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 .

— : o : — CEAPT : METEOP 0 LITAN . METROPOLITAN LODGE , No . 1507 .

IN our last issue we had occasion to simr the praises of a Provincial Lodge , or perhaps it would be more correct to say a suburban one , which , meeting on the borders of Epping Forest , is able to offer its members and tta & iT Mends a glimpse oi nature in its mosfc attractive forms at each of ils stated meetings , but especially so at tho iustallation , which is held in the autumn , at the time when the forest scenery is perhaps as attractive as at any period of tho year . For this issue duty calls us in another direction ,

away from the quiet , peaceful enjoyment of Chingford , to one of the busiest haunts of men—to the famous home of Freemasonry in London , Anderton's Hotel , Fleet Street—and like the worthy Vicar of Bray in the well-known song it is expected that we should prove ourselves equal to the altered condition of affairs . It is delightful to contemplate a quiet provincial gathering , with all the attractions of open country surroundings , and we also find it equally pleasant to record a meeting amid the bustle and activity of Fleet Street ., in the very heart of our great city .

Happily the two Lodges more particularly ca'ling for attention just now at our hands—the Metropolitan this week , and the Shurmur last week — possess many points in common . Tneir leaders are truly jovial Craftsmen , whose desire seems to be to secure as much enjoyment us possible for every Brother associated with their Lodges ; while the members appear to have

caught the contagion of joviality , and are determined to get as muoh pure , honest entertainment as can be secured from association with our noble Order ; and it is a somewhat difficult matter to say which Lodge wo should advise a Brother to attend , for preference , were he in search of tangible proof of true Masonic spirit and working .

The Metropolitan , No . 1507 , has the advantage , inasmuch as it is an older institution , and without saying one word in disparagement of the other , we think , for the time being , at least , we may sing the praises of " our present love . " The Metropolitan has associations peculiarly its own so far as we are personally concerned ; it was one of the first Lodges we attended after our initiation , now nearly a quarter of a century ago , and in it we have made the acquaintance of some of thc warmest and best friends that

Freemasonry has given us . And we are not alone in this respect , as those who have watched the career and progre > s of tin- Lodge will agree—the Metropolitan has always been the meeting place for a happy band of Brethren , Masons who consider there is something more than form and ceremony in our noble Brotherhood , and who strive to practice outside the Lodge those excellent precepts they are taught within it . Long may it flourish , and long may it be conducted on the true Masonic principles which have come to be regarded as part and parcel of its existence .

1 hose of our readers who know the Metropolitan Lodge and its shining light in the person of its Treasurer u ill share our regret in reading that Bro . Stiles was absent from the meeting on account of ill health ; it must indeed have beon a serious attack that kept him from a " Metropolitan " installation , and we trust that ere these lines appear he will so far have recovered as to be able to go about his usual avocations in his accustomed form . We have heard our worthy Bro . Stiles on many occasions , but under existing circumstances think it safe to say that at tio time does he appear to greater advantage than when heartily joining in the chorus :

" I love new friends , But still give me , The dear , dear friends of old . " This year's installation was held on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , under tho presidency of Bro . William Barry W . M ., who

had the support of Bros . E . E . Hsuvkins S . W . W . M .-elect , E . G . Steers J . W ., F . J . Perks KM . P . P . G . S . B . Mid , ; x . Sec . ; Past Masters J . H . Moggridge , 0 . 3 Scales , G . W . Knight , W . E . Bates , J . Bate , G . Clark , 3 . F . Saunders , and others ; "A . G . Bradley S D ., R . C . Glccd J . D ., W . R . Thompson I . G ., 3 . C . H . Sargent D . G ., A . Jackson Org ., 11 . W . Newman Steward .

The Visitors included Bros . Gordun Larner W . M . Holloway , Bellamy P . M . 1 G 27 , Walker P . M . 1027 , 3 . W . Dixon P . M . 271 , Bryen 2048 , Clark 1777 , Bills 1708 , Hume 163 t * , Brand 170 ( 1 , Fox 1697 , Moon J . D . 2099 , Wood 20 , Rendle 1507 , H . Willsmer 1567 2698 , and many others . The Lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of previous

meetings held 15 th March and 17 th June were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received , adopted and ordered to be entered on the minutes . After having voted £ 21 to the R . M . I , for Girls and other sums of £ 5 5 s and £ i 4 s to charitable objects , the substantial balance of nearly £ 70 is in hand .

The Lodge was opened in the second and third degrees , and Bro . C . 3 . Scales P . M . Director of Cen monies presented Bro . K . E . Hawkins S . W . W . M .-elect to the W . M . to r < ceive at his hands the Lentfit of Installation . The W . M . having been duly installed , appointed and invested his Officers , as follow : Bro . E . G . Stei rs S . W ., A . C . Bradley J . W . ; Bro . W . M . Stiles

P . M . P . G . Treas . being absent on account of ill-health the- investiture of the Treasurer was postponed , Bro . Scales receiving the collar pro . tem . ; E . J . Perks Sec , W . H . Thompson 1-dD ., II . W . Newman J . D ., T . E . Eames I . G ., J . C . H . Sargent D . C ., E . i ' olak and 3 . W . Honniball Stewards , A . Jackson Organist , and Richard Whiting P . M . Tyler .

The addresses were delivered in a masterly manner by Bro . W . Barry I . P . M ., and were listened to with much attention by the Brethren . The W . M . pit sonted the I . P . M . with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel , voted him by the Brethren . The Lodge was resumed to the first degree , and the ballot having proved nnnnimous in their favour , the following gentlemen wero initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft by the newlyinstalled W . M ., who thus curly gave evidence of his ability to faithfully discharge the duties of his high and important office : Mr . A . R . Ashton , Mr . J . C . McClelland , and Mr . W . Ii . Sal trick .

After hi arty good wishes the Lodge was closed , the Brethren , numbering abi-uc l . ' , 0 , ultei wards adjourning to the banquet ro < . m , wle e full justice was done to the excellent menu placed before them . The fust loait of the evening was that of the Queen and the Craft , the

Reports Of Meetings.

W . M . remarking that Her Most Gracious Majesty had fully justified her well deserved title of a perfect Mother and a perfect Queen . The toasts of the M . W . the G . M ., the P . G . M ., the D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers present and past , were regularly disposed of . The I . P . M . in felicitous terms proposed the health of tho W . M ., wishing him every success , and assuring him of the hearty support and co-operation of himself , the Past Masters , and the Brethren , during his year of office .

The W . M ., in replying , hoped that he would be able to do his work during the year nearly as well as Bro . Barry had done , and trusted that his Officers would afford him every assistance also . The W . M . proposed the toast of the I . P . M . and Installing Master , and in referring to his past services congratulated him on the splendid manner in which he had carried out the work , saying how thoroughly he deserved the Past Master's jewel that had been presented him .

The toast of the Visitors , of whom there were a large number , having be * n proposed and cordially received by the members , Bros . Gordon Larner W . M . 1326 , and J . W . Dixon P . M . 27 responded . The toast of the Initiates was received very heartily , and the three Brethren briefly returned thanks . The health of the Past- Masters of the Lodge was replied to by all those Officers present .

The Officers , and the Tyler's toast brought to a close an exceptionally enjoyable meeting . During the banquet the following Brethren provided the musical entertainment : —Bro . James Brand , Braxton Smith , and Wilfred Stacey . In addition to the Brethren already referred to as being present we noticed Bros . R . Batchelor , J . Mason , A . P . Innocent , W . 11 . Aston , li . P . Innocent , J . H . Honniball , J . Campbell , E . J . Chant , E . Polak , W . B .

Richards . W . Ellis , Ornstoin , Hollingsworth , A . Moon , A . Walkley , T . L . Eames , W . H . Shopland , Timberlake , Harper , A . Cherry , E . 0 . Beal , J . Foster , Allcock , C . Larder , E . J . Pearson , Hahn , P . T . Goobrev , E . G . Sexton , F . Read , J . Gray , T . G . H . Goley , A . A . Fel ' on , H . E . Orm , ' <' owper , W . A . Wallace , E . A . Pickering , E . Fitzgerald , Jones , O . A . Rollasou , J . E . Williams , T . Tinsley , J . Hess , A . Hess , G . W . Perry , J . Macry , J . Carter , and many others .

o o o CHAUCER LODGE , No . 1540 . rriHE first installation since the removal of this Lodge to the St . James ' I Restaurant took place on Mon lay , when the W . M .-elect Bro . Isanc Genese was installed , the ceremony being performed by Bro . A . J . Bailey P . M . and Treasurer of the Lodge . The musical programme at the banquet was under the able direction of Miss Addie Genese .

ALL SAINTS LODGE , No . 1716 . THE annual Festival of this highly successful Lodge took place on Thursday of last week , the placo of meeting being , by special dispensation , the Holborn Restaurant . Bro . William Bland , assisted by his Officers , opened the Lodge punctually at half past four o ' clock , when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed .

The only business was the installation of Bro . Frank Walter Whitlock W . M .-elect , and he was therefore presented by Bro . C . R . Allen P . M . aud took the customary obligation , after which the Brethren retired . A Board of thirty Installed Masters was formed arid Brother Whitlock was formerly installed as Master of the Lodge by his predecessor , as should

always be the case . Great credit is due to Bro . Bland for the very admirable manner in which he conducted the ceremony and delivered the addresses , and he thoroughly merited the congratulations and subsequent vote of thanks that were accorded him . It is but rarely that the Masters of this Lodge have complied with this duty , and Bro . Bland certainly desei ves praise for breaking away from the former practice .

A vote of thanks was also passed to Bro . Allen for his services as Director of Ceremonies , which added dignity to the proceedings . Tbe following Officers were invested for the ensuing year , to each of whom the W . M . addressed words of cordiality and congratulation : Bros . James Y . Mosey S . W ., William S . Duff J . W ., Leonard Potts P . M . Treasurer , Frederic Butler Secretary , John Wiseman S . D ., William A . Madeley J . D ., W . Verney Palmer I . G ., Walter Kemp D . C , Henry H . Heap Organist , George Deer , John Hannaford , Edwin Clemens , James Godding Stewards , and Charles Patrick P . M . Tyler .

The report of the Audit Committee was presented and adopted . The Secretary reported the resignation , from various causes , of five members of the Lodge , which was received with regret . The visiting Brethren tendered their congratulations to the Master , after which theLodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned .

The installation banquet was served in the handsome Venetian room , the company numbering over a hundred and twenty , and perfect harmony reigned throughout . At its termination the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were submitted from the chair , and received with much enthusiasm by the Brethren .

Bro . C . J . R . Tijou acknowledged the customary compliment to the Grand Officers , and spoke highly of the work transacted by Grand Lodge . In proposing the health of tho Worshipful Master , Bro . B ' and declared it to be the toast of the evening , and expressed the great pleasure he had in performing tbe ceremony , and the gratification he felt that he had been able

to ensure the approbation of the Brethren . Bro . Whitlock was perhaps somewhat younger than most of those who hnd preceded him in the chair , but they all knew him to be a most ardent Fr ^ caiason , and a clever exponent of the ritual , and he was confident that his ab . lities would be engaged for the benefit and advantage of the Lodge .

Bro . Whitlock , who met with a flattering reception , modestly returned thanks , and assured the Brethren of his earnest interest in the Lodge . Perhaps he would not be placed to advantage in the fourth degree ; but he promised them that he would be quite " au fait" in the Lodge , and hoped to gain their esteem . At all events he would endeavour to perform his duty in a proper manner , and so merit their satisfaction .

The W . M . now returned the compliment , by proposing the Installing Master . Bro . Bland and himself had worked together throughout their Masonic career ; they had taken office together , aud worked steadily on , with the result that they wero now W . M . and I . P . M . together . It was an exceeding great pleasure to him to be the representative of the Lodge in offering that token of merit to Bro . Bland which had been voted by the Brethren as a recognition of his splendid service in the chair , and in pinning to his breast the Past Master's jewel as a mark of their esteem and regard .

In responding , the I . P M . said he was greatly impressed by the remarks of the W . M ., which he hoped were supported by the Brethren , as he had endeavoured to carry out his duties in a proper spirit , and in conformity with