A Masonic Jubilee.

meeting of the Lodge ; and is one of interest to the general body of townsmen outside the ranks of the Masonic Craft . tv brief reference to the Lodge ' s growth and development will not therefore be out of place . The History of the Lodge was fully chronicled by Bro . C . J . Whitting during

his Mastership m 1897 , and referring to the pages of that interesting volume , we note that as far back as the 24 th June 1841 there was a Masonic gathering at the Bell Vue Flotel , members of the Flengist Lodge assembling with a number of Brethren from Poole to celebrate the anniversary of St .

John . 1 en years later there was another meeting at the Belle Vue . The Lodge had been in a condition of " suspended animation , " but the sanction of the Provincial Grand Master Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , Bart ., was obtained for its revival and transference to Bournemouth , and in the

words of the historian , " it emerged from obscuration , " and entered upon a new career which , practically speaking , has been one of uninterrupted prosperity . Of those who were present at that revival only two Brethren now survive—Bro . D . Sydenham and Bro . G . H . Gutch ( of Poole ) . The oldest

member of the Lodge , however , is Bro . J . Druitt , sen ., of Christchurch , who was initiated in 1839 , occupied the chair in 1 844 and 1 S 45 , and is the only surviving link with the old days at Christchurch . There are surely few Masons living whose connection with one Lodge extends over so

long a period ! Bro . Druitt certainly has no rival in Hengist Lodge , for next on the roll of seniority is Bro . W . B . Rogers , whose admission was seventeen years later . The first initiate in Bournemouth was the late Bro . W . E . Rebbeck , and the roll of members includes most of the names 'that

will be best remembered as pioneers of local prosperity . The last Mason initiated in Christchurch was the grandfather of the present Earl of Malmesbury , who was himself the first canaidate to join the Lodge in the new century a few

months ago . This is apparently characteristic of the membership , that successive generations of families become Brethren of the Mother Lodge , as the same ' surnames frequently occur among the many hundreds in the roll which forms a valuable appendix to the volume referred to above .

The Lodge of Hengist , we may add , is now the proud mother of two vigorous daughters in Lodge Boscombe and Lodge Horsa , and a third off-shoot is a practical certainty of the near future . There is room , no doubt , for yet another Lodge—and work for it to do when established . In the

past there have been occasions when Freemasonry has been suspect by the ruling powers—especially on the continent of Europe—but in this country its activities have been largely restricted to social and charitable channels , and at the present time its unobtrusive benevolence is generally recognised .

Here in Bournemouth , the rare occasions when the Brethren have allowed the general public to witness any portion of their quaint and picturesque ceremonial have invariably been in connection with the building of churches or hospitals , an association which has been of appreciable value to the

works thus assisted , and has secured for the Craft the goodwill of many who have no personal knowledge of its mysteries , and are content to j ^ clge of its worth by its work . All such , we are sure , will join with us in heartily congratulating the Bournemouth Freemasons upon the attainment of

their Jubilee , and trust that when they celebrate their Centenary in the borough ( an epoch which , as a Lodge , was duly honoured over thirty years ago ) they will more than ever be distinguished for promoting human Brotherhood and good works . —• " Bournemouth Visitors' Directory . "

****************** The concert given by Miss Greta Williams , the heroine of the wreck of the S . S . Stella , off the Channel Islands , took place on Thursday , 9 th ult , at the magnificent Kensington town Hall . The audience was largely composed of the Masonic Brethren residing in the west end of Londonand

, when Miss " Greta , " as she is familarly called in the neighbourhood , was introduced by her father Bro . R . H . Williams P -P . GJ . D . Middx . she received a tremendous ovation , and was presented with a magnificent bouquet . The concert was earned through in strict adherence with the

programme , wruch contained a splendid likeness of Miss Williams . The artistes and instrumentalists were of the highest order and nothing but congratulations could be heard on all sides when the vast audience were leaving the building at the termination of the entertainment .

Albany Lodge Centenary.

ALBANY LODGE CENTENARY .

TFIE Albany Lodge , No . 151 , this year completed the hundredth year of its establishment and continuous existence at Newport , Isle of Wight , and the auspicious event was naturally regarded as one of special importance in the annals of local Freemasonry .

The celebration of the Centenary on Tuesday , 7 th ult , was attended by a large gathering from all parts of the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and from other places . The proceedings took the form of a luncheon at the Masonic Flail , followed by a public Service at the Parish

Church , attended by Masons in procession in full regalia , and the presentation of a Centenary Warrant at a special Lodge , which in order to accommodate those present had to be held in the large room of the Star Flotel , the whole being brought to a conclusion after tea at the Masonic Hall with a very enjoyable variety concert in the banqueting room .

It was hoped that the venerable and highly esteemed Grand Master of the Province of Flampshire and the Isle of Wight , the Right Hon . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., would have

been able to fulfil his intention of being present , but he was at the last moment detained by an urgent Parliamentary whip . Flis duty was ably discharged by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . Edgar Goble P . G . S . B . Eng .

The luncheon , with which the proceedings commenced at 1 . 15 p . m ., was attended by some seventy Brethren , over whom the W . M . of the Albany Lodge Bro . E . F . King presided . Before proceeding with the short toast list which had been arranged , the W . M . made a brief reference to the

importance of the event which had brought them together that day—the celebration of the Centenary of the Albany Lodge—and said that though pressure of time prevented his then touching upon the various matters in connection with

the auspicious event for which opportunity would occur later in the day , he could not pass on without extending a hearty welcome to all who were there and thanking them for their presence and support on that occasion .

The W . M . then submitted the toast of the King and the Craft , remarking that His Gracious Majesty , the Patron and long the Grand Master of the Order , had given his promise to devote his life to the welfare of the nation , and they had every confidence that he would prove a worthy successor to

his illustrious mother .

In proposing the P . G . M . of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the Right lion . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., the W . M . said that no one in the kingdom had worked harder , more zealously , or more faithfully for Masonry than their revered Provincial Grand Master had done , and they had good cause

to rejoice that in him they had one placed over them whose neart was right and whose conduct was just , and might he be blessed with health and strength for many years to come to carry on his good work for the benefit of the Craft in general and that Province in particular .

The W . M . also proposed the D . P . G . M . Bro . E . Goble P . G . S . B . Eng ., and the Officers of Prov . Grand Lod ge present and past , expressing the pleasure and satisfaction the members of Albany Lodge felt at the presence of Bro . Goble ( who had done such splendid work as Prov . G . Sec . for so many years ) and of so many of the Officers of P . G . Lodge .

Bro . Goble responded , giving expression to the regret the Prov . G . M . felt at being unable to be with them that day , and offering his hearty , congratulations on the occasion they were met to celebrate .

The visitors were formally welcomed in a cordial speech by Bro . J . G . Pinnock , and Bro . Greenham , of Shanklin , responded in a genial and fluent speech . The last toast , the Worshipful , Master of Albany Lodge

Bro . E . F . King , was proposed by the D . P . G . M . Bro . Goble , who warmly congratulated the W . M . on the excellence of the arrangements made by the Lodge that day and for the hospitality extended to the Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge .

In response the W . M . said he knew that the honour done him had been because he represented the Lodge , and he should ever look back upon that memorable day as one of the happiest and brightest in his life . For the success of the

arrangements he was indebted to members of the Lodge for the kind co-operation and loyal support they had given him , and he desired particularly to mention the valued assistance given by the two Hon . Secretaries Bros . Horan and Hutton . At 2 . 45 the Brethren , joined by others who had b y this