Consecration Of The Sterndale Bennett Chapter, No. 2182.

A e fi-1- G T . Carter , 145 ; Theo . Distin , 742 ; F . Kedge , lit ; Geo . R . ' ifiv S B 1326 ; 0 . R . Williams , S . N . t 2 ; and W . W . Lee , 1524 . Jjan -rhe chapter was opened by the Principals present , and the companions ^' a ' l ^ Presidin" - Officer , Comp . Col . SHADWELL II . CLERKE , then addressed the consecration

anions , and said they had met on an interesting occasion—the C ? new Royal Arch Chapter . It was nearly three years since many now a bled were present in the same room to see a lodge—called the Sterndale u " ott Lod ge—consecrated by Comp . Philbrick , the G . Reg . Since then the i 1 ™ e had been successful and had enrolled a goodly number of worthy members , rt the members had recently thought it would be but right to put the cope stone their work by having a Royal Arch Chapter attached , and not have to go " broad to see this Sublime Degree . They had accordingly petitioned tbe M . E . + he First Grand Principal for a charter , which had been granted and signed by ff R . H and they had met that day to give effect to that charter and to establish chapter according to ancient custom . He would commence the ceremony by S kine the M . E . the D . C to open the proceedings in the usual manner . 83 The D IRECTOR OF CEREMONIES read the petition and charter , and the comanions of the new chapter signified their approval of the officers nominated in Ihe latter to preside over them . The following oration was delivered by Comp . the Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWI !" - BIGG acting J .: It is quite proper that , when special Masonic organisations are heinn-dail formed in connection with special professions , there should bo found

y room for fome specially connected with the science of music . I do not think ( if kept within proper limits ) that this increasing number of what I may perhaps call class lodges and chapters is undesirable . Every human institution will do well to adapt itself , so far as it can do so without sacrifice of principle , to the peculiar wants of the day . Now , whilst on the one hand we must stoutly maintain that in our Craft we are not seeking any increase of mere numerical strength , we

must with equal strength insist that we cannot afford to be withont any man -whose moral and social position in the world makes him worth having in our Order . I have often regretted that men who would have douo credit to ns , and to whom our Order would have proved a benefit , in the highest sense , have never ioined us ; and I have also often noticed that this loss has been in consequence of the want of an accessible lodge congenial to the tastes and habits of the candidate Remember that if we are rightly careful in the selection of candidates

suitable to our lodge , so also ought tbe candidate to be careful in the selection of a lodge congenial and suitable to himself . Remember that , though our Craft embraces in a common Brotherhood men of wide difference in tastes and social position , ' it is not practical or desirable that the particular lodge or chapter should be equally comprehensive . I rejoice , therefore , in the multiplication ( I repeat , within limits ) of class lodges , which , without in any way endangering the landmarks of our Order , will open it out by providing lodges and chapters , which will attract into our ranks those whom otherwise we should lose . And surely

no art may more fairly claim a recognised place m our class lodges than music . It is , like our * Order , a true system of morality when exercised in its real and highest sphere . Men may degrade it , as they have degraded everything else ; but in the hands of moral aud high-minded exponents there has been no art which has influenced men more for good than music . If a composer is a good man his

work will have a good and lasting influence . I do not , of course , pretend that a man who does not reach the highest standard of honour may not sometimes reach some mechanical proficiency in music ; but I do contend that all the men who have come to front in this or any other like profession have been men of honour and high principle . Many who might have excelled have been dragged down to a second-rate position simply because they have lacked

those true principles which would have elevated their natural talent to the place God meant it to occupy , but for want of which it became mediocre and commonplace . No happier illustration of this truth can be found than in the career of the distinguished composer from whom your chapter takes its name . A hard and honest worker , from the day when at eight years old he entered the choir of King ' s College , Cambridge , it was by steady high-principled efforts that he raised himself to the chair of music at the same University . A man of " most kindly

nature , and exceeding modest and unassuming in manner and character , he was beloved by all , and " in his whole career he never condescended to write a sjngle note for popular effect , nor can a bar of his music be quoted which iu style and aim does not belong to what is highest in musical art . " I am quoting tho words of Sir George Grove , words which I think will commend themselves to every member of the chapter as expressing those virtues which our Craft is ever striving to teach .

The ceremony was proceeded with and the chapter dedicated and constituted in ancient form , being appropriately closed by an anthem by Sterndale Bennett , " God is a Spirit . " The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . J- Hodges , and wero well worthy of a chapter intended for the convenience of members of the musical profession .

Ihe installation of Principals was next proceeded with , and the following companions duly installed into their respective chairs by Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E .: Comps . H . Walmsley Little , Mus . Doc , P . M . 2182 , M . E . Z . ; Wm . Clifford , P . M . 1826 , H . ; and John Hodges , P . M . 1706 , J . The other oflicers invested were Comps . R . Clowes , P ; Z ., Treas . ; Geo . F . Smith , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; Robert Jackson , Scribe N . ; Edward Stimson , D . C . ; Walter Wingham , Principal ko ] . ; Wm . J . Towers . 1 st A . S . ; and Whiteman , Janitor . On the motion of the M . E . Z ., the Consecrating Officers were unanimously elected honorary members of the chapter . Comp . CLOWES , P . Z ., Treas ., said he had been accorded the great privilege of asking the Consecrating- Officers to accept a iewel as a small token of regard from

we tounders of tbe Chapter , and to thank them sincerely for attending . H n ^•^• - ^ - J speaking on behalf of himself and colleagues , said they were greatly altered at this recognition of their services , and also were sincerely thankful at turther honour done them by the P resentation of the exceedingly handsome ir . . ' which they could wear with pleasure as a memento of the consecration of fche chapter .

the chapter was closed , and the companions subsequently partook of a subc < mj Pasfc , which was followed by the usual toasts . i ,. , ^ Q Q een and Royal Arch Masonry , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Q ^ - Princi pal , " having been duly honoured , tbe M . E . Z . proposed " Tho Grand cers , ' and said the comnanions would aeree with him that thev were fortunate

the ? S most excellent Grand Officers , and whilst they had such good examples to n , 1 T ''" * ry to emulate them , and try as rank and file to further their efforts that *^ ^ ^ a success . There was a goodly array of Grand Officers present 1 ? n ™ evenin gj and he should couple with the toast the name of Comp . Col . * y * , G . Supt . Malta .

the v u MARJIABUKE RAMSAY , G . Supt . Malta , returned sincere thanks for th e j hos Pitality afforded the Grand Officers , and the kind manner in which o £ } , ; i . Proposed and accepted . It was not easy for him—who spent most Person , ii 6 abroad—to return thanks for the officers of the year , because of j ] a "yi althoug b be had had the honour of being a Grand Officer , very little i ' otm . no 1 ° - ^ * " P h ™* -H- was s P eaking the wishes of all when he said they assure « Bmoere thanks for the kind welcome they had received , and he bad to iuaus-n ?• P anions they were only too proud to be present at the auspicious Crvm n ° so exceHent a Royal Arch Chapter . privii e „ f ° ' P , Z- > Treas- > said that by command of the M . E . Z . ho had the 'he srreat ° t . P P osin S toast which he ventured to think would be received with s eatest enthusiasm . It was the toast of (( The Consecrating Officers . " Comp .

Consecration Of The Sterndale Bennett Chapter, No. 2182.

Col . Clerke , G . S . E ., had come down with the other officers to consecrate this chapter , and he ventured to think it had been as great a pleasure to them as it had been to the companions to receive them . The lodge of which this chapter is an offshoot had attained a large degree of popularity , and the G . S . E . would not only be pleased to be present , but also to know they were in such a flourishing state . Comp . Philbrick , who had the pleasure of consecrating that lodge , was also

present , and , he was sure , felt happy at seeing its foster mother in tho chapter . Comp . Rev . Brownrigg , who gave them such an eloquent oration , and told them their duty , had had great pleasure in attending , and he only hoped those three distinguished companions who occupied the principal chairs at the consecration would pay them a visit and see how they were getting on . Comp . Fenn was known all over the world , and he was pleased to have the opportunity of welcoming him that evening , and could tell the companions that this same ceremony would

shortly be worked by that distinguished companion in another language , and ho was sure tbe lesson he * bad had that night would be carried away with him , and that he would do the ceremony better , having seen the grand work on the present occasion . The G . Officers would be very much at fault without the kind assistance of Comp . Richardson . He had great pleasure in proposing " The Consecrating Officers , " and , if they would allow him , would couple the names of Comps . Col . Clerke , F . A . Philbrick , and Rev . J . Brownrigg .

Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S . E ., in reply , said he would lose no time in rising to say a few words in response to the very kind and flattering manner in which Comp . Clowes had given the toast . He had on more than one occasion said ho was an unusually modest man , and , generally speaking , was a little afraid to return thanks , but there was an old saying " There is safety in crowds , " and beinsf surrounded by so many distinguished companions , he could safely retire

into his shell , more especially as they had heard his voice so frequently that evening . He was exceedingly gratified with tho kind way in which the companions had received them , and in which they had acknowledged and recognised the small services it was a great pleasure to render on that occasion . They were always happy to do what they could , and especially

to launch a new ship , and he had been most fortunate in being supported by such excellent companions that evening . Comp . Clowes had mentioned their services , and , therefore , he had only to say " ditto , " as to speak of their merits would be but to paint the lily or gild refined gold . With their assistance he hoped they had done the ceremony fairly well .

Comp . F . A . PHILBWCK , Q . C , G . Supt . Essex , said he thought that on the present occasion they scarcely heeded many speeches , being much batter employed in listening to the harmony on which the chapter was founded , and in which it was so proficient a master already . Comp . Clowes had alluded to to the consecration of the Sterndale Beaaebb Lodge , of which he said the chapter was the foster mother , and at which he had the

honour to take a part . It was a little difficult for him to recognise the truth of tho metaphor , because one always thought the mother preceded the child . On this occasion he quite uadersbood the child being of a superior degree to the mother , which was only what happened in real life , as they could understand from their rising offsprings . Ho would congratulate the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , of which the chapter was the child or mother , on the success it had attained in

being able to bold out to the brethren of that lodge a chapter attached . He had always said , and as the G . Supt . of the Province of Esses frequently remarked , that R . A . Masonry was the true consummation of Craft Masonry , and that the legitimate outcome of a brother ' s aspirations who takes an interest in the Craft was to lead him to Arch Masonry . He thought tho Arch was tho cope-stone of the Order . Therefore , he congratulated those who had taken part in the foundation

of this chapter upon the success of the lodge , which had enabled them to occupy that position . He sincerely congratulated those who were members of that lodge , and of which he was an honorary member , on the success of the effort that day . He felt sure that in these lodges and chapters , which were founded by brethren aud companions who had a special tie , they recognised a special interest

that gave an element of coherence that was likely to ensure success in the future ^ One need not go further than the success of the lodge , or desire more than that a similar success would attend the chapter . It had given him great pleasure to attend and take a small part , and he trusted he might live to see that which had been so well begun going on in the future , prospering and to prosper . Comp . Rev . J . S . BROWNKIGG , P . A . G . S ., also replied .

Comp . Col . S HADWELL CLERKE , G . S . E ., said he had the privilege of proposing the next toast—a very important one—of which they were all aware , the health of the worthy companion he had had tbe honour of installing as First Principal . It was nearly three years since the Sterndale Bennett Lodge was founded , and he had the pleasure of being present to assist the G . Registrar in consecrating that lodge , and he also had the pleasure of seeing Comp . Walmsley Little placed in its

first chair . That companion had now had the double honour of being the first occupant of the chairs both in the lodge and chapter , and must feel proud of an honour which , in his experience , fell to the lot of few . That honour had worthily fallen upon his shoulders , for he'believed Comp . Little to be a worthy , energetic , zealous , and able Mason , and knew he was able to perforin the ceremonies well . He

thought the companions could not have done better than to elect him as the First Principal , and from what he heard of the propositions in the chapter room , it appeared he would have a considerable amount of work to perform . Ha asked them to drink with enthusiasm to " The Health of the first M . E . Z ., " and wish him well through the extremely heavy year of office .

Comp . H . WALMSLEY LITTLE , MUS . DOC , M . E . Z ., thanked the companions most sincerely and heartily for drinking his health in such a cordial manner , and also thanked the G . S . E . for the kiud words expressed . He could only hope the trust reposed in him in again placing him in the chair as the First Principal , as he was the first W . M . in the lodge , would not be misplaced . On the former occasion he said they must not judge him from his words , but from his actions . In tbe lodgo

they had a most successful year , and he had little to complain of in the way the work ' ing was conducted , as he had excellent officers , who aided him considerably . He was singularly fortunate in having about 24 candidates , and that was the prospect befora him in the chapter in tbe first year . He thought that ought to be a proud toast , for few Masters could say as much . He looked forward with pleasure to the work ,

and hoped he should do it to the satisfaction of all . Ifc was seldom any Mason could say he had been placed first in the chair of K . S . by the G . Reg . aud installed in tbe chair of M . E . Z . by the G . S . E . of the Order . He appreciated that honour and thought ho was exceedingly fortunate . He again thanked them , and hoped he should do his work properly as their principal officer .

Comp . W . CLIFFORD , II ., said he had much pleasure in being entrusted with the gavel for the purpose of proposing " The Visitors , " who were , ono and all , heartily welcome . As the visiting companions were so numerous he could not ask them all to respond , but would couple the names of Comps . M ' onteuuis and Bywater , who was a very old friend .

Comp . MONTEUUIS , in response , said he felt the honour very much , and although he was unable to reply worthily to the toast , he felt proud and thankful that such a distinguished honour should fall upon him . By their kind invitations the founders had enabled them to see a most interesting ceremonyj which had been a great Masonic treat , and also enabled them to enjoy their kind hospitality .

Comp . W . M . BYWATER also returned sincere thanks for the opportunity afforded the visitors of witnessing the ceremony , which had deeply impressed them , performed in the chapter room , and for the kind welcome extended below . The M . E . Z ., in giving " The H . and J ., " said Comp . Clifford had worked hard for some time past tq make that meeting a success , and his actions deserved a good response from tbe companions . All present had seen for themselves how