Craft Masonry.

P . G . Stwd ., W . M . ; H . S . Davison , P . G . Supt . of Works , I . P . M . ; William James , S . W . ; Arthur R . Hill , J . W . ; C H . Banham , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Chap . ; B . W . Beales , jun ., P . P . A . G . D . C , Treas . ; O . Papworth , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec , Sec ; C . F . Charlton , P . P . G . Stwd ., S . D . ; John Bester , P . P . G . Purst ., J . D . -, F . Piggott , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., D . C ; A . H . Lanpridge , I . G . j W . Purchas , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Org . ; C Percy Jones , Std . Br . ; W . Sindall , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Works , Stwd . ; and G . A . Allen , Tyler .

At the banquet which followed , the customary Masonic toasts were given from the chair . Bro . Sir . John E . Gorst , M . P ., Minister of Education , responded for " The Grand Officers of England . He expressed his thankfulness for being afforded an opportunity of visiting his mother lodge . In coming back to them he seemed to resemble the _ part of Rip Van Winkle , for he believed there was not a member of the lodge now existing who was present at his initiation in No . SS in the year 1 S 55 . Still , he was glad to find that , although the older members had joined the majority , the lodge lived and

flourished—( applause)—that the work was done the same as it was done in former times j and that the brethren seemed as eager and devoted to Masonry as ever . It was , indeed , a great pleasure to him to be present to see how the old Masonic principles flourished among them ; and he hoped that long after even all the present members had gone , this old lodge might be as vigorous and successful as ever . ( Applause . ) The W . M . next gave "The Health of the Prov . G . Master , " whose merits in Masonry were well known throughout the country , indeed , throughout the Masonic world .

The Prov . G . Master , Bro . Col . R . T . Caldwell , congratulated the lodge on having begun their year well ; more eepecially as this was the last year of a closing century . He suggested that this ) was a favourable opportunity for enabling ' other parts of the province to participate in the enjoyment of Masonic privileges , and he pointed to the towns of March and Chatteris as convenient snots to settle down upon . He was happy to say that the province was in a very flourishing condition , all the lodges in the recent return of ; he Prov . G . Registrar showing an increase . This was the more gratifying

from the fact that some feared the opposite from the establishment of the Si . Audrey Lodge , No . 2727 , at Ely , but that lodge was going strong . He hoped the province would have a successful year , and that the other lodges would take an example from No . SS in pulling together and working harmoniously , as they did now and as they did in the times gone by . ( Applause . ) Bro . McKay gave the toast of "The Dep . Prov . G . Master , Bro . the Rev . J . H . Gray , and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , " for whom Bro . F . W . Potts responded .

Bro . A . E . Chaplin , P . M ., submitted the toast of " The W . M . " in felicitous terms , and was sure that he would be equal to the occasion . Unfortunately for him , the bylaws restricted the membership to the number of the lodge ( S 3 ) , and their present numbers were 87 , so that the prospect of work was small , unless altered by circumstances . It was an awkward predicament , and it might possibly have to be met by the creation of another lodge , because it must be remembered that they were keeping out those who desired to see the Light . He commended this thought seriously to the

brethren . The W . M ., after thanking Bro . Chaplin for his complimentary remarks , admitted that he started on his career with a great deal of nervousness , but assured the brethren that it was his earnest purpose to faithfully discharge the duties of the chair , and at the end of his year of ofiice he hoped they would be satisfied with his endeavours . The Worshipful Master then proposed the toast of "The Installing Master , Bro , Davison , and the Past Masters . "

Bro . Frank Piggott responded , and exhorted the members to work . That must be their motto if they would succeed in Masonry , and it would undoubtedly be amply repaid . Referring to the charges delivered by Bro . J . H . Moyes , he could safely say as an old pupil of their late worthy D . P . G . M ., that the son had rivalled his father . Bro . J . H . Moyes , P . M ., proposed in feeling terms the toast of "The Masonic Charities , '' and made a spirited appeal on their behalf . Bto . Oliver Papworth , P . G . Sec , a member of the Governing Board of the Masonic Boys' School , made an equally successful response , emphasising the great value of all the Masonic Charities .

The Worshipful Master then toasted " The Visiting Brethren , " who were present from all the lodges in Cambridgeshire , as well as from London and other parts . Responses were made by Bros . F . W . Miller , W . M . 441 ; Adie , 1492 ; W . Liddall , P . M . 157 ; and McNaught Davies , P . P . G . Purst . Derbyshire . Many of the other visitors by this time had to leave to catch trains home . " The Officers of the Lodge " were not forgotten , and altogether the proceedings passed off with true Masonic harmony , the vocal contributions of various brethren adding much to the pleasures of the evening .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . An emergency meeting of the above lodge was held at Cannon-street Hotel , or Thursday , the 4 th inst . Present : Bros . John G . Robeson , W . M . ; T . Stokes , S . W . ; G . Hughes , P . M ., acting as J . W . ; T . Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; Jas . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; A . I . Rippin , J . D ., acting as S . D . ; J . Collins , acting as J . D . ; R . F . Roche , I . G . ; William Baker , LP . M . and D . C ; also Bros . Sasson , P . M . ; Leach , Davies , Williams , Ransford , Farr , Lloyd , Lockett , N . MacLarty , A . A . Jones , T . E . Fergusson , Prevost , Wetton , Ward , Grimsdale , Smith , Blaxtan , R . W . Jones , and Chatterton , Organist .

The lodge was opened in due form , after which Bros . Pcevost and T . E . Fergusson were raised , and Bros . Smith , A . A . Jones , Grimsdale , and N . MacLarty were passed .

Harmonic Lodge , No . 252 . On Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , the Festival of St . John the Evangelist was celebrated by the above lodge ( the mother lodge of Worcestershire ) at the Saracen ' s Head Hotel , Dudley . There was a very large gathering of brethren from both the Provinces of Worcestershire and Staffordshire , including Bro . Abraham Green , P . G . P . Eng . A dispensation having been granted , Bro . George Harry Parke , proprietor of the hotel , was installed W . M . by Bro . Geo . Foster , LP . M ., and the newly-installed W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . George Foster , LP . M . ; D . J . Shedden ,

S . W . ; A . R . Taylor , J . W . ; the Rev . W . J . Down , P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; W . E , Walker , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; lames Jones , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; James Arthur Fullwood , S . D . ; T . Williams , J . D . ; John Hollins , I . G . ; Robert Stevenson , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., D . of C ; J . E . Jones , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., A . D . of C ; Hillman , Org . ; S . G . Hooper and W . Mitchell , Stwds . ; and Samuel Spittle , Tyler . The Treasurer ' s accounts showed that during the year three guineas had been voted to the Wolverhampton Orphanage , io guineas to the Reservists' Fund , and 20 guineas to the Benevolent Institution . The banquet and postprandial proceedings were unusually enjoyable .

Bro . Frank Northall , the popular entertainer , gave several of his clever items in his usual happy style , whilst Bro . Ormesby Cooke , of London , performed some very clever conjuring tricks and gave zither solos , and Bro . VV . F . Cheesewright , of London , Bng"I lub a lublygal"and "The Absent-Minded Beggar , " in rare form . Local

Craft Masonry.

brethren also contributed to the programme . The " Absent-Minded Beggar " realised over ^ , 3 . Bro . D . J . Shedden gave "The Masonic Charities , " and pointed out that last year no less than £ 82 , 000 was subscribed to the Chanties , the largest amount going to the Benevolent Institution . He was delighted to know that Bro . Forster was going up as a Steward , with 20 guineas from the lodge , and he hoped that sum would be augmented by the brethren . Though there were many demands on the pocket just now they must see that the Masonic Charities did not suffer .

Bro . E . J . Chambers responded , and urged upon the brethren to mike some self sacrifice now that so many calls were being made upon them .

Lodge La Tolerance , No . 538 . It is happily but seldom that anything occurs to cloud the joyous procesdings of an installation meeting , yet , unfortunately , such an event happened on the 4 th instant , the day set apart for the installation of Bro . John Gumming , S . W ., W . M . elect of Lodge La Tolerance at Freemasons' Hall . The lodge met at four o ' clock to confirm the minutes of the meeting of December last , and to raise Bro . Albert Edward Shiner to the Third Degree . But the brethren were landed in a great difficulty , which delayed progress in the lodge work for an hour-and-a-half by the fact which was communicated

to them that on the morning of that day Bro . Gumming had been seized with a stroke of paralysis , and would not be able to attend . The news came as a great blow to the brethren , who , although knowing that Bro . Gumming was a very nervous man , were not prepared for such a development of his natural constitution . They remained , therefore , in consultation for a long period before opening the lodge In order to devise some plan for relieving the lodge of its difficulty without hurting the susceptibilities of their afflicted brother , for whose calamity the heartiest grief was expressed . At

length , however , the lodge was opened , and the brethren who were in attendance were Bros . Thomas Alfred Tidy , W . M . ; G . A . Sturgess , J . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; Thomas W . Smale , P . M ., Sec . ; H . T . Hipwell , S . D . ; S . C Cross , J . D . ; F . J . Pittman , P . M ., I . G . ; W . H . George , Charity Stwd . ; A . E . Shinner , H . J . Davis , W . Rivett , J . Leather , E . J . Whittle , J . Allsop , F . A . Zeppenfeld , W . M . Everett , Ferdinand Kohn , J . Bannister Howard , and John W . Harrington . The

visitore were Bros . W . Jarvis , 1471 ; H . Williams , 2427 ; Sidney F . Herbagh , 2005 ; Thomas R . Key , 926 ; Charles J . Brown , P . M . 733 ; W . J . Greig , P . M . 65 : H . A . Sheppard , P . M . 1477 ; J . S . Goldstein , S . W . 2265 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S ; M . Beedle , J . W . 619 ; W . H . Hancock , 1772 ; T . C . Darling , 1 745 ; B . Nicuhous , 144 6 ; John Paul , P . M . 1287 ; Howard E . Mullins , S . D . 211 ; J . H . Barnes , J . W . 2127 ; R . S . Genese , P . M . 2265 ; F . W . Garnham , W . M . 946 ; J . Oliver Morgan , 1509 ; and James Henning , P . M . 2398 .

Bro . Smale , P . M ., Sec . read the minutes , but the confirmation was deferred until some expert advice was obtained , and the W . M . conferred the Third Degree on Bro . Shiner . While this ceremony was being performed Bro . Dr . Hotten George , at the request of the W . M ., paid a visit to Bro . Gumming in order to see him and report on his condition . The raising having been completed , Bro . Dr . George on his return reported unfavourably , and the brethren acting on the advice of Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . L , confirmed the minutes with the exception of that portion relating to the election of Worshipful Master , and called on Bro . Thomas Alfred Tidy

to act as W . M . for another year . Bro . James Kench afterwards proceeded with the installation , and Bro . T . H . Clear was again appointed I . P . M ., and the fo ' . lowing brethren received the other collars of office : Bros . G . A . Sturgess , S . W . ; H . T . Hipwell , J . W . j James Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; T . W . Smale , P . M ., Sec ; J . J . Pittman , P . M ., D . C . j G . T . Augspurg , P . M ., Stwd ., Org . ; S . C Cross , S . D . ; F . J . Pittman . J . D . ; Dr . Hotten George , I . G . ; Bannister Howard , W . M . Everett , and J . Leather , Stwds . ; and Thomas Bowler , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . Smale was directed to convey the sympathy of the brethren to Bro . John Gumming and his family .

After the closing of the lodge the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet . The toasts followed , and Miss Lily Heale , Miss Katie Thomas , Mr . Arthur Grover , and Bros . Walter George and Wallis Arthur entertained the company with singing . Bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., Treas ., responded to the toast of "The Grand Officers . "

Bro . T . H . Clear , I . P . M ., proposed "TheW . M ., " expressing his regret that Bro . Gumming , whom the brethren of the lodge elected a month ago , was compelled by ill-health not to be present . Bro . Tidy ' s popularity in the lodge was well ( known j he had acted for one year to the entire satisfaction of the brethren , and the work he had done would be an earnest that the lodge would be again carried on with credit . Bro . Tidy was not altogether pleased with having to occupy the chair for another 12 months , but he had accepted the situation with willingness and alacrity , had got the lodire out

of a difficulty , and had done so in a masterly way , which the brethren would recognise . He _ had had very successful meetings during the past year . The November meeting , which was usually very select , was numerously attended , and the festival of the lodge of instruction , at which he presided , was a record . The brethren had voted him a handsome Past Master's jewel , and this he ( Bro . Clear ) would now present to him . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . W . A . Tidy , W . M ., in reply , said he had ' not prepared himself with a speech in j huia wiuiiic iaicu muiacii wiui tu in

. vp ., w , uau pic | auuiciiung biy proposing ( ne toast of "The W . M . " If he had known they were going to be so exceedingly kind to him in the unfortunate circumstances in which the lodge had been placed he should have tried to prepare something . When he parted with his affectionate wife that afternoon it was on the distinct understanding that it was the last occasion he was going to take the chair , and she said to him when he kissed her that when he had regained his old self-control she had no doubt they would resign themselves to that loveable life they had before . The difficulty he now had was that when he went home and told her he

had to be W . M . for another year—well , he was extremely pleased he had had his hair cut . ( Laughter . ) He had to thank the brethren for the very kind manner he had always been received . He felt sure he could rely on his officers , and that they would give him the same assistance they had given in the past . He thanked the brethren very much for the splendid jewel they had presented to him ; it would be a memento of the happy year he had had . As he had in the past year he should do his very best to uphold the honour , the usefulness , and the integrity of the lodge . Bro . T . H . Clear , I . P . M ., responding to the toast of "The I . P . M . and the Past

Masters , " said it would give him great pleasure to do all he could for the W . M . this year as he had done in the past . He was in much the same position as the VV . M . ; he had promised his wife he should be home early , as his work was now over . Bro . J . J . Pittman , P . M ., thought the lodge could not express itself in terms of thanks and gratitude too strong to the W . M . for getting it out of its difficulty . The P . Ms . were always ready to second the W . M ., and render him any service to promote the interest of the lodge . La Tolerance was always noted for this . Bro . Augspurg , P . M ., also replied . Bro . John Paul , P . M ., and several other brethren responded to the toast of "The

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