Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

JOPPA LODGE , No . 188 . THE regular meeting was held on the 2 nd instant , afc the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen-street . Bros . A . J . Martin W . M ., J . W . Dewsnap S . W ., L . Wall J . W ., L . Lazarus P . M . Secretary ,

J . S . Lyon Treasurer , G . M . LionS . D ., J . Botibol J . D ., L . Davis I . G ., A . G . Dodson P . M . D . C , P . E . Van Noorden Organist ; P . M . ' s H . M . Levy , M . Spiegel , G . Bean I . P . M ., L . M . Myers , 0 . Roberts , & c . Visitors—Bros . Hentsch I . P . M . 211 , Laundy 1611 , Taff 917 ,

S . Slack P . P . G . D . C . West Yorkshire , W . Masters P . M . 1339 , & c . The Lodge was opened , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Bendit waa passed to the second degree . In accordance with notice of motion given , Bro . Lazarus proposed that , in future , instead of the Lodge meetings being held eight times

during the year , they be altered to six , namely , January , March , May , October , November , and December . This proposition was carried unanimously . The resignation of a brother was accepted , with regret . A proposition for initiation was given , and then Lodge was closed . The brethren sat down to an excellent supper , provided

by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , and superintended by Bros . E . Dawkins and M . Silver . The W . M . in appropriate terms proposed the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts . Bro . H . M . Levy P . M . and Senior Vice President responded for the toast of the Benevolent Fund . Ifc stood now afc over £ 700 , bufc in the last two and a half years they had

given the sum of £ 450 . He hoped tho members would liberally augment the fund . Bro . Bean said it was with great pleasure he rose to propose the health of the W . M . Bro . Martin was one who was highly esteemed by all who knew him ; it might be said his charity knew no bounds ; he was ever a trno friend and a good

Mason . His working , not only in this Lodge , but also in another , showed they had selected the right man for the right place ; he would ask the brethren to give the toast the reception it merited . The W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro . Bean for his kind remarks . Four weeks ago his health was proposed and' kindlv

received . Anything brought before the Lodge should receive his attention , his desire would ever be to see the Lodge a harmonious one . He hoped to carry out ; his duties to their satisfaction . The Vf . M . then proposed the toasfc of the Visitors , whom all were pleased to see—they had distinguished brethren among them , and he hoped

they had passed a pleasant evening . Bro . Slack P . P . G . D . C . West Yorkshire in a very eloquent speech responded . He had heard that the working of this Lodge was perfect . In the Provinces Freemasons tried to promote harmony in every particular , especially so in encouraging the visiting at Lodges . He was proud to hear the

statement as to the Joppa Benevolent Fund , and then spoke of the noble charity of West Yorkshire . Bro . Hentsch I . P . M . 211 said he was much pleased at receiving so hearty a welcome from the Lodge . The W . M . was his brother-in-law , and he could speak of him as a good Mason . He ( Bro . Hentsch ) might say he had passed a vory

agreeable evening . Bro . Laundy followed . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the Past Masters . All knew their duties thoroughly , and the success of the Lodge was due to them . They were the standing Council . He would call on his esteemed friend Bro . L . M . Myers P . M . to respond . This brother said the services of the P . M . ' s were always

at the command of the Lodge . It would ever be their desire to assist the W . M . for the time being . Bro . Martin , however , happily did not require assistance ; he knew his duties thoroughly . The "W . M . then proposed the toast of the Wardens and Junior Officers ; also he wonld refer to Bro . Dodson D . C . —all were thoroughly

conversant with their duties . Bro . J . W . Dewsnap S . W . briefly and happily responded . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the Secretary and Treasurer , two important Officers of the Lodge . The Secretary is one that has carried out his duties in a very satisfactory manner . The same might be said of their Worthy Treasnrer . Bro .

J . S . Lyons Treas . appreciated the kind words of the W . M . He knew they came from his heart . Bro . L . Lazarus P . M . and Sec . followed . His sole aim was to support the W . M ., and he felt a mutual feeling existed to forward the interests of the Lodge . The Tyler ' s toast was then given and the brethren separated .

YORK LODGE , No . 236 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . SIR JAMES MEEK

ON Friday evening , the 23 rd ult ., at York , the brethren of the above Lodge presented to Bro . Sir James Meek an illuminated address , on the occasion of his departure from the city of York . The brethren assembled at seven p . m ., and after auditing the accounts of the Lodge , the ceremony of presentation commenced . All the Officers were present , viz ., Bros . Dr . William Draper W . M .,

Henry Foster S . W ., T . G . Hodgson J . W ., Joseph Todd P . M . P . P . G . R . Treasurer , William Smith Secretary , S . Border S . D ., Arthur Sample Organist , C . N . Foster I . G ., C . Anderson D . C , H . S . Hopton and S . G . Crummack Stewards , and W . G . Calvert Tyler ; amongst the other brethren in attendance were Bros . G . Garbutfc I . P . M .

G . ; Kirbv P . M ., M . Rooke P . P . G . D ., G . Balmford P . P . G . O ., A . Buckle P . P . G . D ., W . H . Gainforth P . P . G . D . C , J . E . McKay P . M ., A . H . McGachen P . M ., aud many other Past Masters and brethren . The W . M ., Brother William Draper , occupied the chair , and the presentation was made by Bro . Todd , who

said that he esteemed it an honour to present the address to so distinguished a brother , who had been identified with all the public institutions of York longer than most living citizens . Sir James Meek had during the last thirty years supported every movement that had

for its object the benefit of the community , and it was felt universally that his departure would be a great public loss . For a quarter of a century tbeir brother had been au honoured member of the York Lodge , and in all matters he had promoted its welfare . As a Freemason , their brother had been an exemplary pattern of what a mem-

Installation Meetings, &C.

ber of fche Order should be . He had supported the Charities , and had in his own lifo carried out the tenets of the Order . Ifc was twenty-one years since Sir James Meek had occupied the chair of the Lodge ; bufc he ( Bro . Todd ) well remembered the able way in whioh he had discharged the duties of that office ; and since thafc

period he could testify to the able manner in which he had aided and assisted in all matters appertaining to Lodge work . In the Provincial Grand Lodge also , and in other organisations , he had always shown an anxiety to promote Freemasonry , and he believed that his long association with the York Lodge and the Province would nob

soon be forgotten by the brethren . Bro . Todd then presented the address , which was enclosed in a handsome frame . The illumination was executed by Bro . H . C . Camidge , and displayed considerable artistic taste and ability . The scroll work on the border , which is worked in various Masonic colours , includes numerous devices appro .

priateto the Craft , and a water-colour sketch of the crypt of York Minster , in which iu olden times the Freemasons were accustomed to assemble . The arms of Sir James Meek , those of the ancient city of York , and also those of Prince Edwin , the York Patron of Freemasons , are amongst the devices . The following is a copy of the address :

" To the Worshipfnl Bro . Sir James Meek , Knight , Past Master of the York Lodge , No . 236 , and Past Senior Provincial Grand Warden , aud Provincial Grand Treasurer of the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire . " We , the Worshipful Master , Past Masters , Officers and brethren

of the York Lodge , No . 236 , of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , havo heard with sincere regret of your contemplated departure from the ancient city of York , and , consequent thereupon , of your retire , menfc from the active duties of Masonry in your mother Lodge , of which you havo been a member upwards of twenty-four years . We

desire to acknowledge with feelings of profound regard aud attach , menfc fche many services rendered by you to this Lodge and to Masonry in tho city of York , as well as to the Provincial Grand Lodge , of which for so many years yon have been a prominent member , and to the Charities' Association in connection with the Province , of

which you have been the Chairman since its formation . We cannot bufc feel that your departure from amongst us will create a void in our Masonic ranks thafc will be most difficult to fill , and in the city of York , where you have thrice sustained the high dignity of Lord Mayor , and to which ancient city yon have rendered most valuable

services , your loss will bo no less sincerely and heartily felfc . In wishing you farewell , we desire to assure you of the fraternal esteem and regard entertained for you , not only by the brethren of York , bufc throughout the Province of North aud East Yorkshire , and we

entertain the hops that the Great Architect of tho Universa will preserve you in health and strength , and may grant you many years of happiness and prosperity . Signed on behalf of the York Lodgo . WM . DRAPER W . M .

HENRY FOSTER S . W . T . G . HODGSON J . W ; JAS . TODD P . M . P . P . G . R . Treasurer . WM . SMITH Secretary . "Masonic Hall , York , 2 nd January 1885 . "

Bro . J . S . Rymer Provincial Grand Registrar thoroughly endorsed the remarks of Bro . Todd . It had been his pleasure , he said , to meet Sir James at other places besides that hall , and he was assured that a gap and a blank would be made in the management of many institutions in the city bv the departure of their good brother . But the

" farewell was only tho farewell of brethren departing at the close of a Lodgo ; it was earnestly hoped that the Great Architect of the Universe would spare both Sir James and the members of the Lodge to meet ) on many Masonio occasions in the future . Bro . T . B . Whytehead P . M . P . P . G . W . spoke not only as a member

of the Lodge , but as representing other Masonic Lodges and bodies . He spoke with a recollection of association with Sir James in other halls , and other degrees , referred to his good and fair work and painstaking carefulness , and expressed , what mnst have been fche general satisfaction , thafc the Craft had been able to confer on the

distinguished brother before his departure the hononr of election as P . G . T . This would form a link between York and Cheltenham , and afc the latter place no doubt Sir James would be welcomed with as much heartiness as the York brethren regretted his removal . In testifying to the excellence of Sir James's character , Bro . Whytehead

alluded to his unfailing courtesy , and in conclusion echoed the hopes uttere'l by the brethren who had already spoken . Brother A . Buckle P . P . G . D . and Brother W . Smith Secretary 236 , referred to the great services rendered by Sir James to local Institutions , more especially to the School for the Blind , and the Boys '

Industrial School , of whicb the speakers are respectively the Super , iutendents . Bro . Aid . T isiy bore evidence that the career of Sir James Meek had been ' haracterised by the virtues which gave Freemasons such pleaaut 3 D contemplate . His urbanity had been as constant as his attempts -o benefit every philanthropic institntion .

Although Sir James was now leaving the city , it was ardently to be desired that he would again mingle with the citizens on many occasions . Bro . Sir James Meek on rising was received with prolonged applause . He said that hia feelings on the occasion would not permit him to say what ho would have wished , but he could assure the

brethren present that as long as memory held her seat so long would he remember that evening and the kind expressions of his brother Masons . He should often think of York and the kind hearts he would leave behind him , and he indulged in a hope that he might have

future opportunities of meeting them at Masonic gatherings . After the close of the Lodge the brethren met afc supper , where the Worshipful Master presided . The health of Sir James Meek was drank with great enthusiasm .