Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and wheie desired will endeuvour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings . CEAET : METROPOLITAN .

UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 . THE annual installation meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , and proved a most enjoyable and successful gathering . The Lodge was summoned for 4-30 , and shortly after that hour the Brethren were called to order by Brother Samuel Toye P . M . the Worshipful Master of the past year , who was supported during the meeting by a large number of members ancl Visitors , among whom were Bros . E . M . Jeffery

S . W . W . M .-elect , G . A . Peters J . W ., C . Giesecko P . M . Treas ., C . J . Free P . M . Sec , E . Hill P . M ., John Stroud P . M ., C . Schmidt P . M ., H . Hyde S . D ., W . A . Bray J . D ., Arthur Church Org ., A . A . Butcher Steward , T . Bowler Tyler , & o ., and the following guests : Bros . G . Detlotl ( German Const . ) , W . W . Morgan 177 , J . Smith P . M . 033 , J . W . Isaacs I . G . 79 , A , E . Eandalll 558 , T . Auley D . C . 177 , G . F . Gildersleve S . W . 1278 , J . Tickle P . M . 1196 , S . H . Baker P . M . 1260 , J . Woods 1839 , & c .

The Lodge being regularly opened the Minutes were read and confirmed , after which the ceremony of passing was worked in favour of three members of the Lodge , Brothers Wetzel , Weigand , and White , tho latter of whom made himself conspicuous by the knowledge he displayed when the usual test questions were put , and really deserved the endorsement of "Very well

answered , Worshipful Master " which , as wo have so frequently remarked , is often uttered in a purely formal manner , and without any bearing on the actual performance of the candidate concerned . It is , in face , quite a treat to listen to such answers as were giv eii by this candidate , and it goes far to prove what is possible by anyone really in earnest .

The ceremonies of the second degree having been completed the Auditors of the year presented their report , and here too there was a departure from formal routine , Bro . Bowberry ancl his assistant ( Bro . R . S . Chapman ) specially referring to different matters of interest to the Lodge . Mentioning the work of the Secretary and the growth of the Lodge Benevolent Fund the

Eeport read : " The very excellent manner in which the duties of our esteemed Secretary have been carried out and the way in which the books and records of the Lodge have been kept reflect credit and care in the compilation of same , and we feel convinced that while the documents and correspondence remain in his charge , they are committed to a trusted and faithful Brother , of which we fully appreciate the value .

" We found all accounts faithfully and correctly kept and are pleased to notice the growing strides the Benevolent Fund has made , which we hope will continue . "

Then followed a reference to the amount of tho arrears due by some of the members , against whom firm measures were advocated , and a well merited compliment to the Treasurer of the Lodge , who , with his companion at the Secretary's table , is justly regarded as one of the pillars and most zealous workers of the Lodge . The Eeport was formally accepted , and later in the evening the Auditors were thanked for the care they had bestowed upon their work , and the evident pains they had taken to thoroughly carry it out .

Now followed the event of the day , the installation of Bro . E . M . Jeffery into the chair of the Lodge , the ceremony being performed by his predecessor Bro . Toye , who certainly carried out the work in an impressive manner , winning a well-deserved vote of thanks at the conclusion .

Bro . Jeffery appointed as his assistant Officers : Bros . Peters S . W ., Hyde J . W ., Giesecke Treasurer , Free Secretary , Bray S . D ., Brown J . D . ( to he invested at a subsequent meeting ) , Butcher I . G ., Schmidt P . M . D . C , Church Organist , A . J . C . Miller and H . J . Eowberry Stewards , and Bowler Tyler , each of the investitures being well received by the Brethren .

The members of the Lodgo next considered two petitions for assistance put before them , * in one case voting £ 20 from tho Lodge Benevolent Fund and agreeing to forward the petition of the Brother to Grand Lodge , the desire being to re-start the applicant in business , and so afford bim the opportunity of regaining his former position—which he had lost through the bad state of trade . There is something eminently practical in these periodical

outbursts of benevolence on the part of tho Upton Lodge , which very often displays more practical Masonry in five minutes—as was the case with the £ 20 vote now referred to—than other and more pretentious Lodges do in as many years . It is quite true there are several Lodges with Benevolent Funds , in more or less affluent circumstances , but few of them are drawn on to the extent of £ 20 within twenty-four hours of an old member ' s appeal

being received . Of course we are prepared to hear it argued there is great risk of encouraging appeals by such liberality , but as most of the Upton members argue , better give away one amount too much than run the risk of doing irreparable harm by delaying every case for fuller enquiry , endless consideration , and ultimate rejection . This Lodge certainly supplies a very different picture to those sketched by our correspondent " Credenda " in his letter elsewhere in this issue .

Lodge was subsequently closed , and the Brethren repaired to the banquet , at which the newly installed Master presided , and submitted the usual Loyal toasts , all being heartily honoured . Bro . I . P . M . Toye gave the health of the W . M ., who , he said , was a Brother they were all pleased to see in his present position , and to honour as their ruler .

In reply , the Master tendered his sincere thanks for the kind manner in which the Brethren had received the toast of his health . He was one of those who would rather plod along in the ordinary rut of life , but in thc advancement that was inseparable from promotion by seniority he found himself in the position of Master of the Lodge , and there he should do his best to satisfy the members , and carry out the duties of his new office to their satisfaction

The toast of the Installing and Immediate Past Master followed . The Master said they must all have been as interested as he at hearing the way the Installation ceremony had been worked that day , and he asked them to drink to the very good health of their Bro . Toye , thereby showing their appreciation of his efforts ; in presenting the jewel voted bv the Lodge he said no Past Master had more fully deserved the decoration than had Brother Toye , whose second term of office in the Upton Lodge had been most successful . He was very pleased it had fallen to his lot to make the presentation .

Reports Of Meetings.

In reply , the Immediate Past Master tendered his thanks for the kindness of the Brethren that evening . He had only done what he regarded as his duty in the Lodge . He had done his best for its welfare , and was delighted to think tho members so far appreciated his efforts as to piesent him with a commemorative jewel—it was really what he might term a noto of affection from the members , and he should regard it as one of the tokens of friendship that would last him , he hoped , so long as he lived .

The Master next gave the health of the Visitors , which he regarded as a very important toast . Bro . Tickle responded . The Visitors were very pleased with their experience that day ; thanked the W . M . for the toast , and the Brethren for their hearty reception of it . As they had been told in the course of the ceremony the present Master had been preceded by several worthy Masons , a fact he could testify to from his personal experience . He considered there

was no greater honour than to be elected to the chair of one ' s mother Lodge , and they could accordingly congratulate the Master who occupied the place of honour that evening . The office of Worshipful Master , in the opinion of those who had had experience in the colonies and elsewhere , was a passport to society in any part of the world , and its privileges should accordingly be jealously guarded . Bro . Baker also responded in an impressive speech .

The Master gave the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary , with which he coupled the other Past Masters , Bros . Free and Schmidt responding , and then the Officers were honoured , tho whole being concluded with the Tyler's toast . ( For Provincial Reports see page 113 ) .

Surprise has often heen expressed that there is no Masonic Lodge in this neighbourhood , in spite of the large and increasing population . There are countless Masons in these suburbs , and yet I believe there is no Lodge nearer than Highbury in one

direction and Wood Green in the other . The -want is about to be supplied . A charter has been granted for a new institution to be called the Crouch End Lodge . It will meet at the historic

Gatehouse , at the top of Highgate Hill , and I believe it will open under the most promising auspices . Mr . Wyatt , the landlord of the Gatehouse , is building a Masonic temple , which will be ready for occupation early in the new year . — " Hornsey Journal . "

The installation meeting of the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , No . 1839 , will be held to-day ( Saturday ) , Bro . Charles Mussared being the W . M .-elect , and his installation being set down for 4-15 p . m .

The other bnsiness on the agenda includes the ballot for , and initiation of , two gentlemen , the whole being followed by the annual banquet , at 7 o ' clock .

The ceremony of Installation will be rehearsed by Brother P . M . Oxley at the meeting of the Friars Lodge of Instruction , No . 1349 , to be held at the Plough Tavern , Bow Eoad , on Monday , 30 th inst .

Proficiency.

PROFICIENCY .

ONE of the requisite qualifications for advancement to a higher degree is suitable proficiency in the preceding . Unfortunately , this qualification is not always sufficiently insisted on . Formerly , there was a regulation requiring that the candidate who desired to be passed or raised should bo examined in open Lodge on his proficiency in thc preceding degree . This

salutary regulation is even now adhered to by some Lodges , who look rather to the quality than to the quantity of their members , and who think that a Lodge had better consist of a few skilful , than many ignorant members . Some Grand Lodges , viewing tho necessity of due proficiency in its proper light , have strengthened the ancient regulation by express rules .

The proficiency of Officers is also an important requisite . No Brother should accept office in a Lodge unless fully qualified to perform its duties An ignorant Master and unskilful Wardens reflect discredit , not only on their own Lodge , but , by their incapacity to explain the peculiar tenets of the Order , on the whole Fraternity . In February 1844 , the Grand Lodge of

Ireland adopted , on this subject , resolutions declaring that no Brother should be considered eligible for , or admissible to , the office of Junior or Senior Deacon until , by strict examination in open Lodge , he shall have proved himself ablo to adminster tho mysteries of Initiation to a candidate in the first degree

nor for the office of Junior or Senior Warden , until , by a like examination , he had proved that he was able to pass a candidate to the second degree ; nor for the office of Master , until he had proven his ability to enter , pass , and raise a candidate through the three degrees . —Exchange .

A Covent Garden sale of Lemons , just received from Australia , has attracted particular attention to the scarcity of this fruit , and the capabilities of the Irrigation Colonies of Mildura and Eenmark as lemon-growing districts . Five hundred cases were disposed of at prices ranging from 9 / 6 to 14 / 6 , which is regarded as an exceptionally good price at auction . Compared

with the fruit commonly sold in England , its value is at least as three to oue . It has a thin smooth skin of pure pale colour , a very juicy pulp with but few pips , weighs heavily , and is of full average size . Samples are now to be seen at the London Office of Messrs . Chaffey Bros ., Limited , 35 Queen Victoria Street , London , E . C .