-
Articles/Ads
Article ELEANOR CROSS LODGE, No. 1764 ← Page 2 of 3 Article ELEANOR CROSS LODGE, No. 1764 Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764
Masonry , a great amount of work . They had on tho books afc the present moment two candidates for passing and five for raising , to say nothing of possible initiations during the year . That was something to look forward to , ancl yet ho would fain hope that that would not be all fchey should do . His intentions for the year to come wont beyond that . Their I . P . M . did something to initiate so large a
number ; ho ( Bro . Sanders ) hoped to do something to educate those who hacl been initiated . A tendency to stop afc the elements was calculated to produce a false impression upon tho minds of some men , who got tho idea thafc Masonry consists of going through certain routine duties , and too often thero was just cause for that idea . Bufc thero wore many more things in Masonry . To speak of nothing else , there were
most admirable and instructive lectures which might be delivered ; and through his teaching in tbo province of the Master , and with the help of the officers , he hoped to bo able to instruct tho brethren , not only in the words of the ceremonies , but in tho interpretations of them , in some slight degree , in the coming year . Looking afc all this —ancl he did nofc say ifc from any mock modesty—he did nob think he
ever felt such a sense of responsibility as he did afc the beginning of this new year . It waa a responsibility he felt very keenly , because he thought thafc the lessons in Masonry ought to be taught , and he should endeavour to instil them into the minds of the brethren , in order that they might carry them out , and show forth to the world the beauties of Masonry . Only the other day , a man , whom he would
havo very great pleasure in seeing in this Lodge , said to him , " Well , if I could only be shown that there was any good in Masonry , I Avould join . " His reply was , that if there were only this one thing in it , here , whatever a man ' s creed , his politics , or his social position may be , all men can meet on the level and part on the square , and learn to appreciate each other ; ancl that , apart from anything in the ritual ,
would confirm him in his attachment to Masonry . May we all , dear brethren , said tho Worshipful Master , feel this in the coming year . May we all feol the importance of what our estimable Chaplain said at the opening of the Lodge , when he exhorted us to show forth to the world that we were brethren indeed , and that Masonry is
something more than an empty name . I hope all will feel this most thoroughly , aud try to put it in practice . My best endeavours shall not be wanting to make the Lodge a success , and if I am seconded by your kind efforts , I shall not fear for the future , but look forward with hope and confidence . To Bro . H . Brown was entrusted the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " He remarked that Masons learned
something of their duty from a book Avhich had a place in every Lodge in England , and he trusted in every Mason ' s heart , the volume of fcho sacred law , which amongst other things said , " Hold fast that which is good . " There were many good things set before them and they would nofc be doing their duty unless they held fast to them . And that same book said that " chai'ity coverefch a multitude of sins . "
That must bo comforting to many of them . He did not mean that that applied to Masons generally , but only to the few who did err . A friend of his who certainly displayed some anxiety to become a Mason said very solemnly , " but what are the benefits ? " That was rather a poser to him because he saw the light in Avhich his friend viewed it . Ho however replied that the benefits of Masonry wore many , but the
principal honour conferred upon the Masons was nofc benefit to themselves , but tho privilege of being able to benefit their fellow men . They already had three noble Institutions in existence , in tho shape of tho Masonic Charities , the fame of Avhich was world-wide . They had been nobly supported ; they had done a great work , bufc they had lately been taught there were other duties devolving upon those who
supported them . The pupils of their schools received a spendid education , which fitted them for any position ; and it was desirable that a fund should bo started to assist them to gain positions where their education could be of service to them . For giving them the required aid tho Eoyal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund had been formed . He then appealed to the brethren in favour of this Fund .
Bro . the Eev . S . Wathen Wigg , in acknowled ging the toasfc , said tho Masonic Schools Avero not mere charity schools in the common acceptation of the term . He was sorry the common acceptation of the term—for the word was really grand— should mean a livery and a subservient position . But in tho Masonic Schools the boys and girls were really Avell educated , and were fitted for any position in life
Those who gave to these Charities wero performing an act which Avas twice blessed , blessing- the doer and thoso for whom the act was done ; _ and Masonry would not be so strong if they had not these Charities on which to expend their zeal and energy . They were a bond of union between all Masons . They could not do too much to mako them what they ought to be , the grandest charities of our
country . They could in this Avay show their sympathy in a practical way foraged brethren and for the orphan children of brother Masons . The Worshipful Master next proposed the health of the I . P . M . Bro . M . A . Boeme . He said he was sure he had only to name the toast , and it would be received with the greatest satisfaction . Thero was an old phrase of Pope ' s , " Welcome the coming , speed the parting
guest , ' and thafc was the object of this occasion ; to celebrate the fact that Freemasonry was ever new , ever young iu the person of the Master elected , and afc the same time to Avish God speed to the Immediate Past Master . They had enumerated Bro . Boemd ' s good qualities many times during the past twelve months , each time Avith the greatest enthusiasm , ancl he thought the enthusiasm on the last
occasion when fchey drank Bro . Bocmd ' s good health was not less than on the previous eleven occasions . That was because they felt what a good Master they had had , hoAv much indebted they were to him for his kindness in taking the Mastership at the outset , the expectations then formed being amply fulfilled , so that the motto he ( Bro . Sanders ) had ventured to put upon the toast list was thoroughly
deserved— " He hath indeed better bettered expectation . " The example be had set them both in the Lodge and out of it , and especially the example set to some of tho younger brethren , was one they ought to follow . It was with considerable diffidence , therefore , that he ( Bro . Sanders ) stepped into the shoes of their I . P . M ., Avhosc example would be remembered in tho Lodge for many years to come . Ho had governed the Lodge to the utmost of his ability ,
Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764
and governed tho Lodgo well . Witness fcho fact that during the past twelvemonths not once had he been called upon to hold out tho olive branch between contending brethren . He ( Bro . Sanders ) hoped that in his rule he might bo equally fortunate . Ho gave them the health of Bro . Boeme . Might he long be spared to come amongst them ,
and never havo cause to regret having taken the Mastership of the Eleanor Cross Lodge . Bro . Boeme said he had already had the honour of having a presentation made to him , which ho prized very much , and now he had received their kind congratulations in connection with tho toasfc of his health . As the Immediate Past Master
of tbe Eleanor Cross Lodge , it Avas a source of gratification to see Bro . Sanders now occupying tho chair , and he was satisfied that the Lodge would be worked much better than ifc had been during bis ( tho speaker ' s ) term of office . Ho had been told thafc P . M . 's were more ornamental than aseful . Well , he must say he was more ornamental now , having received two jewels from fcheir Lodge , bufc he hoped
during the next year to bo of some little use to the Worshipful Master , as he should feel it a duty incumbent upon him to attend the meetings whenever he could do so . Whatever might be said about ornamental Past Masters , they did g ive tone to a Lodgo , and he should personally feel a pride and pleasure in giving what assistance he could in the working of the Lodge , nofc enly for the next twelve
months , but as long as he was spared . Bro . Hamilton Parker proposed "The Visiting Brethren . " On that passage of Scripture , " Be careful to entertain strangers , " he said be would like to put another construction— " Be careful to entertain brethren . " He loved the word brother . There Avas something endearing in it more than any other word « f the English
language , except those other terms associated with home , father and mother . He hacl to welcome , in the name of the Worshipful Master and the members of the Eleanor Cross , all the visiting brethren , whom they were delighted to see on this occasion , and would be glad to see afc any time , for whereever they met with a brother , and found him to be such , it caused their hearts to beat for joy , and they
immediately felt at home . They had here to-night not only visiting brethren , but bo might say celebrated brethren , representing different provinces . Bro . Grant said in going to the anniversaries of different Lodges he always met with tbe most unbounded hospitality and good fellowship , and usually met many old acquaintances , and made many friends . He had visited many Lodges , bufc he did not know that he
had ever enjoyed an installation ceremony so much ns he had thafc day . It was tbe first time he had had tho privilege of being at the Eleanor Cross Lodge , and he hoped ifc would nofc bo the last , for his own sake . Tho ceremony of installation was by far the most beautiful in Masonry , aud ifc was performed by the Deputy Grancl Master iu a way that excited tho envy and admiration of thoso who had
gone through it before . Tho Worshipful Master , too , had been most eloquent , and thoroughly effective in his work . Bro . Cumberland congratulated tho Lodgo on the manner in which the ceremony of installation had been performed , and , after alluding to the apposite addresses of the W . M . Elect to his Officers , went on to say that if men would but carry out tlio teachings of Masonry
outside tho Lodgo ns well as inside , they would not only be good Masons , and good men , but members of society . It was thought by some people that there must bo something bail in Masonry because ifc hacl been condemned by some religious bodies , but when thoy saw , as they did this evening , clergymen of the Church of England amongst them , ho felt satisfied that there was nothing in Freemasonry
contrary to thoso teachings which begin with tbo Bible , and have for their goal tho Grand Lodge above . Eeferring to the question introduced by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , ho Avent on to say that though some of them might have friends whom they would like to become members of the Lodgo , what they had to consider was whether those friends would be acceptable to tho whole of tho
brethren , and Avhefchor they would bo likely to bring credit upon the Lodge . He advised them to judge with candour , to admonish with friendship , to reprehend with mercy , and to carry out the teachings of Masonry in the noblest form , that of charity . Let them become life-governors or life-subscribers to the Institutions , and , if possible , go up to Grand Lodge as Stewards , so that they might see what was
done with the money subscribed . No less than £ 35 * 000 hacl been raised last year , in a year of bad trade , iu aid of their Institutions . In conclusion , he gave them a friendly invitation to York , Avhere there were some interesting relics of Freemasonry , the tradition being thafc at one time a number of Masons used to meet in the Crypt under the Cathedral . Bro . Phillips next spoke in a congratulatory
strain as to the working of the ceremony , though if he might be allowed one word of criticism , ifc would be to protest against the curtailment of it , though he supposed thafc was necessary , because some of the visiting brethren had to leave early . He approved of what had been said about making the basis of Masonry as broad aa possible , bufc thought they should look upon their Charities as the
outcome of the system , rather than point to them , in the first place , before showing that Masonry was au organisation amongst men for the sake of doing as much good aa possible in the world . In closing , he said he had visited the Pomfrefc several times before , bub coming to-day to the Eleanor Cross , he hardly knew where the one began and tho other ended . Bro . Hale said he hardly considered himself a
visitor " , as he was with them afc the consecration of the Lodge ; had watched with interest its progress since , and considered ifc a great ; honour to be amongst them again . Bro . Cole-Hamilton thanked the Lodge for fcho welcome thafc he , a young and comparatively unknown Mason , had received there , ancl after a characteristic speech by Bro . K . HoAves , who was delighted to see the Lodge wifch such a Worshipful Master , Bro . Cox briefly replied to the toast ,
apologising for the absence of his father , Eev . R . H . Cox P . P . G . C . Tho Worship ? al Master then proposed " The Wardens and Officers of the Eleanor Cross Lodge . " He said that the Officers were old ancl tried friends , who had been repeatedly complimented during the year , and as most of them retained the same position , it might be expected that the working would be as good next year . All he asked of them was punctuality and regularity of attendance , and a thorough
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764
Masonry , a great amount of work . They had on tho books afc the present moment two candidates for passing and five for raising , to say nothing of possible initiations during the year . That was something to look forward to , ancl yet ho would fain hope that that would not be all fchey should do . His intentions for the year to come wont beyond that . Their I . P . M . did something to initiate so large a
number ; ho ( Bro . Sanders ) hoped to do something to educate those who hacl been initiated . A tendency to stop afc the elements was calculated to produce a false impression upon tho minds of some men , who got tho idea thafc Masonry consists of going through certain routine duties , and too often thero was just cause for that idea . Bufc thero wore many more things in Masonry . To speak of nothing else , there were
most admirable and instructive lectures which might be delivered ; and through his teaching in tbo province of the Master , and with the help of the officers , he hoped to bo able to instruct tho brethren , not only in the words of the ceremonies , but in tho interpretations of them , in some slight degree , in the coming year . Looking afc all this —ancl he did nofc say ifc from any mock modesty—he did nob think he
ever felt such a sense of responsibility as he did afc the beginning of this new year . It waa a responsibility he felt very keenly , because he thought thafc the lessons in Masonry ought to be taught , and he should endeavour to instil them into the minds of the brethren , in order that they might carry them out , and show forth to the world the beauties of Masonry . Only the other day , a man , whom he would
havo very great pleasure in seeing in this Lodge , said to him , " Well , if I could only be shown that there was any good in Masonry , I Avould join . " His reply was , that if there were only this one thing in it , here , whatever a man ' s creed , his politics , or his social position may be , all men can meet on the level and part on the square , and learn to appreciate each other ; ancl that , apart from anything in the ritual ,
would confirm him in his attachment to Masonry . May we all , dear brethren , said tho Worshipful Master , feel this in the coming year . May we all feol the importance of what our estimable Chaplain said at the opening of the Lodge , when he exhorted us to show forth to the world that we were brethren indeed , and that Masonry is
something more than an empty name . I hope all will feel this most thoroughly , aud try to put it in practice . My best endeavours shall not be wanting to make the Lodge a success , and if I am seconded by your kind efforts , I shall not fear for the future , but look forward with hope and confidence . To Bro . H . Brown was entrusted the toast of " The Masonic Charities . " He remarked that Masons learned
something of their duty from a book Avhich had a place in every Lodge in England , and he trusted in every Mason ' s heart , the volume of fcho sacred law , which amongst other things said , " Hold fast that which is good . " There were many good things set before them and they would nofc be doing their duty unless they held fast to them . And that same book said that " chai'ity coverefch a multitude of sins . "
That must bo comforting to many of them . He did not mean that that applied to Masons generally , but only to the few who did err . A friend of his who certainly displayed some anxiety to become a Mason said very solemnly , " but what are the benefits ? " That was rather a poser to him because he saw the light in Avhich his friend viewed it . Ho however replied that the benefits of Masonry wore many , but the
principal honour conferred upon the Masons was nofc benefit to themselves , but tho privilege of being able to benefit their fellow men . They already had three noble Institutions in existence , in tho shape of tho Masonic Charities , the fame of Avhich was world-wide . They had been nobly supported ; they had done a great work , bufc they had lately been taught there were other duties devolving upon those who
supported them . The pupils of their schools received a spendid education , which fitted them for any position ; and it was desirable that a fund should bo started to assist them to gain positions where their education could be of service to them . For giving them the required aid tho Eoyal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund had been formed . He then appealed to the brethren in favour of this Fund .
Bro . the Eev . S . Wathen Wigg , in acknowled ging the toasfc , said tho Masonic Schools Avero not mere charity schools in the common acceptation of the term . He was sorry the common acceptation of the term—for the word was really grand— should mean a livery and a subservient position . But in tho Masonic Schools the boys and girls were really Avell educated , and were fitted for any position in life
Those who gave to these Charities wero performing an act which Avas twice blessed , blessing- the doer and thoso for whom the act was done ; _ and Masonry would not be so strong if they had not these Charities on which to expend their zeal and energy . They were a bond of union between all Masons . They could not do too much to mako them what they ought to be , the grandest charities of our
country . They could in this Avay show their sympathy in a practical way foraged brethren and for the orphan children of brother Masons . The Worshipful Master next proposed the health of the I . P . M . Bro . M . A . Boeme . He said he was sure he had only to name the toast , and it would be received with the greatest satisfaction . Thero was an old phrase of Pope ' s , " Welcome the coming , speed the parting
guest , ' and thafc was the object of this occasion ; to celebrate the fact that Freemasonry was ever new , ever young iu the person of the Master elected , and afc the same time to Avish God speed to the Immediate Past Master . They had enumerated Bro . Boemd ' s good qualities many times during the past twelve months , each time Avith the greatest enthusiasm , ancl he thought the enthusiasm on the last
occasion when fchey drank Bro . Bocmd ' s good health was not less than on the previous eleven occasions . That was because they felt what a good Master they had had , hoAv much indebted they were to him for his kindness in taking the Mastership at the outset , the expectations then formed being amply fulfilled , so that the motto he ( Bro . Sanders ) had ventured to put upon the toast list was thoroughly
deserved— " He hath indeed better bettered expectation . " The example be had set them both in the Lodge and out of it , and especially the example set to some of tho younger brethren , was one they ought to follow . It was with considerable diffidence , therefore , that he ( Bro . Sanders ) stepped into the shoes of their I . P . M ., Avhosc example would be remembered in tho Lodge for many years to come . Ho had governed the Lodge to the utmost of his ability ,
Eleanor Cross Lodge, No. 1764
and governed tho Lodgo well . Witness fcho fact that during the past twelvemonths not once had he been called upon to hold out tho olive branch between contending brethren . He ( Bro . Sanders ) hoped that in his rule he might bo equally fortunate . Ho gave them the health of Bro . Boeme . Might he long be spared to come amongst them ,
and never havo cause to regret having taken the Mastership of the Eleanor Cross Lodge . Bro . Boeme said he had already had the honour of having a presentation made to him , which ho prized very much , and now he had received their kind congratulations in connection with tho toasfc of his health . As the Immediate Past Master
of tbe Eleanor Cross Lodge , it Avas a source of gratification to see Bro . Sanders now occupying tho chair , and he was satisfied that the Lodge would be worked much better than ifc had been during bis ( tho speaker ' s ) term of office . Ho had been told thafc P . M . 's were more ornamental than aseful . Well , he must say he was more ornamental now , having received two jewels from fcheir Lodge , bufc he hoped
during the next year to bo of some little use to the Worshipful Master , as he should feel it a duty incumbent upon him to attend the meetings whenever he could do so . Whatever might be said about ornamental Past Masters , they did g ive tone to a Lodgo , and he should personally feel a pride and pleasure in giving what assistance he could in the working of the Lodge , nofc enly for the next twelve
months , but as long as he was spared . Bro . Hamilton Parker proposed "The Visiting Brethren . " On that passage of Scripture , " Be careful to entertain strangers , " he said be would like to put another construction— " Be careful to entertain brethren . " He loved the word brother . There Avas something endearing in it more than any other word « f the English
language , except those other terms associated with home , father and mother . He hacl to welcome , in the name of the Worshipful Master and the members of the Eleanor Cross , all the visiting brethren , whom they were delighted to see on this occasion , and would be glad to see afc any time , for whereever they met with a brother , and found him to be such , it caused their hearts to beat for joy , and they
immediately felt at home . They had here to-night not only visiting brethren , but bo might say celebrated brethren , representing different provinces . Bro . Grant said in going to the anniversaries of different Lodges he always met with tbe most unbounded hospitality and good fellowship , and usually met many old acquaintances , and made many friends . He had visited many Lodges , bufc he did not know that he
had ever enjoyed an installation ceremony so much ns he had thafc day . It was tbe first time he had had tho privilege of being at the Eleanor Cross Lodge , and he hoped ifc would nofc bo the last , for his own sake . Tho ceremony of installation was by far the most beautiful in Masonry , aud ifc was performed by the Deputy Grancl Master iu a way that excited tho envy and admiration of thoso who had
gone through it before . Tho Worshipful Master , too , had been most eloquent , and thoroughly effective in his work . Bro . Cumberland congratulated tho Lodgo on the manner in which the ceremony of installation had been performed , and , after alluding to the apposite addresses of the W . M . Elect to his Officers , went on to say that if men would but carry out tlio teachings of Masonry
outside tho Lodgo ns well as inside , they would not only be good Masons , and good men , but members of society . It was thought by some people that there must bo something bail in Masonry because ifc hacl been condemned by some religious bodies , but when thoy saw , as they did this evening , clergymen of the Church of England amongst them , ho felt satisfied that there was nothing in Freemasonry
contrary to thoso teachings which begin with tbo Bible , and have for their goal tho Grand Lodge above . Eeferring to the question introduced by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , ho Avent on to say that though some of them might have friends whom they would like to become members of the Lodgo , what they had to consider was whether those friends would be acceptable to tho whole of tho
brethren , and Avhefchor they would bo likely to bring credit upon the Lodge . He advised them to judge with candour , to admonish with friendship , to reprehend with mercy , and to carry out the teachings of Masonry in the noblest form , that of charity . Let them become life-governors or life-subscribers to the Institutions , and , if possible , go up to Grand Lodge as Stewards , so that they might see what was
done with the money subscribed . No less than £ 35 * 000 hacl been raised last year , in a year of bad trade , iu aid of their Institutions . In conclusion , he gave them a friendly invitation to York , Avhere there were some interesting relics of Freemasonry , the tradition being thafc at one time a number of Masons used to meet in the Crypt under the Cathedral . Bro . Phillips next spoke in a congratulatory
strain as to the working of the ceremony , though if he might be allowed one word of criticism , ifc would be to protest against the curtailment of it , though he supposed thafc was necessary , because some of the visiting brethren had to leave early . He approved of what had been said about making the basis of Masonry as broad aa possible , bufc thought they should look upon their Charities as the
outcome of the system , rather than point to them , in the first place , before showing that Masonry was au organisation amongst men for the sake of doing as much good aa possible in the world . In closing , he said he had visited the Pomfrefc several times before , bub coming to-day to the Eleanor Cross , he hardly knew where the one began and tho other ended . Bro . Hale said he hardly considered himself a
visitor " , as he was with them afc the consecration of the Lodge ; had watched with interest its progress since , and considered ifc a great ; honour to be amongst them again . Bro . Cole-Hamilton thanked the Lodge for fcho welcome thafc he , a young and comparatively unknown Mason , had received there , ancl after a characteristic speech by Bro . K . HoAves , who was delighted to see the Lodge wifch such a Worshipful Master , Bro . Cox briefly replied to the toast ,
apologising for the absence of his father , Eev . R . H . Cox P . P . G . C . Tho Worship ? al Master then proposed " The Wardens and Officers of the Eleanor Cross Lodge . " He said that the Officers were old ancl tried friends , who had been repeatedly complimented during the year , and as most of them retained the same position , it might be expected that the working would be as good next year . All he asked of them was punctuality and regularity of attendance , and a thorough