Consecration Of The Palatine Lodge, No.1447, At Manchesrer.

CONSECRATION OF THE PALATINE LODGE , NO . 1447 , AT MANCHESRER .

The consecration of the above lodge took place on Friday , the 20 th inst ., at the Palatine Hotel . The consecration ceremony commenced about three o ' clock , when there was a very large attendance of influential brethren , including the Consecrating Officers , Bros . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Prov . G . M . ; Fritz Reiss , P . S . G . W ., as S . VV . ; N . A . Earle , P . P . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; W . I-I . Peak , P . G . D . C , as D . C ; Rev . R . W . Perry-Circuite , P . G . C ., as Chap . ; and John Chadwick , P . G . S . B ., P . G . Sec .

The following founders were present : Bros . Fred . Broadsmith , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; G . S . Smith , P . M . ; W . Ramsden , P . P . G . D . ; G . Alfred Myers , P . M . ; Hubert J . Owen , W . Paul Fawcus , J . J . Tinker , J . Hardwicke-Marsh , W . Spencer , George Graham , and John Newton . Among the visitors present were—Bros . Edmund Ashworth , P . G . D . England ; J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br . England ; T . D . Murray , Grand Treas . Eng . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . G . W ., Chairman of the

East Lancashire Systematic and Educational and Benevolent Institution ; E . Bigoe Bagot , P . P . G . C ; C Collingwood , P . P . G . D . C ; M . Thomas , P . P . G . D . ; W . Russell , P . A . G . D . C . ; James W . Abbott , P . P . G . D . C ; Geo . H . Holt , P . G . D . ; James Newton , P . A . G . Sec , Sec . to the East Lancashire Systematic Educational and Benevolent Institution ; W . S . Weeks , P . P . G . Reg . ; Henry Heeps , P . P . G . D . of C . ; Richard Newhouse , Prov . Grand Secretary Cheshire ; W . R . Dutton . P . P . A G . D . C . ; Rev . W . R . Clayton , P . P . G . C . ; T . L . Davies ,

P . G . Supt . of Works ; J . R . Duckworth , P . G . S . ; Alfred Griffiths , P . P . G . O . ; Lucas Edleston , P . G . S . ; John Sandiford , P . G . P . ; G . A . Page , P . A . G . P . ; C . D . Cheetham , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . Hothersall , P . P . G . D . D . C . ; James Andrew , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . Wildgoose , P . P . G . D . C . ; Geo . E . Hilder , P . G . S . ; Major John Booth , Prov . S . G . D . ; Joseph Pollard , P . G . Treas . ; A . Clegg , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Barker , P . P . G . P . ; Hy . Stevens , Mus . Bac , Prov . G . O . ; F . N . Molesworth , P . G . Reg . ; H . H . Warburton , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . W . Kenyon , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . N . Leresche , P . P . G . Reg . ; John Studd , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Sturip , P . G . S . ; R . T .

Sutcliffe , P . M . ; R . Armitage , P . M . ; Wm . Lyon , P . M . ; Geo . W . Yapp , P . M . ; A . J . Howarth , P . M . ; F . W . Lean , P . M . ; Peter Jackson , P . M . ; J . W . Milhvard , P . M . ; W . H . Kershaw , P . M . ; W . Dunville , P . M . ; A . Lewtas , P . M . ; Joseph Gregory , P . M . ; A . H . Duffin , P . M . ; G . Grant , W . W . Hitching , J . B . Wood , H . P . Hornsey , N . T . Holyoak , F . Berry , G . T . Lee , W . T . Blease , A . J . Haworth , T . Wollaston , Cuthbert Blacon , P . Jones , C O . Wilkinson , C . A . Wright , Robert Oswald , W . J . Sherlock , N . Jones , G . E . Marlow , Elijah Meggett , J . O . Jelly , P . G . Chap . ; W . H . Preston , F . Lane , W . L . Mills , J . T . Bowker , and E . Webb .

The brethren having assembled m the lodge room , the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Colonel Le Gendre Starkie , Prov . Grand Master , with his assistant officers , together with such of the Prov . Grand Officers as were present , entered in procession , when the Presiding Officer took the chair , and opened the lodge . The PRESIDING OFFICER then addressed the brethren in regard to the object for which they had assembled together , after which the Chaplain , by his direction , offered up prayer .

Bro . JOHN CHADWICK , Prov . Grand Secretary addressed the Presiding Officer . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER replied , and gave directions that the brethren of the new lodge be arranged in order , that the Secretary might read the petition and warrant . After the brethren approved of the officers named ,

The following beautiful oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . R . W . PERRY-CIRCUITE , P . G . Chap .: Brethren , —I have been , in virtue of my office , of which I am justly proud , requested to say a few words to you on this very important occasion upon the nature and principles of our glorious Order . But , first of all , let me ask you to consider for a few moments the great importance of the occasion on which we are met . The consecration of a new lodge is not only an important event in the history of

Freemasonry in any particular province , but it ought to act as a reminder to every brother present of the principles upon which his new lodge was founded , and the manner in which he himself was initiated , passed , and raised , and it is , therefore , certain when we can each seriously ask ourselves—Have we been true and faithful to the promises made , and obedient to the lessons taught in each successive step of our Masonic life ? Freemasonry is founded upon , and its principles directed by , the Word of the Eternal God— "the Volume of the Sacred Law "—it has well

been said , " which lies open in the lodge , on which our members are pledged to the due performance of their duty , from which rises the ladder which , by the steps of Faith , Hope , and Charity , conducts us to the ethereal mansions of the Grand Lodge above . " That volume contains in its holy pages the square and compasses , from whose mystical combinations we learn the duties which we owe to God , to our neighbour , and ourselves . The three great , though emblematical , lights in Freemasonry teach us to rule and govern our factors , to regulate our

conduct , and to circumscribe our desires . The Holy Volumewhich is to the inner life what the germ is to the material world , shed its beams of love and mercy into every willing heart , and teaches us to walk humbly and uprightly before God , measuring our conduct to our fellow men by the square , and keeping within the boundary of the compass every question and thought , so that our words and actions—purified from every malignant and baneful passion may ascend to the throne of grace pure and

unpolluted . " Such is the beautiful description of an order given by one whose name will always be thankfully remembered in Masonic Circles , I mean Bro . William Remain Calender , and no words of mine could have been , I am sure , more appropriate on this occasion than those I have ventured to read . We are met to consecrate a new lodge , to set up another Masonic temple to the honour and service of the Great Architect , and future welfare and fraternal intercourse of the brethren . Let us see that every outward symbol of our Masonic Ritual is

thus realised in the daily practice of our lives . Let us take care that true Masonic princip les rule and govern the lodge , and that no one shall pass the entrance whom we would not admit into the circle of our own families . We have our secrets , our signs and symbols , known only to those who belong to our Craft , secrets which are valuable and precious , as by them we are bound more intimately in the bond of brotherhood , but the principles upon which our order is founded , these are no secrets , and the world

ought certainly to be able to discover that the man is a Mason by the mode of his life and upright conduct . Brethren , at the present time Masonry has been most unjustifiably attacked by one whose high office ought to have discovered the truth of the principle of existing societies before he denounces one in so wholesale and uncharitable a manner . Masonry spread over the whole surface of the globe cannot , of course , be perfect . There are , and ever will be , black sheep in every community . There wiil be those who , sheltering themselves under the

cloak of a false profession , will work for their own ends and purposes . But this is an universal truth , and it would be as unfair to denounce Charity itself because all its professions are not due to its holy principles as to denounce an order , built as it is on a Divine Foundation , and illumined and worked by the sacred princip les upon which I have spoken , because a pseudo-foreign Masonry is false to its great principles , and works for ends and by means which Masons , true Masons , would be too just to denounce . Facts speak for themselves , and no work , if honestly and faithfully done—quietly , and without ostentation—must have in

Consecration Of The Palatine Lodge, No.1447, At Manchesrer.

the future , as in the past , in spite of all unjust condemnations from however powerful a source they may come , a mighty influence for ever . It has permeated through every grade of society , and shed on all the new light of knowledge . Truth and love and this stream shall widen forth more and more as it traverses the space of time , and its living waters deepen the channel of Divine and Fratern al love as it approaches the Great Eternal . "

A most beautiful anthem followed , which had been specially composed for the occasion b y Bro . H . Stevens , Mus . Bac , Prov . G . Orgst . The Presiding Officer then proceeded to dedicate and constitute the lodge , and the ceremony was brought to a close with the final benediction . The P . G . Master then retired from the chair , and appointed Bro . G . S . Smith , P . M ., as Installing Master .

Bro . Fred . Broadsmith , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., P . Z ., P . P . G . Soj ., was presented to the Installing Officer by Bro . W . H . Peak , P . G . D . C , and was duly installed into the chair of King Solomon , who was then saluted . The working Tools were presented by Bros . J . Hardwicke-Marsh , W . M . 10 70 , and George Alfred Myers , P . M . The warrant was presented by the Installing Master .

the newly-installed W . M . invested his officers , and addressed them himself as follows : —Bros . Hubert J . Owen , S . W . ; W . Paul J . Fawcus , J . W . ; John Joseph Tinker , Treas . ; J . Hardwicke Marsh , W . M ., Sec . ; George Graham , S . D . ; George A . Myers , J . D . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., D . C . ; John Newton , I . G . ; and William Spencer and I . Metcalfe , Stwds .

The address to the W . M . was given by Bro . J . H . SILLITOE , P . G . S . B . ; that to the Wardens by Bro . FRITZ REISS , P . G . VV . ; and to the brethren by Bro . W . H . PEAK , P . G . D . C . Great praise is due to Bro Peak for the admirable manner in which all the proceedings were carried out , as everything was done admirably and not a single hitch occurred during all the most impressive ceremony . We

cannot speak too highly of the musical portion under the direction of Bro . H . Stevens , Mus . Bac , P . G . Org ., and the vocalists were Bro . W . H . Kershaw , P . M . ; Cuthbert Blacow , W . Dunville , P . M . ; and A . Lewtas , P . M . There were seven propositions for initiation and five joining . After " Hearty good wishes" had been given , the lodge was closed by the W . M .

Subsequently a banquet was held at which the W . M . presided ( the P . G . M . having to leave from a previous engagement ) . There were about 50 present and the banquet was of a most recherche character , and had been prepared by Bro . C . O . Wilkinson , the proprietor . The tables were profusely decorated with roses and other rare flowers and plants , which gave them a most brilliant and picturesque appearance .

The usual loyal and Masonic toast list was gone through , and all were heartily given and received . Owing to limit of space we are unable to give them in detail . But a most enjoyable evening was spent . The lodge was furnished beautifully throughout by Bro . George Kenning .

Consecration Of The St.Martin's Lodge, No.2445.

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . MARTIN'S LODGE , NO . 2445 .

The consecration of a new lodge within the Metropolitan area is now of such rare occurrence , that the inauguration of the St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 2455 , naturally attracted a large number of brethren anxious to witness the interesting proceedings , congratulate the founders on their good fortune in obtaining a charter from H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., and wish the lodge

"Godspeed" on what will doubtless prove a brilliant and useful career . The consecration look place at the St . Martin ' s Town Hall , Charing Cross , on Monday , the 16 th inst ., and was performed b y Bro . Edward Letchworth , P . G . D ., G . Sec , assisted by Bros . Major-Gen . J . Crossland Hay , C . B ., S . G . D ., as S . W . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C ., D . P . G . M . Bucks , as Chap .: F . Richardson ,

P . G . D ., as D . C ; and Lieut .-Col . G . Lambert , F . S . A ., P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The following is a list of the founders : Bros . C . S . Lee , P . M ., W . M . designate ; T . P . Baptie , J . P ., P . M ., S . W . designate ; J . Willing , P . M ., J . W . designate ; W . J . Farthing , P . M . ; J . Strachan , P . P . S . G . W . Northumberland ; G . W . Murnane ; W . B . Fendick , P . P . G . S . B . Bucks ; Chas . Mason ; Wm . Challice ; H . T . Brickwell ; Geo . Marshall ; Sir Augustus

Harris , P . G . Treas . ; Major Clifford Probyn ; J . M . Andrews , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; W . Emden , W . S . Cross , and Thos . Prescott . The visitors present were—Bros . W . G . Lemon , P . A . G . D . C ; J . C . Remington , P . D . G . M . New South Wales ; C E . Keyser , J . G . D . ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D . ; Edward Terry , P . G . Treas . ; Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; R . Clowes , P . G . S . B . ; H . Sadler , Grand

lyler ; W . H . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; F . Dewsbury , P . M . 1599 ; R . W . Steggles , S . D . 2398 ; C Ashplant , 179 ; W . Jennings , J . W . 142 ; C W . Hall , 1599 ; J . T . Morland , D . P . G . M . Berks ; T . W . Richardson , P . M . 2029 ; F . Cundall , 1599 ; W . Godson , 2150 ; F . Jackson , W . M . 1987 ; J . Hare , Stwd . 198 7 ; J . F . Arnold , 2157 ; F . S . Smith , Org . 2272 ; G . Laker , P . M . 55 ; C . Harris , P . M . 1599 ;

James Stephens , P . M . ; H . E . Pollard ; W . H . Gardener , W . M . 771 , P . P . S . G . W . Berks ; F . Stallard , P . M . 1613 ; George May , 771 ; F . Kedge , P . M . 2191 ; R . J . Lamonby , W . M . 2309 ; jubal Webb , P . M . 55 ; C . Spark , P . M . 140 ; j . Potter , W . M . 2361 ; H . F . Manisty , 1610 ; E . J . Wickenden , J . D . 1599 ; E . G . Mansell , 879 ; R . A . Germaine , 2033 ; Egbert Roberts , P . P . G . Org . ; W . W . Lee , W . M . 2381 , J . W . 1897 ; and many others .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . Sir J . B . Monckton , Geo , Hopkinson , Dep . G . D . C . ; Kobt . Grey , Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) j Sir Geo . D . Harris . Valentine , P . G . Purst . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . R . ; A . Laurence , W . M . 523 , Leicester ; A . M . Laurence , St . John the Baptist' ? , Exeter ; and J . M . McLeod , Sec . K . M . I . B . Lodge was opened in due form , and the opening hymn— " Hail Eternal , by whose aid" —sung by the brethren .

1 he CONSECRATING OFFICER then said : We are met here to-day on a matter of great Masonic interest—for the purpose of constituting and consecrating a new lodge , and of adding one more to the long list of lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . The lodge we are about to consecrate to-day will be known hereafter as the St . Martin ' s Lodge , No . 2455 , which takes its name from the Saint to whom this royal parish is

dedicated . I do not know whether St . Martin was himself a Mason , but whether he was a Mason or not , he is credited with possessing to a very eminent degree that quality of Charity which we , as Masons , so much admire . At a time when warrants are not granted as a mailer of course , I think I may fairly congratulate the founders of this lodge on the fact that H . R . H . the M . W . CM . at once acceded lo the prayer of their petition . I will not venture to say whether , in doing so , H . R . H . was animated bv the

knowledge that he himself is a member of this distinguished parish , b ' ut I think I may say it afforded H . R . H . very great pleasure in acceding to the prayer of the petition sent by so many of his fellow-parishioners . I congratulate this lodge most heartily on having as their first Master a brother of great experience in the Craft , and under whose able managementassisted , as he will be , by the other officers named in the warrant—I venture to believe this lodge has before it a very prosperous career . That