Ancient And Accepted Rite.

toast of "The Visitor , " and having also spoken in glowing terms of the chapter , Bro . C . C . L . Bernin proposed " The Health of the Officers , " which was most ably replied to by Bro . Welsman in an eloquent speech , wherein he gave the assurance that their chief study would be to give every assistance in their powerandby discharging the various duties devolving

, , upon them creditably and honourably , to win the esteem of the members of the chapter . The last toast— " To all Poor and Distressed Rose Croix Masons "—having been given , and responded to by all , brought one of the most interesting and enjoyable meetings ever held by this chapter to a close .

Centenary Of The Lodge Of Confidence, No. 193.

CENTENARY OF THE LODGE OF CONFIDENCE , No . 193 .

An absolute continuity of existence for ioo years is something for any society to be proud of , and no one can begrudge the members of the said lodge so honourable a distinction . Freemasonry has , no doubt , flourished and expanded immensely during the last 20

years , or since H . R . H . the Prince of Wales became the Most Worshipful Grand Master . We should , perhaps , be pleased to see this , as " There ' s nought but what ' s good To be understood

By Free and Accepted Masons . The Order itself is certainly , in the highest sense , noble and grand , and must tend to make men better in all respects , if they only act up to the principles taught therein . On Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ., the members of the

Confidence Lodge , No . 193 on the Register of Grand Lodge , held a special banquet to mark the completion of its 100 th year , and , as might be expected , some interesting details of the work of the lodge were forthcoming from those of its members who have shown more than passing interest in the event . In another respect , too , the celebration was unique .

We refer to the fact that the Lodge of Confidence has met uninterruptedly at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , since 1851 . There may be other lodges which have not changed their quarters for a period of 40 years , but their number is so small as to render any instance of so long an association with one house deserving of special mention . But it is not only in the matter of accommodation that this hotel claims intimate

association with the lodge . For nearly the whole period of its meeting there the proprietor of the establishment has been enrolled among its subscribers , the late Bro . Frank Clemow , father of the present proprietor , being referred to on the 2 nd inst . by Bro . Webb as one of the most prominent members of 31 years back .

The celebration of the centenary took the form of a special banquet , to which lady friends of the members were invited . It was presided over by the W . M . of the lodge , Bro . E . J . Davey , who was supported by a large number of members and visitors , among the latter being Bros . James Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Secretary

R . M . B . I .. & C . ; J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . of C ; T . B . Dodson , P . M . S 60 ; John Barnett , jun ., Edwin Storr , P . M . 167 ; H . Lindfield , P . M . 211 ; T . W . Horan , 1693 ; H . Bait , S . W . 905 ; E . Edwards , 1891 ; F . C . Mander , P . M . 1828 ; W . W . Morgan , jun ., 1107 ; and others .

At the conclusion of the banquet , an excellent programme of music was gone through , the usual toasts being interspersed , but in view of the special nature of the proceedings , they were not exactl y of the same character as generally observed at Masonic gatherings . In submitting the toast of " The Grand Master , "

the CHAIRMAN referred to the fact that the Prince of Wales had himself signed the centenary warrant of the Confidence Lodge . That was proof that the Grand Master actually took an interest in the affairs of the Craft . Bros . J . L . MATHER and TERRY responded for " The

Grand Officers . " Bro . Terry , in happy terms , reviewing the probable condition of the lodge at its consecration as compared with the present time . Bro . CUBITT , P . M ., was entrusted with the special toast , " The Lodgeof Confidence , " which he proposed in brief and appropriate terms , coupling with it the

name of Bro . Samuel Webb , P . M ., D . C , and practically the oldest member of the lodge . Bro . WEBB , in his reply , took the opportunity of tracing the career of the lodge during its 100 years of existence . He could not hope for the opportunity on that occasion of pointing out to the members the many

interesting events in the past history of the lodge , but he might venture to tell them of the many changes of residence it had known . Possibly that list would be received with surprise by many of those present ; they must not forget , however , that times had very much altered , how much it was almost impossible to imagine ,

but the list he was about to read would give them some idea to work upon . It might also enable thom to form some opinion of what Freemasonry was in days gone by . The earliest records in connection with the lodge took them back to February 15 th , 1790 , when a warrant was granted by the "Athol" or "Ancient , "

Grand Lodge for its establishment , the place of meeting then being given as the Dolphin , Red Lion-street , Holborn . Since then it had shifted on 15 occasions , the full list of its places ot meeting being as follows 1790 , Dolphin , Read Lyon-street , Holborn ; 1790 ,

Bell , Battle-bridge ; 1793 , Old Swan , Butcher-row , Temple Bar ; 1797 , Sheers , Chequer-alley , Old-street ; 1799 , Queen ' s Head , Whitecross-street ; 1800 , Blue Last , Ludgate Hill ; 1801 , Horse Shoe and Magpie , Strand ; 1802 , Coach and Horses , St . Martin ' s-lane ;

Centenary Of The Lodge Of Confidence, No. 193.

1807 , Porcupine , Newport-street , Leicester-fields ; 1820 , Porcupine , Newgate-street ; 1829 , Bedford Head , Maiden-lane , Covent Garden ; 1831 , Crown Tavern , Clifford ' s Inn-passage , * 1843 , Crown Tavern , Back-hill , Hatton Garden ; 1846 , Colosseum Hotel , Portland-road , Regent ' s Park ; 1848 , White Lion ,

Brick-lane , St . Luke ' s ; 1851 , Anderton's Hotel , Fleetstreet . He felt sure that when , 100 years back , their ancient brethren founded their lodge—which , by the way , assumed its present name in 1820—they had little idea that such a meeting would assemble that day to celebrate the centenary of its establishment .

He felt that the Great Architect ot the Universe had watched over the Lodge of Confidence , which had gone on regularly meeting for a full century without a blemish on its reputation . To show how well their affairs had been managed he had only to point to the fact that the Grand Master had granted their request

for a centenary warrant without any demur , although the privileges such a warrant conferred were most jealously guarded ancl only awarded to those who had an indisputable claim to them . He hoped every member of the lodge would look upon the event they had that night met to celebrate in the same lig ht as he did , and

would ever consider it an honour to belong to a lodge that could boast so long and so distinguished a career . Turning to personal matters , Bro . Webb observed that he might , perhaps , be permitted to say a few words in regard to his long association vvith the lodge . He was proposed as a member b y the late Bro . Frank Clemow

( the then proprietor of this hotel ) in 1859 , and was initiated on April nth of that year . He rose to the dignity of Master of the lodge in 1867 , had 13 initiates during his term of office , while , what was quite a novelty at that time , he installed his successor when the time came round for him to vacate the chair . This

ceremony had previously been performed—so far as he could discover with but one exception—by a Grand Lodge Officer , or some outside expert . Since then , however , he had had the honour of installing 15 of the Worshipful Masters of the lodge . Bro . Webb also ,

referred to the Great Northern Lodge as an off shoot of the Lodge of Confidence , which he ( in conjunction with some of his initiates in the Confidence ) , founded in 18 70 , at the Great Northern Hotel , and was the first W . M . He felt that the members ofthe parent might be almost as proud of their offspring as of their own

career . Bro . S . SMITHER , I . P . M ., submitted the toast of " The Worshipful Master , " which was duly responded to . " The Ladies' " toast was entrusted to Bro . J . HART , J . W ., to which he did justice in a very humorous speech , causing considerable amusement .

In responding , on behalf of the ladies , Bro . NIGHTINGALE , P . M . ( a bachelor ) , said he was very fond of the fair sex , but thought marriage a great lottery . "The Visitors " was ably proposed by Bro . CUBITT , P . M ., and responded to by Bros . T . B . DODSON , P . M . ; E . STORR , P . M . ; and H . LIND ' HELD , P . M . " The Past Masters" was g iven by the W . M ., and responded to by Bros . J . E . FELLS , P . M ., and W . SAINT , P . M .

" The Treasurer , Secretary , and Officers of the Lodge" was proposed by the W . M . The SECRETARY and WARDENS having responded , a most enjoyable and pleasant evening terminated at rather a late hour .

The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr . J . Aethel Collings , who was assisted by Miss Alice Sugden , Miss Flora Edwards , Mr . W . H . Lloyd , Mr . Barry Linden , and Mr . Arthur Frye . Several of the ' songs were encored . Mr . Frye's ventriloquial sketch was particularly good .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held last Saturday at Freemasons ' Hall . Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treasurer , occupied the chair . There were also present Bros . George Plucknett , Jno . Master , Stanley J . Attenborough , James Brett , J . Bodenham , John Barnett , jun ., George Everett , George Corbie , R . . W- Bourne , W . W . Morgan , H . Massey , J .

Glass , W . A . Scurrah , George R . Langley , Albert Escott , Rev . Harry Hebb ( Head Master ) , C . H . Webb , E . Hobbs , Edwin Storr , James Blyth , and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the March meeting were read and confirmed , and the minutes of the Provisional Management Committee and of the House and Audit

Committees were also reaa . The report of the Provisional Committee was also read , in which were recommendations with reference to the resignation of Bro . Binckes . Bro . J GLASS then said that , following on the report of the Provisional Committee respecting the

resignation of Bro . Binckes , it was necessary that the General Committee should agree to certain resolutions which would have to be passed on that subject . Without such resolutions the recommendations of the Provisional Committee would be worth nothing . The acceptance of the resignation of the Secretary must be endorsed by the General Committee , approved and

received by that Committee , to be ot any value . The Provisional Committee thought that certain resolutions which they recommended should be agreed to ; but at the same time they considered that these resolutions should emanate from some of the members of the General Committee who were not members of the Provisional Committee . There were three of these reso-

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

lutions , which were as follows : ist . That this Committee approve and confirm the arrangements made by the Provisional Committee as to the resignation of Bro . Binckes from the office of Secretary on the 30 th of June next upon payment to him of the sum of J 2500 , pursuant to the recommendation of the Provisional

Management Committee . 2 nd . That in the event of the whole amount , viz ., . £ 2500 , of the Pension Indemnity Fund not being collected or paid over by the trustees of that fund on the 30 th of June next , the Provisional Management Committee be empowered to make such financial arrangements as may be necessary

for providing for payment on that day of the ^ 2500 or any other sum to Bro . Binckes on his vacating the office of Secretary . 3 rd . That the Provisional Management Committee be required to take the necessary steps , by advertisements or otherwise for procuring candidates , for the office of Secretary of the Institution , to be elected in accordance with the by-laws of the

Institution , and that the Provisional Committee be requested to settle as to the duties of , and the salary to be paid to , the new Secretary . Bro . S . J . ATTENBOROUGH moved , and Bro . W . A . SCURRAH seconded , the first resolution . Bro . LANGLEY enquired whether it was proposed that the sum of £ 2500 should be handed to Bro . Binckes or invested .

The CHAIRMAN said it would be handed to Bro . Binckes . He mi ght tell the brethren from his own knowledge that the Province of Hampshire had subscribed ^ 117 without any objection . It would take some time to get all the money in which was required . The motion was carried .

Bro . ATTENBOROUGH , with regard to thesecond resolution , remarked that as the resolution was framed the balance of ^ 2500 was to be paid out of the funds of the Institution . He would suggest that the word " temporaril y " be inserted . In that case he would not object to it , but if the payment was to be a permanent

charge on the funds he should object . The fund was being raised to provide the ^ 2500 . The resolution provided that the £ 2500 was to be paid on June 30 th . If it went forward that it was to be paid out of the funds of the Institution , irrespective of whether it was raised from the Pension Indemnity Fund , there would

be great opposition to it . Bro . SCURRAH , after referring to the laws of the Institution , said he thought it ought to be stated in the resolution whether the money was going to be provided out of the funds of the Institution . The whole of the resolution was very wide upon this point .

Bro . ATTENBOROUGH said he would propose that the Committee be authorised to pay this ^ 2500 out of the funds of the Institution on the 30 th of June , on the understanding that it would not be a charge upon the funds , but that it would be a temporary measure just to tide over the difficulty , and that the Pension Indemnity Fund must repay this ^ 2500 . It seemed to him

perfectly fair that this understanding had been come to with Bro . Binckes , and that on the 30 th June the £ 2500 should be forthcoming . It might not be forthcoming out of the Pension Indemnity Fund , and it was a reasonable thing that the Provisional Committee should put their hands in their pockets for it , or get it out of the funds of the Institution .

The CHAIRMAN said the object of the proposition was to complete the vacation of the office of Secretary on June 30 th . If ^ 1700 or ^ 1800 only was subscribed by that day , the Committee asked for power to advance the balance out of the funds of the Institution .

Bro . BAR SETT , jun ., asked who was absolutely responsible for the balance . Was it the members of the Committee ? It must come from somewhere . It was not certain that the Indemnity Fund would furnish it all by June 30 th . The balance could not be raised without some security .

Bro . C . H . WEBB said he had been given to understand that a cheque had already been handed in as a guarantee for the amount on the faith that it would be recouped by a certain time . As the whole of the lodges would not have had an opportunity of coming to a resolution prior to the date named , he hoped that

it would come from the fund provided by the guarantee . He brought it before his lodge some weeks ago , and mentioned that the cheque had been given . His lodge voted its proportion to the Indemnit y Fund . Bro . GEORGE EVERETT replied that there had been a good deal of misunderstanding about the ^ 2500 for which

a brother of West Yorkshire would be happy to give a cheque , but it resolved itself into this—the brother was prepared to pay the . £ 2500 on condition that the Provisional Management Committee would render themselves liable to repay that amount . There were 30 members on the Committee , all good men and true ,

and he ( Bro . Everett ) would be happy to find his , £ 100 towards it to-morrow . Others , however , did not think it a fair thing that the members of the Committee should be asked to make themselves liable , nor did he himself for that matter . He hoped the Committee would carry the resolution now

submitted . He felt quite certain that they would get this . £ 2500 . The reason they had not already got it was that the thing had not been well managed so far as London was concerned . Many did not understand what it meant , and a good many misrepresented it . For his own part , knowing all about it , he had put it

before his own lodges in a proper shape , and they had readily voted double the amount asked . In the autumn session , when the lodges were meeting again for the winter , it would be found to come all ri ght if there was anything like organisation , and every lodge would take a share in the matter . The lodges in the provinces where the subject was thoroughly understood