The Late William Preston Lodge Of Instruction, No. 766.

William Preston Lodgo of Instrnction , 766 , Feathers Tavern , Upper George-street , 3 rd Feb ., 1882 . MINUTES .

Present—Bros . R . Evans W . M ., G . Tribbel S . W ., G . Lamb J . W ., W . Hill S . D ., Norrington J . D ., Reid I . G ., Hayes Preceptor , Godden . Hon . Sec , Kennard Treasurer , Rudderforth , Brann , Plowman , Barker , L . Laskoy , A . Laskey , Smith . Lodgo was opened in due form with solemn prayer ; the minntes of the last meeting wore read and confirmed . The Auditors' Report was read and adopted unanimously .

Bro . Hill worked the first section of the lecture , assisted by tho brethren . Bro . Hayes Preceptor worked tho second section of tho lecture , assisted by the brethren . At tho request of tho W . M ., Bro . Rudderforth then took tho position of W . M . The Secretary read the special circular which had been sent to the members of the Lodgo . Bro . Braun proposed that Bro . Hayes be re-elected the Preceptor .

Bro . Tribbel seconded the proposition . Bro . Hayes , in his remarks , reverted to the fact of how badly the Lodge had been supported for a considerable time , especially by thoso who laid claim to being its founders ; that financially it was a failure , for the expenditure in the past twelve months had exceeded the income by about £ 2 , and he further fully analysed the present position of the Lodge . In

conclusion , taking the whole matter into consideration , he should decline to be re-elected as Preceptor , in the absence of any other brother being nominated . Bro . Braun proposed that Bro . Godden here-elected Hon . Sec . Bro . Tribbel seconded . Bro . Godden refused to be re-elected , stating thafc his reasons for doing so were those whioh had already been stated by Bro . Hayes ; but if any one conld bo found to fill the

offices , they did not intend to withdraw themselves as members . No one else being nominated for the position , Bro . R . Evans proposed that the Lodge be dissolved from this date , -which was seconded by Bro . Hayes . Bro . Braun proposed as an amendment that tbe matter be deferred for a week ; there being no seconder , the motion was put to the meeting , when eleven voted for it , and one against it . The

W . M . declared the motion to close the Lodge was carried . Bro . Godden proposed that the furniture and regalia of the Lodge shonld be sold by public auction , and the proceeds , together with the funds in the Treasurer ' s hands , be given to Masonic Charity . Bro . Reed seconded ; carried unanimously . Bro . Plowman proposed that a vote or thanks should be given to the Officers of the Lodge for their kind

services , and to be recorded on the minutes ; seconded by Bro . L . Laskey , and carried nnanimously . The compliment was acknowledged by Bros . Hayes , Godden , and Kennard . Bro . R . Evans proposed that the sum of £ 2 2 s be given to Mrs . Webster ; seconded by Bro . Tribbel , and carried . Bro . Godden proposed that the balance of funds should be given to the R . M . B . I . for Aged Freemasons , and

placed upon Bro . Hayes ' s list as one of the Stewards ; seconded by Bro . Braun , and carried . Bro . G . Lamb proposed that Bro . Kennard be requested to see to the disposal of the furniture and regalia as previously voted ; seconded by Bro . Barker , and carried . Lodge was closed in due form , and in perfect harmony . A perusal of the minutes shows that Bros . Brauu , Tribbel , and

Smith wero the only brethren present who are now striving to upset what was then done ; and in voting Bro . Braun was the only one who did not vote for the immediate winding up of tho Lodge . On perceiving this he requested mo to record the vote on the minutes as being unanimous , which fortunately I declined doing , and the reason for twelve members only voting on that question was , that the

other brethren did not arrive until later on , some only coming into the Lodge after 9 . 30 . All the remaining propositions were carried , nofc by a majority , as stated , but unanimously . Notice of tho closing of the Lodge of Instruction I duly forwarded to Grand Lodge ; also to tho Worshipful Master of the William Preston ( mother ) Lodge , No . 766 .

Now , Sir , I would ask how the aforesaid minutes of tho 3 rd February conld be pnt for confirmation at the so-called meeting of the 10 th ultimo , which meeting was probably known only to the four brethren who were present ? Neither myself nor any of the brethren who had constantly attended the Lodge had any knowledge thafc a

meeting was ever contemplated until after it had taken place . I have made the following analysis of the attendances of our " deeply injured brethren" for the past two years—i . e . of those brethren who are now endeavouring to resuscitate the Lodge , bufc who did nothing for it in the time of need .

For the year 1880 . Bro . Dunham attended ... . 0 meetings Coop „ .... o „ Heath „ 0 „

Moore „ .... 3 „ Little „ - .- . 1 „ Braun „ .... 3 ^ West „ .... 23 „ Tribbel „ . 39 „

For the year 1881 . Bro . Dunham attended .... 0 meetings Coop „ . 0 Heath „ 1 „ Moore „ . 7 „ Little „ .... 0 „ Braun 6

.. - " * " ¦ "" » - " >» West „ .... „ Tribbel „ ... 25 „ Smith „ - - - - 5 ,,

Neither of the other brethren mentioned as being present afc a meeting held at Bro . Dunham's on the 24 th February ever were members of the William Preston Lodge of Instruction ; aud the above figures should prove how earnestly (?) those brethren who have rushed to you with their grievances have supported the Lodge they now pretend to love so much . Why did not Bro . Moore ( who now parades as Acting Secretary ) attend the meting on 3 rd Feb-

The Late William Preston Lodge Of Instruction, No. 766.

ruary and accept the post of Secretary ? As a fact , the Lodge minutes show that his last attendance was on 29 th April 1881 . This must make even " Q . " and yourself wonder at his sudden love for the Lodge , and the energy now shown . Bros . West and Tribbel have both been invited to take the post of Preceptor to the Lodge , not once only , bnt many times—for which post they should be

efficientbeing P . M . ' s of their mother Lodge , but they have always declined . Bro . Dunham , who is so well described in your editorial as "a worthy and zealous Craftsman , " has not attended one meeting of this Lodgo of Instruction from the time I havo taken the foregoing analysis of attendance , viz ., December 1879 , although held at the houso of au intimate friend and very near neighbour . I do not dis .

puto your description " worthy and zealous Craftsman ; " but if it be correct , especially as applied to the circumstances of the case , why did he not attend the meeting of the 3 rd February , and where , fore this sudden love and attachment to the Lodge after two years cold neglect ? You ask in your editorial—Why was the election of Officers put on

the circular if the Lodge was to be closed ? In answer to that , I say , there was no intention to close the Lodge had Officers been ap . pointed ; the question of what could be done iu that direction had been openly discussed amongst the brethren from the date , 6 th Jan ., when Bro . Hayes and myself officially stated our intention to decline standing for re-election . As a matter of fact , our intention had been

made known in conversation to most of the members many weeks before that date , especially to the so-called founders of the Lodge , Bros . Braun , West , and Tribbel , who might have accepted tbe offices themselves , or found other brethren to do so . No , Sir , this they would not do ; and when the moment came neither of them would put their hands to anything to save the dissolution of the Lodge .

And , Sir , let me tell you that you have been grossly and wilfully misinformed , or you would not have made the assertion that the " then existing Officers , " or the ( as you state ) " sapient majority , " wished to withdraw from the Lodge . Both Bro . Hayes and myself stated at the meeting on the 3 rd February , that we intended to con . tinue our attendance at the Lodge if the brethren would appoint

other Officers . This they did not do ; and I fail to see how , a Lodge of Instruction can be carried on without Officers or attending members . In your report of the meeting of the 24 th ult ., " surprise" was expressed at my discourtesy in not answering Bro . Moore ' s application for the Lodge Books . The books were placed in my keeping ,

and will only be given up to Grand Lodge , for reasons I do not care to explain further than this—I am well aware that one of the brethren would much like to have them , as they contain " something " which , if published , would probably cause him more than inconvenience . And , to prove that I am not so discourteous as yonr informant describes me , I beg to say I am quite willing to show you

the books , or any one who has the slightest claim to see them , on making an appointment ( I am usually at home after 6 p . m . ) , and , whoever he may be , shall nofc only receive courtesy from me , but all the information I can give respecting the said books , and I will guarantee to convince him that everything thafc has been done in connection with the Lodge , from the time that Bro . Hayes and myself

were appointed to the position of Preceptor and Secretary , has been effected as honourable men and Freemasons should do , and I am certain no one who knows the Lodge will attempt to refute this statement " openly . " In conclusion , Sir , I shall suggest thafc your correspondent "Q ., " before charging brethren whom he does not even know with " flagrant misconduct , " " suppression of truth , " " suggestions of untruth , "

" ignorant bungling , " & c , should make an attempt , at any rate , to find out the facts of his case ; otherwise a letter charging others falsely , withont any foundation , will tend not only to bring-him into ridicule , as an officious meddler , bnt bring discredit on the Craft , of which I presums he is a member . And , finally , when he again attempts to cast dirt , through the medium of your paper , let him not be ashamed of the name he bears , bufc sign it , and not shelter himself under a nom , de plume .

Yours fraternally , SAMPSON GODDEN P . M . 862 , Secretary of the late William Preston Lodge of Instruction . 43 Upper George-street , Bryanston-square , W .

William Preston Lodge Of Instruction, No. 766.

WILLIAM PRESTON LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 766 .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Like your correspondent of last week , I am glad you have bronght under public notice the exceedingly nn-Masonic conduct of certain former members of this Lodge . Still more glad am I to find from tho reports which appear regularly m

your columns that those brethren have been foiled in their efforts to bring about the discontinuance of the Lodge . But what it most concerns ns to know is , if their conduct has been brought under the notice of the parent Lodge . I would rather pour oil on troubled waters than do anything to perpetuate discord , but I think the interests of Freemasonry demand that the discipline and good order of the Craft should not be set at naught with impunity , nor—and this is

the mosfc practical point after all—do I see why the William Preston Lodge of Instruction should be made to bear the loss of its furniture , jewels , & o . In my opinion it would be a very good plan to lodge a protest with the Institution for which the late Bro . Preceptor of the Lodge is acting as Steward against receiving so much of his list _ represents the proceeds of the sale of such furniture . Tho motion that it shonld be placed on his list was never confirmed , and i 3 > therefore , invalid—I say nothing of the fact that the motion was