Craft Masonry.

the favour conferred by the High Cross Lodge , he was only too pleased to render any assistance a sister lodge might

require . Bro . Kempster replied for the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge . The Queen ' s Westminster Volunteers and the London Rifle Brigade had been associated many years . Easter Monday they spent together at Hertford , when they were friendly rivals . The two lodges were equally friendly . The London Rifle Brigade having been a rival of the

Oueen ' s Westminster in arms , the Queen ' s Westminster thought they would also be rivals in starting a lodge of their own . It had been most successful , and both regiments and both lodges were proud of it . Both worked well . Some brethren said a military lodge ought to do its work well . Admitted , but it did not follow that that was the result . He must say that he had learned something

that evening , and the brethren ought to be very pleased and proud that they had a brother among them who could do the work well , and also that they had such useful brethren in the offices of Treasurer and Secretary . BrolThomson , W . M . 1597 , a'so replied , as a guest of the Treasurer , expressing himself as having spent a very pleasant and instructive evening .

The Worshipful Master next gave " The Installing Master . " The brethren had heard from the visitors very high congratulatory remarks on the manner in which the ceremony of installation had been performed . It was not the first time he had been installed in the chair , and on both occasions the ceremony had been performed in a most admirable manner . They had not had that evening , as was

the case sometimes in lodges , to call on some one outside the lodge to perform the ceremony . There were plenty of Past Masters of the lodge who could do it , but it had fallen to an arrangement among the Past Masters to call on Bro . Haig-Brown , and they were justified in doing so , for he never saw the ceremony more beautifully rendered . Bro . Haig-Brown , P . M ., D . C , in responding , said he

held it to be a duty it a man undertook a duty to throw his interest into it , so as to do his best . He had , as they knew , taken great interest in the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , and anything he could do to keep up the credit it had obtained in the six years of its existence he should endeavour to do to the utmost of his ability in the future . If by any means it came in his power to be of assistance to

the lodge , he did not desire to take credit to himself for it , but rather let the lodge have it . He trusted the lodge would always have the credit through its members , P . M . 's , and officers , and that whatever credit they | got for what they did they would let the lodge have it . " The Treasurer and Secretary " was the next toast , and the Worshipful Master , in giving it , said no lodge could

prosper without an energetic Treasurer and Secretary . Both officers must be well up in their work . No one but a Master who had been in the chair knew the amount of work which fell to those two officers , and in the London Rifle Brigade Lodge their work was done splendidly . Bro . A . McDowall , P . M ., Treas ., said his duties were not onerous , though he was in a measure responsible for the

expenditure of the lodge , and if the funds would admit he had to give an entertainment . Fortunately , the funds of that lodge would admit of an entertainment , and he hoped they always would . It was a good working lodge , and so long as it continued to be so they did not want to be a large lodge . They had always been up to 50 , and it had been a question whether if the number got higher they should not

increase the initiation fee . However , that would come on alterwards . He concluded by thanking the brethren for the confidence they had again placed in him , and stated that as long as they entrusted their money to him , he trusted it would be devoted to good purposes . Bro . Claridge , P . M ., Sec , also replied , and assured the brethren that the work he did , and which had been kindly

acknowledged , he did with the greatest pleasure . To the toast of " The Masonic Charities "—in giving which the W . M . implored the brethren to assist the Masonic Institutions to the utmost—Bro . A . McDowall , Treas ., replied . "The Officers" were then toasted , the Senior Warden responding . The Tyler's toast closed the proceedings of a charming ¦

evening . WIGAN . —Antiquity Lodge ( No . 178 ) . —The annual investiture of this lodge took place on Wednesday , the 18 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , King-street . No . 17 S is a flourishing lodge , and has a high reputation for work and efficiency amongst the lodges in West Lancashire , and the large attendance of members and visitors testified to the

interest which is taken in its welfare . The W . M ., Bro . James Brindle , presided at the commencement of the proceedings , being supported by Bros . T . Milligan , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . B . Holmes , P . P . G . P . ; J . Preston , P . M . ; J . Phillips , P . M . ; J . R . Cook , P . M . ; T . Milner , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Ashurst , P . M ., D . C . ; R . Layland , J . VV . ; R . Knowles , Sec ; G . Makinson , S . D . ; J . Wilson , J . D . ;

E . Seddon , I . G . ; and VV . Taberner and J . H . Smith , Stwds . Among the visitors were Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec ; J . Piatt , P . P . S . G . D ., P . M . 615 ; W . R . Clayton , P . M . 37 ; R- Betley , P . M . 1335 ; W . Hall , I . P . M . 13 S 7 ; H . Sherrington , W . M . 613 ; A . Wier , P . M . 1354 ; W . H . Pennington , W . M . 1354 ; J . Browne , VV . M . 1335 ; and H . Boucher , S . VV . 1335 .

After sundry business had been transacted the VV . M . elect , Bro . R . Layland , J . VV ., was presented for installation by Bro . T . Milligan , P . P . J . G . D ., and the ceremony was performed in a very commendable manner by Bro . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec . The newly installed W . M . then invested his officers for the ensuing year , as under : Bros . J . Brindle , I . P . M . ; R . Knowles , S . W . ; T .

Strowger , J . W . ; J . Parker , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Ashurst , P . M ., D . C ; G . Mackinson , Sec ; J . Wilson , S . D . ; E . Seddon , J . D . ; W . Taberner , I . G . ; J . Smith , T . P . Simpson , J . Baines , and Ratcliffe , Stwds . ; and A . Shallwell , Tyler . Bro . C . B . Holmes , P . P . G . P ., was elected Charity Steward for the year . Subsequently about 70 of the brethren adjourned to a

_ banquet at the Victoria Hotel , where an excellent repast was served under the management of Miss Bellingham , the manageress . The usual Masonic toasts were given , and well received by the brethren . During the evening occasion was taken by Bro . Layland , W . M ., to present to Bro . J . Brindle , I . P . M . a P . M . ' s

, jewel , on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , in token of the very satisfactory manner in which he had filled his office for the past year . The jewel was manufactured by Bio . George Kenning . A capital musical programme was rendered between the toasts ,

Craft Masonry.

BRENTWOOD . —Lodge of Hope and Unity ( No . 214 ) . —This lodge held its installation meeting at the White Hart Hotel , on Thursday , the 2 Gth ult ., when there were present Bros . F . B . Page , W . M . ; H . G . Hobson , S . VV . ; J . C . Goode , J . W . ; G . Cooper , P . M ., S . G . D . ; Col . VV . J . Burgess , P . M . ; A . VV . Wallis , P . M . ; W . W . Brown , P . M . ; F . W . Imbert-Terry , P . M . ; J . C . OuennellP . M . ; Rev . W . Quennell , F . Landon , S . C .

, Morant , H . Wallis , R . W . Quennell , E . C . Wills , G . Sargent , and J . Ramsey . Visitors : Bros . T . Railing , P . A . G . D . C . j J . P . Levvin , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Humphreys , W . M . 1437 ; G . Powell , 142 ; N . Hobson , 142 ; Rev . Morgan Jones , R . D . Poppleton , J . M . Bastone , E . F . Ferris , F . Gordon , W . Williams , W . G . Colls , Schartau , G . Cowell , P . M . 198 ; F . Turner , R . Armstrong , George

Morgan , and J . C . Whiddington . The lodge having been opened , letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from Bros . R . Eve , G . Treas . ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ; A . Durrant , Prov . G . T . ; Dr . Self , P . P . S . G . W . ; and others . Bro . Savill was then passed to the Second Degree . The W . M . then most ably installed Bro . H . G . Hobson into the chair

of K , S . The new W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . F . B . Page , I . P . M . ; J . C . Goode , S . VV . ; G . C . Morant , J . W . ; Rev . W . Quennell , Chap . ; George Cooper , S . G . D ., Treas . ; Frank Landon , Secretary ; H . Wallis , S . D . ; R . W . Ouennell , J . D . ; W . VV . Brown , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., D . C ; G . Sargent , I . G . ; and E . Mallett , Tyler . A cordial vote of thanks for services as

W . M . was accorded to Bro . Page , with a very handsome P . M . 's jewel . All business being ended , the brethren adjourned to a banquet , admirably served by Mrs . Mason , after which an excellent concert was given by Bros . W . W . Brown , P . P . CO . ; G . C . Morant , VV . " Schartau , G . Sargent , and Master Humm .

GUERNSEY . —Loyalty Lodge ( No . 243 ) . —The annual meeting- for the installation of the W . M . elect , Bco . Thos . Grace Barnes , was held at the Masonic Temple , Le Marchant-street , on Wednesday , the iSth ult ., when there was a large attendance of brethren present , the ceremony being gone through with admirable precision and considerable elocutionary ability by Bro . Peter Le Page , P . M .,

Bro . Hillman , P . M ., presenting the working tools and ably seconding the Installing Master in the impressive ceremonial . The following formed the Board of Installed Masters : Bros . F . J . Weysom , T . M . Bichard , P . G . S . of Wks . ; Peter Le Page , Installing Master ; VV . J . Helman , E . M . Le Huray , J . H . Parsons , J . Lindsay , VV . H . Bohn , G . F . Peck , and 1 . Pethers , I . P . M . Visiting Past Masters :

Bros . Emra Holmes , P . M . 84 , P . P . G . K ., and P . P . G . D . C Suffolk ; Rev . P . G . U . Pickering , P . G . Chap . Hants ; R . M . Smythson , VV . Thorn , A . C . Quick , W . H . Courtenay , and W . H . Lovell , W . M ., alt of 168 ; Thos . Le Ray and T . W . Palmer , of 1809 . The W . M . having been placed in the chair of K . S . and duly saluted and proclaimed , proceeded to invest his officers as follows : Bros .

T . R . Bean , S . W . ; J . Stranger , J . W . ; F . J . Weysom , Treas . ; P . Le Page , Sec ; J . D . Robilliard , S . D . ; and L . E . B . Le Patourel , I . G . The usual banquet was held after the installation ceremony , which was largely attended . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given from the chair . In responding for " The Visitors , " Bro . the Rev . G . P . U .

Pickering expatiated on the admirable way in which Bro . Le Page had performed the ceremony of installation , and alluded to the fact that he had been unable at the Board of Installed Masters to expatiate as he would like on the mysteries of the Craft , as many of the Past Masters were not Royal Arch Masons . Bio . Emra Holmes also alluded to the same subject , and reminded the brethren that under other Constitutions now ,

and in the last century in our own , Masons were obliged to be Past Masters before they were exalted to the Royal Arch , but now every Master Mason could proceed to that degree . He strongly urged the brethren to take an early opportunity of making themselves acquainted with this beautiful Degree . Bro . Holmes also said he had never seen the ceremony of installation better done , and he congratulated the lodge on its prospects of a bright future .

LEEDS . —Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 304 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge took place on the 25 th ult ., when there was a large muster of brethren from this and the adjacent provinces . Bro . Brownfoot , W . M ., who assumed the gavel for the last time , was able to welcome not only a large number of brethren , but a goodly number of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers . Amongst

those who signed the attendance book were Bros . Ur . Smyth , G . Chap , of England ; R . Hudson , P . G . S . B . of England ; H . Smith , D . P . G . M . West Yorks ; H . Green , Prov . G . Sec ; C L . Mason , P . P . G . Treas . ; VV . F . Smithson , P . P . G . D ., Chairman of the Charity Committee ; Craig , P . P . G . D . ; Bedford , P . P . G . D . ; Oates , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Tudor Trevor , W . M . 2 ofo ; Cheesman , VV . M . 51 G ;

Johnson , VV . M . 1001 ; W . T . Carter , VV . M . 1042 ; H . Columbine , W . M . 1221 ; and about 50 others . Bro . Jose Rickard was presented for installation and duly obligated , after which Bro . C . Blagbro sang as he alone knows how the appropriate excerpt from Mendelssohn's " St . Paul , " " Be thou faithful unto death . " A Board of Installed Masters having been constituted , the ceremony of

installation was continued and . completed by Bro . Brownfoot in a manner which provoked the admiration of all who heard him . It should also be mentioned that Bro . Hill , P . M ., rendered valuable and efficient aid as D . of C . Bro . Rickard , the newly-installed W . M ., then invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . Brownfoot , I . P . M . ; Wm . H . Hewson , S . VV . ; VV . Cockerlyne , J . W . ; Rev . T .

Greenbury , Prov . G . Chap ., Chap . ; C . L . Mason , P . P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; C . Norminton , Sec ; F . H . Lawson , S . D . ; J . W . Booth , J . D . ; W . B . Townsend , P . P . G . O ., Org . ; W . F . Tomlinson , P . M ., D . C . ; C . Croysdale , I . G . ; John L . Baker and T . Salmon Backhouse , Stewards ; and S , Barraud , Tyler . Bro . Mason was elected Charity Steward ,

and Bros . Craig and Heisson to represent the lodge on the Committee of the Local Relief Fund . Bro . H . Smith , D . P . G . M ., in a few well-chosen sentences , expressed the gratification he felt at being present on that occasion , and his admiration of the admirable manner in which the work had been performed , alluding particularly to the share taken by Bros . Brownfoot and Hill . "Hearty good wishes" having been exchanged , an adjournment was made to the banqueting hall , where the

Craft Masonry.

Festival of St . John was celebrated with great eclat , Bro . Jose Rickard , W . M ., of course , presiding . In the course of the evening Bro . C Blagbro and other musical brethren displayed their talents to the great enjoyment of the large company present . It is satisfactory to state that this old and popular lodge is in a most satisfactory condition , both financially and numerically .

HITCHIN . —Cecil Lodge ( No . 449 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., at the Sun Inn . Present : Bros . F . Shillitoe , P . M ., as VV . M . ; C . B . Cooper , S . W . ; J . Shilcock , P . M ., as J . VV . ; F . Shillitoe , P . M ., Treas . ; W . J . Fitch , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Secretary ; R . Shillitoe , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., D . of C . j J . H . Gilbertson , I . G . ; Worsley , Tyler : Swain , P . M .,

P . P . G . D . ; Sworder , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Durrant , P . M ., P . P . G . S . Br . ; Lloyd , F . J . Fordham , Hawks , Grellet , VV . Gilbertson , Brookes , J . E . Fordham , McMullen , Mackenzie , andG . Hill Smith . Visitors : Bros . A . C . Spaull , P . P . G . Registrar Shropshire ; T . S . Carter , P . P . G . D . ; Rev . C . W . Harvey , P . P . G . Chaplain ; John Read , W . M . 2105 , P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; Ward , and Nash .

1 he notice convening the meeting was read , and the minutes of the previous meeting were also read and confirmed . The candidate for initiation not being present , Bro . Chas . B . Cooper was duly presented and ably installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . F . Shillitoe . The Board of Installed Masters being closed , the brethren below the chair were re-admitted , and saluted the VV . M . in ancient

form . The W . M . was then pleased to appoint and invest the following officers : Bros . Franklin , S . VV . ; Hales , J . W . ; F . Shillitoe , P . M ., Treas . ; W . J . Fitch , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Shilcock , P . M ., S . D . ; J . H . Gilbertson , J . D . ; R . Shillitoe , P . M ., D . C . ; Albert Gilbertson , I . G . ; and Worsley , Tjlcr . The three addresses were given in an impressive manner by Bro . Richard Shillitoe . A vote was

taken for a sum to be placed on the list of the brother who intends representing the lodge at the centenary festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Other forma ! business was transacted , and the brethren assisted the W . M . to close the lodge . An adjournment was then made to a choice banquet in an adjoining room , which was thotoughly appreciated .

After banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . Between the toasts the proceedings were considerably enlivened by the efforts of Bro . Mackenzie , who gave a clever impersonation of several popular actors . Songs were also given by Bros . Gilbertson , Read , and others , and a very pleasant evening was brought to a satisfactory close .

I his year , being the Jubilee year of [ the lodge , will naturally be considered an important one for all its members , and the lodge is to be congratulated upon having such an efficient Master as Bro . C B . Cooper in the chair upon such an eventful occasion . The lodge has already made a step in the right direction , by proposing to do honour to their worhty Treasurer arid Secretary during the present year .

ORMSKIRK . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 580 ) . — This lodge , which is one of the oldest in the province , celebrated its anniversary on Wednesday , the 25 th ult ., at the Wheatsheaf Hotel , Burscough-street , when Bro . Alfred Waterhouse was installed W . M . for the ensuing year . This ledge has had its present charter between 30 and 40 years , but as No . 403 it dates back to about So

years ago . Ihe lodge has naturally passed through many vicissitudes , and although in point of numbers it may at one time have been stronger , there probably was never a period when there was a more favourable opportunity of working it up into a prominent position amongst its contemporaries than at present . For 45 years the meetings of the lodges have been held at the Wheatsheaf Hotel ,

where there is a handsome and spacious room , specially designed and erected for Masonic assemblies ; and in this place , which was elaborately decorated and set out for the occasion , the proceedings took place . Bro . James Thomas , the retiring W . M ., opened the lodge assisted by the following officers : Bros . Chas . Pilkington , P . M . ; James Eastham , P . M . ; Richard Walker , P . M .,

D . C ; John Baxendale , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; W . Fisher , P . M . ; Thos . Jackson , P . M . ; Alfred Waterhouse , S . VV . ; Thos . M . Horsburgh , J . VV . ; Henry Brighouse , Sec ; Harry Archer , S . D . ; J . Bolton , J . D . ; A . J . Brooks , I . G . ; and VV . Martindale , Tyler . 1 he visiting brethren included Bios . W . Goodacre , Past G . Swd . Br . of England and Prov . G . Sec ; J . M . King , P . M . 823 ;

Edward Hartnell , 1264 ; A . E . Smith , 477 ; G . W . Jenkinson , 1505 ; John Orritt , P . M . 1403 ; and others . The VV . M . elect , Bro . Waterhouse , was presented for installation by Bros . W . Fisher , P . M ., and Richard Walker , P . M ., D . C , and the ceremony was efficiently performed by Bro . James Thomas . Bro . Waterhouse afterwards proceeded to invest his officers for the year , assisted by Bro .

Walker , P . M ., as under : Bros . James Thomas , I . P . M . ; T . VV . M . Horsburgh , S . W . ; Henry Brighouse , J . W . ; John Bolton , Sec . ; R . Walker , P . M ., Treas ., and D . C . ; Arthur J . Brooks , S . D . ; W . Ripley , J . D . ; F . F . Young , I . G . ; and W . Martindale , Tyler . Subsequently the brethren sat down to dinner , served

under the supervision of the host , Bro . R . Taylor . After the "inner" requirements had been satisfied ^ the W . M , successively gave the toasts of "The Oueen , " "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family ; " and "Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . M ., and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past . "

Bro . J . Baxendale , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., briefly responded to the toast of "Bro . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . D . G . M ., Prov . G . M ., and the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was also submitted by the W . M . ; and " Bro . Waterhouse ' s health" was next honoured , at the instance of Bro . Jas . Thomas , I . P . M . In giving "The Installing Master , " the Worship !"'

Master avai ' ed himself of the opportunity to present Bro . Thomas with a beautiful P . M . jewel—manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , 2 , Monument-place , Liverpool— ° behalf of the members of the lodge . Other toasts followed , and the enjoyment of the evening was considerably enhanced by songs and recitations from Bros . John Melling- King , P . M . S 23 ; R . Winrow , J Eastham , P . M . ; Harry Archer , VV . Fisher , P . M ., and others .