Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

R EPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry 531 Scotland 532 Knights Templar' 332 United Grand Lodge 532 Early Grand Encampment , Scotland 533 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 533 Resignation of the Grand Master 1 : 34

The Secrecy of Freemasonry 534 The Plymouth Question 53 * * CORRESPONDENCE . — The Royal Visit to Plymouth 535 " Whnt Better Theme than Freemasonry ? " 53 6 The Secrecy of Freemasonry 1 * 36 Provincial Grand Lodge 537 Lodge Meetings for nextweek ** 37 Advertisements 529 530 534 538 539 54 °

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

foft UlESuitrij . —•PRESCOT . —Lodge nf Loj / nliy ( No . 86 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of Lodge of Loyalty , No . 86 , was held at the King ' s Arms , Prescot , on Wednesday , 26 th ult ., and Bro . J . W . J . Fowler , P . M ., afterwards called attention to the fact that since their last monthly meeting , Bro . T .

Sephton , who for an uninterrupted period of 25 years had been Tyler of the lodge , had been called away by death , after a long and severe illness . The deceased was well known , not only to the members of the old Lodge of Loyalty , but to the brethren in this district generally , and until disabled bv sickness he was a most efficient officer .

On the motion of Bro . Fowler a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the deceased was unanimously adopted , and ordered to be forwarded to them . Bro . Coward , who for some months past has temporarily discharged the duties of Tyler , was formally appointed to that office for the remainder of the year .

TOTTENHAM . —High Cross Lodge ( No . 754 ) . —Wednesday , 26 th inst ., was a red letter day with the members of the High Cross Lodge , held at the Seven Sisters' Hotel , Page Green , Tottenham . The occasion was fixed for the installation of Bro . J . Mailer , the newly-elected

W . M ., and for the opening of the splendid room , built for the accommodation of the brethren and visitors by Bro . Oddy , the enterprising proprietor of the establishment . The hall is a fine apartment , 42 feet by 29 and 17 feet high , all inside measurement . On Wednesday evening ,

decorated as it was with choice flowers , and beautifully cnrpeted , the tables surrounded by near ! v ninety brethren , manv wearing jewels of the Craft , and the brilliant lighting bringing out all the details , the scene was certainly a very attractive nne . The lodge was opened soon

after two o ' clock . The preliminary business on the agenda having been disposed of , the installation was proceeded with , Bro . J . Linzell , I . P . M ., discharging the dnties of Installing Master with great ability . The ceremony over , the W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the year .

The next business gave unmixed satisfaction . It was the presentation of a jewel to Bro . T . Cunningham , the Worshipful Master of last year , and the exceedingly cordial manner in which he was greeted , on rising to receive the token of the brethren ' s esteem , proved that the

giift was something more than a mere matter of form . Bro . Cunningham regarded it in that light . He said he was quite sure the jewel had not been presented to him as an empty bauble , but as a sincere expression of the feelings they entertained towards him . He had not occupied

the chair during the year of office with full satisfaction to himself . His deficiencies had manifested themselves on various occasions , but helping hands had always been near •and for the services rendered to him , culminating in the beautiful gift that day , he tendered his heartfelt

thanks . He had now a very pleasing task to perform . He had been requested to ask Bro . Linzell to accept the full Masonic clothing suitable to his position as a Grand Officer . Some of the brethren , recognising the exertions of Bro : Linzell to increase the prosperity of the Hi gh Cross Lodge and to benefit Freemasonry

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

generally , suggested that some slight mark of their appreciation should be offered to him . The idea was warmly taken up ; the result was before them ; and it was hoped that Bro . Linzell would live many years to wear the articles—indeed , that they would grow rusty in his service .

Personally , he ( Bro . Cunningham ) was much indepted to Bro . Linzell for the aid he had given him during the past year , ancl therefore made the presentation with increased pleasure . Bro . Linzeil ( having been invested with the magnifi cent purple and gold clothing ) returned thanks .

He had been taken quite unawares . He had not expected any present , and felt proud of such a signal mark of their esteem towards him . Whatever he had done to raise the status of the High Cross Lodge , or to further Freemasonry in

other directions , not been for his own aggrandisement . He had only been actuated with the desire to add to the comfort and welfare of his fellow men , and if he had succeeded , even to a small extent , the contemplation would afford a sufficient reward for his labours . Still the

present was most gratifying to his feelings , and he trusted he should be spared many years to wear it in the discharge of his duties . Bro . Mailer presided at the banquet , which was of a very superior character , and nothing was wanted to render it a perfect success . There was a

large attendance . The various loyal toasts having been given and received with real Masonic ardour , Bro . Cunningham jftoposed the health ofthe W . M ., and , referring to the splendid room in which they were assembled , prognosticated a most successful reign to the worthy

brother who had succeeded him ( the speaker ) as the head of the lodge . Bro . Mailer responded . He felt proud of having been unanimously elected to the high position he now occupied , and trusted his conduct would justify their choice , and merit their approbation . Next came the health of Bro .

George Martin , who had been initiated that evening , and the new member briefly returned thanks . Bro . Linzell then gave the " Visitors , " which included many prominent members of the metropolitan and provincial lodges . Cordial hospitality had always been a characteristic of the

High Cross Lodge , and he had no reason to believe that the feeling would ever change . On behalf of that lodge he gave all the visiting brethren a most hearty welcome . Several of the visiting brethren returned thanks , expressing their high appreciation of the unusually friendly

manner in which visitors were always treated at the High Cross Lodge , and promising to return favours received whenever opportunity offered . Bro . J . Medcalf expressed himself so pleased with the treatment the Hertford Lodge had received that he wished , on their behalf , to offer

a Tyler ' s sword to the High Cross Lodge , as a memento of the visit . The gift was accepted . Bro . W . Hall said he was charged b y Bro . Binckes , Secretary of tha Boys' School , Wood Green , to express his regret that a long-standing engagement in Dorsetshire prevented his attendance that evening . He ( Bro . Hall ) was afraid

he was not entitled to be described as a " good Mason , " but , knowing that , without healthy bodies there could not healthy minds , belaboured conscientiously as a medical man , to maintain the healthy condition of their bodies . A brother of the Beadon Lodge suggested that every Mason should become a life governor of one ofthe charities connected with the Craft- Bro . Edward

Clarke spoke of the public-spirited Bro . Oddy as a man of whom the Craft ought to be proud . He had put his hand into his pockets to the extent of several hundreds of pounds , for the comfort of the brethren of the High Cross Lodge , and they had much to be thankful for . There was also

a fine Masonic hall at Wood Green , and no parish around London could point to such magnificent rooms as Tottenham now possessed . Wood Green was only a small place , but the members of the Lewis Lodge were always ready to give a sincere welcome to any visiting brethren . [ A telegram was here received from the

Romford Lodge , wishing the officers and members of the High Cross Lodge health and prosperity , and the Romford Lodge received a special toasting for their expressions . ] The health of the Past Masters of the High Cross Lodge followed , and was acknowledged by Bro . Cunningham , who gave " Bro . Linzell , the Installing Master . "

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Bro . Linzell returned thanks in suitable terms j and , with reference to the suggestion of the members becoming life governors , observed that the High Cross Lodge had always taken great interest in the Masonic charities . Some time

ago Bro . Roberts —whose indefatigable exertions on behalf of Masonry were so well knowncarried up no less than 29 life governorships , and the High Cross Lodge has now a society of its own , through which a life governorship was obtained every month , by the payment of small

subscriptions . Again , when a Steward was sent upon behalf of the Girls' School , he took with him nearly £ 100 , so that the High Cross Lodge could not be accused of neglecting the charities ofthe Craft . Bro . Roberts subsequent ! v made

an effective speech on the general position of the lodge , tracing its establishment and growth up to the present time . He congratulated the members on the progress that had been made ; but , having obtained that magnificent room , they must not assume that the climax had been

reached . On the contrary , much remained to be done . Tottenham was extending in size and population , and if the membersput their shoulders to the wheel , with the sincere intention of advancing Freemasonry , the time would come when even the large hall in which they were

assembled would be found too limited for the accommodation ofthe brethren . Bro . Cunningham proposed the " Health of Bro . Oddy , " making special reference to his enterprise and kindness in building the new room for the accommodation of the High Cross Lodge . He

was ever anxious to conduce to the comfort of those with whom he was associated , and his last effort had been most successfully inaugurated that evening . Bro . Oddy acknowledged the toast . He intimated his desire at all times to secure the comfort and p leasure of the brethren , and assured them that it would be his ambition ,

from time to time , to merit their good wishes . As regarded the new room , he had been his own architect and builder , so that , if there were any faults , they rested with himself , and did not attach to any other individual . Other toasts followed , and the most successful meeting ever held under theauspiecesof the High Cross Lodgewas brought to a satisfactory termination .

LIVERPOOL . —Hamer Lodge ( No . 1 . 593 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday evening , tlie 25 th ult ., at the Clarence Hotel , Everton-road , Liverpool , Bro . R . H . Evans , W . M ., presiding . The following officers and brethren were also present : —Bros .

John Jones , I . P . M . ; Henry Jackson , S . W . ; John McCarthy , J . W . ; Edward Dutch , S . D . j Thomas Large , J . D . •R . Price , I . G . ; C . Tyrer , Treas . ; and E . Wilson , Sec . Among the visitors were Bros . J . S . Russell , W . M . 292 ; O . R . Jones , 1 5 ; J . Vaughan , S . D . 86 ; J . Thomas ,

203 ; T . Robinson , 249 ; T . H . Bibby , 67 . 3 ; J . Boyle , 823 ; Thomas Churton , 823 ; j . Whaites , 1031 ;; A . Wylin , 126 4 ; and others . The business on the programme was of an extensive character , six brethren being raised , two initiated , two joining members elected , and several gentlemen proposed for membership . At the

conclusion ofthe business the W . M . presented Bro . John Jones , I . P . M ., with a life governorship in the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , and an elegant marble timepiece , together with a pair of statuettes in bronze . The time piece bore the following inscription : —Presented to

Bro . John Jones , I . P . M ., by the officers and members of the Hamer Lodge No . 1393 , as a token of their appreciation of his valuable services , Massnic ability , and private worth . " The presentation was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Jones .

DAWLISH . —Salem Lodge ( No . 1443 ) - —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , 26 th ult ., at the Town Hall , Dawlish , and was interesting as being the completion of the first year of its existence . The . lodge was opened in due form by Bro . Short , W . M ., assisted by his officers . After some routine

business and balloting for several brethren as members , Mr . VV . Discombe was introduced and initiated . The work was admirably done by the W . M . The chair was then occupied by Bro . T . C . Hallett , I . P . M . No . 303 , Ben-volent , Teignmouth ; and Bro . S . Loram , S . W ., was presented to receive the benefit of installation .