Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

manner in which he had performed the ceremony of ' retaliation . This was seconded by Bro . P . M . Dixon , and carried unanimously . The compliment was briefly acknow-1 deed by Bro . A . Cotter . The W . M . then commenced his year ' s labours by giving the First Degree in a most effective and telling style . At the conclusion " hearty 00 d wishes" were given to Bro . Healing by the

representatives of about a dozen lodges , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . Here the W . M . presided , and proposed the standard loyal and Masonic toasts , the Prov . Grand Officers being acknowledged by Bro . Hugh Williams , P . M . Bro . Cotter , I . P . M ., then rose , and said he was sure the next toast—" The Worshipful Master "—would be received with enthusiasm .

Bro . Healing was the first Master who reigned over the Neptune Lodge , and since that time he had never been out of harness . In every office he has occupied he has fulfilled his duties faithfully , zealously , and honestly , and to the entire satisfaction of the members . The lodge had prospered under his influence , and he ( Bro . Cotter ) hoped it mig ht go on prospering for many years to come ,

enabling them all to stand together as one man in the onward progress . If they followed the example of the Master the good ship " Neptune " would go prosperously on her voyage . Let the S . W . pay attention in the West , the J . W . in the South , and let the junior officers look well to their positions , so that when the Master telegraphed on the bridge they might have harmony , brotherly cordiality ,

and attention to duty throughout the ship . The brethren had taken the right step in again appointing Bro . Healing to the chair , and he ( Bro . Cotter ) hoped they would give him hearty support . The W . M ., after the toast had been honoured musically and Masonically , said he was sure he brethren were sincere in the words—' n so receiving the words which they had heard , and giving them the

enthusiastic endorsement which they had done . The ship " Neptune , " he was proud to say , still gallantly sailed on , on that 4 th of June , 1877 , as she had done since the ist of June , 1869 . She had neither gone ashore , lost a sail , nor broken a rope , and the officers throughout had been faithful to their duties . He ( Bro . Healing ) had endeavoured to do his duty during the voyage , and in again

taking command of the vessel he looked to every P . M . and officer for the hearty co-operation which he had always received . Without their assistance it would be impossible to carry the ship safely over another year ' s voyage . He , however , placed himself entirely in their hands , knowing full well that they would give him the assistance which he so much needed and desired . After giving " The

Installing Master , " the W . M . followed with the toast of " The Immediate Past Master , " and in giving these toasts the W . M . referred to the very conscientious and efficient way in which Bro . Cotter had discharged the duties ofthe day and year in the capacities of Installing Master and W . M . He said Bro . Cotter had filled every office in the lodge , from that of Junior Steward to the W . M ., and in every

one of these offices he had secured the esteem and admiration of the brethren by his courtesy and diligence . He ( the W . M . ) , in these circumstances , had much pleasure in presenting } Bro . Cotter with a valuable Past Master's jewel , in the name of thc brethren , as a token of the love , esteem , and respect they felt for him . Bro . Williams also

bore testimony to the many excellent qualities displayed by Bro . Cotter during his official connection with the lodge . Bro . Cotter suitably and feelingly acknowledged the compliments and presentation . Other toasts followed , and a capital musical programme { was given by Bros . Skeaf , Q ueen , llobart , Veale , & c .

INSTRUCTION . JORDAN LODGE ( No . 201 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday last , at the Devonshire Arms , Devonshire-street , Portland-place , W . Bro . J . O . Wood in the chair ; Bros . Long , S . W . ; Errington , J . W . ; Hiscox , Treasurer ; Ockenden , Secretary ; Marvin , S . D . ; Fox , I . G . ; Hole , Fromholz , and several other brethren . The lodge was opined in the Three Degrees and the

ceremony of raising very efficiently rehearsed by the W . M . The lodge bung resumed in the First Degree , the first three sections were worked by Bro . Long , assisted by the brethren . Notice was given that on Tuesday next it will be proposed that the annual supper take place on Tuesday week , June 26 th . Brethren who can not attend next Tuesday are particularly requested to communicate with Bro . Hiscox , at the above address , in the meantime , as to whether the 26 th will be a convenient date for them to be

present . . LONDON MASONIC CLUB . —This lodge of instruction met at 101 , Queen Victoria-street , E . G ., on Monday , the nth inst ., at six o'clock . Present : Bros . J . <• Shand , Sec , W . M . ; Sharrett , S . W . ; Bobbing , J . W * . ; Joseph Langton , S . D . ; Churchill , J . D . ; Hawksley , I . G . ; ' •Cull , Acting Preceptor ; C . Ward , Eastgate , Lewis Langton , jun ., A . E . 176 3 ; C . J . Hogg , Treas ., and other members

of lodge and club . The lodge opened , and minutes of last meeting read and confirmed , when Bro . Langton went through the ceremony of initiation by the W . M ., and after the First , Second , Third , and Fourth sections of the Lectures was worked by Bro . Cull , Bro . " * ••VV . Sharratt was unanimously elected W . M . at next meeting , and appointed his officers in rotation . The lodge closed in peifect harmony , and will meet again on Mon-Ua yi the 25 th inst ., at 6 p . m .

t " ' ITAL SUNDAY . —In anticipation of the , " rrence in London and its suburbs of this annual appeal deni sympath y of the public , the Lord Mayor , as presip and treasurer of the Metropolitan Hospital Sunday vast ' appeals for subscriptions to every inhabitant of our chan ? etr 0 p 0 '' ' give on Sun ( lay next at their church or to r * ? ? . eontril * u'ion to the general fund , or otherwise Hous f off * ' S * Jirc « to him at the Mansion

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

Continued from page 230 . After the banquet the usual toasts followed the singing of grace , and after giving "The Queen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M . " was proposed . He said that not three years ago , on the retirement of the Marquis of Ripon , His

Royal Highness accepted the office of Grand Master . Long might he remain at the head of the Craft ; long might he rule the Grand Lodge of England and all the Provincial Grand Lodges ; long might he be spared to be the Grand Master ; and long might his mother live to rule over the country as its sovereign . The Prov . G . M . next said , in proposing " The Earl of

Carnarvon , Pro G . Master , " that as a Mason his lordship was always anxious and willing to attend to his duties in Grand Lodge . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) was a witness of this the other day , when Lord Carnarvon went from his office to attend Grand Lodge , and the moment business there was over he was off again to his office . That showed that he was a man who was always ready to attend to

his duties , whether Masonic or governmental . Lord Carnarvon was well known as a Mason ; the brethren knew him perfectly well as a man , a gentleman , upright and downstraight , who would do his duty in whatever position of life he was placed . Bro . Dr . Trollope , P . S . G . W ., who was entrusted with the toast of " The Deputy G . M . and Grand Officers , " said

he was sorry on this occasion that Prov . G . Lodge was not honoured with the presence of more Grand Officers ; but he was sure that those who had honoured the Grand Lodge were heartily welcome , and he also trusted that they had been pleased with the reception they had met with . It was no easy task , although many brethren might think it was , to fill the post of a Grand Officer , because the

higher they advanced , and the greater the honours that were heaped upon them , the greater were the duties and services expected of them . If this applied to the province , much more did it apply to the Grand Officers . When the Grand Master appointed them in Grand Lodge they were impressed with the honour and dignity of thc office they sustained ; and the brethren of the Province of Sussex were

deeply indebted to those who had come to see them that day . As regarded Lord Skelmersdale he was extremely popular in his province of Lan cashire , and he was also one of the most popular Masons in the Craft , as he fulfilled his duties with energy and zeal . Long might he be spared to hold the eminent position he now filled in Grand Lodge . All the brethren could bear testimony to the

efficiency with which the Grand Officers discharged their duties , and those who had witnessed it that evening could not but think it fortunate that Bro . Hervey had come among them and taken upon himself the performance of the ceremony of installation . Unfortunately , on account of trains , Bro . Hervey and Bro . Fenn had been obliged to leave , but there was still one Grand Officer left , Bro .

Wilhelm Kuhe . It was not necessary to mention in what honour and esteem Bro . Kuhe was held , because having fcr three years held the post of Grand Organist , the brethren were acquainted with his merits . Bro . Kuhe was also much honoured in Sussex , and no one could more than himself ( Dr . Trollope ) express the proud feelings he had at seeing in what esteem Bro . Kuhe was held in Grand Lodge of

England . Bro . Wilhelm Kuhe replied . When he came there that evening and sat next to such distinguished Grand Officers as Bros . Hervey and Fenn , he did not think it would devolve upon him to reply to this toast , and he had been in hopes that it would have been in abler hands than his . However , those two brethren had been unfortunately obliged

to leave by an early train for London , and they deputed him to reply to this toast , and at the same time to express their extreme regret that they had been obliged to leave so early . They had enjoyed themselves very much ; they had enjoyed the reception they had met with , and the way in which the work had been done ; and it was a matter of great regret to them that they could not remain

to return thanks fur themselves . Bro . W . Hallett proposed "The Health of the Prov . G . M . " The Prov . G . M ., in reply , said he had to thank all the brethren who had attended that day and given him so kind a reception . Some two or three months ago , when he first heard that the Grand Master proposed to appoint him , he

felt considerable hesitation in accepting theappointmcnt , because he knew there were many Masons far higher in theCraft as regarded knowledge . But Bro . Scott , and two or three other brethren , persuaded him and told him that he ought to take the office , and he at last gave in , but with some doubts of his power of conducting the duties of the office properly . It was no slight duty that a brother took upon

him when he undertook the task of ruling a province . It was a serious thing , and a matter that ought to be dealt with in a spirit of determination to do one ' s duty if possible . That he should endeavour to do . There were two lines in a song they had just heaid which were very appropriate to this occasion , for while they enjoyed pleasure they ought to study harmony to the greatest extent ,

and when they met upon the level , then , if there was harmony , they could part on the square . He hoped and trusted that -during his rule of the Province of Sussex that would be the case in all lodges , and whenever he did meet them that love and harmony would be displayed on all occasions . Not only then , but whenever he did not meet them , whether he had or not the " tongue of

sweet air more tuneable than lark to shepherd ' s ear , " he thought that when the mind was spoken fully and truthfully , generally the right thing would follow in the end . With regard to this province , they all knew it was of very great length , and of comparatively small width , and it was for the purposes of Freemasonry a very inconvenient province , as the railways did not suit well . Take it from

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

Rye to Hastings , and from Hastings to Brighton , there was always an inconvenience for the Prov . Grand Lodge , have the Prov . Grand Lodge where they mi ght , it was always inconvenient for the brethren to get from Brighton back again . To the other end of the county and Horsham there were the same inconveniences to put up with , and some of the brethren in the immediate neighbourhood of

Horsham could not get home that night by any possibility . There were some also from Chichester , and it would be very inconvenient to them if they could not get home the same night . He therefore appointed Saturday , thinking it might be more convenient as the brethren could spend the Sunday in Brighton . One brother came from Nuthurst , whom he had known for twenty-seven years , and

that brother , on account of the inconvenience of access , was not able to remain even to the end of the banquet , for if he had he would not have got home in time to perform Divine Service to-morrow in his church . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) however balanced the inconveniences , and finding there were fewer if he appointed Saturday , chose that day for his installation . As he had said that day , he intended

to visit every lodge in the province , and so long as he was blessed with health and strength he should continue to do so . But when old age came on and health failed , he hoped they would not find fault with him if he was not able to visit them . He knew perfectly well there were people outside lodges who took hold of every little idle report , and magnified those reports to an extent which was

prejudicial to Masonry , not so much because they disliked Masonry , but because they did * not know anything about it . Such reports ought never to be listened to . The members of the Craft should exercise truth and charty towards each other , and also to those who were outside , and if they did we should be a happier people in England than we were . Let them always maintain true

fraternity ; let them encourage to the utmost extent they could charity and love and truth , morality arid loyalty ; and who on earth could then say there was anything to be alleged against Masonry ? The Prov . G . M . then proposed " The Health of the Deputy Pro . G . Master . " This was a toast which should be accepted with the greatest pleasure , as it was the health

of a Mason who had done much for the Province of Sussex . He had attended , whenever he had been requested , if it had been in his power , to assist lodges ; and all the brethren appreciated his services in the cause of Freemasonry . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) had himself experienced Bro . Scott ' s great assistance , and so had the brethren of the Ockenden Lodge . He knew perfectly well that Bra . Scott would do

anything he could to assist any lodge in the province . They had been told that day that the Ockenden Lodge was the most prosperous in the province . He could not quite agree in that assertion , tor he did not think that with eighteen or nineteen brethren they could be so styled . Nevertheless , it was a loage firmly determined to carry out their duties , and its members were determined to be , if not

the most prosperous , one of the most prosperous of Sussex lodges . Beyond that he did not think it was right that he should exalt the Ockenden Lodge . In consequence of a resolution passed by that lodge by the late S . D ., now unfortunately departed , since March , 1874 , they had been able to subscribe to the charities so as to constitute themselves governors of each of them . At the next meeting of

the Ockenden Lodge he hoped they would again assist the charities . He did not speak of it as a brag or boast , but merely to show that they wished to set an example to the other lodges . The S . G . W . had whispered to him that in his lodge they had passed a resolution , so that every member by paying a shilling a week would in the course of four or five years become a life governor of one or other

of the institutions . That was carrying the principle out rather further than had been done in the Ockenden Lodge , where it depended on what brethren might give and what they were able to give ; but in the S . G . W . ' s lodge the resolution was that they would give a shilling a week towards the charities . This was certainly a good precedent for the other lodges to take . The strength of the province in

voting was thus concentrated , as they accumulated their votes for one particular candidate . This was a principle he had adopted himself . In matters of correspondence he advised the brethren to address the Prov . G . Secretary , who would communicate with him , and so matters would be put in perfect order . After again thanking Bro . Scott for his assistance the Prov . M . concluded by proposing " The

Health of the Dep . Prov . G . M . " Bro . Scott , D . G . M ., replied as follows : Right Worshipful Prov . G . M ., Grand Officers , and Brethren , — Allow me first of all to thank you , Rt . W . Sir , not only for the kind manner in which you proposed my health , but also for the honour you have conferred on me in placing me in the distinguished position in Freemasonry which I

now occupy in Sussex . I am deeply sensible of that honour , and I can assure you that it will always be my delight as well as my duty to assist you to the utmost of my power , whilst I shall ever deem it a privilege to serve under a brother who is so thoroughly imbued with Masonic principles asyouiself . To you , brethren , who have so kindly greeted me on this occasion I also owe my grateful thanks .

It has been very gratifying to me during the past few weeks to receive , from all parts of Sussex , congratulations from the brethren of the province , and not only congratulations but assurances that my appointment has given general satisfaction . For , believe me , brethren , high office would have little charm for me unless I held with it your good will and esteem . During the twenty-four years that I

have been a hard-working Mason many honours and distinctions have been conferred upon me , but I have never courted or coveted them—on the contrary , I have repeatedly stood aside that others might pass before me . I will give you only one instance . Twelve years ago Col . Dalbiac , the then Prov . Grand Master for Sussex , offered me the same position in which I have been installed to day . He asked me to be his Deputy . I was urged to accept