Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . THE members of this flourishing and highly popular Lodge—consecrated in the reign of King George the 3 rd , in the year 1790—assembled to celebrate their annual installation on Monday , at the regular quarters , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , when a most successful meeting was the result , there being a large attendance of visitors , as well as members of the Lodge , to participate in the full amount of work which was set down on the agenda of the day .

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 procendings .

— : o : — CEAFT : METEOPOLITAN .

An early start was made , Bro . E . Pennock , the Worshipful Master , opening his Lodge at 3 o ' clock , supported by Bros . T . Kington I . P . M ., G . Spice W . M .-eleot S . W ., John W . Simeons J . W ., John Fells P . M . Treas ., E . J . Davey P . M . Sec , W . Cutting S . D ., Sidney W . Fells J . D ., M . Baillie I . G ., B . H . Lough Organist , L . G . Reinhardt Tyler ; Past Masters Samuel Webb ( one of the oldest members ) , G . P . Nightingale , S . Smithers , F . S . Plowright ,

W . Cubitt , F . Haines , J . K . Pitt P . P . G . D . Surrey ( Hon . Member ) , & c , together with Bros . L . Parker , W . Haughton , W . Carr , J . Staal , J . C . Turner , F . Pirbul , M . Madders , S . Forman , G . Barrett , G . Baker , G . Cornish , A , Mignot , A . Gordon , T . Salomon , M . Mendoza , A . Jacobs , A . Delmonte , G , Barlow , F . E . Fells , G . Favrand , G . H . Brain , W . Flannery , C . Way , H , Jones , 3 . Bushell , E . Gosheron , and several others . .

After the formal opening of the Lodge the minutes were confirmed , and , a Lodge of Fellow Crafts being opened , Bros . Carr , Fells and Favrand were examined as candidates for the third degree . They answered the questions in a very satisfactory manner , and were entrusted . The Lodge was advanced to the third degree , and the same Brethren were raised as Master Masons , and regularly received in the Lodge as such .

Lodge was now . resumed to the first degree , and Bros . W . Flannery and G . H . Brain were examined and entrusted previous to passing , which ceremony was in due course performed on their behalf . Once again the Lodge was resumed to the first degree , when the ballot was taken for Mr . Arthur John Gordon and Mr . William Hattersley , as candidates for initiation . The result was unanimous in their favour , and the two gentlemen had the privilege of being initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The report of the Auditors was received , and proved the Lodge ^ to be in a sound financial condition .

BRO . GEORGE SPICE ,

W . M . OF THE CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . Now came the great event of the year , the installation of Bro . George Spice as Worshipful Master . The W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . Past Master Plowright , signified his assent to the ancient charges in the regular way , and then , in a Board of some twenty installed Masters , he was elevated to the proud position of ruler of the Lodge , receiving the salutations of his Brethren in the three degrees . Bro . Kington P . M . made a perfect Director of Ceremonies during this part of the day ' s work , while Bro . Plowright

displayed his usual care and capability in presenting the working tools , Sec to the new Master . In handing him the Warrant of the Lodge he impressed upon him the fact that it had been in the possession of the Lodge for a hundred and nine years , and he hoped it would lose none of its lustre while entrusted to the keeping of Bro . Spice , whotherc jpon proceeded to invest his Assistant Officers for the year , as follow : Bros . J . W . Simeons S . W ., W . Cutting J . W ., J . E . Fells P . M . Treasurer , E . J . Davey P . M . Sec , S , W . Fells S . D ., Metcalfe Baillie J . D ., T . Wiffen I . G .. W . Belchamber P . M ,

Reports Of Meetings.

D . C , F . Haines P . M . and A . Mignot Stewards , E . H . Lough Organist , K . M . Owen A . D . C , and L . G . Reinhardt Tyler . Bro . Pennock brought his year ' s work to a most successful termination by the delivery of the address to the Worshipful Master , while Bro . Plowright delivered those to the Officers and Brethren generally , the whole of the work , including the investiture of the Officers by Bro . Spice , being mosfc ably gone through .

A letter was read from Bro . Kershaw the late Treasurer of the Lodge , stating his inability to attend , on account of ill health , and it was unanimously agreed that a letter be sent , wishing him a speedy recovery . Tho sum of ten guineas was voted to a Brother in distress , and a further sum of ten guineas towards a testimonial for a prominent Officer of tha Lodge . No further business offering , the W . M . received well deserved " hearty good wishes " from those present , and proceeded to close his Lodge .

Much to the regret of the whole party the new Worshipful Master was now compelled to leave , on' account of his sister ' s recent death , and he handed over his authority to Bro . Pennock I . P . M ., who did his best to fill the void thus unfortunately caused at the festive board . The banquet was one of those excellent repasts for which Bro . Clemow ' s establishment is so famed . The tables were tastefully decorated , with electric lights , flowers and ferns artistically blended , the service being supervised by Bro . Thorn Collings the Superintendent , who was most attentive to the wants of the guests .

In due course Bro . Pennock introduced . the toast of the Queen , following on with that of the Grand Officers , coupling the name of Bro . J . K . Pitt with the latter . Bro . Kington proposed the health of the Immediate Past Master . He would havo preferred that their new ruler Bro . Spice should have been in his place to discharge this duty , but they all knew the reason of his absence , and most heartily sympathised with him in the loss he had recently sustained . The proposition of the toast afforded him very much pleasure . The members

all knew that Bro . Pennock had been a hard working member of the Lodge , and had done everything that could be desired of a Worshipful Master . He had given satisfaction all round , and it was indeed a pleasant duty to be the means of presenting to him the Past Master ' s jewel which had been provided by the Lodge—well earned , and coupled , as it was , with the good wishes of every member of the Lodge , one and all of whom hoped Bro . Pennock might live to wear it in good health amongst them for many years yet to come . The jewel bore the following inscription :

Presented by the Brethren of the Confidence Lodge , No , 193 , to BRO . EDWABD PENNOCK , for his able services as W . M . January 1899 .

Bro . Pennock thanked Bro . Kington for proposing the toast of his health in such a very cordial manner , and the Brethren for receiving the toast so heartily . He was proud to have occupied the position of Worshipful Master of the Lodge , and had tried hard to give satisfaction in the work that fell to him . He felt , from the heartiness of his reception , and from the very handsome jewel presented him that evening , that the Brethren had been satisfied with his efforts . He was sorry to have to vacate the chair of the Lodge , but his successor was far better qualified to occupy it than he was . He had the

pleasure of looking back and finding that during his year of office he had initiated fourteen new members into the Lodge , but the success of the year had not been due to him alone . Rather it was due to Bro . Kington , who had in a kind and watchful manner helped him in all his offices . He most sincerely thanked the Past Masters and Officers for their kind interest , and sincerely hoped the members would give tho present Master the same hearty support as fchey had accorded him during the past year . Bro . Pennook concluded with other expressions of his indebtedness to the members one and all .

Bro . Samuel Webb P . M . in most eloquent terms proposed the toasfc of the initiates . He felt sure they would make worthy Freemasons , they having paid such marked attention to the initiatory work . Bro . Gordon thanked the I . P . M . for having initiated him , and the Brethren for having- received him with such marked cordiality . He hoped he should prove himself a worthy member of the Confidence Lodge .

Bro . Hattersley also expressed his thanks , and promised to do all that lay in his power to justify his admission to the Craft . He thanked the members for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . The next toast was that of the Visitors , given by Bro . Plowright P . M ., and acknowledged by Bros . Gilmour P . M . 1950 , Shadwell S . W . 2626 , Morris , and several others .

The toast of the Past Masters was next given by the acting I . P . M . Bro . Kington , who said the members of the Lodge knew it would be a difficult matter to find a better set of Past Masters than those possessed by the Confidence Lodge . Whatever advice or help was needed fchey were always ready to givo it . Bro . Kington also paid a well deserved compliment to Bro . Plowright , for the services he had rendered that day , and spoke of the special qualifications of others included in the toast .

Bro . Samuel Webb responded on behalf of himself and fellow Past Masters of the Lodge . The toast of the Secretary and Treasurer was now proposed , followed by that of the Wardens and other Officers , but in consequence of the lateness of the hour the speeches were necessarily curtailed . Bro , Simeons Senior Warden said it was with deep regret he rose to respond on behalf of tho Officers , regret because of the sad bereavement that had befallen the Worshipful Master . Having been initiated , passed and

raised together , and having followed Bro . Spice in all the various Offices he had filled , he knew with what enthusiasm he had looked forward to his installation , and the accompanying festivities . He hoped and trusted the Great Architect of the Universe would give their W . M . strength to carry out the duties of the chair during his year of office with that perfection of which he was so capable . With these remarks he begged to thank the members and visitors for the way in which the toast had been received . The proceedings were brought to a conclusion by the Tyler's toast .

There was an excellent programme of music arranged for the evening , and carried out most satisfactorily under the direction of the Organist of the Lodge Bro . E . H . Lough , who was as good as usual in the different parts he filled . Among those who contributed to the harmony were Bro . J . W . Simeons the S . W ., and Bro . Davey the Secretary . Among the Visitors were Bros . J . Morris , R . Gilmour P . M . 1950 , R . Blyth . W . M . 77 , Stacey Pye 1500 , 0 . Wetton P . M . 2087 , T . E . Ladd P . M . 619 , W . G . Shadwell S . W . 2626 , F . Mead 112 , F . Sfcallard P . M . 1613 , J . Wynman , and others . The new Master of the Lodge—Bro , George Spice—whose poitrait we