Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
LODGE ATHOLE ( NO . 413 . )—This lodge met in St . Mark ' s Hall , Buchanan-street , on Tuesday evening , Sth inst . ; the R . W . M ., Bro . John Wallace , in the chair . The lodge having been opened in the E . A . Degree , the minutes of last meeting were read and approved of . The
ceremony of installation of office-bearers was then proceeded with , the work being performed by P . M . Bro . John Miller in a style by which all and sundry , but especially brethren from other lodges present , must have been much and most favourably impressed . The following is the list
as re-arranged : —John Wallace , R . W . M- 3 Jas . Loutitt , D . M . ; Walter Neilson , S . M . ; Colin M'Kenzie , S . W . ; Daniel Leeds , J . W . ; Peter Agnew , Treasurer ; }• W . Stevenson , Secretary ; John Baikie , Chaplain ; William Louttit , S . D . ; Robert M'Leish , J . D- ; Wm . O'Brien ,
P . of S . ; Jno . Davidson , S . Steward ; J . C . Galloway , J . Steward ; Charles Thornton , and John Harrower , Stewards ; Andrew Holmes , I . G . ; and Robert Gardner , O . G . ; Robert Lauder , and Robert Sloan , Auditors . At the close of the installation , the R . W . M . begged to thank Bro .
Miller for the very kind way in which he had come forward and assisted them so ably that evening . It had only , however , added another to many favours for which they had been indebted to him , and he was sure it was the wish of every brother that he might be long spared
to go in and out among them and assist others as he had assisted them , and as he was always willing to do . He ( the Chairman ) had also to thank the lodge for re-appointing him as their Master . Whatever might have been his failings during the last twelve months , it showed that
they had not thought them such as should debar him from being re-elected . The retiring officebearers he desired to thank for their co-operation in the past , while , from his knowledge of those just elected , he felt sure that they would be as harmonious in the future . The Chairman
concluded by bespeaking the support of the lodge generally during the year ensuing , and specially urged upon them the importance of regular attendance at all meetings , and of punctuality to the hour for which these were called . Bro . Miller , in briefly acknowledging the
chairman ' s remarks bearing reference to himself , said it had given him great pleasure to be there and instal the new office-bearers of his mother lodge . He had no doubt whatever that they would get on well with those to-night appointed , and he wished the lodge every success in this
next year . The lodge thereafter adjourned from labour to refreshment . After the customary opening toasts had been duly honoured , as also that of the office-bearers who had been made for the first time ( coupled with the name of the J . W ., Bro . Leeds ) , the chairman called upon
Bro . John C . Burnr , who was seated on the dais , to speak . Bro . Burne , in response , said he had now a very pleasing duty to perform—one that he felt proud of . Pleasure , indeed , was tjo weak a word to express what he felt ; he should rather say profound gratification . The cause of
his being there that evening was to offer to their esteemed friend and brother beside him , Bro . Miller , a small token of the respect which he ( Bro . Burne ) entertained to their Past Master for his worth as a friend , and his zeal in matters Masonic . It was not a rich gift ; but with
truth it could be said that it was given by a hand with a heart in it . Referring to the testimonial ( a portrait of Bro . Miller , which stood covered in front of the dais ) , the speaker said that the picture before them represented their worthy brother in those robes Masonic which
he had worn with dignity to himself , and honour to his confreres . He ( the speaker ) hoped it might stimulate others to go on as Bro . Miller had done , and endeavour to raise themselves to the station of honour in their
respective lodges . It had been said that every French soldier carried a Marshal ' s baton in his knapsack , and , similarly , every Freemason carried in his apron-pocket a Master ' s mallet . As Longfellow had said , in his Psalm of Life : —
" Let us , then , be up and doing With a heart for any fate ; Still achieving , still pursuing , Leain to labour and to wait . " In conclusion , Bro . Burne said it now devolved
Scotland.
upon him to ask Bro . Miller ' s acceptance of the p icture . He was a brother who was esteemed not only by himself ( the speaker ) and those present , but by every Mason in the West of Scotland . The picture was then uncovered , and an opportunity given to the brethren round to
examine it individually . It is a highly-finished production , in oil-colours , and alike as a resemblance and as a work of art , is simply admirable . Bro . Miller , in acknowledging the gift , said ha appreciated the compliment paid him very highly ; in fact , so much so , that he could not express what he thought about it . It would be
cherished in his family , and he should never look upon it without thinking of its kind donor , Bro . Burne . Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings at refreshment were agreeably enlivened by two or three excellent songs and recitations from Bros . Miller , R . Fraser , Burne , Perston , and others .
GREENOCK . ST . J ' LODGE ( NO . 175 ) . —It is a considerable time since such a large Masonic gathering took place in the lodge room , of Lodge Greenock , St . John ' s , No . 17 ^ , on the evening of Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., for the double purpose of installing into office the newly elected R . W . M .
and office-bearers , for the ensuing twelve months , and the presentation of valuable tokens of respect to Bro . Charles Grey , on the occasion of his vacating the R . W . M . ' s chair . The following report of both proceedings fully explain , what took place ; but Bro . Gray , having long filled
the honourable position of Master of the lodge , we think we are onlj performing our duty , both to the Craft and the readers of the Freemason , when we | bear testimony ( on the authority of many brethren ) as to the admirable way in which he has worked the lodge . The task of
presiding over such a lodge as Greenock , St . John ' s , was not a light one , as will be seen from what follows , nor was the position of the W . M . altogethci easy . Brethren will know that it is upon the wise and judicious exercise of the high functions committed to him that the
satisfactory progress ofthe business of Masonry depends . They look to him , too , for counsel and advice , and during the time Bro . Gray had been in the chair , his help had always been readil y given to any brethren who sought it , and as he was a much experienced Mason , the advice was
always valuable . His fairness and impartiality fully impressed the brethren , while the admitable way in which he did the work of the lodge was beyond praise . A better Master never presided over a lodge , and it his successors followed
in his footsteps , and copied his example , the future success of Greenock St . John ' s coula not , but , as hitherto , be a great success . The handsome present made to him on this occasion , will serve to remind him that his efforts were
appreciated , and his name cannot fail to be associated with the lodge as long as it lasts . The lodge being duly constituted in the Apprentice Degree , by Bro . Charles Gray , R . W . M .,
Alexander McMaster , the new W . M ., was performed in the most impressive and efficient manner by Bro . Robert Uric , who was afterwards appointed his Depute Master . Thereafter the office-bearers who were elected a week
previous , were installed by D . M ., Bro . Robert Urie , the proceedings being conducted in accordance with the ancient customs and usages of the Craft . The following is a list of their names : — McMaster , R . W . Master ; Robert Urie , Depute Master ; Chas . Grey , Past Master ; Andw .
Boag , Old Master ; Donald Anderson , do . ; D . Mclntyre , Junior Warden ; Wm . Wright , junr ., Secretary ; James Roger , Treasurer ; John McQuarrie , S . D ; James Scott , J . D . ; James McBridge , 1 st Senior Steward ; John Fleming , 2 nd do . ; David Anderson , 1 st
Junior do . ; Stephenson Stewart , Inner Guard ; Alexander Cruden , Tyler . The offices of Senior Warden , Chaplain , and 2 nd Junior Steward are to be filled up at a meeting called for the purpose . After the transaction of some routine business , the brethren were called from labour
to refreshment . Bro . Alex . McMaster , R . W . M ., presided . The formalMasonic toasts , including the Grand Master of Scotland , Bro . Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart , , were proposed and responded to in true Masonic style . Bro . M-Master , R . W . M ., then rose and inti-
Scotland.
mated that he had a very pleasing duty to perform , namely , to present their Ri ght Worshipful Master , esteemed Bro . Grey , with a token of the consideration in which his office-bearers had held
him . It afforded him ( the R . W . M . ) much gratification that so great an honour had been placed upon him as to be in the occupancy of the chair on that occasion . He was , however , very sorry that the circumstances in which their valued
brother was placed were among the reasons wh y this presentation was made . Bro- Grey had been overtaken by infirmity , which had left very lamentable effects , especially as regarded his eyesight , which had been , for the time at least , taken away . Were it otherwise , the present event
would be unmingled with anything in the least to be regretted . As it was , they were happy that cheerfulness of mind , as Well as a measure of health of body , were present . In Icoking back to the past they had nothing but pleasant recollections of what had occurred in that Lodge
under the Mastership of Bro . Grey . Prosperity , unanimity , and real Masonic fraternity had manifested themselves throughout the whole course of the last four years , and he was sure that all who were present that night would feel with him and bear him out in the observations he was
making . He would now , in the name of the officebearers , present Bro . Grey with a medallion containing the portrait of that Brother , and those of all the office-bearers , with the kindest feelings and the fond anticipation that it might yet be possible for him to look upon the picture so as
to recognize its contents . After some other remarks of an appropriate character . the Right Worshipful Master handed to Bro . Grey a medallion , executed by Bro . Urie , containing the portraits , as has been stated . The medallion is in a gilt moulded frame by Messrs . Lawrie and Fleming ,
and measures two feet and a half by two feet . The portraits are beautifully executed in colou . s , each having the Masonic insignia and jewels , and the whole is a very valuable gift . The following is the inscription : — "Charles Grey , Esq , R . W . M ., with the fraternal regard of his
officebearers—Lodge Greenock , St . John , No . 175 ; Nov . 1874 . " One of the brethren having sun * an appropriate lyric , Bro . Grey , in accepting the presentation , said he did so with feelings of peculiar satisfaction .
It was true that he had suffered a painful deprivation , but he was thankful that he had been gifted with resignation from the Giver of all Good , and that he was not without hope that in perhaps the immediate future he mi ght be privileged to look upon the familiar faces which
he knew were strikingly pourtrayed in the gift before him . Whether this mi ght be the case or not , he was extremel y pleased to be there that night and to receive at the hands of the R . W . M . a presentation of so valuable a kind as that containing likenessess of so many friends . While
accepting it , he knew he was only receiving one more testimony of the considerateness of a body of brethren who thus put the topstone of a series of acts of fraternity towards himself that had attained a great altitude . During the period he had occupied the chair in Greenock St . John he
had never the slightest cause of complaint to make as to the disposition of the brethren as evinced to each other and to himself . On the contrary , he had every reason to congratulate the lodge on the order , the peace , the prosperity , and the fraternity that had been characteristic of their
entire proceedings . When the deputation waited upon him to request his acceptance of the honourable position of Master in the lod ge , he was overcome with a sense of the great dignity that they proposed to confer , at the same time recollecting how unfit he was in himself
for the hi gh position ; but he was persuaded that he would receive every assistance in discharging his duties from the very gentlemen who now had increased the weight of his obligations to them by their thoughtful and cheering gift . He was struck with the singularity of the
circumstances attending his experience at the time referred to . He had retired from the Greenock Town Council with the view of making room for Bro . Donald Anderson , who now abl y represented the First Ward in Council ; and , as it seems , almost by way of compensation , Bro . Anderson vacated the chair in the lodge to make
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
LODGE ATHOLE ( NO . 413 . )—This lodge met in St . Mark ' s Hall , Buchanan-street , on Tuesday evening , Sth inst . ; the R . W . M ., Bro . John Wallace , in the chair . The lodge having been opened in the E . A . Degree , the minutes of last meeting were read and approved of . The
ceremony of installation of office-bearers was then proceeded with , the work being performed by P . M . Bro . John Miller in a style by which all and sundry , but especially brethren from other lodges present , must have been much and most favourably impressed . The following is the list
as re-arranged : —John Wallace , R . W . M- 3 Jas . Loutitt , D . M . ; Walter Neilson , S . M . ; Colin M'Kenzie , S . W . ; Daniel Leeds , J . W . ; Peter Agnew , Treasurer ; }• W . Stevenson , Secretary ; John Baikie , Chaplain ; William Louttit , S . D . ; Robert M'Leish , J . D- ; Wm . O'Brien ,
P . of S . ; Jno . Davidson , S . Steward ; J . C . Galloway , J . Steward ; Charles Thornton , and John Harrower , Stewards ; Andrew Holmes , I . G . ; and Robert Gardner , O . G . ; Robert Lauder , and Robert Sloan , Auditors . At the close of the installation , the R . W . M . begged to thank Bro .
Miller for the very kind way in which he had come forward and assisted them so ably that evening . It had only , however , added another to many favours for which they had been indebted to him , and he was sure it was the wish of every brother that he might be long spared
to go in and out among them and assist others as he had assisted them , and as he was always willing to do . He ( the Chairman ) had also to thank the lodge for re-appointing him as their Master . Whatever might have been his failings during the last twelve months , it showed that
they had not thought them such as should debar him from being re-elected . The retiring officebearers he desired to thank for their co-operation in the past , while , from his knowledge of those just elected , he felt sure that they would be as harmonious in the future . The Chairman
concluded by bespeaking the support of the lodge generally during the year ensuing , and specially urged upon them the importance of regular attendance at all meetings , and of punctuality to the hour for which these were called . Bro . Miller , in briefly acknowledging the
chairman ' s remarks bearing reference to himself , said it had given him great pleasure to be there and instal the new office-bearers of his mother lodge . He had no doubt whatever that they would get on well with those to-night appointed , and he wished the lodge every success in this
next year . The lodge thereafter adjourned from labour to refreshment . After the customary opening toasts had been duly honoured , as also that of the office-bearers who had been made for the first time ( coupled with the name of the J . W ., Bro . Leeds ) , the chairman called upon
Bro . John C . Burnr , who was seated on the dais , to speak . Bro . Burne , in response , said he had now a very pleasing duty to perform—one that he felt proud of . Pleasure , indeed , was tjo weak a word to express what he felt ; he should rather say profound gratification . The cause of
his being there that evening was to offer to their esteemed friend and brother beside him , Bro . Miller , a small token of the respect which he ( Bro . Burne ) entertained to their Past Master for his worth as a friend , and his zeal in matters Masonic . It was not a rich gift ; but with
truth it could be said that it was given by a hand with a heart in it . Referring to the testimonial ( a portrait of Bro . Miller , which stood covered in front of the dais ) , the speaker said that the picture before them represented their worthy brother in those robes Masonic which
he had worn with dignity to himself , and honour to his confreres . He ( the speaker ) hoped it might stimulate others to go on as Bro . Miller had done , and endeavour to raise themselves to the station of honour in their
respective lodges . It had been said that every French soldier carried a Marshal ' s baton in his knapsack , and , similarly , every Freemason carried in his apron-pocket a Master ' s mallet . As Longfellow had said , in his Psalm of Life : —
" Let us , then , be up and doing With a heart for any fate ; Still achieving , still pursuing , Leain to labour and to wait . " In conclusion , Bro . Burne said it now devolved
Scotland.
upon him to ask Bro . Miller ' s acceptance of the p icture . He was a brother who was esteemed not only by himself ( the speaker ) and those present , but by every Mason in the West of Scotland . The picture was then uncovered , and an opportunity given to the brethren round to
examine it individually . It is a highly-finished production , in oil-colours , and alike as a resemblance and as a work of art , is simply admirable . Bro . Miller , in acknowledging the gift , said ha appreciated the compliment paid him very highly ; in fact , so much so , that he could not express what he thought about it . It would be
cherished in his family , and he should never look upon it without thinking of its kind donor , Bro . Burne . Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings at refreshment were agreeably enlivened by two or three excellent songs and recitations from Bros . Miller , R . Fraser , Burne , Perston , and others .
GREENOCK . ST . J ' LODGE ( NO . 175 ) . —It is a considerable time since such a large Masonic gathering took place in the lodge room , of Lodge Greenock , St . John ' s , No . 17 ^ , on the evening of Wednesday , 2 nd inst ., for the double purpose of installing into office the newly elected R . W . M .
and office-bearers , for the ensuing twelve months , and the presentation of valuable tokens of respect to Bro . Charles Grey , on the occasion of his vacating the R . W . M . ' s chair . The following report of both proceedings fully explain , what took place ; but Bro . Gray , having long filled
the honourable position of Master of the lodge , we think we are onlj performing our duty , both to the Craft and the readers of the Freemason , when we | bear testimony ( on the authority of many brethren ) as to the admirable way in which he has worked the lodge . The task of
presiding over such a lodge as Greenock , St . John ' s , was not a light one , as will be seen from what follows , nor was the position of the W . M . altogethci easy . Brethren will know that it is upon the wise and judicious exercise of the high functions committed to him that the
satisfactory progress ofthe business of Masonry depends . They look to him , too , for counsel and advice , and during the time Bro . Gray had been in the chair , his help had always been readil y given to any brethren who sought it , and as he was a much experienced Mason , the advice was
always valuable . His fairness and impartiality fully impressed the brethren , while the admitable way in which he did the work of the lodge was beyond praise . A better Master never presided over a lodge , and it his successors followed
in his footsteps , and copied his example , the future success of Greenock St . John ' s coula not , but , as hitherto , be a great success . The handsome present made to him on this occasion , will serve to remind him that his efforts were
appreciated , and his name cannot fail to be associated with the lodge as long as it lasts . The lodge being duly constituted in the Apprentice Degree , by Bro . Charles Gray , R . W . M .,
Alexander McMaster , the new W . M ., was performed in the most impressive and efficient manner by Bro . Robert Uric , who was afterwards appointed his Depute Master . Thereafter the office-bearers who were elected a week
previous , were installed by D . M ., Bro . Robert Urie , the proceedings being conducted in accordance with the ancient customs and usages of the Craft . The following is a list of their names : — McMaster , R . W . Master ; Robert Urie , Depute Master ; Chas . Grey , Past Master ; Andw .
Boag , Old Master ; Donald Anderson , do . ; D . Mclntyre , Junior Warden ; Wm . Wright , junr ., Secretary ; James Roger , Treasurer ; John McQuarrie , S . D ; James Scott , J . D . ; James McBridge , 1 st Senior Steward ; John Fleming , 2 nd do . ; David Anderson , 1 st
Junior do . ; Stephenson Stewart , Inner Guard ; Alexander Cruden , Tyler . The offices of Senior Warden , Chaplain , and 2 nd Junior Steward are to be filled up at a meeting called for the purpose . After the transaction of some routine business , the brethren were called from labour
to refreshment . Bro . Alex . McMaster , R . W . M ., presided . The formalMasonic toasts , including the Grand Master of Scotland , Bro . Sir Michael Robert Shaw Stewart , , were proposed and responded to in true Masonic style . Bro . M-Master , R . W . M ., then rose and inti-
Scotland.
mated that he had a very pleasing duty to perform , namely , to present their Ri ght Worshipful Master , esteemed Bro . Grey , with a token of the consideration in which his office-bearers had held
him . It afforded him ( the R . W . M . ) much gratification that so great an honour had been placed upon him as to be in the occupancy of the chair on that occasion . He was , however , very sorry that the circumstances in which their valued
brother was placed were among the reasons wh y this presentation was made . Bro- Grey had been overtaken by infirmity , which had left very lamentable effects , especially as regarded his eyesight , which had been , for the time at least , taken away . Were it otherwise , the present event
would be unmingled with anything in the least to be regretted . As it was , they were happy that cheerfulness of mind , as Well as a measure of health of body , were present . In Icoking back to the past they had nothing but pleasant recollections of what had occurred in that Lodge
under the Mastership of Bro . Grey . Prosperity , unanimity , and real Masonic fraternity had manifested themselves throughout the whole course of the last four years , and he was sure that all who were present that night would feel with him and bear him out in the observations he was
making . He would now , in the name of the officebearers , present Bro . Grey with a medallion containing the portrait of that Brother , and those of all the office-bearers , with the kindest feelings and the fond anticipation that it might yet be possible for him to look upon the picture so as
to recognize its contents . After some other remarks of an appropriate character . the Right Worshipful Master handed to Bro . Grey a medallion , executed by Bro . Urie , containing the portraits , as has been stated . The medallion is in a gilt moulded frame by Messrs . Lawrie and Fleming ,
and measures two feet and a half by two feet . The portraits are beautifully executed in colou . s , each having the Masonic insignia and jewels , and the whole is a very valuable gift . The following is the inscription : — "Charles Grey , Esq , R . W . M ., with the fraternal regard of his
officebearers—Lodge Greenock , St . John , No . 175 ; Nov . 1874 . " One of the brethren having sun * an appropriate lyric , Bro . Grey , in accepting the presentation , said he did so with feelings of peculiar satisfaction .
It was true that he had suffered a painful deprivation , but he was thankful that he had been gifted with resignation from the Giver of all Good , and that he was not without hope that in perhaps the immediate future he mi ght be privileged to look upon the familiar faces which
he knew were strikingly pourtrayed in the gift before him . Whether this mi ght be the case or not , he was extremel y pleased to be there that night and to receive at the hands of the R . W . M . a presentation of so valuable a kind as that containing likenessess of so many friends . While
accepting it , he knew he was only receiving one more testimony of the considerateness of a body of brethren who thus put the topstone of a series of acts of fraternity towards himself that had attained a great altitude . During the period he had occupied the chair in Greenock St . John he
had never the slightest cause of complaint to make as to the disposition of the brethren as evinced to each other and to himself . On the contrary , he had every reason to congratulate the lodge on the order , the peace , the prosperity , and the fraternity that had been characteristic of their
entire proceedings . When the deputation waited upon him to request his acceptance of the honourable position of Master in the lod ge , he was overcome with a sense of the great dignity that they proposed to confer , at the same time recollecting how unfit he was in himself
for the hi gh position ; but he was persuaded that he would receive every assistance in discharging his duties from the very gentlemen who now had increased the weight of his obligations to them by their thoughtful and cheering gift . He was struck with the singularity of the
circumstances attending his experience at the time referred to . He had retired from the Greenock Town Council with the view of making room for Bro . Donald Anderson , who now abl y represented the First Ward in Council ; and , as it seems , almost by way of compensation , Bro . Anderson vacated the chair in the lodge to make