Reports Of Masonic Meetings

The poor animal , horrified at having her riddle so quaintly unriddled fell , after the manner of Sphinxes , into a phrensy , and it was even feared London Bridge might be the scene of another

Sphingian catastrophe . Brethren differed as to the seat of the malady and its treatment , and Sphinxlike riddled again . " O tell me where is phrensy bred , When begot , and nourished ,

Or in the heart , or in the head . ' Never since the time of the Big Endians and the Little Endians was there such a divergence . No lacosta now appeared , and all councils broke up leaving the poor Sphinx gasping .

( Exeunt dan sautes omnes ) . Scene , an old castle on the weald of Cawter ; shepherds and Shepherdesses in the distance . A doctor , celebrated in such cases , was then called in , under whose very soothing drafts and healing words she soon throw oft Iter

malady , and trotted forth whole and sound . The talented restorer was Dr . the W . Grand Secretary , and he honoured the lodge on this occasion by his presence , being also a honorary member , to assure himself of her happy recovery . The evening had commenced by the

installation of Bro . J . Hadland Vockins as W . M ., the ceremony having been impressivel y performed bv Bro . Bedolfe , the retiring incumbent . On assuming his position Bro . Vockins proceeded to initiate three gentlemen , Messrs . T . C . Reynolds , Marden , and Gwimple , the

former a Lewis , being son of the respected Treasurer . The brethren then adjourned to the dining-room , which was very pleasingly decorated in festal style , and where the banquet was served ; 1 la Russe , the excellency and variety of the viands and the quality of the wines

reflecting great credit on the worthy host and Bro . Spencer . The W . M . was supported on his right by the W . Bro . Hervey , G . Sec , and the visitors , amongst whom Bros . Wells , Wingham , H yde , Larlham , Green , Oliver , & c . On the left the P . M . ' s of the lodge , Bros . Bedolfe ,

Clark , and Nairne , HiC . fin face were the newly appointed officers , Bro . Sugden , and Abbott-D unbar ; Treas . and Sec , Reynolds and Andrews ; Junior officers , Bros . Lyon , Bryant , Martin , Ricks , Mansell , Barsdorf , & C On the cloth being removed , the usual toasts were

drunk , the Prince of Wales being highly prized . The W . Bro . Hervey responded for the Grand Officers , and in one of those neat and kindly speeches which at all times characterise him , and stated the pleasure he felt in again visiting a lodge which , when in an

infant state , he assisted to consecrate , but now developed into the numerous and influential association he now saw . The health of Bro . Vockins , W . M . was then proposed , who , in return , expressed his thanks for the high position he that day held , and tlie honourable " assistance" bv which he was surrounded , and

called upon those around him to assist earnestly iu thc endeavour , by liberal donations on this festive occasion , to alleviate the trials of the orphan and widow . A liberal collection was then made . On the health of the I . M . P . being drank , a renunciation of the Big-and-little-Endian dispute was publicly

made" As if to show with how small pain Mnsonic sores are healed again ; Although by woeful truth we find They often leave a scar behind . " Tho " Health oi thc Visitors " was responded to by Bros- Wells and Wingham . Bros . Clark and Nairne also responded suitabl y to the

manner in which the lodge expressed its satisfaction at thc services of those brothers . Harmony prevailed , songs were sung , and merrily passed the hour . The S phinx again took to her old work of riddling , when the motto of the lodge , " What is Man ? " being propounded , Uro . Barsdorf produced the following : —

WHAT IS MAN ? Mens ignis , tubulus corpus , mihi atque , ftimus , Herba panis , clavus fata , supiema cinis . " Though at my simile many may joke ,

Man is but a pipe ; this life but smoke . " Of lordly man how humbling is the type—A fleeting sh . 'idott— -A tobacco-pipe ! His mind the lire , his frame the tube of clay ; Hi . s breath the smoke , so idly pu / H-d away .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings

His food the herb that fills the hollow bowl ; Death is the stopper—ashes end the whole . Another and another passed , when a brother from the East produced an inscription supposed to have been " marked " on the foundationstone of King Solomon ' s

temple" Is ab ulo res ago Fortibus in aro . " All tried , but failed ; even the School Board gave in , when the same expert , Bro . Barsdorf , sent in this atrocity : —

*• I say , Bill Oersago ! — Forty boys in a ro !" The lodge was convulsed , and was only prevented from executing summary justice by the fear of preventing the immediate recognition of the " Mark " by the Grand Lodge . Thus

happily passed the evening ; and when at length the Tyler ' s toast reminded the good brethren of the claims of their domestic hearths , they retired ( save a few who remained to toast one saint more ) , conscious of having enjoyed , under happy circumstances , that pleasure which disinterested friendshi p can alone afford .

MARRUIS OF RIPON LODGE ( N O . 1489 ) . — A meeting of this new lodge , which has made great progress since its establishment six months ago , was held yesterday ' week , in the hall ofthe Metropolitan Societies' Asylum , Balls Pond-road .

There was a capital attendance of officers and lay members , who were presided over by Bro . W . Stephens , W . M . Bro . James Bre ' tt , P . G . P ., was P . M ., and there were the following visitors present ;—Bros . Fredk . Smith , P . M . 177 ;

Miles , P . M . 1365 ; Watkinson , 813 ; Cohu , 192 ; Kew , P . M . 179 ; Eredk . Dalton , 136 4 ; Poulton , 192 ; Lee , 975 ; Parkhouse , 1364 ; W . D . Badkin , 1445 ; Stiles , 1507 ; Thompson , 160 ; Massey , ( Freemason ) P . M . 619 . The work of

the evening consisted of raising Bros . S . J . Parker and W . Gray , passing Bro . F . A . Hawthorn , and inili-tliiig Messrs . Fredericks and Mayers . The brethren were informed by Bro . James Brett , that the Whittington Lodge ( No . S 62 ) had

presented the collar jewels to the Marquis of Ripon Lodge , wishing then a long career of prosperity . Upon the motion of the W . M ., a vote of thanks was passed and ordered to be recorded on the minutes , and forwarded to the Whittington

Lodge for the handsome present . The W . M . proposed , and Bro . Miller , P . M ., Organist , seconded the gift of one guinea as a Christmas box to the attendants at the asylum where the lodge met . This was carried unanimously , and

Bro . Starkey , of Lodge No . 132 , Scotch Constitution , was elected a joining member . There being no further bnsiness before the lodge , the brethren closed down , and took thc train to London , where they banqueted at Bro . Hart ' s

refreshment-room , at the Broad-street Terminus . In giving the toasts on thc removal ofthe cloth , the W . M remarked that since they last met in that room a great change had come over the spirit of their dream . The nobleman whose

name was given to this lodge was no longer Grand Master , but they had the Prince of Wales in his stead . Anyone who knew H . R . H . as a Freemason knew full well that this was likel y to promote the interests of the Order . The

toast of " The Earl of Carnarvon , as Pro-Grand Master , Sec , " was next proposed , and the W . M . in giving it , said that within the last two days they had heard from his lordship ' s lips what he intended to do for Freemasonry . They knew what

he had done already , and had every reason to believe that he would continue to act in a similar way . They were also much pleased to hear that Lord Skelmersdale had been appointed Deputy Grand Master , as he had made his

mark in Frceniasonry both in and out of his province . Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., responded , and repeated thc sentiments of thc W . M . with respect lo the Pro-Grand Master and the Deputy Grand Master . The rest of the Grand Officers were all well known to the brethren , and what

tuey had done was one of the household words of Freemasonry . As to the change which had occurred in the Grand Mastership , if the Order had lost one good Mason it had certainly found another , who would do honour to thc Craft , and he thought that , with such men as the Prince of

Reports Of Masonic Meetings

Wales Lord Carnarvon , and Lord Skelmersdale , if they were not capable of carrying on the business of Freemasonry now they would never have an opportunity of doing so . Bro . Brett afterwards proposed " The W . M ., and referred

to the great advance the lodge had made during his Mastership . He spoke of him as an excellent working Mason and an indefatigable brother , not only in this lodge and the Clapton Lodge , but as attending the different boards connected with the administration of the Craft ' s

affairs at Freemasons Hall . At the banquettable also he was an excellent president , and it was his pleasure and delight to entertain his guests . The W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro . Brett , and assured the brethren that what he had been in the past he would be in the future , and he

was pleased that anything he had done met with the approbation of the brethren . The toast of " The Initiates " followed , and both of those brethren returned thanks . The toast of " The Visitors " was acknowledged by Bro . F . Smith , P . M . S 62 , Bro . Walford , P . M . responded for

" The Treasurer . " and Bro . W . Jones , P . M . 445 , P . P . G . D . C . Norths and Hunts , for ' The Secretary . All the officers responded individually to the toast drunk to them , and the J . W . solicited subscriptions to the list he was carrying up as

Steward for the Girls School , which already amounted to a considerable amount . The W . M . said he had also on his list a large sum , the first five names contributing Fifty Guineas , ( cheers ) . The brethren shortl y after separated , having spent a delightful evening .

INSTRUCTION .

PECKHAM LODGE OP INSTRUCTION ( held at the Maismore Arms , Peckham Park-road , under the warrant of the Peckham Lodge ) , No . 1475 , 26 th Nov ., 1874 . Many brethren , both at home and abroad , will read with unfeigned pleasure thc agreeable news that the Anniversary

Meeting of this Lodge of Instruction was a complete success . With the slightest deviation from the appointed hour , all was ready , and the brethren having satisfactorily discussed the various enjoyables provided by the new host , and thc usual loyal and Masonic toasts having

been given and dul y responded to , the W . M . of the Peckham Lodge , Bro . Watkins ( who presided as chairman ) rose , and in that urbane manner so peculiarly his own , informed the brethren that since their last meeting , a decided improvement had taken place in the management of the

proceedings of the lodge , owing to which , he believed , might be attributed the average increase of attendance . Furthermore , that with all their difficulties thc noble charities had not been forgotten ; in fact , brethren , it is with lively feelings of gratification I announce to you that the

sum of fifty guineas has been subscribed during the past year . ( Loud Applause . ) The W . M . then addressed himself to the Preceptor of the Lodge , P . M . Rose , Mount Lebanon , No . 73 . The brethren have much to thank you for . Without your kind generous services , this lodge must , I

fear , have received a severe check . The brethren appreciating thc ability you have shown in steering our barque through the shoals of adversity , and as it were , guiding us into this haven of success , have desired me to present to you this gold chain , as a slight token of their esteem ,

and fraternal regard . Bro . Rose , who was visibly affected , said : W . M . and brethren , this token of esteem and recognition of my services as Preceptor of this lodge is highly gratifying to me , not so much for the beauty of the unalloyed and glittering metal presented ; it proves beyond

a doubt that I have been successful in gaining the affections of the brethren of this lodge , without which , it would be nearly impossible to impart that knowledge of our beautiful ceremonies , which is so essentiall y requisite for those who aspire to thc honour of the chair . W . M . and brethren : I thank you much for your kindness

and with a striving humbleness of mind I pray that the G . A . O . T . U . will long continue to give me health and strength to promulgate the genuine tenets of our noble Order in this Lodge of Instruction . Some good Masonic songs and recitations added to the harmony of the evening , the brethren who sang being accompanied on t he pianoforte by Bro . Pritchett .