Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
FESTIVAL OF THE STABILITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .
The sixty-first anniversary of this celebrated Lodge- cf Instruction , better known perhaps as Bro . Henry * Vfi : ggcridge ' s Lodge of Instruction , was celebrated according to annual custom on the last Friday in April by a festival yesterday week at the Cannon-street Hotel , which ,
notwithstanding what it will be observed by Bro . Muggeridge ' s speech , given below , we cannot help thinking was very well attended . Bro . Muggeridge of course attended , anel the other brethren present \ vere , 'Bros . Frtdk . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D . ; E . II . Hcwelt , S . W . ; R . W . Muggeridge , J . W . ; A . H . Diaper , S . D . ; A . Sack , | . D . ; J . H . Townend , I . G . ; T . White , T . R . Eames , C . ' famine , C . Arkell , E . H
Hewett , E . M . Hubbuck , E . Spooner , Roumicn , Black , H . Watts , J . W . Clever , F . G . Dawson , J . L . C . H . Little , Whitmarsh , H . Carter , G . Tedder , G . Pointing , Giles , C . Arnold , Nettleford , Oilman , Spencer , E . Collard , P . G . Cubitt , J . T . Iliscocks , Wilkinson , J . T . Goodinge , T . James J . Adams Act ^ n , G . F . Gilbey , H . A . J . Norris , Shubrook , Benningfield , Westcott , J . Middleton , F . Brown , J . H .
Townend , G . S . Green , Harrop , Wcstmoor , E . L . Home , J . Perkins , Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; F . C D . Fenn , H . Birelseye , J . Winkfield , J . Paddle , L . Mills , Franks , Sibley , Tattershall , J . T . Taylor , E . F . Storr , W . Ashwell , Moon , R . S . Barker , E . Dyer , Allcard , G . Phythian , Brown , F . Keily , T . Carnell , G . Potter , W . R . Freeman , T . Goodwin , C Collard , E . S . Luell , P . G . D . -, Thompson , T . V .
Staley , E . W . Gant ' y , G . Clark , T . Denne , Cranch , Oc kenden , Stampfer , R . Wagner , Clarke , Leah , F . D . R . Copestick , Hirsch , Weedon , Ciistall , Crossfiele ) , Zivinger , "Myers , E . Johnson , George Kenning , II . Massey ( Freemason ) . The following was the work performed in loelge which preceded the banquet : —
Firisr DEGREE . ist Section ... Bro . R . W . Muggeridge , Sec . 1704 2 nd „ ... „ A . H . Diaper , P . G . S ., P . M . 5 3 rd , 1 . W . Clever , S . W . 171 4 th , K . H . Hewett , W . M . 235 - ; tli ) ,, ... ,, If . Muggeridge , ( Lodge ( ith 3 Board ) W . M . 16 79 7 th „ ... „ A . Sack , Sec . 1679
After lodge was closed , thc work having been peiformed in a most aelmirable manner , a banquet was provided in the large hall of the hotel , at which Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D ., presided , and when the cloth had been removed the usual toasts were proposed . The toast of " The Queen" called forth the customary expressions of loyalty on thc part of thc chairman , which were heaitily
endorsed by the brethren 111 their reception of the toast . The Chairman next proposed "The Health ofthe M . W . G . M , " and in doing so said that at a critical juncture in English Freemasonry H . H . I 1 . the Heir Apparent to the thtone—he would not say consented , but came forevard and took upon him the government of the Craft , and during the years that he had presided over lis destinies Masonry had
made great progress ; it had increased in the estimation of the outside public ; in the accession to its own numbers , and in the excellence of its working ; it had increased before all things in its sincerity to its great principles in supporting the charities the Oreler sustained , anil in the steadfastness of its adherence to the principles on which it was founded . His Royal Highness came among
the brethren and presiileel over them again at Grand Festival two days ago . The brethren could not have a more popular Grand Master , anel the more they saw of him the greater , if possible , would bc the attachment they woulel feel to him personally , anil the greater woulel be thc progress and success eif the cause they all had at heart . After this toast had been duly honoured , The Chairman said the brethren had drank two toasts
without having either Her Majesty to respond to thc one or the Prince of Wales to the other . He now , however , came to a toast to which they had a real living brother present who woulel answer to it , and two or three other brethren who would stand up while it was being acknowledged . The toast was that of " The Pro Grand Master , thc Earl of Carnarvon , thc D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , and the rest
of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " With the toast he shoulel couple the name of Bro . Snell , P . G . D . Before proceeding further , he would mention again what he hael said in the lodge above when he read Bro . John Hervey ' s letter apologising for his absence , that Bro . Hervey ' s name had only to be mentioned in an assemblage of English Masons to evoke the kindest feelings of personal respect
anil esteem . He had hoped they woulel have been honoured with Bro . Hervey ' s presence , but he was sorry to say that Bro . Hervey ' s health was such as they must all deplore ; and it was only that which prevented Bro . Hervey attending to do honour not only to Bro . Muggeridge , but to ( he Stability Lodge of Instruction . But they wereall very glad to see the other Grand Officers who were present , and
if he did not misinterpret the brethren ' s feelings they held out the hearty hand of fraternal greeting to these Grand Officers . The Grand Oflicers elid not discharge merely ornamental functions ; their duties were not confined to joining in festival celebrations and wishing their brethren good speed , which did not involve much sacrifice of time and labour ; but there were duties which the Granel Officers were calleel upon to discharge ,
and the noblemen whose names he had mentioned , even amidst the cares of State ( as he himself personally could testify ) , diel at great personal inconvenience to themselves quit their official duties to attenel to the multifarious affairs of the Craft . Of the other Grand Officers it would be invidious of him to mention names , but he thought he might truly say , from what he had seen , that a boely of brethren more devoted to the cause of Freemasonry , and more anxious to lend what help they could in thc management of its concerns for the
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
good of the Order , could scarcely be found than those who advised the Granel Master and took part in the administration of the affairs of the Craft . The present position ofthe Craft was certainly due to good management at the helm , aim as long as those who sailcel the ship so well took part in its navigation so long he thought and he might now without fear of any personal matter intervening speak of the Grand
Officers ) they were entitled to the brethren ' s confidence and merited their gratituele . Bro . E . S . Snell , P . G . D ., replied , and said that-for himself he had as a Granel Officer always eione his beat to keep the affairs of the Craft in oreler , but he thought that the worthy chairman had flattered the Grand Officers too much Thc Grand Officers , however , would always do their best for
the Craft they loved so much . The Chairman ncxt gave the toast , " The Stability Lodge of Instruction , and Bro . Henry Muggeridge . " He said : " Bro . Muggeridge and Brethren , I can truly say that in rising to propose the next toast , which as you see is the toast of the evening , I most painfully feel my own deficiency , not from want of sympathy with either the
object e . f the toast or the Lodge of Stability , but because should have been much better content had thc individual who occupied your chair this evening been other than myself , because , comparatively young in thc Craft on this the 61 st anniversary of the oldest Lodge of Instruction in the metropolis , I feel that the duty of presiding over you might well have been entrusted to better hands . But I
know , and 1 have this encouragement in the discharge of my duty , that I have your good wishes , and that alreaely before I speak your feelings have gone in favour of that which I am about to say regarding this Loelge of Instruction . I have referred to the position the Cra ' t holds in the world at large , to the advantage conferred on our Order by H . R . H . the Heir Apparent to the Throne being
our Grand Master , to the estimation in which the world at large now holds those who adhere to us ; but depend upon it , as of an individual , so of an institution , as no individual can be great anil can make his mark among his fellow men , or achieve success in life , unless he respects himselfand no man can respect himself unless he is true to himself and lias the courage to act up lo his own internal
convictions—so no body can hope to succeeel or to maintain a high position in public estimation unless it is true and faithful to the tiaditions it is founded upon , and acts up to the great principles which it embodies in its existence . Therefore the purity of Masonry , tlie fulfilment by Masons of thc great principles of the Order , their adherence to tbe great and traditional ceremonies that have been haueled
down to us from our forefathers , their careful conservation of the landmarks ofthe Order , are matters of vital importance to us of the Craft , and secure to us , as long as we are true to those traditions and adhere to those landmarks , the honour , respect anel esteem of the world at large . Brethren , it is because we are true to ourselves that the world respects us ; and lobe true to ourselves and to carry
out faithfully as an embodiment in our lodges of the great principles of thc Order , what can be of such vital consequence , what can bc of so great assistance to the young Mason , or minister lohis Masonic career , as to bc placed in the right way by experienced hands , and to receive that fraternal encouragement , and that fraternal instruction , which is to be got , and to bc got alone , in a lodge of
instruction , such as that whose festival we are now met to commemorate ? Brethren , if thc working of our ceremonies and the maintenance of tlie traditions of our Order in our lodges is of importance ( and 1 think I have shown you it is ) , tlie instruction which the Mason gets , thc perfection which he is able ( and we have witnessed that peifection to-night from the working brethren ) to bring his work , to
the trueness with which the traditions are handed down , all depend upon the complfte and perfect instruction which is given in this and the sister lodge , which has for its object the forwarding and the perfecting of Masons in their Masonic career . For sixty-one years this lodge has met . It has gone on increasing and , I trust , to increase— " prospering , and to prosper ; " and , although when 1 was askeel by
our Bro . Muggeridge—ivould I consent , for want of a better , to be the president here to-night —( Bro . Muggeridge here expressed dissent)—Bro . Muergeridge says he did not say so ; but I know like a wise Mason , according to the doctrines he explained tous to-night , there are many things he does not always say—I remarked to him that the festival Fell in Easter week . Well , he said , his was a kind of
fixed feast and Easter was a sort of moveable feast ; but Easter has happened to coincide with this in the present year , and to that cause must be attributcel the absence of certain well known oflicers , who would , I know , had they not been absent from town , been thc first to meet here and gre , et our Bro . Muggeridge , and see the harmony which pervades his lodge and the good feeling which exists in it
from thc brethren to their Preceptor , instructor , and revered Master . Will you allow mc In say a word personally ? It is now—well , I will not say how many years ago , but many , since I first had the happiness in a Masonic assembly of being introduced to Bro . Muggeridge . He then gave to me , a perfect stranger to him , a few words of kindly advice in my Masonic career—I think I was then
prospectively an Inner Guard , or something of that sort —I had hardly got to oflice ; but the advice that was given to me I endeavoured to profit by ; and from that time I have never seen the kind face of our brother without remembering the encouragement he then gave me ; and when I meet him , as I do constantly , at a chapter to which I belong , of vi . lc ' i he is the Scribe E ., I feel we have in our
brother one whose whole life is a thorough embodiment of Masonic virtues , and his elevotion lo the best interests of the Craft—whose rare and generous and unselfish devotion to the best interests of the Craft—entitle him to tlie warmest encouragement at our hands . It is not every man who can bring to the discharge of his duties that ability which we witnessed in our brother to-night . He brings thc experi-
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
ence of riper years ; but I will put it to the youngest here does not he also bring the fire and enthusiasm of youth ? Anel age cannot chill his fire ; but bis working , I may venture to say , was as perfect , and thc spirit and soul which lie threw into the ceremony as admirable , as when he first was able to take part in those great ceremonies . Brethren , you in the lodge scarcely know how much our
ceremonies gain by being worked in a thoroughly appreciative and impressive manner . I mean , you know it one sense , because they arc so worked in this lodge ; but in order to realise what the difference is , you should see what sometimes one is called on to witness—by being treated as a matter of rote how truly robbed of grandeur are those great ceremonies in which we take such a pride and
delight . It is , therefore , of the utmost importance to feel that theic is an intelligent and appreciative mind which above the mere letter—although faithful to the traditionturns it from " a dead letter to a living spirit , " from being a mere empty form to that which has a vital power . The services of our Bro . Muggeridge to this lodge and to the Craft are too well known to require any eulogium from
me . The existence of this lodge as a means of instruction to Masons is one of the things on which the Craft may justly congratulate itself . That the lodge may continue a career of prosperity is our sincerest wish and desire ; that that prosperity may be unchequered we all wish ; but that , as the crown , and jewel , and ornament of this lodge , your Worshipful Master may long continue in the
esteem and affection of the brethren is our most earnest desire ; and I trust that in proposing his health in connection with the prosperity of thc lodge I shall have your unanimous support on the present occasion . ( Loud applause , in the mielst of which Bro . Muggeridge ' s health was heartily drai . k . ) Bro . Henry Muggeridge , who on rising to respond was
received with vociferous cheering , said : If I did not feel pleased on the present occasion I certainly must have a heart of stone . I do feel pleased with what our W . Chairman has said about mc and the Lodge of Instruction , and I feel highly gratified with the very kind manner in which the brethren have responded to tlie remarks the W . Chairman lias made . But at the same time I must confess to you
that the pleasant feelings I have on this occasion are not unmixed with a little sorrow , and I never used such an expression on an occasion like this before . My sorrow is caused by the shortness of our numbers ; and I feel that not so much for myself as 1 do for thc good of thc house , because I do think that this Lodge of Instruction , and I as the representative of it , are very much indebted to this house for the liberal
manner in which they always act towards this Lodge of Instruction . Of course you now get very great accomoelation for this meeting . You know the nice room we hold the lodge in and the ante-room , and this beautiful hall ; and the number being so thin—the thinnest meeting that 1 have had since I have had the management of this Lodge of Instruction ; and therefore
it causes mc great grief—I use the word advisedlygreat grief that we have not had larger numbers , so as to make it more beneficial to the management of this house . However , we cannot help that , and therefore we must bear it . I take the opportunity of saying I am very much pleased with what Bro . Philbrick has said of the manner iu which the work has been gone through
this evening . I think I never had a better staff than I had on this occasion . I think you will all join with mc in saying that they all did their work well . I cannot mention one particular case of doing the work well ; they were all equally gooe ! , anel I am very glad you were pleascel with their working . I must confess that getting up this meeting not only causes me a great
expenditure of time and trouble , but also a great deal of anxiety ; and I can assure you I have been very anxious about the success of the meeting . As far as the present meeting is concerned there is no question of its success ; but I only mean that we have not had so many brethren present tonight that I should have been proud to have had , and therefore I confess to you that I feel disheartened . Now , W ,
Chairman and brethren , I have had the honour of attending these meetings every year for 39 years , viz ., since 1839 . The Loelge of Instruction has been under my management since 1 S 51 . Ontheeleath of Bro . Peter Thompson I succeeded to the management of it , and I assure you that this is the smallest I have had during that period . The Lodge of Instruction , as our W * . Chairman , Bro . Philbrick , has stated
was founded in the year 1817 . Bro . Phillip Broadfoot was then the Preceptor and manager . He left London in 1835 , anel Peter Thompson succeeded him , and Peter Thompson died in 1851 , and I succeeded him . I wish I could congratulate ourselves on the success of tbis meeting , that is , on the success in thc numbers attending it ; and it is a great disappointment to me that I cannot do so . There is
no doubt a great deal of it owing to its having occurred in the Easter week ; and I think if I should undertake to get up another meeting of the kind—which I am rather doubtful whether I shall do , very doubtful indeed , after the nonsuccess of this evening , very eloubtful—but if I should do so , I think , supposing Easter week to occur so late as it does this year , it would be better to defer it to some little
later period . However , I am very sorry to speak m such a sorrowful manner , but I am sure you all sympathise with me , and feel that the fact of thc thin meeting must be very disheartening indeed . To save time , there is one thing cheers me up : there appears to be a unanimous feeling in favour of my exertions . All present here appear to appreciate what I have endeavoured to do ; and therefore I thank
you most heartily and most sincerely , W . Chairman and brethren , for the very kind reception you have given me this evening ; and whether 1 do get up another anniversary meeting of this kind , or whether I do not , I shall continue , as far as my health and strength will allow , to promote tlie gooel working and efficiency of the Lodge of Instruction that I have been connected with for so many years . ( Great
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
FESTIVAL OF THE STABILITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .
The sixty-first anniversary of this celebrated Lodge- cf Instruction , better known perhaps as Bro . Henry * Vfi : ggcridge ' s Lodge of Instruction , was celebrated according to annual custom on the last Friday in April by a festival yesterday week at the Cannon-street Hotel , which ,
notwithstanding what it will be observed by Bro . Muggeridge ' s speech , given below , we cannot help thinking was very well attended . Bro . Muggeridge of course attended , anel the other brethren present \ vere , 'Bros . Frtdk . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D . ; E . II . Hcwelt , S . W . ; R . W . Muggeridge , J . W . ; A . H . Diaper , S . D . ; A . Sack , | . D . ; J . H . Townend , I . G . ; T . White , T . R . Eames , C . ' famine , C . Arkell , E . H
Hewett , E . M . Hubbuck , E . Spooner , Roumicn , Black , H . Watts , J . W . Clever , F . G . Dawson , J . L . C . H . Little , Whitmarsh , H . Carter , G . Tedder , G . Pointing , Giles , C . Arnold , Nettleford , Oilman , Spencer , E . Collard , P . G . Cubitt , J . T . Iliscocks , Wilkinson , J . T . Goodinge , T . James J . Adams Act ^ n , G . F . Gilbey , H . A . J . Norris , Shubrook , Benningfield , Westcott , J . Middleton , F . Brown , J . H .
Townend , G . S . Green , Harrop , Wcstmoor , E . L . Home , J . Perkins , Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; F . C D . Fenn , H . Birelseye , J . Winkfield , J . Paddle , L . Mills , Franks , Sibley , Tattershall , J . T . Taylor , E . F . Storr , W . Ashwell , Moon , R . S . Barker , E . Dyer , Allcard , G . Phythian , Brown , F . Keily , T . Carnell , G . Potter , W . R . Freeman , T . Goodwin , C Collard , E . S . Luell , P . G . D . -, Thompson , T . V .
Staley , E . W . Gant ' y , G . Clark , T . Denne , Cranch , Oc kenden , Stampfer , R . Wagner , Clarke , Leah , F . D . R . Copestick , Hirsch , Weedon , Ciistall , Crossfiele ) , Zivinger , "Myers , E . Johnson , George Kenning , II . Massey ( Freemason ) . The following was the work performed in loelge which preceded the banquet : —
Firisr DEGREE . ist Section ... Bro . R . W . Muggeridge , Sec . 1704 2 nd „ ... „ A . H . Diaper , P . G . S ., P . M . 5 3 rd , 1 . W . Clever , S . W . 171 4 th , K . H . Hewett , W . M . 235 - ; tli ) ,, ... ,, If . Muggeridge , ( Lodge ( ith 3 Board ) W . M . 16 79 7 th „ ... „ A . Sack , Sec . 1679
After lodge was closed , thc work having been peiformed in a most aelmirable manner , a banquet was provided in the large hall of the hotel , at which Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , P . G . D ., presided , and when the cloth had been removed the usual toasts were proposed . The toast of " The Queen" called forth the customary expressions of loyalty on thc part of thc chairman , which were heaitily
endorsed by the brethren 111 their reception of the toast . The Chairman next proposed "The Health ofthe M . W . G . M , " and in doing so said that at a critical juncture in English Freemasonry H . H . I 1 . the Heir Apparent to the thtone—he would not say consented , but came forevard and took upon him the government of the Craft , and during the years that he had presided over lis destinies Masonry had
made great progress ; it had increased in the estimation of the outside public ; in the accession to its own numbers , and in the excellence of its working ; it had increased before all things in its sincerity to its great principles in supporting the charities the Oreler sustained , anil in the steadfastness of its adherence to the principles on which it was founded . His Royal Highness came among
the brethren and presiileel over them again at Grand Festival two days ago . The brethren could not have a more popular Grand Master , anel the more they saw of him the greater , if possible , would bc the attachment they woulel feel to him personally , anil the greater woulel be thc progress and success eif the cause they all had at heart . After this toast had been duly honoured , The Chairman said the brethren had drank two toasts
without having either Her Majesty to respond to thc one or the Prince of Wales to the other . He now , however , came to a toast to which they had a real living brother present who woulel answer to it , and two or three other brethren who would stand up while it was being acknowledged . The toast was that of " The Pro Grand Master , thc Earl of Carnarvon , thc D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , and the rest
of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " With the toast he shoulel couple the name of Bro . Snell , P . G . D . Before proceeding further , he would mention again what he hael said in the lodge above when he read Bro . John Hervey ' s letter apologising for his absence , that Bro . Hervey ' s name had only to be mentioned in an assemblage of English Masons to evoke the kindest feelings of personal respect
anil esteem . He had hoped they woulel have been honoured with Bro . Hervey ' s presence , but he was sorry to say that Bro . Hervey ' s health was such as they must all deplore ; and it was only that which prevented Bro . Hervey attending to do honour not only to Bro . Muggeridge , but to ( he Stability Lodge of Instruction . But they wereall very glad to see the other Grand Officers who were present , and
if he did not misinterpret the brethren ' s feelings they held out the hearty hand of fraternal greeting to these Grand Officers . The Grand Oflicers elid not discharge merely ornamental functions ; their duties were not confined to joining in festival celebrations and wishing their brethren good speed , which did not involve much sacrifice of time and labour ; but there were duties which the Granel Officers were calleel upon to discharge ,
and the noblemen whose names he had mentioned , even amidst the cares of State ( as he himself personally could testify ) , diel at great personal inconvenience to themselves quit their official duties to attenel to the multifarious affairs of the Craft . Of the other Grand Officers it would be invidious of him to mention names , but he thought he might truly say , from what he had seen , that a boely of brethren more devoted to the cause of Freemasonry , and more anxious to lend what help they could in thc management of its concerns for the
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
good of the Order , could scarcely be found than those who advised the Granel Master and took part in the administration of the affairs of the Craft . The present position ofthe Craft was certainly due to good management at the helm , aim as long as those who sailcel the ship so well took part in its navigation so long he thought and he might now without fear of any personal matter intervening speak of the Grand
Officers ) they were entitled to the brethren ' s confidence and merited their gratituele . Bro . E . S . Snell , P . G . D ., replied , and said that-for himself he had as a Granel Officer always eione his beat to keep the affairs of the Craft in oreler , but he thought that the worthy chairman had flattered the Grand Officers too much Thc Grand Officers , however , would always do their best for
the Craft they loved so much . The Chairman ncxt gave the toast , " The Stability Lodge of Instruction , and Bro . Henry Muggeridge . " He said : " Bro . Muggeridge and Brethren , I can truly say that in rising to propose the next toast , which as you see is the toast of the evening , I most painfully feel my own deficiency , not from want of sympathy with either the
object e . f the toast or the Lodge of Stability , but because should have been much better content had thc individual who occupied your chair this evening been other than myself , because , comparatively young in thc Craft on this the 61 st anniversary of the oldest Lodge of Instruction in the metropolis , I feel that the duty of presiding over you might well have been entrusted to better hands . But I
know , and 1 have this encouragement in the discharge of my duty , that I have your good wishes , and that alreaely before I speak your feelings have gone in favour of that which I am about to say regarding this Loelge of Instruction . I have referred to the position the Cra ' t holds in the world at large , to the advantage conferred on our Order by H . R . H . the Heir Apparent to the Throne being
our Grand Master , to the estimation in which the world at large now holds those who adhere to us ; but depend upon it , as of an individual , so of an institution , as no individual can be great anil can make his mark among his fellow men , or achieve success in life , unless he respects himselfand no man can respect himself unless he is true to himself and lias the courage to act up lo his own internal
convictions—so no body can hope to succeeel or to maintain a high position in public estimation unless it is true and faithful to the tiaditions it is founded upon , and acts up to the great principles which it embodies in its existence . Therefore the purity of Masonry , tlie fulfilment by Masons of thc great principles of the Order , their adherence to tbe great and traditional ceremonies that have been haueled
down to us from our forefathers , their careful conservation of the landmarks ofthe Order , are matters of vital importance to us of the Craft , and secure to us , as long as we are true to those traditions and adhere to those landmarks , the honour , respect anel esteem of the world at large . Brethren , it is because we are true to ourselves that the world respects us ; and lobe true to ourselves and to carry
out faithfully as an embodiment in our lodges of the great principles of thc Order , what can be of such vital consequence , what can bc of so great assistance to the young Mason , or minister lohis Masonic career , as to bc placed in the right way by experienced hands , and to receive that fraternal encouragement , and that fraternal instruction , which is to be got , and to bc got alone , in a lodge of
instruction , such as that whose festival we are now met to commemorate ? Brethren , if thc working of our ceremonies and the maintenance of tlie traditions of our Order in our lodges is of importance ( and 1 think I have shown you it is ) , tlie instruction which the Mason gets , thc perfection which he is able ( and we have witnessed that peifection to-night from the working brethren ) to bring his work , to
the trueness with which the traditions are handed down , all depend upon the complfte and perfect instruction which is given in this and the sister lodge , which has for its object the forwarding and the perfecting of Masons in their Masonic career . For sixty-one years this lodge has met . It has gone on increasing and , I trust , to increase— " prospering , and to prosper ; " and , although when 1 was askeel by
our Bro . Muggeridge—ivould I consent , for want of a better , to be the president here to-night —( Bro . Muggeridge here expressed dissent)—Bro . Muergeridge says he did not say so ; but I know like a wise Mason , according to the doctrines he explained tous to-night , there are many things he does not always say—I remarked to him that the festival Fell in Easter week . Well , he said , his was a kind of
fixed feast and Easter was a sort of moveable feast ; but Easter has happened to coincide with this in the present year , and to that cause must be attributcel the absence of certain well known oflicers , who would , I know , had they not been absent from town , been thc first to meet here and gre , et our Bro . Muggeridge , and see the harmony which pervades his lodge and the good feeling which exists in it
from thc brethren to their Preceptor , instructor , and revered Master . Will you allow mc In say a word personally ? It is now—well , I will not say how many years ago , but many , since I first had the happiness in a Masonic assembly of being introduced to Bro . Muggeridge . He then gave to me , a perfect stranger to him , a few words of kindly advice in my Masonic career—I think I was then
prospectively an Inner Guard , or something of that sort —I had hardly got to oflice ; but the advice that was given to me I endeavoured to profit by ; and from that time I have never seen the kind face of our brother without remembering the encouragement he then gave me ; and when I meet him , as I do constantly , at a chapter to which I belong , of vi . lc ' i he is the Scribe E ., I feel we have in our
brother one whose whole life is a thorough embodiment of Masonic virtues , and his elevotion lo the best interests of the Craft—whose rare and generous and unselfish devotion to the best interests of the Craft—entitle him to tlie warmest encouragement at our hands . It is not every man who can bring to the discharge of his duties that ability which we witnessed in our brother to-night . He brings thc experi-
Festival Of The Stability Lodge Of Instruction.
ence of riper years ; but I will put it to the youngest here does not he also bring the fire and enthusiasm of youth ? Anel age cannot chill his fire ; but bis working , I may venture to say , was as perfect , and thc spirit and soul which lie threw into the ceremony as admirable , as when he first was able to take part in those great ceremonies . Brethren , you in the lodge scarcely know how much our
ceremonies gain by being worked in a thoroughly appreciative and impressive manner . I mean , you know it one sense , because they arc so worked in this lodge ; but in order to realise what the difference is , you should see what sometimes one is called on to witness—by being treated as a matter of rote how truly robbed of grandeur are those great ceremonies in which we take such a pride and
delight . It is , therefore , of the utmost importance to feel that theic is an intelligent and appreciative mind which above the mere letter—although faithful to the traditionturns it from " a dead letter to a living spirit , " from being a mere empty form to that which has a vital power . The services of our Bro . Muggeridge to this lodge and to the Craft are too well known to require any eulogium from
me . The existence of this lodge as a means of instruction to Masons is one of the things on which the Craft may justly congratulate itself . That the lodge may continue a career of prosperity is our sincerest wish and desire ; that that prosperity may be unchequered we all wish ; but that , as the crown , and jewel , and ornament of this lodge , your Worshipful Master may long continue in the
esteem and affection of the brethren is our most earnest desire ; and I trust that in proposing his health in connection with the prosperity of thc lodge I shall have your unanimous support on the present occasion . ( Loud applause , in the mielst of which Bro . Muggeridge ' s health was heartily drai . k . ) Bro . Henry Muggeridge , who on rising to respond was
received with vociferous cheering , said : If I did not feel pleased on the present occasion I certainly must have a heart of stone . I do feel pleased with what our W . Chairman has said about mc and the Lodge of Instruction , and I feel highly gratified with the very kind manner in which the brethren have responded to tlie remarks the W . Chairman lias made . But at the same time I must confess to you
that the pleasant feelings I have on this occasion are not unmixed with a little sorrow , and I never used such an expression on an occasion like this before . My sorrow is caused by the shortness of our numbers ; and I feel that not so much for myself as 1 do for thc good of thc house , because I do think that this Lodge of Instruction , and I as the representative of it , are very much indebted to this house for the liberal
manner in which they always act towards this Lodge of Instruction . Of course you now get very great accomoelation for this meeting . You know the nice room we hold the lodge in and the ante-room , and this beautiful hall ; and the number being so thin—the thinnest meeting that 1 have had since I have had the management of this Lodge of Instruction ; and therefore
it causes mc great grief—I use the word advisedlygreat grief that we have not had larger numbers , so as to make it more beneficial to the management of this house . However , we cannot help that , and therefore we must bear it . I take the opportunity of saying I am very much pleased with what Bro . Philbrick has said of the manner iu which the work has been gone through
this evening . I think I never had a better staff than I had on this occasion . I think you will all join with mc in saying that they all did their work well . I cannot mention one particular case of doing the work well ; they were all equally gooe ! , anel I am very glad you were pleascel with their working . I must confess that getting up this meeting not only causes me a great
expenditure of time and trouble , but also a great deal of anxiety ; and I can assure you I have been very anxious about the success of the meeting . As far as the present meeting is concerned there is no question of its success ; but I only mean that we have not had so many brethren present tonight that I should have been proud to have had , and therefore I confess to you that I feel disheartened . Now , W ,
Chairman and brethren , I have had the honour of attending these meetings every year for 39 years , viz ., since 1839 . The Loelge of Instruction has been under my management since 1 S 51 . Ontheeleath of Bro . Peter Thompson I succeeded to the management of it , and I assure you that this is the smallest I have had during that period . The Lodge of Instruction , as our W * . Chairman , Bro . Philbrick , has stated
was founded in the year 1817 . Bro . Phillip Broadfoot was then the Preceptor and manager . He left London in 1835 , anel Peter Thompson succeeded him , and Peter Thompson died in 1851 , and I succeeded him . I wish I could congratulate ourselves on the success of tbis meeting , that is , on the success in thc numbers attending it ; and it is a great disappointment to me that I cannot do so . There is
no doubt a great deal of it owing to its having occurred in the Easter week ; and I think if I should undertake to get up another meeting of the kind—which I am rather doubtful whether I shall do , very doubtful indeed , after the nonsuccess of this evening , very eloubtful—but if I should do so , I think , supposing Easter week to occur so late as it does this year , it would be better to defer it to some little
later period . However , I am very sorry to speak m such a sorrowful manner , but I am sure you all sympathise with me , and feel that the fact of thc thin meeting must be very disheartening indeed . To save time , there is one thing cheers me up : there appears to be a unanimous feeling in favour of my exertions . All present here appear to appreciate what I have endeavoured to do ; and therefore I thank
you most heartily and most sincerely , W . Chairman and brethren , for the very kind reception you have given me this evening ; and whether 1 do get up another anniversary meeting of this kind , or whether I do not , I shall continue , as far as my health and strength will allow , to promote tlie gooel working and efficiency of the Lodge of Instruction that I have been connected with for so many years . ( Great