Tranquillity Lodge, No. 185.

TRANQUILLITY LODGE , No . 185 .

THE annual Festival of this Lodgo was celebrated at tho Guildhall Tavern , Grosham-stroet , E . G ., ou Monday , tho 17 th inst ., iu tho presence of somo eighty brethren , including P . M . ' s and Visitors . Bro . David Posener W . M . opened tbe Lodgo at about threo p . m ., aud shortly after conferred tho third degree upon Bro . Culver . Hitherto the room looked almost empty , but as the period drew nigh iu which if was arranged the ceremony of tho evening would take place ,

Visitors , Past Masters and members made thoir appearance . Among tho first named wero Bros . T . Cuhitt P . G . P ., E . P . Albert P . G . P ., Spiegel W . M . 188 , Bassington W . M . 205 , Lawns W . M . 1017 , J . D . Barnett W . M . Sampson , Dr . Mikley P . M . 419 , E . Jacobs P . M . 1614 , & c , & c . The Past Masters of the Lodge present were—Bros . Saul Solomon , M . Harris , 11 . Z . Bloomfiold , N . Moss , John Constable , J . II .

Ross , J . D . Barnett , N . Glnekstein , E . Gottheil . Bro . Georgo Pare S . W . and W . M . elect was then presented , to receive at the hands of his predecessor the benefit of installation . In due course a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Pare was elevated to that rank , and plncccl into tho chair in conformity with ancient rite . The newly Installed Master appointed his Officers as follow : —F ? ros . D .

Posener I . P . M ., W . D . Bailey S . W ., F . Croaker J . W ., John Peartreo P . M . Treas ., P . Levy Sec , George Biiby P . M . Org ., W . Bush S . D ., J . Barber J . D ., Staley I . G ., B . D . Barnett D . C , Sol . Barnett W . S . The selection seemed to givo general satisfaction . The Installing Master next addressed the W . M ., Wardens and Brethren , npon their respective duties , tbe principles , aims and objects of the Order ,

with intelligent appreciation of what was intended to bo conveyed , to which the assembly listened with breathless attention , and afc tho end gave vent to hearty cheers and applause . The auditors' report having been read , was unanimously adopted . From it we learn that the receipts during tho past year amounted to £ 397 10 s 2 d , and the expenditure £ 317 lis ld , leaving a balance of £ 50 5 s Id . Tho

financial condition is stated tobo as follows : —Lodgo Fund £ 201 Is 8 d , Benevolent Fund £ 851 la , a state of affairs with which tho members have every reason to be satisfied , especially as half yearly subscriptions were then duo , and indeed were being paid simultanously with tho rendering of tho accounts . In pursuance of notice of motion given bv Bro . John Constable P . M . at a previous meeting , to the

effect that the sum of fen guineas be voted from Lodge Fund to each of the Royal Masonic Institutions for Boys , Girls and Aged Annuitants , the proposition was submitted for consideration . Several of tho old Past Masters objected to the grant , not from any feeling of antipathy either to tho proposer or the Institutions , but actuated by motives of economy and over anxiety as to the future prospects of

the Lodge should tho time arrive when tho present favourable conditions might possibly decline . Tho resolution was , however , in the cud noreed to , and tho thirty guineas voted . The AV . M . then in Fuitable terms addressed Bro . Posener , and placed upon his breast a handsome and elaborately wrought gold Past Master ' s jewel , voted by tho brethren in testimony of tho high esteem in which the retiring

W . M . is held , nnd as n slight acknowledgment of services rendered by him during his year of office . Bro . Posener feelingly accepted the gift , but failed to find words which might , adequately represent his sense of their kindness and goodwill , or express the gratitude by which he was animated . A luxurious banquet followed , and after the removal of tho cloth , Dcum Laudate was sung , to which

succeeded the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . To that of the Queen and tho Craft followed the National Anthem . Next came the Most Worshipfnl tho Grand Master H . R . H . Prince of Wales , followed by a glee , " The Red Cross Knight , " by tho emi-Dent and highly skilled vocalists , Bros . Moss , Bamett , Koiiningham , and Do Lacy . Then came tho Pro Grand Master , followed by

" There was oneo a timo , my darling , " by Bro . Kenningham . The Deputy Grand Master and the rest of tho Graud Officers Past and Present next received attention , and with this toast was coupled the names of the two P . G . P . 's , Bros . T . Cnbitt and E . P . Albert , who briefly replied . Tho I . P . M . next asked to bo allowed the nse of tho gavel , and taking possession of that emblem of power ,

said it soemed only a short while ago when the gavel was handed to him , but the time had flown so quickly that already he had to deliver it to a far better ( oh ! oh !)—well , he would say a younger and more able brother , who , he was sure , would carry on tho affairs of tho Lodge to tho satisfaction of the brethren , and to

judge from past experience of his work in the various offices through which the W . M . had passed , would give eclat to the Lodge of Tranquillity . He would , therefore , ask that tho health might be drunk with best wishes for a prosperous year of office . Song , " From Rock to Rock , " by Bro . E . Moss . Bro . Pare , in reply , said he felt his a most difficult task that oveni ' ii '' . At the moment wiion his

long cherished ambition was gratified , and . he had reached the highest and . proudest position in the Lodgo , he was inspired with diffidence as to his ability to carry out the duties devolving upon him satisfactorily to himself and the brethren . Ho was , however , vory sensible of the kind feeling and expressions of goodwill by which his election was accompanied , and trusted when tho time arrived for his

fearing the chair , he might , by his conduct during the year , havo secured tho right to tho same fraternal kindness ho had experienced iu the past . lie could assure them that his best attention would bo devoted , both to the interests of tho Lodge and tho comfort . " ! at tbe festive Board . The W . M . then proposed tho Visitors , coupling with it tbo names of Bros . Spiegel , Lazarus , Bassington , and Barnett , nil W . M . ' s of sister Jewish Lodges . Glee , "Tho Sailor ' s Song , " by the

professionals . Bro . Lazarus , in thanking tho brethren for his hearty reception , remarked that it was now many years since he had the pleasure of visiting this Lodge , and conld not help noticing ( he marks ol ' progress evident in all its affair ? . Tho ordinary working in any Lodgo was expected to run smoothly , but in all his experience he had never listened with moro pleasure than he had that eveniua dnrng the ceremony of installation , which was rendered in a nwrnior rarely Surpassed . He was also gratified with tho way in which the

Tranquillity Lodge, No. 185.

Lodge supported tho Chanties . The toast of tho Past Masters was thou given , followed by song , " Old Simon the Collarer , " by Bro . Do Lacy . Bro . Posener replied . Bro . Saul Solomon P . AI . and President of the Benevolent Fund , replying to thafc toast said , tho subject was certainly nofc new , but ifc was not obsolete . Ho was pleased on that occasion that it was not his duty to m : iko an appeal ,

yet he trusted tbo Fund would not bo neglected by tlv r . odge , for if ono wero to fail tho other would infallibly fail with i I ' r . was a happy circumstance that of lato there had been no claim . irion its resources , but who knows how soon its aid might bo called into reqnisition , and occasion ariso to afford relief , as had been done in the past . He hoped the Fund would continue to grow , from

donations aud interest on capital . Ho had never heard of any Brothei making even tho slightest return to the Fund , although , through its instrumentality , many had been ablo to lay tho foundation of re . nowed prosperity . Nevertheless , he trusted they would always bo in a position to render substantial assistance to ii'icdy brethren who in tho timo of prosperity participated with them iu tbe privileges

and enjoyments of tho Lodge , not by doling out small sums , but giving such amounts as would secure anotherchanco of regaining , at least in somo degree , their former social position . Ho could not leave this subject that nieht without asking all to join him in au attempt at " gilding refined gold . " He desired to spoak of Bro . John Constable . The advent of thafc Brother was a blessing to tho

Lodgo . It was he who rescued tho Lodgo from comparative obscurity , and by introducing fresh blood and vigour , iu tho shape of candidates , consisting of his own personal friends , of which ho possesses a wonderful number , —aud who can deny him auy thing , —he raised ifc to its present proud pre-eminence and usefulness . Tu alibis life , ho had never como across any ono with such indomitable

energy and perseverance in tho cause of Charity ; with such unselfish effrontery ; to whom a negative is half an affirmative , aud who takes a shake of tho head to imply a no 1 , and who has scarcely a compeer whom tho orphan and widow have moro reason to bless . Bro . Constable was loudly called upon ; after somo hesitation , heroso and said , that from tho remarks of Bro . Solomon , ifc might bo inferred

he was a pachydermatous animal , but ho could assure thorn that to compliment he was perfectly invulnerable , however , he did not disdain praise where merited . Tho good naturecl sarcasms indulged iu by Bro . Solomon , in regard to his published History of the Lodge , did not affect ; him in the least , for it took a vast deal of chaff to disturb his equanimity . He had always endeavoured to work for the benefit

of the Lodge and tho Charities ; how ho had succeeded , thoy best knew . He hoped to be actuated by the samo motives and principles in future as in the pnst . Tho pleasure of the evening was cons der . ably marred wbeu Bro . Phil . Levy , Sec , rose to reply to tho toast of Secretary and Treasurer , for ho announced thafc tho truly beloved Bro . John Peartree P . M . and Treas , was then lyin < j stricken with a

highly dangerous malady , which , it was feared , might prove fatal . For twenty years ho , in conjunction with the Treasurer , had worked and given their best attention to promote the interests of the Lodge , and this absence nnder snch sad circumstances had cast a gloom upon him . He , however , preyed tho G . A . O . T . U ., iu his goodness , would

see fit to restore their Brother to health and activity . Bro . Constable , who is acting Treas ., most feelingly joined in thafc prayer , and spoko of the kindness of heart and general impulse by which every action of Bro . Peartree was guided . The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .

St. David's Lodge, No. 1147.

ST . DAVID'S LODGE , No . 1147 .

rTiHL Festival of Sfc . John was celebrated on 13 th insfc ., at Freemasons ' X Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . Bros . T . Elliott W . M ., E . Williams I . P . M ., Ishmael Davies S . W ., John Taylor J . W ., W . Hadden See ., J . O . Evans S . D ., F . Griffin J . D ., It . Barlow Treas ., A . Ehrenbach Org ., J . B . Seel I . G ., J . Sly Tyler . Pasb Masters—Ellis Jouos , T . R . Williams , J . W . Jones , T . Gibson , T . R . Peel , and Bros . E . Staveley , R . Brown , M . Fairweather , H . Elliott , F . Sternberg , T . Chadwick ,

R . Renshaw , E . Tootill , & c . Visitors—Bros . John Barker P . M ., C . Heywood P . M . 645 P . P . G . Reg ., W . Harding P . M . 1496 P . P . G . S . D . West Lancashire , W . Scott Browu P . M . 999 , G . Atkiusou W . M . 323 , II . Wylie , Morris Jouos , T . J . Cowen Sec . 1161 , S . M . Davies FREEMASON ' CHKODICLE , & C . The Lodge was opened about three p . m ., and the minutes of last meeting read and ratified . All being in

readiness for the important event of the day , the W . M . elect , Bro . Ishmael Davies , was introduced to the Installing Master , Bro . Ellis Jones P . M ., by Bro . T , Elliott , tho retiring W . M . The customary interrogations having been satisfactorily answered by Bro . Davies , he was solemnly obligated . The Lodge was advanced to the third degree , and all below tho dogreo of W . M . having retired , the W . M .

elect was introduced to a board of Installed Masters , invested , and installed . On tho re-admission of the brethren , Bro . Ishmael Paries was proclaimed Worshipful Master of the St . David ' s Lodgo for the ensning twelve months , and as such received tho salutations of the brethren . This portion of tho ceremony was conducted-by Bro . T . If . Peel P . M ., who in turn relinquished the posttoBro . E . Williams

P . M ., and tho I . P . M . With their assistance the W . M . invested his Officers as follow : —Bros . T . Elliott I . P . M ., John Taylor S . W ., William Hadden J . W ., . 7 . O . Evans Sec , R . Barlow S . D ., J . B . Seel J . D ., F . Griffin Treas ., T . R . Williams P . M . D . C , A . Ehreubaoh Org ., 10 . Stnvclpyl . G .. II . Elliott , F . J . Brown , J . Palmer Stewards , J . Sly T yler . Tho ceremony so far being successfully performed , tho fiual charges were ably given hy Bro . T . R . Williams P . M . Other business

being completed , tho Lodge was closed in harmony , and the brethren adjourned lo the Queen ' s Hotel , where a most recherche banquet was provided . The inciin was excellently catered , and the waiting was everything that could be desired . After the removal of the cloth iho W . M . rose to propose the first toast . In doing so ho referred in a fondling manner to the poignant grief Her Most Gracions Majesty cho Queen had undergone in consequence of the death of her beloved