A New Masonic Fossil.

me that the anti-masons , during the anti-masonic excitement , circulated a report that Jesus was a Mason , and because he revealed the Masonic secrets the Jewish Masons caused his crucifixion . The above " discovered" old document

tells another story about the Masonry of Jesus . But be that as it may , as my main object was , and is , to call the attention of our learned Brethren to the above wonderful Masonic fossil , I shall only add that the Preface covers

eight pages of the book . The old " pergament" fills about sixty-two pages . Next comes near sixteen pages of " Closing Remarks of the German Translator , " which proves ( in orthodox Masonic fashion ) the genuineness and

authenticity of the said document . And last , comes " Part II ., " of near 30 pages , headed " The Order of the Essenes " in which essay all that Josephus and Philo wrote about the Essenes is reproduced , and a good deal more besides .

The writer proves conclusively that the Essenes were brimful of faith , piety , and virtue . But for all that , viewing them from a commonsense standpoint , I simply regard them as I do the Monks , Hermits , Quiettsts , Salvation

Army , and all other highly wrought religious perfectionists , as no more and no less than a mere pack of conceited or deluded cranks , and I am not at all proud of their alleged relationship to our modern Masonry . BOSTON , U . S ., 29 th February 1888 .

Installation Meetings, &C.

INSTALLATION MEETINGS , & c .

: o : NEW CONCORD LODGE , No . 813 .

rpHE installation meeting of this Lodge was hold at the Guildhall -L Tavern , Gresham Street , on Thursday , 15 th inatant , and , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . August Perl , the Worshipful Master , who is seriously ill , was presided over by Bro . T . J . Cusworth P . M . Among those present were Bros . F . Perl ( W . M . elect ) S . W ., J . E . Chubb J . W ., Rev . C . Stevens Chap ., John Stilwell P . M . Treasurer ;

S . C . Haslip , T . Bartlett , Alfred John Potter , H . J . Gabb and CWeeden Past Masters ; C . H . Oekelford S . D ., J . E . Cordell J . D ., and J . Bleckley Smith I . G ., together with several other members of tho Lodge , and the following visitors : —C . Riechelmann P . M . 515 , J . Tanner P . M . 1457 , W . Carey W . M . 1571 , C . H . Halford S . D . 1607 ,

A . Combes S . D . 820 , J . P . Saunders Steward 1507 , E . Kerr 2 U New York , W . Oakley Welsford 1321 , R . Pierpoint P . M . 177 , W . Blitz 177 , J . Wilson 1708 , C . Gieseke P . M . 1627 . We may here express our regret at the absence of Bro . E . R . Harper P . M ., the Secretary of tho Lodge , who , like the W . M . of tho past year , is

seriously ill . We trust they both may be speedily restored to health . The minutes having been confirmed , Bro . Smith was raised to tho sublime degree , alter which Bro . F . Perl was installed as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , and appointed his Officers : —Chubb S . W ., Oekelford J . W ., Rev Stevens Chap ., Stilwell Treasurer , Harper

Secretary , Cordell S . D ., Smith J . D ., Richards I . G ., Millson D . C ., Carnmacb and Levesquo Stewards , Turbefield Tyler . The iostallatiou having been completed in due form , Mr . Watsou Dyer was admitted as a candidate for Freemasonry ; io duo course receiving the benefits of the first degree . Other business having been disposed of

the Lodge was closed , and the banquet was served , after which the usual toasts were honoured . That of the Queen was followed by tho National Anthem , and then the W . M . proposed tho hralth of the Prince of Wales . That being the first meeting of the Lodge after the Silver Wedding-day of the Prince and Princess he felt the

brethren would heartily drink to their health , congratulating them on the celebration of such an event . Speaking of the Grand Officers , the Master said Masons must be very pleased at having such noble , men at their head as those who ruled over the destinies of the Craft . Bro . Bartlett proposed the health of the Worshipful Master . He was

very sorry the proper custodian of tho gavel for such a toast was not present that night , as he felt no one could do better with the toast . The present ruler had done sufficient to prove himself capable of conducting the affairs of the Lodge . All tho members wished him a successful year of oliice , from the

beginning to tho finish . In reply to the toast tho W . M . thanked one and all for tho position he had been placed in that night . Ho should endeavour to uphold the dignity of the Lodge in a manner equal to what had been done by those who had preceded him in tho chair . He next proposed the health of the Installing Master . Ho knew this

toast would meet as hearty a reception as any he should propose that night . The "way in which Bro . Cusworth had worked must have created euvy in the minds of all . If all could sneceed in the work as he had done that night they would have something to boast of . Bro . Cusworth tendered his thanks for the kind way in which they

had listened to him , and had honoured the toast just proposed . As one of tho Past Masters of the Lodge lie ever strove to do his duty . He always strove to fill up a gap , whenever such arose , to the best of his ability . The Past Masters one and all were equal to any emergency , and ho had simply done what any of those belonging to

the New Concord Lodge would do . The reason that ho bad undertaken tho installation was because the Immediate Past Master had aaked him to instal his brother . Tho toast of the initiate followed .

In proposing it the W . M . felt ho watt speaking of one who would tako a . warm interest in the Lodge , and would lill , or prove himself efficient to lil ! , any office tho brethren might call tipci him to tako up . He iind known hiui for many yeatv . and fell , justified in - - dying he was

Installation Meetings, &C.

one who would prove an acquisition to the Lodge . The initiate replied . He felt somewhat like the person who , having had the misfortune to lose bis wife , was told by the undertaker that he must ride to the funeral in the same coach as his mother-in-law . He got into the coach , but looking mournfully at the undertaker said , yon

have spoilt the day for me . So it was with him ; as toon aa he had been told he had to make a speech , he felt the day was spoilt , but after the reception he had met with he did not think it would be as bud as that . Ho would not say much , lest his yonth in the Craft might lead him into error , but he thought that the brethren around

him had not only proved themselves capable of doing their work in the Lodge , but of enjoying themselves after it as Englishmen . He was very thankful to the Worshipful Master for introducing him and hoped he should prosper in the Craft . The health of the Immediate

Past Master was next proposed , tho brethren most heartily wishing him speedy recovery . Tho W . M . felt his brother would fnlly appreciate the vote of the Lodge on his behalf , and would prize the jewel they had been pleased to prepare for him . The jewel bore the following inscription : —

Presented to August Perl , by the Brethren of the New Concord Lodge , No . 813 , in appreciation of his zeal and assiduity as W . M . 1887-8 15 th March 1888 .

The next toast was that of the visitors , without whom , said tho Worshipful Master , the doings of the various Lodges would be unknown to each other . Bros . Carey , Tanner , Pierpoint ; Halford and Combes replied . Bro . Carey was very gratified at what he had witnessed * , and only hoped he should be able to do the work equally well when

it came to his turn to instal his successor . Bro . Tanner spoke as a Past Master of four Lodges . He felt convinced the members of the Lodge had in their Worshipful Master a brother who would perform the work to their satisfaction . Bro . Pierpoint felt it a great honour to be present . He was not a stranger at the Lodge , having been

present at each of its installations for many years past . He very much regretted the absence of his old friend , the Immediate Past Master and the Secretary , especially as it was ill-health that kept them away . Bro . Harper and the other Past Masters had worked to make the Lodge a truly homely one , and the present Worshipfnl

Master had given evidence of following on the same lines . Moreover , he was well supported by his Officers . Bro . Halford had been gratified at the opportunity he had had of enjoying himself at the New Concord Lodge . Not only had he enjoyed the working in the Lodge , but also the entertainment which had been provided to sneceed

it . Bro . Combes had no idea they should receive such a treat as he had that night . He was an enthusiast in Freemasonry , and experienced great pleasure whenever he saw its ceremonies properly worked . The toast of the Past Masters was next proposed ; Bro . Haslip replying ; and then the Worshipful Master made a happy allnsion to what he

might term the silver wedding in Freemasonry of Bro . Bartlett . He hud just learut it was exactly twenty-five years a » o , that day , that Bro . Bartlet had been made a Freemason iu tho New Concord Lodge . He was very pleased to see him still among thern , aud felt the members all joined in the wish that he might be spnrcd to celebrate

a golden wedding among them . Bro . Bartlett thanked the brethren for the compliment they had paid him . As the Worshipful Mnster had said , it win twenty-five years ago that day that he was initiated Ho had remained a member of the Lodge ever since , and if he was not now with them as frequently as he wished he was us often as he

could . He had spent ninny happy hours iu the Lodgo , had twice served a ? , its Master , and hoped to bo present on many occasions in the fnture . In proposing the health of the Treasurer and Secretnry tho W . M . once more regretted the absence of Bro . Harper . The Treasurer they were proud to have among them . He was ever ready

to lead his aid for the benefit of the New Concord Lodge . The W . M . coupled with the toast the health of the Officers of the Lodge , and it having been honoured the Treasurer and others replied . Prosperity to the Masonic Charities wai given from the chair , and acknowledged by Bro . Haslip P . M ., who returned thanks for I ho

support rendered him as Steward at the recent Festival of the Benevolent Institution . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . A most enjoyable musical programme was provided , Bro . Joseph Wilson

and Arthur Combes , together with Mr . Fuller , giving some excellent songs , while Bro . Carl Eiecbelmanu ably presided at the piano .. Bro . Combes ' s songs were especially good , and w ' ere heartily applauded , an encore being accorded to his rendering of " Killaloo . "

BENEVOLENT LODGE . No . 446

r I > IIE 52 nd anniversary of this Lodge was recently hold , at the A- Townhall , Wells , when there was an unusally large attendance of brethren , there being visitors from Frome , Glastonbury , Langport Axbridge , & c . The W . M . ( Bro . A . Law Wade ) presided , aud after some preliminary business installed Bro . J . Motes Atkins W . M . for the eusning year . The W . M . afterward * invested th « following

Officers : —Bros . Law Wade I . P . M ., McWilliam S . W ., Wickenden J . W ., Manning Treasurer , Eev . J . J . Downes Chaplain , Thrale Perkins Secretary , Knight S . D ., Hurte J . D ., Drayton D . C . ; George I . G ., Coates Org ., Tate and Taylor Stewards , Horn Tyler . After the

business of the Lodge was concluded , the brethren adjourned to the Swan Hotel , where a splendid banquet was prepared , to which neai'ly tho whole of the Brethren sat down , under tho presidency of the W . M . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured , interspersed with some capital singing by the Brethren .

ARBORETUM LODGE , No . 731

nnilE anniversary of this Lodgo took place on Wednesday , the -A- 11 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Gower Street , Drrby , and was attended with a great amount of success . The Arboretum is one of the largest and most prosperous Lodges in England , and is the strongest in the Province of Derbyshire . The attendance was very numerous , brethren coming from difftsrcut part . i of the shire ,