Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Foulsham , P . M . AA " . Sov ., in a style well calculated to make a dee and lasting impression upon the assembled brethren . The M . AV Sov . having been saluted as such by the brethren present , he appointed the following officers for the ensuing year , viz .: —¦ Bros . AV . Punshon , P . M . AV . Sov ., Prelate ; AV . Foulsham , P . M . AV . Sov ., 1 st Gen . ; Ablapham , P . M . W . Sov ., 2 nd Gen . ; H . G . Ludwig . P . M . W . Sov . Treas . ; H . HothamP . M . AV . Sov . Recorder

, , , ; R . F . Fook , Grand . Marshal ; J . F . Manito , Capt . of the Guard ; J . S . Trotter , Equerry . The office of Raphael , the M . AV . Sov . stated would be lied up at the next convocation of the chapter . The chapter was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a sumptuous banquet , presided over by the M . AA . Sov . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a thoroughly enjoyable evening spent by tbe brethren .

Presentation Of An Address To Bro. The Rev. R. J. Simpson,

PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO BRO . THE REV . R . J . SIMPSON ,

Past fcr . Chaplain of England , Chaplain of Grey Friars Lodge , 1 , 101 , cj-c , $ e . A deputation from the Grey Friars Lodge , Reading , N ° - 1 , 101 , waited upon Bro . R . J . Simpson at Ms residence on Friday , 25 th Feb ., for the purpose of presenting him with an address , beautifully inscribed on vellum , and handsomely framed .

After partaking of luncheon at Bro . Simpson ' s , the brethren forming the deputation visited the beautiful church of St . Clement Danes , to the rectory of Avhich parish our esteemed brother has recently been appointed . Amongst the brethren accompanying the deputation were Bros John Child and "W . M . Hales , Churchwardens of St . Clement Danes . The address was as follows : —

" To the Very Worshipful tho Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . Chap . England , Chap . Grey Friars Lodge , 1 , 101 , & c . '' Rev . and Dear Bro ., —AYe , the Master , AVardens , and brethren of the Grey Friars Lodge , 1 , 101 , in open lodge assembled , beg most respectfully to offer you onr sincere congratulations on your appointment to the important Rectory of St . Clement Danes , London .

" It is with feelings of pleasure mingled with regret , that we offer this slight tribute of our affection and esteem . : of pleasure , as you are now placed where your energies and kindness of heart have that scope for which you are so eminently qualified , and must be felt by all with whom you may come in contact ; but , on the other hand , we regret to lose one so highly valued from this

province . " AVe hope you may have health and long lifo in youi new and extended sphere ; and that it may please the Great Architect of the Universe to bless all 3-0111- undertakings , is the sincere desire of every member of this . lodge . " Signed ou behalf of the lod ^ e , " U . HuitLEY , AV . M . " J . GitKEXi'lELD , Hon . Sec . " August 9 th , 1869 .

Bro Simpson made the following reply : — " To the AV . M ., Wardens , and Brethren of tho Grey Friars Lodge , Reading , 1 , 101 . " My dear Brother Masons , —I am deeply moved by the fraternal feeling which has prompted you to honour moAvith an address of congratulation on my appointment to tho Rectory of St . Clement Danes . Although this

kind act has taken me by happy surprise , yet it is quite in harmony with the cordial , nay , affectionate consideration which I have always received from the brethren at Reading , especially those ofthe Grey Friars Lodge , with whom I have been more particularly associated . Nor can I forgot tho prominent part which my Reading brethren took on a recent occasion , when the Provincial Grand

Lodge of Berks and Bucks Avas good enough to present me with a handsome and valuable gift on my leaving the province and removing to Kensington . "Every move upon the shifting scene of life is attended

Presentation Of An Address To Bro. The Rev. R. J. Simpson,

with some drawback or trial , and I can sincerely say , that whether on the former or the present occasion , one of the greatest trials to me has been parting from many who were not only Brother Masons , but tried and valued friends . This trial , however , is much lessened by the fact that the distance between London and Reading is such as to admit of our sometimes meeting again , and

renewing some of those happy memories which have gladdened many hours in the past . "I am thankful to say that my appointment to the Rectory of St . Clement Danes is indeed a subject of congratulation , and this for many reasons . But amongst these I would specially mention two— -namely , the excellent public spirit which animates our leading men , and

the fact that a large proportion of these leading men aregood and zealous Masons . " I thank you from my heart for your kind words and good wishes . These shall ever hold a grateful spot in my memory , and shall bo incentives to future exertion ia diffusing the blessed light of 'the Bright and Morning Star , ' and in producing that ' brotherly love , relief , and

truth' which , as Masons , we so justly prize . Be assured , brethren , your generous wishes are sincerely reciprocated , and I fervently trust that the Most High may pour down upon you and every member of our lodge ' the continual dew of His blessing , ' uniting us in the bonds of a faith . ' firm and pure , of a hope bright and stedfast , and of a charity that ' never faileth . ' "Believe me , ever yours , with fraternal and affectionate regard . " " R . J . SIMPSON . " 5 , Russell-square , Feb . 25 th , 1870 . "

Britannic Lodge Centenary.

BRITANNIC LODGE CENTENARY .

The M . AV . Grand Alaster having granted permission to the Britannic Lodge for its members to wear a centenary jewel in celebration of the lodge having enjoyed an uninterrupted existence of upwards of a hundred years ( having , in fact , been originally established as far back as the year 1730 ) , the following circular was issued by the Secretary : —

" 18 th February , 1870 . " Dear Sir and Brother , —I am desired to communicate to you the following resolution , unanimously passed at the meeting of tho lodge on Friday , the llth instant , on tho subject of the centenary jewel recently granted to the lodge by the M . W . the Grand Alaster : — " ' That the banquet at the ordinary lodge meeting to

bo hold on Friday , the llth of March next , be considered as a banquet in celebration of tho centenary of this lodge , and that the AA . Master bo requested to invite the Grand Officers for tbe year , and such other members of Grand Lodge as he may think desirable to meet the lodge on that occasion . " * * * * * * Bro . Charles Horsley , a member of the lodge , a few

meetings ago , having called the attention of the W . M . to the fact that the lodge had existed and flourished nearly 110 years—and that other lodges , numerically smaller and of less importance , had received permission to wear the centenay jewel , he suggested , to the W . M . that application should be made to the G . M ., for a similar privilege , which would readily be granted , and advised that such

application should be made . Several brethren supported the views of Bro . liorsley , and the AV . M ., Bro . Shields , thanked that brother iu the name of the lodge , and promised that the suggestion should bo acted upon . Iu accordance with that pledge of the W . M ., tbe G . Sec , Bro . J . Hervey , was communicated with , and many interesting circumstances connected with the history of this lodge , which , although well known to some of the older members , are not known to many of the present olB .-