Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

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UNITED PILGRIMS' LODGE ( No . Soy ) - This old and flourishing lodge celebrated its anniversa ry meeting on Wednesday week , at the Surrey Masonic Ha Camberwell New-road , when a numerous assembly Jjrethren were present , including Bros . H . Smallman , -V . M . ; XV . H . Beckley , S . W ., W . M . elect ; C . XV Meters , I . W . : H . R . Greelet , P . M .. Treas . ; Jonas

Duckett , P . M ., Sec ; John Broadbeat , S . D . ; G . Allen , I . G . ; lames Hicks , ' W . S . ; G . Harrison , Tyler ; F . Lee , P . M . ; R . G . Cooper , P . M . ; T- W . Watts , P . M . ; John S . Terry , P . M . ; T . W . Long , XV . Folks , G . Casson , C . H . Wiltshire , A . T . Holmes , J . H . McMillin , W . Nichols , F . H . Browne , J . G . Carr , Ji M . Carr , J . Bradley , and the following visitors : Bros . Henry Lovegrove , Grand

Steward Middx ., P . M . 1777 ; G . J . Dunkley , Grand Org . Middx . ; C . XV . Noehmer , P . M . 1 S 6 ; R . Sears , P . M . 209 ; M . S . Larlham , P . M . 1216 ; R . L . Sindall , P . M . 1203 ; J . M . Coe , P . M . 1339 ; J . W . Stocker , 140 ; H . Watts , iSG ; XV . Abbott , 504 ; XV . H : Allen , 619 ; Francis H . Fowler , 910 ; T . Evans , 1237 ; C . T . Smith , 1424 ; W . Murdoch , 1426 ; Alex . Pateman , 1597 ; and F . A .

Kelly 1524 ( rrecmason ) . The only business before the lodge was the installation of Bro . W . H . Beckley as W . M ., the ceremony being performed in a most able manner by Bro . J . XV . Watts , P . M ., assisted by Bro . J . S . Terry , P . M ., as D . of C At the conclusion of the ceremony , and after the various addresses had been delivered , Bro . Beckley appointed the following

brethren to office : Bros . C . W . Peters , S . W . ; John Broadbeat , J . W . ; H . R . Greelet , P . M ., Treas . ; Jonas Duckett , P . M ., Sec . ; Joyce , S . D . ; James Hicks , J . D . ; J . S . Terry , P . M ., D . of C . ; Blake , W . S . ; XV . Folks , Collecting Stewd . ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . The Secretary , Bro . Jonas Duckett , having read a letter that he had received from Bro . Cottenham apologising- for his absence ,

owing to the serious illness of his child , a vote of condolence with that brother was proposed , and carried unanimously . Bro . Duckett next gave notice of motion that the joining fee of the lodge be raised from £ 2 2 s . to £ 5 5 s . The lodge then passed a vote of thanks to Bro . Brown for the gift of £ 5 which that brother had generously sent for the Benevolent Fund of the lodge . On the proposition of

the W . M ., it was decided to appoint , at a subsequent meeting , a committee to select the spot for the summer banquet of the lodge , which would be held in July . Bro . Duckett then rose and said that by the kind permission of the W . M ., he had the pleasing duty of presenting to the I . P . M . the handsome jewel awarded him by the lodge . He could only express the very great

pleasure it had been to him ( Bro . Duckett ) to fill theofficc of Secretary during his Mastership , and to congratulate him upon the very able manner in which he had performed the duties of the lodge , and for the interest he had always paid to the Masonic Charities . The W . M . having replied to Bro . Duckett's eloquent

address the lodge was closed , and the hrethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , served in the hall adjoining . At ts conclusion , the W . M . proposed the customary Royal and Masonic toasts , commencing with the first at all loyal assemblies , "The Oueen , " followed by that of "H . R . H . the Prince of WalesTM . W . G . M ., " Bro . Beckley remarking that it was the sincere wish of all that H . R . H . would

return from his somewhat perilous journey to St . Petersburg in safety . Thc next toast was that of "The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , R . W . Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was heartily received . The I . P . M ., Bro . Smallman , then proposed "The Health of the Newly Installed Master , " and

in doing so said that he was much pleased to see him in the chair , and the happy manner in which he had performed his duties that evening was , he thought , a good augury for the future . The W . M . having returned thanks proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " concluding some excellent remarks by expressing a hope that the visiting brethren had the same pleasure in being present as they

( the lodge ) felt in seeing them . Bro . Henry Lovegrove in reply said , that though this was his first visit to the United Pilgrims' Lodge , he felt quite at home , as many of the Past Masters and members were well known to him . He felt much pleasure at being present , having heard so much of Lodge 507 , which was so well known for its hospitality . He quite agreed with the plan that had been observed by the

lodge , 111 postponing the other working ceremonies to an emergency meeting , and having the installation ceremony only . Bro . Lovegrove then paid high cul . ogi . 11 n to Bro . Watts for the able manner in which he had discharged his duties as Installing Master . He had seen Bro . Watts perform the ceremony before several times , but never better than that evening . Bro . Francis Fowler

having also replied , the W . M . proposed "The Past Masters , " whom he described as most worthy brethren , and whose services were highly appreciated by the lodge . Bro . Duckett , in the course of an able reply , said that the constant aim of the Past Masters , old or young , was to carry on the lodge in the best possible manner , and to instil into the minds of the voung members a desiie to go forward

and to gain office , and to forward the best interests of the lodge . He acknowledged his belief in proper emulation . The Past Masters were desirous of instructing the younger members in such a manner as to gain for them the advancement to the chair . It was their united wish to do everything they could to continue the prosperity of the lodge , which

was now one of the most successful among the London lodges , and well bore out its name of United Pilgrims . The next toast was that of " The Ofiicers of the lodge , " to which each of the newly-invested in turn replied , the Tyler ' s toast bringing a most successful and pleasant meeting to a close . During the evening some excellent singing was given by Bros . G . S . Graham , T . W . Long , and others .

WEST KENT LODGE ( No . 1297 ) . —The installation meeting of this highly successful lodge was held at the Crystal Palace on Saturday , the 26 th ult ., when there were present Bros . Robert H . Crowden , W . M . ; Gardner , J . W . ; Perrin , S . D . ; Vizitelli , J . D . ; Cooke , I . G . ; Crump , W . S . ; James Crowden , W . S . ; Orange , Org . ; Bowler , Tyler ( in the absence of Bro . Stead , through indisposition , his son , Bro . \ . K . Stead , P . M ., re-

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presented him as Treasurer ); J . C . Woodrow , P . M ., Sec , and W . M . elect ; Fullwood , P . M ., D . C . ; Allen , P . M . ; Crouch , P . M . ; Philp , Lomas , Jenkins , Hicks , Bellis , and Johnson . The visitors were Bros . A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; Grabham , P . M . ; Archbold , P . M . ; Hammond , P . M . ; Hook , P . M . ; Collard , P . M . ; and other distinguished brethren . The lodge was opened in due form , and after the minutes

of the lodge held October 23 rd , 1 SS 0 , were confirmed , the report of the Audit Committee was received , and theW . M ., Bro . R . H . Crowden , proceeded to instal his successor , Bro . j . C . Woodrow ; the ceremony being conducted in such a manner as to give the greatest satisfaction to the brethren . The following brethren were duly invested as officers : Bros . Gardner , " S . W . ; Perrin , J . VV . ; Vizitelli , S . D . ; Basil Cooke , J . D . ; Crump , I . G . ; James

Crowden , W . S . ; Philps , W . S . ; Fullwood , P . M ., D . C ; Orange , Org . ; Stead ,, P . M ., Treas . ; and Rev . Druce , Chap . A very handsome jewel , specially designed , was then presented to Bro . Crowden , in recognition of his valuable services during his two years of office and establishing the lodge on a sure and successful foundation . After Bro . Crowden had returned thanks , and a gentleman proposed for initiation , the lodge was closed , and the brethren sat

down to the banquet , about six o ' clock , which was served in Bertram and Roberts' best style , and gave general satisfaction . Bro . Woodrow , W . M ., presided , and most ably conducted the duties of the chair , and after the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly responded to , the LP . M ., Bro . Crowden , rose to propose "The Health of the W . M ., " asswring him and the brethren that , although this was the

first important toast of an LP . M ., it was yet one of the most pleasurable duties , and more so on this occasion , as Bro . Woodrow had had to wait so patiently for the honour —an honour which under ordinary circumstances would have been conferred on him a year since . All would agree that no one was more deserving of the honour than he , for no matter what position in the lodge he occupied—whether as Warden , Past Master , or Secretary—he always faithfully

fulfilled his duties , and gave the greatest satisfaction to the brethren . He also uniquely filled the qualifications required of a W . M ., for he had always been found examplary in conduct , courteous in manner , easy of address , steady in principle , and , above all , able and willing to take the management of the work . He had , therefore , much pleasure in congratulating him , as well as the lodge , on the happy appointment that had been made . Thc W . M ., Bro .

Woodrow , in returning thanks , assured the brethren he had always done his best to obtain the approbation of the lodge , and , although feeling some diffidence in following such an able and worthy predecessor , who had done so much for the lodge , yet he should endeavour to emulate the example that had been set , and at his close of office he hoped to transmit the charge that day entrusted to him pure and unsullied as he had received it . He then

proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , Bro . Crowden , " who responded as follows : Brethren , when , two years since , you elected me as your W . M ., I inwardly resolved , and 1 promised- to you , that the welfare of the West Kent Lodge should be my first care and consideration , and since that time you are aware I have endeavoured to leave no stone unturned to ensure that success of which this day you have been pleased to show your appreciation

by presenting ire with this handsome jewel . Ihey say that " Nothing succeeds like success , " and I earnestly trust that now we have ascended so far up the hill of prosperity , we shall shortly reach the summit ; and I am sure with such an able and worthy successor no distrust will be warran t ed that he will be found wanting in the discharge of any of those duties which will ensure the great object we have in view . The W . M . has very kindly alluded to the

installation ceremony ; all I can say is , that 1 claim little credit , for I have had plenty of time to get it up , and have attended many installation meetings by way of rehearsal ; however , if the manner in which it has been this day performed has met with the approbation of the brethren , I am more than satisfied . I thank the W . M . for proposing my health in such flattering terms , and I thank you , brethren , for the cordial reception you have given to it . 1 thank you

all also for the tangible and handsome manner you havc shown your appreciation of my poor services , and I trust the day maybe far distant when 1 cease to take a pride and pleasure in the welfare of the West Kent Lodge . " The Visitors '" toast was connected with the name of Bro . Broadley , who , in eloquent terms , responded , assuring thc brethren that he always considered it an honour to be invited to attend these meetings , and he had striven to so arrange his

engagements as to be present on this occasion . Since his arrival in England from Tunis his time had been much taken up , yet he found opportunities of fulfilling many important Masonic engagements , and he should take back to Tunis and Malta a very happy remembrance of his many visits to various lodges during his stay in England . He proceeded to dilate upon Masonry generally in the province over which he had had thc privilege of presiding ;

andconcluded by inviting any of the brethren who might find themselves stranded in those foreign parts to a hearty welcome to his lodge . Bro . Grabham also briefly returned thanks , assuring the brethren of the pleasure he always experienced in attending the meetings of the West Kent Lodge . He had many esteemed friends and brethren who were members of the lodge—notably the I . P . M ., Bro . Crowden , to whom he owed his invitation , and who , as a

pupil of his , he had had the great satisfaction of seeing safely through his years of office ; also Bros . Perrin , Crump , Bellis , Johnson , and others—all of whose interests he was watching- over , and he should continue to do his best to make them efficient to fill the chair when their time should come . After "The Health of the Past Masters " had been dul y proposed and responded to , the W . M . next proposed "The Health of his Officers , " to which Bro .

Gardner , S . W ., responded as follows : Worshipful Sir , Immediate Past Master Crowden , Brethren , Past Masters , and Visitors : In rising to acknowledge , on my own behalf , the toast so generously and courteously proposed by our W . MJ and recognised in so cordial and unmistakeable a manner by you all , I would first desire to express my high

sense of the honour conferred upon me by my elevation to the chair of your S . W ., an honour enhanced , if it were possible , by its being so unexpected ; for when I attended the lodge this afternoon , on an occasion not easily to be forgotten , but ever memorable in the annalsof the West Kent Lodge ( an occasion to which , with your forbearance , I will personally cursorily refer ) , my hopes had been restricted to

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the agreeable anticipation of being relegated to my post of J . W . for another year . But it is willed otherwise ; and , by the high favour of our Worshipful Master , and the indulgence of the brethren , I am raised to the honourable and , shall I add , enviable position of representing the West Kent Lodge as its Senior Warden , and under what circumstances do I assume this highly

prized position ? At the close of a W . M . ' s tenure of office , the like of which has rarely , if ever , been equalled in Masonic annals , and entailing upon the assumption of the office a responsibility not slight indeed , but morally pledging the occupant to an endeavour to carry out in all its detail the working so admirably exhibited to us , and to hold in his memory the bearing of high honour and dignity

which in his term of office has rendered the West Kent Lodge one of the first , if we consider the characteristics and the excellent qualities of its immediate P . M . Brethren , you know fully well these are not mere words of flattery , but poor , imperfect expressions of loyalty to a retiring Master . But , Worshipful Sir , a great cause of congratulation is afforded us in the fact that youn valuable and

highly appreciated services as Secretary ot this lodge are not altogether lost to us by your elevation to the Master's chair—a kind , thoroughl y competent brother is at hand , to assume pro tem . the duties of your late office in order to secure to the brethren a continuance of that zeal and efficiency which you unceasingly exhibited , and when the period shall arrive for you to vacate that chair , with , I am

sure , additional honour to yourself , and pride and satisfaction to the brethren , the same duties will be resumed , so . valuable as they have been in the past and will be in the future . A kindly word to my brother officers in conclusion , not in a didactic but in a purely fraternal spirit . I would ask them to carry in their recollections the little , but portentous motto , semper paratum , by qualifying themselves

to be ever ready in an emergency to fill a superior office to that which their aspirations had led them to anticipate , and to strive with all their heart and will to sustain that reputation which the West Kent Lodge has now acquired , and to maintain that position by a continuance of that excellent working and adequate representation of their respective offices . 1 thank you , W . M . and brethren ,

on my own part , most sincerely for the toast so generously given , and so warmly received . Bro . Perrin , J . W ., in responding for "The Officers , " thanked the W . M . for the kind manner in which their healths had been proposed , and assured him he felt gratified in accepting the office conferred upon him , and felt certain the lodge would not lose any of its prestige

while under the guidance of such an experienced Mason as the W . M ., who had filled the same position before with credit to himself , and benefit to the lodge . Bro . Vizitelli , J . W ., next returned thanks in the following humorous strain : Worshipful Master and Brethren : When I first had the honour of accepting office in this lodge , I found that I had incurred a two-fold responsibility . In addition

to the strictly official functions performed in the lodgeitself , which only required an effort of memory , I found that it was part of my duties to reply at banquets to the toast of the officers , which entailed a far severer strain on the imagination . In this difficulty I took council with a friend , and asked him why we were all expected to reply seriatim instead of the task being deputed to one alone . He

answered "Oh , it is to give you young Masons—I may mention that his initiation had taken place about three months previous to my own—an opportunity of practising that eloquence which you will find so necessary when you reach the chair . " 1 took these words to heart , and resolved to try my best to be eloquent . I used to sit on tenterhooks directly the speech-making began , indigesting my

food , and racking my brains for choice epigrams . But all in vain , I invariably found that all my best efforts were forestalled . If I sought to be facetious , the S . W . was certain to cut the ground from under my feet , and set the table in a roar by the very joke which at that moment I was painfully elaborating in my mind . If by chance any current topic of the day afforded an opportunity for an

outburst of glowing eloquence or rapt oratory , the Junior Warden invariably availed himself thereof in the identical periods which I was engaged in mentally rounding . If in fancy I prepared to cull some modest floweret of pathos to adorn my speech , I found it ruthlessly cropped by the Senior Deacon before my turn came . Being mindful of these things , I feel in my present advanced position that I ought

to be magnanimous , and seek to give those who come after me an opportunity of displaying that eloquence whose flights have been hitherto so cruelly checked in my own case . Therefore I will simply thank you for the kind and cordial manner in which you have drank the healths of myself and my brother officers , and trust that when at the close of the twelvemonth the curtain falls ort our labours we shall

one and all be found worthy of a " call . " Bros . Crump , James , Crowden , Philps , Fullwood , and Orange also briefly returned thanks . Bro . Gardner , S . W ., wished to add a few words to his former remarks concerning our respected Treasurer , Bro . P . M . H . D . Stead . He has been so identified with the lodge with all that was excellent , both in his office and fraternal bearing , that he would ask permission

of the W . M . to desire his son , Bro . P . M . J . K . Stead , to convey to him the expressions of the brethren of their deep sympathy in bis indisposition , and of an earnest hope for his speedy convalescence . It would be gratifying to him to learn how regretfully his absence had been felt by us all . Bro . J . K . Stead , P . M ., stated he would convey with pleasure the kind sympathies and remembrances of the lodge to

his father , who he was quite sure would very much appreciate the kind and courteous manner in which such terms has been conveyed to him . He was with the lodge to-day in spirit if not in body . The evening was enlivened by many songs , recitations , & c , and at an early hour the brethren dispersed , having recorded one of the most successful and happy meetings nf the West Kent Lodge .

NEW CROSS LODGE ( No . 1559 ) . —For the third time since the present W . M . ( Bro . Ernest Smith ) has occupied the chair of this lodge , the brethren met on Saturday last at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , the occasion being a regular meeting of the lodge . From the very first appearances favoured the supposition that Bro . Smith

would have a busy year of office , and considering that it is but a couple of months since he was installed in the chair of K . S ., and that two meetings have been held subsequently , circumstances have so far borne out thiview . A very heavy agenda paper was laid before the lodge on Saturday last , and the W . M . was earl y in attendance , so as to offer due observance to the excellent rule of