Craft Masonry.

After the lodge had been opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting confirmed , Bro . Shanks took the chair and conferred the Second Degree upon thebrethren , doing the work in a most impressive manner . The W . M . elect , Bro . J . Northam , was duly installed in the chair of K . S . by Bros . Shanks and A . Bowhay , who divided the work between them ; they performed the ceremony in admirable style , and are to be congratulated on the exemplary manner in which they rendered the beautiful ritual ; several of the visitors remarked that they had never heard the work better done . The W . M . then invested his ofiicers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . E . Smale ,

I . P . M . ; N . R . Rosekilly , S . W . ; A . Andrews , I . W . ; G . Rowe , P . M .. Chap . ; H . Down , P . M ., Treas . ; R . R . Alford , P . M . ; T . T . Bowhay , S . D . ; C . Webber , J . D . ; S . H . Slanbury , I . G . ; J . Eade , D . C ; S . J . Hooper and J . Herring , Stwds . ; J . Dawe , Org . ; and J . Rickard , Tyler ; a suitable address to each on receiving his collar being given by Bro . Shanks . The subject of the new lodge premises was discussed at some length , the resu't being that the necessary powers were given to the Building Committee as to the plans , and specifications , and inviting tenders for the erection of the hall . At the conclusion of the work Bro . Shanks presented eight beautifully chased

solid silver jewels , for the officers' collars , to the lodge ; these eight together with those given by him a year ago , forming a complete set ; the jewels are very fine , each one bears on appropriate inscription , and they are considered to be the handsomest in the province . The box containing them was passed round the lodge , and the gift elicited the admiration of all the brethren . The W . M ., in a very happy speech , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the donor for his magnificent present .

This was warmly seconded by Bro . Bowhay , P . M ., who took occasion to remind the members how much Bro . Shanks had already done for the lodge . The vote was unanimously carried , and Bro . Shanks replied in a few appropriate words , saying that do what he might , he knew he never could do too much for Cotehele Lodge , his feelings towards it were much the same as Coventry Palmare tells us in that beautiful poem , " The Angel in the house , " he felt towards his wife" I never enough can honour her

Who , past all bounds , has honoured me . " When the business of the meeting was concluded , the brethren adjourned to the Tamar Hotel , where Bro . Herring had prepared a sumptuous banquet . The repast concluded , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed , all of which were excellently proposed by the W . M . ; Bros . A . Bowhay , Sowden , Rosekilly , Shanks , Smale , T . T . Bowhay , and others , most cordially received , and well responded to . The speeches were , indeed , well above the average after-dinner oratory , and we regret we

have not room for all of them ( especially that of Bro . Bowhay , P . M . ) . One , however , we must give in cxUnso , because the judicious remarks it contains are useful , not only for those who were present but also for the officers of other lodges . Bro . Shanks , in proposing " The Health of the Wardens and other Officers , " said the various offices in a lodge are , and ought to be , considered , posts of honour which every Mason ( whatever his social rank might be ) should deem it a privilege to fill and for which every one should strive to qualify himself from the moment ot his initiation , because without previous preparation it is quite impossible to fill even the humblest

ofiice satisfactorily . If as a lodge we aim at , and hope for , a successful career it is most essential that we should at all times be well officered , that our ollicers should be brethren who will give thc utmost possible attention to their duties , and set an example to all of zeal , fidelity , and devotion . On this point I do think we may congratulate ourselves to-day for it would be difficult indeed to find any lodge that is provided with a better staff . The Wardens are highly important officers , and upon them and their conduct much of the well-being of the lodge must depend , but if they perform their duties strictly , and constantly act up to , and live up to , the

moral signification and teachings of their jewels of office , as I feel sure our present Wardens will , they will become bright examples for us all to imitate and follow . The junior officers are , perhaps , not quite so important , yet they held very honourable positions , and should do their utmost to fill their posts with becoming dignity and zeal . Everyone who wears a collar should remember that none can be really good and efficient ofiicers unless they study Freemasonry deeply , nor unless they understand and fully appreciate the sentiments and the esoteric meaning of what they utter . The work of a lodge in conferring any of our Degrees is a most important business—it is the performance of some of the most sublime ceremonies ever established by man—and should be

so conducted as to leave that impression on the mind of the candidate . We trust and hope , brethren , that our present officers will strive by example and inlluence to keep tbe lodge what it now is—a temple wherein the purest Masonic spirit prevails ; a temple second to none as to the excellence of its working ; and that both within and without our sacred walls they will ever uphold the honour of the Craft , ln this belief and with this earnest hope , brethren , I now ask you to drink with me to the health of the Wardens and other officers of thc lodge . Bros . Rosekilly , S . W . ; Andrews , J . W . ; and T . T . Bowhay , S . D ., responded in brief , but veiy appropriate , speeches , all expressing tVeit intention of carrying out their duties on the lines indicated by the proposer of the toast .

A most pleasant evening was spent , the intervals between the toasts being enlivened by songs and recitations contributed by members and visitors .

Leopold Lodge , No . 1571 . 1 he installation of this prosperous lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant Masonic Temple on the ujth ult ., Bro . George Horwill , W . M ., presiding , supported by the following brethren : Bros . Morris , S . W . ; Leach , J . W . ; Morgan , P . M ., Sec . ; Carey , P . M ., Treas . ; Lee , S . D . ; Farmer , J . D . ; Whitefield , I . G . ; Packer , P . M ., Org . ; Duffield , P . M ., D . of C . ; Down , A . D . of C . ; Simmonds and Egles , Stwds . ; Walls , P . M . ; Meadows . P . M . ; Longford , P . M . ; Davy , Kirkpatrick , lames , Joseph Durell , James Durell , Truckell , Good , Fleming , Hall , Pain ,

Foley , Barnes , Presland , and Young , Tyler . Also the following visitors : Bros . F . R . W . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Secretary R . M . I . G . ; Harlow , P . M . C ; Brown , P . M . 144 6 ; Duflill , 1424 ; Ward , 134 S ; R . Carey , W . M . 1444 ; Wallace , P . M . 907 ] Coming , 1251 ; Cooper . P . M . 1441 ; Holditch , 134 S ; Jones , P . M . 007 ; Hartley , bee . 1441 ; Davy , 134 S ; Whitehead , W . M . 1329 ; Thompson , 144 ; bird , 23 ; Barker , P . M . 1 C 07 ; Berry , S 9 S ; Brook , 2454 ; Baker , S 9 S ; Taylor , W . M . 913 ; Stevens , 19 ; Tulnell , P . M . 700 ; Copper , 2762 ; Pembroke , 1155 ; Miles , ' 77 J Witheridge , 2549 ; Johns , P . M . 1571 ; and Franklin Clive .

Craft Masonry.

The minutes of the last lodge meeting having been read and confirmed and the statement of accounts for the past year reviewed and adopted , Bro . Charles Martin Morris , S . W ., W . M . elect , was installed into the chair ot King Solomon by Bro . Carey , P . M ., Treas ., in a masterly manner . The officers appointed for theensuing year were Bros . George Horwill , I . P . M . ; Percy Leach , S . W . ; Robert Lee , J . W . ; William Carey ,

P . M ., Treas . ; Edmund J . Morgan , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Arthur Farmer , S . D . ; George Whitefield , l . D . ; Hubert V . Down , I . G . j W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; Thomas Duffield , P . M ., D . C ; Alfred Simmonds , A . D . C ; Walter M . Eglcs and Joseph Durrell , Stwds . ; and Young , Tyler . The ballot was then taken for Mr . A . B . Sell , and proving unanimous , he was initiated into Freemasonry by the newly-installed Master in a manner that elicited the highest praise by the company present .

Other business having been transacted and the sum ot 10 guineas voted to the W . M . for his Stewardship at the forthcoming Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room . Dinner over , Bro . Morris , W . M ., on rising to propose "The Queen and the Craft , " was heartily received . "The M . W . Grand Master" and "The Grand Officers" having been duly honoured , Bro . Horwill , I . P . M ., presented the toast of " The Worshipful Master" in feeling terms .

Bro . Morris , in reply , thanked the brethren for the honour conferred upon him and for the uniform kindness extended to him since he became a member of the Leopold Lodge . While making no professions he would promise a faithful discharge of the chair which he had assumed , and would endeavour to maintain the best traditions of the lodge over which it was his good fortune to preside . "The I . P . M ., Bro . Horwill , " next claimed attention , receiving at the handsof the W . M . a Past Master ' s jewel , and collar and jewel , and thanking the brethren for this mark of their confidence , which he should always highly value .

As Installing Master , Bro . Carey , P . M ., Treas ., was warmly received . He much appreciated the favour of installing his old friend , Bro . Morris , and was always ready to be of service to the lodge . Bro . Sell , the initiate , thanked the brethren for his initiation into Freemasonry , and hoped that he might become a useful member of the lodge . In giving " The Masonic Institutions , " and announcing his Stewardship at the coming Festival of the Girls' School , the W . M . hoped that he might have the united support of the brethren , and with their assistance take up a list worthy of the lodge .

Bro . F . R . W . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G ., feelingly responded , and earnestly pleaded for the continued help of the Craft to its worthy Charities . "The Past Masters , " "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable evening to a close . The musical arrangements weie ably directed by Bro . W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org .

Scientific Lodge , No . 88 . At the monthly meeting of this lodge on Monday , the 9 th instant , after a passing and an initiation , the sum of 10 guineas was voted out of the lodge funds for the South African War Fund for Freemasons , and another sum of 10 guineas tothe Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . The W . M ., Bro . F . J . Moden , proposed the following resolution : " That the Worshipful Master , officers , and brethren of the Scientific Lodge , No . 88 , in open lodge assembled at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , on April o , 1 9 00 , tender to the

Most Worshipful the Grand Master their respectful and very cordial congratulations upon his happy deliverance from the dastardly attempt which was made upon his life in Brussels on the 4 th instant , and this lodge humbly supplicates the Great Architect of the Universe that He may ever guard and protect our Most Worshipful Grand Master , and that he mav long live in the hearts ana affections of our great Fraternity , and for the well-being of the mighty empire , to the throneand government of which he is heir apparent ' . " Bro . W . P . Spalding , P . M ., acting J . W ., in seconding the motion , alluded to the fact

that close by his side stood a framed acknowledgment from the Home Secretary in answer to a resolution of sympathy sent by the lodge in the year 1 SS 2 , upon the occasion of an attempt on the life of her Majesty the Queen . The motion was agreed to . Subsequently Bro . J . H . Moyes , P . M ., who is going up as a Steward for the Masonic Girls ' School , suggested that the best way of showing their sympathy for the Prince would be by subscribing to his ( Bro . Moyes's ) list , and although the meeting was an unusually small one , 33 guineas were subscribed .

Bisley Lodge , No . 2317 , The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., when there were present Bros . J . W . H . Littleboy , P . M ., as W . M . ; H . A . Whitburn , S . W . ; G . J . Wooldridge , J . W . ; Capt . J . Hoey , P . M ., Treas . ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . M ., Sec ; C . F . Wateis , J . D . ; J . B . Walker , I . G . ; J . E . O'Connor , Stwd . j H . W . Gloster ; R . Wasley ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ( Hon . Member ); and others . Visitors : Bros . F . Dowse , P . M . 2101 , and A . H . Gale . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Mr . Frederick J .

Kemp—who had been elected at a former meeting ana was in attendance—was admitted and initiated bv Bro . Littleboy into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . The " charge" was subsequently delivered with great force and solemnity by the Treasurer , Bro . Hoey . A ballot was then taken , and declared to be unanimous , in favour of , Bro . Harold Burgess Osborne , 2475 , as a joining member . The sum of one guinea was voted to the Woking Cottage Hospital , after which , there being no further business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment .

The customary loyal toasts were brielly given by the VV . M . in the chair , and duly honoured . riro . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., returned thanks forthe Grand , and Bro . Capt . J . Hoey , Prov . G . S . B ., forthe Prov . Grand , Officers respectively . An excellent programme of music was improvised , and the brethren spent a very pleasant evening .

The much respected Secretary , Bro . J . U . S . Lancaster , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., who had been absent from the two previous meetings through severe indisposition , was heartily congratulated by all present on his restoration to health , and the wishes of the brethren were earnestly expressed that he might continue for many long years to take a leading part in the work and management ot the various lodges and chapters with which he has been so long and honourably associated .

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ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . THE 112 ™ ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL Will be held on WEDNESDAY , the 16 th MAY , 1 9 00 , THE RIGHT HON . THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH , R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER STAFFORDSHIRE , IN THE CHAIR . Brethren willing to act as Stewards are earnestl y solicited to send in their names to the Secretary , as early as convenient Stewards are much needed , and their services will be gratefull y received . „ , , 1 ' . !<• VV . HEDUliS , Secretary . Office—5 , Freemasons' Hall , Loudon , W . C .