Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

f ^^ 3 S §§ f ^ Ss

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Belgrave Lodge ( No . 749 ) . —The installation meeting of this popular lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , en the 14 th ult ., when there were present Bros . J . H . Brand , W . M . ; F . Kedge , S . W . ; R . W . Benns , J . W ; H . Garrod , P . M .. Sec . ; C . Dovesay , S . D . ; T . C . Williams , J . D . ; H . Hexter , I . G . ; W . Graves , Org . ; L . Homeivood , Tyler ; A . F . Leach , P . M . ;

J . Coltart , P . M . ; T . Weeks , P . M . ; J . H . Greenwood , P . M . ; F . Calvert , R . Herman , T . Jones , A . G . S . Hexter , W . Kedge , H . E . Peart , H . Crabb , G . Richter . E . j . Dwelly , F . W . Brett , J . Moss , A . W . Renk , H . M . George , H . Cole , J . G . Southcombe , G . T . King , J . Skeffington , J . Corbett , J . Grosutt , H . A . Turnbull , and \ V . H . Marcus Visitors : Bros . J . H . Underhill , 159 ; S . Rashlejgh , 902 ; H . Baker , P . M . 2437 ; A - D . J . Chimneray , 1366 ; R .

Pierpont , P . M . 177 ; C . O . Burgess , W . M . 2473 ; W . H . Fendick , P . S . G . D . Berks , 4 G 0 ; R . Love , 19 S 7 ; C . A . Freeman , 1037 : G . H . Reynolds , W . M . 211 ) 1 , P . M . 1614 ; F . Buxton , P . M . 1 S 91 ; D . P . Laundy , W . M . ifiSi : J . A . Skelton , ] . W . 155 S ; H . M . Percy , P . M . 1 S 53 ; G . Reynolds , P . M . and Sec . 1 G 14 , I . P . M . and Sec . 2191 ; W . T . Spencer , Org . 2291 , and others . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last

meeting were read and confirmed . Three gentlemen were initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . J . Coltart , P . M ., installed Bro . F . Kedge , W . M . elect , into the chair of K . S . in a very impressive manner . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . R . W . Benns , S . W . ; Constar tine Devi say , J . W . ; Henry Garrod , P . M ., Sec . ; S . E . Williams , S . D . ; Henry Hexter , J . D . ; Alfred | . Hexter , I . G . ; John Coltart , P . M ., D . C . ; Henry Cole ,

A . D . C . ; Henry W . Greenwood , P . M ., and Henry A . Turnbull , Stwds . ; and Spencer Homewood , Tyler . The W . M . afterwards presented a Past Master ' s jewel to the l . P . M . in a few kind words . The W . M . being the W . M . of No . 2460 , a letter was read from the Grand Secretary granting dispensation to Bro . F . Kedge to hold the two offices at the same time . The lodge was then closed . The brethren adjourned to the Pillar Room , where an

excellent banquet was served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Clemow . After the brethren had done justice to th ; good things placed before them , The W . M ., in proposing the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , alluded to the death of the Czar , and the sad duty the G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had to perform for the Oueen in Russia .

The W . M ., in giving the toast of " The Grand Officers . " alluded in very graceful terms to Bro . Henry Garrod , P . M ., P . G . P ., the Secretary of the lodge , Bro . Henry Garrod , in returning'thanks for the Grand Officers , said once more he did so with pleasure . The Grand Officers were a very hard-working body of Mas ns , and gave much valuable time for the benefit of the Craft . He could say so , as he attended at Grand Lodge

regularly . He had been Secretary to the Belgrave Lodge for thirty - eight years , and in that time had only missed one meeting , which was a great proof of the interest he took in the lodge and in Masonry , and he could assure the brethren of the Belgrave Lodge that h J had its welfare well at heart , and hoped that all the brethren of the lodge had the same feeling . The I . P . M ., Bro . J . H . Brand , said that it was his

fortune to propose the toast of " The W . M ., " and he did so with much pleasure . He was appointed to the chair until a successor shall be elected in his stead . The brethren had elected unanimously a good and fitting brother to succeed him , and as for himself he felt that 12 months in the chair had been enough for him . He wished the W . M . good health and a successful year of office . The W . M ., in replythanked them all for the kind and

, hearty manner in which the toast had been received , and also for the kind way in which the I . P . M ., had proposed the same . He was very grateful to all . It was u years ago he was initiated into Freemasonry in that lodge , and well could he remember the promise he made that he would do his best for the good of Freemasonry . He knew nothing what Masonry was like then , but he had made Kood friends and Masons , and had endeavoured , since he

was made a Mason , to gain sufficient knowledge to know the work of the lodge . He had filled nearly all the offices , and hoped to be able to say at the end of his year of office that he had , as far as he was able , done all he could to further the interest of the lodge . In proposing the toast of "The Visitors , " the W . M . said that it gave him great pleasure to do so , for in no lodge were they more cordially welcomed than in the Belgrave

I-odge . There were a goodly number of visitors present , and all excellent in quality ; no doubt the bad weather had prevented many more coming . The lodge was pleased to welcome those that were there ( the W . M . read the names nf the visitors ) , and he gave them a hearty reception , not ° "l y inside the lodge but at the banquet table . Bro . D . P . Laundy , P . M ., thanked the W . M . for the hearty welcome the visitors had received , and all

appreciated his kindness and courtesy . He should always feel I'a pleasure to be with them . The W . M . was a very old friend of his , they had been boys together and grown up together , in Masonry they had run neck to neck together , and had striven their best for the Craft . He could testify ' 0 the quality of the work , and had never seen it better "one , and was sure no W . M . could do it better . He wished him a successful yeai of office , and the lodge prosperity .

Bros . C . O . Burgess , R . Pierpont , W . H . Fenlick , and "•Baker also replied . The W . M . next proposed " The health of the Initiates , " 3 nd in so doing said that he was glad that they were able to see part of the Ceremony of Installation , and hoped they Wuuld be a credit to the lodge . It was often said that Without initiates no lodge could get on , and it was necessary | ° have new blood in the lod ^ e for its success . He felt himself that the new blood should bs of good quality , "tnerwise it was useless . To-night they had introduced

Craft Masonry.

three gentlemen of good quality , and he trusted they would become irood Masons and a credit to the lodge . The initiates replied . In proposing "The Health of the Installing Misters and Past Masters , " the W . M . paid a very hkrh compliment to the Installing Master , Bro . J . Coltart , and thanked the Past Masters for their kind assistance . The I . P . M . and P . M . ' s responded .

The W . M . next proposed "The Treasu-er and Secretary , " and said that all the brethren would be grieved to hear that their worthy Brother Peter Parsons , Treas ., was very ill indeed . He had been many years connected with the lodge , and always had its interest at heart , and he was sure that all present wished him a speedy recovery . No lodge could have a more worthy brother than Bro . H . Garrod for a Secretary , and he felt that he could always

rely upon him for his valuable assistance . Bro . H . Garrod , Secretary , in replying , said he regretted much the absence of Bro . P . Parsons through illness , and hoped he would soon recover , as for himsslf , he would always do his best if appointed . The W . M ., in proposing " The Health of the Officers of the Lodge . " alluded in a very kind manner to each , and

felt he could rely upon their valuable assistance during his year of office . This toast elicited a cordial response from each officer , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a happy termination . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Wm . Graves , Organist to the lodge , and gave great pleasure to all present .

Henry r / Iuggeridge Lodge ( No . 1679 ) . — This distinguished and well-known lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Saturday , the 24 th ult ., when there were present Bros . John W . Woodthorpe , W . M . ; T . Sibley , S . W . ; R . J . Hall , J . W . ; A . Sack , P . M ., Treas . ; George Clark , P . M ., Sec . ; C . J . Sowton , S . D . ' j J . W . Gomm , J . D . ; J . A . Worthington , Org . ; T . Elstob , I . G . J . Rawles , Tyler ; W . Boyce , l . P . M . ; S . Stampfer , P . M . ;

C . Arnold , P . M ., Steward ; A . T . Street , P . M . ; R . M . Crompton , C . E . Blogg , H . Laws , M . Henry , T . F . Strutt , and T . R . Russell . Visitors : Bros . W . Cameron , 554 ; K . M . Yeoman , 2467 ; J . H . Adcock , 1741 ; W . Sykes , 123 S ; and R . T . West . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bro . H . C . Laws . This was the first working of the litual by Bro . Woodthorpe

since his installation in May last , and it was performed by him in an admirable manner , and was evidence that the high reputation of the lodge would be sustained during his year of office . Other business followed , and three gentlemen having been proposed for election at the next meeting in January , the lodge was closed , and the brethren partook of an excellent banquet , supplied by Bro . A . Clemoiv , in his best style , and ably served under the direction of Bro . Evans . The Worshipful Master gave the usual loyal and Masonic

toasts in happy terms . Bro . W . Boyce , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said that Bro . Woodthorpe had that evening worked the ritual in a splendid manner ; he had heard it hundreds of times but had never seen it done better , and it reflected great credit that the lodge had such an excellent VV . M ., and no words of his could add to the worth or the high esteem in which Bro . Woodthorpe was held by the members .

Bro . Woodthorpe , who was well received , replied . He stated that if there was one duty more difficult than another it was that of expressing ones feelings properly and adequately on such an occasion . He thanked the brethren most sincerely , and he would at all times do his utmost for the lodge , and since he had been installed he had given it much thought . In eloquent terms he spoke at length as to making better provision for the Charities , and suggested

that a benevolent fund should be formed , which he thought would be well supported by the members . He was much gratified with their kind appreciation of his efforts that night . In submitting the toast of "The Visitors , " the W . VI . remarked that they were all heartily welcome , and the members would do everything to make them happy , and , referring to Bro . Yeoman , he said that his father was well known

to Bro . Henry Muggeridge , and was present at the consecration of the lodge . In response , Bro . W . Cameron stated that the usual thing for a visitor to say was thanks for invitation and feast good , but he was speaking to a friend ( not one of them ) that day , who remarked that Masons were a selfish lot . That might be so or not , but Masonry was a splendid institution , and was composed of good manly fellows , who never forgot the Charities—helping those who could not help themselves

—and he certainly was never ashamed to say that he was a Mason . Bro . K . M . Yeoman said that it was his pleasure to have known Bro . Muggeridge for 25 years , but he did not know until that evening that his fath-sr was present at the consecration of their lodge . He congratulated the W . M . on his excellent working , and who was favoured with such perfect officers .

Bros . W . Sykes , J . H . Adcock , and K . T . West also responded . The W . M . gave "The Past Masters , " observing that they were the backbone of the lodge , and were always to the front when required . He coupled with the toast the name of the veteran , Bro . Arnold , P . M . Bro . Arnold responded . He said that he was not worn out yet , and he hoped to see many Worshipful Masters ,

equal to the present , installed . He was proud that Bro . Woodthorpe had done his work with perfection . He had had the great honour of having bsen initiated by Bro . Muggeridge , and he was indebted to him for most of his Masonic knowledge . He very much regretted that Bro . Muggeridge was not able to be present , but he was sure that he was there in spirit . He hoped the lodge would continue in the same happy condition that it had been ever since he was initiated , now many years ago , but he joined

late in life , and he supposed he was now getting old . In giving "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . seated that they were valuable officers , and the lodge would have been in a poor state had they not followed their gojd advice , Uro . G . Clark , P . M ., Sec , responded . He said that the Treasurer , Bro . Sack , who had to leave early , was heart and soul in Masonry , and no one better could be appointed . He was very sorry that Bro . Muggeridge wis ill ; in his

Craft Masonry.

time he was a great light in the Craft , and no one better known in Freemasonry . The essence of Freemasonry was Charity , and it brought brotherly love . The W . M . would go up as Steward for the " Boys , " and he hoped his list would be the heaviest in amount ever subscribed by the members . The W . M . gave ' ¦ The Officers . " He said he valued the

high services rendered by them , and he appreciated the great assistance he personally received from them . Bro . Sibley , S . W ., replied , remarking that the lodge was alwa- s one of harmony , and he and the other officers would do their best that it should ever be so . Bro . Hall , J . W ., said that it was his great privilege to serve under such an excellent W . M .

Bros . Sowton , Grant , Elstob , and Worthingto n also responded . The Tyler ' s toast ended one of the most enjoyable evenings for which the lodge is famed . The vocal entertainment was carried out by Bros . Blogg , Worthington , Sibley ( recitation ) , . Henry , Strutt , E ' stob , and Laws , but a word of praise is due to Bros . Blog , * and Sibley for their great efforts .

Chiswick Lodge ( No . 201 J ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on the 22 nd ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when there werepresmt Broi . VV . C . Dickey , W . M . ; E . Wavell , S . W . ; H . Clark , J . W . ; F . Lawrance , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Gardner , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Bucks , Sec . ; B . Hartyhorn , S . D . ; R . Steel . I . G . ; L . Lee , Org .: G . Everett , P . G . Treas . ; I . Brown , P . M . ;

T . W . Liddington , E . W . Millwoid , H . Wo > d , D . Rawlings , W . Portch , R . J . Railton , E . Bartlitt , C . Hughes , N . Defries , C . W . Smelt , J . N . N . Rhodes , A . G . T . Wilding , G . Callingham , W . H . Wilson , R . J . Husband , G . G . Hiscocks , W . F . Balls , W . S . Fincham , B . Kenyon , and D . D . Heath . Visitors : Bros . J . E . Overed , 1708 ; J . Wisdom , 4 63 ; G . Thomas , 1194 ; G . J " . Randall , 4 63 ; 1 iiiiiii 4 i \ uiiiaiiu weuieriis

-. . gB , -uj , n * , lyov ; u . , IUOI ; and R . T . West . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , Bro . Dickey , W . M ., retired , having to leave early , and the chair was occupied by Bro . G . Everett , P . G . Treas ., who passed Bro . Wilding to the Second Degree . Bro . E . Wavell , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , which elicited much

applause . Bro . F . Lawrance , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . C . Patrick , P . M ., Tyler ; and a Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Dickey , W . M . Bros . G . H . Johnson and F . Browne were elected as re-joining members , and Bros . F . Wisdom , 4 C 3 , and A . Romano , 19 S 7 , joining members . After other business the lodge was clos ; d , an ! th ; brethren partook of an excellent banquet .

At the close of the repast , and as a preface to the toasts , Bro . George Everett , acting W . M ., stated that his speeches would be brief , remarking that he had had serious thoughts of starting a lodge where no after dinner speeches would be allowed . He then gave in brief but eloquent terms " The Queen and the Craft . " Bro . F . Lawrance , P . M ., submitted the toast of "The

Grand Officers , Present and Past , " making special mention of Bro . George Everett , P . G . Treas ., whose name' he coupled with the toast . Bro . George Everett responded . He stated that the Grand Officers were not the ornaments some thought they were , but many of them were grand workers , and , referring to the Earl of Lathom , he Slid that he was the first W . M . of the Lancastrian Lodge , and for one of his eminence to

take that position showed that he had the Craft greatly at heart , and to be Grand Officer entailed hard work . Bro . Geo . Gardner proposed "The acting W . M ., Bro . George Everett . " He said that at their last meeting he regretted the then absence of Bro . Dickey , the VV . M ., and on the present occasion he more than legretted that he had not stopped to preside at the banqueting table , but they

were indebted to liro . Everett for his kindness in presiding . He ( Bro . Everett ) had done everything that was possible to promote theiinterests of the lodge , was ever ready to assist the Craft in any way , and none was more respected . In responding , Bro . George Everett said that he also regretted the absence of Bro . Dickey , who had besn very ill , but although he came that night for a short time , he

did not feel equal to preside at the banqueting table , and so he ( Bro . Everett ) had to fill up the gap , but the other Past Masters were there to do their duty in order that the lodge might go on in a fair and prosperous manner . Bro . George Everett gave "The Joining Memli-. rs , " observing that they had four that evening , and he thought they would all be acquisitions to the lodge , two of them had

been old members , but had now re-joined as their new home suited them , and referring to the removal of the lodge to the Criterion , he said it had been carried by the majority , and he hoped that those who did nit approve of the change of address would bow to the majority and stick to the lodge , and in conclusion he coupled the names of

Bros . Wisdom and Romano with the toast . In response , Bro . Wisdom said that he would be happy to do snytning he could to further the interests of the lodge . He left his 111 ther lodge 15 years ago , but it was after paying a visit to the Chisvick Lodge which induced him to offer himself as a joining member , and he was glad that he had been elected .

B o . Romano also replied , remarking that when h : heard that ihe lodge had been removed , h ; was delighted to join and he thanked them-moers for having accsped him . In giving ••1 ' ne Visitors , " B ,-o . Krerett stated tnat hey were always welcome and the members would ever d ) their

best to entertain thrir guests , and he joined the names of Bros . Thomas and Overed with the toast . Bro . Thomas responded It was not the first time he had the honour to reply in that lodje for th . j v , s tors , WHO were always well received , and if they did n' ) t enj ly themselves it was their own fault .

Bro . Overed also replied . Hi cmgratulated hi in ; mbers i 1 removing to t le Criterion , w . iich he taou rut w is a ste , j in the right direction , and wouli addtoth .- prjsji : rity of their well-known lodge . Bro . Everett proposed "The Health of the W . M . Elect , Bro . Wavell . " He stated that he was a most efficient

officer and thoroughly conversant with everything in Freemasonry . He was very pleasing and courteous in minner to all , and would make the ideal of a VV . M ., and ha lo iked forward to a splendid time for him , as there was no doubt he W'uld have a happy and pro iperjus year of offi . v . Bro . Wavell , in responding , said that he was honoured by being elected , and he promised the members that the