Visit Of The Provincial Grand Lodge To The Portsmouth Lodge (No, 487).

time properly , there was a time for a great many things , and he must say that among the duties which he strove to carry out was his duty to Freemasonry . He mig ht not do it to the extent he ought , but still he always tried to do his best . It had given him the greatest pleasure to

attend that lodge , and to see the flourishing way in which it was carried on . He saw , in an important town like this , the Portsmouth Lodge flourishing and like to flourish in the future , and he could not too much congratulate the brethren of this locality upon the event . It was extremely

gratifying to those who had the honour to rule over the Craft to see lodges in their province flourishing . In the present day it was extremely necessary for the brethren to devote their utmost attention to promoting the efficiency of their respective lodges . Freemasonry was increasing

to an unprecedented extent ; but they had a deep responsibility cast upon them . Freemasonry had existed , as they knew , almost from time immemorial ; it had flourished , more or less , at different times , but it had never been suffered to dwindle into insignificance . Att & cks had been

made upon their Order in previous ages , and they were not exempt from those attacks now . Their order stood arraigned before different tribunals , but the attacks made upon it only recoiled in the same manner as the waves did from the shore . They knew why—because they trusted to those

principles which had been the mainstay of the Order in former ages , and which would be in the future . Let them , then , be specially careful not to give cavillers and objectors any ground on which to rest their objections . Let every brother feel that he had a stake in the matter

and take a pride in promoting , in his individual capacity , the efficiency of the Order to which he belonged . If any brother were to do an . unmasonic act , anything wrong , which the principles of their Order would reprobate , he ought to feel not only that he was doing something wrong

according to his individual judgment , but that he was bringing a stigma upon the Order . In the same way any one who joined their Order , having previously within him an incentive to do right , the principles there inculcated would lend an additional weight to the impulses of nature .

He believed that a brother who paid deep attention to their principles could not fail to be powerfully influenced by them , and if that was the case , objections which were made to them from other quarters must in the end be powerless and fail to have the slightest effect . In other

countries , as well in this , Freemasonry was flourishing . There might be countries where it was not of the like importance that it was in England , but he was certain of one thing—that Freemasons in every part of the world did regard Freemasonry in England as of the highest

importance . Let then , English Freemasons , be especially careful to promote the same respect for themselves . There was nothing , probably , which contributed morctopromote good feeling between the respective nations than the amicable intercourse which Freemasonry gave them an

opportunity of enjoying ; there never was a period in the history of the world when the facilities of intercourse gave the opportunities to the Free-Masons of different nations of cultivating amity and good will so much as at the present time , and he trusted that from Freemasons , numbering

so many as they did in every part of the world , n the end greater good feeling among the nations would result . He knew they could not fail to produce some happy and lasting effects . He would only once more thank them most sincerel y for the kind manner in which they had received

them . He hoped success would continue to attend the Portsmouth Lodge , and he assured them he should he encouraged in tlie discharge of his duties by the very kind support extended to him by the brethren of every lodge in the province which he had the honour and grati

fication of presiding over . The W . M . next proposed " The Very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . R . Stebbing . " Ho referred to the fact that Bro . Stebbing was n member of the Portsmouth Lodge , and expressed tlie pleasure he felt at seeing him present . The very Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( Bro . J . R . Stebbing ) made a very feel-

Visit Of The Provincial Grand Lodge To The Portsmouth Lodge (No, 487).

ing and able reply . He referred to his long connection with the lodge , he having some thirtytwo years ago constituted and consecrated it , and he said nothing pleased him more than to see the lodge not only flourishing but in the occupation of premises worthy of its great historic name , and of the success which had attended it . It

was very pleasing to find that they always drank the health of the Provincial Grand Officers and of the officers of the Grand Lodge , because , although Masonry did not depend upon grand lodges , as men of order they paid due attention to their Grand Officers . The Very Worshipful

Deputy Prov . Grand Master then gave some information with respect to the past history of Freemasonry and its influence upon the arts and sciences at different periods , referring to St . Paul ' s Cathedral as a perpetual monument of the triumph of the principles of Masonry . In the

course of an eloquent peroration the Deputy Provincial Grand Master exhorted the brethren to regard it as a sacred duty to transmit to posterity the fire of its youth and the undying excellence of the princi ples of Freemasonry . Bro . J . J . Gait gave "The Visitors , " and

Bro . Legh L ; G . Bailey , W . M ., No . 257 , in responding , congratulated the W . M . on having been successful in his endeavour to restore the lodge , which reflected the highest credit on himself and the brethren connected with it , and also upon the province . He thanked the Prov .

G . M . and the Deputy Prov . G . M . for their remarks , saying it was the principles of Masonry which they ought to keep steadily in view , and if they lost sight of them their Order would become as " sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal . "

Bro . Phillips , No . 173 ( Yorkshire ) , also responded . Speaking from a long experience , he could state that their lodge was hardly to be equalled in the provinces , as regarded space and acoustics , but he remarked upon the want of suitable accommodation .

The R . W . Prov . G . M ., in giving " The Worshipful Master of Portsmouth Lodge , No . 487 , " said he knew full well the feelings entertained towards him by the members of the lodge , and therefore it was a very easy task for him to introduce the toast . Their Worshipful Master

had had a prosperous year , and they knew how much his exertions had tended to the efficiency of the lodge . It was a great advantage to a lodge when it had a Worshipful Master whose ability enabled him to discharge his duty well , and he was sure every member felt that their fullest thanks were due to the W . M . for his

exertions during his year of office . The Worshipful Master , in responding , said that when twelve months ago he accepted office , he felt he was accepting a very great responsibility , but he had endeavoured to do his duty . It was a satisfaction to him to see that meeting that night . They had had anxious moments ,

but when , shortly after his election to the post of W . M ., his esteemed friend Dr . Frost took him round the building and shewed him what could be done he felt it was the ri ght thing to accomplish , and made up his mind to do his utmost to carry it out . He gave " The Present and Past Wardens of the Province , and Provincial Grand Officers . "

Bro . the Hon . Somerset Calthorpe , Prov . G . S . Warden , said there were many thoroughly efficient Masons amongst the present and past officers who did their work most creditably , and it would be extraordinary if such were not the

case , when lhey had such brilliant examples as the P . G . M . and the D . P . G . M ., who he ventured to say , even in their presence , were second to none in the excellent way in which they performed their various duties .

The Deputy Prov . Grand Master next proposed " The Past Masters of the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 4 87 , and Prosperity to the Lodge , " coupled with the names of P . M . ' s Ubsdell and Forbes , who responded .

Among the other toasts were "The Worshipful Master Elect of the Portsmouth Lodge , " proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . J . Maltby , and " The Officers of the Portsmouth Lodge , No . 4 S 7 . " proposed by the Worshipful Master , and responded to by Bro . E . M . Wells . Bro . F . G . Bradbear , Past Provincial Grand

Visit Of The Provincial Grand Lodge To The Portsmouth Lodge (No, 487).

Registrar , and Past " Provincial Grand Organist kindly presided at the piano , and also sang several songs , contributing , as usual , very materially to the enjoyment of the company .

Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .

For the Week ending Friday , January , 9 , 1874 .

The Editor will be glad to have notice from Secretarieg of Lodges and Chapters of any change in place or time of meeting . Saturday , January 3 .

General Committee Boys' School , at 4 . Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 830 ) , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , Surrey . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , Preceptor .

Monday , January 5 . Lodge 12 , Fortitude and Old Cumberland , Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street . „ 25 , Robert Burns , Freemasons' Hall . „ 72 , Royal Jubilee , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 83 , United Lodge of Prudence , Albion Hotel ,

Aldersgate-street . „ 144 , St . Luke ' s , Masons' Hall , Masons' -avenue . „ 188 , Joppa , Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . „ 1319 , Asaph , Freemasons' Hall . Chap . 28 , Old King ' s Arms , Freemasons' Hall . Mark Lodge 139 , Panmure , Balham Hotel , Balham .

Prince Leopold Lodge of Instruction ( 1445 ) , L ° ' Stanley Tavern , Sandringham-road , Kingsland , at 7 . Bro . T . Austin , Preceptor . Strong Man Lodge of Instruction " ( 4 S ) i ° 'd Jerusalem Tavern , St . John ' s-gatc , Clerkenwell , at 8 ; Bro . Beckett , Preceptor .

Sincerity Lodge of Instruction ( 174 ) , Railway Tavern , Fenchurch-street Station , at 7 . Camden Lodge of Instruction ( 704 ) , Adelaide Tavern , Havcrstock-hill , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Preceptor . Eastern Star Lodge of Instruction ( 95 ) , Royal Hotel ,

Mileend-road , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . E . Gottheil , Preceptor . British Oak Lodge of Instruction , Bank ot Friendship Tavern , Mile-end , at 7 for 8 . St . James ' s Union Lodge of Instruction ( 180 ) , Horse and Groom Tavern , Winsley-street ( opposite the Pantheon ) ,

Oxford-street , at 8 ; Bro . J . R . Stacey , Preceptor . Wellington Lodge of Instruction , White Swan Tavern , Deptford , at 8 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , P . M . n 55 , Preceptor . St . John of Wapping Lodge of Instruction ( 1306 ) , Gun Tavern , High-street , Wapping , at 8 ; Bro . T . Mortlock ,

Preceptor . West Kent Lodge of Improvement ( 1297 ) , St . Saviour ' s College , Stansted-road , Forest-hill , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . H . W . Lindus , Preceptor . Metropolitan Mark Lodge of Instruction , Coach and Horses Hotel , 313 , Strand , at 8 .

Tuesday , January 6 . Colonial Board , at 3 . Lodge 7 , Royal York Lodge of Perseverance . Freemasons '

Hall . „ 9 , Albion , Freemasons' Hall . ,, 172 , Old Concord , Freemasons' Hall . „ 217 , Stability , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 255 , Harmony , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , „ 765 , St . James ' s , Bridge House Hotel , SoudlWaik .

„ 1257 , Grosvenor , Caledonian Hotel , Adelphi . „ 1259 , Duke of Edinburgh , Cape of Good Hope Tavern , Commercial-road . „ 1298 , Royal Standard , Marquess Tavern , Canonbury . ,, 13 S 1 , Kennington , Surrey Tavern , Kcnnington Oval .

i > 1 . S 97 , Anerley , Thicket Hotel , Ancrlcy . „ 1 4 , La Iberia , Hill-road . 'St . John ' s Wood . Chap . 169 , Temperance , White Swan Tavern , Deptford . Mark Lodge 1 , St . Mark ' s , Masons' Mall , Masons ' -avenue . Yarborough Lodge of Instruction , Green Dragon , Stepney , at 8 ; Bro . Barnes , P . M ., Preceptor .

Domatic Lodge of Instruction , l'almcrston Ta \ ern , Grosvennr-park , Caniberwell , at 8 . Faith Lodgeof Instruction , Refreshment Rooms , Victoria-st . ( opposite Westminster Palace Hotel ) , at 8 ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Preceptor . Prince Fredk . William Lodge of Instruction ( 753 ; , Lord ' s

Hotel , Lord ' s Cricket Ground , St . John's-wood , at 8 . Bro . F . G . Baker , Preceptor . Dalhousic Lodge of Instruction , King Edward , Triangle Hackney , at ^ . 30 ; Bro . Crawley , Preceptor . ' Prosperity Lodge of Instruction , Gladstone Tavern , Bishopsgatc-st , Within , at 7 . 30 ; Bro . Bolton W . M .

1227 ) , Preceptor . St . Marylebone Lodge of Instruction O 305 ) , British Stores Tavern , New-street , St . John ' s Wood , at 8 ; Bro . T . A . Adams , Prcccptur . Constitutional Lodge of Instruction ( 55 ) , Whcatshcaf Hotel , Hand-court , Holborn , at 7 ; Bro . j . R . Stacey ( P . M . 180 ) , Precentor .

Wednesday , January 7 . Ledge 511 , Zetland , Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . „ 1420 , Earl Spencer , Freemasons' Motel , New Wandsworth .