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 : METEOPOLITAN . — : o : — STRONG MAN LODGE , No . 45 . THE annual meeting was held in the Masonio Temple , Holborn Restaurant , on Monday , 2 nd inst ., when there were present : —Bros . John Cuer W . M ., Wm . G . Mills I . P . M ., Tom Taylor S . W ., William Briggs J . W ., G . G . Symons P . M . Treasurer , Thomas J . Burgess Secretary , T . Ockelford S . D ., Edward J . Stafford J . D ., John Jenkinson I . G ., W . R . G . Emerson , and E . J .

Vidler Stewards , D . A . Langdon P . M ., E . H . Dove P . M ., Wm . E . Liddall P . M ., C . Cordingley P . M ., John Briggs , G . F . Ward , J . J . Berry , F . Bristow , John H . Selines , 0 . J . Brown , Geo . Smith , Arthur Smiley , E . Schneitter , Arthur Davies , Henry Durell , Edwin Thornicroft , C . Yates , A . G . Peckham , Philip Sharpe P . M . P . Prov . G . Std . Br ., W . Sammes , J . H . Grove , Bromley Hall , A . L . Guittard , M . Weiss , and E . Mallett P . M . Tyler .

The list of visitors included a very considerable number of Grand and Provincial rank . Among them were Bros . E . M . Money P . M . 23 P . A . G . D . C , E . E . Harding P . M . P . A . G . D . C , James Terry P . M . P . G . S . B ., J . R . Green P . M . P . Prov . G . S . D ., J . Dempster P . M . 441 Prov . G . P ., B . Chennell P . M . 88 P . Prov . G . S . W ., W . Purchas P . M . P . Prov . G . Stewd ., J . G . Cobb P . M . 2278 P . Prov . G . Std . Br ., 0 . E . Boughton Leigh P . M . 859 P . Prov . G . D . C , T . Steer S . D . 1287 , S . Barlet W . M . 2060 , Robert Brvant 2033 , Charles L . Voisey 1076 ,

Robert I . Voisey P . M . 1329 , H . Nowell 1732 , W . G . Weller 2550 , N . 0 . Crewe S . W . 2096 , A . D . Hawkins 1816 , G . 0 . Paine W . M . 1507 , W . G . Fentley 1687 , W . Keith S . W . 1997 , H . Wents 2402 , W . Scriven 1525 , R . H . Adie 859 , John Petch P . M . 2278 , Robert D . Cummings P . M . 2168 , W . J . Sampson 1716 , Wm . Briant W . M . 101 , A . H . Cole P . M . 1744 , T . Jefieries P . M . 1744 , F . Dixon 171 , W . G . Davenport 2396 , P . M . Becker S . W . 238 , H . R . Bromley Smith 877 , H . Thomson Lyon W . M . 2563 J

Bro . H . Smiley was raised to the third degree , and Bro . W . Brigg , M . A ., LL . M ., F . C . S ., F . R . A . S ., Junior Warden of the Lodge was afterwards installed in the chair of King Solomon . The Board of Installed Masters was a particularly strong one , numbering thirty . The W . M . invested the following Officers : —Bros . J . Cuer I . P . M ., T . 0 .

Taylor S . W ., T . Ockleford J . W ., G . G . Symons P . M . Treasurer , W . G . Mills P . M . Secretary , E . J . Stafford S . D ., T . J . Burgess J . D ., E . J . Vidler I . G ., D . A . Langdon P . M . D . C , Wm . Sammes Almoner , W . R . G . Emerson , G . Smith , E . Schneitter , H . Burvell , and F . Bristowe Stewards , J . Briggs , M . A ., Organist aud Assist . D . G ., E . Mallett P . M . Tyler .

The banquet was served in the Caledonian Salon , and the after proceedings were of a most enjoyable character , thanks to the genial presidency of the W . M ., good fellowship all round , and the assistance of the Westminster Glee Party with songs and glees , and F . Upton with smart stories and sensational novels . Bro . Emerson presided at the piano . The customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with fervour . Bro . E . M . Money P . M . 23 P . A . G . D . C . responded for the Grand Officers .

Brother G . G . Symons the oldest P . M ., in glowing terms proposed the W . M . Bro . James Terry P . M . P . G . S . B . and Bro . J . M . McLeod P . M . P . G . S . B ., with their customary eloquence , dilated on the work of the Charities , and Bro . T . J . Burgess responded for the Officers . Tbe evening was a brilliant success , testifying to the continued prosperity of this ancient and worthy Lodge .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . AN emergency meeting of this well known Lodge was held on Monday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , under the presidency of Bro . E . Penuock W . M ., who was supported by Bros . T . Kington I . P . M ., G . Spice S . W ., I . W . Simeons J . W ., B . Kershaw P . M . Treas ., E . Davey P . M . Sec , 0 . Ash acting D . C , S . W . Fells J . D ., M . Baillie I . G ., T . Whiffen A . D . C , E . H . Lough Organist , L . G . Reinhardt Tyler ; Past Masters S . Smither , E . F . Walesby , and others ; together with Bros . A . Scott , F . Richardson , G . Baker , M . Madders , C . Leopard , C . Way , G . Barlow , G . Aylett , VV . Rickell , & c .

Amongst the Visitors were Bros . A . J . Norris 569 , and J . Wynman . The Lodge being duly formed the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , whereupon Bro . C Leopard was presented as a candidate for passing , and was duly examined and obligated . Lodge was advanced to the second degree and that Brother was admitted as a Fellow Craft in regular order .

The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and the ballot was taken—with a unanimously favourable result—on behalf of Mr . E . Johnson , a candidate for initiation , who was subsequently admitted to a participation in the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . It is hardly necessary for us to allude to the way in which the ceremonies were rendered , as the perfect working of the Worshipful Master is well known ; suffice it to say , he excelled himself on this occasion .

Lodge was now closed , and the Brethren retired to the banquet room , where they enjoyed a very nice repast , and spent a pleasant evening in social intercourse . To the general regret of the Brethren the Worshipful Master—who has recently suffered a severe family bereavement—had to leave at the conclusion of the Lodge business , and handed over his gavel to Bro . T . Kington I . P . M ., who in due course submitted the customary toasts , those in honour of the Queen and the heads of the Order being heartily honoured .

Bro . Davey P . M . and Secretary of the Lodge had much pleasure in asking the Brethren to drink to the health of their Worshipful Master . They would have much preferred tbat Bro . Pennock bad been in his place at the head of the table , but knew the reason of his absence , and sincerely sympathised with him in his bereavement .

Bro . Kington I . P . M . acknowledged the toast . He was sorry he was acting as a substitute for their Worshipful Master , and in his absence felt he might truly thank Bro . Davey and the Brethren for their expressions of good feeling , while he was also convinced that anything Bro . Pennock could do for the welfare of their Lodge he would most cheerfully undertake .

Reports Of Meetings.

The health of the Initiate was next proposed , and he received a hearty reception from the company . Replying , Bro . Johnson hoped to be excused if he made any mistakes , as at present he knew no better . The solemn obligation he had taken tbat evening would never be effaced from his memory . He thanked them most sincerely for having accepted him as a Brother among tbem .

The acting W . M . proposed the health of the Visitors , feeling sure that if Bro . Pennock was present he would desire to give the guests of the evening the heartiest of welcomes . The Confidence Lodge was always pleased to see visitors . This being an emergency meeting they had but two on that occasion—he was pleased to see them , and hoped they would be present at future gatherings . The Visitors acknowledged the toast in suitable terms .

Bro . Kington now had much pleasure in toasting one of the oldest members of the Lodge , Bro . Rickell . That Brother had not been to the meetings of the Lodge for a very long time , but among their greatest delights was that of seeing the older members , and now that he had attended he felt he was expressing the feelings of the Brethren when he said he hoped they might see him more frequently , in good health , and for many years yet to come .

Bro . Rickell said he felt quite overcome by their kindness in thus drinking to his health . He felt very grateful in having recovered from his late severe illness , and trusted he should have the pleasure of being present at the Confidence Lodge for many years to come . He heartily thanked them . The toast of tho Past Masters was next submitted , the chairman referring to them a-- the stars of the Lodi ? e , who did everything in their power to make the Confidence one of the brightest Lodges in the metropolis . The toast met a hearty reception .

Bro . S . Smither said although he was the only Past Master responding to the toast it was known the oast rulers of the Lodge had its interests at heart . He had been absent but twice in fifteen years , and those omissions were on account of domestic affairs , otherwise he would have been there , because he looked forward with pleasure to each meeting as it came round . He was proud of being a Past Master of the Confidence Lodge , and ahould be most happy to render any assistance in his power to add to its prosperity , or to that of its members .

The W . M . was glad ot the opportunity of proposing the health of Bro . Edwin H . Lough Organist of the Lodge , to whom they were so much indebted for the able manner in whioh he always conducted the musical portion of the ceremonies . If it happened they were called upon to commence before his arrival the proceedings lacked that eclat which his musical ability

always infused into the ceremonies when he was present , while at the festive board he gave them the choicest of music , and so acted as to win their heartiest thanks . It would be very difficult to find a more accomplished Organist and Pianist than their Bro . Lough , to honour whom he now called upon the Brethren for a hearty bumper , an invitation that was cordially taken advantage of by the Brethren .

Bro . Lough , replying to the compliment , thanked the W . M . for his very kind remarks . He had spoken of the pleasure the Brethren received from his services—it was also a pleasure to him to render them , and to try to give satisfaction . What he did in their Lo . ige he undertook out of love for Freemasonry , and he hoped he should have many opportunities of exorcising his abilities on its behalf . The acting W . M . now had the pleasure of proposing the toast of the Officers , which was honoured in hearty style .

Bro . Davey Secretary had considerable gratification in informing the Brethren that the Confidence Lodge was in a very favourable condition . There was plenty of scope for further work in order to make it yet more flourishing . Bro . Spice S . W . tendered thanks , and strongly advised the Brethren to attend the Instruction Lodge associated with them , especially the younger members , who would thus become qualified for any position they might be called upon to occupy .

Bro . Simeons J . W . regarded it a pleasure to be called upon to acknowledge such kind remarks as had fallen from their President , with the evident approval of the Brethren . Referring to the Lodge of Instruction , which he urged the members to support , he said the meetings were now held at the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , where he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing the members of the Lodge on many occasions . The Lodge met every Wednesday , and provided the means of practice , which alone made perfect in the ritual of the Order .

Other of the Officers followed on , tendering thanks for their reception , and then the Tyler gave the concluding sentiment of the evening . Before parting , the acting Worshipful Master thanked the Brethren who had contributed to the harmony of the evening with song and recitation . These included Bros . Davey , Spice , S . W . Fells , Rickett , Simeons , Madders , Whifien , and May , while special acknowledgment fell to Bro . Lough for his services at the piano and for some excellent songs . Bro . S . Smither P . M . recited Eliza Cook ' s " Heart ' s Charity " in fine form .

SAMSON LODGE , No . 1668 . THE annual installation festival of this flourishing Lodge , which now numbers over sixty members , took place on Tuesday , at the Regent Masonic Hall , Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., with considerable success . Bro . George Levin the outgoing Master presided for the last time during his year of office , and was supported by his Officers , with Past Masters Baron D . Barnett , B . Field , J . W . Nash , A . F . Casperd , Emil Hahn , H . Fuld , and tbe

following members : Leon Rolfe , A . Cohen , W . Smith , A . H . Marks , 0 . D . Mitchell , M . Weinberg , A . Tibbetts , A . Berliner , Ralph Hickman , J . Silverstone , J . Kapp , John Hurlstone , M . Tom , L . Ginsberg , E . J . Potter , J . Hill , E . L . Paul , W . 0 . Tanner , W . Medland , C . J . Wright , L . Lewis , R . H . Palmer , Wm . Groves , N . J . Nathan , Harrison Brockbank , O . T . Lamble , Albert Clark .

The Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes of the last regular meeting , and of an emergency meeting of the 3 rd inst ., were read and confirmed . Tho ballot was then taken for the following gentlemen , as candidates for initiation : William Grove , Joseph Nathan Kopelansky , and Hermann Strauss , who were duly approved and , being in attendance , were admitted and regularly inducted into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . The ceremony was very ably performed by Bro . Levin .

The Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . John Dawson Hood the W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . P . M . Casperd , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations . The Brethren retired , and a Board of Installed Masters was formed , presided over by Bro . Baron D . Barnett , who performed the installation ceremony and placed Bro . Hood in the chair in accordance with the old traditions . Bro . Levin was invested as I . P . M .