Craft Masonry.

many lodges during the short time he had been a Mason , but he had never received more hospitality than he had that happy evening . Bros . Thos . Grey and R . T . West also acknowledged the toast . The W . M . gave "The Past Masters , " and said they had a goodly array that night , as they were all inl attendance with three exceptions . Time would not permit him to state all the great things they had done for the lodge . They were sometimes called old fossils , but they could not do without them , as they were ever ready and eager to do everything to assist the W . M ., and to promote the interests of the lodge .

In response , Bro . W . Finch , P . M ., stated that the P . Ms , had but one desire—the prosperity and welfare of the lodge . He congratulated the W . M . on his excellent working that day , which spoke well for the future . Might he mention that the annual supper of the lodge of instruction connected with the lodge would tike place on tho lirst Friday in December , at which the W . M . had kindly consented to preside , and he hoped Ihe membrrs would rally round him on that occasion . Bros . Arthur Church , P . M . ; F . C . Lintott , P . M . ; and A . Tucker , P . M . ; also responded .

The W . M . proposed "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said it was without doubt a very important toast . He would not attempt to state all their great virtues and the things they had done for the lodge because they were so well known to them all , and thtir great services were much appreciated . Bro . W . Blackburn , P . M ., remarked that he had not much to say as Treasurer rxcept to congratulate them on the financial position of the lodge , as they had plenty of money .

Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., Sec , said that again he had to thank them for another hearty welcome which he always had . The lodge was founded on a rock and there was no fear of that rock giving way . Although the lodge had been very happy aud successful in every way , they had not forgotten or neglected those who wanted help . He hoped all those present would support the W . M . and honour him by attending the supper of the lodge of instruction .

The next toast was "The Officers , " the W . M . stating that he had never seen better working officers , he was proud of them and they would , he thought , give him every assistance , and as king he would not be much use without them . Bro . F . Orfeur , S . W ., responded , and said that he and his colleagues appreciated the kind remarks of the W . M . and they would all put their shoulders to the wheel to assist him .

Bros . F . J . Thayre , P . M ., J . W . ; G . Schilling , S . D . ; C . R . Campbell , J . D . ; H . J . Dyer and W . R . O . Cathron , Stwds . ; and E . Scudaraore White , Org . ; also responded in some good speeches , and the Tyler's toast ended a most enjoyable evening . Bros . G . Schilling , D . G . Zoers , Shead , T . Shipman , and E . Sienesi , vocally and otherwise entertained the brethren . Bro . E . Scudctnore White ably presided at the pianoforte . After dinner the Charity box was sent round and L i ios . was the result .

There was also a draw in the Benevolent Association , connected with the lodge , for a Life Subscribership to one of the Masonic Charities , which fell to the lot of Bro . F . J . Thayre , P . M ., J . W .

Sincerity Lodge , No . 174 . At the usual monthly meeting of the members of this lodge touching reference was made to the loss sustained through the death of the I . P . M ., Bro . John Newton , P . M ., P . G . P ., who died on the previous Friday , and whose funeral took place at Brockley Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon , Ihe 15 th ult . Owing to the sad event , the banquet had to be abandoned , and only the ordinary and necessary business of the lodge was transacted . It fell to the lot of Bro . Lacey , P . M ., Treas ., as the senior member , to

propose a vote of condolence with the friends of the late Bro . Newton , and in so doing he expressed the sincere sympathy of those belonging to the Sincerity Lodge in the irreparable loss they had sustained . The speaker ind Bro . Newton had been very old friends , and since 1862 the latter had been one of their most zealous workers . He had been successful in a marked degree , inasmuch as he had ranked very high at head-quarters . While fully aware that as lime rolled on they would all have to pass away , they felt acutely the loss of one so loved and esteemed by all of

them . He concluded by moving that the vote fully explaining the loss sustained be recorded on the minutes , and , in doing so , hoped the day might be far distant before _ it was necessary to pass a like resolution . Bro . Seddons , P . M ., said , as the next senior member of the lodge , he would second the motion . He had been a fast friend of Bro . Newton , and had known him in private and Masonic life for many years . The Lodge of Sincerity was the first thing their late brother thought about , and , after that , the Craft . His work had always been appreciated , and during the troublous times of years

ago he steered the lodge carefully and quietly bick to prosperity . His work hid been of a yeoman character , and had left lasting benefits in connection with their lodge . The W . M ., Bro . G . A . VV . Griffiths , in a brief but eloquent speech , endorsed what had been said b y the two senior members , after which the resolution was passed in silence . It may be mentioned that Bro . Newton edited a . history of the Sincerity Lodge , the facts stated therein showing ability of a high literary order . The W . M . was called on

to perform a long evening ' s work , but got through it in his well-known capable manner . It consisted of the initiation of Mr . W . H . German , the pissini ; of Bros . G . and J . C . Higgs , and the raising of Bro . Reeve . Bro . A . Cocks , J . W ., was unanimously appointed Steward for the next festival of the Royal Misonic Benevolent Institution , and there is no doubt but he will worthily sustain the reputation of the Sincerity Lodge for liberality in connection therewith .

City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1563 . No Worshi p ful Master is infallible , but to be installed in a lodge which musters a veiy larr , e r . umter of members , giving entire satisfaction to every individual member , is , pet haps , without a parellel in the history of a lodge , and one can only take it as evidence of the feeling of the members by the warmth of the reception they gave their W . M . If this goes for anything , the ovation Bro . H . J . Homer received at the City of Westminster Lodge—a distinguished lodge which has on its roll 170 members—should be

conclusive evidence , if any were needed , that he is a most popular and esteemed member , and lhat great things were expected of him . The lodge met on the 23 rd ult . at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , W ., when there were present Bros . H . T . Culliford , W . M . ; II . ) . Homer , J . W ., W . M . elect ; C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; Jno . Swift , Sec . ; T . II . Beach , Rutherford , O'Callagham , Burton , Hill , Espizel , Young , R . Smith , J . Fortescue , Knox , Tapley Smith , E . T , Cinder , I . P . M . ; W . C . Smith , P . M . ; H . Fonseca , P . M . ; A . H . Marks , P . M . ; M . M . Taylor , P . M . ; S . Fonseca , Winkler , C . A . W . Giles , C . S . Culliford , G . F . Schutz ,

S . A . Marks , Peter Hart , C . J . Homer , Flood , Highland , Wiseman , and over Oo others . Among the large number of 7 S visitors were Bro 3 . Geo . Everett , P . G T . ; J . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C ; Richd . Clowes , P . G . S . B . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . K . M . I . iL ; Thos . Holmes , W . M . 1772 ; R . M . Edwards , W . M . 240 S ; J . H . Green , P . M . 2331 ; J . II . Moore , I . P . M . 71 ; C . R J . Evans , P . M . 227 ; S . D . Mogford , P . M . 2 jCa ; J . Robinson , Sec . 702 ; V . V . Smith , 1599 ; W . Finch , P . M . 13 G 5 and 2715 ; W . A . Finch , W . M . 2715 ; J . W . Warwick , W . M . 7 G 5 ; F . B . Brewin , P . M .

Craft Masonry.

160 S ; C . J . Coombs , P . M . 7 S 0 ; Fred Holden , 25 ; W . A . Wells , 7 65 ; W . Sergeant Lee , W . M ., Lionel W . Harris , I . P . M ., J . A . Harrison , P . M ., Walter J . W . Beard , P . M ., Treas . ; J . H . Hawkins , P . M ., T . Fraser , S . W ., J . R . Cleave , J . W ., W . Garstsin , S . D ., A . J . Thomas , W . H . White , E . Lockwood , T . McKeggie , Gordon Harvey , Fred Brewer , Arthur Tite , Lewis Thomas , John Le Hay , James Kift , and S . lousiffe , all of 24 SS ; and R . T . West , 1744 .

Ihe lodge was opened , when the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and the Audit Committee ' s report was received and adopted , the balance sheet showing that the lodge was in a very sound financial position , and had a large balance to its credit . Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., then occupied the chair , and installed Bro . H . J . Homer , who was presented by Bro . A . H . Marks , P . M ., as W . M . During the ceremony the beautiful anthem " Be Thou Faithful " was given by Bro . W . R . Maxwell with marked effect . The W . M ., Bro . Homer , appointed and duly invested his officers , and addressed them in suitable terms as to their respective duties , but

made special mention of the indefatigable Treasurer , Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M . They were as follows : Bros . H . T . Culliford , I . P . M . ; E . Rutherford . S . W . ; J . B . O'Callagham , J . W . ; J . B . Burton , S . D . ; S . Fonseca , J . D . ; A . T . Winkler , I . G . ; J . T . To ' wnsend , D . C ; J . Swift , A . D . C ; C . M . Brander , P . M ., Treas . ; T . H . Beach , Sec . ; S . E . Young , Asst . Sec . ; T . Hill , Org . ; A . Espirel , and W . Stead , Stwds . ; and Potter , P . M ., Tyler . The delivery of the customary

addresses was ably and impressively rendered by Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., and he is to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which he carried out the whole of the in . stallation ceremony . The W . M . then presented , on behalf of the lodge , a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . H . T . Culliford , which , he stated , he did with special pleasure , as it could not be bestowed on one more worthy to wear it . He was one of the best of Masons , and no one could have a better friend , and the members very much appreciated his

services and the great interest he took in the lodge . In , 'eloquent terms Bro . C . M . Brander , P . M ., proposed that the sum of £ 25 be given to the Daily Telegraph fund . This was seconded by Bro . H . T . Culliford , I . P . M ., in an able speech , and , on being put to the vote , was carried unanimously . " Hearty good wishes " was tendered by Bro . W . Sergeant Lee , W . M . 24 SS , on behalf of lhat lodge and the other 18 members who were with him , and by the other visiting brethren .

The lodge was - then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , which was well served under the personal superintendence of the manager , Bro . Oddenino . "The Queen and the Craft" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " having been duly honoured , The W . M ., Bro . Homer , gave " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said that he and the lodge were much honoured with the presence of four Grand Officers ,

who were all well known for the great things they had done in the Craft . The toast was drunk with acclamation , and the Grand Officers , on rising to respond , were enthusiastically received . Bro . G . Everett , P . G . Treas ., said that he had had to respond to that toast on so many occasions , that he found it difficult to say anything fresh . They had accorded a very hearty welcome to the Grand Ollicers , and if asked they would gladly attend again . He was delighted to have been given the opportunity to see inducted into the chair one

so fitted and able to adorn it as Bro . Homer . He had known him for many years as a good . friend , and his father before him . He felt that under his genial presidency and his great ability he would have a prosperous year of office , and , in concluding an able speech , he said the Grand Ollicers would carry away with them a very happy recollection of that night ' s proceedings . . Bro . J . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C , also acknowledged the toast , and said that he seconded the remarks of his senior Grand Officer , Bro . Everett . It was a grand

meeting and a splendid assembly , and it was a great pleasure to him to be there , because he did not feel a stranger , as he saw one of the tables crowded with members of the Eccentric Lodge , of which their W . M ., Bro . Homer , was an esteemed member . After repeated calls , Bro . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., said that he was glad to add his testimony to the remarks of the previous Grand Officers , and he congratulated the members on having such an efficient W . M . in Bro . Homer .

Bro . H . T . Culliford , I . P . M ., gave " The W . M ., Bro . Homer , " and said that it was the most important toast of the evening , and the one that had caused them all to assemble there on that occasion . All the members knew the great worth of Bro . Homer , and no better Worshipful Master could be found in Great Britain . ( Applause . )

. The toast was received with much enthusiasm , and Bro . H . J . Homer , W . M ., on rising to respond , had an ovation . In earnest and feeling terms he stated that he was not only much surprised , but delighted , with the cordial reception . He was proud to be Master of the City of Westminster Lodge , and he hoped not to disappoint any of them during his year of office , but would strive to do his utmost to elevate the lodge .

The W . M . proposed "The I . P . M ., Bro . H . T . Culliford , " and said that no words of his were necessary to call attention to the grand working of Bro . Culliford , who had done everything for the Iodge , and the majority of thos : present knew what an excellent Mason he was and an ardent worker . He hid had a most successful year of office and had left behind a sp lendid balance . He was a most sincere friend and a more faithful Mason it would be impossible to find . Bro . H . T . Culliford , I . P . M ., on rising to acknowledge the toast , was received with much warmth . He said that he was pleased when he joined the lodge 10 years ago , and

at that time he felt he would like to reach the chair in such an important lodge which was composed of a jolly lot of fellows . He had thit day vacated the chair ; he had done his best , but he had not done as well as he would have liked . He thanked them for their great reception and the kindness he had always received at their hands , and he should never forget his very happy year of office as a Master of the City of Westminster Lodge . In giving "Ihe Masonic Charities , " the W . M . stated that the lodge and its members contributed as much as they could to the three Institutions . He was going up

as a Steward at the forthcoming festival of the Girls , and he asked tiro . McLeod to plead on his behalf , and he had much pleasure in coupling his name with the toast . In response , Bro . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., thanked the W . M . for asking him to attend that evening and to respond to the toast . In eloquent terms he urged the members to give again and again to the three noble Institutions . The lodge had done great service in the past for the Charities , and their efforts on the occasion of the Boys ' Centenary , when Bros . E . T . Cinder , P . M ., and T . H . Beach took up the third largest

amount on the list , would never be forgotten . After giving some interesting details of the progress in building the new School for boys , hs slid tnat as the W . M . had asked him to plead on his behall in his Stewardship for the Girls' Institution , he earnestly hoped that the members would give liberally , and so support their esteemed W . M ., and send him up with a list large in amount , and they would never . regret it . At this point Miss Ethel Bevans gave a patriotic song , " There's a Land , " which

was received with great enthusiasm , and immediately afterwards the W . M . stited thit the "Hat" would then go round for the Da ly Telegraph Fund . Bro . Col . Probyn , G . T ., having entered the room after the banquet , the W . M . asked him to say a few words in support of the Daily Telegraph Fund , and in very eloquent and earnest terms he ( Bro . Col . Probyn ) urged them all to give freely tosuch a noble cause , and he set a good example by subscribing £ 10 .

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