Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for Insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CBAFT : METBOPOLITAN ,

ROYAL ALBERT LODGE , No . 907 . THE annual installation festival of this Lodge was celebrated on 26 th April , at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen Street , W . C , with remarkable success , both from a Masonic and festive point of view . The W . M . Bro . F . Schmitz presided , being supported by bis Officers ; Past Masters E . J . Lowther , H . C . Jones , G . Wallace , T . H . Ensoll , F . G . White , W . B . Heagerty , Jas . Cook , F . H . Cheesewright , J . Kemp Coleman ; a large number of tho members of the Lodge , and the following Visitors : —

J . Howard 1216 , C . E . Turnbull P . M . 190 , J . W . Simpson P . M . 907 , T . K . Pearce J . W . 1362 , E . 0 . Feild Secretary 1362 , J . W . Campbell W . M . 256 , Dr . S . R . Lovett P . M . 2398 , F . R . Stevens P . M . 1332 , H . S . Croker W . M . 190 , J . W . Tawryance I . G . 554 , F . G . Mellows S . W . 2108 , A . H . Hawtrey 957 , E . Apelt P . M . 186 , P . S . Genese W . M . 2265 , Robert TJlrich P . M . 2150 , Theo . Fursch 238 , E . J . M . Owens S . D . 2466 , De Mortimer Mcintosh 2261 , T . Williams 205 , H . L . Batting 2128 , Edward Ayres S . W . 1343 , P . S . Levi P . M . 1670 , Jos . Gunton I . G . 18 , E . J . Morgan P . M . and Sec . 1571 , J . J . Thomas P . P . G . T . Bucks and P . M . 753 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , & c .

The Lodge was formally opened , when tbe Dispensation granted by the Grand Master to hold the festival on that day was read . The minutes of the two previous meetings were read and confirmed . The Treasurer's report was presented , which was duly received and adopted and ordered to be entered in the minute book . Bro . Farnfield Treasurer congratulated the W . M . upon leaving the chair with a more satisfactory balance than when he was installed .

The only business before the Lodge , as is more convenient upon these occasions , was the installation of the new Master Bro . Augustus Bodeker , who had been regularly and unanimously elected by the Brethren in open Lodge assembled . Brother Bodeker was presented by Brother Richard Jennings P . M . D . C . and gave his assent to the ancient charges and regulations .

A Board of Installed Masters , consisting of some nve-and-twent y Present and Past Rulers , was then formed , and Bro . Bodeker was regularly installed in the chair of K . S . according to ancient custom , the ceremony being admirably conducted by Bro . Schmitz , while his subsequent rendering of the beautiful addresses was a treat in elocution seldom heard in our Lodges . Upon the return of the Brethren the new Master was duly saluted in

the three degrees , and then proceeded to invest his Officers . In this matter Bro . Bodeker not only proved himself to be a proficient Master , but evinced a flow of humour in his addresses to the various Officers that gave a novel and pleasant effect to the ceremony . All that he said was purel y Masonic and in perfect good taste , but " the charming way he said it " evoked considerable merriment .

The following were the Officers appointed : —C . E . Goodfellow S . W ., G . F . Rossiter J . W .. J . A . Farnfield P . A . G . D . C . Treasurer , Thomas Griffiths P . M . Secretary , G . T . Rotherham S . D ., F . O . Tubly J . D ., T . E . Lawler I . G . Richard Jennings P . M . D . C , F . A . White P . M . and J . R . Morison Stewards ' F . H . Cozens Organist , and George Harrison Tyler .

Bro . P . M . Farnfleld proposed and Bro . P . M . Griffiths seconded , that a cordial vote of thanks be accorded to Bro . F . Schmitz for the admirable manner in which he had rendered the ceremony . This was carried nem . con . and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Bro . Schmitz briefl y returned thanks , saying that the permanent record of their regard would be written on his heart as well as in the minute book .

An interesting letter was read from Bro . P . M . Chapman , narrating his endeavours to establish a Lodge of Instruction in Edinburgh , which institutions were unknown in that city . Bro . J . Kemp Coleman P . M . thanked the Brethren for their kind letter of sympathy sent to him during his illness . The visiting Brethren conveyed their congratulations to the new Master the Lod closed in love and

ge was harmony , and the Brethren adjourned to the Crown Room , where a recherche repast was served . The customary complimentary toasts were given , and during the evening a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Schmitz . The proceedings were enlivened by a capital musical programme , provided by Bro . Fred Cozens , in which Bros . James Brown , R . E . Miles , Wilson James Wallis Arthur and G . W . Kenway took part . '

EBURY LODGE , No 1348 . A MOST successful meeting of this prosperous Lodge took place on Tuesday , at the- Criterion , Piccadilly Circus , W ., under the presidency of Bro . Harry Morris W . M . J The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . The Lodge was advanced to the second degree , and Brother William Lander having answered the questions satisfactorily he ' was entrusted and retired . The Lod ge was advanced to the third degree

the same Brother was raised as a Master Mason , and took his place amongst the Brethren as such . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Messrs . W . James Packham , and Frederick William Field were presented as candidates for initiation , the ballot having proved unanimously in their favour . They were duly initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . Both the ceremonies were rendered in a most perfect manner , the W . M . well deserving the compliments paid him by tho Brethren and Visitors alike .

Several letters were read from Brethren regretting their unavoidable absence , and after a few more transactions and the hearty good wishes of the Visitors , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren retired to a well-earned banquet , which was provided in the usual excellent style for which the Criterion is so famed .

The cloth being removed the W . M . proposed the health of the Queen and the Craft , followed by that of the M . W . the Grand Master , which were duly honoured . Brother Davies I . P . M . then assumed authority , and in a most able manner proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , saying he had done his work in most excellent form , and in a way which gave him great credit . He wished him further prosperity .

Reports Of Meetings.

The Worshipful Master , in reply , expressed his sincere thanks for the proposition of the toast , and for the hearty reception it received . He was happy to have given satisfaction , and hoped to continue to do so . The W . M . had very much pleasure in submitting the toast of the Initiates , Bros . William James Packham and Frederick William Field . He was sure , by the attention they paid to the ceremony , they would become worthy Masons .

In reply , Bro . Field said he thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having received him as a Brother Mason amongst them . He was very much impressed with the ceremony , and hoped to be worthy of their confidence . Bro . Packham also thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their kindness in admitting him , and hoped he would do credit to the Lod ge . The next toast was that of the Treasurer , Secretary , Past Masters , and Officers , to which Bro . W . C . Wigley was the first to respond . The other Brethren included in the toast also acknowledged the good wishes entertained towards them , all expressing the hope that the Lodge would continue to

prosper . The health of the Visitors was most cordially given and received , and to this Bros . John Hattersley P . M ., W . Roots W . M . 2589 , J . O'Dea P . M ., W . Pottinger P . M ., and other guests responded in short , neat and appropriate speeches . With the Tyler's toast a most enjoyable evening was concluded , the speeches having been interspersed with musical contributions by several of the Brethren .

LOMBARDIAN LODGE , No . 2348 . THE installation meeting of this flourishing Lodge was held on Wednesday , 21 st ult ., in the Masonic Temple of the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street . The Lodge was opened in due form by Bro . G . H . Hanson W . M . After some preliminary business had been transacted , the ceremony of installing Bro . H . J . Kimbell into the chair of K . S . was performed by Bro . R . 0 . La Feuillade P . M . and Secretary , the work being done in an admirable and impressive manner . The new Worshipful Master then appointed and invested his Officers .

The Lodge was afterwards closed , and the Brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , served under the superintendence of Bro . Ashby . Subsequently the W . M . gave the usual toasts , which were accorded enthusiastic reception . In proposing the toast of the Present and Past Grand Officers , Bro . Kimbell reminded the Brethren of the interest the Grand Officers took in the Craft , and of the large amount of work they did .

Bro . G . Everett Past Grand Treasurer responded , and said the Grand Officers were proud to know that in all assemblages of Masons the toast was favourably received . The toast was an important one , and comprised a large area of Brethren in every position of life , whether appointed to their offices by the Prince of Wales , or , like himself , elected by the Craft . He ventured to say that each of the Grand Officers did his best to keep up the dignity of his position . So far the Lombardian Lodge had not had a Grand Officer amongst them , but he might venture to . predict that the day was not far

distant when they would have one , and when that day arrived he was sure the members would congratulate the recipient of the honour very heartily . Masons were sometimes told that they were selfish and kept their charity to themselves , but he would point out how wrong the outside world was , for whenever a case of national disaster or calamity befel their Grand Lodge was always to the . fore . Only a short time ago it voted 1 , 000 guineas to the Mansion House Relief Fund for the sufferers by the Indian famine , and a considerable sum would , he thought , be added to the Hospital Fund being promoted by the Grand Master .

In proposing the toast of the Worshipful Master , Bro . G . F . Hanson said he was vary confident that Bro . Kimbell would perform his work in a thoroughly able manner during his year of office , and he could promise him the able assistance of his Wardens and Past Masters . The toast was received with much warmth , and Bro . Kimbell briefly thanked the Brethren . In replying to the toast of the Visitors , the Rev . D . R . Finlay thanked the Lodge for the hearty welcome extended to his companions and himself . There was , he said , existing in the Lodge the absolute " esprit de corps " its future the

which augured well for . He was sure Brethren had obtained the right man in the right place in electing Bro . Kimbell as their Worshipful Master . In the working of the Lodge he had been highly gratified to hear the calm , dispassionate manner in which the W . M . had gone through the proceedings . Bro . Norman also replied . In proposing the health of the Immediate Past Master and Past Masters , Bro . Kimbell presented Bro . G . F . Hanson with a handsome jewel for the services he bad rendered to the Lodge during his year of Office , and Bro . Hanson made a suitable reply .

By the wish of the Worshipful Master , the speeches of the evening were of tbe shortest possible description , says the " City Press , " in order that a lengthy programme of music , under the direction ' of Bro . James Kift , might be listened to . The artistes were Miss Jessie Hotine , Mr . Herbert Emlyn , Mr . Wallis Arthur , and Mr . Arthur Strugnell .

INSTBUCTION .

PERSEVERANCE LODGE , No . 1743 . ON Monday , 26 th ult ., at Ridler ' s Hotel , Holborn , Bro . J . Gemmel W . M ., Shaw S . W ., H . Saunion P . M . J . W ., G . S . Daunton P . M . Sec . acting Preceptor , A , Collins Treasurer , Callingham S . D ., J . Milroy J . D ., J . Rozier I . G ., Louis Verdier P . M ., T . J . Boulton W . M . 1687 , J . Ruddock , Keys , F . Collins , Foulger , Thorn , J . Wynman , and several others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . F . E . Foulger acting as candidate . Bro . Keys answered the usual questions , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , both ceremonies being faultlessl y rendered . Bro . Shaw S . W . was elected W . M . for next meeting .

PBOVINCIAL

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Gransmoor Hotel , Higher Openshaw , on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., Bro . William Jones W . M . After the