Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Isle of Axholme Lodge , No . 14 S 2 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , Crowle , on the iSth inst . Present : Bros . J . Hemingbrough , W . M . ; J . Constable , acting l . P . M . j W . S . Scholey , S . W . ; J . Franks , J . W . ; T . Staniforth , Treas . ; G . S . Tyack , S . D . ; J . H . Lee , J . D . j W . Barratt , acting J . D . ; A . W . Cundall , I . G . ; J . Waite , P . M . ; C . Fox , G . H . Cranidge , and W . H . Renton . Bro . J . Rodgers , 2302 , was a visitor . Bro . Dr . Renton was duly passed to the Degree of F . C . by the W . M ., Bro . Constable giving the charge .

., ,. . The W . M . of the lodge invited the brethren to partake of light supper with him in the Club Room .

John Carpenter Lodge , No . 1997 . This lodge held its installation meeting on Friday , the 14 th instant , at the Guildhall Tavern . The lodge was consecrated in 1 SS 3 , and was established in connection with the City of London School for brethren who had been educated in that establishment whose founder ' s name was applied to the lodge . The first W . M . was Bro . Sir Henry Knight , who has since had 13 successors , the 14 th being installed on the 14 th instant . The attendance testified to the popularity ot the lodge , there being no fewer than

77 brethren present . Bro . Joseph Barthram Taylor , W . M ., presided , the other members of the Order who witnessed the ceremonies being Bros . Sir Henry E . Knight , P . M . j A . W . Stead , E . J . Honeychurch , F . Taylor , C . C , C . J . Wilkinson-Pimbury , A . Norris , Mount-Brown , C . Lamb , Lewis Ferguson , 1 . P . W . Goodwin , G . Inskipp , J . Pinder , P . M . 15 , 1662 , 2076 , 231 S , 2374 , 2 5 11 , P . P . G . Treas . Essex , Sec . ; W . Phillips , P . M . 174 ! G . Waterall , P . M . 22 ; E . H . Buck , P . M . 2153 ; F . Cronk , P . M . 1414 ; H . McHarris , T . A . Bennett , T . S . Blofeld , I . G . Head , R . H . Head , J . Drake , W . P . Johnson , H .

Durham , J . G . Shearman , jun ., D . King , A . R . Upjohn , H . E . Cooper , B . Dyer , W . H . King , A . Keith , A . Inskipp , C . W . C . Hutton , P . G . D ., Treas . ; M . Garbutt , J . P . Schrader , and S . W . Kent . Visitors : Bros . JamesStephens , D . G . D . C . ; A . VV . Orwin , M . D ., A . G . D . C . j C . Stephens , P . M . 1 793 ; J . Brockett Sorrell , P . M . 12 C 0 ; W . T . Hellyar , LP . M . 2099 ; J . C . Hayes , P . M . 619 ; G . R . Steel , P . M . 1 , P . G . Std . ; E . C . Crouch , P . M . 59 , S 57 j R . H . Peet , P . M . S 57 ; Newton Dunn , 1 , W . M . 2499 ; C . Horton Bestow , W . M . 2374 ; C . 1 . Pitcher , I . P . M . 1216 ; E . Trower , VV . M . S 22 ;

P . B . Trower , P . M . S 22 ; L . Herf , P . M . 1 So ; J . A . Shelton , W . M . 55 S ; J . C . Phillyss , W . M . elect 2562 ; G . H . Pack , P . M . 175 , P . P . G . D . Hants and Isle of Wight ; j . Pollard , P . M . 2000 ; R . Peachey , S . W . 1922 j A . England , J . W . 1216 ; R . A . Marshall , J . W . 2621 ; W . T . Pine , 342 ; C . Maltby , 2562 J A . T . Walmisley , 2241 ; S . R . Dyer , 1415 ; C . Ovenden , 2266 j H . Allen , 1 S 5 ; J . E . Syndall , 11 S 5 ; A . VV Jones , 1216 ; A . H . Geygs , 1216 ; W . Robin , S 90 ; S . Saxby , 1297 ; T . F . Grimes , l . D . 132 , j . W . 1962 ; C . S . Hentris , 121 G ; H . Harden , I 2 i 6 j J . C . D . Kemp , 122 SJ

Martin Hale , S 90 j W . S . Allen , 7 S 4 ; and H . Massey , P . M . 619 and 192 S . Bro . Taylor first raised to the Third Degree Bro . W . P . Johnson , and afterwards , on presentation by Bro . C . W . C . Hutton , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the lodge , installed Bro . F . P . Baxter , P . M . 1216 , S . W ., as Master of the lodge for the year ensuing . Bro . J . Barthram Taylor was invested as I . P . M ., and received a Past Master's jewel during the evening , while the other brethren taking office were Bros . W . Keith , S . W . ; Alt . Inskipp , I . W . ; C . W . C . Hutton , P . M ., P . G . D ., Treasurer ; James Pinder , P . M .,

P . P . G . Treas . Essex , Sec . j M . Garbutt , S . D . ; J . P . Schrader , J . D . ; W . Phillips , P . M ., LG . ; C . J . Wilkinson-Pimbury , P . M ., D . C . ; Mount Brown , P . M ., and T . A . Bennett , Stewards ; S . W . Kent , Org . ; and R . VV . Goddard , P . M ., Tyler . The subject of the special meeting at the Royal Albert Hall was afterwards introduced and discussed , and arrangements for attendance thereat were committed to certain brethren , after which the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to a choice banquet . The Masonic toasts were honoured in due course .

Bros . W . Hiles-Smith , Edward Branscombe , Charles Stevens , and Wingrove Ives entertained the brethren with some capital singing . Bro . Baxter , W . M ., in proposing "The Queen and ^ the Craft , " said that as it was the completion of 60 years of the Queen ' s reign , he considered himself most fortunate in having been chosen Master of the John Carpenter Lodge for that year j and in proposing "The M . W . G . M ., " observed that the Prince of Wales had shown a truly Masonic spirit in following up one of the grand principles on which the Masonic Order

was founded—Charity , by instituting that great Fund , the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund . Bro . James Stephens , Dep . G . D . C , in responding to the toast of " The Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " referred to the Worshipful Master ' s allusion to the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund . That Masons were a charitable body was beyond question . They could boast of three Institutions which no other oder could boast of , and those Institutions demanded

£ 50 , 000 a year for their maintenance . It was a noble thing that the Grand Master should recognise the hospitals . Bro . Stephens then referred to the honour conferred on him by his appointment as D . G . D . C , and said it was due to his kind friends electing him by so large a majority on the Board of General Purposes , he being at the top of the poll and 100 above the next brother on the list of successful candidates . Bro . Joseph Barthram Taylor , I . P . M ., proposed " The W . M . " This was not the first time Bro . Baxter had occupied the chair of W . M . of a Iodge , and he was , therefore , fully acquainted with the duties of the office . The brethren expected of him great

things and they would not be disappointed . Bro . Baxter , W . M ., in replying , said the splendid reception the brethren had given him took his breath away . Ever since he had entered Masonry he had aspired to the chair . He did so in his mother lodge , and he had to thank the brethren of the John Caipenter Lodge for electing him as its Master , as the lodge was connected with his Alma Mater . The brethren would be doing him a service by bringing in as many candidates as they could , that he might show them what the lodge could do during his year . He would conclude by quoting some words on the toast list— " Be satisfied . I'll do my best . " . .... .

Bro . Baxter , W . M ., next gave "The I . P . M ., " whose services they all appreciated . He had much pleasure in presenting Bro . Taylor with the Past Master ' s jewel , and he hoped he would be many years among the brethren to wear it . The other Past Masters were included wilh that toast , and he was much pleased to see present the first Master of the lodge—Sir Henry Kmght . They all knew what the Past Masters had done to further the interests of the lodge . Bro . I . B . Taylor , LP . M ., replying , said he thanked the brethren very much for thc

Past Master ' s jewel , and also for the great kindness they had always shown him while he occupied the chair . Now that he was a Past Master he hoped the same kindness would be exhibited to him . Bro . Sir Henry Knight , P . M ., also responded , and slid he hid to express the great pleasure it gave him to find himself again among the brethren of the John Carpenter Lodge . There were but few in the lodge now who could go back to the time when he occupied thc chair and helped to found the lodge . It was very successful , and it was a great pleasure to him , after a long absence , to see the lodge so well filled with

good and faithful brethren . It repaid him for any trouble he might have bsen put to in the early days of the lodge . He and the other P . Ms , were very grateful . The great strength of the lodge was an earnest of its future advancement . The work he had seen was well done , and reflected great credit on the lodge . Bro . Dr . Onvin , A . G . D . C , replying for "The Visitors , " complimented the lodge on its hospitality and the splend'd reception it had given its friends . Personally , he had to thank the W . M ., who was s very old friend of his for visiting * him .

Bro . Steel also responded . He and the W . M . were both members of thc Macdonald Lodge and of the First Surrey Rilles . He could remember the time when they were both non-commissioned officers . He was proud to sec Bro . Baxter in the position he held that evening . The brethren had a good man in Ihe chair , one who could do his woik , and who would do it . Bros . Newton , Dunn , and Shelton likewise acknowledged the toast .

Bro . Pinder responded for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Thc Senior Warden and Junior Warden ; and the D . C . for "The Officers ; " after which Bro . Ccddard gave the Tyler ' s toast , and the brethren separated .

Craft Masonry.

Tilbury Lodge , No . 2016 . The 53 rd meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the Sth inst ., at ths Royal Hotel , Purfleet , Bro . F . Clark , W . M ., presiding . The Treasurer gave a very satisfactory account of the funds both in the general account and the benevolent fund . £ 10 ios . was voted from the lodge funds to head Bro . Brend ' s list for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for which Charity he is going upas Steward . The sum of £ 2 2 s . was voted to the Princeof Wales's Hospital Fund . Bro . Clark having vacated the

chair in favour of Bro . Bruton , P . P . D . G . D . C , who , on having Bro . Brend presented to him installed him in the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom in a very impressive manner . The officers for the year are Bros . Brend , W . M . j Clark , I . P . M . j Constable , S . W . ; Handford , J . W . ; Dudgeon , Treas . ; Bruton , Sec . j Brickwell , S . D . j Ryon , J . D . j Martin , I . G . j Walker , D . C . j and Crump , Stwd . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Ralling and Lucking , both P . G . Officers . An excellent banquet followed , at which the usual loyal toasts were given .

Kingswood Lodge , No . 2278 . The first meeting of the season was held on Saturday , the Sth instant . The members present were Bros . E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., W . M . j J . Gravatt , S . W . j A . Ingram , J . W . ; R . W . Nicole , I . P . M . ; J . Fetch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; J . F . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; C C . Renaud , S . D . ; E . N . Beningfield , J . D . j H . R . Bower , LG . -, F . Page , W . M . 1613 , and C . Nicole , Stewards j J . Brittan , Org . protein . ; T . Williams , Tyler j C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . j A . C Little , J . E .

Little , A . Donald King , H . F . Facks , A . Palmer-Palmer , F . H . Johnson , and D . Taylor . The visitors present were Bros . D . C . Attwater , T . E . Newman , E . H . Bury , and G . Yexley , of 1471 ; J . Brittain , P . M . 13 S 5 , P . P . G . W . j E . Bradley , 1209 , * Clifford Dixon , Stanley Gibson , and H . Stevenson , P . M ., of 1613 . The minutes having been confirmed , Bro . C . Dixon , who had attained the previous Degrees in the Cripplegate Lodge , 1613 , was raised to the Degree of M . M . The next business was the election of W . M ., which honour was unanimously bestowed upon Bro .

J . Gravatt , S . W . Bro . Petch , P . M ., was also unanimously re-elected Treasurer j Bro . T . Williams , Tyler ; and Bro . C . M . Coxon , P . M ., as the representative of the lodge on the Charity and Finance Committee of the province . An Audit Committee was appointed , and a Past Master ' s jewel , of the usual design and value , was voted to the W . M . As he is representing the lodge as Steward at the Festival of the Girls' Institution , the sum of five guineas was voted to his list , which amount was liberally supplemented by the subscriptions of the brethren in the course of the evening . A feeling

reference was made to the recent lamented death of Bro . Riwson Kelley , P . P . G . W ., the first W . M . of the lodge , and a letter , expressive of the sympathy and regret of the brethren , was ordered to be written to Mrs . Kelley . The lodge was then closed . After a ramble through the picturesque grounds adjoining , the brethren re-assembled to partake of a very enjoyable repast , following which the customary toasts were proposed , varied by an exceptionally good programme of music , arranged by Bro . R . W , Nicole .

" Here's a health to her Majesty was sung in splendid style by Bro . D . C . Attwater , also "A Bedouin love song" by the same brother ; "The old village blacksmith's shop , " Bro . F . H . Johnson ; " Jess Macfarlane , " Bro . Donald King ; "The press gang , " Bro . J . Brittan ; "The Bandolero , " Bro . A . C . Little ; " I am waiting , " Bro . R . W . Nicole j "Gone away , " Bro , H . R . Bower ; "There isn't many wives like mine , " Bro . C . Nicole ; and an amusing parody on " Sunshine above , " by Bro . E . N . Beningfield . The songs were accompanied in a most able manner by Bro . J , Brittin .

A very pleasant evening was spent , and the time to depart for the railway station came all too soon . The W . M . may congratulate himself on the closing meeting of his year of office proving one of the most successful ones .

Columbia Lodge , No . 2397 . A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 24 th inst ., with Bro . F . C . Van Duzer in the chair . There were also present Bros . Col . F . W . Frigout who was elected W . M . for the ensuing yearj H . S . Wellcome , P . M . j R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . S . B ., D . Cj Jessurun , P . M . j J . B . Gumming , P . M ., and Treas . j W . J . SpratUng , Sec ; R . Newton Crane , Arthur W . Chapman , and miny others . The first business was the election of Bros . Col . J . L . Taylor , P . D . D . G . M ., P . G .

Scribe , Fla . ; V . B . D . Cooper , and Harry Phillips , as members of the Lodge Committee for the ensuing year . Thebrethren then voted the customary Past Master's jewel to Bro . Van Duzer with a fervent hope that he would live long and wear it often among the members of his lodge . The customary grant of 10 guineas having been made to the W . M . ' s list as Steward ; for the Girls' School , Bro . Jessurun carried a resolution doubling it for the Jubilee year and the W . M . announced that this would bring his contribution , in the name of the lodge , to more than the hundred

guineas which he had put down—so great was his faith in the goodwill of the brethren . Mr . Morrison , a candidate for initiation , having been'duly elected , the ceremony was proceeded with , Bro . Sudlow occupying the chair for the purpose , on account of the illhealth of the W . M . Needless to say , the ceremony was beautifully rendered . In the course of the evening , mention was made of the large influx of American Masons expected to join in the festivities of her Majesty's Jubilee , and the Secretary was desired to ask the Editor of the Freemason to announce that American Masons with

credentials from that side would be welcomed at the next meeting of the lodge on June 28 th , when the new W . M ., Bro . Col . F . W . Frigout , Vice-ConsuI , U . S . A ., would be installed . The Secretary was also authorised to communicate with such brethren of official standing in the United States as he deemed best , in order to acquaint those visiting England with the hearty welcome they might expect to find at the Hotel Cecil , where the lodge has now taken up its permanent residence , both on that date—June 28 th—and on future

occasions . The lodge meets on the fourth Monday of the months of February , April , May , June , and November , and brethren desiring to attend should address the Secretary , 74 , Wickham-road , Brockley , S . E ., some days previous , when arrangements will be made as far as possible for their reception . It cannot be too often repeated that the Columbia is one of the English lodges founded by Americans and English in London with the express purpose of helping to knit more firmly the Masonic ties between the Old Country and the New .

Ordnance Lodge , No . 2399 . The installation meeting of the above Iodge took place on Friday , the 14 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , when Bro . H . Croudy , S . W ., and W . M , elect , was installed for the ensuing 12 months . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . F . Hully , who passed Bro . Furlong , and raised Bro . Smec . Pro . R . Goodland , of a Scotch lodge , wis admitted a member . Bro . Croudy was then presented by the W . M . as a candidate for the Master's chair , and the

W . M . duly installed him . He was saluted , and appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Conductor F . Hully , I . P . M . ; G . Dyer , S . W . j J . Wheatley , J . W . j Rev . H . H . Walker , Chap . ; Conductor R . Johnson , Treas . j Conductor VV . G . Stackwood , Sec ; R . Rawlinson , S . D . ; W . Steer , J . D . ; E . Reynolds , LG . ; C . Wills , D . C . ; E . Woods , Conductor VV . Alwood , Staff-Sergt . A . Carter , and R . Price , Stwds . ; and H . F . Furlong , Org . I'he ceremony was then concluded by Bro . Hully giving the addresses admirably . He was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and a

vote of thanks for his service that day as Installing Officer , for both of which he returned thanks . Bro . Lieut . James V . Lee , A . S . C ., who , the day following , had to start on special service to South Africa , was cordially wished Godspeed on his journey , and promised a heirty " welcome home " when he returned , for which kindly sentiment he feelingly thanked the brethren , and then thc lodge was closed . The banquet was laid and partaken of in the Concert-room of the building . and wis admirably served by Bro . G . Cashfield , P . M . O 15 , the worthy host of the Earl of Chatham , Woolwich , whoso excellent catering was universally commended , and among the brethren present were Bros . Cant . G . Siiinks . P . M .. P . M . I- * 6 : and P . P . G . S . W .

Kent ; Capt . W . Weston , P . M . ( Hon . ) , P . M . 153 G ( Hon . ) , P . M . 1789 , am * P . P . G . S . D . Kent ; C . Jolly , P . M . ( Hon /) , P . M . and Sec 1475 , and 21 S 4 ; F . J . Taylor , J . Hitches , VV . Kenny , G . Penstone , and IL Gomez of the lodge ; G . Ingle , P . M . 1546 j W . SayleKdwards , P . M . 153 O ; A . II . Russell , W . M ., A . McQueen , S . W ., and W . J . Croudy , of 13 ; G . H . Porter , W . M ., and H . Pamment , of 700 ; D . K , Somers , W . M . 913 ; W . Turvey , W . M ., and James Palmer , S . W ., of 1472 j R . Fowler , W . M . and F . Reed , S . W . of 153 OJ Maj . A . II . Murdoch , R . A ., S . W ., and R . Prewer , J . W . of 1789 J and others .