Teetotalers And Freemasonry.

without the addition of malt liquor . This is a practical age and surely the advocates of total abstinence might emulate the examp le of the Freemasons—minus the ale—and then many of the poor would have two treats in the year instead of one . Of course there is some excuse for the persistence with

which total abstainers endeavour to overcome the drink demon . There is no gainsaying the fact that our national sin is drunkenness , and anything that can be done to lessen the evil should receive the careful consideration of right-thinking persons . As society is now constituted , however , the zealousness of

temperance reformers in certain directions is sometimes productive of more harm than good . Their zeal is oftimes apt to outrun discretion . The action of the Freemasons in regard to the Old Folks' Treat may not commend itself to teetotallers , but it should be remembered that there are a large number of

Timothies in the present day , and the old folks who take tea in the Victoria Hall on New Year ' s Eve have so far never abused what many of them regard as a privilege , and the Masons have shown how thoroughly enjoyable an entertainment can be made in which a very moderate quantity of malt liquor is allowed to be consumed . — " Weston-super-Mare Gazette . "

The annual treat to the aged of Cleckheaton , by the Brethren of the Zetland and Friendship Lodges , took place in the Town Hall , on the 21 st ult . This was the eighteenth meeting of the kind , so that it is now becoming quite a venerable

institution . The number of old folks present was 106 , and , as usual , there were some whom the infirmities of age prevented from attending , but who nevertheless were made partakers of the bounty of the Brethren by the receipt of a parcel of good things

on the following day . So far as could be ascertained , says the " Cleckheaton Guardian , " the oldest man present was John Boss , who is eighty-one years old , and the oldest woman present Hannah Clegg , who is eighty-seven . All the guests were sixty or more , that being the minimum fixed by the donors .

The annual meeting of the Confidence Lodge will be held on Monday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., when a heavy day ' s business will require attention , for which the Lodge is summoned for 3 * 30 p . m . The Agenda includes one Passing , the

Installation and investiture of Officers , and the election and initiation of three candidates , after which proposals will be submitted to grant two amounts in the cause of charity , including ten guineas to one of the Institutions .

o o o " Bing-ding-dong , " says the "Bells" in the " Islington Gazette , " " Another ball not to be forgotten by dancers this season is the North London Masonic Benevolent which is to

take place at the Freemasons' Hall on the last day of the month . This is always the very best Masonic Ball of the season , and as the number of tickets is limited , those wanting to enjoy it must

hurry up for tickets , which the Hon . Sec . Brother Frederic Humphreys , of 16 Clerkenwell Boad , may be able to supply , if he has any left , always providing the five half-crowns are forthcoming . "

0 0 0 The annual ball of the Pelham Pillar Lodge , No . 792 , was held at the Town Hall , Grimsby , on the 8 th , and was , as usual , a brilliant and successful gathering . The function enjoyed the

patronage of Brother Major Smyth Provincial Grand Master , Dr . W . H . Sissons Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Earl of Yarborough Past Grand Senior Warden of England . The

proceeds of the ball are to be devoted to " The Anderson Bates Masonic Benevolent Fund , " a local charity for the immediate relief of poor and distressed Masons , their Widows , and orphans .

On Tuesday , in the Diet of Lower Austria , says the Vienna Correspondent of the " Daily News , " a noisy scene was provoked by the Anti-Semites . Dr . Haberl , Vice-President of the Diet , resented the repeated attacks made upon him by that party

because he is a Freemason . He protested that to be a Freemason was by no means high treason , and that in other countries Princes and Monarchs held Office in the Order . He said : "All the world knows that Freemasons are not traitors , but noble , generous

men . Here the Anti-Semite member Gregorig interrupted : " They are Jews ; they are not men at all . " But the President continued that they were men who , without considering coniessions

or nationalities , performed charitable works , and went on to speak in this connection of the Prince of Wales . At this point he was interrupted by offensive cries .

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 .

CEAET : METEOPOLITAN ,

ALBION LODGE , No . 9 . THE annual meeting was held on Tuesday , 1 st inst ., at Freemasons ' Tavern , when Bro . Dr . Beardmore concluded his term of office and received a Past Master ' s jewel and collar , with the thanks of the members , for bis efficient management of the Lodge during the past year .

Eeferring to the meeting , our worthy Brother who " rings the bells " in the " Islington Gazette , " says the Albion is one of the Lodges that goes in for strict ritual , and chief amongst its workers is Past Grand Pursuivant Valentine , a veteran who , with but one break , has for thirty years installed the Masters . I heard the " old man eloquent , " continues our contemporary ,

and was edified , and I was afterwards charmed with an elegant banquet and an entertainment in which our pretty little Islingtonian , Phyllis Hope—no Hope for anybody now , for she's married , you know—was a bright particular star . The new Master Bro . E . Stratton Gerish is a Master indeed of his work , and he handled the toast-list with easy grace . 0 0 0

LODGE OF JOPPA , No . 188

THE annual installation of this , the oldest Jewish Lodge in the kingdom , took place at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , W . C , on Monday , when a large number of the members and their friends assembled to take part in the interesting ceremony . A rather formidable amount of work for an installation meeting was presented on the notice paper , but owing to the delay in opening the Lodge the raising of Bio . Moore waa postponed until the next meeting .

The out-going Master Bro . B . Weigel presided , and was supported by the following Brethren : —M . Seigenberg S . W ., Eev . Eoco J . W ., James Speller P . P . G . D . Essex , S . Dancyger P . M . 205 , S . C . Kaufman P . M . 1766 , Lewis Levy P . M . 135 , Hy . Massey P . M . 1928 , Louis Herman P . M . 220 , Dr . L .

Barnett 43 , John Nash 1668 , Emanuel Solomon 1017 , Geo . Hall 1571 , Hy . Woolf 2374 , W . H . Caton P . M . 1365 , Woolf Sittan P . M . 205 , W . H . Toya I . P . M . 1278 , J . Siegenberg 212 , A . J . Dobson P . M ., H . Garrard P . M ., H . Lazarus P . M ., J . Botibol P . M ., W . J . Gardner P . M ., T . Wall P . M ., A . Cohen P . M ., Bunker P . M ., J . S . Lyon Treasurer , Lewis Lazarus Secretary .

After the minutes had been confirmed tbe annual Balance Sheet was presented , and boing in the hands of the members was taken as read and accepted . It may be mentioned hero that a very satisfactory result was shown ; there are no liabilities , and the Benevolent Fund , which is used for extending relief to distressed Brethren , shows a balance of JE 817 , an example that may well be followed .

The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Messrs . Jamea William Ferry , Eobert Hugh Taylor , and Louis Joseph who , being in attendance , were duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft by Bro . Weigel . The installation ceremony was then proceeded with , and after the usual

address by the W . M ., Bro . M . Seigenberg was presented by Brother Lewis Lazarus , and signified his assent to the usual charges and regulations . A Board of Installed Masters was constituted and Bro . Siegenberg was placed in the chair according to ancient custom , the ceremony being admirably delivered by Bro . Weigel .

On the return of the Brethren the newly made Master was proclaimed and saluted in the various degrees , and subsequently invested his Officers for the year : —Eev . Eoco S . W ., Davy J . W ., J . S . Lyon Treasurer , Lewis Lazarus Secretary , P . M . Dobson D . C , Onken S . D ., Eosenberg J . D ., Whyl I . G ., Bahr and Eosenbaum Stewards , and Ives Tyler .

Bro . H . Lazarus P . M . proposed and the W . M . seconded , a hearty vote of thanks to be entered on the minutes , to the I . P . M ., for the manner in which he had performed the installation ceremony . This was carried , and the compliment was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Weigel . The W . M . having received the congratulations of the visitors , the Lodge was duly closed and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where a recherche repast was provided .

On the removal of the cloth a long hst of toasts was presented , but in consequence of tbe late hour and the excellent musical programme the speeches were brief . The customary Loyal toasts were honoured , Bro . Speller , a Provincial Grand Officer , replying on behalf of Grand Lodge .

Bro . Weigel in eulogistic terms referred to the new W . M . as a most deserving Mason , who would do justice to the ancient Lodge of Joppa , and the toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

Bro . Seigenberg returned thanks for the kind expressions that had been used towards him and ho assured them that he felt his position most acutely . It had been the ambition of his life to become tho Master of his Mother Lodge , and now that it was realised it would be his aim to carry out Freemasonry in the fullest sense . A true Freemason was a conscientious man , whose heart was expanded by Benevolence and Charity , and while he was their Master ho would do all in his power to promulgate those principles .

Tho Initiates were then honoured , and Bro . Taylor , in some well chosen remarks , returned thanks . He stated that what had impressed him more than anything else after the ceremony itself , was the universality of Masonry , as here were gathered together men of different nationalities and religions in concord and Brotherhood . He was proud to be a member of tho Lodge and would do his best to maintain the principles of the Craft . Bros . Joseph and Ferry also responded .

After prosposing the health of the Installing Master , Bro . Seigenberg , in the name of the Lodge , presented Bro . Weigel with one of the most valuable Past Master ' s jewels we have seen . The ordinary jewel is surrounded by a laurel wreath of diamonds , from which hangs a pearl of large size , and it is surmounted by a clasp bearing the All-seeing Eye , in gold and diamonds .

Bro . Weigel , in returning thanks , said the beautiful jewel would be a pleasing memento to him for tho rest of his life . He arrived in this country without friends , but with patience , perseverance and hard work he had risen to a respectable position . He had long aspired to be the Master of the Joppa Lodgo—the oldest of the Israelitish Lodges . It was a proud position for a foreigner to reach , and he was extremely glad to hear that he had given satisfaction to the Brethren . He considered that he had won the jewel in