Consecration Of The Semper Paratus Lodge, No. 3015.

V . Wor . Bro . Frank Richardson , whose name was a household word in Masonry , and whose fame as a D . C . is well known ; Wor . Bro . Vice-Admiral W . H . C . St . Clair , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Surrey , an able and enthusiastic Mason ; Col . Parkyn , a military friend , whom he had learnt to

respect and admire in that capacity before he knew him as a Mason ; Wor . Bro . W . Lake—who was known throughout the Masonic world for his affability and courtesy—had been particularly kind to him , and had afforded him valuable assistance , although he was afraid he had given him a

considerable amount of worry ; Wor . Bro . Sadler , the learned Sub-Librarian of Grand Lodge , who invited the brethren to visit and inspect the exceedingly interesting and valuable exhibits under his charge .

V . Wor . Bro . Frank Richardson , replying , regretted the absence of his chief , the Consecrating Master , but had pleasure in responding to the toast proposed in such flowing terms . The Grand Officers had multifarious duties to perform , both in London and the Provinces , installing Provincial Grand Masters , superintending foundation stone laying , and

others too numerous to mention , but nothing pleased them more than starting a new lodge into existence . The one they had launched that night he was conlident would do them credit . Caution was always needed in selecting candidates . A lodge like this , sprung out of an enormous body

of men , banded already by a sort of Masonic tie , that caution would be less necessary . They were now banded in the strongest of ties . He had not fear but that this lodge would take an important position under its Grand Lodge .

Admiral St . Clair felt proud to be present in a lodge formed of members of the lire brigades of the kingdom , as he felt something of a fireman himself , being trained on board a man-of-war . An on-looker on a war ship would think when the bell rung to quarters that a pandemonium had broken loose , but in half a moment , with wonderful system

and regularity , every man was at his post , and many a fireman had learnt his first fire drill in the Navy . He valued highly honorary membership of such a lodge . Wor . Bro . Col . Parkyn also briefly responded .

Wor . Bro . Surgeon-Major Maitland-Coffin , P . A . G . D . C , proposed the toast of " The Wor . Master , " who had been known to many of them for a number of years , and they were all perfectly unanimous in saying that they had placed the right man in the right place , for no one was more loved or respected in the Fire Brigade Union than their Wor . Master ,

all of whom would join with him in wishing him a year of prosperity as Master of the " Semper Paratus Lodge . " The Wor . Master , replying , expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the toast of his health had been received . He was occupying this high position by their great kindness ,

but they were aware that he was not anxious to take it . It had been a great pleasure to assist in the foundation , but he had made a stand against being their first Master . It had been thirty-two years since he was installed for the first time a Wor . Master . He had served in three chairs since ,

and , therefore , might well have been exempt from taking yet another . He had been forced to accept it by the founders saying that if he declined they would not have a lodge at all . Being there he would do his best to make it a success . It was not numbers they required , and he hoped the

chief officers would make all enquiries before permitting any candidates being proposed , and so take measures to prevent any undesirable member being brought forward . It was the duty of every member to do all in their power to guard and protect the honour and reputation of the Fire Brigades Union , and of the lodge which had been consecrated that evening . He thanked them for the cordiality .

Rt . Wor . Bro . J . Andrews , Prov . Gd . Master South Africa , W . D ., replying to the toast of "The Visitors , " expressed his keen appreciation for the kindness which had been extended to him by English Masons in London , more particularly in inviting him to be present at the interesting ceremony he had been permitted to witness that

evening . The characteristics of a Mason appeared to him to be present in every member he had met that evening , and he found that Masons in all parts of the world were endeared

to one another . In his own District there were lodges under the English , Irish , Scotch and Netherlands Grand Lodges , all working in perfect harmony . He should take back to South Africa pleasant recollections of his visit . Bro . S . G . Gamble , who holds the important position of second officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade , returning

thanks , remarked it was peculiar to do so as a visitor among so many personal old friends . He had assisted in the foundation of the National Fire Brigade Union in 1895-6-7 , and helped it through its early struggles . He was glad a lodge had been founded within that Union , and rejoiced to

be present to witness its successful launch . He knew what a back-bone their members had , and that they would do their duties as Masons as they had as firemen . The Wor . Master , proposing the toast of " The Officers , " felt himself surrounded by a body of men who would

thoroughly support him . Wor . Bro . Surgeon-Major Maitland Coffin he was particularly grateful to for doing him the honour of accepting the post of Acting I . P . M . His Wardens , known in camp as " The Twins , " were both stalwart men and good Masons , who would reflect honour upon the lodge ,

and his Secretary , Wor . Bro . Horace S . Folker , had a reputation throughout the fire brigade world . He was deeply indebted to him for accepting the post of Secretary . The S . W ., J . W ., Treasurer and Secretary , replied .

FOUNDERS . W . Bros . Lieut . Col . G . W . Dixon , V . D ., P . G . S . B . England ; Surgeon-Major R . J . Maitland-Coffin , P . A . G . D . C . England ; T . Clulee , P . M ., P . P . A . P . Worcester ; Surgeon-Major G . Harrison , W . M . 425 ; E . Westbrook , P . M . 2200 ;

Horace S . Folker , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . Surrey ; H . Marshallsay , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . Hants ; H . Voting , P . M . 1619 ; T . W . Gardner , P . M ., P . G . S . Gloucestershire ; Bros . Major H . Finn , J . P ., S . 709 ; W . L . Bradley , C . E ., S . D . 1678 ; W . A . Farnham , 1273 ; T . G . Dyson , I . G . 771 ; A . J . Eade ; W .

Bro . A . T . Dale , P . M ., P . G . S . Essex ; Bro . Arthur Greene , M . A ., M . D ., 1008 ; W . Bro . Major R . C . Davies , P . M . 1576 ; Bros . E . O . Sacks , 2416 ; J . T . Williams , 1204 ; S . Towlson , C . E ., 1414 ; W . F . Tritton , 2499 ; R . C . Goslin , P . M . 1891 . VISITORS .

W . Bros . G . R . Blades ; Major E E . Carter ; Col . Guyon ; Burslum , P . M . 2200 ; Skinner , P . M . 8 74 ; Bros . C . W . Wilson ; Surgeon Capt . G . O . Lunt , 1477 ; Manley ; A . J . Clarke , 1619 ; W . Bros . E . H . Pritchett , P . M . 1295 ; John Sulley , P . M . 1 S 04 and 266 3 ; Bros . D . M . Sjiong , 803 ;

F . R . Russell , M . D . ; Pitlield Chappie ; W . Bros , Baddeley , P . M . ; T . Jenkins , P . M . ; Bro . Max . Clarke ; W . Bro . E . B . Podmore ; Bro . Arthur Whitehead .

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