Contents.

CONTENTS .

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS :-CraftMasonry 443 Instruction " - ¦••¦¦••™ Scotland JH The Cant of Masonry .. „ 44 s Piorindal Grand Lodge of Somerset 44 " M » Innic Hallat Redruth 447 nl nnening ofthe Aberdeen Masonic HaU 447 r . " . ° JX , nd General Tidines 447

The Cant of Masonry » Maion'c Archeology , 44 b W < _"\ Vill Not Go to Canossa 449 •Hie Next Boys' School Election 440 Hermetic Masonry 449 Emulation Lodge of Improvement 449 CoRR"PON'DENC ? : T , , , _ , „ iv ,- _ . _ . masonry in Venezuela 45 °

New Lady Ultramontane Violence 45 ° Prov . G . Masters 45 " Grand Lodge Funds 4 !> ° The Sister Systems—Masonry and Christianity 451 Consecration ofthe Kent Dale Lodge of Marl : Masters 451 Masonic Meetings for next Week 45 * Advertisements i . ii . iii . iv . v . vi

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

toft igtaoB . THE GREAT CITY LODGE ( No . 1426 ; . —An emergency meeting of the Great City Lodge was held on Saturday , Sept . 30 th , at the City Terminus I Iotel , Cannonstreet , for the purpose of clearing off some of the business in relief of the installation meeting , which will take place a fortnight hence , and considering that the usual autumnal holidays have scarcely concluded , there was a fair

attendance of members . Bro . J . Hamilton Townend , W . M ., presided ; Bro . Seex ( W . M . elect ) , S . W . ; and Bio . Stanway , J . W . ; and most of the other officers were in attendance . The lodge having been duly opened , the first business was to pass Bros . Stephens and Styles to the Second Degree , which was ably done by the W . M . The lodge was resumed to the First Desrrec , when a ballot took place

for four candidates in addition to one favourably balloted [ or at the last lodge . The ballot being successful , the following gentlemen were severally initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , viz ., Mr . Oppenheimcr , Mr . Samuel Dorman , Mr . William Shaw , Mr . George Frederick Luttickc , and Mr . John Peacock Turner . The ceremonies were performed by the W . M . with his usual

care and ability . In the absence of Bro . Brown , who had g iven notice of motion "That a Past Master ' s jewel of the value of ten guineas bc presented to J . H . Townen 1 on the termination of his year of office , " Bro . Thompson ( " Freemason" ) , said that he should have much pleasure in submilting the motion in the absence of the brother in whose name it stood on the paper , for he believed that when they

remembered the courteous , kind , and genial manner with which their W . M . had discharged his duties during his year of office , he thought that they would all agree with him that this was a compliment he had fairly earned , and one that he well deserved . He would not occupy their time in descanting upon his many good qualities as Ihey knew them as well as he did , but would simply confine

himself to moving , in the terms of the motion , " I hat a Past Master ' s jewel of the value of ten guineas be presented to Bro . J . H . Townend on the termination of his year of office . " Bro . Moody , P . M . and Secretary , seconded the motion , which was put and carried unanimously . Some other business was disposed of , and the lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer . The members

afterwards re-assembled . Very slight refreshments and the loyal toasts having been disposed of , Bro . Headon , I . P . M ., said he rose to propose " The Health of their W . M ., " and although that was the last time he should have an opportunity of doing so , he found it almost impossible to vary the terms in which he had so many times spoken of him . They all knew his worth , and he should therefore ask them

to drink with all cordiality the health of their W . M . The W . M ., in responding to the toast , said he need hardly say that he was not going to make a speccii , although that was the last opportunity he had of rising to thank Past Master Headon for the very kind manner in which he had proposed the toast . He would , however , take that opportunity of thanking the officers of the lodge and the bre .

thren generally for the indulgent way in which they had received any shortcomings on his part on account of the difference of his ritual to that of the lodge , but he could assure them that their kindness would never be obliterated horn his memory . He had received very substantial assistance from Bro . Headon , and he really did not know what he should have done without him . He thanked them

me Kindness and cordiality he had received from every member of the lodge , and he should not quit the chair with regret but with pleasure , as he believed that Bro . Seex , his successor , would bc able to carry out the duties of the lodge more ably than it had been in his power to do . He had , as he said , been greatly indebted to his predccessor , Bro . Headon , for during his year there had not

. ""* = > "gie working , ne nan bis duties to his ( the W . M . ' s ) admiration , and he believed H i ° every member of the lodge . He proposed " The Health of Bro . Headon , their Immediate Past Master . " nro . Headon thanked the brethren for the very cordial manner in which the toast had been received , and , as it

"as a compliment he had been in the habit of receiving , Th w M defcr maki "S speech until the next occasion , ne W . M . then referred to the addition of live new members , who were one and all known to some members ofthe , » i J J e bclie ved were men of the light soil , and would do credit to them . He proposed their healths . The

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

newly-initiated members severally returned thanks . The W . M . said that whatever they had to offer to their visitors , whether it was only bread and cheese , or anything else , they always gave them a hearty welcome and the right hand of fellowship . They were honoured that night with the presence of Bro . Constantine , from Jamaica , and he hoped when he returned he would be able to say that the

Great City Lodge had given him a hearty welcome , and he asked the brethren to cordially drink his health . Bro . Constantine briefly thanked the brethren for the kindness with which he had been received . The W . M . next gave " The Officers of the Lodge , " for which they severally responded , and the Tyler ' s toast brought a very agreeable pvfninrr tei a rinse .

DUKE . OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No . 1524 ) . —The September meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday week , and was attended by a goodly number of both members and visitors . The following officers were present : Bros . Chapman , Prov . G . Stwd . Herts ., W . M . ; J . B . Shackleton , J . W . ; W . H . Lee , P . M ., Sec . ; I . Symes , S . D . ; N . Green , J . D . ; H . S . lMeycr , ! D . C ; W . H .

Brand , I . G . ; and Gilchrist , Tyler . Members : Bros . H . G . Buss , Prov . G . J . W . Middx . ; F . Brasted , C . Johnson , E . Harding , H . G . Moon , John Varney , C . W . Smyth , E . Dignam , A . Ferrar , and F . A . Kelly . Visitors : Bros . Jas . Pinder , G . Young , 820 ; Oscar Dietrich , W . E . Gompertz , P . M . S 69 ; and W . Morgan , 1385 . The business before the W . M . was the raising of Bro . Dietrich , the

passing of Bro . Lorkin , and initiation of Messrs . Polak , Hill , Stokes , and Stevenson , the whole of the ceremonies being performed by the W . M . in a very creditable manner . Bro . J . L . Payne ( nephew of the Grand Tyler ) was successfully balloted for and duly elected . After the ceremonies were over , Bro . W . H . Lee rose and informed the brethren of the loss they had all sustained by the death of

Bros . Henry Lister and James Alford , which sad intelligence was received with the greatest regret by all present . Bro . Lee proposed , and Bro . Shackleton seconded , a vote of condolence with the family of Bro . Lister , the W . M . following with a few remarks , in which he stated how great was his regret at the loss of so dear a fiiend and brother . A similar vote was proposed for the relatives of Bro . Alford by Bro . Symes , and seconded by Bro . C .

Johnson . Both propositions were carried unanimously . The vacancy caused by the lamented death of Bro . Lister was filled by the W . M . appointing Bro . Shackleton , S . W ., ; Jas . Symes , J . W . ; Neville Green , S . D . ; W . Brand , J . D . ; H . Meyer , I . G . ; and C . Johnson , Steward . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren shortly afterwards sat down to supper ; at the termination , of which the usual toasts were given and duly responded lo .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE ( No . 1623 ) . — An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the New Market Hotel , Snow-hill , on Wednesday , 30 th ult . Bro . J . Smith , P . G . P ., P . M ., W . M ., presided . There were present Bros . F . Walters , P . GTJ . D . Middlesex , P . M ., Sec , who acted as I . P . M . ; T . W . Adams , S . W . ; G . S . Elliott , J . W . ; J . Howes , P . M ., S . D . ; J . Johnson ,

J . D . ; T . Butt , as I . G . ; E . Mallett , Assistant Sec ; and others . Amongst the large number of visitors we noticed Bros . E . B . Grabham , P . S . G . W . Middlesex , W . M . 19 ; H . Potter , P . M . 11 ; A . Stevens , I . G . 1298 ; E . Mallett , J . W . 141 ; Leonard Van Boole , 1271 ;; David Smith , 1326 ; T . Tremeer , 1309 ; and some whose names we could not ascertain . Bro . D . Smith was raised to the

Third Degree ; Bro . L . Van Boolen passed to the Second Degree ; Messrs . T . M . Butt ( a Lewis , son of the host ) , W . Snow , and W . B . Delafons were initiated into Freemasonry . All the work was done well . Apologies were received from the absent candidates . It was announced the Secretary had induced the J . D ., Bro . J . Johnson , to become Steward to represent this lodge at the forthcoming

anniversary of the Boys'School festival , to bc held in 1877 . Bro . Joseph Smith , P . G . P ., P . M ., W . M ., presented the lodge with a handsomely bound volume of the Sacred Law . It was accepted with pleasure , and , on motion duly made and seconded , it was unanimously resolved that the best thanks of the lodge be given him for his welcome present , and the same be entered in the lodge minute book .

The lodge was closed and adjourned to Thursday , Oct . 19 , at 2 o ' clock p . m . Banquet and dessert followed . WARRINGTON . — Lodge of Lights ( No . 148 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this old lodge was held on Monday evening , the 25 th ult ., at the Masonic Rooms . The W . M ., Bro . W . H . Robinson , was supported by Bros . Thos . Tunstall , S . W . ; Joseph

Pickthai ! , J . W . ; and a large number of members and visitors . The lodge was opened in form , when the minutes were read and declared to be correctly recorded . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , when Bro . Feiguson claimed preferment , and having sustained his claim was entrusted and retired . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Ferguson re-admitted and

raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in ample form by the W . M . On the lodge being closed down , Bro . John Armstrong , S . W . 1250 , and Treasurer of No . 148 , rose to propose a vote of congratulation to two brethren who had and were about to have high Masonic distinction bestowed upon them . They all felt that the lodge was complimented by these appointments . Bro . Bowes had

done much for Masonry in Warrington , but his able services were not confined to West Lancashire , for he was as well-known in the Northern Province of Cumberland and Westmorland as in Warrington . He ( Bro . Armstrong ) had it on the best authority that Bro . Bowes had for many years ever been ready to afford help in the north whenever

needed , and Lord Bective , M . P ., the R . W . Prov . G . M ., acknowledged the obligations ot the province when he appointed Bro . Bowes Junior Grand Warden at the great meeting at Kirby Lonsdale a few weeks since . They one and all congratulated Bro . Bowes on the well-merited honour which had been bestowed upon him . Bto . Sharp , P . M ., & c , was the other worthy brother upon whom the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale was about to confer a similar honour . Bro . Sharp while he occupied the chair of K . S . rendered their beautiful ceremonies in a manner they all appreciated , and they congratulated him most sincerely . Bro . Tunstall , S . W ., seconded the motion , which was carried by acclamation . Bros . Bowes and Sharp acknowledged the compliment in suitable terms .

Bro . Bowes proposed a vote of congratulation to Bro . James Paterson , I . G ., on the occasion of his marriage ; this was seconded by Bro . J . R . Young , S . D ., and carried unanimously . The Prov . Grand Lodge circular having been read , and there being no further business , the lodge was closed with the usual solemnities , and the brethren separated in harmony .

CHESTER . —Gestrian Lodge ( No . 425 ) . —This popular and influential lodge met for the first time after the summer vacation on Thursday evening , the list ult ., at the Grosvenor Hotel . There were present Bros . J . McHattie , W . M . ; Robinson , I . P . M . ; Dr . Taylor , S . W . ; T . M . Lockwood , J . W . ; Knox , S . D . ; Smith , J . D . ; F . A . Dickson , I . G . ; Cuzner , Organist ; W . C . Hunt

P . M ., Sec . ; Minspull , Treas . ; W . Mathews , S . W . of the Lodge of Independence , and a large number of the brethren , among whom were Bros . C . Dutton , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . E . Williams , P . G . S . D . ; J . Salmon , P . P . G . S . D . ; and F . Smith , P . G . S . of W . The business included the passing of Bro . Marples and the raising of Bro . Oldreive , both ceremonies being impressively rendered by the W . M .

The brethren were then called to refreshment , which was served in a room adjoining the lodge . The W . M . presided , and , at the conclusion of the repast , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were enthusiastically received . In responding to the toast of his health , which was proposed in flattering terms by the I P . M ., the W . M ., after expressing the pleasure it gave him to meet

the brethren once more , proceeded to review the position of the lodge . The Cestrian , he was happy to say , was in a most flourishing condition , greater than it had ever been in before , and in point of voting power was the most influential lodge in the province . He had supplemented the amount voted to him as Steward for the Jlasonic Boy . s ' School with a sum which he had collected among the

brethren of the lodge ; and this had enabled him to hand over at the recent festival £ 113 to the funds of that deserving institution , thus constituting the Master and Wardens of the lodge a Vice-Patron and Vice-Presidents of the school in perpetuity—a position , he believed , unique among the private lodges in the country . The lodge had now 162 votes per annum in respect to the Masonic

Charities , which , with the 100 votes in possession of private members of the lodge , and the co-operation of other lodges in the province , would enable them to carry any candidate whose cause they might espouse . It was possible that some alteration might bc made in the present mode of voting , but even that , he felt sure , would not affect the influential position of the lodge . The W . M .

then advocated the claims of the Cheshire Masonic Educational Institution . It was not a building , as some erroneously supposed , for the reception of children , but a fund which provided for the education of the children of deceased or indigent Cheshire Masons . They all knew that brethren sometimes fell from affluence to poverty , and consequently became unable to give their children that

education which they intended them to have . In such cases the fund came to the aid of the embarrassed parent , and defrayed the cost of the child's schooling . They all knew the value of a good education in these days , and would therefore appreciate the beneficial operations of the fund . The brethren , too , had subscribed liberally to the Freemasons' pulpit which had been

placed in Chester Cathedral , that noble pile which had been rescued from decay by the zeal and energy of Dr . Howson , and he trusted that the doctrines preached from that pulpit would always coincide with those bright and glorious principles on which the Craft was founded . Freemasonry was growing in power and influence every day ; the fact that the brethren in England and Wales

had subscribed upwards of £ 30 , 000 to the masonic chanties last year was a telling proof of its vitality ; and its Divine teachings were being conveyed into the remotest corners of the earth . After one or two other toasts had been proposed the brethren were called to labour , and the lodge was closed in due form . BEDFORD . —Stuart Lodge ( No . 540 ) . —This

lodge held its first meeting after the summer recess on Wednesday evening , September 27 th , when there were present Bros . Capt . Green , W . M . ; Col . Stuart , P . G . S . W ., & c , & c , S . W . ; A . Cookson , P . M ., acting J . W . ; Rev . C . Brereton , Chaplain ; Capt . Colburne , S . D . ; Billson , P . M ., acting J . D . ; Coombes , I . G . ; Dr . Prior , P . M ., Sec . ; Sergeant , P . M ., Treas . ; Piper , Org . ; and J . R . Bull ,

P . M ., Steward . Amongst the many brethren present were Capt . Polhill-Turner , M . P ., P . M . ; Whyley , P . M . ; Stafford , Thompson , Leslie , Harris , and others . Bro . Kilpin was raised to the Third Degree , the W . M . and officers performing the ceremony in a very effective manner , Dr . Prio giving the traditional history . Twenty-two brethren sat down to an excellent supper provided by Bro . Wicks ,

of the Swan Hotel . As this was the last occasion of his catering for the wants of the brethren his health was drunk with " hearty good wishes " for his enjoyment of a well-earned retirement , which kindly expressions of brotherly feeling having been suitably acknowledged by him , the brethren separated after a very enjoyable evening . SOUTHEND . —Priory Lodge ( No . 1000 ) . —

The first meeting of this lodge after the recess was held at the Middleton Hotel , Southend , on the 28 th ult ., the W . M ., Bro . Dr . E . E . Phillips , P . M . 379 , Prov . J . G . D ., presided . There were also present Bros . A . Lucking , P . M . 160 , Prov . A . G . D . C ; I . P . M . ; F . Grayson , acting S . W . ; G . Glasscock , acting J . W . ; F . Wood , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . -, J . A . Wardell , P . M . 160 and 1000 , P . P . G . D ., Sec ; J . R . Hemmann , P . M . P . P . G . D ., Org .-,