Consecration Of The Excelsior Chapter, No. 1155.

' nto the chairs of M E . Z ., H ., and J . respectively , and the following officers were invested : Comps . Thos . Hales , S . E . ; F . Lewin , S . N . ; R . W . Pembroke , Treas . ; W . B . Tomlinson , P . Soj . ; R . McGregor , i it Asst . Soj . ; j . E . Williams , 2 nd Asst . Soj . ; and G . Alfd . Bill , Janitor . The Consecrating Officers were unanimously elected lun . rnimb rs on

the proposition of the M . E Z ., seconded by the H ., and Comp . LETCHWORTH , G S . J- 'i made suitable acknowledgments for hims-If and colleague :. A similar comp liment was conferred upon Comps . VV . R . J . McLcai and VV . Kipps f ° kind assistance in the musical arrangements for the cerf inony . Two brethren were proposed for exaltation , and the chaDter wis cl > sed .

After an excellent banquet the usual loyal and Misxu ; toast * were heartily honoured . Comp . the Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG G . Supt . B lcks . roplied for " The Grand Officers , " and said that as he grew older ihe diffi ; ulcy of responding to this toast increased . If anyone would arrange some v . aiieties in the way of response it would be a great benefr , for he could bring some

startling novelty before them . Unfortunately there was a sort of commonplaceness about the toast—not on the part of the G . Officers however . It would be a grand innovation , and they would be justified in making the youngest return thanks , for he would be sure to have some ' . hing new to say . He ( Comp . Brownrigg ) would tell them the old slory , that they were pleased lo come amongst them , and grateful for the reception given them . He would next offer for their acceptance the toast of " The M . E . Z . " He was perfectly

confident that the distinguished companion who presided over them would conduct the chapter in the coming year with ability , and iri "" years to come would be a P . Z . who would say that however well his successors had dine , they had not quite come up to that memorable first year . He liked that tradition to be cherished in a chapter , and he hoped that for many years the M . E . Z . would have the opportunity of making that remark . He hoped the companions would work up to the example set them by the M . E Z ., whose health they would heartily drink .

Comp . A . A . FRIGOUT , P . Z . 25 , M . E . Z ., said the complimentary remarks of Comp . Brownrigg were not merited . He did not pose as a very excellent worker in Royal Arch Freemasonry . That he had performed the ceremonies was true ; that he had succeeded in a very moderate degree was also true ; and that he would endeavour to give the companions satisfaction and do credit to himself , of course went without saying . No one could have

been p laced in a similar position without appreciating the great honour thrust upon him . Their chapter was a very small one at present , but in the course of a few years there was more than a strong likelihood that they would be strong . He was not in favour of large , bodies in Craft or Arch , believing that the family party was more sociable . If they could add to their present number of 10 , until it became 25 or 30 , that would be ample , but it rested with the members to do that . So far as he was concerned , he would

do his best to introduce new members ; but they might rest assured that he would not introduce anyone without very careful consideration . 11 was well known in Freemasonry that sometimes one member created dissension , and he sincerely hoped , and said it with kindness , that they would be careful of the names submitted to the Three Principals . He would not further detain them except to express his sincere thanks to Comp . Brownrigg for the very complimentary remarks in which he had proposed the toast , and ' the companions for the kind manner in which they had received it .

The M . E . Z . then proposed "The Consecrating Principals , " and referred to the splendid manner in which the consecration ceremony had been performed , and expressed the indebtedness of the members to them for giving them the benefit of their services . Before Comp . Letchworth It ft he expressed his regret at his inability to remain with them owing to a previous appointment .

Comp . RALPH GOODING , M . D ., P . A . G . S ., having returned thanks , said it had been an extreme pleasure to attend , and call into existence a new chapter to be added to the roll . They had had some wise and pointed remarks made in the chapter by the distinguished Comp . Brownrigg , who wisely said that no higher name than " Excelsior " could be given to any chapter . To an old Mason the consecration of a new lodge or chapter was

not merely adding another unit to the grand old roll . It was not merely the bringing in of some 20 or 30 new members ; but it was to work out those grand principles for which they had been established as lodges or chapters , and to carry out which they had been called into the great cause of Freemasonry . If that was the earnest wish and desire of that new chapter , the work of the Consecrating Officers was not only satisfactory to themselves ,

but would be satisfactory to the Order . He was glad to see the M . E . Z . in the chair , for as he well knew the traditions of the Robert Burns Chapter , he could have no misgivings as to the way in which the work would be performed here . He congratulated the chapter on the brilliant assembly present for the great launching they had had and he could onl y repeat the wish expressed by the Grand Scribe E . that the chapter would have a great

iuture before it and carry out those principles of fraternal affection and Lharity , as the members had done in other lodges and chapters . Comp . H . A . Tom AS , P . G . Std . Br ., also responded . Comp . W . J . Kipps , P . Z . 79 , proposed " The H . and J ., " and in reply , Comp . VV . G . Simmons , M . E . Z . 169 , H ., said he would endeavour to forward the interests oi the chapter and perform the duties of his chair . They

knew he alwajs endeavoured , whilst in office , to do his duty , for he considered it wrong to take any post without the ability to perform the duties . » le was pleased to tell them that the M . E . Z . had presented the chapter with 1 handsome charity box . They would appreciate ' his kindness and liberally contribute to the box at every meeting . Comp . Tnos . BUGLERH . 879 J . having replied

, , , , Ihe M E . Z . proposed "The Visitors , " which was acknowledged by Comps . WALTER MARTIN , P . A . G . D . C , and V . ORCHARD , M . E . Z .

<~ omp . Dr . H . W . ROBERTS , P . P . G . J . Middx , answered for "The Masonic Charities , " which was submitted ' by Comp . TOBIAS , after which l » c M E . Z . gave the concluding toast , " The Officers . " Comp . Tuos . HALES , Scribe E ., in response , thanked the M . E . Z . for 'he honour conferred upon him by coupling his name , and hoped to give satisfaction in the performance of his duties .

Comp . W . R . J . McLean , Mus . Bac , S . N . 25 , directed the musical arrangements , which were admirably carried out in the ceremony , and a capital programme was provided alter the banquet . Amongst those who assisted were Comps . Clias . Ellison , Kendal Ward , VV . J . Kipps , A . R . A ., d "d A . Ii . Ki pps .

lnJ o , DUCHESS OF YORK , amended by Sir Charles Cusl , returned to London on Sunday evening from Bagshot Park .

Consecration Of The Conovium Chapter, No. 2569.

CONSECRATION OF THE CONOVIUM CHAPTER , No . 2569 .

On Saturday afternoon , the 17 th inst ., the above chapter was consecrated at the Masonic Lodge Room , Colwyn B ay . The petitioners for the chapter were : Comps . J . G . Tuxford , P . Z ., P . G . S . E . ; G . L . Woodley , P . Z . ; H . A . Steer , P . Z . ; B . Ayres Moore , P . Z . ; Ephraim Wood , R . Arthur Pritchard , Owen Rowland , J . L . Mayger , A . Sumner , James Porter , P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Ellis , and Kenneth M'Ewen .

The consecration ceremony was performed by Comp . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., G . Supt . of Cheshire , as M . E . Z ., assisted by Comps . John Ernest Greaves , Lord Lieut , of Carnarvonshire , G . Supt . N , Wales , as H . ; Lieut .-Col . C . H . Rees , Prov . G . Principal N . Wales , as J . ; and Edward Roberts , P . Z ., P . G . S . N ., as D . of C .

The installation of principals followed by Comp . Broadsmilh , P . P . G . H ., and the election and investiture of the rest of the officers : Comps . J . G . Tuxford , M . E . Z . ; H . A . Steer , H . j R . Arthur-Pritchard , J . ; James Porter , Scribe E . ; Owen Rowland , Scribe N . ; A . Sumner , P . Soj . ; and J . L . Mayger , Treas . Among the visitors were :

Comps . T . Westlake Morgan , P . P . G . Org . ; William Peers , P . Z ., P . P . G . J Cheshire ; Robert Owen , P . Z . 384 , P . G . Reg . ; Donald Cameron , P . Z ., P . G Treas . ; Thomas Owen , M . E . Z . 9 S 8 ; W . Charles Logan , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . W . ; B . Ayres Moore , P . Z . 171 ; J . O . Morris , H . 606 ; John Williams , P . Z ., P . P . G . O . ; Walter A . Foster , H . 384 ; and J . W . Fendick , P . G . J . North Wales . The consecration banquet was afterwards held at the Imperial Hotel .

Blank Papers.

BLANK PAPERS .

'Tis but a blank and worthless leaf ; No writing there we find ; 'Tis only fit to be destroyed , And scattered to the wind . Yet pause awhile , and bring it near Where the warm firelight glows ; Look now—behold , by chemic art , The writing slowly grows .

Clear and distinct thus , aye , 'twill be , Exposed to heat and light ; Removed from thence , and cold a * ain , » It vanishes from sight . Thus many a heart a blank appears , Where hidden unconfessed , Unknown to all , God ' s writing there Indelibly impressed .

Waits but the Spirit ' s heat and li ght , In His good time revealed , To show what wond ' rous power and love Were for awhile concealed . Oh I never may our hearts grown cold , The sacred fire obscure , God grant its vivifying grace May cleanse , and make us pure I F . W . DRIVER , M . A ., P . M , 62 , Lancaster-road , Notting-hill , W .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC .

The quarterly meeting of this Dist . G . Lodge was held on April 24 th in the Masonic Rooms at Prince George ' s Hall , Buenos Ayres , the R . W . Dist . G . Master , Bro . Charles Trevor Mold , being in the chair . The Dist . G . Lodge was opened at 8 p . m . in due form , with the following officers and members present :

Bros . H . S . Chappell , D . D . G . M . ; J . B . Baker , D . S . G . W . ; G . Nelson , D . J . G . W .-F . J . Morphy , P . D . D . G . M ., and W . G . Davis , P . D . S . W ., acting D . G . Chaps . F . R . Hancock , P . D . S . G . W ., D . G . Treas . ; E . J . Klix , P . D . J . G . W ., acting P . D . B . G . P . ; J . C . Clark , D . G . Sec . ; A . R . Leighton , D . S . G . D . ; A . E . Rugerom D . J . G . D . ; T . Barkas , acting D . G . Supt . of Works ; F . Coulon , D . G . Reg acting D . G . D . of C ; W . J . Hodge , P . D . J . G . W ., acting D . A . G . D . of C : I .

Miller , D . G . Std . Br . ; W . Fleury , D . G . S . B . ; W . J . Corrales , P . D . J . G . W ., acting D . G . S . B . ; A . Cozens , D . G . Org . ; R . Marshall , P . D . G . Supt . of Works , acting D . G . A . Sec . ; E . M . Simpson , D . G . P . ; G . H . Millichamp and F . C , Marty , D . G . Stwds . ; T . Troughton , P . D . G . Org ., acting D . G . Stwd . ; E . S . S . Conturner , D . G . Tyler , F . Bradbury , P . D . A . G . P . ; J . Russell , P . M . ; C . L .

Edwards , J . W . 617 ; G . H . Newell , S . W . 1025 ; T . R . Wood , W . M . 2329 ; G . II . Clarke , S . W . 2329 ; E . Dan vers , J . W . 2329 ; A . Eaton , W . M . 2459 ; H . Marrs , S . W . 2459 ; and P . Cowper , W . M . 2517 . Visitors : 12 brethren from Lodge No . 617 , 15 fro-i ) Lodge No . 1025 , 17 from Lodge No . 2329 , nine from Lodge No . 2459 , 12 from Lodge No . 2517 , and nine from lodges not belonging to this district , say 24 officers , 10 members , and 74 visitors , in all 108 present .

The minutes of the preceding regular meeting , which was held at Rosario de Santa Fe , were read by the Dist . G . Secretary , and confirmed . Correspondence was then read , and the general business transacted , after which the Dist . G . Lodge was closed at 8 . 45 p . m . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting hall in the same

building , where , after an excellent supper , the rest of the evening was devoted to speeches and songs . The greatest harmony and good feeling prevailed , and it is unanimously hoped that this autumn fes ival , which was started at the centenary meeting last year , may now be held annuall y , as a most efficient means of inviting the members of the lodges in the district .