Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

CEAFT . — : o : — AGRICULTURAL LODGE . No . 1199 .

AT the meeting at the Railway Hotel , Cougresbury , on Monday , the 21 st ult ., after the transaction of routine business * , the W . M . Bro . Collins presented Bro . C . L . F . Edwards I . P . M . P . G . S . W . and P . G . T . with a handsome life-like portrait of himself , whioh hart been subscribed for by the members of the Lodge . In making the presentation , the W . M . said the members had felt that they ought

in some manner , to show their appreciation of the constant attention Brother Edwards had paid to his Masonic duties for many years , and the kind and considerate help he had , at all times , been ready to give to those requiring it , and to whioh , in a large measure , the present prosperity of the Lodge was due . Iu asking Bro . Edwards '

acceptance of the testimonial , the W . M . added that he knew the same would be appreciated , and that it would be regarded as more valuable than its intrinsic wortb , representing , as it did , the brotherly love of the Lodge . Brother Edwards , in accepting the portrait , acknowledged his high appreciation of the same in an able address .

KING HAROLD LODGE , No . 1327

ON Thursday , the 17 th ult ., the installation of Bro . W . Metcalfe ns W . M ., took place at the Four Swans Hotel , Waltham Cross . The peculiar feature of the installation , says tbo Weekly Telegraph , was that Bro . Metcalfe had previously been installed us W . M . of No . 2372 , and a dispensation had to be obtained from the Grand Master to enable him to fill the two offices at the same time . There was a

large gathering of brethren , and letters of regret at not being able to be preseut were read from Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P . ( Provincial Grand Master of Herts ) , Capt . Bowles M . P . and others . Amongst those present were the Deputy Grand Master of the Provinoe , Bros .

George E . Lake , W . Biokel , the retiring W . M ., E . Middiehurst I . P . M and Prov . G . S ., William Metoalfe S . W . and W . M . elect Prov G . P . Herts , H . E . Smith J . W ., W . A . Sproat P . M . P . P . G . A . P . Treas T . Reilly P . M . P . P . G . P . Secretary , W . Lewis P . M . P . P . G . P ., W Gilbert P . M . P . P . J . G . W ., J . Tydeman P . M . 1437 P . M . 1327 Sec

2372 P . P . G . P . Essex , J . Fisher P . P . G . S . B ., J . Eobinson P . P . J . G . W .,

W . Eogers P . P . G . S . D ., G . Holdsworth P . M . P . P . G . P ., F . M . Bilby P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., P . L . Blaokmore P . M . 1327 and 2372 P . P . G . S . of W ., J . Mark S . D ., G . S . Metoalfe J . D ., W . Banjo P . M . Prov . G . O ., H . Parks Steward . In all abont 65 brethren were present . Two gentlemen were initiated . The installation of Bro . William Metcalfe as Worshipful Master for the year , was carried out by the Deputy

Provinoial Grand Master , Bro . Lake , assisted by Bro . J . Eobinson P . Prov . J . G . W ., the imposing ceremony being beautifully rendered to the credit of the two distinguished brethren officiating . The new Worshipful Master was elected to serve on the Provincial Finance Committee , and Bro . E . Middiehurst on the Masonio Charity Committee of the county . It may be here remarked that botb these

brethren , Bro . Wm . Metcalfe and Bro . E . Middiehurst , have distinguished themselves in a remarkable manner by the large sums they have collected for the cause of Charity . Both brethren have served as Stewards at the Annnal Festivals , each time taking up sums bringing the Chestnut Lodges above any others in the coanfcy of Herts . The Deputy Provinoial Grand Master was unanimously elected an honorary member of the Lodge and a vote of

thanks to him and to Bros . J . Eobinson and VV . Lewis Past Masters , for their great assistance of the installing ceremony , was unanimously passed . A handsome and valuable Past Master's jewel was presented to the retiring W . M . Bro . W . H . Biokel . Two candidates for initiation , and one for joining the Lodge at the October meeting were proposed . The banquet whioh followed was excellently served by host Tydeman , and at its conclusion the usual toasts were honoured .

OBEDIENCE LODGE , No . 1753

ON Monday , 28 fch nit ., Bro . W . H . Eowe was impressively installed W . M . in succession to Bro . J . C . Pierce by Bro . W . A . Gregory P . P . G . A . D . C . The W . M . appointed his Officers , as follow : — Bros . J . C . Pieroe I . P . M ., C . Piper S . W ., J . W . Reed J . W ., Rev . T . Ward-Brown Chaplain , Teo Treasurer , C . J . Futcher Secretary , J . Powlesland S . D ., W . E . Perkin J . D ., W . P . Moon I . G ., F . Edwards

Organist , W . Palmer Dir . of Cers ., J . Cnddeford Steward , J . Coombe Tyler . Bro . Gregory was eleoted representative on tho Committee of Petitions . The brethren next adjourned to the large dining-hall recently added to the White Hart Hotel , where an elegant banquet was provided by Bro . John Verdi . There was a large attendance of members and visitors .

BARRY LODGE , No . 2357

THE election meeting of this Lodge was held at the Eoyal Hotel , Cadoxton , on tbe 23 rd " nit ., when Brother T . Higman Senior Warden was chosen as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , in succession to Bro . J . Jewel Williams * Bro . Fbillipa was re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Amos Jenkins Tyler . The installation will take place in the course of the month .

Chiswick Lodge of Instruction , No . 2012 . —On Saturday , 26 th ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King Street , Hammersmith .

Bros . Camming W . M ., Hillier S . W ., Powell J . W ., R . H . Williams Treasurer , M . Spiegel Secretary , Craggs P . M . J . D ., Hide I . G ., A . Williams Preceptor , Denoi ? . Lodge opened to the third degree resumed to the first , and the ceremony of initiation rehearsed , Bro . H . H . Williams oandidate . Bro . Dennis being a candidate for passing was examined and entrusted .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

rpHE September meeting of Grand Lodgo of Mark J _ Master Masons of England and Wales and tho colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday , at Mark Masons' Hall , London , the Earl of Euston Pro Grand Master presiding . The business , to which wo

referred last week , was gone through with in due course , and the various recommendations confirmed , after which Grand Lodge was closed . It was announced that at the Festival of tbe Fund of Benevolonco on 26 th July , under the presidency of Colonel G . Noel Money , C . B ., £ 2 , 166 19 s 6 d was subscribed .

Odd Notions.

ODD NOTIONS .

TO listen to the talk of people , who constitute what is called "the community , " presents a subject for thoughtful consideration . Many men of many minds

expressing in words their several views on almost any question , is a striking example of tho lack of that careful examination of tbe subject that belongs to the reasoning faculty of the human intelligence .

It would seem very often that theso views as given wero exhalations of tbe vapour from torpidity in mind structure . As the fog comes up off tho waste ground , so are the exhalations expressed in language of some | mere utterances on subjects attracting attention .

It would hardly be just to call them opinions . Scarcely less are they worthy to be designated as results of thought . Op inion is the judgment the mind crystallizes ou some proposition . It is the assent of the understanding to conclusions on some subject . Thought is the operation of the action of the mind on particular subjects .

Both opinion and thought require mind action , mental labour , the process in great or lesser degree of the reasoning faculty . In these cases , either of them , the utterances of the conclusions of the mind are worthy of consideration , But it is not this class of utterances we aro speaking of .

It is rather what is said without the conditions precedent , that constitute either opinions or thoughts . Therefore it is of importance to our Craft that mere notions as to matters of importance either as to tho ceremonial or regulations of tho Fraternity should uot be treated by less than

sound opinion or carefully prepared and thoughtful consideration by well-informed Brethren . Very much of mischief often comes from the crude utterances of some Masons on matters that occupy the

attention of Lodges . It is heard , not unfrequently , that Bro . has a notion that something ought to be omitted , or ought to be added , in the work of Lodges . It is to warn the Brethren against this effect of just such propositions based only on what are best termed notions .

Go down to the foundation and ascertain if these notions are either well-formed opinions even thoughtfully considered . It is not possible to maintain the ancient landmarks , the

historic regulations , the unalterable principles , the ceremonial sanctioned by the ages of Masonry , if every notion is to be admitted into tbe sealed , tyled , and guarded depository of our ancient mysteries .

Plausible notions are easily uttered . They are not so easily refuted . The want of intelligent instruction often prevents a prompt refutation of the notiou . The longer that notion goes unrefuted the more strength it gains . It is said error is harmless when truth is left free to

combat it , but that implies that the truth is known , exists , has vitality , and is possessed by capable men who can use it to destroy the error as soon as it appears . Beware of notions . —Keystone .

The last number to hand of the Masonic Review is the first of the eightieth volume . We tender our congratulations to its Editor on its long existence ; and the programme ho lays down for its future management .