Notices Of Meetings.

hod presented tho Lodgo with two ashlars , aud to Bro . Jas . Robinson W . M . 1219 , who bxl magnauiunualy preaootscl to tha Lodge Bevoral splendidly bound volumes of music . At the festive board which followed , Bro . Grimabaw proposed the health of the newly-raised brethren , saying that this was a unique occasion , the candidates in question being the first who had obtained )

that dignity in the Lodge , and he was sure that theie three I illustrious brethren would never forgot it , for like the Hebrews of old , they bad passed through the fire , anl had emerged unscathed . Bro . Cotton in reply said that his first duty was to thank the S . W . for the eulogy which be had uttered in favour of himself and tho two brethren who . had been inclndcd in the toast . Personally he had been

symbolically reminded in passing through tbe ceremony of the Soriptual quotation , " I was a stranger and ye took me in , I was nisked and ye clothed me . " The two previous ceremonies had to him been delightful , and these had now culminated in an excellent third . To the officers who had shown such attention , he was especially thankful . Before joiniug the Craft he had often heard

deprecatory statement * with regard to it , but now he would be able to re ' ute in totosuch rem rk * . Bro . Wood said that >; oring hit progress through tbe various dogrees he had been BO feted and toasted that he had just begun to like this feature of Masonry , and now it struck him that he was about to be relegated into obscurity , and the Officers would wipe their bands of him , whioh reminded him forcibly of two appropriate say .

ings , viz ., "The king is dead , long live the king , " and " Jack get up , and let John sit down . " It would be difficult to describe his feelings when invested with the badge which denoted bim a Mason , and if anything could tend to elevat . a a man it must be suoh knowledge . He concluded that it would be nil duty to act according to the tenon of the Craft , and jealously and religiously guard its hononr . Bro . Grammer said that as a MaBon he now considered that a

certain amount of responsibility rested upon him . He gave a resume of what he had observed in the different degrees , and said that he had taken to heart the sublime language and teaohings , whioh in his opinion constituted one of the most magnifioient sermons ever preached . Bro . Gould in proposing the health of the Visitors made some very excellent remarks with regard to the recent researches , whioh proved the early existence of Freemasonry . He also spoke of its universality , and how broad and comprehensive it is in its teachings .

Bro . Uttley W . M . and Bro . Lean also descanted npon the same subjeot . The former said , "Masonry has witnessed tbe rise ot revolutions and the wane of empires ; it has withstood the inroads of war , tho still more desolating ravages of barbarous ignorance and the depressing superstition of anoient and modern times . Through tbe darkness of mediaeval ages Masonry was tbe obief lamp of knowledge that

illumined the gloom of the degraded human mind ; it was the nurse that fostered , the guardian that watched over tbe temple , that preserved amidst the grossness of Gothic ignorance that overspread the eartb , all tbe soience that survived tbe wreoks of Grecian and Roman empires . Freemasonry is the handmaid of peace , it is the good Samaritan of the wayside , it is the nurse in the hospital , it ia the

friend in distress , the help . meet of the widow and orphan . ' Bro . Lean said , " The religions tendency of the Craft ceremonies is not noticeable until we come to the raising . The former degrees and their rubrio went no further than mosaic lines of moral truth and virtu * , whioh wero common to the primitive and oarly religious systems , all of which advocated the Old Testament principles of doing good and receiving a reward here below , and finally to sleep with

their fathers . But the raising of the representative of our Master , & c ., gave us the first idea of resurrection , but then only to rejoin their companions . Tho charge opens up to us a view of the f nture , grand and poetio in its conception , filling our minds with the hope of a certain existence beyond the grave , and referring us to Nature itself for evidenoe to confirm us in faith and hope . Tbe first lines appearing in Milton's " Paradise Lost , " describing hell , the proclaraicg a future wbioh humanity cannot penetrate or define , viz : —

"A dungeon horrible , en all sides round As one great furnace , flamed : yet from those flames No light , but rather darkness visible , Served only to discover sights of woe , Regions of sorrow , doleful shades , where peace And rest can never dwell . "

Then is introduced the idea of God as being a necessary factor in giving us light , or wisdom to prepare for the future , all emphasises tbe necessity for so doing by reminding us of the certainty of again being received into its cold bosom . With charming ease wc are led np to our first duty , which is to obtain and reflect upon a knowledge of ourselves ; by observing all the emblems of mortality which we

daily meet with on every band , and in doing BO we are to be diligent , to do this while it is called to-day , —a warning again to fatal procrastination . Then we are brought back to contemplate the existence of that divine essence in man which enables him to stand forth as the orowning point of Creation , to find comfort and noouragement in the fact that being satisfied of our immortality ,

-and having confidence in the Great Architect of the Universe , we have she certainty before us of being able to conquer our last enemy , trample him under foot , and lift our eyes in faith and hope to Him who gives peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . " The proceedings were relieved by songs , duets , and recitations from Bros . Cotton , Wood , Berry , Ritson , and Roberts .

PICKWICK LODGE , No . 2467 . fnnE first meeting after tho consecration was held on Friday , 3 rd J . inst ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Bros . Biningfield W . M ., Niohols S . W ., H . Man J . W ., H . Jacobs Treasurer , W . Blake Secretary , B . Holland S . D ., F . J . Blake J . D ., C . Scrivener I . G ., R . Brown D . C , Watson and Dyer Stewards .

Notices Of Meetings.

Tbe W . M . initiatid five gentlemen into the Order in a moat earnest maimer , making a deep impression on the minds of the candidate * . Tbe Officors ably assisted the W . M . in his duties by their great atten . tion and the perfect know ! eir » e of their different offices . The Lodgo waa closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banq-iPt .

The W . M . gave the tcaata with commendable brevity , each being received with enthusiasm . Tbe hea'tS of the W . M . waa proposed by Bro . R . M . Nichols S . W . in very glowing torm ' . Ho expreaaed the grpat pleasure they oo « and all felt in hiving Bro . Beningfield at their head . Hia great proficioncy and excellent working would be a pattern of emulation to

his officers in discharging their dnties . The W . M . thanked the S . W . and brethren for their great kindness and good wishes in very eirneat term ? , ending by saying that as they had a great amount of vocal talent among them he wonld not further detain them , but hoped they would now enjoy the harmony awaiting . Other toasts followed .

Bro . Willie Wright having the musical arrangements under his direction proved his great abilities by tbe happy selection of vocal and instrumental music .

TRUTH CHAPTER , No . 731 .

ROYAL ARCH . — n : —

AT the anniversary meeting at the Masonio Hall , Derby , Comp . J . Fisher , of Burton-on-Trent , waa instal fed as First Principal , Comp . W . U . Wright as Second , while be in turn installed Comp . J . C . Webb , Burton-on-Trent , as Third Principal . Companions J . H . Richardson , J . Jones , and G . Tarver were elected Soribe E , Scribe N , and P . S . respectively . During the evening Bros . George Sutherland and A . J . Waller were exalted . A sumptuous banquet was afterwards served .

BRENT CHAPTER , No . 1284 . A T the annual meeting held atTopsham , tbe installation of Z . took i JL place in the usual form , and he then proceeded to appoint hia Officers as follows : Comp . J . H . Gilbert H ., F . Hudder J ., W . A .

Gregory P . Z . Trea » ., J . Ridge S . N ., J . T . Way P . S ., G . W . May First Aat . Soj ., J . W . Reed Second Ast . Soj ., C . J . Pepprell Org ., W . Donsham D . C , J . Niohols S . S ., A . C . Abbott J . S ., H . Stark A sst . Org ., H . Shcoter Janitor .

SIR HUGH MYDDELTON CHAPTER , No . 1602 . ITIQE installation meeting wns held on the 26 th ult ., at the Old I Cock Tavern , Highbury , when the following were present : — Comps . J . Bailey Z ., W . Fenton H ,, W . Langdale J ., Jno . WeBton P . Z . Treasnrer , J . Osborn P . Z . S . E ., W . Wright S . N ., Arthur Cox Prin . Soj ., C A . Dettmar 1 st Asst . Soj ., Jam ? s Bayne Organist , G . Coachman Janitor , R . Homor , R . V . Davies , F . J . Bird , Jno .

McLaren , John Greenfield , F . A . Schanten , H . Pioketr , G . F . Wheeler , J . A . Skudder , W . Barnes , T . Green ; Visitors—II . Dehane M . E . Z . 862 P . Z . 890 , Edward Margrett P . Z . 414 . The Chapter was opened in ancient form . The minutes of tho last convocation were read and confirmed . Bro ? . Pickett and Wheeler were exalted in a very impressive manner . The report of

the Aadt Comm'ttee being most satisfactory , wai entered on the minntps . Comp . Bailey then installed hia auccessir , Comp . Fenton , in a manner that impre 8 sed the Companion ! to a great extent , while Comp 3 . Weaton and O ^ born installed Comp . Langdale H . aud Comp . Wright J . The M . E Z . iuve 3 ted the following Officera for the ensuing twelve months!—Comps . J . Weston Treasurer , J . Oaborn S . E ., T .

Green S . N ., A . Cox Prin . Soj ., C . A . Dettmar 1 st Asst . Soj ., W . H . Dresden 2 nd A 3 st . Soj ., J . Bayne Organist . Comp . Fenton , in presenting the I . P . Z . Comp . Bailey with tho handsome Chapter jewel votod to him , expressed bis warmest thanks lo him for his excellent aud perfect working , and the great interest he bad taken in tbe welfare of tho Chapter during the past year .

Comp . Bailey , express 3 d his thanks in a few well chosen word 9 . The M . E . Z . having risen the usual number of time ? , hearty good wishes were accorded and the Chapter closed , and the Companions adjourned to banquet , whioh was served in most excellent style by Companion Tnck , the manager , after whioh the usual loyal and Royal Aroh toasts wero duly honoured .

Comp . Bailey in the course of propoaing the M . E . Z ., wiihed him a happy and successful year of office , and alluded to tha many happy meetings they had , and how pleasant they had been , and waa sure Comp . Fenton would venture to show by hia zeal the interest he had ' in the welfare of the Chapter and Freemasonry . I The M . E . Z . expressed his thanks for the way they had received

his toast . He would do his utmost t ) falfil tbe dnties of his dignified office and further the ir-torest of the Chapter and comfort of all . But on the present occasion he wonld not detain them with a long speech , as under the direction of Comp . Wright , assisted by Mrs . J . A . Skudder , Miss Jessie McLaren , Bro . R . Evans , Sam Wrigbt , and Comp . Bayne , a programme of mnsio and singing bad been

' provided . I The toast of the 2 'j . d and 3 rd Principals was well received . ' Comp . Pickett , in responding for the Exaltees , aaid beta of them held office in the mother Lodge , and he was delighted at the beiutifnl ceremony he had gone throngh , and waa never more impressed in his life—hia admission was the fulfilment of a desire he had long felt to