Untitled Article

example , avoid his failings , and do all the good they could for their fellow-men ; remembering , that although distinctions were highly necessary to preserve due subordination , and to reward merit and ability , yet there was no eminence of station which ought to cause them to forget that they were brethren . He who was placed on the lowest spoke of fortune ' s-wheel was equally entitled

to their regard : the time would most assuredly come , — the best and wisest of them knew not how soon , —when all distinctions , save those of goodness and virtue , would cease , and death , the grand leveller of all human greatness , would reduce all to the same state . These were the principles which had been instilled into him at his initiation , which he had endeavoured to act upon throughout his career , and which he hoped would descend with him to the grave ( cheers ) . Song , " The pleasures of being Mayor , " by Bro , Joseph Plowman .

Bro . Beech proposed "The health of the W . M . of the Apollo Lodge , whom he had had the pleasure of installing in the chair . He felt assured that he would well fulfil the duties which devolved upon him , and if the same spirit which existed among the Brethren of his Lodge continued to animate their breasts , his task would be , as his ( Bro . Beech ' s ) had been , an easy and most agreeable one . The W . M .., in returning thanks , said , that having already served three offices in the Lodge , and received their approbation , he was encouraged to undertake

the duties of W . M ., and doubted not that he should receive every indulgence and support at their hands . He hoped to have the generous assistance of the Past Masters of the Apollo and Alfred Lodges , and it would be his study , during his year of office , to promote and perpetuate the kindly and fraternal feeling which existed between the two Lodges , and trusted that he should do nothing which would bring discredit on the choice which his Brethren of the Apollo had that day made . Song , "Wine , mighty wine , " by Bro . Bandall .

The W . M . begged to propose " The health of the retiring Master , Bro . Beech , ' and said that it was needless to dilate on his merits ,, because if he had not already won their esteem , they would not have selected him to preside over the Lodge for a second time . His conduct in the chair afforded him a bright example to follow , but he feared that he should not be able to equal a system of wotting , which had never been excelled . He hoped that he would still come often among the Brethren , and kindly lend his valuable assistance , for it was that hope which induced him ( the W . M . ) to undertake the duties of that office which he had that day commenced .

Bro . Beech returned thanks , and said he quitted , with feelings of deep regret , the chair , which he had filled longer than was customary , but regret was mitigated by the fact that he was succeeded by one who would zealously uphold the dignity of the order , and advance the interests of the Apollo Lodge . He had been appealed to for assistance during the next year of office , and , although he might not be able to attend every meeting , the kindness which he had met with in this province would prompt him to attend as often as lay in his power , and to assist

the W . M . and the Brethren whenever it was within his sphere to do so . He thanked the Brethren of the Apollo Lodge , and the officers more especially , for the kind way in which they had supported him during his years of office , for the interest which they took in Masonry , the principles of which he had endeavoured to inculcate , and which he hoped would never be lost sight of . He thanked the Brethren of the Alfred Lodge for their kind co-operation and assistance on every occasion , and sincerely hoped that the fraternal feeling which existed between him and them would not be diminished by succeeding years .

The W . M . then proposed " The healths of the W . M ., the Officers , and Brethren of the Alfred Lodge , " and adverted to the high position which it had attained as a working Lodge , and trusted that the friendship and kindly feeling existing between the two Lodges , would go on , if possible , increasing more and more , and to their mutual benefit . Bro . Band all responded to the toast , and expressed his regret that illness prevented the attendance of the W . M ., Bro . J . Thorp , on this auspicious occasion . He begged to be allowed to say , that the W . M . of the Apollo Lodge , Bro . Malcolm , had only to walk in the steps of his predecessor , Bro . Beech , to take the same interest in the charities , to evince the same zeal in the working of the Lodge ,