Consecration Of The Cestrian Conclave, No. 154, Birkenhead.

lure to think , a singularly appropriate one , not only because of its geographical position , but also because of the associations which such a name must inevitably give rise to . Cicester was , as most of you are probably aware , the ancient name of Chester , and takes us back to the time when the Romans occupied this island , and established a fortified camp there , and , though this period was long anterior to lhat of our great founder Constantine , yet both he and his family had intimate relations with Britain , and more especially with the northern part of it . The Order of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine is one of the most ancient in

existence ; indeed , the Abbe Giustimani declared in 1692 that it was THE most ancient in the world ; at any rate , it is the most ancient of Christian Orders since it was founded in the year 313 A . D . to commemorate Constantine the Great ' s victory at the battle of Saxa Rubra outside Rome , and the still more important evert cf his conversion to Christianity in consequence of the vision which he received the preceding evening , with which you are all well acquainted . It is an Order which we may be proud to belong to , for it commemorates circumstances

which changed the history of the world . Yet , numerically speaking , we are comparatively a small body . I do not say numbers are everything , far from it . Quality , not quantity , should be every Mason ' s motto , but we do not make progress so fast as we ought , and I am inclined to think that it is because we ARE SO ancient . Our brethren in other Degrees do not seem to realise either the interest or the antiquity of the Red Cross Order so i-ui . i . v as they might , and I am sure we should do all we

can to show them this , and without unduly influencing anyone to join us , which would be un-Masonic in the highest degree , to point out that in interest and antiquity we are not behind any of the other bodies around us . I have sometimes heard it said that it is a great mistake to have any Christian degrees—that they should not have been perpetuated—and that no test should be required other than that belief in a Supreme Being which throws them open to nearly all the world . Vet 1 cannot think so , and for the same reason I dislike t ' he term side

or fancy Degrees . There is nothing fancy about them . They are higher Degrees , higher in the sense that they are legitimate developments from original Masonry , just as Christianity itself is a development from the old Mosaic ritual . Christianity is the true religion ; it is the predominant faith of the world , and surely we may well commemorate that fact by preserving and promoting these Orders which our pious predecessors instituted . Look at the change which has taken place in consequence of that event which forms the tradition of our Order . That

cross once so despised and loathed is now triumphant everywhere ; though once the instrument of shame , it is now the symbol of victory . Christianity has conquered every obstacle ; persecutions have only strengthened the faith , and our Great Captain says to us to-day , as He said to Constantine of old , ' Ej > TOVTU vnta . In this sign conquer . There are three principles which especially animate this Order , and , indeed , form the watchwords of its conclaves—they are Faith , Unity , and Zeal . Faith , the Apostle tells us , is " the substance of things hoped for , the

evidence of things not seen . " Without faith it is impossible to carry out any work successfully . It is the first and great essential . Unless we believe in our Order , in its principles and traditions , we shall not be able to do much to further its objects , but above all must we have faith in the Ever-Blessed Trinity , who alone can enable us to bring the work , thus auspiciously begun , to a successful issue . Unity , which is our second great characteristic , should be the aim of everyone . If we must have faith first in the work that we undertake , how equally

necessary it is that we should be united in carrying it out . We live in days when unity and schemes for re-union are being constantly brought forward , and though we may not have solved the problem as to how to unite opposing bodies , yet I think we may feel proud that in Masonry we can show the world a body of men absolutely united as to their aims and beliefs . Amongst the many beauties of Masonry , one of the greatest to my mind is , that in it , men of every creed , nation , politics , and position can meet on a common ground , and the same holds good

of Christian Masonry , save that in it , those are associated together who worshi p the true , holy , and indivisible Trinity . Let us then regard unity as one of our most precious jewels . Let us avoid anything which may at all endanger it . Let us love as brethren , showing kindness and courtesy to all , rejoicing with those that do rejoice , and weeping with those that weep , so that the world may say of us in the words of the Psalmist , " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . " Our third characteristic , and certainly not the least

important , is zeal . Zeal—enthusiasm—a determination to make a sucess of whatever you undertake . That is the spirit to start your work with . That is the way in which obstacles are overcome . " Whatsover thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might , " and " whatever is worth doing at all , is worth doing well , " are very old maxims , but they are very true ones , and when our founder took " Zeal " for one of our watchwords , he gave us one , which should continually spur us on to fresh labours . And to you , my brethren , I especially commend it . You have

shown your faith by founding this conclave—you are united in support of it . May you have " zeal" to go forward and make it a success I Many institutions are started and do well for a year or two , and then for want of energy they begin to flag and sometimes fail . Do not let this happen to you . Get men to join you who arc zealous , and permeated with a real Masonic spirit , and may the blessing of the Holy Trinity be with you , and enable you to make this conclave a real success and a gain to the Order !

Sir Knight C . v . Matier , presented Sir Knight C . S . Brewer , Sovereign Designate , to the M . I . G . Sovereign , who installed him on the throne of Constantine , after which Sir Knight A . H . Baird , Viceroy Designate , was invested and proclaimed . The newly-installed Sovereign appointed and invested the undermentioned Sir Knights officers of the conclave for the ensuing 12 months , the Treasurer having been previously unanimously elected by the members present : Sir

Knights Lol . L . S . Dean , Senior General ; John Clayton , Junior General , Rev . G . R Johnson , P . Sov ., Prelate ; Rev . H . V . Pigot , Sub-Prelate ; W . F . Robinson ( elected ) Treasurer ; Samuel Jones , Recorder ; John Armstrong , P . Sov ., D . of C . ; W . H . Jones , 1 st Aide-de-Camp ; James Smith , 2 nd Aide-de-Camp ; H . C . Howell , Prefect ; F . W . Marsh , Std . Br . ; W . H . Arnotl , Herald ; W . Hudson , Org . ; and W . J . Doran ( elected ) , Sentinel .

Sir Knight Dr . BREWER , M . P . Sovereign , in very appropriate terms , propose d lhat the hearty and sincere thanks of the conclave be accorded to the most M . I . G . Sovereign and his Grand Officers for their presence on the occasion , and for the impressive manner in which the magnificent consecration ceremony had been rendered . He further moved that they be asked to accept a founder ' s jewel as a memento of the event , and allow their names to be placed upon the register of the conclave , as Honorary Members .

The proposition , having been duly seconded by the VICEROY , was unanimously agreed to . The M . I . G . Sovereign and the members of the Grand Council in attendance gave immediate and hearty consent to both propositions , and were duly presented with founders' j wtls . J he officers of the conclave , with the added names of Sir Knights F . K . Stt \ ciison , P . Sov ., and Rev . Robert Edwards were appointed to draw up a code of by-laws for the government of the conclave . Sir Knijjit John AKMSTKONO , P . Sov ., proposed lhat the thanks of the ctr . claxe be tendtted to Sir Knights Dr . Brewer , and A . H . Baird , and that

the same be recorded on the minutes , for the important services rendered by them in the formation of the Cestrian Conclave . Their efforts for months had been directed to bring their project to a successful issue , and the result could be judged and estimated by every one present . Outside the Metro - polis the conclave , he ventured to say , would rank second to none , both in

respect to the number and quality of its members , and in respect to the furniture and appointments necessary for the performance of its solemnities . Sir Knight F . K . STEVENSON , P . Sov ., seconded , and the motion was unanimously agreed to .

Sir Knights BREWER and BAIRD , in acknowledging the compliment , said all they had done had been a labour of love , and that in everj thing they had been inspired by affection for the Order of which they all felt proud to be members . They both referred to the valuable advice and assistance rendered to them by Sir Knights Armstrong and Johnson , their co-petitioners for the charter .

Several letters of apology for inability to attend were read from a number of brethren who had proposed to take the Degrees on the occasion , and fro m members of other conclaves .

The conclave having been solemnly closed , the sir kn'ghts adjourned to the banqueting-room , and partook of refreshments provided for them . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , " The Health of the Newlv-installed Sovereign of the Conclave " being proposed

bytheM . I . G . S . The musical arrangements during the consecration were under the direction of Sir Knight W . Hudson , and the M . I . G . S . and his officers were pleased to express their approval of , and their admiration at , the music selected , and the manner in which that portion of the ceremony had been rendered .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DURHAM .

The annual convocation of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Monday , the 14 th inst ., at Gateshead , in the Masonic Hall , Jackson-street . There was a large attendance of Provincial Grand Officers and Principals of chapters . The Grand Superintendent ( Comp . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart . ) , presided . The Prov . Grand Chapter was opened , when there were present—Comps . Rev . J . J . Brown , Prov . Grand H . ; Dr . C . D . Hill Drury , as Prov . Grand J . ; R . Hudson , Prov . Grand Scribe E . ; T . Atkinson , as Prov . Grand Scribe N . ; John Robson Cutter , P . G . T . ; J . Metcalfe , P . G . R . ; John Abbey , P . G . P . S . ;

James Sedcole , P . A . G . S . ; Wm . Brown as P . A . G . S . ; L . R . Davies , P . G . S . B . ; J . Taylor , P . G . Std . Br . ; T . R . Jobson , P . G . D : C . ; J . W . H . Swan , P . A . G . D . C ; R . Ferry as P . G . O . ; J . C . Moor , acting P . A . G . S . E . ; Thos . Grieve , P . G . Janitor . G . Mabane , T . Coulson , Richard Luck , John Robinson , J . D . Todd , G . F . Allan , T . Purvis , P . G . S . E . Northumberland ; J . J . Wilson , C . S . Lane , T . Pickering , D . Cameron , R , Todd , G . B . Hall , C . F . Sutcliffe , J . S . Wilson , Hopper Holme , F . W . Ingram , T . Harrison , Babington , Boulton , T . G . Garrick , W . Hodgson , J . J . Holme , J . T . Wilson , W . C . Barron , W . J . Jobson , H . Lee Pattinson , W . C . A . Holzapfel , Robt . Stewart , A . Dobbs , J . Curry , F . Wade , B . S . Beckwith , W .

Malcolm , G . S . Shaw , J . K . Wilkes , J . Lee , Alf . Grundy , W . R . Staveley , J . ]• Clegg , J . Redhead , S . W . Linsley , Hugh Jackson , and G . L . Woolley . The roll of chapters was called and responded to by the principal officers in each instance . The Grand Superintendent , Comp . Sir HEDWORTH WILLIAMSON , in afterwards addressing the Prov . G . Chapter , feelingly referred to the loss the province had sustained in the decease of Comp . T . Dunn , P . G . D . of C . The chapters maintained their numbers , and he hoped the province would continue to prosper . He thanked the members for their

presence in such large numbers , and alluded to the excellent accommodation provided by the officers of the Industry Chapter for their comfort . Before leaving , Comp . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., G . Superintendent , invested Comp . Richard Luck , M . A ., as P . G . H ., and Comp . W . R . Staveley , as P . G . J . Having to leave , Comp . H . J . Turnbull , P . P . G . H ., acted for Comp . Sir Hedworth Williamson , and invested the remainder of his officers as follows : .

Comp . R . Hudson ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Richard Hopper Holme ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ B . S . Beckwith ( elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Dr . Atkinson ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ G . Harland ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . " ^ w ' ^ Barr n ' ¦ i Prov . A . G . Sojs . „ K Wade ... . ; . ... ... j J „ T . Gibbon ... ... ... Prov . G SB .

„ C . T . Watson v . ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ T . R . Jobson ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . ,, George Craven ... ... .., Prov . A . G . D . of C . „ Jos . Robson Pattison ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ T . Grieve ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

It was stated that next year ' s Prov . G . Chapter would be held at Darlington . Comps . John Robinson and Jno . E . Backhouse were elected as Auditors . The Provincial Grand Chapter was then closed .

Outing Of The Royal Kent Preceptory, No. 20, Of Knights Templar.

OUTING OF THE ROYAL KENT PRECEPTORY , No . 20 , OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR .

The Royal Kent Preceptory received the honour of a visit from the wo Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , G . C . Ti accompanied by the V . E . Sir Knight C . F . Matier , K . C . T ., and G . V . C . of England , and the E . Sir Kniglit Charles Belton , K . C . T . of England , on Monday , tw 7 th inst , and held a meeting in the Masonic Hall , Pilgrim-street , Newcastle . 1

following morning a number of sir knights of the preceptory , including Knights Thomas J . Armstrong , P . E . P ., and G . S . of England ; M . H . Dodd , WW . Tilley , T . M . Barron , J . A . S . Scott , R . G . Salmon , T . Pickering , J- ' ' Bruce , Seymour Bell , Errington Dunford , A . C . Richardson , C . B . Fendelow , _ C . Bell , G . E . Macarthy , and others , accompanied the distinguished visitors ] private river saloon steamer fro . Ti the landing stage , Quayside , up the riv