Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

for the brethren , and he must say that the working ot the W . M . and officers of this lodge was carried out in the best possible manner , and no W . M . could take a greater interest in thc prosperity of his lodge . This toast was greeted *¦ ith hearty exhibitions of good feeling . The W . M ., in reply , said : 1 thank you , Bro . Worrell , for your kind expressions of fraternal regard , and for the

compliment you have paid mc in proposing my health , and you , brethren , for the cordial manner in which you have been pleased to receive the last toast . Though Bro . Worrell has spoken of tne in far too flattering terms , I hope that at thc end of my year of office I shall be found in a measure deserving of them . Brethren , wc are inaugurating to-day the commencement of the official year ,

which I trust will be a happy and prosperous one to us all . I believe no Master ever felt the responsibilities of his position more than I do , tor having been placed in the honourable position of first W . M . of thc Clapham Lodge , I ft el in duty bound so to act during my year of ottice that at the end of that term you will have no cause to regret the choice you have made . Though my deficiencies

may be great , they are not greater than my desire that the office I hold shall be filled to your satisfaction , and if I can but gain your approbation I shall be amply repaid for any trouble I have taken in preparing myself for the responsibilities of the chair . It will be my gre t aim to make our lodge a model lodge , both for the perfect working of our beautiful ceremonies , and for the existence of

genuine , faithful , and brotherly feeling amongst us . For this purpose , brethren , it is , however , necessary that we should keep before us the maxim of the founders of this lotlge , not to introduce either as a candidate or joining member any but those whom we would be pleased to re eive in our own homes and families . No other men should be introduced to Masonry , and certainly not to this

lodge . With exercising this care , brethren , our lodge will flourish , and peace , concord , antl unanimity reign amongst us . ( Applause . ) Brethren , the next toast I have fhe great pleasure to propose to you is , I am sure , a most welcome one to you all , it being emphatically the toast of the evening , " The Health of the Initiate . " We have added , this evening , another substantial link to that golden chain of

fraternal sympathy which binds us so closely to one another here below , by initiating a gentleman into the mysteries of our excellent Order , of whom we have every reason to be proud as a member of our lodge . The tongue of good report has been heard in his favour , antl we know him to be a man of sterling worth , who would do honour to any society , and who , 1 feel sure , will carry

out the great principles of our Order—brotherly love , relief , and truth . " God send him many years of sunshine days . " I ask you , brethten , to rise and drink with me to " The Health , Happiness , and Prosperity of the Initiate . " Bro . Phillips , in reply , thanked the W . M . for the flattering manner in which he had proposed the last toast , and expressed his gratification at the handsome way in which he

had been received , and the pleasure he had to be admitted as a member of the Clapham Lodge . He was greatly impressed with the beautiful ceremony , so ably rendered by his friend , the W . M ., and he hoped to become a good working Mason . He would endeavour to do the best he possibly could for the interest of the Craft in general and this lodge in particular . The Worshipful Master then said : I now rise

to propose to you a toast which , I know , will meet with your cordial reception—it is " The Health of the Visitors . " We are honoured this evening with the presence of several distinguished Masons , and 1 trust their visit has been in every way as agreeable to them as it has been gratifying to the members of this lodge . I tender you , brother visitors , our most hearty welcome , and trust you will favour

us with your presence on many future occasions , assuring you that a hearty reception will at all times await you , for " all our friends are welcome . " With this toast 1 couple the name of Bro . G . Wright . Bro . G . Wright , in responding for the visitors , thanked the W . M . antl brethren for the hearty welcome they had received , and assured them that he had spent a very

pleasant and agreeable evening . He could not compliment the W . M . too highly on the excellent working of the ceremonies , antl might safely say he had never heard the beautilul rites more impressively performed than that evening . He wished every prosperity to the Clapham Lodge , and trusted to be with them again on some future occasion . Bro . Zeder also replied , and thanked the W . M . for

his appreciation of the exertions he ( Bro . Zeder ) had made for the comfort of the brethren of the Clapham Lodge . Thc W . M . then proposed the next toast ,, ; " The Health of our Secretary and pro Treasurer . " We can congratulate ourselves on having such an able and experienced Secretary , who , as we all know , takes the liveliest interest in the welfare of the Clapham Lodge . I

regret that on account of ill-health our brother Treasurer is not able to be amongst us , and thank Bro . Sudlow most heartily for having undertaken the duty of pro Treasurer , which , like everything else he undertakes , he is sure to carry out properly , and to your satisfaction . I ask you , brethren , to drink to the health of our brothers Secretary antl pro Treasurer . Bro . Worrell responded , thanking the

W . M . for the complimentary expressions , and said he would do all he possibly could for the interest and prosperity of the lodge . The Worshipful Master then said : Brethren , I have very great pleasure in proposing to you the next toast , and when I tell you it is " The Health of the Officers " I feel sure you will give it a most hearty

reception . It is of the utmost importance for the welfare and position of the lodge that the Master thereof should be well supported by able , efficient , and painstaking officers , and I am happy to say no Master of any lodge could possibly be better er more ably assisted by his officers than I am . " If ye search all the lodges round No better officers could be found . " You have witnessed this evening , brethren , the very excel-

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lent and impressive manner in which my brother officers performed their various duties , and they are not only capable in efficiently discharging their duties , but I am convinced they are most anxious to give me their best support during my year of office the same as they have hitherto done . I tender my sincere thanks

to my brother officers for their many acts of kindness towards me , and the assistance and advice they have renderetl me on so many occasions ; but special thanks are due to our esteemed Bro . Sudlow , whose untiring zeal for the interest and good working of the lodge is so higuly appreciated by every member , and by no one more than

myself . " He has deserved high commendation , true applause and love . " With such officers , " men entlued with worthy qualities , " to quote Shakespeare , the Clapham Lodge cannot fail to prosper , and I ask you , brethren , to drink in a bumper " Long Life , Happiness , and Prosperity to the Officers of this Lodge . " The toast was received

with loud applause . Bro . Dr . Pearce replied , and remarked that he felt sure the officers of this lodge would do all in their power to promote the hippiness and comfort ol its members . He had come some 150 miles for the purpose of taking his seat as S . W ., and should never regret having done so , for it was a pleasure to meet

the brethren and to hear the working of their W . M . The brethren had , indeed , every reason to be proud of their W . M ., and he trusted jhe might be spared them for many years . Bro . Dr . Dixon next proposed a toast . The brethren , he said , would be pleased to respond most heartily to the toast he bad the honour o propose

—it was The Health of Mrs . Hirsch , " who had so generously presented them with a silver charity box . It would be used as often , if not oftener , than any working tool in the lodge , and he trusted always with such good success as that evening . Hc desired that the W . M . would convey to his kind-hearted wife the sincere thanks of the brethren

of the Clapham Lodge , and assure her that her kind gilt was fully appreciated by the members of the lodge . The toast was received with all the honour tlue to it . The W . M . responded , andthanked the brethren most heartily for the kind reception they had given the last toast , and felt sure Mrs . Hirsch would be gratified to hear from him that evening how much the brethren had appreciated her gift .

He assured them that from the first Mrs . Hirsch had taken the liveliest interest in the formation of the lodge , and it had aSorded her the greatest pleasure to present this charity box as a token of the interest she felt for the Charitable Institutions of the Order . The Tyler ' s toast brought this happy and eminently successful meeting to a close .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE ( No . 1839 ) . —A meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 27 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall . Bros . Brooke , W . M . ; Corpe , S . W . ; Bott , J . W . ; Dewsnap , Treas . ; H . Cruse , Sec ; Smith , jun ., S . D . ; Stokes , J . D . ; Smith , Sen ., D . C ; Wilkins , I . G . ; Baumann , Stewd . ; Goddard , Tyler ; P . M .

Maloney , and Bros . Furse and Williams . Visitors : Bros . Calcin , 5 86 ; Cook , 1806 ; and Culver . The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Furse was raised to the Third Degree , after which Bro . Williams was passed to the Second Degree , and all Masonic business being over , the brethren adjourned to a banquet supplied by Bro . Best in his usual efficient manner .

YORK . —York Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge held on Monday , the ist inst ., Bro . W . H . Gainforth , S . W ., was elected W . M ., and Bro . J . Todd , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer , Amongst the

members and visitors present were Bros . A . Buckle , W . M . ; C . G . Padel , W . M . 1611 ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W . Greece ; J . Hanly , VV . M . 295 I . C ; T . B . Whytehead , P . M . ; S Maltby , P . M . ; F . Rawling , P . M . ; Sir James Meek , P . M . 5 and others . The installation takes place on the 15 th inst .

DARTFORD . —Emulation Lodge ( No . 299 ) - —The usual meeting of this lodge vvas held at the Bull Hotel , Darttnrd , on Tuesday , the 25 th ult ., when there were present Bros . Sears , W . M . ; Healey , S . W . ; Wells , J . W . ;

Wills , Harvey , Spurrell , Churchley , White , Bryant , Murray , Brock , and others . After Mr . Horatio Thomas hatl been initiated into the Order by the W . M ., the lodge was adjourned and the brethren afterwards partook of supper , provided by Bro . Bray in his usual excellent manner .

LOUTH . —Lindsey Lodge ( No . 712 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Rosemary-lane , on Friday , the . iStk ult ., Bro . Jno . M . ? . wer , W . M ., occupying the chair . An interesting feature in the programme of tbe evening vvas the presentation to the lodge , by Bro . Frank Adlard , of a very

hanttsome oil portrait of the R . W . Prov . Grantl Master of Lincolnshire , Bro . W . H . Smyth , one of the oldest P . M . ' s of this lodge . The portrait , which was in the costume of a Provincial Grand Master , reflects great credit on Bro . Adlard as a painter , for thc excellence of the workmanship ; and , as a Mason , for the generosity of his gift . This

pretty little lotlge room has lately been most exquisitely decorated by the hand of Bro . Adlard , assistetl by Bros . G . H . Porter , P . M ., and E . F . B . Lucas , free of all charge ( excepting for paint ) , from designs by Bro . James Fowler , P . M ., thc well-known architect . We believe that Bro . Adlard's talent as a portrait painter is not generally known ,

but feel sure that this picture has only to be seen for it to be appreciated . The portrait is handsomely mounted in an elegant gilt frame , the gift of Bro . Wm . Sonierton , of Louth . Votes of thanks were unanimously accorded to Bros . Adlard and Somerton for their valuable present , and the same ordered to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge . COCKERMOUTH . —Skiddaw Lodge ( No . 1002 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was

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held on Tuesday evening , the and inst . There were present : —Bros . Capt . Sewell , W . M . ; J . Black , I . P . M . ; Dr . Dodgson , P . M . ; W . Shilton , P . M . ; R . Robinson , P . M . and Treas . ; W . H . Lewthwaite , P . M . and Org . ; W . F . Lamonby , P . M . ; T . Bird , S . W . ; T . C . Robinson , J . W . ; R . W . Robinson , Sec . ; H . Peacock , S . D . ; R . Harrison , I . G . ; W . Paisley , Steward ; J . C . Nicholson , J . Borrowseale , T . Mason , and J . Hewson , Tvler . This being election

night , after the minutes were read and confirmed , Bro . Bird , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bros . R . Robinson , P . M ., and J . Hewson were * lso unanimously re-elected Treasurer and Tyler . It was agreed to Lold the Feast of St . John 01 . Tuesday , January 6 th , at five p . m . The Installing Officers will be Bros . J . Black , P . M . ; Capt . Sewell . W . M . ; and W . F . Lamonby , P . M No other busimess remaining , the lodge was closed in form .

HAMPTON —Hemming Lodge . —( No . 1312 ) . —This provincial lo gr met for the dispatch of business at the Lion Hotel , on the 20 th ult . Among those in attendance were Bros . J . C . Jessett , W . M . ; T . O . Ockenden , S . W . ; I . C Walls , P . G . S . B . Middlesex , j . W . ( Freemason ) ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , Treas . ; W . HaniMiond , P . P . G . D . Middlesex , Sec ; I .

Hammond , P . G . D . Middlesex , acting I . P . M . ; Hiscox ; J . D . ; Moody , LG . ; Wheeler , t > . C . ; Knowles , A . W . S . The minutes of the installation meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . John Hammond introduced the following proposition — " That the term ' members ' in Bye-law IV ., having already , by a resolution , dated January 18 th , 1877 , been defined to mean full subscribing

or voting members , resolved—That thc remaining ambiguity in the said bve-law , in its influence on the admission of candidates when the voting membos subsequently numbei less than fortv . be removed ; and that the phrase , reaching lorry , read reaching and remaining at least forty . " This matter , after an hour ' s discussion pro . and con ., in which the W . M . and Bros . E . Hopwood , W . Hammond , T . O . Ockenden , and Walls took part , was

carried . Ihe lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . The usual routine of toasts followed the collation . Bro . E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B ., responded upon behalf of "The P . G . O ' s ., Present and Past ; " and Bro . Ockenden for the toast of " The Officers . " In the interval some good selections of harmony were contributed by Bros . Jessett , Knowles , and others . The Tyler ' s toast , at an early hour , terminated the proceedings .

RHYL . —Caradoc Lodge ( No . 16 74 ) . — -A meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the ist inst ., at the Town Hall . There were present Bros . W . H . Foulkes , W . M . ; J . Rhydwen Jones , S . W . ; K . McEwen , J . W . ; W . L . Nicholas , Chap . ; H . A . Ste r . Sic . ; C D . Burdett , acting S . D . ; E . W . Keatinge , J . D . ; F Wrigley , Org . ; E . Grocutt , D . C . ; W . Hackforth , I . G . ; G . D . Burdett , Stwd . ;

J . Bayhss , Tyler ; T . Hughes , A . E . Lloyd , R . Hughes , E . L . Williams , P . P . Pratt , A . L . ilewes , F . P . Lewis , J . Morris , R . Roberts , J . Lean , J . B . Linncll , and H . J . B . Laurance . Visitors : Bros . Brereton , W . M . 1477 ; Thos . Davies , S . W . 755 . The lodge was opened in the First Degree , and the minutes read and signed . The ballot was taken for Bro . H . J . B . Lawrance , Abbey Lodge , 624 ,

Buiton-on-Trent , who was unanimously elected . Bros . Clewes and Pratt being present were examined as to their proficiency in the First Degree , were entrusted , and afterwards passetl to the Second Degree . Bro . J . Brownley , 279 , St . John's , Leicester , was proposed as a joining member by Bro . A . Eyton Lloyd , and seconded by Bro . E . W .

Keaiinge , J . D . Bro . Keatinge proposed , and Bro , E . L . Williams seconded , that a Committee , with power to act , of the members present should be appointed to inquire into the advisability of holding a Masonic ball early in January . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed from the brethren of Lodges Nos . 1477 and 755 .

LIVERPOOL . —Kirkdale Lodge ( No . 1756 ) . —The members of this most successful lodge assembled at the Skelmersdale Hall , Kirkdale , on Wednesday , 26 th ult ., when there was one of the largest gatherings of the fraternity which has been seen in Liverpool for a long time . The lodge was only consecrated last year , and its highly satisfactory progress , socially and financially , has

been in a large measure due to the admirable rule of Bro . E . Johnston , the first W . M ., P . M . 203 , who has received enthusiastic support from every member of his lodge . At the opening of the proceedings he was supported by Bros . C . Bromley , as I . P . M .-, W . Gick , S . W . ; H . Ferguson , J . W . ; R . E . Mitton , Treasurer ; J . Grierson , Secretary ; C . Bargery , S . D . ; Thomas Hay , J . D . Among the

P . G . Officers present were Bros . J . F . Newell , P . G . S . W ., ex-Mayor of Bootle ; J . T . Callow , P . G . Treasurer ; John Wells , P . P . G . D . of C . ; John Lunt , P . P . G . D . of C . ; George Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . of C ; J . Skeaf , P . G . ' ) . ; John Moulding , P . G . Steward . There werc also present , as representing the lodge , Bros . J . Croxton , A . Child , D . Lowe , W . Macindoe , H . Townley , J . D . Reader , J . Kellie ,

J . Barker , U . Thornton , J . Barnby , T . Singleton , J . Ritchie , S . Bushel ! , G . H . Shearn , J . Gentles , T . Marshall , T . Powell , R . Forbes , J . Comber , J . Whalley , W . Ellis , Dr . Costine , N . Moreland , R . T . Britten , D . H . Gaskell , R . W . Chatham , C . Marcroft , W . Barrow , M . Arden , and others . The visitors also included Bros . J . Skeaf , P . G . O . ; Dr . Sheldon , P . M . 1094 ; T . Hatton , 203 ; J . W . McWean ,

P . M . 1033 ; C . Birch , S . W . 203 ; T . McWean , W . M ., 1035 ; J . Queen , 203 ; S . K . Gardham , 1035 ; H . James , P . M . 203 ; J-. Hilton , J . W . 203 ; Webster Williams , 1609 ; John Hill , 1609 ; J . B . MacKenzie , W . M . 1609 ; J . Taylor , 203 ; J . Pendelton , S . D . 241 ; C . Donnelly , 203 ; G . E . Hanmer , P . M . 1086 ; J . Twiss , 1325 ; S . Jacobs , 241 ; W . H . Quayle , 1325 ; H . Pennington . 1473 ; J . Winsor , P . M . 341 and 203 ; P . T . Neill , 203 ; P . Armstrong , 724 ; ( Continued onpaee ^ J ,