Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . EAST GRINSTEAD . Sackville Lodge ( No . 1619 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge held on Tuesday , the 3 rd inst ., the VV . M ., Bro . Budd-Budd , presided . To the roll of the lodge two names were added , one by initiation and one as a joining : member . Bro . Wood , S . W ., was unanimously

elected as W . M . for the ensuing year . It was resolved to present a jewel , value ^ . 5 5 s ., to Bro . Betchley as a small mark of the appreciation of the brethren for his services as Secretary . The lodge now numbers 40 members , but many of them are not residents in the neighbourhood , indeed the interest taken in Masonry in East Grinstead is not what it ought to be , this is , no doubt , in some respect owing to the

want of a building connected with the Craft and used only for Masonic purposes , the present VV . M ., Bro . Budd-Budd , fully recognising the absolute necessity for a Masonic Hall in East Grinstead , has most graciously promised a valuable site for the building , and also a large subscription . The project of providing the hall has hung fire for some little time , but only requires to be taken up energetically by some influential brethren . If the Sackville Lodge is to

occupy the position it ought , and to attract members that will make the lodge a power in the province , something must be done as soon as possible to provide a Alasonic Hall in which to hold both the regular meetings and lodges of instruction . Great expectations as to the result of his year of office are expressed in connection with the W . M . elect , Bro . Wood . The jewel was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning .

HIGHBRIDGE . Rural Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 219 ) . — The annual festival in connection with this lodge was held on Friday evening , the 6 th inst ., when Bro . E . A . Burnett , S . W ., was installed as VV . M . for the ensuing year , as successor to Bro . J . Tyler , the installation ceremony being performed by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else , P . G . D . ol

England . There was an unusually large muster of brethren , the visitors including Bros . J . P . Lewis , P . G . D . C . of Monmouthshire ; W . Reece , P . M . noy , P . P . G . D . C ; Canon Dwyer , P . G . Chap . British Columbia ; A . Bailey , 772 ; R . H . Baggs , 90 S ; W . II . Webb , 1222 ; W . Leaker , S . D . 772 ; S . G . Coggan , S . W . 772 ; J . E . Pople ,

772 ; 1-1 . M . Worlock , 296 , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Basil Cottam , VV . M . 135 ; M . II . Stead , 772 ; W . H . Bowering , 2038 ; G . VV . Davies , 203 S ; and F . A . Gardner , 6 S 3 . The W . M . appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . Dr . Sharp , S . W . ; F . W . Bishop , J . W . j Rev . G . A . Sandford , Chap . ; John Burnett , P . M ., Treas . ; T . F . Norris , P . M ., Sec :

C . S . Leach , S . W . ; F . R . Stead , J . W . : T . II . Railton , D . C . ; H . Cox , Org . ; Mark Herniman , I . G . j J . Wall and VV . Berry , Sewards ; and Ashwell , Tyler . Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring W . M ., the Treasurer , and the Secretary , for the able way in which they had discharged their duties during the past year , and to the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Else , for conducting the ceremony of installation .

The customary banquet was held afterwards , under the presidency of the VV . M ., whose health was drunk with musical honours , reference being made to the fact that he was the " great grandson " of the founder of the lodge . After the banquet , several of the brethren drove to Burnham to enjoy the refreshing breeze accompanying the incoming tide .

LEICESTER . John of Caunt Lodge ( No . 523 ) . —The annual festival and installation meeting of this old-established lodge , which fell on Sunday , the 24 th ult ., was held on Thursday , the 2 Sth ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Halfordstreet , by dispensation from Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrets , Prov . Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland .

Iheie were present : Bros . T . B . Male , P . P . G . Stwd ., W . M . j Alex . Laurence , P . G . Org ., I . P . M . ; VV . I . Curtis , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., as S . W . ; G . Neighbour , J . W .. W . M . elect ; the Rev . R . W . Lancaster , M . A ., Chap . ; G . Newsome , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; A . F . Holland , Sec ; W . Aldridge Spences , S . D . ; the Rev . H . S . Biggs , B . A ., P . G . Chap ., T . D . j I . B . Warine , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ,

Uir . of Cers . ; R . J . Lulham , I . G . ; W . Bream , W . Adams , and Lea , Stwds . ; J . Tanser , Tyler ; S . S . Partridge , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . ; J . T . Thorp , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Jos . Young . P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; R . Taylor , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; W . T . Coltman , the Rev . H . L . Bashford , Lawrence Staines , Alfred Lait , C . R . King , Joseph Parsons . Wm . M . Cowdell . Chas . Povnor . S . F .

" oynor , Fras . Redfern , and many visitors . 1 he lodge having been opened , the dispensation for holding the same was read and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The minutes of the last regular meeting and of an emergency meeting were read and confirmed . A ballot being taken for a joining member , he was declared duly elected . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , and

Bro . G . Neighbour was duly installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . M ., D . P . G . M ., assisted by Pro . J . B . Waring , P . M .. P . P . A . G . D . C . The W . M . then invested his officers as follows : Bros . T . B . Neale , Prov . ^ . Stwd ., I . P . M . j W . A . Spencer , S . W . ; the Rev . H . ?; B'ggs , J . W . ; the Rev . R . W . Lancastar , Chap . ; G . Newsome , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Treas . ; A . F . Holland ,

Sec . ; R . J . Lulham , S . D . j W . A . Lea , J . D . ; J . B . Waring , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C , D . C ; L . Staines , Org . ; *• Redfern , I . G . j and VV . Beam and W . T . Coltman , otwds . Bro . T . Dunn , Tyler , was too unwell and unable to be present for investiture . The W . M . then presented l J retiring W . M ., Bro . T . B . Neale , with a handsome J ~ ast Master ' s jewelvoted by the membersand expressed

, , the hope that he might be spared for many years to wear a 1 , 1 r ' ' Neale 'hanked the brethren for the jewel , and , stated ; his determination to do what he could in the on ° if " ' ' s " Routine work having been successfully gone through , three candidates for initiation were duly

pro-« ! v one resignation was accepted . H . , " earty good wishes " were given from the visitors , and the lodge was closed . ban ge numDer ° f brethren sat down to the installation anquet , at the conclusion of which the usual loyal and in «!!" : sts were g ' ven and responded to , the proceed-M ! D L- ' £ enl ' ' vened by the able singing of Bros . Page , mcKobie , and the Rev . H . S . Biwrs , B . A ., l . W .

Craft Masonry.

PLUM STEAD . Pattison Lodge ( No . 913 ) . —The installation meeting of the above powerful lodge took place on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , and was well-attended by the brethren of the lodge and by visitors from far and near . The lodge was opened by Bro . Charles James Clapham , VV . M ., who raised Bro . G . J . Lockwood , and then proceeded to install his successor , Bro .

Dr . Ebenezer Bryceson , S . W . and VV . M . elect . The new W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . C . J . Clapham , I . P . M . ; J . [ . Collins , S . W . ; D . K . Someis , J . W . ; C Coupland , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas . ; E . Denton , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., Hon . and Consulting Sec . ; W . C . Taylor , P . M ., Sec . ; Rev . A . Jackson , M . A ., P . G . Chaplain , Chap . ; J . O . Cook , S . D . ; ] . J . Murphy , J . D . ; E . M . Taylor , I . G . ; A . Moore , D . C . j R . E . B . Saunders

and J . G . Tucker , A . D . Cs . ; II . J . Butter , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., J . II . Bull , F . Hoar , and \ V . Chaney , Stwds . ; S . Horton , Org . ; and C . Warren , Tyler . Bro . Clapham was highly and deservedly complimented by the goodly array of Past and VVorshipful Masters present upon the excellence of his work , and was rewarded wjth a hearty vote ol thanks and a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel , for which he returned thanks . Bro . Coupland was re-elected to serve

on the Provincial Charity Committee . Bro . Saundeis , P . M ., was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services during the past year as Secretary , and thc lodge was closed . The banquet was served in the upper hall of the establishment . Among the other brethren present were Bros . A . Penfold , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; R . J . Cook , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV . ; H . Mason , P . M ., P . G . D . ; Col . E . Hughes , M . P ., P . M . ;

W . Busbridge , P . M . ; Charles Jolly , P . M . ( Hon . ) , P . M . and Secretary 1472 , 2154 ; E . Morris , P . M . ; VV . C . Campell , P . M . ; G . II . Letton , P . M . ; T . 'Turton , B . Hammond , Dr . J . Clarke , J . W . Dickenson , J . Kirkman , VV . Winkman , J . Farrier , G . Frost , VV . J . Squires , VV . G . Newton , J . Frankling , B , Littlewood , W . Fenn , VV . Lock , A . Eton , J . Taylor , G . Roberts , E . G . Denton , G . Standing , T . G . Arnold A . M .

Oxley , W . Young , G . H . Campbell , H . Grafton , II . Stewart , A . D . Capon , II . Touns , J . Hooton , D . G . Jelley , D . C . Capon , A . Ware , T . J . Nell , J . Widger , J . Rose , W . Sallenger , W . Wren , W . H . Lewis , VV . Smith , C . H . Stone , and G . II . Ilatton . Visitors : Bros . J . Warren , P . M . and Sec . 700 ; C . J . D . Mears , P . M . 1076 , W . M . 299 ; W . Lawson , W . M . 700 ; J . Bilton , VV . M . 1536 ; A . C . Doddrcll , W . M . 615 ; F . Sloper , VV . M . 15 S 0 ; A .

Deans , W . M . 13 ; Dr . G . W . Mugliston , P . M . 122 S ; S . Elison , P . M . 507 j F . G . Nichols , P . M . and Sec . 70 Q ; H . Tufnell , S . W . 700 ; J . Lee , S . W . 2399 ; G . R . Nichols , J . W . 700 ; W . Barnes , S . W . 13 ; J . Marjary , S . W . 54 S ; G . H . Ingle , J . W . 1536 ; W . A . Anson , J . W . 13 ; E . W . Sinnett , S . W . 1536 ; J . Johnson , Sec . 2399 ; G . Stevens , 19 ; R . H . Murdock , Sec . 17 S 9 ; W . Bull , S 29 ; T . Challoner , 1536 ; M . Thomas , 706 ; II ,

Yeomans , 42 S ; C . Benstead , 700 ; R . Klyne , 2266 ; F . Ritter , 173 ; G . Carter , 13 ; J . Winsborough ; P . Stone , S ; S . Cooke , 957 ; J . Lloyd , 700 ; C . Lockwood , 1305 ; E . Chinery , 1 S 4 ; S . Coaker , 1564 ; and others , The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts having been honoured , and that of ' * Earl Amherst , Provincial Grand Master , " having been drunk with enthusiasm , Bro . Busbridge was called upon to propose thc toast of

" Bro . Eastes , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past , " and , in so doing , enlarged upon the responsibilities of a Prov . Grand Officer , and on the admirable manner in which those officers carried out the duties of their important trust . He then referred to the meeting , the day previous , of the Provincial Grand Lodge at Canterbury , and averred that it was the largest and most successful meeting that had ever occurred in the Province

of Kent . There were more brethren present than had ever attended any previous Provincial Grand meeting . At that meeting they had presented their Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Spencer , with a testimonial to mark their sense of the admirable manner in which he had done his duty for the past 21 years ; at that meeting , too , their esteemed Bro . Mason had received the purple , and also Bro . Jackson , who he was proud to see had accepted the office ot Chaplain of their lodge , and with their names he should couple the toast .

Bro . Jackson said the kind proposer of the toast had told them something of the grand function that took place the previous day at Canterbury , and he could certainly say that he never saw so grand a sight in his life . With reference to their W . M ., he ( Bro . Bryceson ) was an old friend of his at Cambridge , where they had met on the banks of the Cam . That was in 1 S 7 S , and since that time he had never had the pleasure of seeing him until last year , and now

that he again met him , it was to receive at his hands the greatest honour that could be paid him , namely , to make him an honorary member of their excellent lodge . Little did he imagine when he entered the lodge that he should leave it as a member and its Chaplain . He should attend its meetings as often as possible , and could now only thank them for the honour of coupling his name with so important a toast .

Bro . Mason also adverted to the day previous , and said he felt it a great honour to serve under such an honoured nobleman and splendid Mason as Earl Amherst , and he was sure that every officer felt the same , and endeavoured , and indeed did , their duty in a manner worthy of the position and of the province . He then spoke of the grand manner in which the province supported the Charities of the Order , and assured them that he looked upon his office

not so much as an honour conferred on him , but on the lodge , for his lordship had repeatedly said that the Pattison was one of the foremost lodges in the province . On behalf of Bro . Eastes and the present officers of the province , he thanked them heartily for their kind reception of the toast . The Worshipful Master , in responding to the eulogistic speech ol the I . P . M . in proposing his health , said that when he was elected to the position of W . M . he understood that the duties of the office were heavy . He

did not realise the weight of them then , but he began to now . He now knew that it was not only a perfect knowledge of the ritual that was necessary , but that there were a great many other things to be learnt before a W . M . could discharge the duties of his office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the brethren . Whether he should always be able to do the right thing at the right time he could not say , but he would ask them to believe him when he said that he should endeavour to do so to the best of his

Craft Masonry.

ability , and should look to them for support to enable him to do so . He asked for thc hearty co-operalion of the Past Masters and officers , and having that , no effort would be wanting on his part to prove himself worthy of their confidence . Bro . Clapham , in responding to a hearty reception of the toast of "The Installing Officer , " said it was very

gratifying to him to receive sowaim and hearty a reception at their hands . When he . 12 months ago , took possession of the chair , he was full of fear as to the result of his action , but soon found his fears were groundless , because ot the splendid support he received at the hands of every brother of the lodge . Not only in that lodge , but in every lodge in the neighbourhood he had received the greatest courtesy

and kindness ; so much so , that his year of office had been the happiest year of his life . He trusted his successor , whom he felt proud of installing , would have as pleasant and prosperous a one as he had had , and then he would have a happy one indeed . The other toasts wcre "The Past Masters , " "The Visitors , " "The Officers , " and the T yler ' s toast . The musical arrangements were in the hands of Bro .

Sidney Horton , and were excellent . I he splendid singing of Mrs . Bryceson , the amiable wife of thi'W . M ., was received with demonstrations of delight . Bros . Nell and F . Nichols sang , and Mr . C . Birkett sang one or two funny songs . Mr . A . C . Horton played the oboe splendidly , and his father , Bro . Horton , played the fiddle as he can play it , and that goes without saying . Bro . P . Hammond also contributed .

STONEHOUSE . Sincerity Lodge ( No . 189 ) . —The annual installation of the above lodge was held in the Town Hall , on the 9 th inst . Bro . Francis Edward Sach was installed VV . M . by Bros . Dr . T . VV . Lemon , VV . H . Addiscott , 1341 , P . D . G . S . B ., of Hongkong ; C . Croydon , John Ward , and A . S . Hendry , all of the lodge , supported by Bros . G .

Hawkcn , F . R . Thomas , G . Dunsterville , J . Gidley , 1 S 9 ; A . VV . White , 1136 ; R . Pike , 230 ; J . R . H . Harris , 230 ; E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 ; J . Kihton Bond , H . T . C . Tucker , VV . H . Mayne , 1247 ; A . Trout , 1206 ; A . C . Titherley , 1350 ; and W . J . Pengelly , 2025 . The W . M . invested the following officers : Bros . G . Dunsterville , I . P . M . ; J . Parker , S . W . ; T . Peain , J . W . jJDr . Lemon , Chap . ; G .

Hawker , Treas . ; A . S . Hendry , Sec . ; S . II . Duff , S . D . ; F . Strick , J . D . ; F . S . Hedge , I . G . j II . W . Mayne , D . C ; R . Pike , hon . Org . ; N . Hill , G . II . Parker , P . Hamley , J . W . Bickle , and J . G . Skinner , Stwds . j and J . Gidly , Tyler . In the evening the annual banquet was held at the Freemasons , Hall , Plymouth , where the brethren were joined by

Bros . Dr . Geo . J ackson , J . B . Moulder , 1 S 9 ; N . Radmore , > 59 J J- Goad , 70 ; W . Willoughby , and R . A . Roberts , 757 ( S . C . ) The VV . M . was congratulated on the unusual incident of his being installed on his birthday , and the best wishes wcre heartily expressed for his success and prosperity in his year of ollice . Several capital songs wcre sung and recitations given .

WATFORD . Earl of Clarendon Lodge ( No . 19 S 4 ) . — A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday the 26 th ult ., Bro . J . P . Taylor , W . M ., presided . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous installation meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Dove was balloted for and elected as a joining member . There were three

candidates for initiation . The ballot was taken and proved to be unanimous . The VV . M . then invested his Honorary Deacon and Honorary Steward , who were unable to be present at the previous meeting , and three candidates were raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., the ceremony being , rendered in a most impressive manner throughout by the W . M ., Bro . J . P . Taylor . Messrs . Southern , Stark , and

Houghton wcre also initiated . The lodgebeing closed , aS brethren satdown to the banquet , which was put on in a splendid manner , the VV . M . presiding , supported by the I . P . M ., Bros . Boydell , P . M . ; J . Rogers , P . M . ; Fisher , P . M . ; Sidney Martin , P . M . 404 ; and W . Wilson , 15 S 0 . Visitors : Bros . Hayes , 1425 ; Truelove , 1549 ; Wigmore , and Thornhill , P . M . St .

Albans Lodge . The usual toasts were duly honoured . The Worshipful Master , in proposing " The Health of the P . G . M . and the D . P . G . M ., " regretted that the latter , Bro . Lake , was unable to be present owing to the Volunteer Government Inspection taking place the same day , he being the major of the battalion . The W . M . . stated that those

who were acquainted with the D . P . G . M . s Masonic career could not but admire the many acts of kindness which he was always found doing . A better Mason there could not be , and they only wanted to be in trouble to see and know the qualities of the D . P . G . M . He als 3 regretted the absence of Bro . Keyser , who was unable to be present because of presiding at another lodge that evening .

Bro . Boydell , P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " said that all those who had watched the W . M . work through the various Degrees in the lodge , could not but admire the splendid manner in which he always performed his duties . The way in which the ceremonies had been worked that evening had surpassed anything he had ever witnessed . He knew the VV . M . was

capable of doing his work , but he must confess himself fairly staggered after raising three , and initiating three candidates , to hear him finish up in so splendid a manner with the Entered Apprentice ' s Charge . It spoke very highly forh ' nn ( the VV . M . ) , and also his mental capability , to be able the first night of going into the chair to entrance the lodge in the manner he had done . He had never seen

the work done better , and the lodge was sure to flourish under their W . M . 's reign . Bro . Martin , P . M . 404 , in responding to the toast of "The Visitors , " said what an intellectual treat he had : witnessed that evening . He spoke as a very old Mason ,, and one who had seen a great many lodges' work , but notlike he had seen the work done that evening . Bro . Martin

further remarked that these were not the usual platitudes uttered at after-dinner speeches , but the real earnest truth . The work had never been performed better in that hall than Bro . Taylor had done it that evening . The lodge must be highly gratified at having chosen such a brother for their Worshipful Master . The evening ' s entertainment was muci enhanced by the splendid singing of Bio . Bartlett , and Bro . Hopkins with his peal of silver bells .