Grand Lodge.

Rackstraw , P . M ., No . 9 ; Norman , P . M ., No . 200 ; Thompson , No . 206 ; Imhof , No . 57 ; Nutt , No . 78 ; Robinson , No . IOC , & c . Bro . It . M . Smith , W . M ., presided , and the Lodge was opened soon after twelve o ' clock . The first business of the day was to raise Bros . Finch , Oharlwood , and Reed ( the latter gentleman afflicted by perpetual darkness ) , to the sublime degree of M . M ., in . 1 most impressive manner . Bro . Ashton was passed to tho second degree . The W . M . then proceeded with the

ceremony of installation , Bro . Anslow being for tho time S . AV .,- and Bro . John Gurtou , J . AA . Bro . Purbrook , the AV . M . elect , being presented , the AV . M ,, iu a most able and impressive manner , installed him as his successor in the chair for tho ensuing twelve months . Tho customary salutes having been given to the AA . M ., he nominated his officers as follows : —Bros . Hsndford , S / W . ; Palmer , J . AA . ; H . T . Thompson , S . D . ; Oliver , J . D . ; J . Smith , I . G . ; Hill , Treasurer ; and Blackburn , Secretary . The AV . M . thou proceeded to initiate Messrs . Moore , Hazelman , Fincher , and Mart into the

yn , mysteries of ancient Freemasonry , with a perfection that excited the admiration of all present , many old P . Ms , remarking that they had never seen that impressive rite more carefully or correctly performed . Bro . Amos , Organist of tho Lodge , was made an honorary member . The brethren , numbering sixty-three , then retired to the banquet . After the loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , thc AV . M . proposed " The Visitors , " a large number of whom ho had great pleasure to sec present that evening . Bro . Haig , AV . M . of the Globe Lodge ; aud

Bro . Mauley , AA . M . of the Old Concord Lodge , responded ; tho latter remarking that it was most gratifying to him , as a Mason of thirty-three years standiug , to see so flourishing- a Lodge , with so large a number of members , and it was equally gratifying to him to see their AV . M ., who was a mere infant in Freemasonry , go through the ceremony with such nerve and ability on being installed into tho chair , and , indued , it ought to set an example to other Lodges . He hoped , ' with such an able AV . M ., tho brethren would well support him on all occasions . "The Initiates" having been given and responded to , Bro . Smith , P . M ., gave " The Health of the AV . M ., " and said that as ho had only been eighteen months a Mason , it spoke well for the future . The AV . M . acknowledged tho complimentand

, said that the more he trod in the footsteps of their P . M ., tho better . Bro . Smith , P . M ., in returning thanks for the P . Ms , in the Lodge said that although he had not done as much as he could have wished , yet he had the honour to initiate twenty members during his year of office , and therefore he had a , right to feel proud of his position , believing as lie did that there were but few old Lodges in which tho AV . M ., on leaving the chair , could say that ho had initiated twenty members . Bro . Watson , P . M ., also responded , and said he was delighted to find the position which their Lodge now occupied in the eyes of the Craftforas Bro . Smith had saidif was no

, , , small boast , it was no small honour to them to say , that although they only met four times a year , with two extra meetings , they had had twenty initiations . Their present AA . M . had that day introduced four of his own personal friends , making twenty-four within twelve months , for the Lodge would not be a year old until that day week . It was going on most gloriously , and to find within twelve mouths a Lodge more than sixty strong , ho said , as one having some experience , that it was one of the most remarkable circumstances which had ever occurred to his

knowledge in Freemasonry . As one of the first to lend a helping hand , ho felt great pride at its prosperity , and he believed that that glorious Lodge was destined at no distant day , to exceed all the Lodges in the Order . He concluded by congratulating tho brethren on the eminent position which-they occupied , and thanked them for the cordial manner in which their names had been received . Bro . Blackburn , Sec . in returning thanks for his health , and that of the Treasurer , said he was happy to say that instead of the Lodge numbering sixty members , there were nearer ei ghty ; aud if the Lod

ge was governed as it had- been during the past year , it could not fail to succeed . The AV . M . then gave "The other Officers of the Lodge . " Bro . Handford , S . AV ., returned thanks , aud said they felt highly honoured at the position in which the W . M . had placed them . That Lodge had been singularly fortunate in finding so many eminent brethren to teach them their duties , particularl y Bros . AYatsonand Anslow , who wore scarcely ever absent from their Lodge of Instruction aud who had taught them what they knew , " The Health of the Auditors" was responded to in a very humourous sneecli by Bro . H . T . Thompson , and , after some 4 A