The Late President Garfield.

Lodge of Joppa , No . 188 . —Tho first mooting since the installation was held on the 6 th instant , at tho Albion , Aldersgatestreet , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro . L . M . Myers ; Bros . J . Benjamin S . W ., " Martin J . W ., J . S . Lyon Treasnrer , E . P . Albeit P . G . P . Secretary , Bean S . D ., A . Botibol J . D ., L . Lazarns P . M . M . C ., Wall I . G ., Dowsnap and Wynman Stewards , Woodstock P . M . Tyler .

Baker I . P . M ., P . M . ' s L . Alexander , A . G . Dodson , L . Lazarus . Lodgo was opened , and the minntes were confirmed ; ballots were taken for the admission of Messrs . Isaiah Hyman and Gnstav Salinger , which being nnanimous in their favour ; the candidates were duly initiated into the Order . Mr . I . Isaac also , who had previously been accepted ,

was initiated by the W . M ., who in a perfect manner rendered the ceremonies . The sum of five guineas was proposed , aud unanimously agreed to , to be given to the Mansion House Fund for the relief of the persecuted Jews in Russia . The Lodge was then closed , and tho brethren adjourned to slight refreshments . The W . M . ably presided . The usual toasts wero given . There wero several visitors .

Polish National Lodge , No . 534 . —Tho regular meeting of this Lodge took place on Thursday , 9 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , when there was a good attendance of the brethren ; Dr . Corrie Jackson W . M ' . occupied the chair , and was supported by Dr . V . A . Jagielski I . P . M . ; in addition the other Officers and brethren , viz . —Bros . Lancaster S . W ., Aspinall P . M . J . W . ( in place

of Bro . Smith , absent through illness ) , J . J . Ruutz S . D ., Birling J . D ., Oliver Bryant I . G ., Tongue M . C ., Davis Tyler , and tbe following P . M . ' s—Bro . Jagielski , Aspinall , Rath , Ebner , Nowakowski Treasurer , and Paas Secretary . After reading and confirmation of the minutes , the Lodge proceeded to ballot for Mr . Eugene John Fauser , Diamond Merchant , 14 Hatton-garden , proposed by Bro . I . F .

Ebner P . M ., seconded by Bro . M . Diosy P . M ., and as it proved to be unanimously in his favour he was duly received and initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . Previously the ceremony of raising Bro . Dr . W . H . Pardoe had been performed by the W . M . in his usual fluent manner . Bro . Pardoe was then invested with the

Silver Eagle , the badge of the Polish National Lodge . On Lodge being resumed in the first degree a most animated discussion followed upon the important subject of the notice of motion which had been given by Bro . Paas Secretary , by which the subscription and visiting fees should be raised . This motion was not carried . The sum of two

guineas was voted to a brother in distress . The W . M . brought forward the proposition of a new candidate . A letter was read from Bro . George R . Foster , stating that as he was to sail for Calcutta the next day , he wished to be placed upon the list of country members . This was unanimously agreed to , and the W . M . was requested to

forward a telegram wishing him bon voyage , and a safe return to his mother Lodge . All the business being completed , Lodge was closed in due form at 9 p . m ., and the brethren retired to the banquet-room , where they passed a pleasant hour or so . The following visitors were present—Bros . Venning Temple Lodge , Draper 1702 , Saegert P . M . Wellington 548 , Eastman Manchester 179 , Loos P . M . Era 1428 .

Grey Priars Lodge , No . 1101 . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , 8 th February , at the Masonie Hall , Reading . Present—Bros . E . J . Blackwell W . M ., W . Ferguson I . P . M ., Richard Dowsett S . W ., E . Margrett P . M . acting J . W ., J . T . Stransom Treasurer , W . P . Ivey P . M . Secretary , J . H . Hawkes S . D ., R . C . Prickett J . D ., W . Ravenscroft I . G ., W . Heramings Tyler j Bros . Collins , Greonaway , Bailey , Creed , Weathorhead , Sands . Visitors—Bros . Tarrant 1158 ,

Withers Sec . 414 , Davies 1332 , Hawkes , and F . Blackwell 414 . Lodge was opened in the first degree . The W . M . read a letter he had received from the J . W ., Bro . the Rev . 0 . R . Honey , announcing his return from Italy , in restored health , and expressing his regret at not being able to attend that evening ; also thanking the W . M . for his appointment . He hoped for the future to be able to attend regularly to discharge his duties . Tbe minutes of the last regular Lodge were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . Walter Blackwell

as an initiate , and he was declared to be elected . The Tyler having prepared the candidate , he was admitted and initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The W . M . performed the ceremony in a masterly manner , and afterwards gave the charge with great erudition , realising our prognostication that good working would take place this year in tho Grey Friars Lodge . Two notices of-motion that were on the agenda were carried unanimously , secaring tho sum of

twenty guineas on the list of the W . M ., who will attend tho Festival of the R . M . B . I . next week . Bro . Creed , who had recently joined the Lodge , desired to add five guineas for the same Institution , in recognition of his having rejoined his mother Lod ge . The W . M . expressed his gratitude for the valuable addition mado to his list , which he hoped would equal those of his predecessor . After the proposal of a member for joining , Lodge was closed and adjourned .

Percy Lodge of Instruction , No . 198 . —Held at the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , on Saturday , the 11 th instant . Present—Bros . Wolf W . M ., G . Fcrrar S . W ., Gribbell J . W ., Pearcy Preceptor , Fcnner Sec , A . Ferrar S . D ., Weeden J . D ., Houghton I . G ., also Bros ! Blasted , C . Lorkin , Cattling , D . Moss , Robinson , Richardson , Marks , & c . Lodge was opened , and the minntes of last meeting were read

and confirmed . The W . M . vacated the chair in favonr of Bro . Preceptor . Bro . Cattling then proved himself an efficient E . A ., and was duly entrusted . Lodge was opened in tho second , and tho ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Cattling acting as candidate . The W . M . worked the first section of the lecture , assisted by the brethren and

tho third , assisted by Bro . Brasted . Bro . Wolf resumed tho cln ' r and opened the Lodge in the third degree . Bro . C . Lorkin worko . l the first section of the lecture , assisted by Bro . Cattling . Lud"u being resumed to the first , Bro . G . Ferrar was dul y elected to preside at the next meeting .

The Late President Garfield.

Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 . —On Monday , 13 th instant , at The Moorgate , Moorgate-street , E . C . Present—Bros . A . Hubbard W . M ., Knight S . W ., Hawtrey J . W ., Pierdon S . D ., Perl J . D ., Bryco I . G-, Edwin Storr Sec , Scales Treas ., W . M . Stiles Preceptor ; also Bros . Barratt-Kidder , Gilham , Money , Edmonds , AshtoD , Harrison , Carter , Tubbey , Fraser , Jones , Grant , Richardson , Rogers , Emblin , & c . Lodge was opened to the third

degree , and after the ceremony of raising had been rehearsed , Lodge was closed to the first degree . A most interesting paper was then read by Bro . W . W . Morgan , for which service honorary membership of the Lodge was conferred upon him . Five new members wero elected , and the S . W . was appointed W . M . for the 27 th instant . The sum of £ 5 5 s was voted from the Funds of the Lodge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and after having spent a pleasant and instructive evening , the brethren separated .

The Annual Banquet of the members will take place on Monday next . Bro . W . M . Stiles ( W . M . 1507 , & c ) , the Preceptor , will take the chair at 7 o ' clock precisely .

Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 . —The regular meeting of this Lodge was held on Monday , 13 th inst ., at York . Bro . G . Simpson W . M . presided , and was supported by Bros . T . B . Whytehead P . M . C . G . Padel P . M ., G . Balmford P . M ., and the whole of the Officers , with a number of brethren . The business consisted of the passing to the second degree of Bros , tho Rev . S . Edge nnd J . Menuell . Bro .

Whytehead presented to the Lodge , on behalf of the Pentalpha Lodge , Washington , an " In Memoriam , " Masonic biography and portrait of the late President of the United States , and a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Pentalpha Lodge for its fraternal gift . Two can . didates were proposed , and Lodge was closed harmoniously , the brethren afterwards meeting at refreshment .

Upton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1227 . —At Bro . Grey ' s , the Swan , Bethnal Green . road , on Thursday , 16 th instant . Present—Bros . R . W . Pearcy W . M ., Defriez S . W ., Horley J . W ., Fenner Proceptor , Free Secretary , A . Clark S . D ., Ford J . D ., Sneth I . G . ; also Bros . D . Moss , Morris , Robinson , Wilson , Hambach , Grey , Marks , C . Lorkin , & c . After preliminaries , Bro . Robinson

answered the questions leading to the second degree , was en . trusted , and the ceremony of raising rehearsed . Lodge resumed to the first degree , when the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Hambach being the candidate . The W . M . displayed great ability in both ceremonies . Bro . Defriez was elected W . M . for the next meeting , after which Lodge was closed , and adjourned .

Luther Not A Freemason.

LUTHER NOT A FREEMASON .

JUNE last , the Voict contained a letter of the Grand Master of Masoni of Illinois , claiming that the great German Reformer , Martin Lnther , was a Freemason , and as such had been initiated by a Lodge at Wittenberg , 25 th December 1510 . This statement was given by a reverend Slater , and received as truth . In a private letter , then , I questioned tbe correctness of the assertion , but requested delay in

its public contradiction until I could get the facts from Germany . In response to my inquiries there , I have three letters , aud they disprove Rev . Slater's statement . There were no Freemasons in Germany before 1738 , combined into a Lodge . There may have been single members , who were made in England or France , and who wero sent as apostles to the continent

to carry on the good work of the then new re-organisation of Freemasonry . For that purpose they may have formed Emergent Lodge 0 , as iu the case of Frederick the Great , of Prussia , in 1738 , at Braun . schweig , but no Lodges existed before 1717 . If Rev . Slater intended to state that Martin Lnther had been initiated into a Guild of Steinmetzen at Wittenberg , then that is an

error , as the letter written by the present Mayor of that city says : No Guild of Steinmetzen was in existence at that time ; the first Guild of Steinmitzen at Wittenberg was chartered 1563 . It was impossible for Luther to be initiated , as there was none to initiate him , besides it was against the law of these Guilds to initiate any person who had not learned the trade and regularly practised it . The

German Steinmetzen , in this regard , differed from their English brethren . The old Constitution of Strasburg 1549 , Article " N , " reads : " No workman , nor Master , nor Pallirer , nor Fellow Craft shall instruct any one whomsoever who is not of our Craft , in any part if ho has not in his day practiced Masonry . " When we examine the history of the Guilds of the German Steinmetzer as to their usage we find , 1 st .

Classification of their members into Masters , Fellow Crafts and Apprentices . 2 nd . Government by a certain number of Officers . 3 rd . Tho exclusion of all persons not having served regularly and practically for five years as Apprentices to a regularly acknowledged Master . 4 th . Tho privileges of a Master ' s son . 5 th . The peculiar reqnisitos or qualifications for membership , and so on . These

requiremenfcs , especially the most important , the great Reformer , Lnther , did not possess , and consequently he was ineligible . Luther , in his own Biography says , ho left Wittenberg , December 21 st , 1520 , and returned January 5 th , 1521 . Luther was escorted to Worms by the Herald of the Emperor Charles the V ., also entirely safe . A few of his personal friends and legal advisers were

permitted with the escort . Among the guilds which hailed Lnther along the line of his travel , and at Worms , not one Guild of Steinmetzen is mentioned . " It is astonishing , " the latter adds , " that we Germans receive the

knowledge that Luther was a Freemason from a foreign country , and that we have bean for 300 years ignorant of such fact , but unhappily it mti 3 t be denied in toto . Tho capture of Luther on his return from Worms , near Eisenbach , by disguised soldiers and by order of his friend the Elector of Suxouia , Frederick the Wise , for