Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

applause of the brethren , to express their thanks , which each did in a few well-chosen words . The presentations had come to them in the nature of surprises . Whatever they had done for the lodge had been in a true spirit of anxiety for its prosperity , and it would be their pride and pleasure when they wore the jewels to remember the donors and the happy hours they had spent under the banner of

Eboracum , iGu . The jewels were designed and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , and were of a very chaste description . The Treasurer ' s consisted of the cross-keys , suspended from a Past Master ' s emblem under a scroll , inscribed " Presented to W . Bro . G . Balmford , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., by the brethren of Eboracum , 1611 . " That presented to the

Secretary had the cross pens under a scroll engraved " Presented to Bro . James Kay by the brethren of Eboracum , 1611 . " The Secretary then read a letter from Bro . Stephenson , I . G ., thanking the lodge for its sympathy with him in his severe illness . " Hearty good wishes " having been expressed by the

visitors , the lodge was then closed , and the whole party adjourned to an excellent supper which had been set out in the banqueting room . The tables were tastefully decorated with plants . Bro . T . B . WViyteYieatl presided , and was supported by the other Past Masters and visitors . At the conclusion of supper an adjournment was made to

the smoke room , where the usual toasts were given . "The Health of the Visitors" was responded to by Bros . J . Todd , P . M . 236 , and W . H . Cowper , P . M . 184 S . " The Healths of the Treasurer and Secretary " were drank with musical honours , and a right merry evening , enlivened with songs , came to an end all too soon .

WITNEY . —Windrush Lodge ( No . 1703 ) . — Bro . James Stevens ' s Lecture . —The regular May meeting of this lodge was held in the Corn Exchange , on Wednesday , the 5 th inst ., the W . M ., Bro . S . C . Wakefield , Prov . G . S ., being supported by a large gathering of members and brethren from neighbouring lodges . Advantage had been taken by the W . M . of there being no work

before the lodge to proffer an invitation to Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., to deliver his successful and interesting lecture explanatory of the ritual and ceremonial of the First Degree , now so well known to the Craft under the title of " Knobs and Excrescences . " The lodge was opened by the W . M . and the following officers , viz ., Bros . H . W . Drinkwater , P . M ., Prov . G . S . W . Oxon , S . W . ;

Harry Robbins , P . M . and Sec . 1703 , P . P . G . J . W . Oxon , J . W . ; A . T . Matthews , I . P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Oxon ; J . M . Clench , P . M . and Treas ., P . P . G . Std . Br . Oxon ; G . Owens , P . G . Org . Oxon , S . D . ; T . A . Heath , ] . D . ; R . Sheaf , I . G . ; W . H . Tarrant , Org . ; A . Buck , S . Stwd . ; and S . Smith , Tyler . There was a very fair attendance of members , and amongst the visitors were Bros . Butler ,

W . M . 1399 , P . P . G . S . B . Oxon ; J . H . Shayle , R . Corden , and others from 340 ; A . Pearce , S . D ., and others from 151 _ 5 j and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . Wakefield , the W . M ., addressed thebrethren , and stated that he had thought it advisable , as well in the interests of the Iodge itself as for the good of Freemasonry generally , that the otherwise unemployed evening before

them should be made instructive by a Masonic lecture . He had , therefore , invited a well-known London brother , whose efforts in the direction of Masonic instruction were receiving deserved recognition , to attend on this occasion , and to enlighten them on many points of ritual , with a view to comparing their own practice in lodge with the foims and ceremonial which he would expound . He hoped

and anticipated that the initiative he had taken would in the result be justified by the pleasure and enlightenment which their visitor would afford them , and might be imitated by many other Masters of lodges who had " spare evenings" at their disposal . Bro . Wakefield then formally introduced Bro . Stevens to the brethren , and requested their kind attention . A very hearty welcome

was accorded to the lecturer on his rising , and , after a brief acknowledgment of his reception , Bro . James Stevens commenced an address which during nearly two hours rivetted , without the slightest interruption , the attentive consideration of his hearers . We cannot , of course , print that which is intended only for utterance under a tyled roof , and must , therefore , be content with

an expression of our conviction that this lecture ought to be heard in every lodge holding under the United Grand Lodge of England . It deals with the ritual as practised for the past seventy-five years ; with the innovstions made therein , and the anomalies and divergencies which have made the practices of some lodges , when compared with others , not only ridiculous , but , in many instances , most

injurious to the welfare of the Order . We cannot go into any of these particulars , but we strongly commend the lecture to all who desire to have a common-sense reason for what they do and say in Masonic lodges . At the conclusion of his address Bro . Stevens was warmly applauded , and a vote of thanks was unanimously ordered to be recorded on the minutes of the lodge ; the W . M ., who

proposed , and Bro . Drinkwater , who seconded the vote , respectively expressing their high appreciation of the service rendered to Freemasonry by the exposition to which the brethren present had so attentively listened . The lecturer returned his thanks for the compliment paid to him , and stated his readiness to accept from any lodges which might desire to extend the same , invitations for a

like purpose . 'The lodge was then closed , ancl the brethien adjourned to supper , after which the loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bro . Matthews , in proposing " The Health of theW . M ., Bro . Wakefield , " paid a high tribute to the excellent qualitiies which not only so well fitted him for his exalted position , but endeared him so much to the members of his lodge ;

and especially extolled the interest he had shown on this occasion by his personally inviting Bro . Stevens , and so giving his members the benefit of experiencing one of the most instructive and enjoyable evenings of the many passed by them in the Windrush Lodge . ' The Worshipful Master , in response , stated how pleased

he felt to receive such an acknowledgment ol Ins ellorts lo carry out his duty , and especially that his personal invite had been attended with such satisfactory results . He had heard that if he could secure L * ro . Stevens for his lecture neither he nor his lodge would regret doing so , and he must say that even his most sanguine anticipations had been exceeded , He would at once propose " The Visitors , and couple with the toast the name of their Lecturer .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The toast was drunk with much fervour , and responses were made by several of the visitors present , Bro . Stevens contenting himself with a few brief remarks in continuation of what he had previously said in lodge . What , however , he lacked in speech he made up for in recitations , and complied with the earnest requests of the brethren by delivering the Masonic poems , " The Three Great Lights , "

"Masons Vows , and "The Level and the Square . Several excellent songs by other members and visitors added to the social enjoyment of an evening which will doubtless be long remembered by those who shared in the proceedings , and who , at a somewhat later hour than usual , separated with the interchange of fraternal greetings and good wishes .

CATERHAM . —Caterham Lodge ( No . 2095 ) . — The first installation meeting of this Iodge since its consecration was held on Saturday , the Sth inst ., at the Drill Hall . The chair was occupied by R . W . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , W . M ., who was supported

by the following brethren : Bros . A . S . Tomkins , S . W . ; G . J . Eady , M . D ., J . W . ; Fred . A . Guimaraens , P . M ., Treas . ; F . W . Mansell , Sec . ; J . E . Street , S . D . ; C W . C Webb , I . G . ; A . E . Tower , J . T . Cox , G . Hogarth , E . C . Balcombe , Percy W . Wall , H . E . Stenning , and

G . S . Elliot . Visitors : Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , Grand Secretary ; Major-Gen . J . J . Boswell , P . Dep . D . G . M . Punjaub , P . M . 1279 ; W . ' Booth Scott , P . M . 822 ; Ernest H . Morrison , P . M . 416 ; W . Stanhope Scott , P . M . 1397 ; T . Wood , P . Prov . G . W . Surrey , P . M . 1149 ; W . P . Browne , P . M . 90 ; George E . Pym , P . M . 416 ; T . F .

Lloyd , P . M . 416 ; Claude Stott , W . M . S 22 ; Col . W . Granville Sharpe , S 22 ; H . E . W . Tower , 1579 ; T . C . Sandeman , 13 S 3 ; George Ralling , 51 ; W . Crickmay , 1426 ; P . E . Campbell , 1670 ; T . Craston , S 51 ; A . Parrish , 1397 ; H . Thompson , 1008 ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . 'The lodge was opened in due form , and after the minutes of the preceding meeting had been read and

confirmed , Bros . E . L . Balcombe andT . C . Sandeman , of No . 13 S 3 , were raised to the Degree of Master Masons . Ballot having been unanimously taken in favour of Mr . Hugh Gardiner Hill , M . D ., he was impressively initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . Alfred Savill Tomkins , S . W ., W . M . elect , was then presented , and was duly installed into the chair of the lodge for the ensuing year . The

newlyinstalled W . M . then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers as follows : Bros . G . J . Eady , M . D ., S . W . ; J . E . Street , J . VV . ; F . A . Guimaraens , P . M ., Treas . ; F . W . Mansell , Sec . ; C . W . C . Webb , J . D . ; A . E . Tower , I . G . ; and j . Holden , Tyler . Owing to the unavoidable absence of Bro . Andrew Lockie , his investment as S . D . was postponed . The usual addresses were then

impressively delivered by the Installing Master , Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman . There being no further business for transaction , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a substantial repast . The first toast— "The Queen and the Craft" —was proposed by the Worshipful Master , " who observed that as loyalty was one of the great principles of Freemasonry , the

brethren would receive it with enthusiasm . "The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was next given by the Worshipful Master , who referred to the great interest taken by his Royal Highness in everything calculated to benefit the country , remarking that no better proof of this could be found than in the fact that he presided in such an able manner over

Freemasonry . " The Grand Officers " was then proposed , the Worshipful Master observing that there was very little that he need say to ensure that toast being heartily received , for all the brethren respected and revered the Grand Officers as rulers in the Craft . There was one among them—Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Secretary—whom they greeted as an old friend of the lodge . He was , in fact , the oldest

friend they had , for he was at their consecration meeting . Bro . Col . Clerke had come from a sick bed , and had been put to considerable exertion to pay the lodge that compliment , which the members duly appreciated , and they all sincerely hoped that he would often be their guest . Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , said that , in rising to respond to the toast , he wished to explain that

the task of replying should have fallen to Bro . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , who was the senior Grand Officer present ; but he anticipated that the W . M . was reserving him for a future occasion . It was a very great honour to be called upon to respond , for the toast was a most important and wide-spreading one . In the first place , the Grand Lodee had a loner array of men , who , amongst their

other ties , still found time to perform their duties as Grand Officers . Many supposed that the M . W . G . M . had an easy post as the leader of the Craft . The brethren present would admit that he ( the speaker ) had ample opportunities of knowing , and he could assure them that his Royal Highness took the greatest possible interest in everything connected with the Order , for he was not only an ornamentaLbutagood

and able Master . The Grand Officers were all good and worthy men , and their ranks were recruited year by year from the most able brethren . The present year was no exception , for a brother who held the distinguished position of Lord Chancellor was invested as G . S . W ., while the chair of G . J . W . was occupied by their very popular and esteemed Bro . Lord Charles Beresford . The M . W . G . M . always

selected most eminent men to fill the position of Grand Officers , and they were men who had done suit and service in the Order . It was their wish and desire to be useful , and they were mostgrateful for . the manner in which their healths were received . There was a Grand Officer—Bro . Sandeman —present , who was the father of that lodge , and , as there could be few lodges who had such men , he congratulated

the Caterham Lodge on possessing such a brother . As he ( Bro . Col . Clerke ) had seen the consecration last year , he thought he would make a struggle to be present that evening , to show the great interest he took in | the welfare of that lodge . In proposing " The Provincial Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master said that they took a peculiar interest

in that toast . They would all regret very much that Bro . General Brownrigg was unable to be present , but there were several Prov . G . Officers who had honoured them with their presence . Bro . Wood , P . Proy . G . W . Surrey , after thanking the brethren for their reception of the toast , said that he was very fond of Masonry , and that he was always pleased to attend the various meetings .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The Worshipful Master next gave " The Health of the Visitors , " observing that one of the greatest privileges a Iodge could have was to receive visitors . It was also one of the special privileges of Freemasonry that a lodge should welcome members from other lodges , and it afforded him very great pleasure to see such a goodly array of visitors present on that occasion . They had amongst them Bro . Gen . Boswell , P . Dep . D . G . M . Punjab . The district over

which that brother had presided was one in which there were a great number of verv good lodges . Bro . Major-General Boswell , P . Dep . D . G . M . Punjab , responded , and sincerely thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast . He considered Freemasonry a grand institution , and he had always received the greatest kindness wherever he had visited , to which the Caterham Lodge was by no means an exception . He thanked the

members for the honour accorded to the visitors , and assured them that in India they would receive as hearty a welcome . Bro . Sandeman , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Worshipful Master . " The lodge , he said , had now been in existence two years , and the number of members had been doubled . He congratulated them on having elected Bro . Tomkins to the chair , who would do full justice to the office , and

would no doubt treble the number of members . He felt certain that at the end of the year the same unanimity would exist in the Iodge , and he asked them to cordially drink the health of their W . M . Bro . A . S . Tomkins , W . M ., said he had to thank thc brethren for the compliment they had paid him in electing him to the chair . It was a responsibility to be the second Master of a lodge , but he was proud to follow so eminent a

man as their late Worshipful Master , ihey would no doubt think he had made a mistake in omitting to couple the name of Bro . Sandeman with the toast of the Grand Officers , but he had reserved him for the toast he was now about to propose . It was "The Health of their I . P . M ., the Installing Master , " and he could assure the brethren present that but for him that lodge would never have been brought into existence . He sincerely hoped that the

Caterham Lodge would bring a feeling of unanimity and goodfellowship into existence in the neighbourhood . He had now a vary pleasing task , and that was to pay a small compliment to the I . P . M . on his leaving the chair . The members wished to leave a token of the love and affection they felt for Bro . Sandeman . It was therefore his pleasing duty to present that brother with a cup , which , though apparently empty , was nevertheless filled with brotherly

love and affection . They sincerely hoped their I . P . M . would long live to be with them as a neighbour and a brother , and to help the lodge by his guidance and support . He also trusted that their young lodge would prosper , and be firmly established on that rock which was the foundation of their faith . The cup presented to Bro . Sanderson was a silver one of handsome design , bearing on one side a suitable

inscription , and on the other his coat of arms and crest with the motto "Stet Veritas . " Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , I . P . M ., in reply , assured the brethren that he was speaking in no hypocritical sense when he said that he could not find words to express his thanks . He was glad to know that he had the good will and esteem of them all . It was the seventh time that he had had the honour of filling a chair of a lodge , but on no

previous occasion had he relinquished the task with greater regret . Everything that was possible had been done in the lodge to make him feel that he was well supported . He hoped to be with them for many years to come , and the valuable present he had received would be an incentive to him to continue every effort in his power to further the interests of the lodge . There were several brethren present at that table whom he had initiated and whom he

looked upon as his Masonic children , and he hoped they would regard him with some degree of affection as their Masonic father . He had had considerable Masonic experience in India , where they worked with a will on behalf of Masonry and regarded it as a . work of love . He had also had the honour of being twice appointed for two consecutive years as W . M . of a lodge . He was very pleased to see such a large array of visitors present at their installation , and he hoped before long the lodge would have a

better place to receive them in , as it was in contemplation to build a large public hall to meet the requirements of the neighbourhood . He thanked thc members for the very kind manner in which they had recognised his small efforts , and he hoped that God would prosper their young lodge . " The Health of the Initiate " was then cordially given , and suitably responded to by Bro . Hill , after which , "The Alasonic Press " and "The Officers " having been heartily given and received , the Tyler's toast concluded a most successful and enjoyable meeting .

Instruction,

INSTRUCTION ,

DOMATIC LODGE ( No . 177 ) . —The weekly meeting of this lodge was held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road , on Tuesday , the nth inst . There -were present Bros . H . BuckeridBe . W . M . ; E . M . Gibson , S . W . ; A . Banister , I . W . ; F . I . Tull . S . D . ; I . D . Smith , J . D . ; G . Venables , I . G . j R . Walden Sec ; James Hill , Preceptor ; and R . Rowlands . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Thc lodge was opened in thc Second and Third Degrees , and resumed in the First Degree , and

liro . R , Walden gave proofs of his proliciency in the First , was entrusted , and retired . The lodge being resumed In the Second Degree , Hro . Walden was admitted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The explanation of the tracing board was given . The lodge was called oil ' . The First Section of the Second Lecture was worked by Bro . R . Rowlands and the brethren . The Iodge was resumed in the Third Degree , and closed down . It was proposed , and seconded that Bro . R . Rowlands be the W . M . for the ensuing weekand carried

, unanimously , after which he apppointed his olfi . cers , and named his work as the third ceremony and the First Section of the Third Lecture . Bro . Hill then brought forward the amended bye-laws , and proposed that Tuesday , the 25 th inst ., be appointed to consider and approve them . Bro . Hill proposed that the fifth Tuesday in June , the 29 th , be appointed as the day for thc annual festival of the lodge . Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed in due form until Tuesday , the 18 th inst ., al eight o ' clock . ———

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1433 ) . —A meeting was held oa Monday , the ioth inst ., ; at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster-place , Cleveland-sqnare , l ' orchcster-tcrrace , Paddington , W . Present : Bros . Alphonsc Hardy , W . M . ; VV . f . Mason , S . W . ; I . Potter , J . W . j J . Cmttcnden , ncting Sec . ' ; O . W . Battley , S . D . ; t , Jjailey , J . D . j G . D , Bailey , KG . ; W . Harris , Stwd . ; W , ft , Chalfont , P . M . 142 s j Capt . A . Nicols , P . M . 19 JJ , P . D . G . S . of Wks . Punjab ; J . Smith , W . Chappelc , A . C . Conway , VV , C . Williams , C . S . Mote , E . C . Van Tromp , W , Ii . VVadham , and F . Chandler . Visitor : Bro . 12 . Wilkinson , 901 .