Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

CEAET : PEOVINCIAL .

PHILBRICK LODGE , No . 2255 . THE election meeting of this rising Lodge was held on Thursday , 2 nd inst ., at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , under the usual climatic conditions . It is a most remarkable fact that the meetings of this Lodge are always favoured by fine weather—known as Philbrick weather—which materially adds to the attractiveness of the meetings of the Lodge , especially for Brethren who have the leisure to go down earlier than the time set down

in the summons , to enjoy the beautiful forest scenery which surrounds this Hotel , and of which Essex is so justly proud . However much this county may be suffering from agricultural depression and the consequent depreciation of land values , yet from a Masonic aspect Essex holds a very high place in importance among the Provinces , by reason of the amount of its contributions to our noble Institutions .

The W . M . Bro . G . S . Daunton called the meeting for 4 * 30 , and was supported by a fair attendance of Brethren . The Lodge was opened to tho second degree , and Bro . E . C . Davis answered the usual questions in a manner which would have done credit to the most proficient of the Past Masters , showing clearly his proposer , Bro . C . Spreag , had bestowed considerable time and attention on him .

The ceremony of raising was next proceeded with , the W . M . giving the traditional history and explanation of the tracing board , and the whole being carried out in a dignified and effective manner by both the W . M . and his Officers . The ceremonies were enriched by music , Bro . Edwin Henry Lough presiding at the organ . The next duty of the Lodge was to elect a W . M . for the ensuing year , the voting being unanimous in favour of Bro . J . Bell S . W .

The W . M ., in . announcing the fact to Bro . Bell , congratulated him on the vote being unanimous , and wished him as happy a year of office as he had himself enjoyed . Bro . Bell heartily thanked the Brethren , and said he would reserve further remarks for the banqueting table . Bro . A . R . Chamberlayne P . P . G . R . Essex was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . J . Goddard P . M . Tyler .

The W . M . gave the Brethren particulars of the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge to be held at Maldon on the 15 th inst ., also of his attendance at Brighton as a Steward for the 98 th Festival of the Boys ' Institution . He took the opportunity of informing them that he wished to go up as Steward representing the Lodge at the ensuing festival of the Old

People s Institution , and he should be glad if the Lodge would vote a sum to be placed upon his list , upon which it was carried unanimously that a sum of ten guineas be placed on Bro . Daunton ' s list , for which resolution the W . M . expressed his most sincere thanks . He considered this sort of resolution the highest compliment they could pay him , because it was ol unmistakable value . Words of thanks were not so easy to assay as were the guineas .

It was proposed by Bro . Bridgman , and seconded by Bro . T . Hawkins , that a vote of thanks be accorded to Bro . Daunton for the very pleasant Ladies' Outing he had organised and so successfully carried out , in which the Brixton Lodge was combined , on the 11 th June . This was carried unanimously . A Past Master ' s jewel and collar were voted to the W . M ., in recognition of his past services , and the Lodge was then closed and adjourned till October .

The time set for the banquet had been encroached upon some thirty-five minutes , and the Brethren were quickly round the table , where an excellent menu was disposed of . After the Loyal toasts a musical sketch b y Bro . Edwin Henry Lough , entitled " Go on talking , don't mind me " ( Grossmith ) , thoroughly amused the company .

Bro . P . M . Board proposed the W . M ., and congratulated him on having gone so far through his year of office with such general satisfaction to all . A Scotch song by Bro . Spreag was very much appreciated . The W . M . rose to respond , and was enthusiastically received . He said this was the last time he should preside over them at the festive board in the ordinary course of events . He had thus far experienced a very pleasant year

of office , and if he might be allowed to say so a very successful one , for which his thanks were due to several of the Past Masters and some of the Officers , as well as to two of the younger members particularly , but to every member generally ; he now especially thanked those of his Officers who were present for their punctual attendance , not only at this meeting , but at previous ones , and although the term of his office would soon pass away , its pleasant memories would remain with him to the end of his Says .

The toast of the W . M .-elect was next proposed , and in giving it the W . M . enlarged on the wise choice of the Brethren , for he felt sure Bro . Bell would do honour to the Lodge , and would discharge the duties annexed to the office with all the skill and ability that could be desired . He had worked side by side with the W . M .-elect in the Perseverance Lodge of Instruction , under the Preceptorship of Bro . R . Poore P . M . 1949 , who spared no pains to perfect any Brethren who would attend the meetings to make them competent to do the work of any of the offices of the Craft .

Another musical sketch b y Bro . Edwin ' H . Lough , " The Silver Wedding , " was given . The W . M .-elect rose to respond , and was vociferously received . After thanking the Brethren for the warm reception they had given him , he expressed the hope that he might receive the same goodwill and assistance

from the members of the Lodge that had been accorded to the present Master , and if he could count upon this he had no doubt as to the issue of his term of Mastership . He would be content if he could only get within a measurable distance of the success achieved by the present W . M . He might let out a little secret by telling them he had in view some excellent candidates .

The W . M . now proposed the Past Masters , in doing which be observed that complaint had been heard in the Lodge with regard to their attendance . He reminded the members that they paid their dues , and that if all the number turned up at every meeting it would be necessary to reduce the sumptuousness of the banquet , raise the subscription , or become bankrupt , to say nothing about the loss which the Masonic Charities would sustain . Besides it was not reasonable to expect them to attend every meeting , they were alwavs the ' -e when the exigencies of the occasion required them .

Bro . Bell gave a humourous lecture on un-natural history , illustrated by draw ings after—a long , very long way after—Landseer , which provoked much merriment . Bio . Salter senior P . M . rose to respond , which he did in felicitous terms .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . P . M . Clark Secretary next replied , and after paying compliments to the W . M ., the W . M .-elect , and the Lodge generally , he predicted a good future for the Philbrick . Bro . A . Board expressed his opinion that the Lodge adopted a wise course in engaging the services of so competent a Brother as Edwin Henry Lough as Assistant Organist . He said good music was one of the factors which counted toward a Lodge's success .

The visitors toast was next proposed . The W . M . said it was unusual for a meeting of the Philbrick to be distinguished by so few visitors , and supposed it was a combination of misfortune . He knew it was in the case of several Brethren invited by himself , and the summer outing had , no doubt , something to answer for in this respect . With the toast the W . M . coupled the name of Bro . H . J . Lough , who responded in a very cordial manner , and after excusing his brevity volunteered to give a song , the " Winkle ' s wooing , " which was welcomed by an encore .

The Officers was proposed by the W . M . who again expressed his thanks for their willing assistance in conducting the affairs of the Lodge .

Bro . Bell S . W . and W . M .-elect replied briefly , having spoken before . Bro . Griffiths J . W . remarked he had the welfare of the Lodge at heart , and was ready to do all he could to further its interests , he would do all in his power to help make Bro . Bell's year of office if not excel , at least equal that of the present W . M . ' s , and to striving humanity all things were possible .

Bro . Bridgman S . D . next replied in a very fluent and well worded speech , the substance of which was that he had worked his way through the various offices to the best of his ability , which statement was received with expressions of approval . He had done his best to make the W . M . ' s year of office a memorable one . He was an old friend and neighbour , as also was the W . M .-elect , at whose hands he had in the past received many kindnesses which he could not forget .

The Tyler ' s toast was honoured , and the meeting was brought to a conclusion .

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 1550 . THERE was a very full attendance of Brethren at the Freemasons ' Hall , Princess Square , Plymouth , on Saturday , 4 th inst ., when Bro . T . W . Griffiths was installed as W . M . for the year . So many were present that

it was found necessary to hold the meeting in the large hall upstairs , and those present included a large number of Brethren holding Provincial rank both in Devon and Cornwall . Bro . H . T . Robins P . M . presided , and the other installing Officers were Bros . R . G . Bird P . P . G . T ., J . R . Lord P . G . D . C . and P . P . G . T ., J . G . Kevern P . P . G . D . C , and C . Mutten P . M .

The Brethren afterwards sat down to supper , and during the evening Bro . Quinn recalled the fact , amidst hearty applause , that Lodge Prudence was that day celebrating its twenty-first anniversary . It had got through all the trials and anxieties of youth , and now that it had reached the full age of twenty-one he was sure they would all join in congratulating the Brethren .

STANLEY LODGE , No . 1325 . AT the annual meeting , held on Monday , 28 th ult ., Bro . Walter Tattersall was installed W . M . by Bro . J . W . Burgess P . M . P . P . G . D . He then invested the Officers . The retiring W . M . Bro . John Barrett was presented with a Past Master ' s jewel and a pair of brass vases with oxidized reliefs .

HARROW LODGE , No . 1310 . A MOST successful meeting was held at Bro . George Brown ' s comfortable and pretty Hotel , so well known as the King's Head , Harrow-on-the-Hill , on Tuesday . Bro . H . J . Weston W . M ., W . Harris S . W ., T . L . Aubrey J . W ., M . McVey S . D ., G . Dingley J . D ., G . Drewell acting I . G ., E . Lynn P . P . G . D . P . M . 1310 Sec , J . Williams Tyler . There were also present Bros . G . Griffiths I . P . M ., J . Denny , Eardley , Williams , House , Butcher , Baron ,

Pascoe , Dobbin , Handford , Herrin , Pryor , Birch , G . Brown , Bown , & c . Amongst the visitors we noticed Bro . H . Buckeridge W . M . 1658 , Drewell I . G . 2045 , Dyke 2045 , J . Wynman ( F EEBMASON ' S CHRONICLE ) , and others . The W . M . opened the Lodge in due form , and the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bros . Bown and Eardley were passed to the second degree , the working of the ritual being

excellent . After this Bros . Williams , Herrin , Pascoe , and Dobbin were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , and we may again compliment the W . M . for his excellent working , indeed the rendering of * both ceremonies left absolutely nothing to be desired , the duties of the chair being most impressively performed . The W . M . was ably supported by his Officers , especially the Deacons .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and on the proposition of Bro . G . Griffiths I . P . M . and the Worshipful Master , Bro . George Brown , proprietor of the Hotel , was unanimously elected a joining member . After a few more Masonic transactions the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the magnificent and picturesque gardens

attached to the Hotel , which after a little shower appeared to great advantage , the beautiful flowers filling the air with a fragrant perfume , and causing the Brethren ' s appetites to do ample justice to the full and liberal supply provided by the hospitable host , Bro . George Brown . The wine and viands were all that could be desired .

The W . M . gave the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts , in brief but happy terms , and they were duly honoured . The toast of the W . M . was enthusiastically received and responded to , and was followed by that of the Visitors , to which Bro . H . Buckeridge W . M . 1658 replied . He felt it was best to follow a good example and

say a little , but to the purpose . The working he had seen that evening both on the part of the Master , as well as the Officers , was perfect . It was quite a pleasure to him to have had the opportunity of attending and to receive such a cordial welcome . He concluded by thanking the W . M . and Brethren generally .

The next visitor who responded was Bro . Drewell , who acted as I . G . during the wo r king . He thanked them heartily for the cordial reception they have given the visitors that evening , and was so pleased with the excellent working he had witnessed that if they would kindly accept him as a joining member he should be pleased to become associated with the Lodge .

The toast of the Officers was now heartily given , the Wardens first responding in suitable terms . Bro . McVey S . D . said he was very pleased to occupy the high position he did in the Lodge , and during his torm of office would do everthing in his power to give satisfaction . Other toasts were given , and the members separated until the next meeting of the Lodge , which is due on the first Tuesday of September ,