The Fifty-Second Anniversary Of Stability Lodge Of Instruction.

them being their AVorshi p ful Master himself . ( Hear , hear ) . He is the Lord Chancellor of the Order—( laughter)—and he could only hope that he might be Lord Chancellor in another sense . Then they had Bro . Hansford , who , in days of old—( applause)—ably filled the office of Grand Organist , and it was quite pleasant

to find what excellent voice he was m . It brought him backto old times . ( Hear , hear ) . Theywereallpleased to see him . On behalf of the Grand Officers he begged to return his very best thanks . They were most anxious to discharge their duties , and he thought he might go so far as to say that he thought the Craft

was satisfied at the manner in which those duties had been discharged . The worthy Brother sat down amidst applause . The President rose to explain , and apologised to Bro . Ransford for not including him in thc toast , but said it was because he did not sit on tho right with the

other Grand Officers . He did not wish to sli ght Bro . Ransford , far be it from him that he should have any such intention , for ho esteemed him very much , and was very glad to see him . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . RANSFORD , Past Grand Organist , said he was convinced of the truth of what the AV . M . had said ,

that he had not left his name out intentionally . ( Hear , hear ) . The PRESIDENT said he had to call the attention of the brethren to the toast of the evening . They could see what it was in the programme , and it needed no words from him to make them receive it with the

greatest approbation . It was "Continued Prosperity to Stability Lodge of Instruction , " coupled with the name of their excellent preceptor , Bro . Henry Muggeridge , P . M . Anything he ( the President ) could say on his behalf would be perfectly superfluous . He had seen him in private lodges and he believed him to be ono of

the best instructors m Masonry , and any brother following in his footsteps would be sure to learn the correct ritual of the Craft . AVheuever he ( the president ) came to that lodgo he was sure to learn something fresh . He thought if the principles inculcated in the lessons of thc Craft were carried out in private

life , the brethren would prove themselves better husbands , better sons , and better fathers . He hoped that for very many years Bro . Muggeridge might be their preceptor , for he was convinced that , search wherever they would amongst his pupils , not one of them would be found who would do him discredit

Ho had very great pleasure in proposing his health in connection with the toast , and if the time were not so short he would have given a sketch of Bro . Muggeridge ' s career . When Bro . Peter Thomson , who was a great Mason —( hear , hear)—was called to his

fathers , his mantle descended upon Bro . Muggeridge , who , with great ability and knowledge , had fulfilled the duties of Preceptor , lie had exceeding pleasure in proposing his health , and he was sure the brethren would drink it with the same satisfaction he had in

proposing it . ( Loud cheers , and cries of " To you , Bro . Muggeridge . " ) Bro . MUGGEMDGE rose and for some minutes was hailed with loud applause . AVhen it had somewhat abated he said ( speaking with some emotion ) : Worshipful Master , Grand Officers , and Brethren ,

many thanks for this flattering reception , I am sure , AVorshipful Sir I am exceedingly pleased at the very kind manner in which you have proposed , and at the way in which the brethren have responded to the toast . I have had the honour of responding to this toast so many times that it is impossible 1 can say

much on the subject , especially as it is so limited in its character and so chiefly concerns myself . I am very much gratified with the manner in which you have expressed yourselves this evening . I have expressed my thanks on many previous occasions , still there are very many brethren present who were not present at

our previous meetings , and I must say to them that I have been a member of this Lodge of Instruction close upon thirty years —( hear , hear , )—and I have had the management of this Lodge of Instruction very nearly twenty years . I assure you I am very much gratified at tho admirable manner in which my four pupils have

gone through their work this evening —( cheers)—but as thc subject will be brought before your notice very shortly , I shall say nothing more upon that topic ; at the same time I am exceedingly pleased at the manner in which you expressed your satisfaction at thc way in which they went through their duties . I am also

very much gratified at the very successful meeting this evening , and if anything I have done towards it has met with your approbation 1 am very much pleased . On this occasion perhaps it is not necessary to say more , but as wc have very young members here this evening , it may be as well to state that this Lodge of

Instruction meets at the Guildhall Tavern , Greshamstreet , from the first Friday in September to the last Friday in April , and I shall be very glad to receive them and render them every assistance they may require to qualify them to fill the offices they mav

belong to . Worshipful Master and Brother Graud Ofiicers , allow me to say that I am extremel y pleased at seeing you here on this occasion , our Fiftysecond Anniversary , and I am glad to heat the proceedings have met with your approbation . I am sure it is a very great satisfaction to me , and I hope we

The Fifty-Second Anniversary Of Stability Lodge Of Instruction.

may be honoured with your presence on many future occasions . Bro . Muggeridge concluded by urging upon the Brethren the propriety and advisability of attending Lodges of Instruction , aud sat down amidst renewed marks of favour .

Bro . LLEWELLYN EVANS said the AVorshi pful Master had entrusted him with his gavel , and the brethren would understand for what purpose . ( Hear , hear ) . Bro . Mclntyre was well-known in the Craft , and was an excellent Grand Officer , and he could not understand how he , belonging to an arduous

profession , could devote so much time to Freemasonry , but yet he did so . He hoped they would drink the toast in bumpers . [ Drunk with enthusiasm ] . The PRESIDENT said , addressing Bro . Evans , his brother Grand Ofiicers , and tho brethren generally , he could assure them he felt completely overpowered by

thc very kind reception they had given him . He felt it a high honour to preside over them , for a more distinguished assemblage could not bo found . AVhether filling the chair , or assisting them in any other way , he was always most happy to assist them . In occupying that position for the third time , he could not forget

thc time when he first became a member of that Lodge , when the festival was presided over by a brother who was with them for seventeen years , and for the honour and good he had done in the Craft the name of John Havers would never be forgotten . ( Loud cheers ) . He was a brother lie could never forget ,

neither could he ( the President ) forget that day and their kindness to him . Bro . Havers was unable to be present through illness , and he was sure they must all deeply regret his absence , but he hoped they would give him an assurance of their sympathy for Bro . Havers in his affliction , and of the esteem in which he

was sure he was held by them . ( The brethren showed their concurrence and assent to these observations by a loud cheer ) . The speaker concluded by saying the cheer they had just given would enable him to convey to Bro . Havers an assurance of their condolence with and esteem for him . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . JOHN HERVEY . the Grand Secretary , said he did not know why the next toast had been placed in his hands , except it was that he had been a working Mason , and knew the difficulties working Masons were placed in . He well knew how much toil , how much attention , and how much zeal must be advanced when

brethren undertake the duties of officers , and it was with a deal of pleasure he proposed " The health of the AVorking Brethren of the Lodge . " In earlier days he ( Uro . Hervey ) had undertaken those duties himself , and he knew how arduous they were ; but unless the duties of the lodge were well performed they fell far

short of what they ought to be . When a person was initiated , unless thc ceremony was done well it lost its impressiveness , and the candidate went away dissatisfied , and would say , " Well , yes , I was initiated , but tho Master stumbled at every second word , and I did not think much of the ceremony . " 'What was , when

well performed , a solemn ceremony lost its solemnity by being slovenly executed , lie paid a compliment to the working brethren and Bro . Muggeridge . If the brethren generall y followed their example , there would be no risk of the ceremonies losing their

impressiveness . He gave them "The health of the Working Brethren of the Lodge—Bros . Bryant , Birdseye , Townsend , and Cargill , " coupling with the toast the name of the last-mentioned brother , thc Senior Warden . Thc toast was well received .

Bro . CARGILL in returning thanks , said he was actuated by mingled feelings of pride and gratification —with pride because they had succeeded in satisfying them , and , ho need not say , there could hardly be a greater stimulus to young Masons than that of affording gratification to their superiors in the Craft : but

ho could hardl y realize what the lodge would do without Bro . Muggeridge , and he hoped he would long be spared to be among them . On behalf of the working brethren and himself , he begged to thank them for the manner in which they had received the toast . The PRESIDENT proposed the sister lodge of

instruction . He said the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was second to none in point of efficiency of working , and , in connection with it , he was delighted to sec present Bro . Pike , who was distinguished as a teacher , and honoured as a man and a Mason , lie had very great pleasure in coupling his name with the

toast . Bro . PIKE returned thanks , and said since the demise of Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , he had been very anxious that thc lodge should not lose any of thc honours it had won . Ho could only say that he thanked them very kindl y for the manner in which they had responded to the toast .

The PRESIDENT proposed the Masonic Charities , nnd said it was a toast they ought never to forget ; for , whilst they were very joyous , there were others who through unavoidable calamity and misfortune were brought to abject poverty . On such occasions they

would be very remiss were they to forget the Masonic charities . The charities were not forgotten , for they were in a very flourishing condition , and he need onl y call their attention to tho fact that on a recent occasion , viz ., the Boys' School Festival , the largest sum was subscribed that had ever been subscribed on any

The Fifty-Second Anniversary Of Stability Lodge Of Instruction.

occasion throughout the world . ( Hear , hear . ) He was happy to say they had a brother present who was a steward , not for the first , but for the third time . ( Hear , hear . ) He alluded to Bro . T . Meggy , of thc Fitzroy Lodge , and whom he would call upon to respond to the toast . Bro . MEGGY , who was received with applause ,

appropriately responded , and congratulated the brethren , of the Stability Lodge of Instruction that they were able to vote on one evening £ 25 to the charities , which showed that more then one half of the money contributed was given in charity .

The PRESIDENT corrected Bro . Meggy , and said that the whole of the money contributed by the Brethren after paying for working and other unavoidable expenses , was given to the charities . ( Hear , hear . ) The Brethren then separated , highly pleased at the proceedings .

During the evening the following pieces were sung ; by the musical brethren : — National Anthem .. .. .. .. Dr . John Bull . Glee— " Merrily goes the Bark " .. .. Stevens . Song— " Welcome , ever welcome , Friends " Bervon .

Bro . YOUNO . Duett— " Tell me where is Fancy bred " . . Stevenson . Bros . YOUNG and RANSFOED . Song— " Thou art so near and yet so far'' Jlcichart .

Bro . F . 1 . LMOKE . Glee— "Mynheer Van Dunk" .. .. Bishop . Song— " Tho Oak and the Ivy " ' .. .. Land . Bro . HANSFORD . Glee—Push the Red AVinc about . " ..Bishop .

New Masonic Hall , Yokohama, Japan.

NEW MASONIC HALL , YOKOHAMA , JAPAN .

[ F ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT . ] YOKOHAMA , 2 nd March , 1869 . At one o ' clock yesterday , 1 st March , was laid the first stone of the New Masonic Hall , which is to be erected in the Main Street , on the lot immediately

opposite the German Club . No masonic ceremony was performed , but about a dozen of the brotherhood assembled to witness the simple laying of thc stone . A bottle containing sonic Japanese coins , a rupee , and a record , was placed in the cavity prepared for it :

after which the stone was lowered to its proper position . The AV . M , Bro . Miller , then delivered a short address to the brethren present , which terminated thc proceedings . The masonic community are indebted to thc courtesy

of E . Loureiro , Esq ., H . M . F . M . ' s Consul for tho site of their new hall , and a more convenient position , and one more suitable for a public edifice could not be found in Yokohama . The new Masonic Hall will be built entirely of

solid stone , without the wooden framework winch has been usually considered necessary to ensure the stability of a building against the shocks of the earthquakes . One or two godowns so constructed alread y exist in the settlement , with no signs of injury , and if

this mode of building should prove a success , it will materially lessen thc risk of fire—a far moro dangerous enemy than earthquakes . The new building will be of tho Doric order , with a portico supported by six columns , and is being

erected in accordance with plans prepared b y Messrs . AVhitfield and Dowson , architects . Every endeavour will be made to finish the new hall by the 24 th June , tho festcval of St . John the Baptist , ono of the patrons of Ancient Freemasonry .

A petition for a second lodge to he held at Yokohama has been sent home , which it is hoped will be speedily granted , as Masonry has made much progress in Japan . The new lodge is to be called " O Tentosama , " a Japanese term referring to the sun .

Tim OLD MEN ' S ANNUITY FUND . —Let it not be forgotten by the brethren of the Masonic Craft that Bro . Charles Sloman ( thc only improvisatorc , and the author and composer of thc songs , " The Maid of Judah , " " The Daughter of Israel , " & c ) is a candidate for election as a recipient of the benefits derivable from tho Old Men's Benevolent Institution . Brethren and others desirous of assisting Bro . Sloman aro

informed that ho will he happy to receive proxies in his favour at his residence , 24 , Bow-street , Covent . garden , AV . C . Non-Masons are eli gible both as subscribers and voters . Subscribers arc particularly requested not to withhold their votes under an impression oi tho certainty of Bro . Sloman's election , as that might prove greatly detrimental to his success . — Communicated .