Craft Masonry.

scat position . He only hoped they would give him something to do by bringing up good initiates , otherwise they would remaim stationary . He would next propose " The Installing Master and Past Masters . " Bro . Scurrah they knew to be a good and thorough Mason , vvho had always studied the welfare of the lodge , and given up a great deal of time to it . The other Past Masters had worked hard for

the lodge , particularly Bro . McKay , Sec . They regretted that Bro . Cheek , P . M ., vvas not present owing to illness , and also that Bro . Axford vvas prevented from attending . Bro . W . A . Scurrah , P . M ., thanked the W . M . for the kind manner in which he had spoken of him , and for the hearty reception accorded the toast . It had been a pleasure to install the W . M . into the chair , and although he vvas

hoping to have that pleasure , he knew what good working the I . P . M . vvas capable of , and therefore thought that brother would perform the ceremony . He had pleasure in taking the I . P . M . ' s place , and had done the work to the best of his ability , and he trusted vvith their approval . It was one of the greatest pleasures he enjoyed to install a brother when he had had something to do vvith initiating him

into Freemasonry . He would continue to do all he could to assist the lodge and the members . Bros . Surridge , I . P . M ., and McKay , P . M ., Sec , also responded . Bro . P . Jordan , P . D . S . G . W . Hong Kong , replied for the toast of "The Visitors , " and said that by the extreme kindness of the W . M . he vvas honoured in a double

capacity—as a visitor and an honorary member . As a visitor he should say but few words on his own behalf , and leave the others to respond for themselves . He vvas impressed with the good working he had seen in that lodge , andshould carry vvith him very lively feelings of their kindness and generosity . If any brother vvas in the far East , and visited

Hong Kong , he hoped to be able to give him as hearty a reception as he had received that evening . Other visitors responded , expressing their appreciation of the hosp ' tility they had received , and the excellent working witnessed . "The Treasurer and Secretary" and "The Officers " vvere followed by the Tyler's toast , vvhich closed a pleasant

evening . Bro . Wilson , Org . 147 , kindly presided at the pianoforte , and several brethren contributed to the success of the evening by recitations and musical selections .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

GRAVESEND . Lodge Of Freedom ( No . 77 ) . —The installation meeting of this old-established lodge vvas held at the Town Hall , on Monday , the 2 ist ult ., when there vvas a numerous attendance of members and visitors . The former included Bros . R . Beamish , W . M . j F . Hitchens , S . VV . j J . Solomon , J . W . j T . R . S . Champion , P . P . S . G . D .,

Treas . j J . C . Biggs , P . P . G . D . C , Sec . j A . Jackson , S . D . j G . Rackstraw , J . D . j T . Nettlingham , I . G . j G . Hammond , D . Cj J . Whitfield , Stvvd . j R . C . Towell , Org . ; VV . Hill , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . j F . Teece , P . M . j G . T . King , P . M . j T . Deane , P . M . j W . Russell , P . M ., Prov . G . Treas . j W . Barlow , and many others . Visitors Bros . L . Salt , S . W . 1424 ; T . Wills , P . P . G . S . of W . j VV . J . Sight , P . G . S . of VV . j G . Adamson , P . P . S . G . W . ; C .

Hind , W . M . 299 j S . E . Morgan , P . M . 1424 ; W . S . Baldwin , W . M . 1 S 4 J VV . S . Killeter , P . M . 483 ; Jno . Barnett , jun ., 2205 , - A . Neale , 1566 ; C . Watkins , W . M . C 15 ; D . T . J . Lyle , W . M . 1063 J E . Webber , J . D . 503 j W . H . Loft , 5 j A . C . Rayner j F . G . Varcoe , S . W . 7 S 1 j J . H . Gilbert , W . M . 1050 j T . E . Dennison , 1 S 37 ; G . Cobham , W . M . Kent of Antiquity ; E . Costa , P . P . G . R . ;

C R . Bolton , P . P . S . G . W . j J . S . Lovett , P . J . G . W . j C E . Birch , P . J . G . D . j J . S . Charlton , P . J . G . D . j G . H . Cole , ioSgj J . Simpson j A . Spencer , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec . j C . C . Potter , P . P . G . Std . Br . Essex ; P . Jones , P . G . S . B . j G . W . Mitchell , Prov . G . D . C . j H . Forss , P . M . 917 , - G . Naylor , P . G . D . C . j and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed

Bro . Frank Hitchens vvas impressively installed as the W . M . for the ensuing year by Bro . Russell , Prov . G . Treas ., vvho has acted in this capacity for many years past , and Bro . J . C . Biggs , P . P . G . D . C , rendered efficient service as D . C . The following ofiicers vvere appointed and invested : Bros . J . Solomon , S . W . j Rev . A . Jackson , J . W . j T . R . S . Champion , P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . j J . C . Biggs , P . M ., P . P .

G . D . C ., Sec . j G . Rackstraw , S . D . j T . Nettlingham , J . D . j G . C . Hammond , I . G . j C . S . Drawbridge , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Org . j J . A . Whitfield , D . C . ; R . Fowle and VV . Gunn , Stewards ; G . Berry , Almoner ; and Martin , Tyler . The addresses vvere delivered by the Installing Master , after vvhich Bro . R . J . Beamish , I . P . M ., vvas presented vvith a Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of his

services as Master during the past year . The lodge vvas then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the New Falcon Hotel , where an excellent repast vvas served , which vvas followed by the usual toasts . Bro . A . Spencer , P . G . S . B ., in response to the toast ol " The Grand Officers , " having paid a tribute to the memory of the late Pro G . M ., said he thought the greatest proof

that Grand Lodge vvas deserving of the honour vvhich vvas from time to time conferred vvas that invariably their ruling was accepted . When theyconsideredthelargeandnumerous body of men enrolled under the banner of the Grand Lodge that fact vvas the more striking . Long mi g ht it be before they ceased to have as their rulers and guides men occupying high positions , socially and Masonically .

" The Provincial Grand Master " vvas cordially received , after vvhich the W . M . gave "The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers , " and said Bro . Eastes , Dep . P . G . M ., had done excellent service on the Committee appointed vvith reference to the Boys' School , and Masonry in Kent vvas deeply indebted to him . The rest of the Prov . Grand Officers in their several capacities had

in times past done their duty loyally , and would continue to do so in the future . They vvere delighted to see a large number of Prov . Grand Officers present that evening and gave them a hearty welcome . Bros . Lovett , Prov . J . G . W ., and Wills briefly returned thanks .

Bro . Beamish , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master , Bro . Hitchens , " vvho vvas a great favourite vvith the members , vvho vvere proud of him . They also knew how the W . M . vvas preparing himself for his work , and had an earnest that evening of what he would do by the investiture of the officers , vvhich vvas performed as well as ever he ( the I . P . M . ) had seen it done .

Provincial Meetings.

Bro . Frank Hitchens , VV . M ., said it vvas very gratifying to him to find that in due course he had arrived at the Mastership of the ancient Lodge of Freedom . The I . P . M . had proposed the toast in a most able manner , but he felt he scarcely deserved all the flattering remarks made by that brother , although at the end of the next twelve months he hoped to deserve them . He vvas naturally proud that

so many Provincial Officers and Masters of other lodges had favoured him and the lodge vvith their presence . He could only assure them that during his year he should endeavour to give his time to the duties ot his office , and try his utmost to give satisfaction . As theie were a number of other toasts , and some of the visitors had long distances to travel , he would bring before them the toast

ot "The Masonic Charities . " There vvere more calls upon the Charities as the years went by , and the demands increased , and it was therefore unnecessary for him to say much in praise of them , especially as Bro . Terry could tell them a great deal more than he ( the VV . M . ) knew . Bro . James Terry , Secretary Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , said he hardly liked to say how long it vvas since

he first responded under the banner of No . 77 . The Institutions vvere very much indebted to Kent for many years kindly support and recognition . In 1 SS 9 , at the Benevolent Institution Festival , Kent stood first in all England , which was something to be proud of . Every year Kent had done that which few provinces had done , for by the contributions required to be paid by every member in

the province to their own Charity i ' und an enormous amount of good had resulted . That by-law had been altered to make it permissive instead of compulsory , but knowing what good it had done they would never permit that fund to be diminished . If £ 400 a year could be so easily raised , he felt convinced that the brethren would fulfil the hope expressed by their Provincial Grand Master ,

and that whenever the Provincial Grand Lodge met the Secretaries of the three Institutions would have the gratification of knowing that as far as they could they divided the sum equally . With reference to the Boys' School , that Institution had been under a cloud , but he hoped the silver lining had come now that it would be under the management of another cloud—Bro . McLeod . It vvas 30 years

since the Provincial Grand Master presided at the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , that being the first Institution over which he presided after his installation . At that time large sums vvere not known from a province , but now , with eight months to organise a movement to support Earl Amherst , he vvas looking forward to as large a sum almost as had ever been raised . Although Bro . Russell vvas always

ambitious of gaining the elections , the brethren would strengthen his hands by a larger donation in February next , and , therefore , by giving him a larger number of votes . During the 30 years Viscount Holmesdale had presided over them the Benevolent Institution had received from Kent a sum of about £ 6400 , and the province had received over __ , 9 _ oo back . He trusted they would receive the name of

a brother from that lodge to support Lord Amherst in February , 1 S 91 , and that every lodge would send up a Steward . £ 15 , 000 vvas required every year , and they had a permanent income of but _ £ 3-00 . 1 he late Sir Erasmus Wilson left an estate , the residue of vvhich vvas to go to three Benevolent Institutions . The life legatee died lately , and they hoped to receive a third of that estate , amounting

to above £ 4000 , and that money would be invested , and would enable them to take in additional annuitants next February . As Bro . Russell vvas for the second time their Prov . Grand Treasurer the brethren should do their best to make him successful by heartily supporting the second occasion on which their Prov . Grand Master would preside over the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

Bros . Light and Naylor returned thanks on behalf of "The Visitors , " and Bro . Beamish , I . P . M ., acted in a similar capacity for "The Past Masters . " Bro . Russell , Prov . G . Treas ., replying for " The Installing Master , " said that such vvas the welcome he received at their hands that he was always gratified to be present . Those meetings brought them together , and

year after year sympathies grew up between them to knit them together . Bro . Light referred casually to having been a member of this lodge 20 years ago , and then they vvere workers in Freemasonry on the lower rungs of the ladder , and attended lodges of instruction under the guidance of Bro . Nettlingham , vvho had joined thc majority . He vvas pleased to see advanced to office the son of Bro .

Nettlingham , whom he congratulated , and when the time came the mantle of his father would fall upon his shoulders . He looked forward to the time when he should cease to be the Installing Master , and when Bro . Nettlingham would carry on the old traditions . "The Treasurer and Secretary" vvas next honoured , and responded to by Bros . Champion , P . P . G . D ., Treas .,

and J . C Biggs , P . P . G . D . C , Sec . "The Officers" was followed by the Tyler ' s toast , vvhich closed a successful meeting . A selection of music was played by the string band of the ist Kent Artillery Volunteers during the banquet , and the subsequent musical programme was in the able hands of Bro . T . W . Page , assisted by Bros . A . Strugnell , A . G . Pritchard , and Madame Grahame Coles .

PLUMSTEAD . United Military Lodge ( No . 1536 ) . —The installation meeting of the above excellent lodge took place on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Mount Pleasant , Bro . W . Seager , W . M ., in the chair . The lodge having been opened , the minutes confirmed , and a candidate initiated , Bro . T . J . Couper , S . W . and VV . M . elect ,

vvas presented to the Installing Officer , Bro . Captain G . Spinks , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., to receive at his hands the benefits of installation , and in due course he vvas installed and saluted . He appointed his officers as follows : Bros . W . Seager , I . P . M ; W . J . Wheeler , S . W . ; VV . Sayle-Edwards , J . W . j J . W . Gee , Treas . j A . Ware , Sec . j Col . C . E . Vansittart , S . VV . ; J . Whitehead , I . D .: I . Bilton ,

I . G . ; E . W . Sinnett , D . C . ; G . W . Ingle , Asst . D . C . ; and R . Fowler , J . Clark , A . Heath , and T . Allen , Stwds . Bro . Spinks then gave the addresses most eloquently , and so concluded the ceremony . He was presented with a vote of thanks , the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , and vvas also re-elected representative for the lodge

on the Provincial Charity Committee , for both of which he returned thanks . Bro . Seager vvas presented vvith a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , for vvhich he returned thanks , and after "Hearty good wishes" had been given , the lodge vvas closed . The brethren banqueted in the hall .

Provincial Meetings.

Among the other brethren present vvere Bros . Captain D . Deeves , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C . Natal ; G . Kennedy , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; VV . Moulds , P . M . ; T . D . Hayes , P . M . ( Hon . ) , P . P . S . G . D . j C . Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ) j F . Reedj H . T . Thomasj A . Manryj J . McClintock j VV Warren j H . Swinherdj A . Neill j VV . Sandlej J . Freerj T . Hullyj T . Millsj H . Froudj J . Steward j A . Hill ;

J . Sword j and C . Warren j all of the lodge . The visitors vvere Bros . G . VV . Mitchell , P . M . 615 , P . J . G . D . j W . R . Arnold , P . M . 17 S 9 J C . Watkins , W . M . 615 j F . Hitchin , W . M . 77 j Rev . C . Solbe , M . A ., P . M . 178 9 j E . Morris , S . W . 1 7 S 9 j J . Mattey , J . W . 13 j G . W . Kennedy , S . W . 829 , - A . Carr , 653 ; H . J . Roberts , 700 '; J . G . Deeves , 93 6 ; W . C . Halley , 17 S 9 ; H . Pamment , Stwd . 700 ; A .

J . Walklin , 700 ; W . Robson , 1789 ; S . West , 700 j and J . Oakey , 9 SS . The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts vvere most loyally received and honoured , as was that of " Earl Amherst , P . G . M . " Then followed that of "Bro . J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

Bro . Mitchell responded , saying it vvas the first time he had had the honour of responding to such an important toast , yet he felt it an exceeding pleasure to do so in a lodge in his own native town . He had often heard his lordship , their esteemed P . G . M ., so highly spoken of , that it vvas an extra pleasure to have his name , ever so remotely , connected vvith it . On behalf of the Present Prov . G . Officers he thanked them .

Bro . Hayes , on behalf of the Past Prov . Grand Officers , endorsed every word that Bro . Mitchell had uttered with respect to his lordship , and knew that every word might just as safely be said of Bro . Eastes . He spoke highly of the admirable way in vvhich Bro . Spinks had conducted the ceremony of installation , and also of that brother ' s ability on the Charity Committee .

Ihe I . P . M . then proposed the toast of "The VV . M ., " and said the brethren had made a wise choice in their selection of Bro . Couper to . preside over them . From what he knew of Bro . Couper , he would be a regular attendant , and carry out the duties to their satisfaction . The VV . M ., in response , said that Bro . Seager had said they , the brethren , had made a very wise selection . Well ,

he could only hope that at the end of his 12 months of office Bro . Seager ' s prophesy would bear looking at . He thanked them for the cordial reception that they had always extended to him , and hoped to have plenty of work and plenty of good candidates . Bro . Spinks , in response to the toast of the " Installing Officer , " said he had done nothing more than his duty .

He had always been taught from his earliest boyhood that " if a thing vvas worth doing it vvas worth doing well , " and so , if they asked him to do anything , they must not expect that he should alter or amend the ceremonies , but go through them to the bitter end . If at any time the VV . M . required his services they vvere ready and at his disposal . He thanked them much for their hearty reception of the toast .

Bro . Hitchin , in responding for "The Visitors , " said he vvas a Past Master of about 30 hours' standing , and vvith the exception of Bro . Seager , perhaps the youngest in the province . He received the invitation to be present vvith a great deal of pleasure , and knowing it to be a military lodge , and as he had been for some 14 years in the reserve forces he had a good mind to come in uniform , and would ,

if invited upon another occasion . He had been most royally entertained , but that vvas a thing he always experienced among military men and brethren . He tendered them his most sincere thanks for their great kindness and hospitality .

Bros . Arnold and Mattey also responded . Bros . Seager , Hayes , and Jolly responded for "The Past Masters , " and after "The Initiate" and "The Officers " had been toasted , the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings , Some excellent singing and reciting enlivened the evening , and Bro . Roberts presided at the piano .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

TWICKENHAM . Era Chapter ( No . 1423 ) . —A meeting of this chapter vvas held at the Albany Hotel , on the 21 st ult . Among those present vvere Comps . VV . H . Matthews , M . E . Z . ; W . H . Lee , P . G . S . E ., H . j H . Higgins , J . j Capt . Walls , S . E . ; C . H . Kohler , S . N . j J . B . Ryley , M . D ., P . Z . j and G . L . Wingate , P . Z .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Comp . W . H . Matthews installed Comps . Lee , as M . E . Z . j Higgins , as H . j and Kohler , as J . The following investures then took place : Comps . Capt . Walls , S . E . ; VV . Fisher , S . N . j E . H . Thiellay , P . Z ., Treas . ; Peat , P . S . j Moss , ist Asst . Soj . j and GilbertJanitor .

, The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Comps . E . H . Thiellay , P . Z . j J . Faulkner , P . Z . j VV 1 ' isher , S . N . j feat , f . S . j and others . The chapter vvas closed , and the companions adjourned to the banquet . The usual toasts followed .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) .-A meeting was held on the 25 th ult ., at the Six Bells HoteI , Oueen-street , Hammersmith , when there vvere present Bros . H . Brie . it . W . M . j W . G . Coat , S . VV . j J . Cummings , J . W . ; D . S . Long , acting Preceptor j E . Fox , S . D . ; W . Hide , J . D . j A . Williams , I . G . j R . H . Williams , P . M . j 1 . Snooks , J . D . Haylock , R . Reid , F . Craggs , H . 'fatten , and H . Blackman .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation vvas rehearsed , Bro . Haylock acting as candidate . Bro . R . H . Williams offering himself as a candidate for passing , answered the usual questions , and was entrusted .

ihe lodge was opened in the Second Degree , and the ceremony rehearsed . Bro . A . Williams , P . M . 2090 , worked the ist Section of the Lecture , under the direction of the Secretary . The lodge was resumed to the First Degree . The VV . M . having risen , Bro . W . G . Coat vvas unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing meeting . A