Craft Masonry.

by Bro . Bartley Dennis ' , P . P . G . W ., I . P . M . The following officers were invested : Bros . Stanley Machin , S . W . ; F . W . Marrian , J . W . ; F . W . Chant Hobrow , Treas . ; W . Grant Greig , Sec ; J . J . Hanbury , S . D . ; R . E . H . Fisher , J . D . ; Walter Wellsman , P . M ., D . C ; G . R . Wood , Org . ; VV . F . Webster , I . C ; E . B . Lemon and C . Stanley Gibbs , Stwds . ; and Whiteway , Tyler . Lodge was closed , and the banquet was followed by the usual toasts . Bro . E . R . Bartley Denniss , P . P . G . W . Middx ., I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said it was perhaps the most interesting period in the life of a Mason to

be placed in the chair of King Solomon by the brethren of the lodge . Sometimes it was taken with fear , and sometimes with confidence . There was a class of Worshipful Masters who took the chair with great confidence , not because they were inflated with their own ability , but because they knew thev had behind them the friendship and affection of every member . Their present W . M . belonged to that class , and knew he had done his best ever since his initiation to perfect himself and make himself worthy of the position he knew he would have to fill . Bro . Marrian was an experienced Mason as regards everything a Mason could learn before he occupied the chair ; he had studied

the ritual , and had served the lodge in the capacity of Secretary in a manner so admirable , that no Secretary could have done better . The W . M . was kindness itself , and also simplicity itself in the best of all senses . Genial and nice in his manner , that it made one feel he was doing an important favour when asking to do another a service . During the past year the work of Worshipful Master had been made easy by Bro . Marrian , by the manner in which he regulated everything . The members reciprocated the kind feelings and affection which the W . M . had always shown to every brother in the lodge , and in placing him in the chair , they felt they had a Master to fill

it with the greatest possible credit , not only to the Willesden Lodge , but to the cause of Freemasonry . He was , in fact , the epitome ot all that was excellent in Masonry , as far as a man could be , who had only been a Mason for a few years . That was the feeling with which they _ regarded their W . M . that night , and was no after-dinner flattery . During the coming year the lodge would go on and prosper , for the members were all united by one feeling . They had had good Past Masters , and the work could not be surpassed in any lodge , and whilst they had such P . Ms , and brethren like their W . M ., Masonry would prosper in the highest and best sense . When he ( the I . P . M ) asked them

to drink the W . M . 's health , there would not be one who would have the slightest diffidence in doing so , feeling sure , as they did , that everything that could be done for a lodge and for Freemasonry would be done by Bro . Marrian , whom they were proud and pleased to see in the chair . Bro . C . J . Marrian , W . M ., in reply , said he rose very diffidently to return thanks for the too flattering way in which the toast had been proposed and received . He was the first of the members to exchange the rosettes for the levels . They had hitherto been governed by experienced Past Masters—Bros . Robson , Sir Reginald Hanson , Butler ,

and Denniss . He should have to claim their indulgence in many ways during his year . The I . P . M . had spoken of him as if he had already learned all there was to learn about Masonry except the secrets of the Master's chair , and that was far from being true . He had studied and done what he could in a small way but he knew there was more and more to learn . The older a Mason got the more he found there was yet something to learn . That was the spirit in which he approached the Master ' s chair , and any work they gave him to do he would perform to the best of his ability . He was not anxious that members should be brought in simply for the sake of doing work . He would

rather have no work than have any candidate admitted who would not be agreeable to every member . Some said their lodge had been exclusive , but there was no harm in that . _ They had at present the perfect number of 33 and he should be happy to see that increased to 34 or 35 if they were good men and true . The Secretary of the Boys ' School had kindly accepted the offer of his services as Steward at the Centenary Festival , and he looked forward to have the support of the lodge . He would next turn to a more congenial topic , to propose " The I . P . M . " Bro . Denniss , I . P . M . ^ in stating the qualifications for the chair , said the W . M . must be " easy of address . " How could he ( the

W . M . ) be easy of address after listening to the silver tongue of the I . P . M . He almost felt ashamed to propose the toast after the eloquent manner in which the I . P . M . had performed a similar duty . They all knew how Bro . Denniss had conducted the affairs of the lodge during the past year , and that he had done everything possible for a Master of a lodge to do . The I . P . M . had worked hard to keep the lodge together , and would be much missed in the coming year . They saw by the jewels on his breast that that was not the first lodge in which the I . P . M . ' s services had been recognised and appreciated . That was the fourth chair Bro . Denniss had filled , and he ( the

Worshipful Master ) had much pleasure in their name to present the Immediate Past Master with a Past Master ' s jewel of the Willesden Lodge . In asking his acceptance they did so , not for its intrinsic value , but rather as an earnest of the affection and esteem in which he was held by every member . Bro . E . R . Bartley Denniss , P . P . G . W . Middx ., I . P . M ., in responding , slid it was a source of great gratification to him that in spite of his faults the members had been pleased . When they kindly asked him to be a founder he for the first time became acquainted with a body of men who represented the perfect spirit of Masonry as near as it

was possible to be represented by any body of Freemasons in this country . They had imbued him with that spirit , and he had endeavoured to the best of his small ability to carry out his . duties . Freemasonry was looked upon in different ways by different minds and different classes of men . It was a great misfortune to be cast amongst those who did not understand and appreciate their noble principles , but whenever a min's lot was cast amongst those who did understand and appreciate them he could not fail to see what an extreme advantage it was and he could but endeavour — though he might not succeed — to regulate his conduct

according to Masonic line and rule . There was not a single member of the lodge who was not imbued with the . real Masonic spirit , and whether so inclined before or not , once a brother had been present at their ceremonies he must feel the great benefit of Freemasonry . He thanked them sincerely for the fraternal spirit evinced towards him , and also for the kind encouragement given him during the year he had served as M ister . He had endeavoured at the social board—which , to his mind , was an extremely important part of Freemasonry—to interest and amuse them . If he had succeeded , he

was delighted . It was at the after-dinner gatherings that they made friendships , which they could in after years look back upon with pleasure . They had been kind enough to present him with a jewel , and amongst his jewels there was none he was more proud of , because it was that lodge which first imbued him with the true spirit of Freemasonry . No brother liked leaving the chair ; but , if there was any consolation in his case , it was that he was succeeded by one who would carry on the traditions of the lodge as they had been carried on in past years . H . knew they reciprocated his feelings , and he sincerely thanked them from the bottom of his heart .

Bro . Glynn Smith , P . P . G . Reg . Middx . ; responding for "The Visitors , said he could cay with sincerity that they had had a great pleasure in attending . They had a great Masonic treat in seeing the able and impressive manner in which the installation ceremony was peiformed by a brother whom he had also seen in the Prov . Grand Lodge of Middlesex . They congratulated the W . M . on attaining the highest honour in the lodge . He thanked the lodge for an enjoyable evening , and for its magnificent hospitality .

Bros . Maclure , P . M . 17 C , and H . Machin , S . W . 231 , also replied . Bros . Rob-on , P . M ., and Butler , P . M ., having answered for " The Past Masters , " Bro . Denniss , I . P . M ., proposed " The Masonic Charities " in eloquent terms . Bro . J . M . McLeod , P G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., replied , lucidly placing before the brethren tacts and figures relative to the Boys' Institution , and forcibly appealing for support for the forthcoming Centenary Festival .

"The Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Officers " were given , and were fol lowed by the Tyler ' s toast . Bro , Reynolds Wood , Org ., was ably assisted in the musical arrangements by Bros Fred . Cozens and A . Johnson .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

Old Concord Chapter , No . 172-The October ordinary convocation of this chapter was held on Tuesday evening at the Hulborn Restaurant , when there attended Comps . II . Tatton Syk : s , M . E . Z . ; Woolmer Williams , II . ; William Hunt , J . ; Carl T . Fleck , P . Z , Treas . ; George King , P . Z ., S . E . ; James H . Hoare , S . N . ; R . T . Godfrey , P . Z ., as P . S . ; F . VV . Jordan , ist A . S . ; Henry R . Cope , P . Z . ; Walter Ravaiion , Ern : st Vaughan , Benjamin Stone , F . Douglas Norman , C II . Bjlsey , Ed , vin H . Greene , and G . A . Couch-

Royal Arch.

man , Janitor . Visitors : Comos . Alfred L . Annett , P . Z . 1 S 0 ; H . Massey , P . Z . G 19 and U ) 2 S ; and H . Bertram , P . ' / .. 5 69 . Bros . Arthur Henry Burr and Edwin Henry Gilbert , both of the Old Concord Lodge , No . 172 , were balloted for as candidates for exiltatnn , and the latter being in attendance was exalted in capital style by the Principals , officers , and Comp . Godfrey , The companions afterwards adjourned to a choice banquet , and honoured the usual loyal and R . A . toasts .

Comp . Godfrey , P . Z ., proposed " The M . E . Z . " At the previous meeting , when he had the pleasure of installing Comp . Tatton Sykes , he felt it a very great honour . Comp . Tatton Sykes also took it as such , and all companions looked at the position as the acme of their ambition . That evening the companions hid seen the good working oS the M . E . Z . He came with a grand record from the great old lodge , where a man must be super-excellent to obtain the post ot W . M . Comp . Tatton Sykes was excellent in Craft working , and he had gone on increasing his excellence as he went through

the clmrs of the chapter . Coming as he did from such a lodge , what could the companions expect but that the work would be superby done ? The chapter was promised some candidates , and the members expected that on those occisions they would see the work carried out with even greater perfection than it hid been that evening . Comp . H . Tatton Sykes , M . E . Z ., replying , said he felt it a very great honour to be elected and to be placed in the First Principal's chair of the Old Concord Chapter . It was the acme of his ambition in his Masonic life to have the Third Degree completed ,

and , what was more , to have to complete the Third Degree to other exaltees of the chapter . He hoped he should be spared to the end of his term of office . At the next meeting he trusted he should give the mystical lecture complete . He was sorry he had not done it that evening , but he felt it would be better to let Comp . Godfrey do it perfectly than do it imperfectly himself . Time and circumstances were not given him for the purpose of performing the work as he should wish . He returned his hearty good wishes for all the kind things said by Comp . Godfrey concerning him , and also to the rest of the

companions for the encouragement given to his small efforts . Before sitting down he would propose the toast of "The H . and J . " It required very few words to extol the aptitude of Comp . Woolmer Williams in the performance of his part of the ceremony . They had already seen that at the installation of J . Comp . Woolmer Williams did his work in a thoroughly competent manner , and when he should be elected to occupy the proud position of the M . E . Z . he would not in any way go bick on his former excellence of work . He hoped Comp . Williams would attain the M . E . Z . ' s

chair . He ( Comp . Tatton Sykes ) would be very sorry to vacate it ; but still he should be pleased to see Comp . Woolmar Williams occupy it . With regard to Comp . Hunt , he might say that he and Comp . Hunt worked up together in the lodge . Whatever Comp . Hunt undertook he would do to his utmost ability ; if he said he would do his work properly , they might count upon it he would . Comps . Woolmer Williams . H ., and William Hunt , J ., having responded ,

Comp . H . Tatton Sykes , M . E . Z ., proposed "The Exaltees . " He said Comp . Gilbert came from the original stock—the Old Concord Lodge : long might it flourish , root and branch I Comp . Gilbert would try his utmost to go on ; he would have to wait some timebecause he was not yet in the chair of a lodge , and he could not reach a Principal ' s chair in the chapter without being an Installed Mister . There was no doubt he would progress , and most probably , if elected , would fulfil the minor offices in the chapter till he could take a Principal ' s .

Ccmp . Edwin Henry Gilbert , responding , said he felt very proud to be a companion among Royal Arch Masons . As regarded the ceremony of exaltation , it was very grand . He had heard people say , " When you get into the Arch you will find it very grand , " and he had found it so . He trusted he should bs a good member of the Old Concord Chapter . Comps . Annett , Massey , and Bertram we ' re all called upon to reply to the toast of " The Visitors . "

Comp . Carl T . Fleck , P . Z ., Treas ., replying for himself to the toast of "The Treasurer and the Scribe E ., " regretted that on account of having only just returned from the seaside , he was unable to be present at the working of the chapter . He had received a letter from Comp . Meierhoff , P . Z ., in which that companion stated : "I am sorry to say that , owing to the state of my wife ' s health , I shall not be able to turn up at the chapter to-morrow . " He had only just received that letter , or he should certainly

have made an extra effort to be at the chapter earlier . Comp . George King , P . Z ., responded as S . E ., and said he was pleased to find the chapter was in such a flourishing condition . Comp . Cope , P . Z ., responded to the toast of ' The P . Zs ., " and Comp . Godfrey to that of "The Officers . " The Janitor ' s toast closed the proceedings .

Selwyn Chapter , No . 1901 . The installation meeting of this flourishing chipter took plac : at th ; M jntpelisr Hotel , Choumert-road , Peckham , S . E ., on Thursday , the 14 th inst . There were present Comps . B . Morgan , M . E . Z . ; Wm . Wills , H ., M . E . Z . elect ; W . H . Hook , P . Z ., Treas . ; Wm . Beecrott , J ., H . elect ; C . H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., D . C . ; R . Weddall Thomas , S . N . ; A . H . Fraser , ist A . S . ; Thos . Bowler , Janitor ; John Lightfoot , P . Z . ; Edwin Gauntlett , P . Z . ; H . Cornford , E . Aggleton , H . C Turner , H . Hayward , J . Austin , H . Mills , and Jos . A . May . The visitors were

Comps . H . Hardman , J . 1275 ; Geo . R . Langley , P . Z . 1326 , P . Prov . G . Treas . Middx . ; R . J . Voisey , P Z ., S . E . 1329 ; T . T . Willcox , P . Z . 975 j Isaac Dunn , M . E . Z . 1611 ; Frank Swinford Smith , S . E . 2272 ; and Arthur Weston , 1572 . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . Through the death ot our highly respected Comp . T . W . Giy , J . elect , it was necessary to ballot for a companion to that office , as also the office of P . S . Comps . A . H . Fraser and H . Cornford respectively , were unanimously elected to those offices . Comp . C H . Stone installed

Comp . Wm . Wills into the chair of M . E . Z . ; Comp . Wm . Wills installed Comp . Wm . Beecroft into the chair of H . ; and Comp . T . Grummant installed Comp . A . H . Fraser into the chair of J . The ceremonies were performed in an exemplary manner . The M . E . Z . invested his officers as follows : Comps . W . H . Hook , P . Z ., Treas . ; C . H . Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., D . C ; H . Cornford , P . S . ; H . C Turner , 2 nd A . S . ; E . Aggleton , Stwd . ; and Thos . Bowler , Jinitor . Comp . C . A . Adams , S . N . elect , and F . E . Pow , ist A . S . elect , were absent through illness , consequently ,

their investiture was deferred until next convocation . The balance-sheet was presented and adopted , showing the chapter to bs flourishing . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Comp . B . Morgan , I . P . Z ., for presenting the chapter with a kneeling-stool , his second gilt to the chapter . Comp . Morgan very suitably replied . It was resolved tint a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs . Giy upon the loss of her hushani , the esteemed Com ? . T . W . Giy , J . elect , and a letter of sympathy with Comp . F . E . Pow in his illness , with the earnest desire of the companions for hisspiedy recivsrv .

The business of the chipter ended , it wis closed , and the companions adj wrned to an excellent banquet , supplied by Mrs . Pov , the wife of Comp . F . E . POM , the proprietor , which was much appreciated , and for which she received special chinks . The cloth removed , the M . E . Z . presented the loyal and Royal Arch toasts in becoming terms , which were royally received . Also that of "The G . H ., the G . J ., and the rest of the Grand Officers . " The M . E . Z . remirked they deserved a mjst cordial recognition .

The toast of "The M . E . Z . " was proposed by Comp . B . Morgan , I . P . Z ., who stated that it was the first fun ; he hid th ; hooour and privilege of pla : in ^ such a well deserved toast before the chapter , for all who knew Comp . Wm . Wills in the Selwyn Lodge and the record year during his Mastership , would congratulate him upon his attaining so high a position in the chapter , and wish him and the chapter as equal success as in the lodge . He asked the companions to drink to the toist most cordiilly .

In reply , the M . E . Z . said he felt somewhat diffident on rising to respond for the first time as Z . of the chapter . It was certainly a position which required considiration and reflection , and he hoped at the end to merit all the kind words that had been said of him . ^ Certainly , in the Craft he had had a most exceptional year of office as Master of the Selwyn Lodge , and he hoped to a degree that the same success would follow in

the chapter , but depend upon it whoever offered themselves as candidates would be those of the right calibre and with a guirantee that they were worthy of such an exaltation . He would exert himself to the utmost for the welfire of the chipier now he had been exalted to so high and honourable a position , for w , ii : h he most gratefully thanked them .

The toist of "II . and J . " was given by the M . E . Z ., who said they were co-Piincipals and worthy of the position to which they had been installed , which involved more responsibilities , more attention , and more work . Comp . Beecroft , H ., had done