Old Masonians' Association.

Bro . W . J- PACKER proposed " Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Institution r Rovs " in an able and enthusiastic speech . Song : "Thy Sentinel am I , " by Bro . Patrick O'Doherty . Bro . J- M . M CLEOD , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., Past President of Association , ' .. j . j He alluded to the new School , that a bright future was in Drosoect

Tr it but that its realisation depended not only on the Craft , but even those out'de i ' t . He spoke of the extension of the years granted to some of the boys , and how they had been eagerly accepted , and how advantageous had been the 1 Recitation : " Guns a Din " ( Kipling ) , by Bro . Geo . Cummings .

Bro . R . H AROLD WILLIAMS gave the toast of "The Chairman , our President . " He spoke warmly of Bro . Vassar-Smith , but that his regretted absence was amply supplied by his substitute , Bro . J . A . Farnfield , who had so ably presided over them that evening . The C HAIRMAN replied to the toast , thanking those who were present for their kind welcome .

"The Past and Vice-Presidents having been given by Bro . R . E . BARNES , Bro . S HOLTO H AHE replied . He said he was pleased to give three guineas to ' the Association . Song i " The Flight of Ages , " by Bro . J . Sargeant . "The Visitors , " given Mr . HORACE WILSON , brought the evening to a close .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

A special meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Crewe Arms Hotel , Crewe , on the 27 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master . At the close of Prov . Grand Lodge the Prov . Grand Master presided over meetings of the various Charity representatives of the Benevolent Institutions and Educational Committee of the province .

The C HAIRMAN read a letter from Bro . Colonel C . S . Dean , of Birkenhead , resigning his position as Chairman of the Charity Council . The meeting accepted the resignation with much regret . The C HAIRMAN proposed the election of Bro . Hy . Jackson as Chairman of the Council .

Bro . F . K . STEVENSON seconded the motion . As , however , the appointment could not be made that day , a motion was agreed to that Bro . Jackson should perform the duties of Chairman until the June meeting , when a resolution would be passed confirming his appointment . The question of appointing a Vice-Chairman was postponed .

Bio , H . J ACKSON reported on the voting strength of the province . They had 2300 votes for Boys , 600 for Girls , and 2500 for Widows and aged Masons in the Royal Benevolent Institution . They had from the Province of Cheshire at present six boys in the Masonic School in London , costing about £ 200 a year ; four girls costing about £ 150 a year , with six aged

Masons and three widows receiving from the Funds of the Royal Benevolent Institution £ 336 a year , making a total of ^ 716 which the Province of Cheshire was receiving from the Central Charities in London . He hoped they would not forget that , when any appeal was made on behalf of those Charities . Bro . H . Stevenson was re-appointed Hon . Sec , and Bro . Simm as Hon . Treas . of the Educational Institute .

Freemasonry At The Front.

FREEMASONRY AT THE FRONT .

The practical value of Freemasonry in time uf need has been proved over and over again . A contributor to the April " Windsor " writes as follows : " During the present war the tie of the Brotherhood has been recognised both by Boers and Englishmen . A colonel of a Canadian regiment at Modder River , on a Sunday morning stroll , strayed too far from his camp , when he suddenly tound himself covered by the rifle of a Boer . By a fortunate impulse he made

the customary sign , and cried out , ' Don ' t shoot , . ' The Boer immediately threw down his gun and hurried to the colonel , informing him that he belonged to ' De Broederband in Pretoria , ' and was a member of General Cronje ' s staff . He begged him to return at once to his camp , and made him accept a valuable coin as a souvenir of his escape . " The English Rising Sun Lodge was allowed to meet at Bloemfontein throughout the war .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Clapton Lodge , No . 1365 . 11 ' ? . fJ u ' meeting of this well-known City lodge was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-street , on the 21 st ult ., when there were present Bros . Frank Orfeur , W . M . j T . T . Gething , l . P . M . ; H . H . Bowen , acting S . W . ; G . Schilling , J . W . ; J- Blackburn , P . M ., Treas . j VV . D . Church , P . M ., Sec . ; C . R . Campbell , S . D . ; 1 . J . Dyer , D . C , acting I . G . ; Arthur II . Church , P . M ., Org . ; W . Finch , P . M . ; vv n L A ntolt ' - J W- II . Caton , P . M . ; H . Butters , E . Stanger , D . Ovens , J . E . vyal , (_ ,. Tavlor . F . Brown . K . K . Hnrfev . V . Mnnrp . H . Greene . C . Sienesi . 1 . Vincent .

' - Sienesi , F . J . Thurston , T . E . Zoers , j . Porteous , W . D . Seaton , j . H . Shipman , G . 'fers A , Zoers > al )(] H Martin ) p < M ) - ler visitors -. Bros . J . Ellinger , P . M . 2322 ; * 7 ' V 472 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . H » tne usual rout > ne business , the W . M ., Bro . Frank Orfeur , raised Bros . H . ( he S A P' 0 vens to the Third De B > and afterwards passed Bro . J . Porteous to mi £ ? e B * The ceremonies in both were worked in a able —¦ lit uufcit ubgi ( vd nviv » w -

• . " e . Degrees very 3 rd Ol * r > - — »•»*• bwibiiiuiiiwj . MUH > U « ••* ** . ^ — __ Wr nt mann " - - The Secretary read a letter from the Grand Secretary A " J 5 approval by the M . W . G . M . of the installation meetings of the lodge being a -, 7 i' ? . ° " , instead of September , and after other business the lodge was closed , and a "" ustantial banquet followed . Ma ; . i '? 'l = nt terms the W . M ., Bro . Orfeur , referred to the death of her late

was dr k W M ' and he 2 ave " To tne Pl 0 us Memory of her late Majesty , " which dilate , W - ^ ' Proposed "The King , " and said that it was not necessary for him to Great A ° M Kreat tni " his Ma J esty had done for the Craft , and he hoped that the In „'• ,, ^? K ' him very many years to reign . r . rJ . i _ , . e fhe M . W . G . M . Elect , " the W . M . stated that his Royal Highness ' s

•> rl % Past indicated that he would make a good ruler of the Craft . Hri . -i- 5 "V Officers , Present and Past , " followed , it was am - L- " , thln ff > I-P . M ., then gave "The W . M ., Bro . Frank Orfeur , " and said 'hat his * " ! - pleasure > which increased each time he proposed the toast , and he felt and iC t , 7 ? ents werc also those of the members , as they were all proud ot the W . M ., ThVK ? ^ was carrying out his duties , to respond H ^ ceived with enthusiasm , as was ths W . M ., Bro . O .-feur , on rising u . tie said that if it was a pleasure to propose the toast , it was a greater

Craft Masonry.

pleasure for him to receive it . It was a very great honour to be the Master of such an important lodge , and his endeavours were to make the lodge a success in the future as it had been in the past . He thanked Bro . Gething for his kind words , and he appreciated the very heartymanner the brethren had received the toast . In submitting the toast of " The Visitors , " the W . M . observed that they were

always looked upon as an acquisition to the lodge . They were honoured that evening with a few in number , but they were good in quality , and in making special mention of Bro . J . Ellinger , P . M ., said that he took an active part in the Charities , and was an ardent worker in the Craft , and they were delighted to have him there , and hoped tosee him and the other visitors again .

Bro . Ellinger , P . M ., responded in very appropriate terms , congratulating the W . M . on hisexcellent working , and thanking the members for the hearty manner in which the visitors had been received and entertained , and he hoped that that wjuld not be the last time that he would be there . Bro . T . Welham also reponded in a brief but happy speech , and to the point . Bro . R . T . West also acknowledged the toast . The W . M . gave" The I . P . M ., Bro . T . T . Gething , " and said he had no doubt

that the toast would be received with acclamation , as they all knew his great worth and what he had done for the lodge while in the chair , which he so ably filled ; and he felt sure that he would continue his efforts to promote the interests of the lodge , which he so well loved . ( Applause . ) Bro . T . T . Gething , I . P . M ., on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received . He said that the very kind way the toast had been proposed and received afforded him the greatest pleasure , but he had done but very little during his year of office , but that little had been to the best of his ability , and he would be too glad to do everything in the future for that , his mother lodge , if given the opportunity .

The W . M . proposed "The Treasurer , Secretary , and Past Misters , " that in the Treasurer they had a jewel , and as to the Secretary no words of his could express in adequate terms the value he was to the lodge , as he kept it going . The Past Masters were all good and could not be better and they were proud to have such a noble array , who had done excellent service in the Dist and were ever readv to do anvthinr ? for their

good lodge . Bro . J . Blackburn , P . M ., responded , congratulating the W . M . on his good working that evening . The lodge was in a flourishing condition and the members were all good men and good paymasters . Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., Sec , said that he appreciated the kind remarks of the W . M . as to his efforts for the lodge , and he was proud to see the W . M ., who was one of his initiates , filling the chair so well . All he had done and would have to do would

be to the best of his ability . All lodges required new blood , but they wanted only the right sort of members . Bro . W . Finch , P . M ., also responded , making special mention of Brj . H . J . Dyer , D . C , who had acted as I . G . that evening , and stated that he had excelled himself which showed well for his future career in the lodge . He was glad the lodge had a reputation for good working and hospitality , and might that long continue . Bros . W . H . Caton , P . M . ; Arthur H . Church , P . M .: and F . C Lintott , P . M .,

also acknowledged the toast in very appropriate terms . In eulogistic terms the W . M . proposed " The Officers , " making special reference to Bro . H . H . Bowen , who had acted that evening as S . W ., in the absence of Bro . Thayre , and Bro . Dyer , acting I . G . In response , Bro . Bowen said he took that opportunity of thanking the W . M . and Bro . Blackburn , P . M ., for the votes they had given him for Elizabeth Ferry , a candidate for election for the Girls' Institution , and he urged the brethren to help him in such a deserving case , and they would never regret it .

Very suitable responses were also made by Bros . G . Schilling , J . W . ; C R . Campbell , S . D . ; Dyer , acting I . G . j A . H . Church , P . M ., Org . ; and J . H . Shipman ; and the Tyler's toast brought the happy proceedings to an end . The musical entertainment was , as it always is in the Clipton Lodge , of good quality , in which the following took part : Bros . Harry Greene ( who was in splendid voice ) gave Bro . Reginald Groome ' s well-known song "Stars May Forget , " for which he received a well-deserved encore ; E . Sienesi , H . Butters , G . Taylor , G . Schilling , A . H . Church , P . M ., and D . G . Zoers . Bro . A . II . Caurch , P . M ., also presided at the pianoforte .

Sir Charles Bright Lodge , No . 1793 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . R . W . FORGE . The installation meeting of this prosperous provincial lodge was held at the Clarence Hotel , Teddington , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., when Bro . Goff presided over an unusually large gathering of brethren and visitors , amongst the latter being the Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . Wm . H . C . St . Clair , P . S . G . D ., Bros . R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; F . C . Austin , P . P . G . D . C ; Wm . Beard , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . Larcombe , P . M . 7 SS ,

P . P . G . D . C ; A . Loft , P . M . 94 5 , P . P . G . D . C ; J . K . Gwyn , P . M . 142 C ; C . Lamb , l . P . M . 2579 ; W . Lovatt , P . M . 742 ; F . Melville , P . M . 1791 ; W . Pitman , P . M . 1181 ; W . Tyler , P . M ., S . W . 2579 ; G . Best , 1 S 3 ; F . J . Hallett , 907 ; F . Kershaw , 1 S 97 ; F . Pearman , 1446 ; C . F . Sangar , 1642 ; and T . Sunlinglett , 26 9 S . Letters and telegrams expressing inability to attend were read from Bros . Lord George Hamilton , Prov . G . Master ; Sir F . Dixon Hartland , M . P . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Dr . Beresford Ryley , W . Fisher , 1 . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . l . B . ;

F . R . W . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G . ; E . Terry , P . G . T . ; W . B . Fendick , J . W . Wohlgemuth , P . G . D . ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; II . F . Bing , P . G . Sec ; E . Gomme , P . M . ; W . Dodd , P . M . ; H . B . Marshall , G . Treis . ; Stanley Attenborough , J . P . Hoddinott , P . M . ; J . Keyes , P . M . ; and many others . The lodge was opened and Bro . R . VV . Forge , P . M ., S . VV ., was presented as W . M .

el ect and installed into the chair by Bro . Edwd . Hall , P . M .. the ceremony being rendered in a most impressive and faultless manner . The following were the ollicers appointed by the newly-installed Master : Bros . M . R . Fitzwilliam , S . W . j 1 . Finch , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W .. J . W . ; E . W . Warner , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Sec . ; W . Daniel , S . D . ; Edwd . Hall , P . M ., J . D . ; H . Gulliver , I . G . ; H . Ward , Org . ; R . Gardner , D . C . ; and B . G . Williams and J . N . Laffan , Stwds . Bro . W . Middleweek , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , was elected Treasurer , and Bro . John Gilbert , Tyler .

'Ihe usual loyal and Masonic toasts werc duly honoured , the Dep . P . G . M ., responding for " The Provincial Grand Officers , " afterwhich a select musical programme was gone through under the direction of Bro . j . E . Ruffell , P . G . Org . The l . P . M . was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel . An interesting feature is the fact that Bro . Forge held the position of W . M . in this lodge in 1880 , exactly 21 years ago .

Instruction.

Instruction .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 7 S 0 . A meeting was held on the 2 Sth ult . at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when there were present Bros . E . C . St . Aubyn , VV . M . ; C . E . Dowling , S . VV . ; H . I " . Town , J . W . ; F . J . Larkman , P . M ., Treas . ; A . H . Bridger , Sec . ; C Humble , S . D . ; R . E . BaronJ . D . ; Harry WaspeI . G . ; and C II . NewmanStwd .

, , , The lodge was opened , and the minutes were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . F . J . Larkman , P . M ., acting as candidate . The W . M . then rehearsed the ceremony of investing his ollicers . Bro . R . II . Williams , P . M ., Preceptor , worked the 1 st Section of the Lecture , after which the lodge was closed .

SELWYN LODGE , No . 1901 . ANNUAL SUITBK . On Friday , the 2 Sth ult ., the annual supper of this lodge of instruction was held at the Montpelier Hotel , Choumert-road , Peckham , and it proved to be unusually successful and enjoyable , upwards of fio brethren being present . The toasts of " The King and the Craft " and " The Queen and Members of the Royal Family , " having been duly honoured

, Bro . John Lightfoot , P . M . and D . C . 1901 , proposed the toast of " The Selwyn Lodge of Instruction , " and testified to the thoroughness of the work carried on by the Preceptor , Bro . J . W . Wimble , P . M . and Sec . lyoi . He said the lodge had bsen the