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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
brethren most sincerely and heartily for the honour they had clone him both in proposing and drinking his health , and for spontaneously bursting out into harmony , which he could assure them was music to his ears , because he knew they meant it . He did not think he need tell them he would try and do his very best during his year of office
for the benefit of the lodge , and if at the close of the term the brethren expressed their satisfaction to him , he should feel amply repaid . The W . M . then proposed " The Installing Master , and Father of the Lodge , Bro . Valentine , " who would know he felt just as much in saying a few words as if he spoke for an hour . He recollected that when he was initiated
Bro . Valentine proposed his health , and he had always looked on Bro . Valentine as a pattern in Freemasonry to imitate . It was a treat to hear Bro . Valentine work any ceremony in Freemasonry , particularly the installation ceremony . The brethren knew that every word Bro . Valentine uttered was given from the heart , and that he meant what he said , even to the very syllable . And he therefore asked the brethren to drink his health— "Our noblest brother and our truest man . "
Bro . Valentine , P . M ., in responding , said the W . M . told them he did not need words to make them feel what he meant , and the W . M . ' s words were few . Few as those words were , they spoke volumes , and he was very much complimented by the quotation , " Our noblest brother and our truest man , " although he did not think he deserved that honour . Tennyson , when he wrote it , intended it to
apply to one of the Knights of the Round Table , whose object was to assist the widow , the old and aged , to succour the orphan . Well , he was anxious to be one of the truest men and one of the noblest of the Masonic Round fable , whose object was the same as that of King Arthur and his knights . One word upon their old gatheringsand the working of the Albion Lodge , more especially the installation . He
had come down to this installation at great inconvenience to himself ( not being at all well , and the weather being against him ) , because he wanted to keep up the old working of the lodge . He did not mean to say that no other brother could have performed the installation , but there was no lodge worked the third portion of the ceremony in the same way as the Albion Lodge . One hundred years
ago Masonry was divided into norih and south . One portion becams very lax in the performance of the ceremonies . That went on for a number of years , when a young Irish Mason came from Dublin , who was only a journeyman painter , but he set to work , and by his talents he became Grand Secretary of Masons in England and the ruling power of Masonry . That brother thought the
meetings of Masons should be re-modelled , and he set up a system of his own of Ancient Masonry , and then the ceremonies , according to the "Ancients , " became the ceremonies of England , which were worked up to a certain point to this very day . One of those ceremonies , introduced by Bro . Uermott , was the installation , with the exception of an alteration he ( Bro . Valentine ) had made in two of the paragraphs , as he ( Bro . Valentine ) had worked
it that day : it was in the language of Dermott 1 S 0 years ago . The brethren might think Bro . Dermott was nothing to them , but had hisworkingof theceremony nothing todo with them ? At that time he was a leading member of Lodge No . 5 , and Lodge No . 5 was now the Albion Lodge , No . 9 . Consequently this Albion Lodge was the birthplace of theceremony of installation as he ( Bro . Valentine ) had worked it that
night . Many innovations had taken place in regard to the ceremony ; it had been emasculated and jumbled together in a great measure ; things had been omitted and other things added until the ritual had become ungrammatical , and what it had never been intended to be . At the beginning of the present century the question arose in Giand Lodge whether the installation ceremony should be
a landmark which should not be altered . A Committee was appointed , and one of the members of the Committee was a member of the Albion Lodge . Therefore , it would be seen that Grand Lodge recognised the interest of the Albion Lodge in the production of a scheme . The brother then on the Council was Bro . Kant , and Bro . Kant installed him ( Bro . Valentine ) in the chair of King Solomon .
Individually , he would not like that ceremony of installation to die away , and he thought they should preserve it as it was drawn up by and engrafted on the Albion Lodge . He remembered the words of one of their Installin g Masters— "I cannot install anymore brethren ; there is no one in the lodge can do it but one—that is yourself , Bro . Valentine ; will you do it ? " He promised him he would ,
and he did it , and he had carried that promise out down to the present moment . He wanted the brethren of the Iodge to do the same ; and if the lodge chose to accept his services , he , with the assistance of Bro . Olroyd , would teach the brethren , the lodge of instruction devoting two evenings during their session to learning the ceremony , and then they would still have the ancient Albion ceremony of
installation perpetuated—the installation ceremony of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , and not of the modern Masons of the present day . Bro . Valentine concluded by thanking the brethren most heartily for the toast . Bro . VV . Willey , P . M ., proposed "The Initiates , " of whom he was very pleased to see a trio that evening . The Albion Lodge did not aspire to be a large lodge ; they liked
to be select , and when they left the lodge to be able to know each other as well . He was very much impressed with the way in which the VV . M . performed the ceremony , and felt sure that the initiates must have been equally impressed . He exhorted the newly-made brethren to be good Masonsj and to attend the Albion Lodge of Instruction as often as they could—it met every Friday at the Mitre in Chancerylane—and they would there obtain a knowledge of the good
working of Masonry , and by this and their attendance at the lodge meetings would become impregnated with Masonry , and with the Masonry of the Albion Lodge . He hoped they would perfect themselves for going into office , and it would be a great pleasure to him and all the brethren of the lodge to see them on a future occasion fillin" - the various offices of the lodge , and ultimatel y going into the Master ' s chair .
Bros . Wallach , Gerrish , and Meyers respectively responded , expressing the interest they had taken in the ceremony , promising attention to Bro . Willey ' s exhortations , and hoping to fulfil all his wishes . The W . M ., in giving "The P . M . ' s , " said that all those
brethren were well known to the members ot the lodge ; their good deeds had spoken for themselves . He would ask the brethren ' s attention to this quotation from Shakespeare's King Henry IV ., attached to the toast of the P . M . s : " Being men of such great leading that you fore-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
see not what impediments drag back . " The brethren might rely upon it that there was more took place than they were aware of in lodge . The officers knew it ; the Past Masters more particularly knew it , and they did their best to smooth the way in the lodge for the happiness of the brethren . He only hoped the brethren would take pattern by the P . M . ' s , and endeavour to obtain the same
rank as they , and get the confidence of the brethren . Bro . Bickerton , I . P . M ., in reply , said , were he an orator , which he was not , had he plenty of time , which he had not , because there were four more toasts to follow , and four more pieces of harmony and humour to listen to , and were he not a Past Master , which he was , he could tell them much about them ; but , being only young among
them , it was only his duty to thank the VV . M . very sincerely for proposing , and the brethren for the honour they had done the Past Masters in drinking the health of the Past Masters . But he felt he ought to say a word or two for the Past Masters because he had seen most of them—all but four—working in the chair ; he could not go so far back as Bro . Valentine , with his 42
years . He had seen Bro . Valentine work , and had never seen him do anything but what he would wish to imitate him in , and he trusted he should be spared to follow in his footsteps . That should also be the aim of every brotherto follow in the footsteps of their forefathers , and he looked upon the Past Masters as such , and in that character thanked the brethren most heartily for the toast .
Bros . Noehmer and Pettigrew responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . Harvey , P . M ., Sec , proposed as a special toast " The Masonic Press , " stating that hitherto the Albion Lodge meetings had never been reported , which was entirely the fault of the lodge for not inviting the press . The brethren , however , had determined to turn over a new
leaf and have their proceedings published . Bro . H . Massey responded . The other toasts were " Ihe Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast . T he W . M . in giving the officers reminded the brethren that the lodge of instruction met at Bro . Drew ' s , the Mitre ,
Chancery-lane , every Friday evening , at seven prompt . The pioceedings were then brought to a close . The evening , which was most agreeable throughout , was rendered additionally pleasant by the musical performances of Bros . Herbert Schartau , Edward Dalzell , VV . Coates , R . De Lacy , and G . A . Pritchard ,
QUEEN'S WESTMINSTER LOD 3 E ( No . 2021 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Tuesday , December iSth , and proved one of the most important held during the existence of this flourishing lodge . There were present Bros . C . P . Bellerby , W . M . ; Alex . Jones , S . W . ; P . G . Canning , J . W .: G . Lambert , P . G . S . B ., P . M ., Treas . ; Geo .
Coop , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . R . Hunt , S . D . ; F . W . King , don , J . D . ; C . Godfrey , D . C ; W . J . Row and R . J . Harnell , Stwds . ; F . Delevanti , Org . ; T . Bradley , Tyler ; C . Probyn , P . M . ; R . Payne , P . M . ; C , Kempton , P . M . ; H . C . Lambert , I . P . M . ; W . Fowler , E . Rosenberger , M . Rossel , R . W . Shipway . R . B . Shipway , E . Holiis , M . Angel , E . Russell , E . Keed ^
C . Day , H . G . Carew , F . Ford , H . Grosslie , C . Thompson , T . Philip , F . Dray , A . Oakes , VV . Treadwell , J . Mellings , G . Andrews , G . Prendergast , L . Giinzell , J . B . Jordan , J . Davy , H . Oakshette , J , Hodges , H . Carter , G . Merryweather , G . H . Underaown , VV . Girdlestone , j . Walter . * , H . Manning , Knight , Daniel Hone , E . P . Delevanti , VV . Mundell , and E . Bellerby . Visitors : Bros . Col . Shadwell
H . Clerke , G . Sec ; Thos . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., VV . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; W . B . Williamson , Deputy G . M . Worcestershire ; 1 . Zacharie , Deputy G . M . California ; H . Gross , W . M . 1314 ; G . Dickinson , W . M . 16 S 1 ; A . C . Ansbacker , P . M . 73 ; J . Gawath , P . M . and Stc . 2045 ; G . Padmore , 523 ; S . T . Saunders , PP . G . C . Middx . ; J . Bladon , 1 S 39 ; G .
Hoare , 1313 ; C . Wetzlar , J . W . 141 ; E . St . Clair , W . M . 2060 ; H . Blunden , P . M . S 6 j ; A . R . Cranch , W . M . 121 G ; F . Turner , S . W . 1216 ; W . H . Harvey , 1216 ; A . Carter , P . J . G . D . Kent ; G . Gardner , P . M . 2012 ; F . O . Walker , VV . M . 1962 ; T . G . Newton , J . W . 5 69 ; H . J . Peilatt , 1194 ; VV . Wilson , P . G . P . ; VV . Woodward , P . M . 1920 ; Chas . Isaacson , S . W . 1321 ; T .
J . Head , 1791 ; J . Corner , 312 ; C . Lambert , J . W . 19 ^; Eugene Monteuuis , P . M . 2000 ; J . R . Harnell , S . D . 511 ; I . W . Lee , W . M . 19 S ; R . Cornise , 1319 ; T . Owen , P . M . 1287 ; VV . McDougal , P . M . 1962 ; E . Beesun , P . M . 1321 ; R . P . Shiell , 34 ; VV . Kedge , 749 ; G . Groves , 551 ; R . W . Williams , S . W . 19 S ; T . D . Rees , 533 ; VV . H . Neardon , 171 ; R . Rowuotham , 1624 ; J .
C . Hambleton , 1319 ; VV . Ii . Collens , P . M . 766 ; R . U . Tyler , 219 ( I . C . ) ; S . Watkin , 1257 ; R . Burdett , 569 ; G . Harris , 533 ; W . Robinson , S 60 ; R . E . Goffin , P . G . D . C . Surrey ; T . Bullock , P . M . 19 ; VV . Cleghorn , P . M . 12 S 7 ; and other brethren . Lodge was opened in form , and the minutes of the lodge of emergency and the last regular meeting were read and
confirmed . Bro . G . Coop , P . M . and Sec , having taken the chair , raised Bros . Holiis and Angel in a most excellent and impressive manner , after which Bro . Rossel was passed . The W . M . having resumed the . chair , a ballot was taken for Mr . D . Hone , and proved unanimous in his favour , and being in attendance , Mr . Hone was initiated by the VV . M . in a most efficient manner . Bro . F . Delevanti , who had
proposed the VV . M . elect , Bro . A . Jones , into Masonry in the West Middlesex Lodge , 1612 , having occupied the chair , by special permission of the VV . M ., installed Bro . Jones in splendid style , Bro . Williamson , D . P . G . M . Worcestershire , specially complimenting the lodge upon its efficient working . Several letters and telegrams were received from brethren
unable to be present , many in consequence of the dense fog that prevailed , particularly in the suuurbs of London . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner , personally superintended by Bro . T . Hamp , manager of the Holborn Restaurant , and which was most efficiently and admirably served . Grace having been sung by a musical party provided by
Bro . E . Delevanti , 'lheW . M ., in rising to propose the first toast of the evening , '_ 'Ihe Queen and the Craft , " said he had no hesitalion in coupling the name of the Craft with that of her Most Gracious Majesty , as he was convinced that there was no more loyal body of men under her sway than the Freemasons of this country .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
_ . -a In proposing the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the VV . M . said that , as Masons , they felt it a great honour to be presided over by the " first gentleman in the land , " and one who had made himself so popular with every class of the community ; and he thought the brethren would agree with him in saying that , if the G . A . O . T . U . should in His own rrood time see ( it tr > rail
upon him to rule over them , he would be the most popular monarch that has ever ruled over the destinies of this mighty Empire . The toast of " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was most ably responded to by Bro . Fenn ,
Pres . Bd . Gen . Purps ., and in a few words by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , who said that he was amazed at the rapid stiide the lodge had made since he had the pleasure of consecrating it some years ago , and he trusted it would continue in its career of prosperity and Masonic usefulness .
Bro . Chas . P . Bellerby , I . P . M ., said he had great pleasure in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . Alex . Jones , " whom he had been intimately acquainted with for many years , who was his father in Masonry , having proposed him some years since in the West Middlesex Lodge , No . 1612 , which had contributed several valuable members to the lodge as founders , & c ;
he had also the pleasure of working with Bro . Jones in the regiment which gave name to the lodge , and which they were all so much attached to , and , in conclusion , wished the VV . M . a prosperous and happy year of office , which would receive from him every support as I . P . M . The W . M ., having thanked the brethren for the exceeding cordiality with which they had received the toast ,
said that now he had the felicity of placing upon the breast of the I . P . M ., Bro . Bellerby , the gold jewel of the lodge , awarded him unanimously by the brethren for the excellent manner in which he had presided over them , both in the lodge and the banquet table , during the past 12 months , and trusted that lor many years he would be enabled to wear it in pleasing remembrance of his very
happy year of office . Bro . G . Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas ., then said the W . M . had entrusted him with the gavel for the purpose of proposing the toast of " I he Visitors , " and , in doing so , said that it would be probably within the memory of most of the brethren that a Masonic Rifle Match , consisting of 10 members lrom each of the Volunteer lodges of the
Metropolis , viz ., the Queen ' s Westminster , the London Rifle Brigade , the 1 st Surrey , and the South Middlesex , had taken place at Cheltenham during the autumn , and was won , after an exciting contest , by the Queen ' s with a few points only to the good . A wish having been generally expressed to make the match an annual event , he had great pleasure in offering for their acceptance the gavel he
then held ( which was a very handsome and usetul present , being mounted in silver with the coats of arms of the competing regiments , also in silver , around it ) , thesametobe held by the VV . M . of the winning lodge for twelve months , and to be at the installation of each new VV . M . of the four lodges . The same to be called , by general desire , " The Lambert Challenge Gavel . " He greeted and welcomed the whole
ot the visitors present , and coupled with the toast the names of the VV . M . of the London Rifle Brigade , Bro . Walker ; the W . M . of 1 st Surrey , Bro . A . K . Cranch ; the VV . M . of the South Middlesex ; also the VV . M . of La France Lodge , Bro . E . St . Clair , and Bro . Alderman Williamson , of the Province and loyal city of Worcester . These brethren suitably and eloq uently responded .
ftie W . M . then gave the toast of "Ihe Initiate , " which was replied to by Bro . Hone in a most effective and telling manner , fairly rousing the brethren to enthusiasm . The toast of " l'he P . M . ' s" was then given , including Bros . C . Bellerby , I . P . M . ; G . Lambert , C . Probyn , R . Payne ( whose year of office the VV . M . said was signalled with such perlection of working as few could equal and
none excel ) , H . Lambert , G . Coop , Sec . ; and Delevanti , Org . ; the latter being desired by the W . M . to step forward to enable him to be invested with the P . M . 's collar and the gold jewel of the lodge , unanimously voted by the brethren 111 recognition of his valuable services since the formation of the lodge . Bro . F . Delevanti suitably responded in one of his usual
characteristic and eloquent speeches . Bro . G . Coop , in responding to the toast of "The Secretary , " made a strong appeal to the brethren to support his list of subscriptions for the Old People , of which Institution he was a Steward for the forthcoming Festival .
Ihe officers of the lodge having each responded to the toast of their health , the lyler ' s toast broug . it a most enjoyable and successtul meeting to a close . Ihe musical arrangements were of a very high order , the overture to " £ ampa , " led by Bro . F . Delevanti , being received with loud and prolonged applause .
MIDDLETON . —Imperial George Lodge ' ( No , 7 S ) . —The installatian meeting of this antique lodge , dating from 1753 , and one ot the oldest in East Lancashire , took place at the Assheton Arms Hotel , on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Bros . J . W . Lees , W . M . ; Frank R . Roberts , S . W . ; F . Entwistle , J . W . ; Harvey Haywood , P . M ., P . G . S . D ., Treas . ; Tom Lawton
, Sec . ; Robt . Hilton , S . D . ; C . Hartley , J . D . ; J . Thorpe , 1 . 0 . } J . O . Jelly , W . H . Wellington , P . M . ; E . Dodd P . M . ; Peter Lawton , P . M ., D . C ; R . Burttes , P . M . JohnGarhck , P . M . ; E . Swarden , J . M . Smethurst , W . Dunkerley , T . W . Jones , J . Overton , John Lee , A . Ashwenh , James Millerton , W . H . Harlow , S . Brown , and R . VV . Harrison . Visitors : J . W . Abbutt , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; McKellan
S . M . , P . M ., P . G . D . D . C . West Lanes . ; Thos . Stopford , W . M . 1077 ; Geo . Sam . Smith , P . M . 1134 ; W . Barnes Russell , VV . M . 1219 ; W . T . Allitt , I . P . M ., and P . Dottie , P . M . of 993 ; Geo . Redlern , 1993 ; John Pritchard , W . M . 152 ; J . Goss , 2156 ; Henry ivj . Wilson , 1077 ; E . Scholfield , 277 ; A . Whittaker , Saml . Mills , 1077 ; T . E . Rigby , W . M . 1 055 ; A . Jackson , 1633 : and A . Whitcombe and E . Newton of 1077 .
'Ihe lodge was opened by Bro . J . VV . Lees , VV . M ., and the mir . utcs of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditor ' s annual repo . t was also submitted to the brethren , which was pronounced satisfactory to all present . The ballot was then taken for a joining brother , which proved favourable . Ihe lod ge was opened , and the chair taken by Bro . R . Burttes , P . M ., Installing Master on this occasion , Bro . Frank Roberts , S . W . ( M . M . elect ) , was presented by Bro . E . Dodd , P . M ., and after the usual
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
brethren most sincerely and heartily for the honour they had clone him both in proposing and drinking his health , and for spontaneously bursting out into harmony , which he could assure them was music to his ears , because he knew they meant it . He did not think he need tell them he would try and do his very best during his year of office
for the benefit of the lodge , and if at the close of the term the brethren expressed their satisfaction to him , he should feel amply repaid . The W . M . then proposed " The Installing Master , and Father of the Lodge , Bro . Valentine , " who would know he felt just as much in saying a few words as if he spoke for an hour . He recollected that when he was initiated
Bro . Valentine proposed his health , and he had always looked on Bro . Valentine as a pattern in Freemasonry to imitate . It was a treat to hear Bro . Valentine work any ceremony in Freemasonry , particularly the installation ceremony . The brethren knew that every word Bro . Valentine uttered was given from the heart , and that he meant what he said , even to the very syllable . And he therefore asked the brethren to drink his health— "Our noblest brother and our truest man . "
Bro . Valentine , P . M ., in responding , said the W . M . told them he did not need words to make them feel what he meant , and the W . M . ' s words were few . Few as those words were , they spoke volumes , and he was very much complimented by the quotation , " Our noblest brother and our truest man , " although he did not think he deserved that honour . Tennyson , when he wrote it , intended it to
apply to one of the Knights of the Round Table , whose object was to assist the widow , the old and aged , to succour the orphan . Well , he was anxious to be one of the truest men and one of the noblest of the Masonic Round fable , whose object was the same as that of King Arthur and his knights . One word upon their old gatheringsand the working of the Albion Lodge , more especially the installation . He
had come down to this installation at great inconvenience to himself ( not being at all well , and the weather being against him ) , because he wanted to keep up the old working of the lodge . He did not mean to say that no other brother could have performed the installation , but there was no lodge worked the third portion of the ceremony in the same way as the Albion Lodge . One hundred years
ago Masonry was divided into norih and south . One portion becams very lax in the performance of the ceremonies . That went on for a number of years , when a young Irish Mason came from Dublin , who was only a journeyman painter , but he set to work , and by his talents he became Grand Secretary of Masons in England and the ruling power of Masonry . That brother thought the
meetings of Masons should be re-modelled , and he set up a system of his own of Ancient Masonry , and then the ceremonies , according to the "Ancients , " became the ceremonies of England , which were worked up to a certain point to this very day . One of those ceremonies , introduced by Bro . Uermott , was the installation , with the exception of an alteration he ( Bro . Valentine ) had made in two of the paragraphs , as he ( Bro . Valentine ) had worked
it that day : it was in the language of Dermott 1 S 0 years ago . The brethren might think Bro . Dermott was nothing to them , but had hisworkingof theceremony nothing todo with them ? At that time he was a leading member of Lodge No . 5 , and Lodge No . 5 was now the Albion Lodge , No . 9 . Consequently this Albion Lodge was the birthplace of theceremony of installation as he ( Bro . Valentine ) had worked it that
night . Many innovations had taken place in regard to the ceremony ; it had been emasculated and jumbled together in a great measure ; things had been omitted and other things added until the ritual had become ungrammatical , and what it had never been intended to be . At the beginning of the present century the question arose in Giand Lodge whether the installation ceremony should be
a landmark which should not be altered . A Committee was appointed , and one of the members of the Committee was a member of the Albion Lodge . Therefore , it would be seen that Grand Lodge recognised the interest of the Albion Lodge in the production of a scheme . The brother then on the Council was Bro . Kant , and Bro . Kant installed him ( Bro . Valentine ) in the chair of King Solomon .
Individually , he would not like that ceremony of installation to die away , and he thought they should preserve it as it was drawn up by and engrafted on the Albion Lodge . He remembered the words of one of their Installin g Masters— "I cannot install anymore brethren ; there is no one in the lodge can do it but one—that is yourself , Bro . Valentine ; will you do it ? " He promised him he would ,
and he did it , and he had carried that promise out down to the present moment . He wanted the brethren of the Iodge to do the same ; and if the lodge chose to accept his services , he , with the assistance of Bro . Olroyd , would teach the brethren , the lodge of instruction devoting two evenings during their session to learning the ceremony , and then they would still have the ancient Albion ceremony of
installation perpetuated—the installation ceremony of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , and not of the modern Masons of the present day . Bro . Valentine concluded by thanking the brethren most heartily for the toast . Bro . VV . Willey , P . M ., proposed "The Initiates , " of whom he was very pleased to see a trio that evening . The Albion Lodge did not aspire to be a large lodge ; they liked
to be select , and when they left the lodge to be able to know each other as well . He was very much impressed with the way in which the VV . M . performed the ceremony , and felt sure that the initiates must have been equally impressed . He exhorted the newly-made brethren to be good Masonsj and to attend the Albion Lodge of Instruction as often as they could—it met every Friday at the Mitre in Chancerylane—and they would there obtain a knowledge of the good
working of Masonry , and by this and their attendance at the lodge meetings would become impregnated with Masonry , and with the Masonry of the Albion Lodge . He hoped they would perfect themselves for going into office , and it would be a great pleasure to him and all the brethren of the lodge to see them on a future occasion fillin" - the various offices of the lodge , and ultimatel y going into the Master ' s chair .
Bros . Wallach , Gerrish , and Meyers respectively responded , expressing the interest they had taken in the ceremony , promising attention to Bro . Willey ' s exhortations , and hoping to fulfil all his wishes . The W . M ., in giving "The P . M . ' s , " said that all those
brethren were well known to the members ot the lodge ; their good deeds had spoken for themselves . He would ask the brethren ' s attention to this quotation from Shakespeare's King Henry IV ., attached to the toast of the P . M . s : " Being men of such great leading that you fore-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
see not what impediments drag back . " The brethren might rely upon it that there was more took place than they were aware of in lodge . The officers knew it ; the Past Masters more particularly knew it , and they did their best to smooth the way in the lodge for the happiness of the brethren . He only hoped the brethren would take pattern by the P . M . ' s , and endeavour to obtain the same
rank as they , and get the confidence of the brethren . Bro . Bickerton , I . P . M ., in reply , said , were he an orator , which he was not , had he plenty of time , which he had not , because there were four more toasts to follow , and four more pieces of harmony and humour to listen to , and were he not a Past Master , which he was , he could tell them much about them ; but , being only young among
them , it was only his duty to thank the VV . M . very sincerely for proposing , and the brethren for the honour they had done the Past Masters in drinking the health of the Past Masters . But he felt he ought to say a word or two for the Past Masters because he had seen most of them—all but four—working in the chair ; he could not go so far back as Bro . Valentine , with his 42
years . He had seen Bro . Valentine work , and had never seen him do anything but what he would wish to imitate him in , and he trusted he should be spared to follow in his footsteps . That should also be the aim of every brotherto follow in the footsteps of their forefathers , and he looked upon the Past Masters as such , and in that character thanked the brethren most heartily for the toast .
Bros . Noehmer and Pettigrew responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . Harvey , P . M ., Sec , proposed as a special toast " The Masonic Press , " stating that hitherto the Albion Lodge meetings had never been reported , which was entirely the fault of the lodge for not inviting the press . The brethren , however , had determined to turn over a new
leaf and have their proceedings published . Bro . H . Massey responded . The other toasts were " Ihe Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler ' s toast . T he W . M . in giving the officers reminded the brethren that the lodge of instruction met at Bro . Drew ' s , the Mitre ,
Chancery-lane , every Friday evening , at seven prompt . The pioceedings were then brought to a close . The evening , which was most agreeable throughout , was rendered additionally pleasant by the musical performances of Bros . Herbert Schartau , Edward Dalzell , VV . Coates , R . De Lacy , and G . A . Pritchard ,
QUEEN'S WESTMINSTER LOD 3 E ( No . 2021 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on Tuesday , December iSth , and proved one of the most important held during the existence of this flourishing lodge . There were present Bros . C . P . Bellerby , W . M . ; Alex . Jones , S . W . ; P . G . Canning , J . W .: G . Lambert , P . G . S . B ., P . M ., Treas . ; Geo .
Coop , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . R . Hunt , S . D . ; F . W . King , don , J . D . ; C . Godfrey , D . C ; W . J . Row and R . J . Harnell , Stwds . ; F . Delevanti , Org . ; T . Bradley , Tyler ; C . Probyn , P . M . ; R . Payne , P . M . ; C , Kempton , P . M . ; H . C . Lambert , I . P . M . ; W . Fowler , E . Rosenberger , M . Rossel , R . W . Shipway . R . B . Shipway , E . Holiis , M . Angel , E . Russell , E . Keed ^
C . Day , H . G . Carew , F . Ford , H . Grosslie , C . Thompson , T . Philip , F . Dray , A . Oakes , VV . Treadwell , J . Mellings , G . Andrews , G . Prendergast , L . Giinzell , J . B . Jordan , J . Davy , H . Oakshette , J , Hodges , H . Carter , G . Merryweather , G . H . Underaown , VV . Girdlestone , j . Walter . * , H . Manning , Knight , Daniel Hone , E . P . Delevanti , VV . Mundell , and E . Bellerby . Visitors : Bros . Col . Shadwell
H . Clerke , G . Sec ; Thos . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., VV . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; W . B . Williamson , Deputy G . M . Worcestershire ; 1 . Zacharie , Deputy G . M . California ; H . Gross , W . M . 1314 ; G . Dickinson , W . M . 16 S 1 ; A . C . Ansbacker , P . M . 73 ; J . Gawath , P . M . and Stc . 2045 ; G . Padmore , 523 ; S . T . Saunders , PP . G . C . Middx . ; J . Bladon , 1 S 39 ; G .
Hoare , 1313 ; C . Wetzlar , J . W . 141 ; E . St . Clair , W . M . 2060 ; H . Blunden , P . M . S 6 j ; A . R . Cranch , W . M . 121 G ; F . Turner , S . W . 1216 ; W . H . Harvey , 1216 ; A . Carter , P . J . G . D . Kent ; G . Gardner , P . M . 2012 ; F . O . Walker , VV . M . 1962 ; T . G . Newton , J . W . 5 69 ; H . J . Peilatt , 1194 ; VV . Wilson , P . G . P . ; VV . Woodward , P . M . 1920 ; Chas . Isaacson , S . W . 1321 ; T .
J . Head , 1791 ; J . Corner , 312 ; C . Lambert , J . W . 19 ^; Eugene Monteuuis , P . M . 2000 ; J . R . Harnell , S . D . 511 ; I . W . Lee , W . M . 19 S ; R . Cornise , 1319 ; T . Owen , P . M . 1287 ; VV . McDougal , P . M . 1962 ; E . Beesun , P . M . 1321 ; R . P . Shiell , 34 ; VV . Kedge , 749 ; G . Groves , 551 ; R . W . Williams , S . W . 19 S ; T . D . Rees , 533 ; VV . H . Neardon , 171 ; R . Rowuotham , 1624 ; J .
C . Hambleton , 1319 ; VV . Ii . Collens , P . M . 766 ; R . U . Tyler , 219 ( I . C . ) ; S . Watkin , 1257 ; R . Burdett , 569 ; G . Harris , 533 ; W . Robinson , S 60 ; R . E . Goffin , P . G . D . C . Surrey ; T . Bullock , P . M . 19 ; VV . Cleghorn , P . M . 12 S 7 ; and other brethren . Lodge was opened in form , and the minutes of the lodge of emergency and the last regular meeting were read and
confirmed . Bro . G . Coop , P . M . and Sec , having taken the chair , raised Bros . Holiis and Angel in a most excellent and impressive manner , after which Bro . Rossel was passed . The W . M . having resumed the . chair , a ballot was taken for Mr . D . Hone , and proved unanimous in his favour , and being in attendance , Mr . Hone was initiated by the VV . M . in a most efficient manner . Bro . F . Delevanti , who had
proposed the VV . M . elect , Bro . A . Jones , into Masonry in the West Middlesex Lodge , 1612 , having occupied the chair , by special permission of the VV . M ., installed Bro . Jones in splendid style , Bro . Williamson , D . P . G . M . Worcestershire , specially complimenting the lodge upon its efficient working . Several letters and telegrams were received from brethren
unable to be present , many in consequence of the dense fog that prevailed , particularly in the suuurbs of London . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner , personally superintended by Bro . T . Hamp , manager of the Holborn Restaurant , and which was most efficiently and admirably served . Grace having been sung by a musical party provided by
Bro . E . Delevanti , 'lheW . M ., in rising to propose the first toast of the evening , '_ 'Ihe Queen and the Craft , " said he had no hesitalion in coupling the name of the Craft with that of her Most Gracious Majesty , as he was convinced that there was no more loyal body of men under her sway than the Freemasons of this country .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
_ . -a In proposing the toast of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the VV . M . said that , as Masons , they felt it a great honour to be presided over by the " first gentleman in the land , " and one who had made himself so popular with every class of the community ; and he thought the brethren would agree with him in saying that , if the G . A . O . T . U . should in His own rrood time see ( it tr > rail
upon him to rule over them , he would be the most popular monarch that has ever ruled over the destinies of this mighty Empire . The toast of " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was most ably responded to by Bro . Fenn ,
Pres . Bd . Gen . Purps ., and in a few words by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , who said that he was amazed at the rapid stiide the lodge had made since he had the pleasure of consecrating it some years ago , and he trusted it would continue in its career of prosperity and Masonic usefulness .
Bro . Chas . P . Bellerby , I . P . M ., said he had great pleasure in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., Bro . Alex . Jones , " whom he had been intimately acquainted with for many years , who was his father in Masonry , having proposed him some years since in the West Middlesex Lodge , No . 1612 , which had contributed several valuable members to the lodge as founders , & c ;
he had also the pleasure of working with Bro . Jones in the regiment which gave name to the lodge , and which they were all so much attached to , and , in conclusion , wished the VV . M . a prosperous and happy year of office , which would receive from him every support as I . P . M . The W . M ., having thanked the brethren for the exceeding cordiality with which they had received the toast ,
said that now he had the felicity of placing upon the breast of the I . P . M ., Bro . Bellerby , the gold jewel of the lodge , awarded him unanimously by the brethren for the excellent manner in which he had presided over them , both in the lodge and the banquet table , during the past 12 months , and trusted that lor many years he would be enabled to wear it in pleasing remembrance of his very
happy year of office . Bro . G . Lambert , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., Treas ., then said the W . M . had entrusted him with the gavel for the purpose of proposing the toast of " I he Visitors , " and , in doing so , said that it would be probably within the memory of most of the brethren that a Masonic Rifle Match , consisting of 10 members lrom each of the Volunteer lodges of the
Metropolis , viz ., the Queen ' s Westminster , the London Rifle Brigade , the 1 st Surrey , and the South Middlesex , had taken place at Cheltenham during the autumn , and was won , after an exciting contest , by the Queen ' s with a few points only to the good . A wish having been generally expressed to make the match an annual event , he had great pleasure in offering for their acceptance the gavel he
then held ( which was a very handsome and usetul present , being mounted in silver with the coats of arms of the competing regiments , also in silver , around it ) , thesametobe held by the VV . M . of the winning lodge for twelve months , and to be at the installation of each new VV . M . of the four lodges . The same to be called , by general desire , " The Lambert Challenge Gavel . " He greeted and welcomed the whole
ot the visitors present , and coupled with the toast the names of the VV . M . of the London Rifle Brigade , Bro . Walker ; the W . M . of 1 st Surrey , Bro . A . K . Cranch ; the VV . M . of the South Middlesex ; also the VV . M . of La France Lodge , Bro . E . St . Clair , and Bro . Alderman Williamson , of the Province and loyal city of Worcester . These brethren suitably and eloq uently responded .
ftie W . M . then gave the toast of "Ihe Initiate , " which was replied to by Bro . Hone in a most effective and telling manner , fairly rousing the brethren to enthusiasm . The toast of " l'he P . M . ' s" was then given , including Bros . C . Bellerby , I . P . M . ; G . Lambert , C . Probyn , R . Payne ( whose year of office the VV . M . said was signalled with such perlection of working as few could equal and
none excel ) , H . Lambert , G . Coop , Sec . ; and Delevanti , Org . ; the latter being desired by the W . M . to step forward to enable him to be invested with the P . M . 's collar and the gold jewel of the lodge , unanimously voted by the brethren 111 recognition of his valuable services since the formation of the lodge . Bro . F . Delevanti suitably responded in one of his usual
characteristic and eloquent speeches . Bro . G . Coop , in responding to the toast of "The Secretary , " made a strong appeal to the brethren to support his list of subscriptions for the Old People , of which Institution he was a Steward for the forthcoming Festival .
Ihe officers of the lodge having each responded to the toast of their health , the lyler ' s toast broug . it a most enjoyable and successtul meeting to a close . Ihe musical arrangements were of a very high order , the overture to " £ ampa , " led by Bro . F . Delevanti , being received with loud and prolonged applause .
MIDDLETON . —Imperial George Lodge ' ( No , 7 S ) . —The installatian meeting of this antique lodge , dating from 1753 , and one ot the oldest in East Lancashire , took place at the Assheton Arms Hotel , on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Bros . J . W . Lees , W . M . ; Frank R . Roberts , S . W . ; F . Entwistle , J . W . ; Harvey Haywood , P . M ., P . G . S . D ., Treas . ; Tom Lawton
, Sec . ; Robt . Hilton , S . D . ; C . Hartley , J . D . ; J . Thorpe , 1 . 0 . } J . O . Jelly , W . H . Wellington , P . M . ; E . Dodd P . M . ; Peter Lawton , P . M ., D . C ; R . Burttes , P . M . JohnGarhck , P . M . ; E . Swarden , J . M . Smethurst , W . Dunkerley , T . W . Jones , J . Overton , John Lee , A . Ashwenh , James Millerton , W . H . Harlow , S . Brown , and R . VV . Harrison . Visitors : J . W . Abbutt , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; McKellan
S . M . , P . M ., P . G . D . D . C . West Lanes . ; Thos . Stopford , W . M . 1077 ; Geo . Sam . Smith , P . M . 1134 ; W . Barnes Russell , VV . M . 1219 ; W . T . Allitt , I . P . M ., and P . Dottie , P . M . of 993 ; Geo . Redlern , 1993 ; John Pritchard , W . M . 152 ; J . Goss , 2156 ; Henry ivj . Wilson , 1077 ; E . Scholfield , 277 ; A . Whittaker , Saml . Mills , 1077 ; T . E . Rigby , W . M . 1 055 ; A . Jackson , 1633 : and A . Whitcombe and E . Newton of 1077 .
'Ihe lodge was opened by Bro . J . VV . Lees , VV . M ., and the mir . utcs of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditor ' s annual repo . t was also submitted to the brethren , which was pronounced satisfactory to all present . The ballot was then taken for a joining brother , which proved favourable . Ihe lod ge was opened , and the chair taken by Bro . R . Burttes , P . M ., Installing Master on this occasion , Bro . Frank Roberts , S . W . ( M . M . elect ) , was presented by Bro . E . Dodd , P . M ., and after the usual