Abbey Lodge, No. 1184, Battle.

ABBEY LODGE , No . 1184 , BATTLE .

IT is ovor twelve years since that , in the presence of Lord Pelham , the then Provincial Grand Master of Snssox , and a brilliant assemblag" of brethren , this flourishing Lodge was consecrated in tbe Great Hall of Battle Abbey . The warrant , signed by Earl de Grev and Ripon , as Deputy Grand Master of English Freemasons—the late Earl of Zetland being at the time Grand Master—is dated 10 th July

18 G 7 , and Bros . Benjamin Thorpe was tlie first W . M . ; John Albion Thorpe tho first S . W . ; and William Lamhorn tho first J . W . The other brethren named on the warrant as founders were Bros . Walter Hore , P . W . Tieehnrst , Edward Kenward , and George Till . Of these and the other brethren present at the consecration ceremony , sonv- are scattered in distai't lands , while but few remain amongst ns . OH

thpse may be mentioned Bros . B . IT . Thorpe , Lambonrn , and C . W . Duke . Tho Liberal Member for Hastings , Bro . T . Brassev , M . P ., became n joining member of the Lodge in 18 r > 8 , and ha- kept his name on the roll ever since . Bro . Walter FToare , tho first Treasurer , wu « compelled to resign on acconnt of ill health , and was succeeded in that office bv Bro . Wells , who still holds that , responsible position .

The first regular meeting wns held at No . fi FTigh-stieet , Battle , and thoLo ge continued to assemble thero till it was removed to th--Masonic roomp , forming part of the block of buildings known as th' - Drill Hall . Owingtot he difficulty experienced by the Hastings brethren in attending the meetings of the Lodge , application was snoC' -ssfnPv made in 187 f > to tho Directors of tho South Eas'em Ru'lwnv

Company to allow the 8 . 55 p . m . down tram to call at Battlo on Lodge nights , while at a later d to the Coinpanv decided that the last down trnin should stop at Battle every pruning . On the roll of Past Masters are Bros . W . Lamborn , B . n . Thorpe , C . VV . Duk > , H . G . F . Wells , C . R . Chandler , and C . D . Jon-s , tho first of whom has twice occupied the chair , with great credit ; nnd among tics .-

brethren will be found some of the best workmg M isons in Sussex . Twelve months ago the Provincial Grand Master , Sir W . W . B-irrell , Bart . M . P ., and the Pi-ovinei I Offi- era hononred the Lo-lge wit ' th"ir presence on the occasion o the instnlla'inn of Bro . Wlbam Lamb . ini as W . M . for the second time . On Thursday Bro . E . R . Cnrko wns installed as W . M . Bro . Clark" was initiated i" 187 > , unpointed I . G .

1877 , J . W . in 1878 , and S . W . in 1879 . In 1877 B- .. Worn rs ' ey , in the name of Bro . C'arke , who was absent throngh ill-h alrh , presen ed a handsomely bo-nd volume of the Sacred Law tothe Lod ^ e . Thos the antecedents of the new W . M . are most satisfactory At themeetingon Thursday , the 17 th itisfc ., after nsn .-iIr > nti » p bns >' . ¦ nessbad been disposed of Bro . W . Lamborn , the outgoing W . M . vio-v

ably installed his successor , and placed that brother in the chair ¦> K . 3 . wi'h the customary cerpmonial . Bro . E . R . Clarke then inve ^ er the following brethren as his Officers for the ensuing venr , nnm-dy , Bros . W . Lamborn P . P . G . P . I . P . M . B . Sargent S . W ., A . D \ V , „„ Pi ' -s . Joy J . W ., H . G . F . Wells P . M . Treasurer , C . VV . Duke P . M . PP / i . T . D Sep ., C . B . Chandler P . M . P . G . S . D C , J . Fisher S . D ., R . T "" e J D .

W . H . Hewitt I . G ., . 7 . Fielding Org ., aid F . Jesson Tvler . Among those present were , in addition to the above , the W . M . and the I . P . M . of tbe DerwentLodge , No . 40 ; Bros . J . G . Horsey W . M ., of the SackviHo Lodge , No . IfilO , East Gn ' nstead ; F . S ( addon , P . U . of the Prince Edwin Led e , Hvthe ; Jas . H Contes P . M . of the Williamson L dye

No . 949 , and P . P . G . P . Durham ; Gapftim Hennah f . W . 40 ; with T . Harwood , F . G . Phillips , F Forss , Dr . Ashenden P . M ., F . J . Parsons , C . J . Lnwns , R . E . Wilson , H . J . Emmprson , Jospph , R . J . Re » d , W . H . Russell , Crossthwaite , all of Derwent No . 40 ; F . J . Mann , No . 1842 , St . Leonards ; C . D . Jones P . M ., E . H Langley , J . A . Middlemass , B . H . Thorpe P . M ., J . B . D'Ardeuue , W . Freeman , Armstrong , and Till .

The Lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to au excellent banquet , served at the George Hotel , Battle , great cn-dit being due to the host , Mr . Riley , for the efficient manner in which he catered for tho wants of tbe brethren . Full justice having been done to the dinner , the W . M . proposed the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , and full honour having been dono to these , Brother C . D .

Jones proposed the health of the W . M ., than whom no one was more worthy of the honour that day conferred upon him . Bro . Clarke returned thanks , nnd assured the brethren he would endeavour to aive every satisfaction . He hoped that during his year of office they would inaugurate a system by which every member of the Abbey Lodge would in time become a Life Governor of one of the Masonic Charities .

He was pleased to note the other day that out of eleven candidates sentnp from the Masonic Boys' Schorl , ten passed , and most of them took high honours . The toast of the Visitors , proposed by Bro . Wells , was acknowledged by the W . M . of the Derwent Lodge , who said ho always had great pleasure in visiting the Abbey Lodge , and paid a high compliment to its Past Masters . He had never seen better

working than Bro . Lamborn ' s that day . Bro . Reed , of the samo Lodge , was also called upon to respond , and , in the coarse of his remarks , recommended the brethren of the Lodge to join the Provincial Charity Association . The W . M ,, in proposing the health of the Past Masters , referred to the great interest taken by those brethren in the Lod ge , and said they had been as willing to accept tbe minor

offices after they had passed the chair as before . Bro . Thorpe , whose name was coupled with the toast , regretted the absence , from unavoidable circutnst rices , of Bro . Lamborn I . P . M . He ( Brother lhorpe ) as an humble member and one of the founders , wns pleased to noto the prosperity of the Lodge . They bad been mainly

instigated to open it by an uncle of his , who was at the time a Mason of forty years ' standing and Prov . Grand Treas . of Kent . In the opinion of his uncle Past Masters shonld not stand idly by , but should be at all times ready to assist in any position . There was not now the same necessit y for the Past Masters to net , but they were still there when war ted . He congratulated Bro . Clarke on nttuiniass hi *

present high position in his mother Lodge . Bro . C . VV . Duke , in response to loud calls , having also replied , the health of the Treasurer was dnl y honoured , as were al-o the other toasts on tlie list , —the Ufficers of the Lodge , the Masonic Charities , and the Stewards . The y ler s toast brou ght a most pleasant gathering to its close .

Abbey Lodge, No. 1184, Battle.

Constitutional Lodgo of Instruction , No . 55 . —Met on Tnesdny , 22 nd June , at Bro . Bond ' s , Bedford Hotel , Sonthamptonouildings , W . C . Bros . Trigg W M ., Caton S . W ., Kitnhingman J VV ., lolm Sopor . Secretary , Stroud S . D ., Linseott J . D ., Pelikan I . G ., P . M . Bro . Bingemann Preceptor ; also Bros . Hallam sen ., Hallam jun ., Watts , Abell , Dickin . i , Snoditi and Evans . After preliminaries , the

ceremony of initiation was rehearseil , Bro . Evans candidate . Tho first section was worked by Bro . Pelikan , tho second by Bro . Abell , and tho third bv Bro . Hallam sen . A vote of thinks was passed to the W . M . for his ablo working , this being tho first time of his occunving the chair in this Lodge of Instruction . BIM . Caton was elected W . M . for the ensuing week .

Domatic Lodge of Instruction , No . 177 . —A meeting was hold at the Snrrey Masonio Hnll , Camberwell New-road , S . E ., on Tuesday , 22 ud June . Present—Bros . Boys W . M ., Thorpe S . W ., BateJ . W ., L-irlhnm Preceptor , T . E . Walker Secretary , Seafo S D ., Power J . D ., Hart , I . G . ; also Bros . Taylor , Clark jun ., Hohlstoek , Stevens , and other brethren . Tlreceremony of initiation was rehearsed ,

Bro . Huldstock candidate . Bro . Clark Jan . gave proof of proficienov , was ontrnsted and tho ceremony of raising rehearsed , Bro . Clark being tho candidate . The traditional history was fully given . All Masonic business being ended , tho Lo ^ ao was closed in duo fo m a'id with solemn prayer , arid adj inrnerl ( ill Tuesday next , at hilf-pasfc seven o ' clock , when the ceremony of installation will be reh arsed , Bro . Preceptor Larlham P . M . P . Z Ac . in tho chair .

William Praston Lodgo of Instruction , No . 768 . — Vie' on Fr . lav , IS b June , at tli- Featbers . I 7 ;> p r Geurge-str-et . , W , Bros . George W-r W . M .. Cu-e S W , T .-iublo I . W .. Keimanl Treas ., rloililon Secre nrv , N "riogton S . D .. Reid J . D ., Hive * Preceptor , Hull I G ., and several others . Trie first si-on ' on ., f ¦ he lecture wag worked by Bro . FI iv s Pre-en'or . assisted bv the brethren . > od- 'e

advanced to the secon I ; m I rln ' rrl logrees ; tho cer « vnnnv of raisim * w is rehearsed by the VV . M ., Bro . Mill can Ii la'e . Bro . G > d Ion gave the tra'liti inul history . Lo-ign closet to fiV-t degree , and Bro . Cave was electe W . . t ' n- nex 'ii-o-i-ig . A' die express wi- < h uf the brethren , B' -i . S . ' ! n- ! -II ¦ > i-eur I ro r di ¦ ir-se tfin eer en mv of in-S ' illlnM'lII Oil the fiHll- ' i F i I M > 1 . 1 Jiilr . t , l > < r wis clus-d in due form , u p r -i't ' irii'i . v ,

¦ ~ > altiousie Lo ' ge of Instruction , No . 830 . -M » r on Tnesifiy . 22-id J'l-. M , it Br .. S-nrt ' i ' -, SUter * ' IVer , P iwunll-oad , Dalst-ii . Bros C . Cn-k W . H . ^ . iv th S W .. Cn-rJ . W .,. 1 . Lorkin Se .-rei . iy , Wnr-leli S . D , F . rss J . D ., Polak I . G ., P . M . Wellington P , ecepto < ; iilso Br .,.. Drlm . 0 uvia-i , Digtnvti , Cit . 'in , 0 . [ , irfc-n , Maples , & L : Affi-r pi- ' -liminurn--i , the ceremony of initiii'K n was i-e .

heir-ie-, Bro . 'Vim as cavhd . ' . to . Th L . tLe avid opeii-d tiii . hu second ami third demves . Bro . I ' . M . Wallington then r ' 'h- > : rs'd tbo circinonr of ios' ; illati m in a very able in inner til icin r Bro . T . Clark in the chair of K . S . Bm . Clark invested the OfH -ers . Br . . C . Lorkin wnrke I the fourth section of the lecture , assisted bv the brethren , Bro . T . Maples Lodgo 12 G 0 was elected a member ; Bro . J . Lorkin was appointed W . M . for the ensuing week .

Holmesdale lodge , No . 874 . —Met on 16 th June , at Tunbridge Wells . Bros . Wilfred rLuightoti Hudgkins W M ., John Burton S . W ., J . E . Ranking J . VV ., W . S . Elers P . M . Treas ., J . Fred Bates Secretary , E . Dutikloy S . D ., W . J Biggs J . D ., C . Graham D . C ., A . D . Beeehing Steward , G . Farrer I . G ., Geo . Strange Tyler ; P . M . ' s A . J .

Boonuan Organist , Gustavus Beckley , W . B . Bacon ; also Bros H . Hoare Royal Savoy 17-14 . Lodge opened in due form with solemn prayer , minutes of the last Lodge read , confirmed and signed . Bros . Argyle , Bishop and Simpson were severall y raised to the degree of M . M . Lodge resumed , and Bros . Wintou aud Manser wore passed . Lodge closed in duo form with solemn prayer .

Grey Friars Lodge , No . 1101 . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , i ) th June , at the Masonic Hall , Reading . Present—Bros . J . Early Danks P . G . S . W . nominate Berks and Bucks W . M ., Edward Margrett P . M . acting I . P . M ., VV . Furgnson S . VV ., E . J . Black , well J . W ., J . T . Stransom Treasurer , W . P . Ivey P . M . Secretary , Richard Dowsett S . D ., J . H . Hawkes D . C ., R . C . Prickett Steward ,

T . Newman I . G ., W . Hemmings Tyler ; Past Masters Hurley , Welch , Members -Bros . Bailey , Wort , Palley W . M . 113 f > , Collins , Ravenscroft , W . J . Browne and Weatherhead . The Lodge was opened , minutes of last regular Lodge and Lodgo cf Emergency were read and confirmed . The W . M . initiated Mr . Alfred Mace , who was elected at the Lodge of Emergency on the list inst . The ceremony was performed

with the W . M . ' s nsual correctness , and the impressiveness with which ho delivered the beantiful charge considerably enhanced the effect . The acting P . M . Bro . Mnrgreft , proposed a candidato for initiation , who was seconded by Bro . Pulley W . M , 143 G . The W . M . announced that , accompanied by his esteemed and venerable Secretary , he attended the Grand Lodge of England , a visit which he very

mneh enjoyed , and he hoped to attend again ; the beantiful ceremony in opening Grand Lodge fully confirmed him iu lis alteration of the ritual in opening Grey Friars Lodgo ; he also thanked tho members and their friends for their attendance and uniform kindness sinco his occupation of the chair . The Secretary called attention to the alteration of date and place of Festival of the R . M . I . for Boys ; he also wished a ^ ain to express his gtatitnde to the members for -ho

handsome testimonial he had received , and especially thank those who voluntarily acted aa a . Committeo for making urruiigem nts , viz . : the W . M . Bro " . ! . Enrty Da . k-, the I . P . M . Br-. W . G . Fmnagan . the S . W . Bro . VV . Ferguson , the Tivanrer Bro . Stransom , the I . G . Bro . Newman , tho Senior Steward Bro . W . W . Iliilley , the ( Member of Permnt'Out Committee Bro . W . Bailey . The labours of the evening and of the session being ended . Lodgo was closed according to ancient form .