Annual Supper Of The Blackheath Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1320.

being carried out in a highly creditable manner , and he hoped he would have a very successful year of office . He would ask the toast to be drunk in bumpers . The toast was received most enthusiastically . In reply , Bro . E . A . RICE said he was grateful for the kind words spoken by Bro . Pike and for the manner they had becn received . It had been a great pleasure to him to take active part in conjunction with Bros . Cass , Pike , and J . Hooper in having a lodge of instruction attached to the Blackheath Lodge , and hc was

honoured in presiding over such a meeting , the sixth annual supper in connection therewith . The best thanks of the brethren were due to Bro . J . Hooper , P . M ., who had retired from the Deputy Preceptorship , which office he had held from its commencement . Also he thanked the brethren present for the kind and cordial support they had always given him and for their attendance , and hoped that thc worthy S . W . of the lodge , Bro . Thos . Hobley , would have a larger gathering next year .

The PRESIUENT next proposed the toast of the evening , viz ., " Success to the Blackheath Lodge of Instruction . " All knew what an excellent Preceptor it had in Bro . William Dawson , P . M ., which accounted for the splendid attendance and through his quiet , careful , and urbane manner in imparting the splendid ritual . In fact his modesty was such that one hardly knew he was being instructed . The lodge had much to congratulate itself upon in having so admirable a Preceptor . Bro . T . R . Cass , P . M ., Treas ., was one of the best and who had done so much

for the Blackheath Lodge , having quite resuscitated it . Much credit and thanks were due also to him in founding the lodge of instruction , in which he took such a deep interest . The funds were most safely guarded , and no greater delight could be afforded him than when he was si gning a cheque for £$ 5 s . to be sent to either of the Masonic Institutions in the name of the successful brother who had drawn the ballot , and in which Charities Bro . Cass took the greatest interest .

Bro . C H . Stone , P . M ., Sec , was one of thc most zealous of brethren , and nothing was too great a trouble in order to advance the cause of Freemasonry , especially in that of the elections to the various Institutions , when there was not a single case in which the applicant was not successful the first time . That spoke much for his assiduity under excellent Presidents and Committees . The lodge was indeed proud of its permanent officers .

Bro . WM . DAWSON , P . M ., Preceptor , in reply , thanked the brethren for such a cordial reception . He was indeed proud of precepting such a lodge and words failed him in expressing his full appreciation of their kindness . The present session had certainly been most successful , and during the whole ot thc year there had been steady and careful progress . That was a cause of great

gratification , and it had been mainly achieved through the great assistance he had received from Bros . Cass , P . M ., Treas ., and Stone , P . M ., Sec , together with thc brethren who had been very regular and punctual in their attendance which had given him great pleasure , and so long as he continued to receive such hearty support and co-operation he should be proud to remain its Preceptor .

Bro . CASS , P . M ., Treas ., thanked the brethren , and expressed h is pleasure in being associated with thc Blackheath Lodge of Instruction in which he took the liveliest of interest . It was indeed true what the President had stated , that nothing gave him greater pleasure than in writing cheques for the noble Institutions , connected with thc honourable Order . It had becn said of the service he had

done the Blackheath Lodge he was proud of the same . It has becn his good fortune to have initiated 10 or 12 brethren , who had proved themselves most worthy , and now the lodge would compare favourably with any one in London . His warmest thanks were due tothe W . M ., whom he had the privilege of initiating , for many kindnesses bestowed , and as long as he possessed their confidence , it would be his pleasure to serve them to the utmost of his power .

Bro . C . H . STONE ' , P . M ., Sec , expressed his thanks for the renewal of their confidence . Bro . Rice at the inception of the lodge had waited upon him , and had asked him to accept the position of Secretary , and by so doing he ( Bro . Rice ) felt success would be assured . The most convenient time was selected , and he still remained the Secretary , and was pleased with the position . Whatever he had done , and could do , in every good work , he was delighted , and specially in the cause of Charity . The lodge had made rapid strides since its commencement .

He gave the following statistics : Number of attendances , 648 ; times of meeting , 39 ; giving an average of 17 . The highest number of brethren present was on May 29 th , when the Fifteen Sections were rehearsed by Bro . W . Dawson , Preceptor , assisted by the brethren of the lodge , when there were 38 present ; number of members made in the year 31 , which was most encouraging . Thc third Charitable association had been started and during next year the sum which will have been sent to the various Masonic Institutions from this source would be about 500 guineas . That was the acme of Freemasonry and so long as the lodge

of instruction was carried out on those lines it would be sure to flourish . It had done its share in other acts of benevolence which redounded to its credit , and he was proud to be the channel through which the business of the lodge had passed . He should like to take the opportunity of thanking Bro . President Rice , W . M ., for his services to the lodge for thc past year as Assistant Secretary . He was highly pleased and honoured at being associated with two such brethren as officers of the lodge of instruction as Bros . Dawson and Cass , and he heartily thanked thc brethren for thc trust reposed in him .

The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by the PRESIDENT in most cordial terms , and ably responded to by Bros . W . S . WHITAKER , ( P . M ., and D . REEKIE . Some excellent harmony was provided , the artistes being Bros . Hobley , Stunt , Hardman , Plant , Richards , C . W . Stone , T . Grummant ( reciter ) , Arthur Court , and Frank Swinlord Smith . Bro . Faull very ably accompanied upon the piano .

Victoria, Our Empress Queen.

VICTORIA , OUR EMPRESS QUEEN .

The following is copy of letter which Bro . Sholto H . Hare received some while since from the Queen ' s Private Secretary in acknowledgment of the sonnet —if we may be permitted to apply the term—which hc wrote in honour of the Queen ' s Diamond Jubilee , and which we have pleasure in publishing : " Buckingham Palace , " June 23 rd , 1897 , " Thc Private Secretary is commanded by the Queen to thank Mr . Sholto Hare for his letter , together with thc verses which accompanied it . "

TO HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY

VICTORIA , ( JUEEN OF GREAT HRITAIN AND IRELAND , EMI'UESS Of INDIA . Victoria , our Empress Queen , Who ' s " made a Realm and reigned , " And with us Sixty Years has been , Far greater lame ' s attained ,

Than any other Queen or King Who ' s worn the British Crown , And of no other can we sing " The Sixty Years renown ! " We pray that blessed our Queen may be In this her Diamond Jubilee . Litfield Place , Clifton , 18 97 . SHOLTO HENRY HAKE . Knight Imperial , P . L .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

White Rose of York Lodge , No . 2491 . What may perhaps be styled the Masonic season has now set in . and in VVest Yorkshire generally and in Sheffield particularly this festive tirn : is duly and appropriately honoured . One of the first of the Sheffield lodges to hold its annual meeting has been the White Rose of York Lodge . No . 2491 , and right well bas it maintained the reputation which it so deservedly enjoys . This lodge , it may be noted , was the first consecrated by the present Prov . G . Master ( or West Yorkshire . Himself installed in the autumn of 1 S 93 , he was shortly afterwards called upon to discharge this his first official function , and

great was the admiration and satisfaction which resulted . A full account of the proceedings appeared in our columns at the time andlyear by year we have not failed to report the enthusiastic gatherings which have assembled as each installation meeting has come round . Another feature , perhaps unique , may be mentioned in this connection , viz ., that it has been our privilege to present to our readers a portrait of the several Worshipful Masters of this eminently flourishing lod ? e . There have hitherto been only four , and on Friday , the 5 th inst ., another was added , one , too , who , judging by the capable way in which he conducted the proceedings , is not likely to fall short of the

high standard which his predecessors—all difficult to follow—have set up . Like the four previous occupants of the chair , Bro . C . A . Hahn , whose portrait we append , is essentially a business man , and to this capacity for business and administrative power is doubtless ^ owing the successful management of the lore's aff drs , Bro . Hahn , though not a native of Sheffield , has lived there for many years . He now holds the responsible position of Director in the Company known as Jonas and Colver , Limitei . This Company carries on three immense and separate undertakings , variations , and branches of the staple trade of Sheffield . These are severally styled the Continental Steel Worksthe

, Universal Steel Works , and the Pilot Works , and manufacture steel for almost every conceivable purpose from the main spring of a lady's watch to the heavy guns of a warlike power . The reputation of the firm is world-wide , as is shown by its large Continental trade and its constant employment in the manufacture of steel for small arms and ordnance by the British and foreign governments . To take a successful part io the direction of undertakings so large implies exceptional capacity and ability , steady and

earnest devotion to business , and above all , hard and continuous work . Possessing all these qualifications Bro . Hahn brings them to bear in his relation to Masonic matters . Initiated in Britannia Lodge some 15 years ago , Bro . Hihn displayed no special ambition , showed no eager craving for otfice or distinction , but rose steadily by sheer merit . When the White Rose of York Lodue was projected he was invited to become a found ir and was , in fact , its first Junior Deacon . From this office he went to that of Secretary , and after filling successively the Wardens' chairs he was on Friday , the 5 th inst .,

in-THB WORSHIPFUL MASTER . stalled as Worshipful Master . Numerous as have been the asse-nblies at the previous installations , and great as has bcen the interest shown , at none have the numbers and enthusiasm becn greater than at this particular gathering . The four previous occupants of the chair were present , and the honorary Past Masters mustered strongly . There were 37 Installed Masters within the lodge , and the total attendance exceeded 100 . A special feature of the proceedings , which has now become characteristic of the lodge , was the music . This , through thc initiative largely of Bro . Gadsby , occupies an

important part in the ceremonies . They have many musical brethren on their roll , not the least distinguished of whom is Bro . T . W . Hanforth , who , besides being a Mus . Bac , is an F . R . C . O . Bro . Hanforth , it may be mentioned , has written music specially for lodge purposes , and when rendered as it was by Bros . Foxon , Gadsby , and others to Bros . Hanforth ' s own accompaniment on their beautiful organ , it added considerable effect to the installation ceremony , to form part of which it was composed . These brethren , together with Bros . Peasegood , Robinson , C . Stokes , Miner , and others , also contributed ] largely to the success of the proceedings by their efforts , vocal and instrumental , after the banquet .

It will be almost more than our space will allow to give a complete list of all present on this impoitant occasion . The brethren of the lodge comprised Bros . W . Gunstone , W . M . j C . A . Hahn , S . W . ; Dr . John Stokes , | . W . j J . Craven , Treas . ; T . W . Hanforth , Sec ; C . Ariel Wright , S . D . ; M . T . ' Miner , J . D . j W . II . Peasegood , Org . ; A . B . Gunstone , l . G , ; H . M . Elliott and ) . K . Lister , Stewards ; and T . Leighton , Tyler ; also C . I . Brindley , I . P . M . j John Hunt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; J . Jackman , P . M ., Prov . G . Deacon ; T . H . Vernon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Simeon Hayes , P . M .,

P . P . G . W . ; J . D . Shaw , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Arnison , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; Wm . Gadsby , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Derbyshire ; A . Macredic , P . M . P . P . G . D . ; H . J . Girnett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; II . W . Pawson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; R . Ruff , P . M . ; W . Farrar , W . Birks , W . Sales , R . Hanbidge , A . E . Brooke , W . H . Skelton , A . S . Jarvis , A . J . Ward , A . W . Roberts , G . Heeley , E . Moore , C . A . Shaw , G . Wish , F . Cartwright , ai . d W . Foxon ; also two Honorary Past Masters and Grand Lodge Orficers , viz .: Bros . W . II . Briltain , P . G . Std . Br ., and Ensor Drury , P . G . D . ; besides the Provincial Officers named above , were Bros . H . G . E . Green , Prov . G . Sec . ; Joseph Matthewman ,

P . P . A . G . Sec ; Chas . Stokes , P . P . G . D . ; J . W . Phillips , P . P . G . O . ; and W . Wilde , P . P . G . S . B . The W . Ms , of the Sheffield lodges , except Furnival , were present each with a considerable following , and those from a distance comprised Bros . J . R . Thomas , P . M . 1802 j H . E . Hewson , P . M . 2027 ; H . Shaw , W . M . 1661 ; J . Nodder , W . M . 1300 j W . R . Coe , 7 S ; T . Morrison , 2078 ; W . S . Hepper , P . M . 10 S 5 , P . P . G . Purst . j J . Hindle , P . M . 884 j E . VV . Herbert , 1547 j W . L . Cox , 19 j N . M . Day , 8 S 2 j and many others . On the lodge being opened , and the usual formalities gone through , the installation ceremony , which was carried out by the retiring W . M ., Bro . Gunston J , was procjedi 4