Installation Meetings, &C.

it , he derived a certain measure of credit and reputation for having written it , and from thafc period to the present , his only fear had been lest the time would ever come when too familiar an acquaintance with its pages might reveal npon what insecure foundation that reputation had been bnilt np . The W . M . was to be congratulated on having attained a position which would widen the sphere of his

influence . It had been said that the greatest benefactor of the human race was the man who caused two blades of corn to grow where only one had grown before . By a similar analogy the Masonio body ought to be very much obliged to the W . M . for having provided them with a second Craft journal . In all respects two papers were better than one , and greatly conduced to the affairs of tbe Craft being

impartially and adequately discussed . The FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE , with which the W . M . was so closely connected , was now a journal of established reputation , and the unbiassed tone of its articles , and the scrupulous fairness with which both sides of a question was held np to its readers , fully entitled it to the position it occupied as a faithful expositor and reflector of the opinions and requirements of the Craft .

The manner in whioh the installation ceremony had been performed that evening left in his ( Bro . Gould ' s ) opinion , nothing to be desired 5 and , in conclusion , he expressed his heartfelt wish thafc success and prosperity might always be associated v * ith the St . Michael ' s Lodge . Bro . Hentsch , in complimentary terms , proposed the health of the W . M . Ever since Bro . Morgan had joined the Lodge , he had

been most zealous in advancing its interests . The toast would be an acceptable one to one and all of its members , and he ( Bro . Hentsch ) had great pleasure in offering it for their acceptance . After a suitable reply from the W . M . the toast of the Visitors was given , and in calling over the names of those who were present , Bro . Morgan spoke in high terms of the qualities they severally possessed . In

response Bros . Beasley , Angus , Blasby , Matier , Gould , and Yolland addressed the Lodge . All expressed the pleasure it afforded them to attend the meeting , which had been conducted throughout most successfully . The Past Masters were next complimented , special reference being made to the success that had attended the Lodge during the year of the outgoing Master , and the installing Master

receiving a well-deserved meed of praise for the share he had taken in tbe proceedings of the day . Bro . Hentsch was the first to reply ; it was gratifying to him to know his efforts had been appreciated by the brethren j what had been said wifch regard to the financial position could bnt be satisfactory , both to him individually and to the brethren generally . Bro . Withers expressed his pleasure at the

recognition made of his services , and made some original and happy references to the events of the day , which met with the general approval of all assembled . The services of the Treasurer and Secretary were next dilated on . Brother Charles Greenwood gave a brief sketch of the Lodge and its antecedents , and referred to the brilliant luminaries of the Craft who bad been associated with

its history . He , after a membership of thirty years , confessed his interest was centred in its welfare . A Lodge that conld boast of having had on its muster roll such Craftsmen as Bros . Peter Gilkes , Stephen Barton Wilson , Blake , and many another good and sincere Mason , could bat have an interest for those who had been long associated with it . He was gratified to know that though the Lodge had

had its ups and downs ifc had never been in a more prosperous condition than now . He was pleased to see his friend the W . M . in the position he now occupied ; and congratulated him on having secured that position by considerate and persevering industry . Bro . Rad - oliffe , who next spoke , thanked the Worshipfnl Master for the kind things ho had said of him . He was intensely gratified afc the result

that had been achieved during the past year . He yielded to no one in the desire to promote the happiness and comfort of the brethren , and he trusted the new Master ' s year would be as prosperons as tbe one that had preceded ifc . With respect to the Stewardship he bad undertaken—to which tbe W . M . had already alluded , and wherein the Lodge had so liberally assisted him by placing ten guineas on his

list—he might say the brethren had been most liberal in their response , and he could now announce the contributions promised him reached a total of fifty guineas . This was satisfactory , but he might tell them he had not done yefc , and he trusted his list , would reach a much higher figure . He thanked one and all for the reception they had given to his name . For the

Wardens and other Officers Bros . Peirce , Martin , Crapper , and others replied . A special toast was next introduced—Health and Prosperity to Bro . J . A . Collings , Organist 1893 , who throughout the evening had kindly presided at the pianoforte . The W . M . stated that it had been decided to rely , for the entertainment of the brethren , on the musical abilities of the members of the Lodge and its Visitors . He thought all would agree with him that a success bad been

achieved , and that a most enjoyable evening had resulted . Some capital songs had been contributed , and all who had assisted in this regard felt their indebtedness to Bro . Collings . He ( the W . M . ) personally thanked Bro . Collings ; farther he was of opinion that that brother's musical ability would be exercised at many of our social gatherings yet to come . This compliment having been acknowledged , the Tyler gavo the parting toast .

NEW CROSS LODGE , No . 1559 . IT cannot fail to afford pleasure to all who have the welfare of Freemasonry at heart to know that at no period in its history

has so great an interest been felt by both Lodges and individual brethren , in reference to all that appertains thereto , than at the present . In the aggregate the Masters and those' holding other offices in the Lodges endeavour to make themselves conversant with

their respective duties , and , in addition , to become thoroughly acquainted with the letter and spirit of Freemasonry . This is as it should be , inasmuch as it is one thing to lie a F--ccma £ uu iu tame , aud another one in deed and in truth . The tone of Freemasonry has been of late years more decided . Those who have held office have felt the deep responsibility that roats upon thom , and therefore have cultivated

Installation Meetings, &C.

their faculties and made themselves " wise Master-workers . No one should undertake the dnties of any office in Lodge unless he starts with a full determination to discharge them fully and efficiently . Moreover , no one should consider himself perfect ; all are in need of fraternal advice . To stand aloof and to lightly esteem education has been the rock on which , unfortunately , too many have foundered in

times past . On Friday afternoon , the 8 th inst ., the installation of Bro . Henton , as Worshipfnl Master of tbe New Cross Lodge , took place at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich . This event had been ardently anticipated by a vast number of brethren in South London , for two reasons , namely , that this Lodge is becoming an exceedingly popular one , and that both the I . P . M . and the Master elect have made their

mark in Freemasonry . We do not intend to write the history of the New Cross Lodge , or refer to the changes it has undergone , this would be neither expedient nor instructive . We may , however , say the crosses it has borne have been removed , and now an impetus has been infused into it whereby a prosperous future can be safely predicted . In order that due importance should be given to the ceremony of

installation , an emergency meeting was held a few weeks since , whereat all the business thafc conld be done was effected , thus leaving fche night of installation open for that ceremony alone . The I . P . M . Bro . T . Grummant undertook fco instal his successor . The Lodge having been opened in due form , the duties of the afternoon commenced ; there was present at the Board of Installed Masters the

unusual number of twenty-one brethren . We give here tbe names of the Visitors : —W . M . ' s Bros . Addington 217 , Hamlyn 1622 , Vincent 1963 , Page 1475 , C . Claridge 1962 •P . M . ' s Bumstead 548 , Wriggles , worth 975 , T . Stephens 1475 , H . Vickery 1475 and 1622 , R . J . Voisey 1641 and 1963 , D . Channon 1475 , D . Rose 73 and 1622 , W . Binnie 209 , J . H . S . Reid 209 , S . Reays 917 , Neville Green 1962 ; F . Hilton

S . W . 1475 , A . S . Gandle J . W . 1599 , E . L . Smith J . W . 803 , C . R . Williams J . D . 72 , F . 0 . Harding J . D . 1460 , L . V . Walker J . D . 22 , J . J . Brinton J . W . 1329 , J . Baker S . W . 1329 , B . P . Rocco 1305 , J . Hooker 1681 , T . Scorborio 177 , W . Banbury 217 , T . O . Davis 1201 , P . Preston 1062 , W . Gowling 1962 , and C . F . Munday 859 . The ceremony was impressively performed , and afc its conclusion the W . M . proceeded to invest his Officers for the ensuing year , as follow : Bros . A . W . Sturdee S . W ., G . P . Berlini , J . W ., E . H . Thiellay P . M . Treasnrer , E . E . Smith P . M . Secretary , Carlo Grassi S . D ., F . W . Cash J . D ., A . Priest I . G ., V . 0 . Westall Organist , J . Graham M . C , H . Wild A . M . C ., G . E . Court W . S ., and C . N . North A . W . S .

After Lodge had been closed the brethren retired to the banquetting room to appease fche demands of appetite . On removal of the cloth the W . M . proposed in graceful terms the Queen and the Craffc ; the Most Worshipful the Grand Master his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; the Most Worshipful the Pro Grand Master the Right ; Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , fche Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand

Master the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Pasfc ; all of wbich toasts were pledged right loyally . The I . P . M . having had fche gavel entrusted to him , proceeded to propose fche health of the W . M . The brethren had looked forward to that day for a variety of reasons j he could congratulate the Lodge on having such a Master , who , he might remark , was the first initiate of

the Lodge , and had passed by regular gradation until he had reached the exalted position he now so ably filled . They knew that no one could have devoted more time , or exercised more ability in a Lodge than had their W . M . He was found in his proper place , willing and ready to carry out what would prove to be good to Freemasonry in general , and their Lodgo in particular . Thero were very many

brethren present , who could endorse all thafc be expressed , and all would unite with him in conveying to their W . M . their hearty good wishes , trusting that he might have health and happiness during his year of office , and every blessing from the Great Architect of the Universe . The W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , thanked Bro . Grummant P . M . for the kind expressions he had so unreservedly set

forth . He ( the W . M . ) , however , was not aware that he had by any effort of his own rendered such valuable service to the Lodge as had been asserted . At the same time he could not deny the fact that he had fell ; it his duty to do all in his power to become an efficient officer in the Lodge , and also to promote its interests . He had been a military man , and had worn the uniform of her

Majesty . He was now a Volunteer , and was proud to admit ; the fact . Perhaps what he had gleaned as a soldier had been of service to him as a Freemason , in respect to punctuality and attention . There had been able Masters in that Lodge whom he mighfc well imitate , bnfc whose qualities he did not for a moment anticipate he shonld approach in any respect . Ifc was a comfort for him to

know that he should have excellent Officers fco assist ; him in the discharge of his dnties , brethren npon whom lie could rely . In looking round he saw many present as visitors whom he much respectedmany of them he had known for years , and he tendered them a hearty welcome . It had been stated that he was the first initiate of the Lodge ; from that eventful hour until now the associations of his

initiation had been cherished in his memory . He thanked fchem for their kindly greeting . The W . M . then proceeded to propose the health of the Visitors ; some at great personal inconvenience had made an effort to be present . He enumerated the names , and made comments as he proceeded , which were judicious and apposite in every respect . Brother Brinton , in responding to the toasfc , observed

that the earth had revolved round the snn but a few times since he was privileged to bo a vieitor among them . On thafc occasion he had an opportunity of witnessing tho workings of the three degrees in the Lodge and , without any equivocation , he could assert ho had never seen the ritual so closely adhered to , or Officers more efficient . Nothing had been done in a perfunctory manner , and no

pains had been spared by every Officer to prove himself in all respects conversant with his work . Perhaps they would pardon him for remarking that after the labours of the evening to which he alluded , he expressed himself to the younger brethren in reference to thoir devoting as much time as possible to Freemasonry , so as to become more than Craftsmen . His advice had been accepted , and many had been the thanks he had received from those whom he addressed . He had