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Craft Masonry.
Johnson , Houlder , Welch , Crawsbaw , Roche , and Ferguson . Visitors : Bros . Frederick Joy , 1 . 12 b , and Elsbury , 243 ( Guernsey ) . The lodge having been opened , Bro . VV . Baker was invested as I . G ., Bros . Crawshaw an * l Roche were ra sed , and Bro . HouMer passed . Mr . Peach was
proposer ! as a candidate for initiation at th- next meeting . The W . M . stated th * it in order to leave the next regular meeting free for the musical evening he would probably have to call another Ijdge of emergency on thc 3 ist inst . The lodge was then closed , anil the brethren adjourned for refreshments .
La Tolerance Lodge ( No . 538 ) . —There was a most agreeable meeting ot this lodge at its annual installation ceremony at Freemasons' Hall , London , on the 3 rd inst , when Bro . Edridge , W . M ., presided for the last time during his very successful year . The VV . M . was supported by all bis ollicers : Bros . Walter Hooker , S W ., VV . M . elect ; ) . ) . Pittman , J . VV . ; lames Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; James B . " Sly , P . M ., Sec ; S . T . Anspine , S . D . ; T . IT . Clear , JD . ; Thos . A . Tidy ,
LG . ; W . E . Willby , P . M .-. VV . Webb , P . M . ; T . W . Smale , Humphrey , and VV . G . Fenn . Visitors : Bros . VV . Gunner , P . M . 720 ; Charles livciist , P . M . 720 ; Matthew Skedden , 3 S 2 ; N . J Day , J . VV . 1700 ; John M . Newnham , S . D . 155 G ; " J- Ii . Fox , P . M . " I- JSS ; VV . D . Hayward , J . W . 2076 ; George Ridout , VV . M . 12 S 7 ; J . Taylor , W . M . e'ect 1 S 0 ; Henry Massey , P . M . 102 S ; S . Lucas , P . M . 230- 5 ; E . Palmer , 06 ; John Paul ,
P . M . 1287 ; G . J . Allen , J . VV . 132- *; S . Ii . Holloway , 731 ; C . E . VVayell , VV . M . S 62 ; and VV . H . Kidson , 2395 . The W . M . initiated Mr . Horace Hewison Perry , and after other business had been transacted , resigned the chair lo Bro . Kench , P . M ., Treas ., for the purpose of the installation . This ceremony Bro . Kench performed as a real master of lhe art , and placed Bro . Walter Hooker in the Master ' s chair in the presence of a numerous Board of
Installed Masters . The collars , olhcr than the collar of Master , were bestowed on the following brethren : Bros . ] . J . Pittman , S . W . ; G . T . Augspurg , | . W . ; J . Kench , P . M ., P . G P ., Treas . ; J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; TIL Clear , S . D . ; T . A . Tidy , J . D . ; F . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Org . ; J . Gumming * , I . G . ; J . VV . Elvin , P . M ., D . C . ; W . G . Fenn , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Survey , and G . A . Sturgess , Stwds . ; S . C . Cross , Charity Stwd . ; VV .
E . Willby , P . M ., A . D . C ; and J . 11 . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . After the delivery of the charges , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual toasts . Bro . Kench , P . M ., P ; G . P ., Treas ., replying to the toast of "The Grand Oflicers , " said : 1 have the honour to acknowledge with hearty thanks thc toast of thc Grand Ollicers , and assure you I was much gratified to witness the
cordiality with which it was received , as it clearly demonstrates to our brother visitors that the services of those brethren to the Craft in general and to Grand Lodge in particular are fully appreciated by the members of the Lodge La Tolerance . I was reading a few weeks back in one of the daily papers , VV . M ., an account of a speech delivered by the late American ambassador , wherein he spoke of the great feeling of respect for law and order that
he found among all Englishmen . This respect for lawfully constituted authority , which is so essential to the welfare of the community and to the good government of thc country , is not restricted to those accomplished gentlemen who preside in our courts of justice , neither is it limited to those fortunate individuals who have to attend a coroner's inquest , but , as we know , it prevails among rich and poor alike , thc high and the low of every degree . Now , how lar and to what
an extent this feeling is to be attributed lo the teachings of the Craft , I will not undertake to say . Yet , bearing in mind that the first duties we learn on our initiation , are ( a ) to be exemplary in the discharge of our civil duties , ( b ) never to propose or at all countenance any act that may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society , ( c ) to pay due respect lo the laws of any state which may for a time become thc place of our residence ,
( d ) and above all , never to lose sight of the allegiance due to the sovereign of our native land . It seems to me impossible that Ihcsc teachings disseminated , as they have been for hundreds of years past , throughout the length and breadth of thc land can , by any possibility , have failed to make a due impression on thc thousands ranged under our banners , and through them on the outside world ; and that this is so , is proved by fhe fact of the immense increase
in the number of lodges en the roll of the Grand Registrar of England during the last quarter of a century . Now , with regard to these teachings that our Preceptors in our lodgesof instruction take such pains to inculcate in our minds , it would be of ad antage to us tu remember the words of our nation ' s greatest poet that ; " Heaven doth with us as we with torches do ;
Not light them for themselves ; for if our viitues Did not go forth uf us ' twere all alike As if we had them not . Spirits are not finely toueb'd But to line issues ; nor iia ' . urc never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence . But , like a tlnifty goddess , she determines Herself the glory ut a creditor , Both thanks anil use . "
One thing at least , brethren , is most iictillul loi u 3 iu these times , and lhat is tbat we should co-islandy bear in mind that the volume of thc Sscred Law is the alone unerring standard of truth and justice . VVe have no need lu learn over again thc lessons of our boyhood , when leading if the ruin of ancient cities and nations , for we know well enough that the same causes that winked in those days for good or for evil arc ivorkingatlliis present moment amongst
ourselves , as well in the case ol individuals as in nations , lor the same laws of truth and justice apply to both . We read in Roman history that it was nol until lhe atheistical doctrines ol Epicurus became the fashionable opinions of Rome and throughout all lur gicat cities that her decline commenced . T hose doctrines were the real cause "' the rapid depravity of Roman manners , and wbat they were St . Paul gives us a pictty good account uf in the lirst
chapter of his epistle to them , lor manners are never so e'ffectuall y and speedily depraved as by the entire extinction of all religiousi > iim : i }> le . T be historians of the Roman I ' . mp ' n e ¦ suppl y us with the most graphic * ami terrible piitmcso * ( lie '• laic to which lhat nation was 1 educed , from ils ancient condition of moderation , sobiiety , and rcveience , 10 a state "' enormous wickedness and vice , and lhat was the true reason why she fell to pieces and was ground to powder , and notby the irruption of the immense hordes if barbarians
Craft Masonry.
that invaded the country . These had been always where they werc , and always ready to attempt thc conquest of Rome . Rome had been able to do far more than hold them in check , anil keen them at bay , she had bowed them to her will , and held them in the rnns of her sovereignty , but she fell by the inward weight of that awful corruption which paralysed and loosened al ! the joints and riv ; ts of her power . She fell , because she disregarded and set at nau'ht
God ' s moral laws , and remembered not that righteousness exalteth a nation . Bro . S . G . Edridge , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Worshipful Master , " and said that among the pleasing duties —and he might say , speaking for himself personally—tbe most pleasing duty which fell to the lot of an LP . M ., was to have the honour and privilege of wishing God-speed tu his successor . He spoke the hearts and minds of all
present when he wished Bro . Walter Hooker God-speed on the year that was opening that day in the high oflice which he had taken by the acclaim of his brethren . He considered —and he was sure the brethren would echo that feelingthat it was an auspicious fact that 011 thc occasion of Bro . Hooker ' s becoming Master of the Lodge La Tolerance he had been able to introduce a brother who , it spared , would gladden all their hearts . Masonry was not exclusive , and when
the policy of a lodge was to restrict the number of brethren who joined it , he did not consider thc highest principles of Masonry in that lodge were in vogue . In Lodge La Tolerance they looked for good men to join their ranks , in order to spread the privileges of Masonry and the good it undoubtedly could do . The W . M . had introduced a brother , and , as he said it was an auspicious fact that he should do so on the occasion of his taking the chair of the
lodge . 1 Ie hoped the VV . M . would not take the fewness of his words as an index of the sincerity with which he spoke . The Worshipful Master , in responding , said he could not but think that the kind way in which the brethren received the rising of the I . P . M . weredue more as a parting compliment to the LP . M . than as a compliment tothe present W . M . He ( the W . M . ) , at any rate , did feel , knowing the LP . M . as he did , that he meant the kind words he spoke ,
and he thanked him all the more heartily on that account , and the brethren for the kind way they had received the toast . He had been elected as their Master for that year , and he would do his very best to keep up the traditions of La Tolerance Lodge . He hoped at the end of his year it would stand as well in Freemasonry as it did now . It was about seven or eight years ago he joined the lodge , and there were now several brethren coming on who joined
immediately after him . He hoped to see all those stick together and keep with La Tolerance Lodge until they held tbe position hc was now holding . Before hc sat down he should like to draw the brethren ' s attention to one or two events which he hoped would happen this year . Since Bro . Fenn was Master , three or four years ago , they had not had a ladies' night . With the assistance ot the brethren he hoped to have one , and Bro . Humphreys ,
P . M ., had very kindly offered the use of his rooms , the Cavendish Rooms , Mortimer-street , for the dance . He trusted that with the assistance of the brethren , who werc at t e Audit Committee , and who agreed to form the committee for arranging the dance , that it would be a successful evening . The date in February had not yet been fixed . The other matter had to do with the Charities . He
proposed to stand as Steward lor the Aged l ' reemasons , on February 27 th , and to carry out his Stewardship he had stalled a subscription list , to which some of the brethren had put down their names for 10 guineas . He should be glad if any brother who was not going up independently to thc same Festival would add his name to the list . After a short interval for music ,
T he VV . M . proposed " The I . P . M ., Bio . S . G . lidiidgc , " who , hc said , had had a mosl successful and pleasant year , and had introduced several new members , who were very kind among other things to entertain the lodge on its ordinary meetings . They would make good Masons , and when their time came , thoroughly good Masters . It was really a good Master who could introduce good biethrcn into a lodge , and in that respect Bro . Edridge had done excellent
work . It was only a year ago that day that they had a banquet which would not be forgotten in the annals of La Tolerance Lodge . At the other end of lhe room tbey had a very pleasant evening , and , from what he had experienced that evening , he had no doubt they had a pleasant evening at thc W . M . ' s end of the room . Bro . Edridge had frequently said duiing bis year that the I . P . M . was Master of the lodge—that thc VV . M . was Master , that he had thc
eclat ol the pjsiuon , and that was all . Now , he took exception to that remark , lor he thought Bro . I ' . driclge ' s year passed oil successfully on account of the ical Masonic labour he infused into the lodge , and a'l thu brethren would agree tbat that was MJ . lie would now present lo Bio . Edridge a Past Master ' s jewel , which had b .-eu voted to bun by the members of the lodge , anil il was wild the ,-iealcst pleasure indtcd that he iiiuainenlcd Uio . Kdiidgc ' s bicast
with this testimony if the biethicn ' s U | i | iicciatioii of bis woik and clfuits . Jiio . S . G . J- 'diidge , I . P . M ., in . icknuiilnlgiicnt of lhe tuast and thc gift , said be estimated al Us lull the kindly sympathy which had been extended tu him by the W . AL iu the remarks he made , and of thc brethren by their reply thereto ; and when he said lie estimated that sympathy at its full , he could nol help solacing himself lor the loss of the
position lie recently held , by the fact that though In bad ceased to be Master of the lodge , be had not ceased to Iu a member of it , or one who still hoped to ictain the kind feeling which had always bien shown towards him . One word , and one only , with regard to thu mark of the esteem of the lodge presented to him as the I . P . M . It was also given to the distinguished brethren who had filled lhe position before him . lie had had attached to his breast by thc W . M . a
Past Master ' s jewel . He had before at Masonic gatherings remarked about lhe value of jewels—he did not mean their intrinsic worth , but what tbey meant by being worn . What hc meant was that if one wore a jewel it must have sonic special significance as regarded thc man ' s action in ihc matter , and what he said about bis jewel was this—he wore it , he esteemed it as the mark ol the brethren ' s esteem . At the same time , it pledged him to act as be understood
he was , as the I . P . M . was the Master of the lodge—one of tbe rules of Ihe Craft . What Craft ; what Institution ? Let them not forget what Institution it was , what duties weie allied to it , and the significance they bote as Masons as regarded their duties to work . Bro . Perry replied to the toast of " The Initiate . " Bro . Ridout , VV . M . 12 S 7 , replying to the toast of "The Visitors , " said : In thanking you fvr the very kind and
Craft Masonry.
cordial way in which the toast of the visitors has been proposed and received , I feel that we , as visitors , ought to shake hands with ourselves that we are privileged to be present to-night , on this , your installation banquet , when the air , aye ; even the very walls are resounding with good wishes—hearty good wishes—that your W . M . may have a successful year of office . I am sure WJ all trust that the wishes that go forth to-night laden with hope , may return
in another twelve months friegbted with congratulationscongratulations for good work accomplished and success achieved . I am delighted to hear that you purpose having a ladies' n'ght , for 1 feel that the fair ones ought in some way to be compensated for our enforced absence from our own fireside . I therefore trust that your ladies' night will prove a great success . I have asked Bro . Willby ( whom I believe is a very active member of your Committee ) to
secure me two tickets , and that this popular lodge will become even more popular under the rule of one whom we all trust will prove a most popular Master , to whom we , as your visitors , return our grateful thanks . Bros . Dr . Nicholls , Williams , Kidson , Paul , Newnham , and Hall also responded , and Bros . Elvin and Willby to
that of " lhe Past Masters . " liro . dimming * , S . VV ., replied for " The Officers , " and Bro . Evenden , P . M ., gave the Tyler's toast . The evening was enlivened with some excellent vocal and instrumental music by Miss Florence Shepherd , and Bros . G . T . Augspurg , J . J . Pittman , Harry L ? c , and Tom Burgess .
Yarborough Lodge ( No . 554 ) . —This lodge , which is now within three years of its jubilee , held its installation meeting on the 4 th inst . at the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , when Bro . Albert Ed . Sallaway , W . M ., presided , supported by , among others , the following brethren : Bros . J . G . Stevens , T . J . Barnes , J . L . Anderson , G . litheredge , W . Cross , John Taylor , and F . Whitworth , Past Masters . Visitors * . Bros . D . McNish , W . M .
ICJ 02 ; J . Holmes , S . D . 1306 ; J . Walmsley , 3 60 ; C . Pidduck , VV . M . 1107 ; J . Bcveridge , 1 y (* 2 ; J . Hall Brown , P . M . JSS ; W . J . Jones , 174 ; C J . Hill " . 2374 ; II . Massey , 102 S ; A . R . T ' rew . P . M . 2403 ; W . Green , 115 S ; R . T . Godfrey , S . W . 141 ; H . T . Taylor , 2 OOJ ; W . II . Shepherd , iKii " >; John E . Gill , 30 ; F . W . Clayton , 155 S ; J . C . Tilt . 1562 ; | ohn Page , P . M . 753 ; P . A . Boulton , W . M . 21 .
The Auditors' report , which was , as usual , highly satisfactory , was received and adopted , and Bro . J . Wesley T ' auranae , who came accredited with the highest testimonials from the Lodge of Lights , No . IJS , Warrington , was accepted unanimously by ballot as a joining member . The installation ceremony was then proceeded with , and Bro . John G . Stevens , P . M ., was requested to perform thc ceremony . Bro . Stevens then took the W . M . ' s collar and
installed Bro . Samuel Hall Latham , S . VV . and VV . M . elect , who is also a highly-respected member of the London Rille Brigade Lodge , No . ;< jG 2 , as Master of the lodge . The customary congratulations followed thc invesiiture of Bro . A . E . Sallaway as I . P . M . Thc officers of the ncw W . M . for the year were invested as follows : Bros . A . VV . Fawkcs , S . VV . ; G . Smith , I . W . ; Hugh Cotter , P . M ., Tceas . ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Cameron , S . D . ; I . S .
Chapman , J . I ) . ; C . E . Barber , I . G . j D . B . Thomas , D . of C ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., and James Allen , Stewards ; and G . T . II . Seddon , P . M ., Organist . The out-going Master was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and after the " Heart * ) ' good wishes " of sister lodges wcregiven by ihflierent visiting brethren , an adjournment was made to a beautiful banquet , and when that had been disposed of , the customary toasts' were
proposed and honoured . Bro . A . E . Sallaway , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The VVorshipful Master , " who , hc said , he hoped would , having been installed VV . M ., come with ncw life and vigour to carry on the Yarborough Lodge in a far betler manner than he ( liro . Sallaway ) had during his year . He hoped lo see a large number of good men and true introduced to the lodge , and , if possible , a larger balance at the audit
meeting . Bro . Latham was a bigger man than Ac , and he expected of him thc accomplishment ot bigger results . Bro . S . H . Latham , ijVV . M ., in reply , said hc was very diffident at all times , but during bis year of office he should endeavour to the best of his ability to carry out the highest qualities of the Yarborough Lodge . Any work he might have to do he should execute in lhe best iorm within his power . He could see in the near future only two or three
initiates , but if any brother would bring up a few he should try to do the woikwell . He did not think he could attempt to cope with the working of thc pisl year of Bro . Sallaway , who did everything it was possible to d J . He could only emulate him , and he should do so . He would ask the brethren to put up wilh any little defects , but thes : he would redress as soon as possible . He was just a 10 years ' old Mason ; that was not his mother lodge . In his mother
lodge he was still 10 years off the chair . IU was exceedingly proud of being installed VV . M . of the Yarborough Lodge that night . Bio . Latham , VV . M ., proposed "The Installing Mister , liro . John G . Stevens , P . M ., and the Masonic Insti' . uti ins , " which be considered was the principal toast . He did not mink thc way in which Bro . Stevens installed him could have been excelled . Unfortunately Bro . Stevens was laid
up last year , so that lie could not iiiital Bro . Sallaway , wh 1 succeeded him . But he had retaken that position an J had installed him . With rega-. d to thc Institutions , he ( the W . M . ) was going up as Sieward for thc Benevolent Institution , to ic-piesent lhat lodge at thc Festival in Februiry , and be was pleased to say be had the promise of great support . Ne had no doubt he would gel it , and everything be got would go to tbe credit of the Yailurougli Lodge ,
which had always been to the front in thc past , and which he did not think would fall back 111 the future , lie was not sending out ciiculars , because hc did not like to do s , on lhe principle that me brethren ought to give freely and without any asking . Bro . Jonn ( I . Stevens , P . M ., in response , said th it last year he was prevented by illness from iiistaliin ^ his successor . He had installed Masters in this lodge lor several
years . I le felt an interest in the lodge , lor hc wis initiated in it a years ago . Last year he was serving as Mister of lhe lodge for thc second lime , and it was extremely disappointing to him not to be abls , to instal his successor . It was one of the regrets of his life—certainly of his Masonic life—for he had Ijokcd forward toinstalling Bro . Sallaway . However , he wa > to-night pleased , gratified , and thankful to say he hid inotallcd Bro . Latham ; mo „ t honestly , it was
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Craft Masonry.
Johnson , Houlder , Welch , Crawsbaw , Roche , and Ferguson . Visitors : Bros . Frederick Joy , 1 . 12 b , and Elsbury , 243 ( Guernsey ) . The lodge having been opened , Bro . VV . Baker was invested as I . G ., Bros . Crawshaw an * l Roche were ra sed , and Bro . HouMer passed . Mr . Peach was
proposer ! as a candidate for initiation at th- next meeting . The W . M . stated th * it in order to leave the next regular meeting free for the musical evening he would probably have to call another Ijdge of emergency on thc 3 ist inst . The lodge was then closed , anil the brethren adjourned for refreshments .
La Tolerance Lodge ( No . 538 ) . —There was a most agreeable meeting ot this lodge at its annual installation ceremony at Freemasons' Hall , London , on the 3 rd inst , when Bro . Edridge , W . M ., presided for the last time during his very successful year . The VV . M . was supported by all bis ollicers : Bros . Walter Hooker , S W ., VV . M . elect ; ) . ) . Pittman , J . VV . ; lames Kench , P . M ., P . G . P ., Treas . ; James B . " Sly , P . M ., Sec ; S . T . Anspine , S . D . ; T . IT . Clear , JD . ; Thos . A . Tidy ,
LG . ; W . E . Willby , P . M .-. VV . Webb , P . M . ; T . W . Smale , Humphrey , and VV . G . Fenn . Visitors : Bros . VV . Gunner , P . M . 720 ; Charles livciist , P . M . 720 ; Matthew Skedden , 3 S 2 ; N . J Day , J . VV . 1700 ; John M . Newnham , S . D . 155 G ; " J- Ii . Fox , P . M . " I- JSS ; VV . D . Hayward , J . W . 2076 ; George Ridout , VV . M . 12 S 7 ; J . Taylor , W . M . e'ect 1 S 0 ; Henry Massey , P . M . 102 S ; S . Lucas , P . M . 230- 5 ; E . Palmer , 06 ; John Paul ,
P . M . 1287 ; G . J . Allen , J . VV . 132- *; S . Ii . Holloway , 731 ; C . E . VVayell , VV . M . S 62 ; and VV . H . Kidson , 2395 . The W . M . initiated Mr . Horace Hewison Perry , and after other business had been transacted , resigned the chair lo Bro . Kench , P . M ., Treas ., for the purpose of the installation . This ceremony Bro . Kench performed as a real master of lhe art , and placed Bro . Walter Hooker in the Master ' s chair in the presence of a numerous Board of
Installed Masters . The collars , olhcr than the collar of Master , were bestowed on the following brethren : Bros . ] . J . Pittman , S . W . ; G . T . Augspurg , | . W . ; J . Kench , P . M ., P . G P ., Treas . ; J . B . Sly , P . M ., Sec ; TIL Clear , S . D . ; T . A . Tidy , J . D . ; F . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org . Surrey , Org . ; J . Gumming * , I . G . ; J . VV . Elvin , P . M ., D . C . ; W . G . Fenn , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Survey , and G . A . Sturgess , Stwds . ; S . C . Cross , Charity Stwd . ; VV .
E . Willby , P . M ., A . D . C ; and J . 11 . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . After the delivery of the charges , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual toasts . Bro . Kench , P . M ., P ; G . P ., Treas ., replying to the toast of "The Grand Oflicers , " said : 1 have the honour to acknowledge with hearty thanks thc toast of thc Grand Ollicers , and assure you I was much gratified to witness the
cordiality with which it was received , as it clearly demonstrates to our brother visitors that the services of those brethren to the Craft in general and to Grand Lodge in particular are fully appreciated by the members of the Lodge La Tolerance . I was reading a few weeks back in one of the daily papers , VV . M ., an account of a speech delivered by the late American ambassador , wherein he spoke of the great feeling of respect for law and order that
he found among all Englishmen . This respect for lawfully constituted authority , which is so essential to the welfare of the community and to the good government of thc country , is not restricted to those accomplished gentlemen who preside in our courts of justice , neither is it limited to those fortunate individuals who have to attend a coroner's inquest , but , as we know , it prevails among rich and poor alike , thc high and the low of every degree . Now , how lar and to what
an extent this feeling is to be attributed lo the teachings of the Craft , I will not undertake to say . Yet , bearing in mind that the first duties we learn on our initiation , are ( a ) to be exemplary in the discharge of our civil duties , ( b ) never to propose or at all countenance any act that may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society , ( c ) to pay due respect lo the laws of any state which may for a time become thc place of our residence ,
( d ) and above all , never to lose sight of the allegiance due to the sovereign of our native land . It seems to me impossible that Ihcsc teachings disseminated , as they have been for hundreds of years past , throughout the length and breadth of thc land can , by any possibility , have failed to make a due impression on thc thousands ranged under our banners , and through them on the outside world ; and that this is so , is proved by fhe fact of the immense increase
in the number of lodges en the roll of the Grand Registrar of England during the last quarter of a century . Now , with regard to these teachings that our Preceptors in our lodgesof instruction take such pains to inculcate in our minds , it would be of ad antage to us tu remember the words of our nation ' s greatest poet that ; " Heaven doth with us as we with torches do ;
Not light them for themselves ; for if our viitues Did not go forth uf us ' twere all alike As if we had them not . Spirits are not finely toueb'd But to line issues ; nor iia ' . urc never lends The smallest scruple of her excellence . But , like a tlnifty goddess , she determines Herself the glory ut a creditor , Both thanks anil use . "
One thing at least , brethren , is most iictillul loi u 3 iu these times , and lhat is tbat we should co-islandy bear in mind that the volume of thc Sscred Law is the alone unerring standard of truth and justice . VVe have no need lu learn over again thc lessons of our boyhood , when leading if the ruin of ancient cities and nations , for we know well enough that the same causes that winked in those days for good or for evil arc ivorkingatlliis present moment amongst
ourselves , as well in the case ol individuals as in nations , lor the same laws of truth and justice apply to both . We read in Roman history that it was nol until lhe atheistical doctrines ol Epicurus became the fashionable opinions of Rome and throughout all lur gicat cities that her decline commenced . T hose doctrines were the real cause "' the rapid depravity of Roman manners , and wbat they were St . Paul gives us a pictty good account uf in the lirst
chapter of his epistle to them , lor manners are never so e'ffectuall y and speedily depraved as by the entire extinction of all religiousi > iim : i }> le . T be historians of the Roman I ' . mp ' n e ¦ suppl y us with the most graphic * ami terrible piitmcso * ( lie '• laic to which lhat nation was 1 educed , from ils ancient condition of moderation , sobiiety , and rcveience , 10 a state "' enormous wickedness and vice , and lhat was the true reason why she fell to pieces and was ground to powder , and notby the irruption of the immense hordes if barbarians
Craft Masonry.
that invaded the country . These had been always where they werc , and always ready to attempt thc conquest of Rome . Rome had been able to do far more than hold them in check , anil keen them at bay , she had bowed them to her will , and held them in the rnns of her sovereignty , but she fell by the inward weight of that awful corruption which paralysed and loosened al ! the joints and riv ; ts of her power . She fell , because she disregarded and set at nau'ht
God ' s moral laws , and remembered not that righteousness exalteth a nation . Bro . S . G . Edridge , I . P . M ., then proposed "The Worshipful Master , " and said that among the pleasing duties —and he might say , speaking for himself personally—tbe most pleasing duty which fell to the lot of an LP . M ., was to have the honour and privilege of wishing God-speed tu his successor . He spoke the hearts and minds of all
present when he wished Bro . Walter Hooker God-speed on the year that was opening that day in the high oflice which he had taken by the acclaim of his brethren . He considered —and he was sure the brethren would echo that feelingthat it was an auspicious fact that 011 thc occasion of Bro . Hooker ' s becoming Master of the Lodge La Tolerance he had been able to introduce a brother who , it spared , would gladden all their hearts . Masonry was not exclusive , and when
the policy of a lodge was to restrict the number of brethren who joined it , he did not consider thc highest principles of Masonry in that lodge were in vogue . In Lodge La Tolerance they looked for good men to join their ranks , in order to spread the privileges of Masonry and the good it undoubtedly could do . The W . M . had introduced a brother , and , as he said it was an auspicious fact that he should do so on the occasion of his taking the chair of the
lodge . 1 Ie hoped the VV . M . would not take the fewness of his words as an index of the sincerity with which he spoke . The Worshipful Master , in responding , said he could not but think that the kind way in which the brethren received the rising of the I . P . M . weredue more as a parting compliment to the LP . M . than as a compliment tothe present W . M . He ( the W . M . ) , at any rate , did feel , knowing the LP . M . as he did , that he meant the kind words he spoke ,
and he thanked him all the more heartily on that account , and the brethren for the kind way they had received the toast . He had been elected as their Master for that year , and he would do his very best to keep up the traditions of La Tolerance Lodge . He hoped at the end of his year it would stand as well in Freemasonry as it did now . It was about seven or eight years ago he joined the lodge , and there were now several brethren coming on who joined
immediately after him . He hoped to see all those stick together and keep with La Tolerance Lodge until they held tbe position hc was now holding . Before hc sat down he should like to draw the brethren ' s attention to one or two events which he hoped would happen this year . Since Bro . Fenn was Master , three or four years ago , they had not had a ladies' night . With the assistance ot the brethren he hoped to have one , and Bro . Humphreys ,
P . M ., had very kindly offered the use of his rooms , the Cavendish Rooms , Mortimer-street , for the dance . He trusted that with the assistance of the brethren , who werc at t e Audit Committee , and who agreed to form the committee for arranging the dance , that it would be a successful evening . The date in February had not yet been fixed . The other matter had to do with the Charities . He
proposed to stand as Steward lor the Aged l ' reemasons , on February 27 th , and to carry out his Stewardship he had stalled a subscription list , to which some of the brethren had put down their names for 10 guineas . He should be glad if any brother who was not going up independently to thc same Festival would add his name to the list . After a short interval for music ,
T he VV . M . proposed " The I . P . M ., Bio . S . G . lidiidgc , " who , hc said , had had a mosl successful and pleasant year , and had introduced several new members , who were very kind among other things to entertain the lodge on its ordinary meetings . They would make good Masons , and when their time came , thoroughly good Masters . It was really a good Master who could introduce good biethrcn into a lodge , and in that respect Bro . Edridge had done excellent
work . It was only a year ago that day that they had a banquet which would not be forgotten in the annals of La Tolerance Lodge . At the other end of lhe room tbey had a very pleasant evening , and , from what he had experienced that evening , he had no doubt they had a pleasant evening at thc W . M . ' s end of the room . Bro . Edridge had frequently said duiing bis year that the I . P . M . was Master of the lodge—that thc VV . M . was Master , that he had thc
eclat ol the pjsiuon , and that was all . Now , he took exception to that remark , lor he thought Bro . I ' . driclge ' s year passed oil successfully on account of the ical Masonic labour he infused into the lodge , and a'l thu brethren would agree tbat that was MJ . lie would now present lo Bio . Edridge a Past Master ' s jewel , which had b .-eu voted to bun by the members of the lodge , anil il was wild the ,-iealcst pleasure indtcd that he iiiuainenlcd Uio . Kdiidgc ' s bicast
with this testimony if the biethicn ' s U | i | iicciatioii of bis woik and clfuits . Jiio . S . G . J- 'diidge , I . P . M ., in . icknuiilnlgiicnt of lhe tuast and thc gift , said be estimated al Us lull the kindly sympathy which had been extended tu him by the W . AL iu the remarks he made , and of thc brethren by their reply thereto ; and when he said lie estimated that sympathy at its full , he could nol help solacing himself lor the loss of the
position lie recently held , by the fact that though In bad ceased to be Master of the lodge , be had not ceased to Iu a member of it , or one who still hoped to ictain the kind feeling which had always bien shown towards him . One word , and one only , with regard to thu mark of the esteem of the lodge presented to him as the I . P . M . It was also given to the distinguished brethren who had filled lhe position before him . lie had had attached to his breast by thc W . M . a
Past Master ' s jewel . He had before at Masonic gatherings remarked about lhe value of jewels—he did not mean their intrinsic worth , but what tbey meant by being worn . What hc meant was that if one wore a jewel it must have sonic special significance as regarded thc man ' s action in ihc matter , and what he said about bis jewel was this—he wore it , he esteemed it as the mark ol the brethren ' s esteem . At the same time , it pledged him to act as be understood
he was , as the I . P . M . was the Master of the lodge—one of tbe rules of Ihe Craft . What Craft ; what Institution ? Let them not forget what Institution it was , what duties weie allied to it , and the significance they bote as Masons as regarded their duties to work . Bro . Perry replied to the toast of " The Initiate . " Bro . Ridout , VV . M . 12 S 7 , replying to the toast of "The Visitors , " said : In thanking you fvr the very kind and
Craft Masonry.
cordial way in which the toast of the visitors has been proposed and received , I feel that we , as visitors , ought to shake hands with ourselves that we are privileged to be present to-night , on this , your installation banquet , when the air , aye ; even the very walls are resounding with good wishes—hearty good wishes—that your W . M . may have a successful year of office . I am sure WJ all trust that the wishes that go forth to-night laden with hope , may return
in another twelve months friegbted with congratulationscongratulations for good work accomplished and success achieved . I am delighted to hear that you purpose having a ladies' n'ght , for 1 feel that the fair ones ought in some way to be compensated for our enforced absence from our own fireside . I therefore trust that your ladies' night will prove a great success . I have asked Bro . Willby ( whom I believe is a very active member of your Committee ) to
secure me two tickets , and that this popular lodge will become even more popular under the rule of one whom we all trust will prove a most popular Master , to whom we , as your visitors , return our grateful thanks . Bros . Dr . Nicholls , Williams , Kidson , Paul , Newnham , and Hall also responded , and Bros . Elvin and Willby to
that of " lhe Past Masters . " liro . dimming * , S . VV ., replied for " The Officers , " and Bro . Evenden , P . M ., gave the Tyler's toast . The evening was enlivened with some excellent vocal and instrumental music by Miss Florence Shepherd , and Bros . G . T . Augspurg , J . J . Pittman , Harry L ? c , and Tom Burgess .
Yarborough Lodge ( No . 554 ) . —This lodge , which is now within three years of its jubilee , held its installation meeting on the 4 th inst . at the London Tavern , Fenchurch-street , when Bro . Albert Ed . Sallaway , W . M ., presided , supported by , among others , the following brethren : Bros . J . G . Stevens , T . J . Barnes , J . L . Anderson , G . litheredge , W . Cross , John Taylor , and F . Whitworth , Past Masters . Visitors * . Bros . D . McNish , W . M .
ICJ 02 ; J . Holmes , S . D . 1306 ; J . Walmsley , 3 60 ; C . Pidduck , VV . M . 1107 ; J . Bcveridge , 1 y (* 2 ; J . Hall Brown , P . M . JSS ; W . J . Jones , 174 ; C J . Hill " . 2374 ; II . Massey , 102 S ; A . R . T ' rew . P . M . 2403 ; W . Green , 115 S ; R . T . Godfrey , S . W . 141 ; H . T . Taylor , 2 OOJ ; W . II . Shepherd , iKii " >; John E . Gill , 30 ; F . W . Clayton , 155 S ; J . C . Tilt . 1562 ; | ohn Page , P . M . 753 ; P . A . Boulton , W . M . 21 .
The Auditors' report , which was , as usual , highly satisfactory , was received and adopted , and Bro . J . Wesley T ' auranae , who came accredited with the highest testimonials from the Lodge of Lights , No . IJS , Warrington , was accepted unanimously by ballot as a joining member . The installation ceremony was then proceeded with , and Bro . John G . Stevens , P . M ., was requested to perform thc ceremony . Bro . Stevens then took the W . M . ' s collar and
installed Bro . Samuel Hall Latham , S . VV . and VV . M . elect , who is also a highly-respected member of the London Rille Brigade Lodge , No . ;< jG 2 , as Master of the lodge . The customary congratulations followed thc invesiiture of Bro . A . E . Sallaway as I . P . M . Thc officers of the ncw W . M . for the year were invested as follows : Bros . A . VV . Fawkcs , S . VV . ; G . Smith , I . W . ; Hugh Cotter , P . M ., Tceas . ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Cameron , S . D . ; I . S .
Chapman , J . I ) . ; C . E . Barber , I . G . j D . B . Thomas , D . of C ; G . Ward Verry , P . M ., and James Allen , Stewards ; and G . T . II . Seddon , P . M ., Organist . The out-going Master was presented with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and after the " Heart * ) ' good wishes " of sister lodges wcregiven by ihflierent visiting brethren , an adjournment was made to a beautiful banquet , and when that had been disposed of , the customary toasts' were
proposed and honoured . Bro . A . E . Sallaway , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The VVorshipful Master , " who , hc said , he hoped would , having been installed VV . M ., come with ncw life and vigour to carry on the Yarborough Lodge in a far betler manner than he ( liro . Sallaway ) had during his year . He hoped lo see a large number of good men and true introduced to the lodge , and , if possible , a larger balance at the audit
meeting . Bro . Latham was a bigger man than Ac , and he expected of him thc accomplishment ot bigger results . Bro . S . H . Latham , ijVV . M ., in reply , said hc was very diffident at all times , but during bis year of office he should endeavour to the best of his ability to carry out the highest qualities of the Yarborough Lodge . Any work he might have to do he should execute in lhe best iorm within his power . He could see in the near future only two or three
initiates , but if any brother would bring up a few he should try to do the woikwell . He did not think he could attempt to cope with the working of thc pisl year of Bro . Sallaway , who did everything it was possible to d J . He could only emulate him , and he should do so . He would ask the brethren to put up wilh any little defects , but thes : he would redress as soon as possible . He was just a 10 years ' old Mason ; that was not his mother lodge . In his mother
lodge he was still 10 years off the chair . IU was exceedingly proud of being installed VV . M . of the Yarborough Lodge that night . Bio . Latham , VV . M ., proposed "The Installing Mister , liro . John G . Stevens , P . M ., and the Masonic Insti' . uti ins , " which be considered was the principal toast . He did not mink thc way in which Bro . Stevens installed him could have been excelled . Unfortunately Bro . Stevens was laid
up last year , so that lie could not iiiital Bro . Sallaway , wh 1 succeeded him . But he had retaken that position an J had installed him . With rega-. d to thc Institutions , he ( the W . M . ) was going up as Sieward for thc Benevolent Institution , to ic-piesent lhat lodge at thc Festival in Februiry , and be was pleased to say be had the promise of great support . Ne had no doubt he would gel it , and everything be got would go to tbe credit of the Yailurougli Lodge ,
which had always been to the front in thc past , and which he did not think would fall back 111 the future , lie was not sending out ciiculars , because hc did not like to do s , on lhe principle that me brethren ought to give freely and without any asking . Bro . Jonn ( I . Stevens , P . M ., in response , said th it last year he was prevented by illness from iiistaliin ^ his successor . He had installed Masters in this lodge lor several
years . I le felt an interest in the lodge , lor hc wis initiated in it a years ago . Last year he was serving as Mister of lhe lodge for thc second lime , and it was extremely disappointing to him not to be abls , to instal his successor . It was one of the regrets of his life—certainly of his Masonic life—for he had Ijokcd forward toinstalling Bro . Sallaway . However , he wa > to-night pleased , gratified , and thankful to say he hid inotallcd Bro . Latham ; mo „ t honestly , it was