Notices Of Meetings.

St . John of "Wapping Lodge , No . 1306—The mem . bers of this Lodge met at tho Gun Hotel , Wapping , E ., on the 12 th inst . Bro . W . H . Hayward in the chair , assisted by Bros . C . Veal S . W ., J . Magrath J . W ., R . Hayward Treas ., H . T . Hardy Secretary , T . Wooding S . D ., J . Horsley J . D ., J . Carrociero I . G ., W . Bate W . S . ; also I . P . M . A . W . Coleman and P . M . ' s F . W . Dawson and W .

Beck ; T . J . Tyer , T . J . Tarling , J . Sommers , J . N . Stevens , T . B . Ryton , C . Kurnber , J . P . T . Couture , A . G . Clements , C . Rayner , & c . Visitors—Bros . Rev . A . C . Browne 93 I . C ., T . J . Barnes jun . 536 , G . H . Stephens I . G . and J . King 1623 . Lodge was formally opened and the minutes of the last general , also an emergency meeting , wero read and confirmed . Messrs . C . Rayner and J . P . T . Couture being

candidates for admission into the Order , the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in their favour . Bro . Hayward then proceeded to initiate Messrs . A . G . Clements and C . Rayner into the mysteries of the Order , the ceremony being conducted as far as the obligation , when Mr . Couture was admitted , the ceremony performed again , and completed . Tho W . M . is to be congratulated upon the

impressive manner in which the ceremony was rendered , more especially as this was the earliest opportunity the Lodge had afforded him of proving his capacity . Lodge having been closed in due form , the brethren partook of supper , served under Bro . Mortlo ^ k ' s experienced direction . This was amply discussed under circumstances of extreme meniment and pleasure ; and after grace had been said

by Bro . Rev . A . C . Browne , the Worshipful Master promised that as the evening had worn late he would be brief in his remarks ; he proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen , coupling with it the Craft . Bros . Hardy and Mortlock sang God save the Queen . In giving the health of H . R . H . the Most Worshipfnl Grand Master , Bro . Hayward claimed a hearty response to the toa 3 t . His Royal

Highness had done much to promote the welfare of the Craft ; Masons were blessed in having so eminent a brother as the Prince of Wales to preside over them , and when , in the fullness of time , we shall have him as our ruler , we shall discharge the duties of citizenship as loyally as we do those the Craft requires of us . The next toast introduced was the Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master ,

and the rest of Grand Officers Past and Present , to whom the W . M . said he was sure we felt deeply indebted . It was a great thing for eminent brethren to devote their time and attention to furthering the interests of the Craft , and tho members of the St . John of Wapping Lodge would give this toast a hearty reception . Bro . S . W . Veal was here requisitioned , and he gave a humorous song ; after which Bro . Coleman

I . P . M . said the brethren knew for what reason he took the gavel in hi 8 hand . It was for the purpose of proposing the health of the W . M . He did so with very great pleasure . He was informed this was the first work Bro . Hayward had had to do since his installation The brethren might feel sure that in Bro . Hayward they had the right man in the right place . After a hearty "Wapping" fire , the

W . M . said , that as a bashful man , especially when returning thanks for himself , tho brethren must exenso him . If oue thing conld overcome him more than another , it was this burst of applause , greeting his humble efforts . He hoped they would afford him more opportunities of working , and , instead of three , have five candidates every meeting . Nothing shonld be found wanting in him to promote the

welfare of the Lodge . If they would forgive any shortcomings on his part , be would thoroughly carry out the wishes of the Lodge . Before sitting clown he had tho pleasant duty to propose the health of the Initiates . It was all very woll for old Masons to sit down year by year , but we require from time to time new blood . To-ni ^ ht he had had the honour , for the first time in his life , of initialing three

gentlemen into the Order . He hoped the candidates would make use of those lessons taught them in Masonry ; they were good lessons , and should be practised out of the Lodge , so that , by exemplary conduct , tbey might be recognised by men as well as by Masons . This was heartily received , and responded to by Bro . Clements , who said he felt greatly indebted to the brethren for their kindness in admitting

him . He would always endeavour to fulfil the duties he might be called npon to perform . Bro . Couture said he had felt much pleasure at the manner in which his health had been proposed by the W . M . and responded to . He could assure them nothing should be wanting on his part . Bro . C . Rayner said he had been treated so well that he hardly knew how to thank them , for fear he should not say enough .

In proposing " The Visitors , " the W . M . said nothing could be more gratifying to a Master than to introduce that toast . On this occasion it was very gratifying indeed to extend the hand of welcome to them ; to one we have done so often , to the others for the first time . But above all , on the present occasion we have a brother visiting us who represents that which is the first principle of Freemasonry , and

whose ministrations remind us of that object most clear to us—the first object presented to a Mason ' s view . He offered to tho Rev . Bro . Browne a hearty welcome , and expressed a hope that the Lodge might bo called npon to admit him among them . It would not be the first time fbe Lodge had had a Chaplain . Then there was Bro . Stephens , whom evorv member of the Loda-e

liked to sec present , and who gave them his advice or assistance whenever it was needed . He need not say how welcome he was . They all hoped to be favoured constantly by his presenco among them . Bro . Barnes was paying the first , but the W . M . hoped not the last , visit to them , and to him and Bro . King he extended a cordial welcome . Bro . Stephens here , by special request , sang " When

other lips . " Bro . Rev . A . C . Browne assured the W . M ., Officers and brethren that he was profoundly grateful for his reception that evening ; not for one rcasou only , but for many . He hoped he did Dot take precedence of other brethren , but he could not leave the Lodge without expressing his thanks . Having becu tan years a Mason , he had beeu the recipient of many favours aud honours , but

thought the W . M . had go ., possession of tho great secret—that of making men happy . He had seldom witnessed—whilst visiting Lodges in England and Ireland—that spirit of concord—without which the mystic tie is a failure—so apparent as it was here . The rev . brother concluded by expressing a wish to become a member of the Lodge . Having seen many Lodges , he congratulated the W . M . on

Notices Of Meetings.

the ease and accuracy of his working , and Bro . Host for his kind attention . Bro . Stephens briefly thanked the brethren , and Bro . Barnes jun . said ho did not expect to have had to speak ; for his own part he shonld not havo done so , except for the sake of an honoured name in Masonry—that of his father . He esteemed the hospitality of the St . John of Wapping Lodge , and perceived the bond of

friendship to bo so strong among them that he shonld like to become one of the band of brethren hero . Bro . King said he was the youngest M . M . present ; yet the meeting , like all he had seen in Freemasonry , had exceeded all impressions he had formed of the Order previous to his admission . Should the brethren visit his Lodge ( West Smithfleld ) , they would be sure of as hearty—he could

not say a warmer—welcome than he had received . Bro . Mortlock obliged by singing " Welcome brothers , welcome friends , " a favourite song here . The P . M . 's were next honoured , the W . M . eulogising each iu turn . Bro . I . P . M . Coleman was a strong musical light , whom they wore glad to have in their Lodste ; P . M . Poore was unforfortunately unwell , and of him and P . M . 's Beck and Davison he need

say very little , their merits being before the brethren . As to P . M . Mortlock , though not a P . M . o ! this Lodge , be was always with them , not only to minister to their creature comforts , but to furnish food for their mind . If the initiates felt an ardent desire to acquiro a knowledge of our ceremonies , let them attend on Bro . Mortlock , and ho would so fill them up with Masonry that they

would soon be walking rituals . Bro . Mortlock briefly replied for the Past Masters , the time being short . The toast of the Officers was given with much honour , and severally responded to , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close—one , indeed , fufillling the anticipations we ventured on some months ago as to the success of this Lodge .

Since the above was in typo , we have received intimation of the death of Bro . P . M . Mortlock ; truly may we say , •* ' In the midst of life we are in death . " Reference to this sad event will be found in another column .

Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 . —A meeting was held on Friday , 14 th November , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kow-bridge . Present—Bros . Goss W . M .. Franckol S . W ., Blasby J . W . Gomm S . D ., Acworth J . D ., Maton I . G ., Tucker Treas ., Gunner Hon . Sec , Roe P . M . and Preceptor , Wyville , Costelow , & c . Lodge was opened in due form , and tho minutes of last meeting were read , confirmed and signed . Bro . Costelow offered himself as candidate , and

the ceremony of initiation was carefully rehearsed . The call to refreshment was given , and after a short interval the brethren resumed labour . Lodgo was advanced to tho third degree , when Bro . N . Wotton offered himself as candidate , aud tho ceremony of raising was most impressively rehearsed . Bro . Franckel was elected to fill tho chair at next meeting . Bro . N . Wottou ( Dalhousie Lodge 860 ) was elected a member . Lodge was then closed .

Burdett Coutts Lodge of Instruction , No . 1278 . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , 19 th November , at the Salmon and Ball , Bethnal-green-road . Present—Bros . Clarke W . M ., Wooding S . W ., Stnrtevant J . W ., Smith Treas ., Chitson Sec , Prestago S . D ., Hnbbert J . D ., Toy I . G ., W . Hogg P . M . Preceptor . Visitors—Bros . Peter-ken , Lazarus W . M . 1278 , Quay , and several other brethren .

Business—Lodge was opened in due form , the minutes of the previous meeting wero read and confirmed . The ceremony of raising was very creditably rehearsed by the W . M . The first section of the lecture was worked by Bro . Hogg , assisted by the brethren . The Lodge was then closed to the first degree . Bro . A . Peterken S . D . Friars Lodge No . 13-19 and J . D . of St . Leonard Lodge 1805 was elected a member . Bro . Wooding will occupy the chair on the 26 th inst .

Henley Lodge of Instruction , No . 1472 . —Threo Crowns Hotol , North Woolwich . The Fifteen Sections were worked on Wednesday the 19 th inst ., Bros . J . Hurdell 1348 W . M ., J . Hemming 1287 S . W ., W . J . Burgess 1472 J . W ., E . Ives P . M . Sec . pro tern

supported by a numerous attendance of brethren . The several sections were admirably delivered . Bros . Burgess , Hemming , Hurdell and Paul particularly distinguishing themselves . The Lodge was duly closed , and the brethren sat down to an excellent supper , provided by the host , Bro . E . West P . M . P . P . G . S . D .

Marquess of Ripon Lodge of Instruction . —At the Pernburg Tavern , Amhurst-road , Hackney , on Monday , 17 th November . Bros . McMillan W . M ., Cox S . W ., Jones J . W ., Coubro S . D ., Heldrith J . D ., It . Olloy I . G ., J . Lorkin Sec , Chas . Lorkin Preceptor ; also Bros . Jacob , McDowail , Buchley and others . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed .

Bro . Jacob was entrusted and in duo courso passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . Bro . J . Lorkin worked the first section of the lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Jacob offered himself as a candidate for tho third degree , aud that ceremony was rehearsed . Tho Lodge was resumed in the first degree , and Bro . Cox was elected W . M . for the ensuing week . The Annual Supper will take place on Monday , 21 th November , at half-past seven . Bro . P . M . Stephens will preside .

West Middlesex Lodge of Instruction , No . 1612 . — At a meeting held at tho Feathers Hotel , Ealing , on Thursday , tho 13 th inst . Present : —Bros . C . E . Porter W . M ., W . Seward S . W ., G . S . Wright J . W ., J . Wells S . D ., J . J . Clarke J . D ., W . W . Woolmer I . G ., H . E . Tucker Treasurer and Preceptor ; also Bros . G . Wells , MillsoiE , Bellamy , W . M . Wyville , H . Stepheus . After preliminaries , the W . M . rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . W . M . Wyville candidate . The Lodge was called off for refreshment . The Lodge