Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

ST . AMBROSE LODGE ( No . 1891 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , the 30 th ult ., at the Scarsdale Arms Hotel , Edwardes-square , Kensington , when there were present Bros . B . H . Dames , W . M . ; T . C . Dyer , S . W . ; \ V . Fayers , J . W . ; Jesse Collings , P . M ., Preceptor ; J . Cox , Treas . ; F . Craggs , W . M . S 34 , Sec . ; C C . Barber , S . D . ; G . McCrow , LD . ; P . Howard , I . G . ; P . I .

Davies , W . M . Sfi ; D . Phillips , E . J . Green , T . E . P . Bell , and F . A . Barth . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Cox acting as candidate . Bro . Davies offered himself as a candidate for passing , and

was duly examined and entrusted . 1 he lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony rehearsed . The 1 st Section of the Lecture was worked by the Preceptor , assisted by the brethren . The Preceptor gave the lecture on the tracing board in his usual able manner . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . Bro . Dyer was elected VV . M . for the next meeting . The lodge was then closed .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 2012 ) . —A meeting was held on Saturday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , W ., when there were present Bros . R . Reid , VV . M . : W . S . Whiteley , S . W . ; J . Powell , J . W . ; J . Brown , W . M . 2012 , Sec . ( pro tem . ); R . ] . Williams , S . D . ; R . H . Wimpey , J . D . ; H . Gane , I . G . ; E . J . Nash , Stwd . ; I . Sims , P . M ., ' Preceptor ; A . Williams , P . M . ; M .

Spiegel , P . M . ; J . Rowling , VV . Hillier , E . IFox , and H . Bone . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Bone answered the questions leading to the Second Degree , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Bone

acting as candidate . 'I he W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . A . Williams , P . M . Bro . J . Rowling answered the questions leading to the Third Degree , and was entrusted . Lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Williams , P . M ., rehearsed the ceremony of raising

in a most perfect manner , highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to all the brethren . Bro . J . Rowling was the candidate . After the usual raisings the lodge was closed . Bro . W . S . Whiteley , the S . W . of the evening , was unanimously elected to occupy the chair at the next meeting .

QUEEN'S WESTMINSTER ( No . 2021 ) . —The usual meeting was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , VV ., on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when there were j > resent Bros . Ridout , W . M . ; Heck , S . W . ; Davis , J . W . ; Greenway , P . M ., Preceptor ; Wood , P . M ., Sec . ; Wilson , S . D . ; Jordan , J . D . ; Homewood , I . G . ; Collens , P . M . ; Rowe , Gunzell , Bullen , Palmer , Luckhurst , Matthews , and M . Angel .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , and the 1 st , 2 nd , and 4 th Sections of the First Lecture worked . The ceremony of initiation was duly rehearsed , the candidate being personated by Bro . Luckhurst . On the W . M . rising for the first time , Bros . Prince , 1259 ; Russell , 2021 ; and

Juckes , 2021 , were unanimously elected joining members , and all Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed . The Fifteen Sections will be worked in this lodge on Friday , the iSth inst ., by Bro . Hemming , Preceptor of the King ' s Cross Lodge , assisted by several skilled brethren of repute .

WALTHAMSTOW LODGE ( No . 2192 ) . —The weekly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 30 th ult ., at Bridge Chambers , Hoe-street Station , Walthamstow , when there were present Bros . Wm . Shurmur , P P . G . Treas ., W . M . ; P . Trickett , S . W . ; U . Smith , J . W . ; N . Fortescue , Treas . ; W . J . Short , S . D . ; J . Clark , J . D . ; W . Goulding , I . G . ; C . H . Bestow , Sec . ; J . Collett , Stwd . ;

S . Herbert , T . H . Thrower , VV . M . 1766 ; L . Griffith , I . Lewis-Young , Jas . Pinder , P . M . ; G . Meade , E . T . Fuller , J . Ives , P . M . ; R . Jeremy , A . Oakden , S . B . Thorogood , A . H . Wilson , S . C . Bateman , J . Hamilton , G . J . Westfield , P . P . G . S . B . ; and W . Baillie . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the Second a ^ d Third Degrees .

The lodge was resumed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Westfield installed into the chair , and he appointed and invested his officers , Bro . W . Shurmur acting as Installing Master . ' 1 he lodge was resumed to the Second Degree , and Bro . Shurmur delivered the lecture on the Second tracing board . Bro . P . Trickett was unanimously elected to occupy the chair at the ensuing meeting , and appointed his officers in rotation . After " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . S 90 ) . —A meeting was held on the 27 th ult ., at the Prince of Wales Hotel , corner of Eastbourne-terrace and Bishop's-road , Paddington , W ., when there were present Comps . W . Hillier , S 34 , M . E . Z . ; John Da . vies , H . 733 , Treas ., H . ; Geo . March , M . E . Z . 733 , J . ; H . Dehane , P . Z . 890 , S . E . ; W . H . Chalfont , H . 975 , S . N . ; G . Gregory , 1 st A . S . S 62 , P . S . ; A . ] . Turner , 1196 , 1 st A . S . ; W . H . Dean , P . Z . 77 . 417 , P . P . G . R . Dorset ; 1 . C . Tilt , P . S . S 62 ; and J . Cruttenden ,

779-The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltationwas rehearsed , Comp . Tilt being candidate . The M . E . Z , rose the usual number of times , and after " Hearty good wishes " had been accorded , the chapter was closed .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . —The usual weekly meeting was held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Cambervvell , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Comps . North , M . E . Z . ; Murche , H . ; Plant , J . ; T . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; Stone , S . E . ; Dale , S . N . ; Benedetti , P . S . ; Corpe , G . F . Smith , Mayo , Phillips , Chabot ,

Addington , and Jackson . The chapter was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . G . F . Smith personating the candidate . Comp . G . F . Smith was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting , when an installation will be worked . The chapter was then closed .

A very terrible gas explosion occurred at Blackburn on Munday evening by which several persons were killed or injured and much damage done to property . At a late hour the firemen were still playing upon the ruins .

Royal Ark Mariners.

Royal Ark Mariners .

Prince Leopold Lodge ( No . 238 ) . —This lodge met on the 17 th ult ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Among those present were Bros . N . Prower , M . A ., W . C . N . ; C . Chauffourier , ] . ; T . O . Harding , M . A ., P . W . C . N ., acting S . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . G . C , P . W . C . N ., Scribe ; Harvey , and Holroyd . Bro . II . II . Shirley , M . A ., P . W . C . N ., was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous meeting were rad and confirmed . Communications regretting inability to attend were received from Bros . VV . Drew , F . Graves , F . VV . Driver , M . A ., Corrie Jackson , and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dine with the members of the Mark Lodge No . 33 S , under the genial presidency of Bro . N . Prower , VV . C . N .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

Horatio Shirley Conclave ( No . s ) . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 25 th ultimo , at the Holborn Restaurant , when there were present Bros . Major Dunbar , P . G . C , S . R . ; F . Weiss , acting C . ; E . C Mulvey , P . G . C , acting G . ; H . H . Shirley , P . C . V ., Treas . ; J . J . Pakes , P . G . Gdr ., Sec ; E . Storr , P . G . S ., Stwd . ; ] . A . Robinson , Guarder ; A . Walkley , Sentinel ;

S . P . Nash , A . G . Boswell , W . J . Nicholls , F . Guy . T . J . Perkins , S . Stretch , jun ., J . T . Rowe , and W . R . Shutt . The conclave having been opened , Bro . J . G . Koch was unanimously elected a joining member . Bro . S . Stretch , P . M . 1950 , was inducted into the Order , and Bros . W . F . Nicholls , F . Guy , and T . J . Perkins were admitted to the Prince ' s Degree . Bro . C . B . Cooper was unanimously elected S . R . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Major Penrose

J . Dunbar , P . G . C , unanimously elected Treasurer . Bro . Walkley was re-elected Sentinel . Bros . J . Stephens and J . A . Robinson were nominated as Grand Stewards for the year . A Past S . R . ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . Major Penrose J . Dunbar for his very valuable services during the past year , and a similar jewel to Bro . Pakes for his services as Sec A candidate having been proposed for induction at the next meeting , the conclave was closed .

Province Of Cheshire.

PROVINCE OF CHESHIRE .

A meeting of the Provincial Committee of Benevolence was held at Crewe on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., and was attended by 40 brethren , representing 27 lodges out of the 44 in the province . Bro . J . Salmon , P . P . S . G . W ., Chairman of the Committee , presided . After the roll of members had been called and the

minutes of the last meeting , held on July 1 st , had been read and confirmed , the CHAIRMAN gave a brief resume of the work of the Election Committee since the last meeting . The province had no candidates at the autumn School elections , and therefore the object of the Election Committee had been to dispose of the

School votes held by the province to the best advantage . Arrangements had been made for securing old men ' s votes next year in return for the School votes for which the province had no use , and , as the Committee knew , old men ' s votes vvere what the province required at the May election , 1892 . Formerly , the Chairman

remarked , it was easy to obtain two Old People ' s votes for one School vote , but it was not so now . At any rate at the October elections the School votes were at a discount , and many provinces could neither lend nor exchange them . There was no doubt that the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

votes now commanded a higher exchange than they formerly did . This was to be accounted for by the very large number of candidates , both male and female , for that Institution , and to a smaller extent , perhaps , from the growing disposition on the part of the

larger provinces to attend more to the home education of their orphan children . The Committee considered they had been exceedingly fortunate in being able to dispose of the School votes not required by the province for old men ' s votes for the May election , 18 92 , at the rate of a vote and a half old men ' s for one School

vote . Bro . Salmon was unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Committee , and Bro . John Clayton , P . P . J . G . W ., Vice-Chairman . These two brethren with the P . G . Secretary , Bro . Newhouse , constitute the Election Committee in connection with the London Charities .

The meeting then proceeded to the election of the Charity Council , established under the newly-revised by-laws , which consists of nine elective members , in addition to four members ex-officio , viz ., the Chairman , Vice-Chairman , the Provincial Grand Treasurer , and Provincial Grand Secretary . The nine

elected members , who must be Present or Past Provincial Grand Officers of Cheshire , are nominated from nine several divisions , or groups of lodges , into which the province has been mapped out , having regard to numerical and geographical considerations . Each member of the Charity Council will have one particular

group of lodges under his special care , and it will be his duty to visit them , and for the Council to meet and compare notes from time to time . The result of this election was as follows : Stalybridge Division ( six lodges ) , Bro . Seth Fletcroft , 830 ; Hyde Division ( five lodges ) , Bro . Hy . Jackson , 33 6 ; Stockport Division ( five lodges ) , Bro . Herbert Finch ,

104 ; Macclesfield Division ( four lodges ) , Bro . VV Ramsden , 2368 ; Crewe Division ( six lodges ) , Bro , Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , 321 , Past G . Chap . England ; Altrincham Division ( five lodges ) , Bro . F . R . B . Lindsell , 1045 ; Chester Division ( live lodges ) , Bro . W . Mellor , 721 ; Birkenhead Division ( four lodges ) , Bro . G . H . Brown , 537 ; and Seacombe Division ( four lodges ) , Bro . H . Matthews , 1276 .

Province Of Cheshire.

A petition for relief from a brother of Lodge 157 6 was considered , and ^ 5 was granted . The CHAIRMAN moved a resolution urging the lodges of the province to give their best support to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution next year at the Jubilee Festival .

This was seconded by the VICE-CHAIRMAN , supported by Bro . H . FINCH , Prov . G . Registrar , and carried unanimously . The CHAIRMAN brought forward a communication he had received respecting the advisability of forming a combination for voting purposes with the Provinces of

Staffordshire , Shropshire , and North Wales . The subject was discussed pro and con , but eventuall y on the motion of Bro . the Rev . C . W . SPENCER STANHOPE , Past G . Chaplain , seconded b y Bro F . H . TAIT , P . M . 425 , it was decided not to entertain the proposal for the present .

Bro . CLAYTON , Vice-Chairman , proposed , Bro . H . FINCH , P . G . Reg ., seconded , and it was unanimousl y resolved , to refer to the Charity Council for consideration and report the matter brought forward by Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . Grand Master , at the annual provincial meeting , viz ., that of raising a fund for providing annuities within the province on a smaller scale

than the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and to formulate a scheme with reference thereto . It will be remembered that the Prov . Grand Master generously offered to commence such a fund b y a donation of 50 guineas . A cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

PROVINCE OF STAFFORDSHIRE . The annual meeting of the St . Bartholomew Lodge of Instruction , No . 6 9 6 , was held at the Anchor Hotel , Wednesbury , on Friday , the 27 th ult ., when there were present Bros . George Piatt , P . M ., P . G . P ., Preceptor ; Proctor , as W . M . ; Wilkins , as S . W . ; Dewesbury , as J . W . ; Horton , l . P . M . ; Rogers , S . D . ; Dickinson ,

J . D . ; Hatchett , I . G . ; Jones , Org . ; Bodue , D . C ; Scott , Chap , and Sec ; Wilson , acting as P . G . M . ; Joyson , Wilbie , Walton , and Totty , Tyler . The lodge being duly opened in the First Degree , Bro . Wilson , acting as Prov . Grand Master , was announced and received with the usual honours b y the

brethren . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of the Acting Prov . Grand Master , who thanked the brethren for their cordial greeting and called upon the Secretary to read the circular and minutes of last meeting . He also delivered a short address upon the utility of lodges of instruction .

The W . M . having resumed the chair , Bro . PLATT read the by-laws of the lodge of instruction and afterwards a statement of the accounts for the year , properly audited and vouched for by the Financial Committee . The Charity Fund was disbursed as last year by the usual grant .

Bro . WILSON , in complimentary terms , proposed the re-election of Bro . Platt as Preceptor of the lodge during the ensuing year , and dwelt upon the zeal , assuidity and business skill he had displayed in conducting the interests of the lodge during his past two years of office .

Bro . HATCHETT seconded , and the resolution was unanimously adopted . Bro . PLATT , in responding , thanked the brethren for their renewed confidence , and would always endeavour to impart the spirit of emulation into the members of the lodge of instruction . Not only should they

become skilled in the emulation ritual , but should emulate and surpass the popular idea of proficiency . The lodge of instruction was the sheet-anchor of the mother lodge , and represented the vitality and life of true Masonry ; its work had recorded its mark in the parent lodge , and its associations had indelibl y imprinted pleasant memories on them all .

The Tyler was re-elected . Bro . PLATT proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Scott for his generous and valuable services as Secretary and Treasurer , which was unanimously carried . Bro . DEWESBURY proposed a vote of thanks to the Preceptor for his past services , which was enthusiastically carried , and briefly responded to b y Bro . Platt , who remarked that his love of Freemasonry would

always prompt him to labour for their noble Institution . The lodge was opened in the Second and Third Degrees respectively . The PRECEPTOR gave an address to the members upon the Deacon ' s work , and explained the signs of the several Degrees , together with the formalities to be observed in conducting and presenting candidates . The lodge was reduced to the First Degree .

" Hearty good wishes " were tendered from Prov . Grand Lodge , St . Matthews Lod ge , No . 539 , and Lodge of Honour . The lodge was then closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to banquet , where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were dul y honoured .

MASONIC LECTURE AT NOTTINGHAM . The handsome and spacious temple in the Masonic Hall at Nottingham was well filled b y brethren of the Craft connected with the several lodges in that town and district on Friday evening , the 27 th ult ., when Bro .

[ ames Stevens , of London , attended for the purpose of delivering his popular lecture on the Ritual and Ceremonial of the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry . The presence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . tne Rev . F . Vernon Bussell , M . A ., had been expected