The Masonic Mirror.

THE MASONIC MIRROR .

MASOJS IC MEM . The brethren are reminded that the list of Stewards for the approaching festival of the Royal Benevolent Institution for aged Masons and their AVidows , is now closing . Upwards of sixty have ¦ alread y responded , to the call ; and we trust we shall see the largest list ever yet got together for either of the charities published before the end of the ensuing month .

Testimonial To Bro. Henry Bridges, G.S.B.

TESTIMONIAL TO BRO . HENRY BRIDGES , G . S . B .

On Thursday , the 25 th Oct ., occurred in the Pleiades Lodge ( 1012 ) "Totnes , one of these "happy days" which occasionally intervene amidst the "labours" of the Craft . During the past year , the lodge room and lodge furniture has been destroyed by fire , and Bro . Heath , of the Seven Stars Hotel , has met the difficulty of the lodge and , greatly increased the accomodation of his house by the addition

of a room , which will serve the purposes of a public and assembly , as well as a lodge , room at the rear of his hotel , and which was then used for the first time . It is a lofty and capacious structure , and its arrangements are most creditable to the designer , Bro . J . Heath , jun ., as well as to the town . There the lodge was opened imder the presidency of the AV . M . for the expiring yearBro . T .

, Hunt Edmonds , who shortly afterwards resigned the chair in favor of Bro . H . Bridges , and Mr . Lewis Harris having been initiated , and Bro . Owen raised to the third degree in Freemasonry , the ceremony of installing the Worshipful Master for the year ensuing ( the Rev . James Powning , Head Master of the Totnes Grammar School ) , was also ably performed by Bro . Bridges . The

new ruler of the lodge having been placed in the chair of of King Solomon , he proceeded to instal his officers , naming- Bro . Edmonds , P . M . ; Bro . R . H . Watson , S . AV . ; Bro . Sharp ( also Treasurer ) , J . W . . Bro . Rev . AV . Speare Cole , Chaplain ; Bro . John Heath , Jun ., Sec-Bro . Kellock , S . P . ; Bro . Distin , J . D . ; Bros . Bartlett , and Hiilimore , Stewards ; Bro . Adams , Organist ; Bro . Oidrey , I . Gr . ; Bro . Thomas , Tyler .

After the completion of the appointment of officers , the AV . M . delivered an appropriate and admirably arranged oration in praise of Ereemasonry , and of the zealous efforts of Bro . Bridges in its promotion . At its conclusion having descended from the pedestal , and requested Bro . Bridges to advance , the marble bust to be presented to him was , with great solemnity , unveiled by the

Wardens , and in eulogistic and well chosen terms presented , Bro . Hey don , who is at present residing in London , having first accounted for the delay in the presentation by the nature of the work itself , and the calamity of the fire , by which the Lodge-room was destroyed in January last . Then was recited the following ritual , prepared for the occasion by Bro . T . Lidstone : —

W . M . —May the worthy brother whom this bust of clay represents when the last trumpet shall sound , rise from his bed of clayto dwell for ever as a star in the Grand Lodge above . Answer : So mote il le . W . M . —May brotherl y love , relief , and truth ever find a resting place in all our hearts , and an illustration in all our lives . Answer : So mote il be .

AV . M . —May Masonry flourish and increase throughout the universe . Answer : So mote it be . After which the following ode was effectively sung : — At thy fair shrine , 0 Masonry ! Shall admiring nations bend : In future times thy sons shall see Thy fame from pole to pole extend .

To worlds unknown thy heav ' n-born light dispense ! And Systems own thy sacred influence I The chant and singing being in Gregorian tones , the Organist ,

Bro . Adams , and the brethren succeeded in making this part of the ceremony very effective . After the singing of the ode , Bro . Henry Bridges addressed the brethren , and seemed overpowered by his emotions ; and was followed by Bros . Okey , Bastin , and others , after which " God Save the Queen " was performed on the organ , and sung by the assembled brethren . The lodge was then closed in ancient form ,

and with solemn prayer . Subsequently the brethren sat down to an excellent dinner , served in the best style of the Seven Stars , and after dinner the AV . M . ( Bro . Powning ) gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In responding to the toast of the evening , Bro . BHIDGXES was very happy in his allusion to the services he had rendered Masonry .

The question had been put to him how far he had travelled in persuitof , and to assist in Masonry . We did not , unfortunately , catch the exact figure ; but the . distance was astounding , being some thousands of "miles . As this lodge has taken the initiative in the very appropriate selection of a lust as a testimonialas well as in token of our esteem

, for Bro . Bridges , we have engraved the testimonial . AVe understand several casts have been taken , to enable the various lodges in which he is interested , to have a copy of this valuable tribute to his worth . As a work of art the bust is deserving the highest praise ; and as a likeness certainly reflects credit on the artist .

Among the company present- we noticed the following visitors -. — Bros . AV . Opie , and B . B . Bastin , 123 and 509 ; AV . Oakley , 327 ; S . Heal , H . G . Phillips , J . Marwood , C . Halliday , AV . Mole , 367 ; J . Stone , 157 ; Rev . It . Bowden , 511 ; J . Maxwell , 719 ; Bellerby , 129 ; and Hunt . And of the brethren of the Pleiades Lodge : —Bros . Rev . AV . Y . Daykin , T . H . Edmonds , J . Slatter , Rev . J . Powning , T . Lidstone , S . Sharp , R . H . Watson , R . Mortimore , J . Heath , J .

Heath , Jun ., H . Bartlett , J . Marks , J . Phillimore , Rev . AV . S . Cole , T . O . Kellock , W . Olorey , T . Searle , AV . Coulton , T . Pollard , T . Matcham , G . W . Eowle , G . R . Kempe , T . Richardson , Captain Alexander Ridgway , T . Owen , & c . Several apologetic letters , accounting for absences were received ^ and the whole proceedings were characterised by a warmth of feeling such as the occasion deserved . A statement of the Masonic standing and services of Bro .

Bridges , circulated with the notice of the meeting , was referred to by the AV . M ., and will be found in our number for May 26 , p . 401 . The evening was enlivened by many Masonic and other songs , with musicalacconrpauiments by Bros . Adams , Kempe , Laidman , and others , and altogether it was one of tho best gatherings , since the formation of the Lodge .