Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

CHRISTMAS , 1891 , AND THE K . T . I have just received the following from my friend , Stephen Berry , and hasten to make it known , as usual , to British participants . W . T . HUGHAN .

" Portland , November 23 , 1891 . " Dear Sir Knight , " Will you join the Templar Correspondents on Christmas , December 25 , at noon Eastern Standard time ( equivalent to 5 p . m . Greenwich ) , in a libation pledging Grand Master John P . S . Gobin , the sentiment to

be" ' A Merry Christmas to our Grand Master , With loyal greetings of each broad State From Quoddy Head to the Golden Gate . ' " The Grand Master sends the following response : " ' May Christmas Day , encircling our limited world like a magic ring , find in each Templar ' s heart the full measure of kindness and love . May all evil be excluded .

and the God of peace and happiness reign everywhere and bless every home . ' " Will you also extend the invitation to your friends . —Courteously and fraternally yours , "STEPHEN BERRY , " Templar Correspondent Maine . " R . S . V . P . "

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Cratt fiDa 0 onr £ .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Rose of Denmark Lodge ( No . 975 ) . —There was a good attendance of brethren at the installation meeting of this lodge , which took place at the Horns Tavern , Kcnnington , on Friday , the 20 th ult . The members included Bros . B . A . Griffin , W . M . ; W . Smith , S . W . ; G . White , J . W . ; J . Garnar , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Noble ,

P . M ., Sec ; R . H . Gundry , J . D . j J . Hill , I . G . ; W . Funge , D . C ; W . H . Lee , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx . ; T . Willcox , P . M . ; J . Brown , P . M . ; G . Bugler , P . M . ; C . H . Campbell , P . M . ; W . H . Williams , P . M . ; E . Ayling , P . M . ; E . W . Clarke , P . M . ; H . Brooks , J . Hudson , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . F . Somerville , 1146 ; W . Burtt , 1314 ; F . W . Upton , I . G . 619 ; M . Chapman , J . D . 619 ;

J . Featherstone , 16 5 G ; J . Maple , P . M . 144 ; R . E . H . Coffin , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; W . Hamlyn , P . M . 1622 ; H . Salter , S 61 ; ] . T . Parrat , 13 S 1 ; W . Wills , W . M . 1901 ; A . Joley , S . W . 1178 ; R . Lingley , P . M . 13 S 1 ; A . Harvey , S . W . 196 3 ; C . Colwill , 13 S 1 ; McCall Chambers , andW . W . Lee , S . W . 13 S 1 . Lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed ,

the Audit Committee's report , showing a substantial balance in hand , was received and adopted . Bro . Morgan was raised to the Third Degree by the W . M . in an able manner . Bro . J . Noble , P . M ., Sec , assumed the chair for the purpose of initiating an old and personal friend—Mr . W . J . Juby—who must have been deeply impressed with the manner in which the ceremony was performed . Bro . B .

A . Griffin , W . M ., then installed Bro . W . Smith , the W . M . elect , into the chair , and the following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . G . White , S . W . ; J . Marjason , P . M ., J . W . ; J . Garnar , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Noble , P . M ., Sec ; R . H . Gundry , S . D . ; J . Hill , J . D . ; W . Funge , I . G . ; H . Brooks , D . C ; J . Hudson , Stwd . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The Installing Master , Bro . Griffin , I . P . M .,

delivered the customary addresses in a masterly manner . Lodge was closed , and the brethren enjoyed a well-served banquet , which was followed by the usual toast list . Bro . B . A . Griffin , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Worshipful Master , " said Bro . Walter Smith and he were initiated together by Bro . Noble , the esteemed Secretary , who was , of course , gratified to see them in their present position .

Bro . Smith had reached the post which all Masons should try to attain—the chair of his mother lodge . He hoped their W . M . would have as happy and prosperous a year as he had had , and that he would leave the office with as much eclat as he had gone into it . Bro . Walter Smith , W . M ., thanked the l . P . M . for the very fraternal and generous way in which he proposed the

toast . He did not think he deserved one half of what had been said , but when he looked on his left and saw the many brethren who had occupied the chair with such success , it would be his ambition to follow their example and maintain the high standard of Masonic working of the lodge . Eleven years ago he was initiated in the lodge , and he was deeply gratified that the brother who initiated him was present to see

him installed . His position that evening must show the initiates that by perseverance and industry they would be honoured by the lodge in the same way . It would be his great aim , as it had been that of his predecessors , to burround the lodge with feelings of loving solicitude , and leave it in the nourishing condition in which he found it . "The Initiate" having been duly honoured and

appropriately responded to , the W . M . gave " The Visitors " in cordial terms . Bro . W . Wills , W . M . 1901 , in response , said he appreciated the honour of being called upon to respond , but it happened that he was in the proud position of being the only W . M . among the visitors . He hardly regarded himself as a visitor , but felt one of them . He thanked Bro .

Hudson for inviting him and the lodge for the cordial welcome given him as representing one of the most nourishing lodges in South London . Bro . R . E . H . Coffin , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , in reply , said the very name of the lodge brought forward in his mind that delightfully loving and lovable Rose of Denmark now hastening home to her sick son . As a visitor he saw among the members a venerable , hale , and hearty brother—Bro .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Ayling , P . M . —againstwhom he had considerable animosity , which arose from the fact that that brother was so good a Mason , such a . walking encyclopaedia of ritual and Masonic knowledge , that he had ever envied him . With reference to the W . M ., Bro . Walter Smith and he had been acquainted in daily communication for 17 years . If a man could speak well of another , he could speak well of their W . M . In all

those years , in all those communications , he was not aware they had ever had a single wry word , and Bro . Smith had always performed his HuHes faithfully , honourably , and earnestly . In conjunction with another brother on his right , they worked together as colleagues in brotherly harmony and love . Masonry was a thing - above all others which bound them together not only in business , but in their

social intercourse . Cynics , churls , and cowards had no place among Masons , and if they had they would very quickly find their way out of it . They only knew those who were worthy to be called Masons . He congratulated the W . M . on the high position he had attained . Many years ago when he came to that position he felt proud himself , so that he could feel for the W . M . and rejoice with

him . Bros . Hamlyn , P . M . 1622 ; Maple , P . M . 144 ; and Lingley , P . M . 13 S 1 . also replied . Bro . J . Garnar , P . M ., next proposed "The l . P . M . and Installing Master , " and said he was sure the l . P . M . had the good wishes of every member , for he had done his level best to infuse a spirit of harmony and good fellowship

among the brethren . Twelve months ago Bro . Griffin was installed into the chair , and there was no brother who had preceded him who had carried out the duties with greater credit or with more satisfaction to the lodge . It afforded him great pleasure as an old Past Master to place upon Bro . Griffin ' s breast a Past Master's jewel , and sincerely hoped he would live for many years to regard it with happy

recollections of his connection with the lodge . Bro . B . A . Griffin , I . P . M ., having thanked Bro . Garnar , P . M ., and the brethren for the manner in which the toast had been received , said he had had his year of office and had enjoyed it , and he hoped the brethren had enjoyed it as much as he had . He had tried hard to do his duty , and , judging from what had been said , they were satisfied

he had done it . Reference had been made to his work as Installing Master , but foryearsit had been a tradition , and the proud tradition of the lodge , that each Master installed his successor . * He hoped it would be many years before that tradition was broken . He had had a good deal of work during the year , and initiated four or five candidates . As Bro . Noble , P . M ., who initiated , him , had seen him installed that night , so he ( the l . P . M . ) hoped to live to see

those he had initiated reach the chair . He thanked the brethren for the handsome jewel presented to him . Bros . E . W . Clarke , P . M ., and E . Ayling , P . M ., replied for " The Past Masters , " and " The Officers " was followed by the Tyler's toast . A good programme of music was well rendered by Miss Lucie Johnstone , Miss Selina Quick , Messrs . Henry Pope , and T . W . Thomas .

City of Westminster Lodge ( No . 1563 ) . —This successful lodge held its installation meeting at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , W ., on Thursday , the 26 th ult ., when there was a large attendance of brethren . Amongst the members present were Bros . W . G . Higgins , W . M . ; CM . Brander , I . P . M . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; C . Filhon , S . W ., W . M . elect ; W . H . Bolt , J . W . ; J . E .

Shand , P . M ., Sec . ; J . A . Hammond , P . M ., Treas . ; E . B . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Bucks ; L . Marks , T . H . Beach , H . Fonseca , J . M . Martell , H . S . Lee , P . M . ; F . Hill , P . M . ; and others . Visitors : Bros . O . H . Burgess , 901 ; W . J . Mason , W . M . 2150 ; C A . Hooper , S . W . 1613 ; F . J . Snell , P . M . 1543 ; C Pennock , 1446 ; I . M . Smyth , P . M . 123 S ; J . Jervis , 1425 ; W .

Dennis , 9 ; W . Holden , 1305 ; W . E . Curson , 16 S 1 ; H . R . Trew , P . M . 957 ; W . D . Schwarz , C . Parsons , 1 C 37 ; A . F . Scholding , W . M . 1512 ; A . G . Pritchard , S . W . 9 ; C P . Bellerby , P . M . 2021 ; C . C . Piper , W . M . 2030 ; L . Goldstein , 2032 ; G . Cronin , 9 ; R . W . Benns , I . G . 749 ; H . Hammans , 1373 ; H . Brock , P . M . 145 ; G . Lennox , 10 ; A . Sparks , 1697 ; A . Coles , W . M . 17 S 2 ; W . G .

Pannell , 704 ; W . Mason , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; D . Phillips , 2222 ; J . Mason , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; and W . W . Lee , S . W . 23 S 1 . Lodge was opened , the minutes confirmed , and the audit report adopted . Bros . E . C . Wiseman and M . Smith were passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . A . Bacon was raised to the Degree of M . M . Messrs . W . Henderson , C . J .

Ball , and J . Fonseca were then initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M ., who completed his arduous labours by installing Bro . C . Filhon into the chair as W . M . for the ensuing year . The following officers were invested : Bros . W . G . Higgins , l . P . M . ; W . H . Holt , S . W . ; L . Marks , J . W . ; ] . A . Hammond , P . M ., Treas . ; J . E . Shand , P . M ., Sec . ; T . H . Beach , S . D . ; M . Fonseca , J . D . ; 1 .

M . Martell , I . G . ; A . H . Marks , D . C ; J . Menagher and F . Matte , Stwds . ; and R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . Several resignations were accepted , and other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed . After an excellent banquet , the usual toasts were duly honoured , the speeches being interspersed with several musical sketches rendered with inimitable humour by Bro .

A . G . Pritchard , and also with several recitations given with considerable dramatic skill by Bro . G . Cronin . Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., replying for " The Grand Officers , " expressed his regret that another Masonic engagement prevented his attendance in time to witness the working . He was pleased to see the W . M . in the chair , and was certain that , with the able assistance of the worthy Past

Masters , he would carry out his duties in a creditable manner . He was pleased to greet Bro . Filhon as one of the rulers of the Craft , and wished him a very prosperous year of office . Bro . W . G . Higgins , l . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " and said it depended upon the new occupant of the chair whether the next year was a success or not , and also upon

the amount of energy he displayed in the performance of his duties . They had not yet seen the working of Bro . C . Filhon , W . M ., but he had no doubt it would be satisfactory inasmuch as the lodge had a reputation for its working . He must ask them , as the l . P . M ., to bear with him when

he said the W . M . laboured under one disadvantage . This was not the W . M . ' s mother country , and therefore he did not speak the language as well as others . He was , however , sure that Bro . Filhon ' s . earnestness of manner and sincerity would more than counterbalance any difficulty . He need not say how pleased he was to hear the brethren express

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

their pleasure at this remark , which already showed their opinion of the Worshipful Master . Bro . C . Filhon , W . M ., in reply , said he could assure them it was very difficult for him to express his thanks . It gave him confidence to see on his right such a brother as Bro . Cottebrune , who was equal to any Past Master in England , and although that brother was a stranger in the

country like himself , yet he held a high position in the Order . He felt sure he could carry out the duties of this lodge . If he had a different pronunciation he had not such a bad memory that he could not perform the ceremonies . He would work hard to attain to the excellent work he had seen that evening . He thanked them again for their kindness , and hoped he should be able to give them every satisfaction .

The Worshipful Master , in submitting the toast of " The Installing Master , " said that although he had been speaking of the brother on his right , he did not forget the brethren on his left . He was very much impressed by the manner in which the installation ceremony had been performed by the l . P . M . He had much pleasure in pinning on the breast of Bro . Higgins , I . P . M ., a Past Master's jewel of the lodge , which the members hoped to see him wear on many

occasions . Bro . W . G . Higgins , I . P . M ., returned sincere thanks for the manner in which the toast had been proposed by the Worshipful Master , and also for the handsome jewel presented to him . He could tell them that the duties of Worshipful Master were very onerous , but he judged from the jewel given to him that he had met with the

approbation of the brethren , and he was glad it had not been withheld from him . He trusted that during the coming year the brethren would extend to the Worshipful Master the same consideration he ( the l . P . M . ) had received during the past , for he thought it was the duty of every outgoing Master to impress upon the officers the importance of the obligation they owed to him .

" The Initiates" having been honoured , "The Visitors was given in cordial terms . Bro . J . Mason , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., said he had enjoyed himself immensely , although it was a great misfortune not to be present at the working . He remembered that lodge when it was first consecrated , and he had attended two or

three times since . He should be surprised if no brother offered himself as Steward for the Jubilee Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution next year , for he knew the good work done by the lodge in the past . "The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary , " and "The Officers" having been duly honoured , a pleasant evening terminated with the Tyler's toast .

Covent Garden Lodge ( No . 1614 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , S . W ., on the 10 th ult ., when there were present Bros . G . H . Reynolds , W . M . ; S . Hewett , l . P . M . ; G . H . Foan , S . W . ; W . Unwin , J . W . ; E . Jacobs , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Reynolds , P . M ., Sec . ; A . L . Bullen , S . D . ; C . 0 . Burgess , acting as ] . D . ; W . Belsham , I . G . ; G .

Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; J . Mayo , Stwd . ; R . F . Potter , Tyler ; G . Coleman , P . M . ; J . Cox , W . Humphrey , W . Downes , H . Price , H . J . Keen , W . M . Carter , Turner Wilson , W . G . Green , J . Pullen , J . Woodward , W . J . Thrussell , A . Freeman , T . Middleweek , A . Addenino , and F . Costa . Visitors : Bros . S . Keene , P . M . S 6 ; J . Kirk , J . W . 1251 ; A . Monk , 1237 ; W . Harbert , 19 S 7 ; T . C Seary , 19 S 7 ; H . Adams , 16 S 1 ; H . Windeatt , J . W . 1 793 ;

and W . Hancock , 2191 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Ballots were taken for Messrs . A . Addenino and F . Costa as candidates for initiation , which were unanimous , and these gentlemen being in attendance were initiated . A ballot was also unanimous in favourof Bro . T . Middleweek , 1 793 , as a joining member . Bro . George

Downes was passed to the Degree of F . C . Bro . G . H . Foan was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . Bros . Homer , Price , W . Humphrey , and W . J . Thrussell were elected Auditors . A Past Master ' s jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . George H . Reynolds in recognition of his services as W . M . for the past year . The by-laws were read , also

correspondence , which included several letters of regret from members not being able to be present on account of illness , and one from Bro . G . C . Connor , P . G . M . of Tennessee , U . S . A ., regretting that a previous engagement prevented him from being present , but sending hearty greetings . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a capital banquet in the Prince's Room , provided for them

by Bro . G . P . Bertini , the manager . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and most enthusiastically received , and the Tyler ' s ; . toast brought a very pleasant evening to a close . The proceedings were pleasantly enlivened by the singing of Bros . T . Middleweek , VV . Harbert , J . Woodward , H . J . Keen , and others , accompanied on the piano by Bro . T . C . Seary .

Clapham Lodge ( No . 1818 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 25 th ult ., at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , and was attended by numerous brethren . Amongst those present were Bros . Frank Manby , W . M . ; Louis Hirsch , P . M ., Treas . ; G . T . Goodinge , P . M ., D . C ; D . Harrison , P . M . ; Howard Smith , P . M ., Sec ; J . W . Goodinge , P . M . ; J . Liscombe , S . W . ;

C . E . G . Dodd , S . D . ; S . E . Gabriel , I . G . ; A . C Goodinge , A . H . P . Dale , F . A . Jewson , W . T . Snell , and T . Bowler , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . McQueen , W . M . 11 ; Wallis Brooke , W . M . 2005 ; Hanman , l . P . M . 2005 ; Webb , l . P . M . 1329 ; McQueen , l . P . M . 11 ; Halliday , 216 S ; Jermyn , S . D . 2003 ; Bailey , D . C . 2005 ; Krumin , 1 S 5 ; Pullen , i 2 rC ; Matthews , 5 69 ; S . Evans , 1 743 ;

and others . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , the report of the Audit Committee , showing a substantial balance in hand , was received and adopted . A ballot was successfully taken for Bro . Walter Thomas Snell , 1329 , as a joining member , and for Mr . William Arthur Jewson as a candidate for initiation at the next meeting . The resignations of Bros . Joseph Clever , P . M ., and A . H . Dodd

were received with regret . Bro . John Liscombe , S . W ., was then presented to the W . M . to receive the benefit of installation at his hands , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , he was installed in a most praiseworthy manner by Bro . Frank Manby , W . M ., The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . S . E . Gabriel , S . W . ; A . C Goodinge , J . W . ; Louis Hirsch , P . M ., Treas . ; Howard Smith , P . M ., Sec ; A . II . P .