East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational And Benevolent Institution.

EAST LANCASHIRE SYSTEMATIC MASONIC EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual general meeting of this Institution was held at Freemasons Hall , Manchester , on Friday afternoon , the 22 nd ult ., Bro . C . D . Cheetham , P . S . G . W ., presiding . He was supported by Bros . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , Deputy Prov . Grand Master ; James Newton , Prov . G . Sec . ; and a large number of influential brethren of the province . % The following business was transacted : * The circular calling the meeting was read .

A number of letters of apology were read from brethren unable to be present . The minutes of the last half-yearly meeting were read and confirmed . The annual reports of the Finance and Audit and Almoners' Committees were read and adopted . The Treasurer ' s accounts and balance-sheet was adopted .

Fifteen brethren , being donors or subscribers , were elected upon the General Committee . The Deputy Prov . G . M .. on behalf of the Prov . G . M ., appointed five brethren upon the General Committee . The thanks of the meeting were voted to the General Committee , Sub-Committees , and Almoners' Committee for their valuable services during the

past year . The thanks of the meeting were voted to Bro . William Jaffrey , Treasurer , for his services during the past year , and he was unanimously re-elected . The thanks of the meeting were voted to Bro . N . A . Earle , Honorary Secretary , for his services , he being also re-elected .

•Bro . A . H . Smith , Honorary Medical Officer , was also re-elected , after the thanks of the meeting had been voted to him for his services . The Finance and Audit Committee were then elected . A cordial and unanimous vote of thanks was given to Bro . C . D . Cheetham , Chairman , and Bro . T . J . Hooper , Vice-Chairman of the General Committee .

Bro . C . D . CHEETHAM , in replying on behalf of Bro . T . J . Hooper and himself , thanked the brethren most heartily for the very enthusiastic vote of thanks , and in a very able speech adjured all the brethren present to work most indefatigably to ensure the success of the Festival , which is to be held in June next on behalf of the Institution , and to commemorate in a lasting

manner the memory of the late Prov . G . Master , Bro . Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , by purchasing a Perpetuity in the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . It was resolved to publish the proceedings of the meeting , and send a copy of the same lo every member of the province . The meeting then closed .

Instruction.

Instruction .

BRONDESBURY LODGE , No . 269 S . The usual weekly meeting was held on Monday , the 25 th ult ., at the Earl Derby , Kilburn , when there weie present Bros . Woods , W . M . ; P . M . Gawthrop , S . W . ; J . Lewis , J . W . ; J . Horstead , S . D . ; E . Cowley , J . O . ; W . Buck , l . G . ; A . F . Hardyment , P . M ., Preceptor ; T . Bore , W . M ., Sec ; A . E . Spiegel , P . M . ; H . Willsmer , Palmer , Grover , Butler , Haigrnire , and Smith .

1 he lodge was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Palmer being the candidate . The 2 nd Section of the First Lecture was worked by the W . M ., assisted by the brethren . The S . W . was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation , after which the ledge was closed .

WESTBOURNE LODGE . No . 733 . DOUBLE PRESENTATION . . A meeting was held on the 19 th ult ., at the Oliver Arm 5 Hotel , Westbourneterrace , North Paddington . Present : Bros . C . E . Lillv , W . M . 733 , W . M . j W . Hallett , P . M . 733 , S . W . ; H . H . Baynall , J . W . ; G . Weaner , P . M . 733 , Treas . ; H . E . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . S . G . D . Essex , Preceptor ; G . D . Moglord , P . M . 23 C 2 , Sec ; E . Thomas , S . D . ; F . Beesley , J . D . ; E . J . Potter , l . G . ; T . Mogford ,

P . M . ; R . Knight , P . M . ; W . H . Handover , P . M . ; K . Barnes , U . Uaddard , A . H . Tapling , W . Weiffenbach , F . Chidley , F . J . Middleton , and G . A . Newman . . Ledge having beenopened , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second and Third Degrees , and the ceremony of installation was rehearsed . The lodge being resumed to the First Djgree as required , the W . M , rose the first time , and addressed the brethren as follows : I have now to discharge a singularly pleasant task—a pleasure which will be shared by every member of the Westhere willbelieve

bourne Lodge of Instruction . The success which has been attained , I , be admitted by everyone , and it is no exaggeration to assert that the teaching of our Masonic ritual is done in a way that reflects the highest credit on our Preceptor . The work of a Preceptor is not altogether a bed of roses , for he has fiirst of all never to be absent , and while here his undivided attention must be given to whatever ceremony which is being done , so as to pick up any thread that may be missing , in addition to which he has to explain any query which a brother may ask . Then it sometimes happens

that a brother may differ , and even contest the ruling , when , only by tact and good feeling , ihe harmonious spiritof the lodge is sustained . These are qualifications which in the highest dtgiee have been attained by our Bro . Preceptor Dehane . Now for a moment I must turn to the Secretarial part of our lodge of instruction , which has been so efficiently and ably carried out by Bro . Mogford , P . M ., and to whom much of the credit is due for having brought this lodge of instruction to its present high standard of perfection . We have , therefore , thought the time has come when some recognition

should be made to those two excellent brethren . Bro . Dehane , P . M ., I have the greatest pleasure in presenting you with this tankard , which you must accept with best wishes that you may live many years to enjoy its use . You , too , Bro . Mogford , P . M ., I have to present , also in the name of the lodge of instruction , with a similar one , and our heartiest wish is that you may be spared for many years to carry on your work , which we all know to be a labour of love . ( Cheers . ) Uro . Dehane , in responding , expressed his gratitude for the consideration and

attention the brethren had always paid to him since he had been Preceptor , going on nine or 10 years , the presentation just made to him would always be valued as a reminder of the good wishes of the brethren . It is certainly a proud position to have the goodwill and affection of those with whom one is brought into almost daily contact and he felt he was among those whose allegiance to him as a Preceptor he certainly could depend upon . This was not the first time he had had the honour of receiving a

testimonial , as he had also been honoured by his country for services in another sphere of life . The kind words the W . M . had just spoken to him he valued as coming from a sincere friend . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Mogford then responded and alluded to the late Bro . Rogers and his exertions for the lodge of instruction . He , for his own part — certainly as long _ as _ he remained Secretary—would still continue to do his utmost in carrying out his duties , so as to give

Instruction.

satisfaction to the brethren ; it was a labour of love , and one that he thoroughly enjoyed , in trying to benefit his fellow Masons to the best of his ability . The mark of esteem just conferred upon him touched him deeply , and he should value their gift ' as long as he lived , and trusted when his sons looked upon it they would be spurred to make themselves good Masons and good citizens . The W . M . was kind enough to refer to him with that brotherly affection and geniality he knew so well how to do , and he thanked them all from the bottom of his heart . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . rose the second and third times , and after " Hearty good wishes " the lodge was closed .

WEST SMITHFIELD LODGE , No . 1623 . The present W . M . of the Sterndale Bennett Lodce , No . 21 S 2 , is not only a staunch supporter of the above , but also a true and hard-working Mason in general , and as there is not a lodge of instruction attached to his lodge , the West Smithfield brethren extended to the brethren of Sterndale Bennett Lodge a cordial invitation , in fact leaving all the various offices on Wednesday , the 20 th ult ., at _ their disposal . The gathering , therefore , on that night was very unique , and there being in all 24 brethren present , it

was likewise a very successful one . Bro . Thomas Powell , W . M ., occupied the chair , assisted by Bros . Chas . Eth . Smith , S . W . ; Horace Reynolds . J . W . ; Hy . Knight , S . D . ; A . C . Rogers , J . D . ; Edwin Palmer , l . G . ; F . Dixon , C . Spencer West , FreQ . W . Trotter , W . Goldsmith , and Chas . Strong , all of 21 S 2 ; F . P . Weinel , P . M ., Preceptor ; J . Hoffmann , Hon . Sec ; C A . Barter , W . M . 1623 ; J . F . Rumball , P . M . ( late Sec . ); and the following brethren : Bros . S . van Royen , A . Metcalf , Henrv King , James Brown , Geo . Wallace Allen , J , R . L . Daish ( host ) , Alf . Hales , A . E .

Sayer , and Joseph Kent . The lodge was duly opened with solemn prayer at seven p . m ., and after the minutes had been read and confirmed , the ceremonies of initiation and passing were rehearsed , Bro . C . A . Barter being the candidate for the former , and Bro . F . Dixon for the latter ; and let it be said that the ceremonies could not have been worked with greater efficiency , nor the ancient charge been tendered more perfectly and impressively . Bro .

Fred . Wm . Trotter then worked the 2 nd Sectionlof the First Lecture , assisted by the brethren .. Bros . Rogers , Palmer , Spencer West , Trotter , Dixon , and Allen were unanimously elected joining members of this lodge of instruction , and after the W . M . 21 S 2 had proposed a vote of thanks to the West Smithfield brethren for kindly vacating all offices for No . 21 S 2 on that evening , cordially seconded by Bro . Chas . Eth . Smith , the lodge was closed .

ENFIELD LODGE , No . 1237 . The annual festival of this flourishing lodge was held at the Rose and Crown , Edmonton , on the 20 th ult ., at which , notwithstanding the severity of the weather , a goodly number of the brethren were present . The chair was occupied by Bro . W . Hibberdine , W . M . 1237 , and the vice-chair by Bro . H . W . Dobb , W . M . 1579 . There were also present Bros . H . Woodley , P . M .

1237 , Preceptor ; A . G . 1 'idler , P . M . 1237 , Ireas . ; J . Marshall , b . D . 1237 , Sec . ; 1 . H . Thompson , P . M . 1237 ; A . Bryant , P . M . 1237 ; J . M . Dexter , P . M . 1237 ; E . J . Everdell , P . M . 1579 ; J . Graham , P . M . ; G . Richards , P . M . ; E . W ; Mackney , P . M . 134 ; G . Gange , S . W . 1237 ; J . H . Kirby , S . W . 1579 ; F . G . Lacey , I . G VI 237 ; J . H . Meyers , 1237 ; J . Tallant , 1237 ; J . H . Rowland , 1237 ; B . W . Binstead , 1237 ; A . E . Hall , 212 ; A . Caiger , and others .

After an excellent banquet , the Chairman gave the toast of "The King and the Craft , " and in a few well-chosen words spoke of the prosperity the Craft had enjoyed for so many years under his rule as their Grand Master , and felt confident that as " Protector of British Freemasonry " he would take the same interest in their welfare as he had always done . In proposing the toast of " The Neighbouring Lodges , " the Chairman mentioned

that it had always been the custom at their annual festival for the W . M . of the Enfield Lodge to preside , and the W . M . of a neighbouring lodge to support him . He was pleased to see Bro . Dobb , W . M . of the St . James' Lodge , in the vice-chair that evening . Thete had always been a true fraternal feeling between the brethren of the two lodges , and he thought they were equally represented by their respective members at their weekly meetings . He regretted that the W . M . of the High Cross Lodge was unavoidably absent on the present occasio n .

Bro . Dobb , in responding , thanked the brethren for the hearty manner in which the toast of his health had been received , and cordially teciprocated the sentiments of the Chairman with respect to the friendly feeling existing between the brethren . He might call himself a constant attendant at the lodge , for it was only when prevented by the more pressing emergency of . his public or private avocations that he was not found there . He had attained that position to which all members of lodges aspired , and it was here he had gained that knowledge of Freemasonry , without which no one could occupy the Master ' s chair with credit .

Bro . Bryant , P . M ., then rose and said that as one of the oldest members of the lodge , and a Past Preceptor , he was privileged to perform a very pleasing duty that evening . Bro . Fidler was known to all present ; to some of them he had been known for many years , and to others for a shorter period , but whether longer or shorter , each one had known him long enough to appreciate his good qualities . He was one of the principal founders of the lodge , and one who had taken a most active part in its formation . For iS years he had been their Treasurer , and although the duties of that office

might not be very onerous they certainly were responsible . He ( Bro . Bryant ) had much pleasure in presenting Bro . Fidler , on behalf ot the brethren , with a marble clock , suitably inscribed , as a token of the high esteem in which he was held by them , and in recognition of his services as their Treasurer for the past iS years . Whatever the intrinsic value of the gift might be , they were sure he would value it most for the spirit in which it was given , and prize it as a memorial of the many pleasant hours he had spent with them in that room , and they earnestly hoped it would record the passim ; hours of many a long and happy year to come .

Bro . Fidler thanked Bro . Bryant and the brethren most heartily for the token of their esteem which had just been presented to him . He had done his utmost to deserve their friendship and esteem , and was pleased that any service he had been able to render had met with their approval . They were now entering the 19 th year of the lodge ' s existence , and he trusted it might have a long and useful career . Whatever services he might have in his power to render would be most cheerfully given upon every occasion . As Bro . Bryant had remaiked , their handsome present would be a standing memorial of the hapi . y hours he had spent with the brethren in the past , and he hoped they would all be spared to spend more together in the future .

In proposing " Prosperity to the Lodge , " the Chairman remarked that it was gratifying to see it fixed on so firm a base . It was strongly supported by the Past Masters of the mother lodge , who had , many of them , attended since their entrance into Freemasonry , and were anxious to assist in imparting that instruction to the younger brethren which they themselves received . Bro . Thompson , P . M ., briefly responded on behalf of the founders of the lodge .

In responding to the toast of "The Officers , " Bro . Woodley , P . M ., Preceptor , observed that he had held office some years , and had endeavoured to discharge his duties to the best of his ability . That he had succeeded in giving satisfaction to the brethren was evinced by the hearty reception they had given him on his return to the lodge after an absence caused by a severe illness . He could assure them that if they would only attend regularly , they would always find him at his post unless prevented by

some unavoidable circumstance . _ Ihe assurance that many of the brethren had profited under his tuition amply repaid him for any ttouble or inconvenience which the office of Prtceptor necessarily entailed . " Our Host" concluded the lists of toasts , and was responded to by Bro . Marshall . The musical arrangements , superintended by Bro . Kirby , were all that could be de ; iied . Among those who contributed to the harmony of the evening were our old friend , Bro . Mackney , who appears to have renewed his youth , and Bro . Caiger , whose performance on the glassophone was so highly appreciated that he was repeatedly called for . Excellent service was also done by Bros . Graham , Richards , and Kirby .

STAR CHAPTER , No . 1275 . The weekly cocvccation was held at the Stilling Castle , Church-stteet , CambtrweU on Friday , the 22 nd ult ., when there were present Comps . J . Block , M . E . Z . ; F . Swin ford Smith , H . ; H . C . Turner , ! . ; Thos . Grummant , P . Z ., Preceptor ; Chas . Hy Stone , P . Z ., S . E . ; W . Smith , S . N . ; Pusey , P . S . ; Barker , J . H . Cureton , P . Z . Wm . Dawson , P . Z . ; and S . J , Frampton .