Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

LANCASTER . —Lodge of Fortitude ( No . 2 S 1 ) . —The monthly meeting of this Iodge was held in the Alasonic Rooms , ' Athenceum , on the nth inst , under the presidency of Bro . Warbrick , W . AL The lodge having been opened in the First Degree , the minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed . There was no business of Masonic interest before the lodge , and after the usual proclamations had been made , the lodge was closed in peace , love , and harmony , and with solemn prayer .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Affability ( No . 317 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., when there were present Bros . M . Vickers , W . AL ; VV . Nicholl , S . VV . ; H . Walmsley , J . VV . ; J . Smethurst , Treas . ; R . Tomlins , Sec . ; J . Church , S . D . ; J . Wilson , J . D ., acting I . G . ; J . Sly , Tyler ; J . R . Lever , I . P . M .: D . Donbavand , P . AI . ; 1 . Dawson , P . AL , Reg . ;

John Bladon , P . AL , D . of C . ; J . Cummins , J . Gooden , J . Smith , and R . R . Lisenden ( Freemason ) . Visitors : Bros . M . Thompson , 163 ; and VV . Harris , 1 S 5 . The lodge was opened shortly after six o ' clock , and when thc minutes of the previous meeting had been read and confirmed , the W . AL , Bro . Alark Vickers , gave a lecture

on the First Tracing Bnard , which was listened to with rapt attention by the brethren . Some discussion took place concerning a matter that had been placed upon the circular , after which " Hearty good wishes" were expressed by the visitors , and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at S . 50 .

ERITH . —St . Johrr and St . Paul Lodge ( No . C 15 ) . —This excellent lodge , which has gone through so many phases in its long and honourable career , and which has , perhaps , done as much for thc various Charitable Institutions of the Order as any lodge in or out of the metropolitan district , held its installation festival on Wednesday , the 11 th inst ., under the most propitious and favourable

circumstances , although it had been hoped that the esteemed Deputy Grand Alaster would have been present to add eclat to the proceedings . 'The pretty lodge room at the Prince of Wales Hotel was soon after four o'clock p . m . comfortably filled , but not overcrowded , with brethren of the lodge antl visitors , many of whom had done good suit and service to Alasonry , and when the W . AL , Bro . R .

Stone , took the chair and opened the lodge a neater or more compact gathering of Alasonic brotherhood could scarcely be found within the confines of any room in our dear old county , Kent—worthily and happily called the " Garden of England "—but ad rem . The minutes of the last meeting having been duly read and confirmed , Bro . T . VV . Knight , P . AL , and P . P . D . C .

Kent , took thc chair , he having been especially requested to perform thc ceremony of installation , and Bro . R . Stone ( so soon to be a P . M . ) having , in a few brief sentences , presented the VV . AI . elect , Bro . IC . Tomkins , for the benefit of installation , the worthy brother proceeded to his duty , and , after obligation , the new VV . M . was , by a Board of Installed Alasters , duly placed in the chair of K . S ., and

saluted in the Three Degrees . The following brethren were then invested as officers for the ensuing twelve months : Bros . R . G . Stone , S . W . ; J . Hutton , J . VV . ; H . H . Poole , Treas . ; T . VV . Knight , Sec ; VV . Hills , S . D . ; H . Byles , J . D . ; II . VV . Knight , D . C . ; D . Widdup , Steward ; G . Alitchell , Asst . Steward ; and G . Alartin , Tyler . Bro . Knight then gave the three charges

admirably , and so concluded a service that was at once simple , yet eloquent , in its complete fullness and finish . Bro . G . W . Churchley , P . AL , late Sec . of thc lodge , and P . G . Steward Kent , then proposed "That a vote oi : thanks should be presented to Bro . Knight for the admirable manner in which he had that day lilted the position of Installing Officer , and that the same should be inscribed upon tlie

minutes of the lodge . " Bro . Stone , I . P . M ., seconded , and the motion was carried nem dis . Bro . Knight , in reply , thanked ( he brethren most cordially for their kind recognition of his efforts . He confessed that lie had not done ' the important ceremony entrusted to him entirely to his own satisfaction , as he was suffering from a severe cold—that interfered with his delivery ; lint , nevertheless , if he had ,

and he believed he had , done it to their satisfaction , he was satisfied himself . He thanked them again for their recognition of his humble services . Bro . Churchley then introduced to the lodge the case of a brother , whose name we need not mention , but who has , unfortunately , fallen into distress , and who , in his day , had been in every respect a worthy and true brother . 'There was an old Latin

proverb whicli said Bis dot qui cito dat ( He gives twice who gives quickly ) . He need hardly say that at St . John and St . Paul Ixidge , but the necessities of thc case were pressing . Bro . Knight then proposed " That the sum of five guineas should be forwarded to their distressed brother at once , and that his case should be supported at the meeting of thc Charity Committee in October next . " Bro . R . ' Stone .

I . P . AI ., seconded , and the resolution was carried . Bro . Knight was then once more re-elected to represent the lodge at the Provincial Charity Committee , and returned thanks for the honour conferred on him . Bro . Dr . Spurrell , P . AL , and P . P . G . J . W . Kent , then promised a Life Governorship of the Girls' School to the lodge , and , after receiving his meed of applause , the lodge was closed with

" Hearty good wishes " from all assembled . The brethren then adjourned to banquet , which was simply a succession of delicacies , admirably served , and the worthy host and hostess deserve great credit for the : r superb catering . After an hours interval , during which the brethren amused themselves with the game ' of bowls on the lawn , the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet , which was

most admirably served , and reflected the highest credit on the worthy host and hostess . Among the company present , besides those already mentioned , were Bros . T . R . Champion , W . AL 77 ; VV . Watson , VV . M . 1050 ; IC . Alackney , P . AL 200 , and P . P . G . O . Kent ; J . Slade Brown , P . M . 1056 ; J . Anthony , D . C . 1050 ; VV . Y . Bradbrook , 200 ; G . Tedder , 111 and 1107 :

G . Shepherd , 27 ; VV . Gibson , ( its ; C . Bishop , Org . C ' S . Chittenden , Ci J . Pim , G 15 ; C . Randall , 9 L 1 , ; C . Joll y , 913 ( Freemason ); and others . The usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were given and responded to . The W . AL then proposed the toast of

Lord Holmesdale , Provincial Grand . Master of Kent . " He said that it was customary for all the Kent lodges to invite their Grand Alaster to their installation meetings . They had done so , and his lordship had written regretting that he was unable to attend . They had , however , seen him at Erith a short time ago , and knew the great interest

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

he took in Alasonry , and the love he had for it . The toast was drunk with honours . " Bro . Eastes , and the rest of Grand Officers , Present and Past , " were then toasted , the VV . AI . saying that Bro . Eastes had written to say that he was staying at Oxford , or he would have been with them . Bro . Churchley , being the only Grand Officer present , responded to the toast , and after thanking the brethrensaid that a Grand Officer had many duties and

, responsibilities entrusted to him , and if he did his work well the task was , while a pleasant one , an ardous one . He felt proud of being a Grand Officer , although a very humble one , but trusted that , whatever the duties were , he should conscientiously carry them out . Bro . R . Stone , I . P . AI ., then rose to propose " Thc Health of the W . AL " He said he felt sorry that it had fallen to his lot to propose so important a toast ; all he could say was that the choice

of the lodge had fallen upon a most worthy and excellent brother , who would carry out thc work of the lodge in a good and masterly manner , and who would be a good friend to them all . Their VV . M . would do his best to make the lodge a success , and increase its prosperity in every way . He ' wished him , and he was sure they all wished him , a happy , prosperous , and harmonious year of office . The W . ALin replythanked them for the enthusiastic manner

, , in which they had responded to the proposition of Bro . Stone . One hardly knew what to say in such a position , and-nt such a time ; but if they wanted the duties of the lodge carried out in the good style that they had hitherto been carried out , then lie would say " yes , " they should be as far as laid in his power ; and the fame and lustre of it should be handed clown to bis successor next year as pure and unsullied as when it was placed in his hands . He

would not go into any matters connected with their past year . Many of them knew they had had to light an up hill game , but he was thankful to say they were in a better position now , and the prospect was improving on all sides . He trusted that the Past Alasters and officers would give him their hearty support , and then he should go on and work pleasantly and steadily to to the wish they all hadthe continued and increased prosperity of the lodge . The

next toast was that of " 'The Past Alasters , " and the W . AL said it was to him a most pleasant one , because more especially he had thc opportunity of saying a few words about their old and esteemed friend and I . P . AI ., Bro . Robert Stone . He had known Bro . Stone for some time as a friend , and a good brother , and he trusted this friendship might long continue , lt was not his province to eulogise anything that Bro . Stone had said or done out of the

lodge , but Bro . Stone was well known in Erith and thc neighbourhood for many a good action done , and he was respected and looked up ti by all classes there for his kindness and goodness of heart . But in that lodge he had worked hard and well , and , as one who had served with , and under him , he felt that he was worthy of thc thanks of the lodge , and entitled to its hearty good wishes and respect . There was another

very pleasing duty he had to perform , and that was to present Bro . Stone , in the name of the lodge , with the Past Alaster ' s jewel of his office . It was a distinction their brother had well and worthily won , and no pleasure that he , as W . AL , could have had was , or could be , equal to the pleasure he now felt at pinning that jewel upon their brother ' s breast . He did so , and in their name , and with his own heart , he wished Bro . Stone many long years of

life to wear it , and come among them , and be with them in that lodge . He trusted Bro . Stone might live to wear out the jewel , and asked them to drink his liealth in bumpers . The toast was drunk amid enthusiastic rounds of applause . The jewel , which was a very handsome and massive gold one , bore a suitable inscription on the reverse side , and was very much admired by all in the room . Bro . Stone , in reply , thanked them for their kind expressions first , and

then for their handsome present . Ihey had been very indulgent to him , and he was exceedingly pleased to see them around him that night . He spoke highly of the assistance Bro . Knight and all the officers had given him . I lis heart was too full to say much , but he would say that their kindness to him would be one of the pleasant memories of his life , and he wished them all prosperity and happiness . The toast of "The Visitors" followed , and Bros . Brown , Jolly ,

'Tedder , and Randle , responded , Bro . Brown being especially pleased to be present , because at the initiation of Bro . 'Tomkins the lodge was not so strong as it was now , and he , as a visitor , acted as J . D ., and led Bro . Tomkins round the lodge . " 'The Health of the 'Treasurer and Secretary , Bros . Pooleand Knight , " was then drunk with honour , and Bro . Pople responded eloquently , speaking of the services of Bro .

Churchley as Secretary , and of the Alaster ' s promise of economy in the ruling of the lodge , so as to increase their grants to the Charities . Bro . Knight also replied , and after Bro . R . G . Stone , S . W ., had replied for " The Officers , " the 'T y ler ' s toast concluded a most enjoyable event . Bro . C . Bishop presided at the piano , and accompanied the singers ; he also contributed some line songs .

SALFORD . —Zetland Lodge ( No . 852 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Alasonic Rooms . 4 , Peel-crescent , on Wednesday , the nth inst . A great change for thc better has taken place in the present quarters of the lodge from those formerly occupied at the Freemasons' Mall , Islington-square . Here they have a spacious lodge room , and banquet room underneath , both light and airy . 'There is also a large cloak room ,

anteroom , kitchen , scullery , lavatory , and every convenience for the comfort and enjoyment of thc brethren . 'The paperhanging in each _ room is very p leasing to the eye , as are also the gas fittings , and nothing , in our opinion , seems wanting to complete the comfort which must be apparent to all visitors . There is no question that the unbounded thanksof the lodge are due to Bro . Packwood , P . AL , P . G . D . of C , and the rest of the Committee , who have worked so energetically and untiringly to bring about the present

satisfactory result . Were it not for such assiduous members as Bro . Packwood , these results could not possibly bc attained , and in order to achieve such results a great deal of time and labour must , of necessity , be expended . Wc heartily congratulate the lodge on such results , and would recommend any brother who has doubts as to what can be done by a lodge who desires to become independent , to visit the Zetland Lodge and judge for themselves . The lodge was opened with solemn prayer at seven o ' clock , and there were present Bros . Joseph Hardy ,

W . AL ; Joseph Heyworth , S . W . ; Joseph Carney , J . VV . ; J . IC . Edge , Treas . ) Joseph Yriung , Sec ; W . Naylor , J . D . ; R . II . Wheeler ' , I . G . ; S . VV . Ballantyne , Chap . ; Geo . A . Packwood , P . M ., P . G . A . D , of C ; J . T ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Watts , P . M . ; Robert Holland , P . M . ; W . Riddell , P . M ., Tyler ; Walter Briggs , E . Dickson , Thos . Cooke , Walter Lee , W . Thorp , John Barnes , John Westall , and Mark Baxter . Visitors : Bros . B . Taylor , P . M . 935 , P . P . G . T . ; Joseph Richardson , P . AI . 5 S 1 ; and R . R . Lisenden , 317 ( Freemason ) . Thc minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Geo . A . Packwood reported the results

of a deliberation which had that evening taken place between himself and some other officers of the lodge as to the relief to be granted to a brother who was in needy circumstances , and he would propose that that brother receive an immediate douceur of two guineas , and that his case be recommended to the Charity Committee for their earnest consideration . This was seconded by the VV . M .,

and carried unanimously . this being all the business , " Hearty good wishes " were expressed by the visitors , and the lodge was closed in peace and harmony at S . 30 . At the social board the " spiritual" comfort of the brethren was well looked after , and a very pleasant two

hours were passed . Several songs were sung and toasts drank ; amongst the latter being "Tbe D . P . G . M . and Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers , " which was responded to in eloquent terms by Bro . B . Taylor , P . P . G . T ., and Bro . G . A . Packwood , P . G . A . D . of C , and "The Visitors , " which was responded to by them all .

LEIGHTON . —Beaudesert Lodge ( No . 1088 ) . —The installation of Bro . George Holdom as Worshipful Alaster for the ensuing year took place on Friday , the 13 th inst ., in the Town Hall . The Installing Alaster was Bro . the Rev . Arthur J . Riddle , whose impressive manner in delivering the various charges will bc long remembered by the members and visitors of the lodge . The ceremony

being concluded , the brethren repaired to the Bell Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet was provided by Bro . Pickering , thc worth y host . 'The cloth being removed , the usual toasts were proposed in a most admirable manner by the W . M . " The Health of thc Installing Master" was proposed by Bro . Gotto , P . M ., who eulogised thc excellent manner in which the ceremony

had been conducted . This toast was most enthusiastically received . Bro . Riddle , on rising to return thanks , in amost interesting speech reviewed the characteristic beauties and the moral and social virtues whicli so closely cemented and adorned the Order of Freemasonry . In most striking language he depicted virtue in its most beautiful colours ; and iirgcd that it was a duty incumbent upon every Alason' to

walk uprightly and with humility before God , neither turning to the right hand or to the left in their aim at fulfilling the Divine and moral laws ; that by living up to the tenets and principles of the Order no men would be more religious , more truly Christians , than Freemasons . "The Health of the W . AL , Bro . George Holdom , " was very warmly received , and suitably responded to , as also that of "The

I . P . AI ., Bro . Henry Green . " The toast of "The Visitors " was next proposed , coupled with thc name of Bro . Walker , of the Wandsworth Lodge , who , with the others , briefly responded , each congratulating the members upon their choice of W . AL , who is deservedly held in the highest esteem among his brethren in the lodge . The evening was enlivened by some excellent songs by Bros . Green , P . M ., Willis , and others .

LIVERPOOL . — Duke of Edinburgh Lodge ( No . 11 S 2 ) . —Scarcely any lodge in thc Province of West Lancashire has had a more prosperous career that that whicli has been enjoyed b y the Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 11 S 2 , which was originally consecrated and met for a series of years at the Coffee House , Wavertree , but some time ago transferred to the more convenient locate of the

Alasonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , and the annual celebration of the installation festival there , on Thursday , the 12 th inst ., was attended by the usual amount of success . The muster was numerous , and thc proceedings were marked by true Alasonic spirit and animation . Bro . Geo . Alusker , the retiring W . AL , occupied the position of honour at the opening of business , and amongst those present

during the afternoon were Bros . T . Davis , I . P . AI . ; T . B . Alyers , P . AL ; J . VV . Williams , P . AI . ; J . Williams , P . M . ; A . D . Hesketh , S . W ., W . AI . elect ; 11 . Barclay , J . VV . ; W . Brown , Treasurer ; T . O . Dutton , Secretary ; J . O . Rea , S . D . ; T . Warcing , I . G . ; R . Alartin , jun ., P . M ., D . C . ; VV . Davies , Organist ; T . Holden , S . ; T . Wright , S . ; S . Baines , S . ; and Peter Ball , Tyler . The brethren

who countenanced the interesting gathering were Bios . VV . Long , T . Hunt , S . Wilkinson , J . Baines . T . Davis , J . Thompson , G . Tagg , C . Suinmerton , C . Hoist , J . Hale , J . Newport , J . Potter , VV . Gick , T ., H . Pierce , G . Kirkland , D . Ritchie , VV . H . Harvey , VV . Williams , J . T . Jarvis , J . Holden , J . S . Bullock , R . Campbell , J . Harding , J . Rishton , J . Waddell , and others .

Amongst the numerous visitors were Bros . J . F . Newell , P . G . S . W . ( ex-AIayor of Bootle ) ; U . S . Alpass , P . G . Secretary ; J . T . Callow , P . G . Treasurer ; Councillor Joseph Ball , S . W . ( 173 ; J . Hughes , 1675 ; J . Aluir , S 23 ; J . Boyle , VV . M . 823 ; R . Evans , 203 ; J . ' Keet , S . VV . 1356 ; I ) . Jackson , P . AI . G 73 ; J . Devaynes , P . M . 667 j ALP . Tueski , Secretary 1502 ; VV . C . FnvinW . AL 1393 ; C .

, Arden , VV . AI . 135 C ; J . Skeaf , P . G . Organist ; A . Woolrich , I . P . AI . I 3 . 5 fi , Treasurer ifiog ; R . IC . Milton , 135 6 ; R . P . France , P . AL 594 ; J . C . Paterson , W . AL 1473 ; VV . II . Ouayle , 132 s ; VV . Brackenbury , I . P . M . 673 ; T . Clark , P . G . S . of VV . ; J . Pemberton , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; VV . Blake , 147 . 1 ; W . Cottrell , P . AL S 23 ; J . Hayes , P . G . S . ; J . B . Alackenzie , W . AL 1609 ; and others .

The lodge was opened in due and proper form by Bro . G . Alusker , W . M ., after which the minutes of the previous meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . Bro . T . B . Alyers , P . AI . of the Duke of Edinburgh , took the position of Installing Alaster , and in a highly efficient manner placed Bro . A . D . Hesketh in the chair of W . AI . for the ensuing year . 'The following appointments were

subsequently made : Bros . G . Alusker , I . P . AI . ; A . Barclay , S . W . ; T . O . Dutton , J . VV . ; VV . Brown , Treasurer ( reelected for the seventh time ); J . O . Rea , Secretary ; VV . Davies , Organist ; T . Warcing , S . D . ; T . Holden , J . D . ; R . Alartin , jun ., P . AL , D . C ; J . M . Tyson , LG . ; T . Wright , S . S . ; R . Baines , J . S .: VV . H . Gick . A . S .:

G . B . Kirkland , A . S . ; and Bro . Peter Ball was unanimously re-elected Tyler of the lodge . A special vote of thanks was given to Bro . Myers for the highly satisfactory manner in which he had performed the installation ceremony ; and a jewel was presented to Bro . VV . Davies , Organist , in recognition of his services to the lodge . ( Continued on pai / e 377 A