Grand Festival.

anxious to assist in every way he could the cause of Masonry . When he came back he would be received with the greatest enthusiasm . ( Great applause . ) The Chairman next proposed "The M . W . the Pro Grand Master . " and said that his

lordship was so completely overwhelmed with public business that he had been obliged to leave the brethren earlier than he wished . Although in a short time he had suffered severe domestic affliction and been burdened with political work , he had never deserted his allegiance to

Freemasonry . He had stuck to the Order in the kindest and most enthusiastic way , and he would always be well remembered by the brethren . The Chairman then gave "The R . W . the Deputy Grand Master , " and expressed his regret

that domestic affliction was the cause of his absence . In all parts of England Lord Skelmersdale was well known to Freemasons , and those who did not now know his lordship , when they came to know him would be pleased not only with his Masonry but his kind and genial

nature . The Chairman next said that he had hitherto had to speak of individuals ; he had now to speak of large bodies , and would propose " The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland . " Grand Lodge of England was intimately connected with

them , and was on terms of the warmest and closest friendship with them . ( Cheers . ) Lord Tenterden proposed * ' The R . W . the Piovincial Grand Masters . " livery Mason knew how ably these brethren discharged their dutirs , and with what energy and tact they performed

their functions . The chair could not be better filled than by Col . Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , whose health as Chairman he would propose at the same time . Jt was not necessary to speak of Col . Burdett ' s abilities in that hall , as they were known to the whole

Craft . The mere mention of his name was sufficient to secure a cordial reception . ( App lause . ) With the toast he would couple also the name of Bro . Ramsay , the District Grand Master of the Punjab . They had heard a great deal that evening of the reception of the Prince

of Wales in India by Masons ; and he might inform them that the District of the Punjab had seventeen active working Grand Lodges , and five chapters . To the provinces he wished prosperity . The Chairman , in reply , said how much

gratified he felt at the complimentary remarks of Lord Tenterden ; but he could assure the brethren that he had only performed his duty , and lie was g lad that he had done so to the satisfaction of the Craft . Some people might perhaps find fault with Provincial Grand Masters : but

they were few ; and as long as he was a Prov . Grand Master , he would endeavour to do his duty . Bro . Ramsay also replied . The Chairman next proposed " The R . W . the

Grand Wardens , and other Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and complimented them on the way in which they one and all discharged their responsibilities . The Hon . W . W . Vernon , J . G . W ., responded .

The Chairman then proposed " The Masonic Charities , " which he strongly recommended to the attention of the brethren . He alluded to the growth of these institutions , and felt confident that every one would exert himself to the utmost to maintain them in their condition of

prosperity . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . James Terry , in reply said , he was comp letely taken by surprise in being called upon to respond , as it was a well known rule in Grand Lodge that the Secielary of the Institution whose festival was immediatel y following Grand

Festival , should have the opportunity and pleasure of replying to so acceptable a toast to the great body of Fieemasons . In the absence of the Secretaries of the other Educ . tii nil Institutions , however , it devolved on him to reply . He could only but express the hope that the success , and

what he might term the only increased success which attended the festival of the Benevolent Institution in February last , might be renewed at the approat hing festival of the Girls' School and the Boys' School . When he told the brethren that the three Institutions received over , €£ 30 , 000 last year , he vtntured to hope that

Grand Festival.

when the month of June came , they would be able to announce a much larger sum The reason he said so wasthatthe demands on the Institutions were largely increasing , and therefore they called

on the bod y of the Craft to give them the means of meeting them . They had 40 applicants for the Girls" School , 59 for the Boys ' , and 57 for the Benevolent Institution . Not more than onethird could be accommodated at the Educational

Institutions , and therefore it behoved the Craft to do all they could and more than they were now doing . With respect to the Benevolent Institution whose festival had just been held , more than £ 9400 had been received . Permit him to say that the committee of the institution , being

mindful of the obligation devolving upon them , had resolved to respond to this liberality by the addition of £ 4 to each annuitj r . At a meeting held only the day before they resolved to do this ; but the brethren must remember that this involved an additional outlay of nearly s ^ iooo a

year . He appealed to the new blood , the incoming members , to lend their assistance . ( Great cheering . ) The Chairman then gave " The Grand Stewards of the year , " and thanked them for their kind attention to the comforts of the brethre . i .

Bro . Johnson replied , and said that ninetenths of the work fell on the Secretary . This office was filled this year by Bro . C . J . Morgan , without whom the Grand Stewards would have fallen into complete confusion . His exertions certainly deserved praise , and if anything should

be in the gift of Grand Lodge all the Stewards hoped it mi ght fall on Bro . Morgan . ( Cheers . ) 'Ihe remainder of the evening was spent in the Temple , where a beautiful concert was given under the conductorship of Heir Wilhelm Kuhe

and Herr Wilhelm Ganz . Madame Liebhart , Miss Annie Sinclair , Madame Osborne Williams , and Bros . George Perren , Large , Carter , and Theodore Distin were the vocalists engaged . Bro . Harker was toastmaster .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft Utitsoni'g . POLISH NATIONAL LODGE ( No . 334 ) - - The annual gathering of this celebrated lodge was held on Thursday , April 13 th , at Freemasons' Hall , for the installation of the W . M . Bro . F . Kath , and a right noble meeting it was , some 70 brethren being present , besides numerous visitors . The lodge was summoned for 4 . 30 p . m . Hie wording ol this lodge was most excellent , and the

mstallauon ceremony was duly performed , much ti the credit of the Installing Master , after which the newlyelected W M . initiated five new members , and did the work admirably , as well as the officers , who were equally well up in all they had to do . Splendid order and equally splendid attention were given . The following brethren are the officers : —S . W ., J . II . Cumming ;

J . W ., G . T . Ebner ; S . D ., J . Aspinall ; | D ., ] . S . Taylor ; I . G ., A . N . Jigielski ; M . C , G . K . C . Jackson ; Treas ., our right worthy Bro . John Boyd ; and the ever-active and well-known Bro . \ V . I ' m- - , P . M ., Sec . A lodge thus constituted can only be a succ-ss and worshipful . Amongst the visitors on this occasion wcre many well-known brethren , Bros . Colonel Peters , I- ' . Binckes ,

Adlard , Hyde Pullen , S . White , T . Burdett Yeoman , and many others . After the business of the lodge was finished , the brethren adjourned to tl e banquet room and sat down to a table sumptuously lade 1 with all the delicacies of the season . Here again the W . M . hid evidently done his duty , in company with the Wine Steward , Bro . Paas , who stu .-lied the taste of every

brother present . Such attention does honour to the lodge . Grace was said by the WM ., and the cloth removed . After some few minutes the W . M . called the brethren to order , and gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft ;" said , —As yonr W . M ., nothing gives me greater pleasure , than to pay a tribute of attachment and loyalty to the sovereign lady of these realms , who adorns the throne , and

lovingly and mightily sways its sceptre : we are bound to admire and love her , because of her attachment to our royal and ancient Or . ier . Bruhrcn— " The Queen and the Craft . " After the National Anthem was sung the W . M . gave the next toast , " The Grand Master of the Craft , l-i . K . H . the Prince of Wales . " remarked there was unfortunately a great deal of cheap praise and

adulation lavished on those who often by mere chance were called upon to occupy places uf trust in the Government , but in our G . M . wc have one who , when our noble Order stood in jeopardy , accepted the Masonic throne , and thus made fumer than ever the strength and unity of the brotherhood , for which wc pay him ali honour . Brethren ,

a good fire for the M . W . G . M ., ll . IUl . the Prince of Wales Brethren , I will now give you the toast of the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , who is a gentleman and nobleman well suited and fitted to fulfil the high and responsible office which he has been called to . It is well known how thoroughly he acquits himself of the duties

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

impos : d upon him . He is the right man in the right place ; we will therefore pay him the honour which is his due . To his health , and may h ; long continue in the midst of us and have our confidence . To order , brethren , whilst with great pleasure 1 give to yoa "The Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers . " I cannot say more of the D . G . M . and officers than I have

of ths Pro Grand Master . We know that he has the full confidence , and they also , of the Craft , otherwise they would not have been cilled to those high and most honourable offices . Bro . P . M . Cooke proposed "Th : Health of the W . M . " in eulogistic terms , and the W . M . Rath responded by saying how grateful he felt by having the confidence of the brethren of the lodge , and that whilst he

ruled he trusted peace and prosperity wou'd go hand in hand together . He felt that the duties of governing so large a lodge involved much time and seriousness , especially when this lodge was composed of men of so high an order of intellect . I shall do my duty , and state , like Marshal MacMahon , " J' y suis , j' y resti . " With heartfelt thanks please accept the same . The toast of "The

Initiates " was given with enthusiasm and heartily responded to . The W . M . said that there was no more pleasing duty to perform that evening than that of having to propose " The Health of the Visitors . " The toast was responded to by Bros . Hyde Puilen , and Binckes in terms of acceptability . The toast of " The Tyler " brought one of the most pleasurable evenings to a close that one might

ever wish to experience . " Vive la" Polish National Lodge . GREAT NORTHERN LODGE ( No . 1287 ) . — The last mee . ing of the season was held on Thursday , 20 th inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Bro . E . Lancaster , W . M ., presiding , supported by Bros . E . Staton , P . M . and Sec , acting S . W . ; Jupe , J . W . ; West , S . D . ;

Robinson , J . D . ; Arkell , I . G . ; Rawles , Tyler . There were also present l . P . M . For ' ies , P . M . Webb , Trear . ; and Bros . Buszard , Owen , Schmerl , Hawtin , and others . The business before the lodge was the raising of Bros . Kempton and G . Buszard and the passing of Bro . Farey , which was very carefully done by the W . M . On the completion the brethren adjourned for refreshment , and the

pleasuie of the evening was greatly enhanced by the singing of several of the brethren . STOCKWELL LODGE ( No . 1330 ) . —Theinstallation meeting of the above lodge was held on Thmvday , Apiil 22 nd , at the Tulse Hill Hotel , there being present Bros . Benhani , W . M . ; J . Pain , W . M . elect ; Bowyer , J . ' vW , Frances , P . G . S . D ., Sec . ; Coe , S . D . ; P . Mirjt-r . j . D . ;

Harris , I . G . ; Brighten , P . M . ; Klcnck , P . M . ; Dubiney , F . Sawyer , Cocks , Giist , C . H . Benham , jun . ; Kay , Wm . Harris , H . Hart , Turner , W . H . Boswell , Horncastle , Hincksman , H . S . Hart , Clarke , F . Knibbs , R . J . Knibbs , Mason , Footman , and others . Visitors : Bros . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain ; Coward , P . G . Org . ; Stork , Boddy , W . M . 1044 ; AbHatt , 102 ; Atkins , P . M . 813 ; Quellerton , 1129 ;

Goldsmid , 419 ; Mellick , 857 ; Dodson , P . M . 72 ; Dann , S . D , 72 ; Hancock , 1329 ; and Newman , 1385 . The business of the evening consisted of the initiation of Mr . Wm . Scrace , the passing of Bros . Turner and Cocks , the raising of Bros . Boswell , and Mellick , 857 ; and Benham , jun . ; and the installation of Bro . J . Pain . The initiation and passings were performed by the W . M ., anl the raisings

by Bro . Frances , P . M ., P . G . S . D . ; the installation by the W . M .. and all the ceremonies were very ably rendered . Officers appointed : Bros . Bassett , S . W . ; Bowyer , J . W . ; Frances , P . M ., Sec . ; Hammerton , P . M ., Treas . ; Coe , S . D . ; Bowyer , J . D . ; and Hairis , I . G . The incoming W . M ., as a final duty , presented , in the name of the lodge , with a few appropriate words , a jewel to the immediate P . M .,

Bro . Benham , who acknowledged the gift . This being a Banner Lodge , the W . M . presented the lodge with a banner of his arms . The brethren then adjourned to the grounds to witness a beautiful display of fireworks , which had been provided by the W . M ., Bro . Pain , and were much delighted at the artistic skill which had been employed in blending in a brilliant harmony pyrotechnic colours of

every hue . 1 he brethren gave thr ^ c hearty cheers the conclusion , and returned to the lod g ^ -room , where an excellent banquet awVite . l them . Afterwards the usu il loyal and Masonic toasts wew given . The immediate P . M . proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " remarking that he was one of the founders , and he had no doubt the prosperity of the lodge would continue

under his care . He was sure he would be found quite equal to the work of the lodge , and that the brethren would feel quite satisfied with the choice they had made . Bro . Pain , in reply , said he was one of those who formed the lodge in 1 S 71 , and he bad b-. 'en S . W . of it for three years in succession , but his business avocations would not allow of his taking the chair till this time , for he did not wish to have

the offi ? c of W . M . until he felt quite sure of being able to fill the post with satisfaction . He thanked them sincerely for the mannei in which they had drunk his health . The toast of "The Initiate" was received and replied to . "The Visitors " was replied to by Bro . Simpson , P . G . C ., who testified to the delight he had . experienced in being present that evening . He was much pleased at the manner

the various ceremonies had been gone through . The ceremonies in Freemasonry were very beautiful , and he was sure the most indifferent would not fail to be impressed with them , by hearing them repeatedly so well done as they had been by the brethren he had heard that evening . As the constant dropping of water on the hardest stone would in time wear its way into it , so must the constant hearing of the tenets of Freemasonry leave its

impression on the minds of those who listened to ihcm . He thanked them for the cordial manner in which they had received the toast . Bro . Coward , P . G . O ., also replied in a few appropriate words . The toast of " The Immediate P . M . and the P . M . 's" were given , and replied to by Bros . Benhim , Klcnck , and France . The toast of "The Officers " was replied to by Bro . Brighton , P . M ., S . W . pro tern ., and the Tyler ' s toast concluded the evening .