Craft Masonry.

Hooker felt what he said , and he ( Bro . Pittman ) thanked the brethren through him for giving expression to those kind feelings . He thought he had arrived at that position in his life , which he never dreamed he should attain to . When he first entered Lodje La Tolerance it v a - fuithcst from his theughts ever to aspire , or to make himself worthy or fit to occupy the most important position of W . M . ; but , through the kind and good friends he had met in the Iodge , and the encouragement he received from time to time , from the Past Masters and the brethren generally , he felt it was a duty incumbent on him lo strive and reach the chair which so many able brethren had previously occupied .

Example was better than precept , and no man in any lodge had had a better example to follow than he had had in Lodge La Tolerance , which possessed some of the best of men and some of the best of Past Masters . He continually looked to them , and to what they had done , and it gave him a sort of incentive to strive on ; at all events , to do as much as they had done . He should be content if he did as well , leaving better to somebody else . At least , he would strive to do credit to the lodge . He would endeavour to bring in only worthy men . He was fortunate in being able that night to propose a brother of his in ( he flesh , who he hoped would be a brother in Masonry before long . As

a brother in the llesh , that brother was one of the best of men , although probably hc should not say it ; but there was one present who knew his brother very well indeed and who would be able to say he was one of the best of men . He hoped the other members of the lodge would be able to introduce other good men . It had been hinted by Bro . Kench , P . M ., that he ( Bro . Pittman ) would go up during his year to represent the lodge at the coming Boys' School Festival . He hoped so to do , because he felt that it was important that , apart from ordinary Masonic work , all through the ceremonies and from the earliest moment he entered the porch , Charity and benevolence were two of the

chief virtues of Masonry , and it presented itself to him that it was necessary that that lodge should do something with regard to the Charities . He selected the Boys , for the reason that he felt that lodge had not been represented at that Institution ' s Festivals for many years—he did not know how long—perhaps something like eight or nine years , although it had been represented at festivals of the other Institutions . From the moment he mentioned his resolve he had been very fortunate , as brethren came forward and said they would support him , and now he had a list of 160 or 170 guineas . Lodge La Tolerance would probably send to that festival a larger amount than it had ever sent to

any festival . He had personally to thank P . M . Sidney Edndge ( who was always ready to carry out the theories he advocated to those who sat under him time after time , thit the virtue of Charity should be more practised by Masons than it was ) , for having headed his list with 100 guineas—thereby showing that he was not only a min of words , but a man of deeds , and that he was determined to prove practically that he meant to disseminate that doctrine which he had always inculcated . Next cime P . M . Webb , who had the honour of taking up one of the largest lists from that Iodge to the Girl s ' Institution . Bro . Webb said this year should not be second to his , and that he waul 1 d 1

his utmost for him , putting 25 guineas on the list . P . Ms . Fenn , Willby , and Hooker had all given largely to the other Charities , but they each put down 10 guineas . He ( Bro . Pittman ) , unfortunately , was not a man of wealth , but still he should put down 10 guineas . He was delighted to find a brother visitor come forward , Bro . Simon , of No . 21 , with a guinea . He should take an opportunity of seeing other Past Masters and brethren of Lodge La Tolerance on the subject , but he was sure he should have that hearty support which previous Masters had had for the Charities . Nothing more remained for him to say than to thank the brethren again from his heart for the kind

way in which they had received the toast . The present was a very proud moment for him , anel he would add that he would endeavour to do in the future what he had done in the past—his duty to Lodge La Tolerance . Bro . J . J . Pittman , W . M ., next proposed "The Immediate Past Master , Bro . W . Hooker , " and said that although the former toast had been described as the toast of the evening , that toast came very near it . The brethren had heard what Bro . Walter Hooker could do in work ; of him ( Bro . Pittman ) they had had only a few moments' experience . The toast of I . P . M . commended itself to the brethren in that instance , as

Bro . Hooker , apart from his Masonry , was a brother of whom he had great knowledge almost from the first day he ( Bro . Pittman ) went into Croydon ; they had lived together and worked side by side ever since . He had been content—as he always should be content—to be just behind Bro . Hooker , as he was that night . He knew how well Bro . Hooker had occupied the chair of K . S . ; he was a right good man and a right good brother . If he ( Bro . Pittman ) could only do for Lodge La Tolerance as much as Bro . Hooker had done he should be satisfied . Bro . Hooker had explained his natural characteristics in all his undertakings , and he had shown them particularly in Lodge La Tolerance . The brethren of that lodge had had a very happy and prosperous year

under Bro . Hooker ' s rule , and the Iodge had voted him a Past Master's jewel , which he ( Bro . Pittman ) was fortunate enough to have the honour of pinning on his coat . The jewel showed that the brethren appreciated Bro . Hooker ' s efforts on behalf of the lodge . Bro . Walter Hooker , I . P . M ., thanked the W . M . for his remarks , and the brethren for their cordial reception of them . At the last lodge meeting hehad said he did not think he was worthy of the presentatation , and he was going to ask the brethren if they coultl not see their way to forego it this year . They would not , however , agree to do so . He had had jewels before , but had been unfortunate in losing them , but he could assure the brethren that there was no chance of losing that jewel .

Bros . Dr . Nicholls , Wilson , Paul , Merrett , Davey , Simon , Freeman , and Newnham responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and Bro . Willby having responded first for "The Past Masters , " Bro . Edridge , P . M ., also replied . He said that Charles Dickens , describing Peter Magnus , and his signing his letters in the afternoon , put into Magnus' mouth , when he asked why he did so , that he referred the question to the initials , P . M ., of his name . He ( Bro . Edridge ) had reached that glorious epoch in his cireer as a Mison , when he was privileged to place after his name the initials , P . M . He drew the brethren ' s

attention to that for this reason—he hoped that when Masons had arrived at that distinguished position of Past Master they would not be Past Masters , post meridian—not afternoon Masters , men going down in the glorious Brotherhood—but that they would strive and try to become Past Masters in the sense of Past Masters in arts and science . He wished to draw attention to a war cry he was going to raise on this occasion , which wis to be placed under two heads , the first , greater union—communion—between lodges , and the second , decentralisation . The greater communion between the lodges referred to the management of lodge finances ; the decentralisation , to the Board of Benevolence .

He was not saying one word with regard to the glorious work cirried on by that Boird ; but he did say that if the majority of that work was carried on alone under the auspices of Grand Officers at that Board it must come considerably short of the necessities of the case . The decentralisation he referred to would be this : Lodge Li Tolerance was not unlike other lodges , it did not waste any moneys ; the last thing he should attempt to suggest would be that the lodge wasted its money ; but if the lodges were able to draw together under Commiltees of Management with regard to their financeshe was restricting himself to the question of benevolence now—he believed that out of

that communion of lodges and joint managership of lodge finance they might be able to do a great deal more than they did towards the relief of the necessities of others . H » . had in his pocket a letter written by a widow whose husband lived and died a Mason , and was sheltered beneath the fostering roof of that glorious branch of their M isonie Chirities—the Old People's Institutions at Croydon—and died there . The widow was in great want . The brethren would readily answer , * ' and so are thousinds of others "but that widow ' s cry was exactly the cry that was mentioned by a Judge on the bench in a great calamity which happened in the outside world . All who had listened to him

( Bro . Edridge ) that night had read or heard of that touching story of the Pool of Siloam , to which the Angel of Mercy came down at periods to trouble the waters , and along the road came the lame , the halt , and the blind , antl the suffering , and the story told was that only those who were lucky enough to have someone to put them into the pool while it was troubled were cured . Well , it was only those who had the necessary ability to get relief who get it . In Masonry there were hundreds toiling towards the Pool of Siloam , v , l , ieh was ur . der the rr . cf of Freemasons' Hall , raising their cry to the ears that

weie wide cren to hear the in , but their voices could not be heard . He would suggest , with all ar . xii . iy , but wilh all deference , that if the Masons would consider the advisability cf ir . ter-communion in their finance , the Charity-boxes ( he had not seen the Charity-box go round that night in Lodge La Tolerance- ) would contain such stores of gold , If at they could hold out the help which was greatly needed . That was the decentralisati n which he meant , and it would encouiage the duty which was pressed upon them in their meetings as tood men and true . By that means they could afford greater

help . Bros . Kerch and Smale replied to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary ; " Bro . Augspurg , S . W ., responded to the toast of "The Ollicers ; " and Bro . Bowler gave the Tyler ' s toast , which wound up thc proceedings ol the evening .

Craft Masonry.

Williamson Lodge , No . 949 . On Monday night , the 16 th ult ., in the course of the proceedings of this lodge , at the Masonic Hall , North Bridge-street , Moukwearmouth , a presentation was made to Bro . J . G . Kirtley , P . M ., P . P . G . D . The W . M ., Bio . E . Lautebach , presided , and was supported by Bros . F . W . Ingram , I . P . M . ; R . Shadforth , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; G . W . Bain , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; G . B . Hall , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C . ; I- G . Kirtley , P . M ., P . P .

G . D . ; H . J . Tumbull , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . C Moor , P . J . G . W . ; A . Grundv , P . A . G . D . C . j Thomas Robinson , W . M ., and R . Lee , P . M ., of 9 ;; Nicholas Lee , W . M ., and Wm . Scot ! , P . M ., of 2039 ; J . Hudson , P . M ., and M . J . Todd , P . M ., of So ; T . Harrison , S . W . ; j . Blake , J . W . j R . D . Smith , Sec . j R . F . Smith , S . D . ; W . T . Fowler , J . D . ; J . Grayston , Org . ; W . T . Wallace , I . G . j and T . Grieve , P . M ., Tyler .

The presentation of a beautiful silver tea service and tray to Bro . J . G . Kirtley , P . M ., was made by the W . M ., on behalf of the officers and members of the lodge . The W . M ., Bro . E . Lautebach , made fitting reference to Bro . Kirtley ' s Masonic cireer . His services to the Iodge as Treasurer had been of great value , and he felt sure he would still do all he could to assist them . The silver tray bore the following inscription : "A . F . and A . M . Presented to Brother Jno . George Kirtley , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Durham , with the accompanying tea

service , in appreciation of his valuable services as Treasurer from 1 SS 6 to 1895 , by the brethren of the Williamson Lodge , No . 949 , Monkwearmouth . 16 th December , 1895 . " The W . M . said they all joined together to show their esteem for Bro . Kirtley , and trusted he and his family would be long spared to make use of it . Bro . J . G . Kirtley , P . M ., suitably acknowledged the presentation . He said he could not give expression to his feelings , but ever since his initiation it had been his desire to do all he could for the welfare of the lodge , and to promote the harmony of the brethren , and he should continue to evince the same interest in the future .

At a subsequent part of the proceedings , "The Health of Bro . Kirtley " was proposed by Bro . Aid . Shadforth , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., and Bros . H . J . Turnbull and J . C , Moor also expressed their gratification at seeing the way in which the brethren had testified their appreciation of Bro . Kirtley ' s services . Bro . Kirtley suitably responded , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Acacia Lodge , No . 2321 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Rawson-square , Bradford , on Thursday , the 5 th inst . There was only a moderate attendance . Bro . Samuel Robinson , W . M ., presided . There were also present Bros . John Niven , as I . P . M . j S . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Last , P . M ., Sec . j John Haigh , P . M . ;

J . B . Fearnley , S . W . j J . A . Drake , S . D . j J . W . Bland , J . D . j John Morton , as l . G . ; H . Holmes , Tyler ; Wm . Docksey , Org . ; W . S . Smith , J . S . Hedley , j . S . Marsland , F . Betteridge , T . H . Bedford , J . R . Peat , and others . Visitors : Bros . H . S . Pearson , W . M . 750 ; H . Ellison , 750 j Chas . Dean , I . P . M . 1034 J Jas . Tilley , 600 j and Rev . J . W . Clough , Chap . 2330 .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed . Bro . Betteridge , B . A ., was passed to the Second Degree by Bro . Bailey , P . M ., the working tools being explained by him , and the charge delivered by Bro . Fearnley , S . W . Bro . Niven , the Representative of the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee , reported the result of the recent representative meeting at Leeds with reference to the

testimonial proposed to be presented to Bro . Henry Smith , the retiring Deputy Prov . G . M ., and gave notice of motion for a grant irom the lodge funds towards the fund it was intended to ' raise in Ihe province for the purpose ' referred to . Apologies were tendered for the unavoidable absence of a number of the brethren , and after " Hearty good wishes " from the visitors , the lodge was closed . After refreshment , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

The Worshipful Master , in submitting the toast of " Our Visitors , " stated that the lodge was always pleased to entertain visitors , who were at all times welcome at their meetings without any formal invitation . He gave them all a very hearty greeting . The toast was received with much cordiality . Bro . H . S . Pearson , W . M . 750 , responded . He said that it was his first visit to the lodge . Hehad spent a most pleasant evening . He was much gratified with what he had witnessed , and thanked the brethren for the cordial manner the visitors had been

received . Bro . Rev . J . W . Clough also responded . "The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed by Bro . C . Dean , I . P . M . 1034 , who said he was proud to have to have the opportunity of proposing that toast as the W . M . was a respected member of the Eccleshill Lodge at the time he was initiated . He was pleased to see Bro . Robinson in the chair of that lodge . Bro . Robinson , W . M ., suitably responded . Other toasts followed .

Bro . Last responded for "The Past Masters , " and Bro . Fearnley , S . W ., for "The Officers . " The Tyler's toast closed a very harmonious meeting . Bros . Tilley , Fearnley , Smith , Haigh , Last , and Docksey contributed songs and music .

Minerva Lodge , No . 2433 . An ordinary meeting of this lodge , which works on the lines of the Qiatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , was held at the Masonic Rooms , Hamilton-street , Birkenhead , on Friday , the 3 rd inst . In the unavoidable absence of the W . M ., Bro . William F . Robinson , the chair was taken by the Secretary , Bro . Samuel Jong , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., who at a moment ' s notice most efficiently rendered the ceremony of initiation , after which Bro . Dr . George Tate was called upon to read his paper on " Microbes , and the

Mysteries of Nature and Science revealed thereby . " 1 he lecturer first made apology for bringing before Speculative Masons a subject apparently so remotely connected with the objects of their Order j but contended that in being a student of those mysteries that are _ revealed by the investigation of the lowest forms of vegetable life , and in endeavouring to elucidate the objects and methods of research adapted by bacteriologists , he was fulfilling the ancient precepts of their Craft . The bacteria were described , as belonging to the lowest forms of vegetable life , comparatively simple in structure and

possessing astonishing reproductive powers . lypical specimens were exhibited , and explanation given of the methods adopted to separate the iniividuil species and propigate them as pure breeds or cultures . In describing what the bacteria did , Bro . Tate likened them in their work to Operative Masons , the stones with which they worked being thc various atoms ot the chemical elements , and the Masonic structures towards which their energies were directed the molecules of various chemical compounds . Whether as the friends or foes of man , their work in nature generally consisted in the systematic unpiecing of the molecules of eompoundsor the re-arranging of the stones

of a chemical structure . Each tribe showed partiality for work to which it was accustomed , but each probably was capable of being trained by judicious treatment to do new work either for the good or ill of min . Whether from the view of the industrial chemist or of the pathologist , the work of a bacterium was that of one of nature ' s chemistsproducing from complex compounds either useful or poisonous chemical subs ' . ances , and so helping to sustain or destroy the h'gher life of the world . An interesting discussion ensued , in which Bros . Dr . Logan , Dr . Biewer , Dr . McVie , Rev . Robert Edwards , J . Armstrong , and T . C . Thorburn , P . P . S . G . W ., took pirt . Bro . Dr . Tate was accorded a hearty vote of'thanks for his very interesting contribution .

White Rose of York Lodge , No . 2491 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOHN HUNT , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., FIRS ! W . M . OF THE LODGE . Theordinary monthly meeting of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hill , Surreystreet , Shellield , on Friday / the 3 rd inst ., Bro . C . F . Brindley , W . M ., in the chair . There was a very good attendance . The officers supporting the W . M . ware Bros . Joseph Jackman , P . M . 139 , I . P . M . ; VVm . Gunstone , S . W . j Carl A . Hihn , J . W . j Joseph Craven , Treas . j Wm . Gidsby , P . M ., P . P . G . O . Derbyshire , acting as

Secretary in the absence , through illness , of Bro . Geo . Wish , Bros . Dr . John Stokes , S . D . ; T . \ V . Hanforth , Mus . Bic , J . D . ; Charles Ariel Wright , D . C . ; W . H . Peasegood , Org . ; M . T . Miner , I G . ; J . E . Dewhurst and A . B . Gunstone , Stwds . ; anel l'hos . Leighton , Tyler . The Past Masters were represented by Bros . Simeon Hiyes , P . P . G . W . ; Enson Drury , P . G . W . ; II . J . Garnett , P . P . G . Std . Br . j John Hunt , P . P . G . D . j T . H . Vernon , P . P . G . D . j John Shaw , P . P . G . S . of W . j and A . Macredie , P . P . G . D . There were about 30 other brethren present , and amongst the visito . s were Bros . W . Fisher Tasker , P . M . 29 G , P . P . G . Treas ., and Joseph Matthewman , ' P . M . 1019 , Prov . A . G . Sec ,