Instruction.

in all sincerity that I do not appreciate your compliment the less from the fact that 1 feel to have in some degree deserved it . I have done all I can or could to promote the success of this meeting , and I feel very great pleasure in doing it , but really I must tell you that it has occupied

a great deal of time and attention and caused me some anxiety , but I am amply repaid by the very cordial manner in which yon have received me . I assure you that the success of this meeting and the lodge is my great desire , my hobby , if you will . I may tell you that I joined this lodge

of Instruction the evening after I was initiated in 1839 , Some young Masons have appeared since then , but I have grown old , bat even now I do assure you that I enjoy the Lodge of Instruction beyond all else in Masonry . I cannot

tell you anything fresh on these occasions , I can only return you my thanks , and so I will only repeat the old history , that the Stability Lodge is the oldest working Lodge of Instruction in London . It was founded in the year 1817 , somewhere about the time when the- two Grand

Lodges , the Ancient and the York , were united , under his late H . R . H . the Dtikc of Sussex . It was presided by Bros . Philip Brodwick , Thornton , Herder , and several others , in connection with the Rev . Hemmings , and was under the management of Bro . P . Robb , till he left London .

When Peter Thompson , became Instructor , and held the office till his death in 1851 , when I succeeded him . During that time I have done all I could to promote its interest , and I don ' t think I have failed ; indeed with so brilliant a meeting before me I can have

no doubt upon the subject . As there are many brethren here to-day for the first time , I will repeat what I have so often said before , that this Lodge of Instruction meets from the last Friday in September to the last Friday in April , and that if they will come I shall have much

happiness to receive them . Some of my friends may laugh at me for saying it , but I will state the plain fact that we meet at the Guildhall Tavern , and we pay for the use of the rooms we meet in a rent for the period . We give the Tyler

2 s . 6 ~ d . each night for his attendance ; all that is left goes to the Masonic charities , and I wish that particularly understood . Bro . Muggeridge concluded by again thanking the brethren for their kind reception of him , and resumed his seat amidst loud and continued cheerinc . " The

Health of the Chairman , Bro . Col . Burdett , ' was proposed by Bro . Scrivens , and in replying Col . Burdett remarked upon the happiness of his lot as Prov . Grand Master for Middlesex , in having to preside over lodges in which Masonry was

well understood and well worked . This he said was far from being the case in some parts of the country he had visited , where ignorance of the mere ceremonies was by far more general than London Masons could well invsrine . He then

proceeded to propose "The Health of the working brethren , who had so abl y assisted Bro . Muggeridge , and dilated upon the excellence of their working . " The Sister Lodge of Instruction" and " The Masonic Charities" were also proposed and heartily responded to , and this

large meeting dispersed after a very gratifying evening . Besides the songs above referred to Bro . Ransford sang his famous song " The Oak and the Ivy , " and the following compositions were also sung , the whole being executed in

brilliant style—Glee " King Canute" by Macfarren ; Lever ' s Irish Ballad " Father Molloy , " " Mary of Argyle , " and " Willie brewed , " from which our readers will see that there was no lack of excellent music .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

GIBRALTAR . —St . John ' s Chapter ( No . 115 ) . —Another gathering , of no less importance than many former ones , has just been celebrated b y the Fraternity on the Rock , and another Royal Arch Chapter has been added to the list . The non-existence of a chapter workingin the Spanish

language was felt as a want that deprived many brethren from obtaining this important degree . It was accordingly determined , with this object , to " obtain a diploma , and the necessary steps were taken for the purpose . The companions , members of this new chapter , and those of the

Royal Arch.

other chapters , were invited to meet in the rooms of the St . John ' s Lodge , to which the chapter is attached . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Comps . Morgan , Carver , J . Haynes , and Wall , and the following companions were installed as Principals : —G . Cavana , P . Z .,

H . Morgan , P . Z . ; J . Henry , P . Z . ; Comps . Clavaresso and J . Haynes being appointed as E . and N . Of a chapter opened under such favourable auspices , it is not saying too much to predict its fulfilling the mission required of all lodges and chapters .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

GIBRALTAR . —rEttropa Chapter Rose Croiv . — The members of this chapter assembled on the 24 th ult ., for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year . 111 . Pr . Henry being almost unanimously elected to fill the . chair of M . W . S ., was at once installed , P . M . W . III . Pr . Gilbard , kindly acting as installing officer . The

M . W . then , proceeded to appoint the following 111 . Pes , to fill the various offices : —111 . Pr . M . W . Gilbard , Prelate ^ , HI . Pr . R . Hepper , Sen . Gen . ; A . Patterson , Jun . Gen . ; F . Haynes , Raphael ; Elmes , G . ; Marshal , Wall , Treas . and Recorder ; Trenerry , Captain of Lines ; Relle , Organist ; Weir , Herald ; Peterkin , Equerry .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

LIVERTOOL . —Skelmersdale Conclave ( No . 77 ) . —An assembly of the Skelmersdale Conclave of the Knights of Rome , and of the Red Cross of Constantine , was held at the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , Liverpool , on Monday , the 6 th inst ., the principal business being the installation

of approved candidates ,, the election ofM . P . S ., Viceroy , and Treasurer , and the appointment of auditors . There was a goodly muster of the Sir Knights Companions of the ancient and noble order . After the Knights had taken their several stations in the Conclave Chamber , the

proceedings were solemnly opened b y Em . Sir Knight Henry Nelson , M . P . S ., supported by Sir Knights J . T . Callow , V . E . ; Jesse Banning , S . G . ; W . Cotterell , J . G . ; Henry Jackson , H . P . ; Thomas Ashmore , Past Sov ., Treasurer ; John McCarthy , Recorder ; J . Rose , S . P . ; J .

Skeaf , J . P . ; W . Carbin , S . B . ; H . Morris , Orator ; C Leighton , Org . ; W . Quayle , Herald ; and P . Ball , Sentinel . The members of the Conclave present were Sir Knights W . H . Cooper , E . Clements , J . Clatworthy , J . Dawson , T . Large , R . H . Evans , J . T . Russell , J .

Atkinson , J . Lolley , J . S . Kelly , H . Burrows . W . Matthews , and Joseph Wood ( Treas . of No . 55 Conclave ) . The only visitor present was Sir Knight J . Kelly , No . 55 . After the conclave had been duly opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bro . Charles Munro , of the Everton Lodge

No . 823 . was ballottcd for , elected , and installed in accordance with the impressive ceremonial of the Order , each of the officers doing his work in a most satisfactory manner . The election was then proceeded with , and the following nominations were unanimously adopted by the members of the conclave : —Em . Sir Knight J . T . Callow ,

M . P . S . elect ; Sir Knight W . Cotterell , Viceroyelect ; and Sir Knight T . Ashmore , P . S . re-elected Treasurer ; Sir Knights R . H . Evans , and T . Large were appointed Auditors . The conclave was then closed in harmony , and the assembled Knights adjourned to refreshment . COCKERMOUTII . —Dyke ' s Conclave ( No . 36 ) . — A conclave in connection with the above was held

on Wednesday week , at the Masonic Rooms , Market-place , Cockermouth . There were present Em . Sir Knight R . Robinson , M . P . Sov . on the throne ; Em . Sir Knight J . Pearson , Eusebius ; Em . Sir Knight W . Taylor , Senior General ; Em . Sir Knight J . R . Tickle , Junior General ; Em . Sir Knight H . Dodgson , Treas . ; Sir Knights

W . Armstrong , Junior Prefect ; R . Bonley , Almoner ; W . Shilton , D . of C ; W . F . Lamonby , Orator ; W . Potts , Sentinel ; H . Moncrieff , T . Maudale , J . Gardiner , D . Titterington , Stephen Thwaite , J . Abbott , F . R . Banks , and W . H . Fickle . The conclave having been opened in form , the minutes of the precsding meeting were

Red Cross Of Constantine.

read by Sir Knight Orator , in the absence , ( through dangerous illness of his daughter ) of Em , Sir Knight T . F . Taylor , Recorder , and on being put to the conclave , were duly confirmed . Two brothers were next installed Knights of the Order , viz . : —¦ Bros . W . H . Leuthwaite , W . M .

Skiddaw Lodge , Cockermouth , 1002 ; and W . Beeby , Chaplain Lodge of Perseverance , Maryport , 337 . Subsequently the bye-laws of the conclave were read by the acting Recorder , and then then the Sir Knights proceeded to the election of a Sovereign , Viceroy , and Treasurer , for the

ensuing twelve months , the installation taking place at the next conclave in July . Upon ballots being successively taken , Sir Kni ght George M . Tickle , of Marypott , was unanimously elected Sov . Sir Knight Edward Ablett , M . D ., of Whitehaven , Viceroy , and Sir Knight Thomas Mandale , of Maryport , Treas . This was the

whole of the business , and the conclave was closed in form . Although having only been really twelve months in existence ( the charter being just granted a couple of years previously ) , we are glad to know the Dykes Conclave is in a most flourishing condition , the number of Sir Knights answering the roll call being at the present time 47 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but w ; wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED J

THE MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor oj the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As chairman of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee for nearly ten years , I think it well to add a few notes and offer a few suggestions on the present interesting discussion .

My belief , founded on the personal and practical experience of ten years , is simply this , that we must look for the developement of a more enlarged Charity action in our lodges , to the working of Provincial Charity Committees , and if we wish to obtain a more systematic support of our great Metropolitan Institutions .

As this appears to me to be the simplest and readiest solution of the present controversy , I propose to give your readers the West Yorkshire Provincial Bye Law on the subject . " Bye-Law 55 . There shall be a Committee , to be called the Charity Committee , formed in and for

this province , for the purpose of taking charge of and promoting Masonic benevolence in this province , in connection with the General Masonic Charities , and also for the investigation of all such local claims or applications for relief , as shall be referred to it by the Provincial Grand Master ,

or his Deputy Assistant , or by the Provincial Grand Lodge . " The Charity Committee shall consist of a member from each lodge in the province , such members shall be elected annually on the night of installation of W . M ., and the name and postal

address of such elected member shall be transmitted by the W . M . of each lodge , immediately after such election , to the Provincial Grand Secretary . " By bye-law 56 , the Provincial G-M . and D . P . G . M ., ex-officio President and

Vice-President , respectively " but the Charity Committee shall , " it is added , " for the better transaction of business , elect annually at their first meeting a chairman , and vice chairman to act in the absence of the President and Vice President , and the Charity Committee shall hold a general

meeting of all its members at least once in every year , and shall present to each annual Provincial Grand Lodge , a report of its proceedings , a return of the annuitants , and widows and children belonging to this province .

Now the effect of this West Yorkshire Charity Committee has been to stimulate remarkably , in that important province , the zeal of the brethren , and to arouse their sympathies in the cause of the Masonic Charities .

Since its foundation up to the present time , something like 14 years , it has been instrumental in obtaining for the Great Masonic Charities , including two perpetual presentations to the Boys' School , the not inconsiderable amount in round numbers of little short of £ 15 , , if it has