Instruction.

song ; Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , his parody on a Welsh air , accompanied by Bro . the Rev . James Preston Chaplain ; and G . L . Hardcastle Organist , who , besides accompanying several songs , gave selections on the pianoforte . Bro . Brown W . M ., in proposing the health of the Queen , reverted to the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations , and to her occupying the throne so illustriously . He said she sat as a beacon light to the nation , and was in

strange contrast to other countries , not being a despot or autocrat . The long period of her reign had been marked by the success and prosperity of her people , and wealth , which benefitted all communities , had accumulated in a large number of hands . He spoke of the various inventions , such as the telegraph , telephone , and railways , and dilated at length upon their mighty influence towards the advancement of civilisation . In Masonry , likewise ,

there had been remarkable progress , and also so far as its representatives wero concerned ; the ceremonial was more satisfactorily rendered , and the charitable Institutions were receiving better attention . In conclusion Bro . Brown asked the - Brethren to join with him in heartfelt gratitude to Him who hud sustained the illustrious life of Her Majesty , hoping that that life would be long spared , that this country would prosper as it had previously done , and that the bright star of England ' s greatness might never decline .

The loving cup was then sent round , the National Anthem being played uutil the final relinquishment of the cup into the hands of the W . M . Other toasts followed , that of the candidates being proposed by Bro . F . Townson P . M ., to which Bros . Oakley and Blore responded .

Besides those mentioned above , we noticed the presence of Bros . Jas . Clough I . P . M ., Councillor Thos . Kay P . M . Treas ., W . A . Smith Sec , Wm . Woodeson S . D ., P . B . Hayden J . D ., Past Masters J . Harrop P . P . G . D ., E . Winterbottom P . G . D . D . C , Thomas Threlfall P . P . G . S ., E . Holland , T . T . Sefton , and others .

DAGMAR LODGE , No . 2262 . AT the pretty little " Angler's Best" Hotel , Wraysbury , Bucks , the annual installation meeting was held ou Thursday , 10 th ult . The Auditors presented a very favourable balance-sheet . The ceremony of passing followed , the ritual being admirably delivered by Bro . Pottinger W . M .

The installation of Bro . H . V . Lloyd was then proceeded with , the outgoing Master closing bis year of office by the same marked command of his duties which he had exhibited when entering on them . Bro . J . Hattersley acted as D . C . The W . M . presented the I . P . M ., on behalf of the Lodge , with a Past Master ' s jewel , and eulogistically referred to his care during the past year for the interests of the Lodge , and the perfection of his working .

An admirable banquet followed , in the comfortable Angler's Rest Hall , after which the customary toasts were briefly given and responded to .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE second annual meeting and festival of St . John in conneetion with this Lodge took place by dispensation at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Monday , 14 th ult ., Bro . Thomas Plumpton W . M ., the principal business of the day being that of installing Bro . William Charlton , J . P ., S . W ., into the chair of K . S . Bro . Buckley Carr P . M . 1161 P . P . G . D . C . undertook the ceremony , which was very carefully and effectively performed .

The other specially appointed Officers were Bros . J . W . Abbott P . M . W . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C . as S . W ., John Bladon P . M . 317 P . P . G . A . D . C . as J . W ., and James Robinson P . M . 1219 as I . G . Bro . Plumpton acted as Deacon , and presented the W . M .-elect to receive the benefits of installation . The address to the new Master was rendered by Bro . Robinson , that to the Wardens by Bro . Bladon , and that to the Brethren generally by Bro . Carr ,

who also gave the various proclamations . The working tools of each degree were presented and explained by Bro . Plumpton . A list of Officers for the ensuing financial year is appended : —W . A . Boyer S . W ., A . C . K . Smith J . W ., A . B . Smith Treas ., W . E . Davies Sec , J . A . Thompson S . D ., F . J . Large J . D ., J . A . K . Haddad I . G ., W . B . Akerman P . M . D . C , A . Barlow , Adam Still , F . J . Burt , P . Z . da Cunah Stewards .

During the above proceedings a handsome Past Masters jewel was presented to the retiring Master , the same being accompanied by some very appropriate remarks from Bro . Charlton W . M . The gift bore the following inscription : —

Presented to BRO . THOMAS PLUMPTON P . M ., by the Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 , in recognition of his services during his year of office as W . M

1896-7 . Bro . Charlton ' s magisterial avid other public functions having made him widely popular , there was a goodly array of purple to witness the ceremony of his installation . Grand Lodge had its ambassador in Bro . John William Maclure Past Grand Deacon , Member of Parliment for the Stretford division of Bast Lancashire , who , unfortunately , owing to a pressure of engagements ,

was compelled to retire at an early hour . Provincial Grand Lodge was represented by Bros . D . S . Boddington P . M . 1253 P . P . G . W ., C . S . Allott P . M . 1009 P . P . G . W ., H . J . Cutter P . M . 44 P . P . S . G . D ., and others , some of whom have been previously referred to . The following Past Masters also lent their support and presence : —Bros . Robert Thomson 44 , Alfred Allen 317 , Hy . B .

Brown 581 , J . Crosland 1009 , J . Halden 1009 , E . Webb 1134 163 , E . Williams 1147 , Edward Roberts 1459 , Jas . Hurst 2109 , and J . E . Whitehead W . M . 317 . Prominent among other visitors were Bros . H . G . Ward S . W . 993 , F . Hilton 163 , W . H . Edge 317 , B . 0 . Docker 587 , J . Rylance 1134 , W . Hughes 2447 , and G . W . Owen 2447 .

A very pleasing feature which distinguished the closing portion of the ceremony was that of propositions for four candidates desirous of becoming members , who will be balloted for and probably initiated at tho next regular meeting , to be held in October . Hearty good wishes having been expressed by visitors , the Lodge was closed by Bro . ^ Charlton W . M ., and the Brethren adjourned to a substanial banquet . * ¦ ¦

The loyal toasts , together with those appertaining to Grand and Prov . Grand Officers , were proposed by the W . M . That of the principal Officer of the Lodge was introduced by Bro . Plumpton I . P . M ., who spoke of Bro . Charlton in glowing terms , eulogising his public and also special natural

qualities of Brotherly love and affection , the latter endearing him to the hearts of all those with whom he came in contact . The speaker pronounced him as well qualified to occupy the chair of K . S ., to which he would add eclat , and concluded an eloquent address by wishing him a happy , prosperous , and harmonious year .

Instruction.

Bro . Charlton , in reply , thanked the brethren for having so enthusiastically accepted the toast of his health , for it expressed the confidence which they reposed in him on his having ascended to his present exalted position . He believed he could rely upon every Officer and member of the Lodgo in their desire to . assist him by following out the true tenets of Masonry , and above all by maintaining harmony and fraternal good-will . Personally he would endeavour to aet in his position as humble representative of King Solomon with necessary dignity , combined with friendliness to all .

During the evening a telegram was despatched to the jubilee meeting , being held contemporaneously in the Albert Hall , London , which elicited the following reply : —

" Charlton , Manchester Lodge , Freemasons' Hall , Manchester . On behalf of Grand Lodge , best thanks for fraternal greetings . Letchworth . " Bros . J . W . Maltby , Nelson Stokes , and Cuthbert Blacovc conducted a full musical programme , which consisted of songs , trios , & c

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

TRUTH CHAPTER , No . 1458 . THE regular meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , 24 th ult ., Companion Buckley Carr P . P . G . D . C . Z . There was a capital attendance , which fact appeared to be very gratifying to the Officers , the Chapter not having yet completed its first year of existence . After the reading and confirmation of minutes Bro . Joseph Haworth P . M . Wilton Lodge , No . 1077 , who had already been balloted for , was exalted by Comp . Carr , in his characteristically excellent manner .

By way of maintaining the jubilee celebrations so much in vogue , Companion Nelson Stokes was requested to sing the National Anthem , which he did with much feeling , being accompanied on the organ by Comp . Thos , Oldham .

Upon the completion of the business of the Chapter an adjournment was made to the festive board , where songs and recitations were given by Comps . Haworth , Htokes , and Edwd . Roberts , a very pleasant evening being spent . Comp . Carr , in proposing the health of the newly-exalted Companion , reverted to the consecration of the Chapter , which had taken place so recently , adding that Comp . Haworth , with whom he was acquainted through his intercourse with various Lodges , would add to its dignity and numerical

strength . The tongue of good report had gone forth in his favour , and it would not surprise him to see their new Companion attain quickly to the principal chair in Arch Masonry , as he had already done in the Craft . He had intended to give the Historical and Symbolical lectures , but in deference to the jubilations , had refrained from doing so , thinking that they would be more acceptable upon some future occasion . Comp . Haworth responded in suitable terms . '

Principal among those in attendance , who have not been previously mentioned , were Comps . Robt . Caldwell H ., Councillor Samuel I . Mills J ., Herbert Hellewell S . E ., H . G . Ward P . S ., Geo . T . Lenard 1 st Assist . S ., Thos . Hy . Hall P . Z ., J . J . Dean , W . Dewhurst , Joseph Day , Thos . T . Cooper . Visitor : —Comp . John Williams P . Z . 935 .

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