Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Bro . R . E . H . Goffin , I . P . M ., said he rose with the greatest pleasure to propose the next toast . It fell to the lot of an I . P . M . at all installation meetings to propose "The Health of the Incoming W . M ., " and he was quite sure that on that occasion they would greet the W . M . with additional honour , because he was the first Master of the Abbey Lodge who had risen from its initiates .

Circumstances over which lodges have no control in their youth enforces upon them the necessity of putting forward older men to do the first work , and they were always glad when they could get initiates from the lodge to the position of the chair , showing as it did that by perseverance and industry they would be honoured by the lodge . Their W . M ., he was sure , would have the greatest possible pleasure in presiding over that lodge because he had made his way through

every office , or very nearly , to the top , and in all had given the utmost satisfaction , and would command their respect because he would respect their wants and their necessities , wherever he might see them . Every brother would be satisfied that night with what the W . M . had placed before him . Bro . Dunstan had the ability to perform his duty , and the power to maintain with dignity the high office to which he had been called .

Bro . H . Mainwaring Dunstan , W . M ., said he was using no mere figure of speech when he said he fully appreciated the kind expressions which had been used by the I . P . M . in proposing the toast , and that he was heartily grateful to all for the very cordial welcome given it . The proceedings of that night were a great honour to him and he ventured to think they were also of somewhat unusual interest to the

lodge , because , as the Immediate Past' Master had reminded them , he was the first member initiated in the lodge who had received the dignity of W . M . As a matter of fact , he was the first born of that numerous and happy family to which the lodge had given birth . He was sure it would be a matter for rejoicing that , notwithstanding

the cares of maternity , the lodge was quite as well as could be expected . It would be his great pleasure and duty to surround her with that filial care and loving solicitude which had been lavished on her by his predecessors , and he should also endeavour to hand her over in as flourishing a condition as she now found herself in .

" The Initiates" having been honoured and duly responded to , Bro . the Rev . R . J . Simpson said the W . M . had been kind enough to entrust him with the gavel to propose the next toast . He believed it was a part of the character of Englishmen , as well as Masons , to regard past history as well as present events and future prospects . It was the habit of

Masons to worship the setting , as well as the rising sun , and he was sure that on that occasion they should be prepared to lay their tribute of respect at the feet of the I . P . M . as well as the W . M . in the chair . He ventured to say , without anjr disparagement of their W . M ., that if he did the work with the same amount of Masonic zeal , admirable enunciation , effective rendering , and quiet dignity , he would

succeed very admirably . They must also remember that their I . P . M . had a title to their respect and regard , not merely on account of the admirable manner in which he had performed the ceremonies—and he would say that the testimony of the initiate was very eloquent—but that he , like

the W . M ., was an old working member of the lodge , and had been one of its main supporters . Under those circumstances they would show their respect and regard ,, and wish the I . P . M ., with every feeling of confidence , health and long life to be a member of the lodge , and at once to adorn it , and be an ornament to the Craft .

The Worshipful Master then presented the Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Goffin , I . P . M ., voted at the last meeting in recognition of the manner in which he had performed his duties . Bro . R . E . H . Goffin , P . G . D . C Surrey , I . P . M ., remarked that they knew how much he felt and how little he was able to express his feelings of gratitude on the

present occasion . That night he had come to the end of a year of mental anxiety and laborious work . He had striven early and late to make the work of that lodge a success during his year of office , and , in conjunction with his I . P . M ., to bring the lodge into that state at which they all desired it should arrive . That night he had the satisfaction of looking back with gratitude to those members who

had assisted him and had taken part in the work he had at heart . He had peculiar gratification in introducing to the lodge that evening one of the youths who , from almost the height of the table , had been under his special guidance , a boy whom he might say he had never to reprove for any kind of misconduct or want of application . He had great pleasure to be introduced to the initiate ' s grandfather , who

sat on his right , a Mason of some 37 years standing . He had also peculiar pleasure in seeing around him the members of no less than five lodges to which he ( the I . P . M . ) had the honour to belong . In Bro . Briggs , a member of hisMark lodge , Bro . Bowles , P . M . of his mother lodge , in Y « Wch he was initiated nearly 20 years ago , and to which he still belonged . He had been unable to perform the duties

he owed to his mother lodge because he could not bring his mother to him and could not go to her . He was surrounded by companions in the Royal Arch , and Bro . Loveland was the head of the Grand Master ' s Council , to which he owed allegiance . He would personally thank them for the very kind and eloquent manner in which they had introduced the toast , and the members for the jewel

presented to him , and for their cordial reception . Bro . A . J . R . Trendell , C . M . G ., P G . Stwd ., replied for "The Visitors , " and said they fully appreciated the welcome they had received at the hands of the lodge , not oniy in the lodge room , but also at the banquet table . It would be impossible for any visitor not to be thoroughly delighted with the working they had witnessed , and they heartily wished

all success to the lodge . The name of the Abbey Lodge caused peculiar reminiscences to him , as his mother lodge was the Abbey Lodge at Abingdon , where he was initiated 32 years ago . It vyas his privilege to be in the chair of the Empire Lodge , which was doing important work in receiving Masons from all parts of the world and in welcoming them when they visited this country , and thus they tried to keep up the great bond of brotherhood between the mother

country and her children , and carry forward Masonic feeling from her to all parts of the earth . In returning thanks for the cordial welcome he did not forget the years of friendship with which the W . M . had honoured him . Bros . Bowles and Colonel Burcham also responded . Other toasts were given , the last being the Tyler's toast . Bro . J . Bartlett , Org ., arranged the musical programme , and was assisted by Miss Evelyn Carlton , Miss Emily Foxcroft , and Bro . W . J . Dyer .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

London Scottish Rifles Lodge ( No . 2310 ) . —This lodge completed the first year of its existence on Thursday , the 15 th inst ., when the installation meeting was held at Mark Masms' Hall , Great Queen-street , and Bro . Col . Hy . Lumsden , Prov . G . M . West Aberdeenshire , was duly installed into the chair . The members present included Bros . Capt . J . Hepburn Hastie , VV . M . ; Col . H .

Lumsden , S . W . ; Capt . VV . H . Glynn Smith , J . W . ; J . Norman Callaway , Sec ; S . Hardiman , J . . ; J . J . Mackay , S . F . Mackway , J . McKinlay , VV . E . Nicol , J . A . Braik , W . H . Pardoe , C . Robinson , Stanley J . Attenborough , Wellington Evans , R . B . Fowler , R . L . Darling , and J . Anderson . Visitors : Bros . Capt . D . White , J . W . 1352 ; R . A . Gower , J . W . 2029 ; B . W . Richardson ,

P . M . 2029 ; Capt . J . H . N . Bridges , P . M . 1216 ; Sidney Hill , P . G . D . Somerset ; M . J . Rowan , P . M . 17 S 9 ; T . Pargeter , P . M . 1 S 9 S ; J . Smith , 159 S ; A . R . Cranch , P . M . ; and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The lodge was duly opened , the minutes confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee adopted . Bro . Col

Henry Lumsden , Prov . G . Master W . Aberdeenshire , was then duly installed into the chair as the W . Master for the ensuing year , and appointed the following officers : Bros . Capt . VV . H . Glynn Smith , P . M ., S . W . ; J . T . Norman Callaway , J . W . ; E . I . Husey , Treas . ; W . H . Pardoe , M . D ., Sec ; S . A . Hardiman , S . D . ; Jas . J . Mackay ,

J . D . ; J . A . Braik , D . C . ; Sydney F . Mackway , l . G . ; R . Bruce Fowler and j . Anderson , Stwds . ; and VV . Robertson , Tyler . Bro . Major W . E . Nicol was raised to the Degree of Master Mason , and Bros . VV . Y . Carlin , Wellington Evans , and J . McKinlay were impressively passed to the Second Degree by the VV . M . A handsome

Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro . J . H . Hastie , I . P . M ., by the W . M ., in recognition of his valuable services during the first year of the lodge , and duly acknowledged . Several propositions for initiation and joining were received , auguring a plentiful supply of work for the VV . M . and officers during the coming year , and the lodge was closed in the usual manner .

The brethren subsequently banqueted at the Hoiborn Restaurant , and the usual toasts were afterwards given . In giving | H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " the W . M . said that as the work in the lodge had that evening been long , and the hour was late , he would join with that toast that of " The Grand Officers . " They all knew how much they owed to the Grand Lodge , and there was no

doubt that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales by his staunch advocacy of Freemasonry had much strengthened the position of the Craft in this country , and he had been assisted by the most able G . Officers . There was no brother whom he ( the W . M . ) esteemed more than the Grand Secretary , who was one to whom reference was made at all times , and whose fiat was always considered unassailable .

Bro . Capt . Hastie , I . P . M ., gave "The W . M . / ' and congratulated Bro . Col . Lumsden , VV . M ., upon being in the position that the chief of the corps ought to be with respect to the lodge , and he also congratulated the members upon having him at their head . They knew the work would be thoroughly well done , for the W . M . had that evening admirably conducted the raising and four passings ,

and their lines had therefore fallen upon pleasant places for the coming year . Bro . Col . H . Lumsden , Prov . G . M . West Aberdeenshire , W . M ., said he should not forget the kind manner in which the I . P . M . had proposed the toast , and the thoroughly Masonic manner in which it had been received . The I . P . M . had been pleased to express his approval of the way the

work had been rendered , but he had simply done his best , and hoped to continue to do so , and to give satisfaction during his year . He then came to the next toast—that of "The Health of the I . P . M . " They all knew how thoroughly Bro . Hastie understood the work and duties of the W . M ., and how admirably he had conducted the lodge during the past year . They owed their I . P . M . a great debt for having

undertaken the duties during the first year . By the Constitutions it was impossible for him ( the VV . M . ) to undertake the duties of the first W . M ., being contrary to Grand Lodge laws , and it was a difficulty impossible to surmount . The brethren were anxious that the lodge should be established , and that he should be the VV . M ., but , as that was impossible

they had to look about for some brother to perform that office , and as Bro . Capt . Hastie was known to members of the regiment , he kindly agreed to become the first Master . He need not refer to the way in which the I . P . M . had carried out his duties , but they would all join in thanking him for the ability he had displayed in performing them .

Bro . Capt . J . H . Hastie , I . P . M ., in reply , said he could assure them that since the day that Bro . Callaway first came to him and asked him to accept the honour of being the first Master of the lodge , and since Bro . Col . Lumsden called upon him it had been a very pleasant time , on which

he should always look back with pleasure . He only wished he had done his duty better , but none were more aware of his imperfections than himself . His services would always be at the disposal of thelodge . He could only express his thanks for the beautiful jewel presented to him , which would be handed down as an heirloom , and esteemed as one of

his most precious possessions . "The Visitors " was given by Bro . Capt . Glynn Smith , P . M ., S . W ., and responded to by Bro . Capt . Bridges , P . M . 1216 , who remarked that he had the singular good fortune to be present at the consecration , and he then had the honour to be associated with the visitors in responding . He then predicted a good future for that lodge , and that

prophecy , he ventured to think , had been to a great extent fulfilled . The way in which the propositions flocked in in the lodge was an excellent sign of its vitality . He hailed from a lodge connected with a regiment which had been next door neighbours to the London Scottish . Rifles at Wimbledon for many years past . The Macdonald Lodge was named after a good old colonel , who was loved by every member

of the regiment . The S . W . had kindly mentioned some little work he did in the lodge , buthecould only assure them it had been a pleasure to do anything in behalf of thelodge . He had worked with the I . P . M . ever since they had been Masons , they having been initiated within a few months of each other some 21 years ago .

Bro . Capt . White also replied , after which " The Officers " was given , and a pleasant evening terminated with the Tyler ' s Toast . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Sidney F . Hill , assisted by Bros . A . R . Cranch , P . M ., and A . Crofts .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Argonauts' Lodge ( No . 2243 ) . —A regular meeting was held at the Cromwell Hall , Putney , on the 12 th inst . Present : Bros . J . F . Savory , W . M . ; T . W . Willis , J . W . ; E . P . Smith , S . D . ; H . H . Woodroffe , J . D . ; P . S . Smith , l . G . ; Eugene Monteuuis , P . M ., D . C . ; C . W . Mapleton , Stwd . ; J . C . Radford , I . P . M . ; C . W .

Hughes , C . Val Hunter , A . Thorn , H . B . Adcock , and J . Hastie , 1305 . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The names of three candidates for initiation and one for joining were proposed . There being no further business . the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to supper .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the Sth inst ., at the Masonic Hall . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Alfred Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , W . M ., and of Bro . Riley , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , the acting I . P . M ., Bro . Samuel A . Bailey , P . M ., officiated as W . M . There were also

present Bros . Auty , P . M ., S . VV . ; Wilson , P . M ., Prov . G . Stwd ., J . W . ; Boyle , as S . D . ; Niven , J . D . ; Peterson , Treas . ; Haigh , P . M ., Chap . ; Last , Sec . ; Thornton , l . G . ; Hill , Tyler ; Milner , Swithenbank , Ellis , Root , Morton , and Fearnley . Visitors : Bros , the Rev . Benjamin Mayon , 974 , Prov . G . Chap . ; Loft , S . D . 164 S ; Broadbent , I . P . M . 633 ; and Hartley , 339 .

The minutes of the last regular lodge having been read and duly confirmed , Bros . Milner and Fearnley were passed to the Degree of F . C , the ceremonies being respectively ably performed by Bros . Bailey , P . M ., and Wilson , P . M ., Prov . G . Stwd ., J . W ., the latter also explained the working tools of a F . C , and the former delivered the charge in the Second Degree . A resolution was then unanimously adopted for the formation of a Benevolent Association in

connection with the lodge in aid of the Masonic Benevolent Institutions ; a code of rules and regulations , which had been prepared by the Secretary , was also adopted , and a Committee of Management appointed . " Hearty good wishes " were tendered by the visitors and brethren , and the Prov . G . Chap , read the 123 rd Psalm , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and enjoyed a very pleasant evening .

EAST MOLESEY . Frederick West Lodge ( No . 2222 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Castle Hotel , on the 13 th inst ., and was the largest assembly yet known in connection with it . Exactly three-score composed the lodge , and the same number sat down to the banquet . A very unique and highly interesting feature of the Frederick West Lodge is that the three principal offices in

the past year were filled by brothers in blood , who had occupied similar positions in the City of London Lodge , No . 901 , viz . : Bros . John , David , and Daniel Hughes . Such a coincidence is believed to be without parallel , and it is worthy of remark that each individual of the trio is perfect in the ritual , and able to rule a lodge in a dignified manner , besides being " fluent of speech and easy of address . "

After the opening of the lodge , the routine business was conducted , and two brethren , one of whom was Bro . J . B . Mella , having been elected joining members , the report of the Audit Committee was read . This showed that at the end of its second year of being , the lodge had defrayed all the expenses attendant upon its formation and consecration , including furniture , and could show a balance in hand .

Next came the ceremony of installation , and Bro . David Hughes was presented to the W . M ., Bro . John Hughes , P . M . g 0 I , P . G . D . C . Surrey , by Bro . Elsam , I . P . M ., as the W . M . elect . On the formation of the Board of Installed Masters , it was found that no less than 26 were present , and all expressed their pleasure at assisting at a ceremony worked in the able way in which the Installing Master did

it . Each brother in his turn referred to the fact that they had occupied similar positions to one and the other on a previous occasion , and the existence of a tie even stronger than that of Masonry was clearly shown to those whose privilege it was to witness what passed . On the re-admission of the brethren , the customary salutes were g iven , and the VV . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros .

David Hughes , P . M . 901 , S . W . ; Thomas , P . M ., J . W . ; Pritchard , Treas . ; Weaver , P . M . 8 S 9 , Sec ; Kerr , S . D . ; Ellinger , J . D . ; J . H . Mayo , l . G . ; F . Lockett and Joseph Mayo , Stewards ; and VV . Lane , Tyler . The addresses were then given by the Installing Master with a deeply impressive ] eloquence , and after a shower of " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed .

Having had a short interval , the brethren re-assembled around the banqueting board , which was furnished throughout in Bro . Mayo ' s well-known excellent style . The menu was wisely not over-burdened with "items , " but presented just the variety which is " charming , " and every dish did credit to the establishment . With the dessert came the

toast list , which was admirably relieved by apt and happy quotations from the writings of the " Immortal William . " It is but just to one of the oldest Masons in the Province of Kent to say that the said quotations had been selected by Bro . Jewel , Secretary of the Amherst Lodge , and first appeared on the toast list at its installation meeting early in this month .

Ihe W . M . displayed a discretion too seldom exhibited on such occasions by making his introductions of the several toasts brief and yet effective . His first " speech" was when giving " The Prov . G . M . of Surrey and the other Prov . Grand Officers . " In doing so he referred to the enforced absence of the distinguished brother after whom the lodge was named , and of whose wise and impartial

governance of the Province of Surrey he spoke in the highest terms . To the courteous Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . C Greenwood , reference was also made , and a cordial welcome was extended to his brother and assistant in the office—Bro . Alfred Greenwood—with an expression of the goodwill felt toward him in his candidature for an important

office shortly expected to be vacant . Bro . A . Greenwood made a very neat reply on behalf of the Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Sec , and thanked the W . M . for his very kind remarks . The Immediate Past Master next gave the health of his successor in office , and referred to the very singular circumstances in which they were again placed .