Consecration Of The Crouch End Lodge, No. 2580.

CONSECRATION OF THE CROUCH END LODGE , No . 2580 .

An in portant addition was made on the 7 th inst . to the lodges in the north of the Metropolis by the consecration of the Crouch lind Lodge , No . 25 S 0 , at the Ga ' e House , Highgate . The ceremony took p lace in the new hall attached to the building , which was well adapted for the occasion , and was rendered bright and cheerful by the plentiful use of flags and banners . The

Consecrating Officer was , as usual in the Metropolis , Bro . E . Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Secretary , who was ably assisted by Bros . Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C , as S . W . ; J . S . Cumberland , Dep . G . S . B ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; P . Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and Slaughter , as I . G .

The strong body of founders present included—¦ Bros . E . Stratton Gerrish , W . M . 9 ; H . J . Abrahams , 201 ; C . T . Rayner , 132 S ; Geo . Colville , 17 6 ; A . C . Dove , 1349 ; N . J . Levy ; H . Ogden Mellor , W . M . elect 15975 R . C . Turner , P . M . 1004 ; G . C . Dent , P . M . 17 6 ; T . P . Cook , 144 ; W . R . Bennett , 1597 ; G . R . Be . irdmore , P . M . 9 ; E . A . Ebblewhite , - •4 ; E . " li . Harris , 160 ; W . VV . Futcher , 1365 ; E . C . Kilsby , P . M . 1702 , 453 , P . P . G . D . C . Middx . ; Thos . Briggs , 1657 ; H . E . Lewis , 1261 ; W . R . C . Moore , 142 ; and C . J . Miller , P . M . 1672 . Amongit the visitors present

were—Bros . Sir J . C . Dimsdale , P . G . Treas . ; J . Wynn , P . S . G . W . Victoria ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; W . Thompson , S . D . 132 S ; C . Bloomfit , P . M . 1 S 5 ; T . Heath , 3 66 ; G . Voizey , W . M . 176 ; E . P . Davis , J . W . 1869 ; M . G . Laughton , P . M . 47 6 ; F . B . Kent , 176 ; J . W . Martindale , S . D . 16 S 5 ; F . Hodge , S . D . 2020 ; F . Knight , 11 S 5 ; A . L . Arnett , P . M . 1 S 0 ; S . Hobbs , P . M . 453 ; W . T . Roberts , D . C . 1827 ; E . Faux , S . W . 132 S ; Dr . W .

Cock , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; A . Davies , S . W . ; T . Tollworthy , W . M . 170 ; J . W . Dixon , W . M . 2168 ; F . " . Eedle , P . M . 2184 ; L . A . Withall ; W . Newman , 239 6 ; W . B . Tuck , P . M . 1366 ; M . R . Webb , P . M . 1607 ; R . Fendick , P . M . 1426 ; G . J . Wyatt , 1559 ; E . Melson , 177 ; ex-Sheriff Geo . Hand , 1 S 27 ; F . J . Mann , 2009 ; H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . ; W . Bradford , 2168 ; J . Bartlett , 2020 : W . W . Lee , P . M . 1 S 97 ; and others .

The Grand Officers entered in procession , and the lodge was opened and a hymn sung . The CONSECRATING OFFICER , in addressing the brethren , said it was quite unnecessary that he should occupy their time for many moments with any words of his own . As they were all aware , they had met for a very

solemn and interesting ceremony—the constitution of a new lodge and its dedication to God . He was present by command of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., as his most humble representative , to conduct that ceremony , and he could only express the hope that the lodge they were about to constitute might have before it a career of great prosperity , and that it might be the means of advancing the best interests of Masonry in that neighbourhood .

An oration was afterwards delivered by Bro . the Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG , Deputy Prov . G . M . Bucks , and the new Iodge was dedicated and constituted with the usual solemn formalities . The next business was the installation of the W . M . designate , Bro . Ii . Stratton Gerrish , W . M . 9 , which was happily accomplished by the Grand Sec , and the following officers were then invested : Bros . G . R . Beardmore , P . M ., q , acting I . P . M . ; H . J . Abrahams , 201 , S . W . ; C T .

Rayner , 1328 , J . W . ; H . Ogden Mellor , W . M . elect 1597 , Treas . ; R , C . Turner , P . M . 1004 , Sec . ; Geo . Colville . 176 , S . D ; A . C . Dove , 1349 , J . D . ; N . J . Levy , I . G . ; G . C . Dent , P . M . 176 , D . C ; T . P . Cook , 144 , and W . R . Bennett , 1 597 , Stwds . ; and R . VV . li'Jgley , Tyler . The WoRsiui'iiT , MASTER then moved a resolution thanking the Consecrating Officers for their services , electing them hon . members , and asking their acceptance of a jewel struck to cornmemotate the lodge . This founders' badge was specially designed by Bro . Ii . A . Iibblewhite , F . S . A ., and a full description of the design was supplied to each brother

present . The G . SECRETARY , on behalf of hirmelf and colleagues , returned thinks for the honour , which they highly appreciated and accepted with pleasure . Fifteen candidates were proposed for initiation , and five as joining membeis , and other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed .

The brethren then adjourned to banquet , which was served in a manner reflecting the highest credit on all concerned , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts wete honoured . The WoR . siiii'i ' ui . MASTER briefly gave "The Queen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . "

In proposing "The Grand Ollicers , " the WoRsmi'iri . MASTER said they had the privilege cf entertaining a large number of those distinguished brethren , and on behalf of the new lodge he welcomed them most heartily . Bro . Sir J . C . DIMSDALE , P . G . Treas ., said he deemed it no small honour to be permitted to endeavour to tender the thanks of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , for the honour done them in drinking their toast

so enthusiastically , and which was proposed so eloquently by the W . M . The fact of seeing that great meeting showed the sympathy which existed between Grand Lodge and the lodges throughout the kingdom , and whkh , to his mind , was the real cause of the success and development of Masonry . He felt that nobody could be present at a ceremony such as they had witnessed without being deeply impressed with the proper side of Masonry . It was true

they met over the festive board cheek by jowl with their brethren , and it was fi ght and proper , but that was only the fringe of Masonry . They had , Un der the auspices of their excellent Bro . Letchworth , dedicated another lod ge lo the honour and glory of the Great Architect , and it was that which ""ade Masonry sink deep into the hearts of every right feeling man , whether he happened to belong to that portion of her Majesty ' s dominions or the

8 - "at and unique dominion uver whicii she ruled . Masonry was established u pon religion , and led every man to realise that the only true usefulness wa ; lo feel charity and affection towards his fellow-man . So long as that was the foundation , great as Masonry was , and greatly as it was developing , they should see it still further consolidated , and he trusted they shoul . l always 'eel that in their generation they had , at any rate , furthered the beneficent ends of Masonry . He could not sit down without personally thanking them

¦ or the honour done him in asking him to be present , neither could he forget that to a certain extent he stood in the same position as the W . M . It was 0 n ' y a few days ago that the Grand Secretary consecrated a new lodge , of * hich he was the first Master , and he knew that every Mason wished them jjod-spced . He thanked them for their kindly reception and for the great " ° nour in permitting him to be present . . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Consecrating Ollicers , " and •* 'd he now approached the toast of the evening with a full conviction that

Consecration Of The Crouch End Lodge, No. 2580.

he was quite incapable of doing justice to it , or of ex dressing the feelings of gratitude they felt towards the Grand Secretary , ' and the rest of ' the Consecrating Officers who had assisted him so ably in pe forming the excellent ceremony they had witnessed . The impressiveness aid sole unity with which that ceremony was performed must have given the greatest

satisfaction , and made a deep impression uoon all . O 1 b half of the bdee , he tendered most hearty thanks to tho Grand Secretary and his colleagues ' . The Grand Secretary had often said that of all his varied duties , he took the greatest interest in consecrating a lod ge , and no one who witnessed that ceremony would have the least difficulty in knowim " - whv .

The GRAND SECRETARY , who was very hearu ' ly received , said that as the unworthy mouthpiece of the Consecrating Officers , be begged 10 be allowed in the fewest words to express their acknowled gments for the extremel y kind and more than cordial way in which they had received the toast , proposed in such a kind way—and in far too flattering terms so far as he was concerned —by the VV . M . Their W . M . had trul y s . iid that of all . he duties he had to

perform there was none which gave him greater pleasure than that of assisting in starting a new lodge into existence . He firml y believed that that new lodge was composed of those elements which could not fail to lead to great success . He believed the lod ge was required—notwithstanding tne fact that he was invited to assist at the installation of the Highgate

Lodgeand that there was plenty of room for a new lodge . He hoped it would have the effect of bringing together a large number of gentlemen who were not in their ranks . He was only expressing the feelings of those associated with him when he said they hoped the lodge would have a great and prosperous future before it . With those few words he thanked them for the high compliment paid the Consecrating Oflictrs .

Bro . G . R . BEARDMORE , P . M . 9 . Aciing I . P . M ., said he felt it a great honour to propose the next toast , although he regretted it had not ( alien into more able hands . It was " The Heahh of the W . M ., " and from the way that name was received it was evident that few words would be required . To the founders Bro . Gerrish w * : s well known , and the esteem in which he was held was shown by the proud position in whicii they had placed him .

Personally he had known the W . M . for a number of years and considered himself his Masonic father , as it was th-ough him thu Bro . Gerrish lirst saw the light of Masonry , in the old Albion Lod ge . He had watched the W . M . ' s career from his initiation , until at the present time he held the unique and proud position of being Worshipful Master of one of the oldest

and also of the youngest lodge in existence . His work had been done in an admirable way , and there was no more regular attendant at the Albion Lodge of Instruction than the VV . M . liro . Gerrish hnd shown he knew how to do his work and they would find him letter-perfect . They all hoped the W . M . would be spared with health and strength to live long in the esteem and affection of this lodge .

Bro . Ii . STRATTON GERRISH , W . M ., thanked tlie I . P . M . and brethren for the kindly proposition and reception of the toast . He also wished to thank the brethren of the Crouch lind Lodge for the great honour done him in nominating him as its first Worshi pful Master . He was deeply sensible of that honour , and also of the responsibilities with which they bad charged him , and asked them to believe that no effort would be spared on his part to

maintain the honour and dignity of the lodge . There was plenty of work to be done , and with their assistance and co-operation he saw no reason wh y he should shrink from his duty . He thought thc future was particularly promising . The lodge commenced its carter in every senss on the top of the hill , and that hill no small one . It had virgin ground to work upon , and plenty of recruits ready at hand . The accommodation which Bro . Wyatt

had provided for them was everything they could possibly desire , and their best thanks were due to that brother , not only for the special efforts put forward that ni ght , but for the generous manner in which he had studied their wishes . They had also to think Bro . Iibblewhite , who had dugout the material from b y-gone d-iys for a jewel to commemorate the lodge , which would at all times remind them of their duties .

1 ney had their three deserving Charities , and he was sure it would be the wish of all to be represented at one of them at the next Kestiv . il . He should be pleased to serve as Steward for the Boys' School , and he asked for their hearty support . He thanked them for the very kind manner in which the toast had been proposed , and asked them to drink " The Masonic Charities and Success to the Crouch lind Lodge . "

Bro . WYNN , P . G . W . Victoria , replied for "Tne Visitors , " and said that , although an Englishman , he had lived abroad for 20 years , he well knew how conservative they were , and how loyally they carried on their old institutions , and especially Freemasonry . With reference to Freemisonry in the Colonies , perhaps some might think they did not take the right step Grand Lod

in forming a ge there , but being to far removed from the Grand Lodge , it was sometimes 12 months before they could get difficulties dealt with . It was through no feeling of disloyalty , for there was the greatest love and regard for the mother lod go in the Colonies . He appreciated the hospitality accorded him , and in rc ' . urn co . ild assure them th . it should they visit the Colonies , they would meet with a very warm reception .

Bro . Dr . VV . COCK , P . P . G . D . Middx , said he co : ild not help thinking in the Iodge , when the list of proportions was read oit , lhat a lodge in that neighbourhood was absolutely necessary . It was a privilege to every M ison to hear the ceremony done as it was by the Grand Secretary , who ludalmost excelled himself .

Bro . ex-Sheriff George Hand express *; . ] gratitude for the splendid entertainment offered them . The excellent muster that evening he felt guaranteed the success of the lodge . Other toasts followed , and the proceedings terminated . The Schartau Part Singers ( Bros . H . Schartau , P . P . G . Org ., J . Bartlett , A . Appleby , and VV . Bradford ) were in charge of the musical arrangements during the ceremony and after the banquet , and , as usual , contributed considerably to the success of the evening .

his worthy of mention thatinir . e "programme of ceremonies'" compiled for the occasion is contained a d ; scriplinn ot ihe l . inn . ler ' s badge , which was specially designed by Bro . li . A . libUewnite , F . S . A ., and bom this we learn that Crouch ( or Ciuchj liml , in tlie parish of Hornsey , was - . 0 named " from its position at the foot or (; ad of a hill •¦ mining thro .. gh the paris ' i in the form of a cross or crutch , " the Latin word crux ¦•i gnilvin . r not only a

cross but also anything resembling it in form as ihe ii . r . uu o 7 a chariot or a crutch . As _ , however , the cross is "so cn . iixly ; i Christian emblem " and Masonry " ignores distinctions of creed , " " two gold cruches in call ire " have been adopted in the design . Thes-i are tied togethei * by me ins of pale blue ribbon , bearing the inscription " auxilio mis-iris , " which is equally applicable to the crutch and to Masonry . The star on the base is emblematical of the " Five Points of Fellowship . "