Acacia Lodge, No. 2321.

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 .

This lodge held its usual monthly meeting at the Masonic Hall , Bradford , on Thursday , the 4 th ult . Bro . J . W . Bland , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . R . S . Hird , I . P . M . ; J . B . Fearmey , P . M . ; J . S . Hedley , S . W . ; T . H . Bedford . J . W .: F . Betteridge , B . A ., Chap . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T .

Last , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec ; W . Shaw-Smith , as S . D . ; I . L . Turner , as J . D . ; W . H . Townend , l . G . ; J . S . Cooper , Tyler ; J . Hardy and J . Ledgard , Stwds . ; J . Wood , Org . ; and a number of the brethren . Visitors : Bros . Robt . Potter , P . M . 275 , Prov . G . Treas . ; G . G . Senior , IJSO ; J . Taylor , Chap . 266 9 ; J . Tipping , 2669 ; and W . Stocker , S . W . 155 , Canada .

the minutes of the previous regular lodge having been read and approveT , the Prov . G . Treasurer entered , and was saluted in accordance with his rank . Bro . Arthur Rushworthwas raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . by Bro . Biiley , the working tools being explained by Bro . Bedford , J . W ., and the charge in the Third Degree delivered by Bro . Hedley , S . W . Bro . M . H . Langley , M . A ., was passed to the Second Degree by the W . M ., the working tools of a F . C . were explained by Bro . Hird , I . P . M ., and the charge in the Second Degree delivered by Bro . Hedley , S . W . Bro . Last ,

P . P . G . Reg ., on behalf of 14 members of the lodge , who were Royal Arch Masons , submitted for the approval of the lodge a petition for a warrant or charter for a new chapter to be attached to the \ oi ( e to be called the Acacia Chapter , a resolution approving of and supporting the petition was unanimously passed , several of the members who were not R . A . Masons speaking in support of the resolution . The lodge has a membership of over 50 , and it is probable that most of the members would

apply for exaltation if a warrant is granted as it is confidently hoped will be the case . A number of accounts were passed for payment , and two gentleman were proposed as candidates for initiation at a future meeting . Apologies were tendered for several absent brethren , and after " Hearty good wishes" had been expressed by the visitors , the lodge was closed , and the brethren afterwards dined together . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

In responding for ** The Visitor . ' , " Bro . Potter , Prov . G . Treas ., thanked the brethren for the cordial greeting he received in the lodge , and for the very pleasant evening he had spent . He also complimented the W . M . on the careful manner in which the officers of the lodge had assis ' ed in the conduct of the ceremonies of conferring the Degrees in the lodge . The toasts were interspersed with songs and recitations , which were contributed by Bros . Potter , Townend , Stocker , Senior Town Baily , Tipping , and Wood .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

Union Lodge . No . 767 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . PERCY HIDE . The ceremony of installing Bro . Percy Hide as W . M . of the above lodge for the ensuing year , which took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Karachi , Sind , on Monday , the 24 th June , St . John's Day , was the occasion for a large and representative gathering of the members of the Fraternity , and that the function was a most impressive and successful one may at once be assumed , as it was carried out by the retiring MasterBro . G . Owen W . Dunn , a very popular and high and experienced officer in

, the Craft , under whose fostering care Union Lodge has prospered markedl y during the past year , having had an accession of 20 new members , of whom 14 were joinings and six initiations , and having also had the honour of enrolling the name of Bro . his Excellency Lord Northcote , the Dist . Grand Master , as an honorary member . As was anticipated , therefore , at the time , the acceptance of the Mastership of Union Lodge by Bro . Dunn has resulted in a revival of Freemasonry in Karachi , which had , unfortunately , been for some time in a rather depressed condition , and we trust the infusion

of this leaven will still further extend the popularity of the Craft . Bro . Hide , it may be mentioned , joined Union Lodge in August , iSgS , from the Apollo University Lodge , No . 157 , Oxford ( E . C ) , and it speaks much , both for his popularity and for his industry in the Craft , that in such a comparatively short time he should have occupied the two Wardens' chairs in succession , and have now been unanimously elected to the highest post in his new lodge , in which he begins his year of office under the most favourable auspices .

A good and substantial banquet was provided , to which the brethren sat down after the business of the lodge was over , to the number of about 72 , among whom were several distinguished visitors , one of whom , Bro . F . C . O . Beaman , Acting Judicial Commissioner in Sind , was , we understand , proposed that evening as a joining member of Union Lodge . Bro . Beaman ie ; ponded to one of the several toasts which were proposed in a most humorous and remarkably fluent speech , which elicited much laughter and applause .

The meeting , which it is not too much to say was one of the most successful held in Karachi for some years past , broke up just before 12 o'clock . The beautiful new banner of the lodge , a generous gift from Bro . Cawasji Rustomji Variava , which was unfurled for ths first time this evening , was conspicuous behind the Mastei ' s chair , and was the subject of much inte est and admiration . The following are the names of the officers appointed for the current year : Bros . Percy Hide , W . M . ; G . Owen W . Dunn , I . P . M . ; J . S . Couper , S . W . ; W . G . Purches , J . W . j C . H . Chetham , Treas . ; W . H .. Thomson , Sec . ; W . F . Hudson , S . D . ; G . Shattock , J . D . ; M . B . Lahewala , D . C . ; VV . Place , l . G . ; C . E . Carter , Stwd . ; and A . Beadle , Tyler .

Buffalo Lodge , No . 1284 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . HENRY BENTLEY . The installation of Bro . Henry Bentley as W . M . of the Buffalo Lodge , No . [ S 24 , took place on the 1 st ult ., in the Masonic Temple , Albany-street , East London , S . A . The lodge met at four p . m . for the transaction of the ordinary business , and at 5 . 30 the installation of the W . M . was proceeded with . There was a large gathering of brethren and visiting brethren present , Canada , the United States , India , Australia , New

Zealand , and the Homeland being represented , the duties of the Installing Master wete undertaken in a masterly manner by Bro . F . H . Watson , the retiring Master . The fallowing Past Masters were appointed to the offices during the ceremony : Bros . IT . E . Knibbs , P . D . G . W ., S . W . ; J . Tooley , J . W . ; T . W . Irvine , Secretary ; H . C . O . Clough , S . D . ; R . Currin , J . D . ; and S . T . Wak-. field , l . G . The Master elect having been presented , he was duly installed in the chair ot K . S . for the ensuing 12 months . The addresses were delivered by Bros . S . T . Wakefield , II .

E . Knibbs , P . D . G . W . ; and H . C . O . Clough . Other work was performed by Bros . K . Currin , 1 . Martin , and I " . W . Irvine . The W . M . then proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros . F . H . Watson , D . G . Stwd ., l . P . M . ; H . Day Powell , S . W . ; J . W . McLean , J . W . ; Rtv . H . Steele-Wood , Chap . ; H . E . Knibbs , P . D . G . W ., Ireas . ; H . O . Parsons , Sec . ; Wm . Searle , D . C . ; A . E . Deary , S . D . ; E . D . W . Bowen .

J . D . ; S . S . Chapman , Org . ; C . ] . Smith , I . G . ; C . W . Mead , Geo . French , H . J . C . Cordeaux , G . Pittaway , F . W . Foyler , and S . J . Norris , Stwds . ; and J . Lambert , Tyler . B'o . Knibbs , in accordance with custom , presented Bro . Watson with a beautiful Pas * . Mastei ' s jewel , making a few eulogistic remarks , Bro . Watson feelingly responding . The W . M . welcomed the D . G . M . and visiting brethren . Telegrams Wire read from all paits of the countiy , and one from the D . D . G . M ., Bro . Austen .

The lodge was then doted , and the brethren then boarded a special trameir awaiting them in Park-avenue , which conveyed them to the Beach Hotel , where the annual banquet was held , abuut So brethren participating . The tables were decorated with ( lowers and ferns , and tastefully laid out . The menu wa' a vaiiedand excellent one , and served up in Mr . W . S ^ rett ' s usual masterly and finished style , and the wiiting was all that could be desired . Tr . c W . M ., Bro . H . Bcntley , occupied the chair , and was supported on his right

by the D . G . M ., Bros . Irvine , Johnson , Gray , Touley , and Wakefield , and on his left by Bios . F . II . Watson , Slap , llaity , and J . Gunn . The croupiers were Bros . II . Day-Powell , S . W . ; and j . W . McLean , J . W . Alter due attention had been paid to the mean , the W . M . asked the brethren to charge their glasses and drink to " The King and the Craft . " The King , though not now the Grand Master , still retained the great interest in Freemasonry tint he had sho wn during the 25 years he had held that exalted position .

The Craft Abroad.

The toast was duly honoured , the brethren singing the National Anthem . The W . M . next submitted the toast of "The M . W . the Grand Master , the Duke of Connaught . " If he was as successful as Grand Master as he had been as a soldier the destinies of Freemasonry were in good hands . ' The toast was honoured in the usual way . " The Right Worshipful District Grand Master , Dr . Egan , " was the next toast submitted by the W . M . in eulogistic terms . ' The toast was enthusiastically received . Bro . Dr . Egan , in reply , said he was always enthusiastically rece ' ued and

welcomed . He had occupied the position of Dist . G . Master for nearly 25 years , and he thought he was the oldest Dist . G . Master but one in the English Constitution . He had endeavoured to do all he could for . Masonry . As the Dist . G . Master he was often called upon to give opinions on questions arising from time to time , and he could say that his rulings were always upheld by the Grand Lodge of England . He would like to remind the brethren that the Book of Constitutions would always set them right . He had constituted the Buffalo Lodge , and had installed its first Master . The Buffalo Lodge had had troublous times , and he had nursed the lodge and stood by it . They saw the result of sticking together in those troublous times that night . The Buffalo Lodge was to-day one of the best lodges in the Eastern Province .

" The Officers of the District Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " and the other toasts were given and duly responded to . The Tyler ' s toast and the National Anthem brought to a close one of the most enjoyable Masonic functions held in East London . Bro . C . G . Bastin presided at the piano .

Installation Of Bro. Dr. Ogilvie.

INSTALLATION OF BRO . DR . OGILVIE .

A FINE ADDRESS ON FREEMASONRY . There was a large and distinguished gathering of local Masons at Sussex Hall on Thursday , June 6 th , on the occasion of the installation of R . W . Bro . Jas Ogilvie , M . D ., J . P ., F . R . C . S . E ., as Prov . G . M . of Scottish Freemasons in Jamaica " . The order of the installation ceremony was the same as that in the recent installation of Bro . the Hon . Dr . C . B . Mosse , C . B ., C . M . G ., as head of the sister Constitution of England , being , of course , prescribed by the ancient usage of the Craft .

The District Grand Master of Jamaica and his officers paid a fraternal visit , and were received with due honour and dignity . The R . W . Bro . William Duff ' Deputy Grand Master in charge , ably performed the installation ceremony . Addresses of congratulation were presented to the newly-installed Prov . Grand Master on behalf ot the Glenlyon , Seville ( St . Ann ' s Bay ) and St . John ' s Lodges —the subordinate lodges of the province .

After he had been installed , Bro . Dr . OciLviK delivered the following address to the brethren present : Right Wor . Bro . Duff and brethren of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland ir . Jamaica and brethren of the daughter lodges in the Colony , —Allow me to thank you in the heartiest manner possible for the high honour you have conferred upon me by elevating me through your votes and ( by confirmation of the Grand Lodge ) to this high and important position of Provincial Grand Master . I can

assure you , brethren , it is my fervent prayer that your confidence may not be misplaced . I can say for myself that I will do all in my power to improve the status of Scottish Freemasonry in this old and ancient Colony ; but , while promising for myself , I know prosperity can only be attained in such a position as this by the mutual working and effort of all concerned . I trust that we will be a united lodge , each one doing his level best to further its interests . I hope that there will be no hard feelings , that each will add dignity

to his office , and will perform his allotted task as if he were the only brother in the lodge capable of performing it in a proper way , and that the Steward will take as much pride ir . his position as if he were Senior Warden , and the Tyler as if he were Grand Master . By these means , and these only , can we get a proper feeling in the bdge , and thus make our administration what I am sure we all wish it to be , that is , a decided success , a state of things I positively crave for . Through this mode will we be able to congratulate each other when the time

comes for us to hand over our working tools to others and receive from the brethren the desired encomium of " well done thou good and faithful servant . " As a Mason of 30 years standing , for I was made just 30 years ago last month , in St . John ' s , No . 20 , in the quaint old town of Leamahagow , Scotland , the scenes of my passing and raising are still vivid in my memory and many of the . dramatis persona ;; and although there may be a mist at times of some of the latter , yet I still retain a warm feeling for the place and scenes where I first had the honour

to see the light of Freemasonry—that light which enlarges our mental vision and leads us into that Holy union which we all admire , that Brotherhood of Man . The question is often asked , not only by the uninitiated , but by those who have crossed the portal , What is Freemasonry ? Our reply is generally given to the uninitiated with terseness : "Come and see . " Freemasonry has been defined as " a system of morality clothed in allegory and illustrated by symbols . " This definition , although it has been drawn from a good source , is , to my mind ,

but a very small portion of what Freemasonry may be said to be . This definition might be made wider in scope and more comprehensi ve in detail . I would therefore define Freemasonry as " a system of morality and Charity which acknowledges the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . " This definition is wide enough to admit all sorts and conditions of men to come and find refuge under our holy banner . Such a combination , we can easily realise , was necessary in early times , when the people had neither liberty of conscience nor sacredness of

person . Men felt the desire for a platform where all could meet and be agreed . Some visionaries , I have no doubt , thought that this could be obtained through religion , but it was found that there was no subject in which there was less uniformity of opinion than that of religion . Men , in spite of all efforts to the contrary , insist on having their convictions unfettered by any creed , on having a free exercise in their freedom of judgment in all matters , whether religious or otherwise ; it was useless , then , to find union or co-operation through any one

creed . To supply this want , then , and to form a common bond of union , Freemasonry was called into existence . I am constrained here to say that the greatest of ends are often obtained by the simplest of means . Thus the anci ' . nt Freemasons found in the simple tools of their trade the imagery or allegories necessary for the foundation of our noble Order , and although ages have passed since the stone masons saw in their implements the means for their combination , yet the morals taught them then were as true and as pure as the teachings of to-day

—the combination as strong as the links in the chain of our common brotherhood are secure . That Freemasonry has been successful I have only to call your attention to the thousands of lodges , and millions of Freemasons that now exist , and have existed from the earliest times . As I have tried to show , Masonry exists for all mankind . In whatever respect man may differ in colour , race , or creed , they are all one in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man . This is the platform on which all may meet and all may agree . As I have already said , in whatever respects men may differ there is something

in the mystic tie itself that binds them together . Whether it be in the ball room or the legislature , the world or the field of battle , the mystic sign is always honoured and received . How many and true arc the tales told of the effects of the mystic signs when men were engaged in the din of battle strife . Even in what I may be permitted now to call the late Boer war instances have occurred where life has been saved as the result of the mystic sign , for even under such desperate circumstances Masons have always been found true to their obligations . A n incident is related in the Glasgow Herald by last packet in which a Freemason