Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — CALEDONIAN LODGE , No . 204 ( MANCHESTER ) . — : o : — C K A F T .

rplTE first mooting since tho vacation was hold on Wednesday , iu L the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street . Amongst those present were Bros . C . II . Norman ton W . M ., S . Bramwcll S . W ., VV . G . Bas , ' - nall J . W ., G . F . Mullock P . M . Secretary , E . A . Bvetev S . D ., R . A . Eldershaw P . M . D . C , W . H . Mailiold P . M . P . P . G . Organist , Martin Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . ; Past Masters Bros . Shorrock , Clefle , Guthrie ,

and Dnckwovth ; Bros . Watson , Booth , Sugden , Maudsley , Orrell , and Hencbliffe . Visitor—A . W . Stanley 1774 . The Lodge was opened in the usual manner , and tho minutes of the previous meeting weie lead and confirmed . Bro . Booth , who was initiated at the June meeting , had the E . A . chargo delivered to him by Bro . Bagnnll , in

a manner seldom heard in a Lodge . Bro . Bagnall is a Master ol elocution , and liU delivery of tho beautiful charge was perfect . Bro . Booth was interrogated as to bis proficiency in the first decree , and having satisfactorily answered withdrew . lie was subsequently

passrd to tho second degree by tho W . M . Bro . Lisenden was unanimously elected Ty ! er of the Lodge , and invested and addressed br Bro . Cliffe . After discussing come private business , the Lodge wa = i close ! iu peaca and harmony .

UNANIMITY LODGE , No . 287 ( STOCKPORT . )

TnE centenary celebration and festival of this Lodge was celebrated on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at the Mechanics ' Institntion , Stockport . The brethren present included tho Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton R . W . P . G . M ., Hon . De Tatton Egerton P . P . G . S . W ., the following Provincial Grand Officers : —Bro ? . James Cookson P . P . G . Treasurer P . M . and Secretary 287 , J . Chadwick P . G .

Swt rd Beaivr England and P . G . Secretary East Lancashire , William Ramsden P . P . G . D . P . M . 2368 , A . Lawley P . P . G . Assistant Secretary P . M . 2368 , A . InghamP . G . S ! ewardI . P . M . 2144 , Jas . Newton P . P . G . S . D . P . G . Assistant Secretary East Lancashire P . M . 37 , John Beresford P . P . G . S . D . P . M . 101 , John Clayton P . P . G . J . W . P . M . 89 , John Leigh P . M . 287 P . P . G . Steward , J . H . Sillitoe Past Grand Standard Bearer

England , John Wakefield P . P . G . S . 287 , John Marshall P . M . 61 and P . P . G . P . West Yorkshire , Jervis T . Hudson P . P . G . S . J . D . 287 , Robert W . Baker , N . Dumville Fairbrother P . M . 322 P . P . G . S ., W . Pritchard P . M . 323 P . P . G . Association Secretary , J . Smith P . M . 323 P . P . G . J . D ., Hyde Marriott 1030 , 0 . D . Choetham Past Master 993 P . P . G . D . East Lancashire , Goorge McClelland P . P . G . J . D ., Arthur

Symonds P . G . C . J . W ., Joseph Slack P . M . P . P . G . S . D . 323 , Jonathan Bailey P . M . 301 P . P . G . Steward , Herbert Pinch P . M . 104 P . G . Reg ., John Torncr P . M . 287 and 1748 P . G . S . D . South Wales ( Western District ) , Svdnpy May P . M . 322 P . P . G . S . Also the following ;—Bros . Hy . Smith W . M . 287 , Thomas E . Rigby P . M . 287 , John Hardvvicke Marsh S . W . 1730 , George Wild Faith 2344 , James A . Cookson S . S . 287 ,

Thomas Aspinall P . M . 287 , Herbert Foster W . M . 1957 , R . W . Blakehurst P . M . 287 , Goorge S . Smith P . M . 1134 1170 2359 , Chas . Hulme P . M . 322 , James Jaokson 1957 , John Wakefield P . P . G . S . 287 , W . B . Flower 1108 , John Newton 1140 , Thomas Thorniley P . M . 287 , Joseph H . Monk 287 , W . Skilling S . S . 15 G 5 , F . G . Brooke 287 , Alexander Allen 1534 , Levi Wilkinson P . M . 1519 , Charles Dawson P . M . 287 ,

G . J . McKinley 424 , George GaBkill P . M . 104 , W . H . Arnott S . W . 2155 , H . G . Small W . M . 2368 , J . Davenport 1045 , P . D . Hayes 104 , Joshua Preston 287 , John Slack P . M . 323 , G . Stevens W . M . 323 , John Nicholson P . M . 322 , W . Fielding J . W . 336 , II . I . Carrington P . M . 287 , Ed . Webb S . W . 1134 , Hyde Marriott 1030 , A . H . Roworth Steward 1052 , W . Turner P . M . 2156 , Robert Johnson , Charles Turner

1071 215 G , William Dunville P . M . 2156 , George Iboson W . M . 295 , Cothbert Blacow J . D . 2156 , George Bland P . M . 267 , Heury Lamas I . P . M . 1957 , Capel T . Hogg I . P . M . 193 711 , Joseph Gregson Gregory I . P . M . 999 , George L . Mills 1140 , J . E . Radford P . M . D . C . 336 , C . M . Armitage 322 , James Hudson W . M . 322 , William Lees 203 , Thomas W . Weatherhead 104 , John Clarke 287 , Leonard

Jagger 287 , and other brethren . The Lodge was openod in dne form and with lolemn prayer byBro . Henry Smith W . M . and the open , ing ode was sung , " Hail Eternal , by whose aid . " The Seoretary read the dispensation signod by the P . G . M . giving authority to hold the meeting , after whioh the Grand and Provincial Grand Officers formed in procession and entered the Lodge , the brethren assembled standing

to receive them . The Provincial Grand Master was then saluted in due form , as were also the Provincial Grand Officers . The Provincial Grand Master ( Lord Egerton of Tatton ) entrusted the Centenary Warrant to the Worshipfnl Master ( Bro . Henry Smith ) , at the same time expressing the pleasure it gave him to do so . An anthem , taken from the 90 th Psalm , was then sung . The Provincial Grand

Seoretary then read the Warrant and returned it to the W . M . The W . M . replied in a few apt and well chosen words , and welcorasd the Provincial Grand Master as honorary member of the Unanimity Lodge , at the same time requesting him to accept the first oentenary gold jewel , which was suitably inscribed . The Provincial Grand Master thanked the W . M . and brethren for the honour conferred on

him in accepting him as an honorary member of the Unanimity Lodge . He should value the centenary jewel as an expression of their kindness towards him . Although the Lodge had met at various places it had always remained in Stockport . His connection with the town dated back a number of years , and

he always was pleased to come amongst them whenever he had nn opportunity of doing so . They had set a noble example in this eventful year of their history in supporting the Masonio Charities . He trusted they would not ttand still in their effortp , bn * cor-t ^ no in tho future to carry out those high principles

Notices Of Meetings.

which are the distinguished characteristics of our Order ; in so doing they would show to tho outside world that they are a power for good to the country in which they live . Before resuming his seat , the P . G . M . presented a gold Centenary jewel to the Worshipful Master on behalf of tbe brethren of the Unanimity Lodge . Bro . James Cookson Secretary of tho Lodge then gave the following brie f

epitome of the Lodgo history : —Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Worshipfnl Master of the Lodge of Unanimity , Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , and Brethren , this is a day aacred to the founders of the Unanimity Lodge , and to us all of dutiful , not less than of respectful , commemoration . After lives of honour and usefulness , the founders sleep in tbe dust of mortality . The best

oulogium we can pay to their memories will be to imitate their undoubted virtues , and endeavour to avoid their soarcely discernible faults . But upon this day of general Masonio significance , no less than of local pride , the brethren may , perhaps , expect from me some observations concerning the great institution itself . Preston relates that the office cf Provincial Grand Master was instituted ,

and the first deputation granted by Earl Inohiquim , on the 10 th of May 1727 , to Hugh Warburton , Esq ., for North Wales—but we claim that Cheshire was the first to have a Provincial Grand Master appointed , viz ., Colonel F . Columbine , two years earlier than the above date . We , therefore , have just reason to be proud of belong , to tbe oldest Province appointed by the Grand Lodge of England .

" Truth is great and mighty above all things . " If the history of our Order , as it is called by many , is interesting to any person of good education , it oujht to be pre-eminently so to an Englishman . On referring back we find H . R . H . William Henry , then Duke of Clarence , was initiated into Masonry in 1786 at the Lodge , No . 86 , then held at Plymouth . In February 1787 , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was

made a Mason at the Star and Garter , Pall Mall , over which his uncle the Duke of Cumberland presided as Grand Master . When the Dnke of Cumberland died , the Prince of Wales was chosen Grand Master on 24 th November 1790 , but was " not iastalled into office until 2 nd May 1792 . I just mention these faots to show that when our Lodge was constituted , as well as at the present time , the flower

of the nobility , the greatest excellence and genius amongst the commoners in the three united kingdoms , belonged to it , and playod a conspicuous part iu its history , so that in fact its history may be said to form no inconsiderable portion of the history of England . Bro . Cookson only gave a few brief extracts from tbe sketch of the Lodge History , as be did not wish to read all that was printed for

fear it might prevent some of the brethren purchasing the book it was intended to send out this week , and which would contain an account of the Festival that day . After stating where the first meeting was held and the warrants granted , and a few other itemi of interest , Brother Cookson continued as follows : — We think one of the happiest reminiscences of the brethren of the

Lodge may appropriately be recorded here . It took place in con . nection with the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge , at Knutsford , ou the 19 th September 1888 , under the presidency of the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master . After tbe business of the day was ended and the brethren had attended divine service at the Knutsford Pariah Churoh , on the kiud

invitation of Lord Egerton a visit was paid by a very large number of brethren to Tatton Park , hia lordship ' s seat in Cheshire . The courteous hospitality having been heartily enjoyed , after inspecting the gardens , viue-houses , and conservatories , & c , several groups of photographs were taken on tbe terrace fronting tbe mansion , in whioh his lordship was included . A very hearty vote of thanks was proposed

by Bro . Beresford , the oldest Past Master present , to Lord and Lady Egerton for their entertainment . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Mastor respouded , and at his request the brethren all joined iu singing the National Anthem , and then dispersed with very pleasant recolleotions of their visit . One other oiroumstance connected with the Lodge is deserving of mention in connection with

onr Charities . At the Festival this year Cheshire sent up £ 1 , 950 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; the Unanimity Lodge was represented by nine Stewards , and contributed over £ 160 . Besides this wo have tbis year givon £ 15 15 s to the Royal Masonio Institution for Girls , £ 10 10 s to tbe Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , £ 10 10 s to the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution , and £ 2 to the Handle

Holme Memorial Board , at the Church of St . Mary s on tho Hill , Chester . My brethren , tbis necessarily hasty aud imperfect sketch , embracing but a few salient points iu the history of the Lodge of Unanimity , miiy yet suffice to impress us all with a aenie of the dignity of Freemasonry . May it be our aim ever to unite together in oue common bond of brothorhood of peace , benevolenoe , and love .

Let us endeavour as far as possible to comfort the afflicted , dry tbe tears of tbe widow aud orphan , and by timely aid in the hour of distress give fresh courage to weary hearts , and then we may rest assured that through whatsoever storms or perturbations it may pass , the life which is thns rounded with duty will find ample sustenance

in the assurance of faith , the consolation of hope , and the ministrations of charity ; and when mortal visions shall fade from the lustreless eye , on the sight of the departing soul shall beam the glory of the celestial visions—those bright rounds—faith , hope , and oharity of the golden ladder stretching from earth to heaven , and then

Though time , exhausted time , shall die . An old forgotten story ; We shall ascend , and reign on high In everlasting glory . Tho Provincial Grand Master said it would be very pleasing to the

brethren to have such an interesting record , and he was sure they would vote Bro . Cook-ion their thanks for having prepared if-Bro . Clayton seconded the resolution , which nan carried with oheera . Bro . the Rev . Arthur Symonds J . W . P . P . G . Chaplain then delivered the following oration : —At first sight it may appear that in attaching so muoh importance to the centenary of the existence of a Masonic Lodge , we are exposing ourselves to the charge of inconsistency . If