-
Articles/Ads
Article MARK BENEVOLENT FUND. Page 1 of 1 Article CONSECRATION OF THE BECKENHAM LODGE, No. 2047. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mark Benevolent Fund.
MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .
The sixteenth annual festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Wednesday evening at the Crystal Palace . Tlie chair was taken by Bro . Major John Woodhall Woodall , Provincial Grand Mark Master of North and East Yorkshire . About eighty ladies and brethren sat down to dinner , among whom were Bros . Sir Prvsc Pryso , L . Jones Parry , M . P . ; Baron dc Ferrieres , M . P ., After dinner , grace having been sung , the usual toasts were proposed . The CHAIRMAN proposed " "The Queen , " "The G . M . M . M . "
Bro . L . joxns PARRY , M . P .. proposed "The D . G . M ., Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the rest of ihc Grand Officers . " Bro . HENRY VENN , in acknowledging the toast as the senior Grand Officer present , said he thanked Bro . Pari y . ' and was exceedingly grateful to the Grand Masters for making him a Grand Officer ; but he lelt that the com" p li ' ment was not so much bestowed upon him as upon the Old Kent Lodge . Personally , he could not be known to the Grand Master , and therefore he thought it was the services rendered gt nerally by various lodges in the
provinces and in London to the Charities that brought the brethren under the notice of ihc M . W . G . M ., who put his finger on the lodges lhat contributed well and worthily to the Charities . Such an object was what all Masons should have in view . Lodges as well- as individuals should contribute all round ; but lie found that it was lhe same names year after year that contribute to this and the olher Ma-onic Charities . He wished io see the practice more universal , and then the great lunds would be greater . He trusted that all lhc brethren would stimulate others with whom they were associated to join in contributing to these Charities .
Sir PRYSE PRYSE propoed "The Chairman , " who had been twice Mayor of Scarborough , was a famous yachtsman , and a very good Mason . The CHAIRMAN said , in reply , that living so far as he did from the great metropolis he had hardly thought he should have been in a position to preside on such an occasion . Through the kindness of the brethren lhe duties imposed on him were of such a nature as lo give him great pleasure in presidingand he trusted the brethren would pardon him if he made any
, mistake . He thanked the brethren very much for their presence , and he thanked the brethren of the Mark Lodge for their great kindness to him during his Masonic career . He was a Mason of many years' standing , but he had found in Maik Masons a stronger social bond of union than in lhc ordinary body . He trusted that , although Mark Masons were a body wiihin a body , they were yet fulfilling a duty , and doing the work that Was set before them .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing " Prosperity to the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and Education Fund , " said they were all very glad indeed , whether Mark Masons or others , to contribute to funds by which their distressed breihren might find relief and assistance . The peculiar nature ol the educational branch of the Mark Benevolent Fund was one which commended itself to every one . At the time when the great Masonic Institutions were instituted lhe system of primary education in
this country was by no means in a high position , lt was lower than in many continental nations which had enjoyed less peace and tranquillity than England . It was short of what it was in the northern kingdom of Norway T for in that country it was laid down that itwas the duty ol the community generally to insist on such an education being given to the children as would enable them to hold their posiiion in society . He trusted this Fund would be successful , and hoped that in the course of time it
would be owing to the existence of the invaluable Schools of Masonry , as well as to lhe primary education of children educated near their own homes and among their own brothers , sisters , and playmates , they would be fitted for the woik of life . This Fund had enabled children educated in the northern provinces to carry on lheir education at lhe northern universities . In Northumberland and Durham the Provincial Grand Master would give
them some assistance , and therefore he ( the Chairman ) would venture to put before them all the claims of lhe Benevolent Fund in relieving distress . As one who had taken a great deal of interest in thc matter since he left the University of Oxford , he was glad to aid on every possible occasion the claims of this Fund . He , therefore , proposed , with thc greatest cordiality , " Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " Bro . C . F . MATIER then read the following list of subscriptions :
LONDON ' . Lodge £ s . d . Grand Masters' Bro . E . C . Mather to io o Bon Accord tT . I . ) , Rro . J . W . tuller 10 10 0 Old Kent , Bro . Herbert Dicketts 85 II G
1 , Bro . ii . L . Shepherd 15 15 o 1 , „ E . H . Thiellay 5 5 ° UNATTACHED . Bro . Robt . Berridge , P . G . M . O . 550
„ lid ^ ar Bowyer , P . M . 315 10 10 o „ G . Cooper , P . G . D . ... 550 „ Baron De Ferrieres , M . P ., P . G . O 5 5 0 „ CH . Driver , P . G . I , of VV . 32 10 o „ Dr . G . P . Mickley , P . P . G . O . Bucks 10 10 o
„ Capt . H . Stephens , G . Steward ... ... 5 5 ° „ A . Williams , P . G . D . ... 550 PROVINCES . BERKS AND OXON . Province , Bro . Thos . J . Pulley 23 3 o 257 Bro . K . Nicholson ... 580 CUMBERLAND AND
WESTMORELAND . Province , Bro . P . de E . Collin 11 11 o DEVON . Province , Bro . H . XV . Ma ' eley 20 o o EAST ANGLIA .
Province , Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn 10 10 o 112 Bro . Osi _ ar Untuning ... 10 10 o 335 »> lame < Nral Y . jrk ... 25 o o HANT-. AND ISLE OF WIGHT . . ^ 4 Bro . Kichard E > e 2100 54 „ Henry Stu e ... 10 10 o
•KENT . Prcvince , Bro . Wm . Watson ... 27 iC o 22 ( 1 Bro . W . A . Weston ... 35 o o 3 , 1- 1 , Ralph Gooding .,, 10 10 o
LANCASHIRE . Province , Bto . Reginald Young 21 o o LEICESTER , DERBY AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE . 302 Bro . Percy Wallis ... 2 C 5 o LINCOLNSHIRE . Province , Bro . Jack Sutcliffe ... 5166 MIDDLESEX AND SURREY
. Provincial Grand Lodge , Bros . H . Lovegrove ) 10 10 o D . P . Cama i 42 o 0 7 Bro . Rev . Samuel Maude 10 10 o
13 „ E . B . Bright ... 42 o o 59 „ Alex . Ferguson ... 5 5 0 144 „ T . E . Taylor ... 5 5 ° 315 „ James Terry ... 5 5 0 331 ,, Henry Faija ... 21 o o NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .
Province , Bro . T . Y . Strachan 42 o 0 NOTTINGHAM . Newstead ( T . I . ) , Bro . E . C . Patchitt 47 6 0 STAFFORD . 318 , Bro . A . F . Warrilloiv ... ' 10 10 o SUSSEX . 75 Bro . Thomas Cable ... 5 14 0
, WARWICK . 115 , Bro . T . H . Smith 115 , „ A . F . Warrillow ... WORCESTERSHIRE . 330 , Bro . G-orgtt Taylor ... 10 10 o YOKKSHIR-, N . andE .
277 , Bro . Samui-I Chadwick .. 550 WALES , NORTH . Bro . Capt . C . HuntT ... 5 5 0 321 , L . Jones Parry , M . P . ... 5 5 0 25 a , Corneius Div . es . 550 WAi . ES . SOUTH .
28 , Bro . Charles Chalk ... II J 5 6 Chairman ( personal ) ... 25 2 6 Total £ 832 19 o
Bro . HERBERT DICKETTS replied to the toast . He said it was lhe Stewards' duty to return their most sincere thanks to the President for the ready manner in which he had consented to take the chair on this occasion . He was happy lo say that the Stewards had tried to do their duty , and they were pleased beyond measure to know that they had been endeavouring to carry out a Society in which he had the most complete and confident reliance .
They were met that evening for ihe promotion of its success , and to carry out Masonic principles as followed up in the Old Kent Lodge , of which he was a member . It was not only that they were called upon to do lheir duty to the Mark Benevolent Fund , but in every state of society , and it would bc a deli ght to the breihren if thev saw what was done by those who were members of the General Board . They did not attempt in any way to '
enter into any enterprise with those grand Masonic Institutions which he had been called upon to return thanksfor . Many of those present , and who subscribed to the Mark Benevolent Fund , were Vice-Presidents and Life Governors . of the three grand Institutions . He was only returning thanks for those kind breihren who had allowed his name to be pressed upon them . If thev would only take into consideration this Fund , they would find it was
administered with all power . Grand Lodge of England had its Fund of Benevolence , the administrators of which met once a month ; but this Mark Benevolent Fund was of a different character , and the educational branch was intended to educate the children of parents who had been reduced , and give them the education which they would have had if nothing had happened to their parents . Such a good Socieiy was deserving of all support , and he
assured the brethren and ladies that they never sat round a table where there was more honesty of desire to do the best that could be done for a Socieiy . Bro . BINCKES , Grand Secretary , proposed " The Board of Stewards , ' . ' and remarked that thc amount of subscriptions announced that evening showed progress ; it was a larger amount than they ever had before . He had hoped it would have reached four figures in the pounds column .
He could testify to the arduous duties of the Board of Stewards , which , however , were undertaken with a great deal of pleasure . He knew what work it involved , what labour was bound up in the discharge of that duty ; and he sympathised with the brethren who took those duties as much as any one possibly could do . Those connected with the Fund were complimented from time to time on thc Success
of these meetings . He had laboured hard for a quarter of a century to do all he possibly could toinoculaie brethren in the same principles as he had himself ; the highest Masonic duly was to promote thc success of the Masonic Institution . How nobly had he been supported and encouraged , how generously welcomed everywhere-he had raised his voice , he could testify . He derived a large amount of gratification that in his waning and
declining years he was as kindly and warmly welcomed and received as ever he was . He believed- there was a generous spirit abroad among breihren who knew he had but one object at heart in the cause in which he sympathised—to endeavour to infuse every friend he addressed with the feeling he had himself , while enjoying themselves , to endeavour to relieve the wants of others . As long as he could mention this he intended to do so . As long as he could he would try to induce good brethren to support thc
Masonic Institutions . He had been always earnest on behalf of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the } ' must never allow themselves in their highest happiness to neglect those who were not so fortunate . His words had not fallen on stony ground , or in thorny places , but had fallen on good ground and brought forth fruit . He hoped he would be spared a few more years to continue his work . In proposing the Board of Stewards , he coupled thn name of Captain Hunter wilh it .
Bro . Capt . HUNTER , m replying , said it was quite by accident he was there representing the Board of Stewards . He had served formerl y as Steward , but he happened to go up to head-quarters and found a meeting of Grand Stewards assembled ; he joined them , and they asked him to preside over them . Thc Stewards , one and all , were convinced of the value
of this Fund , and appreciated very highly the kind manner in which Bro . Binckes had spoken of them . They thanked the brethren and ladies also for their . kindness in acknowledging the efforts they had made—efforts which , he was happy to say , had been crowned with a success which had been unknown until that evening .
"The Ladies" was the next toast , which was responded to by Bro . R . P . SPICE . *• The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . DICKETTS , who particularly mentioned Bro . D . Cama as a liberal contributor to all Masonic Charities . The brethren shortly afterwards separated A beautiful selection of music was performed during the evening under the direction of Bro . Edwin M . Lott , Grand Organist , by Madame Raymond and Bros . Arthur Weston , T . Tremere , and Egbert Roberts .
Consecration Of The Beckenham Lodge, No. 2047.
CONSECRATION OF THE BECKENHAM LODGE , No . 2047 .
At the New Public Hall , Beckenham , in a commodious suite of rooms particularly well adapted for Masonic purposes , another lodge was added to the already long list of London Lodges , on Tuesday last . A large and influential gathering supported the worthy Grand Sccietary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who acted as Consecrating Officer , and there is little doubt that
thc Beckenham Lodge , No . 2047 , under the able guidance of its first W . M ., Bro . Archbold , P . M . 19 , will prove a great acquisition to the Order . The Consecrating Officer having appointed V . W . Bro . Philbrick , Q , C , Grand Reg ., as S . W . ; W . Bro . Alfred Richards , D . G . D . of C , as J . W . ; V . W . Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; W . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Dir . of Cers . ; and W . Bro . Edijar Bowyer
, P . G . Std . Br ., as IG ., proceeded to consecrate the lodge in the usual manner , taking occasion in the introductory address to congratulate the W . M . designate and ihe founders on having obtained thc warrant , and called on V . W . Bro . Brownrigg to deliver the oration , which was impressively and eloquently rendered , and received with deep attention .
Brethren , —The lormation of each new lodge as it occurs—and such ceremonies as we are now engaged in , are of very frequent occurrenceought to awaken very serious thoughts in the hearts of all who are interested in ihe wellare of the Cralt . It is a fact , my brethren , beyond contradiction , that day by day we are becoming more and more a real and living power
in the country . There was a time , within the memory of some ol us , when this was not so . I do not say that the Craft has not always done good and useful work , but I do also maintain that 50 years ago it had comparatively speaking , very little influence upon the country . The outside world then considered it as only one amongst several other like societiesprobably the most ancient—probablyalso the most Charitable—but otherwise
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Mark Benevolent Fund.
MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .
The sixteenth annual festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Wednesday evening at the Crystal Palace . Tlie chair was taken by Bro . Major John Woodhall Woodall , Provincial Grand Mark Master of North and East Yorkshire . About eighty ladies and brethren sat down to dinner , among whom were Bros . Sir Prvsc Pryso , L . Jones Parry , M . P . ; Baron dc Ferrieres , M . P ., After dinner , grace having been sung , the usual toasts were proposed . The CHAIRMAN proposed " "The Queen , " "The G . M . M . M . "
Bro . L . joxns PARRY , M . P .. proposed "The D . G . M ., Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the rest of ihc Grand Officers . " Bro . HENRY VENN , in acknowledging the toast as the senior Grand Officer present , said he thanked Bro . Pari y . ' and was exceedingly grateful to the Grand Masters for making him a Grand Officer ; but he lelt that the com" p li ' ment was not so much bestowed upon him as upon the Old Kent Lodge . Personally , he could not be known to the Grand Master , and therefore he thought it was the services rendered gt nerally by various lodges in the
provinces and in London to the Charities that brought the brethren under the notice of ihc M . W . G . M ., who put his finger on the lodges lhat contributed well and worthily to the Charities . Such an object was what all Masons should have in view . Lodges as well- as individuals should contribute all round ; but lie found that it was lhe same names year after year that contribute to this and the olher Ma-onic Charities . He wished io see the practice more universal , and then the great lunds would be greater . He trusted that all lhc brethren would stimulate others with whom they were associated to join in contributing to these Charities .
Sir PRYSE PRYSE propoed "The Chairman , " who had been twice Mayor of Scarborough , was a famous yachtsman , and a very good Mason . The CHAIRMAN said , in reply , that living so far as he did from the great metropolis he had hardly thought he should have been in a position to preside on such an occasion . Through the kindness of the brethren lhe duties imposed on him were of such a nature as lo give him great pleasure in presidingand he trusted the brethren would pardon him if he made any
, mistake . He thanked the brethren very much for their presence , and he thanked the brethren of the Mark Lodge for their great kindness to him during his Masonic career . He was a Mason of many years' standing , but he had found in Maik Masons a stronger social bond of union than in lhc ordinary body . He trusted that , although Mark Masons were a body wiihin a body , they were yet fulfilling a duty , and doing the work that Was set before them .
The CHAIRMAN , in proposing " Prosperity to the Mark Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund and Education Fund , " said they were all very glad indeed , whether Mark Masons or others , to contribute to funds by which their distressed breihren might find relief and assistance . The peculiar nature ol the educational branch of the Mark Benevolent Fund was one which commended itself to every one . At the time when the great Masonic Institutions were instituted lhe system of primary education in
this country was by no means in a high position , lt was lower than in many continental nations which had enjoyed less peace and tranquillity than England . It was short of what it was in the northern kingdom of Norway T for in that country it was laid down that itwas the duty ol the community generally to insist on such an education being given to the children as would enable them to hold their posiiion in society . He trusted this Fund would be successful , and hoped that in the course of time it
would be owing to the existence of the invaluable Schools of Masonry , as well as to lhe primary education of children educated near their own homes and among their own brothers , sisters , and playmates , they would be fitted for the woik of life . This Fund had enabled children educated in the northern provinces to carry on lheir education at lhe northern universities . In Northumberland and Durham the Provincial Grand Master would give
them some assistance , and therefore he ( the Chairman ) would venture to put before them all the claims of lhe Benevolent Fund in relieving distress . As one who had taken a great deal of interest in thc matter since he left the University of Oxford , he was glad to aid on every possible occasion the claims of this Fund . He , therefore , proposed , with thc greatest cordiality , " Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " Bro . C . F . MATIER then read the following list of subscriptions :
LONDON ' . Lodge £ s . d . Grand Masters' Bro . E . C . Mather to io o Bon Accord tT . I . ) , Rro . J . W . tuller 10 10 0 Old Kent , Bro . Herbert Dicketts 85 II G
1 , Bro . ii . L . Shepherd 15 15 o 1 , „ E . H . Thiellay 5 5 ° UNATTACHED . Bro . Robt . Berridge , P . G . M . O . 550
„ lid ^ ar Bowyer , P . M . 315 10 10 o „ G . Cooper , P . G . D . ... 550 „ Baron De Ferrieres , M . P ., P . G . O 5 5 0 „ CH . Driver , P . G . I , of VV . 32 10 o „ Dr . G . P . Mickley , P . P . G . O . Bucks 10 10 o
„ Capt . H . Stephens , G . Steward ... ... 5 5 ° „ A . Williams , P . G . D . ... 550 PROVINCES . BERKS AND OXON . Province , Bro . Thos . J . Pulley 23 3 o 257 Bro . K . Nicholson ... 580 CUMBERLAND AND
WESTMORELAND . Province , Bro . P . de E . Collin 11 11 o DEVON . Province , Bro . H . XV . Ma ' eley 20 o o EAST ANGLIA .
Province , Bro . Rev . C . J . Martyn 10 10 o 112 Bro . Osi _ ar Untuning ... 10 10 o 335 »> lame < Nral Y . jrk ... 25 o o HANT-. AND ISLE OF WIGHT . . ^ 4 Bro . Kichard E > e 2100 54 „ Henry Stu e ... 10 10 o
•KENT . Prcvince , Bro . Wm . Watson ... 27 iC o 22 ( 1 Bro . W . A . Weston ... 35 o o 3 , 1- 1 , Ralph Gooding .,, 10 10 o
LANCASHIRE . Province , Bto . Reginald Young 21 o o LEICESTER , DERBY AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE . 302 Bro . Percy Wallis ... 2 C 5 o LINCOLNSHIRE . Province , Bro . Jack Sutcliffe ... 5166 MIDDLESEX AND SURREY
. Provincial Grand Lodge , Bros . H . Lovegrove ) 10 10 o D . P . Cama i 42 o 0 7 Bro . Rev . Samuel Maude 10 10 o
13 „ E . B . Bright ... 42 o o 59 „ Alex . Ferguson ... 5 5 0 144 „ T . E . Taylor ... 5 5 ° 315 „ James Terry ... 5 5 0 331 ,, Henry Faija ... 21 o o NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM .
Province , Bro . T . Y . Strachan 42 o 0 NOTTINGHAM . Newstead ( T . I . ) , Bro . E . C . Patchitt 47 6 0 STAFFORD . 318 , Bro . A . F . Warrilloiv ... ' 10 10 o SUSSEX . 75 Bro . Thomas Cable ... 5 14 0
, WARWICK . 115 , Bro . T . H . Smith 115 , „ A . F . Warrillow ... WORCESTERSHIRE . 330 , Bro . G-orgtt Taylor ... 10 10 o YOKKSHIR-, N . andE .
277 , Bro . Samui-I Chadwick .. 550 WALES , NORTH . Bro . Capt . C . HuntT ... 5 5 0 321 , L . Jones Parry , M . P . ... 5 5 0 25 a , Corneius Div . es . 550 WAi . ES . SOUTH .
28 , Bro . Charles Chalk ... II J 5 6 Chairman ( personal ) ... 25 2 6 Total £ 832 19 o
Bro . HERBERT DICKETTS replied to the toast . He said it was lhe Stewards' duty to return their most sincere thanks to the President for the ready manner in which he had consented to take the chair on this occasion . He was happy lo say that the Stewards had tried to do their duty , and they were pleased beyond measure to know that they had been endeavouring to carry out a Society in which he had the most complete and confident reliance .
They were met that evening for ihe promotion of its success , and to carry out Masonic principles as followed up in the Old Kent Lodge , of which he was a member . It was not only that they were called upon to do lheir duty to the Mark Benevolent Fund , but in every state of society , and it would bc a deli ght to the breihren if thev saw what was done by those who were members of the General Board . They did not attempt in any way to '
enter into any enterprise with those grand Masonic Institutions which he had been called upon to return thanksfor . Many of those present , and who subscribed to the Mark Benevolent Fund , were Vice-Presidents and Life Governors . of the three grand Institutions . He was only returning thanks for those kind breihren who had allowed his name to be pressed upon them . If thev would only take into consideration this Fund , they would find it was
administered with all power . Grand Lodge of England had its Fund of Benevolence , the administrators of which met once a month ; but this Mark Benevolent Fund was of a different character , and the educational branch was intended to educate the children of parents who had been reduced , and give them the education which they would have had if nothing had happened to their parents . Such a good Socieiy was deserving of all support , and he
assured the brethren and ladies that they never sat round a table where there was more honesty of desire to do the best that could be done for a Socieiy . Bro . BINCKES , Grand Secretary , proposed " The Board of Stewards , ' . ' and remarked that thc amount of subscriptions announced that evening showed progress ; it was a larger amount than they ever had before . He had hoped it would have reached four figures in the pounds column .
He could testify to the arduous duties of the Board of Stewards , which , however , were undertaken with a great deal of pleasure . He knew what work it involved , what labour was bound up in the discharge of that duty ; and he sympathised with the brethren who took those duties as much as any one possibly could do . Those connected with the Fund were complimented from time to time on thc Success
of these meetings . He had laboured hard for a quarter of a century to do all he possibly could toinoculaie brethren in the same principles as he had himself ; the highest Masonic duly was to promote thc success of the Masonic Institution . How nobly had he been supported and encouraged , how generously welcomed everywhere-he had raised his voice , he could testify . He derived a large amount of gratification that in his waning and
declining years he was as kindly and warmly welcomed and received as ever he was . He believed- there was a generous spirit abroad among breihren who knew he had but one object at heart in the cause in which he sympathised—to endeavour to infuse every friend he addressed with the feeling he had himself , while enjoying themselves , to endeavour to relieve the wants of others . As long as he could mention this he intended to do so . As long as he could he would try to induce good brethren to support thc
Masonic Institutions . He had been always earnest on behalf of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and the } ' must never allow themselves in their highest happiness to neglect those who were not so fortunate . His words had not fallen on stony ground , or in thorny places , but had fallen on good ground and brought forth fruit . He hoped he would be spared a few more years to continue his work . In proposing the Board of Stewards , he coupled thn name of Captain Hunter wilh it .
Bro . Capt . HUNTER , m replying , said it was quite by accident he was there representing the Board of Stewards . He had served formerl y as Steward , but he happened to go up to head-quarters and found a meeting of Grand Stewards assembled ; he joined them , and they asked him to preside over them . Thc Stewards , one and all , were convinced of the value
of this Fund , and appreciated very highly the kind manner in which Bro . Binckes had spoken of them . They thanked the brethren and ladies also for their . kindness in acknowledging the efforts they had made—efforts which , he was happy to say , had been crowned with a success which had been unknown until that evening .
"The Ladies" was the next toast , which was responded to by Bro . R . P . SPICE . *• The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . DICKETTS , who particularly mentioned Bro . D . Cama as a liberal contributor to all Masonic Charities . The brethren shortly afterwards separated A beautiful selection of music was performed during the evening under the direction of Bro . Edwin M . Lott , Grand Organist , by Madame Raymond and Bros . Arthur Weston , T . Tremere , and Egbert Roberts .
Consecration Of The Beckenham Lodge, No. 2047.
CONSECRATION OF THE BECKENHAM LODGE , No . 2047 .
At the New Public Hall , Beckenham , in a commodious suite of rooms particularly well adapted for Masonic purposes , another lodge was added to the already long list of London Lodges , on Tuesday last . A large and influential gathering supported the worthy Grand Sccietary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who acted as Consecrating Officer , and there is little doubt that
thc Beckenham Lodge , No . 2047 , under the able guidance of its first W . M ., Bro . Archbold , P . M . 19 , will prove a great acquisition to the Order . The Consecrating Officer having appointed V . W . Bro . Philbrick , Q , C , Grand Reg ., as S . W . ; W . Bro . Alfred Richards , D . G . D . of C , as J . W . ; V . W . Bro . Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; W . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Dir . of Cers . ; and W . Bro . Edijar Bowyer
, P . G . Std . Br ., as IG ., proceeded to consecrate the lodge in the usual manner , taking occasion in the introductory address to congratulate the W . M . designate and ihe founders on having obtained thc warrant , and called on V . W . Bro . Brownrigg to deliver the oration , which was impressively and eloquently rendered , and received with deep attention .
Brethren , —The lormation of each new lodge as it occurs—and such ceremonies as we are now engaged in , are of very frequent occurrenceought to awaken very serious thoughts in the hearts of all who are interested in ihe wellare of the Cralt . It is a fact , my brethren , beyond contradiction , that day by day we are becoming more and more a real and living power
in the country . There was a time , within the memory of some ol us , when this was not so . I do not say that the Craft has not always done good and useful work , but I do also maintain that 50 years ago it had comparatively speaking , very little influence upon the country . The outside world then considered it as only one amongst several other like societiesprobably the most ancient—probablyalso the most Charitable—but otherwise