Grand Lodge Of Western Australia.

fact that his efforts were for the furtherance of their interests , and . not for his own ambition . He would carry away with him to the old country a very deep feeling of regard for the Masons of Western Australia . He would ever have Masonic aspirations for the growth and prosperity of Freemasonry in Western Australia . He had done what he could to further

Freemasonry in the colony . He had endeavoured in public and private life to set before himself a high ideal of what Masonry should be , and had also endeavoured to live up to it . He was not one of those who regarded a Masonic Lodge as a sort of club where they could join in harmony and enjoy refreshment . He did not lose sight of the deeper meaning

underlying true Freemasonry , which should help them to lead better , more energetic , more honest , and more useful lives . To young Masons he would strongly recommend not so much a superficial observance of ritual , not so much a constant attendance at Lodges . He would urge upon them a study of true Masonic literature . He would ask them to

inquire into and learn the early history of Freemasonry , and to trace it from its origin through the many centuries it had existed down to the present time , when they were only Free , Accepted , and Speculative Masons . There were times when they were active Masons . That day they were not active but speculative . Underlying the mere ritual and harmonious

meetings there was a deep and solid truth , and if they would inquire into it and endeavour to act up to it , it would lead them through the mazes and tortuous ways and difficulties of this human life in a way that was only second to the religion which they all practised and admired . He had never regarded , and he did not ask them to regard ,

Freemasonry as a religion . He did not ask them to set it up in place of their religion . He asked them rather to set it up next to their religion , and , in a sense , as part of it . There was nothing in the religion of Christianity that was in contrast or in opposition to Freemasonry , and equally there was nothing in Freemasonry which was not embodied in the

highest principles of Christianity . It was not customary , however , for a Grand Master to lecture upon Freemasonry , and many of them , no doubt , knew as much about it as he did . He had onl y to add that he hoped he might be spared some day to re-visit West Australia . It was not impossible , though it was improbable , that he might re-visit his Grand

Lodge and possibly seek a renewal from them of the high office they had conferred upon him . He did hope , at all events , to again visit Western Australia , and to again shake hands with many of his old friends among Freemasons . He thanked them for their kindness in the past , and desiring for them the best of all Masonic wishes he took of them an affectionate farewell . Other toasts followed .

His Excellency Sir Gerald Smith , the new Grand Master , is a Freemason o £ nearly a quarter of a century's standing , having been initiated in the Studholme Lodge , No . 1591 , London , on 4 th November 1880 . It may be interesting to recall the fact that H . R . H . the late Duke of Clarence , only a year prior to his untimely demise , had been , in accordance with ancient usage , elected the Permanent Master of this famous Metropolitan Lodgo .

Tho new Grand Master is also a member of the Studholme Royal Arch Chapter , to which he was admitted on 27 th March 1885 . On leaving England to assume the administration of the Government of this colony His Excellency was honoured by H . R . H . the Grand Master of England with the rank of Past Grand Warden . Since becoming a Freemason His Excellency has taken an active interest in all matters appertaining to the Craft . Some

years prior to leaving England his enthusiasm was rewarded by his election to the Worshipful Master ' s chair of his Mother Lodge , which in the case of the Studholme Lodge is a real distinction . It ia no matter of surprise that one so closely attached to Freemasonry , and so thoroughly alive to its distinguishing characteristics of loyalty and benevolence should throughout his residence have been so closely identified with the Order in Western Australia . Almost immediately upon his arrival

in the colony he became affiliated with St . George ' s Lodge , and later was one of tho Founders of the Military Lodge , of which he became the first Worshipful Master . On the retirement two years ago of Bro . J . A . Wrieht as District Grand Master His Excellency was nominated by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for the vacant post , in which he was installed on 20 th September 1898 . Whether , therefore , His Excellency ' s sojourn in Western Australia be long or brief he will at least leave behind him a Masonic example which , it may be hoped , will prove an inspiration to his successors .

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B y"y V" < 2 *> O M O O I HAROLD MACKENZIE SHERMAN , " LAST APPLICATION—Votes forward 2 , 324 . Son of the late WILLIAM HENRY SHEEMAN , Clerk and Steward to the Bucks County Asylum , Aylesbury , who died on the 6 th May 1894 , leaving a widow and three children totally unprovided for . He was W . M . of Buckingham Lodge , No . 591 , when he died . The case , which is strongly recommended by the W . M ., Officers , and Members of Lodge 591 , is really urgent , as owing to the bad state of the Mother ' s health she is at times quite unable to work . Proxies may be sent to the widow , MHS . SHEBMAN , 47 Lambeth Palace Road , ijondon , S . E . * Has a sister in the School at Clapham .

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KINGS HALL ROOMS , For Banquets , Balls , ana Concerts . HOLBORN RESTAURANT . ONE OF THE SIGHTS AND ONE OF THE COMFORTS OF LONDON .

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 : ME TE OPO LIT AN .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE , No . 1524 . THE regular meeting of this well known Metropolitan Lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , E . G ., on Thursday 29 th ult ., when Bro . James Bedford W . M . presided , and was supported by the following Officers Bros . H . R . Harding acting S . W ., Albert Smith J . W ., Fred Henderson S . D ., W . H . D . 'Willis J . D ., H . G . C . Hollinghurst I . G ., Wm . H . Brand P . M . Treasurer , Chas . Lorkin P . M . Secretary , J . B . Welch D . C .

There were also present Bros . E . J . Turnbull P . M ., E . Fnsby I . P . M ., W . T . Oakley P . M ., H . Pearse P . M ., W . W . Robinson Organist , C . J . Simmons-Jaques , and a goodly number of other members and visitors . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . Bros . Brockwell and Bland , after answering the usual questions , were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

Bros . Woffenden , Levy and Knight were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Messrs . 0 . Cross and Harry F . Strouts , the latter having been previously ballotted for , were initiated into tho mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry by the W . M ., who presented and explained the working tools , and delivered the charge .

Mr . Herbert Alex . Blow , a candidate for initiation ; and Bro . G . E . ' Bullock , as a re-joining member , were ballotted for and both unanimously approved of . The three degrees were given by the W . M . in his own inimitable manner .

It was announced by the W . M ., previous to tho closing of the Lodge , that an influential Committee had been organised to carry out the arrangements for a Ladies night , the proceeds of which would be given to the War Fund ; he trusted the members would all use a great effort to be present with their lady friends , to make the occasion a memorable success .

After the subsequent banquet the W . M ., in excellent style , gave the Queen and the Craft , and Bro . Frisby I . P . M . sang the National Anthem . The next toast to receive attention from the chair was that of the Most Worshipful Grand Master . Bro . W . T . Oakley rendered tbe song " God bless the Prince of Wales , " followed by the toast of the Grand Officers .

Bro . Edmund Frisby I . P . M ., in felicitous terms , and in his happiest vein , proposed the toast of the W . M ., to which Bro . James Bedford made an equally happy reply . As the W . M . is highly esteemed and held in the greatest respect by his fellow members the toast was received with great enthusiasm . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Initiates , which sentiment was heartily cheered and ably responded to .

Tho toast of the Visitors also elicited hearty recognition , as did the replies , the Duke of Connaught Lodge being noted for the enthusiastic style in which visitors are received and made welcome . The Treasurer and Secretary were next toasted , the W . M . complimenting those old and valued Officers . Bros . Brand P . M . and Lorkin P . M . met with capital receptions on rising to respond .

Another toast meeting with duo recognition was that of the Past Masters , and this remark also applies to that of the Officers of the Lodge . The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close " Auld Lang Syne " being sung with gusto . The programme of musio , & c . was under the direction of Bro . W . W .

Robinson Organist , and included Recitations : " The Spoken Word " and " Stage Struck " by Miss Alice Crouch , Songs : " There ' s a land " Bro . H . R . Harding Steward , " Jack's the Boy " Bro . E . Frisby I . P . M ., " Thos Atkins , Esq . " Bro . F . Henderson S . D ., " Another little patch of Red " Bro . W . W Robinson Organist , & o . Bro . R . T . Robinson ably accompanied .

ROYAL COM MEM ORATION LODGE , No . 1585 . THE election meeting was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Wednesday , 4 th inst ,, under the presidency of Bro . A . E . W . MacCamley W . M ., who was supported by Bros . Keene I . P . M ., Collick P . M . Treas ., Robinson P . M . Sec , Past Masters Coombe , Knight , Thomas and Cox ; together with over forty other Brethren .

There were four candidates on the agenda for initiation , and four for passing , and in each case three were present , the ceremonies of initiation and passing being respectively rendered by the W . M ., including the charge , in an impressive manner . The Bye-laws were read , and the principal Officers elected for the ensuing year , the choice of the Brethren falling on Bro . Barber S . W . for the dignity of Worshipful Master , while Bro . Collick P . M . was re-elected as Treasurer .

Other business having been disposed of the Lodge was closed , and the company sat down to banquet . At its conclusion the usual toasts were honoured . In proposing that of the Queen and the Craft the W . M ., himself an Irishman , referred in graceful