Reports Of: Masonic Meetings.

225 ; Geo . Abbot , J . D . 225 ; Daniels , I . G . 225 ; Cade , P . M . 225 ; T . Noble , P . M . 225 ; T . J . Wentworth , W . M . 225 ; and many others . The evening will long be remembered as a red letter one by the lodge generally . At a special lodge held on the 20 th ult ., of St . Lukes , No . 225 ; the W . M . Bro . T . J . Wentworth , was instructed to forward on behalf of the lodge , a vote of condolence to

Her Majesty Queen Victoria on the lamented death of the Princess Alice , per the Home Secretary . YORK . —York Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —The annual festival of St . John the Evangelist was celebrated by this lodge on Friday , the 27 th ult ., by the annual banquet in the Masonic Hall . An excellent menu was provided by Bro . J . Toes , of the De Grey Rooms , York , and there was

an unusually good muster of the brethren . Bro . A . Buckle , the W . M ., presided , and the vice-chairs were occupied by Bros . G . Balmf ord , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., and M . Rooke , J . D ., both Wardens being absent through indisposition . Amongst those present we also noticed Bros . R . W . Hollon , P . M . ; Sir James Meek , P . M . ; W . D . Husband , P . M . ; J . Todd , P . M . ; F . Rawling , P . M . ; W . Valentine , I . P . M . j

T . B . Whytehead , P . M . ; Geo . Kirby , Sec . ; T . S . Camidge , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; W . Powell , M . C ; T . G . Hodgson , and W . H . Sampson , Stewards ; J . Redfan , Tyler ; M . Varvill , E . Oates , J . Ward , P . G . P . ; A . Hanson , G . Eastwood , E . J . Inman , J . Welburn , S . Border , T . j . Russell , J . S . Rymer , P . Matthews , W . McKay , J . Young , T . Sanderson , H . Aitken , G . Seller , C . W . Simmons , H .

Churchhill , J . Stead , J . Smith , W . Smith , T . S . Brogden , E . Houlden , J . Terry ; and amongst the visitors , Bros . J . Hanly , W . M . elect St . Patrick ' s Lodge , 295 ( I . C . ) ; W . Harris , J . Shaw , W . Flint , J . H . Pedley , 295 ; J . A . White , J . Camidge , 294 , Prov . G . Org . ; T . Mills Richey , 199 ; T . Myers , 1605 ; J . S . Cumberland , W . M . 16 xi ; J . M . Meek W . M . 1379 ; M . Milling ton , T . Humphries , J . Blenkin ,

Wm . Hill , and A . T . B . Turner , Eboracum , 1611 . The W . M . gave in pleasing terms the toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and " The Pro . Grand Master and Grand Lodge , " the latter being responded to by Bro . R . W . Hollon , P . P . G . S . B . England . The W . M . then gave " The Prov . Grand Master the Earl of Zetland " and " 'l'he Prov . Grand Lodge , " responded to by

Bro . J . Todd , Prov . G . Reg . " The Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces" was replied to by Bro . Capt . Hanly , ( 4 th Dragoon Guards ) and Bro . Capt . W . P . Husband , ( istWest York Rifles ) . Bro . Sir James Meek P . P . S . G . W . gave "The Health of the W . M ., " and in his reply the W . M . asked the brethren to join him in drinking prosperity to the York Lodge from thc silver Loving Cup , subscribed for by the

brethren last year , the centenary year of the lodge , and this handsome cup was accordingly passed round the tables . Bro . Alderman Terry proposed " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , " which was responded to by Bro . the Rev . W . Valentine , P . P . G . Chap ., Bro . T . B . Whytehead , Prov . G . D . C , gave " The Lodges of the Province , " to which

Bro . J . S . Cumberland , W . M . 1611 , responded ; Bro . W . D . Husband , P . P . G . W . gave " The Visitors , " and Bro . J . M . Meek , W . M ., 1379 , replied . " The Masonic Charities " was given by the W . M ., and "The Officers of the Lodge " by Bro . Councillor Rymer , and replied to by Bro . G . Kirby , Sec , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant and harmonious evening to a close .

LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 281 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Athenaeum , Lancaster , on the nth ult ., under the presidency of Bro . J . Jowett , W . M . There was a good attendance of brethren . The lodge having been opened in the First Degree the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed . The election of officers for the

ensuing year was then proceeded with , with the following results : —For W . M ., Bro . Edward Cordwell ; for Treasurer , Bro . James Hatch P . M . ( re-elected ) ; for Tyler , Bro . A . K , Allinson ( re-elected ); for Auditors , Bros . Gregson , Bayley , and Johnson . The installation meeting was fixed for the 27 th ult ., after which the usual proclamation was made , and the lodge closed in peace , love , and harmony .

' BEDFORD . —Stuart Lodge , ( No . 540 ) . — During the more than thirty years that this lodge has been founded , amongst all its important gatherings , n « work has ever been done within it so interesting as that which was so well carried out on Wednesday , Dec . 18 th , the occasion of the initiation into Masonry of Mr . William Dugald Stuart , a Lieutenant in the 18 th Beds . Light

Infantry Militia , of which his father , Colonel William Stuart , of Tempsford Hall , is Honorary Colonel . Colonel Stuart is , himself , a Past Master of the Lodge , which was founded by and named after his father and uncle , the late Bros . William Stuart , of Aldenham Abbey , and Henry Stuart , of Kempston . Mr . William Dugald Stuart , who is thus the grandson and great nephew of the founder of

the lodge that bears his honoured name , is a minor , but being a Lewis , obtained the dispensation of the M . W . the Grand Master . Many members of the lodge and visitors assembled to assist in the ceremony , many , too sending letters of regret at their enforced absence . The lodge was opened at 4 p . m . by the recently installed W . M . Captain Colborne , who worked remarkably well , as

did his officers , Bros . Coombes , S . W . ; Thodv , J . W . ; Rev . Canon Brereton , R . D ., Chap . ; Dr . Prior ' ( P . M . ) , Sec . Sergeant ( P . M . ) , Treasurer ; Alderman Bull , J . P . ( P . M . ) , Steward ; Carter , S . D . ; Stafford , J . D . ; Capt . Verey , I . G . ; Piper , Organist ; and Reynolds , Tyler . There were also present : —P . M . 's Bros . Colonel Stuart , Cuthbert , Captain Nash , Whyly , Captain Green , Billson , and

Lester ; and Bros . Thompson , Warren , Pick , Forster , Kilpin , Roberts , Alexander , Jarvis , Bosanquet , Page , & c . Whilst amongst the visitors were Bros . Barfield , P . M ., Zetland , 511 , and W . M . elect of Medina Lodge , Cowes , 35 ! Lieutenant Higgins , St . Aubyn , Devonport , 954 ; and Tudball , I . P . M ., Truth , Bombay , 944 . After the minutes had been read and confirmed Bro . Bosan-

Reports Of: Masonic Meetings.

quet was duly passed by the W . M . to the Second Degree The Secretary then read the dispensation of the M . W . Grand Master , upon which a ballot was taken for Mr . Stuart , which proved unanimous . The candidate ' s father , Col . Stuart , then took the chair , and duly initiated his son into the mysteries of the Craft . Lodge having been closed , about thirty brethren sat down to supper , and

during the toasts that followed , the W . M . most feelingl y alluded to the recent sad bereavement experienced by the Queen and Prince of Wales by the death of the Princess Alice . Of course , no singing took plaee . Before the close of the evening , as is usual on nights of initiation , a

collection was made for the Masonic Chanties , and thus was brought to an end an evening ever to be remembered and looked back upon by the members of this deservedly honoured lodge . It is almost superfluous to add that the arduous duties of the Steward were carried out , as usual , heartily and excellently .

OPENSHAW . —Lodge of Faith ( No , 8 f . —On Wednesday , the 18 th ult ., the members of this lodge met to celebrate the festival of St . John , and install the W . M . elect , Bro . John Bedford , S . W . At 3-15 o ' clock , Bro . Henry Darbyshire , I . P . M ., in the absence of the W . M ., opened the lodge in the First Degree . The minutes of the last regular meeting were then read and unanimously confirmed , the lodge

was then opened in the Second Degree , and the W . M . elect was presemted to Bro . John Parker , P . M ., Installing Master , by Bro . Henry Darbyshire , I . P . M . The ceremony of installation was then proceeded with in a very able manner , to the great delight of a number of the visiting P . M ' s . The Board of Installed Masters was then closed , and all Master Masons being admitted , the Installing

Master for thc first time , and in the East , declared Bro . John Bedford duly installed into the chair of K . S . The lodge was closed in the Third Degree , and all F . C's . admitted , when the Installing Master again made the usual declaration from the W ., and by virtue of the power invested in him , declared the F . C . Lodge closed and open in the First Degree , and from the South again made the usual

declaration . Bro . T . Tyers , P . M ., presented the working tools in each degree , Bro . J . T . Richardson gave the address to the W . M . in a very eloquent style , and the address to the Wardms and Brethren was given by Bro . John Parker , P . M ., Installing Master . The following brethren were then duly invested , Bro . J . Greenup , as S . W . ; F . Hickson , as J . W ., by the Installing

Master , and the remaining officers were invested with the collars and jewels of their respective offices by Bro . Henry Darbyshire , I . P . M ., viz ., Bros . T . Walker , as S . D . ; W . H . Brougham , J . D . ; John Parker , P . M ., Installing Master , as Treas . ; Lee Speakman , as Sec . ; T . Tyers , P . M ., as D . C . ; J . M . Johnson , as I . G . ; C . Beswick ( for the ninth time ) , as Tyler ; W . Swift , J . Swift , and J . Bosustow , as

Stwds . ; Pettitt , as Org . ; and Walter Mabon , as Std . Br . In investing the Standard Bearer , Bro . Darbyshire congratulated the W . M . on his having appointed Bro . Mabon to that office , for several reasons , some cf which were , that Bro . Mabon being a fine , handsome fellow and a good brother , and having a beautiful banner ( presented to the lodge by a lady ) he would be able to lead the

processions with splendour and dignity , and shed lustre to the proceedings . The office was gratefully accepted by Bro . Mabon . The installation ceremony was brought to a close by Bro . Darbyshire repeating the prayer . The Installing Master then called upon Bro . H . Darbyshire to make a presentation to Bro . Lee Speakman , Secretary , which consisted of a very handsome gold jewel , on which was neatly

engraved , " Presented to Bro . Lee Speakman , Hon * Sec to the Lodge of Faith , No . 5 81 , by the W . M . and brethren , as a token of respect and with feelings of gratitude for the very able manner in which he had discharged his duties for the past three years ; December 18 th , 1878 . " Bro . Darbyshire , P . M ., said : Dear Bro . Speakman , it is with feelings of very great joy that I , in the

name of the W . M . and brethren , place this jewel on your breast , we feel that the very able manner in which you have always performed your duties is deserving of some tangible mark of esteem , and we feel that this jewel will be prized by you , your dear wife and family , not for its intrinsic value , but from the fact that it has been presented by the brethren generally as a mark of their personal

esteem , dear Bro . Speakman , I am instructed by the P . M's . and the brethren to say that we are heartily proud of you , and we consider that the Faith Lodge has now a Secretary second to none in the province , nay even the Grand Lodge . It is a source of great satisfaction to the lodge to hear from the Auditors that your books are patterns ot good order and regularity , and personally I hope you may long be spared

to fill that office , and that your domestic happiness may increase is the sincere wish of every member of the Faith Lodge . Bro . Speakman simply bowed his acknowledgement , it being apparent that his feelings were such he could not give utterance to more words than , W . M and brethren I thank you . The banquet was prepared for 6 p . m ., and the tables presented a very beautiful

sight by a floral decoration arranged and very kindly lent by Bro . J . C . Brown . The catering of Bro . Aldred , the host , was of a very satisfactory character , and the wines supplied of the first vintage . After the banquet the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were given , and in a very feeling manner the W . M . referred to the sad loss their Grand Master and the Royal Family had sustained in having removed from their number a daughter , the fairest

of all , a sister the most affectionate , a mother the most loving and endearing , and a wife a pattern for the world . He hoped that the Great Architect of the Universe would visit and console the Royal Family in the hour cf their affliction , and would cause our Grand Master to feel that his great loss would be his dear sister ' s eternal gain . At 10 . 30 the most enjoyable meeting in the history of the Lodge of Faith was brought to a close , and the brethren took their seats in an omnibus ( which is always pro-

Reports Of: Masonic Meetings.

vided ) and proceeded to Manchester , in its route dropping the brethren in their respective districts . SHEFFIELD . —Wentworth Lodge ^ 0 . 1239 . ) —The annual festival of this well-known lodge was held on the 2 nd inst ., when Bro . W . R . Thomas , M . D ., installed his successor , Bro . John Clarke , in a very able manner . The new appointments were as follows : —Bros . Dr . W . R .

Thomas , I . P . M . ; Chas . Hill , S . W . ; J . E . Darling , J . W . ; H . J . Garnett , Treas . ; J . Broadhead , S . D . ; H . Nixon , J . D . ; Bennett , P . M ., M . C . ; T . Blair , I . G . ; Unwin and Hewitt , Stewards ; Leighton , Tyler . Amongst those present , in addition to the foregoing , we noticed Bros . Wostenholm , Scargill , Tindall , White , and S . B . Ellis , P . M . ' s 12391 Hay , P . M . 139 , W . M . 1779 ; Drury , P . M . 296 : Nicholson

W . M . 296 ; Schott , W . M . elect 296 ; Webster , W . M . 139 ; Bromley , W . M . elect 139 ; Roome , W . M . 904 ; Havvey , S . W . 904 , Prov . G . Orgt . ; Gamble , of Grantham ; W . H . Brittain , P . M ., & c . ( the Master Cutler of Hallamshire ); S . H . Gatty , S . W . 1779 ; and many others . The business of the lodge being over , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was also a great success . For

several years Wentworth Lodge has been noted for its menu cards ; this time it was in the antique style ( Chaucerian English ) , and gave great satisfaction , a copy of which will be found in another column . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . Bro . Thomas , the outgoing Master , received well deserved encomiums for the abi lity

with which he had rendered all the ceremonies during the past year , and Bro . Clark , the W . M . was warmly congratulated and well supported on his accession to the chair of K . S . ; and taking this meeting as a criterion we feel certain that the Wentworth Lodge has another bright , prosperous , and happy year before it under Bro . Clark ' s genial rule , indeed of this we are assured for all who know our Bro . Clark have fountl in him the right material of

which W . M ' s . are made , anel that is s uaviter in modo happily blended with the fortiter in re . We take this opportunity of personally congratulating Bro . Clark on this , the first time that he has presided over his mother lodge , and more particularly so as it meets in the beautiful Masonic Hall , of which he was the architect . Of this , his handiwork , he may well feel proud , for the lodge and banqueting-rooms are " perfection , " both from Masonic and acoustic points of view .

LEWES . —Pelham Lodge ( No . 1303 ) . —On Friday , the 27 th ult ., the R . W . Provincial Grand Master of Sussex ( Sir Walter W . Burrcll Bart ., M . P . ) , paid an official visit to Pelham Lodge , most of his Provincial Grand Officeis being in attendance . Bro . W . W . Turner , P . M ., was the acting Master , and very efficiently discharged his duties . In response to a vote of thanks for

his attendance , the Prov . G . M . expressed the great pleasure which his visit had afforded , and in seeing the admirable working on the occasion . The visitors included Bro . J . H . Scott , Deputy Prov . G . Master ; Bro . W . Sergison , Prov . S . G . W . ; Bro . J . St . Clair , Prov . J . G . W . ; Bro . Rev . E . Cave-Browne-Cave , Prnv . G . Chaplain ; Bro V . P . Freeman , P . G . Sec . ; Bro . W . Hale , P . G . S . D . ; Bro .

A . King , P . G . Organist ; Bro . J . Farncombe , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . W . Nell , P . G . P . ; Bro . C . Tomkinson , P . G . S . W . ; Bro . J . M . Kidd , P . G . D . C . ; Bro . F . Holford , Bro . A . J . Hawkes , Bro . Ed . Bright , and Bro . G . McWhinnie , P . G . Stewards ; Bro . T . Hughes , P . G . Tyler ; Bro . R . Blaker . S . D . 311 ; Bro . H . Davey , W . M . 732 . The members of Pelham Lodge present were Bro . W . Kraeutler , W . M . ;

Bro . H . Hauxwell , J . W . ; Bro . R . Crosskey , Treasurer ; Bro . T . R . White , Sec . ; Bro . F . Noakcs , P . M . ; Bro . W . W . Turner , P . M . ; Bro . H . H . Ellman , P . M . ; Bro . H . F . Mackay , P . M . ; Bro . G . Stone , P . M . ; Bro . J . Stedman , S . D . ; Bro . H . Hall . Tyler . Refreshments were provided at the Bear Hotel , in Bro . Whitcomb ' s best style , for which he was deservedly complimented .

LANCASTER . —Duke of Lancaster Lodge ( No . 1353 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on the 18 th ult ., in the Masonic Rooms , Athenaeum . Bro . Robert Wolfenden occupied the chair of K . S ., supported by his respective officers , a goodly number of the Craft being present . The lodge was opened in the First Degree , and the minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed . It was resolved to se » d an address of condolence to Her

Majesty the Queen , expressing the sympathy of the members on the bereavement Her Majesty and the Royal Family have sustained in the death of the Princess Alice . Thc motion was proposed by the W . M . ( Bro . R . Wolfendale ) , and seconded by the senior P . M . present ( Bro . J . Bell ) , anel supported by the I . P . M . ( Bro . F . G . Dale ) , and adopted in solemn silence . The Organist ( Bro . J . E . Oglethorpe ) , played " The Dead March in Saul . " The lodge closed with thc usual formalities .

LIVERPOOL . —Prince Arthur Lodge ( No . 1570 ) . —The brethren connected with this admirablygoverned lodge assembled in their handsome Masonic Rooms , North Hill-street , Toxteth-park , on Tuesday afternoon , the 17 th ult ., for the purpose of assisting at the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . Samuel Hikins . There was a good gathering

of members and visitors , and the whole arrangements were of a most satisfactory character . At the opening of the proceedings , shortly after 3 o ' clock , the chair in the East was occupied by Bro . Archibald Monison , W . M ., and amongst those present were Bros . Thomas Evans , I . P . M . ;

H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec , P . M . ; S . Hikins , S . W . ; R . Roberts , J . W . ; R . Webster , S . D . ; W . W . Thomas , J . D . ; W . P . Vines , I . G . ; Thomas Walters , W . Benn , I . Turner , D . Morris , J . Webster , ] . Seeley , J . Kenwright , C . Colcroft , J . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; W . Pughe , W . M , 1620 ; E . Paull , Treasurer , 13 « 6 ; J . L , Houghton , W . M . 594 ; J . W .