Consecration Of Earl Of Durham Lodge, No. 1274.

CONSECRATION OF EARL OF DURHAM LODGE , No . 1274 .

On AVednesday , September Sth , the above lodge , intended to be held at the Lambton Arms Hotel , Ghester-le-Street , was consecrated by-the R . W . P . G . "Master for Durham , John Fawcett , Esq ., assisted by Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., M . P ., D . P . G . M .,

Brother V . A . Williamson , P . G . W . of the Grand " ( Lod ge of England , and the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The lodge-room was most tastefully decorated for the occasion . At the head a platform was raised , and in the front were placed several choice exotic and other plants from the conservatory

pf Mrs . Fenwick , Southhill , also several from Lambton Castle , which added consideralby to the general effect . Suspended at the head of the room were engravings of three earls connected with the Craft , viz ., the Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M . of England , in full masonic costume ; the late Earl of Durham , in the clothing of the Deputy Graud Master of

England ; and also the present Earl of Durham . Surmounting tbe two latter engravings were two ram ' s heads , representing the family crest of the Earl of Durham . Ou the left side of the room there was a very handsome decorative achievement , consisting of the " County arms , " in blue aud gold , with the " square and compasses " behind , on a red ground , the whole beimr encircled with a wreath of

evergreens , interlaced with a narrow strip of vangated "holly leaves , the latter being most elaborately manipulated by Mr . Stockley , gardener to Mrs . Fenwick . On either side were placed two

geometrical figures , known as "the five points of fellowship . " and surmounting the whole was an inscription of the cardinal virtues , in blue and gold letters , viz ., "Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , iand Justice . " Underneath the arms was a second

inscription of "Brotherly love , relief , and truth , " whilst on both sides were the initials " J . F . " and " H . AV ., " representing the Prov . and Deputy Prov . Grand Masters . In the recesses of tlie windows were p lacid the Plumb , tlie Level , and the Five Points of Fellowship , on a blue ground ,

whilst several appropriate nags wero judiciously interspersed throughout the room . Suspended in different parts of tlie room were three highly-prized and interesting illuminated addresses on vellum , kindly lent hy request of the W . M . by the present Earl of Durham , oue being presented ( with a very

valuable jewel ) lo the late Earl of Durham , as Deputy Grand Master of England and Prov . Grand Master , by the bi-. thi-en of all the lodges in this province ; another by tho officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and the third by the officers and brethren of the Marquis of Granby Lodge , No .

124 , held in the city of Durham . On the occasion of the presentation of the first-mentioned address , together with the jewel , tlie sentiments uttered by his lordship are so worthy of being reproduced that "we now g ive them for tlie benefit of the Craft in general and of the younger brethren in particular .

So highly do we approve of them , that we think they ought to be printed in letters of gold and hung up in every lodge . They are as follows : — " I have ever felt it my duty to support and encourage the principles and practi ' -o of Freemasonry , because it powerfully dcvelopes all social and benevolent

affections ; because it mit ' gitcs without , and annihilates within , the virulence of political and theological conlroveisy ; because it affords tbe only neutral ground on which all ranks and classes can meet in perfect equality and asrociate without degradation pr moi-tttic . ii . iou , whether for the purposes of moral instruction or of social intercourse . "

The musical arrangements wero under the direction of Bro . J . Walker , Prov . G . Organist , and Bro . D . Lambert , both of tlie Durham Cathedral choir ; assisted by Bro . J . G . Penman , of Newcastle . ¦ At three o ' clock punctually the brethren assembled in the lodge-room , when the U . W . G . P . M ., John

Fawcett , Esq ., took the chair ; Bro . the Itev . J . P . De Pledge , P . M ., P . Prov . G . G , and Prov . G . S . W ., the S . AV . ' s chair ; ami Hro . G . Canney , M . D , P . M ., and Prov . G . J . W ., the J . W . ' schair , about ninety brethren being arranged throughout the room . The lodge was opened in the proper degree , and the brethren

addressed by the P . G . M . on the nature of the meeting , after which he called upon the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . AV . II . Crookes , to read the petition for the new lodge , and the warrant from the M . W . the G . M ., l- ' arf Zetland . —The brethren ofthe new lodge having signified their approval of tho AV . M .

Designate anil other officers mimed in the petition and warrant , Uro . the Rev . Dr . Holden , head-master of Durham School—after first paying the W . M . Designate a high compliment for energy , perseverance , & c , whnni he said he wis well acquainted with from having been one of his pupils—delivered

a most excellent ( -ration on the beauties and principles ofthe Order , which was listened to with the greatest attention , and it required no small effort on the part of the brethren to abstain from manifesting their feelings of approbation ; but they prudently did not , lest it might have impaired the effect . So highly was the oration appreciated , that a number

Consecration Of Earl Of Durham Lodge, No. 1274.

of the brethren have expressed a desire to-have the remarks of the reverend doctor printed and published for the use of the Craft . . The ceremony was then proceeded with according to tbe ancient customs of the Order , and most impressively rendered by the esteemed Prov . G . M .,

Brother Fawcett—The installation ofthe first W . M . named iu the warrant , viz ., Bro . W . Brignall , jun ., solicitor , of Durham , was then proceeded with , the Board of Installed Masters comprising the very unusual number of 25 Past Masters . —The brethren having saluted the new AV . M . as such , the Prov .

G . Master entrusted hira with the warrant of the lodge , & c The election of Treasurer and Tyler then took place . The appointment and investment of officers were next made , as follows : —Bro . AV . Brignall , jun ., First AVorshipful Master , Bro . R . Linton ( P . M ., 427 )

S . W . ; Bro . T . Rcbson , J . AV . ; Bro . AV . Brignall ( P . M ., 121 , aud P . Prov . G . R . ) , Treasurer ; Bro . A . Harkness , Secretary ; Bro . John Gray , S . D . ; Coxon , I . G . ; and Bro . John Buriiip , Tyler . Tlie AV . M . announced that he would appoint the J . D . and Stewards at the next lodge meeting .

We have seldom witnessed on similar occasions so numerous an attendance of brethren , many of them holding very hi g h positions—Sunderland . Newcastle , Gateshead , and Durham being well represented . This fact , combined with the lively recollection of what the late Earl of Durham did for

the Craft , added to the respect entertained for the present chief of this province , conduced much towards the interest attached to this important event in the annals of Freemasonry in this neighbourhood . At the conclusion of the ceremony , the brethren

adjourned for an hour , a number of them proceeding to inspect the engineering and iron works of T . H . Murray , Esq . That gentleman , although not a member of tlie mystic Craft , displayed the greatest possible interest in contributing to the success of the day ' s proceedings , by retaining the services of

the excellent Chester-le-Street Ritle Volunteer Saxborn Band , of which he is commanding officer , and who played during the banquet . During tbe short interval between the closing of the lodges and six o ' clock , the lodgo , room was quickly transformed into a banquet ! ng-i-oom . It

received a large accession of plants , flowers , ferns , & c , from the conservatories of Earl Durham and Mrs . Fenwick , and the dinner being a la tlusse , tbe tables were tastefully arranged , under the superintendence of Mr . AVootton , from Lambton Castle . As true chroniclers , we ought not to omit

mentioning that iu addition to the flowers , there was a liberal supply of champagne , game , and fruit , presented to the new lodge by the Earl of Durham , and that Mrs . Fenwick , whose husband ( Henry Fenwick , Esq ., M . I ' ., deceasedj formerly held the rank of D . P . G . M ., also kindly contributed not only

fruit and flowers , but all the edibles and esculents necessary for the occasion . At the banquet the new AVorshipful Master of the lodge presided , being supported en the right by the R . AV . P . G . M ., J . Fawcett , Bros J . P . Di Pledge , V . A . Williamson , II J . Baker Baker ,

and others ; and ou the left by Bros . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Rev . Dr . Holden , B . J . Thompson , and other ** , at which tbe usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly hoiiomd , being judiciously interspersed with appropriate glees and songs by the before-mentioned vocalists . The worthy host and

hostess did their best to contribute to the comfort of the visitors . The whole affair - passed off well , and will he noted and remembered by all true brethren as a red-letter day in their Masonic Calendar . The thanks of the members of the lodge are especially due to Mr . AVilliam AVootton , Steward ;

Mr . Leigh ton , Architect ; and Mr . Hunter , Headgardener , all of Lambton Castle , for the valuable assistance they so kindly rendered in embellishing and adorning the banqueting room ; also to Mr . Stockley , gardener , South Hill . Among those present were the following : —M .

Allison ( 97 , S . AV . ) , T . Anderson , P . M ., . 041 , Prov G . J . AV ., Northumbrian d . P . Prov . G . J . D ., Northumberland , J . Arch bold ( 48 ) , H . J . Baker Bakei ( 375 , J . W . and AV . M .-elect ) . A . Barber ( 97 ) , G . Beldoii ( 580 , P . M . ) , W . C . Blackctt ( 124 ) , T . Bleukinsopp ( 541 ) , J . Bradshaw ( 48 ) , AV . Brignall , sen

( l 24 , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . R . ) . W . Brignall , jun . ( 124 , 1121 , and AV . M . 1274 ); J . Buriiip ( 427 , Tyler 1274 ) , G . Canney ( 124 , P . M . 1121 , and Prov . G . J . AV . ) , AV . Canney ( 1121 ) , H . Can * ( 124 ) . J . Carter ( 124 , Tyler ) , J . Carter ( 949 ) , J . S . Clmiloner ( -181 , P . M .. and P . Prov . S . G . W ., Northumberland ) , J . Chrisp ( 949 ) ,

J . H . Coates ( 94 : )) . R . Cooke ( 124 , J . D . ) , AV . Coxon ( 124 , and J . G . 1274 ) , AV . 11 . Crookes ( 80 , P M ., Prov . G . Secretary ) , Rev . J . P . De Pledge ( 375 , P . M ., P . Prov . G . C ., and Prov . G . S . AV . ) , M . Ditchburn ( 80 ) , XV . Donkin ( 124 ) , J . Doxford ( 97 , P . M ., and

P . Prov . G . S . B . ) , B . AV . Ebdy ( 124 ) , T . C . Ebdy ( 124 , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ) , John Fawcett ( 124 , P . M ., and R . AV . P . G . M . ) , Ralph Fawcett ( 108 , P . M . ) , W . R . Fitzgerald ( 124 , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . S . D . ) , J . F . Frolieh ( 400 , AV . M . ) , G . E . Forster ( 97 ) , J . S .

Consecration Of Earl Of Durham Lodge, No. 1274.

Fowler ( 124 ) , J . Gray ( 1 . 24 , and S . D . 1274 ) , G . Greenwood ( 124 , Steward , 1121 ) , F . Greenwood ( 124 ) , W . F . Hall ( 124 ) , A . Harkness ( 48 , and Sec . 1274 ) , T . W . Hearon ( 124 , 53 ) , E . Hefferuan ( 124 ) , A . V . Holboll ( 48 ) , Rev . Dr . II . Holden ( 124 ) , R . Humphrey ( 97 ) , T . A . Hunter ( 124 ) , Jens . Jensen

( 48 , P . M . ) , G . Johnston ( 124 ) , D . Lambert ( 124 ) , H . Lawrence ( 124 and 481 ) , H . Laws ( 541 , S . W . ) , G . A . Laws ( 541 ) , W . G . Laws ( 541 , AV . M . ) , W . Liddell ( 949 , J . W . ) . R . Lintou ( 427 , P . M ., and S . W . 1274 ) ,-G . Lord ( 97 , W . M . ) , W . A . Malcolm ( 124 P . M : 1121 ) , R . Palev ( 80 ) , W . ' H . Pearson ( 80 ) , J .

G . Penman ( 541 ) , C . R . Pocock ( 257 ) , J . Raine ( l 24 , Treas . ) , T . Robson ( 124 , and J . W . 1274 ) , ; R . Sanderson ( 124 ) , T . Sarsfield ( 124 . S . W . ) , M . Scott ( 94 ) , J . Sewell ( 124 , J . G . ) , AV . Sewell ( 124 ) , F . C . Sheppard ( 98 ) , W . Skelton ( 97 , J . W . ) , Carl Stilcke ( 949 ) ,- J . Stainsby ( 97 , P . M ., and Prov . G . S . B . ) , AV . - Stoker

( 124 , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . S . W . ) . J . Stokoe ( 48 , W . M ., Prov . G . S . D ., Northumberland ) , T . Y . Strachan ( 24 , P . Prov . GS . D ., Northumberland ) , J . G . G . Strong ( 1121 ) , B . J . Thompson ( P . Prov . G . S . W ., and Prov . G . Sec . Northumberland ) , G . Thompson ( 481 , P . M ., and Prov . G . S . W .,

Northumberland ) , J . Turnbull ( 24 ) , G . Walker , ( 124 ) , J . Walker ( 124 , Prov . G . Organist ) , G . AVilliams ( 48 ) , Sir Hedworth AVilliamson , Bart , M . P ., ( R W . P . D . G . M . ) , V . A . Williamson ( 10 . W . M ., P . G . J . W . ) , T . B . Winter P . M ., 541 , Prov . G . Treas ., Northumberland , ( 48 ) , J . Young ( 124 . )

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Assembly Rooms , Weston-super-Mare , on Thursday the 1 Gth instant , under the presidency of the R . W . P . G M . the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon . The Local Lodge ( St . Kew , 1222 ) , met at hi gh twelve , and

the W . M . Bro . Capt . F . G . Irwin opened the lodge in the first degree , and received a number of visiting brethren from all parts of the province , together with others from the adjoining provinces of Bristol , Devon , Dorset , Wilts and Gloucester

numbering in all over 200 •about one o ' clock p . m . the R . W . P . G . M . and his officers , with many brethren of distinction , proceeded to visit the St . Kew Lodge , and were marshalled under the direction of the P . G . D . C . in the following order : —

P . G . Tylers . Two Provincial Grand Stewards . The Members of P . G . L . represented . Provincial Grand Pursuivants . Provincial Grand Organist . Provincial Graud Directors of Ceremonies . Provincial Grand Superintendents of Works .

Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearers . Past Provincial Grand Deacons . Past Provincial Grand Secretaries . Provincial Grand Secretary . Provincial Grand Hcgistnns . Provincial Grand Treasurer .

Visitors of Distinction . Provincial Grand Chaplains . Past Provincial Junior Grand Wardens . Provincial Junior Grand Warden . Past Provincial Senior Grand Wardens . Provincial Senior Grand Warden .

Tho A \ orshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Mast-tr . Tho liight Worshipful Past Provincial Grand Master .

Tho Hight Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . Provincial Grand Sword Bearer . P . G . Steward . P . G . Steward . Provincial Senior Grand Deacon . Two Provincial Grand Stewards .

The P . G . M . ascended the dais and the AV . M . placed the gavel in the bauds ofthe P . G . M . tho Earl of Carnarvon , who thereupon immediately opened his Provincial Grand Lodge iu ample form . The P . G . Sec , Bi-o . Else , having read the minutes of the meeting ofthe 12 th of January last , the same

was duly confirmed . The P . G . Treas ., Bro . Payne , presented his yearly financial report , showing tbe affairs of this P . G . Lodge to be in a very flourishing condition , doubtless owing to the zeal of its excellent Treasurer , and the popularity of the Prov . G . Master . Bro . Payne cxpresssed a hope that P . G . Lodge wonld establish a Fund of Benevolence ,

especially for the Province , confining its charity to distressed brethren belonging thereto . This was favourably received for consideration . Other customary routine business having been transacted , the R . W . P . G . Master then nominated and invested his oflicers for the ensuing year as follows : —

Bro . Major-General Gore Boland Munbco , P . M ., St . Kew Lodge , 1222 , P . S . G . W . Bro . Pi .-incis George Irwin , AV . M ., St . Kew Lodgo , ll-2-> , P . J . G . W . Bro . Itev . John C . Pigot , J . W ., St . Kew Lodge , 1222 , P . G . Chap . Bra . llev . AVm . Hunt , Agriculture Lodge , 1109 , P . O . Chap .