Masonic Jurisprudence.

minutes of the previous meeting as relate thereto , bo not confirmed-I find nothing in tho Constitutions on this head , but Oliver , at pp . 1 S 7-8 of his Masonic Jurisprudence , under section , " Confirmation of tho minutes , " lays it doAvn that " no resolution of a Lodge , or any other business , how unanimously soever it may have been agreed to in the first instance , becomes binding , and no action can be taken

upon it till it has beeD confirmed by open Toting at a subsequent regular meeting , Avith at least fivo Master Masons and members of the Lodge present j for as no business can be transacted at a Lodge of Emergency , oxcepfc what is named in the summons , it Avould be improper at such a casual meeting of the brethren to read any minutes , except those which distinctly refer to the matter for which

the special Lodge has been convoned . So stands the law , and a very judicious law it is ; for it prevents all factious intriguing , which could scarcely fail to be occasionally successful , if a resolution or law established by a majority of votes at ono Lodge were irreversible at another . " Bro . Chalmers 1 . Paton , without going as fully into the subject as Oliver , is equally explicit . Ho rales , at p . 234 of his

Freemasonry and its Jurisprudence , as folloAVS : — "After a Lodgo has been opened according to the formalities of tho Order , the first thing to be done is tho reading of tho minutes of tho preceding communication , these aro then to bo corrected and confirmed by a vote of tho Lodge . 2 . To this rule there is this qualification , that tho minutes of a regular or stated communication

cannot bo altered or amended at a special one . The italics are my own , for I am anxious to draAV attention to tho wording of this qualification . It seems to me the logical Inference to be drawn therefrom is , that while tho miuntes of a regular communication cannot be altered or amended at a special one , they may be altered or amended at the next regular one . Further , I should interpret Bro . Paton ' a

purposo in using " corrected and confirmed" and "altered or amended , " to be this : — The minutes , according to the rule , must be read in order that thoy may " be corrected " ( verbally , if necessary ) " and confirmed" ( as to the matter , if it so seem fit to the Lodge ) . In the qualification , I consider altered applies to such verbal changes , if any , as may be

thought necessary , Avhile amended refers to any materrial changes the Lodge , on reconsideration , may think proper to adopt . I am aware that Bio . Patou ' s book must be looked upon as chiefly intended for Lodges under the jurisdiction of Grand Lodgo , Scotland , but his confirmation of Oliver—and , I take it , he does confirm himis a coincidence that must not be overlooked , oven though tho one is writing for Scotch , and the other for English Lodges . Fraternally yours , Q .

Masonic Gathering At Brigg.

MASONIC GATHERING AT BRIGG .

From the " HULL AND LINCOLNSHIRE TIMES . "

THE Installation of Bro . Samuel E . Hodgson , as Worshipful Master of the Aucholme Lodgo of Free and Accepted Masons , No . 1282 , took place on Monday afternoon last , at the Masonic Hall , Brigg . Tho new W . M . is , we understand , the Vicar of Scawby , aud has already filled tho office of Graud Chaplain for the province of Lincolnshire ; and so great was the confidence reposed in him by the brethren with Avhom he had been associated , that his election to the

principal chair was unanimous . He follows in tho footsteps of a most excellent master , Bro . Thomas Fryer , who has safely guided the Lodge through a shoal of difficulties which at ono time threatened it , and under Avhose masterly rule the Ancholme Lodge still maintains a high rank in the province . For three years previously , Bro . Fryer had done the Lodge good service while filling the office of secretary ; and

in retiring from the chair on Monday last , the brethren paid him a graceful as well as a deserved tribute of their respect and esteem . His name will follow on the archives of the lodge those of many other distinguished Masons , and immediately that of P . M . Bro . W . Pigott , whose interest and exertions on behalf of the Masonic charities has earned for him the applause of the brethren generally , in tho

province and elsewhere . The lodge was formally opened and tho preliminary business transacted under the presidency of the retiring Worshipful Master , who was supported on the dais by several Past Masters and Provincial Grand Officers . On the lodge being raised to the second degree , the chair Avas taken by tho installing master , Bro . W . W . Copeland , P . M ., of the Pelham Pillar Lodgo , Grimsby , and P . P . G . S . D .,

who admirably performed the very solemn and interesting ceremony of installation , in accordance with the ancient formularies of the Craft . In the delivery of the charges , tho Installing Master Avas ably assisted by Bro . Fryer , and at the conclusion of the ceremony , the newly-installed Master proceeded to invest his officers for the ensuing year , the collars having been bestowed as folloivs : —Bro .

Thomas Fryer , I . P . M . ; Bro . W . A . Field , S . W . ; Bro . James Wilson , J . W . ; Bro . T . B . Daltou , S . D . ; Bro . F . R . Sutton , J . D . ; Bro . Thomas C'leugh , Bccrotiiiy ; Bro . Joseph Parker , treasurer ; Bro . D . Walter Paterson , director of ceremonies ; Bro . Jonathan Spring , organist ; Bro . Charles L . Hett , I . G . ; and Bio . J . CaAvkwell , tylcr . ' The Worshipful Master then briefly thanked the brethren for the honour

they had conferred upon him by placing him iu the dignified position ho now occupied . He had not sought such an honour , and had previously no intention of aspiriug to the chair ; but at their kind request he had consented to accept the mastership , and felt deeply sensible Ot the compliment which had been paid to him . He also thanked tho Listening Master for having come from Grimsby to taku

part in the ceretuuiiy of the day , and for tho kindly aid he always extended to the Aucholme Lodge . He had now a si ill more pleasing duty to discharge , which was to convey to his Immediate Past Master a tangible expression of the manner inAvhicb the brethren appreciated the zeal and efficiency Avith which he had conducted the affairs of the Jcdgc during the past year , So sincerely did they esteom , Bro , Fryer

Masonic Gathering At Brigg.

personally , and so grateful were thoy for his conduct in the chair , and the way in which he had assisted the lodge , that they had spontaneously subscribed for the purchaso of a Past Master ' s jewel , which he had noAV extreme pleasure in placing npon Bro . Fryer ' s breast . Might he have long life and health to continno his very valuable services to the Craft in general , and the Ancholme Lodge in

particular ( loud applause ) . Bro . Fryer , who was evidently taken by surprise by the presentation of this beautiful jewel , was so overcomo by emotion that he vfas utterly unable to express his thanks to the brethren , but resumed his seat amidst the most hearty applause Some other matters of routine business having been transacted , the lodgo was closed in duo form .

In the evening a complimentary banquet Avas given to tho Immediate Past Master , at the Angel Hotel , when a sumptuous repast Avas provided by Mr . Kirkham . Tho Worshipful Master , Bro . S . E . Hodgson , presided , supported by Bro . Thomas Fryer I . P . M ., tho " guest of the cvom ' ng , " and amongst those present we also observed : —Bros . W . W . Copeland P . P . G . S . D ., W . Pigott P . M ., W . Marshall

P . M ., J . Robinson W . M . of tho Pelham Pillar Lodge , Grimsby , Thomas Marris P . M . P . P . G . P ., W . Swallow P . M ., W . H . Sissons P . G . S ., and M . Woodall of tho St . MattheAv ' s Lodge , Barton ; Bros . W . Hesseltine , H . J . Ampldctt , Alexandra Lodge , Hornsea , Thomas Cleugh , Joseph Parker , T . B . Dalton , Charles L . Hett , Jonathan Spring , J . R . Dudding , Robert Johnson , J . Wilson , F . R . Sutton , & c .

The vice-chair AA'as ocenpied by the S . W ., Bro . W . A . 1 leld , and Bro . Dr . Walter Paterson officiated as tho Director of Ceremonies . At tho conclusion of the repast , the customary toast of " The Queen and the Craft" was given from the chair , and was most loyally received , as also was that of " II . R . H . the Princo of Wales G . M . of England , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of tho Royal Family . "

Bro . J . Robinson next . proposed " Tho Right Worshipful the Vro Grand Master of England , the Deputy Grand * Master , and Grand Lodge of England , " tho toast being received Avith tho usual honours . Bro . W . H . Sissons then gave " The Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master of Lincolnshire , tho Duke of St . Albans , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . \ V . H . Smythe , and the Prov . Grand Lodge of

Lincolnshire . " In doing so he expressed regret at the infrequoncy of tho opportunities afforded them of meeting Avith the Provincial Grand Master ; but thought the province was exceedingly fortunate in having so able and painstaking a Deputy in the person of Bro . Smythe . On no occasion , Avhen asked to meet and assist them , did ho refuse ; ho was always glad to aid them by his presenco Avhenever any event of

importance to the Craft took place in the province . ( Applause . ) Therefore , from the high esteem in Avhich he Avas held by all the brethren , he felt assured that the toast would bo most heartily received . ( Musical honours . ) Bro . Swallow , in returning thanks for the Prov . Officers , said he was sorry they did not see so much of his Grace the Duke of St .

Albans as many of them would like ; and if he were to attend their meetings ofteuer they Avould have much greater pleasure in according a hearty reception to the toast just proposed . ( Hear , hear . ) Every one would have great pleasure in returning thanks to Bro . Smytho , who Avas a good and truo man and Mason . ( Applause . ) He returned his heartfelt thanks for tho compliment paid to tho officers of the Prov .

Grand Lodge ; and felt sure that when the brethren attended that assembly they must all be satisfiod with the way in which the work was performed . Ho thought this Lodgo was secoud to none in the world , and when Grand Lodge was held in Brigg , this year , he felt they would all be exceedingly dolighted . ( Applause . ) Tho Worshipful Master then proposed , what he might call ,

emphatically , the " toast of the evening . " He felt he must propose this toast himself , not only from tho high position he held as the Master of this Lodgo , but also from the fact of his having received so much kindness from Bro . Fryer , Avhilo filling the chair of tho S . W ., and in other offices iu the Lodge . In proposing " Onr Guest , " h <> remembered —though it was not pleasant to recall disagreeable facts—that some

people thought , because thero Avere certain clouds on their horizon some timo ago , that therefore Masonry in Brigg was likely to fail . He , for one , however , felt perfectly certain that they had amongst them good and true men , Avho would never allow such a catastropho to happen ; and since then they had had fresh blood infused into their Lodge . While that new blood had helped to strengthen them ,

he was bound to say that the older brethren all Avorked Avith a will ; so that , so far from the Ancholme Lodge failing , it Avas now rapidly in the ascendant . Moreover , they would all agree that a great deal of its present prosperity Avas duo to Bro . Fryer , than Avhom no man could have laboured more conscientiously in doing his duty . ( Applausc . ) No man could havo done his duty mere zealously , or havo

been kinder or more ready to assist his officers and the brethren generally thau had been Bro . Fryer . He only hoped every Lodge might have as good a Master as the Ancholme Lodge had possessed during the past year . He concluded by proposing , with all his heart , tho " health of their worthy Immediato Past Mastez * , Bro . Thomas Fryer . " ( Loud cheers . )

Brother Thomas Fryer , Avho was received Avith prolonged applause , thanked tho brethren sincerely for the honour they had paid him ; for , indeed , it seemed to bo a tacit understanding amongst them to pour down honours upon him . For Avhat he kuew not , unless it was for simply discharging his duty ( applause ) . They all knew that , when he Avas elected Master of this Lodge , he thought himself—and

he dared some of them also thought Avith him—that they should have a year of trial , but he felt also that he had those at his back who , to use a vulgar phrase , "Never say die" ( hear , hear ) . He had his Immediate Past Master and other Past Masters and officers to help him , and who were always as ready to do so as thoy were thoroughly uiiiuicut . He cuild not express the feelings which came welling up

within him in response to the kind fraternal we ' eome they had accorded to him . This jewel which he w ore upon his breast should ever be regarded as a token of gratofnlness from "the brethren of the Ancholme Lodge . If they were ever to remember that they were brethren indeed , and not merely so in name , but iu feelings and emotions , acting for the mutual wettV i of each other , they would .