Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Masonry .

ST . LEONARD LODGE ( No . 1766 ) . —The anniversary festival of the above young and prospering lodge was held at the Town Hall , Shoreditch , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., with marked success . Indeed , the lodge may be congratulated upon having so excellent a home as the Town Hall affords , the resources of which , though most severely taxed on the evening in question , yet proved equal to entertaining and banqueting over 120 brethren , a

number considerably above what was expected . Bro . E . Benjamin , W . M ., opened the lodge , and was supported as follows : Bros . J . A . Jones , S . W .,- W . M . elect ; A . A . Clement , J . W . ; Rev . H . G . Henderson , M . A ., Chap . ; loseph Cox , Sec . ; J . Funston , S . D . ; E . Walker , J . D . ; R . Drysdale , D . C . ; G . C . Young , Org . ; F . Matthews , I . G . ; H . J . Thrower , Steward ; Charles F . Barham , P . M . ; G . T . Barr , P . M . ; Louis Stcan , P . M . ; J . Terry ,

Hon . P . M . ; W . Clarke , P . G . P . ; and H . G . Buss , Assist . G . Sec . The visitors present were Bros . R . J . Sanders , SGi ; C . VV . Hodges , 1310 ; A . R . Frew , 959 ; A . D . Uouglass , 1 744 ; j . V . Jones , 1607 ; Walter Downing , P . M . 20 ; James James , 723 ; Edward Ames , SGo ; S . I . Haggs , 813 ; J . N . Healc , 45 ; Edwin Symmons ; G . C . Peacock , 201 ; F . Brien , P . M . 107 G ; C . Sims , SGi ; H . Salter , SGi ; Joseph Little , 1 G 07 ; J . Goodwin , 1133 ;

John C . Pitt , 107 G ; John Berry , 172 ; John lhorcy , ' 3955 VV . Turner , iSG ; H . Finch , P . M . 13 O 5 ; VV . H . Lee , P . M . 1524 ; Charles Stell , J . D . 1365 . W . Potter , 1 445 ; H . J . Bradgate , 55 ; T . Hill , S 13 ; G . Edwards , 'J 07 ; VV . Francke , 1 G 92 ; W . F . Green , S 61 ; B . S . Smither , 193 ; T . W . Francis , 55 ; G . H . F . Rowc , ioyG ; S . Wallace , S . D . 907 ; C . \ V . Cox , P . M . 156 G ; Harry Sarson , 76 ; James Hughes , W . M . 1 S 1 G ; Egbert Roberts ,

Org . 1623 ; F . II . Tibbites , S . W . 1950 ; John Lobb , 22 S ; G . T . Turner , W . M . 1 S 3 ; Henry Morrcll , 1 S 39 ; S . B . Bridges , 591 ; VV . W . Morgan , jun ., J . W . 1107 ; James Robson , J . W . 1445 ; James Smith , S . W . 193 ; B . Page , 214 ; VV . H . Stevens , 1564 ; VV . Clarke , 115 S ; G . Marwood , S 13 ; Henrv Stephens , P . M . 754 ; . 1- Mellor , 1744 ; Captain A . Durra ' nt , P . M . 5 G 9 and 11 S 5 , Sergeant R . Birkett , 5 G 9 ; Corporal P . Munro , 5 G 9 J J . II . Hawkins ,

P . M . 5 G 9 ; R . Nicholson , l . P . M . 15 OO ; K Cain , S 13 ; J . B . Uowen , 6 3 ; E . F . Snook , 1 G 93 ; H . Doubleday , 103 ; F . Hallows , P . M . 1 G 62 ; G . J . Freeman , 1 G 13 ; C . Gooding , 1329 ; W . Iron , S . W . 1579 ; G . H . Stephens , J . W , 1 G 23 , 13 S 2 , and S 9 S ( Freemason ); and others . Bro . Benjamin was to have conferred the Third Degree upon Bro . Critchlield , and so complete a capital year ' s work . The candidate , however , not being present , Bro .

Benjamin proceeded to the work of installation . Bro . Jas . Alfred Jones , W . M . elect , was duly presented and entrusted , and the ceremony of installation , so often described in these columns , was carried out with efficiency and attention to detail . Bro . Jones next appointed the following brethren as officers : Bros . Elias Benjamin , l . P . M . ; A . A . Clement , S . W . ; Jas . Funston , J . W . ; Rev . H . G . Henderson , M . A ., Chap . ; Daniel King , Treas . ; Joseph Cox , Sec . ;

E . Walker , S . D . ; Frank Matthews , J . D . ; R . Drysdale , I . G . ; II . J . Thrower , D . C . ; L . A . Harrison , Steward ; J . Staff , Assist . Steward ; and G . C . Young , P . M ., Org . The several appointments were heartily greeted , and Bro . Benjamin resumed his labours , and gave a line rendering of the ancient charges , and concluded the ceremony amid the applause of the brethren . The ballot was next taken for the admission of Bro .

E . A . Beckett , 13 G 4 , as a joining member , and for the admission of four gentlemen into the Order . This proved favourable , and the new W . M . proceeded to give the lodge atasteof his quality by a careful and impressive rendering of the initiation ceremony on behalf of Messrs . E . J . Rose , j . L . Fraser , E . T . Henman , jun ., andG . Colls . During the lodge the I . P . M ., Bro . Benjamin , waspresentedwith ahandsome Past Master jewel , inscribed as follows : " Presented

to Bro . Elias Benjamin , P . M ., in recognition oi his high personal worth and of many great services rendered the lodge during , his year of office 18 S 1-2 . December 13 th , 1 SS 2 . " On the top bar in gold letters was " Quartus " and on the bottom one " Conditor . " Bro . Benjamin , in returning thanks , expressed the pleasure he felt in learning that his endeavours to give the lodge every satisfaction had been successful . He had

promised when placed into the chair to do his utmost , and had endeavoured to fulfil that pledge during the whole time of his Mastership , illness alone hindering him from doing so . The W . M ., alter the usual risings , received" Hearty good wishes " from such an array of visitors as we have but seldom witnessed , and lodge was closed . The lodge although meeting in a Town Hall relies upon its own resources for banqueting arrangements , and as we have

already said , these were put to a severe test , and reflects great credit upon the brethren who undertook this important department . * The lodge possesses its own material and wine cellar , the latter bcing ^ capitally officered by Bro . L . A . Harrison , the genial Steward of the lodge . Over 120 brethren sat down to a capital repast , the spacious salle a manger being beautifully lighted by two electric lights on the Pilsen Joel principle , which gave a brilliant

elfect to the scene . After the grace " Laudi spiritual ! " had been sung , Bro . Jones gave " The Oueen and the Craft , " which was followed by the " NationTd Anthem . " " H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . " was next toasted , lira . Jones saying it was unnecessary to say much in his favour the brethren having seen how efficiently the Grand Master discharged his duties as ruler of the Craft . " God bless the Prince of Wales " was capitally sung , and "The Right Hon . the Earl of

Carnarvon , Pro . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers " were cordially toasted . Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary , replying , said it was conferring a great honour upon him to couple his name with the toast of the M . W . G . M ., and other distinguished brethren which had been so heartily received . It was very pleasing to those brethren to find their labours were so well appreciated . For himself , it was not the first time he had attended the St . Leonard Lodge , and he felt a very great deal of pleasure in witnessing the really ex-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

cellent working of the lodge ; the installation , in particular , had afforded him great pleasure . Bro . Clarke , P . G . P ., also returned thanks , and felt his Bro . Grand Officer , Bro . Buss , must have derived considerable pleasure in seeing the lodge which he had recently assisted to consecrate going on so well . Bro . Benjamin , I . P . M ., next gave "The Health of the W . M . " He felt it a great honour to propose the toast , for

the W . M . whom he had installed , had shown by his working of the initiation ceremony , that he was able to work in such a way as never to cause the lodge to regret making Bro . Jones their W . M . The W . M . said Bro . Buss had paid him a high compliment , especially coming from so experienced a Mason . He was very proud so many brethren had rallied round upon the night of his installation , he believed over 120 . He was pleased to see them and trusted that when the time came

for him to vacate the chair the lodge would not be found any worse for what he had done during his term of office . "The Installing Master and other Past Masters" were next honoured , the W . M . doing so in brief terms , as he said , to allow more time for the capital musical arrangements to be carried out . After replies from Bros . L . Stean , the founder of the lodge , G . T . Barr , Barham and Beni ' amin . Bro . Tones toasted " The Initiates , " remarking

that those brethren came into the lodge as friends , and were sure of a hearty reception . He trusted they would make progress and in time attain the position in the chair he then occupied . ' Bro . Edgar Roberts here gave a fine rendering of the German drinking song " In cellar cool , " and at the conclusion was so warmly encored he substituted "Big Ben , " which was also capitally sung .

Bro . Eraser , on behalf of himself and co-initiates , expressed the deep sense of gratitude they felt for the good feeling and hearty good will with which they had been received , and tor the impressive manner in which they had just been initiated . They had been deeply impressed , and trusted as years rolled by and opportunities offered , to prove worthy of the great organisation they had been received into . Bros . Henman and Colls also briellv returned

thanks . " The Masonic Charities , " coupled with the name of Bro . James Terry , P . M ., the indefatigable Secretary of the Institution for Aged Freemasons , was enthusiastically received , and Bro . Terry replied , congratulating the W . M . and the lodge at the high degree of success which had attended the lodge since its formation four years ago , and during which period he was proud to say the brethren of

17 CG had every year paid something like £ , 100 into the coffers of the Three Masonic Benevolent Institutions . No doubt this could not always be maintained , for there would come at times a fallow year ; and he understood that in the ensuing year the lodge intended to rest upon its laurels , in order as he , Bro . Terry hoped , to come out doubly strong afterwards in support of the charities . Bro . Terry next gave a brief view of the position of the three

institutions , remarking upon the good fortune of the Girls ' School in being able to take in all candidates at the April election , and standing in a good position to have done so at the last election in October . The Boys' School had numerous candidates for admission , and was endeavouring to meet the case by forming a preparatory school for fifty boys . This would require the support of the brethren . Then there was the Institution for Old People , and it was

in consequence of having to be at a Committee on that afternoon , where he ( Bro . Terry ) was engaged until six o ' clock , that he was unable to be present at the lodge working . They had no applications for the benefit of the Institution , forty-six men with ten vacancies , and sixty-four women with but one vacancy , and the number would before the election reach 140 applicants . Bro . Terry concluded by making a strong appeal for support to enable

these institutions to carry on their good work . "The Visitors" were next honoured , coupled with the names of Bros . Captain Durrant , P . M . 5 G 9 ; H . Stephens , P . M . 754 ; and VV . 11 . Lee , P . M . 1524 ; the former brother briefly responding , as also ( lid Bro . F . Brien , P . M . 107 G , who expressed the great pleasure he had felt in witnessing the workings and partaking the hospitality of the St . Leonard Lodge .

" The Masonic Press , " responded to by Bro . G . II . Stephens , and " The Officers , " responded to by the S . W ., brought the list of toasts to a conclusion ; and Bro . Very gave the Tyler's toast . During the evening a capital selection of music was performed , Bro . Egbert Roberts lending invaluable aid , and Bro . Strickland giving a nice rendering of " My Queen "

( Blumenthal ) . Of the ladies , we should add that Bro . Walker ' s two daughters rendered great service ; Miss Livinia Walker singing " Tours , " " A little bird ' s story , " and in Balfe ' s duct , "Trust her not , " with Miss Coyte - Turner , and her sister ably accompanying . Miss Coyte - Turner sang with good effect S . Lover's " What would you do , love , " and in the concerted music , which greatly enhanced the pleasures of a highly successful

evening . BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( No . 41 ) . — From a variety of circumstances , this old lodge , and the Royal Arch Chapter connected with it , the celebration of whose centenary we recorded a week or two ago , have been brought very prominently into notice during the last few years , not only on account of the antiquity of both , but from the care with which the records of minutes and of the

Treasurer ' s accounts have been kept from the commencement , and preserved perfect to the present day , and other interesting circumstances . The following report will show that there still remained another event in the history of the lodge , which is peculiar and probably unique . The circular of summons for a regular meeting to be held at 6 p . m . on Thursday , Dec . 7 th , contained the following announcement , which induced an unusually large attendance of members and visitors . " Immediately after the lodge business is closed , the new banner given by the

ladies will be formally presented . " Bro . R . B . Caler opened the lodge , supported by the following present and past officers : Bros . ) . Rubie , P . P . G . ) . VV ., as l . P . M . ; Past Masters , T . P . Achlcy , P . P . G . J . W ., Treas . ; Thomas Wilton , P . P . G . j . W . Dir . of Ccrs . ; C . W . Radway , P . P . G . S . W ., Sec ; Captain R . Peel Floyd , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . B . Moutrie , P . P . G . S . W . ; F . Wilkinson , P . P . G . Supt . of VVks ., as I . W . ; S . G . Mitchell , P . P . G . D . C ; John Turner , P . P . G . S . D . ; Philip Braham , P . P . G . Org . ; Dr . H . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W ., Warwickshire , P . M ., 41 , 4395 $ i E . J- B . Mercer , S . W . ;

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

T . Ames , S . D . ; VV . Peach , J . D . ; Thomas Edmund Wilton , I . G . ; W . B . Gregory , and J . Gauler Wilton , Stwds . ; J . Foote , Org . ; Bigwood , Tyler . Among the members of the lodge were : Bros . G . H . Bartlett . R . Sidwell , James Robinson , F . VV . Fortt , C . E . Pontine , R * Kendall , T . J . Pinker , VV . H . Reynolds , F . K . Baldwin ' I ' -M ., 335 ; T . G . Brown , J . Y . Ackland , J . A . Fisher , John Olivers . Visitors : J . Sumsion 53772 ; C . B .

, , Smith , 53 ; J . Banks , 906 ; VV . O . Ellis , P . M ., 500 , P . P . G . S . D ., Oxfordshire ; F . M . Baker , 906 ; W . H . Brumby , 53 ; W . F . Collins , S . W ., 53 ; and the followinn-P . M . ' s of goG : VV . Williamson , P . P . G . D . C ; E . lT Hill , and W . H . Dill , P . P . G . P . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bros . R . Sidwell and 6 . E . Ponting were passed to the Degree of F . C . by the W . M ., who was

assisted in the explanation of the working tools by Bro . Gregory . A ballot was taken for Mr . H . Moody as a candidate for initiation , which proved unanimously favourable . The Secretary presented to Bro . Thomas Wilton , P . M ., & c , a beautifully emblazoned memento of his Stewardshi p for the Masonic Girls' School , when , on behalf of this province , he took up to the anniversary meeting , in London , an unusually large sum .

The well-merited congratulations of the Secretary were supplemented by those of the W . M . In reply , Bro . Wilton expressed his great gratification at the receipt of so unexpected and beautiful a recognition of his services , and thanked the brethren who , by their contributions , had enabled him toofferso unprecendently large an amount . He was especially grateful to the W . M . of the lodge in that year , 1 SS 0 , Bro . Dr . Hopkins , whose donation

was so considerable , the result of his skill and industry in the execution and publishing of his Masonic charts , the proceeds of which he devoted to the Charities . The W . M . announced that he had received a communication from the Secretary of the Royal Cumberland Royal Arch Chapter , requesting permission to place the old documents and records of that body in the iron safe , which contained the archives of lhe lodge , under certain conditions ,

so as to ensure their safety . On the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the acting J . W ., this was unanimously agreed to . The Secretary mentioned that in the " Masonic Calendar " published under the authority of Grand Lodge , the Royal Cumberland Lodge had not been marked as possessing a centenary warrant , although Bro . Dr . Hopkins , in his year of Mastership , had complained of the omission .

Some correspondence had recently taken place on the subject , from which it appears that the neglect arose from the impression that a small fee had not been paid . The Secretary added that the matter was now put strait , the claim having been admitted . The W . M . referred to a recent additional donation of five guineas made to the charity fund of the lodge by one of the P . M . ' s ( Bro . Dr . Hopkins ) , and proposed that the

same sum be contributed by the lodge and presented to the Boys' School , a step desirable just at this time , inasmuch as in the prospect of an addition of buildings for a preparatory school , the governors grant a double number of votes in perpetuity . This was seconded by Bro . Rubie , and carried .

The W . M . stated that he had summoned the members at an earlier hour than usual , as the wives and sisters of many of them had prepared a banner for presentation to the lodge . These ladies were assembling in another room , and at the close of business would be admitted for the purpose , after which he invited the ladies and brethren to partake of refreshments , which had been laid in the

anteroom . No other business offering the lodge was closed . The following particulars of the subsequent proceedings are taken from the Bath Journal of December the 9 th : — A ceremony of an altogether unusual and highly interesting character took place on Thursday night in this city , namely , the presentation of a banner by ladies to the Royal Cumberland Lodge of Freemasons ( No . 41 ) Bath . Such

a presentation is said to be unique in the annals of Freemasonry . The ceremony took place after the usual business of the Lodge had been transacted . A large number of " Ladye Visitors " accepted invitations to be present on the occasion . Having been received in a retiring room they were conducted into the Lodge , a privilege by the way very rarely accorded to ladies , and here the presentation took place . Bro . R . B . Cater , Worshipful Master presided .

The business of the evening having been concluded , and the Lodge closed , the following "Ladye Visitors" were admitted , Mrs . M . J . VVilkinson , Mrs . M . Robinson , Mrs . Rubie , Mrs . C . Geraldinc Peach , Mrs . Georgina Moutrie , Mrs . Arabella Becket , Mrs ; Edith M . Fletcher , Mrs . Helen E . Wilton , Mrs . Emma E . Fortt , Mrs . Eli / . a E . Mercer , Mrs . Mary Carey , Mrs . Jane Kendall , Mrs . Sarah Baldwin , Mrs . E . L . Gregory , Miss Alice Robinson , Miss Sarah J .

M . Peach , Miss Mary Louise Ashley , Miss Kate E . Wilton , Miss Florence L . Wilton , Miss A . G . Brumby , Miss Carrie Fisher , Miss Florence Becket , Miss Alice Baldwin , Miss Clara VVilkinson , Miss Lily Ashley , and Miss Maria Hopkins . Mrs . Wilkinson having , on behalf of the ladies , asked Mr . Ashley to present the banner , that gentleman spoke as follows : Mrs . Wilkinson and ladies , Worshipful Master

and brethren , —A pleasing duty devolves upon me now , which I had hoped would have been performed by our oldest Past Master , Bro . White , who would have done it better than 1 can ; but in his absence , from the inclemency of the weather , the duty now devolves upon me as the next senior , of presenting to you , Worshipful Master and the brethren of this lodge , this very handsome banner , as an offerinK from the wives and sisters of the Past Masters

and officers . Let me first say , then , that we are delighted to see so many of the ladies here this evening , shewing how great an interest they take in our proceedings ; and though many have been the presents made to our lodge during the past 150 years of its existence , many of which are still in our possession , and one now lies before you on your pedestal given us more than 100 years ago , yet J do not know that ever before has an offering been made by

our sisters , and I think it is indeed a most rare occurrence for any presentation to be made to a lodge of Freemasons by ladies . Wc know they have been lold that Masons ' lodges arc only a sort of club , that they arc simply an excuse for banqueting , or for staying away from home more than they should do ; but by this handsome present they have made us , and by their presence here this evening , they show that they believe none of those . things , but they rather do believe there must be something in what they have