Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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MERCHANT NAVY LODGE ( No . 7 S 1 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Silver Tavern , Burdett-road , E ., on the Sth inst . Bro . R . F . Ould , VV . M ., opened the lodge , with the supportof Bros . } . Lax , S . W . ; F . Robinson , J . " W . ; B . C . Rawe , I . P . M ., Treas . ; E . T . Read , P . M ., Sec ; VV . B . Daniell , P . M . ; A . Scheerboom . P . M . ; C . Breden , P . M . ; J . VV . Reeves , P . M . ;

J . H . Pringle , S . D . ; T . Gaisford , J . D . ; J . VV . Chapman , D . C ; G . Palmer , I . G ., Org . ; VV . Long , R . K . Bull , W . Gregory , J . Everett , H . Webb , F . F . Nash , A . Clements , A . Saville , T . Hudson , F . G . Varcoe , VV . Scanes , B . Spurging , Timson , J . Wright , P . M ., and others . Among the visiting brethren were Bros . A . J . Delville , 1662 ; j . T . Bebrouth . 4 S 6 , Calcutta ; J . Andrews , 359 ; A . W .

Ellingford , VV . M . S 34 ; and G . H . Stephens , J . W . 1 G 23 , 1382 , and S 9 S ( Freemason ) . The principal business before the lodge—the candidates for other Degrees being away at sea—was to ballot for the admission as a member of the lodge of Bro . J . T .

Bebrouth , a Fellow Craft of St . John Lodge , 4 SG , Calcutta . This proving favourable , Bro . Ould conferred upon the newly-elected brother the Sublime Degree of M . M ., which was performed in a really masterly style . The discussion of the revised rules of the Book of Constitutions occupied considerable time , and lodge was closed at rather a late

hour . The remainder of the evening was spent in social harmony and intercourse . The usual toasts were duly honoured and briefly responded to , thereby permitting the greater portion of the time to be employed in singing

some capital songs , all of which were heartil y enjoyed . Bro . Palmer , whose attention to the musical portion of the ceremonies deserves a word of praise , also accompanied the brethren vocalists , and a most pleasant and enjoyable evening was passed , and the brethren separated in harmony .

DORIC LODGE ( No . 933 ) . —A short , but pleasant meeting of this good old lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 14 th inst . Present : Bros . G . A . Payne , VV . M . ; Stephen Crane , S . W . ; VV . E . Bridgeland , J . W . j T . J . Barnes , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Bowron , P . M ., Sec . ; C . Dance , I . G . ; J . West , D . C ; A . Calver , Stwd . ; G . T . H . Seddon , P . M ., Org . ; Past Masters , Bros . VV .

Edney , G . Holhngton , R . G . Tucker , W . Wainwright , R . Ayton , J . Griffin , J . Digby ; also Bros . G . Lusk , J . Smith , W . Smith , Carslake , Hunt , Brown , Wilcox , J . Lee Dale , J . Grey , and others . Visitors : Bros . H . VV . Clarke , S . W . 1625 ; A . R . Motion , 453 ; S . R . Baskett , S . W . 1367 ; G . H . Stephens , J . W . 1 G 23 ; 13 S 2 , S 9 S ( Freemason ) . 1 he business before the lodge was ( after observance of

due formalities ) the balloting for and initiation of Mr . J . Lee Dale , a gentleman who is a personal friend of the W . M . and many of the leading brethren of the lodge . The ballot proving unanimously in his favour , that gentleman was duly admitted into the mysteries of the Order , Bro . Payne rendering the ceremony most satisfactorily , and well fulfilling the promise of good working shown at

the outset of his year of office . After the lodge was closed the brethren enjoyed an hour of social enjoyment , Bro . Payne wisely giving a few of the usual toasts with point and brevity . Some excellent singing was supplied by the brethren , and Bro . Calver gave a capital reading from Shakespeare . A highly pleasing incident of the evening was a proposal by Bro . T . I . Barnes , the veteran P . M ., and the Treasurer

of the lodge , to drink . " Long Life and Prosperity " to Bro . J . Bowron , P . M . and Secretary , who that evening had reached the eve of his seventy-fifth birthday . This was most heartily responded to , and Bro . Bowron feelingly replied . Bro . Barnes was next honoured in a similar manner , he having attained his seventy-third year , and the brethren cordially expressed their wishes that T . G . A . O . T . U . would long spare these two veteran Craftsmen to the lodge and to the brethren generally .

CAPPER LODGE ( No . 1076 ) . —The installation meeting of the above popular and influential lodge took place on Friday , the 10 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , City , when Bro . James Mitchell , S . W . and W . M . elect , was , with the usual ceremonies , and in the presence of a large assembly of the members of the lodge and visiting brethren , placed in the chair of K . S . for the

ensuing twelve months . The lodge was opened shortly after four p . m ., by Bro . J . T . K . Job , VV . M ., who , as soon as the minutes of the previous meeting had been confirmed , proceeded to instal his successor . Bro . Mitchell was presented to the Installing Officer by Bro . H . Taplay , P . M ., and having taken the obligation , was duly installed and saluted in the several degrees . He then invested his

officers as follows : Bros . VV . Dorton , S . W . ; VV . Nevins , J . W . j J . Dorton , P . M ., Treasurer ; J . C Pitt , Secretary ; A . R . Mason , S . D . ; R . Brown , J . D . ; VV . H . Hams , I . G ; W . Watkins , D . C ; T . S . Green , W . S . ; C . Mears , Asst . W . S . ; M . Sherwin , Org . ; and VV . Page , P . M ., Tyler . The addresses , notwithstanding the fact of Bro . Job labouring under a severe cold with

hoarseness , were then admirably rendeied , and the ceremony closed amid well-earned applause . There being no further business before the lodge , it was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet . Among those present , besides the brethren abovenamed , were Bros . E . West , P . M ., and P . P . G . P . Herts ;

J . Gaskel , P . M . j H . Holliday , P . M . ; A . Knox , P . M . ; F . Brien , P . M . ; P . McCarthy , P . M . ; T . Vincent , P . M . ; W . Temple , G . Parkhurst , J . Still , W . Watkins , R . Brown , R . Brown , jun . ; J . Spencer , C . R . Sayers , G . Treadwell , R . G . Smith , James Tytheridge , J . Mills ,

w . u . Crow , W . M . btockvis , K . Harris , J . U . Simpson , M . Callcott , J . Elder , VV . M . 1472 ; J . P . Moore , P . M . 1 259 ; E . Benjamin , W . M . 1776 ; H . Taylor , P . M . 1431 ; V . j . Holloway , S . W . 1472 ; C . T . Lewis , J . W . 1472 ; J . Charlton , J . W . 1259 ; J . Tayler , 554 ; R . Dipple , •744 ; J . Gibson , 1876 ; T . Hallett , 1 S 16 ; S . Smith 1805 ; E . Krog , 554 J J- R- B- Brown , "Chigwell ;"'

Craft Masonry.

G . H . Stephens ; and C . Jolly , J . D . 1472 , & c , & c . ( Freemason ) . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been disposed of , the I . P . M ., Bro . Job , rose to propose the toast of " The W . M . " He said no words of his could tell them better than they knew themselves , how courteous andgenial their W . M . had been to them all when he occupied the position

of Secretary , a position he had filled with so much credit and advantage to the lodge . He was sure that in the position he ( tneir VV . M . ) now held , he would be an honour to the unanimous choice that had placed him there . He would , however , say no more in his favour , but would leave it to him to show in the future that his excellent services in the past were but a prelude to a prosperous and happy year

of office for him , and harmony to the brethren , and honour to the lodge . Bro . Mitchell , who was cheered on rising to respond , said , after thanking them very kindly for their reception of the toast , that he could assure them that he should endeavour to carry out the duties entrusted to him to their satisfaction . He fully understood the dilliculties of the task set him in

following- such excellent Master Masons as those who had preceded him , and earned so much honour for the lodge and credit to the chair ; but trusted to receive from all a little consideration . There was now before him a most pleasing duty — a duty that had unfortunately been neglected in open lodge—and that was to present their esteemed I . P . M . with the jewel of his office . He could

only say that he wished it had fallen into the hands of some one more fitted to do it , but if he could not find words to tell Bro . Job how much his efforts for the welfare of the lodge had been appreciated , that jewel would speak for itself much more eloquently than he could . He then pinned the jewel on Bro . Job ' s breast , and in the name of the lodge trusted that T . G . A . O . T . U . might give him health

and strength long to wear it and come among them , and give them his assistance and advice for the benefit of the lodge and Freemasonry at large . The toast of "The Past Masters" followed , and Bro . Job in response , said he had been a Past Master so short a time that he felt like a young chicken just hatched ; in fact hardly out of its shell . He must , however , thank them for

the very handsome jewel just pinned upon his bosom b y their VV . M ., and could only say that he had tried to do his duty , both as Master of the Capper Lodge and as a Freemason , while in the chair . He had worked through every office placed in his charge with a thorough desire to satisfy them , and believed he had succeeded . He had attended lodges of instruction to perfect himself for those offices , and

could only say that what he had there learned he should at any time be glad to impart to the VV . M ., or any of the brethren who might require it . Bro . West , as one of the oldest Past Masters of the lodge , expressed his pleasure at being present , and hoped to be with them for many years to come . Bro . Gaskell said he would stick to the lodge as long as

he had health and strength . Bio . Holliday felt pleased to see one of his initiates fill the chair so well . Bro . Mitchell was the second W . M . who had been initiated during his ( Bro . Holliday's ) year of office , Bro . Taplay , P . M ., being the other . He was happy to say that the sole object of the Past Masters , and the members generally , was to support Masonry , and behave to one

another as Masons should do . Bro . Dorton would do anything that laid in his power to uphold the lodge in its present prosperous condition . Bro . Brien was proud to see the good feeling that existed between the Past Masters and members of the lodge . Bro . McCarthy announced his determination to go up as Steward for the Boys' School next year , and told them to

prepare their subscriptions , so as to make his list worthy of the lodge . Bro . Taplay congratulated his brother initiate on arriving at the chair , and trusted that for many years they might work together for the benefit of the lodge . The toast of "The Visitors" followed . Bro . Elder , in response , referred with pleasure to the excellent working of Bro . Job . The Henley Lodge , over

which he had the honour to preside , was an offspring of the Capper ; and having seen Bros . McCarthy , Taplay , and now Bro . Job , instal their successors so admirably , he should , although they could not all be Admiral Seymour or Sir Garnet Wolseley in Masonry , try to follow their example at the Henley .

Bro . Holloway spoke highly of the working and unbounded hospitality offered the visitors . Bros . Taylor and Benjamin also responded . The following toasts were " The Masonic Press , " " The Officers , " and Tyler ' s toast ; and altogether a pleasant and enjoyable gathering marked the annual festival of the Capper Lodge .

KENNINGTON LODGE ( 1381 ) . —This lodge met at the Horns Tavern , Kennington-park , on the 7 th inst . Among those pre ? ent were : Bros . Webb , W . M . ; Cockburn , S . W . j Appleton , J . W . ; W . Mann , P . M . Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M . Sec ; Stranger , S . D . ; Cooper , J . D . ; Bates , I . G . j Cruse , D . C ; Meredyth , W . S . ; Speedy , I . P . M . ; Koch , P . M . j George Everett , P . M . ;

H . Higgms , P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . P . G . S . B . Middx ., P . M . ; and Kohler , P . M . The visitors were : Bros . Dawson , P . M . 1 S 53 ; Brook , P . M . 1 SS 9 ; Hollyman , 27 ; Tear , 72 ; Thompson , 169 ; Matz , -219 ; Purvis , 749 ; C . Sims , SGi ; H . Salter , SGi ; Griffin , 973 ; and Pratt , 1539 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Messrs . VV . T . Buckstone and E . R . Allen , were impressively initiated into Craft mysteries by the

W . M . Bro . Lingley having been examined and entrusted was then duly passed as a E . C . The lodge was shortly afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . Upon the removal of the cloth the usual toasts were done full justice to . "The Health of the VV . M . " was proposed by Bro . Speedy . In the course of his speech he congratulated the

VV . M . upon the manner in which he had performed the two ceremonies that evening , and concluded by expressing a hope that the remainder of the W . M . ' s year of office would in every way be prospcious and happy . The VV . M ., in reply , briefly said that he always had

endeavoured to discharge his duties as a Mason , and he should continue to do so . He was exceedingly pleased with the way everything bad been conducted that evening , and in conclusion , he could only re-echo the wish so kindly uttered by the I . P . M ., that his term of office would in every respect be successful . " The Initiates" followed , and was drunk with

Craft Masonry.

enthusiasm . Bros . Buckstone and Allen , having replied , "The Health of the Visitors " came next in order , and gave Bros . Brook and Dawson , and others in their reply , an opportunity of indulging in a few complimentary remarks , more or less bearing upon the efficient working of the lodge . The toast of " The Past Masters " was coupled with the name of Bro . Speedy , who responded . " The Treasurer and Secretary" came next . Bro . Mann and Stuart having acknowledged , the compliment , "The Health of thc ' Oflicers " terminated the proceedings .

THE GREAT CITY LODGE . ( No . 1426 ) . — The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday evening , the nth inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel . There were present Bros . Kibble , VV . M .,- Keeble , S . W . ; Freeman , P . M . ( pro leni ) , J . W . ; Headon , P . M ., Treas . ; Blackie , P . M ., Sec ; Fendick , S . D . ; Potter , J . D . ; Skinner , I . G . ; several Past Masters ; and the following visitors : Bros . Medwin , W . M . 1 G 13 ; Grabham , P . M . ly ;

I ' ountain , P . M . 121 G ; Reeves , S 07 ; Foster , 7 65 ; Sands , 1 C 23 ; Ducker , 1 GS 7 ; and Lawrence , 1 S 04 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the last lodge read and confirmed , Bro . Donaldson , who was initiated at the last lodge , was passed to the Degree of F . C . At the request of the VV . M ., Bro . Stevens , P . M ., delivered a lecture on the tracing board of the Second Degree , which was warmly applauded . The lodge was then closed , and

the bicthren adjourned for refreshment . After the removal of the cloth , the VV . M . said that the first toast that was always given was that of " The Queen , " and was never more cordially received than by Freemasons , as she ruled in the hearts and affection of her peole . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was that of " The Most Worshipful the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " This was a toast that was always

a popular one , and more especially so amongst Freemasons . It had been well said that he was always popular , and the reason of that was because he was always engaged in doing some good work , doing the right thing at the ri g ht moment , and in the right way . When that meed of praise is accorded to him they would say that was quite enough , and , therefore , without any further comment , he would give them "The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince

of Wales , " a toast which was most cordially received . The VV . Master said the next toast he had to propose was " The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The brethren would agree with him that they considered it to be a high honour to them that those engaged in the high branches of Freemasonry yet found time to attend to their

duties in Grand Lodge , thereby reflecting honour upon themselves as well as to the Craft at large . He was glad to see that their illustrious Bro . the Duke of Connaught had arrived back home , and he ( the W . M . ) had lately been reading an account of a meeting he had attended at Cario , and there to receive the congratulations of his brother Masons , and as an Englishman to accept from them such a tribute of goodwill . As he had not eloquence to do

honour to the toast , he would , without further comment , give them " The Health of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which was well received . Bro . Stevens , P . M ., said , in the absence of the I . P . M ., it devolved upon him to propose the next toast , and he regretted that there were not more of the Past Masters present to do honour to it , which was to him a source of regret ; but he had the heartfelt pleasure in proposing it , as it was

" The Health of one of the Initiates of the lodge who had obtained the honourof obtaining the position of VV . M . " who was endeavouring , and indeed did discharge the duties of the chair in a most able manner , and he hoped it would be an incentive to young members coming forward to perform their duties , so that they might be able to do credit lo the lodge and to themselves individually . They would all agree with him that the present VV . M . in the

chair had carried on the business in a very able manner , and what he had done would be appreciated by all future Masters . Bro . Kibble had endeared himself to all by his excellent qualities and modest demeanour with all the relations in the lodge ; and he ( Bro . Stevens ) could say that during his year of office he was a model of obedience and ability . If a Master deserved to be supported , it was his duty , in the first place , himself to oav obedience to the

laws which , on his becoming Master , he would have to enforce upon others . In conclusion , he wished the W . M . health and prosperity during his year of office . I he toast was heartily responded to . The W . M . said : Brethren , I rise to thank you for the very kind and hearty monner in which you have responded to the toast of my health ; but I feel some embarrassment in adequately replyinrr to that toastas Bro . Stevens ha «

, amongst many things , told you of my virtues j but he has not told you of my faults . The brethren have encouraged me to rise to my present position , and as to your support , I am sure I shall always have that . Bro . Stevens has spoken of my obedience , which was a virtue that commended itself when the commands were justj but , as an Englishman , I shall not hesitate to put down my foot as firmly , or be wanting in courage to do what is rierht . and

then 1 am sure that 1 shall receive your sanction and approval . The W . M . next gave " The Visitors , " and , enumerating them , spoke of their respective good qualities . Bros . Medwin and Grabham returned thanks . Bro . Duchery , 1 GS 7 , said he thanked the VV . Master for the honour he had conferred upon him in allowing him to address them as a visitor . It was , however , no easy taskto pav the lodrrea rnmniimpnf tU- ^ i it Im . l n .. t-.. ? . <> .. . : i

before , for Masonry was a well-worn subject . When he beheld all the good laces around the tables , the concord and harmony dwelling amongst them , every one must feel happy that he was a Mason . In this world , however , nothing was perfect ; there was no pleasure without painno rose without its thorns . Amongst Masons there were grumblers , and , perhaps he , although an English Mason , was one of them . Some ol these complained of the ease with which anyone could be initiated , and ( hat .-in ,, ™ .

, bringing the necessary fee in his hand would be readily received . Others that a great deal too much time was given to the ritual ; while others , again , complained of the rotation system , and bitterly so , that as there were a hundred members before them , that they should never reach the chair . Some of these complaints were deserved and some were not . In this country Masonry was ruled according to its political state , its wants , and its tendencies , and , therefore its peaceful attitude reflected the calm state of