Contents.

CONTENTS .

R FPOBTS of MASONIC MEET . NGS : - Craft MasmiTV ; fej ^ i ^ - ^^^

¦ K ^ oicrance ^ * -o Whcri-arc yve suing to ? ..... - •* The "Monde Maconnique - « A Utile Apology Caiuiss . w "'* " ^" 2 , j Ancient Freemasons as " 6 ' perative Masons and Religions

Builders .- ¦¦•*" Illcmtimacy and !• reemasonry 321 Grand Lodge of Munster 3 " Irish Masonic News 322 The Masonic Meetinir in Dublin i ... 322 Dn ,- )! Masonic Institution for Girls 322 p oundal Grand Mark Lodge of North Wales and Cheshire ... 323 The Royal Family and Religious Freedom 323

Revieyvs '" " _ ,,, 3 ^' e ^« ings ' forNextV ^ 323 Advertisements 224 . i . « . »» . w . v . v ..

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

ALEXANDRA PALACE LODGE ( No . 1341 ) . The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 20 th ult ., at the Alexandra Palace , Musyvell-hill , and the fineness of the day attracted a numerous attendance . Bro . G . Kelly King , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . Palmer , S . W . ; Haigh , J . W . ; Dyte , P . M ., Treas . ; J . R . Stacey , and the rest of the officers , as yvell as several visitors ,

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amongst yvhom were Bros . H . Thompson , P . M . 177 ( Freemason ) ; Durrant , Zetland , and several others yvhose names were not ascertained . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second Degree , yvhen Bros . Ward and Rubenstein yvere passed ; and attenvards it yvas opened in the Third Degree , and Bros . Sherrington and Croft yvere raised to the

Sublime Degree of M . M ,, both ciremonies being most ably performed by tbe W . M . The lodge having been loyvered to the First Degree , the next business yvas to proceed to the election of W . M . for the ensuing year , and the choice fell unanimously upon Bro . Palmer , the S . W ., and yvhen it was announced that the vote was unanimous , there yvas loud cheering , yvhich Bro . Palmer acknoyvledged . The next

business yvas the election of a Treasurer for the ensuing year , and Bro . Dyte , P . M ., also received a unanimous vote in his favour , lt was then proposed that a Past Master ' s Jewel should be given to Bro . Kelly King , W . M ., as a small testimony of the esteem in which he yvas held by the brethren , which yvas carried unanimously , and after some other business had been disposed of the lodge was closed ,

and the brethren adjourned to a splendid and sumptuous banquet , provided by Messrs . Bertram and Roberts , yvhich left nothing to be desired , for it embraced every delicacy of the season . On the yvithdrawal of the cloth , the W . M ., in proposing fhe first toast , said that Masons were proverbial for their loyalty to the throne . The Heir-apparent to the throne yvas their Grand Master , and tyvo Royal Princes

occupied the other tyvo chairs in thc Grand Lodge , and notwithstanding all the Papal denunciations , Freemasonrycontinued to increase and flourish . To make the toast Masonic , he proprosed " The Queen and the Craft , " a toast yvhich was heartily responded to . The W . M . said that having sworn allegiance to the Queen , he asked them to drink the health of the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales ,

who did them the honour of presiding over them . They all kneyv hoyv yvell he discharged all his engagements , and it yvas a great honour to them to have as their chief the heir to the throne , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . His Royal Highness had thoroughly identified himself with the Craft , yvhose fame had not only spread in this country , but throughout the world . As lime was getting late , to

save it , he coupled yvith the toast that of the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master •, thc Ear ! of Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present . Drunk with great cheering . The acting I . P . M . proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and remarked that he had filled the chair for two years . That was thc last occasion upon yvhich they yvould have the

pleasure of drinking his health as W . Master , and he was sure that as that ] yvas so , they would drink it with all the cordiality it deserved . The VV . M . in reply , returned thanks for thc kind manner in yvhich they had accepted the toast proposed by their worthy brother . He felt great interest in Freemasonry , and especially so , as the original projector of that lodge , although not the

originator , but without the assistance of kind friends he could do nothing . It was gratifying to him to have been connected with the lodge from its commencement , and also to see its prosperity , and he might say that they had scarcely any drawback from the beginning . As their first Master was unfortunately not able to be much with them his duty had devolved upon himand although there might have

, been shortcomings on his part , he had done his best , and he believed he had presided over a truly happy family , and if they would allow him to say to , he looked upon them all as his children , and congratulated himself on having such a happy family . He hoped and trusted that that lodge would make its mark in the Craft , and having

alluded to these connected with the press , and others who constituted the members , said he could not yvish to meet with more social , genial , and hearty companions than thc members of that lodge . The next toast was "The V'sitors , " which was briefly responded to . The W . M . said lnat withouta good Superstructure the edifice would soon

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

fall to the ground , and without fresh members Freemasonry yvould soon come to an end , and he bad to propose the health of three gentlemen who had become members of their Order , and he believed that they yvere proper persons to become Masons . He gave " The Health of their Brother Initiates . " Bros . Rubenstein and Ford severally returned thanks . The W . M . proposed " The Health of Bro . Rooke , P . M ., " who returned thanks , and also that of Bro . Doyle ,

Treas ., and Bro . Stacey , Sec , and who also severally returned thanks . " The Health of tbe W . M . Elect" was next given , but as that worthy brother had-been compelled to leave for Peterborough , Bro . Lee , his locum tenens , ret irned thanks in his stead . Some other toasts were given and responded to , and a very happy evening was brought to a close shortly after nine o ' clock , when the W . M ., members , and visitors returned to town by the Great Northern Railway .

SIR HUGH MYDDELTON LODGE ( No . 1602 ) . —This lodge held its in & tallation meeting on Friday week at the Agricultural Hall , Islington , Bro . Elias Somers , W . M ., presiding . The lodge yvas draped in consequence of the death of Bro . Ellen , J . D ., whom the brethren folloyved to the grave tyvo days prior to the meeting of the lodge . Lodge yvas fully attended , and all the officers

yvere in their places . The members present yvere Bros E . Somers , W . M . ; Ed . G . Sim , S . W ., W . M . elect , I . J Coombs , J . W . ; I . Weston , Treas ., J . Osborn , Sec , A . F Rowley , S . D . ; W . F . Poulton , D . C . ; W . Morris , I . G . ; J H . Appeakein , C . Knight , J . G . Reviell , H . Field , N Dayvson , J . H . Raffety , R . Allison , G . Tarrant , T . Frank , lin , E . Adams , I . Gibbs , R . G . Thomas , N . Payne , J ,

Hiscock , C . I . Parslow , S . Royvley , G . S . Furlong , T . Upward . The visitors yvere Bros . Albert , P . G . P ., P . M . 188 and 1017 ; Buss , Asst . G . Sec , Johnson , P . M . 4 68 ; Jones , P . M . 917 ; Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason ); Lazarus , P . M . 33 ; Wilson , P . M . I 2 q 8 ; Levy , P . M . " 188 ; Hoyve , P . M . 144 s , Asst . G . Purs . ; Terry , P . M . 228 , P . G . D . C . Herts ; Todd , P . M . 183 ; Tongue ,

P . M . ^ 4 ; Jaffa , J . D . 1 * 579 ; Nathan , 205 ; Braine , S . W 1471 - " Field , S . W . 917 ; Barham , W . M . 754 ; Pare , J . W . 185 ; Todd , P . M . 183 , and Lee , W . M . . ) 7 S . The lodge having transacted some business which was on the agenda paper , Bro . Edwd . G . Sim , S . W . and W . M . elect , proposed "That Bro . W . M . Lee , W . M . 975 and P . M . 1524 , be elected an honorary member of the Sir Hugh Myddelton

Lodge , in recognition of his services to it . " He said there was nothing more difficult in founding a lodge than to be without a P . M , * , but in this lodge Bro . Lee came foryvard at their W . M . ' s request , and had been present every time of their meeting , and had done everything in his power to render the different ceremonies a success . In sho ' . ying their appreciation of such services hc ( Bro . Sim )

thought it the bounden duty 01 the brethren to pass this vote , in proof of the obligation they felt they yvere under to Bro . Lee . He believed that lodges were permitted to do this for brethren yvho fiad performed acts which called for some special mark of approbation . In making the motion he felt sure that it would meet with unanimous approval . Bro . Coombs , J . W ., seconded the motion

which yvas put by the VV . M ., and carried unanimously , There yvere no initiations , passings , or raisings before the brethren , and the o liy remaining yvork to be done was to instal Bro . Edward G . Sim , the W . M . fleet , and this ceremony yvas performed by Bro . Somers , who also delivered thc address tu the W . M . Bro . Lee delivered the addresses to the Wardens and brethren . The officers appointed

were Bros . Coombs , S . W . ; Royvley , J . W . ; J . Osborn , Sec . ; Weston , S . D . * , Norris , J . D . ; Poulton , I . G . ; Upward , Org . ; Field , D . C . ; Oppenheim , W . S . ; and W . Steedman , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . Somers , P . M ., gave notice of motion , that the founders of the lodge be alloyved to yveara founder ' s jewel ; and Bro . Furlong afteryvards moved a resolution of condolence on the part of the members ol

thc lodge yvith the yvidow of Bro . Ellen , late j . D . He said that Bro . ' Ellen was one of the founders of the lodge , and yvas yvell km wn and respected by all the brethren . He was sure he was only echoing the sentiments of all present when he said that to knoyv Bro . Ellen yvas to respect him . Bro . Ellen yvorked very hard for the purpose of establishing the lodge , and during his year of office he gained the

affection cf all yvith yvhom he came in contact . His death yvas a matter of very great regret to the brethren , and yvhile the W . M . expressed his regret , the lodge felt equal regret that so promising a brother as their departed friend had been taken from amongst them so soon . Bro . Ellen had left a widow and orphan to mourn his loss , and to them it yvould be some consolation in their affliction

to knoyv that the brethren yvith yvhom he had been asssociated had passed a resolution expressing their feelings at the loss of this brother , and directing that a letter of condolence should be sent to his widoyv and child . Bro , R . G . Thomas seconded the motion . The W ' . M ., in putting the resolution to the lodge , said he felt that though the family of their late

brother might like to have this expression of feeling in writing , they could not wish a stronger mark of the esteem in yvhich Bro . Ellen was held than that which was given two days ago , when all the brethren of the lodge , with one or two exceptions assembled at the cemetery to witness the committal of his remains to the earth . Nearly every member of the lodge was there , and no stronger token of

their regard for their brother could be paid than was paid then . The motion yvas then put and carried unanimously . Lodge was thereupon closed , and the brethren proceeded to the Cock , Highbury , where a banquet was elegantly provided by Mr . R . Baker . The toasts folloyved , and "The Queen and the Craft , " "The M . W . G . M . " and

" The Pro Grand M . having been received with the most loyal enthusiasm , the W . M . next proposed "The D . G . M . and the Grand Officers . " He said that if it yvere not for the Grand Officers the lodges could not exist , and it was because the Grand Officers did their duty that the lodges got on so well . Everything was sure to go on amicably

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and well while a ship was well commanded and steered , and lodges had to look to Grand Lodge to take the helm of affairs in Masonry ; and while it might be said that it did not depend upon one brother they knew the ark was made up of units , and it was to each one individually doing his duty that the success of the whole yvas attributable . Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , responded .

In the person of the D . G . M . they had one of the best Grand Officers that ever took that rank . He was at all times alive to everything that required attention in Masonry , and he gave that attention without hesitation . The same might be said of every other Grand Officer *! Bro . Albert , who was present , had gone through his year of office , and bad thoroughly applied himself to its duties .

All the Grand Officers felt as sensible as he ( Bro . Buss ) of the great compliment that had just been paid them . They were all anxious to perform their duties , and it was in the power of all to become Grand Officers some day or other , if they applied their minds to it ( cries of " Oh , oh" ) . Well , here was Bro . Albert , who four years ago would not have thought it possible to become a Grand Officer ;

and Bro . Howe , yvho equally , a few months ago , would not have thought it possible that he could ever become a Grand Officer . Again , he ( Bro . Buss ) a short time ago could not have expected that he would be enrolled in the ranks of the Grand Officers . He supposed that there had been something in their abilities which had led the Grand Master to give them preferment . Of this , at least , he was

quite sure , that the brethren chosen for Grand Office had alyvays the best interests of the Craft at heart , and those Grand Officers who were present were not the least among those so disposed . Bro . Somers proposed "The W . M . " Another captain had now the command of the ship , and he hoped the new commander yvould do it as well as he ( Bro . Somers ) had endeavoured to do . He had no doubt

of it . The vessel yvas equally well officered ; every appliance had been carefully provided , and he trusted the ship would be yvell manned . He looked to the brethren to support the new captain with the same readiness as they had the old one . He ( Bro . Somers ) had retired ( he could no say on half pay ) , but he should still use his best exertions

to persuade all volunteers who mi ght join the lodge to help the VV . M ., and as fac as he ( Bro . Somers ) was concerned , he yvould take care that Masonry was properly carried out . The brethren were all pleased to see his friend , Bro . Edward George Sim , installed in the chair of the Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge , which he hoped would be a credit to the Craft . The brethren had endeavoured to

the utmost to raise the lodge to the highest point ; and when there was such an endeavour it was very seldom that failure yvas experienced . The W . M ., replying , said he felt under a very great obligation to Bro . Somers for the remarks he had made , and to the brethren , not only for the cordiality with which they had received these remarks , but for having placed him at their head . He trusted that he

should occupy the chair to their satisfaction , and that the duties yvhich would devolve upon him during his year of office yvould be carried out with efficiency . In any yvay that they could command him in connection with the lodge he should consider himself at their service ; in fact , he would Consider himself under an obligation to them to do anything in his power for the benefit of the Sir Hugh

Myddelton Lodge . He trusted that his year cf office would be a happy one , and a prosperous one for the lodge ; and that , at the end of his year , he yvould have the same good feelings evinced toyvards him as had been shoyvn on the present occasion to the yvorthy brother yvho noyv occupied the distinguished position of the P . M . In giving " The Health of the Visitors , " the W . M , said that the

brethren yvere always pleased to hear the expression of the opinion of the visitors on the subject of the conduct of lodge business . He yvas happy to say that visitors , especially those who held high offices in Masonry , considered it their privilege to express their opinions . It was as well that they should do so . For himself , he never would suggest for one moment that a visitor who held

any position in Masonry , and yvho sayv anything wrong , should not at once take the opportunity of having it corrected . By that means , lodges would do the thing that was right , and alyvays keep Masonry pure . He then read the list of visitors as given above , and called upon Bros . Barham , Todd , and Braine to respond . These brethren having complied , the W . M .

proposed "The Health of the Installing Master , " and remarked that that brother had performed his duties in a very able manner . At the same time he yvould present to Bro . Somers a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel , upon which yvhen Bro . Somers looked at any time he yvould recal many pleasant evenings he had spent with the brethren . He could not look upon it yvithout great

pride , because it must remind him that he was one of the founders and the first W . M . of the Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge , which be believed yvould occupy one of the first positions among all the lodges in the world . If it did cot it would not be for want of its members endeavouring to raise it to its proper standard . He hoped the name o £ the Sir Hugh Myddelton Lodge would , like that of the

man whose name it bore , be a password for straightforward , honest , and honourable conduct . Bro . Somers , in reply , said that as one of the pioneers in the formation of the lodge he had learned that although he had succeeded the path was a rugged one , but those who did their duty honestly and satisfactorily to the Craft must not expect for a moment that they were going to find it a smooth , comfortable , or convenient way of travelling .

Still it was a maxim in Masonry that the difficulties they found in the way should stimulate them to the performance of higher duties , to the which if they attained they would be placed ultimately in the proud position he had the honour now of occupying . He could only add that he had used his best exertions for the benefit of the lodges with which he had been associated , and he could distinctly assert that he had worked honestly and sincerely ,