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Article HUMBER LODGE, No. 57. ← Page 2 of 3 Article HUMBER LODGE, No. 57. Page 2 of 3 →
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Humber Lodge, No. 57.
to advance tho best and highest interests of the Craft : also to the zeal displayed by him during the long period of thirty years in promoting the prosperity of the Lodge . As some acknowledgment of these , his great services , further than the complimentary banquet to which , when occupying the exalted position of Mayor aud Chief Magistrate of this borough , he was entertained by the Lodge on
Thursday , the 23 rd of April 1874 , the Master , Past Mas » ers , Wardens , Officers , and Brethren hereby resolve to place this record on the minute hooks of the Lodgo , and to have this resolution suitably inscribed on vellum and presented to him . " Bro . Alderman J . L . Seaton , who was received with loud and prolonged applause , referred to the minntes which had been read bv
the Secretary , and observed that of all the names therein recorded , he recognised but one who could possibly bo amongst them this evening . Of that long roll of names all had passed away , and it struck him as a somewhat remarkable coincidence that nearl } ' all of them had passed away at the age which the Lodge numbered before the foundation stone of the new structure was laid—65 . This seemed to
identify some of the oldest and most ardent workers in the cause with the number of the old Lodge ( hear , hear ) . The ceremony of this evening awakened feelings of the deepest gratitude , as it associated the past with the present ; and , though to many of the present members of tho Lodgo his face might not bo very familiar , yet when he turned back to the records of the years 1850 to 1852 ,
he found that ho had then been not only a constant attendant , but when working through all tho various offices he had the honour of performing his duties with assiduity , and he hoped with satisfaction ( applause ) . The subject more particularly alluded to this evening had been his poor , though certainly earnest , services on behalf of the Benevolent and Pension Fund ; and , turning to the period when he
became Treasurer of that fund , he found it then amounted to £ 3 , 676 19 s 6 d . When he resigned the office it was exactly £ 4 , 676 , which showed that in the ten years the fund had increased , within a few shillings , by £ 1 , 000 ( applause ) . As to what steps should be taken in connection with the fund , this was not perhaps the timo to open out all tho pros and cons . Bnt he might say thero was a widespread
feeling that it might be mado moro generally useful than it seemed to be at the present moment ( hear , hear ) . In the year 1864 Mr . Tidd Pratt , the then Registrar of Friendly Societies , took into consideration somo resolutions which had been passed as to the law in connection with this fnnd ; and in 1867 Bro . Hay P . M . ( who had acted as his colleague in the Treasurership ) brought up a complete analysis of
that fund and of the funds of tho Lodge . In 1869 somo further steps were taken , and a full report was sent up to Mr . Tidd Pratt , which reports had been forwarded regularly ever since up to tho present time ( hear , hear ) . They had this evening done him the great honour of notifying the little services he had been enabled to render , and it called to his mind that in 1852 , during the year of his Mastership ,
they did him all the honour which it was possible for them to bestow . The W . M . had also adverted to the year when he filled the civic chair , and when ho was also hospitably received by tho brethren of tho Humber Lodge . Looking round upon all these marks of their regard , he felt that this evening ho stood before them with all his " blushing honours" thick upon him ( laughter ) . Referring to Masonry in
eloquent terms , the speaker reminded tho brethren that it took its origin at a period when thero was a very slight , if any , difference with regard to religious beliefs ; and it might , therefore , be regarded as typical in a very great measure of the " one fold having ono shepherd "—tho universal religion of those who acknowledged tho Supreme Being . Further than that , it had the opportunity of taking
all within its extended fold , as tho centre of unity , men of all creeds and of all nations ( applause ) . Standing there amidst such an array of Past Masters , he saw all who had passed the chair were recognised by jewels denoting tho services they had rendered . Without wearing a jewel , he should ever gaze upon the beautiful testimonial thoy had just presented to him as a jewel indeed—one which would gladden
his heart as he turned to it and felt that it reminded him of some of the most pleasurable associations in connection with this Lodge . It would be invidious were he to allude to any of his former friends particularly ; but he saw present his old associates , Past Masters Hewson , John Hudson , John Wilson , and Dr . Hay—many of whom were mnch older Masons than himself . These brethren wero all
distinguished , by the symbols they wore , for the services they had rendered ; and in conclusion ho thanked tho officers and members of the Lodge for tho handsome gift with which they had ' presented him , and also for the kindly aud affectionate manner iu which the W . M . alluded to his past services . He assured thorn that the 8 th of May 1876 would never be effaced from his mind as long as memory retained its seat ( applause ) .
The remainder of the business having been conducted in accordance with the established usages of the Craft , the Lodgo was closed , and the brethren assembled in the lower room , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided by Bro . William Shepherdson , of the George Hotel . The tables were elaborately adorned with flowers and ornamental foliage plants , and the arrangements were such as to elicit universal
commendation . The chair was occupied by Bro . A . W . Ansell W . M ., who was supported by the W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire , Bros . T . Sissons P . M . Prov . Grand Registrar ; Jno . Thompson P . M ., P . Grand Steward of Charities , Jonathan ' West I . P . M ., John Wilson , P . M ., Dr . W . Banks Hay P . M ., Thomas Hewson , P . M .. Alderman J . L . Seaton , P . M ., W . D . Keyworth , P . M ., Martin Kemp ^ P . M ., W . Needier , P . M ., John Hudson , P . M ., R . T . Vivian , P . M ., W .
Tesseymau , P . M ., Henry Preston , P . M ., Tom Turner , W . M . of the Constitutional Lodge ( Beverley ) , J . Brooke , W . M . of the Minerva , and E . W . Garforth , I . P . M . of the Kingston Lodgo ( Hnll ) , Benjamin L . Wells , W . 31 . of Alexandra Lod ge ( Hornsea ) , & c . The vice-chairs were filled by tho Wardens , Bros . Henry Toozes and Edward Kidd , and the company numbered altogether between 60 and 70 . At the conclusion of a very excellent repast , the customary Craft and other toasts were proposed from the chair and duly honoured . The W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in acknowledging the toast of the Provincial Officers , expressed the pleasure it afforded him to
Humber Lodge, No. 57.
meet with so hearty a reception as was invariably accorded to him in this Lodge . He fe lt much honoured in having his name associated with so noble and distinguished a member of the Craft as was tho Earl of Zetland ; and he might say that during the ten years he had held the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master , he had been received by the various Lodges in the Province with the utmost
respect , kindness and courtesy . He had made many friendships dnring that period , wh'ob ho should cherish to his latest moment ( applause ) . Ho was happy to say that everything in the Province was going on in a satisfactory and harmonious manner , and he knew of two new warrants that had been granted—one for York and another for Saltburn-on-the-Sea ( applause ) . As a Past Master of
the Humber Lodge , he was awaro it had been customary on these occasions to make some reference to what had taken place in former times . And with regard to himself , he might say that during tho 38 years he had been a member of this Lodge he had filled many offices and had mado many valuable acquaintanceships ( applause ) . Masonry , now-a-days , was very different to what it was when this
Lodgo was founded : then it was an exception in the town , whereas it was now almost tho exception not to be a Mason . Moreover , the Craft had taken a much hicrher position in the estimation of the public than that which it formerly held . No doubt , at the commencement of this century it was much more patronised by Royalty—i . e ., there were moro members of the Royal Family in tho Craft than at
present j and it was exceedingly popular . Bnt ho was sorry to say the social element at that time vastly preponderated over the intellectual ; and for a time Freemasonry sank in tho esteem of the outside world . Now , however , it was again in the ascendant , the Grand Officers of England having determined that the intellectual element , and not the social , should be especially cultivated ( applause ) .
As an instance of this , ho noted that the Masons at Sheffield had resolved to found a library in connection with the Craft there , and he trusted that the same principle might animate all other Lodges throughout the country ( applause ) . Bro . Alderman Seaton , in giving " The Founders of the Humber Lodge , " observed that , on an occasion liko tho present , when they
had met together to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the Lodge , this might justly be considered the "toast of the evening . " Had it not been for those founders , and the principles they had adhered to—principles which had been successfully maintained and adhered to by Masters down to tho present time—they never would have had the honour of assembling in a Lodge , so remarkable in all
respects for its numerical strength , its opulence , and the fraternal good feeling amongst its members , which the Humber Lodge enjoyed ( hear , hear ) . Wheu ho gazed around that room and saw adorning the walls the portraits of such men as Feethara , Stark , Eglin , John Ward , and others , he might make use of the expression which , he belived , was on tho monument of Sir Christopher Wren , in St . Paul ' s Cathedral ,
" Circumspice . " The founders of this Lodge who originated the system , and adhered to those principles they all so much admired , rendered tho Lodge what it was . Since then thoy had the names of Gordon Smith , Bethel Jacobs , and others , whom he would not take up their time to enumerate . But ho would say that the mantle of each Master had descended upon his successor , like the ermine of the
Venetian doges ; and now they found the Humber Lodge more prosperous and popular than ever ( applause ) . Adherence to sound practical principles had been the secret why the Lodge had continued to flourish . It had been by the Masters , assisted by their officers , in thoir practical efforts , that had contributed , no doubt , to tho well-being and success of this Lodge . And if thoy continued to adhere to the
noble Masonic principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , he could conceive of nothing which would be a greater mark of respect to the founders , or tend more to tho preservation of that brightest of all thoir gems—charity—in a rim of honour , untarnished ( applause ) . The toast was , as usual , received in solemn silence , and Bro . Dr . Hay P . M . in briefly responding , said ho rose with mingled
feelings of pain and pleasure to discharge that duty—of pain because they had none of tho original founders amongst them to respond to the toast , and of pleasure that they were enabled to see the fruit of tho good works begun in former days , which had been continued by others , and which they trusted wonld bo perpetuated as long as Time would run ( applause ) .
The W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master then rose to propose a toast which he felt sure would be received with pleasure and enthusiasm" The Worshipfnl Master and Officers of the Hamber Lodge " ( applause ) . On no shoulders had the mantle of the founders fallen with greater popularity than on those of their present Worshipful
Master . He had always been received by Bro . Ansell with the utmost courtesy , and he had never heard anything fall from his lips bat what was graced with the greatest propriety . The manner in which he presented tho testimonial to Past Master Seaton was exceedingly interesting and pleasing , and he had witnessed that ceremonial with the utmost satisfaction . All who knew Bro . Seaton knew also that
what the Worshipfnl Master had spoken of him was perfectly true , for the thanks of the Lodge were eminently due to that gentleman for the exemplary way in which he had discharged his responsible and arduous duties as treasurer of the Benevolent and Pension Fund ( applause ) . Bro . Ansell had to-night invited them to a most pleasing
entertainment , and they would all agree that the way he had acquitted himself on the occasion was highly satisfactory and commendable ( renewed applause ) . Under his excellent rnle tho Lodge must prosper , and it was with peculiar pleasure he proposed the toast for acceptance by the brethren ( applause ) .
Bro . A . W . Ansell W . M . , who was received with enthusiasm , said he rose with diffidence to respond to the toast , which had been so kindly proposed , inasmuch as a duty of that kind always involved a certain amount of personal reference . But taking it as a compliment
dne to the Humber Lodge , he returned his heartiest thanks for the honour conferred upon himself and those officers who were associated with him in conducting the affairs of this Lodge . He felt himself but a poor representative in comparison with many who had preceded him , still he would yield to no man in bis hearty good will and sincere
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Humber Lodge, No. 57.
to advance tho best and highest interests of the Craft : also to the zeal displayed by him during the long period of thirty years in promoting the prosperity of the Lodge . As some acknowledgment of these , his great services , further than the complimentary banquet to which , when occupying the exalted position of Mayor aud Chief Magistrate of this borough , he was entertained by the Lodge on
Thursday , the 23 rd of April 1874 , the Master , Past Mas » ers , Wardens , Officers , and Brethren hereby resolve to place this record on the minute hooks of the Lodgo , and to have this resolution suitably inscribed on vellum and presented to him . " Bro . Alderman J . L . Seaton , who was received with loud and prolonged applause , referred to the minntes which had been read bv
the Secretary , and observed that of all the names therein recorded , he recognised but one who could possibly bo amongst them this evening . Of that long roll of names all had passed away , and it struck him as a somewhat remarkable coincidence that nearl } ' all of them had passed away at the age which the Lodge numbered before the foundation stone of the new structure was laid—65 . This seemed to
identify some of the oldest and most ardent workers in the cause with the number of the old Lodge ( hear , hear ) . The ceremony of this evening awakened feelings of the deepest gratitude , as it associated the past with the present ; and , though to many of the present members of tho Lodgo his face might not bo very familiar , yet when he turned back to the records of the years 1850 to 1852 ,
he found that ho had then been not only a constant attendant , but when working through all tho various offices he had the honour of performing his duties with assiduity , and he hoped with satisfaction ( applause ) . The subject more particularly alluded to this evening had been his poor , though certainly earnest , services on behalf of the Benevolent and Pension Fund ; and , turning to the period when he
became Treasurer of that fund , he found it then amounted to £ 3 , 676 19 s 6 d . When he resigned the office it was exactly £ 4 , 676 , which showed that in the ten years the fund had increased , within a few shillings , by £ 1 , 000 ( applause ) . As to what steps should be taken in connection with the fund , this was not perhaps the timo to open out all tho pros and cons . Bnt he might say thero was a widespread
feeling that it might be mado moro generally useful than it seemed to be at the present moment ( hear , hear ) . In the year 1864 Mr . Tidd Pratt , the then Registrar of Friendly Societies , took into consideration somo resolutions which had been passed as to the law in connection with this fnnd ; and in 1867 Bro . Hay P . M . ( who had acted as his colleague in the Treasurership ) brought up a complete analysis of
that fund and of the funds of tho Lodge . In 1869 somo further steps were taken , and a full report was sent up to Mr . Tidd Pratt , which reports had been forwarded regularly ever since up to tho present time ( hear , hear ) . They had this evening done him the great honour of notifying the little services he had been enabled to render , and it called to his mind that in 1852 , during the year of his Mastership ,
they did him all the honour which it was possible for them to bestow . The W . M . had also adverted to the year when he filled the civic chair , and when ho was also hospitably received by tho brethren of tho Humber Lodge . Looking round upon all these marks of their regard , he felt that this evening ho stood before them with all his " blushing honours" thick upon him ( laughter ) . Referring to Masonry in
eloquent terms , the speaker reminded tho brethren that it took its origin at a period when thero was a very slight , if any , difference with regard to religious beliefs ; and it might , therefore , be regarded as typical in a very great measure of the " one fold having ono shepherd "—tho universal religion of those who acknowledged tho Supreme Being . Further than that , it had the opportunity of taking
all within its extended fold , as tho centre of unity , men of all creeds and of all nations ( applause ) . Standing there amidst such an array of Past Masters , he saw all who had passed the chair were recognised by jewels denoting tho services they had rendered . Without wearing a jewel , he should ever gaze upon the beautiful testimonial thoy had just presented to him as a jewel indeed—one which would gladden
his heart as he turned to it and felt that it reminded him of some of the most pleasurable associations in connection with this Lodge . It would be invidious were he to allude to any of his former friends particularly ; but he saw present his old associates , Past Masters Hewson , John Hudson , John Wilson , and Dr . Hay—many of whom were mnch older Masons than himself . These brethren wero all
distinguished , by the symbols they wore , for the services they had rendered ; and in conclusion ho thanked tho officers and members of the Lodge for tho handsome gift with which they had ' presented him , and also for the kindly aud affectionate manner iu which the W . M . alluded to his past services . He assured thorn that the 8 th of May 1876 would never be effaced from his mind as long as memory retained its seat ( applause ) .
The remainder of the business having been conducted in accordance with the established usages of the Craft , the Lodgo was closed , and the brethren assembled in the lower room , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided by Bro . William Shepherdson , of the George Hotel . The tables were elaborately adorned with flowers and ornamental foliage plants , and the arrangements were such as to elicit universal
commendation . The chair was occupied by Bro . A . W . Ansell W . M ., who was supported by the W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master of North and East Yorkshire , Bros . T . Sissons P . M . Prov . Grand Registrar ; Jno . Thompson P . M ., P . Grand Steward of Charities , Jonathan ' West I . P . M ., John Wilson , P . M ., Dr . W . Banks Hay P . M ., Thomas Hewson , P . M .. Alderman J . L . Seaton , P . M ., W . D . Keyworth , P . M ., Martin Kemp ^ P . M ., W . Needier , P . M ., John Hudson , P . M ., R . T . Vivian , P . M ., W .
Tesseymau , P . M ., Henry Preston , P . M ., Tom Turner , W . M . of the Constitutional Lodge ( Beverley ) , J . Brooke , W . M . of the Minerva , and E . W . Garforth , I . P . M . of the Kingston Lodgo ( Hnll ) , Benjamin L . Wells , W . 31 . of Alexandra Lod ge ( Hornsea ) , & c . The vice-chairs were filled by tho Wardens , Bros . Henry Toozes and Edward Kidd , and the company numbered altogether between 60 and 70 . At the conclusion of a very excellent repast , the customary Craft and other toasts were proposed from the chair and duly honoured . The W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in acknowledging the toast of the Provincial Officers , expressed the pleasure it afforded him to
Humber Lodge, No. 57.
meet with so hearty a reception as was invariably accorded to him in this Lodge . He fe lt much honoured in having his name associated with so noble and distinguished a member of the Craft as was tho Earl of Zetland ; and he might say that during the ten years he had held the position of Deputy Prov . Grand Master , he had been received by the various Lodges in the Province with the utmost
respect , kindness and courtesy . He had made many friendships dnring that period , wh'ob ho should cherish to his latest moment ( applause ) . Ho was happy to say that everything in the Province was going on in a satisfactory and harmonious manner , and he knew of two new warrants that had been granted—one for York and another for Saltburn-on-the-Sea ( applause ) . As a Past Master of
the Humber Lodge , he was awaro it had been customary on these occasions to make some reference to what had taken place in former times . And with regard to himself , he might say that during tho 38 years he had been a member of this Lodge he had filled many offices and had mado many valuable acquaintanceships ( applause ) . Masonry , now-a-days , was very different to what it was when this
Lodgo was founded : then it was an exception in the town , whereas it was now almost tho exception not to be a Mason . Moreover , the Craft had taken a much hicrher position in the estimation of the public than that which it formerly held . No doubt , at the commencement of this century it was much more patronised by Royalty—i . e ., there were moro members of the Royal Family in tho Craft than at
present j and it was exceedingly popular . Bnt ho was sorry to say the social element at that time vastly preponderated over the intellectual ; and for a time Freemasonry sank in tho esteem of the outside world . Now , however , it was again in the ascendant , the Grand Officers of England having determined that the intellectual element , and not the social , should be especially cultivated ( applause ) .
As an instance of this , ho noted that the Masons at Sheffield had resolved to found a library in connection with the Craft there , and he trusted that the same principle might animate all other Lodges throughout the country ( applause ) . Bro . Alderman Seaton , in giving " The Founders of the Humber Lodge , " observed that , on an occasion liko tho present , when they
had met together to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the Lodge , this might justly be considered the "toast of the evening . " Had it not been for those founders , and the principles they had adhered to—principles which had been successfully maintained and adhered to by Masters down to tho present time—they never would have had the honour of assembling in a Lodge , so remarkable in all
respects for its numerical strength , its opulence , and the fraternal good feeling amongst its members , which the Humber Lodge enjoyed ( hear , hear ) . Wheu ho gazed around that room and saw adorning the walls the portraits of such men as Feethara , Stark , Eglin , John Ward , and others , he might make use of the expression which , he belived , was on tho monument of Sir Christopher Wren , in St . Paul ' s Cathedral ,
" Circumspice . " The founders of this Lodge who originated the system , and adhered to those principles they all so much admired , rendered tho Lodge what it was . Since then thoy had the names of Gordon Smith , Bethel Jacobs , and others , whom he would not take up their time to enumerate . But ho would say that the mantle of each Master had descended upon his successor , like the ermine of the
Venetian doges ; and now they found the Humber Lodge more prosperous and popular than ever ( applause ) . Adherence to sound practical principles had been the secret why the Lodge had continued to flourish . It had been by the Masters , assisted by their officers , in thoir practical efforts , that had contributed , no doubt , to tho well-being and success of this Lodge . And if thoy continued to adhere to the
noble Masonic principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth , he could conceive of nothing which would be a greater mark of respect to the founders , or tend more to tho preservation of that brightest of all thoir gems—charity—in a rim of honour , untarnished ( applause ) . The toast was , as usual , received in solemn silence , and Bro . Dr . Hay P . M . in briefly responding , said ho rose with mingled
feelings of pain and pleasure to discharge that duty—of pain because they had none of tho original founders amongst them to respond to the toast , and of pleasure that they were enabled to see the fruit of tho good works begun in former days , which had been continued by others , and which they trusted wonld bo perpetuated as long as Time would run ( applause ) .
The W . Deputy Prov . Grand Master then rose to propose a toast which he felt sure would be received with pleasure and enthusiasm" The Worshipfnl Master and Officers of the Hamber Lodge " ( applause ) . On no shoulders had the mantle of the founders fallen with greater popularity than on those of their present Worshipful
Master . He had always been received by Bro . Ansell with the utmost courtesy , and he had never heard anything fall from his lips bat what was graced with the greatest propriety . The manner in which he presented tho testimonial to Past Master Seaton was exceedingly interesting and pleasing , and he had witnessed that ceremonial with the utmost satisfaction . All who knew Bro . Seaton knew also that
what the Worshipfnl Master had spoken of him was perfectly true , for the thanks of the Lodge were eminently due to that gentleman for the exemplary way in which he had discharged his responsible and arduous duties as treasurer of the Benevolent and Pension Fund ( applause ) . Bro . Ansell had to-night invited them to a most pleasing
entertainment , and they would all agree that the way he had acquitted himself on the occasion was highly satisfactory and commendable ( renewed applause ) . Under his excellent rnle tho Lodge must prosper , and it was with peculiar pleasure he proposed the toast for acceptance by the brethren ( applause ) .
Bro . A . W . Ansell W . M . , who was received with enthusiasm , said he rose with diffidence to respond to the toast , which had been so kindly proposed , inasmuch as a duty of that kind always involved a certain amount of personal reference . But taking it as a compliment
dne to the Humber Lodge , he returned his heartiest thanks for the honour conferred upon himself and those officers who were associated with him in conducting the affairs of this Lodge . He felt himself but a poor representative in comparison with many who had preceded him , still he would yield to no man in bis hearty good will and sincere