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J . Marchant P . M . Treasurer , P . J . Jaokson S . D ., Geo . Hardy J . D ., J . Marchant D . C .. Jas Ward S . S . and B . Grant J . S . Stewards , John Royl . G ., . 7 . Curry Tyler . P . M . 's Bros . J . E . Eobson P . M . 48 , Joseph Cook P . M . 481 , Adam Wilson M . D . P . M . 1312 , R . Gregory W . M . 48 . The brothron afterwards adjourned to tho Half Moon Inn , and partook of a sumptuous dinner , provided by Bro . T . Pearson , after which the evening was spent in harmony .

Cherwell Lodge , No . 599 . —The anniversary meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , the 28 th ult ., at the Rod Lion Hotel , Banbury , when Bro . John Potts , P . Prov . G . Sup . of Works Oxon , was installed W . M . for tho ensuing year . The ceremony was performed by Bro . R . Havers , P . G . S . D . of England , in an impressive and masterly manner . Bro . Potts afterwards appointed and invested his

officers as follow .- —Bros . Rev . J . Spittal S . W ., Rev . A . Ayton J . W ., R . Havers P . G . S . D . Treasurer , J . B . Looker P . M . Secretary , Capt . H . C . Norris S . D ., E . J . Hartley P . M . J . D ., Dr . Griffin P . M . D . C ., W . Chamberlin and T . Fowler Stewards , R . C . Humfrey I . G ., T . Hogs Tyler . Tho brethren afterwards dined together , under the presidency of the newly installed W . M .

Whlttington Chapter , No . 862 . —The regular convocation of this Chapter was hold on Friday , tho 25 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-stroet . Comps . W . Stephens as Z ., Jas . Weaver P . Z . as H ., J . Kingston J ., Murlis S . N ., Tinney P . S ., Ac The Chapter

was opened and the minutes wero confirmed . Bros . H . Caff 511 , and J . Symonds , M . D ., 1356 were dnly exalted into Royal Arch Masonry . The Chapter was then closed and tho usual banquot followed . Tho loyal and R . A . toasts were given , also that of the % ., principals and officers . Comp . Mclntyre , of Melbourne , was present as a visitor .

Boyal Oak Lodge , No , 871 . —This Lodgo held an emergency meeting on Monday , 21 st February , at tho White Swan Tavern , Highstreet , Deptford . Present—Bros . S . 0 . Lewin W . M ., H . J . Tuson W . M . elect and S . W ., John J . Pake * J . W ., Frederick WaltersP . P . G . P . Middlesex P . M . Sec , John Baxter Langley J . D ., R . Harman D . C ., J . G . Vohmann Stoward , H . J . Fisher Orcrnnist , J . Bavin P . M . 147

Tyler . Past Masters Bros . G . Andrews , F . Walters , & c . Visitors B . and G . Chapman P . M . 167 , and G . Whittle 1155 , Ac , A . "Makers , H . W . F . Fellows , G . Potter , E . Good , T . Ilorton , J . Ratrg , F . H . Burr , J . G . Thomas , R . J . Harvey , J . Rennie , E . James , J . Woollett , G . A . Leighton , W . Simmons , G . Eve . Ballots were unanimous in favour

of Messrs . G . Eve , G . A . Leighton , and W . Simmons , and these gentlemen were initiated by the W . M . and Bro . G . Andrews I . P . M ., who ably conducted tho proceedings . Tn consequence of the awfully sudden death of Bro . J . Hawker P . M ., senior initiate and nearly senior P . M ., it was agreed not to havo a banquot on installation meeting . He died on Friday Feb . 18 th , aged 51 . There was no banquet or any refreshments supplied .

Eoyal Oak Lodge , No . 871 . —The Installation meeting of this Lodgo was held on Thursday , tho 24 th ultimo , at tho White Swan , High-streot , Deptford . Present—Bros . S . 0 . Lewin W . M ., H . J . Fuson W . M . olect S . W ,, J . J . Pakes J . W ., W . Androws P . M . Treas ., Frederick Walters P . P . G . P . Middlesex , P . M . 871 , Sec , W . Wyatt P . M . S . D ., John Baxter Langley W . M . 1423 J . D .. G . T . Limm I . G .,

E . Harman D . C ., J . G . Tohmann Steward , H . J . Fisher Organist , J . Bavin P . M . 147 Tyler . Past Masters Bros . F . Walters , W . Andrews , W . Myatt , G . Andrews , J . Truelove . Visitors—Bros . H . J . Green W . M . 1538 , E . Debar W . M . 169 , J . T . Tibbals P . M . 169 , J . Patto P . M . 147 , J . Lightfoot P . M . 147 , J . J . West P . M . 518 , H . Keeblo P . M . 1275 , Ac . Tho minute 3 woro unanimously confirmed .

Bro . F . Walters P . M . Sec . presonted Bro . H . J . Tuson to Bro . G . Andrews for installation . Tho following aro tho officers : —S . 0 . Lewin I . P . M ., W . Androws P . M . Treas . ( re-invested for ninth time ) , F . Walters ( father of the Lodgo ) Sec . ( re-invested 16 th time ) , J . J . Pake 3 S . W ., John Baxter Langley J . W ., H . J . Fisher Organist ( re-invostod third timo ) , G . T . Limm S . D ., R . Harman J . D ., J . G . Vohmann I . G ., J . Andrews D . C ., W . Myatt W . S ., J . Bavin P . M . 147

Tyler . On the motion of Bro . F . Walters , it was unanimously resolved that a voto of thanks bo given to Bro . G . Andrews , for his admirable , painstaking manner during Installation . A P . M . ' s Jewel ( tho most valuable ever given in this Lodge ) was presented to Bro . Lowin . It was arranged that a letter of condolence be sent to the widow of Bro . John Hawker . Ton pounds was voted from Lodgo funds to a malo annuitant .

Phoenix Lodge , No . 904 , Rotherham . —The anniversary meeting of this Lodge was held on the 24 th ult ., when Bro . Clement Hamil Perrot ( a Past Master of the Lodge ) wa 3 installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , by Bro . Oxley P . M . and P . P . G . R . of West Yorks . The W . M ., after being saluted and proclaimed in the three degrees , appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . John

Fawcett I . P . M ., Benjamin Saville S . W ., H . I . Bingham J . W ., Thomas W . Roome Secretary , J . W . Wragg S . D ., Charles Harvey J . D ., and Wilfrid Badger I . G . Bro . Needham P . M . was appointed Almoner . The ballot was taken for a candidate , who had been proposed and seconded at the last regular Lodge , when he was declared not elected . Hearty good wishes wore presented from Lodges 108 , 139 , 241 , 296 , and 1239 . Amongst the Visitors present wero Bros . Thomas Jefferson S . W . of

the London Lodge , No . 108 , London , William Jervis S . W . and John Arthur Binney , of tho Britannia Lodge , No . 139 , Sheffield , John Cobham P . M . of the Merchants' Lodge , No . 241 , Liverpool , Henry Ecroyd W . M ., and John Ridal S . W . of the Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 296 , Sheffield , William White W . M . and Samuel Bramhall Ellis S . W . of the Wentworth Lodge , No . 1239 , Sheffield . During tho evening , the W . M . called the attention of these of his brethren who wero pre-

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sent at the Installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master , to tho Pictorial Record of that event now being engraved under the anspices of Bro . E . J . Harty , at No . 213 Regent-street , London , and advised them to send their cartes without delay , so that their portraits may bo included amongst thoso inserted . Attention was al 3 o called to the London Masonic Club , now in course of construction on

an eligible sito m Queen Victoria-street , London , E . C , and those brethren desirous of joining were informed that a ballot would be taken on tho 1 st of March , after which joining members will bo liable to an entrance fee . Bro . Marsh ( Solicitor ) expressed a wish to know how far brethren , who become subscribers , will bo liable for tho debts of the club . Bro . Honry Ecroyd ( of Sheffield ) pointed out

that tho prospectus as well as the application forms distributed amongst brethren likely to avail themselves of the advantages offered by the club , distinctly state that members incur no liability whatever beyond their subscriptions . Bro . Marsh , in reply , said that the under , taking being " proprietary , " it was a question how far subscribers may become responsible for the liabilities under certain possible contingencies , and ho desired that tho promoters of the elnb would explain

on whom the liabilities will fall should the club , unfortunately , prove unsuccessful . Many brethren doubtless have similar scruples about joining tho club in the absence of definite information on those points , and if tho worthy Secretary—Bro . Captain Lathbury—will kindly give tho information asked for by Bro . Marsh , in tho columns of TfiE FREEMASON ' S CITKONICT , , he will obtain tho active support of many worthy country Masons ,

Mother Kilwinning Festival.

MOTHER KILWINNING FESTIVAL .

THE Bairns of the Old Mother , in Glasgow and its vicinity , are now so numerous that they havo now , for tho fifth year , held a Festival together . On this , as on a previous occasion , tho R . W . M . of St . John ' s , No . 3 bis , which claims as great , or even greater , antiquity than the Mother Lodge , kindly placed thoir magnificent hall at their disposal . This is as it should be , and shows that true Masonic spirit , which looks abovo all potty jealousies , or foolish rivalries , to tho

general good of tho Craft . Tho chair was occupied by Bro . R . Willio , Past Provincial Grand Master of Ayrshire , bnt who delights in tho humbler title of the Socretary of Mother Kilwinning . Ho was supported by Bros . J . A . Ferguson P . S . W . No . 0 , J . Thompson F . G . S . No . 0 , J . Shaw No . 0 , D . M . Neilson R . W . M . 3 bis , W . Bell I . P . M . 3 bis , J . Baird P . M . 3 bis ,

D . P . G . M . of Glasgow , and P . Brownlio J . W . 3 bis , Stodart , Secretary of tho Glasgow Committee , acted as S . W ., supported by Bros . Jamieson and Balfour P . G . D . of C , J . Walker as J . W ., supported by Bros . J . Tweed P . J . W . No . 0 , and C . Stobo , there wero about 50 other members of tho Old Mother present , who did amplo justice to tho bill of faro provided by Bro . J . C . Galloway , aftor

which the Secretary read letters of apology from Col . W . M . Neilson P . G . M . Glasgow , Sir James Fergorson , Bart ., Eev . J . Gils , of Kilburn , P . G . Chaplain , and others . The Chairman , in an excollont manner , gavo the usual Loyal toasts , which wero heartily responded to . Bros . Brodio at tho harmouium , and D . B . Fleming with his voice , leading in tho National Anthem , and "God Bless the Princo of

Wales . " Tho toast of tho Army , Navy and Reserve Forces wero replied to by Bro . Sorgt . Reid . The Chairman said they had now got to that part of the programme where what was known as tho " chairman ' s address" came in , but first of all ho felt it to bo his duty to thank them for honouring him with tho position of chairman on that occasion to preside over tho

" sons of light" who wero cradled in tho Mother Lodgo Kilwinning . Assembled as they were that night around tho social ^ Jboard , drawn together by tho most sacred ties of brotherhood , ho had chosen as text for his few remarks , " What is Freemasonry ? " They were again invited to answer that question by those who had not entered within the portals of the Masonic temple ; and as they wero awaro

thoir Order had been assailed and anathematised by tho Church of Rome . Well , Freemasonry , as they understood it in these days , had beon defined as " a beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols—faith , hope , and charity being among its brightest jewels . " Its principles wero inconvertible , they woro based on tho broadest ethioal truths : it was founded on tho Bible .

Freemasonry sought to infnso its members with tho spirit of love , charity , and benevolence ; to break down the partition wall between class and class . In a Masonic Lodge , peor and peasant , rich and poor , learned and illiterate , met fraternally on the same level . Freemasonry had been donounced for being a " secret" society , but ho hold that whatever and whenever secresy was necessary , it was also

commendable . But what woro those secrets P Remove from Masonry the pass-words , signs , and tokens , and the mannor of conferring the degrees , and the whole secresy of tho matter diaappearod . The benefits of tho Order , however , remained , being reserved for the initiated who contributed to its support ; and its cosmopolitan langnago was used only as a sign and test of

brotherhood . ( Applause . ) Having referred to tho olden time 3 when Masonry was exclusively a guild society , when none but operativo Masons wero admitted to enjoy its privileges , tho chairman said it was worthy of remark that tho Lodge Glasgow St . John , within whose walls they wero highly privileged to meet that evening , was the last to give np this ancient character . Within that time honoured

Lodge non-operatives wero not admitted until so recently as the year 1812 ; aud not till the year 1850 did they see fit to join themselves with the Grand Lodge of Scotland . ( Applause . ) In concluding his remarks , the chairman said that the Freemasons did what in them lay to aid in healing dissensions and iu bringing good aud honest men

into one indissoluble brotherhood . The door of a Masonic Lodge was open to every man of " good report , " irrespective of his religious or political creed . Notwithstanding all that had been said by tho uninitiated against Freemasonry—and he admitted that , like all merely . uman institutions , it was not perfect—the fraternity seemed in a