Reports Of Meetings.

over its destinies for another year . May this new chief prove worthy of following the long line of illustrious and worthy Brethren who have preceded him . I recognise the responsibilities of my exalted office , and , Brethren , you may depend upon it your Master will not shirk his duties . To foster the growth and prosperity of the Truth Lodge will be the chief aim and highest ambition of my year . God grant that my desire to maintain the splendid

prestige and lustre which those who have occupied my position have gained for the Lodge may be fulfilled . For several years past , being an ardent Mason , I have longed for the position to which you have elected me , and , without wishing for Bro . Shepherd's deposition by virtue of the natural completion of his office , still I have looked forward with pleasure to this , the greatest festival of our Masonic year . The ambition of every enthusiastic Mason to occupy the chair of King Solomon is most pardonable , in fact is an

admirable and worthy qualification for success , as by natural tendency all good Masons are generally splendid workers , regular in their attendance , and proficient in the ancient ritual of the Order . I cannot do better than strongly recommend the younger Brethren to be ambitious , to aspire to fill the highest position which Masonry can bestow , provided that ambition fires them with enthusiasm and energy to diligently study thoir work , so that they may not accept office without the ability to acquit themselves with credit , and add dignity to tho Lodge .

When Cardinal Wolsey bade his patron " fling away ambition , for by it the angels foil , " he referred to the gratification of ambition by scheming , to the forgetfulness of God our Creator , to the suppression of tho interests of our neighbours , in order to exalt our own . Tho ambition which is to be admired in every phase of life is the ambition born of the ardent desire to rise above the slough of despond , idleness and indifference , into something which shall make man more worthy of the gifts with which the Great Architect of the Universe has endowed him . «•

Brethren , never neglect your duties , be regular in your attendance , studious is your ritual , kindly and courteous to all your Brethren , obedient to your superior Officers , and , above all , support your Master . Remember that one of the cardinal principles of Freemasonry is to do all you can for the Order , for charity , and for your Brethren , without neglecting the ordinary duties of your avocations , or the personal interests of yourself and family ,

more especially the latter . Never be generous at the expense of those who are near and dear to you ; be careful to cherish , to love and honour them , for this is your duty . The Mason who neglects this , the primary law of God , is not a Mason in heart . For a correct guide to what Masonry teaches , carefully read over thc Charge in the first degree , adopt those precepts , and you cannot materially err ; let prudence direct you , temperance chasten you ,

fortitude support you , and justice be the guide of all your actions . Appreciate the value of truth , of honour , and of virtue . If by the pnn idence of the G . A . O . T . U . you are spared to enjoy commercial prosperity , always have a kindly corner in your heart for your less fortunate Brethren ; support the charities of the Order , which have done the noblest work possible in this world by succouring the fatherless and distressed , by educating and fitting

for the battle of life those who have been bereft of the protecting care of a father ; by a loving brotherly care for the aged and infirm , who are unable to provide for themselves . All honour to Masonry for recognising the cause of charity in its highest and noblest sense , all honour to the memory of the departed Brethren who laid the foundation of those charities , and all honour to those living Brethren who worthily emulate the departed by fostering those charities .

Freemasonry as practised in Great Britain cannot be charged with teaching anything ignoble . Many outside the Order seem suspicious of its having a tendency to intemperance . So far as my observations go I am convinced this is altogether an unworthy suspicion . I have never seen anything up to the present which could lend the slightest colour to the suggestion . No man can hope to be a good Mason who cannot control his passions and prejudices , this being one of the commands of Masonry .

How pleasing are the friendships formed in Masonry ; I look back with delight upon the many friends made . One of the greatest pleasures of life is the social intercourse with our Brethren , to meet month by month , to rub off a little of the rust of life . I trust that upon the threshold of this Masonic

year we may all make a vow to promote the interests of the Truth Lodge , to form a pleasant , happy , social union of Brotherhood , thereby forming a united gathering whose recollections shall be pleasant and harmonious , striving to uphold the best traditions of the Lodge by doing our work as perfectly as our attainments render possible .

Bro . Hebden having proposed the health of the Installing Master in very pertinent terms , to which Bro . Fred Hilton replied , the Worshipful Master rose , saying that he had another very important toast to introduce to the notice of his auditors , namely that connected with the Director of Ceremonies . He spoke of Bro . Hebden's abilites in ceremonial , and also of his long connection with the Instruction Lodge , No . 581 , of which he had

been a zealous supporter . In the exercise of his arduous duties as Preceptor of the Lodge of Truth he had displayed such kindness and geniality as to become endeared to its members , and so great was their appreciation of him , that they had thought it only right to recognise their indebtedness by making him a suitable presentation . Bro . Worsley then pinned upon his breast a splendid D . C . ' s jewel , bearing the following inscription : —

Presented to W . Bno . ALFRED HEBDEN P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C , by the Brethren of the Truth Lodge , No . 1458 , as a mark of high respect and affectionate esteem for his zealous services as Director of Ceremonies . W . BRO . W . H . WOBSLEY W . M . 1895 .

Bro . Worsley concluded by hoping that the recipient would livelong aud wear it , with the assurance that the members of the Lodge entertained tho most sincere affection for him , and considered that he was the greatest friend they possessed . Brother Hebden , in reply , thanked the Brethren for their enthusiastic reception of the toast . In a cursory review of the past he stated he was tho

first Initiate of the Lodge , an honour he was proud to acknowledge . Whatever successes ho had achieved were due to tho many kindnesses received at their hands , which had spurred him on in his work . He assured them that he should ever appreciate the jewel just presented to him , and promised to further the interests of the Lodge , as directed by the W . M ., in every possible way . Other toasts followed .

Besides those already mentioned , there were present in Lodge and at the banquet , Bros . H . L . Burgess P . M ., Jas . Archdale P . M ., Moses Davies P . M ., George T . Lenard P . M ., Joseph Hilton , S . Drew . Visitors : —Bros . Arthur Middleton 645 P . S . G . D ., Wm . Bee 1459 P . P . A . D . C , George R . Lloyd 1730 P . P . G . Tr . ( W . L . ) , G . Higham 1083 P . P . G . D . D . C , W . B . Russeli 1219 P . P . G . A . D . C , R . Alf . Hepworth W . M . 1 C 3 , George Proutlman W . M 1013 and J . W . 2496 , G . B . Goodfollow W . M . 1030 , Robert Lingard W . M . 1083 ,

Reports Of Meetings.

John Orme W . M . 1159 , Seth Wrigley P . M . 2363 , W . W . Lofthouse P . M . 1052 , Cyril H . Beever P . M . 1375 and 2363 , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 ( FREEMASON ' CKKOXICLI : ) , Chas . B . Groocock 473 , Wm . B . Gleave 581 , Dr . J . J . K . Fairclough 1219 , and others .

TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . THE regular , meeting was held at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester , on the 9 th inst ., Bro . Ramsey Knight W . M . There were also present Bros . P . Land I . P . M ., C . Preston S . W ., Wm . Yeadon J . W ., G . Burslem P . M . Treas ., J . C . Gillman P . P . S . G . D . Sec , J . S . Done S . D ., H .

Russell J . D ., Walter Lees I . G ., Fras . Long P . M . Org ., Jno . Rathbone P . M ., Joseph Kershaw P . M ., H . P . Jones P . M . P . P . G . R ., Charles F . Davies , S . Wollam , A . H . Norbury , Jos . Kennelly , T . W . Hampson , and C H . Moss . Visitors : —Bros . Joseph Young W . M . 1009 , C . H . Clubb 1633 . W . Chesshyrc Tyler .

The Lodge was opened by the W . M . at 6-20 p . m ., and , after the minutes of the last regular meeting had been read and confirmed , was advanced to the second degree , when Bro . A . H . Norbury answered the questions leading to the 3 rd , and the Brethren adjourned for tea . On re-assembling , Bro . Norbury was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . by Brother Burslem P . M . who also gave the traditional history , the Working Tools being presented by the S . W . The usual questions having been put , and hearty good wishes tendered , the Lodge was closed .

At the festive board which followed Brother Land I . P . M . proposed the health of the newly raised Brother , which was heartily received . Bro . Norbury , in reply , thanked tho Brethren for having admitted him into the Lodge . He also said how impressed he had been with the ceremonies he had gone through , and that he would try and be a worthy Mason .

Bro . Land proposed tho health of the W . M . and , in doing so , said this was the first meeting after his installation , and from the manner in which he had done his work , it spoke well for the future . He hoped he would have a prosperous year . The W . M ., in reply , thanked Bro . Land for his flattering remarks , and hoped there would be plenty of work to do , which he would carry out to the best of his ability .

Bro . Kershaw next proposed the health of the Visitors , and Bros . Young and Clubb , in reply , thanked the W . M . for the hospitality and reception they had received , and said the manner in which the Officers had done their work spoke volumes for the future of the Trafford Lodge . The toasts to the Officers and Past Masters were duly responded to , the whole being relieved by songs and recitation ? , given by Bros . Lees , Davies , Long , Young , Yeadon and Russell . The Tyler ' s toast olosed a pleasant evening .

MORECAMBE LODGE , No . 1561 . THE installation meeting was held on Friday , 6 th inst ., at Morecambe , when Bro . Thomas Baxter , Oakfield , was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The annual banquet followed .

ZION LODGE , No . 1798 . THE annual meeting and Festival of St , John wero held at the Grand Hotel , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 11 th inst ., Bro . Walter Fowden W . M . The attendance numbered about thirty , among whom we noticed Bros . J . Gershon J . W ., W . Marshall J . D ., B . Steel I . G ., Louis Frankenstein P . M ., Julius Arensberg P . M . P . P . G P . Visitors : —Bros . H . Stevens P . M . 999 P . P . G . O ., S . Searle W . M . 633 , Peter Bratt W . M . 2482 , Robert Fox I . P . M . 2482 , A . Ashworth P . M . 999 , J . W . Abbott P . M . 1030 P . P . G . D . C .

The minutes having been read and confirmed , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Leon E . Levy S . W . W . M .-elect was installed into the chair by Bro . S . Mamelok P . M .

The following is a list of Officers for the ensuing year : —J . Gershon S . W ., B . Steel J . W ., S . Mamelok Treas ., A . Smith Sec , L . Frankenstein S . D ., M . Goldman J . D ., G . Board P . P . J . G . D . D . C , H . Frankenstein I . G ., H . Wolleiton , B . Markers , and J . Fletcher Stewards .

At the Festival of St . John , which followed , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and honoured .

EASTERFORD LODGE , No . 2342 . AT the monthly meeting , held on Thursday , 5 th inst ., at tho Masonio Temple , Kelvedon , tho business included thc initiation of Mr . A . C . Freeman , of Maidon , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . Sir Wm . N . Abdy , Bart .

Bro . F . H . Crittall , of Braintree , and Brother Harry Jones , of Ipswich , were elected joining members . Bro . R . W . Hayne was passed to the second degree , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . Lodge being closed , the Brethren adjourned to the Banqueting Hall .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . A MEETING was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , the 12 th inst . In the unavoidable absence of Bro . Fred Warburton W . M . the control of the Lodge was undertaken by Brother William Boden I . P . M .

After tbe minutes of the last regular meeting , and also of an emergency meeting , had been read and confirmed , Bro . James Park was raised to the sublime degree of a M . M . by Brother William T . Schofield P . M . 1219 , 2449 P . P . G . D ., who not only performed the ceremony in extenso , but also explained the Tracing Board of the degree .

The usual festive board followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts being interspersed by songs , & e ., and a pleasant evening being spent . The reply to the toast of the Officers was entrusted to the capable Brothers T . T . Hardicker S . W . and C J . Hall J . W ., who acquitted themselves in their usual creditable manner .

LONGSIGHT LODGE , No . 2464 . FT 1 HE regular meeting was held at the Club Rooms , Longsight , on I Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., L ' ro . W . Gadd W . M . There was d , good attendance , among whom we noticed Bros . Aid . Lloyd Higginbottom S . W .,