Paxton Lodge, No. 1668.

PAXTON LODGE , No . 1668 .

THE annual meeting was held on Saturday , 25 th nit ., at tho Crystal Palace , Sydenham . In the absence of Bro . F . W . Goddard , tho W . M ., tho Lodgo wns opened by Bro . J . M . Klenck , who was supported bv Bros . Y . J . Sawyer SAV . and W . M . elect , W . H . Boswell J . W ., H . E . Francos P . M . P . P . G-S . D . Surrey Sec , and other officers of the Lodge . Among the visitors wore Bros . II . Massey ,

Bntt , Dunn , Stock , and Morgan . The minntes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Tho acting W . M . then ordered tho ballot to bo taken for Mr . John James Henry Sayle , who wns proposed by Bro . Woodhams S . D ., and seconded by Bro . H . E . Frances Secretary . Tho result was favourable , and at tho request of Bro . Klenck Bro . P . M . Frances performed tho ceremony of initiation in tho candidate ' s favour . Tho report of tho Audit Committee was then presented

and unanimously adopted . Bro . P . M . Klenck , as Director of tho Ceremonies , then presented tho S . W . for tho benefits of installation . Bro . Frances administered tho obligation , a Board of Past Masters was formed , and Bro . F . J . Sawyer regnlarly installed as third Master of the Paxton Lodge . On tho re-admission of tho brethren , tho W . M . was sainted , and ho appointed tho following Officers : —W . H . Boswell S . W ., R . E . Woodhams J . W ., J . M . Klenck P . M . Treas ., H . E . Frances P . M . P . P . G . S . D . Surrey Sec , N . J . Basnett

( P . M ) S . D ., J . R . Dodd J . D ., S . Walker I . G ., F . W . J . Goddard D . C

E . L . Partridge A . D . C . The Installing Officer then completed his duties , which throughout he had performed most competently , by delivering the addresses to Master , Wardens , and Brethren , ancl resumed his scat amidst the congratulations of those present . Tho first duty tho W . M . undertook wns formally to present to tho Lodge his banner , which beside those of the previous Masters of the Lodge ,

with other elegant surroundings , produced a most plensmg effect . We believe tho whole aro the handiwork of Bro . Francos , and we cordially state that thoy do that artist mnch credit . Wo trust ho may continue his labonrs in this direction for a long line of f ntnro Worshipful Masters . Bro . Boswell proposed a vote of thanks to tho W . M ., which was seconded by the Senior Deacon , and carried

unanimously . On the W . M . 's rising , Bro . Frances stated he had now a disagreeable duty to perform . It was to announce that the I . P . M ., Bro . Goddard , consequent npon heavy business engagements , and the im . paired state of his health , felt constrained to tender his resignation of the Lodge . This announcement was received by tho members with sincere expressions of regret , and Bro . Klenck expressed a hope

that an improvement might shortly take p lace , ancl that Bro . Goddard would renew his association with the brethren . ,. Bro . Sawyer then expressed the thanks the brethren folt were due to Bro . Frances for tho valuable help he had rendered the Lodge during the past year , in the absence of the W . M ., as likewise for his kindness iu officiating that day as Installing Master . It was then voted that a sum of

five" guineas be ' appropriated from tho Lodge Funds towards a testimonial , iu slight recognition of Bro . H . E . Franc's ' s efforts . This compliment having been acknowledged , several letters explaining non-attendance were read , aud Lodge was closed . The banquet was then served by Bros . Bertram ancl Eoberts , and on tho removal cf tho cloth , Bro . Sawyer gave the Loyal toasts . Bro . Past

Master Klenck proposed the health of the W . M . He stated that the selection tlio members had made would , he was assured , reflect credit on the Lodge . Bro . Sawyer possessed many good E qualities , and since ! the inauguration of the Lodge he had ever taken cre ' crr'intCrcs'fc in its progress and -welfare . All who had boon '¦ riSSociated"With-bim in tho Lodge' Would agree they had the right

' ¦ fllati- 'itfthe ' i'ight place' Personally , he ( Bro . Klenck ) was'Convinced "their Worshipful Master would do all ho could to advance the Fasten Lodge : Bro ' . ' Sawyer said the time was progressing , and he had to catch more than one train before ho reached home ; ho should , therefore , detain them but a very short time . He was very proudindeed no ono knew how proud—at having attained to the position

of Master of the Paxton Lodge . Since ho first entered into this wonderful brotherhood—for wonderful it really was—the more he had seen of it , the more delighted ho had been . He had been struck with the ceremonies which had raised him from pillar to pillar , until ho had attained the eminence ou which ho now found himself . Primarily , he must thank Past Master Frances , ancl secondarily ,

Past Master Klenck , for having helped him forward at such a j ) ace—a pace that enabled him within five years of his initiation to attain the position of Worshipful Master Ho would ask their initiate of that evening to try ancl get on as fast . If that brother would do his best to learn , and strive to emulate those who had preceded him , and eventually work up to tho position of

W . M ., it would give him great pleasure , as much indeed as it had given him ( Bro . Sawyer ) to roach tho chair . He knew the brethren felt as he felt ; they were equally glad to seo him at thoir head , and this fact rendered it unnecessary for him to say any more on the toast which had been so kindly proposed and cordially drunk . In proposing the health of tho Initiate , the W . M . said it was a toast which

they always gave attention to , and it was right thoy should , as thore was no toast to which more honour was due . Without an Initiate there would be no Masonry . He could but repeat what ho had previously said—he hoped and trusted tho Initiate would do all that he possibly could for Freemasonry , and as ho had been told that evening that the badge he had on was the badge of innocence and the

bond of friendship , and that if he never disgraced it it would never disgrace him , he should go on and obtain the higher badges as quickly as possible . There was no difference in his connection with tho Fraternity ; ho was as much a brother Mason now as ho would be when he took the higher degrees ; the only difference there was

was in tho degree ; he would bo no moic a Mason in the high degree than now . Sooner or later tho brethren would doubtless see Bro . Sale rise step by step until lie attained the Worshipful Master ' s chair . It might take some little time , but ho might feel assured the more attention he paid to Masonry the more pleasure would he take iu his duties , aud tho belter would he bo appreciated bv

Paxton Lodge, No. 1668.

the brethren . Bro . Sale had no idea when ho entered tho Lodge that he was going to bo so kindly aud heartily received . He had had a desire to join the Craft many years since on account of his having been deeply impressed with its principles while living abroad , especially so while travelling in Mexico . There , if a man was a Mason , if he was not a native of the country , ho

was looked npon as akin to it ; and he received tho greatest kindness at the hands of tho inhabitants . He should adopt the advice of tho W . M . and strive to obtain tho higher badges of which ho had spoken . At this stage of the proceedings tho Charity Box was passed round , aud somo amusement was caused by the speculative tendencies of those assembled . Tho health of tho Visitors was the next toast , and

for this Bro . Butt replied . He thanked the brethren for their hospitable reception , ancl wished the W . M . a happy and prosperous year of office . Ho complimented the Lodgo on having the ceremonies so ably performed , and in having so competent a member as Bro . Frances . If the brethren wonld emnlate their Past Masters , the Lodgo would never lack a brother to fill tho post of Worshipful

Master . He was sorry the I . P . M . had been unable to attend ; it was a great thing for a Lodge to have the Master present . Bro . Dnnn followed ; tho previous speaker had somewhat taken tho wind ont of his sails . No Lodge could possibly have had the work clone better . He had been to a great many Masonic gatherings , but he must say he had never enjoyed himself more . He was a member

of tho Jubilee Lodgo , and he hoped to havo the pleasure of meeting some of the members of the Paxton Lodge there . Bros . Marsh and Stock also tendered their acknowledgments . The W . M . gave " Tho health of the Installing Master , Bro . H . E . Frances . " He had always been a prime mover and instigator in Freemasonry . Ho was one of the hardest working men in that particular sphere . Bro .

Frances was proud of Freemasonry , and never tired of hard work in its interest . He believed that the greatest pleasure of Bro . Frances ' s life was to instal somo one . Ho desired to express his best thanks to Bro . Frances for the admirable way in which he had performed the ceremonies of tho evening , and in this he was sure all tho brethren would concur . Bro . Frances remarked that all the W . M .

had said he could endorse . He confessed he did feel infinite pleasure in putting his friends into tho chair . He regretted the absence of Bro . Goddard , whom ho had not seen since he was installed . Bro . Goddard was a brilliant star in the firmament of Freemasonry . Tho brethren would seldom meet a man who had the powers of Bro . Goddard ; he was a born orator , with a marvellous flow of

speech which belonged to but few . Bro . Sawyer would attend to his work ; ho was thoroughly sincere , and would perform the duties of tho Lodge in a way that would bring credit npon it . He Bro . Frances felt somewhat that his occupation as Installing Master of tho Paxton Lodgo was at an end , as Bro . Sawyer would undoubtedly

qualify himself to perform that duty for his successor . However , in whatever office his services wero in request , he con'd assure them they wonld always bo nt the service of the Lodge . Ho was , —if anything , —an enthusiastic Mason , and his delight was to bo made useful . Tho next tonst was the health of tho

Past Masters , and Brother J . W . Kleuck replied ; whenever anything was wanted of him , tho brethren might command him . Ho took a . deep interest in the Paxton Lodge , and was gratified nt its progress . The members had never a wry word or a dissension , lie was pleased to find that member after member was added to thoir ranks . The same unanimity and concord prevailed

notwithstanding this increase . He only , hoped as years rolled on , and Master succeeded Master in the chair , this unanimity would exist , and that brotherly love would continue . He was greatly indebted to Bro . Frances for his kindly aid in assisting him in Freemasonry . With regard to the Charities of tho Order , they had found in him ( Bro . Klenck ) a staunch supporter , although ho had not . been

many years in Freemasonry ; he had . raised . directly or indirectly £ 500 for their benefit . That was their end and aim . . Freemasons ate and drank , were merry and enjoyed themselves ; but amid the whole of that the great secret was , they wero kind to thoso who conld not help themselves . While eujoving themselves they did not

forget those who required help . Ho was proud to be a Past Master of tho Paxton Lodgo , and he hoped the brethren would , with him , long enjoy each other ' s society . Several other toasts followed , ancl it was a late hour before the brethren separated . During the evening several capital songs were sung , by Bro . Marsh and others .

Lodge of Prudent Brethren , No . 145 . —The first regular meeting since tho recess of this ancient and excellent working Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Qncou-street , Lincoln ' s hiu-ficlds , on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., nnder tho presidency of Bro . J . S . Lcggolt W . M ., W . Lister S . W ., Dr . Wilkinson J . W . " , T . Bull P . M . Treasurer , G . S . States P . M . P . G . S . Secretary , A . W . Verrell

I . G . The Lodge was opened , aud the minutes of tho last regular Lodge and Emergency of 20 th Mny were read and confirmed . Ballots were taken for the admission of Messrs . A . P . Maynarcl ancl W . V . May , which were unanimous , ancl they were duly initiated into the Order by the W . M ., who was ably assisted by his Officers , perfectly and impressively . Tho W . M ., who is already a Vice President , announced

his intention to again represent tho Lodge as Steward in 1880 at the Anniversary Festival of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons aud the Widows of Freemasons . Tho Secretary reported tho death of Bro . Exall , a very old and esteemed member and Past Master of the Lodge . Bro . States read Several letters he had received from the widow of Bro . Exall , detail .

ing tho last illness aud decease of her husband . Theso letters also communicated tho sad intelligence that the widow was in very distressed circumstances , aud requesting tho brethren to aid her in her affliction . It was decided that , at a later period of tho evening , an appeal should be made to tho members , and tho brethren prepared and signed a petition for presentation to the Board of Benevolence , where tho W . M . and other brethren promised to