Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative , to report Lodge or other proceedings .

CEAFT : METEOPOLITAN .

CL 1 SSOLD LODGE , No . 2551 . THE W . M . Bro . Alfred H . Cooper presided at an ordinary meeting of this Lodge held on Thursday , 15 th inst ., at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . C . The Lodge was opened in due form , when tbe minutes of the last regular

meeting were read and confirmed . The only business before the Lodge was the passing of Bros . Victor Mercer Cooper , son of the W . M ., and Arthur William Whight . Having proved their proficiency they were regularly advanced to the degree of Fellow Craft . The ceremony wos perfectly rendered by Bro . Cooper , assisted hy his Officers .

The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , when several communications from absent Brethren were read , including the resignation ol the Senior Warden , on account of ill-health . This was received with much regret , and the Worshipful Master appointed Brother Edwin Broad P . M . to the position temporarily , during the remaining period of his Mastership . It was announced that a Masonio service was intended to be held at the Kingsland Congregational Church on 29 th January 1899 , and it was decided that the Clissold Lodge should support the application for a dispensation to allow the Service to be held .

The Lodge was then closed in perfect harmony ; and the Brethren adjourned to dinner , after , which a pleasant evening of good fellowship was spent . Among those present were Bros . Harry Town « nd I . P . M ., E . Broad P . M . as S . W ., George S . Elliott J . W ., J . J . Lamigeon P . M . Secretary , H . A . Badman S . D ., Peroie Cooper I . G ., B . B . Watkins , Charles Sheffin , H . W . Butcher . The visitors were Rev . J . Stephen Barrass 1928 , and Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 . o o o

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

RANELAGH LODGE , No . 834 . ON Friday , 16 th inst ., at the Six Bells Hotel , Hammersmith , a vary successful meeting was held on the occasion of the working of the five Sections of the second , and the three of the third degree , the seven ol the first lecture having been worked on the previous Friday , as reported in out last issue .

The presiding Officer was Bro . William Hillier P . M ., and he had tha support of Bros . J . Knight S . W ., W . W . Williams P . M . J . W ., W . Hinds P . M . 188 Treas ., F . Craggs P . M . 834 Sec , A . Williams I . P . M . 834 2090 Prec ., M . Spiegel S . D ., R . Reid J . D ., W . T . Ridgway I . G ., J . J . Lewen St ., Past Masters W . J . Coplestone , E . Fox , R . Larter , S . Parker , R . H . Williams P . P . G . J . D , Mid . ; W . Elliott W . M . 2090 , J . H . Beardon , Wilkins , Inderwick , J . Worth , W . Palmer , H . Atkinson , E . Salt , R . Ross , W . ChapmanH . Cousens . E .

, Price , J . Ingram , G . Warde , T . Norton , J . Stewart , 3 . Wynman , & o . The Lodge was opened to the second degree , when the Sections of the second lecture were worked by Bros . J , Worth , R . H . Williams , W . Ridgway J . Knight , and F . Craggs . The Lodge was advanced to the third degret , and Bros . S . Parker , A . Williams , and R . Carter brought the work to a most successful conclusion . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree and a vote of thanks passed to tho Officers and Section workers .

HYDE PARK LODGE , No . 1425 , ON Monday , at Bro . Stevens ' s , the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastboums Terrace , Bishops Road , Paddington , Bros . J . R . Beardon W . M ., A , Collman S . W ., J . L . Pirwell J . W ., G . Read P . M ., & o ., Prec , Dehane P . M , Sec , G . Harris S . D ., W . Smith J . D ., H . Blackmore I . G ., W . J . Lewis S ., C , W . Killick P . M . 1693 , G . Mogford P . M ., W . HandoverF . MarchantT

, , , Lamble , J . Wynman , Lumley . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed . Bio . Marchant candidate . The | Lodg « was called off , and on resuming Bro ' Marchant answered the questions and was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The Lod ge was resumed to the first degree and Bro . Collman was elected W . M . for Monday , 2 nd January .

WOODROW LODGE , No . 1708 . ON Monday , at Bro . Rudderforth ' s ( Stone ' s ) Restaurant , Panton Street , Haymarket , Bros . R . Cawley W . M ., J . Culverhouse S . W ., H . J . Rose J . W ., C . Wetton P . M . Dep . Pr ., J . W . Simeons Sec , J . Williamson S . D ., J . Morris J . D ., G . Yeowell I . G ., J . Wynman , W . Rudderforth P . M ., J . Menn , G . Baker .

The ceremony of initiation waa rehearsed , Bro . Simeons candidate . The Lodge , was opened in the second degree , Bro . Menn answered the questions , was entrusted , and tho ceremony of raising was rehearsed . The W . M . resumed the Lodge to the first degree , and Bro . Culverhouse was elected W . M . for the first Monday in January .

A hearty vote of thanks was recorded on the minutes for the ablo manner in which tbe W . M . had fulfilled the duties of the chair for the first time in this Lodge , which compliment was acknowledged .

PEOVINCIAL

LODGE OF FREEDOM , No . 77 . THE Worshipful Master Bro . George Masters presided at a meeting of this Lodge held at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday ,

Instruction.

when he was supported by his Officers : Bros . John Solomon S . W ., Joseph Davit J . W ., Rev . Augustus Jackson P . P . G . C . Chaplain , George Rackstraw P . M . Treasurer , J . P . White P . M . Secretary , Frederick W . Martin S . D ., E . B . Wilks J . D ., J . G . Prevost I . G ., R . A . Matthews Organist , Frank Hitchens Dir . of Cers . There were also present Bros . W . Gunn I . P . M ., R . J . Beamish P . P . G , D . C , W . Sheen P . P . G . D . C , Thomas Deane P . P . G . S . B ., Joseph Solomon

P . M ., J . A . Whitfield P . M ., W . H . Loft , E . W . Webb , J . J . Goldfinch , E . 0 , Paine , W . B . Serjeant , S- R . Macartney , E . J . Bennett , H . J . Mackenzie . Visitors : Bros . George Naylor P . M . 20 , Dr . H . T . Sells P . M 1464 , Dr . Thurnoll 483 . Tbe Lodge was opened in due form , when the minutes of the last regular meeting were read and confirmed . The Treasurer ' s report , showing substantial balance to tbe credit of the Lodge , was received .

The ballot was then taken and proved unanimous in favour of Mr . Howard Burton and Mr . Charles Henry Wimpress ; but both those gentlemen being unavoidably absent , thoir initiation was postponed . Brother Walter Thornton having answered the usual questions was passed to the second degree . Bros . A . J . Hilder and D . J . Williams proved their proficiency as Craftsmen , were regularly raised to the rank of Master Masons , and took

their seats in the Lodge . The former ceremony was worked by Brother Gunn I . P . M ., and the latter by Bro . Masters , both of whom rendered the ritual in an altogether admirable manner , and were ably assisted by the Deacons . This division of the work undoubtedly increased the interest of the Lodge , and enabled the Past Master to prove that he was still an efficient exponent of the ritual .

The usual Christmas gratuities to the local chanties were voted by the Lodge . Brother Wilks announced that the tombstone erected by the Brethren over the grave of the late Brother JohnO . Biggs had now been placed in position , and the widow , who had seen it , desired to express thanks to the Lodge for this mark of their appreciation . The application of the widow of a deceased Brother for relief from Provincial Grand Lodge was signed by the Master , Wardens , and Brethren .

The Lodge was then closed in perfect harmony , and the Brethren adjourned to supper .

MOIRA LODGE , No . 324 . THK ninety-second annual meeting , and Festival of St . John , took place at the Wellington Inn , Stalybridge , on Thursday , Sth inst ., a large number ol members and visitors being present . Lodge was opened at an early hour by Bro . Samuel Hall W . M ., when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , and the Auditors presented their report , whicl j -was highly satisfactory , showing a handsome balance in the hands of the Treasurer . The report was adopted aa read .

Then followed the installation into the chair of K . S . of Bro . Robert Newton , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . Brother Samuel HaU , ably assisted by Past Masters John Bottomley P . P . G . Sword Bearer , Daniel Holt Sec . S . W ., Rev . J . Grant Bird P . P . G . C . J . W ., and Stanley Robinson P . G . A . P . I . G . Bro . Bottomley presented the W . M .-elect to receive the benefits' ol installation . He was duly obligated , and a Board of Installed Masters having been formed the ceremony was proceeded with in regular order .

The following is a list of the Officers invested by the Worshipful Marter , who fully described their jewels , and explained the duties of each office : — Bros . Lewis Buckley S . W ., James Sykes J . W ., Rev . J . Grant Bird P . M . P . P . G . C . Chaplain , Alfred Webb Treasurer , John Bottomley P . M . P . P . G . Sword Bearer D . C , D . Holt P . M . Secretary and Charity Representative , Hy . Blocksage Organist , Wm . Higson S . D ., Tim Bradbury J . D ., A . Yarwood , and H . Blocksage Stewards , Albert E . Hague I . G ., Joseph Marsden P . M . Tyler . As will be seen from the list , the Moira Lodge still maintains its reputation for competent Officers .

Bro . Hall proved himself a proficient Installing Master ; Bro . Holt P . M . explained the working tools in his usual lucid , and effective manner ; Bro . John Bottomley surpassed himself by tbe masterly way in which he delivered the excellent addresses to the Master , Wardens , Officers , and Brethren generally—in a word the whole of the work was well done . The Lodge being closed , a banquet was served in the Lodge room , to which upwards of fifty visitors and Brethren sat down under the presidency of Bro , Robert Newton W . M .

The usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were given , being pleasantly varied by songs , duets , glees , & o ., contributed by Bros . John Bottomley , W . Wild , A . E . Hague , R . Firth , A . Cooper , A . Yarwood , A . Wainwright 1408 , and others , under the conductorship of Bro . Enos Andrew . Bro . Rev . J . Grant Bird , in proposing the toast of the Grand Officers Present and Past , in a most eloquent , and touching speech , said the important toast which he proposed was one fitted to arouse the honest congratulation

of eaeh heart . The worthy names of the Rulers of the Craft were conspicious , not only for eminence but goodness . Any one of them would be an honour to any Institution in the land , but united in the sacred bond of Masonry they strove for the true ruler , because faithful exemplars of Masonio truth and Masonio practice . The mourning apparel they wore that night reminded them of a name now alas absent from the toast , viz ., that of the Earl ol Lathom . It was easier to speak of the virtues of the dead than those of the

living . He happened to be attending a meeting at Ormskirk , when the news of Lady Lathom's death from a sad accident arrived in that town . He had never seen an audience more moved by sorrow . Even strong men wept . It was the most striking testimony to the bounty and loving kindness of that exalted lady that could be imagined . No less a tribute had been offered to the memory of the late Earl , and the Masonic Body had of course been forward in its expressions . He would remind the Brethren that

Masonry was a golden word uniting in the bonds of sympathy all sorts and conditions of men . It evolved the best emotions of the heart and enunciated the great truth that though some must rule and others obey , yet in the hour of sorrow and bereavement all distinctions vanished in that brotherly love which was common to all . Again , in its true inwardness Masonry was a pattern to the whole world , of liberty as opposed to license . Every Brother was taught to respect himself and therefore to respect others , * to use authority with justice , and to obey his superiors with heartiness . How

splendidly those tenets succeeded might be seen in the vast increase of Masons , and in their wonderful charities . Much of this was owing to the wise and prudent leadership of those to whose health he called them heartily to drink . Bro . Holt proposed the Right Hon . Earl Egerton Prov . G . M . Cheshire , saying bis lordship was an excellent Provincial Master , of whom every Cheshire Mason felt proud . He was honoured and revered by all , in fact it was a pleasure and a delight to serve under such a Master . Bro . D . Higson proposed His Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd D . P . G . M ., and