Reports Of Meetings.

fragment of the Egyptian Obelisk kaown as Cleopatra ' s Needle , being a portion of the base cut away to obtain a broader surface , and thereby give greater stability to the column . Presented to the Erasmus Wilson Lodge , No . 1464 , by the donor to the nation of the monument , and first W . M . of this Lodge . The Obelisk was erected on the Thames Embankment , 12 th September 1878 .

ST . JOHN LODGE , No . 1343 . WE are reminded of the lapse of time by the recurrence of the armua . 1 Festival , though it hardly seems credible that eight and twenty years have elapsed since this worthy and flourishing Lodge came into existence . The good wishes for its success then expressed by the Consecrating Officers have certainly been fulfilled , for it now stands in the front rank on tho roll of the Province of Essex . This result has only been achieved by steady and patient perseverance , and we may congratulate the Lodge upon its present proud position .

The installation meeting took place on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Grays , which was crowded by a large attendance of Masons from many parts of the Province . Bro . Edward Ayres W . M . presided , supported by his Officers and the following Brethren : Alfred Lucking P . G . P . Eng . Provincial G . D . C , Ven . Archdeacon Stevens P . G . C . W . Hollis P . M . 1531 P . P . S . G . D ., Geo . Harlow

P . M . 204 Prov . G . S . B . Kent , W . B . Heagerty P . P . G . R ., M . J . Tuck P . P . S . B ., C . Westwood P . P . A . D . C , J . G . Wingrove P . P . G . O ., F . W . Belling P . P . G . S ., Rev . F . Haslock P . P . G . Chaplain , James Berry W . M . 1817 , H . Butler 898 , Arthur T . Flux 1641 , J . Blyth 17 , Charles Gilling 1185 , W . H . Palmer 1437 , C . G . Cutchey W . M . 2258 , F . England W . M . 2442 , J . R . Phillips P . M . 2157 , W . J . Barnes W . M . 2501 , W . F . Dick 781 , Henry "Williams 212 , H . Pressley

650 , T . E . Braine 483 , William Harvey P . M . 174 , J . A . Axcell 483 , W . F . Buckland 483 , John Spencer W . M . 1437 , George Bailey 1437 , S . G . Thome 1425 , J . Cook 907 , W . H . Brackett S . W . 395 , J . Hay 1622 , J . Watkins 901 , F . D . Cox 2157 , F . Hyde , W . Brown , Thomas Capron , J . W . Bowton , F . G . Bird , G . H . Jones , H . Manning , R . Renton , F . Spurr , J . Melvin , C . B . Chatty , A . C James , Rev . A . H . Delafield .

The Earl of Warwick Provincial Grand Master sent a truly fraternal letter to Bro . Woyniouth , regretting that his military duties prevented hihi from being present , but congratulating him upon his election , and wishing all the Brethren a pleasant evening . There was a somewhat lengthy Agenda before the meeting , to meet which the Lodge was opened about half-past two , when the minutes of the

last regular meeting were read and confirmed , and the report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Bros . T . F . Ashdown , A . Woollings , and P . W . Wilson , who were initiated on the previous occasion , were passed to the second degree . Bros . F . Hyde , H . J . Foster and H . W . P . Hunt proved their capacity as

Craftsmen , were regularly raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , and took their seats in the Lodge . Both these ceremonies , as well as that of the subsequent installation , were beautifully rendered by Bro . Ayres , who thus vacated the chair with full honours ; and the Brethren expressed their approval with great applause .

The Lodge was then called off for a short time , and upon the re-assembly of the Brethren , Bro . Joseph Weymouth W . M .-elect was presented by Bro . Past Master Pelling , and signified his assent to the ancient charges , regulations and landmarks of the Order . A Board of Installed Master was formed , which was opened with prayer by Archdeacon Stevens , when Bro . Weymouth was duly installed as Master for the ensuing twelve months . The Brethren were re-admitted , when the new Master was regularly proclaimed and saluted .

Bro . Weymouth ' s first duty was the investiture of his Officers , which he performed in a highly satisfactory manner , thereby evinoing his capaoity for tbe position . The Officers appointed were Bros . G . H . Silverwood , M . A ., LL . B . as S . W ., Charles Asplin J . W ., Rev . F . Haslcck Chaplain , Charles Westwood Treasurer , H . C Borradaile Secretary , F . Atkins S . D ., R . Walker J . D ., F . W . Pelling D . C , C B . Chatty I . G ., Robert Matthews Organist , F . Dorman , J . Melvin , W . H . Brough Stewards , and George Martin Tyler .

After the addresses had been delivered by Bro . Ayres , the W . M ., in the name of the Lodge , presented him with a Past Master's jewel and collar , in recognition of his services during the year . Bro . Ayres modestly returned thanks for the compliment . The sum of ten guineas was voted by the Lodge to head the W . M . ' s list of subscriptions for the R . M . I . Boys . Bro . Weymouth expressed his thanks , and said the amount had been privately supplemented by tho Brethren , and he hoped the total would reach one huudred pounds .

There being no further business the visitors tendered their congratulations to Bro . Weymouth , and the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony . The proceedings terminated with the usual banquet . In commemoration of his installation Bro . Weymouth has presented the Lodge with a pair of massive silver candlesticks for the Secretary ' s table . They bear a suitable inscription , and form a very handsome addition to the ornaments of the Lodge . Bro . Weymouth received the thanks of the Brethren for his thoughtful and charming present .

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . rriHK regular meeting was held at the Gransmoor Hotel , Higher J _ Opensliaw , on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., Bro . Robert Adshead W . M ., and although the Brethren had been summoned for an early hour , there was an attendance of nearly thirty members and visitors .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . J . T . Wilkinson and Jas . Taylor Riinmer were examined as to proficiency in the former degrees , and afterwards raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the first by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . William Jones I . P . M ., the working tools being presented and explained by Bro . Chas . H . Griffiths J . W .

At the festive board which followed , the Loyal and Masonic toasts were varied by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . Dr . E . E . Jones S . D ., J . T . Moorhouse , Arthur Mellor , W . Gregg I . P . M . 2144 , Thos . Baker 1459 , and Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 .

The W . M . proposed the health of the candidates , who responded , both of them admitting that the ceremonies had been most beautiful , and also that they were very much impressed with the same . Bro . Jones I . P . M . introduced the toast of the W . M ., and graciously bore testimony to the excellent manner in which he had for the first time performed the ceremony of the third degree . He said it had been a pleasure to him , and he believed that the other Brethren shared the same feelings of satisfaction at so creditable an attempt . , Bro . Adshead , in replying , thanked Bro . Jones for his words of commendation , and incidentally reverted to the fact that although in Greater

Reports Of Meetings.

Manchester , that is outside the City proper , yet the Lodge seemed to bear a good reputation in far away places , for recently , to his surprise , he learned that it had been highly spoken of in Surrey , and other distant places . This was undoubtedly a tribute to their work , which he could assure the visitors they always endeavoured to perform in the most careful manner possible . Bro . Adshead then proposed the health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , the toast being responded to by Bros . Jones I . P . M ., and Hy . B . Brown P . M . Treasurer .

Besides those mentioned above , there were present Bros . S . Andrew J . D ., J . Harrison I . G ., G . E . Mellor Sec , Matthew Goth Std ., Walter Taylor , Thos . Tyers P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., J . H . Smith P . M . P . D . G . S . B . Bombay , Geo . T . Lenard P . M . 1077 , T . C Lord 1459 , and others .

SYMPATHY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 483 . AT the meeting of this Lodge , held at the Star Hotel , Gravesend , on Monday , Bro . A . J . Walklin ' acted as W . M ., and rehearsed the ceremony of initiation , Bro . Prior being the candidate . The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the questions leading to the third were put by Bro . Walklin , and answered by the Brethren . The Lodge was then opened in the third degree , and closed clown . The W . M . was assisted by Bros . A . Hewison as S . W ., J . Gillett as J . W ., T . Smith as Deacon , and T . Gee as I . G .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

HUGH OWEN LODGE , No . 2593 . THE presentation of Grand Lodge clothing to Brother J . H . Rutherglen and the passing of a hearty vote of congratulation to him on his recent appointment to the office of Deputy Grand Sword Bearer of England , were the features of an emergency meeting of this Lodge , held at the Frascati , Oxford Street , W ., on Friday , 20 th inst .

The chair was occupied by the popular W . M . Bro . R . H . Nicholls , who was ably supported by the following Officers and Brethren : —H . G . Holland I . P . M ., J . W . Hunt S . W ., H . Ramsbottom J . W ., Rev . F . Greenwood Chap ., W . B . Neville P . M . Secretary , C G . Ridgway S . D ., H . T . Willis I . G ., J . Shrader Organist , A . E . Lee A . D . C , H . Tull Steward , J . H . Rutherglen P . M ., H . T . Kobelt ( Secretary of the Hugh Owen Lodge of Instruction ) , A . Champion , B . Ware , W . Fear , A . Frith , J . Barnett , and R . Brown .

The Visitors included Bros . A . Williams P . M . 834 ( the well known Preceptor of the Chiswick and other Lodges of Instruction ) , J . Mayher 2650 , W . Reed 65 , C . Drake 65 , A . Richardson 2331 , J . Hodgson 511 , J . Wynman , and others . The Lodge being duly formed was opened with solemn prayer , and

the W . M . advanced it to the second degree , when Bro . W . Fear , who was passed at the previous meeting , answered the usual questions in a satisfactory manner and was entrusted . The Lodge was opened in the third degree , and that Brother was raised as a Master Mason , and took his seat amongst the Brethren as such .

The Brethren now proceeded with the most interesting and important business of the evening . Bro . J . H . Rutherglen , the founder and first W . M . of the Lodge , was present for the first time since he was invested by the M . W . Grand Master as Deputy Grand Sword Bearer for the present year , and Brother Holland I . P . M . rose , saying he had very much pleasure in proposing a vote of congratulation to their respected Bro . P . M . Rutherglen . He was sure it would be carried unanimously . They all valued and

appreciated very highly the services their first W . M . had rendered to the Lodge , and they all felt that the honour the Most Worshipful Grand Master had conferred upon him in appointing him Deputy Grand Sword Bearer for the year 1898-9 was a great honour to the Hugh Owen Lodge itself , more especially when it was remembered that it was only a little over two years since its oonsecration . Bro . Rutherglen was very anxious to leave , as ho had a very important engagement ; he would therefore not take up any more time , but move the following resolution : —

" That the members ol th § Hugh Owen Lodge , No . 2593 , hereby tender to their highly esteemed and respected Bro . J . H . Rutherglen P . M . their sincere and hearty congratulations at his having been appointed by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales Most Worshipful Grand Master to tbe office of Deputy Grand Sword Bearer of England for the year 1898-9 , and also record their great appreciation of the honour such appointment has conferred upon the Lodge itself . That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Grand Secretary . "

He continued : the appointment of our first Master to a position in Grand Lodge must be considered as a great compliment to the Lodges to which he belongs , as well as a high honour to him who receives it . Bro . Rutherglen has . done much for the Service which this Lodge represents . We heartil y congratulate him on the distinguished office to which , he has now attained , and wish him long life to be able to look back upon this time with feelings of great satisfaction .

Bro . P . M . Neville Secretary of the Lodge , in briefly seconding , said he did so with the utmost pleasure . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . The W . M ., in formally conveying to Bro . Rutherglen the resolution , said Whatever other duties he might be called upon to perform during his Mastership of the Lodge , none would be remembered by him with greater pleasure than this . He then addressed Bro . Rutherglen as follows

Worship ful Brother Rutherglen P . M . Deputy Grand Sword Bearer of England , P . M . of the Earl of Carnarvon , your Mother Lodge ; member of the Kensington Lodge ; and last , but not least , first W . M . of the Hugh Owen Lodge , I have , on behalf of the members of all these Lodges , to ask you to accept from us , as a mark of our regard , the clothing of your Grand Office , and in doing so I feel sure it will be gratifying to you to know that members

of all these Lodges have subscribed towards it . May you be spared , in health and strength , for very many years to come to wear it , and when it shall have pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to have taken you to your everlasting rest , may your relatives preserve it with reverence for years , and , looking at it , remember , with pride and pleasure , it represented honours well earned and richly deserved .

Bro . Rutherglen then thanked the members of the Lodge , and all those present for the very cordial way they had received him as a Grand Officer , and also for the vote just passed so unanimously . He felt the slight services he had rendered to Freemasonry did not merit the high honour the Most Worshipful Grand Master had conferred upon him . The honour was less due to his personal merit and work as a Freemason ,