Craft Masonry.

return In time for the installation meeting * next month , but bis place was ably filled by Bro . W . Godson , I . P . M . Other members present included Bros . W . T . Farthing , P . M . ( the father of the lodge ); James Stephens , P . D . G . D . C , Sec . ; Vv * . J . Mason , P . M ., G . Std . Br . ; H . R . Schreiber , P . M . ; C . D . Lavinf-ton : W . R . Carpenter ; F . Schmitz , P . M . ; W . J . Stratton , P . M . ; E . Kallaj E . P . Moore , S . W . ; H . E . Weston . J . W . ; E . W . Hart , S . D . ; A . Morrell , J . D . ; C . E . Weston , I . G . ; J . T . Calton , W . H . Stringer , and others . Visitors : Brns . Dennis , W . M . ; Carter , W . M . ; CookCobbettKlempnerP . M . and W . W . LeeP . M .

, , , , , After the confirmation of the minutes , Messrs . H . W . Marley and ] . S . Crook were initiated into Freemasonry by Bro . Godson . I . P . M ., who performed the ceremony in a very impress-ive manner . Bro . Moore , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . and expressed his thanks for the honour and his intention of upholding the splendid working and traditions of the lodge . Bro . Turk Lacy , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Whiteman was elected Tyler . Bro . J . Stephens , P . D . G . D . C , Sec , then said that since th'e last lodo-e meeting * a sisnal honour had been conferred upon the lodge by the

conferment of the office of Grand Standard Bearer upon Bro . Mason . He therefore wished to propose that they should record upon their minutes the high appreciaion in which they viewed ! h * t appointment , their esteem and regard for Bro . M = tson , and their hope and desire that he might be spared for many years to adorn the office to which he had been aopointed . He ( Bro . Stephens ) further proposed that the lodge should present Bio . " M ** snn with his Grand Lodge cloth ' me * . This resolution was seconded by Bio . Schmitz , P . M ., and carried unanimously , and Bro Stephens with that thoughtfulness

which char-cterisesh's Secretarial dutiesat once announced that he had anticipated their wishes and had provided the necessary regalia . Bro . W . T . Farthing , P . M ., in making the presentation , said this pleasing duty devolved upon him as the father of the lodge . There was no brother in the lodge who more richly deserved the honour conferred upon h ' m than Bro . Mason , for he had been most indefatigable in his work for the benefit of the Craft , as a member of the Board of General Purposes , and its Vice-President . It was almost unique in Ihe annals of Freemasonry that their lodge should have three

Grand Officers , although it had only been established something like 15 years . Bros , lames Stephens and J . J . Thomas had previously received Grand Office , and now Bro . Mason had been appointed Grand Standard Bearer . These brethren were members of the first rabinet of the Tivoli Lodge , over whom he ( Bro . Farthing ) presided , and no better oflicers ever worked together . They bad received their reward , and in presenting Ihe testimonial that evening to Bro . Mason it gave them all the greatest pleasure . They sincerely hoped he would be spared for many years to wear the

clcthing ; and to continue to work for the benefit of the Craft in general . The inscription on the jewel is— " Presented by the brethren of the Tivoli Lodge , No . 2150 , to W . Bro . Wm . James Mason on his appointment to the office of Grand Standard Bearer of England , as a mark of their high esteem and rega rd . Octr . 2 , tooo . " Bro . W . J . Mason , G . Std . Br ., in reply , said : In what words can I convey to you the expression of my gratitude ? I thank you all again and again , not only for presenting me with my Grand Lodge clothing , but also for the flattering words accompanying

it . 1 he intrinsic value of this beautiful present is far less in my eyes than the kindly feeling which prompted its being given . Not the least gratifying feature in connection with it is that the presentation has been made by _ the members of this lodge of their own hee will and accord . I may have my own opinion—as others may have theirs—as to whether I merit all that has been said to-night , but I can say that however short my psst efforts may have been to deserve praise , all my future endeavours will be devoted lo deserve them . I am proud of the honour that has been conferred upon me by his Royal Highness , and I take it not only as a great compliment to this lodge , but also to

mv old associations with it . I thank our esteemed Secretary for the trouble he has taken , and also for the kind letter in which he conveyed his congratulations on my preferment . I also thank all the members for their great kindness to me at all times , and 1 trust I shall be spared for many years to enjoy the society of the members of this lodge , where 1 am pleased to say discord is unknown . 1 hope the same spirit of fraternal affection and love and unity will ever characterise the members . I am sure that with such surroundings , such kindly greetings , and such dear old friends , it would be a poor heart indeed that could not rejoice , and I hope the lodge will continue to prosper for

many , many years . The resignation of Bro . J . J . Thomas , P . G . S . B ., on account of ill-health , was received with very deep regret , and he was unanimously elected an honorary member , after which the lodge was closed . After barrjuet , the customary toast list was gone through , and the musical artistes included Miss Kellaway , Miss Bartle , and Bros . W . H . Stringer , Dudman , and A . Morrell .

"The Grand Officers " was proposed by Bro . W . T . Farthing , P . M ., and Bro . W . J . Mason , G . Std . Br ., in response , said he first started in the Order some 20 years ago and little thought he should ever attain to the position of W . M . His time was then fully occupied , but at the early age of 43 he managed to do without business and then took an interest in Masonry . He joined several lodges , and thanks to Bros . Stephens , Thomas , and others , was elected to the Board of General Purposes at the top of the

poll on the first occasion and afterwards became Vice-President for three years . He was very prond ol his office as Grand Standard Bearer , as he considered it a great compliment to this lodge of which he was a founder . Bro . F . Schmilz , P . M ., then gave "The W . M . " He said their real W . M . was abroad , but the I . P . M ., Bro . Godson , had done the work most admirably and the initiates could not have failed to bi impressed . . .

Bro . W . Godson , I . P . M ., returned thanks on behalf of himself and the W . M . Bro . J . Stephens , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C , proposed "The Initiates , " congratulating them upon having made their debut in one of the best little lodges it had been his good fortune to be associated with . If the initiates would act up to the teachings of Freemasonry and practice them inside and outside the lodge their lives would be a heaven upon earth , and they would be better men than ever they knew how to be befoie . Bros . Marley and Crook responded . Bro . E . P . Mooie , W . M . elect , replied to the toast of his health in an excellent

speech . Having returned thanks for his election , he said that it had been justly remarked lhat no greater honour could fall on any man than that of being elected W . M . of his mother lodge . That was not his case , for he was initiated in the West country . He visited many lodges before coming to this , but when he saw the installation ceremony tendered in the Tivoli Lodge by the father of the lodge he thought he had never heard anything in Masonry so beautiful before . He resolved to join , and had never once regretted his choice . He promised them he would endeavour to perform the Masonic ritual to their satisfaction , and uphuld the traditions of the lodge , and he hoped lo gain their respectloveand esteem .

, , Bro . Farthing , P . M ., answered for "The P . Ms ., " and Bro . Mason , in giving "The Ollicers , " said that long speeches were like the twopenny tube—a marvellous bore . The Tyler ' s toa ' . t closed the proceedings .

West Lancashire Alpass Masonic Festival.

WEST LANCASHIRE ALPASS MASONIC FESTIVAL .

A NEW BLACKPOOL LODGE FOUNDED . The annual Festival in connection with the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution , usually held at Southport or Liverpool , look place ht the Winter Gardens , Blackpool , on Wednesday , the 26 th ult . The 1 bject of the Institution , which perpetuates the memory oi a lormer Prov . ti . Secretary , Bro . Horace Seymour Alpass , is to provide annuities to

widows of deceased brethren who belonged to the Province of West Lancashire . The annual income from investments is about £ 25 $ , and this amount is largely increased by the voluntary subscriptions of those interested in the province . Last year , for instance , the Institution , paid away in annuities no less than £ 1100 .

The arrangements for Wednesday ' s gathering were admirably carried out by Bros . Lieut .-Col . J . D . Murray , Prov . G . D . of C , P . G . Treas . Eng . ; C . A . Trevitt , P . P . G . D ., Captain of Stewards ; Harry Brooks , P . M . 147 6

West Lancashire Alpass Masonic Festival.

Sub-Captain of Stewards ; J . A . Brown , 2316 , Wine Steward ; W . R Brandwood , P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; and Geo . A . Harradon , P . P . G . Treas and Arthur VV . Taylor , 1476 , Secretaries ; while Bro . J . Huddlestone , as manager of the Gardens , saw to it that everything was done which would tend to the comfort and pleasure of the compony . The Victoria Annexe was specially arranged and reserved as a smoke room , where the Winter

Gardens Orchestra , under Mr . Ralph Harwood , discoursed choice music at intervals . Altogether about 300 brethren attended the Festival—Black pool and the F \ lde , Liverpool and district , Barrow-in-Furness , Dalton-in-Furness , Manchester , Lancaster , Wigan , St . Helens , and South port being well represented .

In the afternoon a grand banquet was served , under the directon of Mr . F . Kluth , head caterer , in the Victoria Cafe , at the Gardens . The Lord Mayor of Liverpool , Bro . Louis S . Cohen , presided , and supporting him were the Lady Mayoress ( Mrs . Cohen ) , the Mayor and M ayoress of Blackpool ( Dr . and Mrs . Kingsbury ) , Bro . and Mrs . T . Loftos , Bro . and Mrs . W . R . Brandwood , Bros . J . Wray and Harry Brooks , Bro . Dr . and

Mrs . Dunderdale , Bros . C . E . Hindle , J . Cardwell , R . Escolme , Arthur Taylor , and J . W . Emmott , Bro . and Mrs . J . Donnelly , Bros . A . P . Fckh Geo . Harradon , and Alderman John Holden ( Liverpool ) , Bro . and Mrs ' G . Ashworth , Bro . and Mrs . Hastwell , Bros . J . P . Dixon , T . Kay , Dr . Calvert , H . Gardner , T . Sankey , and others . Sir Matthew White Ridlev

and others wrote regretting their inability to be present . The menu , which was of a most enjoyable character , gave great satisfaction . The usual loyal toasts were submitted by the President of the gathering , Miss Alice Ainsworth taking up the air of " God Save the Queen , " and Bro . Wilton Bradshaw that of " God Bless the Prince of Wale ' s . "

The next toast , that of " The President of the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , " was submitted by Alderman HOLDEN * . The late Earl , said the speaker , was one of Nature ' s noblemen ; and the present Earl was a worthy son of a worthy sire . He had taken great interest in everything in connection with their Order , and was with them at all times when it was possible for him to attend . The health was enthusiastically honoured .

The Lord Mayor of LIVERPOOL next called upon the company to drink " Success to the VVest Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution . " Some years ago , he went on , they had an idea of perpetuating the memory of their good friend ,- their late Bro . Alpass , who did so much for Masonry . The Alpass Benevolent Institution was the outcome of that ; dea , and to keep ' it going money was required ; in fact , money was required for most things

connected with Masonry , The object ot the Institution was to form a provisional fund for the relief of widows of poor Masons . It was established 14 years ago ; and at the present time some 84 were benefiting from it . The cost of this relief was £ 1000 , and as the investments only brought in some . £ 250 , about . £ 800 was required . His lordship went on to say that a man was always a better man tor being a Mason . If they were to look

round that room and see a man looking lugubrious and miserable , they could rest assured that he was not a Mason . There was a great deal for a man to do who was a Mason . Masonry , too , was a great advantage to a man who had more money than he knew what to do with . In conclusion , he mentioned that his list of subscriptions , he was proud to say , amounted to over 100 guineas . ( Applause . )

Bro . G . HARRADON took up the toast by reading out a list of subscriptions to the Institution from the various lodges , which amounted to £ 1243-Bro . WYLIE then proposed ' * The Health of the President of the Fes * , tival , " to whom the success of that gathering was to be attributed . The speaker mentioned that previously they had met in Southport , where they had had many pleasant meetings , but that day they were met in a place the like of which he had never seen before .

The toast was heartily drunk with musical hononrs , and then was pleasingly acknowledged . " The Ladies " fell to the lot of Bro . T . LOTTOS , who asked to be excused if he was a little faulty , as that was only the second time in his life that he had proposed that toast , and the last time was some 36 years ago . He continued his remarks in a very humorous fashion .

Bro . GOODACRE , referring to the toast of " Prosperity to St . John ' s Lodge , " pointed out that it had only been formed in Blackpool that day , but yet it had contributed £ 75 to the funds of the Institution . Bro . C . R . HARDMAN also expressed a hope that the lodge born that day would grow up and prosper , and would do something for the success ana furtherance of Masonry .

Bro . J , WRAY , the W . M , of the lodge , in reply , referred to the growth of Freemasonry in general , and to the new lodge in particular , concluding by referring to the fact that the St . John ' s Lodge had contributed the next highest sum to the Lord Mayor ' s , namely , £ 75 to the Institution . The intervals were whiled away by song and music , the artistes being Miss Alice Ainsworth , Bros . Wilton Bradshaw and Ralph Harwood , Mr . Cyril Chantler , and the Della Rosa Quartette . Bro . R . Oldfield Brierley was the accompanist .

CONSECRATION OF THE ST . JOHN'S I . ODGE , No . 2825

An interesting feature in connection with the gathering is that earlier in the day saw the birth of a new lodge for Blackpool . The first officers ol the St . John ' s Lodge , for that is its title , are as follows : Bros . John Wray , W . M . ; J . Cardwell , S . W . ; R . Escolme , J . W . ; R . Parkinson , Sec ; W . R . Brandwood , Treas . ; J . E . Hargreaves , S . D . ; S . S . Lomax , JeDJ . J . Critchley , I . G . ; J . Catterall , Tyler ; W . Longbottom , S . B . ; E *

Taylor , R . H . S . Calveit , S . S . Waterhouse , and J . Bamber , Stwds . The lodge was consecrated by Bro . R . Wylie , D . P . G . M . for West Lancashire , assisted by Bro . Colonel J . D . Murray , P . G . Treasurer ol England , Director of Ceremonies . Bro . the Rev . S . Y . B . Bradshaw , P . P . G . Chap ., delivered the oration in a most able manntr . The othsr consecrating officers were Bro . W . Goodacre , P-G . Sec , and Bro . Jo ** " * Houlden , P . G . D . Eng .

Instruction.

Instruction .

ISLINGTON LODGK , No . 1471 . The usual weekly meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 2 nd ^ flfl at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , when there were present : Bros . 1 . K . Thomas- " •'"*; E . Lucas , S . W . ; C . G . Zander , J . VV . ; A . F . Hardyment , P . M ., Asst . Pi <*»? V C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Mercs , Treas . j J . Duncan , P . M ., Sec ., * M . W