Contents.

CONTENTS .

R EPORTS OJ MASONIC M EETINGS : — Craft Masonry 531 Ancient and Accepted Rite 533 Emulation Lodge of Improvement S 33 Laying Foundation of New Masonic Buildings at Chaccwatcr 535 United Grand Lodge 535 Provincial Grand Lodcc of Leicestershire and Rutland 536

Masonic and General Tidings 53 " Consecration o £ the Kcnnard Chapter 537 Congifess at Lausanne 537 Prince Leopold in Wiltshire 538 The Emulation Festival 538 The London Cabmen 53 S Freemasonry in Belgium $$ Another Religious Masonic Persecution 538

The Last Lodge of Benevolence 330 C ORRESPONDENCE : — Italian Freemasonry 539 Freemasons' Widows 539 Bro . Constable ' s Drawing 339 Widows of Freemasons 539 Candidates for Initiation < 3 g The Order of the Temple 539

Special Grand Lodge 539 Newgate 539 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 539 Consecration of the Era Chapter 541 Obituary 54 * Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire 543 Masonic Ball at Cambridge 543 lasonic Meetings for next Week 543 Advertisements , ,...,......., < 44 > ' " iii . iv . v . vi .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft ItofTC

LODGE OF UNITED STRENGTH ( No . 228 ) . —The second meeting of the season of this old lodge was held , not at " The Gate , " the home of the lodge in Old Clerkenwell , but at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , the cause of the temporary change being that the old place is under renovation . Bro . Griggs , the W . M ,, presided , supported by I . P . M . John While , ( "

Freemason" ) and Past Masters Joseph Crump , Sec . ; Winsland , Treas . ; James Terry ; Colston Davics , and Hillhouse . The officers were Bros . Hill , S . W . ; Snare , J . W . ; Halford , S . D . ; Pearcy , J . D . ; and Todd . I . G . The first business after the passing of the minutes was the raising of Bros , the Rev . — Dawson ( rector of St . John ' s , Clerkenwell ) , Sandy , Phillip Woodman , J . Woodman , and

Knig ht . It is unnecessary , and it would be out of place , to comment at length upon the work of a brother who has done so well as Bro . Griggs , but it must be said that well as he ever has done in his mother lodge , on this occasion he rose above himself , and gave [ the degree in a manner worthy of more than credit—and the repetition of the ceremony did not tire and pall upon the attention . The

solemnity was greatly heightened by the melodious organ music at the hands of Bro . Harty . The officers also were excellent in their work , and their brethren watched the work with pride and pleasure . The lodge was then resumed , and Bro . Moulsey was tested and afterwards passed . Again was the lodge resumed , and Mr . Joseph Reynolds Green , of Bedford , was initiated , thus adding to

the large contingent who have come from the birthplace of the famed dreamer to receive the light of the Craft in the metropolis , where many of them transact business . The lodge had then to discuss a question which none approached without regret—that of removing from the famed Gate , which has been found too small to accommodate the large body of brethren who assemble under the banner of

the lodge . Bro . Terry had placed a motion on the paper that that lodge should remove to the hall in Great ] Quecnstreet , and well expressed the obligations the brethren had been under to Bro . Gay , the host of the Gate , and said that the brother had done wonders with the circumscribed means at his disposal in having the place so constantly in the hands of the workmen . Bro . 'Perry gave the results

of his inquiries at various houses , and left the lodge to say which place the members would select . Bro . While urged that the lodge , if it could not meet at the Old Gate , should continue to meet in or near that neighbourhood , and , availing himself of the information conveyed by Bro . Terry , moved that the lodge should accept the Guildhall Tavern , City , as a meeting house , a place which was not

far from the Moorgatc-strcet Station , and would be more readily accessible than any other . Bro . Halford seconded this , and on Bro . Gay saying , in answer to questions put by the brethren , that the numbers of 228 were too great for the Gate , the motion became the substantive one , and was carried without a dissentient hand being held up against it . The lodge voted two guineas for the " old

people ' s Christmas treat , " and was then in due form closed . Over wine and biscuits , there being no banquet , some pleasant little speeches were made , and good natured badinage was indulged in , and Bros . Maples , P . M . 144 ; R . C . Davis , 1278 ; J . Defrics . S . W . 45 ; and the Rev . — Wihon , 625 , Glossop ,, in their speeches , spoke of the warm pleasure of witnessing the good work and sociable feelintr orcvailine amonsr the brethren .

THE WILLIAM PRESTON LODGE ( No . 766 ) . —The installation meeting of this , a "banner " lodge , was held on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., at Cannons ' . rcet Hotel . The lodge was opened by W . M . Pringle , with Bro . Newton , jun ., in the Senior Warden's chair , and Bro . Newton , sen ., the W . M . elect , in the Junior Warden ' s chair . It should here be stated that the S . W

had requested the brethren to give the votes they would have given to him to his father , who is his son ' s junior in Masonry , and Bro . Newton , sen ., had consequently been elected over his son ' s head . This explanation is needed , not that the S . W . had any prescriptive right to election , J ) ut as illustrative of the kindly feeling shown by a son ni standing aside from a position , he would have wo n

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

upon his merits , in order that his father might become a ruler in the Craft . There were also present Past Masters Captain Kain , B . Abbott , W . J . Miller , George Newman , Augustus Braun , and W . Worrall ( Sec ) . The visitors included Bros . Francis , P . M . 851 , P . P . G . S . of Surrey ; Benham , P . M . 1339 ; Garrod , P . M . 177 ; J . While ( " Freemason " ) , P . M . 228 ; Phillips , 1540 ; Carlton , 1295 ; Margetson , 90 ; Brown , 140 ; Tribbel , 1287 ; Harris , 1589 ; The minutes of the last

and W . T . Rickwood , 192 . lodge meeting were read and confirmed , and then Past Master Miller having taken the chair of W . M ., raised Bros . Brierley and George Castle . The new candidate for the Master ' s chair having been presented in due form , and having answered the questions prescribed by the Book ot Constitutions , Past Master Braun taking the chair as Installing Master , all under the rank of Installed Masters were dismissed when the pledge to the Fellow Crafts had

been made , and the lodge had been raised to the Third Degree for the duly constituted Board of Past Masters , the usual ceremony was enacted , and according to ancient forms , Bro . Newton was placed in the chair by Bro . Braun . The body of Masters was closed , and the proclamations were made by Bro . Braun with considerable elocutionary

power , and the addresses were listened to with rapt attention , the satisfaction of the brethren being shown by the great applause which followed the conclusion . In the course of investing the officers the W . M . called upon Bro . Newton , jun ., the Past Senior Warden , to take upon himself that position a second time , but the brother , in a continued spirit of self-sacrifice , said

he had no desire to prevent the other brethren from obtaining the promotion to which they had a right to look , and he would for the present retire from office , trusting to the remembrance of the lodge that he was eligible for the Master ' s chair at a future election . The generous nature of the feelings which had dictated this course of action appeared to be fully appreciated by the members . The

officers appointed and invested were S . D . Ewcns to the S . W . chair ; Dr . Cutmore to the Jj . W . chair ; E . Kidman , as S . D . ; W . Drake , as J . D . ; W . Drake , as I . G . ; and P . Stcinman , D . C . P . M . Captain Kain was invested as Treasurer ; P . M . W . Worrall , as Secretary ; and P . M . Newman as Wine Steward . The lodge agreed , on the motion of Bro . Braun , to grant a warrant for a

lodge of instruction . The ballot having been taken for four gentlemen , a fine Past Master ' s jewel was placed upon the breast of Bro . Pringle , as a token of esteem on his leaving the chair of the lodge . " Work " was finished in the usual manner . The brethren sat down to an excellent and well-served banquet . The usual loyal toasts were given , and then Bro . Pringle , the I . P . M ., proposed

the toast of "The W . M ., ' remarking upon the filial manner in which Bro . Newton , jun ., had retired so as to enable his father and brother to take the chair . The W . M ., in responding to the toast , which was accepted with all heartiness , said he found himself in a very peculiar position , and one which he scarcely expected to occupy—one , too , which he felt he should not have occupied on his

own merit . 1 le had frequently , in addressing the William Preston Lodge , expressed his deep regret that he had not joined Freemasonry earlier in life , for he now felt that he had missed a great deal of enjoyment which he might have had if he had sought its light 7 years ago , for he might have spent some of his years with increased profit and pleasure . He could hardly express the peculiar

feelings he experienced on that occasion . I he lodge had been kind enough to place him in that high position , but it was a position which he did not deserve . No one more than he desired to forward the interests ^ of the lodge , and if he could not come up to the brilliant Mastership of the Past Masters who had gone before , of Bros . Miller , Newman , Braun , Worrall , and others , it would

not be from want of will , but from the loss of those opportunities which never returned . He warmly thanked the brethren for their kindness , and assured them that he would do his best to discharge the duties they had entrusted to his hands . I le then proposed " The Visitors , " and Bros . Francis and While responded . " The Past Masters " were then toasted , and Bro . Pringle responded ,

and spoke in admiration of the working P . M . ' s , to whose body he was now relegated , and thanked Bros . Miller and Braun for their work . " The Officers " was the next toast given , and Bros . Kain and Worrall responded . After an evening of perfect harmony , the proceedings closed with the Tyler ' s toast . In the course of the evening Bro . P . M . Braun asked for advice for the following case , which is a

worthy one for Masonic chanty . The wntcr says : I am the widow of Bro . , who was by profession an artist , that is a portrait , landscape , and miniature painter ; he was editor and proprietor of the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans , and at the time of his death was collecting material for another illustrated work , some of the illustrations being at that time already

engraved . My husband was G . S . of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York for 29 years , and during that time and before was Master of a subordinate lodge ; he was founder of the Lodge of Strict Observance , he originated and promoted the Representative System in the United States and with other countiics , and was himself Representative for the Grand Lodges of France , Saxony , and

Brazil to the Grand Lodge of New York . He occupied other positions of honour in the fraternity , which may be known by the medals which I have . I hope what 1 have written will prove to you that my husband was an honoured member of the fraternity to whom I appeal for aid ; by various misfortunes I have lost everything ; I have never

received a farthing from any one , and nothing but the most extreme need would have induced me to ask for aid . I am sixty-four years of age , and much disabled by rheumatism . WHITTINGTON LODGE ( No . 862 ) held its usual meeting on Monday , the 20 th ult ., at Andcrton ' s Hotel . Present : Bros . T . Kingston , W . M . ; C . Walker ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

S . W . ; A . Moore , J . W . ; J . Walmsley , S . D . ; W . A . Blakemore , J . D . ; C . E . Packer , I . G . ; W . J . II . Jones , P . M . 862 ; J . Weaver , P . M . 862 and 1319 , P . P . G . Org . Middlesex , Sec . and Treas . of the Benevolent Fund ; Farebrother , Godden , Bolton , Tate , Roberts , Sedgwick , Brothers , Ward , Brown , Holland , Coll , Collinson , Ross , Boxer , Cox , and several others , also many

visitors of distinction . Bro . Kingston , W . M ., initiated Mr . G . Mackaness into the First Degree . The report of the Auditors was received with acclamation , it shewing the lodge to be free of all liabilities and a balance in hand . The new bye-laws were read ; one in particular appeared to us to be a very satisfactory one , namely , " Should the W . M . expend during his year of office more

than the income of the lodge he shall be held personally responsible for the excess . " Bro . J . Weaver then occupied the chair , and installed Bro . C . Walker as W . M . for the ensuing year ; the ceremony was given in its entirety . The three addresses were listened to by the brethren most attentively , at the conclusion of which Bro . Weaver received great applause . He then delivered an extempore speech

respecting the management of this lodge , also charging the brethren to be very careful whom they introduced into Masonry , and not to introduce a person unless he was well-known to be true and trustworthy by experience . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : —Bros . A . Moore , S . W . ; J . Walmsley , J . W . ; W . A . Blakemore , S . D . ; C . E . Packer , J . D . ; S . Godden , I . G . ; A . J .

Bolton , D . C ; J . Farebrother , W . S . The newly-installed Master then initiated Messrs . T . F . Lee and G . Maxwell into the First Degree in such a masterly manner that he docs great credit to his tutor , Bro . Weaver , the ceremony being given very impressively . The W . M . then stated he had a very pleasing duty to perform , but he wished it had fallen into abler hands , as he felt he could

not do justice to the task he had to perform . It was to present a piece of plate to a worthy and distinguished brother who had safely conducted the lodge through most difficult and trying circumstances ; it had been subscribed for by the members of the lodge , and it consisted of a sterling silver tea service and an illuminated testimonial . The W . M . then called Bro . Weaver , who on approaching

the W . M . was presented with the service and testimonial . The testimonial had been illuminated by one of the brethren as a labour of love , and ran thus : "Presented to Bro . James Weaver , P . M . and Secretary , as a token of their high esteem and regard , also to mark their appreciation of the ability and firmness he displayed in the conduct of the affairs of the lodge under most difficult and trying

circumstances , November 20 th , 1876 . " The inscription on the service was as follows : — " November 20 th , 1816 . Presented to Bro . James Weaver by the brethren of the Whiltington Lodge , No . 862 . " Bro . Weaver was so thoroughly astonished that he could not give utterance to his thoughts beyond saying , " Brethren , I thank you ;" a little later on he expressed himself more fully . Bro .

Jones , P . M ., proposed , seconded ] by Bro . Kingston , P . M ., and carried by acclamation , " That a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the able and impressive manner in which Bro . Weaver had installed the W . M . " Three gentlemen were proposed for initiation at the next meeting . Letters of apology were received from the Grand Secretary , Col . Burdett , P . G . M . Middlesex , and others , regretting their inability to be present . The lodge

was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where a most enjoyable evening was spent ; thc banquet being one of the best Bro . Clemow could put on the table . The usual toasts were observed , and a Past Master's jewel , a very handsome one , was presented to the retiring Master , Bro . T . Kingston . The brethren then separated , having passed one of those evenings that one remembers with the greatest pleasure .

CITY OF LONDON LODGE ( No . 901 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , Nov . 20 th . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The W . M . then initiated Mr . Arthur Wellington Smith , and passed Bro . Mickleficld to the Degree of Fellow Craft . He then raised Bro . W . T . Trchearn , of Lebanon Lodge , 1326 , to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason . This being the evening for the

election of W . M . for the ensuing year , the ballot was taken , and it was unanimous for Bro . Geo . Porter . lt was proposed by the P . M ., Bro . Lawrence , seconded by Bro . Lewis , P . M ., and carried unanimously , that a jewel be presented to Bro . H . D'Arcy , the retiring W . M ., as a slight acknowledgment of his efficient services during his term of office . The W . M ., in a suitable speech , returned thanks , and the brethren then adjourned to the banquet , and a most enjoyable evening was spent .

CITY OF "WESTMINSTER LODGE ( No . 1563 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , 23 rd November , at the Regent Masonic Hall . Bro . B . H . Swallow , W . M ., presided , and every officer was present—the Rev . P . M . Holden , S . W . ; E . White , J . W . ; C . A . Cottebrunc , Treas . ; E . J . Scolt , Sec ; Benj . Phillips , S . D . ; Benj . Turner , J . D . ; J . G .

Shand , D . C . ; C . K . K . Bishop , Org . ; W . C . Parsons , I . G . ; and J . Wilkinson , Steward . There were also numerous lay members of the lodge , and the following visitors : —A . Bassington , S . D . 205 ; Rev . T . Robinson , P . M . 709 ; J . Swallow , 382 ; J . L . Baker , S . W . 1305 ; F . Honeyman . W . M . 1258 ; R . Payne , S . D . 1328 ; W . F . Ferguson , P . M . 177 ; R . Lonsdale , P . M . 382 ; G . Bubb , P . M . 180 ; J . Mason , P . M . 1567 ; M . Draper ,

W . M . 1305 ; James Mander , P . M . 1201 ; James L . Thomas , P . M . 142 ; Geo . Fowler , J . W . 1305 ; Frank Ridley , 1314 ; Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; W . Coombs , P . M . 382 , J . Sadler , P . M . 795 ; E . Farwig , I . G . 180 ; Louis Beck , S . D . 1559 ; Alex . Cameron , P . M . 180 ; Henry Rust , P . M . 733 ; Tlios . Lamb , 1567 ; J . Barney , P . M . 1567 ; W . Porter , W . M . 1269 ; Thomas Bull P . M . 145 ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; W . Wilson , P . G . S . ; JamesTctty , P . G . D . C . Heits ; Col . lPctcrs , W . M