Reports Of Meetings.

Crompton S . W ., T . Sibley P . M . J . W ., A . Sack P . M . Treas ., William Boyce P . M . Sec , A . Patman S . D ., H . W . Page acting J . D ., P . Gayer I . G ., Sidney Roberts Org ., J . Rawles Tyler ; Past Masters J . Clark , R . J . Hall , S . Stampter , C . Fowler , T . Sibley , A . J . Street , C . J . Sowton , J . W . Gomm ; W . Richmond , W .

Roberts , G . White , W . Stanley , C . Smallman , W . Tipton , C . E . Blogg , Karl Brandt , H . R . Edwards , W . Hembrow , R . Duce , H . Franklin , H . W . Page , P . Page , G . A . Annegarn , Ed . T . Smith , Fred . J . Gayer , & c , etc . The Visitors were Bros . W . J . Newstead J . D . 1973 , F . Dunstan P . M . 1326 , D . J . Wright 1622 , J . Wynman , & c

The Lodge being duly formed , the minutes were read and confirmed . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , when three candidates for raising : Bros . W . Roberts , H . Franklin , and W . Richmond , were examined , and having answered the questions to the satisfaction of the W . M ., they were entrusted . The Lodge was advanced to the third , and in due course the three Brethren were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and there were again three candidates , for passing , namely Bros . W . Stanley , C . B . J . Annegarn , and R . W . Duce . They having answered the questions in a faultless manner , were entrusted , the Lodge was advanced to the second degree and they were passed as Fellow Crafts .

The Lodge was again resumed to the first degree , when the W . M ., with his usual pleasant and contented smile , announced that the ballot would be taken for Messrs . Fred . John Gayer , brother of Percy Gayer I . G . ; and Edward Thomas Smith . This proving unanimous in their favour they were duly introduced and regularly initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . We

are sure if time had permitted the W . M . would willingly have given the ancient Charge ; as it was , the working of the three degrees was rendered without the slightest mistake or hesitation , and the style in which the W . M . conducted the ceremonies was highly appreciated by the Brethren . Bro . Worthington I . P . M . had indeed a very easy task .

The W . M . informed the Brethren that it was with the greatest regret that it had been decided that certain Brethren , who were greatly in arrears , should be erased from the list of members . He further said that as the Junior Deacon could not attend to his duties it was competent for him to appoint another Brother in his

place ; therefore he had much pleasure in appointing and investing Bro . P . Page as J . D . of the Lodge pro . tem . He was sure that Bro . Page knew his duties , and would carry them out to the satisfaction of the Lodge . This appointment came as an agreeable surprise to Bro . Page , who acknowledged the compliment in a few well chosen words .

Two gentlemen were proposed for initiation , and there being no other Masonic business for transaction the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren retired to partake of an excellent repast . At its conclusion the W . M ., in flattering terms , gave the

toast of the Queen . He said that with all her trouble and anxiety during the last twelve months she continued to enjoy good health . Might the Great Architect of the Universe continue to bless her with health and strength for many years to come ! Bro . Karl Brandt sang the National Anthem .

The Prince of Wales M . W . G . M . was next toasted , and Bro . Gomm P . M . sang "God bless the Prince of Wales , " in which the Brethren heartily joined . The I . P . M . next rose to propose the toast of the Worshipful Master . They had to go back many years to see such a grand gathering in the Lodge . He had been a member for eleven years

but had never before seen so good an assembly at the November meeting—this showed the popularity of the Worshipful Master . What a great task Bro . Strutt had undertaken that night , in working the three degrees ; and how admirably had he performed it . As Immediate Past Master he most sincerely congratulated him on his performance . The work had been most perfectly and

impressively rendered , indeed it was seldom a Worshipful Master was called upon to work the three degrees in a Lodge , and was able to go through all of them without any ] 3 iompting . What he had listened to that night was indeed glorious ; it was a credit to the Master , and most gratifying to tiie members of the Lodge . The W . M . had introduced a great number of gentlemen to the

Lodge , who they were sure were most desirable members . It behoved them to be most careful as to who they introduced into the Craft , yet even with the greatest care it occasionally happened that the dark clouds of outside life made themselves apparent in their midst . He hoped that until the termination of his year of office the W . M . would have a continuation of such excellent

meetings as the one that night . Addressing himself to the candidates the I . P . M . commended them for the great attention they had paid to the ceremonies ; he felt sure they would remember their obligations . When he was initiated eleven years ago Brother

Sack gave the ancient charge and made a deep impression upon him ; he had endeavoured to act up to the lessons taught him that night , and had worked his way up to the position he occupied at the moment—he hoped the candidates of that day would also work up to similar honours .

The W . M . was warmly received on rising , and thanked the Brethren for their magnificent response to the toast . If his efforts had given satisfaction he was delighted . He promised to do everything in his power to promote the comfort and enjoyment of the members of the Lodge .

The W . M . now proposed the toast of the Initiates—they had not so many that night , but they had quality . Bro . Gayer he had Che pleasure of knowing for many years ; he knew both his

Reports Of Meetings.

parents , and felt sure he would be a great acquisition to the Lodge . Bro . Sniith , who was also initiated that night , could not have brought better recommendation , or been introduced by a more worthy Mason than their Bro . Boyce P . M . ; it was a moral certainty that Brother would not have proposed anyone he did not consider worthy of being received as a member . Bro . Worthington I . P . M . sang the Initiate ' s song .

Bro . Gayer , in reply , thanked the Brethren for having initiated him into the mysteries of the Craft , and for having received him among them as a Brother . He had to thank his brother Percy for having introduced him , and the W . M . for seconding the nomination . He had been very much impressed with the ceremony ,

and should never forget his obligation . His admission was an event he had looked forward to nervously , as he had been told of hot pokers and fire , but he had taken courage , and assured the members he felt far from sorry for having done so . The reception according him he should never forget ; again he thanked them .

Bro . Smith also acknowledged the compliment . He said his experiences had been somewhat similar , and he should never forget the kindness of Bro . Boyce for having introduced him into the Lodge . He further hoped the Brethren would never regret having accepted him as a member amongst them . He pledged himself to never forget or neglect his obligation .

The W . M . next gave the toast of the visitors , and accorded them a most hearty welcome . Bro . F . Dunstan P . M . 1326 in highly complimentary terms congratulated the W . M . on his excellent working of the ritual of Freemasonry . He had rendered the different ceremonies to perfection , and it was with the greatest of pleasure that he had witnessed the beautiful working ; it was indeed most creditable to the W . M ., and the Lodge over which he presided .

Bro . W . J . Newstead J . D . 1973 ( Secretary of the Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge of Instruction ) thought he would be among strangers at the Lodge , but was delighted to find around him many familiar faces . Especially he had pleasure in seeing a very old friend , of twenty years standing , in Bro . S . Stampfer , an old Past

Master of the Lodge . He had seen the working of the W . M . on many occasions at the Instruction Lodge , and knew that the way in which he discharged his duties was always admired , but to go through the whole of the three degrees without a hitch , as Brother Strutt had done , was a marvel , and something to be proud of . Other of the guests also made suitable response .

The toast of the Past Masters , Treasurer and Secretary was next given in complimentary terms by the W . M ., who regarded the Past Masters as the backbone of the Lodge . Personally he was most thankful at having their able support in the absence of some of the minor Officers , and he hoped they would always attend in as strong force as was the case that day . Bros . Stampfer , Street , Clark , and Worthington responded .

The Officers were next toasted , the W . M . expressing regret that some of the number were not present , which prevented them responding in rotation . Their Junior Deacon had again written explaining he could not attend , and for that reason he had appointed Bro . Page as his successor . The W . M . knew that Brother to be well able to discharge the duties of the Office .

Some excellent songs were rendered by Bros . Karl Brandt , J . A . Worthington , Bob McKay , and others , while Bro . Sidney Roberts played an excellent solo on the piano , and Bro . Percy Gayer one on the violin . Several other Brethren added to the enjoyment of the evening by contributions to the harmony .

» * » PBOYINCIAL .

— : 0 : — Norwich Lodge , No . 2324 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . WILLIAM WASDEN GLOVER . APPARENTLY too insignificant to be mentioned in the Rev . James Barclay's Dictionary , was the easy way in which an old

time writer once evaded responsibility when attempting to describe what was then but a moderate hamlet , but which is now an important centre for calico printing , bleaching , and the making of locomotive engines . The population of Horwich in 1831 , was 3 , 562 , which ,

during the following ten years increased by 211 persons , but was given in the last census as nearly 13 , 000 . Half way between Bolton and Chorley , both consequential towns , Horwich has taken a lesson in progression from them , for building after building has been reared—tentacles thrown out into the country to prove its industry , and maintain its permanent growth .

Eleven years ago it was considered sufficiently important to receive Masonic recognition , and after a friendly contest between contending Provinces—those of East and West Lancashire , the latter won the claim , and the Horwich Lodge , No . 2324 was placed under the regis of the Province now ruled by the Earl of Lathom . as Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . William Goodacre as Prov . Grand Secretary .

It was to the annual meeting and Festival of St . John the Evangelist , in connection with the above Lodge , that the accredited representative of this journal betook himself on the afternoon of 13 th November , by special invitation of Bro . James Ryder Senior Warden-elect . At an early hour of the day the Bridge Hotel

afforded unmistakable evidence of the symposium which was in preparation , and Bro . Andrew Parr and Mrs . Parr , the host and hostess , were , metaphorically speaking , up to the elbows in edibles . The time announced for opening the Lodge was 3 , 30 p . m ., and shortly after that hour Bro , William H . Howarth W . M , commenced