Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Gresham Lodge , No . S 69 . An emergency meeting of the above ledge was held at Cheshunt Great House , Chrsbunt Park , on Saturday , the 2 Sth ult ., the motive being the initiation of Mr . Cecil Hamilton Armitage , of the South Wales Borderers' Militia , who was abiut to return to J , ' IS duties in Africa , beim ; at present on leave of absence . The billot was duly taken , and , proving unanimous in his favour , he was initialed by the W . M ., Bro . Charles E . Everett , in a manner which produced a general expression of admiration ; indeed , it would have been a difficult matter for the ceremony to have been more beautifully rendered .

This btirg ended , and the lodge closed , the brethren retired to the binqueting-hall , and partook ot a substantial dinner , provided by the caretaker , Bro . B . Mitchell . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured . The toast of " The Visitors " was acknowledged by Bro . S . H . T . Armitage , M . D ., 2127 , P . P . S . G . W . North and East Yorks , who expressed the great satisfaction it gave him to see his son initiated in the grand old hall of Cheshunt Great House—a spot at

once so connected with historical associations and replete with every charm that could add eclat to a Mason ' s lodge , and in thanking the W . M . expressed the hope that jin a short time the brethren would do him the honour of accepting him as a joining member . This toast was also responded to by the other visitors : Bros . J . A . Lane , of the Aconcogua Lodge , No . 1 S 7 , South America ; A . M . Blade , S . W . King Solomon Lodge , No . 260 , California ; and H . M . Sternberg , S . D . 1441 .

Among those present , in addition to the above , were Bros . C . E . Everett , W . M . ; W . Haynes , P . M ., S . W . ; W . R . Bentley , P . M ., J . W . ; S . M . Banker , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; F . D . Rees Copestick , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C . ; H . Gross , P . M ., J . D . ; L . J . Powter , P . M ., I . G . j W . A . Dingle , M . D ., P . M ., P . P . A . G . P . ; Douglas S . Gillespie , and J . Williams , Tyler . We cannot close this report without expressing our admiration of the excellent working in the lodge from the W . M . downwards , and also the adnirable way in which the charge was delivered by our visiting Bro . A . M . Blade . The brethren returned to town at an early hour .

Newall Lodge , No . 1134 . The regular meeting of the above lodge was held on Tuesday , the ist inst ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . There was a good attendance . The lodge was opened by Bro . Charles Driver , W . M . There were three initiations , the ceremonies being performed by Bros . E . Webb , P . M ., and A . H . Duflin , P . M ., P . G . D . C , Bro . R . W . Martin J . W ., presenting the tools , whilst the charge was delivered by Bro . H . Waterhouse , S . W . The election of W . M . for the ensuing year was in favour of Bro . H . Waterhouse , S . W . Bro . John Holroyd , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of

Works , was elected Treasurer ; Bro . E . H . Flower , P . M ., P . G . T ., Tyler ; Bro . Duflin , Charity Representative ; and Bros . W . H . Brown and Samuels , Auditors . The following brethren were present : Bros . C . Driver , W . M . ; H . Waterhouse , S . W . ; R . W . Martin , J . W . ; J . Holroyd , P . P . G . S . of Wks ., Treas . ; J . Waring , P . M ., Sec . ; I . Green , S . D . ; A . K . Boothroyd , P . M ., J . D . ; A . H . Duflin , P . G . D . C , D . C . ; VV . H . Brown , Stwd . j G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . Org ., Org . ; J . Barker , P . P . G . T . ; E . Webb , P . M . ; G . M . Williams , E . H . Flower , P . G . T . ; John Holt , J . Ogden , S . O . Samuels , T . Curtis , J . Parkinson , F . Brierley , F . H . Gregory , J . Robinson , W . Flett , R . C . Gray , and W . Hands . Visitors : Bros . John Walter , S . W . 2559 ; P . Eason , and F . G . Boden , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C .

Liberty of Havering Lodge , No . 1437 . The installation meeting of this prosperous and well-known Essex lodge was held at the Council Chamber , Romford , on Thursday , the _ C : h ult ., when there were present Bros . W . D . Child , W . M . ; J . W . Armour , S . W . ; J . S . Hammond , J . W . ; J . Spencer , S . D . ; J . Boreham , J . D . ; F . A . White , Treas . ; H . R . Heasmm , Sec ; R . ] . Warren , P . M . ; T . Humphreys , P . M . ; VV . Burroughs , P . M . ; T . Davey , P . M . ; J . H . Sharp , P . M . ; R . Jennings , P . M . ; P . Reynolds , F . A . Stratford , W .

H . Chalk , T . Bruty , G , Bailey , H . E . Smith , C H . Woodcock , A . T . Harding , F . W Smith , R . K . Bull , VV . Baker , J . Edwards , E . Gaodchild , A . Dowsing , E . Winmell , G Hobday , J . Wild , and M . Gormley . Visitors : Bros . T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , P . G Sec ; P . Downie , J . W . 650 ; VV . II . Butcher , P . P . S . G . W . ; F . J . Cumine , W . M 1000 ; W . Staley , P . G . S . B . ; C . B . Higgins , 107 ( 1 ; T . S . Wyard , 21 S 2 ; A . S Gardiner ; E . G . Johnson , 192 ; F . B . Townend , 214 ; J . Hill , 60 G ( S . C ) ; VV . H Uoscoe , J . W . 15 S 0 ; A . T . G . . Woods ; J . Taylor , 1602 ; VV . Humphreys , 2342 ; F Collier , 1314 ; and others .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , whilst the balance-sheet , which was presented and adopted , showed the lodge to be in a sound financial position . Bro . Thos . Humphreys , P . P . S . G . W ., next presented Bro . J . W . Armour , the W . M . elect , to receive the benefit of installation at the hands of Bro . VV . D . Child , whose impressive rendering of the ceremony called forth the admiration of all present . Bro . J . W . Armour having been inducted into the chair , proclaimed and saluted , proceeded to invest his olficcrs as follows -. Bros . I . S . Hammond .

S . W . ; J . Spencer , J . W . ; F . A . White , Treas . ; H . R . lleasman , Sec . ; J . Boreham , S . D . ; G . Bailey , J . D . ; F . Stratford . I . G . ; H . E . Smith , D . C . ; J . Edwards , Org . ; C . H . Woodcock and W . H . Chalk , Stewards ; A . T . Harding , A . D . C ; and A . T . Young , Tyler . Bro . R . Jennings having been re-elected to represent the lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the Urban District Council for the use of the Council Chamber , and , as no charge was made for the

room , one guinea was voted to the Romford Cottage Hospital , a sum which was considerably augmented by patsing the " broken column " round at the banquet table on behalf of the same admirably-managed institution . After closing the lodge the brethren adjourned to the Golden Lion Hotel , where an elegant banquet was well served and carefully superintended by Bro . P . Reynolds , the the proprietor , ably assisted by Mrs . Reynolds , and at which the newly-installed VV . M . presided , with his accustomed good feeling , good sense , and good grace .

Ample justice having been done to the sumptuous repast , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were right royally given and received , and in coupling the name of Bro . Railing with the toast of "lhe Grand Officers , " Bro . Armour said that in the Proyince of Essex no face was better known , and no brother was more heartily welcomed | n any lodge than Bro . Railing , for by his courtesy , bearing , goodness of heart , and zeal jn the cause of Ficemasonry , he had endeared himself to all those with whom he had been brought in contact .

Bro . T . J . Railing , in reply , said he had valued very highly indeed the honour and privilege of having to respond to so important a toast as that of the Grand Officers , who bear such a high repute for the manner in which they upheld the principlcaof Freemasonry , and were ever ready to give their time and attention to everything appertaining to the welfare of the Craft . He also congratulated Bro . Child on his excellent work in the lodge , and gave expression to the pleasure it gave him to see such a good Mason a ? Bro . Armour installed into the chair ol K . S .

lhe Worshipful Master then gave the toast of " I'he Provincial Grand Officers of ~ Kex" in very eulogistic teams , coupling with it the names of Bros . Thos . Humphreys a "d F . A . White , the latter brother , in his response , bearing eloquent testimony to the excellent woik done by the Royal Arch chapter in connection with this lodge , and of which he ( Bro . White ) had just been elected Fiist Principal for the second time . In presenting the the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " Bro . Child said that the p . 'el which he once mote took into his hand had always been most cheerfully responded to but that occasioi that would be

> on more particularly the case , as he rose lor the purpose of proposing the health of a brother who had most worthily filled every position ln the lodge , and by his geniality , bonhomie , and correct knowledge of the rituil , had gained the universal affection and unanimous vote of the brethren to succeed him as their W . M . He ( Bro . Child ) asked thcbi : tliren to arise and drink the health of their W -M ., Bro . Armour , in a bumper . This was done in a very enthusiastic manner , but no graceful turn of sentences , no heaping together of epithets , could have been equal to Jlat one general burst on the part of the whole body of men singing by common lrn

pulse" For he ' s a jolly good fclldw Which nobody can deny . " Bro . J . W . Armour , whose rising was the signal for another spontaneous outburst

Craft Masonry.

of applause , said that he was greatly gratified for such a cordial reception and with tha enthusiasm with which they had drunk the toast of his health . The brethren might rest assured that he would not leave a stone unturned to perform his duties in such a manner as to keep up the prestige of the lodge . In the past as in the present , he had always had a great deal of kindness exhibited towards him , and if his olficers would assist him , as he had no doubt they would do , he hoped to leave the chair as worthy his successor as he himself had found it , and that his name might be regarded as a worthy addition to the honourable roll of Past Masters of the lodge .

In giving the toast of " The Installing Master , " Bro . Armour spoke of Bro . Child as one who by his invariable courtesy , and the conspicuous ability with which he fulfilled the duties of every office in the lodge had won for himself the esteem and respect of every member of the lodge . Personally he had been deeply impressed by the perfect manner in which Bro . Child had conducted the installation ceremony that day , and in

fastening on to his breast the Past Master s jewel , which had been voted him by the lodge , he could only say that within his memory it had never been more worthily bestowed . On behalf of himself and the lodge he wished him many happy years to wear it , and the many other honours of the Craft which are sure to fall to the lot of so energetic and so able a brother .

Bro . Child , in reply , said that his memory would ever be brightened by the recollection of the kindness that had been offered him by the members of the lodge , and his obligations were then increased by the beautiful jewel which he would be delighted to wear upon all fit occasions , and because it would remind him of the many pleasant hours he he had spent in the lodge .

In proposing " The Health of the Visitors , " Bro . Armour said that on behalf of the lodge he offered a cordial and fraternal welcome to them all . The members were always pleased to receive visitors and happy to interchange ideas with them , they would , therefore , be very glad to hear anything the visitors had to say in general and with regard to the Liberty of Havering Lodge in particular .

All the visitors then present acknowledged the toast of their health , after which the W . M . gave the toast of "The Past Masters" in most becoming terms , dilating upon their many good qualities , and especially mentioning Bro . VV . Burroughs , the former Preceptor of the lodge of instruction . Bro . Burroughs , in a few pertinent remarks , said he was proud of his mother lodge , and glad to find that it was doing such excellent service under such capable officers . It was also very gratifying to him to see such a long array of Past Masters present , and he was sure the W . M . could confidently rely on each and all of them to render him every assistance that was required .

Bro . H . R . Heasman , P . M . and Sec , replied with his customary eloquent but characteristic modesty to the toast of " The Secretary and Treasurer , " and Bro . Hammond gracefully acknowledged the toast of " The Officers of the Lodge . " In conclusion , it should be said that the undoubted enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by an excellent programme of music arranged by Bro . John Edwards , Org ., who himself contributed in no small measure to the harmony , not only by his own songs and p iano solos , but also by the exquisite manner in which he accompanied the other vocalists .

Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 . Prominent in the long list of the Craft lodges which are included in the extensive Province of West Lancashire , the above lodge has secured its popularity and prosperity by the Masonic enthusiasm of its members , who chiefly include representatives of the musical , literary , and dramatic professions ; by the open-handedness and

large-heartedness of its charitable donations to all the benevolent institutions of the Order ; and by the line fraternal keeling and spirit which have been displayed since the consecration of the lodge in 1 S 76 . The annual installation meeting is always a conspicious Masonic event of the year , and that which took place on the afternoon of the 24 th ultimo at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , was marked by the success which has distinguished the yearly festivals in September .

The chair at the opening of the proceedings was occupied by Bro . Henry Heard , the retiring W . M ., and he was supported by a full complement of officers , a large number of private members , and a representative gathering of Prov . Grand Officers , Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , and officers of lodges throughout the province . The members of the lodge present included Bros . A . E . Workman , P . M ., P . G . O . ; I . Fineberg , P . M . ; R . Burgess , P . M ., P . G . O . ; VV . W . Sandbrook , P . M . ; J . Cantor , P . M ., P . G . O . ; J . Belt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; I . B . Mackenzie . P . M .. P . P . G . D .: S . Kimr . R .

W . Evans , P . M . ; VV . G . Hurst , lver Iverson , J . Clinton Jones , Eaton Batty , F , Willmot , F . Geary , John Bayliss , J . H . Greenwood , T . Bush , Lewis Peake , P . M . ; J . Haynes , P . M . ; W . Coates , J . A . Lippincott ; Dr . Limrick , P . M . ; T . L . Duncan , and R . A . Pullan . The long list of visitors included Bros . W . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . Eng ., P . G . Sec ; T . W . Rice , P . S . G . W . ; Dr . J . D . Crawford , P . P . G . Treas . ; JoTin Newell , P . P . S . G . W . ; Dr . R . Robertson , P . P . G . R . ; W . B . Sweetman , P . P . G . D . ; Miles | J . Walker , P . P . S . G . W . Leicestershire ; W . Piatt , P . P . G . Treas . 5 I . T .

Callow , P . P . G . 'Ireas . ; Eli Brooks , P . P . G . D . ; John Utting , P . P . G . D .: Philip Armstrong , P . G . S . ; John Milne , P . G . S . of W . ; T . Salter , P . P . G . D . ; J . C . Robinson , P . P . A G . D . C ; Dr . A . Samuels , P . P . G . D . ; T . Vernon , P . G . D . C ; Capt . Macnab , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Bryan , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Clayton , W . M . 1570 ; J , 0 . Jones , W . M . 1393 ; J . G . Morris , 1393 ; 1 . Cavanagh , P . M . 1633 ; W . Rawsthorne , P . M . 11 S 2 ; J . Sharpies , P . M . 724 ; S . Haden Jones , P . M . 1299 : Herbert Leggatt , P . M . 1713 ; D . M'Farlane , P . M . 1356 ; John Scott , I . P . M . 1570 : C . Trense , VV . M . 504 ; W . T . Oveisby , W . M . 14 G 3 ; O . Lowthian , W . M . 1182 ; W . Coulthard , VV . M . 1299 ; and G . Proudman , VV . M . 1013 .

After preliminary business , which included the ceremony of initiation , the chair was taken by Bro . Henry Round , P . M ., D . C , who installed Bro . Gaorge Douglas Clarencs , who was presented by Bros . Mackenzie and Fineberg , in the chair of Worshipful Master , the ceremony being performed with an amount of efficiency and impressiveness which elicited the heartiest admiration of all the brethren present , who numbered about 120 . The following were subsequently invested officers of the lodge : Bros . Henry Heard , I . P . M . ; Harris Fineberg , S . W . ; Harry Round , jun ., J . VV . ; Wm . Savage ,

P . P . G . T ., Treas . ( re-elected ); Dr . A . G . Goodwin , Sec . ( re-appointed ); the Rev . Dr . Hardern , M . A , LL . D ., Chaplain ( re-appointed ); Eustace Baxter , S . D . ; F . J . Barford , J . D . ; T . VV . Armstrong , I . G . ; H . Round , sen ., P . M ., D . C ( re-appointedj ; W . H . Uutton , T . R . Robertson , VV . G . G . T . Hargrave , and Creswwick Boydell , Stwds . ; J . Jones , O . G . ; R . Mountlield , Org . ; F . Holliday , Asst . Urg . ; and W . H . Bill ,

Tyler ( re-elected for the 20 th time ) . Bro . J . B . Mackenzie , P . P . G . D ., on the motion of the VV . M ., seconded by Bro . Heard , I . P . M ., was re-appointed for the eighth time as Charity Representative of the Dramatic Lodge . At the close of the business proceedings , a banquet was served by Bro . Capper , and in the course of the evening the various loyal and Masjnic toasts wire given and responded to .

In recognition of valuable services , Bro . Henry Heard , I . P . M ., was presented with a Past Master's jew . il and a Brinsmead piano for Mrs . Heard . A musical programme was given by Bros . Greenwood , Batty , Williams , Shaw , Piatt , Hcginbotham , T . Fargher , Ben Roberts , and Kitkham ' s Ouartette .

Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 . The usual meeting of the above lodge was held on Saturday , the 14 th ult ., at the Royal Hotel , Portishead , at which a large number of brethren were present to witness the installation of the Worshipful Mister elect , Bro . F . G . Moore , S . W . Tne ceremony was performed by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C Else , P . G . D . England . The officers

appointed and invested for the ensuing year were : Bros . W . Rice , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., I . P . M . ; A . Jefferies , S . W . ; T . Turner , J . W . ; the Rev . A . W . M . Weatherly , P . M ., P . G . Chaplain , Chaplain ; J . R . Thebridge , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . ; W . T . Shapland , P . M ., Sec ; J . W . H . Hall , S . D . ; R . O . Coleman , J . D . ; E . Tedder , I . G . ; J . II . Stafford , D . C ; E . Davey , P . M ., Organist ; T . Lowther and J . W . Roberts , Stwds . ; and F . Simpkins , Tyler .

After lodge business , the brethren adjourned to banquet , and the customary toasts were duly honoured . The W . M . presided .

Josiah Wedgwood Lodge , No . 2214 . On Thursday , the 2 Gth ult ., in the Wesleyan Schools , Etruria , the brethren of the above lodge and a number of biethren from other lodges , assembled for the purpose of witnessing the installation of Bro . G . L . Birch as W . M . for the ensuing year . There were about Go brethren present . The ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Louis A . Taylor , lhe ictiring W . M ., assisted by Bros , ) . White , P . M . ; Richard Tooth . P . P .