Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1507.

friend Brother Hervey , and asked his advice . Brother Hervey's answer was , that if the gentleman seeking admission was a good man , and one likely to become a good Mason , no bodily defect , arising from accident , should exclude him . Bro . Kuight was accordingly admitted , and had since amply proved himself worthy

of the opinion formed of him before his admission to the Craft . The late Bro . John Hervey was among those present on the occasion of Brother Knight ' s initiation , and since that day had expressed approval of the course then taken , which he said had removed a little misunderstanding which existed in the Craft as to the eligibility

of a gentleman maimed by accident , or otherwise , who was in all other respects a most desirable candidate . The Metropolitan Lodge had also reaped the benefit of their action on that occasion , the members being heartily pleased with what Bro . Knight had done for them . Aa Treasurer Bro . Willing took care of their funds . He waa

always ready to spend the money of tbe Lodge as the members desired—and they appeared to desire rapid expenditure , in Charity of course—bnt he desired to mention that if Charity began at home it was not absolutely necessary it shonld always stay there . On the contrary , he thought the members might advantageously extend the

circle of their benevolence . Bro . Michael followed . He was very pleased to be once more present at the Metropolitan Lodge , and meet with the nsual hearty reception accorded to its Past Masters . On the present occasion there were only two of the founders of the Lodge who had passed its chair who were present among them—Bro .

Willing and himself . They had seen some ups and downs in the Lodge , but conld now look round and congratulate themselves on its snecess . All below him included in the toast had been initiated in the Lodge of which they were now Past Masters , and not a few of them had won a reputation for themselves in the Craft , by their

working or otherwise , which wonld remain as long as they lived . He was very pleased with the remarks made by Bro . Willing as to the initiation of their present worshipful Master , as he felt an especial pride in him , Bro . Knight having been among his earliest friends in the Lodge . Bros . Scales , W . M . Stiles , H . Stiles , and other Past Masters

also responded , and then the Worshipfnl Master proposed the toast of the initiates . They had that evening had the pleasure of admitting four gentlemen into their midst , a large number for any Lodge to initiate at one time , although it was not so much of a novelty in the Metropolitan Lodge . He trusted the initiates would look forward

and strive to make themselves efficient for the other degrees to which they would be entitled in a few weeks , and to the highest honour in the Lodge , which they might perhaps hope to attain in about ten years , which was the time he had spent in reaching the chair . Bro . Smerdon had great pleasure in thanking the brethren

for the very kind way in which he had been received as a member of the body of Freemasons generally , and of their Lodge in particular . He felt it a great hononr to be admitted to the ancient Institution , and that he had been amply compensated for any anxious moments he might have spent previous to his entrance into the Lodge . Bro .

Gleed felt that no words could express the pleasure he felt in being admitted that night . Bro . Porter said that anything he entered into he desired to carry out to the best of his ability , and such would be his endeavour in connection with Freemasonry . He was not so young a man as many then around the board , still he hoped to spend

some time among them . It was impossible for him to determine where he should be ten years hence — by which time the Worshipfnl Master had said there might be a chance of his being at the head of the Lodge ; bnt he hoped by that time to have proved himself worthy of the confidence reposed in

him that night . Bro . Carter expressed the pleasure he felt in being admitted , and promised to endeavour to become as good a mason as any brother around him . The toast of the Visitors was next given , and was replied to by several of the guests . Bro . Smith ( W . M . 1744 ) was the first to respond , tendering sincere thanks for

the reception accorded by the membera . Any brother visiting the Metropolitan Lodge might rely on a hearty welcome . The Lodge over which he had the hononr to preside was so associated with the Metropolitan that he might term the one the elder brother of the other . So long as tbe Metropolitan Lodge was conducted on its

present lines it wonld stand out as a brilliant example to be followed by others . He could but ' wish tbat every Lodge would make itself equal to the Metropolitan . Bro . Slyman followed , predicting a happy year of office for the W . M . who , with the other Officers would , he felt , command the respect of every member of the Lodge . Bro . Storr added a few words of commendation . He felt there

was not one of the visitors who wished the Worshipful Master and the Lodge more weal than he did , while he hoped that woe would ever be far distant from them . He hoped the Lodge would continue to prosper aa it had done during the past , and that ifc would ever stand out a bright example as it had done in vears

gone by . Bro . W . A . Scurrah followed . It waa always a great pleasure for him to attend the Lodge , as in it he waa surrounded by many dear friends . Several other brethren having spoken to the toast the Worshipful Master proposed the health of the Officers . No Lodge—east , west , south or north—could boast of such Officers

as the Metropolitan secum * . Some of its Past Masters had risen from the post of Steward—ho himself had done so—and now he had his reward . He briefly summarised the doings of the several Officers , and then Bro . Edmonds replied . He was thankful for the great kindness displayed towards him , but more particularly ao

on that occasion . Like all the Officers of the Lodge he waa anxious to rise to the highest dignity , and took every opportunity of rendering himself perfect in the duties ot whatever office he might be called

upon to fill . It waa the earnest wish of the Officers to render every asaistance in their power to aupporfc the Worahipful Master , and further tbe interests of the Lodge . The other Officers present having also replied , the Tyler ' s toast was given , and the meeting was

brought to a conclusion . The visitors were Bros . H . Baldwin W . M . 1632 P . P . G . Std . B . Middlesex , 0 . H . Phillips P . M . 1986 , L . H . Price I . G . 1321 , C . Sheppard P . M . 1366 , A . G . Christiansen 72 , W . Mills 1716 , J . Beddoos J . D . 902 , W . A . Scurrah P . M . 2048 Prov . G . S . of

Metropolitan Lodge, No. 1507.

W . Middlesex , C . Sharpe 1365 , A . H . Sourrah A . D . C 2048 G . Towerzey 1158 , A . R . Trew J . W . 959 , H . Chown 1349 , R . w ' Galer W . M . 1366 , T . E . Musto 518 , A . Ramskell 1803 , G Dickinson S . W . 1681 , J . Court P . M . and Seo . 1869 , 0 . B . Pndland W . M . 1732 E . Storr P . M . 167 , G . M . Shurn 1275 , H . Tyrer 1339 2147 , J . Poll

lard 1339 , W . Proctor 1288 , J . Hemming S . D . 1287 , H . Slyman Prov . G . D . C . Middlesex , W . J . Morris 1524 , F . G . W . Gwyer P . M . 1288 A . Siraner S . W . 177 , J . T . Briggs P . M . 157 , G . T . Chubb I . G . 1867 ,

G . R . Bolton W . M . 1314 , B . Kaufifmann S . W . 1732 , W . J . Lee 1777 , M . J . Green 1987 , W . Simpson Steward 1524 , J . Wilson P . M . 1328 , J . Knight 2005 , W . Hnnt 172 , J . C . Smith W . M . 1744 , F . Buxton D . C 1891 , T . Jackson P . M . 1475 , J . Glenn S . W . 19 , W . A . Hetherington 957 , R . Hewetson 177 , W . W . Morgan jun ., and others .

St. John's Lodge, No. 221.

ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 221 .

THIS Lodge assembled on Wednesday , the 20 th inst ., at the Commercial Hotel , Town Hall Square , Bolton , at 6 . 30 p . m . Present : Bros . Chas . Crompton W . M ., Jas . Walker S . W ., W . F . Chambers J . W ., G . P . Brockbank P . G . Std . Bearer Treasurer , J . W . Draycott Secretary , W . Siddon S . D ., R . Cnerdey J . D ., W . Forrest I . G ., Edwd . Halliwell Steward , Thos . Higson Tyler ; Past Maaters

J . M . Ratter and J . W . Morris ; W . H . Brown , H . Critchley , Morry . inson , D . M . Stevenson , C . Howarth , J . Entwiale , H . B . Truman , J . J . Bentley . Yiaitors : J . W . Skelton P . M . 146 , F . M . Milner 146 , Rob Johnson 146 , J . Wolstenholme P . M . 348 , J . R . Worlmer 678 , C . Holgato 348 . The minutes of the last meeting were read and

confirmed . Lodge was advanced to the second and third degrees , and forthwith closed to the first . It was resolved to contribute two guineas to the Binckes Presentation Fund . Bro . James Walker S . W . was appointed to represent the Lodge on a committee to be formed for the purpose of presenting a portrait of the Prov . Grand Master

to that R . W . brother in recognition of his services to the Province during his tenure of office . Bro . Phillips , W . M . of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 348 , delivered the lecture on the tracing board in tha first degree , in discharging which duty he acquitted himself in a most creditable manner , and received a very cordial vote of thanks

from the Lodge ; this he briefly acknowledged , expressing his desire at all times to be of any possible service to the Craft . A gentleman was proposed for initiation , and hearty good wishes were tendered

from the representatives of Grand Lodge , Prov . Grand Lodge , and other visiting brethren . A portion of the ancient rules and charges were read by the S . W ., and the Lodge closed in peace and harmony at 8 p . m .

Star In The East Lodge, No. 650.

STAR IN THE EAST LODGE , No . 650 .

THE annual meeting of this Lodgo was held at Harwich , Essex , on Tuesday , 12 th October , when there was a large gathering of members and visitors . The first business waa the admiasion into Freemasonry of hia worship the Mayor ( Mr . J . H . Yaux ) , which ceremony waa performed by Bro . F . R . Hales P . M . P . P . G . W . The retiring Worahipful Master , Bro . M . L . Sanders , then proceeded to

instal his successor , Bro . A . C Parsons , as Worahipful Master for the ensuing year ; and did so in a manner that called forth fche unanimous approval of all present . The officers for the year were then appointed and invested as under : — Bros . G . Helsdon S . W ., A . J . H . Ward J . W ., Rev . W . Morgan Jones W . M . 697 P . P . G . C .

Chap ., W . Groom Treas ., M . L . Sanders I . P . M . Sec , J . Brooks S . D ., G . Howard J . D ., Thos . Jennings P . M . P . P . G . D . D . C , C R . Salter Org ., J . Chapman I . G ., Wilson and Green Stewards , and Barlow Tyler . A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Sanders for the very able way in which he had performed the ceremony of

installation . Bro . Clowes was re-elected to represent the Lodge on the Essex Provincial Charity Committee , and thanks were accorded to him for his past valuable services . Regret was expressed that Bro . Clowes had been compelled to resign the post of Secretary on account of leaving the county . Bro . Clowes stated —amidst

prolonged applause — that he should still take a deep interest in Essex Freemasonry , and should often be among them . Between forty and fifty brethren subsequently dined together at the Great Eastern Hotel , an excellent banquet being well put on by the manager , Brother Grew . After dinner the usual Masonio toasts

were proposed , and heartily drunk . Bro . Hales , in proposing the health of the Mayor , expressed the pleasure he felt in having introduced his worship into Freemasonry that day , and trusted that he would take an interest in the Lodge . Bro . Hales also remarked thafc Bro . Yaux waa the second chief magistrate he had introduced into

the Craft . The Mayor , in responding , said he had for some time wished to become a Mason , and follow in the footsteps of his father , who was a member of the Star in the East Lodge . Ho was very gratified at the reception he had met with , and trusted to become a useful member of the Lodge . The W . M .

proposed the health of the I . P . M ., and remarked upon the excellent manner in which Bro . Sanders had fulfilled his duties during the year . He then , in t . ' -e name of the Lodge , presented to Bro . Sanders a handsome ; - . ¦ ' . Jewel , with the hope that he might long be spared •¦ •- ¦¦¦ ¦¦ > it . Bro . Sanders returned thanks . Other toasts

followed , aud sume excellent vocal and instrumental music added to the enjoyment of a most successful gathering . Among those present ; , in addition to the brethren already mentioned , were Bros . Thos . J . Railing P . M . Sec . 51 P . G . Sec , R . Clowes P . M . P . P . G . S . W ., Alfred Welch P . M . 51 P . P . G . J . W . George Corbie P . M . Sec . 453 P . P . G . J . W .,

, G . F . Smith jun . P . M . 1760 P . P . G . O ., J . F . Hill P . M . 1224 P . P . G . J . W . Suffolk , John J . 0 . Turner P . M . 51 P . P . G . O ., W . Morgan Jones W . U . 697 P . P . G . C , Thomas Rix P . M . and Secretary 697

P . P . G . Sword Bearer , G . A . Eusfcace P . M . 697 Secretary 1977 P . P . G . Standard Bearer , John Dean P . M . 433 P . P . G . Standard Bearer , R . D . Poppleton P . M . 433 P . P . G . D ., A . S . B . Sparling W . M . 51 , H . A . W . Reeves P . M . 650 , W . Murray 225 , W . Ing " Mason J . D . 1224 , G . F . Read 225 , W . G . Wells 959 , C . Osmond P . M . 61 P . P . G . O .,. & c .