Metropolitan.

benefited . I clo not wish for one moment to keep out the Avorkers . A great many AVIIO have joined have been an accession to our Order in the provinces ; but I clo desire to impress on your minds that , though there is a vast deal to be clone to cultivate your Charities as the brightest jeivel in Freemasonry , I earnestly urge upon you and them by precept and example to proclaim your intention to be more careful in the introduction of members . I noiv return to the more pleasant part of tho toast , and let me Avish this lodge along and glorious prosperity , and I most earnestly wish health ancl prosperity to Bvo . Muggeridge , who will next year , ive trust , celebrate its fiftieth

anniversary . Song— " My father ' s love , " Bro . John Lacey . " " Bro . MTTGGEEIDGE , ivho on rising to respond to the last toast , was greeted with the most enthusiastic cheers , which continued for some time , replied as follows : —Worshipful Chairman and Brethren , —I assure you I feel most grateful for the very kind manner in which our worshipful chairman has spoken of me , and for the kind manner in which the brethren

have responded to his remarks . I can assure you that is a greater gratification from my knowing that I have endeavoured to the utmost of my poiver , to promote the prosperity of this lodge of instruction , into which I was elected a member twentysix hours after my initiation into Masonry . I was initiated on the Thursday , ancl was proposed by the late Bro . P . Thomson , on the following evening , ancl that was in the year 1839—twenty-seven years ago . I have been a constant attendant

since that time , and have done my best to promote its prosperity . There are a great many brethren present ivho will say that I have not been unsuccessful in my endeavours . Allow me to tell yon that this lodge of instruction was founded in 1817 by the late Bros . Peter Thomson and Philip Broadfoot , the latter of whom conducted it until he left London in 1835 , when my preceptor took the management and carried it on until his death

in 1851 , when I succeeded him . It is now fifteen years ago , hut it does not seem so long . I assure you it appears to me more like a dream since our Bro . Thomson departed , from this sublunary sphere . This lodge of instruction will have completed its jubilee in the next year , and I hope and trust that the brethren whom I see around this table , especially our brother chairmanwill then be present . I clo think that I have been

, onnected with this lodge of instruction so long , that it is almost time that some one else should take my place . I can assure you I feel great pleasure in attending this lodge of instruction , but I candidly tell you it is a very great tie . I attend this lodge from September to April inclusive , and the time has arrived when

some one younger should take my place . I have a great anxiety that the prosperity of the lodge should continue . Be that as it may , I must confess that I should like to have the management of it until the next year . I should like to say Philip Broadfoot commenced and Bro . Muggeridge completed the jubilee . If any young Mason will take the lodge off my hands I should be happy to give it up . For I think when people come to a certain age the duties can bo carried on much better by younger men .

I have been particularly pleased ivith the manner in which I have been assisted by my younger brethren ; there are several of them who would be able to act as preceptors of this lodge of instruction . There is one thing I must say that if any person aspire to the position I hold , it is no use his thinking of doing so unless he make up his mind to attend punctually . Unless the schoolmaster attends regularly , you may be certain that the

pupils will not be regular in their attendance . I have endeavoured to set a good example to my Masonic children , I always endeavour to be punctual myself . I clo consider that punctuality is a great principle , and ought to be brought more prominently forward . Among those who have kindly assisted mo in tho ivork this evening there are some who stand hi gh in Masonry , ancl some ivho are but young Masons . There is one , hoivever ,

ivliom 1 Avish particularly to name , our Provincial Grand Senior Warden for North AVales and Shropshire , Bro . Goldsbro ' , and thero is one who has only been introduced into Masonry a year or two ago , Bro . Townend ( a son of our old friend Bro . Toivnend , ivho not only worked under the late Peter Thompson , but me also ) . I have great pleasure in introducing Bro . Townend , who went through his section with great credit . But I am digressing

, ancl shall leave this to our Worshipful Chairman . Allow me , Worshipful Chairman , to thank you for the kind manner in ivbich you have proposed , and the brethren who have responded to the toast . The lodge has prospered ancl I hope it will prosper . I will continue my endeavours to promote its success to the best of my power .

Bro . YEJTEAS M'INTYEE then rose ancl said : Brethren , yon must be well aware that I have now to propose " The Health of our Worshipful President of the evening , " and it is a toast which will meet with a hearty response from every brother in this room . Our President has spoken of its being desirable that he should not continue to take the chair at these meetings . Now , brethren , I must say that I think the argument which our Worshipful President used ivith respect to our Most

Worshipful Grand Master ought to be carried out in those subordinate to him , anil I mean to say that Ave have now the right man in the right place . I believe that it is sixteen or seventeen years since Bro . Havers was first President , and that on every occasion since , he has said something new , or has said the old things in such a new way that they come as neiv truths toelevate and improve our minds . Masonry ought to prosper with us with such a Presidentancl I hope will not

-, you per mit him to be absent at the jubilee . If there be a man' ivho has earned distinction , it is the brother who enlists the sympathies of his hearers , and can convince the ivorld that Masonry is not a sham . AVhen he sits there ive shall have the same Preceptor who has taught the lodge so ivell . He says that his connection ivith this lodge is " a great tie" —a tie Avhich I hope will not be severed for many years to come .

I hope that he will not only be here at the jubilee but also very nearly at the centenary of the lodge , and I hope that he Avill be at the left of the chair , which I am sure will be to the advantage of the Craft . Brethren , I call upon you to drink " The Health of the AVorshipful President—long life and prosperity to him , and may he long preside over this lodge . "

Song— "The Old English Gentleman , " Bro . T . A . Wall-Avortb . Bro . HAVEES , who was greeted with cheers , replied : Brother Wardens and Brethren , I can hardly tell you how deeply I feel your kind reception , and I thank you most gratefully for all your kindness ; I thank my friend , on ray right , at the same time I don't take all for granted , or that it is intended to convey all that is said in after-dinner speeches . I don't mean

todeny that I am conscious that I have worked very hard , and we will continue to work hard that Masonry may prosper . I believe , moreover , that I am well acquainted with my shortcomings in a want of forbearance in ray early days , hut as to oourting popularity I have never done it , I have only done Avhat I have thought right , and I am obstinate enough whenever I think I am right to advocate my opinion , and if many

morewould clo ivhat is right Ave all should prosper . Let us always endeavour at least to respect the motives of each other . I thank you again most cordially . I do say I feel that I have rendered some service , and which will hereafter be acknowledged to be a great service in being the means of getting for you , for this noble society , a worthy temple of your own . I dofeel that the committee are working out a great end in

Freemasonry , the dignity of our Order . As for this lodge of instruction , though I should be sorry to see it moved from Bro . Hurts , I should rejoice to see it into our new house for one of our annual meetings . The Grand Lodge and the body of Freemasonry will welcome you . Let me thank you earnestly and sincerely , and in this and everything else that can conduce to the prosperity of the Order , I shall always be at your

service . Bro . . / ENEAS M'INTYEE , Grand Registrar , then rose ancl said : Brother Wardens ancl Brethren , at the request of the President I have undertaken to propose the health of the brethren , who have assisted Bro . Muggeridge in the excellent working this evening . I had occasion to speak in eulogistic terms of your preceptor in the lodge , but I also saw there in the working that his good instruction had not been thrown awayas full

, y exemplified in the apt pupils who so admirably discharged the duties allotted to them on this occasion , but especially in Bro . Goldsbro ' , Prov . Grand Senior Warden , whom I saw working , and in a manner that could not be surpassed by anyone in any lodge in the Craft throughout England , or throughout the ivorld . He has shown by his work that be knows how to fulfil the duties of a subordinate position , and that he is well qualified

to fill a higher position . I would also especially allude to a young Mason , whom I believe I saiv initiated in the Panmure Lodge not many months ago , a worthy follower in the footsteps of his father , ancl who has admirably succeeded . From all the brethren have heard , they must learn that Masonry inculcates the noblest sentiments , and that our great object should be to reduce into practice the beautiful principles which they hear inculcated the lodges of instruction , and not leave there for