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toast was received amply testified the regard entertained by the Brethren for Bro . Muggeridge , who , on rising , elicited another burst of acclamation . Bro . Muggeridge stated that he had much pleasure in acknowledging the kind manner in which his health had been proposed , and the manner in which the Brethren had responded was also particularly grateful to him . That pleasure was not at all diminished by the feeling that he deserved their kind expressions , inasmuch as he had laboured assiduously to promote the

prosperity of the Stability Lodge of Instruction , for many years , not only since , but prior to the death of Bro . Peter Thomson . But he did not regret that labour so long as he was properly supported by the Brethren ; and whilst he continued to receive that support , his best exertions would not be wanting , and they should have his cordial assistance and assiduous attention ; every instruction he could give was freely at the service of any Brother who desired it , and for them to ask was to receive , 'He thanked them sincerely for all the manifestations of their kind feelings .

The toast of " The Working Brethren" succeeded , the Chairman bestowing a well-merited compliment upon ^ the efiicieht manner in which the business of the evening was performed . This was acknowledged by Bro . Bowman , to whom the duties of S . W . had been allotted , and who expressed his unfeigned pleasure in replying to the toast , inasmuch as it had been so eloquently introduced and enthusiastically received , remarking that as everything had heretofore been en content de rose , he wished , placed in his position , to remind the Brethren of their

shortcomings , even as the Egyptians placed a skeleton at their feasts to remind them of their mortality;—a simile which induced a hearty burst of laughter , for the worthy Brother is as distinguished for his embonpoint as his aplomb Although the toast was intended to compliment those who had taken an active part in the ceremonies of that day , it ought to have a much wider signification . The working Brethren , it was to be regretted , were very few in number ; but much of this he unhesitatingly affirmed to be attributable to the laxity of discipline throughout the Craft ; to the tendency to render our beautiful ceremonials a

mere schoolboy ' s task ; to utter words with parrot-like precision , without entertaining any sufficient feeling of the great relation to active life that they possessed ; nay , worse than all , to appoint Masters to preside over a Lodge , who never make the slightest attempt to conceal their unfitness , but received the honours with the complaisant sang-froid that a wretched system of routine engenders . Bro . Bowman then proceeded to express how much himself and other Brethren were indebted to their honoured and esteemed Preceptor , who was ever ready to aid them with his Masonic knowledge , which was always freely imparted to any Brother desirous of learning . He called the attention of the Brethren to

the high literary and Masonic qualities of the Monthly Magazine , and particularly impressed upon them a careful perusal of the first article in the number for that month , " What is Masonry doing for intellectual progress ?" Bro . Potter , P . G . D ., having temporarily possessed himself of the gavel , called upon the Brethren to drain a bumper to the health of their distinguished Chairman , who on this , as on other occasions , had so happily presided over them .

Bro . Havers , with eloquence and feeling , replied , that it was certainly his earnest desire to develop in his own character those high qualities that should adorn a Mason , and with which Bro . Potter so kindly believed him to be imbued . He proposed " The Masonic Charities and all poor and distressed Masons , " which concluded the series of toasts , the Chairman dwelling especially on the circumstance of how nobly this Lodge of Instruction contributed to the Masonic Charities .

The toasts were alternated with select and appropriate melodies , by the professional Brethren before mentioned , and the " gathering " terminated at a seasonable hour . Of the many agreeable anniversaries of the Stability Lodge of Instruction , at which we have assisted , no " re-union " has been fraught with more pleasurable reminiscences than the present , attributable to the sedulous culture of " the working Brethren , " by Bro . Henry Muggeridge , the Preceptor , and his admirable arrangements as regards the entire proceedings . In conclusion , we would express an ardent wish that health and circumstances