Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

1107 ; Groom , 73 -, T . J . Sabme , P . P . G . S . B . Middlesex , W . M . 1540 ; T . J . H . Wilkins , P . M . 73 ; Mott , 1391 ; Kent , W . M . 1571 ; Ashton , 1571 ; Ringwood . 834 * , J . W . Sutton , 73 ; Farrer , 1462 -, J . Stephens , 73 ; Buck , 1196 ; Willett , 1571 ; Bowen , 15 71 ; Hawkes , 65 ; Nicholson , 101 ; Rutherford , 188 ; Percy , 228 ; Cook , 177 ; and some others whose names we

would not learn . The work , done in an able manner , was initiating Mr . F . T . Bayley into Freemasonry , and installing Bro . W . T . Lover , W . M ., who appointed as his officers Bros . W . Batchelor , S . W . ; F . Garbett , J . W . ; J . A . Smith , I . P . M . j F . H . Ebsworth , P . M ., Treas . ( re-invested for 7 th time ) -, Fredetick Walters , P . G . J . D . Middlesex , P . M . Sec . ( re-invested for gth time ) ; J . Stock , S . D . ; J .

Porter , J . D . ; T . Simpson , I . G . ; J . H . Harmsworth , P . M ., D . C . ; G . J . Grace , P . M ., W . S . ( re-invested for 3 rd time ) ; W . Y . Laing , P . M ., Tyler ( re-invested for gth time ) . A vote of thanks was given to Bro . J . A . Smith for his doing the ceremony of installation , thc same to be entered on the lodge minute book . Afterwards at the banquet table a five-guinea Past Master's jewel was given him , which had been unanimously voted to him from the

lodge funds . An important notice of motion was unanimously agreed to . The report of the Audit Committee was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on lodge minute book . Some candidates were proposed for initiation . The lodge was closed and adjourned until Thursday , December 7 th . Banquet and dessert followed . The usual toasts were given and responded to . An agreeable evening was happily spent .

KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . —The opening night after the recess of this lodge was held at the Surrey Club House , Kennington Oval , on the 3 rd instant . The lodge was opened at 4 . 30 in the afternoon by the W . M ., Bro . Everett , P . M . Domatie , assisted by Bros . Higgins , S . W . ; Reeves , J . W . ; Walls , S . D . ; Kohler , J . D . ; Speedy , I . G . ; Marsden , W . S . ; Gardner , I . P . M . ; Page ,

P . M ., & c , Treas . ; Stuart , Sec . ; "Mann , P . M ., & c . ; Ki . ch , P . M . ; Drysdale , P . M . The minutes of the previous meetng having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bro . King , passed Bro . Wardley , and initiated Messrs . \ V . G . Webster and H . J . Fischcl into the Craft . Tlie three arduous ceremonies were most excellently carried out by the W . M ., and their impressiveness was greatly enhanced by

the accompaniments of Bro . Ellis , jun ., Org . Previously to the closing of the lodge , the W . M . rose and stated that he took that opportunity of expressing his thanks to those brethren of the lodge who had supported his Stewardship at the last festival ol the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . He said that , as they were aware , Bro . Page , their esteemed Treasurer , had been appointed by the lodge to

act as Steward , but that brother very kindly gave way , and he ( the W . M . ) was enabled to take up a list of nearly £ 60 , which was , he thought , a very lespectable sum considering the age and strength of the ledge . Several propositions having been taken , the lodge was closed in ancient form , and the brethren adjourned to au excellent banquet . The visitors were Bros . Littcll , P . M . 806 , late

1381 ; rainier , J . W . Domatie ; Dr . Jones ; Held , 177 ; Scott , 1558 . The cloth having been removed , thc W . M . stated that it was not his intention on that occasion to bore them with long speeches , but as they knew there were certain regular toasts to propose , he must crave their in - dulgence while he gave a short preface to each . The first toast , he said , required but little introduction , because as

Englishmen they were proud to live under the benign rule of their Royal lady Victoria , and as Freemasons they were bound to honour their ancient institution on all occasions . He therefore called upon them to drink to " The Queen and thc Craft . " In proposing " The M . W . G . M ., " thc W . M . said that at their last meeting H . R . H . was in the distant Kast , and it must be very gratifying to them to

think in the interim that he had returned home safe and in good health , and that many beneficial results , aiising from his visit , were already apparent in India . This toast was received with excellent fire . " The Health of the Pro G . M ., Deputy Grand Master , and the rett of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " followed . The W . M ., in introducing this toast , said the Cralt were to be congratulated

upon possessing two noblemen who carried out the duties of their high Masonic station so well as the Earl of Carnarvon and Lord Skelmersdale . The latter in particular was a most enthusiastic Mason , and never missed an opportunity of honouring , and aiding by his presence every great Craft gathering . He was sorry that the Kennington Lodge had not a member possessing Grand

Lodge humours , but he hoped that that would not beal ways Ihe case . In conclusion he expressed an opinion that whilst Freemasonry was supported by the prominent members of the English aristocracy it must ever flourish . The I . P . M ., in giving the toast ot " The W . M ., " said that he was glad that the pleasing duty had devolved upon him of proposing the health of their W . M ., for the manner in

which Bro . Everett had discharged the arduous duties of the chair since his election was a proof that thc lodge had elected the right man in the right place . He personally considered it an honour to serve under their W . M ., and he ( the I . P . M . ) would endeavour to assist him in every way during the remainder of his year of office . Previously to this toast being drunk , Bro . Mann , P . M ., having obtained

Ihe permission of the I . P . M ., stated that he wished the brethren to know that their W . M . had very handsomely presented thc lodge with a valuable harmonium , which , as they were awarc , would greatly heighten the impressiveness of the various ceremonies . He was sorry lhat the mailer had not been mentioned in the lodge , but at thc next

meeting a vote of thanks would bc moved to the W . M . for his liberal and considerate addition to the lodge furniture . The W . M ., in his reply , expressed his thanks to thc I . P . M . for proposing his health , and the brethren for responding tc it so warmly . He assured the brethren that he was proud of holding thc position of W . M . in the Kinnington Lodge , and he was pleased to

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

think that his humble efforts to promote its interests were so ably seconded by his officers . With respect to the harmonium which he had presented , he wished to say a few words . The summer festival in connection with the lodge , had out of consideration for the great loss he had sustained by the death of his mother and two sisters been most kindly put off by the brethren , and as it had been his

intention to have been personally at some expense in order to have increased the comforts of the brethren on the occasion he thought that the best thing he could do , as the outing did not take place , and also to commemorate his year of office , was to present the brethren with an instrument , that the solemnity of the lodge working might be increased . He then proposed " The Initiates , " which

toast having been drunk , Bros . Webster and Fischel responded very neatly . They stated that they had long desired to join the Craft , and they expressed their thanks to their proposers for having given them that opportunity , and in conclusion that they were profoundly impressed with thc ceremony of their initiation , and that they hoped some day to fill the proud position so ably occupied by the W . M .

In proposing " The Health of the Visitors , " the W . M . gave as his opinion that the interchange of lodge courtesies was one of the principal supports of the Craft . By visiting different lodges the brethren had opportunities of studying the various workings , and of making new and cementing old friendships . In conclusion , he called upon Bro . Dr . Jones to reply to the toast . That brother , in the course of

a very long and eloquent speech , said that he was proud at having his name coupled so prominently with the toast . He was reminded forcibly of the words in Dante ' s "Inferno , " " Abandon hope , all who enter here ; " but that inscription could not be used in connection with the Kennington Lodge , for when he entered its portals he found unbounded hospitality , charming geniality , and perfect harmony

prevailing . He had visited nearly every city and town m England and many places abroad , and he had always found that a Freemason had a sure passport and an introduction to every society . He desired the newly initiated brethren to bear in mind that they had that day entered an institution which , notwithstanding the denunciations of Pcpe and Kaiser , had stood for ages , and would stand

until time should be no more . When they came to consider the vast hold that Freemasonry had taken throughout the habitable globe and thc great benefits it conferred , it was astonishing that men could be found weak enough to sneer at its virtues , its philanthropy , and above all to impugn the divine principles of religion that it eliminated . In conclusion , he wished to assure the brethren that even after

forty years' experience of the Craft he was as proud of it as on the day when he first saw the " light . " " The Past Masters' Toast " followed , and was responded to by Bros . Gardner , Mann , and Koch . In giving " The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary , " the W . M . expressed the great obligations he was under to those popular and worthy Brethren . Without the hearty and valuable co-operation

of those important officers , no W . M ., he said , could hope to cairy out the duties of his position with satisfaction to himself and to the approval of the brethren . This toast having been duly honoured , Bros . Page , Treasurer , and Stuart , Secretary , responded . In the course of their respective replies they said that the majority of the members were such good paymasters that their duties were rendered comparatively easy , and they were , as old Masons ,

delighted with the great progress that thc Kennington Lodge had made , both as regards numbers and the status of its members . They were also gratified that their respective duties had been so warmly recognised by the W . M . in the proposing and the brethren in receiving the toast . The toast of " The Officers " followed , and was responded to by Bros . Higgins , Reeves , Walls , and Marsden . The Tyler's toast , at eleven , terminated thc proceedings .

MARQUESS OF RIPON LODGE ( No . 1489 ) . —Yesterday week the installation meeting of this young lodge was held in the hall of the Metropolitan Societies ' Asylum , Balls Pond-road , when Bro . W . II . Murlis , W . M ., opened the lodge . After some formal business had been transacted , Bro . Wm . Stephens , P . M ., ascended the chair , and installed Bro . T . E . Jessett as W . M . for the

year . The W . M . then invested the following brethren with their collars and jewels of office : —Bros . Walford , S . W . ; Dr . Symonds , J . W . ; W . Stephens , Treas . ; W . H . Murlis , Sec . ; John High , S . D . ; Hastings Miller , J . D . ; Glaskin , I . G . ; W . Grist , D . C ; Chas . Smith , W . S . ; and Gilchrist , Tyler . Thc installation was thc only ceremonial business before the lodge , all other work having been

wisely cleared off at a former meeting , and the brethren thereby spared the necessity of sitting in a warm room for an excessive number of hours . After the installation cer ? . mony was perfected , the W . M . decorated Bro . Murlis with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel ; and subsequently a vote of thanks was passed , and ordered to be recorded on the lodge minutes , to Bro . Stephens for pei forming the

installation . Lodge was closed at an early hour , and the brethren afterwards partook of a choice banquet , supplied by Bro . W . Grist . When this had been done ample justice to , the usual toasts were proposed and honoured , and Bro . E . P . Albert , G . P ., was called upon to respond for the G . Officers . This having been done , Bro . Murlis , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of thc W . M ., " and Bro . Jessett , in the course of

his reply to the toast , said he should endeavour to fulfil the expectations that the brethren were kind enough to entertain of his work . Before sitting down he proposed "The Health of the I . P . M ., " and , referring to the jewel which had already been presented to Bro . Murlis , said that brother had thoroughly descived it by the faithful discharge

of his various duties while in the chair of the lodge . Bro . Murlis responded , and said that although the brethren had been pleased to consider him as advancing the interests of the lodge , he thought that Bro . Wm . Stephens should have been associated with the toast , that brother having exerted himself very much to bring the lodge to a state of great efficiency . Bro . Binckes's name having been asso-

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ciated with " The Visitors , " he in the course of his reply referred to the high name which the Marquess of Ripori Lodge had already secured for itself in the Craft , and said he was sure that the name would never be tarnished in any shape or way , but that it would be handed down to those who succeeded to its Mastershi p , to emulate the good deeds of those who had gone

before them . Although he had been called upon to reply as a visitor he took that opportunity of thanking the brethren for what they had done for the In . stitution with which he was more immediately con . nected and he did no more particularly because he had been frequently invited to the lodge , but had not previously been able to attend . When proposing " The Masonic Institutions " the W . M . announced that the first

year of the lodge ' s existence , when Bro . W . Stephens was W . M ., he acted as one of the Stewards for the lodge , and in the coursa of that year £ 300 was subscribed on the lists for the Institutions . This year a similar sum was collected . Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , replied to the toast , and after acknowledging the healthy support whichwas given by the whole of ' . he Craft to the Institutions of the Order gave , an account of tbe rapid increase which of late years had been

made in the benefits these chanties had conferred on the Craft to meet its increasing requirements . The other toasts were afterwards given , and the brethren separated after enjoying a delightful evening , in which music and singing were plentifully introduced . PUTNEY . — The . Royal Commemoration Lodge ( No . 1585 ) . — The meeting of the members of

the above lodge took place on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Putney , when the W . M ., Bro . Joseph Wright , who *' was supported by the whole of his officers , had a full compliment of work before him . The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the first regular meeting , held in April , and the emergency held in June , were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the

Second Degree and the examination having bcen ' undergonc Bros . Mansell , Cook , Harrison and Russell were afterwards raised to thc Third Degree in the usual careful manner of the W . M ., who also gave the traditional history . Bros . Hatfield , Eykyn and Weston , were passed to the Second Degree , having been found duly qualified . Ballot was taken for Mr . Matthews and Mr . Foghill . Thc

former being a Lewis , he with Messrs . 'Easton , Pardee , Maryon and Williams were duly initiated by the W . M . in the ancient mysteries . Whilst the candidates were being prepared , the first and second sections were worked with the kind assistance of Bro . Collings , the D . C . Such a happy idea as this , in so young a lodge , speaks well for those who have the privilege , we may so term it , of

belonging to a body of Masons , who thus use the spare moments to such good advantage . The W . M . on rising as usual , had three candidates proposed , there being thc same number for admittance will again exceed the compliment allowed , so that this young lodge at present bids fair to become as popular as any going . This having brought the business to a close , the meeting was adjourned

to November . At thc banquet that followed , the usual toasts were given , and in reply to that of "The Visitors , " P . M . Bro . Wise responded , and thanking the W . M . and brethren in his own name and for the other brethren for the kind way they had been received , and the pleasure they had experienced . P . M . H . Smith , the Secretary , in a very humourous speech proposed " The Health of thc W . M „" who rose to reply . On the completion of Bro . Cook ' s

song " The Health of the Inmates " was thc next toast ( the E . A . song being given by a lay brother ); they Mtumed thanks in a very brief manner . The other toasts that followed were , " The Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Officers" and "The Lay Members , " . ' all of which were duly responded to . This pleasant evening , both in and out of the lodge , was brought to a close in the usual manner by Bro . Steed , the Tyler .

THE -WANDERER'S LODGE ( No . 1604 ) . — This vigorous young lodge met on Tuesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , where the W . M , Bro . Geo . D . Roe , ( P . P . G . S . Western Division South Wales ) , presided . In the absence of the Senior Warden the W . M . was assisted by Bro . Alfred Brookson , S . D ., as his principal officer , and Bro . D . Evans , J . W ., being

obliged by urgent business to retire immediately after thc opening of the lodge , another brother had to be deputed to fill his place . The other brethren present were Bros . Halpin , Chaplain ; Meredith , Acting I . P . M . ; F . J . Wray , J . D . ; G . Boulton , I . G . ; C . Fuller , Geo . Cox , Stewards , and the following brethren : Geo . Saunders , F . Newman , J . Harper , Keen , J . Wade , J . Brown , W . Duncan , E .

Hornblower , H . Bennett , G . Collins , W , Gordon , W . b . Parsons , "VV . Sheffield , C . A . CoUebrunc , V . G . P .-. J . Hudspeth , B . Barton , A . J . Hardy , G . Morrison , S . Corbett , L . Marchant , John Guy . Amongst the visitors were : Bros . F . C . Pratt , <* - ¦*; 7 ; C . Cooke , 913 ; E . C . Massey , 1297 ( " Freemason" ) j H . Dowdney , 145 ; G . Schultz , 13 * , G . Gillem , 192 ; H . S . Cooper , 228 ; R . J . Clapham ,

308 ; VV , Leeman , P . P . G . Chap . West Yorks , and P . O . Chap . Durham . The lodge having been opened in due form the following candidates were balloted for and approved , Mr . Geo . S . Reilly , Quartermaster Sergeant Royal Engineer Hone Guards , War Office , S . W ., proposed by Bro . Young and seconded by Bro . Scott , Secretary , and Mr . George D . Head , late Serjeant-Major Tailor 5 th Regiment , Examiner Royal Army Clothing Factory ,

Pimlico , S . W ., proposed by Bro . Young and seconded by Bro . Harper . The ceremony of initiation was performed separately for each of these candidates , after which Bros . W . Sheffield , VV . Keen , R . Ball , and J . Wade were passed , and Bro . George Saunders was raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M . We cannot too highly praise the working of Bro . Roe , which for impressiveness is rarely equalled , and considering that both his principal officers wenabsent thc pieciston with which the ceremonies vietc