The Craft Abroad.

arti ' sed and admired . He had never regarded , and he did not ask them ETreirard Freemasonry as a religion . He did not ask them to ' set it up in lace of their relig ion . He asked them rather to set it up next to their rlWeion , and , in a sense , as part of it . There was nothing in the religion of Christianity that was in contrast or in opposition to Freemasonry , and auallv there was nothing in Freemasonry which was not embodied in the ? Lwt nrincioles of Christianity . It was not customary , however , for a

rfand Master to lecture upon Freemasonry , and many of them , no doubt , knew as much about it as he did . He had only to add that he hoped he might be spared some day to re-visit Western Australia . ( Applause . ) It was not impossible , though it was improbable , that he rniorht re-visit his Grand Lodge , and possibly seek a renewal from them of

the hig h office they had conferred upon him . ( Applause . ) He did hope , at all events , to again visit Western Australia , and to again shake hands with many ot his old friends among Freemasons . He thanked ihem for their kindness in tbe past , and , desiring for them the best of all Masonic wishes , he took of them an affectionate farewell . ( Loud cheers . ) The toast next honoured was that of " The Installing Grand Officer , the V . W . Bro . the Rig ht Rev . the Lord Bishop of Perth . " The M . W . G . M ., in ' proposing the toast , said that the latter had endeared himself to all classes in the Colony by his many manly qualities , by the excellence of the advice he gave them , and by the unsparing way in which he devoted himself

to his worn . ... ., , , The I NSTALLING GRAND OFFICER , in acknowledgment , said that the ceremony that day was what he had wished to see ever since he came to the Colony . As Installing Officer he had had little to do . It was upon the Grand Secretary that the work of the preparation had fallen . Although they had now a Grand Lodge , they must also have grand Masonic hearts , snd thev could not have errand Masonic hearts until theyjhad done a little

more for Charity than they had done hitherto . ( Applause . ) On the proposal of Bro . F . A . MCMULLEN , S . G . W ., the toast of " Our Visitors " was honoured . The toast of " The Newly-appointed Grand Lodge Officers " was

proposed by Bro . J . S . BRIMAGE , who referred to the fact that the officers had been selected from all parts of the colony . They had , for instance , ofiicers hailing from the Murchison , Norseman , Bunbury , Kalgoorlie , and Coolgardie lodges . The officers had been selected by the Grand Master , who seemed to have been happy in his choice . ( Applause . ) The toast was coupled with the name of the Grand Secretary , V . W . Bro . J . D . Stevenson , P . M . Bro . STEVENSON said that the work in connection with that function had

been about the hardest he had ever experienced . Unfortunately , m regard to the lodges that were becoming orig inal lodges of their new Grand Lodge there was a Goldfields' lodge that was standing out , but he hoped on some early date that they might have the pleasure of welcoming it also into their ranks . He referred to the Southern Cross Lodge . As to the Duke of Albany Lodge which was also standing out , he had no doubt that the

brethren of the lodge would give the question their fair consideration . Should they consider it desirable to come in with the other lodges , they would get a hearty and royal welcome . He referred to the excellent selection made by the Grand Master in the Pro Grand Master . In thc latter they would be guided by one who , he thought , knew more about the tact to be exercised in Freemasonry than any other Freemason he knew of .

The Tyler ' s toast brought the list of toasts to a close . Thanks were then expressed by the Grand Master to the Grand Organist , Bro . W . E . Crome , and to the instrumentalists and vocalists who had contributed to the musical portion of Ihe evening ' s proceedings , and after singing " Auld Lang Syne " and "God Save the Queen , " the gathering dispersed .

His Excellency Sir Gerard Smith , the new Grand Master , is a Freemason of nearly a quarter of a century ' s standing , having been initiated in the Studholme Lodge , No . 1591 , London , E . G ., on 4 th November , 1880 . It may be interesting to recall the fact that his Royal Highness the late Duke of Clarence , only a year prior to his untimely demise , had been , in accordance ] with ancient usage , elected the permanent

Master of this famous Metropolitan lodge . The new Grand Master is also a member of the Studholme Royal Arch Chapter , to which he was admitted on March 27 th , 1 . 885 , On leaving England to assume tbe administration of the Government of this colony his Excellency was honoured by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Masterof the Order , with the rank of a Past Grand Warden of England . Since becoming a Freemason his

Excellency has taken an active interest in all matters appertaining to the Craft . Some years prior to leaving England his enthusiasm was rewarded by his election to the Worship ful Master ' s chair of his mother lodge , which in the case of the Studholme Lodge is a real distinction . It is no matter of surprise that one so closely attached to Freemasonry , and so thoroughly alive to its distinguishing characteristics of loyalty and benevolence , should

throughout his residence amongst us have been so closely identified with the Order in Western Australia . Almost immediately upon his arrival in this colony he became affiliated with St . George ' s Lodge , and later was one of the founders of the Military Lodge of which he became the first VV . M . On the retirement two years ago of Bro . J . A . Wright as District Grand Master ,

his Excellency was nominated by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales for the vacant post , in which he was installed on September 20 th , 1898 . Whether , therefore , his Excellency ' s sojourn in Western Australia be long or brief he will at least leave behind him a Masonic example which , it may be hoped , will prove an inspiration to his successors .

Annual Supper Of The Rose Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1622.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE ROSE LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1622 .

This very pleasurable event took place at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell , on the 31 st ult ., when 30 brethren attendtd / which number would have been considerably augmented but from various causes . Thc worthy President for the evening was Bro . Henry Potter , W . M . of the mother lodge , who has very singularly distinguished himself in that honoured position . To support him

wtre Bros . David Rose , P . M . 73 and 1622 ; J . Loader , P . M . i 6 . ' 2 ; S . J . Derham , P . M . 1622 ; S . W . liallard , P . M . 1622 ; J . Dunn , P . M . 1622 ; T . Grummant , P . M . and Sec 1559 ; T . R . Cass , P . M . 1320 ; Klyne , P . M . 2266 ; Chas . Hy . Stone , W . M . 16 41 and P . M . 507 ; F . E . Choveaux , Org . 1622 ; J . Drayner , ' 622 ; A . Taylor , 2 i 7 ; Arlh . Court , 1539 ; Barker , 1320 ; R . J . Sobel , 1622 ; Giraud , 217- T . A . Harris , 1622 ; Reap , 1622 ; R . Brambleby , J . W . 1622 ; J .

Annual Supper Of The Rose Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1622.

Parr , 1622 ; Wal . Kirby , 1622 ; Isaacs , 1622 ; Henke , 1622 ; Archer , 1622 ; Wren , Millard , Pocock , 1922 ; C . W . Stone , P . M . 507 ; Seaman , and W . Hill , P . M ., Tyler . An excellent supper had been provided by Mrs . Venables , the proprietress , in her customary capable manner , which was highly appreciated by all . The creature comforts having been well considered , the PRESIDENT presented

the toast of " Her Majesty the Queen and the Craft , in words of loving loyalty for the heartfelt sympathy she always showed for her people , which was never more exemplified than at the present time . That fact proved her worthiness of the high position to which she had been called , and which she had held under a kind Providence beyond previous records . The toast was most enthusiastically drunk .

As to that of" H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., " Bro . Potter said all rejoiced in the fact that his Royal Highness had , by the unanimous vote of Grand Lodge , been elected Grand Master for the 26 th time , which proved the fact of the honour and lustre shed upon the whole Craft . He ( the President ) was glad that his Royal Highness had not forgotten South London in the selection of Grand Officers for the ensuing year , and he believed three worthy brethren had been chosen to wear the purple . They , like the rest of the Grand Officers , would worthily fill the positions to which they were called , and he asked that the toast should be received right royally .

The toast of "The President" was next proposed by Bro . J . T . LOADER , P . M . and Sec . 1622 , in words expressing thc love and estimation in which he was held . A more indefatigable worker could not be , which was fully exhibited in the exemplary manner he was conducting the affairs of the Rose Lodge during the present year . Nothing was too difficult for him , for he displayed such energy in his work that it was sure to be surmounted . He asked the brethren to be upstanding and drink most cordially to the toast .

Bro . HY . POTTER , W . M . 1622 , duly acknowledged with thanks the hearty reception of the toast and said he was pleased for three reasons to be present that evening to preside over such a happy gathering ; ist , the brethren had done him the honour to elect him as W . M . of his mother lodge , "The Rose , " which was the proudest moment of his life ; 2 nd , in that lodge he had made life-long friend , ships he hoped , and he was supported by such a worthy bond of brothers in the

officers as Bro . J . Loader , P . M . and Sec , who had done so much for the lodge which enabled everything to go on so smoothly , and also Bro . J . Dunn , P . M ., the worthy Treasurer , who was an old schoolfellow . He paid the highest tribute to so excellent a set of officers ; and there was one brother present , Bro . D . Rose , P . M . ; who had assisted him ( the W . M . ) so ably in performing his duties , and , in iact had taught him all he knew in Masonic knowledge . For so cordial a greeting he most heartily thanked them .

In proposing the toastof the evening—that of " Success to the Rose Lodge of Instruction " —the PRESIDENT , in a highly intellectual and forcible manner , said that it had been greatly to his misfortune that he had been unable to attend so regularly as he desired , but his vocation called him out of London so much . The teaching which was propounded in it , especially of the 15 Sections , which contained deep underlying truths , and also the symbolism in the beautiful ceremonies , spoke and taught the highest morality . Such tenets had been

propagated by Bro . D . Rose , the worthy Preceptor , for so many years , and he would advise the younger brethren to avail themselves of his valuable services as often as they possibly could , and he would most readily assist them . There was still another reason , that in visiting different parts of the country and thc various Masonic lodges it was a means of drawing brethren closer together , and showed that where the principles of Freemasonry were embraced it made all the brighter and the happier . With the toast the President coupled the name ot Bro . David Rose , P . M . and Preceptor , and he hoped that the brethren wjuld most heartily

join in it , for the Rose Lodge would without thc lodge of instruction be shorn of much of its usefulness . There was none more skilled than Bro . Rose to impart Masonic knowledge , which had been recognised everywhere , for it was his aim that every brother should perform his duties worthily and well . Indeed , no small debt of gratitude was due to him from the brethren for his careful and successful teaching , and it was their earnest desire that hc might be spared many years still to carry on his work of usefulness , and be blessed with health and prosperity .

In reply , Bro . D . ROSE , P . M ., said it was certainly a pleasure and privilege to respond to such a hearty proposal of his health , and he thanked the President for his very kind sentiments . The lodije had been a very prosperous and successful one , and had done excellent service , and he should still like it to maintain its present position . He had been honoured as the Preceptor for 27 years , and during that time had done his utmost to assist the younger brethren in their various offices . There was one special point in the Rose Lodge that it was thc

sine quit non each Master instilled his su ; cessor , which was always carried out . He had reached the ripe age of 75 , but still he hoped to be spared for some time to come to remain the Preceptor to carry on the same work of usefulness as hitherto . The toast of "The Visitors" was most cordially given by the I'tussii'iCNT ,

and duly responded to by Bros . SIEMEN , POCOCK , and MILLARD . Bro . POTTER next presented the toast of " Bros . Dunn , P . M ., Treasurer , a-id Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M ., Secretary , " who were two most zealous worKers ; thc Treasurer was in a most happy position in holding funds of the lodge , while thc Bro . Secretary was most enthusiastic and ever ready to further the cause of Freemasonrv .

Bro . J . DUNN , Tr ^ as ., very suitably acknowledged the taast , and stated the funds were in a sound condition , and the lodge had been of great service to the brethren to the credit of Bro . J . Rose . It has also been the moans of sending up to the various Masonic Institutions the sum of 1200 to 1300 guineas , which was highly creditable . He was proud in being able to serve the lodge in the capacity of Treasurer and should continue to do so to thc advantage of the lodge .

Bro . STONE , P . M ., Sec , paid a high tribute to the worthy Preceptor , ? ro . D . Rose , and said he ventured to think that the Rose Lodge of Instruction could boast ot having a Preceptor of nearly 30 years , who had been most regular and assiduous in his duties , a circumstance he should think almost without parallel in London . This he considered marvellous when the age of the veteran in Freemasonry was taken into account . He gave a few statistics which showed the average attendance was between 12 and 13 , and would easily be more but from

the fact that two other lodges of instruction were held under the same rorif , and the Peckham , over which Bro . Rose had precepted for about the same number of years . Much of the success , too , of the lodge was attributed to his ( Bro . Stone ' s ) predecessor , Bro . T . Grummant , P . M ., who had held that position for about 14 or 15 years , during which time his kindness and geniality had worked much . The ninth Charitable Association was about to begin , and he should be pleased

for the names of the brethren who wished to join . He could not but express his thanks to the worthy Assistant Secretary , Hro . C . Sowton , P . M ., who was a most attentive and zealous Mason , and one that could be well relied upon . For himself , he most heartily thanked the brethren for their kindness to him , and so long as he was entrusted with the secretarial duties he should endeavour tj perform those duties to the utmost of his power . The Tyler ' s toast closed a very pleasant meeting .

Some excellent harmony was contributed by Bros . Anhur Court , C . W . Sione Isaacs , Brambleby , Wren ( reciter ) , Isaacs ( reciter ) , Harris , Drayner , Archer , and Grummant ( reciter ) . Bro . F . Choveaux , Organist of the Rjse l . odge , very ably accompanied .