Contents.

CONTENTS .

REPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry T 3 r Instruction > 32 Red Cross of Constantrne 13 = Freemasonry in South Australia I 32 Laving the Foundation Stone of the New Town Hall at Stonc' haven 133

Freemasonry in South Africa 133 Romance and Reality of Freemasonry 134 Freemasonry Past and Present 134 \ Knmance , en-. itled Freemasonry in the County Court 134 Masonic and General Tidings 135 Our Royal Grand Master ' s Visit to Malta 136 The Struggle in France 13 G The Candidates for the Boys' and Girls' Schools 137

Our National Finances 137 The City and Metropolitan Police Orphanage 137 The Masonic Enigma 138 ClIRRESVONDEXCE -. — Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 138 The Dundee Work 13 S Masonic Queries 13 S Roval Masonic institution for Girls 13 S

The Ked Cross of Constantine in the UniledjStates 13 S Funeral cf Bro . Woon 138 Provincial Graud Lodgeof Queensland ( l . C . ) 138 Freemasonry in India 139 Installation of Sir Geo . Elliot as Prov . G . M . of South Wales .. 139 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 140 Advertisements 140 , 1 . ii . iii . iv . v . vi .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

fcft Ifeflttra . MONTEFIORE LODGE ( No . 1017 ) . —The meeting of this lodge was held at the Regent Masonic Hall on the 27 th ult ., Bro . Victor Myers , W . M ., in the chair . After the raising of a brother to the sublime degree of M . M ., the W . M . announced he had received a letter from the Joppa Lodge , 1 S 8 , requesting the consent of thc Montefiore Lodsre to join with their committee , and

also the Tranquillity and Israel Lodges . Bro . S . V . Abraham said the letter received from thc Joppa would naturally affect thc discussion which would take place that evening , and it was his intention to move a resolution to the effect that they should agree to meet the committee of the Joppa Lodge on thc question , and as no doubt that resolution would be carried , he would bear that in mind in

the few observations he was about to make , and he hoped thc lodge would endorse the acts of the committee , and they would consider whatever was done was done in a truly Masonic spirit , without attempting to put the Montefiore Lodge forward , but that it was an endeavour honestly to carry out an alteration in that law which appeared to be against the principles of Masonry . Thc committee's

first duty was to make known the resolutions to the various lodges in the United Kingdom ; and within seven days of the last lodge meeting every lodge in thc United Kingdom was in possession of the petition . The best result he ( Bro . Abraham ) could show wns the bundle of petitions which had been returned to him signed by the various lodges . " ( Cheers . ) There were 120 ; but he

feared there had been a spirit at work which prevented some lodges signing thc petition . He said that because communications had been made to some of the London lodges . But at any rate there were sufficient to show they hatl succeeded . The press had noticed the matter very favourably , and though there had been some anonymous correspondence , yet thc moment persons wrote

anonymously , finding fault , they might be sure there was not much fault to find . Accompanying the petitions were very many letters from various lodges , sympathising with the movement . He would trouble the lodge only with a few—Harmony , Plymouth ; the Province of Worcester ; Abbey Lodge , Nuneaton , Warwick ; De Grey and Ripon . One letter was from a W . M ., enquiring if it was necessary

to call an emergency or wait for the regular lodge meeting . This showed how warmly the matter was being taken up ; and under those circumstances he felt the committee might safely come to the lodge with some degree of confidence . They did not desire the Montefiore Lodge to be prominently put forward , and they were anxious to join heart and hand with any and every other lodge willing to

enter on the subject , to give all the information they could , and to ascertain what assistance and information other lodges could give them . They were told they had said three Grand Lodges had excluded certain men , whereas it had turned out there were only two ; but it was not quite so , as it would appear from the correspondence that had passed with Bro . Wendt . Jews were only admitted to the

three Blue Degrees , which implied that was all the concessions that were made . A letter had been received from Bro . Findel , who was on the spot , which letter justified the Committee in the course they were pursuing . After some further obfervations , Bro . Abrahams concluded by ex-Pressing a hope that the lodge would continue the confidence they had already placed in the committee . Bro .

C . Eskell moved , and Bro . Brail seconded , that having beard the statement of the committee , a fuither sum of £ 5 "c voted towards the expenses . Bro . S . V . Abraham said , with referenceto the letter from the Joppa Committee , "ie Montefiore Committee would be perfectly willing to ¦ niet them , or any other lodge , and discuss the question . "Ut there was one point he must mention . We have ( said

uro . Abrahams ) a large number of petitions which do not belong to us ; they have been returned to us in trust to hand them over in due time to Grand Lodge . " must be borne in mind that whatever position is Mien up , the Montefiore Lodge is bound Masonically Rd morall y to hand over those petitions to Grand Lodge , do not wish it to be misunderstood on what terms we are anxious to meet any other committee . We are most de-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

sirous , and shall be very glad , to meet and consult with them with regard to any resolution likely to result in an effective and favourable movement . But on this point we must stand . We were the first to communicate with other lodges throughout the kingdom ; it is not for personal aggrandisement , not because this lodge is anxious to be

first , but because we have asked others to give us their names that we are bound to hand them up to Grand Lodge , whatever the result . What we should ask you to do is to refer the Joppa letter to the committee , who tell you , through me , they arc willing to join with any other committee and discuss the matter . Bro . C . Eskell moved ,

and Bro . Braule seconded , that the letter from the Lodge of Joppa be referred to the Montefiore Committee . Bro . Breidenbach moved , and Bro . Cooper seconded , that the W . M . do sign the petition . This having been carried the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , after which the customary toasts were honoured .

URBAN LODGE ( No . 1196 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 27 th of March , at the Old Jerusalem Tavern , Saint John ' s Gate , Clerkenwell . The old Gate is interesting , and within its walls many antiquities are to be seen . Here , in this old building , the Gentleman ' s Magazine was first stalled by Cave . In the large hall , above the bust of Shakespeare , we read that

" Garrick made his first essay in London , as an actor , in that particular place . " Savage , Johnson , Goldsmith , Boswell , and many other literary characters , were frequent visitors to the Gate , and it was noted as the home and haunt of learning . Here the Urban Club meets , an institution composed of literary , scientific , and histrionic gentlemen , from which the Urban Lodge sprang . Amongst

the members of this lodge we find gentlemen of all branches of the profession . In general literature the wellknown names of Bros . William Sawyer , F . S . A . ; S . S . Bacca , J . Redding , Ware , J . Dionysius Loverdo , F . R . S . L ., and J . E . Carpenter , Ph . D ., M . A . Singing : Bros . W . H . Cummings and Patey . Music : Professor Lehmeyer , Bianchi , and Braide . Dramatic critics : Bros . E . L .

Blanchard and J . Callingham . Artist : Bro . Boucher ( the cartoonist of Judtj ) . Actors : Harry Marston and Creswiek . Brethren connected with the law : Edwin Legge and Japhet Tickle ; and others more or less connected with the profession . On the last occasion a goodly company of brethren assembled under the gavel of Bro . Simpson , thc W . M ., assisted by his officers : —Edwin Legge , S . W . ;

Blanchard , J . W . ; Heath , S . D . ; Loverdo , J . D . ; Carpenter , P . M ., Sec . ; Eckenstein , I . G . ; Harry Marston , P . M ., D . C . ; Radford , W . S . ; H . S . Pearson , P . M ., Treas . ; and Lehmeyer , Org . The first business was to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting and to pass the following resolution : — " That in the opinion of the members of this lodge it is desirable that a Royal Arch chapter should be

attached thereto , and the sanction of the lodge ( upon application having been regularly made for the same ) be given to the request of the petitioners . " Proposed by Bro . Carpenter , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Jonathan Pearson , P . M ., and carried . Bro . Cheadle having proved an efficient F . C , was raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . Ballots were taken for Messrs . Joseph Walter Tacon and

Caspar Clarke for admission into the fraternity , which proving in their favour , they were duly initiated . It was nearly nine when the lodge closed , after which the brethren adjourned to supper , provided by the host , Bro . Gay , in his usual liberal style . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and honoured , the toast of " The Visitors" meeting with the very warmest reception , Bros .

Isaacs , P . M . 795 ; Frederick W . Koch , P . M . 820 ; Mullet , P . M . 356 ; Wells , W . S . 1539 , and other visitors , replying in appropriate terms . Bro . Hawksley sang a capital song , the brethren joining in the chorus . Bro . Cummings , although suffering from a cold , sang " Tom Bowling , " which gave extreme satisfaction , judging by the loud applause which greeted him at the finish . Bro .

George E . Fairchild gave , m his best style , " My Pipe , " a short dramatic sketch , the declamation of this popular artist drawing forth hearty commendation . Bro . Lehmeyer played in fine style a valse of his own composition , the brethren feeling highly gratified by the professor's splendid performance . It was a late hour before the brethren separated , and no doubt an agreeable evening was was well spent and enjoyed by all present .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No . IS 24 ) . —This prosperous lodge held its regular meeting on Thursday week , and was well attended . Amongst those present were Bros . J . B . Shackleton , W . M . ; Fieldwick , acting S . W . -, B . Meyer , J . W . j T . C . Chapman , I . P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Lee , P . M ., Sec . ; W . H . Brand , J . D . ; H . S . Meyer , I . G . ; and Young , Organist . Members

Bros . H . G . Buss , P . G . J . W . Middx . ; John Varney , John Stokes , A . Ferrar , E . Dietrich , J . L . Payne , C . W . Smyth , G . Dignam , R . George , F . Brasted , E . A . Harding , C . Larkin . ' and F . A . Kelly { Freemason ) . The visitors present were Bros . Wardell , Eastern Star Lodge , No . 95 ; Thorn , Domatic Lodge , No . 177 ; Jones , Royal Alfred Lodge , No . 907 -, Marsh , Corinthian Lodge , No . 1382 ;

and Fieldwick , S . D . No . 1364 . The business of the evening consisted in the raising of Bros . Bonner , Stevenson , G . Ferrar , and O . Dietrich , and the initiation of Messrs . Cracknell , Braine , Watkins , and Bcenson . Lodge having previously passed a resolution to remove , it was decided that in future the meetings should be held at the Havelock Tavern , Albion-road , Dalston . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , the usual

toasts being given and duly responded to . BEDFORD . —Stuart Lodge ( No . 540 ) . —The above lodge held its monthly meeting at the Swan Hotel , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult . The officers and acting officers were Col . Stuart , P . S . G . W . England , W . M . ; Alderman Bull , J . P ., P . M . and Steward , acting S . W . ; Capt . Colburn , J . W . ; Capt . E . Green , J . P ., I . P . M .-, Coombs , S . D . ; Allan , J . D . ; Thody , I . G . j Dr . Prior , Sec ; Alderman Sergeant , Treas . ; Piper , Ore . The P . M . ' s present were

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bros . Cuthbert , Cookson , Whyley , and Billson ; the brethren , Rev . F . Ward , Thompson , Harris , Roe , Carter , Kilpin , Stafford , Capt . Glubb , and others . Visiting brethren were Hillhouse and Green , of Lodge United Strength , 228 . The minutes having been confirmed , a ballot was

taken for Mr . R . P . Jarvis , of Bedford , who was unanimously elected , and accordingly initiated by the W . M . Other business having been transacted , and another resident of Bedford duly proposed and seconded , the lodge was closed , and twenty-seven brethren partook of refreshment .

TUNBRIDGE -WELLS . — Holmesdale Lodge ( No . 8 74 ) . —A very numerous assemblage of the brethren of this flourishing lodge met on Wednesday , the 21 st ult ., at the Sussex Hotel , Tunbridge Wells , the only business being the installation of Bro . Benjamin Sidney Wilmot as W . M . of the Holmesdale Lodge , Bro . H . H . Riach , P . M . being the Installing Officer . Amongst

the visitors were Bros . Graham Kingston , P . M . ; Moore , S . W . 862 ; Stephens , P . M . 136 5 and 1489 ; and Grist , D . C . 1489 . The ceremony was most carefully rendered , and the officers appointed as follows : Bros . W . B . Bacon , S . W . ; H . D . M . Williams , J . W . ; E . Rawlings , S . D . ; W . H . Hodgkin , J . D . ; Dunkely , I . G . ; J . Burton , D . C . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat

down to a very excellent banquet . The cloth having been removed , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing " The Provincial Grand Master , " the W . M . stated that they were more intimately connected with him , and it was a source of gratification to know he not only took great interest in every matter connected with the province , but was all that could be

desired as a ruler . " The Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . East , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers " was most feelingly proposed . Bro . East would have been present , but illness prevented him ; his speedy restoration to health was given most sincerely . Bro . Nicholls , Prov . G . Supt . of Works , responded . In proposing "The Health of the W . M ., P . M . Riach spoke of his genial temper and amiable

qualifications as a Mason and his knowledge of all the duties appertaining to the office . He had selected good officers , all of whom they were justly proud . The W . M ., in responding , was most enthusiastically received . He thanked the brethren for the honour they had conferred on him in placing him in the highest position in his lodge . He regarded Freemasonry for the doctrines it teaches , its

mam object being charity , not merely almsgiving charity alone , but charity in respectina : the opinions of others ; should we ourselves differ , it cemented the strongest ties of friendship , and gives the opportunity of rubbing off the rust which would otherwise exist and of meeting on an equality free from thc cares and battle of every-day life . " The Visitors " and " The Officers " were duly proposed

and responded to , and the meeting was brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast . MOLD . —Sir "Watkin Lodge ( No . 1477 ) . —The great annual event in the history of every Masonic lodge was celebrated by the brethren of the Sir Watkin Lodge , Mold , 1477 , on tne 25 th ult ., when Bro . Algernon Potts , S . W ., was installed as W . M . of the lodge for the ensuing

year . Although the Sir Watkin Lodge has only been in existence three years it has now upwards of ninety members on the books , and may be regarded as one of the foremost lodges of the Principality . There was a large number of visitors present , many of them being of high rank in the Craft . The annual festival of the lodge this year was marked by an act of true Masonic generosity .

The lodge-room of the Sir Watkin has often elicited the admiration of brethren from a distance , but its attractiveness has been enhanced tenfold by the artistic embellishment which it has recently received at the hands of Bro . H . Francis Smith , P . G . Superintendent of Dorics for Cheshire , who has covered the ceiling with Masonic emblems , executed in the highest style of art . The decorations

were designed especially and presented as a free gift by Bm . Smith , who is a decorative artist by profession , and who is also an honorary member of the Sir Watkin Lodge . The ceiling is admirably executed , and has a beautiful effect , the principal enrichments consisting of eight large medallions , each bearing a Masonic emblem . These medallions are supported by the cornucopia , or horn of

plenty . From these spring the acacia leaf , which is carried round the entire ceiling , and at intermediate scrolls are pendant the square and compasses . At the corners are panels , with shields in the centre bearing the jewel as worn by the Grand Master of England and that of the Deputy Grand Master . In the centre is the star , or sun , with golden rays radiating from the same .

the whole being surrounded by the twelve signs of thc Zodiac ; in the centre of which is to be seen the triangle , & c . The brethren are indebted to Bro . Smith for a lodgeroom of marvellous beauty , worthy of the province , and of the distinguished Mason whose name the lodge bears . A letter was received from Bro . Sir Watkin Wynn , the Grand Master of the province , expressing regret at his

inability to be present , but stating that his health had much improved—an announcement which elicited the hearty acclamations of the brethren . Bro . Potts ; whose election to the Master ' s chair had given eveiy satisfaction to the members of the lodge , was installed by Bro . James Salmon , P . J . G . W ., who rendered the ancient ceremonies in his usual able and impressive style . The W . M . then

appointed his officers as follows : — Bros . J . Williams , S . W . ; J . Birch , J . W . ; R . Lewis , Treas . ; R . Williams , Sec ; D . Rowland , S . D . ; Dr . Roberts , J . D . ; J . Salmon , Dir . of Cers . ; R . C . Griffiths , I . G . ; — Parry , Tyler ; — Corbett , I . P . M . ; and G . E . Lyle , Org . Among the

brethren present were Bros . Horatio Lloyd , P . P . S . G . W . Cheshire ; W . H . Spaull , P . G . S . ; Boucher , P . G . O . ; R . J . Sissons , P . G . R . ; F . Smith , P . G . S . of W . Cheshire ; J . P . Piatt , P . P . J . G . D . Cheshire ; James Taylor , W . M . 425 ; Thos . Wilcock , P . M . 425 ; W . Matthews , W . M .. 721 ; T . Lockwood , J . W . 425 ; R . C . ;| Edwards / S . W