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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
what thc different institutions had done and were doing , the number of beneficiaries who were on their funds , and the results which were achieved . The confidence of thc brethren in the committees of management had not been misplaced . He then gave some instances of the good his own institution had effected , and said that some of the inmates had found a refuge there who in the heyday of
their prosperity had never dreamed of requiring its aid . The W . M . announced a subscription list of £ 18 7 s . fid . by brethren of the lodge . Bro . Jekyll , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " a brother who was the first initiate in the Lodge of Asaph . In him the lodge would have a good working Mason , and one who had the good of Freemasonry at heart . The W . M ., in acknowledging the
toast , said that Bro . Jekyll had informed the brethren that he ( the W . M . ) was the first initiate in the lodge . He was therefore the first W . M . of the lodge who could claim it as his mother lodge . For several years it had been his desire to become W . M ., and on that day he had attained the height of his ambition . Whilst he had the pleasure and honour of retaining that high position he would
endeavour to perform the duties of the chair with credit to himself and honour to the lodge . Enough of himself . He -would now pass on to a more pleasing part of his duty , the presenting to the I . P . M ., Bro . Jekyll , the reward he had so well earned . In placing this jewel on Bro . Jekyll ' s breast he was sure he did but express the sentiments of the brethren when he wished him years of good
health and prosperity to watch over the progress of the Lodge of Asaph , and set all of the brethren an example . Bro . Jekyll said he was pleased that his conduct had met with the approbation of the brethren . He was sure that the lodge would progress favourably under its present Master , and he hoped it would always adhere to the present mode of working , and have but one banquet a year ,
whereby it had the means of appropriating so large a sum to the Benevolent Fund . In proposing " The P . M . ' s , " the W . M . took the opportunity of thanking them for the kind aid they had always afforded the Master of the lodge . Bro . C . Coote , P . M ., responded , and said that as one of the founders he had taken the greatest interest in the lodge , and had supported as far as he possibly could whatever
was for its benefit . It was a great happiness to him to see such a noble assembly that evening . He believed thc prosperity of the lodge was mainly attributable to the way in which the brethren endeavoured to carry out thc principles of Freemasonry . Bro . H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " and Bro . George Buckland to thc toast of "The Officers of the Lodge . "
The brethren separated after drinking the Tyler ' s toast . THE GRANITE LODGE ( No 1328 ) . —Freemasonry as developed and practised by the members cf this lodge commands at once the respect and admiration of every visitor . Thc mode of transacting the business of the lodge never fails to elicit the eulogy of the visiting brethren . Whether it be the custom to praise where it is
unmerited , or whether it is a human failing to lay the flattering unction 10 one ' s soul , for ill-assorted performances arc speculations better left to the great hereafter , suffice it , that the visitors are always ready " to cut and come again , " for we notice continually thc same faces paying their respectful tribute to the members of the lodge , and doing homage at the shtinc of thc mystic art . Futurity
decides all things , and assigns them a place in the time to come ; and , therefore , if there be imperfections they will leak out , and the "deep taking on" of virtues and qualities to which we may have no just title , will be exposed to contempt and ridicule . Here , however , the meetings teem with " bonhommic , " and a stranger is welcomed with unrestricted heartiness , he no sooner enters the lodge than
he is drawn into its fascinating circle of goodwill and fellowship , and forms at once one of a constellation . On Saturday , the nth inst ., the lodge held a meeting for the' disposal of certain business , when Bro . John Oliver , P . M ., presided in thc absence through illness , of Bro . W . II . Muggeridge , W . M . The lodge having been formally opened , Bros . A . J . Hewitt and David Duke
were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . E . F . Clarke was duly initiated , and Richard B . Austin , C . E ., was approved , while Bro . James Browning , of the City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1563 , joined and became a member . A donation of twenty guineas was voted to thc Royal Masonic Boys' School , to be placed on the list of Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . M . and Secretary , who will
represent the lodge as Steward at the next festival . Among the visitors were Bros . J . W . G . Martin , 1310 ; James W . Szlumper , P . Pro G . j . W . Western Division , South Wales , 1072 ; Richard Phillips , 521 ( Truth ); Charles Couchman , 1602 ( Ravenswood ); Louis Beck , S . D . 1559 . Several formal matters having been disposed of , the members adjourned to a dinner in the Freemasons '
Tavern , Bro . John Oliver presiding . After thc cloth was drawn , Bro . Oliver gave "The Queen and the Craft , " which met with a hearty response . In proposing " The Health ofthe Grand Master , H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , " he expressed thc hope that he would be spared for many years to reign over thc Craft , a wish that met with true Masonic accord and sympathy . He next gave " The
Health of the Pro Grand Master , Lord Carnarvon , D . G . M ., and the other Officers , " and coupled with thc toast the name of Bro , Cottebrune , through whose assistance the lodge was so prosperous . The toast was cordially responded to . Bro . George dc Maid , alluding to the absence of the W . M . from indisposition , asked the brethren to drink to his speedy recovery . The toast having been duly
honoured , Bro . de Maid called upon them to drink the very good health of P . M . Bro . Oliver , who in acknowledging thc signal favour , expressed deep regret at the absence of •he W . M ., from indisposition . For himself he hoped to have the pleasure of meeting thc members of thc lodge for many years , and expressed the pleasure it gave him to do anything for it . The next toast , Jgiven by Bto . Oliver was that of " The Visitors , " whose presence , lie said , indicated
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
in a strong light the solid good fellowship existing all around , and he hoped to see them on a future occasion . Bro . J . W . Szlumper , in thanking them , spoke of the extremely pleasurable evening he had spent . Although he belonged to a lodge in the remote Province of South Wales they were " civilized " enough to look upon Freemasonry as a noble institution , and did all they could to make it a
success , which it undoubtedly was . He should carry back to his lodge the good wishes of the Granite . Bro . Black also responded to the toast . Bro . Martin , as connected with the Harrow and several other lodges , observed that he had never spent a pleasanter time since he had been a Freemason than he had that afternoon in the society of the members of the Granite . Bro . Phillips remarked that
it gave him great pleasure to meet them . Their entertainment had created profound respect , and their mode of conducting the ceremonies had elicited his admiration . He should be only too pleased to repeat his visit . Bro . Oliver next gave " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge " which was drunk with true Masonic honours . He then selected the Treasurer , Bro . George Hackford , and
the Secretary , Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , as the objects for thc next toast , and added his testimony to the exertions of both those officers , and complimented them on their financial successes . Bro . Hackford , in reply , after thanking them for " drawing him out of the coffres , where he always hoped , to hide his head , " humorously as said they had lifted him up above the sphere of the " outer world , "
he did occupy a position somewhat superior to that of ordinary mortals . At one time thc duties were those of a sinecure , when he had no funds , no cares or anxieties ; now , however , all was changed , for he had inherited one and all . He had to see that the funds were not wasted in rioting , and above everything , to secure that a large proportion should find its way into the channel of Masonic
charity ; and he was sure that although they subscribed liberally to the charities , yet they might further develop the scope and circumscription of their present benevolence . He hoped the time was near when the Granite would further extend its hand in this respect . They assembled not so much for individual enjoyment as for the social intercourse , and the flow of soul from man to man ,
brother to brother , and for the benefit of the world at large , and he hoped they would advance above the outer world in thc amelioration of thc outer world . Bro . J . Lewis Thomas said it gave him great pleasure to see around the festive board such a large assembly . He alluded with sincere regret to thc calamity that had befallen the W . M ., through whose illness nearly the whole of thc ruling and
carrying out of the lodge had fallen upon the Secretary's shoulders . He had endeavoured to perform the task thus involuntarily cast upon him , he hoped to their satisfaction . They had not had a great influx of new members of late , still the lodge was very prosperous . He might say they did not care to have many more accessions ; the lodge was so full , and if thc present number were to be exceeded
it would be unmanageable . They were , therefore , at the climax ' of prosperity . Thc Horn of Plenty was overflowing . Their Treasurer did not look at thc " materialism " ot Masonry , but what it was intended for ; that was to enlighten thc world and do some good for our fellow creatures at large . He was sure the Treasurer ' s remarks had created a sound impression on those present . Bro .
Oliver next proposed " The Health of thc Officers . " Bro . F . West , S . W ., in responding , remarked that it was cheering to come into the presence of a body of brethren where all was peace , and be hoped that all Masons would seek to secure it throughout the world . If the world generally understood the principles of Freemasonry there would be no difficulties in the F . ast . He thanked them
for the hearty manner in which they had drank his health and that of his brother officers . Bros . R . C . Mount , J . W . ; Robert Payne , S . D . ; John Rhodes , J . D . ; and j . Oswald Gardner , Steward ; also severally responded . Bro . Oliver next selected " The Press " as an object of Masonic favour , and coupled with thc toast the name of Bro . A . C . Shelley , who , in response , after pointing out the
thoroughly Masonic character of journalism , thc great , and increasing good achieved by cheap literature , and thc schooling influence of editorials , told them that as they had selected him for a toast he felt he should be failing in his duty to the profession to which he belonged , if he did not intimate that he should at the next meeting of the lodge propose
that as the " Freemason " was essentually an official journal of thc proceedings of that lodge , and faithfully recorded every Masonic data of other lodges , that a copy be directed to be sent to thc W . M . every week , who should be responsible for its safe filing . I le mentioned that a file of the " Times " newspaper was an invaluable addition to a politicals or a commercial man ' s library , and they would
find a file of the " Freemason " of cijual use to the Craft . He did not doubt that the members took in the paper , but did they " file " it ? He very much questioned whether they did . The receipt by thc W . M . of a " file copy " every week would enable members at all ordinary meetings to refer at once for any information they might desire . After spending an enjoyable evening the members separated .
YEOVIL . —Lodge Brotherly Love ( No . 329 ) . —On the borders of Somerset and Dorset is the above town , noted for its glove trade , and in it is a flourishing Friemasons' lodge , held at that well known hostelry , the " Three Choughs , " over whose destinies presides the most urbane and courteous of hosts , Bro . Sharland , who is second to none of the bonifaces in the West of England .
Just across thc borders in thc adjoining county of Dorset is the quiet town of Sherborne , famed fct its historical old abbey and for being the bead quarters of the Blackmorc Vale Hunt and an excellent lodge of the Craft , Lodge Benevolence , 11 ( 18 , who a few months since invited ihe brethren of Lodge Brotherly Love to partake of their hospitality . They attended in goodly numbers , and were well pleaiicd with thc reception they met with , and wishing
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
to reciprocate the kindly feelings of thc child towards the mother , to strengthen the bonds of friendship , and increase the ties of brotherly love , they invited the brethren of the Sherborne Lodge to a banquet in this town , which was accepted in the spirit in which it was given , and on Wednesday the 1 st instant , the W . M ., Bro . G . F . Stokes , of the Lod ge of Benevolence , with his officers and some 15 of the brethren
put m an appearance at the Choughs shortly after 5 o'clock , when the lodge was opened , and the ordinary business having been dispatched it was raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . Cobb received to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , the ceremony being most beautifully and impressively performed by the W . M ., Bro . Foster , and thc whole working of the lodge reflected great credit upon its
officers . At the conclusion of the ceremony thc lod ge was duly closed in ancient form , and the brethren were called to refreshment , which took thc shape of a very excellent banquet . The W . M . took the chair , supported on the right by Bros . Stokes , W . M . 116 8 ; J . Trevor Davies , S . W . 1168 ; L . H . Ruegg , 1168 ; Price Grg : , 329 ; Summes , n 08 ; on thc left by Bros .
T . D . Davies , P . M . 1168 , * Milborne and Whitley , P . M . 329 ; Gillard , P . M ., L . Elgare and Sharland King , 116 8 . Thc duties of the vice chair were very ably carried out by Bro . Cox , P . M ., as the locus tenens of Bro . Damon , S . W ., who although present at the lodge was unavoidably absent from the banquet until a late hour . Bro . Cox was supported by Bros . Cox , Chaffin and Brutton , P . M . ' s 329 ;
329 ; Long , 116 S ; Dr . Co ! mar , S . D . 1168 ; H . Searle , 1168 ; and others . Thc cloth having been cleared , thc W . M . gave the toast which is first and foremost at all Masonic gatherings , "The Queen and the Craft . " She was a good Queen and a good mother , and needed no long speech to commend h « r many virtues . The next was " Thc Health of his Royal Highness thePiince of Wales . the Grand
Master of England , " who had reflected great honour upon the Craft and had endeared himself to every brother of it , and he had increased its influence in his visit to India ; and thc Chairman said he should ever hold in his remembrance the privilege he had had of his being present at his Royal Highnesscs-s installation . He proceeded next to rive " Thc Health of the Earl of Carnarvon , the Provincial
Grand Master of Somerset and his Officers . " He and all the province deemed it a high honour , and one which was esteemed by all of them , to have such a distinguished Mason at their head ; all knew howlhc worked for them and how rarely he was absent , and then only when his Queen called for his attendance at her councils ; then of course everything must give place , and he would say
this , that has long as thc Sovereigns of this realm had such trusty Councillors as the Freemasons the stability of the Constitution was insured . He with others had attended thc recent Provincial Grand Meeting at Bridgwater , and they had hoped to have seen his lordship ' s genial countenance beaming upon them , but he was obliged to be absent at a Privy Council , but in Lord
D ufferin he had a worthy representative . The Chairman said the next toast on his list was what he should term thc toast of the evening—he dare say some of them had thought he had been a long while coming to it , but he had considered it his duty loyally to propose thc healths of those in authority over them . He would give them " The Health of Bro . G . F . Stokes , and the Officers and
Brethren of the Lodge of Benevolence , 1108 , " whom he and all thc brethren of their own lodge were pleased to welcome and extend thc right hand of fellowship . He was sure they were pleased in having that opportunity of carrying out the principles of the Craft . Bro . Stokes in replying said he and the brethren accompanying felt the kindness with which their Yeovil brethren had
received and entertained them * , they had much enjoyed thc hospitality which had been so liberally bestowed upon them . He would wish their lodge every success , which success depended upon thc interest every individual brother took in thc welfare of his lodge ; he would like to sec it regularly attended . He was able to say that he had not himself been absent from his lodge but once
since his initation ; he was perfectly aware that all could not do that ; but many by using a little self denial might attend oftener than they did . He was proud to say that although a young brother , thc province of Dorset had at its last annual meeting awarded him a collar , which might perhaps be owing to the regularity of his attendance . He would cnioin young brethren to be regular in attendance ;
if so they would find it would bring with it its own reward . He begged on behalf of thc Sherborne brethren to return their most sincere thanks , and to express a hope that that meeting might be but the inauguration of many such meetings . Several other toasts , Masonic and complimentary , were proposed , and all of which were enthusiastically drank and none more so than "The Health of Bro .
Sharland , " for his catering . The proceedings of the evening were agreeably varied with some excellent singing . The happy party separated at midnight with many fervent hopes of being present at the next merry meeting . PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Lodge ( No . 913 ) . — The first meeting of thc brethren of the above lodge , after thc installation of the present W . M ., Bro . W . T . Vincent ,
some three months ago , took place on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at Bro . Tucker ' s , thc Lord Raglan , Burragc-road , and was attended by a large number of both members and visitors . The other officers present beside the W . M . were Bros . A . Pcnfold , I . P . M . ; C . Conpland , P . M ., and P . G . J . W . Kent ; W . Tongue , P . M ., and P . P . G . W . Kent ; C . Ellis , P . M . ; | . McDougnll , P . M . ; J . Henderson ,
P . M . ; H . Butter , S . W . ; J . D . Hayes , J . W . ; A . Jessup , Treas ; E . Denton , P . M ., and Sec . ; C . Cooke , Org . ; W . B . Lloyd , S . D . ; J . Chapman , I . G . ; J . Randall , W . S . ; and R . Lester , O . G . Among thc visitors were Bros . T . Butt , W . M . 700 ; W . Weston , W . M . 153 6 ; F . G . Pownall , W . M . 1 -, and P . AI . 153 6 ; J . Ives , W . M . 1472 ; T . G . Day , W . M . 1076 ; F . J . Dawson , P . M . 700 ; O . Davies , P . M . 13 ; R . Thompson , 153 6 ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
what thc different institutions had done and were doing , the number of beneficiaries who were on their funds , and the results which were achieved . The confidence of thc brethren in the committees of management had not been misplaced . He then gave some instances of the good his own institution had effected , and said that some of the inmates had found a refuge there who in the heyday of
their prosperity had never dreamed of requiring its aid . The W . M . announced a subscription list of £ 18 7 s . fid . by brethren of the lodge . Bro . Jekyll , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " a brother who was the first initiate in the Lodge of Asaph . In him the lodge would have a good working Mason , and one who had the good of Freemasonry at heart . The W . M ., in acknowledging the
toast , said that Bro . Jekyll had informed the brethren that he ( the W . M . ) was the first initiate in the lodge . He was therefore the first W . M . of the lodge who could claim it as his mother lodge . For several years it had been his desire to become W . M ., and on that day he had attained the height of his ambition . Whilst he had the pleasure and honour of retaining that high position he would
endeavour to perform the duties of the chair with credit to himself and honour to the lodge . Enough of himself . He -would now pass on to a more pleasing part of his duty , the presenting to the I . P . M ., Bro . Jekyll , the reward he had so well earned . In placing this jewel on Bro . Jekyll ' s breast he was sure he did but express the sentiments of the brethren when he wished him years of good
health and prosperity to watch over the progress of the Lodge of Asaph , and set all of the brethren an example . Bro . Jekyll said he was pleased that his conduct had met with the approbation of the brethren . He was sure that the lodge would progress favourably under its present Master , and he hoped it would always adhere to the present mode of working , and have but one banquet a year ,
whereby it had the means of appropriating so large a sum to the Benevolent Fund . In proposing " The P . M . ' s , " the W . M . took the opportunity of thanking them for the kind aid they had always afforded the Master of the lodge . Bro . C . Coote , P . M ., responded , and said that as one of the founders he had taken the greatest interest in the lodge , and had supported as far as he possibly could whatever
was for its benefit . It was a great happiness to him to see such a noble assembly that evening . He believed thc prosperity of the lodge was mainly attributable to the way in which the brethren endeavoured to carry out thc principles of Freemasonry . Bro . H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) responded to the toast of "The Visitors , " and Bro . George Buckland to thc toast of "The Officers of the Lodge . "
The brethren separated after drinking the Tyler ' s toast . THE GRANITE LODGE ( No 1328 ) . —Freemasonry as developed and practised by the members cf this lodge commands at once the respect and admiration of every visitor . Thc mode of transacting the business of the lodge never fails to elicit the eulogy of the visiting brethren . Whether it be the custom to praise where it is
unmerited , or whether it is a human failing to lay the flattering unction 10 one ' s soul , for ill-assorted performances arc speculations better left to the great hereafter , suffice it , that the visitors are always ready " to cut and come again , " for we notice continually thc same faces paying their respectful tribute to the members of the lodge , and doing homage at the shtinc of thc mystic art . Futurity
decides all things , and assigns them a place in the time to come ; and , therefore , if there be imperfections they will leak out , and the "deep taking on" of virtues and qualities to which we may have no just title , will be exposed to contempt and ridicule . Here , however , the meetings teem with " bonhommic , " and a stranger is welcomed with unrestricted heartiness , he no sooner enters the lodge than
he is drawn into its fascinating circle of goodwill and fellowship , and forms at once one of a constellation . On Saturday , the nth inst ., the lodge held a meeting for the' disposal of certain business , when Bro . John Oliver , P . M ., presided in thc absence through illness , of Bro . W . II . Muggeridge , W . M . The lodge having been formally opened , Bros . A . J . Hewitt and David Duke
were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . E . F . Clarke was duly initiated , and Richard B . Austin , C . E ., was approved , while Bro . James Browning , of the City of Westminster Lodge , No . 1563 , joined and became a member . A donation of twenty guineas was voted to thc Royal Masonic Boys' School , to be placed on the list of Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , P . M . and Secretary , who will
represent the lodge as Steward at the next festival . Among the visitors were Bros . J . W . G . Martin , 1310 ; James W . Szlumper , P . Pro G . j . W . Western Division , South Wales , 1072 ; Richard Phillips , 521 ( Truth ); Charles Couchman , 1602 ( Ravenswood ); Louis Beck , S . D . 1559 . Several formal matters having been disposed of , the members adjourned to a dinner in the Freemasons '
Tavern , Bro . John Oliver presiding . After thc cloth was drawn , Bro . Oliver gave "The Queen and the Craft , " which met with a hearty response . In proposing " The Health ofthe Grand Master , H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , " he expressed thc hope that he would be spared for many years to reign over thc Craft , a wish that met with true Masonic accord and sympathy . He next gave " The
Health of the Pro Grand Master , Lord Carnarvon , D . G . M ., and the other Officers , " and coupled with thc toast the name of Bro , Cottebrune , through whose assistance the lodge was so prosperous . The toast was cordially responded to . Bro . George dc Maid , alluding to the absence of the W . M . from indisposition , asked the brethren to drink to his speedy recovery . The toast having been duly
honoured , Bro . de Maid called upon them to drink the very good health of P . M . Bro . Oliver , who in acknowledging thc signal favour , expressed deep regret at the absence of •he W . M ., from indisposition . For himself he hoped to have the pleasure of meeting thc members of thc lodge for many years , and expressed the pleasure it gave him to do anything for it . The next toast , Jgiven by Bto . Oliver was that of " The Visitors , " whose presence , lie said , indicated
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
in a strong light the solid good fellowship existing all around , and he hoped to see them on a future occasion . Bro . J . W . Szlumper , in thanking them , spoke of the extremely pleasurable evening he had spent . Although he belonged to a lodge in the remote Province of South Wales they were " civilized " enough to look upon Freemasonry as a noble institution , and did all they could to make it a
success , which it undoubtedly was . He should carry back to his lodge the good wishes of the Granite . Bro . Black also responded to the toast . Bro . Martin , as connected with the Harrow and several other lodges , observed that he had never spent a pleasanter time since he had been a Freemason than he had that afternoon in the society of the members of the Granite . Bro . Phillips remarked that
it gave him great pleasure to meet them . Their entertainment had created profound respect , and their mode of conducting the ceremonies had elicited his admiration . He should be only too pleased to repeat his visit . Bro . Oliver next gave " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge " which was drunk with true Masonic honours . He then selected the Treasurer , Bro . George Hackford , and
the Secretary , Bro . J . Lewis Thomas , as the objects for thc next toast , and added his testimony to the exertions of both those officers , and complimented them on their financial successes . Bro . Hackford , in reply , after thanking them for " drawing him out of the coffres , where he always hoped , to hide his head , " humorously as said they had lifted him up above the sphere of the " outer world , "
he did occupy a position somewhat superior to that of ordinary mortals . At one time thc duties were those of a sinecure , when he had no funds , no cares or anxieties ; now , however , all was changed , for he had inherited one and all . He had to see that the funds were not wasted in rioting , and above everything , to secure that a large proportion should find its way into the channel of Masonic
charity ; and he was sure that although they subscribed liberally to the charities , yet they might further develop the scope and circumscription of their present benevolence . He hoped the time was near when the Granite would further extend its hand in this respect . They assembled not so much for individual enjoyment as for the social intercourse , and the flow of soul from man to man ,
brother to brother , and for the benefit of the world at large , and he hoped they would advance above the outer world in thc amelioration of thc outer world . Bro . J . Lewis Thomas said it gave him great pleasure to see around the festive board such a large assembly . He alluded with sincere regret to thc calamity that had befallen the W . M ., through whose illness nearly the whole of thc ruling and
carrying out of the lodge had fallen upon the Secretary's shoulders . He had endeavoured to perform the task thus involuntarily cast upon him , he hoped to their satisfaction . They had not had a great influx of new members of late , still the lodge was very prosperous . He might say they did not care to have many more accessions ; the lodge was so full , and if thc present number were to be exceeded
it would be unmanageable . They were , therefore , at the climax ' of prosperity . Thc Horn of Plenty was overflowing . Their Treasurer did not look at thc " materialism " ot Masonry , but what it was intended for ; that was to enlighten thc world and do some good for our fellow creatures at large . He was sure the Treasurer ' s remarks had created a sound impression on those present . Bro .
Oliver next proposed " The Health of thc Officers . " Bro . F . West , S . W ., in responding , remarked that it was cheering to come into the presence of a body of brethren where all was peace , and be hoped that all Masons would seek to secure it throughout the world . If the world generally understood the principles of Freemasonry there would be no difficulties in the F . ast . He thanked them
for the hearty manner in which they had drank his health and that of his brother officers . Bros . R . C . Mount , J . W . ; Robert Payne , S . D . ; John Rhodes , J . D . ; and j . Oswald Gardner , Steward ; also severally responded . Bro . Oliver next selected " The Press " as an object of Masonic favour , and coupled with thc toast the name of Bro . A . C . Shelley , who , in response , after pointing out the
thoroughly Masonic character of journalism , thc great , and increasing good achieved by cheap literature , and thc schooling influence of editorials , told them that as they had selected him for a toast he felt he should be failing in his duty to the profession to which he belonged , if he did not intimate that he should at the next meeting of the lodge propose
that as the " Freemason " was essentually an official journal of thc proceedings of that lodge , and faithfully recorded every Masonic data of other lodges , that a copy be directed to be sent to thc W . M . every week , who should be responsible for its safe filing . I le mentioned that a file of the " Times " newspaper was an invaluable addition to a politicals or a commercial man ' s library , and they would
find a file of the " Freemason " of cijual use to the Craft . He did not doubt that the members took in the paper , but did they " file " it ? He very much questioned whether they did . The receipt by thc W . M . of a " file copy " every week would enable members at all ordinary meetings to refer at once for any information they might desire . After spending an enjoyable evening the members separated .
YEOVIL . —Lodge Brotherly Love ( No . 329 ) . —On the borders of Somerset and Dorset is the above town , noted for its glove trade , and in it is a flourishing Friemasons' lodge , held at that well known hostelry , the " Three Choughs , " over whose destinies presides the most urbane and courteous of hosts , Bro . Sharland , who is second to none of the bonifaces in the West of England .
Just across thc borders in thc adjoining county of Dorset is the quiet town of Sherborne , famed fct its historical old abbey and for being the bead quarters of the Blackmorc Vale Hunt and an excellent lodge of the Craft , Lodge Benevolence , 11 ( 18 , who a few months since invited ihe brethren of Lodge Brotherly Love to partake of their hospitality . They attended in goodly numbers , and were well pleaiicd with thc reception they met with , and wishing
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
to reciprocate the kindly feelings of thc child towards the mother , to strengthen the bonds of friendship , and increase the ties of brotherly love , they invited the brethren of the Sherborne Lodge to a banquet in this town , which was accepted in the spirit in which it was given , and on Wednesday the 1 st instant , the W . M ., Bro . G . F . Stokes , of the Lod ge of Benevolence , with his officers and some 15 of the brethren
put m an appearance at the Choughs shortly after 5 o'clock , when the lodge was opened , and the ordinary business having been dispatched it was raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . Cobb received to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason , the ceremony being most beautifully and impressively performed by the W . M ., Bro . Foster , and thc whole working of the lodge reflected great credit upon its
officers . At the conclusion of the ceremony thc lod ge was duly closed in ancient form , and the brethren were called to refreshment , which took thc shape of a very excellent banquet . The W . M . took the chair , supported on the right by Bros . Stokes , W . M . 116 8 ; J . Trevor Davies , S . W . 1168 ; L . H . Ruegg , 1168 ; Price Grg : , 329 ; Summes , n 08 ; on thc left by Bros .
T . D . Davies , P . M . 1168 , * Milborne and Whitley , P . M . 329 ; Gillard , P . M ., L . Elgare and Sharland King , 116 8 . Thc duties of the vice chair were very ably carried out by Bro . Cox , P . M ., as the locus tenens of Bro . Damon , S . W ., who although present at the lodge was unavoidably absent from the banquet until a late hour . Bro . Cox was supported by Bros . Cox , Chaffin and Brutton , P . M . ' s 329 ;
329 ; Long , 116 S ; Dr . Co ! mar , S . D . 1168 ; H . Searle , 1168 ; and others . Thc cloth having been cleared , thc W . M . gave the toast which is first and foremost at all Masonic gatherings , "The Queen and the Craft . " She was a good Queen and a good mother , and needed no long speech to commend h « r many virtues . The next was " Thc Health of his Royal Highness thePiince of Wales . the Grand
Master of England , " who had reflected great honour upon the Craft and had endeared himself to every brother of it , and he had increased its influence in his visit to India ; and thc Chairman said he should ever hold in his remembrance the privilege he had had of his being present at his Royal Highnesscs-s installation . He proceeded next to rive " Thc Health of the Earl of Carnarvon , the Provincial
Grand Master of Somerset and his Officers . " He and all the province deemed it a high honour , and one which was esteemed by all of them , to have such a distinguished Mason at their head ; all knew howlhc worked for them and how rarely he was absent , and then only when his Queen called for his attendance at her councils ; then of course everything must give place , and he would say
this , that has long as thc Sovereigns of this realm had such trusty Councillors as the Freemasons the stability of the Constitution was insured . He with others had attended thc recent Provincial Grand Meeting at Bridgwater , and they had hoped to have seen his lordship ' s genial countenance beaming upon them , but he was obliged to be absent at a Privy Council , but in Lord
D ufferin he had a worthy representative . The Chairman said the next toast on his list was what he should term thc toast of the evening—he dare say some of them had thought he had been a long while coming to it , but he had considered it his duty loyally to propose thc healths of those in authority over them . He would give them " The Health of Bro . G . F . Stokes , and the Officers and
Brethren of the Lodge of Benevolence , 1108 , " whom he and all thc brethren of their own lodge were pleased to welcome and extend thc right hand of fellowship . He was sure they were pleased in having that opportunity of carrying out the principles of the Craft . Bro . Stokes in replying said he and the brethren accompanying felt the kindness with which their Yeovil brethren had
received and entertained them * , they had much enjoyed thc hospitality which had been so liberally bestowed upon them . He would wish their lodge every success , which success depended upon thc interest every individual brother took in thc welfare of his lodge ; he would like to sec it regularly attended . He was able to say that he had not himself been absent from his lodge but once
since his initation ; he was perfectly aware that all could not do that ; but many by using a little self denial might attend oftener than they did . He was proud to say that although a young brother , thc province of Dorset had at its last annual meeting awarded him a collar , which might perhaps be owing to the regularity of his attendance . He would cnioin young brethren to be regular in attendance ;
if so they would find it would bring with it its own reward . He begged on behalf of thc Sherborne brethren to return their most sincere thanks , and to express a hope that that meeting might be but the inauguration of many such meetings . Several other toasts , Masonic and complimentary , were proposed , and all of which were enthusiastically drank and none more so than "The Health of Bro .
Sharland , " for his catering . The proceedings of the evening were agreeably varied with some excellent singing . The happy party separated at midnight with many fervent hopes of being present at the next merry meeting . PLUMSTEAD . —Pattison Lodge ( No . 913 ) . — The first meeting of thc brethren of the above lodge , after thc installation of the present W . M ., Bro . W . T . Vincent ,
some three months ago , took place on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at Bro . Tucker ' s , thc Lord Raglan , Burragc-road , and was attended by a large number of both members and visitors . The other officers present beside the W . M . were Bros . A . Pcnfold , I . P . M . ; C . Conpland , P . M ., and P . G . J . W . Kent ; W . Tongue , P . M ., and P . P . G . W . Kent ; C . Ellis , P . M . ; | . McDougnll , P . M . ; J . Henderson ,
P . M . ; H . Butter , S . W . ; J . D . Hayes , J . W . ; A . Jessup , Treas ; E . Denton , P . M ., and Sec . ; C . Cooke , Org . ; W . B . Lloyd , S . D . ; J . Chapman , I . G . ; J . Randall , W . S . ; and R . Lester , O . G . Among thc visitors were Bros . T . Butt , W . M . 700 ; W . Weston , W . M . 153 6 ; F . G . Pownall , W . M . 1 -, and P . AI . 153 6 ; J . Ives , W . M . 1472 ; T . G . Day , W . M . 1076 ; F . J . Dawson , P . M . 700 ; O . Davies , P . M . 13 ; R . Thompson , 153 6 ;