Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

—* o : — ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 . THE installation meeting of this Lodge was held at the Albion , Aldersgate Street , on Tuesday , the 13 th instant . Iu the absence , dnring the early part of the evening , of the Worshipful Master Brother Usher Back , Lodge was opened by Brother William Radoliffe P . M ., who was supported by Bros . Skinner as S . W ., F . J . Hentsch ( W . M . elect ) J . W ., Charles Greenwood P . M . P . G . S . B .

Treasurer , W . W . Morgan Secretary , T . H . Peirce S . D ., H . Martin J . D ., E . ThringI . G ., C . T . Speight Tyler . Amongst the Past Masters of the Lodge were Bros . Alfred Withers , Alfred Green , T . H . Lavers , T . T . Pyecroft , Dr . Waters ; while the Visitors were represented by Bros . John B . Stevens P . M . 1627 , C . J . Smith 1623 , Richard Wainwright 34 , J . T . Skinner W . M . 946 , A . Martin jun . S . W . 188 , C . F .

Luckhurst 1604 , J . Strugnell W . M . 1445 , Charles Greenwood junior Provincial Grand Secretary Surrey , E . Woodman S . D . 1950 , Edward Wharton 1706 , W . Hanson 1706 , J . R . Maples 176 , W . A . Cooper 250 , W . Hudson No . 1 S . C , Ac . After the minutes of last regular meeting had been read and confirmed , Brothers Frederick Trotman Bennett , Henry Lindfield , and Frederick James Goodall , were

examined as to their proficiency , and duly entrusted . These candidates having retired for preparation , Lodge was opened in the second degree , and on readmission the three brethren named above were passed , the ceremony being conducted by Bro . P . M . Radoliffe . Bro . Alfred Green had kindly undertaken the duties of Installing Master , and Bro . Radcliffe now vacated the chair in his favour .

Bro . T . H . Lavers presented the W . M . elect , who was regularly obligated . Lodge was advanced , a Board of Installed Masters opened , and the candidate was placed in the chair . On the readmission of the lay members , the new Master was saluted and the Officers were invested : —W . W . Morgan S . W ., T . H . Peirce J . W ., C . Green , wood P . M . Treasurer , William Radoliffe P . M . Sporetary , A . Withers

P . M . M . C , A . Green P . M . W . S ., H . Martin S . D ., E . Thring J . D ., Thos . Crapper I . G ., E . L . Pembroke Org ., C . T . Speight P . M . Tyler . In fulfilling this duty , Brother Hentsch is to be congratulated on having gone somewhat from the beaten path , the remarks he addressed to the several Officers in succession being both appropriate and complimentary . Brother Green then delivered tbe customary

addresses , and as we know of no brother who is more capable of undertaking any work in connection with a Lodge , or who performs it in a more self-possessed and yet unpretentious manner , it will readily be imagined that this part of the ceremony was as impressive as it could well be . The Past Master ' s jewel of the Lodge was presented to the retiring Master , Brother Usher Back , and in

pinning ifc on his breast , Brother Hentsch complimented his predecessor on the success which had attended him during his year of office , and expressed the hope that his ( Bro . Hentsch ' s ) presidency over the Lodge would prove as satisfactory . After a graceful acknowledgment from Bro . Back , the report of the Audit Committee was submitted , and showing , as it did , a balance of over

£ 18 in favour of tbe Lodge , we must congratulate the brethren on its sound and financial condition . The Standing Committee "of General Purposes was elected , the names of Bros . Bnrr and Pembroke being added to the list of members , and hearty good wishes having been expressed on all sides , Lodge was closed , and the brethren betook themselves to the banquet room , and after the labours of the

afternoon , partook with great zest of a menu worthy in all respects of the Albion ' s known reputation for providing richerchi dinners . The Loyal and Masonic toasts followed the removal of the cloth , and , as a matter of course , were greeted heartily , Brother C . Greenwood P . G . S . B . returning thanks for that of the Grand Oflicers . Ou Bro . Back as Immediate Past Master devolved the task of proposing the

health of the Worshipfnl Master who was to be congratulated on his attainment of that high position . Brother Hentsch had been initiated in the Lodge , and had done it excellent service in inferior offices , as well as in that of Warden , and they were fully justified , both from his past career and from the manner in which he had that day acquitted himself in his new position , iu expecting from him a

mosfc successful year of government , one that shonld be in all respects creditable to himself and beneficial to the Lodge . Here the even progress of events was interrupted by the welcome entrance of Brother the Lord Mayor , who had kindly promised to be present as soon as his engagements would permit , and who was accompanied by Bros . Ex-Sheriff Hutton P . G . D ., and Alderman Ex-SherifE Sir

Reginald Hanson . When the new comers had taken their seats , Brother Hentsch modestly returned thanks to Brother Back for the kindly manner in which he had proposed fche toasfc , and to the brethren present for the hearty reception they had accorded it , and he trusted he should be able to carry out the high dnties entrusted to him , so as to promote the honour and well-being of the Lodge . Bro .

Greenwood here rose for the purpose of proposing , as a special toast , the health of their distinguished Visitor Bro . the Lord Mayor , and , in congratulating his lordship on the able manner in which he had snpported the dignity of the City Mayoralty , and tho energy with which he had devoted himself to its many and arduous functions , gave utterance to the satisfaction that had been so generally felt in

all quarters at his lordship ' s health having been so far restored as to allow of his accepting the position of Lord Mayor for the current year . The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , who on rising was received with applause , said he hardly expected to have been so fortunate as to be called on to respond to a toast in this Lodge ; but after having spent a pleasant evening in another room of the establishment , with

the Burlington Lodge , and hearing that the members of the St . Michael were meeting on the same evening , he gladly accepted the kind invitation which had been sent to him , and was happy to be present amongst them . With respect to what had been stated by Bro . Charles Greenwood , the esteemed Grand Officer who had so kindl y proposed the toast , relative to the manner in whioh Free-

Installation Meetings, &C.

masonry was sustained at tho Mansion House , he observed thafc so long as he did that which was right , he might depend upon the cordial support and cooperation of tho whole of his fellow citizens . Brother Greenwood referred to the fact that Civic institutions were now passing through a period of peril , but for his own part he did not fear any great changes from the measures which had been foreshadowed :

Moreover , he did not deem it desirable , or even that it would be submitted to , that the municipal government of the City should be under the thumb of officialism at the West End . The Corporation shonld maintain its independence , and so long as its affairs were conducted as they had been , for centuries , he challenged the desirableness of any so-called reforms , suoh as had lately been discussed , and from

which he fully believed no practical good was likely to result . It waa for the benefit of society at largo that municipal institutions should be maintained in their integrity , and that the citizens should retain the management of their own affairs . He spoke to his brethren present not essentially as citizens of London , but as citizens of the world , and men who had the general progress of society at heart .

He alluded to the good suit and service rendered by the Corporation in insisting npon the thorough cleanliness of the public streets , and in sustaining the healthy condition of the City under their charge , duties fully recognised by them ; and also to the substantial improve , ments which had been made of recent years in the widening of streets and otherwise providing for the increased commercial

industries of the City . All those matters were duly held in mind by the Corporation , who studied every minute detail which conduced to the health and prosperity of the City . He hesitated to occupy too much of their time , but had been tempted to enlarge somewhat by the pertinent remarks which had fallen from the esteemed brother who had kindly proposed the toast . The way in which tha

City of London maintained its hospitalities was essentially Masonic in its character , and the principles of the Craft were practically illustrated and promulgated at the Mansion House . For the toast of the Visitors , whioh came next in the lisfc , Bros . Hutton and Alderman Hanson replied in felicitous terms , bufc

briefly . The services of Bro . Green as Installing Master that day , and of the Past Masters generally , received cordial recognition in the toast referring to them , while that of the Officers was replied to by Bros . W . W . Morgan S . W ., Peirce J . W ., and Radoliffe P . M . Secretary . The Tyler's toasfc concluded the proceedings of a very enjoyable day , and the brethren separated in harmony .

United Strength Lodge, No. 228.

UNITED STRENGTH LODGE , No . 228 .

THE annnal installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Greshamstreet , when there was a large attendance , under the presidency of the retiring Worshipful Master , Brother Alfred Henry Hickman , who was well supported by his Officers and brethren . Lodge was opened soon after four o ' clock , and the minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , the report of the audit committee , which

shewed the finances of the Lodge to be in a satisfactory condition , was unanimously adopted . Brother Henry William Alford , who had been selected by tho voice of the entire Lodge at the preceding meeting as W . M . elect was then presented , and in due form installed into the chair of K . S ., the ceremony being impressively and ably performed . Having been saluted with the customary

honours , the newly instill led Worshipful Master invested his Oflicers for the ensuing year , after which the ballot was opened for Mr John Ogilvie , of Plumstead , who had been proposed by Brother J . T . Ashby , and seconded by Brother Jennings . The voting was unanimously iu favour , and the candidate having been accepted , was duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the order . At the conclusion of the business the brethren and visitors repaired to

the throne-room of the hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided , and the customary Loyal and Masonio toasts were enthusiastically honoured . During the evening an admirable selection of vocal and instrumental music was given by Miss Berrie Stephens R . AM ., Madame Jenny Pratt , Brother 0 . A . White R . A . M ., and Brother Henry Prenton , efficient aid being lent by Brother Fountain Meen as accompanyisfc on the pianoforte .

St. Marylebone Lodge, No. 1305.

ST . MARYLEBONE LODGE , No . 1305 .

THE brethren of this flourishing Lodge assembled on the 14 th inst ., afc fche Langham Hotel , Portland-place , where there were present Bros . Phillips W . M ., White P . M . 177 S . W ., Mooflet J . W ., Chaplin P . M . Treasurer , Baker P . M . Secretary , Hill S . D ., Halliday J . D ., Smith I . G ., Drake W . S ., Kift Organist . P . M . ' s Bros . Fowler ,-Draper , Tyler , Ashwell , ancl a numerous assemblage of members and

the following visitors : —Bros . Baker P . M . 753 , Filtron 1365 , Osborne P . M . 177 , Emanuel 15 , Loibil 25 , Binct P . M . 179 , Wilson 1563 , H . M . Levy P . M . 188 . After full observance of preliminary requirements , Bros . Corliss , Barr , and Ashdown were passed to the second degree . Ballots were then taken for tho admission of Messrs . T . C .

Artaud , C . M . Woolf , A . J . Billing , and B . P . Rocco , who were duly initiated into the Order by the W . M ., in a faultless and impressive manner . The election of a W . M . for the ensuing twelve months was the next business , and Brother White S . W . P . M . 177 , was unanimously chosen . Brother Chaplin P . M . was re-elected Treasurer , and Brother Daly Tyler . Bros . Drake , Spurgin , and

Williams were appointed Auditors . The Committee of the Beuevo . lent Fund were re-elected , and a revision of the Bye-laws was decided upon , and authority given for the same . Bro . Fowler then proposed , and Bro . Williams seconded , that the usual Past Master ' s jewel be presented to the retiring W . M . —Brother Phillips—for the able manner iu which he had conducted the duties of his office . The Lodge was then closed until the second Wednesday in April . The