Consecration Of The Gallery Lodge.

CONSECRATION OF THE GALLERY LODGE .

The inauguration of a thoroughly representative lodge is always a matter of interest , and it is therefore not a matter for surprise that the establishment of a lodg-e representing an important section of the " Fourth Estate " ol" the realm should have been a subject of comment and inquiry during the season now drawing to a close , lt is now our gratifying duty to record that the Parliamentary reporters for the press who , during the session

are associated nig ht after night in the dreary work of watching the debates , and putting into an intelligible shape speeches that proceed from the mouths of members often in a very mixed condition , are now drawn still closer together by the lies of Masonic brotherhood . The Gallery Lodge , No . 1928 , was consecrated on Saturday last , at the Brixton Hall , Acre-lane , Brixton , when the ceremony of consecration was performed by the V . W .

Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary of England , assisted by the V . W . Bros , the Rev . Ambrose XV . Hall , M . A ., P . M ' ., Grand Chaplain of England , and the Rev . J . Edmund Cox , Past Grand Chaplain of England , as Consecrating Chaplains ; the W . Bros . Capt . Nathaniel George Philips , Past Grand Deacon of England , as S . W . ; Thomas Fenn , Past Grand Deacon of England , as J . W . ; Frank Richardson , P . M ., P . G . D . of

England , Director of Ceremonies ; H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary of England , as I . G . ; and H . Sadler , Grand Tyler of England , as Tyler . There were also present as visitors XV . Bros . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . M . Surrey ; Francis Burdett , P . G . M . Middlesex ; R . H . Giddy , D . G . M . Griqualand ; Col . John Creaton , Grand Treasurer of England ; J . Sampson Peirce , G . D . of England ; H . D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; J .

Allen , P . M . 1297 ; G . J . Dunkley , 1777 ; J . J . Brinton , 1329 ; R . XV . Goddard , P . M . 1604 ; H . Lovegrove , P . M . 1777 ; E . J . Wallis , P . M . 173 ; J . S . Vine , S 7 ; L . F . Littell , W . M . 1 S 27 ; A . Hell , 1744 ; M . Keith Frith , 1 S 39 ; R . J . Griffiths , 1293 ; F . Jewson , 1827 ; R . R . Davies , P . M . 256 ; H . Coulter , P . M . 52 ; E . C . Massey , P . M . 1297 ; and W . Lake , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason ) . The names of the Consecralinsr Master and those Grand Officers who

assisted him guaranteed the able performance of the ceremonies of consecration and installation , and it was generally admitted that the work could not have been done in a more perfect or impressive manner than it was executed on Saturday by Col . Clerke and his assistant Grand Officers . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . F . H . Cozens , and the anthems and chants , rendered by Bros . Ashton , Carter , Seymour Smith , and Lawler , added to the impressiveness of the solemn rites .

When the final benediction had been given by the Chaplain , the lodge was ycs-ijmed in the Second Degree , and Bro . Henry Massey , P . M . 619 , the W . M , designate , was introduced tothe Installing Master , and having been duly obligated , was thereafter formally installed into the chair of K . S ., and at once proceeded to invest his principal ofiicers designated in the warrant ,

viz ., Bros . H . E . F . Bussey , S . W ., and T . Minstrell , J . W . Bro . XV . M . Duckworth was elected Treasurer , but . being absent his investiture was postponed . The appointment of the other officers was as follows : Bros . C . B . Cooke , Secretary ; Mclntyre , S . D . ; J . D . left open until next meeting ; R . J . Albery , I . G . ; and J . Very , Tyler .

Thc Installing Master having delivered to the W . M ., the other officers , and the lay brethren the customary orations , and a large number of brethren having been proposed for joining or initiation , the lodge was closed in due form , and the company adjourned to the Horns Assembly Rooms , Kennington , for dinner . When the cloth had been withdrawn , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , the musical brethren enlivening thc proceedings with ballads , glees , and part songs between the speeches .

In proposing " The Health of the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , " the W . M . referred to the ability of the Grand Master and the experience he had acquired . Me ( Bro . Massey ) had the honour of seeing His Royal Highness installed as Grand Master—a sight which those who witnessed it would never forget- —and also of seeing him take his first chair at one of our Charity festivals . He considered that His Royal Highness being at the head of the Craft had done a great deal to elevate it in thc estimation of some of those who did not think much of it before .

In proposing "Thc Health of the M . W . Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the other Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . held that he need say very little . They could not be improved , they did everything so well , 'l'he Earl of Carnarvon attended the duties of Grand Lodge , and the Earl of Lathom generally attended also , and was ever ready to preside where a President

was wauled . As regarded the rest of the Grand Officers , their fame was in all the earih . Nothing he could say would add one jot to their talents or their skill , but so long as the Gallery Lodge existed the Grand Officers would have the gratitude and esteem of its members . For his ' own part , he could not thank them sufficiently for their ver ) ' great kindness and great consideration ,

Bro . Col . BURDETT , P . G . M . Middlesex , returned thanks , and in doing so , said he could hardl y say more than the W . M . had said . The Grand Officers were always read y to assist with their services and advice . The Grand Officers were pleased to assist in consecrating the Gallery Lodge—a lodge

which , he felt sure , would make its mark in Masonry hereafter , embracing as it did some of the most important persons in the kingdom—the representatives of the Press , who report our speeches so ably that , when we see them in . print the next day , we are surprised to see what talent we have displayed .

The CHAIRMAN *; Brethren , I claim your attention for a few moments while I propose "The Health of the Consecrating Master . " The brethren here present little know how much they are indebted to that Grand Officer who has performed that ceremony to-day . We are under great obligations to many brethren for their assistance , but more especially to our Bro . Shadwell H . Clerkt ; for the honour of obtaining our warrant , because the

Grand Master has not been granting warrants for London lodges for a long lime . It is onl y under very exceptional circumstances that they can be obtained , and I believe it is not without great difficulty that we have got ours . Bro . Col . Shadwell II . Clerke consented very kindly to come and consecrate this lodge , putting himself , I know , to great inconvenience in doing so , for he had arranged to go out of town for a few days for a

welldeserved holiday . The brethren of this lodge , therefore , may feel themselves highly Haltered—first , that they have got their warrant , and , secondly , that they have got Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke to consecrate the lodge . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke has also been assisted b y several brethren to whom wc are also much indebted for their aid . In passing the resolution electing the Consecrating Master and his assistants honorary members of the lodge , one or two names were accidentally omitted . The error will be rectified at our

Consecration Of The Gallery Lodge.

next meeting , and I trust the oversi ght will be pardoned . I will also express the hope that the brethren so elected will not consider that election an empty compliment , but will frequently honour us with their presence , and they may rely on receiving notices of our meetings like any other of our members . Bro . Col . SHADWELL I-I . CLERKE : Worshi pful Master , brethren of the Gallery Lodge , and brethren , I rise to thank you , sir , for the very flattering in which have mentioned

speech you my name , and for the very flattering way in which you , brethren , have received it . It is a great satisfaction to me lo come to-day . As you said , sir , there have not been many warrants for London lodges granted lately , but I am glad to see the Grand Master has been pleased to grant this warrant , because I was sure the brethren who applied for it will form a thoroughly representative lod ge . It is a great

pleasure and gratification to me to be here to-day , and at any time my advice or services may be required I hope that they will call upon me to assist them . Passing on from personal remarks , which are to me distasteful , I must refer to an omission made in the toasts set down on the printed card , but in doing so it is my privilege lo repair the omission , and propose to you the health of that Worshi

pful Brother who has been installed to-day in the chair of K . S . ; who has ruled a lodge in former days , and who , in assuming the gavel , will assume his powers of disci pline as before , and wield that gavel wilh justice ; and on the part of all those who are not members we wish him prosperity in the new Masonic career he has commenced— "To the Newly-Installed Master of the Gallery Lodge of FYeemasons . "

The CHAIRMAN : Bro . Clerke and brethren , it is very difficult indeed to respond to the toast of the W . M . I have been in that position once before , but did not desire it again . However , when I was asked if I would go into the chair again , I consented , and resolved to do my duty to the best of my ability , and I trust to do it lo the satisfaction of the brethren . I beg to thank you for the toast proposed by Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke .

1 he W . M . then proposed "The Health ofthe Assistant Consecrating Officers , " drawing special attention to those whose names had been accidentally omitted in the resolution passed in lodge , viz ., Bros . F . Richardson , Rev . A . Hall , and Buss . Bro . AMBROSE HALL returned thanks .

"The Health of the Visitors" was next proposed , the W . M . calling upon the first visitor who signed the book to reply , and Bro . J OHN- ALLEN , P . M . 1297 , an old gallery hand , responded . The toast of " The Masonic Charities" was responded to by Bro . RICHARDSON * .

1 he W . M . then proposed " The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary of the Lodge . " Few knew what these brethren had done in promoting this ledge . It was started entirel y hy Bro . Duckworth and Bro . Albery . The brethren had very properly selected Bro . Duckworth to be their Treasurer

they could not have any one better fitted for the office , for he had the greatest horror of owing any money . Bro . Cooke , who had been appointed Secretary , had also worked very hard to bring the lodge to its consecration . But while mentioning Bro . Duckworth and Bro . Cooke he must add that many others had worked hard and taken a great interest in the lodge .

Bro . DUCKWORTH : Being the Treasurer of this lodge I am anxious to make a speech . I am a very bad speaker . I write too much of other people ' s speeches . As regards this lodge , I say to the men most interested in supporting it that the Gallery was , and is , an undoubtedl y historic association of men . We have - all sorts of as sociations in the Gallery , but there are no associations of a Masonic nature , and although . Freemasons

are a world-wide body of men , it is pre-eminently an English Institution . As regards this lodge , it started under great advantages , and so far has been a remarkable success . The best test of that is the opinion of the Treasurer . I may say that we have got a number of subscribers to-day , and every subscriber has paid his subscription , and a great many of them

have paid more . I believe that in twenty , thirty , forty , or fifty years this will be one of thc most remarkable lodges in England . Bro . COOKE also responded . " Thc Health of the Officers of the Lodge" was next honoured , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded one of the most successful Masonic meetings of the season .

Consecration Of The Mozart Lodge, No. 1929.

CONSECRATION OF THE MOZART LODGE , No . 1929 .

The consecration of this lodge was performed at the Masonic Hall , Harewood House , High-street , Croydon , on the 12 th inst . Thc proceedings were attended with considerable eclat owing to the presence of an array of distinguished Grand and Prov . Grand Officers and brethren to assist in the ceremonial . The Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master for

Surrey , Bro . General J . Studholme Brownrigg , occupied the chair at about four o ' clock , and appointed W . Bro . Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D ., to assist as S . W ., and XV . Bro . W . C . Beaumont , Prov . G . S . W . Surrey , as J . W . There were also present V . W . Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , Rev . A . W . Hall , M . A ., Grand Chap ., Right Worshi pful Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , XV . Bros . Rev . R . Fawsett Ward , Prov .

G . Chap . Surrey , H . E . Francis , P . G . D . of C . Surrey , Right Worshipful Bros . R . H . Giddy , D . G . M . Griqualand , South Africa , J . Rhodes , P . G . Org . Surrey , and other brethren . Lodge having been formed was opened in the Three Degrees . The Prov . Grand Master was saluted , also the Grand Lodge Officers present , Bro . Francis acting as D . of C . The Prov . Grand Master having in a few words explained the objects of the meeting , the

petitioning brethren were arranged in due order and the petition , together with the warrant of constitution , were read by the acting Secretary , Bro . T . Tremere . Thc following are the names of the founders , Bros , E . M . Lott , P . M . 245 , 1765 , P . P . G . J . W . Jersey , P . P . G . O . Middlesex , P . P . G . O . Surrey ; F . C . Compton , W . M . 1615 ; H . J . Lardner , W . M . 1745 . ' ! ' Tremere , 1314 ; XV . P . Thomas , 1415 ; J . King , 1623 ; W .

Aynslcy , 1677 ; E . Moss , 1706 ; and T . T . Phillips , 1706 . Besides those brethren alread y mentioned there were present Bros . D . M . Dewar , P . M . 1415 ; J . Kift , P . M . 256 ; A . F . Goodenough , S . D . 1745 ; H . W . Schartau , Org . 1549 ; E . C . Gibbes , J . W . 1872 ; A . J . Thompson , 1507 ; II . O . Martin , 1309 ; H . W . D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; E . Mallett , P . M . 141 ; H . G . Buss , A . G . Sec . ; R . M . Brooks Cooch , 1420 ; G . H . Stephens , J . D . 1623 ( Freemason ); and others .

The brethren having confirmed their choice of officers designate , Bro . A . W . HALL , Grand Chaplain , was called upon for an oration on the nature and design of the Institution , which the Rev brother delivered as follows : It is the object of thc founders of every new lodge , that it should be , at any rate as complete , if not more complete in its organisation and working