Contents.

CONTENTS .

LlADIRS , P 3 Consecration of the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 2182 723 Freemasonry in 1 S 86 724 Occurrences of the Year . 728

C ORRESPONDENCEThe Wearing of Collars in Private Lodges 731 The Battle of the Collars 731 Sub-division of the London Lodges 731 Confirmation of Minutes 731 Begging Masons 73 * Portrait of Thomas Dunkerley 731

Was the Ettrick Shepherd a Freemason ? .., 731 Notes and Queries 733 REPORTS or MASONIC MEKTINOSCraft Masonry , 732 Instruction 737

Royal Arch 737 Mark Masonry 737 Knights Templar 737 Board of Benevolence 738 Theatres 738 Masonic and General Tidings 738 Lodge Meetings for Next Week iii .

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WHEN these lines appear before our readers we shall be on the ° ™ F the " verge of Christmas , the preparations for which , if not the fes-Season . tivities themselves , will be in the full swing of progress . It is our duty , therefore , and a duty which we always take great pleasure in fulfilling , to tender to our friends , who are always so kind and considerateespecially if there are any shortcomings of ours to condone—the usual hearty

greetings of this season of general goodwill . There are many old faces missing of brethren to whom last year we oflered these same compliments j but new ones have taken their place , and , though we have not forgotten , nor , indeed , are likely to forget , the former , the presence ofthe latteris some compensation . Moreover , we have passed through a somewhat trying year with a considerable amount of success . If we take into account the difficult

circumstances of the time , we may be said to have prospered beyond the most sanguine expectations . We have been agreeably surprised at finding that our Fraternity has progressed so smoothly , and that the support accorded to our Institutions has been so nearly equal to that of th * e year 1885 . We were afraid that , the times being somewhat out of joint , the fortunes of our Society might

have been somewhat troubled . We are thankful , however , that it has been otherwise , and we look forward , therefore , with the greater confidence to the year on which we are about entering . It is a year of great promise , and will be distinguished from the ordinary run of years by one of those joyous events which occur so seldom in the annals of a country . We are

anticipating its approach hopefully , and we are persuaded that no section of the community will perform its part more successfully than the Freemasons . In the meantime we wish all our readers a fervent God-speed in all their undertakings . May they enjoy this festive season , and may they live many years to exchange with their friends the hearty good wishes which are appropriate to Christmas and the New Year !

# * WE call attention to the Summary of 1886 , which , in accor-The Year ' s dance with our later custom , we have made a point of publishummary . . ^ . ^ ^^ cluding issue of the year . We have reason to believe that the summaries which have already appeared have been found useful for purposes of reference , and we trust the present summary , which has been compiled with equal care , will be found as accurate as its predecessors and as useful .

Consecration Of The Sterndale Bennett Lodge, No. 2182.

CONSECRATION OF THE STERNDALE BENNETT LODGE , No . 2182 .

The only new lodge in England warranted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master between the Quarterly Communications of September and December , 1886 , the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 2182 , was consecrated on the 16 th inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road . The reasons for establishing the lodge were well set forth by the Consecrating and

Installing Master , Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Reg ., in his opening address , and by the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., Past G . Chap ., but it may be added that while the lodge is intended principally for the convenience of those who make music a profession , it takes into the ranks of its members those who follow other callings , but who practise and have a love for the " Heavenly maid . " The great popularity of the idea of having a

musical lodge was testified by the large assemblage ot brethren wno came together to witness the consecration of the lodge . The ceremony was performed in the large hall , which afforded ample space for the effective working and for the general convenience of the brethren . The orchestra below the stage was filled wilh a choice collection of palms and terns , which were tastefully arranged , and the fine proportions of the lodge furniture were well displayed . _ „ . _

Bro . Philbrick , having taken the chair , appointed Bro . Col . bhadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , to take the chair of Senior Warden ; Bro . John Hayball Paul , M . D ., P . D . G . D . of C , to take the chair of Junior Warden ; Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Bro . James H . Matthews , P . G . Std . Br ., as Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br ., as Inner Guard . The musical portions of the i ui

ceremonies were under the direction ot bro . jonn nouges , -. m ., one the gentlemen of her Majesty ' s Chapel Royal . After the lodge had been formally opened , Bro . PHILBRICK , addressing the brethren , said they were met together on the present occasion , as they were all aware , for the purpose of consecrating this new lodge . These occasions were always of great interest to Freemasonry and Freemasons , but there were some reasons which rendered

Consecration Of The Sterndale Bennett Lodge, No. 2182.

this a peculiarly interesting occasion , one in which the interest was attested by the numerous gathering of brethren assembled . It was not now , if it _ ever was , an easy matter to obtain a warrant for a new lodge to meet within the London District , and any body of brethren which solicited from the M . W . G . M . a charter for a lodge to meet in London , could do so successfully only on condition of showing that the existence of the proposed lodge

was one which would likely to be attended with advantage to the Craft , and the lodge itself would have to show some valid and satisfactory reason for its being established upon the already numerous roll of lodges under thc a 5 gis of the Grand Lodge of England . On the present occasion the promoters of the lodge , which had received its warrant , and whose Masonic existence was to be given effect to , owed its establishment to the feeling of

a number of brethren more particularly who were given to harmonious pursuits , that there was room for a lodge to meet where they were now meeting , and which would possess within itself a very considerable musical element , that there always were a sufficient number of brethren of standing and position to warrant a confident expectation that the future progress of

the lodge might be such as to reflect credit upon its founders , and bring an accession of strength to the Masonic cause . Under those circumstances H . R . H . had been pleased to grant the warrant which occasioned this meeting , and he would now proceed with the ceremony of consecration of this Sterndale Bennett Lodge according to ancient usage . Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD , P . G . C , delivered an eloquent oration .

Then followed the usual formalities , and the lodge having been dedicated to the purposes of Freemasonry , Bro . Philbrick installed Bro . H . W . Little , Mus . Doc , as the W . M . of the lodge . Bro . Jas . Hill , W . M . 1658 , was invested by the W-M . to act as I . P . M . of the lodge ; and the officers invested were Bros . G . F . Smith , iun ., P . M ., S . W . ; H . Guy , T . W . ; R .

Clowes , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Clifford , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Venables , S . D . ; F . Cambridge , J . D . ; W . S . Hoyte , I . G . ; J . Hodges , P . M ., D . C . ; F . C . Atkinson , Org . ; J . E . Costello and J . H . Cureton , Stewards ; and Geo . White , Tyler . A vote of thanks was passed to the Consecrating Officers , who were also elected honorary members of the lodge ; and this vote having been acknowledged ,

'I he TREASURER requested the acceptance by Bros . Philbrick and Col . Shadwell H . Clerke of a Masonic jewel each , as a memorial of the day's celebration . The gift was accepted with thanks . The SECRETARY read out a list of gentlemen , with the names of their proposers and seconders , who desired initiation in the Sterndale Bennett Lodge . The number of candidates was 15 , and the Secretary said there were still other gentlemen who wished to come in .

The lodge was adorned by a banner , and the donor was accorded a vote of thanks for the gift . After the transaction of some other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The usual toasts followed . In proposing "The Queen and the Craft , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said the lodge would always have a landmark , and it would be able to look

back with pleasure on the fact that it was consecrated during the 50 th year of her Majesty's reign . In proposing the toast of " The M . W . G . M ., " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said the brethren were particularly grateful to the Prince of Wales for having favourably answered the prayer of their petition , and granted the charter for the lodge . He trusted he would have health and strength for many years to rule and direct the Craft .

Bro . the Rev . A . F . A . WOODFORD responded to the toast of " The Pro G . M ., the D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers . " Speaking from an experience of 40 years , he could say the more they studied Freemasonry the more wery they bound to like , love , and reverence it . It was the only institution he was aware of in the world which offered a meeting for men of distinct political and religious opinions . It was a happy thing that they could their differences outside

forget , and unite in making other people cheerful and contented , and show sympathy and friendship for one another . To Freemasonry they owed it that men of distant countries , and of most strongly pronounced religious views , were able to meet together in one lodge and work together in love and harmony , not only for Freemasonry , but for the benefit and solace of humanity . To his

mind it was one of the most striking features of Freemasonry that , attacked as it had been , denounced and calumniated , it had never failed to erect its one great banner of toleration and love of the human race . From what he saw he could augur well for the prosperity of the Sterndale Bennett Lodge . If they would continue in the future to promote the holy art of music of which they had heard that evening , not only would they

add to the harmony of the brethren , but to the furtherance of the science of Freemasonry , which was both artistic and complete in its scheme . If they supposed that Freemasonry was ever intended merely to subserve a ritual , or the happy social circle , they would reduce it at once to the level of any other beneficial institution ; but Freemasonry took a higher flight ,

wishing to bind together all men in a bond of toleration and goodwill and love for each other . He hoped the lodge would be as happy as it had been that evening , and if in after years they had as good a meeting as this , he was sure the Grand Officers would rejoice as heartily as they did on this occasion .

Bro . PHILBRICK proposed "The W . M . " Freemasons were a loyal body , and recognized a head ; and though they made no political allusions , they were democratic in this sense , that the throne cf the lodge was within