Contents.

CONTENTS .

R EPORTS or MASONIC MEETINGS : —• Craft Masonry 54 i United Grand Lodge 54 ' Instruction 543 R 0 v . 1 l Arch 543 Mark Masonry 543 Red Cross of Constantine 544 Notes on Art 54 ?

Obituary 54 s Freemasonry in the United States 545 On the Mountain 541 Red Cioss of Home and Constantine 54 ° Masonic and General Tidings 54 '' Reviews 547 The Swedenborg Rite 547 Roval Masonic Benevolent Institution 547 Hro " . Findel ' s Letter 54 S

Freemasonry in Ireland 54 § What is Toleration ? 548 The Last Grand Lodge 549 The Christmas ' Freemason" 549 Kcnning's Masonic Cyclopedia 534 C ORRESPONDENCE : — The Theistic Position of Freemasonry 549

The German Question 549 The Grand Orient of France 510 The "Cosmo" 5 ? 9 The "National Reformer" 55 ° Consecration ofthe Hammersmith Mark Lodge 551 Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lincolnshire 551 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 552 Advertisements 553 , 554 , i . ii . iii . I v . v . vi .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Ctstft Itoom-j ,

FORTITUDE AND OLD CUMBERLAND LODGE ( No . 12 ) . —This very ancient lodge nut on Monday last at the Ship and Turtle , Lcadcnhall-streit . There were present Bros . Wm . Broivne Kidder , W . M . ; D . Nicol , S . W . ; W . H . Bateman , J . W . ; Henry Mower , S . D ; R . Coombes , J . D . ; and VV . H . G . Rudderforth , I . G .: and . 1 large attendance of the brethren

The working of thc lodge was that of initiating Mr . Frcdeiick Cantor , into the Order as a country member , the ceremony was ably performed by the W . M . After thc ceremony of initiation was disposed of , and the bye-laws having been read by the Sec , Bro . Alfred Snelgiove , the lodge proceeded to ballet for the election of a W . M . for the ensuing year , when the S . W . ( Bro . Nicol ) was

unanimously elected . Bro . nut , P . M ., then proposed that a P . M . ' s jewel should bc presented to the reining * W . M ., Bro . William Browne Kidder , ns he had rendered the ceremonies in that lodge in such an able manner , as had not usually been done by the brethren for years past , and he felt very proud in having such a brother as the W . M . had provtd himself coming into the rank nf the P . M . ' s ,

anil wan sure that , although his year of office had nearly expired , Masonry would not lose the good offices of Bro . Kidder . Bro . Raynam W . Stewart , P . M ., said he had yery great pleasure in seconding Bro . Ruf's proposition , and in doing so said he felt sure that no one who had heard Bro . Kidder do his work could but appreciate thc admirable manner the ceremonies had been gone through ,

and the way the lodge had bc-c-n governed during the year he had presided over them as W . Master . Thc vote was then put and unanimously carried . ThcW . M . then thanked the brethren for their kindness , and the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren then retired to thc banquet-hall , and partook of a sumptuous banquet , such as is usually provided by those well-known caterers ol the Craft , Bros .

Painters . Thc banquet wasfollowcdby the usual Masonic toasts of " Thc Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Walts , " i \ : c ., which were respectively received by the brethren with honours . "The Health of the W . M . " was then proposed by Bro . George Angold , the I . P . M ., who said that it afforded him great pleasure in proposing the toast , and yet it gave him pain—he said he was a man for viry few

words , but what he was going to say he could assure them came from thc veiy bottom of his heart . In giving the toast he felt a pleasure in proposing thc health of such an excellent and perfect working Mason as Ihe W . M ., and pain in knowing that it was thc last time he , Bro . Angold , would occupy the position as I . P . M ., and of having the p leasure of sitting so near lo his Worshipful brother , at

least for a twelvemonth , who to bear was to admire , and he sincerely trusted thnt health and prosperity would altcnd Bro . Kidder for many yinrs to come , a sentiment which he was sure came from the heart of every biother prtsent . The toast was drank with thc nirst fraternal fee-lings ol respect and regard . Thc W . M . in replying said he was unable fully to express to Bro . Angold and the brethren

how sensibly he felt his platitude was due to them f < r the uniform kindness wl ich he had received during his year of oflice in assisting him in the- rise-barge of his official iluu ' es-, and particulaily for their maikcil approval nf his services by voting him a Past Master ' s jewel , which he should wear with the greatest piidc and satisfaction , as an acknowledgment that the lodge was sensible that he , the W . M .,

had carried out to their satisfaction the duties he had urclertaken , and that he felt himself highly flattered hy the manner his health had been drunk by the brethren , and wished them and thc lodge every possible prosperity . The W . M . then proposed "The Health of Bro . Nicol , the Worshipful Master elect . " He said there was no brolhct more entitled to the honiuiable position of Worshipful

Master than Bro . Nicol , and which office he was very phased had that evening been conferred upon him by the unanimous vote of thc brethren . The W . M . rcmaiked that Bro . Nicol had already passed thirty degrees in Masonry , and had ga'ncd the confidence of Ihe bicthmi by his generous disposition and his marked liberality in

supporting the . Masmic Chanties , he being a \ ice-l ' r < sklent of one Institution , and had that evening decided to represent the ledge as Steward to the Masonic Benevolent Inflilution at the forthcoming festival , and then make himself a Vice-President of that one also . The toast was drank with much enthusiasm , and on Bro . Nicol rising to reply , the brethren greeted him very loudly . Bro . Nicol

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

said he thanked thc Worshipful Master very much , and also the brethren for what they had said of him , and felt very pleased indeed for their kindness in electing him as Worshipful Master . He assured them that he would do the utmost that he could for the lodge , and for every brother in it , and he hoped that his year of office would be as pleasant to him as it had been to Bro . Kidder , for whom

he had a very great regard and should never forget his kindness . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . M ., suggested to the brethren the propriety of voting some testimonial to Bro . Ruf , P . S . ( the Treasurer of thc ledge ) , as a mark of their approval of his excellent qualities , and the esteem in which lie was held . Bro . Stewart said he would volunteer his services by calling a meeting at his office to decide

what form of testimonial should be given , and he hoped that thc WML , Bro . Kidder , might during his year of office have the opportunity of presenting Bro . Ruf with the testimonial . The brethren with loud acclamation demonstrating of their approval , immediately named several of the brethren to act as Committe-men . The Worshipful Master then followed on with the usual remaining formal

toasts , and Ihe brclhren then separated , after spending an enjoyable evening . LION AND LAMB LODGE ( No . 192 ) . —The December meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., at tbe Cannon-street Hotel . Brethren present : Bros . Edward Jones , W . M . ; Legg , S . W . ; F . Fellows , J . W . ; George Kenning , Treasurer ; George

Newman , P . M . ; Thos . Cohu , P . M . ; Edw . King , P . M . ; Geo . Abbott , P . M . ; Cook , Carter , Lucas , Pratt , Bright , Hayncs , Da * t , Lorkin , Spairow , Copeland , Perkins , Kent , Mayo , Goddard , and Arkell . Visitors : Bro . Everett , P . M ., and several others , The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The brethren supped together . LODGE OF ISRAEL ( Xo . 205 ) . —The hrethr n

of this lodge held their usual meeting at the Cannonstreet Hotel , on Tuesday evening last . Bro . I . P . Cohen , the W . M ., presided , and was most ably suppoited by hU officers , Bros . A . M . Ciller ., P . M . and S . W . ; A . Bassinglon , J . W . ; II . G . Phillips , S . D . ; Z . Norden , I . G .- , Chas . Coote , Treasurer ; C . F . Hogard , P . M ., Secretary ; W . Liltuar , P . M ., and Francis Buckland , P . M . Thc

minutes of the previous lodge meeting having been confirmed , Bros . J . H . Lobil , and H . Sol . Myers were raised to the Sublime Degree , thc ceremony in each instance being most ably worked by the W . M . and his officers . A ballot was taken for Mr . Louis II . Leon , and found unanimous in his favour , and that gentleman was duly initiated . Upon thc motion of Bro . A . M . Cohen , the following resolution , of

which he had given notice at the previous meeting , having been duly seconded , was earned unanimously : — "That Bro . Emanuel Gompcrs , Bro . Joseph Raphael , and Bro . Francis Buckland , be , and they are hereby elected trustees of thc Lodge of Israel Benevolent Fund in place of thc present trustees , several of whom are no longer members of this lodge ,.

GOLDEN RULE LODGE ( No . rsfn ) . — The regular December meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at thc Air-street Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , thc 4 th inst . Bros . Perry Godfrey , W . M . ; F . G . Longley , S . W . ; J . Jessup , J . W . ; J . Lewis , S . D . ; W . Embden , J . D . ; E . Payne , Org . ; II . Adkins , I . G . ; Past Masters Bros . A . Cross , A . Allworth , and It .

Goddard , and other brethren , visitors : Bros . S . H . Head , P . G . S . ; F . West , P . G . R . Surrey ; W . H . Pannell , 180 ; J . Strachan , 10 ; A . Vyse , 92 ; W . Marshall , J . D . 1549 ; F . Fellows , S . W . 16 79 , J . W . 192 ; H . Bcardshaw , 14 ; F . Biggs , P . M . 1261 j and A . Godfrey , 193 . The business cf thc lodge consisted of initiation nf Air , S . S . Williams , passing of Bros . R . Wrench and W . Shepherd , and raising

of Bro . W . H . lavers . The W . M . was excellent in the working of each degree . The S . W ., Bro . G . Longley was unanimously elected W . M ., and Bros . Wilkins , Diane ' and Davis appointed on the Audit Committee , and a special Past Master's jewel presented to the I . P . Master for services rendered during his year of office . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned

to banquet room , where a rcrru rche' banquet was well served . Thc W . M . here , as in lodge , was excellent , and in proposing the Officer ' s toast was exceedingly happy in the effective but gentlemanly manner in requesting thc officers to bc punctual in attendance . We quite agree with the W . M ., that without punctuality a lodge cannot excel , however gi od in working . It is a duty officers owe to the W . M ., members of lodge , and the C : aft in general .

ST . CLEMENT DANE'S LODGE ( No . 1351 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held as usual at the King ' s Head Hotel , Strand , on the first Thursday in the month , and was , as is generally the case , well attended hy those * eonntcteil with the lodge , yibilst several visitors were present . Bro . Geo . Wilson , the W . M ., occupied the chair of K . S ., and thc degrees were worked ; Bro .

Thos . Carr was raised , and Mr . W . Henry Le May was initiated into thc mysteries of our Order . Bros . Porter , S . W . ; J . Wigg , J . W ., wire present in their respective places , as w < re Bros . J . Butler , S . D . ; W . H . Perryman , J . D . ; E . Barnes , I . G . ; and during the evening amongst those whose names were duly entered in the lodge book were Bros . T . Parker , P . M . ( Trcas ); W . Hilton , P . M . ( Sue . ) ;

D . Belts , P . M . ; W . Hamilton , P . M . ; W . Hale , P . M . ; G . A . Liltlcwood , P . M . ; W . Steward , P . M . ; W . Wiseman , E . Fisher , W . H . Hall ( Freemason ) , A . Hilts , A . Price , J . Welch , VV . B . Date , K . Swanborough , thc Rev . J . Graham , W . H . Ilarwar , J . B . Grieve , W . " Dickens , E . Metix-rell , J . I lodge ?* , Isaacson , Hutton ( 2 ) and others . As the working of thc lodge was nearing ils cunclusion , Bro .

Milton , the excellent Secretary , 111 terms as appropriate as expressive , called attention to ihe lamented death of Bro . the late respected Supt . James Mutt , of the "A " division , whose cheery face and good society will unfortunately no longer bc seen at this lodge . Thc wnrihy Secretary moved that a vote of conduit nee be sent to the family of the deceased , expressive of the great grief that the lodge has felt and tbey have sustained in the loss

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

of so affectionate a father . Bro . W . H . Hall asked thc W . M . to allow him to second the motion , as he was proposed in thc Craft by their departed brother . He paid au eminent tribute to the goodness of the deceased , both in mind and heart , and related that how within a few hours of Bro . Mott ' s decease he had called on him to condole with him and give him a word of comfort in a sad domestic

bereavement which had just befallen him . Bro . Hale , P . M ., in terms of friendship supported the proposition , and took the opportunity of reminding thc brethren of Miss Emily Mott's concert on the succeeding Friday , and during thc evening he disposed of a good many tickets for that always excellent musical treat . Lodge being closed , the brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , at which the

usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly paid attention to . During the evening reference was made by thc W . M . to tbe split with the Grand Orient of Fiance , and there was an unmistakeable manifestation on thc part of the brethren that its divergence f torn the fundamental principle of the ancient Order of Masonry was sat one to commend itself to their sympathies .

KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . —A strong meeting ef this lodge took place 011 the 4 th inst ., at the Surrey Club House , Kennington Oval , when there were present , amongst others , Bros . H . Higgins , W . M . ; Drysdale , P . M ., acting S . W . ; Walls , P . G . O . Middlesex , J . W . ; G . Everett , P . M . Domatie , I . P . M . ; Page , P . G . S ., Treas . ; Street , P . M . 41 , Sec ; Kohler , S . D . ; Speedy , J . D . ;

Webb , I . G . ; Honeywell , P . M . ; Dobie , Asst . Org . ; Robinson , D . C ; Marston , W . S . ; Stokes , A . W . S . ; and Past Masters Mann , Koch , Gardner , and Pope . TI 13 visitors were Bros . J . Pope , P . M . 177 ; G . F . Smith , G . Smith , jun ., and Downics , all of 188 . Thc minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . passed Bros . Martin , Pim , Stevenson and Barry , and initiated

Mr . Charles Webster , thc ceremonies being carefully performed . There being no other business of importance before thc lodge , it was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent repast , which was well catered for by Bro . Timewell , and at its conclusion the preliminary and time-honoured loyal and Craft toasts were done full justice to . In proposing " The Health of thc

W . M ., Bro . Everett , the I . P . M ., that Bro . Higgins had been honourably connected with the lodge since its foundation . He had always been most punctual in his attendance , he was a most excellent working Mason , and ever ready to assist others in thc discharge of their duties . He laboured under great physical difficulties in the rendering of the ritual in consequence of loss of voice , and

therefore in his endeavours to surmount those difficulties he was worthy of their most warm and hearty commendations . The W . M . having briefly replied , proposed "Thc Initiate . " In thc course of his remarks he said that they had received into their Lodge that evening as a member , one who he felt assured would reflect great credit on thc Kennington Lodge . He wished however , particularly to

impress upon their newly-admitted brother , that amongst others there were two very important principles in Freemasonry to be remembered , namcly , "Charity , and Brotherly Love , " which , if properly exercised , not only reflected lustre upon the brethren , but set an example worthy of being emulated by those who were strangers to their mysteries . This toast having been received with

excellent " fire " the brother thus honoured made a neat reply by thanking them for the great aud hearty reception they had accorded him that evening . He had been impressed With the ceremony . He had had for some time past a great desire to join their ranks , and so deep was the interest already f ; lt by him in the Craft that he ferventl y hoped that he should never do anything that would

disgrace Freemasonry , or lower him in the esteem of those seated round that festive board , and that if in his humble way he could advance the welfare of the Order , or promote the interests of any of its members , he would cheerfully anil unhesitatingly do so . The remaining toasts , in consequence of the lateness of the hour , were given but formally , and for the same urgent reasons but briefly acknowledged .

CARNARVON LODGE ( No . 1572 ) . —Thc following is the reply of Bro . Terry in response to thc toast of the Masonic Charities , omitted from our last : — Bro . Terry , in responding , said he rose to return thanks on behalf of the Masonic Institutions in the warmest manner he possibly could , in response to the kind way in which the W . M . had thought fit to submit the to-ast to the

members of the Carnarvon Lodge . He fell especial pleasure in responding lo the toast , because he knew lhat ever since the formation of the lodge it had done all it possibly could to further the interests of the three great Institutions , anil he would illustrate this in the most practical form , by saying that the J . W . in the kindest manner came forward this time last year as Steward for the

Benevolent Institution at the festival , in February . How successfully he carried out this Stewardship was patent to thc members of the lodge , for they knew he carried in nearly £ 100 . This was ihe first time since that festival that he had an opportunity of thanking the lodge for its very handsome donation of £ 20 , which it placed on the list of Bro . Nelson Reed on that occasion .

I'he Institution had during thc pa-sent year an unexampled carter of prosperity , and he believed lhat when the end of the present month arrived they would he able lo say that the year 1877 was the most prosperous they had ever had . He thought they would total up some £ 42 , 000 or £ 43 , 000 , and after such a result lliey might very quickly put aside altogether

any remark lhat might he made hy the outside vnrld as to Freemasonry being an eating , drinking , aud convivial society . He could merely hop .: thai oilier eating , drinking and convivial societies , when they had institutions to support , might be a ' jle to show as good a result in one year as the Freemasons . lie was afraid that in the coming year the Institutions would not have as much success as they had had in the past . An