The Manchester Lodge, No. 2554 .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 .

Bentham , Bank Manager , Didsbury , was inducted into the privileges of Freemasonry by the W . M ., assisted by Bros . William A . Boyer S . W . and A . B . Smith Treasurer , the former presenting and explaining the working tools , and the latter rendering the ancient charge . Bros . William Johnson Charlton and William Henry Crawford were then passed to the degree of

rriHE regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , JL Manchester , on Friday , 12 th ult ., Bro . William Charlton W . M . The summons issued to the Brethren indicated an array of ceremonial almost impossible of fulfilment , in the shape of three initiations , and two passings , and two of the former were deferred . ( In the Province of East Lancashire it is customary to perform each ceremony separately . ) Mr . Alfred William

F . C , the former by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . E . Webb P . M . 163 1134 . Bros . Frederick Simeon Turner , Manufacturer , Dudley , of the Harmonic Lodge , No . 252 , and Charles Griffiths White , Secretary , Chorlton-cum-Hardy , late of St . George Lodge , No . 1170 , were successfully . balloted for as joining members , the latter responding to the toast proposed in their honour at the festive board , which was subsequently held in the dining hall .

Bro . Thomas Plumpton I . P . M ., who introduced the name of the W . M' ., did so in very apt nautical metaphor . After dilating upon the Lodge itself , and the emblem which adorned the summons , he said that Bro . Charlton stood in rotation number three as Master , and personally he had experienced no hesitation in passing over the ship Manchester Lodge to him , for he was a good and experienced commander . Bro . Charlton W . M . replied .

Bro . W . A . Boyer S . W . proposed the health of the Past Masters . He also spoke of the Lodge emblem , and considered that with such safe pilots as those who were the subject of his remarks their ship could not fail to be in safe waters . Bro . Arthur Jefferis P . M . P . P . G . W ., who responded to the toast

explained that it was only possible to have two Past Masters of the Lodge , his qualification therefore came from another source . He advocated the fact of Masters making themselves competent to perform the various ceremonies , as Bro . Charlton had done , even though out of courtesy it might be necessary or judicious at times to call in the aid of others .

Among the Visitors we noticed Bros . M . J . Bernstein W . M . 645 , Alfred Allen I . P . M 317 , E . A . Ellinger P . M . 1161 , and others . During the evening mention was made of a very handsome clock which had been presented to Bro . Plumpton to perpetuate the fact of his accession to the rank of " Benedict . " A silver plate which was attached to the clock bore the following inscription : —

Presented by the Brethren of the Manchester Lodge of Ancient , Free and Accepted Masons , No . 2554 , Manchester , To BRO . THOMAS PLUMPTON W . M ., on the occasion of his marriage to Mary Alice , eldest daughter of the late Worshipful Bro . Joseph Lancaster Hine Past Prov . Senior Grand Warden of East Lancashire , and Founder of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . Sth May 1897 .

Masonic Excursion.

MASONIC EXCURSION .

ON Wednesday , 24 th ult ., about forty members of the Staffordshire Knot Lodge aud a few friends journeyed to Crewe , where they had the privilege of inspecting the London and North Western Railway Works . The party , which included tho Worshipful Master Rev . S . W . Jones , of Salt , travelled in a special saloon and reached their destination about one o ' clock .

On arriving at the works the party were taken charge by Bro . T . N . Jackson , of Crewe , who conducted them through the various departments . The Bessemer steel process and the rolling of steel rails were among the many interesting sights witnessed by the Brethren , who thoroughly enjoyed their visit .

Subsequently the visitors adjourned to the Crewe Arms Hotel , where dinner , which was served in excellent style , vvas partaken of . Several toasts were afterwards honoured . The name of Bro . Jackson was coupled with the toast of the Visitors , and ho was cordially thanked for his kindness in acting as guide through the works . The arrangements for the trip , which gave great satisfaction to all who participated , were admirably carried out by Bro . W . W . Wynne , of Stafford , who acted as Hon . Secretary .

Bro . J . W . Woodall Past Grand Treasurer has kindly promised to deliver a Lecture to tbe pupils of the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys , in the Assembly Hall of the School at Wood Green , on Tuesday next , 7 th inst ., at 7 . 30 p . m . The Lecture is entitled " A Trip to Canada , " and will be illustrated by dissolving views . Friends of the Institution are cordially invited .

The ceremony of passing , and the second section of the Lecture , will be rehearsed with full choir and organ accompaniment on Saturday next , 11 th inst .. at the Finsbury Park Lodge of Instruction , No . 1288 , held at the Old Cock Tavern ,

Highbury , N ., at 8 o ' clock . The Preceptor is Bro . B . H . Hill P . M . 1305 , and he is supported by Bro . W . Syckelmore P . M . 1288 Treasurer , and Bro . G . W . Austin W . M . 160 Secretary . The music on the occasion will be under the direction of Brother W . Pocklington P . M . 1288 . Visiting Brethren are cordially invited .

In connection with the Israel Lodge of Instruction , No . 205 , held at the Eising Sun , Globe Eoad , there is a movement to present Bro . Oxley with a testimonial , to take the form of an illuminated address and a purse of money , as a recognition of his services in the way of instruction at several Lodges in the Bast

of London . Bro . Oxloy ' s excellent knowledge of Masonic ritual has always been admitted , and those who have benefited by his Preceptorship and may bo disposed to assist in this matter should address Bro . H . Harris W . M . 1349 , of Beaumont Street , Mile End , who is the Hon . Secretary of the Testimonial Committee .

The Theatres, &C.

The Theatres , & c .

Hep Majesty's . —8-15 , A Man s Shadow . Matinee , Saturday , 2 30 . Lyceum . —9 , Hamlet . Wedensdays , 2 only . Drury Lane . —7-45 , Tho White Heather . Matinee , Saturday , 1-45 . Haymarket . —8-30 , The Little Minister . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2-30 . Adelphi . —8 , Secret Service . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 .

Garrick . —8-20 , La Perichole . ( Last day ) . Daly ' s . —8-15 , The Geisha ; A story of a Tea House . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Vaudeville . —8-15 , The Cape Mail . 9 , Never again . Matinee , Wednesday , 3 . Savoy . —The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein . Lyric . —8 , Dandy Dan , the Lifeguardsman . Prince of Wales ' s . —8-15 , La Poupee . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 .

Gaiety . —8 , The Circus Girl . Matinee , Saturday , 2 . Terry ' s . —7-50 , Apron Strings . 8-20 , The French Maid . Matinee , Wednesday , 2-30 . Criterion . —8-15 , Tho Liars . Matinee , Wednesday aud Saturday , 2-30 . St . James ' s . —8 , The Tree of Knowledge . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 2 .

Duke of York ' s . —3-15 , The Happy Life . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . Comedy . —8-10 , Fashionable intelligence . 9 , One Summer ' s day . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday , 3 . Court . —8-30 , The Vagabond King . Matinee , Saturday , 2-30 . ( Last day ) . Shaftsbury . —8-15 , The Scarlet Feather . Matinee , Saturday , 230 . Princess's—8 , Two little Vagabonds . Matinee , Wednesday and Saturday ,

2-30 . Royalty . —8-15 , A new Leaf . 9 , Oh I Susannah I Matinee , Saturday , 3 . Parkhurst . —Next week , at 8 , Our Flat . Grand . —Next week , The Courtship of Morris Buckler . Alhambra . —7-50 , Variety Entertainment . Victoria and Merrie England . Cinematographe views of the Jubilee Procession .

Empire . —7-50 , Variety Entertainment . New Ballet , Monte Cristo , & c . Palace . —8 , Variety Entertainment , New American Biograph , & c . •Royal . —7-30 , Variety Company . Saturday , 2-30 . Egyptian Hall . —3 and 8 , Mr . J . N . Maskelyne ' s entertainment . Crystal Palace . —Varied attractions daily . Royal Aquarium . —Open , 10 a . m ., close 11-30 p . m . Constant Amusement .

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