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Article NORTHERN CHINA. ← Page 2 of 3 Article NORTHERN CHINA. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northern China.
brother , whatever be his rank in life , may legitimately covet . It will be needless to suggest that you have a noble career before you ; and by the appointment of an intelligent Deputy , well versed in the recondite mysteries of the Craft , to superintend tho details , and an efficient staff of subordinate Officers , tho District will be in no danger
of losing its reputation . The appointment of a new chief forms an era in District Masonry , either for good or evil ; and the Order usually progresses or retrogrades in proportion with his activity or lukewsvrmness ; for to remain stationary is scarcely within the limits of probability . This is an ago of progress , and Freemasonry in
common with all other social institntions has a right to expect that tho advent of a new rule will induce essentially to its permanent advantage . It sometimes unfortunately happens that honours are accepted without any regard to the duties and responsibilities which are attached to the station ; in such case Freemasonry in that District
can scarcely be expected to prosper ; but , IU . Wor . Sir , the Freemasons of North-China have reasons for anticipating that your reign will be distinguished by those courteous acts and judicious principles which cannot fail to promote tho benefit , to increase tho influence , and insure tho prosperity of tho Institution .
Yonr advent amongst us , I am proud to say , is received with osultation , and will be celebrated thia day with the joyful honours of Masonry , and I do not entertain the slightest doubt that the Order will increase and flourish abundantly under tho genial and beneficial
rule of a distinguished brother , whose united tact and ability shonld undoubtedly secure for himself tho honourable title of a Master in Israel , and for the Order the universal approbation even of those who have not had tho good fortune to bo om-ollod amongst the number of its members .
By the Laws and Constitutions of English Masonry , the Grand Master is authorized to nominate representatives in each Province under his jurisdiction , with the name and title of District Grand Master , aud the appointment is nsnally for life . The power thoy possess in their peculiar districts is commensurate with his own ,
subject however to an appeal through the Board of Genera ! Purposes . As you have been appointed to the office in this District , I must beg yonr attention while tho D . G . Secretary reads from the Book of Constitutions the details of yonr duties and responsibilities . The D . G . Secretary then read from the Book of Constitutions
Clauses 82 to 103 inclusive , and the Rt . Wor . District Grand Master designate signified his assent to them , and agreed to undertake the duties of tho office . The D . G . Secretary read the . Ancient Charges and Regulations , to which the Rt . Wor . District Grand Master designate signified his assent in the usual manner . The D . G . Chaplain
then offered prayer , and the Rt . Wor . Distviot Grand Master desig . nate was obligated and invested with the insignia of his office , and proclaimed in the East , West aud South , and saluted . The Rt . Wor . District Grand Master , addressing the Installing Master , said—Rt . Wor . Sir , it affords mo great pleasure , as my First
official act , to nominate Wor . Bro . Kingsmill to be my Deputy in this District . He is a Brother well known to all Masons of every Constitution here , one who has taken the greatest interest in Masonry , and who is well versed in all our ancient laws and usages . I will therefore ask yon to be good enough to invest him , after the Secretary has read tho Patent .
The Patent appointing Wor . Bro . Kingsmill to the office of Deputy District Grand Master was read by the D . G . Secretary . He was then conducted by the D . G . Deacons to the front of the pedestal , and after being addressed hy the Installing Blaster on the duties of his office , was obligated , invested with his insignia of officeand
, placed in the chair , and regularly proclaimed . The Rt . Wor . Distric Grand Master reappointed the other Officers , as follow : — Bro . John Myrio Cory - . . Senior Warden Alfred Johnsford - . . Junior Warden William Henry Short - - Treasurer
John Morris - . . Registrar Rev . Frederick Robert Smith - Chaplain Osborne Middleton - . Pres . Board of Gen . Pur . Reginald Digby Starkey - - Secretary George Albert Allcot - . Senior Deacon
James Stewart . . . Junior Deacon John Findlay . . . Superintendent of Works George Richard Wingrove - Director of Ceremonies Algernon Mountford Adams Evans Assist . Director of Cers . Alexander Pendarves Macgregor - Sword Bearer
Reuben Aaron Gubbay - . Asst . Secretary Thomas Frederick Hough - - Standard Bearer James MacMorran - . Asst . Standard Bearer George Benjamin Fentum - . Organist Robert Will / am Astill . . Pursuivant
George Mercer Hart' . . Assistant Pursuivant Frederick Montague Gratton , Jas .- ) Baird , John West , Joseph James I „ . , Poynter , Henry James Fisher , An- f btovrar " drew Irwin . . „ J Charles Mern ' tfc - . . Tyler
The District Grand Officers wero then sainted with Grand honours tliroe . The h ymn "Hail , Masonry Divine" was then suno- by the Brethren , tho solo being rendered by Bro . Xenbonr ? . Rt . Wor . Bro . Miller said—Brethren , in addressing you for the first time as District Grand Master , I F ] 10 nld bo wanting in respecfc to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master of En-land , it 1 cid not express my deep xeru-e of the Louonr he has done me in appointing me to this high office . At the fame time I would
express my heartfelt gratitude to the Brethren , who , while availing themselves of the permission of His Royal Highness to nominate n Brother for this office , pbced their confidence in me—a confidence , Brethren , that it will be my earnest endeavour to merit ; and I trust
that health aud strength will be vouchsafed to mo to hand this "avel io my successor unstained and unsullied , ns I receive it from m \ predecessor . Rt . Wor . Past District Grand Master , the part which yon have taken in this evening ' s proceedings ados bur one more to
Northern China.
the many invaluable services that you have rendered to ua in our ceremonies in this District—not alone to the English Craft , but to Masons of every other Constitution . I cannot but think , however , that this evening's proceedings are not the least interesting to yon . In assuming this chair I am well aware that I am taking the place of
one whom it will be hard to equal and almost impossible to excel . This , I am sure , will be so patent to every brother amongst ns that I need not further dilato upon it . For your services this evening , Rt . VVor . Sir , I return you my heartfelt thanks . Worshipfnl Brothers , Officers of tho District Grand Lodge , in assum .
ing charge of this District I look with confidence to your assistance and snpport in carrying out the duties of ray office . The good government , the success and the prosperity of the Craft in this District mainly lie in our hands . The high positions that you occupy shonld stimulate your zeal and make you anxious to set an example to your
brethren , so that the dignity of our Order , its prosperity and usefulnesa , may not be impaired during our terms of office . Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the Lodges under this Constitution , I havo been too long amongst yon , and too long associated with you , to have any doubt of your zeal and ability in discharging tho functions of tho
offices with which yon havo been entrusted . The brethren of your Lodges have placed you in high positions , and it behoves you therefore to exercise your skill and abilities in instructing the brethren placed under your charge in the various degrees of Freemasonry , so that they may be a credit to your Lodges and to the Craft iu general .
I have every confidence that during your term of office , and iu the future , your exertions will be sack as to raise the standard of Masonry in this District , and to encourage every good work which should characterise a Freemason . Brethren , let us never forget , and always practise tho three great principles of Masonry—brotherly
love , relief , and truth . Being placed as we all are in one of the most distant quarters of the globe , separated from those friends who are nearest and dearest to us , far removed from the place of our birth , for which we have an inborn longing , It behoves us to draw closer the bonds of brotherhood , and with united heart and hand to help
one another , not grudgingly , but freely and openly . Let us exercise ont of the Lodge those great principles which we are taught within it , so that one in the outside world may know when he meets a Mason that he meets a just and upright man . Ho who acts up to these princi . pies is a trne Mason in act as well as in word . The second great
principle , relief , has been so freely and generously exercised in this community that I need not here dilate on its excellencies . We all are ready , to the best of our means , to give to a brother in distress that relief which we can afford ; and let ns ever continue to act in this way . Truth may be said to include both the others , for without trnth the bonds of true brotherhood cannot exist . It is a source of
regret to me this evening to miss one or two familiar faces from this Lodge . I may mention oue in particular—one of the oldest members of the Royal Snssex Lodge , and a P . S . W . of this District Grand Lodge—Wor . Bro . Henry Evans . I saw him personally to-day , and he expressed his extreme regret that he was unable , through
indisposition , to attend . He has been a most active brother amongst us , and as ho is now about to leave here to return to his native land , I cannot deny myself tho pleasnre of wishiag him "God speed , " and of hoping that when he returns to his native land he may have renewed health , and may bo spared for many years of enjoyment . Another brother is about to leave ns—a brother who has been an
active Officer of this District Grand Lodgo from its foundation . I refer to Wor . Bro . Fentum , to whose invaluable services as D . G . Organist we have been indebted at nearly all our meetings—at every meeting when it has been possible for him to be present . He leaves
us to the great regret not , only of Freemasons bnt of every member of the community . I think it would not be fitting that he should depart without some distinct expression of the services that he has rendered to the District Grand Lodge , I therefore beg to propose the following resolution—¦
" This District Grand Lodge desires to record its appreciation of the services of Wor . Bro . G . B . Fentum as District Grand Organist ' since its foundation , and to express its regret at his approaching departure from this port , and to wish him health and prosperity in his new sphere . "
Rt . Wor . Bro . Thorne . —Rt . Wor . Sir , I have much pleasure in seconding that resolution , for I can bear strong testimony to the great services rendered not only to the District Grand Lodge but to all the Lodge 3 in Shanghai by Wor . Bro . Fentum . The resolution was carried unanimously , and the D . G . Secretary
was instructed to embody it in a letter to Wor . Bro . Fentum . Rt . Wor . Bro . Thorne then addressed the R . W . District Grand Master , saying—Rt . Wor . Sir , you have been kind enough to refer to tho services that I have rendered to tho District of Northern China , and also to my services this evening ; and you expressed the opinion
that this was probably not the least interesting to mo of the coremonies in which I had ttkeu part . I can assure you that it has afforded me tho greatest pleasure to place yon in tho chair of tho District Grand Master , because I have relieved myself not only of my insio-nia of office but of my duties also , and I havo invested one
who I know will ably discharge those duties . I can only hope that you will receive the same kind assistance from the . brethren of yonr province as h . is been extended to me If so , yoa cannot fail to havo a very successful form of office . Yon must continue to impress npon the brethren the necessity of their carrying oat iliosn principles
» vhich yon havo so well expounded to them . Set them tho example , md thoy will follow it . Jt h a mat-tar of congratulation to tho n-ethven of this provinco that they will have over them one whom : hey have so long known , and whose services to Freemasonry have xtended over so many years . I Live spoken so often this evening
hat I will not dorain you . any longer , but will ouly cordially express 'he hope that whenever you sound that » avel it will bo followed by •heerful obedience from every part of the D . G . Lodge . Bt . Wor . Bro . Dallas . —Rt .. Wor . Sir , I esteem it a rcry high privilege to be permitted this opportunity of congratulating yon on your installation as District Grand Master of this large , active and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Northern China.
brother , whatever be his rank in life , may legitimately covet . It will be needless to suggest that you have a noble career before you ; and by the appointment of an intelligent Deputy , well versed in the recondite mysteries of the Craft , to superintend tho details , and an efficient staff of subordinate Officers , tho District will be in no danger
of losing its reputation . The appointment of a new chief forms an era in District Masonry , either for good or evil ; and the Order usually progresses or retrogrades in proportion with his activity or lukewsvrmness ; for to remain stationary is scarcely within the limits of probability . This is an ago of progress , and Freemasonry in
common with all other social institntions has a right to expect that tho advent of a new rule will induce essentially to its permanent advantage . It sometimes unfortunately happens that honours are accepted without any regard to the duties and responsibilities which are attached to the station ; in such case Freemasonry in that District
can scarcely be expected to prosper ; but , IU . Wor . Sir , the Freemasons of North-China have reasons for anticipating that your reign will be distinguished by those courteous acts and judicious principles which cannot fail to promote tho benefit , to increase tho influence , and insure tho prosperity of tho Institution .
Yonr advent amongst us , I am proud to say , is received with osultation , and will be celebrated thia day with the joyful honours of Masonry , and I do not entertain the slightest doubt that the Order will increase and flourish abundantly under tho genial and beneficial
rule of a distinguished brother , whose united tact and ability shonld undoubtedly secure for himself tho honourable title of a Master in Israel , and for the Order the universal approbation even of those who have not had tho good fortune to bo om-ollod amongst the number of its members .
By the Laws and Constitutions of English Masonry , the Grand Master is authorized to nominate representatives in each Province under his jurisdiction , with the name and title of District Grand Master , aud the appointment is nsnally for life . The power thoy possess in their peculiar districts is commensurate with his own ,
subject however to an appeal through the Board of Genera ! Purposes . As you have been appointed to the office in this District , I must beg yonr attention while tho D . G . Secretary reads from the Book of Constitutions the details of yonr duties and responsibilities . The D . G . Secretary then read from the Book of Constitutions
Clauses 82 to 103 inclusive , and the Rt . Wor . District Grand Master designate signified his assent to them , and agreed to undertake the duties of tho office . The D . G . Secretary read the . Ancient Charges and Regulations , to which the Rt . Wor . District Grand Master designate signified his assent in the usual manner . The D . G . Chaplain
then offered prayer , and the Rt . Wor . Distviot Grand Master desig . nate was obligated and invested with the insignia of his office , and proclaimed in the East , West aud South , and saluted . The Rt . Wor . District Grand Master , addressing the Installing Master , said—Rt . Wor . Sir , it affords mo great pleasure , as my First
official act , to nominate Wor . Bro . Kingsmill to be my Deputy in this District . He is a Brother well known to all Masons of every Constitution here , one who has taken the greatest interest in Masonry , and who is well versed in all our ancient laws and usages . I will therefore ask yon to be good enough to invest him , after the Secretary has read tho Patent .
The Patent appointing Wor . Bro . Kingsmill to the office of Deputy District Grand Master was read by the D . G . Secretary . He was then conducted by the D . G . Deacons to the front of the pedestal , and after being addressed hy the Installing Blaster on the duties of his office , was obligated , invested with his insignia of officeand
, placed in the chair , and regularly proclaimed . The Rt . Wor . Distric Grand Master reappointed the other Officers , as follow : — Bro . John Myrio Cory - . . Senior Warden Alfred Johnsford - . . Junior Warden William Henry Short - - Treasurer
John Morris - . . Registrar Rev . Frederick Robert Smith - Chaplain Osborne Middleton - . Pres . Board of Gen . Pur . Reginald Digby Starkey - - Secretary George Albert Allcot - . Senior Deacon
James Stewart . . . Junior Deacon John Findlay . . . Superintendent of Works George Richard Wingrove - Director of Ceremonies Algernon Mountford Adams Evans Assist . Director of Cers . Alexander Pendarves Macgregor - Sword Bearer
Reuben Aaron Gubbay - . Asst . Secretary Thomas Frederick Hough - - Standard Bearer James MacMorran - . Asst . Standard Bearer George Benjamin Fentum - . Organist Robert Will / am Astill . . Pursuivant
George Mercer Hart' . . Assistant Pursuivant Frederick Montague Gratton , Jas .- ) Baird , John West , Joseph James I „ . , Poynter , Henry James Fisher , An- f btovrar " drew Irwin . . „ J Charles Mern ' tfc - . . Tyler
The District Grand Officers wero then sainted with Grand honours tliroe . The h ymn "Hail , Masonry Divine" was then suno- by the Brethren , tho solo being rendered by Bro . Xenbonr ? . Rt . Wor . Bro . Miller said—Brethren , in addressing you for the first time as District Grand Master , I F ] 10 nld bo wanting in respecfc to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master of En-land , it 1 cid not express my deep xeru-e of the Louonr he has done me in appointing me to this high office . At the fame time I would
express my heartfelt gratitude to the Brethren , who , while availing themselves of the permission of His Royal Highness to nominate n Brother for this office , pbced their confidence in me—a confidence , Brethren , that it will be my earnest endeavour to merit ; and I trust
that health aud strength will be vouchsafed to mo to hand this "avel io my successor unstained and unsullied , ns I receive it from m \ predecessor . Rt . Wor . Past District Grand Master , the part which yon have taken in this evening ' s proceedings ados bur one more to
Northern China.
the many invaluable services that you have rendered to ua in our ceremonies in this District—not alone to the English Craft , but to Masons of every other Constitution . I cannot but think , however , that this evening's proceedings are not the least interesting to yon . In assuming this chair I am well aware that I am taking the place of
one whom it will be hard to equal and almost impossible to excel . This , I am sure , will be so patent to every brother amongst ns that I need not further dilato upon it . For your services this evening , Rt . VVor . Sir , I return you my heartfelt thanks . Worshipfnl Brothers , Officers of tho District Grand Lodge , in assum .
ing charge of this District I look with confidence to your assistance and snpport in carrying out the duties of ray office . The good government , the success and the prosperity of the Craft in this District mainly lie in our hands . The high positions that you occupy shonld stimulate your zeal and make you anxious to set an example to your
brethren , so that the dignity of our Order , its prosperity and usefulnesa , may not be impaired during our terms of office . Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the Lodges under this Constitution , I havo been too long amongst yon , and too long associated with you , to have any doubt of your zeal and ability in discharging tho functions of tho
offices with which yon havo been entrusted . The brethren of your Lodges have placed you in high positions , and it behoves you therefore to exercise your skill and abilities in instructing the brethren placed under your charge in the various degrees of Freemasonry , so that they may be a credit to your Lodges and to the Craft iu general .
I have every confidence that during your term of office , and iu the future , your exertions will be sack as to raise the standard of Masonry in this District , and to encourage every good work which should characterise a Freemason . Brethren , let us never forget , and always practise tho three great principles of Masonry—brotherly
love , relief , and truth . Being placed as we all are in one of the most distant quarters of the globe , separated from those friends who are nearest and dearest to us , far removed from the place of our birth , for which we have an inborn longing , It behoves us to draw closer the bonds of brotherhood , and with united heart and hand to help
one another , not grudgingly , but freely and openly . Let us exercise ont of the Lodge those great principles which we are taught within it , so that one in the outside world may know when he meets a Mason that he meets a just and upright man . Ho who acts up to these princi . pies is a trne Mason in act as well as in word . The second great
principle , relief , has been so freely and generously exercised in this community that I need not here dilate on its excellencies . We all are ready , to the best of our means , to give to a brother in distress that relief which we can afford ; and let ns ever continue to act in this way . Truth may be said to include both the others , for without trnth the bonds of true brotherhood cannot exist . It is a source of
regret to me this evening to miss one or two familiar faces from this Lodge . I may mention oue in particular—one of the oldest members of the Royal Snssex Lodge , and a P . S . W . of this District Grand Lodge—Wor . Bro . Henry Evans . I saw him personally to-day , and he expressed his extreme regret that he was unable , through
indisposition , to attend . He has been a most active brother amongst us , and as ho is now about to leave here to return to his native land , I cannot deny myself tho pleasnre of wishiag him "God speed , " and of hoping that when he returns to his native land he may have renewed health , and may bo spared for many years of enjoyment . Another brother is about to leave ns—a brother who has been an
active Officer of this District Grand Lodgo from its foundation . I refer to Wor . Bro . Fentum , to whose invaluable services as D . G . Organist we have been indebted at nearly all our meetings—at every meeting when it has been possible for him to be present . He leaves
us to the great regret not , only of Freemasons bnt of every member of the community . I think it would not be fitting that he should depart without some distinct expression of the services that he has rendered to the District Grand Lodge , I therefore beg to propose the following resolution—¦
" This District Grand Lodge desires to record its appreciation of the services of Wor . Bro . G . B . Fentum as District Grand Organist ' since its foundation , and to express its regret at his approaching departure from this port , and to wish him health and prosperity in his new sphere . "
Rt . Wor . Bro . Thorne . —Rt . Wor . Sir , I have much pleasure in seconding that resolution , for I can bear strong testimony to the great services rendered not only to the District Grand Lodge but to all the Lodge 3 in Shanghai by Wor . Bro . Fentum . The resolution was carried unanimously , and the D . G . Secretary
was instructed to embody it in a letter to Wor . Bro . Fentum . Rt . Wor . Bro . Thorne then addressed the R . W . District Grand Master , saying—Rt . Wor . Sir , you have been kind enough to refer to tho services that I have rendered to tho District of Northern China , and also to my services this evening ; and you expressed the opinion
that this was probably not the least interesting to mo of the coremonies in which I had ttkeu part . I can assure you that it has afforded me tho greatest pleasure to place yon in tho chair of tho District Grand Master , because I have relieved myself not only of my insio-nia of office but of my duties also , and I havo invested one
who I know will ably discharge those duties . I can only hope that you will receive the same kind assistance from the . brethren of yonr province as h . is been extended to me If so , yoa cannot fail to havo a very successful form of office . Yon must continue to impress npon the brethren the necessity of their carrying oat iliosn principles
» vhich yon havo so well expounded to them . Set them tho example , md thoy will follow it . Jt h a mat-tar of congratulation to tho n-ethven of this provinco that they will have over them one whom : hey have so long known , and whose services to Freemasonry have xtended over so many years . I Live spoken so often this evening
hat I will not dorain you . any longer , but will ouly cordially express 'he hope that whenever you sound that » avel it will bo followed by •heerful obedience from every part of the D . G . Lodge . Bt . Wor . Bro . Dallas . —Rt .. Wor . Sir , I esteem it a rcry high privilege to be permitted this opportunity of congratulating yon on your installation as District Grand Master of this large , active and