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Article ORGANISATION OF LONDON LODGES FOR VOTING PURPOSES. ← Page 2 of 2 Article ORGANISATION OF LONDON LODGES FOR VOTING PURPOSES. Page 2 of 2 Article THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES Page 1 of 3 →
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Organisation Of London Lodges For Voting Purposes.
Bro . Lacey s argument , and tho discussion which followed was both exhaustive and interesting . Yet , without for one moment wishing to throw cold water on a very laudable object , wo fancy that , in the first place such a combination , as is proposed , would be very partial in its character , and ,
in the next , that the object in view may be gained by other means . The number of Metropolitan Lodges is not exactly legion , but it is now over 250 , and they are distributed over an immense district . Assuming it is possible to induce the Lodges , east , west , south and north , to combine together , it
would bo well nigh an impossibility to canvass them . Even in one of theso four divisions , it would be a tremendous undertaking . A fortiori , would it be the case if all London wero formed into one voting district . Combination in tho provinces is far easier . Tho average number of
Lodges m each is perhaps twenty . They are so located as to be come-at-able without much difficulty . A few energetic brethren might direct the voting power of a Province
into tho proper channel , and secure the success of the particular candidate , while the claims of the different London candidates wore being discussed . Moreover , a Province is enabled to concentrate its efforts in order to
secure tho election of one , or it may be , at the outside , of two of its candidates , while the voting strength of London is necessarily distributed among a large number , all presumably of equal merit . There are , perhaps , other difficulties , which need not be enumerated , in the way of
Metropolitan combination . Those , however , which have already been stated , will doubtless suffice for the purpose . Our opinion is , that London would obtain a larger share of success if those who undertook the charge of cases were more zealous and energetic in their labours . Far too many
brethren consider they have fulfilled their duty when they have allowed their names to appear as recommending this or that particular candidate , whereas it is only when a brother—entitled to vote or not , as the case may be—has consented to recommend the case , that his duty really begins .
Once he has satisfied himself that a candidate is worthy of support , and it becomes his dnty to use all his efforts to promote his success himself . He may not command many , or even any , votes . He may simply know enough of the case to be sure of its merits . But no matter how little the
assistance ho may be able to render personally in the way of votes , ho is bound to obtain as many votes as he possibly can from others . He must leave no stone unturned , or , to speak more precisely , no donor or subscriber uncanvassed , until he is satisfied , as far as human foresight will enable him
to judge , that success is possible , if not probable . He may easily form an idea of the number of votes that will be issued . He must take the votes issued and the results of previous elections as affording him an approximate notion as to the number of votes that will be required in order to carry the
election . When he has done this , when he is assured that by no further efforts on his part can a single additional vote be obtained , then he may rest satisfied that he has done his duty ; and if , in spite of his efforts , the day comes , and his
nominee or protege is not successful , he will have no conscience to accuse him of indifference or neglect . What can be clone by the efforts of two or three brethren working well together was shown by Bro . Stevens , who said that he and Bro . Barnes had never but once had to make a second
attempt to carry the candidate of their choice . The friends to whom they looked for support were always ready to assist them . They could always command , or , as Bro . Stevens put it modestly enough , manipulate a considerable number of votes , and the result we have stated ; they only
once failed to carry their candidate at the first attempt . Surely if two can do this—have , indeed , clone it again and again—a combination of ten or a dozen brethren , equally iniiuential , might always command success . Then multi - plying these so as to have a sufficient number of zealous
canvassers to carry the proposed number of candidates , and we see not the slightest reason why the London district should not have its due proportion of success . Let the Lodges in the more immediate neighbourhood of the locality from
which the case emanates join together , and , considering the numerical strength of London voters , we think they would stand an excellent chance of success , especially among our East-end brethren , who have always set a good example to the Craft in the work of benevolence .
We are very far from being surprised there should be some soreness among Craftsmen in Loudon wheu they Had a Province carrying the election of its candidate which has done little or nothing to help our Charities . We need not trouble ourselves to repeat the names of districts in England
Organisation Of London Lodges For Voting Purposes.
which are invariably , to use a familiar phrase , conspicuous by their absence from tho annual subscription lists of our Institutions . We have no desire to force people into giving , though it is our duty to plead the cause of the poor , the widow , and the orphan , to the best of our poor
ability . Nor do wo think it proper that the benefits of our Institutions should be distributed only amonw those , or the belongings of those , who havo helper ! towards their maintenance . We must not too keenl y criticise tho past when a case of distress stands before us imploring our aid . But
undoubtedly , those who have supported our Institutions have a prior claim upon our sympathy and assistance over those who , in the time of their ability to assist , have fallen short of their duty . Nor is there any graduated scale bv
which ; the benefits conferred by a Charity can be distributed proportionately to the benefits it receives . Yet wo think it not unnatural that those who give more abundantly should bestir themselves moro to ensure the success of thoir
own nominees than that of comparative strangers , how worthy soever the latter may be . However , Bro . Lacey and his coadjutors will have reason to congratulate themselves if the utmost they achieve is to arouse London brethren generally to a proper sense of their duty .
The Lodge Of The Nine Muses
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES
THIS Lodge , which now stands No . 235 on the roll of Grand Lodge , recently celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of its Constitution , and , in order to commemorate the auspicious event , the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , Bro . Walter Webb , has published a brief
sketch of its history . Unfortunately , the materials from which a complete record might be compiled are not forthcoming , as the minute books anterior to the year 1814 are missing . Nevertheless , Bro . Webb has succeeded in compiling a very readable account of the Lodge over which he
presides as W . M . Moreover , m the Freemasons' Magazine for the year 1796 , there happened , fortunately , to be published a brief sketch of the Lodge , from its constitution to date , so that Bro . Webb has been in some respects able to supply a portion of the hiatus valde deflendus in the history .
From this sketch , which is quoted in extenso in the Appendix , and . the main features of which are incorporated in Bro . Webb's narrative , we learn that a preliminary gathering of certain brethren was held at the Thatched-House-Tavern , St . James ' s-street . John Hull presided as R . W . M .,
Raphael Franco as S . W ,, and the Rev . Dr . William Dodd as J . W . Robert Bigg in as Treasurer , and the Chevalier B . Ruspini were also present , together with Rich . Barker , Will . Porter , J . Baptiste Cipriani , and — Borghi as visitors . On the 23 rd of the month , permission having been granted
in the interim for the above to assemble as Masons , and to make and raise Masons , Bro . Cipriani was raised to the degree of Master Mason . At this meeting Bro . Biggin offered to supply a Bible and jewels , and Bro . Cipriani to
suggest suitable designs , while Bro . Franco engaged to provide three elegant candlesticks . The unfortunate Dr . Dodd , it seems , was never really a member of the Lodge , as he was expelled from the society , aa constituted above , before the formal issue of the Warrant on the 25 th March of tho
same year . Then follows a list of sundry of the more distinguished members , with the dates of their admission or making appended . Among these we find Count Siedlecki , Chamberlain to the King of Poland , His Excellency General Paoli , Earl Ferrers , the Venetian Ambassador , the Earl of
Effingham , Lord Cranstoun , the Earl Kelly , Sir Robt . Salusbury Cotton , Hon . Wm . Ward , Lord Macdonald , Count Soderini , another Venetian Ambassador , Marquis Trotti , Sir Nicholas Nugent , Sir John Ingleby . Lastly are given the names of the officers at the time ( 1796 ) , namely ,
Chevalier B . Ruspiui R . W . M ., W . Blackstone ( son of the Commentator ou the " Laws of our Country" ) S . W ., Sam . Beazley J . W ., C . Carpenter Treasurer , Simon Stephenson Secretary , and Thomas Tinson Mas . Cer . We gather also from this account that the Lodse still continued to meet in
1796 as in 1777 , at the Thatched House Tavern . This is the sum and substance of what Bro . Webb is indebted for to the Freemasons' Magazine , ancl , with the
exception of the Warrant , dated , as we have said , 25 th March 1777 , in which occur the names of the petitioners , as well as of John Hull as W . M ., R . Franco S . W . and Richard Barker J . W ., this is all he is able to furnish re-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Organisation Of London Lodges For Voting Purposes.
Bro . Lacey s argument , and tho discussion which followed was both exhaustive and interesting . Yet , without for one moment wishing to throw cold water on a very laudable object , wo fancy that , in the first place such a combination , as is proposed , would be very partial in its character , and ,
in the next , that the object in view may be gained by other means . The number of Metropolitan Lodges is not exactly legion , but it is now over 250 , and they are distributed over an immense district . Assuming it is possible to induce the Lodges , east , west , south and north , to combine together , it
would bo well nigh an impossibility to canvass them . Even in one of theso four divisions , it would be a tremendous undertaking . A fortiori , would it be the case if all London wero formed into one voting district . Combination in tho provinces is far easier . Tho average number of
Lodges m each is perhaps twenty . They are so located as to be come-at-able without much difficulty . A few energetic brethren might direct the voting power of a Province
into tho proper channel , and secure the success of the particular candidate , while the claims of the different London candidates wore being discussed . Moreover , a Province is enabled to concentrate its efforts in order to
secure tho election of one , or it may be , at the outside , of two of its candidates , while the voting strength of London is necessarily distributed among a large number , all presumably of equal merit . There are , perhaps , other difficulties , which need not be enumerated , in the way of
Metropolitan combination . Those , however , which have already been stated , will doubtless suffice for the purpose . Our opinion is , that London would obtain a larger share of success if those who undertook the charge of cases were more zealous and energetic in their labours . Far too many
brethren consider they have fulfilled their duty when they have allowed their names to appear as recommending this or that particular candidate , whereas it is only when a brother—entitled to vote or not , as the case may be—has consented to recommend the case , that his duty really begins .
Once he has satisfied himself that a candidate is worthy of support , and it becomes his dnty to use all his efforts to promote his success himself . He may not command many , or even any , votes . He may simply know enough of the case to be sure of its merits . But no matter how little the
assistance ho may be able to render personally in the way of votes , ho is bound to obtain as many votes as he possibly can from others . He must leave no stone unturned , or , to speak more precisely , no donor or subscriber uncanvassed , until he is satisfied , as far as human foresight will enable him
to judge , that success is possible , if not probable . He may easily form an idea of the number of votes that will be issued . He must take the votes issued and the results of previous elections as affording him an approximate notion as to the number of votes that will be required in order to carry the
election . When he has done this , when he is assured that by no further efforts on his part can a single additional vote be obtained , then he may rest satisfied that he has done his duty ; and if , in spite of his efforts , the day comes , and his
nominee or protege is not successful , he will have no conscience to accuse him of indifference or neglect . What can be clone by the efforts of two or three brethren working well together was shown by Bro . Stevens , who said that he and Bro . Barnes had never but once had to make a second
attempt to carry the candidate of their choice . The friends to whom they looked for support were always ready to assist them . They could always command , or , as Bro . Stevens put it modestly enough , manipulate a considerable number of votes , and the result we have stated ; they only
once failed to carry their candidate at the first attempt . Surely if two can do this—have , indeed , clone it again and again—a combination of ten or a dozen brethren , equally iniiuential , might always command success . Then multi - plying these so as to have a sufficient number of zealous
canvassers to carry the proposed number of candidates , and we see not the slightest reason why the London district should not have its due proportion of success . Let the Lodges in the more immediate neighbourhood of the locality from
which the case emanates join together , and , considering the numerical strength of London voters , we think they would stand an excellent chance of success , especially among our East-end brethren , who have always set a good example to the Craft in the work of benevolence .
We are very far from being surprised there should be some soreness among Craftsmen in Loudon wheu they Had a Province carrying the election of its candidate which has done little or nothing to help our Charities . We need not trouble ourselves to repeat the names of districts in England
Organisation Of London Lodges For Voting Purposes.
which are invariably , to use a familiar phrase , conspicuous by their absence from tho annual subscription lists of our Institutions . We have no desire to force people into giving , though it is our duty to plead the cause of the poor , the widow , and the orphan , to the best of our poor
ability . Nor do wo think it proper that the benefits of our Institutions should be distributed only amonw those , or the belongings of those , who havo helper ! towards their maintenance . We must not too keenl y criticise tho past when a case of distress stands before us imploring our aid . But
undoubtedly , those who have supported our Institutions have a prior claim upon our sympathy and assistance over those who , in the time of their ability to assist , have fallen short of their duty . Nor is there any graduated scale bv
which ; the benefits conferred by a Charity can be distributed proportionately to the benefits it receives . Yet wo think it not unnatural that those who give more abundantly should bestir themselves moro to ensure the success of thoir
own nominees than that of comparative strangers , how worthy soever the latter may be . However , Bro . Lacey and his coadjutors will have reason to congratulate themselves if the utmost they achieve is to arouse London brethren generally to a proper sense of their duty .
The Lodge Of The Nine Muses
THE LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES
THIS Lodge , which now stands No . 235 on the roll of Grand Lodge , recently celebrated the Centennial Anniversary of its Constitution , and , in order to commemorate the auspicious event , the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , Bro . Walter Webb , has published a brief
sketch of its history . Unfortunately , the materials from which a complete record might be compiled are not forthcoming , as the minute books anterior to the year 1814 are missing . Nevertheless , Bro . Webb has succeeded in compiling a very readable account of the Lodge over which he
presides as W . M . Moreover , m the Freemasons' Magazine for the year 1796 , there happened , fortunately , to be published a brief sketch of the Lodge , from its constitution to date , so that Bro . Webb has been in some respects able to supply a portion of the hiatus valde deflendus in the history .
From this sketch , which is quoted in extenso in the Appendix , and . the main features of which are incorporated in Bro . Webb's narrative , we learn that a preliminary gathering of certain brethren was held at the Thatched-House-Tavern , St . James ' s-street . John Hull presided as R . W . M .,
Raphael Franco as S . W ,, and the Rev . Dr . William Dodd as J . W . Robert Bigg in as Treasurer , and the Chevalier B . Ruspini were also present , together with Rich . Barker , Will . Porter , J . Baptiste Cipriani , and — Borghi as visitors . On the 23 rd of the month , permission having been granted
in the interim for the above to assemble as Masons , and to make and raise Masons , Bro . Cipriani was raised to the degree of Master Mason . At this meeting Bro . Biggin offered to supply a Bible and jewels , and Bro . Cipriani to
suggest suitable designs , while Bro . Franco engaged to provide three elegant candlesticks . The unfortunate Dr . Dodd , it seems , was never really a member of the Lodge , as he was expelled from the society , aa constituted above , before the formal issue of the Warrant on the 25 th March of tho
same year . Then follows a list of sundry of the more distinguished members , with the dates of their admission or making appended . Among these we find Count Siedlecki , Chamberlain to the King of Poland , His Excellency General Paoli , Earl Ferrers , the Venetian Ambassador , the Earl of
Effingham , Lord Cranstoun , the Earl Kelly , Sir Robt . Salusbury Cotton , Hon . Wm . Ward , Lord Macdonald , Count Soderini , another Venetian Ambassador , Marquis Trotti , Sir Nicholas Nugent , Sir John Ingleby . Lastly are given the names of the officers at the time ( 1796 ) , namely ,
Chevalier B . Ruspiui R . W . M ., W . Blackstone ( son of the Commentator ou the " Laws of our Country" ) S . W ., Sam . Beazley J . W ., C . Carpenter Treasurer , Simon Stephenson Secretary , and Thomas Tinson Mas . Cer . We gather also from this account that the Lodse still continued to meet in
1796 as in 1777 , at the Thatched House Tavern . This is the sum and substance of what Bro . Webb is indebted for to the Freemasons' Magazine , ancl , with the
exception of the Warrant , dated , as we have said , 25 th March 1777 , in which occur the names of the petitioners , as well as of John Hull as W . M ., R . Franco S . W . and Richard Barker J . W ., this is all he is able to furnish re-