-
Articles/Ads
Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. ← Page 3 of 5 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 3 of 5 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
„ jr . ; E . Bunting , S . W . ; G . Bond , J . W . ; G . S . Lancaster , nil Treas . ; M . E . Frost , P . M ., and J . Astridgc , Sees . ; '" vV . Beale , S . D . ; C . Vine , J . D . ; A . German , " f . G .: A . / - ' ullipp , P . M ., D . C ; R . Osborne , Organist ; G . Sherman mil I- Moore , Stewards ; J . Watson nnd J . Exell , Tylers . It was resolved , on the motion of Bro . Frost , seconded by Bro . Astridge , that the best thanks of tbe lodge be tendered
lo Bro . Maltby for his services during thc past year , nnd that the same be recorded on the minutes . Upwards of fifty of lnc brethren subsequently partook of nn excellent banquet in the dining room of the hall , at which the W . M . presided . The menu was of the most recherche character , anil reflected great credit on Mr . Butler , the caterer . The W . M . proposed thc first toast , " Thc Queen and the Craft , "
which was duly honoured . " Thc Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was proposed , in suitable terms , by Bro . Maltby . Bro . Sir John Allcyne gave " Thc M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon . " The toast of " The Deputy Grand Master ( Lord Skelmersdale ) and the Officers of the Grand Lodge" was entrusted to Bro . Cudlipp , who spoke of the vapid strides Freemasonry had
made of late years , and alluded , in eloquent terms , to the grand principles of the Craft . Several other toasts followed , " The Health of the Worshipful Master" ( proposed in eulog istic terms by Bro . Maltby ) being received with grent enthusiasm . In responding , Bro . Moore assured the brethren thnt . it would be his earnest endeavour to cany out the duties of his office to the satisfaction of the lodge and with credit to himself . Bro . Ogburn responded for " Thc
Visitors , " nnd gave "The I . P . M ., and P . M . ' s ofthe Lodge , " which was acknowledged by Bro . Maltby . Bro . Bunting , as Senior Warden , responded for * " The Officers of the Lodge , " and promised the Worshipful Master , on their behalf , all the aid in their power during his year of office . I ' ITZ-ROY LODGE ( No . 5 69 ) . —On Friday , 22 nd inst , the installation meeting of the Fitz-ltoy Lodge was held at the Armoury of the Honorable Artillery Company , anil it was attended with the success which
distinguishes all the meetings of this lodge , and which its members always exert themselves to promote . This success is not confined to the happiness which prevails whenever the brethren meet at the lodge , but is also of that substantial character which places the lodge in a ¦ npsition to follow the true end of Masonry , nnd practise the virtue which Freemasons are proud to profess—charity .
In short , the funds of thc lodge are in a prosperous condition ; indeed , so prosperous , thnt probably no other lodge can parallel it . Its funds , as announced by Capt . Eglese , the Secretary , in reading the balance sheet at the last meeting , now amount to £ 240 , besides , among its assets , a stock of wine worth £ 5 6 , the lodge furniture , officers ' collars and jewels , and a valuable piano . Under such
circumstances the brethren , habitually happy , and with no drawback to alloy their happiness , could not but bc in the best spirits on their installation day , and they entered on their business shortly after four o'clock with grc ; : t zest . The W . M ., Bro . W . H . Honey , a P . M . also of No . 11 , took the chair , and opened the lodge , and then initiated a member of the Honorable Artillery Company , Mr . James
Smith , in the earliest mysteries of the Craft . The heavier business of installation was entrusted to the veteran P . M . and Treasurer , Bro . Peter Matthews , who , being the father of the lodge , has had that important and onerous duty ceded to him by the presiding Master for several years . He therefore took thc chair , and Bro . Honey presented to him Bro . Griffiths Smith , solicitor , S . W ., and a P . M . of No .
21 for installation . Bro . Matthews immediately entered on his duties , and installed in impressive style Bro . Griffiths Smith in thc W . M . chair . In no less impressive style did Bro . Eglese deliver the charges when the W . M . was installed , and the officers were invested , and both Bro . Matthews and Bro . Eglese received the applause of the brethren on the completion of the ceremony . Thc officers
appointed for the year were Bros . F . Graves , S . W . ; Spicer , J . W . ; Peter Matthews , P . M ., Treasurer ; Capt . J . Eglese , P . M ., Secretary ; Webster , S . D . ; Evcringham , J . D . ; Sanderson , I . G . ; and Racford , T . During the ceremony there were some seventy brethren in the lodge , and at the Board of Installed Masters twenty were present . Among the brethren were Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Past Grand
Deacon ; J . A . Rucker , Grand Deacon ; R . W . Little , Provincial Grand Secretary , Middlesex ; Linzel , Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , Middlesex ; Dr . Barringer , Thomas W . White , Main , P . M . ; many brethren of the Emulation lodge , and Bro . H . Massey ( Freemason ) . At the conclusion of the ceremony , a splendid banquet was provided in the great hall , and on the clearing of the
cloth , grace was sung , and the toasts were proposed and honoured . The VOL , in giving thc first toast , said that 1 he Queen " they drank in a double capacity , not only as citizens , but as members of the Non . Artillery Company . As loyal and true men , they were much concerned ¦ it the present time for thc health of one of Her Majesty ' s sons , Prince Leopold , who was also a brother . When
another of her sens , the present Grand Master , was ill , ley "ere equally anxious , and they evinced the greatest pleasure when he was restored to h ealth . They wished also to see Prince Leopold restored , and he could not but say they vvould be pleased to hear when the time should ™ me that he was able to take his third degree , that he Iind arrived at that grand point in Masonrv . "The Prince
ot VVales , M . W . G . M ., " was the next toast , and the W . M . ¦ yjain drew attention to the exceptional position of the itz-Roy Lodge with respect to this toast , as compared wth ordinary lodges . His ltoyal Highness was Colonel , }" Company ; and as it was out of this Company the
> h < - was formed , it was with extra enthusiasm they Pro r 'U'alth * S l , eaki "g " Thc Eart ° f Carnarvon , O jiand Master "—in proposing that nobleman ' s name j , ™" toast , in conjunction with Lord Skelmersdale , wo * 1 a " d the Gran ' - Officers—the w . M . said that he sust * V | har < 1 "" " nry- and ha ( 1 for many years tamed a foremost part in the administration of the
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
affairs of Grand Lodge . Lord Skelmersdale was also nn active worker , nnd had already served the office of president at one of the festivals of the Girls' School . No doubt he would also serve the other charities when the time came . Of the rest of the Grand Officers , who were represented on that occasion by Bros . Rucker nnd Philbrick , he could only tell the brethren what thev knew
before—that their praise wns in nil the lodges on . account of their zcnl in the cause of Masonry . Bro . Hervey , G . S ., would have been present , but unluckily he was very unwell ; nnd , while regretting this circumstance , the brethren would wish him better nnd speedy health . Bro . Rucker regretted that he had been chosen instead of Bro . Philbrick to respond , but ns the duty
of everyone , whether Mason or soldier , was obedience , he would endeavour to reply for the distinguished brethren included in this toast . lie could hardly conceive anything more honourable than to bc appointed by the Grand Master to hold Grand Office , and the pride wns much heightened by having one ' s name associated with such distinguished Freemasons ns live noblemen named in the
toast . What the Grand Officers did was well known to all Freemasons , and those who attended Grand Lodge , or knew anything of the constitution of the Board of General Purposes , of the Colonial Board , and those several Boards which managed Masonic affairs , knew that a strong sprinkling of Grand Officers were on them . It wns vcry grntifying to bf present at such a lodge ns the Fitz-ltoy ,
nnd to witness the ceremony of installation so ably performed , and such an excellent Master placed in the chair . The ceremony was in fact perfectly performed , and though no doubt there were plenty of P . M . ' s iu it" who were proficient in thnt beautiful ceremony one could not but feel delighted nt hearing such a veteran brother as Bro . Peter Matthews deliver the ritual of the degree . Bro . Honey ,
I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who , he said , would devote himself entirely to the benefit of the lodge , and fluently perform any of the ceremonies for which lie might be called upon . The W . M ., iu his reply , said little of himself , but dwelt particularly on thc kind feeling that was always felt by the members of the lodge towards each other . He said they were a very united lodge , and
never had an ill word for one another . As many of the members were members also of other lodges they carried this good feeling abroad and diffused it throughout the Craft . Bro . James Smith responded as " The Initiate , " and promised to do his best to make a good Freemason . To thc toast of " The Visitors , " Bros . Philbrick and Macquecn replied ; and a handsome Past Master ' s
jewel- was presented by the P . M . to Bro . Honey . Bro . Honey expressed his great gratification at receiving such a mark of the favour of the brethren , and said that although during his year of office the work had not been heavy , the year had been one of the most pleasant he had ever spent with the Mnsonic brotherhood . Bro . Little replied for "The Charities , " and laid their claims very earnestly before the
brethren , strongly urging them to support those institutions and thereby show the world that they were imbued with the true Masonic spirit . Charity was the brightest jewel in the Masonic crown , and was the great end of Freemasonry . Without charity Freemasonry was nothing , but with it , the Order were able to demonstrate to the
outer world that they did not live for themselves alone . The" following Wednesday vvould see the festival of the Aged Freemasons' Institution , at which it was to be hoped there would be a large subscription . In May the Girls ' School would hold their festival , and in June the Boys ' School would hold their annual dinner . lie asked for the
support of the brethren for all these festivals . Bro . Peter Matthews , P . M ., Treasurer , and Bro . Eglese , P . M ., Secretary , returned thanks for their names when proposed , and thc other toasts having been disposed of , the brethren separated . Thc evening was enlivened with some beautiful singing by Bros . Hansford , F . Elmore , Lester , Lawler , Donald King , and Cozens .
BURTON-ON-TRENT . —ABBEY LODGE ( NO . 624 ) . — The installation of the Worshipful Master elect , Bro . lt . II . Auty , and the twenty-first anniversary of the Abbey Lodge , Burton-on-Trent , was held on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Union-street . The lodge having been opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . Lucas , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and
confirmed , the lodge was again opened in the second degree , when the chair was assumed by Bro . J . Meredith , P . M ., as Installing Master , and the W . M . elect , Bro . R . II . Auty , was presented by Bro . Starcy . After the usual preliminaries had been gone through , all brethren below the chair retired , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , Bro . N . Auty was , according to ancient
custom , installed into thc chair of K . S ., as Worshipful Master for thc ensuing year , thc ceremony being most ably performed by Bros . Meredith and Starey . In due course the other brethren were admitted , and the new W . M . having been proclaimed , greeted , and saluted in the three degrees , proceeded to appoint and instal his officers as follows : —Bro . J . Lucas , I . P . M . ; J . Hobday , S . W . ;
C . Graham , J . W . ; Rev . J . Robertson , Chaplain ; W . J . Gothard , P . M ., Treasurer and Director of Ceremonies ; S . Briggs , Secretary ; K . Macrae , S . D . ; J . Martin , ( . D . ; L . F . Day , Organist ; T . Halliday , I . G . ; R . Lane , Tyler . The Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury , was present during thc installation , but was unable , in consequence of other Masonic engagements , to stop for the banquet ; and letters expressing regret for
their unavoidable absence were read from the D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , Bro . S . C . Allsopp , M . P . ; Bro . Geo . Allsopp , Bro . Bodenham , Bro . McLean , and others . Further business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall . Grace having been said by the Rev . J . Robertson ( lodge Chaplain ) , the brethren betook themselves to the agreeable tisk of discussing the merits of the numerous viands—which pleasing duty inspired them with spirits elate and satisfac-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tory . Under such influence , the cloth was removed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . The W . M ., Bro . Auty , was supported by P . M . ' s Lucas , Meredith , Gothard , Russell , Starcy , Wood , Bradford , Beadsmore , Canton , and others . The W . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft ; " and , in doing so , said he was proud to think thnt the toast of her Majesty was the first proposed
in that Mnsonic Hall , nnd he trusted the time was far distant when any toast would supersede or take precedence of that of thc sovereign of these realms . Her Majesty , not only from her exalted station , but also from her domestic virtues , was entitled to the esteem and to the affection of every class of her subjects , and by none were those claims more freely admitted or more warmly acknowledged than
by the Masons of thc United Kingdom . Throughout her career Her Majesty had been closely allied with Freemasonry . More than twenty years ago she became the patroness of thc Freemasons' Boys' School , and she still remained their patron , much to the advantage of the Institution . Her Majesty was not onl y the daughter of a Mason , but three of her children had been admitted
members of the brotherhood , and lately by the acceptance of the Grand Mastership of England by the Prince of Wales , another link had been added to Her Majesty ' s association with the Craft . She being now the mother of the Gnind Master of the Order . The toast was duly honoured . The next toast , "The Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , nnd the rest of the Royal Family , "
proposed by the W . M ., was warmly received . With respect to thc Princess of Wales he could say without fear of contradiction that no lady ever set foot upon these shores who in so short a time had enjoyed , and not only enjoyed but retained , the affection and the sympathies of the people of this country as her Royal Highness had done . Whatever places she visited , wherever she appeared in public she
wns greeted with most rapturous applause , and he thought those who lived in this part of the country might congratulate themselves that nowhere had her Royal Highness received move enthusiastic welcomes than she did some year or two . ago at Derby , and more recently still in the neighbouring town of Birmingham . As to the Prince of Wales , from that day in 1868 , when His Royal Highness
was initiated into Freemasonry by the late King of Sweden , he had performed all his duties and obligations to the Craft in a manner calculated to arouse the just pride and to fulfil the expectations of every Mason in thc country . His Royal Highness was not merely a speculative but he had proved himself to be an operative Freemason . He had himself initiated his brother Prince Arthur , and from the accounts
of that event which had been handed down , the ceremony was performed with all the ease and with all the address of a practised Mason . Under all circumstances and in every position in connection with the Craft His Royal Highness had shown himself thoroughly appreciative of the excellency of Freemasonry , and his last step in boldly coming forward , and under peculiar circumstances accepting the
Grand Mastership of England , and thereby the most prominent Masonic position in the world , had met with the universal concurrence of Masons . He might say further , not only of Masons , but of the great mass of the Protestant people of this country , who were inclined to look upon that step of I lis ltoyal Highness as a sort of a snub—if he might use the expression—to that tlomineering power
which more than once had not hesitated to curse both the Craft and its members . Of His Royal Highness it might be said in the language of our ritual , " He has not thought it derogatory to his dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , he has patronized our mysteries , he has joined in our assemblies . " The next toast , "The M . W . G . M . of England , the Pro G . M ., and the D . G . M ., " was duly given
and honoured . " The R . W . P . G . M ., the Earl of Shrewsbury , the R . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , " was then proposed by the W . M ., who reminded the brethren of the great interest the P . G . M . had taken in Freemasonry from the time of his acceptance of his high position , that he had never spared himself in his labours for the benefit of the Craft , and was
always prominent in every work of charity . The fact of his Lordship ' s presence among them that evening , his attendance at Cannock to consecrate a new lodge on Wednesday , and his presiding at thc Masonic Benevolent Institution in London on the 27 th inst ., spoke more than words , of his interest in the Craft . Some of the brethren , too , had had the privilege of attending the last quarterly
meeting of Grand Lodge at Alton Towers , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., and they would not easily forget the way in which the principles of the Craft were there carried out . With reference to the D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , all the brethren knew how indefatigable he was in his labours . He had been with them on many previous occasions , and it was a source of regret that other
engagements had prevented him from being present at their anniversary to-day . Willi this toast , which was most cordially received , was coupled the name of Bvo . Meredith . Bro . Meredith , in acknowledging the toast , said , it always afforded him much pleasure to visit the Abbey Lodge , and never was that pleasure greater than on the present occasion . After referring to the efficient working of the Lodge ,
and to the unavoidable absence from the banquet of the Earl of Shrewsbury and P . M . Anderson ( the last Provincial Grand Officer ) , which he was sure all would regret , he concluded by wishing continued prosperity to the Lodge . "The P . G . Masters of the neighbouring Counties" was then given and appropriately responded to by Bros . Past Masters Gothard , J ackson , Hillam , and Bradford . Bro .
Lucas then rose and said , he was privileged to give the next toast , which was the toast of the evening . It afforded him great pleasure to have to propose the health of one ( as his successor ) , who was in every sense so well qualified and specially fitted to fill the important office which he now holds . He assured the brethren that it would give them great pleasure to meet Bro . Auty as their Worship ful Masteiyn the Abbey Lodge , they would see for
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
„ jr . ; E . Bunting , S . W . ; G . Bond , J . W . ; G . S . Lancaster , nil Treas . ; M . E . Frost , P . M ., and J . Astridgc , Sees . ; '" vV . Beale , S . D . ; C . Vine , J . D . ; A . German , " f . G .: A . / - ' ullipp , P . M ., D . C ; R . Osborne , Organist ; G . Sherman mil I- Moore , Stewards ; J . Watson nnd J . Exell , Tylers . It was resolved , on the motion of Bro . Frost , seconded by Bro . Astridge , that the best thanks of tbe lodge be tendered
lo Bro . Maltby for his services during thc past year , nnd that the same be recorded on the minutes . Upwards of fifty of lnc brethren subsequently partook of nn excellent banquet in the dining room of the hall , at which the W . M . presided . The menu was of the most recherche character , anil reflected great credit on Mr . Butler , the caterer . The W . M . proposed thc first toast , " Thc Queen and the Craft , "
which was duly honoured . " Thc Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was proposed , in suitable terms , by Bro . Maltby . Bro . Sir John Allcyne gave " Thc M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon . " The toast of " The Deputy Grand Master ( Lord Skelmersdale ) and the Officers of the Grand Lodge" was entrusted to Bro . Cudlipp , who spoke of the vapid strides Freemasonry had
made of late years , and alluded , in eloquent terms , to the grand principles of the Craft . Several other toasts followed , " The Health of the Worshipful Master" ( proposed in eulog istic terms by Bro . Maltby ) being received with grent enthusiasm . In responding , Bro . Moore assured the brethren thnt . it would be his earnest endeavour to cany out the duties of his office to the satisfaction of the lodge and with credit to himself . Bro . Ogburn responded for " Thc
Visitors , " nnd gave "The I . P . M ., and P . M . ' s ofthe Lodge , " which was acknowledged by Bro . Maltby . Bro . Bunting , as Senior Warden , responded for * " The Officers of the Lodge , " and promised the Worshipful Master , on their behalf , all the aid in their power during his year of office . I ' ITZ-ROY LODGE ( No . 5 69 ) . —On Friday , 22 nd inst , the installation meeting of the Fitz-ltoy Lodge was held at the Armoury of the Honorable Artillery Company , anil it was attended with the success which
distinguishes all the meetings of this lodge , and which its members always exert themselves to promote . This success is not confined to the happiness which prevails whenever the brethren meet at the lodge , but is also of that substantial character which places the lodge in a ¦ npsition to follow the true end of Masonry , nnd practise the virtue which Freemasons are proud to profess—charity .
In short , the funds of thc lodge are in a prosperous condition ; indeed , so prosperous , thnt probably no other lodge can parallel it . Its funds , as announced by Capt . Eglese , the Secretary , in reading the balance sheet at the last meeting , now amount to £ 240 , besides , among its assets , a stock of wine worth £ 5 6 , the lodge furniture , officers ' collars and jewels , and a valuable piano . Under such
circumstances the brethren , habitually happy , and with no drawback to alloy their happiness , could not but bc in the best spirits on their installation day , and they entered on their business shortly after four o'clock with grc ; : t zest . The W . M ., Bro . W . H . Honey , a P . M . also of No . 11 , took the chair , and opened the lodge , and then initiated a member of the Honorable Artillery Company , Mr . James
Smith , in the earliest mysteries of the Craft . The heavier business of installation was entrusted to the veteran P . M . and Treasurer , Bro . Peter Matthews , who , being the father of the lodge , has had that important and onerous duty ceded to him by the presiding Master for several years . He therefore took thc chair , and Bro . Honey presented to him Bro . Griffiths Smith , solicitor , S . W ., and a P . M . of No .
21 for installation . Bro . Matthews immediately entered on his duties , and installed in impressive style Bro . Griffiths Smith in thc W . M . chair . In no less impressive style did Bro . Eglese deliver the charges when the W . M . was installed , and the officers were invested , and both Bro . Matthews and Bro . Eglese received the applause of the brethren on the completion of the ceremony . Thc officers
appointed for the year were Bros . F . Graves , S . W . ; Spicer , J . W . ; Peter Matthews , P . M ., Treasurer ; Capt . J . Eglese , P . M ., Secretary ; Webster , S . D . ; Evcringham , J . D . ; Sanderson , I . G . ; and Racford , T . During the ceremony there were some seventy brethren in the lodge , and at the Board of Installed Masters twenty were present . Among the brethren were Bros . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Past Grand
Deacon ; J . A . Rucker , Grand Deacon ; R . W . Little , Provincial Grand Secretary , Middlesex ; Linzel , Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , Middlesex ; Dr . Barringer , Thomas W . White , Main , P . M . ; many brethren of the Emulation lodge , and Bro . H . Massey ( Freemason ) . At the conclusion of the ceremony , a splendid banquet was provided in the great hall , and on the clearing of the
cloth , grace was sung , and the toasts were proposed and honoured . The VOL , in giving thc first toast , said that 1 he Queen " they drank in a double capacity , not only as citizens , but as members of the Non . Artillery Company . As loyal and true men , they were much concerned ¦ it the present time for thc health of one of Her Majesty ' s sons , Prince Leopold , who was also a brother . When
another of her sens , the present Grand Master , was ill , ley "ere equally anxious , and they evinced the greatest pleasure when he was restored to h ealth . They wished also to see Prince Leopold restored , and he could not but say they vvould be pleased to hear when the time should ™ me that he was able to take his third degree , that he Iind arrived at that grand point in Masonrv . "The Prince
ot VVales , M . W . G . M ., " was the next toast , and the W . M . ¦ yjain drew attention to the exceptional position of the itz-Roy Lodge with respect to this toast , as compared wth ordinary lodges . His ltoyal Highness was Colonel , }" Company ; and as it was out of this Company the
> h < - was formed , it was with extra enthusiasm they Pro r 'U'alth * S l , eaki "g " Thc Eart ° f Carnarvon , O jiand Master "—in proposing that nobleman ' s name j , ™" toast , in conjunction with Lord Skelmersdale , wo * 1 a " d the Gran ' - Officers—the w . M . said that he sust * V | har < 1 "" " nry- and ha ( 1 for many years tamed a foremost part in the administration of the
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
affairs of Grand Lodge . Lord Skelmersdale was also nn active worker , nnd had already served the office of president at one of the festivals of the Girls' School . No doubt he would also serve the other charities when the time came . Of the rest of the Grand Officers , who were represented on that occasion by Bros . Rucker nnd Philbrick , he could only tell the brethren what thev knew
before—that their praise wns in nil the lodges on . account of their zcnl in the cause of Masonry . Bro . Hervey , G . S ., would have been present , but unluckily he was very unwell ; nnd , while regretting this circumstance , the brethren would wish him better nnd speedy health . Bro . Rucker regretted that he had been chosen instead of Bro . Philbrick to respond , but ns the duty
of everyone , whether Mason or soldier , was obedience , he would endeavour to reply for the distinguished brethren included in this toast . lie could hardly conceive anything more honourable than to bc appointed by the Grand Master to hold Grand Office , and the pride wns much heightened by having one ' s name associated with such distinguished Freemasons ns live noblemen named in the
toast . What the Grand Officers did was well known to all Freemasons , and those who attended Grand Lodge , or knew anything of the constitution of the Board of General Purposes , of the Colonial Board , and those several Boards which managed Masonic affairs , knew that a strong sprinkling of Grand Officers were on them . It wns vcry grntifying to bf present at such a lodge ns the Fitz-ltoy ,
nnd to witness the ceremony of installation so ably performed , and such an excellent Master placed in the chair . The ceremony was in fact perfectly performed , and though no doubt there were plenty of P . M . ' s iu it" who were proficient in thnt beautiful ceremony one could not but feel delighted nt hearing such a veteran brother as Bro . Peter Matthews deliver the ritual of the degree . Bro . Honey ,
I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the W . M ., " who , he said , would devote himself entirely to the benefit of the lodge , and fluently perform any of the ceremonies for which lie might be called upon . The W . M ., iu his reply , said little of himself , but dwelt particularly on thc kind feeling that was always felt by the members of the lodge towards each other . He said they were a very united lodge , and
never had an ill word for one another . As many of the members were members also of other lodges they carried this good feeling abroad and diffused it throughout the Craft . Bro . James Smith responded as " The Initiate , " and promised to do his best to make a good Freemason . To thc toast of " The Visitors , " Bros . Philbrick and Macquecn replied ; and a handsome Past Master ' s
jewel- was presented by the P . M . to Bro . Honey . Bro . Honey expressed his great gratification at receiving such a mark of the favour of the brethren , and said that although during his year of office the work had not been heavy , the year had been one of the most pleasant he had ever spent with the Mnsonic brotherhood . Bro . Little replied for "The Charities , " and laid their claims very earnestly before the
brethren , strongly urging them to support those institutions and thereby show the world that they were imbued with the true Masonic spirit . Charity was the brightest jewel in the Masonic crown , and was the great end of Freemasonry . Without charity Freemasonry was nothing , but with it , the Order were able to demonstrate to the
outer world that they did not live for themselves alone . The" following Wednesday vvould see the festival of the Aged Freemasons' Institution , at which it was to be hoped there would be a large subscription . In May the Girls ' School would hold their festival , and in June the Boys ' School would hold their annual dinner . lie asked for the
support of the brethren for all these festivals . Bro . Peter Matthews , P . M ., Treasurer , and Bro . Eglese , P . M ., Secretary , returned thanks for their names when proposed , and thc other toasts having been disposed of , the brethren separated . Thc evening was enlivened with some beautiful singing by Bros . Hansford , F . Elmore , Lester , Lawler , Donald King , and Cozens .
BURTON-ON-TRENT . —ABBEY LODGE ( NO . 624 ) . — The installation of the Worshipful Master elect , Bro . lt . II . Auty , and the twenty-first anniversary of the Abbey Lodge , Burton-on-Trent , was held on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Union-street . The lodge having been opened in due form by the W . M ., Bro . Lucas , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and
confirmed , the lodge was again opened in the second degree , when the chair was assumed by Bro . J . Meredith , P . M ., as Installing Master , and the W . M . elect , Bro . R . II . Auty , was presented by Bro . Starcy . After the usual preliminaries had been gone through , all brethren below the chair retired , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed , Bro . N . Auty was , according to ancient
custom , installed into thc chair of K . S ., as Worshipful Master for thc ensuing year , thc ceremony being most ably performed by Bros . Meredith and Starey . In due course the other brethren were admitted , and the new W . M . having been proclaimed , greeted , and saluted in the three degrees , proceeded to appoint and instal his officers as follows : —Bro . J . Lucas , I . P . M . ; J . Hobday , S . W . ;
C . Graham , J . W . ; Rev . J . Robertson , Chaplain ; W . J . Gothard , P . M ., Treasurer and Director of Ceremonies ; S . Briggs , Secretary ; K . Macrae , S . D . ; J . Martin , ( . D . ; L . F . Day , Organist ; T . Halliday , I . G . ; R . Lane , Tyler . The Provincial Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury , was present during thc installation , but was unable , in consequence of other Masonic engagements , to stop for the banquet ; and letters expressing regret for
their unavoidable absence were read from the D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , Bro . S . C . Allsopp , M . P . ; Bro . Geo . Allsopp , Bro . Bodenham , Bro . McLean , and others . Further business having been transacted , the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting hall . Grace having been said by the Rev . J . Robertson ( lodge Chaplain ) , the brethren betook themselves to the agreeable tisk of discussing the merits of the numerous viands—which pleasing duty inspired them with spirits elate and satisfac-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tory . Under such influence , the cloth was removed , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed . The W . M ., Bro . Auty , was supported by P . M . ' s Lucas , Meredith , Gothard , Russell , Starcy , Wood , Bradford , Beadsmore , Canton , and others . The W . M . proposed "The Queen and the Craft ; " and , in doing so , said he was proud to think thnt the toast of her Majesty was the first proposed
in that Mnsonic Hall , nnd he trusted the time was far distant when any toast would supersede or take precedence of that of thc sovereign of these realms . Her Majesty , not only from her exalted station , but also from her domestic virtues , was entitled to the esteem and to the affection of every class of her subjects , and by none were those claims more freely admitted or more warmly acknowledged than
by the Masons of thc United Kingdom . Throughout her career Her Majesty had been closely allied with Freemasonry . More than twenty years ago she became the patroness of thc Freemasons' Boys' School , and she still remained their patron , much to the advantage of the Institution . Her Majesty was not onl y the daughter of a Mason , but three of her children had been admitted
members of the brotherhood , and lately by the acceptance of the Grand Mastership of England by the Prince of Wales , another link had been added to Her Majesty ' s association with the Craft . She being now the mother of the Gnind Master of the Order . The toast was duly honoured . The next toast , "The Prince of Wales , the Princess of Wales , nnd the rest of the Royal Family , "
proposed by the W . M ., was warmly received . With respect to thc Princess of Wales he could say without fear of contradiction that no lady ever set foot upon these shores who in so short a time had enjoyed , and not only enjoyed but retained , the affection and the sympathies of the people of this country as her Royal Highness had done . Whatever places she visited , wherever she appeared in public she
wns greeted with most rapturous applause , and he thought those who lived in this part of the country might congratulate themselves that nowhere had her Royal Highness received move enthusiastic welcomes than she did some year or two . ago at Derby , and more recently still in the neighbouring town of Birmingham . As to the Prince of Wales , from that day in 1868 , when His Royal Highness
was initiated into Freemasonry by the late King of Sweden , he had performed all his duties and obligations to the Craft in a manner calculated to arouse the just pride and to fulfil the expectations of every Mason in thc country . His Royal Highness was not merely a speculative but he had proved himself to be an operative Freemason . He had himself initiated his brother Prince Arthur , and from the accounts
of that event which had been handed down , the ceremony was performed with all the ease and with all the address of a practised Mason . Under all circumstances and in every position in connection with the Craft His Royal Highness had shown himself thoroughly appreciative of the excellency of Freemasonry , and his last step in boldly coming forward , and under peculiar circumstances accepting the
Grand Mastership of England , and thereby the most prominent Masonic position in the world , had met with the universal concurrence of Masons . He might say further , not only of Masons , but of the great mass of the Protestant people of this country , who were inclined to look upon that step of I lis ltoyal Highness as a sort of a snub—if he might use the expression—to that tlomineering power
which more than once had not hesitated to curse both the Craft and its members . Of His Royal Highness it might be said in the language of our ritual , " He has not thought it derogatory to his dignity to exchange the sceptre for the trowel , he has patronized our mysteries , he has joined in our assemblies . " The next toast , "The M . W . G . M . of England , the Pro G . M ., and the D . G . M ., " was duly given
and honoured . " The R . W . P . G . M ., the Earl of Shrewsbury , the R . W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , " was then proposed by the W . M ., who reminded the brethren of the great interest the P . G . M . had taken in Freemasonry from the time of his acceptance of his high position , that he had never spared himself in his labours for the benefit of the Craft , and was
always prominent in every work of charity . The fact of his Lordship ' s presence among them that evening , his attendance at Cannock to consecrate a new lodge on Wednesday , and his presiding at thc Masonic Benevolent Institution in London on the 27 th inst ., spoke more than words , of his interest in the Craft . Some of the brethren , too , had had the privilege of attending the last quarterly
meeting of Grand Lodge at Alton Towers , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., and they would not easily forget the way in which the principles of the Craft were there carried out . With reference to the D . P . G . M ., Bro . James , all the brethren knew how indefatigable he was in his labours . He had been with them on many previous occasions , and it was a source of regret that other
engagements had prevented him from being present at their anniversary to-day . Willi this toast , which was most cordially received , was coupled the name of Bvo . Meredith . Bro . Meredith , in acknowledging the toast , said , it always afforded him much pleasure to visit the Abbey Lodge , and never was that pleasure greater than on the present occasion . After referring to the efficient working of the Lodge ,
and to the unavoidable absence from the banquet of the Earl of Shrewsbury and P . M . Anderson ( the last Provincial Grand Officer ) , which he was sure all would regret , he concluded by wishing continued prosperity to the Lodge . "The P . G . Masters of the neighbouring Counties" was then given and appropriately responded to by Bros . Past Masters Gothard , J ackson , Hillam , and Bradford . Bro .
Lucas then rose and said , he was privileged to give the next toast , which was the toast of the evening . It afforded him great pleasure to have to propose the health of one ( as his successor ) , who was in every sense so well qualified and specially fitted to fill the important office which he now holds . He assured the brethren that it would give them great pleasure to meet Bro . Auty as their Worship ful Masteiyn the Abbey Lodge , they would see for