Reports Of Meetings.

EEPOETS OE MEETINGS

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CRAFT : PEOVINCIAL ,

COMBERMERE LODGE OF UNION , No . 295 . THE election meeting was held at the Macclesfield Arms Hotel , Macclesfield , on Thursday , 5 th inst ., Bro . J . I . Brunt W M . . Bro . Walter Brown was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and his installation will tako place at the Festival of St . John , in January . Bro . Brown is one of the most efficient and popular members of the Lodge , and the congratulations on his elevation to tho chair wero as numerous as they were cordial .

Brother R . Brown P . M . P . P . G . S . proposed the following resolution : — " That Bro . Thomas Lockitt be re-elected Treasurer of the Lodge , for the ensuing twelve mouths , and that the Lodgo places upon record its high sense of appreciation of his services as Treasurer for the long period of a quarter of a century , and expresses tho hope that ho will be spared for many years to give the Lodge in particular , and the Graft in general , the benefit of his ripe

experience and sound judgment , not only in the control of its finances , but in the various useful capacities in which he has so frequently rendered the most signal service . " Bro . Brown said their meeting that night was of unusual interest to Masonry , and he believed quite unique in the long history of the Lodge—they would shortly make a presentation to a venerable Brother

who had been sixty years a member of the Lodge , and he had tho felicity of proposing the re-election of an official who had had tlie unanimous confidence of tho Brethren for the long period of a quarter of a century . Such events were historic and highly creditable landmarks , of which they as Masons were justly proud .

" As from the wind no scar the sky retains , The parted wave no furrow from the shi p ' s keel shows , " so their ordinary Masonic lifo , when happily conducted , was uneventful . Still there were times and epochs which loft their mark , thoir something worthy of record ; that evening was ono of those , and would stand prominently forward in the annals of the Lodge . It was very difficult always to speak of

a man in his presence , but he could not help saying that in Bro . Lockitt the Lodge had had no ordinary official—his was no ordinary service , but a most faithful and acceptable discharge of a very onerous duty for the past twentyfive years . That exceptional service had involved much personal sacrifice , but it had always been most willingly rendered , for Bro . Lockitt was second to none in his love for the Craft and admiration of its tenets . Had Brother

Lockitt consulted his own feelings , he ( Bro . Brown ) would now be proposing a very different resolution , but at a meeting of the Past Masters the other night they strongly urged Bro . Lockitt to retain the position , at all events for another year , and in doing so he knew they had echoed tho sentiments of the whole of the Brethren , who had unanimously elected him for twenty-five years , a compliment which few men could boast of , and which in Brother Lockitt ' s case was thoroughly well deserved . The year they were just

entering upon promised to be a busy one in the Craft—they would be visited by Provincial Grand Lodge in the autumn , and it was very necessary they should have at the head of affairs experienced Officers ; none were moro experienced , in none was greater confidence more deservedly placed than in Bro . Lockitt , who , he was glad to say , had consented to take office for another year . And as to tho future , well , " Sufficient unto the day is the evil ( in this case the good ) thereof . "

Bro . Whiston seconded , in a brief speech , most cordially endorsing all that Bro . Brown had said , as also did the Secretary Bro . Brookes , after which the proposition was put and carried unanimously . Brother Lockitt made a suitable acknowledgment . He was very sensible of the high honour the Lodge had conferred upon him , but felt that after

twenty-five years' service he ought to make way for someone else . However , as it was the wish of the Lodge that he should continue in office for another year , in view of the visit of the Provincial Grand Lodge , he onco again accepted the compliment , and would as faithfully discharge the duties in the future as he had done in thc past .

Another interesting feature of the meeting was thc presentation to Bro . J . J . Mason of a beautifully illuminated address , in a pretty oak frame , as follows : —

Combermere Lodge of Union , No . 295 ( Macclesfield ) . Presented to BEO . J . J . MASON , In celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of his initiation 7 th November 1895 .

Proposed by Bro . R . Brown P . M . P . P . G . S ., seconded by Bro . -Thomas Lockitt P . M . Treasurer P . P . S . G . D ., and supported by Bro . Walter Brown S . W . P . P . G . S ., and Bro . Needham P . M . P . P . S . G . D ., the W . M . Bro . Brunt , and carried unanimously : — That this Lodge offers to Bro . J . J . Mason its sincere congratulations on attaining his sixtieth year as a Free and Accepted Mason , and having attained

the ripe age of eighty-three years , in good health and spirits ; it begs to offer its testimony to his uniform consistency in a long and well-spent life , in observing and upholding the excellent principles of the Craft , and trusts that it may please the Great Architect of the Universe to spare him for many years to enjoy the priviliges of ancient Freemasonry , and to continue an ornament to the Craft , of which he is one of the oldest and most genial members ; and that the Lodge Secretary send to Bro . Mason a copy of this

resolution duly signed , on behalf of the Lodge , by the Worshipful Master , the Treasurer , and Secretary . ( Signed on behalf of the Lodge ) , J . I . BitUKT W . M . W . BKOWN S . W . P . P . G . S . E . MOBKTON J . W . P . G . S . T . LOCKITT P . M . Tresis . P . P . S . G . D . J . H . BitooKEs P . M . Sec . P . P . A . G . Seo .

Bro . R . Brown briefly explained to the Lodge how the idea of the presentation originated , observing that Bro . Mason was undoubtedly the oldest Macon in the Province of Cheshire , and he might venture to say there weie very few , if any , older in the Craft . The Worshipful Master then made the presentation in a few appropriate remarks .

Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Mason , in acknowledging the gift , gave an interesting resume of his early connection with Masonry , and SLILI he hoped that when it pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to call him to the Grand Lodgo above , as he had no Mason to whom he could hand down the Lodge ' s valuable gift , they would hang it on the walls of his mother-Lodge . The ordinary business of the Lodge was then proceeded with .

LOYAL BERKSHIRE LODGE OF HOPE , No . 574 . AT the monthly meeting , held on Friday , Gth inst ., at the Temperance Hall , Newbury , the Senior Warden Bro . Charles E . Keyser , of Aldermaston Park , was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Belcher was re-elected Treasurer .

LODGE OF TRUTH , No . 1458 . AT the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Saturday , tho 7 th inst ., amidst surroundings which perhaps were unparallelled in the annals of this Lodge , the annual meeting took place , and the Festival of St . John was celebrated . That their might be no bitch in tho proceedings , Brother Wm . Hy . Worsley S . W . Worshipful Master-elect was on tho scene of labour at an

early hour of the morning , in conjunction with other prominent Officers of tho Lodge , and their zeal was as indefatigable as that of a Knight of tho Round Tabic in his pursuit of the Holy Giail . No wonder then that with such a combination of energy wo aro enabled to record the fact that this function passed oil without hitch of any description .

If it is our duty to praise that which is excellent , it certainly must be pleasing to extol that which has been the means of furnishing gratification and also opened to us vistas of mental profit and delight . Members of the Lodge and Visitors also were charmed with the admirable arrangements which furnished a day of real and perfect enjoyment .

The proceedings were opened shortly after the hour of 2 p . m ., and as a passing was due , that ceremony was undertaken by Bro . Alfred Hebden P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Dir . of Cer ., who went through it in his usual careful stylo . The candidate was Bro . R . B . Welch . ,. Lodge having been advanced , Bro Worsley was presented by Bro . J . \ V Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C . to receive the benefits of installation ; Brother

John Chadwick P . G . Swd . Br . ( Eng . ) Prov . Grand Secretary put the usual constitutional questions ; a Board of Installed Masters ( consisting of Brother Fred Hilton P . P . G . D . C . Treasurer as Installing Master , Robert Caldwell P . P . G . S . B . as S . W ., Hebden as J . W ., Buckley Carr P . M . as I . G . ) was formed , and tho ceremony of installation began with a nearly Hypernestran audience of forty-six , these , however , being Past ancl Installed Masters .

Tho Working Tools were presented and explained by Bro . Hebden , who also addressed the Master and Brethren generally , Brother Carr being responsible for the other addresses . The following Officers were invested , viz ., Bros . E . M . Shepherd I . P . M ., T . P . Cooper S . W ., A . B . Taylor J . W ., Buckley Carr P . M . Chaplain , Fred Hilton P . M ., & c . Treasurer , T . H . Hall P . M . Secretary , Leop . Hirsch S . D ., J . J . Dean J . D ., Herbert Hellewell I . G ., Alfd . Hebden P . M ., & O . D . C , S . Mullet , A . Leach , and Oswald Wbittaker Stewards .

Before the Lodge was closed , a very large and handsome tripod , the gift of the W . M ., was presented to the Lodge by Bro . Hebden in his capacity of D . C , who explained that it was a souvenir of Bro . Worsley's advent into the chair of K . S . The presentation was ordered to be duly recorded on the

minutes of the Lodge . Hearty good wishes having been expressed by Visitors , the proceedings were brought to a close , and the Brethren , numbering nearly eighty , adjourned to a magnificent banquet , which had been provided under the personal supervision of Brother F . 0 . Lockstone , manager of the hotel .

Where one can utter with truth of the guests that they were " vino ciboque gravati , " it follows as a natural consequence that the printed menu should be equally as lavish , and Bro . George Kenning , who supplied it , must be congratulated upon producing a work of art of its kind which , within our knowledge , has certainly never been surpassed , if it has even been equalled .

It is published in book form , and nearly every page contains the portrait of an Officer of the Lodge , with various toasts and quotations from Shakespeare and other writers . Another special feature is the fact that the songs rendered by a glee party , consisting of Brothers Nelson Stokes 2156 2387 , Ridsdale Bowley P . M . 2216 , J . Robinson P . M . 1219 , and Alexander Marr 1219 , under the direction of Bro . Or . R . Bishop , are printed iu full .

Masonic and other toasts wero freely indulged in . Bro . Henry Nail P . M . 1375 W . M . 2363 Prov . Gr . Treas . ( West Lanes . ) , in responding to that of the Provincial Officers , spoke of the high position which the Lodge had attained , adding further that the function of that day had been one of the grandest he had over attended .

Bro . H . H . Warburton P . M . 163 P . P . G . S . D . congratulated the Lodge upon tho handsome donation which it had made at the Festival held in July last , saying that it must be a pleasant incident for the Past Masters to look back upon . Brother A . H . Duffin P . M . 1134 Prov . G . D . C . in a very excellent speech vibrated a few cords of the notes often struck by Bro . Col . Starkie Provincial Grand Master , as to the desirability of exercising due supervision in the admission of candidates into tho ranks of Freemasonry .

Bro . Col . Hy . L . Rocca P . M . 815 2322 P . P . G . J . D . also spoke , testifying to the popularity of the newly-installed W . M . Brother Worsley W . M ., in proposing the health of the I . P . M ., took advantage of the occasion to present him with a beautiful Past Master's jewel , which bore the usual legend as to work performed during his term of office , which Bro . Shepherd gratefully acknowledged .

Bro . Fred Hilton , in proposing the health of the W . M ., said that thc Lodge of Truth had acquired a name for work done in a passable sort of way , and they wore going- to try and maintain that character . Of Bro . Worsley he said that the members of the Lodge would not have elected him to the position of Worshipful Master if they had not appreciated him . He had accomplished something which had entitled him to become their leader , and he would undoubtedly do his duty right well whilst occupying that position . He heartily congratulated the Lodge on their choice .

Bro . Worsley W . M . made a vigorous speech in reply , a powerful and lofty emprise . Ho said : —Worshipful Bro . Hilton , Grand Officers , Provincial Officers , Wardens , and Brethren , in responding to this toast I must first of all express my sincere thanks to Bro . Hilton for his hearty demonstrations of good will , and to you , Brethren , for the overwhelming reception which the toast has received . All toasts are usually received with gusto by the rank and file of the Truth Lodge—the Master ' s toast especially . The newlyinEtalled Master is received with extraordinary outbursts of tumultuous enthusiasm . You have maintained the tradition of the Lodge by receiving thc toast of my health in the usual manner in hailing a new chief to preside