Notices Of Meetings.

fche Lodge . He thanked them very much for the kind expressions with which the toast had been given and received . Pofore sitting down he would propose the health of the I . P . M . This was an o > sy task for him to do , because they must all feel what ho had doao for tho Lodgethe attention which at all times ho had given to ita

, interests , the manner in which he had performed his duties , and the lively interest ho felt in its prosperity . It needed no words to re . capitulate the benefits the Lodgo had received under his Mastership , and he ( tho W . M . ) sincerely trusted that tho I . P . M . would continue in the future to show his lively interest in tho Lodgo as in the pi ^ t .

Ifc was with great pleasure thafc he invested Bro . Schofiold with the I . P . M . ' s jewel , which tho Beckenham Lodgo had groat pleasure in presenting to him . The I . P . M . said ho could not bo sufficiently thankful for tho kind words that had fallen from the W . M . Ho felt it all the more highly because ifc was one of the few jewels which coald

nob be bought . With regard to hia year of office , ho regretted that the Lodge did not give him moro work to do , when they might havo found him wanting . However , he had tried to do his host , and thafc he took a great interest in Masonry thoy would seo when ho mentioned thafc he was in office in five Lodges . If the brethren

accorded the W . M . the same assistance they had given him ho could assure the W . M . that during the coming year ho would have a very pleasant task . Tho W . M . next toasted the Installing Master Bro . R . S . Archbold . They would givo particular attention to that toast because they knew how well the Installing Master had served

this Lodge , both within and without . The way in which ho had performed fche installation that evening was something remarkable . The impressive manner in which he had performed tho ceremony was something to bo envied . Every word went home , and it made them fool that thero was something in Masonry more than ordinary minds

comprehended . There was more good , more benevolence , more holiness , he might almost say , than what people generally gavo it credit for . If thoso outside could have heard their solemn service that day he was sure that every man would wish to become a Freemason . Thoso who knew the Installing Master would appreciate him moro ,

and those who did not know him as intimately as some of them did would wish to do so . Bro . Archbold in responding to tho toasfc said he felt tho W . M . had accorded to him far greater praise than he deserved for having performed what ; he considered to ba his duty . All through life he had felt that whatever ho undertook he ought to

perform to the best of his ability , and in this instance , as in allothor .- ? , lie had endeavoured to set an exampl-o to those who should come after him in the office—an example that should bo worth followinc . Thero was no doubt that , as tho W . M . had said , thero was far moro iu Masonry than was known to tho out aid o circlo . IIo coald u- 't

overlook the fact thafc thero was amongst the ladies , o- "p * icially tho married ladies , a great prejudice agiinsfc Masonry . Tho married ladios did not like to feel that their husbands had any secrets which they did uot like them to know ; but bethought if the married ladios only knew the real truth with regard to Masonry they would be the

first to advocate its extension . He looked upon it , not aa a secret only , bufc as a religion , and if tbey only followed oub in thoir everyday life tho precepts which were given them in the Lodgo , if thoso outside only knew the duties which were taught within tho Lodge , there would be less crime aud less of all kinds of incorrcctuos-i than

there was afc tho present moment . IIo only regretted tha ; Masonry was not better known amongst the tender sex , because if it were so it would gain far wider acceptance than it did at present . Ho was more than obliged to the W . M . for the kind manner in which ho had spoken of his efforts . It had always been his object to foster tho

prosperity of this Lodge . Unfortunately tho meetings of his mother Lodge were held on the same night , but his interest in Beckenham induced him to givo this Lodge tho preference to his mother Lodge . The W . M . next proposed the Past Masters , remarking that mosfc of them had been founders of the Lodge , and took the greatest interest

in its prosperity . Although small , it was ono of the most nnited Lodges in the kingdom , and he attributed this to the manner in which tho Past Masters had held it together , and the example they had set to the younger members . He conpled with the toast tho name of Bro . Dr . Carpenter . Bro . Dr . Carpenter , although wishing

that the duty of responding to the toast had fallen into better hands , felt highly honoured iu being called npon to respond . He was sorry that there were so few Past Masters , at the present time , feeling that a great deal of the prosperity of the Lodge depended npon them and the Worshipfnl Master , but as far as his own services went , he would

do the best he could for the good of tho Beckenham Lodge . He congratulated tho W . M . on having attained his present position in the Lodge , having beeu initiated only five years ago . This ought to show tho junior members thafc they too might attain this proud position if they would only put their shoulders to the wheel . The

W . M . next proposed the "Visitors , remarking that he hoped it would always bo the privilege of the Beckenham Lodge to bo amongst those noted for their hospitality . Bros . Wimbole , Myers ,

Northcote and Scovell responded . Tho W . M . next toasted tho Secretary and Treasurer . He remarked thafc the interest the Secretary had shown in the Lodgo was bsyoad all praise , and the manner in which he fulfilled the duties must be a cause of admiration to

every member who witnessed his principles , his tact , and his perseverance . Whatever ho undertook to do , he always did it well , and ii ho undertook to do a thing they might always look upon it aa denr * -. As to their worthy Treasurer , he served them in an equally efficient manner . Bro G . T . Rait tho Secretary said he felt very much

indebted to tho Lodge for appointing him Secretary , because t ' u- wor' . of thc Lodge gavo him much pleasure , and , as year followed yer . ' - ;;¦ . Muster followed Master , that pleasure increased rather than dir . vir .-ished . He facetiously remarked thafc " no had hoard that the married ladies of Beckc-nham were going to form a Lodge , and if they needed

a Secretary he would be glad to ot ' t ' ci * his services . 13 n . \ Dr . Carpenter , aa Treasurer , also responded . 'Tho W . ' . I . proposed the Officers , r ..-marking than he could not havo better Offices , and lie beg . ; ud to tender them sincere thai ks for the way iu which thoy had Bupportod him . Bryj . R . iiilbuvu S . V / . v-. ud T . U . Garrard J . W .

Notices Of Meetings.

responded . The W . M . proposed tho health of Bro . Nowcombe the Organist , who had so kindly provided tho musical treat if tbo evening . Bros . Newcomba and Scovell responded . Tho Txler ' s toast brought the very pleasant proceedings to a close shortly before eleven o ' clock .

ON fcho 12 th instant one of fche largest and most successful gatherings yeb held nnder the auspices of this popular Lodgo took placo at Leeds , to mark the retirement of Bro . William Watson P . M ., the outgoing W . M . Bro . Watson was supported by tho following Ollicers and brethren of the Lodge : —Bros . Charles Middleton S . W ., J . J . Fretwell J . W ., Rev . J . H . Evans Chaplain , Robert Abbott

Treasurer , Tom Atkinson Secretary , Bro . Rjbert Craig P . M . P . P . G . D Preceptor , A . Bntterworth S . D ., Banjamin S . Bailey J . D ., Tudor Trevor P . M . I . P . M . D . C , Lewis Howarth I . G ., R , A . Smithson Assistant Secretary , Charles Cryer Steward , Edward Bentley Assin * tant Steward , Harris Begbie Abbott Assistant Steward and Mnsiral

PRUDENCE LODGE , No . 20 G 9 .

Librarian , Jas . Buckley Organist , S . Barrand Prov . Grand Tyler Tyler , Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., LL . D ., Past Grand Chaplain of Eng . land , 0 . L . Mason P . M . Past Provincial Grand Treasurer , J . T . Jones , Ingamells , F . G . Dinery P . M ., J . P . Eobinson , G . W . Pratt and Storey . There was an extremely large assembly of Visitors ,

including past and present members of tho Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire , brethren from Leeds and distant Lodges . Amongst others—there were close upon one hundred in the Lodgewo noticad Bro . Henry Smith P . M . D . P . G . M ., J . Cooper Malcolm P . M . P . P . G . Registrar , E . Allison P . M . P . P . G . D ., W . F . Smithson P . M . P . P . G . D . ( Chairman of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee ) ,

W . Fitton P . P . G . A . D . C , A . W . Ramsden P . P . D . C , & o . & o . After fche minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Charles Middleton was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and suitably acknowledged the honour paid him . Bro . Abbott was for the fifth time re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Barrand was re-elected Tyler . Bros . Trevor and Fretwell were elected auditors . The Lodge

then unanimously voted Bro . Watson a Founder ' s jewel , in acknowledgment of the manner in which he had ruled fche Lodge for fche past twelve mouths . This business having been satisfactorily disposed of , the most interesting item on the programme , and fche one which waa responsible for that splendid gathering was proceeded witb , namely ,

tho reading of a paper by Bro . Dr . Smyth , entitled " His Personal Reminiscences of the Indian Mutiny . " For upwards of an hour the Doctor held his audience spell-bound by his eloquent recital of the many dangers through which he passed at that mosfc trying time iu the nation ' s history . He related how tbe Mutiny first came to a

head at Meerufc , ou the 10 th May 1857 , a station at which he was then residing as Chaplain to the Forces . The dreadful scenes that were enacted under his eyes were treated of with an eloquence , and yet with a modesty , which charmed all hearers . Nor waa the story merely a recital of horrors , for the relation was interspersed with

many amusing episodes , which occurred at that time , and which , aa tho Doctor stated , served somewhat to draw their minds away from the unparalleled barbarities which were daily being committed in thoir midst . Dr . Smyth touched but lightly on his own share in the heroism displayed hy all grades of Europeans afc that time , but ib

was plain to see that , try aa he would to minimise his own exploits , they wore differently regarded both by his comrades and the Govern , ment , who at tha conclasion of the Mutiny rewarded him with the Chaplaincy of Singapore . One of the most interesting incidents took place at the conclusion of the lecture . Amongst his delighted

audience wore half a dozen non-commissioned officers of the Sixth Carabineers , who are at present stationed in Laeds . These men marched in a body to the dais to shake hands with the Doctor , and

it theu transpired that this regiment was at Meerufc during the Mutiny , and that the Doctor had ministered to their spiritual wants iu such a manner as to endear him to the menuries of all , from tl e commanding officer downward . When the Doctor left the station tha

r-gunetifc turned out in review order and saluted him , an honour which rarely falls to the lot of any one but a distinguished military commandant ; . In tho records of the regiment mention is made of Dr . Smyth and his goodness , and his military brethren felt that they were greeting an old comrade , and one to whom the honour of the

Queen ' s troops was as precious as it was to themselves . Needless to say this pleasing and unique incident called forth tho loud applause of the assembled brethren . On the motion of tho Worshipful Master , seconded by Bro . Tudor Trovor , who is him .

sou an old Indian civil servant , a cordial voto of thanks was passed to Bro . Dr . Smyth , and tho Lodgo was closed in peace and harmony . An admirably served banquet was enjoyed by all , and the rest of the evening was spent in that happy fraternal manner for which Lod ^ e Prudence is ao celebrated .

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