Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

— : o : — GRAFT : PROVINCIAL .

ARCHITECT LODGE , No . 1375 . IT is hardly possible but that the character should take a higher tone from the constant habit of associating in thought with a class of thinkers . —Sir John Hersohel . THAT was a very excellent function which took plaoe at the Masbnio Hall , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , on Friday , the 3 rd instant , embracing as it did the annual meeting of tho above named Lodge , and also the Festival of St . John of Jerusalem in connection therewith . The Brethren , numbering

upwards of fifty , assembled at an early hour in the afternoon , to witness the installation of Brother John Mann Crone S . W . into the chair of K . S ., and the ceremony , performed by Bro . I . R . E . Birkett the retiring Master was , as afterwards characterised by several of the Visitors , a very satisfactory effort . Bro . Birkett was supported by Past Masters James Laidlaw P . P . G . J . D . as Installing S . W ., Honry Nail P . P . G . Tr . as J . W ., Alfred Geo . Collins P . P . G . D . C . as I . G ., and had the further assistance of Bro . Chas . Rawle , who presented and explained the working tools in each degree ; and Bro . Cyril H . Beever , who addressed the Brethren generally .

The newly-installed Master invested the following Officers , who were addressed by Bros . W . T . Hesketh Secretary , and Alfred Pickford | viz ., Bros , Hugh W . Bloomer S . W ., William Rushton J . W ., A . Redfearn Treasurer , W . T . Hesketh P . M . Secretary , Wm . Lea S . D ., Dr . Andrew Denholm J . D ., Alfred Pickford P . M . D . C ., C . T . Tallent-Bateman Organist , C . A . Klindworth I . G ., A . V . ' Sharratt , Olipbant A . Brown , Geo . Hy . Smith Stewards , Cyril H . Beever Charity Representative .

During the proceedings Brother Crone W . M ' ., on behalf of the Lodge , presented to his predecessor a very handsome Past Master's jewel , which bore this legend : —

Presented to BRO . I . R . E . BIRKETT , P . M ., by the Brethren of the Architect Lodge , 1375 , as a token of recognition of his valuable services , 1898-9 . March 3 rd , 1899 . In pinning the jewel upon the breast of the recipient , Bro . Crone made the following very excellent remarks : —Bro . Birkett , in Masonic language , I have great pleasure in investing you with the distinguishing badge of an

Immediate Past Master , and most heartily congratulate you upon the successful close of your year of office . So satisfied are the Brethren with the part yon have performed during your occupancy of the chair , that they are desirous of marking in a substantial way the esteem with which you are regarded , and as their representative on this occasion , I have great pleasure in pinning on your breast this handsome Past Master ' s jewel . May you wear it for many years to come , and may it be handed down to posterity as one of the cherished heirlooms of those who are endeared to you .

Letters of apology for non-attendance were read from Bros . Robert Wylie P . G . D . Eng . Dep . Prov . G . M . West Lanes , J . Morrison McLeod P . G . S . B . Eng . Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , "Jas . D . Murray P . G . Treas Eng ., Fred Smitton Pr . S . G . W ., Myles Kennedy Pr . J . G . W ., Norval Watson Helme , J . P ., P . M . 1051 P . P . G . W . ( cousin to the W . M . ) , W . J . Waugh P . M .

1545 P . P G . Reg ., and the following members of the Castleberg Lodge , No . 2091 , viz ., John Throup P . M . P . P . G . S . B . Yorks , S . Parker W . M ., Rev . R . C . GarnettI . P . M ., F . E . Atkinson P . M . Treasurer , J . E . Bruce P . M ., E . Handby P . M ., T . Proctor P . M ., John Winskill P . M ., C . A . L . Swale S . W ., J . L . Kidd J . W ., Rev . Addison Crofton Chaplain , Rev . W . G . Whittam ; Oliver Proctor S . W . 3074 , and others .

The Festival of St .- John was held in the dining room of the hall , and was presided over by Bro . Crone W . M ., who proposed the Loyal and other toasts . Of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen he said : —The first toast which it is my duty and pleasure to propose needs no words from me to commend it to your acceptance . It has often been submitted under various circumstances , and by abler speakers than myself , but it has never been done with greater sincerity than I do it now . My toast is that of Her Most

Gracious Majesty the Queen , whose long and unexampled reign has caused the hearts of her loving subjects to thrill with joy in the celebration of her jubilee ; but for whom , on the other hand , they have felt a throb of sorrow when learning that she has suffered a recent bereavement in the death of her grandson , Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg . Our entire sympathies are with her . and we sincerely hope that the G . A . O . T . U . will sustain her in this her last affliction , and enable her to bear it with requisite fortitude . In referring to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Bro . Crone thus expressed

himself : —My next toast is that of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in England . In His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales we have a ruler of whom all Brethren are proud , for so much has he identified himself with Freemasonry in general that he has become a necessary portion of it . The secret of his unique influence among us is not only his own special charm , but the aptitude with which he adapts himself to every circumstance of his position , and the earnestness and throughness with which he carries out his personal labours .

The Princess of Wales received the following eulogy : —Like her illustrious husband , Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales has endeared herself to us all . As Englishmen we are proud of her , as Freemasons we honour her on account of her relationship to our Grand Master . I call upon you to drink her health , as heartily and as enthusiastically as possible . The succeeding toast , to the memory of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , G . C . B ., was drunk in solemn silence , Bro . Crone speaking of the

defunct earl in language which was highly commendatory . He further added : —It is our duty as Masons to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of one who has recently been called to the Grand Lodge above , I allude to the Earl of Lathom , late Pro Grand Master of Masons in England , and Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire . Frank and genial , with intellectual powers of the highest order , he combined a thoroughly brave and ardent nature with a sensitive and exquisite tenderness . That he was loved during life goes without saying , and that he is revered in death has been evinced on

Reports Of Meetings.

every hand , and in every station—high and low . To show our esteem for him as Masons , let us drink in solemn silence to his memory . Of his successor , Bro . Crone said : —We cannot judge the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst M . W . Pro Grand Master by the light of experience in the office to which he has just been appointed , but in other phases of Masonry he has proved himself to be a capable leader , and we look forward hopefully to the fact that he will have a long , a prosperous , and an illustrious career in his new position .

In proposing the toast of the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick Deputy Grand Master and the Grand Officers present and past , Bro . Crone said : — We must all recognise the fact that it is the province of some to rule and govern , whilst others must learn and obey ; it is our bounden duty therefore to give whatever support and encouragement we can to those placed in positions of trust above us . O . ur Grand Masters of the past have left to this generation sufficient evidence of how they laboured for the well-being and advancement of the Craft , and those of the present , I feel sure , are keenly alive to the advantages of perpetuating the good works of their predecessors .

The toast of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom P . G . W . Provincial Grand Master-designate was in the capable hands of Bro . Nail , who admitted how delighted the Brethren of the Province of West Lancashire were when they learned of this appointment . The present earl was a worthy son of his lately deceased and revered father , and although His Royal Highness the Grand Master had before him several worthy names from which to make his selection , he had , with his usual tact , fixed upon one who bore the honoured title they all loved so well .

The toast of Bro . Robert Wylie Deputy Prov . Grand Master and the Prov . Grand Officers present and past was proposed by the W . M ., being received with enthusiasm . He said;—In the toast of the Provincial Grand Officers we seem to be getting nearer home , and the fine array of such Brethren ( mentioning their names ) sitting near me , acts as a reminder that I

must not occupy the time which some of them , I hope , may wish to use . To those Officers , who are all familiar with the internal working of our Province , we look for guidance and support , feeling sure that when judiciously demanded it will never be withheld . £ call upon you to cordially drink the toast of their health .

Brothers Wm . Boden P . M . 155 P . P . G . Reg ., J . L . Brayshaw P . M . 2091 P . P . G . D ., Eustace G . Parker P . P . G . D . Ches ., J . W . Clayton P . M . 703 and 2437 P . P . G . S . B ., and Wm . Cole P . M . 1588 P . P . G . O . responded . Bro . Birkett I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., assured the Brethren that this was a pleasant task for him to undertake ; he was sure the toast would be enthusiastically received . Brother Goodacre Prov . Gr . Secretary had said at a recent installation that there were several qualities

which were required to make a successful Worshipful Master , but he ( Bro . Birkett ) believed that Bro . Crone possessed them all , and so far had most satisfactorily acquitted himself . He must not forget to thank him for the splendid support which he had rendered to the chair during the last twelve months . It was not necessary for him to go out of his way ' to extol the

virtues of Bro . Crone , further than to say that he was esteemed not only m the' Architect Lodge , but held high office in the Castleberg Lodge , No . 2091 , Settle , where he was very popular . Indeed , his popularity there was evidenced by the fact that there were so many visitors present that night from the latter Lodge , who had undertaken the long journey as a sincere mark of respect to him .

Bro . Laidlaw , in a few well-chosen words , added his testimony to Bro . Crone ' s excellence as a Mason . Bro . Crone replied as follows : In the first place allow me to thank Bros . Birkett and Laidlaw for their kind remarks , and in the next allow me to promise that I shall not inflict upon you a very long and tedious speech . To say that I am grateful for the kindness which I have received and which has resulted in my occupying to-night for the first time the highest position

which it is in the power of the Lodge to bestow , will not in any way express my present feelings . In selecting me to fill the chair of K . S . you may , and no doubt have been governed , not only by the fact that I have as an Officer endeavoured faithfully to discharge the various duties which have devolved upon me in my Masonic progress , but also been actuated by some little friendship which I fancy you may have entertained for my humble self individually . I do not make any great promises , but will be content with saying that I will

try to maintain my new position with all the necessary dignity which it demands , that I will seek to be true to the serious obligations which I have taken , and that I will endeavour , to the best of my ability , so to perform its duties as to give satisfaction to my Brethren . In looking at the list of Officers who will support me during my year of Mastership , I think I may fairly rely upon having Brethren who have made up their minds to be active in well-doing , and I can conscientiously promise in advance that my anticipations will not be wrong .

Bro . Crone afterwards proposed the health of the Visitors , in a very smart speech . He said : One of the greatest pleasures of married life was the fact that husband and wife alike could ask their friends to spend a social hour at their home , and otherwise partake of their hospitality . But Freemasonry had higher aims than the mere social element , for when a Brother was asked to another Lodge , it was generally with the intention—not merely of entertaining him socially , or of amusing him , but of providing , if possible , an intellectual feast for his acceptauce . Ceremonies are performed , and the

knowledge that critical eyes are upon the worker is often an inducement to put forth the best efforts in an endeavour to produce the most satisfactory results . The influence of visitors was , he believed , generally for good , and in no Lodge were they more heartily welcomed than in the Architect . The members were always glad to see visitors , and they invariably offered them of the best , and thought they were forced sometimes to speed their departure , and at the most joyous moment perhaps , yet it was always regretfully , and only because railway time-tables are compiled with the idea of being very exact .

Bros . Jas . Shaw Whitley W . M . 1740 , Geo . Unsworth W . M . 2231 , and Thomas Hamnett W . M . 2363 responded , Bro . Unsworth jocularly referring to a telegram forwarded from " Sister Crone , " St . Anne ' s-on-the-Sea , congratulating her husband upon having been installed into the high position of Worshipful Master . The toast of the Installing Master and Past Masters was ably introduced by Bro . Bloomer S . W ., who said that i £ the speech of the proposer was lame and halting , the toast would commend itself to their notice . He eulogised

Bro . Birkett for the excellent manner in which he had performed his work . Mentioning the names of various Past Masters , he also praised their efforts , saying that the present successful position of the Architect Lodge was due to them , for they were all actuated by a sense of duty to their Lodge , knowing that its success depended upon their individual efforts and assiduity . The Past Masters of the Architect Lodge had never to be asked twice to do anything , and he concluded by hoping that they might be long spared to assist and guide the younger members . Bro . Rawle responded . Bro . Nail ,, in a very touching and energetic speech , proposed the toast of