Reports Of Meetings.

should always remember his Obligation . He had never done anything wrong in his profession , and certainly would not do so towards the Order or his Lodge . He hoped to make many friends among the Brethren , and specially thanked Bros . Lubbock and Farmer the S . W ; for having proposed and seconded him as a member of the Skelmersdale Lodge .

Bro . James Henry Down also acknowledged the compliment , in a few well chosen words . The next toast—that of the Immediate Past and Installing Master —the W . M . regarded as the chief one of the evening . Unfortunately the I . P . M . had during his year thirteen initiates , which number he considered an unlucky one ; but a greater misfortune had befallen them by the death of their beloved Queen . Otherwise Bro . Gabell had had a grand year of Office , with plenty of work , and the Brethren

would agree that Bro . Gabell was one of the best , and had ably followed in the steps of his predecessors . The Brethren had heard Bro . Gabell work the different ceremonies during his year of Office , and could but be delighted at his performance . That day they had seen him perform the ceremony of installation , and must agree he had concluded his term of work in a most creditable manner . The

W . M . was glad the official duty had devolved upon him to pin on the breast of Bro . Gabell the Past Master's jewel of the Lodge , as he felt that if ever a Past Master of the Lodge deserved such a token it was Bro . Gabell . He hoped he would wear it in health and strength for many years to come . But the thanks of the Brethren did not end here , as the Worshipful Master called upon Bro . J . Shaw who ,

addressing Bro . Gabell , said it was the desire of the Brethren who had had the honour of being initiated by the I . P . M . during his year of office—and of such he was the senior—to present him with a Past Master ' s collar , in appreciation of the honour he had done them . They gave it with the hope that he might wear it in health and prosperity for many years to come .

The I . P . M ., on rising , received a hearty greeting . As what the W . M . had called one of the old fossils he sincerely thanked him for

proposing his health in such very kind terms , and the Brethren for receiving the toast with such cordiality . He was the W . M . in two centuries , and as the W . M . had said he had had thirteen initiates during his year of Office . That the W . M . had said was an unlucky number , but he considered that was great nonsense ; yet , nevertheless , during his year of Office the Treasurer had died , the Senior and

Junior Wardens had been ill , the first candidate could not attend , and , finally , his wife was taken very ill . But thank Heaven the dark clouds had rolled away , and he predicted that the year before them would be one of the most prosperous in the history of the Lodge . He was pleased he had given satisfaction during his year of Office , and felt the very handsome jewel presented to him that evening was evidence of the approbation of the Brethren . To the initiates he

was particularly indebted , and he congratulated them on the quiet way in which they had worked and provided such a handsome collar ; it would be a source of gratification to him . He also took the opportunity of thanking the Treasurer and Secretary for their kind assistance , as also the Past Masters and Officers . He had tried to rule them fairly , and never during the year had there been an unpleasant word . Again he thanked them all .

In proposing the health of the Visitors the W . M . characterised the toast as a most important one , for the reason that the Skelmersdale Lodge took credit to itself for making a feature of according a hearty welcome to visiting Brethren .

Bro . Watts P . P . G . S . B . said he was exceedingly pleased to attend ; it was a day of days ; he had enjoyed the working , and was delighted to have been present to see his son initiated . He was sure that Brother would do credit to the Lodge . He concluded by thanking the W . M . for his cordiality .

Bro . Busbv W . M . 73 ^ thanked the Master for the kind maimet m which he had welcomed the Visitors . It was not the first time he had had the pleasure of visiting the Lodge . He always admired its working , and was soiry that business detained him from beinnpresent at the installation ceremony ; still , he had enjoyed the firs working of the W . M ., who had a grand prospect in front of him . He concluded by wishing the W . M . a prosperous year of Office .

Bro . Spaull P . M . was pleased the W . M . had coupled him with the toast of the Visitors , and sincerely thanked him for the hospitality which had been so freely extended . He was pleased to be able to say the working he had witnessed was admirable , and was glad to see five new candidates initiated . As an old fossil he felt justified in saying the Brethren had a W . M . who would rule with kindness and courtesy , but with firmness .

Bro . A . H . Smith said he had not visited the Lodge since 1888 when Bro . Humphrey Cohen was installed . The Skelmersdale Lodge had had some excellent Masters . He wished especially to say to the Initiates that : the working was not picked up easily ; he therefore strongly advised them to attend Instruction Lodges . He could not conclude without thanking the W . M . for his hospitality . Several other Visitors also made suitable response .

•T t 0 ast of the Past Masters was submitted by the W . M who said he was proud to feel they had the very best of Past Masters There was nothing too much for them to undertake ; they were truly the pillars of the Lodge . }

The toast having been responded to the W . M . proceeded to give that of the Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers of the Lodge , for which Bro . Farmer S . W . responded on behalf of himself and others . The Tyler was now summoned , and he gave the concluding sentiment , bringing a most successful meeting to a close .

The musical entertainment was a special feature of the evening , those who contributed being Miss Gertrude Hughes , Miss Adela Bona , Mr . Walter Clyde , and Mr . John Walters , with Bro . H . Townsend Orgot as accompanist . The Charity box was sent round during the evening , the sum of / : 12 s 6 d being collected ,

Reports Of Meetings.

Shepherds Bush Lodge , No . 1828 . THE regular meeting of this Lodge , held on Monday , 25 th ult ., at the Frascati , Oxtord Street , proved very successful , under the presidency of Bro . George Knights W . M ., who was supported

by Bros . R . Mark P . M . Treas . as S . W ., Isaac Levy J . W ., W . E . Bull P . M . Sec , H . P . Gilbert P . M ., F . C . Neilson S . I } .. H . Stephens J . D ., F . Case I . G ., John Josey 1706 acting Organist , C . Patrick P . M . Tyler , J . C . Brown , G . Tiley , F . Murray , C . Humphrey , E . Tlees T ( llirmirnpv W H flni-ratt . & c .

Among the visitors we "had the pleasure of seeing Bros . S . Levy , G . A . Grant 483 , M . Chapman P . M . 619 , J . G . W . Guyer P . M . 1288 , W . Relfort J . W . 59 , S . B . Lotheim 205 , John Josey , and J . Wynman . Bros . J . Sigourney and G . Tiley , who were initiated at the previous meeting , were entrusted . The Lodge was advanced , and they were passed to the second degree .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Mr . Michael Levy was presented and initiated , the ballot having first been proved to be unanimous in his favour . The Secretary read the communications to the Lodge , among them being letters from the Senior Warden and Bro . J . H . Richardson I . P . M ., explaining their absence on account of illness . Bro . Gilbert P . M . proposed that letters of sympathy should be sent , with wishes for speedy recovery , and the same was agreed to .

The Lodge being closed the company repaired to the banquet room , where an excellent repast was provided , one worthy the high

reputation of the establishment . After the Loyal toasts Bro . Gilbert P . M ., in the absence of the I . P . M ., proposed the health of the Worshipful Master , whom he complimented on the way in which he had performed his duties that day . As usual his working was a credit to himself and also to the Lodge .

The toast was heartily received and was acknowledged by the W . M ., who thanked Past Master Gilbert for his remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast so cordially . He had tried to do his best , and hoped to do even better on future occasions . He was pleased to know he had given some amount of satisfaction .

In proposing the toast of the Initiates the W . M . said that at the last meeting he had had the pleasure of initiating two gentlemen and that evening one . He could but wish there had been more , as he liked to see new blood introduced into Freemasonry . Bro . Levy , whom they had initiated that night came to them well recommended and gave every promise of making an additional ornament to the Lodge .

Bro . Levy replied . He said that at any time he was not much of a speaker , but he must be especially excused that night , because the ceremony and the reception he had met with had so greatly impressed him . He was pleased to have been initiated , and assured the W . M . and Brethren that he hoped in time to give proofs of his gratitude . He thanked the Brethren for having accepted him and for their hearty welcome that evening .

The toast of the Visitors was next given , the Master according the guests a most hearty welcome . The Shepherds Bush Lodge was always pleased to see guests , and on behalf of the members he tendered them a cordial greeting .

Bro . Guyer P . M . 1288 -replied , saying how much he appreciated the way in which the work had been performed that evening ; the hospitality extended to the visitors was also to be noted . He concluded by complimenting the W . M . on his position , and wished the Lodge every prosperity .

Bro . Grant 483 and Bro . Lotheim 205 also replied , the latter expressing the pleasure he felt in seeing his brother-in-law Bro . Levy initiated in the Lodge . He was sure that Brother had been very much impressed with the ceremony and he hoped , as he felt , that he would attend regularly and do everything in his power for the welfare of Freemasonry in general and the Shepherds Bush Lodge in particular .

The toast of the Past Masters , Treasurer and Secretary was next given , the W . M . regretting the scarcity of Past Masters that night , although in Bro . G . Gilbert they had a worthy representative . He had the pleasure of being initiated by that Brother . The extra good qualities of the Treasurer and Secretary were well known to the members ; they were hard working Masons , and did all in their power in support of the Lodge . The toast was well received .

Bro . Gilbert , on behalf of the Past Masters , thanked the W . M . for his remarks , and regretted the I . P . M . Bro . Richardson was not able to be present to respond . The working that night had been all that could be desired . The W . M . had said he would have liked

more work to do , which he did not doubt for a moment , but he felt the Lodge did not want a very large number of members—desiring rather quality than quantity . He was sure all present were pleased with the way in which the W . M . had done the work before him .

He regretted the absence of the Senior Warden and some other Officers , and hoped to see them in their places at the next meeting . Bro . Past Master Mark had shown his willingness to fulfil the duties of S . W ., and he was sure all the Past Masters were equally ready to render any assistance that might be required of them .

Bro . Mark P . M . Treasurer said the Past Masters were always willing to render all the assistance required of them . As a proof that night he had officiated as S . W ., and he , or the other Past Masters , would most willingly fulfil any dutv they were asked to undertake . He was sorry the S . W . was not present .

Bro . Isaac Levy J . W . replied on behalf of the Officers , and then the Tyler ' s toast was given and brought a most entertaining evening to a conclusion .

Some enjoyable songs were contributed during the evening , those who added to the harmony being Miss Lillie j ^ aughton , Bro . John Josey , Edward Lacey , Edward Bentley , Gilbert Barton , and others , Bro , John Josey officiated at the piano .