Consecration Of The Borough Of Greenwich Lodge, No. 2332.

attached to which is eminently suited for the purposes of Masonry , while the necessary dining room and offices are perfect in their arrangements . The brethren assembled in the lodge room soon after 4 p . m ., and immediately after Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke , G . Sec , assisted by Bros . Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Lieut .-Col . G . Haldane , P . G . S . B ., as J . W . ; the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C , as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; Colonel W . Bristowe , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . ; and H . Sadler , G . Tyler , as Ty ler , opened the lodge and were accorded Grand honours .

The lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees , the Consecrating Officer addressed the brethren , and said they had met together that day for a very grave yet interesting purpose , one that must be most pleasing to all those who had the interest of the Craft at heart . They had secured the services of the honourable Member for the borough for their first Master , and upon that he also

congratulated them . On such occasions as the present he felt it his duty to warn them against the natural desire of a new lodge to become a strong one—that was to say , so far as numbers were concerned . Let them only admit such as would be an honour , not only to the lodge , but to Masonry in general . If they did that , they would have members of whom they might be proud , and if they did not , they would be the means of introducing into the Order those for whom Masonry was

never intended . The usual formalities having been observed , the CHAPLAIN gave the following oration : With all that is qreat and good and useful , whether in the past , present , or future , our Craft has a natural sympathy . You have , therefore , chosen a most appropriate name for your new lodge in calling it the Borough of Greenwich . There are few places in England which are more full of history and ' interest . Situated as it is on the water way

to London , and on the earliest English road—the Watling-street , which runs from Dover to York through your borough—ithas always been from the earliest times a place of note . The little green village of the Saxons has grown with our country , and has borne its share in making England what it is . It would be impossible for me in the few minutes at my disposal to attempt even an outline of your history ; I will select only a few of those practical works of usefulness—wisdom and mercy—with which your borough has had a close connection , feeling sure that these bright memories of the past will stir up your new

lodge to copy and emulate them . And , first , as to your share in that great work of the past—the Watling-street—first a British track , and then a Roman road . At one time it was probably the only means of communication from one end of the kingdom to the other . In making and maintaining this road , for possibly more than a thousand years Greenwich has had its share . Man is sociall y and intellectually bettered by being brought out of the narrow limit of self and of his own locality into communion with his fellow-man . and so that early historic road was one of the means of preventing England

continuing separated into many isolated kingdoms ; was one of the means of consolidating us into that strong and loyal nation which as yet neither the traitor within or the foe without bas been able to rend asunder . Emulate , my brethren , the example of your ancestors , and in your times do all that lies within your power to preserve and cultivate the fraternal unity of pur great empire . Created a borough in the year 1557 , your town quickly sprang into importance , and for more than one generation kings and queens dwelt amongst you at the Royal Palace of

Greenwich , which was partly built by that great operative Mason , Inigo Jones . Nor was it merely a pleasure resort for English royalty . Charles the Second in 16 75 founded your Royal Observatory . It was founded because it was represented to the king that for the want of accurate astronomical observations his pilots and sailors were placed at a dis-Edvantage . He declared at once that English sailors should not want what their king could give them , and so the Observatory , which makes the name of Greenwich known in every part of the habitable world , had its origin . Is there not here

again a spirit truly in accordance with our Craft . England has ever been ready to supply all that was needed for her servants' use . The English nature takes a pride fri maintaining'for England her proper place—the van of science and civilisation . The liberal arts and sciences are under the special protection ol our Order , and 1 need hardly remind every Craftsman of his duty . One feature more in your past history . William the Third and his Queen devoted Greenwich Palace to its great object—namely , the relief and . support of seamen of the Royal Navy . Our Grand Master , Sir

Christopher Wren , contributing his time , labour , and skill without any emolument or reward . Brethren , here again is a matter for you to imitate , Give if you can your money ; give any how your time and your skill to the sacred cause of Charity . Remember that true Charity does not limit herself to pecuniary help . Do not think that money is the only thing you have to give . Many a good work languishes not from want of funds but from want of interest . Much money is thrown away and wasted because it is not accompanied with sympathy : May your lodge learn how to give liberally , and how ever to join to all its gifts the golden touch of brotherly love .

The lodge having been duly consecrated and constituted , the Consecrating Officer installed Bro . T . W . Boord , M . P ., W . M . designate , and that brother having been saluted by a Board of Installed Masters , some 30 or more in number , invested his officers as follows : Bros . A . H . Bateman , acting I . P . M . ; Capt . Blakey , P . M ., P . G . W . Kent , S . W .: H . Roberts , P . M ., J . W . ; W . T . Hunt , P . M ., Treas . ' ; G . P . Carter , Sec . ; A . H . Oakly , P . M ., S . D . ; J . G . Thomas , P . M ., J . D . ; J . Pitt , P . M ., I . G . ; A . Bateman , P . M ., D . C . ; W . Kipps , P . M ., Org . ; E . Watkins , P . M ., Stwd . ; and E . Spinks , Ty ler .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE then gave the addresses in his usual excellent manner , and resumed his seat amid applause . Bro . BLAKEY , S . W ., then proposed that a vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Col . Clerke for the admirable manner in which he had carried out the duties of Installing Officer that day—the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge . The J . W . seconded , and it was carried by acclamation .

Bro . BOORD then proposed , as a sequence , " That Bros . Col . Clerke , G . Sec , Dr . Gooding , Col . Bristow , Col . Haldane , Brownrigg , and F . Richardson become honorary members of the lodge , " and this was seconded , and carried by

acclamation . The G . SEC . having returned thanks for himself and the assistant Consecrating Officers , Bro . Bateman was presented with a founder ' s jewel to mark the appreciation of the brethren of his energy and perseverance in founding the Iodge , and Bro . BATEMAN suitably responded . A number of candidates and joining members were then proposed , and a Committee formed for framing the by-laws , and the lodge was closed .

Founders : Bros . T . W . Boord , P . M . 222 , P . G . D . England ; W . J . Blakey , P . M . 184 . P . P . J . G . W . Kent ; H . Roberts , P . M ., Sec . 79 ; A . H . Bateman , P . M . 1973 ; W . T . Hunt , P . M . 79 ; G . P . Carter , J . D . 171 ; A . H . Oakly , Sec . 1382 ; J . G . Thomas , P . M . S 71 ; H . Bernays , P . M . 706 ; T . B . Membro , 54 S ; J . O . Pearson , 901 ; D . Bear , P . M . 1155 ; Sidney Gore , P . M . S 29 , P . P . A . G . P . Kent ; T . D . Hayes ,

P . M . 913 , P . P . S . G . D . Kent ; E . Carpenter , 1 G 9 ; S . Harper , 531 ; E . Watkins , J . D . 1 445 ; A . Morgan , 1155 ; G . C . Featherstone , 79 ; C . H . Lawson , P . M . 913 ; VV . H . Burney , J . W . 169 ; R . D . Sampson , 86 ; E . Burett , 16 3 8 ; B . R . Banks , P . M . 147 ; S . Phillips , 1341 ; W . T . Woodwell , 79 ; G . Burney , P . M . 1155 ; H . F . Greig , 1973 ; and I . I . Pitt , P . M . 147 , most of whom were present , and numerous visitors .

The banquet was one of George Burvey s best efforts , and we need hardl y say was unique in its perfect taste and elegance . It having been throughly enjoyed , and the cloth cleared , The W . M . gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was dnr . ik most heartily .

The next toast was that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and , in proposing it , the W . M . said his Royal Highness was not only the sovereign of their Order , but the presumptive sovereign of their kingdom , and as such they loved and reverenced him . His constant attention to the interests of the Craft was full y evinced by the great strides it had taken since he had assumed the position of its head , and he asked them to drink his health heartily .

The W . M . then gave the toast of " The Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ; the D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " andj in doing so , said they were favoured that ni ght b y the presence of several ofthe Grand Officers , some Present and some Past . Of the latter he mi g ht

Consecration Of The Borough Of Greenwich Lodge, No. 2332.

mention himself ; but , unfortunately , he had not had so many opportunities of visiting Grand Lodge lately , and , therefore , was not acquainted with so many of them as he might be . However , they had with them their esteemed Grand Secretary , to whom their especial thanks were due for the admirable and perfect manner in which he had carried out tho duties of Installing Officer . Unfortunately ,

he ( Bro . Boord ) was not present during the whole of the ceremony of consecration , but , from the observations of the brethren , and from what he did see of that ceremony it was quite sufficient to assure them of the energy , zeal , and ability of their esteemed Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . After paying a high tribute , eulogistic of the splendid oration of Bro . Brownrigg , the W . M . gave the toast , which was drunk with enthusiasm .

Bro . BROWNRIGG responded , and in so doing thanked the brethren for their hospitable reception of the Grand Officers , and said they were only following the example of a certain King of England , who , many years ago , entertained a distinguished party at Greenwich , and the historian of that day , in speaking of it , said that " there vvas abundance of provisions for every man of honest behaviour . "

Now he hardly knew whether they came under that category , but must say that there was a modicum of honesty amongst them—sufficient , at least , to show that they were greatly obliged to the brethren of the Borough of Greenwich Lodge for their cordial reception , and to thank them heartily for their kindly greeting of the toast of the Grand Officers , so eloquently put by their esteemed W . M .

The GRAND SECRETARY then proposed the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " saying it was a great gratification to him to have the honour of proposing that which was certainly the toast of the evening , and which he felt sure they would receive with a great deal of pleasure . It was the health of their first W . M ., Bro . Boord . Speaking as he was at Greenwich , it was not necessary for him to say much about Bro . Boordfor as they mostly all knew—the Greenwich

, brethren at least—he had been their representative in the British House of Commons for the last sixteen years . He had been a Mason for nearly a quarter of a century , and had been invested in 18 7 6 as a Grand Deacon of Grand Lodge , and although not so active lately in Masonic work , yet had shown his appreciation of Masonry by coming forward and undertaking the management and

charge of their Iodge at that , the most critical moment of its existence . He trusted in time the lodge would become one of the most influential in the London district ; that it would , under the care of its esteemed Master , progress , and that Bro . Boord might remain a member yet for many years to come . He asked them to drink the toast heartily .

Bro . BOORD , who , on rising to respond , was met with a perfect storm of cheers , said he was much obliged to the Grand Secretary for the kind and flattering terms in which he had proposed the toast of his health . It was certainly correct that he did , at one time , take an active part in Freemasonry , and even at the present time took the greatest interest in its progress and welfare . There was a time when he could work the degrees and the lectures with a great deal of fluency , and he

might also say with a good deal of accuracy , but time had made him like a rusty nail , hard to drive home ; but he did intend to do his duty as Master of the lodge , especially as Bro . Bateman had impressed him with the necessity of taking the chair during that the first and most eventful year of its existence , and being intimately connected with the borough in other important matters , he thought that it was only right that he should take

the chair so kindly offered , and do his duty in it . There were several lodges in the locality . At Woolwich they had the Pattison , the Union Waterloo , the Nelson , and the Florence Nightingale . Nearer to them were the Royal Naval College , the Pythagorean , and other lodges . Yet they felt the necessity of another , and he was proud to be its first Master , and to be surrounded by such an excellent body of Masons as those vvere who had founded it , and accepted office under

him . He was sorry to say that he could not do the work so well now as he could some years ago , but he would promise them to do his best to further its interests while he was in it ; if they did not get all they might wish , he hoped they vvould excusd him . However , he knew that in Bro . Bateman , who had kindly consented to act as I . P . M ., he hadan excellent locum tenens . He made that sort of apology

because it had occurred to him , while he was listening to those ancient charges recited during the ceremony of installation , that perhaps he might not be able to carry out his duties quite so well as he ought , and it caused him a qualm of conscience at the time . He hoped , in conclusion , that the lodge would prosper , and be the means of creating a life-long influence for the good of Freernasonry , and become one of the most successful in the district .

Our distinguished brethren then resumed his seat amid ringing cheers . Bro . BOORD then proposed the toast of " The Installing Officer . " He said the manner in which the ceremonies of consecration and installation had been performed vvould recommend itself to every Mason present . He need not . tell them how much the time of the Grand Secretary vvas taken up , he having some 3000

lodges and chapters under his supervision ; it vvas , therefore , something in their favour that they could monopolise his time for one whole afternoon and evening . They were under the greatest obligations to him , and could onl y show their gratitude by their endeavour to act up to his advice and instructions . He asked them to drink the toast with enthusiasm .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL II . CLERKE , who was enthusiastically received , in responding , said he felt hi ghly gratified at the kind and fraternal way in which the toast had been proposed and received . They must , he felt sure , be tired of hearing his voice , and therefore must not expect him to make a long speech . He vvas extremely pleased to be present , and to have had the opportunity of performing the ceremonies . As Bro . Bateman had said in the lodge , when he was presented with the

founder ' s jewel he so well deserved , he had taken a great interest in the lodge ; in fact , he had been almost compelled to do so , as they attacked him in big battalions , with the result they saw him before them that night . He was always pleased and glad to place his services at the disposal of any lodge or every brother for the good of the Order , and vvould now take the opportunity of thanking those excellent brethren who had assisted him in carrying out his duties . He alluded to Bros .

Gooding , Brownrigg , Haldane , Richardson , and last , but not least , Bro . Colonel Bristow . They vvere his coadjutors in the work , and he would not tell them how many hundreds of times they had given him their services on such and other occasions . With them the work had gone on well , and he felt sure they and he vvould look forward to the future of the lodge with interest , and backward to that day ' s work with pleasure .

Bro . KEDGLEY responded for The Visitors , and said he was extremely proud of having his name coupled with so distinguished a toast in such distinguished company , although he felt that it had better been placed in the hands of some other brother . They felt the more pleasure at being present because they saw a new lodge so well supported and starting under such favourable auspices . ¦ Their

esteemed W . M . had spoken of him as the Master of the Pythagorean Lodge . He could only say that they vvould like to get more work to do there , because , as the W . M . had said , in responding to the toast of his health , without work they got to be like rusty nails , and required a lot of hammering to get them home . On behalf of the visitors , he thanked the brethren of the Borough of Greenwich Lodge for their kind hospitality , and wished it and them every success .

The Grand Officers then retired amid every demonstration of respect , and after the toast of "The Officers" had been honoured , and responded to by the Wardens , the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings , which were most enjoyable and memorable .

The musical portion , both during the ceremony of consecration and at the social board , was under the direction of Bro . Kipps , P . M ., assisted by Bros . Schartau , Dalzell , and Hubbard . Bros . Dr . Elliott and C . Jolly contributed—the former a song , and the latter a recitation—during the evening .