Ladies' Banquet At The Burgoyne Lodge, No. 902.

LADIES' BANQUET AT THE BURGOYNE LODGE , No . 902 .

The first ladies' night held in connection with the above lodge took place al Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 24 th ult ., and the success which attended the proceedings doubtless caused some of the members to wish tho experiment had been tried before . The fact that the regular lodge meeting fell this year on her Majesty ' s birthday was regarded as a singular coincidence happening in the Diamond Jubilee year , and the W . M ., Bro . E . W . Pillinger , who has thrown a considerable amount of zeal and energy into the performance of his duties , was heartily supported in his desire to have the company of the ladies on the festive

occasion . The ordinary work of the lodge was not allowed , however , to suffer on account of the subsequent festivities , for at an early hour in the afternoon the W . M . and officers were in their places to commence a heavy agenda of business . The minutes were read . Bros . Bcnnct and Frost were raised lo the Third

Degree and Mr . C . Mayston was duly initiated into Freemasonry . The election for W . M . then took place , the choice falling unanimously upon Bro . Butcher , S . W . The Treasurer and Tyler were both unanimously re-elected . On the motion of the S . W . a handsome Past Master's jewel was voted to Bro . Pillinger , W . M ., in consideration of his valuable services to the lodge . A sum of 10 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys to be placed on the Steward ' s list of Bro . Butcher , S . W . Other business was transacted and the lodge was closed .

I he guests were cordially welcomed on their arrival by the W . M . and Mrs . Pillinger , and after a brief interval of introductions and pleasant conversation the company , numbering 130 , adjourned to the banquet room . Bro . Clemow , the genial proprietor , had been well supported in his endeavours to ensure success by the assistance of his able lieutenant , Bro . Wallace , and the tables were tastefully decorated and illuminated by small electric lights , ingeniously arranged in tasteful devices .

1 he banquet was well served and heartily enjoyed , while a program me of instrumental music was performed by a band under the direction of Mr . Walter Day . Previous to the commencement of a short toast list , a telegram was despatched to her Majesty , respectfully tendering birthday congratulations . The W . M ., in proposing the toast ol "The Queen , " alluded in felicitous terms to the special circumstances under which the company had assembled .

The Queen was in reality a great Freemason , being the daughter of an eminent Grand Master and the mother of the present illustrious head of the Order . The many virtues which adorned their Order were eminently illustrated " us her own person during the last 60 years of public life , by the continual practice of benevolence and Charity . She relieved and consoled all classes by her keen and ready sympathy . Her Court was clear and pure as the noon-day sun ; she was religious without hypocrisy and with all due reverence . As a sovereign , they had

only to look at the immense amelioration of the social condition ol the masses , especially in their metropolis , and the giant strides of science and art , whilst her Majesty was probably the greatest Foreign Minister in the world . With those few words he ( the W . M . ) begged lo propose the health of their Queen—a devoted wife and mother , an eminent sovereign , and a great lady—who had ruled these realms so successfull y , and as true-born Britons they would receive it with the greatest enthusiasm .

The National Anthem was then heartily sung , and " The Health cf H . R . H . the Prince of Wales " was afterwards cordially honoured . Bro . C . COWI . ANI ) , I . P . M ., gave "The Health of the W . M ., " and , in doing so , asked the company assembled to also include the name of Mrs . Pillinger . The members would agree that the W . M . had worked wonders during the past year , and had done an extraordinary amount uf work in the lodge . The W . M . had initialed 12 candidates in six months , and had rendered all the ceremonies

exceedingly well . On that auspicious occasion Bro . Pillinger , W . M ., had done well in providing such a magnificent entertainment and barujuet . The idea had been mooted for a considerable time , and they were heartily pleased to see the ladies present during the Mastership of their present pupular W . M . The W . M . had done his level best to make all thoroughly enjoy themselves , and they would be only too happy to join in wishing Bro . and Mrs . Pillinger many years of happiness to meet them all again .

Bro . E . W . PiM . ixr ; eu , W . M ., in reply , said : I am extremely gratified , I can assure you , at what the I . P . M . has said about myself and my wife on this occasion . I heartily appreciate those remarks arid also the manner in which you have received them . 1 can only say that when 1 began my term ol olT . ce 1 was determined to do my best , and if I have failed in some things , I at least feel that I have your sympathy in my endeavours and what I have tried tu do . As lorn '

as I have health and strength my best wishes will be with you , and I shall look back upon this evening with immense gratification to know that nut only the brethren of this lodge have enjoyed themselves once during my year , but also their wives and sweethearts . 1 hope that all will be spared many years to enjoy , not only their own companionship , but also the companionship of those amongst us at the present lime . 1 thank yon must heartily .

"The Health of llro . Mayston , the Initiate , " was next cordially honoured . In proposing "The Ladies , " the W . M . said it was the first time in the history ot the lodge that ladies had been invited . When considering how they could best celebrate the Jubilee year they thought they could not do better than ask the ladies to join them . The Queen having added grace and dignity to the throne during her long reign , it was surely appropriate that they should ask their wives and sweethearts to dignify their banquet on that , her Majesty ' s birthday . Might " fair thoughts and happy hours attend them , '' and might their sojourn in this hfe be a long one !

llro . H . CKL ' . MIII . KIIUI . MK , in reply , said he did not know why he should be singled out for the greatest distinction of tlie evening . They could not , however , have chosen anyone who would have laboured with a heartier goodwill to do the subject justice . In the name of the ladies , he thanked tliem for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been given . It had been truly said that wheresoever they placed woman—she was an ornament to that place and a treasure to the world . They had sulficient proof in the person of their beloved

Queen -the first lady in the land—whom all the world honoured , and il was to do honour to her Majesty and the ladies present that the liurgoync Lodge had departed from ancient usage and custom , and allowed them lor the first time within its sacred precincts . Human intelligence could not estimate what they owed to woman . Place her among the ( lowers , foster her as a tender plant , she was a thing of waywardness and folly , easily rullled . But let real calamity arise , rouse her affections , kindle the lires of her heart , and mark her then now strong

was her heart . Give her a child or anything else to protect , and see her in a relative instance acting- most heroically to support the helpless . Transplant her to the dark places of the earth , call forth her energies to action , and her breath became a healing , her presence a blessing . I rich by inch , she would dispute the strides ol a stalking pestilence , when nun , the strong and brave , shrunk away pale and affrighted . Misfortune hurt ., her not , lor she wears away her hie in silent endurance . In prosperity she was a bud full oi odours waiting lor the

Ladies' Banquet At The Burgoyne Lodge, No. 902.

winds ol adversity to scatter them abroad . In short , woman was a miracle , a mystery ; the centre from which radiated the charm ot their existence . It was these varied qualities which prompted man , nay , compelled him , to love , honour , and cherish her . Once again he thanked the W . M . and brethren for honouring the toast . " The Secretary of Reception Committee " was cordially given by the W . M ., and

Bro . W . R . LAKTKK , P . M ., in response , said it had been a labour of love to the Committee . The members were greatly pleased that everything so far had gone off so well , and only hoped the ladies would be as pleased at the termination of the proceedings . The speeches were interspersed with songs by Miss Rashleigh , Mrs . Wyatt , and Bros . R . H . Marchbank and White , P . M .

The ladies and brethren then proceeded to the ball-room , where Bros . C . Cowland , I . P . M ., and J . T . Fifield , S . D ., officiated as M . Cs ., and Mr . Walter Day ' s Quadrille Band discoursed sweet music , and dancing was enjoyed with zest until a late hour . When the hour of departure arrived the guests departed with many thanks lo the W . M . and brethren , mingled with hearty congratulations on the magnificent success achieved , and a firm resolution to be present again at some future date , when Ihe successful experiment of a ladies' evening will doubtless be repealed .

The company included Mrs . and Bro . Pillinger , W . M ., and party ; Mrs . and Bro . Butcher , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Bro . W . Bean , J . W . ; Mrs . and Bro . G . Gabb , Treas . ; Mrs . and Bro . Rashleigh , I . P . M . ; Mrs . and Bro . Mayston ; Mrs . and Bro . Norrington ; Mrs . and Bro . C . E . W . Pillinger ; Bros . W . R . Larter , P . M ., R . H . Marchbank ; and many others .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL GEORGE LODGE , Nu . 2643 .

About six months ago a few ardent members of the Craft considered the time had arrived when a lodge under the English Constitution should be established in Krugcrsdorp . A few meetings were held , and some brethren were appointed lo sound the District Grand Lodge on the matter and see if it was not possible to get a charter . Bro . R . F . Wallis was the moving spirit in the movement , and his efforts were ably seconded by Bro . \ V . J . P .

Kelly . After due consideration the District Grand Lodge consented to recommend the Grand Lodge to comply with the wishes of the Krugersdorp brethren . The Roodepoort Lodge , through its indefatigable W . M ., Bro . Lloyd ,. came to the aid of Bro . Wallis and his little party , and gave them leave to commence operations by holding lodges of instruction under the sheltering wing of that lodge . An application was made for a charter ,

10 names of good and true Masons being obtained for the purpose . Many more could have been got , but it being understood that others who joined later could come in as foundation members , the application was sent off "" with only the number stated . It was expected that all formalities would be arranged so as to start the lodge in January last , but owing lo misunderstandings , quibbling , and neglect , month after

month went by and tlie wishes of the brethren here seemed no nearer realisation than al the start . The name chwen -St . Gsorge—was the subject ol end ' ess correspondence . It was found that a lodge bearing the same name was already in existence in the district . Sundry changes were then suggested , until at last the question was settled by the arrival of the charter giving the name as the Royal George . The next difficulty was in regard to

the first officers of the lodge . The District Grand Lodge decided that only those who signed the application were foundation members , Ihe others who gave their names in afterwards having to be proposed as joining members after the 1 o—or such of them as were lell had formed themselves into a lodge , As the W . M . and the Secretary were the only permanent ollicers selected from this limited circle , it was decided to put olf the investiture of the officers

generally till all obstacles were overcome , and instal the VV . M . only on the day of consecration . Bro . Da Silva , the D . G . S ., who was lo have undertaken the chief duties ol the ceremony , lirst fixed it for the 14 th of April and then altered it to the 21 st . livery preparation was made to ensure success for the proceedings , but unfortunately Bro . Da Silva was at the last moment compelled to abandon his intention oi

attending owing to the dangerous illness of his w . fe . He cist about tor some one to take his place , and finally persuaded Bro . B > yes to do the lionou is . The ceremony was fixed for half-past live , but as the Consecrating Officer and his party only arrived by the train due at that hour , it was after six before the proceedings commenced . tiros . Boyce acted as D . G . M . ; Dr . Kxton , 1 ) . S . G . W . ; Howard Harris ,

D . J . G . W . ; Lloyd , D . S . G . D . ; Smith , D . J . G . D . ; Herschlield , G . D . C . ; C . II . ' Webster , D . G . Chap . ; M . Seeholf , D . I . G . ; Klagsburn , D . G . Tyler ; and M . Young , K . A . M ., 'discharged the duties of Organist . There was a large attendance of brethren , who co nprised the foundation and joining members of the Royal George , members of the Libsrlas and Roodepoort Lodges , and a number of visitors , upwards of one hundred l ^ ing present .

The lodge was most tastefully decorated , lugs , banners , and bannerettes , being ranged round the walls in quite an artistic inamer , whilst evergreen > were festooned across the room . Tlie furniture and accessories were nicely arranged , and with the draperies made a really splendid picture . The decorations were in the capable hand * of Bro . Freeman , who deserves credit for the excellent manner , in which lis carried out his labour

ol love . The D . G . Tyler and Bro . Soundy , the Tyler of the lodge , also rendered valuable assistance in this part of the work . After the brethren had assembled the CONSECRATING Oi't'tciiK opened up the lodge in the Three Degrees . He then gave a short address on the motive of the meeting , and was follo . ved by the CIIAIM . AIN with an introductory prayer .

The ACTING S UCJUKTAKV staled the wants ol the brethren , who were then arranged in order whilst the petition and warrant were read . The usual routine connected with such occasions was gone through , alter which the elements of consecration were disposed after the approved fashion .