Reports Of Meetings.

BEPOBTS OF MEETINGS .

METROPOLITAN . CAMDEN LODGE , No . 704 . THE Antient Charge or Regulation to which every Mason has to give his assent prior to his installation into the chair of a Lodge , and which lays it down that " it is not in the power of any man or body of men to make innovation in the Body of Masonry , " is frequently quoted by those who have an objection to even the slightest departure from the usual humdrum proceedings at our

Masonic meetings , with the result that the best efforts of the Master who desires to make an enjoyable departure from ordinary lines are often frustrated , or at least limited in extent , to the ultimate disappointment of the many who do not take quite so narrow a view of matters . The more frequent association of Ladies with Brethren at meetings of a Masonic nature is a case in point , and it is really surprising the objections that are raised by some of the

older " fogies' in the Craft , when a Ladies night or other general assembly is proposed . Up comes the Regulation of which we havo just spoken , but which , it is fair to point out , has nothing whatever to do with the matter , inasmuch as the restriction therein implied refers only to the " Body of Masonry , " and this cannot by any method be made to include the after proceedings at the banquet or social entertainment .

Others , who do not show so marked an objection , content themselves by asking what is the use of introducing Ladies to a more intimate association with Freemasonry ? and for answer we would reply that by such a course the Brethren of a Lodge are enablod to make themselves acquainted with members of each others families ,

and thereby discover that the traits they admire in their Master or other Officers are shared by those with whom they are associated by family ties . But a better answer to such objectors is supplied by attendance at such an entertainment as was arranged by the Camden Lodge , on Tuesday .

The Brethren and their ladies assembled at the Lodge quarters at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , and sat down to a banquet under the chairmanship of Bro . David Ososki Worshipful Master of the Lodge , who was accompanied by his wife and three sisters , so that hero at least was the opportunity of measuring the value of a Ladies' night on the lines we have mentioned . Bro . Ososki has

won no little reputation for himself during his occupancy of the chair , but it would almost seem that it is but natural for him to please—a family trait , so to speak , although such a discovery should by no means be allowed to lessen the praise to which he has made himself entitled during his year ' s presidency of tho Camden

Lodge . It may bo true it is a pari of his nature to add to his own enjoyment by providing for the happiness of others ; but he has gone so far from beaten lines in his desire to achieve this end that ho is fairly entitled to special recognition ; not only from the members of his Lodge , but from their wives and friends who have thus been brought into friendly association with each other .

At the conclusion of the banquet the W . M . proposed the toast of the Queen , which he was sure would be even more heartily received than usual , in view of the presence of ladies with them that

evening . The toast of the M . W . the Grand Master was also honoured , the Master referring to the interest the Prince of Wales took in Freemasonry , as evidenced by his desire to be well represented at all meetings of the Craft at which he was unable to personally attend .

Then followed the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . Ososki feeling assured the members of that body would excuse any lengthy remarks in their praise , in view of the long musical programme arranged for that evening . Bro . Edwin Styles I . P . M . proposed the health of tho Worshipful Master , which ho considered the most important toast of the evening . The Brethren all knew the merits of their present ruler ,

Bro . Ososki , who had striven hard to secure a most enjoyable year for the Lodge during his term of office . Looking back they could call to mind three special entertainments arranged by the Master , first a day on the river , next a ball , and last—the crowning effort of all—the Ladies' night they were then enjoying . He had done his very best for the Camden Lodge in particular , and the Craft at large , and was really one of the best fellows to be found in Freemasonry .

Bro . Ososki , in reply , tendered thanks to his Brethren for their appreciation , and special thanks to the Ladies for the hearty way in which they had endorsed the approval of his Brothers . If he might read between the lines , or to use a mercantile phrase , discount what had been said , he might at least feel he had given satisfaction . If he had done more , he was more than gratified ; It

was no uncommon thing for the Master of a Lodge to receive the good wishes of his Lodge for the work he did ,, but there were very few who so applauded , perhaps none but those who had passed through the chair , knew how much work the Master had to perform . But he could not take all the credit to himself , as the actual work really fell more on the Officers of the Lodge than on the Master ,

who was nothing without their co-operation . He had endeavoured to show the wives , sisters and other relatives of his Masonic Brethren that Freemasonry did not mean giving up one's wife , denying oneself the comforts of home , or in any way dividing the family circle . When it was possible to have the ladies side by side

with them it had the effect of showing that there was no real necessity for being so widely apart as many imagined , while it further brought ladies together who otherwise would never have had the opportunity of meeting each other . If he had erred in what he had done he hoped it had been on the right side . He considered

Reports Of Meetings.

the outside work of a Lodge was very important , and had specially endeavoured to do that which he was that night pleased to think had given satisfaction , but he must recognise that without the Officers of the Lodge ho should never have been able to bring tho Lodge to the position it then occupied—one of the most important iu the City of London . This was the last night on which he would

preside at tho head of the Lodge table , and he wished to take the opportunity of thanking the Officers , and especially the Secretary of the Lodge , who had particularly assisted him in the work of the year . Ho hoped the incoming Master and his successors might think it desirable to bring the Ladies more often to the meetings with them , and thus make them more acquainted with the working of Freemasonry .

Bro . A . M . Wartski proposed the toast of tho Ladies . It has been said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing , but it is certain that the little knowledge of the fair sex possessed by an unmarried man often leads to more being said on their behalf in connection with this toast when proposed or acknowledged by a batchelor than is the case when a married man is speaking . In

the latter case it may be that the increased knowledge he possesses has convinced him that no eulogy is necessary—the simple call for honours for the fair sex sufficing ; but however this may be it is certain that the proposer of this toast , as well as Bro . Simpson who acknowledged it , practised the Masonic virtue of silence to an excessive degree in discharging their duties .

Bro . Simpson said the Ladies were not unmindful of the great exertions the Master had made during his term of office to bring them to the meetings of the Lodge . It was in their minds what a cordial reception he had accorded thorn at the summer outingwhich had come to bo a recognised event in the Camden Lodge ,

but beyond this he had undertaken the arduous duties of arranging a ball , when the Ladies who were present had much to thank tho Master for , their indebtedness being increased in viow of the entertainment they were then enjoying . It might truly be said the Ladies were proud to think their husbands belonged to so genial a Lodge as the Camden .

The W . M . in felicitous terms proposed the Visitors , and in the course of his remarks considered it was most desirable that Brethren should visit other Lodges . During his Masonic career of over nino years he had visited many Lodges , and had always been greatly gratified at what he had seen and heard . In the name of the Lodge he heartily welcomed those visitors present and trusted they would come again .

Bro . A . E . Harris P . M ., in response , said he was an old Mason , seeing it was twenty-six years since he had passed the chair . He was very pleased to see the Ladies present at Masonic gatherings . He was greatly indebted to the W . M . and Brethren for their kind invitation , as he had never had the opportunity of being present at a similar gathering . The entertainment was a great success and he was sure all present had enjoyed themselves immensely . Bros . Bull P . M ., Piggott , and Symonds also responded .

The company included Bro ., Mrs . and Miss Ososki ( W . M . ) , Bro ., Mrs . and the Misses Styles ( I . P . M . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Nottingham ( S . W . ) . Bro . Coplestone ( J . W . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Goodchild ( Treas . ) , Bro . and Miss Morrill ( P . M . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Osborne ( P . M . ) , Bro . and Mrs Coffin ( P . M . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Eyers ( P . M . ) , and Mrs . Eyers jun ., Dr . N . J . Goodchild ( Assist . Sec ) , Bro . and Mrs . Gammon

( S . D . ) , Bro . J . Simpson ( J . D . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Isaacs ( I . G . ) , Bro . Mackenzie ( Steward ) and Miss Brambledy , Bros . Livingstone and Niblett ( Assist . Stewards ) , Bro . and Mrs . Lane ( Organist ) , Bro . and Mrs . Cartwright ( Assist . ' Organist ) , Bro . and Mrs . Hawkin ( D . C . ) , Bro . and Mrs . Wartski , Bro . and Mrs . Mills , Bro . and Mrs . Williams , Bro . and Mrs . Robertson , Bro . and Mrs . Kemm , Bro . and Mrs . Collins , Bro . and Mrs . Pickett , Bro . and Mrs . Henschel , Bro . and

Mrs . Towerzey , Bro . and Miss Hudson , Bro . and Mrs . Haas , Bro . and Mrs . Bowdon , Bro . and Mrs . Pohl , Bro ., Mrs . and Miss Wharman , Bro . and Mrs . Hodgkinson , Bro . and Mrs . Burt , Bro . and Miss Cohen , Madame Adler ( Paris ) , Madame Levy ( Berlin ) , Miss Ware , Mrs . Penn , Bros . Wharton , Harris , Challis , Brown , Scale , Rydon , Bone , Barnes , Cooper , Barnell , Nieve , Symonds , Morgan , Orlton Cooper , West , & c .

The musical programme was of a very high order and led to the enjoyment of the company during tho whole evening . The artistes were Miss Jessie Huddleston , Miss Phyllis Hope , Miss Amy Brook , Mr . Oswald Sharpley and Mr . Hubert Delma , while in addition several of the guests exerted themselves to increase the evening's pleasures . AUogether the Master of the Lodge and those who havo supported him arc to bo warmly congratulated oil the result of tho meeting . o o o

LEIGH LODGE , No . 957 . AT the meeting on the 2 lst ult ., says the " Weekly News , " Bro . George C . Hughes presided for the last time during his session as W . M . The minutes of the Lodge having been confirmed , and the business named in the agenda completed , Bro . Hughes installed Bro . Wilson Robb Bentley as W . M ., and he invested his Officers .

The installation banquet followed , and the usual toast list was gone through . Among those who responded as Visitors were Bros . J . J . Stockall P . M . 1677 , John Lobb 228 , and B . Clough 217 . o o o

HIGHGATE LODGE , No . 1361 . AT the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras , on Monday , 21 st ult ., Bros . Hillier W . M ., Wareham I . P . M ., R . Walkdon S . W . C . Sheppard Secretary , Bishop I . G ., and Thomas Org ., P . Ms . Yates , Luggi , Underwood , Garrod , Galer , Tuck , Bros . Harrison , Leghorn , Chinnery , Coxon , Milles , Maynard , Hughes , Culverwcll , Chapman , Dixon , Luxton , Wilcox , Smith , Campbell , and others . Visitors : Bros . Hardyman 1500 , Hone 1549 , Edwards 168 , Hildreth 1185 , Douglas 1381 , Curtis 2271 .