Craft Masonry.

Bro . Samuel Silva rose and said that the initiates during Bro . Roco's year of office , of whom he was one , desired to present Bro . Roco with a souvenir of their regard and esteem . They offered it to him as a recognition of the estimable way in which he had inducted them into Freemasonry , and the admirable manner he had acquitted himself as Master of thelodge . For himself and the rest of the initiates of Bro . Roco ' s year , he sincerely thanked the I . P . M . and gave him their best wishes , trusting that his life mieht be spared manv years . In conclusion , they trusted that the initiates of the new

W . M . would think of him and esteem him as the initiates of the I . P . M . esteemed and regarded Bro . Roco . The presentation was a valuable gold watch—a hunter—with the following inscription inside the case : "Presented to Rro , the Rev . S . J . Roco , I . P . M . of the Joppa Lodge , No . iSS , as a token of tender regard from the junior members he initiated during his year of office , 1 S 96 . " Bro . the Rev . S . J . Roco , I . P . M ., in acknowledging " the toast and the presentation , said : After the very kind remarks which had fallen , first from the lips of the respected W . M ., and followed up by the observations of one of the junior members , Bro . Silva ,

on behalf of himself and his colleagues , who were initiated during his ( Bro . Roco's ) year of office , he begged to return his heartiest and sincerest thanks . In the first instance , he returned his thanks for the very cordial way the toast had been received . He felt entirely at a loss how to thank the brethren for all the kindness he had received at their hands during his year of office . He could truly say that last year when he stood in the position which the W . M . now occupied he could not imagine that his wishes would be so thoroughly realised as they were at that moment . He said , when he was installed last

year , that he would endeavour to do his duty . It seemed to him that he had given the brethren satisfaction in his working of the lodge . During his year of office it had been his greatest endeavour to please the brethren in every possible way and to do his work to the best of his humble ability . Now , when his year had ended , they said he had done well . He had a treble duty to perform that evening . In the first place he had to thank the brethren for presenting him with a handsome P . M . 's jewel , which he said at the time it was presented in lodge he should very much appreciate and value . Secondly ,

he had to thank Bro . Seigenberg , P . M ., for presenting him with a P . M . ' s collar and jewel . Bro . Seigenberg a few weeks ago asked him in the course of conversation whether he would accept it , and this evening he came up to him and presented him with it . For this he tendered Bro . Seigenberg his hearty and sincerest thanks . He could assure Bro . Seigenberg it was only an additional link in the chain of their friendship and the fraternal feeling which existed between them . List and not least , Bro . Silva who had just addressed the meeting had presented him with a beautiful souvenir . He greatly

appreciated it , and , let him add not ungratefully , not for the value of the article , but because it was to show that his humbe services had been appreciated by those who thought it should be given . Bro . Roco then referred to some events which had taken place in the lodge , and implored the brethren to work hand in hand together in the great design of unity , to be happy and promote each other's welfare , and not to act antagonistically , unkindly , or unbrotherly to one another . Let them be not only brethren in faith , but brethren in truth—brethren in Masonry .

Bro . Lewis Lazarus , P . M ., acknowledged the toast of " The Benevolent Fund , " which , he said , had been established 4 6 or 47 years ago . He gave a narrative of the large sums subscribed to it , and said that its total amount had fluctuated—that it had been as much as £ 1600 , but it was now over £ 800 . The Fund had done an immense deal of good ; it relieved brethren of the lodge without disclosing names , and had gra nted many substantial sums . The example set by that lodge had then been followed by

many lodges , and a very large number of lodges had at the present time good benevolent funds . He would never rest until the fund of the Joppa Lodge had reached £ 1000 . In the course of the evening an addition of some £ 40 was made to this fund . Bro . Harry Barnett responded to the toast of " The Initiate , " and said he had been much impressed with all he had seen and heard . He only trusted he would make a good Mason ; he should try all in his power to do so .

Bros . Hill , W . M . 185 ; A . Barnett , from South Africa ( brother of the initiate ) ; S . Westhome , and J . J . Thomas responded to the toast of " The Visitors ; " Bro . L . Lazarus to that of "The Treasurer and Secretary ; " and Bro . A . G . Dodson , P . M ., S . W ., to that of "The Senior Officers ; " and the Tyler's toast concluded the evening .

Charity Lodge , No . 223 . The above lodge celebrated with Mat the Festival of St . John on Wednesday , the Gth instant , a company of about qo attending a banquet in the Freemasons' Hall , Plymouth . Bro . C . H . Tozer , the W . M ., presided , and after the loyal toasts , proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., and the Craft . " Bro . Biscombe , I . P . M ., proposed "The Provincial Grand Lodges of Devon and Cornwall . "

Bros . E . Roseveare , P . G . T ., and W . J . C Hannaford , P . G . Stwd ., and E . G . Dyke , P . P . G . D . C . Cornwall , responded . Bro . Roseveare , endorsing Bro . Biscombe ' s eulogy of Sir Stafford Northcote , the P . G . M . of Devon , said in him they had a Mason whose heart was in his work . Judging from the interest Sir Stafford had already shown in the province , they could confidently look forward to an era of Masonic activity and prosperity under his distinguished rule . Bro . H . S . Hill , proposing " The W . M . of Charity Lodge , " congratulated Bro .

Tozer on having in the same year been elected to the highest honour his lodge can bestow , and to the Corporation of Greater Plymouth . The lodge numbsred among its members three representatives of that Corporation , and one of them was also a magistrate ; and it was hoped that their Masonic principles would enable them to stoutly and successfully resist the demoralising tendencies of party politics , ' . from which Corporations should be as free as were Masonic lodges , and to induce them to have as their single aim the health and happiness of the community . The W . M . had been elected

unanimously and with great cordiality , his brethren being confident that his presidency would be a pleasant memory and result in great good to the Order . The W . M . who was received with hearty applause , thanked the lodge foe the great honour conferred , and hoped it would find that its confidence had not been misplaced . "The Health of the I . P . M ., " eulogistically proposed by Bro . Gale , was drunk with musical honours , and to Bro . Biscombe the W . M . presented an elegant Past Master's jewel in token of the excellent manner in which he had carried out the duties of his office .

Bro . Biscombe , responding , said his prophecy that they would have a record year had been happily fulfilled . There had been unanimity , more than an average number of initiations , and a larger contribution to the Chariiies . Bro . W . J . C . Hannaford cordially proposed " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and Bros . Hoyten and Stenlake responded . The Treasurer mentioned that , with all liabilities met and Charities not neglected , they had a balance in hand of more than £ 30 . Five guineas had been voted for the new tne widows to ine aouut £ iuuu

v-nanty— runo—wmen province naa aireaay given , . For " The Past Masters , " Bro . J . W . Cornish , P . P . G . T ., responded , making a very feeling reference to the many Past Masters of the lodge removed by death during the last few years . Bro . P . Hannaford proposed " The Senior Warden , Jun or Warden , and Assistant Officers . " Bros . Hoar , Bridgrnan , Goad , Stevens ( 2 ) , C H . Ball , S ' . oneman , J . J . Gerry , Mumford , and W . H . S . Moysey responded .

Bro . Rogers proposed " Our Sister Lodges . " Bros . S . J . Page and Johns responded , the former lemark ' ng thit the more Masonic principles prevailed in the actions of Corporations the better for the communities . Bfo . Hoyten proposed "The Masonic Charities . " Bro . Cornish , responding , said those Charities never stood in need of greater assistance , and never were they doing greater and nobler work . The promoters and patrons of the P . ovincial Widows' Relief Fund were to be congratulated upon a successful

inauguration . That new Charity would not lessen Devon ' s sunport of the general Charities , and , indeed , by training brethren in the blessed art of giving might tend to increase it . Bro . Bridgrnan proposed " Masons' Wives and Sweethearts , " and Bros . Webb and Moysey responded . Songs were sung by Bros . Foot , J . G Jackson , E . G . Djks , Webb , S . Jew , W . Biscombe , J . Goad , J . H . Stephens , J . Mumford , H . Yeo , Basch , jun ., and S . J . Page . Bros . W . Lavers , J . Kinto . i Bond , and F . Hocking recited . Bro . Rosereare gave a very jnti-resting ventrilcquial entertainment , and Bro . W . Willoughby , Mus . Bac , told a humorous story . Mr . J . P . Pearce accompanied on the piano .

Craft Masonry.

Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 . The installation meeting of this old-established lodge took place at the Freemasons ' Hall , Great Oueen-street , on the 4 th inst ., when there were present Bros . Thos . B . Fullwood , W . M . ; Henry Davis , J . W ., W . M . elect ; Jno . S . Elliott , P . M ., Treas . ; J . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec . ; W . Baddeley , S . D . ; J . Jacobs , J . D . ; Victor Romilly . I . G . ; Thos . Hawkins , P . M . ; T . J . Robins , P . M . ; W . C Maynard , P . M . ; J . J . Wilson , P . M . ; A . P ' nnington , W . E . Elsdon , Albert Osborn , W . L . Hurt , Chas . Lee , Sydney Davis , Maurice Woolf , Fred . Holden , R . Eddie , J . C Watts , H . E . Webster , G . T .

Ware , Oscar Osborn , and G . Harding , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . Harold Imray , W . M . 3 ; G . Holland , P . M . 1604 ; ] . A . Witthams , W . M . 2509 ; H . T . Matthews , W . M . 1910 ; J . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; E . C . Mulvey , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Surrey ; G . Lavington , P . M . S 57 ; E . A . Thelwal , P . G . W . ; W . Scott , W . M . 857 ; P . C . Campbell , P . M . 1670 ; George F . Smith , P . M . 1706 , 1839 , 21 S 2 , and 24 S 4 ; G . H . Wavell , P . M . S 62 ; L . A . Engel , 1604 ; Vernon Dowsett , 2455 ; Louis Polak , P . M . 11 ; W . Lewis , P . M . 13 S 5 ; C . M . Simon , 1604 ; M . j . Garcia , 24 S 0 ; G . F . Brooking , 20 ^ 4 ; G . Stanley Elliott , 2076 ; H . Woods , P . M . 1309 ; E . T . Hewlitt , 1604 ; and R . T . West , 1744 .

The lodge was opened and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , after which Mr . Fred . Holden was initiated . The W . M . elect , Bro . Henry Lewis Davis , was then presented and installed into the chair by the outgoing Master , Bro . T . B . Fullwood , in an able and impressive manner . In an excellent way the new W . M . invested his officers , giving a kind and appropriate word for each . The following brethren are the officers for the ensuing year : Bros . Will Baddely , S . W . ; J . Jacobs , J . W . ; J . S . Elliott , P . M ., Treas . ; J . W . Harvey , P . M ., Sec ; A . Pinnington , S . D . ; V . R . Romilly , J . D . ; J . C Watts , I . G . ; T . G . Robins , P . M ., Stwd . ; T .

Hawkins , P . M ., D . C ; C . Lee , Org . ; and G . Harding , P . M ., Tyler . Bro . T . B . Fullwood gave the usual addresses in a manner that was faultless . The W . M . rose and said the first duty that devolved upon him was to present a Past Master's jewel to Bro . T . B . Fullwood , I . P . M ., as a small token in return for the great things he had done for the lodge and as evidence , if any were needed , that they all loved him . The jewel bore the following inscription : " Presented by the brethren of the Robert Burns

Lodge , No . 25 , to Bro . T . B . Fullwood , P . M ., as a mark of esteem and appreciation of the able manner in which he discharged the duties of W . M . January 4 , 1 S 97 . " In feeling terms , Bro . Fullwood acknowledged the jewel , observing that it was a great pleasure to him to know he had the support and cordiality of all the members of a lodge in which there was not a word of discontent , and he hoped it might ever be so in Freemasonry .

_ The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a superb banquet , for which Bro . Gerards was responsible , and it was admirably served under his ( personal superintendence . "The Queen and the Craft" and"The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " having been duly honoured ,

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER . The W . M , gave "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and said the toast would be of a dual character , as he intended it to include " The Masonic Charities . " Many of the Grand Officers were ardent workers in the Craft , and they had heaped distinction on themselves , so that their services were much appreciated . Then , as to the three noble Institutions , they would exist alter they had long passed away , and they should be supported by every Mason . They were honoured that evening with the presence of Bro .

McLeod , who devoted his great energies to the Boys' Institution , and he was a good Grand Officer , and it was his pleasure to couple hi ; name with the toast . Bro . J . M . McLeod , on risinrr to respond , had a v ; ry hearty w ; lcom •. In eu ' ojistic terms he referred to the great services rendered bv Bros . Lord Ltthom and Earl Amherst to the Craft . He said he was only a very junior member of Grand Lodge , and he was still at a loss to know why he had received Grand honons , but he should never

forget the reception when he was invested with the purple . The Robert Burns Lodge had a distinguished record and he thought it ought to receive some recognition at Grand Lodge . In referring to the three Institutions , Bro . McLeod gave some interesting details of the large amount voluntarily contributed last year , and made a fervent appeal to the brethren for the Charities , urging them to support the W . M ., who would ask them presently for their aid , and he felt that they would give lib ; rally to so genial and eloquent a Worshipful Master .

In proposing " The Health of the Worshipful Master , Bro . H . L . Davis , " Bro . T . B . Fullwood , I . P , M ., stated that all would unite in wishing him a very happy and prosperous year of office . He had started well , which was a good augury tint he would keep up the prestige of their good old lodge . He was sorry the W . M . ' s modesty would not permit him to perform the initiation ceremony that evening , but he was competent in every way and he would be able to do everything asked of him and be the ideal of a W . M . Bro . H . L . Davis , W . M ., was enthusiastically received on rising to acknowledge

the toast . He stated that his task to respond was somewhat difficult , as he felt that he could not thank them adequately for the hearty way they had received him . The night he was elected Master they would remember hc told them that hc would take the chair with diffidence unless he had their entire support , and he felt that evening that he had that , which was very gratifying , and he would dc his utmost to merit the confidence they had reposed in him , and that at the end of his year of office he earnestly hoped he would have given satisfaction to them all for the little he might do , which would be his very best , as Master of that important lodge .

In submitting the toast of "The Initiate , " theW . M . saiditwasavery important one , as it was always an honour for anyone to join the Craft , and if it was done through the Robert Burns Lodge it was , in his opinion , a great distinction . They were glad to have Bro . Holden as a member , and in according him a hearty welcome , he extended to him the hand of true friendship .