Reports Of Meetings.

Bro . Mulvey now assumed the gavel , and proceeded to give the toast of the Worshipful Master of the Lodge . He had had the honour that day of placing in the chair a Brother well worthy of the preferment , one who had assisted as a Founder of their Lodge , and had won the . distinction of Provincial Office . Bro . Mulvey knew the ability of the Master , and knowing that he understood the duties of his office , felt that at the termination of his year in the chair the members would be bound to admit that the prestige of the Broxbourne Lodge had not suffered at his hands , but rather had increased under the rule of Bro . Gittins .

The toast was heartily received , " as was the Worshipful Master on his rising to respond . He first thanked Bro . Mulvey for the more than kind way in which he had proposed the toast , and the Brethren for the heartiness with which , they had supported the remarks of Bro . Mulvey . He felt very proud indeed of the position the Brethren had placed him in . He was a founder of the Lodge , and the last of the number to be elected to its chair ,

but as they knew , he had for some time discharged the duties of Secretary . He had long looked forward to the honours of the chair of K . S ., and would do his utmost to give satisfaction now that he . had risen to occupy it . His main endeavours would be to make the members of the Lodge as happy as possible during his year of office , so that when the time came for him to leave the position he had now the honour of filling he would carry with him the knowledge that he had given satisfaction .

The toast of the initiates was next given from the chair , the W . M . according them a hearty welcome , and hoping they would derive pleasure and satisfaction from their association with the Craft .

Bro . William De Maid said he was very pleased with the ceremony through which he had been conducted , and thanked the W . M . for having initiated him into Freemasonry . In time to come he hoped to be able to prove to the Brethren that they had not misplaced confidence in having elected him as a Brother of the Lodge . Bro . David Aston endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker , and promised to do all that lay in his power to become a good Mason , and a credit to the Lodge and Brethren who had received him as a member .

Bro . Rev . J . C . B . Wilson said he also had been very much impressed with the ceremony of his initiation , and should never forget the great and solemn obligation to which he had pledged himself . He most sincerely thanked the W . M . and members for receiving him into the Craft , and for the cordial reception personally given . When he received the light of Freemasonry and . saw the Holy Bible before him , he felt that Freemasonry was founded on religious principles . When he returned to South Africa his " spirit would remain with the Lodge which had received him into its midst .

The next toast was the Visitors , proposed by the Worshipful Master in the most hearty manner . The members of the Lodge were very pleased in being honoured by the presence of so many guests , and were proud of the opportunity of entertaining them . Bro . James Watts , in reply , said that was the third occasion on which he had visited the Broxbourne Lodge , where he had found the working always good . That night the members had excelled themselves . He especially congratulated Bro . Mulvey on the perfect way in which he had installed the Master .

Bro . C . H . Bestow P . M . P . P . G . P . Essex said it was the first time he had visited the Lodge , and he was very pleased with what he had seen . He could fully endorse the remarks of Bro . Watts , as the working of the W . M . and of Bro . Mulvey was of the highest quality . He had thoroughly enjoyed himself , both in the Lodge and at the festive board . Bro . J . H . Craig also thanked the Worshipful Master for his hospitality , and expressed his indebtedness to Bro . Mulvey for his cordial invitation . Other visitors also responded .

The next toast was that of the Installing Master , and in proposing it the W . M . said the working of Bro . Mulvey that evening had been excellent . In fact it would be difficult for the ceremony to be performed in better style , The members were all proud of Bro . Mulvey , who had brought honour to the Lodge by his preferment at the hands of the Grand Master .

The remarks of the W . M . were received with hearty applause , as also was Bro . Mulvey , when he rose to respond . He said he highly appreciated the very kind words of the Worshipful Master , and at the same time thanked the members for their cordial reception . Whatever assistance he could give to the Lodge he should be very pleased to render .

The Worshipful Master gave the health of the Past Masters of the Lodge , describing them as good fellows all . No words of his , indeed , were necessary to impress their good qualities on the minds of the Brethren who knew them . Suffice it to say they appeared to be always ready and willing to do anything that was required of them for the interest of the Lodge .

Bro . Mulvey , with all his well-known modesty , once again rose to reply , but being " a man of many parts " he found no difficulty in saying something fresh in answer to this , his latest call . Bro . Holland followed , thanking the W . M . for his kind remarks , and the Brethren for their appreciation on that and many previous occasions . He cordially wished the present Worshipful Master a prosperous year of office . Bro . Monson also replied as a Past Master .

The Officers of the Lodge were now toasted , the W . M . expressing the pleasure he felt in having so efficient a body of Masons to assist him in the work of tho Lodge . Bro . Hunt S . W . responded , pledging himself to do everything in his power to give satisfaction . He was highly pleased to see Bro . Bullock , their Provincial Grand Secretary and an Honorary Member of the Lodge , once more among them , and hoped he would attend on many future occasions .

Bro . Phillips J . W . followed in similar terms , and then Bro . Nicholls said his " professional" duties , after all , were not very onerous . He promised he would not give the Brethren the headache with displays of his musical abilities , but would be pleased to render all the assistance in his power to make the meetings enjoyable . The other Officers also replied . We are almost afraid to refer to another toast submitted by the Worshipful Master , lest we call down upon ourselves the charge of copying the

famous character of Dickens , who could not do anything without introducing the head of the unfortunate King Charles into his observations . The toast was the Secretary and Treasurer , with Bro . Mulvey in the title role . The members were not yet tired of showing their appreciation of that Bro ther , however , nor can we pause ere we complete the record of his popularity

among the Brethren of the Broxbourne Lodge . The W . M . said as Treasurer and Father of their Lodge Bro . Mulvey was held in high esteem by every one of the members , and they all hoped he would continue in the office for many years yet to come . The Secretary , too , was well qualified for his office , and the members were all pleased that he had consented to retain the position .

The two Brethren duly responded , and the Tyler's toast concluded a grand evening . Bro . B . H . Nicholls , as Musical Director , provided an enjoyable pro

Reports Of Meetings.

gramme , to which Bros . H . C . Holland P . M ., Eric Parr , Wilfred Stracey , W . Hall , and others contributed . Bro . W . H . Harper P . M . presided in able manner at the piano . The new Worshipful Master of tho Lodge has commenced his reign in grand style , and while complimenting him on the excellence of the work he performed on the first night of his rule we tender him tho best of good wishes for the future , and hope tho Lodge may enjoy increased popularity as the result of his government of it during tho ensuing year .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . A REGULAR meeting was held at tho Victoria Hctcl , Manchester , on Monday , 27 th ult ., Brother Edwyn A . Smith W . M . After the confirmation of minutes , and the reading of an ancient charge , Bro . Sam Luke J . W ; , Secretary of the Pic-nic Committee , presented his report and explained the preparations which had been made for the visit to Stonyhurst and neighbourhood on Monday next , 4 th July .

Bro . Seth Wrigley P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C . afterwards rose to present to tho Lodge , on behalf of its members , a handsome silver chain for the W . M . ' s collar , whioh - was introduced under the title of " The Martin Thomas Memorial Chain . " Bro . Wrigley stated that he had been requested to undertake a duty in connection with the Lodge , which he now performed with mixed feelings of pleasure and sorrow—pleasure , that he had the honour of

being singled out so prominently for the duty , and sorrow that the occasion for it had arisen ; it was that of presenting to the Lodge a handsome silver collar—a chain—to perpetuate the name and services of the late Bro . Martin Thomas . After paying a very appropriate tribute to the memory of their deceased Brother , he reverted to the unwavering interest he had always taken in tho Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , and the various positions which he

had successfully occupied in its management and career . He loved it ( said the speaker with emotion ) , loved it like his own child , and if anything had gone wrong in its working it would have affected him equally as deeply as anything occurring in his own home . He was sure that if it were possible for the spirit of the departed to be hovering around them ho would be satisfied

with the action which they were taking on this occasion . The chain contained medallions to the number of thirty , and it would be an honour to those who occupied the principal chair for many years to come to have their names inscribed thereon . He read the inscription on the centre medallion , which was as follows : —

Presented to the Minnehaha Minstrel Lodge , No . 2363 , by the Brethren , in memory of the late W . Bno . MARTIN THOMAS P . M . P . P . G . D .,

a Founder and the First Worshipful Master of the Lodge , who died 9 th March 1898 . Bro . Wrigley also read out the following list of preceding Masters , after which he placed the chain around the neck of Bro . Smith , the present Worshipful Master :

M . Thomas ----- 1890-91 S . Wrigley 1891-92 F . W . Wollaston - - - - 1892-93 W . A . Brabner ----- 1893-94 C . H . Beever - - - - - 1894-95 H . Nail P . P . G . Tr . ( W . L . ) ... 1895-96 F . Hilton P . P . G . D . C . - ' - - - 1896-97 .

At the festive board which followed , the harmonious element was contributed by Bro . Sam Luke J . W ., S . H . Stubbs S . D ., F . Todd J . D ., Geo . B . Ward , Edward Boberts P . M . 1459 , and John Wohrmann , St . Mungo Lodge , No . 27 , Glasgow .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . AN emergency meeting was held . at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Tuesday , 14 th ult ., Bro . William Charlton , J . P ., Worshipful Master , there being a very good attendance . After the dispensation had been read , and other minor business disposed of , a successful ballot was taken for Bro . Fred Eastwood , late of Hampden

Lodge , No . 2427 , St . Pancras , London , who was desirous of becoming a joining member . A ballot was also taken for Mr . James Alfred Kenyon , Buyer , Manchester , who was initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . Chas . Jordan was then raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by Bro . Edward Webb P . M . 1134 163 in a very careful

manner . The election of Officers took place , with the result that Bro . W . A . Boyer S . W . was unanimously chosen as W . M .-elect , and his installation will take place at the next meeting , to be held on Friday , 14 th October . At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly varied by songs , recitations , & c , members and visitors alike being brought under contribution .

In proposing the health of the W . M .-elect , Bro . Charlton W . M . referred in feeling terms to the recent serious illness of the former , and congratulated him upon his restoration to health and the duties of the Lodge . Bro . Boyer said in reply that the fact of having been unanimously elected to fill the position of their future W . M . was to him a source of great pleasure , evidencing as it did that he had their entire confidence . He had known

cases where such elections had not been conducted with perfect unanimity , and in one instance to which ho referred it had been necessary for the outgoing W . M . to give his casting vote . Such an election as this would not have satisfied him , and he was proud in the knowledge that he should enter upon his new duties with their entire approval . A Brother Mason , whose name he did not disclose , said he was getting too old to take upon

himself the responsibilities of such an important position as that of principal Officer in the Lodge . His reply was couched in the question : What kind of Mason had he already made ? The promise that he would not deviate from the direct lines of his former actions reminded one of Confucius , tho Chinese historian and moralist , who " With reverence would go Where duty ' s path was plain . " Other toasts followed , a pleasant evening being spent .