Centenary Festival Of The St. Michael's Lodge, No. 211.

electing me . Bro . Charles Greenwood was not only a most popular and talented officer of this lodge , but for many years he held the position of Provincial Grand Secretary for Surrey . He also participated in Grand Lodge honours , having been appointed G . S . B . of England . Bro . John Laver , P . M ., who executed the memorial banner to Bro . Greenwood which now adorns oar lodge room , Bro . Parsons , P . M ., and my Masonic father and valued friend , Bro . T . H . Lavers , P . M ., who was not only an admirable worker , but an orator whom it was delightful to

listen to at the banquet table , Bro . Morgan , P . M ., who besides occupying the post of Secretary . compiled the history of this lodge . These good Masons of recent times have all , I regret to say , joined the great majority , but they were men of sterling character , who diligently played their parts in maintaining the best traditions of this lodge and upholding its prestige . Of the Past Masters and officers now living I refrain from passing any comment beyond this , that I believe they are all made of the same good stuff ; in fact , taking our present ofiicers as a body , I do not think they

could be surpassed for zeal and efficiency When the history of the last 25 years of St . Michael's Lodge is completed , it will be found that the brethren of that epoch have done good suit and service not only as regards efficient working and good government in the lodge , but as liberal supporters of the Masonic Charities . There is certainly one thing to be especially proud of at this eventful time—that we have a lodge of instruction working under St . Michael ' s banner , which is doing valuable work , and has flourished far beyond any other which has preceded it in

the history of the mother lodge . This is mainly due to the energy of the present W . M . and his ofiicers . Bro . W . H . White , Grand Secretary for upwards of 50 years , often visited this lodge , and performed some of the principal ceremonies . We find mentioned in the minutes various lodges of instruction in connection with the lodge . In April , 182 S , there was a lodge of instruction at the Holly Bush Tavern , Hampstead ; in January , 1830 , 31 the Three Compasses , Kensington . In 18 79 , in my time , we established one at the George Tavern , Australian-avenue ,

which was afterwards removed to the Moorgate , Moorgate-street . It existed a few years , and did some good work in its time , but it died a natural death , as lodges of instruction very often do . Therefore , brethren , you see the working which has been handed down to us by the St . Michael ' s Lodge has been religiously adhered to , and it was that practised by the greatest Masters of the early part of this century—the men , in fact , who were entrusted by the Grand Lodge with the responsible task of correcting the faults which had arisen owing to divisions in

the Craft in the previous century . Those same men were the founders and leading lights in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement established about the year 1823 , which to the present day is acknowledged to be the greatest authority on all matters pertaining to the ancient ritual . In thanking you , brethren , for the patience with which you have listened to these few remarks , I will conclude by expressing the fervent hope that St . Michael ' s Lodge may pursue the even tenour of its way during the next century , and contribute to the prestige of the Craft as loyally in the future as it has hitherto done .

Bro . COCKRELL , W . M ., next proposed " The Past Masters , " who had done good work ; they were good men and true to their Masonic obligation to uphold the honour and integrity of the St . Michael ' s Lodge . After they had got out of office they had always given the benefit of their experience and knowledge to the brethren who required assistance , and were always ready to take the chair if

the W . M . could not attend . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . Dickson , who was one of those Worshipful Masters who did the work in the lodge in a splendid manner , giving the charges and the explanation of the tracing board . What those brethren had done in the past he was sure they would do in the future .

Bro . DICKSON , P . M ., responding , said that the W . M . in proposing the toast had in mind a grateful remembrance of the long list of Past Masters who had come down with the lodge through the years of the last century , and that he had recalled with admiration their many valuable services to that lodge in particular and to Freemasonry in general . The Past Masters , of course , could not be unconscious after the very kind and personal reference the W . M . had made that he was tendering to them his respects , and for himself ( Bro . Dickson ) and his

colleagues he returned their sincere and fraternal regards . Bro . Green had taken them hand-in-hand in the details he had given through a long vista of Past Masters of the lodge and it would be repetition if he were to follow him , but he endorsed all that Bro . Green had said , and he must remark that the history had been well compiled . It showed what an important part the Past Masters had played in using their influence . Such influence either made or marred a lodge ;

but in the case of the St . Michael's it had made the lodge . There had always been a body of Past Masters in the lodge willing to take upon themselves the duties they had discharged when they were in the chair , and at the advent of new members discharged their obligations to maintain the lodge ' s dignity , to render their services with intelligent unostentation and to hand down the ritual pure and undcfiled . He claimed for himself that no one could have more sincere regard for the lodge or a greater hope for its prosperity and success .

Bros . MOUNT , MEUGY , and WEHB responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and Bro . MCLEOD to that of " The Masonic Charities , " contrasting the position of those Institutions in their earlier years with what it was now . Bro . RATCLIFFE , P . M ., Sec , replied to the toast of "Thc Treasurer and Secretary , " assuring the brethren that thc fulfilment of his duties in the latter capacity was a labour of love . He threw all his energies into his work and did everything he possibly could . He would not go over the ground trodden by the

Treasurer in recapitulating the good work the lodge had done in the past . As his ( Bro . Ratcliffe's ) health had been honoured he supposed thebrethren naturally thought he ought to say something about himself . Well , he could only say he was initiated in that lodge 20 years ago and served the office of W . M . in 18 S 0 . Since 1883 he had been appointed Secretary by the W . M . for the time being , and he supposed those successive brethren thought he could perform the duties of the position or they would not have appointed him . Ever since hc was introduced to

Masonry no one had taken a livelier interest in its welfare than he , and as long as he was a member of the lodge his ambition would be to do all he could for its future welfare . There were many duties in connection with the position of Secretary that officer had to perform , and he hoped he could do to the satisfaction of every brother of the lodge ; but the brethren might rely upon this—he spoke from his heart when hc said—he was proud to be a Past Master

of that lodge—that old and distinguished lodge . He was pleased to bear his humble part in that day ' s celebration , and he thanked the W . M . and all the brethren for their kind expressions concerning him . He hoped that at the end of the present Worshipful Mastei ' s term of office he would be able to say it had been a happy term , and he would now conclude by saying he drank to thc success ol the St . Michael's Lodge for the next 100 years .

The toast of "The Officers" followed , and the S . W . and J . W . having responded , the Tyler ' s toast , given by Bro . W . Barnes , closed the proceedings of a most successful gathering .

THE DUCHESS OF YORK has sent two boxes of Christmas presents to Miss Weston , at the Royal Sailors' Rest , Portsmouth . Accompanyit g them is a letter in which her Roval Highness expresses the hope that they may " give pleasure lo the Bluejackets , their wives , and little ones . " A GRAND BAZAAR and International Frost Fair in aai of the fund for free breakfasts and Irish stew dinners for destitute children , and Christmas dinners , coals , 81 c ., for the aged , will be held under the patrcn ige of the Princess Louiss ( Marchioness of Lome ) , the Duchess of Connaught , and the Duke of Cambridge , in the Kensington Town Hall on the 4 th prox . and three following days .

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF GRAND LODGE AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The quarterly meeting- of the General Committee of Grand Lotlge ; ( ihe Board of Masters ) and tho monthly meeting - of tho Board of Benevolence were held cr : Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , ar . d were : very numerously attendee ' .. Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Boartl of Benevolence , occupied the President ' s chair , Bro . C . A . Cotlebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , acted as Senior Vice-President , arc ! Bro . C . J . R .

Iijou , P . A . G . P ., occupied the Junior Vice-Preside ; . t ' s chair . Bros . li . Letchworth , G . Sec , William Lake , Asst . G . Sec , WiUiam Dodd , W . H . Lee , and H . Sadler , Grand Tyler , represented the Grand Secretary ' s department , and there were also present : Bros . WiUiam Vincent , George B . Chapman , Charles Dairy , James Bunker , William Fisher , David D . Mercer , W . Kipps , S . H . Goldschmidt , Major-General

r . Gadsden , Henry Garrod , John Chadwick , Geo . Graveley , George R . Langley , J . Newton , S . V . Abraham , Walter Martin , W . M . Bywater , S . Vallentine , James John Shadlock , James William Nash , Charles G . Marcus , Charles Sheppard , R . Philip Upton , E . C . Mulvey , H . Massey , W . Caslako , G . W . King , William Thomas Winsor , Arthur W . Chapman , Layton S . Richardson , D . A . Langdon , Henry Gregham , Henry J . Moxon , E . M . Jeffrey , John W . Shackleton , J . T . Rowe , John Aldis , Fred . Deacon , Arthur Watts , William Kendell Down , G . Booker , G .

Wilkinson , Harry Price , Edwin Evans , Charles Bachhoffner , Robert T . Godfrey , Jas . T . Lee , Edmund J . Turnbull , R . W . Brooms , Arthur W . Cooper , Thomas William Fisher , R . S . Ellis , A . Robins , J . W . Belsham , Charles M . Hagen , Samuel Vickers , Walter Davies , W . Henry Thomas , S . W . Latham , George N . Stress , S . Lewis , N . Goodchild , S . Pollitzar , R . B . Starkey , S . N . I . Turnbull , A . T . Lay , Arthur Bewley , G . Brash Wheeler , Walter Charles Maynard , E . W . Nightingale , and John Brewer .

At the Board of Masters , the agenda for the Ouarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge on December 4 th was laid before the brethren , after which the Board of Benevolence was opened , but before thc business was called , Bro . HENRY GARROD , P . G . P ., rose and said : Brethren , —Before we proceed to the business of the Board of Benevolence , and this being' the last

meeting of the present Board , I should wish to make a few remarks respecting our very worth y President . I am sure all the members of this Board—especially those who are in the habit of attending here constantlymust have been struck with the very kind and courteous manner in which our worthy President has presided over us again for the last 12 months . ( Hear , hear . ) I have heard a rumour , which 1 hope is not true , and 1 am

sure the whole of this Board will endorse my feelings in thy matter , that our President has the idea of giving up the presidency of the Board . 1 am certain we should all regret it , and I only hope the rumour has no foundation . ( Hear , hear . ) I shall not take any further time in comment . Our President is so well known that I will say no more . 1 will , therefore , move

" That the best thanks of this Board of Benevolence are due and are hereby given to Bro . Robert Grey , the President , for his continued courtesy and kindness and for his impartiality when presiding over this Board during the past year . " I do not think I need any seconder . The motion was carried with acclamation .

Bro . ROBERT GREY , in acknowledging the vote of thanks , said : Bro . Garrod and Brethren . Once more 1 have to thank you for your very kind expressions towards myself . The rumour that you have heard 1 think is at least a common fact . There are certain offices in the Craft that I have always held it is advantageous to hold a certain number of years , and although I say so in the presence of one who is just beginning his tenure of office , I think 10 years of a man ' s lile are as much as is due from him in

justice to the Craft and in justice to himself . At the end oi i <> years—or I would say at the end of nine years—I continue thoroughly ejualified and at home in the work , and every year I have become more ar . d more interested in it , and the more I appreciate thc kindness shown lo me . 15 it there arc others to follow after me , and I think it would be unfair to them if I were to continue in office after another year . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) I think you again for your kind expressions , but I am sure , in the face of 511 case ; , you will think I have said enough .

The brethren then confirmed recommendations made to the Grand

Master at the October meeting of grants to distressed brethren and widows to the total amount of i , 55 < J . The new list contained the names of 50 petitioners , the candidates being qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Leeds , Blyth , Bermuda , Shtllicld , Livupooi , Dinapore , Alnwick , Axminster , Sydney , N . S . W ., Deal , Harrow , Midrllc . ' . borough , Hebden Bridge , Rochester , Leicester , Lalmouth , Meerut , Plumstead , Todinorelcn , Malta , Manchester , Havant , Stoke ( Devon ) , Llandudno , and Sittingbourne .

Four petitions were dismissed , and four deferred and one was withdrawn . The remainder were awarded a total of £ ' ) o ~ ,. One petitioner was recommended to Grand Lodge for £ 75 three petitioners were recommended to thc Grand Master for £ . \ u each ; and eight for £ ; -, o each ; and 20 were granted ^ 20 each ; five £ 10 each ; and four , £ 5 each . Thc Board sat nearly five hours .

Red Cross Of Rome & Constantine.

IReb doss of 'IRome & Constantine .

Premier Conclave . This old conclave held its lirst meeting after tin ; recess at Mark Mesons' II . 11 , ,,,, the 4 th inst ., when there were present , amen ;; others . Sir Kni .: lits | . J . Pake-,- , M \> s . G . Graveley , V . E . ; W . A . Scurrah , S . G . ; the K .. V . K . C . Filiim ; hain . M . A ., ! V « l- > ii ' - IL J . Lardner , P . G . C , P . M . P . S ., Treas . ; CaiiMiii 'I ' . C . Walls , P . G . G .. I' . M PS ' Recorder ; Pnillips , Prefect ; F . G . Hobm : oti , / . P . M . P . S . ; N . IVecver , . ' .. ' ., \ . J > . ¦ , ; ' , ' P . S . ; and Frater F . Rcinaidt , Sentinel .

The minutes of the previous conclave were read and eonli . 'iiied . It vvas ¦ ,,-.,:, .-, ¦ -, seconeled , anel carried iie'iu . rem . — " That in future the instillation meeting ii . Mi . ll 11 November , instead of jum :, as heretofore . " It was proposed by Sir Kni ;! . . || . 1 Lardner , seconded by Sir Knight N . Prower , and carried unmir . ims ! y— " Th -V f ) r s :, _ vices rendered to the conctave by Sir Kiiijjht John Mas . n , P . G . G ., as Kxo .. l .. i- f , „ upwards of 12 years , he be elected an honerary rm-. mher . " ' ' 'ir . viur . kati in ; r ; ,,, ; ¦ ¦' ,-, . r inability ( o attend were received from Sir Kniijhts l „ Stivle , J . G . : | . Mv n , I' \ 1 \> ' .: "' . II . II . Shirley . M . A ., P . M . P . S . ; J . Heard , P . M . P . S . ; lVniutt , P . Al . i ' . S . ' ; ' , '•' . Keyser , P . M . W . S . ; anel others .

The conclave was then closed . A bimiuel followed . The M . P . S , pie . i Jeel with his accustomed geniality and ability . The proceedings terminated at an early hour .