The Masonic Veterans.

President ; James Muggins , Venerable Vice-President ; Andrew B . Martin , V . Treasurer ; Joseph Short , jun ., V . Corresponding Secretary ; and Frederick L . " Jenkins , V . Recorder . There are also live Trustees , a " Governing Directory" of live Brethren , an Historian ( Bro . William L . Gardner ) , an Obituary Committee , a

Chaplain ( the Rev . Cornelius L . Twing , D . D . ) , and a Guardian ; besides a Board ol" Visitors , for each year , of 41 members , grouped under seven Districts . The organisation is a very large one , having accepted gofi members since its start in 1888 , of whom 15 Honorary , four Life ,

and 7 6 4 Active Members aie still on the Register . The names of all these , including the deceased brethren , are alphabetically arranged and follow the By-laws , their lodges ( numbering ovei one hundred ) being specified and besides , the officers elected and appointed are also carefully described from origin to 18 97 .

The Badge of the " Brooklyn Masonic Veterans is a suggestive one , and very appropriate , the legend outside the circle being" The best of Life is yet to come . " The Meetings are held in "Aurora Grata Cathedral " on the

last Saturday of each month , the Annual Feast being celebrated on the second Saturday of December . The Fee for Membership is live Dollars and the Annual Subscription is one Dollar , or the sum of 25 Dollars for Life Membership . My lamented friend , General Albert Pike , was one of the Honorary Members ,

and the Membership is scattered over 13 Stales , as well as some in Foreign Countries . I am indebted to Bro . W . J . Allen , of the " Crystal Wave " Lodge , Brooklyn , for a copy of the

Bylaws of this leading Organisation of Masonic Veterans m the World . He also kindly sent me a programme of the Memorial Service which was held in the Cathedral aforesaid , in respect to the deceased members , from December 15 th , 1888 , to October

ist , 1807 . M . W . Bro . John M . Carter , of Baltimore , has kindly sent me the Regulations of the Masonic Veteran Association of Maryland , revised and adopted May 12 th , 18 9 6 . The Admission Fee is five dollars , including a very neat and suitable Medal , or

Badge , and the Certificate of Membership is both chaste and appropriate . The Annual Dues are two dollars , and the Annual He-union and Jfcmquet are held at the February meeting . As with the most of these Societies , Craftsmen of 21 years' active membership as Master Masons are eligible to join , and wisely

so ; the same condition is required for Honorary Members also . The List of Members runs to some 70 . The President is Bro . Geo . L . McCahan , the Vice-President is Bro . John M . Carter , and the Secretary is Bro . William Isaac . The other ollicers are

Brothers William 11 . Shryock , Treasurer ; Edward I . Schullz , Curator ; with several Stewards and Committees , those named beiii" - among the most respected Craftsmen of Maryland . This " Organisation is not so large as some , but there is no lack of zeal and enthusiasm , and its membership is much appreciated

The Meetings of the Brooklyn Society are most enjoyable , Papers on different subjects are often read to the brethren , music at intervals , and , as a happy finale , the Veterans have a cup of coffee and a sandwich together , returning Home refreshed

in mind and bedy . There is an average , attendance ol over three hundred , and these gatherings are so valued that Dr . Mctcalf , the Historian of the Masonic Veterans , declares " It was well worth a trip of 1200 miles lo attend one of these Meetings . ' ' The Annual is the Masonic event of the year in the City of

Brooklyn . We have one now lor this Country , with its temporary Head quarters at Newcaslle-on-Tyne . It ought to be a great success

ADDENDUM . Since writing the above 1 have received an invite to attend the 26 th Annual Festival of the Veterans of New York ( where I shall be in spirit ) , and by same mail a most attractive Volume

on the Veterans of Brooklyn , N . Y ., devoted to an Historical Report of that great Society from its Organisation , 26 th November , 18 S 8 , to June , 30 th , 1894 . It has been sent me " With compliments of the Brooklyn Masonic Veterans " { per Venerable lire . W . 7- Allen ) , and is very much appreciated .

The Chairman of the Publishing Committee was Bro . Claudius F . Beatlv , who was the fourth President ( A . l ) . 1892 ) , and the Venerable Editor , Bro . William L . Gardner , worked most zealously to make the artistic and interesting Work all that it should be . The large number of Portraits of Past Officers

and Trustees , with many a warm-hearted Report from the various Presidents , as well as a few poems on special occasions , and reproductions of the Menus for the Annual Feasts add much to the value of this Choice Book , the latter , especially ,

being both original and entertaining . Several of the Speeches at the Gatherings are far above the average , and the text , from beginning to end , makes very good reading . " W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Scientific Lodge , No . 88 . The December meeting , held on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Lion Hotel , Petty Cury , was a busy one , as all three Degrees were conferred . Br o . VV . Sindill , W . M ., raised Bros . L . C . Purkis and H . Whvbro . Then Bro . T . VV . Allsop , P . M . of Concordia , and also a member of No . SS , pissed his son , Bro . Filmer T . K . Allsop ; after which Mr . James Burrow was initiated by the W . M ., the charge being delivered by Bro . T . Nichols , P . M . The Auditors having been appointed , Bro . John H . Moyes

, S . W ., a son of the late Deputy Prov . Grand Master , was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year , and will be installed on January io ' . h . Bro . B . VV . Beales , jun ., was re-elected Treasurer , It was resolved , on the motion of Bro . Alderman Spalding , P . M ., to send a message of condolence to the Pro Grand Master of England , the Earl of Lathom , and the family , on the sad death bv accident of Lidy Lithom . Mention was made of the fact that one of the sons , Hon . R . B . VVilbraham , was a member of the Isaac Newton University Lodge , at Cambridge .

Sincerity Lodge , No . 174 . At the monthly meeting of this lodge , held at the Gjildhill Tavern , on Wednesdiy , the 15 th inst ., there was a capital attendance , and among truss present , in addition to the W . M ., Bro . j . liayley , were Bros . J . Newton , P . M . 174 and 11107 , P . Z . 174 andy 75 , P ^ st Grand Pursuivant ; H . Magee , P . M . 174 , and P . Z . 174 ; F . Harvey , P . M . 174 ; -H . lay , P . M . 174 ; C . II . Webb , P . M . 174 and 1607 , P . Z . 174 and 1541 ; , P . P . G . S . B . IK . A ) Middlesex ; J . H . Bulroer , 174 ; A . Cocks , L . Holland , G . A . Griffiths , J . Mustart , and J . C . Dunningham .

Following the confirmation of the minutes the W . M . stated , owing to unfortunate and unavoidable circumstances it would be necessary to elect the iici ming W . M , from the Past Masters , as he was unwilling to do duty far another year owing to pressure of business . Bro . Griffiths , S . W ., said it was with a vist amount of regret he was obliged to decline the honour of occupying the position of W . M . for the ensuing year , for during that period it would be impossible for him to devote the necessary time far the proper fulfilment of the onerous duties of the ollice . Bro . Licey , P . M . and Treas .,

while regretting the necessity of appointing one of the Pist M uteri to ( ill the office , rejoiced that in the person of Bro . Newton they had a brother who wis not only worthily capable of rilling the position , but would , if elected , do his best to serve the " good old Sinceiity" faithfully . He moved accordingly . This was seconded by Bro . Sedlon , P . M ., who observed Bro . Newton had been honoured by Grand Lodge , and by occupying the distinguished position of W . M . he would be honouring the members of the Sincerity Lodge . He felt sure the brethren would unanimously elect him to that position . A

billot having been taken , Bro . Newton was unanimously declared elected . In replying the W . M . elect briefly returned thanks , and contented himself by saying he felt the honour very much indeed . He had kept himself well informed in the working of the litual and would endeavour , as he had always done , to promote the success and interests of their lodge . It was dear to him and if they gave him work he would do it . Bro . Lacey having cordially been re-elected Treasurer , Bros . Keeble , Mustart , and Iggleden

were added to the Audit Committee . The lodge decided to present Bro . Biyley with a jewel of the value of ^ 10 ios . as a slight recognition of its appre : iation for the able manner in which he had carried out the duties of W . M . during the past year . Bro . Ha > ley , in returning thanks , expressed the pleasure he felt in being able to serve the Sincerity Lodge , which he trusted during the year would mike marked progress under Bro . Newton's able direction .

At the usual weekly meeting of the Sincerity Lodge of Instruction on Monday , Bro . C . H . Webb , the popular Preceptor , was the recipient of a ci ^ ar holder , subscribed for by some of the members . The presentation was the outcome of a unanimous feeling of those attending instruction , that some tangible appreciation of Bro . Webb ' s efforts had been fully and properly appreciated . Bro . H . Magee , P . M ., mide the presentation in a few happy terms , and Bro . J . Newton , the W . M . elect , in supporting all that hid

been said in Bro . Webb ' s favour , observed he had never known a Mason who had gone about dutiesconnee'ed with the Craft in such an unostentatious manner as had their indtfatigable Preceptor and Secretary . Bro . Webb , in reply , gratefully acknowledged the unexpected and welcome proof of the confidence of their members , and said it had always been his effort to impirt all he knew concerning the Craft to those willing to accept his teaching , which wis given according to his lights .

United Strength Lodge , No . 228 . The final meeting of the session for 1 S 07 of the above old-established lodge wis hel d on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., at the Guildhall Tavern , City , when Mr . Frederick Charles Matusch , was duly initiated a member of the Craft . Tne ceremony ol initiation was impressively performed by the W . M ., Brn . Fred Moss ,

the Deacon ' s work—in the unavoidable absence of Bro . A . O . Mi'Ier—being ably cariied out at the request of the W . M ., by Bro . Booker , P . M . In addition to the W . M ., and most of the officers , there were present a goodly muster of the Past Masters and brethren of the lodge , besides four visitors from the Eist , Kent , and Prosperity Lodges respectively .

A very pleasant feature of the evening ' s proceedings was the unanimous electionfor the third time—of Bro . Jemes Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . 15 . 1 ., Treas ., and oldest P . M . of Lodge 223 , as W . M . elect for the ensuing year , when the lodge will celebrate its centenary . Bro . Terry acknowledged the compliment paid him by the lodge in graceful and feeling terms , and during the Fourth Degree , when his health was duly proposed by the W . M ., Bro . Terry again testified to the pleasure he felt at the great honour conferred on him by the brethren , and promised to do all in his power to further the interests of the lodge and the welfare of its members .

1 he usual toasts were given in an appropriate manner by the W . M ., and during the evening songs were capitally rendered by Bros . Seaton , P . M . ( visitor ) , Booker , P . M . ; and Caiger . The W . M . elect gave t ' - . e humorous recitation " Daniel versus Dfshclout " in his well-known manner , while Bro . Holland , P . M ., ably recited " Kate Maloney , " and another , written by himself , entitled " How to kill a cat , " which afforded much amusement to the company present . Bro . A . Smith gave a first-rate display of his sleight-of-hand with a pick of cards , assisted by Bro . Downes , ( 15 ( visitor ) .

A thoroughly enjoyable evening was spen i , Bro . Curtis , P . M ., B . Mus ., Organist , accompanying the songs in his masterly style .

Hemming Lodge , No . 1512-A meeting of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the 30 th ult . Among those present were Bros . VV . Hopkins , W . M . ; P . Cronin , S . W . ; C . Wheatley , | . W . ; J . C . h-ssett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . VV ., P . G . Std . l ) r ., Sec ; II . Gale , S . D . ; C . Davis , I . D . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C ; II . Wheatley , P . M ., P . P . A G . D . C , and W . Hill , Stewards ; T . W . Dckenden , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . Spearing , P . M ., P . P . G S . B j and I ' . J . I ' agg , P . M . "

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . Roberts was rai-ed to the Third Degree and liro . Hemming passed to the Second Degree ^ the ceremonies being performed by the Secretary . Ihe VV . M . initiated Messrs . M is ; eyand Bertram . It being election night , lira . P . Cronin , S . W ., was uninimnusly elected W . M . ; liro . J . C . Jessett , P . M ., Treasuier ; and Bro . J . Gilb : rt , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jewel and collar wi re voted to the W . M . The Secretary give a notice of motion— " That at the next imeting the lodge should elect a Steward to represent it at the Centenary Festival of the K iyal Masonic Institution for Boys , and that a sum oi money should be voted to head the Steward ' s list . "

Apologies for nan-atu ndance were nceived from Bros . W . Eisher , P . M . PPG Treas . ; J . VV . Clarke , P . M ., P . G . P . ; lv H . Trotter , P . A . G . P . ; and others . ' ' ' The lodge was then clo . ed . A banquet follo . ved . The u ; uil loyal toasts weredjly honoured . Bro . T . W . Ockendcn replied on behalf of " The Provincial Grand O . licers . " In the course of his remarks he reminded the brethren that on that night 23 years ago he