The Masonic Elections.

Friendship is a noble sentiment , but personal friendship should not alono determine who shall sit in the East . There is a friendship for the Craft which should control tho friendship for the individual Brother . The whole is greater than any of its parts . We owe it to our

Fraternity , which is so pure in principle , so noble in action , so Tenerable in age , so exalted in the estimation even of many in the profane world , to see to it that its character is fully maintained in the present and the near future . These are under our control . We are the makers of

contemporary history , and proximately of that which immediately will follow . Our votes are determining who shall represent the Craft during the coming year . It should never be forgotten that Freemasonry is largely , and rightly , judged by its rulers , who are thereby made its

chosen representatives . Whether it be true or not , their actions aro judged to bo Masonic , because they are the foremost Brethren placed in authority by the Craft itself , to interpret its Constitution , Usages , Customs and Landmarks . Theso latter may be never so good , but if the

official action of Masters of Lodges or High Priests of Chapters be never so bad , the former are for the time being imperilled . But here wisely comes in the conserving and restraining power in Freemasonry . Just as tho Master or High Priest in a Lodge or Chapter may , by

virtue of his office , restrain the perverse action of any member or members threatening the harmony or wellbeing of the body , so the Grand Master or Grand High Priest may . -in like manner , control the radically unwise or perverso action of a subordinate body , or its presiding

Officer . Freemasonry has provided the best possible system of cheeks and balances for maintaining the equilibrium of Masonic law and obligation . It has combined the most admirable features of tho rule of the one and df the many , of ahsolute authority and of

universal suffrage . If the Craft were to attempt to-day to formulate a plan of government which should combine all possible advantages , in the light of six thousand years ' experience of mankind , it could not provide a more equitable or stable systora of government , than that which

now prevails , and has prevailed from time immemorial , in tho Royal Craft . At the same time it is wise to choose the ablest , the wisest , tho most experienced rulers to preside in all of the constituent Lodges and Chapters in the Fraternity , since it is far easier to prevent mistakes than

to euro them . A skilful , conscientious , painstaking Master or High Priest can do , will do , no harm to the Craft , and this , Brethren and Companions , is the character of man and Mason you should elect to Masonic office when called npon during the present season to exercise your

right of suffrage in your respective Masonic bodies . Remember your obligation to your Lodge or Chapter , and to tho whole Craft , and vote accordingly—not as you may ho solicited to vote , not as yon are merely inclined by friendship to vote , but as you should vote , in view of all of your obligations to ancient Freemasonry . —Keystone .

The Eccleston Lodge of Instruction will , on and after to-night ( Saturday ) , hold its meetings at Bro . Dickie ' s , 13 Cambridge-street , Pimlico .

The Leicester . Post , after ' giving details of the amounts subscribed during the year to the London Masonic Institutions , states : — " The Benevolent Institution , which for

five out of tho last seven years has headed the list , has between 300 and 400 annuitants on its books ; the Girls ' School boards , clothes , and educates 264 girls ; and the Boys' School 263 boys . "

The New Year ' s Entertainment to the " Old Folks , " at Croydon , was given on Wednesday . We regret we were unable to attend , but will try and supply somo particulars next week .

An effort , which it is believed will be successful , is being made to originate a Lodge at Kelvedon . Masons in the neighbourhood have felt the inconvenience of going to Maldon , Colchester , and the surrounding neighbourhood , and it is believed the movement will materially benefit the Craft .

Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 70 .

FRIDAY , the 27 th ult ., being the anniversary of St . John th & Evangelist , the installation meeting was held at the Devon and Cornwall Masonic Hall and Club , Princess-square , Plymouth . Bro . Frederick Wreford S . W . was installed as W . M . in the presence of the largest Board of Installed Masters ever known in the Province —there being fifty-four P . M . 's present—a striking testimony to tbo

respect and esteom in which Bro . Wreford is held . The ceremony of installation was ably performed by tho retiring W . M ., Bro . W . King , Bros . W . T . Hocking P . M ., James Griffin P . M . P . P . G . S . D ., Frank Westoott P . M ., and J . B . Gover P . M . and Secretary . Previous to the installation , Mr . Henry Crooker , of Plymontb , and Mr . F . J . Sercombe , assistant-engineer H . M . S . Camperdown , son of Brother G .

Sarcombe P . M . of the Lodge , were initiated . The ceremony was rendored all the more interesting from the fact that Bro . Sercombo obligated both candidates . The Board of Installed Masters being closed , the W . M . invested the following brethren as his Officers for the onsuiug year : —Bros . W . King I . P . M ., H . J . Evans S . W ., W . L . D . Colling J . W ., Dr . Lemon P . M . P . P . G . J . W . Chaplain ,

R . Pengelly P . M . Treas ., J . B . Gover P . M . Secretary , J . Hioks S . D ., John Carr J . D ., Mark Jacobs D . C ., John Goad A . D . C ., William Hoiloway Organist , George E . Sercombe I . G ., John Burton S . S ., J . Cory , A . G . Collins , George Loach , and George W . Vincent Stewards , and W . LI . Phillips Tyler . Bro . R . Pengelly was re-elected representative on the Committe of Petitions , and Bro . J . Hicks Charity Steward .

Bro . tho Rev . Dr . Lemon then presented to the Lodgo a copy of " Tho Yorkshire Loi ' ges : A Century of Yorkshire Freemasonry , " by J . Ramsden Riley , of Bradford ( Historian of 387 ) , P . P . G . D . C . of West Yorkshire . Tho gib having been duly acknowledged , two candidates woro proposed for initiation , and the Lodge was closed in duo form . Tho brethren adjourned to the refectory , where nearly

ono hundred sat down to the annual banquot , which was worthy of tho elnb . The menu cards , most artistic and highly finished , were tho work of Bro . Westcott . During the dinner an orchestral band , under the direction of Bro . A . Lidiard , played some capital selections . Bro . Wrefor . l the W . M . presided , in addition to those already named . The usual Masonio nnd Loyal toasts were duly honoured . Letters of

apology were receivoi from , among others , Lord Ebrington P . G . M . of Devon , Lord Mount Edgcumbe P . G . M . of Cornwall , Bro . Sir Edward Clarko , Q . C ., M . P ., the Mayor of Plymouth ( Bro . H . J . War . ing ) , Brcs . W . Dorry , and H . Reed , all of whom expressed a hope that tho W . M . would have a pleasant and snccessfnl year of office . The toast of the W . M . was most cordially received . Bro . J . B . Gover

presented Bro . VV . King tto X . F . M . ™ l > Vi a imuasumo r . W .-S jewel on behalf of the Lodge in appreciation of the zeal and ability he had displayed dnring his year of office . In proposing " The Directors and Shareholders of tho Devon nnd Cornwall Freemasons' Hall and Club Company , " Bro . Gover referred to the invaluable services Bro . Good - all , tho lato Seoretary , rendered to tho company . Bro . Goodall , in

responding ,, said it was at the wish of the brothren of tbe Throe Towns that they erected the Masonic Hall , which was considered to bo cue of the finest in the country , and it was not fair to the present shareholders that those who voted for them to embark on the undertaking should not support them by taking shares . They wero at present raying interest on a portion of the share capital , and if all

the shares were taken up by the brethren thoy would be in a position to pny a very fair dividend . Ho therefore hoped that the brethren wonld tako up the unallotted shares , and thus place them in a position to hand a dividend over to tho shareholders generally . Bro . Dillon , the present Secretary , also responded . A capital musical evening followed . Bro . E . Roseveare gave a comical

ventriloquial sketch , in which ho cleverly introduced humorous references to certain brethren present , which caused roars of laughter and at the close was heartily applauded . Bro . J . Kinton Bond , B . A ., P . P . G . D . C , recited in ; his well-known style " The Fireman ' s Love , " and equally successful was the rendering by Bro . W . L . Lnvers P . M . of the '' Seven Ages of Masonry . " Bro . T . Mo D .

Rendle having given a humorous speech , sang with muob gusto his now famous song " Tbo Town Council " ( written up to date ) Bro . W . H . Gillman was in good voice , and sang " Who shall be King ? " in splendid style . Bro . P . Elford played two cornet solos , and thoso who contributed to the enjoyment of the evening were Brcs . T . Goodall , J . Hicks , J . Leonard , F . J . Sercombe , J . Bromley , R . Blight , and J . Treliving .

LENNOX LODGE , No . 123 .

rpHE members have recently commemorated the festival of St . JL John tho Evangelist . The installation ceremony took place at tho Masonic Hall , Newbiggin Street , Richmond , Yorkshire , and was performed by Bro . A . T . Rogers , when Bro . John Hincbliffe Soholes was duly installed in the chair . Tho W . M . elect then appointed and invtsted the following Officers : —Bros . John Gibson I . P . M ., S . W .

Close S . W ., Rev . J . E . Torbett J . W . ; J . W . Smith P . M . Treasurer , George Peacock Secretary , R . Murray S . D ., E . V . Scbofield J . D ., T . C . Denham P . M . D . C ., G . W . Fawcett Organist , F . Gilling Inner

Guard , E . S . Close Senior Steward , J . A . Wiggins Junior Steward , W . Grieves Tyler . The visiting brethren were Bros . J . Graham P . M . Ill , Thos . Dunn 124 , and James Henderson 664 . A banquet was held at tho King ' s Head Hotel .

LIGHTS LODGE , No . 148 .

ST . JOHN'S Festival was celebrated by the brethren in the Masonic-rooms , Saukey Street , WarringtoD , on tho 30 th ult .