United Grand Lodge.

26531 The Coalfields Lodge , Springs , Transvaal . 2654 , The Arter Lodge , Moseley , Worcestershire . 2655 The Queen Victoria Lodge , St . Budeaux , Devon . Nominations for the office of Grand Treasurer . Bro . Alderman Walter Vaughan Morgan , P . M . Burli * gton Lodge , No . 9 6 . London , by Bro . James Stephens , P . M . Lod g ' . No . 2308 ; and Bro . Major Clifford Probyn , P . M . Old Dundee Lodge , No . 18 , London ( since withdrawn ) , by Bro . William Wi odward , W . M . Lodge No . 1920 .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

The following is the business to be transacted on Tuesday , the 2 nd prox .: 1 . Read and , if approved , confirm minutes of Q jart ; rly Communication of 2 nd December , 1896 . 2 . ELction of the M . W . Grand Master for the ensuing year . 3 . Eke im of the Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . 4 . Repot t of the General Board .

5 . A Motion will be made that the report ba taken as read . 6 . A m Jtion will be made th at the repjrt be received and entered on the minutes . 7 . Recommendation arising out of the report" That the sum of £ 2 $ be voted to the widow of a brother of St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 1 . " 8 . A motion will be proposed that the report be adopted .

Consecration Of The Marcians Lodge, No. 2648.

CONSECRATION OF THE MARCIANS LODGE , No . 2648 .

The Marcians Lodge , No . 2648—the members of which are , or have been , associated with St . Mark ' s College and Schools—was consecrated at the Trocadero Restaurant , on the 22 nd instant , in the presence of a very large gathering of well-known Masons . The first W . M . of the new lodge —who is to be congratulated on the favourable auspices under which his term of office has commenced—is Bro . J . R . Cleave , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D .

Surrey . The Consecrating Officer , Bro . E . Letchworth , P . G D ., G . Sec , was assisted by B-os . Sir T . O'Brien , K . C . M . G ., P . G D ., as S . W . ; Sir G . D . Harris-, P . G D ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , D . P . G . M . Bucks , as Chap . ; Frank Ricl ardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . , * and J . D . Langton , Dep . G . D . C , as I . G . Lodge was opened in the Three Degrees , and a hymn was sung .

The CONSECRATING OFFICER then addressed the brethren , and said In view of the somewhat lengthy ceremony before us I will not presume to occupy your lime for many moments with any words of my own . We are met to-day , as } ou are aware , for the purpose of undertaking a very interesting and , at the same time , a very solemn duty in constituting a new

lodge and dedicating it to the service of God . I can only express a hope tbat this new Ldge may be the means of advancing the very best interests of Mascnry , and that it may do that which I believe the founders had more especially in view—bring more closely together those who have been associated in tier school days—and that it may have before it a career of the greatest possible prosperity .

Prayer was offered by ihe CHAPLAIN , and the founders signified their approval of the officers named in the warrant . An anthem was sung and the Iodge was solemnl y constituted and dedicated with the usual solemnity after an eloquent oration had been delivered by the Chaplain . Bro . J . R . Cleave , P . J . G . D . Surrey , was next pre- ^ nted as W . M . designate , and duly installed into the chair by the Grand Secretary .

The Treasurer and T ) ler were elected and the fallowing officers were invested : Bros . J . Easterbrook . P . M ., I . P . M . ; Rev . C . J . Smi ; . h , S . W . ; T . Simpson , J . W . ; Rev . G . W . Gmt , Chap . ; J . W . Jarvis , Treas . j A . H . Waller , Sec . ; T . Gunning , S . D . ; R . M . Galliff . J . D . ; A . Saunders , D . if C . ; F . Miintzer , I . G . ; J . A . Perrett and C . E . Belts , Stwds . ; and J . Wtiiteman , T \ ltr .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed a cordial vote of ( hanks to the Consecrating Officeisfor their able and impressive rendering of the ceremony , and lhat they should be elected Honorary Members . Tnis was unanimously cairied , and the Grand Secretary tendered his best thanks for

the compliment paid them . They attended wi . h pleasure and regarded it as a hij-h honour to be elected Honorary Members . The Consecrating Officeis were also presented w ' th a founders' jawel as a memento of an interesting occasion . A letter was read from the Duke of Abercorn , who expressed his great regret lhat illness prevented his attendance , and also expressed every good wish for the future success of the lodge .

Numerous proportions were received for initiation and joining , and the ledge was closed . After bar quel , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER briefly proposed "The Queen and lhe Crali . ' In giving ¦' H . R . H . the Prince of WaWs , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER

said his Royal Highntss had presided over the Craft for upwards of 21 years , and look the keenest interest in the petitions for warrants laid before him , in the selectkn of Grand Officers , and in the three Grand Institutions . His Royal Highness presided at the Centenary of the Girls' School , and it was hoped he would also preside at a similar Festival of the Boys' School next year .

_ The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed " The Grand Officers , " and said the Pro . G . M . and Dep . G . M . had presided over their respective Provinces of Lancashire and Kent for many years with great success , and London Masons had had opportuniiies of appreciating the able manner in which they had presided at Grand Lodge . In the presence of so many distinguished members of Grand Lodge , it was needless for him to say anything further in recommending the toast .

Bro . the Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , Dep . Prov . G . M . Bucks , in h s teply , said he was glad to have taken part in the consecration of a lodge connected with a college so near to his own heart . In years to come the Principals of that college would become bishops , and the pupils would develope into important positions , but there was one who remained iir * -

Consecration Of The Marcians Lodge, No. 2648.

movable , and that was the Secretary of the National Society , who always carried any burden thrown upon him by St . Mark's College with pleasure . He thought he was the lirst Secretary of the National Society who had been a Mason , and as they failed in that one particular , he had been able to eclipse them all .

"The Consecrating Officers" was submitted by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , who said the Marcians Lodge had been particularly fortunate in the Grand Officers selected to conduct the ceremony . No one who was present in the lodge could have failed to have been impressed with the solemn and dignified manner in which the courteous and popular Grand Secretary conducted the ceremonies . The brethren desired to express their

gratitude to Bro . Rev . Studholme Brownrigg for his eloq lent oration , and for the very keen interest he hid taken in the lodge . Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , P . G . D ., G . Sec , in response , said : Although I am deeply sensible of the high compliment the VV . M . has paid me in connecting my name w ith lhe toast , I cannot but w * sh he had associated with it the name of one of those distinguished Grand Officers who have done this

lodge and done me the great honour of assisting in the consecration . It is the duty of Grand Officers from time to time to take part in ceremonies of this character , and this is the first of three consecrations which I shall have the pleasure and great honour of performing this week . I will not disguise that somt times a consecration is undertaken with a Utile misgiving as to whether the lodge they were starting into existence would justify its existence

in the future , but I have no hesitation in saying that we have no misgivings on the present occasion . We are satisfied , whether we look to the brethren who compose this lodge—the founders—or whether we look to those who have recommended this Iodge—and amongst them there was no less a personage than the Duke of Abercorn , G . Master of Ireland , who used his infl aence—I can assure you the warrant wasgranted with thegreatest possible pleasure and

the greatest confidence that the lodge would be a great and permanent success , I can only say , on behalf of those who have been associated with me , and on my own behalf , that we wish this lodge the greatest prosperity in the future , and on their behalf , allow me to thank you for the compliment paid them in the toast just drunk . And now may I be permitted to propose the toast of the evening . 1 ask you to join in drinking " The Health of the Worshipful

Master , " whom I have been privileged to place in the chair of your lodge to-night . He is so well known to you all , and so beloved by you all , that no words of mine are necessary to commend him to your notice . Bro . Cleave is already a Past Master of a lodge in which he has taken the greatest interest , and I believe ihere are few in the Craft who have taken a greater

interest in promoting the interests of the Charities . I am told that in the Molesey Ledge he is the Charily Representative for Surrey , and in that capacity has rendered great service to the Masonic Charities . I am sure I am expressing the feelings of all in wishing him a most pleasant and most prosperous year of office , and I have the greatest pleasure in proposing his health on this occasion .

Bro . J . R . CLEAVE , W . M ., after thanking the G . Secretary and brethren , said : I assure you I am deeply sensible of the honour of being your first Master , especially when there are many capable brethren among the founders who would , I am sure , have done so much better . I imagine that the reason I was asked , is because I take a very keen interest in Masonry , and I am also a very old St . Mark ' s boy . It is just about 30 years ( half a

diamond jubilee ) since I left the school . However , being in this position , you may rest assured I shall do my very best to promote the success of the Marcians' Lodge . The work , and it is not considerable , in connection with the formation of a lodge , has been very pleasant and comparatively easy owing to the unanimity which has characterised all the preliminary meetings and the desire of everybody to help it along . I shall have to refer later

on to the assistance I have received from a great many , indeed , nearly all the founders ; I will not , therefore , take up any more of your time , but conclude by again thanking you . Bro . the Rev . C J . SMITH , S . W ., proposed " The Visitors , " and said he had a new book before him with page after page of signatures , and they would therefore sympathise with him in his task . There was an old proverb

— " 1 ell me who your companions are and I wilt tell you what kind of man you are . " Applied to a lodge , he would say— " Tell me who your visitors are and I will tell you what kind of a lodge you are . " He remembered reading in a paper lhat Masonry consisted of childish secrets administered amongst mystical surroundings . He wished the writer could have been with them that day . The W . M . was such a distinguished Mason and thoroughly good fellow that he had secured by his own eminence the eminent

gathering that evening . Bro . E . ST . CLAIR , A . G . D . C , in responding , said he thought that under a golden rule Grand Officers , having been honoured with a toast , were not called upon to reply to lhat toast . As a P . M . and thi D . C . of La France Lodge , he had received lhe guests in lhat lodge , aimngst them many founders of this lodge . It was a great treat to see a lod ^ e started in such an auspicious manner as the IMarci ins had been , and on behalf of the visitors he returned sincere thanks .

Bro . C . O . BURGESS , P . P . G . D . Surrey , thankrd the S . W . for the eloquent and graceful terms in which the toast had been proposed . All the visitors wished prosperity to the lodge , and foresaw lor it a great future . With such a brother as W . M . it could not fail to be a power in the land , anil a model lodge . The W . M . was a p * rfect exponent of the ritual , and would

be an example to the officers of a lodge which was a welcome addition to the already lengthy roll of their great Metropolis . Bros . J . VV . BURGESS , P . P . G . D . West Lines , and Bucks ; Rev . J . H . SMITH , P . P . G . C . ; HOOPER , W . M . 1987 , * and H . TESTARD . P . M . 2060 , also replied .

In introducing " The Officers , " the W . M . referred to the very excellent body of officers by whom he was supported . Bro . Eisterbrook , acting I . P . M ., was an extremely capable and experienced Mason , who ^ e assistance had been of the greatest value in the formation of the lodge . Tne Treasurer and Secretary—Bros . Jarvis and Waller—had worked together like Siamese

twins , and had it not be ^ n for those two brethren their lodge would not have been starled . He had never come into contact with two brethren whom it had given him greater pleasure and satisfaction to work with . Bro . J , EASTERIIROOK , acting I . P . M ., returned thanks , and expressed his pleasure in supporting the W . M ., who had presented the Iodge with the collars and other beautiful insignia .

Bro . T . SIMPSON , J . VV ., also replied , after which Bro . W IIITEMAN gave the Tyler ' s toast . Bros . May , Nicholl , Kift , and Clive rendered the musical portions of the ceremony , and were assisted in the after dinner programme by Mr . Fred Upton ,