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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
H p-ave universal satisfaction on account of their chaste a " 1 , nnnshin and finish . Amongst the visitors present Rms | . Tunnah , P . G . Sec ; S . Isherwood , P . P . r Treas ' : W . Slater , P . P . S . G . D . ; Maden , P . P . G . S . B . ; I Wild , W . M . H 6 ; A- Crabtree , P . M . 146 ; Pilling , W M * 5 S ° > J * VarIe " *' ' W . M . elect 350 ; N . Horrocks ,
r >* yf on ; Milne , P . M . 1012 ; T . Cort , 146 , Pleyvs , PM . " ri 6 i ; T . Newton , P . M . 37 , and others . The ven ' ing yvas enlivened by several good songs . The brethren separated at an early hour , full of zeal for the coming year . This was one of the most successful meetings that has taken place in this lodge for many
ye DEAL . —Wellington Lodge ( No . 748 ) . —This lodge met on the 13 th inst ., at the Assembly Rooms , Parkstreet Deal , for the installation of W . M . for the ensuing year . The brother elected to that distinguished position was Bro . H . S . Goodall , J . W . ; and to witness his installation a very large number of brethren assembled ,
comprising members of the lodge and visitors , among the company being a great many past and present Provincial Grand Officers . Bro . 'J . E . Apps , W . M ., presided , having Bro . A . F . S . Bird , P . M ., as S . W . pro tem ., and Bro . William Harding , P . M ., as J . W . pro tem . Before the ceremony of installation yvas commenced , the W . M ., addressing the brethren , said that Bro . A . E . Ralph , P . M ., and P . P . G . J . D .
Kent , had kindly consented to have his name inserted m the summons as Installing Master , as his ( the W . M . 's ) presence yvas very uncertain . He ( the W . M . ) had , however , been able to be present , and so yvould have the pleasure of installing his successor himself . He yvas , nevertheless , exceedingly obliged to Bro . Ralph for the readiness with yvhich he had agreed to take the duties of
Installing Master on himself , and if he had been called upon to perform them the brethren certainly would have had a treat yvhich they must not expect from him ( the W . M . ) . But he yvas anxious to instal the W . M ., and he yvould therefore do so . Nevertheless , the brethren yvould have the pleasure of hearing Bro . Ralph deliver the charges . Bro . Ralph then presented Bro . Henry Stephen Goodall ,
J . W . and W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge , and performed his duties with great ability . The Board of Installed Masters was composed of 16 brethren . After the installation Bro . Goodall , having been duly saluted , appointed as his officers the following brethren * . —Bros . Hayman , S . W ; George Moon , J . W . ; the Rev . C . E . Shirley Woolmer , M . A ., Rector of St . Andrews ' s , Deal ,
Chaplain ; J . E . Apps , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . M . Cavell , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Kent , Secretary ; F . Fitch , S . D . ; Tyson Stubbs , J . D . ; John Green , I . G . ; Thomas Paul , D . C . ; S . Olds and E . L . Bridge , Stewards , and J . W . A . Norris , Tyler . Bro . Ralph delivered the addresses , after yvhich , on the motion of Bro . Apps , seconded by Bro . Cavell , the brethren elected the W . M . to serve on the Charity Committee
of the province for the year . A long list of letters of apology for absence was read by the Secretary from brethren , among them being the Prov . G . M ., Lord Holmesdale , Bro . Knatchbull-Hugessen , M . P . ; Grand Secretary ( Bro . Hervey ) , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Eastes , and Bro . Frank Toole . The W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Installing Masters for the admirable
manner in which the ceremonies had been carried out . Bro . Browning seconded it , and it yvas carried unanimously . Bros . Apps and Ralph both acknowledged the compliment , after yvhich thc lodge was closed . A choice banquet yvas then partaken of , and the customary toasts folloyy-ed In giving the toast of " The Queen and thc Craft " the W . M . expressed thc hope that the Queen and the Craft
might long be united . The next toast yvas "The Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , " and the W . M . said that none of the brethren yvho were present at the installation of H . R . H . could fail to believe that he took the greatest interest in Freemasonry . He trusted his Royal Highness would speedily and safely return from India , and long adorn the Craft by his presence . The W . M . trusted that
the Eail of Carnarvon yvould long be yvith the Freemasons of England , yvhen proposing "The Health of thc Pro Grand Master . " After giving "The Health of Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., " the W . M . gave " The Health ol Lord Holmesdale , Prov . G . M . of Kent , " and regretted that his loidship was not then present ; but said his absence yvas caused by entirely unavoidable circumstances .
Bro . Ralph responded to the toast of " 1 he Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Eastes , " who yvas absent on account of the serious illness of a near relation . He was sure every one regretted Bro . Eastes' absence , more especially on account of its cause . It yvas a matter of pleasure to any lodge to entertain distinguished visitors . The Grand Officers of the Province were always well received , and the lodges of the
province felt very . much honoured by their presence . When prominent members of a province visited a lodge the brethren were always very pleased to see them ; but as regarded this lodge it had not yet had many opportunities of entertaining distinguished brethren of the province . Tlie members had , however , hoped on that day to have the presence of Provincial Grand Officers , and to have a
sort of gala day . But unavoidable circumstances intervened and the Prov . G . M . and other notabilities in the Order were prevented from coming . In their absence he , as a Past Prov . G . Lodge Officer , thanked the lodge for the honour they had done them . Bro . Emerson , l ' . P . G . S . W ., proposed " The Health of the W . M . " He had been associated yvith the W . M . in Masonry from almost the very moment of bis initiation
and subsequently to his becoming a Master Mason he ( Bro . Emerson ) had had the happiness to assist in the ceremony of the W . M . ' s exaltation in the R . A . Degree in the chapter belonging to the Wellington Lodge . From the experience he had had of the W . M . ' s antecedents he might say he did not know of any brother who was more peculiarl y adapted to fill the position which he now occupied . That day he had been impressed with the charge which had been delivered to him by the Installing Master ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
and he yvas sensible of the responsibility of those duties which devolved upon him in the position which he filled ; but of this he ( Bro . Emerson ) yvas yvell assured , that the W . M . ' s best talents and energies yvould be exerted in maintaining- the honour , reputation and usefulness of the lodge , and that on all occasions he yvould endeavour to promote the feeling that in acquiring a knowledge of Masonry ,
Masons should ever be guided by humility and faith Masons should always remember the yv . irds ofthe poet : All nature is but art unknoyvn to thee , All chance direction yvhich thou canst not see , All discord harmony not understood , All partial evil universal good ; And spite of pride in erring reason ' s spite ,
One thing is clear , whatever is , is right . The W . M . yvould impress upon the brethren the Masonic virtues of benevolence and charity , and not only by precept but by example teach those moral of social virtues yvhich must tend not only to the individual happiness of the brethren , but thc welfare of their fellow men . He hoped that the W . M . yvould have a prosperous year , and that at its
expiration he might have the satisfaction of feeling that in exerting his best talents and abilities to promote the interests of the Order he had secured the fraternal regard , esteem and respect not only of the members of his oyvn lodge but of the Craft in general . ( Cheers . ) The W . M ., in reply , said he could not find yvords to express his heartfelt thanks for the kindness of the brethren iu drinking the health
which had been so yvarmly proposed by Bro . Emerson . He folt deeply honoured by the confidence the brethren had reposed in him , and by the presence of so many distinguished brethren . He yvas ' quite at a loss for yvords to thank them sufficiently for all their kindness . In giving " The Health of the Installing Masters , " the W . M . said he yvas sure that none of the brethren who yvere
present at the installation yvould have failed to admit that Bros . Apps and Ralph had gone through the ceremony yvith satisfaction to every t-ne in the lodge . ( Applause . ) Bros . Apps and Ralph replied , the former stating that although yvhat he had tlo . ie had met with the approval of the brethren , it yvould have h-cn much more pleasing to himself if he had done it better . It yvas , however , his first
attempt , although he had been Master of the lodge twice , and yvas the oldest P . M . As W . M . it yvas his duty to instal his successor , ayyd he resolved to do it . If he had hesitated at all it yvas the tongue that failed , and not the heart , yvhich yvas still the same . Bro . Ralph said that his share of the ceremony yvas very slight , and it was quite unnecessary to thank him for it . The brethren had thanked him in the
lodge-room , and he had already responded there . It yvas at all times a pleasure and satisfaction to him to advance the interests of Freemasonry liy every means in his power , and if he had contributed to this end by taking part in the installation he yvas very much gratified . The Chaplain of the lodge , the Rev . C . K . Shirley Woolmer , then rose to propose tlie toast of " The Masonic Charities . " In doin "
so he said the brethren yveic all met together that evening as speculative Masons , and therefore it yvould hardl / become him to go back into the old charities of the operative Masons . If he did he yvould have tr . take the brethren into the very old times of antiquity ; but still they sayv the remains of the old operative charities in all the ancient cathedrals and fanes yvith which our land of England was
especially adorned above nil other lands on the face of the earth . The speculative Masons came into existence 150 years ago upon the foundation of the old operative Masons upon that one word of " charity . " Charity must first of all exist between themselves before that bright light could could send its radiance forth to illuminate more distant parts . It must be first of all that love between brethren ,
concord and harmony among men , yvhich yvould enable them to work togtther in order that they might perform works yvorthy ot llieir great Creator , and of themselves as being formed in His image . Masonry therefore was originated in ordtr to bind together men who by religionwhich ought to bind us all together—in politics—which ought to bind us all together as having but one
politywere nevertheless brougnt into discord . Speculative Alasonry was introduced for that purpose . It was that science of love and harmony by which men of different views in religion and politics might be b : > uud together , and meet together ; might perceive in themselves and amongst themselves the real germs ofa principle—love to God and love to their neighbours . He hoped and trusted that this
speculative Masonry , after having existed noyv in the world 150 years , had fulfilled the duties performed by its ancestors , the old operative Masons . These had monastic bodies Let the brethren remember that Freemasonry was but monasticism—the old monastic bodies revived , whether they were Dominican , Cistersian , Franciscan , or other , all of whom differed vitally from each other on certain points of
religion and temporal politics ; but , nevertheless , they all united when they met as a monastic body ; they were all bound together for one simple purpose of helping , aiding , and supporting the yveak and those who required help , and in carrying love throughout the yvorld . Freemasonry was doing this now . He yvas happy to say that in Deal , and also in other parts of England where he had been , in
Lancashire , Devonshire , or elsewhere , there never had been a great building creeled , either for the assistance of the aged , orforeducating and sustaining children—cither for orphanages or almshouses—but the Masons cf the district had always been the first to come forward and lay the ancient monastic gavel upon the stone . And then , yvith regard tothemselves and their individual love and friendship , he thought
yve lived in a very good world of political and religious turmoil in this 19 th century , and he would ask them to put it to themselves whether they were not then sitting round the table some extreme radicals , some extreme high tones , some dissenters and some high church , but still they all felt they yvere children of one Father , and members of one family . If this was not one of the things that Masonry was and did , he did not know what Masonry was . Noyv
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
to speak of the Masonic Charities of the present day . He expected that if we yvere to be able like the old gentleman in Le Sage ' s old Spanish book , "The Devil on Two Sticks , " to take off the roofs of houses and look inside , yve shou Id see a great many hearts made joyous by the efforts of Masons . ( Hear hear . ) He should say there were a good many people in some little corners of England , many
an old man or old woman , yvould say their declining years were made comfortable and pleasant through the agency of Masonry . He could point out a great many parishes yvhere that had taken place , not only in almshouses , but through the individual charity of lodges yvhich had been poured out , yvhere men and yvomen had been made happy . And it was this object yvhich actuated the
Duke of Cumberland starting a school 100 years ago for keeping children of whatever politics their parents might be , but simply because they were the children of Masons , and feeding , clothing , and educating them , whether they yvere of the highest or the lowest grades in the land . Freemasons are now maintaining , clothing , and educating nearly 400 children of , both . sexes . This could only be
done , not simply through lodges , but also by the individual efforts of the brethren , by each Mason taking an interest in it . When people met on some great occasion , like ' the building of a church or a cathedral , there was a grand procession , plenty of noise , something to be seen , and every one wished to take part in it . When it came , hoyvever , to the simple piece of Masonic yvork in the
charities there was not much fuss . But though there was . less ostentation , there yvas a great deal of yvork done by small me : ins . As as old milk yvoman once said yvhen she was asked to subscribe to a charity , " I cannot afford to do what all you gentlemen do , put doyvn a guinea a year ; but I am able to give , and shall be very glad to give my shilling a yveek down . " ( Laughter . ) He did not say
much for her arithmetic , but he would say a great deal for her heart . A pplying the old milk yvoman ' s principle to Freemasonry , suppose the Mason gave sixpence a yveek , yvhat a lot that would be in the course of the year . If they could not give sixpence let then give a threepenny bit a week . Remember that charity one toyvards another , true love and charity which was yvorthy of being preserved
to the great day of doom , the taking care of the aged , and educating the young , yvas carrying out the principle of Masonry , and yvas what they called Masonic charity . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Bird responded . The Masons of the neighbourhood were doing what had been suggested by the Chaplains . During the last year they had instituted charitable quartets ; four brethren yvould join , each
subscribing sixpence a week , yvhich yvas placed in the hands of one of the four as trustee for the yvhole four . At the close of the year they had £ 3 4 s ., and they then ballotted for a life governorship of one of thc Masonic Charities , and the fortunate winner added one shilling to make the same five guineas . They had had two of these quartets , and he thought it yvas only on account of the system not
being known that they had not had more . This lodge contained 3 6 members , and he hoped they would make up a number of these quartets , as he thought it yvould be a valuable aid to the Masonic charities . He yvould mention another subject . Once a year they sent round the charity box , and he proposed that this should be now done . He yvas
happy to say that this year the lodge yvould be represented by a Steyvard at one of the Masonic festivals for the first time , and he entreated the brethren not to let him go empty handed . The W . M . resided in London , and there yvas this advantage in that fact , that he yvas able to attend Grand Lodge and the different meetings of the Lodge of Benevolence . Bro . Goodall , while he had been J . VV .,
had constantly attended Grand Lodge , and had given , as he always yvould give , every attention to lhe interests of this lodge . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Woodrooffe replied to the toast of " The W . M . ' s of the Neighbouring Lodges . " The Chaplain responded to the toast drunk specially in his honour . Bro . H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) acknowledged the toast of "The Masonic Press , " which , he said , not
only endeavoured to advance the interests of the Order generally , but was particularly devoted to promoting the good uf the Masonic charities . The " Freemason , " which he had represented almost from its birth , had always kept this end in vieyv ; and without wishing to flatter it , or claim for it a title which it did not possess , it yvould be absolutely wilful blindness if he shut his eyes to the fact
that through thc instrumentality of that paper there had been a very large accession to the funds of the three institutions . Bro . Emerson ( No . 1426 ) , and Bro . Soutter ( No . 65 ) replied to the toast . of " The Visitors . " all expressing their great pleasure in visiting the lodge , and Bro . M'Niven informing the brethren of the great service the Order had been to him in the course , of his travels . When he
had placed himself under the guidance of Masonry he had never been deceived . The S . W . responded to thc toast of " The Officers , " and assured the lodge that he and his brother officers yvould exert themselves to support the W . M . during his year of office . The brethren separated at a late hour , after having experienced a great Masonic success . Excellent singing and recitations yvere furnished
by Bros . Doore , Bird , Harrison , Stubbs , Apps , Emerson , and McNiven . The list of visitors comprised the names of Btcs . W M . Cavell , P . P . G . S . D . Kent ; A . E . Ralph , P . P . G . J . D . ; L . Hill , 1206 , Prov . G . Sup . Wks . ; K . J . Emerson , P . P . G . J . W . ; Usher , Prov . G . Steyvard ; Harrison , P . M . 109 C ; Ayling , S . W . 1096 ; Rolfe , nor ; McNiven , 1426 ; Soutter , 65 ; R . L . Harrison ,
120 O ; Smeeth , 1208 ; Gorton , 199 , and H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) . NEWBURY . —Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope ( No . 754 ) . —Thc members of this lodge held a successful gathering on Friday , the 7 th inst ., in connection with the installation of Bro . W . H . Herbert , Senior Warden , as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . A portion of the Town Hall having been partitioned off , the lodge yvas
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
H p-ave universal satisfaction on account of their chaste a " 1 , nnnshin and finish . Amongst the visitors present Rms | . Tunnah , P . G . Sec ; S . Isherwood , P . P . r Treas ' : W . Slater , P . P . S . G . D . ; Maden , P . P . G . S . B . ; I Wild , W . M . H 6 ; A- Crabtree , P . M . 146 ; Pilling , W M * 5 S ° > J * VarIe " *' ' W . M . elect 350 ; N . Horrocks ,
r >* yf on ; Milne , P . M . 1012 ; T . Cort , 146 , Pleyvs , PM . " ri 6 i ; T . Newton , P . M . 37 , and others . The ven ' ing yvas enlivened by several good songs . The brethren separated at an early hour , full of zeal for the coming year . This was one of the most successful meetings that has taken place in this lodge for many
ye DEAL . —Wellington Lodge ( No . 748 ) . —This lodge met on the 13 th inst ., at the Assembly Rooms , Parkstreet Deal , for the installation of W . M . for the ensuing year . The brother elected to that distinguished position was Bro . H . S . Goodall , J . W . ; and to witness his installation a very large number of brethren assembled ,
comprising members of the lodge and visitors , among the company being a great many past and present Provincial Grand Officers . Bro . 'J . E . Apps , W . M ., presided , having Bro . A . F . S . Bird , P . M ., as S . W . pro tem ., and Bro . William Harding , P . M ., as J . W . pro tem . Before the ceremony of installation yvas commenced , the W . M ., addressing the brethren , said that Bro . A . E . Ralph , P . M ., and P . P . G . J . D .
Kent , had kindly consented to have his name inserted m the summons as Installing Master , as his ( the W . M . 's ) presence yvas very uncertain . He ( the W . M . ) had , however , been able to be present , and so yvould have the pleasure of installing his successor himself . He yvas , nevertheless , exceedingly obliged to Bro . Ralph for the readiness with yvhich he had agreed to take the duties of
Installing Master on himself , and if he had been called upon to perform them the brethren certainly would have had a treat yvhich they must not expect from him ( the W . M . ) . But he yvas anxious to instal the W . M ., and he yvould therefore do so . Nevertheless , the brethren yvould have the pleasure of hearing Bro . Ralph deliver the charges . Bro . Ralph then presented Bro . Henry Stephen Goodall ,
J . W . and W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge , and performed his duties with great ability . The Board of Installed Masters was composed of 16 brethren . After the installation Bro . Goodall , having been duly saluted , appointed as his officers the following brethren * . —Bros . Hayman , S . W ; George Moon , J . W . ; the Rev . C . E . Shirley Woolmer , M . A ., Rector of St . Andrews ' s , Deal ,
Chaplain ; J . E . Apps , P . M ., Treasurer ; W . M . Cavell , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Kent , Secretary ; F . Fitch , S . D . ; Tyson Stubbs , J . D . ; John Green , I . G . ; Thomas Paul , D . C . ; S . Olds and E . L . Bridge , Stewards , and J . W . A . Norris , Tyler . Bro . Ralph delivered the addresses , after yvhich , on the motion of Bro . Apps , seconded by Bro . Cavell , the brethren elected the W . M . to serve on the Charity Committee
of the province for the year . A long list of letters of apology for absence was read by the Secretary from brethren , among them being the Prov . G . M ., Lord Holmesdale , Bro . Knatchbull-Hugessen , M . P . ; Grand Secretary ( Bro . Hervey ) , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Eastes , and Bro . Frank Toole . The W . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Installing Masters for the admirable
manner in which the ceremonies had been carried out . Bro . Browning seconded it , and it yvas carried unanimously . Bros . Apps and Ralph both acknowledged the compliment , after yvhich thc lodge was closed . A choice banquet yvas then partaken of , and the customary toasts folloyy-ed In giving the toast of " The Queen and thc Craft " the W . M . expressed thc hope that the Queen and the Craft
might long be united . The next toast yvas "The Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , " and the W . M . said that none of the brethren yvho were present at the installation of H . R . H . could fail to believe that he took the greatest interest in Freemasonry . He trusted his Royal Highness would speedily and safely return from India , and long adorn the Craft by his presence . The W . M . trusted that
the Eail of Carnarvon yvould long be yvith the Freemasons of England , yvhen proposing "The Health of thc Pro Grand Master . " After giving "The Health of Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M ., " the W . M . gave " The Health ol Lord Holmesdale , Prov . G . M . of Kent , " and regretted that his loidship was not then present ; but said his absence yvas caused by entirely unavoidable circumstances .
Bro . Ralph responded to the toast of " 1 he Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Eastes , " who yvas absent on account of the serious illness of a near relation . He was sure every one regretted Bro . Eastes' absence , more especially on account of its cause . It yvas a matter of pleasure to any lodge to entertain distinguished visitors . The Grand Officers of the Province were always well received , and the lodges of the
province felt very . much honoured by their presence . When prominent members of a province visited a lodge the brethren were always very pleased to see them ; but as regarded this lodge it had not yet had many opportunities of entertaining distinguished brethren of the province . Tlie members had , however , hoped on that day to have the presence of Provincial Grand Officers , and to have a
sort of gala day . But unavoidable circumstances intervened and the Prov . G . M . and other notabilities in the Order were prevented from coming . In their absence he , as a Past Prov . G . Lodge Officer , thanked the lodge for the honour they had done them . Bro . Emerson , l ' . P . G . S . W ., proposed " The Health of the W . M . " He had been associated yvith the W . M . in Masonry from almost the very moment of bis initiation
and subsequently to his becoming a Master Mason he ( Bro . Emerson ) had had the happiness to assist in the ceremony of the W . M . ' s exaltation in the R . A . Degree in the chapter belonging to the Wellington Lodge . From the experience he had had of the W . M . ' s antecedents he might say he did not know of any brother who was more peculiarl y adapted to fill the position which he now occupied . That day he had been impressed with the charge which had been delivered to him by the Installing Master ,
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
and he yvas sensible of the responsibility of those duties which devolved upon him in the position which he filled ; but of this he ( Bro . Emerson ) yvas yvell assured , that the W . M . ' s best talents and energies yvould be exerted in maintaining- the honour , reputation and usefulness of the lodge , and that on all occasions he yvould endeavour to promote the feeling that in acquiring a knowledge of Masonry ,
Masons should ever be guided by humility and faith Masons should always remember the yv . irds ofthe poet : All nature is but art unknoyvn to thee , All chance direction yvhich thou canst not see , All discord harmony not understood , All partial evil universal good ; And spite of pride in erring reason ' s spite ,
One thing is clear , whatever is , is right . The W . M . yvould impress upon the brethren the Masonic virtues of benevolence and charity , and not only by precept but by example teach those moral of social virtues yvhich must tend not only to the individual happiness of the brethren , but thc welfare of their fellow men . He hoped that the W . M . yvould have a prosperous year , and that at its
expiration he might have the satisfaction of feeling that in exerting his best talents and abilities to promote the interests of the Order he had secured the fraternal regard , esteem and respect not only of the members of his oyvn lodge but of the Craft in general . ( Cheers . ) The W . M ., in reply , said he could not find yvords to express his heartfelt thanks for the kindness of the brethren iu drinking the health
which had been so yvarmly proposed by Bro . Emerson . He folt deeply honoured by the confidence the brethren had reposed in him , and by the presence of so many distinguished brethren . He yvas ' quite at a loss for yvords to thank them sufficiently for all their kindness . In giving " The Health of the Installing Masters , " the W . M . said he yvas sure that none of the brethren who yvere
present at the installation yvould have failed to admit that Bros . Apps and Ralph had gone through the ceremony yvith satisfaction to every t-ne in the lodge . ( Applause . ) Bros . Apps and Ralph replied , the former stating that although yvhat he had tlo . ie had met with the approval of the brethren , it yvould have h-cn much more pleasing to himself if he had done it better . It yvas , however , his first
attempt , although he had been Master of the lodge twice , and yvas the oldest P . M . As W . M . it yvas his duty to instal his successor , ayyd he resolved to do it . If he had hesitated at all it yvas the tongue that failed , and not the heart , yvhich yvas still the same . Bro . Ralph said that his share of the ceremony yvas very slight , and it was quite unnecessary to thank him for it . The brethren had thanked him in the
lodge-room , and he had already responded there . It yvas at all times a pleasure and satisfaction to him to advance the interests of Freemasonry liy every means in his power , and if he had contributed to this end by taking part in the installation he yvas very much gratified . The Chaplain of the lodge , the Rev . C . K . Shirley Woolmer , then rose to propose tlie toast of " The Masonic Charities . " In doin "
so he said the brethren yveic all met together that evening as speculative Masons , and therefore it yvould hardl / become him to go back into the old charities of the operative Masons . If he did he yvould have tr . take the brethren into the very old times of antiquity ; but still they sayv the remains of the old operative charities in all the ancient cathedrals and fanes yvith which our land of England was
especially adorned above nil other lands on the face of the earth . The speculative Masons came into existence 150 years ago upon the foundation of the old operative Masons upon that one word of " charity . " Charity must first of all exist between themselves before that bright light could could send its radiance forth to illuminate more distant parts . It must be first of all that love between brethren ,
concord and harmony among men , yvhich yvould enable them to work togtther in order that they might perform works yvorthy ot llieir great Creator , and of themselves as being formed in His image . Masonry therefore was originated in ordtr to bind together men who by religionwhich ought to bind us all together—in politics—which ought to bind us all together as having but one
politywere nevertheless brougnt into discord . Speculative Alasonry was introduced for that purpose . It was that science of love and harmony by which men of different views in religion and politics might be b : > uud together , and meet together ; might perceive in themselves and amongst themselves the real germs ofa principle—love to God and love to their neighbours . He hoped and trusted that this
speculative Masonry , after having existed noyv in the world 150 years , had fulfilled the duties performed by its ancestors , the old operative Masons . These had monastic bodies Let the brethren remember that Freemasonry was but monasticism—the old monastic bodies revived , whether they were Dominican , Cistersian , Franciscan , or other , all of whom differed vitally from each other on certain points of
religion and temporal politics ; but , nevertheless , they all united when they met as a monastic body ; they were all bound together for one simple purpose of helping , aiding , and supporting the yveak and those who required help , and in carrying love throughout the yvorld . Freemasonry was doing this now . He yvas happy to say that in Deal , and also in other parts of England where he had been , in
Lancashire , Devonshire , or elsewhere , there never had been a great building creeled , either for the assistance of the aged , orforeducating and sustaining children—cither for orphanages or almshouses—but the Masons cf the district had always been the first to come forward and lay the ancient monastic gavel upon the stone . And then , yvith regard tothemselves and their individual love and friendship , he thought
yve lived in a very good world of political and religious turmoil in this 19 th century , and he would ask them to put it to themselves whether they were not then sitting round the table some extreme radicals , some extreme high tones , some dissenters and some high church , but still they all felt they yvere children of one Father , and members of one family . If this was not one of the things that Masonry was and did , he did not know what Masonry was . Noyv
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
to speak of the Masonic Charities of the present day . He expected that if we yvere to be able like the old gentleman in Le Sage ' s old Spanish book , "The Devil on Two Sticks , " to take off the roofs of houses and look inside , yve shou Id see a great many hearts made joyous by the efforts of Masons . ( Hear hear . ) He should say there were a good many people in some little corners of England , many
an old man or old woman , yvould say their declining years were made comfortable and pleasant through the agency of Masonry . He could point out a great many parishes yvhere that had taken place , not only in almshouses , but through the individual charity of lodges yvhich had been poured out , yvhere men and yvomen had been made happy . And it was this object yvhich actuated the
Duke of Cumberland starting a school 100 years ago for keeping children of whatever politics their parents might be , but simply because they were the children of Masons , and feeding , clothing , and educating them , whether they yvere of the highest or the lowest grades in the land . Freemasons are now maintaining , clothing , and educating nearly 400 children of , both . sexes . This could only be
done , not simply through lodges , but also by the individual efforts of the brethren , by each Mason taking an interest in it . When people met on some great occasion , like ' the building of a church or a cathedral , there was a grand procession , plenty of noise , something to be seen , and every one wished to take part in it . When it came , hoyvever , to the simple piece of Masonic yvork in the
charities there was not much fuss . But though there was . less ostentation , there yvas a great deal of yvork done by small me : ins . As as old milk yvoman once said yvhen she was asked to subscribe to a charity , " I cannot afford to do what all you gentlemen do , put doyvn a guinea a year ; but I am able to give , and shall be very glad to give my shilling a yveek down . " ( Laughter . ) He did not say
much for her arithmetic , but he would say a great deal for her heart . A pplying the old milk yvoman ' s principle to Freemasonry , suppose the Mason gave sixpence a yveek , yvhat a lot that would be in the course of the year . If they could not give sixpence let then give a threepenny bit a week . Remember that charity one toyvards another , true love and charity which was yvorthy of being preserved
to the great day of doom , the taking care of the aged , and educating the young , yvas carrying out the principle of Masonry , and yvas what they called Masonic charity . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Bird responded . The Masons of the neighbourhood were doing what had been suggested by the Chaplains . During the last year they had instituted charitable quartets ; four brethren yvould join , each
subscribing sixpence a week , yvhich yvas placed in the hands of one of the four as trustee for the yvhole four . At the close of the year they had £ 3 4 s ., and they then ballotted for a life governorship of one of thc Masonic Charities , and the fortunate winner added one shilling to make the same five guineas . They had had two of these quartets , and he thought it yvas only on account of the system not
being known that they had not had more . This lodge contained 3 6 members , and he hoped they would make up a number of these quartets , as he thought it yvould be a valuable aid to the Masonic charities . He yvould mention another subject . Once a year they sent round the charity box , and he proposed that this should be now done . He yvas
happy to say that this year the lodge yvould be represented by a Steyvard at one of the Masonic festivals for the first time , and he entreated the brethren not to let him go empty handed . The W . M . resided in London , and there yvas this advantage in that fact , that he yvas able to attend Grand Lodge and the different meetings of the Lodge of Benevolence . Bro . Goodall , while he had been J . VV .,
had constantly attended Grand Lodge , and had given , as he always yvould give , every attention to lhe interests of this lodge . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Woodrooffe replied to the toast of " The W . M . ' s of the Neighbouring Lodges . " The Chaplain responded to the toast drunk specially in his honour . Bro . H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) acknowledged the toast of "The Masonic Press , " which , he said , not
only endeavoured to advance the interests of the Order generally , but was particularly devoted to promoting the good uf the Masonic charities . The " Freemason , " which he had represented almost from its birth , had always kept this end in vieyv ; and without wishing to flatter it , or claim for it a title which it did not possess , it yvould be absolutely wilful blindness if he shut his eyes to the fact
that through thc instrumentality of that paper there had been a very large accession to the funds of the three institutions . Bro . Emerson ( No . 1426 ) , and Bro . Soutter ( No . 65 ) replied to the toast . of " The Visitors . " all expressing their great pleasure in visiting the lodge , and Bro . M'Niven informing the brethren of the great service the Order had been to him in the course , of his travels . When he
had placed himself under the guidance of Masonry he had never been deceived . The S . W . responded to thc toast of " The Officers , " and assured the lodge that he and his brother officers yvould exert themselves to support the W . M . during his year of office . The brethren separated at a late hour , after having experienced a great Masonic success . Excellent singing and recitations yvere furnished
by Bros . Doore , Bird , Harrison , Stubbs , Apps , Emerson , and McNiven . The list of visitors comprised the names of Btcs . W M . Cavell , P . P . G . S . D . Kent ; A . E . Ralph , P . P . G . J . D . ; L . Hill , 1206 , Prov . G . Sup . Wks . ; K . J . Emerson , P . P . G . J . W . ; Usher , Prov . G . Steyvard ; Harrison , P . M . 109 C ; Ayling , S . W . 1096 ; Rolfe , nor ; McNiven , 1426 ; Soutter , 65 ; R . L . Harrison ,
120 O ; Smeeth , 1208 ; Gorton , 199 , and H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) . NEWBURY . —Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope ( No . 754 ) . —Thc members of this lodge held a successful gathering on Friday , the 7 th inst ., in connection with the installation of Bro . W . H . Herbert , Senior Warden , as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . A portion of the Town Hall having been partitioned off , the lodge yvas