Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft JEasonrg , LODGE OF PROSPERITY ( No . 6 s ) .-This lodge closed its session on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., at a meeting held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , at which " the W . M ., Bro . W . Walker , presided . Among others present were Bros . loseph Wall , S . W . ; Bentley Haynes , acting J . W . ; J . Roberts , P . M ., Treas . ; G . T . Brown , P . M ., Sec ; F . I . Ruse , S . D . ; H . J . Harriss ,

J . D . ; C . J . Rich , P . M ., D . C . ; R . Dyson , I . P . M . ; E . 5 . Cornwall , P . M . ; G . Schadler , P . M . ; Chas . Daniel , P . M . ; C . E . Ferry , P . M . ; J . H . Hawkins , P . M . ; E . C . Talbot , P . M . ; and others . Among the visitors present were Bros . F . Kearney , P . M . 1743 ; J . Prentice , 11 S 5 ; J . F . Haden , 766 ; and H . J . Amphlett , 1511 . After the opening of the lodge in the usual form , the

minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and Bro . W . H . Trask was raised to the Third Degree , and the Degree of F . C . was conferred upon Bros . T . Cole and E . Johnson . The whole of the proceedings were conducted to the utmost satisfaction of all present , and reflected great credit upon Bro . Walker , it being the first time since his installation that he had had an opportunity of

displaying his capabilities as a worker . " Hearty congratulations " were interchanged at the close of the business , and an adjournment was made to the Throne-room , where there was an excellent spread , and the loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The W . M ., in proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " referred to the great meeting held at the Albert Hall , in

commemoration of her Majesty ' s Jubilee . He said the spirit which prevaded that assembly must have been most gratifying to the Royal lady . The W . M . then proposed " The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., associating with the toast the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The Immediate Past Master , Bro . R . Dyson , on

assuming the gavel for the purpose of proposing the next toast , said he had been reminded by the W . M . that he was no longer one of the ptincipal officers of this most illus'rious lodge . Still , as a " lesser light , " he hoped to be able to ass ^ t them in leading the brethren in the march of Free' masonry , and especially in the cause of Charity , which they had so much at heart . He then proposed * ' The Health of

their excellent W . M . " Bro . Walker was naturally bashful , and would not like to say all the complimentary things he would like to say . They would all admit that Bro . Walker had given them the utmost satisfaction in his debut as a Worshipful Master . He had proved himself worthy of filling that distinguished position , and he ( the speaker ) entertained no doubt that when the time came for him to

retire into the ranks of the veterans , they would all be perfectly satisfied with the manner in which he had performed the duties of the chair . The toast was cordially received , and The Worshipful Master , after returning thanks , assured the brethren that , that evening being his initiation into the mysteries of the chair , he had not done the work quite up

to his own satisfaction ; but he would try to do better in the future . Whatever he could possibly do for the benefit of that lodge he should endeavour to do , and should study everything that would in any way conduce tothe comfort and harmony of the brethren . They had decided to hold a summer banquet , as usual , the date fixed being Tuesday , J uly 12 th , at the Pavilion , Brighton . He had been down

there and had made arrangements , which were very satisfactory indeed . Bro . Sayer had promised to do everything he possibly could to make the affair better even than last year , so that none of the brethren would have occasion to find fault . He trusted they would all rally around him , that there would be a good ' y company of ladies present , and that every brother would do his utmost to make the

reunion a great success . Special arrangements had been made with the railway company to convey the brethren and their friends from London Bridge and back , and , as he had had to guarantee a certain number of tickets , he should be glad if those who intended going would make application for them at their earliest convenience . In conclusion , he sincerely trusted that , as they went on , the

same kindness might be shown him as he had received hitherto at the hands of the brethren . The toast of " The Visitors " was then proposed by the Worshipful Master , and was received with great enthusiasm by the members of the lodge . Bros . F . Kearney , P . M . of the Perseverance Lodge , J . Prentice , and J . f . Haden responded , and thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which they had received

the toast . In proposing "The Past Masters , " the Worshipful Master said he was glad to see no fewer than seven of them present , showing the interest they took in the lodge . He coupled with the toast the Treasurer and Secretary , and complimented them on the way in which they

performed their duty . Bros . Roberts and Brown responded . Other toasts followed , including that of "The Officers of the Lodge , " which was acknowledged by Bro . Harriss . The toasts were interspersed with excellent songs and recitations , and the evening was passed in the greatest harmony and good fellowship .

ISRAEL LODGE ( No . 205 ) . —An emergency meeting of this ancient lodge was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Wednesday , the 29 th ult ., Bro . Solomon Jacobs , W . M ., presided , and there was a good attendance of brethren , including Bros . W . Paton , S . W . ; B . de Mesquita , J . W . ; A . M . Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., Sec ; Marcus Bromet , ] . D . ;

L . Lichtenfeld , D . C ; H . M . Harris , P . M . ; H . J . Phillips , P . M . ; JohnDaSlva , Stwd . ; A . J . Henochsberg , I . P . M . ; C . Bass-ington , P . M . ; M . J . Emanuel ; and Jos . Da Silva , P . IVi ., D . C , Visitors : Bros . A . Barnetr , 330 ; H . Friedlander , 144 6 ; J . Hart . 195 ; A . Goldstein , 17156 ; J . Walker , 1348 ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The lodge was formally opened and the summons convening the meeting read by the Secretary , Ballot was taken

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

for Messrs . Emanuel Jacobs , B . H . Pizer , H . Schneiders , and Woolf Abrahams , as candidates for initiation , and resulting unanimously in their favour , they were regularly initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . J . Stern was then raised to the Degree of a Master Mason by the VV . M ., who performed this and the preceding ceremony in a very clear and impressive manner .

The Worshiplul Master then said he had a very pleasing duty to perform . They were all aware of the great meeting at the Albert Hall , when his Royal Highness the M . W . G . M . presided . On that interesting occasion the M . W . G . M . thought fit to bestow honours upon a number of brethren , and the members would share with him the pleasure that their lodge came in for a share of those

honours , the recipient being their esteemed Bro . Hogard . He was quite sure tt could not have been bestowed upon a more worthy brother , or upon one who would reflect more credit upon the choice . There were many Grand officers , and out of the large number there was but a small per centage who had been invested by the M . W . G . M . personally . Bro . Hogard fortunately had received that great

honour . In speaking of the honour Bro . Hogard had received , he considered their lodge was a sharer , and he had the pleasure of announcing that he was about to present that brother with the regalia of his distinguished office . He would read the inscription on the jewel , which was— " Lodge of Israel , No . 205 . Presented to Bro . Charles Frederick Hogard , P . M ., by the brethren of this

lodge , in appreciation ot ihe honour confened upon him of P . G . Standard Bearer of England by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., at the Jubilee meeting held at the Albert Hall , June 13 th , 18 S 7 . " In handing Bro . Hogard the regalia , on behalf of the members , he hoped he would be spared for many years to wear the clothing with credit and pride .

Bro . C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., said he was really at a hiss to find words to express his thanks to the brethrenthe members of his mother lodge—for their generous gift . It was with great pride that he received a communication to say the M . W . G . M . was about to confer an honour upon him . He was proud not only for any services he had rendered to the Craft , but that the honour would be enhanced

by receiving it personally at the hands of the M . W . G . M . His Royal Highness was so much occupied that the brethren did not often see him present to confer the distinctions that were awarded . He thuught that since the meeting in 1 S 75 , the recent Jubilee celebration was only the second occasion on which he had been able to be present , and therefore the honour was considerably greater . It was an

honour not only for himself , but , through him , on the lodge . They knew ihere were nota large number of Grand offices to be conferred , for if they took away the ornamental—if he might call them so—there were then but the small number of 10 . When they considered that there were about 2220 lodges , of course there must be many disappointed from time to time , and therefore he was grateful in

having received such an honour for his lodge—the lodge in which he was initiated 20 years ago . Since his initiation he had never been absent but on one occasion , which was an emergency meeting . He assured them that he had been so taken by surprise , that he knew not how to thank them for the handsome gift . He could only hope he might be spared for many years to do suit and service in the dear old

lodge , and he nould do what he could in bringing it forward and in keeping it in the good position it had attained . He would not detain them longer , but would say how much he was obliged to them for the magnificent clothing they had given him , and he hoped he would be able in the future to prove his gratitude . On the motion of Bro . H . M . Harris , P . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a full account of the proceedings was ordered to

be recorded on the minutes , alter which the lodge was closed in due form . After refreshment , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and warmly received . In giving "Ihe Health of the W . M ., " Bro ' . Henochsberg , I . P . M ., said he was pleased to have the oppoitunity of saying a few words . If there was one advantage about

the " Fourth " Degree , it was that it gave the I . P . M . the chance of testifying his high appreciation of the W . M . He was sure that one and all esteemed Bro . Jacobs , W . M ., as much as it was possible to esteem anyone , for he had shown what he could do for Freemasonry in general , and their lodge in particular . He had thoroughly maintained the reputation he had previously made for himself when

occupying the minor offices . Their W . M . had shown them by his excellent work that he was second to none in the lodge , for he had performed the First and Third Degrees without a trip or falter , and with an impressiveness that had delighted them all . The brethren would sincerely drink to the health of their VV . M ., and wish him success during the remaining portion of his year of office .

Bro . Solomon Jacobs , W . M ., heartily thanked the I . P . M . for the very kind terms he had used in proposing the toast , and the brethren for their cordial reception . When he joined Freemasonry he was convinced that the essence of it was to try and reach the high position of the chair . When he undertook the office of W . M . he was aware of the difficulties , and he took it with a full sense of

the responsibility . As long as he occupied any office in the lodge he would do his best to maintain the proud position it had attained . The brethren appeared satisfied with what he had done in the past , and he hoped they would continue to be so in the future . "The Initiates" was next given by the W . M ., who advised them to persevere in the work of the Craft , until

they reached the important position of presiding over the lodge . The newly-admitted brethren having briefly and suitably replied , the W . M . gave "The Visitors" and offered them a cordial welcome . Bro . Hart , 195 , responded , thanking the members for the kind hospitality shown the visiting brethren , and commending the splendid work he had witnessed .

Bro . Henochsberg , I . P . M ., replied for "The Past Masters , " and said the members would give them credit for having the interests of the lodge at heart . They were very pleased to see a brother in the chair who worked in such an admirable manner , and who was independent of any support from the P . M ' s . in the ritual . They felt it a

high honour that they numbered among the Past Masters Bro . Hogard , who had gained the high rank of a Past Grand Officer of England . " Success to the Benevolent Fund" having been given by the W . M ., Bro . Cohen , P . M ., the Treasurer , replied and reported the successful state in which the fund is

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

placed . He earnest . y advised the initiates to help the fund , and thanked the members who always responded so heartily to his appeals . He was pleased to announce that their last ball had been a great success , and they were enabled to hand over the magnificent surplus of £ 59 to the

credit of the Benevolent Fund . The thanks of the lodge were due to those brethren who had specially contributed to this success , and who had worked so indefatigably to obtain this splendid result . " The Officers " was given , after which the Tyler ' s toast closed the meeting .

NEW CROSS LODGE ( No . 1559 ) . —An emergency meeting of this progressing lodge took place at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , on the 3 rd ult ., when there were present Bros . Carlo Grassi , W . M . ; G . P . Bettini , I . P . M W . Barnett , acting as S . W . ; J . D . Graham , J . W . ; E * H . Thiellay , P . M ., Treas . ; Ernest Smith , P . M ., Sec C . H . M . North , I . G . ; Angelico Cogliati , F . CoblerW *

, Echenard , John Faulkner , James Rowe , J . B . C . Rouard and others . Visitors : F . Carpenter , S . W . 77 ; and G ! Reynolds , J . W . 1614 , Sec . 2191 . The lodge was opened in due form , and Mr . Baldasare Mella was initiated into the mysteries of the Order , Bros . Louis Echenard and A . Cogliati were passed to the Degree of F . C , and Bro . Francesco Cobler was raised to a M . M

The VV . M . did the work of the First and Second Degrees in a most satisfactory manner . The I . P . M ,, Bro . Bertini doing the work of the Third Degree . The W . M . having received the "Hearty good wishes " of the visitors , the lodge was closed , and the brethren made their way to the New Cross Station , where a saloon carriage had been attached to the train from Charing Cross . After

a pleasant run to Gravesend , but in very stormy weather , the brethren went to the Clarendon Hotel , where a capital banquet was served under the personal superintendance of Bro . J . B . Mella , the manager to Bro . R . Bath . The W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in a very happy strain , alluding to the Queen ' s Jubilee and the M . W . G . M . in very impressive words .

Bro . E . H . Thiellay , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . G . P . Bertini , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " alluding to the excellent way in which the W . M . did his work , and said that at each time they met his working improved . He had dune much for the benefit of the lodge , and to-night had brought the brethien from " The Ship" to " The Clarendon " for refreshment after

labour , and from the expression on the faces of the brethren present , he saw all were enjoying themselves . He wished him health and success . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said it was a great pleasure to him to know that he was doing his work and his 1 uty to the satisfaction of the brethren of the New Cross Lodge . Masonry was a noble Order , and he was

always ready to support it . He was pleased to know that the arrangements of dining at the Clarendon was approved of and was satislactory . The weather had been disappointing , and had prevented many brethren from coming the distance , but he hoped at some future time they would have a larger number present , and that the sun would shine in their favour . He thanked them all for the hearty manner

in which his health had been drunk . He had now a most pleasing duty to perform and that was to propose " The Health of the Initiate , " whom he had known for many years . He could hardly express the pleasure he felt in introducing him into the Order , more especially as he came into the lodge of which he had the honour of being W . M . He would ask all present to drink the health of the new

child of the New Cross Lod ge—the initiate . Ihe Initiate , in replying , said he was much gratified with his reception amongst them . He had two little brothers in the Craft , and it had always been his wish to become a Mason and be with them . He would endeavour to do his duty and earn the esteem of his fellow Masons , and he thanked the brethren most sincerely for the honour

they had bestowed upon him in receiving him into the Craft . The Wotshipful Master next proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " and alluded to Bro . G . Reynolds as the active Secretary to the Covent Garden Lodge ot Instruction , from which he had received great benefit . He had made it his duty to attend that lodge of instruction as regularly as possible , thereby fitting himself for his important duties

as W . M . Bro . F . Carpenter , the future W . M . of his lodge—No . 77—was known to many present as a capital worker , and was a brother also well known in Gravesend , and much respected by all brethren in the district , and there could be no doubt when the time arrived for him to take the important position of W . M . of 77 that lodge would have a Master capable of carrying out the duties of the

chair to the satislaction of all . He trusted that the two visiting brethren had spent a pleasant evening with the brethren of the New Cross Lodge at the ( . larendon , and would ask those present to drink their health in a bumper . Bro . G . Reynolds , J . W . 1614 , Sec . 2191 , in replying' , said he thanked them all for the hearty reception they had given him that evening . He felt quite at home with them ,

and like one of the family . Although he had hesitated about taking the journey , on account of the weather , he had been well entertained , and spent a very pleasant evening . The banquet was all that one could desire . He thanked the W . M . for the great compliment he had paid to the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , of which he had the honour of beine Secretary , and honed manv others

would receive the same benefit as their W . M . had done . There could be no doubt that lodges of instruction were most helpful to Masonry , and he hoped they would be more frequented , especially by brethren holding office , or preparing for the same . Bro . F . Carpenter also replied . The toast for "The Officers" having been given and

suitably responded to , the Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a very pleasant evening , to which the W . M ., Bros . James Rowe , Thiellay , Grummant , Carpenter , and others had added much by their musical abilities . The brethren on leaving "The Clarendon , " expressed themselves much delighted with all arrangements made for their comfort .

EMPIRE LODGE ( No . 2108 ) . —A regular meeting of this lor g- was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , ojj Tuesday , the 2 Jth ult . There were two features which made the meeting a specially interesting one . The first was a graceful compliment paid to Bro . bir Philip Cunliffe Owen , K . C . M . G ., I . P . M ., in presenting him with the regalia befitting his position of F . G . D ., to which he was promoted