Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

this toast in the Mizpah Lodge , which he trusted would always flourish . In proposing the W . M ' s . health , Bro . Nelson Reed said that Bro . Still performed the duties of Master with great ability , not only in the lodge but at the banquet table . He was not at present very well , but the brethren trusted his health would soon be restored , and that the remainder of his year of office might be as

prosperous as the early portions of it had been . Bro . Still responded , and while stating that he had performed his duties to the best of his ability trusted that the day would be very , very far distant when anything like discord should arise in the Mizpah Lodge . The W . M ., in giving "The Health of the Visitors , " advised the brethren to visit other lodges as an excellent means of attaining good working .

They would be able by that means to see if there was any imperfection which they could correct themselves before they had the honour of reaching thc W . M . chair . Bro . Bush , W . M . elect , Tcmp ' e Bar Lodge , replied . After thanking the brethren for their hospitality , he referred to what the W . M . had said concerning the death of Princess Alice . The country had sustained a great loss by that

event , and he thought the name , of Mizpah was well applied to this lodge . In its most generous and liberal meaning it was never more applicable than to the event of that day . In a distant land , ' a Princess , dear to this country , was lying dead ; while at home sat her sorrowful mother in solitude and tears . He was pleased at the touching manner in which the W . M . alluded to the event , and in the

minds of all the brethren the word Mizpah would be inculcated . Bro . Nelson Reed responded to the toast of " The I . P . M . " The little he had done for the lodge during his year of office , he said , was done with as large an amount of ability as he was able to throw into his work and into the welfare of the lodge . In saying this he thought he said everything , and he hoped that each succeeding Master

would have as happy and successful year of office as he had as the first W . M . Bro . H . Massey responded to a toast , specially proposed , for " The Press . " Bro . J . J . Avery responderl to the toast of " The Treasurer . " The W . M . having referred to the Treasurer ' s desire to keep a good balance , he avowed that it was his pride to see the lodge in a good financial position . The lodge had been

generous that evening , but even if it had had a desire to he more generous it could very easily have done so without touching the reserve fund . He thought , however , they had done wisely , as there were three societies which wanted assistance , and it was better to act with caution . What they had voted that evening they had voted from their hearts honestly . A further sum had been invested since

last meeting , and without trenching on that they had voted money at the present meeting . Masons did their work , in this respect , very well . An emergency arose some time ago , but when it arose there was no necessity for calling on the brethren of the whole kingdom ; but if an emergency did arise , when it would be necessary to call on them , he was sure it would be liberally responded to , and

that the brethren of the Mizpah Lodge would not be found backward . Bro . Buss replied to the portion of the toast which referred to " Thc Secretary . " A song had just been sung , advising some soldiers to keep their powder dry , and the advice was very applicable to a lodge . The Treasurer had shown them the necessity for being prepared for emergencies , and the course pursued by the Mizpah Lodge

would , if observed in other lodges , certainly lead to success . It was a great pleasure not to have to put on a brother's summons , subscriptions so much , arrears so much , and in the Mizpah Lodge it did not occur that he had to put it . This was a great saving of labour , and further than that it enabled the Treasurer without any difficulty to make provision for the wants of

thc brethren . In conclusion he was sure that he would always find his office as easy and comfortable as it was at present . The W . M . being obliged to leave at this period of the evening Bro . Nelson Reed took his place , and proposed " The Masonic Charities , " the brightest ornament of Masonic profession . The Masonic Charities were all well supported . This next year the Benevolent

Institution would have Bro . Medcalf S . W ., Steward for its festival as representing the Mizpah Lodge . He ( Bro . Reed ) had had the honour of representing the Schools for the same lodge and he was well supported on that occasion . He hoped that the S . W ., would be equally well supported . Bro . Medcalf , S . W ., replied . Hc was a young member of the Masonic Order , but long before he was a Mason he had

had the duty of chanty inculcated in him . He was impressed with the belief that whether a man was a Mason or a non-Mason he could do nothing which was more pleasing in God's sight than perform acts of charity . A guinea given to his list by a brother who could afford no more would be in the eyes of God as valuable as the five guineas of a brother who could afford as much as that .

The principle was the same when he accepted the office of Steward , he did it with a certain amount of diffidence , but he began to work at it as soon as he accepted it . The lodjre had responded most handsomely to his appeal , and so far as his words could express thanks , he thanked the brethren most heartily . The lodge he was sure would not let him go to the forthcoming festival with an amount

which would disgrace it . He was not going up without a good list . He should endeavour to get a great deal more on his list than he had already ; hc had not finished yet . There were one or two brethren he should try , and he should have them one afternoon , let the trade be good or bad . If any of them did give five guineas he knew they would not get up in the morning and say they had done a wrong thing .

Thc great thing was to pay and he hoped the biethren would come forward and add their names to his list ; so that when the Mizpah Lodge met after the festival he might be able to tell the brethren that it had been first on the list . Bro . Bcrgmann replied for " The Officers , " His first wish was to bean officer of the lodge and he had the firm conviction that there was not an officer of the Mizpah Lodge that had not had thc same ambition , to serve as an

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

efficient officer and go up to the chair with honour . Men were not always to be judged by what they did ; he thought they should be judged by what they wanted to do , by thc good-will they had , and as far as that goodwill was concerned , he must say for himself and all his brother officers they had the desire and earnest wish to fulfil their respective offices with credit . The Tyler ' s toast having

been given , the brethren separated . The evening was one of the most enjoyable in our experience . Everything was done that coulel make the brethren happy , and the music was of a character that drew praise from the whole company . Bro . Bergmann was untiring in acting as accompanyist on the pianoforte , whereon he showed his

marvellous skill as a pianist . He also treated the brethren to some vocal music , and Bros . Medcalf , R . A . Morgan , Warden , Norman , Meter , Avery , Bromwich , Slack , Brown , Olley , Barlow , and Nelson Reed formed a corps , whose vocal powers the brethren had an opportunity of testing , were perfect .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No 41 ) . —A regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , Dec . jth , at 7 . 30 . There were present Bros . F . Wilkinson , W . M . ; Brown , P . P . G . S . W ., I . P . M . ; Ashley , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Wilton , P . M . and Dir . of Cer . ; Captain Peel Floyd , P . M ., as S . W . ; Braham , J . W . ; Hunt , Sec ; Ames , as S . D . ; Railway , J . D . ; W . Baldwin , Organist ;

Robinson , I . G . ; Holmes and Mercer , Stewards ; Bigwood , Tyler ; John Turner , Clark , Mou'rie , P . M . ' s . of 41 ; Dr , Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . for Warwick , and P . M . 43 and 93 8 ; F . Baldwin , P . M . 335 ; and many members . Among the visitors were Bros . Inncs , of the Dalhousie Lodge , G 39 and Dill , P . P . G . P ., and P . M . 906 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and

confirmed , a ballot was taken for Bro . J . Robinson , as a joining member , which was unanimously favourable . A grant of £ 2 was made to a distressed brother , whose antecedents had undergone thc strictest scrutiny . A letter was read from Bro . Major Preston , P . M ., Governor of the Birmingham Prison , withdrawing his notice of resignation , which was received with great satisfaction , as he had won

universal respect and esteem eluring his residence 111 Bath in a similar capacity . Mr . Edward Willis , who had been previously balloted for , was introduced , properly prepared , and initiated by the W . M . The working tools were explained by Bro . Mercer , and the charge was given by Bro , Dr . Hopkins . Bros . W . E . and H . B . Smith were then examined as to their proficiency in the First Degiee , and

having answered very satisfactorily , were entrusted and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the candidates on their re-admission , were pissed to thc rank of F . C . by the W . M . Bro . Braham described the symbolism of the working tools , and , as before , Bro . Dr . Hopkins gave the charge . The lodge was brought down to the First Degree , and no other business offering , was finally closed at 9 . 30 .

MIDDLETON . —Imperial George Lodge ( No . 78 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at Asshcton Arms Hotel , on- Thursday , Nov . 28 th . The W . M . Bro . W . Percival presided , and wasassisted by Bros . F . Fnthergill , S . W . ; J . Hatton , J . W . ; H . Hey wood , P . M ., Treas . ; P . Lawton , J . D . ; J . F . ckersley , I . G . ; and Jno . Kent , Tyler . Among the visitors were Bros . Wm .

Richardson , Chaplain 1532 ; J . Southwick , 1034 ; C . Bowker , 467 ; and D . Withington , 82 , Fall City , New Jersey , U . S . The lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Secretary ( Bro . Samuel Hewitt ) and received confirmation . Bro . T . D . Yates having , to the satisfaction of the brethren , answered the questions leading from the First to the Second Degree was

entrusted and passed out . Thc lodge having been opened in the Second Degree , Bro . Yates was passed to the degree of F . C . by the W . M . the working tools being presented by Bro . F . Fothergill , S . W , ; Bro . W . J . Iliffe having satisfactorily answered the questions leading from the Second to the Third Degree was entrusted with the test of merit , and passed out . The lodge having been opened in thc Third

Degree , Bro . Iliffe was raised to the Sublime Degree of a M . M . Toy Bro . H . Hey wood , P . M ., the working tools being presented by the S . W . Bro . Fothergi )] . The ceremony throughout was very impressive . The lodge having been lowered to the First Degree the brethren next proceeded to the election of W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . F Fothergill , S . W . received the unanimous vote of the lodge .

The unanimity of the lodge was further exhibited in the election of Bro . H . Heywood , P . M ., as Treasurer ; Bro . Jno . Kent as Tyler , and Bras . Samuel Lawton and John Reed , as Auditors . The W . M . appointed Bro . O . A . Jowett , as his Auditor . On the motion of Bro . J . Garlick , P . M ., it was unanimously agreed : " That the officers of the lodge form a Committ-e to make the necessary arrangements for the St . John's Festival . " A candidate was proposed for

initiation and another as a joining member . " Hearty Good Wishes " were accorded from P . G . L . of East Lancashire , from lodges 62 , 4 6 7 , 1034 , 1532 , and 82 , Fall City , New Jersey , U . S . Charity was next attended to , and the lodge having been closed , the brethren retired from labour to refreshment . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were given and the brethren adjourned at 10 p . m ., having passed a most enjoyable evening .

SOUTHAMPTON . — Royal Gloucester Lodge ( No . 130 ) . —In addition to the constitution and i # « secration of a new lodge in Southampton , noticed elsewhere , making six lodges in that town and its immediate neighbourhood , the Worshipful Master , for the ensuing

year of the mother lodge , the Royal Gloucester , J 30 , has been elected during the past week , the Senior Warden , Bro . C . W . A . Jellicoe , who is the Treasurer of the borough , being called to that position . The retiring Master , Bro . C . John Phillips , presented to the lodge a sketch of its history , compiled from the minute books ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

assisted by some memoranda left by the late Bro . J . R , Stebbing , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and one of the Past Masters , as the result of his investigations for such a history on the occasion of the centenary of the lodge in 1872 , there being included in the sketchan autograph letter from the Marquis of Ripon—who , with thc members of Grand Lodge , attended at Southampton at the

celebration—csnscnting to the dedication of this history to him ; but Bro . Stebbing died before its completion . Bro . Phillips also presented to the lodge a pair of Wyld's pedestal globes , celestial and terrestrial , for the pillars on each side the chair of the lodge . In the course of the proceedings , which included a passing and the initiation of a French Protestant clergyman , now holding a cure in Southampton , it was stated that during the past year , with one exception , and

in that instance the figures were equal , more Masons had been initiated in this the senior lodge of the town than during any previous twelvemonths since 18 5 6 , in which year there was an abnormal increase in thc numbers . Bro . R . Sharpe , the I . P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer . On . Monday , at the meeting of the Peace and Harmony Lodge in the same town Bro . Thos . Lashmore was elected W . M . for the ensuing year .

MANCHESTER . —Caledonian Lodge ( No . 204 ) . —The annual festival of St . John was celebrated by the members of this old and popular lodge on Wednesday , the nth inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall . There was a large gathering of members and visitors . Amongst the latter were Bros . J . L . Hine . P . P . G . S . W . of East Lancashire ; the Rev . S . Y . B . Bradshaw , P . P . G . Chap . ; Dr . P .

Royle , P . P . G . S . D . ; John Salmon , P . G . D . of C . ; Thos . Southern , W . M . 935 ; D . Donbavand , W . M . 317 ; and others . The W . M ., Bro . R . Eldcrshaw , opened ' the lodge at 4 p . m ., and after the minutes of the previous meeting had been read aad confirmed , the lodge was opened in thc Second Degree . Bro . Geo . F . East , P . P . G . D , of C , then occupied the W . M ' s . chair , and in a very impressive

manner installed the W . M . elect , Bro . John Robedrs , in the chair of K . S ., according to the ancient customs and usages of thc Order . Bro . East initiated the following officers , viz : Bros . G . T . Mullock , S . W . ; W . Bagnall , | . W . ; the Rev . P . Harris , P . M ., Chap . ; John C . Hind , P . M ., Treas . ; R . L . Spencer , Sec . ; Thos . Guest , S . D . ; John Sutcliffe , J . D . ; Thos . Faiilie , D . C . ; H . T . Roberts , P . M ., Org . ;

C . Duckworth , I . G . ; Murray , Sawer , Hurry , and Lawton , Stewards ; and J . Sly , Tyler . At thc conclusion of the ceremony the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where social enjoyment reigned for the remainder of the evening . The newly-installed W . M . presided , and was well supported by an important array of Patt Masters and other distinguished brethren . This

lodge happily possesses amongst its members an excellent glee party , viz ., Bros . Lever , M . Thomas , C . Stanley , H . T . Robberds , and T . Siiorrocks , who considerably enhanced the pleasures of the day by their rendering of glees and songs , and Bro . D . Donbavand won , worthily , the applause of all present by reciting Eliza Cook ' s poem " Heart ' s Charity" in a very feeling and pathetic manner . Bro . Hine , who seems at all times to keep in view the

welfare of the aged and infirm , instituted an impromptu " whip " for the purpose of providing the inmates of the Croydon Institution with some little luxury on Christmas Day , and from the hearty response givoa to this thoughtful movement our old friends will have sufficient evidence to prove to them that at this festive season the members of 204 , while themselves enjoying the blessings of this life , do not forget their brethren in adversity .

JERSEY . —Prince of Wales Lodge ( No . 1003 ) . —The installation , as well as the anniversary festival , of this flourishing lodge was held on Wednesday , thc 13 th inst ., attended by a large number of brethren , amongst whom several of the Provincial Grand Officers were present . The ceremony of installation was performed by W . Bro . J . G . Pallot , Past Master , in a very creditable

manner . The newly-elected Master , W . Bro . John Huclin , was inducted in thc chair according to ancient custom ; and all were unanimous in giving him the cordial greeting which his new position entitled him to ; indeed , a mere zealous Mason cannot be found , for he proves bis love for the Order by word and deed , so much so , that three of his sons are members of the lodge of which he is now the Worshipful Master . After the investiture of the officers .

the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to thc banqueting-hall , where thc annual dinner was provided by Bro . Geo . Rcgers , in a manner which gave entire satisfaction . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and responded to , as well as several good songs . At ha'fpast ten the Tyler gave the toast of " All Distressed Masons , " and the brethren dispersed to their respective homes , fully satisfied with the fourteenth anniversary of thc Prince of Wales Lodge .

DERBY . —Hartington Lodge ( No . 1085 ) . — The December meeting of this lodge was held on the 4 th inst ., at the Derbyshire Masonic Hall . There were present : —Bros . G . Pipes , W . M ., and Prov . Grand Organist ; W . Heathcotc , I . P . M ., and P . P . D . of C . ; J . 0 . Manton , Hon . Sec , as S . W . ; W . B . Hextall , J . W . ; M . H . Bobart , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., Treas . ; W . Buttcrfield , as S . D . ; J .

Russell , J . D . ; C . D . Hart , as I . G . ; F . Iliffe , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; W . Naylor , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W ., and present Prov . G . Sec ; S . Pipes , W . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., and a large number of other members , also numerous visitors , among whom were Bros . T . Cox , P . M . 253 and 802 , P . P . S . G . W ., and Present Prov . G . Treas . ; W . Boden , W . M . 3 ^ 3 ; J . Brown ,

I . P . M . 731 , Prov . J . G . D ., and B . Cooper , P . M . 787 . Mr . Chas . Osborne received the benefit of initiation . Bro . Belfield was advanced to the Third Degree . The W . M . reported that the R . W . Prov . Grand Master had been pleased t o invest him as the P . G . O . for the ensuing year , and . hat the annual return of the lodge presented at the P . G .