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cordiality and friendship . He felt very grateful to the lodge ; they had all been so kind to him that he found words would not come to express what he felt of the great honour they had done him in putting him in the chair . He should endeavour not only to perform the duties of the lodge , but also to keep it right in the ritual and working . He then referred to the increase that had taken place in

the number of their members . Some lodges went down , but they seemed to go up , up , up . He hoped they would rise in Grand Lodge . The Grand Officers and the Grand Master had been very kind to them . After again thanking the brethren , the W . M . said he wanted Bro . Weldon , their Chaplain , to say a few words as to Charity . He did not want him to ask for money , but he asked him to propose

"Success to the Masonic Charities , " and to couple with it the name of Bro . Binckes as the responding brother . Bro . Weldon said , in response to the authoritative request of the W . M ., he rose with much pleasure , although without any previous intimation , to propose a toast which every Mason must admit to be the very corner-stone upon which the whole fabric of the Craft was built . The W . M . had

been kind enough to say—he supposed he might add the tongue of good report had reached him—that he ( Bro . Weldon ) begged profitably in the pulpit , but there were brethren there that evening that would admit that he was the worst beggar that ever existed on the face of the earth . He . thought that begging for money was the most sordid thing a clergyman could do ; for they had a splendid example

in St . Paul of what was the right course , who said " We seek not yours , but you . " We want the hearts , and we know the purses will follow , and I therefore seek to touch men ' s hearts that 11 may touch their purses . There was a certain amount of humour in that remark but the humour might become somewhat dry if the brethren came to his pulpit addresses , and they might shake their heads with a

solemn feeling that they had nothing to give except the Charity which was their good wishes . But with regard to No . 4 he was happy to say that with all the lodges connected with Masonry he knew of no system outside the Craft which could boast a Charity like that of Masonry . The Charities of Masonry spoke for themselves . Bro . Binckes , vvho would follow him , would tell them the exact

number of pounds , shillings , and pence , which had been given to the Old Men and Women , the Girls and the Boys . Bro . Weldon said he was struck dumb with astonishment when he heard that six hundred men had collected some three and twenty thousand pounds for one Charity alone . There were many things that Masonry effected , but the greatest of these was Charity . If they struck out from the

Masonic articles the article of Charity , the article of their faith and hope , then he said that such one-sided Freemasonry was not worthy of the name of the Craft to which they belonged . He might also observe ( and perhaps it was felt to accord with the position he occupied by the office he held ) that men had attempted to strike out that one item in Freemasonry , the belief in the one true ,

God . Within the last few weeks they had had an example in Paris of what a lodge could do in things Masonic , where a lodge had struck out the first article which constituted the very essence of Freemasonry . Those who calumniated us , some for party influence and some from pique , denounced us for doing the very thing which we tried to do— "to live peaceably with all men , " and to give the

same obedience to the sovereigns of the land in which we worked . But the grand object of Freemasonry was to promote that benevolence about which we desired to range men of all conditions and all creeds , who were thus bound together in undivided allegiance to God and universal brotherhood to man . He had much pleasure in proposing "The Prosperity of the Masonic Charities , " and , as

suggested by the W . M ., coupling it with the name of Bro . Binckes . Bro . Binckes , in reply , said it would be the grossest presumption on his part if he were to attempt for a single moment to follow in the strain of his good friend , Bro Weldon , whose style was so well known and admired . He could not help thinking that this was an interpolated toast ,

or he would have prepared himself to some extent . He could not do as Bro . Weldon had invited him to do , and go into statements of figures . In the first place , it was the most wearisome matter that could be inflicted on the brethren , and in such a lodge as this , distinguished long before he ( Bro . Binckes ) was in Freemasonry for support of the Institutions , and with whom . those traditions were still

maintained , no appeal , either from him or anyone else , was necessary or suitable to enlist the sympathies of the members of the Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge . The fierce light that was said to beat upon the throne was beating upon an Institution just now , and they were awaiting the result of the test . He had every reason to believe that they would come out from the investigation

without any justification being afforded to any one to withhold their support from the three Institutions . One could look back upon a century , another was approaching its century , and when they knew the enormous number of those who had been relieved in the Institutions , whether in the youth of either sex in their rise into life , or the aged in the decline of life—never mind whether fault was found with

this detail or with that of the management or the Institutions —were they not worthy not only of their sympathy , but of their practical support ? It would ill become him to trespass on their time and attention , and he would only say that he highly appreciated the compliment , having confidence that those whom hc addressed were embued with an earnest desire to see those Institutions supported in the

future as they had been in the past . The next toast proposed was " The Health of the Visitors , " which was responded to by Bros . Broadley , Monteuuis , Capt . Probyn , Zacharie , and others . The toast of "The P . M . 's" was responded to by the I . P . M ., Bro . Dr . Weldon and Bro . Mackintosh . " The Health of the Treasurer and Secretary" was answered by Bro . Hall , Treas ., very briefly .

Bro . West , as Sec , had one or two points which he must mention . His appeal that evening in another capacity might perhaps have made him appear critical . In his other position he had 34 lodges , which he was responsible for , and in that position he was bound to be critical . That night he was in a position to be criticised .

It gratified him to learn that the brethren were pleased with what he had done for the general comfort . As regarded his retaining the position of Secretary now that he had attained some position in the Craft , he was sure that an ancient lodge like this required some one as Secretary who had some experience of the Craft . He did not think it necessary that he should vacate the office which had

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

probably led to his preferment . He had a great deal _ of Masonic work to do , but he was bound to keep his position in that lodge as long as the Master was pleased to appoint him . He hoped the lodge would maintain its position as it had done in the past , and was quite sure that the brethren would all loyally support the Master . The toast to the " * Working Officers " was responded to

by Bro . Hughes , S . W . The Tyler ' s toast then brought the proceedings to a conclusion . Among the visitors were Bros . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; Berridge , P . G . D . ; C . F . Matier , 1910 ; Col . Peters , P . G . Swd . Br . ; Peter de L . Long , P . G . D . ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; Capt . Probyn , P . M . 18 ; Thos . Christy , -j ; Fredk . Binckes , P . G . Stwd

.,-Dr . Strong , P . G . W . Surrey ; Tapp , 19 ; C . Harding , P . A . G . D . C ; S . S . Hodges , 289 ; G . T . Rait , 2047 ; H . Sutton , 2127 ; H . Harber , 1718 ; C . J . Stevens , 1329 ; Eugene Monteuuis , P . G . S . ; Dr . Zacharie , P . G . M . California ; J . Stedman , P . M . 1765 ; Chas . Chilly , 2005 ; Thurley Beale , 201 ; Thos . Perston , 1660 ; B . A .

Charlesworth , 357 ; Herbert W . Wood , W . M . 55 ; J . A . Brown , 2264 ; R . G . Archibald , P . M . 19 , 2047 ; E . St . Clair , W . M . 2060 ; H . G . Patterson , 606 ; J . Gordon Langton , 9 6 ; Thos . Keyser , 2 ; All . Lambert , 1556 ; W . W . Thompson , 1657 ; W . H . Seymour Cutler , P . M ., P . Z . 1 584 ; and E . C . Massey .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This old lodge met at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 26 th ult . Among those present were Bros . Hakim , W . M . ; Charles Diary , P . M ., acting S . W . ; Coop , P . M ., acting J . W . ; W . Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec ; Langdale , S . D . ; Bye , l . D . ; Sheppard , acting I . G . ; T . C . Walls

P . M ., P . G . W . Middx . ; Cobham , P . M . ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The question of voting grants of money towards the Masonic Charities stood over till the next meeting . The subject of making several important alterations in the by-laws were discussed and postponed . The lodge was then closed . There was no banquet .

RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 12 th ult ., at the Criterion , when there were present : Bros . J . G . Doncaster , W . M . ; W . J . Coplestone , S . W . ; Edwin Lucas , J . W . ; G . F . Butt , Treas . ; H . Purdue , Sec . j F . Craggs , S . D . ; W . W . Williams , D . C ; A . Williams , I . G . ; E . Newland , Stwd . ; A . Walkley ,

P . M ., Tyler ; H . Shaw , P . M . ; F . ] . Oliver , P . M . ; Jas . Sims , P . M . ; C . Barker , P . M . ; C . Dopson , P . M . ; H . J . Inderwick , Rice , Jobson , Hewitt , Finn , Hall , W . E . Purdue , Hardwick , Richards , Iredale , Stokes , Abrahams , Worth , White , Chambers , Holland , Perrett , Spencer , Iceton , Morgan , Edward , Lucas , Spooner , Gerbert , Cliburn , and Herbert . Visitors * . Bros . C . F . Seymour ,

163 ; j . H . Custance , 975 ; C . A . Milner , 2167 ; A . A . Nottingham , 2206 ; J . L . Brook , 225 , P . G . Std . Br . of Suffolk ; H . Havens , 155 S ; S . Hewett , 1614 ; and Bond , 1614 . Mr . Frank Herbert was initiated , and Bros . Jobson and Inderwick were raised . Bro . Coplestone , S . W ., was

unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . Butt , P . M ., was also re-elected Treasurer . Mr . C . Hennerman was proposed for initiation . A P . M . jewel was unanimously voted to Bro . J . G . Doncaster , W . M ., for his able services to the lodge , and , after the other business was disposed of , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent a very pleasant evening .

CREATON LODGE ( No . 1791 ) . —This lodge held its eleventh installation meeting atthe Fieemasons ' Hall , on Thursday , the 14 th ult . There wasagoodly number of members and a large muster of visiting brethren , the incoming W . M . being very popular and very much liked . There were present Bros . J . B . Colwill , W . M . ; E . Austin , I . P . M . ; Chas . Rawley Cross , S . W ., W . M .

elect ; Alf . Wolter , J . W . ; D . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . J . Cantle , P . M ., Sec ; C . H . Bull , J . D . ; A . J . Taylor , l . D . ; H . Cotton , acting I . G . ; Jas . Kift , Org . ; H . W . Hancock , D . C . , * H . D . Benton and F . Purnell , Stwds . ; G . Higginson , G . B . Johnston , A . Lane , R . W . Willder , B . Brett , W . Russell , T . F . Head , F . Woodard , A . Cavers , L . Cox , J . Sansom , O . Heinemann , R . Symonders , F . Purnell , R . N . Larter , A . B . Bradbury , H .

Bridger , J . Fryer , F . Longden , F . R . Stock , G . F . Williams , A . Solomons , J . Blackstone , T . Biggs , J . Williams , P . M . ; R . H . Rogers , P . M . ; and J . Nielson , P . M . After the minutes had been confirmed , the Auditors congratulated the lodge upon the successful balance sheet placed before them by the Secretary . They had been able to give a good sum to the Charities , make the lodge

Vice-President of the R . M . B . I ., and still have a little balance in hand , and with pleasure they proposed it be accepted and passed . On the lodge being opened , the W . M . elect was presented by Bro . j . J . Cantle , P . M ., who acted as D . C . to the W . M ., to receive the benefit of installation , which ceremony Bro . Colwill performed in a most impressive manner . The W . M . invested as his officers Bros . J . B .

Colwill , I . P . M . ; A . Wolter , S . W . ; C . H . Bull , J . W . j D . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . J . Cantle , P . M ., Sec ; A . J . Taylor , S . D . ; A . Love , J . D . ; H . D . Benton , I . G . ; J . Kift , Org . ; G . Higginson , D . C . ;; and H . Cotton , Steward . Mr . W . Montgomery White was the candidate for initiation , which ceremony the new W . M . performed in such an excellent manner as to call forth the

praise of all present . Among the visitors were Bros . F . Mead , P . M .. P . G . S . B . ; J . Brock , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; G . S . Russell , P . G . Reg . Oxon ; W . H . Chalfont , P . M . 1425 ; W . Game , P . M . 511 ; R . Josey , 1828 ; W . A . Cubitt , P . M . 193 ; J . Fountaine , P . M . 45 ; W . Hill , P . M . 1305 ; W . G . Reynolds , P . M . 1441 ; H . W . Davie , P . M . 17315 J .

Davies , 169 ; and many others . After labour , the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where a very sumptuous banquet was provided , all dining in their regalia , the special dispensation for so doing having been obtained from Grand Lodge . After the

banquet the usual loyal toasts were given . In replying for " The Grand Officers , " Bro . F . Mead , " after referring to the Grand Lodge and its officers , passed very high encomiums upon the Installing Master for the way in which he had performed that grandest of all Craft ceremonies , also upon the W . M . for the excellent way he

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

had initiated the candidate immediately on being placed in the chair ; it looked well for the prosperity of the lodge having so young and proficient a Master . The W . M ., in responding to the toast of his health , which had been very feelingly proposed by the I . P . M ., thanked the brethren for placing him in that position just as he was out of his time , for at the last meeting he

completed his apprenticeship of seven years . He then proposed "The Health of the Installing Master , " thanking him for the very proficient manner he had installed him , and carried out the duties of his office to the last ; he was also pleased to be the mouthpiece of the brethren , and to pin upon his breast the handsome jewel that had been unanimously voted to him , wishing him long life to wear it . Bro . J . B . Colwill thanked the W . M . and the brethren all . He was thankful he had been able to carry out the duties to their satisfaction , and should ever continue to support the Iodge and its respective Masters . "The Initiate's Health" was very heartily proposed , and drunk enthusiastically . Bro . White replied that from enquiries he had made ,

after he determined to be a Mason , he felt he had hit upon the right lodge , and it should be his endeavour to become a worthy member of it . In response to the toast of "The Visitors , " Bro . Davie , P . M ., expressed his thanks for the reception he had received , and the excellent fare placed before them both in the lodge in the Degrees and out of the lodge in that

Degree . He congratulated the lodge on their indefatigable Secretary , also upon their success as a lodge . Many of the members were old friends of his , being initiated in his lodge , No . 173 , and he sincerely hoped its prosperity would continue . Bro . G . S . Russell , W . M ., P . G . R . Oxon , also spoke in similar terms , saying he had been an old friend of the

W . M . 's for many years , and was most pleased to see him placed in the high position he had been that night , also to congratulate him upon his officers ; the way they had all done their work was a great credit to them . Bros . Cubitt , P . M ., Hill , P . M ., and J . Davies , Preceptor to the Creaton Lodge of Instruction , also responded as visitors .

Bros . J . Williams , J . Nielson , R . H . Rogers , and E . Austin responded to the toast of " The Past Masters . " Bros . Ferguson , P . M ., and Cantle , P . M ., responded to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " the latter calling the brethren's attention to the name of the Iodgethe Creaton—a name that would live for ever in Masonic Charities , and which he hoped they in the future , as in the past , would endeavour to perpetuate . They had always

sent their Stewards up with a good list , and he hoped Bro . Austin , who was now going up as their Steward , would be sent up with a list equal to any before him . An excellent programme of music was provided , the artistes being Bros . W . G . Reynolds , J . Kift , Sydney Tower , J . I . Cantle , J . Saunders , and Miss Ethel Winn , whose songs , recitations , and solos were received with great applause .

QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE ( No . 2076 ) . —This lodge held a meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Friday , the ist inst ., when there were present Bros . W . Simpson , W . M . ; R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., I . P . M . ; Col . S . C . Pratt , S . W . ; W . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B ., J . W . ; G . W . Speth , Sec ; Professor T . Hayter Lewis , S . D . j Dr . W . W . Westcott , J . D . ; C . Kupferschmidt , as I . G . ; W . H . Rylands , P . G . Stwd . ; F . H . Goldney , P . G . D . ;

J . Finlay Finlayson , C . Purdon Clarke , CLE ., and Prof . W . Mattieu Williams . Also the following members of the Correspondence Circle : Bros . J . B . Mackey , J . Stevens , J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C . , * J . Da Silva , F . A . Powell , R . A . Gowan , Prof . F . W . Driver , W . M . Graham , C F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; and S . R . Baskett . Also the following visitors : Bros . S . Carrick Steet , 554 ; and Sydney

Willis , 21 . The following nine lodges and 62 brethren were admitted to the Correspondence Circle of the lodge , viz : Graystone Lodge , 1915 , Whitstable ; Dist . G . Lodge of Gibraltar ; Drury Lane Lodge , 2127 ; Naval and Military Royal Arch Chapter , 40 ( S . C ) , Edinburgh ; Natalia Lodge , 1665 , Pietermaritzburg ; Castle Lodge , 1621 ,

Bridgenorth ; Tudor Lodge , 1792 , Harborne ; Abbey Lodge , 624 , Burton-on-Trent ; Corinthian Lodge , 1806 , Amoy , China ; and Bros . W . Woodhouse , R . Hodges , D . W . Preston , and F . E . Bilson , all of Bournemouth ; A . Kirk , Gainsboro' ; Rev . E . M . Weigall , Doncaster ; J . W . Staton , Brooksville , Kentucky ; Baron Murrow , St . Leonards ; W . L . Willey , Boston , U . S . A . ; J . W .

Edwards , J . Wilson , and F . Batty , all of Manchester ; R . Crofts , A . Brown , T . P . Dorman , and G . Ellard , all of Northampton ; . C C . Silberbauer and C . J . Muller , both of Cape Town ; R . Hudson , P . G . S . B ., Tynemouth ; J . Weighton , W . Francis , D . D . G . M . ; R . D . Clarke , and J . W , Pierson , all of Pietermaritzburg , Natal ; T . Cook , L . E . S . Torgius , and J . R . Roffey , all of Durban , Natal ;

J . W . Johnson , Bradford ; J . S . Gibson Sugars , H . M . shipArethusa ; C . Boyle ( C . M . G . ) , Gibraltar ; G . W . Baine , Sunderland ; E . D . Anderton , Falmouth ; W . Abrahams , P . D . G . M . Maryland ; R . Somerville and J . M . Campbell , both of Glasgow ; C . C . J . Taylor , A . Bayne , F . Williams , and L . Sutro , all of Kimberley ; A . R . Perks , Johannesburg , Transvaal ; C . Baxter ,

Edinburgh ; W . C Whiteside and J . Bilson , both of Hull ; S . Border and C E . L . Wright , both of York ; H . Crossley , Halifax ; J . W . Waugh , Baildon , Yorks ; G . W . Wakeford , Dep . G . M . of Prince Edward ' s Island ; B . Lightfoot , Faversham ; H : F . Greig , Belvedere ; W . M . Graham , Edmonton ; J . C . Stone , Enfield ; T . R . Arter , Moseley , Worcester ; E . W . C .

Wilson , Truro ; C VV . Meiter , Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Augustus Harris , A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; J . W . Thatcher , W . Steward , W . Wingham , and A . Gravott , all of London ; and W . C . Lewis , Amoy , China . This raises the total number admitted to 58 S . Handsomely and symbolically designed certificates of having passed the chair of the lodse were signed by the

officers in favour of Bros . Sir C . Warren , G . C . M . G ., K . C . B ., & c , P . G . D ., and R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., & c . The paper of the evening was read by Bro . VV . H . Rylands . It was entitled "A word on the Legends of tho Compagnonnage , Pt . II ., " being the continuation of a paper read by the same brother twelve months ago . The interesting subject was well handled , and many nev » lights were thrown thereon by the lecturer , some of which Bros . Gould and Speth acknowledged themselves inclined ,