Masonic Notes.

We regret to learn that the Prov . Grand Master of Surrey , R . W . Bro . Col . Money , finds it necessary to leave England for a month or two on account ot illhealth . We trust the change vvill have the desired effect , and that he will return perfectly restored . In the meantime the work of the Province vvill in no way suffer in the capable hands of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Fred . West .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

f We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play lo all to pern it—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

ROYAL ARCH PROCEDURE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The question of the exclusion of companions who are not installed Principals from chapters during the ceremony of opening , vvhich vvas raised at the last

Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter , will require careful consideration at the hands of the Committee of General Purposes before any change is made . There must be much stronger reasons for the present custom than were advanced by the companions at the Convocation , otherwise " exclusion " would not

be universal , and have been the rule for such a long time as it evidently has been . Comp . W . W . B . Beach said there was no particular secret divulged during the opening period . Is this so ? If it is , then in this and other provinces the working

must be totally different Irom that to which v _ omp . Beach is accustomed . I cannot here explain myself further , but the next time I am in town I will see Comp . Letchworth , G . S . E ., on the subject . —Yours fraternally ,

C . D . HILL DRURY , M . D ., Prov . G . H . Durham . February gth .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 think there is a great deal of truth in the remarks recently made by M . E . Comp . W . W . Beach , G . J ., with regard to the exclusion of companions during the opening of a chapter , but to my mind there is

another matter vvhich militates far more seriously against the healthy spread of Royal Arch Masonry , and lhat is the vexatious 12 months' probation and the prohibitive fees for exaltation . If , as we are taught , the Royal Arch Degree is but a completion ofthe Third , why should a longer . interval be required than is the

ense between the First and Second , or Second and Third , and a heavy fee charged for admission r I should like all Master Masons to attain this beautiful and supreme Degree , and feel sure many more would do so if they could look upon it really as a continuation of the Third ,

and could become eligible without such a long delay and by payment of a more moderate exaltation fee . Existing rates of subscription need not necessarily be altered . —Yours fraternally , Z . ELECT

442-THE PREFIX OF WORSHIPFUL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The correspondent who signed himself " Not a Steward , " to a letter appearing in your last week's issue , takes great exception to the omission of the

prefix W . ( for Worshipful ) , to the names of the brethren vvho have been good enough to undertake the office of Steward in furtherance of the success of the Annual Festival of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , to be held on Friday , 24 th inst ., as per advertisement .

Thc advertisement in question vvas inserted by me , as Secretary of that lodge , and entirely on my own responsibiliiy . I did not ostentatiously , nor indeed intentionally , omit the prefix , for the simple reason that it never occurred to me to insert it . 1 was not aware that the late Grand Secretary had ever laid it

down as law that the prefix should be used in connection with the names of ordinary brethren vvho have not attained to Grand Lodge honours . Your correspondent may be absolutely rig ht on the point ; I do not pretend to be an authority on such matters , nor does this lodge . His concern for the dignity of the Stewards vvill , 1 feel

sure , be allayed when I tell him that I am not aware of any Steward to these Festivals , during the six years 1 have had intimately to do with them , offering a single word of complaint on the subject . They are a body 1 feel greatly indeb ' ed to , and 1 am pleased to add that there is a thoroughly good understanding between us . If I do nuke a few slips or omissions in connection

with these festivals , the work entailed , 1 am sure , excuses me in ihe eyes of the hrethren vvho know anything about it . In conclusion , if your correspondent vvill favour me withhisnameandaddress . it vvill afford me pleasure to send him a card of invitation to the festival . —Yours trul y and fraternally ,

W . G . KENTISH , Secretary Emulation Lodge of Improvement , 15 th February , 1893 .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonrv .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Lodge Of Fidelity ( No . 3 ) . —The installation meeting of this ancient lodge vvas held on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , when the hrethren assembled in large numbers . The officers vv ^ re Bros . H . S . Wellcoin- ; , VV . M . ; Arthur G . Sandberg , S . W . ; R . J . Ward , P . M ., acting I W . ; George Low , P . M ., Treas . ; Saml .

R . Lovett , P . M ., bee ; George T . Cox , b . D . ; John Cooper , J . D . ; brank Feller , I . G . ; and Robert F . Potter , Tyler . Amongst the visitors present vvere Bros . R . C . Sullovv , P . G . Std . Br . ; Shoppee , W . M . 5 , P . G . S . ; VV . Ebbetts , P . M . 11 , P . G . S . ; Corderoy , P . M . 19 ; J . J . Wedgwood , P . M . 2397 ; W . H . Kiiby , I . P . M . 1905 ; Morris , W . M . 231 : Beads , 172 : Hartman , 200 :

Wallace , P . M . 907 ; Neale , 404 ; A . Domier , Germany ; Chandler , 5 ; li . Jessurun , 2397 ; Prof . Smith , M . D ., 913 ; Cogon 13 SS ; Greening , P . M . 142 O ; Baker , 1366 ; Lewis , P . M . 1150 ; Hislop , W . M . 1637 ; Chapman , P . M . 1257 ; Whitaker , P . M . 1572 ; Cowen , P .. VI . 1572 ; Streeter , 2157 ; VVettenhall , VV . M . 2156 ; Jones , 907 ; Boden , 216 S ; Hart , 2146 ; Taylor , 2256 ; andSteg __ l = s

239 S . Ihe VV . M . installed the Master elect , Bro . Dr . A . G . Sandberg , S . W ., vvith a perfection of ritual vvhich is seldom met with and the various addresses vvere rendered vvith every obtainable good effect in a most impresive and instructive manner . 1 he addresses of the newly-ins ' . alled Master to his officers upon their investiture vvere rendered

vvitha fluency highly commendable , the appointments being : Bros . E . F . Fox , S . VV . ; George 1 ' . Cox , J . VV . ; George Low , P . M ., Treas . ; Samuel k . Lovett , P . M ., Sec ; John Cooper , S . D . ; Frank Feller , J . D . ; Harold Imray , I . G . j A . VV . G . Weeks , P . M ., D . C ; R . S . Hart , Org . ; and R . F . Potter , Tyler . Previous to the installation ceremony Bro . Faulkner vvas raised to the 1 hird Degree and Bro . Hibberd initiated .

After the discussion of several matters of business , the lodge was cbsed , an *! the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where an excellent banquet awaited them . The toasts of •' 1 he Queen " ( vvith musical honours ) and "The M . W . G . M . " having been duly honoured , that cf "The Pro G . Master , D . U . Master , and the re .-t of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " vvas given , and in this

connection the VVorshipful Master made allusion to the eminent brother , one of that august body , on his right ( Bro . K . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . ) , vvho wa > justly celeb-ated far and near for his perfect knowledge of Cralt Masonry . He therefore had a special pleasure in coupling his ( Bro . Sudlow ' s ) name vvith that tia-t . Bro . K . Clay Sudlow , in responding for the Grand

Officers , remarked that he vvas so often a guest of that hospitable lodge , that he felt more like one ot their members than a visiting brother . He , however , regretted that there vvere no other representatives of Grand Lodge present to have enjoved , as he had done , the excellent rendering of the wi rk vvhich had been given that evening . Undoubtedly the record ot the whole year had b . en of a very high order , and

a fitting keystone had be . * n pUced on the work that night by the impressive way in vvhich the retiring Master , brj . Wellcome , had installed his successor . The next toast was proposed in adequate terms by the I . P . M ., vvho requested the brethren t > join him in wishing the VV . M . ' * A Very Happy and Prosperous Year as head of the Fidelity Lodge . " He reminded the brethren that the constitutions of Masonry provided that th- ? re should bc one

master , and from his point of view there could only be one , and in liro . Sandberg he vvas conlidtnt the brethien would find a Master able and willing to undertake the management of that lodge on such lines as would ensure its continued honour and prosperity . The toast vvas heartily supported .

Uro . Sandberg expressed his thanks in a few well chosen words , and then made a presentation of a richly jewelled bracelet to Bro . VV . II . Kiiby , I . P . M . iyOj , and Pieceptor ol the Clarence Lidge of Instruction ( tor Airs . Kirby ) , on behalf of the retiring VV . M . and the ollicers of the lodge , as an expression ol apprcciaiion for his kind preceptorship in instructing them in their ret . ir . cuve oilices during the

past year . In acknowledging this handsome gift , Bro . Kiiby very heartily thanked the W . M . and ihe officers tur tnis kindly expression , and told them that whatever assistance he li d been able to render tltin had been dons with no thought ol reivaid , but Irom thc highe .-t Alasonic motive , namely , to aid freely all who might netd such assistance as had been in his power to extend to ti cm .

' •Th j Health of ihe Installing AIaster " was next proposed , and the w . M . spoke highly of the endeavours liro . Wellcome had made , and the numbers ol rehea saL hc had called , to make ihe brethren fully competent for trie dischargco- their various ollic-s . He felt mat ago jd year

of work had just terminated , and hi vvas also yratel ' ul tu Bro . Wellcome for the manner in which he hail that day installed him in the chair ut K . S ., and in concurring his n marks presented hi 11 vvith the Past Alaster ' s jewel , accom pamed by every gooJ wish that rus hie might be pieseived , that he might wear it amongst th : in lur many yt-ais to come .

Kepljing Bro . Wellcome expressed his thanks for the jewel , and said that in rctuing lroin the oltics uf Ala > ter of the lodge , he wished once inure tu express Ins tnanks to llie brethren lor the very kind way in winch they had tu . jp JI ted him during the year , and es , jtciall ) 11 the officers vvho had so heartily co-operated will ] l . iin u . i every uccesiun , and undoubtedly to this might mainly be at . nbured the su ; - cesdul work of the past year which had already been SJ

kindly commented upon . Ihe Initiate had a hcjrty welcome extended lo hi . n , and Bio . Hibberd , in replying , stated that he had every Lchel Masonry would prove very pleasant to him . All the b st of his Iriends were Alisons , and it was their behaviour , sincerity and cordiality as good Alasons , th t had pioduccd in him the * desiie to becoii . e a Alison himself , lie hupid it would he his good fortune to enjoy many evenings amongst the good brethren he that day met for the lirst turn :.

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The toast of " The Visitors " came next , and responses were made by Bros . Shoppee , Corderoy , Wedgwood , and Professor Smith , vvho each and all expressed the pleasure they had that day experienced both in the lodge meeting and at the banquet table afterwards . The toast of "The Past Alasters" received its usual hearty support , the Fidelity Lodge being specially strong

in its list of Past Alasters , and Bros . Low , Treas . ; Lorett , Sec ; S . Cochrane , and T . Barrett made replies . In introducing the toast of "The Officers , " the W . M , spoke in terms of confidence as to their ability and also intention to make good and active officers during the year , and this encouraged him to look forward with every anticipation of a pleasant year , at the termination of vvhich he believed each of them would feel nothing had been left

undone which could have been done to maintain a high standard in the records of Fidelity Lodge for the term of his mastership . Bro . Cox , J . W ., responded for "The Officers" and assu red the W . M . it vvas his intention , and also that of the other ofiicers , to continue the good work that had commenced under the direction of their late Master , and he felt that the opening 12 months would oe as gratifying as those that had ju . t terminated . The Tyler's toast closed the proceedings .

Faith Lodge ( No . 141 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 31 st ult . Amongst those present vvere Bros . J . Cockram Taylor , W . M . ; Trott , S . W . ; White , J . W . ; VV . Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Stuart , P . M ., Sec . j Godfrey , S . D . ; Gluckstein , I . G . ; Edwin Hopwood , P . AL , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Dairy , P . M . ; Rumball , P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M . ; K . Jordan , P . M . ; Hudson , P . M . ; W .

J . Hakim , P . M . ; Langdale , P . M . ; Welch , I . P . M . j ani Sharpley , Org . Amongst the visitors vvere Bros . A . Lewis , 140 ; A . Schwerzt , S 35 ; T . Nest , 1310 ; and J . Bristow . The minutes of the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed . Bro . C . Chappell vvas raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . J . Reichenberg pissed to the Secind Degree , both ceremonies being impressively performed . In

consequence of the recent death of Bro . J . A . Green , P . M ., the brethren vvere in mourning . A vote of condolence to his family vvas pissed with many expressions of regret . A resolution vvas carried to increase the annual subscription . Subsequently a notice of motion was given to rescind same . A notice of motion vvas also given to decrease the number of meetings from seven to five .

The lodge wis then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the usjal toasts were given . The I . P . M ., in giving "The W . M ., " congratulated him upon the masterly way in which he had carried out his du'ies that evening . The Lodge of Faith had every reason

to be proud of its w . M . The W . M ., in his reply , thanked the I . P . M . for the warmth of his expressions . He said that he considered it his duty as a representative of so old a lidge to dj the work in a creditable manner . If the members were satisfied with his effoits he was amply repaid .

Bros . A . Lewis and J . Bnsto . v responded on behalf of ' •The Victors , " liro . VV . J . Hakim for "The Past Masters" in an easy fluent speech , and Bros . Trott , White , and G ) dfrcy for " Ihe Ollicers . " Uuiing the evening Bros . Sharpley , Fawkes , and ^ Langdale entertained the brethren .

Stability Lodge ( No . 217 ) . —The installation meeting of this very 11 jurishing lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 7 th inst . Present : Bros . 0 * en , VV . AI . ; J . T . Jones , S . VV ., VV . AL elect ; S . llardimin , J . W . ; J . Nixon , P . AL , Sec . ; S . R . Smith , S . D . ; P . II . Garner , J . D . ; W . L . Lyle , I . G . ; J . H , Edwards , D . C . ; VV . Eckersall , P . M . ; VV . Gorrie , P . AL , *

H . Mai fleet , P . AL ; F . Woolmer , P . AI . ; J . T . VVright , P . AL ; H . Lynn , P . AL ; E . T . Baker , S . Leaman , L . Vague , J . A . Ayris , T . Landeker , II . Clowes , J . Ebotham , 11 . Walter , J . liter , T . Lavenbeim , J . Finch , G . Tennant , G . Say , J . Carleton , VV . Woolfe , li . B . Handcock , Wm . Hy . Smith , II . J . Pain , IC . Alanzlg , S . Maier , C . Phillips , F . J . Ostin , E . Cattermole , F . Colpeper , F . H . Bence ,

Job . b . Alornss , and I . Bowler , lyler . Visitors : Bros . W . C . Forman , 171 C ; D . Rose , P . AL 73 ; G . Gordon , 2310 ; P . II . Horley , J . W . 1139 ; C . H . Stjne , S . VV . 507 ; . )•L . Van Gelder , 205 ; J . T . Wood , S 79 ; P . Kingsbury , Stwd . 155 S ; H . Thom , 1 S 39 ; and T . Taylor , Stwd . 45 . ' Ihe minutes of the previous meeting were read and

confirmed . Bro . J . I . Junes , S . W ., VV . M . elect . was pre-ented by Bro . J . Given to receive at the hands of Brj . H . Alarlleet , P . M ., the benefits uf installition , which ccreiiuny was iicrformed in a complimentary manner , the addresses being rendered as became the Stability Lodge , vvhich is noted for the working of that name . The VV . M . next invested his officers as fjllo . vs : Bros . S . A . Hardiman ,

S . VV . ; W . K . Smith , J . W . ; S . P . FLher , Treas . ; J . Nixon , P . AL , Sec ; P . H . Gainer , S . D . ; W . J . Lyle , J . D . ; G . Say , D . C ; J . 11 . Edwards , I . G . ; W . Gorrie , P . AL , and J . K . AjriF , b . vvds . ; S . Leaman , Org . ; and I " . Bowler , lyler . 'Ten guineas vvere voted to the Girls ' Institution , likewise the sum of £ 20 , which had been given to the widow of Uro . France , a late Treasurer of the lodge ,

Irom the Benevolent Fund , and a petition vvas signed on her behalf to be presented to the Board off Benevolence . A very pleasing duty next devolved upjn Bro . Lynn , P . M . ) ably supported by Bro . VV . Eckersill , P . M ., who , in an intellectual and comprehensive speech remarking upon the valuable S . TV ccs of the Secretaiy , in the name uf the lodge presented Bro . Nixon , P . M . anel Sec , with a purse of gold

and a beautifully-framed testimonial bearing the following inscription : "Presented to P . AL Bro . J . Nixon vvith a purse cf gold by ihe VV . AL , P . Ms ., officers , and brethren ul the l . ' . dge ot Stability , 217 , as a slight recognition of his valuable services during 10 years he has belt the orlicc of Secretary , and to mirk tne v ^ ry high esteem i . l which he has always been held by the brethren . " The same was

most g . aciou > ly accepted by liro . Nixon , P . AL , in terms of high appreciation tor all kindnesses rendered , and deep sympathy was shown with Bro . J . Addington , P . M ., who h id met with an acci lent . The business of the lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to an excel . cnt banquet , ably presided over by the VV . M- > who , on the removal ol the cloth , gave the toasts of "The Oueen and the Craft " and "His Royal Highness the M . W .