Bro. Thomas Frederick Strutt

among them . This was suitably acknowledged by the Immediate Past Master . A proposition to remit a member ' s subscription while he was away on active services with the forces in South Africa was patriotically supported and unanimously agreed to .

A Brother in distress was relieved with a grant of five guineas , and after some further business the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren repaired to the banquet room , where an excellent repast was provided and thoroughly enioyed by the company .

In due course the W . M . submitted the toast of the Queen and the Craft , saying how proud the members of the Craft were of Her Majesty , and how devoted they were to Freemasonry . He also paid well deserved compliment to the Grand Master in proposing his health .

In submitting the toast of the Grand Officers the W . M . said the work performed in Grand Lodge was of a very high character . He had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Benevolence the previous Wednesday , and it had then astonished him to see the amount of work the Brethren there got through—and good work too , the relief of distressed Brethren .

The Immediate Past Master proposed the toast of the W . M ., and at the outset said he had been told , and nudged on both sides , to make it short . He and the Worshi pful Master had Been associated in the Lodge side by side for ten years , and although his experiences in Freemasonry during that period , either by

having to attend Lodges giving lectures , singing , or playing , had been most varied , he had never met a Mason so amiable , so kind , and of so fraternal a disposition as the Worshipful Master that evening of the Henry Muggeridge Lodge The members had had to confer with each other as to what was best to do in order to

make their Lodge go , and they had decided that the Brother most likely to make it a success was the one who had been installed as Worshipful Master that day . When approached on the subject , Bro . Strutt had replied—leave it to me and I will make the Lodge go , and they felt it was quite safe in his hands , for if it had not been

for him the Lodge would not even then have been in so good a position as it was . Ever since their initiation in the Lodge the present Worshipful Master had been the one who oftenest had

someone to propose lor membership , and in that respect , as well as in many others , they owed much to him . He had much confidence in calling upon the Brethren to give him a hearty reception , which was done .

The Worshipful Master , in reply , said he hardly knew what to say ; to them after their hearty reception of the toast . Ever since he had entered the Lodge he had always . received assistance from the Officers and members . He thanked them particularly for having placed him in his present position , a position he valued very much ,

as he knew he had the sympathy and support of every member of the Lodge . He promised to do all in his power to make them happy and comfortable , which he considered was the duty of all in this life . He would do his level best in the interests of the Lodge , and each individual member of it .

The W . M . considered the next toast the chief one of the meeting—the health of the four gentlemen who had been pleased to come among them and had been initiated that evening . He regretted two of the number had been obliged to leave , as he should

have preferred to express to all four how pleased the members were to welcome them . He felt sure they had initiated four gentlemen that day who would become ornaments to the Craft , while he could only advise them that if they followed the tenets of Freemasonry they would assuredly become better men in every respect .

Bro . Roberts tendered his thanks for his reception by the members . He hoped he would become a credit to the Craft , and thanked them all for the way in which they had welcomed him

among them . Bro . Franklin added his thanks , and promised to try and do his utmost to become a worthy member of the Lodge . He was indeed gratified at the cordiality of his reception . '

The W . M . proposed the health of the Installing Master . It had been a very great regret to the Immediate Past Master that owing to severe illness lie was not able to perform the work of installation , but personally he was particularly pleased that he had been so ably installed by Bro . Boyce , because it was that Brother

who had initiated him into Freemasonry . So that , altogether , the matter while being a subject of regret , was also one of pleasure . He had known Bro . Boyce for many years , in fact he thought he had served his apprenticeship with him in the profession he then followed . They had worked side by side , but with more love and

harmony since they had been associated with Freemasonry than was the case previously . The Brethren had been able to judge of Bro . Boyce ' s work , and he had no hesitation in asking them to drink heartily the toast of his health . Bro . Boyce replied , tendering his thanks for the proposition

Bro. Thomas Frederick Strutt

and reception of the toast . He had also to thank the senior Past Master of the Lodge for giving way , and allowing him to attempt the ceremony of installation . He had had many years association with the W . M . in private life , and Masonic life , and it had long been his desire—if the opportunity offered—to instal him into the

chair of a Masonic Lodge . He had hoped to do the work better than he had been able to do , but other work had prevented his keeping up his knowledge and practice , and his shortcomings had shown how necessary it was to keep up one's activity in the ritual of Freemasonry . His performance that day had shown him his

weakness and he should endeavour to amend it . But at the same time he felt he must add that he had done nothing special to deserve such commendation as he had received that day . The work he had done might fall at any time on any Brother who has passed the

chair and he felt that they , like himself , would endeavour to do their duty with the same heartfelt pleasure he had experienced that evening . He could only regret he had not been able to do all he wished .

The Master now had to propose a most important toast " Our Brethren in South Africa . " They all knew what the present war had meant to the country . The big reverses we had experienced at the start , and the consequent request of the government for volunteers to go out to the front , and probably there was not one there but

what had one or more relatives away fighting for the empire . He had three , while one Brother he saw before him had had a son engaged with Buller from the start right up to the relief of Ladysmith . Then there- was their Bro . Baragwanath , who gave up a

good professional position and went out with the C . I . Vs . They had Brethren in all ranks of the army , from Lord Roberts and other of the leaders , down to the lowest in the ranks , and they could only wish them a safe journey to Pretoria , and a safe return home whenever they desired it .

Bro . Cox acknowledged the toast , and gave some particulars of detachments of wounded he had seen on their . return , and painted the horrors of the situation many must experience on their return

maimed and ruined in health . The toast of the Visitors was next given , a hearty reception being accorded the guests . Bros . Morgan , Grigg , and McGregor responded .

Other toasts included the Past Masters , the Treasurer and Secretary , and the Officers , responded to by the several Brethren concerned , after which the Tyler gave the concluding sentiment and the proceedings ended .

There was an excellent programme of music , provided , selections being played during the banquet , and songs , & c . being given between the toasts ; and all tended to ensure a most enjoyable gathering . * * *

WOLSELEY LODGE , No . 1983 . Installation of Brother Alfred Ogden . riIHE annual meeting and festival of St . John in connection with ¦ *• this Lodge took place at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Saturday , 12 th ult ., Bro . Thos . Chas . Newey Worshipful Master . '

There was a very good attendance of members and visitors , the latter including among others Bros . Captain C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Alfred Hebden P . M . 1458 P . P . G . D . D . C , R . ArmitageP . M . 1083 D . C , N . Meadowcroft P . M . 1077 , J- H . Dean S . D . 44 , C . M . Nesbitt S . D . 1055 , J . West 935 , A . Whittaker 1077 , and C . R . Mapleston 2259 .

A dispensation for the meeting- having been read , and tne minutes confirmed , Brother Alfred Ogden S . W . Worshi pful Masterelect was duly presented by Brother William Harris P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . Chaplain , to receive the benefits of installation ,

the outgoing Master undertaking the ceremony , assisted by Past Masters W . W . Siddell P . P . G . A . D . C . B . C ., Crowther , Sharpe , Harris , John Dean Treas ., J . L . Griffiths Char . Rep ., and Walter Taylor .

The following is a list of Officers for the ensuing financial year : Bros . J . Gibson Pittam S . W ., Henry Holt ] . W . , William Harris P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . Chap ., Geo . Hargreaves P . M . Treas .,

John Hatton P . M . Sec , W . W . Siddell P . M . P . P . G . A . D . C . D . C

L . J . Griffiths P . M . C . R ., G . H . Consterdine S . D ., Samuel Dearden J . D ., J . H . Wright I . G ., C . H . Thompson S . S . and Org , , H . G . Whyatt , Thos . M . Rushworth , M . Pogson Stewards . In connection with the investiture of Bro . Hatton as Secretary , we may mention that he has now entered upon his 1 7 th year of service in that capacity .

A collection made on behalf of the Indian Famine Fund realised the amount of , £ 6 . The festival of St . John was held in the banquetting room'of the Hall , and was presided over by Bro . Alfred Ogden » . , M , Oa