Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

degree in due form , the work being well done by the W . M . and his officers . Bro . Green was appointed Steward , and then , pursuant to notice of motion , it was unanimously resolved that the lodge be removed to the Grotto Hotel , Twickenham . A sum of two guineas was voted item . eon . to the " Little Testimonial" Fund , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned

to slight refreshment , the recent decease of the landlord on the 29 th ultimo rendering any attempt at a banquet out of the question . We believe the lodge will prosper exceedingly at Twickenham , and being already composed of about thirty-five member ; , it will not in any shape interfere with the progress of the very successful " Strawberry Hill" Lodge , now located at the Grotto Hotel .

ALDERSIIOT . —Aldershot Camp Lodge , No . 1331 . — The regular monthly meeting of * this prosperous lodge was held at the Royal Hotel , on Thursday , the 4 th inst . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . C . Carnegie , P . M ., P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works , Essex , who was supported by Bros . Fcnn , S . W . ; Capt Richardson , R . F ., as J . W . ; McKenzie , as S . D . ; Peers , as J . D . ; Laverty ,

I . G . ; White , Sec . ; Osmond , P . M ., and a numerous muster of brethren , among whom were Bros . Warner , Panmure Lodge , and Atkinson , 12 th Lancers' Lodge ( LC ) , who alternately performed the music appropriate to the several degrees conferred . After the minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bros . Boyton and Wasp as joining members , and for

Sergeant Swann , 107 th Regt ., a candidate for initiation , all of whom were unanimously approved of . Sergeant Swann was then duly initiated by the W . M ., the working tools being presented by Bro . Capt . Richardson , J . W . Bros . Gardyne and Griffiths , candidates for the Fellow Craft degree , were then questioned respecting their proficiency in the former degree , which proving satisfactory ,

they were entrusted with a test of merit and retired . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and the W . M . conferred the F . C . degree on Bros . Gardyne and Griffiths , the working tools being presented by Bro . Fcnn , S . W . Bros . Reynolds and Dillon , candidates for the sublime degree , having been questioned as to their proficiency with satisfactory result , and being entrusted ,

retired . The lodge was then opened in the third degree , and those brethren were raised to that degree by the W . M ., Bro . Fcnn , S . W .. presenting the working tools . The questions appertaining to the third degree were then put to the brethren for the information of the newly-raised . The lodge was then closed to the second and third degrees . The questions appertaining to the first degree were

answered by the brethren for the benefit of Bro . Swann . Bro . Bennett , R . E ., was elected Tyler , having kindly consented to fill that post till the next election of officers . The Lodge of Instruction was directed to be held on the second last Thursday in each month . Some other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn prayer .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

Mount Lebanon Chapter , No . 73 . —The seventh anniversary convocation and installation meeting of this prosperous chapter was held at the Bridge House Hotel , Wellington-street , Southwark , on Thursday , April 27 th . The chapter was opened by Comps . James William Avery ,

M . E . Z . ; T . J . Sabine , H . ; and II . Muggeridge , J . Comps . F . Walters , P . Z . ; W . Roebuck . II . 1194 ; and others , being present . The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee was read and ordered to be entered on

the chapter minutes , as it was adopted . The ballot for Bro . Wollett ( 73 ) was declared to be unanimous in favour of his admission ; but , through unavoidable circumstances , he was unable to be present , Comp . Henry Muggeridge , P . G . S . B ., P . Z ., took the chair of M . E . Z , aiid in his beautiful style installed Comp . T . J . Sabine as the M . E . Z . for the ensuing year . Comp . T . J . Sabine , M . E . Z ., then

installed Comp . M . A . Loewenstark , S . E ., as the J ., working the ceremony in an able manner . Comps . J . Trickett , C . E ., H .-elect , and A . D . Loewenstark , Treas , were unfortunately absent through ill-health . The following companions were then invested as the officers of the chanter for the ensuing year : W . Roebuck , C . E ., S . E . ; J . * T . Moss * S . N . ; E . Harris , P . S . ; T . Suffield ,

1 st A . S . ; J . H . Button , 2 nd A . S . ; S . Funckenstcin , D . C . ; T . D . Barnard , W . S . ; and W . V . Laing , Janitor , re-invested . Comp . J . W . Avery , P . Z ., then had the usual five-guinea Past Z . ' s jewel presented to him , which had at the previous meeting been voted unanimously to him from the chapter funds . Comp . Matthew Jennings was unanimously elected as the Steward to represent this

chapter at the Festival of the Girls' School , The M . E . Z ., Comp . Sabine , announced that itwashis intention to become a Steward again to represent this Chapter at the Girls ' School Festival in 1 S 72 . He had already complete 1 his stewardship for the Boys' School as the chapter Steward , and had taken up a large amount on his list on March Sth , 1871 . Several candidates for exaltation having been

proposed for the next meeting , and some names of joining members , the chapter was closed until Thursday , Oct . 26 th . A very good banquet was then served under the superintendence of Mr . J . Spencer , who , as usual , was indefatigable in his endeavours to please all . ' Dessert followed . The usual toasts were then given and responded to , and some excellent singing and good recitations were

given during the evening—a well-spent and happy meeting being brought to a close when the Janitor ' s toast was given . There were present besides those named : Comps . J . R . Tustili , G . J . Loe , M . Jennings , A . P . Stedman , J . M'Kicrnan , & c . The visitors were : Comps . W . R . Wood , P . Z . 2 ; W . H . Germain , II ; J . Terry , P . Z . 174 ; E . P . Albert , P . Z . 18 S ; and some others whose names We were unable to ascertain ,

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

METROPOLITAN . Bon Accord Mark Lodge . —A convocation of the above lodge was held at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Qneenstrcet , on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst . Present : Bros . Magnus Ohren , W . M . ; Spencer , I . P . M . ; Empson , Treas . ; F . Binckes . G . M . S ., Sec ; Rev . Thomas Robinson , Chaplain ; Baxter Davis , P . M . ; Cockle , f . W . ; Newton

Ji . Jennings , I . G . ; and other brethren . Bro . the Rev . V . H . Moyle having been duly elected , was advanced by Bro . Binckes , P . M ., the W . M . performing the duties of S . W . and M . O ., both those officers being absent . Bro . Richardson , die S . W ., was duly elected W . M . for the ensuing session , and Bro . Empson was re-elected Treasurer . The value of the charity-box was shown in the

case of a P . M . of the lodge who came to distress , some time back and who had been recommended to the lodge for assistance . This box , which the Grand M . M . recommended to be used in this lodge , produced the fust night 14 s . 6 d . ; the second night , 14 s . gd . ; and on this , the third night , the W . M . made an appeal to the members

on behalf of the distressed brother , it having been agreed in lodge that the first three nights' subscriptions to the charity-box be given to that distressed brother ; the result was an amount of ^ 3 14 s . rod ., which , together with the former amounts , made £ 5 14 s . id . Visitor Bro . Ware , No . 12 Craft Lodge and Mallet and Chisel Mark Lodge .

PROVINCIAL . _ MKI . TON - MOWBRAY . — ILmv Lodge of Mark Masters , A ' o . 21 . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , May 41 I 1 , when the attendance was very small . Bro . Fast was installed W . M ., n dispcnsailon having been procured from Grand Lodge as he had never served the office of Warden in a Mark Lodge . The chair was taken

and the ceremony worked by Bro . W . Langley , P . M . 21 and Grand Chaplain of the Mark Grand Lodge , assisted by Bro . Robinson , Past S . O . of Grand Lodge and P . M ' 21 . The following officers were then invested : —Bros . W . Adcock , S . W . ; J . E . Bright , J . W . ; J . C . Duncombe ,

M . O . ; T . Markham , S . O . ; J . Bailey , J . O . ; J . B . Leadbetter , Tieasurcr ; T . Barnard , Sec ; Clark , S . D . ; Chester Ncwcomc , J . D . ; Fcrncley , Org . ; Berridge , I . G . ; Turvillc , Tyler . Bro . Duncombe proposed a brother for advancement , and the lodge was closed at half-past six o ' clock .

Grand Chapter.

GRAND CHAPTER .

The following is a list of the Grand officers appointed at the last Grand Chapter on the 3 rd inst : —

Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon Z . Right Hon . Earl of Carnarvon ... IT . Right Hon . Earl dc Tabley ... J . Right Hon . Lord Lindsay ... Scribe N . E . Comp . John Hervey ... ... Scribe E . E . Comp . Colonel Whitwcll , M . P ., P . S . Rev . J . Brownrigg 1 st Assistant . Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw 2 nd Assistant .

E . Comp . Samuel Tomkins ... G . Treasurer . ,, . E . T . M'lntyre G . Registrar . „ J . M . Wikc (' , . Swd . Bearer . ,, Raynham W . Stewart ... G . Stand . Bearer . ,, James Brett G . Dir . Ccrs . ,, Charles B . Payne .. Janitor .

Study.

STUDY .

It has ever been the boast of Freemasonry that she was the mother of the sciences and the arts and the dispenser of knowledge to the world . This is a noble claim , but one that can be substantiate ;! by the records of all past time . The broad earth from pole to pole is covered with the remains of grand

architectural piles that owe their origin to the Ancient Craft ; with others that still retain their integrity and pristine benttty ; while of the most venerable there remains but the tale that enlivens the historic page , and lends to it an interest and value in comparison with which the , selush

conquests of many a bloodthirsty prince and conqueror arc as nothing . From the time when " Solomon in all his glory , " aided by the King of Tyre and Hiram Abif , erected the first Temple , and dedicated it to God with the aid of descending fire from the '' Upper Sanctuary , " to the epoch of the noble

enterprise of the restoration of the Temple , or the building of the second Temple , and then coming down the long ages since , during which temples dedicated to God ' s glory were erected and elaborately garnished throughout F . urrvic—many of which are standing to this day—consideringall these

mighty monuments , how c ; m we do aught than laud the works of these artificers , from whom we , as Freemasons , arc descended , and to whom we owe all of the dignity , the glory , and the value of our principles . Brethren , so long ns this halo of glory encircles us , so long will Masonrv deserve to

be studied ; and lie who is not a Masonic student , but at best a mere ritualist and by-rote reciter , or perhaps , worse still , only a lounging and uninterested attendant at occasional meetings of the lodge , shares none of the honours of Masonry , but is a living monument , a walking tombstone , No one who has

Study.

not "brains" should seek to join our Order , or , having them , does not intend to use them . A stupid man in-these enlightened times is a pitiable enough object , but a stupid Mason is a contradiction in terms . If they arc such , is in spite of both the light of this nineteenth century and that higher Masonic

light that makes apparent to every brother the full circle of his obligations , and the many radiating paths of mystical and improving knowledge that are open before him . Masonry is either something or nothing . If it be only a ceremony— a ritualistic display—it is nothing ;

but it cannot be this . No ceremony by itself could bind ' men together for thousands , or even hundreds , of years , by the strongest ties of fellowship and love ; something else must underlie it . If it be not a bare ceremony , but a science , or rather a science or mother of sciences , then we can understand its

antiquity , its permanence , the reason why the greatest names and the most cultured minds among men have been found to ally themselves to it . That which was founded by the wisest and the greatest Prince of ancient times , and ever since has been patronized by kings and philosophers , the noble ,

the wise and the pure , must be all that its proudest historians claim for it . It challenges investigation , both at the hands of its enemies and friends ; from its enemies , that they may learn how it seeks no dark or devious ends , not even to accomplish good through illegitimate means ; from its friends and

brethren , that they may enjoy their high privileges , and be masters of the speculative sciences , as their predecessors were of the operative arts of the ancient Freemason . The ritual of Masonry may be compared to a foreign language , an acquaintance with which may .

or may not , be the means of largely increasing the knowledge of the individual , according as he learns it simply for himself , or , as a key to unlock the treasures that are contained in the various volumes of its lore . Language is the gateway of knowledge , not knowledge itself ; so the Masonic ritual is but

the vestibule to our spiritual temple , within which are treasures of wisdom , that only they discover who are earnest Masonic students . Who would devote the best years of his life to learn a new tongue , and then use it only as a spoken language , withou t ever looking into the thousands of volumes that contain

its most precious knowledge ? Yet precisely analagous to this is the action of that craftsman who is entered , passed , and raised , who glibly recites by rote his Masonic lessons , so to speak , in the lodge class , and who never gets beyond these A B C ' s of the Order . Such brethren , however old

they may grow to be , are always , Masonically speaking , children , babes in arms ; or , if they can toddle a little , never pass out of the reach of the leading strings that they have self-imposed upon themselves . There is a soul in Masonry . The bare ritual ' st is

ignorant of this . He sees the bod y , and is sati : fied with it ; while of the ethereal soul he has not Hie slightest conception . In the cloqu . 'nt language of another , " Masonry has a soul as well as a body . It is not a magnificent temple , beautiful in proportions , rich in architectural taste , and lovely in its

outward adornments ; but empty and desolate , and dark within . If it is brilliant and comely without , its inner courts , secret halls , and private chambers are immeasurably more so . If its outward splendours bespeak the habitation of a divinity , go with mc over its tessclated ground floor , through its

middle chamber , and its sanctum sanctorum , and there you will sec the aha ., the fire , and the divinity itself . The great mistake of the day is , that what we technically call the work of Masonry is itself . " Brethren , consider these thoughts . If you are ambitious of becoming able Craftsmen and master

builders , of attaining honour and eminence in the order , you must give heed to these considerations . The age demands it ; the spirit of intelligence , generally rife among Masons , demands it . To-day , he who is not a Masonic student is a Masonic dolt . — Keystone .

THE following articles arc postponed till next wic '; : — "The Fair Sex and Adoptive Masonry " ( Article vi . ) ; "A Canadian Masonic Village ;" reports of Grand Lodge of Scotland , and of lodges 27 and 1320 , London ; 1309 and 1314 , Middlesex ; 264 , l ! at ) ey ; 279 , Leicester ; 949 , Sunderland ; and

1330 , Market Harborough ; chapter 148 , Warrington . NK ; I : SSITV FOR A MINISTER OK AGRICULTURE . — In Kngktnd , it would have hurt no agricultural show or farmers' club , if we had had a Minister of Agriculture , who could have urged on his colleagues and the legislature the removal of any injurious

impediment and obstruction—who could have favoured exhibitions , colleges , professorships and experiments , by legislative measures , or by a small and judicious expenditure . Had there been such a Minister , even to reward and encourage the deserving , progress could not have been impeded , but might hav ? been much stimulated . —Food Jot r-tal .