Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

out being marked by the utmost cordiality and good feeling . ROMI ' ORD . —Liberty of Havering Lodge ( No . 1437 ) . —The first annual meeting of this lodgetook place on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at the White Hart Hotel , Romford . The lodge was

opened shortly after three o ' clock . Amongst those present we noticed—Bros . P . Matthews , I . P . M ., and Prov . G . D . D . ; J . J . Wilson , W . M . J . Tydeman . S . W . and W . M . elect ; E . West , J . W . ; T . Bishop , Treas . ; G . W . Patmore , Sec . ; G . English , S . D . ; B . Brayshaw , J . D . ; T . C .

Day , I . G . ; Steedman , Tyler ; Sheldon , D . Wakefield , A . Young , J . L . Young , A . Wackett , and others ; also the following visitors : Bros . Burton , P . M . and P . G . Treas . ; Rev . Thomas Cochrane . P . M ., and Chaplain of the Apollo Lodge , Oxford ; Roberts , P . M . ij <; 4 ;

C . Lacey , P . M . 1421 , and P . Prov . G . J . D . Herts ; E . Farker , P . M . 1237 . and P . Prov . G . P . Herts . ; Young , W . M . 1327 ; T . Hill , W . Gabb , Walker , Linzell , W . M . 1327 ; W . Gilbert , J . W . 1327 ; Jacobs , 1327 , Payne , 1076 ; Malcolm , 1327 ; Fisher , 1327 ; Sherwin ,

Organist 1076 , and otheis . The minutes of previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . the Rev . T . Cochrane took the chair , for the purpose of raising Bro . J . Garnett . The lodge having been opened in the 2 nd degree Bro . Garnett was entrusted and retired , when

the lodge was opened in the 3 rd degiee , and b ° . ing re-admitted Bro . Garnett was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason , the beautiful ceremony being most impressively performed by the Rev . T . Cochrane , P . M . The Worshipful Master , Bro . J . J . Wilson , then took the chair ,

and resumed the lodge to the first degree . The ballot having proved unanimous for Mr . T . T . Orgathorpe , and Mr . N . Crozier , they were initiated into the secrets and mysteries of the Order . The next business of the lodge was to instal Bro . J . Tydeman , as Worshipful Master

for the ensuing year . The Installing Master , Bro . Wilson , remarked that it was the highest honour that could be conferred upon a Mason . The very eflective manner in which the ceremony of installation was performed , as well as the closing charges to the Master , Wardens , and

brethren proved Bro . Wilson to be thoroughly Master of his duties . The brethren having saluted the new W . M . in the three degrees , the following officers were invested for the ensuing year-Bros . J . J . Wilson , I . P . M . ; E . West , S . W . ; B . B . " Brayshaw , J . W . ; T . Day , S . D . ;

T . F . Bishop , Treas . ; J . Ellias , Sec . ; G . W . Patmore , J . D . ; A . W . Nay lor , I . G . ; Steedman Tyler . In investing Bro . Wilson , with the col-Iar and jewel of I . P . M , the W . M ., on behalf of the members of the lodge , presented him with a handsome 18-carat gold Past Master ' s jewel ,

and in doing so said that he was aware that the esteem in which Bro . Wilson was held and the high position he had held in the Craft had secured him ' similar presentations on former occasions , but never with a more hearty , sincere , and unanimous feeling of esteem and regard

than on the present , but at the same time Bro . Wilson had justly merited that esteem , for never had a Worshipful Master worked harder or done more for the good and prosperity of a lodge than he had done for this during his year of office , thereby gaining for himself the ' . ntireappioba ' ion

of the members . Bro . W est , the Senior AVarden , also passed some very flattering remarks on Bro . Wilson , and at the same time proposed that an address on vellum be presented to Bro ' Wilson , expressive of the thanks and the very great satisfaction the brethren felt for the very

able manner in which he had conducted the business of the liberty of Havering Lodge as its first Worshipful Master . This being seconded by the W . M ., was carried unanimously , and with applause . Representatives of various other lodges expressed hearty good wishes for the new W . M . Several letteis were received from

brethren , expressing their regret that they were unable to attend . Several gentlemen having been proposed for initiation at the next meeting , the lodge was closed in due form . Afterwards the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , presided over by Bro . Tydeman , W . M ., who , upon removal of the cloth , proceeded at once to give the usual loyal and Masonic toasts

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

in the following order : — " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , " " Bro . His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., M . W . P . G . M ., " uniting with it the names of "Bro . His Royal Highness Prince Arthur , and Bro . His Royal Highness Prince Leopold . " " The health of the

M . W . G . Master , the Marquess of Ripon , K . G ., & c . j the M . W . D . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , and other officers of the Grand Lodge , " « The R . W . the Prov . G . M . of Essex , Bro . Bagshaw , " the W . M . remarking that it was with pleasure he proposed this toast , but' with regret

that he had to announce that illness had prevented Bro . Bagshaw from attending this meeting . "The Prov . G . Officers , past and present , " was next given , to which Bro . Burton , Prov . G . Treasurer , replied in suitable terms , commending the lodge for the progress it was making , and the excellent manner in which the

ceremonies were conducted . The next toast was " The Immediate Past Master of the Lodge , Bro . Wilson . " The W . M ., in proposing the toast , said he had another presentation to make the I . P . M ., in the form of a gold locket . A Past Master ' s jewel had been presented to him from the

lodge funds , but the brethren , not satisfied with this alone , had voluntarily subscribed together for the purchase of this locket , and ( addressing Bro . Wilson ) by it they desire to convey to you their more than ordinary appreciation of the very excellent way in which you have conducted the

affairs of the lodge during the past twelve months , I am sure you will value it , not so much for its intrinsic worth as for the kind feelings of regard it is intended to express . Bro . Wilson acknowledged the hi gh compliment and the presentation in appropriate terms , expressing much

gratitude for the kindness of the brethren . They had really filled him with such feelings by this further demonstration of their kindness that he could not give expression to them now , but if he had taken an interest in the welfare of the lodge in the past , he certainly should for the future .

Bro . Wilson next rose to propose the " Health of the W . M ., " stating that from the knowledge lie had of him , he was confident that Bro . Tydeman would carry out the duties of the high position he was p laced in with honour to himself and credit to the lodge . The W . M .

in responding thanked the Past Master and brethren . He had entered into the high office in which the brethren had placed him with some little timidity , but that feeling was being overcome by the kindness of all present , and the knowledge that Bro . Wilson would ever be at

his assistance , and that the brethren were so unanimous in placing him in the chair of K . S . Nothing in his power should be left undone that might tend to the prosperity of the lodge . He trusted in the excellent stall' of officers under him , and felt confident of the future prosperity

of the lodge . " The Health of the Visitors " was next proposed and enthusiastically responded to , the W . M . coupling with it the name of Bro . the Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . M . 214 , and Chaplain of the Apollo Lodge , Oxford , ( of which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is the I . P . M ., and

in which H . R . H . Prince Leopold has recently been initiated ) . Bvo . Cochrane in his reply congratulated the lodge for the prosperity it had made in so short a time , but was not surprised at its success with so good a brother at its head . Bro . Wilson , the retiring Masrer , had distinguished

himself in various ways in the Craft . He wore many honours upon his breast , including the charity jewel ( with , he could hardly say how many bars attached ) , proof of the existence of what really is the leading characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart , and from what he knew

and had seen of Bro . Tydeman , he congratulated the lodge on their choice , for he was already walking in the footsteps of his predecessor . He ( Bro . Cochrane ) had met him at the last annual festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution where both himself and Bro . Tydeman had acted as Stewards under Lord Waveny .

He considered the lodge had made a good selection of a W . M . for the ensuing year . The health of the Initiates was next proposed by the W . M ., and responded to both by Bro . Osgathorp and Bro . Crozier , who replied in terms of satisfaction of what they had thus far seen of Masonry . In proposing " The Health of the Officers "

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the W . M . passed some very complimentary remarks upon the abilities of his Wardens and others , stating that he had ever ) ' confidence that they would render him all the assistance in their power . Bro . West , S . W . ( a brother held in high estimation by the lodge ) , responded on

behalf of himself and brother' officers . The last toast , viz ., " The Tyler ' s , " was given by Bro . Steedman . The meeting , which was enlivened by some excellent singicg ( Bro . Sherwin , Org ., of Lodge 107 ( 5 , presiding at the pianoforte ) , was brought to a close precisely at ten o ' clock , after a very enjoyable evening .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

IPSWICH . —St . Luke s Chapter ( N 0 . 225 ) . —The annual meeting of this chapter was held at the Coach and Horses Hotel , on Wednesday , the 2 i . th June . There were present ] Comps . C . Turner , P . Z ., Second Principal H ., as Z . ; Emra Holmes , J . ; H . Harris , P . Z ., as H . ; S . B .

King , P . Z ., Scribe E . ; George Abbott , Third Principal J ., Alexander Chapter ; C . Byford , and others . Visitor , Comp . G . Cresswell . The chapter having been duly opened and the minutes of last chapter read and confirmed Comp . Emra Holmes was regularly installed into the chair

of H ., as Second Principal , Comp . Byford into that of J ., as Third Principal . The ceremony was performed by Comp . S . B . King , in his usually impressive manner . Bro . Turner having already been installed as First Principal , that portion of the ceremonial was omitted . A

candidate having been proposed for advancement and other business having been transacted , the companions shared die secrets , and the chapter \ vas closed . A substantial repast was spread by that excellent host , Comp . Godball , to which ample justice was done , and on the removal of

the cloth , the M . E . Z ., briefly proposed " The Queen , " the brethren singing the National Anthem , followed by the toast of " The Three Grand Principals of England , " and was honoured in the way usual amongst Royal Arch Masons . Bro . King then proposed " The Newly Installed

Principals in flattering terms , to which Comp . Emra Holmes responded . In the course of his remarks Ccmp . Holmes complained of the unaccountable apathy which seemed to exist respecting the Royal Arch Degree , which he attributed to the fact that so few seemed to know

anything about it , and many of those who were inclined to take it were debarred by the cost . A man was told he could become a Mason for three , four , or five guineas , as the case might be , yet when he had taken the third he found he had not taken the . vhole ; for there was still

a portion of a degree , which , however , he could not get under three guineas more . The consequence of this was , that great numbers refused to go any further , as they thought the charge too high . Brethren ought , however , to remember that they could not rightfully call themselves

Fellow Crafts till they had taken the Mark Degree , which was the completion of the second degree , nor could they consider that they were truly Master Masons till they had taken the Royal Arch . Brethren forget that all they had got in the third degree were certain substantial

secrets and the true Masonry was only discovered in the Royal Arch degree . He called their attention to certain portions of the third degree , which it would be imprudent to print , but which showed where the continuity was broken in the third degree , and where it was taken up in the

Royal Arch , and he expressed a strong opinion that the charge for the degree should be made sufficientl y low to admit all Master Masons . Some Chapters have felt that the fee was so extravagantly high , remembering that the Book of Constitutions ( in stating that pure and antient

Masonry consisted of but three degrees and no more , including the Holy Royal ) taught that k was only the portion of a degree , that thsy evaded the regulations which required a fee of at least three guineas for exaltation , by

appointing the candidate Janitor for the time leing , and paying him 30 s . for his services , ttus reducing the fee one half . He did not mention this , for the chapter to follow this plan though he had doubt it would bring a great accession of candidates , but he merely stated the ' act on the