Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

Paxton Lodge , no . 1686 .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . ALFRED B . CLAYTON

THE annual festival of this well known and prosperous Lodge took place on Saturday , nth inst ., at the Surrey Masonic Hall , Cambcrwell . Bro . Kenneth M . Ross presided , and was supported by Bros . J . Parker I . P . M ., A . B . Clayton S . W . W . M .-elect , J . G . H . Radford J . W ., C . s . Damant P . M . Treasurer , T . Harrington P . M . Sec , A . Wilson S . D ., S . H . Moyle J . D ., H . E . Turner I . G ., H .

Ansell P . M . D . C , Willie Wright P . P . G . O . Middx . Organist , A . Starkey Steward , T . Bowler P . M . Tyler ; Past Masters H . E . Frances P . P . G . S . D . Surrey Founder , C . W . Mayo , H . Longhurst , C . H . Bryson , F . F . W . Oldfield , T . L . Stein , and F . Allen ; and

Bros . F . E . Giles , J . W . Cunningham , H . W . Jackson , G . E . Brotherton , W . Singer , F . G . Dettmer , A . J . Ritchie , J . Grundy , A ' . G . Payton , W . Wordham , W . E . Albrecht , G . Joyce , J . Pardoe , G . W . Sharvell , A . J . Dawson , Oliver Titchener , W . P . Keeley , J . B . Jones , and others .

There was also a very large attendance of visitors , including Bros . W . Vincent P . G . Std . Bearer , R . J . Voisev P . G . S . B ., J . P . Warwick I . P . M . 145 , H . B . Spaul P . M . and Sec . 145 , G . Russell J . W . 946 , R . Fitch Steward 87 , C . Butler 414 , T . Baillie 174 , W . f . Boyle W . M . 2346 , J . Henshaw W . M . 554 , T . Manly 2308 . Alf . Jeffries I . P . M . 159 8 , J . Galloway P . M . 1598 , A . Cartwright W . M . 19 86 , W . Dawson 135 6 , John Gray 3 60 , W . Chestine 2272 , R .

Manly P . M . 2308 , James Oxley P . M . 1306 , D . Fairmaner I . P . M . 73 , J . Longhurst P . M . 2157 , H . Penkney I . P . M . 2308 , W . Rogers P . M . H 39 , G . Ackerman I . P . M . 2734 , A . Collins 160 , F . W . Dew 8 7 , J . Reynold S . D . 87 , J . White 1541 , J . Smith J . W . 1766 , W . H . Startfull 2266 , T- T . Naden 820 , L . Durv W . M . 180 , G . Butcher 144 , G . Knight W . M . 1 S 28 , S . Weeden 1579 , W . R . Witt P . M . 1745 , J . Brock J . W . 1541 , F . A . Bint I . P . M . 704 , J . Lugg 1815 , W . Fovield 1 S 15 , G . A . Lestv D . C . 157 and J . Wynman .

The Lodge being formed , the minutes were read and confirmed . Bro . Sharvell , who was on the agenda for passing , was unavoidably prevented from being in attendance at the appointed time and other Lodge business was proceeded with . The report of the Auditors was received with satisfaction , showing the Lodge to be in a good financial condition .

The Lodge was opened in the second degree and Bro . Alfred B . Clayton was presented as W . M .-elect by Bro . H . Ansell P . M . D . C . Bro . K . M . Ross addressed the incoming Master on the duties of the high Office to which he- had been unanimously elected , and Bro . Clayton signified his assent to the ancient charges . He then took the customarv obligation , after which the W . M . declared all Offices

vacant and appointed Bro . H . Longhurst P . M . as S . W ., C . W . Mayo P . M . J . W ., J . Parker I . P . M . I . G ., to assist him during the ceremony of installation . A Board of thirty Installed Masters had the pleasure of seeing Bro . Clayton inducted into the chair of K . S . according to the ancient custom . The Brethren being re-admitted , the new Master was proclaimed and saluted . Bro . Kenneth M . Ross afterwards delivered the three addresses in grand style .

The new Worshipful Master appointed his Officers as follow : Bros . J . G . H . Radford S . W ., A . Wilson J . W ., C . S . Damant P . M . Treasurer , T . Harrington P . M . Secretary , S . H . Moyle S . D ., H . E . Turner J . D ., A . Starkey I . G ., H . Ansell P . M . D . C , W . P . Keeley Stewd ., J . Grundy and G . E . Brotherton Assistants , Willie Wright P . P . G . O . Middx . Org ., T . Bowler P . M . Tvler .

The AV . M . with a few well chosen words presentel Bro . K . M . Ross I . P . M . with the magnificent Past Master ' s jewel provided by the Lodge . He felt no jewel had ever been more deservedly earned , and he hoped the recipient would wear it for many years in health . He also hoped , as he felt , that Bro . Ross would render all the assistance that w . a , s required of him as a Past Master . Bro . Ross acknowledged the gift in suitable terms .

The ballot was taken for Mr . Henry Thomas Tosland and proved unanimous in his favour . The candidate was presented to the new ruler of the Lodge , who at once proved the members were more than justified in the choice they had made of Bro . Clayton as W . M . He initiated the candidate in extremely fine and eloquent manner , in fact the whole of his working was perfect .

After a few communications , the Lodge was closed and the Brethren adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent dinner was provided , which was a credit to the old establishment and to the hostess Mrs . Venables .

Bro . Clayton sounded the gavel and on his invitation the toast of the Kinf . Protector of the Craft , was heartily received and drank , the solo of the National Anthem being sung by Miss Edith Kingsford . The next toast was the M . W . Grand Master H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . The W . M . hoped His Royal Highness mig-ht follow

in the footsteps of his illustrious brother their noble King . The next toast the W . M . had the honour to propose was the Grand Officers present and past , coupled with the name of Bro . Voisey P . G . S . B ., who returned thanks . It was a fact that wherever they went they were always expected to say a few words . The W M

was perfectly right when he said the Grand Officers were hard workers m the Craft and did everything in their power for the welfare of Freemasonry . He had particularly noticed the perfect working at that Lodge , and if ever a man was privileged to be installed it was the present Worshipful Master . He wished the Paxton Lodge every prosperity .

Bro . Ross I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., complimented him on the way in which he had performed the work that evening Bro . Clayton had given ample proof of his ability as W . M . _ His aim was that the Paxton Lodge should prosper still more than in previous years . He was proud of having installed such an excellent worker , and felt he could not let the opportunity pass without thanking the Officers for their . able support during his vear "f Office . " The toast was most cordially received , as was the VV * , M , "n

Paxton Lodge, No. 1686.

rising to respond . He asked the Past Masters and Brethren for a little allowance ; it was the clay of days of his Masonic career . He thanked the I . P . M . for his kind remarks , and the Brethren for receiving the toast in so cordial a manner . He promised to leave

no stone unturned to uphold the welfare of Freemasonry , and especially of their Lodge . He hoped he might do as well as the Masters who had preceded him in the chair , and if he succeeded in giving the members satisfaction he himself would be more than satisfied .

The toast of the Initiate was next on the list , the W . M . giving him a most hearty welcome . He was sure the candidate would never regret having been initiated in the Paxton Lodge , and if he would study the ritual of Freemasonry he would become a better man . He brought the best of recommendations , being introduced by Bro . Parker , who was added to the roll of the actual Past Masters that

evening . Bro . Sharvell thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks , and expressed his high appreciation of the manner in which the W . M . and the Brethren had received him that evening . He assured them he should never forget his obligation and promised to do everything in his power for the welfare of the Lodge . The Visitors were next toasted . The W . M . said he was

proud to see such an array of guests , as the Paxton members were always pleased to entertain visitors . He gave them a most hearty welcome . The Paxton Brethren were proud of their working , and were pleased that night to have about fifty visitors . Bro . Galloway P . M . 159 8 thanked the W . M . for his very kind

reception . The working of the Lodge had been perfect ; indeed , he had never heard the ceremony of initiation better or more impressivelv rendered . The Lodge seemed to have every prospect of success before it . He concluded by wishing the W . M . a prosperous year of Office .

Bro . Longhurst P . M . 2115 7 thanked the W . M . for the cordial reception . It was not the first time he had had the pleasure of visiting the Lodge , and he hoped it would not be the last . The first time he visited them was at the invitation of their worthy Treasurer Bro . Damant ; he would not say how manv years ago ; he was pleased to see the Lodge in such a prosperous condition at the present lime .

Bro . Jeffries P . M . 1598 thanked the W . M . for coupling his name with the toast . He had greatlv admired the working in the Lodge , and the hospitality given to him at the banquet table . Bro . Manley P . M . 2308 was pleased to see the Lodge duties carried out in such an excellent manner . He hoped it would not be the last time he visited them , and wished the W . M . and the Paxton Lodge every prosperity .

Bro . James Oxley P . M . 1306 congratulated the W . M . on his excellent working . He considered the Paxton Lodge was on a sound basis , and felt the Worshipful Master might feel justly proud to reign over such a Lodge , while the Brethren might rely on his doing everything in his . power for the prosperity of the same . On his left the W . M . had the best of support , and he felt convinced he would enjoy a very prosperous year of Office .

Bro . Bint P . M . 704 said Bro . Oxley had taken his breath away . He really did not know what to say ; he had had a . nice little speech ready , but had forgotten it in the outburst of eloquence they had just listened to . He was not surprised to see the duties of the Lodge so ably fulfilled , and felt high compliment was due to Bro . Mayo P . M ., the able Preceptor of the Vitruvian Lodge of

Instruction , as the majority of the members of the Paxton Lodge visited that Lodge , and under Bro . Mayo ' s guidance made striking progress . He had greatly admired the working of the W . M . and concluded by thanking the Brethren for their very kind reception . The W . M . next gave the toast of Bro . Ross I . P . M ., thanking him for the very able and impressive manner in which he had installed him . He was more than delighted with the ceremony .

Bro . Ross , on rising , received quite an ovation . It had given him great pleasure to instal such a good worker as the W . M ., who , he was sure , would follow the grand example of his predecessors in the chair of the Paxton Lodge . He had tried his best , and if he had not given satisfaction it was not his fault . He had visited the Lodge of Instruction , and was strongly advised to instal his successor ; he was now delighted to hear the work had given satisfaction .

The toast of the Treasurer and Secretary was now proposed . The W . M . said he was pleased to have invested them ; it was difficult to find harder working members than the Treasurer and Secretary , both of whom looked well after the welfare of the Lodge .

Bro . Harrington P . M . Sec . thanked the W . M . for his kind remarks . He remembered in the earlier days , when the Lodge used to meet at the Crystal Palace , the finances were very low ; but he was pleased to say thev had worked their way up , so that the Paxton Lodge was now one of the most prosperous in the south eastern district of London . He thanked the W . M . for having re-appointed him Secretary of the Lodge , and hoped to continue to give satisfaction .

The W . M . had now the pleasure of giving the toast of the Past Masters . They were always pleased to listen to Bro . Frances , who was one of the Founders of the Lodge ; he should have been pleased to also see Bro . Klenck P . M .. who was likewise a Founder , but important matters prevented him from being present . He

thanked Bro . Mayo for the great attention he had paid him ; what he knew about Freemasonry he had to thank Bro . Mayo for . He was one of the very best of Preceptors . When Bro . Parker was Deacon and took him round the Lodge , it entered his mind to follow his good example . The other Past Masters were equally good supporters of the Lodge .

The Officers' toast was next mven and responded to , and then the Tyler brought a most pleasant meeting to a close . The principal feature of the musical entertainment with . which .