Annual Meeting Of The Molesey Lodge, No. 2473.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MOLESEY LODGE , No . 2473 .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . C . O . BURGESS . The vitality ; ind energy of this prosperous summer lodge was again evidenced by the Iart ; e attendance of members and distinguished visitors who , notwithstanding the Whitsun holidays , assembled on the 6 th inst . at the Castle Hotel , East Molesey , for the annual installation . There is a great attraction to a summer lodge of the " up-river " district , owing to the beauty of the locality in which it is

held , and with the charming neighbourhood of Hampton Court and its magnificent parks , gardens , and the refreshing air of the river , accompanied by such fine weather as was enjoyed on the day in question , it can readily be understood that the members looked forward with pleasant anticipation to meeting each other under such cheerful circumstances . It was therefore ar . agreeable variation to town duties to be present at the installation of Bro . J . R . Cleave , a very popular and esteemed member of the lodge .

Bro . C . O . Burgess , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . J . R . Cleave , S . W . ; H . J . Brook , J . W . ; F . W . Buxton , P . M ., Treas . ; E . L . Berry , Sec ; W . Dennis , J . D . ; C . G . Sherwood , I . G . ; C . Stuart Walker , Org . ; H . J . Keen , D . C . ; C . Morrell , Stwd . ; S . Hewitt , P . M . ; C . E . Gilbert , D . J . Drakeford , J . Rowe , A . Cogliate , E . L . Campbell , T . A . Mitchell , F . Johnson , H . G . Walker , A . W . Bray , H . Price , and W . J . Harvey . The visitors were Bros . W . B . Fendick , P . G . D . Berks . ; G . H . Foan , P . M . 1614 ; H . J . Wise ; F . Lockett , W . M . 2222 ; C . E . Turnbull , S . W . 190 ; T . Kewer , P . M . 880 and 2222 ; T . Watt , 2030 ; W .

Cleghorn , P . M . 12 S 7 ; A . L . Bullen , P . M . 1614 ; J . W . Dawson , 1624 ; G . H . Reynolds , W . M . 2191 ; W . O . Welsford , W . M . 1231 ; S . Ellis , W . M . 1981 ; A . M . Kellaway , 1614 ; H . Luff , J . W . 2460 ; W . J . Mason , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; J . Williams , W . M . 2146 ; W . A . Colyer , P . M . 193 ; E . Parsons , 1627 ; J . H . Price , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey ; W . J . Harris , P . M . 1321 ; T . H . Todd , J . D . 1901 ; G . C . Bond , P . M . 1614 ; J . H . Lane , 2146 ; C . Prentis , 2222 ; J . H . Mayo , P . M . 2222 ; Geo . Moorman , P . M . 1638 and 1981 and W . M . 2540 ; S . H . Baker , W . M . 226 5 ; W . R . Wood , 2099 ; F . J . Little , P . M . ; C . H . Worley , 2270 ; and R . T , West , 1744 .

After the confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting the W . M . initiated Mr . Henry James Foan , and afterwards passed Bro . T . A . Mitchell . The excellent working of Bro . Burgess was much appreciated by the members and visitors . Bro . S . Hewitt , P . M ., then occupied the chair , and raised Bros . Drakeford and Johnson to the Third Degree , performing the ceremony in a commendable manner . Bro . Burgess then proceeded with the important task of installing Bro . John Robert Cleave as his successor , which he did with precision and dignity .

The following were appointed and invested as officers for the year : —Bros . E . L . Berry , S . W . ; VV . Dennis , J . W . ; F . W . Buxton , P . M ., Treas . ; S . Hewitt , P . M ., Sec ; C . G . Sherwood , S . D . ; H . J . Keen , J . D . ; C . Stuart Walker , I . G . ; C . Wheatley , D . C . ; C . Morrell , A . D . C . ; C . E . Gilbert and A . W . Bray , Stwds . ; and W . Lane , Tyler . The delivery of the usual addresses was very ably and impressively rendered by Bro . Burgess , and he is to be congratulated on the efficient manner in which he carried out the installation ceremony .

Letters were read from Bros , the Earl of Onslow , Prov . G . Master ; Fredk . West , Dep . Prov . G . Master ; W . M . Stiles , G . Treas ., and others , regretting their inability to attend . A gentleman was proposed for . initiation at the next meeting , and After other business the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a

sumptuous banquet , which was prepared by Bro . Mayo in his usual good style . The W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in brief but eloquent terms . In proposing " The Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the W . M . made special mention of those who had honoured the lodge with their presence , and had made great efforts for the Craft , and the province in particular , and he coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Langton and W . J . Mason .

In response , Bro . LANGTON said it was a great pleasure and honour to be an officer of the Province of Surrey , which now mustered 40 lodges and many chapters . The province had sustained a great loss by the much regretted death of Bro . Col . Noel Money , but in his successor , the Earl of Onslow , they had one who had worked very hard for Freemasonry , and he would be popular in the

province . Then as to the Deputy Prov . G . Master , Bro . Fred . West , who he was sorry was not present , there was no one more respected for his great efforts . He spoke at length upon the good work done by the Charity Committee of the province , and in conclusion he congratulated the lodge in having in Bro . Cleave so efficient and genial a Master .

Bro , W , J . MASON also responded . He was delighted to attend their lodge , in which he had so many dear friends , and he hoped it would ever be prosperous . If he might say so , he had worked hard for the province , and it would be a pleasure to him to continue to do so . Bro . C . O . BURGESS , the l . P . M ., in proposing "The Worshipful Master , " spoke highly of Bro . Cleave ' s many excellent qualities , which were calculated to enable him to fill his important office with dignity , earnestness , and loyalty to the

lodge . He had been closely connected with him for the last two years , and could testify as to his worth , and he would add lustre to the lodge , which was quite safe in his hands . In the Worshipful Master's business the word selected to represent the firm in the telegraphic code was " Earnestness , " and that appeared to him ( Bro . Burgess ) to supply the key-note to his character . He was earnest and liberal in the cause , and the handsome organ that he had given to the lodge was much appreciated by the members . The toast was drunk with acclamation , and

Bro . J . R . CLEAVE , W . M ., on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received . He said that his heartiest thanks were due to Bro . Burgess for his kind but flatter , ing words in proposing the toast , but he did not deserve anything like half the good things said of him . It was his earnest wish to follow his good predecessors , but it would be impossible for him to excel Bros . Burgess , Mason , and Langton , yet he would do evertning lhat lay in his power to promote the interests of the lodge and the happiness of the members .

In appropriate terms the WORSHIPFUL MASTER gave the toast of 'The Installing Master , Bro . Burgess , and Past Masters , " observing that Bro . Burgess ' s working that night was excellent and could not have been done better . He was founder of the lodge , and had had a very successful and happy year of office , and his great effort s wou Id never be forgotten . He then presented him with a Past Master ' s jewel as a small token in recognition of the ability with which ha had discharged his duties , and he also handed him a handsome silver mounted album with portraits of the numbers of the hdge as evidence , if any was needed , of their appreciation of his sterling qualities .

Bro . C . O . Buuoiiss , I . P . M ., on rising to respond , had quite an ovation . In an earnest speech he said that he was deeply touched with their manifestation , and he thanked the VV . M . for his kind and generous words . The office of W . M . was an honoured one and he had had a very happy time . He congratulated himself and the other founders on the success that had crowned their efforts , as the lodge

was a prosperous one , and he ventured to think that it would become a great power in the province . Although only a young lodge they had done well fo the ' _ h ., nlie . s , , ii . d he urged tne members to support the W . M ., who was going up as Steward 111 July . In eluquent terms he referred to the presentations made to him that evening , which he acknowledged with sincere gratitude , and he appre-

Annual Meeting Of The Molesey Lodge, No. 2473.

ciated the great kindness , friendship , and generous feeling which had been shown to him by the members . In giving "The Initiate , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER remarked that in the course of time Bro . Foan would make an excellent member , as his father was an eminent and earnest Mason , and a well-known Preceptor , and he would be able to teach him everything .

Bro . H . J . FOAN , who was accorded a hearty reception , responded . He was proud that he had been accepted into Freemasonry , and he thanked them for the kind treatment he had received . He was honoured by having been invested with a collar of office immediately after his initiation , and it would be his aim to perform , and he hoped with satisfaction , on the grand organ so generously given by the W . M .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed " The Visitors , " and he associated with the toast the names of Bros . Price , Fendick , Reynolds , and Colyer . Bro . J . H . PRICE , P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , replied that it was his third visit to the lodge , and that the visitors had enjoyed the excellent working of the l . P . M ., Bro . Burgess , who was perfection , and would be closely followed by the W . M ., who was well-known for his good workmanship and geniality , and in conclusion , he remarked that the banquet was everything that could be desired .

Bro . W . B . FENDICK , P . G . D . Berks , also responded , re-echoing the remarks of the previous speaker , and observing that the lodge had a good ruler , and if tbe members cleaved to him , he would cleave to them . Bro . G . H . REYNOLDS said that it was difficult to find so young a lodge which had carried out the precepts of Masonry , and had so well supported the several Institutions .

Bro . W . A . COLYER , P . M ., also responded . He had been a Mason for 14 years , but that was the first time that he had had the privilege of attending a provincial lodge , and he was very pleased with what he had seen and heard . Everything was good , both in the ritual and otherwise . He had seen Grand Officers act as Installing Masters , but certainly they had not done better than the work they had had that day from Bro . Burgess . He had known the W . M . for many years . He was a good friend and a thorough man of business , and the lodge would prosper under his generalship .

The toast of " The Officers " was heartily received , and responded to by Bro . S . HEWITT , P . M ., Sec . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a memorable and enjoyable evening , and the W . M . is to be congratulated on the great success of the happy gathering . The vocal entertainment was carried out under the able direction of Bro . Stuart Walker , in which the following also took part : Bros . Herbert Emlyn , Harris , Wood , and Mr . Gurney Russell . Bro . H . ] . Foan ( the initiate ) ably presided at the pianoforte .

BRO . JOHN ROBERT CLEAVE ,

who was installed third Worshipful Master of the Molesey Lodge . 'No . 2473 , on the 6 th inst ., is the pioprietor of the Hotel Windsor , Victoria-street , S . W ., a director of the Swindon Junction Hotel Company , Limited , a member of St . Margaret ' s Vestry , Westminster , and although necessarily busily occupied by his numerous responsibilities , still devotes much of his energy and interest to the cause of Freemasonry . Our brother was initiated in the Concord LodgeNo . 1135 in June , 1879 , was one of the founders and first J . W . of

, , the Molesey Lodge , to the prosperity of which he has largely contributed by his hearty co-operation with his brother founders in their determination to make it a success . He is also a member of the Abbey Lodge , No . 2030 , and the Eccentric Lodge , No . 2488 . He is a Royal Arch companion and member of the Emblematic Chapter , No . 1321 , and the Georg * Price Chapter , No . 2096 , and in the Rose Croix Degree he is a member of the Sovereign Palestine Chapter , No . 29 , and has taken an active interest in supporting the Masonic Charities .

Bro. John Lane, P.D.G.D.C.

BRO . JOHN LANE , P . D . G . D . C .

Bro . John Lane , upon whom , in recognition of his invaluable literary services to Freemasonry , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master , has been p leased to confer the rank of Past Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies , and whom we had the pleasure of congratulating on this well-merited distinction in out

" Notes" of last week , was initiated in the Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 , on the i 5 September , 1878 , and having filled sundry minor offices , was elected and installed W . M , in 1882 , Having joined the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 2076 , in June , 1887 , he was later in the same year appointed to the rank of Past P . G . Registrar , Devon , in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee . The year following the Grand Lodge of Iowa , U . S . A ., conferred upon him the rank of Past S . G . W ., as a testimony to his great literary merits , while on similar grounds the lodges of St .