The Wrekin Lodge, No. 2883.

The Wrekin Lodge , No . 2883 .

r pHE first installation meeting of this lodge was held at I the Hotel Cecil , on Wednesday , January 28 th , in the presence of a large and representative gathering of brethren , when Bro . C . E . Birch , P . M ., P . P . j . G . W . Herts , was installed as Worshipful Master , who then appointed and invested his officers as follows : —Bros . A . Middleton Richards ,

S . W . ; E . J . Gittins , P . M . 179 , P . P . G . S . B . Herts , J . W . ; the Hon . and Rev . G . H . F . Vane , Chaplain ; J . H . Redman , P . M . 262 , P . P . G . W . Shropshire , Treasurer ; C . R . Valentine , P . M ., Secretary ; T . M . Vaughan , S . D . ; E . Eaton , J . D . ; F . H . Dayus , I . G . ; G . Darlington , P . M . 2421 , D . C . ; T . Juckes and S .

Withers , Stewards . The lodge having heen closed , the brethren adjourned to the Victoria Hall to a banquet . In proposing the toast of " The Grand Officers , " the Worshipful Master mentioned that they were honoured with

the presence of several Grand Officers , and coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Godson , P . G . D . ; Dr . J . Beresford Ryley , P . D . G . D . C . ; and J . J . Thomas , P . G . Std . Br ., all of whom returned thanks . The toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers" was

replied to by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Shropshire , Bro . R , J . Venables , P . A . G . D . C . The I . P . M ., Bro . Lord Barnard , P . G . W ., in proposing the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " said he was sure the brethren knew how much the prosperity of the lodge was

due to the Worshipful Master . The Worshipful Master , in replying , stated that the most difficult task he had yet performed was to reply adequately

to the toast given so flatteringly by the I . P . M ., and trusted at the termination of his year of office he would be received with the same acclamation . He then proposed the toast of "The I . P . M ., " and said he was afraid he could not find words in which to give the full appreciation by the brethren of the services rendered and the honour Bro . Lord Barnard

had conferred on them , and he presented his lordship with a Past Master ' s jewel as a small token of their deep gratitude . The I . P . M ., in responding , mentioned that his feelings would not allow him to prepare any set speech , and he was afraid if he had it would not have clone justice to the toast ,

but he was most honestly and sincerely grateful for the very kind manner in which it had been proposed and received . He exlremely regretted that in his position of Provincial Grand Master of Durham he had not been able to devote as much time as he could have wished to the Wrekin

Lodge . The beautiful jewel they had presented , to him would be always in his keeping , and he looked upon it with great affection ; before being seated , however , he wished to give a toast to the brother who had so ably performed the duties of Installing Master , Bro . Benson , who had also done

an immense deal for the good of the lodge . Bro . Benson , in replying , said really no credit was due to him , it was due to the other brethren , who had done so much for the lodge . The Worshipful Master then proposed the toast of " The

Visitors , " to which Bro . Ingpen , K . C ., suitably responded . " The Initiates , " "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast brought a very successful gathering to a close .

"Our Brother's Bed."

" Our Brother ' s Bed . "

THE report on the working of "Our Brother ' s Bed "in the Free Home for the Dying , 29 , North Side , Clapham Common , shows how useful it is to those who have broken down on the way , and the great amount of good for our fellow creatures that can-be clone for a small subscription with careful management .

A VIEW OP THE 1 IOMK . The first and only patient in 18 9 6 hailed from the West Country , a civil engineer , once in a very good position . He was found by a clergyman in Westminster in a most pitiable

condition , discharged as incurable from a hospital , absolutely friendless and penniless . He showed his gratitude for the kindness shown him by leaving his Masonic apron , which he

had always treasured , to the Home , in which it now hangs . The West Country lodges responded nobly to the call made on them . The next patient was a fine old soldier belonging to the Irish Constitution , who lingered for many months before death relieved his sufferings—a terrible case of cancer in the face . And so the work has

gone on , quietly and unostentatiously , and the report now before us tells of the recent cases , which are admitted on the certificate of a doctor that the patient is dying . The report shows that since its

institution nearly 700 Masonic bodies have contributed to its support , many of them being regular subscribers of the small sum asked . It has been suggested to found a bed for women , near relatives of Freemasons , several of whom , suffering

from consumption or internal complaints , having been cared for in their last clays surrounded by every comfort which loving hearts can provide . It speaks well for the Home that of the almoners who have from time to time visited

it , all have made contributions . Visitors are always welcome during the regulation hours , and would be well repaid for their short journey by rail or tram by seeing for themselves the cheerfulness

of the patients and the line old house once inhabited by Sir Charles Barry , looking on to the Common , and having a large garden , which in the summer

months is much appreciated by those able to be moved into it . Bro . George Cowell , P . G . D ., is the Treasurer of " The Bed , " and Bro . Captain Portlock Dadson acts as Honorary Secretary for another year , the Bankers being the National Bank , Charing Cross ; the Bankers of the Free Home itself are Messrs . Hoare , 37 , Fleet Street .