Craft Masonry.

he remembered with what fear and trembling he consented to accept the oflice of W . M . He then saw before him such along roll of P . M . ' s , who hod each been an honour to the lodge , that his heart well nigh failed him , and he almost despaired of being able to get through his year of office even with credit . However hc resolved t 0 d 0 bis best . He had done it . How well or how ill they knew .

In his judgment he neither deserved the handsome testimonial they had given him nor the kindly feelings which had been expressed by the W . M . He had only done his duty , and no man merited what had been given to him that night , by the simple performance of his duty . He would take that opportunity of acknowledging how easy his task had been rendered by the

attentiveness of his officers and their willingness at all times almost to anticipate his wishes . With such oflicers the duty of the VV . M , became an easy one and a pleasure . He accepted the testimonial in the spirit in which it had been offered to him , but he assured the brethren that it was not needed to convince him of their love . Hitherto he had received nothing but kindness at their hands , and he regarded this

as the crowning mark of their favour . So long as he or his wife should live it would be regarded by both of them with unmixed pleasure , and when the time of their earthly p ilgrimage was past , it should be handed down to those whom he hoped would regard it with satisfaction . Bro . XV . H . Drinkwater , writing from County Clare , Ireland , said he was initiated in the Caledonian in the year

1 SG 3 . He was now permanently resident in Ireland , and was anxious to join a lodge there . In the labour of removing , his certificate had , unfortunately , been destroyed , and he requested the lodge to apply on his behalf to Grand Lodge for a duplicate certificate . After reference to the lodge books of the p eriod , the Secretary was instructed to nial-e the application .

The VV . M . gave notice of his intention next lodge meeting to propose " That a picnic of the lodge and its friends be held in the month of June or July , " and the lodge was then closed in peace and harmony . At the social board a most enjoyable evening was spent , and "The Health of the I . P . M . " was drunk with musical honours .

GLOUCESTER . —Zetland Lodge ( No . 1005 ) . — In accordance with the promise of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master of Gloucestershire , the Right Honourable Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., made at his installation last year , to visit every lodge under his jurisdiction , the turn of the Zetland Lodge ( No . 1005 ) , which meets at the New Inn Hotel , in this city , came on

Wednesday last . The aid of the upholsterer was called into requisition to decorate the lodge-room , the floor of which was covered with scarlet cloth , and the windows were draped with thc same colour ; mirrors also were freely used . Three new oak chairs , beautifully carved , for the Master and Wardens , had been provided at a cost of a little under £ 25 . A brother presented a handsome canopy and

curtains for the Master ' s chair ; two other brethren provided Deacons'lchairs ; anotherbrother , tocommemorate the occasion , " gave five guineas to the Masonic Boys ' School ; and at the banquet table a brother generously paid over to the Worshipful Master-elect the sum of £ 10 towards a new harmonium ; indeed , all the brethren seemed so elated at the visit of their chief that generosity was the

order of the hour . 1 he lodge opened early in the afternoon , and the first business was the election of a VVorshipful Master for the ensuing year , and Bro . Henry lefts , P . M ., by a unanimous vote , was again chosen . The I ' rov . Grand Master , and his Deputy , Bro . J . Brook Smith , M . A ., LL . B ., were announced as being in the vicinity of the lodgeroom , and tht Director of Ceremonies summoned all the

Provincial Grand Lodge officers , as distinguished from members of the blue lodges , to arrange themselves in order of procession in the long corridor , and the P . G . M . was conducted to the dais with the usual salutations . Two candidates were received into the order , the P . G . M . and his deputy , much to the gratification of the brethren , taking part in the work of initiation . The choral

service was most efficiently rendered by the organist and the brethren genjrally . Over onc hundred brethren were present in Lodge ; and upwards ot seventy sat down to banquet . As the decoration committee and the stewards so well performed their duties their names deserve honourable mention , viz ., Bros . G . Tomes , F . G . Roberts , VV . J . Litton , E . T . Chipn , H . Frith , W . C . Ferris , and VV . T .

B yett . Some of the brethren came from a considerable distance , as far as from the Province of Sussex , VVestonsuper-Mare , and Wiltshire ; and Stow-on-the-VVold and other parts of the Province furnished their quota . Amongst the company were Baron de Ferrieres , AI . P ., Sir Brook Kay , Bart ., Rev . C R . Davy , Rev . Dr . Lynes , Rev . R . P . SmithVV . NicksR . Vassar Smithlames

, , , Bruton , Thomas Uelafield , the VV . M . of the Lodge , J . B . Winterbotham , John Walker , M . A ., W . L . Bain , George Norman , R . VV . White , XV . R . Porcher , A . Wettre , A . M . Sydney-Turner , VV . C . Heane , F * . Sevier , VV . E . lerrett , James Murrell , VV . H . Gwinnett , E . T . Inskip , John Bryan , J . H . Frowde , Midd / cmore Brook de Ferrand ,

Middlemore Withard , VV . S . Frith , & c . At the banquet wos . J . S . Gee , T . L . Telling , VV . J . Lifton , A . C Uiampney , and Capt . f-Yowde did good service by their vocal efforts supplemental of the toasts . Great regret was "pressed at the absence of Bro . Col . Basevi , from indisposition ; but the Masonic Charities found an able exponent in Bro . E . T . Inskip , who made a stirring appeal , which will doubtless bear fruit .

LIVERPOOL . —Temple Lodge ( No , 1094 ) . — 1 he members of this lodge , which most deservedly holds a very high place amongst thc Masonic fraternity in thc rovince of West Lancashire , met for installation purposes on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Mopcstrcet , where , notwithstanding the strong rival outside attraction in another place , there was a very numerous attendance of brethren .

'he chair was taken by Bro . II . B . Jones , W . M ., supported b y Bros . Dr . J . Kellett Smith , P . M ., ' •'• G . R . ; Richard Washington , P . M ., P . G . S . D . ; Kichard R . Martin , P . M . ; R . ' H . D . Johnson , P . M . ; John Alexander , S . W ., W . M . elect ; R . Yclland , P . M . Teas . ; EVan J . ( . allow , S . D . ; Thomas Carr , J . D . ; i \ obcrt . Bethel , LG . ; and others . Among the visitors were ° T ° 5 . P . B . Gee , P . M . 12 G 4 ; John Atkinson , W . M . $ " ¦ 9 ; Ihomas Salcer , P . M . 241 , P . G . J . D . ; R . Foote , W -M . 1505 ; J . Ellis , P . M . 6 G 7 ; and others .

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After the transaction of some routine business , Bro . John Alexander was presented for installation by Bro . R , Martin , P . M ., and the ceremony was most admirably performed by Bro . Richard Washington , P . M ., P . G . S . D . After thc customary honours , the following oflicers were appointed and invested for the ensuing year : Bros . H . B . Jones , I . P . M . ; H . Horspool , S . lV . ; li . J . Callow , J . W . ; Thomas Carr , S . D . ; R . Bethel , J . D . ; A . C Yclland

P . M . Treas . ( re-elected for fourth time ); T . Marsh , Sec . ( re-elected ); R . Washington , P . M ., M . C ; E . VV . Boulding , I . G . ; J . Skeaf , P . G . O ., Org . ; F . Ii . Boustead , S . S . ; R . Ellinger , J . S . ; Hardacre , A . S . ; and P . Ball was re-elected 'Tyler . A handsome P . M . ' s jewel was presented to the I . P . M . on behalf of the lodge before the proceedings closed . The brethren afterwards dined together .

SWINDON . —Gooch Ledge ( No . 1295 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Friday evening , the 14 th inst ., at the Queen ' s Royal Hotel and Refreshment Rooms . Present : Bros . J . Powell , VV . M . ; G . R . Shemilt , S . VV . ; T . Leader , J . VV . ; H . J . Birch , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . Wilts , Treas . ; J . Goudge , P . M ., Sec . ; C J . Phillips , S . D . , * Ii . Jones , J . D . ; " J . B . Baker , LG . ; J . Jackson , Tvler ; and T . Turner , P . AL

The lodge having been opened , the minutes ot the last lodge were read and confirmed , and as there was no other business , the VV . M . worked the ceremony of the First Degiee . Bro . Birch , P . M ., gave the lecture on the tracing board of the Second Degree . The lodge was then closed . It is worth observing that the brethren who were , by the very wet evening and other causes , prevented from attending lost a real Masonic treat , as the lecture , given by Bro . Birch in his well-known style , was worthy of a full lodge .

ALDERSHOT . —Aldershot Camp Lodge ( No . ijji ) . —This flourishing lodge met on the 12 th inst ., the VV . M ., Bro . Lewis , presiding-. There was a good muster of the brethren , and a numerous array of visitors from other lodges . The musical arrangements were very ably conducted by the Organist , Bro . Adnett . After the confirmation of the minutes of the last regular

meeting , Bros . Dam and Dalton were passed to the Degree of F . C . in a manner which reflected the highest credit upon the W . M . A petition was then submitted by Bro . Captain Douglas , P . M . and P . P . G . S . B ., bearing the signatures of sundry influential and well known Masons residing in the camp at Aldershot , who , for reasons which were deemed perfectly satisfactory by all the brethren present , were

desirous of forming a new lodge , which would meet a want that had been long felt at that station , and , after careful consideration , it was signedand recommended by the officers of the lodge . Bro . Captain Croisdale , P . M . and P . G . S . B ., by permission of the W . M ., then expressed to the visitors tbe pleasure it always afforded tbe members of the lodge to

extend towards them the right hand of fellowship , and in the name of tbe lodge he cordially invited them to come as often as they could make it convenient to do so . In the course of his remarks he said he considered every brother should strive to advance in Masonic knowledge , and he had no doubt the interchmge of visits by the members of the various lodges in the province was productive of good ,

inasmuch as it would tend to secure uniformity and , perhaps , more efficiency in working the various Masonic ceremonies , and would often lead to the formation of fraternal friendships , which would undoubtedly have a tendency to devclope and extend the noble principles upon which our Order is founded . After "Hearty good wishes " from the visitors , thc lodge was closed in love and harmony .

LIVERPOOL . —Dramatic Lodge ( No . 1609 ) . — An emergency meeting of the members of this lod ge was held on Friday afternoon , tbe 14 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , under the direction of Bro . John Atkinson , VV . M ., who was officially assisted by Bros . Savage , J . VV . ( acting S . VV . ); XV . XV . Sandbrook , I . P . M . ( acting J . W . ) ; J . M . Boyd , Sec ; H . P . Squire , S . D . ; J . L . Shrapnell , J . D . ; J . J . Monk , Asst . Org . ; O . VV . Sanderson , I . G . ; Dr . Whittle , H . Round , and C . BuchananStewards ; and

, W . H . Ball , 'T yler . The members present included Bros . H . Cooke , VV . Hildyard , J . Rawsthorne , J . Boardman , P . Lowndes , W . Parker , S . H . Jones , E . Graham , J . H . Greenwood , H . Williams , J . F . Rudersdorff , A . Gough , H . Vokins , H . Brooklyn , A . J . Rawlins , E . A . Carrodus , J . Vanden Berg , E . Glover , J . Chambers , and others .

Amongst the visitors were Bios . T . Salter , P . M . 241 . P . G . J . D . ; VV . Brackenbury , P . G . A . D . C ; C R . Copeman , 7 S 6 ; S . G . Sinclair , J . VV . 32 ; E . T . Ingham , 1620 A . J . Shore , P . M . SiG ; T . Clark , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; VV . McLachlan , 241 ; and others . After the lodge had been opened , Mr . J . Henry Cruft and Mr . D . Anderson VVood were duly initiated into the privileges of the Order .

Upwards of fifty brethren sat down to banquet , and during the evening a presentation of a pleasing nature was made to Bro . VV . Savage , J . VV ., as representing his infant daughter . A capital programme was given by Bros . I . II . Greenwood , H . Brooklyn , and T . Salter , and the instrumental contributions of Bros . Ii . Glover , A . Gough , j . II . Cruft , and J . F . Rudersdorff ( members of the Carl Rosa Orchestra ) were very greatly appreciated as a novelty of an artistic kind in Masonic circles .

YORK . —Eboracum Lodge ( No . 1611 ) . —Thc regular meeting of this lodge was held on Easter Tuesday , the W . M ., Bro . Geo . Simpson being in the chair , and amongst those present were : Bros . T . B . Whyti'head , P . M . ; J . S . Cumberland , P . M . ; Geo . Balmford , P . M . ; and many other members as well as visitors from thc York Lodge , No . 23 C , and from Dublin . The work consisted in

the raising of Bro . Starkey to the 'Third Degree , which having been accomplished several matters of business were brought forward . The VV . M . announced that the Eboracum Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine had voted £ 5 to the Lodge Building Fund . Bro . J . S . Cumber / and , Prov . Chanty Steward , made a statement as to the Girls '

School Festival at whicli Lord Zetland , Prov . Grand Master , would be the Charity Steward of the province . His Lordship had contributed a hundred guineas , and the Province another hundred . Bro . Woodall , of Scarbro , had given twenty guineas , and there had been several other contributions , and he hoped the list would amount to about four hundred guineas . Bro . Whytehead , on

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behalf of Bro . Ware , presented a bound series of thc Freemason ' s Chronicle for 1 SS 1 , for which Bro . Ware received a vote of thanks . the W . M . then proposed a candidate for Freemasonry , and Bro . Whytehead proposed Bro , F . Slinger , of the Hotspur Lodge , Newcastle , as a joining member . 'The lodge was then closed amid " Hearty Good Wishes" and a very pleasant and harmonious evening was spent , enlivened bv the singing of Bros . Mennell , Cumberland , and others . '

Instruction

INSTRUCTION

SINCERITY LODGE ( No . i 74 ) .-Thc annual festival of the above lodge took place on Monday , the I 7 thinst ., at thc Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , E . C , where tbe lodge has recently established itself . There was a capital number of the brethren , as the members of the City Masonic Benevolent Association , in connection with the lodge of instruction , took part in the proceedings . Bio . T . Newton

, KM . 174 , ably presided , and was supported in the Vice Chair by Bro . J . S . Fraser , S . W . 174 . Among those present were : Bros . G . Jones , I . P . M . 174 ; C H . Webb , P . M . 174 , Preceptor ; C J . Perceval , P . M . 174 ; D . Hodges , P . M . 13 S 2 , W . M . 1 S 16 ; XV . Brooks , P . M . ; G . W . Verry , P . M . 554 ; Sackett , P . M . 1343 ; L . C Haslip , VV . M . S 13 ; H . I . Lant , D . C . 174 , Hon . Sec ; T . Jones , S . W . 1 G 07 ; I .

Hughes , S . VV . 1 S 1 G ; Dellow , LG .. 174 ; VV . Fraser , J . O . 174 ; Capt . T . F . Harvey , S . D . 174 ; Whiting , Mustart , 174 ; Magee , Bibra , James Dunstan , G . H . Stephens ( Freemason ); and others . The supper having been disposed of , Bro . Newton said he had great pleasure in pioposing a toast which was sure to be heartily received amongst English gentlemenand

, especially by Craftsmen , and with " The Health of Her Gracious Majesty " hejwoufd couple that of " 'The Prince of Wales and the Crait in general . " The W . M . gave "Success and prosperity to the Sincerity Lodge of Instruction , " which he claimed had during its existence done ai large amount of good to Freemasonry . He had been ini past years a frequent attendant , and now did so whenever

lie was required . But there were now such a large number of good and youthful members that the older members felt they ought to allow them room to go on . Bro . Newton next paid a high tribute to Bro . C . IL VVebb , P . M ., the esteemed Preceptor of the lodge , to whose exertions and assiduity in iinijarting Masonic

instruction the success of the lodge was mainly due , for brethren who attended always went away satisfied with thc teaching they received . The W . M . next congratulated the lodge upon having obtained such a roof under which to hold their meetings , being not only suitable , but roomy and central . He called upon Bro . Preceptor to respond to the toast .

Bro . Webb returned his sincere thanks for the really kind way in which the toast had been given and received , and said he hardly need say he would always endeavour to deserve it b y giving his best efforts to promote the prosperity of thc lodge . When he first joined the lodge they had a very eminent Preceptor in the late Bro . Austin , and at the end of that brother ' s career he had to act as deputy

Preceptor . Since then he had acted as their Preceptor ,, and they had done a large amount of good , not only in imparting Masonic knowledge but in fostering the three : excellent Institutions b y the Masonic Associations ; the : first of which in connection with the lodge at the end off four years had contributed no less an amount than £ Soo to the Institutions . Bro . VVebb then dwelt upon several points

of interest to lodges of instruction , showing the necessity for brethren to keep to the working , and that unless they did so , and obtained their knowledge from a regular attendance at a lodge of instruction , they must at some time inevitably fail . Bro . Webb concluded an instructive speech by expressing great regret at the unavoidable absence of Bro . F . Brown , VV . M . 174 . There was as much credit due

to that brother as to any , for the zeal and assiduity displayed towards the resuscitation of the lodge , for without the assistance of Bro . Brown , P . M ., its existence would have been very languid and ahnostof ahopelessdesciiption . 'The W . M . said he had omitted to mention the name of one brother , who was one of the most hard-working Masons amongst them , and one that reminded him somewhat ( if he

might be allowed the expression ) of the industrious mole who worked unseen ; and of Bro . Cant , the Hon . Sec , he could say he bad stuck to the lodge of instruction through good and evil times , and had never pushed himself to the front for praise , but bad steadily worked on ; and often ,, when from short attendance the lodge could not be formed , had regularly attended , and so fanned it into a blazewhereas

. it might otherwise have died out . 'The W . M . asked the brethren to give Bro . Cant Masonic honours . This was cheerfully accorded , and Bro . Cant briefly responded , lie was glad to do anything * to support the lodge , and appealed to the brethren to come and support him every Monday punctually at seven o ' clock . 'The W . M . gave "The City Masonio Benevolent

Associations , " which met under the kind care of the Sincerity Lodge of Instruction . He would not go into figures , but would mention lhat this was the second institution which the Sincerity Lodge of Instruction had fostered in support of the Masonic Charities . The first had worked out in four years , and had contributed over £ * Soo . 'The present one was about half worked out , and would , no doubt , bv

the co-operation of its members in paying up arrears , realise nearly a similarly handsome figure . It seemed a wonder how so small a sum as 4 s . per month could produce such capital results ; and it only exemplified the adage , that " \ Vbc : e there ' s a will , there ' s a way , " and they might rest assured where there was the inclination the way would surely be found . Bro . G . W . Verry , P . AL , the

hardworking 1 reasurer , and Bro . Eraser , the Secretary , were called upon to respond . Bro . Verry , in the course of his remarks , said he had not been absent more than three times in the last two years , although , as the VV . M . had stated , he was often travelling out " of London . ' 1 he present association he was pleased to say was successful , thirty-four ballots havingbeen already drawn , and I would doubtless at its winding up not be far behind its predecessor must

. I hey remember , in comparing them , that : when the first started these Masonic Associations were few and 1 far between , whilst they were now to be found ( and itwas ai good job too ) all over London ; so that if not larger thani the first , this association need not be at all disheartened of ; its labours . Bro . Fraser also returned thanks . " 'I heVisitors" were next toasted , Bros , D . Hodges W . M . 1 S 1 G ; Dunstan , 1763 ; and G . H . Stephens ( Freemason ) ; severally responding- thereto .