Consecration Of The St. John's Thanet Lodge, No. 2753.

The remaining toasts were : " The Consecrating Officers , " proposed by the CHAIRMAN and responded to by the PROV . G . CHAPLAIN ; "The Visitors , " submitted by the CHAIRMAN , and acknowledged by Bro . HARRY PRICE , 177 , formerly a member of the Union Lodge ; "The Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . F . STANLEY , and acknowledged in one of his

customary humorous speeches by Bro . J . TERRY , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; "The Union Lodge , No . 127 , " for which Bro . LEONARD HILL , W . M ., responded ; The Officers of St . John ' s Thanet Lodge , " " The Brethren who had assisted in the musical portion of the day ' s proceedings , " and the Tyler ' s toast .

Ihe speeches were interspersed with a well-arranged programme of vocal music , including : Song , " Because of you , " Bro . J . Hosking ; song , Bro . A . Tarling ; song , '' The Skipper , " Bro . W . H . Bennett ; song , " Margarita , ' ! Bro . E . Coleman ; glee , " Softly fall the shades of evening , " the choir ; song , "The wolf , " Bro . F . J . Doughty ; song , "The last muster , " Bro . H . Wootton ; song , "Welcome , ever welcome , friends , ' Bro . F . Stanley ; song , " Queen of the Earth , " Bro . Hosking .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cornwall.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF CORNWALL .

The above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge met on Monday , the iyth ult ., under the banner of St . John the Baptist Lodge , No . 404 , at Penzance Bro . P . Colville Smith , P . M ., P . G . D . Eng ., Dep . Prov . G . M ., presided in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Earl of Halsbury , Prov . G . Master , Other brethren present were—Bros . W . J . Johns , P . G . Std . Br ., Prov . G . Sec . ; J . E . Rogers , 404 , P . P . G . I . G . j

W . Colenso , P . M . and Sec . 404 , P . P . G . Reg . ; W . j . Sharpe , P . M . 94 , P . P . G . R . ; R . Pearce Couch , P . M . 404 and S 7 , Prov . G . D . C . ; P . T . Chirgwin , P . M . 404 and 87 , P . J . G . W . ; J . H . Bunt , 417 , P . G . O . ; H . Dunkin , P . M . 417 and 87 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . M . Cornish , W . M . 404 , P . P . S . G . D . ; E . Benney , I . P . M . 78 , P . G . I . G . ; H . Opie , P . M . 73 , P . J . G . O . ; J . E . Shanks , P . M . 325 , J . W . 101 , P . G . S . B . ; J . Whitworth , S . W . 417 , P . P . G . O . ; E . W . Newton , M . O . 417 , P . G . S . ; Sholto H .

Hare , P . M . 35 , , & c , P . P . G . O . Devon ; A . H . Ferris , P . M . 73 , P . P . G . C . ; R . Pease , W . M . 325 , P . G . S . j H . Shapcott ; P . M . 351 , P . G . M . O . ; E . Venning , P . M . 379 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . G . Hancock , P . M . 404 , P . P . G . M . O . ; E . Boase , P . M . S 4 and 404 , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . M . Milford , acting D . P . G . M . ; R . Howe , Sec . 78 ; E . I . Ellery , W . M . 7 8 ; Richard Faull , J . O . 399 ; C . D . Smith , W . M . 399 ; T . Docton , S . O . 87 ; C . F . Mermagen , M . O . 7 S ; F . G . Lee , P . M .

417 ; F . F . Beringer , S . O . 73 ; G . Tonkin , D . C . 73 ; J . James , M . O . 175 ; A . E . Webber , M . O . 94 ; T . Turner , S . O . 417 , P . Marrack , 404 ; W . Gundry , S . W . 94 ; J . M . Blarney , W . M . 94 ; S . M . Abbott , I . P . M . 73 ; O . Caldwell , 404 ; C . S . Leigh , Stwd . 404 ; A . Pool , S . D . 404 ; R . Walters , M . O . 404 ; A . C . Gregory , 404 ; G . W . Eustace , 404 ; E . Noble , 73 ; H . Chapman , 101 ; J .

Opie , J . D . 101 ; Frank Latham , 404 ; C . Stewart , D . C . 404 ; W . M . Harrison , Treas . 175 ; R . B . C . Hooper , Stwd . 175 ; S . J . Partridge , R . of M 101 ; F . W . Dabb , P . M . 589 , P . P . G . M . O . ; S . Trehane , 379 , P . G . R . ; G . P . A . Robinson , I . G . 404 ; J . Blight , W . M . 275 ; C . H . Whetter , I . P . M . 275 ; J . Symons , S . O . 404 ; J . Nicholas , 417 , P . P . G . I . G . ; W . K . Baker , P . M . 8 7 , P . P . S . G . W . ; and M . Sampson , P . M ., Treas . 404 , P . P . G . M . O .

The Prov . G . Treasurer ( Bro . MILFORD ) reported that the financial condition of the Iprovince was satisfactory . The reports of the W . Ms . o £ the lodges in the province showed that the Degree had increased 20 in the last year . Bro . Milford was re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer for the eighth time . The following brethren were invested the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . R . P . Couch , S 7 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ W . L . Chegwidden , 73 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Sholto Hare , 101 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ J . M . Cornish , 417 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ E . Benney , 7 S ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ the Rev . C . F . Mermagen , 7 S ... ... Prov . G Chap . „ R . P . Pease , 325 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . J . Johns , 78 ,., ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ E . M . Milford ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Milford Abbot ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ F . J . Lee , 379 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ C . H . Wetter , 275 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ C . D . Smith , 379 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . . „ J . G . Blight , 373 ••¦ •¦• - Prov . G . S . B . „ J . M . Blarney , 94 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Gundry , 94 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . fames , 1 75 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ T . Docton , 87 .,, ... ... " ) „ R . Walters , 4 ° + ••• ••• > Prov . G . Stwds . ,, S . J . Partridge , 101 ... ... ... ) „ J . K . Rogers , 404 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bro . Sholto Hare offered his services as Steward for the Mark Benevo

lent bund , and they were accepted . An interesting feature was a presentation to Bro . W . J . Johns , Prov . G . Sec , " By the Mark Masons of Cornwall on his appointment to the office of Grand Standard Bearer of England , 18 9 S , in appreciation of his long

and valued services to Mark Masonry . I he present consisted of Grand Mark clothing for the office of Standard Bearer , a Past Master ' s jewel , and a silver salver ( both inscribed ) ; and a diamond ring for Mrs . Johns accompanied the gift . Bro . Colville Smith made the presentation , and it is believed that every lodge and member of the province subscribed .

Looe invited the lodge to hold their meeting at that town next year . The business of the lodge having been concluded , light refreshments were served to the brethren and lady friends , and later St . Michael ' s Mount was visited by brake . At the Mount the party were received by the Hon .

Piers St . Aubyn , who conducted them to the many places of interest on the historic old pile , but the pleasure of the trip was somewhat marred by the rain which commenced soon after the party reached the Mount . On the return from the Mount the brethren and ladies partook of dinner at the Western Hotel .

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OK WALKS and the Duke and Duchess of York have expressed their intention to attend the international athletic competition between representatives of Oxford and Cambridge and Yale and Harvard . The meeting will beheld in London on Saturday , the 22 nd instant .

A Masonic Festival.

A MASONIC FESTIVAL .

The serenity of the little island of Elmley was disturbed on Wednesday afternoon , the 19 th ult ., by the influx of a goodly party ol brethren from Sittingbourne and Sheerness , together with several ladies , upon the occasion of a special Masonic service , which was arranged to be held in the little church dedicated to the memory of St . James . The event was quite unique , for it was the first time

on record that a purely Masonic service had been held at Elmley . But when it is known that Bro . the Rev . R . B . Barber , the present rector of the island parish , is the Chaplain of St . Michael's Lodge , No . 1273 , Sittingboume , it need cause no surprise to find so numerous a muster of brethren and friends . Service was fully choral , the singing being led by a section of the choir of St . Michael ' s Church , Sittingboume , under the conductorship of Bro . H . W . Chuter .

The surpliced choir , headed by Bro , the Rev . R . B . Barber , who was attired in handsome vestments , including his lodge regalia , met the brethren at the entrance to the churchyard , and the scene presented by the choir and the richly-costumed brethren ( who wore lodge clothing ) was strikingly picturesque . The standard of St . Michael ' s Lodge ( borne for the occasion by Bro . H . B . Capps ) preceded the

brethren . The processional hymn was " O God , our help in ages past . " The responses were sung to Tallis ' s setting , and the choir sang the anthem ( unaccompanied ) " From the rising of the sun " with telling effect . Hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung during the service . The lessons were read by Bros . J . Dixon , W . M ., and W . Prentis , S . W .

Bro . the Rev . R . B . BARKER took for his text . Psalm exxu ., verse 1 , "I was glad when they said unto me , * We will go into the house of the Lord , '" and proceeded to say how glad he was to hear the proposal of the brethren to hold this Masonic service , and how his heart was now filled with joy to see how readily they had responded to the invitation to enter into God ' s house . This psalm in many respects reminded one of the beauties and powers of Freemisonry , for of

Zion it was said , " she is built as a city that is at unity in itself , and is not this power of " unity" the great force which leads to the 'success of the brotherhood in their works of Charity and Mercy ? We , like the Ancient Zion , have our Divine Centre to which we may look up in every emergency . This unity binds together all in one great bond of Love , disarms hatred , and evokes sympathy in every true brother ' s heart . How

often has the knowledge of our Craft in the angry turmoil of battle stayed the uplifted sword ? so that the deadly blow was exchanged for fraternal consolation and help ? How many a time has the homeless stranger become the honoured guest ? and the failing brother been warned and strengthened by kindly advice and loving aid ? But some perchance will say , " Yes , but all this is narrow and circumscribes the action of Charity and kindliness to members of the

Brotherhood . " But is this so ? 1 assert , brethren , that the same unity of purpose and of veneration which binds us in one , causes us to extend to all who need the benefit of our aid ; the true spiritof sympathy and love knows no bound but the need of those who seek it . I cannot point to a more direct proof of the power and sympathy of our Order , than the fact of so many having assembled here

today to help me in my work , by showing that although I live in such an isolated position , you are ready to prove that I am not forgotten nor forsaken , but that my brethren are ever ready at much personal inconvenience to show by their presence their sympathy and by their offerings their readiness to help me in beautifying this house of prayer .

A bright service was concluded with the singing of " Piaise God from whom all blessings flow . " There was a collection in aid of the stained glass window that is proposed to be placed in the chancel , and this realised the substantial sum of ^ 17 14 s . 7 id . After the service a cold collation followed in the schoolroom , and there were so many visitors that an overflow party had to be formed . The catering arrangements were in the hands of Bro . T . W . Crayden , and they were all that could be desired .

The officers present from St . Michael ' s Lodge were Bros . ] . Dixon , W . M . ; J . E . French , I . P . M . ; W . Prentis , S . W . j F . Gorely , J . W . ; H . Black , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec ; A . J . Turner , S . D . ; R . B . Barber , J . D . ; S . Shrubsole , I . G . ; G . H . Wills , Org . ; H . B . Capps , Stwd . -, and T . W . Crayden , Tyler . Among the brethren were the following P . Ms . and P . P . A . G . D . Cs .: Bros . C . B . Harris , G . Goble , H . Morris , and L . Seager , Prov . G . Stwd . elect . Bros . T . E . Dexter , W . M . 158 ; G . Humphrey , W . M . 1087 , and several brethren from Sheppy took part in the remarkable gathering .

Logic Club.

LOGIC CLUB .

On Sunday , the J 5 H 1 ult ., some 50 members and visitors of this well-known club journeyed down to Reading . After luncheon a river trip was taken on the launch Caversham as far as Mapledurham and Pangbourne . On returning to the historic George Hotel at Reading it was found that Miss _ Howse , the new manageress , had prepared an excellent repast , over which Bro . Robert Manuel , P . M . 1190 , Preceptor of the Logic Club , presided .

¦ " The Queen and the Craft " having been duly honoured , some capital nongand recitations followed . Bros . HENRY NEVILLE , P . A . G . D . C ; IMRE KIRALEV , P . A . G . D . C . ; J E . Si'u . 1 VAN , St . John , No . 1 , New York ; and E . J . SAUNDERS , S . W . 227 returned thanks for " The Visitors . "

The gathering included Bros . J . Percy Fitzgerald , Sec . ; J . J . Thomas , P . G . Std . Br . ; Harry Nicholls , P . M . 2127 ; Nathan Robinson , I . P . M . 2603 ; Lu 'g ' Lablache , W . M . 1319 ; Albert G . Neville , 2127 ; A . Craddock j E . T . Weston ; H . E . Weston ; O . Barnett , P . M . 742 ; John Murray , 2545 ; E . F . Williams , P . M . 898 ; E . T . Davies , 2127 ; K . Roehrick , 2127 ; W . Fisher , J . W . 860 ; B . McNeill , 2127 ; G . H . Peters , 2394 ; Dr . Pritchard , 163 ; E . H . Davis , 435 ! E . W . Gatfield , 1602 ; G . A . Robinson , 55 ; Maurice Miroy ; and W . J . Rowe , P . M . 2021 .

Special thanks were accorded to Bros . A . G . Duck , P . M ., M . B . G . P ., and J . » Murray , 2127 , for their splendid organisation of the trip , which proved thoroug hly enjoyable .

THE MARQUIS ANH MAKCIIIONHSS or LANSDOUNK cntcitaincd at dinner on Wednesday cvt-nine ; , at Lansdownc House , the Duke and Duchess ol Somerset , Bro . the Duke and Duchess of Atholl . liro . the Earl and Countess of Arran , the Earl and Countess of Morley , Count Hermann Hatzfeldt , Bro , Viscount Folkestone , M . P ., Viscount Peel , Lord and Lady Rinblesdale , Bra . Lord | and Lady Ampthill , Lord and Lady Burghclere , Bro . Lord and Ladv Loch , Bro . Lord Kitchener of Khartoum , Lord Edmond Fiizmauricc , M . P ., Lady Sandhurst , Lady Jcunc , Bro . the Bight Hon . Akcra Douglas , M . P ., and Mrs . Alters Douglas , Col . and Mia . EyreCrabbe , Capt . and Mrs . Ponsonby , and Mrs . Kobeit Ctawshay .