Installation Festival Of The Grey Friars' Lodge, Reading, No. 1101.

INSTALLATION FESTIVAL OF THE GREY FRIARS' LODGE , READING , No . 1101 .

[ FROM OUR SPECIAL R EPORTER . ] The Installation Festival of this highly flourishing Lodge , established some fotir or five years ago , took rplace on Tuesday uuder most auspicious circumstances . The Lodge , held in the Masonic Hall ,

'Geffries-road , was attended by nearly 70 of the •brethren . The chief business was the initiation of Mr . Alfred Gooeh ( sou of Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P . aud Prov . Grand Master ) , and the installation of Bro . R . C . Hurley as WM . Bro . W . Biggs , of Beading ( whose labours and enthusiasm in the

•cause of Masonry are well known ) , performed both ¦ ceremonies most impressively . The musical arrangements for the day were under the direction of Bro . Tolley , P . P . G 0 ., assisted by Bros . Marriott , Briggs , And Barrett , of St . George ' s Chapel Royal , "Windsor , and afforded much pleasure to the brethren .

After the "W . M . bad been duly installed , be proceeded to invest the following officers of the Lodge : Bro . J . Weightman , S . W . ; Bro . G . Chancellor , J . W . ; Bro . H . J . Simpson , Chaplain ; Bro . J . Greenfield , : Secretary ; Bro . E . J . Tabor , S . D . ; Bro . Godsmark , -. T . I ) . ; Bro . J " . T . Brown , I . G . •Bros . Stransou and

Freeman , S . A Past Master ' s Jewel was presented to Bro . Alexander Beale , I . P . M ., in recognition of 'i . be zeal , efficiency , and courtesy which he displayed during his year of office . Iu the evening a banquet took place at the George Hotel , and the room was almost inconveniently full .

The banquet was admirably served by Bro . George Pontiu . The chair was taken by Bro . R . C . Hurley , W . M ., of the Grey Friars' Lodge , and amongst those pressnt were Bros . Sir D . Goocti , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . M ., the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bart , P . G . C ., J . 11 Stebbino- ( Southampton ) , P . M ., P . G . D ., of England ; R .

J . Spiers ( Oxford ) , P . G . S . B ., the Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . O ., E . G . Bruton ( Oxford ) P . M ., S . Whittey , D . P . G . M . for Wilts , R . S . Hnlbert ( Basingstoke ) , P . P . G . S . W ., Hants , F . A . Bulley , P . M ., W . Biggs , P . M ., G . Botly , P . M . ( 414 ) , John Dew , Basingstoke ) , P . M .., J . W . Blowers , W . M . ( 414 ) , J . W . Wynne

P . M ., John Ellis , P . M ., A . Sellar , P . M ., James Harris , W . M ., W . W . Wvnne , W . M . ( 101 ) , Lovatt , ( 52 G ) , J . AV . Hounalow , J . W . 414 ) , C . W . Wyndliam , P . M ., P . Stokes , S . ( 414 ) , 11 . Cave , Arthur Welch , Alfred W . Goocli , fJ . Anns , R C . Shettle , H . P . Dowaon . It . Bradley , S . D . ( 414 ) , F . C .

Warner , h . D . Awberv , W . C . Jameson , 1 * . Wameott , W . Simpson , G . i'arfitt , W . A . Danett , J . W . ( 1044 ) , & c . The W . M . first proposed " The Queen and Craft , " remarking that as 103 'al citizens aud as good Masons they would drink the toast with the greatest

pleasure and the most hearty enthusiasm . The" W . M . next gave ' "The Right Hon . and the Most Worshipful the Grand Master , and the Grand Officers of England , past and present . " The Earl of Zetland had now held his high position as a Grand Master for a quarter of a century . It was

thought that at the termination of the present year he . would retire from that position , and should he •do so he would cany with him the gratitude and the . respect of the Craft . Bro . SHBRS , D . P . G . M .. ( Oxford ) , responded on hehalf of the Grand Officers ' . They had reason to

feel proud of being connected with such a body , and they had especial reason to be proud of their Grand Master , whoso service to the Craft had been so great , and so numerous for many years . ( Cheers . ) The position which the E : ul de Grey and liipnn , their Deputy Grand Master now ' held , Rhowed

that they were able to attract to their order men eminent in the State . The President of the Council ( Lord de Grey and I ' . ipon ) had worked as a Mason with that thoroughness , for which our countrymen were distinguished . Mr . Dodson , Chairman of the Committee of the House of Commons , had also

taken office in Grand Lodge . The Prov . Grand Master ( Sir Daniel Gooch , ) also though his duties were so multifarious , though he had charge of that wonderful undertaking , the Great Western Railway Company , though he was one of those who were engaged in casting a girdle , round the Earth ,

and though he took part in the legislation of the ¦ country , hail yet found time to devote to the interest of Masonry . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion liro . S p iers expressed the gratification it had afforded him to be present , and observe how admirably the work was done iu Greyfriars Lodge . He honed the

Lodge would continue to prosper . Cheers . ) The W . M . rose and said the next toast might be truthfully designated the toast of the evening , it was "The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch . " Loud cheers . ) He , ( the W . M ., ) regarded it as a very great privilege to have the honour of occupying tho chair on the occasion of

the Provincial Grand Master ' s first visit in that capacity to the town of Reading ( cheers ) , and in the name of the ( irov Friars Lodge , he begged to give him a hearty welcome ( cheers ) , and to thank him , not only for being present , but also for giving his Jinme as a honorary member of the lodge . ( Cheers . ) For the last ten years , ever since the resignation of

Installation Festival Of The Grey Friars' Lodge, Reading, No. 1101.

the late Marquis of Devonshire , the provinces of Berks and Bucks , had beeii represented by the Grand Eeeistrar . Br . Melntyre had discharged the duties of tlie office with great ability , but he had other counties to attend to as well as a great deal of other Masonic business . They hailed , therefore ,

with peculiar pleasure , the appointment of the office of so excellent a mason and so good a man as Sir Daniel Gooch . ( Loud cheers . ) He , ( the W . M . ) , sincerely hoped that it might please the Great Architect of the Universe long to spare the life of their distinguished Brother , Sir Daniel , in health and strength . ( Loud cheers . )

The P . G . M ., SIR DANIEL Goocir , who on rising was mosi warmly cheered , said that he was extremely obliged to the brethren for having received the last toast in a manner so cordial and so kind . It had been to him a great pleasure to he present thatday . He could assure them that he had not taken

upon himself the responsibilities of the office to which the Grand Master had appointed him without a thorough determination to perform his duties in a way which should , he hoped , meet with their approbation aud respect . ( Cheers . ) In order to do his duties to the satisfaction of the province and

himself , he felt that he must have extended to him that Masonic charity for his short comings , and that cordial support in his efforts , which be was confident he should not fail-to receive . ( Cheers . ) Under such circumstances he believed that the province would continue to prosper , and would hold no mean

position amongst the provinces of the land . ( Cheers . ) But the present had been to him a most gratifying occasion for a personal reason , b . cause he had seen his own son initiated into Masonry . ( Cheers ) It was many years since he ( Sir Daniel ) was initiated and he was pleased to say he had never regretted

that step . ( Cheers . ) The ceremony had made a deep impression on his miud , * and he did not doubt that it had also done so on the mind of his ( Sir Daniel ' s ) son , seing that that ceremony had been performed by Bro . Biggs with the utmost accuracy of lauguage , and the most perfect correctness of

feeling . ( Cheers . ) Now thathis son had been initiated , he ( Sir D . Gooch , ) felt that as his father , and also as his brother ( cheers and laughter ) , he should be able to teach him some of the mysteries of science . He ( the P . G . M ., ) would conclude b \ ' thanking him

for the kind invitation they had sent to him , and for the hearty welcome they had given him . He hoped to visit the other lodges in the province , and make himself , as far as he could , acquainted with the whole Craft .

P . M . Lr . i . is gave the next toast , " Ihe Very Worshipful the Rev . Sir J . W . Hayes , Bart ., the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and Grand Officers of the Province , past and present . " Sir John Hayes held a distinguished position in the province , and he was also a member of the Grand Lodge . Ho had shown

himself fully equal to the requirements of his office , and his qualifications were so high that he had filled , in the absence of . Lord Zetland , the office of Grand Master . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Sir J . W . IIAYKS , P . G . C ., iu responding , said

that it ought to be the laudable ambition ol all the Brethren to aspire to hold office in the Provincial Grand Lodge . There were not many offices at the disposal of the Provincial Grand Muster ; but he was quite sure that Sir D . Goocli would take every means to ascertain who were the most fit to fill t lie offices .

( Cheers . ) He begged to propose " ' 1 he Right Worshipful P . G . M ., the Deputy P . G . M ., aud the Grand Officers of ihe Province of Wilts . " They were very much obliged to the Province of Wills for sending to this Province the P . G . M . elect ( cheers and laughter ); it was a very great kindness , and the Province of Berks and Bucks would endeavour to show itself

grateful . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Bro . S . WITTKY , D . P . G . M . for Wilts , in responding lo the toasts , alluded to the loss which that province would sustain iu consequence of the services of Sir I ) . Gooch being transferred to another province . Brother Wittev then referred , in very complimentary

terms , to the working of the Greyfriars Lodge , and expressed the pleasure which it . had afforded him to be present . Bro . the Rev . R . J . SIMPSON ' , Grand Chanl . iin , said that as " out of the abundance of the heart the inuutli spcakcth , " and therefore lliev would allow him ,

before he proposed ( lie ( oast entrusted to him , to digress for a minute or two . He could not but express the deep satisfaction which he felt at seeing the admirable way in which the work of the lodge w .-is done , and he could not but . think that the manner in which the ceremony of installation had been performed

by Bro . lliggs must have impressed ( horn with a sense of the . generous sentiments and the lofty principles of the brotherhood to which they belonged . He must thank them for having again elected him as Chaplain to the lodge , He felt this honour the more because

he was not able to do more than to attend , as he always did with great pleasure , tlieir annual gatherings , lie begged now lo propose "The Masonic Charities , " He was pleased to see this toast take so good a position in the programme of the evening , coining as it

Installation Festival Of The Grey Friars' Lodge, Reading, No. 1101.

did even before the proposal of the toast of the W . M . of their own lodge . This evidenced that they thought of the Masonic Charities first and of themselves afterwards , which was only what was to be expected of a lodge which had sent a steward to the Girl ' s School and festival , and had sent that steward tenth on the

list in respect of the amount of the donations entrusted to him . ( cheers . ) He had taken the opportunity on a former occasion , and he would now do so again , of recommending those who were interested i ' n those Masonic Charities to go and see them themselves , j He believed that , the Girls' School was the first school of

the kind in England . For the Boys' School a sum of £ 12 , 000 had been raised through the munificence of Masons , and the school was most admirably conducted . There was also provision made for the comfort and the support of aged Freemasons . He believed that if they could only read the history

of some of these children and of their families ; if they could trace the career of some of these poor aged Masons —( what struggles they had had , what reverses they had experienced , what distress they had endured )—they would learn to value even more highly than at present the work which these charities

were doing . They had reason to believe that in no case had the children , educated in these schools , turned out otherwise than well . This was a most eloquent fact . It showed that the money was not misspent , and that the labour was not thrown away . And when Brethren were enjoying themselves in

social harmony he trusted the } ' would never forget the claims of the poorer brethren , for Masons should never cease to remember that charity was the sun , the centre around which all Masonic action should revolve . He hoped that they would not only hear of these charities , and read of them , aud see them , but

that they would value , admire , and support them . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . STEBUING responded on behalf of the Masonic Charities in an eloquent speech . Bro . Sir D . Goocu next , in complimentary terms , proposed the health of the W . M ., Bro . Hurley .

The W . M . suitably responded . The health of the Installing Master , Brother W . BIGGS , was next proposed , and responded to by that gentleman in suitable terms . One or two other toasts having been drunk , the

proceedings terminated . 1 he banquet was acknowledged to be one of the most agreeable and successful gatherings of the kind ever held in Reading . The whole arrangements were carefully and completely made , and admirably carried out .

Lodge Of Bevevolence.

LODGE OF BEVEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence , was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 19 th instant , under the presidency of Brother J . Newton Tomkins , P . G . D . Seventeen cases were relieved to the extent of £ 150 , and 3 were

recommended to Grand Lodge for grants of £ 30 each . Among other Grand Officers present , wo noticed Bros . J . Nunn , J . Brett , J . M . Clabon , J . Hervey , J . Smith , W . Otigh , E . Busher , Rev . C . J . Martyn , E . II . Patten , J . Savage , aud J . Udall .

Plantagenet Preceptory Of Instruction.

PLANTAGENET PRECEPTORY OF INSTRUCTION .

A monthly meeting was held at the Lyceum Tavern on Thursday , the 20 th inst . Sir Knights Major-Genl . G . B . Minibeo , Hon . E . Boper-Cni-zon , , 1 , G . Marsh , R . W . Little , A . J . Lewis , T . Simile ,

J . Brett , . V . Mayo , . 1 . Boyd , G . S . States , C . Haigh , I'YWaltors , Dr . Bringloe , W . Adains , D . R . Still , and T . Otthitt were amongst those present . The ceremony of installation was ably worked , Sir Knight Lewis being the presiding officer . Four new members were ejected .

Domatic Chapter Of Instruction, No. 177.

DOMATIC CHAPTER OF INSTRUCTION , No . 177 .

This Chapter of Instruction , was formally reopened on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., at the Horns Tavern , Kenniugton , under the auspices of Comp : I ! . Wentworth Littlej as Preceptor , who officiated

as Al . h . / j ; assisted by Comps . C . Hosgood , as 11 . J . Nunn , as . ] . ; W . Dod . l , S . E . ; II . Webb , S . N . ; J . Mayo , P . S . ; J . Brett , P . Z . ; President of the Metropolitan Cliapter of Instruction , E . Clark , H . Alhnaii . J . G . Marsh , W . West Smith , & c . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , after which

Com . Brett , worked the first clause of the first section . Five new member * were elected , and the officers chosen for the next meeting on the 20 th inst ., wore Comps . Hosgood , ' A . ; Nunn , 11 . ; Clark , J . ; and Dodd , P . S . The Companions residing iu

the Southern districts of the metropolis , have now therefore an opportunity of obtaining instruction in the Royal Arch ceremonies , in their own locality , and we hope they will attend the Doinatie Chapter of Instruction iu large numbers .