Reports Of Meetings.

Mason , and promised that anything which he could do for the Lodge or the Brethren generally would be done with the greatest of pleasure . _ _ . Bro . Whittaker remarked that he was very pleased to have joined the Brotherhood of Masons , having long felt a great desire to do so . He _ hoped that he would he able to hold strictly to his vows , and if at any time he could render assistance , would be glad to do so when called upon . The toast of the Past Masters , proposed by Bro . Dr . E . E . Jones S . W ., was responded to by Bros . Adshead , Greenup , and William Jones . Other toasts followed .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

BOROUGH LODGE , No . 2589 . AMONG the most pleasurable functions it has been our privilege to attend this year was the installation festival of this young and flourishing Lodge , which was held on Wednesday , 18 th inst ., at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , and was attended by a larger number of members and visitors than usual .

Bro . A . Atkin W . M . presided , and was supported by the following Officers : Bros . W . Boots I . P . M ., H . Bulpitt S . W . W . M .-elect , R . Bolt P . M . acting J . W ., John Hattersley P . M . P . P . J . G . W . Bucks Treas ., J . ODea P . M . Sec , J . A . Cannon S . D ., W . Pottinger P . M . P . G . S . B . Bucks J . D ., W . E . Hill D . C , W . J . Waterman Organist , 0 . J . Fordham and T . Smith Stewards , and J . Harding P . M . Tyler .

Among others present were Bros . 0 . King , A . Butler , A . Payne , T . Woodbury , A . Grove , J . Sullivan , J . Jennings , W . Fullerton , E . T . Coules , C . Hunt , H . Bolton , A . Brown , A . Sullivan , W . Copoland , J . Hunt , G . Wood , and other ? . The Visitors included Bros . A . Higgins 1563 , J . E . Pearce 765 , R . Salter P . M . 79 , W . Beavis P . M . 879 , T . F . Quelch 1348 , W . Lay ton 1178 , F . W . Field 1348 , H . Harper P . M . 879 , J . Stanton ( " South London Chronicle '' ) , F . Gale , J . Wynman , A . Mearing P . M . 79 , J . Fortescue 1563 , and numerous others .

The Lodge being formed the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The report of the Audit Committee was received , showing the Lodge to he in a sound financial position . Now came the event of tbe year , the installation of Bro . Henry William Bulpitt as Worship ful Master . He was presented to the presiding Officer by I . P . M . Bro . Boots , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations in the usual manner . A strong Board of Installed Masters was formed , he was elevated to the proud position of ruler of the Lodge , and received hearty congratulations .

The junior Brethren were then admitted , and saluted the new Master in the several degrees , after which Bro . Bulpitt proceeded to invest his assistant Officers for the year , as follow : Bros . J . A . Cannon S . W ., W . Pottinger P . M . P . G . S . B . Bucks J . W ., J . Hattersley P . M . P . P . J . G . W . Bucks Treas ., J . O'Dea P . M . Secretary , W . J . Waterman Org ., W . Boots P . M . D . C , W . E . Hill S . D ., J . Youldon P . M . P . P . D . C . Surrey J . D ., T . Smith I . G ., 0 . J . Fordham , A . T . Brown and 0 . Hunt Stewards , James Harding P . M . Tyler .

Bro . Roots made a perfect Director of Ceremonies , whilst Bro . A . Atkin displayed great care and capability in presenting the working tools to the Master , and delivering the three addresses at the conclusion of the work of installation . His delivery was both eloquent and impressive .

BRO . H . W . BULPITT ,

W . M . OF THE BOROUGH LODGE , No . 2589 . ¦ ' * '• The new W . M . took an early opportunity of expressing , in the most complimentary terms , the very great pleasure it afforded him to present to his predecessor in the chair the Past Master ' s jewel provided by the Lodge , and in doing so he tendered the good wishes of the Brethren to Bro . Atkin , feeling they were so well deserved . He and they sincerely hoped Bro . Atkin would live to wear the jewel for many years , in good health , amongst them . It was inscribed as follows ;

Metropolitan.

Presented by the Brethren of the Borough Lodge , No . 2589 , to BBO . A-M-BED ATKIN , for hia able services as W . M . January 1898-99 .

Bro . Atkin , in a few , but highly appreciative words , thanked the W-M . and Brethren for their handsome present . When he looked upon the jewel they had been good enough to give him it would call to his remembrance tha many happy moments he had spent in their company as Worshipful Master of the Lodge . He heartily greeted them , and said he was pleased to regard the jewel as an evidence that he . had given satisfaction during his year of office . As I . P . M .. ha hoped to contm-uo to win their approval during the

coming one . The ballot was now taken on behalf of Mr . John Thomas Holt , a candidate for initiation , and being unanimous in his favour that gentleman was admitted , and the new Master began his actual work in the chair , conferring the first step in Freemasonry on the candidate in an impressive manner , absolutely without the slightest hitch . Four gentlemen were proposed for initiation at the next meeting .

Bro . Atkin I . P . M . informed the Brethren that a member was compelled to tender his resignation of the Lodge , owing to unforseen circumstances , and he proposed that the sum of ten guineas be voted from the Lodge to that Brother . The Treasurer Bro . Hattersley seconded the proposition , saying it was a deserving case , and that the Lodge had sufficient funds available to meet the special grant , which was unanimously agreed to .

The labours of the evening-being now ended , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where one of those reoheroho dinners for which this establishment is famous was provided by Brother Callingham , that well known Mason personally supervising the arrangements , whilst Bro . G . H . Barber , the Manager , ably assisted , being most attentive to the requirements of the company .

In due course the W . M . proposed the toast of the Queen and the Craft , followed by that of the Grand Master of England , while Bro . Hattersley Treasurer gave that of the other rulers of our Order . Bro . Atkio . I . P . M . next rose , saying he had ouce more the " treacherous weapon " in his hand , but it was with the greatest delight he assumed the gavel on this occasion , as it was to give the toast of the evening , the health of the Worshipful Master Brother Bulpitt—one of the founders of the Lodge .

The present Worshipful Master had excelled himself in the way in which he had invested his Officers , and performed the first ceremony oi his year , 'the initiation of Bro . Holt . His work had been a credit , alike to the Master and the Lodge , and not only to them alone , but also to Bros . O'Dea and Boots , Preceptors of different Lodges of Instruction wherein Bro . Bulpitt had

acquired his Masonic knowledge . The speaker felt that under the direction of the present Master the Lodge would go on and prosper as it had done in the past , and with such feelings he had no hesitation in calling on the members of the Lodge and their visitors to honour the toast—health , prosperity , long life and happiness to the Worshipful Master ; whioh sentiment was heartily pledged by all present .

The W . M ., who again received an ovation on rising to respond , thanked the Brethren one and all for their cordial reception . But , he said , speech making was utterly beyond his power , and was quite unusual with him . He knew , however , that he would have the cordial assistance of the Past Masters and Offices of the Lodge in the work before him , and hoped to manage affairs to their satisfaction . He felt far more at home in the Lodge room than in the chair at the banquet table , because work was more in his

sphere than refreshment , but he wonld endeavour to do his duty in both , and faithfully follow the good example set him hy his predecessors . It was with the greatest of pleasure he accepted the important office of Master of the Lodge , and he intended to act up to the good advice and lessons he had received . He knew he had a trying duty to fulfil , and if he failed they would have the consolation of knowing he had done his very best with the ability at his command , a sentiment received with hearty applause .

Bro . Boots P . M . made a telling speech in proposing the health of the Installing Master Bro . Atkin , who , he said , had been a worthy upholder of the dignity of the chair of the Borough Lodge during the past year . He was extremely pleased to have him now sitting in a position where he might enjoy that well earned rest which came to all Past Masters . He felt sure , however , that whatever assistance Bro . Atkin could render to the Lodge in the future would be most willingly and quickly given .

Bro . Atkin tendered his thanks to Bro . Roots for the hearty proposition of the toast , and to the Brethren for receiving the same in so cordial a manner . He desired to thank the Officers of the past year most sincerely for the able assistance they had rendered him . He felt that without such cordial support as they had accorded he could not possibly have had so successful a term of office . He also most heartily thanked the members for

the handsome Past Master's jewel they had presented him that evening , and hoped to wear it among them for many years to come . Whatever he could do for the Lodge he would most cheerfully undertake , and they had only to call upon him to find him most willing to give all the assistance in his power . Once again he most sincerely and heartily thanked them one and all .

Bro . O'Dea was called upon by the Worshipful Master to give the toast of the initiate . He said it afforded him great pleasure to respond to tbe call , although why he should have b * jen selected for the honour he could not tell . He first impressed on the Initiate ol the evening the necessity of being most cautious in all matters relating to Freemasonry , and then pointed out the importance of attending Lodges of Instruction if he desired to reach a position similar to that occupied by the present Worshipful Master—which was a position of honour , only to be gained by study , patience and

perseverance . He spoke of Bro . Smith , who had that evening been presented with the collar of Inner Guard , and who was only admitted a member three years ago—his case was an evidence that practice made perfect . He felt the initiate had evinced sufficient interest in the ceremony of the evening to show that he was impressed , and he hoped—as he felt would be the casethat their new member would become a worthy Brother amongst them . He asked , the Brethren to show their endorsement of his remarks by a hearty reception of the toast , which was done .

Bro . Holt replied , tendering thanks for his admission into the Lodge , and for the kind remarks of Bro . O'Dea in proposing the toast of his health . He pledged himself to remember all that had been so kindly pointed out to him that day , and he hoped in time to come to prove to the Brethren tbat they had not done wrong when they placed so much confidence in him as to receive him as a Brother in thoir midst .

Bro . Pottinger J . W . gavo the toast of the Visitors , saying that the Borough Lodge was always pleased to seo visitors , who might rest sure that they would receive a most hearty welcome .