Reports Masonic Meetings.

The minutes of the previous meeting , and an emergency meeting , were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee having been read and adopted , Bro . R . W . Simpson was raised to the Third Degree by the W . M . The ballot having been taken for Mr . j . H . Gaunt , he was duly initiated . Bro . T . W . Ockenden , W . M . elect , was presented and installed into the chair of K . S . by Bro .

Featherstone , assisted by Bros . Piller , P . M ., as S . W . ; Walls , P . M . as J . W . ; Chandler , P . M ., as D . C . ; and Page , P . M ., as l . G . The newly-installed Master then invested his officers in a most able manner as follows : Bros . T . C . Walls , S . W . j C . Bonell , J . W . j the Rev . C . de Crespigny , Chaplain j Featherstone , Treasurer j Peat , Secretaryj Drummond , S . D . ; Dare , J . D . ; Sapsworth ,

l . G . j Page , Org . ; Grant , D . C ; Bond and Spooner , Stwds . ; and Gilbert , Tyler . Bro . F . Chandler , P . M ., was then presented with a Past Master's jewel . It was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously , that a special jewel be presented to Bro . the Rev . F . J . C . de Crespigny , on his retirement as Treasurer , as a token of appreciation of the courteous and very efficient manner in which he had

performed the duties appertaining to the office . Subsequently the brother thus honoured was presented with a jewel , and acknowledged the gift in a speech of some point . It was also resolved unanimously that Bro . William Hammond , senior P . M . of the lodge , P . P . G . D . Middx ., be elected an honorary member of the lodge . Letters regretting inability to attend were read from Bros . Col .

Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M . Middx . ; R . H . Thrupp , D . P . G . M . Middx . ; Woodward , P . G . Secretary Middx . ; and others . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren partook of a well-served banquet . After the removal of the cloth the customary loyal and Craft toasts were duly honoured . Bro . the Rev . C . de Crespigny responded on behalf of

" The Provincial Grand Officers . " In proposing "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " Bro . Chandler spoke of the valuable and efficient services rendered to the lodge by Bro . Ockenden in the respective capacities of a founder , Secretary , and Senior Warden for the long period of 10 years . The lodge had chosen well ,

and he ( the speaker ) believed that during the coming year the W . M . ' s tenure of the chair would be characterised by every conceivable prosperity . The Worshipful Master having responded in a modest speech , then gave " The Initiate . " Bro . Gaunt having replied , the toast of " The Visitors " followed .

Bro . Briggs , in reply , congratulated the Wolsey Lodge on its working and its harmony . Bro . Elsam , in a speech of some length , particularly enlarged on the manner in which the W . M . had given the visitors that day a taste of his quality in so admirably investing the officers . He ( the speaker ) had been present at the consecration of the lodge , and it pleased him to see

how well it had prospered since then . In conclusion , he spoke of the strong and efficient staff of officers invested that day , some of whom were Masons of no ordinary ability . Bro . Warner and other visitors having spoken , " The Health of the Past Masters , " coupled with the name of Bro . Chandler , who responded , came next in order .

" The Treasurer and Secretary " followed . In giving this toast , the Worshipful Master touched eloquently upon the services of Bro . Featherstone , as an officer of the lodge , and trusted that in his new capacity of Treasurer his efforts would be redoubled . Bro . Peat , as Secretary , had really worked very hard , and was worthy of every commendation .

The pledge having been acknowledged , "The Officers , " coupled with the name of Bro . Walls , and "The Masonic Charities , " with the name of Bro . Sapsworth , terminated the proceedings . Bros . Hunt , P . P . G . Organist Surrey ; Page , Grant , and others contributed some pleasing instrumental and vocal harmony .

CARSHALTON . — Wallington Lodge ( No . 1892 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Public Hall , on Thursday , the 17 th inst . Bro . Alfred Bishop , W . M ., occupied the chair , and was supported by Bros . J . W . Baldwin , P . P . G . S . B . Surrey , I . P . M . ; F . Carter , S . W . j W . Russell Crowe , P . M ., Treas . j L . A . Mesrouze , P . M ., Sec . j G . W . Filmer ,

S . D . j H . D . Aslett , J . D . j J . A . Taylor , I . G . ; Pile , P . M . ; Rev . Lord Victor Seymour , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . H . Casson , P . M . 850 , P . P . G . O . Derby ; A . R . G . Carter , W . M . 172 s ; J . P . Joaquim , P . M . 508 ,- E . Crutchloe , 1385 ; J . E . Pocock , M . D ., P . M . 1 S 91 ; J . Kilvington , S . D . 1790 ; H . M . Hobbs , W . M . 2096 , Prov . S . G . D . Surrey ; W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 ; G . Dixon ,

P . M . 209 , P . P . S . G . W . Berks and Bucks ; W . R . Church , 1347 , P . P . G . P . Surrey ; C . Everist , P . M . 720 ; F . West , D . P . G . M , Surrey ; H . J . Tallentire , 1320 ; H . G . Vickers , J . W . 1632 , P . G . O . Surrey ; and W . W . Lee , 1897 . The lodge having been formally opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . On the motion of Bro . Baldwin , I . P . M ., a Past Master ' s jewel was

unanimousl y voted to Bro . A . Bishop on his retirement from the chair , in recognition of his valuable services as W . M . during the year 1 S 86-7 . Thesumof fiveguineaswas next voted from the Charity Fund of the lodge to be placed on Bro . Pile's list as Steward for the Girls' School . A Committee was appointed to consider , and , if necessary , revise , the by-laws , and the Audit report was received and adopted . Bro .

J . W . Jones was passed to the Second Degree , and Bro . J . M . Coates raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , both ceremonies being beautifully rendered by the W . M . Bro . Francis Carter , the W . M . elect , having been presented , was duly installed into the chair of K . S . The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Alfred Bishop , I . P . M . ; G . W . Filmer , S . W . ; H D .

Aslett , J . W . ; W . Kussell Crowe , P . M . 190 , Treas .: Wm . Pile , P . G . Std . Br ., P . M ., Sec . ; Rev . Lord Victor Seymour , Chap . j J . A . Taylor , S . D . ; F . A . Norton , J . D . j J . Edwards , I . G . j and A . Rowley , Tyler . Bros . J . G . Horsey , P . P . G . D . C , P . M ., D . C ; J . Newcastle , Org . ; and W . Harwood , Stwd ., being absent , their investiture was postponed . The addresses were delivered by

the Installing Master , Bro . Alfred Bishop , I . P . M . The W . M . presented a P . M . 's jewel ( manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , London ) , to the I . P . M ., Bro . Bishop , as a mark of the appreciation of the brethren at his valuable services as W . M . during the past year . Bro . Bishop , I . P . M ., in thanking the members said it would serve to remind him of many happy hours spent in their

Reports Masonic Meetings.

society . Bro . Carter , W . M ., gave notice of his intention of moving at the next meeting that a Secretary's jewel should be presented to Bro . L . A . Mesrouze , P . M ., who had so ably performed the duties of Secretary for many years , and who was now obliged to relinquish the post . The W . M . also proposed that jewels should be presented to Bros . Crowe , P . M ., Treas ., and Harwood in recognition

of their valuable services . Bro . F . West , D . P . G . M . Surrey , then rose and said that as ill health would prevent him from accompanying the brethren to the banquet table , he desired to say a few words . He wished to express his admiration of the admirable working he had witnessed , and which proved the lodge to be in a very high state of efficiency . He congratulated the W . M . on attaining the chair , and was convinced that he would maintain the proud

position the lodge had so deservedly earned for itself . On the motion of the I . P . M ., a vote of thanks was cordially passed to the W . M . for his kindness in presenting the lodge with two handsome kneeling stools . Propositions having been received , lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to the Greyhound Hotel , Carshalton , where an excellent banquet was served unde . i the personal superintendence of the genial host . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were subsequently duly

honoured . " The Prov . G . M . and Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was given by the Worshipful Master , who expressed his regret that the D . P . G . M ., Bro . West , had been unable , through ill-health , to stay with them . As the brethren were aware , the Prov . Grand Master was a thoroughly efficient brother , and admirably managed the affairs of

the province . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Hobbs , P . S . G . D . Surrey . Bro . H . M . Hobbs , P . S . G . D . Surrey , W . M . 2096 , on behalf of the Provincial Grand Officers , thanked the W . Master and brethren for the kind manner in which the toast had been given and received . He congratulated the members on having earned the eulogistic remark made by

Bro . West , D . P . G . M ., in the lodge . He considered it very pleasant for the VV . Master , occupying the chair for the first time , to have such commendatory remarks made by the D . P . G . M . He was pleased to find a lodge in such an excellent state of efficiency , and trusted there were many more like it . He again thanked them for their kindness , and assured them he considered it an honour to be a

member of the P . G . Lodge of Surrey . "The Health of the Worshipful Master" was proposed by Bro . Bishop , I . P . M ., who said that after a brother had passed through the chair as he had done , and before he retired to the gilded ease of a P . M ., he was allowed to assume the gavel for the purpose of proposing the health of his successor . It was a very pleasant duty on that

occasion , for Bro . Carter was the next initiate after himself , and had followed in due order through all the other offices . He was quite sure that in their W . M . they had a brother who would do all in his power to maintain the reputation the lodge had earned . Hd asked all present to join with him in drinking the health of Bro . Carter , W . M ., and wish him a successful vear of office .

Bro . Francis Carter , W . M ., in returning thanks , said the brethren had evinced a good feeling towards him which he did not know whether he deserved ^ The D . P . G . M . had made such kind remarks , that he felt he should have to do his best to keep up the standard of their lodge , and he would use his best endeavours to carry out his intentions . Those brethren who , like himself , had been placed in the

position of Worshipful Master for the first time , would know that he had more thoughts than words on the present occasion , so he would conclude by again thanking them . Bro . G . Dixon , P . P . S . G . W . Berks and Bucks , responded for "The Visitors , " and thanked the brethren for the kind reception given the toast . He had heard of that

lodge , and was therefore pleased to witness the admirable working , and also to hear the compliments that had been bestowed . All the officers were thoroughly efficient , and , as a Mason of 19 years' experience , he had never seen the work carried on more smoothly . Bro . Kilvington , S . D . 1790 , testified to the hospitality shown the visitors , for he had visited the lodge three times previously , and had always been received in a most kindly manner .

Bro . J . H . Casson , P . P . G . O . Derby , also responded , and said that as a friend of the Worshipful Master ' s he could testify to the efficiency which characterised all the work undertaken by that brother . He had known Bro . Carter , W . M ., for eight or nine years in various relations ,

and was convinced that the devotion and interest evinced by him in all duties augured well for the manner in which he would carry out the position of W . M . Their W . M . had always rendered willing obediance to his superior officers , and the man who could obey well was the man fit to command .

" The I . P . M . and Past Masters " was next given by the W . M ., who said the toast would require very few words is for the brethren were acquainted with the merits of their I . P . M . Bro . Bishop had carried out the duties of W . M . during the past year with marked ability , and had that evening worked two Degrees , besides rendering the ceremony of installation in a most impressive manner . The

kindness and geniality of the I . P . M . had especially contributed to his success , and he had never exerted any authority that was irksome to the members . Bros . Pile , P . M ., and Baldwin , P . M ., took considerable trouble to see the lodge worked successfully , and altogether the brethren should be proud of their Past Masters . Bro . Bishop , I . P . M ., saidit afforded him infinite pleasure

to return thanks for the honour conferred upon him by coupling his name with the toast . He had also to thank them for the handsome jewel presented to him in recognition of any services he had rendered . As in the past , he should endeavour to perform tany duties that fell to his lot to their satisfaction . He should look upon the jewel as a memento of a year which had been unsullied by any

feeling of pain . He took that opportunity of thanking the officers for the kindly manner in which they had assisted him , and assured the W . M . that he would support him during the forthcoming year as far as he was able . Bros . Pile , P . M ., and Baldwin , P . M ., also replied . " The Masonic Charities " was given by the W . M ., who

appealed to the brethren to support Bro . Pile , P . M ., who intended to represent the lodge at theforth coming Festival of the Girls' School . Bro . W . W . Morgan responded to the toast . The Officers" having been given , the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a close .

Reports Masonic Meetings.

LEEDS . —Prudence Lodge ( No . 2069 ) . —The mos successful meeting of this lodge since the installation of th < present widely-popular W . M . took place on the 12 th inst . when upwards of 80 brethren—some of them hailing frorj other provinces—responded to an invitation to hear ar address from that eminent Mason and scholar , Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . The interest of the gatherino

was also increased by the tact that Excelsior Lodge , 1046 had been officially invited to partake of the hospitality oj Prudence Lodge . Bro . C . L . Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas . , the W . M ., was surrounded by the following officers and brethren of his lodge : Bros . Dr . Smyth , P . M ., Prov . G Chap ., I . P . M . ; T . Trevor , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Watson ' P . M ., J . W . j Abbott , Treas . j Middleton , Sec . j Rev

J . Rosser , Chap . j S . S . Young , S . D . j J . J . Fretwell , J . D . j M . W . Jameson , l . G . j J . Atkinson and W . Storey ' I ) , of C . ' sj Butterworth and Milling , Stwds . j l \ Howarth , Org . j Barraud , Tyler j Rev . H . S . Butler , B S . Bailey , W . Jones , Cryer , R . F . Smithson , and A . Cooke , The visiting lodge—Excelsior , 1042—was represented bv many of the officers and brethren , including Bros . T ,

Flockton , W . M . j W . M . Tyers , I . P . M . j W . T . Carter J . W . j T . Thorp , Sec . j R . Allison , and T . Sutton . The other visitors included Bros . T . W . Embleton , Prov . S . G Warden j J . C . Malcolm , P . P . G . R . j Major Moore , Col ' Harkey , W . T . Smithson , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., W . M . 212 s ' K . Craig , P . P . G . D . j T . Winn , P . P . G . S . of Wks . j H ' France , P . P . G . D . C . j J . Richardson , P . M . 1001 , P . P . G

Purst . j A . Scarth , W . M . 12 S 9 J Glover , P . M . 28 9 Jackson , J . W . 2 S 9 j E . VV . Smith , Sec . 28 9 J Rev . A . ti , Coombe , Chap . 1211 j Rev . T . Greenbury , Chap . 1304 ; G . Marshall , 521 j W . Matthews , P . M . 1316 j W . p , Tomlinson , P . M . 304 J Jaques , P . M . 1211 J H . E . May . nard , 1426 ; C . Scriven , I . P . M . 1211 ; Thrippleton , I . P . M . 306 ; Gernan , P . M . ; J . B . Jowell , S . D . o 6 j E ,

J . Massie , W . M . 1513 j J .. Gibbs , 904 j H . Oxlay , P . M . 4 K . Grahame , 1221 ; J . Millington , 1221 j H . Fitzpatnck , J . W . 495 ; J . Gerrard , P . M . 154 ; and many others . Bro . James Stevens , P . M .,, author of " Uniformity of Masonic Ritual , " "Chips from a Rough Ashlar , " & c , Preceptor to the Great City Lodge , 1426 , then delivered a lecture , entitled " The Ritual and Ceremonial of the Sym .

bohc Degree of Freemasonry , 1 S 13-18 S 6 . " In the course of an address lasting upwards of two hours , Bro . Stevens held the unwearied attention of his large audience , and had he chosen to have spoken longer still he would have been listened to with gladness . In a report here we are unable to do anything like justice to the deep research , the undoubted knowledge , and the felicity of diction which

characterised the discourse . It is an address to which every Mason should have an opportunity of listening . Much that is to the young Mason obscure or meaningless in the ceremonial is elucidated , and one cannot but be forcibly struck by the common sense which actuated the compilers of the ritual , for there is abundant reason given for every phrase and every direction . Bro . Stevens commenced by expressing

his surprise and gratification that the Leeds brethren were in possession of such a beautiful and convenient Masonic Temple . Such a building must conduce to the well being of the Order , and be no small lactor in the good working of the lodge . He knew that he was about to lecture betore veterans in the Craft , some ot whom might probably entertain opinions divergent to his own upon the ritual and

ceremonial of Masonry . He only asked of them to caretully weigh the reasons he adduced for the opinions he held , and even if those reasons did not convince them , they were too good Masons to judge him harshly . He then went on to say that lor the purposes of his lecture it was not necessary to stop to . determine whether Masonry was antediluvian or whether its origin dated back from the time of the

building of King Solomon ' s Temple , or any other period antecedent to a couple of hundred years ago . Of course , it was very pleasant and agreeable to make archaeological researches and to study the antiquarian facts that might be put before us . On this occasion he had nothing to do with anything antecedent to 1 S 13 . The Grand Lodge of England was constituted at that time , and a ritual was

prepared by Dr . Hemmings and Dr . Williams and adopted , a rule being passed to the effect that that ritual was not to be departed from . The lecturer , with this preface , proceeded to deal with the ritual in a manner which cannot here be further particularised , but to the Masonspresent the explanations were thoruughly instructive and interesting . In passing , Bro . Stevens laid great stress

upon the necessity for strict caution being exercised in the admission of initiates , holding that both proposer and seconder should be thoroughly and personally acquainted with the candidate . He strongly condemned the practice —not followed . in Leeds—of putting candidates' names on the summons by the command of the W . M ., such candidates not having been proposed in open lodge . The words

"by the fiat of the W . M ., " had done more harm to Masonry than anything else . He pointed out , too , that in the provinces a more earnest attention was paid to ritual than in London , because the metropolitan lodges had not the supervision of provincial officers . In conclusion , he pointed out that the more Masonry was studied , the more

would its beauties be seen , and he urged his hearers not to slacken in their researches after the truths that were symbolised in the system . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by Bio . Dr ; Smyth , a hearty vote of thanks was unanimously presented to Bro . Stevens , after which the lodge was closed .

There was a large gathering at "high tea , " and afterwards , | the proceedings in the banqueting hall became , if possible more interesting than those in the lodge , because Bro . Stevens expressed his willingness to answer any questions that might be put to him . This permission was largely availed of both by the Provincial G . Officers and junior brethren , and the amount of information thus

pleasantly disseminated was a tribute to the interesttaken in the subject by the Masonic students present , as well as to the fund ot information possessed by the lecturer . The socia ' circle was not broken until 10 o ' clock , when both brethren and visitors briefly acknowledged that they had spent on of the pleasantest afternoons Masonry had ever giy en

them , and Bro . Stevens expressed himself as deep ly impressed by the earnestness and desire for knowledge evinced by those brethren of West Yorks he had had the pleasure of addressing . It should be stated that Lodge Prudence , in common with the other eight Leeds lodge 5 ' has decided to support the Imperial Institute .

TOBACCONISTS COMMENCING . —An inusiraccd Guide of no P ^_ "how to open respectably from jtTjo to ^ 2000 ; " three stamp H . Myers & Co ., 10 9 , Eustorwrd ., London , Telephone No . 75- * —[ ADVT . 1