Metropolitan.

assistance m his power . There were also present Bros . Hopwood , AVoods , Empson , and Patten , all of whom had rendered valuable services to the Craft . ( Cheers . ) The toast having been drank amidst loud applause , Bro . PEKKINS , P . G . W ., acknowledged the compliment on the part of the D . G . Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers . He need not , after the observations of Bro . Havers , say anything relative to the D . G . Masterbut he could assure them

, that the Grand Officers were always anxious to serve the Craft to the utmost of their ability . He was certain , he might say for those who were present , that nothing could have given ¦ them greater pleasure than to witness the beautiful working of that Lodge , which he felt assured could not be surpassed by ¦ any lodge in the world . ( Cheers . ) The CHAIRMAN said he wished that he felt more equal to

-the task of proposing the next toast than he then did . The fact was , he had been labouring under illness for some time , and they must , therefore , pardon him if he did not say all that lie could wish in proposing the toast of prosperity to the Stability Lodge of Instruction . ( Hear , hear . ) It was no easy task to propose the same toast for twelve or fourteen years in succession , and ¦ to say thing novel in connection with itHe regarded the

any . ¦ jirosperity of lodges of instruction as most important for he looked upon them as the backbone of Freemasonry . It was most essential that their beautiful rituals should be preserved in their purity , and as no man could always repeat their cere-¦ mouies from Masonry without variation it was important that these lodges should exist . As it was impossible for a youth to study the works of the ancient poets and historians without

having his mind imbued with something of their spirit and wisdom , neither was it possible for a Mason to study their ¦ ceremonies and lectures without being impressed with the beautiful precepts they contained , and the lessons of morality they enforced . Let them then endeavour to cmulote the ¦ efforts of his friend and brother to the left ( S . B . AA ilson ) , who was a pillar in Masonry , in acquiring a correct knowled

ge of the work—not entering their lodges as a mere evanescent pleasure , but with the earnest desire and determination to support the Craft in all its purity . He asked them to be careful to preserve their three degrees in all their beautiful

simplicity . He did not wish to interfere with those who liked to amuse themselves witii other so-called degrees in Freemasonry , but he warned the brethren against new discoveries of ancient degrees . If they were ancient they could not be newly discovered . If any such degrees were presented to them examine them well , and unless they could prove that they formed a portion of ancient Freemasonry say they would have none of them . ( Cheers ) They should be content with

. their their degrees , as recognised by Grand Lodge , for of such degrees only did Craft Masonry consist , and he looked to the working brethren to preserve them in their integrit y . ( Cheers . ) He now came to a most pleasing duty , that of presenting a testimonial to their esteemed Preceptor , Bro . Muggeridge—a testimonial beautifully emblazoned on vellum , and which he would read : —¦ " Stability Loclge of Instruction ,

held under the sanction of the Lodge of Stability ( No . 2 G 4 ) . — This testimonial is presented by the members to Brother Henry Muggeridge , P . M . of Lodges No . 227 ancl 1017 , as a lasting Memento of their fraternal regard , and in grateful remembrance of his unremitting services in their instruction , his successful endeavours to diffuse the genuine principles of Freemasonry , and the bi-ofcherlkindness lie has always displayed towards

y them during the twelve years he has aeted as Preceptor and Treasurer . Signed ou behalf of the members , JOHN HAVERS , LG . W . "— -Within the lust few years he had had the honour and singular good fortune of presenting a similar testimonial to the worthy brother who presided over the great West-end Lod ge of Instruction , ancl also to present testimonials to Bro . Muggeridge on two former occasions . He recollected Bro .

Muggeridge when he first entered the Loclge of Stability as a youth studying under Bro . Thompson . He was then as distinguished for his earnestness in acquiring , as he was now in his Mai . in extending a knowledge of their ceremonies and lectures . He had also to present him with a silver teapot . He liked teapots for presentations , as tliey spoke of home joys , and took into the domestic circle evidence of the manner in which the

recipient was esteemed by his friends , ancl brethren . This was presented to Bro . Muggeridge from his friends and pupils as a mark of their estimation of his exemplary conduct in Freemasonry . ( Cheers . ) He wished it had some tea in it ( laughter ) , and he should he happy to give his quota towards it . ( Cheers . )

After a few observations of a complimentary nature to Bro . Muggeridge , the R . AV . brother concluded by proposing " Prosperity to the Stability Lodge of Instruction , and the health of Bro . Muggeridge . " ( Cheers . ) Bro . MTJGGEMDGE begged to thank their worthy president for the good wishes expressed towards the Lodge of Instruction , and the many handsome things he had said about him ( Bro . Muggeridge ) and he thanked the brethren for the hearty

man-, ner in which they had responded to the speech of their excellent and worthy chairman . He was proud at having his health proposed in such a company , but more proud at the manner in which it had been proposed and responded to . He could assure tbem that though there was some trouble in organising a meeting like this , that trouble was as nothing to the difficulty which he experienced in finding words properly to thank them

for their kindness . If that was so as a rule , and he had always found it so , that difficulty was greatly increased on the present occasion , by their kind ancl handsome present . ( Cheers . ) He was delighted with the beautiful piece of plate then before him , but he liked the price of vellum better , and when he returned home after his day's labours , however tired and weary , he might feel one lance towards that testimonial would cheer and refresh him .

g ( Cheers . ) He could not sit down without thanking the brethren who enabled him to carry out satisfactorily the business of the loclge , not only upon that , but upon all other occasions . He thanked them for their present , as it would be an inducement to continue his exertions for the benefit of the Craft . He would not promise to do more , for he had for many years done his best . ( Cheers . ) He had never during the twenty-four years he had

been connected with the lodge , wished he could do more than at that moment—but if he could not promise to do that , he would make then one promise , what he had clone in the past he would endeavour to do in the future . ( Cheers . ) Bro . M'INTYEE , G . Reg ., had a most pleasing duty to perform , that of proposing a toast which was sure to be cordially received . They had seen how admirably the chair in the lodge had been

filled by Bro , Muggeridge , and they were all able to judge of the manner in which the banquet had been presided over . ( Cheers . ) If it was necessary to have a good Master for their lodge , it was equally important to have an efficient president for their

banquets—and certainly on this occasion the services of their president were of no ordinary character , inasmuch as , he had explained , he was labouring under indisposition . Last year something was said about some other brother presiding at their future meetings—( No , no . )—hut he trusted the day was far distant when tho chair at the annual festival would be filled by any other than Bro . Havers . ( Cheers . ) Though it was long since Bro . Havers first received a mark of their appreciation of his worthhe was

, sure they were as ready now as ever to acknowledge the services of their worthy brother . ( Cheers . ) He had more than once received the highest honour which his own lodge could bestow ; and in Grand Lodge the Grand Master had , with the approbation of the Craft , recompensed his services with 'high and distinguished rank . ( Cheers . ) There was no brother who had more earnestly devoted himself to the service of the

Craft , and he was sure there was none more highly esteemed . ( Cheers . ) He begged to give them "The Health of Bro . Havers , " wishing him long life and happiness . ( Cheers . ) Tbe CUAIEICAS' said he could hardly tell them how gratified he was at the kind reception they accorded him on all occasions , nor too warmly thank them for this renewed testimony of their favour . He could not forget that it was now twent-five or

y twenty-six years since he ventured to work his first section in that lodge , and seventeen years that evening since he worked the fifth and sixth sections of the lecture they had heard that evening . ( Cheers . ) He should ever have the most grateful feelings towards the Lodge for the kindness he had received ; but , as he had said before , he thought the time had arrived when they should endeavour to introduce new blood into the

Lodge , and get some one else to preside over their annual festivals . ( No , no . ) If , however , they preferred the old horse , the old horse would continue to work for them . ( Cheers ) If they wished to oblige him , he would ask them a favour , and that favour was to do their duty to themselves . They were aware , from tho transactions of Grand Lodge , that a feeling generally prevailed that tbe time had arrived when the Craft

ought to have a home of their own . ( Cheers . ) Grand Lodge had appointed a Committee . ' of which be had the honour to be a member , to inquire into the matter . He could assure them the Committee had bestowed great labour and pains in their inquiry—sometimes sitting from three o ' clock in the afternoon