Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Viator Lodge ( No . 230 S ) . —it goes without saying that Bro . Jas . Stephens , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . Bucks , is a well-known and popular member of the Craft , and if this admission required any corroboration , it was afforded by the enthusiastic reception which he had on being installed W . M . of this lodge on Saturday , the 21 st instant , at

Anderton s Hotel , Fleet-street . There vvere present Bros . A . Banks , W . M . ; T . H . Hobbs , I . P . M . ; Jas . Stephens , S . W . ; W . Chappie , P . M ., J . W . ; W . J . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris , Sec . ; W . Saunders , S . D . ; R . Manley , J . D . ; C . H . Nickerson , D . C . ; E . W . Hobbs , I . G . ; L . Field , Org . ; H . H . Pinkney and C . Crowther , Stwds . ; I . Robertson . G . W . T . Saville , I . L . lLowe , I .

E- Glover , R . B . A . Lodge , J . H . Dean , T . Slack , J . L . Moore , C . Tillson , A . C . Stephens , C . A . Etches , F . J . Harding , W . B . Edgar , F . Ivde , E . Hawkins , T . Manley , H . Howett , and J . lackman . Visitors : Bros . H . Jowett , P . M . 59 » , P . P . S . G . ' W . ; G . Ellard , P . M . 360 , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . B . Bennett , P . P . S . G . D . East Lanes . ; T . Baillie , 1741 CH . Rolfe j W . J . Mason , 132 S , P . G . D . Surrey ; W .

S . Andrews , 177 and 2421 ; J . F . Gnffiths , 1399 ; S . A . Rothschild , 1017 ; A . E . Hulbert , P . M . 173 ; W . M . Stiles , P . M . 1507 ; B . Bramble , 2182 ; J . J . Thomas , P . M . 753 > J- M . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; E . Storr , P . M . 167 ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; A . H . Scurrah , P . M . ; T . N . Morris , 177 ; C A . P . Osborne , 125 ; Davie , P . M . 173 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . The minutes of the last Iodge meeting having been read and conlirmed , Bro . Saville vvas raised . The W . M . elect

Bro . Jas . Stephens , P . M ., was then presented and installed into the chair by Bro . Thomas Hobbs , P . M ., in a most impressive manner . The following brethren were appointed and invested officers by the new W . M . for the ensuing year : Bro . W . Chappie , P . M ., S . W . ; W . Saunders , J , W . ; W . I . Ferguson , P . M ., Treas . ; T . Morris Sec . ; R . Manley , S . D . ; E . W . Hobbs , J . D . ; C . H . Nickerson ,

l . G . ; H . H . Pinkney , D . C . ; R . B . A . Lodge , and A . C . Stephens , Stwds . ; Crowther , A . D . C ; L . Field , Org . ; and R . Whiting , P . M ., Tyler . The usual addresses were very ably rendered by Bro . Thomas Hobbs , P . M ., and vvere listened to with great attention . The W . M . then initiated Mr . John Jackman , and his working of the ritual was , if anything , more than excellent ,

and it was appreciated by the members and visitors . The next duty of the newly-installed Master was to present Bro . Alfred Banks , the I . P . M ., with a Past Master's jewel , which he did in a few appropriate words , remarking that his virtues were sterling and he was highly esteemed . Bro . Banks made a suitable reply , observing that he was honoured by the presentation of the jewel , which vvould be

handed down to his sons as an heirloom . The lodge vvas then closed . The brethren afterwards partook of an excellent banquet , which fully maintained the reputation of Bro . A . Clemow and his manager , Bro . Evans . At the close of the repast , and as a preface to the toasts , The W . M . stated that his speeches would be brief , and

he hoped that those who had to follow him vvould adopt the same course . In giving " The Queen and the Craft , " the W . M . said : God bless her , and may the Craft flourish . At this point Bro . George Everett , P . G . Treas ., arrived , and vvas received with great enthusiasm . At the request of the Worshipful Master , Bro . W . I .

Ferguson , P . M ., gave , in eloquent terms , "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " coupled with the name of Bro . Geo . Everett , P . G . Treas . . Bro . Everett , on rising to respond , had a splendid reception . He apologised for being so late , but he had been in the open all day and could not get there before . He came that night out of the regard and affection he had for Bro .

Stephens , who was a splendid fellow , and a good friend , and he was glad to see him W . M . of their happy lodge in which he had so many dear friends . He ( Bro . Everett ) would obey orders , and be brief . He was honoured by being asked to respond to the toast of the Grand Officers , who were only too glad to assist the Craft in every way . . Bro . A . Banks , the LP . M ., proposed "The Health of the

Worshipful Master . " He said the brethren had heard the character which Bro . Everett had given Bro . Stephens , and with which they heartily agreed . He was well-known as a splendid worker , and would make a better W . M . than he ( Bro . Banks ) had been , but he could not bring more zeal than he had given , and he had tried to do his best .

Bro . las . Stephens responded . He said he was much gratified at his reception and for the many kind things said of him . He could not make a speech , and it was hard to talk of one ' s self , but if when he vacated his office he received the good wishes which he had always had there , he would be amply rewarded for the little he might do for the odge .

lhe W . M . ihen proposed the toast of " The Initiate . " » e said that they were all creatures of circumstances and must all help each other , especially if they were Freemasons . He thought that the initiate , Bro . Jackman , would never regret joining the Order . He , on behalf of tne lodge , extended to hitjv a hearty greeting , and he hoped ' ° see him some day occupying the position which he then

so unworthily held . In replying , Bro . Jackman stated that it had been the great aim of his life to be a Mason , and he wished to do » mething useful for the Craft . He thanked his proposer r , seconder for the honour they had paid him by introoucing him to the lodge , and he should never forget the oeautiful ceremonv that he had pone through that nie-ht .

« , _ , L P " ' ' » & ave " The Masonic Charities . " lt was , he said , the toast of the whole Masonic body . In went terms he referred to the great good the several Inanitions had done , laying great stress on that for the Old M i P hen ' as t 0 the a ° y s > theV were taken at an rany age and properly prepared for the world . The lodge e was glid to say had given liberally to all the Charities .

iney were honoured with the presence of Bro . McLeod wnose name he coupled with the toast ) , and he could t II 'nem more 0 f the Charities than he ( Bro . Price ) could . « ( Bro . McLeod ) ha ' . done wonders for the Boys , and it wnrb yery ' ' 'e that that Institution had such a hardurKing and energetic Secsetary . Bro . Stephens , the at ' th . W ? i g 0 U P as a Steward for the Boys ' bers ? u ne ij u estlval * and he ea"iestly hoped that the mem-WOuW honour him , and maintain the great reputation

Craft Masonry.

of the lodge by sending through him a very substantial amount . The toast vvas received with acclamation , and Bro . McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B ., in an eloquent and touching speech , gave full and elaborate details of the several Charities . He thanked the members for what they had done for the Charities in the pist , and although he was

glad that Bro . Stephens vvould be a Steward , might he venture to suggest that Mrs . Stephens , his very active partner , who had done great things for the Charities , should be the Steward for the lodge in the place of the W . M . He felt sure that she would obtain a much larger amount than Bro . Stephens could . She was a charming lady , an ardent worker in the cause of Charity , and no one would ever

think of refusing to give her a subscription . Brb . Stephens then said that if the members approved he would gladly fall in with the kind suggestion of Bro . McLeod that his wife should be the Steward in his stead for the Boys . In giving the toast of "The Visitors , " theW . M . remarked that they were always welcome , and the members

were pleased to do their best for their guests . He hoped that they vvould agree with him that the ceremony of installation that night had been admirably performed , and that they were pleased with what they had seen and with the reception they had met with . He made special reference to Bro . Ellard , who had h ; lped him very much in his capacity as Charity Secretary of the Province of Bucks ,

which he ( Bro . Stephens ) appreciated . He reid out the names of the 22 visitors , with a kind word for each , and he gave them all the right hand of fellowship . Bro . Ellard responded . He said that that was his first visit , and it vvas a pleasure to be there and to acknowledge the kind remarks of the W . M . He had attended many lodges , but had never seen better work than that of that

night , and he thanked the W . M . and the brethren for their hospitality and cordial reception of the visitors . Bro . Davie , P . M ., also replied , remarking that he was glad to be there once again ; he had known their W . M . for 25 years , and had always admired the energy he threw into everything he undertook , and more especially in Masonry . He ( Bro . Stephens ) had been installed W . M . on many

occasions and the lodge was to be congratulated on having such a ruler honoured with a splendid wife who vvas just as enthusiastic in Masonry as her husband . Bros . W . S . Andrews and 1 . J . Thomas also responded , both bearing testimony to the excellent working and the geniality of the W . M . and expressing a hope that he vvould nave plenty of work during his term ot office .

The W . M . gave "The Past Masters , Treasurer , and Secretary . " He said it was a comfort to him to know that they were favoured in having so good a Treasurer in Bro . Ferguson , who was only too happy to do anything for the lodge and that night he had been invested Treasurer for the sixth time . Referring to Bro . Thomas Hobbs he observed that he vvas proud to have been installed by his very good

friend who had performed the ceremony in a very able manner , and in conclusion he paid a tribute to the excellent services rendered by their energetic Secretary , Bro . T . Morris , who carried out his duties in such a nice way . lie coupled with the toast the names of Bros . Ferguson , Price , and T . Morris . Bro . Ferguson , P . M ., responded . He said that he was honoured by being appointed Treasurer for the sixth time .

The lodge was in a flourishing condition and its prestige would not suffer in the hands of Bro . Stephens . Bro . Price also replied , remarking that he was proud he vvas the first W . M . of the lodge which had turned out a success and that was due in a great measure to Bro . Thos . I Iobbs , the Installing Master that evening , who had done great things for the lodge .

Bro . T . Morris , Sec , also responded in a happy speech . He said he was glad that the lodge was making good progress , and it vvas to him a labour of love to do anything to promote its interests . Bro . Thos . Hobbs , P . M ., also replied . He said it was a pleasure to him to have installed Br . Stephens , and if it had given satisfaction he was gratified . The next toast was " The Officers , " the W . M .

remarking that he was proud of them , and they were all qualified to go into the chair at once , to which suitable responses vvere made . The Tyler ' s toast brought to a close a highly satisfactory and happy meeting . The W . M . had provided a musical entertainment of an exceptionally superior quality , in which the following took

part : Miss Ethel Winn , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Miss Lily Stephens ( aged 11 ) , Brc . and Mrs . R . B . A . Lodge , Bros . F . J . Harding , C . H . Nickerson , T . Manley , E . W . Hobbs , and Rothschild ( prcstidigateur ) , butspecial mention should be made of Miss E . Winn , Miss E . fr oxcroft , Miss Lily Stephens , and Bro . Rothschild . Bro . L . Field , Org ., vvas musical director , and his efforts gave every satisfaction .

Masonic Benevolence In Cheshire.

MASONIC BENEVOLENCE IN CHESHIRE .

The Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire held its June meeting at the North-Western Hotel , Crewe , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult , A large gathering of the Committee was brought about by the fact of an intended presentation to Bro . Salmon , the Chairman of the Committee .

The Chairman , Bro . Salmon , vvas supported by Bros , the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., J . Clayton , the Vice-Chairman of the Committee , Spencer Stanhope , and a numerous and influential body of Masons of the province . The proceedings of the Committee commenced with the calling over the roll of members and the reading

and confirmation of the minutes of the Committee meeting held on the 28 th March last . This having been done , Bro . the Hon . ALAN DE TATTON EGURTON * , on behalf of the Committee of Benevolence , presented to Bro . Salmon , who had been appointed by the M . W . G . M .,

H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , to the office of A . G . D . C . England , a beautiful illuminated address ( signed by the P . G . M ., Bro . Lord Egerton , and the members constituting the Charity Council of the province ) , and with the regalia pertaining to the distinguished office to which Bro . Salmon had been appointed . In making the presentation , Bro . the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , after

Masonic Benevolence In Cheshire.

referring to the objects for which that Committee of Benevolence had been constituted , viz ., Masonic Charity , enlarged upon the valuable services which for a long series of years had been given by Bro . Salmon to the cause of Charity , and to the great esteem in which he vvas held by the brethren in the province , and especially by the Committee of Benevolence over whom

he ably presided , and who had determined to honour the appointment which had been conferred upon him by the M . W . G . M ., by presenting him with the beautiful illuminated address he held in his hands , and the regalia of A . G . D . C . of Grand Lodge . He trusted Bro . Salmon would live for years to preside over that Committee and stimulate the cause of Charity , and that he vvould look

back with pleasure on the event of that day . Bro . NEW-HOUSE , P . G . Sec , then read the addresb , and Bro . SALMON suitably responded . The Committee-then proceeded to the other business on the agenda paper , and Bro . BKOAUSMITII , P . P . G . R ., moved the following resolution : " That it is desirable that the

administration of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution and the Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution should be vested in the Committee of Benevolence of the Province of Cheshire , but so as in no wise to interfere with the rights or privileges of any Patrons , Vice-Presidents , Governors for life or otherwise of either Institution . " In introducing the matter to the brethren , Bro .

BROAUSMITII paid a well deserved tribute to the zeal and ability with which the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution had been carried on and minaged under the fostering care of our late Bro . Piatt , and of Bro . F . K . Stevenson , the Hon . Sec . of the Institution , and emphatically declared the valuable service the Institution hid rendered to MisDnic Chirity in the

province . He , however , considered that the administration of that should be placed in with the other Masonic Charities in Cheshire so as to secure to it greater support and more efficient advocacy than it at present had and was afraid if something were not done in that direction the energies of the Committee of Benevolence , and of the Charity Representatives of the

lodges who were members of that Committee would be devoted to the objects which came within the purview of that Committee to the injury of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution . He said that , by common consent , each lod ^ e had placed its Charity affairs in the hands of its Charity representative , upon whose zeal and advocacy much depended , and that if such

representative had no voice in the affairs of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution and no vote , it vvas obvious that he would take little or no interest in it . Bro . Broadsmith's speech in support of the resolution was both long and able , and he apparently convinced the majority of the brethren that his ideas were right . An amendment was , however , moved that the

matter should be deferred—only three voted for the amendment . The motion was carried by a large majority . A further resolution was then moved by Bro . Broadsmith , empowering the Charity Council to take the necessary steps for bringing the resolution before the Court of Governors of the Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution and thc Executive Committee of

the Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution , and report thereon . This was also carried . We understand that it is intended to have Bro . Broadsmith ' s speech in support of his resolution printed as an addendum to the annual report of the Committee of Benevolence , so that each Iodge in thc province will be able to come to a conclusion as to the

merits of the motion . The Committee then proceeded with the business relating to the Cheshire Masonic Benevolent Institution , and a report vvas read relating to the proceedings at the anniversary festival al Southport , which had resulted in an addition of ^ 520 to the funds of thc Institution . The report was adopted , and a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

Bro. Hillier's Picnic.

BRO . HILLIER'S PICNIC .

Masons gathered in great numbers on Friday , __ . ulh inst ., at Wembley Park , in response to invitations to the usual picnic given by Bro . Hillier , Worshipful Master of the Highgate Lodge and Hammersmith Lodge , who by his energy and capacity has raised himself to thc command of the West London district of the

Prudential Assurance Company , Limited . Among those present vvere Bros . J . Howarth , ' P . M . 1776 , P . G . S . Hunts , Z . 1776 ; W . J . Mason , 1328 , P . GD . Sussex ; A . Williams , P . M . P . Z . j S . J . Ortner , 167 ; H . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . S . G . D . Essex ; J . French , 1642 ; Dr . Kemp ; J . Cruttenden , 779 ; Hiscock , 1562 ; H . Sibold , 1743 ; W . W . Williams , 753 : S . Parkhouse , P . M . 142 ; F . C

Frye , M . P ., P . M . 1642 ; E . P . Connell , 1512 ; W . C Tebbitt , 2045 ; Dr . Mills ; Dr . Whitlock , P . M . 1280 ; Bond , 868 ; L . Beale , 1767 ; W . B . Neville , W . M . 1767 ; W . B . Neville , W . M . 1767 ; R . Hendry , 1767 ; G . Chapman , 1805 ; F . Chandler , 1606 , P . P . G . P . Middx . ; Dr . Willis , 21 ; Penny , 1805 ; J . Mantell ; and Earl Dalhousie , The day ' s proceedings vvere enlivened by athletic sports and a cricket match , whilst the City

of London Band , under Bro . H . Sibold , played a charming selection of music both in the morning and afternoon . Shortly after mid-day an excellent lunch was served in one of the pavilions , and towards evening the guests , numbering 350 , sat down to a substantial tea . A number of handsome prizes were distributed to the winners of the athletic events by Mrs . Hillier ; and the festivities wound up at a late hour with an impromptu dance in which old and young alike joinej