Craft: Metropolitan.

existence , because had it not been for that Brother ' s exertions he ( the speaker ) would never have had the credit of having his name associated with it . He therefore gave them in the heartiest manner possible the health of their Master . Bro . Naughton , who was received with much enthusiasm when rising to

reply , said that be hoped the Brethren would commiserate with him in having to follow such an excellent W . M . as Bro . Newton . He was deeply sensible of his own defects and shortcomings , but he 'would certainly do his best to promote the happiness and prosperity of the Lodge . He concluded by proposing the I . P . M ., to which Bro . Newton made a humorous acknowledgment .

Bro .. J . J . Thomas , in responding for the Installing Master , said he was amply rewarded for any services he might have rendered by the hearty appreciation of the Brethren and the success of the Lodge . The Master had requested him to propose the Initiates , and he had much pleasure in doing

so , because no Lodge could succeed without initiates , and he was pleased to observe that new blood had been brought in at each meeting . The two Brethren who bad been introduced that evening had not entered into the Order lightly , and he hoped they would leave the Lodge better men than when they entered it .

Bro . Day said that when he wished to become a Mason he knew that he would have to go through a certain ordeal , but he had no idea it was anything like it was . He had been greatly astonished and impressed by the ceremony , and he hoped to take the lessons to heart , and become a good and true Mason .

Bro . Bland returned his sincere thanks for being accepted as a member of the Lodge , and said the Brethren could rely upon his endeavouring to prove himself a worthy Mason . The toast of the Visitors was proposed by the W . M ., and with it was coupled the name of Bro . Imre Kiralfy P . M ., who , said the Master , the Brethren were at all times so delighted to see amongst them . Other visitors specially coupled with the toast were Bros . Whitford , M . A ., P . M ., George Davis P . M ., and Saunders Past Grand Steward .

Bro . Imre Kiralfy , replying , expressed his appreciation of the hearty manner in which the proposition of the toast had been received . He was proud to see Bro . Naughton in the Worshi pful Master ' s chair , having watched his progress in Freemasonry from the time of his initiation , which he had witnessed in the Empress Lodge . He understood that the Worshipful

Master of the Alfred Newton Lodge had promised to act as a Steward for the Girls School , and hoped the Brethren would endeavour to send him up to the celebration with a handsome list . For his own part he was always happy to support the Charities , and would have much pleasure in heading Bro . Naughton's list with a personal donation , a kindly offering which was most heartily acknowledged .

Reference was made by all those who responded as Visitors to the great success that had attended the first year ' s working of the Lodge , and hopes were generally expressed that the future would be equally gratifying . Bro . H . K . Newton J . W ., to whom was entrusted the toast of the Charities , expressed the hope that the Officers and members would do their utmost in support of the Stewardship of the Worshipful Master for the Festival to take place in May next , on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

Several other toasts followed , and the proceedings terminated at a late hour .

The speeches during the evening were interspersed with some fine songs , given by Miss Jennie Higgs , Miss Bessie Glenister , Bro . W . Sycklemour P . M ., and Bro . Henry Redgrave , while Bro . W . Windsor Organist of the Lodge ably officiated at the piano . Bro . Windsor is also deserving of praise for the very pleasing choral service which he arranged in connection with the work in Lodge on this occasion . He was warmly thanked for it by the Worshipful Master , whose approval was fully endorsed by the Brethren .

GUARDIAN LODGE , No . 2625 . THE annual installation meeting was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall Street , when Bro . H . V . Clements W . M . presided , and placed Bro . T . A . Bullock P . G . Sword Bearer of England in the chair as his successor .

UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 . ON Thursday of last week Bro . William Athol Bray W . M . presided at the regular meeting of this Lodge , held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . C . The Master was assisted by Bros . C . Schmidt P . M . as S . W ., Henry J .

Rowberry J . W ., Chas . J . Free P . M . Secretary , W . West S . D ., Alfred B . Noble J . D ., C . W . Cooper I . G . There were also present Bros . Henry Hyde I . P . M E . M . Jeffery P . M ., John Stroud P . M ., W . Huttrell , H . T . Hartwell , R . R . Hayne , Oliver Greenlands , W . T . Hustwayte , F . W . Wood , G . W . Flatman , L . Jones , T . Martin , R . Everett , Jas . Isaacs , J . W . Isaacs .

Among the Visiting Brethren were Bros . W . W . West S . D . 1662 , Percy S Cooper S . D . 1694 , J . W . Tremlet 2396 , R . T . Ford 2163 , Samuel W . Vale W . M . 861 , John Page P . M . 753 , B . G . Piatt J . W . 1327 , A . Ellenden I . G . 1623 C . G . Riley 1816 , William Nash 784 , T . Robinson S . D . 2396 . The Lodge was opened in due form and tho minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed .

The ballot was then taken for Messrs . Thomas Greenhalgh Gunn , Frederick James Rover , Harry Thomas Arnold , and George Elmet Smith , all of whom were approved . Bro . George Edgar Morgan answered the usual questions and was passed to the second degree .

Bros . William Henry Baker , James Courvoisier Clement , Robert Reason Hayne , and Henry Squire Hartwell proved their proficiency as Craftsmen , were regularly raised to the sublime degree , and took their seats in the Lodge as Master Masons .

Messrs . Gunn , Rover , Arnold and Smith having been properly prepared were then introduced and were duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . All tbe ceremonies were excellently well performed by the Worshipful Master , with the assistance of his Officers . The ritual was clearly and distinctly rendered , and the Officers concerned were fully conversant with their work , thereby affording perfect satisfaction to the Brethren , who expressed their approval by Masonic applause .

Three candidates were proposed for initiation at the next meeting . A distressed Brother , whose petition to the Board of Benevolence was supported by the Lodge , wrote to acknowledge their kindness , and stated that he had been relieved to the extent of twenty pounds . An old Past Master who had been overtaken by circumstances of unforseen calamity and distress was

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relieved from the funds of the Lodge . A sum of five guineas was voted to the Barlswood Asylum , to head a subscription' list being formed by Bro . Hyde P . M . There being no further business the Lodge was closed at a late hour , and the Brethren subsequently partook of supper .

Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . THE regular meeting of this young and popular Lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , on Friday , 10 th inst ., Bro . William Alderley Boyer Worshipful Master . The minutes having been submitted by t , he Secretary , and duly confirmed , Bro . F . J . Burt J . D . read four of the ancient constitutional charges , the same being highly appreciated by the Brethren . . A very pleasing function then took place , which was that of investing the tne aevice oi tne

W . M . with a magnificent chain of omce bearing xjuuge , each link and plate being wrought in solid silver . Bro . William Charlton , J . P ., I . P . M ., in placing the chain round the neck of Bro . Boyer , explained that the gift was the outcome of a sum of money placed in the hands of the W . M . by admiring friends , so that his year of office in the chair of K . S . might be fitly commemorated . The large pendant at the apex of the chain bore the following inscription : —

Presented to The Manchester Lodge , No . 2554 , by friends of BRO . W . A . BOYER , a Founder and the present Worshipful Master , for the use of himself and his successors in office 10 th March 1899 .

Bro . Boyer W . M ., in replying to the remarks of Bro . Charlton , further explained the genesis of the gift , and concluded by hoping that the chain might be worn by worthy successors in office , who would value it , not for its intrinsic worth alone , but as an emblem of the high and exalted position held for the time being by the Brother whose neck it might be destined to adorn .

The usual festive board followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts being pleasantly relieved by songs , recitations , & c , contributed by Bros . A . B . Smith J . W ., Chas Jordan Organist , W . H . Crawford , H . Walmsley P . M . 317 P . P . G . A . D . C ., Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , A . G . Lunn 317 , and others .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 27 th ult ., Bro . Thomas Hamnett W . M .. After the minutes of the last meeting had been read and confirmed , ono of the ancient charges was delivered to the Brethren . Before the close of Lodge business , Bro . Seth Wrigley Dir . of Cers . was the recipient of a very handsome Director of Ceremonies jewel , whiah bore the following inscription : —

Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , 2363 . Presented to W . BRO . S . WRIGLEY P . M . P . P . G . D . by the Brethren , on the occasion of his attaining his majority as a Mason , and in recognition of his valued services . Feb . 27 th , 1899 .

Bro . Wrigley acknowledged the gift in very fitting terms . The Brethren then adjourned to supper , being joined by lady and gentlenun friends , after which , the Lodge room having been converted into a drawing room , a very pleasant social was held , the following taking part in

the entertainment , viz ., the W . M . in a . ventriloquial sketch , Bros . S . H . Stubhs J . W . and F . Todd S . D . in songs , Seth Wrigley in selections on the auto harp , Bro . and Mrs . Nail in duet We two , Geo . R . Ward solo on wine glasses and laughing song , W . Howard and Mr . Tudor in duet Love and war , Mrs . Dearden recitation Wreck of the Puffin , and others .

CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 6 th inst ., Bro . Surg . Capt . J . J . Kent Fairclough W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bros . Surg . Lieut . Alio Phillips and Capt . Ernest Alfred Simmons were passed to the degree of Fellow Craft .

Following Lodge work was a very excellent supper , provided in Messrs . Spiers and Pond's best style , this being followed in turn by the festive board , where Loyal and Masonic toasts were interspersed with tongs , & c , a very pleasant evening being spent . There were also present Bros . Major T . W . Ash worth I . P . M ., Rev . John

Challinor S . W . P . P . G . Chap ., Capt . Peter Nightingale J . W ., Col . J . Howarth Clark , V . D ., J . P ., P . P . G . D . Treasurer , Major Fred Pratt P . M . Secretary , Lieut . Geo . Heys S . D ., Captains J . J . Bentley , T . A . Fallows , H . S . Hardy , J . E . R . Hall , T . Parker and A . B . Wilkinson , Lieuts . A . J . Bailey and A . S , Pearce , and others .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE regular meeting was held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , 8 th inst ., Bro . Mark Steel W . M . Four ceremonies confronted the Officers , viz ., the balloting for and initiation of Messrs . Wm . Geo . Lamb , Cashier , Manchester ; and Arthur Eppinger , Merchant , Manchester ; and the passing to the degree of F . C . of Bros . Henry Jacobson and William Charles Benson , the work being undertaken by the W . M ., Bros . S . MamelokP . P . J . D . and B . Steel I . P . M .

Bro . W . Dagnall J . W . presented and explained the working tools of the first degree , those oi the second being given by Bro . Philip Joseph S . W . Besides those mentioned above there were present Bros . J . H . Phillips Sec , H . Norris S . D ., M . Phillips J . D ., L . Mistovski I . G ., Geo . Rideal P . M , Nathan Robinson , H . B . Morris . Visitors : —Bros . C . H . Clubb S . D . 1633 , H . S . Greenwood Org . 2387 , and J . Lewin 813 .