Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Codiot , and H . T . Bertram , Stewards ; C . Taylor , P . M . ; James Stevens , P . M . ; Thomas Hamer , P . M . ; H . Thompson , P . M . ; J . Scex , P . M . ; VV . Cook , P . M . ; J . R . Hartley , T . W . Headon , J . R . Greening , H . F . Frost , J . K . Gwyn , E . S . Donaldson , C . J . Small , and others . Bro . J . O . Carter , P . P . G . S . Berks and Bucks , was present as a visitor . The lodge was opened in due form , after which the

minutes of the last lodge were read and confirmed . Bro . Small was afterwards raised to the Degree of M . M . The next business was to elect a W . M . for the ensuing year , when Bro . Keeble , S . W ., was unanimously elected to that office . The Worshipful Master congratulated Bro . Keeble upon his election , and said he was quite sure that he was well qualified to discharge the duties of the chair to which the

brethren had unanimously elected him , and he thought also that they might congratulate themselves on having so able a brother to preside over them . Bro . Keeble , S . W ., thanked the brethren for having so unanimously elected him as W . M ., and he could assure them that no effort or exertion on his part should be wanting to give them satisfaction in the high office to which he had been called .

Bro . Greening proposed that the usual jewel should be presented to the W . M ., Bro . Kibble , on his retirement from the chair , and warmly eulogised the manner in which he had discharged his duties during his year ot office . Bro . Gwyn seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . The next business was the election of Treasurer , and Bro . N . B . Headon was unanimously re-elected . Bro . Hamer , P . M ., moved that a vote of thanks be

recorded on the minutes to Bro . Headon for his able services and for the uniform courtesy shown by him to every one during the period he had exercised the office of Treasurer , and to the satisfaction of every member of the lodge . Also for his able initiative of the proposal in Grand Lodge for the election of Bro . John Derby Allcroft , P . M . of the Aidersgate Lodge , as Grand Treasurer ; the services of Bro . Col . Creaton , the present Grand Treasurer , being at the same

time warmly eulogised and the hope expressed that Bro . Headon would supplement his services to the Craftin general by proposing at the next Quarterly Communication that the thanks of the Grand Lodge should be given to Col . Creaton on his retirement from office . The motion was unanimously carried . Bro . Headon returned thanks on his re-election and said the position of Treasurer of a private lodge was very

different from that of Grand Treasurer , as the one was a most important office with very onerous and responsible duties , while the other was merely nominal . He was much obliged to the brethren for the compliment they had paid him and should have great pleasure in complying with their wishes , trusting that in the future he should discharge his duties to their satisfaction as he had done in thc past . Bro . Potter was then re-elected Tyler , and the Auditors

were also appointed . Bro . Keeble , S . W . and W . M . elect , said that he had a special motion to propose , and on a very special occasion , and that was "That a telegram be sent to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , with the congratulations from the lodge on the twentieth anniversary of the Most Worshipful Grand Master's wedding day , " which was seconded by Bro . H . Thompson , P . M .-, and carried .

unanimously . It was accordingly dispatched forthwith and later in the evening a most gracious reply was received from Marlborough House thanking the lodge for their kindly remembrance of the event . Bro . H . Thompson , P . M ., after stating his regret that he had been unable to attend the last meeting of the Grand Lodge inquired of the W . M . what had been done in respect of the proposed revision of the Book of Constitutions and

the amendments which had been made thereto . He gathered from the reports of the meeting that the suggested amendments bad been permitted to be referred to tbe Board of General Purposes without any comment in Grand Lodge , and he could hardly imagine that so important a matter could have been so disposed of without some sort of safeguard having been suggested to prevent a final settlement of the new Constitutions by a small though important section

of the Craft . He thought some means should be given to the Craft at large to see the changes proposed before being called upon to consider them in thc Grand Lodge . The Worshipful Master replied that the subject had not engaged his earnest attention , as he believed that members of the Craft who had greater experience in Grand Lodge affairs were carefully watching the procceedings connected with the proposed revision . He had no doubt that Bro .

Stevens , who was present , could afford some information , and he would ask him to do so . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., said that Bro . Thompson was quite correct in his inference that the Grand Lodge had silently assented to the . recommendation of the Board of General Purposes , that the amendments to the proposed revision of the Book of Constitutions ( some 800 in number ) , should be referred to them to consider and report upon . There

could be no doubt that the task undertaken in respect of the revision was one of great magnitude , and that so far as possible the necessary debates which must ensue in Grand Lodge before final settlement should be shortened by anticipation as far as practicable . A great reliance was manifested that on this important subject the Board of General Purposes would act by each and all of the amendments which had been sent in , and therefore many members of

Grand Lodge , and amongst them himself , considered it inadvisable to interfere with the recommendation for reference , but it was presumed that no time would be lost in making thc necessary icport to Grand Lodge . The date fixed for the reception of amendments was the 25 th Jan . last , and it was notified that a special Grand Lodge would have been called during February for discussion of the same , but it had not been so called . He had sent in some

half-dozen amendments , in respect of which he should at the proper time expect to be heard , particularly in respect of two at least , which in his opinion were required to prevent the elision of certain landmarks from the Ancient Constitutions , and which the draft of the revision excluded altogether . He . trusted , land he had no doubt the Board

of General Purposes would not delay the business they had taken in hand , and that certainly before the period of the year when Masonic labour is presumed to slacken the special Grand Lodge , and if necessary Grand Lodges , will be held and the new Constitutions finally settled . If this were effected the present Board would fairly earn not only the warmest thanks of the Craft for the achievement of a great work and a hearty recognition of their labours ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

but would abundantly justify the silence which has prevented the slightest interference with their recommendation for reference of the several amendments for their consideration . Bro . Stevens ' s remarks were cordially assented to and Bro . Thompson expressed his tbanks for the explanation and information he had received .

The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned for refreshment . The usual loyal toasts were given and the telegram from the Prince of Wales was received just after his health had been proposed , when the VV . M . again made reference to the happy event . " The Health of Bro . Keeble , W . M . elect , " was proposed by the W . M . and enthusiastically received , for which Bro .

Keeble returned thanks . Bro . Taylor , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " which was suitably acknowledged . Songs were sung by Bros . Shaw , Donaldson , Bertram , Stevens , and others , and Bro . Stevens also gave a recitation " The level and the square . " A very pleasant evening was passed and the brethren separated about ten o ' clock in the true spirit of Masonry .

ALDERSGATE LODGE ( No . 1657 ) - —The ordinary meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday last at the Castle and Falcon Hotel , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bro . Samuel Benton , M . D ., VV . M ., who presided , supported by the following brethren , members of the ] lodge and visitors : Bros . Alfred Brookman , I . P . M . ; Samuel White , S . W . ; E . Y . Joniffe ,

J . W . ; Rev . R . Lee , M . A ., Chaplain ; John D . Allcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; Rev . Dr . P . H . Ernest Brette , P . M ., Sec ; VV . H . Froome , S . D . ; Edward Anderton , J . D . ; Joseph Renals , D . C . ; Thos . Benskin , D . C . ; George Vickery , I . G . ; Arthur B . Hudson , Steward ; Fredk . Crockford , Steward ; George Kenning , P . M . ; Alder Smith , George Rawlinson , T . G . Vickery , E . F . B . Fuller , Henry

Matthews , John Larkm , Joseph Lavender , W . VV . Thompson , J . Shotter , and P . Saillard . Visitors : Bros , the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . Grand Chaplain ; A . G . Staley , W . M . Tranquillity , 1 S 5 ; H . B . Headon , P . M . and Treas . The Great City , 1426 ; R . W . Morgan , W . M . Mizpah , 1671 ; Thos . Hamer , P . M . The Great City , 1426 ; H . A . Pratt , W . M . Lion and Lamb , 192 ;

jno . Harper , P . M . Neptune , 22 ; W . R . H . Steward , Victoria Rifles , S 22 ; A . F . Pearce , S . W . Carnarvon , 1572 ; Percy Crampton , I . G . Carnarvon , 1572 ; J . J . Avery , P . M . St . John's , 70 ; Fred . McDougall , P . M . Crescent , 7 SS ; P . D . Eyre , Urban , 1196 ; T . S . Dowse , De Grey and Ripon , 905 ; John Clarricoats , Treas . Carnarvon , 1572 ; A . Greatrcx , P . M . Neptune , 22 ; and J . A . Goodly , Dukeof Leinster , 2 S 3 ( I . C . ) . ine minutes

navmg oeen reaa ana connrmed , the Worshipful Master conferred the Third Degree on Bros . E . F . B . Fuller and T . G . Vickery , and afterwards initiated Messrs . VV . W . Thompson , J . Shotter , and C . W . Lovett into the mysteries and privileges of Antient Free and Accepted Masonry . A proposition was made by the W . M . and seconded by the I . P . M ., that a Royal Arch Chapter should be attached to the lodge , and being carried

unanimously , Bro . John Derby Allcroft , P . M ., was selected as the first M . E . Z . ; Bro . Rev . Dr . P . H . E . Brette , P . M ., as H . ; and Bro . A . Brookman , l . P . M ., as J . It was next proposed by the W . M . and seconded by the I . P . M ., and carried enthusiastically , that the insignia for the office of Grand Treasurer , Craft and Royal Arch , should be presented to Bro . J . D . Allcroft , P . M . and Treasurer , as a

compliment for the great services rendered to the Craft in general and the Aldersgate Lodge in particular . The brethren then retired to dinner , the W . M . presiding . Thc usual toasts were afterwards duly honoured . Bro . Headon in response to the toast of " The Visitors " said it had afforded him great pleasure to be there that evening to join in the felicitations upon the recent

auspicious event in Grand Lodge—tbe election of their worthy Past Master and Treasurer , Bro . Allcroft , to the office of Grand Treasurer of thc Order . He considered that to be a most gratifying circumstance in every respect . Gratify : ing it must be to their esteemed brother himself , as an evidence of the high appreciation of his brother Masons ; gratifying it could not fail to be to every member of that

lodge ; and gratif y ing also to every member of the Craft who was anxious that honour should be given where honour was due . That their distinguished brother had been nearl y 40 years ( he was going to say lost in the wilderness ) a member of their Order and working in its best interests , and that until now his worth and services had never been recognised was a reflection upon themselves

—he meant the members of the Grand Lodge . But , the honour which had now been conferred upon their brother made amends for all past neglect , for tney could conceive of no higher Masonic aspiration than to be chosen for preferment by such an august bod y as that which assembled in Grand Lodge on Wednesday week .

They might hope that now the brethren had awakened to a sense of the important duty that devolved upon them they would not again fall asleep , but would act up to their responsibility by electing a new Grand Treasurer every year , for the truth of Gray ' s words and their applicability to the members of their Order was abundantly evident when he said : —

" Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear ; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen And waste its sweetness on the desert air . " If all the unfathom'd caves of Masonry must be explored for these gems , these blushing flowers must not be left unculled .

Bros . Staley , Morgan , and Harper also responded . Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson responded for "The Grand Officers . " Thc Worshipful Master having intimated his intention to represent the lodge as Steward at the next festival of the Royal Masonic institution for Girls , Bro . the Rev . Dr . P . H . K . Brette proceeded round the table with the list , the result being 100 guineas .

COVENT GARDEN LODGE ( No . 1614 . )—A meeting of this lodge was held at The Criterion , Piccadilly , on the 13 th inst . Present : Bros . W . H . Gulliford , W . M . ; E . Jacobs , P . M ., S . W . J . Jacobs , J . W . ; Bourne , P . M ., Sec ; H . VV . Kcdglcy , S . D . ; Dickson , J . D . ; Stacey , Organist ; B . Solomons , I . G . ; S . J acobs , P . M . ; Baxter , G . Reynolds , and others . Visitors : Bros . Wm . Proots , Sec . 1273 ; G . A . Gillett , 172 ; G . W . West , 1541 ; and others .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . A ballot was taken for Mr . John Mayo , and being unanimously elected , he received the benefit of initiation at thc hands of the W . M . in a truly masterly and impressive manner . Bros . Head and Howard having answered the usual questions were duly passed to thc Degree of F . C . The VV . M . having received the " Hearty good wishes" of the visitors thc lodge was closed with solemn prayer .

ST . LEONARD LODGE ( No . 1766 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Town Hall , Shoreditch , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., when a considerable amount of business was transacted . The lodge was opened by Bro . E . Benjamin , I . P . M ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . J . A . Jones , W . M ., who shortly afterwards arrived and took the chair . The officers

present were Bros . L . Stean , P . M . ; C . F . Barham , P . M . j A . A . Clement , S . W . ; J . Funstone , J . W . ; Rev . H . G . Henderson , Chap . ; J . Cox , Sec ; E . V / alker , S . D . J F . Matthews , J . D . ; R . Drysdale , I . G . ; G . C . Young , Org . ; H . J . Thrower , D . C ; L . A . Harrison , W . S . ; E . T . Clark , A . W . S . ; and J . Very , Tvler . Members Bros . C . Deacon , E . A . Beckett , H . Waynforth , E . T . Henman , F . Meriton , S . Fennel ) , T . DouglassW .

Beas-, ley , Dr . Holt , VV . H . Brand , J . ) Roberts , |\ V . Strickland , VV . Jones , and H . Josephs . Visitors : Bros . G . W . Preston , P . M . S 61 ; G . Wade , 1310 ; T . Cohen , P . M . 193 ; J . Barker , S . W . S ( 3 o ; S . Smither , 193 ; G . J . Freeman , 1613 ; T . Hill , S 13 ; P . Senecal , P . M . 569 ; and G . Edwards , P . M . 1 S 16 . The lodge having been advanced , the I . P . M . raised Bros .

A . C . Cntchfield , E . J . Rose , and E . T . Henman , jun . The VV . M . then passed Bros . Lovat , Fraser , and T . Weatherley to the F . C . Degree' Mr . J . W . Griffiths having been duly elected was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . Some other business having

been transacted the brethren adjourned to refreshment , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and the harmony of thc proceedings enhanced by songs and recitals by Bros . Deacon , Douglass , Henman , Benjamin , Strickland , and others , ably accompanied by the Organist .

SUNDERLAND . — -Palatine Lodge ( No . 97 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the Sth inst ., at the Masonic Half , Park-terrace . The lodge was duly opened by the W . M ., Bro . C . McNamara , and in the course of the evening Bro . E . G . Watson was passed to

the Second Degree by Bro . G . Lord , P . M ., end the W . M ., Bro . McNamara , gave a lecture upon the first tracing board to Bros . Birch and Watson . The lodge was afterwards closed in due form . There was a very large attendance of visiting brethren from the lodges of the district .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Virtue ( No . 152 ) . —The installation meeting and St . John ' s Festival took place on Friday , the iGth ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , when thc following brethren were present : Bros . R . Brewer , VV . M . ; G . V . Blaikie , S . W . ; T . R , Stevenson , J . W . ; T . Gillibrand , Treas . ; VV . Cooperj Sec ; Edwin Hampson , S . D . ; W . R . Williams , I . G . ; 1 ,

Prirchard , J . S . ; J . Sly , Tyler ; N . Dumville , P . M . ; G . C . Williams , P . M . ; Win . Hollins , P . M . ; Wm . Jaffray , P . M . ; W . M . Smith , J . Chappie , J . Grundy , and D . Conway . Visitors : Bros . Wm . Brown , VV . M . 1633 ; Wm . Byway , J . VV . 16 33 ; J . M . Sinclair , I . P . M . 163 ; Wm , Bostock , P . M . 16 33 and 1213 ; T . J . Hooper , P . M . 1009 , P . P . G . T . ; and R . R . Lisenden , S . D . 317 ( Freemason ) .

The lodge was opened and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , after which the balance sheet was reported and commented on and afterwards adopted . The ceremony of installation was next proceeded with , Bro . Wm . Hollins , P . M ., acting as Installing Master . Bro . G . V . Blaikie after being presented was with all due rite

and ceremony installed W . M . of the lodge for the ensuing 12 months . Bro . Blaikie was afterwards proclaimed and saluted in the usual manner . Bro . Wm . Jaffray , P . M ., then invested the officers for the ensuing year as follows ; Bros . Stevens , S . W . ; Gillibrand , J . W . ; Conway , Treas . ; Pritchard , Sec . ; Hampson , S . D . ; Cooper , J . D . ; Wm . Jaffrey , D . C ; Grundy , I . G . ; Stephenson , S . S . ; and Montford , I . S .

" Hearty good wishes " were expressed by thc visitors and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony , after which the brethren sat down to a banquet where the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . Bro . Brewer in proposing " The Health of the VV . M . " said he considered it a great honour to be privileged to propose this toast . He wished he could do mora honour to it and that he was possessed of the eloquence of Past Master

Hollins , in order to give it the merit it deserved ; but although he might seem to propose the toast in a slipshod sort of way , he assured the brethren he did so in all heartiness . Their VV . M . was not a man of very huge bulk , but he was possessed of a heart as large as any around that board . He had for a long time looked upor . the W . M . as a sort of dark horse , concealing behind his diffidence and modesty a reserve of strength and power that would

astonish them all . In conclusion he said it would be superfluous to mention the various qualities the W . M . possessed , and he would ask the brethren to heartily drink his health . The Worshipful Master replying said he thanked the brethren sincerely for the hearty manner in which they had drunk his health . He could not flatter himself that he was an oracle , or that he had no shortcomings , and doubtless the brethren were fully aware of both these facts . He

assured them however that whatever his shortcomings might be he would do his duty with all thc zeal he was capable of . Bro . Hollins , P . M ., in proposing " Thc Health of the Visiting Brethren" remarked that if it was good and enjoyable for thc brethren of the Virtue Lodge to see visitors amongst them on ordinary lodge nights how much more so was it on an important occasion like the present . It was no trifle to be honoured with the presence of several

distinguished brethren , such as they had with them that night , amongst whom was one who had beer , elected to a high office in the Provincial Grand Lodge by the unanimous votes of the brethren in the province . He referred to Bro . T . J . Hooper , P . P . G . T . Bro . Hollins also referred to Bro . J . M . Sinclair , whom he had congratulated on having filled the chair of VV . M . in thc largest lodge in the province , viz ., the Integrity Lodge , and further referred to Bro . R . R . Lisendeu ' s connection viitl \ the Masonic Mess *