Ladies' Night Of The Strong Man Lodge, No, 45.

which the toast had been proposed , the best he could do was to obey what the W . M . had said that the speeches were to be short . Bro . M ILLS , l . P . M ., proposed "The Ladies , " and said it reminded him painfully of his inability to give the toast in the terms its importance deserved , but he was sure what was lacking in his style would be made up in the hearty response to the toast . Although the lodge ' s arrangements were such that they were unable on more than one out of six nights to invite ladies to their gatherings the Ladies '

Night was one which stood out so prominently in their hearts as to dwarf all the other meetings into insignificance . In their high appreciation of the ladies , Masons were following in the footsteps of King Solomon —( laughter)—and other wise founders of the Order , who out of love for the ladies restricted the laborious work of Masonry to the hands of men . Hence , their inability to initiate ladies into those principles of which Masons were the happy guardians , and for the strict passing on of which they were responsible . The ladies by their presence

to-nig ht showed their sympathy for Freemasonry , a sympathy brought about by many causes , but largely , he would undertake to say , by the respect they had for many of Masons' most important rulers , and among other things by that outcome of Freemasonry which was prominently before them , the three Masonic Institutions . The lodge gave the ladies a most hearty welcome and the brethren

sincerely trusted this lodge would ever be favoured by such distinguished gatherings as the present . He called on Bro . John Briggs , who had so ably assisted the W . M . and the other officers in the carrying out ofthe arrangements for this meeting , and in whose assistance the pleasure of the evening was largely due ,-to respond to the toast . Finally he would express the hope that the ladies' pleasure in coming was equal to that of the brethren in receiving them .

Bro . J BRIGGS , in acknowledging the toast , congratulated the ladies on having such a champion as Immediate Past Master Mills ; but not on having a little henchman coming after him and crying " Oyez , Oyez , Oyez . " All Bro . Mills had said was thoroughly deserved , and if he had said 10 , 000 times more the ladies would have deserved 10 , 000 times more still . Speech in connection with the subject of the ladies was not difficult . They were sisters and friends of men whom they rejoiced to call brothers , and they treated them as sisters . These

ladies knew something of Freemasonry ; they knew when a sad accident occurred how Masons assisted . In a speech which had been made it was insinuated that ladies only took a small part in Masonry . He could tell the brethren that one country lodge with which he was connected had banners , and they were old ; they were replaced by a new set , and the brethren were glad to hear they were the work

of a sister of a member of the lodge . There was a Charitable Association in connection with the Strong Man Lodge , and the ladies were strongly represented in it . The lodge would be glad to see more . He would ask the ladies whether in responding to that toast he was correctly expressing their feelings when he thanked the brethren who drank their health . ( Considerable laughter was caused by several ladies crying out ' ' Oh , yes . " )

Bro . SVMONS , P . M ., proposed " The Visitors , " and Bros . C . J . SMITH and H . MASSEY responded . The variety entertainment provided for the brethren of thc lodge , their ladies , and the visitors consisted of some excellent sentimental singing by Madame Alice Lovenez and Miss Hannah Hotten ; Bro . R . B . Hopkins on the bells ; and Bro . J . J . Berry ; humorous songs by Bros . Tom Taylor and Tom Burgess ; and Bro . Fred Russell ' s exquisite ventriloquial sketch with Coster jjoe . Bro . W . Emerson , Stwd ., presided at the piano .

Annual Concert Of The Old Masonians.

ANNUAL CONCERT OF THE OLD MASONIANS .

the Old Masonians gave a concert on Thursday , the ioth instant , in aid of the Benevolent and Grant Fund of their Association . There was a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen present , who showed warm appreciation of the entertainment put before them . The programme was tastefully . irranged , and the performance throughout was one of a charmingly varied nature , the artistes showing high musical ability and praiseworthy skill .

Undoubtedly the finest performance of II 13 evening was "A May morning , ' by Miss Amy Sadler ; who , in response to the encore which greeted her , sang " Rory O'More " in a manner that again charmed and delighted all who heard her . The comic element was supplied by Mr . R . Edington Bell , who sang " The very heavy villain" and the " Nightmare Song" from " Iolanthe , " and Bro . Harold

Williams , who , in a calm and philosophical style , admirably suited to the humour of the piece , recited "A Lawn Tcnnysonian Idyll . " I'or Mr . Bell ' s performance we have nothing but praise ; he possesses a rich sense of humour , which he has no difficulty in bringing to the front in all his songs , while he emphasises his points not only with force and skill , but with the greatest delicacy and good taste ,

1 J ames Portland , the well-known conjuror and society entertainer , kept lhe close attention of the audience for the best part of an hour , his performance comprising sleight-of-hand , shadow-picturing , and paper-folding feats of the hij-hest order of skill .

Not b y any means the least popular item of the programme was Romberg ' s * oy Symphony , given by members and visitors of the Association , under the conductorshi p of Jlr . W . M . Saunders , which , on account of the singular character or the musical effects , evoked much interest and considerable mirth . The 'ofiowing also assisted : Misses Roxey JlcCulloch , Lottie Lewis , Messrs . Patrick O Doherty , and W-. M . Saunders .

The members of this Association would be very pleased to see any supporters 0 the School at their concerts and other meetings , particulars of which can always be obtained from the Hon . Secretary , Mr . Horace Lewis , Anderton ' s Hote ) i leet-street , E . C .

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF GRAND LODGE AND BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

lhe quarterly meeting of the Board of Masters and the monthly meeting of I e ° " of Benevolence were held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Bo ' d ry Matthews ' President of the Board of Benevolence , presided at the He ' 1 f Jlaslers > l 0 which the agenda paper for Grand Lodge was submitted . l ' Y j l ) rusidtid ^ the Board of Benevolence , Uro . D . D . Mercer , Senior Vice-CMtienl , and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune . [ unior Vice-President , occupying their

I al A ChUirS ' TherU Wcre alb 0 P resunt Bros - E ' Letchworth , G . Sec . ; W . { » ' r * St' G' Sec- ; W' Dodd ' G S Recknell , H . Sadler , Henry Garrod , Chas . Mul ' v T' William Kishcr . W . Russell , William Vincent , G . Std . Br . ; E . C . \ 'r-., Y " :: H * Go'dschiiiidt , E . W . Nightingale , William P . Brown . W . Kinos .

1 ( . Uol ' 7 u' !; !' 'i W . Wills , C . i'rrlnian , John Ellinger , Walter Martin . Mead Ai- . "" ' - ' ' C ; iii- > hoIin , VV . J . Ferguson , J . Harrison , A . C \ GicnY uYJ ^ " ' J- S- E'dmans , Wm . H . Cuiumiiigs , Henry A . Tolas , Ludwig * -. W . Groome , W . Baddeley , Jas . i \ Watts , Chas . Allen , J . P . W . Ker ,

General Committee Of Grand Lodge And Board Of Benevolence.

Robert Colvell , B . Kauffmann , Llewellyn J . Phillips , E . W . Marshall , M . Spiegel , H . Massey , W . Noble , Samuel West , George Inglish , H . Gardiner , Walter Sykes , T . G . Daughty , A . E . Remington , Henry J . Jloxon , Daniel Mayers , William Thomas , W . M . 216 S ; George V . Wood , P . M . 1608 ; James Hylhouse , William E . Jones , W . M . 206 ; John Stacker , W . M . 754 ; C . L . Dean , Sydney T . Klein , Edwin George , P . M . and Sec . 14 S 9 ; A . J . Manning , H . Hawkins , P . M . 901 ; James Strong , R . Hovenden , W . Klingenstein , W . Dickeson , Albert Govin , R . Fielder , C . Smales , W . M . 1604 ; R . W . Barber , S . E . Williams , W . M . 749 ; H . Kemp , and H . Hyde , W . M . 1227 .

The brethren first confirmed recommendations to the Grand Master made at the January meeting to the extent of £ 180 . There were on the new list the names of 32 petitioners , whose applications were qualified through lodges in the London district , and at Eye , Tredegar , New Malton , Dover , Hythe , Chatham , Ross-Westland , N . Z . ; Hurstpierpoint , Harwich , Birkenhead , Newport , Mon . ; Grand Lodge of California , Wakefield , Sunderland , Sheerness , Great Yarmouth ,

Oxford , Meerut , Saltash , Shipley , Alnwick , and Mooltan . One of these was deferred and two were dismissed . The remainder were relieved with a total sum of ^ 850 . Two of the petitioners were recommended to the Grand Lodge for £ 100 each and one for ^ 50 . Three were recommended to the Grand Master for . £ 40 each and eight for £ 30 each . Ten were relieved with ^ 20 each ; three for £ 10 each ; and two for , £ 5 each .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Mirfield Lodge , No . 1102 . The regular meeting of the above lodge took place at the private rooms , BorougV gate , Mirfield / on Friday , the nth inst . Like many similarly-situited lodges in West Yorkshire , Mirfield is self-contained , and steadily and unobtrusively pursues the even tenour of its way . Always glad to see visitors , it , however , in no sense seeks t > advertise itself ; it is content to do its work consistently and conscientiously , and is satisfied with the reward which such a course invariably affords . The meeting referred to was ,

however , exceptional in interest and importance , and on that account deserves a pissing notice . It appears that the W . M . of the Mirfield Lodge , through the exigencies of business , is absent in Russia . Unable , therefore , to attend personally to his Misonic duties , he has deputed Bro . John Barker , P . P . G . S . of W ., the oldest Past Mister of the lodge , to act in his stead during his enforced absence . There are few better recognised men in West Yorkshire than Bro . John Barker . His mastery of the ritual , his zeal in the cause of Masonic Charity , and his general character for uprightness and

steadfastness have combined to make him as highly re : pect 3 d as he is universally known . His working in the various Degrees , for he appears to be connected with alt , is accurate and impressive . He has filled high positions in most of them , and for some years has held with distinction the important post of Deputy Prov . G . M . of the Mark Misons of West Yorkshire . When , therefore , it became known that Bro . John Barker was about to initiate his own son into Freemasonry , his many friends to-k the opportunity of showing their

respect and sympathy by attending to sup ^ Drt him , and the dais in the very commodiou * lodge ' room displayed on the occasion in question quite an array of distinguished guests . Bro . Barker opened the lodi < eat 6 . 31 , assisted bv the following brethren : Broi . C . E . Sutcliffe , l . P . M . ; T . G . Howell . S . W . ; J . Milner , P . M ., as J . W . ; W . H . Wilson , P . M ., Treas ., as See ; F . H . Hire , P . M ., as S . W . ; Thos . Lane . P . M ., as J . D . ; W . H . Wilkinson , P . M ., as I . G . j and John Cowgill , T y ler . This done , admission was given to the Deputy , Prov . G . M . for West Yorkshire , Bro . John C . Malcolm , P . G . D . of England . He was accompanied and supoorted by Bros . C . Letch

Mason , P . P . G . W ., Prov . G . Mark Master ; G . H . Parke , P . P . G . W . ; Jas . H . Gration , P . M . 1513 , P . P . G . Treas . j f . T . Last , P . M . 2321 , P . P . G . Reg . ; Herbert G . E . Green , P . M . ioig , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . E . Smithies , P . M . 1231 , P . P . G . D . ; H . S . Holdsworth , P . M . 40 S , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . W . Monckman , P . M . 101 S , P . P . G . D . C . ; Thos . Norfolk , P . M . 600 and 266 9 , P . P . G . D . C ; Joseph Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , P- - Asst . G . Sec ; Reuben Williamson , P . M . 521 , P . P . G . D . ; Richard Hodgson , P . M . 44 S ; Walker Dyson , P . M . 22 ' n ; G . Martin , P . M . 702 ; S . Radcliffe , W . M . 1231 ; Charles Lingard , P . M . 1513 ; J . R . Noder , P . M . 1231 ; W . Sharp , J . W . 600 ; and many others . Mirfield Lodge , too , was well represented .

On reaching the pedestal , the acting W . M ., Bro . John Barker , addressed the Deputy expressing the satisfaction of himself and the brethren of Lodge 1102 on receiving Bro . Malcolm at this his firft visit a * Deputy Prov . G . Mister . He assured him of the loyalty and fealty towards himself as Deputy which the brethren felt , and expressed the hope that the conduct of the proceedings which he had honoured them by coming to witness , would meet with his approval . Bro . Barker concluded by tendering his gavel . Bro . J . C . Malcolm , in requesting the W . M . to keep his position , expressed his

satisfaction that he had been able to corns amongst them and knowing the reputation which the acting W . M . had acquired , he felt sure beforehand tint everything would be conducted with propriety and decorum . The Deputy was then saluted as were the Provincial Officers , Bro . J . W . Monckman , P . M . 101 S , acting as Director of Ceremonies . The work upon the agenda was at once proceeded with and Bro . Milner M . Milner was then duly passed to the Degree of F . C , the working tools being very ably presented and explained by Bro . VV . H . Wilson , Treas . After the

lodge had been closed in this degree , Mr . G . V . B . Birker was introduced , and most carefully and solemnly initiated by the acting W . M ., his father . The working tools having been presented and explained by Bro . E . A . Hare , P . M ., the delivery of the charge was postponed , and Bro . Barker , jun ., retired . Announcement was made that the annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge was fixed to take place at Sheffield on Wednesday , the 6 th of April next . Before finally closing * the lodge , the acting Master in the chair expressed his sorrow that their W . M . should not be

with them that evening , but he thought that Russia might fairly be considered beyond the length of his cable tow , and that his absence , though to be regretted , was unavoidable . On asking the usual questions , Bro . J . C . Malcolm , D . P . G . M ., rose 1 He lirst thanked the brethren for their cordial salutation and the miny expressions of welcome he had received . He was very pleased to be amongst them , especially on so intciesting an occasion . He was not disapp > inted , nor was he surprised , for he was beforehand satisfied that the ritual would be rendered with all reverence , and that every

thing else would be done strictly according to the Constitutions . Their acting W . M . was known to be an expert Mason and it must hive afforded him especialj satisfaction to have the privilege of initiating his own son into the Craft . The father had set a good Masonic example which he ( the Deputy ) felt sure the son would follow , and he hoped they would both live long to be ornaments to the Society to which they were all so proud to belong . After a few words in a similar strain from Bio . G . H . Parke , the VV . M . expressed

his thanks to the Deputy and to the many friends who had rallied round him on that occasion . He was , he assured them , very p roud to see so distinguished an array in his support , and assured them that this expression of their s ' ympathy was fully appreciated by him . He trusted that the good wishes of all so ably and so kindly voiced by the Deputy would be tally realised , and that the son , whom he bad initiated that night , would in due course rise to occupy the position in the lodge now temporarily filled by himself , and would also gain the love and affection of his brethren .

After " Hearty good wishes from all the brethren individually , the W . M . closed thc lodge . A very excellent supper f ollowed , after which the loyal and Masonic toasts , usual on these occasions , were heartily given and loyally received . The visit of the Deputy , Bro . J . C . Malcolm , appeared to gratify the Mirfield brethren immensely , and his reception by them was thoroughly cordial and must hive been very gratifying . The meeting was a great success , and those responsible for the comfort and entertainment of the guests may certainly bs congratulated upa . i the satisfactory manner in which they carried out their duties .

I '" i ; o'i MARCH i-jlh to 2 OII 1 the extensive grounds of Earl ' s Court will be occupied by the National Sportsman ' s Exhibition . All requisites in comection with every sport and pastime will be represented , and a specially large section will be devoted to the wheel , fhe lake will b ¦ utilised f-r ths trial of yachts and boats , an i fov the purpose of fly-casting competitions .