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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Armstrong , Hughes , Penney , and other selected " voices . " The closing charges were given by Bro . Bell with remarkable effectiveness , and afterwards " Hearty o ; ood wishes" were given by about twenty visitors to the ^ l y . chaired W . M . Telegrams and letters apologising for non-attendance were also received front Bros . E . H . Griffiths , P . G . Sec . Cheshire ; Harry Jackson ( who had
gone to London ); Dr . Sheldon , P . M . 1094 ; J . Levy , 1609 , aid others . At the conclusion of business the brethren were " called off " to banquet , which was supplied in first-class style by Bro . R . Russell , 823 , whose catering fully sustained the reputation he has acquired in Liverpool and elsewhere . The comparatively unattractive nature of the room was greatly enlivened by festoons of flags and
banners , which had been placed on the walls by Bro . J . Keet , J . W . 1356 , a member of the Dramatic Lodge , and Bro . A . Woolrich , W . M . 135 6 , Treasurer 1609 . There were upwards of ico brethren present at the banquet ( presided over by Bro . J . B . MacKenzie , W . M . ) , who was supported by almost all the P . G . L . Officers , Send all his P . M . ' s who had been present during the afternoon . After dinner
the newly-ir . stalled W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing "The Queen , " he alluded to Her Majesty as the Patron of the Order , the mother of enthusiastic Freemasons , and a lady whose example might safely be followed by every lady in the land . The W . M . next proposed " The M . W . G . M ., Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wa'cs , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the
Roy \\ Family . " The Prince of Wales , he remarked , had many duties , which he fulfilled faithfully , and none did he perform more pleasantly and faithfully than those which he fulfilled as chief of their noble Order . ( Applause . ) The W . M . also gave "The M . W . Pro G . M ., Bro . the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Grand Officers ; the R . W . D . G . M . and R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Right
Lord Skelmersdalc ; the R . W . I ) . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . Col . Stanley , and the Officers of Prov . G . L ., Present and Past . " Referring to the names in the first part of the toast , the W . M . remarked that there was no doubt as to their earnestness in Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) All who had come into contact with Bro . Lord Skclmersdale must have been struck with the earnestness and enthusiasm
which at all times characterised his Masonic caretr . He was speaking the simple truth when he said that Masonry would not have occupied the prominent position which ii did in West Lancashire had it not been for the undoubted influence and active zeal of the Prov . G . M . In him they possessed a true Mason and an h » nest man , one who was not above his business and never thought it too
much trouble to fulfil the duties of his office to the satisfaction of eveiy brother , however humble that brother might be . ( Applause . ) Lord Skelmersdale had an admirable second in the Deputy Grand Master ( hear , hear ) , and the other tfficers were Masons whom they must all admire . Bro . H . S . Alpass , Prov . G . Sec , whose name was coupled with the toast , responded . He said he had had
the pleasure of knowing the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge from its very foundation , and he knew well the originators and founders of the lodge . He had looked through their minute book that day , and was perfectly satisfied that ii would be very difficult to any one not a practised orator to address a lodge of that kind . Like his friend Bro . Newell , the Mavor of Bootle , he had hadthc pleasure of addressing
town councils , but on that occasion he hail , he thought , a more critical audience to aeldress even than the town council of Liverpool or of Bootle . ( Laughter . ) He had the pleasure of addressing that night many very excellent and honourable members of the dramatic profession , and he was quite aware that he must address them in a very different manner to that in which ordinary audiences ought
to be addressed . It had given him great pleasure to witness the proceedings of that day . He had had the pleasure of the newly-installed Wtrshipful Master's Masonic acquaintance for many years , and the longer he had known Bro . MacKenzie the more he had learned to appreciate his many excellent qualities . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Perhaps no one had had a better opportunity of
appreciating the W . M . ' s Masonic qualities than he ( Bro . Alpass ) . The W . M ., he might say without praising him too much , was a distinguished member of the local press . It had been a difficulty on all occasions in reporting any of their Masonic gatherings as to how little should bepublished , and yet sufficient informatiem be given for those who desired to know what had taken place ; and it gave
him great pleasure to bear his testimony to the very great and the very wise discretion which their Worshipful Master had exercised on all occasions in fulfilling his impoitant duties . ( Applause . ) This subject was rather upper , most in his mind , and he was almost losing sight of the toast to which he had to respond . He might say that the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand
Master of England , had had the honour of holding many important positions in Masonry , and every one he had filled to the entire satisfaction of the Craft —( hear , hear)—and Lord Skelmersdale ' s devotion to , and appreciation of , Masonry could not be exceeded by any Mason in the whole world . ( Applause . ) There were one or two other subjects to which he ( Bro . Alpass ) would like to refer before he
resumed his seat . To such a lodge as the Dramatic Lod ge it was almost out of place for him , an unprofessional , to make any remarks as to the manner in which they gave the beautiful ritual of the Order . The lodges of Liverpool , and , indeed , of this and other provinces , ought to attend the Dramatic Lodge to know how the ritual should be conducted . He had certainly heard the
Degrees given in that lodge in a manner which he had "ever listened to elsewhere . ( Applause . ) But there were other and greater duties which devolved upon Masons , Whether they belemged te > the Dramatic or any other lodge , and he found it necessary to impress thum upon the brethren upon all occasions—he alluded to the duties which they owed to the various Charities of the Order . He feared that brethren too often thought that when they had paid
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
their lodge subscriptions they had performed all the du-ies which devolved upon them as Masons . Well , he maintained that in all cases—he would not except that lodgethey had done but a small part of their eluty when they had paid their lodge subscriptions . The amount of their loelge subscriptions was calculated on the amount of refreshments which they proposed to take during the year ,
and whether they had a balance to be elevoted to Ghanty or not depended a great deal upon whether they had had a large number or a very small number of initiations in the year . Now , that ought not to be so . The sums that a lodge received for- initiations were really sums received under the authority of the warrant for making Masons , and they were paid by those initiated for the privilege- and
a very great , and honourable , and high privilege it wasof being aelmitted into that Order . Those amounts , he contended , should be entirely devoted to the charitable institutions of the Order . If , in addition to their subscriptions , lodges , unfortunately , spent the amount received for initiations , and when both these sums were added together they just balanced their expenditure , they could quite
understand that there was nothing left for charity . When they were asked the question by persons outside the Craft , "What is the good of Masonry ? " unless they could point to something tangible which they had done for the good of charity , what answer , he asked , could they make co the worlel . as to the good Masonry did for society in general ? Unfortunately , the number of children who had
to be supported and educated by ihe Order appeared to increase year after year . What was thought to be a comlortable income twenty or thirty years ago had ceased tn be so , hence it frequently happened that when a brother Mason died , a man who had occupied a good position in society , and paid his way as far as he had gone , yet when smitten down there was very little left for his wife and
family . In a province like that , which contained so many subscribing members , they ought to be prepared , whenever a good and deserving case arose , to give the assistance which was required . ( Hear , hear . ) They had in their province an excellent institution , the West Lancashire Educational Masonic Institution , which was doing an exceedingly good work , the number of chilelren it contained
fast approaching 100 . He observed from the minutes of the Dramatic Lodge that their W . M ., S . W ., and J . W . were Governors of the Institution . But every year there occurred in the province cases in which it was but a very small thing just to educate the children ; when , perhaps , there might be five or six depending on the widow , mure was required . One , if not two , of the children should be
taken entirely off the hands of the mother and educated and clothed comulcccly . That could only be done at piesent thtough the two Institutions in Lonelon—the Boys ' and Girls' schools . In both excellent educations were given , as the prizes obtained at the Oxford and Cambridge Examinations testified . He could assure them from his own experience that it was absolutely neetled that in that
great province they should possess more votes than they elid possess for those two Institution ? . Me would say to them " Support the West Lancashire Institution , but don ' t forget that you must be prepared eveiy year to do more for one or two of the widows' children than to educate them—you must be prepared tn clothe ; and keep them , and that can only b : done by
possessing more votes than we now possess in this province . " He asked them to bear these observations in mind , and , as their funds permitted , to assist the province in obtaining votes first for one Institution and then for the other , so that when a case turned up where it was necessary that a boy or girl should be taken entirely from the hands of the widowed meither they should be able to
ensure the election , and carry it with perfect certainty . ( Applause . ) He thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast . It had given him very great pleasure and satisfaction to be present , and he was quite sure that every visitor in the hall would join with him in wishing the greatest prosperity to the Dramatic Lodge , and that it might exist for many years in that province a model of
good work and good management . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . Lindo Crurtenay , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master . " In accepting the office of W . M . H 10 . MacKenzie had , he felt quite assured , taken the position with a tull determination to do his duty in every sense eif the word . ( Hear , hear . ) He had had the-pleasure of the W . M . ' s acquaintance for some years , Masonically for
bitween three and four years , and he knew how greatly devoted the W . M . was to Masonic interests generally . He could assure them that the Diamalic Lodge had at its head a W . M . who would not only elo his best to promote the interests of the loelge , but who , he felt convinced , would be the means of elevating it . ( Hear , hear . ) He asked them to drink most cordially and heartily health , wealth ,
long life , and prosperity to the Worshipful Master . ( Applause . ) The W . M ., in responding , said he gave place to no one in his esteem for Masonry , because he knew that in their Order everything which was excellent and which was calculateel to elevate humanity was to be found , if properly developed and apolied . He felt it to be a high honour to occupy the Mastei ' s chair of a Masonic lodge ,
but when he found himself occupying the chair of a lodge which held a deservedly distinguished position in one of the most distinguished provinces in England , the honour was increased ten-fold . He could quite see the influence which such a lodge as the Dramatic should exercise , and he could assure them that if all the powers of his mind and all his physical strength were necessary and desirable
in connection with a proper fulfilment of the Juries of the chiir , those physical energies , and that mental power , woulel be exerciseel to the lullesc extent . ( Hear , hear . ) He hail around him officers who woulel strive to do their duty , anel he was sure he appealed to their Masonic enthusiasm when he said that no lodge could be properly worked unless the Master had the constant support of every officer of the lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) As their esteemed friend and
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
neighbour , Lord Derby , said the other day at Southport , it was rather an unpleasant thing to talk of one ' s self , and , therefore , he ( the W . M . ) now turned to a more pleasant and palatable duty , and that was to in some measure recognise the talent and service of a brother who had just vacated the chair—he meant their Immediate Past Master , Bro . Courtenay , one who , by his amiable conduct , had
Won the heart of every brother in the Dramatic Lodge , one who had striven to do his duty , and had done it well , one who had never been sparing of himself in trying to follow what was good in Masonry and in connection with her Charities and schemes . Bro . Courtenay had given the Dramatic Lodge a munificent opportunity of contributing towards an object which he hoped would soon be carried
into effect , namely , rhe general decoration ol the hall in which they were assembler ! . Bros . Leslie and Courtenay , at that time joint lessees of the Royal Amphitheatre , gave the free use of that establishment for a benefit , and although the weather in some measure interfered with the success of the entertainment , the result was that £ too was secured towards the decoration of that hall . ( Hear ,
hear . ) This result was largely owing to the spontaneous offer of the free use of the Amphitheatre on the occasion . ( Applause ) . He had much pleasure in proposing " The Health of the I . P . M ., " and in the name of the lodge he ( the W . M . ) had to present to Bro . Courtenay a Past Master ' s jewel . This was the first serious part of his work in the chair , and he could assure Bro . Courtenay
that no other initial work could have given him greater pleasure than that of investing him with that jewel . He trusted that the I . P . M . would be long privileg d to wear it , and that the Great Architect of the Universe would give him health and strength to perform his Masonic duties , in connection with which that jewel would be an ornament which could ne > t he too hitjhly prized . On behalf of the
lodge he had further to express to Bro . Courtenay the hope that in his business arrangements prosperity might continue to attend all his e fforts . Success seemed to lie at his door ; wti- ther it would be . continued or not lay very much in Bro . Courtenay ' s own hands ; but this he ( the W . M . ) could say , that every brother in the room wished him most heartily the- very greatest success which could
possibly attend him . ( Hear , hear . ) Several brethren of the lodge had further thought that a Past Masrer ' s jewel was not a sufficient recognition of Bro . Courtenay ' s merits and the ability with which he had performed his duties . On behalf of nearly all the officers and a good many private members of the lodge he ( the W . M . ) had the further privilege and great pleasure of presenting him
with a diamond ring and a set of diamond studs . They were brilliant in themselves , and he hoped they would be but an evidence of the brilliancy attaching to Bro . Couitenay ' s professional anel Masonic character . He trusted Bro . Courtenay would be enabled long to wear them , remembering that they came fr . m the heart in recognition of the hearty work which he had done in
connection with the Dramatic Lodge . ( Applause . ) Bro . Alpass , P . G . Sec , said that the observations of the W . M . had reminded him that he had omitted a very impoitant point in his remarks . He hail the honour to be the Chairman of the Decoration Committee , and he deeply regretted that in his anxiety to talk about the leading object of the Order—Charity—he omitted to recognise the
\ cry handsome sum which the Drimatic Lodge had given towards the decoration of that building . It was a very serious omission , and he must apologise for it . He could only say that if other lodges would follow the example which the Dramatic Lodge had set them , the decoration of the building would be a very easy matter indeed . He was sorry to say that in some lodges the appeal had been
met with a great amount of lukewarmness , but , notwithstanding that a sufficient number of brethren were willingto assist in that fcood object , and he was quite certain that with a little pains they would be enabled to decorate the building in a way which would be agreeable to the brethren . Bros . Courtenay and Leslie elid in the most handsome manner give the use of their theatre for the
entertainment , which had been a great assistance to the Decoration Committee in carrying out the object which they had in view . Bro . Couitenay , I . >' . M ., th inked the brethren for the kindly spirit in which they hail received the toast of his health . He had had a letter from his late partner , Br . i . Leslie , on the previous day , stating that he would not be able to be present at the installation owing
to business engagements , but assuring the brethren that he was with them in spirit . It had been their intention to set apart a night during next December for an entertainment on behalf of the Dramatic Lodge Fund of Benevolence and the Masonic Educational Charities , and if he ( Bro . Courtenay ) was spared he would endeavour to carry out the worthy object himself with the support and help of
the brethren . ( Applause . ) He thanked the lodge with all his heart and soul for the great compliment which they had paid him in voting him a precious Past Muster's jewel , which he would ever prize highly . Perhaps he was touched even more nearly by the further mark of their kindness and esteem in presenting him with an additional testimonial . ( Applause . )
The W . M . next proposed "The Installing Master , Bro . Bell , P . M ., f . G . S . " He remarked that Bro . Bell was the first W . M . of the Dramatic Lodge , and had done much to establish it on the broad basis on which it now stood . Bro . Bell had again given evidence of his Masonic zeal that ilay in performing an important and difficult duty in a manner which left even the most hypercritical very little
to find fault with . ( Hear , hear . ) I he W . M . added that Bro . Bell was abeiut to be invested Prov . Grand Junior Deacon of West Lancashire—an honour vrnich he well de-erved . ( Applause . ) "The P . » st Masters " was the next toast , and was acknowledged by Bros . B . B . Marson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., and W . J . Chapman , P . M ., M . C "Our Visiting Brethren , " which was cordially proposed by the Chairman , was responded to by Bro . J . T . Newell , P . M .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Armstrong , Hughes , Penney , and other selected " voices . " The closing charges were given by Bro . Bell with remarkable effectiveness , and afterwards " Hearty o ; ood wishes" were given by about twenty visitors to the ^ l y . chaired W . M . Telegrams and letters apologising for non-attendance were also received front Bros . E . H . Griffiths , P . G . Sec . Cheshire ; Harry Jackson ( who had
gone to London ); Dr . Sheldon , P . M . 1094 ; J . Levy , 1609 , aid others . At the conclusion of business the brethren were " called off " to banquet , which was supplied in first-class style by Bro . R . Russell , 823 , whose catering fully sustained the reputation he has acquired in Liverpool and elsewhere . The comparatively unattractive nature of the room was greatly enlivened by festoons of flags and
banners , which had been placed on the walls by Bro . J . Keet , J . W . 1356 , a member of the Dramatic Lodge , and Bro . A . Woolrich , W . M . 135 6 , Treasurer 1609 . There were upwards of ico brethren present at the banquet ( presided over by Bro . J . B . MacKenzie , W . M . ) , who was supported by almost all the P . G . L . Officers , Send all his P . M . ' s who had been present during the afternoon . After dinner
the newly-ir . stalled W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing "The Queen , " he alluded to Her Majesty as the Patron of the Order , the mother of enthusiastic Freemasons , and a lady whose example might safely be followed by every lady in the land . The W . M . next proposed " The M . W . G . M ., Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wa'cs , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the
Roy \\ Family . " The Prince of Wales , he remarked , had many duties , which he fulfilled faithfully , and none did he perform more pleasantly and faithfully than those which he fulfilled as chief of their noble Order . ( Applause . ) The W . M . also gave "The M . W . Pro G . M ., Bro . the Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Grand Officers ; the R . W . D . G . M . and R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Right
Lord Skelmersdalc ; the R . W . I ) . Prov . G . M ., the Right Hon . Col . Stanley , and the Officers of Prov . G . L ., Present and Past . " Referring to the names in the first part of the toast , the W . M . remarked that there was no doubt as to their earnestness in Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) All who had come into contact with Bro . Lord Skclmersdale must have been struck with the earnestness and enthusiasm
which at all times characterised his Masonic caretr . He was speaking the simple truth when he said that Masonry would not have occupied the prominent position which ii did in West Lancashire had it not been for the undoubted influence and active zeal of the Prov . G . M . In him they possessed a true Mason and an h » nest man , one who was not above his business and never thought it too
much trouble to fulfil the duties of his office to the satisfaction of eveiy brother , however humble that brother might be . ( Applause . ) Lord Skelmersdale had an admirable second in the Deputy Grand Master ( hear , hear ) , and the other tfficers were Masons whom they must all admire . Bro . H . S . Alpass , Prov . G . Sec , whose name was coupled with the toast , responded . He said he had had
the pleasure of knowing the Liverpool Dramatic Lodge from its very foundation , and he knew well the originators and founders of the lodge . He had looked through their minute book that day , and was perfectly satisfied that ii would be very difficult to any one not a practised orator to address a lodge of that kind . Like his friend Bro . Newell , the Mavor of Bootle , he had hadthc pleasure of addressing
town councils , but on that occasion he hail , he thought , a more critical audience to aeldress even than the town council of Liverpool or of Bootle . ( Laughter . ) He had the pleasure of addressing that night many very excellent and honourable members of the dramatic profession , and he was quite aware that he must address them in a very different manner to that in which ordinary audiences ought
to be addressed . It had given him great pleasure to witness the proceedings of that day . He had had the pleasure of the newly-installed Wtrshipful Master's Masonic acquaintance for many years , and the longer he had known Bro . MacKenzie the more he had learned to appreciate his many excellent qualities . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Perhaps no one had had a better opportunity of
appreciating the W . M . ' s Masonic qualities than he ( Bro . Alpass ) . The W . M ., he might say without praising him too much , was a distinguished member of the local press . It had been a difficulty on all occasions in reporting any of their Masonic gatherings as to how little should bepublished , and yet sufficient informatiem be given for those who desired to know what had taken place ; and it gave
him great pleasure to bear his testimony to the very great and the very wise discretion which their Worshipful Master had exercised on all occasions in fulfilling his impoitant duties . ( Applause . ) This subject was rather upper , most in his mind , and he was almost losing sight of the toast to which he had to respond . He might say that the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand
Master of England , had had the honour of holding many important positions in Masonry , and every one he had filled to the entire satisfaction of the Craft —( hear , hear)—and Lord Skelmersdale ' s devotion to , and appreciation of , Masonry could not be exceeded by any Mason in the whole world . ( Applause . ) There were one or two other subjects to which he ( Bro . Alpass ) would like to refer before he
resumed his seat . To such a lodge as the Dramatic Lod ge it was almost out of place for him , an unprofessional , to make any remarks as to the manner in which they gave the beautiful ritual of the Order . The lodges of Liverpool , and , indeed , of this and other provinces , ought to attend the Dramatic Lodge to know how the ritual should be conducted . He had certainly heard the
Degrees given in that lodge in a manner which he had "ever listened to elsewhere . ( Applause . ) But there were other and greater duties which devolved upon Masons , Whether they belemged te > the Dramatic or any other lodge , and he found it necessary to impress thum upon the brethren upon all occasions—he alluded to the duties which they owed to the various Charities of the Order . He feared that brethren too often thought that when they had paid
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
their lodge subscriptions they had performed all the du-ies which devolved upon them as Masons . Well , he maintained that in all cases—he would not except that lodgethey had done but a small part of their eluty when they had paid their lodge subscriptions . The amount of their loelge subscriptions was calculated on the amount of refreshments which they proposed to take during the year ,
and whether they had a balance to be elevoted to Ghanty or not depended a great deal upon whether they had had a large number or a very small number of initiations in the year . Now , that ought not to be so . The sums that a lodge received for- initiations were really sums received under the authority of the warrant for making Masons , and they were paid by those initiated for the privilege- and
a very great , and honourable , and high privilege it wasof being aelmitted into that Order . Those amounts , he contended , should be entirely devoted to the charitable institutions of the Order . If , in addition to their subscriptions , lodges , unfortunately , spent the amount received for initiations , and when both these sums were added together they just balanced their expenditure , they could quite
understand that there was nothing left for charity . When they were asked the question by persons outside the Craft , "What is the good of Masonry ? " unless they could point to something tangible which they had done for the good of charity , what answer , he asked , could they make co the worlel . as to the good Masonry did for society in general ? Unfortunately , the number of children who had
to be supported and educated by ihe Order appeared to increase year after year . What was thought to be a comlortable income twenty or thirty years ago had ceased tn be so , hence it frequently happened that when a brother Mason died , a man who had occupied a good position in society , and paid his way as far as he had gone , yet when smitten down there was very little left for his wife and
family . In a province like that , which contained so many subscribing members , they ought to be prepared , whenever a good and deserving case arose , to give the assistance which was required . ( Hear , hear . ) They had in their province an excellent institution , the West Lancashire Educational Masonic Institution , which was doing an exceedingly good work , the number of chilelren it contained
fast approaching 100 . He observed from the minutes of the Dramatic Lodge that their W . M ., S . W ., and J . W . were Governors of the Institution . But every year there occurred in the province cases in which it was but a very small thing just to educate the children ; when , perhaps , there might be five or six depending on the widow , mure was required . One , if not two , of the children should be
taken entirely off the hands of the mother and educated and clothed comulcccly . That could only be done at piesent thtough the two Institutions in Lonelon—the Boys ' and Girls' schools . In both excellent educations were given , as the prizes obtained at the Oxford and Cambridge Examinations testified . He could assure them from his own experience that it was absolutely neetled that in that
great province they should possess more votes than they elid possess for those two Institution ? . Me would say to them " Support the West Lancashire Institution , but don ' t forget that you must be prepared eveiy year to do more for one or two of the widows' children than to educate them—you must be prepared tn clothe ; and keep them , and that can only b : done by
possessing more votes than we now possess in this province . " He asked them to bear these observations in mind , and , as their funds permitted , to assist the province in obtaining votes first for one Institution and then for the other , so that when a case turned up where it was necessary that a boy or girl should be taken entirely from the hands of the widowed meither they should be able to
ensure the election , and carry it with perfect certainty . ( Applause . ) He thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast . It had given him very great pleasure and satisfaction to be present , and he was quite sure that every visitor in the hall would join with him in wishing the greatest prosperity to the Dramatic Lodge , and that it might exist for many years in that province a model of
good work and good management . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . Lindo Crurtenay , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the Worshipful Master . " In accepting the office of W . M . H 10 . MacKenzie had , he felt quite assured , taken the position with a tull determination to do his duty in every sense eif the word . ( Hear , hear . ) He had had the-pleasure of the W . M . ' s acquaintance for some years , Masonically for
bitween three and four years , and he knew how greatly devoted the W . M . was to Masonic interests generally . He could assure them that the Diamalic Lodge had at its head a W . M . who would not only elo his best to promote the interests of the loelge , but who , he felt convinced , would be the means of elevating it . ( Hear , hear . ) He asked them to drink most cordially and heartily health , wealth ,
long life , and prosperity to the Worshipful Master . ( Applause . ) The W . M ., in responding , said he gave place to no one in his esteem for Masonry , because he knew that in their Order everything which was excellent and which was calculateel to elevate humanity was to be found , if properly developed and apolied . He felt it to be a high honour to occupy the Mastei ' s chair of a Masonic lodge ,
but when he found himself occupying the chair of a lodge which held a deservedly distinguished position in one of the most distinguished provinces in England , the honour was increased ten-fold . He could quite see the influence which such a lodge as the Dramatic should exercise , and he could assure them that if all the powers of his mind and all his physical strength were necessary and desirable
in connection with a proper fulfilment of the Juries of the chiir , those physical energies , and that mental power , woulel be exerciseel to the lullesc extent . ( Hear , hear . ) He hail around him officers who woulel strive to do their duty , anel he was sure he appealed to their Masonic enthusiasm when he said that no lodge could be properly worked unless the Master had the constant support of every officer of the lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) As their esteemed friend and
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
neighbour , Lord Derby , said the other day at Southport , it was rather an unpleasant thing to talk of one ' s self , and , therefore , he ( the W . M . ) now turned to a more pleasant and palatable duty , and that was to in some measure recognise the talent and service of a brother who had just vacated the chair—he meant their Immediate Past Master , Bro . Courtenay , one who , by his amiable conduct , had
Won the heart of every brother in the Dramatic Lodge , one who had striven to do his duty , and had done it well , one who had never been sparing of himself in trying to follow what was good in Masonry and in connection with her Charities and schemes . Bro . Courtenay had given the Dramatic Lodge a munificent opportunity of contributing towards an object which he hoped would soon be carried
into effect , namely , rhe general decoration ol the hall in which they were assembler ! . Bros . Leslie and Courtenay , at that time joint lessees of the Royal Amphitheatre , gave the free use of that establishment for a benefit , and although the weather in some measure interfered with the success of the entertainment , the result was that £ too was secured towards the decoration of that hall . ( Hear ,
hear . ) This result was largely owing to the spontaneous offer of the free use of the Amphitheatre on the occasion . ( Applause ) . He had much pleasure in proposing " The Health of the I . P . M ., " and in the name of the lodge he ( the W . M . ) had to present to Bro . Courtenay a Past Master ' s jewel . This was the first serious part of his work in the chair , and he could assure Bro . Courtenay
that no other initial work could have given him greater pleasure than that of investing him with that jewel . He trusted that the I . P . M . would be long privileg d to wear it , and that the Great Architect of the Universe would give him health and strength to perform his Masonic duties , in connection with which that jewel would be an ornament which could ne > t he too hitjhly prized . On behalf of the
lodge he had further to express to Bro . Courtenay the hope that in his business arrangements prosperity might continue to attend all his e fforts . Success seemed to lie at his door ; wti- ther it would be . continued or not lay very much in Bro . Courtenay ' s own hands ; but this he ( the W . M . ) could say , that every brother in the room wished him most heartily the- very greatest success which could
possibly attend him . ( Hear , hear . ) Several brethren of the lodge had further thought that a Past Masrer ' s jewel was not a sufficient recognition of Bro . Courtenay ' s merits and the ability with which he had performed his duties . On behalf of nearly all the officers and a good many private members of the lodge he ( the W . M . ) had the further privilege and great pleasure of presenting him
with a diamond ring and a set of diamond studs . They were brilliant in themselves , and he hoped they would be but an evidence of the brilliancy attaching to Bro . Couitenay ' s professional anel Masonic character . He trusted Bro . Courtenay would be enabled long to wear them , remembering that they came fr . m the heart in recognition of the hearty work which he had done in
connection with the Dramatic Lodge . ( Applause . ) Bro . Alpass , P . G . Sec , said that the observations of the W . M . had reminded him that he had omitted a very impoitant point in his remarks . He hail the honour to be the Chairman of the Decoration Committee , and he deeply regretted that in his anxiety to talk about the leading object of the Order—Charity—he omitted to recognise the
\ cry handsome sum which the Drimatic Lodge had given towards the decoration of that building . It was a very serious omission , and he must apologise for it . He could only say that if other lodges would follow the example which the Dramatic Lodge had set them , the decoration of the building would be a very easy matter indeed . He was sorry to say that in some lodges the appeal had been
met with a great amount of lukewarmness , but , notwithstanding that a sufficient number of brethren were willingto assist in that fcood object , and he was quite certain that with a little pains they would be enabled to decorate the building in a way which would be agreeable to the brethren . Bros . Courtenay and Leslie elid in the most handsome manner give the use of their theatre for the
entertainment , which had been a great assistance to the Decoration Committee in carrying out the object which they had in view . Bro . Couitenay , I . >' . M ., th inked the brethren for the kindly spirit in which they hail received the toast of his health . He had had a letter from his late partner , Br . i . Leslie , on the previous day , stating that he would not be able to be present at the installation owing
to business engagements , but assuring the brethren that he was with them in spirit . It had been their intention to set apart a night during next December for an entertainment on behalf of the Dramatic Lodge Fund of Benevolence and the Masonic Educational Charities , and if he ( Bro . Courtenay ) was spared he would endeavour to carry out the worthy object himself with the support and help of
the brethren . ( Applause . ) He thanked the lodge with all his heart and soul for the great compliment which they had paid him in voting him a precious Past Muster's jewel , which he would ever prize highly . Perhaps he was touched even more nearly by the further mark of their kindness and esteem in presenting him with an additional testimonial . ( Applause . )
The W . M . next proposed "The Installing Master , Bro . Bell , P . M ., f . G . S . " He remarked that Bro . Bell was the first W . M . of the Dramatic Lodge , and had done much to establish it on the broad basis on which it now stood . Bro . Bell had again given evidence of his Masonic zeal that ilay in performing an important and difficult duty in a manner which left even the most hypercritical very little
to find fault with . ( Hear , hear . ) I he W . M . added that Bro . Bell was abeiut to be invested Prov . Grand Junior Deacon of West Lancashire—an honour vrnich he well de-erved . ( Applause . ) "The P . » st Masters " was the next toast , and was acknowledged by Bros . B . B . Marson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., and W . J . Chapman , P . M ., M . C "Our Visiting Brethren , " which was cordially proposed by the Chairman , was responded to by Bro . J . T . Newell , P . M .