Reports Of Meetings.

Atkins P . M . D . C , J . G . Wingrove Organist , Robert Matthews Asst . Organist , Robert Walker and H . H . Slater Stewards , and Geo . Martin Tyler . As stated in our report of the last meeting the Lodge had voted to Bro . Westwood a jewel of double the usual value , together with a Past Master ' s collar and jewel . This handsome presentation was made in open Lodge by the W . M ., with a speech as complimentary as the occasion deserved . He trusted that Bro . Westwood would long be spared to be with them , and give

the Lodge the assistance of his experience . Bro . Westwood briefly returned thanks , reserving his further remarks till after dinner . The report of fche Audit Committee was received and adopted , the balance , in spite of many heavy expenses during the year , being highly satisfactory . Bro . James Howell P . M . was re-elected as Charity Representative of the Lodge .

The visiting Brethren having offered their congratulations to the W . M ., the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , where a very recherche repast was served by Brother R . Cunningham . Upon its termination the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were given by the W . M ., Bro . C . J . B . Tijou responding for the Grand Officers , and Bro . F . Spencer Guy for the Provincial Grand Lodge .

In highly complimentary terms Bro . Westwood proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . He stated he and Bro . Felling were raised together in the Lodge , and they had since worked steadily up through the various Offices , though ifc had been his good fortune to reach the chair firsfc . Bro . Polling had the cause of Freemasonry at heart , and would always be ready to give assistance fco the Brethren . He was a true and worthy Mason , who would uphold the traditions of the Lodge .

The W . M ., who on rising to reply was received with loud applause , thanked the Brethren for their kind and flattering reception . He was indeed proud to be W . M . of the Lodge , and he hoped , with the assistance of the Past Masters and Brethren , to be able to carry on the duties to their satisfaction and his own credit . The Master then proceeded fco propose the Installing Master . Brother Westwood had enjoyed a most brilliant year of office , having initiated the

largest number of candidates admitted in any one year in the Lodge ; he had the honour of entertaining the Provincial Grand Master , and had received Provincial honours ; he had also arranged the firsfc Masonic Ball held in connection with the Lodge ; had worked hard for the Lodge of Instruction , and had started the Benevolent Fund , which had enabled him to take a large amount to the Masonic Charities ; and , finally , he had left fche Lodge in a grand financial position . Such a record was something to be proud of , and all the Brethren knew he had deserved ifc .

Bro . Westwood , in response , agreed thafc from a Masonic point of view he had had a glorious reign , but modestly attributed his success to the great assistance he had received from the Lodge . He had looked forward to the pleasure of installing Bro . Pelling , and was glad that he had performed the ceremony to their satisfaction . He had been honoured far in excess of his

services by the handsome present they had given him that evening , and he felt he could not sufficiently thank them ; so long as he lived he would always be ready to render what assistance he could . He specially thanked the Officers , particularly Bro . Borradaile , for their kindness to him , as without them he could have done but little . Bros . Harlow , Harris and Cumine returned thanks for the visitors .

Bro . Higgins responded to the Initiate ' s toast ; and the Officers of the Lodge having been complimented , the Tyler made his appearance and brought the Festival to a happy conclusion . During the evening an agreeable programme of music was provided by Bro . J . G . Wingrove , the artistes being Madame Marie Malia , Miss Lucie Johnstone and Bros . J . F . Horncastle , Henry J . Andrew , Joseph Hay and Roland Henry .

Bro . Frederick William Pelling , the new W . M . of this Lodge , was born in 1851 , at Brentwood , Essex , and was initiated into Freemasonry in the St . John Lodge , No . 1343 , in May 1890 . He has filled the various offices of the Lodge , working his way steadily up . He takes great interest in the Lodge of Instruction , at Grays , and is at the present time its Secretary .

It is hoped that during his year of office a Royal Arch Chapter will be established in connection with the Lodge , though he is nofc as yefc a Companion of the Order . Like most of the St . John Brethren , he is an ardent supporter of the Masonic Charities , and took up a considerable sum at the recent Girls School Festival .

BALDWIN LODGE , No . 1398 . AT the Castle , Dalton , on Wednesday , 20 fch fast ., there was a very large attendance of members , together with several visitors from Barrow , Millom , and Ulverston . After the meeting an adjournment was made to the George and Dragon Inn , where some thirty sat down fco an excellent supper , provided in first class style by the hostess , Mrs . Hind . The W . M . Brother Deason presided , Bro . Whiteside P . M . occupying the vice-chair .

HOPE LODGE , No . 2153 . THE installation meeting was held on Wednesday , 20 th inst ., at the India Arms Hotel , Gosport , when Bro . G . D . Birch was installed as W . M ., fche ceremony being performed by Bro . Nash W . M . of fche pasfc year .

BRENTWOOD LODGE ( INSTRUCTION ) , No . 2255 . THIS Lodge of Instruction ( acting under the sanction of the Philbrick Lodge , No . 2255 ) closed the season of 1895-96 by holding the annual banquet at the Lion and Lamb Hotel , Brentwood , on the 21 st inst ., under the presidency of Bro . W . T . Humphreys Prov . S . G . W .

A capital repast was served in first-class style by host Bro . J . Hill , after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted and responded to . Songs were contributed by Bros . Woods , Roscoe , White , Edwards , and Armour , and Bros . Edwards and White acted as accompanists . The membership has increased to twenty-four .

QUEEN VICTORIA LODGE , No . 2584 . THE regular meeting was held at the Conservative Club , Cheetham , Manchester , on Tuesday , 19 fch insfc ., Bro . Councillor Saml . I . Mills W . M . There was a good attendance of members and visitors alike to witness the passing of Bro . Benjamin Brook , B . A ., and the raising of Bro . Edmund

Reports Of Meetings.

Arthur Windridge Wragg . The first ceremony was undertaken by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . Chas Wm . Godby , acting I . P . M . and Treasurer . At the festive board which followed , the work performed by the above Officers was referred to by several Brethren in the highest terms . The various toasts and speeches were varied by songs , recitations , & c .

MAEK MASONRY

DOVE VALLEY LODGE , No . 353 . ON Monday , 18 th insfc ., the annual installation meeting was held at tha Town Hall , Ashbourn , when Bro . W . H . Smedley was installed W . M , by Bros . R . Beardmore and W . H . Tutt . Amongst the visitors was the Grand Master of Derbyshire Brother A . Woodiwiss .

After the ceremony a banquet was held at the Green Man Hotel , where a sumptuous repast was provided by Mrs . Wallis . The usual Mark toasts were proposed and cordially honoured .

Bro . John Taylor , J . P ., F . C . S ., & c , who is to be invested as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies at the meeting of Grand Mark Lodge next week , is a Past Master of the Jordan Mark Lodge , No . 319 ( Torquay ) , and P . Prov . G . Treasurer of Devon . Bro . Taylor has taken great interest in the Mark

Benevolent Fund , and doubtless his having served many Stewardships for that excellent charity , and having qualified as a vice-president has , in some measure , led to his rapid advancement , says the " Western Mercury . " He is also a member of the Grand Masters' Mark Lodge of Instruction , and connected

with many of the higher degrees , as well asProv . Grand Scribe N . for Devon in Eoyal Arch Masonry . His investment will make the third Mark Grand Officer in Torquay , Bros . W . J . Hughan Past Grand Warden and Jno . Lane Past Grand Overseer being the other two .

The duties of the minor Officers are not arduous , but they are essential to the successful working of the Lodge . — " Tribune . "

Masonry In The Dark Countries.

MASONRY IN THE DARK COUNTRIES .

THE only country in Europe in which Freemasonry is not allowed to exist , besides Austria proper , is " Darkest " Bussia . It was suppressed in 1820 , and in 1822 the Ozar issued a ukase forbidding the Lodges to reopen at any future time . The loyal Freemasons , in submission to authority , obeyed without a murmur . The ukase is still in force at the present day , and

what is the result ? Discontent and unrest pervade the vast Empire ; intolerance , religious hatred and relentless persecution disgrace the Government ; plots and conspiracies follow each other in rapid succession ; a bigoted and fanatic Emperor trembles on his throne , in constant dread of assassination , and the whole country resembles a huge rumbling volcano , which

by a sudden eruption threatens with devastation the neighbouring nations . At this very time , while preparations are being made for the coronation of the Czar , an ironclad car is also built for him to travel in . Such is the wretched condition of this vast Empire , which extinguished the light of Masonry , and with it all its blessings of harmony and happiness .

How different the condition of the country would be if the noble teachings of Masonry had enlarged the Czar ' s narrow mind and made him a protector , instead of an opponent , of the Craft ; if his subjects , high and low , instead of conspiring to kill him , were bound to him by the bonds of Brotherly love , and an indissoluble chain of affection . A look over the entire globe will demonstrate the beauty as well as the utility of Masonry . In

Spain , also , Masonry is frowned upon , and its inhabitants are densely ignorant and priest-ridden . "Wherever Masonry flourishes there also the . highest grade of civilisation exists , Masonry bringing with it enlightenment and enlarged views . And in those countries where Masonry is prohibited the dark and narrow prejudices of another age still exist , even in these , the closing years of the nineteenth century . — " New York Tribune . "

THE Great Western Railway Company have issued a nicely illustrated pamphlet , containing lists of Farmhouses , Seaside and Country Lodgings , Hotels , and Boarding Houses in the districts served by the Great Western line , including Jersey and Guernsey . The pamphlet shows the accommodation obtainable , and the features of interest in the various localities , and will be found exceedingly useful to Tourists . Copies can be obtained free on personal application at the Company ' s London Receiving Offices , and at

Paddington Station and the principal Stations throughout the Line . The Company ' s Divisional Superintendents at Paddington , Reading , Bristol , Exeter , Plymouth , Penzance , Swansea , Llanelly , Cardiff , Pontypool Road , Hereford , Worcester , Birmingham , and Chester will forward pamphlets on receipt of twopence to defray postage , and copies can be obtained at Messrs . Smith and Son ' s bookstalls at the Stations on the Great Western Railway , at the price of one penny each . The pamphlet is published by Messrs . Walter Hill and Co ., of 67 and 69 Southampton Row , London , W . C .