Table Of Contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS .

R EPORTS OF MASONIC M EETINGS : — Craft Masonry . CSj CoRRESrONOENC * / -- ,, „ . Admission oi New Members 5 * *? Masonic Forbearance S )? Reviews •'„' The Christmas Tree * ° ' Cnnsccration of a Chapter at l ' cdfonl ; *><

Christmas 5 „ *" Summary of Masonic Events for 1875 5 *>*' Our Royal Grand Master ' s Visit to India 5 ° 9 Masonic Libraries 5 jj 9 Roman Catholic Intolerance 5 = 9 Thc Comparative Cost of the "Joys School ; 9 ° "Singula Oncciiiic Locnm Sortia Detentcr 59 ' The Sentence on the Freemasons at Porto Rico SQi

United Orders of the Temple and Hospital 59 Masonic Meetings for next week S 9 Our Grand Master Elephant Hunting 593 Masonic Ball at British Guiana 59 + Masonic Obituary for 1875 594 P OETRY : — Christmas Morning 59 + Roman Catholic Intolerance 595

The Alexandra Palace 595 Masonic Notes and Queries 595 CoRREfcro > 'nExf- * E : — Masonic [ ewe ' s 595 Chinese Masonic Chart 59 " OBITUARY : —

Bro . Sleator -, 66 Bro . James Burton 59 ' ' Reports of Masonic Meetings ( continued ) 597 Masonic and General Tidings 597 Advertisements i . ii . iii- iv . v . vi . vii . viii . Title Page and Index to Vol . VIII .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

« - _—¦—Craft Itosonvg . LODGE OF TRANQUILLITY ( No . 1 R 5 ) met on Monday evening at the City Terminus I iotel . The W . M ., Bro . John Horth Ross , presided , assisted by his officers , Bros . J . D . Daniell , S . W . ; S . Posener , J . W . ; G . S . Pare , S . D . ; H . D . Bayley , J . D . ; F . Croker , I . G . ; G . Betty , Organist ; George Peartrcc , Treas . ; Philip Levy , Sec ; John Constable , P . M . ; Nathan Moss , P . M . ; S .

Moss , M . Harris , E . Harfeld , Bloomfield , P . Jl . ; Fred . Saul Solomon , Parkinson , P . M . ; E . Gottheil , P . M . ; and a large number of the members of the lodge . There were also present , as is usual in this famous lodge , several visitors , among whom were Bros . James Cox , S . D . 765 ; W . Lean , P . M . 1087 ; John Smith , 1257 ; H . Roberts , 21 ; H . Massey , P . M . 6 in ( " Freemason " ) ; and Jacob J .

Cohen , S . W . 1 . 340 , Smyrna . There was a heavy evening ' s work before the lodge . Three out of four candidates for raising were in time to take thc degree , but thc fourth arrived a minute or two too late for the opening of thc ceremony , and he was deferred , unfortunately , till next meeting . Bros . Saillard , Bush , and Cohen were thc brethren who took the degree , which was admirably and

impressively wotked by the W . M . and his assistants . The lodge was then lowered to the First Degree , and ballots were taken for Messrs . M . J . E . Schultze , C . K . L . Gablonz , and Moss Davis , who , the ballot being unanimousl y in their favour , were duly initiated , with the same correctness and impressiveness as the W . M . and his officers exhibited in the Third Degree . The lodge working was

accompanied by some beautiful music by the Organist , Bro . Betty , which produced a fine effect . Bro . A . I . Myers , 65 , was elected a joining member of the lodge . Previous to the ballot for this brother , his proposer , Bro . Daniel Marks , according to the custom , had to vouch for him , whereupon two brethren could not allow such an oppoitunity to pass without testifying- to this brother ' s great worth , his

intellectual capacity , ami his ability to confer honour upon the lodge . As a literary brother , it was thought lie would be a great acquisition to the lodge , and several other brethren regretted that they had not had the duty cast upon them of seconding the election of Bro . Myers . The Committee of the Benevolent Fund was then re-elected , the brethren being Bros . Saul Solomon , A . E . Sydney , Maurice Hart ,

M . Harris , S . E . Moss , and E . Harfeld . Bro . John Constable , P . M ., gave notice of motion that ten guineas be voted by the lodge for a P . M . 's jewel to be presented to the W . M . Lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was well supplied by Bro . Lord , the manager of the hotel . On the removal of the cloth the toasts were proposed , and honoured with the fervour

which this lodge never fails to exhibit . The W . M ., [ in giving the toast of "The Queen and thc Craft , " said that as our Royal Master gave " Loyalty and Charity" as the watchwords of the Order , it would not require any words of his to recommend this toast to the notice of thc brethren . ( Cheers . ) In giving the toast of " H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales , Grand Master , " the W . M .

said that thc universal topic of conversation for some time past had been the recent visit of the Grand Master to India , and there was not a brother who did not wish him God speed on his journey . Before him he knew there was not a brother who would not respond to this toast . ( Cheers . ) When the toast had been drunk most cordially , thc VV . M . next gave " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , & c , " and said it had been asserted that he

who delegated his power to other hands ill deserved thc crown he wore . Such , however , would not apply in the present instance , for the M . W . G . M . had left behind bim such a representative that no one allied to the Craft could have the least doubt of his capabilities . He was speaking ol the Earl of Carnarvon , the Pro Grand Master , and with ihe assistance of the D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , the -raft must be steered with safety by the Pro Grand Master . " The Initiates" was- the next toast , and the " W . M ., in

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

proposing it , said that thc accession of gentlemen to the Order from time to time had made the position of the brethren as Masons one of pre-eminence , and he was very pleased to think that the Lodge of Tranquillity had men of such high intelligence , great moral character , and good social standing , seeking its aid to become members of thc Order . If it were not for initiates , Freemasonry

would fall into desuetude ; but w ith the addition of such gentlemen as they had that night , the credit of thc Craft would be added to , and the stability of the lodge assured . ( Cheers . ) Bros . Lederer , Moss Davis , and Schultze responded . Bro . John Constable proposed "Thc W . M ., " and appealed to thc brethren to confirm him in his opinion that the ceremonies had been admirably worked ,

notwithstanding the hoarseness which a severe bronchial affection had produced . - . Hear , hear . ) Thc W . M ., in reply , said he thanked the brethren for their cordial reception of the toast . He had but one object in view , to do thc best he possibly could for thc lodge , and to make the brethren happy . As long as he was in the Master ' s chair he would endeavour to do as he had done . ( Chcer 5 . ) " The

Visitors " was the next toast , to which Bro . W . Lean , P . M . 1087 , was the first respondent , and he said he thought Bro . Constable ' s remarks in apologising for the W . M . were not wanted , because the way in which the ceremonies had been rendered that evening were certainly in the good old style ; at any rate , they revived the good old feelings which the hearing of those ceremonies always revived in his own

breast . As the brethren present were not all M . M . ' s he would alTude to the initiation ceremony , in which there was a reference made to the grandest of all the Masonic virtues , charity . We were fast approaching that period of the year when we all rejoice to meet together , both abroad ami in the [ family home ; and he thought they could not do better than remember those less favoured brethren who

had been once in a position not less fortunate than that of the brethren present . When the business brethren were making up their balance sheets he would recommend them to set apart a small amount for the benefit of the three Masonic Institutions , the grandest in the country . In this way they would be showing true charity . Bro . Roberts , 22 , in his reply for thc san . e toast , referred to the recent

initiation of Captain Webb in that lodge ( Neptune ) , and the great enthusiasm with which he was received on the occasion of his entering into Freemasonry . The W . M . afterwards gave "The Health ' of the P . M . 's , " who had at all times been of great service to the lodge , and who would never be found wanting in the performance of the duties of thc officers should any be absent . He was looking

forward to the time when he himsclt should go into retirement , " and be numbered with that glorious band . Bro . Bloomfield replying , said thc P . M . 's of the Lodge of Tranquillity were always very ready and very willing , at the same time that they were able , to do anything they could for the lodge . They were ready and willing to assist thc Master in his duties whenever required . Fortunately , in

any of the offices very little was ever required of them , and they had merely to sit in the lodge and witness thc ceremonies . They were all zealous men , and even if they were called upon in the middle of the night to give assistance he was sure they would do so . ( Laughter . ) He could assure the brethren that nothing could happen in the lodge which would make a call on them that the P . M . 's

would not be found at hand with assistance . " 1 he Benevolent Fund of thc Lodge of Tranquillity " was then given by the W . M ., and the object of the fund was briefly stated . Bro . Saul Solomon , Treasurer of the fund , in his reply , gave a fuller exposition of the purposes for which thc fund was established , preceding his remarks by recurring to the observations of Bro . Lean , as to the

opportunity afforded at this season sf the year for remembering those less fortunate than ourselves . He advised a " charity column " in books , as well as a " money column . " Thc fund had been originated by one brother now abroad and another now dead ; and he ( Bro . Saul Solomon ) had been , he was happy to say , connected with it from its inception . The fund had done a vast amount of gond to

poor brethren who had in their season of prosperity , when they belonged to the lodge , joined them at the hospitable board . The assistance given had always been liberal , so much so as to give the recipients a fresh start in life , and a great feature was , though thc amount was duly accounted for , in no case was the name of thc brother made known by the board bvfore whom he came . At present the fund

amounted to £ 600 or £ 700 . It was all very well to say to brethren in distress that there was the Lodge of Benevolence , the Boys' School , the Girls' School , and the Benevolent Institution ; but he contended that the brethren were first entitled to be relieved by their own lodge . Members of thc lodge only were allowed to subscribe to this fund , because it was onl y members of thc lodge who could be

relieved by it . His call had ever been liberally responded to , and for the information of the brethren he might say the moneys subscribed by them were never misapplied . He might give one instance . A brother lately was relieved with £ 100 to enable him to go abroad . After his arrival they gave him £ t $ more ; and at the Cape , whither he had gone , he was already doing well . Lost it could not be , because

it was given for a charitable purpose . In one case the money hatl been refunded ; and it was a pleasure to the subscribers sitting round that table to reflect that by means of small subscriptions at different times they had been able to raise brethren from indigence to a state of prosperity . He hoped that evening would be the precursor of many others of equal liberality , and that they would conduce to the

placing of muiiy brethren in a state of peace and prosperity . Bro . Saul Solomon concluded by saying that the great advantage of thc money being disttibuted anonymously was that a brother relieved was able to meet the other members of the lodge without any fear of his just and honest personal pride being affected . He trusted that thc brethren would assist in making the fund £ 1000 , and he had much pleasure in stating that the initiates of the day

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

had each contributed a guinea towards that amount . The W . M . gave " The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary " next , both of which officers returned thanks . The Treasurer said both he and his brother Secretary were pleased to perform their offices , and as long as they had health and strength they would continue to do so . The W . M . concl uded by proposing " The Health of the Officers , "

which he gave with the utmost pride and satisfaction . He boasted that there was not one , from the S . W . to the I . G ., who was not perfectly able to perform his duties . As this was the last occasion before Christmas when the brethren would have an opportunity of hearins * - his voice , he would

wish them a merry and very happy Christmas . The S . W . responded , and said he was sure that the efficiency which the W . M . had so often noticed in the officers , if it was deserving of his commendation , was only derived from those who had gone before them in their different positions . Thc Tyler's toast concluded a most agreeable evening .

LODGE OF UNITED STRENGTH ( No . 228 ) . —The " election night" of this old lodge was held on the 14 th inst . in the banqueting hall of the Old St . John of Jerusalem Gate , Clerkenwell , the W . M ., Bro . J . While ( "Freemason" ) , presiding . There was a very full attendance of brethren and visitors , and the officers were at their posts with thc punctuality for which the lodge is celebrated . Bro .

Griggs was S . W . ; J . Hill , J . W . ; Snare , S . D . ; Halford , J . . ; Pearcy , I . G . ; J . Crump , Sec , and father of the lodge ; J . Hillhouse , I . P . M . ; j . Terry , P . M . ; Coulston , P . M . ; E . Davies , P . M . ; Harty , S . D . 1201 , acting as Organist , and there were also present as visitors Bros . Charles Horsley , W . M . Acacia , P . Grand Registrar of Middlesex ; G . Killick , P . M . of Merchant Navy Lodge ; C .

Hill , S . W . of the Highgate Lodge ; G . Clarke , of the Phcenix ; W . Senior , of the Alexandra Palace Lodge ; J . B . Edwards , of No . 861 ; A . Henson , of the Asaph ; Herbert T . Parsons , of the Minerva , Hull ; J . W . Adams , the Southwark ; and Thomas Danson , of Port Madoc . Bros Brienholt , Baker , Adams , Gedge , and Bellot , who had been initiated at previous meetings , having , with Bro . Senior ,

the well-known journalist , of the Alexandra Palace Lodge , answered the usual questions , were entrusted , and the lodge then opened in the Second Degree . Three of these brethren were then passed , and the other three followed , thc ceremony from beginning to end being gone through twice . The ballot—an unanimous one in the result—having been taken for Mr . VV . G . Hanchet , a sculptor , the Rev . W .

Dawson , M . A ., Hector of St . John ' s , Clerkenwell , and Mr . T . 11 . Coles , the candidates were introduced in due form , and thc ceremony repeated up to a certain part in their case . The interesting work was done according to Emulation ritual . The ballot was then taken for Bro . W , Malthousc , of the Wellington , No . 518 , as a joining member , and this was also unanimous . The ballot for W . M .

was then taken , and resulted in practically an unanimous election of thc S . W ., Bro . Griggs , who was warmly greeted according to Masonic form when he rose to thank the brethren for thc honour conferred upon him , and to assure them that he should not be wanting in his work . The ballot was then taken for Treas ., and Bro . Winsland , P . M ., who , unfortunately , was absent through illness , was

again unanimously elected , and Bro . Steed was elected as Tyler , in the place of the retiring Tyler , Bro . Beckett . On the motion of Bro . James Terry , P . M ., P . G . D . C . of Herts , who spoke of the excellent work of the retiring W . M . during the year , and the great success which had attended the lodge during his period of Mastership , the lodge unanimously voted Bro . While the P . M . jewel , to be ready on the

installation night . The lodge being closed , the brethren banqueted together , the large hall being completely full . After the usual toasts the W . M . gave the toast of "The W . M . elect , " and took occasion to warmly thank the W . M . elect and the officers generally for the assistance they had given himself during the year , both in punctual attendance and in ability , when present , to carry out the work in

a thorough manner . He reminded thc members generall y that by that election all the appointments to office , except that of Treasurer , became vested in the Master , who , following the traditions of the lodge , would , no doubt , select as his officers those who had done good suit and seivicc in bygone times , and both the principal and assistant oflicers had done this . If members who

were not in office desired at some time to be adorned with the collar , their only means , he warned them , of obtaining the position would be by attending at thc opening of the lodge , and by accepting any opportunity which offered , through the absence of any officer , prove to thc future Masters where they would have to look for members with the requisite

knowledge to do credit to a post . If any Master placed a brother in thc lowest position , even , who was not competent to work the hi gher positions , that Master was not only doing an injustice to the lodge , in storing up for it a future difficulty , but he was placing the brother in a position which in time to come would be one to him of mortification , for the lodge would use its judgment , and

would pronounce distinctl y against thc Mastership of a brother unless the members were convinced of his compepetency to discharge the duties , and of the soundness of his judgment . The W . M . hoped then that those brethren who desired office would by attendance at instruction , and at the opening of thc lodge , prove their willingness and ability , that future Masters should have no difficulty in

selecting brethren who to the ambition for office added thc necessary qualifications . The W . M . elect was one who had 50 worked , and hatl so proved himself . He had been a constant attendant , a good worker , and before he held any office had worked the chair in Lodge of Instruction .

Before his adornment with the collar in the junior ranks of office he had been ready and able to fill any position vacant in bygone years by the absence of a brother , and the lodge had only given Bro . Griggs his due by electing him to the proud position he tbat night occupied . Bro . G"ggs the W . M . elect , in responding , warmly thanked