-
Articles/Ads
Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. ← Page 2 of 6 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 2 of 6 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 2 of 6 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
what was Freemasonry , instead of pointing to the three great principles on which the Order was founded , he should be disposed to point to Bro . Vallentine and say—That is Freema- onry . If asked to point to a man devoted to Freemasonry , he should point out Bro . Vallentine , and say that he was initiated in the Albion Lodge in 1 S 4 . S , and was therefore now entering on his 44 th year as a member of the lodge , during which time he had not missed 12 ordinary meetings
and had not missed a single installation meeting . Of late years hi ; great worth as a Mason had been acknowledged by the powers that be , and he had at length received the purple . After mentioning instances of Bro . Vallentine ' s ready mastery of the Masonic ritual , Bro . Harvey concluded by asking all the brethren to join him in drinking
his health \ n bumpers . In returning thanks , Bro . Vallentine said that though it gave him great pleasure to perform the office of Installing Master , he did not think that in a continuance of that practice justice was being done to the younger members , as he might be checking the ambition which ought to possess young Masters—that a Master should install his
successor . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Health of the Visitors . " Bro . Pritchard asked the brethren to join him in giving their visitors a hearty greeting , and to drink bumpers to their health . He coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Gardner , P . G . Std . Br . Bucks , Johnson , and Lee , who returned thanks . The VV . M . proposed as one toast "The Health of the
Fast Masters and the Treasurer and Secretary , " and after Bro . Friend , Treas ., had said a few words in reply , Bro . Harvey added his thanks also , in doing which he said he thought too little notice had been taken of Bro . Vallentine ' s remark about wishing to see the Masters install their successors . They must do all in their power to keep things as they were . It was a special feature of their lodge to have the father of the lodge the Installing Master , and he
believed a special attraction to these annual festivals that their dear old brother pel formed the ceremony . It was the fact that he performed it as it was performed 150 years ago that gave its importance to the annual ceremony of the Albion Lodge . They ought never for one moment entertain the thought of seeing Bro . Vallent-ne sink into insignificance after all that long roll of Past Masters , who would have been glad to install their successors , but had denied
themselves in order that the function mignt always be performed by Bro . Vallentine . " The Health of the Officers of the Lodge" was the next toast , and responded to by the J . W . and other officers , and then the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings . In the intervals between the speeches a very nice selection of vocal and instrumental music was performed b y Mr . A . G . Pritchard , Miss Lizzie Holmes , Miss Kate Gould , Mr . John Cross , and Bro . A . E . Izard , to which was added
a recital by Bro . George Cronin . The following is a list of the visitors present : Bros . Gardner , P . M . 2303 , Prov . G . Std . Br . Bucks ; Johns-m , W . M . 1 S 05 ; Lee , VV . M . 1590 ; E . C . Massey , P . M . 1297 ; Cox , W . M . 1305 ; Williams , P . M . 20 S 7 ; Hoddinott , S . W . 2205 ; Trick , P . M . 1366 ; Cain , S . VV . 170 ; Major Woolmer Williams , P . M . 1275 ; Mattel ) , LG . 1563 ; Wilks , iS ; Lockett , 212 S ; Rumsey ; Culverhouse , 534 ; Pullan , 1216 ; Tennant , 217 ; Walden , 122 S ; Hurdle , if j Annan , J . D . 1 S 04 ; and Evans , 1227 .
La Tolerance Lodge ( No . 53 8 ) . —The installation meeting of this l » dge was held at Freemasons ' Hall on the ? th inst ., Bro . William Webb , VV . M ., presiding . There were present Bros . Kench , P . M ., P . G . Purst . ; J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; T . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . Middx . ; E . Humphrey , P . M . ; J . VV . Elvin , P . M . ; T . Smale , P . M . ; C . Burt , P . M . ; W . G . Fenn , P . M . ; T . Bicknell , P . M . ; and the following visitors : Bros . G . J .
Taylor , i ( U . V . C . ) , Australu , and 1 S 0 ; William Gunner , P . M . 720 ; R . P . Scott , 22 S ; R . W . Wilson , W . M . 2054 ; S . G . C . Reid , P . M . 1174 ; Henry J . Plinft , 1706 ; R . M . Hammond , 463 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; and F . Cambridge , 1706 . The W . M . initiated Mr . Andrew John Sutherland , and then requested Bro . Kench , Treasurer , to perforin the ceremony of installation ; whereupon Bro . Kench , P . M .
and Treasurer , assumed the chair , and , on presentation duly made , installed Bro . Godfrey Lewis Lyons , S . W . and W . M . elect , in the chair of the lodge . Bro . Webb was invested by the new W . M . as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were then invested as officers of the lodge for the year : Bros . W . E . Wilby , S . W . ; S . G . Edrid <* e , I . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., Treas . ; J . B . Sly , P . M .. Sec . ; Walter Hooker , S . D . ; J . Pittman , J . D . ;
Theo . Ward , I . C . ; J . W . Elvin , P . M ., D . C ; VV . G . Fenn , P . M ., and J . S . L . Prior , Stwds . ; and Walkley , Tyler . After some other business had been performed the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , where so-ne 40 brethren partook of the hospitality of the lodge . Tne usual toists followed , which were interspersed with some beautiful
singing , under the direction of Bro . Thoe . Ward , R . A . M ., Organist , by Miss Teresa Blamy , Madame Goodman Russell , and Bros . J . J . Pittman , Bertram Williams , and Mr . L . N . Jekyll . The Worshipful Master , in giving the tiast of "The P 10 Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the GT and Officers , '' said he could not refrain from referring to the unlocked for and sudden death of Bro . Colonel
Shadwell Clerke , the lite Grand Secretary . All Freein isons knew the late brother by nime , but only those who were more intimately acquainted with him in lodge knew the zeal which he imparted to everything he did in connection with the Craft . Happily in this lodge there was left one of the Grand Officers as a member , and in giving this toast he would couple th : name of bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., with it .
Bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., in replying , said : Were it not for the great loss the Craft has recently sustained in the death of our late Grand Secretary—a loss that will be felt and deplored by every Mason in every Und where the English language is spoken—I would add that I respond for the Gand Utlicers on the present occasion with especial
gratilication , for it is just a quarter of a . century this very even n ; that I received the light of Freemasonry in this lodge . In gathering up the memories of the days that are past , I can recall many happy and pleasant evenings I have fji ? nt in La Tolerance—evenings whereon it has been my good fortune to work in love and harmony with many talented brethren whose faces 1 olten sadly miss at our fes-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tive board—evenings whereon I have partaken of the feast of reason and the Bow of soul whilst listening to the sweet concord of melodious sounds . But I can recall none more memorable , not even the night oi my installation in the chair of this lodge , nor that of my appointment as a Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , than the one whereon in great fear and trepidation I made my debut , poor and penniless , on the chequered floor of the Lodge La
Tolerance . Since that memorable occurrence many remarkable events have transpired in the history of the world , many changes taken place in our lodge ; but my reverence for the teachings of Freemasonry , and my zeal for the welfare of this lodge , remain unchanged , and I would that every candidate who is privileged to be admitted amongst us would endeavour to cherish those feelings , that he would consider that in being
permitted to participate with us in the light of our mysteries a great honour has been conferred upon him , that a grand opportunity has been opened to him for acquiring a knowledge of that which will enable him the better to fight the battle of life , and to develope all that is good in him . But in order to do that he must persevere and overcome all difficulties and obstacles that would impede and hinder his progress , ever remembering that difficulties
in the way of duty are to be faced and mastered , and that to yield weakly before them is to be unfaithful to God . And in the doing of this he will find not only the increased pleasure that ever attends the due exercise and development of the intellectual faculties , but that he has been helping to form and mould his own individual character , for which increased knowledge our very character undergoes mutation ; it is not our surroundings or our circumstances
that make us , they are only the material of life , and whatever they are we have to make the b ? st of them : it is we who take up our circumstances , and out of them make habits , and habits decide and form characterthat which gives to each one of us his own individuality—that personality which spreads itself over our being—that stamp , as a minister of the gospel said the other day , whereby men can label us and catalogue us , and
yet feel at the end that we elude classification . All this our newly-initiated brother will find out for himself after he has attended a few of our meetings . 1 f after he has taken his Degrees he likes to keep to the dead level of the ordinary Master Mason he can do so ; but if he is , as he has declared himself to be , actuated by the pure spirit of knowledge , he will not rest content until by patience and perseverance he has lifted the veil that is spread over our
mysteries and discovered for himself not onl y the true meaning of all our signs , symbols , and ceremonies , but the source and origin from whence they all spring , and the grand object they all have in view . Then , and not till then , will he discover that all our ritual and ceremonies are but a means to an end—the improvement of the human heait ; that Masonry sends out an invitation to man wherever he finds him , bidding him put forth a new activity
in the exercise of individual benevolence and Chanty ; the bridges over the abysses which national religions hav e opened up between the nations of the earth , and unites them together in spirit in the bonds of peace and goodwill . It is this that Masonry adopts as her mission—the unity and brotherhood of all human kind without distinction of nation or of race ; it is this that constitutes the grand aim and object of Freemasonry , but which can only be understood
and appreciated by those who are actuated by that "desire which tends to know the works of God , thereby to glorify the Great Work-Master . " The Worshipful Master , in reply to the toast of " The W . M ., " which was proposed by Bro . Webb , said it had alwajs been his ambition since he joined the lodge to hold the position he now occupied , and he would do all that lay in his power to forward the interests of Freemasonry in
general , and of Lodge La Tolerance in particular . He then proposed "The Initiate , " and congratulated Bro . Sutherland on becoming a Free and Accepted Mason and a member of this loige , trusting that what had pissed would make a lasting impression on his mind . He hoped he would carry out the principles and tenets of Freemasonry as they had been so carefully and beautifully illustrated by Bro . Kench .
Bro . Sutherland replied , and said the impression made on his mind that evening would remain all his life . Bro . Webb responded to the toast of "The I . P . M ., " which was accompanied by the gift of a handsome Past Master's jewel , and said he regretted there had not been more work for the VV . M . during his year of office . Bros . Dr . Nicholls , Cambridge , John Paul , Massey ,
Scott , and others responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and Bros . Humphrey , Burt , Smale , and Fenn to that of " The Past Masters . " Bro . Kench replied to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bro . Willby , S . VV ., to that of " The Officers , " and the Tyler's toast closed a most agreeable evening's proceedings .
Capper Lodge ( No . 1076 ) . —! he usual monthl y meeting of the above popular lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , City , on Thursday , the 14 th inst .. and was of more than ordinary interes * 01 account of the unfortunate decease of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale occurring that day . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . VV . L . Crow , assisted by the following officers and brethren : Bros . J . Tytheridge , I . P . M . ; J . H . White , S . W . ; F . C . Ward , J . W . ; J .
Dorton , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Ware , Sec ; J . F . Oatcs , J . D . ; C . K . Higgins , I . G . ; M . Sherwin , Org . ; A . Tuberlield , Tyler ; H . B . Holliday , P . M . ; T . G . Day , P . M . ; W . Watkins , P . M . ; W . H . Harris P . M . ; A . T . Dale , P . M . ; C . J . D'Oyley-Mears , P . M . ; S . Vicars , 147 ; J . Mills , 1705 ; and C . Jolly , P . M . and Sec . 1472 and 2184 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . I . I . Roberts was passed , and then the Organist
of the lodge played the " Dead March in Saul , " the effect being a most impressive and solemn spectacle . It was afterwards unanimously resolved that a letter of condolence should be sent to the Grand Master , expressing the sympathy of the lodge in his great bereavement and that of his family . The formation of a Royal Arch chapter in connection with the lodge was then broached , and the
discussion adjourned to the next meeting of the lodge . The liclge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , after which the usual loyal , Grand Lodge , and personal toasts were honoured , including that of ' H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " There was no singing or harmony of any kind , and on the completion of the toist list the brethren separated .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Leopold Lodge ( No . 1571 ) . —The brethren ot this lodge as-embled at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Monday , the nth inst ., to witness the installation of Bro . Edmund J . Morgan , S . W ., W . M . elect . There were present Bros . J . T . Dormer , W . M . ; Edmund J . Morgan , S . W . ; Henry Colley , J . VV . ; Joseph Penney , Sec ; Walter T . Johns , S . D . ; F . P . Langford , J . D . ; H . T . Meadows , I . G . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; T .
Duffield , P . M ., D . C . ; Young , Tyler ; Youngman , P . M . ; Carey , P . M . ; Kimble , P . M . ; J . W . Barnes , W . Longdon , J . Low , E . P . Plummell , A . Presland , H . Wells , J . M . Maud , W . Goad , A . Watts , G . Horwill , C . E . Martin , W . T . Marshall , VV . St . John Dray , C . M . Morris , E . C . Davis , H . G . Ball and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; F . Carr , P . M ., R . S . Gushing , P . M ., C . H . Harford , P . M , and W . L . Barker
, I . G ., of 1607 ; Walter Martin , P . M . S 79 ; L . Potts , P . M . 916 ; J . Garner , P . M ., Treas . 975 ; J . K . Pitt , P . M . 4 ( 13 ; H . S . Ausworth , W . M . 1441 ; G . Bird , W . M . S 79 ; n . S . Taylor , W . M . 147 ; H . J . Tibbatts , J . W . 2396 "; J . Mansfield , J . D . 871 ; S . Carlton , 21 S 4 ; A . D . | . B . Payne , S 79 ; R . Carey , 1441 ; A . Stribling , 1-547 ; D . T . B-ars , 1 C 9 ; G . H . Williams , 22 S ; G . A . Miles , 1351 ; and D . Reekie , 511 . Owing to the inclement
weather letters and telegrams were received from several Past Masters and brethren regretting inability to attend , and sending " Hearty good wishes . " The lodge was opened , and after confirmation of the minutes and other business Bro . Edmund J . Morgan was presented by Bro . T . Dufnell , P . M ., D . C , and he was duly installed into the chair of K . S . After the usual salutations from the brethren , the installing Master , Bro . J . T .
Dormer , gave the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren in an able and impressive manner . The newlyinstalled W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . T . Dormer , I . P . M . ; H . Colley , S . W . ; VV . T . Johns . J . VV . ; H . Bartlett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Carey , P . M . Sec ; F . E . Davy , S . D . ; A . Watts , J . D . ; J . Hampson I . G . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; T . Duffield , P . M . D . C . ; F . P . Langford , A . D . C . ; H . T . Meadows and G .
Horwili , Stwds . ; and Young , Tyler . Two candidates were duly initiated into Freemasonry , and after the despatch of other business the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to an excellent banqu ° t . The usual toasts were then duly honoured , and interspersed with some beautiful music , which was much apprf-ciated , the artistes being Bro . Packer , P . M ., Organist of the lodge ; Mr . Dyved Lewys , Bro .
Sackville Evans , and Mr . E . Owen , and a warm reception was accorded to the Welsh National Anthem , ' * Hen wlad fy Nhadau " ( The land of my Fathers ) , which was heard by many for the lirst time . Bro . Packer , P . M ., acted as accompanist . The toast of "The Oueen and the Craft" having been duly honoured , that of " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was proposed , the W . M . saying , as a
Welshman and the hrst to occupy the cbair of the Leopold Lodge , he was proud that the present head of the Craft carried also the title of Prince of Wales . Reference having been made to the return to convalescence of H . R . H . Prince George of Wales and to the approaching marriage of the Duke of Clarence , whose illness it was hoped would prove ol a temporary nature , and to the services rendered to the Craft by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the hone was
expressed that when the time came for the M . W . G . M . to assume the gavel of kingship , and to exchange the trowel for the sceptre , he might long be spared to reign over a united people in peace , prosperity , and happiness . In submitting the toast of "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . referred in feeling terms to the loss the Craft had sustained by the death of the esteemed late Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and to the services the
Grand Officers had rendered to the Craft and the Masonic Institutions . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., in reply , thanked the brethren on behalf of the Grand Officers , and bore testimony to the services rendered to Freemasonry by the jamented Grand Secretary , with whom he had come much into contact , and also to the large amount of time devoted to the Craft and the Masonic Institutions by the Grand
Officers . He concluded by congratulating the members of the Leopold Lodge in the choice ol their W . M ., of whom he spoke in terms of great praise , and wished them a prosperous year . The gavel was then assumed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Dormer , who asked the brethren to drink to " The Health of the Newly-installed W . M ., Bro . Edmund J . Morgan . " He had known the W . M . for many years , and having been initiated into Freemasonry together they had worked closely
together , and now found themselves side by side as W . M . and I . P . M , ofthe lodge . He concluded by wishing the newly-instilled Master all happiness and prosperity . The Worshipful Master , who was most heartily received , in reply , thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been honoured , and for his unanimous election to the chair of the lodge . Having filled nearly the whole of the ollices in the lodge , he trusted that
he had qualified himself for the high position he occupied , and assured the brethren nothing should be wanting on his part to merit the continued confidence of the members of the Leopold Lodge . While fully conscious of the arduous task before him , and of the responsibility of the ofiice to which he had been elected , he was none the less conscious that in steering the Leopold craft through the Masonic waters during the coming year , he could rely upon its Past
Masters , who had piloted the good ship in the past , and upon the individual members , without which success would be impossible , and he trusted that at the end of the voyage the good ship might be brought into port none the worse for having been under his command . In conclusion , the W . M . appealed for the united support of the members , in return for which his best endeavours would be put forth , and he trusted that at the end of his year of office he might
have done nothing to have forfeited the good opinion and esteem of the brethren . " The Installing Master and I . P . M . " was then proposed from the chair , the VV . M . informing the brethren that Bro . Uoiinerwas happy in being blessed with a truly Misonic name , and as good wine needed no bush , no words of his ( the
W . M . ) were necessary to commend the toast to the hearty acceptance of the brethren . 'They all knew how ably the duties ofthe chair had been carried out during the past year , Bro . Dormer having initiated , passed , and raised nine brethren who would prove a credit to the Craft . The thanks of the brethren were also due to Bro . Dormer for the excellent manner in which he had carried ou * the duties
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
what was Freemasonry , instead of pointing to the three great principles on which the Order was founded , he should be disposed to point to Bro . Vallentine and say—That is Freema- onry . If asked to point to a man devoted to Freemasonry , he should point out Bro . Vallentine , and say that he was initiated in the Albion Lodge in 1 S 4 . S , and was therefore now entering on his 44 th year as a member of the lodge , during which time he had not missed 12 ordinary meetings
and had not missed a single installation meeting . Of late years hi ; great worth as a Mason had been acknowledged by the powers that be , and he had at length received the purple . After mentioning instances of Bro . Vallentine ' s ready mastery of the Masonic ritual , Bro . Harvey concluded by asking all the brethren to join him in drinking
his health \ n bumpers . In returning thanks , Bro . Vallentine said that though it gave him great pleasure to perform the office of Installing Master , he did not think that in a continuance of that practice justice was being done to the younger members , as he might be checking the ambition which ought to possess young Masters—that a Master should install his
successor . The Worshipful Master proposed " The Health of the Visitors . " Bro . Pritchard asked the brethren to join him in giving their visitors a hearty greeting , and to drink bumpers to their health . He coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Gardner , P . G . Std . Br . Bucks , Johnson , and Lee , who returned thanks . The VV . M . proposed as one toast "The Health of the
Fast Masters and the Treasurer and Secretary , " and after Bro . Friend , Treas ., had said a few words in reply , Bro . Harvey added his thanks also , in doing which he said he thought too little notice had been taken of Bro . Vallentine ' s remark about wishing to see the Masters install their successors . They must do all in their power to keep things as they were . It was a special feature of their lodge to have the father of the lodge the Installing Master , and he
believed a special attraction to these annual festivals that their dear old brother pel formed the ceremony . It was the fact that he performed it as it was performed 150 years ago that gave its importance to the annual ceremony of the Albion Lodge . They ought never for one moment entertain the thought of seeing Bro . Vallent-ne sink into insignificance after all that long roll of Past Masters , who would have been glad to install their successors , but had denied
themselves in order that the function mignt always be performed by Bro . Vallentine . " The Health of the Officers of the Lodge" was the next toast , and responded to by the J . W . and other officers , and then the Tyler's toast closed the proceedings . In the intervals between the speeches a very nice selection of vocal and instrumental music was performed b y Mr . A . G . Pritchard , Miss Lizzie Holmes , Miss Kate Gould , Mr . John Cross , and Bro . A . E . Izard , to which was added
a recital by Bro . George Cronin . The following is a list of the visitors present : Bros . Gardner , P . M . 2303 , Prov . G . Std . Br . Bucks ; Johns-m , W . M . 1 S 05 ; Lee , VV . M . 1590 ; E . C . Massey , P . M . 1297 ; Cox , W . M . 1305 ; Williams , P . M . 20 S 7 ; Hoddinott , S . W . 2205 ; Trick , P . M . 1366 ; Cain , S . VV . 170 ; Major Woolmer Williams , P . M . 1275 ; Mattel ) , LG . 1563 ; Wilks , iS ; Lockett , 212 S ; Rumsey ; Culverhouse , 534 ; Pullan , 1216 ; Tennant , 217 ; Walden , 122 S ; Hurdle , if j Annan , J . D . 1 S 04 ; and Evans , 1227 .
La Tolerance Lodge ( No . 53 8 ) . —The installation meeting of this l » dge was held at Freemasons ' Hall on the ? th inst ., Bro . William Webb , VV . M ., presiding . There were present Bros . Kench , P . M ., P . G . Purst . ; J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; T . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . Middx . ; E . Humphrey , P . M . ; J . VV . Elvin , P . M . ; T . Smale , P . M . ; C . Burt , P . M . ; W . G . Fenn , P . M . ; T . Bicknell , P . M . ; and the following visitors : Bros . G . J .
Taylor , i ( U . V . C . ) , Australu , and 1 S 0 ; William Gunner , P . M . 720 ; R . P . Scott , 22 S ; R . W . Wilson , W . M . 2054 ; S . G . C . Reid , P . M . 1174 ; Henry J . Plinft , 1706 ; R . M . Hammond , 463 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; and F . Cambridge , 1706 . The W . M . initiated Mr . Andrew John Sutherland , and then requested Bro . Kench , Treasurer , to perforin the ceremony of installation ; whereupon Bro . Kench , P . M .
and Treasurer , assumed the chair , and , on presentation duly made , installed Bro . Godfrey Lewis Lyons , S . W . and W . M . elect , in the chair of the lodge . Bro . Webb was invested by the new W . M . as I . P . M ., and the following brethren were then invested as officers of the lodge for the year : Bros . W . E . Wilby , S . W . ; S . G . Edrid <* e , I . W . ; James Kench , P . M ., Treas . ; J . B . Sly , P . M .. Sec . ; Walter Hooker , S . D . ; J . Pittman , J . D . ;
Theo . Ward , I . C . ; J . W . Elvin , P . M ., D . C ; VV . G . Fenn , P . M ., and J . S . L . Prior , Stwds . ; and Walkley , Tyler . After some other business had been performed the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an elegant banquet at Freemasons' Tavern , where so-ne 40 brethren partook of the hospitality of the lodge . Tne usual toists followed , which were interspersed with some beautiful
singing , under the direction of Bro . Thoe . Ward , R . A . M ., Organist , by Miss Teresa Blamy , Madame Goodman Russell , and Bros . J . J . Pittman , Bertram Williams , and Mr . L . N . Jekyll . The Worshipful Master , in giving the tiast of "The P 10 Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the GT and Officers , '' said he could not refrain from referring to the unlocked for and sudden death of Bro . Colonel
Shadwell Clerke , the lite Grand Secretary . All Freein isons knew the late brother by nime , but only those who were more intimately acquainted with him in lodge knew the zeal which he imparted to everything he did in connection with the Craft . Happily in this lodge there was left one of the Grand Officers as a member , and in giving this toast he would couple th : name of bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., with it .
Bro . James Kench , P . G . P ., in replying , said : Were it not for the great loss the Craft has recently sustained in the death of our late Grand Secretary—a loss that will be felt and deplored by every Mason in every Und where the English language is spoken—I would add that I respond for the Gand Utlicers on the present occasion with especial
gratilication , for it is just a quarter of a . century this very even n ; that I received the light of Freemasonry in this lodge . In gathering up the memories of the days that are past , I can recall many happy and pleasant evenings I have fji ? nt in La Tolerance—evenings whereon it has been my good fortune to work in love and harmony with many talented brethren whose faces 1 olten sadly miss at our fes-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tive board—evenings whereon I have partaken of the feast of reason and the Bow of soul whilst listening to the sweet concord of melodious sounds . But I can recall none more memorable , not even the night oi my installation in the chair of this lodge , nor that of my appointment as a Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , than the one whereon in great fear and trepidation I made my debut , poor and penniless , on the chequered floor of the Lodge La
Tolerance . Since that memorable occurrence many remarkable events have transpired in the history of the world , many changes taken place in our lodge ; but my reverence for the teachings of Freemasonry , and my zeal for the welfare of this lodge , remain unchanged , and I would that every candidate who is privileged to be admitted amongst us would endeavour to cherish those feelings , that he would consider that in being
permitted to participate with us in the light of our mysteries a great honour has been conferred upon him , that a grand opportunity has been opened to him for acquiring a knowledge of that which will enable him the better to fight the battle of life , and to develope all that is good in him . But in order to do that he must persevere and overcome all difficulties and obstacles that would impede and hinder his progress , ever remembering that difficulties
in the way of duty are to be faced and mastered , and that to yield weakly before them is to be unfaithful to God . And in the doing of this he will find not only the increased pleasure that ever attends the due exercise and development of the intellectual faculties , but that he has been helping to form and mould his own individual character , for which increased knowledge our very character undergoes mutation ; it is not our surroundings or our circumstances
that make us , they are only the material of life , and whatever they are we have to make the b ? st of them : it is we who take up our circumstances , and out of them make habits , and habits decide and form characterthat which gives to each one of us his own individuality—that personality which spreads itself over our being—that stamp , as a minister of the gospel said the other day , whereby men can label us and catalogue us , and
yet feel at the end that we elude classification . All this our newly-initiated brother will find out for himself after he has attended a few of our meetings . 1 f after he has taken his Degrees he likes to keep to the dead level of the ordinary Master Mason he can do so ; but if he is , as he has declared himself to be , actuated by the pure spirit of knowledge , he will not rest content until by patience and perseverance he has lifted the veil that is spread over our
mysteries and discovered for himself not onl y the true meaning of all our signs , symbols , and ceremonies , but the source and origin from whence they all spring , and the grand object they all have in view . Then , and not till then , will he discover that all our ritual and ceremonies are but a means to an end—the improvement of the human heait ; that Masonry sends out an invitation to man wherever he finds him , bidding him put forth a new activity
in the exercise of individual benevolence and Chanty ; the bridges over the abysses which national religions hav e opened up between the nations of the earth , and unites them together in spirit in the bonds of peace and goodwill . It is this that Masonry adopts as her mission—the unity and brotherhood of all human kind without distinction of nation or of race ; it is this that constitutes the grand aim and object of Freemasonry , but which can only be understood
and appreciated by those who are actuated by that "desire which tends to know the works of God , thereby to glorify the Great Work-Master . " The Worshipful Master , in reply to the toast of " The W . M ., " which was proposed by Bro . Webb , said it had alwajs been his ambition since he joined the lodge to hold the position he now occupied , and he would do all that lay in his power to forward the interests of Freemasonry in
general , and of Lodge La Tolerance in particular . He then proposed "The Initiate , " and congratulated Bro . Sutherland on becoming a Free and Accepted Mason and a member of this loige , trusting that what had pissed would make a lasting impression on his mind . He hoped he would carry out the principles and tenets of Freemasonry as they had been so carefully and beautifully illustrated by Bro . Kench .
Bro . Sutherland replied , and said the impression made on his mind that evening would remain all his life . Bro . Webb responded to the toast of "The I . P . M ., " which was accompanied by the gift of a handsome Past Master's jewel , and said he regretted there had not been more work for the VV . M . during his year of office . Bros . Dr . Nicholls , Cambridge , John Paul , Massey ,
Scott , and others responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and Bros . Humphrey , Burt , Smale , and Fenn to that of " The Past Masters . " Bro . Kench replied to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bro . Willby , S . VV ., to that of " The Officers , " and the Tyler's toast closed a most agreeable evening's proceedings .
Capper Lodge ( No . 1076 ) . —! he usual monthl y meeting of the above popular lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , City , on Thursday , the 14 th inst .. and was of more than ordinary interes * 01 account of the unfortunate decease of his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale occurring that day . The lodge was opened by the VV . M ., Bro . VV . L . Crow , assisted by the following officers and brethren : Bros . J . Tytheridge , I . P . M . ; J . H . White , S . W . ; F . C . Ward , J . W . ; J .
Dorton , P . M ., Treas . ; W . H . Ware , Sec ; J . F . Oatcs , J . D . ; C . K . Higgins , I . G . ; M . Sherwin , Org . ; A . Tuberlield , Tyler ; H . B . Holliday , P . M . ; T . G . Day , P . M . ; W . Watkins , P . M . ; W . H . Harris P . M . ; A . T . Dale , P . M . ; C . J . D'Oyley-Mears , P . M . ; S . Vicars , 147 ; J . Mills , 1705 ; and C . Jolly , P . M . and Sec . 1472 and 2184 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . I . I . Roberts was passed , and then the Organist
of the lodge played the " Dead March in Saul , " the effect being a most impressive and solemn spectacle . It was afterwards unanimously resolved that a letter of condolence should be sent to the Grand Master , expressing the sympathy of the lodge in his great bereavement and that of his family . The formation of a Royal Arch chapter in connection with the lodge was then broached , and the
discussion adjourned to the next meeting of the lodge . The liclge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , after which the usual loyal , Grand Lodge , and personal toasts were honoured , including that of ' H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " There was no singing or harmony of any kind , and on the completion of the toist list the brethren separated .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Leopold Lodge ( No . 1571 ) . —The brethren ot this lodge as-embled at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Monday , the nth inst ., to witness the installation of Bro . Edmund J . Morgan , S . W ., W . M . elect . There were present Bros . J . T . Dormer , W . M . ; Edmund J . Morgan , S . W . ; Henry Colley , J . VV . ; Joseph Penney , Sec ; Walter T . Johns , S . D . ; F . P . Langford , J . D . ; H . T . Meadows , I . G . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; T .
Duffield , P . M ., D . C . ; Young , Tyler ; Youngman , P . M . ; Carey , P . M . ; Kimble , P . M . ; J . W . Barnes , W . Longdon , J . Low , E . P . Plummell , A . Presland , H . Wells , J . M . Maud , W . Goad , A . Watts , G . Horwill , C . E . Martin , W . T . Marshall , VV . St . John Dray , C . M . Morris , E . C . Davis , H . G . Ball and others . Among the visitors were Bros . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; F . Carr , P . M ., R . S . Gushing , P . M ., C . H . Harford , P . M , and W . L . Barker
, I . G ., of 1607 ; Walter Martin , P . M . S 79 ; L . Potts , P . M . 916 ; J . Garner , P . M ., Treas . 975 ; J . K . Pitt , P . M . 4 ( 13 ; H . S . Ausworth , W . M . 1441 ; G . Bird , W . M . S 79 ; n . S . Taylor , W . M . 147 ; H . J . Tibbatts , J . W . 2396 "; J . Mansfield , J . D . 871 ; S . Carlton , 21 S 4 ; A . D . | . B . Payne , S 79 ; R . Carey , 1441 ; A . Stribling , 1-547 ; D . T . B-ars , 1 C 9 ; G . H . Williams , 22 S ; G . A . Miles , 1351 ; and D . Reekie , 511 . Owing to the inclement
weather letters and telegrams were received from several Past Masters and brethren regretting inability to attend , and sending " Hearty good wishes . " The lodge was opened , and after confirmation of the minutes and other business Bro . Edmund J . Morgan was presented by Bro . T . Dufnell , P . M ., D . C , and he was duly installed into the chair of K . S . After the usual salutations from the brethren , the installing Master , Bro . J . T .
Dormer , gave the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren in an able and impressive manner . The newlyinstalled W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . T . Dormer , I . P . M . ; H . Colley , S . W . ; VV . T . Johns . J . VV . ; H . Bartlett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Carey , P . M . Sec ; F . E . Davy , S . D . ; A . Watts , J . D . ; J . Hampson I . G . ; W . F . Packer , P . M ., Org . ; T . Duffield , P . M . D . C . ; F . P . Langford , A . D . C . ; H . T . Meadows and G .
Horwili , Stwds . ; and Young , Tyler . Two candidates were duly initiated into Freemasonry , and after the despatch of other business the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to an excellent banqu ° t . The usual toasts were then duly honoured , and interspersed with some beautiful music , which was much apprf-ciated , the artistes being Bro . Packer , P . M ., Organist of the lodge ; Mr . Dyved Lewys , Bro .
Sackville Evans , and Mr . E . Owen , and a warm reception was accorded to the Welsh National Anthem , ' * Hen wlad fy Nhadau " ( The land of my Fathers ) , which was heard by many for the lirst time . Bro . Packer , P . M ., acted as accompanist . The toast of "The Oueen and the Craft" having been duly honoured , that of " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was proposed , the W . M . saying , as a
Welshman and the hrst to occupy the cbair of the Leopold Lodge , he was proud that the present head of the Craft carried also the title of Prince of Wales . Reference having been made to the return to convalescence of H . R . H . Prince George of Wales and to the approaching marriage of the Duke of Clarence , whose illness it was hoped would prove ol a temporary nature , and to the services rendered to the Craft by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the hone was
expressed that when the time came for the M . W . G . M . to assume the gavel of kingship , and to exchange the trowel for the sceptre , he might long be spared to reign over a united people in peace , prosperity , and happiness . In submitting the toast of "The Grand Officers , " the W . M . referred in feeling terms to the loss the Craft had sustained by the death of the esteemed late Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , and to the services the
Grand Officers had rendered to the Craft and the Masonic Institutions . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., in reply , thanked the brethren on behalf of the Grand Officers , and bore testimony to the services rendered to Freemasonry by the jamented Grand Secretary , with whom he had come much into contact , and also to the large amount of time devoted to the Craft and the Masonic Institutions by the Grand
Officers . He concluded by congratulating the members of the Leopold Lodge in the choice ol their W . M ., of whom he spoke in terms of great praise , and wished them a prosperous year . The gavel was then assumed by the I . P . M ., Bro . Dormer , who asked the brethren to drink to " The Health of the Newly-installed W . M ., Bro . Edmund J . Morgan . " He had known the W . M . for many years , and having been initiated into Freemasonry together they had worked closely
together , and now found themselves side by side as W . M . and I . P . M , ofthe lodge . He concluded by wishing the newly-instilled Master all happiness and prosperity . The Worshipful Master , who was most heartily received , in reply , thanked the brethren for the kind manner in which the toast of his health had been honoured , and for his unanimous election to the chair of the lodge . Having filled nearly the whole of the ollices in the lodge , he trusted that
he had qualified himself for the high position he occupied , and assured the brethren nothing should be wanting on his part to merit the continued confidence of the members of the Leopold Lodge . While fully conscious of the arduous task before him , and of the responsibility of the ofiice to which he had been elected , he was none the less conscious that in steering the Leopold craft through the Masonic waters during the coming year , he could rely upon its Past
Masters , who had piloted the good ship in the past , and upon the individual members , without which success would be impossible , and he trusted that at the end of the voyage the good ship might be brought into port none the worse for having been under his command . In conclusion , the W . M . appealed for the united support of the members , in return for which his best endeavours would be put forth , and he trusted that at the end of his year of office he might
have done nothing to have forfeited the good opinion and esteem of the brethren . " The Installing Master and I . P . M . " was then proposed from the chair , the VV . M . informing the brethren that Bro . Uoiinerwas happy in being blessed with a truly Misonic name , and as good wine needed no bush , no words of his ( the
W . M . ) were necessary to commend the toast to the hearty acceptance of the brethren . 'They all knew how ably the duties ofthe chair had been carried out during the past year , Bro . Dormer having initiated , passed , and raised nine brethren who would prove a credit to the Craft . The thanks of the brethren were also due to Bro . Dormer for the excellent manner in which he had carried ou * the duties