Craft Masonry.

Bro . Walter King , I . P . M ., proposed the toast of " The W . M ., " which he said was the toast of the evening on an installation night . It gave him the greatest possible pleasure to present it , for the VV . M . was a most worthy brother and an exceptional worker . There had been four Masters in the Blackheath Lodge , Bro . Martin three times , Bro . Morson twice , and Bro . J . Hooper twice , and now the W . M . twice in succession , which was the exception . All knew the esteem he was held in , not only in the BlacHieath Lodge , but also in the Earl of Lathom Lodge , No . 1922 , of which he was a

Past Alaster . He asked his acceptance of the beautiful jewel as a token of esteem and regard . He asked the brethren to drink to the toast in bumpers . The inscription on the jewel was : " Presented to Bro . Hy . Cornford , P . M ., by the members of the Blackheath Ledge , No . 1320 , as W . M . during the year 1900 to 1901 , in recognition of his valuable services . " In reply Bro . H . Cornford , W . M ., tendered his hearty thanks for the manner the I . P . M . had proposed and lhe brethren had received the toast of his health . He could assure them the past year had been one of the prondest in his life , for he had met so manv kind friends , and the brethren and officers had supported him so splendidly . He

should be very proud to wear that beautiful jewel as the testimony of their regard , and as a P . M . ot the Blackheath Lodge . He was very proud , too , of the honour of being elected the second year , and he trustsd there might be plenty of work . He had performed the duties of the lodge to his best ability , and should continue to do so , if only to make the coming year more successful than the last . He again most heartily thanked them . The W . M . next presented the toast of "The LP . AL , Bro . W . King , " and said when he was Master of the lodge he carried out his duties in an admirable manner , and during the past year he had given great assistance , and the W . M . hoped that during the coming year he would continue to do so , and with as great zeal .

Bro . King , in reply , said he was grateful for the manner the *"" toast had been proposed and received . He felt very keenly the honour that had been bestowed upon Bro . Cornford in his again occupying the chair of VV . M ., and he would do his best to support him . His duties were very light , for the W . M . was such an excellent worker , the ceremony of raising that evening having never been worked better . The VV . M . next proposed the toast of " The Visitors " with much cordiality , and it was exhaustively responded to by Bros . Carpenter , Stone , Thompson , Ware , and

Harnss . The toast of "The Past Alasters'" received at the hands of the W . M . its share of praise for the able services they were always ready to give when required . Among them were Bros . King , Alorson , Stunt , Cass , J . Hooper , and Le Cren , all of whom duly responded .

In presenting the toast of " Bros . Morson , Treas ., and Stunt , Sec , " the W . M . congratulated himself and the Iodge upon having two such efficient officers . Thc brethren had thought it a very fitting opportunity to present Bro . Morson , P . M ., Treas ., on his second marriage , with a tea service , which the VV . M . asked his kind acceptance of to mark their appreciation of his valuable services to the lodge as Treasurer , and also to wish him and Mrs . Morson long life and happiness .

Bro . Alorson , P . M ., most suitably replied , acknowledging their handsome present , which was indeed most gratifying . Bro . Stunt , P . AL , also ably responded . The toast of "The Officers" was given by the W . M . in commendable terms , and ably responded to by Bros . Tucker , S . VV ., and Hezekiel , J . VV . The Tyler's toast closed a happy and successful meeting .

A capital programme of music was arranged by Bro . Frank Swinford , P . AL , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., ably assisted by Air . Albert Pearce , and Bros . Stunt , P . M ., Jos . Hay , Frank Swinford , and G . A . Costello , all of whom were well received . Bro . Frank Swinford , Organist of the lodge , ably presided at the piano . Bro . H . Cornford , W . M ., is a Life Governor of all the Masonic Charities , and also

of those of the Mark . He is a P . AI . of the earl of Lathom Lodge , No . 1922 , M . E . Z . of the Selwyn Chapter , No . 1901 , and H . of the Sphinx Chapter , Na . 1329 . He is also W . M . of the Temple Mark Lodge , No . 323 , M . O . in the Rose Mark , No . 534 , and has had the office of Prov . G . Std . Br . Kent in the Mark Degree conferred upon him . He is also Dep . Preceptor in two lodges of instruction in South London—a Masonic record of which any brother may be proud .

Sir Watkin Lodge , No . 1477 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . SAMUEL BERRESFORD . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 17 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Mold . There was a large attendance of members and visitors , among whom were Bros . T . VV . Hughes , P . AL 2423 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Gwilt Catterall , P . AL 1336 , P . P . G . D . ; Samuel Berresford , P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; John C . Robinson , P . M . 1070 , 2 S 2 G , P . P . G . D . C . VV . Lar . cs ; and many others .

The minutes of the previous qieeting having been confirmed , the retiring W . M ., Bro . John Wynne Williams , then proceeded with the installation of Bro . Samael Berresford , S . VV ., which ceremony he performed in a masterly manner . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . John Wynne Williams , LP . M . ; David Cruickshank , S . W . ; Robt . Morris , J . W . ; J . P . Poole-Hughes , Chap . ; T . B .

Williams , P . AL , P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; W . B . Rowdon , P . M ., P . P . G . S ., Sec ; Osborne Lunt , S . D . ; John H . Jones , J . D . ; E . J . Hughes , I . G . ; H . Haselden , Org . ; E . C . ManleyandJ . Hughes , Stwds . ; and Sergt .-Alajor Summerton , Tyler . During the evening the I . P . IVL was presented with a massive iS-ct . gold bar for his Past Master ' s jewel , he having occupied the chair for a second time . The brethren dined together at the Black Lion Hotel .

Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . RALPH LANGTON , LP . AL , AND MRS . LANGTON . A meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday last at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , E . C , when there were present Bros . Dr . C IC , Alilnes Hey , W . M . j

Ralph Langton , I . P . M . ; H . F . Woodward , S . W . ; T . H . James , I . W . ; George Kenning , P . M ., Sec . ; A . C . Williams , J . D . ; IL Blennerhassutt , I . G . ; Arthur B . Hudson , P . M ., D . C ; George Rawlinson , P . AL , and A . A . Barne . " , Stwds ., * Thos . B'iggs , P . M . ; Rupert Smyth , P . M . ; Septimus Croft , P . M . ; C . R . Leedham , James C . Hayes , and R . S . Ellis .

The minutes of the last meeling were icid and confirmed . The W . AL informed thebrethren that he attended the last Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution tor Boys , when he had the pleasure of representing the Aldersgate Lodge with a list of subscriptions amounting to Si guineas . Two brethren were proposed as joining members , and three gentlemen for initiation . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dine together under the gavel of the W . M .

In giving the toast of "The I . P . M ., " the VV . M . referred to the complimentary banquet that the brethren had proposed giving last summer in honour of the LP . AL and his wife . Unfortunately , however , several of the brethren were unable to attend cm the date selected by the Committee , while ill-health prevented some others . Under these circumstances the gathering could have been but a small one , so the brethren reluctantl

y felt that the proposal must be abandoned . But thiscloud of d ' sappointinjnt Ji ? if ' ! . '' ' £ * This took the form of the silver tea service , which , in the name of r bre'hfen of the Aldersgate Lodge , he ( the W . M . ) asked Bro . Langton to accept on i S A his wife , as some recollection of the year that he occupied the chair as VV . M . ot the Aldersgate Lodge , all the brethren wishing him and Mrs . Langton health , happiness , and prosperity .

. ., ?'"•fhomas Briggs , P . M ., then briefly spoke , and , in a few well-chosen words , IK i iw •1 > ren that ' alter otu ' " * in' ? the presentation service , the Committee found inat they still had some money in hand ; and with this handsome bottles of scent had oeen obtained , that the brethren might present to their ladies at home , to show that mey , too , had not been forgotten that evening . „~ Bl * 0 * Langton , I . P . M ., in a short s * -c : ch , thanked the brethren for their handsome presentation .

Saye and Sele Lodge , No . 1973 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . J . B . WOOD . der » T " " ? " ation ceremony of the above Iodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Belvc situa ' t . ^ " * '_ j " 6 afternoon of Saturday , the 19 th inst . The hall is beautifully - •¦¦ . uarea on the edge of a wide expanse of wooded park and is adjacent to the Royal

Craft Masonry.

Alfred Home for Aged Merchant Seamen . There was a large muster of brethren and visitors , the latter including Bros . S . J . Cohen , W . M . 1622 ; E . P . Willcock , 931 J F . Pollitzen , 1017 ; W . E . Harding , 97 ; W . H . Hayles , 20 G ; C . B . Andrews , 1558 ; J . Hooper , P . M . 1320 ; W . Russell , P . A . G . D . C . and Treas . Kent ; Col . F . W . Frigout , P . S . G . D . Kent ; W . Falkner , 2500 ; W . Francis , W . M . 615 ; T . Browne , 47 ; and W . Viney , 1076 .

The lodge having been opened , and routine business transacted , Bros . Raby and Horsley were elected Auditors . Bro . F . Corbett , P . M ., was re-elected to serve on the Charity Committee of the province , and Bros . Newstead and G . Lawson to serve on the General Purposes Committee . Bye-law No . 4 _ was amended , thereby raising the subscription for both resident and non-resident members from £ 2 2 s . to £ , 2 12 s . Gd . The W . M . elect , Bro . J . B . Wood , was then installed , the ceremony being most impressively performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . J . D . Brooks . Bro . J . B . Wood having been duly installed in the chair of K . S .,

appointed and invested the following officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . D . Brooks , LP . AL ; W . J . Lawson , S . W . ; W . J . News ' ead , J . W . ; Rev . J . W . Horsley , M . A . Chap . ; F . Corbett , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Reeve , P . M . P . P . G . Supt . Wks ., Sec ; G . Golding , S . D . ; C . H . Lawson , J . D . ; L . Hancock , LG . ; W . Tailby , P . AL , D . of C . ; H . Bennett , A . E . Gould , and F . Raby , Stwds . , * and E .

Hitchcock , Tyler . A vote of thanks was accorded by the lodge , on his retirement , to Bro . Gale , who had acted as Tyler for many years , on the motion of Bros . Corbett , P . M ., and Wood , P . M . The lodge voted a Past Master ' s jewel to the I . P . M . in recognition of his services while in the chair , on the motion of Bros . Corbett , P . M ., and Wood , P . M . A proposition for initiation having been received , the lodge was closed and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room .

At the conclusion of the banquet full honours were accorded to the customary loyal and Masonic toasts . Bio . Brooks , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the W . M . " He had been the W . M . ' s sponsor at his initiation , and he had now had the honour to instal him , and he appealed to the brethren individually and collectively to accord him their most cordial support . Bro . J . B . Wood , W . M ., who was received with the utmost enthusiasm , expressed

the intention of doing his best to perform thc duties devolving on one who had been elected to his high office , and more than that no man could do . Nevertheless , he felt that in the I . P . M . he had a very difficult man to follow . He was acquainted with the ritual almost in its entirety , and the way in which he had performed his work that afternoon showed how great was the task imposed on the one who had to follow Bro . Brooks .

Bro . Brooks , I . P . M ., in reply to the toast of his health , stated that his year of office had been a year of pleasure , for which his heartiest thanks were due to the officers who had served under him . Never for one moment had he had cause to think if any one of them would be in his place in the lodge , or if he would know his work . His thanks were especially due for the help he had received from the ability and experience of the Secretary , Bro . Reeve , P . M . The toast of " The Visitors " was responded to by Bros . Holmes , W . M . 2499 ; Willcock , New Zealand ; Viney , Hooper Wood , and Lawson .

The remaining toasts were those of " The Past Masters , " "The Officers , "and the Tyler ' s toast . At intervals in the tcast list musical selections and songs were rendered by Alessrs . H . Gage , G . Betsen , O . Alorgan , and others , Bro . H . Roberts presiding at the piano .

Thomas Railing Lodge , No . 2508 . FIRST LADIES' NIGHT . On Saturday , the 19 th instant , the members of this Iodge gave their first ladies ' evening . It consisted of a soiree and concert , and was throughout so great a success that in future it is hoped to hold these meetings annually . Messrs . John Brinsmead and Sans , Ltd ., through the kindness of one of the directors and Secretary , Bro . Henry Billinghurst , placed the whole of their extensive premises in Wigmore-streetW . —*

, including their charming concert hall—at the disposal of the lodge for the evening . Owing to the recent death of his father , the W . M ., Bro . Frank Ward , was unable to welcome the numerous guests , but his place was taken by Bro . Percy Griffith , LP . M ., who , during the interval in the programme , addressed a few words to the audience , expressing deep sympathy with the W . M . in his bereavement , and thanks to the artists for their assistance , and to Messrs . Brinsmead and Bro . Billinghurst for the loan of their magnificent premises .

Refreshments were served at a buffet , and the whole entertainment which had been arranged by Bros . Haivey Lohr , S . VV ., C . H . Kempljng , Organist ; and H . Billinghurst , was in every respect excellent . There is no doubt the evening was most enjoyably spent by all present .

Weald Lodge , No . 2707 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . DR . SAA 1 UEL FRAZER . The annual installation ceremony of the above lodge was held at the Drill Hall , Brentwood , Essex , on the evening of Thursday , the 17 th instant , when there was a large attendance of members and visitors . The latter included : Bros . J . S . Hammond , P . M . 1437 ; J . Bilton , P . M . 2399 ; Childs , P . M . ; F . W . Chadwick , 312 ; C . Church , 1427 ; Johnson , 2757 ; Godfrey , 276 ; T . Wing , 2134 ; and Burgess 1421 .

, The report ol the audit was received , and the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on the 29 th ult . were read , in which was recorded a vote of thanks passed to Bro . E . Grove Johnson , who has acted as Secretary since the consecration of the lodge , four years ago , for the efficient manner in which he had submitted his accounts , and regretting his resignation . In this connection it may be stated that when Bro . Johnson became Secretary there was a deficit of about £ 20 , whereas now there is a credit balance of £ 20 and £ 6 $ worth of assets , the membership of the lodge

numbering 34 paying members . Bro . Sergt .-Alajor S . A . Smith was passed to the Second Degree , and the W . M . elect , Bro . Dr . S . Frazer , was then installed , the ceremony of installation being very ably performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . A . I . G . Woods , P . P . G . S . The newly-installed W . M . then appointed and invested the following officers for the ensuiug vear : Bros . A . I . G . Woods , P . P . G . S ., LP . M . and Treas . ; John Edwards , S . W . ; R . Blunden , J . W . ; Canon W . Ouennell ,

P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., Chap . ; J . W . Armour , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec ; £ . Lloyd , P . P . A . G . Sec . Berks , Org . ; J . B . Bell , S . D . ; O . C . Cramphorn , J . D . ; A . S . Girdiner , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C , D . of C ; A . Shephard , LG . ; A . S . Rippin and A . W . Coventry , Stwds . ; and Watkinson , Tyler . The Secretary , Bro . J . M . Armour , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., was elected to serve on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , and three propositions for initiation were received .

The lodge having been closed , an adjournment was mide to the Lion and Lamb Hotel , where 35 members and guests sat down to the banquet . At its conclusion the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , Bros . Johnson , Armour , Gardiner , Hammond , and Childs responding on behalf of " The Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . Woods . I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M . " , wishing him health during the ensuing year to attend all lodge meetings and Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge , and perform all the other duties ofa Alaster . Bro . Frazer , W . M ., in reply , said he had taken office with the full determination to fulfil the duties to the best of his ability and to the satisfaction of the brethren . When a government took office they frequently made a declaration of policy , and he wished

to state that duung the ensuing year he meant to act so as to leave his successor a clean sheet . It was the duty of the brethren to practise the tenets of Freemasonry which they professed outside the lodge , so that all might know the tendency of Freemasonry was for the good of all . lie would , advocate , as he had done before , the building of a Alasonic hall in the district , as he felt sure the result would be to advance Freemasonry .

The W . M . then proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , " presenting him , on behalf of thc lodge , with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel . Bro . Woods , I . P . M ., in reply , observed that he felt more than he could well express . The duties of the chair were sacred and difficult , and the jewel they considered he had earned by the discharge of those duties would ever remind him of his year of office . The remaining toasts comprised those of "The Past Alasters , " "The Visitors , " "The Treasurer and Secretary , " " The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toist .

During the evening an excellent programme ot music was rendered by Bros . Edwards , Harmer ( Bandmaster of the Essex Regiment ) , Church , and Hannoad , and Messrs . Lyons and Hagon .