St. Michael's Lodge, No. 211.

ST . MICHAEL'S LODGE , No . 211 .

THE annual meeting of this Lodge was held on Tuesday , at the Albion , Aldersgate Street , under the presidency of Bro . Frederick Trotman Bennett , the W . M ., who was supported by Bros . Alexander Dickson S . W . ( W . M . elect ) , Henry Lindfield J . W ., Alfred Green P . si . Treasurer , William Radcliffe P . M . Sec , Alfred Withers

P . M . D . C , T . H . Lavers P . M ., John Laver P . M ., T . H . Peirce P . M .,

P . J . Heutscb P . M ., John Waters P . M ., W . W . Morgan P . M ., G . C . Chnllen I . G ., P . J . Burr Steward , and the following visitors ;—J . W . Hanson 2182 , W . G . Jennings 1580 , G . King P . M . 172 , E . H . Taylor P . M . 586 , H . W . Roberts P . P . G . W . Middlesex , W . Williams 2005 , J . A . Collings Org . 1950 , C . Everett 1507 , J . Sadler Wood P . M-

2005 , Fred . Binckes P . M . P . G . S . B ., J . S . Cumberland P . M . 1611 , 2128 , P . P . G . W . N . and E . Yorks , & o . The minutes having been confirmed , the Lodge was advanced , and Bro . Dickson was regularly installed as Master of the Lodge . The Officers were then appointed , and the addresses delivered , the collars being distributed as follows : —

Bros . Bennett I . P . M ., Lindfield S . W ., H . Nash J . W ., Green P . M . Treasurer , Radcliffe P . M . Secretary , P . J . King S . D ., Capt . Challen J . D ., Orlton Cooper I . G ., Withers P . M . D . C , Burr Steward , J . T . Harrison Org ., and Banks Tyler . The first duty whioh devolved on the new W . M . was , he said , a most pleasurable one ; it was the

presentation to his predecessor of a Past Master ' s jewel . He hoped Bro . Bennett would accept it as a memento of the happy hours spent in the Lodge during the past year , and that whenever he or any of the members looked on it they would be reminded of a most successful and satisfactory year in the history of the St . Michael ' s Lodge . Bro .

Bennett having briefly acknowledged the presentation , the report of the Audit Committee was received , and ordered to be entered o <> the minutes . Tbo Committee for the general purposes of the Lodge was next appointed , and then report was made in reference to the action of a Committee appointed to oouaider au appeal made to the

Lodge at its last meeting , from which it appeared that a sum of ten pounds had been expended iu the cause of charity , to relieve the applicant ' s more pressing needs . Other items of business having been disposed of the Lodge was closed , and tho brethren repaired to banquet , at the conclusion of which the customary toasts were

given by the Worshipful Master . The first he had the pleasure of submitting , in common with all newly appointed Masters , was that of the Queen aud the Craft . Her Majesty was enthroned , not only in the State , but in the hearts of her subjects , who wished for her a contiuued reign of prosperity . He ventured to think it a very happy

idea which associated the toast of the Queen with that of the Craft , aud that an Institution existing as Freemasonry did for the practioe of every social virtue should be associated with a woman whose reign had seen the elevation of public morals and the promotiou of the general happiness and prosperity of the people . It was a

fact worthy of notice that the Qu « en had not only preached , but had practised virtue , and had set a bright example to those around her . The Masonic Craft , which had so widely spread its influence during her reign had contributed much to the gererous and charitable bearing which had characterised the life of her Majesty ' s ci'izens during the

la-fc and present generations . In submitting the second toast , thit of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the W . M said his Royal Highness had rei dered most important service to the State as heir apparent , services whioh were so muoh appreciated and so widely known as to render it unnecessary to dwell upon them there . Great

as had been those services , he felt that a reference to the services rendered by the Prinoe of Wales as Grand Master of Freemasonry would bring a heartier welcome from those around him . The toast of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master ; and the Grand Officers present and past was

next given , the Worshipful Master referring to the pleasure it afforded him to have a Grand Officer present , in the person of Bro . Binckes , who had been good enough , he said , to visit the St . Michael ' s Lodge after having been present at another notable meeting in the Craft . He felt the members of the St . Michael ' s Lodge had reason to be

proud of this visit , after the fatigue of that other meeting . Brother Binckes replied . The brethren had no idea with what pleasure he rose to respond to the toast , were it not that he must be thoroughly suffused with the feeling that he had imposed on the Lodge a most unwarrantable intrusion . It was quite true the hearty

weloome accorded him had softened down the diffidence he had felt , yet he bardly knew how sufficiently to thank them . It was quite a pleasure , after leaving the other meeting of which the Worshipful Master had spoken , and where he was but one of a crowd of Grand Officers , a veritable minnow among the tritons , to have the honour of

being singled out as the only one eligible to respond to this toast , the first part of whioh he felt not the slightest difficulty in acknowledging , inasmuch as the two noblemen referred to discharged the duties of their respective offices in a manner which could not be excelled . In regard to the Grand Officers present and past , they had

been appointed under the prerogative of the Grand Master , who could not err , and whilst there were , no doubt , some who felt they could perform the work much better than it bad been done , the Graft on the whole must be satisfied with its prinoipal Officers . The duties and responsibilities of the Grand Offioers were nothing more

sor less than to carry out the desires of the rank and file of Freemasonry—first , the promotion of human happiness ; and aext , the mitigation of human distress . Personally he was a comparatively untried man , but he assured his bearers that the honour conferred on him by the Grand

Master had not made any difference in what he had ever beena champion of the best interests of the Order , and of those below the dais , frum whom he bad always received the strongest support . Whenever anything was proposed to advance the interests of the

general body of the Craft they might rely on him , as he had ever been , as a strong supporter . In conclusion , he could but impress upon them that the highest duty which devolved upon them was to be happy themselves , and do all they possibly could to oommunicate happiness to others . Bto . Bennett

St. Michael's Lodge, No. 211.

I . P . M . gave the next toast . It was a very pleasant task , and yet it was with somewhat mingled feelings he assumed the gavel . He nBked them to honour his successor in the chair of their Lodge . Bro . Dickson was well known to them , and might best be described , as he had been in Lodge , as of good report , true and trusty , and held

in high estimation among his brothers and fellows . The Worshipful Master , in reply , was exceedingly obliged for the reoeption accorded the toast . He freely acknowledged he that night felt most important duties had been entrusted to him , and he should be considerably relieved if he heard , twelve months hence , that he had detracted

nothing from the honour and reputation of the St . Michael's Lodge , He felt sure the Past Masters and Officers would co-operate with him in seeing the ceremonies properly rendered under his presidency . The next toast was that of the Visitors . They were that night favoured with the attendance of several . He hoped it was not

necessary for him to say how pleased the Lodge was to have guests , he hoped they had so enjoyed themselves as to be already sure of it . It would perhaps delay the proceedings too much if he went round the table and personally greeted eaoh one , but he hoped they would all accept his assurance that they were sincerely welcomed . Bro . Dr .

Roberts was the first to reply . He considered it a great honour to be called upon . It was evident to him that guests were made a great fuss of in the St . Miohael ' s Lodge . Iu the earlier part of the evening they had enjoyed a most intellectual treat , and there they had been met in the most hearty manner possible . The Visitors had

seen what the Officers were capable of ; they could judge of the Master ' s ability , and were convinced the members would , one and all , strive to emulate his example . Bro . Williams followed . He considered it a great thing to carry into the world a feeling of happiness . In Masonry they were assuredly happy , but he questioned if

they all showed the same principles outside of it ; this was not acting up to their teaching . He remembered reading from an old book that Freemasonry enjoyed many privileges in Italy , because its happiness was carried outside the Ledges , as well as being praotised within . Bro . Cumberland said he had hoped to have been present at the

installation of h » a old friend Bro . Morgan , now one of the Past Masters of the Lodge , bnt it was not to be . He was very pleased to be then present . He believed he was on the list of members of the St . Michael ' s Lodge of Instruction , whioh he remembered visiting when it was under the presidency of another of their Past Masters

—Bro . Withers—who he was glad to see once again . The pleasure he found in being associated with the Lodges of Freemasonry was that he there made friendships whioh it would be impossible to make without association with the Craft , aud he believed that in visiting they learned more and more of eaoh other , really the inner working

of a man s life . There was always something to be gained , for no man was so great or so learned but that he cnuld profit by association with his fellows . He was sorry he had not been present earlier than he had , as he should have liked to have witnessed the installation , which he considered the

culminating point of Freemasonry . He bad been reminded by the song they had just heard of a matter in which he was taking some interest ; there was at present a movement on foot to do something to provide a suitable monument to the memory of Dibdin , whose songs had done so much to please them . He took a personal interest

in the matter from the fact that it was generally understood that Tom Bowling was a ferryman at York , who worked his Craft from York to Hull . He should be truly glad to receive any little help , to commemorate the memory of a man who had afforded him so much pleasure , and who had written so muoh for the Navy of England

and the brave men who had served their country on the seas . Bro . King , as a frequent visitor , was proud to acknowledge the reception acoorded him that night . He was always ready to do anything in his power for the Lodge , and was happy he had been able to render them some little aid that evening . The next toast , the Worshipful

Master said , was sure of a hearty reception , it being that of the Installing Master . In proposing his health he had in mind the great servioes Bro . Bennett had rendered during his year of office . The St . Michael's Lodge could not wish to have the dntieB of the chair better performed than they had been during the past year by Bro .

Bennett , and they had seen that night the way in which he had completed his duties by installing his successor . He conld only hope that if a similar honour fell to his lot he might be able to carry it out with equal perfection . Bro . Bennett tendered his thanks . He knew it was no false enthusiasm which prompted them to receive the

toast as they had just done . It used to be the cry—the King is dead , long live the King . The King of the Lodge for the past year was dead , but he lived again in his present ruler . He as their Master was dead , bat he had , BO to speak , risen again as a Past Master , wearing the jewel they had so graciously voted him . Though

he was now relegated to the senate he was still ready to take a prominent part in the forum , should it be needed . The Past Masters of the Lodge were next honoured , the Worshipful Master being sure the members would heartily respond to the toast , in remembrance of what those comprised in it had done for the Lodge . Without them

the Lodge oould not have attained its present position . The toast having been acknowledged , that of the Treasurer and Secretary was given . Bro . Green , the Treasurer , felt that as he had an opportunity of saying something every time tbey met they did not desire to hear much from him then . He sinoerely hoped the Lodge

would go on prospering in the future as it had done in the past . Bro . Radcliffe , Secretary , said he need hardly tell the members he was wrapped up , heart and soul , in the St . Michael ' s Lodge . As long aa he had health and strength it would be his endeavour to promote the interests of its members . The past year had been a red letter

year iu the history of the Lodge—they had had thirteen meetings . Tbis had involved a vast amount of work on the Secretary , but it had been undertaken most cheerfully , as a labour of love . He

assured the Master that during his year of office , as well as at any time he had the hononr of acting as Secretary , he should do all he oould for theJLodge . He had visited many Lodges , but nowhere was the work done with greater desire for the welfare of Fxee »