Reports Of Meetings.

halt was made , ultimately reaching the ancient Cheshire town of Knutsford and tho Angel Hotel , which was the destination . After a ramble in tho neighbourhood the party returned to the Hotel , and were there refreshed by that essentially feminine

nepenthe a cup of tea , and also satisfied by the well-selected viands which Miss McGill the hostess placed before them . This over , Bro . J . M . Veal proposed the toast of the Ladies , in a short and appropriate speech , the same being responded to by Mrs . Dearneley .

That of the Visitors was proposed by Bro . Clare Edgar Towell P . M ., and was responded to by Bros . Walkden and White . Bro . Veal then proposed the health of Bro . A . K . Boothroyd W . M . under whose auspices the pic-nic of that day had taken place . He congratulated the Worshipful Master upon having been favoured with fine weather , and also commended him for his

general Masonic attributes , some of which he enumerated . The response of Bro . Boothroyd W . M . brought the proceedings to a close , and the company were not long in commencing the homeward journey , this time in another direction , leaving contingents at Didsbury and other places , en route for Manchester , having enjoyed a drive of over thirty miles . o o o

GODSON LODGE , No . 2385 . ON Wednesday of last week the Annual excursion took place to Witley Court . This is considered the Ladies * day , and every arrangement was made for their comfort . The party left Langley Green in two saloon carriages , and journeyed as far as Kidderminster , where four commodious brakes were provided by Mr . Faulkner . After a pleasant ride , with a few showers of rain , the Hundred House was reached , when after light

refreshments the journey was resumed to the gates of the Court . One vehicle was allowed for the use of the less strong of the party , to drive through the mile of avenue which leads to the Court itself . The Church , which adjoins the house , was first visited . The painted windows , marble tombs of the Foleys , the painted ceilings , and the gilded cornices , & c , were duly admired . The conservatory was the next point of interest—the treeferns , and other exotics

making a very fine show . On returning to the terrace the magnificent fountains were , by special permission , turned on to play , and a very fine sight it was . The house was entered , and the sculpture and picture galleries visited , also the smoking room , ball-room , & c . On returning to the Hundred House , dinner was served , and the venerable host , Mr . Aldridge , interested himself in seeing that the excellent viands provided were properly served .

Dr . Buttery W . M . in a eulogistic speech on the Royal Family proposed the Queen and the Craft , which was duly honoured . Bro . E . Wood I . P . M . then proposed the health of the Worshipful Master and Mrs . Buttery , which was received with great enthusiasm .

The brakes were now called in requisition , and tho return commenced , the route being by way of Bewdley . Tea was provided at the George Hotel , and tbe time afterwards whiled away by the water . Another ride in the brakes landed the party at Kidderminster Station , and returning by the saloons to Langley Green , the Oldbury express made a special journey to Halesowen Street

which was reached before nine o ' clock , concluding a pleasant day spent amid the most delightful rural scenery that Worcestershire affords . The liberality of Lord Dudley , in throwing open his charming grounds and house , the attention of the Hon . H . R . Eden , in arranging for the playing of the fountains and otherwise facilitating the arrangements , wero duly appreciated . o o o

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

— : o *—GODSON LODGE , No . 330 . THIS Lodgje met at the Saracen ' s Head , Dudley , on Monday , the 20 th inst . The Provincial Grand Master , his Deputy and several Officers attended , as well as Visitors from Worcester and Birmingham . Bro . Matthew Smith was installed as W . M . and the other Officers appointed . After Lodge was closed tho Brethren adjourned to banquet . o o o

ARK MARINERS LODGE , No . 59 . ON Monday , the 20 th inst ., the Ark Mariners assembled in considerable numbers at the Saracen's Head , Dudley . Lodge was opened at 3 o ' clock by Bro . Murray Havnes P . C . N . Amongst those present were Bros . A . F . Godson the P . G . M . M . of Worcester , Abraham Green P . C . N ., T . F . Bland W . C . N ., Edward Mallard P . C . N , and Visitors from Worcester and Birmingham . Bro . G . W . Walker was enthroned as W . C . N ., and afterwards invested his Officers . The Brethren dined with tho Mark Lodge .

o o o , IT is B , question how much , or rather how little , of intelligence Mid learning ought to be required as a prerequisite-for admission into the Masonic Fraternity . Obviously a stupid man or one devoid of ordinary education is poorly " fitted to enter the lines of t ! reemasonry . Just how rigidly the line should be drawn respecting tne intellectual qualifications of candidates is a matter about which ¦

• waoai-tterence of opinion will be likely to exist ; but all thoughtful fttethren will agree that a dull , stupid , uninfoimed man ought to h fl i ° D the outside o { ^ e Masonic Institution . No candidate snouid be received who is lacking in mental capacity or has failed to gather the acquisitions of knowledge that prepare for ordinary He and usefulness .

Circular Charge.

CIRCULAR CHARGE .

DELIVERED Jby Brother James Milnor Right Worshipful Grand Master of Masons , etc ., to the Subordinate Lodges held in fche city of Philadelphia , at the Grand Visitations made to the said Lodges , in the month of September A . D . 1811 , A . L . 5811 .

Worshipful Master , Officers and Brethren , —It i 3 not an unwarrantable boast of ancient Masonry , that its foundations are laid upon a rock and its superstructure composed of suoh indestructible materials as to defy the ineffectual force of the winds and the waves , by whose fury it is sometimes opposed . Although it may seem to totter in the tempest , and its beauty be

for an instant hid from the light of heaven by overwhelming billows , it is but to emerge with fresh glory and smile at the convulsions of the elements , whose violence has been idly wasted against it . Clouds and darkness , it is true , have more than once hovered over our aspiring edifice , for many a gloomy day , threatening to remove

its pillars and dash its proud turrets into atoms ; but it will not be . The Grand Architect , under whose auspices it has arisen , and by whose power and goodness it has been preserved , will , we trust , continue His protection , until , in the sovereign dispensations of His providence , destruction is awarded upon all the works of man .

Some , who now hear me , can attest the seeming dangers of the days of despondence that are past , and join me in the joyous anticipation of the prosperity that we hope for in those "which are to come . We look back to the dark hours of adverse fortune—not

to repine at unavoidable occurrences—but by contrast to heighten the enjoyments we now possess . Vicissitudes await all human establishments . The strength and permanency of ours has been proved by the alaiming trials it has undergone , and by the increased

firmness , as wtll as splendour , which it now exhibits . We meet you , my Brethren , at this auspicious period , to mingle congratulations on the consummation of the wishes of the Craft . The stupendous undertaking , which alarmed the timid and made the prudent hesitate , is accomplished .

Animated by a determination to raise our honourable institution to the dignity and estimation which it has a right to claim , no difficulties have appalled the conductors of this great work . Their complete success is calculated to give assurance , in every future attempt at the external embellishment of our Fraternity , as that of the superintendence of ita internal affairs is to excite fresh expectations of increased attainments in the moral harmony and beauty of all its proceedings .

The most anxious aim of all our official labours has been to

elevate the minds of our Brethren to a right apprehension of the sublimity and grandeur of the institution ; to stimulate them to a corresponding course of personal demeanour in the conduct of its concerns ; to banish all low and groveling ideas of the meaner purposes to which ignorance and folly have sometimes debased it ; and to recommend its important benefits to the acceptance of the wise and the good .

The Temple of our assemblage , in which we now associate , has been solemnly consecrated to Almighty God—to Masonry—to Virtue and Science—to Universal Charity and Benevolence . Do you mark the extent of the interesting ceremony , which met you at your first entrance into these magnificent apartments ? Charity ,

in the practical oj _ erations of our Fraternity , is the grand employ , ment of its members , from which the most extensive advantages to others , and the most consoling satisfaction to themselves , are derived . But the homage paid to this resplendent emanation of Deity , forms but one of the many wide extended duties , which your obligations , as Masons , involve .

Whilst all the Virtues , following in the bright train of their amiable leader , invite your attention , you have also engaged yourselves as votaries to the interests of science . The cultivation of intellect and the amelioration of the affections of the heart , are equally the objects of Masonic attachment . This is in direct consonance with the original design of this

association , which had for its object , from the outset , the extension of human knowledge , through the medium of a union cemented by the bonds of personal affection and perpetuated by ceremonials of the most interesting kind . It were in vain to conceal the occasional departure of many branches of the Masonic family from the pretensions of their venerable

ancestry . The prodigality with which their inheritance has been squandered among undeserving and defiling associates , has sometimes portended the universal sway of ruin and dilapidation . Ifc has been prevented by the counteracting influence of those who have remained faithful to the honourable principles of this ancient and enduring establishment .

Were we to carry our recollections back to a local review of Masonry in former times , within our own precints , we should find that it has had its vicissitudes with us . Never without powerful and respectable coadjutors , its influence has sometimes been depressed by the weight of popular opinion , and its usefulness impaired by individual misconduct . Its value has been denreciated

by tho narrow conceptions entertained , as well of thc solid advantages as of the incidental pleasures it bestows . An occasional dispensation of pecuniary bounty , and an opportunity for reveling in the pleasures of the table , have sometimes seemed to form the whole employment of our Lodges . The foundation of a more correct estimate of our Fraternity was laid by our venerable

predecessors . Succeeding to their honours we have aimed , by much exertion , though with less ability , to effectuate their wellintended views . Circumstances of a propitious kind , and the harmonious co-operation of the Brethren , have , aided our endeavours , and tho result is of tho most grateful and satisfactory nature .

Although we have heretofore been obliged to conduct our labours with accomodations of an humblo kind , yefc have they been assisted by men whose presence would adorn the stateliest mansion . Our