-
Articles/Ads
Article NOTICES OF MEETINGS. ← Page 2 of 4 Article NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notices Of Meetings.
said but a few words . Bro . Philbrick had so eloquently alluded to the kind manner in which the toast was given and received that it left but little for him to say . He would , however , beg to be allowed to congratulate the Lodge on the manner in which the work and ceremonies were performed , and also to congratulate the Worshipfnl Master on presiding at the 150 th Anniversary .
Bro . Altman returned sincere thanks for the compliment paid him . It was a great privilege to stand there as a Grand Officer , and more especially being a Grand Steward for thafc Lodge . He trusted he should render fche same good suit and service as the past members had done . It would alwavs be his wish to uphold the
dignity of their Lodge and promote Peace and Harmony . Bao . BINCKES ( P . G . S . B . ) Pasfc Master and Secretary , —I ris ? with pleasure and gratification to propose fche next toast , and it may be necessary to state that I assume this duty by the consent of the Immediate Paat Master , on my right ,
whose privilege it would naturally be to address you . There are reasons which have induced this arrangement , in whioh Bro . Soppet cheerfully concurs , and while I feel thafc the duties might be much more ably discharged , it is nofc for me to shrink from the task . I trust , on such an occasion , yon will listen to what
I have to say with indulgent consideration , inasmuch as having no set oration in the meeting of the Lodge ifc has been considered advisable that allusion should be made to a few salient points whioh have been recorded from the time of onr constitution . Let me assure you if 1 find any sign of weariness I shall limit my remarks , and
desist from further troubling yon . Before proceeding I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Bro . Sadler , the Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian , who has assisted me , nofc only wifch matter for my address , bufc also with particulars for the compilation you have before you . The Lodge was constituted , as yon know , in 1738 , and
there is nothing recorded down to 1745 , when we find , from the Minutes of Grand Lodge , thafc the Worshipful Master and Wardens attended Grand Lodge and contributed pretty regularly to charity . On the 7 th March 1748 , fche Masters of several Lodges were ordered fco be summoned fco show cause why fchey had not attended
Grand Lodge for some time past , and unfortunately our Lodge , then No . 158 , was one of the delinquents . On 22 nd December 1748 , fche W . M . of 158 , wifch others , attended , and promised to be more regular in future . This shows a careful supervision by Grand Lodge over subordinate Lodges , very necessary then when the
Lodges were few , though rendered less necessary now with the large number in existence , it being observed , however , that Lodges in default or guilty of neglect at the present day are unpleasantly reminded of their delinquencies by being publicly posted at the various Qnarterly Communications . In 1749 we find the Lodge fa'rly
represented in G . Lodge , and in the cash column , and continuing so for many years . In 1760 there were symptoms of decline , bufc no complaint of non-attendance or non-payment can be found . From the first it seems to have been a Tradesmen ' s Lodge , and to have had numerous members at the close of last century . lis roll was cosmopolitan in
character , comprising members ot every conceivable profession and occupation—from that comprehensive though undefined term "Gentleman , " down to '' Bargeman . " For the latter I think , without straining a point , we have a right to substitute " Bargeowner , " for I can hardly realize any advantage from the
admission of a typical ' Bargee . ' The brother so described was John Wilkinson , who joined 28 fch November 1811 . In 1776 there joined , in June , a Brother " Oliver Cromwell Vile , " who in 1780 was Secretary of the Board of Grand Stewards , and it would thus appear that the Lodgo was occasionally represented
by a Grand Steward during the last centnry . This brother was also a member of the Tuscan Lodge . Up to 1815 the M . W . Giand Master claimed the right to nominate Grand Stewards , and he then selected 18 Lodges for the right of such nomination , amongst them being No . 60 ( then singularly bearing the same number ; s at present ) .
The title of "Peace aud Harmony " was first acquired , as No . 61 , in 1789 . With 1816 we come to the first Grand Steward chosen by the Lodge , Bro . J . G . Godwin , and there is no doubt that he was a brother of prominence , who had actively participated in the work of the Craffc , for we find the following entry on the minutes of Grand
Lodge , under date 6 th Sept . 1815—two years after the Union — " A motion was made by Bro . Goldsworthy , P . M . No . 3 , and seconded by Bro . Godwin , of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , No . 82 , thafc the thanks of the United Grand Lodge be most dutifully presented fco H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., for his zealous , unremitting ,
ancl fraternal care , in watching over tbe interest of the Cralt , in maintaining its ancient landmarks , and preserving inviolate its true principles unci tenets . And all the brethren testified their unanimous and unqualified concurrence by tbe accustomed honours . " In 1816 the number of Lodges on the Register of United Grand Lodge was
between 350 and 400 , and it waa no doubt regarded as an honour by a Lodge to be selected as one of 18 Lodges with the privilege of electing a Grand Steward—an honour conferred , otic wonld imagine , -for somo merit on the part of fche Lodge , and it may fairly be inferred that the Peace and Harmony Lodgo waa held in good repute , and
obtained this distinction by the generally praiseworthy manner in ¦ which its affairs were conducted , enabling it to maintain a distinguished position , owing to the attention shown by its W . M . and Officers to the details of the business of the Order . There is little or nothing of interest nut . il we coma to the Bye-laws , which
under date 3 rd May 1733 , have the style of " Orders , Rules and Ordinances , " a much moro serious and awe-inspiring title than onr modern "Bye-laws . " From these thoro is not much worth extracting , though tho following may deserve a passing word of comment : — " Thafc the Lodgo be held every second Tuesday in the
month , the Brothers to meet at tho hour of six in the evening from Michaelmas to Lady-Day , and seven from Lady-Day to Michaelmas , ancl that no brother call for wino until the Master of the Lodge , or his Deputy , assume tho chair ; or if tha Master or Wardens do not come at the hours respectively above mentioned , tho Brothers may call for wine , " & c . The & c . probably included " Smoke , " and
Notices Of Meetings.
liquors other than wine . We may gather from this that in the old , primitive days , labour and refreshment were intimately combined , as in these degenerate days is the custom in many Lodges of Instruction . Having provided for the " use" of these good things , we find provision made against "abuse " in the following Bye-law . "Thafc no
Brother , whether he be a member or visitor , do en'er the Lodge-room disguised in liquor , or behave indecently towards the Master , Wardens , or any of the Brethren in tbe Lodge , on pain of being admonished , by the Master , for the first offence ; and if , after being so admonished , he does not return to his duty and amend , the Master ,
for the time being , is hereby authorised and empowered to dismiss and exclude any such visiting Brother or member belonging to the Lodge , and entirely to deprive him or them of all advantages and privileges therein . " I have not found an instance of any enforcement of the penal powers of this law ,
though , from the absence of Minute Books , I dare nofc claim a total exemption . The next Bye-law will prove that our brethren of this Lodge , 150 years ago , were jnst ns mindful aa any of aa Moderns of tbe qualifications essential in every candidate for admission into tbe Order , and fchafc the lessons inculcated ia
these days were enforced by our predecessors , as they are now . " Thafc no person be made a Free and Accepted Ma ^ on , in this Lodge , or , if a Mason , a member thereof—unless well known , toone member or more , to be a person of virtuous principle and integrity , aud nofc a bondsman , bub such as by his own consent is desirous to
become a brother , it being contrary to our established Constitution to persuade or engage any person thereto , and ifc is hereby recommended to every good Mason , and particularly to tbe Brethren of this Lodge , thab they be careful who they recommend to be made Masons , that they may not bring anv Disreputation "
—there is a charmingly fine ring in these old time words— " on the Craft . " We find that on the 28 th January 1819 , at a meeting held at the Bay Tree Tavern , St . Swithin ' s Lane , London , " This Lodge doth unanimously annul and make void all Bye-laws and Regulations now of force therein from and after the day on which H . R . H . Prince
Augustus Frederick , Duke of Sussex , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England , shall have declared his sanction to certain new and amended Bye-laws herein afterwards set forth and specified . " There is one law nofc only worthy of notice , but of adoption by Lodges
in the present day—in the face of instances to whioh it ia not necessary to make specific allusion . " The Master and Wardens are to demand sufficient security from the Treasurer , and shouJdany loss happen , in consequence of their neglect herein , they shall be held responsible fco tbe Lodge . " In those amended Laws there is inculcated the exercise of the same strict caution as to candidates for
membership of this Lodge , and even further emphasised : — ' Such persons only as are of good reputation for upright and moral conduct , and who are enabled by some honest profession "—( how would-this apply tothe cas ^ of the " bargeman " of 1811?)—' to snpport themselves and their families creditably—shall b <» oVmed
eligible to become members of this Lodge , and the Masters and Wardens for the timo being are especially required t > info in themselves respecting every candidate before the ballot takes place . " While we bear this caution over and over again , line upon line , aud precept upon precept , laid down in Consecration
Ceremonies , we find that , in our old Lodge , the necessity for the strictest exercise of discretion in the choice of members as forcibly impressed as at the present day . If those lessons have been forgotten itis evident that blame , in this respect , cannot attach fco the members of our old Lodge . So much for the Bre-laws . N > w , what has
fche Lodge done on behalf of Masonic Charity ? Well , our record is nob a very brilliant one , or one which we can regard altogether with complacency . Ifc must , however , be stated , that the L . idge has never been in a condition which may be called " wealthy , " the balance in tho hands of the Treasurer having been rarely more
than moderate . We have contributed abont £ 161 15 s to the Masonic Institutions , aud we possess 29 votes ; while , as a rnle , we send up two Stewards at least in each year to represent theLodge . Let us hope that in this respect the future will show an improvemerit on the paat . Now I come to the distinctions in Grand L » d ^ e .
I think the members are just as anxious as members of other Lodges to obtain what , to use a hackneyed expression , is called " the purple , " and which may be regarded as an object of legitimate ambition by every brother from tho moment of his initiation . The members of this Lodge who have been honoured with appoint . ments in Grand L"dge are but few in number . They are : —
1 Joseph Douglas , Grand Steward 1826 S . G . D . 1839 2 Geo . P . de Ilhe Philipe " „ 1828 G . S . B . 1837 3 R . T . Crncefix , M . D . „ 1833 J . G . D . 1836 4 Jno . Hodgkinson „ 1847 S . G . D . 1852 low d 1000
5 Jno . Newton Tomlsins „ . w . u . G Wm . Young ., 1857 G . S . B . 1864 7 Frederick Binckes - „ 1867 P . G . S . B . 1887 8 Jas . T . Collins „ 1870 G . S . B . 1874
This would give a total of 8 appointments to Grand Office , but you must take ifc as 7 h , because I have been told , on high authority , that I am only half a Grand Officer . If I am only a moiety of a Grand Officer , I hopo you will accept the honour done fco the Lodge in my porson , and fchafc tho next Brother thus honoured may be equal to 1-J-, which
would equalise matters . Whether this brief list may be considered adequate to the deserts of so old , so meritorious , so faithful , and * o distinguished a Lodge , must be left to the judgment of the Supreme Rulers of the Masonic portion ofthe Universe , aud does not call forcommsnfc from me . Tho retrospect of 150 years is a lengthy one , and ifc would ill
become me to dwell upon the " chances and changes" of thafc period Indeed , had I been disposed to do so , onr eloquenb friend Bro . Phil . brick has anticipated me , and so rendered unnecessary any observations on these events . I need hardly say what a source of intense satisfaction and pride it is that the Peace and Harmony Lodge , small in numbers , shonld be supported on such an occasion
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Notices Of Meetings.
said but a few words . Bro . Philbrick had so eloquently alluded to the kind manner in which the toast was given and received that it left but little for him to say . He would , however , beg to be allowed to congratulate the Lodge on the manner in which the work and ceremonies were performed , and also to congratulate the Worshipfnl Master on presiding at the 150 th Anniversary .
Bro . Altman returned sincere thanks for the compliment paid him . It was a great privilege to stand there as a Grand Officer , and more especially being a Grand Steward for thafc Lodge . He trusted he should render fche same good suit and service as the past members had done . It would alwavs be his wish to uphold the
dignity of their Lodge and promote Peace and Harmony . Bao . BINCKES ( P . G . S . B . ) Pasfc Master and Secretary , —I ris ? with pleasure and gratification to propose fche next toast , and it may be necessary to state that I assume this duty by the consent of the Immediate Paat Master , on my right ,
whose privilege it would naturally be to address you . There are reasons which have induced this arrangement , in whioh Bro . Soppet cheerfully concurs , and while I feel thafc the duties might be much more ably discharged , it is nofc for me to shrink from the task . I trust , on such an occasion , yon will listen to what
I have to say with indulgent consideration , inasmuch as having no set oration in the meeting of the Lodge ifc has been considered advisable that allusion should be made to a few salient points whioh have been recorded from the time of onr constitution . Let me assure you if 1 find any sign of weariness I shall limit my remarks , and
desist from further troubling yon . Before proceeding I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Bro . Sadler , the Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian , who has assisted me , nofc only wifch matter for my address , bufc also with particulars for the compilation you have before you . The Lodge was constituted , as yon know , in 1738 , and
there is nothing recorded down to 1745 , when we find , from the Minutes of Grand Lodge , thafc the Worshipful Master and Wardens attended Grand Lodge and contributed pretty regularly to charity . On the 7 th March 1748 , fche Masters of several Lodges were ordered fco be summoned fco show cause why fchey had not attended
Grand Lodge for some time past , and unfortunately our Lodge , then No . 158 , was one of the delinquents . On 22 nd December 1748 , fche W . M . of 158 , wifch others , attended , and promised to be more regular in future . This shows a careful supervision by Grand Lodge over subordinate Lodges , very necessary then when the
Lodges were few , though rendered less necessary now with the large number in existence , it being observed , however , that Lodges in default or guilty of neglect at the present day are unpleasantly reminded of their delinquencies by being publicly posted at the various Qnarterly Communications . In 1749 we find the Lodge fa'rly
represented in G . Lodge , and in the cash column , and continuing so for many years . In 1760 there were symptoms of decline , bufc no complaint of non-attendance or non-payment can be found . From the first it seems to have been a Tradesmen ' s Lodge , and to have had numerous members at the close of last century . lis roll was cosmopolitan in
character , comprising members ot every conceivable profession and occupation—from that comprehensive though undefined term "Gentleman , " down to '' Bargeman . " For the latter I think , without straining a point , we have a right to substitute " Bargeowner , " for I can hardly realize any advantage from the
admission of a typical ' Bargee . ' The brother so described was John Wilkinson , who joined 28 fch November 1811 . In 1776 there joined , in June , a Brother " Oliver Cromwell Vile , " who in 1780 was Secretary of the Board of Grand Stewards , and it would thus appear that the Lodgo was occasionally represented
by a Grand Steward during the last centnry . This brother was also a member of the Tuscan Lodge . Up to 1815 the M . W . Giand Master claimed the right to nominate Grand Stewards , and he then selected 18 Lodges for the right of such nomination , amongst them being No . 60 ( then singularly bearing the same number ; s at present ) .
The title of "Peace aud Harmony " was first acquired , as No . 61 , in 1789 . With 1816 we come to the first Grand Steward chosen by the Lodge , Bro . J . G . Godwin , and there is no doubt that he was a brother of prominence , who had actively participated in the work of the Craffc , for we find the following entry on the minutes of Grand
Lodge , under date 6 th Sept . 1815—two years after the Union — " A motion was made by Bro . Goldsworthy , P . M . No . 3 , and seconded by Bro . Godwin , of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , No . 82 , thafc the thanks of the United Grand Lodge be most dutifully presented fco H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., for his zealous , unremitting ,
ancl fraternal care , in watching over tbe interest of the Cralt , in maintaining its ancient landmarks , and preserving inviolate its true principles unci tenets . And all the brethren testified their unanimous and unqualified concurrence by tbe accustomed honours . " In 1816 the number of Lodges on the Register of United Grand Lodge was
between 350 and 400 , and it waa no doubt regarded as an honour by a Lodge to be selected as one of 18 Lodges with the privilege of electing a Grand Steward—an honour conferred , otic wonld imagine , -for somo merit on the part of fche Lodge , and it may fairly be inferred that the Peace and Harmony Lodgo waa held in good repute , and
obtained this distinction by the generally praiseworthy manner in ¦ which its affairs were conducted , enabling it to maintain a distinguished position , owing to the attention shown by its W . M . and Officers to the details of the business of the Order . There is little or nothing of interest nut . il we coma to the Bye-laws , which
under date 3 rd May 1733 , have the style of " Orders , Rules and Ordinances , " a much moro serious and awe-inspiring title than onr modern "Bye-laws . " From these thoro is not much worth extracting , though tho following may deserve a passing word of comment : — " Thafc the Lodgo be held every second Tuesday in the
month , the Brothers to meet at tho hour of six in the evening from Michaelmas to Lady-Day , and seven from Lady-Day to Michaelmas , ancl that no brother call for wino until the Master of the Lodge , or his Deputy , assume tho chair ; or if tha Master or Wardens do not come at the hours respectively above mentioned , tho Brothers may call for wine , " & c . The & c . probably included " Smoke , " and
Notices Of Meetings.
liquors other than wine . We may gather from this that in the old , primitive days , labour and refreshment were intimately combined , as in these degenerate days is the custom in many Lodges of Instruction . Having provided for the " use" of these good things , we find provision made against "abuse " in the following Bye-law . "Thafc no
Brother , whether he be a member or visitor , do en'er the Lodge-room disguised in liquor , or behave indecently towards the Master , Wardens , or any of the Brethren in tbe Lodge , on pain of being admonished , by the Master , for the first offence ; and if , after being so admonished , he does not return to his duty and amend , the Master ,
for the time being , is hereby authorised and empowered to dismiss and exclude any such visiting Brother or member belonging to the Lodge , and entirely to deprive him or them of all advantages and privileges therein . " I have not found an instance of any enforcement of the penal powers of this law ,
though , from the absence of Minute Books , I dare nofc claim a total exemption . The next Bye-law will prove that our brethren of this Lodge , 150 years ago , were jnst ns mindful aa any of aa Moderns of tbe qualifications essential in every candidate for admission into tbe Order , and fchafc the lessons inculcated ia
these days were enforced by our predecessors , as they are now . " Thafc no person be made a Free and Accepted Ma ^ on , in this Lodge , or , if a Mason , a member thereof—unless well known , toone member or more , to be a person of virtuous principle and integrity , aud nofc a bondsman , bub such as by his own consent is desirous to
become a brother , it being contrary to our established Constitution to persuade or engage any person thereto , and ifc is hereby recommended to every good Mason , and particularly to tbe Brethren of this Lodge , thab they be careful who they recommend to be made Masons , that they may not bring anv Disreputation "
—there is a charmingly fine ring in these old time words— " on the Craft . " We find that on the 28 th January 1819 , at a meeting held at the Bay Tree Tavern , St . Swithin ' s Lane , London , " This Lodge doth unanimously annul and make void all Bye-laws and Regulations now of force therein from and after the day on which H . R . H . Prince
Augustus Frederick , Duke of Sussex , Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England , shall have declared his sanction to certain new and amended Bye-laws herein afterwards set forth and specified . " There is one law nofc only worthy of notice , but of adoption by Lodges
in the present day—in the face of instances to whioh it ia not necessary to make specific allusion . " The Master and Wardens are to demand sufficient security from the Treasurer , and shouJdany loss happen , in consequence of their neglect herein , they shall be held responsible fco tbe Lodge . " In those amended Laws there is inculcated the exercise of the same strict caution as to candidates for
membership of this Lodge , and even further emphasised : — ' Such persons only as are of good reputation for upright and moral conduct , and who are enabled by some honest profession "—( how would-this apply tothe cas ^ of the " bargeman " of 1811?)—' to snpport themselves and their families creditably—shall b <» oVmed
eligible to become members of this Lodge , and the Masters and Wardens for the timo being are especially required t > info in themselves respecting every candidate before the ballot takes place . " While we bear this caution over and over again , line upon line , aud precept upon precept , laid down in Consecration
Ceremonies , we find that , in our old Lodge , the necessity for the strictest exercise of discretion in the choice of members as forcibly impressed as at the present day . If those lessons have been forgotten itis evident that blame , in this respect , cannot attach fco the members of our old Lodge . So much for the Bre-laws . N > w , what has
fche Lodge done on behalf of Masonic Charity ? Well , our record is nob a very brilliant one , or one which we can regard altogether with complacency . Ifc must , however , be stated , that the L . idge has never been in a condition which may be called " wealthy , " the balance in tho hands of the Treasurer having been rarely more
than moderate . We have contributed abont £ 161 15 s to the Masonic Institutions , aud we possess 29 votes ; while , as a rnle , we send up two Stewards at least in each year to represent theLodge . Let us hope that in this respect the future will show an improvemerit on the paat . Now I come to the distinctions in Grand L » d ^ e .
I think the members are just as anxious as members of other Lodges to obtain what , to use a hackneyed expression , is called " the purple , " and which may be regarded as an object of legitimate ambition by every brother from tho moment of his initiation . The members of this Lodge who have been honoured with appoint . ments in Grand L"dge are but few in number . They are : —
1 Joseph Douglas , Grand Steward 1826 S . G . D . 1839 2 Geo . P . de Ilhe Philipe " „ 1828 G . S . B . 1837 3 R . T . Crncefix , M . D . „ 1833 J . G . D . 1836 4 Jno . Hodgkinson „ 1847 S . G . D . 1852 low d 1000
5 Jno . Newton Tomlsins „ . w . u . G Wm . Young ., 1857 G . S . B . 1864 7 Frederick Binckes - „ 1867 P . G . S . B . 1887 8 Jas . T . Collins „ 1870 G . S . B . 1874
This would give a total of 8 appointments to Grand Office , but you must take ifc as 7 h , because I have been told , on high authority , that I am only half a Grand Officer . If I am only a moiety of a Grand Officer , I hopo you will accept the honour done fco the Lodge in my porson , and fchafc tho next Brother thus honoured may be equal to 1-J-, which
would equalise matters . Whether this brief list may be considered adequate to the deserts of so old , so meritorious , so faithful , and * o distinguished a Lodge , must be left to the judgment of the Supreme Rulers of the Masonic portion ofthe Universe , aud does not call forcommsnfc from me . Tho retrospect of 150 years is a lengthy one , and ifc would ill
become me to dwell upon the " chances and changes" of thafc period Indeed , had I been disposed to do so , onr eloquenb friend Bro . Phil . brick has anticipated me , and so rendered unnecessary any observations on these events . I need hardly say what a source of intense satisfaction and pride it is that the Peace and Harmony Lodge , small in numbers , shonld be supported on such an occasion