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 .

CEAFT : METROPOLITAN .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . Installation of Bro . John Wyatt Simeons . nnHERE are several Lodges in the metropolis , to the credit of the Craft be JL it said , whore , by reason of the excellent example set by the Past Masters , and the care taken in tho selection of Officers , a respectful and reverent rendering of the ritual may always bo depended upon . This rema'k applies with particular force to the Confidence Lodge , which is now in its 110 th year , having been consecrated in 1700 , and it was therefore with considerable

pleasure that we obeyed the summons to attend at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , on Monday last , to be present to witness tbe completion of a most successful year in the history of the Lodge , and the commencement cf a new one which gives every promise of adding to the high reputation alike of the Lodge and its new ruler Bro . John Wyatt Simeons . We were not surprised to see the annual meeting so largely attended , as the gatherings of the past and its reputation for perfect working has made the Lodge one of the most popular in the metropolis .

There was a full agenda of business before the members , and as a consequence proceedings were opened shortly after three o ' clock by Bro . George Spice , who was supported by the following Officers and Brethren : John W . Simeons S . W . W . M .-elect , Metcalfe Baillie acting J . W ., J . E . Fells P . M . Treasurer , E . J . Davey P . M . Sec , Sidney Fells S . D ., T . Kington P . M . acting J . D ., E . H . Lough Org ., II . Haughton acting I . G ., L . G . Reinhardt Tyler ;

Past Masters E . Pennock I . P . M ., T . Kington , W . A . Cubitt , S . Webb , F . Nightingale , S . Smithers , J . K . Pitt P . P . G . O . Surrey ( Hon . member ); together with Bros . T . Goodchild , J . Outtney , W . Hattersley , J . Done , W . Osborne , G . Kemble , G . Forman , E . T . Davey , H . Jones , E . Tippen , W . Carr , C . Way , J . Taylor , G . Baker , G . Busbill , John H . Bigg , C . Brain . E . Gasheron , J . Webber , E . Walesbey , J . Oowper Turner , L . Parker , G . Barlow , J . Westley , J . Mendoza , F . Pribul , J . Delmonte , J . Staal , & c .

Among the Visitors we had the pleasure of seeing were Bros . James Mason P . G . S . B ., D . Moss Prov . G . D . O . Middx ., R . E . Gilmour P . M . 1950 , G . Browu 90- ' , C . Woodrow P . M . 1708 ( Preceptor of the Woodrow Lodge of Instruction , No . 1708 ) , O . Wetton P . M . 2742 ( Deputy Preceptor Woodrow Lodge ) , W . G . Shadrake W . M . 2626 , G . Jackson Grow W . M . Bloomsbury

Rifles Lodge 2362 , R . Cawley W . M . 172 , A . Kmlyn Jones 1385 , A . A . Fry 1662 , J . Morris 2624 , H . R . Uammer * ton 1658 , G . W . Cowes 1791 , F . J . Sheppard I . P . M . 3 , M . Chapman P . M . 619 , T . W . Green 1178 , C . King 1624 , F . Mead 1624 , W . Monant 1624 , F . VV . Clark 2535 , J . Warwick W . M . 765 , O . King 2624 , J . Wynman , & c .

The minutes having been read and confirmed the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bro . W . Osborne answered the usual questions and was entrusted . The Lodge was further advanced , and in due course that Brother was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mosin , The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bro . George Kimber being present answered the questions , was entrusted and retired ; the Lodge was again advanced , and that Brother was passed to the degree of Fello ° w Craft .

The W . M . seemed to enjoy the working , and again resumed the Lodge to the first degree , when the ballot was taken for Mr . Alexander Ernest Green , which proved unanimous in his favour , and in due course he was initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . The Lodge Auditors' report was received and adopted , from which we perceive that not only are the funds ol the Lodge in a highly satisfactory condition , but the various Masonic and other Charities have been supported , and the Benevolent Fund considerably increased during the year .

The Lodge was again opened in the second degree , when the W . M . declared all Offices vacant , and appointed Bro . E . Pennock I . P . M . S . W ., and Bro . Kington P . M . J . W . to assist him during the ceremony of installation , for which Bro . John Wyatt Mmeons was presented as W . M .-elect . Bro . G . ' Spice addressed him upon the duties of the high office to which he had been elected , and Bro . Simeons signified his assent to the ancient charges and took

the customary obligation . Tho junior Brethren were than requested to withdraw for a short time , whilo a Board of Installed Masters—about thirty in number—was declared , and Bro . Simeons was conducted to the chair in accordance with ancient tradition . Tho Brethren were re-admitted , and tho new Master was proclaimed and saluted , the entire ceremony and subsequent addressess being impressively rendered by Bro . George Spice , who received the applause and appreciation of the Brethren .

The new Worshipful Master proceeded to invest his Officers , as follow George Spice I . P . M ., S . W . Fells S . W ., Metcalfe Bailie J . W ., J . E . Fells P . M ! Treasurer , E . J . Davey P . M . Secretary , T . Whiffen ( nominated ) S . D ., G p ' H . Bushell J . D ., R . M . Owen I . G ., T . Kington P . M . D . C ., F . Haines P . M ! Steward , E . H . Lough Org . and A . D . C ., W . Haughton Assist . Steward , L . G . Reinhardt Tyler . We cannot speak too highly of the ability shown by the new Master in the mvestitute of his Officers .

The W . M . in a most eloquent manner presented Bro . George Spice I . P . M . with the Past Master ' s jewel ( which was of a new design and manufactured ' by Bros . Weeden , of Rydon Crescent , Clerkenwell ) , and in doing so he tendered the good wishes of the Brethren , which were so well deserved by Bro . George Spice , and hoped that Broth r mi ght live to wear the jewel in good health amongst them for many , many years to come . The jewel bore the following inscription : —

Presented by the Brethren of the Confidence Lodge , No . 193 , to BBO . GEOBGE SPICE , in appreciation of his efficient services as W . M . during his year of office

1899-1900 . Bro . Spice most cordially thanked the Worshi pful Master and Brethren for their handsome gift , and promised to say a few more words about it later on in the evening . Tho Secretary read messages of regret from Brethren for unavoidable

Reports Of Meetings.

absence , and after some other Masonic transactions the visiting Brethren tendered their congratulations to the W . M ., and that concluding the business of the evening the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and the meeting was adjourned . Tbe Installation Banquet was held in the largo hall , and reflected the

highest credit alike on the Proprietor of the Hotel and Bro . Wagstaff the Manager , whilst Bro . Collins , in his usual attentive manner , superintended the repast . The menu card was of an unusually novel design , and bore the portrait of the W . M . The banquet was only what might be expected from one who is the possessor of " La Cordon Rouge , " our Bro . Simeons owning that distinction .

Appreciation having been shown to the exquisite dinner , Bro . Simeons sounded the gavel and rose to submit the toast of the Queen and Prosperity to the Craft , saying it was the first toast he had the honour and privilege to propose , and it needed no words from him to commend it to their acceptance . It had been proposed by more eloquent speakers , but never with greater sincerity than he then submitted it .

The next toast was that of the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales . Wo had a ruler of whom all Brethren were proud . The Prince had so much identified himself with Freemasonry in general that he had become a necessary portion of it . The next toast the W . M . had the honour to propose was that of the M . W . Pro Grand Master Earl Amherst , the Deputy G . M . the Earl of Warwick , and the rest of the Grand Officers present and past . In the Grand Officers they had a body of gentlemen who set a noble example , and spared neither time nor rnonev in the cause of Freemasonry .

Later on the I . P . M . Bro . Spice took command of the gavel for the purpose of proposing the health of the Worshipful Master . The Brethren know Bro . Simeons well , and must have noticed the able manner in which he had invested his Officers . It was evident they had the right man in the right place . He had bad the pleasure of being his intimate friend for the

last thirty years , and lie knew the W . M . as one of the best-hearted fellows they could possibly meet with . Bro . Simeons had done everything in his power for the welfare of the Craft and the cause of charity . He trusted the W . M . would have the same attention he had received from the Brethren during his year of office , and concluded by wishing his successor every prosperity .

Bro . Simeons , on rising to respond , was greeted with a real Confidence fire . He said he felt very deeply the honour and dignity of the office to which he had been appointed , and in being installed in the chair of so honourable and ancient a Lodge as the Confidence . He would do everything in his power to further the interests of the Lodge , and thanked the I . P . M . for the very kind manner in which the toast had been proposed , and the Brethren for the enthusiastic manner in which it had been received .

The W . M . said he had now a most pleasant duty to perform , in proposing the toast of the I . P . M . He felt especially pleased that one of his first official duties had been to present his predecessor with the Past Master's jewel which had been voted to him by the Lodge , and he could but again express the hope that Bro . Spice would live to wear it for many years in prosperity and health , and that they might , enjoy the advantages of the knowledge of Freemasonry of which he was the possessor . He could assure them that with Bro . Spice at his side he had little fear of the success of his year of office .

The I . P . M . thanked the W . M . most heartily for proposing his health in such a very kind manner , and the Brethren for receiving it in so cordial a way . He was proud to have accepted the position of Worshipful Master . After all , if a Brother wished to succeed he must attend to his work , and he strongly advised the younger members to attend the Instruction Lodge . It was with a certain amount of regret he had to leave the chair , but of course he knew he had to make room for another . He was pleased to say the Lodge

was in a glorious condition , and proud that he had had several initiates during his year of office . He had tried hard to give satisfaction , and the handsome jewel presented to him that evening was evidence that the Brethren were satisfied with his efforts . He sincerely hoped the Brethren would give the present Worshipful Master the same support they had accorded him during his year of office . He also sincerely thanked Bro . Davey P . M . and the other Officers for the kind assistance they had rendered him .

The next toast was that of the initiate . On behalf of the Lodge the W . M . offered him a cordial welcome into the Order . He felt sure it was unnecessary for him to remind the new Brother to be carefully cautious never to divulge any of the secrets he had that evening been entrusted with . No doubt the ceremony he had just passed through had somewhat confused him , but later on , if he would make it convenient to attend the Instruction Lodge , he would there have the opportunity of understanding the work better . He was sure from the very earnest attention he had given to the ceremony of initiation their new Brother would become a worthy member of the Craft .

Bro . Davey , the popular Secretary of the Lodge , gave the Entered Apprentice ' s song , in fine voice . Bro . A . E . Green made an excellent speech in response to the toast , saying ho was exceedingly proud to have been initiated in the Confidence Lodge . The ceremony was very impressive , and he would remember it as long as he lived . His father was a Past Master , his grandfather was also a P . M ., and he hoped to follow their Masonic career . He thanked them for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them .

The W . M . rose again , and said he was about to propose a toast which he was sure would be received with enthusiasm . He meant that of the Visitors . He felt highly honoured at seeing so many distinguished Brethren there that evening , and in the name of the members he gave thorn a most hearty welcome . As the Lodge of Confidence was noted for its hospitality he trusted they might have the pleasure of meeting them again very often .

Bro . D . Moss said he had travelled a long distance on purpose to be present at that installation . The working he had witnessed was a real Masonic treat , and he heartily congratulated the members on having such an excellent man for Master . He knew him to be a great worker , and as for the Masonic Charities—nothing was too much for him . When trying to get soma votes their W . M ; was always the first to go to . He was more than pleased to have seen his dear old friend installed , and wished him a grand year of office , with health and prosperity . Several other visitors also responded to the toast .

The health of the Treasurer and Secretary was next proposed , the W . M , regarding Bro . Foils as one of the best ; always in his place and always willing to assist those who desired it . Of the Secretary Bro . Davey he could not say enough . He was sure the Lodge could not do without him ; he was always the first to look after the interests o £ the Lodge , and always found time to give advice and assistance as required . He had very arduous duties to perform , for a Lodge with ninety-eight members entailed a great amount of work . The Treasurer and Secretary made suitable response .

The Past Masters of tho Lodge were next toasted , tho W . M . saying they were the pillars of the Lodge . It was by their industry and hard work in the past that they were enabled to show the Lodge in such a proud position .