Notices Of Meetings.

Preceptor , and a small Committee waa formed , with Bro . Kilvington as Secretary , and himself as Treasurer , to carry out this suggestion . Bro . J . S . Streeter P . P . G . R . Surrey ancl P . M . No . 463 , said that the object of his rising was to second and edorse everything which had fallen from Bro . Eidpath , and that although this Lodge

was known as No . 463 , many members of other Lodges took advantage of it to learn fcheir duties , and when Brother Hobbs undertook fche office of Preceptor he had no easy task before him , knowing full well how much time he must devote fco the work . All knew how well and ably Bro . Hobbs had dono the

work . At all times , and in all weathers , his attendance had bean constant , and all fche brethren must appreciate this and the timo and trouble Bro . Hobbs has given to his duties . This had been recognised by the D . P . G . M . in charge of the Province . Addressing Bro . Hobbs , Bro . Streeter continued—you have dono your duty in a

most unflinching manner , and conferred great and lasting benefits on Masons ; you have made this Lodge of Instruction a most popular institution , you have created Masons of high order , and the good you have done is incalculable . We appreciate the hearty good will with

whioh you h we acted as Preceptor . May you live long to act in thafc capacity . I have greafc pleasure in asking you fco accept this vellum , and I call upon Bro . Kilvington to read the inscription ou it ; also this gold pencil case . Bro . Kilvington then read the inscription on the vellum , as follows : —

" Presented to Bro . H . M . Hobbs , P . G . J . W . Surrey , by the brethren of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord , No . 463 , Lodge of Instruction , together with a gold pencil case , aa a taken of their esteem and in recognition of his past services , and ability and assiduous attention displayed by him for several years pasfc in his capacity of Preceptor

to the Lodge . Afc the same time they tender him their cordial wishes for his prosperity and welfare , and further thafc he may continue for many years to come to hold that office , which he has hitherto filled with such oredib to himself and advantage to the brethren attending these meetings . "

The names of fche subscribing members were engrossed on fche vellum , headed by that of Bro . Fred . Wesfc Depufcy Provincial Grand Master , in charge of the Province . A letter was read from Bro . West regretting his abseuco . Bro . Hobb ? , in accepting the testimonial , said , " This work waa first thought of in my absence , and it shows

that when yonr Preceptor is away yon do not confine your attention fco Masonic work . Sometimes < n a Preceptor relinquishing office a similar presentation is macl p , but I hops in this case you do nofc mean ifc as goodbye , JV * I do I have some years of work before me , and I shall feel it an bono , i- a ..., ! a privilege to officiate here as

Preceptor , and I trust I urw / MVO health and strength to perform my duties . If anything could add to tho pleasure I feel in accepting these marks of your esteem it wi - . « l . l be from the fact thafc Brothers Streeter , Ridpath , ancl Kilvh '^ tun are so intimately connected wifch ifc . Bro . Streeter was quite right when he said that my work here

had been noticed in high quarters . I was some time since appointed Provincial Grand Junior Deacon , and lasfc year , the Depufcy Prov . Grand Master in investing me , commented on my duties here . I accept your gilts , ancl feel sure that they will remind me of many happy hours spent among you . The attendance has been numerous

during this session , aud ib must be gratifying to our Secretary , Bro . Fox Hawos , to see thafc the care he gives to his work is so much appreciated . I note also that nearly all the names on the vellum are either Pasfc Masters or Officers of their respective Lodges . " Brother Edridge proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Streeter , and this was

seconded by Bro . Fenn VV . M . 538 , and carried . Bro . Streeter briefly acknowledged fche compliment ; . With a vote of thanks fco the Com . mittee the proceedings closed . Lodge was closed , and adjourned

until the 3 rd September 1889 . Afterwards a meeting was held of fche Old England Masonic Benevolent Fund . Thero were two ballots for Life Governorships ; these resulted iu favour of Bros . Edridgeand Fox Hawes .

Ranelagh Lodge of Instruction , No . 834 . —A meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , the 6 th inst ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Queen-streefc , Hammersmith . Present : —Bros . VV . W . Williams VV . M ., Craggs S . W ., Coat J . W ., Sims P . M . Preceptor , Long Secretary , A . Williams S . D ., Fox J . D ., Cummings I . G ., Stroud and Davis . The

Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Davies the candidate . Bro . Cummings having given proof of his proficiency , waa entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , ancl the ceremony rehearsed . The W . M . having risen ,

Bro . Craggs was elected VV . M . for the next meeting . Bros . A . Williams and D . S . Long were re-elected Treasnrer and Secretary respectively , and a vote of thxuks was recorded on the minutes f' -v the efficient services rendered in the past . Bros . Coat , Davies , and Craggs were elected auditors . The Lodge was then closed .

Kensington Lodge of Instruction , No . 1767 . —A meet . ing was held on Tuesday , tlie 6 th instant , ab the Scarsdale Arms , Edwardes-sqnare , IOnxinj _ 'on . Brothers Dresden-Worshipful Blaster , Turner Senior Warden , Woods Junior Warden , R . H . Williams Treasnrer , Hubbard Secretary , Turner S . D ., Marsh J . D ., If itt T . G ..

Head Preceptor , Sims , Stroud , A . Williams , Haynes , Robinson , Sidders , Betts , Swann , Craggs , Neville , Boyce and Fayers . Lodge was opened in due form , ancl the minutes of the last meeting were rend aud confirmed . Tho VV . M . vacated the chair in favour ol Bro . Keene , and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Swann

being candidate . The questions leading to the second degree wer * answered by Bro . Turner , for tbe benefit of B'os . Haynes , Boyce , and Robinson . The fust and second sections of the lecture were worked by the Preceptor , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Hobbarri was elected W . M . for tho next meeting , and the Officers were appointed in rotation . Lodge was then closed .

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The Old Twelve Points.

THE OLD TWELVE POINTS .

PRIOR to 1813 these lectures contained fche following passage " There are in Freemasonry twelve original points whioh form fche basis of fche system and comprehend fche whole ceremony of initiation . Without the existence of these points no man ever waa or can be legally or essentially received into the Order . Every

person who is made a Mason must go through these twelve forms and ceremonies , nofc only in the First Degree , bub every subsequent one . " This form was abolished in 1845 by fche decree of fche United Lodge of England and was never introduced into thia country . The ceremony of initiation under this system waa divided into twelve

parts in allusion to the twelve tribes of Israel , to each of whioh one of the , poiufca vvas referred in fche following manner : 1 . The opening of fche Lodge was symbolised by the tribe of Reuben , because Reuben was fche first born of his father , Jacob , who called him " the beginning of his strength . " He was therefore

appropriately adopted as fche emblem of that ceremony whioh is essentially the beginning of every initiation . 2 . The preparation of fche candidate was symbolised by the tribe of Simeon , because Simeon prepared the instruments for the slaughter of the Sheohemites , and that part of the ceremony which

relates to offensive weapons was used as a token of our abhorrence for the cruelty exercised on that occasion . 3 . The report of fche Senior Deacon referred to the tribe of Levi , because of the slaughter of the Shechemites , Levi was supposed to have made a signal or report to Simeon , hia brother , with whom he waa

engaged in attacking these unhappy people while unprepared for defence . 4 . The entrance of fche candidates into the Lodge was symbolised by the tribe of Judah , because they were fche first to cross tbe Jordan and enter the promised land , coming from the darkness and

servitude , as ifc were , out of fche wilderness into fche light and liberty of Canaan . 5 . The prayer was symbolised by the tribe of Zebulon , iu preference to his brother , Issachar . 6 . The circumambulation referred to fche tribe of Issachar , because

as a thriftless and indolent tribe , they required a leader to advanon them to an equal elevation with the other tribes . 7 . Advancing to the altar was symbolised by fche tribe of D » n . to teach ns by contrast fchafc we should advance to truth and holiness ns fchafc tribe advanced to idolatry , among whom thq golden serpent .

was first set op to receive adoration . 8 . The obligation referred to fche tribe of Gad , in allusion to the solemn vow which was made by Jephthab , Jadge of Israel , who was of that tribe . 9 . The instructing of tha candidate with the mysteries was

symbolised by fche tribe of Asher , because h-i waa th < "u p esented with fche rich fruits of Masonic knowledge , as Aihor was said ' o be the inheritor of fatness and royal dainties . 10 . The investment of the lambskin , by which the candidate ia

declared free , referred to the tribe of Nvphuli , which was invented by Moses with a peculiar freedom , when he said , " 0 ! Nuphtili , satisfied with the blessing of the Lord , possess thou the VVest and the South . "

11 . The ceremony of the norfch-eastcorner of the Lodge re ^ r ed to Joseph , because as this ceremony reminds us of the moat supernViil part of Masonry , so the two half tribes of Ephraim and Manessah , of which tbe fcribo of Joseph was composed , were accounted to be more superficial than the rest , as fchey were the descendants of the grandsons only of Jacob .

12 . The closing of tho Lodge was symbolised by the tribe of Bunjamin , who was tho youngest of the sous of Jacob , and thus closed his father ' s strength . Such were tho celebrated twelve points of Freemisonry of the ancient English lectures , they indicate the great antiquity of the

fraternity . The most ancienb nations taught largely by symbols j the incriptions upon the remains of ruined cities in both hemi . spheres , as well as works of art , indicate it . These points are also of interest to biblical students , and serve to afford information to those who believe fc at the Jewish people were classified by Jehovah , who does nothing without design or symbol . —The Light .

The Distribution of Prizes afc the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , Sfc . John ' s Hill , Battersea Rise , will be made on Tuesday next , the 21 st instant . The one hundred and first Anniversary Festival will take place at

Freemasons' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 22 nd instant , under the presidency of the V . W . tbe Rev . Charles J . Martyn , P . G . C , in the unavoidable absence of the Right Hon . tbe Lord Henniker Provincial Grand Master Suffolk ' .

Tuesday next , the 21 st instant , is the day fixed for Bro . Binckes ' s visit to the Wand .-wor h Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Binckes will be assisted in th * rehearsal of the ceremony of consecration by Brc , W . W . Morgan P . M .

211 , who will acfc as Chaplain , aud by Bro . Gilardiui and Monger , who have undertaken the musical arrangement ? . The brethren will meet at the East Hill Hote , Alma Road , Wandsworth , at G' 30 for 7 o'clock .

Afc fche meeting of the National Great Priory , Colonel G . H J . Haldane was appointed Provincial Prior of Kent and Surrey , in tbe place of the lato Gcmr . il J . S . Brownrigg , C . B .