Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Moira Lodge , No . 92 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgatestreet , E . C , en Tuesday , the 22 nd ult . Present : Bros . Sir Norman R . Pringle , Bart ., W . M . ; I . Norman Noakes , S . W . -, Stuart B . Noakes J . W . ; Rev . R . I . Woodhouse , P . M ., Chap . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M .. P . D . G . Reg ., Treas . ; R . F . Gould , P . M ., P . G . D ., Sec . ; F . A . Donnison , S . D . ; C . A . Elgood , J . D . ; A . B . Walters , l . G . ; C . E . Russell , I . P . M . ; Adam Pringle , P . M . ; J . Webb , P . M . ; W . S . Horlock , W . S . Greves , and A . W . Smith . Visitors : Bros . J . Ross Robertson , P . G . M . Canada ; T . H . GarHiner , P . A . G . D . C ; Edwin Gamman , P . M . 7 ; Colonel S , C . Pratt , P . M . 2076 ; and Sir D . Palmer Ross , P . D . G . D . Jamaica .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , ballots were taken for the offices of W . M . and Treasurer , and resulted in the . unanimous election and re-election of Bros . J . N . Noakes , S . W ., and T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., respectively . Five members were elected on the Committee of Finance , and a day was fixed for the audit of the accounts . A candidate for initiation was duly balloted for and elected . The W , M . then said that the lodge was honoured that evening by the presence of a very d'Stinguished visitor—Bro . J . Ross Robertson , Past Grand Master of Canada—upon

whose services to the Craft he would enlarge at a later period of the evening ; but there was another brother whose attendance had been expected—Bro . Cornelius Thorne , the father of the lodge—with regard to whom a few words were due before the adjournment to refreshment . Bro . Thorre , who had , unfortunately , sustained an accident , and was thereby prevented from being present , had recently returned to this country from China , after an absence of 27 years . The Worshipful Master then continued I have lately had the pleasure of reading the minutes of the proceedings of a special

communication of the Grand Lodge of North China held at Shanghai , July 2 nd , icpi , and I fancy that if I give you to the best of my ability a digest of what took place at that meeting I shall serve the dual purpose of interesting the brethren , and , as it were , making you all au fait with Bro . Thorne . 1 find that our brother has been most closely connected with Masonry in Shanghai sines 1 S 55 with but a brief sojourn in this country . Prior to his first departure from China , he was entertained at dinner by the Freemasons of Shanghai in 1 SS 4 , Bro . R . F . Gould , VV . M .

Northern Lodge of China , being in the chair . 1 may here observe , that the numbers of the Northern Lodge of China , No . 570 , for example , Bros . Miitlind , Kidner , Barnes , and Sir Alfred Dent , have , like our Bro . Gould , joined the mother lodge of our Bro . Thorne , on their return from China to this country . Bro . Thorne was W . M . of the . Moira Lodge for two years , lSGS and 1 SC 9 , and in 1 S 74 returned to Shanghai , receiving in 1 S 77 the appointment of first District Grand Master of Northern China , which he resigned nine years later , that some other brother might have a tenure of that high office . Indeed , throughout his long Masonic career in China , Bro . Thorne was

always regarded as being the foremost Craftsman in the Far East . It was not only , however , as a Freemason that our brother was renowned in Northern China , but as a pioneer in every good work . On his final departure from Shanghai during th ; current year , Bro . Thorne , besides being accorded the warmest "send off " ever extended by the Masonry of that settlement was the recipient of more testimonials , farewell addresses , and presentations , than were ever bestowed on any previous individual of any rank or station in society on returning from China to this country . No further business offering , the lodge was closed , and the usual banquet followed .

After the removal of the cloth , the W . M ., in introducing the customary toasts , said : Brethren , you will recollect that on the last occasion when we were met there were no speeches , so that I may say that , in giving you this toast , I give it for the first time in the Moira Lodge . Certainly do I da so in his new position as Patron of the Craft , a position , I think I may venture to say , he' is proud to take , and one wc are proud to have taken by him . For as an exalted brother among us formerly , he was one of us , ar . d theie is a sajing once a Mason always a Mason , so that as Patron he may be said to be a brother j et above us and for us .

" May his years be many and his trouble nil , The King ! our Patron and our brother still . " The toast having been received with much enthusiasm , the W . M . gave the next one in the following terms : Any one who was present at the Albert Hall on the occasion of the installation of the Duke of Connaught as Grand Matter must , I think , have been impressed with the dignity and solemnity of that occasion , and I am sure that the Duke himself showed that he , both by his speech , and in his dignified and soldierly manner ,

that he , too , felt and appreciated the high position he had come to in Masonry , and 1 am suie ycu will all agree that no better choice could hive been made , and all hope that we shall see him lor many years to come at the head of Masonry in this kingdom . Then lollcwcd "The Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters of other Masonic Jurisdictions , " and in introducing the toast Ihe VV . M . said : We have to-night the pleasure cf receiving as a visitor a brother who in another quarter of this globe has earned a upulalion in Masonry worthy of the very highest admiration—I allude to Bro .

J . Rcss Ro eitsor , Past Grand Master of Canada ; and besides the pleasure this visit affcrds us , it is also to me , as a Canadian Mason , an additional pleasure to have a Past Giand Master cf Canada here to-night on this my last appearance in the chair . As we aie mote concerned with Bro . Ross Robertson ' s Masonic career than with his private or business one , I think it will be sufficient to say that the latter is as noteworthy as the former , that he has , besides many other journalistic triumphs , maintained right from the start in 1 S 7 S , the Evening Telegram ot Toronto , a newspaper that for

commeicial success and sterling worth has few rivals . Bro . Robertson ' s Misonic career stalls in the year 1 SG 7 , and it was , afler being actively associated with three lodges , that in 1 SS 0 he . first held a position in the Grand Lodge of Canada , and in two years , by the largest vote ever given for the office , was elected S . G . W . After filling the District Deputy Grand Mastership of Toronto District , he was , by unanimous choice , elected Deputy Grand Master , an ollice formerly considered to be purely of a routine character , but a new departure was made by Bro . Robertson , who prepared an interesting

Masonidecture , which he deliveted at ico different places , travelling over 15 , 000 miles to do so , and addressing upwards of 10 , 000 brethren in so doing . In iSgo by a unanimous vole came the crowning honour of Bro . Robertson ' s Masonic life—his election as Grand Master of Canada , which office he held two years , and during which period visited every one of the 3 G 0 lodges in the jurisdiction of that Grand Lodge . All this shows what a tremendous worker Bro . Robertson was , and yet he found time to listen to the cry of the rich and needy ; eh I and to listen to some purpose , not only once or

in or . « direction , but often and in many ; there is one of his benefactions I oarticularly desiie to acquaint you with , viz ., the Lakeside Home for Little Children , situate on the islar . d opposiie the City of Toronto , the cost of building which was and is met by our brother out of his own private pocket , the cost alone when handed over to the trustees equalling , I believe , 40 , 000 dollars , or ^ Sooo ; the one and only stipulation being that Mason ' s children should have preference of entrance ; and 1 believe 1 am right in saying

that it is Bro . Robeitson's wish and intention to fairly bring up the endowment to ioo , coo dollars , or £ 20 , 000 . If I have been ab ' c by these remarks anent a few points of Bro . Ross Robertson's Masonic career to show you what an excellent Mason he is , 1 feel that I have not spoken vainly , and I ask you to join with me in drinking the toast of "The Grand Masters and Past Grand Masters of other Masonic Jurisdictions , " and in the most hearty manner the health of Bro . Ross Robertson , with whose name I couple the toast .

M . W . Bo . J . Ross Robertson , P . G . M . Canada ( in the Province of Ontario ) , and the repiesentative of the Grand Lodge of England , near the Grand Lojge of Canada , replied to the toast of "The Visitors , " and in sodoing said that he could not I in J words to express the gratification ho had in being present at the meeting of Moira L > dgc , and that lie felt sure he would always recall with pleasure the kindly greeting ajcordsd him , while he rtjoiced to be present to meet the brethren of the lodge . The pleasure was enhanced by the fact tint the retiring W . M ., Sir Norman Pringle , and the Secretary , Bro . R . F . Gould , were personal friends whom he held in high esteem , lie pointed out

that the Grand Lodge of Canada had made such progress , that to-day it ha , I in its jurisdiction ( that is , in the Province of Ontario ) 2 O / 000 aciive Craftsmen and . 3 O 0 lodges . 'I hit in 40 years the progtess had been phenomenal , and that over 30 years ago an active body of Craftsmen troin the Grand Lodge of Caiuda ha 1 swarmed Irom that bedy , and formed a Grand Lodge in the Province of ( Jaebec—1 Grand L-jdge that for good work in Masonry was a credit to the jurisdiction not only of ( Janu la , but of ths western hemisphere . The name of Moiia reminded him of one of the eirly lodges of York , now Toronto , for Rawdon Lodge , named after Lord Rawdon , Earl Moira , was a

Craft Masonry.

lodge that flourished in York prior to 1 S 00 . Bro . Robertson then read some quaint extracts from the minutes of Rawdon Lodge . He said that 10 years ago Ontario Masons celebrated the anniversary of the first 100 years of Craft life in Ontario ; and that , while he felt proud of its antiquity , he had to realise that the Grand Lodge of England had an antiquity of two centuries and a glorious record for good work . He said that the work of the Grand Lodge of England wis an example to the Masons of the world , and that the ties'of the Craft joined Canadians to a Grand Lodge that was

dear to them as Masons and close to them as Britons . He spoke of what Canada had done to uphold the flag of the empire , and tha ; some of his own relatives had fought in Africa , and that another relative had gone to serve the King in India . Canada , he said , would always fly the Union Jack at the mast-head , and fight for the empire with the solid battalions that were joined to Britain in a bond of common allegiance to the flag and King of the Empire . The remaining toasts were : "The Pro and Deputy Grand Master , and the

remainder of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " for which Bro . T . H . Gardiner , P . A . G . D . C , responded ; "The W . M ., " proposed by the I . P . M ., and very feelingly acknowledged ; "The Visitors , " coupled with the names of Bros . Sir D . Palmer Ross , Colonel S . C . Pratt , and E . Gamman , each of whom made a suitable response ; " The Past Masters , " associated with the name of the l . P . M . ; " The Officers of the Lodge , " acknowledged in graceful terms by the W . M . elect ; " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and in conclusion the Tyler's toast , which brought a most agreeable evening to a close .

Burgoyne Lodge , No . 902 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . OSCROFT . The annual installation meeting of the above lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel on the evening of Monday , the 2 Sth ult ., when there was a very large attendance of brethren and visitors . Among the latter we noticed the following W . Ms . and P . Ms . : Bros . B . Bramble , W . M . 26 S 1 ; J . Lloyd , H . 13 . Spaul , T . P . Warwick , Dodson , F . Kedge , Salpitts , VV . M . 2 754 ; Grimes , Reid , Gales , Gross , Butt , Preceptor of th ; Burgoyne Lodge of Instruction ; and many others .

The lodge having been opened , and routine business transacted , the ceremony of installation was very ably performed by Bro . Fifield , P . M ., assisted by Bro . S . Rashleigh , P . M ., as D . of C . Bro . J . T . Oscroft having been duly installed in the chair of K . S ., invested the following officers to serve under him during the ensuing yeir : Bros . G . I . Brown , I . P . M . ; H . R . Haycroft , S . W . ; R . II . Marchbank , J . W . ; G . Gabb , P . M ..

Treas . ; S . J . Byng , Sec ; J . H . Stanley , S . D . ; H . G . Crumbleholms , J . D . ; H . Fifield , l . G . ; S . Rashleigh , P . M ., D . C ; C . Butcher , P . M ., ] . Bennett , and J . Saunders , Stwds . ; Balderson , A . D . C . ; Tonking , Org . ; and Gilbert , Tyler . Messrs . Letzon , Haycroft , Sains , and Arniger were then initiated , the ceremony of initiation being performed by the newly-installed W . M .

The lodge having been closed , the brethren and their visitors adjourned to the banquet , at which close on a hundred sat down . At its conclusion , the usuil loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . G . J . Brown , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and in sodoing observed it was a toast always looked forward to in the Burgoyne Lodge . From the way the brethren had supported him that night and from the number of visitors present , it was evident he had a prosperous year before him , and from the W . M . ' s working in the lodge its prosperity would not only be attributable to having good resources but also to the Master's good working .

The VV . M ., who was received with vociferous applause , cordially thanked the brethren for the manner in which the toast had been received . The VV . M . proposed the toast of "The Initiates , " to which the newly-made brethren individually reponded . Bro . Letzon expressed the hope that he would be able to work up Iron the lowest rung of the ladder on which he now stood to the chair of the lodge .

Bro . Haycroft was sure he would make a good Mison , because he hid faith in Masonry j and Bro . Arniger stated that the principles he had heard enunciated that night were such as he had been trained up in and hoped to adhere to all his life The VV . M ., in proposing " The Health of Bro . G . B . Brown , I . P . M ., " presented him with a handsome Past Master's jewel , which he observed was accorded by the Burgoyne Lodge if it had been earned and not unless .

Bro . G . B . Brown , I . P . M ., in his response , acknowledged the assistance he had received during the past year from his olficers , especially from the 1 ' reasurer and Secretary . He also thanked the brethren for the list of < 3 G guineas with which they had sent him up as Steward to the Boys'School , and hoped at tne end of thj y ; ir th ; VV . M . would have the same cause for congratulation as he himself hid .

The toast of "The Visitors" was responded to by Bros . Bramble , W . M . ; Giles Gross , and Butt , P . Ms . ; and that of " The Secretary , Treasurer , and Past Misters " " ' by Bros . Gabb , Byng , Beddoes , Cowland , Fifield , Butcher , and Rishleieh , P . Ms ., thlast-named being the first Installed Master of the lodge , and Bro . J . J . Oscroft , VV . AI . " his first initiate .

During the banquet an excellent musicil projramme wisrenljred , in which th * Celia Quartette , Bros . J . L . Haddon , Tonking , A . Pinningtoa , and Broker gave the utmost satisfaction to their audience .

Hartismere Lodge , No . 1663 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . F . VV . BRAY . The brethren of the above lodge celebrated the Festival of St . John at th ; Misinic Hall , VVIite Lion Hotel , Eye , on Wednesday , the 2 jrd ult ., when Bro . F . VV . Bray Prov . G . Org . Suffolk , was installed as W . M . for the ensuing 12 mo . iths . Among those

present were Bros . A . Flatman , W . M . ; F . VV . Bray , Prov . G . Org ., S VV •I \ V Maitin , J . W . ; G . VV . Watkins , S . D . and Org . ; W . Turner . J . D . j | 'V Parre ' P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . A . Onyon , P . M ., Prov . G . SUd ., D . C ; Dr . VV Curtis P . M ., Prov . G . Stwd . ; H . J . Riches , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; H . Gooding , A . Woods ' VV . Hunt , Treas . ; VV . Breese , H . Skuffham , Tyler ; F . C . Lambert , W . M . iiOand ] . VVoods . '

Bro . E . A . Onyon was the Instilling Master , and after the ceremony the following were invested as ollicers for the year : Bros . A . Flatman , I , P . M .: I . VV Mariin S . W . ; G . VV . Watkins , J . W . ; Rev . C . D . Gordon , Chap . ; VV . Hunt , Tre ' as •E A . Onyon , P . M ., Prov . G . Stwd ., Sec ; VV . Turner , S . D . ; H . Gooding , I D- D VV . Curtis , P . M ., Prov . G . SUd ., D . C . - ; II . G . Smith , Org . ; I . VVoods i G ' •l ' B . Marchant , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Stwd . ; and II . Skuffham , St . vd . and Tyler . ' " '' The brethren afterwards partook of an excellent banquet , provided by Mr . and Mrs . Birber , of the White Lion Hotel .

I he VV . M . presided , and in the course of the post-p / amlial proceedings his health was honoured , and many "Heaity good wishes" tendered him by the visiting and other brethren that he would have a happy and successful ycir of ollice . The us ual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a most enjoyable evening spent . Songs were contributed by Bros . Bray , Martin , Skuffham , Ujnt , and Woods Bro . Watkins acting as accompanist . , '

Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 . INSTALL / VTION OF BRO . R . J . IIENN 1 NGS . There was a very large gathering of the brethren at the installation meeting of this musical lodge which was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on the 2 G : h ult . Bro C II . Kempling , W . M ., presided , and there were also present Bros . Charles G . Sailer I ' \ i ' J . II . Wharton , S . W . ; R . Clowes , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; R . J . Hmnirt ' s F M ' P . P . G . D . Essex , See ; George Ackennin , | . l ) . ; Sutton Siepley , D . C •' John Curran , Org . ; R . Carrington Williams and Cnarles L'ewisP . M . Stwds : Frederick

, , . Cambridge , P . M . ; R . A . Kemp , P . M . ; J imes Gawthro . i , P . M . ; VV . Stevenson lloyte , P . M ., P . G . Org . ; \) r . II . WalrnsleyW-, P . M ., G . Org . ; ' , Q = „ P . M . ; Albert Fox , P . M . ; Charles William Paine , Thomas Ward , | am-s I olxon Harvey Luhr , J . L . Haddon , A . J . Wood , Henry P . Railing , R . 1 . Stevenson EMWood , I'rancis Ellis , VV . S . Gazner , Courtney M . Gray , Charles Arrow , C VV Dunford , Ernest J . Smith , George I . Cossons , VV . Herbert Cox , Malcolm Stodart W Hills Smith , Henry llolyoake , Walter J . lull , Percy Mavon lbbs , H . J . Lanirton Samuel Noble , W . Frank Hand , . W . Shorter , John A . Pitman , Ernest N . C „ 1 " Hawkes , William Fell , James Bates , IL J . Bleire , VV . II . Cook , Sidney GileyCharles