Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063, At Clacton-On-Sea, Essex.

in that neighbourhood , as his lordship launched the lifeboatto which allusion had already been made , and he also consecrated the Arnold Lodge in the neighbouring town of Walton . Bro . CLARKE , P . G . P ., suitably responded to the toast . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he had now the extreme satisfaction of

proposing "The Health of the Rig ht Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of Essex , Lord Brooke . " ( Loud applause . ) He was not atall surprised at the enthusiasm with which the brethren had received the toast . Lord Brooke , ever since he was installed at Colchester by the Duke of Albany , had evinced the deepest interest in Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) It might be truly said that he had considerable influence in promoting the

increase of Masonry within this province . ( Applause . ) I learn ( continued Sir John ) that this is the fourth lodge that has been consecrated during his term of office , and in two of the cases his lordship has personally performed the ceremony . ( Hear , hear . ) There is no doubt , therefore , that since Lord Brooke was installed the Craft has steadily increased . ( Applause . ) It also shows the great interest and influence Lord Brooke wields in Freemasonry ,

that at the recent Festival of the Girls' School the almost unprecendented sum of £ 13 , was subscribed by the Craft , of which not less than £ 1000 came from the Province of Essex . ( Applause . ) But I may now come to matters which have happened to-day . In lodge I have endeavoured feebly to express the thanks we all feel we owe to Lord Brooke , not only as a high official , but personally for coming amongst us . ( Applause . ) I can only

repeat what I then said—that we are all extremely delighted at tne manner in which his lordship performed the ceremony—it was extremely ably and well done . ( Applause . ) On behalf of every member of the lodge , and the province generally , I am sure I can wish his lordship hearty good health . The toast was drunk amid loud cheers , which were heartily renewed upon Lord BROOKE rising to return thanks . His lordship said he was quite

overpowered with emotion at the cordial and hearty reception they had given their Provincial Grand Master on this occasion . He assured them that he felt he had the strongest and the deepest lies connecting him with the county of Essex and wilh the Masonic brethren of this province . ( Applause . ) And he could only feel that the kind words which had been uttered by their Master were words which he felt he had hardly as yet earned , but which he

hoped , in the course of time , he might earn to the very fullest extent . It was , unfortunately , impossible for him to be amongst them so often as he would wish , but it had given him the greatest possible pleasure to be sitting on the right of his worthy friend , their Worshipful Master . He wished him most sincerely many happy days of office in this place . ( Applause ) He might say that he thought it was one of the principal merits of Freemasonry

that after one had been night after night in the House of Commons , where so many hard words were now said , one came down to the peace and harmony of a Mason's lodge , and to one of these meetings , where they dropped entirely political questions , but where the one great thought was that of emulation—the intense wish to do good to our fellow creatures in every possible way . ( Loud applause . ) Whilst these banquets were very

enjoyable , they were not the primary objects of Freemasonry . ( Applause . ) They had to look back upon a great past , and if he might speak of that lifeboat of which mention had been made , it was to such ceremonies they had to look back upon . ( Applause . ) It was with great pleasure he learnt that there was to be another ceremony of the . same nature in the immediate neig hbourhood in the course of the next few days ; and greatly regretted

that a previous engagement would prevent his being present . I do , concluded his lordship , most earnestly ask you to put up with my shortcomings , for I know they are many . Whenever it is possible for me to be present at your meetings , I will do so —( applause)—and I ^ trust this may not be the last time I may be at Clacton-on-Sea . ( Long continued applause . ) The VV . M . then gave "The V . W . Deputy Provincial Grand Master for

Essex , Bro . Fred . A . Philbrick , Q . C , and the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . " ( Applause . ) He could truly say that for the past six or seven years , since Bro . Philbrick was appointed Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Masonry had received very great advantages at his hands . ( Much applause . ) Bro . Philbrick was not only an old Mason , but he had taken great pains to perfect himself until he had reached a position which very few

men could aspire to ; and there was no doubt his knowledge of Masonry had influenced Grand Lodge in giving him one of the most important appointments it was in the power of Masonry to confer—he alluded to that of Grand Registrar of England . ( Much applause . ) He had already alluded to the admirable manner in which Bro . Philbrick had performed the office with which he had been entrusted that day . and everyone he ( Sir John ) had spoken

to since had endorsed his opinion , and had expressed the same admiration for the V . W . brother . ( Much applause . ) V . W . Bro . PHILBRICK , who was received in a very hearty manner , relumed thanks in an eloquent speech . He expressed the great pleasure he felt that the cause of Masonry was advancing , and that a new addition had been made to the roll of lodges in the province . ( Applause . ) And although

the consecration of a new lodge might mean that some of the members would not be so constant in their attendance at other lodges , yet it formed a new point of attraction , and brought an element of strength to the Craft . ( Applause . ) It was , therefore , with peculiar pleasure that he saw the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge inaugurated , because they felt that the ship they had just launched was a well-built ship . ( Applause . ) They hoped that no

unprbpitious gale would fill her sails , but if it did , there were brave-hearted mariners aboard her who knew how to handle the Craft . ( Applause . ) Bro . Philbrick went on to speak of the great principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , upon which Masonry is founded , and which , through dark and evil times , as well as in prosperity , had had such power to bind together man and man . ( Loud applause . )

Lord BROOKE said the next toast he had to propose was one which , he was sure , would be received by all present with a great deal of enthusiasm , and , although he feared he could not do justice to it in eloquent terms , the excellence of the toast would be a sufficient apology . He alluded to " The Health of their Worshipful Master . " ( Much applause . ) It was only a few minutes since that he was talking to his Brother Sir John Johnson about

his past Masonic career , and found that he was Master of a lodge in 1854 . Applause . ) It was a great thing to think that a man like Sir John Johnon had always so much at heart the interests of Freemasonry ; and although or a time he had dropped his Masonic pursuits , he had now taken them up again with greatest fervour and facility , and with the greatest pleasure to

all those who listened to him ; and , further , with the assurance that he would bring success to the St . Osyth's Priory Lodge . ( Applause . ) It was a great pleasure to him ( Lord Brooke ) to consecrate this lodge to-day , and he hoped that the future of the lodge might be as happy and prosperous as its commencement had been . Thc toast was received with much enthusiasm .

Consecration Of St. Osyth's Priory Lodge, No. 2063, At Clacton-On-Sea, Essex.

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , whose rising was the signal for renewed applause , said he rose wilh the consciousness that he was about lo undertake the most difficult task that he had ever had to perform , namely , to return thanks for the first time , as Master of this lodge , for the kind way in which his health had been received . And in the very first place he must offer his most sincere thanks to his noble friend and brother for the extremely

flattering manner in which his lordship had alluded to himself . This occasion recalled to his ( the W . M . ' s ) mind many sweet and bitter memories . His noble brother had already let them into the secret that he was a very old Mason . He was initiated as long ago as 1 S 50 , and he passed out of his first chair in 1854 . ( Applause . ) He then for some few years was a member of the Shakespeare Lodge , and had the honour of passing through

the several offices in that lodge , and the very high honour of becoming its VV . M . ( Applause . ) He left that chair something like 12 or 14 years ; i < ro , and had since then been relegated to the dignity ' bui not very active life ° of a Past Master . ( Hear , hear . ) Then when the most overwhelming calamity of his lite came two years ago—here Sir John betraved signs of de « -p emotion—he felt that it was impossible for him an ) ' longer to remain in that

lodge , and moreover he thought that he could never be induced 10 lake any part in Masonry again . However , when a deputation waited upon him and preferred the very flattering petition that a lodge might be established to be named the St . Osyth ' s Priory Lodge—a name with which so many memories in his life were associated—and that he should be the first Master of that lodge , his resolution was broken down and he consented to both requests . ( Applause . )

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave " The Masonic Charities , " which he highly eulogised as evidences to the outside world that Freemasons did something more than think about themselves and their own interests . Bro . BINCKES , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , who as usual , was warmly received , responded to the toast . In the course of an eloquent and interesting speech , Bro . Binckes said he felt a pride in the

Institution which he represented , and he thought he was entitled lo leel pride , for it was now one of the most flourishing Institutions in the country . — ( Applause . ) When he first became associated with it its income was £ 1600 a year . They now averaged £ 14 , 000 or £ 15 , 000 . 1 year . — ( Applause . )—Then , they had no home of their own , but in the course of a few years they felt able to set aside a sum of £ 15 , 000 to build new Schools .

They had now expended £ 60 , 000 in Schools , in which they educated 215 sons of Masons —( much applause)—and they were about to spend £ 15 , more in order that they might receive 50 more boys . ( Renewed applause . ) In conclusion , Bro . Binckes made an eloquent appeal to Masons to loyally help an Institution that was so well worthy of their support , in the service of which he had spent his Masonic life , and in the service of which he hoped he might die . —( Aluch applause . )

The remaining toasts were "The Visitors , " proposed by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , and responded to by Bro . Surgeon-M .-ijor HELSHAM , W . M . 1803 ; " The Founders , " proposed by V . W . Bro . PHILBRICK , and responded to by VV . Bro . J MANN , Treas ., and Bro . F . J . NUNN , Secretary of the new lodge ; "The Wardens and other Officers , " proposed by the VV . M ., and seconded by Bro . VV . J . NUNN , S . VV . ; and the Tyler ' s toast .

The toasts were interspersed with some capital vocal music by Bros . Osmond , Turner , Gowers , Sparling , and Bland . The iodge has been singularly fortunate as regards the furniture and appointments , nearly everything having been presented by the promoters and their friends . Sir John Johnson gave a handsome Master ' s chair , emblazoned with the St . Osyth ' s Priory Arms ; while the two Wardens ,

Bros . Nunn and Young , present the chairs for their respective offices . The donors of the pedestals are Bros . T . D . Hayes , VV . Wrench Towse , and W . T . Hook ; while Bro Fred . J . Nunn gives the side pedestals for the candlesticks , presented by Bro . Foxcroft . I'he working tools , which were specially made for the recent exhibition at Worcester , are the gilt of Bro . F . Wallis , of the Royal Hotel ; and Bro . F . Penfold contributes the handsome tracing boards . Gifts were also contributed by Bros . T . H . Baker ,

John Dean , John Mann , VV . Cattermole , G . H . Riches , J . To ; ip , J . Ellis , C . Hempson , J . Phillips , the Arnold Lodge , H . Finer , P . B . Harris , H . Hart , VV . Agate , J . Coates , J . Child , VV . Wright , F . E . Morris , J . Church , C . E ., H . W . Reed , Enoch Walter , H . VV . Stevens , C VV . Hobson . G . Harrison , and George Kenning . The last-named brother ' s gift was a splendid banner , with the gateway of St . Osyth ' s Priory embroidered upon it . Bro . Kenning , it may be added , manuiactured all the appointments of the Iodge .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF KENT .

The annual meetingof the above Provincial Grand Lodge took place on Monday , the 10 th inst ., at the Town Hall , William-street , Woolwich , under the auspices of the Florence Nightingale Lodge , No . 44 . Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 2 . 30 p . m . by the R . W . Bro . Rev . Thos . Robinson , M . A ., Prov . Grand Mark Master of Kent , assisted by Bros . J . G . Podovin , Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; R . K . Miller , G . S . W . ; H . Penfold , G . J . W . ; A . Penfold , G . M . O . ; J . Giesman-Chillingworth , G . S . O . ; Rev . J . Branfill

Harrison , M . A ., G . Chap . ; G . Page , G . 'Ireas . ; A . E-cott , G . R . of M . ; T . Blamiers , G . D . C ; G . Spinks , G . A . D . C . ; J . Hart , G . Std . Br . ; C . Jolly , G . Org . ( Freemason ); C . V . Cotterell , G . I . G . ; T . Ovenden and J . Taylor , G . Stwds . ; and R . T . Rolfe , G . Tyler . The Prov . G . M . M . having been duly saluted with the honours of seven , and the Deputy Prov . G . M . M . with five , Bro . G . KENNEDAY , Sec . 226 , and P . P . G . Asst . Sec , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Baker , Prov . G . Sec , read the minutes of the last annual meeting , which were passed .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then rose and said that the end of his second term of office had nearly arrived , and instead of calling a meeting of emergency , ason the last occasion , he had been advised by Bro . Binckes , the Grand Secretary of England , to let the selection of . 1 brother ( to be recommended to the Grand Master of England ) for the office he now held come before the present meeting . It was for them therefore to do so now , and that would be the next business before the lodge .

The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . PODOVIN , then proposed that Bro . Robinson be re-elected to the post of Grand Mark Master of the Province of Ken , for the ensuing three years , subject to the consent of the Grand Mark Master of England . He said it fell to his lot in 1879 . on

account of the illness of the then Prov . Grand Mark Master , Bro . Sicklemore , to summons a meetingof the Grand Officers of Kent , and it was his privilege then to recommend that Bro . Robinson should preside over them , and that recommendation , endorsed by Provincial Grand Lodge , was gracefully acceded to by Grand Lodge , The term was for three years , In