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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
P . M . ; Dobie , Assist . Organist ; Robinson , D . C . ; Marsden , W . S . ; Stokes , A . W . S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bros . Pim and Stevenson , the ceremony being well performed . The report of the Audit Committee having been received and adopted , the ceremony of inducting Bro Reeves to the chair was performed by Bro . Higgins ,
assisted by Bros . Drysdale as S . W . ; Littell as J . W . ; Pope as I . G . ; and Everett as D . C ; the whole of the impressive ritual being carried out by the I . P . M . in a manner that left nothing to be desired . The officers invested were Bros . Walls , S . W . ; Kohler , J . W . ; Speedy , S . D . ; Webb , J . D . ; Marsden , I . G . ; Page , Treasurer ; Stuart , Secretary ; Honeywell , Organist ; Robinson , D . C ; Stokes , W . S . ;
Stranger , A . W . S . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the Pavilion , where an excellent banquet , superintended by Bro . Timcwell , awaited them . The visitors were Bros . Clark , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Works , Middlesex ; Littell , P . M . 860 ; Pain , P . M . 1339 ; Keen , P . M . 1415 ; Poupard , W . M . Ivy ; Hancock , J . VV . 1687 ; Weeks , Secretary 1641 ; Everett , jun ., 177 ; Davies , 177 ; Downie ,
186 ; Moore , 548 ; Clemence , 749 ; Spencer , 1260 ; Trimmings , 1507 ; Holloway , 1622 . The preliminary toasts having been disposed of , " The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by the I . P . M . in very kind aud flattering terms , and having been duly honoured , Bro . Reeves replied by stating , that in the proudest moment of his Masonic life , he felt more than he could possibly express in words . On
the night of his initiation he had foimed so high an opinion of Freemasonry that he inwardly determined to strive for the position which he then had the honour of holding , namely , that of Master . He had been highly impressed with the ceremonial that day , and he hoped to have a useful and happy year of office , and to discharge the duties of the trust reposed in him in a satisfactory
manner , aided by the valuable counsels of the Past Masters . In conclusion , he felt gratified at the warmth in which his health had been proposed by the I . P . M . and received by the brethren . "The Visitors" having been duly proposed and acknowledged , the W . M . gave the " Past Masters . " In iniroducing this toast the W . M . said , that on that particular occasion the services of the
I . P . M . would necessarily bear a more prominent position than those of the other representatives of that body , because it was his pleasing duly to present Bro . Higgins with a Past Master ' s jewel , as a souvenir of his year of office , and as a sli ght acknowledgment of the valuable services he had rendered to thc lodge . Their I . P . M . was a . good working Mason , and possessed other qualities which
he personally highly esteemed . This toast having been duly drank , the I . P . M . replied by stating that when he took the position of Master last year he entered upon the duties with a certain amount of diffidence , but thanks to the kind assistance of the Past Masters he had experienced no difficulties . He felt it his duty on lhat occasion to express publicly his obligations to those brethren , and
notably to Bros . Everett , Page , and Stuart , the three Past Masters , who had not only lightened his labours , but had made their discharge a positive pleasure . In conclusion , he thanked the members for the very handsome jewel that he that evening had been presented with , and hoped that he should live many years to wear it as a memento of their esteem . The remaining toasts were " The Treasurer
and Secretary , " and " Thc Oflicers . " During the evening Bros . Honeywell , Walls , and others , instrumentally and vocally entertained the brethren , who separated at a late hour until the first Tuesday in the ensuing month . GRANITE LODGE ( No . 1328 ) —The installation of the new Master of this lodge was pcrfc rnictl last Saturday . at Freemasons' Hall . Duiing the eight years ofthe lodge ' s
existence a steady and continual mc-cess has attended it , and the number of its members is at the present time considerable . As a proof of its success it is only necessary to look at the balance sheet , which on Saturday last was read by Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , Secretary , and approved and passed unanimously . From tlvs it appiaed that its receipts for the past year amounted to jOifo , and its
expenditure to £ 351 2 S . iod ., leaving a balance in favour of the lodgeof £ 109 os . 3 d . To this balance had to be added the sum of £ 107 7 s . 6 d ., members' subcriplions due , payable and paid at the installation meeting . The balance therefore in hand at the present time , exclusive however of thc banquet and expenses of the installation meeting of 18 7 8 , was £ 216 7 s . gd . The management of the lodge business therefore must have been of the best , and the result reflects the
greatest credit on all the brethren who have hitherto borne a part in it . The brethren ' s opinion of this management found expression in the gifts made to the late Treasurer , Bro . Hackford , an account of which will be found in the course of this report . Lodge was opened at five o ' clock p . m . by the W . M ., Bro . Frederick West , Provincial Grand Registrar , Surrey , a brother who has passed a most successful year in the chair of the lodge , and who has done his work to the entire satisfaction of all the brethren . At the
opening of the lodge he was supported by all his officers and a large attendance of brethren and several visitors . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Reginald C Mount , S . W ., and W . M . elect , was presented to Bro . West for installation . Bro . West then proceeded to instal Bro . Mount , and placed him in the chair of King
Solomon for the year 1878 . After the processions and salutations in thc Three Degrees , and the presentation of the working tools , the warrant of the lodge , the Book of Constitutions and the bye-laws , the W . M . invested thc following brethren as officers to assist him during h's year of office : Bros . R . Payne , S . W . ; J . Rhodes , J . W , ; Bosworth ,
Treas . ; J . L . Thomas , P . M ., Sec ; the Rev . J . Welsh Tho 1 as , Chaplain ; Turner , S . D . ; Frank Kirk , J . D . ; Oswald Gardner , I . G . ; Algernon Mount , M . C . ; Cecil Saunders , Organist ; Thomas Wilson , W . S . ; and Bro . Woodstock , Tyler . Bro . West then delivered the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren , and on resuming his scat was
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
greeted with enthusiastic cheers . The W . M . immediately rose , and , addressing Bro . West , said he did not think it was possible he could have a more pleasant duty to perform than that which now fell to his lot . He was authorised by the lodge to present Bro . West with a P . M . ' s jewel in open lodge . It was needless to tell Bro . West how worthily the br-. thren
thought he bad won that jewel , because he was aware that at the last lodge the brethren voted him something else to be added to it . That something else took the form of a smaller jewel , , vhich also he ( the W . M . ) had great p ' casure in presenting . Although Bro . West had won them both , the latter was au cspucial mark of worth , as it was given in respect of the excellence of the work
Bro . West had done . He trusted that Bro . West would live long to vear both these jewels , and to look back on his year office in thc Granite Lodge as being the most successful it had had . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . West in acknowledging the present said it was a very proud moment for him to receive at the hands of the W . M . of the Granite Lodge such tokens of esteem . He hacl done nothing more
than every Englishmen would do , and what he undertook to do when he went into the chair . However , it was very pleasing for him to find the brethren thought he had fulfilled his duties . Hetrustedthathc should bc able to preserve these jewels and wear them amongst thc other P . M . ' sof the lodge ; and whenever he looked at the jewels they would remind him of the kindness he had received during his
year of office at the hands of the brethren . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Hackford , Past Treasurer , was then presented lo the W . M ., who , addressing him , said he had already peiformed imc very pleasing duty , and before he entered the chair he did not think it would have fallen to his share to have to perform another such pleasurable task . Another jewel was to be presented to Bro . Hackford , but he thought a higher and
older member of the lodge would have been called upon to present it . But he was sure that , whoever had to present it , it could not be presented with better feelings than he possessed on the matter . The jewel was a token presented by the members of the lodge , unanimously voted by every member of the lodge for the work of Treasurer while he had held that office , for the kindness and geniality he
had always shown , for the advice he had always been ready to give , and for thc many excellent qualities he had exhibited . In recognition of the esteem and respect in which he was held by the brethren , they presented Bro . Hackford with this jewel , an I trusted he might live long lo wear it . ( Cheers . ) In acknowledging the presentation , Bro . Hackford said the brethren would not expect him to
say much . It hacl fallen to his lot that night to be placed in a very unpleasant position , inasmuch as he could not find words to express his deep sense of the honour he felt had been conferred upon him by the members of the Granite Lodge . To the W . M . for the very kind manner in which he had been pleased to present the jewel he was deeply grateful . He was also graletul to the ledge .
For the past seven years he had endeavoured to do his duty as Treasurer of the lodge . For thc first two or three years ihe officehad been a sinecure , but during the remainder of the period he certainly had had a great deal of work , and he felt he had guarded the funds truly and well , or he would not have had this jewel presented to him . It had been said
by some one that if a man needed praise all he had got to do was to die , and then men would speak well of him . He thought he was wiser than the ancient Greeks , as he had elicited praise without dying . He thanked the lodge not only or especially for the jewel , but for the kindness of the brethren in giving it him simply for doing his duty ; and he thanked them not only for the jewel but for enabling
him to have a life governorship for his daughter in the Aged Freemasons' Institution . He not only announced to the brethren members of thc lodge but also to the visitors , that the vote for the jewel was so large that only one half was required for the jewel , and the other half was then invested in the purchase of the li e governorship he had mentioned . He felt this compliment deeply , because when
it should please the G . A . O . T . U . to call him to the Grand Lodge above , which would in due time happen , his daughter if spared by Providence might still look upon her position as a governor ii . the Aged Freemasons' Institution with pleasure and gratitude to the Granite Lodge , and might in some slight degree experience the estimation in which her father was held by the lodge . He must say one word on
behalf of his friend Bro . James Lewis Thomas , who had assisted him so ably in his duties during the time he had been Treasurer . Bro . Oliver ancl his predecessors had been of great assistance to him while they were the Secrelaiics of the lodge , and he thanked them very much , but he must especially thank Bro . Thomas for making his ( Bro . Hackforeis ) duties very light . He was sorry to
resign his position ; but he felt bound to do so ; he could not help it ; for on the nights when the Granite Lodge met he might be north , south , east or west , he did not know where-, and he thought he was only doing right under those circumstances to resign . Wishing prosperity to the lodge and that his successor might be found as good as he he had been ( and he had r . ot thc slightest doubt he would
he superior ) , he thanked the brethren very heartily . Before the lodge was closed Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , Secretary , read thc correspondence ' , among which was a circular from the Boys' School soliciting a Steward for thc next festival , which is to be presided over by the Duke of Connaught , G . S . W ., and as no brother had yet offered himself for that oflice , Bro . F . Wert , I . P . M ., said he should bc happy to
take it upon himself . Lodge was then closed , and thc brethren retired to Freemasons' Tavern , where a splendid repast was provided for them in the Crown Room . After dinner the usual list was proceeded with . The toasts of " Thc Queen ancl the Craft" and "theM . W . G . M . "having been duly honoured , the W . M . gave that of " The Pro G . M ., & c . " to which Col . Buidett , Pro . G . M . Middlesex responded . In doing so he said he had been so often called
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
upon to reply to this toast that he had considerable difficulty in diversifying what he had to say ; still at the same time he felt that the brethren round the table and their VV . M . would bc mest ready at every possible time to support not only the Pro G . M . but the De-p . G . M ., in all the work they had to do . They might be sure that thc work of those noblemen would not be so easily carried out
if it were not for the support they derived from the Masters of different lodges and their officers . For himself he might say he was very much gratified , and no doubt the Pro G . M . and Dep . G . M . were equally gratified at the support they received from their subordinate officers , and from the reports they received from them of the manner in which Masonic duties were performed in the lodges they had the
honour to visit . It was thc province and eluty of the Grand officers to visit various lodges and to see how thc duties were there performed , and to report upon what they saw to the Grand Lodge , whether the work was or was not properly carried out . He had had a great deal of pleasure in being present that evening at the Granite Lodge , for he had found there that thc work was most satisfactorily
performed by thc I . P . M ., Bro . Fred West , who was unquestionably an experienced Mason . Bro . West had been but a short time a member of the Order , but he had given proofs of his experience for the last twelve months as Master of this lodge . He had shown that he was thoroughly able to perform the duties required of him , and it was additionally gratifying to find that he completed
his year of office by installing m thc chair his successor in as able and complete a style as he ( Col . Burdett ) had ever witnessed . From the way in which the newly installed Master had invested his officers and conducted the subsequent business of the lodge there was a full reason for certainty that he also would discharge the duties of the chair as ably as his predecessor . The
Wardens who hid been appointed had also shown their skill and ability , and this was a proof that the W . M . had made a wise selection . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D ., also acknowledged the toast and said he could almost wish that the W . M . had spared him from answering for the toast . Alter what the brethren had heard from Col . Burdett he was sure that anything
he could say must fall flat . At the present moment he was unhappily suffering from that which if he had not had a very strong feeling of goodwill towards the Granite Lodge would have kept him away from one of the most pleasant evenings he had ever passed in his life . He trusted he might be excused , after what had fallen from Col . Burdett ( with every
word of which he thoroughly agreed , regarding the value of thc Grand Officers in seeing the progress of lodges and the satisfaction it gave them to witness the accession to the Masonic ranks , the strength of this lodge , the mode in which it worked , the harmony and unity which pervaded its members , and the principles of Masonry which were enshrined in their practice ) , from saying much ; but while
in every way concurring with Col . Burdett ' s remarks he trusted he might be pardoned if he ventured to utter a word of advice . A time of adversity had its difficulties and dangers ; but a time of prosperity must be carefully kept up by sincere and earnest work , by a desire to keep that standard which had been attained already , by a thorough and earnest desire and effort on the part of every
one concerned m the lodge , more particularly the officers , to support thc dignity of the lodge , to make its working at least not inferior in the future to what it had been in the past , and to maintain unsullied that reputation which had been So well won , and which so eminently befitted the lodge at the present moment . He did not say for one single moment , nor would he intend to imply ,
that in the Granite Lodge there were elements which would tend to depreciate that which the brethren had already attained ; but he did venture to say that that high position they had attained in the Craft , which of late years had made great strides forward , which had risen in public estimation beyond whatever was known in the history of Freemasonry , which , when at a critical period of its
existence it lost its head , the Heir to the Throne , he would not say condescended , but came forward to be its chief in England , the lodges of this country must be careful—and the Granite Lodge in particular , which had so distinguished a reputation , would be careful—to maintain and to extend the name oi English Freemasonry in all that was good , both in thc Masonic principles which were embodied in
our Order , and in the woiking of the lodge and the harmony and unity of its members . ( Hear . ) Bro . F . West rose to propose " The Health of the W . M . " On the present occasion he had particular pleasure in proposing the toast , for the W . M . and himself were initiated together in this lodue along with Past Master Muggeridge , and he was happy to say that on one
occasion the three chairs were filled with the first three initiate * . The brethren had seen two of them pass the chair , and they had installetl to-night the third . They might therefore imagine that it was with considerable feelings of pleasure that he ( Bro . West ) performed that ceremony ; and he must say that when he called upon Bro . Mount to take the obligation he felt that in doing so he was
simply asking him to take a vow which he himself ( Bro . West ) conscientiously believed Bro . Mount was able to carry out , and which he believed in twelve months , when he was occupying a position among the P . M . ' s , the brethren would bc as convinced as he was now of his fitness for the important post which he had taken that evening . To be Master of a lodge like the Granite Lodge ( and he was proud to
hear so much said of it by the Grand Officers present , though it was not the first time he had heard such remarks concerning this lodge by Grand Oflicers ) was a circumstance to be proud of ; but it must make a Master conscious of having very great duties to perform . He sincerely hoped that as the lodge hacl been through its time of difficulties , as all new lodges must , it was now on the way to success , even if it had not already attained it . It had attained it in
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
P . M . ; Dobie , Assist . Organist ; Robinson , D . C . ; Marsden , W . S . ; Stokes , A . W . S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bros . Pim and Stevenson , the ceremony being well performed . The report of the Audit Committee having been received and adopted , the ceremony of inducting Bro Reeves to the chair was performed by Bro . Higgins ,
assisted by Bros . Drysdale as S . W . ; Littell as J . W . ; Pope as I . G . ; and Everett as D . C ; the whole of the impressive ritual being carried out by the I . P . M . in a manner that left nothing to be desired . The officers invested were Bros . Walls , S . W . ; Kohler , J . W . ; Speedy , S . D . ; Webb , J . D . ; Marsden , I . G . ; Page , Treasurer ; Stuart , Secretary ; Honeywell , Organist ; Robinson , D . C ; Stokes , W . S . ;
Stranger , A . W . S . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the Pavilion , where an excellent banquet , superintended by Bro . Timcwell , awaited them . The visitors were Bros . Clark , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Works , Middlesex ; Littell , P . M . 860 ; Pain , P . M . 1339 ; Keen , P . M . 1415 ; Poupard , W . M . Ivy ; Hancock , J . VV . 1687 ; Weeks , Secretary 1641 ; Everett , jun ., 177 ; Davies , 177 ; Downie ,
186 ; Moore , 548 ; Clemence , 749 ; Spencer , 1260 ; Trimmings , 1507 ; Holloway , 1622 . The preliminary toasts having been disposed of , " The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by the I . P . M . in very kind aud flattering terms , and having been duly honoured , Bro . Reeves replied by stating , that in the proudest moment of his Masonic life , he felt more than he could possibly express in words . On
the night of his initiation he had foimed so high an opinion of Freemasonry that he inwardly determined to strive for the position which he then had the honour of holding , namely , that of Master . He had been highly impressed with the ceremonial that day , and he hoped to have a useful and happy year of office , and to discharge the duties of the trust reposed in him in a satisfactory
manner , aided by the valuable counsels of the Past Masters . In conclusion , he felt gratified at the warmth in which his health had been proposed by the I . P . M . and received by the brethren . "The Visitors" having been duly proposed and acknowledged , the W . M . gave the " Past Masters . " In iniroducing this toast the W . M . said , that on that particular occasion the services of the
I . P . M . would necessarily bear a more prominent position than those of the other representatives of that body , because it was his pleasing duly to present Bro . Higgins with a Past Master ' s jewel , as a souvenir of his year of office , and as a sli ght acknowledgment of the valuable services he had rendered to thc lodge . Their I . P . M . was a . good working Mason , and possessed other qualities which
he personally highly esteemed . This toast having been duly drank , the I . P . M . replied by stating that when he took the position of Master last year he entered upon the duties with a certain amount of diffidence , but thanks to the kind assistance of the Past Masters he had experienced no difficulties . He felt it his duty on lhat occasion to express publicly his obligations to those brethren , and
notably to Bros . Everett , Page , and Stuart , the three Past Masters , who had not only lightened his labours , but had made their discharge a positive pleasure . In conclusion , he thanked the members for the very handsome jewel that he that evening had been presented with , and hoped that he should live many years to wear it as a memento of their esteem . The remaining toasts were " The Treasurer
and Secretary , " and " Thc Oflicers . " During the evening Bros . Honeywell , Walls , and others , instrumentally and vocally entertained the brethren , who separated at a late hour until the first Tuesday in the ensuing month . GRANITE LODGE ( No . 1328 ) —The installation of the new Master of this lodge was pcrfc rnictl last Saturday . at Freemasons' Hall . Duiing the eight years ofthe lodge ' s
existence a steady and continual mc-cess has attended it , and the number of its members is at the present time considerable . As a proof of its success it is only necessary to look at the balance sheet , which on Saturday last was read by Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , Secretary , and approved and passed unanimously . From tlvs it appiaed that its receipts for the past year amounted to jOifo , and its
expenditure to £ 351 2 S . iod ., leaving a balance in favour of the lodgeof £ 109 os . 3 d . To this balance had to be added the sum of £ 107 7 s . 6 d ., members' subcriplions due , payable and paid at the installation meeting . The balance therefore in hand at the present time , exclusive however of thc banquet and expenses of the installation meeting of 18 7 8 , was £ 216 7 s . gd . The management of the lodge business therefore must have been of the best , and the result reflects the
greatest credit on all the brethren who have hitherto borne a part in it . The brethren ' s opinion of this management found expression in the gifts made to the late Treasurer , Bro . Hackford , an account of which will be found in the course of this report . Lodge was opened at five o ' clock p . m . by the W . M ., Bro . Frederick West , Provincial Grand Registrar , Surrey , a brother who has passed a most successful year in the chair of the lodge , and who has done his work to the entire satisfaction of all the brethren . At the
opening of the lodge he was supported by all his officers and a large attendance of brethren and several visitors . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Reginald C Mount , S . W ., and W . M . elect , was presented to Bro . West for installation . Bro . West then proceeded to instal Bro . Mount , and placed him in the chair of King
Solomon for the year 1878 . After the processions and salutations in thc Three Degrees , and the presentation of the working tools , the warrant of the lodge , the Book of Constitutions and the bye-laws , the W . M . invested thc following brethren as officers to assist him during h's year of office : Bros . R . Payne , S . W . ; J . Rhodes , J . W , ; Bosworth ,
Treas . ; J . L . Thomas , P . M ., Sec ; the Rev . J . Welsh Tho 1 as , Chaplain ; Turner , S . D . ; Frank Kirk , J . D . ; Oswald Gardner , I . G . ; Algernon Mount , M . C . ; Cecil Saunders , Organist ; Thomas Wilson , W . S . ; and Bro . Woodstock , Tyler . Bro . West then delivered the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren , and on resuming his scat was
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
greeted with enthusiastic cheers . The W . M . immediately rose , and , addressing Bro . West , said he did not think it was possible he could have a more pleasant duty to perform than that which now fell to his lot . He was authorised by the lodge to present Bro . West with a P . M . ' s jewel in open lodge . It was needless to tell Bro . West how worthily the br-. thren
thought he bad won that jewel , because he was aware that at the last lodge the brethren voted him something else to be added to it . That something else took the form of a smaller jewel , , vhich also he ( the W . M . ) had great p ' casure in presenting . Although Bro . West had won them both , the latter was au cspucial mark of worth , as it was given in respect of the excellence of the work
Bro . West had done . He trusted that Bro . West would live long to vear both these jewels , and to look back on his year office in thc Granite Lodge as being the most successful it had had . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . West in acknowledging the present said it was a very proud moment for him to receive at the hands of the W . M . of the Granite Lodge such tokens of esteem . He hacl done nothing more
than every Englishmen would do , and what he undertook to do when he went into the chair . However , it was very pleasing for him to find the brethren thought he had fulfilled his duties . Hetrustedthathc should bc able to preserve these jewels and wear them amongst thc other P . M . ' sof the lodge ; and whenever he looked at the jewels they would remind him of the kindness he had received during his
year of office at the hands of the brethren . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Hackford , Past Treasurer , was then presented lo the W . M ., who , addressing him , said he had already peiformed imc very pleasing duty , and before he entered the chair he did not think it would have fallen to his share to have to perform another such pleasurable task . Another jewel was to be presented to Bro . Hackford , but he thought a higher and
older member of the lodge would have been called upon to present it . But he was sure that , whoever had to present it , it could not be presented with better feelings than he possessed on the matter . The jewel was a token presented by the members of the lodge , unanimously voted by every member of the lodge for the work of Treasurer while he had held that office , for the kindness and geniality he
had always shown , for the advice he had always been ready to give , and for thc many excellent qualities he had exhibited . In recognition of the esteem and respect in which he was held by the brethren , they presented Bro . Hackford with this jewel , an I trusted he might live long lo wear it . ( Cheers . ) In acknowledging the presentation , Bro . Hackford said the brethren would not expect him to
say much . It hacl fallen to his lot that night to be placed in a very unpleasant position , inasmuch as he could not find words to express his deep sense of the honour he felt had been conferred upon him by the members of the Granite Lodge . To the W . M . for the very kind manner in which he had been pleased to present the jewel he was deeply grateful . He was also graletul to the ledge .
For the past seven years he had endeavoured to do his duty as Treasurer of the lodge . For thc first two or three years ihe officehad been a sinecure , but during the remainder of the period he certainly had had a great deal of work , and he felt he had guarded the funds truly and well , or he would not have had this jewel presented to him . It had been said
by some one that if a man needed praise all he had got to do was to die , and then men would speak well of him . He thought he was wiser than the ancient Greeks , as he had elicited praise without dying . He thanked the lodge not only or especially for the jewel , but for the kindness of the brethren in giving it him simply for doing his duty ; and he thanked them not only for the jewel but for enabling
him to have a life governorship for his daughter in the Aged Freemasons' Institution . He not only announced to the brethren members of thc lodge but also to the visitors , that the vote for the jewel was so large that only one half was required for the jewel , and the other half was then invested in the purchase of the li e governorship he had mentioned . He felt this compliment deeply , because when
it should please the G . A . O . T . U . to call him to the Grand Lodge above , which would in due time happen , his daughter if spared by Providence might still look upon her position as a governor ii . the Aged Freemasons' Institution with pleasure and gratitude to the Granite Lodge , and might in some slight degree experience the estimation in which her father was held by the lodge . He must say one word on
behalf of his friend Bro . James Lewis Thomas , who had assisted him so ably in his duties during the time he had been Treasurer . Bro . Oliver ancl his predecessors had been of great assistance to him while they were the Secrelaiics of the lodge , and he thanked them very much , but he must especially thank Bro . Thomas for making his ( Bro . Hackforeis ) duties very light . He was sorry to
resign his position ; but he felt bound to do so ; he could not help it ; for on the nights when the Granite Lodge met he might be north , south , east or west , he did not know where-, and he thought he was only doing right under those circumstances to resign . Wishing prosperity to the lodge and that his successor might be found as good as he he had been ( and he had r . ot thc slightest doubt he would
he superior ) , he thanked the brethren very heartily . Before the lodge was closed Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , Secretary , read thc correspondence ' , among which was a circular from the Boys' School soliciting a Steward for thc next festival , which is to be presided over by the Duke of Connaught , G . S . W ., and as no brother had yet offered himself for that oflice , Bro . F . Wert , I . P . M ., said he should bc happy to
take it upon himself . Lodge was then closed , and thc brethren retired to Freemasons' Tavern , where a splendid repast was provided for them in the Crown Room . After dinner the usual list was proceeded with . The toasts of " Thc Queen ancl the Craft" and "theM . W . G . M . "having been duly honoured , the W . M . gave that of " The Pro G . M ., & c . " to which Col . Buidett , Pro . G . M . Middlesex responded . In doing so he said he had been so often called
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
upon to reply to this toast that he had considerable difficulty in diversifying what he had to say ; still at the same time he felt that the brethren round the table and their VV . M . would bc mest ready at every possible time to support not only the Pro G . M . but the De-p . G . M ., in all the work they had to do . They might be sure that thc work of those noblemen would not be so easily carried out
if it were not for the support they derived from the Masters of different lodges and their officers . For himself he might say he was very much gratified , and no doubt the Pro G . M . and Dep . G . M . were equally gratified at the support they received from their subordinate officers , and from the reports they received from them of the manner in which Masonic duties were performed in the lodges they had the
honour to visit . It was thc province and eluty of the Grand officers to visit various lodges and to see how thc duties were there performed , and to report upon what they saw to the Grand Lodge , whether the work was or was not properly carried out . He had had a great deal of pleasure in being present that evening at the Granite Lodge , for he had found there that thc work was most satisfactorily
performed by thc I . P . M ., Bro . Fred West , who was unquestionably an experienced Mason . Bro . West had been but a short time a member of the Order , but he had given proofs of his experience for the last twelve months as Master of this lodge . He had shown that he was thoroughly able to perform the duties required of him , and it was additionally gratifying to find that he completed
his year of office by installing m thc chair his successor in as able and complete a style as he ( Col . Burdett ) had ever witnessed . From the way in which the newly installed Master had invested his officers and conducted the subsequent business of the lodge there was a full reason for certainty that he also would discharge the duties of the chair as ably as his predecessor . The
Wardens who hid been appointed had also shown their skill and ability , and this was a proof that the W . M . had made a wise selection . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D ., also acknowledged the toast and said he could almost wish that the W . M . had spared him from answering for the toast . Alter what the brethren had heard from Col . Burdett he was sure that anything
he could say must fall flat . At the present moment he was unhappily suffering from that which if he had not had a very strong feeling of goodwill towards the Granite Lodge would have kept him away from one of the most pleasant evenings he had ever passed in his life . He trusted he might be excused , after what had fallen from Col . Burdett ( with every
word of which he thoroughly agreed , regarding the value of thc Grand Officers in seeing the progress of lodges and the satisfaction it gave them to witness the accession to the Masonic ranks , the strength of this lodge , the mode in which it worked , the harmony and unity which pervaded its members , and the principles of Masonry which were enshrined in their practice ) , from saying much ; but while
in every way concurring with Col . Burdett ' s remarks he trusted he might be pardoned if he ventured to utter a word of advice . A time of adversity had its difficulties and dangers ; but a time of prosperity must be carefully kept up by sincere and earnest work , by a desire to keep that standard which had been attained already , by a thorough and earnest desire and effort on the part of every
one concerned m the lodge , more particularly the officers , to support thc dignity of the lodge , to make its working at least not inferior in the future to what it had been in the past , and to maintain unsullied that reputation which had been So well won , and which so eminently befitted the lodge at the present moment . He did not say for one single moment , nor would he intend to imply ,
that in the Granite Lodge there were elements which would tend to depreciate that which the brethren had already attained ; but he did venture to say that that high position they had attained in the Craft , which of late years had made great strides forward , which had risen in public estimation beyond whatever was known in the history of Freemasonry , which , when at a critical period of its
existence it lost its head , the Heir to the Throne , he would not say condescended , but came forward to be its chief in England , the lodges of this country must be careful—and the Granite Lodge in particular , which had so distinguished a reputation , would be careful—to maintain and to extend the name oi English Freemasonry in all that was good , both in thc Masonic principles which were embodied in
our Order , and in the woiking of the lodge and the harmony and unity of its members . ( Hear . ) Bro . F . West rose to propose " The Health of the W . M . " On the present occasion he had particular pleasure in proposing the toast , for the W . M . and himself were initiated together in this lodue along with Past Master Muggeridge , and he was happy to say that on one
occasion the three chairs were filled with the first three initiate * . The brethren had seen two of them pass the chair , and they had installetl to-night the third . They might therefore imagine that it was with considerable feelings of pleasure that he ( Bro . West ) performed that ceremony ; and he must say that when he called upon Bro . Mount to take the obligation he felt that in doing so he was
simply asking him to take a vow which he himself ( Bro . West ) conscientiously believed Bro . Mount was able to carry out , and which he believed in twelve months , when he was occupying a position among the P . M . ' s , the brethren would bc as convinced as he was now of his fitness for the important post which he had taken that evening . To be Master of a lodge like the Granite Lodge ( and he was proud to
hear so much said of it by the Grand Officers present , though it was not the first time he had heard such remarks concerning this lodge by Grand Oflicers ) was a circumstance to be proud of ; but it must make a Master conscious of having very great duties to perform . He sincerely hoped that as the lodge hacl been through its time of difficulties , as all new lodges must , it was now on the way to success , even if it had not already attained it . It had attained it in