Metropolitan.

lodge was so un-Masome as to refuse to admit as a joining member a brother who was anxious to become one of you . I do sincerely thank you and all the members of this lodge for abrogating a rule you had laid down not to admit joining members , and I could not allow the opportunity of showing my thankfulness to pass , when I found you were in want of a Steward for the Boys' Festival . These are the first fruits of the alteration of your rule , and I trust I shtill be able to do my

duty as such Steward , and that every brother will perform his part in assisting me properly to fill the office . Let them show that the first fruits of tho change which has been impressed upon them , anel is impressed upon Freemasons ou all occasions , to be charitable , be such a steward ' s list for tho forthcoming year as will do honour to so flourishing a lodge as this . I took in the second highest 'list last time for the Girls' School , and that list amounted to nearly £ 80 ; and I do hope thafc on this occasion I shall not he far short of that amount . Such a

respectable lodge as this thafc I shall be trusted to represent should send in a list unsurpassed in amount . AA ' e know that the virtue of a Freemason is charity , and that was the origin of my joining the body . Many years ago I was brought into connection in a charitable cause with the Masons , and I saw the great efforts that were made by them in furtherance of that holy object , aud I said if that is the object of Freemasonry must allow me to become

you one of your number . I did become one ; and I am proud to say I am a member- of that fraternity who show that though enjoying the good gifts of Providence themselves , they do not forget their brethren who are in need . I feel confident that the Crystal Palace list on the forthcoming occasion will be a list of which we may be proud . Before I sit down I again thank this lodge for electing me a joining memberand in

, return I shall elo my best properly to represent it in the Masonic Charities . ( Ciieers . ) Bro . Palmer , PAL , proposed "The AVorshipful Master . " After it war , drunk Bro . Emmens sang most admirably "John Barleycorn , " for which he received great applause . The AA . M . —Allow me to return you my sincere thanks for your kindness , brethren . 1 could havo no greater pleasure than io preside over my mother lodge , especially when I am so

well supported by my officers . Never was Master better supported . Any wish I havo expressed has been gratified—almost , I may say , any wish I have half expressed has been granted . AH the brethren and officers have , to use a common expression , stuck to me through thick and thin , and this is the only way in which the Master of a lodge like tho Crystal Palace Lodge can efficiently perform his duties . I thank you all for the very kind manner in which you have given mo support , and I tell yon with regret that it is only on one other occasion I shall have tho pleasure of presiding over you . ( Cheers . ) After a

few other toasts , the brethren adjourned till the first Thursday in April , 1 SGB , emergencies excepted . THE BELGBAVK LODGE ( NO . 749 ) . —The first meeting of the season of this lodgo took place on AVednesday last at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street . Present—Bro . Nash , W . M ., supported by Bros . Frond , P . M . and Treas . ; Garrod , Sec . ; Ranting , Evenden , and Temple , P . M . 's , assisted by Bros . Ough , S . AV . ; Bond , J . W . ; Evendenacting S . D . ; BourneJ . D . ; PierceI . G . The loel

, , , ge Avas opened in the three degrees and removed to the first , when a ballot was taken for Messrs . S . Smith , Parsons , Homewood , and Lefevre , which proved unanimous in favour of each . The minutes of the last regular lodge and the lodge of emergency held in July last were read , when Bro . FBOUD rose and said it became his duty to address the lodge before the AV . M . put those minutes for confirmation . He then briefly referred to the

resolution come to at the last lodge of emergency , and expressed his regret that he was unable to be present on that occasion . The resolution was that the sum of £ 100 be placed in the Bank of England in the names of three trustees . He now called upon the brethren not to confirm that portion ofthe minutes , in order that when the proper time arrived he would be enabled to advocate the cause of the Masonic Charities . He was convinced

that the members of fche lodge had reconsidered that resolution , ¦ and would support him in carrying out one of the first principles ofthe Order—charity ; and from the expressions of approval he had heard around him he would not detain them now , bufc at once propose that the minutes be confirmed with tho exception of that portion containing the resolution that £ 100 should be placed in the Bank of England . —Bro . EA'EKDEN rose and saiel ^ gave him great pleasure to second the' proposition of Bro . Proud . The AV . M . then put the question from the chair , and it was carried unanimously . Tlie lodge being resumed to the

third degree , the AV . M ., whose excellent working during his year of office is highly spoken of , proceeded to raise Bros . AVickham and Zandorf to the sublime degree of M . M . ' s , and the lodge being again resumed to the first degree , the AV . M . vacated tha chair to Bro . Fraud , who initiated Mr . Stephen Smith , and afterwards Mr . Parsons , in a most' impressive maimer . The W . M . resuming the chair aud initiating Mr . Lefevrethere being no other candidates presentthe lodge

, , then proceeded to elect a AV . M . for tho ensuing year , when it was found that Bro . Ough , S . AV ., was unanimously elected . Bro . Froud was also unanimously re-eleetedTreasurer , and Bro , Daly , Tyler . Bro . Sauting then proposed , in a highly complimentary manner , that a P . M . ' s jewel ofthe value of live guineas be presented to the AV . M . Bro . Nash as a token of esteem , to mark the approbation of the brethren for the manner in which

he had conducted tho business of the loelge during his year of office . Tho proposition being seconded by Bro . Temple , it was carried unanimously . The Secretary then read several letters , and having informed the AA . M . that he had no other matters to call his attention to , Bro . Froucl rose and made an earnest appeal to the brethren on behalf of the Masonic Charities , and concluded by reminding them that the

lodge had only been in existence for seven years , and during that time had taken a prominent position in the Craft . An opportunity was now given them to take a . still higher position , and make the lodge a Vice-President of our noble institution . Fifty guineas constituted a V . P . ; thirty guineas had already been voted to the three Charities , making the lodge a Life Governor of them , and by giving forty guineas more to each ,

they woulel not only be doing their duty na Freemasons , but remember with pride and satisfaction that they had taken another step , which would , he hoped , induce other lodges to follow their example . He then gave u notice of motion that afc their next meeting lie would propose thafc the sum of forty guineas be voted to the Boys' , and forty guineas to the Girls " Schools , leaving the question of the Royal Benevolent Fund to be decided at a future meeting . The lodge was theu closeel in ancient form and solemn prayer . During the evening an excellent banquet was served by Bro . Clemow , at the conclusion

of which the AA . M . provjoscd " The Queen and the Craft , " "The Right Hon . the Earl " of Zetland , M . W . G . M . of Masons , " " The Right Hon . the Earl cle Grey anel Ripon , " and " The rest of the Grand Officers , " each toast being received wifch enthusiasm . The W . M . then rose , and called upon the brethren to drink the healths of tho " Brother Initiates . " After congratulating them upon their entrance into Freemasonry , he proceeded to inform them that thoy were only on the

threshold of the Order , for they had much to see yet . Bro . S . Smith replied on behalf of himself and brother initiates , and in a most feeling manner thanked the AV . M . and the brethren for fche warm reception thoy had received , and said ho was both astonished anel delighted during the solemn and impressive ceremony he had witnessed that evening , and would look forward with happy feelings in conjunction with the young

brethren by his side to bo admitted into tha other degrees . The health of the AV . M . was theu proposed by Bro . Temple , who spoke in high terms of fche manner in which the AV . M . had conducted the business of the lodge during the pasfc year , and particularly for his constant attendance , and correct working of the ceremonies . —Bvo . NASH , W . M ., said ho felt highly pleased forthe kind manner in which his health had been received , and ifc

would be a lasting and pleasant reflection for him in leaving tlie chair to know that lie had won tlie approbation of fche brethren , and as a P . M . he hoped to be of some assistance , if necessary , to those who might follow him in that position . The healths of the P . M . 's was then proposed by tho W . M . and warmly received by the brethren . The AV . M . spoke of the great services rendered by the P . M . 's to the lodgeanel begged

, to unite with the toast the names of the Treasurer anel the Secretary . —Bro . PROUD , Treas ., returned thanks on behalf of himself and his brother Past Masters , and , in a speech of some length , which ivas listened to with great attention , spoke of fche rapid progress of the lodge , and the assistance he and tho various W . M . ' s had received from their Secretary . He then proceeded to make some amusing allusions to Bvo . Gavrod's

sudden anxiety for lodges of emergency . It gave him possibly another opportunity for displaying his ability as a letter-writer . The truth is , you must not Call him a dunce , nor call him a fool , For in writing he was always tbe cock of the school . ( Loud laughter . ) Bro . Secretary was also clever , very clever ,