Ladies' Night Of The Ranelagh Lodge, No. 834.

Bro . R . Phillips , S . W ., and Mrs . Phillips ; Bro . J . Worth ; Bro . Lucas , LG . ; Bro . H . Stokes , D . C , and Mrs . Stokes ; Bro . and Mrs . E . H . Grant ; Mr . and Miss Grant ; Bro . and Mrs . W . J . Bennett ; Bro . and Mrs . A . Wheeler ; Bro . and Mrs . S . R . G . Chapman ; Bro . and Mrs . Alpe ; Bro . and Mrs . F . Newman ; Bro . and Mrs . R . J . Hall ; Mr . and Mrs . Longley ; Mr . and Mrs . Driver ; Mr . and Mrs . Stokes ; Bro . Crier ; Bro . and Mrs . Doulton ; Mrs . Worth ; Bro .

and Mrs . Gadd ; Bro . and Mrs . Holmes ; Bro . Wright , P . M ., and Mrs . Wright ; Bro . and Mrs . Clayton ; Bro . Davis , P . M ., Mrs ., and Miss Davis ; Mr . and Mrs . Bingham * , Bro . and Mrs . Giles ; Bro . and Mrs . Cartright ; Bro . and Mrs . King ; Bro . and Mrs . Lloyd ; Bro . and Mrs . Lewin ; Bro . and Mrs . Stringer ; Bro . and Mrs . Edwards ; Bro . and Mrs . Mayhew ; Bro . and Mrs . Barfield ; Bro . and Mrs . Watel ; Bro . and Mrs . Page ; Bro . and Mrs . Stehr ; Mrs . West and Bro . R . T . West .

At seven o'clock the W . M ., Bro . Hans Scharien , received the large gathering , and a dispensation having been obtained for the brethren to wear Masonic clothing , this , with the very charming costumes of the ladies , give the room a very effective appearance . Ample time having been given for introductions and genial conversation , the company adjourned to a recherche banquet which reflected the hi ghest possible

credit on the establishment and will add to its reputation as pioneers for ladies ' Masonic repasts . It was admirably served under the personal superintendence of the Manager , Bro . Bertini , who although a very busy man , was most assiduous in looking after the comfort of all , but as a ladies' man he naturally directed his special attention to seeing that the fair sex were well provided for , which gained him their warmest thanks .

During the dinner the Cecil Orchestra , under the direction of Bro . Norfolk Megone , dispensed sweet music . The toast list was commendably short , the night having been intended to be devoted to amusements more congenial to the ladies than speech-making . In giving " The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . stated that the long and

peaceful reign of Her Majesty had not only enabled Great Britain to make rapid strides , but it had also had the effect of giving a great stimulus to Freemasonry , but above all it had raised the sisterhood of this country to a much higher level in life . It was most gratifying to know that Her Majesty practised those virtues which should be at all times engraved on every Mason ' s heart , viz .: Charity .

The W . M . gave ' * The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " remarking that when any work was to be done his Royal Highness was always to the front , and he was esteemed by every Mason forthe great things he had done forthe Craft . " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " having been duly honoured , THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Ladies , " observing that it was undoubtedly the most important toast of the evening . He felt somewhat weak in submitting the toast , as he was not capable of doing it the justice it deserved ,

wbich should have been placed in more able hands . He feared that some ladies were not always agreeable for their husbands and sweethearts to be made Masons , and they had invited them that evening to show them that the ladies were not always forgotten in the Masonic world as some supposed they were . He wished he could express in words what he felt in the presence of the ladies that ni ght , but in the name of the Ranelagh Lodge he tendered them a very hearty welcome and they were delighted to have them there . Woman had proved to man that she had raised him to an exalted position in life . They were the best friends they had at home and a woman should be the crown of a man ' s head .

The toast was drunk with the greatest , enthusiasm and with musical honours . Bro , E . NEWLAND , LP . M ,, replied on behalf of the ladies . He said he was in a difficult position because the response ought to have been placed in the hands of a younger and more able man . He was not a bachelor , if he were he felt he would be then competent to acknowledge the toast . He had consulted many of the ladies as to what he should say , and they had advised him to smile , sigh , and sit down . He could not do that ; but as their mouthpiece he would say

that they ( the ladies ) were not often invited to attend Masonic gatherings , and they very much appreciated what had been provided for them on that occasion ; It had been a great success , and they hoped to be invited again and again . They knew that gathering was the suggestion of the W . M ., for which they thanked him , and as they had heard he was about to enter into matrimony , that , perhaps , had something to do with it . They were not desirous of prying into the secrets of Freemasonry , certainly not , because they felt that Masons would help them in the hour of distress .

. Bro . A . WILLIAMS , P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., Bro . Hans Scharien , " and said that without him the entertainment would not have been the great success which it had been in every way , and he had been ably assisted by " a good Board of Stewards , He was an old Freemason and a true friend , but he was extremely modest in all his actions , and his speeches were most modest . There was no doubt he appreciated the ladies , because he was about to take unto himself

a wife , a lady who had hunoured them with her presence that evening , and he was sure that she would make him agood partner , The W . M . had been most successful during the time he had been in the chair , and they would all help him to make his year of ofiice one of the very best in the annals of the lodge . He was glad they had asked the ladies to meet them at the Hotel Cecil , as they could not have found a better place , and Bro . Bertini , who was well-known to them , was one of the best of managers .

The toast was drunk with acclamation , the ladies being most enthusiastic , and with musical honours . Bro . HANS S CHARIEN , W . M ., on rising to respond , had a great reception . He said that his sincere thanks were due to them for the way they had received him and for the kind reference made to his future bride . The success of the ladies ' banquet was due to Bro . Bertini . It was beyond his most sanguine anticipation , he never thought to have had more than 100 , but over 150 had attended , and he took the opportunity of thanking the Committee and the Stewards for their great efforts ' .

Bro . G . F . B UTT , P . M ., proposed "The Health of the future Bride of the Worshipful Master , " remarking that she was an estimable lady , and they were all one in wishing them both every happiness and Jong life . Thc W ORSHIPFUL MASTKR , in a few fitting words , acknowledged the compliment paid to the lady who sat on his right . Bro , HILLIER , P . M ., gave "The Charities , " and said it was a very important

toast and one which concerned the ladies . Some were harsh enough to think that all Masons did was to attend banquets and enjoy themselves . That was a great mistake , and the majority of the ladies knew it . They met for certain things , one of which was the cause of Charity—for those who could not hel p themselves . In eloquent terms he urged the ladies to support the three noble Institutions , of which all Masons were proud . Bio . R . T . W EST , whose name was coupled with the toast , responded .

A musical entertainment of an exceptionall y superior quality was provided under thc able direction of Bro . Norfolk Megone , assisted by Bros . Frank Celli , Cecil Barnard , and Ficd . Kiiiscll , Mr . Kicd . L '| i ' u : i , Mi-,- ; Florence . Venning , and Miss Mabel Buckler . Miss Venning received a well-deserved encore , and a word of pra se is due to her for her sweet singing , which was much appreciated . Mr . Wareham presided with his well-known ability at the pianoforte .

Ladies' Night Of The Ranelagh Lodge, No. 834.

It is hardly necessary to add that , with such talent and under the genial guidance of the W . M ., a most enjoyable and memorable evening was spent , and one that will long be remembered . During the evening a photograph of the large gathering was taken , which , it was subsequently stated , was entirely successful . The portrait of the W . M ., Bro . Hans Scharien , appears in our Portrait Gallery of this issue .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR .

We understand that an appropriate wind up of the old year has come to hand from a number of Scottish Masons in Johannesburg who are anxious to work che Degrees of this Order . They have accordingly applied to Bro . Thos . Cook , District Grand Ruler for South Africa , on the occasion of his visit to Johannesburg last month , and he , having considered their suit , has himself signed and forwarded the petition to the Earl of Warwick , G . S . R . The new conclave

is to be called the " Transvaal" and will be numbered 30 . The Order contains very many brethren holding under the Scottish Constitutions , but this is the first occasion upon which an exclusively Scottish conclave has been warranted . We wish the brethren success and feel sure their English brethren of the " Sentinel " Conclave , Johannesburg , No , 22 , will do all they can to facilitate their operations . Bro . F . D . McMillan , who is already a holder of high office in the Craft in South

Africa is to be the first Supreme Ruler , arid he will have as his first principal officers Bros . Jas . Thompson , Richard George Bevington , William Duffers , Henry William Simpkins , J . E . Middlebrook , and others of the " clans , " who know how to stick together and support each other on a foreign soil . It is an axiom that anything undertaken by cool-headed Scots in any quarter of the globe is usually a foregone conclusion as to its success , and we feel quite sure

that No . 30 starts under the happiest auspices . It is expected that the District Grand Supreme Ruler , Bro . Cook , and probably his Deputy , Bro . Douglas Clark , M . A ., will be present in person at the consecration , which will be a day " writ red " in the annals of Freemasonry in Johannesburg . Bro . Cook is working his district with great energy and hopes in 18 97 to add more conclaves to the five or six already under his control .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 296 . Of the 14 lodges in West Yorkshire which have claimed and obtained centenary warrants , two are found in Sheffield . In our account of the annual festival of Britannia Lodge , in last week ' s issue , we called attention to the fact that that lodge kept its 100 th year of existence with some show of spirit . We also noticed that no history ot the lodge was published at the time , and we believe that the only record of the proceedings on the occasion , and that a very scanty one , is to be found in the minute took . Royal Brunswick Lodge was constituted in 1793 , some 28 years after Britannia , and whin its

centenary occurred , due celebration was obs : rved . A special meeting was called , at which there were present some 27 acting Provincial Ofiicers , including the Prov . G . M ., Bro . W . Lawies J ackson , M . P ., and the Deputy , Bro . Henry Smith , ln addition to this , from the minutes of the lodge and from other sources , an interesting , though by no means exhaustive history was compiled by Bro . W . H . Stacey , P . M . Assisted by Bro . John F . Moss , a very useful little book was the result , one which , whilst it gives special prominence naturally to the affairs of Royal Brunswick Lodge , indicates clearly that there is material in the city from which a good local Masonic history might be written .

It is well worthy of note that the first two lodges in Sheffield , the existence of which can be demonstrated by documentary evidence , were held by warrant of authority of the "Ancients . " Three documents proving this are extant . The first is a lodge warrant , No . 85 , dated 1761 , and signed ' * Kelly , G . M ., " and " Lau . Dermott , G . Sec . " The second , of a similar character , authorises the formation of Lodge No . 72 , bears date 177 6 , and carries the names "Atholl G . M ., Liu . Dirmott , D . G . M ., Wm . Dickey , Grand Secretary . " The third is an even greater curiosity , being in fact a permit on behalf of the " Ancients " to several brethren in Sheffield to form a Prov . Grand Lodge

for the counties of York . Chester and Lancashire , and nominating the first Provincial Grand Master . This was issued in 1781 . Copies of all three warrants are given in Bro . Stacey ' s book , and starting from these alone , caretul research would , doubtless , result in interesting discoveries . The warrant constituting the Royal Brunswick Lodge , No . 296 , was granted by Richard Slater Milnes , Prov . G . Master for the County of York , is dated from that city Sth July , 1793 , and is countersigned by Wm . Spencer , M . D ., P . D . P . G . M . ; John Watson , P . G . I . ; and Chris . Wilson , P . G . S . Royal Brunswick Lodgein 1893 was able to prove to the satisfaction of the authorities of Grand Lodge

, , an unbroken and uninterrupted existence of 100 years , and under the genial Mastirship of Bro . Charles Pawson , duly kept its centenary , yet , as its records show , the lodge was at one time in a very parlous state . It was a question gravely discussed and considered whether it should not unite with Britannia Lodgeand cease the weary struggle for life through which it was continually passing . Royal Brunswick Lodge was saved this fate , and owes its very existence to the devotion and the patient pertinacity of one or two determined brethren . It has long since got overall its troubles , and now holds up its head as one of the most nourishing communities in the province . It kept its 103 rd

anniversary festival on Monday , the 14 th ult ., on which occasion Bro . Geo . B . Wood , after a singularly prosperous year , handed over his authority to Bro . John S . Burnell . There was a large gathering , comprising Bros . W . E . Gray , P . M . ; R . Arnison , P . M ., P . P . GAV .: Chas . Pawson , P . M . ; W . Nicholson , P . M . ! John F . Moss , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . F . Tasker , P . M ., P . P . G , Treas . ; W . H . Stacey , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; H . W . Pawson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Wm . Colver , P . M . ; W . J . Parkin , P . M . ; Isaac Ellis , P . M . ; T . Harrison , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . ; together with a large number of _ the rank and file of the lodge . Bro . G . B . Wood presided , and was supported by his officers , whose

names occur later . The visitors comprised , amongst others , the following : Bros . W . H . Brittain , P . M . 139 , 2 yG , Past G . S . B . Eng . ; Hy . Allen , P . M . 1779 , Prov . S . G . W . j Thomas E . Phelps , 1009 , P . P . G . Org . ; Jeremiah Robertshaw , P . M . 1239 ; A . F . Watson , W . M . 2268 ; Wm . Wilde , P . P . G . S . B . Derbyshire ; John E . Bingham , P . M . 296 , P . P . G . W . ; J . Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , Prov . A . G . Sec . ; W . Gunstone , W . M . 2491 ; Thos . Rowbotham , W . M . 1239 ; D . Pagett , W . M . 904 ; Thos . Harrison , W . M . 2263 ; H . J . Garnett , P . M . 139 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Carl Dahl , Copenhagen ; J . B . Bedle , U . S . Consul , Sheffield ; John Stokes , W . M . 139 ; R . Oates Wever , W . M .

1779 ; Chas . C . Baggaley , W . M . 2355 ; Joseph Barton , D . C . 1779 ; John F . Crowley , D . C . 226 S ; G . F . Dickins . n , 2355 ; and E . Atkinson , P . M . 2355 . The lodge having been opened , thc ballot was taken for two candidates , with successful results , and the principal business of the meeting then proceeded . The Installing Officer was Bro . Ensor Drury , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., whose reputation as the exponent of Masonic ritual extends far beyond Sheffield . lt is almost needless to say , thtrefore , lhat the ceremony was rendered carefully and reverently . Upwards of 30 brethren constituted the Board of Past Masters and saluted the new W . M . on his appointment . The worwing tools in the several Degrees were presented by Bros . J . W .

Moss , P . M . ; T . Harrison , P . M . ; and Pawson , P . M ., respectively . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . 13 . Wood , I . P . M . ; C . H . Maleliam , S . W . ; F . G . Cornu , J . W . ; Ensor Drury , P . M ., Treas . ; Joseph Beardshaw , Sec ; John Bassett , Asst . Sec *'; W . P . Deakin , S . D . ; John Deakin , J . D . ; H . O . Ashmore , Org . ; J . W . Waidle , D . C . ; A . E . Bingham , A . D . C . ; Chas . Ellis , I . G . ; and R . R . Neill ami H . W . Brown , Stewards . On the motion of Bro . Ensor Drury , seconded by Bio . Robert Arnison , Bio . W . Fisher Tasker was again elected to serve on the Lhaiity Committee of West Yorkshire . After a proposition for membership , the Secretary announced apo ' ogies from many influential brethren , and the usuil questions having been put , the W . M . closed the lodge .