Reports Of Meetings.

latter by Bro . Roper . There was also a good supply of other light refreshments , which the party thoroughly enjoyed . This over , the Worshipful Master requested the company to move towards the Castle , which he had made arrangements for them to be taken over in two parties . The beautiful paintings , statuary , and objects of antiquity , & c , were fully explained by the housekeeper and her assistants , and at the close the company were shown the beautiful uninterrupted panoramic view of Nottinghamshire for twenty or thirty miles .

On returning to the grounds a photograph of the company was taken by Bro . H . J . Bliss , of Grantham . They then re-entered the vehicles , and after a smart drive the George Hotel was reached shortly after six p . m . Bro . Fillingham had in readiness a banquet , to which ample justice was done , the appetites of the party having been sharpened by the drive across the Woolsthorpe Hills .

At the close the Worshipful Master proposed the loyal toast , Miss Emily Davies ( Mrs . Elam ) singing the solo to " God Save the Queen , " and the whole company joining heartily in the anthem . In proposing the toast of the ladies , the Worshipful Master said that from his point of view this toast was not one whit less important than the one he had just proposed ; it was the toast of the Queen of their hearts and

homes—the ladies . He was certain that they took a great deal of interest in Masonry , especially since the ladies' nights and summer outings had become so popular , and if any Brother had any doubt on that point he would advise him to take a stewardship next year for the Royal Benevolent Institution of Aged Freemasons . He would find a considerable number of ladies acting as stewards , and wearing the splendid jewel of which they were all so proud .

The toast , which was drunk with enthusiasm , was responded to by Bro . R . V . Davies , in a pleasing manner . Bro . Inder I . P . M . next proposed the Worshipful Master , who , he said , had done everything that a Master could do for the Lodge ' s popularity and for the ladies' nights and summer outings . They were indebted to him for the very successful outing that day , and the satisfactory manner in which he had arranged for the comfort of the guests . He trusted that Bro . Parish

might be spared for many years to assist in making these outings agreeable . The Worshipful Master replied that it was always a pleasure to him to do anything he could to make the Finsbury Park Lodge successful , and he trusted that as long as he had health and strength he would do his best to make the ladies' nights and summer outings as agreeable as possible , especially when he was supported by the presence of so many amiable ladies , and so energetic a Secretary as Past Master Oldis , who had done everything possible for the comfort of all present .

The party then again entered the . vehicles , and were driven to Grantham Station , where the saloons were immediately entered and attached to the London express , which duly arrived at Finsbury Park about 10 p . m ., when the company separated after congratulating each other on one of the most successful outings the Lodge had ever enjoyed , says the " Hornsey Journal . "

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . ON Thursday , at Bro . Purkiss ' s , Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , Bro . R . Goff W . M ., J . Dinnis P . M . S . W ., Justin Allen J . W ., R . H . Williams P . M . Preceptor , F . J . Larkman P . M . Treas ., J . H . Gumming P . M . Sec , H . Worth S . D ., R . Robinson J . D ., F . M . Ridley I . G ., C . Jacobs , F . Fullwood P . M ., J . Wynman .

The W . M . opened and closed the Lodge in the first and second degrees , and afterwards vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Larkman , who resumed the Lodge to the first degree . Bro . Jacobs having offered himself as candidate , was entrusted , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed . The W . M . gave the explanation of the tracing board in an excellent manner . We strongly advise other Lodges of Instruction to follow this example , and also give the charges after the ceremonies .

The W . M . having resumed the chair closed the Lodge to the first degree . Bro . Williams Preceptor , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the first section of the lecture . Bro . Dinnis P . M . was elected W . M . for next meeting , when the ceremony of raising and installation will be rehearsed . The perfect working of Bro . Dinnis being so well known we trust he will have a good attendance . It was

also proposed and unanimously agreed to that a vote of thanks be put on the minutes for the excellent manner in which Bro . Larkman gave the explanation of the tracing board . Bro . Williams also had much pleasure in proposing that a hearty vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the very able manner in which the W . M . opened and closed the Lodge in the various degrees for the first time , to which the W . M . returned his thanks in a few suitable words .

WESTBOURNE LODGE , No . 733 . ON Tuesday , at the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , Harrow Road , W ., Bro . R . J . Rogers P . M . W . M . W . Handover S . W ., C . Halston J . W ., H . Dehane P . BI . Preceptor , G . Mogford P . M . Sec , J Wynman S . D ., G . Weaver I . G ., Butters P . M ., and others . Bro . Debane , with the assistance of the Brethren , worked the third

section of the first lecture . The Lodge was advanced to the second degree and the ceremouy of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Dehane acting as candidate . The Lodge was called off and ou . Bro . Dehane was examined and entrusted , and the Lodge being opened in the third degree , by desire of the W . M . Bro T . Mogford W . M . of the Bloomsbury Rifles Lodge rehearsed the ceremony ! Bro . Handover was elected as W . M . for next week .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 65 . AN exceptionally large meeting for the summer months took place on Wednesday , at the Weavers Anns , London Wall , E . C , Bro . J . Brown W . M ., H . Saunion S . W ., W . Baker J . W ., Greig P . M . Deputy Preceptor H T . Meadows P . M . Sec , S . H . Pearsall W . M . 1298 S . D ., J . G . Robison J . D , F H . Farr I . G ., J . Smith P . M ., W . Thomas P . M ., Collins , A . D . Shepperd , R . Wood , J . Wynman , J . Almond P . M ., and others .

, The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Thomas candidate . The Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Wood answered the questions . Lodge was advanced and the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Thomas again acting as candidate . It was proposed , seconded and unanimously agreed to that a record be

Instruction.

put on the minutes for the excellent and faultless manner in which the W . M . rehearsed the ceremonies for the first time in this Lodge , to which the W . M . responded . Bro . J . Almond P . M . 36 , and Bro . R . J . Wood of the Stockwell Lodge were unanimously elected members , while Bro . H . Saunion P . M . was chosen as W . M . for the next meeting .

Presentation At Blackburn.

PRESENTATION AT BLACKBURN .

ON Thursday evening , 15 th ult ., there was a large gathering of Brethren of the Lodge of Perseverance , No . 345 , which meets at the Grosvenor Hotel , Blackburn , when a presentation was made to Bro . Franklin Thomas P . M . P . P . S . G . W . East Lancashire , on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of his birthday . Bro . George Whewoll W . M . was in the chair . After the Lodge had been opened , and a portion of the Lodge business transacted , the W . M . called upon Bro . Brierley to make the presentation .

In doing so , he remarked that it was not an occasion on which he proposed to make anything like a set oration . It was not , to him , a question so much of speech as a question of the heart . It was kind of the Brethren to have selected him to discharge so pleasing a task , and he felt the honour they had conferred upon him very much . Probably they delegated it to him because he was perhaps one of the oldest members of the Lodge . He ( the speaker ) had been a member of that Lodge for forty years ; had watched during the

whole of those years the career of Bro . Thomas , and he could heartily testify to what he had done . In one respect the task he had was a difficult one , and yet again it was not a difficult , but a very easy thing to do , for the least they said about a beautiful thing when they had seen it the better ; its worthiness was expressed in itsell . If he should take in his hand a vase of gold , or look upon a garden of roses , he should not dilate upon the beauty of those things , for words were too weak to describe them . In the present

instance , the words he should use would come from the bottom of his heart , for the Brother whom they were honouring that day was one who bad attained worthily many Masonic distinctions . He could trace Bro . Thomas ' career from his first coming amongst them . He had added dignity to their ritual and service . There was hardly a Lodge in the Province but was glad to have the presence of their valued Brother , and his services were often in request to aid the respective Lodges . Wherever he went he gave a tone , and

raised the dignity of the ritual in the Lodges . He had never turned his back on what he conceived to be his duty , and he was always at the point of duty when ho was required to be there . His services would never be forgotten by them in that Lodge , which stood , he need not tell them , in the very forefront oi the Lodges in the Province . As a citizen Bro . Thomas was held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen , and as a magistrate his decisions

had been tempered by the Masonic virtue of mercy . He was a fine specimen of the Englishman , and they could not but admire him as they considered his clear thought , and the wonderful activity of mind and body which he showed on his eightieth birthday . In conclusion , the speaker expressed the hope that they who followed after Bro . Thomas might imitate his abilities ,, and might he ( Bro . Thomas ) be spared to them for many years to come .

The loving cup was then filled , and handed round the Lodge by Bro . G . H . Holt P . M . A . D . C ., the health of Bro . Thomas being heartily drunk by every member of the Lodge . The presentation was then made in formal terms by Bro . Brierley , who read the inscription on the cup as follows :

Presented to BBO . FBANKLIN THOMAS P . M . P . P . S . G . W . East Lancashire , by the Masonic Lodge of Perseverance , No . 345 , Blackburn , on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of his birthday , in recognition of his distinguished and valued services to the Craft during an unbroken record of fifty-six years , and as a mark of esteem and respect from the Brethren of the Lodge with which he has been closely identified for thirty-six years .

Blackburn , 10 th July 1897 . Bro . Thomas , having first drunk the health of the Brethren , replied . He first thanked Bro . Brierley for the kind terms of his speech . It was not in his power of words to acknowledge in any measure the flattering mark of esteem which had been paid him . The handsome gift that they had given him he was convinced was in value very much beyond anything he could have deserved at their hands . He never could have conceived , even in a

dream , of so magnificent a testimonial of their brotherly kindness , and it would well try the nerves of a younger man than himself to stand in the position he found himself in that night . It pleased him to see the Brethren were so gratified in being able to show their Masonic interest and kindly feeling . Their gift was of intrinsic value , but that did not constitute its value to him . If it had been of beaten gold , and set with jewels that would not have constituted its worth in his eyes ; he valued it as a testimony of

their kindness to him—a kindness shown during the whole of the years he had been a member of their Lodge . They must excuse the weakness of an old man , but he must thank Bro . Brierley for the expression of kindness he had uttered in regard to him . He remembered trie first meeting of the Lodge which he attended as though it were only yesterday . Bro . Brierley , who was at that first meeting , and was then in his prime , was called upon for a song , and to it he added an impromptu verse , which had reference to him ( Bro . Thomas ) , and was as follows : —

" And next sits Bro . Thomas , From London he ' s come down ; I'm sure he'll prove an ornament Both to our Lodge and town . " Hearing those lines they would remember the dictum of the American humourist , which advised a man never to prophesy unless he knew , and they would think it would hardly apply in this instance . They had mentioned

very kindly any little he had done to promote the good of E * reemasonry , but he had only tried to be what was known in connection with theatrical companies as the general utility man . That was the role he had tried to fill during the whole of the years he had been amongst them . He noticed there were three dates on the circular calling that meeting ; one alluded to the eightieth anniversary of his birthday ; but having attained to such a long

term of years , he felt his thanks were due , in the first place , to the Great Architect of the Universe , that He had granted him through all that long life such an amount of mental and physical power as he had always enjoyed and still enjoyed to-day . He felt his great indebtedness to the Almighty for so signal a mark of favour . Strange it seemed that a harp of one thousand strings should keep in tune so long . Bro . Thomas entered upon a retrospect of his life as a Freemason , stating that he had joined the Order when he was twenty-four years of age .