Everton Lodge, No. 823.

EVERTON LODGE , No . 823 .

rPHE monthly meeting waa held at the Masonic Temple , Liverpool , JL on Wednesday , the 17 th insfc . Present—Bros . J . Moulding W . M ., H . Ashmore S . W ., J . S . Cuthbert J . W ., P . M . Oglesby Sec , AV . J . Lunt P . M . Treas ., AV . Boulton P . M . D . C , T . AVebster S . D ., J . Boyle J . D ., J . Beesley Steward , T . H . Carefull I . G ., Bryan as Org ., AV . H . Ball Tyler ,- Past Masters Bros . Cottrcll , Shaw , Turner ,

AVilson , Hallaud , and a very large attendance of members , with a good muster of Visitors , among whom were—11 . AV . Yclland P . M . 1094 , R . R . Martin P . M . 1094 , R . P . Franco P . M . 591 , John Pomberton P . P . G . Superintendent of AVorks , John Devaynes P . M . 667 , T . Clarke P . M . 673 , J . T . Callow P . M . 675 , S . M . Davies FKEEMASOX ' S CHKOXICT . E , & O . After routine business had been

disposed of , the miuutes of the previous meeting were read ancl confirmed . Tho AVorshipful Master then signified his pleasure to proceed with tho important business before the Locige , viz . tho installation of the AV . M . elect ; consequently , Bros . P . M . ' s Turner and Lunt introduced Bro . Henry Ashmore as tho Brother elected . Bro . J . IToulding addressed the Lodge , and instructed tho

Secretary to put tho customary questions to Bro . Ashmore , which being answered , he was obligated , invested , and installed AVorshipful Master of Everton Ledge , No . 823 , for tho ensuing year . Bro . Ashmore then received tho salutations of tho brethren , aud with the assistance of the I . P . M . invested his Officers as follow : —J . Houlding I . P . M ., J . S . Cuthbert S . W ., T . AVsbstor J . AV ., AV . J . Lunt P . M .

Treas . ( for the eleventh time ; , J . Boyle Sec , T . H . Careful S . D ., J . Beesley J . D ., W . Brassey LG ., R , H . AVebsterS . S ., J . M . King J . S ., Galley and Gotham Assist . Sts ., AV . Boulton P . M . D . C , R . Brongh Org ., AV . H . Ball Ty ler . The charge iu the East was delivered by Bro . AVilson P . M . most impressively , aud that iu N . East by Bro . Cottrcll P . M ., followed by Bro . Uoulding I . l' . M . delivering the final one .

Never probably in the history of tho Craft in this town h ;\ s the beautiful ceremony of installation been more efficiently performed than on this occasion . Tho intense interest exhibited by the crowded gathering ( every seat in the large Hall being occupied ) , and tho gratifying expressions mado use of by all , showed how great an honour each one thought ifc to be present . For our own parfc , wo considered ifc one

of tho most enjoyable ceremonies we ever took parfc in . Availing himself of the proper time , tho AV . M ., in the name of tho Lodge , presented a magnificent P . M . 's jewel to the I . P . M ., as a mark of esteem , and to which Bro . Honldiug is so justly entitled . Bro . Houlding had scarcely returned thanks , when Bro . Henry Hipson

advanced to the East , and with a few telling remarks presented a morocco album to the I . P . M . On this unique testimonial of fraternal regard being opened , it was found to contain , on the inside cover , an address , written by Bro . W . Maddox , and illuminated by Bro . Lowe , which read as follows : —

" Presented to Bro . J . Houlding , as a small token of remembrance of the very impressive manner in which ho conducted tho initiation service of the following eighteen brethren during his term of office as AVorshipful Master of the Everton Lodge . —No . 823 of A . F . and A . M .

" Liverpool , 18 th July 1878 . " The album contained also the photographs , with names , of tho eighteen brethren who had the distinguished honour of being initiated into otirglorious Order by one of the most worthy Masons aud efficient Masters that ever sat in the chair of K . S . Before closing the Lodge , a sum of £ 6 was voted from the funds for a benevolent

purpose , and the business being concluded , the Lodge was closed in solemn form , and the brethren were invited to partake of supper , to which every one did ample justice . On the removal of the cloth , the AVorshipful Master proposed the toasfc of the Queen , which was duly honoured , tho brethren singing the National Anthem . United with the toasfc of our Grand

Master was the Princess of AVales and the Rest of the Royal Family , which was heartily received , the brethren singing God Bless the Prince of AVales . AVithout loss of time , Bro . Ashmore gave our Masonic Rulers supreme and subordinate , and this toasfc being cordially received , Bro . Cottrell rose to propose the health of the newly installed Master . In assuming the responsibility of proposing

what he considered the toasfc of the evening , he did so with great pleasure . Whoever aspires to the exalted position of Master must feel proud of the distinction conferred upon him when he occupies the chair of K . S . Bro . Ashmore is not a stranger to the office he has been elected to fill , * yet , as regards this Lodge , he is . AVe know how he has worked his way np , and how entitled he is to have the

honour of occupying the chair . Unity and concord have been the characteristics of this Lodge , and long may ifc continue so . He then called on them to drink the health of tho AVorshipful Master , Bro . Henry Ashmore . Tho toast was heartily received , and drank with musical honours . After a song from Bro . Callow , the AV . M . rose to respond . The time is advancing , and the brethren aro desirous to

be on their way home to prepare for the morrow ' s picnic , so he would be as brief as possible . He thanked the worthy brother for proposing the toast so kindly , and the brethren for its reception . In coming into the chair after so worthy a Master as their I . P . M ., he could not say anything better than that he should do his best to give as much satisfaction as Bro . Houlding had done . He would rel y

ou the cordial support of the officers and the brethren unitedly . AVith a settled ancl prosperous state of affairs , let us hope we shall enjoy peace and prosperity in our homes and in our Lodge . The AV . M . then said he was pleased to see so many members and visitors present . He was sure thoy had appreciated the excellent manner in

which the installation ceremony had been conducted , and he felt that it had been a great loss to those who did nofc witness the splendid manner in which it was done by Bro , Houlding . He fancied the excellence to which that brother had attained in tha ceremony must feave interfered greatly with his bnsinegs- ftSfJ Perhaps disturbed , hia

Everton Lodge, No. 823.

rest at night ; such proficiency could only be attained by heavy sacrifices , especially as Bro . Houlding has so many calls ou his timo , demanded by his valuable services iu aid of the Stanley Hospital . Without further preface , he would give the health of the Installing Master . The toast was enthusiastically received , and drank with musical honours . Bro . Handford ,

in his usual capital style , favoured tho brethren with a song . The I . P . M . thanked the AV . M . and brethren for the very kind manner iu which his health had been proposed and responded to . It was now twelvemonths since he was elected to fill the chair of this Locige , aud ho did not know an honour that ho appreciated so greatl y , or a position that had given him moro pleasure to fill than tho one ho

had that clay vacated . During his term of office he might sometimes have appeared severe in his ideas of discipline , but for this ho felt consoled by feeling that all his aims had been for the happiness of the brethren and the welfare of tho Lodge , and it is gratifying to . know , at tho expiration of the year , that ho had the thanks of tho Locige . In being consigned from the active post of AV . M . to thafc

of P . M ., he felt a feeling somewhat akin to Othello ' s when ho felt " his occupation gone . " At the same timed he trusted ho might not fall into tho " sear and yellow leaf . " In the future , as in the past , he hoped to bo of service to tho Lodge , aud should ever manifest the same interest for its welfare . He was also pleased to recognise tho noble spirit of unanimity thafc had pervaded tho Lodgo . During tho year

thoy had carried out tho grand principles of brotherly love , relief and truth . Our esteemed Brother theu gave some interesting particulars of what had been done for the Stanley Hospital Charity , whereby a surplus of £ 4 , 200 had been realised , aud having again expressed his thanks resumed his seat amid tho applause of the brethren . Tho Past Masters were next toasted . All tho members knew how deeply

they had the lovo of the Craft afc heart , and all are aware how well they support the Master . In fact all profit by and arc indebted to their good work . Tho toast was warmly received . Here Bro . King kindly favoured tho brethren with a song , aud Bro . Boulton , as tho oldest Past Master present , said it devolved on him to respond to the toast proposed by tho W . M . and so heartily received by them all .

Ho felt groat pleasure in responding , as ho was sure thafc all Lodges owe , in a great measure , their success and prosperity to those who have had the rospousibilty of governing . He could look back to the childhood of this Lodge , and see the difference between now and then . The large number of members here to-day must be a guarantee that we have attained the full stature of Masonic excel .

lence . We can now teach others what we once were glad to learn , and we can extend sympathy and support to branch Lodges that strike out from the Everton . He should always feel proud of the distinction of being a Past Master of the Everton , and as long as he was among them his services were at their disposal . Bro . Shaw P . M . proposed the next toast . If the time should ever come , that we have

no Visitors to toast in the Everton Lodge , something must go wrong . He felt thafc visiting brethren contributed greatl y to our pleasure ancl harmony . By their presence we perceive fraternal regard exhibited , and brotherly love was fostered . AVe extend to one and all our unbounded hospitality and most cordial greeting . The toasfc waa most enthusiastically drunk , with musical honours . Bro . Devaynes

P . M . 667 said he would not inflict on the brethren a long speech , bufc would heartily thank the Lodge for according such genuine hospitality . Other brethren followed , each and all expressing the delight they had experienced from being present on such an important occasion . The AV . M . next honoured the Oflicers of the Lodge ; he thought the selection which had been made would give every ° satis .

faction . The toast met with favour , and the S . W . replied , after which the I . P . M . rose . The last toast reminded him of a duty he owed to the Officers , and ho took this opportunity of thanking them for the kind and able manner in which they had aided him during his Mastership . The AV . M . rose to propose the last toast : In all well regulated Lod

ges tho absent brethren are not forgotten , ho asked the brethren to drink the toast in the warmest manner . After a response from . Bro . Callow , a few more songs and an animated chat ushered the time for the concluding toast ; after which the brethren dispersed , highly delighted with the proceedings of the day , ancl looking for . ward to the morrow with hope and pleasure .

On Thursday , the 18 th inst ., the members of the Everton Lodge assembled , with their lady friends , at the AVoodside Station , Birken . head , where a special train , per G . AV . Railway , was waiting to convey them to the place de rendevzous . Punctually the train started afc 9 * 45 , and after a clear run reached Chester . After a short stoppage the party steamed away through a lovel y country to their destination , and soon reached the pretty little Station of Gresford . Alighting

from the train , the party commenced the round of pleasures of the day . Tho short hill leading to the old village of Grosford was soon surmounted , and the Griffin Inn was taken possession of ( so to speak ) as a convenient depository for shawls , overcoats , umbrellas , and such liko tiresome , but withal sometimes indispensable requisites for an " out . " The venerable old Parish Church was the first

object visited . By the kind permission of the vicar it had been opened for the inspection of the tourists . This ancient structure , so lull of artistic , architectural , and historical interest , was greatly admired by all . After visiting the churchyard , and gazing in astonishment at the prodigious yew trees , all assembled within tho sacred precincts , and sang with heart and voice" The Old Hundredth "

, By 12 o ' clock the party had reached the camping ground , which was situated on an elevated table land , commanding a magnificent landscape view ; here a tent was erected , with two rows of tables , joined at the farther end by a short one extending across the width . On tho tables at proper distances wero placed some fine salmon . vith

. every adjunct to tempt the appetite . The tables were decorated with bouquets , which sorely tried many a brother who had a fair tempter by his side . The tables were amply supplied with fruit , consisting of grapes , cherries , currants , and strawberries . After the courge of flsb j cama cold meats , seyyed with , jba ^ dance of h ^ t ,