Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings tor insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings . We do npt sanction anyone attending Lodge meetings as our representative without a specific invitation .

CRAFT : METROPOLITAN .

Confidence Lodge , No . 19 3 . AT the regular meeting held on Monday , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street , there was , as usual , a large attendance of members and visitors . There was a full agenda of work , to deal with which the Lodge was called for four o ' clock , when Bro . Sidney W . Fells W . M . took his position as Worshipful Master , being supported by

Bros . Metcalfe Baillie S . W ., Geo . Bushell J . W ., John E . Fells P . M . Treasurer , J . Davey P . M . Secretary , W . Houghton S . D ., W . Hattersley J . D ., A . E . Green I . G ., L . G . Remhardt Tyler ; Past Masters J . M . Simeons , George Spice , Samuel Smithers , T . Kington , Francis Haynes , G . Nightingale , F . S . Plowright , E . Pennock

and others ; with Bros . J . Mears P . M . ( joining member ) , C . Way , J . Best , G . Kimber , C . Williams , W . Martin , J . Done , E . Dnvy , M . Madders , W . Osborne , T . J . White , H . Jones , J . Matthews , J . Staal , F . E . Fells , T . Goodchild , S . Forman , W . H . Johnson , J . C . Turner , R . C . Schnitzer , J . VV . Tisbury , and several others .

The visitors included Bros . S . J . Grigg 788 , R . E . Furguson 7 S 1 , A . E . Gell 902 , J . J . Vifield 902 , J . K . Pitt P . P . G . Std . Br ., Leonard G . Cook W . M . 1194 , E . Stratford 179 , C . Woodrow ( Preceptor of Woodrow Lodge ) P . M . 1708 , John Charrah 48 ( S . C . ) , W . H . Harris 172 S , & c .

The Lodge being formed Bro . J . Davey P . M . Secretary read the minutes . of last meeting , which were unanimously confirmed . The W . M . opened the Lodge to the second degree , when Bro . Alfred Scott Gell . who was initiated in' the Burgoyne Lodge , No .

902 , and passed in the Zodiac Lodge , No . 2615 was , by especial desire admitted to the Confidence Lodge to be raised to the third degree . Having answered the usual questions he was entrusted , after which the Lodge was advanced , and he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree and Bros . Evan Williams , J . J . Best , E . Matthews , and R . Tarbuck , who were initiated at the previous meeting , answered their questions in rotation , to the satisfaction of the W . M ., and were entrusted . Lodge was again opened in the second , and those Brethren were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft .

The W . M . again resumed the Lodge to the first degree , when the ballot was taken for Mr . Alfred Richard Bailly , who was proposed by Bro . J . W . Simeons I . P . M . and seconded by Bro . Geo . Bushell J . W . The result was unanimous in favour of the candidate , who , in due course had the pleasure of being initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . Great compliment is due to Bro . S . W . Fells W . M . for rendering the three ceremonies in a really faultless manner .

the notice of motion of Bro . John E . Fells P . M . Treasurer , seconded by Bro . E . Pennock P . M ., that sums of ten guineas each be voted from the Benevolent Fund to two widows of deceased members of the Lodge , was carried unanimously .

After other business concerning the Lodge had been disposed of , and the W . M . had received well earned good wishes from those present , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren retired to partake of an excellent dinner , Bro . Francis , as usual , looking after the comfort of the guests .

The customary toast list was honoured , that of the Initiate being responded to by the newly admitted Brother in a few well chosen words .

The visitors' toast was heartily received and responded to . As usual at this Lodge the musical arrangements were a specially ileasing feature .

********** St . Michael Lodge , No . 211 . A NEW era was commenced on Tuesday in the history of this ancient Lodge , when the Brethren met for the first time in their new home at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel . Bro . G . F . Johnson W . M . presided , and was supported by his Officers Bros . H . E .

Mullins S . W ., C . T . Pinnell J . W ., A . B . Spawforth P . M . Treasurer , William Radcliffe P . M . Secretary , James Loversecd J . D ., Philip King I . G ., Ernest J . Berry Organist . There were also present Bros . Orlton Cooper , George Cockerell , P . J . King , Ernest Collings , F . J . Berry Past Masters ; James Boyce , C . H . Owen , George Longworth . Also the following visitors : Bros . E . C . Mulvey P . G . P .

Eng ., G . A . Sturgess W . M . 5 ^ 8 , F . J . Burton P . M .. 16 72 , H . Warren W . M . 2090 , R . H . Williams P . M . 176 7 , J . S . Goldstein P . M . 2265 , George Best 196 5 , T . E . Roberts S . D . 1672 , P . H . Prior 12 S 7 , F . W . Badderley S . W . 2530 , J . Holland J . W . 615 , H . Bratt 1284 , Alfred Carter S . D . 2808 , J . H . Darby 1767 , James Jupp 2157 , S . P . Stranger 1247 , A - J- R - Gooderson 1997 E . J . Long 11 S 5 & x .

, , The Lodge having been formally opened and the minutes read and confirmed , the sanction of Grand Lodge to the change of the meeting place was read . The ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Mr . Edwin Frederick Ashelford as a candidate for Freemasonry , and Mr . Ashelford being in attendance was duly

admitted and rcsrularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the- Order . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Johnson in the perfect manner which is the rule in St . Michael ' s , he being ably assisted by the necessary Officers . Bro . George Longworth , who was raised at the last meeting ,

Reports Of Meetings.

received his certificate from Grand Lodge . There being no further business the visiting Brethren tendered their good wishes and the closing hymn was sung . The Brethren then adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent dinner was served by Bro . Janetski , the courteous manager of the Hotel .

The customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the chair , and received with enthusiasm , Brother E . C . Mulvey ¦ responding for the Officers of Grand Lodge . Bro . F . J . Berry I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ,., to which Bro . Johnson suitably replied , and then asked the company to drink success to St . Michael Lodge in its new home .

Bro . Orlton Cooper acknowledged the toast , and gave a brief history of the Lodge from its commencement in 179 s . The initiate was next complimented , and Bro . Ashelford •responded in a neat little speech of thanks for his admission into the Lodge .

Bro . Johnson then rose and said he had a most pleasant duty to fulfil , and that was to present to Bro . William Radcliffe , their energetic Secretary , an illuminated testimonial recording the 'appreciation of the members of his services during the past nineteen years . This read as follows :

St . Michael Lodge , No . 211 This testimonial , together with a silver tray and tea service , is presented to W . Bro . William Radcliffe P . M . by the Brethren of St . Michael ' s Lodge , No . 211 , to convey to him

the feeling of affectionate esteem in which he is held by them , to mark the high appreciation they entertain of the invaluable services he has rendered the Lodge as its Secretary for the past 19 years , ¦ and . to thank him for the interest he has always shown in promoting and benefiting the Craft in general .

The Brethren proy the Great Architect of the Universe that Bro . Radcliffe ma } ' long be spared to take an active part in the work of the Lodge , and thus further cement the good feeling and Brotherhood which should ever exist . Signed on behalf of the Brethren

G . F . Johnson W . M . Howard E . Mullins S . W . Charles J . Pinnell J . W . Arthur B . Spawforth Treas . November 12 th , 1001 .

He had further to ask Bro . Radcliffe ' s acceptance of a silver tea service and salver , which he hoped would remind him of the esteem and affection of the Brethren . The vellum was designed and executed by Bro . Ernest Collings P . M ., who is Herald Painter and Illuminator to the College of Arms , and is a handsome piece of work . The salver is 'also engraven with the crest of the Lodge , also designed by Bro . Collings .

Bro . Radcliffe , who on rising to reply was received with hearty and long continued applause , said the presentation had taken him completely bv surprise , as he had not the remotest idea that such a recognition of his humble services was contemplated . He could not

further express his feelings than to say that he had always endeavoured to perform his duties without fear or favour , and so long as the Great Architect of the Universe granted him health and strength he should work to maintain the dignity and prestige of St . AlichaeFs Lodge .

Bros . H . Warren and R . H . Williams ( Preceptor of the St . Michael Lodge of Instruction ) returned thanks for the Visitors ; and the Officers having been complimented this pleasant meeting was brought to a happy termination . During the evening an agreeable programme of music was

provided , songs being contributed by Bros . Longworth , Albert Collings , and Mr . F . Sca-rle . Bro . Spawforth exhibited his skill as a manipulator of the cards , and Mr . Eugen Meier gave some clever pieces on the violin . **********

Lodge of Asaph , No . 1319 . INSTALLATION OF BROTHER ALGERNON SYMS . THE annual meeting of this celebrated Lodge , in which drama and music are so strongly and worthily represented , was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday afternoon , 4 th inst . Proof of the interest taken in the proceedings by members and visitors was

Considerably more than a hundred Brethren were at the subsequent banquet at four o ' clock , and the total would have been much greater but for the inclement weather deterring many actors who had professional duties at a later hour . Bro . Algernon Syms , of course , presided , and among those near him were Bros . Harry Nichols , H . G . Danby , W . L . Barrett , Geoffrey Thorn , and the representative of the " Stage . "

The menu was interspersed with sentences from the ritual , whilst the programme of toasts and music was embellished with quotations from Shakespeare , Macaulay , Pope , and Scott . In felicitous terms the W . M . proposed the King and the Craft , the Most Worshipful the Grand Master H . R . H . Duke of Connaug ht , and the Grand Officers , to the latter of which Bro . James Weaver responded .

Then came the turn of the Worshipful Master to recen'e in the form of a toast the enthusiastically-expressed good wishes of the Brethren . Bro . James Mathews ' s speech was very neat , and so , too , was the reply of the W . M ., whose next oratorical task it was to propose the health of the Immediate Past Master , terminating with

evinced by a verv large attendance , despite the dense fog . Bro . James William Mathews W . M ., with an impressiveness and regard for the beautiful ritual that evoked the admiration of all present , installed as his successor Bro . Algernon Syms , who was very warmly congratulated .