Craft Masonry.

wickshire . ( Hear , hear . ) He was ever ready to help in time of need and his name was ever associated with schemes for the welfare of mankind . The province was indeed lucky to have such a man at its head . The toast was responded to most cordially . Bro . H . B . Nichols was entrusted with the gavel to propose the toast of " Bro . Geo . Beech , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " After the very eloquent speech by the Deputy Prov .

Grand Master it was difficult to add anything which would further bring the toist under their notice . He was glad to note what had been said about the Warwickshire Benevolent and Pupils' Aid Fund , and he felt that the Forward Lodge had it in their power to enhance the success of the scheme and he hoped they would do so . The members were all aware that the Deputy Prov . Grand Master was a Mason at heart and that he had always evinced the greatest interest in the lodges in the province , and the great am ount of work he had done entitled him to their best thanks and wishes . The toast having been drunk ,

Bro . Geo . Beech thanked the speaker for the complimentary remarks concerning himself and his work . He could only add that what he had done had been a lab > ur of love . Ever since he was 21 years of age he had taken the greatest interest in Freemasonry . He had found such goodwill and good feeling in Masonry that his interest had been deepened . It gave him great pleasure to be present to see Bro . Myers installed in the chair . It had been his privilege and pleasure to know Bro . Myers for more than 20 years , and he had feund him genial and kind , and at all limes ready to do

all in his power to make life agreeable . He had rendered their banquets most enjoyable by his beautiful music , and he had contributed as much in that way as any brother he knew . He was pleased that Bro . Myers had at last decided to take office . He could have had it years ago , but he supposed that modesty prevented him accepting it . Now that they had got him the lodge wculd appreciate his services , and when he retired they would be certain to say that he had done his duty well . The installation done tbat evening was second to none done by any Installing Master in Warwickshire . The

Installing Master was letter perfect , and he did the work in a manner which reflected credit on himself and on the lodge . He was sure the lodge would highly esteem the services of Bro . Myers , and , he added , if there was anything he could do to help the Forward Lodge he would be pleased to do it . Bro . W . F . Tolladay , in responding to the toast , expressed a hope that the Festival in aid of the Warwickshire Benevolent and Pupils' Aid Fund would be held every three years . Charity began at home , and although he did not wish to be considered as in any

way speaking disparagingly ofthe London Charities , he contended that they ought to do more for their own Provincial Charities than they had been in the habit of doing . Bro . Hy . Stephens also responded to the toast . Bro . Hillman , in proposing " The Health of the W . M . of Ihe Forward Lodge , " spoke of the great delight he felt in being called upon to perform the ollice . He was initiated 32 years ago in the Forward Lodge , a month before Bro . Myers joined it , and all through that long time he had always found him to be a man in every sense of thc term . He was a true , honourable , and good man , and the sneaker was proud and

delighted to find that at last he had become the Worshipful Master of the Forward Lodge . He had qualified for the office by studying Masonry in every way and the lodge would flourish under his rule . Every brother in the lodge would extend to him the right hand of goodfellowship , and would do everything in his power to assist in making the work of the Master as easy as possible . As regards his musical ability it could safely be said that he had delighted every lodge in the province . He was always ready to give assistance as far as musical work was concerned , and it behoved them all to make his year of office comfortable and successful . The toast was received enthusiastically .

The Worshipful Master sincerely thanked thc ollicers and brethren for the II lttering way in which the toast had been proposed and received . He scarcely knew what to say on such an occasion . It was now , as B . o . Hillman had said , 32 years since he was initiated into the Forward Lodge in the rooms in Newhall-street . That was before the Masonic HaU was built . During that time he had spent many happy hours in

the Masonic rooms , not only in the rorward Lodge but in many other lodges , and he hoped to pass many more . He thanked the Past Officers and brethren of the lodge from the bottom of his heart for placing him in the chair and he assured them that it would be his best endeavour to support and uphold the dignity and honour of the Forward Lodge .

The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by theW . M ., who thanked them for responding so handsomely to his invitation to be present . Bros . Shread , Margrett , Francis , and J . T . Kendall responded . Bro . Francis stated that to his knowledge there was no Mason in the Province of Warwickshire more deserving of the honour of Worship ' ul Master than Bro . Myers . His services had always been at the disposal of the lodges in Warwickshire , Staffordshire , and Worcestershire , and there was no Mason better known in the three provinces than the present Master of the Forward Lodge

Bro . Alcock explained that the increased prosperity of the Machin Lodge was largely due to the efforts of Bro . Myers . The toast of " The Past Masters and Officers " was proposed by the W . M ., and responded to by Bros . Chulee , Bladon , and Brown .

Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , No . 1446 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . G . M . E . HAMILTON , P . M ., SECRETARY . The installation meeting of this highly popular and very flourishing lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant , on the ioth inst ., not only to do honour to the incoming W . M ., but also to show the appreciation and esteem in which Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M ., is held by the brethren . There were present 114 brethren—Bros . Jesse Masters , VV . M . ; Wm . G . Hale , S . W . and W . M . elect ; J . J . Morse , J . W . ; J . Thompson , S . D . ; T . T . K . Sherbourne , T . J . Isherwood , A . D . C ; E . S . Cockton ,

Org . ; J . Witney , l . G . ; J . T . Jones and W . Lamb , Stwds . ; G . Harrison , Tyler ; J . Brown , P . M . ; R . Darling , P . M . ; O . P . Boret , P . M . ; T . Cull , P . M . ; A . G . Mullins , P . M . ; J . Whitehead , P . M . ; G . H . Linsey Renton , P . M . ; G . R . Mitchell , jun ., T . Glaser , A . J . Hannant , B . Nieuchams , T . Rowland , S . P . Rees , J . W . Rowland , F . Crump , I ' . Mabbs , E . Chandler , T . J . Edwards , E . Dunnanch , H . Brown , H . Hodson , G . Burgin , S . E . Hunt , E . Mitchell , S , P . Turner , T . U . Sankey , J . Batchelor , F . E . Bonniwell , VV . Avens , R . Bott , F . P . Yonge , C .

J . Thorpe , A . W . Bettles , Geo . Langley , P . P . G . Treas . Middx . ( hon . ); J . H . Day , J . VV . Fitzgerald , M . Duncan , R . J . Fletcher , E . Harris , A . II . Newman , J . E . Alkin , G . Richards , J . Parsons , F . Gotla , II . A . Masters , II . Poole , A . Burch , F . C . Adams , N . T . Beaid , T . II , Hopkins , and F . W . Cooke . The visitors were Bros . A . Taylor , J . D . 784 ; D . C Daniels , 33 ; F . B . Reid , 15 ; J . Allsop , 53 S ; T . B . tilery , 475 ; J . Rowland , 2343 ; E . J . A . Sirr , 1206 ; W . W . West , 2 CG 4 ; Christian

Horch , W . M . 1471 ; H . J . Bidwell , 2120 , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; E . A . J . Horris , 2374 ; S . C . Bateman , P . M . 1707 ; M . Darling , 39 S ( South Africa ); W . J . Holden , 2202 ; | . Elhnger , H . M . 2222 , Prov . G . S . Surrey ; T . J . Rose , 13 O 1 ; II . C . Pink , Stwd . 155 H ; R . Kemp , 73 ; H . C . Edward , J . W . 18 G ; VV . J . Perrin , 1 G 3 S ; J . S . Smith , 1 O 5 S ; A . Haine , J . W . 194 ;; J . H . Haine , S . D . 12 G 0 ; F . Powell , P . P . S . G . W . Monmouth ; A . Barrett , P . AI . 172 ; H . Line , 2272 ; S . Rashleigh , P . M . 902 ; D .

Craft Masonry.

Harlow , P . M . 6 s ; C . H . Cox , P . M . 1 S 3 . 1 ; R . Poore , P . M . 1949 ; P . Day , 862 ; J , Dale , P . M . 1695 ; H . Aldridge , 1815 ; C . W . Cartwright , 3 S 2 ; J . R . Rutter , P . M 1360 ; T . A . Stenner , P . M . S 61 ; J . Johnson , 1 S 15 ; P . H . Papworth , 1196 ; R . S . Dowley , 2 , 319 ; H . J . Bantick , 2615 ; E . Gosheron , 193 ; B . C . Kirby , S . D . 22 S ; A . T . Dewell , 1950 ; E . H . Nicoll , J . W . 9 6 9 ; T . B . Reid , 15 ; C E . Duncan , 2361 ; F . Burman , 19 S 7 ; E . E . Eade , 975 ; G . Stabbing , 2374 ; A . McCormick , I . P . M . 2120 ; and Chas . Hy . Stone , VV . M . 1641 , P . M . 507 .

Lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . TheW . M . next rose , and with words of very deep emotion alluded to the death of their late esteemed Bro . Perry , P . M ., Treas ., and he moved in very feeling terms " That a letter of condolence be sent to the relatives expressing the deep sympathy of the brethren . " This was very feelingly seconded by Bro . W . G . Hale , W . M . elect . It was suggested by Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec , that the W . M . kindly send the letter in the name of the lodge . The Auditors' Report which was presented , received ,

and adopted , showed the lodge to be in a splendid financial position . A ballot was taken for Messrs . W . Darling , Silvester G . Simpson , and Frederick G . Abbiss , which proved unanimous , and Messrs . Darling and Abbiss were duly initiated in an impressive manner by the W . M . Bro . O . P . Boret , P . M ., was elected Treasurer . Bro . W . G . ' Hale , W . M . elect , was next presented to the W . M . by Bro . T . Cull , P . M ., to receive the benefit of installation , which the VV . M . carried out in a very faultless manner . The new W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . Jesse Masters , I . P . M . ; J . J . Moore ,

S . VV . ; J . Thompson , J . VV . ; O . P . Boret , P . M ., Treas . ; G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M ., Sec ; T . T . K . Sheibourne , S . D . ; J . Witney , J . D . ; T . J . Isherwood , D . C . ; E . S . Cockton , Org . ; J . T . Jones , I . G . ; H . Lamb and S . G . Hunt , Stwds . ; and Geo . Harrison , Tyler . The three addresses were ab . y rehearsed by the Installing Master . Bro . W . G . Hale , W . M ., having passed Bros . A . H . Newman and J . W . T . Rowland

to the Second Degree , it was moved " That a sum of 20 guineas be placed on the W . M . ' s list for the Benevolent Institution . " The names of three initiates were handed in , which augurs well for the coming year . The business ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , at the close of which the W . M . presented the loyal and Masonic toasts right royally , and as such they were received .

In submitting that of "The Pro G . MasUr , Earl Amherst ; the Dep . G . Master , the Earl of Warwick ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . said these brethren spared no pains and gave up much of their valuable time for the benefit of ihe Craft . The Iodge was honoured with the presence of Bro . James Terry , whose name he would couple with the toast . In reply , Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., paid a high compliment upon the worthy and illustrious G . Officers who were at the front fighting in honour of their country—Bros . Lord Robeits , Lord Methuen , and Sir C . Warren , who had done so

much , and had won the love and esteem of all . He had the proud privilege of 27 years ago being one of the Consecrating Officers of the lodge . He strongly urged the claims ot the Benevolent Institution , and said he was delighted to hear that the esteemed VV . M . was acting as Steward at the lorthcoming Festival . During the year 1 S 92 , when Lord Mount Edgcumbe was the Chairman , the munificent sum of £ 69 , 000 was realised , and he hoped the W . M . of the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge would be enabled to take up upon his list a sum equal to and more than on that occasion . On behalf of the G . Officers he heartily thanked the brethren .

Bro . Jesse Masters , I . P . M ., next rose and said for the first time he had the honour of presenting the toast of " The W . M ., " in whose election to the chair the brethren had shown good sound sense , for he was a genuine and thorough worker . He had filled with credit every ofiice to their satisfaction , and he was assured that his year as W . M . would be as creditable and successful as hitherto . He asked the brethren to drink to it in a bumper . In reply , the W . M . received an ovation , and sincerely thanked the I . P . M . and the brethren for such a reception , and would only say he would endeavour to do his best , and to be a good Mason and worthy of their selection .

In presenting the toast of ' * The Installing Master and I . P . M ., " the W . M . said his work . had been splendidly carried out throughout the year , and he hoped to be able to carry out the duties as perfectly himself , which if achieved he should be thoroughly satisfied . ^ It was with extreme pleasure he pinned to his breast the Past Master's jewel as a testimony of their love and appreciation , and he hoped he would be long spared to wear the same .

Bro . Jesse Masters , I . P . M ., in reply , said he was grateful for such a reception . He had endeavoured to do his best for Freemasonry and also for the lodge , which , with the support he had had from the brethren , had proved the record year ; but he hoped that the present year might eclipse that . He heartily thanked the brethren for the handsome jewel , which was much admired , and which showed the sentiments of the brethren . He trusted that the W . M . would have the same hearty support from his officers as was given to him during the past year .

The inscription was— " Presented to Bro . Jesse Masters , P . M ., for his valuable and efficient services as W . M . during the year ending February , 1900 . " The toast of "The Initiates" was most ably presented by the W . M ., and duly responded to by Bros . Darling and Abbiss . The W . M . again rose and stated the next toast was a most important one , and had been modestly omitted from the toast list . It was that of " Bro . G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M ., Secretary , " whose attachment to the lodge and by whose untiring energy it had grown to its present prosperous state , and also to his many acts of kindness and

willingness at aU times to proffer Ms advice and assistance , which had won for him the love and esteem of all the brethren connected with the lodge . Feeling and knowing that , the brethren had consulted together to mark their appreciation in some tangible form for his splendid work , and had come to the conclusion to present him with a Secretary ' s jewel . He had , therefore , the greatest pleasure in presenting and pinning to the breast of Bro . Hamilton , P . M ., the handsome jewel , which he trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would long spare him to wear with honour and distinction , also a silver tea service for Mrs . Hamilton , which they trusted she would kindly accept from ths members of the lodge . The toast was received with enthusiasm .

In reply , Bro . Hamilton said it was most difficult at all times to respond to his health , but still more so upon that occasion . He had no idea of being honoured by a special toast until a short time ago and of being the honoured recipient of such a handsome jewel and silver tea service . It had come on him quite by surprise . He did not know why , for he had only done his duty , but the brethren had shown their appreciation and outward token of brotherly feeling . He had endeavoured to do his best for the lodge , which was very dear to him , and he would say that he had never had a miss word

with any brother in the lodge and that all were his friends . He most heartily thanked them for the good will and brotherly affection as shown that night . It had been rather difficult to decide as to the present to his wife , but on the W . M . paying a visit to him and Mrs , Hamilton it was soon settled , and her choice was made . O . i her behalf hc most cordially thanked the brethren , and such a handsome testimonial would be

highly prized by them both . Before sitting down liro . Hamilton paid a high tribute of respect to the late esteemed Treasurer , Bro . Perry , P . M ., who was one of the best of 111 : n , and in order to perpetuate his name , the lodge have made his three daughters Life Subscribers of the Institutions , thereby retaining ' the votes whicii would have been lost . For such a noble gift he would say no more , and out of the fulness of his heart he most gratefully thanked the brethren .

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