Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

© raft P ' asMrg . METROPOLITAN .

PAXMURE LODGE ( NO . 720 . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Balham Hotel , Balham , on Alonday the 18 th inst ., when were present r—Bros . H . F . Huntley , W . AL ; John Thomas . P . M . ; J . M , Young , P . M ., and See . ; H . F . Hodges , S . W . ; T . Porve , J . W . ; H . Payne

S . D . j j . Pulman ,-J . D . j W . Withall , I . G . j also Bros . Lane , Woolfe , Truster , G . Lille )* , Holmes , R . W . Huntley , Maddern , Bye , Mansell , Dr . Williams , and visitors Bros . James Stevens , P . M ., 72 oand 1216 ; W . S . Cockett , 1216 ; and Wright . The lodge having been duly opened the

Following gentlemen were ballotted for and approved , and being in attendance were severall y introduced and initiated into the order , viz , — . Mr Edward George Gumming , Mr . John Leonard , and Mr . William Smith . The ceremony was in each case performed with that perfect care and

attention to detail , which this lodge is becoming justly celebrated for , and which is especiall y due to the valuable aid afforded by Bro . Thomas as preceptor to its Lodge of Instruction . Bro . Maddern applied to the W . M . for instruction how to act under the following circumstances . —

A friend of his , connected with the Board of Trade , had placed in his charge a certificate of Grand Lodge , a Master Mason ' s apron , and a pair of gloves enclosed in a leather case , and which had been washed ashore on the English coast and had been found b y one of the coast guard . The

W . M . considered that publicity should be given to the fact , and then probably some information might be obtained in reference thereto . The certificate is dated 5 th March , 186 9 , and was granted to Bro . William Sandrey , of the Walton Lodge , 1086 , Kirkdale . It was resolved that the

K-irkdale Lodge should be written to on the subject . The votes of the Alasonic Schools were given to Bro . Thomas in support of the case of the son of Bro . Gates , a P . M . of the lodge . The lodge was then closed and a pleasant hour was subsequently spent in refreshment after labour .

BURGOYNE LODGE , ( No . 902 . )—This prosperous and highl y efficient lodge held its ordinary meeting for March , on the 25 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , under the pre sidency of the W . AL , Bro . Simmons , who was well supported b y his officers and a numerous

attendance of the brethren of the lodge , together with several visitors , among we noticed Bros . Cooper , 834 ; Stanton , 130 ; Jackson . 167 ; Deacon , 205 ; ' and Gibbs , P . ' AI . 15 . The W . M . at this , his first opportunity for work since his installation , had the gratification of admitting to

the light Messrs . Tliomas Gilbert and Henry Charles Jeffreys . The ceremony was performed in a very able and impressive manner , and Bro . Simmons bids fair to prove the reverse of an exception to the efficient bead roll of Alasters of this energetic lodge . After labour the brethren

adjourned to refreshment , where after the usual loyal toasts , briefly prefaced by the W . AL , and heartily responded to by thc brethren , Bro . Henry Smith , LP . AL , proposed " The health of the W . M ., " and highly eulogised the proficiency displayed by him in working that evening . The W . M . briefly responded , and in proposing

the toast of " The Visitors , remarked upon the happiness the Burgoyne Lodge always experienced in seeing a numerous attendance of guests at its table . The visitors replied individually at some length , each one remarking on the truly Alasonic concord displayed in the lodge , Bro . Stanton observinsr that this was to him

peculiarly conspicuous , and a subject on which he might be presumed to be well qualified to speak inasmuch , as he had seen the working of Alasonry in numerous lodges in every country in Europe , and the brotherly love and good feeling displayed by the Burgoyne , he had never seen

surpassed , nor had its proficiency been excelled b y lodges which clained to be more influential and were certainly more strong in number . In response to the toast of the initiates Bros . Gilbert and Jefterys , concurred in expressing their sense of the impressiveness of the ceremony , enhanced

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

as it was by the rendering of the W . AI . Bro . Poynter , P . M . and Treasurer , responded to the toast of his health , with which had been coupled that of the esteemed Secretary , Bro . Scotcher , unfortunately absent through ill health . After a feeling allusion tothe cause of this worthy

brother ' s place at the table being vacant , Bro . Poynter observed that all thc visiting brethren had remarked on the good feeling and unanimity that appeared to prevail among the members of the Burgoyne . He ( Bro . Poynter ) could assure the visitors they were always so pleased to meet

around that festive Doard , that what they noticed on any one occasion might be taken as an indication ofthe normal state ofthe lodge , they were , he , the speaker , was thankful to say , always in amity . One of the visiting brethren had alluded to lodges more numerous in their members , but

he ( Bro . Poynter ) would remind his worthy brother of what was sometimes said inanother p lacein an arena for the discussion of subjects most properly prohibited among Freemasons—there it was propounded that votes must be wei g hed as well as counted ; the same thing held o-ood of

Alasonry , and the influence of a lodge must be measured more b y the quality than by the number of its members—more b y the excellence , or the reverse , of its working than by its numerical strength . The volunteer corps from which the Burgoyne Lodge sprang had for its motto the proud

boast " Peritia potuis quam vi "—a motto that rendered obligatory upon those who assumed itinexorabl y obligatory , if they would escape the charge of a nauseating vainglorious egotism , indefatigable assiduity in the acquisition of ability . He claimed , however , for the Burgoyne Lodge

the ri ght to bear the motto of its parent corps , he believed that they had hitherto proved , and trusted that in the future they would continue to prove , true to the tradition that whatever influence they as Alasons had already or hoped in the future to acquire , should be by skill rather than by strength .

( Cheers ) . The Wardens and Junior Officers , having been duly honoured , the evening ' s entertainment , which had been enlivened by some capital songs , and recitations by the brethren , concluded with the Tyler ' s toast , and the company separated .

AIAC-DONALD LODGE ( AO . 1216 . )—In evidence of the continued prosperity of this well-known lodge , an important emergency meeting was held at the Head Quarters of the First Surrey Rifles , at Camberwell , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst . The W . AL , Bro . S . H . Wagstaif , was supported

by his LP . AL Bro . James Stevens , Bros . G . Waterell , S . W . ; John Thomas , P . AL , as J . W ., ( in the absence of Bro . Bridges , at the festival ot the Boy ' s School ) ; Dr . Eugene Cronin , Treas ; J . J . Curtis , Sec . ; Hastie , J . D . ; Larlham , I . G . and a large number of members and visitors ,

amongst the latter being Bros . Lazarus , P . AL ; Gompertz , P . AL ; Copestake , P . AL , and several others . The lodge was opened shortly after four o ' clock , and , with an interval of about half an hour for refreshments , working was continued until nearly eleven . The business consisted of

raising Bros . W . Gray , W . S . Cockett , A . Wilson , and J . B . Schott ; passing Bros . R . H . Garland , ancl W . C . Hale ; and initiating Alessrs . H . T . Peckham , and T . A . Harper . The greater portion of each ceremony MUS performed separately for the respective candidates , a mode of

working which not only secures a due appreciation of each degree by the recipients thereof , but tends greatly to the utmost perfection in every officer of the lodge . On this occasion the great exertions of the W . AL and his assistants were crowned with great success , and during the

interval for refreshment , the visitors generally , and Bro . Lazarus ( who is a well-known Alason of jjo years standing ) particularly congratulated the lodge on having gratified them with an exhibition of thorough Alasonic working . We had the pleasure to learn that although onl y established less than four years , the Alacdonald Lodge has

secured itsexceedmgl y handsome and appropriate furniture free from all liability , besides having liberally supported the Alasonic charities , and ex ^ tended its hospitality without stint . We cordially wish the lodge continued prosperity , and acknowledge the courtesy with which we , in common with all its visitors , have ever been received at its meetings .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN LODGE OK INSTRUCTION . — This flourishing lodge met on Friday evening , the 15 th inst ., at the Portugal Hotel , Fleetstreet , for the purpose of working the fifteen sections . Bro . Hogard , S . W . 20 i , in the chair ,

supported by Bro . Brett , P . G . P ., the worthy Pre * ceptor of the lodge as P . AI . ; Bros . Willing , S . W . ; Dwarber , J . AV . ; and an assemblage of fourty-four brethren . The sections were most ably worked by tlie W . AL , assisted b y the follow * insr brethren , namely in the

J'IRST LECTURE . First Sec Bro . Swallow . Second „ Lemann . Third „ Mander .

Fourth „ Brett . Fifth „ Alander . Sixth „ Annett , Seventh Colton .

SECOND LECTURE . First Sec Bro . Lee . Second „ Lemann , Third „ Brett , Fourth „ Stacey . Fifth Brett ' .

THIRD LECTURE . First Sec . Bro . Dwarber . Second ... „ Higgins . Third „ A . W . Stead , The W . AL having risen for the first and second

time , several brethren were proposed as joining members , and on his rising for the third time , Bro . Brett proposed , and Bro . Stacey seconded a resolution , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes of the lodge to Bro . Hogard , for the efficient manner in which he had fulfilled the

onerous duties ofthe chair , also , that as a further mark of their appreciation of his services , he be elected an honorary member of the lodge . This was carried unanimously , and after Bro . Hogard had briefly expressed his acknowledgements of the honour conferred upon him , the lodge was closed in due form and with solemn prayer , and

adjourned . This Lodge of Instruction meets every Friday evening at 7 o ' clock , and when we say that Bro . Brett is the Preceptor we need add no remarks as to the way in which the ceremonies and sections are worked , but can heartily recommend those brethren in search of Alasonic know * ledge to pay it a visit .

DERBYSHIRE . DERBY . —Arboretum Lodge . ( No . 7 . 31 . ) The anniversary meeting of the above lodge was celebrated at the Alasonic Hall , Arboretum Hotel , Litchurch , Derby , on Wednesday the 13 th inst . The lodge was opened at 2 . 30 ., when Bro . John Smith , P . AL , was for the second time installed

as W . AL of the lodge . The installation ceremony being performed by Bro . Thomas Cox , P . G . R . The W . AI . appointed the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year r—T . R . Gee , S . W . ; J . C . Alerry , J . W . j W . H . Burton , Treasr . ; R . Bennett , Sec ; F . H . Wilton , D . C . :

T . H . Warner , S . D . ; C . Dersantory , J . D . ; G . H . Sheffield . J . G , ; J . Thompson , Organist ; J . R . Reed , and II . Foulkes , Stewards ; and W . Stone , Tyler . After the ordinary Craft lodge business had been disposed of , the brethren adjourned to a splendid banquet ; provided by Bro .

Baldock , in his usual faultless manner . Bro . J . Smith , W . AL , presided , Bro . T . K .. Gee , S . W ., being in the vice-chair . In proposing the toast of " the officers , " the W . AL presented to Bro . Gee , on his retirement from the secretaryship , a very handsome silver tea and coffee service ,

subscribed for by the members ofthe lodge , to mark their appreciation of his efficient discharge of the duties of secretary during the past four years . A Past Alasters jewel ( manufactured by Bro . Kenning ) , was also presented to Bro . Gribble , the immediate Past Master , the W . AI . leaving the

room for a few minutes to present it personally , Bro . Gribble being indisposed and unable to attend . Bro . Pearsall ( Litchfield Cathedral ) sung in his usual excellent style ; and Bro . Bedsmore ( organist of Litchfield Cathedral ) presided at the

harmonium with great ability . Amongst the Brethren present , in addition to the officers , were . G . T . Wright , P . M . ; J . Cox , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; H . Hillam , P . Prov . G . S . ; F . Campion , Prov . G . S . W . ; F . Iliffe , P . Prov . G . D . C . ; T . Roe , jun ., J . AI . Ritchie , G . Carr , A . O . Francis , J ohn