Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

he had been commanded by the brethren of the lodge to request Bro . Perkins to accept on behalf of Mrs . Perkins a pearl and diamond ring , which the brethren had voluntarily subscribed for outside of the lodge itself as a token of respect for the W . M . and a token of regard for the W . M . 's wife , and as a note of admiration for the way in which they had performed their duties ; with the affectionate regards

of the brethren and with the hope that Mrs . Perkins would always wear it , and that whenever she looked on it she would remember the respect in which her husband was held by his brother Masons and colleagues , and the regard in which they held her . Bro . Perkins , in replying , begged to return the brethren of the lodge his sincere thanks for the honour they had just done his wife and himself . He assured them that the honour

oi serving the Gallery Lodge as its W . M . was no mean pleasure , and it was a pleasure he should never forget . From the beginning of his year to its close he had received nothing but the most pronounced and persistent kindness from the members , and while a Alaster could say that , he thought there could be no fear of ihe lodge continuing as a great Masonic body . As his wife could not be present that evening she had desired him to return the brethren her

sincere thanks for their magnificent present . He was able to say that on no one single occasion had his wife regretted his membership of the lodge . How far that indulgence was explained by the existence of ladies' nights he would not say , but he asked them to believe that his wife fully shared the intense interest he had always felt in the Gallery Lodge . He could not sit down without wishing them all long life and prosperity , and long life and prosperity to the Gallery

Lodge . The Worshipful Master said he now rose to offer an apology and to propose a toast . The apology arose out of the fact that the toast appeared for the first time . Various brethren who had preceded him- had endeavoured to introduce some feature into the lodge which should be earmarked with their name for ever . What occurred to him was that , as this was a lodge of Pressmen—the only lodge

of Pressmen in the world—his predecessors who had so distinguished themselves by their ingei . uity had entirely overlooked the most important feature , and he thought he had hit upon a " nugget , " notwithstanding Bro . Massey , who was a staunch guard of Masonry , but who , he ventured to think , would look with a kindly eye on this new Alasonic toast . The toast was " Our Profession . " It was a precarious profession . He made that observation with the

object of making up for an omission in responding to his own health . He had intended to remind them of the death during tie last 12 months of Bro . James Adair , one of the early nit mbers of the lodge , who had seen service in various parts e f the country and in the Far West , and who until recently was one or the sub-editors of the Daily Telegraph . While still in middle age he had been removed , within 12 months of the death of his wife , leaving a son and a 10

year old daughter . Consumption laid its grip upon him , and the long months of his illness exhausted his resources , and those two children were left unprovided for . He ( Bro . Peacock ) had now to appeal to the brethren to do something for their comrade ' s little daughter tnus left without father or mother . Shewasjustat thatage when she could be admitted into the Masonic School forGirls , butif she were not admitted at the forthcoming election , she would be then disqualified

by age . He ventured to think that this was a case which if Freemasonry had brotherly love in it at all , should awaken their warmest sympathy , and he proposed to ask their aid in view of this particular case . He had for the coming year undertaken to represent the Gallery Lodge for the express purpose of obtaining money and votes to get this poor girl in ; for that purpose he made this urgent appeal to them . He invited every brother present to put

down at once on a slip of paper the amount he would give to secure this child ' s election , in order to enable him to announce that this Gallery Lodge was going to do its duty within its limited means . Bro . Peacock then proceeded to dilate on the toast he was proposing , associating with it the name of Sir Algernon Borthwick , whom the brethren knew as a professional man almost as well as he ( Bro . Peacock ) knew the numerous services he had rendered to the

profession of journalists , and the numerous services he had rendered to journalists themselves . He might say more , but that he hardly dared ; but hc would say that , primarily as Masons , but in an equal degree as journalists , the brethren welcomed him , one of the princes of the profession , with the utmost cordiality and with the greatest gratitude for thc services he has rendered in the past , and with the most confident hope that , as long

as he in point of fact existed , he would still continue to be the friend of journalists and the friend of journalism . With that toast he would also associate the name of another distinguished journalist well known to most of those present— -D . C . Murray , which wassomtthing more than a name in our Colonies ; and he heartily welcomed him to the Gallery Lodge , and he thought he could du no less than ask him as well as Sir Algernon Borthwick to respond .

Bry . Sir Algernon Borthwick , in replj ing , said that he was grateful lu the W . AI . for the great confidence he had placed in him b y inviting him . and in drinking his health in connection with thatof an illustrious comrade . The VV . AI . had sung the toast of journalism as a profession—a profession of yesterday , created such by some income tax definition , lie could hardly agree in that view , because journalism was cu-vat wilh Masonry . When you went to Palestine , where

once King _ olom < n erected a temple , you were carried back to what you conceived to be the cradle of Freemasonry . But it was even older than that ; the masons of Jerusalem first learnt their masonry from Fgypt , and in Egypt you could see how true was the mason ' s uuik , which lasted through centuries ; but accompanying the Masoi . ic work , wliich was the work of the sciibes , the journalists of the Press of the day , who duly recorded the building of the edifices , andthe

history of the country , all the histories of the- kings all the wars , all the maniages , in fact everything that could pertain to history , and did now pertain to journalism . So respected was the profession that they worshipped it—a god with a horse ' s head and wilh a key in ils hand . After further histoiical references , thc speaker said that journalism was a most noble , dignified profession that any man coultl

be bound to , one that he hoped wou'd rapidly become , as it was becoming- giowing wiihin their sight—one of those great prolcssions of England worthy of being followed by every English gentleman . Bro . Christie Murray followed with a highly interesting speech . The W . M . next prtpottd another toast which he said

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

appeared on thc programme for the first time— " The Savage Club Lodge . " Considering , the close affinity that existed between the two lodges , it had been determined by resolution of the lodge to establish the custom of inviting the Alaster for the time being to the installation meetings . After remarking on the near relationship existing between that lodge and the Savage Club Lodge , the VV . M . said he would adopt the time-honoured toast of the Skinners' and

Salters' Companies , and say ofthe Savage and the Gallery Lodges— " may they flourish root and branch . " Bro . Wade , whose name was associated with the toast , responded . Several other toasts followed , including "The Visitors , " for whom Bros . Maybank , Isaac White , and Chrichton Saunders responded ; "The Past Alasters , " for whom Bro

Massey replied ; and " The Other Officers " of the lodge ; and then the Tyler's toast as usual closed the proceedings . During the evening there was some excellent singing and reciting by Bros . Harding , Charles Arnold , Wm . Nicholl , E . J . Odell , Reginald Groom , Charles Townley , J . D . Irvine , and Mr . H . Peacock . Bro . Aferton Clark kindly accompanied the brethren who sang .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRIGHTLINGSEA . Lodge of Hope ( No . 4 . 13 ) . —At the monthly meeting of this lodge on Alonday , Derember 14 th , at the Swan Inn , Bro . Fisher , the W . AI .. presided over an unusually large meeting , and performed the ceremonies attaching to his office in a very able manner . Before closing the lodge

nctice was given of two other candidates . During the evening Bro . J . E . Wiseman , P . AL , P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec addressing Bro . R . D . Poppleton , P . AL , P . P . G . D ., told him that he was deputed by the lodge to present him with a Past Master ' s jewel as a token of their esteem and regard , and of their appreciation of his services as their representative on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee for the last

10 years . Bro . Wiseman in very feeling terms alluded to the pleasure he felt in presenting this Past Master ' s jewel , having installed Bro . Poppleton in the Master ' s chair in that lodge 10 years ago , having also been present on his being advanced in the Alark Degree , and when he was exalted in the Royal Arch , and congratulated

him on being now W . AI . of the Constantine Alark Lodge and occupying the Second chair in the Patriotic Chapter . In concluding Bro . Wiseman said he felt sure he was only echoing the sentiments of all present when he said that he trusted that Bro . Poppleton would be spared for many years to wear the jewel , and that they should also have the benefit of his services as Charity representative for many years to

come . Bro . Poppleton was quite overcome with emotion , but expressed his thanks for the great honour done him , an honour of which he was quite ignorant of their intention to confer on him till he was addressed by Bro . Wiseman . He had always felt grateful to the Lodge of Hope for their great kindness , to which was due his progress in

Freemasonry in the various Degrees . The inscrip'ion on the jewel was as follows : — " Presented to VV . Bro . K . IJ . Poppleton , P . AL , by the members of the Lod _ e of Hope , No . 433 , as a small token of their esteem and regard , and of their appreciation of his valuable services as their representative on the Charity Committee for the last 10 years . "

HAMPTON COURT . Bushey Park Lodge ( No . 2381 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel on Saturday , December 12 th , under the presidency of Bro . G . R . Langley , P . M . 1 S 3 , W . M . The members present included Bros . VV . H . Lee , P . P . G . D ., I . P . M . ; W . W . Lee , S . W . ; A . Blenkarn , J . W . ; I . D . E . Tarr

P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; H . Hooper , P . M ., Sec ; S . Richard son , P . AI ., as S . D . ; G . W . Castle , J . D . ; \ . G . Gal braith , jun ., as I . G . j C . Fruen , P . M ., D . C . ; S . H Lathom , Steward ; A . W . Fawkes , J . W . Stevens , W . T II . Alayer , Jenkin Joel , E . J . W . Scott , C . R . Cutler , J . J Newland , H . J . Syrett , and J . S . Sherwood . Visitors Bros . Laughton Field , 230 S ; R . Poore , P . AI . 1949 ; T

I * . Hodgson , D . C . 1607 ; J . Hearsum , I . P . M . 167 ; and H . J . Hazel , W . AL iGy 3 . Lodge having been opened , Bros . Jenkin Joel and E . J . W . Scott were raised to the Degree of M . M ., and tne traditional history given . A ballot having proved unanimous in favour of Alessrs . II . J . Syrett and J . S . Sher _ ood , they were impressively initiated , the W . AL completing his

labours by an able rendering of the ancient charge . Lodge having been closed , a well-served repast was enjoyed by all present . The customary toasts were afterwards heartily honoured , Bros . VV . H . Lee , P . P . G . D ., and J . D . E . Tarr . P . P . G . D ., returning thanks Ior the toast of ' •The R . W . Prov . G . AI ., Deputy Prov . G . AI ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand

Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . W . II . Lee , P . P . G . D ., I . P . AI ., in proposing "The Health of the W . AI ., " congratulated the Bushey Paik Lodge on having so eliicient and popular a brother to preside over it as Bro . Geo . R . Langley . That brother during the first year acted as Secretary , and it was no exaggeration to say that in a great measure the success of

the lodge was due to his 1 fibrls . It was not in their own lodge alone , however , that Bro . Langley was known , for many present were indebted to him fur their Masonic knowledge gained i . ) the Brixton Lodge of Instruction , of which he was thc indefatigable Secretary . That Bro . Langley was known and appreciated , especially in South Lo-don , was evinced at the recent election of members for the Board

of Benevolence , at which he was elected second on the list . Bro . G . R . Langley , W . AI ., returned thanks in an appropriate speech , and other toasts were given before a pleasant evening terminated with the Tyler ' s toast . Bro . Field ably presided at the pianoforte , and several brethren rendered musical sulectians .

HULL . Humber Lodge ( No . 57 ) . —The time-honoured Festival of St . John the Baptist was celebrated at thc A 1 a _ onic Hall , Osborne-strcct , recently , by the installation of Bro . A . Ii . Kessen as W . M . There was a large an J brilliant assembly of brethren , not only from the sister lodges in Hull , but also from liast Yorkshire , Noith Lincolnshire , and other provinces . The old Humber Lodge

Provincial Meetings.

( it was founded in 1736 ) is the most wealthy , and one of the most influential of provincial lodges , and its prestige is known throughout England . Bro . Dr . Kessen is therefore to be heartily congratulated on the exalted position he has been called to fulfil by the goodwill of his brethren . Amongst those present were Bros . M . C . Peck , P . G . S . B . of England ; J . Henderson , W . M . ; I . Matthews , I . P . M .:

Geo . Latus , S . W . ; W . C . Bradley , J . W . ; D . J . O'Donoghue , P . M ., Chap . ; Thomas Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; T . G . Milner . Hon . Sec ; J . Clarke , P . M . ; W . Day Keyworth , P . AI . ; George Wilson , P . M . ; R . Beevers , P . AL ; W . Tesseyman , P . M . ; A . King , P . M . ; G . H . Panton , J . R . Stringer , P . P . G . O . ; James Wildbore , F . Wilson , t . Whitty , I . P ., R . 1 . McLeavv .

P . D . C . ; J . J . Runton , G . D . Storry , P . P . G . O . ; Thos . Morrill , V . ] . Harper , F . C . Lucop , F . Eustace , George Houlton , F . Kenningham , John Shaw , VV . G . Fenner , T . Hart , G . Kenningham , H . J . Oldroyd , and others . The visitors were Bros . L . P . Brekke , W . M ., J . Y . Torr , J . W ., and A . G . Browne , of 250 ; Dr . H . Woodhouse , B . A ., W . M ., H . H . Briggs , S . W ., Carlill Savill , Hon . Sec , and

C . Judge , Stwd ., of 1010 ; J . W . Tindell , W . M ., and R . W . Cooper , S . W ., of 1 C 05 ; G . W . Greenwood , VV . M ., J . W . Hickling , S . W ., J . Meanwelt , Treas ., and J . W . Webb , J . W ., of 2134 ; H . Spring , W . M . 12 S 2 ; Jas . Powell , 1301 , P . P . G . D . C ; G . Starkey , I . P . M . 119 ; and R . Dobson , W . AI . 294 . The lodge having been opened , Bro . Councillor A . E .

Kessen was duly installed W . M . by Bro . George Wilson , P . P . G . D ., in a most impressive manner . The VV . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as his ofiicers : Bros . J . Henderson , I . P . M . ; J . Wildbore , S . W . ; Thomas Morrill , J . W . ; D . J . O'Donoghue , P . P . G . W ., Chap . ; T . Thompson , P . P . G . W ., Treas . j G . D . Storry , P . P . G . O ., Sec . ; J . Alilestone , S . D . ; Thomas Hart , J . D . ;

W . C . Bradley , D . of C . j H . J . Oldroyd , I . G . ; J . R . Stringer , P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; C . C Bristow , Stwd . ; Wm . Cuthbert , Tyler ; and J . Priest , Asst . Tyler . The brethren then adjourned to the magnificent hall for the annual banquet , which was purveyed in excellent style by Mr . Jenkinson . The VVorshipful Alaster presided , and , in a terse and pointed speech , proposed " The Oueen and

the Craft , " followed by " The Grand and Provincial Grand Rulers , " the latter toast being as briefly acknowledged by Hull ' s most eminent and popular Alason , Bro . Al . C Peck , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec . Bro . W . Tesseyman , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., proposed "The W . AI . and Officers of the Humber Lodge , " and in doing so said the Board of Installed Masters quite

concurred in the admirable choice the brethren had made in the election of Bro . A . E . Kessen as Worshi pful Alaster . He was sure he was the right man in the right place . His officers — particularly the Wardens — although younger members of the Craft , were all good and true men , and would perform their respective duties efficiently . The Worshipful Master , who was received with cheers ,

said : Brethren , I thank vou most heartily on behalf of myself and officers for the very enthusiastic manner in whichyoureceived theeulogistic remarks of Bro . Tesseyman , in proposing this toast . 1 he order of long speeches does not belong to the chair , and , therefore , though my words be few , I trust you will receive them with the sincerity with which they come from me . The office of W . M . is one

wliich from the day I entered the lodge I aspired to , and 1 have to-day received the consummation of my wishes . I assure you I shall endeavour to return this collar as unsullied as I found it . I am afraid I cannot compete with your excellent retiring Master , but I will do my best . The W . AI . has a most difficult task to perform in the selection of his officers , - so many brethren have equal claims to

promotion . However , I hope I have made a good and wise selection . VVe shall now all work with perfect goodwill and accord for the welare of the Humber Lodge . The Senior Warden ( Bro . Wildbore ) said , on behalf of himself and brother officers , he thanked the brethren for their kind confidence , and could assure them that no . hing should be wanting on their pirt to uphold the dignity and prestige ol the lodge . He trusted when their year of office

was finished they would hear from the Master and brethren "Well done , good and faithful stewards , for the trust reposed in thee . " The Junior Warden ( Bro . Thos . Morrill ) said he was gratified for the kind expressions which had fillen from Bro . Tesseyman . He considered it a very great honour to have becn offered the post which he was called upon to

occupy . His collar had been worn by many geiod and true Alasons , and he regarded it as a stepping-stone to a still higher office . The VV . AI . had reached the pinnacle of his ambition , and it was the one office which he ( Bro . Morrill ) aspired to since the day of his initiation , and which he trusted to be realised in future years . He heartily endorsed all the sentiments of his colleague , the Senior Warden .

Bro . George Wilson , P . P . G . D ., proposed "The Retiring W . AL and his Officers , " and stated that Bro . Henderson ' s year of office had been characterised with energy and dignity . He had conducted fie affairs of the lodge with zeal . He ( Bro . Wilson ) had seen many Masters of the lodge , but none had excelled Bro . Henderson . He had been an ornament to the chair , and they would always look

back to the excellent results of his term of office . The brethren had also rallied round the Wardens , and he must also mention the courtesy and attention and thc great services which Bro . T . G . Milner , the retiring Hon . Secretary , had rendered to the lodge , and which had endeared him to the heait of every member . The I . P . AI . and the Wardens acknowledged the toast in

felicitous terms . Ihe W . AL proposed " The Installing Officer , " to w . iich Bro . Wilson responded . Bro . Councillor John Shaw gave "The Past Masters and Treasurer of the Dumber Lodge , " for whom Bro . J . Matthews and Bro . T . Thompson made suitable replies . Bro . Andrew King , P . P . G . D ., then submitted "Thc

Sister Lodges , " which received due acknowledgment from the hands of Bros . Brekke , Dr . H . Woodhouse , Tinelall , Greenwood , and Dobson . After which " The Masonic Charities , " "The Visitors , " and " Absent Brethren " were proposed .

During the banquet some excellent selections of music , vocal and instrumental , were contributed by Bros . George Kenningham , Bristow , Torr , Aleanwcll , Tinelall , F . J , Harper , F . C . O ., Thomas Hart , and R . J . AIcLeavy . The talented Organist of the lodge , Bro . I . R . Stringer , officiated at the pianoforte . Bro . W . C Bradley admirably discharged his functions as Director of Ceremonies .