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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Clerke . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , in repty , said it was a great pleasure to the Grand Officers to have their services and position recognised so kindlv as they had been that evening , but more especially did they thank the brethren of the Asaph Lodge for the privilege of being then present , and enjoying the princely hospitality of the lodge . The performance of the installation ceremony had shown some very excellent work , and he must " congratulate the
W . M . and Bro . George Buckland , on the admirable and impressive style in which the latter bad installed the former , weighted , as he knew he was , by a very heavy and severe cold . So long as they had Past Masters in the lodge who could perform the ceremony in the way Bro . Buckland had , so long must the Lodge of Asaph hold up its head among the working lodges of '"' London . It was a great pleasure as well as a great honour to
be preserft at a good working lodge , and particularly so when the members of that lodge belonged to a profession so distinguished as that of the drama and music . They were both most charming professions ; and it was a treat to see that , while the time of those gentlemen was occupied with their callings , they yet secured sufficient leisure to discharge the duties of Freemasonry well and abl y . Bro . Edward Swanborough , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the
W . M ., " which , he said , was a toast that would appeal to the heart of every member of the Asaph Lodge . As he had stated when he presented the W . M . electro the Installing Master , Bro . Wellard had endeared himself to every one of the members of the lodge by his " -enial and gentlemanly behaviour . He had fulfilled the duties of every office so far , even passed the S . W . chair . Jwith a great deal of ability , with credit to himself ; and in electing him
unanimously to fill the Master ' s chair the brethren had done a good thing , for he would maintain and uphold the good name this lodge had among the lod ges of the Craft and the brethren generally . The W . M ., in reply , said he felt very highly the compliment paid to him by Bro . Swanborough and the cordiality of the brethren in their adoption of his sentiments . He trusted that with the assistance of the Past Masters , and with Bro . Swanborough as his
Immediate Past Master , he should discharge the duties of his year of office in such a way as to merit the approbation of the brethren . He then proposed " The Health of Bro . Swanborough , I . P . M ., " and said it was a great pleasure to him to have to convey to Bro . Swanborough a testimony of the appreciation of the brethren of the way in which he had conducted the duties of the chair during his year of office . To most of the brethren Bro . Swanborough had
been known very much longer than to him ( the W . M . ); but he ( the W . M . ) gave place to none of the brethren in the value he set upon Bro . Swanborough ' s good qualities and his generous disposition in everything connected with the lodge . Addressing Bro . Swanborough , the W . M . said : In presenting to you , Bro . Swanborough , this handsome Past Master ' s jewel which has been granted to you by the lodge , and in placing it on your breast . I trust the Grp . it
Architect of the Universe will grant you many years of health , happiness , and strength to wear it . Bro . Edward Swanborough , in acknowledging the toast , which was drunk with great enthusiasm , and the jewel , said if he did not think he had quite done his duty the present the brethren had made him , and the way in which they had drunk his health , at least showed they thought he had . He was very proud of his lodge . It had been remarked bBro .
y Edward Terry , when he received a Past Master ' s jewel , it was a red-letter to be presented with a jewel of his lodge ; to him ( Bro . Swanborough ) it was a diamond in his life , ' because it would reflect such a brightness in his future that he should never forget it . He had tried to do his duty to this lodge . He was present at the laying of the foundation stone of Truro Cathedral b y the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , and met the Grand Secretary
^ , er ; He did'hat for the lodge . When he was installed W . M . of the Asaph Lodge he found he could have gone out to lodges three times a week , and frequently twice in one night ; but his health and his professional duties would not allow him ; in fact , if he had done so the lodge would have had to enlarge the Master ' s chair . He only trusted that their dear old Master , Bro . Wellard , would represent the Lodge of Asaph , and keep up its dignity in the same
manner as he ( Bro . Swanborough ) had tried to do ; and , as one of the esteemed Past Masters of his mother lodge said he ought to have been at the Mansion House the previous Monday to have closed a very glorious Masonic career to his year , he might inform the brethren that he ought to have been there , because the Lord Mayor , on his installation as Master of the Grand Master ' s I-odge , told him he should be
present , and he ( Bro . Swanborough ) felt a little bit disappointed when he found he was not invited . However , the Lodge of Asaph was represented by Bro . Jeykell , Grand Organist , and he ( Bro . Swanborough ) was not so much disappointed , especially as while the Lord Mayor was entertaining the Grand Master , he ( Bro . Swanborough ) had the honour , in his mother ' s name , of entertaining " the beloved Grand Mistress , the Princess of Wales the same
evening . He begged to assure the brethren that though he had quitted the Chair of the lodge , his heart would always lie with the brethren . Bro . W . A . Tinney , P . M ., Secretary of the Lodge of Asaph ' s Benevolent Fund , in reply to the toast of that Fund , said that though the Fund amounted to £ 400 it did not increase in proportion to the number of members of the lodge , which was now 115 . He thought the amount was far short of what it ought to be and he
would like to see it made up to £ 1000 , so that they might meet all the demands which might be made upon it . He said "might , " because , fortunately , up to the present time , there had not been many calls on it . Year after year the same brethren ' s names appeared on the subscription list , but by far the larger number of brethren ' s names did not appear there at all . He did not think this was right , as all ought to subscribe a small amount . He
did not ask them for more than they could afford ; but if all were to subscribe the fund would be largely increased . In proposing "The Health of the Past Masters" the W-M- sai ( L £ Tf nren W 0 l ,, d a £ ree that the working that day by P . M . Buckland could not have been more able . The Past Master took much pleasure in instructing the voting
officers , and there was no greater pleasure to Bro . Weaver , P . M ., than to have the brethren up at his house and ' make it a lodge of instruction . Bio . J . M . Chamberlin replied , and regretted that so many P . M . ' s of the lodge were absent through professional engagements , and all the brethri-n must also regret the circumstance . Bro . E . Terry sent a telegram with his good wishes . ' The W . M' ! had spoken of the good work of the P . M . ' s , and a speci-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
men of it had been given by Bros . Frewin and Weaver before . All the P . M . ' s tried to do their work well . He was happy to see Bro . E . Swanborough among the Past Masters . Before sitting down he must pay a sad tribute of respect to the late Bro . Charles Coote , whose genial face they missed , and who was one of the brightest ornaments of the lodge . He had , however , passed away to a better place , and the brethren mourned his loss . This was the
first gap among the ranks of the Past Masters , and he hoped it would ' be many years before there , was another . He trusted that the Past Masters who assisted in the formation of the lodge would live to see a long list of Past Masters by their side . Bro . E . Swanborough said he had omitted to thank Bro . Buckland for so cheerfully complying with his request to instal the W . M . "The Health of the Visitors " was then proposed , and was responded to by Bros . Dr . Mackintosh , Capt . Finch , and Maybrick . Bros .
Lutz and Delevanti replied to the toast of" The Officers , " and the W . M . then gave "The Health of the Musical Brethren , Bros . G . T . Carter , Montem Smith , Thomas Lawler , T . Baxter , and H . Bracey . " The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . The music during the evening was of a choice description , and in addition to the above musical brethren , who sang under the direction of Bro . C . G . Jekyll , Grand Organist , Bro . E . Frewen's band performed the overture to "Gazza Ladra , " and a selection from the Grand Ballet in " Saturnalia . "
ORPHEUS LODGE ( No . 1706 ) . —On Saturday evening last , the annual meeting for the installation of the Worshipful Master of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 , was held at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Hodgson , W . M ., presided , and in an impressive manner installed Bro . Michael Maybrick , the musical composer , as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . Bro . J . Joyce Murraj was appointed Senior Warden , and Bro . J . L . Hodges , Junior Warden .
The other officers were Bros . Blyth , P . M ., Treas . ; GoDldcn , P . M ., Sec ; Willey , P . M ., S . D . ; Eaton Fating , J . D . ; the Rev . W . Stainer , Chap . ; George Benson , I . G . j Caston , P . M ., D . C ; Frederick Smith , jun ., Org . ; Wm . Smith and Kenson , Stewards ; and Potter , Tyler . Before the installation , Bro . Maybrick proposed , and Bro . J . Joyce Murray seconded , the gift of a Past Master ' s
jewel to Bro . J . S . Hodson , in token of the brethren s appreciation of the admirable way in which he had discharged the office of W . M . during the past year . After the installation , Bro . Goolden , Secretary , read the report of the Committee of the Benevolent Fund , which showed a balance of £ 50 13 s . 7 d . in hand . Notwithstanding this large balance , although the fund had only been established eighteen months , the Committee regretted that the fund
was much less supported than formerly by the subscriptions collected in the lodge . On the motiun of Bro , E . Davison , seconded by Bro . " Hodson , the report was received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The handsome silver alms box was then sent round , and realised £ 0 3 s . 7 d . The attendance of brethren was very large , about 130 being present . Among them were several Grand Officers , Bros . Col . Shadwell II . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; H . C .
Levander , Grand Secretary of the Province of Middlesex ; the Rev . T . 1 '' . Ravenshaw , Past Grand Chaplain ; the Kev . Ambrose W . Hall , Past Grand Senior Warden Surrey ; Frederick Davison , Hyde Pullen , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; and Wilhelm Ganz , Past Grand Organist . When the business was concluded lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where a choice banquet was provided in the large hall . After
banquet the Worshipful Master proceeded with the toasts . He first gave "The Queen , " without adding "and the Craft . " The next toast was " The Most Worshipful Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge . " Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , responded , and said he felt he was somewhat out of his place in doing so , because there was present a reverend and very distinguished brother on his left ( the Rev . T . !•" . Ravenshaw ) who was senior to him
in Grand Lodge , and whose privilege it should have been to respond to this toast . With the modesty , however , which was peculiar to him , he had retired from the position to which he was entitled , and had left it to him ( Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke ) to perform that duty . All the Grand Officers were grateful for the fraternal way in which the brethren had received the toast . All the Grand Officers , no doubt , deserved well of the Order , because they had in various
capacities and at various times done a great deal to promote the prosperity of Freemasonry . lie hoped and believed that that was admitted . On the other hand , he need scarcely say it was very gratifying to be remembered at Masonic meetings . He could not help referring to the Masonic banquet at the Mansion House the previous Monday , when there were 142 Grand Officers who rallied round the Prince of Wales . For the Freemasons he did not ask
sympathy on that account , because they were not very badly treated . Nevertheless , their going in such large numbers showed they had not forgotten their position . When they arrived at their high distinction they gave up all consideration of convenience , and the result was that there were 142 G . Officers the previous Monday round the Prince of Wales ; and , as he had said , they were a band who had done good and were still ready to do good to Freemasonry .
He could not help echoing the words of the M . W . G . M . on that occasion . His Royal Highness said : " I regret that the many duties I have to perform do not enable me to see so much of you , brethren , as I should like ; but of one thing you may be sure , that I shall always take the deepest interest in everything that concerns the welfare of the Craft . I have taken that interest from the day I became one of you , and I hope that I shall do the same till the day
of my death . " In his position of Grand Secretary he ( Bro . Col . Shadwell Cleike ) , of course , had peculiar means of knowing what His Royal Highness's feelings were with regard to Freemasonry , and he could assure the brethren that the Prince of Wales really felt the greatest interest in everything that appertained to the Order . Many brethren thought the Prince of Wales was only an ornamental Grand Master . That really was not the case . The W . M . next gave " Prosperity to the Craft in General and the Orpheus Lodge in
Particular , " which was heartily responded to . Bro . j . S . Hodson , I . P . M ., in proposing" The W . M ., "said the work of a W . M . was not , in his opinion , completed until he had installed his successor in the lodge and proposed the health of the new Master at the banquet table . Before he retired into private life as a superannuated W . M . he had this pleasing duty to perform . In proposing the health of Bro . Maybrick , he might say that brother possessed in a very high degree those qualities which went to make a
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
good Master — courteous and genial manners , skill and ability as a Mason , and a determination to do the right always . He might also say that the prestige of the lodge as a musical lodge would be enhanced in his hands , and that he would do his work during his year " with a long , long pull , and a strong , strong pull . " The W . M . ( who was received with immense applause ) said it was his wish to do the work- of the lodge as it had been done , and to keep up
the prestige of the lodge in every shape and form , both Masonic and musical . He undertook the duty of the Mastership of the lodge not only fully prepared to carry out his programme , but , what was more , determined to do it . He looked upon the chair of a lodge as a very important post , because he considered that in the hands of the Master of a lodge rested everything appertaining to the lodge , and if the Master was lax in his principles or his duties , the lodge
grew rusty and fell into dispute . Therefore , he called upon every member of the Orpheus Lodge to support him during his year of office in fulfilling the programme he wished to carry out . Having thus explained his ideas as to the lodge , he had only to say that his great desire was to see the lodge successful . He was one of the founders of it , and he was still a very young Mason ; but , at the same time , he was a very ambitious
one . He would do all he could to make the lodge a success , and while thanking the brethren very sincerely for the very loyal manner iii which they had supported him that evening , he trusted that at the end of his year they would give him the same hearty welcome and cordial reception as they had given him that evening . In proposing "The Past Masters , " Bro . Maybrick said he would first perform a very grateful task . Since they were
kind enough to vote in the lodge the I . P . M . a jewel as the reward for his labours , or rather as a memento of his labours , he had put the jeweller ' s art to its fullest task , and he was happy to inform the brethren that the jewel had arrived—in the space , he thought , of three hours—in the case which included this very wonderful task . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Hodson was well entitled to wear it . Its intrinsic value was small , but its true value was truly
great , because it represented a year of office famous for good work . Might Bro . Hodson be spared many years to wear it , and to receive the thanks of the brethren . Theio were only two P . M . ' s in the Orpheus Lodge , Bro . Gadsby and Bro . Hodson , present that evening . Bro . Barrett had been at Market Drayton , and as he could not arrive till the banquet was half over he was too good a Mason to be present at the dinner if he could not be at the lodge . Bro .
Hodson , I . P . M ., in reply , said no one could recognise more fully than he the fact that the Master ' s collar was the greatest honour a lodge could bestow on any of its members . Presiding over a lodge of so distinguished and intellectual a character as the Orpheus was , to his mind , a reward , and more than a reward , for any labour that might he necessary , and might , one would think , satisfy the desire of the most exalted ambition . The lodge ,
however , not contented with tins , had , in the plentitude of its generosity , been pleased to present him with this very handsome jewel ; and he could assure the brethren that he felt quite unable adequately to thank them for this great mark of their esteem . But he wished them to believe most heartily that he was very much impressed with the kind feelings which had dictated the gift , and with which it had been presented . The Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw
P . G . C ., in responding to the toast of " ' 1 he Visitors , " said that while thanking the brethren for their hospitality he had to thank them for the delightful feast ol music placed before them . He might be allowed to congratulate them on their selection of a W . M . ; a brother popular in himself both in and out of Masonry , who had made himself popular to thousands who had never set eyes upon him , and who besides that had shown by the manner in which
he had taken part in the work that night that he meant to set an example to future Masters of the lodge . It was very seldom one heard the Master of a lodge at any time , antl especially upon the night of his installation , throw himself into the work as Bro . Maybrick did . He said his words not as if he learned them by rote , but as if he felt the importance of every word he spoke . He wished him a prosperous year of office , and did not doubt he would
have it , and out of the lodge that he might have a "Nancy Lee" to suit his mind , and many "Midshipmites " to follow . ( Laughter . ) Bro . J . Joyce Murray , S . W ., responding for " The Officers , " said he thought every officer of the lodge must be proud of their W . M . In him they felt they had a very able general . With an able general soldiers alway fought well together . Under Bro . Maybrick ' s generalship they would all be most anxious to
serve loyally , and they intended as far as possible to show him they would make this a very remarkable year for their very remarkable lodge . It was only three years old , and yet it had an enormous number of visitors , most of whom were true and earnest Masons . He felt quite sure that all the officers would work together in the greatest harmony ,
and at the end of the W . M . s year of office they would be found to merit the kind consideration of the brethren . Bros . Goolden and Blyth responded to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and the evening closed with the 'T yler ' s toast . A superb selection of music was performed during the intervals between the toasts by the members of the lodge .
JARROW . —St . Bede Lodge ( No . 1119 . ) — An emergency meeting of the above lodge was held in the south room of the Mechanics Institute , on Wednesday , the 13 th ult ., for the purpose of receiving the report of the Building Committee as to the proposed Masonic Hall . The lodge was opened in due form by Bro . M . H . Dodd , W . M ., assisted by the officers and brethren present . Bro . Sedcole , Secretary , then readthe following report : Your Committee
report that they have held several meetings for the purpose of promoting a scheme for the erection of a Masonic Hall , and that , as a a result of their labours , plans of the proposed hall have been prepared by Bro . Morton , architect , the carrying out of which will entail an outlay of capital to the extent of jfiooo . A description of the building is set out in the annexed report by Bro . Morton . Your Committee , in submitting the plans for your approval , beg to state that ,
with the view of obtaining the required accommodation for the brethren , and a fair revenue from the shops , great care has been exercised in designing the building . The plans have been approved by Mr . Spain , agent for Lady James . With regard to the question of capital your Committee are of opinion that the lodge should borrow it from a building society , on the security of the building , with twelve brethren as Trustees , and repay the principal and
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Clerke . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , in repty , said it was a great pleasure to the Grand Officers to have their services and position recognised so kindlv as they had been that evening , but more especially did they thank the brethren of the Asaph Lodge for the privilege of being then present , and enjoying the princely hospitality of the lodge . The performance of the installation ceremony had shown some very excellent work , and he must " congratulate the
W . M . and Bro . George Buckland , on the admirable and impressive style in which the latter bad installed the former , weighted , as he knew he was , by a very heavy and severe cold . So long as they had Past Masters in the lodge who could perform the ceremony in the way Bro . Buckland had , so long must the Lodge of Asaph hold up its head among the working lodges of '"' London . It was a great pleasure as well as a great honour to
be preserft at a good working lodge , and particularly so when the members of that lodge belonged to a profession so distinguished as that of the drama and music . They were both most charming professions ; and it was a treat to see that , while the time of those gentlemen was occupied with their callings , they yet secured sufficient leisure to discharge the duties of Freemasonry well and abl y . Bro . Edward Swanborough , I . P . M ., proposed " The Health of the
W . M ., " which , he said , was a toast that would appeal to the heart of every member of the Asaph Lodge . As he had stated when he presented the W . M . electro the Installing Master , Bro . Wellard had endeared himself to every one of the members of the lodge by his " -enial and gentlemanly behaviour . He had fulfilled the duties of every office so far , even passed the S . W . chair . Jwith a great deal of ability , with credit to himself ; and in electing him
unanimously to fill the Master ' s chair the brethren had done a good thing , for he would maintain and uphold the good name this lodge had among the lod ges of the Craft and the brethren generally . The W . M ., in reply , said he felt very highly the compliment paid to him by Bro . Swanborough and the cordiality of the brethren in their adoption of his sentiments . He trusted that with the assistance of the Past Masters , and with Bro . Swanborough as his
Immediate Past Master , he should discharge the duties of his year of office in such a way as to merit the approbation of the brethren . He then proposed " The Health of Bro . Swanborough , I . P . M ., " and said it was a great pleasure to him to have to convey to Bro . Swanborough a testimony of the appreciation of the brethren of the way in which he had conducted the duties of the chair during his year of office . To most of the brethren Bro . Swanborough had
been known very much longer than to him ( the W . M . ); but he ( the W . M . ) gave place to none of the brethren in the value he set upon Bro . Swanborough ' s good qualities and his generous disposition in everything connected with the lodge . Addressing Bro . Swanborough , the W . M . said : In presenting to you , Bro . Swanborough , this handsome Past Master ' s jewel which has been granted to you by the lodge , and in placing it on your breast . I trust the Grp . it
Architect of the Universe will grant you many years of health , happiness , and strength to wear it . Bro . Edward Swanborough , in acknowledging the toast , which was drunk with great enthusiasm , and the jewel , said if he did not think he had quite done his duty the present the brethren had made him , and the way in which they had drunk his health , at least showed they thought he had . He was very proud of his lodge . It had been remarked bBro .
y Edward Terry , when he received a Past Master ' s jewel , it was a red-letter to be presented with a jewel of his lodge ; to him ( Bro . Swanborough ) it was a diamond in his life , ' because it would reflect such a brightness in his future that he should never forget it . He had tried to do his duty to this lodge . He was present at the laying of the foundation stone of Truro Cathedral b y the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , and met the Grand Secretary
^ , er ; He did'hat for the lodge . When he was installed W . M . of the Asaph Lodge he found he could have gone out to lodges three times a week , and frequently twice in one night ; but his health and his professional duties would not allow him ; in fact , if he had done so the lodge would have had to enlarge the Master ' s chair . He only trusted that their dear old Master , Bro . Wellard , would represent the Lodge of Asaph , and keep up its dignity in the same
manner as he ( Bro . Swanborough ) had tried to do ; and , as one of the esteemed Past Masters of his mother lodge said he ought to have been at the Mansion House the previous Monday to have closed a very glorious Masonic career to his year , he might inform the brethren that he ought to have been there , because the Lord Mayor , on his installation as Master of the Grand Master ' s I-odge , told him he should be
present , and he ( Bro . Swanborough ) felt a little bit disappointed when he found he was not invited . However , the Lodge of Asaph was represented by Bro . Jeykell , Grand Organist , and he ( Bro . Swanborough ) was not so much disappointed , especially as while the Lord Mayor was entertaining the Grand Master , he ( Bro . Swanborough ) had the honour , in his mother ' s name , of entertaining " the beloved Grand Mistress , the Princess of Wales the same
evening . He begged to assure the brethren that though he had quitted the Chair of the lodge , his heart would always lie with the brethren . Bro . W . A . Tinney , P . M ., Secretary of the Lodge of Asaph ' s Benevolent Fund , in reply to the toast of that Fund , said that though the Fund amounted to £ 400 it did not increase in proportion to the number of members of the lodge , which was now 115 . He thought the amount was far short of what it ought to be and he
would like to see it made up to £ 1000 , so that they might meet all the demands which might be made upon it . He said "might , " because , fortunately , up to the present time , there had not been many calls on it . Year after year the same brethren ' s names appeared on the subscription list , but by far the larger number of brethren ' s names did not appear there at all . He did not think this was right , as all ought to subscribe a small amount . He
did not ask them for more than they could afford ; but if all were to subscribe the fund would be largely increased . In proposing "The Health of the Past Masters" the W-M- sai ( L £ Tf nren W 0 l ,, d a £ ree that the working that day by P . M . Buckland could not have been more able . The Past Master took much pleasure in instructing the voting
officers , and there was no greater pleasure to Bro . Weaver , P . M ., than to have the brethren up at his house and ' make it a lodge of instruction . Bio . J . M . Chamberlin replied , and regretted that so many P . M . ' s of the lodge were absent through professional engagements , and all the brethri-n must also regret the circumstance . Bro . E . Terry sent a telegram with his good wishes . ' The W . M' ! had spoken of the good work of the P . M . ' s , and a speci-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
men of it had been given by Bros . Frewin and Weaver before . All the P . M . ' s tried to do their work well . He was happy to see Bro . E . Swanborough among the Past Masters . Before sitting down he must pay a sad tribute of respect to the late Bro . Charles Coote , whose genial face they missed , and who was one of the brightest ornaments of the lodge . He had , however , passed away to a better place , and the brethren mourned his loss . This was the
first gap among the ranks of the Past Masters , and he hoped it would ' be many years before there , was another . He trusted that the Past Masters who assisted in the formation of the lodge would live to see a long list of Past Masters by their side . Bro . E . Swanborough said he had omitted to thank Bro . Buckland for so cheerfully complying with his request to instal the W . M . "The Health of the Visitors " was then proposed , and was responded to by Bros . Dr . Mackintosh , Capt . Finch , and Maybrick . Bros .
Lutz and Delevanti replied to the toast of" The Officers , " and the W . M . then gave "The Health of the Musical Brethren , Bros . G . T . Carter , Montem Smith , Thomas Lawler , T . Baxter , and H . Bracey . " The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . The music during the evening was of a choice description , and in addition to the above musical brethren , who sang under the direction of Bro . C . G . Jekyll , Grand Organist , Bro . E . Frewen's band performed the overture to "Gazza Ladra , " and a selection from the Grand Ballet in " Saturnalia . "
ORPHEUS LODGE ( No . 1706 ) . —On Saturday evening last , the annual meeting for the installation of the Worshipful Master of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 , was held at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Hodgson , W . M ., presided , and in an impressive manner installed Bro . Michael Maybrick , the musical composer , as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . Bro . J . Joyce Murraj was appointed Senior Warden , and Bro . J . L . Hodges , Junior Warden .
The other officers were Bros . Blyth , P . M ., Treas . ; GoDldcn , P . M ., Sec ; Willey , P . M ., S . D . ; Eaton Fating , J . D . ; the Rev . W . Stainer , Chap . ; George Benson , I . G . j Caston , P . M ., D . C ; Frederick Smith , jun ., Org . ; Wm . Smith and Kenson , Stewards ; and Potter , Tyler . Before the installation , Bro . Maybrick proposed , and Bro . J . Joyce Murray seconded , the gift of a Past Master ' s
jewel to Bro . J . S . Hodson , in token of the brethren s appreciation of the admirable way in which he had discharged the office of W . M . during the past year . After the installation , Bro . Goolden , Secretary , read the report of the Committee of the Benevolent Fund , which showed a balance of £ 50 13 s . 7 d . in hand . Notwithstanding this large balance , although the fund had only been established eighteen months , the Committee regretted that the fund
was much less supported than formerly by the subscriptions collected in the lodge . On the motiun of Bro , E . Davison , seconded by Bro . " Hodson , the report was received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The handsome silver alms box was then sent round , and realised £ 0 3 s . 7 d . The attendance of brethren was very large , about 130 being present . Among them were several Grand Officers , Bros . Col . Shadwell II . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; H . C .
Levander , Grand Secretary of the Province of Middlesex ; the Rev . T . 1 '' . Ravenshaw , Past Grand Chaplain ; the Kev . Ambrose W . Hall , Past Grand Senior Warden Surrey ; Frederick Davison , Hyde Pullen , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; and Wilhelm Ganz , Past Grand Organist . When the business was concluded lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern , where a choice banquet was provided in the large hall . After
banquet the Worshipful Master proceeded with the toasts . He first gave "The Queen , " without adding "and the Craft . " The next toast was " The Most Worshipful Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge . " Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary , responded , and said he felt he was somewhat out of his place in doing so , because there was present a reverend and very distinguished brother on his left ( the Rev . T . !•" . Ravenshaw ) who was senior to him
in Grand Lodge , and whose privilege it should have been to respond to this toast . With the modesty , however , which was peculiar to him , he had retired from the position to which he was entitled , and had left it to him ( Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke ) to perform that duty . All the Grand Officers were grateful for the fraternal way in which the brethren had received the toast . All the Grand Officers , no doubt , deserved well of the Order , because they had in various
capacities and at various times done a great deal to promote the prosperity of Freemasonry . lie hoped and believed that that was admitted . On the other hand , he need scarcely say it was very gratifying to be remembered at Masonic meetings . He could not help referring to the Masonic banquet at the Mansion House the previous Monday , when there were 142 Grand Officers who rallied round the Prince of Wales . For the Freemasons he did not ask
sympathy on that account , because they were not very badly treated . Nevertheless , their going in such large numbers showed they had not forgotten their position . When they arrived at their high distinction they gave up all consideration of convenience , and the result was that there were 142 G . Officers the previous Monday round the Prince of Wales ; and , as he had said , they were a band who had done good and were still ready to do good to Freemasonry .
He could not help echoing the words of the M . W . G . M . on that occasion . His Royal Highness said : " I regret that the many duties I have to perform do not enable me to see so much of you , brethren , as I should like ; but of one thing you may be sure , that I shall always take the deepest interest in everything that concerns the welfare of the Craft . I have taken that interest from the day I became one of you , and I hope that I shall do the same till the day
of my death . " In his position of Grand Secretary he ( Bro . Col . Shadwell Cleike ) , of course , had peculiar means of knowing what His Royal Highness's feelings were with regard to Freemasonry , and he could assure the brethren that the Prince of Wales really felt the greatest interest in everything that appertained to the Order . Many brethren thought the Prince of Wales was only an ornamental Grand Master . That really was not the case . The W . M . next gave " Prosperity to the Craft in General and the Orpheus Lodge in
Particular , " which was heartily responded to . Bro . j . S . Hodson , I . P . M ., in proposing" The W . M ., "said the work of a W . M . was not , in his opinion , completed until he had installed his successor in the lodge and proposed the health of the new Master at the banquet table . Before he retired into private life as a superannuated W . M . he had this pleasing duty to perform . In proposing the health of Bro . Maybrick , he might say that brother possessed in a very high degree those qualities which went to make a
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
good Master — courteous and genial manners , skill and ability as a Mason , and a determination to do the right always . He might also say that the prestige of the lodge as a musical lodge would be enhanced in his hands , and that he would do his work during his year " with a long , long pull , and a strong , strong pull . " The W . M . ( who was received with immense applause ) said it was his wish to do the work- of the lodge as it had been done , and to keep up
the prestige of the lodge in every shape and form , both Masonic and musical . He undertook the duty of the Mastership of the lodge not only fully prepared to carry out his programme , but , what was more , determined to do it . He looked upon the chair of a lodge as a very important post , because he considered that in the hands of the Master of a lodge rested everything appertaining to the lodge , and if the Master was lax in his principles or his duties , the lodge
grew rusty and fell into dispute . Therefore , he called upon every member of the Orpheus Lodge to support him during his year of office in fulfilling the programme he wished to carry out . Having thus explained his ideas as to the lodge , he had only to say that his great desire was to see the lodge successful . He was one of the founders of it , and he was still a very young Mason ; but , at the same time , he was a very ambitious
one . He would do all he could to make the lodge a success , and while thanking the brethren very sincerely for the very loyal manner iii which they had supported him that evening , he trusted that at the end of his year they would give him the same hearty welcome and cordial reception as they had given him that evening . In proposing "The Past Masters , " Bro . Maybrick said he would first perform a very grateful task . Since they were
kind enough to vote in the lodge the I . P . M . a jewel as the reward for his labours , or rather as a memento of his labours , he had put the jeweller ' s art to its fullest task , and he was happy to inform the brethren that the jewel had arrived—in the space , he thought , of three hours—in the case which included this very wonderful task . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Hodson was well entitled to wear it . Its intrinsic value was small , but its true value was truly
great , because it represented a year of office famous for good work . Might Bro . Hodson be spared many years to wear it , and to receive the thanks of the brethren . Theio were only two P . M . ' s in the Orpheus Lodge , Bro . Gadsby and Bro . Hodson , present that evening . Bro . Barrett had been at Market Drayton , and as he could not arrive till the banquet was half over he was too good a Mason to be present at the dinner if he could not be at the lodge . Bro .
Hodson , I . P . M ., in reply , said no one could recognise more fully than he the fact that the Master ' s collar was the greatest honour a lodge could bestow on any of its members . Presiding over a lodge of so distinguished and intellectual a character as the Orpheus was , to his mind , a reward , and more than a reward , for any labour that might he necessary , and might , one would think , satisfy the desire of the most exalted ambition . The lodge ,
however , not contented with tins , had , in the plentitude of its generosity , been pleased to present him with this very handsome jewel ; and he could assure the brethren that he felt quite unable adequately to thank them for this great mark of their esteem . But he wished them to believe most heartily that he was very much impressed with the kind feelings which had dictated the gift , and with which it had been presented . The Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw
P . G . C ., in responding to the toast of " ' 1 he Visitors , " said that while thanking the brethren for their hospitality he had to thank them for the delightful feast ol music placed before them . He might be allowed to congratulate them on their selection of a W . M . ; a brother popular in himself both in and out of Masonry , who had made himself popular to thousands who had never set eyes upon him , and who besides that had shown by the manner in which
he had taken part in the work that night that he meant to set an example to future Masters of the lodge . It was very seldom one heard the Master of a lodge at any time , antl especially upon the night of his installation , throw himself into the work as Bro . Maybrick did . He said his words not as if he learned them by rote , but as if he felt the importance of every word he spoke . He wished him a prosperous year of office , and did not doubt he would
have it , and out of the lodge that he might have a "Nancy Lee" to suit his mind , and many "Midshipmites " to follow . ( Laughter . ) Bro . J . Joyce Murray , S . W ., responding for " The Officers , " said he thought every officer of the lodge must be proud of their W . M . In him they felt they had a very able general . With an able general soldiers alway fought well together . Under Bro . Maybrick ' s generalship they would all be most anxious to
serve loyally , and they intended as far as possible to show him they would make this a very remarkable year for their very remarkable lodge . It was only three years old , and yet it had an enormous number of visitors , most of whom were true and earnest Masons . He felt quite sure that all the officers would work together in the greatest harmony ,
and at the end of the W . M . s year of office they would be found to merit the kind consideration of the brethren . Bros . Goolden and Blyth responded to the toast of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and the evening closed with the 'T yler ' s toast . A superb selection of music was performed during the intervals between the toasts by the members of the lodge .
JARROW . —St . Bede Lodge ( No . 1119 . ) — An emergency meeting of the above lodge was held in the south room of the Mechanics Institute , on Wednesday , the 13 th ult ., for the purpose of receiving the report of the Building Committee as to the proposed Masonic Hall . The lodge was opened in due form by Bro . M . H . Dodd , W . M ., assisted by the officers and brethren present . Bro . Sedcole , Secretary , then readthe following report : Your Committee
report that they have held several meetings for the purpose of promoting a scheme for the erection of a Masonic Hall , and that , as a a result of their labours , plans of the proposed hall have been prepared by Bro . Morton , architect , the carrying out of which will entail an outlay of capital to the extent of jfiooo . A description of the building is set out in the annexed report by Bro . Morton . Your Committee , in submitting the plans for your approval , beg to state that ,
with the view of obtaining the required accommodation for the brethren , and a fair revenue from the shops , great care has been exercised in designing the building . The plans have been approved by Mr . Spain , agent for Lady James . With regard to the question of capital your Committee are of opinion that the lodge should borrow it from a building society , on the security of the building , with twelve brethren as Trustees , and repay the principal and