Freemasonry In China.

FREEMASONRY IN CHINA .

The sixteenth annual installation of W . M . of the Tuscan Lodge took place on Monday , the 30 th December , 187 8 , on which occasion the various officers were also invested . W . Bro . J . C . Heeighes , the W . M . for 1878 , being unfortunately absent from Shanghai , the lodge was opened at

nine o ' clock p . m . by W . Bro . Lewis Moore , I . P . M ., the hall being well thronged with brethren , among the more distinguished of whom were the following : —W . Bros . Weiller , D . G . Supt . of Works , and Drummond Hay , D . G . Treasurer , of the D . G . Loelge of Japan ; Thos . Pembertein , W . M . Loelge Cosmopolitan , 428 , S . C . ; M . H . Cook , P . M ., and D . C . Jansen , W . M . Ancient Landmark Lodge , Mass .

Constitution ; W . L . Koch , jun ., W . M . Lodge Germania , a id many others . Shortly afterwards the H . W . D . Giand Master , Bro . C . Thome , entered the lodge , accompanied by the following District Grand Officers : —W . Bros . T . W . Kingsnill , President Board of General Purposes ; P . Orme , D . G . Sec . ; H . Evans , D . G . J . D . ; H . S . Morris , D . G . Dir . of Cer . ;

G . B . F ' entum , D . G . Org ., who presided at the organ ; J . Brown , D . G . Purst . ; W . H . Anderson and Bro . B . Palamountain , D . G . Stewards , and others , and they were received with the customary honours . W . Bro . Moore thanked the R . W . D . G . M . an I his officers [ or the honour of their campany , to whi ; h the R . W . D . G . M . replied , tha from the time of its foundation he had always

taken the greatest interest in the Tuscan Ladge , and , as an honorary member of it , he f-It an a lditional pleasure in the exercise of his right as D . G . M . to assist at these ceremonies . W . Bro . Moore then requested W . Bro . Thos . W . Kingsmill , President of the Board of General Purposes , to conduct the installation , and W . Bro . Kini ; smill haviiiir

accepted the gavel , took the chair , and proceeded to instal the W . M . elect , W . Bro . W . H . Short , who , alter the observance of the ancient customs , then invested his officers for the ensuing year , viz .: Bros . Wm . Miller , S . W . ; H . J . Fisher , J . W . ; C . II . Kins * , Treas . ; John Morris , Sec ; Cecil W . HeillieUy , S . O . ; J . W . L . M . Williamson , J . D . ; R . Markwick , D . C . ; G . E . York , Steward ; J . A . Sullivan ,

I . G . ; T . Hoie , Tyler . The W . M . thanked W . Bro . Kingsmill for his kindness in undertaking the installation , and expressed his admiration of the able manner in wnicli it had been conducted at his hands . W . Bro . Kingsmill , in reply , paid some very high compliments to the working of the Tuscan Lodge , which he

had enjoyed many opportunities of witnessing , and concluded by wishing the lodge continued prosperity . The W . M . then thanked the numerous visitors for their presence , and'invited them to partake of a supper which had been provided . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , which had given Bro . Mure , the Tyler ,

an opportunity of displaying the decorative ait in a very effective manner , seasonable evergr . ens being happily blended with Masonic devices . After the refreshments , the W . M . rose to propose the first toast of the evening , viz , " The Queen and the Ciaft , " and said—Our Queen shows her interest in Masonry by the generous support she gives to the Charities , and although

the ladies are not represented at our Masonic meetings , Her Majesty has ever shown her kindly feelings towaids the Craft . The present time , however , is one ot sorrow to the Queen , and I am sure 1 express tne sentiments of the Craft at large , when I say how heartily we sympathise with her in her bereavement by the lamented death of the beloved Princess Alice . The feelings of love and loyalty

to Her Majesty extend , indeed , to the very ends of the earth , and I need , therefore , do no more than call upon you to honour the toast , " The Queen and the Craft . " The National Anthem having been sung , the W . M . said—The next toast it is customary to divide , but , as time as short , I am sure it will not be considered disrespectful if 1 unite with our Most W orshipful Grand

Master , the Pro Grand Mastei , his Deputy Grand Master , and the officers of the Grand Lodge of England . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales looks personally inta all details connected with his office , and causes much enthusiasm amongst the Grand Officers by his own example . Indeed , no matter what duties he undertakes , he throws so mucli goodwill and work into them as to gain the affections of

those around him . The Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master also are ever to the front when neeeled in any Masonic capacity , while the Grand Oliiceis well sup-)> oit their endeavours to promote the welfare of Freemasonry . 1 now ask you to drink " To the Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince oi Wales , the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers

of the Grand Lodge of England . W . Bro . Orme , P . M ., then rose to propose a toast which be felt would meet with cordial acceptance from the brethren . Much of the success which had attended Freemasonry " 1 China was owing , he said , to the mutual understanding and general good fellowship which had at all times existed between sister lodges working under various Constitutions .

In a place so distant from our homes , and where the community was so puiely cosmopolitan as in China , such friendly feelings could not be too waimly appreciated , and u gave him great pleasure , as he was sure it did to all tfte members of the Tuscan Lodge , to see so many illus'nous brethren hailing from sister lodges among them that ni ght . This was not the first lime it had been the

pri"legc of the Tuscan Lodge to meet brethren from sister lod ges at the festive board , and lie hoped it would not be l "e last . The example set by the Ancient Landmark L ° dge , Mass . Constitution , and so successfully followed by "' her lodges in Shanghai , was a good one . He believed hat such meetings did a great deal towaids cementing "nioa among Masons of different nationalities ; it

Freemasonry In China.

enabled them to become acquainted with each other , and assisted in finding out the amiable qualities of each . He greeteei with pleasure the representatives of the Lodge Germania , working uneb-r the Three Globes , Berlin , many of whose members were initiated into Freemasonry in the Tuscan Loelge , and he should always feel a warm interest in their welfare and prosperity . There were also members

present from the Cosmopolitan Lodge , No . 428 , under the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and of the Ancient Landmark Lodge , under the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , all of whom he heaitily welcomed . Much hail already been said on Masonic subjects during the evening , and as there were several speakers to follow him , he would , without further preface , ask the brethren to drink " The Health of the Grand Masters and Officers of Sister Grand Lodges . "

W . Bro . M . H . Cook , P . M . Ancient Landmark- Lodge , responded on behalf of the Lodge of Massachusetts . Masonry , he was proud to say , had established a firm footing in America , and the Grand Lodgf . which he represented was one of the oldest offshoots of the Craft in the New Continent . He was happy to meet on common ground with brethren hailing from other Constitutions , and the Ancient Landmark Lodge felt itself honoured by the kind hospitality which had that evening been extended to its

memoers . The W . M . then said the toast he had now the pleasure to propose was "The District Grand Master and Officers of the IT . G . L . of Northern China . " All Masoi . s working under the English Constitution must feel very proud of the rare abilities of R . W . Bro . Theme . W . Bro . Kingsmill , too , had that evening conducted the installing ceiemonies

in a most highly efficient manner , whilst W , Bro . Moore had had the bulk of the lodge work to direct during the past year , owing to the unexpected departure of W . Bro . Hughes , who held the chair . The W . M . concluded by proposing the toast of which he had given notice . The ta ist was acknowledged by W . Bro . Thorne , R . W . D . G . M ., who said—W . M ., Bros . Wardens and

brethren , in returning you thanks on behalf of the officers of the D . G . Lodge for the kind response you have made to the toast proposed in such eloquent terms by the W . M ., I can assure you it is a pleasure at all times for us to take part in your ceremonies . The admirable manner in which the installation has been performed by our W . Bro . Kingsmill will , I hope , make its proper impression upon you , so that

you maycarryoutthe principles inculcated thereby . Masonry is doing good service in Shanghai , and 1 am sure il we all strive to prumulgaie its true principles , we shall find much benefit accrue toothers who are not within our pale . The D . G . Officers are ever ready to lend their aid in assisting the working of the various lodges , and I trust the junior members cf the Craft will emulate their example .

To shew what may be achieved in this way , I may instance the career of our W . Bro . Henry / Eneas Sidford , who was largely instrumental in establishing the Tuscan Lodge , in connection wherewith he overcame a multitude of difficulties . We all know his services to the Doric Lodge at Chiiikianyr , and we now hear of his visiting Amoy to install the W . M . of the new Ionic Lodge there , the D . G . M .

of Hong Kong having recognised Bro . S-. dford's long and able services by appointing him his District Grand Senior Warden . Before I resume my seat I have to ask you to join me in drinking " The Health of the W . M . " our W . Bro . Short , who by the manner in which he handles the gavel gives promise of proving himself a worthy successor of former incumbents of the Tuscan chair , and may our best

wishes help him on the way . The W . M . said he had already addressed the brethren on several occasions , anel need scarcely say there was no more gratifying one than the present , but as lie had no wish to monopolise the conversation , he would simply ask their acceptance of his heartfelt thanks and wish prosperity to every one present .

Bro . Wm . Miller , S . W ,, said the next toast was one which would be received with much satisfaction . Unlike the one they had last honouied , this was not a personal but a collective toast , ) ct it gave him ( Bro . Miller ) an opportunity of mentioning by name several of their senior brethren , who not only hail benefitted Freemasonry generally , but had given himself great assistance , and allowed him to

piofit by their more extended experience . He alluded more paiticularly to W . Bros . J . C . Hughes , Louis Moore , J . I . Miller , P . Orme , H . S . Gundry , and last but not least to W . Bro . C . Thome , our present R . W . D . G . M ., who had been associated with the Tuscan Lodge from its very foundation , and although he had never filled the chair of that particular lodge , had always fovoured us with his

attendance on all possible occasions . Bro . Miller concluded by proposing " The Health of the Past Masters of the Tuscan Lodge " coupled with the name of W . Bro . Orme . In replying to the toast , W . P . M . Orme , P . D . G . J . W . for China , alluded to the pleasure it always afforded Past Masters in the Craft to view the progress and improvement of Freemasonry . It was of course very gratifying to the

Past Masters . of the Tuscan Lodge particularly to mark the strides it had made during the past few years . One of its founders was present here that night , R . W . Bro . C . thorne , and to him many thanks were due , not only for work formerly done in the lpdge , but for the instruction and guidance afforded to its rulers , since he had been appointed by the Piince of Wales to the high office he at

present occupied ; and it must be very gratifying to him to see the very creditable institution that had been erected on the foundation of the Tuscan Lodge . Bro . Miller had made very flattering allusion to the works of W . Bros . Gundry , J . 1 . Moore , L . Moore , anel himself ( W . Bro . Orme ) , and doubtless all the . Past Masters would agree

with him 111 feeling that their labours were rewarded by the high position the Tuscan Lodge now held . He noticed the improved working in Shanghai lodges generally , and recommended the junior brethren to attend regularly the Lodge of Assiduity which had so largely led to this result , and with a tribute of praise to the W . M . and officers lately

Freemasonry In China.

elected , he closed his remarks by thanking the brethren for their cordial reception of the toast of the P . M . ' s . W . Bro . Kingsmill said a pleasing duty devolved on him in the toast he now had to propose . They had heard of the present officers of the Tuscan Lodge , and they had seen how worthy they were of the promotion which had fallen to their lot , but what of those of the past , without

whose exertions the lodge could never have attained its present position ? He had for many years noted the zealous eTscbarge of their duties by the Masters who year after year had been elected to fill the chair , and under whose bountiful care the lodge had always been conducted in a manner which reflected credit on Masoniy in Shanghai . He was sorry to miss from amongst them W . Bro . Hughes ,

their I . P . M ., who had been summoned from Shanghai during his year of office , but all , or nearly all , the past officers of the year were then around him , and in proposing their health he would couple it with the name of one of the most distinguished of their number , a wellknown and honoured Mason , W . Bro . Lewis Moore . W . Bro . Moore , in reply , said : W . M . and brethren , I

regret W . Bro . Hughes , the I . P . M ., is not present here this evening , as he could have replied to the toast in a far more able manner than I can . However , on his behalf , I beg to thank you . I am sure you all regret that he was obliged to leave before his term of office had expired , as he had the working of the lodge at heart . On behalf of the officers I also beg to return their sincere thanks . They

have all done their best to enable the working of the lodge to go on smoothly , and I am glad their endeavours have been so much appreciated . The praise poured on me by the W . M . 1 am afraid I am not entitled to , because I have only done my duty as a Mason ought to do , and further I shall at all times be ready to assist the lodge as far as lies in my power , when called upon . I trust the Tuscan Lodge

will continue to work as heretofore , and that it will shortly be , if it is not already , second to none in Shanghai . W . Bro . Moore again rose and said : W . M . and brethren , I am glad that the proposal of the next toast has been entrusted to me . You have heard W . Bro . Orme dilate upon the Sister Giand Lodges , and incidentally refer to the lodges in Shanghai working under their rule . It is "

Prosperity to these Ludges and Health to their Members " that 1 ask you to respond to , and I am certain it requires no commendation from me to ensure ' an enthusiastic reception to this toast . We have present wiih us to-night members of the Lodges Ancient Landmark , Cosmopolitan , and Germania . Lately , many of us assisted at the installation ceremonies of the two former , and afterwards

enjayed the hospitality of their members . I regret to say that , through the ignorance of many of our own members of the German language , we are not enabled to join in the ceremonies of the latter loelge as we would like to do , but we can at all times bear testimony to the fraternal feeling that exists between the members and ourselves , which is fully borne out by the ready and kind manner in

which they attend our meetings , and cheer us by their genial cordiality . They also unite with us in aieling the relief of suffering amongst the brethren , when , unfortunately , it is necessary to enlist their sympathies . Brethren , I was going to say a great deal more , but I have just been remimled time is short . I will not , therefore , detain you further , but at once ask you to unite in wishing

prosperity to our sister lodges , and continued health and strength to their members . W . Bro . Jansen , W . M . Ancient Landmark Lodge , Mass . Constituiion , in a humorous speech , acknowledged the toast on behalf of his own and the other lodges , and favourably contrasted the warmth of his reception wilh the severity of the weather , the thermometer being at the time

seimewhere in the neighbourhood of zero . He was glad , however , to see that W . Bro . Kingsmill kept up a generous flow from the capacious punch-bowl before him , and which he fancied the coldness of the night would render more attractive than his speaking . W . Bro . Moore had claimed for the officers of the Tuscan Lodge that they had done their best in Masonry . He ( Bro . Jansen ) did

not doubt they had also done their best to warm the room , and he could have wished that greater success had rewarded their labours in that direction . For his own part , however , he had been very glad to partake of their hospitable entertainment , and would conclude by asking the brethren to drink to "The Health of the Officers of the Tuscan Lodge . " ( Cheers . ) Bio . H . J . Fisher , J . W ., acknowledged the compliment

on behalf of himself and his brother officers . W . Bro . Orme , in a few appropriate vtords , then proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " which was acknowledged by W . Bro . Weiller , of the D . G . Lodge c £ Japan . The Ty lei ' s toast brought the formal part of the programme to an end , but the punch-bowl yet retained some hidden secrets which the more myslerbus of the brethren were resolved to conceal .

The Provincial Grand Chapter Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland will hold a meeting at 33 , Goldensquare , on Thursday , the 15 th May , at 4 o ' clock . Names of candidates ( who must be members of the Royal Arch and 18 ) , should be sent to the Provincial Grand Secretary at the above address as soon as possible . The half yearly convocation of the Provincial

Grand Chapter of Cumberland and Westmorland will bs helel in the Freemasons' Hall , Castle-street , Carslile , on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., under the banner of the Union Chapter , No . 310 , the Earl of Bective , M . P ., M . E . P . G . Supt ., presiding .

Bro . Sawyer , whose name was so well known to the frequenters of the Crystal Palace as the refreshment contractor , has entered on the management of the Station Restaurant ( henceforth to be called Sawyer ' s ) , Rail > vayplace , Fenchurch-street . We trust he will be quite successful in his new venture .