Reports Of Meetings.

If I have made myself clear so far , you will readily understand how the moral philosophy of our Fraternity comes to be depicted by symbols taken from astronomy and architecture . It must also be apparent , ( i ) That ancient brotherhoods in general were the custodians of the learning of their day , and ( 3 ) That those societies of the middle ages with whom we claim kindred were the champions of freedom of

thought and the staunch opponents of religious bigotry and tyranny . Now we reach a period of marked change . With the establishment of the printing press , in the middle of the 15 th century , came an increasingly rapiu spread of education , while with the reformation at the beginning of the 16 th century came a grand development of liberty of conscience such as the world had never before witnessed .

The Masonic Fraternities here completed one phase of their usefulness , and dwindled into comparative insignificance until about the end of the 16 th and beginning of the 17 th centuries , when more and more non-operatives were admitted and Speculative Masonry was established in the land , to flourish and grow to the ample proportions , extending to the four corners of the globe , with which we of to-day sire so familiar . *' ¦ ¦ -- ¦ - ¦¦ :

«' ¦ As already stated , the first'Grand Lodge was founded in London , in the year 1717 , but it was not until 1724 that our Society began the systematic cultivation of its distinguishing characteristic , charity . On 19 th February of that year Grand Lodge made a subscription on behalf of a poor Brother named Henry Prichard . The Earl of Dalkeith Grand Master headed the list with two guineas , and the

collection realised the sum of , £ 28 17 s 6 d . In the following November the Grand Master attempted the formation of a permanent fund for the relief of poor Masons , but his suggestions were not acted upon until November 1729 , when the sum of £ 9 8 s 6 d was ' subscribed by five Lodges for that purpose . It is from , this small beginning that the magnificent Charitable Institutions of which we are so justly proud have ultimately developed .

And now , at this dawn of the 20 th century , Freemasonry is in a more excellent condition than it has ever known before . Its members

include numbers of the best men in every civilised community—men who truly prize honour and virtue above the external advantages of rank and fortune . Its principles are sound , its teachings lofty and pure . The stigma which attached to many of our Brethren but fifty years ago , of undue indulgence in the pleasures of the table , is fast disappearing , and that temperance which we profess to admire is more

constantly and consistently practised than ever it has been in the past . But , if Freemasonry is to advance still further , if it is to make a still deeper impression upon society , if its power for good is to see an increase during this twentieth century , there is much to be done . The Brotherly love we profess must be uniformly manifested , not merely in the Lodge room and towards our fellows in the Craft , but

in every department of life and towards everyone we meet . Masonry must be synonymous with justice , with mercy , with kindness of spirit , with : gentleness :-

purpose , integrity of word , integrity of deed . To be deservedly called Master Masons we must be raised from the cold confines of worldly selfishness to a generous loving sympathy with our fellowmen . Then , indeed ,, we shall , silently but powerfully , assist in the betterment of society , in the upliftment of humanity , and play a noble though unobtrusive part in hastening the advent of that glorious time ,

when—Man to man , the world o'er , Shall Brothers be and a' that . The health of the initiated and passed Brethren was proposed by Bro . T . H . Scholfield P . M . P . P . G . R . Treas ., who began by deprecating his own powers to perform the duty efficiently , but ended with a peroration quite academic in its brilliancy of diction . The candidates responded .

Brother John -Studd P . M . P . P . G . D . C . proposed the Masonic Charities , and stated that the ambition of the members was to place the Lodge of Integrity at the top of the tree so far as charity was concerned . The votes which the Lodge held in perpetuity were as follow : Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 152 , Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 44 , Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows 3 60 , East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution 377 .

, As their Charity Representative he would agitate until these votes were considerably increased . Reverting to the Festival in connection with the East Lancashire Institution , to be held on Wednesday , 26 th June , and which Bro . Cheetham Chairman of the Institution had so ably advocated in his recent visit to themhe would not be

, satisfied until the Worshipful Master had voted at least ^ 100 from the funds of the Lodge . He looked forward to the fact of a great number of members qualifying for Stewardships in connection with the Festival , but he expected all to subscribe something , even if they did not become Stewards .

Bro . J . M . Sinclair P . M . P . P . G . D . proposed the toast of the Visitors , which was responded to by Bros . J . W . Hallam P . M . 105 5 C . Moss P . M . 815 , and T . Powers P . M . 325 . Other toasts followed . ' We may take the opportunity of publishing the list of Officers invested at the Installation meeting , namely : Bros . H . E . Massie

P . M . S . W ., R . W . Nuttall J . W ., T . H . Scholfield P . M . P . Prov . G . Reg . Treas ., J . Townend Sec , F . W . Whittle S . D ., Ben Wilmot J . D ., F . Simpson I . G ., S . Gaskill P . M . D . C ., A . Eastwood Org-., John Studd P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Char . Rep ., G . R . Jury , J . W . Scott , G . Challinor , T . R . Jackson , E . B . Beesley , A . D . Pixton , and C . D . Senior Stewards .

* * « t Bro . Lord Roberts denies the statement that he is , or has been , a Forester . . ¦'

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

— : o : — Hy & eia Lodge , No . 2 664 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . JULIUS MARRIS JONES . TRULY a great change has taken place since the consecration

of this Lodge in July ISQ 7 , when the Master had the co-operation of the Founders only , and the immediate prospect of but few members , for on Saturday the newly-installed Master was supported by neariy , fifty Brethren directly associated with the Lodge , together with about twenty visitors . Four years ago the Lodge could hardly be

described as being in affluent circumstances ; to-day it may be compared most favourably with any other young Lodge , and stands out prominently in the matter of Masonic benevolence , as evidenced by the fact that Bro . T . F . Strutt , who has presided over the Lodge in the past year , had the gratification of presenting to the Royal

Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons the magnificent total of ^ 92 tos 6 d , as the list from the Lodge at the recent Festival . This will no doubt prove an everlasting sweet remembrance for the Founders , and those who have since supported the Lodge , as Bro . Strutt was the first who had had the pleasure of representing it at any of the Festivals connected with the Charities of the Order .

As already mentioned , the installation meeting took place on Saturday , and was held in the Masonic Temple of the Holborn Restaurant . There was a full agenda ol business—enough to satisfy the most exacting of Masonic . gourmands—there being three candidates for . raising , three for passing , and two for initiation ; but beyond all this there was the event of even greater interest and importance , the installation of Bro . Julius Marris Jones as ruler of the Lodge for the ensuing twelve months .

The Lodge was punctually opened at 3 o clock by Bro . T . F . Strutt W . M ., who was assisted by the following Officers and other members : Bros . W . H . Watson I . P . M . and Treasurer , J . M . Jones S . W . W . M .-elect , W . H . J . Gathercole acting LW ., E . Tidman Secretary , I . Young S . D ., J . W . Metcalf J . D ., A . Taylor I . G ., W . G . Lacy Organist , T . G . Dee and W . H . Grigg Stewards , T . Williams

Tyler , Dr . F . J . Allan W . M . Lodge of Progress , F . C . Fairchild , G . D . Lill , J . I . Roberts , W . R . Hitchcock , F . A . Aris , S . E . Bobbitt , A . Field , C . Phillips , T . W . Calverly , G . W . Branson , E . P . Ward , J . P . Folland , J . W . Whipp , L . C . Wearing , H . Herriott , R . J . Butland , H . Watson , J . Metcalf , A . W . Stiles , A . McNair , W . F . Crute , F . A . Barth , H . Marrable , S . Crane , J . C . Webb , A . J . Bobbitt , J .

W . Kirk , A . Saunders , H . Body , A . P . Woodforde , John Sanderson . Amongst the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing Bros . W . R . Palmer P . M . P . Z . P . P . G . R . Micldx ., G . Blake Spicer P . M . 1891 , T . Archer S . D . 142 , C . B . Wood J . D . 1977 , T . W . Stuchbiiry I . G .. 1566 , G . W . Couch 1125 , F . Gilbert 239 8 , J . B . Walker 2317 , C . J . Jones 2442 , Sidney May 1658 , E . Life 252 S , W . Perrin 1615 , J . S . Smith 16 5 S , J . Wynman , and others .

The preliminaries having been disposed of , the Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . S . E . Bobbitt , C . Phillips , and T . W . Calverley were examined and entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the third , and in due course those Brethren were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bros . H . J . Watson , J . Metcalf , and W . R . Hitchcock answered the questions and were entrusted . The Lodge was again advanced , and those Brethren were passed Fellow Crafts . The Lodge was once more resumed to the first degree , and Messrs . A . P , Woodforde and John Sanderson were initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry .

Then followed the chief event of the year . The Worshipful Master-elect Bro . J . M . Jones was presented ' by Bro . Dr . F . J .. Allan and after the obligation was regularlv placed in the chair as ruler of the Hygeia Lodge for the ensuing year . He invested his Officers as follow : Bros . T . F . Strutt I . P . M . and Secretary , Isaac Young

S . W ., E . Tidman ( late Secretary ) J . W ., J . W . Metcalfe S . D ., A . Taylor J . D ., W . W . West D . C ., W . G . Lacy' Organist , T .. G . Dee I . G ., W . H . Grigg and A . J . Field Stewards , T . Williams Tyler . The new Master ' s investiture of his Officers gave ample proof of his ability for the position of ruler .

Bro . Strutt in a most impressive manner delivered the three addresses ; there was none of the nervousness , hesitation , or confusion about them which is often witnessed , and great compliment is due to that Brother for the admirable manner in which he finished

his year of Office . We may endorse the remark of the W . M . that to work the three ceremonies , and afterwards instal his successor was no easy task ; but Bro . Strutt took it more as a pleasant pastime , his cheerful demeanour never changing during the whole of the lengthy working .

The W . M . having sounded the gavel , said he had a most pleasant and happy duty to perform . He . had been at several installation meetings , but had never witnessed the working more perfectly performed than it had been that ni ght , and he was glad the official duty had devolved upon him to pin on the breast of Bro . Strutt the Past

Master ' s jewel of the Lodge , together with a collar of Office , which he had so well earned . His year of Office had been a record and most successful one ; and he hoped that Bro . Strutt would live to wear their presentation for many , many years to come , in health and t > rosperity .

Bro . Strutt I . P . M . said he should always consider the collar and jewel as mementoes of a very pleasant year of Office , and he should always regard the presentation as a token of their esteem and respect . The working he had done had been a pleasure to him . It was very gratifying to have had the great pleasure of installing such an esteemed and worthy Mason as Bro . Jones . He sincerely thanked the Officers for the great assistance they had rendered him , and the Brethren generally , for their kindness during his year of Office .

A candidate was proposed for next meeting , and other work having been disposed of the Lodge was closed , after which the Brethren repaired to the banquet room , where aa excellent repast