Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

P . M ., and the Secretary , Bro . Osborn , P . M ., to both of whom the lodge was much indebted . Bro . Weston , P . M ., Treasurer , thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks and assured the brethren of his continued interest in the welfare and prosperity of the lodge . Bro . Osborn , P . M ., Secretary , in acknowledging the compliment , said that the W . M . well deserved the honour

of re-election , as he was sure that the prosperity of the lodge and the happiness of the brethren were his first consideration . During the year the lodge had increased its numbers by 22 initiates and two joining members , owing to the energy and popularity of the W . M . The toast of" The Officers " was then given , and suitably responded to , after which the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .

The proceedings were highly satisfactory and thoroughly harmonious throughout . The banquet was well served , and the kindly attentions of Bro . James to the comforts of the brethren were much appreciated . An excellent programme of music was provided under the direction of Bro . Willie Wright , Organist , the artistes being Madame Nellie Cave , Bro . Jas . Bayne , Bro . W . Hunt , Bro . W . Stroud , and Mr . Sam Wright . Bro . W . Wright presided at the pianofo ; te .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

ACTON . Priory Lodge of Acton ( No . 1996)— . The installation meeting of this lodge was held in the lodge room of the Berrymead Priory , High-street , on Monday , the 5 th inst . There were present Bros . C . E . Botley , P . M ., acting W . M . ; E . Monson , jun ., I . P . M . ; G .

Wright , P . M . ; F . Botley , P . M ., D . C . ; C . W . Francis , S . W . ; A . J . Phillips , J . W . ; J . A . Cammell , P . M ., acting Sec . ; S . Gissing Skelton , S . D . ; B . Hirst , P . M ., J . D . ; C . T . Sutton , I . G . ; A . G . H . Dicker , and C . Pearce . Visitors : Bros . W . Guy , H . Monson , P . Monson , J . A . Craven , B . Eydeman , R . Williams , and several other brethren .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . A letter was read from the W . M ., Bro . J . R . Ward , saying that , owing to continued illhealth , he was unable to be present , which he very much regretted . Bro . C . W . Francis was then presented by the D . of C . to the acting W . M ., Bro . C . E . Botley , P . M ., as W . M . elect . A Board of Installed Masters having been

opened , the W . M . elect was duly installed into the chair of K . S . The W . M . then invested Bro . E . Monson , jun as I . P . M ., for Bro . J . R . Ward . The Board of Installed Masters was then closed . The brethren having saluted the W . M ., the Installing Master presented and explained the working tools of the various Degrees . The W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as

follows : Bros . A . B . Phillips , S . W . j S . Skelton , J . W . ; Rev . A . G . H . Dicker , Chap . ; E . Monson , jun ., P . M ., Treas J . A . Cammell , P . M ., See . ; W . Hirst , P . M ., S . D . •and C . T . Sutton , P . M ., J . D . The investiture of I . G . was deferred until next meeting . The VV . M . having invested Bro Harrison as Tyler , the Installing Master then gave the usual addresses . The report ot the Audit Committee was

adopted . The W . M . having received the hearty congratulations of the brethren , the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banqueting hall where justice was done to a capital banquet ( provided by Bro . Brooks ) , which gave general satisfaction , the tables being very prettily decorated with flowers and plants . On the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

The acting I . P . M . having taken the gavel , said all the brethren knew for what purpose he rose , and , after warmly eulogising the working of the W . M ., who , he said , if only a young Mason , was a very worthy one , and carried out all the duties in a very masterly manner , for he was Secretary of the lodge of instruction acting under the mother Iod <> "e asked the brethren to drink to the very good health'Vf

the W . M ., wishing him long years of happiness . The W . M . thanked the brethren for the very kind manner in which the toast of his health had been received and after referring to the perfect harmony which had always characterised the Priory Lodge of Acton , said of Masonry itself it was difficult to speak in few words ; Masonry embraced the whole scope of human experience , both

subjective and objective . Its degrees comprised Religion , Morality , every phase of Virtue , Science , Art , Literature , and that most interesting of human studies—the knowledge ofone'sself . The Freemason was , in the first place , impressed with his duty towards God , and his duty towards his neighbour . Reverence for the Deity had rightly been made a special object in Masonry ; indeed , it seemed pretty clear

that the great secret of the mysteries of ancient days was the unity of God in times when Polytheism prevailed . The good Mason never failed in his duty to his neighbour ; he was a good man in every relation of life—a good son , a tr 00 d husband , a good father , a good friend ; the principles of Masonry imbued all his dail y transactions . As a next step the Freemason was urged to cultivate and improve his

mind b y the pursuit of Science , Art , or Literature . Finally he was invited to meditate upon those virtues which adorn the inward man . And he who could clearl y see their beauty and sterling value as presented to him in Masonry , the perfectly just and upright man would even prefer to die rather than betray the principles of truth and honour . The W . M . then gave the toast of "The I . P . M . Bro .

, 1 . R . Ward , and was indeed sorry that he was not able to be with them that evening . He knew that Bro . Ward sincerely regretted his inability to be present ; from the very serious nature of his ailments he was not permitted to be out in the night air . He ( the VV . M . ) trusted , however , that at the next meeting Bro . Ward would be sufficiently recovered to be with them .

Bro . E . Munson , jun ., suitably responded for Bro . Ward . The toast of "The Installing Master" having been given , Bro . C . E . Botley ( who had come specially from Hastings for the purpose of installing the VV . M . ) responded , he being , as he remarked , his ( the W . Master ' s ) father in Masonry .

I he toast of "The Visitors" followed in a very neat speech from the W . M ., who coupled with it the names of Bros . Williams , Monson , Eydeman , Guy , and Craven , who suitably replied . The toast of " The Past Masters " was given , and duly responded to by Bros . Wright and Botley . The toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary" was then

Provincial Meetings.

coupled with " The Officers of the Lodge , " and responded to Bros . E . Monson , jun ., J . S . Cammell , and A . B . Phillips . The Tyler ' s toast brought a very pleasant and enjoyable evening to a close . The musical programme was under the direction of Bro . E . H . Sugg , P . M . 452 , P . P . G . O . Surrey , assisted by Bros . Rev . A . G . H . Dicker , F . Botley , P . M . ; C . E . Botley , P . M . ; E . Monson , jun ., and Hirst .

BEAMINSTER . Beaminster Manor Lodge ( No . 1367 ) . — -An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., at the White Hart Hotel , when the following officers and brethren were present : Bros . J . S . Webb , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., VV . M . ; C . Toleman , I . P . M . ; H . Maunder , S . W . j C . G . Purkis , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Org .,

acting J . W . j the Rev . E . G . Austen , W . M . 97 6 , P . G . Chap ., Chap , j J . Andrews , P . M ., Treas . j A . Hann , Sec . j 0 . M . Beament , S . D . j S . R . Baskett , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., D . C , acting J . D . j W . Oxley , I . G . j J . Keech , Tyler j C . Hann , P . M . ; R . Toleman , P . M ., P . P . G . P . j G . Roberts ; H . A . P . Gengej and as visitors Bros . S .

Lawrence , P . M . S 14 , P . P . G . D . C . Somerset , and J . C . Collie , P . M . 1271 , P . P . G . O . Wilts . The lodge having been opened , the ballot was taken for Mr . Francis Parsons Kitson . This proving favourable , Mr . Kitson was initiated in a very able manner by the W . M . and his officers , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

BERKHAMPSTEAD . Berkhampstead Lodge ( No . 504 ) . —A meeting of this flourishing lodge was held on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall at the King ' s Arms . Among those present were Bros . S . R . Timson , W . M . j T . Graham Robinson , I . P . M . ; A . Prudames , S . W . ; A . W . Vaisey , J . W . ; F . Q . Lane , P . M ., Treas . ; C .

Bullock , KM ., Sec . ; J . L . Rowe , P . M ., D . C . ; Rev . C . J . Lansriey , Org . ; VV . H . Rowe , P . M ., and G . Austin , TYov . G . S . of VV ., Stwds . ; A . Pavett , Tyler ; H . J . Foster , P . M . ; H . Hollis , P . M . ; Rev . W . Ouenneil , P . G . Chap . ; VV . Lovell , H . Balderson , P . M . 1757 ; E . C . Knight , P . M . 94 S ; H . J . Burt , Marsh , Sims , H . Kemp , Hill , P . G . Stwd . ; Bunker , Gilbert , and E . J .

Layton . The visiting brethren included Bros . VV . E . Robbins , 90 ; and E . Gibbs , 591 . Bro . C . J . Gilbert , of the Caradoc Lodge , was duly admitted as a member . Two brethren were raised to the Second Degree , the passing being impressively worked by the VV . M . Considerable interest attached to the announcement that the Provincial Grand Master had proposed to

hold the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Berkhampstead towards the end of July , and many hopes were expressed that this proposal would be consummated . The W . M . announced with considerable regret , which was shared by the brethren , that he had to leave England for the Colonies in June , and would not be able to perform the duties of his office for the rest of the tenure .

At the banquet which followed , an excellent menu was placed before the lodge by Bro . Kemp . The firbt toast on the list was , of course , " The Queen and the Craft , " and the other toasts also had reference to the Craft . They were interspersed with songs , accompanied by the Rev . C . J . Langley , in whose hands were the musical arrangements .

BIRMINGHAM . Temperance Lodge ( No . 739 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge , held at the Masonic Hall , New-street , on the Sth inst ., was well attended . The brethren present included Bros . J . C Stackhouse , W . M . ; T . G . Locker , S . W . ; A . E . Parkes , J . W . j J . Lees , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Chap . ; F . J . North , Sec ; C . M . Wrighton , S . D . ; W .

A . Parker , J . D . ; W . E . Thomason , Org . ; R . 'Thomson , I . G . ; W . J . Bancroft , P . M ., D . of C . ; C . Lansdale , S . A . Reading , and J . Srawley , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Stewards ; J . Candelent , I . P . M . j J . Ketley , P . M . ; H . Bowley , P . M ., P . G . S . B . ; A . W . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; G . A . Thomason , P . M . ; J . F . Thomason , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; J . Taylor , P . M . ; Brooke , Skevington , Wilkes ,

Hetherington , Booth , Cox , Morris , Baylis , Gittings , Butler , and Chapman , Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Adcock and Hendricks , of 93 S . The lodge being opened , and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed , Bros . Constantine , Pendleton , and Townshend were raised by the W . M . to the Degree of M . M . The I . P . M . then passed Bros . Hemming and

Connolly , after which the ballot was taken for Mr . C . H . Brampton , and , proving unanimous , he was initiated by the VV . M ., all the ceremonies being performed in a manner which won the approbation of the brethren . On the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., the sum of £ 2 10 s . was contributed from the lodge funds to the " Binckes Pension Indemnity Fund , " R . M . I . B . The

W . M . announced that he intended to attend as Steward at the approaching Festival of the Boys' School , and appealed to the brethren to support him in that capacity , and Bro . G . A . Thomason gave notice that at the next meeting he should propose that the sum of 10 guineas be given to that Institution from the funds of the lodge . The VV . M . called the attention of the lodge to the appointment

of Bro . VV . A . Adams as Preceptor ot the lodge of instruction . The Secretary announced that he had just received an intimation of the death of Bro . Jennings , who had been a member of the lodge for more than 30 years , and amidst deep and unanimous expressions of regret it was resolved to convey the sympathy of the lodge to his bereaved family .

Other formal business having been transacted , " Hearty good wishes " were given , and the lodge duly closed . The brethren then adjourned to the banquet room . The loyal toasts , and that of "The Grand Officers " having been duly honoured , the VV . M . proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " and urged the brethren to support the efforts of the Charity Steward . Bro . Srawley responded , and in a very able manner set

forth the claims of the various Institutions , and gave a short but most interesting account of the history of Freemasonry in England for the last seven centuries , and of its close identity during that period with works of Charity . The toast of " Lord Leigh , P . G . M ., and the Provincial Grand Officers" was proposed by Bro . Bancroft , and responded to by Bro Wilkinson , who , in feeling terms alluded

Provincial Meetings.

to an interview he had with Bro . Jennings during his last illness . Bro . Locker , S . W ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and said that Bro . Stackhouse had for many years done everything in his power to promote the success of the lodge , and had filled the various offices to which he had been appointed with the greatest zeal and courtesy ,

and now , as Master , his worth was appreciated by the brethren , by all of whom he was loyally and heartily supported . The Worshipful Master , in his reply , said he was very thankful for the kind way the brethren received him . It was a great pleasure to know and feel that he was bound to them by strong ties of affection .

The toast of "The Initiate" was given and suitably responded to . The toast of " The Visitors " was most cordially received , as was also that of "The Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge , " which was replied to by Bros . Thomason and Parkes . During the evening , songs , & c , were given by Bros . Skevington , Parker , Taylor , and Hetherington .

BOLTON . Anchor and Hope Lodge ( No . 37 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 5 th inst ., in Freemasons' Hall . The lodge was opened , when there were present Bros . R . Nightingale , W . M . ; W . Golding , S . W . ; W . Forrest , J . W . ; Rev . VV . R . Clayton , P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; J . Booth , Treas . ; H . L . Hinnell , Sec ; J . VV . Thompson , S . D . ; Thomas Murphy , J . D . ;

F . W . Briscoe , Org . ; Thomas Barnes , I . G . ; F . W . Brockbank , F . W . Broadbent , and George E . Greenhalgh , Stwds . ; Thomas Higson , Tyler ; J . Naylor , I . P . M . ; J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Slater , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Newton , P . P . S . G . D ., Prov . A . G . Sec ; J . Booth , P . M . ; John Hardcastle P . M . ; T . B . Tons :, P . M . ; H . E . Mason , Spencer , and Walker . Also

as visitors : Bros . J . W . Taylor , P . M . 221 , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Harwood , P . M . 34 S , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Thos . Morris , P . M . 221 ; J . Barrett ( Mayor of Bolton ) , P . M . 146 and 1723 ; R . Hough , P . M . 146 ; D . W . Stevenson , 221 ; W . rtltham , 1723 ; and Williamson , 221 . The lodge being opened , the minutes were read and approved . Mr . Arthur L . Briggs , J . P ., who was balloted

for and elected at the last regular meeting , was initiated into the Order by the Worshipful Master . A notice was read from Prov . Grand Lodge announcing that the annual meeting would be held at Burnley on the 21 st inst . " Hearty good wishes " were expressed by the visitors ,

and the lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , when a very enjoyable evening was spent . During the evening the Charity box was passed round , and resulted in the handsome amount of £ 6 iSs . 6 d . being subscribed for the Masonic Charities .

CATERHAM . Caterhatn Lodge ( No . 2095 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall , on Saturday , the ioth inst . 'The members present included Bros . F . A . Guimaraens , Prov . G . W ., W . M . ; C . W . C Webb , S . W ., W . M . elect ; F . W . Manson , J . W . ; H . E . Stenning , Treas . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ,

Sec ; F . W . Ball , S . D . ; E . L . Balcombe , J . D . ; J . E . Street , P . M . ; E . Manson , J . Sawyer , G . S . Elliot , and amongst the visitors were Bros . Fredk . West , Dep . Prov . G . Master in charge ; Col . G . Noel Money , W . M . 936 ; Pierre Tempels , P . M ., Grand Orient Brussels ; W . Portlock Radford , P . M . 13 S 3 ; Locock Webb , Q . C , P . G . D . ; T . C Sandeman , S . W . 13 S 3 ; R . D . Kearney , J . D . 15 ;

H . Ford , P . M . 11 S 1 ; H . Pearson , 349 ; VV . B . Billinghurst , 522 ; W . Webster , P . M . 231 ; C W . Bedwell , P . M . 452 ; and VV . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . Lodge was opened , and the minutes confirmed , after which Bro . C . VV . C Webb was duly installed as W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . Guimaraens . 'The officers were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . F . VV . Manson , S . W . ; H . E . Stenning , J . W . ; Tomkins , P . P . G . D ., Treas . ;

Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , Sec ; P . Hall , S . U . ; Balcombe , J . D . ; E . Manson , I . G . ; Gamble , 'T y ler . After the usual addresses , propositions were received , and several letters announced expressing regret for non-attendance , and the lodge was closed . After an excellent banquet , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , Bro . Sandeman briefly returning thanks on behalf of " The Grand Officers . "

Bro . Locock Webb , Q . C , P . G . D ., also replied , and said it was extremely kind of Bro . Sandeman to have left so much to him , bue he had nothing to say they had not heard before . He was extremely delighted to be with them , and considered itagreathonour , but he did not forget he was with them live years ago , when he also had the honour to sit at their table just after the lodge was founded . His nephew had that

evening been put in the highest post of honour it was in the power of the members to bestow . He begged to be allowed to say , although it was some years ago since he occupied the chair , that he had never seen the work of installation better performed than it had been that evening , and he congratulated them very much on that work . He heartily wished them success , and that all those high virtues ,

to which the Installing Master had referred , would be theirs collectively and individually . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , in proposing the next toast , said he desired to follow in some little way the formula of the installation ceremony by first addressing a few remarks to the brethren generally , and adding a few words to a brother whose name he would

couple . I he toast was an exceedingly comprehensive one , being " The Sister Lodges throughout the World , " whereever Freemasonry was upheld in its simplicity and purity . That toast was one seldom given , except in India , and he believed in the Colonies , because in those places they were generally favoured with one or more brethren of sister jurisdictions , and therefore were in a position to respond . In a small lodge such as theirs—a very happy although

small lodge—they had never drunk that toast because they had never been favoured with the presence of a brother to respond . 'That evening they were so favoured , and in drinking to the health and pr . sperity of lodges in general , he should ask their particular attention to the Grand Orient of Belgium . They would notice the words Grand Orient , and he would explain that they were synonymous with Grand Lodge . Their constitution and ours was somewhat different , inasmuch as they acknowledged