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TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry 831 Scotland 832 Masonic Oration 833 Consecration of a Lodge at Bamsley 8 33 Christmas . ¦ 834 POETRY : — Christmas Day , 1874 835

CORRESPONDENCE ;—Masonic Portraits 835 Is the Pope a Freemason ? 835 Masonic Jurisprudence 835 The Order of the Temple 836 liro . Findel and Comenius 836 Masonic Tidings ' 837 Hughan ' s Masonic Memorials 837 Advertisements 829830837838

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

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BATH . —Lodge of Honour ( No . 379 ) . —Summonses having been issued for the annual festival meeting of this lodge , to be held at the Masonic Hall , the brethren assembled at 4 p . m . on Monday , Dec . i 4 th , and soon after that time the lodge was opened in the first degree by Bro . Philips , W . M ., assisted by the following officers , Bros , Davis , I . P . M . ; J . S . Bartrum , P . M . and W . M . elect j Cooke , acting as S . VV . Simmons , W . M . of 41 , acting as J . W . ; Culliford Hopkins , Secretary ; Barter , P . M ., Tress . ; Dr . Hopkins , P . P . G . S . W . for Warwickshire , acting as S . D . ; White

J . D . ; Col . Ford , P . M . 53 , acting as D . C . ; Smythe , I . G . In addition to these and many members of the lodge , there were present Bros . Else , Prov . G Secy ., Major Preston , W . M . 41 j Helps , I . P . M . 53 ; Gen . Doherty , P . M . 53 ; J . Stothert , P . P . G . SW . ; Lord , P . M . 53 ; Smith ,

P . M . and Treas . 53 ; Shum , P . M . 53 . The minutes of the previous lodge meeting were read and confirmed . The lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Leir was presented as a candidate to be raised to the sublime degree of M . M . The usual questions were put to him and

considered to be satisfactorily answered , after which he was entrusted and dismissed for preparation . The lodge was opened in the third degree , and after the customary arrangements had been made , the candidate was re-admitted and taised to the third degree by the W . M .. who

also gave him the traditionary history on which this impressive ceremony is based . The working tools were explained by the Secretary . The lodge was resumed in the second degree , and the chair was taken by Bro . J . Stothert , who had undertaken to perform the duties of Installing

Master . Bro . J . S . Bartrum was presented by Bros . Davis and Phillips , W . M . ' s . After the initiatory address , the ancient charges were read by the Secretary , and assented to , and the usual obligation of W . M . elect was administered . The lodge was resumed in the third degree . The

brethren below the chair were dismissed , a Board of Installed Masters was constituted , and Bro . Bartrum was , according to ancient form , inducted into the chair of K . S . for the third time . The Board was closed , the brethren were re-admitted , and Bro . Stothert ably and impressivel y

conducted the usual proclamations , processions , and salutations , concluding by giving the addresses to the W . M ., Wardens , and brethren . At the proper places during these proceedings , the W . M . invested Bro . Phillips as his I . P . M ., and the following as his officers for the next year .

Bros . Cooke , S . W . ; H . Gore , J . W . ; C . S . Barter , Treas . ; H . Culliford Hopkins , Secreta-y ; W . S . Dickenson , S . D . ; Smythe , J . D . ; Bush , DC ; Leir , J . G . ; Gazzard , Tyler . On the proposition of Bro . Phillips , seconded b y Bro . Davis , votes of thanks were passed to the visiting brethren for their attendance , among whom were

specially named Bio . Stothert , for his valuable help as Installing Master , Bro . Col . Ford as D . C , Bro . Dr . Hopkins as S . D ., and Bro . Else for coming so far in his official capacity as Prov . Grand Secretary . The W . M . addressed the brethren on his installation in very impressive and kindly terms , such as to convey the idea , that with the knosv-

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

ledge of his previous efficiency in the same capacity , he is determined zealously to perform his duties , and at least maintain , and , if possible , raise the status of the lodge . Some discussion took p lace as to the formation of a lodge of instruction , further consideration of which was

postponed to the next meeting . The W . M . brought before the brethren , in a very feeling manner , a melancholy circumstance which had just occurred—no other than the sudden death , a few hours previously , of the resident Curator of tho Masonic Hall and Tyler of the Royal

Sussex Lodge , at an advanced age—78 ; reminding the brethren of the solemn lesson taught to all , especially in connection with the ceremony of the third degree , which had just been administered . He recalled to the minds of such as had been present in that room exactly a week

ago , the energy and zest with which the old man had responded to his re-appointment as Tyler of the Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 53 ; the heartiness with which he entered into all Masonic proceedings , and the fidelity with which he performed his duties , as far as his failing strength would

allow . The W . M . concluded by proposing that a letter of condolence should be forwarded to the children of the deceased , which was seconded by the S . W ., and passed . The proceedings of the evening were brought to a close by a vote of thanks , carried by acclamation , to Bro . Phillips ,

for the ability and skill with which he had ruled the lodge during the past year , to which the I . P . M . made an appropriate reply . The lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and with solemn prayer , at a quarter past seven , and the brethren adjourned for a banquet at the Castle Hotel .

HARTLEPOOL . —St . Helen ' s Lodge , Hartlepool , ( No . 534 ) . The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held at the hall belonging to the Craft , on Thursday afternoon . The W . M . elect ( Bro . Wm . Pearson ) was installed by Bro . J

Hunter , jun ., P . M ., Bro . J . W . Sivewright , P . M . acting as D . C . At the close of the ceremony the W . M . elect appointed the following officers viz : —Bros . T . Johnson , S . W . ; T . Fleethait . , T . W . ; W . Fleetham , Secretary ; W . Shaw , S . D . , D . Collins , J . D . ; T . M . Proctor , Treasurer ; F .

H . Bennett , I . G . ; and W . Mudd and R . Rob . son , Stewards . After the completion of th ceremony , the brethren present adjourned to th Cleveland Hotel , where an excellent repast wa served by Mr . C . Humble . The W . M . elec presided , and a most enjoyable evening wa spent , the usual Masonic toasts being duly

honoured . TOTNES . —Pleiades Lodge ( No . 710 ) . —The

usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall on Thursday , the 17 th inst ., Bro . William Bennett Maye , W . M ., in the chair . There were also present Bro . R . H . Watson , P . M ., J . W . Bro . II . J . Presswcll , I . P . M . ; Bro . W . Cuming , P . M ., Sec . : Bro . J . Heath , P . M .,

P . P . J . G . D . ; Bro . W . H . Taylor , Org . ; Bro . S Woollev , Treas . ; Bro . J . Crocker , Tyler ; Bro C . A . Wallis , Bro . J . C . Challoner , and Bro . T Luscombe . Visitor , Bro . Shanks . The lodge was duly opened , and the minutes of the pre

vious meeting were read and confirmed . A candidate for the third degree was unavoidably absent . There being no other business , the lodge was closed in ancient form and with solemn prayer .

ArtF . iiYSTWiTH . — Abcri / stirith Lodge ( No . 1072)—The ninth anniversary meeting of this prosperous and well-worked lodge , and the installation of its W . M .. was held at the Maronic rooms at the Belle Vue Royal Hotel , Aberystwith , on Thursday , the 10 th inst .: —Bros . G . T .

Smith , P . Prov . S . G . Warden , W . M ., supported by the K . W . the Prov G . Master , ( Major J . A . Lloyd-Phillips ); the Worshipful D . Prov G . M . of Monmouthshire , ( Capt . S . G . Homfray ) ; James" Terry , P . M . ( Secretary R . M . Benevolent Institution ) , Prov . G . D . Cers ., Herts ; G .

Ward Verry , P . M- Yarborotigh , No . 534 ; E . L . Cole , P . Prov . G . D ., P . M . 1072 , ' C . Rice Williams , M . D ., P . M . 1072 ; and the other officers and members of the lodge . The lodge having been duly opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and Bro . John Vaughan , P . Prov . G . Supt . W . was

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ballotted for and unanimousl y re-elected Treasurer for the ensuing year . Lodge was then opened in the second degree , when Bro . Stanley John Balcombe , S . W ., Prov . G . Secrectary , had

the honour of being presented to the Installing Master ( Bro . G . T . Smith ) by the R . W . Prov . G . M ., who , in addition to the usual formula of introduction , bore high testimony to the great fitness of Bro . Balcombe for the honour about to

be conferred upon htm , referred to the admirable manner in which he had filled nearly every office in the lodge and the zeal and ability he had displayed and the great assistance he rendered to him ( the Prov . Grand Master ) as Provincial Grand Secretary . Lodge was then

opened in the third degree and a board of Installed Masters having been formed , Bro . Balcombe was duly installed in the Chair of K . S ., acccrding to ancient rite . The brethren below the chair were then re-admitted , and the W . M . was duly proclaimed and saluted in the three

degrees . The W . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for ensuing year : —Bros . G . T . Smith , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . Warden , I . P . M . ; Edward Hamer , P . Prov . G . Supt . Works , S . W . ; Jonathan Pell , P . Prov . G . Dir . Cers ., J . W . ; Rev . John Jones ,

Chaplain ; John Vaughan , P . Prov . G . Supt . Works , Treasurer ; C . Rice Williams , M . D ., P . M ., Secretary ; A . J . Hughes , Prov . G . Sword Bearer , S . D . ; Griffith Jones , J . D . ; Benjamin Ellis Morgan , I . G . ; Henry Culliford , Dir . Cers . ; D . Vaughan Rees , Tyler . The Installing

Master gave the customary addresses to the W . M , Wardens , and brethren in a very abl « manner , receiving well-earned enconiums irom the numerous P . M . ' s present . We have on many occasions referred to Bro . Smith ' s working in terms of high praise , and on last

Thursday evening it was , as near as possible , perfection . The W . M . then rose and proposed "That the cordial and hearty thanks of the lodge are due , and are hereby tendered to the W . Bro . George Tempany Smith , I . P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . Warden , P . Prov . G . Sec , for his untiring

exertions , and for the manner in which he has conducted the business of the lodge . " Carried unanimously . The R . W . Bro . Major F . A . Lloyd Phillips then advanced , and , in the name of the lodge , presented to Bro . G . T . Smith a P . M . ' s Jewel . In placing it on his breast , Bro .

Lloyd Phillips explained that he had that pleasure , not onl y as the Prov . G . Master , but as a simple member of 1072 , and that having witnessed Bro . Smith ' s exertions for the benefit of his lodge , and of Masonry in general , it afforded him great pleasure to have been selected to

decorate so worthy a Mason with so handsome a jewel , and to accompany it with an assurance of the most affectionate thanks of them all . In conclusion the R . W . Brother added that he hoped that Bro . Smith—although he had for four years filled the chair of K . S . in the

Abcrystwith Lodge , would not consider himself as put upon " the shelf , " but that he would continue to assist to preserve the lodge by giving to its present and future W . M . ' s such assistance and support as they would stand in need of . Bro . Smith was visibly affected by the

unexpected presentation , a P . M . ' s jewel never having been presented in this lodge to its retiring Master until the present occasion . He returned thanks , saying that although without egotism , he could fairly say he had given some amount of time and attention to the interests of

Masonry , more particularly to the welfare of 1072 , and of the province in which he had had the honour to hold a high office , he had not anticipated that his poor services would receive such a substantial mark of recognition . The brethren having thought differently , he ( Bro .

Smith ) could only bow to their decision , and in so doing offer to them his hearty thanks , assuring them that he would be always ready to do his best for the Craft . He was especially delighted to have the pleasure of installing his dear friend and brother Balcombe in the chair that evening .

He knew of few brothers so deserving of occupying that position , and he thought he might congratulate him upon that condition in which the lodge was handed over to him , and the brethren on being presided over by such a Master . In conclusion Bro . Smith hoped that 1072 would have a happy and prosperous year