Notice Of Meetings.

NOTICE OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — PRUDENT BRETHREN LODGENo . 145 .

THIS popular Lodge celebrated its Annual Festival on Tuesday , tho 25 th January , at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . The brethren assembled at five o'clock ; they wore the customary insignia of mourning , donned on this occasion through the loss the Lodge had sustained by the death of Bro . Geo .

States P . M ., a Past Grand Steward , and a brother who for many years held the position of Secretary in the Prudent Brethren Lodge . Bro . George C . Banks , tho W . M ., opened the Lodge , when he was supported by the following Past Masters : —Bros . T . Bull ( Treasurer ) , D . Haslett ( Secretary ) , C . Woods , H . Brock , John Eeid ; the several

minor Officers wero well represented , and amongst the Visitors were Bros . E . Eve P . M . P . P . S . G . W . Hampshire and Isle of Wight , J . Salmon P . M . 2007 Prov . Grand Registrar Essex , A . Lane P . M . 1638 P . G . S . B . Surrey , A . Dansell P . M . 1107 , E . E . Goffiu P . M . 1572 , W . Snodin P . M . 157 , E . White P . M . 177 , J . Green P . M . 27 , W . W .

Morgan P . M . 211 , A . H . Larcome P . M . 3 , W . H . Baker W . M . 1446 , T . Woodrow W . M . 2077 , A . Escott P . M . 1593 , W . J . Collens P . M . 766 , C . Parsons S . W . 1637 , A . J . Martin P . M . 188 , R . H . Wimpey J . D . 2012 , J . W . Bannell 1637 , J . Freeman 2063 , E . F . Kempson 1385 , W . Robinson 55 , J . Montague J . D . 1638 , G . B . Wood 1339 ,

J . R . Duff 1339 , R . Howland 1366 , C . Piper 2030 , W . J . Higgins 1563 , 0 . H . Taylor 2000 , Theodore Distin 173 , J . M . Klcnck P . M . 1339 , D . Hall 1637 , A . J . Dottridge P . M . 176 , & c . After the minutes of last meeting had been rond and confirmed , the report of the auditors , which was of a satisfactory character , was

presented and adopted . A request had been preferred to the Worshipful Master for two brethren of the Unity Lodge , No . 1637 , to be allowed to receive their second decree , and in couformity with this request Bros . John Bannell and Douglas Hall now presented themselves . They passed a satisfactory examination , and were

entrusted . When the Lodge had been opened in the second degree the candidates were re-admitted , and regularly passed . Bro . Thos , Ball now took the chair , and the Worshipful Master elect , Bro . W . F . Masters , the Senior Warden of the past year , but a brother who has already filled the chair , in the Stockwell Lodge , No . 1339 , waa

presented to receive the benefits of installation . The usual obligation was taken , and in due course the Board of Installed Masters was opened , and Bro . Masters was placed in the chair as Master of the Prudent Brethren Lodge . On the re-admission of those brethren who are not yet privileged to wear tho levels , Bro . Masters was

saluted and proclaimed in the three degrees . The appointment and investment of Officers then took place , ns follows : — Bros . Henry Cox S . W ., John Hampton J . W ., T . Bull P . M . Treasurer , D . Haslett P . M . Secretary , W . Lloyd S . D ., Whiteley J . D ., E . ColemanI . G ., C . Woods P . M . D . ofC , Thos . Cooke Assistant Dir . of Cers ., Brown Steward ,

L . J . Reinhardt Tyler . Bro . P . M . Bull delivered the addresses . to Master , Wardens , aud Brethren in that perfect manner which characterises tho work he undertakes , and resumed his seat

amidst tho congratulations of all assembled . A Past Master ' s jewel of an eminently neat aud elegant description was presented to Bro . Banks , displaying a monogram with his initials , and bearing the following inscription : —

Presented by the Brethren of the LODGE OF PRUDENT BRETHREN , No . 145 , To Bro . GEORGE C . BANKS P . M ., In token of fraternal regard and appreciation of his valuable services as Worshipful Master in 1886-7 .

The consideration of the Earl of Carnarvon's Circular occupied a considerable amount of time , but it was eventually left over for the next meeting , when the members will be in a position to say to what extent it shall be supported . A general wish , however , seemed to prevail that the brethren should be supplied with copies

of the Circular , so that they might be butter prepared to deal with its details . Amongst other features for notice was the passing of a vote of condolence to the surviving relatives of Bro . States , and the announcement of the resignation of two members . Lodge closed with the customary formalities . The banquet was served in the

Glee Room of the Freemasons' Tavern , and a capital repast , served under the superintendence of Bro . Madell , was done ample justice to . On removal of the cloth the W . M . gave the loyal toasts , with brief but pertinent remarks , and full honour was done them . In speaking to the toast of the Grand Officers , Bro . Masters expressed

regret that they had no representative present ; they had however three brethren who held positions as Provincial Officers , and coneequently he would associate their name with the toast . One of them—Bro . Eve—was a candidate for the office of Grand Treasurer , Bro . Eve was distinguished in the Province whioh he

represented—Hampshire and the Isle of Wight—and possesses qualifications that recommend him as a worthy aspirant for the dignified position he desires to secure . The other two Provincial Officers to whom he referred—Bros . Salmon and Lane—were also held in high esteem in the respective circles in which they moved . These brethren severally

acknowledged the compliment , and then the Immediate Past Master took the gavel in band ; the brethren he felt assured would readily respond to the toast he had to present to their notice . Bro . Masters had filled the several offices in the Lodge with credit to himself and to tbe satisfaction of the members . Theirs was a Centenary

Lodge ; it had always held a position in the Craft , and naturally its well wishers desired it shonld maintain its prestige . In exercising their right to elect Bro . Masters as their ruler for the ensuing year , the members had shown a wise discretion ;

he had zealously exerted himself in the past , and all looked forward to his further distinguishing himself during tho time he ruled the destinies of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master , in acknowledgment , felt grateful for the cordial reception he had met with : he had

Notice Of Meetings.

been a member of the Lodge for many years , but hitherto had not been able to devote so much time as was necessary to enable him to take a prominent part in the conduct of the Lodge . He was nowj however , in office ; he appreciated the honour , and should strive so to acquit himself that when his year expired he might carry

with him the best wishes of all with whom he had been associated . In course of replying to the toast given in his honour , Bro . Banks announced he had undertaken a Stewardship on behalf of tho Old People , and trusted ho might receive help on their behalf from every member of his Lodge . Several of the Visitors present acknowledged

the toast given in their honour . Then the Worshipful Master com « plimented the Treasurer and Secretary , specially referring to the ready way in which Bro . Bull placed his services at the disposal of tho Lodge , and making graceful allusion to the manner in which the worthy Treasurer had rendered the installation ceremony

Brother Bull , in the course of his reply , remarked that he looked upon the meetings of the Prudent Brethren Lodge as some of the pleasantest associations of his life . He had been much gratified in having the honour to instal Bro . Masters , who inherently possessed the integrity of the British merchant with the true principles of an

honest man and friend . He trusted every happiness would attend his efforts in the chair . Bro . Haslett ( Secretary ) also acknowledged tho compliment . His official work was essentially a labour of love , and he was intensely gratified at seeing his efforts were appreciated . After a toast had been given in honour of the

Officers , the Tyler was summoned , and he closed the proceedings . Dnring the evening a selection of vocal music was given under the direction of Bro . Theodore Distin ; who was assisted by Miss L . Distin , Miss Bertha Ball , and Bro . Henry Taylor . The following is the programme , aud it was carried out in a most satisfactory

manner : —Grace , " For these and all Thy Mercies , A . D . 1545 ; National Anthem , Dr . John Bull , Solo by Miss Distin ; Song , "Serenade , " EllisIngleby , Miss Bertha Ball ; Song , "The Maiden and the Weathercock , " Austin , Miss L . Distin ; Song , " My Queen , " Blumenthal , Bro . Henry Taylor ; Song , "The Middy , " Leigh , Bro .

Theodore Distin ; Solo Cornet , Donizetti , Master Harold Distin ; Duet , " Echoes , " F . L . Noir , Misses L . Distin and B . Ball ; Ballad , " Mary of Argyle , " Nelson , Bro . H . Taylor ; Humorous Song , " The World and his Wife , " Roeckel , Miss Ball ; Song , "Meet Me by Moonlight , " Wade , Miss Distin ; Glee , " O Hush Thee , My Babie , " Sir A . Sullivan .

PHILANTHROPIC LODGE , No . 304 . THE installation of this , ono of the oldest and most flourishing Lodges in the Province of West Yorkshire , was held on the 26 th ult ., at the Masonio Hall , Great George-street , Leeds . Additional interest was attached to the gathering because the Provincial Grand Master had signified his intention of being present , and it was expected that as he had just returned from London , he would

be able to make some authoritative statement in reference to the proposed Masonic Jubilee celebration . The W . M ., Bro . Myers , assumed the gavel for the last time , when he was supported by au exceedingly large number of brethren . The Lodge having been opened in the third degree , the arrival of the Provincial Grand Lodge

was announced . The Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master Bro . T . W . Tew , J . P ., Carleton Grange , P . G . D . of England , was accompanied by Bros . H . Smith D . P . G . M ., W . B . Alderson P . P . G . D . and Assistant P . G . Secretary . The other members of Provincial Grand Lodge present were Bros . Woodhouse , J . P ., P . M . Prov . G . J . W .,

Dr . Smyth , M . A ., D . D . G . M . Eastern Archipelago P . G . C ., Townsend P . G . Organist , Oates P . G . D . A . Dir . of Cers ., Newsand P . M . P . P . G . S . of Works , Richardson P . P . G . Pars ., Mason P . P . G . Treas ., R . Craig P . P . G . D . The W . M . ' s of each of the Leeds Lodges were present , namely Bros . Scarth 280 , Councillor Binns 306 , Flockton

1042 , Youings 1211 , Harris 1221 , Hollis 1311 , and Mason 2069 . Amongst the many Visitors were the following brethren from the neighbouring province of North and East Yorkshire : —Bros . Brown W . M . 1611 , Blenkin P . M . 1611 . In the body of the Lodge were P . M . ' s Bros . Hill , Tomlinson , Yates , Scriven , Trevor , Watson , Bailey ,

McGill , Scarth , Smith , Gaines , Bingham S . W . 1042 , Cheesman S . W . 566 , Barlow J . W . 566 , Hudson Treas . 566 , and many others . The P . G . Master and the members of Provincial Grand Lodge having been saluted , the ceremony of installation was most beautifully and effectively worked by that veteran

in the Craft W . Bro . Robert Craig P . M . 304 P . P . G . D . There is no brother in the Province more highly or deservedly respected than Bro . Craig , and on this occasion he surpassed himself in the manner he conducted this beautiful ceremony . He received efficient aid from W . Bro . Geo . Hill P . M ., who acted as Dir . of Cers . The newly

installed Master having taken his seat in the chair of King Solomon , awarded the collars as follows : —Myers I . P . M ., Riokards S . W ., Hewson J . W ., Rev . Orenburg Chaplain , Mason P . P . G . Tr . Treas . Cookerline Sec , Lawson S . W ., Grimshaw J . D ., Townsend P . G . O . Org . Hill P . M . Dir . of Cers ., Booth I . G ., Beaumont and Croysdale

Stewards , Barrand Tyler . Bro . Mason was unanimously selected as the Lodge representative on the Provincial Charity Committee , and Bros . Craig and Riokards as the Charity Stewards for the Lodge . The Secretary then read the communication from the M . W . Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon , in reference to tbe part to be

taken by the Freemasons of England in the forthcoming Jubilee of Her Majesty . The W . M . then invited Bro . Tew to address the Lodge on this subject . Bro . Tew P . G . D . of England and P . G . M . West Yorks then rose , for the purpose of addressing the brethren and received a very cordial reception . He said : Allow me in the

first instance to thank your newly installed Master for the very kind letter of invitation which he wrote me on the 3 rd of January to be present at your influential meeting this evening . I must say

of this letter that it is written in just that charming spirit which only could come from the bottom of the heart of a true-hearted West Yorkshireman , and I mean to place this letter within my archives aa the most pleasing souvenir of this class of commnnica'