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Though sad , 'tis sweet to mourn him gone , And of his conduct say , " Well donel Good steward of the Great Most High . " Let ' s imitate our Master here , And blessed memory ' s soft tear Shall yield pure faithful sympathy .- ^ ClIO .

WABWICKSHIEE . Birmingham . —Howe Lodge ( No . 837 ) . —The customary jewel was voted by the Brethren of this Lodge to their immediate P . M . Bro . Isaac Hawker Bedford , on his retirement from office in January last ; but many of the members being of opinion that as Bro . Bedford already possessed this mark of distinction , as a P . M . of St . Paul ' s Lodge , No . 51 , such a gift was superfluous , resolved to substitute a more substantial token of the regard which they entertain for him as

a man , and of the obligations which they are under to him as a Mason . A subscription was accordingly proposed , and filled immediately , for the purchase of a costly silver tea-service , which was presented to Bro . Bedford , at the meeting in April , by Bro . John Ward Lloyd , the first Master of the Lodge . Bro . Lloyd prefaced the act by an address delivered in a tone of kindest feeling and brotherly love , and was responded to by Bro . Bedford in a manner ~ which evinced how sensibly he appreciated this token of regard from a Lodge of which he was one of the most active originators , and has been one of the most energetic supporters ;

observing that , whilst he thanked the Brethren very cordially for this splendid token of their esteem—a token far exceeding in value anything of a similar nature which , for many years past , had been awarded in this part of the province to a member of a private Lodge—he could not but be aware that it was not so much intended by them to reward his personal services , as to express their approbation of , and their unflinching adherence to , that course of pure Masonic theory , and corresponding practice , which he , in conjunction with the other founders of the Howe Lodge , had strenuously endeavoured to uphold .

YOBKSHIBE . Bradford . —Lodge of Harmony ( No . 874 ) . —This Lodge , which was consecrated April 17 , 1852 , we are pleased to learn , under the excellent working and zeal of the W . M . and Officers , has been steadily progressing since its opening , and thirteen Brethren from other Lodges joined the Lodge of Harmony , and twenty-four worthy men were initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . Having

paid off all expenses for furnishing the new Lodge in the first year of its existence , sufficient funds accumulated to vote in 1853 , £ 10 to the Boyal Annuity Fund ; £ 5 in 1854 , and £ 2 2 s . in 1855 , which falling off may be accounted for by the present erection of a new Masonic Hall , for the exclusive use of the Lodge , the furnishing of which will partly be contributed from the Lodge fund , and partly by voluntary subscriptions among the Brethren .

The one year ' s collections of our Charity bo * , for the benefit of the building for the Boys' School , will add no doubt an acceptable sum to this laudable purpose . We have further to record from the Minutes of previous years that W . Bro . Unna , P . M . and P . P . G . A ., was presented on the 19 th of January , 1854 , with a P . M . ' s jewel and collar , in acknowledgment of his zeal and past good

services during his year of office . A similar testimony of respect and esteem was given to his successor , W . Bro . Newman , P . M ., on the 29 th January , 1855 , in open Lodge , by the present W . M . Bro . J . Ward , accompanied by a feeling address in the name of the Brethren , and his personal thanks , for having relieved him of his office during a period when family affliction kept him from it .

On our last meeting , 19 th April , Bro . P . Sutcliffe , Zetland Lodge , No . 877 , was elected as a joining member , after which S . O . Bailey and S . Jackson were balloted for , and duly elected and initiated in the mysteries of Freemasonry ; the charges and working tools were given by the W . M . Bro . Ward , in his usual impressive manner . A committee was then appointed to report on and execute the furnishing of the new Lodge rooms . The Lodge was then adjourned from labour to refreshment , and a cordial evening was spent , intermixed with many loyal