Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Craft jffiasonru . LODGE OF ANTIQUITY ( No . 2 ) . — The monthly meeting of this ancient lodge took place on AVednesday week , at Freemasons' Hall , when Bro . Ames , jun ., was raised by Bro . Batley , W . AL , to the Sublime Degree of a AI . AL , and Bro . Tagart , sen ., was " Crafted . " After some important business , the brethren adjourned to the banquet-room , where they spent a very pleasant evening , separating , as usual , commendably at an early

hour . Thc usual loyal and Alasonic toas ' s were given and received with hearty enthusiasm , and Bro . Lieut .-Col . Somerville-Burney , in returning thanks for " The Grand Officers , " made a most effective speech . He happily illustrated the Universality of Alasonry by the statement , that just now all the lodges in the Antipodes and in California were zealously

employed in seeking for traces of a brother , supposed to be kidnapped , and that the interest , and goodwill , and sympathy manifested were very striking and praiseworthy , and brought forcibly home to the mind the great truth of the Universality of Freemasonry . The gallant colonel was much applauded . Brosl C . E . Keyser and Horace Brown returned thanks

for " The Visitors . " Amongst those present we noticed Bros . J . Batley , W . AL ; Sharon Turner , S . W . ; Rivington , j . W . ; E . f . Barron , P . AL , Secretary ; Woodford , P . AL , Chaplain ; Sampson Pierce , P . AL , Director of Ceremonies , Steward ; loliffe . CO ., Org . ; Ames , J . D . ; Jagart , I . G . ; R . R .

" Holmes . P . AL ; W . F . Rae , P . AL ; W . Hope , P . AL ; Shipp , Rylands , Stephen Pearce , Ames , jun ., Tagart , sen . ; and among the visitors , Bros . Lieut .-Col . S . Burney , P . G . D . ; C E . Keyser , Horace Brown , Edward Barry , and others . Alany brethren and visitors who would naturally and specially have been present were unavoidably absent .

ST . MARK'S LODGE ( No . 857 ) - —The installation meetingof this lodge , held at the Surrey Alasonic Hall , on the 21 st ult ., was a most successful gathering , a large number of Masons being present . The chair was occupied by the W . AL , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . Harris , S . W . ; Loyd , J . W . ; C . H . Rogers Harris , P . M . Treas . ; Frances P . AL , P . P . G . J . D .

Surrey , Sec ; Winslow , S . D . ; Lavington , J . D . ; Armstrong , LC ; Boulton , D . C ; King , P . AL ; Crouch , P . AL ; Atkins , P . AL ; Jenkins , Williams , F . Hamilton , Pidcock , W . J . Lavington , Thompson , Barker , all of the lodge ; and visitors , amongst whom were : Bros . Col . Shadwell IT . Gierke , Grand Secretary ; W . 1 . Wallace , P . P . G . S . W . Gloucestershire ; ' !' . Crouch , P . P . G . J . W . Sussex ;

Bradshaw Brown , P . G . S . Grand Masters Lodge , 1 ; A . tisley , Grand Steward ; A . Southam , P . AL 1420 ; W . S . Saunderson , P . AI . Unity Lodge ; W . H . Lee , P . AI . 957 ; R . F . Fairhe , Britannic Lodge ; I . Tagart , 4 ; Bryce Wright , Co ; A . Burney , 17 G ; | . Wood , 173 ; J . lhompson , 024 ; VV . Rowe , 7 S 0 ; Western , ifxj 3 ; Andrew , Jubilee Lodge ;

David Russell , J . Fryer , and others . . The lodge was opened in due form , the minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed , and after the transaction of some minor business Bro . E . Frances rose and tendered his resignation of the office of Secretary , which was accepted without comment , and he thereupon took his

leave . Bro . Crouch , P . AL , having been requested to fill the office of Secretary , pro . tern ., Bro . C . H . Rogers Harrison , P . AL , took the cfiair , and proceeded to instal Bro . Walter H . Harris , the W . AI . elect , in the chair of K . S ., which ceremony he performed in his usual efficient manner , the charges particularly being delivered most impressively ,

Bro . Atkins , P . AL , officiating as D . C . On the return ot thebrethren Bro . Harris appointed his officers as follows : Bros . K . E . Loyd , S . W . ; E . Winslow , J . W . ; Harrison , P . AL , Treas . ; W . G . Atkins , P . M ., Sec . ; I . S . Lavington , S . D . ; C J- Armstrong , j . D . ; A . J . Boulton , I . G . ; J . J . Jenkins , D . C ; and E . Crouch , P . AL , Steward ; and this agreeable duty having been performed with a suitable

address to each , the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the dining hall , where a sumptuous banquet was provided . The cloth having been removed , thc usual loyal toasts were proposed and duly honoured . The W . M ., in giving" the Health of the R . W . Pro Grand Alaster , the D . G . AI ., and the rest of the Grand

Officers , Present and Past , " said the lodge was that night honoured with the presence of the Grand Secretary , a compliment he felt sure the brethren would desire warmly to acknowledge . He had , therefore , especial pleasure in proposing this toast , and coupling with it the name of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , ,.,,,.. r . The Grand Secretary , in responding , alluded fo the lact of St . Alark ' s Lodge having that night attained its

majority , the present installation completing the twenty-first year of its existence . He also congratuated the W . AL on his having attained that position in the sixth year of his connection with the lodge , such being at the present time a very short period in which to arrive at the chair ; adding that no duty was to an officer of the Grand Lodge more pleasant than that of visiting the various lodges connected therewith , and seeing the manner in which the work was

performed . Bro . Harrison , in the absence of the I . P . M ., then proposed " The Health of the W . AL , " who , in his reply , assured the brethren that during the forthcoming year no effort should be wanting on his part to uphold the honour and dignity of St . Alark ' s Lodge The W . M . then gave " lhe Installing Alaster , " and reminded the brethren of the valuable and long services of their esteemed Bro . Treasurer—the father of the

lodgeexpressing the hope that his connection with St . Alark s Lodge would continue fur many years to come . The toast was drunk amid great cheering , and , in response , Bro . Harrison , P . AL , thanked thebrethren for their cordial reception of his name , and added that having been associated with the lodge for so many years , he took the deepest interest in its welfare . " The Visitors" was the next toast given ; and Bro .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Wallis , P . P . G . S . W . Gloucester , and Bro . 1 . Crouch , P . P . G . J . W . Sussex , in responding , both alluded to their having been the guests of the lodge en the day of the initiation of the present W . AL , a fact which enhanced the pleasure of their present visit . Bro . Crouch responded to the toast of " The Past Alasters , "

The toast of " The Wardens " having- been proposed , Bros . Loyd and Winslow responded . The Secretary ( Bro . Atkins , P . AI . ) replied for "The Officers of the Lodge . " The Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close . During the evening a selection of songs , glees , & c , was rendered , under the direction of Bro . F . Cozens , assisted by Bros . Chaplin Henry and Schartau .

WEST KENT LODGE ( No . 1297 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge was held on Saturday , the 25 th ult ., at the Crystal Palace , Sydenham , when the following were present : Bros . J . C . Woodrow , W . M . ; W . F . Gardiner , S . W . ; Thos . Perrin , J . W . ; A . Stead , acting Treas . ; Vizitelly , S . D . ; Fullwood , Director of Ceremonies ; Crump , I . G . ; ] as . Crowden , and Dr . Philps , Stwds . ; and Bowler , Tyler . " Past Alasters : Bros . Robt . H . Crowden ,

I . P . M . ; Allen , and Clements ; and Bros . Orange , Archer , Bellis , Johnson , Hicks , and Winckworth . Visitors : Bros . Stacey , P . M , ; Pound , P . AL ; Aleadow , Lavington , Osmond , Wright , Eagles , Polls , Stead , Preston , Young-, and Larkin . The minutes of the meeting held October 22 nd , 1 SS 1 , having been confirmed , the installation of theW . M . elect , Bro . W . F . Gardiner , was at once proceeded with by Bro .

Stacey , who had been specially invited to perform the ceremony , the conduct of which gave so much satisfaction to the brethren that a vote of thanks was proposed by Bro . R . H . Crowden , P . M ., and presented to him accordingly . The officers appointed for the year were Bros . T . Perrin , S . W . ; Vizitelly , J . W . ; H . W . Stead , Treas . ; Woodrow , Sec ; Basil Cooke . S . D . ; Crump , J . D . ; Fullwood , D . C . ; James Crowden , I . G . ; Dr . Philps and Archer , Stwds . ;

and Bowler , Tyler . The report of the Audit Committee was then duly read , and the financial affairs of the lodge proved in every way satisfactory . Bro . Winckworth was then raised to the Third Degree by Bro . Robt . H . Crowden , at the request of the W . AI . The brethren then adjourned to banquet , after which the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were honoured . Bro . Woodrow , P . M ., in rising to propose "Tbe Health

of the W . M ., " said his was a pleasing duty , in which he was sure the brethren would share . Bro . Gardner had now arrived at the summit of his ambition , and there was no doubt that he would perform the duties of his hig h office with great eclat . They all knew his ability , and in their new W . M . they had a man who would do honour to the West Kent Lodge . ( Cheers . ) The W . AL , in responding to thc toast said his position

reminded him of a man who in the trials and vicissitudes of life , after receiving but little hope ot reward , at last attains a position which he hardly allowed himself to hope for . But that day he had received a solatium which had no ready money value . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Woodrow , in proposing his health , had spoken shortly , but what he said came from his heart and went home . He thanked the brethren most sincerely for the generous manner in which

thev had received this toast . ( Cheers . ) Thc W . AL , again rising , said he thought that during the tenure of the office of Alaster of the West Kent Lodge there had always been one toast which was well received . They had with them that night almost the largest array of visitors he could ever remember to have seen at their board , lt must be a source of intense gratification to those officers who desired the welfare of the West Kent Lodge to see so

many visitors present on such an occasion . ( Cheers . ) It was evident that they came there because they knew the lodge was worth visiting . They were honoured that evening by old Past Alasters . There were with them Bro . Stacey , who they all knew as an experienced and practised Alason ; they had with them Bros . Pound , Lavington , Osborn , and Herbert Wright , the first-made Alason in the Gallery Lodge , No . 192 S , and others too numerous to

mention . ( Cheers . ) He would couple with the toast the names of Bros . Stacey and Pound . Bro . Stacey in responding , remarked that the West Kent Lodge had of late years shown much improvement , he never saw better work than they had seen in thc lodge that evening . ( Cheers . ) This Iodge was most hospitable , but all he could say was that he should-like to see the whole of the brethren present at the Alexandra Palace

Lodge on the fourth Saturday in Alay next . ( Hear , hear . ) He thanked them most heartily , not only for the cordial manner in which they drank the health of the visitors , but also for the opportunity it gave him of supporting his old friend , Bro . Gardner . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Pound complimented the W . AL on the success of the lodge and also on the first rate oflicers he had to support him . He had enjoyed himself very much , and as this

was not his first visit to the West Kent Lodge he hoped it would not be the last . ( Cheers . ) The W . AI . next proposed "The Health of the Immediate Past Alaster . " They had all learned to appreciate Bro . Woodrow , who , as Secretary to the lodge , had shown he was embued with a sense of his invaluable services . ( Cheers . ) He was a man of few words but of a great many actions ; and one who had the welfare of the lodge

at his heart . ( Renewed cheering . ) Bro . Woodrow , in responding , said he had some difficulty in finding words to express his gratitude for the kindly way his health had been received . He was at all times most anxious to enhance the welfare of the lodge ; and work had a special charm for-Jiim . ( Hear , hear . ) The W . M . then proposed "The Past Alasters of the Lodge . " During the last four or five years this lodge had

risen like a Phoenix from its ashes , and it was difficult to realise that it was the same lodge save for the genial prcencc of some of their old Past Alasters . ( Cheers . ) There was no doubt that the lodge owed a peculiar debt of gratitude to Bro . Crowden , P . M ., whom lie might say had founded a Royal Arch chapter in connection with the West Kent Lodge . ( Cheers . ) It had given him , as it must have

given the other members of the lodge , great pleasure to read in the Freemason the words of praise which the Grand Officers had spoken on the occasion of the consecration of the chapter . All he could say was that the praise bestowed was well-earned recognition of real merit ( Cheers . ) Bro . Crowden , P . AL , in replying , said that when a

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

brother had maintained the dignity and honour of the chair he locked forward to a haven of rest . ( Cheers . ) The retiiement of Past Alasters was brightened by the fact that their labours were so well recognised and remembered . He had done his duty to thc best of his ability , and he was pleased indeed that his services were recognised . Bro . Allen , P . AL , also responded . Hesaidthatalthoun-h some remarks which had been made might seem to reflect

severely on some of the P . M . s , he could not but feel an intense satisfaction in seeing their W . AL assuming his duty in so excellent a manner , and he thought the lodge had reason' to be proud of him . ( Cheers . ) From the W . AI . 's depth of Alasonic knowledge , and from the manner he had ruled over them that evening they would always look to this year with satisfaction . It 1 S 75 it had been his proud position , as Alaster , to pass Bro . Gardner

to his Second Degree and to raise him to the Sublime Degree . ( Cheers . ) At that time he had predicted that Bro . Gardner would fulfil the duties of Alaster with credit to himself and the lodge , and he was pleased to see his predictions borne out by subsequent events . ( Cheers . ) He was prepared to sink any little aspersions cast on thelodge in bygone years , as he was convinced that the Alaster ' s chair was never in better hands than it was in the hands of

Bro . Gardner . ( Cheers . ) The W . AL next proposed "The Health of the Installing Alaster , Bro . P . AI . Stacey , " whose admirable work had been so much appreciated . ( Cheers . ) Those brethren who . knew Bro . Stacey , were aware of the great interest he took in Freemasonry , and how ready he was at all times to communicate his knowledge to those brethren desirous of learning . ( Renewed cheers . )

tiro . P . M . Stacey in responding , said he was much indebted to his friend , the W . AL , for the kindly manner in which he had proposed this toast . He did not require any thanks for what little he had done , and he was always willing to give any assistance he could to any brother who considered his assistance necessary or desirable . ( Cheers . ) "Ihe W . AI . then proposed "The Officers of the Lodge . " The Senior Warden ( Bro . Perrin ) briefly acknowledged

the toast , remarking that they felt they had a good leader in the W . M ., whom they could follow and support thoroughly . As he was aware that his brother Junior Warden was bursting with eloquence , he would leave him to express the thanks of the officers at greater length . ( Laughter and cheers . ) The Junior Warden ( Bro . Vizetelly ) said he found himself in rather an embarrasing position . While he was the

occupant ota junior office he had always found that his seniors had invariably taken the wind out of his sails , and he had , therefore , generously determined now he had attained so high a position to leave the speaking to the others , but it appeared that that was not to be . Ever since he had accepted the office of Junior Warden he had felt as a being who was the observed of thousands , and whose doings were for the last fortnight never compressed into less than two

columns of the daily papers . ( Laughter . ) Like Jumbo , a chain had been dangled before him , and , like Jumbo , he had hesitated about submitting to it . ( Renewed laughter . ) He knew , like the sagacious elephant , that his keeper would be gentle and experienced , but he dreaded the responsibility . But when he found himself in his box —( laughter)—or rather his chair , he found his position not so verv uncomfortable ;

after all , and he trusted that he and his brother officers would sustain the positions they were placed in with credit to themselves and with advantage to the West Kent Lodge . ( Cheers . ) The W . AL afterwards proposed , in feeling terms , " The Health of the Treasurer , Iiro . Stead , P . M . " who was

, unavoidably absent . Bro . Augustus Stead responded on behalf of his father . The proceedings , which were enlivened during the evening by the vocal and elocutionary efforts of Bros . Stacey , A . Stead , Bellis , Eagle , and Vizitelly , were brought to a conclusion with the Tyler ' s toast .

CORINTHIAN LODGE ( No . 1383 ) . —The anniversary of the above old lodge was celebrated at Bro . W . Clark's , George Hotel , Cubitt Town , E ., on the 15 th ult . A previous emergency meeting had judiciously disposed of all thc business other than the installation , Bros . Mortleman and Preston having then received the Sublime Degree of the Master Alason , and Messrs . C . McLeod , J . C Lowric , and S . G . Alarsh being duly balloted for and initiated into

the secrets and mysteries of the Order . Lodge was opened by Bro . W . J . Alillington , W . AL , assisted by Bros . G . T , Limn , S . W ., VV . AI . elect ; G . B . Smith , J . W . ; J . Carnaby , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . C . W . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Stapleton , S . D . ; Doring , | . D . ; C Searell , P . M ., M . C ; W . Alackey , Org . ; J . Alorrison , I . G . ; Wm . Raiker . Steward ; C B . Bennett , P . AI . ; J . Delves , P . M . ; G . Fisher , P . AL ; W . Hodges , P . AL ; C Carter , P . AL ;

VV . Shayes , Tyler ; and numerous brethren . A strong array cf visitors signed the attendance book as follows : Bros . S . Finch , W . M . SyS ; J . Gibson , 1 S 1 O ; P . H . Wilson , S . W . S 61 ; C Scrutton , P . AL SyS ; T . G . Vohman , P . M . S 71 ; B . Stewart , 127 S ; W . R . Hammond , 127 S ; C . IT . Webb , P . AL 170 C and 74 ; VV . Buchan , 1279 ; D . C . Vine , 9 ; IT . Cooper , P . AL SyS ; S . Hurdle , 1744 ; G Robinson , 1259 ; ' ! ' . Rean , 511 ; J . W . Abseil , 7 S 1 ; C .

Brown , S . W . 1 S 04 ; R . Brittain , 127 S ; IT . J . Sandy , 22 S ; C Slater , 1076 ; L . Potts , P . M . 171 O ; J . H . Pringle , I . G , 7 S 1 ; G . T . Holdom , l . G . 130 C ; S . G . Bonner , 127 S ; G . H . Stephens , S . D . 1623 ( Freemason ); and others . Bro . J . Delves , P . AI . ( Preceptor of the lodge of instruction ) , was the Installing Master , and Bro . Limn was presented for the benefit of that ceremony . A Board of Installed Masters was formedand the W . AI .

, elect was duly inducted into the chair of K . S . in ancient form , and the brethren saluted their new ruler according to rank . The W . AL immediately proceeded to appoint his officers for the year , and Bro . Delves , Installing Alaster , invested them , pointing out in very appropriate language the several duties which the lodge would require of the officers respectively , 'the following are the appointments : Bros . G . B . Smith )

S . W . ; W . Stapleton , J . W . ; J . Carneby , P . AL , Treas . ( re-appointed ); Dr . C Wyatt-Smilh , P . AL , Sec . ( reappointed ); C Searell , P . AL , D . C . ( re-appointed ); Doring , S . D . ; J . Alorrison , ) . D . ; W . Raiker , l . G . ; VV . Alackey , Org . ; Lye and Hill , Stewards ; and VV . Shayes , P . AL , Tyler ( re-appointed ) . These several appointments were greeted with many marks of approval of the brethren as the officers were conducted to their respective seats .