Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

THE CRAFT .

METROPOLITAN . Lion and Lamb Lodge , A o . 192 . —The second regular meeting of this old lodge was held at the City Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , on Thursday , the 2 nd instant , Bro . George Kenning , W . M . and P . G . D . Middlesex , in the chair , ably assisted by his

Officers : Bros . F . Trott , J . W . ; W . Goodyer , P . M ., Treas . ; J . G . Marsh , P . M ., P . G . P . Middlesex , Sec ; George Abbott , S . D . ; A . J . Dickinson , J . D . ; Geo . Newman , I . G . ; Thomas Cohu , D . C . ; and E . King , P . M ., Steward . The lodge having been Opened in the first and second degrees , Bros . R . G .

Putnam and J . Cook , being present , were duly passed to the degree of F . C . The lodge was then resumed in the first degree . The following gentlemen having been unanimously elected by ballotviz ., Messrs . W . J . Davis , F . Jacksons , J . G . Rollins , Henry Abbott , and F . Scott—were regularly initiated

into the mysteries of this ancient Order . The ceremonies of passing and initiation were worked by the W . M ., Bro . Kenning , in a most efficient manner . The Secretary introduced to the notice of the lodge the proposed testimonial to Bro . Binckes , in acknowledgment of his eminent services in

connection with the Boys' School , to which fund the lodge voted the sum of two guineas ; and we are glad to notice that the appeal from the Secretary of the Royal Benevolent Institution was not disregarded , the W . M . undertaking to represent the lodge in serving the office of Steward at the

forthcoming festival . Amongst the brethren present , we noticed : Bros . E . Roberts , P . M . ; J . G . Chillingworth , R . G . Dixon , W . Baker , R . E . Bright , S . Haynes , T . Fisher , E . Taylor , J . McKiernan , H . Davis , \ V . Putnam , George Parker , A . F . Iselton ,

J . B . Clements , W . Donne , C . Arkell , S . Lucas , A . C . Payne , B . Marsland , and J . Glinnan . The business on the agenda paper of the lodge having been disposed of , the lodge was closed in due form , and adjourned to its next regular meeting in December . The brethren then sat down to a

sumptuous banquet in the pillar-room , which was well served in Bro . Spencer ' s usual good style , and gave general satisfaction . The W . M . proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were received in the most hearty manner , and ably responded to . The visitors present—viz ., Bros . S . Rosenthal , P . M . 92 ; T . Knott , W . M . 1314 ; R ,

H . Williams , S . W . 1314 ; L . Cotterell , J . W . 173 ; W . Worrell , J . W . 766 ; J . Roberts , 193 ; J . Bancc , S . D . 574 ; and A . Todd , 5 74—expressed themselves highly gratified with the genial reception and the hospitality given to them , for which this lodge is particularly famed . After having spent a very pleasant evening , the Tyler's toast brought the proceedings to a close at a very early hour .

PROVINCIAL . DEVONPORT . —Lodge Friendship , No . 202 . —This lodge having reached the 100 th year of its existence , the event was celebrated by a banquet at the Oddfellows' Hall , Devonport . Previous to the banquet , the brethren met at the lodge , which was opened in

due form by the W . M ., Bro . J . Purse . On the entry of the R . W . Prov . G . M ., the Rev . John Huyshe , the D . P . G . M ., Bro . L . P . Metham , & c , Bro . Purse tento the Prov . G . M . the chair . —The Prov . G . M . said lie did not assume the gavel on this occasion because he thought their W . M . was unable lo govern the

lodge , but for a particular purpose—because he felt that the occasion of their now assembling was one of the most important that could occur in a man ' s lifetime , and certainly one that no one present would sec again . They had come there to celebrate the centenary of their existence . They had arrived at a

very considerable number of brethren , and they held a very high position in the province as supporters of the charities , and as being well-conducted Masons . Their lodge was one of the best in the district , and he considered it one of the highest . He congratulated them on having attained to . 1 hundred years .

How very great must be the difference between the first meeting of the lodjrc and their present meeting . When the lodge was first instituted , no doubt , the numbers they had were few , and they well knew that the charities of the Order were in abeyance , and that Masons did not practise that universal

benevolence and charity which they now did . They stood forth now as an institution of fraternity , no longer laughed at by people , but looked up to by all who are not Masons , and greatly respected by all who arc . It was impossible for a man to be a true Mason and to have in his heart the principles which ought to be in the heart of every Frcemason , without

glorying in that Order to which it was his privilege to belong . He was probably the oldest Mason there , having been one almost fifty years , and he could safely look back through that long vista and say he never regretted the moment when he was made a Freemason , for he owed to it some of the greatest friendships he had made in this world , which he hoped he should take with htm into the Grand Lodge

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

above . If they went on in the same glorious progress they had hitherto done , he could assure them , in their case also they would look back with gratification to the day when they were made Masons . Let them be able to say that the poor brother never held out his hand but he received a welcome and

relief . The P . G . M . then thanked them for the attention with which they had listened to him , and returned the gavel to the W . M . amidst loud applause . —The W . M ., after saying a few words , proceeded to close the lodge , and the brethren adjourned to the Oddfellows' Hall , where , with visitors and all ,

105 sat down to the banquet , supplied by Bro . Hawton , of Devonport . After the banquet , the usual toasts were heartily honoured and some capital speeches made , the whole proceedings being carried out to the complete satisfaction of all . LEICESTER . — St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 . —A

regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 1 st instant . Present : Bros . C . Stretton , W . M . ( presiding ); E . J . Crow , Prov . G . O ., S . W . ; Widdowson , Sec . ; J . W . Smith , J . D . ; J . Halford , I . G . ; Gosling , Weare ( P . M . ) , Shuttlewood , Blankley , Matts , Wilkinson , Barfoot ( 523 ) , Deane

( 1007 ) , Toller ( P . M . 523 ) , Sculthorpe ( W . M . 523 ) , C . Johnson ( P . M . 523 ) , Rev . W . T . Fry ( 523 ) , and a number of other brethren . The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , was also present , and by desire of the W . M . assisted in the ceremonies , which consisted of passing Bros . H . T . Kit-by and C . E . Stretton .

An apology for unavoidable absence was received from Bro . Dr . Pearce , J . W ., and a letter from Bro . Roper , requesting his name might be removed from the list of subscribing members , was read . A letter was also read from the R . W . Prov . G . M ., announcing his appointment of the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers ,

of Staunton Harrold , in this county , as his Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Leicestershire and Rutland . The W . M . informed the brethren lhat the next Provincial Grand Lodge would be held at Loughborough on the 24 th instant . Bro . Captain

P . P . Goodchud was unanimously recommended for the office of Prov . Grand Steward . Three gentlemen were proposed as candidates for initiation . The lodge was . then closed in due form , and the brethren proceeded to refreshment .

CARNARVON . —Segontium Lodge , No . 606 . —A meeting was held on the 26 th ultimo , at the Royal Hotel . Amongst the brethren present were : R . A . Jones , W . M . ; R . Humphreys , P . G . S . B ., S . W . ; G . G . Bradbury , J . W . ; J . W . Poole , S . D . ; W . Hamer . J . D . ; T . H . Nicolls , I . G . ; W . D . Potter , P . M . ; T ,

C . Roden , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . R . Paynter , R . R . Williams , Hugh Thomas , John Pugh , J . B . Morgan , J . T . O . Richards , T . Thomas , R . Rowlands , T . S . Nicholls , T . G . Cowcll , George Owen , L . H . Aronson , Ed . Humphreys ; visitors , Wm . Y . Hardy ( P . M . 384 ) ,

H . Morgan ( 525 , China ) , W . H . Carter ( P . M . 897 ) , W . Robinson ( S . D . 384 ) , M . Dyer ( P . M . 284 , n 1 ) , J . Owen ( P . M . 384 ) , Walter F . Hooper ( P . M . 119 S , Madras ) . The lodge was opened in due form , after which the ballot was taken for the following gentlemen : Chas . Rees , John Thomas , Robert Williams , and Wm . G . Owen , all of Carnarvon , who were

unanimously elected . Messrs . Wm . Paynter , Chas . H . Rees , and Wm . G . Owen , were duly initiated . Bro . Robert Humphreys , S . W ., P . G . S . B ., was installed by P . M . Bro . Roden , P . P . G . S . W . It is needless to say that Bro . Roden performed this important ceremony in his useful skilful and impressive manner . After the new W . M . had been

regularly installed , saluted , and greeted according to ancient custom , he proceeded to invest the officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . J . W . Poole , S . W . ; G . C . Bradbury , J . W . ; Webb , Treas . ; C . Foulkcs , Sec . , T . H . Nicholls , S . D . ; J . T . O . Richards , J . D . ; Wm . Ilayden , Org . ; T . S . Nicholls , I . G . ; and Bros . G . Owen , and John Lloyd , Stewards .

The report of the audit committee was read , showing that the funds of the lodge were in a very flourishing condition . Hearty good wishes having been given from Lodges 384 , 524 , 1113 , 1198 , the lodge was closed . A very large number of the brethren then adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , provided in a most liberal and costly manner by Bro Ed . Humphreys .

roTNics . —Pleiades Lodge , No . 710 . —The annual meeting was held at the Masonic Rooms , on Thursday , October 26 th . Noon was the time named for commencing business , but it was half an hour later before the chair was taken by Bro . W illiam Cuming , ' W . M ., who opened the lodge , assisted by Bros . A .

B . Nincr , S . W . ; Stafford , J . W . ; Rev . J . Powning , Chap . ; Presswell , Sec . ; Pridham , I . P . M . ; De Schmid , S . D . ; Maye , acting as I . G . ; Taylor , Org ; Past Masters Watson ( Treas . ) , J . Heath , Marks , Dr . Hopkins , with many members of the lodge and visitors from Torquay , Paignton , Kingsbridge , & c .

At a later period of the day many others arrived , among them Past Masters Owen , Oliver , Rev . R . Bowden , G . Heath . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Secretary read the Treasurer ' s accounts , which showed a balance-of upwards of ^ 40 in favour of the lodge ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

besides arrears of dues , and also laid before the members the report of the Audit Committee . As in the latter several subjects were alluded to which appeared likely to cause much discussion not interesting to visitors , nor desirable in their presence , it was decided to postpone the consideration of it

till the next meeting . Bro . Crocker was unarmously re-elected as Tyler , and Bro . Seale was admitted by ballot as a joining member . The lodge was opened in the second degree . Bro . Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . for Warwickshire , having been deputed to officiate as Installing Master , took the chair . Bro . A . B .

Niner was presented to him as W . M .-elect by the W . M . and the Chaplain , who , from a thorough knowledge of him as having been his instructor in early life , and from subsequent opportunities of watching his career spoke in high terms of his conduct and qualifications . The Installing Master , as

his instructor in Masonic observances and rituals from the time of his admission to the rank of M . M ., supplemented these remarks by testimony as to his zeal , ability and success in acquiring the requisite knowledge , by which he'had rendered himself capable of performing the ceremonies of the three

degrees , and congratulated him on his preferment . The preliminary forms having been gone through , the obligation of W . M .-elect was administered . The retiring W . M . then resumed his chair and opened the lodge in the third degree , after which all except the P . M . ' s retired from the room . A Board of

Installed Masters was constituted in due form , when Bro . Niner was re-admitted and regularly installed as W . M . by Bro . Dr . Hopkins . Bro . Cuming was invested as I . P . M ., and the Board was formally closed . The Master Masons , Fellow Crafts , and Entered Apprentices , successively entered and took

part in the salutations and procession which preceded the proclamations . The actual ceremony was concluded by the presentation to the W . M . of the charter , the Book of Constitutions , and the By-laws . The following were appointed and invested : Bros . Stafford , S . W . ; Presswell , J . W . ;

Rev . J . Powning , Chap . ; Maye , Sec . ; Watson , Treas . ; Westhead , S . D . ; Goodridge , J . D . ; Fowle , Dir . Cer . ; Taylor , Org . ; Drennan , I . G . ; Scale and Middleton , Stewards ; Croker , Tyler . —The Installing Master gave a special address to the brother who on that day vacated the eastern chair , thus :

Worshipful Immediate P . M . Cuming , before I proceed to the customary charges to the new officers , permit me to address a few special words to you . At this time last year you doubtless congratulated yourself on the attainment of the summit of a laudable Masonic ambition , and laid your plans for the year

now expired , accompanied with resolutions as to the course you should pursue , and with a determination to earn the approval of your brethren on this day by the fulfilment of the pledges then given . When you were initiated into Freemasonry , you were charged to become " an ornament to our Society . "

Can any of us doubt that your conduct in the subordinate Masonic offices , as well as your demeanour to the outer world , entitled you to be considered as such ? I am sure that I shall be supported by the brethren in giving a negative reply . When you were placed in the chair of King Solomon , you said

that you were able and willing to fulfil the duties devolving upon him , and entered into a solemn obligation faithfully to perform them ; and further , the Installing Master invoked the aid of theG . A . O . T . U . to enable you so to act as to satisfy your own conscience and to be of advantage to the lodge . There

cannot be one among us who lias witnessed your efforts but must acknowledge than the highest aspirations of yourself and your brethren , for ability and success on your part , have been realized to the full extent . It is under such an impression that I venture to congratulate you on becoming one of the

permanent rulers in the Craft , by the occupation of the seat in which you have just been placed , and which you have so well earned . A good idea of the character of a lodge may generally be formed from the array of Past Masters regularly present in its assemblies . It remains therefore only to remind

you of what too many fail in—an estimation of the importance of a continuance of efforts on behalf of our Order , by regular attendance and assistance to those who will succeed you in the first chair of the lodge . Should you carry out this obligation in the spirit you have manifested as to all others , you

cannot fail to close your Masonic career , let us hope many years hence , with a consciousness of satisfaction to yourself and of having conferred benefit on the Fraternity in general . In conclusion , allow me to Mlustratc , Masonically , the jewel you are now entitled to wear as an emblem of your office ,

containing the 47 th proposition of the first book of Euclid , the discovery of which is attributed to Pythagoras , and is said to have extorted from him the joyful exclamation , Eureka , I have found it . After the explanation of the jewel just referred to ,

the Installing Master gave the customary charges to the W . M ., the Wardens , and the brethren of the lodge . —Bro . Dr . Hopkins gtive notice of two pro positions , with a view to obtain ft more regular payment of subscriptions , for consideration at the next