Annual Banquet Of The St. Edward's. Lodge, No.966.

ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE ST . EDWARD'S . LODGE , No . 966 .

The 30 th anniversary of the consecration of St . Edward ' s Lodge , No . 9 66 , was celebrated by a banquet at the Hotel Rudyard on the 28 th ult . The W . M ., gro . W . Allen , P . P . J . G . W ., presided . The follow , jng officers and brethren were also present : Bros . J .

C . Clemesha , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . Flanagan , S . W . ; H . Phillips , J . W . ; W . E . Challinor . Treas ., P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . T . Govier , Sec . ; ] . Gill , S . D . ; R . Clowes , J . D . ; W . Burton , D . C . ; J . IVton , Org . ; H . N . Lees , Asst . Sec . ; W . H . T . Norfolk , I . G . ; E . A . Wright and W . Birch , Stwds . ; W . Gaunt , Tyler ; 1 ' . H . V . Hainmersley , W . E . Allen , and Henry Allen .

Visitors : Bros . W . R . Blair , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Webberley and J . Taylor , 546 ; S . Chesters-Thompson , 204 ; W . Harrison , P . P . G . Stwd . 267 ; H . L . Muttine , 21 : 82 ; and W . Pilkington . After the banquet the W . M . read letters for nonattendance from Bros . Lieut .-Col . Bindley , D . P . G . M . ; Frank James , P . D . P . G . M . ; Jas . Charlesworth , ' P . G .

S . B . ; and others . The W . M . then proposed the usual Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . Bro . BURTON proposed "The W . Dep . Prov . Grand Master , " and " The Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bro . WEIIUEKLEV responded .

Bro . BI . AIR proposed " Success to St . Edward ' s Lodge . " The W . M ., in responding to this toast , alluded in feeling . terms to many reminiscences in connection with the lodge , and to the fact that he was the only survivor of the original founders , and that only three of the large number who attended the consecration 30 years ago were then present , viz ., himself and Bros .

Blair and Webberley . The toast of "The Visiting Brethren" was then proposed , by the W . M ., and responded to in suitable terms by Bro . S . CHESTERS -THOMPSON . Bro . CLEMESHA proposed "The Officers of the Lodge , " . which Bros . FLANAGAN and CLOWES acknowledged . "The Masonic Charities" was proposed by Bro . W . K . CHALLINOR .

TO this toast Bro . W . ALLEN , as Charity Steward , responded in a very interesting speech , explaining the founding of the Girls' and Boys" Schools 100 years ago , and also of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution foraged Freemasons and widows of Freemasons . He spoke of the excellent free education received by

the girls and boys , and stated that 263 of the former and 268 of the latter were entirely provided for in the Schools , and that 193 poor Masons and 240 widows of Freemasons were receiving pensionsfor life , and that the amount expended upon these Institutions amounted in the aggregate to between , £ 40 , 000 and £ 50 , 000 per annum .

The proceedings terminated with the Tyler ' s toast , and the brethren separated after having spent a most agreeable evening , which will be long remembered by them as a red-letter day . The Town Band , under the baton of Mr . J . Lee , played an excellent selection of music in front of the hotel during the evening .

Summer Outing Of The John Hervey Lodge, No. 1260.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE JOHN HERVEY LODGE , No . 1260 .

The August meeting of this lodge was held on the !/ th inst . at Freemasons' Hall under the able auspices of Bro . Varley , the W . M ., and his officers . Amongst the business of the evening , which included the

passing of two brethren and the raising of two others , was the reception of the report of the Committee appointed to arrange the summer excursion of the lodge , which on this occasion took the form of a trip to Maidenhead , thence by . electric launch towards Henley , returnturning to banquet at the Raymead Hotel .

According to the custom of the lodge , the excursion was held on the Thursday next after the lodge meeting , and on the loth instant the arrangements made fuiiy merited the approbation of the members who Were able to avail themselves of a fine day and most enjoyable scenery .

Ihe brethren and their Masonic visitors , to the number of 32 , assembled at a quarter to 11 a . m . at the l ' addington Station , where , with the kind assistance of ^ ro . C . Robins , of the Great Western line , a special '' rst class saloon was provided for their accommodation .

Arriving at Taplow , carriages were in . readiness to convey them to the Raymead Hotel , and there the brethren found waiting , with luncheon spread on board , "ie Viscountess Bury , the largest and most commodious of the " Immisch" electric launches .

Proceeding up stream in the must favourable of feather conditions , a soft breeze blowing all the way , Mfilmcnham was reached , and there the exigencies of lime warned the party that it was necessary to return " 1 order that the banquet might be done full justice to . Accordingly the launch was put about , and the return

Journey made by 5 . 30 , when the host , Mr . Stops , of l " Raymead , had a most elegant and recherche dinner read y . After partaking thereof , the usual loyal and Masonic Jpasts were duly honoured , and Bro . Reep , the Secretary , was complimented on the success of the ° ay there not being a single slip or untoward event . ' ar the proceedings . Vyhile on board the launch , to . I ' os , P . M ., of Sheffield , took snap shots at the

Summer Outing Of The John Hervey Lodge, No. 1260.

brethren , and at many scenes and points of interest , with his " Kodak " camera , it being his intention to present copies to the brethren as a memento of the occasion . Bro . Potter , who , in former years , has been the amateur photographer of the lodge , was unavoidably prevented from attending the outing ' , and Bro . Fox kindly accepted the post in his stead .

The return to Paddington was made by the 0 o ' clock train in the special saloon provided , and thus one of the most pleasant excursions of this well-known lodge was brought to a close . Amongst those attending- were the W . M ., Past

Masters Bros . H . Evans , J . B . Sorrell ( Treas . ) , Salmon , Frost , and Fox ; also Bros . Cameron , Bull , Kefford , French , J . Evans , Shuter , A . Dangerfield , Barlow , Packman , Pearce , Cartledge , O'Connor , Cornell , Castell , Cox , Manger . Horwood , Clunn , and Reep ( Sec ) , and numerous visitors .

Summer Outing Of The Jersey Lodge , No. 2163.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE JERSEY LODGE , No . 2163 .

The first summer outing of the Jersey Lodge , No . 2163 , and their ladies and friends took place on Wednesday , the gth inst . The necessary arrangements had been made b y a committee consisting of Bro . William A . Cocks ,

W . M ., and the officers of the lodge , of whom the following were able to be present : Bros . C . Mead W . M . 382 , S . W . ; W . Freemantle , J . W . ; A . J . Hanson , Treas . ; J . Tidmarsh , P . M ., Prov . J . G . D . Middx ., Sec . ; Clement C . Sanger , S . D . ; A . L . Butters , j . D . ; E . Purnell , D . of C . ; and Russell Pontifex , Steward .

The party took train from Ealing to Taplow , and drove to Maidenhead Bridge , where they boarded the launch Formosus , and went up the river as far as Wargrave . Here ample justice was done to an excellent luncheon prepared by Mr . and Mrs . F . T . Wyatt , of the George and Dragon Hotel , whose catering gave great satisfaction .

After luncheon the loyal toasts were proposed by the W . M . and duly honoured . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . TiDMAKSH , who said that in Bro . Cocks they had a good example of a man who was happy himself and anxious to communicate happiness to others . This was apparent to the brethren of the lodge , who had spent

a very happy year under his rule , and who had witnessed the earnest efforts he had made when acting as Steward to two of the Charities . To those outside the lodge it was only necessary to refer to the very successful ball that was held in the early part of his year of office and to the present auspicious gathering which was marking the close of that year .

The W . M ., in replying , trusted that his successors would never let a year pass without having a similar outing , and took the opportunity of thanking those of his officers who had so ably and willingly assisted him in making the excursion eminently pleasant and successful . The toast of " The Ladies" was proposed by the

WORSHII ' IIII . MASTER , and humorously responded to by Bro . WHITTLE . Bro . MEAD , S . W ., proposed " The Health of the Visitors , " and expressed his satisfaction at seeing present so many brethren of the Royal Union Lodge , of which he is the present VV . M . The compliment was acknowledged by Bro . NICHOL

SON , P . M . and Sec . 382 , P . D . P . G . D . C . Middx ., and by Mr . HERITAGE . The company then adjourned to the lawn for the purpose of being photographed . The return journey was made at live o ' clock . Tea was served on board the launch . Bros . Freemantle and W . F . Sanger had charge of the commissariat

department during the river trip , and carried out their duties to the satisfaction of everybody . A concert on board was arranged by Bro . Pontifex , and Bros . A . A . Hardy , Butters , Purnell , A . J . Hanson , Whittle , and others , rendered willing assistance . Mention should alio be made of the efforts made by Bros . Shury , W . Hardy , and Harvey , to add to the enjoyment of the outing .

The True Mason.

THE TRUE MASON .

The True Mason , that is , one who understands its beautiful teachings and endeavours to live by them , will never be found back-biting his brother or sowing seeds of discord among the young members of the Fraternity , or trying to poison their minds against men and things they know nothing about . If you are

ambitious , suppress it until the time conies to gratify your ambition ; if you are jealous , choke its very appearance , especially in presence of the young . Never try to warm yourself into the good graces of your brothers by pulling down the reputation of others , or unjustly criticising their actions . It is right and proper that you should have an opinion of your own , but never let that opinion be so bigoted as to lead you

into un-Masoiuc ways and to cause you to give utterance to language that , if made in the presence of those at whom you are spiteful , would call forth a rebuke , or perhaps even worse—a feeling of enmity . Remember , that if you cannot have things your own way , it is wholly un-Masonic to try and crowd your opinion upon others . To say that you are right and all others are wrong is but to arrogate into yourself the wisdom of a God . If yuu arc this kind of a man you arc not a

The True Mason.

good Mason , neither , indeed , can you ever be , unless it were possible for you to be made over again , and probably taught that which you have never learned—Masonry . Young Masons should hold themselves aloof from the assembling of such men , and give them to understand that Masonry teaches you higher and nobler things . We will admit that there are

cranks ' in Masonry as well as in the church , but we deny that such " cranks " have the right to make the whole body cranky , and if they do not succeed to get together and growl and pout and slander their superiors , especially when they are in a hopeless minority . tJetter by far that these brethren had never seen the light of a Masonic lodge , or been taught the

lessons of the " middle chamber . " That such men have existed from time immemorial , and do exist at the present day , is but to admit that we are human . And yet Masonry is calculated to correct these irregularities and make us purer , holier , and better men , if we will only be governed by its teachings . —Hun F . Price , Grand Master of Tennessee .

Bro. Edward Terry In Australia.

BRO . EDWARD TERRY IN AUSTRALIA .

Bro . Edward Terry P . G . Treas ., has met with an enthusiastic reception in Australia , not to say an ovation . His first appearance at the Lyceum Theatre , Melbourne , is thus described by the Melbourne Daily Telivra bit ¦

Among other English stage celebrities . Mr . Edward Teriy ' s adventures in Australia were regarded with such special concern that on Saturday ni ght the comedian received intimation from Melbourne of a cable message from London announcing that''' Irving , Toole , Wyndham , Tree , Alexander , Hare , Carte , and Pinero send greetings ; unite best wishes

to-night . "Meantime Mr . Terry had just made his first appearance on an Australian stage at the Lyceum , and an audience so large that it packed all parts of the theatre except the upper gallery , had received him with demonstrative enthusiasm . Mr . Terry ' s voice , calling ' Meely , Meely , my dear , where are you V" at the wines , was

recognised with sufficient . certainty to set the house applauding , and when the comedian himself came into view—a type of the rural middle class , tall and spare , red-headed and ill-shaven , rusty as to dress , but keen and quick in manner—there was a storm of applause which ended in a hearty cheer . So that Mr . Terry ' started fair . ' Theatrical people , amateur and

professional , who had regarded the question ' How will Terry take ? ' as a positively burning one , remembering well how many English geese have been consigned to Australia as swans , and how frequently the veteramvho lagged superfluous on the British stage has' been accredited to the Colonies as still revelling in the heyday of an exuberant youth , were fain to admit , as the

actor stood for some moments deferentiall y bowing to his welcomers , that at ' any rate his fame was credited to him . " After a description of the plot of "The Churchwarden . " in which Bro . Terry elected to make his first appearance , the writer very acutely hits off the peculiarities and characteristics of Bro . Terry ' s methods as an actor .

"The chief characteristic and dominating quality of Mr . Terry ' s acting—so far as one may judge in the narrow confines ot this play—is that he allows Himself no liberties . Having conceived that this character should be played in a certain way , he pursues that way with Spartan determination , allowing himself no pretext to step aside for a lauth here , or to be diverted

there for the humorous accentuation of a point . With a consistency as bold as it is remarkable , he remains aggressive and business-like all through , as though it were beneath his dignity , or incompatible with his method , to enter upon that secret correspondence with the company before the curtain which Lamb found to have such an extremely happy effect in the more

artilical comedy . The Terry humour is of its own special kind , militant , relying neither on the traditional eye of Robson , nor on genial buffoonery like that of Toole , but always in a lighting attitude ; and its embodiment , making neither confidences nor compromises with his audience , goes independently . Indeed , except for a queer , antithetical inflection now

and again , one might delude himself with the notion that Mr . Terry had the hardihood to set up a character study in the midst of a farce most essentia'ly farcical and , to speak truth , most mediocre—for all u » interest is in by-play and incidents . At the outset Cnuff y is presented as a pretentious , straight-faced man , mouthing a little , as though reading the lessons had spoiled his

elocution . ' Gaze on me , he says , with the sepulchral voice of an affected tragedian , ' and behold what a fair outside deception hath . ' But the stern air with which he goes about his farcical business is irresistibly comical in its own way , while there are smart actors in the cast to make the pace lively and to keep step with him—for Mr . Terry Hashes about the stage and through

his part with wonderful agility . One solitary smile illumines his lugubrious hour and a half , in the second act , where , believing Bearder safely olT the premises , he dons tennis clothes—which suit him about as well as a dress suit would a kangaroo—and bursts upon the

household with a terrible ' Ha , ha ! ' His sober mood has its advantages , however , for it throws the prevailing comedy into relief , and the despairing tone in which at each ' small , not to say Liliputian , ' lie he mutters another . " is inimitable . Altogether , it was a remarkible performance . "