Notices Of Meetings.

so ably fills . The ballot was now taken for Messrs . Edward Stuart Pugh and Charles George Scott , and proving unanimous , those gentlemen were initiated into the Order . Somo little discussion next ensued upon a notice of motion , which Bro . Magnus Ohren , in whose name it stood , explained did not quite meet with tho approval of

tho Provincial Grand Master , the latter , as we understood , regarding : such recommendations as irregular . As there appears to be a divided opinion , and a wish was expressed for the question to be ventilated , we append the notice of motion , and should like to have the views of our correspondents thereon : —

" That this Lodge highly approves of the manner iu which Bro . John Walter Sugg , tho present W . M . of this Lodge , has carried out his various Masonic duties in tho chair , and since his initiation in this Lodge , and that he be recommended for the favourable consideration of the E . W . the Provincial Grand Master for Provincial

honours . " Under the circumstances detailed above , this notice was Avithdrawn . The Treasurer , Bro . P . M . James Eobins , then in a most exultant manner , announced that the funds of the Lodge were in a flourishing condition , and that he had a goodly balance in hand . ( Here a wag on our left pertinently remarked that while Bro .

Eobins held office ho would be likely to keep a goodly balance . ) The customary amounts voted by the Lodgo , viz ., £ 5 for the Eoyal Masonio Benevolent Institution , £ 5 5 s for the Girls' School , and £ 5 5 s for the Boys' School , were then agreed to , and the W . M . announced his intention to act as Steward at the next Festival for the Girls . With respect to the difference in the amounts

respectively of £ 5 and five guineas , which it seems it is the custom to vote for these charities , the old question was revived why any distinction should be made , and Bro . Eobins proposed an amendment , that five guineas be given instead of five pounds to tho Benevolent Institution . ( We commend this to Bro . Terry ; surely he can find a way by which these odd shillings can be made the nucleus for a fund which might bo administered by way of solatium to unsuccessful

candidates . ) Tho Lodgo was then formally closed , and adjourned till May 1877 . The customary banquet followed , which was presided over by Bro . J . W . Sugg , Avho , in the course of his remarks , introduced a rich vein of originality , which showed that his studies in the cause of Masonry had still left him a few spare hours to cultivate tho acquaintance of old authors . Between the toasts some capital songs were given , and it was a late hour when the brethren separated .

Salisbury Lodge of Instruction , No . 435 . —A meeting was held at the Union Tavern , Air-street , Eegenfc-street , W ., on Thursday , 17 th instant . Bros . Farwig W . M ., Bentley S . W ., Davis J . W ., Lee S . D ., Piko J . D ., Waters I . G . ; also Bro . Cull Sec , Watts , Eudderforth , Docker , Willis , Belfrage , Dutton , G . Davis , Knight , Milnow , Swallow , & c . Lodge opened in 1 st and 2 nd degrees , and the ceremony of

raising was rehearsed , Bro . Dutton being the candidate . The 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd sections were worked , and Lodge was closed down . Bros . Waters and Eudderforth were elected joining members , and Bentley S . W . unanimously elected W . M . for ensuing week . The 15 sections will be worked at the above Lodge of Instruction on the 31 st inst ., at 7 p . m . precisely . Bro . Mander , Preceptor , will preside .

Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 . —Held at Bro . Allen ' s , " Eoyal Edward , " Triangle , Hackney . Tho weekly meeting of the above Lodge took place on Tnesday last , Bro . Brown W . M ., Worsley S . W ., Johnson J . W ., Weige S . D ., Barker J . D ., Perrin I . G ., P . M . Wallington Preceptor ; also Bros . Dallas , Smith ,

Williams , Eobinson and Allen . The ceremony of Eaising was rehearsed by the W . M ., Bro . Brown acting as candidate . Bro . Wallington gave the traditional history . Bro . Allen worked the 1 st section of the lecture , assisted by tho brethren . The Lodge was closed down to the 1 st degree . Bro . Worsley was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation .

Lebanon Lodge , No . 1326 . —An emergency meeting of this Lodge was held on Thursday , tho 10 th inst , at the Eed Lion Hotel , Hampton . The recently installed W . M ., Bro . E . Gilbert , took the Chair , and was supported by the Wardens , Bros . F . Walters P . G . S . D . Middlesex P . M . and Secretary , J . W . Baldwin P . M . I . G ., J . B . Shackleton J . D ., B . Sharp P . M ., J . J . Marsh , D . Steinhaur , J . E .

Croft , J . T . Adams , G . Harrison , & c . The Lodgo was opened , and Bros . W . Blakeley and W . T . Trehearn were passed to the degree of Fellow Crafts in a very efficient manner . Ballots were unanimously in favour of all the candidates for initiation . The Lodge Avas then closed . There was no banquet . Bro . E . HopAvood P . M . 141 , and W . M . 1512 was present as a visitor .

Lebanon Chapter , No . 1326 . — A Convocation of this Chapter was held on Thursday , the 10 th instant , at the Eed Lion Inn , Hampton . Comps . B . Sharp P . Z . as M . E . Z ., F . Walters P . Z . P . G . 1 st Asst . Middlesex as H ., and J . W . Baldwin H . No . 73 as J ., J . B . Shackleton , Croft , & c . The Chapter was opened , and the minutes Avere confirmed . A Board of installed Principals was then formed , and Comp . F . Walters P . Z . Installed Comp . E . Hopwood as J . Comp . Walters then

proposed that the best thanks of the Chapter be given to Companion Edwin Gilbert S . N . for his extreme kindness and generosity in presenting the Chapter with a very magnificent sword , a set of life lines , a trowel , a scroll , and a handsomely bound bible . This was seconded by Comp . E . Hopwood , and carried unanimously . The Chapter was then closed . Bro . J . W . Baldwin H . 73 Avas present as a visitor .

Corinthian Lodge , No . 1382 . —This Lodge held its usual

Notices Of Meetings.

meeting on Wednesday , the 16 th of August , at the George Hotel , Cubitt Town , E . Present—Bros . Charles B . Bennett W . M ., Charles . Searell S . W ., Carnaby P . M . as J . W ., Chas . Wycott Smith Secretary , B Carter Treasurer , Geo . Fisher S . D ., J . Delves J . D ., Stapleton D . O ., J . Whalley as I . G . ; Past Masters Bros . Carter , Carnaby , Wm .

Shayes ; Visitor Bro . Finoh P . M . 898 . Business—The Lodge waa opened at 6 ' 30 , and after the minutes wero confirmed , the Lodgo waa opened to the third degree , and Bro . Eoberts was raised . Tho Lodge was resumed to tho second , and Bro . Shearman was passed . Three gentlemen were proposed for initiation . This concluding the business of the evening the Lodge was formally closed .

Eboracum Lodge , No . 1611 , York . —The regular meeting was held at the Lodge-room , Micklegate , on Monday last . Present : —Bros . T . Cooper P . M . W . M ., T . B . Whytehead S . W ., G . Balenford P . M . as J . W ., P . H . Eowland P . M . as I . P . M ., J . Kay Sec , T . Tuke S . D ., M . Cooper J . D ., Seller I . G . After the confirmation of tho

minntes the ballot was taken for nine candidates , which proved sue . cessful , and three of them being in attendance , Messrs . J . Blenkin M . Millington , and P . Pearson , were severally initiated into Free masonry . After closing of the Lodge the brethren sat down to a supper , provided by Bro . H . Churchill , of the Queen ' s Hotel ,

The Restoration Of Handsworth Parish Church.

THE RESTORATION OF HANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH .

THE laying of tho foundation stone of the Parish Church of Handsworth , which is now undergoing restoration and enlarge - ment , took place on the 9 th August , with all the imposing ceremony peculiar to Freemasonry . By devoted archaeologists tho work of demolition which has been going on during the past few months may havo been regarded with a certain amount of regret , for the once picturesque church of St . Mary had many associations which ren .

d « red it desirable that its ancient walls should not suffer disestablishment unless there was absolute necessity for it . Such a necessity apparently did exist , for , as the result of careful examination , architects and builders declared that the building was unsafe to the worshippers therein , and alarming reports were given as to some of the walls being almost without foundation , and as to the fragile

supports of the galleries . From the condition in Avhich the building was found after the workmen commenced to pull it down , it need certainly have been no matter of surprise had some portion of ifc fallen doAvn without assistance . Furthermore , the church was not in the best sanitary state , owing to the defective construction of the vaults underneath , and to the clumsy manner in which the warming

apparatus had been fixed . Under these circumstances it was evident that something must be done to remedy the state of things . Accord , ingly , the rector , the Eev . W . Eandall , and a number of other gentlemen met , and decreed that the old walls of the edifice must come down ; that the church must be restored and enlarged , such portions as it was possible being preserved in their original form .

It transpired , however , that it was not practicable to preserve much of the original structure . A committee having been organised to carry out the restoration , and plans prepared , the church was closed some time about April last , and since that time the congregation has met in a temporary iron building on the opposite side of the road . Before describing the alterations and improvements

proposed to be effected , it may be interesting to point out that perhaps only few churches have a more interesting history than St . Mary ' s . From a very entertaining and exhaustive essay , written by Mr . Allen E . Everitt , Avho has applied himself to special research in connection with the structure , we learn that the earliest portion of the old building was of Norman construction , and Avas probably erected when the

manor of Handsworth was held by the Paries family in the twelfth century . The church differs from the usual style of village churches in having the tower placed at the eastern end of the south aisle , instead of being either central or western . It is most probable that the church at the date mentioned consisted only of this tower , which has Avails of great thickness , with a small nave and chancel

somewhat similar to the church of Claverly , near Bridgnorth . The next oldest portion of the church Avas the chancel and the south aisle of the nave , which had the distinguishing features of the "Decorated period , " that prevailed during a portion of the fourteenth century . These portions of the church aro supposed to have been erected when the manor was held by the Somerys , lords of Dudley Castle , at which

period St . Martin ' s and other neighbouring churches were built . Of the original nave but little can be traced , the arcade separating it from the north aisle having been removed during alterations made in 1820 , when the westward end was taken down and rebuilt . The north aisle of the nave , Avhich was partially removed as stated , extended the entire length of the nave and

chancel , its eastern end being used as a chantry , knoAvn as the Wyrley Chapel , from being chosen as the burying place of that family . This aisle was divided from the nave and chancel by four arches , sup . ported by two hexagonal and one clustered column . The north door was of 17 th century work , and the east and north-east windows of this aisle were of 15 th century work . The upper part of the tower also

belonged to the same period , having belfry windows of two lights each on its north , south , and western faces , and a small square - headed window on the eastern one . The tower is battlemented , and some pinnacles were attached to it when the alterations of 1820 were effected . The bells are six in number , and havo the following

inscriptions : —( 1 ) " Good Avill towards men , " ( 2 ) " Peace on earth , " ( 3 ) " Glory to God in the highest , " ( 4 ) " Preserve the Church of Eng . land as by law established , " ( 5 ) " Thomas Okes , rector , John Piddock , Thomas Osborne , churchwardens , 1701 ; " and on the sixth a Latin motto , which has been rendered , " I was fourth , now sixth , I will ring with a sweet sound , " The interior of the church has pre-