Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

of initiation was ably rehearsed by the W . M ., Bro . Francis being the candidate . The first , fourth , fifth , sixth , and seventh sections were worked by Bro . Larlham , assisted by the brethren . f * - Cass was elected W . M . for the nsuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . Bro Larlham was elected W . M . for Friday , February th ' on which occasion the members will hold the ' annual festival . It was decided to open the lodge on

that occasion at six p . m ., when three sections in the first lecture will be worked as follows : —Second by Bro . J . W . Watts ; third , by Bro . H . J . Harvey ; and the fourth , by Bro . E . A . Francis . The dinner is to be on the table at -. 30 . Bro . Larlham returned thanks to the brethren for electing him W . M . for the festival night , and hoped that he should be numerously supported on that evening . The lodge was then closed , and adjourned in perfect harmony till Friday , the 14 th inst ., at 7 p . m .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GLASGOW . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 3 $ ) . —The annual festival of the St . John ' s Lodge was held on Tuesday evening , the 28 th ult ., in Maclean ' s Hotel . Previous to the dinner the ceremony of installing the office-bearers for the ensuing year , elected at last meeting , look place in the hall of the lodge , 213 , Buchanan-street , the rite being performed by Bro . A . M'Taggart . The following

is the list of office-bearers : —R . W . M ., Bros . D . M . Nelson ; P . M ., W . Bell ; D . M ., D . Young ; S . M ., 'P . B . Bell ; S . W ., J . Sellars ; J . W ., P . Brownlie ; Treas ., f . Dunn ; Sec , J . Dick ; B . B ., R . Craig ; Chap ., D . Lindsay ; S . D ., A . Cameron ; J . D ., D . Paton ; Archt ., J . Ritchie ; [ eweller , T . A . Tennent ; D . of M ., A . Carrick ; G . M ., 1 . Wilson ; l . G ., A . Peddie ; Tyler , J . Wright ; P . S .,

R . D . Samuels ; Auditors , G . Park , J . M'Millan , T . Fletcher . The dinner in Maclean ' s Hotel was well attended , both by members of the lodge and by visiting brethren , about seventy gentlemen sitting down . R . W . M . D . M . Nelson presided ; Bros . J . Sellars , S . W ., and J . D . Young , D . M ., fulfilling the duties of croupiers . Supporting the R . W . M . were Bros . Sheriff Clark , llev . R .

Thomson , J . Baird , P . M . ; A M'Lcan , W . Kyle , J . Kyle , R . M'Donald , W . Bell , P . M . ; R . Craig , P . M . ; A . M'Taggart , P . M . ; ex-Deacon Robertson , D . Lindsay , J . M'Gaw , and J . Dick . The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured , the Chairman proposed ' ¦ I he Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland , " which was responded to by Bros . W . H . Bickerton for the English , and by Bro .

J . Baird for the Scotch Grand Lodge . Bro . Buchan also spoke to the toast , complimenting the old St . John upon her antiquiiy and still flourishing condition . In proposing the toast of " The Grand Lodge of Glasgow and the Benevolent Fund , " Bro . T . Fletcher , P . M ., said that the fund was being dispensed to great advantage , many poor and indigent widows having received assistance from it . He

would be glad if the Lodge St . John would form a fund h r the assistance of brethren who , from whatever causes , had fallen into decayed circumstances , using as a nucleus the donation of £ 10 which had been received from a worthy member . Bro . J . Baird , P . G . S . M ., responded , and gave " The Army , Navy , and Reserve Forces . " 'Phis was fullovved by the toast of " The Lord Provost , Magistrates , and

Town Council of Glasgow . " Bro . . VTaggait then proposed the toast of the evening , " The Lodge of Glasgow St . John ( No . 3 J ) , and its R . W . M . " Altera reference to the question of the . great antiquity of St . John ' s Lodge , he stated that , however old she was , she was worthy of their drinking prosperity to her with the warmest enthusiasm . St . John ( No . 3 j ) stood forth on the honoured roll in

the Grand Lodge of Scotland , but she had maintained a very high position for the lasttwenty-five years in Glasgow , She had spared no effort in raising Masonry , and had been a loyal daughter . More than this , she had led in every good work . He was delighted to hear the suggestion put forward to establish a small fund in the lodge for the assistance of brethren . Bro . M'Taggart then spoke on the

question of fees of admission , and advocated a still higher scale than that adopted in St . John ( No . 3 * , ) . He held that this was one , and not the least important , of the conditions of elevating Masonry in Scotland , and the chief way in which the benevolent work of the Craft could be carried on . He coupled with the toast the name of the R . W . M ., Bro . Nelson , who , in responding , asked for the co-operation

of the elder brethren in the work of carrying on the business of the lodge worthily . He agreed with Bro . M'Taggart on the question of raising the fees , and , as an argument for Scotch Masons bestirring themselves more in the work of benevolence , stated that in England last year £ 26 , 504 had been raised by Freemasons for the institutions established by the Craft , £ 6630 being sent in on one day . He then again acknowledged the toast , and sat

down amid applause . Amongst the subsequent toasts chiefly prominent was that of ' The LearnedjProfessions , " proposed by Bro . James Ritchie , Architect of the lodge , and responded to by Sheriff Clark in so happy a vein , that after a few remaiks from the Chairman and Bro . Smi'Iie , following upon his lordship ' s reply , the latter expressed his willingness to give in the lodge hall a lecture on "The Antiquities of Masonry " —say somewhere about November next . The evening altogether was a thoroughly pleasant

one . DUMBARTON . —St . John's Kilwinning ( No . 18 ) . —The annual meeting , and installation of officebearers for the ensuing year , and the anniversary of St . John , was held in the lodge-room on the evening of Friday , tha 24 th ult . Bro . Bair , R . W . M ., presided . I he

annual report was read , showing the addition of twenty members , and the income for the year to be about £ 50 odd , most of which was spent in benevolent purposes , the furnishing cf the lodge , and working expenses , this learing the amcunt at the lodge ' s disposal £ 9 6 , the same as last year , ar . d a private benevolent fund , which is at

Scotland.

the disposal of the R . W . M . An inventory of articles belonging to the lodge was likewise read , amounting to £ 210 ... The election was proceeded with , but , there being no opposition for any office , the members proposed at the rcgu ' ar nomination meeting were r ' cc'ared duly elected , viz .: Bros . Wm . Ifodge , R . W . M . ; John Johnstone , D . M . ; Robt . B . Thomson , S . M . ; John Barr , S . W . ;

John McCall , J . W . ; John McKay , Treas . ; Tho ; . Boyd , Sec ; Rev . H . R . Williamson , Chaplain ; Wm . Campbell , S . D . ; Robt . Swan , J D . ; W . F . Henry , S . S . ; Arch . Brodie , B . B . ; Win . I . edgett , I . G . ; Wm . Lawson , S . B . ; Jas . Bachanan , Tyler—all of whom were installed to their respective offices by the Presiding Officer , Bro . P . M . Barr , who in vacatincr the chair said

the office of R . W . M . was one of the highest positions to which a member could attain , and the most honourable to which the brethren could elect a brother . Thousands covet the office , but with it there was great responsibility in the discharging the du-ics aright , the maintaining the dignity of the lodge , and in instiucting the brethren to have credit to fill the offices , likewise to make true and

upright Masons . In their new R . W . M . they were lasir . g nothing but gaining much , and without the assistance of the officers he cannot perform his duties aright , but during the past four ) ears I occupied as R . W . M . my knowledge of the brethren is that the lodge should be proud of their officers , and while we have appointed those to rule over us we must not f jrget our dutie-. The If . W . M . of

any lodge has a certain amount of arbitrary power , so long as he keeps by the Constitutions ; but so long as we aid and support him and his officers it is not at all likely that he will be called upon to be arbitrary . We must all attend to the grand principles we profess , and in concluding he trusted that the harmony which had existed during his term of office may not in lime be distuibed . O-. i the new

R . W . M . taking the chair , along with hisD . and S . Masters , the brethren accorded to them the grand honours . Bo . Hodge , R . W . VI ., in reply , said he had 11 thank the Installing Master for the manner he introduced him to the brethren , and to them also for the high position they had raised him to , and in his new sphere he trusted that he would do credit to his mothfr lodge . In accepting office

he was stepping into the shoes of one who had occupied the position of R . W . M . with credit to himself and his lodge , and his ( Bro . Hodge ' s ) endeavour would be to fill those shoes worthy and well , and from the support that the brethren had promi ed to accord him he had the more confidence of su . cess . In conclusion he hoped the Great Architect of the Universe would grant him wi-dom so to

govern the lodge that the brethren would have profit arid pleasure thereby . The lodge was then passed from ljbaur to refreshment , and the celebration of the anniversary of St . J hn ' s . A blessing having been asked by the Rev . Ch & plain , the brethren did ample justice to the ivpist , purveyed by Bro . Young Baker in his usual creditabl : manner . The R . W . M . read letters of apol igy from Bro . Denny and

others for unavoidable non-attendance . The usual loyal and Masonic toast was then proposed by the R . W . M .. " The Queen and the Craft . " She could not be a Mason , but she had done the next tiling to ir , she had allowed her sons to join the Order , which was a good thing for the Craft . They had already attained a high position in the Order , and he concluded by referring to the various Masonic ecrrnioiiies . the Prince of Wales had

engaged in during his journey through India . As for the Craft , Masonry teaches morality , brotherly love , relief and truth . By the acting to the true principles of Masonry men may attain to all the blessings of the world to come . "The Holy Lodge of St . John ' s , " by the R . W . M ., who in proposing it referred to the interest that St . John touk in Masonry . When above 90 years of age he was appointed

Grand Master of Jerusalem . " The Three Grand Ledges , England , Ireland , and Scotland , " proposed by Bro . J . Barr , S . W . "The Prov . Grand Lodge , " by P . M . Birr , who : aid that the Province of Dumbarton might be proud of their Prov . Grand Masti r , Bro . Smollett , a man of the highest standing , literary and political , and an honour to the fraternity for the interest that he takes in Masonry at

his advanced age—the endeavours he takes to spread the principles of Masonry . All would be gratified to see that he had been appointed to instal the Provincial Grand Master of Argyle anil the Isles , a duty he did with credit to himself and the province of Dumbarton . It was the interest , desire , and prayer that he may be long spared to preside as Prov . Grand Master . 'I he toast was coupled

with the name of Bro . John Bablie , G . S . W ., who , in replying , thanked the brethren for the expression of their sentiments , and , in addition to what P . M . Barr said in regard to Bro . Smollett , that all the brethren must ^ be highly delighted that a man of 74 would , in the middle of winter , proceed into the Highlands , and perform at his age so arduous a duty , thus shewing his lasting interest in

Masonry , and his endeavour to promote the worthy cause was a matter of g'eat congratulation . Many attended that installation that it took at this time of the year eight days to come and return home . "The New R . W . M ., Bro . Hodge , " was proposed by Bro . Babtie , who said that , with a little experience , he would obtain the respect of all . Whattver he undertook he was sure to carry it to a

successful issue , and his career in the oflice of R . W . M . would be a prosperous c ne , from the great interest that he took in Masonry . R . VV . M . I lodge regretted that Bro . Barr thought it his duty to retire , but , after consideration , he was convinced that the promotion of officers should be more frequent , for by so doing it stimulated the brethren to aspire to higher things , but it

was always desirable to retain the services of a brother such as Bro . Barr , but in his new office he would endeavour to succeed Bro . Barr worthily . D . Master Councillor Johnstone said that he had been requested to take the next part in the proceeding of the evening . He would rather it had fallen to other hands than his , but the committee considered that their Chairman was the proper person for

Scotland.

the occasion . So , brethren , you must take the will for the deed . A more pleasant duty could not have fallen to my lot , namely , that of presenting our now worthy Past Master with a token of our respect and esteem for the very efficient manner in which he has presided at the head of our lodge as R . W . M . for the last four years . Mis duties were faithfully performed . During his reign 126 members have been

added to the roll , thus showing the amount of work performed by him , that rhe position of the lodge is improved , and that he addetl more to the roll than any of his predecessors . Many other likely subjects mi ght be multiplied , but most of you arc conversant with them without my recapitulating them . Charity is the distinguishing characteristic of Masonry , r . nd a desire for the enlightenment

and welfare of our fellow creatures is the wish and work of every true Mason . But to any one who occupies the office of K . W . M ., this love for mankind seems to be doubly in their heart , and I am sure Bro . Barr has an extra supply of this love . Many are the occasions that a R . W . M . is called upon to exercise charity , and many were the appeals made to Bro . Barr , as R . W . M ., to all of which he cheerfully

responded . His desire to enlighten his brethren was shown by the careful attention he paid to his office , and the numerous nights he spent in instructing the younger brethren . If it had not teen for the love of Freemasonry the nights thus spent might have been employed by him and gained for him and his many pecuniary advantages , and likewise they might have been occupied in instructing his family

for thi ir future welfare—but time he found for all . When the pn fosal was made to present him with a testimonial , liberally and unanimously did the brethren subscribe to it , and put the committee in a position to present Bro . P . M . Councillor Barr with the purse of sovereigns and this handsome gold P . M . jewel . The former will secure many of Hie comforts of life—but of course Bro . Barr is not

deficient m them—and the latter will in after years bring to his remembrance the forms of those with whom he associate I in this lodge , and among whom was his delight to be ; and may the square and compass guide and guard his actions through life , and God , the great Architect of the Universe , be with him , and the star point his thoughts to that haven above where all true Masons hope

to meet . He concluded by proposing "The Health and Prosperity of P . M . Barr , " which was duly responded to . ( Loud and prolonged cheers . ) P . M . Barr on rising was the sign for those expressions being again and again repeated . P . M . Barr , in reply , said he did not know how to express his thoughts . He felt his own unworthiness . He tried to do his bes ' , but was never satisfied with the

result . When first asked to become R . VV . M . ( four years ago ) he decidedly refused , but he was proposed to the lodge and accepted . From the first three previous years he took a great interest in everything connected with Masonry . During his term of office he was assisted well by all the brethren . The first year Bro . Graham , then R . W . M . of No . 321 , gave him great assistance , but since his

removal to another quaiter the brethren all had materi - ally assisted him , especially Bros . Thomson and Boyd . He had formed association with many who had gone abioad , many win had gone to their long home , and many who were present ; these associations were cemented with t . uly Masonic love , and were never to be forgotten . They were always men

with whom ne was proud to mett . 'I his handsome present has entirely taken me aback . Brethren , you must accept my heartfelt gratitude . I have gained a great deal of instruction since 1 joined the Order , and I intend to gain more from our new R . W . M ., in whom we have found a worthy Master to conduct the business of this lodge , and do honour to the Craft . Again he expressed his thanks to

all . " Departed Brethren , " proposed by Bro . Rev . 11 . R . Williamson , who said that this was the solemn toast of the evening . Many brethren had departed to foreign climesbut , as our P . M . has said , others had gone to their long home—the way of all the earth . It was his fortune to stand around the death bed of many , and hear expressions uttered . With greater feeling of reverence did I attend the

death bed of two , son and grandfather , who died recently —both Masons . 'Their departure was joy to them . Masonry teaches us to cherish a kindly feeling for the widow and fatherless . It is a sad thing to guide the helm when the bark is tossed on the sea of life . Masonry is good when it supports such . The toast was drank with due solemniiy . " The Visiting Brethren , " by R . W . M ., replied to

by Bro . Valentine , Lodge St . Macher , 54 , Aberdeenshire ; "The Sister Lodges , " by R . W . M ., reply by Bro . Alexander , 543 ; " The Ladies , " by Bro . Paton , reply by Bro . Boyd ; " The Festival Committee , " by P . M . Barr , reply by Bro . J . Allen ; " Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty , " proposed by Bro . A . Booth , reply by R . W . M . ; " The Chairman , " by Bro . S . M . Thomson , reply by R . VV . M . The following

brethren gave songs : —Johnstone , Lawson , Campbell , Dewar , Findlay , Dawson , Momson , Barr , and Easton . DUNBAR . —Dunbar Castle Lodge ( No . 75 ) . — Monday Dec . 27 , having been the festival of St . John , the brethren of Dunbar Castle Lodge No . 75 assembled at their lodge room in goodly numbers . The lodge having been opened in the Three Degrees , Bro . D . Vallance , P . M .,

in the chair , Bro . Charles Nelson , J . W ., was installed R . W . M . for the ensuing year , having been proclaimed in the East , West , and South in due form . The lodge being lowered to the First Degree , the following brethren were elected and installed office-bearers for Ihe ensuing year : — D . Vallance , P . M . ; J . Sharp , D . M . ; A . Melvin , S . M . ; J . Blake , S . W . ; II . Payne , I . W .: J . Smith , S . D .

Wm . Wilkinson , J . D . ; P . Morrison , Steward ; A . Main , Asst . Steward ; J . McGr . aiv , l . G . ; Ii . Knox , Tyler . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired to the Castle Inn for supper , Bro . Charles Nelson , R . W . M ., in the chair . 'The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been given and heartily responded to , a most enjoyable evening was spent . This lodge is , and has for sometime been , in a most flourishing conditior ; and we