Mark Masonry.

was intended to convey the assurance that his merits had been appreciated , his Masonic talents recognised , and the loss of his presence among them deeply regretted . He ( Bro . Bowden ) was convinced that no eulogiums of his were required , as the best he could say would be imperfectly to describe the value in which he held Bro . Melluish , as a worthy and honoured Mason , whose presence in St . John's Lodge had shed such a lustre over its meetings . In presenting him with this mark of regard

from the brethren , he would hope that the G . A . O . T . U . would grant to their brother long life and many honours , and at last receive him into the Grand Lodge above , to shine like the stars for ever and ever . Bro . Melluish , who was much affectod with the kindness shown him , spoke at some length , and descanted upon the teachings of Freemasonry , and cordially thanked the brethren for the unexpected honour shown him . He should

regard this day as a red-letter day in his life ; and when he looked upon the largo number of brethren present , he felt it was to do him honour . However imperfectly he had deserved all their consideration and forbearance , the kindness he had received would ever live in his memory and stimulate him to deserve the respect aud esteem of those with whom he associated . He should cherish the jewel which hung * from his breastas it

, would call to his mind one of the most pleasing incidents of his life—that he carried away with it the esteem and regard of the members of St . John ' s Lodge . The lodge having been closed , the brethren partook of a substantial supper in the lodge room , aud the usual Masonic toasts having been duly honoured , some excellent harmony was produced ; and the brethren separated at a late hour , having spent a very convivial meeting .

LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —Soioe Lodge ( No . 21 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Friday evening , the 27 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . Kelly , P . Prov . G . M . M . The following members were also present : —Bros . Pettifor , W . M . -, Weare , and Herbert , together with Bro BankartP . M . 19 and several other brethren of that lod

, , ge . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of the last lodge read and confirmed , a ballot was taken for the following members of the Rutland Lodge ( No . 1 , 130 ) , Melton Mowbray , as candidates for the degree , viz ., Bros . Rev . VV . K . Robinson , AV . M . ; Rev . W . Langley , S . W . ; H . Douglas , J . W . ; J . E . Bright , and W . Main , who were duly elected , and the first three being in attendance were advanced in due form ; the

acting W . M . also delivering the lecture of the degree . Bro . the Rev . W . K . Robinson was then elected W . M . for the ensuing year , subject to a dispensation from the M . W . G . M . of Mark Masters , and , in accordance with the resolution passed at the last lodge , the warrant was then transferred to the Melton brethren , for the degree to be worked in that town ; the former members in Leicester withdrawing from it , having joined Lodge No . 19 . Seven members of the Melton Lodge having been proposed as candidates , the lodge was closed .

Funeral Lodge In Memory Of The Late Bro. Isaac Hawker Bedford, P.M. Of The Howe Lodge (No. 587).

FUNERAL LODGE IN MEMORY OF THE LATE BRO . ISAAC HAWKER BEDFORD , P . M . OF THE HOWE LODGE ( No . 587 ) .

The members of tho above lodge assembled at their lodge-room , at the Masonic Rooms , Newhall-street , Birmingham , on the 26 th ult ., to assist at a faneral lodge in memory of the late Bro . I . H . Bedford , P . M ., who died on the 6 th February last . A large number of brethren and visitors were present , including the following : —Bros . B . W . Goode , W . M ., 587 ; E . Ratcliffe , S . W ., 587 ; J . V .

Solomon , J . W . 587 ; Rev . W . B . Smith , Chap ., 587 ; J . Dawson , P . M . 587 ; H . Weiss , Almoner 587 ; J " . Weiss , I . G . 587 ; J . D . Beaumont , 587 ; J . Pursall , P . M . 74 ; M . "W . "Wilson , P . M . 794 ; T . Bragg , W . M . 739 ; J . Brao-g , P . M 74 ; E . O . Thomas , P . M . 43 ; W . J . Scofiekl , W . M . 43 ; S . Wood , S . W . 74 ; Major Hibbert , P . uf . 887 ; Captain Salt , P . M . 887 ; Captain Green , W . M . 887 ; G . P .

Wragge , W . M . 468 ; J . Archer , P . M . 468 ; J . Sfcainton , 0 . 74 ; — Harris , 739 ; B . W . Whitehead , W . M . 925 ; H . Darwin , J . W . 925 ; A . R . Gaul , W . M . 938 ; S . C . Cowan , J . W . 938 ; H . Bourne , W . M . 1 , 016 ; T . Partridge , P . M . 1 , 031 ; W . Davis , P . M . 1 , 031 ; J . Berresford , I . G .

Funeral Lodge In Memory Of The Late Bro. Isaac Hawker Bedford, P.M. Of The Howe Lodge (No. 587).

1 , 163 ; F . Cohen , . SW . 1 , 180 ; T . Godson , S . W . 1 , 177 ; and others . The lodge room was hung with black cloth ; and in the centre was placed a cenotaph , surrounded by eight lights , enclosed by three lights , arranged in the form of a triangle , on ¦ which the Masonic decorations of the

deceased brother were laid . The members of the lodge wore black crape on the rosettes and tassels of their badges . The ceremony commenced with music . —( Organ)—A Dead March . The brethren then entered in procession . Proclamation . — "To having pleased the Great

Architect of the Universe to take unto himself our much , beloved Bro . Isaac Hawker Bedford , who departed this life , in hope of an eternal one , on Thursday , the Sixth day of February last , this solemn assembly is convened to enable us to testify our sincere regard for his memory by celebrating his obsequies according to the ancienfc custom of our Craft . "

Requiem ( from a Mass in D Minor for Men ' s voices—Cherubim ) . —Requiem aefcernam dona eis , Domine , efc lux perpetua luceat eis . Te deceb hymnus , Dens , in Sion , et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem . Exaudi . orationem meam , ad te omnis caro veniefc .

Versicles—Responses chanted . Master—What man is he that liveth , and shall not seedeath ? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave ? Brethren—Man walkethin a vain shadow : he heapeth up riches , and cannot tell who shall gather them . Master—When he dieth , he shall carry nothing away ;

his glory shall not descend after him . Brethren—Naked he ' came into the world , and naked he must return . Master—The Lord gave , and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord . Then grand honours were given in adoration of the Most High ; and the brethren bent in token of sympathy

with the relatives of the deceased brother . ( Organ)—The Dead March in " Saul" —Handel . During the music the brethren moved moved slowly round the cenotaph , and scattered herbs and flowers upon it , which were afterwards collected and formed into a wreath , and hung over the deceased brother ' s place in the lodge during the period of mourning . The Master theu took the Sacred Roll into his hands and elevated it , to indicate that therein we may learn the way to life eternal .

Versicles—Responses chanted . Master—Let us die the death of the righteous , and let our last end be like his ! Brethren—God is our God for ever and ever ; He will be our guide even unto death . The Secretary having read from the roll of the lodge the name , age , and Masonic rank of the deceased , and his enlogium , the Master ordered the roll to be deposited in the archives of the lodge .

V ersicles—Responses chanted . Master—Almighty Father ! into Thy hands we commend the soul of our loving brother . Brethren—the will of God is accomplished;—so mote it be . Sung thrice , with grand honours each time . Kyrie eleison , Christe eleison .

Prayer . Chaplain—Most glorions God ! Author of all good , and Giver of all Mercy ! Pour down Thy blessings upon us , and strengthen our solemn engagements with the ties of sincere affection ! May the present instance of mortality remind us of our approaching end , and draw our thoughts to Thee , the only refuge in time of need I Teach us so to number our days , that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom ; and grant that when the awful