Notices Of Meetings.

kind expressions . His aims wero for the good of the Craft in general , and this Lodge iu particular ; if he had dono his duty and the brethren were satisfied , nothing more conld bo desired . For the Vistors Bros . Jennings and Anderson replied . The other toasts given were the Past Masters , the Treasurer and Secretary , the Wardens and other Officers . In each case a suitable response was

made . As usual afc this Ledge , music was in the ascendant ; Miss Fitzgerald , and Bros . Prenton and Barker were tho artistes engaged . Bro . P . E . "Vau Noorden , the Organist , being absent through indisposition , his son , Mr . Walter Van Noorden , ably accompanied on the piano ; this gentleman also played a solo in a very artistic manner .

Centennial Celebration Of The Minerva Lodge, No. 250, Hull.

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE MINERVA LODGE , No . 250 , HULL .

THIS Lodge , which was established on the 8 th October 1783 , celebrated its Centenary Anniversary on Monday evening , the 8 th instant , at the Masonio Hall , Dagger Lane , Hall . Preparations for celebrating snch an auspicious event had been in progress for some time previously , under the able management of Bro . M . C . Peck P . M . Prov . Grand Secretary , and , as was to be anticipated , under such

direction nothing was forgotten nor omitted . As invitations had been sent to , and accepted by , a considerable number of the Present and Past Grand Officers of the Province , the display made by the P . M . ' a on the dais in their full dress clothing can bo easier imagined than described . Punct jally at half-past seven o ' clock the brethren nnd visitors assembled , and took their allotted places , whilst an admirable

selection of mnsio was played by Bro . Vessey King Organi . t . There were present Worshipful Brothers the Eev . H . VV . Kemp , M . A ., W . M . and P . P . G . Chaplain , W . Holder I . P . M ., B . Balcbin P . M ., E . Hnntly P . M . P . P . G . D . C , W . Reynolds P . M . P . P . G . D . C , G . W . Stonrton P . M ., George Hardy P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., R . E . Harrison P . M . P . P . G . Organist , Henry White S . W ., Charles Wells P . M . Treasurer and

P . P . G . S . W ., M . C . Peck P . M . Prov . Grand Secretary , A . Thornton S . D ., W . 0 . Whitehead J . D ., George Selby D . C , Vessey King Org ., J . H . Leggott I . G ., W . Clayton , and upwards of forty other members of the Lodge . Visitors—Wor . Bro . J . P . Bell , M . D ., J . P ., D . P . G . M . of N . and E . Yorks , P . M . ' s W . Tesseyman 57 P . P . G . S . of Works , Morris Haberland 57 Prov . G . J . D ., R . G . Smith 1010 P . P . G . R .,

Thomas Stssons P . P . G . R ., Georgo Wilson 57 P . P . G . S . D , W . Day Key worth 57 P . P . G . S . of Works , Thomas Thompson 57 P . P . G . S . D ., Martin Kemp 57 P . P . G . S . B ., W . Banks Hay , M . D ., 57 P . P . G . S . D ., George L . Shackles 1511 Prov . G . S . D ., J . R . Ansdell 1605 Prov . G . S . B ., B . L . Wells 1511 P . P . G . S . B , James Pyburn , M . D ., 1010 P . P . G . R ., W . Cheeseman 1695 P . P . G . Or ? ., R . Cooko P . P . G . D ., R .

Kirkcudbright ( S . C ) , Andrew King W . M . 57 , H . Forder W . M . 1010 , Charles H .-Wright W . M . 1605 , Georgo Spink W . M . 1511 , Eli Bryan W . M . 294 , R . Bnvors I . P . M . 57 , Wm . Gillett I . P . M . 1605 , George D . Stony 57 Prov . G . Org ., Thos . Wells P . M . 208 , Wm . Sidman Sec . 1010 , and many others . The brethren being in their places , the W . M . and his Officers , accompanied by W . Bro . J . P . Bell , M . D ., J . P .,

the D . P . G . M . of North and East Yorkshire , entered and proceeded ronnd the Lodge whilst the brethren chanted the Psalm— " Behold how good and joyfnl a thing ifc is , brethren , to dwell together in unity . " The Lodge was then opened in the first degree , and the opening , " Hail , Eternal , by whose aid , " was sung , after which the W . M . Bro . Kemp , in addressing the brethren , stated it was his duty

and privilege to say a few words on the event they were thafc evening celebrating , viz . —the Centenary Anniversary of fche Foundation ofthe Minerva Lodge , and it would perhaps be as well to cast their minds back to , and reflect ; on the state their good old town of Hull was in 100 years ago . It was somewhat difficult iu the present day , with its manifold improvements and appliances , to thoroughly

understand the difficulties our forefathers had to contend with in fche lasfc century , bufc such a . retrospect conld nofc but be edifying and pleasing to them , for Hull had during that time made vast strides and immense progress , commercially , physically , and morally . On the 8 fch October 1783 , the Hull General Infirmary , which celebrated its centenary anniversary witb such eclat a' year

ago , was only jusr , founded , and had nofc got into working order . The firsfc dock in Hull , subsequently called the Queen ' s Dock , had only been opened five years ; the old wail , erected by their forefathers for the protection of Hull , had but a few years previously been levelled to the ground ; the site of the present Railway Dock was a playground for the boys of fche Grammar School ,

whereas they had now ei ght docks opened , covering a wa ' er-space of nearly ninety acres , and another one close npon completion , which would occupy forty-six acres , or thereabouts . The population 300 years ago was only one-eighth of what it is now . The parish of Seulcoates , which was then outside the borough , was a distant hamlet , and it was a country walk to the Parish Chnrch on a Sunday

afternoon . Dypool was a rural village where Hull citizens used to exercise themselves in the country games and amusements thafc were in vogue afc the period . All the Societies and Institutes that had beeu founded , for the education , development and amusements of aU classes of our fellow townsmen had not at that time any existence , "be three sister Lodges had nofc been founded , and the warrant of

another , The Rodney , had since been returned to Graud Lodge and ceased to exist . Who then conld say the progress made dnring the last 100 years had not been really and truly marvellous , and a credit to the town of which they were all so proud . Bro . M . 0 . Peck * - »! . Secretary , and Prov . Grand Secretary , then read the original warrant granted afc York by the Prov . G . Master , on the loth September

1783 , nominating as the firsfc Master Bro . Edward Conlson , a tnerohanfc in High-street , Hnll ; aud also a copy of the Centenary "arrant , which would bo forwarded from tho Grand Secretary so soon as the signature of the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales conld be owamed . The hymn , " 0 Praise our God to day , " having beeu nu S > Bro . Peck gave a mosfc interesting and graphic historical

Centennial Celebration Of The Minerva Lodge, No. 250, Hull.

sketch of the Lidge from its foundation to the present time ; from this we gather that it miginally met at tho Masons' Atms in Chapel-lano , Hull . In 1 S 02 , or 19 years after its foundation , tho members obtained a lease of the ground and building which ifc now occupies , and a few years ago they pnrchased tho freehold , so that there need be no fear in the future of their having to seek

another homo . It had always mot , without a single interruption , so far as conld bo ascot Hitiod , ou the 1 th Wednesday iu tho mouth iu the summer , and tbe 2 nd and 1 th Wednesdays in tho month iu fcho winter , nnd during the whole century their days of meeting had never bsen altered . Of course the Lodgo , like moat others during tho same period , had had times of adversity as woll as times of

prosperity , but the former had been of short duration , and when such had been the case somo worthy brethren had always como forward , and , by putting the r shoulders to the wheel , lifted the Ledge out of its temporary difficulties . During the past 30 years they had had a period of uninterrupted prosperity and activity , aud for this in some measure they were indebted to Bro . Chas . Wells P . P . G . S . W ., one of

their Past Masters and Treasurers , who he was glad to see present thafc night . Bro . Wells , at any early parfc of fche period he had mentioned , bad given a largo amount of time and trouble to the Lodgo affairs . Bnilding and Benevolent Funds , afc different times being found necessary , were organised , and as one result of the latter fund they had now over £ 2 , 000 invested to help the poor and distressed

brethren and their families should it be wanted . It was needless to say their numbers had increased , as thoy started with twenty or thereabouts , whereas now they had five times thafc number . The Lodge was iu possession of fche whole of tho minute books thafc had beeniu use , recording their proceedings , with one exception , and thafc was one from 1802 to 1809 . Theso minnto books wore now , and

would bo for all time , a most valuable record m years to come , and every precaution would be taken that they should not be lost or destroyed . They also had a Bible , whioh was purchased in the year 1784 , the firsfc year of tho Lodge's existence , for the sum of 10 a . The three chairs in the adjoining banquetting room were purchased a few years subsequently , although thoy were now shorn of tbe

canopy whioh originally belonged to them , and to his mind this was no loss . A silver seal , engraved with the crest and arms of the Lodge , was presented to them in the early part of the present century , and this was also in their possession . Other interesting facts and occurrences connected with the history of the Lodge , too voluminous to be mentioned here , but whioh we hope to give

in extenso on a future occasion were referred to . Tho reading of tho historical sketch was listened to by the brethren with rapt attention , and at its conclusion it was moved by tho WM ., seconded by Bro . Holder , the I . P . M ., and carried unanimously , with great acclamation , " That the best thanks of the Lodg 3 be given to Bro . M . C . Peck for his interesting rdsume" of the Minerva Lodge since its

foundation , and he be requested to allow the same to be published . " Bro . Peck , in thanking the brethren , stated he would gladly acquiesce in the wish they had expressed ; he only regretted that the time at his disposal would not admit of his entering into a more full and complete history of their Lodge , which , if done , must necessarily Ifad to a work he had long desired to write , viz ., A History

of Masonry in Hull . Materials for snch a work had for many years been in course of collection and preparation by him , and he hoped the day was nofc far distant when ifc wonld be MM , fait accompli . The Masonio Anthem— "Hail , Masonry Divine "—having been sung , Bro . Cheeseman P . M . P . P . G . Org . taking the solo , Bro . Dr . Bell D . P . G . M . congratulated the W . M ., Officers and Brethren of the

Lodge on ihe eveno they were thafc evening celebrating , and m conveying to them the hearty good wishes of the Provincial G . Lodgo , hoped they would make as much progress intellectually , Masonically , and numerically , during the next century as they had done in the past . The closing hymn— "Now the evening shadows closing "having been snng , and telegrams from Bro . Shadwell Gierke Grand

Secretary , and Bros . Whytehead and Cumberland of the Eboracum Lodge , York , having been read , expressing their regrefc afc being unable to be present , Lodge was closed , nnd the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , served in the banquetting hall adjoining the Lodge ; after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , interspersed with a varied programme of vocal and instrumental music .

St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 211 . —The first meeting since the summer vacation was held on Tuesday , at the Albion , Aldersgate-Streefc . Present : —Bros . F . J . Hentsch WM ., W . W . Morgan S . W ., T . H . Peirce J . W ., C . Greenwood P . M . P . G . S . B . Treas ., W . Radcliffe P . M . Sec , H . Martin S . D ., E . Tbriug J . D ., A . Withers P . M . M . C ,

A . Green P . M . Steward , E . L . Pembroke Organist , C . T . Speight P . M . Tyler . Past Masters Bros . John Laver , Jas . Linsdell , & c . Business : — After the Lodge had been formally opened , several interesting teafcures were brought nnder consideration . The Bye Laws wero read , and after routine work Lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards spent a social hour together .

Royal Commemoration Lodge , JNO . 1585—This Lodge held its firsfc meeting this season on Wednesday , the 3 rd of October , afc the Fox and Hounds Hotel , Pntnev . Present—Bros . G . Matisell W . M ., Whitley P . M . S . W ., S . Pai-dno J . W ., Robinson P . M . Sec , G . Watkins Treas ., Collick S . D ., Williams J . D ., Collins P . M . M . C , Smeed Steward , Strong I . G-., Whatelcy P . M . Tyler ; Past Masters Bros . F . H . Smith I . P . M ., Boehr , and Stacey Organist . Visitors ,

Bros . Clarkson , Dunlop , Banbery , Dare , Dnnnett , and Walter P . M . Bnsiness—After the minntes bad been read and confirmed , . Messrs Colmari , Wing , and Coombe were initiated . A dinner followed ; after thi > cloth was cleared the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given . In reply to the P . M . ' s toast , the I , P . M . thanked the brethren for the amounts they had kindly subscribed ; these enabled him to tako up over one hundred guineas to the Boys' School .