Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Jlagonrg . PEACE AND HARMONY LODGE ( No . 60 ) . —A meeting of this old and distinguished lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on Friday , the 28 th ult . Among those present we noticed Bros . A . S . Tosling , P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; A . T . Layton , P . G . Stwd ., S . W . ; H . Hacker , Grand Stwd ., J . W . ; H . Young , P . M ., P . G . Stwd :, Treas . ; F . Binckes , P . M ., P . G . Stwd .,

P . G . S . B ., Sec . j A . J . Altman , CC , 101 , and P . M . 1657 , S . D . ; J . Moon , J . D . ; E . Rogers , I . G . ; H . T . Kent , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; R . G . Ba . ton , P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; C E . Soppet , I . P . M ., P . G . Stwd . ; H . Slade ; W . H . Kempster , M . D . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; W . H . Kempster , jun ., M . B . ; H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . O . Surrey ; T . Comfort , E . J . Altman , P . M . 101 , and others . Among the

visitors were Bros . J . L . Mather , A . G . D . C ; George Kenning , P . M . 192 and 1657 , P . G . D . Middx ., Proprietor Freemason ; Phillips , P . M . ; Pearce , P . M . ; Bullock , P . M . ; Cotton , Walton , Debenham , and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Messrs . George Henry Kenning and John Thomas Cotton

for initiation , and it proved to be unanimous . It was also taken successfully for Bros . A . H . Debenham , P . M . 1479 , P . P . G . S . B . Herts , and J . M . Hodder , P . M . 217 , as joining members . Messrs . Kenning and Cotton being in attendance , were most impressively initiated into Craft mysteries by the W . M ., who gave at the conclusion of the ceremony the seldom heard , but most beautiful address to the entered

apprentices . Numerous apologies for non-attendance having been read , and a notice of motion handed in by Bro . Barton , P . M ., for discussion at the next meeting , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the customary toasts received full justice . Bros . J . L . Mather and Hacker responded most ably on behalf of " The Grand Officers . "

In proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " Bro . Soppet spoke in high terms of the working capabilities of the W . M . He also complimented him upon the eloquent manner in which he gave the various toasts . In conclusion , he congratulated the brethren upon having the right man in the right place . The Worshipful Master made a long , but interesting ,

speech in reply . In the course of his remarks he said that he had been elected to the chair by the unanimous vote of the brethren . During his seven years' connection with the lodge he had received nothing but kindness from the Past Masters and others . It was also a stroke of good fortune to be installed not only in the year , but in the actual month of her Majesty's Jubilee , and , lastly , at the very first

meeting of the season , and in the presence of one of the largest gatherings of the lodge within the memory of the oldest memberof it , to have had the honour of initiating two gentlemen into the Order whose fathers were old and respected members of the Craft . Altogether his tenure of office thus far had been attended by a concatenation of fortuitous circumstances .

In giving the toast of "The Initiates , " the Worshipful Master trusted that the ceremony had impressed them . Freemasonry by its teachings , hesaid , tended to improve not only the mind , but the morals of its disciples . It was a source of great satisfaction to him ( the W . M . ) to have had the pleasure of initiating them in the presence of their sires , and he hoped that they would both prove to be worthy sons

of most worthy fathers , live long , and live true Masonic lives . Bro . Mather having given the song of " The Entered Apprentice , '' Bro . Kenning , jun ., in reply , expressed his great obligations to Bros . Binckes and Young for having proposed and seconded him . He felt it to be a great honour to be

initiated in so venerable a lodge as the Peace and Harmony , and he trusted that his conduct would never cause its members to regret having admitted him into their ranks . Of course , he knew nothing of the working of Masonry elsewhere , but it had stiuck him that the W . M . ' s efforts that evening were of no common order . Bro . Cotton also replied in a most eloquent speech .

The toast of "The Visitors " followed . Bro . George Kenning , in response , remarked that it was his first visit to the lodge , and he had been highly gratified with everything . He was extremely obliged to their respected Secretary and Treasurer for having proposed his son . He knew that the Peace and Harmony Lodge had a grand history , and he had selected it for the induction of his eldest boy into Masonic life . In conclusionhe could

, only express a sincere and fervent hope that his son would prove a good Mason , and particularly a good member of their distinguished lodge . Bros . Cotton , Walton , and others also replied . The toasts of "The Past Masters , " "The Treasurerand the Secretary , " and "'lhc Officers " terminated the proceedings , which were throughout of a most enjoyable and interesting character .

LODGE OF PROSPERITY ( No . 6 5 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , on Thursday , the 27 th ult . Bro . W . Walker , W . M ., presided , and was supported bv Bros . G . Haller , J . W . ; J . Roberts , P . M ., Ireas . ; G . T . Brown , P . M ., Sec ; T . J . Ruse , S . D . ; H . J . Harriss , J . D . ; B . Haynes , P . M ., I . G . ; R . F . Bourn , A . W . S . E . J . Rich , P . M ., D . C . ; Ackerman , A . D . C ; R . Dvson

I . P . M . ; J . H . Hawkins , P . G . Stwd . ; G . Schadler , P . M ., and many others . Visitors : Bros . G . Cronin , 9 ; F . Simmons , 1839 ; C . H . Flinn , 1805 ; J . Pearce , 569 ' ; j ! Brown , P . M . 975 ; E . H . Reynolds , 569 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . The lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes

of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . Bros . Pearce , Goodrich , and Gray were passed to the Second Degree , and ballot having been successfully taken for Mr . Charles Martin , he was impressively initiated into Lhe mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . Bro . R . Dyson . I-P . M ., then rose to propose the following resolution , notice of which was given at the regular lodge meeting in June last : "That this Lodgeof Prosperity , No .

65 , as Vice-Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , while fully recognising the valuable services of Bro . Terry , the Secretary , hereby protests most respectfully but firmly against the action of the Committee of Management in having again voted and paid 100 guineas to Bro . Terry out of fund * collected specifically for the Institution , and this lodge earnestly trusts

that the Committee of Management will discontinue this pernicious custom , as otherwise the popularity of the Institution will be seriously jeopardised . " He said that the reason he brought this motion forward was that he represented the lodge at the Festival in connection with which the matter took place . He thought it would be as well if he stated , for the information of the younger

brethren , what a Festival is and how it is conducted . The Secretary of the Institution sent out to the various lodges in the country , and invited them to send up Stewards , their duties being to collect as much money as possible . Every Steward , over and above the amount he must subscribe to the Charities , is also expected to subscribe two guineas , which is called the Steward ' s fee . This fee is a

sort of guarantee for the expenses of the Festival , so that they shall be defrayed out of that fund , and nothing be taken from the money contributed to the Charity . The number of Stewards was 384 , and , for the information of those who did not know , he would say that they took up £ 19 , 229 . This would show that the Stewards worked hard . The 384 Stewards' fees were spent , first , in the expenses

of the Festival and the banquet , and secondly , in presenting each Steward with a jewel , which he could wear for the following 12 months . Next , money was paid for the other individual expenses , including a very handsome engraving commemorating the Festival . There then remained in hand , he believed , although he would not pledge himself to the amount , about £ 160 . A meeting was held soon

after the Festival , when it was proposed , and he acquiesced in the proposal , that from the balance of the guarantee fund a sum should be voted to the staff in the office . The residue would then leave Bro . Terry , as near as possible , £ 100 , which the Stewards voted to him in consideration of the large amount of work he had to perform . Shortly after that , the Committee of Management met , and in

their wisdom saw fit to vote , notwithstanding the sum voted by the Stewards , and out of the money subscribed for the Institution , the sum of 100 guineas to Bro . Terry for his services . He could not find words _ to express his disapprobation , for it was a misappropriation of money , and so strongly did he feel , that had he not paid his ten guineas , he would not have paid it in order to mark his dissatisfaction . He honed the brethren would not think

that he wished to detract from the services of Bro . Terry , for he was sure that brother had done a great deal for the Institution , but he was lighting- for the principle . Bro . Hawkins had previously mentioned the same thing in their lodge , but it was allowed to drop . He felt that if this action was repeated it would be prejudicial to the Institution , and therefore he hoped they would vote in favour of the

resolution . Although it might be said they were doing something which would for the moment be detrimental to the Institution , he was sure it could only be in the true interests of that Charity . He therefore begged to propose the resolution , the terms of which were before them . Bro . Hawkins , P . M ., seconded the resolution , and said that two years ago , when this matter occurred , he called attention to

the fact , although he was at the time serving a Stewardship for another Institution . It was the principle he objected to , for the ioo guineas would go far to alleviate distress among the unsuccessful candidates . There were one or two facts the I . P . M . had omitted . The first was the enormous salary paid to Bro . Terry . There was no man in Freemasonrv who appreciated the work done by that brother

more than he did . He could thoroughly understand the enormous amount of work performed by Bro . Terry , whom , he asserted , was a highly and over-paid officer . He said it fearlessly , and was sure there were men of equal attainments and verbosity who would be pleased to do the same work for a half , or even a third of the salary . They were quite at liberty to spend the remaining portion of the

Stewards' fees as they pleased , but money that had been subscribed from hardly earned salaries for the purposes of Charity should not be voted to a highly paid officer . It was a pernicious thing and a misappropriation of moneysubscribed to support distressed people . They had no right to pay Bro . Terry 17 s . per cent , on the total of the Festival , above his salary , simply because he had gone about in the

performance of his duties . As their lodge was a Vice Patron of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , he went to the Committee of Management , and , as the W . M ., claimed his right of admission , but he was refused . If they allowed the money to be frittered away , and did not raise their voices in protest , they would not be discharging the duties of the Craft . Bros . Brown , P . M ., Secretary ,

Akerman , and W . Walker , W . M ., having supported the resolution , and Bro . Dyson , I . P . M ., having replied , it was carried unanimously . On the motion of Bro . Dyson , I . P . M ., seconded by Bro . Hawkins , P . M ., the Secretary was instructed to send a copy of the resolution to the Grand Secietary , the Secretary and Treasurer of the Benevolent Institution , and to each member of the Committee of

Management . The W . M . having intimated his intention of representing the lodge at the next Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , the sum of ten guineas was , on the proposition of Bro . Brown , P . M ., Sec , seconded by Bro . Dyson , I . P . M ., unanimously voted from the lodge funds to be placed on his list . Other business having been transacted , the lodge was

closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent repast . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were subsequently duly honoured with the customary heartiness . " The Health of the Worshipful Master " was proposed by Bro . Dyson , I . P . M . He reminded the brethren that at the last meeting he told them that if they found their W .

Master required assistance he would endeavour to set him right ; but Bro . Walker , VV . M ., had so ably conducted the affairs of the lodge and the ceremonies , that his ( the I . P . M . ' s ) post was a sinecure . He was convinced that as meeting succeeded meeting the W . Master endeared himself more and more to the hearts of the members . He asked them with all cordiality to drink to the health of the

W . M . Bro . W . Walker , W . M ., sincerely thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which they always received him . They knew from the past that he exerted his best endeavours for the welfare of the lodge . There was a small matter to which he wished to refer , and that was their

annual ball . He proposed that instead of a ball they should have a Cinderella dance ; but this they could consider at their next meeting . He would remind them that their second Charity Association finished shortly , and he hoped they would exert themselves to start another . The Second Charity Association had already sent up 410 guineas to the various Charities .

" The Initiate" having been given , " The Visitors " was proposed by the W . M . Bros . Reynolds , 569 , and J . Brown , P . M . 975 , responded on behalf of the visiting brethren , thanking the lodge for the hospitality they had received . "The Past Masters" was next given , and responded to by Bro . Roberts , P . M ., Treas .

Bro . Brown , P . M ., Sec , also replied , and thanked thebrethren , as he had done for many years past , for the cordiality with which he was received . They could rest assured that as long as he occupied his present office he would perform the duties attached thereto to the best of his ability . The lodge had for many years contributed largely to the Masonic Charities , and for that reason the resolution passed unanimously that evening would have some weight . The W . M .

had alluded to the Prosperity Charity Association which was just closing , and he wished to say a brother was required to take up the Secretaryship of the third Association . He was the Secretary of the first , and the present W . M . held the post in the second . Those two Associations in eight years had rendered immense help to the Institutions , having sent up nearly ^ IOOO . "The Officers" having been given , the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This ancient lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 25 th ult ., when there weie present among others Bros . G . Coop , W . M . ; G . C . Hudson , S . W ., W . M . elect ; Hakim , J . W . ; Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec . ; Steng , S . D . ; Wetzler , J . D . ; Cursons , acting I . G . ; Langdale , W . S . ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B . Middx .,

P . M . ; Charles Dairy , P . M . ; Rumball , P . M . ; Heaphy , P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M . ; Jordan , P . M . ; and Fromholtz , P . M . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . James Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . B ., & c ; William Clarke , P . G . P ., & c ; Tavlor , P . M . 144 ; Farmer , P . M . 160 ; Apted , P . M . 209 ; Flack , P . M . S 34 ; Mitchell , P . M . 155 S ; T . Beale , 201 ; Harnell , 511 ; Bovins , 511 ;

Branch , 749 ; Brell , 7 S 0 ; Young , 1420 ; Marsten , 1563 ; Blyth , 16 S 1 ; Kenningham , 1706 ; Worstencroft , 19 S 6 ; Heath , 2041 ; R . J . Harnell , R . VV . Heney , and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Report of the Audit Committee having been received and adopted , Bro . Jones was impressively raised to the Third Degree . Ballot having been taken for Mr . John

lrott , he was ably inducted into Craft mysteries . The W . M . then brought his arduous and well performed duties to a close by installing his successor , Bro . Hudson , into the chair of K . S ., assisted by Bros . Hopwood , P . M ., as S . W . ; Dairy , as J . W . ; Walls , as D . C ; and Fromholtz , I . G . The newly-installed W . M . then ably invested his officers as follows : Bros . Hakim , S . W . ; Steng , J . VV . ; Carter ,

Treas . ; Stuart , Sec ; Wetzler , S . D . ; Langdale , J . D . ; Blythe , l . G . ; Cursons , W . S . ; and Longstaff , Tyler . A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . Coop , I . P . M ., for his services as Installing Officer . A Past Master ' s jewel was also presented to him . Bro . Fromholtz , P . M ., was appointed Steward to represent the R . M . B . i ., and Bro . Hudson , W . M ., was appointed to act in a similar

capacity at the R . M . I , for Girls' Festival , 188 S . Notices of motion were respectively given to head their lists with a donation of five guineas each to those excellent Institutions . Bro . Dairy , P . M ., a ' so called the attention of the brethren to the lact that the lodge was pledged to the R . M . I , for Boys in 1 S 8 S for the sum of ten guineas . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned

to the banquet . The usual toasts were given . Bro . W . Clarke , P . G . P ., replied in exhaustive terms on behalf of " The Grand Officers . " In giving the toast of "TheW . M ., " Bro . Coop spoke of the W . Master ' s lung connection with thelodge . They had all seen how well he had tilled the minor offices , and

also how ably he had invested his officers that evening . He augured for him a most prosperous and successful year of office . Bro . Hudson , in reply , expressed to the brethren his sincere thanks for the great honour that they had accorded to him in unanimously electing him to fill the chair in one of the oldest lodges in London . He could only say that

nothing on his part would be wanting to make his year of office a most prosperous and happy one . In his endeavours to that end he felt confident that he should receive the hearty co-operation of not only the Past Masters but every memberof No . 141 . "The Initiate" followed , and it was responded to by Bro . Trott .

The toast of "The Visitors" followed , and was acknowledged by Bros . Clarke , P . G . P . ; Farmer , P . M . j Flack , P . M . ; and others . "The Health of the Installing Officer" was received most heartily , and Bro . Coop , in reply , made a modest and pertinent speech . "The Masonic Charities " drew from Bro . Tames Terry

one of those stirring appeals which in theatrical parlance , invariably "bringdown the house . " Without in any way detracting from the merits and necessities of the sister Institutions , he particularly advocated the cause of the aged , some of whom were knocking at the doors of the Institution , in the greatest possible distress . He incidentallmentioned in his kind the case of Mrs . Themans ,

y way the widow of a very old Past Master , who , nearly blind and otherwise afflicted , was a candidate for admission at the next election . , The toast of "The Past Masters" was acknowledged by Bros . Hopwood , Jordan , and Fromholtz , and " the Officers , " by Bros . Hakim , Steng , Wetzler , and

Langdale . . A very excellent programme of music was gone through under the direction of Bro . Taylor , P . M . 144 . Among tne artistes were Bros . Thurley Beale , Alfred Kenning ham , and R . W . Heney , the latter brother's comic selections being greatly appreciated .

ORPHEUS LODGE ( No . 1706 ) . —This lodge has had many well filled roams since it was enrol ' J . " the registry of the Grand Lodge of England , and the in stallation meeting on Saturday , thc 29 th ult * , was