Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

creed—benevolence , relief , and truth , and when they said they had benevolent actions and good deeds to perform , let them perform them in the best possible way . They had under their rule and their own guidance if they were subscribers , three Institutions , and at the head of those Institutions they had men of ability to bring them to a successful issue . During the past few years there had been a

considerable increase in the number of those requiring relief . The Girls' Institution had 260 girls in it ; it was an excellent Institution . Four years ago it got £ 60 , 000 , and the brethren built a centenary hall which the Prince and Princess of Wales , with two of their daughters , attended to open . The Institution was doing a vast amount of good , but it took £ 12 , 000 a year to support . With respect to

the Boys' Institution it had passed through the old management , and was now under a management in which provincial as well as London brethren took part . It was under the head mastership of Bro . the Rev . H . Webb ; it had 2 C 0 boys in it , and a better home for boys there was not in England . That also required £ 12 , 000 a year to keep up . Then there was the Benevolent Institution , which this year celebrated its

jubilee , and , up to the present time , had received this year more than £ 70 , 000 . It had 21 S old men with £ 40 a year each on its books , and 25 S widows with £ 32 a year each , and 23 widows receiving half their late husbands' annuities . In that way over £ 17 , 000 was spent . He appealed to the brethren , as he always had done , not to support one Institution more than the others—take each according to

its ments ; they were all deserving of sympathy and support . Let them not give grudingly . He wished he could see each Institution with a backbone of £ 100 , 000 . The Benevolent Institution had £ 125 , 000 to its credit now ; the Girls' Institution had £ 67 , 270 invested ; the Boys ' had i 17 , oco two-and-a-half years ago , it had now £ 31 , 000 invested . He looked on that as a great step

forward . Bro . Rev . H . Hebb responded , and , after thanking the Northern brethren for the strength with which they had subscribed to ¦ all the Charities , said he often thought brethren might do something more , and higher , than give their money , and that was to see that their money was thoroughly well spent , that the education given to the boys

and girls was the highest and best , and was in touch with all that was progressive in Masonry . It must be progressive , or it was worth nothing at all . There was one way the brethren might help the Schools a great deal , by sending , as members of the Board of Management , the best educated , the highest placed , and the noblest and most progressive men who could be found . Soon

after he was appointed as Head Master he went to see Miss Davis , the Head Governess of the Girls ' School , and he came away with a feeling of something like misery , feeling how infinitely the Girls' School was above the Boys' School in all respects . He felt that there was an atmosphere in the Girls' School that there was not in the Boys' School . There were amongst the

members of the Board of Management of the Boys' School members of the United Northern Counties Lodge ; some of them were visitors , but one and all were men whose position , education , sincerity , and thoroughness in all that they took up were beyond any reproach . With their help the School would be able to do a great deal . Soon after he was appointed , a member of the Board of

Managementa West Yorkshire man , whose name was a household word with every member of that lodge—said to him , " We want the very best that can be done with these boys . We do not want this to be in any sense a charity school . Masons give their money without looking , with the best motives , and the boys are to go out in the world with the feeling that they belong to a great public school . " He thought they were

in the right way to realise that . They had not realised that object yet . Nothing was permanent which did not take work and time . But Masons were now in the way to put their boys in the world—God-fearing boys , well-meaning boys , whose hearts were in the right place , who , so far from looking at the School as a charity school , would look back with pride on the place they had been educated in , and who

would have it as their noblest boast that they were brought up in the Masonic Boys' School , and were not ashamed of it . Sometimes , and in high places , that was apt to be forgotten , but that was the goal aimed at . He was glad to say that West Yorkshire and West Lancashire men had been the very backbone of what had been done for the Charities .

The Earl of Lathom proposed " The W . M ., " who had the good wishes of all the brethren . It was , perhaps , one of the most difficult positions in life a man could be placed in when he was put in the chair of a lodge , for he was subject to the criticisms of all the members of the lodge as to now he should conduct himself or the business of the lodge . But that night the W . M . had shown great aptitude ,

and it was a good omen of how he would rule the lodge . He congratulated the lodge , and he congratulated Bro . Wright on succeeding such other good Masters . He was quite certain Bro . Wright would be ably seconded and backed up by the brethren of the lodge . The Worshipful Master replied . He did not know how he would go through his year of office , but he was atvire

that he had got officers about him on whom he would have to depend in carrying out the ritual . He was only a very young Mason , but in his present position he could tell the brethren he would do his best to perform his duties properly . Bros . Alfred Wood and Malcolm replied to the toast of " The Visitors . "

Bro . Giller , l . P . M ., responded to the toast of "The l . P . M . and Past Masters , " and thanked the brethren for his Past Master ' s jewel . He was initiated , he said , in i . Sfij . His veneration for the United Northern Counties I ^ odge exceeded any he had felt in his life for other lodges , though he had been a member of several . At present he was a member of three .

"The Oliiccrs and the lyler s toast concluded the pro ceedings of a most pleasant evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

CROYDON . George Price Lodge ( No . 2096 ) . —The first regular meeting of this lodge during the Mastership of Bro . Frank W . Leaver was held in the Small Public Hall on Saturday , the 3 rd inst . The W . M . was supported by the following : Bros . C . Holden , S . W . ; E . C . Leaver , J . W . ; F . T . Ridpath , P . M ., Treasurer ; | . D . Langton , P . M ., Secretary ; J . Wayte , M . D ., S . D . ; W . D . Hayward ,

Provincial Meetings.

J . D . ; N . C . Crew , D . C ; F . Cambridge , P . M ., Org . ; j . Jones , I . G . ; W . G . Goode , P . M ., and G . Pearson , Stwds . ; W . Lane , Tyler ; J . H . Price , l . P . M . ; J . S . Fraser , P . M . ; Hinton Whitford , Ridpath , Sheldon , Fielder , and Gresham . The visitors were Bros . Saul Matthews , 1319 ; Chapman , 13 S 0 ; W . H . Gates , 463 ; S . T . Notley , 1150 ; E . D . F . Reymer , 1 S 91 ; and E . S . Be'ry , 1321 .

After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting confirmed , a ballot was taken for Mr . William Foster Gresham , and he having been unanimously elected , was initiated . The W . M . is to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which he , for the first time , performed this ceremony . Bro . Ridpath gave the charge . Bro . Goode , P . M ., spoke with reference to the meetings of the

lodge . He faid it was to be regretted that there was no meeting of the lodge between the installation meeting in June and the meeting in December , six months , and he suggested that the lodge should meet in October in place of the March meeting , and thus the lodge would hold its five meetings bi-monthly , omitting August . Bro . Goode

then gave notice of motion embodying these suggested alterations . After further business , the lodge was closed . The W . M . afterwards presided at the banquet , and proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . An excellent programme of music was provided , under the direction of Bro . F . Cambridge , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., Organist .

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2359 . )—The regular meeting was held at the Didsbury Hotel on Saturday , the 10 th inst . On account of the great pressure of work , the W . M . called the lodge at an early hour . There were four initiations , two passings , and four raisings , all the candidates being present . This might seem irksome , but such arrangements

had been made as to make the ceremonies as varied as possible , Bros . F . Stretch , VV . M . ; C . E . Towell , P . M . ; G . A . Myers , P . M . ; and Smith , P . M ., dividing the work , Bro . G . A . Myers presenting the working tools in the respective Degrees . Bro . A . K . Boothroyd , J . W ., again excelled himself by delivering the charge . Bro . VV . Sharpies very satisfactorily performed the office as J . D ., and Bro . James Sharpies acted as I . G . in a most perfect

manner . After the visitors had expressed their " Hearty good wishes , " the lodge was closed by the W . M ., and subsequently the brethren partook of a splendid repast , most tastefully arranged by Mrs . Stretch . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and a very pleasant evening was spent with

songs , recitations , thought-reading , conjuring , & c . The following brethren were present : Bros . F . Stretch , W . M . ; C . E . Towell , l . P . M . ; G . A . Myers , P . M ., S . W . ; A . K . Boothroyd , I . W . ; J . M . Veal , Treas . ; John Walker , Sec . ; G . S . Smith , P . M ., D . C . ; Joseph Ward . I . G . ; N . F . Clegg , Org . ; J . Moore , W . Barker ,

F . B . Passmore , H . G . Ward , F . B . Ratchford , R . H . Sayers , H . Shuter , A . R . Brett , J . Laurisch , W . W . Willkinson , J . J . Booth , I . Lawrenson , J . Smith , J . Jepson , J . Moore , J . Ratchford , F . Myers , J . Dearnerley , C . Worstencroft , E . W . Rowsell , H . A . Kay , and G . Metcalf . Visitors : Bros . Chas . Shaw , 1147 ; T . T . Shann , 2109 ; A . H . Mountain , 2211 ; and Hedley Jones , 1730 .

DONCASTER . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 242 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Friday , the 9 th inst ., in the St . George ' s Rooms , when there were present Bros . F . Webb , W . M . ; C . M . Hartley , Treas . ; F . J . Forth , Sec . j J . Fitzgerald , l . P . M . ; H . T . Bellerby , P . M . ; F . Raud , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . D . Walker , P . P . J . G . D . ; C Goldthorpe ,

P . M . ; W . Fretwell , P . M . ; W . G . Wilkie , P . M . ; E . Newsum , S . W . ; W . Blake , J . W . ; H . J . Pawson , S . D . ; T . Foster , J . D . ; F . Buckland , I . G . j H . C White , Org . ; S . Lester and H . T . Turner , Stwds . ; J . Hanson , G . Smith , C . H . Woodhouse , C . Hopkinson , J . Denison , 1 . Hirst and W . Mason , Tylers ; and others .

The minutes of the last regular lodge were read and confirmed , containing a vote of condolence to the widow of the late Bro . Teasdale . Dr . H . A . Lowndes , who had been duly proposed and successfully ballotted for , was then initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the ante-room , where light refreshment was partaken of , with the usual Masonic toasts .

HULL . Kingston Lodge ( No . ioio ) . —The annual festival of the above lodge took place on the 8 th inst ., in the presence of a goodly gathering of brethren from the mother and sister lodges in Hull and district . Letters of apology for non-attendance were received , amongst others , from Bros , the Right Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , D . P . G . M . ;

M . C . Peck , P . G . Std . Br . England , P . G . Sec ; W . Reynolds , P . G . Treas . ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Londesborough , W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . England ( Hon . Member ); and other distinguished brethren of the Fraternity . The occasion was a most important and interesting one , owing to the fact principally that the unanimous choice had again been bestowed upon the retiring Master—Bro .

Herbert Woodhouse , LL . D . — who had conducted his arduous duties in a manner which had met with the hearty approbation of his colleagues , and he acceded , although reluctantly , to the kind and flattering renewal of their confidence . We understand that it is about 23 years since one of the brethren had been invited to occupy the chair of K . S . for two years in succession , and this , no doubt ,

enhanced the appreciation of the choice of the members . The ceremony of re-installation was feelingly rendered by Bto . F . Fullerton , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., but was somewhat curtailed , partly owing to the fact that the ritual had been previously gone through by Bro . Woodhouse , and partly because there were other Degrees to be bestowed upon candidates . The following brethren were then presented

and duly appointed to the following offices : Bros . F . S . Brodrick , l . P . M . ; J . Wright Mason , M . B ., S . W . ; R . Barton , J . W . ; John Uilson , P . M ., Chap . ; F . Fullerton , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Carhll Savill , Sec ; R . Carson , S . D . ; C . Judge , J . D . ; W . J . Close , D . C ; F . Bentley , Mus .

Bac . Oxon , Org . ; W . r . Harris , Librarian ; H . S . Padman , T . L . Locking and S . Owen , Stewards ; and F . J . Lambert , Tyler . The brethren subsequently assembled in the banquetroom , where a recherche repast was served , and on the cloths being removed the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The Worshipful , Master

Provincial Meetings.

presided , and was supported by Bros . Alderman Seal ™ J . P ., P . P . G . W . ; F . S . Brodrick , l . P . M . ; H . S Pudsey , P . M . ; F . Fullerton , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; I BH , „ n P . M . ; J . G . Smithson , P . M . ; E . J . Fullerton , PM J ) . T . Towler , W . M . ; G . F . Wells , S . W ., and T tV Walker , J . W . 250 ; J . Wilebore , S . W ., and T . Morrin

J . w ., ot 57 ; K . W . UJoper , W . M . 1605 ; Geo . Leigh , W M 2134 ; Joel Edgar , W . M ., and T . Woods , S . W -Z R . R . Hawley . P . M ., and F . Wilson , of 250 ; JamesSugden ' P . M . 1379 ; Councillor H . H . Briggs , George Lamb A ' E . White , C . E ., and others . Several letters of regret were received from distinguished Masons , who were unable to be present .

After "The Queen and the Craft , " and "The Grand Maste- —the Prince of Wales , " and "The Provincial Grand Master , " had been received , the Worshipful Master , in grateful terms , alluded to the presence of Bro J . L . Seaton , P . P . G . W ., and after referring to the distinguished services that worthy brother had long continued to " render to Freemasonry , and to the town in general he

called upon the brethren to drink to "The Health of Bro . Seaton "—a toast which was received with enthusiasm Bro . Alderman J . L . Seaton , P . M ., who was apparently touched by this unexpected enthusiastic reception , acknowledged the toast in feeling terms . He said that that interesting evening ' s proceedings took his mind back to the pioneers of the lodge , when he and others founded the

Kingston in order that it should be a credit to themselves and an honour to the Craft . He was glad that their realisations had been achieved . After an eloquent reference to the noble tenets of Freemasonry , which he said were the admiration of the human race , he quoted from Bro . Henry Irving ' s speech the other evening , when he said , illustrative of his own feelings , and quoting from

Shakespeare" My bones are marroivless , and my blood cold . " Although now considerably advanced in years—indeed , in the " sere and yellow leaf " —yet he was not inclined to adapt Bro . Irving ' s inference as indicative of his ( the speaker ' s ) feelings . On the contrary , he felt a joyousness in his heart when he was the recipient of their kind words and generous reception , accorded to him as one of their

oldest honorary members . Bro . Colonel H . Fawcett Pudsey , P . M ., proposed "The Worshipful Master , Bro . H . Woodhouse . " He said it gave him the greatest possible pleasure in proposing the toast of the evening . Bro . Dr . Woodhouse had been unanimously re-elected , and they , his brethren , of the Kingston Lodge , wished to render him an honour due to

the occasion . The Worshipful Master was not only distinguished in Masonry , but his abilities were well known throughout the town in the various honourable positions that he had occupied ; he had achieved distinction at his university , and honours in professional career . They wished to testify their appreciation of his services to the lodge , and , in proposing his health , his brethren wished

him long life and every happiness . Bro . H . Woodhouse , LL . D ., who was accorded a most hearty reception , said he regarded his re-election as a very high compliment , and although he would have preferred to have joined the ranks of the Past Masters , yet he was deeply sensible of their kindness in the renewal of the expression of their confidence in him . The past year was

one upon which they could look back with some degree of satisfaction—although tinged with bereavement . The Kingston Lodge might justly pride itself in being a loyal , active , and prosperous lodge , an honour to its founders , and a credit and ornament to the Craft . Reverting to the tenets of the Order , he asked Had Freemasonry a practical application to our daily life ? He maintained

that it essentially had . It was intended to help man in his daily life , and the true Masonic career should run , . as it were , in parallel lines . Masonry asserted great principles j its desire was that men should live in perfect unity ana concord . There were no enemies in true Masonic life . Men might differ in politics , on questions of capital and labour , but in the lodge-room those differences were sunk .

The principles of the Fraternity would bring together employed and employer , and strikes and riots would be unknown . The rights of both would be recognised , and a spirit of fairness on both sides would conduce to harmony and agreement . In a word , every man would haye rendered to him his "just due" for his labour . In Masonry , moreover , they had typified the dignity of labour and its utility . Their talents were to be employed

not only for themselves , but for others who are dependent on us , and we on them . It was thus that society was held together , and if the dictates of Freemasonry were unswervingly obeyed a perfect life would be the result , and happiness for the community in this world be attained , with a sure and certain hope of an entrance to the Sublime Abode of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe . 1 he speaker , having expressed his thanks to his retiring officers ,

resumed his seat . .. . , Other toasts followed , and the evening ' s pleasant proceedings were interspersed with harmony .

LOWER BROUGHTON . St . Thomas Lodge ( No . 2 ) . -Tlie installation meeting was held on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., at tne Griffin Hotel , when there were present Bros . VV . ii-Southern , W . M . ; VV . Hawkins , S . W . ; Wm . . Craig Royle , J . W . ; J . Hancock , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Ireas , J . W Millward , P . M ., Sec . ; T . W . McGill , S . D .: W . MarsdenIDWRothwellIGJH . Lamb l . P . M-

-. .. ; . , .. ; . , J . Johnson , P . M . ; S . Moore , P . M . ; T . Southern , L- 1 G . D . C ; J . J . Meakin , P . P . J . G . W . ; H . Y . Rultef . P . M . ; C . H . " Wheeler , P . M ., Tyler ; J . J . H . Ormew * . W . Clark , A . Percival , Geo . Owen , A . VV . Kearny , Will Marlin , John Faulkner , and T . M . Johnson . ' " following visitors were also present : Bros . J . ja <* G . H . Barnes , E . Meeffitt , W . M . ; T . Bradmirv , \ f ' <* wi ,, „„ PM .- W M . Booth . P . P . G . D . C : M . Stafford .

P . M ., P . G . S . R- C . Tonge , C Harvey , W . J- Meiunj , P . M . ; W . Dumville , P . M . ; W . F . Farnngton , r \»' | . | Williams , P . M . ; C . Owen , W . Barnes Russell , r . A P . P . G . D . C . ; T . Lawton , W . M . ; E . Webb , W . M- iW C . Turner , P . M . ; and G . S . Smith , P . M . v ,, The lodge was opened by Bro . W . H . Southern , vv d and the minutes of the previous meeting were reau confirmed . The ballot was taken for a gentleman , wn ^ proving favourable , he was initiated by the «• ' «• k J . VV . Millward , P . M ., Sec , by request of . the W . M-. M the chair in order to install Bro . W . Hawkins , t > . w ., ^ elect , who was presented by Bro . J . H . Lamb , 1 . < _" , the ceremony carried out in a most masterly manni .,