Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

like to convey to Bro . Spinks in open lodge their regret at losin " " not only his valuable services but his esteemed comnanionship- The brethren had heard of the terrible misfortune that hail occurred to their gallant brothers in arms at the Cape , and how thoroughout the garrisons of England the note of preparation had soum-cd for reinforcements . Among those gallant soldiers who were called was their

esteemed Bro . Spinks , and he was sure before he left that lodge to go on his pathway of duty , that they , the members of that lodge , would try , or at least desire to try , and repay him the tleep debt of gratitude they owetl him , for the many valuable services he had rendered them t-ince and befoic the formation of the lodge . He had not only < rone throug h his work in the two Wardens' chairs in a

perfect manner , but in his pcsiiion as W . M . he had excelled , if not surpassed , anything that had been done in it by his predecessors . No one , he felt sure , who had been at the installation ceremony last year could ever forget the magnificent manner in which he had performed that beautiful and solemn ceremony . It was the admiration of all who heard it , and their distinguished Chaplain , Bro .

Sulbe , had declared it to be equal to anything he had ever seen in his life for eloquence and impressiveness . Their esteemed btother was going to leave them for active service in the field , and they wished him Gotl speed on his journey . Might the G . A . O . T . U . keep him in the hour of danger , and when honour was satisfiedlor English soldiers wanted not revenge—mi ght he be

spared to come once more among them , and in that lodge receive a welcome home such as they in their hearts would g ive him , and which would be as honourable to them as jt woultl be pleasing to him . The brief but feeling reply of Bro . Spinks was cheered to the echo . The W . M . snid a few words , which he promised to supp ' ement at the social board , and then , aftir the usual questions , the

lotlge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment . Upon reassembling the W . M . gave the usual loyal antl Masonic toasts , as well as the provincial ones , a'l of which were duly honoured . Bro . Spurrell , in replying for " The Past antl Present Grand Officers of Kent , " said he did not expect to receive such a compliment , as he now formed a part of thc very large circle of those who

belonged to the past . It was however , an honour at any time and anywhere to respond for the Grand Officers of Kent , and in their name he returned thanks . He was now a member of that lodge , and hearing that their excellent Bro . Sp inks was going away he could not let this opportunity pass without attending and bidding him farewell , and wishing him a safe journey out and return home . Bro . Spinks then rose to projiose the toast of the

VV . M . He said he had the honour once more to propose the toast , and from the manner in which Bro . Picken did his duty they could see that he was determined to do it firmly , honestly , and nobly . 'They had heard the admirable rendering of the charge to their initiates tbat evening ; that showed them that their VV . M . was capable of carrying out his duties to the utmost limits , lie vvas one of those who came ill at tbe tloor and went out at

the window . Well , he would go out at the window , for be was not at the furthest end of the room . He asked them to drink the toast with enthusiasm . Bro . Picken , in response , said , were it not for the cloud that hung over them through their being about to lose Bro . Spinks , be should have felt proud of the way in which they had responded to their brother ' s call in connection

with the toast . There was one thing , however , he could not help being | roud of , and that was that they were at last out of debt . Every Master of the lodge had tried to clear it off , and hail done well , and now he was proud to say every claim was paid , and they were clear . ( Cheers . ) He now hoped they would be able to take their place among the lodges who assisted , and largely too , those

grand Institutions of the Order " Thc Masonic Charities . " ( Applause . ) "The Initiates" were then toasted , and returned thanks . In proposing the toast of "The Past Masters " Bro . Picken said it would be the last time for the present they would have their esteemed Bro . Spinks with them . They all knew that the British arms had sustained a severe reverse at the Cape of Good Hope , at least on

the borders of Natal , and that reverse had raised a prof und feeling of sorrow in every heart in the land , from the Queen in her palace to the jieasant in his cottage . The loss had been severe , and while tbey mourned for that loss , yet there was not a soldier in the British Army who would not step forward and gladly go to-morrow to retrieve that reverse . It was their duty , and duty was a

sacred thing in the heart of a soldier . ( Loud cheers . ) He knew personally the leader of the corps that was lost , Colonel Durnford . He was not only a good soldier , but was a gootl man , anil a Mason , who woultl not only assist a brothei with money , but { with advice and example , and that evening they were about to send away to the same place one who was near and dear to them , their good Bro .

Spinks . ( Cheers . ) Should hc fall at his duty he would have a soldier ' s death , and a soldici's grave , and those ne It-It behintl him would be to them as their own , and they would protect % thcm , ( Loud cheers ) , but should he he spared to return they would welcome nitn back with jay antl rejoicing . Bro . Spinks , who replied to the toastand vvas sensibly affected at the warmth

, ofthe brethren's response , said , on behalf of the Past Masters , he thanked them heartily . Willi respect to himself he never could thank them for the manner in which they had assembled together to express to him their wishes for bis welfare in the expedition , in whicli he , among many m ° re of ber Majesty ' s soldiers were about embarking .

when he was installed and placed in the chair of that lodge b y Bro . Weston lie ventured to speak as to its future , and to foretell for it a great antl uselul path in Masonry , nd hc tlitl not think upon that night , when he was about to leave them , that he had a single word to recall . It had "creased in strength , position , and numbers , and while he gloried in the opportunity afforded him of going into active

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

service , he left that lodge to go without a single fear or regret , save for those he left behind . He had been a sort if mother to it , while Bro . Weston had been the father , and like some fathers , Bro . Weston vvas hot , and hasty , and impetuous , and so energetic in the cause of his offspring , that it required his ( the speaker ' s ) slow anil wet blanket sort of ways to retrain Bro . Weston ' s ardour . But between

them they had , with the help of the brethren , he trusted , placed it upon a safe and sound basis , and he left it with confidence in their hands . He should as long as he lived continue to be a member of it , and should always take an interest in its prosptrity , and so that he might hear continually of its goings on , he had commissioned Bro . Weston to send him the Freemason every week , and that brother had promised to do so . He then spoke of the good feeling

that existed between their lodge and the other lodges round about , more particularly with the Pattison Lodge , between whom and themselves a bond of brotherly love existed that he trusted woultl never be broken . Their W . M . had alluded to his being called away to active service . His corps was famed more particularly for being " first for bread and last for ammunition . " He had , however , applied for a six-chambered revolver , and if he had occasion to use it there would not be a barrel of

it thrown away , for " With our twelve or nine-pounders we will force the- savage foe , And give a good account of them wherever we may go . But if it is our fortune , boys , to fall upon the field , We'll die like British soldiers , but never will we

yield . " " The Visitors" vvas responded to by Bros . Watts , of the Pattison ; Hall , ofthe Florence Nightingale ; Hassall for the Union Waterloo ; and Bro . Hayes , although an honorary member of the lodge , yet as W . M . of the Pattison , felt that he could not let this occasion pass without saying how much they regretted losing Bro .

Spinks from their midst . But their loss was his gain , and although at the present a dark cloud seemed to hang over them it had a silver lining , and would soon pass away in the lustre that would , he trusted antl hoped , be theirs from the hrnour done them by Bro . Sjiinks and his gallant comrades on tbe shores of Africa . Bro . Watts , as the oldest Mason in the room , wished Bro . Spinks success

ami a honoured return ; and after Bro . Spinks ( who filled the chair upon Bro . Picken leaving the room ) had toasted their Bro . Rust , who had just gone to Cyprus as Chaplain of the Forces , and paid a tribute to the memory of Bro . Hiscock , of the Union Waterloo Lodge , who had just departed this life , the Tyler ' s toast and " Auld Lang Syne" brought the meeting to a dose .

INSTRUCTION . "WANDSWORTH LODGE ( No . 1044 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge of instruction was held at thc Spread Eagle Hotil , on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., when there were present Bros . P . V . Denham , W . M . ; A . B . Blackmore , S . W . ; J . Frost , J . W . ; W . J . Huntley , S . D . ; W . F . Wardroper , J . D . ; F . Reed , I . G . ; C . Digby , W . A .

Morgan , J . G . Carter , H . R . Jones , A . Newens , A . Mason , W . Marshall , and A . A . Denham . The lodge being duly opened , Bro . Newens offered himself as a candidate for the First Degree , which was worked . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . W . A . Morgan ( VV . M . of the 1044 ) , who worked the Second Degree , Bro . Newens again being the candidate . The brethren then proceeded to

discuss a motion of Bro . J . G . Carter— " That the evening of meeting be changed from Wednesday to Tuesday . " This was carried unanimously . Bro . W . F . Wardroper proposed , Bro . J . Huntley seconded , and it was carried nem . con . — " That the time for meeting be 7 . 30 instead of 8 o ' clock , as heretofore . " Bro . Blackmore was appointed W . M . for the ensuing meeting .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Chapter ( No . 41 ) . —A regular convocation was held at thc Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , 18 th ult ., summoned for 8 p . m ., but it was nearer 9 before the Board of Principals was opened . Present-. —Ex . Comps . Hill , Z . ; Watts , P . Z . 379 , as H . * , Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . 328 , 5 87 , 710 , as J . ; Keene ! P . Z . ; Becket , P . Z . ; Moutrie , i \ Z . and Treasurer . On the admission ofthe

companions the chairs were taken by Comps . Howes , E ; Peach , as N . ; Stuckey , P . Soj . ; Young , as S . Soj . ; Hayward , J . Soj . The chapter having been opened , and the minutes of thc previous meeting reatl antl confirmed , the M . E . Z . satisfactorily accounted for the absence of I-I ., J ., N ., and S . Sojourner . A brother in distress applied for relief , presenting a certificate from a lodge in Scotland , whence

so large a proportion of such cases come . A small sum was given for immediate necessities , and the Janitor was directed to pay his fare to Exeter , where he stated that hc has friends , and to see him off by rail . Bros . Glover and Mercer , who had been previously balloted for , were admitted , properlv prepared , and duly exalted to the rankof R . A . companion by the M . E . Z ., at whose request the acting J .

gave the historical and symbolical lectures . Ex . Comp . Moutrie communicated the signs , with their explanation , and as it was then late , Dr . Hopkins promised privately to make the new companions acquainted with the rest of the mystical lecture , to whom a vote of thanks was accorded for his assistance on this as on all occasions when called

upon . A ballot was taken for Bro . Cartmell as a candidate for exaltation at the next meeting , which was unanimous in his favour . It may be added , that the proceedings went off very smoothly , which was cieditable to the new officers who acted for thc first time after their appointment .

Royal Arch.

OLDHAM . —Tudor Chapter ( No . 277 ) . —A meeting of this chapter was held on Monday evening , the 17 th ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Oldham , at 6 o ' clock . The proceedings were opened in due fi rm and with the usual solemnities , under the presidency of Comp . P . P . Henry Lees HoHingworth , as M . E . Z . ; Henry Thomas , H . ; and James Lees Page , J . The minutes of the preceding

chapter were read and confirmed . The next business being the installation of the Principals for the ensuing twelve months , the very eminent and worth y Comp . James Hall , P . P . G . P . S . of Lancashire , was requested to perform that ceremony , and the three Principals elect were duly presented to him in open chapter and obligated . A Conclave of Installed Principals was afterwards formed ,

and the Principals invested , after which the other companions were admitted into the chapter and saluted their newly-installed superiors , viz ., Comps . Henry Thomas , M . E . Z . ; James Lees Page , H . ; and Joseph Crompton Lees , J . The officers having then been severally invested and admonished by the Installing Principal , the magnificent and impressive ceremony was concluded by an earnest address to the companions generally . So complete was

the satisfaction ot the chapter at the very able manner in which Comp . P . P . James Hall performed the beautiful ceremony , that it is their intention to elect him as honorary member , as a slight token of their appreciation of his services , and his kindness in having for several years installed their Principals . The chapter was then closed and the companions adjourned to a banquet of the most recherche' character , which reflected the hi ghest credit upon Mr . Chew , the manager of the Freemasons' Hall .

MANCHESTER . —Affability Chapter ( No . 317 ) . —The installation festival of this old chapter was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 20 th ult . The chapter was opened by Comp . Smethurst , Z ., at 5 . 30 , and after the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the companions adjourned to tea . On the resumpt'on of business about 40 companions were

present . Comp . W . F . Towle , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., commenced the installation ceremony . When all below the rank of Installed Principals had retired , Comp . James Dawson was placed in the chair of Z . by Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . Z ., P . G . D . of C . Comp . J . E . Lets was placed in the chair of H . by Comp . J . Hall , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., and Comp . W . P . Norris in the chair of J . by Comp . W .

F . Towle . On the reatlmission of the companions the newly-installed Principals were proclaimed and suitably greeted , after which Comp . Hall invested the following officers , viz .: —Comps . W . Nicholl , S . E . ; J . T . Watts , S . N . ; W . Sowtar , I ' . S . ; H . Rocca , ist A . S . ; John Church , 2 nd A . S . ; F . Vetter , Organist ; and James Sly , Janitor . The address to the newly-installed Principals was delivered by Comp . J . Batchelder , P . Z ., and those to

the officers and companions by Comp . Sillitoe . As is usual in this chapter the new year was commenced by voting a sum to the funds of the local charity in lieu of having a banquet . The chapter was duly closed , and the remainder of the evening was spent very harmoniously and agreeably , the musical talent , both vocal and instrumental , possessed by members of this chapter being far above the average .

CHORLTON - CUM - HARDY . — Chorlton Chapter ( No . 1387 ) . —This chapter assembled at the Masonic Rooms , on Wednesday , the 19 th ult . The chapter was opened by Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , Z . ; John Bladon , P . Z ., acting as H . ; J . E . Lees , J . There were also present Comps . J . J . Lambert , Treasurer , acting as S . E . ; J . G . Batty , SN . ; John Dewhurst , P . S . ; Alfred Love , ist

A . S . ; A . D . Edwards , 2 nd A . S . ; and other members and visitors . After the minutes of the previous meeting had been duly ratified , Bro . A . J . Billings , P . M ., was exalted to thc Supreme Degree of a Royal Arch Mason by the M . E . Z ., the historical lecture was delivered b y Comp . Lees , and both the symbolic and mystical lectures by

Comp . Sillitoe . Although this chapter has but recently been consecrated it possesses a fair number of members and has attained a high standard of woiking . Letters were read from several officers and companions explaining the causes of their absence , and the chapter was closed in solemn form .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

MACDON AXD LODGE ( No . 104 ) . — The ordinary meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 2 ist ult ., atthe Guildhall Tavern , on wh ' ch occasion there were present Bros . North Ritherdon , W . M . ; Thomas Meggy , P . M ., Treas . ; James Stevens , P . M . ; William Worrell , P . M . and Sec . ; Robert Beiridge , P . M . ; Edward Moody , S . W . ; VV . P . Collins , M . O . ; F . H . Cozens , S . O . ;

George Yaxley , R . M . ; G . Ward Verry , S . D . ; W . C . Hall J . D . ; J . K . Pitt , I . G . ; H . F . Partridge , W . Johnstone , T ., A . De Lcliva , T . W . Simons , Louis Hirsch , H . Mills , A . Hubbard , John Syer , 139 ; and H . Massey , I' . M . 22 ( Freemason ) . Bro . T . B . Humphrey was advanced to the Maik Degree , after which Bro . Berridge announced that he was going to stand as Steward

for the lodge at thc next festival of , the Mark Benevolent Fund , and explained to the brethren the scheme which . vas settled at last half-yearly communication of Grand Lodge for establishing an educational fund . He hoped he should at the next fe .-tival take up a gootl list , and he asked thc favourable considt ration of the lodge for

that object . Thereupon Bro . Worrell moved , and Bro . Meggy seconded , a resolution for giving two guintas from the lodge funds to Bro . Berridge's list , and this having been unanimously adopted , the thanks of the lodge were presented to Bro . Berridge for undertaking the oflice of Steward . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a most agreeable dinner . When the toasts