Contents.

CONTENTS .

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS : —• Craft Masonry J 93 Instruction 2 9 l Royal Arch 2 9 l Mark Masonry 2 91 Red < ~ ross of Ccmstantine -97 Provincial Funds 2 9

Thc Contest for the Secretaryship of thc Girls' School 298 The Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution 29 s Another Terrible Colliery Explosion 299 The Election of Secretary to thc Girls' School 299 CORRESPONDENCE : — Election of Secretary , Girls' School 259 Arnual Returns to Grand Lodge 299 Oucries s 99

Easily Caught = 99 Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 299 The Romance of History 300 Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland 300 Our Royal Grand Master 300 The Freemasons' Lifeboats 300 Reviews . - 5 0 r Masonic Notes and Queries 3 ° r

Notes on Art , & c 301 District Grand Lodge of Bombay 302 District Grand Lodge o £ Australia 302 Obituary 3 ° 3 Masonic and General Tidings 303 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 3 ° 4 Advertisements i ., ii ., iii ., iv ., v ., vi ., vii ., viii

REPORTS , etc ., intended for insertion in current number , should reach the Office , ( 198 , Fleet-street ) , by 12 o ' clock noon , on Wednesdays .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

toft Ulasomru ,

LODGE OF FAITH ( No . 141 . )—An emergency meeting of this old lodge was convened on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . The lodge was duly and formally opened ft 6 p . m ., when there were present amongst others : Bros . E . Mallett , W . M . ; C . Dairy , S . W . ; Themans , P . M ., acting J . W . j W . Stuart ,

P . M ., Sec . ; M . Davis , I . P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . O . Middlesex ; Clark , D . C . ; Longstaffe , Tyler . The ceremony of raising Bro . Jannion to thc degree of a M . M . was most ably peiformcd by the W . M . Some minor business having been subsequently disposed of , the lodge was closed in ancient lorm , and the brethren separated until the last Tuesday in September next .

LODGE OF AMITY ( No . 171 ) . —This old lodge met on Tuesday week at the Ship Hotel , Greenwich , the W . M ., Bro . W . 1-1 . Batty , in the chair . There were also present Bro . Joseph William Clever , S . W . ; Bro . W . K . Bateman , J . W . ; Bro . C . Harcourt , Treasurer ; Bro . Joseph Clever , Secretary ; Bro . Edward Phillips , S . D . ; Bro . W . H . Mardon , J . D . ; Bro . H . J . Leslie , I . G . ; Bro . Stevens , Bro . F .

C . W . Fenn , Bro . J . Ashton , Bro . W . Buck , Bro . F . G . Dawson , Bro . Goodinge , Bro . Straith , Bro . Dodd , Bro . Petrie , and Bro . Midence . There weie also several visitors present among whom were Bro . J . Tickle , P . M . and Bro . E . G . Legge , W . M . of the Urban 1196 ; Bro . W . P . Wilson , Hertford , 403 ; Bro . Whitmarsh , Gihon 49 ; Bro . A . Peebles , De Grey and Ripon , 905 ; Bro . L . Soleaque , W . M . Albion

2 ; Bro . Gaston Murray , No , 66 and Bro . Massey ( Freemason ) . Thc formal business of confirming the minutes of the previous meeting having been transacted , Bro . Macnec was raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . Ashton passed to the degree of F . C . both of which ceremonies he performed with his customary case and precision , Bro . Batty then left the chair , which was assumed by Bro .

Clever , P . M ., the Secretary of the lodge , for the purpose of installing the W . M . elect . The event was rendered more than usually interesting from the fact that the W . M . elect was the son of the Installing Master , and no doubt to this fact was due the more than usuall y impressive nature of the ceremony . Bro . Joseph William Clever , thc W . M . elect , was then presented by Bro . Batty , and duly

intrusted , after which he was presented to a Board of Installed Masters , and himself installed into the chair of K . S . and duly proclaimed and saluted . It is needless to say that the ceremony was ably performed ; all who know Bro . Clever well know that it could not be otherwise . The newly elected W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows-. —Bros . W . H . Bateman , S . W . ; Edward Phillips ,

J . W . ; Harcourt , Treas ; Clever , Sec . ; Mardon , S . D . ; Gooding , J . D . ; Dawson , I . G . ; Leslie , Organist ; Smith , Tyler . The ballot was then taken for Bro . S . P . Smith , and being declared unanimous in favour of his admission he was installed into the mysteiies of the First Degree by the newly installed W . M . whose working of the ceremony showed that he is following ably in the steps of his worthy

father . The next business was the presentation of a P . M . jewel to Bro . J . H . Batty , who acknowledged the compliment in a few appropriate words ; and the alteration of the date of the August meeting , concluded the business on the paper . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren afterwards adjourned lo a banquet , served in a style in keeping with the reputation which the Ship Tavern

enjoys for such matters . On the removal of the cloth , the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were g iven from the chair , and warmly received by the brethren present . Tbe toast was responded to by Bro . Willsar from the Prov . G . Lodge of Herts , who in . the course of his remarks referred tc the deep interest taken in Masonry by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Carnarvon and the rest of the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Grand Officers . Bro . Batty , P . M ., said brethren you may naturally suppose what toast I am going to propose when you see me with this gavel in my hand . It is the toast of the evening , and I am sure I am not saying more than the toast deserves . Our newly installed W . M . deserves all the honours you can give him . I am glad to observe that your W . M . has adopted brevity of style in

speaking , not only because it is the soul of wit , but because it is highly convenient . My remarks will therefore also be few . I am proud to be , as Immediate P . M ., entitled to propose our new Master ' s health , a privilege I suppose I shall be entitled to throughout his year of office . It gives me the greatest pleasure because I know that you have now a brother in the chair who will do honour to the

Amity Lodge . He has been doing his best to make himself perfect in his work , so as to thoroughly qualify himself for the duties of his high office , and I think that there can be not the least doubt in the world that in his hands the work of the lodge will be done to your entire satisfaction , and that as a ruler in the Craft he will be found accessible and courteous in listening to the brethren ,

and steady and firm in principle in carrying out the constitutions of the Order . Brethren I give you " The Health of the W . M . " and may he have a very prosperous year of office . Bro . J . W . Clever , W . M . : I hardly know what te say , brethren , in reply to the speech , made in such flattering terms by the I . P . M . During the time that I have been in office in this lodge , I have done my best to

fill the various offices I have held to the best of my ability . You have done me the honour to elect me to this chair , and I promise you that I will do my best in it . If I fail you must put it down , not to want of will , but to want of ability . During my Masonic career , I have done my best to qualify myself for this office ; and should it he my happy lot to have as prosperous a year of office as my

predecessor , 1 trust that I shall be able to perform the ceremonies to your satisfaction and my own . I must however be in a great measure dependent on my officers in this matter , and I hope I shall gain all the support I want , and if I get that I doubt not for the success of my year of office . Brethren , I thank you very much for the hearty manner in which my health has been drunk . "The

Health of thc Initiate , " Bro . S . P . Smith , was nextjproposcd by the W . M ., antl cordially received by thc brethren ; and Bro . Smith returned thanks . Many other toasts were honoured , among which were " The Visitors , " " The Past Masters , "" The Treasurer anel Secretary , " and " Thc Officers of thc Lodge . " In proposing " The Health of the Installing Master" Bro . Joseph Clever , thc W . M saiel

the next least is that of '' The Installing Master . " It is impossible for me to tell you-what he has done for memy obligations as a son are too great—but as regards Freemasonry 1 may say that four years ago , my f . ithtr was placed in the same position as that I hold tonight , anil I occupied the position our Bro . Smith , the Initiate , holds . I hardly know whi . h occasion I have felt to be the

prouder of thc two . I had for three or four years been abroad , but as I was then paying a visit to England opportunity was taken to initiate me . In the following month I was passed to the Second Degree , and then went away , and was subsequently raised by him in another lodge . Brethren , I cannot enter into , so as to express my feelings , now that the opportunity has occurred for my father to instal me into this chair : he is now both father

and brother . I cannot say anvthing more , but call upon you to drink " The Health of the Installing Master . " Bro . J . Clever , W . M ., and brethren , I assure you I hardly know how to return thanks for the honour you have done me in drinking my health in so cordial a manner . I have in the first place to thank you for the honour you have done me in appointing my son W . M . My feelings carry me back

to the time when I was made a Mason . I then resolved that if the Great Architect of the Universe would spare my life that I would train my sons in Freemasonry . Our W . M . is the only one that He has spared to me , an i I have had the double privilege of beginning anel completing the work oE making him a Mason . I had the pleasure of initiating him , I had thc pleasure of

passing him , and in another lodge I had the pleasure of raising him , since that I have had the further pleasure of introducing him into Royal Arch Masonry , and now I have had the added pleasure of installing him into the chair of K . S . Words cannot adequately convey my feelings on the present occasion , I can only assure you that he is determined to carry out the

thorough spirit of Freemasonry in the Amity Lodge , and to discharge his duties to thc utmo . it of his ability ; and I feel satisfied that at the end of his year of office he will have given you satisfaction . I am sure he will endeavour to carry out the spirit of Freemasonry in its entirety , to extend brotherly love to all , so as to show that there is something more in Freemasonry than the outside world thinks

there is . It is my desire and his desire , that m every action of life thc principle of Masonry shall be his rule and guide , and at the end of life may he be called to that Gram ) Lodge above where the world's Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . The pleasure of thc evening was greatl y enhanced by the vocal music provided on the occasion . The lodge has the immense advantage of numbering

among its members many brethren possessing more than usual musical taste and ability ; and some really good music was the result of their combined forces . Much ciedit is due to Bro . Leslie , the newly appointed Organist of the lodge , in ^ his arrangements in this branch of the evening ' s entertainments , the whole of the musical department having been placcel under his direction . It is needless to add that the meeting was a most successful one .

HERVEY LODGE ( No . 1260 ) . —The June meeting of this lodge was held on the 12 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . John H . Southwood , W . M ., presided , and was supported by his officers , Bros . E . J . Goodacre , S . W . ; J . T . Spalding , J . W . ; Jabez Hogg , P . M ., Treas .:

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Charles Atkins , P . M ., Sec . ; E . S . Foot , J . D . ; Orlando L . Latreillc , I . G . ; H . J . Dean , Org . ; and C . T . Speight , T . i and the following visitors : F . Chutey , 1551 ; E ., B . Grabham , P . M . 19 ; S . T . Lucas , 192 ; W . H . Rosenthal , 1673 ; J . Terry , P . M . 218 , & c . & c , Prov . G . D . C . Herts . ; Charles Horsley , P . M , of numerous lodges , and P . Prov . G . Reg . Middlesex ; Fred H . Tate , 156 3 ;

F . R . W . Hedges , 1194 ; and H . Massey , ( Freemason ) . Bro . Daniel File ' ew was elected a re-joining member of the lndge ; Bros . Sang and North were raised ; and Mr . Shadrach Albert John , a gentleman of colour , a merchant of Lagos , on the West Coast of Africa , was initiated . The ceremonies were accompanied by an organ performance by Bro . H . J . Dean , Organic of the lodge . The W . M .

gave notice of a motion to the effect that half the fees for initiation and joining should be taken fro m the general fund and paid over to the Benevolent Fund in order to make the latter a success . The brethren afterwards closed the lodge , and adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , to banquet ; after which they honoured the list of toasts . The W . M . in giving the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " drew the

attention of the brethren to the facts that they had round the table representatives of numerous nationalities—English , Irish , Scotch , American , and African ; by all of whom Her Majesty was loved ; and he looked upon the Queen as the best loved woman in the world . Dr . Jabez Hoeg , P . G . D ., in reply to the toast of the G . M ., the Pro G . M . & c . said that the Earl of Carnarvon by his kind and courteous

manner gave great encouragement to young Masons and to all those who in the transaction of Masonic business came in contact with him . From a long experience of his Lordship he found him well skilled in the conduct of business and the experience of other brethren who attended Grand Lodge must have directed their opinion in the same direction . Referring to the other Grand Officers he

would only have to mention the name of that brother whose name the lodge bore to produce a proof of thc way in which thc Grand Officers discharged their duties . Bro . Charles Atkins , in place of Bro . Hogg , who had to leave in consequence of a professional appointment , proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who was at present in a very indifferent state . The W . M ., however ,

showed his desire to do all he could for the Hervey Lodge by attending to his duties when he really ought to have been in bed . The W . M . having replied , proposed " The Health of the Initiate . " It had been his pleasing duty to initiate several gcr . tlemen during his year of office , and without making any comparisons he could say with all honesty and sincerity there were none he had initiated with

greater pleasure to himself , with griater satisfaction , looking into the ulterior objects of Freemasonry , than Bro . John . Bro . John had come all the way from Africa , with two o ! jects , the pursuit of his own business of a merchant , and Freemasonry . He happened to be a friend of Bro . Dr . Kin >> , who was initiated in the Egyptian Lodge two and a half years ago , and whose recollection of English

Masonry was sufficiently favourable to advise Bro . John , who was anxious to become a Mason , to take his degrees in England . Bro . King , coming recommended by Bro . Atkins , was sufficient assurance that he was a a good and genuine man . He ( the W . M . ) had had thc satisfaction of entertaining at his house Bro . John , and he had found him possessed of those qualities which would

enable him to be introduced fearlessly to the brethren as a gentleman of whom they might be proud . Bro . John had been looking with very curious eyes upon their proceedings , anil it was to be hoped he had incepted on his first lesson in Freemasonry one of a Mason's cardinal virtues—a virtue which he ( thc W . M . ) would only like to see in large practice—thc virtue of charity . If Bro . King only used

and practised it 111 a more extended form than some of the old ones did at home he would be a better reflex of the superb principle which the Order was intended to formulate . —Bro . John , in reply , said he could not for the moment express how satisfied he felt to be among the brethren , and how proud he felt to occupy this position . It was simply corroborative of the fact that Englishmen respected all

persons of honest principle without any distinction of race or colour . He need hardly say that he felt quite elated , and to say the least he felt himself in a strange land , in a strange world , so to speak . He had made up his mind to become a Mason years ago , and it had been his pride that if ever he became a Mason at all he would be initiated in a very respectable lodge , and , under God , he was

glad to say that his ambition had been realised . He felt very thankful to the brethren , and he really hoped that he should on his return to Africa be one more ray in the focus of light to the African race . His visits in England had been very short . Advantage he had had none at all of learning anything of England , but what he could gather from English newspapers and novels ; but it had been his

pride to associate with good people , and he was happy to say , that since his arrival Mere the friends he had met , and the friends those friends had introduced him to , had been true friends to the backbone and in every sense of the word . He thanked the brethren very much for the honour they had been pleased to confer upon him , and he hoped he should carry it onward and onward , and to good

effect , on the West Coast of Africa . Before resuming his seat he would say , " Three Cheers for the Hervey Lodge , " God spare the lives of the brethren , and mi ght they live in charity with one another . He hoped to return to his country and to fill the chair , not by favour , but by merit . In him the brethren saw the true specimen of the negro race , and exactly the good that England had done for

Africa . However , he would not siy more , as he was afraid he would be occupying too much time . What he might have omitted the brethren would please supply . It was quite natural that a stranger should be timid among such a worthy assembly . Under the circumstances he would resume his seat , and he hoped ere long he might meet the brethren again . Bros . Chittey and Dr . Rosenthal responded to the toast of " The Visitors . " Bto ,