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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
of the honourable band on his left , that he hoped his duty would be done with such skill as to reneler him worthy of that position . To that end he would work , and with that object he was now before the brethren . Being on his feet he would now economise time by proposing " The Health of the Past Masters , " a toast which neeeled no words to recommend it . The Past Masters were
the " elder brethren" to whom the Master must look for counsel and support , for assistance and advice . It was only natural , it was only right and proper that it should be so , otherwise it would not have been so ordained . The Past Masters had evidently been designed for useful purposes ; anel in St . Thomas ' s Lodge they carried out those purposes to the fullest extent .
They had a brig ht array of Past Masters in that lodge , Past Masters who were not content with the honours they had attained , but who were regular in their attendance and constant in their adhesion to the Master for the time being . Therefore they deserved the best consideration of the brethren . They were not , like the visitors , legion , but they formed a goodly array . Bro . W . Beattie , I . P . M ., in reply ,
said it was rather a navel position for him to have to return thanks for the Past Masters of the lodge , but he would do the best he could . The W . M . had been pleased to alluele to the Past Masters in a slightly facetious manner , and it almost reminded him of Lord Beaconsfitld ' s expression about a stationer who had either retiree ! from business , or from whom beisiness had
retired . However , he coulel not say he had retired from business , because no doubt his services might be reeiuired . When they were reqiiireel he coulel truthfully say on behalf of himself and the other Past Masters the-y woulel be freely and ceirelially given . Any assistance they could render or anything they cnul . l elo tei maintain the position that St . Thomas ' s Loelge hael achie-veil fur eoeiel working
or good discipline they wouM be most happy to do . He thanked the brethren on behalf of himself and the other Past Masteis fe > r t icir very kind reception of the toast , and he helped that they might for many years have the pleasure of seeing the Master of St . Thomas's Lodge on installation night surrounded by an assemblage as large as , or even larger , than thai he now saw before him . The in The lealth eif the Officers
W . M . proposing " I , " remarked that it had been agie-at pleasure t > him to promote to the different offices brethren who in offices they had a ' ready filleel showed qualities which entilleil them to promotion . The brethren he hael appointed hail displayed not only efficiency in working but ge ncral efficiency and utility . The fiev . W . Siaintim Musi ' s , J . W ., ( Hro . Powell ,
S . W ., having been compelled to l . avee . irk ) In reply , said that all the nflicers were ilit' -rniim-el , tei the best eif their several abilities , to do the work of the loelge with efficiency , so as not to throw any tliscredit on the high traditions of the lodgr . The W . M . woulel set them an example which they would find it to their benefit to follow . Outside and beyond their offices , the officers of the loelge felt they were
uniteel together by a bond eif unity , companionship , and fellow feeling , of which the W . M . set them one of the brightest example * . Nothing they coulel do should he wanting in the fulfilment of the several elulie-s they had to discharge , and if he might go fiuther than this he would say it might be a tradition of St . Thomas ' s Lodge that there was in it good fellowship and goad working ,
brotherly love anil charily , ami that being so , the officers woulel use every effort , that in these respects it should suffer no diminution . The officers nisei were grateful to the W . M . for giving them the opportunity of carrying those theories into practice-, anel they wished the W . M . eluring his year . if office health , preispi-rily , and li . ippine-sn , nnel that when he left the chair he woulel find that the traditions of
the lodge had suffered no diminution . Bros . Battye , and Levaiieler , responde . l lo the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and the Tyler's toast brought the priceedings to a close . The evening was enlivened by some beautiful music and singing by Bros . Willielm Ganz , P . G . O . ; John Hodges , Alfred Kenningham , Joseph Thornton , and Thurley Heale , under the eoniluctorship of Bro . Osborne Williams .
URBAN LODGE ( No . 1196 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., at St . John ' s Gate , Clerkcnwell . Bro . Legge , W . M ., presided . Bro . Charles Lacey , P . M ., txc ., occupied the S . W . chair , and Bro . H . C . Levander , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , the J . W . chair . Bro . Webb , P . M ., acted as D . C . Among the brethren present were ,
Past Masters J . Hanson , Richard Henry Marsh , J . Reddingware , J . Tickle , J . Simpson , R . II . Pearson , Treas . ; J . E . Carpenter , Sec . ; and visitors : —Bros . W . H . Mullty , P . M . 256 ; W . Porcliis . m , 12 ; Geo . II . Carter , 1702 ; W , R . Smith , 1702 ; W . J . eMurlis , P . M . 1042 ; W . C . Mad . dever , W . M . 504 ; W . F . C . Moutrie , P . M . 11 ; S . H . Parkinson , W . M . 1642 ; K . Gifford , 784 ; S . I . Milliard ,
P . M . 174 ; W . Brown , P . M . 1609 ; Charles Lacey , P . G . D . Herts ; George Jones , J . W . 174 ; F . | . Dcllow , 174 ; W . J . Hunter , W . M . 16 77 ; H . C . Levander , W . M . 1415 ; S . J . Weston , P . M . 194 ; W . J . Compton , S . W . nil ; C . Rowlands , 1642 ; W . J . Foster , 19 ; T . Lee Roberts , S . F . Watts , P . M . 194 , and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason . ) The only work before the lodge was the installation , a
ceremony which Bro . Legge performed in admirable style , placing Bro . R . H . Blatchford in the chair of the lodge as its Master for the ensuing year . The brethren appointed to office were , Bros . Legge , I . P . M . ; J . T . Heath , S . W . ; T . J . Eckstein , J . W . ; R . H . Pearson , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . Carpenter , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Radbord , S . D . ; Chas .
Hawksley , J . D . ; G . E . Fairchild , I . G . ; Tickle , P . M ., W . S ; Bnrk , Steward ; Butler , D . C . ; and W . Steedman , P . M ., Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses the brethren voted ten guineas to the list of Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., who stands as Steward for the lodge at the next festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Five propositions for initiation and one for joining were the n given in
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . As the hour was late when banquet was concluded the speeches were very short . Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health oE the "W . M ., " who , he said , was young in the chair and no doubt felt nervous . He hoped , however , tint when the lodge mttagain for installation next year he would feel more easy than he did
at present . The brethren would admit that the W . M . had made a very good beginning , and it had been with great pride that he ( Bro . Legge ) had installed him in the chair . The W . M . hael been pleased in the course of the evening to refer to the long friendship that had grown up between himself and him ( Bro . Legge ) since they were boys together . He ( Bro . Legge ) looked upon it with equal
satisfaction . The field of freemasonry was a large one , and he hoped the W . M . would look upon his entrance to it as one of the most progressive steps he had taken in a good cause . The W . M ., in reply , said he hopeel the brethren had overlookeel any imperfections they had seen in him , and if they had confidence in him he was sure their confidence would not be misplaced ; and if at the end of his
term of office , when he hoped to instal his successor , he retired to the position of P . M ., he trusted he should carry with him the good wishes of the brethren . It was now seven years since he was initiated in that very room , and on that memorable night he never dreamt he should at the close of his seven years' apprenticeship occupy the chair of the lodge . He ha'l , however , done so , and he was very
proud of his position . Bros . Charles Lacey anil H . C . Levander responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " In proposing " The health of Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., the W . M . said , although he was obliged to make very shoit speeches , he coulel not suffer the brethren to depart without returning Bro . Legge their very best thanks for the noble way in which he hael conelucted the ceremony eif the evening .
Bro . Legge hail been known to the brethren some years , and the longer they knew him the better they liked him . As Bro . Legge had told the brethren , he hail known him ( the W . M . ) many years . He was a veiy gooel fellow at heart , though he hail some crotchets . Who had not ? But they sank into insignificance by the side of his other gooel qualities . I le hael now great pleasure in presenting
him with a P . M . jewel which had been voted by the lodge , and he hoped , as they went down the hill together , he might for many years have the pleasure of seeing Bro . Legge wear it . Bro . Legge , in acknowledging the toast , saiel he diet not know that he hail me-rited all that had been said , because he he ' . el it to be ( he duty of every Mason who took office to do his utmost to perform the
dutie-s of his office properly . He had tried to do so ever since he had been a member of the lodge-, and he had tried to do what he had done with goodwill and the utmost zeal . He hoped , as far as he had gone , that he had pleased the brethren , and mevre than that , that he hael done some good to the Institution . That hael been his great aim , and it always would be his great aim , and he would recommend
those brethren who were coming on to do the same , for it was a little secret in that lodge that until they were in and out of the chair they were nowhere . They had a great ileal of work to do , and when they had done it they would find they we're just becoming usefid in the cause of Masonry . The toasts of "The P . Ms ., " to which Bros . Dr .
Carpenter and Fickle replied , and "The Masonic Institutions , " to which Bro . Legge responded , were then given , and Bro . W . Steedman , P . Sl ,, having given "The Tyler ' s Toast , " the brethren separated , after spending a very pleasant evening , which was made adelitionally agreeable by the singing of some capital songs .
LODGE OF ASAPH ( No . 1319 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was helel in the Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 3 rd inst . There was a fair attendance . Bro . George Huckland , W . M ., presided , anil was supported by his officers , Bros . Eelevarel Swanborough , S . W ., C . Wellard , J . W . ; E . Stanton Jones , Secretary . In the absence of the S . D ., Bro . Hcrr Meyer * Lutz took the place of that
officer , Bro . Maclean filling the posts of J . D . and I . G . ; F . Delcvanti D . of C . ; C . E . Tinney , Organist ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The following members were present : — Bros . James Weaver , P . M . ; W . A . Tinnev , P . M . ; J . M Chamberlin , P . M . ; E . Frewin , P . M . ; C . S . Jekyll , P . M . ; Arthur Thomas , John Wallace , Robert Soutar , Luigi F . Lablaehe , Wallis Mackay , H . M . Edsall , Charles Beckett
Geo . E . Fairchild , A . Castegnier , Lionel Brough , G . R . Egerton , H . J . Ashley , E . D . Humphrey , W . J . Kent , P . S . Castell , and L . B . Wooldridgc . Visitors : —Bros . Marsh , P . M . 1296 ; Bedford Lemcre , S . D . 193 ; G . M . A . Low , I . G . 1589 ; S . Whaley , 1670 ; E . D . Godwin , P . M . 76 J . M . C . James , D . C . 795 ; Alfred Pinto Late , I . P . M . ' 795 ; and A . H . Chisholm , 1 O 02 ( Freemason ) . The lodge ,
which has special power conferreel by the Grand Lodge of holding its sittings during the day , was opened at two o'clcck . The Secretary having then read the minutes of the previous meeting , which were unanimously confirmeel , it was opened in the Second Degree . Bros . Wallis Mackay and H . M . Edsall were examineil , anel , having very satisfactorily given proof of their claim to preferment , retired ,
after which the loelge was opened in the Thirel Degree , anil these brethren , having been re-admitted , were raiseel to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons , the W . M . performing the ceremony with that precision and unhesitating skill which all Freemasons like to see . There being no further business before the meeting , the loelge was formally closed in the Three Degrees , and the brethren adjourned until the first Monday in March .
KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Surrey Club House , Kennington Oval , on Tuesday evening last . There was an average attendance of both members and visitors . In consequence of the indisposition of the W . M ., Bro . Henry Charles Reeves , Bro . Geo . Everett , P . M ., kindly officiated as W . M ., and was supported by Bros . T . C .
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Walls , S . W . ; C . H . Kiihler , J . W . ; W . Stuart , Sec . ; H . Speedy , S . D . ; W . P . Webb , J . D . ; F . Hony well , Org . ; and George Longstaff , Tyler . The following members were present : —Bros . H . Higgins , P . M . ; W . Mann , P . M . ; J . W . rCock , P . M . ; D . Drysdale , P . M . ; A . Baldock , W . H . Barry , J . Jenkins , A . Town , H . Cruse , H . C . Higgins , T . Hayward , H . G . Robinson , H . G . Stranger , W . Sandon , D .
Downes , John Bolton , John W . Fowler , J . W . Brooke , John King , and W . Bavin . Visitors : —Bros . E . Hopwood , P . M . 141 , 1512 ; G . H . Downie , 186 ; W . Bowelen , 1 S 6 ; L . Coleman , 186 ; F . Gilbert , 1507 ; W . W . Morgan , 177 ; George Hugall , 1539 ; M . Bellamy , 1367 ; J . Hardy , 190 ; A . H . Chisholm , 1602 ( Freemason . ) The loelge having been opened at half-past four in the customary form , the
minutes of the previous meeting were read and agreed to . It was then opened in the Second anel Third Degrees , Bro . Town being passed to the Fellow Craft Degree , and Bro . Jenkins raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , Bro . Thomas Charles Walls , P . P . G . Org . Middlesex , W . M . elect , was then presented to Bro . Everett , who very efficiently performed the ceremony of installation , after
which , the Bo 3 rd of Installed Masters having been closed , the brethren saluted the newly-installed Master in the usual manner . The lodge was then closed in the Thirel Degree , and the W . M . appointed anel invested his officers as follows : —C . H . Kiihler , S . W . ; H . Speedy , J . W . ; E . F . Page , Treasurer ; H . Stuart , Sec ; W . P . Webb , S . D . ; F . Marsden , J . D . ; II . G . Robinson , I . G . ; A . Stokes
D . C ; H . G . Stranger , W . S . ; John Bolton , A . W . S . ; V Honywell , Org . ; and Geo . Longstaff , Tyler . The lodge was then closed in the Second Degree , and on the motion of Bro . W . Mann , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . W . Kock , P . M ., it was unanimously agreed that Bro . H . Higgins , P . M ., who kindly volunteered his services for the office , shemlel act as Stewarel to the Girls' School at the next
anniversary . It was subsequently agreeel that the lodge should give Bro . Higgins 10 guineas to head his list . Bro . H . C . Reeves , I . P . M ., then , in very complimentary terms , bore , testimony to the skilful manner in which Bro . Everett had performed the duties of Installing Master , and concluded by moving a resolution to the effect that a vote of thanks to Bro . Everett should be recorded on the
minutes . The motion was seconded by Bro . Higgins , and having been put to the meeting , was unanimously carried . Bro . Everett very briefly acknowleelged the compliment . The business before the lodge being then concluded , it was closeel in the usual form , after which the brethren repaired to the banqueting-hall , and sat down to a splendid banquet , presided over by the newly-installed W . M .
The customary toasts followed . " The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . the Grand Master , " " The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the Resl of the Granel Officers Present . and Past , " having been duly honoured , Bro . Hardy sang the " Village Blacksmith " in capital style , after which Bro . Reeves , I . P . M ., said it was a very pleasing duty to him to propose "The Health of the W . M . "
Bro . Walls had gone through all his offices with the greatest credit , and he now filled the very honourable chair which he ( Bro . Reeves ) had just quitted , but he was quite sure that the brethren had selected the right man to fill it , and he felt certain that they would have a most successful year under his presidency . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , whereupon Bro . Webb sang the beautiful
melody from" Martha" commencing " She Appeared . " The W . M ., in acknowlcelging the toast said that by a singular coincidence that very night four years ago he had the pleasure of being initiated into the Kennington Lodge , and he could scarcely realise that , alter so short a period as had elapsed between that time and the present occasion , he was presiding over so large and influential a lodge as the
Kennington . He might say that when he was initiated , he was so impressed with the principles of the Craft , anel the manner in which he was initiated , that he became infatuated with Freemasonry , anel within twenty-four hours joined a lodge of instruction , and Ihe result had been that he now found himself holding the high and responsible position of W . M . of the Kennington Lodge . After a few words
of encouragement to aspirants to preferment , the W . M . concluded by assuring the brethren that it would be no fault of his if his tenure of office did not prove a successful one . " The Visitors " having been proposed , Bro . Stokes sang " My Pretty Jane " in capital style , after which the most of the visitors gracefully acknowledged the toast . The W . M . next proposed "The Past Masters , " and
decorated Bro . Reeves with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , which the latter , in a few appropriate sentences , acknowledged . All the other Past Masters having also briefly responeled the W . M . delighted the company with a capital rendering of the well-known ballad " Love mc once again , " which was warmly applauded . He then , in very eulogistic terms , proposed " the health of the Secretary and Treasurer , "
who , in replying , both commented upon the very satisfactory condition of the affairs of the loelge , and assureel the brethren that it would be their constant aim to promote its interests in every way they coulel whilst they continued to act as officebearers . The W . M ., in proposing " The Masonic Charities , " took occasion to allude to the controversy which is agitating the minds of Freemasons
everywhere just now with regard to raising the initiation fee . There was , he said , a gradual access to the numbers of Freemasons without a corresponding increase in the contributions , and , consequently , the demand on the Charities was exceeding the available funds at their disposal . This was a fact that required investigation . It arose mainly from the circumstance that there was not that care
taken in the initiation of candidates into the Order that there ought to be . It very often occurred that brethren were made Masons who had no right to be admitted into the ranks of the Craft , and who , after a very short time , came upon the Charities , and , he thought , this practice ought to be religiously guareled against . He was glael to see that the fees were to be increased . He thought the average fee would soon amount to 12 guineas for initia-
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
of the honourable band on his left , that he hoped his duty would be done with such skill as to reneler him worthy of that position . To that end he would work , and with that object he was now before the brethren . Being on his feet he would now economise time by proposing " The Health of the Past Masters , " a toast which neeeled no words to recommend it . The Past Masters were
the " elder brethren" to whom the Master must look for counsel and support , for assistance and advice . It was only natural , it was only right and proper that it should be so , otherwise it would not have been so ordained . The Past Masters had evidently been designed for useful purposes ; anel in St . Thomas ' s Lodge they carried out those purposes to the fullest extent .
They had a brig ht array of Past Masters in that lodge , Past Masters who were not content with the honours they had attained , but who were regular in their attendance and constant in their adhesion to the Master for the time being . Therefore they deserved the best consideration of the brethren . They were not , like the visitors , legion , but they formed a goodly array . Bro . W . Beattie , I . P . M ., in reply ,
said it was rather a navel position for him to have to return thanks for the Past Masters of the lodge , but he would do the best he could . The W . M . had been pleased to alluele to the Past Masters in a slightly facetious manner , and it almost reminded him of Lord Beaconsfitld ' s expression about a stationer who had either retiree ! from business , or from whom beisiness had
retired . However , he coulel not say he had retired from business , because no doubt his services might be reeiuired . When they were reqiiireel he coulel truthfully say on behalf of himself and the other Past Masters the-y woulel be freely and ceirelially given . Any assistance they could render or anything they cnul . l elo tei maintain the position that St . Thomas ' s Loelge hael achie-veil fur eoeiel working
or good discipline they wouM be most happy to do . He thanked the brethren on behalf of himself and the other Past Masteis fe > r t icir very kind reception of the toast , and he helped that they might for many years have the pleasure of seeing the Master of St . Thomas's Lodge on installation night surrounded by an assemblage as large as , or even larger , than thai he now saw before him . The in The lealth eif the Officers
W . M . proposing " I , " remarked that it had been agie-at pleasure t > him to promote to the different offices brethren who in offices they had a ' ready filleel showed qualities which entilleil them to promotion . The brethren he hael appointed hail displayed not only efficiency in working but ge ncral efficiency and utility . The fiev . W . Siaintim Musi ' s , J . W ., ( Hro . Powell ,
S . W ., having been compelled to l . avee . irk ) In reply , said that all the nflicers were ilit' -rniim-el , tei the best eif their several abilities , to do the work of the loelge with efficiency , so as not to throw any tliscredit on the high traditions of the lodgr . The W . M . woulel set them an example which they would find it to their benefit to follow . Outside and beyond their offices , the officers of the loelge felt they were
uniteel together by a bond eif unity , companionship , and fellow feeling , of which the W . M . set them one of the brightest example * . Nothing they coulel do should he wanting in the fulfilment of the several elulie-s they had to discharge , and if he might go fiuther than this he would say it might be a tradition of St . Thomas ' s Lodge that there was in it good fellowship and goad working ,
brotherly love anil charily , ami that being so , the officers woulel use every effort , that in these respects it should suffer no diminution . The officers nisei were grateful to the W . M . for giving them the opportunity of carrying those theories into practice-, anel they wished the W . M . eluring his year . if office health , preispi-rily , and li . ippine-sn , nnel that when he left the chair he woulel find that the traditions of
the lodge had suffered no diminution . Bros . Battye , and Levaiieler , responde . l lo the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and the Tyler's toast brought the priceedings to a close . The evening was enlivened by some beautiful music and singing by Bros . Willielm Ganz , P . G . O . ; John Hodges , Alfred Kenningham , Joseph Thornton , and Thurley Heale , under the eoniluctorship of Bro . Osborne Williams .
URBAN LODGE ( No . 1196 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., at St . John ' s Gate , Clerkcnwell . Bro . Legge , W . M ., presided . Bro . Charles Lacey , P . M ., txc ., occupied the S . W . chair , and Bro . H . C . Levander , Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes , the J . W . chair . Bro . Webb , P . M ., acted as D . C . Among the brethren present were ,
Past Masters J . Hanson , Richard Henry Marsh , J . Reddingware , J . Tickle , J . Simpson , R . II . Pearson , Treas . ; J . E . Carpenter , Sec . ; and visitors : —Bros . W . H . Mullty , P . M . 256 ; W . Porcliis . m , 12 ; Geo . II . Carter , 1702 ; W , R . Smith , 1702 ; W . J . eMurlis , P . M . 1042 ; W . C . Mad . dever , W . M . 504 ; W . F . C . Moutrie , P . M . 11 ; S . H . Parkinson , W . M . 1642 ; K . Gifford , 784 ; S . I . Milliard ,
P . M . 174 ; W . Brown , P . M . 1609 ; Charles Lacey , P . G . D . Herts ; George Jones , J . W . 174 ; F . | . Dcllow , 174 ; W . J . Hunter , W . M . 16 77 ; H . C . Levander , W . M . 1415 ; S . J . Weston , P . M . 194 ; W . J . Compton , S . W . nil ; C . Rowlands , 1642 ; W . J . Foster , 19 ; T . Lee Roberts , S . F . Watts , P . M . 194 , and H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( Freemason . ) The only work before the lodge was the installation , a
ceremony which Bro . Legge performed in admirable style , placing Bro . R . H . Blatchford in the chair of the lodge as its Master for the ensuing year . The brethren appointed to office were , Bros . Legge , I . P . M . ; J . T . Heath , S . W . ; T . J . Eckstein , J . W . ; R . H . Pearson , P . M ., Treas . ; Dr . Carpenter , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Radbord , S . D . ; Chas .
Hawksley , J . D . ; G . E . Fairchild , I . G . ; Tickle , P . M ., W . S ; Bnrk , Steward ; Butler , D . C . ; and W . Steedman , P . M ., Tyler . After the delivery of the addresses the brethren voted ten guineas to the list of Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., who stands as Steward for the lodge at the next festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Five propositions for initiation and one for joining were the n given in
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . As the hour was late when banquet was concluded the speeches were very short . Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health oE the "W . M ., " who , he said , was young in the chair and no doubt felt nervous . He hoped , however , tint when the lodge mttagain for installation next year he would feel more easy than he did
at present . The brethren would admit that the W . M . had made a very good beginning , and it had been with great pride that he ( Bro . Legge ) had installed him in the chair . The W . M . hael been pleased in the course of the evening to refer to the long friendship that had grown up between himself and him ( Bro . Legge ) since they were boys together . He ( Bro . Legge ) looked upon it with equal
satisfaction . The field of freemasonry was a large one , and he hoped the W . M . would look upon his entrance to it as one of the most progressive steps he had taken in a good cause . The W . M ., in reply , said he hopeel the brethren had overlookeel any imperfections they had seen in him , and if they had confidence in him he was sure their confidence would not be misplaced ; and if at the end of his
term of office , when he hoped to instal his successor , he retired to the position of P . M ., he trusted he should carry with him the good wishes of the brethren . It was now seven years since he was initiated in that very room , and on that memorable night he never dreamt he should at the close of his seven years' apprenticeship occupy the chair of the lodge . He ha'l , however , done so , and he was very
proud of his position . Bros . Charles Lacey anil H . C . Levander responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " In proposing " The health of Bro . Legge , I . P . M ., the W . M . said , although he was obliged to make very shoit speeches , he coulel not suffer the brethren to depart without returning Bro . Legge their very best thanks for the noble way in which he hael conelucted the ceremony eif the evening .
Bro . Legge hail been known to the brethren some years , and the longer they knew him the better they liked him . As Bro . Legge had told the brethren , he hail known him ( the W . M . ) many years . He was a veiy gooel fellow at heart , though he hail some crotchets . Who had not ? But they sank into insignificance by the side of his other gooel qualities . I le hael now great pleasure in presenting
him with a P . M . jewel which had been voted by the lodge , and he hoped , as they went down the hill together , he might for many years have the pleasure of seeing Bro . Legge wear it . Bro . Legge , in acknowledging the toast , saiel he diet not know that he hail me-rited all that had been said , because he he ' . el it to be ( he duty of every Mason who took office to do his utmost to perform the
dutie-s of his office properly . He had tried to do so ever since he had been a member of the lodge-, and he had tried to do what he had done with goodwill and the utmost zeal . He hoped , as far as he had gone , that he had pleased the brethren , and mevre than that , that he hael done some good to the Institution . That hael been his great aim , and it always would be his great aim , and he would recommend
those brethren who were coming on to do the same , for it was a little secret in that lodge that until they were in and out of the chair they were nowhere . They had a great ileal of work to do , and when they had done it they would find they we're just becoming usefid in the cause of Masonry . The toasts of "The P . Ms ., " to which Bros . Dr .
Carpenter and Fickle replied , and "The Masonic Institutions , " to which Bro . Legge responded , were then given , and Bro . W . Steedman , P . Sl ,, having given "The Tyler ' s Toast , " the brethren separated , after spending a very pleasant evening , which was made adelitionally agreeable by the singing of some capital songs .
LODGE OF ASAPH ( No . 1319 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was helel in the Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 3 rd inst . There was a fair attendance . Bro . George Huckland , W . M ., presided , anil was supported by his officers , Bros . Eelevarel Swanborough , S . W ., C . Wellard , J . W . ; E . Stanton Jones , Secretary . In the absence of the S . D ., Bro . Hcrr Meyer * Lutz took the place of that
officer , Bro . Maclean filling the posts of J . D . and I . G . ; F . Delcvanti D . of C . ; C . E . Tinney , Organist ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . The following members were present : — Bros . James Weaver , P . M . ; W . A . Tinnev , P . M . ; J . M Chamberlin , P . M . ; E . Frewin , P . M . ; C . S . Jekyll , P . M . ; Arthur Thomas , John Wallace , Robert Soutar , Luigi F . Lablaehe , Wallis Mackay , H . M . Edsall , Charles Beckett
Geo . E . Fairchild , A . Castegnier , Lionel Brough , G . R . Egerton , H . J . Ashley , E . D . Humphrey , W . J . Kent , P . S . Castell , and L . B . Wooldridgc . Visitors : —Bros . Marsh , P . M . 1296 ; Bedford Lemcre , S . D . 193 ; G . M . A . Low , I . G . 1589 ; S . Whaley , 1670 ; E . D . Godwin , P . M . 76 J . M . C . James , D . C . 795 ; Alfred Pinto Late , I . P . M . ' 795 ; and A . H . Chisholm , 1 O 02 ( Freemason ) . The lodge ,
which has special power conferreel by the Grand Lodge of holding its sittings during the day , was opened at two o'clcck . The Secretary having then read the minutes of the previous meeting , which were unanimously confirmeel , it was opened in the Second Degree . Bros . Wallis Mackay and H . M . Edsall were examineil , anel , having very satisfactorily given proof of their claim to preferment , retired ,
after which the loelge was opened in the Thirel Degree , anil these brethren , having been re-admitted , were raiseel to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons , the W . M . performing the ceremony with that precision and unhesitating skill which all Freemasons like to see . There being no further business before the meeting , the loelge was formally closed in the Three Degrees , and the brethren adjourned until the first Monday in March .
KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the Surrey Club House , Kennington Oval , on Tuesday evening last . There was an average attendance of both members and visitors . In consequence of the indisposition of the W . M ., Bro . Henry Charles Reeves , Bro . Geo . Everett , P . M ., kindly officiated as W . M ., and was supported by Bros . T . C .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Walls , S . W . ; C . H . Kiihler , J . W . ; W . Stuart , Sec . ; H . Speedy , S . D . ; W . P . Webb , J . D . ; F . Hony well , Org . ; and George Longstaff , Tyler . The following members were present : —Bros . H . Higgins , P . M . ; W . Mann , P . M . ; J . W . rCock , P . M . ; D . Drysdale , P . M . ; A . Baldock , W . H . Barry , J . Jenkins , A . Town , H . Cruse , H . C . Higgins , T . Hayward , H . G . Robinson , H . G . Stranger , W . Sandon , D .
Downes , John Bolton , John W . Fowler , J . W . Brooke , John King , and W . Bavin . Visitors : —Bros . E . Hopwood , P . M . 141 , 1512 ; G . H . Downie , 186 ; W . Bowelen , 1 S 6 ; L . Coleman , 186 ; F . Gilbert , 1507 ; W . W . Morgan , 177 ; George Hugall , 1539 ; M . Bellamy , 1367 ; J . Hardy , 190 ; A . H . Chisholm , 1602 ( Freemason . ) The loelge having been opened at half-past four in the customary form , the
minutes of the previous meeting were read and agreed to . It was then opened in the Second anel Third Degrees , Bro . Town being passed to the Fellow Craft Degree , and Bro . Jenkins raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , Bro . Thomas Charles Walls , P . P . G . Org . Middlesex , W . M . elect , was then presented to Bro . Everett , who very efficiently performed the ceremony of installation , after
which , the Bo 3 rd of Installed Masters having been closed , the brethren saluted the newly-installed Master in the usual manner . The lodge was then closed in the Thirel Degree , and the W . M . appointed anel invested his officers as follows : —C . H . Kiihler , S . W . ; H . Speedy , J . W . ; E . F . Page , Treasurer ; H . Stuart , Sec ; W . P . Webb , S . D . ; F . Marsden , J . D . ; II . G . Robinson , I . G . ; A . Stokes
D . C ; H . G . Stranger , W . S . ; John Bolton , A . W . S . ; V Honywell , Org . ; and Geo . Longstaff , Tyler . The lodge was then closed in the Second Degree , and on the motion of Bro . W . Mann , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . W . Kock , P . M ., it was unanimously agreed that Bro . H . Higgins , P . M ., who kindly volunteered his services for the office , shemlel act as Stewarel to the Girls' School at the next
anniversary . It was subsequently agreeel that the lodge should give Bro . Higgins 10 guineas to head his list . Bro . H . C . Reeves , I . P . M ., then , in very complimentary terms , bore , testimony to the skilful manner in which Bro . Everett had performed the duties of Installing Master , and concluded by moving a resolution to the effect that a vote of thanks to Bro . Everett should be recorded on the
minutes . The motion was seconded by Bro . Higgins , and having been put to the meeting , was unanimously carried . Bro . Everett very briefly acknowleelged the compliment . The business before the lodge being then concluded , it was closeel in the usual form , after which the brethren repaired to the banqueting-hall , and sat down to a splendid banquet , presided over by the newly-installed W . M .
The customary toasts followed . " The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . the Grand Master , " " The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the Resl of the Granel Officers Present . and Past , " having been duly honoured , Bro . Hardy sang the " Village Blacksmith " in capital style , after which Bro . Reeves , I . P . M ., said it was a very pleasing duty to him to propose "The Health of the W . M . "
Bro . Walls had gone through all his offices with the greatest credit , and he now filled the very honourable chair which he ( Bro . Reeves ) had just quitted , but he was quite sure that the brethren had selected the right man to fill it , and he felt certain that they would have a most successful year under his presidency . The toast was drunk with great enthusiasm , whereupon Bro . Webb sang the beautiful
melody from" Martha" commencing " She Appeared . " The W . M ., in acknowlcelging the toast said that by a singular coincidence that very night four years ago he had the pleasure of being initiated into the Kennington Lodge , and he could scarcely realise that , alter so short a period as had elapsed between that time and the present occasion , he was presiding over so large and influential a lodge as the
Kennington . He might say that when he was initiated , he was so impressed with the principles of the Craft , anel the manner in which he was initiated , that he became infatuated with Freemasonry , anel within twenty-four hours joined a lodge of instruction , and Ihe result had been that he now found himself holding the high and responsible position of W . M . of the Kennington Lodge . After a few words
of encouragement to aspirants to preferment , the W . M . concluded by assuring the brethren that it would be no fault of his if his tenure of office did not prove a successful one . " The Visitors " having been proposed , Bro . Stokes sang " My Pretty Jane " in capital style , after which the most of the visitors gracefully acknowledged the toast . The W . M . next proposed "The Past Masters , " and
decorated Bro . Reeves with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , which the latter , in a few appropriate sentences , acknowledged . All the other Past Masters having also briefly responeled the W . M . delighted the company with a capital rendering of the well-known ballad " Love mc once again , " which was warmly applauded . He then , in very eulogistic terms , proposed " the health of the Secretary and Treasurer , "
who , in replying , both commented upon the very satisfactory condition of the affairs of the loelge , and assureel the brethren that it would be their constant aim to promote its interests in every way they coulel whilst they continued to act as officebearers . The W . M ., in proposing " The Masonic Charities , " took occasion to allude to the controversy which is agitating the minds of Freemasons
everywhere just now with regard to raising the initiation fee . There was , he said , a gradual access to the numbers of Freemasons without a corresponding increase in the contributions , and , consequently , the demand on the Charities was exceeding the available funds at their disposal . This was a fact that required investigation . It arose mainly from the circumstance that there was not that care
taken in the initiation of candidates into the Order that there ought to be . It very often occurred that brethren were made Masons who had no right to be admitted into the ranks of the Craft , and who , after a very short time , came upon the Charities , and , he thought , this practice ought to be religiously guareled against . He was glael to see that the fees were to be increased . He thought the average fee would soon amount to 12 guineas for initia-