Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft j-ftasonru .

UNITED MARINERS LODGE ( No . 30 ) . — The meeting of this ancient lodge took place on Tuesday , the iCth inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , under the able presidency of Bro . Crossley , W . M . After thc confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting and the report of the Auditors , whicli showed a very good balance in hand , the W . M . elect , Bro . J . Shipley , S . W ., was presented for installation , and the ceremony was most impressively

performed by the retiring Master . The following brethren were appointed to office : Bros . J . W . Crossley , I . P . M . ; T . E . Davey , S . W . ; J . Linscott , J . W . ; J . Harting , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Driscoll , P . M ., Sec . ; L . Steingraber , S . D . ; A . Couldery , J . D . j S . Lampen , D . C ; C . Davey , P . M ., W . S . ; and W . Boyce , A . W . S . There were also present Bros . VV . Ansell , P . M . ; C . Davey , P . M . ; T . Smith , P . M . ; A . Le Feaux , P . M . ; J . Clarke , P . M . ; G . C . Smith ,

J . Lanckeman , O . Thomas , J . H . Morgan , Thos . Oblein , J . Rotheroe , A . Field , W . Boyce , J . Hildreth , H . Meyer , F . W . Sanders , C . W . Howard , J . Lewis , F . Campbell , and the following visitors : Bros . J . Terry , P . M . 228 , P . P . G . S . W . Herts ; VV . H . Rudderforth , P . M . ifiGS ; W . Martin , 879 ; W . T . Manger , P . M . 1314 ; C . H . Gray , 1704 ; J . H . Dodson , P . M . 55 : L . P . Turner , W . M . 159 S ; W . Gift , W . M . 612 ; S . Richardson , S . D . 1 S 3 ; D . C . Long ,

76 S ; F . H . Harting , 1139 ; L . Solomon , S . W . 1732 ; K , Frewin , 1 OS 5 ; and R . Lawson , 1426 . The business of the evening being concluded , the brethren adjourned to the large banqueting room , where a splendid repast was served , to which ample justice was done . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , the W . M . said , in giving " The Health of the Installing Master , "

that it afforded him considerable pleasure to have the privilege of proposing this toast , as it was to one who had not only done his duty well during his year of office , but had brought his work to an excellent finish by the admirable way he had performed the ceremony of installation that evening ' . The W . M . said it iwas thc first time , and might be the last , he had ever pinned a jewel upon the bre < ist of a brother , but he should always fee ! that he

never presented a better earned jewel than the one hc now offered , in the name of the lodge , to Bro . Crossley , P . M . Thc Worshipful Master , in giving "The Health of the Secretary , " said he had also great pleasure in making a presentation , in the name of the lodge , to this esteemed brother , who had been identified with the United Mariners for a period of over twenty years , during wliich time he had never considered it a burden to help forward any

good work for the welfare of the lodge ; he therefore felt it a great privilege to present him with a handsome clock and emblazoned scroll subscribed for by the several brethren * Bro . Driscoll , in reply , said it would be affectation on his part were he to attempt in words to express his thanks for thc generosity of the brethren . He said that , although he felt he had done his duty to the best of his ability , there

were many shortcomings ; but what he could see were errors in the past would be amended in the future . His age made him feci that hc was not so young as he once was , but the brethren might rest assured that every energy he had left should always be exerted for the welfare of the lodge that first received him into Masonry . Bro . Terry made an earnest appeal on behalf of the Benevolent Institution , and during his speech informed the

brethren that there were 13 G candidates for election and only thirteen vacancies . Bro . Shipley , W . M ., having offered to go up as Steward , the lodge voted fifteen guineas to his list , which was afterwards increased at the banqueting table by private subscriptions to twenty-five guineas . The pleasures of thc evening were very much enhanced by singing and recitations from Bros . Driscoll , Harting , Gill , Crossley , Gray , and Morgan .

ROYAL NAVAL LODGE ( No . 59 ) . —The installation meeting of this old and prosperous lodge was held on the Sth inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet . Present : Bros . S . B . Wilson , W . M . ; fl . W . Homann , jun ., S . W . ; J . Hart , J . W . ; G . R . Ousey , S . D . ; W . Winnett , J . D . ; Macintosh , as I . G . ; and the following visitors : Bros . G . Plucknett , P . G . D . ; C . F . MatierP . G . W . Greece ; F . Binckes , P . G . Std . ;

, Dewar , P . M . ; J . L . Mather , P . M . ; Patrick , P . M . ; L . Artus , P . M . ; T . G . Smith , W . M . 194 ; A . Woods , W . M . 1 S 53 ; Sidney C . Yates , 49 ; J . Bell , 1 S 1 ; and others . After the confirmation of the minutes Bro . H . W . Homann was presented for installation to the W . M ., who with the accumstomed solemnities duly placed him in the chair . Thc newly-installed W . M . then appointed and

invested his officers as follows : Bros . Joseph Hart , S . W . ; G . Ryder Ousey , J . W . ; S . B . Wilson , Treas . ; J . I . caley , Sec ; W . Winnett , S . D . ; Russell , J . D . ; Macintosh , I . G . ; and Walkley , Tyler . After the addresses to the Master , Wardens , and brethren , which were delivered in the masterly manner wc should expect from one who bears the honoured name of Stephen Barton Wilson , the lodge was closed and the brethren

adjourned to banquet , whicli was served at the Holborn Restaurant under the personal supervision of Bro . Hamp , the courteous and energetic manager . After grace thc customary loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed by the W . M . ; "The Grand Officers " being responded to by Bro . George Plucknett , P . G . D ., an old Past Master of thc lodge , although not now a member . Bro . S . B . Wilson then proposed " The Health of the wouia in tne ct 111

W . M ., " and hoped ne IOIIOW tootsteps s father , who some years ago passed the chair of the lodge to the satisfaction of all . The Worshipful Master returned thanks in suitable terms . After a song by Bro . Winnett , Bro . Wilson , by request of the W . M ., gave "The Visitors , " and said the Royal Naval Lodge was always pleased to see visiting brethren , and especially old friends . They had present several distinguished members of the Fraternity , who had been at every installation for the past

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eight or nine years , and he assured them that so long as it pleased the Great Architect to spare them they would ever be welcome guests at the Royal Naval Lodge . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W . Greece .

A capital song by Bro . Hanson , P . M ., then followed , " The Queen and the Navy for ever . " Bro . Matier , in responding , thanked the brethren one and all for the kindly and genial hospitality with which the lodge was accustomed to greet the presence of visitors . The high character and reputation of the lodge had been maintained and upheld during the past year by the / . P . M .,

his old friend , Bro . S . B . Wilson , whom it was his ( Bro . Matier ' s ) proud t privilege to have installed on the last occasion , and the brethren might be sure the present VV . M . would leave nothing undone to promote their happiness and prosperity . In thc name of the visitors the would thank the lodge for the compliment they had received . The next toast was one to which tve are glad to notice

great prominence is always given by this lodge , "The Masonic Charities , " and was given by the worshipful Master and responded to by Bro . Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . B ., in most forcible terms . Hc said he trusted the valuable services rendered by the lodge in the past would stimulate them to still further exertions in the future , and that they might ever cherish the memory of one of their Past Masters

of old , Bro . Sir Francis Columbine ( Daniel , who was the founder of the institution whose prosperity he personally had so much at heart . The Royal Naval Lodge were the inheritors of a glorious past . They were one of the two lodges to whose liberally and energy the Craft were indebted for the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , whose claims the W . M . had kindly undertaken to advocate as

Steward at the festival in 1 SS 3 . And now ( continued Bro . Binckes ) by the unanimous wish of the Past Masters there devolves on line one of the most pleasing and yet one of the most arduous tasks it has ever bcen my llot to undertake . At the last meeting of your lodge a Past Master's jewel was voted to Bto . Stephen Barton Wilson . This 1 understand is the first jewel presented for the last

quarter of a century by your lodge , and I must bear my unqualified testimony to the merit , and worth of the recipient of your handsome testimonial . Thc sincere friendship which for thirty years has existed between us , and the splendid services which Bro . Wilson has rendered to the great cause of Masonic charity , ate the source , in my mind , of justifiable pride that I should

have been invited by you to be the means of presenting to him this mark of your approbation . The resolution of the lodge has been engrossed on vellum , and 1 will read it , as it will tell you what Bro . Wilson's services are : "That the hearty and cordial thanks of the lodge are due , and are hereby given to W . Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson for the highly important and valuable services he has rendered in

thc thirty years of his membership , during which time he has filled the office of W . M . in 1 S 57 , 1 S 79 , and 1 S 82 , thc oflice of Treasurer for twenty-two consecutive years , and has also represented the Royal Naval Lodge as Steward to the great Charities of the Craft on eight different occasions ; and * that as a small token of thc high appreciation in which he is held by his brethren of the lodge a Past

Master ' s jewel , with three clasps , be presented to him , with a copy of this resolution engrossed on vellum . " I have therefore , Worshipful Master , most sincere pleasure in your name of handing this resolution to our distinguished brother , and in placing this jewel on his breast , with the hope that he may wear it for many years among you , and continue his career of usefulness .

Bro . Binckes then affixed thc jewel on Bro . Wilson ' s breast , the brethren all rising and cheering most heartily . Bro . Wilson responded in most graceful terms , and said he hoped the biethren would take the will for the deed , as words could not express his feelings ; but that his actions in the future would , he trusted , more amply express his gratitude to them for this unprecedented mark of their

approval . The other toasts were " The Past Masters , " responded to by Bros . Healey , Homann , sen ., Hanson , and Nicholson , and "The Ofiicers , " responded to by Bros . Hart , S . W ., and Ousey , J . W . The Tyler ' s toast brought this most pleasant gathering to a close , and thc brethren separated in peace and harmony .

The jewel consists of a fouled anchor in lS-carat gold , with the emblem of a Past Master pendant therefrom . On the ribbon are three clasps , one for each year in which Bro . Wilson acted as W . M ., and on the back thc following inscription : "Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , P . M . and Treasurer , a token of respect , esteem , and regard from the Royal Naval I ^ odge , No . 50 , 1 S 52 to 1 SS 2 .

LODGE OF SINCERITY ( No . 174 ) . —The anniversary festival of the above old lodge was celebrated on Wednesday last , at Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , E . C . Lodge was opened at 4 o ' clock by Bro . F . Brown , VV . M ., who was ably supported by Bros . James S . Fraser , S . W ., W . M . elect ; A . H . Brown , J . VV . ; C . Lacy , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Newton , P . M ., Hon . Sec ; T . J . Harvey ,

S . D . ; W . M . Fraser , J . D . ; F . J . Dellow , l . G . ; H . J . Cant , D . C ; J . Miller , W . S . ; P . M ' s . J . Appleby , J . Bulmer , G . T . H . Seddon , Org . ; C . H . Webb , G . Jones , W . C . Barlow , E . J . Moore , and the following brethren : Bros . C . Blain , J . A . Keablc , J . J . Whitin , | . Benson , J . Thomas , XV . J . Higgs , H . Maga , J . G . Goll , J . Gower , T . Huntley , J . Gayton , C . S . Halls , H . FavH . R . YatesJ . G . Mustart , J . BaileyVV . Norman

, , , G . Blashford , J . Spill , W J . Cane , XV . A . Bennett , H . Nichol . W . Richardson , W . faynton , W . C . Norris , J . VV . B . Wilson , J . W . Crawford , VV . Mills , T . Scott , T . E . Wilkins , J . Elves , and others . Visitors : G . F . Dix , P . M . 1421 ; J . J . Berry , P . M . 554 , & c . ; G . Brooks , P . M . 902 ; A . M . Scefels , 1107 ; G . B . Chapman , P . M . 229 , 27 ; F . F . Twining , 14 S 7 ; II . W . Clark , 1 G 25 ;

B . H . Pearson , 453 ; J . Terry , P . M . 22 S , Secretary , R . M . B . I . ; T . S . Taylor , P . M . 554 , 1421 ; E . J . Anning , P . M . 1625 , & c . ; S . VV . Timson , 7 S 1 ; C . W . Bowlcy , 24 S ; C . Beckett , 1310 ; Fred . Bevan , 170 * 1 ; R . Hill , ( Invicta ); T . W . Hanson , 170 C ; II . XV . Schartau , 1706 ; H . Guekken , 72 ; avul G . H . Stephens , J . W . 1623 , 13 S 2 , SoS ( F'reemason . )

The minutes of the previous regular lodge meeting having been duly confirmed , Bro . G . A . Bashford , of 1602 , was balloted for as a joining member , and duly admitted into the membership of the Sincerity Lodge . Bro . Clifford was next passed to the Second Degree by Bro . Brown , whose working was up to the usual degree of proficiency .

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The next business— " the piece de resistance "—of the evening was proceeded with . Bro . James S . Fraser , W . M . elect , being presented to Bro . F . Brown for the benefit of installation . 'J hat ceremony—so frequently described in these columns—was subsequently performed in a really efficient manner by Bro . Brown , P . M ., and the newly-installed Master appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . A . H . Brown , S . W . ; Capt . T . ] .

Harvey , J . VV . ; I-. Brown , I . P . M . ; VV . Newton , P . M ., Hon . Sec . ; Charles Lacey , P . M ., Treas , ; W . M . Eraser , S . D . ; F . G . Dellow , J . D . ; H . J . Cant , I . G . ; C . Blain , D . C . ; John Miller , W . S . ; G . T . H . Seddon , P . M ., Org . ; and Very , Tyler . An excellent rendering of the three ancient charges concluded a very impressive ceremony , and the lodge proceeded to transact thc usual incidental business , including the

report of thc Auditors , applications for relief , and apologies for now-aUcndance Srom distinguished brethren . During thc lodge a handsome Past Master's jewel was presented by the W . M . on behalf of the lodge to Bro . Brown , I . P . M ., recognising the value the brethren placed upon his services as W . M . All business being happily ended , lodge was closed , and the brethren sat down to a banquet excellently served by the

proprietor of the Guildhall Tavern , under the superintendence of Bro . H . Mills , which gave entire satisfaction . After grace had becn rendered by the musical brethren engaged , the Worshipful Master in pithy and concise terms gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , in wliich the virtues of Her Majesty the Queen , the benefits attaching to the zealous Grand Mastership of the Heir Apparent , aiid the many services of the Pro and Deputy Grand Masters and other

illustrious Grand Officers , were duly noted and heartily appreciated by the brethren . In giving "The Health of the W . M ., " Bro . Brown , I . P . M ., expressed his great regret that thc toast had not fallen into the hands of some brother more able to give it that weight of importance it deserved . Hc was however quite convinced that the biethren who had in many past years had opportunities of witnessing the manner in which

their VV . AI . had worked up through the various offices in the Sincerity Lodge would feel with himself that nothing would be wanting on the part of their W . M . to conduce to the benefit of the good old Sincerity Lodge , and he asked them to drink the toast of the VV . M . and prosperity to his year of office . He had known him both in the lodge and out of it , and from what their W . M . had shown in lodges of instruction the brethren mirrht expect capital working .

Bro . Eraser , in responding , thanked the brethren tor the hearty reception the toast had met with , and Bro . Brown for his kind remarks . 'The brethren had conferred a great honour on him in appointing him VV . M ., for which he was very thankful . He trusted that , although there was a laxity as regards their funds , the brethren would unite with him to make a prosperous year , so that when he was relegated to the position of a P . M . no brother would have

occasion to regret the choice they had made for their W . M . The Worshipful Master next gave in felicitous terms the toast of " The Visitors . " Bro . J . J . Berry in reply said it was not the first time he had responded as a visitor in the Sincerity Lodge , but now , being desirous to respond for all , he felt in . an awkward position . However , it was well known that tbe Sincerity Lodge was famous for its excellent working , and also during

its labours in the lodge paid a large attention to the Charities . At the banquet table also he had to acknowledge the same good quality , and looking round upon the many good brethren he knew , it seemed very much like a happy family party . As the lodge was well known for its support of the Charities he would not say any more , but would leave that to abler hands—to a brother whose name only differed in one letter from his , and thank them on

behalt of the visitors for thc hearty reception ot thc toast . In proposing " Success to the Masonic Institutions " the Worshipful Master gave notice ef the fact of his being a Steward for the ensuing festival of the Aged Freemasons , and asked the brethren to strain a point so as to enable him to go up with such a list as would be worthy of the brethren of the Sincerity Lodge . The toast was coupled with the name of the energetic Secretary of the R . M . B . I ., Bro . J .

Terry , P . M ., & c In response to an enthusiastic reception of this toast , Bro . Terry said it was an easy task to repl y to the toast of the Masonic Benevolent Institution in the Sincerity Lodge , which had at all times becn steady supporters of thc charities . After deducing some striking figures to prove the claims of thc Boys' and Girls' Schools , Bro . Terry bespoke of a large measure of support for the excellent Institution which

provided annuities to some 350 Aged Freemasons , and wliich with vacancies for only thirteen , had already applications from 130 deserving candidates for thc privileges of the institution . These were all over sixty years of age and some indeed eighty , and had stood eight , nine , and ten elections . He trusted the response of the brethren of the Sincerity Lodge to the appeal of their VV . M . and of other lodges would enable the Committee to extend thc number

of admissions , to many aged and deserving applicants , thereby doing honour to the lodge and credit to the Stewardship of their VV . M . "The I . P . M . " was next toasted , Bro . Fraser ably dwelling upon the manner in which Bro . Brown , P . M ., had borne thc heat and burden of the day during his year of oflice , and always since he was in the lodge . At this stage Bro . Terry announced that the result of

Bro . Newton's canvass on behalf of the W . M . ' s list had attained the sum of £ 111 , which announcement was received with cheers . Bro . Brown , I . P . M ., in replying to the hearty compliment paid him , said it was many years since he had began to work on thc right-hand side of the . W . M ., and he had now just arrived at the left-hand side . He would promise them that in the future as in the past he should take a

warm interest in the Lodge of Sincerity , and trusted to be spared many years to be with them , and to render service to the lodge . "The Past Masters " were next honoured , the W . M . cordially recognising thc services of Bros . Lacey , P . M ., Treasurer , and j . Newton , P . M ., Secretary , both of whom

had administered the affairs of the lodge in a manner greatly conducive to its prosperity . The W . M . also acknowledged the services of Bros . C . H . Webb , P . M . ; G . Jones , P . M . ; W . C . Barlow , P . M . ; and others . Bro . Newton replied , explaining in kindly words the relative duties which the members and Secretary owed to their lodge ; also bespeaking , in view of the state of the funds , that the brethren would not expect too much from