Annual Supper Of The Walthamstow Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL SUPPER OF THE WALTHAMSTOW LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

The annual supper of the above lodge was partaken of by the members of the lodge and visitors at the Chrquers Hotel , Walthamstow , on Monday , the 26 th uliimo , when there was a very good gathering of the brethren . The lodge of instruction was first held , but merely as a matter of form , and at the sunper Bro .

Wm . Shurmur , P . M ., Preceptor of the lodge , presided , The other brethren were—Bros . N . Fortescue , I . P . M . 2374 ; H . F . Bromhead , P . M . 2374 , P . P . G . S . of Wks . ; W . Bluck , 2374 ; J . W . Morrison , 2374 ; Jas . Speller , S . W . 2374 ; Archdeacon Dunbar , Chap . 2374 ; J . H . Wildash , P . M . 1662 ; S . C . Kauffman , S . D . 2374 ; W . H . Toye , I . P . M . 1278 ; C . Dancyger , P . M . 205 ;

Fowler L . Pool , 2472 ; Wormack ; W . Baillie , 2256 ; T . W . Stacey , 2374 ; G . W . Holmes ; George Long , 2256 ; G . H . Pizey , 2374 ; L . Budd , 2472 ; Darling ; C . Thompson , I . G . 2192 ; A . J . Street , P . M . 1679 ; John Ives , P . M . ; J . A . Saunders , S . W . 1507 ; Dr . Scharlach , Oscar to the Seven Mountains Lodge ( Norway and Sweden ); A . G . Hopkins : F . Budd , 2472 ;

Pettit and W . W . West , 1662 ; W . Gower , jun ., 2472 ; D . H . McGower , W . Rice , 1374 ; J . W . Stroud , 2472 ; N . Fortescue , jun ., 2472 ; T . Maynard , 2374 ; Hunt , H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; W . Gower , J . W . 2472 ; W . Harris , W . M . 2472 ; and W . W . Morgan , 177 .

The President if the lodge is Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., who was to have taken the chair , but through illness was unable to be present ; the Preceptor is Bro . W . Shurmur , the Deputy Preceptor Bro . W . Gower , the Treas . Bro . N . Fortescue , the Steward Bro . J . Clark , and the joint Secretaries Bros . J . A . Carter and C . H . Bristow .

The supper was admirably supplied by Bro . H . F . Inman Hallows , proprietor of the Chequers Hotel . Under Bro . Stacy , the Organist , some excellent singing was performed by several brethren , and Bros . G . Clark and Fowler Pool recited .

Archdeacon DUNBAR proposed the toast of " The Queen and the Craft . " Bro . SHURMUR proposed "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , " and took occasion to refer to the regretted absence of Ero . Philbrick through illness , from which he wished him a speedy recovery , with all the blessings he himself could desire .

Bro . WILDASH , P . M ., proposed " Bro . Shurmur , Preceptor of the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , the Walthamstow Lodge of Instru-tion , and the Walthamstow Masonic Benevolent Associations . " As probably the oldest Freemason in the room who had attended in that building long before there was such a nice room as that in which they were assembled , he

might be permitted to say it was his privilege to belong to the Beaconsfield Lodge , formerly the only lodge in Walthamstow . The place had then only 10 , 000 inhabitants ; it had now between 50 , 000 and 6 o , ooo , and the place had gone ahead in Masonry proportionally . At one time the brethren used to sit under a large tree much about where he was now

standing and discuss among themselves the ritual of Freemasonry , under the presidency of Bro . James Pinder . From Bro . Pinder he Irarned Masonry , became Master of his lodge , and received a Past Master ' s jewel , a compliment he very much appreciated . But it was owing to this lodge of instruction that Masonry had made such progress in the district ,

and they must look round to see who was responsible for that success . He did not like to praise a man to his face , but he could not help sav ' g > to Bro . William Shurmur a great deal of the success of Freemasonry in Essex and in the East-end of London was due . He thanked Bro . Shurmur very much fcr all he had done for the

Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , and he hoped he would live many years to teach those who were anxious to gain Masonic knowledge . If Bro . Philbrick had been present he would have been glad to hear of the great progress that lodge had made with Charity . It was not a Masonic principle for a brother to give what he could not afford ; it was not desirable he should

give if he was not in a position to do so ; but there were some brethren who could give , and the principle of Charity was worked out in the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , and it produced large sums of money . Walthamstow was said sometiims to be a poor place , but it must be a wealthy place , and if it was not , the freemasons must be more liberal than in other places .

In a few years four Charity Associations had been formed ; that was certainly within the last eight or nine years . Of the two first he was the President himself , and they collected something like ^ 1000 , but it took lour years to do it . Alter that Bro . Shurmur took charge of the lodge of instruction , when they started ; i third Charity Association . Before it was closed 400

SUineas had gone to the Masonic Charities . But better was to come , for under the auspices of this lodge of instruction Bro . Bestow started the fourth Association , and during 12 months something like 450 guineas had been subscribed . Considering that the brethren who belonged to these Associations were mostly members not only of the local lodges but of London lodges as

well , it must be confessed the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction had justified its existence ; it had not only taught the brethren the precepts of Masonry , but it had taught them the duty of assisting the poor Masons who had fallen by the roadside . Bro . W . SiiUKMim , in acknew ' edging the toast , said He thought thty might take it that the unparalleled

Annual Supper Of The Walthamstow Lodge Of Instruction.

success which had fallen to the happy lot of that lodge of instruction might be accounted for by the fact that the brethren had followed the example of their good friends , Bros . Wildash and Pinder , who sat under " the greenwood tree . " As Preceptor of the lodge , it had afforded him very great pleasure to take the part of instructor of the brethren in the hidden mysteries of

the ancient and honourable Order , more especially as it was founded upon the sublime basis of religion , truth , and virtue . He bad been very much encouraged in his work by the loyal co-operation and cheery support of so many true Masons like the Deputy Preceptor , Bro . Gower ; the Treasurer , Bro . Fortescue ; the Chairman of the Local Board , Bro . Wildash ; Past

Master Kauffman , the very genial and obliging Steward , Bro . Clark , Past Master Ives , and the indefatigable Secretaries , Bros . Carter and Bestow , but he must not forget the Organist , Bro . Stacy . Bro . Wildash had already informed them that the Walthamstow Masonic Benevolent Associations had sent up large sums to the Central Masonic Charitable Institutions .

He ( Bro . Shurmur ) believed the sums amounted altogether to over ^ 2000 . That was very satisfactory , and it was a great pleasure to himself and to those friends who cordially co-operated with him , that they had succeeded in imparting Masonic knowledge and disseminating the virtues of universal benevolence and friendship—the true aim of every real Freemason .

The lodge of instruction led to a regular lodge , which was now going to have a Royal Arch chapter . He believed that chapter would be a success . It was exceedingly gratifying , and he was more than repaid for any time or trouble he might have devoted to what he considered good work . Bro . GOWER , responding to the toast of "The Deputy

Preceptor , & c , said , as Bro . Shurmur was proud of his pupils , the pupils tried to do their best , and he was glad they had pleased their master . Bro . Shurmur had jumped him up to the position of Deputy Preceptor , but he ( Bro . Gower ) did not know that he had deserved it . But he was proud of it , and proud of the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction and proud of

Wilthamstow . Bro . N . FORTESCUE , P . M ., said that what little he had done was done with a great amount of pleasure . Bro , Gower had said he was proud , and proud , and proud ; but he was not half so proud as he ( Bro . Fortescue ) was . Bro . Fortescue then made some humorous observations with regard to having been driven down to

this festival in Bro . Gower s brougham . But he pointed out that there was great enthusiasm shown by the brethren who attended the lodge of instruction for the purpose of work all round . As Treasurer he was very proud of that office , and of having such assistants as Bros . Carter b and Bestow , who , sending him cheques to sign , in the cause of Charity , took the trouble to send

them in the proper direction . Bros . DANCYGER and HOWE having replied to the toast of "The Visitors , " which was proposed by Bro . Archdeacon DUNBAR , Bro . Dr . SCIIARI . ACII , replying to the same toast , said it was not the first time he , as a Norwegian brother , had had the privilege of being present at these annuil

meetings , and it had afforded him great pleasure to learn something of the ways and works of Freemasons in England . In Norway Masonry was on the increase , as it was everywhere else in all civilised countries . It had most beneficent effects on society in Norway , binding together in close friendship and brotherhood those who would otherwise perhaps stand apart ; because ,

however much people might be divided in the outer world through their vocations , qualities , and various other circumstances , when they met together in their halls theymetas brethren , andall outside differences were forgotten . Masonry not only connected together men of the same nation , but it was a cosmopolitan institution . It was bound to reach its end beyond the boundaries of

nations , and to bring different nations close together . Especially was this so among the Masons of the Anglo-Saxon race , where there existed a closer bond than among some parts of the fraternity of other countries . Thus a close relationship had always been shewn between the Grand Masters of England and Norway—His Majesty , King Oscar and the Prince of Wales . Norwegian

Masons had frequently had the pleasure of seeing Englishmen in Norwegian lodges , and they had always seemed to be one with them . Fortunately he had always been received here as a brother and not as a stranger . It would be a pleasure to him to report the good work , the Charity , the hospitality and friendship ot " this lodge , and if there was anything that would tend

to make the reception of an English brother warmer in Norway than anything else , it would be tneseaccounts of how the English brethren had received Norwegian brethren . Bros . CARTER and BESTOW replied to the toast of " The Officers , " and Bro . Ivies having given the Tyler ' s toast a very successful evening was brought to a close .

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall At Yeovil.

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT YEOVIL .

On Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., in the presence of a large assembly of the brethren from the West of England , a handsome new Masonic Hall was dedicated

to the use 01 the Brotherl y Love Lodge , No . 329 . It will be remembered that the foundaiion-stone of the hall was laid in May last by Bro . B . Whittiy . the W . M . of the lodge . The building , winch is conveniently situ ited at Hendford , near the centre of the town , is bui 1 U brick , with Ham stone facings . It is approached

Dedication Of A New Masonic Hall At Yeovil.

by a flight of stone steps , and stands several feet in from the main pavement of the street , the intervening space being filled with shrubs . Over the vestibule or porch , which is entirely of Ham stone , is an entablature on which Masonic emblems are engraved , and abuve this , immediately below a circular d irmer window , are more emblematical carvings . The ground floor

contains a lavatory and cloak-room accommodation on the left of the entrance , and a small kitchen on the right , and adjoining is a large and well-lighted room for assemblypurposes , 40 feet by 22 feet , which it is intended to let for other than Masonic purposes . The upper storey will be entirely devoted to the use of the lodge . It consists of a preparing room , tyler ' s room , and a spacious

"temple , " of the same dimensions as the as ; emblyroom beneath . An arched opening in the sides of the wall leads to an organ chamber , and the east and west ends are curved and contain three arches each . Fixed seats run round the whole length of the " temple . " The ceiling , which is 16 feet high , is filled with stamped lacquered paper , the walls are coloured

Pompeian red , and simple but effective stencil lines afford the necessary relief . A flat skylight gives light , and the ventilation is specially attended to . The fixed seats and the margin of the floor are stained walnut and varnished . When fully and appropriately furnished the " temple " will be very imposing . The architect of the building is Mr . J . N . Johnson of Yeovil , and the

builders Messrs . J . Lye and Son , of Crewkerne . The opening ceremony commenced with a meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Somerset at 12 . 30 , when Bro . the Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . M . of Somerset , with the assistance of Bro . R . C . Else , D . P . G . M ., P . G . D . England , and the Provincial Grand Officers , performed the ceremony of dedicating the hall

for the purposes of Freemasonry . The following officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Somerset were present : Bros . Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . M . ; R . C . Else , D . P . G . M . ; C . J . Anderson , P . P . G . Chap . ; John Hunt , P . G . Sec . ; J . T . Dunsford , P . A . G Sec ; F . Harris Mitchell , P . S . G . D . ; W . P . Buckley , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; W . P . Gell , P . Asst .

G . D . C ; S . Bigwood , P . G . Stwd . ; A . J . Salter , P . G Tyler ; and a large number of brethren from all parts of the province . A banquet , which was largely attended , was afterwards held at the Three Choughs Hotel , the catering , in the experienced hands of Mr . Box , giving tlvj utmost satisfaction . About IOO sat down .

The Loriners' Company.

THE LORINERS' COMPANY .

The great hall of the Cannon-street Hotel was well filled on Thursday , the 29 th inst ., on the occasion of a livery dinner of the Loriners' Compiny . The festivity , over which the Master , Mr . H . Sotheran , presided , was a very enjoyable one . A stringed band played a charming selection of music during dinner , whilst the

after-dinner speeches , which were commendably brief , were interspersed with some excellent songs by Madame Isabel George , Miss Lena Seymour , Mr . W . Coates , Mr . Edward Branscombe , and Mr . Robert Grice , the accompanist being Mr . Thomas Chapman . Bro . Sir AUGUSTUS HARRIS proposed the toast of " The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs , " and in the course of

his remarks referred to the proposed unification scheme which he strongly condemned . Bro . Alderman TRELOAR made a characteristically amusing speech , and spoke of the Loriner ' s being the largest company in the City—it was not only the largest

but one of the most ancient . It dated from 1245 . The toast of " The Wardens " followed , to which Bro . Sir J V . MOON responded . Bro . Col . SEWELL , in responding for " The Chaplain and Clerk , " mentioned that it was the 30 th occasion on which he had had that privilege .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

CYPRUS . St . Paul ' s Chapter ( No . 2277 ) . —A regular convocation of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Larnaca , on the 9 th ult . The chapter was opened by Comp . F . . 0 . Harvey , M . E . / .., assisted by Comps . Meyer , I ! . ; Jones , J . ; and Nelson Prower , P . Z . 1 745 ( London ) . After the chapter was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting having be in read and confirmed , a ballot

was taken upon Bros . H . E . Clarke , A . C . Harvey , and VV . H . P . Turner , all of No . 2402 , and the ballot proving favourable , they were declared elected . Bros . A . C . Harvey and Turner being in attendance , they were admitted and duly exalted . The lectures were given in a praisewo-thy manner by the Three Principals , and the work d > ne liy Comp . A . Morton , P . S ., was admirable . The offices of S . N ., 2 nd A . S ., and Honorary Janitor not having

In'en filled at the March convocation of the chapter , an election took place , and the votes of the companions fell upon Comps . E . A . Carletti , as S . N . ; Cannons , 2 nd A . S . ; and Blattner , II n . Janitor , and those companions being present the M . E . Z . invested them with their respective collars and jewels of office . A vote of condolence , proposed by the M . E . Z ., seconded and supported by Comps . H . and J ., was passed to the family of the late Comp . G . R . Harriott , I . P . Z ., and to the family of Comp .

Hamilton , both of whom the chapter had lost by death since the previous meeting . The resignation of a companion was tendered and accepted , and there being no further business offering , the chapter was closed . Ihe companions , by invitation of the M . E . Z ., afterwards dined together , and on the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were observed , and it being the anniversary of the birthday of the Grand Z ., a special teature was made of that toast . The next meeting of this chapter will be held in January at Limassol .