Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Terry was in excellent form and made one of the most forcible speeches it has been our fortune to listen to on behalf of tbe cause he has so deeply at heart . The toast , he said , was a most comprehensive one , and was known and heartily responded to throughout the world wherever tho Craft was known . He then briefly reviewed the work being carried on by the two older Charity Funds of England—the Girls School and the Boys School—ard then , as senior Secretary of the three , he came to his own

Institution , the youngest of the trio . He was somewhat in a difficulty , for he had no examination results to point to as was the case with his colleagueshe could not say how many of the annuitants of the Benevolent Institution could pass the examination of the College of Preceptors , nor even estimate how many of them might win prizes in an athletic contest , but he could refer to them as men who , like themselves , had sat round the festive board as they did , and had in their time supported the Boys and Girls Institutions . For

old and infirm Freemasons there was nothing—other than the Workhouseto look to but the Benevolent Institution . The State was trying to solve the problem of old age pensions , but the Masons had already solved it so far as they were concerned , as was evidenced by the work now being carried on by their Benevolent Institution . But it was not only as a solace in old age that the Benevolent Institution was to be considered , it was a distinct incentive to longevity . He might mention a case : an aged Brother came to them

from Richmond , in Yorkshire , at the age of 82 , he contested two elections unsuccessfully and then , as there is a law of the Institution that any Brother over 80 , who has been unsuccessful at the poll , may be admitted forthwith , the Marquis of Ripon and others interested themselves in the case , and the old man was awarded an annuity , at the age of 84 , to soothe his closing days—but these did not come , as might have been expected , a few months afterwards , for he drew his pension for eighteen years , dying within

six weeks of 102 years of ago . He took 4720 from the Benevolent Institution , and what , it might be asked , a great advantage the Fund proved to him ? Afc his death his widow followed on for another six years , and just before her death wrote regretting her approaching end , because ofher " dear boy , " who , on his mother ' s death at once came on the Fund—at the age of 72—and his widow was still drawing an annuity from the Institution year by year . Altogether this family had drawn £ 1 , 500 from the Institution , and they

seemed to like it so much that they did not care to sever all association with it , and after all , the ability to give money away in such a manner was something for the Craft to be proud of . He hoped the Rothesay Lodge would always bear the Aged Fund in mind , and while they might give as much as they liked to the Boys and the Girls that they would never forget the fathers and mothers of the Craft . Bro . Terry referred to the different Stewardships promised by members of the Lodge , and said

there was ample time to do justice to all the Institutions . The Brethren should select the one they thought the most suitable , if they did not see their way to help all three . He then spoke of what the Rothesay Lodge had done in this direction since Bro . Valeriani had been its Secretary , hoped the Lodge would continue its prosperous career , and that it would be at all times a source of gratification to its members to know that the Lodge was ever ready to respond to any call made upon it .

The W . M . next submitted the toast of the Visitors , to whom he accorded a hearty welcome . He was pleased to see a much larger number of guests than was often the case , as it afforded evidence that the Lodge and its work were appreciated , else visitors would not come among them . He felt sure a hearty welcome would be accorded the guests on this occasion , and hoped those who were then present would make a point of coming to the Lodge again .

Bro . Marks W . M . 1563 was the first to respond . The example he had had set him in the Rothesay Lodge that evening he , a young Mason though Master of his Lodge , would never forget . The way in which the Charities had been supported there that evening had made what he hoped would be a lasting impression on his mind , and he had made a promise to endeavour to follow in the footsteps of the Past Masters and Wardens of the Rothesay Lodge on behalf of the Old People ' s Institution and the Charities generally .

Bro . Lane P . M . 1767 followed , paying a compliment to the I . P . M . who , he said , was a thoroughly good man . The Rothesay Lodge was certainly an honour to the Craft , and all must be proud to be associated with a Fraternity that numbered among it such a body of Brethren . Bros . Hale and Bade also replied . The W . M . now had great pleasure in proposing the health of the Installing Master . They had seen the manner in which their good Brother Clements had performed his duties in the Lodge that day , and had

witnessed the perfect way in which he had carried out the work of his high office during his year in the chair . He had very much pleasure in presenting to Bro . Clements , in the name of the members of the Lodge , a second memento that evening , in the form of a Past Master ' s jewel . What they had been able to present to him that day was something more than usually fell to the lot of even an Immediate Past Master , and he could but hope that when Bro . Clements looked upon either of the jewels he would remember the good work he had done in the Rothesay Lodge .

Bro . Clements returned his thanks . Whenever he decided to take up anything he always endeavoured to do his best , and such had been his course of action in connection with the Mastership of the Rothesay Lodge . If at any time in the future he could be of service to the Lodge he should be delighted . He thanked them most heartily for the two jewels presented him , and was pleased indeed to be the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge who had won the charity distinction ; while at the same time he hoped he had raised an incentive in the hearts of many others to do as he had done and earn a similar reward .

The Master said he had now to propose the toast of the backbone of the Rothesay Lodge—its Past Masters , including the Treasurer and Secretary . He had been honoured with the presence of a large number of Past Masters that night , many of whom he regretted , however , had beon obliged to leave . Bro . Valeriani replied , thanking the members most sincerely for their hearty response to the toast . He spoke of what the Lodge had done on behalf of the Charities , and said that when a Lodge such as theirs could do so much then Lodges that thought themselves very much better could also do it if they chose .

Bro . Shaw followed , speaking of his enthusiasm for the Lodge , which stimulated him to attend as often as possible . TM proposing the health of the Officers the W . M . said a captain directing hi- .-MI ;! without a good crew and good officers would be of no use , and so ifc was with the Master of a Lodge . There was not a single Officer in their

Lodge that night but had accepted his office in rotation , and fully deserved it . The two Wardens having replied , the Tyler ' s toast was given , aud the proceedings thus brought to a conclusion . The list of the Worshipful Master—as Steward for tho Boys—was well supported during the evening , the total promised being close on £ 50 , with every prospect of satisfactory increases before the time for closing it arrives .

Reports Of Meetings.

ST . AMBROSE LODGE , No . 1891 . THE election meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , at the well known old established Restaurant , the St . James ' s , Piccadilly , under the presidency of Bro . R . W . Jones W . M ., who was supported by the following : W . Hoggins I . P . M ., W . Ham S . W ., G . B . Spicer J . W ., P . P Terry P . M . Treas ., W . T . Bates P . M . Sec , Dr . Ivor Davis S . D ., G . May

J . D ., D . J . Norrington I . G ., F . Percy Burton Org ., F . W . Burton P . M . and A . E . Gadd Stewards , H . Evenden P . M . Tyler ; G . C . E . Gelardi , Stanley Leng , W . McCutcheon , A . Phelp , Fred . W . Leeks , H . J . Thwaites , J . 0 Conroy P . M . P . Z ., L . Lichtwitz P . M ., J . W . Brown , Ernest J . Rix , A Strufch , J . W . Morley P . M ., E . Willcox , and others ; while among fche visitors were Bros . F . W . Buxton P . M . 1891 2460 , T . B . Tipton J . D . 2550 , William Knight 276 ( S . C ) , A . Robinson 198 , A . Meeler 1366 , and Scott Roberts .

The Lodge having been regularly opened and the minutes and other preliminaries having been disposed of , Bro . G . C . E . Gelardi was passed to the degree of Fellow Craft , after which Mr . Arthur Lee and Mr . Henry William Roach were regularly initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry by the W . M ., who performed the work in an excellent manner , while his Officers rendered efficient assistance in their several posts .

On the ballot being taken for the election of the Officers for the ensuing year Bro . William Ham S . W . was unanimously chosen to fill the chair , and he will be installed at the next regular meeting of the Lodge , fixed for Monday , 7 fch December . Bro . P . P . Terry P . M . was unanimously re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . H . Evenden P . M . Tyler . Two new members were proposed , with a prospect of two others coming forward at an early date .

Other business having been disposed of , the Lodge was closed in due form , and the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where one of those excellent repasts for which the St . James ' s Restaurant is so highly renowned was awaiting them . At the conclusion of the dinner the usual Loyal toasts were given from tbe chair . In due course the I . P . M . proposed the health of the Master which was most haarfcilv received .

Replying , the W . M . thanked the proposer for his generous words , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a very enthusiastic manner . This was followed by the toast of the initiates , to which response was made in suitable terms . Afterwards the visitors were welcomed from the ohair , and received with a hearty toast , each acknowledging the compliment . The toasts of the I . P . M , and of the W . M .-elect were not forgotten , but were most heartily received and responded to .

The pleasure of the evening was greatly increased by the vocal efforts of several of the Brethren , amongst others by Brother Alfonzo Meo , and the Tyler ' s toast concluded a most successful and pleasant meeting .

STRAND LODGE , No . 1987 . THE annual festival of this popular Lodge , which now numbers nearly one hundred members , was held at tho Masonio Temple , at the Criterion , Regent Circus , W ., on the 8 fch inst ., with remarkable success . Bro . Walter Merrett W . M . presided , being assisted by his Officers , and the following Brethren : W . A . Scurrah P . G . S . Br ., Will E . Chapman A . G D . C W . Mason Stiles P . G . Treasurer , J . W . Gieve P . G . T . Hants and Isle of

Wight , C . F . Browne P . M . 81 P . P . G . S . B . Suffolk , F . Dangerfield P . M . 1260 , Walter Clifiord I . P . M . 2488 , J . H . Wildash P . M . 1662 , H . J . Clipperton P . M . 508 , J . A . Harrison W . M . 2488 , Walter J . W . Beard P . M . and Treasurer 2488 , B . KaufimannP . M . 1732 , J . H . Hawkins P . M . 2488 , James C . Frengley P . M . 245 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , John Foss J . W . 2488 , A . T . White 1670 , G . A . Fischer 1227 , Tom Fraser 2488 , H . Wharton Wells 206 , J . B . Hosker 2528 , L . W . Harris S . D . 2488 , G . A . Lansdowne 1328 , C March Denison 778 ,

Herbert Beadman 1228 , F . Williamson 1910 , Alfred Hills 2363 , B . A . Groves 172 , C . A . 0 . Hill 503 , 0 . 0 . Good 30 , W . J . Holmes J . W . 198 , T . Jefieries 1744 , C . W . West , Arthur H . Dabbs , J . Willing P . M ., J . N . Hare , E . N . Dale P . M ., F . Jackson P . M ., C . J . Taylor P . M ., E . Evans I . P . M ., W . D . Nott , R . L . Warner , W . G . W . Challioe , F . Burman , J . Williams , A . L . Gieve , A . Sparkes , H . A . Campbell , A . H . Westcott , L . E . Thurlow , W . E . Houghton , A . A . Wilson , J . T . Smith , W . J . Welch , R . 0 . Lees , F . H . Bowater , and many others .

After the Lodge was opened and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed , the first business was the installation of the Worshi pful Master for the ensuing year . Bro . William Singleton Hooper S . W ., having been elected to that high office , was presented by Bro . William Mason Stiles , and took the customary obligation . The Brethren having retired , a Board of

Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Hooper was duly installed into the chair according to ancient custom . His first official act was to invest Bro . Merrett as the I . P . M ., after which he was regularly proclaimed and saluted in the three degrees . Bro . Merrett conducted the ceremony and delivered the beautiful addresses in a manner that evoked the commendation of the Brethren .

Bro . Hooper appointed the following Officers , and gave the usual charges to each when they were invested : Bros . W . Harbert S . W ., W . Rapley J . W ., James Willing P . M . Treasurer ( re-elected ) , W . M . Stiles P . M . Secretary , G . P . Channing S . D ., J . E . Thomas J . D ., J . R . W . Soper I . G ., E . Lane Campbell D . C . and Assistant Secretary , J . N . Hare , J . T . Buston , T . Welhans , and J . T . Smith Stewards , and R . Whiting Tyler ( re-elected ) .

Ibe new Master quickly proved his proficiency in his position , by initiating five gentlemen into the privileges of the Order . There were eight candidates approved , but only Messrs . Joseph Weiner , Otto Liier , Charles Walter Snell , Charles Edward Bates Kibblewhite , q , nd T . V . Bowater were in attendance . The ceremony was ably and most impressively rendered , and it was quite evident that the Lodge will lose nothing of its prestige while under Bro . Hooper ' s direction .

A very handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . Merrett , in the name of the Brethren , by the W . M ., who said that no Master bad ever deserved it more . He hoped that the Lodge would long have the benefit of Bro . Merrett ' s experience and assistance . The recipient briefly expressed his thanks , and said the Brethren might always command his services whenever occasion required .

The Auditor ' s Report was received and adopted . Three members tendered their resignation on account of being unable to attend to the duties of the Lodge , and the same number of candidates were proposed forinifciafcion at" the next meeting . The new Master then received the hearty good wishes of the Visiting Brethren , and there being no further business , tbe Lodge was closed in due form , and the company adjourned to the banquet room , where a recherche repast was served .

The menu was of exquisite design and workmanship , and was adorned with the portraits of the Master and the two Wardens , and will doubtless be treasured as an interesting souvenir of the occasion .