Ar01300

ley , J . Graham , J . W . Pearson , S . Page , and E . F . Potter , to the ancient and honourable degree of Mark Master Masons , Bro . « T . Poore G . I . G . rendering good suite and service during the ceremony . Several names were given in , both for joining and advancement . Business being ended , the Lodge was closed , and adjourned , to meet on tho third Saturday in April . Tho officers wore all appointed

where any vacancy wanted filling , and now comprise Bros . J . W , Baldwin S . W ., T . C . Walls J . W ., W . Dunham M . O ., E . J . Harty S . O ., A . Tisley J . O ., F . Walters P . G . I . G . P . M . Sec , D . Smith S . D ., J . Anstino E . ofM ., A . Havnes J . D ., T . Goodall I . G ., J . II . Pearson D . C , S . Page W . S ., J . Graham C . S ., E F . Potter Tyler . A splendid

banquet and dessert followed , which reflected tho greatest credit on mine host , Bro . C . Gilbert . Tho usual toasts were given and responded to . Songs and recitations brought a pleasant meeting to an agreeable close . There was only one visitor present , Bro . W . Wiggington G . S . of W . 181 .

Sandbach Samaritan Lodge , No . 368 . —The annual meeting of thia Lodge was held at tho George Hotel , on Wednesday , 16 th January , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . Tho W . M . Bro . LI . Makin was supported by his Officers and above thirty brethren , including Bros . G . XV . Latham P . G . D . of England , J . Tomlinson P . M . P . P . G . D . of C , John Bowes P . M . P . P . J . G . W . Cumberland and

Westmoreland J . E . Tomlinson P . M ., Gilbert P . M . P . P . G . P ., Eev . Lunt , Jones S . W . W . M . elect , & c , & c . The Lodge was opened in due form , when tho minutes of tho previous meeting wore read and confirmed . The Lodge was opened in the 2 nd degree , when two brethren claimed preferment , and having sustained their claim wero entrusted , and in due time re-admitted aud raised by the W . M . Tho

Lodge was then resumed in the recond degree , and Bro . Bowes invited to perform the ceremony of installation . Bro . Jones S . W . and W . M . elect was presented to the installing Master by Bros , Makin and Gilbert , and en the first part of tho ceremony being completed , tho Lodgo was opened in the third degree , and subsequently a Board

of Installed Masters was opened , when Bro . Jones was placed in tho chair of K . S . according to ancient custom . After the investiture of the new officers , the charges were delivered by Bro . Bowes , who received a well-merited vote of thanks for his services . Alter labour tho brethren adjourned to refreshment .

Vane Chapter , No . 538 . —A Convocation was held on tho 21 th inst ., at the Freemasons Hall , Great Queen-street . Comps . 0 . Burmeister M . E . Z ., Wood H ., Rev . P . M . Holden J ., H . Reed P . Z . S . E . P . Z . ' s Kench , Lindus and Chevalier Pollitzer . The Chapter was

opened and tho minutes confirmed . The election for Principals took place : Comps . Wood Z ., Eev . P . M . Holden H ., and C . W . Parsons J . Afterwards the company partook of a banquet . The usual toasts followed . Comp . Chapman of Boston , U . S . A ., was present as a visitor .

Whittington Lodge of Instruction , No . 562 . —Held its first meeting at its now quarters , Bro . Hyde ' s , tho Eed Lion , Poppin ' s Court , Fleet-street , on Wednesday , 30 th January , Bro . Marston ( W . M . Skelmersdale ) in the chair , Tate S . W ., Brown J . W ., Thompson S . D .,

Abell J . D ., Fox I . G ., Long P . M . 435 Preceptor , and a goodly number of brethren . The third ceremony and lecture were very impressively rendered by the W . M . It was generally agreed that this old established Lodge of Instruction would now commence a new career of prosperity .

Fitzroy Lodge , No . 569 . —On Friday , the 25 th ult ., the installation meeting of this Lodge was held , at the head-quarters of the Hon . Artillery Company , Finsbury , when there was a very large attendance of members and visitors . The ordinary business having been transacted , a ballot was taken for Mr . Lewis Eatto , which proved unanimous in his favour , and the W . M . Bro . Ensign W . I .

Spicer , in a very able manner , duly initiated him into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The W . M . elect Bro . R . G . Webster was then impressively installed by Bro . Capt . J . Eglese P . M . The following Officers were appointed : —Bros . Capt . Helsham P . M . Treas ., Capt . J . Eglese P . M . Sec , A . D . Everingham S . W ., J . C . Sanderson J . W ., Ensign F . J . Stohwasser S . D ., Quarter-Master W . G . Brighten

P . M . J . D ., W . Birdseye P . M . I . G ., and W . Jolliffe D . C . In presenting Bro . Spicer , on bis retirement , with a P . M . ' s jewel , the W . M . complimented him on having performed the duties during his year of office in a very praiseworthy and satisfactory manner . Bro . Spicer , in a few appropriate words , suitably acknowledged the gift and the compliments paid him . Two candidates were then proposed for

initiation , and three brethren for joining , after which the Lodge was closed , and a banquet followed , where everything passed off most pleasantly . The usual toasts wero proposed and responded to , and the evening ' s entertainment was made most enjoyable by some excellent singing by Bros . A . Thomas , J . Ion Cantle , and F . H . Cozens , nnder tho direction of Bro . H . P . Matthews . There wero upwards

of forty visitors , but we are only ablo to record the names of a few . Bros . R . P . Bent P . G . C , P . de Long S . G . D .. J . Contts I ' . G . P ., F . Binckes P . G . S ., R . Gooding W . M . Grand Masters' Lodgo , Major Venn P . M . St . John ' s , R . H . Pearson P . M . Urban , J . Bingemann P . M . Constitntional , Henderson W . M . St . John's , Harfeld P . M . Tranquillity , Cantle P . M . Ivy , Gould P . M . Moira . Farnan P . M . St . Albans , E . Miroy , and Sir Thos . Kirkpatrick Bart .

Royal Oak Lodge , No . 671 . —The election meeting of this Lodge was held at . the Whits Swan Hotel , 217 High-street , Deptfovd , on Thursday , January 21 th . Bro . J . J . Pakos W . M . opened the Lodge . The minutes of the previous and an emergency meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . Tho work comprised the

raising of Bro . T . Weston and tho passing of Bros . J . Hill and J . Stanley . Tho bye-laws were then read . The elections wero all unanimous : Bros . G . T . Limn S . W . for W . M ., William Andrews P . M . Treasurer re-elected , J . Bavin P . M . 147 Tyler re-elected . The auditors , in addition to those provided for by the bye-laws , are Bros .

Ar01301

J . G . Thomas , J . Buhlor , and W . A . R . Harris I . G . Tho usual five guinea P . M . ' s jewel was voted from tho Lodge funds , to be given to the retiring W . M . Ou the motion of Bro . F . Walters P . P . G . D . Mid . P . M . Sec , and seconded bv Bro . G . Andrews P . M . D . C , it was unanimously resolved , That ton pounds bo taken from the Lodge funds , and be given to the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , in the name of the J . W .

for tho time being , In Memoriaui of Bro . W . Myatt P . M . The Lodge was closed , and adjourned to Friday , February 28 th , to meet at four o ' clock p . m . There were present , besides those named , Bros . R . Harman J . W ., J . G . Vohmann S . D ., G . Harvey J . D ., W . A . R . Harris I . G ., H . J . Fisher Organist , H . J . Tnson P . M ., ami about forty members . The visitors wero Bros . W . Keebl * 913 , T . H . Seaton 384 , J . A Smith 518 , & c Tho usual banquet followed .

Eoyal Alfred Lodge , No . 780 . —This prosperous Lodge is what is generally known as a summer one , bnt in consideration of the number of members on its roll , and the mass of work that accumulates during the recess , it becomes necessary in the early part of the year to hold an emergency meeting . The present W . M ., Bro . Walter Goss , stands in high estimation amongst the members , not

only of his own Lodge , but of the Craft generally . On tho occasion of his installation , which took placo in September last , a domestic affliction prevented his remaining to preside over the members of his Lodge at their festivities , and many of the brethren were , on this account , tho more desirous that at an early date the extra meeting should be held . Accordingly , Friday , the 25 th ultimo , was fixed .

and tho members assembled at tho Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , at two o ' clock . Bro . Walter Goss took tho chair ; ho was supported by Bros . C . F . May S . W ., W . Gomm J . W ., Jos . Smith P . G . P . Treas ., William Hilton P . M . Sec , B . E . Blasb y S . D ., F . Erwin J . D ., 0 . S . Costelow I . G ., Tarling D . C . Gilbert Tyler . Among the Past Masters were Bros . J . Chambers Roe , Littlewond , Brown , Beasley ,

Potter , & c . ; whilo tho Visitors comprised Bros . 0 . Storndalo Bennett 173 , G . W . Spnth P . M . 183 , G . W . Lay 569 , Samuel Page 1320 , W . Vassila 1326 , XV . XV . Morgan 1385 , Mating 1612 , A . J . Burr 1612 . The agenda paper was heavy , and punctually to tho timo named the proceedings commenced . After all requirements had been complied with , Bros . Thomas Clarke , Edward Fravtois Wyer , E . Spender Pearson

William Doaken Bocket , Thomas Eands , and James Joseph Gunner wore examined ; these brethren ably sustained their claim for advancement , and Bro . Goss raised them , in two parties of threo , to tho sublime degree . There were three candidates for passing , and here tho brethren exhibited a knowledge of what was required of them ore thoy offered themselves for the second degree , and in due

course Bro . Goss performed this ceremony , in favour of Bros . James Humphreys , Eobert Thomas Talbot and Charles Coombes . Tho ballot was next taken for Messrs . William Eydmann , Robert Crawford , R . S . Berwick and Augelo Jacobs . It camo out clear , aud the first named gentleman being in attendance received the benefit of Masonic light . After routine work tho Lodge was closed . A capital

banquet was then served by Bro . Stanbury , who personally snperintended and ably looked after the comfort of his guests . On the removal of the cloth , tho customary Royal toasts were briefly introduced . With the health of the Pro G . M ., the D . G . M ., and the rest of tho Grand Officers , was associated the name of Bro . J . Smith P . G . P ., who , in acknowledging the toast , said ho was pleased to see that tho

W . M . gave , what all good Masons wonld always give , the health of Her Most Gracious Majesty tho Queen . Bro . Smith then referred , to the happy feeling exhibited by the members of tho Lodge . He thonght that Bro . Goss had that day afforded them a great Masonic treat by the way in whioh he had carried out the work of the Lodge . It was naturally to be expected that a young W . M ., on his first

appearance , wonld bo a little nervous , but of this Bro . Goss had not exhibited a trace . As Father of the Lodge he was pleased to see so efficient a brother presiding . Bro . Smith concluded his remarks b y thanking the brethren for the way they had hononred the toast . Bro . J . Chambers Roe , in proposing the health of the W . M ., referred to the distressing circumstance that had kept

Bro . Goss away from the festive board on the occasion of the Installation meeting . They had been intimately acquainted , and had laboured hard together for the last twenty years . Bro . Goss had exerted himself to obtain a thorough knowledge of his duties , and he ( tho speaker ) firmly believed he would carry thorn out to the satisfaction of tho members . Bro . Goss , in replying , remarked that

so much in his praise had been said , both by Bro . Smith and by Bro . Roe , that he hardly knew how to reply . It was scarcely four years ago since he was raided in this Lodge , and it was eminently gratifying to him that he had been unanimously elected to fill the chair . Ho trusted the year would pass pleasantly , and assured the members that nothing should be wanting on his part to retain their food

opinion . The health of the Initiate was then given , and Bro . Eydmann replied . He felt at a loss for words to express himself , but of this he felt assured , that if there was a moment in a man ' s life that he could look back upon with gratification it was the time that ho was made a Freemason . In response to their health , which the W . M . most gracefully proposed , each of the Visitors addressed a few obsor .

vations . All expressed gratification at the way the proceedings had been conducted , nnd at tho liberal hospitality dispensed . Bro . C . Sterndalo Bennett particularly referred to the friendship that , had existed between his father and Sir John Goss , father of the W . M . ; he sincerely hoped this friendship would bo perpetuated , and that in

future years he and the W . M . might remember their pleasant , gathering of to-day . The remaining toasts comprised tho Past Masters , the Treasurer and Secretary , and the Officers . Most able replies were made , and when tho call for the Tyler was t-iven , congratulations were expressed as to the general success of thy gathering .

Merchant Navy Lodge of Instruction , No . 781 . —On Wednesday , tho 30 th of January , at the Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , Limehnuse . Present—Bros . Ives W . M ., Barnes P . M . 551 ami 933 S . W ., W . Hallett W . M . 781 J . W ., Breden Sec , Scherboam S . D . 781