Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1507.

METROPOLITAN LODGE , No . 1507 .

ENQUIRY has often been made as to the utility of the complimentary speeches that close the majority of our Masonic gatherings when , more frequently than not , numerous remarks of a more or less adulatory character are made , in all sincerity we are willing to admit , but very often more as a matter of form than anything else . Yet without this feature Freemasonry would lose much

of its charm to very many members of the English Brotherhood , who have a special delight in speaking themselves , or listening to the remarks of others—and are they not right ? After all it is the hour or two spent in social converse , with the interchange of different ideas from those who attend as rulers of a Lodge , or as guests thereof , which give to tho proceedings much of the change and variety that are so essential for one ' s entertainment .

This foeling is intensified when we remember the great amount of sameness there is in Freemasonry , which , in its main features , is the same wherever we turn , variety being only supplied by the difference of temperament and general characteristics of its

actors . Not a few who are themselves members of the Order express surprise that Brethren can find pleasure in repeated attendance at Masonic meetings ; they recognise that the beautiful lessons Cf the Order may be best learnt by continued participation in its work ,

but they complain of the sameness that characterises much of what goes on , especially that which follows the hour spent in refreshment after labour , but it can- hardly be admitted that such a complaint is well founded , for the reason that continual change is taking place in those who have to rule our Lodge affairs , and in that capacity have to address the Brethren who assemble at our meetings .

This annual change of Presidents really supplies the variety that is so necessary , and as it seldom happens that two Masters in succession are of equal aptitude , or have points in common , much of the tedium that would otherwise make itself felt is obviated . One year a Lodge may have a Master gifted with a ready flow of words , while the next may find the Brother in the chair of a quiet retiring disposition , but each possessing features of

merit to please the Brethren under his rule . This becomes very noticeable when one is in the habit of attending year after year the Installation meeting of the same Lodge , as we have had the pleasure of doing for some time past at the Metropolitan . We always look for a pleasing change there , and it is not often we are disappointed—indeed , we might say disappointment is unknown at No . 1507 .

This year ' s Installation , which was the twenty-first in the history of the Metropolitan Lodge , was held on Wednesday , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , under the presidency of Bro . John G . McEwan W . M ., who was supported by Bros . R . Alaway S . W . W . M .-elect , J . F . Saunders J . W ., F . J . Perks P . M . Sec , R . W .

Fraser I . P . M ., W . M . Stiles , C . J . Scales , H . Stiles , W . Davoy , George Edwards , W . F . Bates and G . W . Knight Past Masters , Joseph Bate S . D ., J . H . Moggridge I . G ., W . Barry D . C ., E . Elton Hawkins and E . G . Steers Stewards , G . Cuthbert Paine Assistant Sec , together with a large number of other members of the Lodge .

Visitors : John Shapcott 733 , R . Ross P . M . 1744 , J . Cox J . W . 865 , F . C . Lockstone 862 , G . Dickinson P . M . 1681 , W . B . Heagerty P . M . 907 P . P . G . R ., F . B . Mills 1681 , H ; A . Christmas 2182 , W . W . Morgan 177 , W . Morris 1348 , S . K . Ferguson 2182 , J .

Podget 2204 , W . H . Weeks 1585 , T . Simkins S . W . 179 , E . Brooks P . M . 766 , H . Lindsey 92 , W . T . Berry 1963 , J . Cook I . P . M . 907 , T . B . Hardy 2190 , J . T . Carter 766 , G . T . Rice W . M . 1558 , R . D . Smith P . M . 27 , Edwd . Bond P . M . 860 , G . J . Barnett P . M . 1929 , J . B . Evans P . M . 172 .

Having disposed of the usual work of the annual gathering Bro . McEwan proceeded to instal his successor , and he carried out this concluding duty of his \ ear ' s Mastership in a really efficient and pleasing manner , subsequently receiving the congratulations of the

Brethren on his rendering of the ritual , while as a more tangible mark of appreciation a vote of ten guineas was made from the Lodge funds , on the proposition of Bro . P . M . Scales , with which to purchase a Past Master ' s jewel in recognition of Bro . McEwan's services to the Lodge during the past year .

The following were appointed as the Assistant Officers : Bros . Saunders S . W ., Bate ( by proxy ) J . W ., James Willing P . M . ( who was unavoidably absent ) Treas ., Perks P . M . Sec , Moggridge S . D ., Barry J . D ., Hawkins I . G ., Steers D . C ., Paine and Biown Stewaids , Bradley Assistant Sec , Jackson Organist and R . Whiting P . M . Tyler .

The ability of the new Master was soon put to the test , a candidate offering for Initiation , in the person of Mr . W . R . Thompson , who was regularly introduced and admitted to Masonic light by Bro . Alaway , who thus early gave promise of being a painstaking and efficient ruler of the Looge , the benefit of careful training under the preceptorship of Bro . Stiles at the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction making itself apparent .

The name of a gentleman was submitted as an Initiate for the next meeting , other items of business were disposed of , and then the Lodge was closed , the company adjourning to the Dining Hall where , under the personal supervision of Bro . Clemow , the annual banquet was served , and generally enjoyed .

This was in turn followed by the customary toasts , and a well arranged selection of music , brevity marking the former , so as to allow of a iuller supply of the latter . The Loyal toasts having been honoured , Bro . McEwan submitted

that of the Worshipful Master—a toast that must , he was sure , call forth the heartiest enthusiasm in that Lodge . He had won his preferment by steady perseverance , and his position at the head of the Lodge was so generally approved that it could truly be said not a member but was pleased to see him there .

The Master tendered his thanks for the very kind manner in which his health had been proposed and received . His acts in the chair would be better proof of his desire to satisfy them than any promises ho could make .

Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1507.

The next toast was that of the Installing Master and the other Past Masters of the Lodge . Tho Worshipful Master felt he could not say too much in praise of the work of the Immediate Past Master , particularly tne way in which he had rendered the installation that night , neither could he attempt to properly thank the other Past Masters for the assistance they had rendered to the Lodge in years gone by .

Brother McEwan tendered thanks for the toast , contenting himself with the very briefest remarks in deferance to the wishes of the Master . He acknowledged the compliment paid him in the Lodge in voting him the Past Master ' s jewel and hoped to bo associated with the Metropolitan for many years to come . Brother Scales replied for the other portion of the toast , and

took the opportunity of referring to Brother William Mason Stiles s candidature for the Grand Treasurership . Last year the office had been lost because so many of the friends who promised to support Bro . Stiles wore too sure as to his success . He had upwards of 20 C 0 votes promised him—ample to win by—but as a matter of fact only 1 , 200 were recorded on his behalf , and the

coveted Treasurership was lost to Brother Stiles , the successful candidate ( Brother Alderman Dimsdale ) securing 1 , 317 votes . It was the intention of his friends to re-nominate Brother Stiles this year and if all who promised their support duly recorded their vote on the day of election he was sure of coming out at the head of the poll .

The tcast of the Initiate was given from the chair , and duly acknowledged , tho Master saying how pleased the Lodge was to welcome good and true men to its ranks—which required repletion from timo to time—aud Bro . 'ihompson expressing ihe pleasure he experienced in coming amongst them . He might be considered too ambitious , but he hoped some day to occupy the chair now on his immediate left in the Lodge .

The Master submitted the health of the Visitors , as a very pleasing toast to propose . He thought it had ever been well received in the Metropolitan Lodge , becaute the members were always pleased to see guests among them . They made every endeavour to give the guests a hearty welcome , thereby ensuring

the enjoyment of those who favoured them by coming to the Lodge . The names of Brothers Rice , Heagerty , Barnett , Bond , Hardy and Smith were coupled with the toast , and several replied , the tone of remarks made by the Visitors being complimentary to the Lodgo and expressive of thorough enjoyment on the part of the guests .

The Treasurer , Secretary and Officers ot the Lodge were next toasted , the Master paying a well dtserved compliment to Brother Perks , who , he said , was a most zealous Secretary and discharged the duties of that important office to the satisfaction ot the whole Lodge . The Treasurer , whose absence they much regretted , was alto an active worker on behalf of the Metropolitan Lodge , while

the Officers generally well sustained their part in securing the success of the meetings . Bro . Perks replied . For so many years he had had the honour of responding to this toast that he begun 10 feel it was nearly time for him to stand abide , so as to allow of a little new blooa being

infused into the Office . This announcement being received with loud expressions of dissent Bro . Perks said it was very kind of the members to say No , No , but his time had so many claims upon it that he leally thought he must ask them in the near future to find someone else to fill the Office of Secretary .

The Senior Warden next replied . Although he was not like his Brother Secretary , inasmuch as he had not previously filled his present office , he was very anxious to give it up at the end of the j ear , and hoped it would then be his good fortune to appoint a successor in it . He tendered his best wishes to the Looge , and hoped it would at all times prosper .

Bro . Junior Warden tendered his thanks . He fully appreciated the kind remarks that had been made in regard to the work of the Officers and felt that he was safe in saying on their behalf that they had but one object in view- to advance the interests and secure the prosperity of the Metropolitan Lodge . He trusted he should do his duty faithfully and successfully during the next few years .

Bro . Moggeridge S . D . hardly knew what to say in response to the kind call made upon him , as he had really occupied the position but a few minutes . He felt a ptculiar pleasure in being elevated to a higher Office that day . As spokesman of what he might call the north-western contingent in the Lodge—from which

the Master had sprung—it was a particular pleasure to them to see Bro . Alawaj m his present position . They hoped he would nave a pleasant year oi office , with plenty of work . Of one thing he and the Ledge might rest assured , the Officers would zealously support him .

The Tyler's toast was then given by Bro . Whiting , and the proceedings terminated . The musical portion of the day ' s programme was particularly successful , the artistes being Bros . A . H . Christmas , F . J . Ball , R . J . Harris , Henry Lindley , Cherry and Jackson , the last named officiating at the piano . o o o

LOYALTY LODGE , No . 1607 . AT the Annual Festival of this Lodge , held on the 13 th instant , at the London Tavern , Fenchurch Street , E . C , Brother Wm . Berkely Vaile was installed as W . M ., and appointed the following Brethren to assist him as Officers during the year : G T . Denney I . P . M ., G . E . Wilkinson S . W ., W . L . Barker J . W ., R .

b . Cushen P . M . Treasurer , C ± 1 . Webb P . M . Secretary , J . Lawson S . D ., M . W . Jameson J . D ., G . Cunnington I . G ., R . 0 . Hulford D . C ., E . Godfrey Organist , J . Hattersley P . M . Steward and H . Mc Lachlan Asst . Steward . '

Subsequently the ballot was taken and proved unanimous in favour of Messrs . Henry James Powell Robinson , Stanley Foot and Edward Petfield who were initiated into the privileges of the Order by Bro . Vaile , who worked the ceremony in a manner that gave great promise for a successful year of office .