Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

tunity that had been afforded him of making a . soldier ' s speech . Bro . Rev . R . A . King , Chaplain , felt that after the speech of Bro . Captain Barraclough , it was somewhat an inappropriate opportunity to propose "The Immortal Memory of St . John the Evangelist . " Brethren , you all

know the special claim the Evangelist has has upon the veneration of Freemasons ; you all know that that charity , which is the very soul and centre of his Epistles , is so also of Freemasons , and that a nearer approach has been made by Freemasons to that universal

brotherhood preached by St . John than by any other society of men . As I looked round me to-night in this hall , and saw so many brethren of different callings and professions , with different interests and * different tastes , all brought together and held together in harmony by thc mystic

bond of our brotherhood , I could not- help feeling proud of the thought that Freemasonry has solved the problem of which other societies of men in all ages , and especially in our age , have sought a solution in vain—the problem which International Societies , Peace Societies

Societies of Socialists or Communists , have striven to master in vain—the problem of uniting together , by a bond at once strong and elastic , not only men of the same race or language , religion or country , but men of all races , languages , countries , and creeds , without any

regard to external , accidental , or temporary differences , but with every regard to that difference which is spiritual , essential , and external , the dillerence between that man whose pride in life is truth , uprightness , and charity , and that man who is the slave of selfishness and

falsehood ; and this word slave , worshipful sir , reminds me of another claim that the Christian Evangelist St . John has upon the love and veneration of Freemasons . It is , you know , in his Gospel that these words occur , which I consider to be the charter of our Craft : — " You shall

know the truth , and the truth shall make you free . ' * You know , fellow Freemasons , that this word " free" is the most English word in the English language ; for the idea of freedom is the one thing which the world owes to England , and England to herself alone . Yes , England

may owe the origin of her literature to Greece and Rome , of her art to Italy , of her science and invention to France ; she may owe her greatness in part to her commerce , in part to her Geographical position . Butherfreedom , on whose soil ami in whose atmosphere alone Art , Science ,

Literature , Commerce , ancl Empire can reach their utmost perfection . Her freedom is especially her own , she has won it for herself , she is winning it for the world . Therefore it is I say that the word free is the most English word in the English language , that the idea of freedom

is the one thing the world owes to England and England 10 herself alone , and that the love of freedom has grown amongst us into an instinct strong as the love of life itself . As the poet puts it nobly " we must be free or die , who speak the tongue that Shakespsare spoke : the faith ancl morals hold which Milton held . " But

remember this , fellow Freemasons—ancl the very word Freemason should recall it to you . This freedom of which you are so proud—this freedom which is the special birthright of Englishmen ancl the special glory of Englandwhicli vou have bought with the blood of

revolutions , and which you hold as sacred and as inseparable from yourselves as your life—this freedom , 1 say , is but the type , the shadow , thc mere faint and feeble figure of another , a higher and a happier freedom—freedom not ofthe body but of ihe soul—not from thc tyranny of an

absolute master or monarch , or government , but from the baser tyranny , the more abject slavery , the more bitter bondage of a soul enslaved to ignorance and superstition , to ignoble passions , to degrading vice , or to sordid self-seeking and selfishness . It is to this freedom Freemasonry calls you , ancl the words of tin * first preacher of

this freedom are recorded by the Evangelist , whose memory you honour by your presence here to ni ght . I propose , therefore to you the memory of St . John , as having the twofold claim on the veneration of Freemasons of being the Evangelist of love , and the Evangelist of freedom of the truth—the true freedom of Freemasonry . Bro . M . Rhodes , P . M ., proposed the

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

health of "The Retiring Master , " first exnressing the pleasure he felt in seeing the present W . M . placed in the chair , and he was certain he had the best wishes of all that he mi ght have a good year . He had during tire day asked a kind brother if he could give him a text for this toast

he had to propose , and he said , " Yes , he ' s a trump , " and I say he is a trump . The qualifications for that chair are such as require great judgment , and Bro . Richardson had that . He shook hands with him on being shelved . He has been a trump , enlisting the sympathies , love , ancl

esteem of every brother . But we have to leave and get into the shade , and other bright spirits come in , and every Master seems to excel the other , and I don ' t know where it will end . ' I am glad to seethe Pentalphaatta ' m such high honour . I congratulate Bro . Richardson on his year of

office , and welcome his successor . Bro . Robt . Richardson , LP . M ., in responding , said I rise with feelings of pride and pleasure , but feel that I have nothing new to say , having so often had to respond on similar occasions . However , I assure you I appreciate the honour bestowed . I have

endeavoured to do all I could during my year , and the Iodge has Continued to prosper with the assistance of the Past Masters . I regret lam not a speaker , I regret leaving the Chair ; still there is a p leasure on retiring in taking my place with the Past Masters . Before I sit down I will propose

the next toast , the toast of the evening , " The Worship ful Master" his geed qualities are so well known that it would be quite superfluous on my part to say anything on his behalf , I can assure him we shall do all we can to support him in his position . The' W . M . said I have a significant

sign given to me that a little music would be agreeable , I will rest therefore until our Organist favours me . After an excellent song the W . M . again rose and said there are times in men ' s lives when they should be both happy ancl proud , it has been my ambition , when it should be my

opportunity , to accept this position . It has come soon , as being a young man , but when told another brother did not wish it , I was glad to accept I will do all I can to cement that harmony which should adorn every lodge , and belonging ,

as I do , to another lodge , it will be my aim ancl hope to do all 1 can for both looking on the Lodge of Hope , as a foster brother , rather than as my mother lodge . I feel the responsibilities of office and shall never forget the duties of promotiiitr the charities of our order . The W . M .

then proposed the " Visiting Brethren , ' expressing the great thankfulness he felt to those brethren who had honoured them with their company . He said , I am afraid of making invidious selections to respond , the brethren might consider the number we have , and thev whose names arc

not mentioned will kindly excuse . He would couple with the toast the names of Bros . George Richardson , WAL elect of the Lodge of Hope , ancl ()_ White , P . M ., of Liverpool , ancl leave the rest as may be thought proper . Bro . Richardson iu responding said he acknowledged he had been

ambitious lor the post of W . M . ol the Hope , to which he had been elected . Position gave a man opportunity for doing good , and he hoped to do some in his day . He thanked the brethren very cordially for the compliment paid to the visitors . Brother S . White , P . M ., also shortly

thanked the brethren for thc- honour done him , and the rest of the visitors . Brother C . F . Unna , W . M . Harmony , 600 , also thanked the brethren ancl hoped that good feeling might exist between the various lodges . Brother Barlow , W . M . Hope , 302 , being called upon , congratulated

the W . M . as a P . S . W . in the Hope on his election to the chair in the Pcntalpha , ancl on the part of the old lodge of Hope to thank him for omitting to allude to the W . M . of that lodge in proposing their toast . Thc W . M . proposed * * ' The Past Masters" in very complimentary terms , to

which Bro . A . Briggs , P . M ., shortly responded , as the evening was far advanced . Several other toasts were given , but we have already occupied more space than usual in the reports of proceedings of private lodges in order to give a lengthy report of Uro . Rev . R . A . King ' s excellent speech , we reirret not beiiiu * able lo insert them .

ROYAI . MASONIC INSTITUTION- BOYS . —His Grace the Duke of St . Albans , R . W . P . G . M . Lincolnshire , will preside at the Annual Fealival .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Stockwell Lodge fNo . 1339 ) . —This lodge met for the first time at its new place of meeting the Half Moon , Herne Hill , on Thursday , the 19 th . Present , Bros . W . Worrell , W . M . " ; W . G . Brighten , J . W . H . E . Frances , Sec . ; I . Klenck , S . D . ; C . H . Benham , D . C ; I .

Siclnell . I . G . : also Bros . Coe , Bowyer , Hincksman , and Price . Yisitors , Bros . Sprague , W . M . 190 - W . Withall , J . D . 720 ; G . Cragg , J . D . 766 ; N . I . F . Basnett , 22 ; and T . H . Clarke , of Chicago . The business of the evening was the passing of Bro . Coe , and the raisins : of Bro .

Bowyer . Bro . Bri ghton , J . W , was elected W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Hammerton re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Dolan , Tyler . Bros . Price , Benham , and Bowyer were elected to serve on the Audit Committee , in addition to the W . M ., P . M . ' s , and Wardens . Two candidates were proposed for initiation , ancl Bro .

Basnett for joining atthe ensuing meeting , and the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a very excellent supper , presided over by the W . M ., who gave the usual Masonic toasts . The visitors each expressed themselves very pleased at their first visit to the Stockport Lodge .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

A CORRECTION . To the Editor oj The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me , by way of preamble , to saythat I have been a regular reader of The Freemason ever since that journal was launched

upon the rough waters of newspaper enterprise , and am pleased to mention that I have invariably found in its pages much matter of an interesting , instructive , and suggestive character to the Masonic student .

Occasional inaccurracies , both typographical aud otherwise , are incidental to the press , and are quite unavoidable , as every one will readily admit who has a knowledge of the onerous duties of an editor and thc eccentricities of that

universal scapegoat , " the printer . " To a generous mind , these defects , however great or trivial , do not detract one iota from the merits

of a publication , for " Errors , like straws , upon thc surface flow lie who would search for pearls must dive below . "

h \ perusing the last number of your estimable print , I discovered in page SoS an article describing a Freemason ' s adventure abroad . The Xoncie / i Argus , 1 find , is credited with being the original source from which the account

was copied . Ihe inference naturally drawn from this statement by the reader is that thc particulars were primarily conveyed to the paper named . Such , however , is not the case , for the notice first appeared in the columns of the

Sunday Times newspaper . I feel convinced that you will allow mc to correct this erroneous impression by affording room for the insertion of this letter in an early number of The Freemason . It may be

interesting to your readers to hear that Lro . A . 1 < . Forrest , with whom I am personally acquainted , has quite recovered from the maltreatment , received during his late sojourn in Spain , and

that he fully appreciates the solicitude and sympathetic cxpresssions evinced towards him by the Craft since he returned to England . Yours fraternally , THE AUTHOR OF THE ARTICLE ,

- Mi > . croscop ' u : al inv ..-. n ^; iUoM has proved lhat the suhstat ; . ; cs which accumulate between tile leelli contain animal anil vee ' .-tal . ! .: parasite-, , anil that the tenth powders , pastes , ami "ashes' in genera ! Pse have no effect" upon these . Messrs . Cahriel ' s Coralite Tuolh uajle and Koyal Dentifrice ( sold hy all chemists and . per . unlets at is . Cd . per box ) completely destroy and remove llicse aniinaleul'e and also preserve and beautify thc teelh . Prepared only by Messrs . ( lahricl , the old established dentist , ii . | , Ludgate Hill , and sC llarley-street , Cavendish-square , Louden , . where ihey practise their unique system of painless dentistry .