Masonic Notes And Queries.

before 17 G 2 ( Klosz . France Vol . I . p . 87 ) . The dates are important , because Bros . Woodford and Yarker would make the Knights later than the Emperors , whereas they were several years earlier . The Handbook and Kenning's Cyclo . are both most unsatisfactory on this subject , and mix up the College de Valois with the Emperors ; they also state that thc Knights were a secession from the Emperors , all of which is clearly wrong . Probably the active part

taken by Pirlet in both organisations is the cause of the confusion . As regards the Res . Lodge of Sf John of Jerusalem , I admit much of Bro . Woodford ' s argument . Whatever the lodge was , it was an undoubted party to Morin's patent . The statutes which he mentions as published in 1 755 , are new to me . Will he give me a reference ? Surely he does not mean the statutes of the " Respectable Loge St .

Jean de Jerusalem de l'Orient de Paris , gouveree par le trcs traut ct ties puissant Seigneur Louis de Bourbon , & c , G . M . de toutes les loger regulieres de France , & c , " and signed 4 July , 1755 , Louis de Bourbon . These are the only ones of the date known to me , and are the statutes of the G . Lodge of France . They recognise certain privileges of the Scots Masons , and are one of the most striking proofs that Grand Lodge did negociate with the High Grades

previous to 1772 . They are no proof that a Grand Lodge of Perfection ever existed , quite the contrary , they prove that the Grand Lodge which signed Morin's patent and the Grand Lodge of France were identical . Bro . Woodford has extracted certain passages from the patent , tending to show that the Grand Lodge only , and not the Soveriegn Council also , granted the patent . I submit some passages to show that it was granted conjointly by two distinct

bodies . " Nous , Soussigncs , .... officiers du la G . et Souvcraine Loge . . . . ; et nous , S . grand maittes de grand Conseil des Loges de France , sous Ia protection de la Souv . Loge . " "Qu'il plaise an S . G . Conseil et grande Loge . " " Nous sublimes officiers du G . Conseil et de la G . Loge . " I think it is evident that they were two bodies acting in unison , and that the officers were common officers of both bodies ; and that the Grand Council was under the

protection of the Grand Lodge , i . e ., acknowledged by it as working and ruling thc high degrees . If we could imagine Freemason's Hall and Golden Square uniting to form an Jinclusive rite in Timbuctoo , each party preserving the control of its own degrees , we should obtain just such a document as Morin ' s patent . Looked at in the light of

the 1755 statutes , the expressions are just those of symbolic Masonry , non deplaisea Bro . Woodford . Of course , if Bro . Woodford persists that the 1755 statutes are those of a Grand Lodge of Perfection , we must argue the matter from another point , and first settle that part of the question . G . VV . SPETH .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jHasonrg . LODGE OF ANTIQUITY ( No . 2 ) . —A very brilliant gathering of members and visitors of the above lodge assembled for the installation meeting on the 2 Sth inst . Bro . E . Letchworth , S . VV ., W . M . elect , was duly installed W . M . by Bro . C . E . Rivington , the outgoing W . M ., assisted by Bro . Sharon Turner , P . M . Thc normal business having been disposed of , the brethren adjourned to the social circle . The usual loyal

and Masonic toasts were given and received with great enthusiasm . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , returned thanks for "Thc Grand Oflicers , Present and Past . " Among the members present were Bros . Ames , J . W . ; Swinburne , P . M ., Treas . ; Barron , P . M ., Sec ; A . F . A . Woodford , Chap . ; J . S . Peirce , D . C . ; Tagart ,

Batley , Shipp , Rylands , Hopwood , Vivian , Col . Peters , Tagart , sen ., Philbrick , G . Reg . ; and others . Among the visitors present were Bros . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . ; Cumberland , P . M . ; Burnell , Hussey , Bailey and others . The brethren broke up at a comparatively early hour , having enjoyed a very pleasant gathering .

GLOBE LODGE ( No . 23 ) . —Thc installation meeting of this ancient " Red Apron" Lodge ( the working of which is traceable to the year 1723 ) was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 15 th inst . The visitors present were Bros . R . F . Gould , P . G . D . ; Col . James Peters , P . G . Swd . B . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . B . j J . B , Burnnesson , P . Dis . G . Chap . Punjaub ; Richard Jeffs , P . M . 435 ; C . A . Jones , J . D . S 59 ; John Brooks ,

7 S 0 ; Jas . Moon , P . M . 49 . Lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . J . Jermyn Boyd , who was well supported by the Past Masters , oflicers , and members of the lodge . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . T . VV . Chard Leuty , S . VV ., was presented by Bro . Venn , P . M ., Past Grand Steward , as D . of S . for the benefit of installation , which ceremony was most ably performed by the W . M ., Bro . J . 1 . Boyd , Grand Steward , the

charges being rendered in the most impressive manner . The newly-installed W . M . appoinicd his officers as follows : —Bros . E . Mather , S . VV . Edward Nixey , J . W . ; G . S . Brandon , P . M ., P . G . S . Tieas . ; Herbert Dicketts , P . M ., P . G . S .. Sec . ; R . Closer , S . D . ; J . A . Blackman , J . D . ; Geo . Simonds , I . G . ; E . Montagu Money , D . C ; ' _'" - Pinches , Steward ; Banks , Tyler . The W . M ., in a few appropriate and feeling remarks , presented to the I . P . M ., on behalf of the lodge , a very

handsome P . M . ' s jewel , as a mark of their appreciation ol the able manner in which he had presided over the lodge for the past twelve months . _ Lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to a most choice banquet at the Freemasons ' Tavern . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a most enjoyable evening spent by the brethren . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Stedman , assisted by Bro . Stanley Smith and others .

LODGE OF ISRAEL ( No . 205 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at Cannon-street Hotel , on Tuesday evening , the 27 th inst ., Bro . J . A . Gartley , VV . M ., presiding . 'I'he oflicers present were Bros . E . II . Norden , S . W . ; A . J . Henochsberg , J . W . ; A . M . Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; C . F . Hogard , P . M ., P . P . G . Su ? . W . 4 S , Eis-. x , S ; :. ; K ; v . M . Haines , Chap . ; S .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Jacobs , S . D . ; Paton , J . D . ; and Rev . F . Leedham , Org . The P . Ms , who attended were Bros . H . M . Harris , A . Bassington , H . J . Phillips , M . I . Emanuel , I . P . Cohen , Joseph Da Silva , L . Norden , W . Littaur , and S . M . Harris . The auditor ' s report showed a balance in the hands of the Treasurer of £ 94 9 s . 6 d ., and to the credit of the Benevolent Fund of £ § 50 5 s . id . Bro . Gartley having

performed the first part of the ceremonies , Bro . L . Norden , installed Bro . E . H . Norden ( his brother ) as Master of the lodge in the presence of a Board of 24 Installed Masters . The brethren appointed to office were Bros . J . A . Gartley , I . P . M . ; A . J . Henochsberg , S . W . ; S . Jacobs , I . W . ; A . M . Cohen , P . M ., Treas . ; C . F . Hogard , P . M ., Sec . ; Rev . M . Haines , Chap . ; Paton , S . D . ; J . Jacobs , J . D . ; Mesquita , I . G . ; Rev . Bro . Leedham , Org . ; Hunter ,

W . S . ; I . Hart , W . S . ; L . Norden , P . M ., D . C . ; and Rawles , Tyler . Br . Gartley , I . P . M ., delivered the addresses in admirable style . The W . M . then invested Bro . Gartley with a splendid Past Master's jewel , which had been designed by Bro . the Rev . M . Haines , and manufactured by Bro . George Kenning . The W . M ., in presenting it , said that while the brethren voted it as a mark of their esteem and of their high approbation of the manner in which

Bro . Gartley had performed his duties , Bro . Gartley would wear it as a reminder of the very great affection in which the brethren held him . The Chaplain , the Rev . M . Haines , next desired to say a few words . He presented , in the name of the initiates during Bro . Gartley ' s year a handsome Bible , and in doing so , referred to the eminent services Bro . Gartley had rendered to the lodge , and to the high importance of Freemasonry which was manifested in

this lodge , where the Jew and the Gentile met on an equal footing . The Immediate Past Master , though a Christian had maintained the privileges of this Jewish Iodge , and had made friends of every member in it . Bro . Gartley was a lay preacher , and did not require any instructions as to the contents of the Sacred Volume which had been presented to him , but he would value this book now given as a mark of the brethren's esteem and of the true Masonic

feeling which existed between him and the members of the lodge . Bro . Gartley acknowledged both the gifts , which he should ever value as a reminder of the very happy days he had had in the Lodge of Israel , and of the great friendship which had been extended to him by the brethren of the lodge . Bro . Hogard , Sec , informed the brethren that dispensations for wearing Craft and R . A . clothing at the ball of the

Lodge of Israel had been granted . Subsequently it was agreed that two guineas should be given annually to the Boys' School , two guineas to the Girls' School , £ 1 5 s . to the Male Fund , and £ 1 5 s . to the Widows' Fund , as an endowment in the name of the Secretary . It was afterwards resolved that thc lodge should have a banner , for which ten guineas should be paid . The banner was to be of the same design as that of the I . P . M . Jewel .

This Jewel figuratively represents the most essential points connected with Israel ' s faith . In the centre is a shield on which is the word " Israel " in Hebrew characters , and the number of the Lodge , 205 . Supporting the shield on one side is Moses with the Sacred rod , and on the other Aaron , with breast-plate and censer , both robed in official dress . On the top of the shield is a crown , over which are the words , "The Crown of the Law , " also in Hebrew . A

curious coincidence is that thc last letters in these two words ( which are marked in the Jewel ) numerically represent 205 , the number of the lodge . There is also a facsimile of the two tablets of stone . The collar and silver jewel which thc I . P . M . was invested with was thc gift of the worthy and respected Bro . H . J . Phillips , P . M . ' s amiable wife , as a free gift from one whom her husband had spoken of in terms of great

respect . After several names had been given in of gentlemen who desired to be initiated in the Lodge of Israel , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which had been prepared by Bro . Silver , and which was of thc choicest description , and was served under the personal superintendence of the courteous manager , Bro . E . H . Rand . The usual toasts followed . Bro . James Lewis-Thomas , P . G . A . D . C , in replying to

the toast of "The Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Oflicers , " said he only wished some more of the Grand Ollieers had been presenile see the installation by Bro . Gartley , which had been so eminently well conducted . He had listened with great pleasure to some remarks made in the lodge with reference to the friendship between Jew and Gentile , and the amiable way they worked together in the promotion of any good work . It was with great pleasure he

accepted invitations to the Lodge of Israel , which was a fine old lodge . _ He always looked back on the grand old nation of Israel with feelings of reverence . He had found that in letters , art , and science they obtained the foremost place , while for beauty and loveliness the female portion of the race were unsurpassed . In conclusion , he might say he was never so pleased as when they invited him to this lodge , as he always met in it brethren who received him ' with open

arms and the greatest friendship . Bro . Bowyer also replied . Bro . J . A . Gartley , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " said that , from what he had seen and known of him for some years past , he was sure that when the W . M . 's year of office had expired one and all would regret the time when he had ceased to be their Master . Much of the work he had been able to do , which all seemed satisfied with , he owed

to him—not all of it , but a great deal of it . He felt quite sure that the brethren would drink this toast with heartiness . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said that when he first joined Freemasonry he had no idea that he should bc called upon to be Master of this lodge so soon . It seemed to him only two or three years ago that he was an initiate , and made one by P . M . Norden , his own brother , who placed him in the chair that evening . Bro . Gartlev had said that

he ( Bro . Norden ) would excel him in working . That was not correct , for it was impossible he could excel Bro . Gartley , but to do as well would bc his earnest endeavour . If he succeeded in that he was sure the brethren would not regret having placed him in thc chair . Bro . F . Binckes , in replying to the toast of " The

Masonic Charities , " thanked thc brethren for having practically acted upon the circular he had sent out , and extended their alms in the cause of charity . But he did not consider it was necessary to make an appeal for charity in the Lodge of Israel , as the Lodge Benevolent Fund was a witness to their charitable feelings . It was many years since

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

he had been in this lodge . Freemasons boasted of the prosperity of the Order , and that it was extending nearly every week in some direction or other . Did they think that the prosperity could goon extending unless coincident with that prosperity there came a large increase in the number of those who claimed the help of the Institution . The Boys ' School , fortunately , had a larger number to be taken in during this year than hitherto . But the Benevolent

Institution was most unfortunate in having Si widows alone and no vacancy . Although the Boys' School was fortunate , the brethren must bear in mind that the additional number of boys to be taken in would entail additional annual expenditure , and it was mainly in connection with this point that he had issued the circular which had been alluded to , and which the brethren of the Lodge of Israel had appreciated . Bro . Terry also replied , and thanked Bro . Gartlev for

being Steward for the Benevolent Institution on the 25 th February . The needs of this Institution were different to those of the other Institutions . The Girls' School would elect 22 out of 30 ; the Boys' 25 out of 45 ; but the old people were 127 in number , 46 men and Si widows , and only 12 vacancies for the men , and not one for the widows . He asked for their most earnest support to Bro . Gartley's list . Unless they got a very considerable sum of money in

for the Widows' Fund , it would be impossible for the Committee to enlarge their borders . Last year they placed 20 additional annuitants on , 15 the year before , and 12 the year before that . Yet , with all this increase of liberality , there were now Si female candidates , and no vacancies . Such a thing had never occurred before ; he hoped it would never occur again , but he did trust all the brethren would come forward with their mite , and assist the poor old people .

Bro . C . A . M . Cohen , Treasurer , made a strong appeal on behalf of the Lodge Benevolent Fund , to which they had many applicants , and if the Fund was not kept up it would bc impossible to dispense its charity . He hoped to see the Fund made up to four figures . Bro . Hogard then announced donations to the Benevolent Fund of the lodge to the amount of £ 16 19 s . Cd . The W . M ., in giving "The Health ot the I . P . M ., " said that Bro . Gartley not only surpassed the expectations of

many of his friends , but even of himself . Bro . Gartley , in reply , after thanking the brethren , said although he was as anxious as Bro . Cohen that the Lodge Benevolent Fund should be made ; up to four figures , he hoped the brethren would support him in February at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . The other toasts followed before the brethren separated . An admirable musical entertainment was given during the evening .

ROYAL OAK LODGE ( No . S 71 ) . —The election meeting of the nbove old Iodge was held on Thursday , the 22 nd inst ., at the White Swan Hotel , High-street , Deptford . Lodge was opened by Bro . Thomas Horton , W . M ., and that worthy brother was well supported by Bros . R . T . Stringer , S . W . ; P . J . Harvey , J . W . j J . J , Pakes , P . M ., Sec ; H . J . Fisher , S . D . ; T . J . Thomas , J . D . ; J . Rennie , I . G . ; H . Clarke , VV . S . ; Bros . P . M ' s . G . T . Limn , W . Harvey , Vohmann , and E . Good . Also

, Bros . Hill , Matthew , Dealer , Tittcrton , Chappell , Mansfield , Vint , Green , Boyd , Bunce , Ewell , Joyce , VV . G . Green , Sic . Visitors ! Bros . Neall , 13 S 2 ; W . J . Cooper , J . W . 212 ; and G . H . Stephens , W . M . 1 C 23 ( Freemason ) . The work before the VV . M . included the raising of the following brethren to the Third Degree , viz : VV . G . Green , T . H . Bunce , L . F . Boyd ; and conferring the Second Degree upon Bros . W . B . Mansfield and I . Joyce . In

these ceremonies the VV . M ., Bro . Horton , acquitted himself in a thoroughly able manner , and ably concluded the labours as regards the working of thejeeremonies for his year of office . The next business was the election of the VV . M . for thc ensuing year , and the choice of the brethren fell with unanimity upon Bro . R . T . Stringer , S . W ., a choice which was universally applauded . 'The election of a Treasurer resulted again in favour of our

esteemed Bro . W . Andrews , P . M ., who has discharged the duties of Treasurer so much to the satisfaction of the brethren . The aged and veteran Tyler was also unanimousl y re-elected to his position , the W . M . making some very kind and feeling remarks to that aged Freemason , and wishing him health to continue to enjoy the confidence of the lodge . Bro . E . Good , P . M ., next introduced his ' motion to confer

a P . M . ' s jewel from the lodge funds to Bro . T . Horton , the outgoing W . M ., for the very able manner in which he had discharged his duty during the year . This was well supported and unanimously carried . A sum of £ 10 ios . was also voted on a Steward ' s list , and was decided to be placed in thc name of the I . G . of the lodge for the time being . It is a pleasing feature in the Royal Oak Lodge that all the oflicers down to the l . G ., are Life Governors

of the Chanties in virtue of sums voted from the lodge funds . The amount now voted will go to assist the Institution so ably championed by our worthy brother , J . Terry , viz ., the Royal Masonic Institution for Freemasons and the Widows of Aged Freemasons . AH business being harmoniously ended , the lodge was closed , and the brethren sat down to a nicely-served banquet , which , while being very satisfactory , reflected

great credit on the worthy host , Bro . Morgan . At the conclusion of the repast , Bro . Horton , in view of the rapid flight of time , gave with point and brevity the usual loyal and Craft toasts . These were interspersed with songs from Bros . Stringer , Vohmann , Mansfield , & c , and Bro . Vint gave a masterly rendering of a selection from " Julius Caisar . " The W . M . elect , in replying to a hearty reception of thc toast of his health , expressed the pleasure the election to

the important position gave him , and pledged himself that nothing should be wanting on his part to give satisfaction to the brethren of the lodge in all things—whether it be lodge working , the banquet , and everything else that could conduce to the welfare of the Royal Oak Lodge . The W . M . was next honoured in fitting terms , Bro . Good expressing the satisfaction thc brethren felt at the capital manner in whicli Bro . Horton had acquitted himself .

This was briefly replied to , and " The Visitors , " came in for a most cordial welcome , which was duly acknowledged on behalf of the brethren visiting by Bro . G . H . Stephens , who offered some few remarks on the value and importance of brethren—especially those who cither were or were about to be entrusted with the responsibility of ruling a lodge —seeking in the working of other lodges that experience to be derived by watching an able brother in the chair in a good working lodge . For thc hospitality and capital