Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — Continued from page 244 .

— : o : — Upton Lodge , No . 1227 . AN enjoyable meeting was held in connection with this Lodge on Thursday , 14 th inst ., the gathering taking place at the well

known home of the Lodge ait the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , considerable portions of which have recently been rebuilt , while other parts are even now in the hands of the decorator and upholsterer , the probable outcome being one of the most handsome and conveninent establishments of its kind in London .

There was a good attendance of Brethren on the occasion , to witness the first working of the Worshipful Master Bro . Robert Fulton Thomson since his installation , and that Brother showed , bv the excellence of his performances , that the members of his Lodge had made a wise choice in electing him ruler for the year . Indeed , he proved himself veritably the right man in the right place .

As usual at recent meetings of this Lodge there was a full agenda of business to be transacted : members ready for raising , three candidates desiring to be passed , and five gentlemen putting themselves forward to be balloted for and initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . This latter fact is to be regarded as a satisfactory answer to the objections raised by Brethren when the proposition

was recently made to increase the fees of . admission into the Lodge , and we personally accept it as a proof that the leadeTS of the Upton were well advised when they sought to qarry through the alteration , in opposition to Brethren both inside and outside the Lodge . Facts are stubborn things , and the fact that no less than five

candidates came forward at one meeting—with more desiring to be placed on the list , so we understand—is proof that in the earlier days of the change , at least , the increased fee has not had any detrimental effect on the popularity of the Upton Lodge . That such a satisfactory state of affairs may ever continue is our sincere wish .

The programme of the evening was gone through with evidences of great ability on the part of the Worshipful Master , and it was most interesting to notice that he had carefully studied the ritual of Freemasonry as a true student . It was rather a trying ordeal for a new Master to work the three ceremonies , but Bro . Thomson

proved more than equal to the occasion , for not only did he perform the whole of the work to perfection , but we particularly noticed he was ready to give the ancient charge to the candidates , and would probably have done so had not some of the Past Masters' drawn his attention to father " Time . "

The Master was supported by Bros . W . J . Carroll I . P . M ., A . Noble S . W .. G . Flatman J . W ., L . Geiseke P . M . Treasurer , Chas . John Free P . M . Secretary , Charles W . Cooper S . D ., W . T . Hustwayte J . D ., H . Hyde P . M . D . C , E . C . Holmes Organist , W . Hartwell I . G ., T . G . Rover and T . G . Gunn Stewards , T . Bowlei P . M . Tyler , with Past Masters E . M . Jeffery , C . Schmidt , G . A . Peters , W . A . Brav . Edwin Hill , W . Rowberry , and Bros . H . W .

Walker , T . Clarke , F . H . Toplis , T . Brickland , S . E . Farrow , J . C . Thomas , H . Hartwell , J . W . Mills , A . J . Giles , H . Dale , G . A . Fisher , H . Fray , R . Thain , G . Hales , F . C . Selkirk , Frank Bills , Christopher N . Cox , W . H . Baker , A . S . Furguson , A . E . Pound , R . M . Bruce Laihg , T . W . Carlton , E . Gardner , T . C . Neill , John Angles , W . Greenhouse , C . Haughton , R . Mayne , E . Greenland , C . Hilley , A . Fieldhouse , W . Barly , S . Falmer , J . E . George , W . Pride , and several others .

Among the visitors we had the pleasure of seeing Bros . W . J . J . Lean W . M . 131 , John Hill 2341 , G . H . Grantage I . G . 1586 , Walter Upton 1563 , John Harris 156 ^ , W . R . Stocks P . M . 1351 , F . Boulton 1364 , C . Field , J . Wynman , & c . The Lodge having been formed the minutes were read and

confirmed , after which Lodge was opened in the second degree , when Bros . Frederick Herbert Toplis and Frederick Cecil Selkirk having answered the questions were entrusted and retired . Lodge was opened in the third , and those Brethren having been re-admitted were in due course raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and Bros . Frank Binns , Joseph Brickland , and Christopher Norman Cox , who had been initiated on the installation night were examined and entrusted . Lodge was again advanced , and those Brethren passed to the degree of Fellow Craft . This being ended the W . M . most wisely called the Lodee off for a brief rest .

On resumption Messrs . Arthur James Fieldhouse , Walter Henry Barley , F . R . Mountstephens , Stephen Goldwyer Talman , and John James George were presented as accepted candidates for initiation , and in due course they had the honour of being initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonr }'; the impressive manner in which the W . M . rendered the ceremony being such as , we are sure , will make an everlasting impression upon their memory .

Bro . Edward James Gairdner was elected a joining member . Bro . Noble S . W . informed the W . M . and Brethren that Bro . Smith , a member of the Lodge , had met with a severe accident ; he proposed that a letter of sympathy and regret should be sent him from the Lodge . Bro . C . J . Free P . M . Secretary said he had heard of the accident , and directly afterwards wrote to him , but would now write again in the name of the whole Lodge .

Several communications were read concerning the Lodge . A Brother sent in his resignation , and three gentlemen were proposed for initiation . After further Masonic transactions the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren repaired to the magnificent newly built

banqueting room , where the tables were most beautifully decorated with flowers and choice fruits . The banquet was nrovided to perfection , everything being of the finest , and served up so tastefully as to ensure enjoyment . After the Loyal toasts Bro . W . J . Carroll I . P . M . in short and

Reports Of Meetings.

complimentary terms gave the toast of the Worshipful Master . He said it was the first time the W . M . had officiated as ruler of the Upton Lodge , and the working he had done that night had proved most creditable to himself and the Upton Lodge . He had worked his way up from the bottom of the ladder , and had proved he well deserved the high compliment paid him by placing him in the chair of the Lodge .

Bro . Thomson , on rising , was most heartily received . He thanked Bro . Carroll I . P . M . for his kind remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a cordial manner . He felt a little nervous , but was pleased to hear he had given satisfaction thus far . The toast of the initiates was proposed by the W . M . in very happy terms . He was pleased to say the initiates had paid great attention to the ceremony , and he felt assured they would prove themselves ornaments to the Upton Lodge .

Bro . Arthur James Fieldhouse thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . For some time past he had wished to enter their noble Order . Bro ., Walter Henry Barley thanked , the W . M . for having initiated him in the Craft , and also thanked Bros . John Walter Mills

and Alfred James Giles for proposing and seconding him . He also sincerely thanked the Brethren for their hearty reception . Bro . F . R . Mountstephens , in thanking the W . M . for his kind remarks , said that in time to come he hoped to give the Brethren proof that their confidence had not been unworthily placed in him that evening .

Bro . Stephen Goldwyer Talman also acknowledged the compliments paid him . Bro . John James George further thanked the W . M . and Brethren for the honour they had done him . He assured the Master that he would never disgrace the Lodge , and again expressed his indebtedness to all the members .

The toast of the visitors was next given from the chair m most cordial terms . The W . M . said the members of the Upton Lodge were always pleased to give visitors a most hearty welcome , and hoped to see them again on several other occasions . Bros . Stock P . M . 1351 , Walter Upton 1563 , and J . Hill 2341 made suitable acknowledgment .

Other toasts followed and were regularly responded to . The music provided under the direction of the Lodge Organist added to the general enjoyment of the evening .

ELSEWHERE we refer to a Masonic family consisting of father , six sons , and , a grandson —; that is an American record , and in speaking of it we say it is doubtful whether it is not a unique one . In this prosaic country we have to be content with occasional instances of father and one , or perhaps two sons , working together in

********** Friars Lodge , No . 1349 .

the same Lodge , and it is not very frequently we hear of instances of the latter combination , . a fact which is somewhat difficult to explain , in view of the popularity of the Craft among many of its older members , who it might reasonably be expected would exert some amount of influence on the growing generation . An instance of family association in the Craft has just come under our notice , and it is a particularly interesting one , inasmuch as a father , during his year of Mastership , had the opportunity of initiating two of his sons .

This pleasing incident occurred at the regular meeting of the Friars Lodge— -the first held sincet the installation of Bro . A . E . Crabb as W . M . —on Monday , iSth inst ., at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , and added not a little to the attractions of what proved a particularly pleasant assembly . There was a full agenda of business , but the initiation of the two sons of the Master naturally

proved the most attractive feature . We have had the pleasure of seeing the working of Bro . Crabb at meetings of the Friars Lodge of Instruction , but on this occasion he excelled hjmself , and rendered the ritual of the Craft in an impressive and painstaking manner . Bro . I . Davis as S . W ., and Bro . J . A . Abraham I . P . M .

as J . W . rendered valuable assistance in securing happiness and unanimity in the Lodge , while the Deacons and I . G . fulfilled their duties without the slightest hitch . We may altogether congratulate the Brethren on having such a skillful worker as Bro . Crabb as W . M ., supported by good Officers .

The Lodge was called for 4 . 30 , and punctually at the appointed time the W . M . took his position , supported by the Brethren named , with Bros . Ben DaCosta P . M . . Treasurer . E . S . Friedeberg P . M . Secretary , J . Gouls ' ton S . D ., M . Moses j-D ., W . Emerson Org ., S . Emden Steward , A . G . Young Tyler ; Past Masters L . DaCosta , A . Cohen , Henry Harris , J . De Casseres , M . DaCosta , H . Marks ,

D . Shuter ; and Bros . D . Moss P . P . G . Standard Bearer' Transvaal , Marcus Miller , John Durell , J ohn Nanson , F . Englishman , J . Hyams , W . H . Cummins , Chas . Beecham , N . Sampson , L . Marks , Ben . Lyons , S . Issacs , J . Gordon , S . Woolf , H . Woolf , Jos . Lew , H . King , F . Lancaster Smith , A . Scheveren , Leon Sassienne , M . Schwarts , B . Valentine . Chas . Nordheim , Edward H . Lobosky , John DaCosta , and several others .

Amongst the visitors were Bros . Alfred Andrews 1764 , George F . Gaze 2807 , L . B . Newman 334 , A . A . Talbot 1306 , W . B . Toombs 1804 . J . Richmond S . W . 205 , A . M . Goodrich . 205 , A . Israel , S . Solomon , and J . Wynma . n . The Lodge being formed the minutes were read and confirmed .

Messrs . John Crabb and Michael Crabb were first presented as candidates wishing to participate in our ancient Order , and they had the honour of being initiated by their highly esteemed father . After this-Messrs . John Henry Gaze and Henry Durell were presented > and also initiated .

The W . M . feeling a little affected vacated the chair for Bro . J . A . Abrahams I . P . M ., who , after the usual formalities , passed Bros . Englishman , Miller , Beecham , and Gapes to the degree of Fellow Craft .