Reports Of Meetings.

Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed . The W . M . then raised Bros . F . H . Maynard and W . Leghorn ; Passed Bros . J . Chinnery and J . S . Harrison ; and Initiated Mr . W . G . Coxon and Mr . Fred G . Guenigault .

The W . M ' s good working is thoroughly well known , but on this occasion , having so much work brought out his great capacity as a Master of so distinguished a Lodge as the Highgate . The whole ceremony was most impressive and earnest , and the candidates from their great attention were evidently very much impressed .

The members afterwards adjourned to the banquet , when the W . M ., in proposiug the toasts , said that as they had so much musical talent , the speeches and toasts would necessarily be brief . The toast of tho Queen was heartily received , as was the M . W . G . M . and the Grand Officers Present and Past , the W . M . making very graceful allusion to a speech he heard made by Lady Lathom at a recent meeting .

The toast of the W . M . was proposed by Bro . Wareham I . P . M ., in very earnest and sincere terms , he referring to the great capabilities of the W . M . and his evident desire to keep up the reputation of the Highgate Lodge . The W . M ., rising to respond , was received with great cheering and enthusiasm . He thanked the Brethren for so cordially

receiving the toast of his health , he had done his best and hoped that those who would follow him would help him and the P . Ms , in keeping up the high position of the Lodge in its work and in support of the Charities . He was told that he would- be tho first Master who did not represent the Benevolent Institution for twenty-four years . He was a Steward for the Girls Institution ,

therefore he , rather than break tho record , went as Steward for both the Institutions , and he was very proud to say a lady had sent five guineas to put on his list , and he hoped before the list closed it would reach three figures . He was pleased to congratulate the Brethren on their success in carrying the election of Bro . Hammond .

Before he sat down he felt ho should not be doing his duty if he did not return his earnest thanks to Mrs . H . Underwood , the wife of Bro . P . M . Underwood , for her generous donation and

moral support . The health of the Initiates and Joining Member was briefly responded to by each . The toast of the P . M . s was cordially received . I . P . M . Bro . Wareham thanked the Master , but stated that

living so far away he could not stay longer . Bro . P . M . Tuck also thanked the Brethren . As regards tho W . M . under his direction they must succeed , his work was par excellence , his sympathy with the Charities they had all had experience of , and under his genial ruling they had had nothing but harmony and prosperity . P . Ms . Gales and Underwood also responded .

The health of the Visitors was received in true Highgate Lodgo fashion , hearty and sincere . Bro . Hardyman expressed the great pleasure he felt in being a visitor to the Lodge . Nothing could afford him more delight than to see the admirable work of their Master , he had given time and study to the work , and his

experience as Preceptor of the St . John ' s Lodge of Instruction at Harlesden , all tended to produce that perfect and excellent working they had seen that day . He trusted at no distant date to be with them again . Bros . Hone , Edwards , Douglas , and Hildreth also responded .

The health of the Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers was followed by the Tyler ' s toast . The musical arrangements under the direction of Bro . Harry Tipper were of a very high order , and his performances with tho bells were much appreciated . o o o

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

• n DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 199 . THE above Lodge met on Thursday of last week , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Bishopsgatc Street , E . C , when the W . M . Bro . Alfred W . Hmnphreys was supported by a numerous assemblage of Brethren and Visitors . The minutes of the last Lodge aud Emergency meetings were

read and confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee received and adopted . The W . M . then proceeded to advance Bros . Edward W . Davis of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , and Albert D . Jones of tho Crusaders Lodge , to tho honourable degree of Mark Master Mason .

The W . M . elect , Bro . J . M . Klenck , was then presented and installed as W . M . of the Lodge for the ensuing year , the coremony being performed by the W . M ., in the impressive manner to which the Mark ceremonies lend considerable interest . Bro . Klenck then invested his Officers .

The sum of £ 5 5 s was voted from the Lodge , to be placed on the list of Bro . A . W . Humphreys as Steward for the Mark Benevolent Fund . The business of the meeting being ended , the Lodge was closed with the usual ceremonies .

The Brethren afterwards adjourned to banquet , when the W . M . gave the usual toasts , Bro . Christian replying for the Grand Officers , and Brother W . H . Toye for the Visitors . The W . M ., in proposing the health of the Installing Officer , presented Bro . Humphreys with a Past Master ' s Jewel , in appreciation of the manner in which he had performed his duties , having advanced eighteen Brethren during his year of office .

Bros . E . W . Davis and Jones responded for the Advancees , the Tyler ' s toast bringing a most pleasant evening to a termination . The musical arrangements were under the direction of the Organist of the Lodge , Bro . H . Stafford Trego , Mus . Baa , Oxon ., in which Bros . James Bayne , Lambert Perry , Henry King , and other Brethren took part .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

SYMPATHY LODGE , No . 855 . rriHE Installation festival was hold in tho Town Hall , Bristol , JL on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., when a good company assembled to witness tho ro-installation of Bro . C . M . Penley P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Glos . The room was prettily decorated with palms , ferns , & c , sent by Bro . Penley , and had a very effective appearance .

The installation ceremony was performed by Bro . Millman P . M . P . P . J . G . W . Glos ., assisted by Bros . Phelps , Perrin , Heath and Henly . The W . M . appointed his Officers . o o o

ST . MARY'S LODGE , No . 1763 . THE Annual Festival and Installation was held on Thursday , 17 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Thame , when Bro . E . W . Reynolds was installed Worshipful Master for the year . Thero was a good attendance of Brethren and Visitors . The Lodge having been opened by the W . M . ( Bro . H . J . Webster ) , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and the Audit Committee ' s Report received . Tho chair was then taken

by the Installing Master ( Bro . J . A . Harvey ) , who proceeded to instal tho W . M .-elect , Bro . E . W . Reynolds , into the chair of K . S . The new W . M . appointed and invested his Officers . The Installing Master , who performed tho ceremony in an admirable manner , next impressively addressed tho newly-appointed Officers upon their respective duties , and the Lodge was closed in accordance with ancient usage .

The Brethren afterwards adjourned to the Spread Eagle Hotel , where a sumptuous spread , consisting of the delicacies of the season , awaited them . The tables were very prettily adorned with choice plants , fairy lamps and other illuminants , and altogether presented a charming appearance . Bro . E . W . Reynolds W . M . presided , supported on the right by Bros . W . Langham W . M . 1399

T . Sare W . M . 2334 , and Past Masters T . Horwood , J . Williams , J . E . D . Ostrehan 591 , H . Birch P . Pr . G . W ., J . Franklin , W . R . Sutton P . Pr . S . G . D ., and on the loft by Bros . J . A . Harvey P . M . 1314 ( Installing Master ) , H . J . Webster I . P . M ., and Past Masters E . Bond P . G . S ., J . Hears , J . Tanner P . Pr . G . St . B ., and G . Briars P . Pr . G . St . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . o o o

GORDON LODGE , No . 2149 . THE annual festival was held at the Masonic Hall , Cheapside , Hanley , on the 23 rd ult . Bro . J . Clare W . M .-olcct was duly installed , and the Officers were appointed . In the evening a banquet was held at the Town Hall .

MASONIC CHURCH SERVICE . ON Wednesday , 23 rd ult ., a special service was held at St . James ' s , Clerkenwell , in aid of the funds of the Masonic Charities . The Grand Master had granted a dispensation for the

wearing of Masonic clothing , on the application of the Crusaders , the Great Northern and the Clerkenwell Lodges , and the service was conducted by the Rev . J . H . Rose , M . A ., Vicar of the parish , and a member of the Crusaders Lodge .

The reverend gentleman , in illustrating his text , dwelt with much emphasis on tho important lessons that the sciences represented in Freemasonry taught . Everything in Nature had its meaning to the Freemasons , who in accordance with their teachings could realise many qualities where many others failed .

Those who spoke slightingly of Freemasonry and alluded to it as Atheistical , knew nothing whatever about it , as the Freemason regarded the Higher Power as the highest power of all , and to whom all submission was willingly made . Freemasons were the living stones of God ' s great temple . The three principles of Brotherly

love , relief and truth prevaded all their actions , and their three great Institutions pointed clearly out that the Brethren exercised that practical benevolence which had a full exemplification . With several other illustrations the reverend gentleman concluded an earnestly practical address .

In the course of the service there were some special hymns and anthems sung , accompanied on the organ by Mr . Crane .

An entertainment has been arranged for this evening ( Saturday ) at St . George ' s Hall , Langham Place , for tho benefit of Mr . Edwin Drew , Author , Lecturer , Journalist , & c , who met with a nearly fatal accident in March last at Niagara Halls , Westminster . The

entertainment , which is under Royal aud distinguished patronage , will comprise , for the most part , items from the pen of Mr . Drew , including " Cynthia ' s Sacrifice , " " A noble falsehood , " " The play ' s the thing , " songs , recitations , & c . We hope tho result will be a gratifying one on Mr . Drew ' s behalf .

o o o The Great Western Railway Compauy announce that on Saturday , 2 nd June , the first of the weekly Excursions to Westonsuper-Mare , Barnstaple , Ilflaeombe , Exeter , Dawlish , Teignmouth , Torquay , Dartmouth , Plymouth , Falmouth , Penzance , & c , will

leave Paddington Station at 7 . 55 a . m ., while the train for Swindon , Bath , Bristol , Frame , Yeovil , Dorchester , and Weymouth will leave at 12 . 35 p . m . Return tickets will also be issued to Guernsey and Jersey at 24 s Gd . Cheap tickets are issued daily by certain trains to Staines , Burnham Beeches , Windsor , Taplow , Maidenhead , Henley , Pangbourne , and other favourite resorts .