Reports Of Meetings.

the toast , it was that of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , and a volunteer of the old regiment that could boast of a career of a hundred years . The W . M ,, in reply , expressed his most sincere thanks for the proposition of the toast and the hearty reception it had met . Of course his duties in the Lodge that evening had involved some hard work , but he was happy to know that his rendering of the three degrees had given satisfaction . He hoped to be equally successful in his future performances , and promised to do all in his power to win the approval of the members of his Lodge .

The W . M . had much pleasure in submitting the next toast , that of the Initiates of the day . As the Brethren were well aware , it was the same in the Lodge as it was in the regiment , they could not do without the introduction of new members . By the strict attention the candidates of the day had given to the work in Lodge he felt convinced they might be relied upon to become good Masons , and that eventually they would become ornaments to the Lodge and to Masonry generally . The newly made Brethren responded in suitable terms .

The next toast was that of the Treasurer , Secretary , Past Masters and Officers , to which Bro . Myers P . M . Treasurer was the first to respond . The other Brethren included in the toast also acknowledged the good wishes entertained towards them , all expressing the hope that the Lodge would continue to prosper . The health of the visitors was given from the chair , the guests responding in turn , and shortly afterwards the proceedings were brought to a conclusion . .

Bro . 0 . E . Cowtan Organist of the Lodge , Bro . G . D . Mogford I . P . M ., Bro . H . Cowtan , and others added much to tho pleasure of the eveningbjr the display of their musical abilities . It is gratifying to know the new Master of the Lodge has commenced his term of office so well , and further , that the prospects for the future are

equally encouraging . The next meeting will no doubt also be a busy one , for in addition to the candidates of this gathering , who will naturally come forward for advancement , there is the probability of at least one initiation , a Mr . Harry J . Goss being unable to attend last Wednesday , although he was down on the Agenda for initiation on that occasion . May continued prosperity attend the meetings of the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge . oi o o

INSTRUCTION

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . A . MOST successful meeting was held on Tuesday , at Bro . Jones ' s , Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , W . Bro . G . Weaver W . M ., T . W . Mogford W . M . 2362 S . W ., 0 . E . Lilley J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , G . D . Mogford I . P . M . 2362 Secretary , R . J . Rogers P . M . Treas ., 0 . T . Brown W . M .-elect 733 S . D ., Beesley J . D ., Bignall I . G ., Riemann , Wall , C Halston , Busby , Butters W . M ., Wortham , W . Handover , Wynman , & c .

The W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Wortham candidate . The Lodge was called off and on . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . 0 . Brown W . M .-elect 733 , who rehearsed the ceremony of investing his Officers . Bro . C Halston was examined and entrusted , the second ceremony being subsequently rehearsed in his favour . Bro . T . W . Mogford W . M . 2362 was elected W . M . for the ensuing week .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 . ON Monday , at Bro . E . Stevens ' s , the Prince of Wales , Eastbourne Terrace , Bishops Road , W ., Bro . H . Crookes W . M ., W . Handover S . W ., H . Harris J . W ., Hillier P . M . acting Preceptor , W . J . Ferguson P . M . acting Sec , G . E . Harris S . D ., S . G . Thorne J . D ., R . J . Rogers P . M . 733 I . G ., Butters P . M ., Smith , Bates , Bradbury , Wynman , & o .

The Lodge being opened the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Bates candidate . Bro . Bradbury answered the questions leading from the first to the second degree , and retired . The W . M . kindly vacated the chair in favour of Bro . H . Harris , who . opened the Lodge in the second degree and rehearsed the ceremony of passing , Bro . Thorne acting as candidate . Both ceremonies were rehearsed in a most creditable manner . After a few more transactions the Lodge was closed .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bow Bells , Bow Road , E ., on Wednesday , 10 th inst ., Bro . J . Goulston W . M ., G . Fennell S . W ., W . Joss J . W ., W . Boyce P . M . S . D ; , Lewsey J . D ., Pollock I . G ., J . DeOasseres P . M . Preceptor , F . Thornton Sec , J . Holland , Caswell , Alabaster , A . Silk , Freeland , Panting , E . Silk , Shadrake . Bro . Caswell answered the questions leading to the second degree , and the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of passing , he acting as candidate .

The Brethren assisted Bro . Goulston to work the first , second , third and fourth sections of the lecture . Bro . Caswell answered the questions leading to the third degree , and the Lodge was closed in the second . Brother Charles Freeland , of the Henley Lodge , became a member . A communication as to a proposed Church Service on the 21 st inst . was read , the Brethren being cordially invited to attend . Bro . Fennell was elected to he chair for Wednesday next .

PROVINCIAL

— : oi ^ - LODGE OF INTEGRITY , No . . 163 . THB annual meeting and festival of St . John took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., Bro . Samuel Gaskill W . M . The first business of the day , after the confirmation of minutes , was that of balloting for Bro . George Challinor , Shekleton Lodge , No . 42 , Irish Constitution , Belfast , who was desirious of becoming a Joining Member . The ballot was successful .

The Treasurer , Bro . J . M . Sinclair P . M . P . P . J . G . D . then presented his yearly accounts , and the Auditors gave their report , which were eminently satisfactory . The next and most important business of the day was that of installing Bro . Herbert A . Owles S . W . Worshipful Master-elect in the chair of K . S ., the Installing Master being Biro . T . H . Scholfield P . P . G . Reg ., assisted by Past Masters R . Alf . Hepworth , J . M . H . Blarney , Ben Williams , John Studd

Reports Of Meetings.

P . P . G . D . C and John E . Williams P . P . G . A . D . C . A list of Officers appointed for the year , and invested by Bro . Sinclair , is as follows : —Bros . Fred Walmsley S . W ., H . R . Yates J . W ., J . M . Sinclair P . M ., & c . Treas ., 3 . H . Studd Secretary , W . Morton S . D ., Robert Race J . D ., G . Taylor I . G ., R . A . Hepworth P . M . D . C , R . W . Nuttall Org ., H . H . Warburton P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Charity Representative , B . Williams P . M ., J . Grime ,- B . Wilmot , H . B .

Massie , F . Simpson , and G . Jury Stewards . Upon the conclusion of Lodge business the Brethren adjourned to a splendid banquet . The usual Loyal and'Masonic toasts ' were interspersed with songs , recitations , Seo ., contributed by Bros . Ben Williams P . M ., Ridsdale Bowley P . M . ( of the Manchester Concerts ) , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , the W . M ., George Garlick , R . W . Nuttall , F . Simpson , J . E . Mead , and H . Stott , a very pleasant evening being spent in this manner .

The toast of the Provincial Officers , which especially included the names of Bros . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie Provincial Grand Master and Captain 0 . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the latter having been present during the earlier portion of the business , was proposed by Bro . H . R . Yates J . W ., and responded to by Bros . Samuel Statham P . M . 1773 P . P . G . Tr ., and H . Gordon Small P . M . 2368 P . G . D . O . Cheshire .

Bro . John Studd proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , explaining that he had been the means of his advent into the Lodge , having proposed him for initiation about twelve years ago . At that time ha had formed an excellent opinion of Bro . Owles , and had never regretted the step he then took of introducing him among them . He possessed every requisite qualification for the position which he had that day assumed , and his tact and general business knowledge would be of value to him in performing hi * duties while in the chair . In concluding a very excellent speech Bro . Studd wished their new Master every success .

Bro . - H . A . Owles Worshipful Master said , in reply ,. that first of all ha thanked Bro . Studd for his very kind words , and afterwards the Brethren for their warm reception of-him . It had been said by a well-known poet that "it was a blast of January wind that hansel blew on Robin . " The same remark interpolated in another line applied to their present W . M ., for it was in the same month of January that he first received an invitation to become an Officer under the regime of that popular and enthusiastic Master Bro .

Blarney , - some four years ago . Since then he had filled various offices , with , he opined , a modicum of success , and -had' finally reached the' apex of his ambition , and the goal for which every Brother should strive . ' - He thanked them sincerely-for the honour they had bestowed upon him . ' He could with confidence add that tbe Lodge would ' lose none of its past-lustre at his hands . Masonry ; was an interesting subject to discuss , and to'the studious mind offered much for grave reflection . Its ritual and theory contained , in

his opinion , everything which was beautiful ; its language being , sublime , and its teachings excellent . Its birth was lost in the dark ages of the past , but like good seed sown , it had borne sound fruit , and its course had been a great factor in the progress of religion and civilisation . It , however , had its practical side , and upon that he desired to offer a few remarks . They saw those grand Institutions of which Masonry was the parent , and which they looked upon with mingled pride ' and pleasure ; last year a sum of between

sixty and seventy thousand pounds was subscribed towards their maintenance ; the relief of those in needy circumstances , and the succour of the widow and fatherless being their especial aim . To them ,-whose heart strings were responsiveiy moved , Masonry ' s virtues were easily observed , and by none but the sordid and the selfish were its bulwarks likely to be attacked . It would stand like the giant Pyramid of Cheops , four square to every wind , and should its principles in the future be as good as they were at present , it

would continue its high and benign destiny until time should be no more . In conclusion , Brother Owles said , " Brethren of the old Lodge of Integrity , I thank you again for electing me as your Worshipful Master , and when ' memory bids to absent friends a feast , ' this evening will be imprinted upon my memory as one of pride and pleasure , and one long to be remembered ;" Bro . Blarney proposed the toast of the Masonic Charities , saying that he undertook this duty on behalf of Bro . Warburton , who was absent through

illness . He read a letter of apology from the latter , who said that by asking Bro . Blarney to take his place he felt he was leaving the toast in able and sympathetic hands . The writer added : —" You might touch upon tha London Charities , for as we possess over 500 votes , and can carry a candidate at once at any election , it would be madness in us ( however we may disagree at times with the London Committee ' s actions in minor matters ) not to support them when we have an opportunity . East Lancashire seldom gives

a grant of more than £ 20 , and pensions to aged Masons of £ 26 per annum until we can elect on the London Board , when they get the larger annuity of £ 40 per annum . " Bro . Warburton regretted that only five Brethren had supported the East Lancashire Institution , comparing rather unfavourably the private contributions of members with those of members connected with some other Lodges . He thought they had been somewhat spoiled for years , and had not been sufficiently encouraged to give privately as well as in the

Lodge . He further said : — " We have accomplished nothing of a sensational or heroic character in regard to our charities of the past year , " and then he enumerated the same , thus concluding a powerful appeal : — " Since receiving the letters acknowledging their Christmas gifts , I have had forwarded to me a dainty Christmas card from the children of the family , 24 th December .

It embodies a pretty and poetical idea , showing children at the upper window of a snow-clad house , and as you open it ont , old Father Christmas comes into view laden with good gifts , and stops immediately under the window . So Brethren , may our good old Lodge of Integrity continue from generation to generation to bear gifts of charity of increasing value to our old men and women ; widows , and orphaned children I "

Bro . Blarney supplemented the words of Bro . Warburton by saying that to his mind the Masonic Institutions contained the very germs of Freemasonry , and hoped that the communications which he had read would have the good effect which the writer so earnestly desired . Bro . Gaskill I . P . M . proposed the toast of the Visitors , the same being duly responded to .

The health of the Installing Master was proposed by Bro . Garlick , who said that Bro . Scholfield had performed his work in a manner which commended itself to every Brother of taste , judgment , and refinement . Bro . Scholfield , who replied in one of those humorous speeches which generally characterise his utterances , said he thanked Bros . Garlick and Gaskill , the former for his jovial speech , and the latter for according

to him the privilege of performing the ceremony of installation . As those who were present when the Worshipful Master was placed in the chair were aware , there had been slight divergencies from their usual method of working , these being upon the suggestion of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master . He was glad to say , however , that at the conclusion of the ceremony the aforesaid had congratulated him , and this was at least a gratifying feature of the proceedings . Other toasts followed . Besides those whose names have been mentioned above , we noticed that the following were present , viz ., Bros . H . G . Walcott P . M . Beacon , 283 .