Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., and the Grand Masters of the States of America" having been given , "The Grand Officers" was proposed by the Worshipful Master in the chair . He regretted they had no Grand Officers present except himself , but they had a Grand Officer of the States in Bro . Tilton , P . D . G . M . New York .

He should ask that brother to respond , for it mattered not , as far as they vvere concerned , whether a brother vvas American or English . Bro . Tilton , P . D . G . M . New York , said that , as there were no English Grand Officers present , he hardly felt it incumbent upon him to respond . The officers of the United States , and especially New York , felt most heartily gratified

that this lodge had been formed . The American brethren were convinced that they would have a Masonic home should they visit this country , and , personally , he was proud to be a member , for the New York Masons would feel an honour had been conferred upon them by accepting him as a founder . He had been asked to propose the next toast , and he vvas convinced it was one they would receive

heartily—it was " The W . M . in the Chair . " He knew Bro . Major Lambert to be a good , liberal , and free-hearted Mason , and one who had done much for the Craft in England . He was happy to have the honour and pleasure of proposing the health of that distinguished brother , and asked the brethren to welcome it with cordiality . Bro . Major Geo . Lambert , P . G . Swd . Br ., in returning

thanks for the kind manner in vvhich the toast had been proposed and received , said he simply represented their W . Master , vvho , through business of great importance , was compelled to be in South Wales . He regretted the absence of that brother , whom he knew so well , but he would ask the brethren to devote a glass of wine in drinking to the health of their absentW . M . He vvas pleased to

see among the joining members a brother formerly of the Grand Orient de France , for he would tell them that he ( Bro . Lambert ) for two years filled the office of Venerable of a lodge in Paris . He had belonged to lodges both in Berlin and Hamburg , and was therefore quite a cosmopolitan . They had been treading on new ground by the toasts they had proposed and received , but they vvere standing

beneath the Stars and Stripes as well as the Union Jack . During the forthcoming year their lodge must progress , for there would be a large number of brethren visit this country for the great American Exhibition , and it was the duty of their lodge to extend the right hand of fellowship to those visitors . There vvas one lodge in America—the Green Leaf Lodge—in vvhich he vvas personally interested ,

for he had the honour of presenting them vvith a portrait of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., which they cordially accepted , and which now hangs on the wall of their lodge room . He asked them to accept his best thanks , and assured them that nothing should be . wanting in his endeavours to further the progress of their Anglo-American Lodge . In giving "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the acting

W . M . said they vvere deeply indebted to Bro . Cumming for accepting the Treasurership . The duties of that office vvere not a bed of roses , but occasionally rather a bed of nettles . The work of their Secretary vvas also not an easy task . He had rendered valuable assistance in the compilation of the by-laws , vvhich , however , could not be expected to escape criticisms . He had no doubt they would find that ,

like the portrait-painter whose name he bears , the Secretary would depict the by-laws on the paper as faithfully as the pictures were painted . Bro . Cumming , Treasurer , in reply , said he had no doubt that by the members coming liberally forward , his task would be an easy one . T he expenses of a new lodge were naturally heavy , but there need be no fear for the

future , for there were sanguine hopes for its growth . Bro . G . Reynolds , Sec , also replied , and said the more work they gave him the greater pleasure it would afford him . Their lodge had been founded upon splendid and good principles , and he could not help remembering that

when he vvas in America he was always received with the utmost kindness . No brethien , except those vvho travel , could properly appreciate the advantages of Masonry . He had recently been indebted to the Craft for the truly Masonic spirit vvith vvhich he had been received and assisted whilst in Lisbon .

"The Officers" was then given by Bro . Lambert . They were fortunate in having excellent officers in Bro . Clark , S . W ., and Bro . Kedge , J . W ., vvho vvere both perfect in their knowledge of Masonry . He considered it a great honour to have for their S . D . Bro . Consul-General Waller . Was it a small thing that a Government official , representing the United States in England , should accept

the minor office of S . D . ? They could not have forgotten the eloquent speech delivered by their brother at the last meeting , showing how American Masonry is bound up with us and leads to the church and the school . By the one they vvere taught to revere the G . A . O . T . U ., and by the other they indoctrinated those principles into the children , so that when they grew up they could appreciate

them . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . Consul-General Waller , S . D . Bro . Consul-General Waller , S . D ., in the course of a speech , replete with American witticisms , and delivered in his well-known inimitable manner , said that in America they never asked the S . D . anything . That was the first famil y gathering of their lodge , and a happy one it vvas—it vvas not

too numerous , but just large enough . He might be excused for saying that he could scarcely look upon the brother in the chair vvith the veneration generally extended to that position , for he had been so frisky in the business of the venerable Master . The last occasion was a public one , for it was an international marriage between English and American Masonry . That evening they had met to

consummate the marriage . The time would come when they would forget , in some measure , vvhich part vvas America and which English . He could imagine , if they would allow his youthful fancy to take flight , a time in their matrimonial lives when there is a refeience as to vvhat is America and what is English , but there does come a time when they cannot say which is English or vvhich is America . They became so blended that they were unable to tell , and would

not , if they knew . When in their happy and pleasant communion , they would all be cf one lodge , and all representing English-speaking people wherever God permits them to speak . He was sure there was nothing he could do so gratifying to his people as to be connected with that lodge . He loved his people , and as he desired to bring together those people , it pleased him to belong to it , and it would be a reminiscence of his life that he vvas one of ¦ the first in its formation . He trusted they would all feel

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

as he did , that in alluding to the officers , they should think of the W . M . vvho was absent . It enhanced the honour England did America when they took a man for the first W . M . vvho represented so worthily so many of the American Grand Lodges . He was telling them the sincere sentiment of his heart when he said they thoroughly appreciated the distinguished compliment in appointing a man

they themselves had so long selected for the office . There were some things in Masonry Americans had yet to learn of England . The most prominent thing vvas the social character of our Masonry . The American Masons , after the manner of their country , were always anxious to make their lodges large , and have three , four , or perhaps five hundred members . It was a mistake : but time , which

moulds all things , would smooth it . For generations and generations all England had been doing—vvhat ? It had been undertaking to get a good dinner , and they had done it . The first thing a man knows when he lands in Queenstown is that he gets half-a-dozen invitations , for the first thing an Englishman says is— "dine vvith me . " A dinner is the place for social intercourse , for dinner in all God ' s

world tended to geniality and friendliness . But in America they had no time for dinners . In their institutions , like Masonry , they did not get time for dinners . In this country they get through their business and then enjoy themselves ; but when in America they come to dinners they vvill beat us . Speaking of this , reminded him of the question some one asked another . What are Americans ? The other

replied— "They are Englishmen improved . " An allusion had been made to the by-laws , and by-laws are an institution in America ; a number of Englishmen once went to America and some of them suggested a series of laws . They discussed it a while and then one of them said he had a proposition to make . It vvas this , "That this colony adopt the laws of God , and keep to them until better are instituted . " He now came to the officers .

There vvere several kinds of officers , for good ones could not always be had . Take the Treasurer . What is a Treasurer ? A man vvho keeps the money ? In America they might keep it for ever , and he supposed that even in the history of this country there could be found similar cases . He would describe the kind of Treasurer to have . When , from the dignity of the lodge it was necessary to

have a good dinner , and the Treasurer says " there is not money enough to meet the expense . " The man vvho says that you can get anywhere . He required a good liberal man vvith fat pockets , vvho , when he finds there is not enough money in the Treasury , says " I will pay for it out of my own . " He knew their Treasurer , who vvas born in America , and vvho had by discretion got a handsome

fortune and it would be subject to their Order , he had no doubt . That vvas the sort of Treasurer . There vvas one thing he had observed in their lodge , to vvhich he would make allusion . In the records , titles vvere given . In his judgment , inside a Masonic lodge there should be no titles except those Masonry confers . They met upon the level in God ' s footstool , and inside a Iodge there were no titles

vvhich should be recognised . There was no heresy in that . The greatest man in England would respect you most , and would respect your Order most , if there was a place where there vvas no title except that vvhich God gave a man when he made him . There vvas one place in the world where one man vvas as good as another , and that was inside a Masonic lodge . The W . M . is the greatest man inside the door which the Tyler tyles . And so he gave it for their

thought , whether in that lodge there should be no generals , or majors , or any other titles of any kind . He wanted , inside the lodge , to be the Senior Deacon and nothing else . He also wanted to say that their Masonic meetings in this country vvere exceedingly pleasant , and tended to make us more agreeable to one another . "The Joining Members" and "The Visitors" having been given , the Tyler's toast closed a pleasant and profitable evening .

LEEDS . —Prudence Lodge ( No . 206 9 ) The usual meeting of this lodge vvas held on the 16 th instant , when , as usual , there vvas a large muster of members and visitors . The Worshipful Master , Bro . C L . Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., was supported by the following officers and brethren of his lodge : Bros . Tudor Trevor , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Watson , P . M ., J . W . ; Dr . Smyth ,

I . P . M ., Prov . G . Chap . ; C . Middleton , Sec ; R . Abbott . Treas . ; Scott Young , S . D . ; J . J . Fretwell , J . D . ; M . W . Jameson , I . G . j L . Howard , Org .,- Atkinson and Story , D . C . ' s ; Butterworth and Milling , Stwds . ; Rev , J . Rosser , Chap . ; R . Graig , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . Cooke , R . A . Smithson , B . S . Barley , Cryer , and Bentley . Lodge Goderich , No . 1211 , was entertained , being

represented by the W . M ., Bro . W . H . Bradford ; P . M . ' s ; Bros . Jacques , Scriven , and other officers . Bro . J . B . Jowett , S . D . 306 , and other visitors vvere present . Bro , Harris R . Abbott was passed to the Second Degree by Bro . Dr . Smyth , the working tools being given by Bro . Craig . The ballot having been declared clear , Mr . John Pendleton , was impressively linitiatcd into the

mysteries of Freemasonry by the W . M ., the working tools being explained by Bro . Watson , and the charge delivered by Bro . Trevor . Bro . J . R . Dare vvas called upon to deliver his lecture entitled " Obsolete words in the earl y version of the Bible used in Masonic Ritual . " In the course of an address displaying deep research and a thorough grasp of his subject , Bro . Dare said that the volume of the

Sacred Law vvas highly prized amongst Masons . On it vve obligated our candidates , and when it vvas unfolded our lodge became perfect . It vvas the first object pointed out to the newly enlightened initiate , and he vvas recommended to a careful perusal of its contents . In every Degree of Freemasonry the volume of the Sacred Law was very highly valued . He should not , for want of time , attempt

to speak on the Bible anterior to the days of printing , but he should commence with the earliest version in the English language , vvhich was translated by Tyndal . This vvas followed by a translation of the Pentateuch by the same translator in 1530 . ln 1535 Coverdale translated the Bible , which was the first ever known in the English language . Then followed Matthew's in 1537 , vvhich vvas compiled by Rogers . Then came Taverner ' s Bible vvhich had for its

basis Matthew's , though it varied in a great many particulars . In 1539 came Cranmer ' s Bible , though all Cranmer had to do with it was the writing on preface and epilogue to the one issued the year following , and all subsequent editions were erroneously known as Cranmer ' s Bible for this circumstance . In this Bible the psalms appeared as they are now enshrined in our Prayer Book . After Cranmer ' s Bible came a remarkable little Testament by Wm . Whittingham ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

a layman , who vvas Dean of Durham . Then the Genevan Bible came , which vvas known as the " Breeches Bible . " Afterwards , in 156 S-9-72 , other versions appeared , vvhich were entirely free from the objectionable notes contained in the Genevan Bible . Then we had James' Bible , known as the authorised version , though the only really authorised version was Matthew ' s . No doubt it occurred to most

thoughtful Masons to turn up their Bibles to verif y quoted passages which were given to them in the lodge , and when they found that these quotations differed from those found in the authorised version , they were led to question the antiquity of Masonry , when , if they vvere better acquainted vvith the subject , their doubts would disappear . Having given several specimens of words , such as "hele , " which

were still used in our ritual , and which were to be found in earlier versions . He said it vvas fair to assert that when they used in the Masonic ritual words novv obsolete , but vvhich were in commsn use 400 years ago , that this vvas a convincing proof of the antiquity of the system . Some remarkable instances of this kind having been given , Bro . Dare , in conclusion , said that Freemasonry was a subject

vvhich deserved the very closest investigation , and the more it vvas studied the more apparent became its beauties and its unity . Since he had been a member of the York College , a study of Mason ' s marks had convinced him completely of the antiquity of the Order . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the I . P . M ., a cordial vote of thanks vvas passed to the lecturer , and the

hope vvas generally expressed that at no distant date he would return to the subject . The Worshipful Master then made the gratifying announcement to the lodge that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the M . W . G . M ., had offered to Dr . Smyth the exalted post of Grand Chaplain of England . Hearty congratulations vvere conveyed to Dr . Smyth , who already is

Grand Chaplain to the Mark Degree , and vvho has filled a large variety of offices in the lodge and the province , both in England and India . Bro . Smyth suitably acknowledged the compliment of the brethren , and "Hearty good wishes " having been passed round , the brethren adjourned to high tea . Bro . Watson , P . M ., J . W ., the Charity Steward ,

announced that Provincial Grand Lodge had sanctionced the raising of £ 2100 to provide two perpetual presentations to the Widows' Fund for that province to mark the Jubilee year . He invited subscriptions , when fifteen guineas were at once promised . It may be interesting to state that during the two years of its existence Prudence had sent up to London over £ 200 , besides nobly supporting the Leeds Benevolent Fund .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ZETLAND LODGE ( No . in ) . —A meeting vvas held at thc York and Albany , Regent ' s Park , on Monday , the 18 th inst ., when there vvere present Bros . N . D . Francis , 2 < J , W . M . j C . Smales , 1604 , S . VV . ; W . .. . Hall , J . W . ; W . J . Goodchild , S . D . ; I . H . Kew , J . D . ; H . Marsden , I . G . ; E . C . Mulvey , 179 and 788 , Preceptor ; F . M . Noakes , 2148 , acting as Sec ; H . Gangs , II , Halliday , E . M . Walker , J . Passingham , W . H . Hosegood , VV . T .

nan , A . oiddings , H . J . Hazel , W . R . Shutt , E . R . Smith , J . Bleckly Smith , S 13 ; Dr . Goodchild , P . M . ; T . Bore , H . Jordan , S . T . Hill , and Dr . Powdrell . > J > The iodge was opened in due form , and the minutes o £ the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . E . R . Smith being candidate . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Mulvey , vvho worked thc Degree of F . C . in his usual impressive style , Bvo . Hill being the

candidate . Bros . N . D . Francis , ite , and J . Bleckly Smith , 813 , were elected joining members . The S . W . was unanimously elected W . M . lor next meeting , and was pleased to appoint his officers in rotation . A vote of thanks vvas passed , and ordered to be recorded on the minutes , to Bro . N . D . Francis for the excellent manner in vvhich he had performed the duties of W . M . for the first time in this Iodge , which was suitably responded to . The Iodge vvas then closed .

HIGHGATE LODGE ( No . I 366 ) .-A meeting vvas held at the Bull and Gate , Kentish Town , on Thursday , the 14 th inst ., when the following brethren vvere present : —Bros . Quartly , 228 , W . M . ; Coffin , 167 , S . W . ; Homan , 1602 , J . W . j Hill , 1316 , S . D . ; Vacani , 1261 , J . D . ; Ridout , 1287 , I . G . j Frost , 704 , P . M ., Preceptor ; Scattergood , 753 , Sec ; Dr . Goodchild , 704 ; Goodchild , jun ., 7 ° 41 Hardy , 1261 j Garratt , 704 ; and Limebeer , 1446 . The lodge vvas opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge vvas opened in the

becond Degree . Bro . Goodchild , having offered himself as a candidate for raising , answered the usual questions and vvas duly entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Ihird Degree , and the ceremony of raising vvas ably rehearsed . The lodge vvas resumed to the First Degree , and the ist and 2 nd Sections were worked by Bro . Frost , P . M ., Preceptor , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Coffin was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and the officers were appointed in rotation . Notice was given that the Fifteen Sections vvill be worked on the ; th and 12 th of Mav , when brethren are invited to attend . All Masonic business being ended , the lodge vvas closed .

HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 142 S ) . —A meetine vvas held on Monday , the 18 th inst ., at the Porchester HoteI , "" Leinster-placc , Cleveland-square , Porchester-terrace , Paddington , W . Present ) Bros . J . R . Allman , W . M . j A . Hardy , W . M . 201 , S . W . j Jos-Bailey , J . W . j H . Dehane , P . M . 1 J 43 , P . P . S . G . D . Essex , Sec ; M . Rosenberg , S . D . j A . Wolter , J . D . j E . F . Ferris , I . G . j 0 . VV . Battley , Stwd . ; W . H . Chalfont , P . M . 142 J ; Dr . Ingleby-Mackenzie , P . M . 372 , 30 ° ( S . C ) , P . P . S . G . W . Devon ; Capt . A . Nicols Mote

, P . M . 1 J 43 , 1973 , P . D . G . S . of W . Punjab ; C . S . , R . P . J . Laundy , VV . H . Wadham , J . McGarey , J . H . Taylor , and J . Smith . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting vvere read and confirmed . After the usual preliminaries , the ceremonies of initiation and passing vvere rehearsed . Bro . Hardy vvas unanimously elected W . M . for next meeting , and appointed the officers in rotation . After ' * Hearty good wishes , the lodge vvas closed .

CHAUCER LODGE ( No . lsjeO .-This lodge held its usual weekly meeting at the Old White Hart Hotel , Borough , on Tuesday , the inth inst ., when there were present Bros . VV . Roots , W . M . j T . Ladds , S . W . j A . Austin , J . VV . j VV . W . Block , S . D . J J . Osmond , J . D . j A . Arrowsmith , I . G . j W . Wingham , Preceptor ; F . H . Williams , Hon . Sec . j E . Fullick , Bellchamber , F . Ee-il ** * Wright , and Chapman . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting vvere read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Wright as candidate . The Iodge was opened in the Second Degree . Bro . Roots vacated the chair in favour ot

Bro . F . Eedle . Bro . Bellchamber , having answered the usual questions , vvas entrusted . The lodge vvas opened in the Tin ™ Degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . BellchamB " candidate . The traditional history vvas given . The lodge resume " to the First Degree . The W . M . rose for the first time , and the dues vvere collected . The VV . M . rose for the second time , when it vt * proposed by Bro . Wingham , Preceptor , and seconded by the J . Vv- > that the S . W . be VV . M . for the ensuing week—canied unanimously-The S . W . returned thanks , and appointed the oSicers in rotatio * - The W . M , rose for the third time , and the lodge was closed ,