The Craft.

THE CRAFT .

( Continued from p ge 5 . ) METROPOLITAN . Panmure Lodge , 723 The annual meeting and Installation Festival of this Lodge , took place on Monday last at the Balham , Hotel . After the passing of two E . A . ' s by the retiring W . M , Br . Gates , the chair

was taken by Bro . Thomas , P . M ., the father of the Lodge , to whom was presented for Instillation Bro . J . B . A . Wolport , S . W ., the W . M . elect , The ceremony was admirably performed , the orations and proclamations given with great i fleet , and producing an exeellentimpression upon the minds of all present

and especially many young masons who had never before witnessed the interesting and solemn rite . By special request Bro . Hodges , P . M ., officiated as acting Secretary , and Director of Ceremonies , anil Bro . Gates , P . M ., and Bro . Frances also rendered valuable services . A vote of thanks to Bro . Thomas ,

tor the able discharge of the duties of Installing Master , was entered on the minutes , and the newly installed W . M . dosed the lodge in the various degrees in a manner which corroborated the statement current that he was a most accomplished and correct worker .

At the banquet which followed due justice was given to his merits , as well as to those of his immediate predecessor Bro . Gates , and the Past Masters represented by Bro . Thomas and Hodges . Bro . Frances P . M . responded for the Visitors , and Bro . Young S . W . for the newly appo ' nted officers .

PROVINCIAL . OVER-DARWF . N . —Lodge ofllai many and Industry , No . 381 . —On Thursday last a lodge of emergency was held for the purpose of affording the brethren an opportunity of attending the funeral of the late Bro . Italph Ellison , who had been a member of the

lodge for nearly forty years . The lodge was opened in due form by the W . M , Bro . Benson Wood , when the dispensation was read granting the privilege to the brethren of joining the cortege in the regalia of their respective ranks , after which a procession was formed of about fifty brethren , amongst whom were

the ollicers of the lodge , v ' u .: Bros . Benson Wood , W . M . ; Ceo . Hargreaves . S . W . ; Dr . Stephens , J . W . ; Dr . Wraith , ' S . D . ; I ) . A ins worth , J . D . ; Geo . Snialley , P . M ., Treas . ; Bentley , P . M ., Sec ; L . Roberts , P . M ., Director of Ceremonies ; C Wood , P . M . ; aud Stutter , LO . Bros . Eastwood , P . M . ;

Thoniher , P . M ., aud others , Perscverauce Lodge , Blackburn . Bro . Townley , P . M ., and others , Fidelity Lodge , Blackburn . Bro . S . P . Bidder , P . M ., Manchester . Bro . Rev . Mr . Hughes , Vicar of Tockholcs , & c . On arriving at the residence the procession tiled off in the usual maimer , to allow the

W . M . to visit the bereaved relatives , when the line was reformed and proceeded to St . Thomas ' s Church , where the burial service was most impressively read by Rev . Bro . Hughes . The thirty-ninth Psalm and " Vital Spark" were effectively rendered by Bros . Denis , Towers , Birkctt , aud Hindley . assisted

by Mrs . llowarth , wiio , at the grave , also sang " Best iu Peace , " amid the almost breathless attention of a large concourse of the inhabitants who had assembled to witness the ceremony , oration by Bro . Hughes , and the invocations by the

W . M ., were the . subject of deep admiration aud comment . Returning , the brethren on reaching the lodge room again filed oil" on each dde of the street and uncovered , allowed the carriages containing the relatives to pr . sa through , on t ' .. eir way home . The

WIIITIIAVU . W—Lewis Lodge , 872 . —The brethren of this lodge met ou Monday evening , Miy 17 th , at 7 o ' clock , in the freemasons' Hall , College-street , W . M ., John Spittal taking the chair of King Sdonion . Brother J . S pittal was supported by his officers Brother Walker Whittle , S . W . ; Brother

Robert tester , J . W . ; Lancelot Hugh tfllis , S . D ; Brother E . G . Hughes , Prov . G . T ., Secretary ; Brother William Gill , ! . (! . ; Brother George Fitzgerald , T . Present , Brother C . Morton , P . P . S . G W . ; Brother J . Stade , P . P . U . S . ; ti . W . Keiiworlhy , P . l' . C . J . D . ; Brother Cooper , P . P . G . O . The Lodge

was duly o ] encd , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Honorary . Secretary , Brother E . C . Hughes , and confirmed . Brother George linker was passed to the degree of fellow Craft . Brother C . Morton proposed that Brother J . Slide be appointed Treasrrer , which was seconded

by Brother Foster , and carried by the Brethren unanimously , ho was duly invested . W M . J . Spittal read a letter from Brother Little , resigning the office of Almoin r , which place will be filled up by the Committee there being no other proposed . Brother 0 . Morton rea I a petition iu favour of

establishing a lodge at Kgreinoiit , to be called the " Kenlis Lodge , " he to l . e W . M . for the first twelve months . Brother S pittal proposed that the petition read by Brother 0 . Morten lie entertained , which was seconded by Brother Foster , signed by the

Wardens , and cai ried unanimously , lirothcr Npittal proposed that a letter of condolence be soi . t to the widow of our late esteemed lirother Fisher , Treasurer of 872 , which was seconded by Brother Kenworthy , and canied unaiiiinou > ly . The Lodge was closed with the usual solemnities .

Royal Athelstan Lodge, No. 19.

ROYAL ATHELSTAN LODGE , No . 19 .

[ r no ?! OUR bi'i : oiAL REPORTER . ] The last meeting of the season of the Hoyal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , was held on Thursday , the 13 th of May , at the Terminus Hotel , Cannonstreet , City . Bro . T . II . Potter , W . M ., presided ;

J . Pollard , S . W . ; W . Williams , J . W ., Starling , Treasurer ; Bywater , P . M . and Secretarv ; Stevens , S D . ; Gale , P . M . and Father of the Lodge , Director of the Ceremonies ; Daley , Tyler ; and the following other members of the lodge : —Bros . Campion , P . M . ; Nicholson , J . P . M . ; John Savage , P . G . D . ;

George Eice Loveday , P . M . ; iox , P . M . ; Palmer , P . M . ; Pound Cox , P . M . ; Stone , P . M ; Dix , P . M . ; Harker , Henry Black , Watkins , Medley , J . Harker , Leverson , P . M ., Homer , Maughan , Phillips , Dr . Whitmore , Simpson , aud a number of visitors , amongst whom were Bros . Murray , D . Grand

Master for China : Clabon , P G . D . ; Caulcher , P . M . ; Whitley , D . P . G . M . for Wilts ; Williams , 7 o"J ; Ward , Apollo , 305 ; H . Thompson , P . M ., 177 and 1158 ; C . E . Thompson , S . D ., 1158 ; Cv-c . The lodge having been opened in due form and with solemn prayer , the minutes of the last meeting

were read and confirmed . A Brother was brought forward for raising , aud having auswereel the usual questions , the lodge was opened in the Third Degree , Bro . Savage , P . G . D ., taking the chair , and the brother was in a most impressive manner raised to the degree of M . M . ; and

in the course of a long experience we never saw that important ceremony performed in a more correct , impressive , or careful manner , and it truly afforded to aspiring Masons , candidates for the -Master ' s chair , a ] Jattern how that ceremony ought to be performed . The whole of the ritual was given

without abridgement , aud several veteran Masons expressed the high gratification they hael experienced in seeing Freemasonry carried out in all its original purity by so worthy a member of the Royal Athelstan Lodge . After some other business the lodge was closed in due form , and with solemn

prayer . An excellent dinner followed , aud at its termination , on the withdrawal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed the usual loyal anil Masonic toasts . Iu reference to the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Earl of Zetland , he said he hoped the success which

hail attended his reign over the Craft would be continued for many years to come' . The W . M . proposed " The health of the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey anil Ripon , I > eputy ( h-anel Master , and the rest of the Grand Ollicers . " lie coupleel with the toast the name of Brother t'labon ,

P . U-. D . Bro . C LA mix , P . O . D ., returned thanks on behalf of the Deputy Grand Master , and said he deserved all that was saiil of him . He thanked the brethren for the welcome ho hail received ; and as lie had not lor some time past been iu the habit of visiting

lodges , if lie was treated iu the same way he had been received that evening he hoped to be a frequent visitor . The W . M .. in a complimentary manner , proposed "The health ' of Bro . Murray , the District Grand Master for China , " and congratulated the lodge in

having for the second time been honoured Ivy his presence . Bro . MURRAY - , in a very eloquent speech , returned thanks for the honour conferred upon him , and assured them on his return to a distant land he should cherish with the deepest feelings of affection the welcome he h . ul received from the brethren of the

Royal Athelst . in Lodge , believing the seed they had sown would produce abundant fruit , and if any heart couhl beat iu unison with theirs that heart was his own . I' . ro . O . VLH , P . M ., proposed "The health of the W . M ., " and alluded to the time when he saw hiin initiated in the lodge , and how he h . ul marked his after career .

Ihe W M . returned thanks , and expressed Ins determination to do all iu his power to merit their approbation . liro . SAV . UIK , P . G . D ., having been utmost with the W . M . ' s gavel called upon the br » t ! ireii to fill bumpers to the toast lie was about to propose , which

having be , n done , he turned to Brother Bywater , P . M . and Secretary , and thus addressed him : —Bro . Bywater , 1 have been requested by tho \ V . Master and iny brethren of the Royal Athelstan Lodge to acknowledge publicly , on their b .-half , the many kind services you have rendered the lodge , and to

present to you a memento of their esteem aud regard . Though not eloquently , yet sincerely , shall I discharge this pleasing duty . It might , iude'ed , have fallen into abler hands , but at le-ast I have this advantage , that I am able to speak of you from the time of your admission into the lodge ; nor

will I deny that , having been ou terms of intimacy with you for many years , without any differences to mar our friendship , t ' tus occasion is to me a very pleasiuable one . You were initiated into our lodge , No . 19 , iu the year 181 ' ! , by my esteemed but now departed brother , Charles Robb , the then W . M ., and having subsequently filled several of the offices ,

Royal Athelstan Lodge, No. 19.

it fell to my lot , in 1853 , to install you into the chair . With great ability , and with much courtesy , you dischargeel the duties of W . Master , as several of HS present to-day can well remember , and from that time you continued to win your way iu tho lodge , anel to increase the esteem in which you were

justly held . Having done us good suit and service , after the lapse of another ten years you kindly undertook the duties of honorary secretary . How well and how ably you have ilischargeel thosa duties I will not enlarge upon , because the fact is patent to us all . But our recent centenary meeting

has put the crowning stone upon your services , anel its great success , without a breakdown of any kindgratifying to us all , and spontaneously acknowledged by our numerous and distinguished guesta on that joyous occasion—was largely due to your judiciouscounsels anel valuable assistance . No marvel , then ,

that your brethren should desire to record their feelings in something more substantial than words ; : and none will say nay when I assert that we are about to do the right thing to-tlay . ( Brother Pound , P . M ., here reael the vote of thanks engrossed oa vellum , and the inscription on the clock , which was

as follows : — " This timepiece was presented by the Royal Athelstan Lodge of Freemasons , No . 19 , to > Brother William Matthew Bywater , P . M . and Hon . Sec ., in token of the high esteem iu which he is held by his brethren , and of their best wishes for his happiness aud prosperity . 13 th of May , 1869 . " )

Brother Savage then proceeded : The foundation of this testimonial was a vote of the lodge by acclamation ; it has beeu supplemented by the subscriptions of 50 members of the lodge , and as a matter of fact none have refused to co-operate . The vote of thanks is expressive of the feelings of your brethren .

towards you . The timepiece will bring with it many pleasing reminiscences , for memory loves to elwell on the sunny spots of the past . But to your thoughtful mind it will not only be suggestive of bygone days , but also of the present and the future . While it will call to remembrance happy years of

the past , it will mark the stirring present , and point to a hopeful future . Though not with-your bodily eye , yet with your mental vision you will readily lead , as if engraven on that timepiece , the trite , yet expressive words , " Tempus fugit , " conveying to your iniuil a moral beautiful couched in

the language ot one whose wisdom is immortal in , our Craft , ' •AVhatever thy hand findeth to do , do it with all thy might . '' And now , my gooel Brother , it only remains f < -r me to present you , in the name of my brethren of Lodge No . 19 , this vote of thanks-( handing it to Brother Bywater ) , aud to beg your

acceptance of this timepiece iu acknowledgment of your many—very many— 'kind services , and to mark the esteem anil respect in which your brethren holel you . I have also to express their fervent hopes that there yet remains for you a lengthened career of usefulness and prosperity . Long may your life bo

spared , as a blessing to your family and as an ornament to your lodge ; and when at a distant day the hands of that time ; Uce shall no longer move visibl y before your eyes—its bell shall cease to strike its dulcet tones upon your ear—when , iu the overl nling Providence of the Great Architect of the

Universe , you shall be summoned to doff thus mortal coil , and to quit the Royal Athelstan Lodge ,, may you leave behiiul a name fragrant with praise —an example worthy of imitation—and receive for yourself a better anil more eiuUiriug reward- ( Loiul anil prolonged cheering . )

Pro . BVWATKU returned thanks in a short but expressive speich . A P .-. st Master ' s jewel was presented to Brother Nicholson , [ . P . M ., which he gratefully acknowledged .

The health of the officers was proposed , for which Bro . Pollard , S . W . returned thanks , remarking ; that when he came to the chair , he should have great difficulty iu following the talented brethren , who had preceded him . Ou tho part of the officers he thanked them lor that kind acknowledge incut of tlieir services . Other toasts were given , and the very harmonious meeting was brought to a close at an early hour .

O . N' V / KU . VIMU . VV , the 12 th instant , Mrs . ' xirling gave another of her ivndiiigs , from Shakespeare ' s play of | a " Midsummer Night ' s Dream , " at St-Jumes ' s Hall , Piccadilly . . Mrs . Stirling ' s acting is well known on the stage , but her really beautiful reading look the audience by surprise , and she

reccivcel from an enthusiastic anel fashionable audience several well-merited rounds of applause . In addition , the whole of Mendelssohn ' s music was performed by the members of the Orchestral Union , by artistes from tile Royal Italian Opera House , the solo parts being sung by Miss Fanny Hollauel

and Miss Marie Stocked , with a very excellent choir of ladies . The whole was under the direction of Bro . F . Kingsbury , tho well-known talented conductor , who has the entire management of these charming readings . Another reading is announced , for June 11 th , in the evening , from Shakesoeare ' tf-Play of "The Tempest . "