Reports Of Meetings.

prominence being given to that of the newly-passed candidates , tho latter responding in fitting terms . Quite an ovation was made in honour of Bro . Crowther , whose early departure abroad for a lengthened period was announced . Songs , & c . followed , given by Bros . Kew , Whatham , Stott , Stewart , and Goldman . ooo INSTRUCTION .

METROPOLITAN LODGE , No . 1507 . ON Monday , 23 rd , at the Moorgate , 15 Finsbury Pavement , Bros . Purle W . M ., Saunders S . W ., Wise J . W ., W . M . Stiles G . Treas . Preceptor , Lewis Deputy Preceptor , Scales Treasurer , Johnstone Deputy Sec , Lamegeon S . D ., Enspacht J . D ., Ronveall I . G ., P . Ms . Ellenger , Rice , Walker , Dickenson , Mote , Edmonds ; Bros . Stear , Gurner , Merritt , Oakley , Payne , and several others .

The minutes being confirmed , Bro . Johnson answered the questions , was entrusted , and subsequently passed to the second degree . Bro . Payne was next examined , and then raised to the third degree , the ceremony being carried out in a very efficient manner . Bro . Hall , a . member of the Clissold Lodge , was elected a member , and a

hearty vote of congratulation was accorded to Bro . Walter Merritt on his election as W . M . of the Strand Lodge . This being the first time that Bro . Purle had acted as W . M ., a hearty vote of thanks was proposed and carried for the very excellent manner in which he had discharged tho duties of the chair . An appeal for votes on behalf of the son of tho lato Bro . Dixie was very earnestly made by Bro . Stiles .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE , No . 1805 . AT the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow Road , on Wednesday , 25 th , Bro . F . A . Slater W . M ., Fennell S . W ., N . B . Moffatt J . W ., Joss S . D ., W . Bettinoon J . D ., C Holland I . G ., J . De Casseres P . M . Preceptor , J . Gibbs

P . M ., W . Boyce P . M ., Napthah , West , Thornton , Goulston , Owers , and Kenny . After preliminaries the Lodge was opened in second degree . Bro . Napthali answered the questions , and Lodge being opened in the third , the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , he acting as candidate .

Bro . J . W . Gibbs P . M . in an able manner gave the Traditional History of the third degree . The Lodge resumed to the first degree , and the Brethren assisted Bro . Goulston to work the third and fourth sections of tha lecture .

Bro . Fennell having been duly elected to the chair for the next meeting , tho Lodge was closed in due foim , and adjourned to Wednesday next , 2 nd October .

CITADEL LODGE , No . 1897 . THE first meeting of this session was held on Friday , 20 th inst ., at the Farleigh Hotel , Amhurst Road , Stoke Newington : —Bros . I . P . Cohen P . M . W . M ., E . G . Piatt S . W ., G . Kebbell J . W ., F . Kebbell S . D ., Jackson

J . D ., Ditchman I . G ., F . Dunstan P . M . Preceptor , H . Willsmer Secretary , T , I . Bird P . M . Treasurer , and Cole , Newman , Wyatt , Yates , Wbittaker , Wertzell , Hill P . M ., Edmonds P . M ., Mason , Crane P . M ., 0 . J . Von Holtorp P . M ., Gallery , Peters , Witte , Palmer , G . Clark P . M ., Siegenberg W . M ., J . Von Holtorp , Davison P . M ., Tilley , Ives P . M ., Todd P . M ., and others . The minutes of meeting held 7 th June were confirmed . The ceremony of Initiation was rehearsed . Bro . W . H . Tilley acting as candidate .

Four new members having been elected , Bro . Piatt was chosen W . M . for the ensuing week . On the proposition of Brother T . I . Bird P . M . P . G . S . B . Middx .,. a preliminary Committee was appointed with the view of forming a Masonio Charities Association in connection with the Lodge of Instruction , some thirty-six Brethren having promised to become members .

The Committee , at tho meeting yesterday , intended fco frame bye-laws , arrange details , & c . The Lodge was then closed .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

—; o : — LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 581 .

IN connection with this popular Lodge , held at tho Old Boar ' s Head Hotel , Manchester , the commencement of the winter session , inaugurated on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., must be regarded as a great success , a large number of Brethren being present . Bros . Jas . Wm . Abbott P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Preceptor , Geo . T . Lenard Treasurer , and Alfred Hebden

P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . Secretary , are seldom away from thoir posts , and on this occasion the meeting was recruited by the presence of Bros . John Chadwick P . M . P . G . S . B . Eng . Prov . G . Secretary ( E . L . ) , John Clifle P . M . P . P . G . D . C , Fred Hilton P . M . P . P . G . D . C , Godfrey Higham P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C , Richard Simister P . M . 163 , A . Ashworth P . M . 999 , H . B . Brown P . M . 581 , R . Armitage P . M . 1083 Geo . Rideal P . M . 1798 , and others .

The usual custom of opening Lodge was adopted , and the general business disposed of . There were two ballots , and it is most satisfactory to note that although the Lodge numbers nearly 200 members , there were propositions for eight joining members Telegrams of regret for enforced absence were received from Brothers H . H . Warburton P . M . 1 G 3 P . P . S . G . D ., Lofthouse , and Geo . B . Goodfellow W . M . 1030 .

A very excellent tea , provided in Mrs . Stopford ' s best manner , followed , and an evening which may rank as a memorable one in the annals of the Instruction Lodge passed quickly and merrily away . The contributors to the harmony were Bros . W . H . Worsley S . W . 1458 ( who played some of his admirable and inimitable pianoforte solos ) , Fred Hilton P . M ., & c , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , A . B . Taylor , S . Butterworth , Blacow , and Howard .

The festive board was under the charge of Bros . J . W . Abbott Preceptor acting W . M ., George W . Davies W . M . 1459 acting S . W ., and W . H . Worsley S . W . 1458 acting J . W . Amongst the principal toasts was that of the Preceptor , proposed by Brother Higham , and admirably responded to by Brother Abbott .

Provincial.

Brother Worsley proposed tho Treasurer , speaking of the arduous work which the position entailed upon Brother Lenard , and the creditable manner in which he invariably acqnittcd himself . Ho also spoke of the help which from time to time he lent to the ceremonies , paying a very just compliment to his ready acquiescence in the performance of any portion which might be required of him .

Brother Lenard , in reply , thanked the Brethren for the way in which they had received the kind words uttered by Brother Worsley , and mentioned that one very gratifying event of the year was the giving of £ 10 to the Systematic and Benevolent Institution . He hoped at the same time the gift would be repeated .

Brother Cliffe proposed the health of the Secretary , saying that Brother Hebden had creditably occupied his position in the Instruction Lodge for many years . With nearly 200 members to communicate with monthly , the work was anything but easy , but he was not at all afraid of work , and performed it in a graceful manner , as though he enjoyed it , which no doubt he did .

Brother Hebden suitably replied , explaining the position of the Lodge . He stated that his own connection with it had been that of Treasurer for three years , and Secretary for the last ten . He concluded by thanking them for their hearty reception of his name . Brother Rideal proposed the health of the-Visitors , according them , a very hearty welcome .

During the evening , the question as to the advisability of a meeting oi Installed Masters ( members of the Lodge ) , at specified times for a rehearsal of the ceremony of Installation , was mooted , and referred to the Secretary to arrange . As an outcome of this , a meeting was accordingly summoned to be held at the Lodge house on Friday , the 20 th inst ., when it was decided that such a Lodge be formed , the meetings to take place seven times each year , viz ., on the third Friday of each month , September to March inclusive . Brb . Abbott was appointed Preceptor . ooo

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR .

— : o : — CHAMPION CONCLAVE , No . 26 .

A MEETING was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Tuesday , the 7 th inst ., Bro . T . H . Schofield Supreme Ruler . There were also present : —Bros . F . Armstrong G ., John Marshall Sec . P . G . C , Richard T . Redman Std ., Henry Taylor Grundy 1 st V . D ., John E . Williams O ., Arthur C K . Smith D . C , Wm . A . Boyer G . D . R ., W . Cockcroft S . R . No . 25 , Thos . Plumpton G . S ., Wm . B . Midgley , F . W . Maxwell , J . A . Kirkland , Vincent

Brown , Edward Roberts , Wm . Charlton , J . P . Brother Georgo A . Myers , who had already been elected , and was duly inducted , and afterwards Brothers Brown , Midgley , Maxwell , and Charlton were admitted , the ceremonies being conducted by the Supreme Ruler and Bro . John Marshall Past Grand 0 . -,,,... The Visiting Deacons gave their report , and the revised draft of , bye-Iawfi was again submitted , after which the Conclave was closed . ''' . ''

The North London Chapter oi Improvement will resume its meetings on Monday , 7 th October , at the Goek Hotel , Highbury , where Companions are cordially invited to participate in the work . . , . ..

The want of a tracing-board in a Lodge is always a matter for remark by Visitors , and yet there . are but few Lodges in the West of Scotland possessed of one . Why ? asks the " Mallet . " It is not an expensive item , and a most necessary part of the furnishings .

A new sixpenny illustrated magazine , entitled " The Country House , " is announced to appear in October ; it will contain 128 pages of letterpress , and bo fully illustrated . Offices , 30 Fleet Street , E . C .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

MANY of our readers will share with us regret at hearing of the death of Bro . E . Y . Jolliffe , who was well known in Masonic circles—in city and other Lodges , and in connection with the three Institutions of the Craft , to all of which he had contributed largely from his means , and had also worked hard on

their behalf among his companions . Bro . Jolliffe had been in failing health for some time , and was taken suddenly worse the middle of last week , gradually sinking until Sunday morning , when he peacefully passed away , having been unconscious , for

some time previous . Bro . Jolliffe will be sadly missed in many Masonic circles , although his health having prevented his regular attendance of late had , in a measure , prepared his Brethren for the final dissolution . ' His remains were interred on Wednesday , at Highgate Cemetery .

THE death of the Rev . William Valentine , M . A ., Vicar of Whixley , York , took place on the 19 th inst . Brother Valentine was a Devonshire man , and took his B . A . at Oxford in 1850 , and his M . A . in 1857 . He was presented to Whixley in 1853 , and in the same 3 'ear he was given the perpetual curacy of

Allerton-Mauleverer . He was much interested in Freemasonry and its branches , says the " Western Morning News . " He was Past Master of York Lodge , No . 236 , and Past Grand Chaplain of North and East Yorkshire , a Past Master of the York Mark

( T . L ) , Past Z . of the Zetland Chapter , No . 236 , Past Preceptor of the Ancient Ebor Preceptory of K . T ., and Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland in Yorkshire , besides filling many other offices .