Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

P . M . ; F . Edwards , the Rev . T . Ward Brown , James C . havener , John Durant , John Verdi , James Cuddeford , and i aS . Coombe , Tvler , all of 1753 ; W . Gregory , P . M ., ¦ a . p . A . G . D . C , Treas . 1254 ; Arthur J . Truscott , P . M . , , 54 , P . G . Reg . ; John Balsom , 1254 ; M . Lasvrence , I . D . 30 ! H . Shooter , P . G . Tyler , 112 ; F . Luget , P . M . L ; W . Dillon , S . W : 1099 ; J . T . Railing , W . M . 1332 , * " * : VslH . F . Pratt . P . M . infi- T R I nrA ,,,, P P P . 1 U + /

L , ** . •. — - . •* , — j .. . . . . V » UJ •**¦» ' " 'V f . P . G . D . C ; W . L . Jones , P . M . 112 ; J . B . Gover , , 0 , P . P . G . Sec . ; W . Allsford , P . M . 202 ; E . H . Hedger , I . W- " 55 * John Ward , P . M . 1 S 9 ; W . Hector , I . P . M , , 332 ; F . Nesvcombe , Stsvd . 39 ; T . W . Butt , S . W . 39 j - bn Banks , J . D . 1332 ; John Rosve , P . M . 1332 ; F . J . Shapcott , Sec . 1254 ; A . G . Burridge , 39 ; and many others .

RAINHAM . Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge ( No . 3184 ) . —The election meeting of the above flourishing lodge took place on Thursday , the 24 th ultimo , at Bro . Joyce ' s handsome hotel , the Phcenix , and svas as genial and enjoyable a function as it was an accurately svorked one , and the manner nf it svas as follosvs-. Beo . McHssah , mine host of the White Swan , Great Alice-street , E ., invited the brethren to assemble at the above house of his

at 2 p . m ., and some 25 of them did so , and , after refreshments , took their seats in tsvo handsomely-appointed drags , each'horsed svith ' four spanking " greys , " the first being tooled by the proprietor of both , Bro . Joyce , and asvay they svent for a drive to Rainham . After stearing clear of the enormous traffic in Whitechapel and Mile End and threading the mazes of Stratford , Rumiford-road svas

reached , " and the country lav open for the unimpeded rush of the clattering steeds . Alan and horse were watered at tsvo or three suburban hostelries , arid at 5 p . m ., the Phcenix was reached after a pleasant and enjoyable drive , the sveather being absolutely lovely . Bro . T . Ringrose , W . M ., P . G . Asst . Sec , presided , and svas assisted by Bro <* . A . T . Dale , P . M ., P . P . G . Stsvd . ;

j . G . Hammond , S . W . ; F . G . Eedle , P . M ., J . W . j C . lolly , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Barnes , S . D . ; S . Carlton , l . W . j VV . Reynolds , I . G . j W . Barrett , Org .,- G . P . Penny , A . D . C . ; I . W . Joyce , J . A . McHugh , E . Cook . J . Millin , T . Hart , Wroley , P . M . 15 and 2191 ; Duck , P . M . S 9 S j Toye , P . M . 1227 ; Toye , W . M . elect , 127 S ; S . E . Southrate , P . M . 700 : Smith , P . M . 27 ; Pritchard , 2150 ;

Baldock , 1343 ; binnemore , 113 ( Australia ); and Freehwater , 60 . The Iodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , the ballot svas taken for Mr . Easton , and proving unanimous , he was duly initiated . Bro . H . D . White , 1601 , was received as a joining member . Bros . Millin and Hart svere raised . Bro . J . G . Hammond was

unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing 12 months , and Bro . C . Canning , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., svas re-elected Treasurer , Bro . J . Ives was re-elected Tyler , and Bros . McHugh , Millin , Barrett , and Joyce svere elected Auditors . Other lodge business was done and then the iodge svas closed . The banquet was superbly placed upon the table bv Hro . Joyce , and during the evening the usual loyal , Grand ,

and Provincial Lodge toasts were honoured . "The Healths of the W . M ., " "The W . M . elect , " "The Visitors" "The Initiate , " "The Past Masters , " "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toasts followed , and a special toast to Bro . McHugh for his splendid gift of a drive down , he paying all cost , svas drunk most enthusiastically , and in bumpers , for which he eloquently returned thanks , and then the pleasures of the evening concluded .

SCUNTHORPE . St . Lawrence Lodge ( No . 2078 ) . —The monthly , meeting of this lodge svas held on Friday , the 25 th ult . Present : Bros . S . M . Peace , W . M . ; * . McCullan , S . W . ; J . Constable , Acting J . W . ; J . Swaby , J . D . ; VV . W . Langbridge , Sec . ; and others .

The W . M . invested Bro . J . M . R . Behrendt as S . D , vice G . Cheesman resigned . After lodge , the brethren adjourned to the ante-room , where a very pleasant hour of refreshment , chat , and song was indulged in , so that altogether a most enjoyable eveninc- was spent .

YATTON . Lodge of Agriculture ( No . 1199 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on the 21 st ult ., it the Railway Hotel , when there were present Bros . H . W . Collins , VV . M . ; C . S . P . Edwards . I . P . M . ; G . VV . Knowles ; S . W . ; R . W . Statham , I . W . ; Rev . G . M , Ashdown , Chap , j W . Reece , P . M ., Treas . ; T . A .

i-mith , P . M ., Sec . ; H . S . Smith , S . D . ; E . A . Kingston , J . D . ; J . H . T . Evans , P . M ., D . C . ; W . Pitts , as I . G . ; 'C J . Inglis , Tyler ; and many Past Masters and brethren ol the lodge . After Mr . Dasvson Kitchingman had been initiated hy the VV . M . in an able and impressive manner , the W . M . rose S 111 J delivered the following address : Bro . Edwards , —Cer-Wn members of this lodge , feeling that sve ought in some

"lanner to shosv our appreciation of the constant attention Sou have shown to your Masonic duties through so many Jears , and of the kind and considerate help you have ways afforded to others svhen requiring it—to both of "vhich is due in a great measure our present prosperitythought that we could not better do so than by asking you Jf accept a portrait of yourself , to be subscribed for by all

"ie brethren , and , by ^ our permission , to be hung in the 'oom . I am proud to inform you that this plan svas unanimously and enthusiastically approved of by all the brethren . fj ° iv present to you this picture ( the picture was here unfiled by Bro . Evans , D . C ) . I know ^ ou will appreciate a Slit svhich , although far from costly in itself , is yet rendered , , ° y my being able to offer you with it that rich and

"aiuable jewel—the brotherly love of your lodge ! Brethren , "ernust all perceive that the artist has expended much J ' e and skill in the production of this portrait , and I am h n . "" n ' ^ orts wl " meet wi'b the approval of us all ; full "' •n '" ° " ) u w '" a 8 rec * " "'"* thai no portrait can do u '' Justice to the ori g inal . Ibsen , the Norwegian Avriter , "en asked his opinion of a portrait replied , " How can a

Ere * ever re P resent a living breathing man ? " A far af . *"" dramatist represents one of his characters as saying ler 'he most fulsome praise of a portrait . T " Yet look hosv far 1 he substance of my praise doth wrong this shadow J * underpraising it , so far the shadow Bro FJ " "* mp behind the substance . " will w . ^ > we a " l " 0 P a ° d trust that this our substance "emain with us many years and sve trust that the good

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

work you havedonein this lodge will outlast even this shadow . Bro . Edwards , in replying , thanked theW . M . and brethren for their kind appreciation of his labours on behalf of the lodge , and dresv attention to the fact that his connection svith the lodge had been marked by periodical cycles of eight years , he having joined the Iodge in iSCig ; having been presented svitha Past Master's jesvel on the occasion of his filling the chair for the second time in 1 S 77 ; in 1 SS 5 having been the recipient of a handsome silver inkstand

on the occasion of his marriage , and nosv after another eight years interval having to thank the brethren for this excellent portrait of himself , he trusted that the " substance " might long be spared to be present svith the " shadosv" at their lodge meetings , and that he might have the pleasure for many years of meeting those so members of the lodge that he svas proud to call by the name of " Brethren . " The portrait svas an enlargement in black and white of an excellent photograph .

Ar00902

BRO . ARTHUR HENRY SCURRAH was initiated by his uncle , Bro . W . A . Scurrah , in the Henry Levander Lodge , No . 2048 , in the Province of Middlesex on the 25 th July , 1885 , and served most of the offices . He svas W . M . in the year 1891-92 , and is now Secretary of the lodge . He was one of the founders and first Secretary of the Hendon Lodge ,

No . 2206 , and is the present W . M . of that lodge . He svas also made an hon . member of the St . Pancras Lodge for services rendered . He svas exalted into Royal Arch Masonry by Comp . W . M . Stiles on the uth December , t 8 S 6 * , 'iti the Henry Levander Chapter , and is the present M . E . Z . He is also a founder and first S . E . of the St . Pancras Chapter . He was

advanced in the Mark Degree on the ist December , 1885 , in the Royal Savoy Mark Lodge , No . 355 , and is the present W . M . of the lodge ; became an Ark Mariner in the Prince of Wales's Lodge on the 22 nd February , 1886 , and is the present W . C . N ., and svas made a Rose Croix Mason in the Shadsvell Clerke Chapter on the 23 rd October , 1889 . He svas

appointed and invested by the late ¦ Sir Francis Burdett as Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in Prov . Grand Chapter of Middlesex in the year 1891 , and in June last svas appointed and invested Grand Superintendent of Works of the Province of Middlesex by the present Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord George Hamilton , M . P . As a mark of respect and

esteem , many of the members of Lodges No . 204 S and 2206 subscribed for arid presented him with his Prov . Grand clothing , viz ., full dreis an'd un-dress clothing , case , and Past jesvel . He has served as Steward for each of the Masonic Institutions , and is a Life Governor of the Boys' and Old People ' s , and a Life Subscriber of the Girls ' .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

ROBERT BURNS LODGE ( No . 25 ) . —A meeting svas held on Tuesday , 29 th ult ., at the "Frascati , " 30 , Oxfordstreet , W ., when there were present Bros . A . Becker , W . M . ; I . R . Harnell , S . VV . ; . W . Truman , J . VV . ; F . Marx , P . M ., Deputy Preceptor ; J . Blundell , P . M ., Treas . ; F . J . Bonham , P . M ., Sec . ; J . E . Guggenheim , S . D . j F . Hesvson , J . D . ; J . Watson , I . G . ; E . | . Gittins , P . M . ; F . Hassvell , J . Cizzio , J . Beynon , H . L . Davis , II . Matthews , C . D . Lindsay , and W . Shales . Visitor : Bro .

C . Davis . The lodge svas opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Davis anssvered the epjestions leading to the Second Detree , and was entrusted . The lodge svas opened in the ccond Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Davis being the candidate . Bro . Lindsay anssvered the questions leading to the Third Degree , and was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

the ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bro . Lindsay being the candidate . The lodge svas resumed in the First Degree . Bro . C . Davis , 1261 , svas unanimously elected a joining i member . ^ The S . W . svas unanimously elected W . M . for ! the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . All Masonic business being ended , the lodge svas closed .

CAMDEN LODGE ( No . 704 ) . —A meeting of this lodge svas held . on Friday , the 25 th ult ., at the Earl Russell , 2 , Pancras-road , N . W ., svhen there were present Bros . Tavlor , W . M . ; Ward , S . W . ; Dixon . J W . ; Mulvey , ' P . M ., Preceptor ; Edsvin Styles , P . M ., Sec ; Curry , S . D . j Renaut , J . D . ; Menrice , I . G . j Becker , Ssvift , and others .

The lodge svas opened in due form , and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation svas rehearsed , Bro . Becker acting as candidate . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Mulvey . The lodge svas opened * in the Third Degree , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bro . Taylor beinjj candidate . Bro . Warel svas elected VV . M . for the ensuing sveek , and the lodge svas closed .

KENSINGTON LODGE ( No . 1767 ) . —A meeting svas held on Tuesday , the 29 th ult ., at the Scarsdale Arms Hotel , ' Edwardes-square , Kensington , svhen there svere present Bros . J . J . Mackay , W . M . j W . Hillier , W . M . elect 1366 , ' S . W .,- A . J . Turner , ] . W .,- R . H . Williams , P . M ., etc , Deputy Preceptor j F . Craggs , P . M ., Sec . j E . W . 1 Denniss , S . D . ; R . W . Allison , J . D . ; C E . Belts , I . G . ; C G . Hatt , W . M . S 6- ;; and . 1 . H . Neville .

The lodge having been opened , the ceremony of initiation svas rehearsed . Bro . Mackay vacated the chair of VV . M . in favour of Bro . Hillier , svho rehearsed the investment of ' officers . Bro . Mackay resumed the position of W . M . The 2 nd Section of the Lecture svas svorked by the brethren , ' under the direction of the Deputy Preceptor and the S . W . A vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Mackay for his excel- " lent working as W . M . for the first time in this Iodge of instruction . . The lodge svas then closed . . . . 1 . . *

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the 26 th ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , ' King-street , Hammersmith , W . Present : Bros . Gumming , P . M ., W . M . ; Hillier , S . W . ; Powell . J . W . ; . A . Williams , P . M ., Preceptorj M . Spiegel , Sec . j R . H . Williams , P . M ., S . D . j F . Craggs , J . D . ; Hide , I . G . j and Dennis . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes ' of the previous meeting svere read and confirmed . The lodge ,

svas opened to the Second and Third Degrees . The lodge svas closed in the Third Degree , and resumed to the First Degree . The ceremony of initiation svas rehearsed , Bro . R . H . Williams being the candidate . Bro . Dennis , being a candidate for passing , svas examined and entrusted . The lodge svas resumed to the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed . The lodge was closed in the Second Degree . After the usual rising , Bro . Hillier was elected W . M . for the next meeting , and the lodge svas closed . '

Vouching.

VOUCHING .

'We have before , us a letter from a brother who , failing to sign bis name ought not to receive a reply , but as it suggests , a subject worth y of attention , sve will anssver the good brother ' s questions as best we can . Our svorthy querist states his case about like this : A brother from another jurisdiction visited him , svas duly

examined by him and found , according to our querist ' s ' standard , " to be a well skilled . Mason . " Querist , to further convince himself ' of the truth of the stranger ' s position and statements , wrote to the lodge from which ' he hailed and received a reply , strongly recommending him . Querist visited a sister lodge in this jurisdiction and took the stranger with him , and when he proposed .,

to vouch for his friend , the Master asked him if he had . ever sat with him in a lodge , and upon his replying that he had riot , but that he had examined him and ' found him " all right , " the Master declined to accept his voucher , and appointed a Committee to examine the brother and report . Querist does not say whether the stranger was admitted or not •but suggests -. " I :

claim the brother was not a stranger , as I , a W . M . of my lodge , of this jurisdiction , vouched for him , and my vouchment was regular , and in appointing a Committee to examine the brother further , cast a reflection ' on me as voucher , as well as questioned the sincerity ' of his lodge . " Any brother who has been elevated to the position '

of Master of his lodge ought to be competent to examine a visitor and decide upon his Masonic fitness to admission , and ordinarily the unqualified vouching of such a Mason ought to be sufficient ; but as there is a . good deal of looseness in the matter of vouching , there cannot be too great care exercised in accepting it . The Master has a ri ght to decide svhether a stranger shall

be admitted or not , and also upon the sufficiency of the avouchment . It is no reflection upon a brother nor disrespect to lodge letters for the Master to . appoint a Committee of his own lodge to satisfy themselves that the stranger has a right to visit . Lodge letters are not alone to be taken as " lawful informa- ' tion , " for letters sometimes go astray and may turn up

in the wrong hands . Three things are required by the ritual— " strict trial , due examination , and lasvful information . " What might be satisfactory to our querist might not be to the Master who declined to accept his voucher , or to a Committee of examination . As before said ,

too much care cannot be taken to avoid the admission . ot improper persons , or , as Mackey puts it , " In , Masonry it is better that ninety-and-nine true men should be turned asvay from the door of a lodge than that one Coivan should be admitted . —New York ' Dispatch .

The Lord Mayor , having visited Elgin and been enter- , tained at a banquet by the magistrates and council , pro- ' ceeded ' to Banff on Tuesday , and has there had the freedom of the burgh conferred upon him .