Craft Masonry.

Several apologies were sent for non-attendance , the prevailing epidemic being responsible for many of these , and special regret was expressed at the absence of Bro . J . Adams , Senior P . M . and Secretary of the lodge , who is laid aside by illness . The following officers were appointed for the year , viz ., Bros . J . Berry , I . P . M . ; T . Lashmore , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Adams , Sec . ; G . Cross , P . M ., D . of C . ; L . Stevens , S . W . ; J . E . Adams , J . W . ; A . Smith , S . D . ; A , E . Lisle , J . D . ; A . E . Horton , l . G . ; G . A . Andrews , Org . ; C T . Thornback and G . H . Male , Stwds . ; and W . Vare , Tyler .

In re-investing Bro . Berry as I . P . M ., the W . M . referred to the loss the lodge had sustained during the year in the death of the Master , Bro . Rowthorn , and incidental allusion was also made to the fact that two P . Ms , of the lodge , Bros . Dusautoy and H . Coles , had passed away since the last installation . At the conclusion of lodge business , the brethren , numbering about 70 in all , sat

down to an excellent banquet , under the superintendence of Bro . Cross , D . of C . In the course of the post-prandial proceedings , Bro . Le Feuvre , speaking of the charitable work of the Craft , said that the Executive of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys had decided to receive into the School for the present without election , all eligible lads whose fathers , brethren of the Order , fell in the war in South Africa . This announcement was received with hearty applause .

The usual Masonic toasts were honoured , the speeches being interspersed with a musical programme , arranged by Bros . Conlanand J . A . Billett , Bro . Andrews presiding at the piano .

Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity , No . 663-The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Devizes , on Tuesday , the iCth instant , when there was a good att » ndance of members and several visitors . Bro . David Owen , S . W ., was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being most impressively performed by Bro . C . N . P . Phipps , D . P . G . M ., who also delivered the usual addresses . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows , addressing them as to their several duties : Bros . F . Rendell , I . P . M . ; Henry Ash , S . W . ; W . R . C . Sudweeks , J . W . ; F . S . | Hancock , P . M ., Treas . ; T . C .

Hopkins . P . M ., Sec . ; G . J . Smith , S . D . ; M . K . Sloper , J . D . ; H . J . Johnson , P . M ., acting Org . ; H . Courteen , l . G . ; A . J . Randell and E . Giddings , Stwds . ; and W . G . Pike , Tyler . The sum of £ 10 10 s . was voted from lodge funds to the Sailors' and Soldiers' Families Association Fund , and Bro . the Rev . Wm . Gardiner , G . Chap . Eng . ( who was present ) , was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge . After the lodge was closed , the brethren adjourned to a banquet at the Bear Hotel , which was served in excellent style by the proprietor , Mr . George Tanner .

Royal Alfred Lodge , No . 877 . The above lodge assembled at the Masonic Temple , Jersey , on Tuesday , the 9 th instant , at 6 . 30 p . m ., to celebrate its 500 th meeting . Bro . C . Gardner Vatcher , W . M ., presided , and was assisted in opening the lodge by Bros . A . Jagger , S . W ., and D . P . Vincent , J . W . The usual routine work of the lodge having been completed , Bros . Colonel E . C . Malet de Carteret , Prov . G . Master Jersey , Dr . J . Le Cronier , Dep . Prov . G . Master , and the Officers of the Prov . G . Lodge were announced and duly

admitted . Accompanying them was Bro . Colonel G . L . Walker , Dep . Dist . G . Master Madras . The W . M . having welcomed the Prov . G . Lodge , and having offered the chair of K . S . to the Prov . G . Master—which was declined in very flattering terms—the usual salutes were accorded the brethren to whom they were due . The Secretary then read a short history of the lodge's career , for which he was thanked on the proposition of the Prov . G . Master , seconded by his Deputy . The W . M . afterwards read a paper giving a rapid survey of iFreemasonry in general in the past , including therein the theories of various writers as to its supposed origin . The Prov . G . Master , in proposing

a vote of thanks to the W . M ., said that he was very glad to have been able to be present to hear the interesting papers read by the W . M . and the Secretary , and hoped that the example set b y these brethren would be followed by others who were interested in the literature of the Craft . In the paper read by the W . M . there were , he said , points which mi g ht be advantageously discussed , and he hoped that on some future occasion , as time did not then permit , the paper would be again brought before the lodge , when the brethren would have an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the various debatable points contained therein . The Dep . Prov . G . Master having seconded the vote of thanks , it was carried unanimously .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet hall , where a very pleasant evening was spent .

Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . MASONIC MEMORIAL TO THE LATE BRO . JOHN LANE . A special memorial lodge in connection with the death of Bro . John Lane , F . C . A ., was held at the Masonic Temple , Torquay , on Wednesday , the 17 th instant . Convened b y the W . M . of the above lodge , Bro . J . D . Beer , there was a large attendance of members of the lodge and other brethren from neighbouring lodges . Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . Eng ., P . S . G . W . Egypt , & c , delivered an eloquent address on the

Masonic virtues of the deceased , and premised b y saying that the death of Bro . Lane was the greatest blow he had received in his lifetime . As one got older the loss of the friends of former days was felt the more keenly , and to him there were " no friends like old friends . " Initiated in that lodge in 1 S 7 S , elected W . M . in 1 S 82 , in 1 SS 7 the late Bro . Lane was appointed Past Provincial Grand Registrar of Devon , and the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , elected him to full membership , whilst the Grand Lodge of Iowa conferred on him the distinguished rank of P . S . G . W ., because of his literary

research , an honour rarely accorded to Europeans . The late Bro . Lane was noted for his extraordinary punctual attendance , knowledge of ritual , study of the history and general information bearing on all points connected with the Craft . In fact , he might be teimed a veritable encyclopedia of accurate information , and was termed the Statistician of the Order . In December , 1 SS 6 , he brought out " Masonic Records , " a comprehensive compendium of facts and figures , which had never been equalled by any similar work , and had no rival under the sun . In issuinga revised edition in 18 95

he presented the copyright to the Grand Lodge of England , and in accepting it the Grand Master conferred on him the high honour of P . A . G . D . C . of England . A diligent student of other branches , he also took an active interest in the Charities , and always placed his votes at the service of the lodge for the benefit of the province . As his closest friend and Masonic executor , he had given careful consideration to the question of the disposal of the library which Bro . Lane had amassed , and which for purposes of reference was invaluable . As it is the most valuable collection this side of

Bristol , he suggested it should be acquired by the lodge , and placed in the library in the adjoining room for the benefit of the members and the province as the Masonic memorial of No . 1402 , Torquay . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . F . J . W . Crowe , P . P . G . O ., as W . M . of the St . John ' s ! . odge , No . 32 S , expressed deep and sincere sympathy at the loss Ihey had sustained . Bro . Lane ' s Masonic virtues were of the rarest type , and his death was an irreparable loss to the lodge and province and the Craft .

Craft Masonry.

Various other brethren followed with their personal and general testimony and regret , including Bros . W . Winget , C . Hill , F . W . Rabbich ( on behalf of the Torbay Lodge , Paignton ) , J . Taylor , P . P . G . R . ( with whom deceased was identified in many Masonic undertakings ) , E . Pike , W . M . ( on behalf of the Hauley Lodge , Dartmouth ) , andT . H . Wills , Prov . D . G . D . C . Thesuggested Lane Memorial Library was thoroughly endorsed , and letters of appreciation cf the late Bro . Lane were read from the Deputy

Prov . G . M . ( Bro . G . C . Davie , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ); the Prov . G . Secretary , B .-o . J . Stacker ; Bros . C . F . Matier , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler of Eng . ; and others . Bro . R . Freke Gould , the well-known Masonic historian , wrote , "Our brother was so modest that I do not believe he ever realised the astounding mark he made in the Craft . " Bro . Alfred Greenham , P . M ., W . M . elect , also wrote from Shanklin , as another of the honorary members . After special prayer , the proceedings concluded with the playing of the Dead March in " Saul" by the organist , Bro . Heaton Bailey .

London Rifle Brigade Lodge , No . 1962-The above lodge held its 19 th installation meeting at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , on Friday , the 19 th instant , when its proceedings were presided over by Bro . Farnham Flower Grimes , W . M . The lodge , which is recruited entirely out of the London Rifle Brigade , has the honour of contributing three members to the military forces in South Africa , and each of them is an officer of the lodge . The first is Bro . C . W . Potter , the l . G . ; the second , Bro . H . E . Warcup , 1 st Steward ; and the third , Bro . W . I . Taylor , 2 nd Steward . Bro . Potter went with the first batch from

Southampton on the 13 th instant , but Bros . Warcup and Taylor were to go on the 20 th inst . They could not , however , attend the lodge meeting , as they were under orders for the service at St . Paul's Cathedral and the subsequent festivities at Gray ' s Inn and Lincoln ' s Inn the same evening . Their absence was much regretted , as it was intended to give them a good send off . The brethren who assisted at the ceremonies of the evening were very numerous , and , considering the universal illness now rife , exceptionally numerous , many other lodges having been extremely unfortunate in the attendance of members and visitors on this account .

The list of brethren who supported the W . M . comprised the names of Bros . W . H . Latham , S . W . ; C . F . Elles , P . M ., Treas . ; Capt . A . Haig-Brown , P . M ., Sec . ; Alfred Collins , S . D . ; H . H . Nuding , P . M ., D . C ; R . S . Chandler , l . G . ; J . H . Crickmay , Stwd . ; David McNish , P . M . ; W . S . Wright , P . M . ; Hiram Henton , P . M . ; Charles Folliott , H . Lintott , T . Merritt , W . J . Taylor , W . M . Ward , A . Wright , F , J . Bernau , C . Smith , H . Mardell , J . S . Wilson , W . A . L . Sarrett , H . E . Cox , J . C . Blyton . W . Wilkie Jones , A . A . Niblett , R . H . Tayton , W . Cooper Norn ' s , and G . W . F . Dawes . Visitors : Bros . T . H . Ohlson , S . W . 1586 ; Samuel , Harris , 1513 ; W . H . Walkin , 2272 ; B . Hoddinott , P . M . 2005 ; W . M . Wiles ,

P . M . 174 ; Charles Jones , P . M . 1060 ; J . Lancaster , W . M . 15 S 6 ; R . T . Godfrey , P . M . 141 ; J . W . Caverst , J . W . 141 ; John Chapman , W . M . 140 ; Joseph A . Hobday , P . M . 160 ; E . Coleman , 511 ; H . J . Taylor , 2272 ; Richard Poore , P . M . 1949 ; F . Page , P . M . 1613 ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; C . Coleman , 1 489 ; P . H . Morley , 1693 ; John Kane , 153 s ; Charles Allen , P . M . and Sec . ior ; 6 ; B . Crewe , 4 ; J . Isaacs , I . P . M . 141 ; W . E . Jeanes , J . W . 548 ; J . B . Boyle , i 38 S ; * A . V . H . Pauncefoit , P . M . S 62 ; R . C . Bowers , P . M . 15 , W . M . 1321 ; J . S . Holloway , D . C . 2375 ; H . P . Stimson , 15 ; and Frank W . Little , 1278 .

The W . M . passed Bros . T . Merritt and C . Folliott to the Second Degree , and after the Report of the Audit Committee had been unanimously adopted , Bro . A . Haig-Brown , P . M . and Sec , at the request of Bro . Grimes , W . M ., installed Bro . William Henry Latham , S . W ., as Master of the lodge for the following 12 months . Br « . Grimes was invested as I . P . M ., and the following brethren formed the roll of officers of the lodge to serve under the W . M .: Bros . E . W . Davis , S . W . ; A . Collins , J . W . ; C . F . Elles , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Haig-Brovnn , P . M ., Sec ; H . Bishop , S . D .: R . S .

Chandler , J . D . ; C W . Potter , LG . ; H . H . Nuding , P . M ., D . C . ; J . H . Crickmay , Asst . D . C ; H . E . Warcup and W . J . Taylor , Stwds . ; and J . S . Lackland , Tyler . Bro . H . H . Nuding , P . M ., who presented the W . M . elect to the Installing IMaster , acted as Director of Ceremonies throughout , and performed his duties most efficiently . Indeed , every step throughout the proceedings , as is always the case in this lodge , was taken with the greatest military accuracy , and the marches past are a distinguishing feature . After Bro . A . Haig-Brown had delivered the addresses , Bro . GrimesI . P . M .

, , was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and a vote of thanks to Bro . Haig-Brown for performing the installation was unanimously adopted . The Grand Lodge circular respecting the spurious French lodge in London was afterwards read , and when the lodge had been closed , an elegant banquet was provided for the entertainment of the brethren , and a good programme of music performed under the direction of Bro . Frank Swinford , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . Middx ., by Miss Gertrude Macaulay , Miss Masie Riversdale , and Bros . Arthur Court and Roland Henry .

Bro . A . Haig-Brown , P . M ., and Sec , followed his customary precedent , and handed to each brother his New Year's card , which this year was . in the following words : " The Secretary tenders to menbers and friends of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge , No . 1962 , Hearty and Affectionate Greetings . May the New Year be Happy and Prosperous to all , and our Brethren Soldiers of the Q a sen Have a Safe and Glorious Return to Dear Old England . January , 1900 . " Bro . F . F . Grimes , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M . " said the

toast wished success to one who was to rule over the brethren for the ensuing 1 j months , one who , although he took the honour took also the responsibility of the welfare and Improvement of the Iodge . _ The brethren would find his quality , and at the end of his year that their confidence in him for safeguarding the honour and prosperity of the lodge had not been misplaced . Bro . Latham had worked hord to attain the position of W . M ., yet he felt he would fill it with satisfaction to himself and credit to the lodge . Bro . W . H . Latham , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said the brethren had

conferred upon him a very great honour in selecting him to be theii W . M . For many years it had been the object of his life to join Freemasonry . His father told him to wait as he was very young . He waited some years . He was in the London Rifle Brigade , and he joined the lodge attached to it . He came among his old comrades , and when he experienced the hearty welcome they gave him , he said he must go through with it and get up to the position of W . M . His father in Masonry was Bro . John Seen ; at the same time he woiked hard and tried to do his best in the interest of the lodge which he

had at heart . As long as he was spared he should be only too happy to promote the interests of the lodge . Twenty-nine years ago he joined the regiment . Some of the old members had passed up with him , and it was now like being at school to see around him those who had grown up with hire . He might inform the brethren that he was going up as Steward for the Old People , and a good majority of the brethren had responded to his call ; but he would like to see a little more . They must not forget the old people at home who wanted assistance as well as the others .

Bro . F . blower Grimes , I . P . M ., in responding to the toast proposed and drunk in his honour , said although he had devoted much time to the lodge for the last 12 months , for which the brethren now thanked hi . n , he had set a rather bad precedent in not installing his successor ; but his time had been too fully occupied for him to get up the final work ; but he was partially prepared ; he felt , however , that the rituil required great attention , and if the most serious part of the bjge ritual was not djne well and in a fully efficient manner it were better to leave it alone , and ask some one to do it who could cirry it through with the solemnity which it deserved . He hoped hs had

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