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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
It vvas among the dearest wishes of a true Mason that he mig ht initiate his son , and not only so , but to see his son progress in his Masonic duties . He hoped that pleasure would be given to all the brethren . He had himself three boys , and it was his sincere desire to see them become Masons , and take their place in the ranks of Masonry . He could hardly understand any member of the Joppa Lodge
not thinking it a great pleasure to see Bro . Lazarus installing his son in the chair of K . S . He could not imagine any true Mason grudging Bro . Lazarus any honour that had been given him that evening . He , moreover , hoped that he would not be presuming on his position as a visitor when he said " Beware Masons of any un-Masonic thought in your heart , " because there vvas not anything which vvas
more like the cankerworm or dry-rot in Masonry than that miserable feeling which sometimes found expression in a lodge vvhich sprang from un-Masonic thought . Again , he said , beware of that dry-rot , it vvas difficult to eradicate , and no Mason should think it his duty to give it the least countenance in any lodge , the history of vvhich vvas at all identified with true Masonry . He congratulated the W . M .
on his being installed that evening , and hoped that in his turn he would have the gratification if it vvere possible , as years went on , of installing his son , and might he ( Bro . Myers ) be there to see it . Bro . M . Emmanuel also responded , and stated that Bro . Asher Myers had so thoroughly expressed all his feelings , that he felt he could not improve upon that speech by any remarks he might make .
Other visitors also responded . Bros . Dodson , and Dewsnap replied to " the toast of "The Past Masters . " Bro . Lewis Lazarus responded for himself and Bro . Lyon , who had been compelled to leave through ill-health , to the toastof "Treasurer and Secretary . " The Wardens and other officers replied to the toast oi "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Lodge La Tolerance ( No . 538 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge vvas held on New Year ' s Day at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Wm . May Clear , W . M ., presiding . Among the brethren present were Bros . VV . Webb , S . W . ; G . L . Lyons , J . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., Treas . j James B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; W . E . Willby , S . D . ; S . Eldridge , I . G . j ] . W . Elvin , P . M ., D . C ; Walter
Hooker , C . S . j M . E . Fenn , P . M . ; Thos . VV . Smale , P . M . ; E . Humphreys , P . M . ; John Skinner , P . M . ; and Thos . Bicknell . Visitors : Bros . B . Hanson , 411 ; R . VV . Wilson , S . W . 2054 ; George F . Smith , 16 3 ; A . Taylor , 4 63 ; R . M . Hammond , 4 6 3 ; H . A . Howe , 1362 ; Thos . VV . Aubrey , 1766 ; W . F . Havves , W . M . 4 63 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; G . Guterbock , P . M . 173 ; S . A .
Cooper , P . M . 16 37 ; G . H . Martin , 4 6 3 ; VV . A . Scurrah , VV . M . 1 744 ; W . D . Hayworth , 2096 ; John Paul , W . M . 12 S 7 ; Fred Cambridge , W . M . 170 ; J . E . Fox , P . M . 297 , 1266 ; Alfred Hamted , P . M . 1556 ; Wm . Gonnier , P . M . 720 ; A . Ducket , 1347 ; and L . A . Longmead , 1563 . Bro . John Gibson vvas passed by the W . M . to the Second Degree . There vvere the names of two candidates for
initiation on the summons , but neither gentleman was able to attend , and Bro . Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., at the request of the VV . M ., installed Bro . William Webb as Master of the lodge for the year . The roll of officers vvas as follows : Bros . W . May Clear , I . P . M . ; G . L . Lyons , S . W . j W . E . Willby , J . VV . ; James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . j J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; S . G . Eldridge , S . D . j
Hooker , J . D . j Pittmann , I . G . j J . VV . Elvin , P . M ., D . Cj W . G . Fenn , P . M . j and J . L . Prior , Stwds . j Theo . Ward , R . A . M ., Org . j and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . . The ceremonies of the evening were beautifully performed by Bros . Clear , Kench , and the officers . Lodge vvas closed , and the work vvas followed by a choice banquet at Freemasons' Tavern .
The banquet vvas succeeded by the usual Masonic toasts and some lovely singing by Mddle . Vagnolini , Miss Flora Edwards , Bro . G . L . Lyon , and Bro . J . J . Pittmann , vvith Bro . Theo . Ward at the piano . Bro . Kench responded to the toast vvhich included " The Grand Officers , " and wished the brethren on that first night of the new year all the health , prosperity , and hearty
good feeling vvhich he desired for himself . On behalf of Grand Lodge , he would say that the Lodge La Tolerance was well represented at the Quarterly Communications and at the meetings of the Board of Benevolence . It vvas the duty of the W . M . to attend those meetings , and he was sure the new VV . M . would do so . Although the Past Masters and Wardens had the right to attend the Ouarterly
Communications , it vvas only the Master vvho vvas permitted to attend the Board of Benevolence . There vvas always something of interest at those meetings . At a recent meeting of Grand Lodge there vvere three distinguished visitors , the Grand Masters of Pennsylvania , Louisiana , and Canada , and it vvas most interesting to listen to the speeches of those brethren on the subject of Mascnry in those
districts . At the last meeting of Grand Lodge a sum of one hundred guineas was voted to the families of the crew of H . M . S . Serpent , which vvas lost vvith all hands , except three , off the coast of Spain . There vvere some who maintained that the funds of Grand Lodge should be voted only to Masonic purposes , but that vvas not the feeling of the members of Lodge La Tolerance any more than
't was his . Whilst fully admitting that- Masons' first care should be for those ranged under the banners of Masonry , yet they would be false to the old teaching and spirit of the Craft did they not also endeavour to help , succour , and defend all those who vvere in peril , danger , and tribulation , lhey vvere all only stewards of those good things their Heavenl y Father had entrusted them with . He did not
suppose there vvas ever a period in the history of Masonry when those efforts for good vvere so powerful as now . The more its tenets became known and understood , the more they were subscribed to and practised , the greater would be their reverence for the Sacred Law , and the better would they be enabled to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness . Bro . Clear , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " a brother
who was initiated at the same time as himself ( Bro . Clear ) . 1 hey had since then worked up together . There vvas no brother in whose hands the interests of the lodge could he with greater safety left . It vvas impossible it could lose any ot its lustre in the hands of Bro . Webb . In a VV . M . they required many good qualities ; he must be a good man and true , he must have powers of governing vvith firmness and Vet with discretion , he must be genial in disposition , and a ro . Webb possessed all those qualities . They all knew he
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
had them , and he would show he had them : he would set an example to the La Tolerance Lodge , and would represent it as Steward at the next Festival of the Girls' Institution , an Institution to which all the brethren of the lodge gave their support . The VVorshipful Master , who vvas received vvith hearty applause on rising to respond , said he did not think he vvas
a vain man , but he vvas afraid he might become so when he found himself so warmly received . He thanked the brethren for his election to the chair , a position it had been his ambition to occupy ever since he was initiated . He believed the ambition to be a right one . He made a mistake when he vvas quite a young Mason . He thought when a man got in the chair there vvas nothing for him to do , but he now
found that the more he knew the more he wanted to know . That he thought accounted in some measure for the fact that old Masons who had been in the Craft many years took such a great interest still in it j they were , in fact , more enthusiastic every meeting . He vvas the youngest man who had had the honour to preside over that lodge , and he must ask the brethren to excuse him
if he made any mistakes on that ground , if on no other . He hoped they would have plenty of work during the year , and he would pledge himself to do the best he could for the lodge , and , vvith Bro . Kench and other Past Masters to assist him , he vvas sure he would succeed . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of " The I . P . M . " He said during his year of office Bro . Clear had
governed the lodge with the firmness vvhich vvas necessary , but he had combined that firmness with such heartiness and bonhomie , that it vvas a pleasure to be ruled by him . The lodge had voted ' him a Past Master ' s jewel , but , although it vvas but a slight token of their regard , Bro . Clear would take it , as it was meant , as a sincere token , and the brethren hoped he would have many years of health and strength to
wear it and be proud of it . Bro . Clear , I . P . M ., in responding , said that during the year he had occupied the chair he did all he could in regard to the ceremonial work . He had to thank Bro . Kench for performing the installation that evening . It was a pride to them that they had an old Past Master who could do it so well . Thanking the brethren for the jewel , he assured
them he should wear it with pride , and it would be a sort of remembrance to him of the time when he vvas VV . M . It had been a very happy year , and he should always look with regret on his relinquishment of it . He vvas , however , able to reflect that it vvas now occupied by a brother vvho would do it honour . Bro . Scurrah and other brethren responded to the toast
of "The Visitors , " and Bros . Skinner and Fenn for that of "The Past Masters . " Bros . Kench and Sly replied to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bro . Lyons and other officers to that of " The Officers . " Bro . Walkley gave the Tyler ' s toast , the drinking of vvhich closed a very happy and pleasant evening .
Yarborough Lodge ( No . 554 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge vvas held on Thursday , the ist inst ., at the Green Dragon , Stepney . There vvas a goodly number of members present , together vvith many visitors . The lodge was opened , and the minutes read . Bro . W .
Havves , S . VV ., vvas installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed in a most able manner by Bro . John G . Stevens , P . M . The W . M . then invested his officers—Bro . F . Whitworth , S . VV . designate , vvas too ill to be present , and the VV . M . appointed Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., to that office pro tem . The other officers vvere
Bros . A . E . Wood , I . P . M . j H . M . Read , J . VV . ; J . J . Berry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Sec . ; O . W . Peacock , S . D . j VV . Sheppard , J . D . j A . E . Sallaway , D . C ; G . Seddon , P . M ., Org . ; S . Gillard , I . G . j G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Stwd . ; and J . Taylor , P . M ., Tyler . Among the large number of visitors were the following ; Bros . VV . H . Hubbert , P . M ., Sec . 1625 , - Crow , S . W .
1076 j E . Daniel , 300 j W . C . Sweetman , 1306 j J . Bowman , 959 j J . VVest , 933 j C . Wood , VV . M . 1472 j B . Stewart , 127 SJ J . Newton , 174 j G . VV . King , 1437 j W . Wills , 1962 J J . Hudson , 975 j VV . T . Massey , 160 , 192 S J J . Barnes , 2184 ; VV . Harper , 1306 j A . Hunter , 1501 j S . Ellis , 19 S 1 j and Lacey . The whole of the working of the lodge vvas performed in an admirable manner , and after the lodge had been closed
the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet . After full justice had been done to it , the VV . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and "The R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " all of vvhich toasts were heartily drunk .
Bro . A . E . Wood , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and in doing so he said it vvas the most important toast of the evening . The brethren of the Yarborough Lodge had done wisely in having chosen Bro . Havves to preside over them . Perhaps he ( Bro . Wood ) could speak better than a good many , because Bro . Havves and he had trod the Yarborough Lodge together . There
was only a month between the date of their initiations . He vvas very proud in having such a Master to follovv him . They had followed each other not only in the offices in the lodge , but also in the Yarborough Lodge of Instruction . He thought they had chosen wisely and well , because he knew he was made to be a good Master . He vvas sure whatever work they brought him , and he hoped it would he a lot , he would do it well .
The toast was heartily received . The Worshipful Master , in responding , said he felt that the brethren had conferred an honour on him by taking him as their W . M ., an honour which he should never forget . He trusted that his year of office would be a successful one , and a pleasant one . Nothing on his part should be wanting to benefit the lodge , and he trusted he should have plenty oi work to do .
The Worshipful Master next rose to propose the toast of "The Past Masters . " He said he vvas sure all the brethren knew the good qualities of the Past Masters , and it needed no remarks from him to commend the toast to the brethren . They were always pleased to see the Past Masters there , and without them they could not get on . He
looked on the Past Masters as his right hand , and he vvas sure that if he went wrong in the least thing they would put him right . As the brethren went on , and it they aspired to the position which he ( the W . M . j held that night , they would do well to fall back on the Past Masters . Bro . A . E . Wood , I . P . M ., in responding , said that his year of office as the VV . M . of the Yarborough Lodge ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
was certainly one of the happiest years of his life . For the very kind way he vvas treated he thanked the brethren very much . Bro . J . L . Anderson , P . M ., said he vvas sure it vvas with deep regret that Bro . Whitworth was not there that night . He vvas under the doctor , and he could not leave his room . He knew they , one and all , wished Bro . Whitworth a return to good health and all the best wishes they could give him . He vvas one of the beat and kindest members ot the
V arborough Lodge . In giving the toast of "The Installing Master , " the VV . M . said he considered it the toast of the evening . It vvas very interesting to him , and it must have been interesting to the brethren , to see the manner in which Bro . Stevens performed the ceremony of installation . He ( the VV . M . ) paid great attention to the ceremony , and the way Bro .
Stevens performed it vvas very grand and impressive . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., returned his sincere thanks . The older they got in Feemasonry , he said , they knew the ceremonies wanted to be done vvith the heart , and if there vvas one ceremony vvhich wanted to be done with the heart , it was the ceremony of installation , so as to make an impression on the Master . It had been his desire to do that , and
if he had done it he vvas very gratified . He first performed the ceremony 22 years ago , and since then he had done it very many times . The toast of "The Visitors " was next proposed by the W . M ., vvho said they vvere used to the toast at the Yarborough Lodge . He never remembered a meeting of the lodge at vvhich they did not have visitors , to whom they
always accorded a hearty welcome . Bros . Lacey , Newton , and several other brethren responded . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., responded to the toast of "The Masonic Institutions , " vvhich vvas ably proposed by the VV . M . Bro . Stevens said that he vvas pleased to hear that both the VV . M . and Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., vvere
Stewards for the Benevolent Institution Festival . The total receipts of the three Institutions during the past year amounted to something like £ ' 60 , 000 . Of that amount the Benevolent Institution took about £ 21 , 000 . If the brethren would take their memory back to last February they would remember that the announcement made by Bro . Terry at the Festival vvas £ 13 , 050 . The result now vvas
they had received £ 15 , 000 , or £ 2000 over the announcement in February . The Benevolent Institution gave £ ' 40 a year to men , and £ 30 to the widows of Freemasons . They had 229 widows , and 1 S 9 men receiving the annuities of the Institution , and 23 widows vvere receiving half of their husband's annuities . To keep up those annuities the Institution had to raise £ 15 , 000 a year . Tbe Committee of
Management last year , in their wisdom , made some alterations in the laws of the Institution , vvith a view of limiting the number of candidates . Notwithstanding that there were now 150 candidates on the list for election to the benefits of the Institution . Bro . Stevens then alluded to the various ages of the recipients of the annuities , one of whom vvas 90 years of age , many of them over So , and a great
many over 70 . There vvas no doubt that the annuities lengthened the lifetime of the annuitants . In concluding , Bro . Stevens asked the brethren to give according to theii means , and he hoped that they would do their level best to make the lists of the W . M . and Bro . Cotter most successful . The Benevolent Institution deserved the sympathy of every Mason .
The toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary" vvas heartily drunk . Bros . J . J . Berry , P . M ., Treas ., and G . VV . Verry , P . M ., Sec , responded . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Officers . " He said he hoped he should fill the office of VV . M . to the satisfaction of thebrethren . He had made up his mind to
carry his year through well , and he appealed to his officers to assist him . Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., S . W ., returned sincere and heartfelt thanks for the hearty manner the brethren had responded to the toast . He said he had the Yarborough Lodge at heart , and if at any time he could help or assist the W . M ., it would be his greatest pleasure to do so .
During the evening an entertainment of high class vvas provided by Bro . G . Seddon , P . M ., Organist , whose daughter , Miss Gertrude Seddon , gave two charming violin solos . Among the brethren assisting vvere Bros . J . J . Berry , P . M . j Hugh Cotter , P . M . j J . G . Stevens , P . M . j A . E . Sallaway , D . C . J VV . Murrin , P . M . j H . M . Read , J . W . j the W . M . j and A . E . Wood , I . P . M .
Sputhgate Lodge ( No . 1950 ) . —This lodge held its first meeting of the session at the Railway Hotel , New Southgate , on New Year ' s Day , presided over by the W . M ., Bro . Samuel Stretch , jun . Bro . Emery vvas raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., and Mr . Fenton Folkes vvas initiated . This being election day , Bro . Phipos , S . W ., was elected VV . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Lefeber ,
by the unanimous vote of the brethren , vvas re-elected Treasurer . The lodge voted the sum of io guineas , to be placed on the W . M . 's list , as Steward for the R . M . B . I . at the forthcoming Festival . Business concluded , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Folkes , the new proprietor of the hotel .
' 1 he usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , interspersed by music and song , and the brethren took advantage of the season , and exchanged hearty New Year ' s wishes . Quatuor Coronati Lodge ( No . 2076 ) . — This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present Bros . VV . M . Bywater
P . G . S . B ., in the chair ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., as I . P . M . j W . H . Rylands , P . G . Stwd , as S . VV . ; Dr . VV . VV . Westcott , J . . ; G . VV . Speth , Sec . ; W . M . Williams , I . G . j C . Kupferschmidt , Stwd . j and VV . Simpson , P . M . Also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . E . H . Ezard , C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . j J . Charles , G . W . Taylor , J . J . Pakes , E . H . Cartwright , G . R . Cobham , J . Wood , VV . C . Mapleton , E . Armitage ,
Max Mendelssohn , H . L . Warner , C B . Barnes , L . G . Gordon Robbins , VV . G . P . Gilbert , and R . A . Gowan . Also the following visitors : Bros . F . B . Phillips , 2265 , and Thomas Archer , 2140 . The following District Grand Lodge , five lodges , and 2 S brethren vvere elected members of the Correspondence Circle : District Grand Lodge of the Argentine Republic j Albert Victor Lodge , No . 2370 , Lahore , Punjab j Unie Lodge ( D . C ) , Riekuil , Transvaal ; Darling Downs Lodge ,
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
It vvas among the dearest wishes of a true Mason that he mig ht initiate his son , and not only so , but to see his son progress in his Masonic duties . He hoped that pleasure would be given to all the brethren . He had himself three boys , and it was his sincere desire to see them become Masons , and take their place in the ranks of Masonry . He could hardly understand any member of the Joppa Lodge
not thinking it a great pleasure to see Bro . Lazarus installing his son in the chair of K . S . He could not imagine any true Mason grudging Bro . Lazarus any honour that had been given him that evening . He , moreover , hoped that he would not be presuming on his position as a visitor when he said " Beware Masons of any un-Masonic thought in your heart , " because there vvas not anything which vvas
more like the cankerworm or dry-rot in Masonry than that miserable feeling which sometimes found expression in a lodge vvhich sprang from un-Masonic thought . Again , he said , beware of that dry-rot , it vvas difficult to eradicate , and no Mason should think it his duty to give it the least countenance in any lodge , the history of vvhich vvas at all identified with true Masonry . He congratulated the W . M .
on his being installed that evening , and hoped that in his turn he would have the gratification if it vvere possible , as years went on , of installing his son , and might he ( Bro . Myers ) be there to see it . Bro . M . Emmanuel also responded , and stated that Bro . Asher Myers had so thoroughly expressed all his feelings , that he felt he could not improve upon that speech by any remarks he might make .
Other visitors also responded . Bros . Dodson , and Dewsnap replied to " the toast of "The Past Masters . " Bro . Lewis Lazarus responded for himself and Bro . Lyon , who had been compelled to leave through ill-health , to the toastof "Treasurer and Secretary . " The Wardens and other officers replied to the toast oi "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Lodge La Tolerance ( No . 538 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge vvas held on New Year ' s Day at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Wm . May Clear , W . M ., presiding . Among the brethren present were Bros . VV . Webb , S . W . ; G . L . Lyons , J . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., Treas . j James B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; W . E . Willby , S . D . ; S . Eldridge , I . G . j ] . W . Elvin , P . M ., D . C ; Walter
Hooker , C . S . j M . E . Fenn , P . M . ; Thos . VV . Smale , P . M . ; E . Humphreys , P . M . ; John Skinner , P . M . ; and Thos . Bicknell . Visitors : Bros . B . Hanson , 411 ; R . VV . Wilson , S . W . 2054 ; George F . Smith , 16 3 ; A . Taylor , 4 63 ; R . M . Hammond , 4 6 3 ; H . A . Howe , 1362 ; Thos . VV . Aubrey , 1766 ; W . F . Havves , W . M . 4 63 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; G . Guterbock , P . M . 173 ; S . A .
Cooper , P . M . 16 37 ; G . H . Martin , 4 6 3 ; VV . A . Scurrah , VV . M . 1 744 ; W . D . Hayworth , 2096 ; John Paul , W . M . 12 S 7 ; Fred Cambridge , W . M . 170 ; J . E . Fox , P . M . 297 , 1266 ; Alfred Hamted , P . M . 1556 ; Wm . Gonnier , P . M . 720 ; A . Ducket , 1347 ; and L . A . Longmead , 1563 . Bro . John Gibson vvas passed by the W . M . to the Second Degree . There vvere the names of two candidates for
initiation on the summons , but neither gentleman was able to attend , and Bro . Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., at the request of the VV . M ., installed Bro . William Webb as Master of the lodge for the year . The roll of officers vvas as follows : Bros . W . May Clear , I . P . M . ; G . L . Lyons , S . W . j W . E . Willby , J . VV . ; James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . j J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; S . G . Eldridge , S . D . j
Hooker , J . D . j Pittmann , I . G . j J . VV . Elvin , P . M ., D . Cj W . G . Fenn , P . M . j and J . L . Prior , Stwds . j Theo . Ward , R . A . M ., Org . j and Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . . The ceremonies of the evening were beautifully performed by Bros . Clear , Kench , and the officers . Lodge vvas closed , and the work vvas followed by a choice banquet at Freemasons' Tavern .
The banquet vvas succeeded by the usual Masonic toasts and some lovely singing by Mddle . Vagnolini , Miss Flora Edwards , Bro . G . L . Lyon , and Bro . J . J . Pittmann , vvith Bro . Theo . Ward at the piano . Bro . Kench responded to the toast vvhich included " The Grand Officers , " and wished the brethren on that first night of the new year all the health , prosperity , and hearty
good feeling vvhich he desired for himself . On behalf of Grand Lodge , he would say that the Lodge La Tolerance was well represented at the Quarterly Communications and at the meetings of the Board of Benevolence . It vvas the duty of the W . M . to attend those meetings , and he was sure the new VV . M . would do so . Although the Past Masters and Wardens had the right to attend the Ouarterly
Communications , it vvas only the Master vvho vvas permitted to attend the Board of Benevolence . There vvas always something of interest at those meetings . At a recent meeting of Grand Lodge there vvere three distinguished visitors , the Grand Masters of Pennsylvania , Louisiana , and Canada , and it vvas most interesting to listen to the speeches of those brethren on the subject of Mascnry in those
districts . At the last meeting of Grand Lodge a sum of one hundred guineas was voted to the families of the crew of H . M . S . Serpent , which vvas lost vvith all hands , except three , off the coast of Spain . There vvere some who maintained that the funds of Grand Lodge should be voted only to Masonic purposes , but that vvas not the feeling of the members of Lodge La Tolerance any more than
't was his . Whilst fully admitting that- Masons' first care should be for those ranged under the banners of Masonry , yet they would be false to the old teaching and spirit of the Craft did they not also endeavour to help , succour , and defend all those who vvere in peril , danger , and tribulation , lhey vvere all only stewards of those good things their Heavenl y Father had entrusted them with . He did not
suppose there vvas ever a period in the history of Masonry when those efforts for good vvere so powerful as now . The more its tenets became known and understood , the more they were subscribed to and practised , the greater would be their reverence for the Sacred Law , and the better would they be enabled to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness . Bro . Clear , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " a brother
who was initiated at the same time as himself ( Bro . Clear ) . 1 hey had since then worked up together . There vvas no brother in whose hands the interests of the lodge could he with greater safety left . It vvas impossible it could lose any ot its lustre in the hands of Bro . Webb . In a VV . M . they required many good qualities ; he must be a good man and true , he must have powers of governing vvith firmness and Vet with discretion , he must be genial in disposition , and a ro . Webb possessed all those qualities . They all knew he
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
had them , and he would show he had them : he would set an example to the La Tolerance Lodge , and would represent it as Steward at the next Festival of the Girls' Institution , an Institution to which all the brethren of the lodge gave their support . The VVorshipful Master , who vvas received vvith hearty applause on rising to respond , said he did not think he vvas
a vain man , but he vvas afraid he might become so when he found himself so warmly received . He thanked the brethren for his election to the chair , a position it had been his ambition to occupy ever since he was initiated . He believed the ambition to be a right one . He made a mistake when he vvas quite a young Mason . He thought when a man got in the chair there vvas nothing for him to do , but he now
found that the more he knew the more he wanted to know . That he thought accounted in some measure for the fact that old Masons who had been in the Craft many years took such a great interest still in it j they were , in fact , more enthusiastic every meeting . He vvas the youngest man who had had the honour to preside over that lodge , and he must ask the brethren to excuse him
if he made any mistakes on that ground , if on no other . He hoped they would have plenty of work during the year , and he would pledge himself to do the best he could for the lodge , and , vvith Bro . Kench and other Past Masters to assist him , he vvas sure he would succeed . The Worshipful Master next gave the toast of " The I . P . M . " He said during his year of office Bro . Clear had
governed the lodge with the firmness vvhich vvas necessary , but he had combined that firmness with such heartiness and bonhomie , that it vvas a pleasure to be ruled by him . The lodge had voted ' him a Past Master ' s jewel , but , although it vvas but a slight token of their regard , Bro . Clear would take it , as it was meant , as a sincere token , and the brethren hoped he would have many years of health and strength to
wear it and be proud of it . Bro . Clear , I . P . M ., in responding , said that during the year he had occupied the chair he did all he could in regard to the ceremonial work . He had to thank Bro . Kench for performing the installation that evening . It was a pride to them that they had an old Past Master who could do it so well . Thanking the brethren for the jewel , he assured
them he should wear it with pride , and it would be a sort of remembrance to him of the time when he vvas VV . M . It had been a very happy year , and he should always look with regret on his relinquishment of it . He vvas , however , able to reflect that it vvas now occupied by a brother vvho would do it honour . Bro . Scurrah and other brethren responded to the toast
of "The Visitors , " and Bros . Skinner and Fenn for that of "The Past Masters . " Bros . Kench and Sly replied to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bro . Lyons and other officers to that of " The Officers . " Bro . Walkley gave the Tyler ' s toast , the drinking of vvhich closed a very happy and pleasant evening .
Yarborough Lodge ( No . 554 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge vvas held on Thursday , the ist inst ., at the Green Dragon , Stepney . There vvas a goodly number of members present , together vvith many visitors . The lodge was opened , and the minutes read . Bro . W .
Havves , S . VV ., vvas installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being performed in a most able manner by Bro . John G . Stevens , P . M . The W . M . then invested his officers—Bro . F . Whitworth , S . VV . designate , vvas too ill to be present , and the VV . M . appointed Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., to that office pro tem . The other officers vvere
Bros . A . E . Wood , I . P . M . j H . M . Read , J . VV . ; J . J . Berry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Sec . ; O . W . Peacock , S . D . j VV . Sheppard , J . D . j A . E . Sallaway , D . C ; G . Seddon , P . M ., Org . ; S . Gillard , I . G . j G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Stwd . ; and J . Taylor , P . M ., Tyler . Among the large number of visitors were the following ; Bros . VV . H . Hubbert , P . M ., Sec . 1625 , - Crow , S . W .
1076 j E . Daniel , 300 j W . C . Sweetman , 1306 j J . Bowman , 959 j J . VVest , 933 j C . Wood , VV . M . 1472 j B . Stewart , 127 SJ J . Newton , 174 j G . VV . King , 1437 j W . Wills , 1962 J J . Hudson , 975 j VV . T . Massey , 160 , 192 S J J . Barnes , 2184 ; VV . Harper , 1306 j A . Hunter , 1501 j S . Ellis , 19 S 1 j and Lacey . The whole of the working of the lodge vvas performed in an admirable manner , and after the lodge had been closed
the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet . After full justice had been done to it , the VV . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and "The R . W . Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " all of vvhich toasts were heartily drunk .
Bro . A . E . Wood , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and in doing so he said it vvas the most important toast of the evening . The brethren of the Yarborough Lodge had done wisely in having chosen Bro . Havves to preside over them . Perhaps he ( Bro . Wood ) could speak better than a good many , because Bro . Havves and he had trod the Yarborough Lodge together . There
was only a month between the date of their initiations . He vvas very proud in having such a Master to follovv him . They had followed each other not only in the offices in the lodge , but also in the Yarborough Lodge of Instruction . He thought they had chosen wisely and well , because he knew he was made to be a good Master . He vvas sure whatever work they brought him , and he hoped it would he a lot , he would do it well .
The toast was heartily received . The Worshipful Master , in responding , said he felt that the brethren had conferred an honour on him by taking him as their W . M ., an honour which he should never forget . He trusted that his year of office would be a successful one , and a pleasant one . Nothing on his part should be wanting to benefit the lodge , and he trusted he should have plenty oi work to do .
The Worshipful Master next rose to propose the toast of "The Past Masters . " He said he vvas sure all the brethren knew the good qualities of the Past Masters , and it needed no remarks from him to commend the toast to the brethren . They were always pleased to see the Past Masters there , and without them they could not get on . He
looked on the Past Masters as his right hand , and he vvas sure that if he went wrong in the least thing they would put him right . As the brethren went on , and it they aspired to the position which he ( the W . M . j held that night , they would do well to fall back on the Past Masters . Bro . A . E . Wood , I . P . M ., in responding , said that his year of office as the VV . M . of the Yarborough Lodge ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
was certainly one of the happiest years of his life . For the very kind way he vvas treated he thanked the brethren very much . Bro . J . L . Anderson , P . M ., said he vvas sure it vvas with deep regret that Bro . Whitworth was not there that night . He vvas under the doctor , and he could not leave his room . He knew they , one and all , wished Bro . Whitworth a return to good health and all the best wishes they could give him . He vvas one of the beat and kindest members ot the
V arborough Lodge . In giving the toast of "The Installing Master , " the VV . M . said he considered it the toast of the evening . It vvas very interesting to him , and it must have been interesting to the brethren , to see the manner in which Bro . Stevens performed the ceremony of installation . He ( the VV . M . ) paid great attention to the ceremony , and the way Bro .
Stevens performed it vvas very grand and impressive . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., returned his sincere thanks . The older they got in Feemasonry , he said , they knew the ceremonies wanted to be done vvith the heart , and if there vvas one ceremony vvhich wanted to be done with the heart , it was the ceremony of installation , so as to make an impression on the Master . It had been his desire to do that , and
if he had done it he vvas very gratified . He first performed the ceremony 22 years ago , and since then he had done it very many times . The toast of "The Visitors " was next proposed by the W . M ., vvho said they vvere used to the toast at the Yarborough Lodge . He never remembered a meeting of the lodge at vvhich they did not have visitors , to whom they
always accorded a hearty welcome . Bros . Lacey , Newton , and several other brethren responded . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., responded to the toast of "The Masonic Institutions , " vvhich vvas ably proposed by the VV . M . Bro . Stevens said that he vvas pleased to hear that both the VV . M . and Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., vvere
Stewards for the Benevolent Institution Festival . The total receipts of the three Institutions during the past year amounted to something like £ ' 60 , 000 . Of that amount the Benevolent Institution took about £ 21 , 000 . If the brethren would take their memory back to last February they would remember that the announcement made by Bro . Terry at the Festival vvas £ 13 , 050 . The result now vvas
they had received £ 15 , 000 , or £ 2000 over the announcement in February . The Benevolent Institution gave £ ' 40 a year to men , and £ 30 to the widows of Freemasons . They had 229 widows , and 1 S 9 men receiving the annuities of the Institution , and 23 widows vvere receiving half of their husband's annuities . To keep up those annuities the Institution had to raise £ 15 , 000 a year . Tbe Committee of
Management last year , in their wisdom , made some alterations in the laws of the Institution , vvith a view of limiting the number of candidates . Notwithstanding that there were now 150 candidates on the list for election to the benefits of the Institution . Bro . Stevens then alluded to the various ages of the recipients of the annuities , one of whom vvas 90 years of age , many of them over So , and a great
many over 70 . There vvas no doubt that the annuities lengthened the lifetime of the annuitants . In concluding , Bro . Stevens asked the brethren to give according to theii means , and he hoped that they would do their level best to make the lists of the W . M . and Bro . Cotter most successful . The Benevolent Institution deserved the sympathy of every Mason .
The toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary" vvas heartily drunk . Bros . J . J . Berry , P . M ., Treas ., and G . VV . Verry , P . M ., Sec , responded . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Officers . " He said he hoped he should fill the office of VV . M . to the satisfaction of thebrethren . He had made up his mind to
carry his year through well , and he appealed to his officers to assist him . Bro . Hugh Cotter , P . M ., S . W ., returned sincere and heartfelt thanks for the hearty manner the brethren had responded to the toast . He said he had the Yarborough Lodge at heart , and if at any time he could help or assist the W . M ., it would be his greatest pleasure to do so .
During the evening an entertainment of high class vvas provided by Bro . G . Seddon , P . M ., Organist , whose daughter , Miss Gertrude Seddon , gave two charming violin solos . Among the brethren assisting vvere Bros . J . J . Berry , P . M . j Hugh Cotter , P . M . j J . G . Stevens , P . M . j A . E . Sallaway , D . C . J VV . Murrin , P . M . j H . M . Read , J . W . j the W . M . j and A . E . Wood , I . P . M .
Sputhgate Lodge ( No . 1950 ) . —This lodge held its first meeting of the session at the Railway Hotel , New Southgate , on New Year ' s Day , presided over by the W . M ., Bro . Samuel Stretch , jun . Bro . Emery vvas raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., and Mr . Fenton Folkes vvas initiated . This being election day , Bro . Phipos , S . W ., was elected VV . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Lefeber ,
by the unanimous vote of the brethren , vvas re-elected Treasurer . The lodge voted the sum of io guineas , to be placed on the W . M . 's list , as Steward for the R . M . B . I . at the forthcoming Festival . Business concluded , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet , provided by Bro . Folkes , the new proprietor of the hotel .
' 1 he usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , interspersed by music and song , and the brethren took advantage of the season , and exchanged hearty New Year ' s wishes . Quatuor Coronati Lodge ( No . 2076 ) . — This lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the 2 nd inst ., when there were present Bros . VV . M . Bywater
P . G . S . B ., in the chair ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., as I . P . M . j W . H . Rylands , P . G . Stwd , as S . VV . ; Dr . VV . VV . Westcott , J . . ; G . VV . Speth , Sec . ; W . M . Williams , I . G . j C . Kupferschmidt , Stwd . j and VV . Simpson , P . M . Also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . E . H . Ezard , C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . j J . Charles , G . W . Taylor , J . J . Pakes , E . H . Cartwright , G . R . Cobham , J . Wood , VV . C . Mapleton , E . Armitage ,
Max Mendelssohn , H . L . Warner , C B . Barnes , L . G . Gordon Robbins , VV . G . P . Gilbert , and R . A . Gowan . Also the following visitors : Bros . F . B . Phillips , 2265 , and Thomas Archer , 2140 . The following District Grand Lodge , five lodges , and 2 S brethren vvere elected members of the Correspondence Circle : District Grand Lodge of the Argentine Republic j Albert Victor Lodge , No . 2370 , Lahore , Punjab j Unie Lodge ( D . C ) , Riekuil , Transvaal ; Darling Downs Lodge ,