Consecration Of A New Lodge In Liverpool.

CONSECRATION OF A NEW LODGE IN LIVERPOOL .

THE First Masonic Lodge Consecration , after the ceremony of dedicating the new Masonic Hall , Liverpool , of which we gave full particulars last week , took place within its walls on Monday , the 12 th inst ., and as all the surroundings were of the most interesting and successful

character , the gathering was a fitting inauguration of the actual work of the hall . The new lodge is entitled " The Lodge of Israel , " numbered 1502 on the register of the Grand Lodge of England , and as its name indicates , its principal promoters and supporters are members of

the Hebrew persuasion , although there will be nothing like sectarianism in either constitution or working . The brethren of the Jewish religion in Liverpool have long been prominently identified with Masonic charity and benevolence , and there is no doubt that the new lodge which

now bears their distinctive name for the first time here will be amongst the best in the provinces . For the auspicious opening of the Lodge of Israel , much credit is due to Bro . Isaac de Frece , who has spared no effort to make even its inauguration successful , and he

has been very ably seconded by Bro . Ralph Robinson , the W . M . designate , who is wellknown as a spirited and loyal Mason throughout this Masonic division of the country . The new lodge has already a very large membership , and as many of them have already made their mark

in masonry , the convention has in it all the elements of successful working . By appointment of Bro . the Right Honourable Lord Skelmersdale , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire , the ceremony was conducted by Bro . Horace S . Alpass , Pro . G . Secretary , assisted by Bro . J . F .

Goggin , W . M . 155 , P . P . G . Chaplain , and Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . Bro . J . Skeaf , P . G . Organist , conducted the excellent musical service , the special choral portion of the ceremony being rendered by Bros . D . Saunders , 1299 ; T . J . Hughes , 216 ; J . Busfield , 216 ; W . G . Veale , Org ., 1356 , 594 , & c , and W . Robinson ,

z ° 3-The following is a complete list of those pre sent : —

Bros . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec ; R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D . ; R . Wilson , P . G . S . D . ; the Rev . J .

F . Goggin , P . P . G . C ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; R . Robinson , P . M ., 241 ; A . Levy , P . M . ; J . Lazarus , P . M ., 1017 and 205 ; H . Mair , P . M ., 211 ; W . Shortis , P . M ., 724 ; J . Robinson , P . M ., 211 ; J . M'Kune , P . M ., 216 ; W . M . Chudley , W . M ., 241 ; R . Brown , S . W ., 241 ; T . Ashmore , P . M .,

823 ; AV . G . Veale , Org ., 1356 , & c . ; J . Frank , J . D ., 203 ; V . M . Myers , S . D ., 1017 ; P . W . Oglesby , S ., 823 ; G . Hutchin , J . W ., 241 ; J . Wood , Treas , 1094 ; I . de Frece , 594 ; A . Jones , 1299 ; J . Moss , 241 ; H . J . Henochsberg , 724 ; B . Levy , 241 ; B . Woolf , 241 ; D . C . Marks ,

241 ; Meurice de Frece , 241 ; A . Hart , 724 ; F . Barnett , 249 ; S . Schonstadt , 1299 ; D . L . Marcus , 724 ; M . Goldstone , 249 ; S . Jacob , 241 ; L . Wagner , 220 ; P . A . Crozier , 370 ; W . F . Tueski , 613 ; M . A . Prinslan , 220 ; J . Torte , 724 ; M . Hart , 724 ; M . Parkes , 1182 ; Lawes

Prag , 263 ; M . Aronsberg , 243 ; J . Lazarus , 241 ; L . Fomquinos , 673 ; J . Lloyd , ^ 49 ; J . Goldsberg , 241 ; L . Summons ; H . M . Selva , 218 ; F . Moss , 1299 ; L Woolf , 1393 ; A . Vandyke , 241 ; W . J . Chapman , 667 ; D . Saunders , 1299 ; J . Busfield , 216 ; and W . L . Bathgate , 241 .

The brethren assembled in the lodge room shortly before three o'clock , and after Bro . H . S . Alpass , the presiding officer , had taken the chair , he appointed Bro . W . M . Chudley as his S . W ., Bro . J . Lazarus as his J . W ., and Bro . R . Brown as the Assistant Secretary , during the

consecration ceremony . The lodge having been opened in the three degrees , the brethren of the new lodge were ranged in order , and an opening prayer was offered , followed by Skeafs chorale " God of life , whose love unceasing . "

After certain other formulas peculiar to the ceremony , an eloquent and appropriate oration was delivered by the Rev . J . F . Goggin , P . P . G . Chaplain . Skeafs splendid anthem , " Behold how good , " was then sung by the choir , and the

Consecration Of A New Lodge In Liverpool.

first portion of the consecration prayer was offered by the P . G . C . The lodge was then uncovered , and the cornucopia , wine , and oil were borne by Bro . J . M'Kune , P . M ., 216 ; Bro . W . Shortis , P . M ., 724 ; and Bro . H . Mair , P . M ., 2 r 1 ; the salt being carried by Bro . R . Brown ,

Assistant Secretary . After Skeafs anthem , " Glory to God , " had been given , the P . P . G . C . carried the censer round the lodge ; the second portion of the consecration ceremony was then offered , and this portion of the solemn proceedings was brought to a close with Bro . Skeafs anthem , " Hail , universal Lord . "

Immediately afterwards Bro . Alpass , P . G ., Sec , who had done his work with rare Masonic talent , proceeded with the installation of Bro . Ralph Robinson , P . M . and Preceptor of the Merchants' Lodge , No . 24 r , as the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Israel . The presentation of Bro . Robinson for the benefits or

installation was made by Bro . the Rev . J . T . Goggin , P . P . G . C , and Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D . After a full board of installed Masters had been held , the brethren were readmitted , and saluted the newly-chaired W . M . in the three degrees . The following were subsequently named and

invested as the first officers of the lodge by the W . M .: —Bro . Maurice de Frece , S . W . ; Bro . Alfred J . Henochsberg , J . W . ; Bro . Professor Prag , Chaplain ; Bro . Isaac de Frece , Treasurer ; Bro . M . Hart , Secretary ; Bro . A . Jones , S . D .: Bro . S . Schonstadt , J . D . ; Bro . B . Woolf ,

I . G . ; Bro . W . G . Veale , Org . ; Bro . A . P . Crazier , S . S . ; Bro . A . Hart , J . S . ; and Bro . W . H . Ball , Tyler . Before the lodge was closed there were an extraordinary number of propositions for initiation and joining , and the W . M . gave notice that he would move the first

Monday in the month should be the day ot meeting of their lodge . After some other business of a purely formal chaiacter , the lodge was closed in solemn form . It should be stated that the clothing , officers ' jewels , & c , were supplied from the well-known

Masonic establishment of Bro . G . Kenning , of London and Liverpool , and the quality and workmanship of the whole elicited the heartiest commendation and general admiration . Presents to the lodge ( also furnished by Bro . Kenning ) , were made by the

Treasurer , the S . W ., J . W ., Sec , S . D ., J . D ., and others , and each of the gifts were also worthy of the occasion . Subsequent to the business proceedings the whole of the brethren sat down in the large dining hall to a magnificent and recherche

banquet , provided by Messrs . Fisk and Fairhurst , Castle Street . The tables were beautifully decorated , the effect being greatly enhanced by a splendid silver centre-piece , kindly lent by Bro . J . Goldberg , 1502 . The menu and toast-card , executed by Bros . Wilson and Jacobs , was a

model of exquisite taste , and the front was adorned with portraits of the W . M . and all his officers , taken by Messrs . Vandyke and Brown . After grace , according to the Mosaic ritual , had been recited by Bro . Professor Prag , and dessertholders placed on the table .

The W . M . gave the toast of " The Queen , " speaking of her as a model sovereign , and a lady whose worth and virtues endeared her to the heart of every subject , and to none more than Masons , whose loyalty to the throne was undoubted . ( Cheers ) .

The W . M . : The next toast I have to give you is that of " His Royal Highness Bro . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , M . W . P . G . M ., the Princess of Wales , and thc Rest of the Royal Family . " Like the preceding , this toast will at once recommend itself to your notice—as

representing the Royal Family it will recommend itself to your notice . But there is one point to which I wish especially to call your attention , and that is the very great gratification and satisfaction which our Royal brother—now the Past Grand Master—would give to the

whole brotherhood by accepting the position of Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) If his Royal Highness should be pleased to accept that position it would not only be creditable to himself , but most satisfactory to the Order . ( Applause ) .

Consecration Of A New Lodge In Liverpool.

The W . M . next gave the Earl of Carnarvon , R . W . D . G . M . of England , " and the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . P . G . M ., the Hon . F . Stanley , W . D . P . G . M ., and the officers of the Past Grand Lodge . " In proposing the latter he referred to the very great interest which his lordship and his deputy invariably took in all that concerned the welfare of the Craft in

this province . He ( Brother Robinson ) had that evening much pleasure in welcoming his friend , the youngest P . G . officer , Brother Robert Wilson . He need not say how much they were indebted to Brother Wilson for the large , comfortable , and commodious hall in which they

were assembled , as he had been untiring in his efforts in connection with it . Bro . R . Wilson , P . G . S . D ., in acknowledging the toast , said it must be a source of the greatest satisfaction to the P . G . Lodge to find that such a lodge as No . 1502 had been consecrated that

day . It was pleasing to find so many recruits of that character , and he trusted that the lodge which had that day been inaugurated would fill and occupy a place second to none in the province , especially with regard to its efforts in connection with their noble charity . He was sure

the lodge had been placed under the direction of one than whom none could be more sincere , more active , or more capable , and he wished their W . M . ( Bro . Robinson ) the greatest prosperity during his mastership . It was now twelve years since he ( Bro . Wilson ) first met their W . M .

in Masonry , and during that time they had gone hand-in-hand , passing through a great many vicissitudes , and therefore he knew how ably and how anxiously their W . M . had worked to secure his high Masonic position —( Hear ) . They had been placed under the direction of one

who was well able to instruct them in Masonry , and who would give lustre to the position which he was called upon to fill —( Applause ) . The W . M . then submitted the toast , " The Consecrating Officers , " referring to the admirable

manner in which the work had been done by Bro . Alpass and his assistants . He ( the W . M . ) had never felt more deeply impressed by any ceremony in Freemasonry than he had been that day ; and therefore their heartiest thanks were due to the consecrating officers for their very

valuable services . Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , returned his sincere thanks for the toast and honourable menlion . It had given him the greatest pleasure to be present that day , because he was convinced that the Lodge of Israel would occupy a

position alike honourable to itself and creditable to the Craft generally . He wished the lodge every prosperity , and he had no doubt that under the able and careful Mastership of Bro . Robinson , whom he had long known as an admirable

Mason , they would prosper . To Hebrews it was scarcely necessary to preach charity , for he believed that as a body they both preached and practised it amongst themselves ; but whilst he did that , he would just ask them not to forget their Masonic charities .

Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . S . G . D ., also responded . The W . M . next gave " Prosperity to the Lodge of Israel , " speaking of the various gifts which had been made to the lodge , and referring especially to the valuable services rendered by Bro . Isaac de Frece , Treasurer . But for his

perseverance and self-sacrifice , he ( Bro . Robinson ) would not have been there as W . M ., as he had , in the face of many difficulties , still persevered in his efforts to establish the lodge . Bro . I . de Frece , Treasurer , thanked the brethren for the honour they had done him , and

assured them that his only motive m seeking to establish the lodge was to give an opportunity to the many young masons to come to the front . If the lodge proved to be successful , he would be amply repaid for all the efforts he had employed on its behalf . He hoped and believed that they would have a lodge equal to any in

Liverpool . Bro . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , then proposed the health of "The Worshipful Master . " The brethren , he said , had shown their high opinion of Bro . Robinson by deciding at the preliminary meetings that he should be their first W . M ., and that opinion had been cordially endorsed