Craft Masonry

vear , and Bro . John Berlvn was invested as I . P . M . The other officers mvested were jjros . Geo . Lichtenfeld , S . W . ; Joseph Marcus , J . W . ; J . A . Gartley , P . M ., Chap . ; Abraham Mark Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; Humphrey James Phillips , P . M ., Sec . ; Jos . Trenner , S . D . ; Hermann Licbtenfeld , P . M . 2353 , J . D . ; H . M . Harris , P . M ., D . C ; VV . Wright , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org . ; Phillip Greenspan , I . G . ; A . M . Goodrich and M . M . Freidlander , Stwds . ; and R . J . Morley , Tyler . Bro . Berlyn , I . P . M ., was presented with a valuable Past Master ' s jewel . The W . M . then initiated Messrs . Solomon Kops Praeger , Maurice Friederberg , Lewis Abrahams , Samuel Moses , jun ., and Lazarus Joseph Barnett . The W . M . having taken the lodge Stewardship for the Benevolent Institution , 10 guineas were voted to his list .

The brethren afterwards sat down to a grand banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual toasts . Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., and C . F . Hogard , P . G . St . Br ., responded to . the toast of " Ihe Grand Officers , " which was proposed by Bro . A . M . Cohen , P . M . Bro . John Berlyn , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " said it afforded him a great amount of pleasure to have the privilege and honour of submitting the heath of such a brother as Bro . Rosalki to the brethren . When , on a form er occasion , he indicated Rosalki as the coming Master , he met with the brethren's approval in every

respect , and the way in which the W . M . invested his officers that evening , as well as his performance of the ceremony of initiation , showed that they had chosen the proper man . He was sure they would be very pleased with the choice they had made . Bro . I . Rosalki , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he should only trouble the brethren with a few words . He thanked Bro . Berlyn for the way in which he had propos d the toast and the brethren for the kind manner in which they had received his lemarks . When he commenced Masonry many years back , and had the pleasure of ioinrnp the lodge of Israel he did not think it would happen that he should occupy the

chair of that lodge ; he thought he should never be able to reach that point , and he assumed that it was only the great principle Freemasonry possessed , brotherly love , which brought him to that position . He considered himself exceptionally fortunate in being the Master this year—a year the memory of which would enelure for many generations as the diamond year of Queen Victoria ' s reign . But it was an exceptional year in another respect , and on this account he esteemed himself exceptionally fortunate in being Master of the Lodge of Israel . He knew that politics had no place in Freemasonry , although he was not an old Mason , but he would mention the exceptional

circumstances of this year . It was a great year for Freemasonry for the reason that the great Arbitration Treaty had been come to by the two great peoples of the world . After thousands of years of approaching civilisation they had only just touched the fringe of that civilisation which settled everything so amicably in those early days . The brethren are aware that at the building of King Solomon ' s Temple , there was not any sound of Masonic tools heard to disturb peace and harmony . That was to the advantage of Freemasonry thousands of years back . After this long interval the two great English-speaking nations had just found out that it was to their advantage to settle

their differences amicably ! and he was proud to be W . M . of the lodge of Israel in such a year . He thanked the brethren for their kindness , and hoped that the lodge would go on improving . In Freemasonry there was nothing but good , and he hoped that in that ledge peace , harmony , and goodwill would exist for years to come . Bro . Barnett , one of the respondents to the toast of " The Initiates , " said he was bound to express his surprise at the very imposing , nevertheless expressive , service the initiates had witnessed . It was certainly beyond his thoughts , and he was certainly expressing the opinion of his brother initiates when he said it was beyond his

expectations . He did not gather all that was said by the Master , because his mind wandered , and wondered what he was going to see . But what he did gather , and what he considered the gist of the lecture , was the many important and very good mottoes . It greatly impressed him that Freemasonry was both non-political and non-sectarian , and although he was a very young man , nothing to his mind more tended to improve good fellowship and brotherhood than the exclusion of political and religious matters . Philanthropy also greatly impressed him , but , speaking again as

a young man , a working young man , the word was often abused . Collections were sometimes made and subscriptions sought for cases which were not altogether deserving , but if at any time the lodge had a deserving case and an appeal was made to him they might depend on his assisting it ; it might be only in shillings ; if ever his mite would increase the success of what the lodge had in hand he would be at its service . Before sitting down he begged publicly to thank Bros . Richmond and Gould for moving and seconding his candidature .

Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., replied to the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " all of which , he said , were doing excellent work . The brethren had reason to be proud , when 31 girls out of the Girls' School passed the Cambridge Examinations . The Boys' School would celebrate its centenary next year , when the Grand Master would preside at the Festival . The Girls' School in 18 S 7 celebrated its centenary and collected £ 50 , 000 . In 1 S 92 the Benevolent Institution realised £ 69 , 000 . He was told that in 1 S 9 S the Boys' School would exceed the latter sum . His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn would preside at the

Festival next month of the Benevolent Institution . The circumstance was rather appropriate that in the 60 th year of the Queen ' s reign her son should preside for an Institution which did not take on candidates until they were 60 years of age . There were 475 of those annuitants on the books of the Institution , the men with £ 40 a year , the women with £ 32 , and other women , widows of annuitants , receiving out of a Samaritan fund halt their late husbands' annuities , or £ 20 a year for five years , to give them a chance of being elected themselves . The Institution spent annually in annuities

£ 16 , 400 , and he hoped the brethren would support the W . M ., who was going up as Steward for that Institution on February 24 th . At the election in May , 119 candidates were coming forward and there were only 19 vacancies , and unless the Committee , after the February Festival , had a large amount of money at their disposal , 100 candidates , old men and women mostly over 70 and some over 80 years of age , must go away unsuccessful . He hoped the brethren would kindly help the Institution as much as they could . The other toasts were afterwards honoured .

York Lodge , No . 236 . The installation met ting of this old lodge was held on Monday , the iSth instant , at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , York , when , in addition to members , there was a good attendance of visiting brethren . Bro . M . Bryson , W . M ., presided , supported by his officers . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of last regular meeting read and confirmed , and a report of the Audit Committee adopted , the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . Farbrace Sidney Gramshaw , M . D ., was proceeded with . He was

presented by Bros . Carter , P . M ., and A . Jones , P . M ., the ceremony of installation being very carefully performed by the W . M ., Bro . Bryson , assisted by Bros . Mark Rooke , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., and Arthur Jones , P . M ., Sec . The W . M . elect subsequently appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Mungo Bryson , I . P . M . ; A . Procter , S . W . ; F . W . Laughton , J . W . ; the Very Rev . the Dean of York , P . M ., P . G . C , Chap . ; G . Kirby , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , Treas . ; A . Jones , P . M ., Sec : O . G . Taylor , Asst . Sec ; J . A . A . Askew , S . D . ; E . S . Robinson , J . D . ; G . Hodgson , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., D . C . j J . S . Shannon , I . G . j F . VV . Cull and A . G . Rayner , Stewards j and 1 . Hall , Tyler .

In addition to the officers above-named , there were present Bros . J . Sykes Rymer , P . M . j Dr . W . Draper , P . M , P . Z . j Major J . A . Barstow , P . M . j E . Carter , P . M j T . S . Brogden , P . M . j J . B . Sampson , P . M . ; E . W . Purnell , P . M . j S . Border , P . M . j Dr . Foster , P . M . j A . Buckle , B . A ., P . M . j D . Lockwood , J . A . Collier , G . H . Osborne , W . N . Stimpson , A . G . Rayner . G . Chalmers , A . H . Furnish , Geo . Sykes , Dr . Hingstone , Captain Lindbeig , VV . Hirst , W . Smith , A . Sample , P . P . G . O . ; and others . The visitors included Bros . Judge , W . M . 1010 ; Turner , VV . M ., J . Melrose , S . W ., and W . Swift , of 232 S ; Chambers , S . W . 1611 ; C . Judge , jun ., J . D . 1010 ; and C . Garrood and W . Bean , of 1611 . ( The Dean of York wrote expressing regret for absence owing to an engagement away from the city . )

The usual banquet was held at York Royal Station Hotel , when there was a numerous company , including most of thj brethren above-named . The W . M . elect , presided . During the well-served dinner the W . M . took wine with his brethren from the "loving-cup . " "The Queen and the Craft" and H . R . H . the Prince ( of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England , and the Grand Lodge" having been duly honoured ,

Bro . Alderman Purnell , P . M ., proposed " The Most Hon . the Marquislof Zetland , R . W . P . G . M . of the North and East Riding ; the R . W . the Lord Bolto . i , P . G . W . of England j and the Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers . "

Craft Masonry

The toast was responded to by Bros . Brogden and Swift . Bro . Major Barstow proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Judge , W . M ., Hull , who referred to the great loss the York Lodge had sustained in the death of Bro . Jos . Todd , the late Treasurer . Bro . Turner , W . M . 232 S , and Bro . Chambers , S . W . 1611 . replied .

Bro . A . Buckle , P . M ., proposed "The Masonic Charities , " an I slid he dil not know any body of people in the kingdom who had better supported charities than the Freemasons . He advocated the aiding of local and district efforts , especially with regard to the North and East Riding Educational Fund . A collection was taken and £ 3 5 s . contributed to the Charity Fund .

Bro . S . Border , P . M ., proposed "The Worshipful Masterof the York Lodge , " the toast being very cordially received . The Worshipful Master in responding to his health , said he would do all possible during his year of office to sustain the traditions of the York Lodge . ( Applause . ) He was certain of this that they would acknowledge that he had , in the various offices he had filled , at any rate tried to do his duty . ( Applause ) He hoped the lodge would be

favoured with a prosperous year , and he trusted the North and East Riding would do still more for their own local charity fund and less for the Boys' School . ( Hear , hear . ) Their able J . W . had set a good example in this matter . ( Hear , hear . ) As to the removal of the Boys'School it was an unnecessary expenditure . ( Hear , hear . ) He then proposed " The Installing Masters and P . Ms , of York Lodge , " which was suitably acknowledged .

The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast having been submitted the evening was passed in harmony . Songs , recitations , & c , being given by the W . M ., and Bros . Garrooi , Watson , Hirst , Shannon , G . Kirby , A . Sample ( who efficiently acted as pianoforte accompanist ) , and others .

Wiltshire Lodge of Fidelity , No . 663 . The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Devizes , on Tuesday , the igth inst . There was a good attendance of members and several visitors were present . Bro . H . H . Baker , S . W ., was installed as W . M . for the ensuing year by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . C . N . P . Phipps , the ceremony being most ably performed . The VV . M . invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . W . J . Baldwin , S . W . j J . Hunt , J . W . j Rev . W . Humphrys , P . M ., Chap , j F . S . Hancock , P . M ., Treas . ; T . C . Hopkins , P . M ., Secj F . Rendell , S . D . j D . Owen , J . D . j J . A . Randall , P . M ., D . C . ; W . H . Bush , P . M ., Org . j H . Ash , I . G . j W . R . C Sudweeks and G . F . Smith , Stwds . j and W . G . Pike , Tyler .

After the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to the Bear Hotel , where an excellent dinner was served by Bro . F . Reynolds , P . M .

London Rifle Brigade Lodge , No . 1962 . The installation meeting took place at Anderton ' s Hotel , on Friday , the 15 th inst . The W . M ., Bro . G . F . Elles , opened the lodge , and there were present Bros . S . D . Morris , I . P . M . j Hiram Henton , S . W . j W . J . Wright , J . W . j A . M . Towell , P . M ., Treas . j A . Haig-Brown , P . M ., Sec . j II . H . Nuding , D . C . j V . J . Wright , A . D . C ; F . F . Grimes , I . G . j W . H . Latham and E . W . Davies , Stewards j Neville Green ,

P . M . ; W . McNish , P . M . j J . C . Tilt , P . M . ; L . V . Walker , P . M . j H . F . Bing , P . M . j and some 20 other members . After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Elles initiated Messrs . Robert Stanley Chandler , Geo . William Francis Dawes , and Charles Woodhead Potter , the ceremony being performed in an able and impressive manner . Bro . Hiram Henton ( the bandmaster of the regiment ) was next installed into the chair of K . S . Bro . Henton appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . W . S .

Wright , S . W . ; F . F . Grimes , J . W . ; A . McDowall , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Haig-Brown , P . M ., Sec ; V . J . Wright , S . D . j W . H . Latham , J . D . j E . W . Davis , I . G . ; H . H . Nuding , P . M ., D . C j A . Collins , A . D . C . j C . E . E . Brightman and H . Bishop , Stewards j and J . S . Lackland , Tyler . The brethren subsequently adjourned to an excellent banquet , and among the visitors partaking the hospitality of the lodge were Bros . H . A . Wright , 30 j Edwin Linfoot , 129 SJ P . Salvage , 1706 j B . Hoddinott , 2005 j Henry Nuding , 1924 j F . Ellis , 1706 j William Wilds , 174 j Percy Day , 862 ; W . Jeans , 548 j I . R . Freeman ,

55 j C . H . Oliver , jun ., 471 j A . Darch , 72 j James Thorn , 2331 j Richard Poore , 1949 j R . W . Hobson , 132 S ; H . Keinbenger , 1540 j A . V . H . Pauncefort , S 62 j W . J . Kennaby , 1420 j H . V . Tyrell , 2639 ; J . M . Rogan , 639 j W . W . Morgan , 177 j H . Kemp , S 62 J G . Townley , 2190 j and W . T . Massey , 160 . The W . M ., in proposing * ' The Queen and the Craft , " said it did not matter whether they were Masons or Volunteers their hearts were one for love they owed their

dear Queen . 1 hat estimable lady had no doubt very great troubles during her life , but she had borne them with fortitude . He sincerely trusted the Great Architect would spare her in this , her Diamond Jubilee year , and that they might all say " God bless you , our dear Queen . " After the toasts of "The Grand Master , " and "The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " had been duly honoured ,

The toast of "The Worshipful Master " was proposed by Bro . C . F . Elles , I . P . M ., who said he was sure it would meet with the heartiest reception . The W . M . had been long enough a member of the regiment to be known to them all . He had earned the esteem of every one in the corps . The members of the lodge knew that with Bro . Henton as W . M . they need have no apprehension as to the welfare of the lodge j he was an old Past Master , and he would maintain and improve their standard of working . He was to be congratulated on holding the position he occupied , and they all wished him a happy year of office . The toast having been heartily received , The W . M . said he was exceedingly proud of what had been said of him by the I . P . M ., and he felt flattered by those remarks . He should use all his energy and zeal to keep up the prestige of the London Rifle Brigade Lodge . The position the brethren

had placed him in was one he did not anticipate when he joined the regiment , but since he had been chosen he should , as an old soldier , do his best to carry out the wishes of the brethren . He had learned a great deal since he joined the brigade and as long as he lived they would never want a better or stauncher friend . He prayed that the Great Architect would let him go out of the chair with honour and credit to the lodge and he should then be satisfied . He hoped the heart within him was a monument that he had the greatest respect for the Craft in general and the London Rifle Brigade Lodge in particular , which he hoped he should faithfully serve .

Ihe Worshipful Master next proposed "ihe Health of the Initiates , and described the toast as the most important of the evening . On that occasion it was pre-eminently an important one as Bro . Elles , on vacating the chair , initiated three members of the brigade into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Those gentlemen had that evening taken a step with the left foot and he had told them those steps would lead them in the right direction . The impressive way in which the I . P . M . had initiated those brethren would leave a lasting impression on their minds . The initiation ceremony was one of the most

solemn in Freemasonry because the brethren initiated were impressed with the importance of the fact that they had become Mas ins . If they would continue to follow out those grand teachings which they received within the lodge they would never regret taking that step in the right direction . Bro . R . S . Chandler thanked the W . M . for the words of encouragement and he deeply appreciated the generous and hearty way the brethren had received the toast . He thought it a most excellent thing to become a member of the ancient and illustrious brotherhood of Freemasonry . On the death of his father , who was a Mason , he was

sent « i ; h his brother to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and since leaving that Institution , which every Mason had reason to ba proud of , he had been an active member of the Old Masonians . In fact , from his birth upwards lie could truthfully say he had been in close connection with Masons , and that night had seen the consummation of his hopes , he had learned something of its secrets . He prayed that he might become a useful member of the Cralt and a credit to his mother lodge . Bros . G . W . T . Dawes and Chas . W . Potter also suitably responded .

'Ihe Worshipful Master , in proposing the toast of "The Installing Master , " congratulated Bro . Elles on the able manner he had performed the ceremony . Those who had had the gcod fortune to hear the addresses knew that they had still one of the old London Rifle Brigade among them who , what he did , did thoroughly . Bro . Elles . I . P . M ., said it was with some mixed feelings that a brother who had