Reports Of Meetings.

a Board of Installed Masters was opened , the principal Officers consisting of Bros . T . T . Sefton W . M ., J . L . Smith S . W ., Thomas Kay J . W ., and Edward Holland I . G . Bro . Mosloy was presented by Bro . Thos . Threlfall I . P . M ., the various proclamations were made by Brother W . Hardcastle P . M .

P . P . G . D . C , the Working Tools explained by Bro . F . Townson P . M ., tho addresses in the N . E ., W . and S . being given by Brothers J . Harrop P . M . P . P . G . D .. E . \ vinterbuttoin P . M . and Samuel Statham P . M . P . P . G . Treas . Brother Richard Dnxbnry P . M . P . P . G . Swd . Br . invested the Officers as follow : —

Bros . T . T . Sefton I . P . M ., S . Statham Chaplain , J . Clough ( by Deputy ) S . W ., J . Clarkson J . W ., F . Townson Treas ., T . M . Brown Secretary , W . Hardcastle D . C , W . Lambert S . D ., W . T . Blease J . D ., W . A . Smith I . G .. J R . Hilton , W . Woodeson , W . Johnson , P . B . Hayden Stewards .

The Lodge being closed in peace and harmony the Brethren retired to partake of a sumptuous banquet provided by Miss Pentecost , manageress of Beresford ' s celebrated Pall Kail Restaurant , the lady in question being assisted by an exceptionally efficient

staff of workers . It is only fair to Miss Pentecost to say that in spite of the smallness of the room , which somewhat cramped her efforts , the general sentiment expressed was one of entire satisfaction with tho very excellent arrangements which had been made , and the successful way in which the same were carried out .

The Brethren afterwards adjourned to the Lodge Room for the festive board , at which Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and honoured , the same being interspersed with songs , recitations , & c , given by Bros . Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 , F . Townson P . M ., Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , Tom Bradbury , A . L . Jones W . M . 1147 , and others .

The toast of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . Sefton I . P . M . who spoko enthusiastically of Bro . Mosley , stating that the nature of the latter was of that sympathetic and susceptible kind which felt very deeply the impressions of Masonic principles , and predicting that under his Mastership the Lodge would have a successful year . He expressed with all tho vigour of which he was capable a hopo that such might be the case , and that the Master would enjoy good health to fit him for his arduous duties .

Bro . Mosley , in reply , said that it was with feelings of fear and nervousness , but also of pride and pleasure , that he responded to the exceedingly kind words spoken by Brother Sefton , and also acknowledged the hearty manner in which they hud been received by the Brethren . Taking a retrospective view of his Masonic career , he reminded his listeners that it was only a few years since he had made his advent amongst them as a comparative stranger ,

and he had never forgotten the impressions which the three ceremonies had made upon his mind , they having been so well performed . Step by step he had advanced to various Offices in the Lodge until at last he had attained his present one . Bro . Mosley commented favourably upon the number of Past Masters by whom he was surrounded , and expressed a hopo that he would be able to hand to his successor all the tiaditions of the Lodge in a pure and unsullied state .

Bro . Mosley afteiwards proposed the health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , saying he was confident the toast would be received with the enthusiasm which it deserved . Reverting to the duties of his Office be said they they bad been performed by Bio . Sefton with great tact and ability . He was ever ready and able to

assist in any work , and as an acknowledgment , them-mbeis of the Lodge had deputed him to periemi the pleasant tatk of presenting to Bro . Sefton , in their name , a very handsome gold jewel . For him this was an intensely pleasurable moment , and he hoped the I . P . M , would be spared many years to wear the gift . The jewel bore the following inscription : —

Presented to BRO . SEFTON P . M ., by the Brethren of the Albert Victor Lodge , 1773 . 16 th November 1894 , In reply , Bro . Sefton said that previous to the song which bore reference to himself , and which had been rei . dutct by Bro .

Bradbury , and during the proposal of his health by the W . M ., be had thought he might be able to make a suitable reply to the toast with which his name was associated in the list , but Bro . Mosley had spoken of him in such kindly terms , and his words had been received in such a hearty manner by the Brethren , that he felt quite upset in consequence . During his period of effice , he had

certainly endeavoured to perform his duties so as to give satisfaction Of the Masonic Order he said that he thought it deserved even more recognition than it got . Personally he felt he had lost many years in not joining before he did . He spoke in grateful teims of the assistance that had been rendered by the Past Masters , which had lightened his labours to a considerable degree . Amongst other

ceremonies , which it had been his duty and pleasure to perform , was that of initiating a gentleman who had recently been created Mayor of Salford , —he alluded to His Worship Bro . Alderman Richard Mottram . With regard to the Masonic virtues , and other portions of the Antient Charges which from time to time had been rendered by his Officers , he said the latter had shown the greatest

alacrity in responding to his wishes . They had performed their parts well , and he cordially thanked them for their able assistance . Fortunately be had not been called upon to decide any point which was a difficult one , and if his general ruling had displeased them he tendered the sincerest apology , assuring them that to the best of

his ability he bad endeavoured to act impartially and justly . He thanked them for the very handsome jewel which he had received at their hands , which was not required as a remainder of their kindness . It did tell him , however , of the unique offers of help which he had had from one and all , young and old , and therefore lie should treasure the gift .

The toast of the Masonic Charities was entrusted to Bro . Samuel Statham , who in a very able and stirring speech set forth the objects of our Masonic Institutions , enlarging upon the duties ,

Reports Of Meetings.

privileges , and reflex happiness of hallowed deeds of charity , and pointing out that it was incumbent upon us as Freemasons to show that our pretentions were not all pleasure , and not mere self indulgence at banquets and festive meetings . While we were lawfully enjoying ourselves , wo ought not to forget the poor and distressed , and the widows and orphans of our deceased Brethren . How many

present , he asked , were prophets enough to predict that there would never bo a time in the future when they would need help , and be recipients of the bounty of others , therefore how mucn more was it our duty to do all wo could while we had the opportunity ? Bro . Statham wound up his remarks by a most eloquent ,

earnest , and withal dignified appeal on behalf of the Charities , adorning his remarks with quotations from Shakespeare and other writers . The speech , which we are unable to give in extenso , waa one worthy of the interesting occasion , and was listened to with rapt attention by an exceedingly appreciative audience .

Bro . Townson responded , also making an emphatic appeal to the sympathies of tho Brethren . Bro . Harrop proposed the health of tlie Visitors , according them a lnaity welcome . He also mentioned many of them byname , enumerated their various qualities , and thanked those who had contributed to the harmony of the evening .

Several of the Visitors responded , amongst others being Bros . John Chadwick P . G . Swd . B . Prov . G . Scc , J . Hislop W . M . 325 , S . Mosley P . M . 1012 , A . H . Duffin P . M . D . C . 1134 , A . Noot 887 , and Lees Knowles , M . P . Bro . S . Mosley expressed himself that it was with feelings of satisfaction that he had seen his own brother

installed in the chair of K . S . Never in his Masonic experience , which extended over 20 years , had he seen the ceremony of installation so well done , and he congratulated Bro . Sefton upon his successful work . With regard to his brother , if ever there was an enthusiastic man connected with Freemasonry it was he .

Bro . Lees Knowles , M . P . ( West Salford ) said it was an unfortunate thing to mako the admission that the Brethren were hurried , and then call upon a Member of Parliament to speak ; he , however , responded with pleasure to the tcast of the Visitors . In this his 20 th jear of Masonry , he was glad to hold out his hand and give the Masonic grip to his worthy Brother the Mayor of Salford , who sat to his right . In referring to the Institution

generally , Bro . Knowles said that Masonic Lodges did a vast amount of good . Bro . Townson had reverted to expenditure with regard to Charities . On this errand people came to him from every side , and it was one ' s duty to do their best to look into such cases and relieve them . At other meetings upon many occasions he had tried to impress upon his hearers the desirability of charity , and he had no fear that in the Albert Victor Lodge this feature would bo overlooked .

Besides those already mentioned , there were present at the Lodge and banquet , Bros . W . H . Landless , R . H . Berry , J . Handley , J . S . Kitchen , Peter Heaton P . M . 1730 P . P . G . S ., E . F . Openshaw W . M . 935 , J . T . Newbold P . M . 1012 , and many others .

O O O EARL OF SUSSEX LODGE , No . 2201 . THE Installation meeting was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Saturday afternoon , when Bro . J . P . Slingsby Roberts was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . R . Percy Clowes .

Among the Officers invested were Bro . Chapman Marshall S . W . and Bro . Gerald W . E . Loder , M . P . J . W . At the banquet which followed , says the " Sussex Daily News , "

the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and an excellent programme of vocal music was sustained by the Alzando Glee Singers—Messrs . Frederic Moore , Clifford Hunnybun , George Fielder , and Seymour Kelly . o o o

ANFIELD LODGE , No . 2215

ON Thursday , 22 nd ult ., the Annual Festival of this Lodge took place at the Sandon Hotel , Anfield , and was largely attended by Prov . Grand Officers and P . Ms . Tho Lodge has had a prosperous year , and has done its share for the Masonic Charities . Bro . Edward Pritchard was tho W . M .-elect and he was installed

iccorciiiig to ancis nt rite in a highly impressive manner by Bro . J . Honlding P . P . G . R ., the concluding portion of the ceremony being given by Bro . Booth . During the evening a handsome P . M . jewel was presented to the retiring Master , Bro . Booth , on behalf of the Lodge . O O - O

HICKS-BEACH LODGE , No . 2407

THE Installation Festival was held at the Subscription Rooms , Stroud , on Tuesday , 20 th ult ., when Bro . Sam B . Darke S . W . was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Master Sir M . E . Hicks-Beach embraced the occasion for paying his official visit to the Lodge , and was pleased to take part in the ceremony .

There was a large attendance of the Brethren of the Province present . Before closing the Lodge a presentation of a P . M . ' s jewel ( which had been subscribed for by the whole of the members of the Lodge ) was made to the I . P . M .

After Lodge business an adjournment was made to the Imperial Hotel , where an excellent banquet was served . Sir M . Hicks-Beach returned to London by the 8 ' 30 train . The " Gloucester Chronicle , " in reporting the meeting , is pleased to

hear that the Deputy Prov . Grand Master Bro . R . V . Vassar-Smith , in writing to the Lodge , said he is feeling much better , and hopes to be present in his usual health at the consecration of the new Royal Arch Chapter at Stroud early in the new year , a wish we hope to see realised .