , and three for the latter . He now ranks as Past Asst . Grand Sojourner in Supreme G . Chapter of England .

Comp . W . H . COWPER ' , who has been appointed Past G . Asst . Sojourner , was initiated in the Restoration Lodge , No . in , Darlington , on the 15 th June , i 87 i , and the following year joined the North York Lodge , No . 602 , Middlesborough . Having served in various offices , he was at length elected and installed W . M . in 1879 and still remains a subscribing member . In 1880 he assisted in