Scientific Lodge, No. 840.

which timo ho had watched his progress in Masonry and had observed how enthusiastically ho had worked in every degree , aud therefore ho felt suro if the samo perseverance wero manifested during his occupation of tho chair , ho wonld have a very successful year of office lie hoped tho duties that would devolve npon Brother Large wonld bo of a far more seriou 3 and onerous character than they were during

tho past year , because ho was supported by able Officers who would assist him in thoso duties , and he was also surronnded by n largo circle of brethren who would give him all tho support thoy possibly could . Bro . Largo , the W . M ., suitably responded to tho compliment . He said his ambition had been to occupy tho chair , and now ho had secured that position ho would try to discharge tho duty appertaining

to it with satisfaction and with credit to tho Craft , and hoped that at the closo of his year of office , ho might be able to show as good a financial position as his predecessor . The toast "Tho health of tho I . P . M . " was given by tho W . M ., who said ho had a ploasing duty to perform , viz . to invest Bro . Culverhouso with tho Past Master ' s jewel , and trusted ho might bo spared many years to wear it in tho Scientific

Lodge . Bro . Cnlverhonso thonght he did not deserve the honour they had awarded to him that oveuing . Ho was sure no words of his conld express tho feelings that agitated his mind at that moment , and especially so when he remembered that during tho past year he could not tako to himself any credit for what had been done , because he had received tho sympathy and co-operation of tho mombers and tho

generous assistance of tho P . M . ' s in all'the duties belonging to the office . When ho accepted the position of W . M . he did it with a great deal of diffidence , because he considered tho duties connected with it wero very important . He thanked them heartily for the beautiful jewel which they had presented to him , and assured them it would act as an incentive to further efforts on his part in promoting the

success and prosperity of the Scientific Lodge , and shonld any effort of his be able to win another jewel , ho was certain it would nob bo received with a greater degree of pleasure than that which they had conferred npon him that evening . Tho toast of " The Fast Masters " was coupled with the namo of Bro . R . King ( Secretary of Institute ) who suitably responded . Tho Wardens was replied to by Bros .

Eady and Longstaff . The toast The Charities was responded to by Bro . the Rev . F . W . Harnett , who said there was no doubt there could be no society more charitable than that to which they belonged . There was no doubt that anything that would gather men together so as to make their hearts nnite in tho bonds of brotherhood made them better men , and conduced very highly to the benefit of the country .

Ho found that Freemasonry had a strong force in England and in civilized Europe , and therefore they found men of all ranks had associated themselves with Masonry . Kings and princes had connected themselves with it , and had evidently become acquainted with the secrets of their Order . Ho then went on to speak of the charity

that should pervado the members , and said there could be no true brotherhood unless there was charity , and concluded by making a strong ' appeal on behalf of the Charitable Institntions . Bro . T . Taylor also replied to the toast . Tho toast The Visitors , Tho Officers of the Scientific , wero given and heartily responded to . —Croydon's Weekly Standard .

Holmesdale Lodge, No. 874.

HOLMESDALE LODGE , No . 874 .

THE installation meeting of this prosperous Lodge ( which numbers nearly one hundred brethren ) was held in their magnificent Lodge Room at the Pump Room , Tunbridgo Wells , on Wednesday , 17 th inst ., at threo o ' clock , the retiring W . M . Bro . H . D . M . Williams being the Installing Master . Amongst the brethren present were—W . Stephens P . M . of Ripon 1489 Prov . G . D . C ., J . Court 1678 , H . Mackay-Pelham P . M ., F . H . Plummer 177 , H . Martinucci 1594 , J . H .

Scott Royal Clarence 271 D . P . G . M . Sussex , A . Spencer Prov . G . S . Kent , C . Burmeister La Tolerance 538 P . M ., Charles Dnko Derwent 40 P . P . G . D . Sussex , Frederick Spencer Mailing Abbey 1063 P . P . J . D . Kent , D . W . Davis Derwent 40 , G . B . Brodio University 1117 W . M . P . G . S . W . Surrey , E . J . Biggs Henley 1472 , G . D . Warner 1678 , T . H . Crouch Worthing 851 P . P . G . J . D . Sussex , J . S . Charlton Tonbridge

1678 , & c . Also Past Masters F . W . Elers , B . Marsack , W . Delves , J , W . Roper , J . Reed , B . S . Wilmot , W . B . Bacon , of the Holmesdale Lodge , and abont forty brethren . The Lodge having opened in solemn form and the minutes confirmed , a dispensation was read from the Grand Master of England , his Royal Highness the Princo of Wales , K . G ., & c , authorising the W . M . to instal the W . M . elect , snch sanction

being necessary in consequence of the W . M . elect being already W . M . of Lodgo 1303 , Lewes . Bro . W . S . Elers P . G . A . S . P . M ., having for eighteen years faithfully and zealously discharged the duty of Treasurer to the Lodge , the brethren at a previous meeting had decided to present him with a Treasurer's jewel as a slight recognition of his services , and of their fraternal regard . The W . M . in the absence of

tho Treasurer , banded the jewel to his brother , F . W . Eler 3 P . G . J . W ., asking him to convey to the Treasurer ( who is now on the Continent ) how much the brethren of tho Lodgo appreciated his very many excellent services as one of the founders of the Lodge and its Treasurer from its commencement , and he and they hoped tbat the great Architect of the "Universe would enable him to continue his exertions

in the cause of Freemasonry for many years to come . For the past six years Bro . J . F . Bates has discharged the duty of Secretary to tho Lodge in such a manner ns to call forth tho admiration of the brethren , and anxious to reward at all times merit and ability , tho W . M . Bro . H . D . M . Williams was deputed to present him with a Secretary ' s jewel and a purse of ten guineas . Tho W . M . in doing so expressed tho pleasure it gave him , and further stated that from the excellent

way in which he had discharged his duties in the past , ho felt sure the success of the Lodge would bo maintained in his hands . Bro . J . F . Bates , in reply , stated that he conld not find word 3 to sufficiently express his gratitude for the kindness which the brethren had conferred npon him , and assured them that nothing shonld prevent him doing the best he could to preserve the peace and harmony of the brethren . Bro . F . W . Elers P . G . J . W . senior P . M . then presented tho

Holmesdale Lodge, No. 874.

W . M . elect , and , in so doing , expressed tho pleasure it gave him , Bro . Hodgkin having been initiated in the Lodge , and duly served the office of Warden , and also having been W . M . of tho Tonbridgo and Lewes Lodges , all which posts he had filled with merit and ability . The ceremony of Installation was then proceeded with in a most impressivo manner , tho charges and exhortations being given by tho

installing Master , Bro . H . D . M . Williams , in such a way as to call forth tho admiration of tho brethren . The following brethren were afterwards invested Officers for tho year : —Bros . J . Burton S . W ., J . E . Ranking J . W ., L . S . Tugwell Chaplain , W . S . Elers Treasurer , J . F . Bates Secretary , E . Dnnkby S . D ., S . A . Cheale J . D ., A . J . Boorman Organist , G . Farrer Sword Bearer , B . S . Wilmot P . M . P . G . R . Kent

and C . Graham D . C . s , G . Beckley P . M . and A . D . Beeching Stewards , W . C . Cripps jun . I . G ., and G . Strange Tyler , for the 19 th time . Tho addresses wero delivered to tho W . M ., Wardens , and Brethren by Bro . H . D . M . Williams . The W . M . then stated that it gave him groat pleasuro , as his first duty , to present to Bro . H . D . M . Williams , the retiring W . M . and Installing Master , a P . M . ' s jewel . Tho Lodgo was

noted for the zeal of its Masters , bnt ho felt sure that no Mastor had discharged his duties moro zealously and impartially , or with greater skill and ability than ho had . Bro . H . D . M . Williams P . M ., in reply , statod that if , by hi 3 huuiblo endoavours , ho had morited and secured the good wishes of the brethren he was amply repaid for any services ho may have rendered . A vote of thanks was unanimously accorded

to Bro . H . D . M . Williams for hia services as installing Master . The brethren then adjourned to the new Assembly Room of the Royal Kentish Hotel , where a choice menu awaited them ; ou the removal of the cloth the loyal and Masonio toasts wero given and responded to . During the ovening some very interesting speeches wore made by

the brethren , and tho harmony of tho meeting wa 3 much enhanced by songs , given by Bros . Lord George Novill , Bates , Everett , and Boorman who wero accompanied on tho piano . Bro . B . S . Wilmob P . M . P . G . R . Kent , acted as Master of tho Ceremony of Installation , and tho maunor in which it was performed , deserves tho highest praiso that can possibly be conferred upon him .

Lodge Of St. John, No. 1343, Grays, Essex.

LODGE OF ST . JOHN , No . 1343 , GRAYS , ESSEX .

THOUGH a comparatively yonng Lodge , this Lodge of St . John , which holds its meetings in tho quiet riverside town of Grays , ia a very promising one . Its members are animated by the true fraternal spirit of Masonry , and they strive hard to fulfil their labours in a manner worthy of the good old Craft . Consequently , their gatherings are always of an instructive and genial character—instructive because the style of work is admirable , and genial , because

you have bnt to take your seat in Lodge and at the banquet , and you find yourself as completely at home aa if you had been associated with the Lodge and its members during yonr whole lifetime . There is no Grand display afc the banquet-table , bat a deep sense of hospitality prevails always . Hence it is no wonder that the installation , which was held at the King ' s Arms Hotel , Grays , on Tuesday , was a

oompleto success * and that the brethren who were privileged to attend as visitors found a hearty welcome . The chair was taken by Bro . James Godwin W . M . pnnotnally at the hour fixed , and the minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the Lodge proceeded to ballot for Messrs . W . Noble Cuming and James Howell . The result in both cases proved favourable , and these gentlemen , being

in attendance , were both initiated into the mysteries of the first degree , tho Worshipful Master fulfilling his part with marked ability and earnestness . Bro . Herbert C . Borradaile , of the Lodge of Goodfellowship No . 276 , of Chelmsford , was next balloted for as a joining member , and elected . Then came the important business of the daynamely , the induction of Bro . F . J . Ash as W . M . elect in the chair of

K . S . The duty of Installing Officer was undertaken by Bro . A . Sturgeon , one of tho Past Masters of the Lodge , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , the ceremony was most impressively rendered . The rest of the Lodge having resumed attendance , the Worshipful Master was saluted and congratulated , and tho following brethren were then appointed and invested with the

insignia of their respective offices , namely : —Bros . Gedge S . W ., E . Sturgeon J . W . and Treasurer , D . Bartletfc Secretary , W . H . Sacketfc S . D ., F . Sackett J . D ., Wingrove I . G ., Cuming W . S ., G . Martin Tyler . We must not omit to state that Bro . A . Stnrgeon was as fervent in his delivery of the usual addresses as ho had been when installing the W . M . The customary " hearty good wishes" having been

expressed , Bro . Ash formally presented the Past Master ' s jewel which had been voted by the Lodge to his predecessor in the chair , Bro . James Godwin , and in doing so paid the latter some well-deserved compliments for tho manner in which , ho had discharged his duties . The gift having been suitably acknowledged , and a vote of thanks having been passed with acclamation to Bro . A . Stnrgeon as tho

Installing Officer , and also acknowledged , the Lodgo was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a quiet but excellent banquet . On the removal of tho cloth , the customary toasts were given , that of the Prov . Grand Master and his Officers being eloquently responded to by Bro . Gard Pye P . M . 51 . On Bro . Godwin I . P . M . devolved the duty of proposing the health of the Worshipful Master , and he

expressed his belief that the Lodge could not do otherwise than prosper under the kindly and able auspices of the present occupant of the chair . The Worshipful Master , in his reply , expressed his intention of doing all that lay in his power to promote the interests of the Lodge , and , as ho knew he shonld have tho hearty assistance and co-operation of the Past Masters , Officers , and brethren , he felt that it would be his own fault if ho did not succeed in giving them

satisfaction . Among the other toasts wero thoso of tho Installing Master , tho Initiates , tho Visitors , and the Officers , the Tyler ' s toast appropriately bringing to a close the proceedings of one of the most pleasant gatherings afc which it ha 3 been our good fortune to be present . The intervals between the toasts were enlivened by some excellent singing , to which tho new member , Bro . Borradaile , in spite of a severe sore throat , contributed his share . ' The Visitors included