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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 2 Article Masonic Notes and Queries. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
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Original Correspondence.
I firmly believe that the Committee of Investigation are absolutely in error in desiring to change the system of government at Wood Green . The faults pointed out arise not from the system , but from the manner in which the system has been worked . One remark made in the report illustrates this . It says that the influence of the Secretary has occasioned friction amongst the officers , and it proceeds
to conclude from this that the Secretary ' s influence should cease . It ought to have been known by one honoured name amongst those who sign the report that the influence of the Secretary in most Institutions is exerted so as to prevent friction , and that much of that officer's time is taken up in healing differences and in promoting peace and harmony . If that has not been the case at Wood Green , there must
be a reason , and that reason should have been given fairly and distinctly . It is within the bounds of possibility that if the Secretary ' s expressions were at any time more unguarded and strong than was needed , there may have been such provoking cause ] as to afford an excuse which should have counted for something . In my humble opinion , the real offenders in the whole
business are the House Committee . They have been too mindful of their own enjoyment in their Committee visits , and have practically left the management to others . And it may fairly be presumed that , if the Secretary had not done his part and more than his part , nothing would have been done at all . If a new House Committee were appointed and the Secretary retained as their confidential
Officer , as heretofore , knowing their wishes , knowing the subscribing brethren and the lodges , and knowing from long service the whole inner life of the Institution , they could legislate for the good of the School in the light of present information , and have the advantage of the independent judgment of their Secretary , who would carry out their views . A competent Matron should manage the domestic affairs
of the place , and refer to the Secretary for guidance and support . And , if the present officers cannot carry out such a system as this , one should retire , according to Masonic rule . But surely that one should not be the Officer so long known to the Craft as the representative of the School , and as the man to whose untiring exertions , whether occasionally imprudent or not , the Institution must always be deeply indebted . Y . M . N . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me to reply to Bro . Tudor Trevor's first inquiry in his letter of the nth inst ., viz ., "Had not Bros . Ramsay and Hogard , with each and all the members of their respective Committees , ample opportunity and every facility afforded them of assisting in the recent
investigations ? " I received an intimation from the Secretary of the Institution that I , as a member of the Audit Committee , could attend the meetings of the Committee of Inquiry , but on the 3 rd November , 1 S 8 S , when I presented myself at the
meeting I was informed by the Chairman , Bro . Philbrick , that they had decided that the Inquiry was to be considered private , and that I could not be allowed to be present at that stage , but that I could do so when the question of accounts was under consideration . I heard nothing more until I received the following letter from the Chairman : —
"Lamb Building , Temple , " 19 th November , 1888 . " C . F . Hogard , Esq ., " Dear Sir and Brother , " Will you , as a member of the Audit Com
rmttee of the R . M . Boys' School , kindly attend the Committee of Investigation at Freemasons' Hall , at n a . m ., Tuesday , 27 th , or Wednesday , 28 th , as best suits your convenience , to explain to us the course oE business adopted at the audits , & c .
" Yours faithfully and fraternally , " ( Signed ) FRED . A . PHILBRICK . " I accordingly attended the Committee and explained all matters that were put to me . I was not informed that any exception was taken to the accounts or the manner in which they were presented , either each quarter or the annual statement as laid before the General Committee . This was the only invitation I received during the course of the Inquiry . —I remain , yours fraternally , CHAS . FREDK . HOGARD . May 21 st . _ ' lo the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am sorry the House and Audit Committ ees do not seem inclined to accept the report . I admit it is not pleasant to be adversely criticised , but does either Committee imagine for a moment that the report will be
disclaimed by the Craft ? and , if not , why not loyally set about adopting its recommendations ? It may be that the Secretary does not accept the report ; but if so ( which I doubt ) , the report must prevail , and the Craft looks to the Committees to act upon it or resign . There is no reason why either of them , or Bro . Binckes , should not continue to us their valuable services j cannot they and he accept
the result , and set to work to carry out the evidently muchneeded reforms ? As to Bro . Binckes , I trust he will allow himself to survive ; could he but look at the matter from an outsider'spoint of view , he would see at once that he occupies a position incompatible with that which , I understand , he claims , viz ., concurrentjurisdiction with the Managing Bodies and
individual Heads of Departments . Well , a Secretary must not do this ; he must if he accept the post accept his consequent position . One readily admits the difficulty in his case . I hold the magnificent creation , the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys' as we now know it , to be his , and the ( almost ) inevitable result has been produced—viz ., that growing with his
growth , nurtured by his wondrous energy and ability , he has come to look upon it as his life's idol , and , by a natural consequence , thinks that none can feel attached to it , none can know it , and none prescribe for it as he . I hope he will pardon a personal friend , and brother , asking him to
consider the matter , and I trust he may come to the conclusion that he can , without the shadow of a stain or even imputation on his personal honour , acquiesce in and adopt it . May I further express my very great regret that the Committee ( even if without the scope of their enquiry )
Original Correspondence.
could find no word of acknowledgment of those services in which the Craft recognise the energy and ability of this " veteran officer . " Well , we can recognise it . The Festival is fixed for ( I believe ) the 26 th prox . —let it be a success , and then perhaps we may hope ( " mutatis mutandis " ) to obtain his acquiescence and retain his services . May I , in conclusion , express the hope that such words
as un-Masonic " may in future be excluded from discussions ( whether verbally or orally conducted ) on this subject , and ask each and every brother never to forget that , above all , we must maintain the Institution , and continue our care for our " nephews ?" We must keep it and them in mind . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , THREE-FOUR-ONE . May 18 th .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
840 ] CURIOUS CERTIFICATE . Bro . C . P . Cooper , of Dundalk , has again unearthed another curious specimen in certificates . It was granted by the " Inner Circle " of the Lodge No . 3 S 4 , Dundalk ( warranted in 1 S 02 ) and relates primarily to the " Red Cross , " which is substantially the same Degree as
conferred in U . S . A . and Canada , as preparatory or introductory to the K . T . There are also other Degrees referred to , which will be of special interest to those who regard the Mark , as almost of equal antiquity and importance to the Royal Arch . I may state that the earliest minutes of a Mark Lodge are dated 1773 , at Durham , 1777 , at London , and 177 S , at Banff , Scotland .
[ COPY J O King Darius live for ever . We the King and Captain General of the General and Royal Assembly of loiijre Xo . au on Knights of the Red Cross having met and Loalrc KcBistiy assembled in due form at Dundalk under of Ireland . ' the sanction of Lodge No . 384 , Do hereby Certify that our trusty true faithfull and well beloved Brother Sir Samuel Jameson was by us duly installed and Dubbed a Knight of that most Illustrious and Royal Order of the Knights of the Red Cross and that he was by us at the same time initiated into those Magnanimous and Glorious Orders of Knights of Patmos , 0 Knights of Jerusalem , Ark and Mark Mason , Link and Chain , Jacob ' s Wrestle and Mother Word , and as such We recommend him as a Worthy Brother to all Brother Red Cross Masons throughout the face of the habitable Globe .
Given under our Hands and Seal in our Lodge Room at Dundalk This 7 th day of July , A . D . 1 S 19 and in Masonry 5 S 19 . Joshua Harrison K . I . N . G . © John Warren C . G . Thomas Kidd ist Lieut . Patt . Mandwell 2 nd Lieut . Patt . Callan 3 rd Lieut . The Certificate is written on a sheet of small folio paper , the " water mark " of which is 1 S 11 , the wax seal being suspended from a riband of four colours , viz ., blue , green ,
black , and orange . A similar seal , in ink is at foot of the document and appears to have the words , & c , thereon as follows : O . K . D . L . F . EVER , DUNDALK LODGE , 384 , within there is a cross of Calvary , with the letters above of IHS , and at the left is a serpent , and some other figure at the right . W T HIlfiHAH
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Jlasonrg * LODGE OF CONFIDENCE ( No . 193 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 13 th inst ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , when there were present Bros . Samuel Smither , W . M . ; Davey , S . W . ; Belchamber , I . G . j Kershaw , P . M . and Treas . j Wood , P . M ., acting Sec ; Cubitt , P . M . j Saint , P . M . j Smith , P . M . ; and Nightingale , P . M .
The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read confirmed , including a vote of 20 guineas to the R . M . I , for Girls on the list of the W . M . lhe lodge work was exceptionally heavy , including the raising of Bros . Ayletr , Seccombe , Haines , Elvin , and Bushel ? , the passing of Bros . Vorley and Bown , and the initiation of Mr . W . D . Tomset . The whole of these ceremonies were rendered in
a very able manner by the W . M ., assisted by the officers present and the Past Masters . The l . P . M . having announced his intention of serving as Steward at the forthcoming festival of the R . M . I , for Boys , 10 guineas were voted from the lodge funds to be placed on his list . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Pillar Room , where an excellent dinner was provided by
Bro . Clemow , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . Wood , P . M ., who complimented the W . M . on the excellent manner in which he had carried out the lodge work , and the success which had attended his accession to the chair . Bro . Smither , W . M ., responded , and expressed the great pleasure he felt in presiding over such a distinguished
lodge as the Lodge of Confidence , which in a few months would complete its centenary . "The Health of the Initiate" was proposed , and suitably acknowledged by Bro . Tomset . "The Visitors" was then given by the W . Master , and responded to by Bro . W . H . Lee , P . M ., who congratulated the lodge on the success to which it had attained , and on the efficiency displayed by the W . M . and officers .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
The remainder of the toasts were disposed of , and th brethren separated , having spent a very pleasant eveninr / The following visitors were present : Bros . W . H I «„' P . Prov . G . D . Middx . ; R . J . Chillingworth , P . M . '
RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 14 th " instant , at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when there were present Bros . W . J . Coplestone , W . M . ; A . William , acting S . W . j F . Craggs , J . W . ; H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec H . F . Williams , S . D . ; A . Williams , I . D .: W . w '
Williams , I . G . ; Hans Scharien , Stwd . ; A . Walkley , P . M ' Tyler ; H . Shaw , P . M . ; F . J . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; j , " ' Sims , P . M . j _ C . Dopson , P . M . ; F . Herbert , T . Jopson ' H . Stokes , C . Heinemann , A . J . Hardwick , R . Gerbert ' H . Spencer , W . Iredale , J . F . Cliburn , W . E . Purdue , H Hewitt , J . Worth , H . Pinn , Edward Lucas , G . E . White ' and A . Pauchin . Visitors : H . Essex , 511 ; W . G . Vassie ' 1767 ; and H . Wake , 720 . '
Bros . G . E . White and A . Pauchin were initiated ; Bro . C . Heinemann passed ; and Bro . F . Herbert raised ; all being performed in a most able manner by Bro . Coplestone , W . M . Bro . Shaw , P . M ., gave the charge in a most impressive manner . After the usual business of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and a very pleasant evening was spent . Songs were sung by Bros . Oliver , Hardwick , Cliburn , and A . Williams . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured , " The Initiates " was responded to by Bros . Oliver , Hardwick , Cliburn , and A . Williams , who also spoke of the good working and hearty welcome they had received .
The I . P . M ., Bro . Doncaster , was greatly missed at this meeting , and the greatest sympathy was felt on his behalf in his sad bereavement . His post was most kindly and ably filled by our much esteemed Bro . J . Sims , P . M ., who alluded in the most feeling manner to Bro . Doncaster ' s absence .
Bro . H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec , in replying for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " congratulated the lodge on its continued great success . Bro . Craggs , J . W ., also alluded to the general desire of all officers to do all in their power to study the interests of the lodge .
UBIQUE LODGE ( No . 1789 ) . —The history of the above progressive and influential lodge may be identified with the Masonic history of the Royal Artillery . Its cognomen is the motto of the gallant gunners , who , like Masonry itself , are by the exigencies of the service "scattered over the face of earth and water , " and it matters little what part of our great Empire a Mason may
travel in , there will he find the right hand ot fellowship extended to him by a brother who has at one time , or is at present , mustered under the banner which bears the proud legend , " Ubique . " The installation meeting of the lodge took place on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Cafe Royal , Air-street , Regent-street , and was in every respect , both in its numbers and the personnel present , one of the most
interesting since its consecration . The lodge was opened by Bro . Capt W . L . White , R . A ., W . M ., and , the minutes of the preceding meeting having been confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bros . W . Arnold , retired master gunner R . A ., 13 ; Sergt .-Major J . Thorne , R . A ., 1449 ; Lieut . J . Claude de Kenne Bruce-Kingsmill , R . A ., as joining members ; and Bro . Capt . W . V . Faber , R . A ., A . D . C ,
as a candidate for initiation . The ballot proving unanimous in every case , Bro . Capt . Faber was initiated by the W . M ., and then Bro . Major J . Ritchie , R . A ., P . M ., was invited by the W . M . to assume the chair as Installing Officer , which invitation that brother accepted , and then Bro . W . R . Arnold , R . A ., S . W ., and W . M . elect , was presented to him by Bro . Capt . W . Weston , P . M . 2195 ,
P . P . S . G . D . Kent , I . P . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , and in due course Bro . Arnold was placed in the chair of K . S ., and saluted . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Capt . White , l . P . M . ; E . Morris , S . W . ; J . Christian , J . W . j Capt . J . Sculley , R . H . A ., P . M ., Treas . ; G . Mason , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Lawson , S . D . ; W . Seager , J . D . ; Capt . A . C . Hansard ,
R . A .. I . G . ; W . W . Blades , D . C . ; Lieut . R . M . Laird , R . A ., and T . C . Lawson , Stwds . Bro . Ritchie then recited the charges eloquently and most impressively , and concluded an admirably worked ceremony , the course of which , was without hitch or halt of any kind . The first duty of the new Master was to raise Bros . Myers and Dickson , a rather arduous task for a new Master , but
which he nevertheless carried out admirably , the new officers being also equal to the occasion . The next duty was to present to his immediate predecessor . a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , suitably engraved , for services rendered the lodge during his year of office , and for which Bro . Capt . White returned thanks . Bro . Major Ritchie was then unanimously accorded a special vote of thanks
for the admirable manner in which he had carried out the duties of Installing Officer that day , the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , tor which our esteemed brother returned thanks . Bro . Capt . W . Richey , who had held the office of Secretary for the last five years , having retired from the office , was unanimously voted a past Secretary ' s jewel of the usual value to mark
the brethren ' s estimate of the excellent services rendered the lodge by him during the term of his office , for which Bro . Richey returned thanks . Bro . Sculley , who has been Treasurer of the lodge since its consecration , was also voted a past Treasurer ' s jewel for valuable services to the lodge , for which that brother also returned thanks . The Committee's revision of the by-laws having been
considered , Bro . B . Hancock , Org . 13 , was elected hon . member , and invested as Organist , and , after " Hearty good wishes " from the large number of visitors present , the lodge was closed . Among the other brethren present and not above named were Bros . Capt . J . McCaffery , Lieut . A . Chamberlain 3
Capt . F . E . Cooper , Capt . W . Barrell , Capt . Rowan , Lieut . E . Turner , Lieut . S . Frith , D . ' . C . Capon ( Hon . ) , VV . Haley , H . Ridout , G . Gibson , G . H . Grey , T . Hill , C McCafferty , VV . Smith , T . Nicholas , and W . Shackleton , all of the lodge ; C . Hammerton , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . J Col . Vansittart , 1536 ; Major Turnbull , P . M . 1413 , P . GReg . Punjab ; S . Jarvis , P . M . 2195 ; P . G . P . Kent ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
I firmly believe that the Committee of Investigation are absolutely in error in desiring to change the system of government at Wood Green . The faults pointed out arise not from the system , but from the manner in which the system has been worked . One remark made in the report illustrates this . It says that the influence of the Secretary has occasioned friction amongst the officers , and it proceeds
to conclude from this that the Secretary ' s influence should cease . It ought to have been known by one honoured name amongst those who sign the report that the influence of the Secretary in most Institutions is exerted so as to prevent friction , and that much of that officer's time is taken up in healing differences and in promoting peace and harmony . If that has not been the case at Wood Green , there must
be a reason , and that reason should have been given fairly and distinctly . It is within the bounds of possibility that if the Secretary ' s expressions were at any time more unguarded and strong than was needed , there may have been such provoking cause ] as to afford an excuse which should have counted for something . In my humble opinion , the real offenders in the whole
business are the House Committee . They have been too mindful of their own enjoyment in their Committee visits , and have practically left the management to others . And it may fairly be presumed that , if the Secretary had not done his part and more than his part , nothing would have been done at all . If a new House Committee were appointed and the Secretary retained as their confidential
Officer , as heretofore , knowing their wishes , knowing the subscribing brethren and the lodges , and knowing from long service the whole inner life of the Institution , they could legislate for the good of the School in the light of present information , and have the advantage of the independent judgment of their Secretary , who would carry out their views . A competent Matron should manage the domestic affairs
of the place , and refer to the Secretary for guidance and support . And , if the present officers cannot carry out such a system as this , one should retire , according to Masonic rule . But surely that one should not be the Officer so long known to the Craft as the representative of the School , and as the man to whose untiring exertions , whether occasionally imprudent or not , the Institution must always be deeply indebted . Y . M . N . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me to reply to Bro . Tudor Trevor's first inquiry in his letter of the nth inst ., viz ., "Had not Bros . Ramsay and Hogard , with each and all the members of their respective Committees , ample opportunity and every facility afforded them of assisting in the recent
investigations ? " I received an intimation from the Secretary of the Institution that I , as a member of the Audit Committee , could attend the meetings of the Committee of Inquiry , but on the 3 rd November , 1 S 8 S , when I presented myself at the
meeting I was informed by the Chairman , Bro . Philbrick , that they had decided that the Inquiry was to be considered private , and that I could not be allowed to be present at that stage , but that I could do so when the question of accounts was under consideration . I heard nothing more until I received the following letter from the Chairman : —
"Lamb Building , Temple , " 19 th November , 1888 . " C . F . Hogard , Esq ., " Dear Sir and Brother , " Will you , as a member of the Audit Com
rmttee of the R . M . Boys' School , kindly attend the Committee of Investigation at Freemasons' Hall , at n a . m ., Tuesday , 27 th , or Wednesday , 28 th , as best suits your convenience , to explain to us the course oE business adopted at the audits , & c .
" Yours faithfully and fraternally , " ( Signed ) FRED . A . PHILBRICK . " I accordingly attended the Committee and explained all matters that were put to me . I was not informed that any exception was taken to the accounts or the manner in which they were presented , either each quarter or the annual statement as laid before the General Committee . This was the only invitation I received during the course of the Inquiry . —I remain , yours fraternally , CHAS . FREDK . HOGARD . May 21 st . _ ' lo the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am sorry the House and Audit Committ ees do not seem inclined to accept the report . I admit it is not pleasant to be adversely criticised , but does either Committee imagine for a moment that the report will be
disclaimed by the Craft ? and , if not , why not loyally set about adopting its recommendations ? It may be that the Secretary does not accept the report ; but if so ( which I doubt ) , the report must prevail , and the Craft looks to the Committees to act upon it or resign . There is no reason why either of them , or Bro . Binckes , should not continue to us their valuable services j cannot they and he accept
the result , and set to work to carry out the evidently muchneeded reforms ? As to Bro . Binckes , I trust he will allow himself to survive ; could he but look at the matter from an outsider'spoint of view , he would see at once that he occupies a position incompatible with that which , I understand , he claims , viz ., concurrentjurisdiction with the Managing Bodies and
individual Heads of Departments . Well , a Secretary must not do this ; he must if he accept the post accept his consequent position . One readily admits the difficulty in his case . I hold the magnificent creation , the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Boys' as we now know it , to be his , and the ( almost ) inevitable result has been produced—viz ., that growing with his
growth , nurtured by his wondrous energy and ability , he has come to look upon it as his life's idol , and , by a natural consequence , thinks that none can feel attached to it , none can know it , and none prescribe for it as he . I hope he will pardon a personal friend , and brother , asking him to
consider the matter , and I trust he may come to the conclusion that he can , without the shadow of a stain or even imputation on his personal honour , acquiesce in and adopt it . May I further express my very great regret that the Committee ( even if without the scope of their enquiry )
Original Correspondence.
could find no word of acknowledgment of those services in which the Craft recognise the energy and ability of this " veteran officer . " Well , we can recognise it . The Festival is fixed for ( I believe ) the 26 th prox . —let it be a success , and then perhaps we may hope ( " mutatis mutandis " ) to obtain his acquiescence and retain his services . May I , in conclusion , express the hope that such words
as un-Masonic " may in future be excluded from discussions ( whether verbally or orally conducted ) on this subject , and ask each and every brother never to forget that , above all , we must maintain the Institution , and continue our care for our " nephews ?" We must keep it and them in mind . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , THREE-FOUR-ONE . May 18 th .
Masonic Notes And Queries.
Masonic Notes and Queries .
840 ] CURIOUS CERTIFICATE . Bro . C . P . Cooper , of Dundalk , has again unearthed another curious specimen in certificates . It was granted by the " Inner Circle " of the Lodge No . 3 S 4 , Dundalk ( warranted in 1 S 02 ) and relates primarily to the " Red Cross , " which is substantially the same Degree as
conferred in U . S . A . and Canada , as preparatory or introductory to the K . T . There are also other Degrees referred to , which will be of special interest to those who regard the Mark , as almost of equal antiquity and importance to the Royal Arch . I may state that the earliest minutes of a Mark Lodge are dated 1773 , at Durham , 1777 , at London , and 177 S , at Banff , Scotland .
[ COPY J O King Darius live for ever . We the King and Captain General of the General and Royal Assembly of loiijre Xo . au on Knights of the Red Cross having met and Loalrc KcBistiy assembled in due form at Dundalk under of Ireland . ' the sanction of Lodge No . 384 , Do hereby Certify that our trusty true faithfull and well beloved Brother Sir Samuel Jameson was by us duly installed and Dubbed a Knight of that most Illustrious and Royal Order of the Knights of the Red Cross and that he was by us at the same time initiated into those Magnanimous and Glorious Orders of Knights of Patmos , 0 Knights of Jerusalem , Ark and Mark Mason , Link and Chain , Jacob ' s Wrestle and Mother Word , and as such We recommend him as a Worthy Brother to all Brother Red Cross Masons throughout the face of the habitable Globe .
Given under our Hands and Seal in our Lodge Room at Dundalk This 7 th day of July , A . D . 1 S 19 and in Masonry 5 S 19 . Joshua Harrison K . I . N . G . © John Warren C . G . Thomas Kidd ist Lieut . Patt . Mandwell 2 nd Lieut . Patt . Callan 3 rd Lieut . The Certificate is written on a sheet of small folio paper , the " water mark " of which is 1 S 11 , the wax seal being suspended from a riband of four colours , viz ., blue , green ,
black , and orange . A similar seal , in ink is at foot of the document and appears to have the words , & c , thereon as follows : O . K . D . L . F . EVER , DUNDALK LODGE , 384 , within there is a cross of Calvary , with the letters above of IHS , and at the left is a serpent , and some other figure at the right . W T HIlfiHAH
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Jlasonrg * LODGE OF CONFIDENCE ( No . 193 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on the 13 th inst ., at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , when there were present Bros . Samuel Smither , W . M . ; Davey , S . W . ; Belchamber , I . G . j Kershaw , P . M . and Treas . j Wood , P . M ., acting Sec ; Cubitt , P . M . j Saint , P . M . j Smith , P . M . ; and Nightingale , P . M .
The lodge having been opened , the minutes were read confirmed , including a vote of 20 guineas to the R . M . I , for Girls on the list of the W . M . lhe lodge work was exceptionally heavy , including the raising of Bros . Ayletr , Seccombe , Haines , Elvin , and Bushel ? , the passing of Bros . Vorley and Bown , and the initiation of Mr . W . D . Tomset . The whole of these ceremonies were rendered in
a very able manner by the W . M ., assisted by the officers present and the Past Masters . The l . P . M . having announced his intention of serving as Steward at the forthcoming festival of the R . M . I , for Boys , 10 guineas were voted from the lodge funds to be placed on his list . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Pillar Room , where an excellent dinner was provided by
Bro . Clemow , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . Wood , P . M ., who complimented the W . M . on the excellent manner in which he had carried out the lodge work , and the success which had attended his accession to the chair . Bro . Smither , W . M ., responded , and expressed the great pleasure he felt in presiding over such a distinguished
lodge as the Lodge of Confidence , which in a few months would complete its centenary . "The Health of the Initiate" was proposed , and suitably acknowledged by Bro . Tomset . "The Visitors" was then given by the W . Master , and responded to by Bro . W . H . Lee , P . M ., who congratulated the lodge on the success to which it had attained , and on the efficiency displayed by the W . M . and officers .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
The remainder of the toasts were disposed of , and th brethren separated , having spent a very pleasant eveninr / The following visitors were present : Bros . W . H I «„' P . Prov . G . D . Middx . ; R . J . Chillingworth , P . M . '
RANELAGH LODGE ( No . 834 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday , the 14 th " instant , at the Criterion , Piccadilly , when there were present Bros . W . J . Coplestone , W . M . ; A . William , acting S . W . j F . Craggs , J . W . ; H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec H . F . Williams , S . D . ; A . Williams , I . D .: W . w '
Williams , I . G . ; Hans Scharien , Stwd . ; A . Walkley , P . M ' Tyler ; H . Shaw , P . M . ; F . J . Oliver , P . M ., Org . ; j , " ' Sims , P . M . j _ C . Dopson , P . M . ; F . Herbert , T . Jopson ' H . Stokes , C . Heinemann , A . J . Hardwick , R . Gerbert ' H . Spencer , W . Iredale , J . F . Cliburn , W . E . Purdue , H Hewitt , J . Worth , H . Pinn , Edward Lucas , G . E . White ' and A . Pauchin . Visitors : H . Essex , 511 ; W . G . Vassie ' 1767 ; and H . Wake , 720 . '
Bros . G . E . White and A . Pauchin were initiated ; Bro . C . Heinemann passed ; and Bro . F . Herbert raised ; all being performed in a most able manner by Bro . Coplestone , W . M . Bro . Shaw , P . M ., gave the charge in a most impressive manner . After the usual business of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and a very pleasant evening was spent . Songs were sung by Bros . Oliver , Hardwick , Cliburn , and A . Williams . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been honoured , " The Initiates " was responded to by Bros . Oliver , Hardwick , Cliburn , and A . Williams , who also spoke of the good working and hearty welcome they had received .
The I . P . M ., Bro . Doncaster , was greatly missed at this meeting , and the greatest sympathy was felt on his behalf in his sad bereavement . His post was most kindly and ably filled by our much esteemed Bro . J . Sims , P . M ., who alluded in the most feeling manner to Bro . Doncaster ' s absence .
Bro . H . Purdue , P . M ., Sec , in replying for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " congratulated the lodge on its continued great success . Bro . Craggs , J . W ., also alluded to the general desire of all officers to do all in their power to study the interests of the lodge .
UBIQUE LODGE ( No . 1789 ) . —The history of the above progressive and influential lodge may be identified with the Masonic history of the Royal Artillery . Its cognomen is the motto of the gallant gunners , who , like Masonry itself , are by the exigencies of the service "scattered over the face of earth and water , " and it matters little what part of our great Empire a Mason may
travel in , there will he find the right hand ot fellowship extended to him by a brother who has at one time , or is at present , mustered under the banner which bears the proud legend , " Ubique . " The installation meeting of the lodge took place on Monday , the 13 th inst ., at the Cafe Royal , Air-street , Regent-street , and was in every respect , both in its numbers and the personnel present , one of the most
interesting since its consecration . The lodge was opened by Bro . Capt W . L . White , R . A ., W . M ., and , the minutes of the preceding meeting having been confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bros . W . Arnold , retired master gunner R . A ., 13 ; Sergt .-Major J . Thorne , R . A ., 1449 ; Lieut . J . Claude de Kenne Bruce-Kingsmill , R . A ., as joining members ; and Bro . Capt . W . V . Faber , R . A ., A . D . C ,
as a candidate for initiation . The ballot proving unanimous in every case , Bro . Capt . Faber was initiated by the W . M ., and then Bro . Major J . Ritchie , R . A ., P . M ., was invited by the W . M . to assume the chair as Installing Officer , which invitation that brother accepted , and then Bro . W . R . Arnold , R . A ., S . W ., and W . M . elect , was presented to him by Bro . Capt . W . Weston , P . M . 2195 ,
P . P . S . G . D . Kent , I . P . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , and in due course Bro . Arnold was placed in the chair of K . S ., and saluted . He appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Capt . White , l . P . M . ; E . Morris , S . W . ; J . Christian , J . W . j Capt . J . Sculley , R . H . A ., P . M ., Treas . ; G . Mason , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Lawson , S . D . ; W . Seager , J . D . ; Capt . A . C . Hansard ,
R . A .. I . G . ; W . W . Blades , D . C . ; Lieut . R . M . Laird , R . A ., and T . C . Lawson , Stwds . Bro . Ritchie then recited the charges eloquently and most impressively , and concluded an admirably worked ceremony , the course of which , was without hitch or halt of any kind . The first duty of the new Master was to raise Bros . Myers and Dickson , a rather arduous task for a new Master , but
which he nevertheless carried out admirably , the new officers being also equal to the occasion . The next duty was to present to his immediate predecessor . a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , suitably engraved , for services rendered the lodge during his year of office , and for which Bro . Capt . White returned thanks . Bro . Major Ritchie was then unanimously accorded a special vote of thanks
for the admirable manner in which he had carried out the duties of Installing Officer that day , the same to be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , tor which our esteemed brother returned thanks . Bro . Capt . W . Richey , who had held the office of Secretary for the last five years , having retired from the office , was unanimously voted a past Secretary ' s jewel of the usual value to mark
the brethren ' s estimate of the excellent services rendered the lodge by him during the term of his office , for which Bro . Richey returned thanks . Bro . Sculley , who has been Treasurer of the lodge since its consecration , was also voted a past Treasurer ' s jewel for valuable services to the lodge , for which that brother also returned thanks . The Committee's revision of the by-laws having been
considered , Bro . B . Hancock , Org . 13 , was elected hon . member , and invested as Organist , and , after " Hearty good wishes " from the large number of visitors present , the lodge was closed . Among the other brethren present and not above named were Bros . Capt . J . McCaffery , Lieut . A . Chamberlain 3
Capt . F . E . Cooper , Capt . W . Barrell , Capt . Rowan , Lieut . E . Turner , Lieut . S . Frith , D . ' . C . Capon ( Hon . ) , VV . Haley , H . Ridout , G . Gibson , G . H . Grey , T . Hill , C McCafferty , VV . Smith , T . Nicholas , and W . Shackleton , all of the lodge ; C . Hammerton , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . J Col . Vansittart , 1536 ; Major Turnbull , P . M . 1413 , P . GReg . Punjab ; S . Jarvis , P . M . 2195 ; P . G . P . Kent ,