Consecration Of The London Irish Rifles Lodge, No. 2312.

Master and District Grand Master of two different provinces and districts . From what he knew of his Royal Hig hness—and he had had ample opportunities of knowing—he believed he was capable of managing half-a-dozen , for without any fulsomeness , he could truly say that he knew no one under their allegiance vvho was more thoroughly fitted , or took more pains in carrying out his vvork than their W . M . He had had many unusual opportunities of knowing what his Royal

Hig hness ' s work and views were , and he could honestly say that without any fulsome flattery because he vvas a Royal personage . His Royal Highness was not present , and had taken advantage of the privilege accorded him of appointing a Deputy , and had appointed an excellent and good brother . He knew the brother in the chair would be the first person to say it vvould have been more fitting if the Colonel of the regiment , Col . Ward , had occupied the chair . He knew the Deputy

W . M . entirely concurred with him , but , unfortunately , Col . Ward was not qualified , and therefore Major Carrell was selected for that post . His Royal Hig hness acceded to that idea , and they had had the honour of installing Bro . Major Carrell into the chair , and Col . Ward vvould come on next year . They would now drink the health of the W . Master ' s deputy , vvho had been a good many years in Masonry , and who had done good suit and service during that time . The Deputy W . M . had already filled the chair of W . Master vvith great credit , and that was his

fourth lodge . Under his able sway the lodge vvould carry on its work in a very exemplary and proper manner , and he ( the Grand Sec . ) felt confident that at the end of the year Major Carrell would leave the chair feeling that the lodge had maintained the prestige due to the position it had taken up as the representative of an excellent regiment . They vvould drink the health of their W . Master , his Royal Highness , the Duke of Connaught , and also that of his alter ego , the Deputy W . M .

Bro . Major CARRELL , Deputy W . M ., in reply , said he must first of all thank them most sincerely on behalf of his Royal Highness for the way in which his health had been proposed and drunk . He was confident that when their W . M . returned next year it would be one of his first duties to preside in that lodge . Their W . M . was a very earnest and energetic Mason , and they , as members of his regiment , desired nothing better than to see him as their

permanent W . M . When they sent him the result of that evening ' s meeting his Royal Highness would be pleased to know they had such a goodly assemblage to put them on the way to a prosperous future . In regard to himself , he felt it a special honour to have been selected b y his Royal Hi ghness to preside during his absence . When a few years had passed away those vvho had consecrated the lodge would feel they had started a lodge vvhich had made a name for itself , and which vvould have

a great future . They had a special programme of their own , and that was vvith regard to the Charities . He had in his time taken up large sums to the Charities , and the brethren had kindly supported him . He thought that as they were taught at their initiation that Charity was one of the most important objects , they should endeavour to make the Iodge Vice-Patron of the three Institutions . Those Charities had , during the past few months , been under a cloud , but that had

been removed , and he thought they vvould go on in a very happy way in support of them . He hoped the lodge would make a distinct name for itself , and that as amongst those proposed as initiates they had some good and earnest men , and some excellent Masons proposed as joining members , they would make a record in the Masonic world . They would always have the idea that Charity began at home , and that their foremost duty was to support the Masonic Institutions . They would

extend a very strong hand of fellowship to members of the Craft , and hoped it vvould be taken as it was meant to represent good feeling . He hoped they would have a prosperous time , and that the officers following him to take the chair would always see around them such a representative gathering as they had that night . He thanked them very sincerel y for their kind wishes , not onl y to himself but also for the future of their lodge . '

"The Visitors" was next introduced by the DEPUTY W . M ., who said there was a wonderful array of visiting brethren present hailing from the four quarters of the globe . They included Bro . Lieut .-Gen . Laurie , P . G . M . Nova Scotia ; Bro . D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., who came from a distant portion of Her Majesty ' s Empire ; and Bro . General Wolseley , recently returned from Burmah .

Bro . Lieut .-Gen . LAURIE , P . G . M . Nova Scotia , in responding , said he had a good deal of Scotch blood in his veins , and , seeing that it was desirable he should continue his acquaintance with them , he had been wondering how he could claim connection r ¦

with them as a corporate body . It vvas true he had been under Irish jurisdiction himself , but possibly he would have a stronger claim on the ground that he had a son wearing the uniform of the Irish Rifles who had been up the Nile . In active service officers and men became better for Masonry , and so in their corps , under the

peculiar conditions of their service , it vvas desirable to bring the members as much as possible together , and the more they could meet the more thoroughly they would establish a good esprit de corps . He saw the harp

and crown associated on their badge , and was satisfied that , as long as the Irish Rifles Lodge continued , so long would that harp and crown be associated . He wished prosperity and long life to the lodge , and thanked them for their welcome .

Bros . General WOLSELEY and General RODDY , U . S . A ., also replied . The DEPUTY WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in proposing "The Officers , " said there were some very desirable brethren to follow him to the chair . The S . W ., Bro . Col . Ward ,

he was sure , would do a vast amount of credit to that lodge . The J . W ., Dr . Heather Bi gg , Would follow in the footsteps of his father in his progress through Masonry , and would become a shining light . Their Treasurer , oro . Major Inglis , vvas a modest man , and his modesty took a peculiar form at times . In

that instance he started the lodge free of debt , . nd they were deeply indebted to him for furnishing the lodge so handsomel y on the "rst night of its career . Bro . CaptBadham

. , S * D ., and Bro . Capt . Billinghurst , j . D ., were anxious to come to the front , and Bro . Dr . pateman , as Secretary , would get through his

Z \ m . P erfect manner , as would Bro . FOUNDER ' S JEWEL . ""oney , the I . G . Bro . Col . WARD , S . W ., said he was deli ghted the W . M . had given each officer n opportunity of returning thanks for himself , because he assured them that their ealths had been received in such a manner that it would be quite impossible for ne individual to do justice to what had been said . He trusted that at the expirasom j ay 6 arthe officers wouId have done their dut y , and that there mi ght be thpn 1 t 0 the ranks of Freemasonry . With regard to their W . M ., H . R . H . lent t t ° Connaught , he had had several communications with him on the sub-- ct ot that lodge , and from the very first his Royal Hi ghness had most heartily

Consecration Of The London Irish Rifles Lodge, No. 2312.

responded to their wishes , and had become a founder , and afterwards a subscribing member and their W . M . That lodge was also deeply indebted to the Grand Secretary , vvho had done very much , and whose kindness and consideration to the founders had been extraordinary . He thanked them sincerel y on his own behalf and was grateful for the manner in which they had received his health .

Bro . D . P . CAMA , P . G . Treas ., replying for the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " said it gave him great pleasure to return his hearty thanks on behalf of their three noble Institutions . He saw around him several vvho had made their mark in Charity . By coupling his humble name with such a distinguished toast , the Deputy W . M . had proved the cosmopolitan character of their time immemorial Society , and had honoured , through him , the subjects of her Most Gracious Majesty the Empress of India . The W . M ., who was absent , took a great interest in the

welfare and prosperity of India , and Prince Albert Victor vvas now receiving a hearty reception , proving that the inhabitants were loyal to her Majesty . He was delig hted to see the Deputy W . M . occupying the chair of that new lodge , and trusted it vvould be successful . He hoped that when the Deputy W . M . appealed to the members for Charity they would open their purses and give freely . It pained him to see more applicants than vacancies in the Institutions , and that could onl y be remedied by supporting the Institutions to the best of their ability .

The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings , vvhich were throughout of a highly satisfactory and enjoyable nature . We may mention that all the preliminary expenses were paid b y Col . Ward , while Major R . W . Inglis presented the whole of the furniture , and Major Carrell vvas the donor of a set of ivory gavels .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O ., assisted b y Bros . John Hodges , P . M ., J . Gawthrop , E . J . Bell , T . Hanson , and Sutton Shipley , and Miss Alice Whitacre and Miss Marian McKenzie . The lodge vvas furnished b y Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The East Lancashire Centurion Lodge, No. 2322.

CONSECRATION OF THE EAST LANCASHIRE CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 .

The facts surrounding the formation of this lodge fully bear out the appropriateness of the name , as the idea of having such a lodge vvas fjrst conceived in the officers' mess room of the 3 rd Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment ( of which Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie is in command ) during their annual encampment at Southport . Amongst the officers of this regiment are several prominent Freemasons , and , naturally , the affairs of the Craft frequentl y formed part of the

" after dinner" conversations , especially when visitors vvho were Masons were present . Amongst other matters , it vvas shown to the gallant colonel that a large proportion of the officers of the volunteer battalions in his province were members of the Fraternity , and he at once suggested that it would be a happy means of bringing the officers of the auxiliary forces more closely together if a lodge was formed to embrace the

portions of her Majesty s service , but he would like it to be connected with some special event . The Province of East Lancashire then numbered 9 8 lodges , and it was arranged that the petition for this new lodge should stand over until the ggth had been presented and that the military lodge should be the 100 th in the province . In the meantime , active preparations were carried on in order to add to the lustre of this undertaking . In all of these Bro . J . H . Sillitoe , vvho was present

when the matter was first discussed , has materially assisted the Provincial Grand Master and Bro . Col . J . Lees Aspland , vvho at a very early period was associated vvith the formation of the lodge , and has carried out the arduous duties of Secretary for the preliminary arrangements . One feature is especially worthy of notice , viz ., that every officer in the lodge holds rank as a Present or Past Provincial Grand

Officer , and as the members attend the meetings m Mess kit , " the effect of the purple and lig ht blue collars on the scarlet , green , and blue uniforms is very striking . The officer's collars and solid silver jewels , which are speciall y designed , have been presented to the lodge by Bro . Col . Starkie , and a very handsome set of silver working tools and a Bible have been presented conjointly by Bros . Col . Rocca and Capt . Barlow .

The consecration took place on Friday , the 15 th inst . at the Drill Hall , the headquarters of the Sth ( Ardwick ) V . B . Manchester Regiment , Ardwick Green , Manchester . The ceremony vvas performed b y Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., G . Sec , assisted by Bro . F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg ., as S . W . ; Thos . Fenn , Pres . Board of Gen . Purps . as J . W . ; and Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . of C .

The brethren having assembled in the lodge room , the Consecrating Officer , with his assistant officers , together vvith such other Grand Officers as were present , entered in procession . The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Col . Le Gendre Starkie , took the chair , but at once invited Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke to take that position as Presiding Officer for the occasion , who , with a few graceful words , accepted the honour , and appointed his temporary officers as above indicated , after which the lodge vvas opened in the Three Degrees . The opening hymn , " Hail Eternal , " vvas then sung .

The PRESIDING OFFICER said : R . W . Provincial Grand Master and Brethren , — The occasion on which we are assembled here to-day is a most important and a most interesting one for all Masons , but more especially must it be so to the brethren of the province in which we to-day meet . We are assembled here for the purpose of g iving effect to a warrant which has been issued b y his Royal Hi g hness the M . W . G . M . for the formation and constitution of yet another lodge in this

Province of East Lancashire , and m order to add one more name to that long and glorious roll of lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England . I need scarcel y tell you , the brethren of East Lancashire , that your province has been for very many years one of the foremost and one of the most distinguished provinces we have under our rule . It has increased marvellously in the present generation , and to-day we have met here for the purpose of celebrating an unique event—the

formation of the 100 th lodge in this province , a position which has not hitherto been gained by any province under the Grand Lodge of England . Your Prov . Grand Master , vvith that Masonic spirit for which he is so well and so justly celebrated , has determined to make this a special occasion , and he has , notwithstanding the various cares and occupations of his life , come forward to take the chair of this lodge . This you vvill take to be a compliment , vvhich I am sure will be highly appreciated

by the province over which he rules . I also find that this lodge , called the Centurion Lodge , is to be mainly composed of members of the army . I cannot but personally feel that that is very appropriate , because I am quite sure that all those officers of the army who are going to take part in this lodge will show the same loyalty to the Craft that I am confident they have hitherto shown , and always will show , to their Queen and their country . And as , by the law of Freemasonry , a

member who is a founder of a lodge cannot take an actual part in its consecration , your Provincial Grand Master has been debarred from performing what I am sure he would have found a very pleasurable task—that of consecrating this lodge . He has therefore done me the honour of requesting that I would come here to-day to perform that ceremony for him . I need scarcely say the honour I felt at perform

ing any ceremony in this grand old Province of East Lancashire caused me most readily to obey his commands . I am also certain that those distinguished brethren who have accompanied me from London to take part in the proceedings will feel equally honoured at being permitted to aid in so important and interesting an event . I will not detain you further , but will now call upon the Chaplain . The DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES then addressed the Consecrating Officer , and b y his direction arranged the founders of the new lodge before him ; when that