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Article MASONIC BANQUET IN HULL. ← Page 2 of 2 Article MASONIC BANQUET IN HULL. Page 2 of 2
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Masonic Banquet In Hull.
he trusted that the various Lodges Avould take this matter into their serious consideration . They did not require numbers as much as stability in membership . The question also presented itself of increasing tho fees to Grand Lodgo , and no doubt that was a matter which would soon receive due attention from the private Lodges throughout the kingdom . With regard to the position of Masonry , tho Craft never
appeared under more auspicious circumstances than it did at present . ( Hear , hear . ) Never in its history was it so popular as at this moment , and the speaker contrasted the present aspect of the Order with that which it presented half a century age . Fifty years ago society was exclusive , but now it had become more diffused and general in its lines of demarcation . Freemasonry was now a society
composed chietly of the middle classes , and never was it more deservedly popular . To maintain this popularity ought to bo tho aim of every member of the Fraternity , who ought to feel that the character of the Society depended in a great measure upon himself individually . Therefore , every one ought , as far as he could , to act in accordance with tho tenets and principles which had
been taught him in his Lodge . ( Applause . ) With regard to the attacks that had been made upon Freemasonry , he thought the demonstration tho other day in the Albert Hall set at nought whatever might have been said by the detractors of tho Craft . ( Applause . ) There could be no doubt at all of the loyalty of the Order j they should not have had the Prince of Wales at their head
if there had been the slightest feeling of disloyalty amongst any of them . Therefore he felt quite happy that the aspersions recently cast upon Masonry had been completely met by the demonstration to which he had alluded . In a violent attack made upon them by the Saturday Review , tho writer seemed to labour under the impression that Masons were a lot of men who merely boasted of having built
the Tower of Babel , and of being fond of good dinners . ( Laughter . ) Well , if they built the Tower of Babel , it showed they wore "bricks ;" ancl the term " brick " in common parlance , signified a good fellow . ( Laughter . ) As for a good dinner , a writer who replied to the Saturday Review , hinted that he who penned the attack would himself not object to one . ( Laughter , and hear , hear . ) It had been said , moreover ,
that Masonry taught nothing but tho " Fatherhood of God and tho Brotherhood of Man , " Well , if that were all , there was a great deal in such a belief . Many did not believe in the fatherhood of God , and as to the brotherhood of man , if they could meet in nnity and harmony in their Lodges , sinking all political and religions differences in their aim to benefit and elevate each other , they were content to do
so . As long as the universality of Freemasonry was maintained it must go on and prosper , and he for one was content to allow the outer world to think that the " Fatherhood of God ancl the Brotherhood of Man " was the keystone of the Masonic structure . ( Cheers . ) Bro . J . Fearne Holden P . M . P . S . G . D . next proposed " The Founders of the Humber Lodge , " in doing which ho referred to it as a
pleasurable yet somewhat melancholy duty . The esteemed Deputy Grand Master of the Province had alluded to the present popularity of Freemasonry compared with that Avhich it enjoyed fifty years ago ; and he ( the speaker ) was reminded that tho Craft was in a somewhat critical position when this now prosperous Lodgo was founded . Those brethren who camo out with much regret from the Lodge in
which they had worked with peace , but animated by a sense of duty to themselves personally , and to the Craft , displayed an amount of moral courage that did them infinite honour . ( Hear , hear . ) If success was to be taken as any criterion of right movement and right beginning , the successful issue of tho Humber Lodge had indelibly stamped its approval upon what was done by its founders .
He had said this toast was tinged with a certain amount of melancholy , for he could hardly be sanguine that any of the founders were at present amongst them . Having inaugurated their good work they had been removed to tho Grand Lodgo above—to that bourne from whence no traveller returned . Thoso grand principles of Masonry , which they taught aud inculcated so successfully ,
and which their successors were proud , by Gods blessing , to promulgate and keep secret amongst them—had attained to full fruition ; and faith had been swallowed np in sight—in the great personal Fatherhood of God , the Great Jehovah , creator of all things in heaven and earth . That faith , which enabled them to thread their first steps in Masonry , had been directed by the Eternal
Providence , whoso presence they had now doubtless realised . He called upon them , on the anniversary of the foundation of this Lodge —which might be said to be an "All souls' day " to them—to wish the pious prayer that their ancient forefathers uttered in the holy Temple at Jerusalem , " May they rest in peace , aud may their works follow them . " The toast was received in solemn silence .
Bro . Martin Kemp P . M ., in replying , expressed the regret , which all tho brethren present would share , he felt that one who usually spoke to this toast was not amongst them . Their Bro . Aldermai : Seaton had been summoned to the bedside of perhaps his dyine child , and it therefore devolved upon him to say a few toeblo word ; - in response to the toast that had just been proposed . The duty
reminded him that he was growing au old man—at all events . , an old Mason ; and the time might not be far distant when they too might be numbered with those who founded this prosperous Lodge . Time was passing a- \ y so rapidly that it behoved them to make the best use o ! ' it they could , and to emulate the example of those who had left their mark in Masonry . They rejoiced in having so many
visiting biethren present on this auspicious occasion , and to be abl < to inform them that the success of the Humber Lodge , which now numbered over 280 members , was greater than its founders could evei have ventured to anticipate . Tho Deputy Grand Master of tho Province then proposed the " healths of the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Humber Lodgo "
a toast which he knew would bo received , with the utmost cordiality . ( Applause . ) It was 33 years since he had the honour of filling thi chair as W . M . of this Lodge ; ancl he had peculiar pleasure in proposing the toast that had been entrusted to his hands . The W . M ., he need hardly say , bad much more important duties to discharge than were required ofibim 33 years ago . In the first place , the
Masonic Banquet In Hull.
Lodge was not then so strong in numbers ; still tho brothers met with the greatest regularity , aud worked hard to maintain tho prestige and character of tho Lodgo . The speaker alluded in humorous terms to matters of detail , contrasting the conduct of business iu tho olden times with that which now prevailed ; and said that the oftener ho had tho opportunity of attending the meetings
of this , his mother Lodgo , tho more ho felt attached to it . ( Cheers . ) Ho felt proud at seeing it presided over by such a Master as he who now occupied the chair whom he wished long life and prosperity . He hoped that Bro . West might long bo spared amongst them to bo an ornament to Masonry , and to give them the benefit of his experience and aid . With regard to the other Officers , they had then
as Senior Warden their worthy Sheriff of the borough , Avho discharged the duties of his office iu a manner that did him great credit . ( Applause . ) It was a source of congratulation and advantage to tho Lodge that Bro . Summers should be able to come amongst them so frequently , considering his numerous public and private engagements . It spoko Avell for his zeal and love of Masonry to see him come so
regularly to his Lodge as he did . He regretted the absence of the Junior Warden , but he felt sure that Bro . Thompson and the rest of the Officers were most desirous of doing their duty ; ancl , in conclusion , he wished for the Lodge a year of unexampled prosperity . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Jonathan West W . M . acknowledged the compliment that
had been paid to him , and expressed his earnest desire to do bis duty to tho Humber Lodge and to the Craft . They had gone on very pleasantly in the past , and nothing but the utmost good feeling had prevailed amongst the brethren . This was a subject of great con . gratulation in so large a body . Everything had been exceedingly prosperous , and it was his desire that the same harmony aud good
understanding should prevail during tho whole time that he should remain in office . ( Applause . ) Bro . Francis Summers S . W . also responded , ancl , in tho course of his remarks , expressed tho pleasure he felt at the prosperity of the Lodge , and his readiness to assist the W . M . and his brother officers in furthering tho interests of the Lodge and the Craft generally . He
and tho W . M . had worked most harmoniously together , and he waa sure that at the termination of his year of office the brethren would have no reason to regret the choice they made when they appointed Bro West . ( Cheers . ) Bro . H . Toozes responded on behalf of tho J . W ., who was prevented by illness from attending on tho occasion , and Avhose absence they
all regretted . Bro . John Wilson P . M . then gave " The Worshipful Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Sister Lodges , " Bro . Ernes , the W . M . of tho Minerva , and Bro . Garforth , W . M . of tho Kingston Lodges , responding in suitable terms . Bro . Emes proposed "The Trustees , Treasurers , ancl Past Masters of the Humber Lodge , " for which toast
replies were made by the W . D . P . G . M . and P . M . Bro . Banks Hay , aa one of the treasurers . The W . D . P . G . M . next gave "Tho Masonic Charities , " in doing which ho designated Charity as tho keystone of Masonic structure , and congratulated the members of the Humber Lodge on the position of its benevolent fund , which , he believed , already amounted to
something like £ » , 000 . The provincial benevolent fund , which he had the gratification of founding some ten or twelve years ago , was also in a prosperous condition ; ancl it was pleasing to reflect that since its establishment not a single application for relief from that fund had appealed in vain . ( Applause . ) He then exhorted the Brethren to support thoso excellent institutions in which the children of
indigent Masons wore educated , clothed , and maintained , as well as the asylum for decayed Masons and their widows . And ho would here remark , as a proof of excellence of the education imparted in the schools to which ho had referred , that out of 18 boys who went up last April to the Cambridge Middle-class Local Examinations no less than 16 passed , which he thought would be regarded as most gratifying
( Applause . ) As to the Girls' school , ho was pleased to learn that upwards of 1 , 000 girls had been educated , clothed , and maintained in that Institution , from the benefits of which about 150 girls wore new receiving . It was still more gratifying to him to know that after those girls left the school they were still taken cognisance of and it was a fact of which they might feel justly proud that not a
single girl had ever cast any discredit on the Institution . With regard to the annuitants he hoped the present candidate , Mi-s . Stuart , would be elected in the course of the next few days . About 170 boys Avere now been cared for in their school . Speaking of the Royal Benevolent Masonic Institution for aged Masons , the speaker said that on the list of annuitants there were now 120 aged Masons
and 11 o widows—the former receiving £ 36 , and the latter £ 28 per annum . ( Applause ) . In addition to this they had the privilege of residing in the comfortable Asylum at Croydon . The schools cost in maintenance about £ 5 , 000 a year each , aud the annuitants nearly b ' 3 , 000—raised almost entirely by voluntary subscriptions . Moreovn the Grand Lodge , through the Board of Benevolence , annually
dispersed in chanty about £ 3 , 000—without reference to country or creed . ( Applause . ) In conclusion ho appealed to tho brethren to support these institutions , ancl said he was no advocate for the giving of arge sums by a few , but every individual should give something , •vticl not rely upon donations from the rich . ( Hear , hear . ) These references to the Masonic Charities were received with the most
enthusiastic applause . Bro . Vivian responded to tho toast , speaking in eulogistic terma if tho charitable institutions in connection with Freemasonry . Bro . F . Summers proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " tho toast been acknowledged by P . M . Bro . Acton , on behalf of the Crystal Palace Lodge , No . 742 , and Bro . H . J . Amphlott for tho Alexandra
Lodge , No . 1511 , tlornsey . Bro . T . Taylor J . D ., gave " The Absent M embers of the Humber Lodge , especially the sea-going Brethren ;" tiul the list closed with " Prosperity , Unanimity , and Perpetuity to ; be Humber Lodge . " The proceedings were interspersed by some ixcellent songs and recitations , and the gathering was . characterised by the utmost harmony and good feeling throughout .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Masonic Banquet In Hull.
he trusted that the various Lodges Avould take this matter into their serious consideration . They did not require numbers as much as stability in membership . The question also presented itself of increasing tho fees to Grand Lodgo , and no doubt that was a matter which would soon receive due attention from the private Lodges throughout the kingdom . With regard to the position of Masonry , tho Craft never
appeared under more auspicious circumstances than it did at present . ( Hear , hear . ) Never in its history was it so popular as at this moment , and the speaker contrasted the present aspect of the Order with that which it presented half a century age . Fifty years ago society was exclusive , but now it had become more diffused and general in its lines of demarcation . Freemasonry was now a society
composed chietly of the middle classes , and never was it more deservedly popular . To maintain this popularity ought to bo tho aim of every member of the Fraternity , who ought to feel that the character of the Society depended in a great measure upon himself individually . Therefore , every one ought , as far as he could , to act in accordance with tho tenets and principles which had
been taught him in his Lodge . ( Applause . ) With regard to the attacks that had been made upon Freemasonry , he thought the demonstration tho other day in the Albert Hall set at nought whatever might have been said by the detractors of tho Craft . ( Applause . ) There could be no doubt at all of the loyalty of the Order j they should not have had the Prince of Wales at their head
if there had been the slightest feeling of disloyalty amongst any of them . Therefore he felt quite happy that the aspersions recently cast upon Masonry had been completely met by the demonstration to which he had alluded . In a violent attack made upon them by the Saturday Review , tho writer seemed to labour under the impression that Masons were a lot of men who merely boasted of having built
the Tower of Babel , and of being fond of good dinners . ( Laughter . ) Well , if they built the Tower of Babel , it showed they wore "bricks ;" ancl the term " brick " in common parlance , signified a good fellow . ( Laughter . ) As for a good dinner , a writer who replied to the Saturday Review , hinted that he who penned the attack would himself not object to one . ( Laughter , and hear , hear . ) It had been said , moreover ,
that Masonry taught nothing but tho " Fatherhood of God and tho Brotherhood of Man , " Well , if that were all , there was a great deal in such a belief . Many did not believe in the fatherhood of God , and as to the brotherhood of man , if they could meet in nnity and harmony in their Lodges , sinking all political and religions differences in their aim to benefit and elevate each other , they were content to do
so . As long as the universality of Freemasonry was maintained it must go on and prosper , and he for one was content to allow the outer world to think that the " Fatherhood of God ancl the Brotherhood of Man " was the keystone of the Masonic structure . ( Cheers . ) Bro . J . Fearne Holden P . M . P . S . G . D . next proposed " The Founders of the Humber Lodge , " in doing which ho referred to it as a
pleasurable yet somewhat melancholy duty . The esteemed Deputy Grand Master of the Province had alluded to the present popularity of Freemasonry compared with that Avhich it enjoyed fifty years ago ; and he ( the speaker ) was reminded that tho Craft was in a somewhat critical position when this now prosperous Lodgo was founded . Those brethren who camo out with much regret from the Lodge in
which they had worked with peace , but animated by a sense of duty to themselves personally , and to the Craft , displayed an amount of moral courage that did them infinite honour . ( Hear , hear . ) If success was to be taken as any criterion of right movement and right beginning , the successful issue of tho Humber Lodge had indelibly stamped its approval upon what was done by its founders .
He had said this toast was tinged with a certain amount of melancholy , for he could hardly be sanguine that any of the founders were at present amongst them . Having inaugurated their good work they had been removed to tho Grand Lodgo above—to that bourne from whence no traveller returned . Thoso grand principles of Masonry , which they taught aud inculcated so successfully ,
and which their successors were proud , by Gods blessing , to promulgate and keep secret amongst them—had attained to full fruition ; and faith had been swallowed np in sight—in the great personal Fatherhood of God , the Great Jehovah , creator of all things in heaven and earth . That faith , which enabled them to thread their first steps in Masonry , had been directed by the Eternal
Providence , whoso presence they had now doubtless realised . He called upon them , on the anniversary of the foundation of this Lodge —which might be said to be an "All souls' day " to them—to wish the pious prayer that their ancient forefathers uttered in the holy Temple at Jerusalem , " May they rest in peace , aud may their works follow them . " The toast was received in solemn silence .
Bro . Martin Kemp P . M ., in replying , expressed the regret , which all tho brethren present would share , he felt that one who usually spoke to this toast was not amongst them . Their Bro . Aldermai : Seaton had been summoned to the bedside of perhaps his dyine child , and it therefore devolved upon him to say a few toeblo word ; - in response to the toast that had just been proposed . The duty
reminded him that he was growing au old man—at all events . , an old Mason ; and the time might not be far distant when they too might be numbered with those who founded this prosperous Lodge . Time was passing a- \ y so rapidly that it behoved them to make the best use o ! ' it they could , and to emulate the example of those who had left their mark in Masonry . They rejoiced in having so many
visiting biethren present on this auspicious occasion , and to be abl < to inform them that the success of the Humber Lodge , which now numbered over 280 members , was greater than its founders could evei have ventured to anticipate . Tho Deputy Grand Master of tho Province then proposed the " healths of the Worshipful Master and Officers of the Humber Lodgo "
a toast which he knew would bo received , with the utmost cordiality . ( Applause . ) It was 33 years since he had the honour of filling thi chair as W . M . of this Lodge ; ancl he had peculiar pleasure in proposing the toast that had been entrusted to his hands . The W . M ., he need hardly say , bad much more important duties to discharge than were required ofibim 33 years ago . In the first place , the
Masonic Banquet In Hull.
Lodge was not then so strong in numbers ; still tho brothers met with the greatest regularity , aud worked hard to maintain tho prestige and character of tho Lodgo . The speaker alluded in humorous terms to matters of detail , contrasting the conduct of business iu tho olden times with that which now prevailed ; and said that the oftener ho had tho opportunity of attending the meetings
of this , his mother Lodgo , tho more ho felt attached to it . ( Cheers . ) Ho felt proud at seeing it presided over by such a Master as he who now occupied the chair whom he wished long life and prosperity . He hoped that Bro . West might long bo spared amongst them to bo an ornament to Masonry , and to give them the benefit of his experience and aid . With regard to the other Officers , they had then
as Senior Warden their worthy Sheriff of the borough , Avho discharged the duties of his office iu a manner that did him great credit . ( Applause . ) It was a source of congratulation and advantage to tho Lodge that Bro . Summers should be able to come amongst them so frequently , considering his numerous public and private engagements . It spoko Avell for his zeal and love of Masonry to see him come so
regularly to his Lodge as he did . He regretted the absence of the Junior Warden , but he felt sure that Bro . Thompson and the rest of the Officers were most desirous of doing their duty ; ancl , in conclusion , he wished for the Lodge a year of unexampled prosperity . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Jonathan West W . M . acknowledged the compliment that
had been paid to him , and expressed his earnest desire to do bis duty to tho Humber Lodge and to the Craft . They had gone on very pleasantly in the past , and nothing but the utmost good feeling had prevailed amongst the brethren . This was a subject of great con . gratulation in so large a body . Everything had been exceedingly prosperous , and it was his desire that the same harmony aud good
understanding should prevail during tho whole time that he should remain in office . ( Applause . ) Bro . Francis Summers S . W . also responded , ancl , in tho course of his remarks , expressed tho pleasure he felt at the prosperity of the Lodge , and his readiness to assist the W . M . and his brother officers in furthering tho interests of the Lodge and the Craft generally . He
and tho W . M . had worked most harmoniously together , and he waa sure that at the termination of his year of office the brethren would have no reason to regret the choice they made when they appointed Bro West . ( Cheers . ) Bro . H . Toozes responded on behalf of tho J . W ., who was prevented by illness from attending on tho occasion , and Avhose absence they
all regretted . Bro . John Wilson P . M . then gave " The Worshipful Masters , Officers , and Brethren of the Sister Lodges , " Bro . Ernes , the W . M . of tho Minerva , and Bro . Garforth , W . M . of tho Kingston Lodges , responding in suitable terms . Bro . Emes proposed "The Trustees , Treasurers , ancl Past Masters of the Humber Lodge , " for which toast
replies were made by the W . D . P . G . M . and P . M . Bro . Banks Hay , aa one of the treasurers . The W . D . P . G . M . next gave "Tho Masonic Charities , " in doing which ho designated Charity as tho keystone of Masonic structure , and congratulated the members of the Humber Lodge on the position of its benevolent fund , which , he believed , already amounted to
something like £ » , 000 . The provincial benevolent fund , which he had the gratification of founding some ten or twelve years ago , was also in a prosperous condition ; ancl it was pleasing to reflect that since its establishment not a single application for relief from that fund had appealed in vain . ( Applause . ) He then exhorted the Brethren to support thoso excellent institutions in which the children of
indigent Masons wore educated , clothed , and maintained , as well as the asylum for decayed Masons and their widows . And ho would here remark , as a proof of excellence of the education imparted in the schools to which ho had referred , that out of 18 boys who went up last April to the Cambridge Middle-class Local Examinations no less than 16 passed , which he thought would be regarded as most gratifying
( Applause . ) As to the Girls' school , ho was pleased to learn that upwards of 1 , 000 girls had been educated , clothed , and maintained in that Institution , from the benefits of which about 150 girls wore new receiving . It was still more gratifying to him to know that after those girls left the school they were still taken cognisance of and it was a fact of which they might feel justly proud that not a
single girl had ever cast any discredit on the Institution . With regard to the annuitants he hoped the present candidate , Mi-s . Stuart , would be elected in the course of the next few days . About 170 boys Avere now been cared for in their school . Speaking of the Royal Benevolent Masonic Institution for aged Masons , the speaker said that on the list of annuitants there were now 120 aged Masons
and 11 o widows—the former receiving £ 36 , and the latter £ 28 per annum . ( Applause ) . In addition to this they had the privilege of residing in the comfortable Asylum at Croydon . The schools cost in maintenance about £ 5 , 000 a year each , aud the annuitants nearly b ' 3 , 000—raised almost entirely by voluntary subscriptions . Moreovn the Grand Lodge , through the Board of Benevolence , annually
dispersed in chanty about £ 3 , 000—without reference to country or creed . ( Applause . ) In conclusion ho appealed to tho brethren to support these institutions , ancl said he was no advocate for the giving of arge sums by a few , but every individual should give something , •vticl not rely upon donations from the rich . ( Hear , hear . ) These references to the Masonic Charities were received with the most
enthusiastic applause . Bro . Vivian responded to tho toast , speaking in eulogistic terma if tho charitable institutions in connection with Freemasonry . Bro . F . Summers proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " tho toast been acknowledged by P . M . Bro . Acton , on behalf of the Crystal Palace Lodge , No . 742 , and Bro . H . J . Amphlott for tho Alexandra
Lodge , No . 1511 , tlornsey . Bro . T . Taylor J . D ., gave " The Absent M embers of the Humber Lodge , especially the sea-going Brethren ;" tiul the list closed with " Prosperity , Unanimity , and Perpetuity to ; be Humber Lodge . " The proceedings were interspersed by some ixcellent songs and recitations , and the gathering was . characterised by the utmost harmony and good feeling throughout .