Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CEAET : METE 0 P 0 LITAN . — : o : — ROYAL ATHELSTAN LODGE , No . 19 .

rrVHE Angel of Death has indeed been bus-y lately amcng the members of I this ancient Lodge , no less than three , including two old and respected Past Masters , having been summoned to the Grand Lodge above during the last few weeks . At the regular meeting of the Lodge , held at the Cannon Street Hotel , E . C , on Thursday of last week , the temple was draped with black cloth and crape , and the Brethren wore Masonic mourning , out of respect to their deceased companions .

Bro . John Henry Morrett W . M . presided and , after the Lodge had been opened and the usual preliminaries transacted , explained the distressing circumstances under which they met . At the beginning of the year they had lost one of their old Past Masters , and now , as they learned by ihe summons , Bro . J . W . Barnes had been removed wiih appalling suddenness after only a few hours illness . Relentless Fate , however , had still further affliction in

store for them , for since the printing of the summons the sad news had been received of the death of Bro . George Cox P . M ., and upon their arrival at the Lodge they were informed of the decease of Brc . Captain John Seymour , another of their oldest members . He was sure ho expressed the seniiments of all present when he stated the deep grief of the Lodge at the death of these Brethren . He would say no more , but would call upon Bro . Bywater to move the first resolution .

Bro . W . M . Bywater P . G . Sword Bearer Eng . then addressed the meeting in the following words : — " Worshipful Master and Brethren , —The first thought that occurs to our minds on assembling here to-day is a sense of the great loss the Lodge has sustained since we last met , in the death of our much loved Brother Charles Barritt Barnes , which occurred on the ICth of November , after an illness of only a few horns duration . He had taken such an active part in the affairs of the Lodge for so many years that his removal

from amongst us is an event which cannot yet be fully realised . Bro . Barnes was initiated in this Lodge 9 th December 1869 , and he presided as W . M . in 1886 , a successful and happy year which he commemorated by presenting the Lodge with a silver loving cup . He was tho fouuder of our Benevolent Fund , which was established 12 th May 1870 . Ho was appointed Secretary in February 1884 , an Office which he held until his death . To nia- \ k their high appreciation of his valuable services in the latter capacity , and their

love and esteem of him as a friend and a Mason , his Brethren so recently as April last presented him with a silver dessert service aud an address , it is interesting to know that his last Masonic act was to telegraph , on 9 th November , the day befote his death , the congratulations of the Lodge to the Most Worshipful Grand Master on the anniversary of his birthday . His Masonic labours were not confined to this Lodge , as is testified by tha work be did in many other degrees of Mssonry . No member of the Lodge more faithfully carried out the three great principles of our Order—Brotherly

love , Relief , and Truth—that Bro . Barues , who was essentially and at all times and in all places , a BKOTHEB . NO worthy member of our Craft ever approached him for assistance in vain . He was a warm supporter of our Charities , but he was also munificent in that form of Charity which suffereth long and is kind . The funeral took place on the 14 th ult ., at Elmers End Cemetery , where his devoted family and sorrowing friends aud Brethren laid him to rest and peace , but his memory will abido with us who remain to grievo his loss . " With this brief introduction , which sincere sorrow prevented him from enlarging upon , he moved the following resolution :

It is with deep sorrow and regret that the members of the Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , desire to record on their minutes the death of their much loved and esteemed Past Master Bro . Charles Barritt Barnes , which took place on tho 10 th of November last . They desire further to preserve a lasting remembrance of his exceeding worth both as a MAN and a MASON . His attainments in both capacities were very considerable , while bis kindly disposition and genial manners rendered him beloved by all with whom he came in contact .

That a letter of condolence and a copy of this resolution be sent to his family , expressive of our deepest sympathy with them on their great bereavement .

This wa 3 secondod by Bro . John Pound P . M ., and , needless to say , was carried unanimously . ° Bro . Bywater srbsoquently proposed , and Bro . Daniel Nicholson seconded , that letters of sympathy should be forwarded to the families of Bros . Cox and Seymour . These sad tributes to departed merit having been rendered , the formal business cf the Lodge was resumed . The W . M . stated that he had appointed Bro . John William Barnes as Secretary to the Lodge , during the remainder of his term of Office .

The Bye-Laws of the Lodge were read , and then the Brethren proceeded to elect a Master for the ensuing year . In accordance with his usual custom Bro . William Pound said before the ballot was takon he would like to ask the Senior Warden , who was the aspiring candidate for the Office , whether ho was qualified and competent to fulfill the duties attached to the Master ' s

Chair . Bro . Money Marsland havine stated that he was both able and willing to undertake the responsibility , was thereupon duly elected . Bro Arthur Digby-Green was unanimously re-elected as Treasurer , and Bro . Gilbert was re-appoiuted as T 3 ^ 1 er . Bro . W . J . Lodge was appointed as junior member of the Audit Committee .

Bro . Daniel Nicholson proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . John H . Merrett for the able manner in which he had conducted the affairs of the Lodge during his year of Office , and that a Past Master ' s jewel of the usual value should be presented to him in recognition of his services . Bro . Merrett acknowledged tho compliment , and announced that ho intended to go up as a Steward fo . t the Old People in February , and hoped tho Brethren would support him .

A donation of one guinea was voted to the Poole Branch of tho National Life-boat Institution , for tho purpose of keeping up the Masonic Life-boat at that port . A joining member was proposed for election at tho next meeting , and

Reports Of Meetings.

this concluding the business of the evening , the closing hymn was sung and the Lodge was adjourned . In consequence of the sad events above recorded the Brethren decided to have no banquet . The Installation Festival will take place on Thursday , 8 th February .

RAHERE LODGE , No . 2546 . THE ordinary meeting of this Lodge was held at the Restaurant Frascati , on Tuesday , 12 th inst ., Bro . Reece , M . D ., W . M . in the chair . Bro . Sydney Cornish was admitted to the third degree , and Bros . Bennett and Worth to the second . A vote of £ 100 was made from the funds of the Lodge towards the relief of the sick and wounded , and the widows and orphans of soldiers falling in the Transvaal war . Twenty guineas was voted to the British Medical Benevolent Fund , and a sum of £ 1 Is was oontribued towards the maintainance of " Our Brothers' Bed " at the Home for the Dying .

A Steward was appointed for each of the three Masonic Charities , and a sum of £ 10 10 s was voted for the list of each Steward . The Brethren , with their guests , afterwards dined together .

EMPRESS LODGE , No . 2581 . IT is but rarely that so large a number of Grand Officers attend a private meeting as was the case at the installation festival of this young but flourishing Lodge , held at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on Wednesday evening of last week . No fewer than twenty-three of these distinguished Brethren honoured the Lodge with their presence , and the reason must be ascribed to the high esteem in which Bro . Imre Kiralfy P . A . G . D . C . is held among his fellows . When it was announced that Bro . Kiralfv would instal

his eldest son as Master of the Lodge it was felt that the event was of more than ordinary importance , and over a hundred Brethren signified their intention of being present on the occasion . It is a remarkable coincidence that this is tho second time in the short history of the Lodge that a son has followed his father in the chair . The first Master was Sir Joseph Dimsdale , who was followed by Bro . Imre Kiralfy ; then came Bro . J . H . Dimsdale who in turn gave place to Dr . R . J . Maitland Coffin , and now Bro . Charles Imre Kiralfy has been entrusted with the Warrant and the conduct of affairs .

Bro . Maitland Coffin presided at tho opening of the Lodge , and the rninutes were afterwards approved . The statement of accounts and balance sheet were received and adopted . The Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . Imre Kiralfy assumed the chair , and proceeded with the installation ceremony . Having declared all Offices vacant he requested the following Brethren to assist him : Sir Joseph Dimsdale as S . W ., J . H . Dimsdale as J . W ., W . Singleton Hooper as D . C , and R . M . Meyer as I . G .

Bro . Charles Imre Kiralfy W . M .-elect was presented and took the customary obligation . The ceremony proceeded on the usual lines , and was most beautifully rendered by Bro . Imre Kiralfy , his delivery of the subsequent addresses eliciting the liveliest gratification of the Brethren . When it is considered that Bro . Kiralfy is of foreign nationality , that he is frequently obliged to speak in half a dozen different languages each day , and his very natural emotion under the circumstances , his performance of the ceremony is entitled to the highest praise .

The following Officers were then invested , G . C . Breese S . W ., G . D . Coleman J . W ., Imre Kiralfy Treasurer , P . Dixon Secretary , J . S . Bhumgara S . D ., G . R . Blades J . D ., R . M . Meyer D . C , N . S . Bhumgara I . G ., G . G . Kirchner and W . H . Bond Stewards , Samuel Ellis Tyler . The new W . M . quickly proved his capacity for his position by the very commendable manner in which he addressed his Officers upon their duties and responsibilities .

A Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Dr . Maitland Coffin , for which he briefly returned thanks . The resignation of two members was announced , but the list of members will not be thereby reduced , as two candidates were proposed for the next meeting , one of whom is another son of Bro . Kiralfy . The W . M . announced his intention of going up as Steward for one of the Masonic Charities , but upon being informed that the Secretaries of the Boys School and the Old People ' s Institution had each asked for a representative of the Lodge , he said he would go up for both . The Lodge was then closed and the meeting adjourned .

The installation banquet was served in the handsome dining hall , and was . worthy of Bro . Oddinino ' s reputation . At its termination the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the chair , and heartily received by the company . The Ven . Archdeacon Sinclair P . G . Chaplain responded for the Officers of

Grand Lodge , and testified to the great pleasure it had been for him to witness so estimable a father installing his son . The ceremony , so touching and religious , was beautifully performed , and he hoped the W . M . would have a happy year of office . He concluded with a stirring allusion to the war in South Africa , and its Masonic bearing .

Bro . Maitland Coffin , in eulogistic terms proposed the health , of the . Worshipful Master , who was the first initiate of the Lodge ; his fulfillment of the subordinate Offices sufficiently proved his competency for the present position , and he congratulated him upon his speedy promotion . Bro . Charles Kiralfy , in returning thanks , said he felt it a great honour

to be so quickly promoted , but he should ever bear in mind the teachings of those who had preceded him , and would endeavour to deserve their approval . He remembered the words of Bro . Will Chapman , now in South Africa , that Freemasonry taught us to seek knowledge and stimulated our faculties ; but after all the greatest proof of its principles would be found in our lives .

Sir John Monckton proposed the Installing Master , in one of his pleasant speeches . He deeply sympathised with Bro . Kiralfy in doing that which was not common even in Freemasonry because he , Sir John , had initiated three sons in the Craft , and was looking forward to install one of them at an early date . The manner in which he had rendered the ceremony of installing his son as a Master was most exact and worthy of all praise . Even the Grand Secretary had told him that he had learned something , and would no doubt take advantage of it hereafter . He could say no more to recommend the toast to the favourable notice of the Brethren .

Bro . Jmre Kiralfy , who was received with long continued applause , said he felt peculiar pleasure in performing the ceremony that day . Ho had known the family of tho W . M . for many years ( laughter ) , and had viewed with great interest the progress of the W . M . since his birth . There were four other brothers who would follow in his steps , and he thought they would all make good Masons . Apart from all fun he must say he felt very proud at having the privilege of placing his son in the chair of the Lodge , and wis glad to hear it said that the ceremony was proporly rendered , for he felt that he