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Reports Of Masonic Meetin
formerly done by Bro . Wicks , and which , by implication , were not quite complimentry to the present host . SITTINGBOURNE . —St . Michael's Lodge ( No . 1273 ) . —The annual installation meeting of the above lodge was held at the St . Michael's Schoolroom on Thursday the 12 th ult ., when Bro . H . Luff , the S . W ., was duly installed as W . M . There was but little other business ,
so that when the minutes had been confirmed , and a candidate balloted for and approved ( but not initiated ) , the installation ceremony was at once proceeded with . The Installing Master was the then W . M ., and now I . P . M ., Bro . Scale , who acquitted himself so thoroughly well as to gain the approval of every one present , and at the conclusion of the ceremony a vote of thanks was , at the instance
of Bro . Goldfinch , heartily accorded to him for his efficient working . The W . M . invested the following as his officers —Bros . H . G . Sutton , S . W . ; J . M . Longhurst , J . W . ; Geo . Payne , Treasurer ; T . Henham , Secretary ; W . Challender , S . D . ; A . F . Lucker , J . D . ; J . Potter , I . G . ; H . Black , D . C ; R . Murrell , Tyler . Other members of the lodge present were : Bros . B . Taylor , I . P . M . ; W . J
Harris , P . M . ; C . Burley , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C . Kent ; J . M . Goldfinch , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Kent ; H . Penfold , P . M ., and several others . Amongst the visitors were Bros , the Rev . W . A . Hill , G . C ; G . Watson , P . M . 1050 , P . G . Reg . Kent ; H . Bathurst , P . M . 133 , P . P . G . Reg . Kent ; F . F . Giraud , P . M . 133 , P . P . J . G . D . ' Kent ; H . S . Naylor , W . M . 1449 , P . G . S . Kent ; A . Ranson , P . M . 1050 ; H .
G . Clarkson , W . M . 1089 ; E . J . Penny , P . M . 1089 ; J * - Griffin , P . M . 1050 ; H . Miskin , S . D . 1449 i M . Barnes , W . M . 1050 ; J . Gambrell , 1050 ; C Tuff , 184 ; J . P , Watts , W . M . 158 ; T . Deane , W . M . 77 ; J . Saffery , J . W 1089 ; W . I-l . Ruskine , W , M . 184 ; J . R . Foord , S . W . 503 ; A . Aubrey , S . D . 127 ; E . Hogben , 133 ; A . Sales , 706 ; A . Barfield , S . W . 35 . The banquet was held at the Bull
Hotel , and did credit to the host , Bro . J . Owens ; he was not however present , owing to a recent bereavement . The Chaplain having said grace thc toast list was proceeded with . " The Queen and the Craft , " and " The M . W . Grand Master , " were briefly , yet ably , proposed by the W . M ., and were of course heartily received . The third toast contained the names of the R . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy
G . M ., and the Grand Officers . In proposing the loast , the W . M . said , he must congratulate the Craft upon having such a Pro Grand Master . He had two or three times lately had to deal with most delicate matters , notably in the matter of the Grand Oiient of France , and more lately in a still more delicate matter , and he had proved himself able to grapple with emergencies . The
qualities required in a ruler were gentleness and firmness , and these were found admirably combined in the Eirl of Carnarvon . He spoke in high terms of the other Grand Officers , and passed a warm eulogy on the worth of Bro . Hill , one of the Grand Chaplains , whose name he coupled with the toast . The Rev . Bro . Hill , in an eloquent speech , said , how proud he felt to find himself associated and
named with such eminent men as those to whom reference had been made . Alluding to the able and thorough manner in which the affairs of Grand Lodge were conducted , he remarked that unless men came well to the front it were well they should not come forward at *> H . He said it so much depended upon the chiefs doing their work thoroughly and well , whether the other officials came
up to their work ; a little laxity at head-quarters was an excellent excuse for laxity elsewhere . It was an honour to Masons to have such men to guide their destinies . We had also the sympathies of our Qaeen , who was the daughter of a Mason , and who had three sons who were Masons . The Rev . Cnaplain then alluded to and reproduced some of the observations which had fallen from the
hari of Carnarvon on the occasion of the inauguration of the Lord Falkland Memorial . The favour of serving under these distinguished men , he told the brethren , he owed not to himself , but to the popularity he had obtained amongst them . Whether he deserved that popularity or not he did not know , but he intended if possible to keep it . Viscount Holmesdale ' s name was next proposed , as Provincial Grand
Master , and very cordially received ; the W . M . believed that as a Provincial Grand Masttr he had no superior , and very few , if any equal * , and this he thought must be the opinion of all who had witnessed the excellent way in which he had conducted the business at the late meeting at Canterbury , the most successful ever held in the province . This toast was followed by that of the Deputy
Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers ; the name of Bro . Payne , one of the Grand Officers and Treasurer of this lod ge , being associated with it . The W . M ., in giving the toast , said that the lodge owed a great debt of gratitude to Bro . Payne ; he was a man that was always at his post , indeed , he thought he might almost say that Bro . Payn . had never failed to
attend lodge , at any rate , he was sure he had always'been there , unless prever . ted b y sickness or some very pressing emergency . They had , moreover , to thank him as their Treasurer for having so long taken care of the deficit for them , although he was glad to say the balance was now in their favour . He thought , too , that never had an honour been more justly deserved than that which the
Provincial Grand Lodge had lately bestowed upon him . Bro . Payne , in a suitable reply , urged upon the younger brethren the necessity of regular attendance , especially if they held office . lie made a touching allusion to the serious illness of Bro . Wood , a P . M . of the lodge , for whom he begged the consideration and prayers ot the lodge . He concluded by making , 1 brief financial statement , showing
how the lodge had nine years ago started in debt , and how that by judicious and careful management they had now a very f . iir balance in his hands . Owing to thc rather awkward train service , some of the toasts which followed bad to be hurried over , in order that that of " The Visitors " might be reached before they were compelled to leave . The toast of the W . M was , of course , enthusiastically re-
Reports Of Masonic Meetin
ceived . To this he made an able response , and in the course of his remarks referred to the sad catastrophes which had lately happened , one of them in their very midst . Relief , he said , was one of the great principles of the Order , and he appealed to the brethren then present to contribute their mites in aid of the sufferers from the foundering of the" Princess llice , " and asked them to respond
as heartily to tins appeal as they had to the last toast . The sum of £ 6 was at once collected , which the W . M . promised to send to the Mansion 1 louse Relief Fund , as a contribution from the Lodge of St . Michael and its visitors . The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Installing Master , the I . P . M ., " whom he complimented upon the zeal and assiduity with which he had performed his duty ,
during the period he had filled the chair , as well as upon his crowning effort in so successfully installing his successor . It gave him great pleasure to pin upon his breast the jewel which the lodge , in recognition of his worth , had voted him . The reception of the toast proved that the brethren heartily appreciated Bro . Scale ' s successful efforts . After Bro . Scale had responded , the W . M . gracefully proposed
" The Visitors , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Barfield , of Lodge No . 35 , who had come all the way from the Isle of Wight to do him honour . Bro . Barfield , in reply , regretted that he had been until that day a perfect stranger to everyone present except their W . M . He had been , he said , mixed up with Masonry for thirty-five years . He compared Masonry as it was then with Masonry
as it is now , and mentioned , in proof of its improvement , that the amount bestowed last year upon charitable purposes reached nearly £ 4 ojooo . Its numbers had lately received vast augmentation , but he was afraid that the bounds had been overstepped in this respect . He fiared some lodges showed hardly sufficient disciimination in the selection of members , and judgingjfriim his own experience
he thought this was particularly thc case in some London lodges . In spite , however , of this fear , he could not help feeling that this was doing a certain amount of good , for he was sure that Masonry would tend to make every man better . He complimented the lodge upon its working , remarking that hc had never seen better in a country lodge . " The Past Masters of the Lodge " were next toasted , for
whom Bro . Penfold responded , and the toast t . f " Thc Officers of the Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Harris , brought the list ' to a close . The music was under the direction of Bro . Aubrey , and during the evening Bro . Arthur Thomas , an excellent tenor , sang some capital songs . Altogether the lodge has every reason to congratulate itself upon so successful a meeting .
CROYDON . —Addiscombe Lodge ( No . 1557 ) . —The installation mectinir of this lodge took place at Harewood House , High-street , Croydon , on Saturday last , and Bro . J . W . Gray was installed by Bros . Frances , P . P . G . D . * , Turquand , P . M . ; and Mulltt , P . M . This being the first time that the lodge has met at a private house , some anxiety was felt , owing to the room never having been
used fur the purposes of Frcemasoniy before . The hall attached to the house is a spacious iron building , used for private concerts , and admirably adapted for a lodge , being sixty-four feet long , seventeen feet wide , and fifteen feet high , with a fine three-man jal organ at the end , which is blown by hydraulic pressure . The ceremonies were commenced by Brr . John Rhodes , P . P . G . O ., playing a grand
march upon the organ , composed by him for the occasion . The degrees were worked by Bro . Parsons Smith , the retiring Master , in a most impressive manner . After the installation , the brethen sat down to an excellent banquet , prepared by J . Mash , of High-st ., Croydon . It was stated during the evening that this year was the first that the lodge had a balance in hand .
HATFIELD . —Cranbourne Lodge ( No . 1580 ) —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday week , at the Red Lion Hotel , ( Bro . Webb ' s . ) Last year the experiment was tried of treating ladies to a day ' s enjoy , ment in that beautiful neighbourhood , and after the lodge work was over entertaining them at the banquet . The experiment proved so successful that it was repeated this
year , and while the brethren were at work in the lodge the ladies were escorted over the grounds of Hatfield House , and through the historical apartments of that building , for which Bros . Thody and J . 3 . Webb , had previously obtained permission from the Marquis of Salisbury . Several brethren accompanied the ladies on this expedition , and for the space of two hours and a half the party , who had
previously been entertained at a luncheon , had the pleasure of walking about the lovely grounds and inspecting the antiquities which abound in the ancient domain of the Cecils . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . William Bausor , and after the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , Bro . J . L . Mather , Prov . G . D . C . Herts , P . M ., initiated Mr . Ford , and then passed Bro . J . H .
Thompson , to the Second Degree . The election of W . M . for thr * ensuing year was afterwards taken , and Bro . Henry Cox , S . W ., was chosen to fill that high and important office . Bro . G . F . Cook was elected Treasurer , and Bro . Steedman , Tyler . After the appointment of the Audit Ccmmittee a vote of thanks was passed to Bros . Thody and J . S . Webb for their kindness in obtaining thc
permission of the authorities at Hatfield House for the ladies and brethren to view it . Lodge was then closed , and the ladies having returned from their tour of inspection , the whole party sat down to a very chnice banquet , provided by Bro . Webb . The company comprised Bros . W . Bausor , W . M . ; H . Cox , S . W . ; T . S . Hellier , as J . W . ; W . Webb , as S . D . ;
J . Ward Verry , I . G . ; W . J . Crutch and Thody , Stewards ; James Terry , Secretary . VV . G . Jennings , ( . Albion ) , J . G . London ; Bowyer , P . M ., Past . P . G . D . ; J . L . Mather , P . G . D . C , P . M . ; W . Cook , Past Prov . G . S . ; J . M . Hare , Prov . G . Steward ; Hamel , Thompson . J . S . Webb , Dare , W . Webb , J . Woodman , P . Woodman , A . Eade , C . H . Reed , R . C .
Reports Of Masonic Meetin
Read , C . K . Killick , the Rev . W . H . W . Caseley , Bed ; ll , Steedman , Dobby , 1287 ; Drummond , P . P ., G . S . B ., P . M . 403 ; Shillitoe , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , Leage , 33 ; and Mrs . Bauson , Mrs . Bowyer , Mrs . Terry , Mrs . Crutch , Mrs . Cox , Mrs . Dobby , Mrs . Jennings , Mrs . London , Miss Woodman , Miss Herbert , Misses Leage ( 2 ) Mrs . Crutch , Mrs . R . H . Halford , Mrs . Payne , Mrs .
Eade , Mrs . Reed , Miss Shillitoe , Mrs . J . S . Webb , jun . Mrs . H . Halford . Miss Strike , and the Misses Hamel , altogether fifty-four ladies and brethren sitting down . After the dinner had been disposed of , thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured . In giving the toast of "The Provincial Grand Master , Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., " the W . M . said , that he felt it au
honour as well as a pleasure to propose this toast . It was doubtless in the recollection of the brethren that Bro . Halsey honoured them with a visit on a recent occasion , and on that occasion the brethren received him with great heartiness . He was not now present , but still it behoved them to drink his health heartily in his absence as well as in his presence . He had only to call upon them to do so to
ensure the toast a cordial reception , because the Provincial Grand Master of Herts was a man that was well-known among them , and was well respected , in addition to being a thorough good working Mason . This toast having been drunk the W . M . proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Past and Present . " He said that in doing ' so he must ask the brethren to drink the toast with all heartiness
and sincerity , seeing that th : y had a Present Provincial Grand Officer present whom they wished to do honour to . That brother was Bro . Terry . ( Cheers ) . He was sure that no words of his were needed to give eelat to the toast . Bro . Terry had been so long connected with them , and was
so much esteemed in Masonry in other places , that an explanation of what he had done was not necessary in any assembly of Freemasons . What he had done would occur to all the brethren ; and when he said all the brethren he wished them to understand that he did not
mean the brethren of the Cranbourne Lodge only . All the brethren of the Cranbourne Lodge would put their shoulders tothe wheel to do him honour , and they had placed their mites together to testify to him by subscribing to a testimonial of their high appreciation of his character and attainments . This hid been done without any communication with Bro . Terry , who came into that room that evening
perfectly ignorant of what was in store for him . It afforded him ( the W . M . ) the greatest pleasure to present to Bro , Terry a gold jewel of the office of Provincial Grand Junior Warden , to be attached to his collar , and he was quite sure it could not give any brother greater pride to present that jewel than it did to himself ( the W . M . ) It had been made in such a form that it could be either attached to Bro .
Terry ' s collar or worn by him on his breast . The inscription on the jewel was " Presented to Bro . James Terry , Provincial Grand Junior Warden of Hertfordshire , by thc members of the Cranbourne Lodge , No . 1580 , to mark the esteem and the love in which he is held . Sept , 18 7 8 . " Addressing Bro . Terry , the W . M . said , I need not say that I am exceeding pleased to be in the proud position of
placing this upon your breast , and I am sure that whenever you look at it you will not value it so much for its intrinsic worth as for the inscription on the back of it , which says that it is presented out of esteem and love for you . Bro . Terry , in acknowledging the gift said , W . M ., Bro . Wardens and brethren , accustomed though I am to public speaking , and having had for some years now the pleasure
and the privilege of addressing very many of my brethren and very large audiences , yet upon the present occasion I certainly must say I have been taken entirely by surprise , and scarcely know how to express myself . In the first place permit mc to thank you , on behalf of the D . Prov . G , M . of this province and thc rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , for the very kind manner in which their
names have been received among you , and to assure you that I deeply regret that we have not the presence of the D . P . G . M . with us , inasmuch as the knowledge that had hebeen here wc should have had a highly intellectual treat in the response which he would have given to this toast . For the Grand Officers Past , wecan only speak of them for what they have done ; we know full well their merits have been recognised and
acknowledged by the Prov . G . M ., and they would not have had their collars bestowed upon them if they had not been worthy of them . For the Present Grand Officers I can only say we have scarcely been tried yet ; we are only just in collar , and we have not had a public opportunity of displaying our ability ; but I have no doubt the collars would not have been conferred upon them if the eyes of the Prov .
G . M . had not been previously upon them for what they had done . Bro . Drummond represents the oldest lodge in thc province , and I see no representative of any other lodge in the province present except our own . Therefore , I think it is something to say that within two years five of us can stand up and show that we are Provincial Grand Officers . Well now , Sir , you have positively overwhelmed me , I have
to acknowledge again thc receipt of a testimonial . I say " again , " because this is not the first time I have had the honour of a presentation ; but I have now also , to thank you for your great kindness of manner in presenting this one to me , and the very kind words which you have used in making the presentation . I am sure I can but thank you and the members of the lodge for having gone out of
your way in marking my advent to power by such a gift . For myself , I prize it very highly , and also the agreeable way in which it comes to me . It is one of those gifts which come to a man totally unexpected , for I can certainly say I knew nothing-about it . I may also say it is
undeserved , for I have done very little indeed in this lodge , I have been merely your Secretary ; but I can also say that in that capacity I have endeavoured to do my duty to the utmost of my ability . Looking at the two W . M . ' s who have preceded you , worshipful sir , although I may have done very slight things for the lodge , it conjures up before
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Reports Of Masonic Meetin
formerly done by Bro . Wicks , and which , by implication , were not quite complimentry to the present host . SITTINGBOURNE . —St . Michael's Lodge ( No . 1273 ) . —The annual installation meeting of the above lodge was held at the St . Michael's Schoolroom on Thursday the 12 th ult ., when Bro . H . Luff , the S . W ., was duly installed as W . M . There was but little other business ,
so that when the minutes had been confirmed , and a candidate balloted for and approved ( but not initiated ) , the installation ceremony was at once proceeded with . The Installing Master was the then W . M ., and now I . P . M ., Bro . Scale , who acquitted himself so thoroughly well as to gain the approval of every one present , and at the conclusion of the ceremony a vote of thanks was , at the instance
of Bro . Goldfinch , heartily accorded to him for his efficient working . The W . M . invested the following as his officers —Bros . H . G . Sutton , S . W . ; J . M . Longhurst , J . W . ; Geo . Payne , Treasurer ; T . Henham , Secretary ; W . Challender , S . D . ; A . F . Lucker , J . D . ; J . Potter , I . G . ; H . Black , D . C ; R . Murrell , Tyler . Other members of the lodge present were : Bros . B . Taylor , I . P . M . ; W . J
Harris , P . M . ; C . Burley , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C . Kent ; J . M . Goldfinch , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Kent ; H . Penfold , P . M ., and several others . Amongst the visitors were Bros , the Rev . W . A . Hill , G . C ; G . Watson , P . M . 1050 , P . G . Reg . Kent ; H . Bathurst , P . M . 133 , P . P . G . Reg . Kent ; F . F . Giraud , P . M . 133 , P . P . J . G . D . ' Kent ; H . S . Naylor , W . M . 1449 , P . G . S . Kent ; A . Ranson , P . M . 1050 ; H .
G . Clarkson , W . M . 1089 ; E . J . Penny , P . M . 1089 ; J * - Griffin , P . M . 1050 ; H . Miskin , S . D . 1449 i M . Barnes , W . M . 1050 ; J . Gambrell , 1050 ; C Tuff , 184 ; J . P , Watts , W . M . 158 ; T . Deane , W . M . 77 ; J . Saffery , J . W 1089 ; W . I-l . Ruskine , W , M . 184 ; J . R . Foord , S . W . 503 ; A . Aubrey , S . D . 127 ; E . Hogben , 133 ; A . Sales , 706 ; A . Barfield , S . W . 35 . The banquet was held at the Bull
Hotel , and did credit to the host , Bro . J . Owens ; he was not however present , owing to a recent bereavement . The Chaplain having said grace thc toast list was proceeded with . " The Queen and the Craft , " and " The M . W . Grand Master , " were briefly , yet ably , proposed by the W . M ., and were of course heartily received . The third toast contained the names of the R . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy
G . M ., and the Grand Officers . In proposing the loast , the W . M . said , he must congratulate the Craft upon having such a Pro Grand Master . He had two or three times lately had to deal with most delicate matters , notably in the matter of the Grand Oiient of France , and more lately in a still more delicate matter , and he had proved himself able to grapple with emergencies . The
qualities required in a ruler were gentleness and firmness , and these were found admirably combined in the Eirl of Carnarvon . He spoke in high terms of the other Grand Officers , and passed a warm eulogy on the worth of Bro . Hill , one of the Grand Chaplains , whose name he coupled with the toast . The Rev . Bro . Hill , in an eloquent speech , said , how proud he felt to find himself associated and
named with such eminent men as those to whom reference had been made . Alluding to the able and thorough manner in which the affairs of Grand Lodge were conducted , he remarked that unless men came well to the front it were well they should not come forward at *> H . He said it so much depended upon the chiefs doing their work thoroughly and well , whether the other officials came
up to their work ; a little laxity at head-quarters was an excellent excuse for laxity elsewhere . It was an honour to Masons to have such men to guide their destinies . We had also the sympathies of our Qaeen , who was the daughter of a Mason , and who had three sons who were Masons . The Rev . Cnaplain then alluded to and reproduced some of the observations which had fallen from the
hari of Carnarvon on the occasion of the inauguration of the Lord Falkland Memorial . The favour of serving under these distinguished men , he told the brethren , he owed not to himself , but to the popularity he had obtained amongst them . Whether he deserved that popularity or not he did not know , but he intended if possible to keep it . Viscount Holmesdale ' s name was next proposed , as Provincial Grand
Master , and very cordially received ; the W . M . believed that as a Provincial Grand Masttr he had no superior , and very few , if any equal * , and this he thought must be the opinion of all who had witnessed the excellent way in which he had conducted the business at the late meeting at Canterbury , the most successful ever held in the province . This toast was followed by that of the Deputy
Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers ; the name of Bro . Payne , one of the Grand Officers and Treasurer of this lod ge , being associated with it . The W . M ., in giving the toast , said that the lodge owed a great debt of gratitude to Bro . Payne ; he was a man that was always at his post , indeed , he thought he might almost say that Bro . Payn . had never failed to
attend lodge , at any rate , he was sure he had always'been there , unless prever . ted b y sickness or some very pressing emergency . They had , moreover , to thank him as their Treasurer for having so long taken care of the deficit for them , although he was glad to say the balance was now in their favour . He thought , too , that never had an honour been more justly deserved than that which the
Provincial Grand Lodge had lately bestowed upon him . Bro . Payne , in a suitable reply , urged upon the younger brethren the necessity of regular attendance , especially if they held office . lie made a touching allusion to the serious illness of Bro . Wood , a P . M . of the lodge , for whom he begged the consideration and prayers ot the lodge . He concluded by making , 1 brief financial statement , showing
how the lodge had nine years ago started in debt , and how that by judicious and careful management they had now a very f . iir balance in his hands . Owing to thc rather awkward train service , some of the toasts which followed bad to be hurried over , in order that that of " The Visitors " might be reached before they were compelled to leave . The toast of the W . M was , of course , enthusiastically re-
Reports Of Masonic Meetin
ceived . To this he made an able response , and in the course of his remarks referred to the sad catastrophes which had lately happened , one of them in their very midst . Relief , he said , was one of the great principles of the Order , and he appealed to the brethren then present to contribute their mites in aid of the sufferers from the foundering of the" Princess llice , " and asked them to respond
as heartily to tins appeal as they had to the last toast . The sum of £ 6 was at once collected , which the W . M . promised to send to the Mansion 1 louse Relief Fund , as a contribution from the Lodge of St . Michael and its visitors . The W . M . next proposed " The Health of the Installing Master , the I . P . M ., " whom he complimented upon the zeal and assiduity with which he had performed his duty ,
during the period he had filled the chair , as well as upon his crowning effort in so successfully installing his successor . It gave him great pleasure to pin upon his breast the jewel which the lodge , in recognition of his worth , had voted him . The reception of the toast proved that the brethren heartily appreciated Bro . Scale ' s successful efforts . After Bro . Scale had responded , the W . M . gracefully proposed
" The Visitors , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Barfield , of Lodge No . 35 , who had come all the way from the Isle of Wight to do him honour . Bro . Barfield , in reply , regretted that he had been until that day a perfect stranger to everyone present except their W . M . He had been , he said , mixed up with Masonry for thirty-five years . He compared Masonry as it was then with Masonry
as it is now , and mentioned , in proof of its improvement , that the amount bestowed last year upon charitable purposes reached nearly £ 4 ojooo . Its numbers had lately received vast augmentation , but he was afraid that the bounds had been overstepped in this respect . He fiared some lodges showed hardly sufficient disciimination in the selection of members , and judgingjfriim his own experience
he thought this was particularly thc case in some London lodges . In spite , however , of this fear , he could not help feeling that this was doing a certain amount of good , for he was sure that Masonry would tend to make every man better . He complimented the lodge upon its working , remarking that hc had never seen better in a country lodge . " The Past Masters of the Lodge " were next toasted , for
whom Bro . Penfold responded , and the toast t . f " Thc Officers of the Lodge , " proposed by Bro . Harris , brought the list ' to a close . The music was under the direction of Bro . Aubrey , and during the evening Bro . Arthur Thomas , an excellent tenor , sang some capital songs . Altogether the lodge has every reason to congratulate itself upon so successful a meeting .
CROYDON . —Addiscombe Lodge ( No . 1557 ) . —The installation mectinir of this lodge took place at Harewood House , High-street , Croydon , on Saturday last , and Bro . J . W . Gray was installed by Bros . Frances , P . P . G . D . * , Turquand , P . M . ; and Mulltt , P . M . This being the first time that the lodge has met at a private house , some anxiety was felt , owing to the room never having been
used fur the purposes of Frcemasoniy before . The hall attached to the house is a spacious iron building , used for private concerts , and admirably adapted for a lodge , being sixty-four feet long , seventeen feet wide , and fifteen feet high , with a fine three-man jal organ at the end , which is blown by hydraulic pressure . The ceremonies were commenced by Brr . John Rhodes , P . P . G . O ., playing a grand
march upon the organ , composed by him for the occasion . The degrees were worked by Bro . Parsons Smith , the retiring Master , in a most impressive manner . After the installation , the brethen sat down to an excellent banquet , prepared by J . Mash , of High-st ., Croydon . It was stated during the evening that this year was the first that the lodge had a balance in hand .
HATFIELD . —Cranbourne Lodge ( No . 1580 ) —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday week , at the Red Lion Hotel , ( Bro . Webb ' s . ) Last year the experiment was tried of treating ladies to a day ' s enjoy , ment in that beautiful neighbourhood , and after the lodge work was over entertaining them at the banquet . The experiment proved so successful that it was repeated this
year , and while the brethren were at work in the lodge the ladies were escorted over the grounds of Hatfield House , and through the historical apartments of that building , for which Bros . Thody and J . 3 . Webb , had previously obtained permission from the Marquis of Salisbury . Several brethren accompanied the ladies on this expedition , and for the space of two hours and a half the party , who had
previously been entertained at a luncheon , had the pleasure of walking about the lovely grounds and inspecting the antiquities which abound in the ancient domain of the Cecils . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . William Bausor , and after the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , Bro . J . L . Mather , Prov . G . D . C . Herts , P . M ., initiated Mr . Ford , and then passed Bro . J . H .
Thompson , to the Second Degree . The election of W . M . for thr * ensuing year was afterwards taken , and Bro . Henry Cox , S . W ., was chosen to fill that high and important office . Bro . G . F . Cook was elected Treasurer , and Bro . Steedman , Tyler . After the appointment of the Audit Ccmmittee a vote of thanks was passed to Bros . Thody and J . S . Webb for their kindness in obtaining thc
permission of the authorities at Hatfield House for the ladies and brethren to view it . Lodge was then closed , and the ladies having returned from their tour of inspection , the whole party sat down to a very chnice banquet , provided by Bro . Webb . The company comprised Bros . W . Bausor , W . M . ; H . Cox , S . W . ; T . S . Hellier , as J . W . ; W . Webb , as S . D . ;
J . Ward Verry , I . G . ; W . J . Crutch and Thody , Stewards ; James Terry , Secretary . VV . G . Jennings , ( . Albion ) , J . G . London ; Bowyer , P . M ., Past . P . G . D . ; J . L . Mather , P . G . D . C , P . M . ; W . Cook , Past Prov . G . S . ; J . M . Hare , Prov . G . Steward ; Hamel , Thompson . J . S . Webb , Dare , W . Webb , J . Woodman , P . Woodman , A . Eade , C . H . Reed , R . C .
Reports Of Masonic Meetin
Read , C . K . Killick , the Rev . W . H . W . Caseley , Bed ; ll , Steedman , Dobby , 1287 ; Drummond , P . P ., G . S . B ., P . M . 403 ; Shillitoe , H . Massey ( Freemason ) , Leage , 33 ; and Mrs . Bauson , Mrs . Bowyer , Mrs . Terry , Mrs . Crutch , Mrs . Cox , Mrs . Dobby , Mrs . Jennings , Mrs . London , Miss Woodman , Miss Herbert , Misses Leage ( 2 ) Mrs . Crutch , Mrs . R . H . Halford , Mrs . Payne , Mrs .
Eade , Mrs . Reed , Miss Shillitoe , Mrs . J . S . Webb , jun . Mrs . H . Halford . Miss Strike , and the Misses Hamel , altogether fifty-four ladies and brethren sitting down . After the dinner had been disposed of , thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured . In giving the toast of "The Provincial Grand Master , Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., " the W . M . said , that he felt it au
honour as well as a pleasure to propose this toast . It was doubtless in the recollection of the brethren that Bro . Halsey honoured them with a visit on a recent occasion , and on that occasion the brethren received him with great heartiness . He was not now present , but still it behoved them to drink his health heartily in his absence as well as in his presence . He had only to call upon them to do so to
ensure the toast a cordial reception , because the Provincial Grand Master of Herts was a man that was well-known among them , and was well respected , in addition to being a thorough good working Mason . This toast having been drunk the W . M . proposed " The Health of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Past and Present . " He said that in doing ' so he must ask the brethren to drink the toast with all heartiness
and sincerity , seeing that th : y had a Present Provincial Grand Officer present whom they wished to do honour to . That brother was Bro . Terry . ( Cheers ) . He was sure that no words of his were needed to give eelat to the toast . Bro . Terry had been so long connected with them , and was
so much esteemed in Masonry in other places , that an explanation of what he had done was not necessary in any assembly of Freemasons . What he had done would occur to all the brethren ; and when he said all the brethren he wished them to understand that he did not
mean the brethren of the Cranbourne Lodge only . All the brethren of the Cranbourne Lodge would put their shoulders tothe wheel to do him honour , and they had placed their mites together to testify to him by subscribing to a testimonial of their high appreciation of his character and attainments . This hid been done without any communication with Bro . Terry , who came into that room that evening
perfectly ignorant of what was in store for him . It afforded him ( the W . M . ) the greatest pleasure to present to Bro , Terry a gold jewel of the office of Provincial Grand Junior Warden , to be attached to his collar , and he was quite sure it could not give any brother greater pride to present that jewel than it did to himself ( the W . M . ) It had been made in such a form that it could be either attached to Bro .
Terry ' s collar or worn by him on his breast . The inscription on the jewel was " Presented to Bro . James Terry , Provincial Grand Junior Warden of Hertfordshire , by thc members of the Cranbourne Lodge , No . 1580 , to mark the esteem and the love in which he is held . Sept , 18 7 8 . " Addressing Bro . Terry , the W . M . said , I need not say that I am exceeding pleased to be in the proud position of
placing this upon your breast , and I am sure that whenever you look at it you will not value it so much for its intrinsic worth as for the inscription on the back of it , which says that it is presented out of esteem and love for you . Bro . Terry , in acknowledging the gift said , W . M ., Bro . Wardens and brethren , accustomed though I am to public speaking , and having had for some years now the pleasure
and the privilege of addressing very many of my brethren and very large audiences , yet upon the present occasion I certainly must say I have been taken entirely by surprise , and scarcely know how to express myself . In the first place permit mc to thank you , on behalf of the D . Prov . G , M . of this province and thc rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , for the very kind manner in which their
names have been received among you , and to assure you that I deeply regret that we have not the presence of the D . P . G . M . with us , inasmuch as the knowledge that had hebeen here wc should have had a highly intellectual treat in the response which he would have given to this toast . For the Grand Officers Past , wecan only speak of them for what they have done ; we know full well their merits have been recognised and
acknowledged by the Prov . G . M ., and they would not have had their collars bestowed upon them if they had not been worthy of them . For the Present Grand Officers I can only say we have scarcely been tried yet ; we are only just in collar , and we have not had a public opportunity of displaying our ability ; but I have no doubt the collars would not have been conferred upon them if the eyes of the Prov .
G . M . had not been previously upon them for what they had done . Bro . Drummond represents the oldest lodge in thc province , and I see no representative of any other lodge in the province present except our own . Therefore , I think it is something to say that within two years five of us can stand up and show that we are Provincial Grand Officers . Well now , Sir , you have positively overwhelmed me , I have
to acknowledge again thc receipt of a testimonial . I say " again , " because this is not the first time I have had the honour of a presentation ; but I have now also , to thank you for your great kindness of manner in presenting this one to me , and the very kind words which you have used in making the presentation . I am sure I can but thank you and the members of the lodge for having gone out of
your way in marking my advent to power by such a gift . For myself , I prize it very highly , and also the agreeable way in which it comes to me . It is one of those gifts which come to a man totally unexpected , for I can certainly say I knew nothing-about it . I may also say it is
undeserved , for I have done very little indeed in this lodge , I have been merely your Secretary ; but I can also say that in that capacity I have endeavoured to do my duty to the utmost of my ability . Looking at the two W . M . ' s who have preceded you , worshipful sir , although I may have done very slight things for the lodge , it conjures up before