Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

—; o : — CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 .

THE first meeting of this substantial old Lodge since the instal . lation of Bro . W . Saint ; as Worshipfnl Master was held on Monday evening , afc Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . The W . M . was supported by Bros . F . Silvester S . W ., G . P . Nightingale J . W ., S . Smither S . D ., J . Gildersleve I . G ., W . A . Cnbitt I . P . M ., Past

Masters R . Kershaw , T . B . Biddle , H . T . Reed , Bedford Lemere , S . Webb , and J . Smith ; Bros . H . F . Jones , J . Dongray , A . W . South , J . Egan , W . Belcbamber , J . W . Garwood , W . J . Parker , J . Grundy , J . II . Clare , G . Masters , H . King , J . Little , W . Colyer , E . Carey , E . H . Walden , W . G . Farnley , P . Westoby , L . G .

Reinhardfc Tyler , & c . Amongst the Visitors were Bros . George Sadler 172 , S . M . Pipe 1306 , G . Andrews 1420 , and others . Lodge having been opened ia form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read aud confirmed , was advanced to the third degree , when Bro . Frederick Hemmings was raised , the ceremony being performed in most

creditable manner by the Worshipful Master , assisted by his Officers . Lodge was then resumed in the second , but tbe candidate , Brother A . F . Jones , being unavoidably absent , the ceremony was rehearsed . The manner in whioh this was done reflected the utmost credit on all who participated in the rite , and augurs well for the snccess

which may be anticipated next meeting . A candidate for initiation was nominated , and after the transaction of some matters of business Lodge was closed in due form , amidst the heartiest good wishes . The brethren afterwards partook of a recherche supper , provided by Bro . Clemow in that style of elegance and refinement for whioh Anderton ' s

has long been proverbial . This being an off-night , the W . M . said he intended to be brief in proposing the customary toasts ; but in drinking to the Queen and the Craft , he said it would not be in any body of Freemasons that the name of her Majesty would bo received with any expression of disloyalty such as had been alleged to have

taken place elsewhere . The toast was received with enthusiasm , as also were those of the Mosfc Worshipful Grand Master his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , the Pro Grand Master , the Depnty Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers Presents and Past . The I . P . M . then rose , and said this was the second time ho had been

entrusted with the gavel , and in proposing the health of their Worshipful Master , he confessed he had great pleasure in doing so on this occasion . Being an off-night they must congratulate themselves upon the very pleasant gathering they were now enjoying . He was pleased to tell the brethren that they wero not likely to be long

without an initiate into the good old Lodge of Confidence , for , as they had heard , a candidate would be brought forward at the next meeting . The toast having been heartily received , the Worshipful Master briefly returned thanks , and in so doing said he felt a debt of gratitude to the

brethren for the kindness with which they had greeted the mention of his name . He trusted the Lodge might go forward during his term of office , and that they might have a still further increase of members . It was always gratifying to see " new blood " coming into the Lodge , because it kept them up to the standard , and made

them feel , as others felt , an interest in the Lodge of Confidence , in addition to the older members . He was a little disappointed that matters were nofc quite so glowing at the opening of his year as he could have wished , yet he hoped on the next occasion of their meeting there would be a more numerous attendance . He then proposed the

Visitors , observing that they were nofc numerous thafc evening , as might have been expected . Nevertheless , they were most heartily welcome , and he was pleased to think that although their gathering was a small one , yet he trnsted their Visitors would perceive thafc this welcome was a genuine one . There was the same spirit and

good feeling pervading all the brethren , and he was sure that would be appreciated by those present . If there was not that enthusiasm which marked some of their gatherings when a larger number was present , still he was pleased to see the VL-itors , and as to the way in which the business had been conducted , both at the

Lodge and at the festive board , he hoped they would think it creditable to the Confidence Lodge , and to all parties concerned . They endeavoured to carry out the bnsiness in a proper and dignified manner , and he trusted tbe Visitors would go away with a favour , able impression of what they had seen . Bro . Sadler , in responding ,

said he was sorry he could not be present in time to see the working iu Lodge , but he thanked them for fche hospitality which had been extended to the Visitors . He came there as a stranger within their gates , with only Freemasonry to recommend him ; and he hoped to have an opportunity before long of again meeting the brethren of this

excellent Lodge , which had such a reputation for good working . Bro . Pipe also replied , stating that he had had the hononr and pleasure of knowing their Worshipful Master for 20 years , Bro . Saint , in his estimation , was a worthy of worthies , both in public and private life . He wished continued prosperity to the Lodge , and a year of happiness

and snccess to their Worshipfnl Master . Bro . Andrews added his quota to the thanks of the Visitors for the hospitality they had enjoyed , and spoke in the highest terms of the work he had witnessed in the Lodge room . The W . M . then gave the Immediate Past Master , and the Past Masters of the Lodge present . He thanked Brother

Cubitt for his counsel and assistance , and for his willingness at all times to help forward the work of tbe Lodge . It was a source of satisfaction to see so many of the Past Masters in attendance , ready to support the efforts of the Officers and himself in the carrying ont of their dnties . They were all so well known that it would be

superfluous on bis part to say anything in their commendation ; but it was satisfactory to know that they did not retire upon their laurels after they had passed the chair , but continued their active interest in the Lodge , as they had done hitherto . The toast was heartily drank , and Bro . Cubitt I . P . M ., responding to the toast , said he was very pleased to see they had a numerous gathering of Pasfc Masters , this being an

Notices Of Meetings.

" off-night . " Sometimes brethren , after they had passed tha chair , found it convenient to have other business to prevent them from attending on these small occasions ; bufc thafc was nofc so in fche Confidence . The Worshipfnl Master had said he was somewhat disappointed afc the results of his first night's work , bnt he had no

need to be upset in thafc respect . His ( the speaker ' s ) predecessor had no initiate on the first two occasions of his sitting , bufc had eleven dnring his year ; and he ( Bro . Cubitt ) had no initiate on his first night , but finished up the year with ten . Bro . Saint had none that evening , bnt one had been nominated for the next meeting , and there

was a prospect that he would have as successful a year as any of his predecessors . This was a strong Lodge , having 86 subscribing members , but they must have an infusion of new blood to take the place of those who would inevitably drop off through death or from other causes . He trusted their W . M . would have

health and strength to carry out his dnties , with credit to him . self and with satisfaction to the brethren . The W . M . expressed regrefc that their esteemed Secretary , Bro . J . Shackell P . M . was prevented from being present that night , and was sure the brethren all wished for him a speedy restoration to health . He then proposed

the Officers of the Lodge , observing thafc ifc was a source of great pleasure to be surrounded by so efficient aud competent a body . Many other brethren were working up to the chair , so there need be no fear as to the way in which the business of the Confidence Lodge would bo conducted in the future . Bro . Silvester was sure that he

and his brother Officers were anxious to do all they could to make themselves efficient , and to qualify themselves for the high position they one and all aspired to occupy . Fjverything he did for the Lodge he did with a great deal of pleasare , and he was sure the same spirit actuated the whole of the Officers of the Lodge . He had worked

from the very lowest rung of the ladder , and it was his aim to attain to the proud position which the Worshipful Master now so worthily held . Bro . Nightingale also responded . He felfc very grateful to the W . M . for mentioning his name in connection with the toast . He assured him that it would be a pleasant duty to exert his utmost

efforts to assist in carrying out the work of the Lodge , and to promote its best interests ; and it was also his ambition to make himself worthy of the chair when his turn should come . He also had taken the lowest step of the ladder , but hoped in time to fill the position

which Bro . Saint so worthily and honourably occupied . Bros . Smither , Egan , and Colyer expressed themselves in similar terms , and the proceedings were closed at an early hour with the Tyler's toast . During the evening some capital songs were given , the humorous vein being , as usual , irresistibly sustained by Bro . Silvester .

Goderich Lodge, No. 1211.

GODERICH LODGE , No . 1211 .

ON Monday evening , the 1 st inst ., there was a large and representative gathering of the Masons of West Yorkshire on the ocoasion of the initiation of Mr . G . W . Balfour , M . P ., into this Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Great George Street , Leeds . Bro . Charles Scriven was in the Master ' s chair , and the other Officers of the Lodge present were Bros . John Jacques I . P . M ., A W . Youings S . W .,

W . H . Bradford J . W ., J . W . Fourness P . M . Treasurer , William Smith Secretary , W . Ward S . D ., J . Ellis J . D ., W . B . Townsend P . M . Organist , T . Craistor I . G ., A . K . Scattergood and W . J . Gwillam Stewards , and J . Calverley P . M . The Visitors , who came from all parts of the Province , included Bros . T . W . Tew Past G . D . of

England Prov . G . M ., Henry Smith D . P . G . M ., Rev . Canon Bullock P . P . G . Chap ., Rev . J . J . Needham P . G . Chap ., Rev . J . A . Naylor P . G . Chap ., J . Menziea P . P . G . W ., C . L . Mason P . P . G . Treasurer , A W . Stanfield Prov . G . Reg ., W . F . Smithson P . P . G . D ., G . F . Crowo

P . P . G . D ., D . R . Glover P . P . G . D ., Thos . Winn P . P . G . Sup . of W ., T , Bateman Fox Prov . G . Sword Bearer , Alfred Austin P . P . G . S . B ., J . Richardson P . P . G . A . P ., Saml . Slack P . P . G . D . of C , H . T . Gardiner Prov . G . Steward , Jas . Milnes W . M . 289 , Thos . Myers W . M . 301 , John Thrippleton W . M . 306 , Wm . Tyers W . M . 1042 , Rev . T . 0 .

Smyth , D . D ., LL . D ., P . D . D . G . M . East . Aroh . W . M . 2069 , A . Williamson P . M . 289 , Wm . Greaves P . M . 289 , J . Dobson P . M . 289 , John Dyson P . M . 306 , J . B . Hargreaves P . M . 1311 , W . Watson P . M . 2069 , Henry Oxley P . M . 495 , H . Carr W . M . 1085 , Thos . Ecroyd P . M . 439 , and many others . Bro . Thos . Winn P . M . P . P . G . Sup . of W . acted as Director of Ceremonies , and Bro . W . B . Townsend P . M . had charge

of the musical arrangements of the evening . Letters of apology were received from Bros . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., P . M . Prov . G . S . W ., Colonel A . Charlesworth P . M . Prov . G . J . W ., Aid . Thos . Hill P . M ., Mayor of Bradford , Aid . John Rhodes , Mayor of Pontefraot , Herbert G . E . Green P . M . Prov . G . Sec , and others . The ceremony of

initiating Mr . G . W . Balfour , M . P ., into the mysteries of Freemasonry was performed by Bro . Scriven , assisted by Bros . Tew , Bradford , and Ward . At the conclusion of the ceremony Bro . Tew said thafc he was deeply obliged for the compliment accorded to him of enabling bim to take part in the interesting ceremony of that evening , and to mark

the accession to the Craft of a gentleman distinguished by many and varied qualifications , one whose eloquence and ability had so endeared him to the people of Leeds that in the autumn of last year he was elected as Parliamentary representative of the Central Division of tha borough , and their satisfaction was greatly added to by the fact that

they were welcoming so talented a representative to the ranks of Freemasonry . Goderich Lodge had that evening shown its appreciation of personal worth by admitting Bro . Balfour as a member , and it had recognised the justness of the selection made by the outside public of his fitness for a political career . Thafc Bro . Balfour would

uphold the principles of the Craft they knew full well . In conclusion , he wished prosperity to the Goderich Lodge , and complimented the W . M . ( Bro . Scriven ) on the large gathering of Masons over which he had been called upon to preside . The scroll was then taken , when

Bro . Youings was announced as W . M . elect . After " hearty good wishes " had been exchanged , the brethren adjourned to the banqnet , admirably served by Bro . A . Wood . Bro . Scriven in felicitous terms proposed the health of R . W . Prov . G . M . of WesfclYorkshire Bro . T .