Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

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VITRUVIAN LODGE ( No . 87 ) . —The members of this lodge met on Wednesday evening , the 12 th inst ., at the White Hart Hotel , Lambeth . Bros . VV . M . Robinson , VV . M . ; ( annaway , S . W . ; Knight , J . W . ; Bale , S . D . ; Davis , " J . D . ; T . Minstrell , I . G . ; Birch , D . C ; Watson , W . S . ; J . Skirving , P . M . ; Timothy , P . M . ; Nott , P . M . ; Whiting , P . M . ; Jolly , P . M . ; Hull , P . M . ; Huntley , Lambourne , and a large number of other brethren ,

were present . The Secretary , Bro . VV . Stuart . P . M ., read the minutes of the previous lodge , and they were confirmed , and he also read the bye-laws of the lodge as revised by the Audit Committee . Exception was taken to the proposal of the Committee to raise the subscription of the country members . Bro . Whiting argued that as those brethren did not attend

the banquets , they had no right to be taxed with any portion of the cost . Bro . Minstrell said the question of banquets was not before the Committee when they made the alteration , which was suggested simply in a spirit of fairness to the other members of the lodge whose subscriptions were raised some time back . Prior to this country members paid about half

the fee paid by the ordinary members , and they were called upon for no more than this proportion now . These bye-laws , on the motion of Bro . Minstrell , seconded by Bro . Huntley , were passed nern con . The adoption of the revised bye-laws for the guidance of the Benevolent Fund > vas then moved , when a very important discussion took place upon the constitution of the

Benevolent Committee . It was recommended by the Audit Committee that the fund should be governed , as hitherto , by a Committee , to consist of the Worshipful Master , Wardens , Secretary , Treasurer , and five brethren of the lodge . Bro . Jolly urged that the Past Masters should be exofficio members of the Committee . 'They were the veiy backbone of the lodge , and knew more about the working of the lodge and the members than the lay brethren .

Bro . Skirving said that without thc Past Masters they oft-times would not have been able to form a Committee . He agreed with Bro . Folly that to exclude them would be as bad as passing a vote of censure upon them . The Secretary suggested that he should be instructed to take the opinion of Grand Lodge as to whether Past Masters were , as a matter of right , cx-officio members of the Benevolent Committer-.

Bro . Minstrell said that , of course , if Grand Lodge replied in the affirmative there would bean end of the matter , lhe Audit Committee , over the first part of whose proceedings he had the honour to preside , were not actuated by any feelings of hostility to the Past Masters . Quite the reverse was the case . They did not ' propose to alter the bye-law , and thought it would be better to leave thc

constitution of the Benevolent Committee as formerly . It was , however , onl y right to them to state that what they suggested , was with the view of meeting the Past Masters fairly , that the Committee should be composed partly of Past Masters and partly of Master Masons . This compromise was refused by the Past Masters . It was thought by the Committee , who felt very strongly upon the matter , that if the claim of the Past Masters to be ex-officio members of

the Committee was conceded , it would be useless to go through thc farce of electing five brethren of the lodge , as the fund would be practically in the hands of the Past Masters , and to all intents and purposes out of the control of the lodge . Bro . Whiting argued strongly in favour of the Past Masters being included . Not more than two or three Past

Masters made a point of attending thc meetings of the Committee when asked to do so , and these had acted as a drag upon the other members in restraining their zeal in dispensing the fundo . Bro . Huntley did not agree with that statement ; but the question was not how many did attend , but the number who might come . It was the knowledge of members mentioned

by one or two of the Past Masters of which he complained . Each petition for relief should state the whole facts of the case , and should contain all the information necessary , supplemented as this would be by thc enquiries the Committee were bound to make , to enable the Benevolent Committee to exercise their judgment ; and besides this , it was most important to bear in mind each case should be dealt with

upon its merits , and its merits only . Bro . Whiting replied that the man who had been twenty years a Mason and had served all the offices was entitled to more consideration than the man who had only been a member of the lodge eighteen months . The debate was continued , and ultimately , on the motion

of Bro . timothy , it was adjourned , the Secretary being ! asked to obtain the opinion of Grand Lodge as t : > whether as a matter of right Past Masters were exofficio members of the Benevolent Committee . Bros . Horsnell , Whiteman , and 'Thackeray were passed , and the lodge having been closed in due form , the brethren retired for refreshment .

TRANQUILLITY LODGE ( No . 185 ) . —At a meeting of this lodge , held at thc Guildhall Coffee House , Gresham-street , on Monday , the 17 th inst ., Bro . T . W . C Bush , VV . M ., presiding , and all the officers promptly at their posts , Bro . De l . ceun was passed to the Second , and Bros . Schlesinger and Lehman were raised to the Third Degree , with the Master ' s well-known ability . Bro .

Constable , P . M . and I reas ., being about to depart on a business trip to the Cape , a vote of farewell , to be recorded on the minutes of the lodge , was proposed by Bro . Phil . Levy , Sec , seconded by liro . Fred Croaker , J . P . M ., and unanimously carried . The lodge being closed , and after an ample repast , thc

customary toasts were given and responded to in brief but cordial terms ; the names of the VV . M . and Treasurer being especiall y well received ; the latter brother embracing the opportunity to say farewell to the brethren , which he did in eloquent and feeling words , the brethren expressing their sentiments in prolonged cheering , ending in a chorus of " He is a jolly good fellow . " Songs were given by several

Craft Masonry.

brethren , who displayed more than average amateur talent . Bro . T . D . Barnett , P . M ., presided at the pianoforte . The visitors were Bros . Daniel , P . M . G 5 ; Dr . Danford Thomas , 239 ; Pullen , J . D . 742 ; and Hatfield , 1320 . The Past Masters present were Bros . F . Croaker , R . ' / ,. Bloomfield , J . D . Barnett , John Ross , VV . D . Bayley , and E . Gottheil .

DALHOUSIE LODGE ( No . S 5 o ) . —On Thursday , the 13 th inst ., a meeting of this lodge was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Bro . William John Smith presided , and there were present Bios . R . Burleton , S . W . ; F . Barker , J . VV . ; F . II . Pavett , S . D . ; Littell , P . M ., Hon . Sec . ; Christian , J . D . ; Saund ; rs , I . G . ; Past Wall

Masters Dalwood and Bates ; , P . P . G . S . B ., W . M . 1512 ; Barfield , P . S . G . D . ; Manners , W . M . 15 S 9 ; Marner , VV . M . 5 G 7 ; Minstrell , J . W . 192 S , I . G . S 7 ; Hunt , P . M . 772 ; Mendick , P . M . 27 ; Follett , P . M , 45 ; Hogg , P . M . 93 ; Taylor , P . M . 144 ; Honeyhall , S . W . 14 S 1 ; Walker , J . W . 14 S 1 ; Making , I . G . 127 S ; Braund , 72 ; Bott , 4 s ; Dotterel ! , 1424 ; Elliott , 15 G 7 ; Jeuron , 1 S 27 ;

Hart , 14 S 1 J Byron , 14 S 1 ; Haines , P . M . 1409 ; Todd , 27 ; Eavens , 144 ; Hare , 1744 ; Fisher , 1744 ; Bale , Seymour Smith , Cornu , Ellis , Bond , Goodson , and others , lhe minutes of the previous lodge were confirmed , and Bro . Jenkins was raised . Bro . Edward Ames being balloted for , was approved and initiated . It was resolved to adopt the Auditors' report .

Bro . R . Burleton , the VVorshipful Master elect , was then installed as Worshipful Master by his predecessor in office , Bro . William John Smith , who performed the ceremony , and that in a most efficient and creditable manner . Bro . F . Barker was appointed S . VV ., and Bro . F . H . Pavett , J . VV . Bro . L . 1 ' " . Littell , for the sixth time , was invested with the collar of Secretary ; and Bro . VV . H . Wallington ,

who had been re-elected 1 reasurer , was unable to attend . Bro . Christian was appointed S . D . ; and Bros . Saunders , J . D . ; Seymour Smith , Organist ; Corneu , I . G . ; Bond , D . C . ; Ellis , W . S . ; and Godson , P . M ., A . W . S . The hearty congratulations of the visitors were given to the newly-installed Master , and it was stated that Bro . Littell , P . M ., the Hon . Sec , was about to be appointed to

an office in Grand Lodge as Assistand Grand Pursuivant . Bro . Dalwood , P . M ., on behalf of the lodge , stated the great pleasure and satisfaction they felt at the great honour about to be conferred upon their Secretary . None could more thoroughly deserve the distinction ; few had so much of their esteem and respect , and no one would be found to envy him in his appointment . That was a kind of red

letter day in their career . It was the first time in their history that one of their members had been selected as an officer of Grand Lodge , and their pride would be pardoned when they claimed some share in the honour that had been done their worthy brother . Hc moved a vote of congratulation to Bro . Littell , and also proposed that the same should be recorded in their minutes of that day ' s

proceedings . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Bates , P . M ., said he heartily concurred in all that had been stated , and seconded the motion , which was carried with acclamation . The lodge was closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to the banqucting-hall , where a repast of an unusually excellent character was served , under thc personal direction of Bro .

I ' . H . Clemow . lhe loyal and Craft toasts were proposed and drunk with enthusiasm , and these were followed by congratulatory and complimentary toasts . The I . P . M ., Bro . W . J . Smith , was presented with a magnificent jewel , voted by the lodge . The enjoyment of the evening was considerably heightened by several violin solos , played by Miss Perkins , who was loudly cheered for the great abilities she displayed .

ROYAL ALBERT LODGE ( No . 907 ) . —This lodge held its installation meeting , at Freemasons' Hall , Great Ouci n-street , on Monday last . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . G . T . Barr , who was supported by the majority of his officers and Past Masters of the lodge—Bros . T . Hastings Miller , Thomas Griffiths , S . H . P . Moore , VV . Jennings , and others . For an installation meeting the work on the agenda was

very heavy , there being onc raising and four candidates to be iniiiatcd . The usual routine business of confirming minutes of former meeting , & c , having been first completed , Bro . Francis Bourne was raised to-the Sublime Degree of M . M ., the ceremony being very ably performed by the W . M . As above stated , there were four candidates for initiation ; they were all personal friends of Bro . T . H .

Miller , P . M ., b y whom they were proposed , and Bro . Barr kindly conceded to Bro . Miller the privilege of performing thc ceremony of initiation for them . This Bro . Miller did with his customary skill , taking two at a time up to a certain well-known point , and then taking the whole four through the remainder of the ceremony . The candidates thus initiated were Messrs . George Porter , John Edwin

Porter , Reinhard Castendeich Sewell , and Charles Bates . At the conclusion of this portion of the work , Bro . Miller thanked the VV . M . for the kindness he had shown in allowing him to initiate these personal friends . Bro . Barr having resumed the chair , Bro . W . Wordley , J . W ., was presented to him by Bro . F . A . White , P . M ., D . C , as the Worshipful Master elect , to receive at the hands of Bro . Barr the

benefit of installation . The VV . Master then addressed the lodge , and afterwards the candidate for the chair . There was a large attendance of brethren , a Board of no less than twenty-two Installed Masters being formed , in the presence of whom Bro . Barr formally installed Bro . Wordley into the chair of K . S . The officers for the year appointed and invested were as follows : Bros . T . G . liarr , I . P . M . ; Gordon , S . VV . ; Lowther , J . VV . ;

| . A . harnheld , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . H . Farnfield , P . M ., Sec ; Wallace , S . D . ; Coleman , J . D .: Priestl y , I . G . ; White , P . M ., D . C . and W . S . ; F . Cozens , Organist ; and G . Harrison , Tyler . When these varions appointments had been completed , the Installing Master concluded the ceremony by delivering the customary orations to the VV . M ., the Vvardens , and brethren . 'The

report of thc Audit Committee was then read and adopted ; and it was proposed by Bro . Dennis , P . M ., seconded by the Ticasurer , and carried unanimously , that a vote of thanks to the installing Master be recorded on the lodge minutes for the able and impressive manner in which he had performed the ceremony of installation . A fund having been raised by the lodge to present a gratuity of one guinea each to the crew of the thirteen men who man the Masonic lifeboat , Albert Edward , stationed at Clacton-on-

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Sea , and the « ame havin g been presented to them by Bros . Coleman and Dennis , P . M . ' s , a letter of thanks from the coxswain was read , in which it was stated that the boat had saved sixty-four lives , and had been instrumental in saving two ships . 'The Secretary was directed , by a motion to that effect , to enter this letter on the minutes of the lodge . Some further business of minor importance was also

transacted , and the lodge was then closed in due form . Among the visitors to the lodge were Bros . William Parry , 1107 ; J . B . Tallin , 172 S ; G . J . Judge , 117 S ; J . L . Reed , 122 S ; Edwin Isaacs , 1 S 2 G ; H . Smith Syer , 13 ; T . Hert , P . M . 1 S 0 ; Leonard Potter , P . M . 171 G : A . J . Manning , P . M . 1437 ; J . H . Wildash , 1662 ; E . G . Johnson , D . C . 1 S 04 ; John Mason , P . P . S . G . D . Middx . ;

J . Slade Brown , P . AI . 105 G ; and E . C Massey , 1297 . After the lodge the brethren to the number of about sixty dined together at the adjoining building , after which a selection of vocal music was performed by the following professional brethren , viz ., Bros . Ashton , A . James , H . Taylor , F . H . Cozens , and Chaplin Henry ; these arrangements being under the direction of Bro . F . H . Cozensthe

, Organist co the lodge . 'The VV . M . in proposing the toasts , - " The Oueen and the Craft , " "The M . W . the Grand Master , " "The Prov . G . M ., the Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Oflicers Past and Present , " did so in fewest possible words , with a view to economizing the time at his disposal . It is unnecessary to add that all of these toasts were received with

the customary loyalty of Freemasons . The I . P . M ., Bro . Barr , proposed "The Health of the VV . M ., " an earnest Mason , who by his devotion to the interests of their lodge well deserved the confidence whicli the brethren had placed in him by electing him , their ruler for the ensuing year . Bro . Wordley , in reply , said that it gave him great

pleasure to acknowledge the honour the brethren had done him by electing him to the position he now held ; and it would be his constant endeavour during his year of office so to perform his duties as to give them satisfaction and to merit their esteem . The Chairman then proposed "The Health of the Initiates , " in doing which he said that it gave him great pleasure to

congratulate them upon having made their entry into Freemasonry . He was very much pleased with the manner in which they had conducted themselves during the ceremony , and he believed they would prove a credit to the Craft . Each of the four initiates having said a few words in acknowledgment of the compliment , Bro . VV . H . Farnfield , P . M . and Sec , said hc was

commissioned by the VV . M . to propose the next toast , "The Health of the Visitors . " 'The Royal Albert Lodge was always glad to see visitors , and he was pleased to observe that they had as many as thirty-three on this occasion . As their time was limited he could not expect every visitor to reply , and should therefore couple with the toast only the names of Bros . Anderson , Syers , Potts and lohnson .

1 he brethren named having brie fly replied , the Chairman proposed "The Health of the Installing Master , " in doing which he referred to his great ability as a Mason and to the highly prosperous year of office " he has enjoyed ; and in presenting him with a P . M . jewel he said that no brother who had passed the chair had more richly deserved such a recognition of his services .

Bro . Barr having made his acknowledgments , the Treasurer proposed " Success to the Masonic Charities , " coupling therewith the name of Bro . Mason , who made a suitable reply . Toasts were also proposed to "The Health of the P . M . ' s and the Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler's toast terminated the proceedings .

DUKE OF EDINBURGH LODGE ( No . 125 ' * i ) •—A regular meeting of the above lodge was held at Bro . VV . Davies , Cape of Good Hope Tavern , Commercialroad , Limehouse . Bro . W . Hancock , W . M ., opened the lodge , and had the support of the following officers and brethren : Bros . T . W . Gilling , S . W . ; E . II . Rolfe , j . W . ; VV . Charlton , S . D . ; VV . M . EsmondJ . D . ; C

Wake-, field , LG . ; G . T . II . Seddon , P . M ., " Org . ; J . Very , Tyler ; E . Jex , P . M ., Treasurer ; VV . Bradbroo ' k , P . M ., Secretary ; G . Buchan , P . M . ; R . Atkins , P . M . ; S . T . Beale , W . J . Trappett , L . Ettling , L . Gust , R . Dixon , VV . Harden , J . S . Robbie , VV . Pettit , J . Wear , and others . Visitors : Bros . G . P . Collar , S . W . 1 G 22 ; and G . H . Stevens , S . D . 1 G 23 ( Freemason ) .

Lodge having been duly opened , the minutes were submitted and duly confirmed . The candidate for initiation not being in attendance , the other business upon the agenda paper was then proceeded with . Bro . L . Ettling being tested as to his proficiency and entrusted , and subsequently was raised to tlie Sublime Degree of AI . M . Bro . Gamprecht was next tested as a candidate for passing ,

and was duly passed to the F . C . Degree in an able manner . Other lodge business was disposed of , and the bre thren afterwards partook of a well-served supper . ' 1 he usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and heartily received ; and the able services ot Bro . Seddons were called into requisition as accompanyist to a number of capital songs , which helped to pass a very enjoyable evening .

ST . JOHN OF WAPPING LODGE ( No . 130 G ) . — The anniversary festival of this flourishing lodge was celebrated with considerable eclat on the 12 th inst ., at Bro . Kingston's , Moorgate Tavern , 15 , Finsbury-pavement , E . C . A judiciously arranged emergency meeting , held on the 15 th inst ., had disposed of all but the installation ceremonial , and Bro . Magrath is to be congratulated

upon having finished up his work in so masterly a style . Lodge was opened at four o ' clock promptly , when there were present Bros . Magrath , W . M . ; T . Wooding , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; J . Horsley J . W . ; A . G . Clements , Sec ; T . . 1- Tyer , S . D . ; J . Couture . J . D . ; J . G . Twinn , D . C ; G . 1 . Holdom , I . C ; J . I . o ' tus , and J . Sommers , Stewards ; XV . XV . H . Sherwin , Organist ; Past Masters C Veal , VV . Beck ( I reasurer ) j T . W . Dawson , VV . IL Hayward ,

W . Oxley , G . Wise , VV .-M . Creddie , S . M . Pipe , J . M . Stevens , T . Phillips , J . Carrociero , T . J . 'Tarling . T . Morris , C . Raynor , II . T . Hardy , J . T . Barnes , F . Crawley , I ' .. Oppcnheim , J . L . Green , and others . 'I he following visitors also signed the attendance book : Bros . C Stephenson , S 13 ; T . Clark , S . D . 1178 ; U . K . Chsb y , 1 G 23 ; I ' . II . Clisby , 1623 ; D . Keyse , J . D . 1314 . R . 1 . Sturtevant , VV . M . 127 S ; J . Stroud , W . S . 1227 ; C . J . Edwards , P . M . 1457 ; J . T . K . job , W . M . 107 G ; J . I . O'Callaghan , 120 S ; D . Moss , S . D . 1275 ; J .