Untitled Article

containing , I believe , sixty guineas , I tender you our warmest wishes that you may enjoy many years of health as well as happiness , and that you may still continue to be the preceptor of the Lodge , and here to receive our annual acknowledgment of your usefulness . " Bro . Muggeridge could assure his Brethren that he felt in a much more difficult position than when he took his seat at the commencement of the business to work the lecture . Although not gifted with the powers of eloquence , he would

endeavour to convey his gratitude in the heart ' s language . His gratitude was of three kinds : first , it was due to those Brethren who , united with him , had so excellently discharged their duties in the working ; secondly , to the goodly assembly of estimable Masons who were present to encourage his efforts ; and , lastly , to the contributors to the very munificent testimonial which had been placed in his hands . It was seventeen years since he entered the Lodge , and during that time he had received many proofs of the satisfaction of the Brethren , and could assure them that as long as life would allow him , his efforts should be continued . Bro . Muggeridge was most warmly greeted .

Bro . Thiselton called on the Brethren to rise to the " Health of their President , Bro . Havers , " that Brother being one of the most energetic patrons of the Masonic charities . Bro . Havers said , when Bro . Muggeridge applied to him to again preside , he suggested the obtaining a new man , as by that means they might get a new idea , for having presided over this anniversary festival for ten years , he could not but consider so trite a subject as his own health must necessarily become wearisome . The president next proposed " Bros . Bowman and Morris , the Wardens , and

the rest of the Brethren who had taken part in the business of the day . " He never before saw those duties so admirably performed , and he particularly mentioned , although all were entitled to praise , Bro . Bowman , who had so correctly and so elegantly delivered the explanation of the Lodge Board ; his clear enunciation was worthy of observation . He also referred to one , absent on the present occasion , Bro . John Prancis White , the Secretary , who had taken upon himself the discharging of all extra expenses of the present meeting . He was a Brother who was known not only in Masonry , but wherever distress was to be found ; and to the poor Mason his hand was ever open to succour and relieve .

Bro . Bowman , in returning thanks for himself and those associated with him , said they considered there was a double debt of gratitude to discharge , not only for the way in which their services had been acknowledged , but for the patient attention of their auditors ; but , after all , it was to their preceptor the praise was due , for throughout the preparations for the lecture , Bro . Muggeridge was ever at their side . After some further toasts , the President called the attention of those present to the last toast— " The Charities of the Order "—and with it " Bro . Thiselton , the oldest Secretary of the Charitable Istitutions . "

Bro . Thiselton said he was highly honoured by the union of his name with " The Charities , " and he mentioned that when he entered on his office as Secrecretary of the Boys' School the funded property of that institution was £ 600 , it now amounted to £ 1 , 400 . He urged the Brethren to unite in some effort to relieve the many aged who were now seeking relief : there were forty males and nine females , to afford relief to whom the present funds were altogether insufficient . The Brethren then separated .

Royal Prise Hospital , Gray ' s Inn Lane . —The Sussex Wing of this hospital will be opened , and the statue of our late lamented G . M . inaugurated , on the 18 th June . In the evening thore will be a grand dinner at the Freemasons ' Tavern , in aid of the funds of this noble institution , over which the Bight Hon . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . for Warwickshire , will preside .