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  • The Freemason
  • Jan. 26, 1889
  • Page 9
  • REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS.
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The Freemason, Jan. 26, 1889: Page 9

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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

initiation ceremony performed by a newly-installed Master in a more perfect manner . He was sure from what he had seen that the lodge had a good Master , and he wished it all prosperity . Bro . Martin would commence with what was called the Fourth Degree , and say that he had most thoroughly and heartily enjoyed himself . As to the working , or the more

laborious part of the evening , it had afforded him very great pleasure as an old attendant of the lodge to see the W . M . perform his duties in such a masterly manner . He looked upon him rather as a child of his own , for it vvas upon his recommendation that the W . M . had joined the Leopold Lodge when he found he could not attend the meetings of the lodge of which he himself vvas now a P . M .

The VV . M . was heart and soul in the Craft , as he well knew , and he was sure the lodge duly appreciated his worth . Bro . Beavis , P . M ., vvas pleased to be able to be present to see one whom he had known so long occupying the chair , and to see the way in which he had performed his duties . Bro . Carey ' s working was well known , but in the installation ceremony he had surpassed himself . He wished the W . M . a prosperous year of office and the lodge

increasing numbers . Bro . Mitchell also responded , and in thanking the brethren , spoke of the excellent manner in which the work had been performed and the visitors entertained . The toasts of " The Past Masters " and " The Officers of theLodge" were responded to by Bro . Kent , P . M ., and Bro . Kemble respectively , aud the Tyler's toast brought one of the most successful evenings of the lodge

to a close . During the evening songs and recitations were given by the W . M ., Bros . Franklin Clive , G . H . Williams , Mann , Lague , Hampson , and Kemble .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE ( No . 1805 ) . —The inslallation meeting of this lodge was held at the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow-road , E ., on the 15 th inst . The lodge was opened , and the ballot vvas taken in favour of Mr . C . W . Hankey , which having proved unanimous , he was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , after which Bro . Henry Johnson vvas duly installed into the

chair of K . S . by the out-going W . M ., Bro . J . Bailey , who also gave the addresses in a most impressive manner . A P .. M . ' s jewel vvas then presented to the retiring VV . M . for the admirable way the duties had been carried out during his year of office . The officers appointed were Bros . R . Toole , S . W . j Ben Johnson , J . W . ; John Collier , Treas . j W . Maxfield Mead , Sec . ; Percy Jackman , Org . ; Tom

Green , S . D . ; G . E . Warn , J . D . ; C Lewsey , I . G . ; VV Barnes , D . C . ; W . J . Roberts and W . T . Potts , Stwds . j and C . Sheppard , Tyler . The Iodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where the banquet , presided over by the W . M ., was held . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and a most harmonious evening vvas spent . LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE LODGE ( No . 1962 ) . —This celebrated lodge held its annual Installation meeting on the 18 th instant , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet , under the able presidency of its W . M ,, Bro . Leon Victor Walker . The gathering vvas , as usual , numerous , The Past Masters present were Bros . Neville Green , A . Haig-Brown , Walter McDougall , Arthur H . Sandle ,

Andrew McDowall , Treas . ; and Walter Claridge , Sec . ; and the visitors Bros . Henry Nuding , I . P . M . 1924 ; James Bass , 1987 ; J . B . Burnard , P . M . 1662 ; Walter Secrett , 988 ; J . Margetts , 159 S j J . G . Berry , P . M . 554 ; E . F , Fitch , J . VV . 1 S 27 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 j Geo . Austin , 1457 ; R . T . Godfrey , 141 ' . E . H . Lea , 1293 ; H . E . Simcox , 49 ; E . VV . Brooking , 569 ; VV . H . Hobbiss ,

S . W . 858 ; Jno . Allen , P . M . 173 ; W . Sandle , 1336 ; Henry A . Johnson , P . M . 869 , P . P . G . S . Herts ; W . H . Andrews , 857 j Maitland Dicker , P . M . 1470 ; V . Day , S . D . 852 ; C . P . Bellerby , I . P . M . 2021 ; Alf . J . Pritchard , P . M . 1597 ; Richd . Birkett , 569 ; George Lambert , P . G . Swd . Br . ; and W . H . Kelly , W . M ., 435 . According to a custom sensibly adopted by this lodge

and several other lodges at present , no work was left foi the installation day than that of the installation and the necessary adjuncts , and , therefore , after the preliminary routine had been observed , the VV . M . proceeded to install Bro , J . Curtler Tilt , S . VV . and W . M . elect , the first initiate in this Iodge , as Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed to perfection , and the

following brethren were then invested as officers for the year Bros . J . Geen , S . W . j II . F . Bing , J . VV . j A . McDowall , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Claridge , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Gregory , S . D . j H . H . Nuding , J . D . ; G . Woodley Smith , I . G . ; A . H . Brown , P . M ., D . C ; W . G . Lowe , A . D . C . j R . H . Brooks , Org . j and C Stein and E . Beard , Stwds . The Installing Master was admirably assisted by all the brethren of the lodge , as the marches past and salutes

were given in true military fashion . A beautiful P . M . 's jewel , unanimously voted at the previous meeting , was presented to the outgoing Master . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a beautiful banquet , at which the requirements of the members and guests were assiduously attended to by the Stewards and Secretary . Subsequently the loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured .

In giving the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . Said , fortunately , it vvas a toast that always had been received , and he hoped vvould always be received , with peat enthusiasm . It always had been so received by the London Rifle Brigade Lodge . They were bound to do it twice over , first as being loyal Masons , and secondly as having sworn allegiance to H . M . as Volunteers .

ihe W . M ., in giving "The M . W . G . M ., " said they y 6 !** : 'd the Prince of Wales was a most excellent worker > n Masonry , but they knew he vvas an excellent Master , ior they had seen him in that character at the Albert Hall on two occasions , which justified them in saying Masons were honoured by having the Prince of Wales as their ^ ran d Master .

, Bro -George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., replied to the toast of ore Pr ° G-M- > * e Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand utticers , Present and Past . " To Lord Carnarvon Masons were under very considerable obligations , as he had done great suit and service in traversing from this little "tain to our greater Britain in Australia , to cement , Possible , more firmly the two parts of the ¦ -ountry by recommending that they should be recog-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

nised as a Grand Lodge . Lord Carnarvon deserved their best praise because he was always willing and ready to undertake any office that might be imposed upon him in fulfilling the chair when the G . M . vvas unable to be present in Grand Lodge . He might say the same of the Earl of Lathom , for , although he did not live in London but in Lancashire , he felt that no time or trouble ought to

be spared in attending the various Committees and also Grand Lodge . It could well be understood that where vve had so many lodges under our rule there must be work for the Grand Officers to discharge , and he could say that those who did it , did it with fervency and zeal . He thought by the wise selection made they got the right men in the right place — men who

were willing to discharge any obligation that might be put upon them , and they did it with the greatest friendliness and the greatest desire to please every person . In Grand Lodge it must have been noticed that they constantly got applications and addresses from various Grand Lodges in Provinces and Districts , where men who were not satisfied with the ruling of the Provincial or

District Grand Master referred to Grand Lodge of England j and the brethren must have noticed with what care and ability Bro . Philbrick read through the whole of the papers sent and laid the facts before Grand Lodge , in order that those Provincial or District Grand Lodges might be satisfied with the decision of Grand Lodge of England . It was very rarely they were not satisfied . They

did not know the people on whose cases they adjudicated , and therefore the adjudication was as a rule correct . To the London Rifle Brigade Lodge he had to say he was delighted they had done him the honour of inviting him that evening . It was a great pleasure to him that the London Rifle Brigade Lodge was ready and willing to assist in getting up a shooting match at Caterham , and they

were indebted to their good friend , Bro . Bellerby , for organising that match . Putting the Grand Officers aside for a moment , he trusted the day would shortly come , and early in the season , when the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge might be able to shoot against the London Rifle Brgade Lodge , and with the greatest sincerity he hoped and trusted the London Rifle Brigade Lodge vvould carry

the gavel he had presented for competition into their own camp ; but not if the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge knew it ! The Queen's Westminster Lodge were true and staunch , and would trouble and bother those who did not go up to their rifle butts as often as they should , and did not shoot as well as they ought . The same remark would apply to the Queen's and other regiments . He wanted to

organise and bring about good , capital shooting corps . The London Rifle Brigade Lodge were in the forefront , but only as a Masonic lodge , and he wanted to keep them in that position . That they might win the gavel was his desire , and if they did it would be the proudest moment for him ; not that the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge were going to part with it very handily . No ! He believed that if they

brought the best team they could , the Queen's would bring a better to drive them out of the market . They acknowledged the shooting of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge vvas admirable , as they got a score of ' 926 at Caterham ; but then the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge made 936 . He hoped that , not only as Masons but as shots , the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge might have the pleasure of enjoying

the hospitality of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge for many years to come . And might he be there to see it . Bro . Walker , I . P . M ., proposed " The VV . M . " It was a pleasing duty which fell to the lot of every I . P . M . lt needed very few words to commend that toast to the brethren when the subject of it was such an excellent friend as Bro . Tilt . He had known Bro . Tilt a good many years j

some of the brethren could carry their friendship with him back 30 years , and a friendship of 30 years was not a light one . During the 30 years they had seen him in connection with the regiment he had passed through all the grades till he rose to be colour sergeant , and then drill sergeant , and then back again to colour sergeant , in all of which capacities he had carried out his duties well . He supposed few

men had passed through the hands of an amateur drill sergeant better than those who passed through his . They knew what the words of the colonel were when he retired , and they were re-echoed by every one . So might he perform the duties of the chair in which he had been installed that night . No one had been more esteemed . If anything could enhance the pleasure with which they drank his health now

it vvas that he was the first initiate in the lodge . All these circumstances—their long friendship for him , their esteem and respect for him as a Volunteer j knowing the work they had elected him to—all pointed to the fact that he would receive from them a very hearty and cordial support and protection—as comrades as well as brethren . The VVorshipful Master , in response , said it was very

kind of Bro . Walker to lay the butter on so thick as he did . VVhen he joined the regiment ( that vvas past and gone ) he tried to do his duty there . Since he had been initiated in Freemasonry it had been his endeavour to render himself capable of filling up any office he might be called upon to fill . He vvas not going to tell the brethren he could perform his duty , but he only hoped they vvould give him the

opportunity of trying , and they might depend upon it he vvould do his level best . When the time came that he should have to make way for his successor , he hoped they would say he had discharged his duty properly . The Worshipful Master next gave "The Installing Master , " and said there was no occasion to flatter Bro . Walker as Bro . Walker flattered him , for his work was

before the brethren , and they knew what he had done . He would not say they had not had one to equal him , but he could say they had hardly any one to excel him among the Masters of the lodge . Bro . Walker had always been at his post , and had always [ done his duty properly and to the satisfaction of every one in the lodge . He only hoped that now when he ( Bro . Walker ) had passed the chair , he would

not leave the lodge , but vvould remain with it as long as the lodge lasted . The Benevolent Fund box was here announced to have realised £ 2 5 s . 6 d . Bro . Walker , I . P . M ., in reply , said that with the W . M . he hoped the lodge vvould continue many , many years to come , and that he might be spared to be a member of

it-, but he trusted the lodge vvould last a good deal longer than he should . As long , however , as he lasted , he hoped he should be a member of it . During the time he had been Master he had endeavoured to discharge his duty to the best of his ability , but he was conscious that on some occasions that best had not been very good . He would like to have performed the installation ceremony better

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

than he had performed it . He was rather unfortunate here and there , in some few words slipping him ; but , however , he had carried out his duties to the best of his ability , and if he had met with the satisfaction and approval of the brethren , he was more than repaid for his trouble , and the beautiful jewel with which they had presented him he should look upon as a reminder of having passed one

of the happiest years of his life as their Master . Bro . VV . Kelly , W . M . 435 , responding to the toast of " The Visitors , " said that it was the first time he had been in a lodge outside his mother Iodge , but he congratulated the brethren on having elected a brother to rule over them who vvas so competent to perform his work . Bro . H . A . lohnson , P . M . 860 , said this was not the

first occasion he had been to this Iodge . Although not having the honour of being enrolled as a member of the L . R . B ., an honour which anyone would feel proud to have , he was quite certain all were animated by a desire to defend their country . From the manner they had heard the fire from the chair , he was convinced that , should they at any time be confronted by the enemy , their fire would

be as fair and true as it had been that evening . The brethren of provincial lodges were at all times pleased with the opportunity of mixing with the London brethren , and if at any time the brethren of this lodge went into Hertfordshire , they vvould find the same hospitality extended to them by the Hertfordshire lodges as they had extended to their visitors that night .

Bro . Bellerby , I . P . M . 2021 , thanked the brethren and the I . P . M . for their very great hospitality . As to the Masonic match , he hoped they would all be able to meet in the same field as last year . They then meditated on taking in other regiments . They thought the H . A . C . were very worthily represented . That evening they might possibly have gone astray . From a little conversation he

had had , he thought they vvould be taking a step in the right direction ( if the H . A . C were organised in a proper manner ) if they took them in to try what they could do . If they could muster six , the Queen's Westminster could find eight . They might extend the match to the H . A . C . and the Victorias , and he did not see why they should not make it a Metropolitan affair . Bro . Lambert , having laid

down rules as to the gavel being shot for , might extend them so as to include the H . A . C . and the Victorias . Bro . Birkett , 569 , said the brethren were well aware that the H . A . C . were , to a certain extent , under a cloud , and if it vvas not for the support they had had from other

Volunteer corps , they would be the most broken-hearted corps in the world . He thought they could muster six fairly goodshots , and , perhaps , one or two other fairly good shots would join the lodge . If the match took place this year , he feared they would have to ask their brethren to lend them rifles .

Bro . Hobbiss , S . W . 858 , thought it the greatest possible happiness to be present to see the magnificent working of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , and also to see round the table those who were his friends before he saw the light of Masonry . He thanked Major Lambert for the handsome present he had made to be shot for , a compliment which vvas very beautiful . They all knew the meaning of the

gavel . If there vvas one vain or unbecoming thought entered their minds , he hoped it would be that vainglorious desire to win it which Major Lambert had shown that evening . He did not think the Queen ' s Westminster would win it , but that it would go to the London Rifle Brigade . He thus fancied it vvould be a long time before the Queen ' s vvould get it again .

The Worshipful Master , in giving "The P . M . 's , " remarked that some of the P . M . ' s of this lodge had passsed the chair in other lodges , some of them in several lodges . That was a great example to those who were initiated in the lodge . When the Masters were in doubt what to do , they had only to apply to the P . M . ' s , when they got the assistance they were so much in want of .

Bro . W . McDowell , P . M ., said it certainly gave him very great pleasure to have his name received in the manner in which it had been received . It gave him great pleasure to occupy the office of Treasurer ,, and with respect to what the W . M . said to him when investing him , he might be a friend to the lodge if the lodge vvas a little behindhand . At the same time , he was happy to say that the balance

sheet was such that it showed a very good balance in hand , which everyone who had seen it vvould note with pleasure . As long as they adhered to that principle they would be successful . They did not want to save a lot of money , but only to pay their way and treat their visitors in the way in which the London Rifle Brigade wished to receive visitors . So long as that duty was imposed on himit

, would be the work of his life to do the best he possibly could for the London Rifle Brigade Lodge . Bro . W . Claridge , P . M ., Sec , acknowledged that there was a great deal of work for the Secretary of such a lodge to do . It started with a large number of founders . Many of them had disappeared—not that they had ceased to be active Masons , but they had ceased to be members of the

regiment . That alone involved a good deal of correspondence . They were glad to have a member of the regiment and of thelodge , one who at the present time was sergeantmajor of the 3 rd battalion of the King ' s Royal Rifles at Gibraltar . They had another member in Western Australia ( Bro . Haynes ) j one was at Buenos Ayres , and one in the United States of America . That would show that in a

regiment like the London Rifle Brigade the members were constantly spreading themselves over the face of the globe , and the name of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge jmust consequently be very well known . It was the wish , and had been the hope , of all the founders that that lodge should ba a great success . He thought they could claim it . In seven years Bro . Walker was seventh Master . lt had been a

success Masonically , and also in the slight work it had done for the Masonic Charities . It very often fell to his lot to have to inflict the Charities upon the brethren ; but he was happy to say that in that he vvas received with the same hearty feelings as they received everything in the Masonic world . Hardly a Master had gone through the chair of that lodge without some one being a Steward , and during the seven years that lodge had been founded they were in

the proud position of being able to say they had sent up something like £ 850 for the three Charities . He then pleaded the cause of an old lady candidate for the Benevolent institution , 76 years of age , and asked the brethren to assist him in getting votes . Bro . McDougall , P . M ., also replied . He always enjoyed himself very much when he came to that lodge . They all had known each other as Volunteers many years , and when they came to Masonry that seemed to increase . the kindly

“The Freemason: 1889-01-26, Page 9” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 4 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_26011889/page/9/.
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CONTENTS. Article 1
Untitled Article 1
OUR INSTITUTIONS AND THE CRITICS. Article 1
INSTALLATION OF BRO. LORD SALTOUN AS P.G.M. OF ABERDEEN. Article 3
BRO. HUGHAN'S NEW WORK. Article 3
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To Correspondents. Article 5
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Original Correspondence. Article 5
REVIEWS. Article 6
PRESENTATION TO BRO. HARLING, P.M., TREAS. No. 30. Article 6
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 6
INSTRUCTION. Article 13
Royal Arch. Article 14
INSTRUCTION Article 14
Mark Masonry. Article 14
Knights Templar. Article 15
Ancient and Accepted Rite. Article 15
Rosicrucian Society of England. Article 15
BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 15
A GIFT TO THE MASONIC HALL AT LIVERPOOL. Article 15
ONSLOW MARK LODGE, No. 361. Article 16
LODGE OF SORROW—PILGRIM LODGE, No. 238. Article 16
Obituary. Article 17
THE THEATRES. Article 17
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 17
MASONIC AND GENERAL TIDINGS Article 18
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METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS Article 20
PROVINCIAL MASONIC MEETINGS Article 20
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

initiation ceremony performed by a newly-installed Master in a more perfect manner . He was sure from what he had seen that the lodge had a good Master , and he wished it all prosperity . Bro . Martin would commence with what was called the Fourth Degree , and say that he had most thoroughly and heartily enjoyed himself . As to the working , or the more

laborious part of the evening , it had afforded him very great pleasure as an old attendant of the lodge to see the W . M . perform his duties in such a masterly manner . He looked upon him rather as a child of his own , for it vvas upon his recommendation that the W . M . had joined the Leopold Lodge when he found he could not attend the meetings of the lodge of which he himself vvas now a P . M .

The VV . M . was heart and soul in the Craft , as he well knew , and he was sure the lodge duly appreciated his worth . Bro . Beavis , P . M ., vvas pleased to be able to be present to see one whom he had known so long occupying the chair , and to see the way in which he had performed his duties . Bro . Carey ' s working was well known , but in the installation ceremony he had surpassed himself . He wished the W . M . a prosperous year of office and the lodge

increasing numbers . Bro . Mitchell also responded , and in thanking the brethren , spoke of the excellent manner in which the work had been performed and the visitors entertained . The toasts of " The Past Masters " and " The Officers of theLodge" were responded to by Bro . Kent , P . M ., and Bro . Kemble respectively , aud the Tyler's toast brought one of the most successful evenings of the lodge

to a close . During the evening songs and recitations were given by the W . M ., Bros . Franklin Clive , G . H . Williams , Mann , Lague , Hampson , and Kemble .

BROMLEY ST . LEONARD LODGE ( No . 1805 ) . —The inslallation meeting of this lodge was held at the Bromley Vestry Hall , Bow-road , E ., on the 15 th inst . The lodge was opened , and the ballot vvas taken in favour of Mr . C . W . Hankey , which having proved unanimous , he was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , after which Bro . Henry Johnson vvas duly installed into the

chair of K . S . by the out-going W . M ., Bro . J . Bailey , who also gave the addresses in a most impressive manner . A P .. M . ' s jewel vvas then presented to the retiring VV . M . for the admirable way the duties had been carried out during his year of office . The officers appointed were Bros . R . Toole , S . W . j Ben Johnson , J . W . ; John Collier , Treas . j W . Maxfield Mead , Sec . ; Percy Jackman , Org . ; Tom

Green , S . D . ; G . E . Warn , J . D . ; C Lewsey , I . G . ; VV Barnes , D . C . ; W . J . Roberts and W . T . Potts , Stwds . j and C . Sheppard , Tyler . The Iodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where the banquet , presided over by the W . M ., was held . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and a most harmonious evening vvas spent . LONDON RIFLE BRIGADE LODGE ( No . 1962 ) . —This celebrated lodge held its annual Installation meeting on the 18 th instant , at Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet , under the able presidency of its W . M ,, Bro . Leon Victor Walker . The gathering vvas , as usual , numerous , The Past Masters present were Bros . Neville Green , A . Haig-Brown , Walter McDougall , Arthur H . Sandle ,

Andrew McDowall , Treas . ; and Walter Claridge , Sec . ; and the visitors Bros . Henry Nuding , I . P . M . 1924 ; James Bass , 1987 ; J . B . Burnard , P . M . 1662 ; Walter Secrett , 988 ; J . Margetts , 159 S j J . G . Berry , P . M . 554 ; E . F , Fitch , J . VV . 1 S 27 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 j Geo . Austin , 1457 ; R . T . Godfrey , 141 ' . E . H . Lea , 1293 ; H . E . Simcox , 49 ; E . VV . Brooking , 569 ; VV . H . Hobbiss ,

S . W . 858 ; Jno . Allen , P . M . 173 ; W . Sandle , 1336 ; Henry A . Johnson , P . M . 869 , P . P . G . S . Herts ; W . H . Andrews , 857 j Maitland Dicker , P . M . 1470 ; V . Day , S . D . 852 ; C . P . Bellerby , I . P . M . 2021 ; Alf . J . Pritchard , P . M . 1597 ; Richd . Birkett , 569 ; George Lambert , P . G . Swd . Br . ; and W . H . Kelly , W . M ., 435 . According to a custom sensibly adopted by this lodge

and several other lodges at present , no work was left foi the installation day than that of the installation and the necessary adjuncts , and , therefore , after the preliminary routine had been observed , the VV . M . proceeded to install Bro , J . Curtler Tilt , S . VV . and W . M . elect , the first initiate in this Iodge , as Master of the lodge for the ensuing year . The ceremony was performed to perfection , and the

following brethren were then invested as officers for the year Bros . J . Geen , S . W . j II . F . Bing , J . VV . j A . McDowall , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Claridge , P . M ., Sec . ; G . Gregory , S . D . j H . H . Nuding , J . D . ; G . Woodley Smith , I . G . ; A . H . Brown , P . M ., D . C ; W . G . Lowe , A . D . C . j R . H . Brooks , Org . j and C Stein and E . Beard , Stwds . The Installing Master was admirably assisted by all the brethren of the lodge , as the marches past and salutes

were given in true military fashion . A beautiful P . M . 's jewel , unanimously voted at the previous meeting , was presented to the outgoing Master . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a beautiful banquet , at which the requirements of the members and guests were assiduously attended to by the Stewards and Secretary . Subsequently the loyal and Masonic toasts were given and honoured .

In giving the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . Said , fortunately , it vvas a toast that always had been received , and he hoped vvould always be received , with peat enthusiasm . It always had been so received by the London Rifle Brigade Lodge . They were bound to do it twice over , first as being loyal Masons , and secondly as having sworn allegiance to H . M . as Volunteers .

ihe W . M ., in giving "The M . W . G . M ., " said they y 6 !** : 'd the Prince of Wales was a most excellent worker > n Masonry , but they knew he vvas an excellent Master , ior they had seen him in that character at the Albert Hall on two occasions , which justified them in saying Masons were honoured by having the Prince of Wales as their ^ ran d Master .

, Bro -George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., replied to the toast of ore Pr ° G-M- > * e Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand utticers , Present and Past . " To Lord Carnarvon Masons were under very considerable obligations , as he had done great suit and service in traversing from this little "tain to our greater Britain in Australia , to cement , Possible , more firmly the two parts of the ¦ -ountry by recommending that they should be recog-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

nised as a Grand Lodge . Lord Carnarvon deserved their best praise because he was always willing and ready to undertake any office that might be imposed upon him in fulfilling the chair when the G . M . vvas unable to be present in Grand Lodge . He might say the same of the Earl of Lathom , for , although he did not live in London but in Lancashire , he felt that no time or trouble ought to

be spared in attending the various Committees and also Grand Lodge . It could well be understood that where vve had so many lodges under our rule there must be work for the Grand Officers to discharge , and he could say that those who did it , did it with fervency and zeal . He thought by the wise selection made they got the right men in the right place — men who

were willing to discharge any obligation that might be put upon them , and they did it with the greatest friendliness and the greatest desire to please every person . In Grand Lodge it must have been noticed that they constantly got applications and addresses from various Grand Lodges in Provinces and Districts , where men who were not satisfied with the ruling of the Provincial or

District Grand Master referred to Grand Lodge of England j and the brethren must have noticed with what care and ability Bro . Philbrick read through the whole of the papers sent and laid the facts before Grand Lodge , in order that those Provincial or District Grand Lodges might be satisfied with the decision of Grand Lodge of England . It was very rarely they were not satisfied . They

did not know the people on whose cases they adjudicated , and therefore the adjudication was as a rule correct . To the London Rifle Brigade Lodge he had to say he was delighted they had done him the honour of inviting him that evening . It was a great pleasure to him that the London Rifle Brigade Lodge was ready and willing to assist in getting up a shooting match at Caterham , and they

were indebted to their good friend , Bro . Bellerby , for organising that match . Putting the Grand Officers aside for a moment , he trusted the day would shortly come , and early in the season , when the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge might be able to shoot against the London Rifle Brgade Lodge , and with the greatest sincerity he hoped and trusted the London Rifle Brigade Lodge vvould carry

the gavel he had presented for competition into their own camp ; but not if the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge knew it ! The Queen's Westminster Lodge were true and staunch , and would trouble and bother those who did not go up to their rifle butts as often as they should , and did not shoot as well as they ought . The same remark would apply to the Queen's and other regiments . He wanted to

organise and bring about good , capital shooting corps . The London Rifle Brigade Lodge were in the forefront , but only as a Masonic lodge , and he wanted to keep them in that position . That they might win the gavel was his desire , and if they did it would be the proudest moment for him ; not that the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge were going to part with it very handily . No ! He believed that if they

brought the best team they could , the Queen's would bring a better to drive them out of the market . They acknowledged the shooting of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge vvas admirable , as they got a score of ' 926 at Caterham ; but then the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge made 936 . He hoped that , not only as Masons but as shots , the Queen ' s Westminster Lodge might have the pleasure of enjoying

the hospitality of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge for many years to come . And might he be there to see it . Bro . Walker , I . P . M ., proposed " The VV . M . " It was a pleasing duty which fell to the lot of every I . P . M . lt needed very few words to commend that toast to the brethren when the subject of it was such an excellent friend as Bro . Tilt . He had known Bro . Tilt a good many years j

some of the brethren could carry their friendship with him back 30 years , and a friendship of 30 years was not a light one . During the 30 years they had seen him in connection with the regiment he had passed through all the grades till he rose to be colour sergeant , and then drill sergeant , and then back again to colour sergeant , in all of which capacities he had carried out his duties well . He supposed few

men had passed through the hands of an amateur drill sergeant better than those who passed through his . They knew what the words of the colonel were when he retired , and they were re-echoed by every one . So might he perform the duties of the chair in which he had been installed that night . No one had been more esteemed . If anything could enhance the pleasure with which they drank his health now

it vvas that he was the first initiate in the lodge . All these circumstances—their long friendship for him , their esteem and respect for him as a Volunteer j knowing the work they had elected him to—all pointed to the fact that he would receive from them a very hearty and cordial support and protection—as comrades as well as brethren . The VVorshipful Master , in response , said it was very

kind of Bro . Walker to lay the butter on so thick as he did . VVhen he joined the regiment ( that vvas past and gone ) he tried to do his duty there . Since he had been initiated in Freemasonry it had been his endeavour to render himself capable of filling up any office he might be called upon to fill . He vvas not going to tell the brethren he could perform his duty , but he only hoped they vvould give him the

opportunity of trying , and they might depend upon it he vvould do his level best . When the time came that he should have to make way for his successor , he hoped they would say he had discharged his duty properly . The Worshipful Master next gave "The Installing Master , " and said there was no occasion to flatter Bro . Walker as Bro . Walker flattered him , for his work was

before the brethren , and they knew what he had done . He would not say they had not had one to equal him , but he could say they had hardly any one to excel him among the Masters of the lodge . Bro . Walker had always been at his post , and had always [ done his duty properly and to the satisfaction of every one in the lodge . He only hoped that now when he ( Bro . Walker ) had passed the chair , he would

not leave the lodge , but vvould remain with it as long as the lodge lasted . The Benevolent Fund box was here announced to have realised £ 2 5 s . 6 d . Bro . Walker , I . P . M ., in reply , said that with the W . M . he hoped the lodge vvould continue many , many years to come , and that he might be spared to be a member of

it-, but he trusted the lodge vvould last a good deal longer than he should . As long , however , as he lasted , he hoped he should be a member of it . During the time he had been Master he had endeavoured to discharge his duty to the best of his ability , but he was conscious that on some occasions that best had not been very good . He would like to have performed the installation ceremony better

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

than he had performed it . He was rather unfortunate here and there , in some few words slipping him ; but , however , he had carried out his duties to the best of his ability , and if he had met with the satisfaction and approval of the brethren , he was more than repaid for his trouble , and the beautiful jewel with which they had presented him he should look upon as a reminder of having passed one

of the happiest years of his life as their Master . Bro . VV . Kelly , W . M . 435 , responding to the toast of " The Visitors , " said that it was the first time he had been in a lodge outside his mother Iodge , but he congratulated the brethren on having elected a brother to rule over them who vvas so competent to perform his work . Bro . H . A . lohnson , P . M . 860 , said this was not the

first occasion he had been to this Iodge . Although not having the honour of being enrolled as a member of the L . R . B ., an honour which anyone would feel proud to have , he was quite certain all were animated by a desire to defend their country . From the manner they had heard the fire from the chair , he was convinced that , should they at any time be confronted by the enemy , their fire would

be as fair and true as it had been that evening . The brethren of provincial lodges were at all times pleased with the opportunity of mixing with the London brethren , and if at any time the brethren of this lodge went into Hertfordshire , they vvould find the same hospitality extended to them by the Hertfordshire lodges as they had extended to their visitors that night .

Bro . Bellerby , I . P . M . 2021 , thanked the brethren and the I . P . M . for their very great hospitality . As to the Masonic match , he hoped they would all be able to meet in the same field as last year . They then meditated on taking in other regiments . They thought the H . A . C . were very worthily represented . That evening they might possibly have gone astray . From a little conversation he

had had , he thought they vvould be taking a step in the right direction ( if the H . A . C were organised in a proper manner ) if they took them in to try what they could do . If they could muster six , the Queen's Westminster could find eight . They might extend the match to the H . A . C . and the Victorias , and he did not see why they should not make it a Metropolitan affair . Bro . Lambert , having laid

down rules as to the gavel being shot for , might extend them so as to include the H . A . C . and the Victorias . Bro . Birkett , 569 , said the brethren were well aware that the H . A . C . were , to a certain extent , under a cloud , and if it vvas not for the support they had had from other

Volunteer corps , they would be the most broken-hearted corps in the world . He thought they could muster six fairly goodshots , and , perhaps , one or two other fairly good shots would join the lodge . If the match took place this year , he feared they would have to ask their brethren to lend them rifles .

Bro . Hobbiss , S . W . 858 , thought it the greatest possible happiness to be present to see the magnificent working of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , and also to see round the table those who were his friends before he saw the light of Masonry . He thanked Major Lambert for the handsome present he had made to be shot for , a compliment which vvas very beautiful . They all knew the meaning of the

gavel . If there vvas one vain or unbecoming thought entered their minds , he hoped it would be that vainglorious desire to win it which Major Lambert had shown that evening . He did not think the Queen ' s Westminster would win it , but that it would go to the London Rifle Brigade . He thus fancied it vvould be a long time before the Queen ' s vvould get it again .

The Worshipful Master , in giving "The P . M . 's , " remarked that some of the P . M . ' s of this lodge had passsed the chair in other lodges , some of them in several lodges . That was a great example to those who were initiated in the lodge . When the Masters were in doubt what to do , they had only to apply to the P . M . ' s , when they got the assistance they were so much in want of .

Bro . W . McDowell , P . M ., said it certainly gave him very great pleasure to have his name received in the manner in which it had been received . It gave him great pleasure to occupy the office of Treasurer ,, and with respect to what the W . M . said to him when investing him , he might be a friend to the lodge if the lodge vvas a little behindhand . At the same time , he was happy to say that the balance

sheet was such that it showed a very good balance in hand , which everyone who had seen it vvould note with pleasure . As long as they adhered to that principle they would be successful . They did not want to save a lot of money , but only to pay their way and treat their visitors in the way in which the London Rifle Brigade wished to receive visitors . So long as that duty was imposed on himit

, would be the work of his life to do the best he possibly could for the London Rifle Brigade Lodge . Bro . W . Claridge , P . M ., Sec , acknowledged that there was a great deal of work for the Secretary of such a lodge to do . It started with a large number of founders . Many of them had disappeared—not that they had ceased to be active Masons , but they had ceased to be members of the

regiment . That alone involved a good deal of correspondence . They were glad to have a member of the regiment and of thelodge , one who at the present time was sergeantmajor of the 3 rd battalion of the King ' s Royal Rifles at Gibraltar . They had another member in Western Australia ( Bro . Haynes ) j one was at Buenos Ayres , and one in the United States of America . That would show that in a

regiment like the London Rifle Brigade the members were constantly spreading themselves over the face of the globe , and the name of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge jmust consequently be very well known . It was the wish , and had been the hope , of all the founders that that lodge should ba a great success . He thought they could claim it . In seven years Bro . Walker was seventh Master . lt had been a

success Masonically , and also in the slight work it had done for the Masonic Charities . It very often fell to his lot to have to inflict the Charities upon the brethren ; but he was happy to say that in that he vvas received with the same hearty feelings as they received everything in the Masonic world . Hardly a Master had gone through the chair of that lodge without some one being a Steward , and during the seven years that lodge had been founded they were in

the proud position of being able to say they had sent up something like £ 850 for the three Charities . He then pleaded the cause of an old lady candidate for the Benevolent institution , 76 years of age , and asked the brethren to assist him in getting votes . Bro . McDougall , P . M ., also replied . He always enjoyed himself very much when he came to that lodge . They all had known each other as Volunteers many years , and when they came to Masonry that seemed to increase . the kindly

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