Provincial Meetings.

interests in every department of work , but more particularly your performance of those arduous duties at great sacrifice 0 f time without fee or reward , have been so abundantly displayed that we have considered your merit and worth should be recognised , and , consequently , the brethren of your lodge present you with this handsome P . M . 's jewel as a token of regard . In placing- this jewel on your breast , I

am only echoing the sentiments of the lodge that you may he long spared in the enjoyment of good health to wear it with honour to yourself and credit to the Craft . Bro . Rev . John Kelty said he rose with great pleasure to bear testimony to the personal worth of Bro . Coates . He was privileged to become a member of that lodge during the time that Bro . Coates occupied the W . M . 's chair , and he

should always remember the courtesy and kindly consideration that he had shown towards him since that time . He felt sure that in presenting- Bro . Coates with the jewel of a P . M . they were only faintly recognising his sterling qualities and his activity and zeal on behalf of the lodge . Bro . R . E . Coates said : Worshipful Master , Bro . Foreman , Wardens , and Brethren—ever since I was initiated

into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry I have taken a deep and , I may say , a somewhat active interest in all things pertaining to the Craft generally , but more particularly so in those matters which more nearly concern the welfare of this lodge ; and 1 have always felt a certain amount of pardonable pride in being able to speak of the Duke of Athol as my mother lodge . When I was

installed as Master I felt anxious to do something for the benefit of the lodge , and as a means to this end I decided to undertake the duties of Secretary for two years without accepting the emolument provided for in the by-laws . That period having now elapsed , you have seen fit to present me with this beautiful P . M . ' s jewel . Bro . Foreman and Bro . Kelty , I thank you for the kindly expressions you

have used towards me in presenting this jewel , and to you , brethren , I feel deeply grateful for this handsome mark of your appreciation of the services which I have endeavoured to render to your satisfaction . I trust that I may fully realise the hope expressed by Bro . Foreman that I may live long to wear this jewel with satisfaction to myself and honour to the Craft .

Bro . James Wright , P . M ., who proposed " I he Health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , " made many kind and nattering remarks regarding Bro . Foreman , and said he considered it an honour to propose the toast , as in bis Masonic experience ( and he had heard installation ceremonies worked in as good a manner as most Freemasons ) he did not believe he had ever seen it worked with such

perfection or the addresses delivered with such impressiveness as Dr . Foreman , the I . P . M ., had rendered them that afternoon . Bro . Foreman , in reply , said : Worshipful Master and Brethren , —permit me to thank you for the enthusiastic reception the toast of " Installing Master " has received at your hands , and likewise allow me to thank you , Bro .

Wright , for the kind and eulogistic expressions you have used in proposing the sentiment . I am apprehensive your remarks are calculated to place me in a somewhat false position with the brethren , for evidently your kindness has blinded you to my failings , as you credit me with virtues to which I dare not lay claim . 1 take , first , this public opportunity of according my thanks to the brethren of the lodge

generally for their attendance and encouragement during the year , and for the many kindnesses uniformly experienced from them ; also to the P . M . ' s for their great consideration for my shortcomings , their generous support and willing instruction when required ; but more especially to my efficient staff of officers for their regular and punctual attendance at our stated meetings , for their faithful and

conscientious discharge of duties , for prompt assistance , willing co-operation , and sympathy in all work . To the brethren who assisted in entertaining us at the social board with music , recitations , and such like , my thanks are also due . When elected W . M ., and installed into the chair of King Solomon , I entered upon the work with considerable fear and trembling , but not without both faith and hope .

Somehow 1 felt a painful consciousness that there might be many disappointments in store for me , and , consequently , avoided making promises as to what I hoped or expected to accomplish . However , I did unhesitatingly promise to do my best for the promotion of Freemasonry in this corner of the Province of East Lancashire , and that my determination was to use to the utmost whatever power for doing good

in the cause of Masonry the G . A . O . i . U . would be pleased to bestow upon me , leaving the result of my labours to bear testimony to my sincerity . I trust , brethren , 1 have not been either an unfaithful or an unprofitable steward . I think I may justly and truly say that our good ship the "Duke of Athol" has had a successful and prosperous voyage during the past year , and you will pardon me for

saying that , not unnaturally , 1 am proud of that success and prosperity . We set sail with our noble barque twelve months ago—officers and men , all told , numbering 53 brethren . Early on the voyage , as you may remember , we cast some of the useless ballast overboard , with which we had been too long encumbered . A little later the good and faithful old admiral , Bro . Shawcross , who was installed

here first commander 2 G years ago this month , was summoned to the Grand Lodge above . He was the father of our lodge , being its oldest member . He served his day and generation faithfully , and we regretted his loss . Further on , or during the year , we had three resignations ; but as they were neither residents of Denton , or took much interest in our work , and two of them at least are members

of other lodges , we lose little , and possibly Masonry may be the gainer , by their concentrating their energies to one sphere . Opposite to this we have had one joining brother during the year , and also nine new members , all residential , highly respectable , prominent , and energetic citizens of our townshi p . These ten additions enormously outweigh our josses . Those of you who have examined the ship ' s log 01

balance-sheet must have observed that we have had also hnancial prosperity , as , after acting generously towards the Charities by subscribing 20 guineas to the E . L . S . M . B . I ., we have been able to carry forward a credit balance of nearly double that amount ; and you shrewd , wise-headed , business men of Denton know that financial success is a good criterion of any institution . We have not encountered a

single gale—not even a ripple—to disturb the placid water . AH has been smooth sailing , and we have landed our noble ship in a state of good repair , without a stain on her fail banner , and cast anchor this afternoon at the Bowling Green rlotel , with a crew of 5 G brethren , all told , good and true . \\ rT- 'De'n . ? duly registered under a new commander , Capt , William George Marsh , with well appointed officers and a

Provincial Meetings.

gallant crew , her anchor has been weighed , and she is auspiciously started on another voyage , and may she return next year end , still registered Ai at Lloyd ' s , after another prosperous and successful run . May the G . A . O . T . U . grant health and strength , judgment and wisdom , to the W . M . to guide and steer his vessel with skill and ability , and may peace , love , and harmony reign supreme throughout our midst during the coming year :

" Then steadfast let us all remain , Though dangers gather round , And in the work prescribed by Him Still more and more abound . Assured that though we labour now , We labour not in vain ; But entering the Grand Lodge above , Th' Eternal Crown shall gain . "

Afterwards the following toasts were proposed and duly honoured : "The P . M . ' s of No . 210 , " "The Newly-Invested Officers , " "The Masonic Charities , " "To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " when a pleasant and memorable evening was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem .

FRIZINGTON . Arlecdon Lodge ( No . 1660 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 2 nd inst . Bro . H . Hartley , P . G . Stwd ., W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by his officers , viz . : Bros . G . Dalrymple , P . M ., as S . W . ; J . Wakefield , J . W . ; B . Craig , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Robinson , S . D . ; J . Singers , J . D . ; D . Tolson , I . G . ; C . Bland , Tyler ; W . Shaw ,

W . Barwise , M . Jones , G . Atkinson , W . H . Jones , Rev . James Anderson , 119 , P . P . G . Chap . ; Dr . Harris , W . M . 119 ; and others . The minutes were read and confirmed , and Bros . Jones and Atkinson were raised to the Third Degree . The lodge was then closed , and , it being the festive season , a cold collation was prepared in the banquet hall , where a pleasant evening was spent with toast and song .

HIGH BARNET . RavenSCI'Oft Lodge ( No . 2331 ) . —The brethren of this young lodge have quickly followed up the successful consecration by an emergency meeting at the Red Lion Hotel , on Saturday , the 4 th inst . There were present Bros . J . Thorn , W . M . ; Fraser , S . W . ; J . Hudson , j . W . ; D . Baker , Treas . ; G . Arnold , acting P . M .

and Sec . ; Bintcliffe , S . D . ; J . Gunn , J . D . ; H . Cronin , D . C ; S . Wright , I . G . ; M . Powell , A . D . C ; J . H . Catchpole and E . Rawlinson , Stwds . ; and several brethren and visitors . The lodge having been opened , letters were read by the Secretary explaining the object of the meeting , and a dispensation from the P . G . M ., Bro . Col . Halsey , M . P ., was

also communicated to the lodge . 1 he ballot was taken for Messrs . Richardson , Curry , Fearis , Leach , Wood , and J . Gammon , and , it being unanimous , they were initiated . The W . M ., assisted by his officers , rendered the ritual in a most impressive style , which was enhanced by vocal and instrumental music . There being no other business to transact , the lodge , was closed .

The brethren subsequently assembled m the banquet room , under the presidency of the W . M . Mr . Phillips , the proprietor , had provided a most excellent dinner , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were suitably honoured . Replying to the toast of "The W . M ., " which had been proposed by the acting I . P . M ., Bro . Thorn said : I have to

thank you , Bro . Arnold , for the very kind expressions you have used concerning myself , and 1 have also to thank the brethren for so kindly receiving the toast . I assure you , brethren , that 1 feel greatly honoured by your selecting me to be your first W . M . I have further especially to thank you for having given me such a good day ' s work , for believe me you cannot please me better than by giving me plenty of

work to do during my year of office , and on my part I will endeavour to carry out the duties of my position as they should be carried out by the Master of every lodge . We seem to have started in the right direction , not only with regard to the work of the lodge and the chair , but particularly with respect to the excellent music we have heard in this room . We are singularly fortunate in having so much

musical talent in our lodge , I hope , brethren , that the Ravenscroft . Lodge will go on as it has commenced , and prove , as I believe it will , a very great success . The toast of "The Initiates" was next proposed by the W . M ., who said : I do not care where a lodge is started it cannot be successful unless it has a good number of initiates . We have been established but a very short time , and yet

tonight , our Iirst meeting after the consecration , I have had the very great pleasure of initiating six gentlemen into our ancient mysteries . 1 have heard a good deal about our newly-made brethren . 'They are gentlemen of the right stamp for Freemasonry , and I feel satisfied that I shall never regret initiating them . I am also sure that they will be useful members of the Craft , and I trust they have been

impressed with the beautiful ritual and the importance of Freemasonry . . 1 hope , too , that they feel satisfied ; and will not be sorry for the step they have taken to-ni ght in having joined the Ravenscroft Lodge . The toast was most enthusiastically responded to , being accompanied by the E . A . ' s song . The several newly-made brethren replied , each expressing his pleasure at joining the lodge and admiration of the

impressive ceremony . The W . M . proposed " 'The Visitors , " and accorded them a hearty welcome . Bros . Wilson , 147 ; King , 2206 ; Gindre , 15 G 3 ; Simpson , 957 ; and J . C . Smith , P . M . 1 744 , responded , the latter brother making a special reference to the excellent working , and cordially wished the lodge every success .

The Secretary and Treasurer suitably responded to their toast . " 'The Officers " received a good meed of praise from the W . M . for their efficient assistance . Each officer was named and complimented , the W . M . mentioning Bro . Fraser as the creator of the lodge , and asked that brother , as the hour was getting late , to respond for the toast .

Bro . 1 ' raser , on behalf of the other officers and himself , thanked the W . M . and the brethren for the mannerin which they received and had honoured the toast . He assured the VV . M . that it had been a pleasure to work with him in the formation of the Ravenscroft Lodge , which he hoped would be a success . Bro . Eraser , in conclusion , said that the officers and himself would do all in their power to assist the

Provincial Meetings.

VV . M . in carrying out the work of the lodge during his year of office . 'The Tyler ' s toast completed a most successful meeting . 'The musical arrangements , both in the lodge and in the banquet room , were under the able direction of Bro . F . W . Hearn , the Organist of the Hendon Lodge . 'The proceedings were interspersed with recitations and songs , well rendered by the members of the lodge , the comic songs of Bro . Chas . Gammon deserving special mention .

TIVERTON . St . Peter ' s Lodge ( No . 1125 ) . —The brethren of this lodge held their annual meeting at the Masonic Hall , on Friday , December 27 th . There was a large attendance , amongst those present being Bros . G . Hall , VV . M . ; C . R . WebS , S . W . ; [ . Munday , J . W . ; Rev . VV . French , Chap . ; T . Parkhouse , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ., Sec ; W .

Barrens , S . D . ; A . J . Down , J . D . ; A . Andrews , P . M ., Org . ; P . Pyle , I . G . ; J . Snooks and J . H . Wheeler , Stwds . ; J . B . Crabb , P . M . ; R . F . Goosemore , P . M . ; J . F . Ellerton , P . M . ; Rev . Clement Smith , P . P . G . C . Somersetshire ; C . M . Hole , J . R . Austin , J . A . Pleass , J . Grate , R . Grate , G . A . Jones , and others . The principal business of the afternoon was the

installation of the W . M ., and the investiture of officers for the ensuing year . Bro . E . M . Moyle was with due ceremony installed W . M ., the Board of Past Masters officiating being Bros . Hall , Parkhouse , Crabb , Andrews , Ellerton , and Goosemore . Afterwards the officers were invested as follows : Bros . G . Hall , I . P . M . ; J . Munday , S . W . ; Rev . W . French , J . W . ; Rev . Clement Smith , Chap . ; T .

Parkhouse , Sec ; W . Barrens , S . D . ; P . Pyle , J . D . ; W . Masland , Org . ; R . Grater , I . G ; J . H . Wheeler and J . A . Pleass , Stwds . ; and J . Viney , Tyler . Bro . J . B . Crabb was elected representative on the Committee of Petitions . Mr . C . H . Shear successfully passed the ballot ; Rev . Clement Smith was proposed as a joining member ; and Messrs . H . J . Crabb , W . H . Veale , J . Hill , and E .

Hatcher were nominated for initiation . The installation banquet was held at the Angel Hotel in the evening , Bro . Moyle presiding a recherche repast . There was an unusually large attendance of brethren , and the gathering was one of the most successful of recent years . The customary toast list was gone through , and during

the evening felicitous reference was made to the successful efforts of Bro . Hall in effecting improvements at the hall during his year of office . During the year the lease of the building has been renewed on advantageous terms , the landlord doing necessary repairs and various alterations of a structural character . By sundry internal

re-arrangements , a spacious refreshment hall has been provided upstairs , and on the ground-floor offices have been fitted up and the ante-room improved . The expense of furnishing the refreshment hall has been met by subscription amongst the brethren , and although the outlay was considerable , the whole of the required money has been raised .

YORK . York Lodge ( No . 236 ) . —The installation of Bro . C . M . Forbes as VV . M . of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , on Monday , the iGth December . Bro . J . Todd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treasurer , performed the ceremony , which was witnessed by a numerous gathering of members of the Craft , including the

W . M . ' s of each of the sister lodges in the city . The newlyinstalled Master afterwards appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . S . Border , I . P . M . ; T . S . Brogden , S . W . ; E . W . Purnell , J . W . ; the Very Rev . A . P . Purey-Cust , D . D ., Dean of York , P . G . C of England , P . P . G . C , Chap . ; J . Todd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; H . Foster , P . M ., Sec . ; J . B . Sampson , S . D . ; E . Carter ,

J . D . ; M . Bryson , I . G . ; A . Sample , Org . ; Rev . C . Linley , D . C . ; T . Archey and F . W . Laughton , Stwds . ; and J . Hall , Tyler . The installation banquet took place in the Masonic Hall in the evening , and was well attended , many brethren of the lodge , as well as brethren from all the sister lodges , sitting down to an excellent repast , provided by Bro . Halliwell . The pleasure of the banquet was considerably enhanced by

selections of music by Messrs . Hunter and Toes' string band . The usual loyal toasts having been submitted to the brethren by the W . M ., Bro . Sir Joseph Terry proposed the toast of " The Earl of Zetland , P . G . M ., the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlctt , P . G . W . England , D . P . G . M . ; and the Present and Past Prov . G . Officers , " which was ably responded to by Bro . Aid . Rymer ,

P . P . G . R . Bro . the Very Rev . A . P . Purey-Cust , P . G . C , followed by proposing the toast of " 'The VV . M ., " which was suitably acknowledged by Bro . Forbes , W . M . "The Installing Master , Bro . J . Todd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; the I . P . M ., Bro . S . Border ; and the Past Masters of the Lodge" was next proposed by Bro . Major Barstow ,

P . M . Bros . Todd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., 'Treas ., and Border , LP . M ., responded . The next toast , an able appeal by Bro . Buckle on behalf of the Masonic Charities , was gratifyingly responded to by the brethren present . " The Sister Lodges of the Province" was then submitted

by Bro . M . Rooke , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., and met with a hearty reception from the members ot the lodge , being acknowledged , in response , by Bro . Chapman , VV . M . 1 G 11 , and by Bro . Swift , J . W . 232 S . "The Health of the Visitors " was next proposed by Bro .

H . Foster , P . M ., Sec , and was responded to by Bros . Dyson , P . M . i 6 n , and Wilkinson , S . W . 1991 . "The Officers of the Lodge , " proposed by Bro . G . Hodgson , P . M ., P . P . S . CD ., was responded to by the Senior and Junior Wardens . 'The toast of "All Poor and Distressed Masons"

terminated the list . Songs were interspersed throughout the speeches by Bros . Sample , P . P . G . O . ; Osborne ; Wilkinson , S . W . ; Laughton , Stwd . ; Carr ; Child , P . P . G . O . ; and others ; and a quartette party , consisting of Bros . Sample , Child , Wilkinson , and Ca . cc , contributed greatly to the harmony of the evening .

We regret to report the news of the death of the Hon . Fitzadelin Boyle , youngest son of Bro . the Karl of Cork-. The deceased , who had been in delicate health for some time past , was in his 24 th year , having been born in iScG ,