Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 . THE installation meeting took place on Tuesday , at the Albion , Aldersgate-street . In the absence ( during the earlier portion of the proceedings ) of tho W . M ., Bro . Dr . Waters , the chair was taken by the I . P . M . Bro . W . Radcliffe , who was supported by the Officers and a fair proportion of the members . Amongst the Visitors were Bros . G . King P . M . 172 . Levy P . M . 188 , Thos . Hewett I . G . 1773 , G . J . Dnnkley P . G . O . Middlesex , C Greenwood P . P . G . R . Surrey ,

H . Dale 902 , J . W . Morley 1891 , Frederick Binckes P . M . P . P . G . S ., H . W . Pink 1593 , A . Merrett 128 N . Y ., Glynes 1024 , W . H . Rohrs W . M . 946 . Lodge was opened punctually at four o ' clock , when , after the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . Percy John Burr , who was proposed by Bro . H . Martin I . G ., seconded by Bro . Radcliffe I . P . M . ; for Mr . William G . Aires ,

proposed by Bro . Henry Martin I . G ., seconded by Bro . Alfred Withers P . M . ; and for Mr . William Adams , proposed by Bro . George Parsons P . M ., seconded by Bro . Henry Martin . The result was unanimoUB in favour of the candidates , and eaoh was separately introduced , and initiated by the acting Worshipfnl Master , who ably and impressively conducted tho ceremonies . The next business

that came before the Lodge was to ascertain whether Bro . Creft , a candidate for the sublime degree , had made such progress as warranted his preferment . Bro . Creft sustained his claim , and in due course was entrusted and . raised ; this ceremony being conducted by Bro . Radcliffe in a manner that fully realised the expectations of those who had listened to him whilst he was perform .

mg the ceremonies of tbe first degree . Bro . Alfred Withers , another enthusiastic worker in the St . Michael ' s Lodge , had kindly undertaken the duties of Installing Officer , and he fully shared the honours with Bro . Radcliffe , who , we may state here , was the immediate follower of Bro . Withers in the various offices in the Lodge . The Officers were invested as follows : —Bros . W . E . Young S . W ., F . J . Hentsch J . W .,

C Greenwood P . M . P . G . S . B . Treasurer , W . W . Morgan Secretary , T . H . Peirce S . D ., H . Martin J . D ., E . Thring I . G ., A . Withers P . M . M . C , C . T . Speight Tyler . The concluding addresses were now ably delivered by Bro . Withers , who took his seat amidst hearty congratulations . The report of the Auditors was adopted , and ordered to be recorded on the minntes . An appeal from a distressed brother was

then brought under notice , and £ 2 2 s was voted to him from the Lodge funds . A proposition for a joining member was handed in , and after routine work Lodge was closed . The banquet was served with all tbe regard to details that so characterises the Albion , Bro . Jennings personally superintending . On the removal of the cloth , grace was sung and the Loyal toasts were done ample justice

to . With the toast of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers was associated the name of the respected Treasurer of St . Miohael ' s Lodge , Bro . C . Greenwood P . G . S . B ., who gracefully acknowledged the compliment paid him . Dr . Waters , the I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M . He and Bro . Back had steadily advanced side by side through the several

offices of the Lodge , and he ( Bro . Waters ) was assured that Brother Back would worthily maintain the prestige of the Lodge . In reply the W . M . remarked that he had hardly won bis spnrs , and he could Bcarcely be expected to exhibit so much aptitude for his duties as the well trained warriors who had preceded him . However , bis heart was in his Work , and when he had a little more experience he trusted to

be able to carry out his duties satisfactorily . He thanked one and all for the reception they had given the toast . The next toast the W . M . had the pleasure to introduce was that of the Initiates . Taking cognisance of the day , he might say there had been a very happy alliance between the gentle St . Valentine and the stalwart St . Michael . This alliance had already brought forth fruit , which he might describe as a

Unity in Trinity , which he trusted would eventually prove a Trinity in Unity . He congratulated the three Initiates on their having joined a Lodge which could boast such a record of worthy Craftsmen who had distinguished themselves under its banner , and he felt satisfied they would never have cause to regret the step they had taken . The initiates having replied , with the toast of the Past Masters

was associated the name of Dr . Waters , to whom was presented the P . M . 's jewel of the Lodge . Bro . Waters in reply said he had done the best he could to carry out the duties of the chair , but he had had his desires heavily interfered with by the pressing professional demands on his time . With the Visitors was associated the name of Bro . Gen . Merrett , of New York , who assured the members he

hardly felt entitled to the warm greeting that had been accorded him . However , when be recognized that in Masonry there was no distinction of nationality or race , he was enabled to find a key to solve the mystery . Brother Merrett referred to the hearty greeting vouchsafed by tbe American nation to the M . W . the Grand Master , His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , when he visited the States .

This might be taken as an earnest of tho good feeling that it was desirable should be maintained between the two countries . The General then made some happy allusions to tho mutual advantages to be derived from the encouragement of emigration , which must eventually tend to promote more unity with the mother conntry . In cjnclnsion , he again thanked them , on behalf of the

Visitors , for the hospitality they had enjoyed . In replying to the toast of tbe Charities , Bro . Binckesmnde a forcible appeal , pleading the heavy calls made on the executive of each of the Institutions . He thanked the brethren of St . Michaels for the services thoy had rendered in the past , and felt he might rely on them for a continuance of their

consideration for the claims of their distressed brethren in the future . We may remark here that the W . M . signified his intention to act as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of the Masonic Boys ' School , and to his appeal for support a liberal response was made . After some other toasts the proceedings of a pleasant evening were brought to a close . Some capital singing enlivened the proceedings

Installation Meetings, &C.

during the evening , Bros . Winn , Dalzell , Hanson , and Hodges being the artists engaged . We congratulate Bro . Usher Back on his commencing the duties of office under such favourable auspices .

FRIENDSHIP LODGE , No . 928 .

THE installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , at the Masonic Hall , Petersfield . Bro . Bnrley was installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Pierson the retiring W . M . Bro . Bnrley invested as his Officers Bros . Pierson I . P . M ., Woodhouse S . W ., Swan J . W ., Edgeley Sec . and Treas . Naylor S . D ., Smoker J . D ., Pocock I . G ., Wright S . S ., Hammond J . S .,

Cole D . C , Melis A . D . C , Knight Tyler . The installation ceremony over , an adjournment was made to the Red Lion , where a banquet was served in capital style by Host Pay . The Visitors included Bros .

G . P . Arnold W . M . 1428 , J . Brickwood W . M . 342 , and J . A . Elverston W . M . 804 . In lieu of tbe usual Loyal and Masonic toasts , of whioh anoient custom the W . M . expressed his disapproval , sentiments were duly given and responded to , and a very pleasant evening waa spent .

THE GREAT CITY LODGE . No . 1426 .

THE monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on 11 th Feb ., afc the Cannon-street Hotel . Bros . 0 . Taylor W . M ., W . Z . Kibble S . W ., F . T . C Keeble J . W ., Cook S . D ., R . Fendick J . D ., W . F . Potter I . G ., Headon P . M . and Treasurer , G . Blackie P . M . and Secretary , and the following Visitors : —Bros . Buoknall P . M . 135 , Chagwin 1815 , Goffin 1572 , Baker 1708 , Thompson 1580 , Taylor 1765 , Hay 1708 , Davis 63 United States , Lawrence 1802 . The usual preliminaries having been

gone through , and the minutes read and confirmed , Bro . Brookman was passed to the second degree . Some propositions having been made , the Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Pillar Room for refreshment . At the close of the repast , the W . M . gave the uBual Loyal and Masonio toasts . Bro . Hamer I . P . M . said he was once more in possession of the emblem of power , and the use he

should make of it would be to propose the health of Bro . 0 . Taylor W . M . It would ill become him to say all he could of the W . M . in his presence ; he should simply confine himself to giving the toast , hoping that prosperity and success might attend him . The W . M ., in responding , thanked Bro . Hamer for the kind manner in which he had proposed his health , and also the brethren for the

manner in whioh they had received it . He could assure them that he felt he did not deserve the compliment , bnt simply , as a member of the Lodge , he took it as a great honour conferred upon him . He also felt that he was very far from coming np to the point he desired to attain in discharging the duties of the Lodge . Circumstances had lately occurred , over which he had no control ,

that prevented him filling his position in the Lodge in the manner he wished to do ; but having put his hand to tbe plough , he did not think of looking back and resigning , but to do his best in the position in which they had been pleased to place him . He had done his best , and with a feeling and strong desire to do as well as others had done before him , and hoped that his successor would have a more

prosperous year than he had had . He said he was obliged to them for the kind manner in which they drank his health , and he shonld ever remember with feelings of pride that be had passed though the chair of The Great City Lodge . The W . M . nest gave the Visitors , and said that ever since the formation of the Lodge they had always been honoured with a goodly number of Visitors , and hoped they always

should be ; he gave them a hearty welcome . Bro . Goffin returned thanks , and remarked that name of the Lodge made it incumbent upon them to maintain its greatness as connected with the greatest city in the world . Having heard their minutes read that night he found these set forth the great feature of Freemasonry , for they had given assistance to the old men and women , and also to a

brother who , since then , had been removed to the Grand Lodge above . Without Charity what would Masonry be ? Without it it would be nothing . He was pleased with the discipline and working of the Lodge , and although he had visited a number of Lodges , he had never enjoyed himself more than he had done on the present occasion , and he believed that the other Visitors had done the same .

The W . M . next gave the Past Masters of the Lodge , for which they severally responded . The toast of the Treasurer and Secretary came next , Bro . Taylor complimenting both these brethren on the very able manner in which they discharged the duties of the Lodge . Brother Headon , the Treasurer , in responding said , that the Treasurer appeared to be something like a double-barrelled

gun , for having discharged one barrel in returning thanks as Past Master he had afterwards to shoot off another as Treasurer . He might say that so long as they were pleased to approve of him as their Treasurer , so long he should be pleased to respond to tbe toast . As Treasurer ho was sometimes placed in a difficult position , for it was as difficult to make bricks without straw as it was to

advise the W . M . to order a banquet without having the money to pay for it . He urged that charity was tho foundation of Freemasonry ; this they endeavoured to carry out iu tho Lodge , for they put aside 5 per cent of all their receipts in the cause of charity . That fnrid had gone on increasing from time to time , enabling the Lodge to provide for all wants , and give something to the Masonic Institutions . At the

same time he thought they ought to meet together at tbe fe 3 tive board , for unless thoy did so they had little opportunity of enjoyment with each other . Whilst ho was on his legs he wished to call attention to another matter . Bro . Stevens was always puzzling himself to do his best for the Craft , and he was now doing something which

must be interesting to all who wished to become good workers in it . He had lately delivered a very interesting lecture to the members of The Great City Lodge of Instruction , explanatory of the first degree , and that lecture he was about to repeat afc the Chancer Lodge of Instruction , which would meet afc the Grapes Tavern , St . Thomas-