Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

He knew the officers would support him in his endeavours , and he felt sure that the lodge would not lose any of the dignity it had attained . " The Visitors " was given in cordial terms by the W . M ., who heartily welcomed the visiting brethren , and expressed the hope that they had enjoyed themselves . Bros . Hamer , Baynes , Anderson , and Frigout replied in

suitable terms . Bro . Ellis , I . P . M ., returned thanks for "The Past Masters , " and Bros . Lister , P . M ., Treas ., and Major Finney , P . M ., Sec , for " The Treasurer and Secretary . " Bro . Finney said he was very pleased to see so many good men and true around the lodge . Since he was installed as the first W . M . many good men had succeeded him , and he trusted would continue to do so . If the brethren

were satisfied vvith his work as Secretary he vvas very gratified . Bro . W . D . Harding responded in appropriate terms for the toast of "The Officers , " and assured the W . M . that the officers would do their best to support him during his term of office . The Tyler ' s toast then brought the proceedings to a close .

KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . —This prosperous transpontine lodge met at the Horns Tavern , Kennington Park , on the 4 th inst ., when there present , among others , Bros . R . Lingley , W . M . ; Foale , S . W . ; Westley , W . M . 186 , J . W . ; Geo . Everett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Ruffle , S . D . ; Dennis , I . G . ; Lundie , D . C . j Davis , Stwd . ; Koch , P . M . ; Henry Higgins , P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . W . Middx . ; C .

H . Kohler , P . M . ; Cockburn , P . M . ; R . La Feuillade , P . M . ; and others . Among the visitors was Bro . Bailey , S . D . 1732 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . J . Potter and F . W . Belleini were raised , and Bros . J . Barns and J . Barry were passed , and Mr . W . J . Potter duly inducted into Craft mysteries , the

three arduous ceremonies being admirably performed . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was admirably served by Bro . Buxton and assistants . The usual toasts followed . "The Health of the W . M . " was warmly proposed by Bro . La Feuillade-.

The W . M ., having replied , gave " The Initiate , who responded in a few short sentences . The toast of " The Visitors" followed . Bro . Bailey , among others , acknowledged the compliment , and congratulated the lodge upon its excellent working , delightful harmony , and profuse hospitality . The toast of "The Past Masters" was coupled with the

names of Bros . La Feuillade and Walls , who replied . In giving the toast of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " the VV . M ., after speaking most highly of the zealous and efficient services rendered to No . 1381 by Bros . Everett and Stuart , concluded his speech by reminding the lodge that on the following night , at Grand Lodge , Bro . George

Everett would be nominated as Grand Treasurer , when he hoped that as many of them who were eligible would attend , and give their approval of the nomination by hand and voice . Bros . Everett and Stuart having replied , The toast of "The Officers , " coupled with the names of Bros . Foale and Westley , terminated the proceedings .

ROYAL COMMEMORATION LODGE ( No . 1 5 ^ 5 ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held at the White Lion Hotel , Putney Bridge , on Wednesday , the 5 th inst , when there were present Bros . W . C . Williams , W . M . j Wing , S . W . ; Harding , J . W . ; Fayers , acting S . D . ; Oliver , J D . ; Coombe , I . G . ; Bowler , acting Tyler ; Watkins , Treas . ; Robinson , P . M ., Sec . ; Collings ,

P . M ., D . C . ; Stacey , P . M ., Org . ; P . M . Pardoe , P . M . ; Grundy , Green , Howard , Knight , Keene , Price , Warlow , Baker , and about ten others . Among the visitors were Bros . Wingfield , P . M , i ., 6 o ; Silcock , S . D . 144 ; Tucker , 144 ; Betts , 865 ; Cory , S 65 ; and Turner , 1767 . The lodge having been opened in due form , Bro . Hague was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M ., and Bro .

Marshall was passed to the Degree of F . C . A ballot was taken for Mr . J . H . Morrish and Mr . J . Cox , and it proving unanimous in their favour they were duly initiated . The whole of the ceremonies were carried out by the W . M . in such an able and impiessive manner as to elicit the highest encomiums from the brethren and visitors present . Some routine business having been transacted , the lodge

was closed . After discussing the good things provided by the host , Bro . Silcock , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were pithily proposed and enthusiastically received . The toast of "The W . M . " was proposed by Bro . Robinson , P . M ., who complimented the Iodge on having such an able Master and the W . M . on having such a

prosperous and harmonious lodge . On proposing the toast of " The Initiates , " the Worshipful Master remarked how fortunate the lodge had been lately in the quantity and quality of its initiates . Bros . Cox and Morrish replied , the latter at some length , referring to the impression made upon him by the beautiful ritual and the impressive manner in which it had been

rendered . To the toast of "The Visitors " ail the brethren named responded in brief but felicitous terms . Bros . Robinson , Collings , and Pardoe replied for " The P . M . ' s . " ' 1 he Secretary replied for himself and Treasurer to the toast proposed in their favour , the Treasurer having had

to leave owing to his long journey home . The Worshipful Master proposed "The Officers , " complimenting them generally on their ability , but forcibly impressing upon them the necessity of attending lodges of instruction , and remarking on the small number who availed themselves of his invitation to meet him at the Royal Commemoration Lodge of Instruction on the previous Monday

evening . Bios . Wing , S . W . ; Harding , J . W . ; and Fayers , acting S . D ., responded . The Tyler ' s toast closed a most enjoyable evening . During the evening Bros . Green , Howard , Knight , and Price gave songs and recitations in a most satisfactory manner .

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GALLERY LODGE ( Mo . 1928 ) . —On Saturday , the Sth instant , this lodge held its installation meeting at Brixton Hall , Brixton , but before the installation of the new Master , Bro . Dr . Robert Jones Griffiths , LL . D ., was celebrated , a considerable amount of lodge business had to be transacted by Bro . John C Duckworth , the out going Master . The lodge was therefore opened as early as

half-past two o ' clock , when , after the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken with regard to the candidature for initiation of Mr . Alfred Farthing Robbins , London Correspondent of the Birmingham Daily Post , and the ballot being in favour of his admission , he was forthwith initiated into the secrets and mysteries of the First Degree . The ceremony of

raising Bro . E . L . Drogrez to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason was also celebrated , and sundry other lodge business , including the voting for the reception and adoption of the Auditor's report upon the accounts of the past year , was transacted . The installation of Bro . John Duckworth , in 1887 , was rendered a gloomy event by the death of his predecessor in office , Bro . Goldsmith , and it is a

melancholy fact that since that time several deaths have occcurred among the members of the lodge . The business before the lodge on Saturday included notices of motion relating to the most recent losses of this kind , namely that of Bro . Turner , and that of Bro . Robt . A . Hancock , J . D ., the last-named being one of the first initiated members of the lodge , and one of its most consistent and devoted

supporters . All the members of the lodge wore Masonic mourning , and , before separating passed a vote of condolence and sympathy with Bro . Hancock's family . When the ordinary business of the lodge had been concluded , the Master gave directions that the brethren should be called off for refreshment . On the brethren returning to the lodge , Bro . Robt . Jones

Griffiths , S . W ., was duly installed into the chair of K . S ., according to ancient custom , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Henwood l'homas , P . M ., D . C . After the newlyinstalled Master had been duly proclaimed and saluted , and after the customary orations had been delivered at the close of the ceremony , Bro . Dr . Griffiths proceeded to invest his officers , of whom the following is a list : Bro .

Herbert Wright , S . W . ; W . T . Perkins , J . W . ; H . Massey , P . M ., Treas . ; Thomas Minstrell , P . M ., Sec ; Robt . J . Albery , S . D . ; C Basil Cooke , P . Sec , J . D . j E . E . Peacock , I . G . ; J . H . Thomas , P . M ., D . C ; Fredk . H . Gale , Asst . D . C . ; Percy Wallace Husk , Org . ; Chas . Greenwood , Charles K . Moore , Francis W . Pattison , and Wm . Macdonald , Stewards . The following were among

the visiting brethren : Bros . F .. A . Philbrick , G . Reg . ; R . Eve , P . G . Treas . ; Fred . Binckes , P . G . Swd . Br ., Secretary Masonic Institution for Boys ; Wm . Smith , 222 ; J . H . Fisher , late 93 ; Geo . Drysdale , P . M . 708 ; E . Putman , D . C . 1362 ; Frank Williams , Stwd . 101 ; J . H . Hawes , 3 8 ; J . L . Cross , P . M . 90 ; C . Cowper Cripp , W . M . 1626 ; Edward Dalzell , P . M . 1549 ; T . VV .

Hanson , Sterndale Bennett Lodge ; J . A . Brown , W . M . Chough Lodge ; and E . C . Massey . The lodge having been closed , the brethren and their guests adjourned to another room on the same premises , where dinner was served , and when full justice had been done to the various viands set before them , and the waiters had retired , the toast list was proceeded with , the

speeches being interspersed with songs and recitations . The musical arrangements were left to the care of Bro . Frederick Bevan , who was assisted by Bros . Edw . Dalzell , T . W . Hanson , and J . A . Brown , artistes sufficiently well known to render it superfluous to add that their singing contributed materially to the success of the evening . The first toast was , of course , "The Queen and the

Craft , " which was duly honoured by all present . The toast to "The Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , " followed , and was in like manner drunk with enthusiasm . In proposing "The Health of the M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . said that in

this and most other lodges that was considered very much as a formal toast , because the brethren , as a body , did not understand very much about the vvork the Grand Officers had to do ; but when it vvas considered that there were more than 2000 lodges holding directly from the Grand Lodge of England , and that there were questions constantly arising which had to be determined within the purview of

the Grand Lodge ; that these 2000 and odd lodges are controlled , and helped , and stimulated by the Grand Lodge ; that there are three Charitable Institutions depending , more or less , upon the patronage of Grand Lodge ; that the whole fabric of Freemasonry is crystallised at Freemasons' Hall—when the whole system vvas contemplated , the thought must arise in the mind which in the days of

old found expression in the exclamation , " Oh , wonderful Masons . " Among the guests that evening were Bro . Eve , P . G . Treasurer , and Bro . Philbrick , the Grand Registrar , two of the men who helped to uphold the wonderful fabric he had described , men who deserved well at the hands of the brethren ; and it was therefore not as a formal toast that he gave " The Health of the Earl of Carnarvon , the

Earl of Lathom , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Eve . Bro . Eve , in returning thanks , said he vvas not the most suitable person present to perform that task . Bro . Philbrick was the Grand Registrar , and many of the W . M . 's observations were especially applicable to that brother . There was no brother who did more in Grand Lodge , or

performed more of those onerous duties which fell on the shoulders of Grand Officers than Bro . Philbrick . He ( Bro . Eve ) had merely passed the office of Grand Treasurer , an office conferred by the brethren generally , the duties of which were comparatively light . But the duties of Grand Registrar were many and onerous . During the last month he had given up many days out of his much occupied time

for the benefit of Freemasonry ; he vvas constantly relied on to peruse numerous documents in the name of Grand Lodge , and as the Lord High Chancellor was said to be keeper of the Queen ' s conscience , he might say of Bro . Philbrick that he vvas the keeper of the consciences of those who ruled in Grand Lodge . The Grand Officers and the Craft owed him a deep debt of gratitude for the way in

which he performed his duties , which were always done in the best interests of the Craft . Bro . H . Bussey , P . M ., said he rose , in the absence of the I . P . M ., Bro . John Duckworth , absent through the exigencies ot business , to propose " The Health of the W . M . of the Gallery Lodge , " which , he was sure , they would drink with enthusiasm . Looking back to the day

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

when they were an incipient Iodge , remembering the day when Bro . Griffiths became a member of the lodge , they saw Bro . Griffiths as the first joining member of the lodge , they saw in him one who had shared in all the hard work of the lodge , they saw in him a Steward for the Iodge who had taken up a large sum of money for one of the Masonic Charities , and also as one who had distinguished himself

among them by the exuberance of his wit and also by his eloquence ' on more than one occasion ; and he believed that he was held in high esteem by all those vvith whom he was associated in journalistic work . The members of the lodge had all been sorry to know that Bro . Griffiths had been prevented by illness from attending regularly at the Iodge ;

but they were pleased that he had been placed in the chair of K . S . that evening , when he had given them a taste of his quality , from which , and owing to the better state of his health , they had the utmost confidence in him for the future ; and , trusting that he might long be an effective member of their Fraternity , he asked the brethren to rise and drink the health of their W . M ., Bro . Dr . Griffiths .

Bro . Griffiths said he had to thank the Iodge generally and his Bro . Bussey , P . M ., in particular , for the manner in which he had proposed that toast , and for the way in which it had been received by the brethren . He regretted that on the night he was elected he had been unable to be present ; but he now thanked them very much for the honour conferred on him , and would always do his best to

carry out his duties . Bvo . Griffith then referring to the programme for the year , spoke first about the annual ball , trusting it would be a great success . He hoped also that in the month of March the brethren would enable him to get together an entertainment , with recitations and something of a more substantial character—an attempt at a general "at home " of the lodge . Bro . Griffiths then

proceeded to propose the next toast , saying that for certain reasons he would give them now the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " He himself intended to beg hard for the Old People , and their exceedingly energetic Past Master , Bro . Massey , would stand for the Boys' School ; but he thought that there was enough money in the Gallery Lodge to enable them to send something to both of these

Institutions . Bro . Binckes , while he felt extremely the compliment , assured the brethren very sincerely that he deeply regretted the transposition of toasts that had been made , and that for three reasons . In the first place , he was speaking that night for the first time as a visitor to the Gallery Lodge in the presence of a body of brethren , a great number of

whom had constant opportunities of listening to the highest oratorical effort of the members of the finest Parliament in the world ; and therefere anything that he ' could say must fall extremely flat upon their ears . Secondly , because it was hard to have to speak after the W . M . ; for he thought that , whether they were there as members or as visitors , all present must recognise the fact that the

Master of the Gallery Lodge was one of the ablest of orators . And then , thirdly , because when , two or three months ago , he accepted the very kind invitation of his good friend , Bro . Basil Cooke , it was a condition laid down , and in impressive terms , "If you do come , stereotype is to be altogether ignored . " Feeling his deficiencies to speak in such a presence and after such an orator ( to say nothing

of the coruscations of the P . G . Treasurer ) , and bound by his obligation to his friend , Bro . Cooke , all that he had to say was this , that he was perfectly sure that no appeal vvas necessary to the Gallery Lodge to stimulate their efforts on behalf of the Masonic Institutions . His task was an easy , a grateful , and a simple one—to return his grateful thanks on behalf of the Institution holding its festival in February

to the W . M . for his promised Stewardship , and still more gratefully to his old friend for having volunteered to stand tor the most needy and the most deserving of the Masonic Institutions . He thanked Bro . Massey for undertaking a a Stewardship for the Boys' School . He had now only to thank them for the very kind , indulgent welcome they had given him ; he thanked them most sincerely for the support

they had given in the past , and that vvhich they were giving in the present , but for their earnest desire to give in the future , and to ask them to bear in mind that after all said and done of Faith , Hope , and Charity , that without Charity the other two were but as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal . The Worshipful Master thea proposed " The Health of

the Initiate , " which vvas responded to by Bro . Robbins in a very neat and effective speech . The next toast was "The I . P . M ., the Installing Master , and the other P . M . ' s of the Lodge , " vvith which the Chairman coupled the name of Bro . Bussey , P . M ., who , in replying , said he had not expected to be called on to respond to that toast , and regretted that Bro . Massey , the first Master of

the lodge , and perhaps the worthiest , had not been called upon . He would come on in another scene . He and every Master of the Gallery Lodge had been indebted for much large-hearted kindliness to their worthy Bro . Massey . He ( Bro . Bussey ) thanked them very cordially lor the very kind manner in vvhich the toast had been received , and could assure them that he should be among them as long

as life lasted and he was able to attend to the duties of the Gallery Lodge . The toast to "The Visitors" vvas responded to by Bro . Philbrick , who said he rose in trepidation , more perAaps than he was accustomed to feel , on the present occasion . He knew that the faces before him were those of the ready writers to whom one was indebted for one ' s sentences being grammatical , who gave the speaker the verb he so often

omitted , and reduced to order that dim chaos of ideas of which a speaker on his legs had such a dim perception . But there vvas one consolation ; he did not see the pencils and he felt , therefore , that he ought not to take advantage of that mercy which was shown him by making what was called a speech . He desired to express in the fewest and simplest words the gratitude of the visitors for the entertainment that had been given them , both in the lodge and at the festive board .

The toast to The Treasurer , Secretary , Wardens , and other Officers of the Lodge" was next proposed by the Master , who associated with it the names of Bro . Massey the Treasurer , and Bro . Herbert Wright , the S . VV . ' Bro . Massey said he had heard a large number of

compliments passed on different brethren , and he did not know that on the present occasion he should have replied to the compliment that had been bestowed upon him in any more than the ordinary terms ; but he would at once say that , ever since he had been in that Iodge , he had tried to do his best , and he was quite sure that every brother in the lodge would give him that credit . He never wanted , never ex-