Contents.

CONTENTS .

REPORTS or MASONIC M- ETINOSCratt Masonry ;' Roval Arch . -3 Older ol St . Lawrence 23 prva ] Masonic Institution for Girls , = 4 Institution for Girls 35

Rny . il Masonic l " .. AI ) ERS - ° CoRR- SrO-DEXCE : — The Cosmo . " for 1 SS 0 -u Unifo'mitv of Ritual . _ . 2 ° 1 'hc Last Quarterly Meetir . jr of the Girls ' . School 28 Kro Wilson and llie Boys' School 28

Reviews - " IViasonic Notes and Queries » o Rovnl Masonic Institution for Boys 2 » Roval Masonic Benevolent Institution -9 T | ie New Grand Secretaiy 21 ) jlasonic Hall at Rhyl -9 innsecration of Ihe Khringtnn Lodge , No . lS . |? ; if Masonic and General Tidlntrs 29 I „ d ( re Meetings for Next Week 30 Advertisements i ., ii ., iii ., iv ., v ., vi .

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

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Craft itetmnL KENNINGTON LODGE ( No . 1381 ) . — This lodge mustered in strength at the Surrey Club House , Kennington Oval , on the 6 th inst . There were present among others Bros . T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middx ., W . M . ; Kohl-r . S . VV . ; Speedy , J . W . ; Kecves , / . P . M . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Webb , S . b . ; Marsdcn , J . D . ; Stokes , D . C , acting I . G . ; Stranger , W . S . ; Bolton , A . W . S . ; W . Mann ,

P . M . ; Koch , P . M . ; George Everett , P . M . ; lliggins , P . M . ; Drysdale , P . M . ; and Longstaffe , Tyler . The visitors were Bros . Parsons , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . "Belgrave ;" I lardy , " Oal ; ; " Eaton , " Skelmersdale . " The minutes of the preiious meeting having been read and confirmed , a Mr . Munn was balloted for as an initiate , and being in attendance was duly inducted into the Order . The election

of W . M ., Treasurer , and Tyler resulted unanimously in favour of Bros . Kohlcr , W . Mann , P . M ., and Longstaffe . The members appointed to audit the accounts on the 20 th inst . were Bros . Hainland , Bolton , and Town . The resignation of Bro . Robinson , I . G ., was received with regret , Bro . W . Mann , P . M ., having kindly consented to act as Steward to the forthcoming festival of the R . M . B . I ., the

sum of ten guineas was unanimously voted from the lodge funds to head his list . Previously to the lodge being closed , a proposition for initiation at the next meeting was handed in , am ! a Past Master ' s jewel was unanimously voted to the outgoing W . M . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet , which was well served by the caterer , Bro . Robertson , and assistants . The customary

preliminary toasts having received full justice , "The Health of the W . M . " was flatteringly proposed by the I . P . M ., and duly acknowledged . " The Initiate " was toasted , and Bro . Munn , in response , made a brief reply ' The Health of the Visitors " followed , and , in reply , Bros . Parsons , Hardy , and Eaton expressed the great gratification their visit to the Kennington Lodge had afforded them .

In giving " The Past Masters , " the W . M . took the opportunity of thanking all the members of that important body for the kindness and support they had rendered him during hii year of office , and which consideration he hoped they would also be pleased to extend to his successor . All the Past Masters present having replied , the toast cf " The

W . M . Elect" was warmly proposed , and having been heartily received , Bro . Kohlcr made a modest reply . The remaining toasts , viz ., " The Secretary , " " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s , brought the proceedings to . 1 conclusion . The toasts were interspersed by some good vocalisation , in which Bros . Everett , Hardy , Town , Webb , Stokes , Cockburn and others particularly distinguished themselves .

THE GREAT CITY LODGE ( No . 14 . fi ) . — The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday evening , the 10 th inst ., at the Cannon-street Hctel , and was very numerously attended . Bro . George W . Blackie , W . M ., presided , and he was supported by the following officers : Bros . Calchpole , S . W . ; Hamer , J . W . ; Simpson , Chaplain ; Headon , Treasurer ; C . Taylor , S . D . ;

Kibble , J . D . ; Baber , D . C ; Keeble , I . G . ; Freeman , I . P . M . ; and Jenkins , Organist . There were also present the following visitors : Bros . Chas . Fountain , W . M . 1216 ; R . A . Wright , P . M . 504 , P . P . G . S . D . Hertford ; E . W . Davis , P . M . and Treas . 95 ; G . W . Saul , P . M . 120 ; Chas . Benson , P . M . and W . M . ifii ^; Jos . R . Gree n , 228 ; F . A . Warner , 6 : 7 ; H . Tiddeman , 815 : A .

Leon , 780 ; P . W . Harris , 177 ; Thos . Lee , 862 ; Medwin , J . D . 161 . 2 ; Bisseft , J . D . 1851 ; Paddle , 1201 ; Har-Per , S . D . 1216 ; Jas . T . Jago , 1259 ; Arthur Triggs , » re . 1385 ; Ion Eastgate , 15 62 ; W . H . Kirby , 1641 ; . [•Bergmann , S . W . 1671 ; W . T . Buck , S . D . 1702 ; Albert Alford , P . J . G . W ., 14 ; R . Barham , S . D . 144

Henry Burgess , 943 ; Sintly , 943 ; G . M . Felton , W -M 1056 ; and W . E . Pearse , 1670 . ihe lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , it was afterwards opened in the second Degree , and Bro . Postans was questioned as to I his progress in Freemasonry , and his answers proving

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

satisfactory , the lodge was opened in ' the Third Degree , and he was in due form raised to the superior Degiee of M . M . The next business was to pass Bro . Wood to the Second Degree , and this ceremony the W . M . performed with his usnal ability . The summons contained the nomination of three gentlemen for initiation in this lodge , but , in consequence of illness , one only came forward , who was

Mr . William Murdoch , and a ballot for his admission being unanimous , he was impressively initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . Some communications having been received , Bro . N . B . Headon , the Treasurer , gave notice that at the next lodge he should move that the sum of twenty-five guineas be voted from the funds of the lodge , to be placed on the list of the W . M ., who had

intimated his intention of serving as Steward at the next festival of the Girls' School . The lodge was then closed , and the members and visitors retired for refreshment , and , on the withdrawal of the cloth , the W . M ., in proposing the first toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " remarked that no great calamity ever happened but her Majesty was always ready to come forward to help those who were

unable to help themselves , and many of their Charities had her patronage- anil support . The toast was heartily responded to , followed by the National Anthem . The W . M . said the next toast he had the honour to propose was "The Health of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , " a toast which was always well received by Freemasons . His Royal Highness at all times took a great

interest in matters connected with Freemasonry , and he thought that they were highly honoured in having his Royal Highness to preside over them , and as long as he retained that position he ( the W . M . ) was sure that their Order would continue to prosper . The toast , as usual , was very cordially received . The W , M . said the next toast he had to propose was that of "The Earl of

Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " As to the Pro Grand Master , the brethren were aware how kindly he carried on the business of the Grand Lodge in the absence of the Grand Masterit was really a pleasure to all to find how well it was carried on , and no one could have failed to notice the nice way

in which it was conducted . As to the other Grand Officers , he considered that they were the right men in the right place , for they were men who had given their time and attention to the interests of Freemasonry . They had one of them present that night , Bro . Simpson , their Chaplain , and he should associate his name with the toast . Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson , in

responding to the toast , said that it was well known that Lord Carnarvon and Lord Skelmersdale were not only good Masons , but were as good working Masons as the most humble member of the Grand Lodge , and he was quite sure that those two noble lords would feel it to be no small honour to them could they see in that assembly how their healths had been drunk , with such Masonic zeal . He

must ssy that m that lodge he ( Bro . Simpson ) felt quite at home , although he was called upon to return thanks for a body which stood much higher , at the same time he knew that the honour fell upon him for no merit of his own ; it reminded him of the answer given by a school boy to his mother when she inquired of him how it was that he had obtained a prize at school . The answer

the boy gave was that he was the only boy in the class , and that he was at the head of it , and that was how he got the prize . ( Laughter . ) He , however , thanked them for giving him the honour of returning thanks for this toast , and if there had been any other member of the Grand Lodge present at the working of the lodge , which had been from a quarter to three until past six o'clock , he

felt sure he would have been highly gratified in seeing how the work had been done . The lodge had . now been in existence for seven years , and had just served its apprenticeship , and he asserted that in that lodge the true principles of Freemasonry and all its details were fully carried out . As an old Freemason he might say the work was done well , but a great deal depended upon the

manner in which the officers assisted the W . Master in filling up the corners and crevices of the working ; they afforded a forcible illustration of the old saying that " if a thing is worth doing it is worth doing well . " He wished particularly to refer to the Deacons , whose good working reflected great credit upon the lodge . As the Great City Lodge had completed its apprenticeship , he hoped that something

would be done that should mark that event and would be worthy of it , and that they would find that to be the case on no very distant occasion . He wished the W . Master , as he wished the brethren , a happy New Year , and that the reign of the W . Master , like that of his predecessors in the chair , might be prosperous and happy . Bro . Freeman , I . P . M ., said the brethren would all know why he had

risen , anil he could assure them that he did so with great pleasure , on the first meeting night of the New Year , to propose " The Health of their W . Master . " He was sure that every one had observed the working in the chair that evening with very great pleasure . They had seen the working in the lodge from time to time by members of the Craft in good style , but from what they had seen

of it that evening he felt sure that it would not depreciate in the hands of the W . Master in the chair , or on the pait of the officers by whom he was supported . That was something to be proud of , and also something was due to the brethren , for he had heard that night from some of the visitors that they had never seen the members of a lodge so orderly as they had witnessed in the Great City Lodge .

He had himself been in other lodges where such had not been the case , and he thought their visitors would be impressed with the fact that if such order could be maintained in this lodge there was no reason why other lodges could not do the same . He proposed " The Health of the W . Master , " and gave him a hearty greeting on his entrance into the new year . The W . Master said he thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

the toast , and he could but repeat what he had said before , that he was proud to see the high estimation in which he was held by them . Since he had been installed into the chair he had discharged the duties of it to the best of his ability . His aim was to arrive at the acme of perfection , and he felt that he was far short of that , but , at any rate , he had done his best , and from the ' way in

which they had associated his name with this toast he felt that he had been well repaid for anything he had done by the honour that had been conferred upon hirri . When the time should come for him to instal his successor , which he hoped to do in the future , he trusted he should be able to deliver up the lodge to him with all the prestige with which he received it . There were claims upon their

Charities , and when it was intimated that they wished to send him up as Steward , he expressed his happiness to go as the Steward of that lodge , and he hoped the brethren would rally round him upon that occasion . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was considered to be the toast of the evening , as it was " The Health of their Brother Initiate . " He had been proposed by a very worthy

member of the lodge , which was a sufficient guarantee of his quality . It was necessary that they should have fresh blood infused into their Order from time to time , for Without it their privileges would soon become extinct . He had that night laid the first stone in their symbolic building , and he hoped that the ceremony he had passed through had been impressed upon his mind , as he ( the W . M . ) had

done his best to render it so . He hoped that he would never regret the step he had taken , and ever remember his birthday in Freemasonry . He advised him to practise sccresy and fidelity , so that he might guard against cowans who might seek to approach him . Bro . Murdoch briefly returned thanks , expressing a hope that he might become a good and faithful Mason . The W . M . called for bumpers

for the next toast , and said it was one that he had the greatest amount of pleasure in proposing , as it was " The Health of their Brother Visitors . " From the time of the consecration of the lodge they had always been favoured with a numerous array of visitors , and he was proud to see those that were present on that occasion , and gave them a hearty welcome . They were somewhat erratic as

to their banquets , but they did what they could afford , and they must be content to take it as they found it . Several of the visitors returned thanks , the W . M . of the Cripplegate Lodge stating that he preferred to do his work in the presence of visitors , for to go through the ceremonies without their presence was like actors playing in a theatre without an audience , and the presence of visitors kept

Masters up to their work , and the officers did their duty in the most efficient manner . The next toast was " The Past Masters of the Lodge , " for which they severally returned thanks . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was "The Health of Bro . Simpson , the Chaplain of the Lodge , " trusting that as he was present at the consecration of the lodge he might long remain amongst

them , and that the services he had rendered in the past would be continued in the future . Bro . the Rev . R . J Simpson said : Worshipful Master and brethren , I shall not detain you long , as I shall thereby best show my gratitude for the high and exceptional honour which has been conferred upon me . I said a short time ago that I felt at home in this lodg-e , but then I did not expect the

especial honour that has now been conferred upon me . Worshipful Master , I wish you a happy New Year , and I think that the best way in which we can carry out that wish , after my experience of thirty years , is , that you will be blessed with health , and be enabled to carry out the noble and Godlike principles of our Order . In carrying those principles into practice we shall be able to spend truly

a happy New Year , and when it shall please the Great Architect of the Universe to call us from this sublunary sphere to the Grand Lodge above , may we meet our Maker as really true and good Masons , with a clear conscience that bright light which is ever burning , where the faithful will be received , and should we not be spared to sec the dawn of 1881 , at any rate we shall be bettei

prepared by the practice of Masonic virtues during the ensuing year for the Great Lodge above from whence all goodness emanates . The W . M . nex gave in very flattering terms , " The Health of Bro . N . B . Headon , P . M . and Treasurer , and Bro . Moody , P . M and Secretary . " Bro . Headon , in replying , said : Worshipful Master , brother Wardens , and brethren—Allow me first

to thank you on behalf of the Secretary , who , as you hai heard , is too indisposed to be with us this evening , but whi will I am sure be very gratified to know he has been so kindly thought of in his absence . And now for th Treasurer . 1 can assure you it is very difficult for me to find fresh words to express my thanks for the very kind way in which this toast is always mentioned and received . However , there are a few lines in Shakspeare ' s "Twelfth

Night , " , which will well express my sentiments , and which think I cannot do better than quote on this occasion : — " I can no other answer ma ' ie but thanks , And thanks ! and ever oft good turns Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay ; But , were my worth , as is my conscience , firm , You should find better dealing . " Some other toasts were given , and the evening was spent in the true spirit of Freemasonry .

"WEST CO-WES . —Medina Lodge ( No . 35 ) . — The annual meeting and installation of W . M . took place on Thursday , the 8 th inst ., when the retiring Master , Bro , Barfield , installed his successor , Bro . A . Penton , S . W . ol the lodge during the past year . Bro . Barfield was

afterwards voted a Past Master's jewel for his services during the year . The new officers were appointed as follows : Bros . Mursell , S . W . ; H . H . Wheeler , J . W . ; Dr . Patch , S . D . ; Benzie , J . D . ; Roberton , I . G . ; Poland , D . C . ; Giles , Sec . ; J . G . Wheeler , Treas . ; Rev . W . Barker , Chap . ; and P . G . Munt , Tyler .