Secret Monitor.

harmony have been crowned with success . Under his rule the Order has more than held its own , both at home and abroad . The following circular has lately been issued to all Conclaves of the Order , and as it gives the teachings of the Order in a condensed form , we are pleased to print it in externa ;

To THE SUPREME RULER , CONCLAVE No DEAR SIR AND WORTHY BROTHER , The Grand Visitors in a recent report to the Grand Council refer to an occasional failure , on the part of Visiting Deacons of Conclaves , to appreciate the real gist and principle of this Order as administered by our Grand Council , which , in their opinion , merits the attention of all Supreme Rulers and other Officers .

They point out that the fundamental principle underlying all the teaching of the Order , with regard to the duties of Conclaves , is summed up in the words of the ritual " to give friendly monition and warning in time of danger , and to afford support and assistance in time of sorrow and distress , &< :., " and that the function imposed upon Visiting Deacons at their appointment— " to | search out and visit , & c , & c . "—is that of Officers selected to discharge , on behalf of the

Conclave , this duty of keeping in touch with the rest of the brethren , and of conveying to the Conclave , at its periodical meetings , the tidings of their welfare , or otherwise . The Grand Visitors think that such a reply to the usual question as " I have nothing to report , Supreme Ruler , " should-certainly never be heard , or , if heard , should be taken as an indication ofthe Visiting Brother ' s want of interest in the Conclave or the Order , as well as a falling short in tTie execution of the charge imposed upon him at his investiture .

The Grand Council adopted this report , and ordered a circular on the matter to be prepared and distributed to the Supreme Rulers of all the Conclaves . The existence oi four Visiting Deacons in each Conclave should prevent the duty from becoming burdensome to any one , and it is desired that a Bro . Visiting Deacon should be a welcome sharer of his brother ' s joys , and a cheering comforter in his

griefs . A visit from such a discreet official should never be resented by any brother , while to a young or perplexed member , or to one who " stands in slippery places , " such a visit may bring a blessing unspeakable . I am , Dear Sir and Worthy Brother , Yours truly and fraternally , The headquarters of the Order are now at the Hotel Cecil ) W . C , where it is proposed to hold all future meetings .

The New Dep. G. Master Of England.

THE NEW DEP . G . MASTER OF ENGLAND .

Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick , on whom his Royal Highness the M . W . G . Master has been pleased to confer the oflice of Dep . G . Master of England , vacant by the promotion of Bro . Earl Amherst to be Pro G . Master , was initiated , during his academic career at Christ Church , Oxford , in the Churchill Lodge , No . 478 , and very shortly afterwards—in 1874—was elected a joining member of the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 . In 1882 , on the death of Bro . Lord Tenterden , Prov . 'G . Master of Essex , his lordship—then Lord Brooke—was appointed to succeed him , and had the honour of being installed in

office by the late Duke of Albany , of whom he was a Masonic contemporary at the University . Since then he has proved himself one of the most ablest and genial of Provincial rulers , as well as a most liberal supporter of our Institutions . In 1884 he signalised his appointment as Prov . G . Master by presiding at the Girls' School Festival ; while in 18 93 he performed a similar service for the Boys' School . He is also , we believe , n Mark Mason—at all events , he has very kindly consented to preside at the Festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent Fund next year—and he is Grand Supreme Ruler of the Order of the Secret Monitor .

Ladies' Night Of The De Grey And Ripon Lodge, No. 1161.

LADIES' NIGHT OF THE DE GREY AND RIPON LODGE , No . 1161 .

The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 2 ist inst . There being no work on , it had been arranged to hold a ladies' social . So the lodge being closed , the brethren and ladies adjourned to the banqueting room , where a recherche repast was provided . Bro . H . M . MASSINCIIAM , W . M ., after briefly giving "The Queen and the rest of the Royal Family , " called upon Bro . O . M . Jones , l . P . M ., to propose the health of the ladies .

Bro . J ONES , in proposing the toast , said he was sure all the brethren present would agree with him when he said that they were proud to have the ladies amongst them , and he hoped ihat this would not be the last time that they would be with them , but rather the beginning of many such gatherings . He ( Bro . Jones ) wished that the toast had fallen into abler hands than his , as he knew that he was unable to extol nil the virtues and good qualities that they ( the ladies ) possessed .

Bro . ANDERTON , P . M ., responded for the ladies in a humorous speech , which evoked much amusement . Upon Bro . BUCKLEY CARR , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . of C , devolved the toast of the evening , "The W . M . of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge . " He said this was a very . important toast , and one that he would ask them to drink with deep feeling , as in Bro . Massingham the lodge possessed a good man and an honour-

Ladies' Night Of The De Grey And Ripon Lodge, No. 1161.

able brother—one , who though he had not been granted the best of health , had always been ready for any work , no matter how arduous , if it was for the welfare of his lodge . The W . M ., who was received with an ovation , in responding , said he

thanked Bro . Carr for his kind remarks , and the brethren for so loyally sup . porting them ; and said that he had always tried to do his best for the lodge , and wished for nothing more than the approbation of his brethren , which had been so enthusiastically accorded to him that evening , and which made him feel the high honour which was his in being the W . M . of his lodge .

After the banquet the ladies and brethren adjourned to the lodge room , which had been tastefully arranged , to pass the evening in listening to a first-class concert , which had been got up by the brethren and their friends , and which consisted of songs , flute and pianoforte solos , and recitations . The company present were as follows : Bro . H . M . Massingham , W . M ., and Mrs . Massingham ; Bro . J . Schofield , S . W ., and Mrs . Schofield : Bro . Walter

Cockerham , J . W ., and Mrs . Cockerham ; Bro . J . T . C . Blackie , S . D ., and Mrs . Blackie ; Bro . J . Brownhill , I . G ., and Mrs . Brownhill ; Bro . O . M . Jones , P . M ., and Miss Jones ; Bro . Buckley Carr , P . M ., P . P . D . G . D . of C , and Mrs . Carr ; Bro . Vlies , P . M . ; Bro . C . G . Balls and Mrs . Balls ; Bro . G . Thomas and lady friend ; Bro . G . J . Critchley and Miss Barnes j Bro . Ellinger , P , M ., and Mrs .

Lllinger ; Bro . Lobel , P . M ., and Mrs . Lobel ; Bro . Anderton , P . M . ; Bro . R . Dottie , P . M ., and Miss Dottie ; Bro . J . Richards , Sec . ; Bro . Bentley and Mrs . Bentley ; Bro . Dixon and Mrs . Dixon ; Bro . Burrow and Miss Burrow ; Bro . C . F . Norbury ; Bro . J . Irlam and Mrs . Irlam ; Bro . Oliver Gaggs ; Mr . and Mrs . Sharpies ; and Messrs . Leach , Shaw , and Lewis .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Good Fellowship , No . 276 . The annual installation meeting of the above lodge was held at the Crane Court Rooms , Chelmsford , on the 21 st inst ., when Bro . Fred . Spalding was installed as W . M ., the ceremony being impressively carried out by Bro . Robt . Cook , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Subsequently the newly-installed W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . G . H . Nichols , l . P . M . ; S . A . Mugford , S . W . ; Lewis Beale , J . W . ; the Rev . F . B . Shepherd , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . Chap ., Chap , j J . P . Lewin , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of

Works , Treas . ; E . Shead , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Sec . ; J . C . Cresswell , S . D . ; Frank Brown , J . D . ; A . Durrant , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . P . G . Treas ., D . of C : P . P . Sutthery , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Org . ; F . W . B . Stacker , I . G . ; J . Tomlinson , Librarian ; G . D . Norman and W . Cowell , Stwds . ; and W . Hollingsworth , Tyler . Among the visitors present were Bros . T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; G . Wright , 51 ; C . E . Turnbull , 190 j J . Hollis , 394 ; R . F . Brick Dale , 1623 ; A . T . G . Woods , 2707 ; F . W . Armour , 2707 ; A . J . Bennett , P . M ; ¦// ¦¦ i ia tv 1 /* nuuir 11 iiai

y , •J- v-. " = >» , ....... v ... . , K . »» . , aiu 4 , . -jarvis , 1400 ; ana C . G . Brown , 2565 . During the course of the proceedings Bro . Robert Cook made a handsome presentation to the lodge , consisting of an illuminated list of the Masters of the lodge since 1770 ( the earliest record ) down to 1 SS 9 , room also being left to extend the list till 1970 , when the lodge will have been 300 years in existence . The list beeins with the name of Bro .

the Rev . W . Cropley , and at present , of course , finishes with the name of Bro . Fred . Spalding , the newly-installed W . M . The letteting is Old English , and around the list is a beautifully-designed border , in which the Masonic emblems are prominent , and Bro . F . W . B . Stocker , whose work this is , can be heartily congratulated upon the success of his labours . The frame in which the list is enclosed is of solid oak , with the Masonic emblems carved upon it .

Subsequently the lodge adjourned to the white Hart Hotel , where the usual banquet was held . Needless to say , an excellent repast was served by Bro . C . W . Home . The menu card was of an artistic nature . The back contained a reproduction of the gift to the lodge , reproduced from a photo by Bro . Spalding , while inside were reproductions of photos of the new W . M ., the Installing Master , Bro . G . H . Nichols , l . P . M . ; Bros . S . A . Mugford , S . W ., and Lewis Beale , J . W . ; the card , in fact , forming a pleasing souvenir of the installation meeting of iSnS .

Menturia Lodge , No . 418 . The installation meeting of this lodge wis held at the Misoiic Hill , Hinley , on Tuesday , the 20 th inst ., when Bro . E . V . Greatbatch , P . P . S . G . W ., wis installed as W . M . Bro . Greatbatch was Master of the lodge in 1 SS 7 , and , b ; ing an earnest supporter of Freemasonry , he accepted the office a second tim :, to which he was elected owing to the death of the Senior Warden , Bro . T . C . Slan-y . Bro . Greatbatch has served the office of W . M . of the St . Michael ' s LjdceNo . 24 S 7 to which he wis

, , elected after the death of the Senior Warden of thit lodje in 1 S 96 . The cerem jay of installation was psrformed by Bro . S . Salt , the retiring VV . M ., assisted bv Bros . lohn Bromley , P . P . S . G . W . j F . Brandon . P . P . G . R . ; E . E ? Scrivener , P . P . S . G . D . YE ° B . Devereux , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Windle , P . P . S . G . D . ; D . Jones , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Allerton , P . M . ; and C . F . Baker , P . M . The following were the officers appointed for the year : Bros . H . J . Hall , S . W . j J . T . Fenton , J . W . ; W . Hampton ' P . P . J . G . D ., Treas . ; J . A . Audley , Sec ; J . Birchall , S . L ) . ; E . S . Insull . J . D . J . T . i atn

nowson , r .-. u . . or ., D . L ,. ; B . M . north , Org . j K . W . Day , I . G . ; J . Edwards and D . Hughes , Stwds . j and W . Wood , Tyler . Tnere wire over 100 brethren in lodge during the ceremony , including over 40 visitors , and the Burd of Installed Masters beat record at Hanley , and probably in Staffordshire , at an installation , numbering over 50 . Besides those mentioned , there were present : Bros . G . Ellis ( Mayor of H inlev ) E . B . Jackson , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Edmund Jones , P . P . G . S . ; W . Edwards , P . P . G . O . ' ;

- \ . , . „ !* h ; - . 3 e - w - hanley . J- Hinchclrdj , J . Edwards , E . Cap : well , S . El 4 . . > \ Si & 'J-P roOTt ' > S . Scothcrn , G . G . Hiles , C . Osborne , T . G . Poole , } K * 7 , ' ? , ; , £ e-W . Jackson , James Goodson , J . Wallace , S . W . Raynes , A . Wenger , W . H . Walker , H . J . Cover , G . Barlow , J . Pennington . A . Stanway , A . Ellis , W . Palmer , J . J . Butey , F . Tunnicliffe , W . Ashmall , R . H . Rhead , L . J . Jahn , S . Till , F . C . Wardle , J . Thorley , and B . Horth ; while the visiting brethren included Bros . G . C . Kent , 546 , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; W . R . Blair , 546 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . W . Bromley , 545 , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . Dain , nS . P . P . J . G . W .: T . H . Griffiths . < uS . P / P . G . W . , R tnnfh '

2214 , P . P . G . R . ; J . M . Wood , 2489 , P . P . G . R . ; W . J . J . W . Heath , 2140 , P . P . L G D . ; J . Eardley , C 37 . P . P . J . G . D . ; the Rev . E . D . Boothman , 2149 , P . P . & . O , 1 Newton , 451 , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ; and F . Skerrett , 460 , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . After lodge had been closed , the brethren adjourned to the Town Hall , where a most excellent dinner was provided . The W . M . presided , and after the banquet proposed "The Oueen" an J "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England . " " Bro . Windle proposed the toistof "The Masonic Charities . "

. ' £ he 3 * n ? ' proposed "The R . W . D . G . M . of England , the Earl of Amherst , and the Officers of the Grand Lodge . " Bro . G . C . Kent , who responded , remarked that that was the third time that he had been present at the installation of Bro . Greatbatch as a W . M . of a lodge . He spoke of Bro . Greatbatch as a most able man and Mason , and referred in complimentary terms to the way the ceremony had been conducted , making special mention of the efficiency of the D . of C , Bro . David Jones . 1 } -. Allarfr .. « « . nn »^ A ^ «* rl— U 1 . 1- -c iL- r » - 1 . vv- _ ., n . . n . rtircrron ¦ neaicn tne the Earl

, uro . propose-- ne or Kignt Hon . of Dartmouth , Prov . GM . of Staffordshire , " and this was followed by the toast of "Bro . Col . G W Walker , Dep . Prov . G . M ., and Officers of Prov . G . Lodge , Present and Past , " proposed by Bto . R . W . Day , and acknowledged by Bros . John Bromley and David Jones . "The Health of the W . M ., " proposed by Bro . Salt , was drunk with Masonic honours , and liro . Hinchclirte sang a song with a chorus , composed for the occasion which was sung by the whole of the brethren present . ' Bro . Greatbatch responded in felicitous terms , and the other toasts havine been dulv honoured , the brethren separated . " . *