Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and that was to promote the interest of every lodge in th province , and especially to care for their grand am munificent charities . ( Applause . ) He wished them al "A Merry Christmas" and resumed hisseat amid round : of cheers . Bro . Weston then briefly but eloquently pro posed the toast of" the W . M . " saying that six months agi when they placed their W . M . in that chair , he told then

that they must take him for " better or worse , " and hi ( Bro . Weston ) believed that the lodge would agree with him when he said that from their W . M . they had had al of the " better " and none of the " worse . " ( Applause ) The W . M . had by his assiduity set them such an example that he trusted would not be lost upon those whi were aspiring to follow in his footsteps . ( Cheers . ) Bro

Spinkes thanked them for their kind reception of the toast It was to him highly satisfactory to know that he hat their hearty good wishes . At his installation he promisee them three * things , first that he would strictly roaintair discipline in the lodge ; secondly efficiency in the working ; and thirdly , a strict economy in the use of the funds , consistent with a due regard for their

personal comforts , and those promises he intended to fulfil to the letter . ( Loud cheers . ) He had the best interests ol the lodge at heart , and should do everything in his power to promote its prosperity . He wished them the compliments of the season , and concluded with the toast of "Tiney Tim , " "God bless us , one and all" ( applause ) . In proposing the next toast , that of " The Officers of the

Lodge , " the W . M . said he hoped to be excused for travelling upon this occasion rather out of the regular road , but it was one for which he felt sure both the visitors and brethren felt with him a bond of sympathy . Two of their most distinguished officers , Bros . Lieutenants Pownall and McCaffery , were about taking their departure from that garrison . Both had been hard-working officers of

that lodge . The name of Bro . Pownall would be carried down to posterity as one of the founders of it , and every candidate for admission into its ranks would be shown the name of Bro . Pownall as the first and most honoured upon its unsullied charter . ( Applause ) . He asked them to think of what Bro . Pownall had done for its prosperity , and assured them that it was his solemn

conviction that if Bro . Pownall had not been its first Master , it never would have been so successful and honoured among the lodges of the province and district as it was that day . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Pownall had passed the chair in another lodge in Woolwich , the Union Waterloo , and there his name was honoured and known as one of the landmarks of its success ( applause ) , thereby

connecting ancient and modern Freemasonry through his association with the two lodges . But it was not alone in the ledges , and in the work therein , that Bro . Pownall ' s hand and heart had been busy . In every movement , whether of filial respect anil love , or in the grand and noble attributes of charity , there first and foremost in all good work stood their esteemed brother and

never left his work till it was well finished . ( Great cheering . ) Let them remember the Grayden memorial , which in Wickham Cemetery stood as one of the noblest examples of what all good Masons felt for departed worth and unblemished honour . ( Cheers . ) Who had been the moving spirit of that work ? Bro . Pownall I

Who had worked harder for charitable purposes than Bro . Pownall ? There were in those noble institutions , our Masonic Charities , old heads and young hearts , who daily and hourly thanked him for their comfort and education . ( Loud cheers . ) These were living witnesses of his worth , energy , and determination , and they might well say oi

him" Nor frost , nor rain , nor wind , nor cold , E ' er chilled his glowing breast ; For charity , fair maid of old , There found a welcome guest .

1 was there the widowed , orphaned pair , Soon found , a balmy rest ; For soothing all their real grief Gave to his labour zest . This Free and Accepted Mason , One of the present time . " ( Great cheering . ) Turning to Bro . McCaffery , the W . M .

said his career as a Mason was different from Bro . Pownall ' s , but for him , as a brother , they had but one feeling of affection and esteem . He had begun in that lodge on the very lowest rung of the ladder . At the consecration of it he was D . C . Since then he had been I . G ., J . D ., and S . D ., and in every position he had performed his duties in such an admirable manner that it had

been remarked by many visitors and the brethren generally as something worthy of Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) His amiability , geniality , and kindness of heart , his ready smile , and invariable courtesy , had made him beloved in the lodge , where he was as well , and that not the least of his qualifications , "The Prince of Harmony , " ( cheers and laughter)—the

veritable " King Cole" of the United Military Lodge . ( Renewed applause . ) If they took all these talents and qualifications , and blended and united them together , what a combination they had , and all directed for the furtherance of one aim and one object , namely , the prosperity , happiness , and welfare of the lodge . ( Cheers . ) With such desires what could they not accomplish ? What had they

not accomplished in the past ? And what will they not accomplish in the future ? ( Cheers . ) The W . M . then concluded a brilliant address by saying : " Bros . Pownall and McCaffery , in the name of your lodge , and of the visitors , and myself , I beg most heartily to congratulate you upon the honour your Sovereign has conferred upon

you , and to express our wish that 1 . G . A . O . l . U . may grant you health , strength , and picspcrity to enjoy every happiness that this world ran afford ; and that you may in your new sphere cf life , and in your new place of residence , discover fresh fields of labour , and find new paths of usifulness , duty , and honour , and finally lay up for

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

yourself a crown of joy and rejoicing that shall revet fade away , but shall continue till time shall be no more . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) Bro . Pownall , who was deeply affected , rose with Bro . McCaffery , and were greeted with the most enthusiastic cheers , and in reply , said it was impossible for him to express his thanks for the magnificent eulogy paid him by the W . M ., and the

kind reception the toast had received at the hands of the brethren . He felt that both himself and Bro . McCaffery had done all they could , both in the work of the lodge to promote efficiency , and a thorough carrying out of its duties , and at the social board afterwards to aid in the comfort and happiness of the brethren . ( Cheers . ) He trusted he had been the means of placing the lodge upon a

secure basis , and believed it would make one of the first in the Province of Kent ( cheers ) . He congratulated the junior officers of the lodge upon their prospects , and asked them to imitate Bro . McCaffery , who he declared without fear of contradiction , to be one of the best Deacons he had ever seen work ( cheers ) . When he took the office of their first W . M . he took it with the unanimous wish of

the whole of the brethren . He had been exceptionally successful in his Masonic career . He felt it a pride to have the opportunity of helping any one who wanted aid from the Masonic charities . His first attempt in that direction was a most successful one ; upon that occasion he had been fortunate enough to get the aged widow of one of their master gunners into the Widows' Asylum ,

and if ever he felt a pleasurable sentiment of having done some one good in his life it was only the other day , when the old lady called upon him , and with tears in her eyes thanked him for what he had done . ( Loud cheers . ) His next attempt was for the child of one of their deceased brethren , and there again he had succeeded . He did not attribute that success to himself , but to the

kindness of many good friends in sending him their votes . He did not wish to be invidious , but to the brethren of the Pattison Lodge , and more especially Bro . Coupland , he gave most of the credit . ( Cheers ) . They could not all be successful , but , " Tis sweet to cheer the aching heart , The mourner's tear to dry ;

We cannot compass all we wish , But , brethren , let us try . " ( Loud and continued Cheers . ) Bio . McCaffery said he was truly sorry to leave Woolw ch , and the lodge . He had looked forward to one day occupying the chair now filled by their W . M ., " but now it was a failure . " ( Cheers and laughter , and cries of no , no . ) When he got to

Devonport he should join the best lodge there , and try his best to get into office , and if he did he would show them there how they worked in the United Military Lodge . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Bro . Mc . Caffery concluded by assuring the brethren that he should always remain a member of the lodge " as long as he lived . " Several

other toasts followed , and at a late hour the Tyler ' s toast concluded a memorable evening . We have much pleasure in recording an interesting episode that occured during the evening . On passing round the charity box the W . M . sail . " the proceeds would be devoted to Bro . Lackland , their Tyler , whose wife had died suddenly the day before , and the handsome sum of / c 17 s . was collected .

INSTRUCTION . UNION WATERLOO LODGE ( No . 31 ) . — The members and friends of the above lodge , to the number of fifty , celebrated its fourth anniversary at Bro . Tucket ' s house , "The Lord Raglan , " Burrage-road , Plumstead , on Thursday , the 13 th inst ., P . M . Govan Macdonald , one of the Preceptors , in the chair , and Bro .

P . M . G , Davies , the other Preceptor , in the vice-chair . Bro . Macdonald was supported by Bros . T . E . Hassell , Hon . Secretary ; P . M . S . Goddard , Treasurer ; G . H . Masters , Assistant Secretary ; Randall , Canty , Syer , Farr , Brown , Moore , Hutton , Collar , Cleal , King , C . Jolly , ( Ft eemamn ) , and others . The excellent and well served dinner prepared by the worthy host having been fully attended

to , the Chairman gave in well expressed language "The Queen and the Craft , " and " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , G . M . of England ; " Bro . Farr singing a verse of "God save the Queen , " and Bro . Hassell one of " God bless the Prince of Wales , " after either . The other Masonic toasts followed and were duly honoured . In proposing that which he called the toast of the

evening , " Prosperity to the Union Waterloo Lodge of Instruction , " the Chairman said he was pleased to say that for the last four ) ears tl c titc of it had been one of continued prosperity , but it was not so much so as it should have been , considering the Woolwich district to be one of the "hotbeds" of Masonry . There were , he could not help feeling a little sorry to say , a great many Masons who

never thought of working up until they were promoted to positions in their various lodges ; nothing could , in his opinion , be a greater mistake , for proficiency in the lodge of instruction was one of the best and surest roads to recognition in their own lodges , and was one of the greatest adjuncts to Masonic success . ( Applause . ) He considered lodges of instruction to be the life blood oi their lnsitution

and the foundation of all discipline and regularity in their Order . ( Cheers . ) He would ask them what could lift a man's heart and mind to the hi ghest attribute of faith , truth , and honour , more than a thorough knowledge and pratice of their sublime ritual ? It was founded upon that book upon which their faith was founded , and he felt that no man who ever practised the tenets taught in their

ritual , their lectures , and their sections , could ever be else but a good man and a good Mason . ( Loud cheers . ) He hoped , tin 11 fore , that they would place their hand upon that lever of Freemasonry , so that it might "flourish as a vine . " I le then spoke of the benefit done to their charities by lodges of instruction , and said that lodge had its name upon one of them , but he should like to see it like the lodges at New Cress and Deptford , in which there were

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

charitable clubs or institutions , into which b y paying one shilling per week they would all in time become life governors of all the charities . ( Cheers . ) The Star Lod ge of Instruction at New Cross , of which he had the honour of being one of the Preceptors , had paid £ 1000 into the Charities by means of such institutions . ( Loud cheers . ) He then gave the toast , which was drank most heartil .

y Bro . G . Davies briefly replied to the toast , and then Bro . Goddard proposed in glowing terms " The Health of Bro . Macdonald , " commending his zeal and assiduity , and attributing all the success of the lodge to his patient and increasing efforts . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Macdonald in reply told them how much he had the prosperity of the lodge at heart , and as they knew his sickness had caused him to be

away last year more than he desired to be , but trusted next year with renewed health to be with them again . ( Applause . ) To the toast of " The Officers of the lodge , " Bro . Hassell said they had had forty-seven meetings that year , the number of attendances were 6 5 6 , or an average

of twelve . The income had been £ 7 19 ? . od ., and the expenditure £ 2 6 s . 7 d ., leaving a balance of £ 5 13 s . 2 d . in hand . Bro . Masters as well replied . Bro . Jolly replied for " The Freemason . " Several other toasts followed , and the harmony was well sustained by Bros . Farr , Hassell , Moore , Wells , How , and others .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

JERUSALEM CHAPTER ( No . 185 ) . —The last consecration of this very old chapterwas held at the Freemasons' Tavern , on Tuesday , tlie 1 ilh inst ., when there were present Comps . Loewenstark , P . Z ., acting M . E . Z ., in the absence of Comp . Elsam , through indisposition ; Wagner , H . ; Robinson , J . ; Harfcld , P . Z ., Treas . ; Davage , P . Z ., S . E . ; Mander , S . N . ; , T . C . Walls , P . S . ; Hurst and Davis ,

acting Assistants ; Holbrook , P . Z . Elbom , and Beckett , Janitor . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the M . E . Z . exalted Bros . Manners , I . G . 15 S 9 , and Gispert to the Sublime Degree of the Royal Arch . There bting no other business before the convocation it was closed , and the companions adjourned to the banquet , and at its termination the introductory

toasts were done full justice to . The Health of the First Principal" was proposed by Comp Harfeld in very kind terms , in which he expressed sympathy with the absent Comp . Elsam in his illness . He was pleased , however , that their old Past Principal Loewenstark had been able at so short a notice to undertake the duties of M . E . Z ., and which he had discharged so creditably , and in giving

the toast he should couple his name with it . The acting M . E . Z . having replied proposed " the Exaltees . " In the course of his remarks he complimented the chapter upon having enrolled in their ranks that evening two such worthy companions , who would , he was sure , reflect great credit upon the old " Jerusalem . " This toast having been most warmly received , Comp . Gispert , in the

absence of his co-cxaltec , briefly replied . " The Health of the Second and Third Principals " gave the M . E . Z . an opportunity of enlarging upon the Masonic ability of Compr , Wagner and Robinson . He said that he personall y looked forward to two very prosperous years under their auspices , as he believed that they would spare neither time nor energy to render their respective offices a great success . The

companions thus honoured having responded in suitable terms , •' The Past Principals , " " The Treasurer and S . E ., " and " The Officers " came next in order , and those toasts were respectively acknowledged by Comps . Holbrook , P . Z . ; Harfield , Treas . ; Davage , S . E . ; and Mander , S . N . During fhe proceedings Comps . Mander , Walls , Hurst , and others vocally entertained the members , who separated , after the Janitor ' s toast , until the second Friday in February next .

BEDFORD . —Stuart Chapter ( No . 540 ) . —On Tueselay , December nth , this chapter met at their rooms at the Swan Hotel , Bedford , when there were present Comps . Alderman , J . R . Bull , J . P ., M . E . Z . ; Cookson , H . ; Cuthbcrt , J . ; Col . Stuart , I . P . Z . ; Capt . Colbum , E . ; Rev . W . Tebbs , P . S . ; Billson , 1 st . A . S . ; Stafford , 2 nd A . S . ; Trapp , Treasurer ; Thody , Organist ; Reynolds , fanitor ;

and companions of chapter Capt . Nash , Richardson , and Hitchman , ( Kettering ); Harris , Coombs , Allan , Carter , Aid . Sergeant , Lindscll ( Biggleswade ) ; Lambie ( Luton ) ; Broughton Smith , with visiting Comp . Biggs , of Bedford Chapter , Tavistock , 282 . A satisfactory reason was given for the absence of Comp . Fisher , N ., whose duties were ably performed by Comp . Colbum . The minutes of the

former chapter having been read and confirmed , Bro . Samuel Leach Kilpin , of "Stuart" Lodge , was then balloted for , and having proved unanimously acceptable was exalted together with Bro . Walter Higgins of " St . John the Baptist" Lodge ( Luton ) , who had been balloted for at the last chapter , but prevented by ill health from proceeding to exaltation . As usual in this chapter the

ceremony was admirably performed by every officer concerned ; indeed the working was so good as to call for express piaise from Col . Stuart , who as a P . G . J , as well as being a Mason of deep research and many years' experience is well qualified to express an opinion . The officers for the ensuing year were then unanimously elected as under : — Comps . Cookson , M . E . Z . ; Cuthbert , H . ; Fisher , J . ;

Colbum , E . ; Tebbs , N . ; Billson , P . S . ; Carter , Treasurer ; and Reynolds , Janitor . The Audit Committee , consisting of the officers of the chapter , was then appointed , when there being no further business the chapter was closed . Twentythree companions sat down to an excellent supper , after

which the usual toasts were well given and received , the proceedings being enlivened by the excellent singing of Comps . Biggs , Sergeant , Cookson , Stafford , and Carter . A well-spent and enjoyable evening thus came to a close , and the companions separated until March , which convocation is now that upon which the annual banquet is to be held .