Notices Of Meetings

nt Masons' Hall , Masons-avenno , Basinghall-streefc . Present—Bros . Sayer W . M ., Croaker S . W ., Lay J . W ., J . K . Pitt Secretary , J . Constable P . M . Treasurer , Bone S . D ., Blackball J . D . ; Abell I . G ., Christopher Tyler , Rndderforth Preceptor jno tern . After the formal opening of tho Lodge , and the confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Walker offered himself as a candidate for the 2 nd degree , and answered tho usual questions . The ceremony of passing was then

rehearsed by the W . M . in a satisfactory mauuer . Some of the sections of tho 2 nd Lecture were worked by Bro . Rndderforth , assisted by the brethren , Bro . Constable dictating tho answers . Bros . R . C . Davis and Dando were elected members , and Bro . Lay was appointed W . M . for the next meeting . Ou Wednesday , the 21 th inst ., the Installation Ceremony will bo rehearsed , after which Bro . Abbott will deliver tho third of his course of Lectures .

Confidence Lodge , No . 193 . —Tho first regular meeting of this Lodge since tho installation was held on Monday , tho 8 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , Bro . H . T . Reed W . M ., Phythian S . W ., H . Leah S . W ., Wnrne P . M . Treasurer , Schakell P . M . Secretary , Biddle S . D ., Foolitt J . D ., Shepherd I . G ., ancl Past Masters Bonney , H . Webb , S . Webb , Kershaw , and King ; also a very numerous

assemblage of the brethren . The Lodge was opened and the minutes wero confirmed . Bros . Walter Wood and B . P . Todd were passed to tho 2 nd degree . Messrs . F . McLaren and R . Webster were balloted for , and duly initiated into the Order . Tho working of the W . M ., who was ably assisted by the officers , was perfect . Bro . S . Webb P . M . proposed that tho sum of £ 5 should be placed on tho list of Bro . H .

Leah J . W ., who is a Steward for the next Anniversary Festival for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons . This was carried , and the brethren also liberally subscribed . Wc have no doubt that Bro . Leah will have a goodly amount on his list . The Lodge was then closed . A banquet followed , which was provided by Bro . Clemow , superintended by Bro . Smith , that gave great satisfaction . On the removal of the cloth , tho

W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . Tho health of the W . M . was duly honoured . The Initiates returned thanks for their toast , and Bro . S . Webb , in an eloquent speech , returned thanks for the Past Masters . The Wardens , Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers ' toasts were also given and responded to . During the evening several brethren contributed to tho harmony . A brother gave a selection from Shakespeare , which was admirably rendered . There were several visitors present .

Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 . —On Saturday , 6 th January , at the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , corner of Church-road , Islington . Bros . Powell W . M ., Holness S . W ., Groner J . W ., Killick Secretary , Halford Treasurer , Brand S . D ., Cohen J . D ., Monsley l . G . Past Masters Bros . Moss , Main , Vanderlyn , & c .

Business—Tho Lodgo was opened , ancl minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Millward acting as candidate . Tho first six sections of the Lecture wero worked by the Preceptor and Bro . Moss , assisted by the brethren . Bro . Holness was elected W . M . for the ensuing week .

Star Lodge , No . 219 . —Celebrated their first meeting of the new year by holding a harmony night . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Jasper Martin R . W . M ., assisted by Bros . J . Morgan I . P . M ., R . Garth S . M ., Jas . Horn S . W ., David Mewin J . W . Amongst tho Visitors we recognised Bros . J . S . Allen R . W . M . 28 , J . Kinnan R . W . M . 73 , Jas . " Booth R . W . M . 87 , W . Hurt R . W . M . 178 , David

Reid R . W . M . 465 , A . Bain P . M . 103 P . G . B . B ., J . Fyfe D . M . 465 , J . Annard S . W . 465 , and Jas . Hustin 351 . After "The Queen and tho Craft , " "The Three Grand Lodges and tho Provincial Grand Lodges" was given , Bro . Bain P . G . B . 13 . acknowledging the latter . Bro . Morgan I . P . M . proposed the toast of " The Sister Lodges , " expressing the pleasure he felt in seeing so many of them

so well and worthily represented at this , the first meeting of tho Star in the new year . Bro . Hart 178 suitably acknowledged the toast . Bro . Bain gave prosperity to 219 . He attributed a great deal of its success to the untiring energy of its I . P . M ., and hoped his mantle would fall on his successor . Bro . Martin said he fully endorsed Bro .

Bain's remarks with regard to his predecessor . Ho was afraid ho should fall short of his excellence , but ho would do his best . A special vote of thanks was given to Bro . Hustin , who had so generously given them his services , though a professional , Bro . Hustin said that when Bro . Morgan asked him to como ho could not refuse , aud he always felt with the Stars as if he was at home .

Lodge of Harmony , No . SOD , Fareham . —The installation of the W . M . elect ( Bro . E . Dowling ) took place ou Thursday , the 4 th inst ., in the Lodge-room , Red Lion Hotel , Fare-ham . The ceremony of installation was efficiently performed by Bro . J . Tayler , the senior P . M . of the Lodge . There was a good attendance of memhers arc ! visitors , including the following Installed Masters : —Bros . John Whale AV . M ., IF . Ford P . P . G . Warden , Rev . Dr . White , J . W .

Dallimore , E . G . Holbrook , J . B . Goldsmith , W . Johnston P . M . 's of 309 , F . Binckes , Sceretarv Masonic Boys' School , M . E . Frost W . M . 1009 and P . G . Treasurer , " ! ' . Court W . M . 257 , R . J . Turncy W . M . 312 , J . Purnt-11 P . M . 804 , tlio other Visitors including Bros . Townsencl S . W . 1428 , G . F . Sherman P . G . Steward , G . W . Smith 312 , G . L . Green 487 , J . W . Stroud 903 , and E . Izod 10 G 9 . Tho following brethren received collars as officers of tho Lodge : —Eros . J . Whalo

I . P . M ., _ T . Robinson S . W ., A . Nance jun . J . W ., Rev . Dr . White Chaplain , Davies Treasurer , W . Gilbert Heath Sceretarv , Gamblen S . D ., Edgar Goblo J . D ., A . R . Holbrook I . G ., Tayler * P . M . D . C , Osborne Organist , 11 . Jeans and J . R . lleyuian Stewards . Tho W . M . presided at the installation banquet , which was served in excellent style , reflecting the highest credit upon the Misses White . " The Queen ancl the Craft . " and " The M . W . G . M . H . B . H . the Prince of

Notices Of Meetings

Wales , K . G ., " were duly honoured , after having been proposed in appropriate terms by the W . M . Bro . Robinson S . W ., in proposing "Tho M . W . Pro G . M . the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W . Deputy G . M . the Earl of Skelmersdale , and tho officers of Grand Lodge , " said that in tho Earl of Carnarvon they had a most zealous and able officer , who had always shown himself interested iu tho welfare of

Masonry . He had by sheer honest ; work won their admiration and confidence , ancl they were very fortunate in having such a good man at tho right hand of the Princo of Wales , and practically at tho head of the Order . Bro . A . Nance jun . J . W . gave " The R . W . Prov . G . M . of Hants and Isle of Wight , Bro . W . W . B . Beach M . P ., the V . W . D . P . G . M . Bro . Hickman , and the officers of Prov . Grand Lodgo ,

present ancl past . Thoy had a Provincial Grand Master who was scarcely equalled in any province in the country , and they had just reason to be proud of him , associating himself closely as ho did with the interests of every Lodgo in the province . ( Applause . ) They could congratulate themselves thafc the Locige of Harmony numbered several brethren who were past or present provincial officers , aud a

very distinguished member of the Lodgo ( Bro . Henry Ford ) last year occupied an exalted position in the Provincial Grand Lodge , Bro . E . G . Holbrook , Prov . Grand Registrar , whose name was associated with tho toast , endorsed what had been said by Bro . Nanco as to the P . G . M ., mentioning that in tho ensuing week Bro . Beach would pay visits to such opposite parts of tho province as Gosport aud

Bournemonth , and adding that thoy were fortunate in having so enthusiastic and zealous a Mason at their head . Ho urged that the manner in which provincial honours were bestowed showed that zeal for Masonry was rewarded at head-quarters , and that kissing did nofc go by favour . Bro . J . B . Goldsmith P . M . proposed "The Masonic Charities . " They all knew thafc they wero wide-spread and well

conducted and managed . They could not but feel , that as a province , they wero not so well up in the charities as they might bo , but he was pleased to state , that all tho chairs of tho Lodge were endowed in each of the charities . ( Hear , hear . ) He said this with a great deal of pride , as this was only a small Lodge . Bro . Binckes , Secretary of the Masonic Boys' School , whoso name was coupled with the toast ,

replied in a very effective speech . The fact that every chair in the Locige was endowed redounded to the credit of the "Lodge , and was an example that should stimulate others . They had . their three institutions , tho oldest being the Girls' School , which was founded in 1788 , and was now educating , clothing , and maintaining 153 daughters of Freemasons . They were now expending ten or twelve

thousand pounds in enlarging the accommodation , so as to receive 200 girls . Fortunately , the institution was in a very flourishing and prosperous condition , its funded property amounting to _ some , thing like £ 40 , 000 . The youngest institution—the Benevolent—was giving relief to 240 aged persons of both sexes , tho annuities varying from thirty to thirty-six pounds , and that institution , although

comparatively but recently established , possessed a fancied property of from thirty-seven to forty thousand pounds , and enjoyed a largo amount of prosperity . The institution with which ho was moro ini - mediately connected—tho Boys' School—was founded iu 1798 . Up to 1850 it had no home afc all . Ifc was then enabled to maintain about 40 boys , aud the number had been gradually increased to

70 . Since 1861 , when ho had the honour to become connected with the school as Secretary , it had made wonderful strides . It had a magnificent building , which cost £ 10 , 000 , and 189 boys wero receiving an admirable education . The school had had educational successes such as any middle-class school might fairly boast of . The last year had been a very successful one for all their Masonic insti .

tntions . This spoke well for Freemasonry , although it was no more than they had a right to expect , considering the advent to supreme power in the Craft of the Prince of Wales . During the past year there had been received over £ 12 , 500 for the Benevolent Fund , nearly £ 11 , 500 forthe Girls' School , ancl , he was happy to say , tho Boys' School had received , ia subscriptions and donations , £ 13 , 230 , and including

other sources over £ 15 , 350 . These figures spoke well for a limited body , as they were . But here came the ground of appeal . Although they were a comparatively limited body , they had a largo number of brethren of position , social influence , and largo means , and they could not ignore the fact that large as was the support that was given to each and all of their institutions it was not at all

coinmensurate with what it ought to bo , considering the position the Craffc was now occupying in public estimation , or tho means the Craft had at its disposal . Ho would not say that without their chanties Freemasonry would bo nothing , beconso before their charities were Freemasonry was ; but he did not hesitate to say that without their institutions Masonry wonld lose tho greatest charm it possessed .

A scheme had been launched , by which they hoped to raise a fund to erect a Preparatory School for Boys ( to tho number of a hundred ) between tho ages of six ancl eleven . They had ample ground near tho older institution , which was now doing such wonderful good work . If thoy got together a special fund of something like £ 10 , 000 , they might carry out this extension of tho Boys' School . Tho Annual

Festival would tuko place iu June , and he should be glad to receive tho name of any brother ns a Steward . His greatest pleasure , his highest pride was in working tho hardest ho could on behalf of tho sacred cause of charity . With humble gratitude , not in proud boast , fulness , ho mentioned that ho had been most successful in his efforts , for in sixteen years something like £ 150 , 000 had passed through his

hands in response to his humble appeals , to some extent , but mainl y owing to tho kindness and generosity of the brethren amongst whom he laboured , by which the Boys' School had been brought from an almost lost and degraded position to the forefront in tlie estimation of tho Order . ( Applause ) . A collection amounting to £ 3 15 s , was made on behalf of the Boys' School . It was subsetiueiitlv announced

that Bro . E . G . Holbrook had accepted a stewardshi p for the Bovs ' School at tho next Festival . Bro . Tayler , iu giving "The W . M ., " congratulated him upon tho honour ho had obtained , and expressed a hope that he might bo spared until that time twelve months to congratulate tho Lodge upon the manner iu which he had performed the duties , He knc \ y the W . M . ' s capabilities , ancl believed thafc be