Seventh Annual Dinner Of The Perseverance Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1743.

properly qualify himself in the working of the ceremonies . He was a most excellent worker , and paying attention to him there on Mondays was one of the best compliments they could pay him , and they would reap the reward of becoming competent workers themselves like Bro . Daunton . He also was initiated by Bro . Poore , and it was , therefore , a special pleasure to him to be in that position to propose bealth and success to their Preceptor .

Bro . POORE , responded , thanking Bro . Newland for his kind remarks . It was perfectly true he did initiate him into Freemaaonry , as well as Bro . Daunton , and he thought he was justified in being proud of his work . He had been rewarded for any assistance he had bestowed on them by seeing them discharge the duties of the W . M . ' s chair in their lodge in a most perfect manner , including the installation of their successors in a way which left nothing to be desired . There were also several other brethren who had done great credit to him as their Preceptor . In concluding , he thanked the brethren for the generous applause with which they received his toast .

Bro . NEWLAND was requested to propose the next toast— " The Treasurer , Bro . A . Collins , and the Secretary . " In doing so , he expressed his pleasure in being able to pay some tribute to the permanent officers of the lodge , for on them largely depended the success of the Institutions . This is , therefore , a most important toast , and one which I hope will be received by you in an appreciative manner . Our Treasurer is an astute man of business , and we have every confidence in him for the proper disbursement of our liabilities and the safe custody of our funds . Brethren , I give you the toast of the Treasurer and Secretary , which was cordially received .

Bro . COLLINS replied to the toast of" The Officers . " He said he was rather a new officer , and was pleased to hear the expressions of Bro . Newland as regards the confidence reposed in him , and the ready manner in which the brethren displayed their approval ; he only hoped the lodge would continue to prosper ; he was willing to do all he could towards that object . The SECRETARY said he was much impressed by the way in which the brethren received the toast , and would not attempt a long speech at the risk of repeating himself and thanked them heartily . " The Visitors " toast was proposed by the CHAIRMAN , and

Was responded to , first , by Bro . T . J . BOLTON , W . M ., saying , I can endorse every word which has fallen from the lips of Bro . Poore ; brethren ought to fit themselves for every office even the hnmble one of W . Stwd . ; he scarcely thought it was in order for him to respond as a visitor , for he had since his invitation by Bro . Milroy become a member , and he intended to avail himself of Bro . Poore ' s tuition , more particularly for the purpose of installing his successor in his lodge—the Rothsay .

Bros . VERDIER , L . WYNNE J ONES , and others suitably responded . The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Perseverance Lodge of Instruction Benevolent Association . " After a song by Bro . Gemmell , Bro . POORE , in the absence of its Secretary , responded , calling the brethren to rally round it and make it one of the most successful of its kind .

The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Dinner Committee and the Musical Entertainers , " which was uuly honoured . The Tyler ' s toast concluded a very pleasant evening .

Centenary Festival Of The Strong Man Lodge Of Instruction, No. 45.

CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE STRONG MAN LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 45 .

The centenary festival of the above lodge of instruction was held on Wednesday , the 7 th ult ,, at the Blue Anchor Tavern , Fenchurch-street , E . C . The chair was taken by Bro . P . Sharpe , P . M . 869 , P . P . G . S . B . Herts , Preceptor , who was ably supported by Bros . W . G . Mills , W . M . 45 , and J . T . Burgess , Sec . 45 About 30 members and visitors were present .

Supper being ended , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and received with fervour . The toast of " The Strong Man Lodge of Instruction " was proposed by Bro . A . D . LANGDON , P . M . 45 . He pointed out that in most Bodies a period of vigorous growth was followed by one of decay . Though they were now over 100 years old , there were no signs of decay , and he looked forward to a long and prosperous career in the future .

Bro . P . SHARPE , P . M . 869 , replied . He was extremely gratified with the manner the toast , with which his name was coupled , had been received . A hundred years afforded good scope for retrospection . What was the Preceptor like then ? Did he ( the speaker ) fulfil his duties as well as his Masonic forefather ? He certainly strove to do so , and the kind feeling evinced by the members led him to believe his labour was not wholly in vain . His Wednesday evenings to the external world were dies non , his place was at his lodge of instruction , his pleasure was in his work there , and he trusted he might be there for many years to come .

The next toast was that of " The Strong Man Lodge , No . 45 , " proposed by Bro . P . SHARPE , P . M . 869 . It was impossible to regard the lodge of instruction and the mother lodge independently . They were bound together by the strongest ties , and the former was mainly supported by the latter . He need not comment on the excellent working of the W . M ., W . M . elect , and officers of the mother lodge , it was well known to all present .

Bro . W . G . MILLS , W . M . 45 ; replied . He keenly felt the benefit derived from the lodge of instruction , and was deeply sensible of the excellent work done by the Preceptor , Bro . Sharpe . He had the good fortune to be assisted by officers who had attended the lodge of instruction , and who worked well in consequence .

Bro . J . CUER , S . W . 45 , also replied . In his transitory state of W . M . elect he knew full well how truly the foregoing words were spoken . He would discharge his duties to the . best of his ability , and he could not over-estimate the assistance of the lodge of instruction , where he had frequently taken the chair . No praise he could bestow would over-estimate the excellent qualities of their Preceptor ,

The toast of " The Officers of the Lodge of Instruction " was proposed by Bro . W . BRIGGS . The lodge of instruction was indeed fortunate to have such a Preceptor and Secretary . The Preceptor , though a keen cricketer and political enthusiast , never allowed those to interfere with his Masonic duties , and the Secretary was the very essence of kindness , always ready to give up his time for the good of Masonry .

Bros . P . SHARPE , P . M , 86 9 , and T . J . BURGESS replied . The toast of " The Visitors " was proposed by Bro . J . BRIGGS . He was glad to see them present that evening , and hoped shortly to call them members . Bros . TOYER , P . M . ; DRIVER , P . M . ; and WOOLI-ORD replied . In the course of the evening the jewels , which bear the date , 7 th April , 1797 , were inspected by the visitors .

Centenary Festival Of The Strong Man Lodge Of Instruction, No. 45.

A musical programme was given by Bros . Tom Taylor , J . Briggs , T . J , Burgess , and Berry . The tasteful menn cards , which bore an excellent portrait of Bro . P . Sharpe , were the gift of Bro . W . Briggs . The meeting was extremely enjoyable and a success from all points of view .

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

A meeting of the General Committee was held on Friday , the 23 rd ultimo . The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . C . D . Cheetham , P . M ., P . G . W . E . L ., was elected Chairman , and Bro . T . J . Hooper , P . M ., P . P . G . T . E . L ., Vice-Chairman . The election of the Relief and Educational Board was next proceeded with , the result being that 18 brethren were re-elected , with addition of two others to fill the places of the late Bros . J . H . Sillitoe and J . T . Hine .

Three petitions for education of children and four for relief of old Freemasons and widows of Freemasons were dealt with and amounts granted accordingly .

The Gallery Lodge, No. 1923.

THE GALLERY LODGE , No . 1923 .

VISIT TO ST . PAUL'S CATHEDRAL . A large number of the members of the Gallery Lodge , No . 1928 , with ladies , paid a most enjoyable visit to St . Paul ' s Cathedral , on Saturday afternoon last . At the installation of the W . M ., Bro . George Tarran , in December last , the Ven . the Archdeacon of London ( Bro . Sinclair , Past Grand Chaplain ) , was one of the guests , and he intimated that he should be glad to show the members of the

Gallery Lodge over St . Paul ' s on any day that might be convenient to them . The W . M ., on behalf of the lodge cordially thanked the Archdeacon for his kind invitation , and suggested that it would be regarded as a great favour if the Archdeacon could extend theinvitation to ladies . Bro . SincIairat oncegraciouslycomplied with the request , with the result that a large number of ladies attended on Saturday .

The party met on the steps at the West entrance to St . Paul ' s Cathedral , at 2 . 30 p . m . The W . M . and Bro . Perkins , P . M ., the Secretary of the lodge , proceeded to the Chapter House , and conducted the Archdeacon to the party . The Archdeacon having pointed out the position that would be taken up by the Queen ' s carriages on the 22 nd June , and given other interesting particulars , the party entered the cathedral , and , at the west end of the nave , the Archdeacon , in a brief introductory address , gave an interesting sketch ot old St . Paul ' s ; also an

outline of the general architectural features of the present building , | and an account of the erection of this grand building , which year by year is becoming more beautiful in its internal decoration . The Archdeacon next pointed out the principal monuments in the nave and on the southern side of the dome , and then conducted the party along the south choir aisle to the magnificent reredos , stopping and giving explanations at all the principal monuments , and pointing out some of the choice stones in the cathedral . The design of the beautifu

reredos was lucidly explained , and the Archdeacon gave an interesting description of Mr . Richard's exquisite mosaics . The party was next taken to the crypt , and here again the Archdeacon's descriptions were most entertaining and instructive , especially his references to the tombs of Sir Christopher Wren , the Duke of Wellington , and Lord Nelson . Afterwards the party proceeded to the whispering gallery and the outside passage round the dome , commanding a good view of the metropolis . By the time a descent was made the four o ' clock evensong had begun , and the party took their seats under the dome and listened to a

beautifullyrendered service . At its conclusion the Archdeacon then met the brethren and ladies at the west end of the cathedral . He had previously explained that owing to the Canon-in-residence ( Canon Newbolt ) having another party in attendance , refreshments , to which he had invited the visitors , would not be served at the Chapter House , as originally intended , but at Evans ' s Restaurant , in St . Paul ' s Churchyard . The Archdeacon accordingly conducted the party thither , where a most hospitable and welcome repast awaited them . It is needless to say that the form which the Archdeacon ' s hospitality took—a well-furnished tea-table—was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated .

Bro . SINCLAIR afterwards gave another briet . but most interesting address , point ing out that the funds of the cathedral came from neither rates nor taxes , but from money which had been left to it . He explained that there never was a time when St . Paul ' s was more used by the public than it was now , and spoke of the reforms which had been carried out during the last 30 years , chiefly the work of the present Dean , Dr . Gregory .

The W . M ., Bro . GEORGE TARRAN , on behalf of the company , expressed their most heartfelt thanks to the Archdeacon ( whom it was their pride and privilege to be able to address as Bro . Sinclair ) , for his great kindness in giving up a whole afternoon to conduct the party over the cathedral , and also for his liberal hospitality . They had experienced that afternoon the great pleasure of being conducted over a grand and historic building , not by the ordinary attendants , who necessarily gave the description in a more or less perfunctory manner , but by an eminent

dignitary of the cathedral , who was well-known for his scholarly attainments , and for his Christian courtesy . Anyone who knew anything of public life must know that one occupying the position of Archdeacon of London must have many calls upon his time , and he ( the W . M . ) knew he was expressing the feelings of all present when he said that they most cordially thanked the Archdeacon for his kindness , in the midst of many engagements , in devoting an afternoon to them , as also for his courtesy , his interesting addresses , and for his hospitality . The ARCHDEACON briefly replied and then retired .

The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by all present , and was considered a very happy new departure in the outings of the Gallery Lodge . Bro . Tarran had a very successful banquet and ladies' night , and he is also to be congratulated on the success of Saturday ' s gathering . The company present included Bro . George Tarran , W . M ., Mrs ., and Miss Tarran ; Mrs . John Jones and Miss Jones ( wife and daughter of Bro . John Jones , S . W . and W . M . elect , 2096 ); Bro . P . W . Husk , I . P . M . ; Bro . S . and Mrs . James 5 Mrs . W . M . Duckworth and Miss Duckworth ; -Bro . W . T . and Mr . Sydney

Perkins ; Bro . I ' . Brodie and Miss Saxby ; Bro . G . H . and Mrs . Ribbons ; Bro . H . L . and Mrs . Bell ; Mrs . Kirby and Miss Ashenden ; Bro . T . and Miss Minstrell and Miss Davis ; Bro . J . C . and Mrs . Duckworth ; Bro . C . and Mrs , Lock ; Bro . E . E . Peacock , Miss F . Peacock , and Miss A . Ross ; Bro . and Mrs . G . E . Saunders ; Bro . T . G . and Miss Scott ; Bro . and Mrs . Alfred F . Robbins , Bro . R . R . and Mrs . Dodds , and Mrs . Lightfoot ; Bro . J . E . C . Lane and Miss Licdley ; Bro . Cornwallis H . Smith ; Bro . W . G . and Mrs . Proudfoot ; Bro . Gordon Hunter ; Bro . and Mrs . G . A . Jones ; Bro . Ernest and Mrs . Hobson j Bro , Ernest and Mrs . Ward ; and Bro . A . and Mrs , Bettany .