Confidence Lodge, No. 193.

Since he had occupied theohair , he had felt the responsibilities of the position , and he had found that if the work was to be done at all well , the heart must be in it . He had endeavoured to throw his whole heart into that work , and he hoped no brother wonld ever aspire to the chair unless he felt that Freemasonry was a reality . He thanked them right heartily for the cordial support they had given him since

his accession to the chair , and for the continued support which they had manifested that evening . In turn , he proposed the health of the Past Masters , who were a noble army—the backbone of the Lodge of Confidence . He was glad to see so many of them present on this occasion , and took the opportunity of thanking them for the very valuable assistance they had given him

during his term of office . Bro . F . B . Bonney said it was a pleasant duty to respond on behalf of the Past Masters of this Lodge , whose small services had been alluded to in snoh appreciative language by the Worshipful Master . He trusted Brother Smith might have a thoroughly good year in every respect , that success and harmony might reign supreme , and that he might have a goodly number of

recruits . Bros . B . D . Kershaw and H . T . Reed also responded , the latter observing that the Past Masters had done good suit and service to the Lodge in times past ; and he sincerely hoped they deserved the encomiums that had been passed upon by them by the W . Master . They were all anxious to do what they could to promote the welfare of the Lodge , which they held in the most profound regard .

Bro . Smith had struck a key-note when he referred to the reality of Freemasonry . If it were not real , it ought to be . It was real in one way , at all events , when they considered that in one year alone a sum exceeding £ 42 , 000 had been collected for the snpport of the three grand Masonio Institutions , of which they were all so justly proud . That was something real , and a very strong point to prove

the reality of the system . It was one thing for a man to say it was this , that , or the other , but when the brethren had put their hands into their pockets to the tune of nearly £ 50 , 000 in one year , that was a tangible sign of their active interest in the principles they professed . He hoped tbey would still further exemplify the reality of Freemasonry by taking it into their places of business , and

their homes ; by endeavouring to live in unity and brotherly love , and uprightness towards all men . The tenets of Freemasonry were very grand , inciting them to deeds suoh as made life noble and honourable—just and true in their dealings , and upright and true in every respect . They should remember that it was not sufficient to practice those precepts only in the Lodge-room ; they should take

Freemasonry with them into the world , and show that it was something more than a mere name . When they had learned the beautiful lessons imparted in the ritual , let them go outside and practise them . Bro . Fells added a few words , acknowledging the encomiums which had fallen from the lips of the WorBhipful Master , and which he trnsted the Past Masters might try and deserve . The

Worshipful Master , in proposing the Visitors , regretted they were so few in number that evening ; as they were always pleased to meet a goodly number of visitors , both in the Lodge-room and at the festive board . However , on behalf of the brethren of the Lodge of Confidence he extended to them a very hearty welcome . Bro . George Symmons P . M . could only say it was a great pleasnre to meet the

brethren of this Lodge , and he fully appreciated the expressions the Worshipful Master had used in proposing the toast . He was very pleased to visit an old Lodge like this , and was proud to see that Freemasonry was increasing and improving . They read some curious facts in the old Masonio records , and must admit that things were very different in the olden times to what they are in the

present day . Freemasonry had proved itself to be of a real and enduring nature , and its principles wonld be fully maintained until the end of time . Bro . H . Kemp also briefly acknowledged the compliment paid to the Visitors , and expressed the satisfaction it had afforded him at seeing such admirable working in the Lodge . The Worshipfnl Master next gave the health of the Officers of the Lodge ,

in doing which he prided himself that the Lodge of Confidence could boast of some of the best Officers he had ever known . They were up to their work in every particular , and he believed each had his heart thoroughly in Masonry . From the admirable manner in which they had discharged their duties that evening , he was satisfied that for years to come the Confidence Lodge bade fair to have the most

competent workers in the chair . Bro . Wood was extremely obliged for the manner in which the toast of the Officers of the Lodge had been proposed , and said it would be his endeavour , and that of every other Officer , to merit the flattering terms in which they had been spoken of that evening . They were comparatively young in Masonry , but they hoped the efforts they had already madeand

, which had been rewarded by their having been placed in the positions they respectively occupied , would be continned until they arrived at the goal which all Masons songht to reach at some stage of Masonic life—the governance of their Lodge for a short time . He was sore the example seb by those who had been in the chair , which Brother Smith filled with so much credit to himself and hononr to

the Lodge , left nothing to be desired on tbeir part ; and if they did not learn the lessons and repeat them faithfully , it would not be for wan t of competent instrnction afforded them . He might hope that * he accessory to the ordinary duties of a Master of a Lodge , which B rother Smith had carried to a successful issue , namely the representation of the Lodge at one of the Masonic Festivals , might be

earned out with equal , if not superior , Bitccess by every one who was invested with a collar . He considered the Charities attached to freemasonry were its distinguishing pride and the brightest jewel in its crown . A brother had referred to the enormous sum of £ 42 , 000 being raised for the snpport of these Institutions in one year ; it was indeed highly creditable to the Craft . These institutions

Reserved the snpport of every Mason , be his position what it might . the present time , when the value of money was decreasing , on account of tbe enormous amouut of luxury introduced into civilised ife during the last few years—for a man could at one time have ived upon a tithe of what was necessary now to koep up a respectable position in society—he said that to bo able to devote so large a

sum to the snpport of those who , by an unfortunate turn of the wheel had got upon the lowest spokes , who formerly occupied the highest , was the greatest credit to tho members of the Craft generelly , and it was an ample excuse , if indeed such were wanted for the existence of the brotherhood of Freemasonry that they did so much to help others who were in distress . But althongh these societies seemed to be

established on a safe and sound foundation , it was necessary that redonbled efforts should be employed if they would meet the claims that were made npon them . He was very sorry to find that among tho members of the Craft there shonld have been snoh a reverse of fortune that at the next election for the Benevolent Institution there were no fewer than 120 candidates , and only 57 vacancies , so that

two out of every three must necessarily be unsuccessful . He thought it would be to the advantage of the Craft if the funds were placed in such a position as twelve months ago was the case with the Girls ' School , when the Committee was enabled , without an election , to place every one of its candidates within the walls of that Institution . But old age was coming fast upon the brotherhood , and althongh

Freemasonry was well supported , it was unable to provide homes for all who songht its shelter , or to confer anuuities on those upon whom old age and distress had fallen prematurely , through no fault of their own , and who were placed in a position which compelled them reluctantly to seek the benefits of those Institutions whioh were provided by the bounty of the Craft . He hoped the example set by the Lodge

of supporting the Benevolent Institution this year wonld be followed by all the brethren , not only by standing as Stewards , but by con tributing to the lists of others , and so enabling the Institution to be placed in a still more secure position than it ooonpied at present . The Girls' School was the most fortunate , and the Boys' came next ; but the old men and women , into whose ranks they all must one day

come , though he hoped not as applicants for charity , were deserving of their warmest consideration . He hoped the G . A . O . T . U . would not call them till they had fulfilled their duty ; but while they were here let them do all they possibly could for the cause of Charity , so that Freemasonry might still hold its pre-eminent position amongst the benevolent institutions of the world . Bro . W . Cubitt in returning

thanks said he had been a member of the Lodge of Confidence for eleven years , and althongh hitherto he had no desire to take offioe , lately he had been most anxious to do so . It would be his most earnest study to work himself up in the various degrees , so that ween he at length reaohed the chair he might be able satisfactorily to discharge the duties of that high and responsible position . Bro .

W . Saint said no one could appreciate more than he did the assist , ance and attention he had received from the 'Officers of the Lodge , who had encouraged him to take the position he now held . He trusted he had so far profited by their instruction as to satisfy the brethren , for it was the association with the Officers and initiation into the working of Masonio duties that impelled him to nse every

exertion in his power to make himself a fit and proper person to fill the chair , should he ever attain to it . Bro . Nightingale endorsed the sentiments expressed by his brother Officers with regard to the Charities ; seeing the large number of deserving applicants for the benefits of the Institutions compared with the small number of vacancies , there ought to be an effort made to strengthen the hands

of the executive , and thus enable them to enlarge the sphere of their usefulness and beneficence . Bro . H . Morris also briefly acknowledged the compliment , aud the list was concluded with the Tyler ' s toast . The proceedings of the evening were enlivened with some excellent songs and recitations , amongst the latter of whioh "The Charge of the Light Brigade , " by Bro . Smither , was muoh appreciated .

Portsmouth Lodge, No. 487.

PORTSMOUTH LODGE , No . 487 .

THERE was a good muster of members of the ancient Craft on Thursday , the 9 th inst ., to witness th 9 Installation of the W . M . Bro . W . M . Outridge . The ceremony was ably and impressively performed by Bro . Palsgrave W . M . Subsequently the retiring W . M . Bro . R . W . Beale was presented by the W . M . on behalf of the Lodge , with a handsome P . M . ' s jewel , in token of the members *

appreciation of his valuable services to the Lodge , and of the able manner in which he had discharged his duties during his year of office . The W . M . appointed and invested his Officers as under : — Bros . R . W . Beale I . P . M ., H . P . Hoi ley S . W ., F . H . de Rheims J . W ., H . Treadingham Treasurer , J . Thackara Secretary , W . E . Bond

Assistant Secretary , Cowd S . D ., G . E , Cousena J . D ., W . Shotter I . G ., Meredith and Ray M . C . 's , G . Pearman Organist , G . Bevis and Hill Stewards . At the banquet , which was served by Brother W . Maybour , of Portsea , tbe usual toasts were given . Bro . R . J . Rastrick P . G . Treas . responded for the Prov . G . M . and his Officers .

St . Michael's Lodge , Ifo . 211 . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , at the Albion , Aldersgate Street , E . C , when there were present Bros . Fredk . J . Hentsch W . M ., W . W . Morgan S . W ., T . H . Peirce J . W ., Charles Greenwood P . G . S . B . P . M . Treasurer , W . Radcliffe P . M . Secretary , H . Martin S . D ., E . Thring J . D ., Thos . Crapper I . G ., A . Withers P . M . M . C , Alfred Green P . M . W . S ., E . L . Pembroke

Organist , and C . T . Speight Tyler . After the minntes of last meeting had been read and confirmed , Lodge was advanced , and Brothers Bennett , Lindfield and Goodall , candidates for raising , were examined and entrusted . These brethren then retired , and the Lodge was opened in tho third degree . The candidates were severally

readmitted , and raised to the sublime degree , the W . M . conducting the work iu an eminently satisfactory way . Lodge was closed iu the third aud second degrees , and other matters of business having received attention , was closed , aud the meeting adjourned till tho second Tuesday in April .