Yarborough Lodge, No. 554.

hearty , and Bro . Stephens briefly thanked the W . M . for placing the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE so favourably before the brethren ; he also thanked the members for their heartiness in receiving hia name . Several other toasts and songs wero given , and the Tyler ' s in due course closed the meeting .

Samson Lodge, No. 1668

SAMSON LODGE , No . 1668

THAT a good beginning is calculated m a majority of cases to ensure success , is equally applicable to a Masonio Lodge as to any enterprise in which a body of men may embark . Most Lodges are launched with a great amount of promise , but , whilst one seems to sail on quietly and steadily , with nothing to disturb its even pathway of success , there are others in which , before they have been in

existence even a few months , or perhaps at the first installation meeting , some contretemps occurs to mar the general harmony and satisfaction . Jarring confnsion having set in , the whole Lodge proceedings continue to be harsh and disjointed for a considerable period , even if the disease does J ' . ofc become chronic . Much of the success which attends our Lodge s may be traced to the inner work

and to the private life of the members , nnd in this respect tho Samson Lodge is highly to be congratula' ed . The brethren seem to regard each other as members almost of i private family , each endeavouring to do his utmost to contribute to : he general comfort and happiness of the Lodge . Happily they have not yet experienced the disagreeable and dangerous influence of that class of brethren—by no means

uncommon—who , as soon as they gam the object of their ambition , and have passed tho chair , subside into a position of " masterly inactivity , " and by their indifference and lethargy damp the ardour of the younger and aspiring members . All work harmoniously and heartily together , and thus , although the Lodge has only been established two years , the brethren have the satisfaction of feeling

that not only has the whole of their first and indispensible expenses for furniture , & c , been cleared off , bnt they have been enabled to contribute various sums , amounting in the aggregate to forty guineas , to the Charities , besides having a Benevolent Fund in connection with their Lodge , and performing other laudable acts which they may regard with satisfaction . It was , therefore , with pleasure we

witnessed the proceedings connected with the annual installation meeting which took place at Freemasons' Hall on Tuesday evening , for we then ascertained that the new Master starts on his year of office with a good balance in hand , which we hope he will have many opportunities of increasing during the next twelve months , Lodge was opened under the presidency , of retiring W . M . Bro . J . D .

Barnett , who was supported by Bros . W . H . G . Rudderforth S . W ., Baron D . Barnett J . W . and Sec , A . D . Loewenstark Treas ., W . T . Lover S . D ., J . EIkan J . D ., G . Betty Org ., J . Quincey I . G ., B . Williams Steward , M . D . Loewenstark and A . D . Loewenstark P . M . 's . There was also a goodly attendance of visiting brethren , amongst whom we noticedBros . H . Brooks 145 , J . Chinnery S . D . 145 , J . W . Walker 1178 ,

G . Pare W . M . 185 , A . Bassington W . M . 205 , W . W . Morgan jnn . 1385 , J . Lazarus W . M . 1017 , J . 0 . Hayes 619 . S . Goddon 862 , G . ' W . West W . M . 1237 , L . Kennard 145 , J . March D . C . 27 , A . J . Willmore 1056 , & o . The customary formalities having been observed , there was one raising , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . in most efficient manner . The installation of Bro . W . H . G . Rudderforth , the W . M . elect , was

then proceeded with , the ceremony being most ably conducted by the retiring W . M . His successor , having been saluted in accordance with ancient usage , invested his Officers for tho coming year , as follow : —Bros . J . D . Barnett I . P . M . and Sec ., Baron D . Barnett S . W ., A . D . Loewenstark P . M . J . W ., M . D . Loewenstark P . M . Treas ., VV . T . Lover P . M . S . D ., H . Aarons J . D ., G . Bilby P . M . Org ., J . Ouincev I . G .,

J . Rogers Tyler . After the investiture , the Installing Officer delivered the charges , we will not say with tho force of eloquence , as that would convoy but an inadequate idea of such an elocutionary treat as was afforded the brethren . The Auditor's report , which showed that tho financial position of the Lodge was most satisfactory , waa adopted ; and we were pleased to

note that the sum for hotol expenses was kept within the bounds of propriety , and that in this respect tho Samson Lodge might well bo taken as an example to others . The brethren appear to have devoted the bulk of their income to matters which they can look back upon with a very great degree of satisfaction and pleasure . At the conclusion of routine business , the newly-installed W . M . said

a very pleasing duty now devolved npon him , namely , to invest their respected I . P . M . with tho jewel which had been unanimously voted to him by the Lodge . In adding this jewel to his many other decorations he was sure that Bro . Barnett would not esteem it as the least valued amongst them , but wonld regard it as a token of the sincere regaid and affection of the brethren . In accepting tbe gift

Bro . Barnett said , as their esteemed AV . M . had remarked , although he had received this jewel tho last , he shonld not esteem it tho least , coming as it did from brethren . whom he so respected and admired . He received this mark of their recognition with equal , if not greater pleasure than ho did that which was presented to him in his mother Lodge , tho Tranquillity . They were , in the Samson Lodge , as one

family , each striving to do all in his power to support his friends . He regretted that his qualifications for the chair had not been more freqnently called into requisition ; still their proceedings had been marked by much that afforded them satisfaction . He shonld over esteem and wear the jewel as an emblem of true friendship . Bro . Bilby briefly addressed the Lodge , giving his experience of tho I . P . M . ; ho claimed this right as having been present at his initiationand

, having watched his progress through the Craft . Bro . S . D . then proposed that tho thanks of the Lodgo be passed , and recorded on the minutes , to Bro . Barnett for tho admirable way in which the installation ceremony had been condactel . Bro . J . W ., in seconding the proposition , said he felt that as a P . M . he knew more about tho way in which the ceremony should be cai ried out than some of his younger brethren , and he must say the manner in which Bro . Barnett had

Samson Lodge, No. 1668

acquitted himself had been a source of nnfeignod pleasure to all present . Bro . Thomas , on behalf of the lay members , also wished to express a few words . Although they wero not in so good a position as were the Past Officers to judge of the merits of the ceremony , he hoped thoir I . P . M . would accept their hearty congratulations upon the vote which had just been so deservingly proposed . The

resolution was then carried by acclamation . Tho W . M . briefly addressed the I . P . M ., and formally intimated to him thafc the vote had been passed . Bro . Barnett , in reply , said ho looked upon these compliments as of even moro real value than the jewel that had been placed upon his breast that evening , and ho thanked them heartily for this fresh testimony of esteem . One brother having been proposed for

joining , Bro . Rudderforth announced his intention to act as Steward for tho Girls' School . He regretted he had nofc decided upon this step earlier , as hn might then havo appealed to the brethren and managed to seen ;) a larger list . As it was , however , he could announce that he had four ' . terns of five guineas each , in addition to ten guineas voted by the Lor ; e , and ten guineas ho intended to give himself . He

hoped these amo nts wonld be augmented , so that the Samson Lodge might be able to ppear at the Festival with a list of upwards of fifty guineas . T ! e W . M . referred , in a few well-chosen words , to the sudden death of ( ie Grand Tyler , Bro . Payne , and paid a just tribute to his merit . T , o Lodge was then closed in form , and the brethren adjourned to the . ' rince ' s Saloon , at tho Holborn Restaurant , where a

first-rate banquet was provided . The W . M . in giving the prefatory toasts , expatiated on tho two grand principles they involved , namely , loyalty to tho thr me and devotion to the best interests of the Craft . He then observed that at all their meetings the toast of the initiate was received with peculiar pleasure . On this occasion , however , they had no initiate , but they had amongst them a brother who had taken

the third degree , and he very muoh regretted that some of tho brethren were not present to see that ceremony performed in such able manner by their worthy I . P . M . Bro . Larke , in responding , said the ceremony of to-day had afforded him greater pleasure than any . thing that had ever fallen to his lot . That was saying a groat deal , considering e had beeu travelling for the last eighteen years , and

had visited many strange countries . What he had seen that evening surpassed all that he had anticipated , and he expressed a hope he might become a true Freemason . He considered that every Brother shonld support his mother Lodge , and though he had often been invited , in foreign countries , to take his third degree thero , he considered it only his duty to return to the Lodge in which he was

initiated . The I . P . M . said he had much pleasure in proposing the next toast , inasmuch as it was the first he had been called on to propose in his present capacity . He asked them cordially to join with him in drinking to tho health of their W . M ., who was in every respect a thoroughly good man , and one fit and proper to fill the position he now occupied . They all trusted he would have a pleasant year , and

be able to conduct the affairs of the Lodge in the same harmonious and successful way as they were afc present . The W . M . remai-ked that he certainly felt very much flattered by the reception which had been accorded to the toast of his health . He took some credit to himself for having assisted many others to attain the chief distinction in a Lodge , though he had never until now aspired to the position

himself . And now that by their kindness he had been elected to the ohair , he should be happy to devote his energies to the promotion of the best interests of the Lodge , and to aid in making it one of the best in tho Craft . He trusted that the Officers and others who had an ambition to attain proficiency and to qualify for higher spheres of usefulness would not neglect the Lodges of Instruction , from which

so mnch benefit was to bo derived . He then proposed a toast which he said was received with concord in every Lodge—tho Visitors . For a young Lodge they wero highly favoured by having so many visiting brethren . He hoped these would show their appreciation by coming amongst them as often as possible . The toast was well received , and briefly responded to by Bros . Lazarus ,

Pare , West , and others . Tho W . M . next gave the health of the P . M . ' s , in doing which he said , although the Lodge only possessed two , they were both worthy of every respect and confidence . He had intended to make the health of tho I . M . a separate toast , but to economise time he would associate him with this . The I . P . M ., in responding , observed that many Masons , when they

succeeded to the chair , thought they had gained the summit of a Mason ' s profession , and after that neglected their duties ; bufc with him that would never bo the case . Although it was true that he was getting into the sere and yellow leaf , he hoped to work till his latest hour in tho interests of Freemasonry . Bro . Loewenstark also responded , and the health of tho Treasurer and

Secretary from the chair followed . The W . M . referred to thoir services in felicitous terms , and said tho best proof of their efficiency was tho prosperous condition of the Lodge . He could not yet , of course , judge of the capabilities of their present Secretary , and so mnst refer to tho services rendered by his predecessor . Every credit was due to their present Treasurer

for tho way in which he worked to secure the warrant of this Lodge ; and no Lodge could have had a better Secretary than the brother who had jnst been succeeded in office . Bro . Loewenstark returned his hearty thanks for the honour conferred upon him by his election as Treasurer , in which capacity he hoped ho might act for many years . Ho should always look upon

this Lodge as his offspring , and as its first Master , he felt a great deal of responsiblity resting upon him as to its future . He hoped his management of their finances gave satisfaction to the members . Bro . Hoc . also responded in suitable terms . The Officers was the next toasV . npon the list . The W . M . said he felt somo diffidenco in this , his first occupation of the chair , as there wero two P . M . ' s

amongst his Officers—ono a very ancient P . M ., perhaps before he ( the speaker ) was initiated . In his S . W . he had a brother who had filled various grades before he attained the position he now occupied . Tho S . D . was a ' reasure to any W . M ., and as to Bro . Quincey I . G ., he would have bi -n pleased to have given him a hi gher post , but was prevented as the chairs were capable of holding only one in each . Tha