Consecration Of The Eccleston Lodge, No. 1624.

see , when the Lodge board is uncovered , an emblem of the great principles of our Order . And , brethren of the Eccleston Ledge , who are this day about to take the first step of that ladder , which is based upon the Sacred Writings , you will soon ascend the other two which wo in Masonry recognise , and go up , and up , till you reach those ethereal mansions which are higher even than the starry

firmament itself . But a few words more : You know in Masonry , as well as in nature , when our Lodge is opened , tho badge of innocence and tho bond of friendship is shown , and the jewel of equality sparkles in tho West ; we are then led up to the third degree , and are taught that tho time will come when death will have his prey , when sickness enters our chambers , and Avhen the King of

Terrors comes , through bolts and bars , and claims his own . Then the sprig of acacia is plucked from tho spot whero it has grown in love , plucked to decorate a departed brother ' s grave . These are the principles of our Order , taught in tho third degree , leading us by contemplation to the closing hour of our existence , and Avhen they havo led us through the intricate windings of this mortal state ,

finally instruct us how to die . Brethren of the Eccleston Lodge , may you , in Avhatover situation you aro placed , whatever maybe your lot in life , carry those duties with you always , and perform them so fairly and so well , that when the Great Architect comes to make up His jeAvels , you may feel that you have performed your allotted task , so that your last hours may close in peace and love .

As to the important duties which devolved on Bro . Pullen , we say , without the slightest wish to exaggerate , that we seldom have seen them performed with greater accuracy and precision . Bro . Pnllen has a singularly happy delivery , is very impressive , and fulfilled the task of Consecrating Officer in a manner befitting the solemnity of the occasion . The ceremony complete , Bro . Pullen installed Bro .

H . A . Hunt , No . 1537 , as the first W . M . of the Eccleston , and in doing so , took the opportunity of offering Bro . Hunt his hearty congratulations on attaining so high and so well deserved a position in Freemasonry . Having received the customary congratulations of all present , Bro . Hunt proceeded to invest his officers as follow : —Bros . D . H . McLeod S . W ., J . C . Flattery J . W .,

W . Vincent S . D ., Sam . Jones J . D ., J . G . Fisher I . G ., Isaac Isaacs Treasurer , A . W . Beckham Secretary , W . Gould S ., E . Coles 0 ., and T . Woodstock Tyler . We congratulate the Eccleston on the foregoing appointments , for such an array of officers is well nigh certain to consummate the work so successfully initiated by Bro . Pnllen . The usual addresses having been delivered , Bro . McLeod proposed ,

and Bro . Flattely seconded a vote of thanks to Bro . Pullen for the services he had so kindly aud so ably rendered , and that he be elected an honorary member of the Lodge . The motion was adopted with acclamation , and suitably acknowledged by our respected brother . Thanks were then accorded to Bro . the Eev . A . W . Hall , P . G . S . W . Surrey , for the eloquent address he had

delivered , and to the other brethren who had rendered service so efficiently , and to this proposition , likewise , appropriate acknowledgments were made . Both these motions were ordered to be recorded on the minutes . Several propositions for initiation and joining followed , after Avhich tho Lodge was closed with the usual formalities .

Among those present we noticed , in addition to the brethren already enumerated , Bros . Capt . Philips , Coulton , Pulman , H . Massey , J . Elliott , W . M . Herbert , J . C . Cox , It . J . Steel , C . B . Payne , G . Holland , J . Hunt , J . J . Cantle , Dr . Lavies , T . Cross , J . Herdell , W . W . Morgan . At the banquet which folloAA-ed , Bro . H . A . Hunt presided . He

was supported on his right aud left by Bros . Hyde Pulley Eev . Ambrose Hall , and almost all of the brethren Avho had been present in the Lodgo Room . Capt . Phillips was prevented , by an important engagement , from being present at the banquet . On the removal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , and coupled with that of the Pro Grand

Master , the Deputy Grand Master and tho rest of tho Grand Officers , the name of Bro . Coutts , who briefly replied . Bro . Hyde Pullen proposed the health of tho W . M . of Eccleston Lodge . He referred to the prospects of the Lodge , and expressed the pleasure it had given him to instal Bro . Hunt in tho Chair . He was sure the W . M . would do hononr to the brethren who had placed

him in the position he held ; he would do all that was required of him ; and he closed his remarks by calling upon the brethren who had been deputed to assist their Master , in carrying out tho duties of their respective offices , to render him every assistance in their power . Bro . Hunt , on rising , said he felt great difficulty in replying to the flattering expressions of Bro . Pnllen . Though he was a young

Mason , he fully appreciated the rosponsibilty of what was required of him . He Avould strive so to conduct the business of the Lodge , that it might be recognized as second to none . Masonry Avas an institution not to be taken up lightly or without consideration , it might be a secret society , but it Avas ono of those institutions Avhich embraced the whole duty of man . He then referred to those who had honoured

them with their presence that evening , and proposed tho health of " The Visitors , " associating with the toast the name of Bro . Verity , who represented the Lodgo who had fathered tho Eccleston , and had taken its promoters upon trust . Bro . Verity , W . M . of the Ebury Lodge , replied . He had felt great pleasure iu being present at tho consecration . For himself , lie had

taken but a small part in the proceedings of tbe day , but that part had afforded him very great gratification . And ho expressed what ho said on behalf of all the Eburyites who had bad an opportunity of being present . Bro . Hunt next proposed , in brief terms , the health of the Consecratinjj Officer . Bro . Pullen had initiated him into the Order ,

aud it was on that account ho had applied to Bro . Pullen to consecrate the Lodge . Bro . Pullen was always ready to do what was asked of him for the good of Masonry , and ho heartily thanked him for being present . Bro , Hyde Pullen said he would uofc lose a moment in returning thanks for the kind way iu which his health had been drunk . It had

Consecration Of The Eccleston Lodge, No. 1624.

been a pleasure and gratification to him to attend and consecrate tho Lodge , and instal its Worshipful Master . The W . M . had told tho brethren how he ( Bro . Pullen ) had initiated him into Masonry , and the brethren would understand how much the pleasure of his attending that evening was enhanced . Having brought Bro . Hunt into Masonic existence he hoped he would develops into excellent manhood

and that tho brethren would havo the pleasure of seeing that manhood come ont in a way that all might desire . It was a comfort to see one's children grow in strength and importance day by day , and having himself many friends round that table , many of whom he had introduced into Masonry , it afforded him tho greater gratification to meet them , not only on this occasion , but at all times .

He wished the Lodge all the success and prosperity its members themselves could Avish . It had been launched like a boat on the billows , and ho hoped it would provo a good ship , with Charity at tho prow , Avith Hospitality at tho helm , with Caro and Prudence as pilots , Avho would guide it through all the shoals and quicksands which wore likely to imperil its course , and steer it safely over the ocean of

time , and bring it home to its haven , 100 years hence , to celebrate its centenary . He could only hopo that every member of the Lodgo would do his best , Avould use his most strenuous efforts to aid and assist tho W . M . in the discharge of his duties . The W . M . had told them ha was a young Mason , and under these circumstances he claimed their kind help and assistance , more warmly and moro earnestly than ho

would do if he were an old and practised Past Master . They must make all the allowance they could in his favour ; excuse him where they saw he might do a little better—he did not think he would do badly—hold out to him forbearance for any little failings that might occur , and do all they could to render his year of office easy to himself and gratifying to them . He should have the greatest desire to know how

well and successfuly they steered their barque onwards , and ho hoped he would have it in his power to come among them , and , if he could , to assist in piloting their vessel and aiding iu every way possible in making the Lodge a success . He hoped they would all remember the old man who had endeavoured to do his duty that day , and that they would remember him for years and years to come .

Bro . Hall then proposed what he said was tho most interesting toast of the evening , that was , prosperity to the Eccleston Lodge . In asking the brethren , in a very few Avords , to drink it , he trusted they would not consider that what he had said proceeded from those feelings Which we were too apt to set down as after dinner thoughts . The Eccleston Lodge started in a way which he was quite sure waa

an earnest of its future success . As ho had said to them in the Lodge room , there devolved upon the brethren responsible duties , and by the officers of tho Lodge appointed that day he was sure those duties would be ably discharged . An old prophet had told them that a day was coming , which was called a millennium , when the lion shonld lie down with the lamb , when the child should play

with the asp , and the weaned child put his hand in the cockatrice ' s den , that nothing should hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain of the Great Architect . He mentioned this to show the brethren that they had to do many things , to support many principles , high and sacred , which , if they did not bring this millennium , would certainly extend those principles of the

Masonic Order—brotherly love , relief and truth—and carry them through the world , respected by all , loved by the breihren , and , he trusted , rewarded eventually by their God . Bro . Hydo Pullen had said they had launched their Masonic barque on the tido of this world . Let him add that they had to bear in that barque thoso pre . cious things which it was their duty to uphold and keep from being

sunk in the billoAvs thoy must encounter in passing through their Masonic life . To that barquo they must have a banner nailed ; " nailed , " he said , because thoy must never take it down ; and on that banner must be inscribed tho Masonic words , " Excelsior : On and on : Little beginnings : Great ends . " Time was short , and he must not go further in proposing this toast , or it might lead him

aAvay , and make him dwell longer perhaps than their patience Avould alloAV . He would therefore only say that from his heart ho wished the Eccleston Lodge—and from the hearts of all the visitors to it that day he was quite sure there proceeded the same Avisha career of success , and the blessing of the Great Architect .

The next toast was that of the Musical Brethren , which was replied to by Bro . Coles . This was followed by that of the Officers , the W . M . stating that to their credit was due the formation of the Lodge , and its being brought to its present hopeful condition . The usual toast brought the entertainment to a close , and coffee havim ? been served , the brethren separated .

Obituary.

Obituary .

It is with sincere regret AVO announce the death of Bro . 0 . E . Francatelli , the Avell knoAvn chef , Avho presided Avith such ability , for so many years , at the Freemasons' Tavern . As a member of our Society , Bro . Francatelli had earned for himself the respect of all with Avhom he came in

contact . As one of the foremost representatives of the culinary art , it Avill be difficult to fill his place . He Avas a thorough artist ; Avhethcr it Avas a banquet he purveyed , or a simple homel y meal , his ability and thoroughness Avere equally

conspicuous . The art of cookery is not so sufficiently appreciated in this country that Ave can venture to let pass this death Avithout expressing , even briefly , the sense of the loss we feel . Bro . Francatelli ' s death occurred on Thursday of last Aveek , in tho 71 st year of his age . Peace be with him !