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ST . BEDE LODGE , No . 1119 . THE annual meeting was held on Wednesday , 30 th ult ., at Jarrow , when there was a large gathering of Brethren . Bro . H . Dancaster was impressively installed into tho chair by Bro . Thos . Robinson W . M ., assisted by Bros . 3 . Rigby P . M . D . C , and R . Madgshon p M

The W . M . in a few well chosen and suitable sentences presented the I . P . M . Bro . Thos . Robinison with a beautiful Past Master's jewel , as a token of the esteem in which he was held by the Brethren . Bro . Robinson most heartily thanked the Brethren for the beautiful gift . Before sitting down Bro . Robinson asked the W . M ., on behalf of the Brethren , to accept an enlarged and framed photograph of himself , to be hung in the Lodge room . The W . M . accepted the gift in the heartiest terms , and trusted following Masters would follow Bro . Robinson ' s example .

INSTRUCTION .

SYMPATHY LODGE , No . 483 . ON the _ th inst . at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , Bros . John N . Willis W . M ., R . J . Beamish P . M . Preceptor , J . A . Axcell S . W ., Ernest Ingman J . W ., 0 . Percy Bowen Sec , F . Pettingall S . D ., J . A . Gillett J . D ., Thomas Lygo I . G . This Lodge of Instruction resumed its labours after the summer recess , the occasion boing graced by a large number of members . The Lodge was formally opened , and the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . T . Gee being the candidate .

Among those present were Bros . J . Simmons 72 , L . G . Smith 156 _ , W . F . Buckland , 3 . C . Walker , Jas . Hewison , and others . At the conclusion of the business the ballot was taken for two Life Governorships of the Masonio Charities , from the funds of the Lodge Benevolent Association , with the result that Bros . Cooper and Ingman were declared to be the fortunate members .

METROPOLITAN : INSTRUCTION

CHISWICK LODGE , No . 2012 . ON Saturday , 26 th ult ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , Hammersmith , Bros . W . Jefferies W . M ., K . M . Ross S . W , H . J . Cousens J . W ., F . Craggs P . M . Treas .. J . H . Gumming P . M . acting Sec , W . Hide P . M . S . D ., 0 . Hopkins J . D ., W . Atkinson I . G ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , and others . Lodge was opened and advanced to the second degree , when Bro . Gumming answered the questions in a satisfactory manner and was entrusted . Lodge , was opened in the third degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed .

Bro . Ross was elected to aot as W . M . at the next meeting

ON the 2 nd inst ., Bros . K . M . Ross W . M ., L . 3 . Powell S . W ., L . Walsh J . W ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , R . Josey P . M . Sec , C . Hopkins S . D ., J . H . Gumming P . M . J . D ., F . Craggs P . M . I . G ., H . 3 . Cousens W . M . Old Concord , R . Reid P . M . 1275 , G . T . Meek , C . S . Hayward , and others . Tbo ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Meek candidate . The first section of the lecture was worked by the Brethren , the questions being put by Bro . Arthur Williams . Bro . Powell was elected to act as W . M . at tha next meeting .

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON Friday , 26 th ult ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , Bros . John Worth W . M ., K . M . Eoss S . W ., M . F . Wilkins J . W ., VV . Hinds P . M . Treas , F . Craggs P . M . Sec , H . J . Cousens S . D ., 3 . H . Catten J . D ., W . Atkinson I . G , A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , R . H . Williams P . M . P . P . G . J D . Middx ., VV . Hide P . M . 1275 , R . Reid W . M . 1275 , S . J . Parker P . M ., and several others .

The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . R . H . Williams candidate . Lodge was opened in the seoond degree , and Bro . Atkinson was examined and entrusted , after which the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . Regret was expressed by those present at the death of Bro . Asher Barfield P . G . Treas ., who was well known to many members of the Craft in the district .

ON the 1 st inst ., Bros . F . Craggs P . M . W . M ., John Worth S . W ., W . J . Coplestone P . M . J . W ., A . Williams P . M . Preceptor , 3 . H . Cummings P . M . Acting Sec , K . M . Ross S . D ., 0 . S . Hayward J . D ., G . J . Meek I . G ., and others . Bro . Hayward answered the questions in a satisfactory manner , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . Lodge was called off and on . The first section of the second lecture was worked by the Brethren under the direction of the able Preceptor . '

Bro . John Worth W . M . of the Mother Lodge was unanimousl y elected to occupy the chair at the next weekly meeting .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , at Bro . W . T . Purkiss ' s , the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew „ -I * Bros . F . Ridley W . M ., W . T . Gomm S . W ., H . T . Johnson J . W ., R . H . Williams P . M . Prec , A . H . Bridger acting Sec , H . R . Worth S W J Stewart J . W , 0 . Humble I . G ., J . Wynman . , J ' The Lodge was opened in the first and second degreesBroWynman

, . answered the questions , and was entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the ttnrd degree , and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed . The W M resumed iw-ii •firsb de S ' ee * ai - d calIed off * 0 n resuming , by desire of the VV M Bro Williams Preceptor worked the first section of the lecture . Bro . H . R . Worth will preside on Thursday next .

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LODGE Summonses , Lists of members , Menus , & c , of evory description Morgan , Printer , Freemason ' s Chronicle Office , New Barnet

Ye Masonic Kicker.

YE MASONIC KICKER .

TO have a bad temper is a misfortune to its possessor ; it is even more , it is a curse to him , and as to those who are associated with him in Lodges , it is a sore trial , for he may be a " good enough '' Mason beyond his bad temper , but did Masonry have any effect upon him ? Has the sweet influence of our tenets , of our lessons and teachings , softened him any ? must

ever be asked of the " chronic kicker , " of the one who constantly finds fault with his Brother and always impugns his motivesin every word and action . To hear one eternal round of complaint and murmuring , to have every pleasant thought scared away by the evil spirit , it is a sore trial to the good , earnest , hard-working

Brother . It is like the sting of the scorpion , a perpetual nettle ; destroying your peace , making you miserable . This influence of a bad temper is deadly , and the purest and sweetest atmosphere of the Lodge room is contaminated and becomes miasmatic wherever the evil genius prevails .

It may be true that we should not permit the evil temper of others to influence us , but it is unreasonable to expect this of poor , weak human nature . One string out of tune will destroy the harmony , the music of an instrument otherwise in perfect tune ; so in the Lodge one Brother with a chronic bad temper ¦ will destroy the harmony and good feeling of others , and unless

the better sense of the good Brethren prevails and they cultivate kind and affectionate temper to overpower and overcome the discord and evil created by the bad temper of one of their number discord will prevail , and all through this one man with a bad temper . Men are judged by other men according to their willingness or ability to be useful , and Masons are judged by other

Masons according to their ability and willingness to be good and true , and according to the good work they do in our quarries . Let no good Brother be chilled by the bad temper of another ; it is he , not you , that needs reforming , and needs the impress of true Masonry upon bis heart and conduct and character . Masonry , like an instrument of music , should be well and

thoroughly tuned to meet all the requirements expected from its teaching and practice , and in ringing tones peal forth harmony and goodwill to all mankind ; firmly , yet sweetly , should its tones ring out as a silver bell to guide all good members of the Craft , notwithstanding a solitary " kicker" here and there in some of our Lodges .

If you have one in your Lodge , hand him the gavel or common stone hammer and tell him to knock off the rough corners of his bad temper ; call his attention to the difference between the rough ashlar in its rude and natural state and the polished ashlar made ready by the skilful workman ; tell him that to run off in a tantrum of ill will , ill words , and bad thoughts is not

walking uprightly by the plumb line of rectitude , and that the trowel is not used to besmear the walls with the mud of bad repute and bad temper , but to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass , to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection ; tell him it is not " square , " this finding fault with others .

Honest well-meaning suggestions , born of a desire to improve or mend a mistake , are always accepted by the Master , by a speaker or writer . Honest and friendly criticism , coming from a true Mason and offered in a friendly and true Masonic spirit , is not only acceptable , but is sought by the true man , by the true

Mason ; but finding fault " for the mere fun of it" is hurtful , injurious , unmasonic , and ungentlemanly , and every true Mason and good Brother should make an effort to have it stamped out , even at the expense of "Ye Masonic Kicker , " and paying no attention to his choleri . temper and by letting him severely alone . — " New York Tribune . "

Investigation.

INVESTIGATION .

II is anything but amusing to listen to men who know nothing of the Masonic Fraternity when expressing themselves in regard to its merits or demerits . The ignorant friend of the Order is really more apt to disgust with his silly twaddle than one who has formed an unfavourable opinion , and has fallen into the very common habit of talking about something of which he

has very little , if any knowledge . It is entirely proper to investigate and form opinions after such investigation , but the investigation must not be too much in the nature of a grand jury inquest , which never establishes guilt , and is one of the anomalies of our criminal law . To investigate Freemasonry one must , first of all , form a favourable opinion of the Order . This becomes

necessary to an honest man , before he can conscientiously sign a petition , which means that an honest man can be made a Mason while' holding to the opinion that Masonry is inimical to religion , good government or the family relation . The idea prevalent among ignorant persons that Masons are always ready to assist each other in business , or that Freemasonry is a very rich Order , is not only absurd , but is very annoying to members who really