The Anglo-Colonial Lodge, No. 3175.

were living in the Colonies . Some lodges met for work and some for pleasure , but in that Lodge they always found something to do and something to eat . He was quite sure the new Lodge was doing a sensible thing in meeting every month , and every brother coming home to Mother England would visit and appreciate it .

Bro . J . Strachan , K . C , G . Reg ., also replied , and said they would not expect him to give any prison experiences as Canon Horsley had done , or to look into the lives of the Grand Chaplains . The Prov . G . M . and Dep . G . M . went down to Liverpool and took part in the ceremony and

supported the Grand Master . It was a grand sight , and it was a grand thing for them as Masons to know how much it was appreciated by the people outside . Coming more particularly to the connection of the G . Officers with the Colonies , they had in Grand Lodge quite as much work with the Colonies as with England and Wales . He was certain that the formation of such a Lodge as this , where the colonial

brethren would be able to attend the Lodge meetings whatever month they happened to visit here , and learn something about English Masonry—which they could only previously learn by writing to Freemasons' Hall and asking how things were clone—such a Lodge must do a vast amount of good . He had been a Colonist himself , and had lived in

Canada and knew the colonial feeling , and he tried to bring that knowledge to bear as much as possible and avoid the corners which might prevent perfect harmony . They had less friction than in any society in the world . They had often felt sorry when unable to show brethren from India or

the Colonies any working , because most of the London lodges were dining lodges , and the brethren did not like to go to them and ask for an invite . They could now come to this Lodge and enjoy the fraternal intercourse and then enjoy their own affairs . He regarded it as a great honour

to be elected an honorary member , and should watch with fraternal interest their working , and wished them every happiness and prosperity .

Bro . W . O . Welsford , P . M ., S . W ., said the W . M ., with characteristic unselfishness , had honoured him by placing with him the toast of the evening , " The Consecrating Officers . " He claimed for it that distinction because but for the able services of those eminent Masons they could not be at the present time a real live Lodge . The Grand Secretary

received them with that urbanity , kindness , and courtesy for which he was so distinguished , and favoured them by consecrating the Lodge . The Grand Registrar had a reputation for austerity which he did not deserve , and performed his professional and judicial duties in that thoughtful manner

which they all knew . The other Consecrating Officers had not been slow to show that there was merit in the idea of this Lodge to draw closer in the bonds of brotherly love and Masonic affection those who were domiciled under the British Crown . The ceremonial work could not have been rendered with more solemnity or greater dignity . The Consecrating Officer , who had been aptly described in the words

of the old song as " a fine old English gentleman , " added fresh grace and dignity to the ceremony of consecration every time he performed it . He had seen the G . Sec . consecrate about 200 lodges , but was never more impressed than in this Lodge , of which he was a founder and the first S . W . In Bro . Frank Richardson they had a D . C . who had no equal

, and they were extremely sorry he had been obliged to leave . The oration from the G . Chap . ( Canon Horsley ) had never been surpassed for sincerity , and he hoped the exhortation to unity in this Lodge would never be lost . They needed it because they started with 57 founders and a large number

proposed , and the G . Chap , recognised this . Bro . Lamonby had been bound up with Colonial Masonry for very many years , and his name was well known . Another Brother popular amongst them was Bro . Higerty , who was connected with a Lodge of Instruction to which he belongedand who

, was a sound Mason . In this Lodge they would struggle to reach their highest ideals , and if they did not succeed in reaching them they would do their best , and none could do more .

Bro . Sir E . Letchworth , G . Sec , who was accorded a very hearty reception , said that after the eloquent , instructive , and interesting speeches to which they had listened with so much pleasure from two of the Consecrating Officers , they would imagine that he appreciated the great honour done him in associating his name with the toast . He desired in words as

sincere as they would be brief to tender , on behalf of those with whom he had been associated , their warm thanks for their more than kind recognition of the small services it had been their great pleasure to render to this Lodge . It had given one and all the greatest possible pleasure to assist in

starting into existence a Lodge which he felt sure had a great future before it . They wished the Lodge every possible prosperity , and trusted that its members would be the means of uniting more closely those Colonials who were members of their great Order .

Bro . J . Strachan , K . C , G . Reg ., proposed "The W . M ., " which required no words to ensure for it a hearty reception . He had known Bro . Godson for some years , and was not sure whether he had not known him all his Masonic life , because he assisted in the initiation of the W . M . He had watched the W . M . ' s progress in Masonry with very great

pleasure , and they all knew he was an excellent and enthusiastic Mason . He believed it was very largely due to Bro . Godson's efforts that this Anglo-Colonial Lodge had started so successfully . The W . M . would rule with kindness and firmness , and unless they had the two combined they

could not have the typical and really good Master . He must be a man with some tact and also some ability to command the respect of his Lodge . He might not be as austere as he ( Bro . Strachan ) was , but he had won the goodwill , love , and affection of all who knew him .

Bro . R . J . Godson , W . M ., thanked the G . Reg . If he were unmindful of their kindness in placing him in the position of W . M . he would have a heart of stone , but he hoped during his year to prove that he was not stony-hearted . He appreciated to the full the kindness extended to him . At the meeting of Founders the Brethren knew it was not his

wish that the position of W . M . should be made different to that of other Officers , but it seemed to him there had been a preliminary meeting , because he was at once called upon to preside , and proceed to ballot for the rest of the Officers . He had no idea when they started working that there was so

much to do in getting ready for the inauguration , but he could assure them they intended to work at each Lodge meeting , even if there were no candidates , so that the position of the Officers would not be a sinecure . They wished to make it as interesting as possible . In most lodges the P . M . 's

had not much to do , but they intended that the work should not be confined to the W . M . alone , but that the P . M . ' s should be given something to do , and thus keep up their interest in the Lodge . The inauguration of this Lodge was not one man's idea , and he did not want to take too much credit to himself . All those who visited or joined the Lodge would

feel they had a home in England . It was a non-dining Lodge , and would not put others to expense for Visitors'fees , and the fees were as small as possible for those in the Colonies—a nominal subscription of 10 s . 6 d . Of the six Brethren who had put their names down as joining members ,

i \\ e were living in the Colonies or in India . He felt assured that they would not have placed him in the position of W . M . if he had not gained their confidence , and he hoped at the end of his year he should be able to say he had not only their confidence but also their love and esteem .

The toast of " The Visitors" received a hearty reception , and was responded to by R . W . Bro . E . Hungerford , P . S . G . Warden N . S . Wales , W . Bro . E . L . Vinden , W . M . 2455 , and Bro . the Rev . H . T . Yoik , Lodge 1453 New Zealand . The toast of " The Officers " was duly honoured , and the Tyler's toast brought a memorable evening to a close .

For the conveniene of our Colonial and Indian readers wishing to get in touch with the Lodge we give the name of the Secretary , Bro . Walter Dance , 121 , Inderwick Road , Stroud Green , London , N ., who will be pleased to give further information to any inquiring Brother .