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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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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