Provincial.

expressed there must be something in them . He must also thank the Provincial Grand Officers for their words of commendation . He attributed his success to the fact that he had adhered as far as possible to ritual , feeling sure that it was far easier to do a thing properly than to bungle it . He appreciated the Zion Lodge , and , admitting his indebteness to it for many pleasures and kindnesses , hoped he would never regret being a member of it . He thought the fact of the installation of a brother as one ' s immediate

successor in the ohair of a Lodge was unique in Freemasonry , but he believed the junior had thoroughly qualified himself for his exalted position . In thanking the Brethren for the very handsome jewel presented to him he said he hoped it would ever remind him of the great pleasures he had experienced as a member of the Lodge . He had always received every consideration from members and Officers , and he felt well disposed , not only to the Brethren of the Lodge , but towards all those whom he had met as Masons .

Several toasts followed , that of the Visitors being responded to by , among others , Bro . Ephraim Harris P . M . 815 , headmaster in the school where both the Brothers Steel received their first courses of instruction . Bro . Harris delivered a very interesting speech , mentioning the fact that his own son ( also a Freemason ) , who had been class-mate and particular friend of the W . M ., had two years ago met his death in South Africa , whilst fighting the battles of his country . OtU The two Brethren whose portraits we now present to the reader do not lay claim to any very lengthened connection with the Craft ; :

BRO . BERNHARD STEEL

Bro . Bernhard Steel I . P . M . of the Zion Lodge was initiated in the Caledonian Lodge , No . 204 , Manchester , in the year 1884 . He remained a member for about four years , and joined the Zion Lodge in 1893 , passing through the offices of I . G ., J . W ., S . W ., and W . M . ' In June last * as Steward , he attended the Boys Centenary meeting held in London . Many years ago he was connected with a . famous Parliamentary Debating Society which met at Stretford ( but is now registered amongst the

obits ) , afterwards taking an active part in general political matters . Of late years he' has more especially devoted himself to Jewish communal subjects , and is very popular , being not only a member of their Board of Guardians , but also connecting himself with several other kindred institutions . For three years he has held the position of President of the Jewish Workman's Club , which claims to be the largest of its kind in the country , containing as it does considerably over a thousand members ,, and comprising both sexes in its sodality .

Last year we heard Bro . Steel ' s pronouncement when unanimously seleoted for the principal chair . He then promised to do his best to deserve the confidence which had been placed in him ; and although we are aware that as a rule ante-election promises are not redeemed by' post-election performances , yet being a young man of ability it was not long before his promises became fruition , for be did not prove derelict in any dutyiVwhioh was assigned to him .

His career in Masonry has perhaps not been a remarkably brilliant one , but being ever content to labour steadily with patient reticence , ifcihas been genuinely . conscientious and just , and this without the display of any unotuous rectitude , the very excellence of his work marking him out for distinction on the _ oircumsoribed stage of Masonry , where he was always . " en ^ scene , " whilst his jocose manner lightened the duties of the festive board ,. so that there he was a real " persona gratissima . "

BRO . MARK STEEL , W . M . OF THE ZION LODGE , No . 1798 .

Provincial.

The claims of Bro . Mark Steel to Masonic distinction are by no means ancillary , for although his brother Bernhard has acted to a great extent as " guide , philosopher , and friend , " and has even performed the sponsorial aob of placing him in the principal chair as his successor , yet the newly-installed W . M . has displayed a oertain amount of conspicuous ability , thus justifying the members of the Zion Lodge in their belief that they have secured a good Officer .

The two remarkable circumstances in connection with his position are the facts , firstly that he . was installed by his own brother , and secondly that he . is probably the youngest Mason holding the important position of Master , his age being . twenty-seven years only . No doubt bis work will be quiet and unostentatious , but from our knowledge of him it will he correct , and his uniformly pleasant demeanour , if maintained as heretofore , will add additional , strength to the loyalty which the Brethren of the Lodge baVe ever evinced towards him .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , 13 th inst ., at , the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , W ., Bros . G . Weaver W . M ., G . Barter W . M .-elect 2362 S . W ., W . Handover J . W ., R . - J . Rogers P . M . Treasurer , H . Dehane P . M . Preceptor , G . Mogford > P . M ; Sec .,- Jackson Crow-S . Dl , T . -Marks J . D ., E . Thomas I . G .,. 0 . Graham , T . Mogford P . M ., J . Matthews , E . White , C , HalstonJ . Wynman & c .

, , The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Matthews candidate . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Bro . Barter W . M .-elect of the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge was elected to preside on the first Tuesday in January .

IMPERIAL LODGE , No . 1694 . ON Tuesday , 20 th inst ., at Bro . Douglas White ' s , the Pier Hotel , Chelsea , Bros . J . Braddick W . M ., D . Beveridge S . W ., G . E . White J . W ., A . Schott Seo ., R . Hicks S . D ., 0 . Tuckfield J . D ., E . Barwell I . G ., and several others .

The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . W . Norton candidate . The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and then kindly vacated trie ohair in favour of Bro . Schott Secretary , who , after calling off and on , rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , with Bro . Franklin acting as candidate . Bro . - David Beveridge was . elected a member , and was also chosen to preside on Tuesday next ;

A letter of sympathy was ordered to be sent to Bro . Douglas White , with the hope he might soon be restored to perfect health . We again remind' our readers that this Lodge meets every Tuesday evening , at half past eight . ;

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . AFTER the . annual supper , which was held on Monday , the 5 th , and which proved to have been a great success , the Brethren assembled at their usual hour of 3 p . m ., on Monday , 12 th inst ., at Bro . Rudderforth's

( Stone ' s ) . Restaurant . Bro . H . J . Rose acted as W . M . for the first time , and was assisted by .. Bros . J . Culverhouse S . W ., W . H . Making J . W ., O . Wetton P . M . Dep . Preceptor , W . H . Budderforth P . M . Treas ., J . W . Simeons Sec , H . Wood S . D ., A . Menn J . D ., H . Williams I . G ., G . Yeouell , H . Cousens ^ H , Crook , Wynman , & c .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Warwick candidate . The W . M . advanced the Lodge to the second and third degrees , and resumed to the first , when the same candidate was examined , and the second ceremony was rehearsed . Bro . C . Wetton Dep , Preceptor proposed that a hearty vote of congratulation be recorded on the minutes for the perfect manner in which the W . M .

had fulfilled his duties on the occasion , it being the first time he had acted as W . M . at the Lodge . Bro . Wetton especially mentioned that Bro . Rose was only a young Mason . He had very seldom heard the ceremonies rehearsed in so perfect a manner , and their Brother was only initiated about eighteen months ago . The proposition was received with hearty good feeling and suitably acknowledged .

EARL OF LATHOM- LODGE ; No . 1922 . ON Wednesday ,- 14 th inst ., at Bro . Charles- Sisman ' s , Station Hotel , Camberwell New Road , Bros . H . Cornford W . M ., F . W . Trotter S . W ., G . White J . W ., C . L . Plant P . M . Preceptor , E . J . S . Ware Asst . Sec , W . Hill Treas ., A . Jackson S . D ., H . Eyre J . D ., L . Shipton I . G ., B . Cohen , F . Messent , W . Hurley , W . Croxson W . M .-elect 1658 , A . Taylor P . M ., R . Peachey W . M . 1922 , W . Wiltshire .

The ceremony of passing was rehearsed , " Bro . B , Cohen acting as the candidate . The Lodge was advanced to the third degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . We were pleased to hear these ceremonies rendered in so perfect a manner . By desire of Bro . Plant P . M . Preceptor the Brethren went through their Masonic drill . The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and Bro . F . W . Trotter was elected to preside at the next meeting .

Bro . Hill , the Treasurer , referred to the reports of the Lodge meetings given in the FBEBMASON ' CHEONICLE , and proposed that Bro . Wynman be elected an honorary member of tho Lodge , which was carried unanimously . In returning thanks Bro . Wynman sincerely thanked the W . M . on behalf of the Editor of the paper , and for himself .

ON Wednesday , 21 st inst ., Bros . R . Taylor W . M ., B . Cohen S . W ., G , White J . W ., C . Plant P . M . Preceptor , W . Hill Treasurer , H . Cornford Sec , E . Ware Assist . Sec , H . Cornford S . D ., S . Morris J . D ., F . Messent I . G ., R . Peachey , Legg , Hurley , Wynman , & c . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Legg acting as candidate . The Lodge was called off and on , when the W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and by desire Bro . Peachey delivered the three addresses .

Bro . T . Legg was elected a member , which compliment was duly acknowledged . Bro . Plant informed the Brethren that on Wednesday , 4 th January , being Officers' night the W . M . of the Mother Lodge would officiate . Bro . B , Cohen was elected for Wednesday , 12 th prox . The annual supper will take place on the' last Wednesday in February .