Consecration Of The Old Westminsters Lodge, No. 2233.

The Grand Officers would always be found doing their duty , and he thought that no brother could visit Grand Lodge without coming to the conclusion [ hat the Executive performed their work in a highly creditable manner . Speaking personally , he felt that , in returning thanks for that toast , he must be chargeable with many sins of omission . Their W . M . in his kind speech said that had he known the benefits of Masonry , he would have joined the

Apollo Lodge ; but he ( Bro . Williamson ) could assure the brethren that it was from no sin of omission on his part that he did not . He had no doubt , however , that Bro . Tomlinson would distinguish himself as much as a member of their lodge as he had in other capacities . It had afforded him great pleasure to attend the gathering that evening . He had always felt that , however much Freemasonry must bind them together , there was another

Freemasonry quite as strong , and that was the feeling which bound scholars in public schools together . He had been in strange quarters and climes , but no closer bond had he ever found than that which existed between men ed ucated in the same public school . If two men of the same school found themselves in the uttermost part of the earth , they would always endeavour to meet . The members of that lodge had p layed in the same fold , rowed in the same boat—possibly smarted under the same rod—and he was quite

prepared to say that the W . M . was no better than the other boys . It was perhaps ungenerous to recall those boyish escapades of the dignified Member oi Parliament who was now VV . M . of their lodge , and he would therefore draw a veil over those things , and would thank the brethren most sincerely for the kind way in which , they had received that toast . He would conclude with one word , applied to the Old Westminsters' Lodge , which always concluded Westminster gatherings— " Floreat . "

The GRAND SECRETARY then said that the VV . M . had allowed him to

propose the next toast . He was about to describe it by a name that was orig inal , and call it the toast of the evening . The brethren would know it was " The Health of the Worshipful Master and Prosperity to the Old Westminster Lodge . " During the last few years Bro . Tomlinson had blossomed forth as a Mason , and was now VV . M . of that lodge . It was a misfortune for the W . M . that his admission into the Order had been postponed

until later in life than the majority of those present , but he had made up for it , and had been VV . M . of a lodge in his own neighbourhood . It must also be a particular gratification to Bro . Tomlinson to be able to take the Mastership of that lodge , which , in his opinion , had a glorious future before it . If the brethren were but careful , and if they only admitted good members , they ought to have one of the most magnificent lodges possible . He

congratulated Bro . Tomlinson on his position , and also congratulated the lodge on having such a brother to occupy the chair . The lodge should be true to itseli , and with the experience of the members he could not see how it was possible to go wrong . If its success was marred , it would be their own fault . He asked them to join with him enthusiastically and heartily in drinking the health of the VV . M . and success to the lodge .

Bro . W . E . TOMLINSON , M . P ., VV . M ., said he had to thank the Grand Secretary for the kind manner in which he had coupled his name with the toast . Bro . Williamson had already referred to the fact that his Masonic life was but short , and he could assure them that he never deemed it possible that he might be selected for the first VV . M . of that lodge . He said a few words in the lodge which very imperfectly expressed the honour he felt at

his position . He gladly accepted the remarks of the G . Secretary who predicted a glorious future for the lodge . In looking forward , they hoped the future initiates would be called upon to respect the charter which contained the names of those who were the first officers of the Iodge—a position than he could imagine no higher distinction . In the name of the Old Westminsters' Lodge , he thanked the visitors for the cordial manner in which they

had supported the toast . If their lodge flourished as the School had done , it would not only assist that School in maintaining its old reputation , but would be handed down to posterity as one of the best lodges in London . He wished to ask the brethren to drink the health of that distinguished Mason who had so kindly attended as their consecrating officer . It was no slight grati fication to them to see the consecration performed in the manner it had been by the G . Secretary , and he was sure full honour would be

accorded the toast by the founders . He thought that no brother present could go away irom the consecration that day without being deeply impressed , and he could only say what he had seen had impressed him with the importance of the duties he had undertaken , and had made him decide that while he occupied the position of W . M . the lodge should not suffer from any inaccuracies in the performance of his duties . He was sure that all present would join him in cordially drinking to " The Health of the Consecrating officer , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . "

The GRAND SECRETARY , in reply , said that , having already taken up their time , he was sure they would not expect him to say much , except to assure them that he was deeply sensible of their appreciation of his small services . It was his duty to render those services , but it was a great pleasure to have the privilege of assisting at the launching of such an excellent

lod ge as that promised to be . He should be very ungrateful were he not to acknowled ge the services of those who so kindly assisted him in the ceremony . There was , first , the cosmopolitan brother on his right , Bro . Hyde Clarke , whose assistance he was proud to have . He was also indebted to Bros . General Randolph , Rev . Spencer Stanhope , and Frank Richardson . Were it not for the excellent services of those brethren it would have been

impossible for him to have carried out the work . He spoke on behalf of those brethren when he said that it had been a great pleasure to them to be Present and to assist in starting the Old Westminster ' s Lodge on ils honourable career . They would watch the future interest of the lodge with the greatest attention and interest .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then said that the toast he had next the P ' / > ure of proposing was one the members would gladly drink , for it was me health of a brother who had taken an important part in the ceremonies , u vvas " The Health of the Installing Master , Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , " * ho , he was proud to say , was on Old Westminster . That distinguished rother

was a competent Mason , and the manner in which he had performed s duties that day had gratified them all . Bro . Sandeman wished him to * P ^ to the brethren his great regret that he was obliged to leave . They ^ 'ould , however , cordially drink his health , more especially as he had con--entedI to undertake the duties of Immediate Past Master .

The Visitors" was next given by the W . M . He said they were oured with the presence of many distinguished members of various asonic lodges , and in particular several members of Grand Lodge . The da ft appreciated their kindness in attending to inaugurate lhe birththe - ' 0 (^ S ' ^ '' would not therefore be necessary for him to ask ¦¦ ai ™ l ° f ™^ ^ toast ' cordial manner . He coupled with the toast the y ' ear ^ ° l ^ ros" Hyde Claike , and Pope , whom he had known for many s 5 and there were two brethren he should include , to whom they were

Consecration Of The Old Westminsters Lodge, No. 2233.

indebted for the facility with which the arrangements had been carried for « ward—Bros . Scratchley and Horace White . Bro . HYDE CLARKE , P . G . Master of Colombia , in reply si ' id the toast had been placed in the hands of so many brethren , that perhaps they would permit him to speak personally , leaving the others to answer for the rest of the visitors . He could assure them that he felt it a high honour , and he

might say a duty imposed upon him , when the Grand Secretary asked him to take part in the consecration . He held the Grand Secretary in hi gh esteem and regard , and the brethren would feel that in the progress of Masonry in their time , Bro . Col . Clerke had been the first man , for he had carried out the difficult affairs of administration with the abilities necessary for the wide spread of the Order . He felt great gratification on the present

occasion as he knew many of the members , and also because he felt a veneration for the school with which his family had a very old connection . The circumstances under which that lodge was started , were calculated to give extreme pleasure to Old Westminsters . If it was carried out in the same way in which it had commenced , it must have one continued career of prosperity . The members had an opportunity not only of doing good work for

Masonry , but good work for their school . He thanked them for the compliment paid him by drinking his health , and also for the still greater compliment of electing him an honorary member . He felt it was an honour worthy of remembrance by him to the close of what had been a long Masonic career . Bros . S . POPE , Q . C , P . G . D ., SCRATCHLEY , and HORACE WHITE replied . The W . M . proposed "The Officers , " and said that several of the

officers had occupied positions in various lodges , and had acquired a knowledge of Masonry that would be valuable to them in the Old Westminsters ' Lodge . They were also known for their devotion to the school , and for the active part they had always taken in everything connected wilh it . There was no brother to whom they were more indebted than Bro . H . H , Hyde Clarke , the Secretary , who had been indefatigable in his exertions since the

idea was conceived of starting the lodge . Bro . REGINALD T . MURE , S . W ., returned thanks on behalf of the officers . Bro . H . H . HYDE CLARKE , Sec , said he had not expected to be called upon to respond , but he did not regret it for two reasons . Firstly , as it enabled him to mention and express his personal thanks to several brethren who had rendered valuable assistance , and also to return thanks for the verv

kind way in which the VV . M . had spoken of his small efforts . It had required a considerable amount of tact , not only to find out those brethren who were Old Westminsters , but also to ascertain whether many old scholars were Masons . Although they held a meeting last year , he could remember that Bro . Wakley talked the matter over 7 or 8 years ago , and said it would be a good thing in the interests of the school , and of Masonry ,

if a lodge could be established . It was about 14 months ago the matter was seriously taken in hand , and he was pleased to know the lodge had at last been successfully established . Up to the present it had been a success , and those who had worked have reaped the reward . The W . M . had referred to his services . The success was , however , due not only to his work , but also to the great help so kindly given by Old Westminsters and other brethren . They were very much indebted to the Grand Secretary who could

not have rendered better assistance or given greater encouragement than he had . The members were also gratelul to Bro . Sandeman , the acting I . P . M ., who had always been ready with his advice . He returned sincere thanks to Bro . Wakley , who had given a great deal of time , and had rendered every assistance in his power . Bros . Mure and Sutherland had also been energetic in the completion of the arrangements . On his own behalf he returned sincere thanks for the kind manner in which his name had been mentioned and received .

I he Tyler s toast then closed the proceedings . The toast list was interspersed with an excellent selection of music ad mirably rendered by Bros . Schartau , Hanson , and Kempton . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The On Slow Lodge, No. 2234, At Guildford.

CONSECRATION OF THE ON SLOW LODGE , No . 2234 , AT GUILDFORD .

On Tuesday last a new lodge , named the Onslow Lodge , No . 2234 , was consecrated at the Constilutional Hall , Guildford . There was a large attendance of present and past Provincial Grand Officers and other members of the Craft , including the Prov . Grand Mister of Surrey , Bro ,

General J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B . ; the Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Surrey , Bro . Frederick West ; the Prov . Grand Sec , Bro . Greenwood ; the Prov . Grand Senior Warden , Bro . Belton ; the Provincial Grand Director of Cermonies , Bro . Francis ; the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . Meyrick ; and Prov . Grand I . G ., Bro . A . F . Asher .

All the preliminaries had been excellently carried out by the founders of the lodge , the lodge room being perfect in all its appointments . The consecration ceremony was ably performed by the Prov . Grand Master , General Brownrigg , and then Bro . George Payne , P . M .. P . P . G . D . C Surrey , was installed by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master of Surrey , Bro , West , as the first W . M . of the new lodge , Bro . West conducting the function in a most impressive manner .

The VV . M . then invested the officers of the lodge as follows : Bros . J . Ball , P . M . 1564 , S . W . j S . George , P . M . 813 , J . W . ; E . Miles , Steward 2101 , S . D . j G . Burrell , J . D . ; and G . B . Cocksedge , I . G . Bro . E . H . Hitchcock is the Treasurer of the lodge , and Bro . T . Dodd , VV . M , 2101 , the Secretary .

At the conclusion of the business the brethren adjourned to the White Hart Hotel , where a recherche banquet was provided by Host Tweedale . The following was the toast list : "' The Oueen and the Craft j" "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ; the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon j the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Pastj" "The Prov . G . Master of Surrey , Bro . General J . Studholme Brownrigg , C . B . ;

the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Frederick West ; and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present andPast ; " "The Prov . Grand Master of Hants and the Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . Bramston Beach , M . P ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past ; " "The Worshipful Master , Bro . George Payne , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey j" "The Visiting Brethren j" "The Officers of the Onslow Lodge j" "The Banquet Committee j" and the Tyler ' s toast .

The toasts were interspersed with some capital vocal selections by Bros , Cully , Dodd , Geen , Berry , and others . " Hearty good wishes " were generall y expressed for the prosperity of the new lodge , and it is anticipated that it will prove one of the most successful in the county of Surrey .