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Article TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 2 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 2 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
Rcrn * vrs nf MASONIC M EETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' Koyal Arch 3 Mark Masonry 3 Ancient and Accepted Rito 3 Scotland 3 jlasonic Banquet to S . Homfray , Esq S Reviews S
Koval Masonic Benevolent Institution 5 Onr Koval Grand Master ' s Visit to India 6 Thc New Year 6 Reports of Lodge Meetings o Comparative Cost of the Boys' School 1 The Vatican and Physics 7 CORRESrON'DEN'CE : — Masonic Forbearance 1 Can a Tvler Vote ? 7
Consecration of a Chapter at Liverpool ' . ^ Centenary Ves - . ival of the St . Thomas ' s Lo * . i ; e « * Presentation to a Worthy Liverpool Brother S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 9 Royal Masonic Institution I ' or Boys 9 Freemasonry in the United States 9 The Rtd Cross 9 Masonic and General Tidings io Masonic Meetings for Next Week lo Advertisements i- ii- » i . iv . v . vi .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Utosonrs . MOUNT LEBANON LODGE ( No . 73 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., at Bro . Spencer ' s , the Bridge House Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . I . J . Hooper Wilkins , as is customary with him , took the chair punctually at half-past five , the time named in the summons , supported by his officers , viz ., Bros . Charles Rayden , S . W . ; Knott , J . W . ; Keeble ,
S . D . ; Ireton , J . D . ; Cooper , IG . ; Harris , P . M ., Treasurer ; Free , P . M ., Secretary ; Ebsworth , P . M ., D . C . ; and Rose , P . M ., W . S . Notwithstanding that it was election night , the general attendance was below the average . The close proximity of Christmas may have had something to do with this , as many brethren would probably be so much engaged in other matters that
they could not attend " without detnment to themselves or connexions . " It may be , too , that the election was considered as a . foregone conclusion , as no one would vote against the Senior Warden , so popular is he among those over whom he is so soon to rule . There being no work on the agenda , thc election of W . M . for the ensuing year was proceeded with , and the result , as wc have already
anticipated , was unanimously in favour of Bro . Rayden . The ballot for Treasurer was next taken , which was unanimously in favour of Bro . Edward Harris , P . M ., who has now filled that oflicc for , wc believe , 38 years , duiing the whole of which time he has only been absent front tlie lodge on three occasions , and then only through illness Bio . Harris is not only thc oldest I ' . M . but is thc oldest
member of the lodge ; hence he may lay a double claim to thc title of father of the lodge , ami a very good father he is , for he is at all times ready and willing to give advice and instruction to Ids younger brethren . Bro . Laing was re-elected Tyler . Bro . Harris next proposed the usual sum from thc lodge funds to purchase a Past Master ' s jewel to be presented to Bro . Wilkins on
his vacating the chair , and in thc course of his remarks he paid a very high compliment lo thc W . M . for the skill and ability with which he had governed the lodge duiing thc past year . Were he to propose , he said , double the amount he had named he was certain it would be cheerfully given ; but with Bio . Wilkins that was not necessary . The jewel , whatever it was , would be valued not for its
intrinsic worth but as being a souvenir of his year of oflice . lt is needless to say lhat tl c motion was unanimously passed . METROPOLITAN LODGE ( N " o . 150 ;) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on thc t Gth ult ., at the Metropolitan Club , 26 9 , Pentonville Hoad . Thc W . M ., Bro . J . J . Michael , presided , and performed thc
work of th-: lodge , assisted by his oflicers , Bros . J hos . Williams , S . W . ; B . Kingham , J . W . ; Hose , Treas . ; G . Tims , Sec ; John Douglas , S . D . ; C . | . Scales , J . D . ; W . M . Stiles , DC ; Geo . Colls , W . S . ; W . Side , I . G . ; Jas . Willing , I . P . M . Visitors : Bros . J . Gardner , 1563 ; Fenner , 1227 ; S . Millis , P . M . 157 ; Geo . Jones , One and [ All ; I-I . Massey , P . M . 610 (
"Freemason , " ) ; and 34 . lay brethren of the lodge . The work consisted of raising Bros . II . Stiles , T . Gilbert , jun ., Swaagraan , and Solomon ; passing Bros . Cave , Van Camp , and Lovegrove ; and initiating Messrs . K . Baddcley , George Edwards , and Henry Scales . The brethren were engaged in these ceremonies for over three hours , and at its termination they adjourned to an excellent rcpait , provided by
Bro . George Cox , the manager of thc Metropolitan Club . The toasts followed the banquet , and thc Prince of Wales ' s health , together with success to his journey in thc far East , was most heartily drunk . The Prov . and Deputy Grand Masters' health was also drunk , and the W . M . in proposing it drew attention lo the great ability of both these rulers in the Craft . Bro . Willing proposed " The
Health of the W . M ., " who came into thc lodge 15 months ago an obscure country brother . He had , however , so applied himself to Masonic studies that since his connection with the lodge he had blossomed and borne magnificent fruit . He meant to go on as he had begun . His workin" in lodge had been excellent . Five gentlemen hail come up
for initiation , and the W . M . had consequently had no easy time of it . Other duties were also required of him , and in this lodge thc VV . M . was expected to collect a large amount of money for the charities ; to keep the brethren well supplied with all that they wanted ; and also to leave a large balance in the Treasurer ' s hands when the chair was passed to the next W . M . That evening they had
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
hadavery agreeable meeting , and the W . M . had done his best to make it so . He had , in fact , proved himself in all respects fitted to occupy thc chair . ( Applause . ) The W . M ., after some allusions to the endeavour which had been made in thc lodge to render all the brethren comfortable , and at the banquet table not to stint them of good cheer , expressed his pleasure in ministering , even though
sometimes m a small degree , to the extension of Freemasonry . Freemasonry did not consist in eating and drinking . This lodge was now becoming very powerful , and it was the lodges that were powerful which exerted the greatest influence in thc Order . This lodge therefore should set the example to other lodges . What they could afford they should spend , but at the same time they should
remember that they should leave something to be applied to the cause of charity . The Metropolitan Lodge would never forget this , and it was one of the greatest objects of its promoters that the cause of benevolence and charity should ever be its distinguishing feature . The lodge had freed itself from all engagements , and it could now devote itself to the objects it had in view . This was a very proud
position for so young a lodge to attain to ; and it was also a proud position for a brother to occupy its chair when it had so far fulfilled its mission . He was much obliged to the brethren for having tlrunk his health so heartily , and he trusted that on all occasions they would support him as loyally 2 nd heaitily as they had hitherto done . If they did he should when his year of oflice expired retire into the
ranks of thc Past Masters with his best wishes to them all . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Michael then gave "Thc P . M ., " and , quoting Barbara's "Jackdaw of Rheims , " said his " words were loo faint his merits to paint , and so they agreed to make him a saint . " ( Laughter . ) Foitunately they did not want reminding of thc P . M . ' s many good qualities , and if they did there was that in the lodge room to bring
him to their memory ( referring to the oil painting which was presented on the occasion of Bro . Willing becoming I . P . M . ) . The promotion of the lodge was due to Bro . Willing , through whose indefatigable exertions night and day they had obtained their warrant . When they considered the amount of pleasure he had been instrumental in affording all of them , they could not but feel
what an immense debt they owed him . Freemasonry , to his ( thc W . M . ' s ) mind , afforded pleasure to all its members . It was one of thc greatest pleasures of life ; and if for nothing else the establishment of this lodge had endeared Bro . Willing to all of them . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Willing replied . He hod always experienced kind feelings from the members of the lodge . If it was difficult for him
to speak now , what would it be a few years hence , when as one of thc many Past Masters he should have the pleasure of meeting many happy faces sitting alongside him as Past Masters . He felt deeply the good feelings of the breihren , and anything that appertained to Freemasonry , he could assure them , was ever of interest to him . Any one who took thc nunc interest in the well-being of thc
Craft naturally became a close friend of his directly . Certainly he was the founder and father ofthe lodge ; but it must be remembered its success depended on the hearty support it received from cithers . The brethren who assisted him in its formation had no idea when they established it that they would be able to make it more than 30 strong at the end of the year . But such success had attended it ,
that the difficulty now was not to bring members in , but to keep them out . There was thc great question of want of accommodation looming in the future . But then , where were they to go ? Anderton ' s Hotel , one of thc best places of meeting in the whole of the metropolis , the London Tavern , Cannon-street Hotel , Freemasons' Tavern , all had the objection of not being so easily accessible for
the brethren , who by the circumstance cf their residential localities were conveniently situated for the Metropolitan Club . It behoved Freemasons to build halls of their own . In many parts of tlie country , Freemasons were better accommodated than in London ; and it must be known to the brethren that it was essential to thc proper performance , of the ceremonies that there should be
every accommodation . More especially was this the case for the ceremony of initiation , for it was on a brother's primary introduction to thc Order that the greatest impression was made on him . Proper Masonic halls elected in different localities would provide Ibis requisite . He would now speak of the Chanties , which up to the present time the brethren had liberally
supported . He then appealed lo the brethren to assist him in making up . 1 good list for the Benevolent Institution's Festival , of thc nth February . ( Thu was responded to by the contribution of some £ 30 . ) The W . M . afterwards gave "The Visitors , " for which compliment Bro . Millis , P . M . 157 , " and several other brethren responded . The W . M . next proposed "The Initiates , " and exhorted them
to join the Lodge of Instruction , and obtain a further insight into Masonic mysteries than they had obtained that evening , crossing as it were the threshold of Freemasonry . The Initiates having responded , the toast of "The Oflicers " followed , and these brethren having replied , the evening , which had been enlivened by some very nice singing , was brought to a close .
HULL . —Humber Lodge ( No . 57 ) . —An unusually large number of members of this old and important lodge assembled 011 thc evening of Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., for a purpose at all times of great Masonic interest , viz ., the election of W . M . for the ensuing year . During the last year the office has been fulfilled by Bro . Jonathan West , and wc are merely relating a fact in stating that his
year of office has been as pleasant and as prosperous a year as can be recollected by the oldest members of the lodge . Bro . West is , in himself , a striking instance that genuine Masouic worth , such as kindness and courtesy , adherence to Masonic principles , and attention to Masonic duties are certain to be recognised and rewarded amongst us . In addition to these qualifications , Bro . West has the advantage of possessing niany genial and attractive social
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
attributes , which always make their influence felt in a large lodge , and tend to promote that harmony and good feeling so essentially necessary to " mother comforts . " Br . ) . West , wc are assured , leaves the chair with thc best and most fraternal wishes of his brethren , who , in appreciation of his many brotherly qualities , intend making him the recipient of some tangible mark of their approbation
through the medium of a Masonic presentation . Thc W . M . elect is Bro . A . W . Ansell , who will , no doubt , have the example of his predecessor constantly before him , and who , we believe , will zealously strive to maintain the happiness and prosperity of the lodge . There is one thing to which , as we are now referring to this lodge , wc may , with propriety , allude , and that is , the somewhat
indiscriminate admission of members . Many of the brethren appear to think that the success of a lodge relies more upon quantity than quality , and , therefore , instead of adding to Masonry those capable of shewing to advantage its principles and teachings , and taking an active partin its promulgation , they get those who , after becoming full fledged M . M . ' s , degenerate into thinking that the essence and spirit of
Freemasonry consist in the Knife and Fork Degree . The Humber Lodge is one of the largest in thc kingdom , as well as one of the richest . At present the "list of members number nearly 300 , and as the lodge is worth some thousands of pounds , the rapid increase of members cannot be on account of money wanted . There seems to be a desire on the part of the W . M . ' s to initiate as many
candidates as possible , so that such W . M . may say he has done more to increase the lodge than his predecessor . During Bro . West's Mastership somewhere about thirty candidates have been initiated into Freemasonry . What will ultimately become of the lodge if the manufacturing goes on at this rate we cannot tell . It is hoped that those to whom the future prosperity of the Old Humber is dear
will take this subject into consideration , and that Bro . Ansell during his year of office will set an example which has long been wanted . A report of the installation will duly appear . BURY . —Prince Edwin Lodge ( No . 128 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of the above lodge was held on Wednesday , the 15 th ult . Amongst a number of
other visiting brethren present we observed Bros . Tunnah , Provincial Grand Secretary for East Lancashire , and Newton , of Bolton . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the lodge proceeded to the election of W . M . for the ensuing year . The presiding W . M ., Bro . Warwick Wood , recommended as Master Bro . W . S . Barlow , the S . W . of the lodge . Thc election was by ballot in the form
prescribed by thc Boole of Constitutions . The "W . M . declared Bro . Barlow to be unanimously elected , and congratulated him thereon . Bro . Barlow briefly thanked the brethren for thc honour conferred upon him . Thc lodge then proceeded to the appointment of the rest of the officers : Bros . Thomas Hood being Treasurer ; Wright Greenhalgh , Tyler -, and S . Holt and S . llorrocks , the Auditors . Bro .
Tunnah concurretl in the manner in which the election had been conducted , and congratulated thc lodge on the result . Thc W . M . then , in a highly eulogistic speech , presented to Bro . Ramsbottom , Secretary , a massive silver cup and a Past Master ' s jewel , subscribed by the brethren of thc lodge . The cup was chastely engraved , and underneath a suitable Masonic emblem . On the side of same
was the following inscription , " Presented by the Officers and Members of Prince Edwin Lodge to Bro . Thomas Ramsbottom , who for upwards of 40 years has served thc lodge with zeal and fidelity . " Bro . Tunnah , at the request of the W . M ., then proceeded to invest Bro . Ramsbottom with thc Past Master's jewel , and in doing so alluded , in very eloquent and earnest terms , to Bro . llamsboltom ' s
long and valued services to the lodge , which he stated had extended over nearly halt-a-century , ana notwithstanding that their honoured Secretary was verging upon fourscore years , he found him still in harness , and to all appearance able to serve the lodge for many years to come with pleasure to himself and profit to the lodge . He ( Bro . Tunnah ) was glad to have the opportunity of making this investiture .
He thought there was a peculiar fitness in that ceremony having fallen into his hands , for he believed that , as Bro . Ramsbottom was the oldest lodge Secretary in the province , he ( Bro . Tunnah ) was the oldest Provincial Secretary in Lancashire . They had held their respective offices for a longer period than any of their predecessors , and he was quite sure they
both had no higher ambition than " lo die with harness on their backs . " He concluded by requesting thc W . M . to adjourn the lodge from labour to refreshment , that he might have the satisfaction of filling the very handsome cup just presented , and pledging Bro . Ramsbottom therein . The W . M . consented , when " the loving cup , " filled and re-filled several times by Bro . Tunnah , was passed round the lodge
until every member had quaffed therefrom to the aged veteran ' s health and happiness . SHEERNESS . —Adams Lodge ( No . 158 ) . — The regular meeting of this highly prosperous and excellent lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , which is fairly entitled to rank as one of the best worked and most harmonious lodges in the extensive Province of Kent ,
met on Tuesday , thc 7 th ult ., for the first time , in their new rooms , at thc Victoria Hall Buildings , Trinity Road , Shccrncss-on-Sea , which has been decorated in a most beautiful way , anil is now considered equal to any in the province . These rooms were originally designed for a Masonic Lodge by Bro . C . B . Shrubsolc , P . M . of this lodge aud P . P . G . S . D . of Kent , and great credit is due to him for
the judgment he displayed . Bro . T . J . Firminger , W . M ., presided , assisted by the following officers : —viz ., Bros . A . Spears , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . C ) ., acting I . P . M . ; W . T . Carpenter , P . M ., acting S . W . ; J . II . Brett , | . W . ; f . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec . ; J . P . Watts , S D . ; J . F . Nunn , J . D . ; C . Perkins , I . G . ; A . Donavan , Steward ; nnd J . Akhurst , acting Tyler , and the following brethren : —Bros . R . Derry , C . Moore , J . II . McLachlan , lt . Coleman , J . Brown , A .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
Rcrn * vrs nf MASONIC M EETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' Koyal Arch 3 Mark Masonry 3 Ancient and Accepted Rito 3 Scotland 3 jlasonic Banquet to S . Homfray , Esq S Reviews S
Koval Masonic Benevolent Institution 5 Onr Koval Grand Master ' s Visit to India 6 Thc New Year 6 Reports of Lodge Meetings o Comparative Cost of the Boys' School 1 The Vatican and Physics 7 CORRESrON'DEN'CE : — Masonic Forbearance 1 Can a Tvler Vote ? 7
Consecration of a Chapter at Liverpool ' . ^ Centenary Ves - . ival of the St . Thomas ' s Lo * . i ; e « * Presentation to a Worthy Liverpool Brother S Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 9 Royal Masonic Institution I ' or Boys 9 Freemasonry in the United States 9 The Rtd Cross 9 Masonic and General Tidings io Masonic Meetings for Next Week lo Advertisements i- ii- » i . iv . v . vi .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Utosonrs . MOUNT LEBANON LODGE ( No . 73 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., at Bro . Spencer ' s , the Bridge House Hotel . The W . M ., Bro . I . J . Hooper Wilkins , as is customary with him , took the chair punctually at half-past five , the time named in the summons , supported by his officers , viz ., Bros . Charles Rayden , S . W . ; Knott , J . W . ; Keeble ,
S . D . ; Ireton , J . D . ; Cooper , IG . ; Harris , P . M ., Treasurer ; Free , P . M ., Secretary ; Ebsworth , P . M ., D . C . ; and Rose , P . M ., W . S . Notwithstanding that it was election night , the general attendance was below the average . The close proximity of Christmas may have had something to do with this , as many brethren would probably be so much engaged in other matters that
they could not attend " without detnment to themselves or connexions . " It may be , too , that the election was considered as a . foregone conclusion , as no one would vote against the Senior Warden , so popular is he among those over whom he is so soon to rule . There being no work on the agenda , thc election of W . M . for the ensuing year was proceeded with , and the result , as wc have already
anticipated , was unanimously in favour of Bro . Rayden . The ballot for Treasurer was next taken , which was unanimously in favour of Bro . Edward Harris , P . M ., who has now filled that oflicc for , wc believe , 38 years , duiing the whole of which time he has only been absent front tlie lodge on three occasions , and then only through illness Bio . Harris is not only thc oldest I ' . M . but is thc oldest
member of the lodge ; hence he may lay a double claim to thc title of father of the lodge , ami a very good father he is , for he is at all times ready and willing to give advice and instruction to Ids younger brethren . Bro . Laing was re-elected Tyler . Bro . Harris next proposed the usual sum from thc lodge funds to purchase a Past Master ' s jewel to be presented to Bro . Wilkins on
his vacating the chair , and in thc course of his remarks he paid a very high compliment lo thc W . M . for the skill and ability with which he had governed the lodge duiing thc past year . Were he to propose , he said , double the amount he had named he was certain it would be cheerfully given ; but with Bio . Wilkins that was not necessary . The jewel , whatever it was , would be valued not for its
intrinsic worth but as being a souvenir of his year of oflice . lt is needless to say lhat tl c motion was unanimously passed . METROPOLITAN LODGE ( N " o . 150 ;) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on thc t Gth ult ., at the Metropolitan Club , 26 9 , Pentonville Hoad . Thc W . M ., Bro . J . J . Michael , presided , and performed thc
work of th-: lodge , assisted by his oflicers , Bros . J hos . Williams , S . W . ; B . Kingham , J . W . ; Hose , Treas . ; G . Tims , Sec ; John Douglas , S . D . ; C . | . Scales , J . D . ; W . M . Stiles , DC ; Geo . Colls , W . S . ; W . Side , I . G . ; Jas . Willing , I . P . M . Visitors : Bros . J . Gardner , 1563 ; Fenner , 1227 ; S . Millis , P . M . 157 ; Geo . Jones , One and [ All ; I-I . Massey , P . M . 610 (
"Freemason , " ) ; and 34 . lay brethren of the lodge . The work consisted of raising Bros . II . Stiles , T . Gilbert , jun ., Swaagraan , and Solomon ; passing Bros . Cave , Van Camp , and Lovegrove ; and initiating Messrs . K . Baddcley , George Edwards , and Henry Scales . The brethren were engaged in these ceremonies for over three hours , and at its termination they adjourned to an excellent rcpait , provided by
Bro . George Cox , the manager of thc Metropolitan Club . The toasts followed the banquet , and thc Prince of Wales ' s health , together with success to his journey in thc far East , was most heartily drunk . The Prov . and Deputy Grand Masters' health was also drunk , and the W . M . in proposing it drew attention lo the great ability of both these rulers in the Craft . Bro . Willing proposed " The
Health of the W . M ., " who came into thc lodge 15 months ago an obscure country brother . He had , however , so applied himself to Masonic studies that since his connection with the lodge he had blossomed and borne magnificent fruit . He meant to go on as he had begun . His workin" in lodge had been excellent . Five gentlemen hail come up
for initiation , and the W . M . had consequently had no easy time of it . Other duties were also required of him , and in this lodge thc VV . M . was expected to collect a large amount of money for the charities ; to keep the brethren well supplied with all that they wanted ; and also to leave a large balance in the Treasurer ' s hands when the chair was passed to the next W . M . That evening they had
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
hadavery agreeable meeting , and the W . M . had done his best to make it so . He had , in fact , proved himself in all respects fitted to occupy thc chair . ( Applause . ) The W . M ., after some allusions to the endeavour which had been made in thc lodge to render all the brethren comfortable , and at the banquet table not to stint them of good cheer , expressed his pleasure in ministering , even though
sometimes m a small degree , to the extension of Freemasonry . Freemasonry did not consist in eating and drinking . This lodge was now becoming very powerful , and it was the lodges that were powerful which exerted the greatest influence in thc Order . This lodge therefore should set the example to other lodges . What they could afford they should spend , but at the same time they should
remember that they should leave something to be applied to the cause of charity . The Metropolitan Lodge would never forget this , and it was one of the greatest objects of its promoters that the cause of benevolence and charity should ever be its distinguishing feature . The lodge had freed itself from all engagements , and it could now devote itself to the objects it had in view . This was a very proud
position for so young a lodge to attain to ; and it was also a proud position for a brother to occupy its chair when it had so far fulfilled its mission . He was much obliged to the brethren for having tlrunk his health so heartily , and he trusted that on all occasions they would support him as loyally 2 nd heaitily as they had hitherto done . If they did he should when his year of oflice expired retire into the
ranks of thc Past Masters with his best wishes to them all . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Michael then gave "Thc P . M ., " and , quoting Barbara's "Jackdaw of Rheims , " said his " words were loo faint his merits to paint , and so they agreed to make him a saint . " ( Laughter . ) Foitunately they did not want reminding of thc P . M . ' s many good qualities , and if they did there was that in the lodge room to bring
him to their memory ( referring to the oil painting which was presented on the occasion of Bro . Willing becoming I . P . M . ) . The promotion of the lodge was due to Bro . Willing , through whose indefatigable exertions night and day they had obtained their warrant . When they considered the amount of pleasure he had been instrumental in affording all of them , they could not but feel
what an immense debt they owed him . Freemasonry , to his ( thc W . M . ' s ) mind , afforded pleasure to all its members . It was one of thc greatest pleasures of life ; and if for nothing else the establishment of this lodge had endeared Bro . Willing to all of them . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Willing replied . He hod always experienced kind feelings from the members of the lodge . If it was difficult for him
to speak now , what would it be a few years hence , when as one of thc many Past Masters he should have the pleasure of meeting many happy faces sitting alongside him as Past Masters . He felt deeply the good feelings of the breihren , and anything that appertained to Freemasonry , he could assure them , was ever of interest to him . Any one who took thc nunc interest in the well-being of thc
Craft naturally became a close friend of his directly . Certainly he was the founder and father ofthe lodge ; but it must be remembered its success depended on the hearty support it received from cithers . The brethren who assisted him in its formation had no idea when they established it that they would be able to make it more than 30 strong at the end of the year . But such success had attended it ,
that the difficulty now was not to bring members in , but to keep them out . There was thc great question of want of accommodation looming in the future . But then , where were they to go ? Anderton ' s Hotel , one of thc best places of meeting in the whole of the metropolis , the London Tavern , Cannon-street Hotel , Freemasons' Tavern , all had the objection of not being so easily accessible for
the brethren , who by the circumstance cf their residential localities were conveniently situated for the Metropolitan Club . It behoved Freemasons to build halls of their own . In many parts of tlie country , Freemasons were better accommodated than in London ; and it must be known to the brethren that it was essential to thc proper performance , of the ceremonies that there should be
every accommodation . More especially was this the case for the ceremony of initiation , for it was on a brother's primary introduction to thc Order that the greatest impression was made on him . Proper Masonic halls elected in different localities would provide Ibis requisite . He would now speak of the Chanties , which up to the present time the brethren had liberally
supported . He then appealed lo the brethren to assist him in making up . 1 good list for the Benevolent Institution's Festival , of thc nth February . ( Thu was responded to by the contribution of some £ 30 . ) The W . M . afterwards gave "The Visitors , " for which compliment Bro . Millis , P . M . 157 , " and several other brethren responded . The W . M . next proposed "The Initiates , " and exhorted them
to join the Lodge of Instruction , and obtain a further insight into Masonic mysteries than they had obtained that evening , crossing as it were the threshold of Freemasonry . The Initiates having responded , the toast of "The Oflicers " followed , and these brethren having replied , the evening , which had been enlivened by some very nice singing , was brought to a close .
HULL . —Humber Lodge ( No . 57 ) . —An unusually large number of members of this old and important lodge assembled 011 thc evening of Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., for a purpose at all times of great Masonic interest , viz ., the election of W . M . for the ensuing year . During the last year the office has been fulfilled by Bro . Jonathan West , and wc are merely relating a fact in stating that his
year of office has been as pleasant and as prosperous a year as can be recollected by the oldest members of the lodge . Bro . West is , in himself , a striking instance that genuine Masouic worth , such as kindness and courtesy , adherence to Masonic principles , and attention to Masonic duties are certain to be recognised and rewarded amongst us . In addition to these qualifications , Bro . West has the advantage of possessing niany genial and attractive social
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
attributes , which always make their influence felt in a large lodge , and tend to promote that harmony and good feeling so essentially necessary to " mother comforts . " Br . ) . West , wc are assured , leaves the chair with thc best and most fraternal wishes of his brethren , who , in appreciation of his many brotherly qualities , intend making him the recipient of some tangible mark of their approbation
through the medium of a Masonic presentation . Thc W . M . elect is Bro . A . W . Ansell , who will , no doubt , have the example of his predecessor constantly before him , and who , we believe , will zealously strive to maintain the happiness and prosperity of the lodge . There is one thing to which , as we are now referring to this lodge , wc may , with propriety , allude , and that is , the somewhat
indiscriminate admission of members . Many of the brethren appear to think that the success of a lodge relies more upon quantity than quality , and , therefore , instead of adding to Masonry those capable of shewing to advantage its principles and teachings , and taking an active partin its promulgation , they get those who , after becoming full fledged M . M . ' s , degenerate into thinking that the essence and spirit of
Freemasonry consist in the Knife and Fork Degree . The Humber Lodge is one of the largest in thc kingdom , as well as one of the richest . At present the "list of members number nearly 300 , and as the lodge is worth some thousands of pounds , the rapid increase of members cannot be on account of money wanted . There seems to be a desire on the part of the W . M . ' s to initiate as many
candidates as possible , so that such W . M . may say he has done more to increase the lodge than his predecessor . During Bro . West's Mastership somewhere about thirty candidates have been initiated into Freemasonry . What will ultimately become of the lodge if the manufacturing goes on at this rate we cannot tell . It is hoped that those to whom the future prosperity of the Old Humber is dear
will take this subject into consideration , and that Bro . Ansell during his year of office will set an example which has long been wanted . A report of the installation will duly appear . BURY . —Prince Edwin Lodge ( No . 128 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of the above lodge was held on Wednesday , the 15 th ult . Amongst a number of
other visiting brethren present we observed Bros . Tunnah , Provincial Grand Secretary for East Lancashire , and Newton , of Bolton . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the lodge proceeded to the election of W . M . for the ensuing year . The presiding W . M ., Bro . Warwick Wood , recommended as Master Bro . W . S . Barlow , the S . W . of the lodge . Thc election was by ballot in the form
prescribed by thc Boole of Constitutions . The "W . M . declared Bro . Barlow to be unanimously elected , and congratulated him thereon . Bro . Barlow briefly thanked the brethren for thc honour conferred upon him . Thc lodge then proceeded to the appointment of the rest of the officers : Bros . Thomas Hood being Treasurer ; Wright Greenhalgh , Tyler -, and S . Holt and S . llorrocks , the Auditors . Bro .
Tunnah concurretl in the manner in which the election had been conducted , and congratulated thc lodge on the result . Thc W . M . then , in a highly eulogistic speech , presented to Bro . Ramsbottom , Secretary , a massive silver cup and a Past Master ' s jewel , subscribed by the brethren of thc lodge . The cup was chastely engraved , and underneath a suitable Masonic emblem . On the side of same
was the following inscription , " Presented by the Officers and Members of Prince Edwin Lodge to Bro . Thomas Ramsbottom , who for upwards of 40 years has served thc lodge with zeal and fidelity . " Bro . Tunnah , at the request of the W . M ., then proceeded to invest Bro . Ramsbottom with thc Past Master's jewel , and in doing so alluded , in very eloquent and earnest terms , to Bro . llamsboltom ' s
long and valued services to the lodge , which he stated had extended over nearly halt-a-century , ana notwithstanding that their honoured Secretary was verging upon fourscore years , he found him still in harness , and to all appearance able to serve the lodge for many years to come with pleasure to himself and profit to the lodge . He ( Bro . Tunnah ) was glad to have the opportunity of making this investiture .
He thought there was a peculiar fitness in that ceremony having fallen into his hands , for he believed that , as Bro . Ramsbottom was the oldest lodge Secretary in the province , he ( Bro . Tunnah ) was the oldest Provincial Secretary in Lancashire . They had held their respective offices for a longer period than any of their predecessors , and he was quite sure they
both had no higher ambition than " lo die with harness on their backs . " He concluded by requesting thc W . M . to adjourn the lodge from labour to refreshment , that he might have the satisfaction of filling the very handsome cup just presented , and pledging Bro . Ramsbottom therein . The W . M . consented , when " the loving cup , " filled and re-filled several times by Bro . Tunnah , was passed round the lodge
until every member had quaffed therefrom to the aged veteran ' s health and happiness . SHEERNESS . —Adams Lodge ( No . 158 ) . — The regular meeting of this highly prosperous and excellent lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , which is fairly entitled to rank as one of the best worked and most harmonious lodges in the extensive Province of Kent ,
met on Tuesday , thc 7 th ult ., for the first time , in their new rooms , at thc Victoria Hall Buildings , Trinity Road , Shccrncss-on-Sea , which has been decorated in a most beautiful way , anil is now considered equal to any in the province . These rooms were originally designed for a Masonic Lodge by Bro . C . B . Shrubsolc , P . M . of this lodge aud P . P . G . S . D . of Kent , and great credit is due to him for
the judgment he displayed . Bro . T . J . Firminger , W . M ., presided , assisted by the following officers : —viz ., Bros . A . Spears , P . M ., Treas ., P . P . G . C ) ., acting I . P . M . ; W . T . Carpenter , P . M ., acting S . W . ; J . II . Brett , | . W . ; f . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec . ; J . P . Watts , S D . ; J . F . Nunn , J . D . ; C . Perkins , I . G . ; A . Donavan , Steward ; nnd J . Akhurst , acting Tyler , and the following brethren : —Bros . R . Derry , C . Moore , J . II . McLachlan , lt . Coleman , J . Brown , A .