Consecration Of The Hemming Lodge, (No. 1512).

sure , regret losing such a head , but at the same time we may congratulate ourselves in having one who , with his youth , ability , and devotion , will , equally at least , promote the best interests of the Order . I therefore give you H . R . H . the

Prince of Wales , M . AV . P . M . ; the Princess of Wales , and rest of Royal Family ; nor must we forget to include the young Prince , this very day added to the scions of the House of Hanover , and His Imperial mother , the consort of our sailor Duke .

The toast having been drank , a glee , " The Prince and Princess , " was sung heartily . The Chairman : I have now to propose the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon

and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present . I have pleasure in saying we have tonight many ofiicers who appreciate the abilities and zeal of our D . G . M . He is a most practical man , and had not H . R . H . the Prince of Wales

accepted the office of G . M ., most likely our D . G . M . would have been elected , and his past services show how excellent would have been that choice . I therefore give you the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , coupled with the name of Bro . Boyd .

Bro . Boyd , on rising , said : I think under the peculiar circumstances of my response you will allow me to be very brief . As I have some distance to go , I shall not detain you with a lengthy speech . Permit me on behalf of the Deputy Grand Master , and the test of the Grand Officers ,

to thank you sincerel y for the very kind manner in which you have drank their healths . The Chairman : I next propose the health of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master , Col . Burdett . I sincerely regret not having him amongst us today , but from his letter we have heard read

today , I am sure we have his hearty good wishes . He is a sincerely good man , and I do not know where we could find a P . G . M . so kindl y disposed lo the interests of the Province as our P . G . M . Tic has devoted a long life to Masonry .

Commencing in India , he returned to Ibis country , and won high honours—honours in Ireland , in addition to that of becoming P . G . M . I give 3 'ou the health ofour worthy brother , the R . AA ^ P . G . M ., and Representative of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , Col . Burdett .

1 he toast was enthusiastically drank . Song— " Tom Bowling . "—Bro . McDavitt . The Chairman : The next toast is one of great interest , and one which gives me very great pleasure to propose , it " being that of the " Visitors . " AVe have a good number here , and

I hope among so many gootl masons wc shall make some of them members . AVe have Bro . Stewart , who is well known in the Province , and whom I claim as having the same mother lodge as myself , No . 201 . His goodness of heart and sterling masonic qualities arc hi ghly appreciated .

I hen we have Bro . Buss , who has seen long service and has attained to a prominent position . He is highly respected in the Grand Office , and as far as working masonry is concerned , he is always ready , as we have witnessed this day , to exert his power in promoting it . AVe have also

Bro . Boyd , who is equally well known to those who have any experience of Masonry . He is looked up to in Grand Lodge with great respect . Then our Bro . Dr . Ramsay is progressing in the right direction with firm and steady steps , both in his profession and in the Craft . He is now

AV . M . of Lodge 77 S , "The Bard of Avon , " and was the great coadjutor with Bro . the D . P . G . M . of Middlesex , in transferring that lodge from the banks of the Avon to this province on the banks of the Thames . Bro . Oldham enjoys a very high position in his native country , Ireland . He

is there Assistant Grand Secretary , and also Secretary of the Boys' and Girls' Schools . He has very onerous anti honourable duties to perform , duties which he discharges with great zeal and ability . It now gives me very great pleasure in proposing the health of our

distinguished brethren and thc rest of the visitors . The toast was duly honoured . Bro . Buss : I have never felt such a pleasure ¦ as I do to-night in returning thanks for the kind manner in which you have used my name . In reference to my duties as a mason , I have always endeavoured to make myself thoroughly ac-

Consecration Of The Hemming Lodge, (No. 1512).

quainted with the principles of Masonry , and am always happy to render ' all the assistance I can . It has been my pleasing duly , and I trust I shall be able to continue to do so in the future . In reference to the Province of Middlesex , I may say it is one of the youngest , but

certainly not the smallest . And it commands at its head one of the most highly esteemed brethren in the Craft . In no province do we find more esteem paid to a G . M . than which is paid to ours . I again beg to thank you for the kind manner in which you have drank my health . ( Cheers . )

Bro . Oldham ; I feel a very great pride in returning to you on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Ireland my sincere thanks , and if ever any of thc brethren present should come to Ireland we would endeavour to make you welcome and happy . In reference to our schools you are ahead of us in number . You have about three

girls to our one , and thc boys even more . AVe arc endeavouring to follow in your footsteps as to the management . But I think we can boast that we give our boys and girls better outfits , and also keep up a more perfect correspondence with them for three or four years , which wc find answers admirably . Colonel Burdett is one of

my oldest masonic friends , he being the brother who came forward on my initiation and took me by the hand . Again accept my sincere thanks , at the same lime I wish you every success . Pro . Dr . Ramsay r I beg to return you my sincere thanks forthe compliment you have just paid me . After some further remarks , our brother again returned thanks , wishing the lodge

every success . Part Song . — " AAHicn evening ' s twilight . ' ' Chairman : I now propose the Dep . Pro , Grand Master and rest of Provincial Grand Ofiicers , Past and Present . This toast I am sure you will all respond to most heartily . Our D . P . G . M . is well known to you as a brother of great ability .

He being on thc Continent just now is unable lo be present to-day . In him we have a worthy brother . There is something so genial , good and kind in bis composition , that we experience an absolute loss in his absence . I shall couple with the toast the name of Bro . Raynham Stewart , Bro . Parkinson ' s immediate predecessor in office .

The toast was duly honoured . Sontr . — " Come live with me . " —Bro . IT . D .

Martin . Bro . Stewart : AVorshipful Sir and brethren , 1 rise with great pleasure to return thanks . The D . P . G . M . is one for whom I know you have very great respect . His desire is to do all that he can to promote Masonry , indeed his marked

ability is unceasing in its interests . On behalf of the officers just named , I thank you all , and trust you will , AVorshipful Sir , live many years to preside over this lodge as its father . I , as the first deputy Grand Master appointed in this Province , feel great pleasure in seeing the progress

of Masonry within its precincts . It is a source of gratification to hear of fresh lodges springing up amongst us , bringing in good Masons , and in no case do I rejoice more sincerely than on the occasion of thc inauguration of the Hemming Lodge . My advice is not to have too great a

number than from 25 to 40 , then each will take an interest in the work . Brethren all , it also affords me great pleasure in saying we have brethren in this province who are able to do such work as we have seen this day . It has been admirable throughout and second to none . Our brothers Little and AVhite did the work

beautifully , not a single hitch took place . T am sure you will with me thank them for the able manner in which they consecrated the lodge . Allow me therefore to take this toast out of the hands ofthe AV . M ., and ask you to drink the health of the Consecrating Officers . The toast was enthusiastically drank .

Glee . — "Strike the Lyre . " Bro . Little : Worshipful Sir and Brethren all , I thank you sincerely for the kind manner you have responded to the toast . It has given me a great deal of pleasure to come down here to perform the ceremony of consecration . To-day I have been ably assisted by Bros . Buss and White . I have always found kind assistance in

Consecration Of The Hemming Lodge, (No. 1512).

them . For the services of to-day you , have recompenced us most nobly . After some further remarks , Bro . Little congratulated the new AV . M . and the officers of the lodge , wishing them every success and prosperity . He then proposed the health of the W . M ., and success to the Hemming Lodge .

Glee . — " By Cclia ' s Harbour . " The AV . M . on rising , said : Brethren all , I scarcely know how to thank you for the very kind manner in which my health has been proposed , and in which you have responded in such sincerity , that words fail me to

express myself effectively . I am sure my Bro . Wardens will do their utmost in promoting the interests of thc lodge . AA e are an offspring of the Lebanon . That lodge has been in existence about four years ; No . of members over 100 .

This number was greatly beyond the control of any ordinary Master . I felt as the W . M ., that as the number was so large , with a fair number of residents in thc locality , we ought to have a lodge of our own—a local lodge . AA e then looked round to find men who could commence .

After other arrangements , we decidetl on naming it the Hemming Lodge , after the late Dr . Hemming , a talented resident in the parish . In 1 S 13 he was appointed by the Duke of Sussex as one of the twelve masteis Lo bring about the reconciliation of the unions . The brethren having

signed the petition to the number of 27 , nearly all local members of the Lebanon , thc warrant was granted , and this day you have seen the result . I thank you heartily for your good wishes , and this brings mc to my next pleasing duly , lo refer to my officers , and first to propose

the health of one of thc petitioners , our worthy brother Henry Jepson , who is highly esteemed by us all . lie has spent over half a century in ibis parish , and is much appreciated for his hiA qualities . I am also proud that he is one of the officers of this lodge . He , as Treasurer , is

placed in the mosthonourableoflicclhe lodge | can confer , without imposing upon him duties incompatible with his advanced age . The S . AA' . and J . AV . are men well-known in Masonry , and the L . D . and J . D . will , I am sure , in good lime prove themselves equal to-their duties . Bro .

Limpus has also discharged the duties of organist very ably , whilst the rest of the officers have done their work well . From thc earnest of this day ' s successful proceedings , the ofiicers one and all will , I am sure , prove themselves very efficient —( Cheers ) . Song . — " Hearts of Oak , " Bro . Albert

Hubbard . Bro . llopwood . —1 thank you sincerely for the kind manner in which you have drank my health . I shall always endeavour lo be at my post . Bro . Hill returned thanks , in suitable terms . Glee . — "The Mighty Conqueror . "

Bro . Jepson in returning thanks said : —It was not my intention to take any practical part in the lodge . I felt I could not fulfil the duties as I ought . If I had the eloquence of Bro . Little , and the qualities of Bro . AVhite that we have witnessed this day , I should feel more able to

perform the duties . Our Bro . Little has performed the consecration in a manner that could not be exceeded , and he forcibly reminded me of Dr . Hemming . I knew him well in his best days ; no man at that time understood the theory and practice of Masonry better than he . I was

made a Mason by him in this room fifty-three years ago , and was also exalted here lo the R . A . degree fifty years ago . I commenced my Masonic career in this room , and I must now believe I shall end it here . It affords me very

great pleasure in returning to you all my sincere thanks , and I trust I shall be spared lo discharge my duties to the satisfaction of you all ( Cheers ) . Glee . — " Sleep , gentle lady . " The rest of the officers then returned thanks

111 appropriate terms . The Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close . AVe mav add , the whole of the day ' s

programme was carried out with great satisfaction to all present . The musical arrangements , under the direction of Bro . Limpus were carried out with great ability , and gave telling effect to the ceremonies .