Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

REr 0 R TS or M ASONIC M EETINGS : - . ¦ age Craft Masonry > ii Roval Arch ' 3 * Kniu hts Templar « *> Ancient and Accented Rite 139 £ 1 * 5 Cross of Constantino 139 •Scotland ¦ I ' " . , „ .. „ f Benevolence 139

Masonic * and ' &* ^ T ^& '' ^'~ "" ^^ . ^~ Z 139 Our Royal Grand Master's Return 140 Anti-Masonic Impertinence 140 Masonic Old Women 140 C ORRESPONDENCE : — Proposed Scottish Masonic Benevolent Institution 140

United Orders of the Temple and Hospital 141 Balloting for Candidates 141 Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 141 Accusations Against Freemasonry 141 Masonic Notes and Queries - 141 Consecration of a Lodge at Putney ^ 42 Masonic Meetings for Next Week M 4 Advertisements i . ii . iii . iv . v . vi

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Pasorog . ALBION LODGE ( No . 9 ) . —This lodge held its monthly meeting on Wednesday , the 8 th inst ., at the Regent Masonic Hall , Air-street , Regent-street , Bro . Kimber , W . M . ; E . T . Scott , S . W . ; W . R . Lake , J . W . ; T . Moring , P . M ., Treas . ; J . A . Abbott , . M . Sec . ; S . McCarthy , S . D . ; S . Coste , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Forbes , Org . ; G . Roby , I . G . ; P . M . 's J . S . Cat < r , H . S .

Friend . E . Storr , S . Vallentine , E . Coste , a A W . R . Marsh , I . P . M . j Visitors : Bros . P . Edmger , W . M . 95 ; E . N . Levey , P . M . 507 ; B . Mots , P . M . 185 ; R . Brown , 1421 ; S . R . Foulger , P . M . 177 ; and several other brethren . At the last meeting of this lodge it was proposed and unanimously carried , " That the thanks of this lodge be and are hereby accorded to the Immediate Past

Master , Bro . W . R . Marsh , for the zeal , energy , courtesy , and dignity with which he conducted its affairs during his year of office as W . M ., and that a copy of this resolution appropriately framed be presented to him . " This resolution was beautifully illuminated on vellum and handsomely framed by Bro . Thomas Moring , of Holborn . The W . M ., Bro . E . Kimber , in a very feeling and appropriate

speech , then presented the testimonial to I . P . M . Bro . W . R . Marsh , wlui expressed hi < deep thanks to the brethren for the handsome testimonial they had presented to him , and that it was a source of gratification to him to know that during his year of office he had given satisfaction to the brethren ot the lodge . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel on the 29 th ult . There were present Bros . Waygood , W . M . ; Davis , S . W . ; Mallctt , J . W . ; Davcy , acting S . D . ; Walls , acting J . D . ; Bye , l . G . ; Rumboll , W . S . ; Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; P . M . 's Bros . Peevor , Hopwood , Green , Themcns . The minutes of

the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . raised Bros . Goldsmid , Titley , Colin , Robinson , passed Bro . Goulden , and initialed Messrs . Rolenburg , Mauley , Smith , and Kendall . Several communications having been made by the Secretary , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was well served by Messrs . Clemow under the

superintendence of Bro . Smith . Upon the removal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed the usual toasts . In proposing " The Health of the Initiates , " ihe W . M . cnid he wns glad to think that their ranks that evening had been recruited by four gentlemen who would , he was sure , eventually become great acquisitions to the lodge . This toast having been duly honoured , Bros . Rolenberg , Manley , Smilh and

Kendall briefly replied . In giving "The Health of the W . M ., " Bro . Peevor , who is the oldest P . M . of the lodge , spoke very highly of the manner in which the ceremonies and general business of the lodge that day had been conducted by Bro . Waygood . The W . M . having briefly acknowledged the toast , immediately proposed "The Health of the Visitors , " which was responded to in a very neat

speech j by Bro . Sparks , 1540 , on behalf cf himself and Bros . Stevens , 179 ; Timpson , 188 ; Edward , 619 ; Moorcroft , 780 '; Simmonds , 1107 ; Wray , 1257 ; Webb , New Concord ; Raalte , Cosmopolitan . In the intcivals of the toasts Bros . Robinson , Smith , Walls , and others

instrumentally and vocally amused the brethren . 'lhc toast of "The Past Masters , the Tieasurcr , Secretary , and rest of the Officers of the Lodge "followed , and having been severally responded lo , the Tylir ' s tcast brought the proceedings to a close , and the brtthrcu adjourned until the last Tuesday in the present month .

LODGE OF UNITED STRENGTH ( No . 228 ) . A full night ' s work greeted the new Master mi the first meeting after his installation , this being held en the 14 th inst . at the home of the lodge in the antique gate of St . John of Jerusalem , St . John ' s-lane , Smithfield . Bro . Robert Griggs , the W . M ., had all his officers present ( a late D . C . excepted ) , and opened the lodge precisely lo time with Bro . James Hill , S . W ., Snare , J . W . ; P . M . Winsland ,

Treas . ; P . M . Davis , Assistant Secretary ; li . Halford , S . D . ; J ' carcy , J . D . ; Todd , I . G . ; Patmore , A . D . C . ; Hickman , A . Steward ; J . While , I . P . M . ( " Freemason " ) , and Hillhouse , P . M . The lodge minutes having been confirmed , Bros , the Rev . W . Dawson , T . Griggs , Harley Paine , W . . J . Randall , Frank Arnold , and W . Trotter were candidates to be passed to the Second Degree , and the ancient ceremony was repeated in their favour , so that now 'hey are midway in their career as Masons . There were

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

three brethren to be raised , Bros . Adams , Hanchett , and Coles ; but as the latter was not present to time the work was proceeded with in favour of the others , and the ceremony was performed in a manner worthy the reputation of this old lodge . The lodge was then reduced to the First Degree , and Mr . Edwin C . Booth , the author of" New England , " and of " Australia , " was initiated in ancient

form , and appeared to be highly delighted with the charges . The after business included dealing with the cause of charity , which was dealt with in a practical manner , and then the brethren discussed whether the lodge should officially sign in support of two proposed new lodges , one to be held in the old gate , and the other in the neighbourhood . As the proposals appeared to be

conflicting , the consideration of them was adjourned until next meeting : The brethren then elected Bro . Harty as an honorary member , he occupying the position of Organist , and one and all thanked the brother for the excellent addition he had made to the ceremonies . The lodge then adjourned to the banquetting-hall , where supper was served in Bro . Gay ' s best style . The W . M . in proposing

the loyal toasts , said that loyalty and patriotism were watchwords of the Order ; and in giving " The Health of the M . W . the Grand Master , " the Sovereign of our Order , the W . M . said that His Royal Highness was esteemed for the work he had done in the Craft , and the brethren over whom he reigned would give him a welcome home which would far exceed in splendour and magnificence , if it were

possible , the ceremony last April in Albert Hall . The toasts were drank with all honours , and Bro . P . M . Marsh ( otJhe Lion and Lamb , & c . ) , chanted the National Anthem . The W . M . then proposed " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , " and in doing so spoke of the great honour bestowed upon the Craft in illustrious statesmen not only holding

the places of honour in the ranks , but carrying out arduous duties . The toast having been honoured , Bro . While proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who had , the speaker said , filled in a worthy manner all the offices of the lodge from its most junior position , and the manner in which he had discharged the duties could be judged of by the perfect character ot the work in the three degrees

that night , the rendering of them being such as to necessitate no I . P . M . in the character of prompter . The W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he was able to fill the chair to the satisfaction of the brethren and with credit to himself through the cordial co-operation of those who held the position before him , and he then proceeded to propose the toast of "The Initiate . " Bro . Booth

in responding , said he came prepared _ to be surprised , but he was delighted as well . He thanked the brethren for accepting him as a member of the noble Order , and said in the course of his life anil travels he had met with mysteries before , and he asked their leave to describe to them a mystery which had puzzled him from long bygone times . The brethren were , as may be guessed , all

attention , when the newly-made brother began the relation of a most curious story , hailing from Columbia , which mystery proving of a most comical character , the recital was greeted with roars of laughter . The W . M . then proposed the toast of "The Visitors , " giving those who had stayed a hearty welcome , and expressing his regret that visitors who were in the lodge had not staid to sup . Among

those present were Bros . Marsh , P . G . P . of Middlesex ; Wiles , W . M . 173 ; Whitby , 151 ; Blackwell , E . A ., Chaucer ; Staines , 51 ; Parsons , 250 : Adam ; , 7 61 ; Fife , 879 ; and Pcnnefather , P . M . 879 . Bro . Marsh said he had to thank his Bro . Heathcote for a Masonic treat that evening , in seeing how well the work of the Craft was carried out in that old lodge , for the W . M . was perfect in his work , and

he was ably supported by officers who thoroughly knew their duty , and , all in al , there were few lodges who could excel the United Strength in good working , and in truly Masonic feelinjr . The other visitors spoke to the same effect , anil then the W . M . proposed the toast of " The Past Masters , " which was acknowledged by Bro . While , who expressed his gratification at having achieved the honour

of being enrolled in the ranks which held such worthy brethren as Bros . J . Terry , Davies , Winsland , Crump ( the latter the quarter of century Secretary ) , and he spoke of the warm sympathy which all felt for their Bro . Davies , who hail lately lost the partner of his home . The toast of " The Officers , " followed , and the high merits of those who filled the various positions were cordially acknowledged . The Tyler's toast ended the festivities in good time .

UNITED PILGRIMS' LODGE ( No . 507 ) . — The meeting of the brethren of this lodge for the installation of Worshipful Master was held on Wednesday evening , at the Surrey Masonic Hall . Bro . North Ritherdon , W . M ., presided , and after the formal business of the lodge had been transacted , he installed Bro . J . S . Terry , W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The

brethren appointed as officers were Bros . Hicklin , S . W . ; Barclay , J . W . ; J . W . Watts , S . D . ; Parsons , J . D . ; Marr , J . G . ; Lcc , P . M ., Treas . ; ' Jonas Duckett , P . M ., Sec ; Ritherdon , I . P . M . ; and Tongue , Tyler . The W . M . immediately proceeded wilh the work , and initiated Mr . William Henry Beckley and Mr . William Nichols into Freemasonry . I lis working of the ceremony was

perfect , and delivered with fluency which was highly creditable to so young a Mason , it having only been four years since the W . M . was himself initiated . The following brethren were present besides those brethren already named : —Bros . Samuel Haddock , E . N . Levy , P . M . ; J . Bradley , George Reeve , S . G . C . Carr , J . I . enanton , Henry Levy , R . G . Cooper , 1129 ; ft . T . Kdgington ,

I . G . 1321 ; M . S . Larlham , W . M . 1539 ; E . A , Francis , 4 , U . S . A . ; A . Murray , 860 ; B . Moss , 218 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( "Freemason" ); W . R . Marsh , P . M . 9 ; G , Simpson , 15 ; T . W . Clarke , 1348 ; James Ashton , 1571 ; and II . A . Woodwell , 193 . The work mentioned above was all that was before the lodge , and when it had been executed the brethren ole ? ed down

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

and adjourned to a choice little banquet in the dining hall , where their comforts were admirably looked after by thcofficers of the lodge , and more especially by Bro . Watts , who undertook for the occasion the whole of the duties of Wine Steward . The banquet having been disposed of , the W . M . proceeded to propose the toasts , and after honouring those of " The Queen and the Craft , " " H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., "

" The Pro Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , " Bro . Ritherdon proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and in doing so , said that he need not sing to his praises , because all the brethren knew what a worthy member of the lodge the W . M . had proved . Ever since he had been in office the W . M . had been a most regular attendant at lodge , and had worked himself up to the

position he now held . With what success he had done so the brethren had witnessed that evening , as they had seen him go through the duties of the office he now held with ability , fluency and energy . For the first time he had occupied the chair of W . M . he had performed the ceremony of initiation , which was a feat not frequently attempted ; b"t he had done it , and done it well , and the brethren

were proud of him for it . ( Cheers ) . The W . M . in responding said he could not help feeling the toast had been ably proposed , but he felt quite inadequate to respond to it as he ought , it being his first night in the proud position of W . M . He had certainly worked very hard for that distinction , as he wished to qualify himself to do honour to the office . When the brethren next met he hoped he would

be able to acquit himself even more to the satisfaction of the lodge than he had that evening , and he trusted that the brethren would support him in his endeavours to conduct the lodge business properly . The W . M ., in giving the toast of " The Initiates , " said that all the brethren must agree with him that the initiates knew the least of what had taken place that evening , and as initiates usually

felt in a very confused state on such an occasion , there was no reason to suspect that Bros . Beckley and Nichols were different to other brethren in the same position . The brethren would consequently make every allowance for them . Addressing the initiates , he said that if they would only look at the ceremony as symbolical they would find that it was only by leading such a life as Masons were bound to

lead , that they would become such good and true men as to be fit for admission to any Masonic lodge . Bro . Beckley said he appreciated the ceremony he had gone through , and was much pleased that he had joined the Order . Any shortcomings he must ask the brethren to overlook , but he hoped to be worthy of the lodge ' s election . Bro . Nichols also replied , but would not venture out of his depth , for it

must be remembered that in Masonry he was then only as a child , who could but just crawl or creep along . As far as he had gone the ceremony had made his heart beat ; for what had he seen ? At present he knew nothing . He knew one or two brethren , but they had told him nothing ; and yet he had been received among them to learn by experience the friendship which he conceived made the

brethren rally round the W . M . It gave him great pleasure to come among the brtthren , and he should feel only too happy to do something more than he had that evening , to learn still further what Masonry was , and to see , he trusted , its beauties . He hoped as long as they were all Freemasons they would be men and act as men to one another . ( Hear , hear . ) The W . M ., in proposing " The Health of

the Visitors , " said the brethren of the lodge , as well as himself , were always glad to see visitors , and when the visitors came the brethren endeavoured to make them as comfortable as they possibly could be anywhere . By entertaining visitors they exhibited one of the leading principles of Freemasonry . Bro . R . W . Marsh replied . For the last ten years he had from time to time visited the Lodge of United

Pilgrims . Ten years ago it presented , as far as members were concerned , a very differentappearancctowhat it did now . He remembered too an honoured name , that of Bro . Thomas , who had done so much in his time for the lodge , and whose name was a household word in Freemasonry . He knew of no man who had worked more in his day for Freemasonry than that brother , and it pleased

him exceedingly , although the United Pil grims had removed to the beautiful Surrey Masonic Hall to find that Bro . Thomas ' s portrait was hung up in the room . The lodge was not so numerous now as it was in Bro . Thomas's days , hut he was happy to find that there were brethren in it who would take the mantle which had fallen from his shoulders , and make the lodge what it had long

beenillustrious among the Craft . As to the W . M . saying he felt awkward in his new position , he thought this was not quite correct , for , from what they had seen , they were also to say he had conducted the lodge business not only with energy and spirit , but had brought to bear in his task a knowledge of Masonic working which was an excellent example to all brethren who witnessed it . He

had seldom seen a W . M . or a body of officers perform their duties so well on Ihe first night , and this was true of them not only in lodge , but also at the banquet table . In the lodge they were well up to their work , and at the banquet table the S . D . especially had been most energetic . Bro . Marsh then addressed himself to the subject of Freemasonry , which he said tended to make men better

brothers , husbands , fathers , friends and in every relation of life better men . He exhoited the initiates to pay attention to the principles it taught , and directed their notice to the great principle of charity which it practically exemplified byhaving three grand institutions for the support of which he begged the United Pilgrims' Lodge to lend a hand . The W . M . next gave the toast of "The P . M . ' s , " without

whose help the lodge would fall to the ground . They were , in fact , the Attorney-General and legal advisers of the W . M ., who was always ready to avail himself of their assistance . Bro . Ritherdon , replying , said he was now among the Conscript Fathers of the lodge . During his year he had not had much to do , but he knew the cause of the brethren keeping their candidates back was that they might escape tavern influence . The Surrey Masonic .