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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
standing . He had congratulated one of the initiates not only on being initiated into Freemasonry , but on being initiated in the Carnarvon Lodge , to hear its ceremonies so magnificently rendered , and he felt that it must have an effect for life to be initiated where the ceremonies were
rendered thus instead of being butchered , as they were toooften . He < vas sure that the initiates woul . l feel that Masonry stood on a solid foundation , for whether they looked to the persona ! piety , to the domestic affections , to the ardent loyalty , to the grand patriotism , or to that crown which endureth for ever as the reward of faithful service after
days or trial , he was sure that those brethren who had been initiated that night , as well as older brethren , must feel that Freemasonry rested on a basis as sound as the universe itself , and that in whatever community it was found , its principles would hold good to the end of time . Every year that passed he was more thankful that he
belonged to the Order , not only on account of those principles he had refe ' red to , but on account of the dear , hearty , and good friends he had been able to make in the Order . God grant that it might long fl mrish . The Immediate Past Master then rose and said that he had somewhat hoped that power had departed from him , and that the lock of hair had been clipped . However , he saw in the toast list " The Health of the VV . M ., " and it
appeared that he was the person to propose that toast . With how much pleasure he did so he himself knew , the brethren did not ; but at the same time he was quite sure that they would have as much pleasure in drinking the toast as he would . They would remember that Bro . Russeil , the present VV . M ., was initiated in that lodge long since he ( Bro . Goffin ) had become a member of it . There was a great deal of pleasure sometimes in watching the green
leaf come out from its hiding place , and from between a couple of pale leaves a small bud , and in the small hud a speck of colour , and that colour gradually developing into the full bloom , giving out its full and powerful scent . The W . M . had represented such a phenomenon . He remembered perfectly well seeing Bro . Russell , tremulous and nervous with , the hoodwink on him ; he remembered well seeing the big drops of perspiration on his forehead and
hearing the sigh of relief after it was removed . He very soon began to show himself and to make his power and perseverance felt and experienced by the lodge . The brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge were not slow to discern merit , and they soon pitched upon him to do some work . That work had been most congenial to him , and he had passed through almost every office in the lodge . How well
he had performed every one of them was well known to the brethren . He helieved he was right in saying that from the time Bro Russell was initiated he had never missed an attendance at the lodge . A brother who stuck by his work and his lodge in such a fashion deserved every credit ; he deserved their full confidence , which be enjoyed at the present moment . How admirably he had done his work in the Wardens' chairs had been before them . How earnest and anxious he was for the present and the future he ( the
speaker ) could vouch . He was quite sure that Bro . Russell might rely upon their sympathies and upon their hearty cooperation in his work for the future . Bro . Russell told him just now privately , and they would take it as such , that he felt a certain sensation go through him and go down his legs ; whereupon he told Bro . Russell to let it go out at his toes and be rid of it . He was quite sure all their sympathies , all their hearts , would be with Bro . Russell in
the coming year . He had work before him , and he would perform it with satisfaction to the brethren and credit to himself . The brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge were too well acquainted with the feelings of human nature , and with the respect and sympathy due from the server to the served ever to warrant anyone in misjudging them , or in doubting whether they might rest upon them for support in time of trouble . Wherever support might be necessary it
would be afforded to their W . M . He would , therefore , ask them to be upstanding and drink very heartily to the health of the W . M . Bro . Russell , W . M ., in reply , said he could assure the brethren that it was with feelings of very considerable embarrassment and trepidation that he replied to the toast of his health , which had been proposed in such an exceedingly kind manner by the I . P . M ., and which the brethren had been pleased to respond to so well . He had not words at
command to convey to them the thanks which he would wish to give on an occasion like that , and he felt quite sure that it was not from personal merit of his , either as an officer of the lodge or as new W . M ., thathe owed the very kind words which had been used by the l . P . M . in proposing his health . Indeed , he thought he should be quite right in attributing that to his own generous and kindly nature . However , he was witling to accept what had been
said in this sense , that the remarks of the l . P . M . rather indicated to him what the W . M . of the Carnarvon Lodge should be , than by assuming to himself the possession of those excellent qualities which , in the goodness of his heart , Bro . Goffin had flatteringly attributed to him . He knew that he should have the kind assistance of the Past Masters at his service , and he was sure that he should have at the same time the kind indulgence of the brethren for any
shortcomings he might be guilty of . At that moment it appeared to him a very short time since he was initiated ; at that time he had no thought that they should elect him W . M . ; but he would confess that from the moment when he was initiated he was full of ambition to occupy that dignified position , the possession of which he felt very proud of ; and for that distinguished mark of their favour he thanked them most gratefully and most sincerely . He should
strive with all his power to emulate the efficiency of the Past Masters , and he trusted that he might perform his duties , as Master , in a manner which should be satisfactory to them and not unwoithy of the Carnarvon Lodge . He could only again give them his very warmest thanks for the very high honour that they had conferred on him , and for the kind manner in which they had been pleased to receive
and respond to the toast of his health . In proposing " The Health of the Initiates , " the Worshi pful Master said that this was always a very pleasing duty , because they were very careful not to accept any candidate for initiation until the responsible brethren were satisfied that the candidate was a fit and proper person to become a member of the lodge . That ni g ht the pleasure Was two-fold , because the Carnarvon family had on that
occasion been increased by twins , and the mother lodge and the twins , he was happy to say , were both doing well , and he hoped they would develope into good , upright , and Worth y Master Masons . The newly-initiated brethren having replied ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
The VVorshipful Master said he had now to claim the attention of the brethren to a toast which he was sure would secure a hearty response from all present . He only regretted that the dut . of proposing it had not fallen to some brother better qualified to do it justice . That toist was
" The Health of the Installing Olhcer , their Immediate Past Master . " They had just gone throu jh the ceremony of installation , and had seen how excellently the Installing O Hcer did his duty . To those of the brethren who retired during the ceremony he need only say that Hro . Goffin did the whole of the work in his usual manner—that was to say ,
in a most masterly manner . During his Mastership the late VV . M . had performed all the duties of his office in a manner that had not been excelled by any Past Master , and in saying that he was giving him no small praise , whi ' e , at the same time , the kindness , the cuurtesy , and the genial nature of Bro . Goffin had gained , tor him the esteem
—he might say the altectionate regard—or every member of the Carnarvon Lodge . The l . P . M . during his term of office not only ruled the lodge with dignity , but he did so in a manner so praiseworthy , that it would dwell in the memory of the Carnarvon Lodge , and serve as a standard uf excellence lor his successors to emulate . He was happy to say that they were not going to part with Bro . Golfin , who he
hoped would be wltn tnem tor many years to come , tie was sure that in the future , as in the past , he would be at all times ready to offer them his kindly assistance and counsel in any difficulty they might encounter . And now , Bro . Goffin , said the VV . M ., it is my duty , and a very pleasing duty , as Master of this lodge , to ask you , in the name of all its members , to accept this jewel , which I now attach to
your breast . I ask you , Bro . Golhn , to accept it as a mark of the appreciation in which you are held by every member of the Carnarvon Lodge , and I also ask you to look npon it as a token of that high and well merited esteem in which you are held by ail the brethren . Brethren , I ask you to be upstanding to drink with me to the health , happiness , and long life ot the Installing Officer , our Immediate Past
Master , Uro . Goran . Bro . Golfin , in reply , said he was quite sure that most brethren there must have heard mure or less of the croaking crow , and he was equally sure that they must be quite tired of hearing that croaking voice that night . ( " No , no . " ) Well , if they were not tired of hearing it , he was getting tired of exercising it . Physiologsts could tell them there was a small member at the back of the mouth called the
glottis and another the epiglottis ; and that little member had been exceedingly troublesome to him that evening , and it being what physiologists called an involuntary muscle , it went its own way ; but he would try to control it . Ihe kindness of the brethren to him in presenting him with a token of their affection and esteem tended somewhat to accelerate the motion of the little member that he had
already spoken of , and to increase the size of what our forefathers were pleased to call the , " pomuin Adami . " Whether our forefather Adam was a Mason he did not know ; but they went very far back , and , at any rate , as tar back as we cared to claim ancestry ; but , whether we went far back or stayed nearer home , we found exactly the same questions proposed . They heard that evening that their Grand Master was true to his obligations , and he ( Bro .
Gollin ) would be true to his , as he trusted lie had ever been . Masonry to him was a symbol and a sign more potent , more powerful , than any other " motor " with which he was acquainted in the United Kingdom . Masonry had more charms for him than any other society on the face of the earth . He happened perchance to be initiated by one of the excellent Masons of the earth ; he was initiated a good
many years ago by a very old friend and Past Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England , who had taken his departure to seek his fortunes in the orange country in Florida . Now that ceremony was fixed upon his mind , and the principles of the Craft were fixed upon his heart . He had said" Masonry has an attraction for me , and I will follow its guiding star so long as 1 live . " Accidents drove him from attending regularly at his mother lodge ; but he had not deserted her—he was still a member ; in fact , in virtue of that
membership he had the privilege of asking that night the Provincial Grand Secretary for Surrey , Bro . Greenwood . Another accident in the friendship of one of the most esteemed brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge ( Bro . Barnes ) brought him in connection with the Carnarvon Lodge . He came as a visitor , and when he sighed to enter the Carnarvon Lodge he was not backward in detecting merit , nor backward to meet their good-heartedness . He found there were
good hearts and true beating among the members of the Carnarvon Lodge , and as soon as he was enabled to take a fair command , he was asked to join , and he did not say " No ; " and although at that time the brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge , for good , very good reasons , had put their joining fee five guineas beyond their initiation fee , he said , " Never mind , I shall be happy to pay the highest fee to join the Carnarvon Lodge ; " and he had had the unique privilege of paying 15 guineas , and no other brother had done that . But he had had more than 15 guineas' worth
of pleasure out of the Carnarvon Lodge , and he knew he should more than triple that amount of pleasure there in future—if . Well , when he joined their members were uncertain , and he was asked whether he would accept office , and he did , and had gone through—not quite through—from the beginning . By accident again certain blanks occurred , and he went over , and now here he was , past the climax
and going into decrepit old age among the lepers ; those who had no hope in the future—past cure . What a melancholy sight ! Well , but so long as there was balm in Gilead ; so long as there was a heart beating among the j unior members ( and had they not heard a heart beat—nay , leap—with ambition , in an initiate . ' ) , was there not an aspiration to oust quickly the Chairman ? Should they th . n say there was no hope for the lepeis , unclean as they were ?
Well , he had stated that night tnat when he was in that chair he was nestling in the lat bo = om of Bro . Pearce , but now he had receded , and only the lean shoulders of Bro . VVhitaker remained . " Never mind , " said he , " next year you will be next him , never to part . " Well , there was
consolation for all , and ought they not to be thankful for that spark of consolation ? He was . And the Master of the lodge , his dear friend as well as brother , when he came to have passed through the whole of his work , and when his palpitation should have ceased ; when he should have
nu need for an anodyne or opiate to soothe him ; when lie went into the happy position of l . P . M ., and another , whom he knew and knew nut , should have the pleasure of pinning upon his breast the emblem of success , and affection , and esteem—esteem so dear , because coming from brethren that they knew so well—then he was sure Bro . Russell
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would have the same pleasure and the same Jpain that he ( Bro . Goffin ) had that night—the pain because who amongst them did not like power ? who amongst them did not like to rule ? They had heard that some of necessity must rule and teach . Well , the ruling and the
teachingthe ruling , at any rate—was past ; the teaching would still be extended ; the sympathy , the cotdial , hearty shake of the hand Irom the brethren , inspiring hope , and vigour , and animation would still come , andso long as these feelings t xisted , as he was sure they would exist , because they were very jealous of the Carnarvon Lodge—no man was admitted
without good credentials ; no man would ever be in the Carnarvon Lodge who did not perform such part of his obligation when he said , " My hand extended to a brother is a sure pledge of Brotherhood ; " so long as that existed , so long would the Carnarvon Lodge exist , and so long would that sentiment which lifted their spirits beyond the mere
eating a dinner—the mere sentiment—it was an established principle in the Carnarvon Lodge . Bro . Goffin said that he leit that he ought on this occasion to do that which perhaps he ought to have done belore ; but he had purposely reserved it . Every man on giving up should give an account of his Stewardship . He had striven to do his duty , as they knew . To say that that duty had not cost him
anytning would be to say that he offered a sacrifice that cost htm nothing , which sacrifice was valueless . They knew his feelings with regard to Freemasonry—it was universal . He looked upon Masonry as universal Charity and beneficence and benevolence , as our principal standpoint . At this time last jear he was prevailed upon , happily , and he might say thankfully , to accept the responsibili y of representing this lodge as the Steward to one of the
Institutions which they recognised . He then had doubts as to how to proceed , and to what length he should go ; but he very sooncame to the conclusion that if he was to represent the Carnarvon Lodge he would represent it absolutely and solely . By the kindness of the brethren alone he took up to the Institution—the Girls' School—ihe sum of £ 90 6 s . ; not one penny of that sum was collected outside the lodge . He had thought to take up a larger sum ; to
invite JnendS , ot whom he had a considerable number outside the Carnarvon Lod ge ; but he came to the conclusion that he would owe everything to the Carnarvon Lodge , and , as he had said , the result was a sum ot £ gi 6 s . Bro . Goffin concluded by saying that , having given an account of his Stewardship so tar as he was able , he would ask them to accept his hearty thanks for their kindness that evening , and he promised that he would serve them as he had ever done , not merely from duty , but from the combined feelings of duty and love to the Carnarvon Lodge , and hearty zeal for Freemasonry .
A number of other toasts , including " The Past Masters , " " The Treasurer and Secretary , " "The Visitors , " " Ihe Masonic Charities , " & c , were duly honoured ; but must be omitted from this report , which has already greatly exceeded its allotted space . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .
ELEANOR LODGE ( No . 1707 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Heet-street , E . C , on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . J . H . Thompson , P . M . 1217 , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . There were also present P . M . ' s Bros . Fountain Meen , Kamsey , and Lovebond , the officers , and many members of the lodge , likewise the following ,, visitors : Bros . John B . Brunnesson , P . D . G . Chap . Punjab ; Jas . Garrod , KM 754 ; A . G . Fidler , W . M . 754 , f . M . 1237 , P . P . G . J . D . Miadx . ; A . C . Hide , 1237 : f . Herold . P . M
1056 ; H . Osman , 1327 ; G . Messenger , 1624 ; J . Prober ' ' 340 ; H . Jesson , J . D . 919 ; and J . Bayne , Org . 18 97 . After the minutes had been confirmed , and the very satisfactory report of the Audit Committee adopted , the W . M . elect , Bro . John Webb , S . W ., was presented for installation , the ceremony being rendered by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Thompson , in a manner that drew forth high eulogiums from all present . The officers appointed were Bros . ¦» . Money , S . W . ; E . M . Money , W . M . 28 , J . W . ; Jno . Ramsey , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Lovebond , P . M ., Sec . ; H . ?» rr J ?' M - Ma "' ° « . J-O . ; R . W . Chapman , I . G ., - VV . S . Cooper , D . C . ; Murray , Org . ; Geo . Richards , Stwd . ; and J . Goddard , Tyler .
At the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren partook of an excellent banquet , provided by the host , Bro . Clemow . On the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drank with enthusiasm . Bro . Thompson , I . P . M ., then assumed the gavel , and proposed , - , " The Health of the W . M ., " who , he was quite sure , would justify their choice , and do all he possibly could
to aavance the interests of the lodge . The toast was most cordially received , and suitably acknowledged by the W . M ., who then gave " The Health of tha I . P . M ., remarking that no better proof could be shown ot the esteem in which Bro . Thompson was held by the brethren of this lod ge than in his being unanimously chosen tor the second time to preside over them . He had
discharged his important duties in a most satisfactory manner , and the brethren desired that he should possess some lasting fu ' off , . tne , , regard , and as he had already received the P . M . s jewel , he ( the W . M . ) had now the pleasure , on behalf of the lodge , to ask Bro . Thompson ' s acceptance of the beautiful clock ( a handsome block marble and gilt one , with a suitable inscription ) which he now saw standing nn
the mantel-piece , and trusted he might be spared many years to render valuable service to the Eleanor Lodge . Bro . Thompson , in reply , said words failed him to adequately express his thanks to the VV . M . and brethren of the looge for their most generous gift , which he should highly prize . He scarcel y knew what he had done to merit such Kindness at their hands ; he was more than repaid in beinir
unanimously elected W . M . for the second time . He was , however , extremely gratelul for this handsome present , and tor all the kindnesses he had received . He thanked them all for drinking his health so cordially , and should be only too delighted to place his services at the disposal of the lodge whenever they might be required .
ine Worshipful Master , in giving the toast of " The Visitors , " bid them a hearty welcome , hoped they would thoroughly enjoy themselves , and go away with good impressions of the Eleanor Lodge . Bros . Brunnessen , Garrod , and Fidler acknowledged the compliment , and wished the Eleanor Lodge every
prosperity , and the W . M . a pleasant year of office . " The Health of the P . M . ' s" followed , Bro . Fountain Meen responding . " The Masonic Charities" was next proposed , and acknowledged by Bros . Thompson , Garrod , and Fidler ,
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
standing . He had congratulated one of the initiates not only on being initiated into Freemasonry , but on being initiated in the Carnarvon Lodge , to hear its ceremonies so magnificently rendered , and he felt that it must have an effect for life to be initiated where the ceremonies were
rendered thus instead of being butchered , as they were toooften . He < vas sure that the initiates woul . l feel that Masonry stood on a solid foundation , for whether they looked to the persona ! piety , to the domestic affections , to the ardent loyalty , to the grand patriotism , or to that crown which endureth for ever as the reward of faithful service after
days or trial , he was sure that those brethren who had been initiated that night , as well as older brethren , must feel that Freemasonry rested on a basis as sound as the universe itself , and that in whatever community it was found , its principles would hold good to the end of time . Every year that passed he was more thankful that he
belonged to the Order , not only on account of those principles he had refe ' red to , but on account of the dear , hearty , and good friends he had been able to make in the Order . God grant that it might long fl mrish . The Immediate Past Master then rose and said that he had somewhat hoped that power had departed from him , and that the lock of hair had been clipped . However , he saw in the toast list " The Health of the VV . M ., " and it
appeared that he was the person to propose that toast . With how much pleasure he did so he himself knew , the brethren did not ; but at the same time he was quite sure that they would have as much pleasure in drinking the toast as he would . They would remember that Bro . Russeil , the present VV . M ., was initiated in that lodge long since he ( Bro . Goffin ) had become a member of it . There was a great deal of pleasure sometimes in watching the green
leaf come out from its hiding place , and from between a couple of pale leaves a small bud , and in the small hud a speck of colour , and that colour gradually developing into the full bloom , giving out its full and powerful scent . The W . M . had represented such a phenomenon . He remembered perfectly well seeing Bro . Russell , tremulous and nervous with , the hoodwink on him ; he remembered well seeing the big drops of perspiration on his forehead and
hearing the sigh of relief after it was removed . He very soon began to show himself and to make his power and perseverance felt and experienced by the lodge . The brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge were not slow to discern merit , and they soon pitched upon him to do some work . That work had been most congenial to him , and he had passed through almost every office in the lodge . How well
he had performed every one of them was well known to the brethren . He helieved he was right in saying that from the time Bro Russell was initiated he had never missed an attendance at the lodge . A brother who stuck by his work and his lodge in such a fashion deserved every credit ; he deserved their full confidence , which be enjoyed at the present moment . How admirably he had done his work in the Wardens' chairs had been before them . How earnest and anxious he was for the present and the future he ( the
speaker ) could vouch . He was quite sure that Bro . Russell might rely upon their sympathies and upon their hearty cooperation in his work for the future . Bro . Russell told him just now privately , and they would take it as such , that he felt a certain sensation go through him and go down his legs ; whereupon he told Bro . Russell to let it go out at his toes and be rid of it . He was quite sure all their sympathies , all their hearts , would be with Bro . Russell in
the coming year . He had work before him , and he would perform it with satisfaction to the brethren and credit to himself . The brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge were too well acquainted with the feelings of human nature , and with the respect and sympathy due from the server to the served ever to warrant anyone in misjudging them , or in doubting whether they might rest upon them for support in time of trouble . Wherever support might be necessary it
would be afforded to their W . M . He would , therefore , ask them to be upstanding and drink very heartily to the health of the W . M . Bro . Russell , W . M ., in reply , said he could assure the brethren that it was with feelings of very considerable embarrassment and trepidation that he replied to the toast of his health , which had been proposed in such an exceedingly kind manner by the I . P . M ., and which the brethren had been pleased to respond to so well . He had not words at
command to convey to them the thanks which he would wish to give on an occasion like that , and he felt quite sure that it was not from personal merit of his , either as an officer of the lodge or as new W . M ., thathe owed the very kind words which had been used by the l . P . M . in proposing his health . Indeed , he thought he should be quite right in attributing that to his own generous and kindly nature . However , he was witling to accept what had been
said in this sense , that the remarks of the l . P . M . rather indicated to him what the W . M . of the Carnarvon Lodge should be , than by assuming to himself the possession of those excellent qualities which , in the goodness of his heart , Bro . Goffin had flatteringly attributed to him . He knew that he should have the kind assistance of the Past Masters at his service , and he was sure that he should have at the same time the kind indulgence of the brethren for any
shortcomings he might be guilty of . At that moment it appeared to him a very short time since he was initiated ; at that time he had no thought that they should elect him W . M . ; but he would confess that from the moment when he was initiated he was full of ambition to occupy that dignified position , the possession of which he felt very proud of ; and for that distinguished mark of their favour he thanked them most gratefully and most sincerely . He should
strive with all his power to emulate the efficiency of the Past Masters , and he trusted that he might perform his duties , as Master , in a manner which should be satisfactory to them and not unwoithy of the Carnarvon Lodge . He could only again give them his very warmest thanks for the very high honour that they had conferred on him , and for the kind manner in which they had been pleased to receive
and respond to the toast of his health . In proposing " The Health of the Initiates , " the Worshi pful Master said that this was always a very pleasing duty , because they were very careful not to accept any candidate for initiation until the responsible brethren were satisfied that the candidate was a fit and proper person to become a member of the lodge . That ni g ht the pleasure Was two-fold , because the Carnarvon family had on that
occasion been increased by twins , and the mother lodge and the twins , he was happy to say , were both doing well , and he hoped they would develope into good , upright , and Worth y Master Masons . The newly-initiated brethren having replied ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
The VVorshipful Master said he had now to claim the attention of the brethren to a toast which he was sure would secure a hearty response from all present . He only regretted that the dut . of proposing it had not fallen to some brother better qualified to do it justice . That toist was
" The Health of the Installing Olhcer , their Immediate Past Master . " They had just gone throu jh the ceremony of installation , and had seen how excellently the Installing O Hcer did his duty . To those of the brethren who retired during the ceremony he need only say that Hro . Goffin did the whole of the work in his usual manner—that was to say ,
in a most masterly manner . During his Mastership the late VV . M . had performed all the duties of his office in a manner that had not been excelled by any Past Master , and in saying that he was giving him no small praise , whi ' e , at the same time , the kindness , the cuurtesy , and the genial nature of Bro . Goffin had gained , tor him the esteem
—he might say the altectionate regard—or every member of the Carnarvon Lodge . The l . P . M . during his term of office not only ruled the lodge with dignity , but he did so in a manner so praiseworthy , that it would dwell in the memory of the Carnarvon Lodge , and serve as a standard uf excellence lor his successors to emulate . He was happy to say that they were not going to part with Bro . Golfin , who he
hoped would be wltn tnem tor many years to come , tie was sure that in the future , as in the past , he would be at all times ready to offer them his kindly assistance and counsel in any difficulty they might encounter . And now , Bro . Goffin , said the VV . M ., it is my duty , and a very pleasing duty , as Master of this lodge , to ask you , in the name of all its members , to accept this jewel , which I now attach to
your breast . I ask you , Bro . Golhn , to accept it as a mark of the appreciation in which you are held by every member of the Carnarvon Lodge , and I also ask you to look npon it as a token of that high and well merited esteem in which you are held by ail the brethren . Brethren , I ask you to be upstanding to drink with me to the health , happiness , and long life ot the Installing Officer , our Immediate Past
Master , Uro . Goran . Bro . Golfin , in reply , said he was quite sure that most brethren there must have heard mure or less of the croaking crow , and he was equally sure that they must be quite tired of hearing that croaking voice that night . ( " No , no . " ) Well , if they were not tired of hearing it , he was getting tired of exercising it . Physiologsts could tell them there was a small member at the back of the mouth called the
glottis and another the epiglottis ; and that little member had been exceedingly troublesome to him that evening , and it being what physiologists called an involuntary muscle , it went its own way ; but he would try to control it . Ihe kindness of the brethren to him in presenting him with a token of their affection and esteem tended somewhat to accelerate the motion of the little member that he had
already spoken of , and to increase the size of what our forefathers were pleased to call the , " pomuin Adami . " Whether our forefather Adam was a Mason he did not know ; but they went very far back , and , at any rate , as tar back as we cared to claim ancestry ; but , whether we went far back or stayed nearer home , we found exactly the same questions proposed . They heard that evening that their Grand Master was true to his obligations , and he ( Bro .
Gollin ) would be true to his , as he trusted lie had ever been . Masonry to him was a symbol and a sign more potent , more powerful , than any other " motor " with which he was acquainted in the United Kingdom . Masonry had more charms for him than any other society on the face of the earth . He happened perchance to be initiated by one of the excellent Masons of the earth ; he was initiated a good
many years ago by a very old friend and Past Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of England , who had taken his departure to seek his fortunes in the orange country in Florida . Now that ceremony was fixed upon his mind , and the principles of the Craft were fixed upon his heart . He had said" Masonry has an attraction for me , and I will follow its guiding star so long as 1 live . " Accidents drove him from attending regularly at his mother lodge ; but he had not deserted her—he was still a member ; in fact , in virtue of that
membership he had the privilege of asking that night the Provincial Grand Secretary for Surrey , Bro . Greenwood . Another accident in the friendship of one of the most esteemed brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge ( Bro . Barnes ) brought him in connection with the Carnarvon Lodge . He came as a visitor , and when he sighed to enter the Carnarvon Lodge he was not backward in detecting merit , nor backward to meet their good-heartedness . He found there were
good hearts and true beating among the members of the Carnarvon Lodge , and as soon as he was enabled to take a fair command , he was asked to join , and he did not say " No ; " and although at that time the brethren of the Carnarvon Lodge , for good , very good reasons , had put their joining fee five guineas beyond their initiation fee , he said , " Never mind , I shall be happy to pay the highest fee to join the Carnarvon Lodge ; " and he had had the unique privilege of paying 15 guineas , and no other brother had done that . But he had had more than 15 guineas' worth
of pleasure out of the Carnarvon Lodge , and he knew he should more than triple that amount of pleasure there in future—if . Well , when he joined their members were uncertain , and he was asked whether he would accept office , and he did , and had gone through—not quite through—from the beginning . By accident again certain blanks occurred , and he went over , and now here he was , past the climax
and going into decrepit old age among the lepers ; those who had no hope in the future—past cure . What a melancholy sight ! Well , but so long as there was balm in Gilead ; so long as there was a heart beating among the j unior members ( and had they not heard a heart beat—nay , leap—with ambition , in an initiate . ' ) , was there not an aspiration to oust quickly the Chairman ? Should they th . n say there was no hope for the lepeis , unclean as they were ?
Well , he had stated that night tnat when he was in that chair he was nestling in the lat bo = om of Bro . Pearce , but now he had receded , and only the lean shoulders of Bro . VVhitaker remained . " Never mind , " said he , " next year you will be next him , never to part . " Well , there was
consolation for all , and ought they not to be thankful for that spark of consolation ? He was . And the Master of the lodge , his dear friend as well as brother , when he came to have passed through the whole of his work , and when his palpitation should have ceased ; when he should have
nu need for an anodyne or opiate to soothe him ; when lie went into the happy position of l . P . M ., and another , whom he knew and knew nut , should have the pleasure of pinning upon his breast the emblem of success , and affection , and esteem—esteem so dear , because coming from brethren that they knew so well—then he was sure Bro . Russell
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
would have the same pleasure and the same Jpain that he ( Bro . Goffin ) had that night—the pain because who amongst them did not like power ? who amongst them did not like to rule ? They had heard that some of necessity must rule and teach . Well , the ruling and the
teachingthe ruling , at any rate—was past ; the teaching would still be extended ; the sympathy , the cotdial , hearty shake of the hand Irom the brethren , inspiring hope , and vigour , and animation would still come , andso long as these feelings t xisted , as he was sure they would exist , because they were very jealous of the Carnarvon Lodge—no man was admitted
without good credentials ; no man would ever be in the Carnarvon Lodge who did not perform such part of his obligation when he said , " My hand extended to a brother is a sure pledge of Brotherhood ; " so long as that existed , so long would the Carnarvon Lodge exist , and so long would that sentiment which lifted their spirits beyond the mere
eating a dinner—the mere sentiment—it was an established principle in the Carnarvon Lodge . Bro . Goffin said that he leit that he ought on this occasion to do that which perhaps he ought to have done belore ; but he had purposely reserved it . Every man on giving up should give an account of his Stewardship . He had striven to do his duty , as they knew . To say that that duty had not cost him
anytning would be to say that he offered a sacrifice that cost htm nothing , which sacrifice was valueless . They knew his feelings with regard to Freemasonry—it was universal . He looked upon Masonry as universal Charity and beneficence and benevolence , as our principal standpoint . At this time last jear he was prevailed upon , happily , and he might say thankfully , to accept the responsibili y of representing this lodge as the Steward to one of the
Institutions which they recognised . He then had doubts as to how to proceed , and to what length he should go ; but he very sooncame to the conclusion that if he was to represent the Carnarvon Lodge he would represent it absolutely and solely . By the kindness of the brethren alone he took up to the Institution—the Girls' School—ihe sum of £ 90 6 s . ; not one penny of that sum was collected outside the lodge . He had thought to take up a larger sum ; to
invite JnendS , ot whom he had a considerable number outside the Carnarvon Lod ge ; but he came to the conclusion that he would owe everything to the Carnarvon Lodge , and , as he had said , the result was a sum ot £ gi 6 s . Bro . Goffin concluded by saying that , having given an account of his Stewardship so tar as he was able , he would ask them to accept his hearty thanks for their kindness that evening , and he promised that he would serve them as he had ever done , not merely from duty , but from the combined feelings of duty and love to the Carnarvon Lodge , and hearty zeal for Freemasonry .
A number of other toasts , including " The Past Masters , " " The Treasurer and Secretary , " "The Visitors , " " Ihe Masonic Charities , " & c , were duly honoured ; but must be omitted from this report , which has already greatly exceeded its allotted space . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .
ELEANOR LODGE ( No . 1707 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Heet-street , E . C , on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . J . H . Thompson , P . M . 1217 , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . There were also present P . M . ' s Bros . Fountain Meen , Kamsey , and Lovebond , the officers , and many members of the lodge , likewise the following ,, visitors : Bros . John B . Brunnesson , P . D . G . Chap . Punjab ; Jas . Garrod , KM 754 ; A . G . Fidler , W . M . 754 , f . M . 1237 , P . P . G . J . D . Miadx . ; A . C . Hide , 1237 : f . Herold . P . M
1056 ; H . Osman , 1327 ; G . Messenger , 1624 ; J . Prober ' ' 340 ; H . Jesson , J . D . 919 ; and J . Bayne , Org . 18 97 . After the minutes had been confirmed , and the very satisfactory report of the Audit Committee adopted , the W . M . elect , Bro . John Webb , S . W ., was presented for installation , the ceremony being rendered by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Thompson , in a manner that drew forth high eulogiums from all present . The officers appointed were Bros . ¦» . Money , S . W . ; E . M . Money , W . M . 28 , J . W . ; Jno . Ramsey , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Lovebond , P . M ., Sec . ; H . ?» rr J ?' M - Ma "' ° « . J-O . ; R . W . Chapman , I . G ., - VV . S . Cooper , D . C . ; Murray , Org . ; Geo . Richards , Stwd . ; and J . Goddard , Tyler .
At the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren partook of an excellent banquet , provided by the host , Bro . Clemow . On the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were drank with enthusiasm . Bro . Thompson , I . P . M ., then assumed the gavel , and proposed , - , " The Health of the W . M ., " who , he was quite sure , would justify their choice , and do all he possibly could
to aavance the interests of the lodge . The toast was most cordially received , and suitably acknowledged by the W . M ., who then gave " The Health of tha I . P . M ., remarking that no better proof could be shown ot the esteem in which Bro . Thompson was held by the brethren of this lod ge than in his being unanimously chosen tor the second time to preside over them . He had
discharged his important duties in a most satisfactory manner , and the brethren desired that he should possess some lasting fu ' off , . tne , , regard , and as he had already received the P . M . s jewel , he ( the W . M . ) had now the pleasure , on behalf of the lodge , to ask Bro . Thompson ' s acceptance of the beautiful clock ( a handsome block marble and gilt one , with a suitable inscription ) which he now saw standing nn
the mantel-piece , and trusted he might be spared many years to render valuable service to the Eleanor Lodge . Bro . Thompson , in reply , said words failed him to adequately express his thanks to the VV . M . and brethren of the looge for their most generous gift , which he should highly prize . He scarcel y knew what he had done to merit such Kindness at their hands ; he was more than repaid in beinir
unanimously elected W . M . for the second time . He was , however , extremely gratelul for this handsome present , and tor all the kindnesses he had received . He thanked them all for drinking his health so cordially , and should be only too delighted to place his services at the disposal of the lodge whenever they might be required .
ine Worshipful Master , in giving the toast of " The Visitors , " bid them a hearty welcome , hoped they would thoroughly enjoy themselves , and go away with good impressions of the Eleanor Lodge . Bros . Brunnessen , Garrod , and Fidler acknowledged the compliment , and wished the Eleanor Lodge every
prosperity , and the W . M . a pleasant year of office . " The Health of the P . M . ' s" followed , Bro . Fountain Meen responding . " The Masonic Charities" was next proposed , and acknowledged by Bros . Thompson , Garrod , and Fidler ,