Installation Meetings

INSTALLATION MEETINGS

The Great City Lodge , No . 1426 . —Most of us , at some time or other , have experienced a great amount of enjoyment in referring to an old diary , or to somo record of past doings , and so repeat , in fancy , the pleasures ancl proceedings recorded therein . What can be more enjoyable to any one who has been absent for a number of years than to meet a few old friends ancl discuss the

events of youth . If these remarks have an application in our own circle , tho same may be said of Lodges . The annual recurrence of the installation night is essentially a fitting time for such reminiscences to be indulged in . On these occasions it is natural for a brother who has passed the chair to think of the time when ho was installed ; aud to remember how , at tho conclusion of bis year of

office , he received the hearty good wishes of tho brethren , and had attached to his breast the jewel he now exhibits with such satisfaction . A visit to one of our Lodges , on Saturday last , brought such thoughts to our mind ; since then we have glanced at tho acconnta given in our columns from time to time of the principal doings of Tho Great City Lodge . At the lime Bro . N . B . Headon occupied the chair

that is about two and a half years since , we read of the reception given by its members to the then Lord Mayor of London , who was accompanied by Bro . Alderman and Sheriff Ellis , and on which occasion was assembled an array of visitors " comprising tho elite of Masonic Society . " On that occasion tho distinguished visitor of the Lodge , who was one of tho brethren who had signed tho petition for its war .

rant , accepted honorary membership , and in replying to the toast of his health , stated that he felt sure The Great City Lodge was destined to become one of the leading powers in Freemasonry . How far bis prophecy has been carried out , we leave any one who was present at the installation meeting of tho Lodge on Saturday last , and witnessed the vast assemblage of members and visitors , to

decide . Early in 1876 we find The Great City visiting its sister , — The City of Westminster Lodge , —and hero again was displayed that spirit which has always characterised the Lodge as a body . On Saturday last , the 13 th inst ., the formal proceedings of tho evening disposed of , the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . R . Stanway , late S . W ., was proceeded with , and most ably carried out by Bro . John

Sees , the retiring Master . On the completion of the ceremony , so far as concerned tho W . M . j the investment of Officers for the year took place , as follow : —Bros . Freeman S . W ., Blackio J . W ., Headon P . M ., Treas ., E . Moody P . M . Sec , Catchpolo S . D ., Hamer J . D ., TaylorI . G ., Kibble D . C , Jenkins Org ., Hook ancl Hooker Stewards , Steedman Tyler . The W . M . informed the brethren that he was pleased to bo able

to state that Bro . R . J . Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain of England , had consented to act as their Chaplain for the year , and expressed a hope that Bro . Simpson would bo present at an early meeting , when he shonld have great pleasure in formally investing him . The financial report of the Lodge , which had been prepared by Bro . E . Moody P . M . Sec , was presented by the Auditors . They had added an addenda

thereto complimenting Bro . Moody on the excellent way in which the accounts were kept , and tendered their thanks to him for the trouble he bad taken in order to make their duties as light as possible . A vote of thanks was unanimously voted to them for their trouble . All business being over , the Lodge was closed . The brethren now adjourned to banquet , and nnder

the presidency of the new Master , spent the evening most cnjnyably . At the conclusion of the repast , and after grace had been sung , the chuirmnn introduced the first four toasts on the list . No one took a greater interest in the welfare of tho country than Her Majesty the Queen , he was sure that her health , coupled with success to the Craft , would meet a hearty response . Tho

National Anthem having been sung , the W . M . again rose . He believed it was an acknowledged fact that in all societies there should be a head , all would agree that we havo at the head of the Craft a Bro . who is entitled to our respect and admiration , possessing as he does all the qualifications that can be required of a Grand Master of Freemasons . Bro . Thnrley Beale sang " Tbe Roamer , " and met with merited

applnuse . In introducing the toast of the R . VV . Pro G . M ., the VV . M . considered it ill became him to speak on a subject of which he had little knowledge , bnt from the quiet and dignified manner in which Earl Carnarvon always carried out his duties , he felt sure that this important position was well and worthily filled . After the usnal Masonic reception of this toast , Bro . A . Kenningham gave a first .

clas-- rendering of " The Message . The VV . M . here announced that the terrible distress of our fellow-creatures in India had just been brought under his notice ; he should be very pleased to aid the fund being raised for their relief , but not being in a position to propose a vote of Lodge funds , wonld like suggestions from the brethren as to how to attain this desired end . Bro . P . M . Headon proposed that

when the Lodge Charity Box was sent round , in dne course , the amonnfc therein should be devoted , not as usual to the Samaritan Fnnd of the Lodge , but be sent to the Mansion House Fund . This suggestion was the one adopted , and later in the evening the W . M . had the pleasure to announce that he was in a position to send a sum of £ 10 10 s , which had been subscribed in response to his appeal . In

giving the toast of the R . W . Deputy G . M . nnd the rest of the Grand Officers , the W . M . stated that the mere extent of the title marked the toast as a responsible one . As with machinery , so with onr Craft ; if even one of the smallest parts were ont of order the whole suffered . Of our Grand Lodge he might say it is never out of order , and bearing this in mind , we should render honour to the members who comprise it . The toast having been recognised , Bro . Seex , the

I . P . M . of the Lodge rose . He had frequently had tho honour and privilege of addressing the brethren , bnt the present was the first occasion he had done so as Past Master . He had now to propose the health of their present Master , whom he had the pleasure that evening of installing . During the term of probation through which Bro . Stanway had passed , he had carried out his duties in a manner which fully warranted the selection of the brethren . In his present position a certain amonut of ability and force of character were necessary : these

Installation Meetings

qualities he possessed in an eminent degree . He trusted that his year of office wonld be a success , and concluded by calling on the brethren to toast their Master . A trumpet solo , " Should he upbraid , " was ably given by Mr . T . Harper , and was encored . Replying to the toast of his health , the W . M . described this task as the most difficult o'rt of his duty . It was an easy matter to say that he returned his thanks , bnt very difficult to express his feelings . He was extremely

proud of tho position in which he was now placed , after having worked through tho various offices . So far as his health would allow , he shonld devote all his zeal to keep up the dignity and high character of the Lodge . Tho next toast was that of the Visitors , of whom forty-six wero present . Tho Master gave them a hearty welcome . If they were not received as they shonld be , he was sure it was not for want of will to do so . Bro . Mann P . M . and Sec .

18 G responded . No one conld speak with greater satisfaction ; their warrant bore his name , he therefore considered himself in a position to judge of its success . The Great City Lodge has a repute ; all over the country one hears of the doings of its members . On behalf of the Visitors he trusted the Lodgo would prosper in the future as it had done in the past . The W . M . next gave tho health of tho I . P . M ., Bro .

Seex . He was sure his remarks would not fall on inattentive ears . It would ill become them to forgot those members who had served the Lodge so well as Bro . Seex . Dnring the early days of its existence , Bro . Seex occupied tho post of Deacon , he then laid a foundation which will long continue to bo felt . If candidates aro received into a Lodge with dignity by the Deacons and other Officers

engaged at their initiation , it makes a great deal of difference . The ceremonies during Bro . Seex ' s term were always conducted in a manner which reflected great credit on him . In his present position ho was sure the Lodge might always depend upon his support . The brethren having honoured tho toast , before Bro . Seex replied the W . M . stated that he had made a great omission , inasmuch as he had

neglected to present Bro . Seex with the Past Master ' s jewel which had been voted by the Lodge . He must repair the omission at once , and trusted that it came with no less grace than if he had presented it when proposing his health . Bro . Seex returned his grateful thanks for the hearty and sincere manner in which his health had been proposed . He would merely say that the W . M . of a Lodge

should have a bed of roses , and he hoped that their present Master would be blessed with such . It was ono thing to be a Master , and another to be able to satisfy the whole of the members . He hoped he as W . M . had fulfilled the duties of his year with satisfaction , and wished the present Master a successful term . The P . M . 's was next proposed by the Master . In doing honour to onr present Officers we

should not neglect those who , in times gone by , have met with as hearty a reception as either himself or their I . P . M ., nor forget that they are still worthy of consideration . Bro . Stevens was gratified at the reception the toast had met with . The P . M . ' s were naturally pleased to see tho increase of the Lodge , the continued prosperity of which they were anxious and willing to further . He could not agree

with Bro . Seex in considering the office of Master of so large a Lodge being a bed of roses , although he was vory pleased to have had tho honour of occupying that position . Bro . Headon was also called for . Ho stated that as he shonld speak again later in the evening , he should make his remarks on this occasion very brief , but ho did not like the toast to pass without adding his thankg

to those of Bro . Stevens . Bro . P . M . Townsend also replied . The next toast given was that of the Initiates . The W . M . considered that when good men were received into Freemasonry , that not only was the Craft conferring an hononr on them , but they also conferred an honour on the Craft . He assured the initiates that they would be

more and more impressed with Masonry the more they knew of it He recommended their attendance at Lodges of Instruction , where they would hear a full explanation of the beautiful ceremonies , of which boon this occasion was only able to give but a brief outline . Bro , Hook sang the E . A . song , after which Brn . Moseley responded . He assured the brethren that their new members would do their best for

Freemasonry . None of them could regret the step they had taken . If outsiders wonld only act up to the principles of Freemasonry , great difficulties might be overcome . Bro . Perceval proposed Prosperity to The Great City Lodge , to which Bro . Headon responded , As he was the progenitor , they could see the Lodge had but a very small beginning , but had met with a wonderful amount of

success . They had initiated nearly 100 gentlemen since 1874 . The furniture was all paid for , and if tbe members had taken anything in hand they had been complimented on having carried it out thoroughly . The Lodge bad subscribed handsomely to all the Masonic Charities , and in addition they hnd upwards of £ 90 to the credit of their Lodge Benevolent Fund , and £ 23 to that of their Samaritan Fund .

He hoped their prosperity wonld continue . The Treasurer and Secretary were called upon by the W . M ., who wished that the proposition of this toast had occurred earlier , as he should then have been able to speak of the excellent qualities of these Officers to a larger assembly . In the Secretary the Lodge had a brother thoroughly conversant with every branch of his duty , and with every detail at his finger ends .

If they consider that the Lodgo numbers over 120 members , they could form some idea of the value of having a Secretary such as Bro . Moody ; his qualities being , in fact , inestimable . Bro . Headon briefly replied , aud Bro . Moody gave what he terms his annual lecture , consisting of a few remarks on what should be , and

what should not bo . The "Masonic Charities" was given , after which tho T yler brought the proceedings to a close . In addition to the songs , & c , we have already mentioned , several others were given , Jack ' s yarn , sung by Bro . Thurley Beale , calling forth an encore . Visitors—Bros . G . Cordwell P . M . 3 , J . Walker W . M . 27 , W . Read 55 , C . J . Grorso P . M . 73 , B . C . Badham 156 , T . W . C . Bush

185 , E . Harfeld P . M . 185 , W . Mann P . M . 186 , C . W . Noehmer P . M . 186 , W . Medwin 192 , W . H . Green 403 , H . Massey P . M . 619 , J . Poore P . M . 720 , J . Painter P . M . 749 , H . V . Clements 754 , J . R . Williams 766 , W . Worrell P . M . 766 , E . Crolich P . M . 857 , A . Stone 889 , C . T .

Nunn W . M . 889 , E . W . Gandy 890 , R . N . Field P . M . 902 , O . T . Hearae 967 , G . W . Saul 1201 , T . A . W . Carper 1216 . T . P . Staley