Craft Masonry.

leading professional men and tradesmen wanted to become Masons without improper solicitations , tV . e authorities in Worcestershire , from the Provincial Grand Master downwards , came forward with open arms to receive them , and the members of the Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 , were consulted , and they embraced the opportunity of such an organisation of patriots and citizen soldiers into their ranks , and at once made arrangements for the removal of the lodge to meet the convenience of the new-comers ( where it will in future be held ) , and also promised that they would do all in their power 10 further the success of the scheme .

The first meeting of the new lodge was presided over by its W . M ., Bro . Robert Eager , and the proceedings * were honoured by the presence of the new Prov . Grand Master and successor of the late Sir Edmund Lechmere , namely , Bro . A . F . Godson , M . A ., M . P ., who is a subscribing member of the lodge , and who has throughout his whole career of Deputy Grand Master kept himself in close touch with every lodge in his province . The Right Worshipful Brother received his patent from the hand of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , some time

since . His formal installation into the chair took place with great pomp and ceremony within the precincts of the City of Worcester on Thursday , the 12 th inst . The members of the lodge present were Bros . G . Taylor , P . M ., P . M . 377 , 5 ( 10 , & c , Prov . G . Sec , P . P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; J . T . Meredith , P . M ., P . M . sCo . 'P . P . G . W . ; Trevor Webster , S . W . ; Charlie ! " ) . Eaton , J . W . ; Quartermaster-Sergeant A . Edge , Secretary ; Pioneer-Sergeant J . C . Aston , S . D . ; Sergeant H . S . Bailey , J . D . ; Wright Wilson , P . M . 1644 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Matthew Jones , P . M . 43 . P . P . A . G . D . C , Charity Stwd . j Colour-Sergeant Jacob Whitehouse , I . G . j Sergeant-Major J . Radband , Stwd . ; ] . E .

Robins , Tyler ; and T . F . Bland , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . The visitors present were Bros . Abraham Green , P . M ., P . S . G . W . Worcester . Past G . Pursuivant ; f . R . Arter , P . M . 2034 , 925 , P . G . Treas . Worcester , P . P . S . G . W . Warwickshire ; Capt . H . Burrough , P . M . 1792 , P . P . A . G . D . C . Staffs . ; Captain T . Ryder , P . M . 1792 , P . P . G . D . Staffs . ; Lieut . Franklin Cross , P . M . 1792 ; Manley , P . M . 23 S 5 ; Edward Mallard , P . M . 1551 , P . P . G . S . B . Warwickshire ; James Stevens , P . M . 2034 , P . P . G . G . D . Worcester ; Sergeant-Major S . Woods , P . M . 1 S 3 S , P . P . G . S . B . Staffs . ; F . Barlow , P . M . 1792 ; H . Clarke , 938 ; Probisher , P . M . 1792 ; and E . Bradley .

A dispensation was granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to enable the lodge to initiate 10 out of the 29 candidates but thc ballot was taken for the whole of the candidates and f roved unanimous . The 10 candidates who presented themselves and were initiated were Sergt .-Major Harry Scandrett , Sergt .-Major William B . Hammond , Sergt . Albert Edward Osborne , and Sergt . Wm . Ernest Meggeson , all of the ist Worcestershire and Warwickshire Artillery Corps ; Sergt .-lnstructor John Grant , Sergt . Wm . Geo . Tye , Ouarle .-master-Ser ^ t . Charles Wm . Cooper , Colour-Sergeant Charles Frederick Brown " , Cclour-Sergeant Wm . Geo . Garnett , and Colour-Sergt . Edward Morris Jones , all of the ist Volunteer Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment .

The remaining candidates who ware duly elected and will present themselves at future lodge meeetirgs for initiation , are Colour-Sergt . Thos . Skelcher , Sergt . John Jas . Dixon , Sergt . Geo . Frederick Lindley , Sergt . Wm . Parrott , Colour-Sergt . Owen Hopkins , Sergt . Samuel Boon , Sergt . Chas . Edwin Rodway , Brigade-Quartermaster-Sergt . Wm . Lovett , Sergt . Walter Augustine Kennedy , Pioneer-Sergt . Wm . Hopkins , Sergt . Wm . Ios . Wilcox , Sergt . Chas . lUrbert Clarke , Sergt . Thos . Crane , Armourer-Sergt . S . Peacock , Sergt . George Frederick Bennett , Sergt . John Albert Hughes , Sergt . Frederick Edwards , and Sergt . Ernest Wm . Westbury , all of the ist Worcestershire and Warwickshire Artillery Corps .

The ceremony of initiation was performed by Bro . Captain Burroughs , P . M . 1792 , a friend and ardent supporter of the new lodge , in a very efficient , masterly , impressive , and Masonic manner and in strict accordance with the ancient rites and ceremonies of the Order . Alter the newly-made brethren had returned to the lodge the usual addresses and charges were most eloquently and feelingly delivered to them by the acting J . W ., Bro . C . D . Eaton . After the ceremony of initiation , the chair was resumed by the W . M ., but before the lodge was closed the Prov . Grand Master elect expressed the great pleasure he felt

on behalf of the province at having such an influx of able , and intelligent soldiers and citizens into the Masonic body <¦{ his province , and after expatiating upon the manifold virtues of the late lamented Prov . Grand Master , whose name the lodge bare , and pointing out to the new brethren the advantages they had acquired in talcing over the old warrant with its endowments fir Charitable purposes , expressed a fervent hope that the lodge might increase and flourish in his province , and that they might emulate their predecessors in their charitable work , and he further assured the brethren that all he could do he would do for the furtherance of the interests and the promotion of their succcess and prosperity .

Bro . Charles D . Eaton , acting J . W ., and the chief promoter of the movement , thanked the Provincial Grand Master elect for his kind expressions and feelings and fur his promises of assistance and support , and also for the assistance and support he hid already given them , and for his having at great sacrifice attended iiere that evening , and assured the Provincial Grand Master that it was the aim , object , desire , and

determination of every joining soldier to bring into the lodge that -pint of emulaiin and di-cijiline which had enabled them in their various military pes 1 ions to raise their respec ive corps so high in the estimation of all her Majesty's si-bjects , and further assured the Provincial Grai . d Master that thc Masonic custom-, landmarks , and traditi < n . would be presetVi . d unsullied to the best ot their ability _ o long as they all should livr .

At the banquet which followed the usual Joyal and Masonic toasts were given and received i < the usual loyal and Masonic manner . The whole arrangements were perfect , and the proceedings of the day were generally and Masonically a great success .

Hendon Lodge , No . 2206 . The installation meeting of this well known and prosperous lodge was held at the Midland Grand Hotel , St . Pancras ,. on Saturday , the 14 th inst ., and was well attended . Among the members present were Bros . W . B . Parsons , W . M . ; A . Martin Parsons , S . W . j W . M . Stiles , Grand Treasurer , Treas . ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of Works Middx ., Vice-President Board Gen . Purps , Sec ; F . W . Hearn , S . D . ; J . Hudson ,

J . D . ; J . H . Dobbs , I . G . j J . II . Gunn and Chas . Johnson , Stwds . ; W . W . Langley , I . P . M . j G . H . Lewis , P . M . ; A . H . Scurrah , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of Works Middx . ; P . | . Howell , E . Atkinson , A . L . V . Ronveau , Joseph Mason , Jonathan Mason , J . Johnston , Geo . Adam , C . E . Atkinson , and R . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . | . Irvine , P . M . Mb ; II . Kcnney , J . D . 2551 ; J . W . Ryder , 204 S ; J . J . Lamigeon , S . W . ; II . W . Parker ; R . T . West , 1744 ; and others .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and the Auditors' report appioved , the W . M . then pio : eeded with the important task of installing Bro . A . Martin Parsons as his successor , which he performed in a most commendable manner . The officers appointed and invested were as follows : Bros . M . Powell , S . W . ; F . W . Hearn , J . VV . ; J . Hudson , S . D . ; J . H . Dobbs , J . D . j G . H . Stansall , I . G . j J . H . Gunn , D . C . j C . Johnson , Jonathan Mason , and Joseph Mason , Stwds . ; and R . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . The customary addresses were rendered by Bro . VV . B . Parsons with marked effect , liro . A . M . Parsons , the newly-installed W . M ., proved his efficiency for

thc appointment to that ollice by the excellent manner in which he carried out the ceremony of initiation , the candidates being Messrs . H . A . Roy , F . Herbert , and T . E . Spurr . In presenting a Past Master's jewel to the I . P . M ., Bro . VV . B . Parsons , thc W . M . stated that it was not often that a brother had the pleasure of installing his brother as his successor in the chair , and , in pinning the jewel on his breast , he remarked that it was a small token of the members' appreciation of the way he had carried out his duties , and which had given every satisfaction . Ilro . W . B . Parsons acknowledged thc jewel in suitable terms , observing that he had done his very best , and it was

gratifying to him that his services were appreciated . Bro . VV . A . Scurrah , P . M ., then presented the I . P . M . with a Past Master ' s collar . He stated that lie had the honour of installing him , and hc was the lirst initiate of the lodge , and he trusted that thc great friendship which existed between them would ever continue . ' A hearty vote of congratulations to Hro . VV . A . Scurrah , P . M ., was unaniniDusly carried , on his election as Vice-President of the Board of General Purposes . In response , Br . i . VV . A . Scurrah stated that he esteemed the high honour of being Vice-President ni the Board of General Purposes , and he hoped always to have the esteem of the members of the Hendon Lodge .

Other business having been transacted , the lodge was closed , an 1 1 superb banquet followed . Thc Worshipful Master gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in brief but expressive words .

Craft Masonry.

The toast of " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , was responded to b y Bro W . M . Stiles , G . Treas . He stated that he appreciated the honour of his name having been associated with the toast , and in referring to the Earl of Lithiin , he said th at he was a hard worker , who was , beyond doubt , the right man in the right place , and he had the earnest regard from all for his great services in Freemasonry , and he was glad his health was much better . The Grand Secretary , who was a splendid officer , was

expected to have been present that evening , and he regretted bis absence . He ( Bro . Stiles ) was very proud that he was a Grand OHicer , thanks to their kind suffrages , but his position was due to the Craft , and he could have no greater honour . He had to thank the masses of the Craft for the high office he held , and he hoped that no one would ever regret having helped him in his election , and he could never forget the great kindness he had received all round .

Bro . VV . B . Parsons then rose and said he had the pleasure of proposing the health of his able successor , "The Worshipful Master , " who was well known to the members . He was his brother in Freemasonry and by birth , and if he only stuck to the lod ge and the Craft as he had to him as a brother , they would have no reason to regret their choice . If he might say so , his working that night ofthe ritual was splendid , and was , bethought , a good augurv for the future .

Bro . A . M . Parsons , W . M ., thanked the I . P . M . for his kind sentiments , and the brethren for the hearty manner in which they had received the toast . It was seven or eight years ago since he was initiated in the lodge , and he was proud that he was now the Master . The W . M . gave "The Initiates . " He said that he was honoured to have commenced his year ot office by having three initiates , who had been recommended by good and true men testifying that they were of excellent quality , and he hoped they would be second to none and bean acquisition to the lodge .

Bro . H . A . Roy replied in eloquent terms , thanking the W . M . for having initiated him , and that he intended to act up to the best of his ability to the dictates of Masonry . Bro . T . E . Spurr also responded . He was indebted to his proposer and seconder for having introduced him into Freemasonry . Bro . F . Herbert was honoured by being accepted as a member of the Craft . He had no idea what Freemasonry was until he came that evening , but what he had seen and heard had very much impressed him , and he thought it ought to make a good man better .

In giving "The Installing Master and Past Masters , " the W . M . stated that it was a difficult task for him to follow such good Masters as the lodge had had , who he thought were some of the best in the Craft . He knew that the I , P . M . had studied hard , with the result that he had proved a most efficient officer and he had more than earned his jewel , and if he could onlv follow in his footsteps he would be gratified . He made special

reference to Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., the first Master of the lodge , who was eminent in the Craft and letter-perfect in the ritual—then as to Bro . G . H . Lewis , P . M ., he wis a good fellow and a splendid Preceptor and always willing to assist anyone with Masonic knowledge , and many were indebted to him for what they knew of the ritual . He also mentioned Bros . Arthur Scurrah and Langley , who had both rendered great service to the lodge .

Bro . W . B . Parsons , I . P . M ., responded . He never thought that he would be able to go through the chair , but he had stuck to his guns and had b : en a constant attendant at lodges of instruction , which had enabled him to carry out the duties of Master and to instal his successor . He tendered his best thanks to the Past Masters for the great services they had rendered to him during his happy year of office , and he took that opportunity of acknowledging the able assistance he had had from his officers .

Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., also replied , which he did in a humorous strain . He was the old chicken and he was proud of his chicks . The LP . M ., his first chick , he was pleased to say had occupied the chair with much success and he felt sure that all he had initiated in the lodge would turn out good members . He was the first Master and chief founder and he thought it would be difficult to lind a better lodge . Bro . G . H . Lewis , P . M ., also acknowledged the toast . He appreciated the kind remarks of the VV . M ., and if at any time he could be of any assistance to the lodge and the members he would bc glad .

Bro . Arthur Scurrah , P . M ., also resppnded in genial terms , congratulating the VV . M . and the I . P . M . for their excellent work that day . Bro . VV . VV . Langley , P . M ., also replied , thanking the VV . M . for his kind reference to him for his services in the chair . The VV . M . proposed "The Visitors , " whom he cordially welcomed , coupling the

names of Bros . Kcnney , Spinks , Parker , Lamigeon , but making speciai mention of Bro . J . Irvine , P . M ., who , he stated , was the VV . M . elect of the St . Pancras Lodge , anil would shortly be installed . Bro . H . W . Parker responded . He ' was an old chick of Bro . W . A . Scurrah , who had initiated him some years ago . He was pleased to have been present to witness thc excellent working .

Bro . J . Irvine . P . M . SCo , also replied , thanking the W . M . and the members for the kind way the visitors had been received and for the hospitality extended to them . It had been his privilege to attend their lodge on several occasions , and he had always enjoyed himself . The W . M . had said thev all had beaming faces , fr . om which he concluded that they were all happy and were enjoying the entertainment , but the W . M . had

communicated thc happiness to them . The Hendon Lodge was one he was always glad to visit , and if asked to come again it would be hard to him to have to refuse . 1 'he installation ceremony was perfect , and the W . M . and LP . M . had reason to be proud ol their efforts that night , and in conclusion he gave a cordial invitation to the members to his installation as VV . M . of the St . Pancras Lodge , of which Bro . W . A . Scurrah was thc founder , on the 3 rd October .

Bro . Wm . Spinks also responded in appropriate terms . The W . M ., in very felicitous terms , proposed "The Treasurer and Secretary , " which was responded to by Bro . W . M . Stiles , G . Treasurer , Treas ., and W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., Sec . " Thc Officers " having been honoured , the Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a very happy meeting . During the evening the following brethren contributed some excellent songs : Bros . F . W . Hearn , J . J . Lamigeon , T . E . Spurr , Dodds , and Howell .

Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 . A regular meeting was held on Saturday , the 14 th instant , at the Crown Ilotcli Broxbourne , there being present Bros . R . W . Nicole , W . M . ; C . M . Coxon , P . M-1 P . P . G . D ., acting I . P . M . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., S . W . ; N . Pearce , J . W . j J . Petch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . j J . F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . Steward , Sec ; J . Gravatt , S . D . ; A . Ingrain , J . D . ; F . Page , as I . G . ; | . G . Cobb , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C . ; C . C . Renaud , Steward ; T . VVilliams , Tyler j C . Nicole , II . R . Bower , D . Taylor , J . Stephens , H . Rackham , A . Franklin , and H . F . Facks . Visitors : Bros . M . ' ">¦

Attwood , Org . 134 S ; J . Duncan , P . M . 59 ; I * . Attree , 13 S 5 and 2509 ; and C . . ) Andrews , 1 O 25 . A somewhat formidable programme had to be dealt with . Bros . C . Nicole , Taylur . Facks , Rackham , and Franklin wcre raised to the Degree of M . M ., and the W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Cobb , P . M ., and Bro . Stephens was passed to the Degree of F . C . The names of three candidates fjr initiation were submitted , and the lodge was closed .

A photograph was taken of the brethren in a group in the charming grounds adjoining the lodge rooms , and after an interval spent in admiring the beautiful gardens , which are now a blaze of colour , thc brethren re-assembled to dine . The customary toasts were given , the W . M . stating his intention to curtail the speeches as much as possible on account of the long list of musical items which had been placed in his hands .

Replying to thc toast of his health , thc W . M . referred with justifiable pride to the marked progress which was being made ; not only were they having new members brought into the lodge , but they were of the right sort . In proposing "The Health of the Past Masters , " the W . M . took the opportunity of thanking them for the great assistance they had rendered him since he had occupie " the chair . Bro . CobbP . M . replied in a excellent speech .

, , very , The toast of •' The Visitors , " was , as usual , warmly welcomed , and each of '' replied . During the evening songs were given by Bros . Stephen s , Bower ( by special rcqi" - * ' ; "Tommy Atkins" ) , Nicole , W . M . ; C Nicole , Renaud , Attwood , and Bening lielu ; songs and recitation by Hro . Blinkhorn , and recitations by Bros . Andrews and Coxon / Bro . Attwood very ably accompanied .