Masonic Banquet To The Mayor Of Carlisle.

The toast was honoured with great enthusiasm . The MAYOR , in response , admitted that he was proud of the honourable office he held , and they would agree that it was a pardonable pride in any man , especially the self-made man to whom Bro . Hayton referred , when he found himself installed in the civic chair of his native city , and more so when it was such a city as Carlisle . According to a translation in the new number of the " British Arch ; v ; ological Journal , " Carlisle was built at the time that King Solomon gave

the contract to Hiram Abif to build the Temple —( much laughter)—and the Queen of Sheba went to hear his wisdom . ( Renewed laughter and applause . ) It was built by a man named Karleil , and he gave his own name to the city . Whether that was truth or fable he would leave to the Chancellor and his brother archaeologists to settle . ( Applause . ) After speaking of the progress in town matters , he went on to say that so long as Freemasonry continued to promote and foster the welfare and uplifting of the brethren , and the succour and support of

their widows and orphans , so long would it continue to have a warm corner in his heart . It was 15 years since he was initiated into the Craft , and about 10 years since he was admitted into the Royal Arch . Next to the honour which had been done him by the Corporation , there could not be a greater honour and compliment paid him than that he had now received at the hands of his Masonic brethren , and for which he tendered sincere thanks . ( Applause . ) His worship added that a deputation from his mother lodge had wiited upon him that evening ,

and had asked him to fill the position of Worshipful Master of Bective for the ensuing year . ( Much applause . ) After the kindness he had experienced at the hands of the brethren both of bis own lodge and of the Union Lodge , he felt that there was only one course open to him , and he hoped it would prove to be beneficial to Masonry in general in the old city . He begged to say that he would have great pleasure in accepting the office . The announcement was received with great applause .

Bro . T . LONG proposed " 1 ne Visiting Brethren , " and Bro . P . J AMES ( Postmaster of Carlisle ) responded . I he Tyler's toast was proposed by Bro . J . HENDERSON . An ample programme of music . & c , had been provided , and included songs by Bros . E . Gray , W . P . Gibbings , W . Hughes , T . H . Hodgkinson , F . E . Godfrey , T . Long , E . J . Baber , T . Martindale , J . Kirkbride , W . T . Tiffen , and J . S . Finmore ; recitation by Bro . Wheatley ; and a ventriloquial sketch by Bro . Nutsford . Other musical items were upon the programme , but had to be abandoned for want of time . The arrangements for the banquet were carried out by Bros . J . W . Hayton , J . Gray , Captain Saunders , J . Minns , J . Kirkbride , Hughes , Elwen , and E . Gray .

St. Cuthbert's Lodge, No. 1902.

ST . CUTHBERT'S LODGE , No . 1902 .

LAYING THE CHIEF CORNER - STONE OF A NEW MASONIC HALL IMPORTANT MASONIC CEREMONY .

The R . W . Prov . Grand Manter of Northumberland , Bro . the Right Hon . Sir Mi White-Ridley , Bart ., M . P ., in his address at the annual provincial meeting , held at North Shields a few months ago , referred , in very complimentary terms , to the continued progress of Masonry throughout the province ; new lodges had

been consecrated , and the statistics showed that they were , both numerically and financially , on the increase . It is pleasing to report the enthusiasm that is evoked in some of the country lodges in Northumberland , and , as an instance of such , we might mention that on Wednesday afternoon , the 8 th inst ., the chief corner-stone of a new Masonic Hall was laid at Bedlineton . It is intended for the use of the

members of St . Cuthbert's Lodge , No . 1902 , their meeting room in an hotel having been considered unsuitable for Masonic purposes . Since the present W . M ., Bro . Thomas Walker Barker , was installed into the chair , the scheme for the building of a hall has , with the assistance of a few more brethren , been pushed forward with great vigour , and to each of them much credit is due for their perseverance in thus providing a suitable building for Masonic purposes .

A special emergency meeting of the members of the lodge was called at the Turk ' s Head Hotel , Bedlington . The lodge was duly opened by Bro . Barker , and preparations made for the procession . There was a large attendance of members and visitors—a dispensation having been granted for the brethren to wear full Masonic regalia .

The ceremony of laying the stons was performed by Bro . Augustus Edward Burdon ; J . P ., P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ( High Sheriff of Northumberland ) . The event attracted considerable attention . The acting officers on the occasion were Bros . Barker , W . M . j G . R . Turner , I . P . M . ; S . Hare , S . W . ; E . W . Carr , J . W . ; P . Rudd , B . A ., Chap . ; John Carlton , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Sec ; R . Swann , P . M ., P . P . G . S ., Treas . ; G . Hudson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; R . Absalom , S . D . ; R . Johnson , J . D . ; and James Trebble , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W .

The following Provincial G . Ollicers and other brethren were also present : Bros . P . H . Gibson , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; John Swain , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; John Tweedy , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Turnbull , 636 ; John D . Duncan , I . P . M . ; Wm . Noble , W . F . Curry , Wm . Heddon , Richard Nicholson , G ' W . Finn , Arthur A . Arkwith , W . M . 659 ; Robert T . Guthrie , P . M ., D . C ; Thomas Usher , George Hudson , I . Turner , John Dixon , John Hogarth , Thos . Dunn , W . Beattie , E . H .

Metcalfe , H . G . Goldsmith , James Jaint , J . S . Purdy , Thos . W . Weddell , R , W . Morris , G . R . Fail , Thos . J . Crondace , Wm . Pallister , H . Unwin , R . Walker , W . Arkley , C . Watson , B . Owen , and others . On leaving the lodge room the brethren formed in procession and marched to the site of the new hall , which is situated at the west end of the town . The procession was headed by the brethren of St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge , the W . M . walking alone bringing up the rear . The

W . M . carried his gavel , the Senior Warden the level , and the Junior Warden the plumb rule of the lodge . The officers of the Provincial G . Lodge then followed according to rank , Bro . Burdon by himself bringing up the rear , but followed by the standard of St . Cuthbert ' s Lodge . The lodge sword was carried by the Provincial G . Sword Bearer , immediately in frontof Bro . Burdon , and the Chaplain

( Bro . P . Rudd ) , with volume of sacred law ( closed ) , and square and compass thereon , walking in front of the Sword Bearer . On reaching the building the procession opened out from front to rear , allowing Bro . Burdon to pass through to his position on the platform at the building , the rest of the brethren closing and folding in in usual order of rank thereafter . The W . M ., Past Masters , Provincial G . Officers , and others were also on the platform near the

stone . Bro . BUKDOX then called upon the Chaplain to offer up prayer . Bro . BARKER , W . M ., on behalf of the Building Committee , requested Bro , Burdon to lay the corner-stone according to ancient custom , presenting him with a silver trowel ( suitably inscribed ) for that purpose ,

Bro . Swann , the Treasurer of the lodge , then handed to Bro . Burdon a large glass bottle , which contained the records of the lodge and copies of the daily papers and coins of the present reign and of 1899 date . The bottle was then deposited in the cavity of the corner stone , and the upper or corner stone was slowly lowered by three stages .

St. Cuthbert's Lodge, No. 1902.

Bro . Burdon afterwards proved the upper or corner stone to be well and truly laid . He was handed the setting maul and after giving three knocks on each of the three sides of the stone , said " I declare this stone to be well formed , properly laid , true and trusty . " The public grand honours were then given . Bro . Burdon put the contents of the vessels containing the corn , wine , and oil upon the stone , according to ancient custom . The CHAPLAIN offered up prayer .

Bro . Trebble , P . P . G . S . of W ., then presented the plans of the building to Bro . Burdon , who , after examining them , and handing them over to the architect said , " I entirely approve of the plans of this noble structure , and now deliver them to you for your guidance and direction , and at the same time , I entrust you with the superintendence and erection of the building , enjoining you to proceed to its completion with the utmost dispatch , consistent with the interests confided to your care .

Bro . BURDON , then stepping to the front of the platform and addressing the brethren present , said for many years the meeting of the lodge had been held in places totally unfitted to the sacred , important , and mysterious work in which they were engaged . He hoped that the building about to be erected would be better suited to the purpose ; the scheme had been one which had been strenuously

advocated by one who bad occupied the chair of King Solomon , but who had passed from this earth to the Grand Lodge above—1 refer to the late Bro . Wm . Hogarth . They were there that day to rejoice in the successful issue of his idea . He hoped that from that lodge many Masons would come , and they would have true and fit men , and no others , to bring into the Order which had so much to recommend it .

The inscription on the stone was as follows : " St . Cuthbert's , 1902 . Chief Corner Stone laid by A . E . Burdon , J . P ., P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., and High Sheriff of the County . 8 th February , 1 S 99 . " The anthem , "Hail ! Masonry Divine , " was then sung by Bro . Charlton , the whole of the brethren joining in the chorus .

The group was then photographed by the Grosvenor Photo Company , Blyth , and Bro . Kidd then gave the order to reform the procession , and the brethren marched back to the Turk ' s Head Hotel , where dinner was provided . The building will cost about £ 700 , the plans having been prepared by Messrs . Maughan and Beattie , who are also the contractors . An excellent lodge room is provided , 50 feet long by 22 feet broad .

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence,

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF GRAND LODGE AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE ,

The quarterly meeting of the Grand Committee of Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , when Bro , J . H . Matthews , President of the Board of Benevolence , occupied the chair , and Bros . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-President of the Board , and Henry Garrod , Junior Vice-President , were in the two subsidiary chairs . Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; W . Lake , Asst . G . Sec . ; W . Dodd , G . S . Recknell , and Henry Sadler represented the Grand Secretary ' s

department . The other brethren who attended were Bros . George B . Chapman , Charles J . R . Tijou , S . H . Goldschmidt , W . M . Bywater , George Graveley , F . W . Hancock , W . Kipps , Walter Martin , Lewis Lazarus , C . Pulman , E . W . Nightingale , Edward Terry , P . G . Treas . ; John Ellinger , C . H . Stone , W . Willis , J . Harrison , Major Hugh W . H . Cary Elwes , John Oldis , A . W . Duret , Charles H . Freye-, Col . Mansfield , F . B . Oldfield , H . Massey , Henry A . Tobias , W . C . Lane , W . Harris ,

George Powell , W . Porter , R . W . Ker , William Henry Clair , J . W . Burgess , Charles Sheppard , Edmund G . Harrison , Arthur Hannan , John A . Anderson , James Prentice , James Carey , Edward Hoyes , J . H . Merrett , R . S . Wheeler , F . Tennant Pain , T . M . Lamble , Frederick Hingston , Arthur White , David Jackson , Alfred B . Fox , George Cunnington , W . L . Coulson , J . W . Martindale , James B . Sargeant , C . W . Evans , William Hooper , G . Waterall , A . F . Cutler , Fredk . H . Varley , Robert Reid , James Speller , J . M . Grant , jun ., and Frederick Wortham , W . M . 733 .

... The agenda for the next Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was submitted to the brethren , and the scrutineers for the porch and for the ballot were nominated . The Board of Benevolence was then opened , and recommendations made at last January meeting for the approval of the Grand Master that grants be made to petitioners to the total amount of ^ 230 were confirmed . The brethren then took up the new list , which contained the names of 27 petitioners , who were qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Royapooram ,

Sunderland , Lucknow , Aldershot , Lymington , Gosport , Topsham , Liverpool , Lowestoft , Tenby , Egutpoorah , Grand Lodge of Victoria , Shaftesbury , Simon ' s Town , Bristol , Port Chalmers , N . Z ., and Dover . Four of these were dismissed , and one was deferred . The remainder were voted a total of £ 530 . Two cases were recommended to Grand Lodge for £ 50 each ; five were recommended to the Grand Master for ^ 40 each , and two for £ 30 each ; while six petitioners were granted , £ 20 each , three . £ 10 each , and four £$ eacn >

Craft Masonry

Craft Masonry

Temple Lodge , No . 101 . The installation meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , E . C , on Tuesday , the 7 th instant . There were present Bros . Wm . Briant , W . M . ; Benj . Dowsett , I . P . M . ; Harry Eyre , S . W ., and W . M . elect ; W . A . Perry , J . W . ; Frank Williams , P . M ., Treas . ; Ed . S . Lardner , P . M ., Sec ; J . E . Paine , S . D . ; H . Brandon White , P . M ., D . C ; Walter A . Williams , I . G . j T . W . Chapman , Stwd . ; Sidney Hill , Orjj . ; R . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; Frank Wint , P . M . ; Harry Wood , P . M . ; Chas . L . Plant , P . M . ; J . Minter Flegg , P . M . ; T . J . Procter , A . Haines , G . Jenington , Thos . Greenwiy , F . Fox , A . Paine , J . Saunders , B . Cotvell , H . Rose , A , ' Wood , J . Haines , E . M . Hall , W . T . Rogers , A . Grover , J . C . Cheshire , Harry Funnell , E . Isaacson , G . Harrison , and J . Leftwich .

Visitors : Bros . Lennox Browne , P . Dep . G . D . C ; H . J . Lardner , G . Stwd . ; C . Featherstone , I . P . M . 1541 ; Sidney Pocock , 2730 ; G . Thompson , I . P . M . 1741 ; W . Uurnford , S . W . 20 S 4 ; A . C Everitt , W . M . 172 ; Thos . Semper , P . M . 1745 ; Vincent T . Murche " , W . M . 1641 ; R . J . Vincent , P . M . 1 C 41 ; A . Jackson , 1539 ; W . H . White , J . D . 12 G 0 ; A .. G . Mann , 147 ; E . W . Finch , S 90 ; W . Street , 2272 ; Sam . F . W . Fryett , 73 ; W . S . Nicholson , P . M . 209 ; J . H . H . Djughney , P . M . 79 ; J . Hamilton , 2 G 62 ; J . C Etherington , 1 3 10 , Prov . 0 . 0 . ; E . A . Rice , I . P . M . 1320 ; R . S . Cartwright , S 34 ; Jas . Budd , and C H . Stone , P . M . 507 and S . W . 1641 .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Procter was raised in an exemplary manner by the W . M . Bro . E . S . Lardner , P . G . D ., next presented Bro . Harry Eyre , W . M . elect , to Bro . W . Briant , W . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed in a full Board of Installed Masters in a masterly manner . Bro . H 3 rry Eyre , W . M ., invested his officers as follows : Bros . Wm . Briant , I . P . M . ; W . A . Perry , S . W . ; J . E . Paine , J . W . ; Frank Williams , P . M ., Treas . ; E . S . Lardner , P . G . S ., Sec . ; W . A . Williams , S . D . ; T . W . Chapman , J . U . ; E . Hall , I . G . ; 11 . Brand ™ White , P . M ., D . C ; H . D .