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the hearty reception accorded him on this occasion , and he showed to the fullest extent how much he appreciated the congratulatory expressions of his fellows . He said he was quite sure the Brethren would forgive him if he said verv little that night—his heart was too full to allow him to express himself in words . The beautiful ornament the members had been good enough to present to him

—and which carried with it their esteem , and regard , and lovehe accepted as evidence of their great kindness to him . Certainly there was more in Freemasonry than appeared on the surface ; they did what they could one for another , and they were ready to lend a helping hand whenever it was needed . During the time he had been associated with the Henry Muggeridge Lodge he had

been approached from time to time on behalf of one or another who required assistance , and he had endeavoured to do what lay in his power . On the opposite side he had to confess that much had been done for him , the culmination being the presentation and hearty reception accorded him that evening . He could but promise to do the very best in his power for them , as he recognised they had all done for him .

The next toast , the W . M . said , was one that always afforded great satisfaction and gratification to the Brethren of the Henry Muggeridge Lodge , as , if there was one thing on which its members prided themselves more than another it was their hospitality . They always extended the heartiest welcome to their guests , and

were particularly pleased on that occasion as they were able to boast of a record attendance of Visitors—more guests than had ever assembled on any one occasion in the history of the Lodge . They were pleased to see them , and hoped one and all would so enjoy themselves as to desire to come again .

Bro . Watson W . M . of the Hygeia Lodge was the first to respond , explaining that he stood in the same position with regard to Bro . Strutt as did their W . M . that day . Bro . Strutt was , in fact , Immediate Past Master to both of them . He knew what the I . P . M . was capable of , and accordingly was not at all surprised at the way in which he had performed the work that day , including

the installation of new Master in the Lodge ; but he must confess to a little surprise at seeing how ably the Assistant Officers supported their chief . As the present Master had re-appointed all the old Officers it was evident the Lodge would not suffer in the coming year for want of good and enthusiastic workers . He thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their hearty welcome . Other

visitors also replied . The W . M . next proposed the toast of the Past " "Masters , whom he thanked for attending the Lodge and doing so much to assist in its proper management . He considered the Past Masters of a Lodge were like the " masters ' of the painter's art , which went on increasing in value year bv year as they got older—certainly it was so with the Past Masters of their Lodge—they improved as

age went on . The toast was duly acknowledged , and was followed by others usual to such occasions , the proceedings not ending until a late hour of the evening .

Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1658 . THE regular meeting of this prosperous Lodge took place on Thursday , 23 rd ult ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Camberwell . Bro . Thomas John Rawlings was in his position as head of the Lodge , and soon testified to the Brethren that their choice of a

ruler for the year had been a wise one . This was the hrst meeting since the installation of our worthy Brother , which took place in March , and on this occasion he was ably supported by Bros . R . Gabell I . P . M ., J . Farmer S . W ., G . S . Rice J . W ., W . Croxson P . M . Treasurer , W . H . Boys P . M . Sec , J . W . Sandell S . D ., F . Lloyd I . G ., E . H . Smyth D . C ., J . Thorneloe A . D . C ., H . Townsend

Org ., C . Plant P . M . Tyler ; Past Masters R . Rowland , H . Buckeridge , Earle Douglas Side , Humphrey Cohen ; and Bros . F . G . Hardy , W . Biles , W . Rose , J . H . Down , F . Bridge , R . H . Alabaster , R . A . Symons , G . Cully , H . Penny , C . W . Lubbock , G . Potter , W . Foster , J . Shaw , G . Tavener , W . G . Watts , T . A .

Rawlings . J . Leighton , E . Laughlin , F . Nilen , S . May , G . Nilen , S . Morris , F . A . Marlow , C . Sisman , H . Levy , J . H . Danson , D . Gunter , W . R . Knapman , R . Godefroy , W . H . Greenfield , L . G . Bell , C . Smith , D . Gould , C . Martin , J . R . Papworth , C . Castleman , A . Tinley , and others .

Amongst the visitors were Bros . W . A . Williams S . W . 101 , J . M . Jones W . M . 2664 , J- Rugg J . W . 1298 , J . Porter 1681 , R . Lloyd 1681 , D . C . Allwater 147 1 , J . Wynman , & c . The minutes having been confirmed , the Lodge was opened to the second degree , and Bros . F . C . Hardy and C . Castleman answered the questions . They were entrusted and retired , and

the Lodge was opened in the third degree . The W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . R . Gabell I . P . M ., when the candidates having been regularly received they were in due course raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . Bro . Gabell showed he had not forgotten his part , and added to his previous lustre by his rendition of the work .

The W . M . again took command , and resumed the Lodge m the first degree , when Bros . J . A . Rawlings , M . Leighton , W . G . Watts , J . H . Down , and G . E . Laughlin were examined previous to passing . We may say . we never heard the questions more perfectly and regularly answered than on this occasion . Those Brethren having been entrusted , the Lodge was opened in the second degree and they were admitted to a knowledge of the secrets and privileges of Fellow Crafts .

The Lodge was next resumed to the first degree , and die ballot was takrn for Messrs . David Gould , Arthur Tinley , and Charles Martin , and proved unanimous in their favour . In due course those gentlemen had the privilege of being admitted to-a

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participation in the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry . A gentleman was proposed for election and initiation at the next meeting . Bro . Croxson P . M . Treasurer proposed that a summer outing should be arranged . Bro . Side P . M . had much pleasure in seconding this , as he considered that after labour they all required

refreshment . The proposition was carried . This concluded the business and the Lodge was closed , after which the Brethren enjoyed an excellent repast , under the presidency of the W . M . who subsequently proposed the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts . He said they had good talent among them that night , and he intended to make the speeches short so as to enjoy it .

The toast of the King was given and duly honoured , and was followed by that of Queen Alexandra and the rest of the Royal Family . The toast of the Grand Officers was . also duly honoured . Bro . Gabell I . P . M . in short terms , but to the purpose , gave the toast of the W . M . He had given ample proof of his ability as ruler of the Lodge . The working he had done had been a Masonic treat , being rendered to perfection . It was no trouble to the W . M . to work any degree .

The W . M . thanked the I . P . M . for his kind remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in such a cordial manner , but he thought the working had not been so perfect as described ; he had clone his best but felt that best was by no means perfection . Concerning the summer outing ; he was pleased it had been

proposed , but the ladies were not mentioned ; in a humorous manner he pointed out that they could not have a summer outing without the ladies ; however , the arrangements were in such good hands that he was sure it would be a great success . He thanked the Brethren , and had the pleasure to announce that the Charity Box contained £ 1 16 s 3 d .

The W . M . next proposed the toast of the initiates . The Lodge was getting very strong , and he had the pleasure of having initiated three gentlemen who would , he was convinced , become creditable to it and to the Craft at large . Bro . David Gould thanked the W . M . for having initiated him . Fie considered it a great honour to have been initiated in the Ancient Order , and especially lucky to be a member of the Skelmersdale Lodge . He thanked the Brethren for their confidence .

• Bro . Arthur Tinley thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having received him as a member amongst them , and promised never to forget his obligation . Bro . Charles Martin said he might be a little rough in his way , but in time he hoped to give proof that he was not so rough as he appeared to be . He would do everything in his power for the welfare of Freemasonry and particularly for the Skelmersdale

Lodge . He thanked the W . M . and Brethren for having accepted him as a Brother amongst them . The W . M . next introduced the Visitors toast , and accorded the guests a most hearty welcome . Bro . Jones W . M . 2664 thanked the W . M . and Brethren for their cordial reception . He had visited the Lodge on several occasions , and felt more like a member than a visitor . As usual he had enjoyed the working as well as the fourth degree .

Bro . Williams S . W . 101 thanked the W . M . for his cordial reception and Bro . Cully for his invitation . It was not the first time he had visited the Lodge , and he hoped it would not be the last . In his Masonic career he had never witnessed better working in a Lodge . He wished the W . M . every prosperity . Bro . Porter 1687 had thoroughly enjoyed himself , and appreciated the cordial reception .

Bro . Allwater 1471 had highly enjoyed the working in the Lodge , and was pleased to hear that it was decided to have a ladies outing , which he was sure would be a great success . He wished the W . M . a prosperous year of Office . The toast of the Past Masters , Treasurer and Secretary was

next given . The W . M . said he knew the Past Masters were very anxious to each respond to the toast , and when he was a Past Master he would be pleased to respond also , but the time was getting on , and he hoped they would forgive him if he called upon Bro . Boys Past Master and Secretary to acknowledge the toast for all .

Bro . Boys thanked the W . M . for the kind manner in which the toast had been given and received ; but he felt the W . M . might have imposed the responsibility of responding on another , as he was pleased to see so many Past Masters present . The P . Ms , were always ready and willing to render assistance whenever required , and they congratulated the W . M . on his success at the commencement of his year of Office . The W . M . had already

nine initiates to his credit , which he considered was a wonderful start . He was requested by the I . P . M . Bro . Gabell to thank the initiates for the handsome collar he wore , as a mark of their appreciation . When he was W . M . the candidates were not so liberal , and the members generally never thought about a Ladies outing ; now the times were altered , and he wished the W . M , every prosperity in the additional work imposed upon him .

Bro Gabell said he intended not to speak , and was not going to detain them long , but he was so pleased that those whom he had initiated during his year of Office had appreciated his work , that he must again thank them sincerely for their handsome present . The Tyler's toast was given and brought a most entertaining meeting to a conclusion .

Some excellent songs and recitations were contributed during the evening , those who added to the harmony being Bros . H , Cohen P . M ., R . Rowland P . M . D . C ., Allwater , Walter Hengler ( whose professional ability is well known ) , and several others , while Bro . H . Townsend Organist ably officiated at the piano ,