Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

his I . P . M ., I promised him all the assistance the P . M . ' s could give him , and now he retires I think he will feel that they have redeemed their pledges . If he were not present I could say more in his favour than I now can . Brethren , f leave it to you to say whether he has not been successful in his endeavours . I believe he has , and in that belief I have much pleasure in proposing his health , as time will

not permit me to relate all his deserts . In conclusion , in my opinion he resigns to his successor the collar and jewel of his office untarnished . The retiring Master , in offering his sincere thanks for the toast , said , —The best means I have of judging whether I have given satisfaction is the way in which I have been received by the P . M . ' s , and brethren of the lodge . The remembrance of this day will

never be erased from my memory . Before I sit down allow me to propose " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " It is indeed a great honour to one so young in years to preside over such a lodge as this , and from the unanimous vote of the brethren on his election there is every prospect of his having a successful year . Bro . Hanson Farrar , W . M ., on rising to respond ,

was received with acclamation , and on the repeated rounds of cheers of the brethren subsiding he said : — Worthy P . M . ' s , officers , and brethren , my feelings overcome me ; you have given me such a hearty welcome . I thank you for the proud position in which you have placed me—I can only say it will be my earnest endeavour to work for the advantage of the Lodge of

Hope , and Freemasonry ; and I assure you that as in the past so I will do in the future . Brethren , ycu may rely upon it I shall endeavour to add to the lustre of the Lodge of Hope . Again , heartily thanking you for the great honour elone me , I beg to propose for your acceptance the toast of " The Visiting Brethren , " whom we are always glad to see amongst us ; coupling therewith the names of Bro .

Thomas Senior , W . M . Pentalpha ; W . Morgan , W . M . Shakespeare , and F . C . Unna , P . M . Harmony ; each of whom gave able , pertinent , and hearty responses . Bro . W . T . McGowin ( Town Clerk ) , addressing the W . M ., officers , and brethren , said—The duty which has been ] entrusted to me almost overwhelms me . I see by the time of the clock that ' my remarks

must be bnef . Since I came into this room I have had the pleasure of hearing two of our clerical brethren , and I particularly noticed the remark which fell from Bro . the Rev . H . Lambert , who stated he comes from a country district where he could not freely mix with Freemasons . The remark he made was that , " as far as Freemasonry goes , it is thoroughly consistent with

the principles of religion . " That was what he felt , as far as you go , and so soon as you touch upon religion you stop . That is so , and it is what ought to be . In this noble Craft I find what is not to be met with in any other body , namely , that all classes of men—all humanity—can freely join and fraternize . Now I say , if I can show you ( as you know to be

the case ) that ' there is some common ground—some grand green spot—where all men can meet , shake hands , and band themselves together for the common good of their fellow man , that is a grand thing for society , and that we all know is the case in connection with our Grand Order . See what is taking place in India , where the most distinguished and thorough Englishman , a man of the world , a

finished , polished gentleman , with ability , whose near relations have been in times agone illustrious members of our Order—what does he say ? Why , that he considers us a worthy class , and that he will join us , upon which follows one of thc grandest things of modem times . He leaves this land and mixes with those who would not mix with us , who would , if they had the power , overthrow

our rule . They meet with him on the common ground of Freemasonry , where caste , religious and political differences , and worldly distinctions are unknown ; and as long as they live they will nurture a friendly feeling towards him . Then if this Craft has in it that which scatteis to the winds all such grounds of contention , and is so well calculated to improve the hearts

and the minds of men , what good must there not be in the P . M's . ? Men cannot always rule , but they have been W . M ' s . in their time ; they have done their part , and I call upon you to join with me in drinking to " The Health of the P . M's . " Thc Senior and Junior P . M ' s were called upon to respond , which they did in fitting terms . " Thc Retiring Oflicers " was then given , and responded to by

Bros . Alfred Robertshaw and Sharp , the retiring Wardens . "' The Officers " was likewise proposed , and shortly responded to in unassuming terms by Bros . C . Gott , S . W ., and M . S . Rhodes , Treasurer , who , in thanking the brethren for the compliment , congratulated the W . M . on the high position he had attained . He thought the allusion which he heard Bro . W . W . Barlow , P . M ., make the other evening

very appropriate when he referred to his having during his year chosen for officers some brethren who had been allowed to remain out of office , instancing the present W . M ., Bros . C . Gott , S . W . ; M . S . Rhodes , A . Robertshaw , J Ambler , and others . You , W . M ., have also elected officers who have been old Masons , and I know that they will do their duty to the utmost , and in due time endeavour to

occupy the position you now hold . I can only say for myself that , occuping an important position , I shall do all I possibly can to discharge the duties efficiently . Thc W . M . then gave the "Tyler ' s " toast , which brought to a close a most agreeable evening . We must not omit to mention the services of the brethren who added so much to the gratification of all by their musical performances . STOKESLEY . —Cleveland Lodge ( No . 54 . 3 )

—The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening last , in the lodge-room at the Golden Lion Hotel , the principal business being to elect a W . M ., and to raise a brother to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason . The officers were all present in their proper places , viz .: —Bros . Benjamin Richardson , W . M . ; Anthony Johnson , S . W . ; James Coulson , J . W , ; Richard Watson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . II . Handyside , P . M ., Sec ; William Scarth Dixon

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S . D . ; David Dixon , J . D . ; William R . Sharp , I . G . ; and William Harrison , Tyler . The lodge being- duly opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting being reid and confirmed , Bro . W . M . Forbes , M . B ., late S . W ., was unanimously elected to the chair of K . S . for thc cn-u ' ng twelve months , and the Monday nearest thc full moon in January , being the ordinary lodge night , was fixed upon

for the installation and anniversary festival . Bro . Ortin was afterwards raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason . After the lodge had been closed , and the brethren ( of which there was a good attendance ) had retired into the ante-room , Bro . George Markham Tweddell said that as he expected it would be the last time they would sit there to spend a social hour after lodge business with their

present W . M . in the chair , though he would advise all speechmaking to be deferred until their banquet , yet he thought they could not do less than drink the health of Bro . Richardson , with thanks for the very able manner in which he had presided over them , and the excellent example he had set in attending their meetings during his year 0 ' office . Bro . Handyside , P . M ., the father of the lodge , said

they would adopt Bro . Tweddell's recommendation in not having any formal speech-making that evening , and therefore he would not rise in addressing to them the few words he had to say , but he must bear his testimony to the very able manner in which Bro . Richardson had always gone through all the ceremonies of the lodge , to his punctual attendance there every lodge night , though living at a

good distance from them , and to the excellent example which he had set for all his successors to follow . The W . M ., who was visibly affected by thc way in which the health was received , thanked the brethren , and proposed " The Health of the W . M . elect , Bro . Forbes , " which was duly drank , and briefly acknowledged by that brother . During the social hour spent together after the labours of

the evening were over , many of the brethren expressed an opinion that the time had arrived when they ought to have a Masonic hall to meet in . Masonic halls have a'ready been built by many of the neighbouring lodges , whilst the mother lodge in Cleveland still continues to meet at a tavern . We hope the day is not far distant when every lodge in Englanel will have a good Masonic hall to meet

in , and that the brethren will assemble there frequently to study the liberal arts and sciences . RUNCORN . —Ellesmere Lodge ( No . 758 ) — The regular monthly meeting of this prosperous lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , December Sth , 1875 . ' ^ he following is a list of the brethren present : —Bros . R . Rigby , W . M . ; E . Aston , S . W . ; W .

Garnett , J . W ., pro tem ; Charles Gerrard , J . D . ; J . Fothergill , P . M . ; Captain , P . M . ; A . Buck , P . M ! ; C . C . Jerrison . P . M . ; T . Horsfall , Sec ; / . VV . Lightbum , Org . ; VV . Wass , f . G . ; G . Purver , Tyler ; W Mellor , T . Gregson , G . Moss , J . Couth , J . I .. Jones , '• Coxshill . Visitor : J . K . Diggs , VV . V 1 . " of St . John's ,. No . 673 . The lodge was opened in du ; form with

solemn prayer , at 6 . 30 . The minutes of the previous lodge were read and confirmed . Thc first business arising from the notice convening thc meeting was the election ct W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Eelward Aston was proposed , seconded , and unanimously carried as W . M . Bro . William Lyon was also unanimously elected Treasurer for the coming year . A vote of thanks and also a small

donation was voted by the lodge to Bro . George Purver for having fulfilled thc duties of Tyler to the highest satisfaction of its members , to which Bro . Purver responded in suitable terms . Bro . G . Moss and T . Gregson were appointed to audit the accounts for the past year . A committee was appointed , consisting of Bros . R . Rigby , VV . M . ; C . C . Jerrison , P . M . ; J . Fothergill , P . M . ;

Captain Clarke , P . M . ; and W . Miller , to make the necessary arrangements for the annual installation of W . M , and banquet , which is to take place early in January . Other important business being done , the lodge closed in harmony at 8 . 15 . ECCLES . — Victoria Lodge ( No . 1345 ) . — The last regular meeting of this young and well-worked

lodge was held at the Cross Keys Hotel on Wednesday , 15 th inst . Thc members present were Bros . Wright , W . M . ; Rudman , S . W . ; Ballard , J . W . ; Shaw , S . D . ; Holt , J . D . ; Pearson , I . G . ; Brooks , P . M .: Buxton , P . M . ; Gillman , P . M . ; Barker , P . M . ; and others . The lodge having been duly opened and the minutes read ami confirmed , Bro . Wilson was passed to

the Second Degree by Bro . Brooks , P . M . Bros . Rev . J . Harper , J . C . Mather , and W . Pendlebury were raised to the Sublime Degree by Bros . Wright , W . M . ; Gillman . P . M . j and Buxton , P . M ., in a most solemn and impressive manner . Bro . Buxton , P . M ., 'Treasurer , having announced his intention to attend as Steward at the next festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged

Freemasons , the sum of £ 20 was unanimously voted to be placed on his list . Bro . Mountain proposed a brother as a joining member . Hearty good wishes were expressed from several visiting brethren . All business being ended , the lodge was closed in ancient form . The brethren afterwards partook of refreshment , the W . M . receiving the

congratulations of those present on the prosperous state of the lodge , having during his year of office been enabled to pay off all outstanding debts , and given several donations to various charities , including one of 30 guineas to the Boys' School , in addition to the amount voted this evening .

MANCHESTER . —Lodge of Truth ( No . 1458 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 4 th inst ., at the Royal Archer Hotel , Manchester . The lodge was duly opened by Bro . Smith , W . M . The first business on the summons was the

confirmation of minutes of last regular meeting , which were confirmed unanimously . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Wm . Richardson , which being declared favourable , he was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . The ceremony of installing Bro . Charles Joel Kent , W . M ., elect ., into the chair of K . S ., was performed

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

by Bro . Caldwell , P . M ., and D . of C . After the admission of the brethren and the customa'y salutes , the Worshipful Master appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . f . Batchetder , S . W . ; J . Branton , J . W . ; T . Tyers , P . M ., Treas . ; W . J . Kinder , Sec . ; R . Fallows , S . D . ; Wm . Cox , J . D . ; J . 'Taylor , I . G . ; R . Caldwell , P . M ., D . of C . ; E . Walton and It . Wheeldon , Stewards ; T . Davis , Org . ; C .

Beswick , lyler . The following lodges were represented : — Provincial Grand Lodge of East Lancashire , and Nos . 581 , 8 / 9 , 999 , ion , 1077 , 1083 , 1161 , 1219 , 1339 . Bro . Potts served up the banquet in excellent style , and perfect unanimity prevailed amongst the brethren . A gratifying feature was the attendance of the W . M . ' s father , Bro . Kent , P . M . of a Metropolitan Lodge .

LEICESTER . —Albert Edward Lodge ( No . it-do ) . —The first regular meeting of this new lodge was held at Freemasons' Hah , Leicester , on Tuesday , the 14 th inst . Owing to the unavoidable absence ofthe W . M ., the Eatl Ferrers , P . G . M ., the chair was taken by Bro . G . Toller , jun ., I . P . M . 'There were also present R . W . Bro . W . Kelly , P . P . G . M . ; Bros . Rev . Canon Burficld , P . M .,

S . W . ; Dr . Hunt , J . W . ; C Stretton , P . M ., Treas . ; Rev . VV . Langley , P . M ., Sec ; J . G . F . Richardson , Assist . Sec ; Rev . F . 11 . Richardson , S . D . ; J . F . L . Rolleston , J . D . ; S . S . Partridge , P . M ., D . of Cer . ; Dr . Buck , I . G . Visitors : Bros . T . Worthin ^ ton , W . M . 50 ; J . T . Thorp , W . M . 523 ; H . Deane , P . M . 1007 ; Dr . Clifton , I . P . M . 1391 ; and others . The principal business

was the initiation of Mr . A . H . Burgess , solicitor , clerk to the School Board , and Mr . H . S . 'Toller , solicitor to the Corporation of the Borough , who had been already approved on the ballot . The ceiemony was performed by thc acting W . M ., assisted at various portions of the ceremony by Bros . Kelly , Deane , and Thorpe . The lecture on the Tracing Board w . is ably given by Bro . S . S .

Partridge . Bro . T . A . Wykes , J . W . 523 , very efficiently presided at the organ , for which he received the special thanks of the lodge . Several joining members having been proposed , and also a candidate for initiation , the lodge was closed in due form . 'There appears to be good reason to hope that this , the fourth lodge now working in the town , will be perfectly successful .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

CHAPTER OF PRUDENT BRETHREN ( No . 145 ) . —The regular convocation of the Chapter of Prudent Brethren was held at Freemasons' Hall , ou 'Tuesday , 14 th inst . 'The chapter was opened by Comps . N . Walford , C . A . Long , and T . Bull , the three Principals , with the assistance of Comps . States and Pratt . After the opening of the chapter , and the admission of the

companions below the chair , the ballots were taken for Bros . N . B . Headon , VV . Miller , W . Braine . F . R . Williams , and Masters , which having proved unanimous , ballots were taken for the Principals , and Comps . Long , Bull , and E . Moody were duly elected . These companions were afterwarels installed by Comp . Boyd in the Z ., H ., and J . chairs respectively , ami the following officers were invested : —

Comp . States , P . Z ., Scribe , E . ; Comp . Joseph Last , Treas . ; Comp . Parkins , S . N . ; Comp . Thiellay , P . S . ; Comp . Cox , 1 st A . S . ; Comp . Venn , 2 nd A . S . ; and Comp . Grant , Janitor ; Bros . Headon , Williams , Braine , Masters , and Miller were then introduced , and exalted as R . A . M . Letters of resignation were read by Comp . States from Comps . Horwood and Avrillon , and thc resignations were

accepted with regret . On the motion of Comp . Warrington , seconded by Comp . Walford , a list of members of the chapter was ordered to be printed and circulated . The companions then closed the chapter , and adjourned to banquet . 'The following companions were present during the evening : —J . E . Walford , C . A . Long , Thos . Bull , Edwd . Moody , J . Parkins , E . H . Thiellay , John

Cox , J . Last , John Boyd , Herbert Dicketts . Wm . Piatt . P . Storrington , J . G . Manby , R . Douglas , D . M . Belfrage , J . H . Leggate , John Chinnery , Geo . Biggs , James Ranoe , D . llaslett , Fred . Godfrey , Geo . Purkess , E . VV , Braine , W . P . Masters , M . B . Williams , W . H . Miller , Visitors : — J . Barnes Amor , 91 ; Edwd . White , 1305 ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z . 177 ; John Read , P . Z . 720 , S . E .

< . * * " '; J- Bond , P . Z . 6 57 ; H . Massey , ( "Freemason , ' ) P . Z . 619 ; H . M . Levy , P . Z . 188 ; John Seex , J . 186 . j When the toasts were proposed the M . E . Z . ' s speeches were very interesting , and hatl in them a freshness of expression which rendered them highly agreeable . In giving " 'The Queen and U . A . Masonry , " he said , " When a man lives in a country that is well governed , that is , at peace

with the whole world ; when he forms part of a community where liberty is respected , and where his property is not touched by other hands ; when he is in a society where the arts and sciences are cultivated in quiet , and to some great extent , he is apt to forget the means by which this

security has been attained ; and I do uot think as Englishmen , although we are excessively loyal—and as Masons we arc extra loyal—we fully appreciate the steps that have been taken to produce this security . We must be fully aware that among the principal reasons why we are in this secure and comfortable stzta is that we have heen

blessed for a great many years with Sovereigns who have reigned over us—with an iron hand , possibly—but that iron hand has beeu covered with velvet . In the present era wc have no reason to think differently . Our present Queen , I ler Most Gracious Majesty , has ruled over us in a manner so highly creditable to the line from which she has dcsceni ' cd , and she has also made matters so very

comfortable to Englishmen in all parts of the globe , that I am sure you can have no hesitation in feeling gratified that she is our Sovereign . 'Therefore , I would ask you to look upon her as our patroness , as she has given several pledges that she means well towards us . We have our full liberty of meeting , and our full liberty of discussion , which is a great thing . The next toast was " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . E . G . Z . " I dare say , said the M . E . Z ., in giving it , the