Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft j & asottrg , VITRUVIAN LODGE ( No . 87 ) . —On Wednesday , the 10 th inst ., this lodge resumed its monthly meetings , and a large gathering of the brethren took place at the White Hart Hotel , Lambeth , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . Bale . There were also present Bros . Wm . Davis , S . W . ; Thos . Minstrel ] , J . W . ; E . Thurkle , Treas . ; W . Stuart , Sec ; A . E . Birch , ' S . D . ; W . Watson , J . D . ; R . Lambornel . G . ; R . ChamberlainD . of C . ; Ino .

, , Irving , W . M . ; Janeway , P . M . ; W . M . Robinson , P . M . ; Skirving , P . M . ; " Whiting , P . M . ; Tundley , P . M . ; Hopkins , P . M . ; A . French , VV . Nicholes , T . Pratt , T . Cawthorne , Mark Wheeler , W . G . Sutton , W . Walker , ' F . B . Sanehall , E . Woods , F . C . Goodwin , Geo . Isaacs , E . Barnett , Goodall , Knell , E . N . Nightingale , Genlty , Samuel Lendon , 11 n ; Joseph Watson , J . Brook , A . B . Clarke , W . B . Quinn , E . R . Massy , Edmund Woods , W . A . Harding ,

and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed , and Bros . Sutton and Wheeler were passed to the Second Degree , and H . Geo . Hillman was balloted for and initiated . Bro . T . Cawthorne was elected a joining member . Applications for relief were considered , and after the transaction of other Masonic business the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where an

excellent repast was served under the personal direction of the respected proprietor , Bro . R . Carrington . The usual Craft toasts followed . In proposing " The Health of the Worshipful Master , " Bro . Janeway , the I . P . M ., spoke with pleasure of the able work which Bro . Bale had done in the lodge room since he had occupied the chair .

The Worshipful Master suitably replied , and , in giving " The Health of the Initiate , " said that from his knowledge of Bro . Hillman , he had every reason to believe that he would make a good , worthy , and estimable Mason . Bro . Hillman responded , and the other Masonic toasts were given , the proceedings being enlivened by various songs .

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT LODGE ( No . 1558 ) . —The first meeting after the summer vacation was held on Thursday , the nth inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell New-road . There were present Bros . C . Sims , W . M . ; J . Taylor , I . P . M . ; J . R . Smith , S . W . ; C . Stokes , J . W . ; Power , P . M ., Treas . ; Mitchell , P . M ., Sec ; Nettlefold , S . D . ; Walker , l . G . ; Back , Org . ; Brown , D . C . ; Plummert and Clayton , Stwds .: Mackie ,

Sutton , Goodyear , Blenkarn , Brown , Lane , Prior , Catt , Blacklog , Shave , Baker , Smithers , and Powell . The visitors present were Bros . Larlham , P . M . 1216 ; Paton , J . D . 205 ; Martin , 13 S 5 ; Thomson , 1922 ; andEidmans , 225 . The minutes of the previous lodge meeting having been duly confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and Bro . J . Brown , being a candidate for raising , was after due examination entrusted and retired . The lodge was

opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Brown raised in a very able manner to the Sublime Degree of M . M . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree , and , this being the election night , after a few words from the W . M . with reference to the S . W ., and the efficient manner he had fulfilled all the offices of the lodge , that brother was unanimously elected W . M . Bro . Power was re-elected Treas ., and Mitchell , Secretary . A sum of ten guineas was voted

unanimously by the lodge for a Past Master ' s jewel to be presented at the next meeting to Bro . Sims . After the lodge was closed , the brethren sat down to refreshment . The cloth having been removed , the W . M . with a few well chosen sentences gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Bros . Larlham , P . M ., Paton , Martin , Thomson , and Eidmans responded for "The Visitors . " The proceedings were enlivened during the evening by some excellent

singing contributed by Bros . H . C . Mackie , J . Sutton , Mitchell , P . M . ; and Power , P . M . PERSEVERANCE LODGE ( No . 1743 ) . — Presentation to Bro . J . L . Mather . —On Saturday evening , the 13 th inst ., the above young and prosperous lodge met at the Imperial Hotel , Holborn Viaduct , for the first night of their winter work , under the Mastership of Bro . C . G . Sparrow . All his officers were

duly at their post , and the brethren werepleasedto welcome as visitors on this their opening night , Bros . Keeble , W . M . 1426 ; Frost , P . M . 704 ; Lucas , J . W . 1169 ; London , l . G . 15 S 0 ; J . Bryce Wilkinson , 52 ; Smith , 933 ; Morfitt , ISGIJ and Bro . Denham , 957 . The preliminary work of the lodge having been disposed of , the principal event of the meeting began , which was the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . Alfred Eade ,

who was duly placed into the chair of K . S . by the retiring W . M ., Bro . C . G . Sparrow . Sometimes this ceremony is got through " somehow , " but when it is done , as upon this occasion by a Preceptor in the art and mystery , and by " one who knows , " of course it was really a treat and deserved the praise which he eventually obtained . The W . M then appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bios . Sparrow , I . P . M . ; Mollindinia ,

S . W . ; Reed , J . W . ; L . A . Leins , Treas . ; C . E . Ferry , Sec ; Mitchell , S . D . ; VV . Smith , J . D . ; C . J . Fox , I . G . ; C . Salter , D . C ; T . Lovell , A . D . C . ; VV . 1 . Squire , W . S . ; A . R . Chamberlayne , A . VV . S . ; and R . W . Goddard , Tyler . After which the lodge was closed in due form and all adjourned to the " welcome degree , " provided by Bro . Begbie , the host , which was , as usual here , very enjovable .

After the three great loyal toasts had been honoured the I . P . M proposed that of "The VV . M ., Bro . Alfred Eade , " who in reply stated how much he esteemed the honour , and in the forthcoming year he would not only do his utmost , but sincerely meant to deserve the approval of all who had so unanimously placed him where he was . The toast of " The Visitors " followed , and in reply Bro .

Keeble , W . M . of the Great City Lodge , said that he had been there so often that he scarcely felt a visitor , but he was in duty bound to express his gratification at the ceremony of installation which had been so beautifully performed ; in former times an old Past Master was regularly " kept in stock " to perform this office , who looked with alarm upon any younger member who ventured to intefere ,

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but it was now happily the fashion for the I . P . M . to install his successor , and the results were highly beneficial to Freemasonry in general . The Worshipful Master then proposed " The Health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , " at the same time presenting with many compliments to Bro . Sparrow the gold Past Master ' s jewel which the lodge had voted him .

The Immediate Past Master in reply acknowledged the kindness he had received from all during his year of office , and trusted his installation ceremony had given them the satisfaction they said it had , for he had done his utmost to perform it properly ; ' the working of the usual degrees was comparatively easy to acquire because they were so often worked , but to install a successor was generally done once

in a lifetime ; and being a founder of the lodge he should esteem his presentation jewel very highly . After the toast of "The Past Masters" had been responded to , the Worshipful Master said the principal toast of the evening was " The Health of their retiring Treasurer , Bro . John L . Mather , P . M ., " and he felt it a great privilege to have to present him with a hearty testimonial from

the lodge and from the brethren , consisting of a service of silver ; the long continued applause which followed showed the esteem in which Bro . Mather was held by all . Bro . Mather , in reply , said that , as a founder , he had taken the utmost care to help in bringing the lodge to its present prosperous state ; as its Treasurer he had desired no other office , wishing the younger members to rise as

rapidly as possible , advising them in any degree , whether an l . G . or a 'Treasurer , to do their utmost for each other ' s welfare . After having filled the chair and the office of Treasurer in many lodges , he now felt compelled to resign , for—amidst a storm of doubts from all the brethren present —he said he was a much more aged man than they took

him to be ; however , he had much pleasure in handing over to his successor a cheque for so round a sum to continue the working of the lodge , and the splendid service of silver now before him would ever be highly esteemed by himself and by his wife . The remaining toasts of "The Treasurer , " "Secretary , " " Officers , " and that of the Tyler brought the festivities of the evening to a close .

DUKE OF CORNWALL LODGE ( No . 18 39 ) —The installation of this highly successful and numerous lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Alfred Stokes , VV . M . ; George W . Smith , jun ., I . P . M ., P . G . Org . Essex ; Jno . Dewsnap , S . W . ; G . F . Smith , J . W . ; Thomas Corpe , Treas . and P . M . ; S . J . Rossiter , Sec . ; A . Williams ,

S . D . ; Henry Cattermole , J . D . ; Walter B . Marcus , I . G . ; H . S . Trego , Org . ; Thos . Bowler , Tyler ; A . H . Jakins , D . C ; J . W . Brooke , P . M . ; VV . Gibson Bott , P . M . ; H . B . Garrett , F . H . Stollery , A . L . Blake , W . Wright , C . Ensworth , Chas . Mussared , Henrv Cruse , VV . Holmes , C . Heinekey , A . F . Baschinski , VV . ' H . de Silva , Charles Boyton , jun ., Thos S . Ayres , T . Turner , jun . ; C . W .

Cox , A . M . fhilps , H . Auerbach , J . W . Hayton , Reginald Billing . Joseph Bladon , J . Da Silva , C . H . Smith , and J . T . Rutledge . Visitors : Bro . John Etherington , J . W . 1310 ; George Quin , 334 ; George Bean , W . M . 1 S 8 ; W . VV . Morgan , W . M . 211 ; A . E . Staley , P . M . and W . M . 1 S 5 ; A . Hagan , 1471 ; Walter V . Braham , W . M . 1471 ; Lieut . Henry Wright , J . W . and W . M . elect 1 S 27 ; A . P .

Keeling , D . C . 167 ; VV . H . Brand , P . M . 1524 ; H . G . Martin , 1622 ; A . G . Dodson , P . M . iSS ; M . Krumm , 1 S 5 ; Jno . Datcher , 205 ; S . J . Wakefield , i 2 gS ; and C . A . White , 1777 . After the minutes of the last regular lodge , April 12 th , and the emergency of June 21 st , had been read and confirmed , Bro . C . F . Stollery was carried to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason . The installation of the W . M .

elect , Bro . F . Smith , S . W ., was next proceeded with , the following forming the Board of Installing Masters : Bros . Stokes , P . M . ; G . F . Smith , S . W . ; and Brooke , J . W . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . " G . F . Smith , S . W . ; A . Williams , J . W . ( first initiate in the lodge ); T . Corpe , P . M . Treas . ( re-invested ); S . J . Rossiter , Sec . ( re-invested ); H . Cattermole , S . D .: W .

B . Marcus , J . D . ; A . H . Jakins , l . G . ; Da Silva , D . C . ; H . Auerbach , W . S . ; H . S . Trego , Org . ( re-invested ); and T . Bowler , T y ler ( re-invested ) . Before the closing of the lodge , the W . M . said he had the very pleasing duty of pinning a jewel on the breast of Bro . Stokes , I . P . M ., and he trusted lie would be spared many years to wear it . Bro . Stokes , I . P . M ., responded in a few kindly sentences .

On the proposition of Bro . Stokes , the Auditor ' s report , which is a very favourable one . was taken as read . Several matters , which were only of interest to the lodge , were transacted , and the Master before closing his lodge mentioned the names of several Grand Lodge and honorary members who had written to him excusing attendance . The lodge was duly closed , and the members adjourned

to a banquet , but not until eight o ' clock . Previous to this , on the motion of Bro . Brooke , P . M ., the sum of £ 5 5 s . from the Benevolent Fund was voted to a member of the lodge who had fallen into distressed circumstances , and who had frequently subscribed his five guineas to the various Charities . We were much gratified at seeing the outgoing- Master

install his successor ; Bro . Corpe , P . M ., Treas ., gave the charges to the officers in a perfect manner . We also congratulate the lodge on the efficiency of its Tyler , who left the candidate for raising a very short time outside the lodge , which often proves wearisome moments to those inside . After dinner , the loyal and more formal toasts were

drunk with the greatest enthusiasm , the W . M . giving them in very short terms , owing to the extreme lateness of the hour . Bro . Stokes , I . P . M ., took thegavel in his hand , and gave in a hearty manner "The Health of the New Master . " The way he gave the initiation , especially being his first night in the chair , showed what sort of a Master he was . By what they had seen of his capabilities they might be quite sure the new W . M . wouid follow in the footsteps of those

who had gone before . Bro . Stokes asked the brethren to drink the toast in bumpers , and let Bro . Dewsnap know that they respected him . The brethren heartily responded to the request . The Worshipful Master , in responding , observed he was glad the time did not permit him to make a long speech . He had had a very anxious time of it the last few months , and was very glad that it was over now , and that his election was confirmed . The Worshipful Master , in giving " The Health of the Installing Master , Bro . Stokes , I . P . M ., " said he had had a

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rather chequered career at first ; but he had come out of it successfully , as they all knew . Bro . Stokes thanked all the brethren for the kind manner in which his health had been received . All he thought of during his year of office was prosperity to the lodge . Ho hoped he had given satisfaction in his working in the lodge , and also at the banquet table .

"The Initiates was the next toast given from the chair , of whom many complimentary things were said . The two initiates responded in very brief terms , but which displayed their modesty . The Worshipful Master , in giving "The Visitors , " said the list was a long one , and called for a hearty response . Bro . Bean , W . M . loppa Lodge , congratulated the

Master of the lodge on the business which had called them together that evening . Bro . Staley , P . M . Tranquility Lodge , alluded to tho excellent working the visitors had been allowed to see . Bro . Dodson , P . M . Joppa Lodge , expressed his pleasure at seeing the VV . M . in his present position , for they were both members of the same mother lodge .

Bro . Brand , P . M . Duke of Connaught Lodge , also said a few words for the visitors . In giving "The Health of the Past Masters , " the W . M . was able to say that the whole of the Past Masters were present around him . He made several complimentary remarks about the brethren who had gone through the chair .

Bro . Brooke rose , in obedience to the call of the W . M ., to respond for the Past Masters . He was deeply impressed with the cordial manner in which he had been received . He had been away for the past three months , and had travelled 1000 miles to be present with them that evening , and thanked them for the kind grasp of their hand . Bro . Corpe followed in a very happy strain . Bros . Glen Bott and F . Smith , Prov . Grand Org . Essex ,.

also spoke a few words . Bro . Rossiter responded as the Secretary . He was delighted to see their late Secretary , Bro . Brooke , amongst them again . He ( Bro . Rossiter ) meant to do his best to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor . The other usual Masonic toasts followed , which finished a most agreeable evening . The proceedings were not concluded until a very late hour . We are glad to know that the lodge is growing in every way .

HASTINGS . —Derwent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Castle Hotel on Monday , the Sth inst ., the VV . M . Bro . W . H . Russell , presiding , supported by the following officers and brethren : Bros . J . Plcurman , S . W . ; F . H . Hallet , J . W . ; E . W . J . Hennah , P . M ., Sec . ; T . Markwick , J . D . ; Henry

Gloyns , l . G . ; Leslie , Tyler ; Wilson , VV . S . Allen , Roddis , P . Robinson , J . B . Foord , Stace , Paine , J . Hurst , P . M ., and others . Visitors : Bros . Alfred Bryant and Greenwood . The minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M ., Bro . Russell , very ably passed Bro . Payne to the Second Degree , after which the lodge was closed .

DERBY . —Arboretum Lodge ( No . 731 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge took place at the Masonic Hall on the 10 th inst ., when there were present Bros . C . Webster , W . M . ; J . Bland , I . P . M . ; J . Copestick , S . W . j Edgar Home , J . W . ; VV . Whiltaker , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Taylor , P . M ., as Sec ; A . Frazer , P . M ., as S . D . r 1 . Chadwick , J . D . ; S . Taylor , D . of C .: I . Walker . LG .:

VV . Forman and J . Melrose , Stwds . ; G . T . Wright , P . M ., J . C . Merry , P . M ., J . Brown , P . M ., Dr . Carter Wigg , P . M ., G . Cay , P . M ., J . L . Greensmith , J . Jones , VV . Todd , and others . Visitors : Bros . C . D . Hart , W . M . 10 S 5 ; Rev . W . Hope , 253 ; B . VV . Pike , 10 S 5 ; and Tuckwood , 16 79 . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and

confirmed , the W . M . in an able manner passed Bros . VV . H . Orme , G . Tarver , and G . H . Ward ; the charge being given by the S . W . Grand Lodge certificates were presented to Bros . Jones and Claye . Bro . Hillam , P . M ., proposed a candidate for initiation . The W . M ., on rising to make the usual enquiries , reminded the brethren that the installation of the Tyrian Lodge , 253 , would take place on

the last Tuesday of the month , when Bro . Thos . Cox , P . M ., P . G . Treas ., would be installed W . M . for the centennial year ; and he hoped all who could would bo present . Letters expressing inability to be present were read from Bros . Rev . Thos . Orrel , Chap ., and j . VV . Brigg , Sec , and the lodge was closed . The supper took place in the Lower Hall , most of the

brethren remaining . Grace was said before and after by Bro . Rev . W . Hope . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts ; that of "The Provincial Grand Officers " being responded to by Bro . Whittaker , P . M ., P . P . G . R .: and Bro . G . T . Wright , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., as chairman of the Charity Committee , reminded the brethren that they had a candidate for the Boys' School , and that the Prov .

G . Master had evinced his interest in the case by enquiring what he could do to assist in the matter . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed as usualby the S . W . in a brief but neat speech , and it was heartily responded to by the brethren . The W . M . replied by assuring the brethren how much he appreciated their good wishes , and of his anxiety to do all hp rnnlrl rn nmmni / . th »

interests of the lodge . The VV . M . proposed the toast of "The Past Masters , " to whom he expressed himself greatly indebted , especially to Bro . Frazer , P . M ., who had that evening so ably acted as S . D . With the toast were coupled the names of Bros . J . Bland , I . P . M ., and A . Frazer , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . The former assured the W . M . and brethren that it was his

greatest pleasure to be able to do anything for the welfare of the lodge ; he also alluded to the announcement made in lodge of the death of Bro . Ring , expressing his great sorrow thereat . Bro . Frazer said he had little to add to what the previous speaker had said ; he was at all times pleased to render any assistance he could , and the W . M . could count upon his services whenever required . "The Visitors " was proposed in an able speech by Bro .

VV . Whittaker , P . M . and Treas ., who assured them they would always meet with a hearty welcome whenever they came . To this toast Bros . Rev . VV . Hope , 253 , C . D . Hart , W . M . 10 S 5 , and Tuckwood responded . "The Officers " was next proposed by the W . M ., who complimented them on their excellent working . Bros . VV . Forman , Stwd ., and E . Home , J . W ., responded , and the adjournment shortly afterwards took place . The brethren