Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

reception when 1 was not so well known in Essex as 1 am now . ( Lord Brooke was recently elected M . P . for Colchester . ) I have some diffidence about making a speech . I feel rather like a distinguished orator who'has lately been speaking in the south of England , that is , that 1 have spoken so often , that 1 may become like a great singer , who , from constantly singing , had lost

his voice , and become uninteresting without noticing it himself . We meet together to promote liberty , love , and charity , not only through this country , but through the whole world , and if we band together with unity of purpose , there can be no doubt that an enormous deal can be done to promote them . His lordship , referring to the agricultural depression in the district , said : I

consider it wonderful that the purse-strings of the brethren have been opened so wide in the cause of Charity . A short time since I was looking through some documents at my father ' s castle , and came across an item of " cows sold for £ 8 . " Fortunately , agriculture has not got quite so bad as that at present . I began my Freemasonry some l 6 or 17 years ago ; my friend the Duke of Albany ( than

whom there was no better Mason ) and myself were brought into Masonry together . I am afraid the early part of my Masonic career was not so useful as it might have been ; but I am thankful there is sufficient time for me to make up for my shortcomings . The W . M . has alluded to the fact that it is proposed to hold the Prov . Grand Lodge in my neighbourhood . I trust it will be at my house . I hope

the brethren will forgive the distance ; we will do the best we can to give you an hospitable reception . I feel I have detained you too long . I must say one word of very cordial thanks to you , Sir , for the way in which you have received and entertained me ; and just one word as to the manner in which the ceremony of installation was carried out . It reflects the very greatest credit upon your l . P . M . ; I have

seldom known the somewhat difficult ceremony better performed . W . M ., I feel sure you are just as capable of performing the ceremony when the time comes to you in an equally excellent manner . I trust you will have a prosperous rule . St . Peter ' s must be congratulated on having at its head the principal official of the town , and I trust you will not find your Masonic duties interfere with your

public duties , but rather that those principles which we all love so much may guide you in all your actions . The P . G . M . then gave "The Health of the VV . M ., " which was drunk enthusiastically . His lordship was now obliged to leave to catch a train for Colchester , in order to be present at the opening of the Essex Agricultural Show next day .

The W . M . warmly thanked the brethren for their reception of his toast , and , while promising that his duties as W . M . should not suffer by reason of his official duties , relied upon their support during his year ot office . The other usual toasts followed , a flow of harmony was supplied by Bros . Osmond , Turner , Gowers , Bird , Gibbs , and Sergt .-Major Heal , and a very successful festival

was brought to a close just before " time . " The brethren included , besides the officials already mentioned , the following P . M . 's -. Bros . T . Aldham , P . P . G . P . ; E . Humphreys , P . P . G . Reg . ; ] . Hutley , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . H . de Cean , F . Bird , P . P . G . P . ; D . J . Wright , P . P . G . P . ; C . S . Blyth , T . J . D . Cramphorn , P . P . G . D . ; and J . P . Lewin , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . Visitors : Bros .

T . Sadler , 25 ; F . Quilter , W . M ., C . Osmond , P . M ., J . J . C . Turner , P . M ., and R . H . Ives , P . M . of 51 ; H . Harper , P . M ., F . J . Wiseman , P . M ., and VV . A . Rigden , S . W ., of 160 ; W . Langham , VV . M . 276 ; A . Buck , P . M . 453 ; H- J- W . Ward , W . M . 650 ; J . G . Renshaw , W . M ., Kev . E . H . Crate , P . M ., H . J . Skingley , P . M .,

and F . J . Motion , of 697 ; W . H . Saunders , P . M . 1503 ; A . Gibbs , 167 S ; C . S . Buck , P . M . 1702 ; W . H . Scarlett and W . E . Sutton , 1799 ; W . M . Meade , W . M ., G . Eustace , P . M ., W . Shutt , E . A . Basham , and J . Holt , of 1977 . The borough flag was hoisted on the ancient Moot Hall in honour of the occasion .

BATTLE . —Abbey Lodge ( No . 1184 ) . —The installation meeting of this prosperous lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 20 th inst ., when there was an unutually numerous attendance , comprising the following members of the lodge : Bros . W . T . Jordan , W . M . ; R . Hughes , l . P . M . and Sec . ; the very Rev . E .

R . Currie , D . D ., P . M ., P . G . C , Chap . ; R . T . Davison , M . D ., S . W . ; T . J . Walder , J . W . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., Treas . ; J . Fielding , Org . ; VV . Lamborn , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., D . C . ; J . B . Foster , S . D . ; W . A . Raper , J . D . ; J . VV . Pepper , I . G . ; C Leary , Tyler ; B . H . Thorpe , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; C . W . Duke , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . B . Sargent , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; Chas .

Martin . W . C Till , F . VV . Hotham , T . W . Avis , J . Chance , F . G . Ticehurst , C . J . Honisett , Geo . Smith , Jas . Hodson , J . Belchamber , and others ; and the following visitors : Bros . V . P . Freeman , P . G . D . Eng ., Prov . G , Sec ; Thos . Trollope , M . D ., P . M . and Sec . 1842 , P . G . D , Eng . ; F . Rossetter , P . M . 40 , P . P . G . D . ; W . H , Russell , P . M . 40 , P . P . G . D . C ; the Rev . R . VV .

Loosemore , P . P . G . C . Yorks , P . M . 974 ; C . E . Botley , P . M . 1996 ; T . Billing , W . M . 271 ; J . M . Jenkins , W . M . 341 ; W . E . Morrison , W . M . 916 ; J . H . Wright , W . M . mo ; W . Wright , W . M . 1303 ; W . Dawes . P . M . 341 , W . M . 1 S 52 , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . A . Dowell , W . M . 21 S 7 ; A . E . Young , 1842 ; J . Buckley , Sec . 1790 ; W . R . Griffin , 1790 ; W . G . Holloway , 1 S 42 ; B . 1 ' . Wood , 1364 ; C .

J . Ticehurst , 40 ; b . Duke , 40 ; J . C . Buckwell , 2187 ; and others . After the usual preliminaries , Bro . Lamborn , D . C ., presented the W . M . elect , Bro . Rashell T . Davison , M . D ., S . W-, to the W . M . for the benefit of installation . The W . M ., Bro . Jordan , then proceeded with the ceremony , and kept up the high reputation he has attained by the

faultless manner in which he performed it , the only assistance he received being the delivery of the charge to the brethren , which was given by Bro . Dr . Currie in his usual able manner . The officers appointed and invested by the W . M . were Bros . W . T . Jordan , l . P . M . ; W . A . Raper , S . W . ; T . B . Foster , j . W . ; Very Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., P . M ., Prov . G . C , Chap . ; H . G . F . Wells , P . M ., P . P . G .

Purst ., Treas . ( 20 th time ); R . Hughes , P . M ., Sec ; J . W . Pepper , S . D . ; D . White , J . D . ; B . H . Thorpe , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., D . C ; J . Fielding , Org . ; T . W . Avis , I . G . ; and C . Leary , Tyler . The election of representative to the Provincial Grand Lodge Charities Comm . ttee was then proceeded with , the choice of the brethren falling unanimously on Bro . C W . Duke , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., who has

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

worthily filled the office for many years past . A letter of sympathy with the late Tyler , Bro . Jesson , on the loss o his wife , leaving him with a large family , vvas then agreed to , and a small pecuniary grant for his assistance voted . There being no other business , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the usual installation banquet , which was held in a commodious new room recently

erected at the Star Hotel . The banquet did great credit to Mr . Holt , the proprietor , and was a decided advance on former years , the capacity of the new room giving more opportunity for perfection . The W . M ., Bro . R . T . Davison , occupied the chair , and proposed the toast of ' * The Oueen " in felicitous terms . In proposing "The Health of the M . W . G . M ., H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales , " the W . M . said that every Mason looked up to his Royal Highness with allegiance , second only to that they gave to the Sovereign of their native land , and the dignified way in which he performed his work and the deep and personal interest he took in the Craft justified them in their allegiance . The next toast was that of " The Present and Past

Officers of Grand Lodge , " which was responded to by Bro . T . Trollope , P . G . D ., who , after regretting that the exigencies of the train service had deprived them of the pleasure of listening to a response from Bro . V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., who had had to leave in order to catch the train to Brighton , said that all the brethren who attended

Grand Lodge could not fail to be struck with the ability with which the proceedings were conducted , and with the urbanity , courtesy , and dignity which characterised the D . G . M . and the Pro G . M ., and he felt sure that Grand Officers were seriously impressed with the dignity of their office , and did all that was necessary to maintain it .

The W . M . next proposed "The Health of the R . W . Bro . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . G . M . of Sussex , " alluding to the great interest his Royal Highness took in the Craft , and the fervent hope that they would shortly again see him in the province . The next toast was that of "The V . W . Bro . Gerard Ford , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M ., and the Present and Past

Officers of Prov . Grand Lodge . " The W . M ., in submitting it to the brethren , said the letter from Bro . Gerard Ford which had been read in lodge that day showed the deep and genuine interest he took in the affairs of the province , and that Bro . Ford very ably represented his Royal Highness , the P . G . M ., and faithfully maintained that dignity and supervision of the lodges which ths

P . G . M . entrusted to his care . They would all regret to hear of the cause of Bro . Ford's absence that day , having to go abroad for the sake of rest and mountain air to invigorate his overwrought system , and he was sure he was only expressing the feelings ot the brethren when he trusted that Bro . Ford would speedily obtain a return to vigorous health . He was always zealous and energetic

in working the Craft , and his geniality and kindly presence would always be welcomed in the Abbey Lodge . The zeal and ability of the D . P . G . M . communicated itself to the other officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , who acquitted themselves in a manner vvor'hy of the traditions of the province . Bro . the Very Rev . E . R . Currie , P . G . C , in reply , said it was very flattering to Prov . Grand Officers to hear the

enthusiastic way in which that toast had been given and received , and he regretted that Bro . Freeman had been unable to stay that he might have heard and responded to it . It should be the laudable ambition of every M . M . to attain to the purple , which was in the reach of every brother who did his work well ; but as there were so few offices to bestow and so many worthy brethren ' o receive them , each

would have to wait patiently till his time came . The Temple vvas not built in a day , but took years of patient and silent labour ; the sound of hammer and chisel vvas not heard—and the brethren must in like manner patiently wait . Bro . Freeman , P . G . Sec , was always heartily welcomed at their installation meetings , his reproof was always well meant , and although his keen eyes immediately

detected a small fault they were never closed to large virtues . Bro . Wm . Dawes , P . P . S . G . W ., also responded , and thanked the brethren for their enthusiastic reception of the toast . It was always a great pleasure to him to visit the Abbey Lodge . He had been present at its consecration in the Great Hall of their venerable Abbey , and should never

forget the magnificent spectacle and the brilliant oration of their beloved and lamented Bro . John Henderson Scott . The higher Masons were advanced the greater were their responsibilities , and it vvas the duty of every individual brother to do as well in his ordinary lodge as he would in the presence of the Grand Master . He congratulated the brethren on the working of the lodge that day , and wished

the W . M . a happy and prosperous year of office . Bro . VV . T . Jordan , I . P . M ., then assumed the gavel in order to propose " The Health of the VV . M . " He felt the difficulty in saying in the presence of the W . M . those good words thai he deserved , and in this respect he vvas at a disadvantage with the W . M ., who had mainly dealt with the toasts of absent brethren . But nothing that he could

say in the W . M . ' s favour would be undeserved . He vvas a good subject for a toast . He had done his duty well in the past and had earned their high esteem and favour , and they one and all looked forward with complete confidence to a very happy and prosperous year under his rule . If Bro . Davison succeeded in pleasing himself as they were sure he would please them , he would have a very happy

year . The Worshipful Master thanked Bro . Jordan for his kind words , and the brethren for the very cordial reception they had given the toast . He vvas deeply sensible of his responsibility in accepting the office and should do his best to maintain the dignity , credit , and honour of the lodge . In this he looked forward with confidence to receiving the same kindly assistance and generous support the Past

Masters had accorded to his predecessors , and with the assistance of the brethren generally and of his officers and Past Masters in particular he hoped to hand over to his successor the prestige and honour of the lodge as unsullied as he now received it . Bro . Currie , in proposing "The Visitors , " said the welcome attendance of visitors showed the universality of

Masonry , and that their principles were not confined to one lodge or one province , but were well exemplified by the brethren who graced their board that day . Bros . Dowell and Jenkins responded , expressing their gratification and thanks for the hearty reception accorded to the visitors , and their appreciation of the excellent manner in which the ceremonies of the day had been performed .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

The W . M . next proposed "The Past Masters , " couplm with it the name of Bro . Jordan , the l . P . M . and InstalhY Master . He said that Bro . Jordan had by his Iov < 5 Masonry—his performance of the ceremonies of the Craft and the delicacy and tact he had shown in guiding th ' lodge through the many important questions that had arisen in his year of office—been plumb to his principles , and level to his brethren , and he was sure Bro . Jordan he ' artilv deserved the commendations which followed him . y

Bro . Jordan briefly and happily responded . The remaining toasts were " The Treasurer and Serm tary , " " The Officers of the Lodge , " " The Masonic Charities , " and "The Stewards , " and the proceedings vvhich had been most enjoyable throughout , were brought

to an end with the Tyler ' s toast . ° The evening vvas enlivened by most excellent musical contributions by several members of the lodge and visitors , aided by the splendid vocal talents of Mr . Ken , ningham .

HALLIFORD . —Acacia Lodge ( No . 1309 ) .- , The first meeting of the season , the installation , was held on Tuesday , the 28 th ult ., at the Ship Hotel . Bro . Henrv Woods , WM . , opened the lodge . The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Dr . Thomas Gurney , P . M ., | P . P . G . D „ occupied the chair , and in amost faultless manner installed Bro . Demes W . M ., who ap .

pointed as his officers Bros . H . Woods , l . P . M . ; Crnffc S . W . ; Frost , J . W . ; J . Proffitt , P . M ., P . P . G . Re 7 Treas . ; J . Davies , P . M ., Sec ; C . R . Tinker , S DDiggs , J . D . ; Sawer , I . G . j C L . Smiles , P . P . G . Reg ' D . C ; R . J . Barras , Stwd . ; and J . Gilbert , P . G . T Tyler . The usual addresses were given . Bro . Frederick Walters , P . M ., moved "Thatthe best thanksof the lodge he

given to Bro . Or . 1 nomas Gum ey , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., for the admirable way in vvhfch he had rendered the al ' l-important ceremony of installation , the same to be entered on lodge minute book . " This was seconded by Bro . 1 , Proffitt , P . M ., Treas ., and unanimously carried . Bro . ' Dr . Gurney acknowledged the compliment paid him . Bro '

H . Woods had the splendid Past Master's jewel presented to him from the lodge , vvhich had been unanimously voted to him . Bro . C . R . Tinker , S . D ., was elected Steward for the Benevolent Festival , 1 S 90 , to represent the lodge . Bro . Howard H . Room was elected an honorary member of the lodge , and a gentleman was proposed for initiation .

Bro . R . P . Tebb , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of VV ., and others were present , besides those already named . The usual banquet followed . Apologies were received for non-attendance from Bros Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M . ; Raymond H . Thruno , D . P . G . M . ; and Howard H . Room , P . G . Sec .

TWICKENHAM . —Sir Francis Burdett Lodge ( No . 1503 ) . —This lodge met at the Albany Hotel on the 12 th inst . Among those in attendance were Bros . Capt . A . Bunn , W . M ; H . Jenkins , S . W . ; A . Toulmin , jun ., h ^ U r . Rev > S- T - H - Saunders , M . A ., P . M ., P . P . G . C , Treas . ; Capt . T . C Walls , P . M ., P . G . W . " ¦ J Lieut .-Col . Cuming , S . D . j JT . Bri PM

. ggs , .., P . P . G . D ., acting I . G . ; and others . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . the Rev . A . Fairer was duly raised to the Third Degree by the W . M ., the lecture on the tracing board being given by the Secretary . Ihe financial report of the Treasurer , which was an exceedingly gratifying one , then

vvas received . The proposition as to the removal of the lodge was adjourned " sine die . " Among those sending apologies for non-attendanee were Bros . Perry , J . D . ; Davison , I . G . j W . H . Saunders , P . M . ; VV . f aylor , P . M . ; Berry , and Roberts . The lodge vvas then closed . The usual banquet and toasts followed .

CHISLEHURST . — Chislehurst Lodge ( No . 153 i ) . —The 14 th installation meeting of the above lodge vvas held on Saturday , the 22 nd inst ., at the Bull Hotel . There was a large assemblage of brethren and visitors from I rov . Grand Lodge and various lodges in the province and elsewhere . To add to the concord and unanimity that prevailed on the occasion , the brethren were favoured vvith

splendid weather , and after the ceremonies were able to visit for a short time the charming surrounding country . Bro . Hollis , S . W ., W . M . elect , was duly installed by his predecessor , Bro . W . T . Hunt , in a very able and efficient manner , after Bro . Hunt had previously passed Bros , fanner and Whomes to the Degree of F . C . The newly installed Master invested his officers as follows : Bros .

Quicke , S . W . ; Main , J . W . ; W . Kipps , P . M ., P . P . G . M ' u , , ; n * G ° odale , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Tuck , S . D . ; J . Marshall , J . D ., Cleaves , I . G . ; G . Smith , D . of C . ; Behenna , P . M ., P . G . P ., and G . Proctor , Stewards ; and Kawles , Tyler . ™ *! f b ^ thfen , Present were Bros . W . T . Hunt , W . M . ; W . Mollis , S . W W . M . elect ; JC MainTreas E .

. , . ; J . Goodale , P . M ., Sec ; C F . Quicke , S . D . j T . Smith , Stwd . j A . Tuck , I . G . j R . Neville , l . P . M . ; T . R . Behenna , P . M . P . G . P . ; W . Kipps , P . M ., P . P . G . O . J E . Kipps , P . M ., P . P . G . O . j Perriann , S . Whomes , tanner , Cleaves , Marshall , Drinkwater , Dowsett , Procter , and Dettmer . Visitors : Bros . G . Adamson , 100 and 120 S , P . P . S . G . W . j C . T . GardinerVVM 1348 j THE .

, .. . . Squire , 16 33 ; J . Muir Smith , W . M . 7 S 8 ; Geo . Hayes , Dist . CM , ( New York ); Walter Martin , S 79 J VV . J . Newell , 73 ; E J . Williams , 1539 ; S . R . Speight , 147 ] C . Villenouth , 16 9 ; Milburn , 13 ; G . J . Baker , S 69 ; and ri . C l'eatherstone , W . M . 79 .

After the ceremonies , the brethren retired to the Village Hall , where a banquet was spread and served by Bro . Geo . Whomes , who was heartily congratulated for the care he had bestowed upon the arrangements . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were very heartily received .

1 he toast of " The Provincial Grand Master" having been duly honoured , Bro . Adamson , in responding to the toast of " The Provincial Grand Others , " said that Kent was very fortunate in having sucri a noble and energetic Prov . G . M ., who

never tired in his efforts to advance the interests of the Craft . He also held the present W . M ., Bro . Hollis , as a pattern for younger Masons , and alluded to the services he had rendeied . the province , and his lodge in particular , as Steward . He ( Bro . Adamson ) had been 35 years in