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Article BANQUET TO BRO. ALDERMAN DE KEYSER. Page 1 of 2 Article BANQUET TO BRO. ALDERMAN DE KEYSER. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet To Bro. Alderman De Keyser.
BANQUET TO BRO . ALDERMAN DE KEYSER .
REGARDED from every point of view , tho complimentary banquet given on Monday night to Bro . Alderman nnd Sheriff De Keyser , at the Albion , Aldersgate-street , by the Master and brethren of the Emulation Lndge , No . 21 , was a significant and brilliant sue cess . Both from the heartiness and urbanity which characterised the proceedings throughout , as well as from the number of distinguished Masons who graced the assemblage with their presence ,
the event must be regarded as one of the most important that has taken place in London for some time past . The " guest < f the evening " has long been a member of the Emulation Lodge , and it was a graceful act on the part of the brethren to recognise the many acts of kindness , benevolence and public enterprise which have earned for him such high distinction amongst the citizens of London .
The atmosphere of the Albion on the occasion referred to was pregnant with expressions of hearty amenity and pood fellowship , into which the brethren and the prominent members of Grand Lodge , and others who were invited guests , entered with the utmost spirit of good will . Lodge was opened at five o ' clock , with Bro . T . F . Peacock W . M . in the chair , supported by Bros . Samuel Hill S . W . R . C .
Grant J . W ., T . Taylor P . M . Treasurer , Arthur Hill Secretary , Major Campbell S . D ., M . R . Sewell J . D ., George Singer P . M . M . C , W . Wing P . M . W . S ., H . 0 . Brunningl . G ., and a galaxy of Past Masters , UN eluding Bros . Braokstone Baker P . G . J . D ., D . Clarke , H . J . Godrlen , S . J . Morris , J . Pointing , W . J . Vian , H . M . StoUenhoff , Griffiths , C . E . Stoltenhoff , R . Berridge , R . P . Spice , Geo . Watson , C .
Mansfield , W . Abbott , & o . There were about forty other brethren , and amongst the Visitors were Bros . Sir Francis W yatt Truscott , No . 1 , P . G . W ., and lately Lord Mayor of London , Alderman Fowler , M . P ., P . M . 626 , Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , ex-Sheriff , S . W . 778 , Major-General J . W . Laurie Grand Master of Nova S cotia . S ' . Moss
P . M . 7 , Canadian Registrar ( Montreal ) , ex-Sheriff Burt P . G . A . D . C , Sir John B . Monckton , Town Clerk , No . 1 , President of the Board *> f General Purposes , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke G . S . Emrlaud ; Rev . J . H . Smith P . M . 279 P . P . G . Chaplain Leicester and Rutland , R . H . Girard No . 1 , P . G . D ., J . Davis Sewell 1827 P . G . S ., G . Lambert P . M . 198 P . G . S . B ., R . S . Pteott 11 G . A . D . C , Frank Richardson 14
P . G . D ., T . G . Bullen P . M . 197 P . G . S ., H . Hiegins P . M . 1381 , J . Crispe W . M . 410 , H . Bishop P . M . 66 , A . Gabriel 310 , A . W . Stansfield P . M . 1019 , J . Donaldson W . M . 7 , A . Day P . M . 166 , C . Smith P . M . 58 , H . C . Barker P . M . 29 , C . Monckton P . M . 1150 , A . G . Browning P . M . 33 , G . N . Johnson P . M . 1 , J . R . Cooper P . M . 171 , A . W . Morgan P . M . 176 , E . M . Hnbbuck P . M . 58 , L . W . Dnrden W . M . 370 G . W . Harkwill W . M . elect 1150 , W . Herbage W . M . 177 , S . Day
S . W . 166 , C . D . Miller J . W . 28 , F . H . Williams I . G . 18 , E . J . Powell 360 ( Scotland ) , H . J . Grifliths late of 21 , E . Matheson 1320 ; A . W . Stead J . D . 25 , J . W . Stockwell 1364 , G . B . Cutler , E . Gamman 610 , A . L . Drought 163 , A . Probvn 172 , and many others ; with Bro . 0 . T . Speight Prov . G . T . Surrey Tyler . After the usual ceremonies , the Wor . Master Bro . Peacock was unanimously elected a Graud Steward and the ballot was then opened for Mr . Joseph Savory , Sheriff of
London and Middlesex , who had been nominated b y Bro . Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , and seconded by Bro . George Singer P . M . ; also for Mr . Marriott Ogle Tarbotton , C . E ., of Nottingham , proposed by Bro . R . P . Spice P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . Berrid ge P . M . The voting in each case was unanimous , and the candidates were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order , the workin" of the
W . M . and his Officers eliciting very deserved expressions of approbation from all present . After business , there was a good deal of pleasant greeting and interchange of friendly sentiment in the reception rooms , and at seven o ' clock the party sat down to an admirable banquet , which did infinite credit to the courteous manager of the Albion , Brother W . G . Jennings . The customary
prefatory toasts were got over briefly by the Worshi pful Master , and Bro . Sir F . Wyatt Truscott , in responding for tho Grand Officers , observed that the Craft generally must feel prond of being presided over by noblemen who devoted so much time to the interests of Freemasonry , and so well discharged the duties of their important offices . He expressed the peculiar pleasure it gave him to be present when
ho"our so deserved was to be bestowed upon his friend Bro . Aid . De Keyser , whose position they had so splendidly recognised on the occasion . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke observed that it was a pleasure to the Grand Officers to witness the success of all Masonic meetings , and more especially to be present in a Lodge like this , which had such a distinguished history for many years past , and when they had met to
congratulate one of their members upon the honours that had recently accrued to him . The Grand Officers were thoroughly in accord with every brother who wore the light blue . The Most Worshipful Grand Master bad , for good and proper reasons , honoured them with promotion to the dais , and he honestly believed they were all eager and anxions to do what they possibly conld to hold and
preserve the high positions in which they had been placed . The Wor . Master then gave the Sister Grand Lodges , and coupled "with the toast the name of Brother Major-General Laurie , Grand Master of Nova Scotia , who was most enthusiastically received . Brother Major-General Laurie , in an eloqnent address , in response , said he could not , although they had been kind enoagh to conple his
name with the sister Lodges throughout the world , consider himself a foreigner . He had lately been elected to the Court of the Saddlers ' Company , and therefore he was very mnch at home . Moreover , he had sat as a subscribing member in a Lodgo in every part of the world , under the banners either of England or Ireland . But he was called npon under rather peculiar circumstances , somo years aa ; o , to
] oin the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia , with a view of his name being brought forward as Grand Master . He had endeavoured to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of the brethren who put him in that position , although perhaps the state of Masonry abroad , outside the jurisdiction with which those present were acquainted , was not sn well known as it might be . It seemed almost a pity that some of the facta were not more widely familar to brethren on this side of
Banquet To Bro. Alderman De Keyser.
tho Atlantic . For instance , Bro . Braokstone Baker had just shown him a mednl of the Grand Lodge of New York , which meant thore were 80 , 000 subscribing members under tho banner of that Grand Lodge a'one . They must look at tho figures to recognise what a bold step Masonry had taken on the other side of the water . It was the same in principle there as in England , of course , but they wore not able to
exercise that magnificent charity which is dispensed in this country . Here they were able to put down £ 42 , 000 a year as subscriptions to the three grand Masonio Charities , to be distributed for the benefit of the widows and orphans , and old and decayed Masons . In America they could not do that ; at least , they had not yet tried . There , perhaps , they did their work in a somewhat different way . Each ,
Lodge supported its own aged , and widows and orphans , and then they went outside and gave personal service . In the fearful scourge of yellow fever they had heard of , Masons came forth from their different Lodges in the States of the Union , and went down and gave their services personally as doctors , nurses , and attendants to the poor suffering fever patients . Then , again , during the fearful floods
that had taken place in America , there were twenty-one lifeboats supported by the Masonic Fraternity , for saving lives . Thus the humanity and charity of Masonry were exemplified there as well as here , only they developed in a different practice . They went and gave their own right hands and own good hearts for others . These subordinate Lodges were the children of the great grandmother Lodge of
England , and had learnt and inherited the great virtne of Charity from this side , and here they must come as to the fountain of honour . Brother Abbott I . P . M . next proposed , in felicitous terms , the health of the Worshipful Masters and Bro . Peacock , in response , expressed his desire to discharge the duties of the chair to the satisfaction of the brethren . In coming to the toast of the evening , he asked their
indulgence while he told them why they had invited their guest , Bro . Alderman De Keyser , to come amongst them on that occasion , in order that they might welcome him in his present position . Bro . De Keyser was born in Belgium , but had come to this country , and become a naturalised British subject . He had worked in the City with intelligence and perseverance , which enabled him to conquer all
difficulties that beset his path , and he became a prosperous man in London . Having , like a sensible man , looked after his own interests , and acquired sufficient to enable him to settle down comfortably , he looked around to see how he could benefit his neighbours , and commenoed , as many Englishmen did , by entering into the political affairs of his parish . He successively served all the offices of St . Bride ' s ,
and was overseer , guardian , and churchwarden . Naturally , after that , he entered the Court of Common Council , and for many years , as now , he had given the results of his experience in life for the benefit of the citizens of London , serving in the . office of Chairman of the Bridge House Committee , and becoming a Governor , of . Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals . In due coarse he was . elected- as an
Alderman , and one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex , and was presented by the residents in his Ward with the badge aud insignia of his office , at a cost of about £ 600 , in token of their appreciation of his efforts for their general benefit . He was also one of the founders of the Guildhall School of Musio , and engaged actively in all matters of pnblic usefulness . He entered Freemasonry , nnder the auspices of
Bro . Braokstone Baker , in this Lodge , and continued in it for many years , ultimately serving as I . G . But Masonry offered no excuses for a man to neglect his bnsiness , and with his many and great responsibilities Bro . De Keyser ceased to be an active member of the Lodge for some time . They saw in him , however , ono of the founders of the Macdonald Lodge , in connection with the First Surrey Rifles ,
and he was also with the Volunteers in Belgium , where , in consideration of his active services , he was created by the King a Knight of the Order of Leopold . Daring all this time , although Bro . De Keyser was absent in person , he was always thought of , and they were most anxions to do hononr to him in his own Lodge ; consequently , they had invited as many friends as they could accommodate to meet him .
He thought they would all agree that in this assembly they had produced a very strong evidence of the respect and esteem in which Bro . De Keyser was held , and in conclusion he wished him health , all happiness , and prosperity , adding the hope that the Corporation of London might live long enough to see him Lord Mayor , and that he might ultimately occupy the chair of the Emulation Lodge .
Brother Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , who was enthusiastic ally received , said his heart was beating with sincere and deep gratitude for the hononr they had done him , and his brain was on Jira to find expressions adequate to interpret the sentiments which then animated him . He was sure that many of those present , having had similar , if not so complimentary , honours offered to them , would be able to understand how difficult it was in those moments to do
justice to such a toast . Their excellent Worshipful Master had been good enough to begin , as he sail ) , at the beginning , and that beginning was one of which , in a Masonio sense , he felt proud , because it proved that Masonry was of a truly generous spirit , as it recognised and admitted him as one of themselves—those who had not even come from the mother country . The Worshipful Master had alluded to fc * ho feeble services he had rendered in the different
positions he had occupied . He had occasion once before , in the presence of a few of the members of this Lodge to say that which he thought ha mig ht still repeat , that ono of the reasons which prompted him conscientiously to giro up a great deal of his time to public life was not out of vanity or ambition , but a desire to recognise what thev had done for him in the country of his adoption . He
did not forget he had a duty to perform . He knew too well what they had done for him in the past , and it would be ungrateful , and unlike a Mason , if he were not to express , to the utmost of his power , his readiness to do all he conld , not only for the community at large , but for the poor , in recognition of tho kindness , friendship , and
'okens of affection he had received in this country . He was very pleased when the Worshipful Master began by saying he would tell r . hem why they had invited him to this banquet , because he thonght Brother Peacock was going to get him out of a difficulty . He could not say what he had done to deserve the great compliment they bad
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Banquet To Bro. Alderman De Keyser.
BANQUET TO BRO . ALDERMAN DE KEYSER .
REGARDED from every point of view , tho complimentary banquet given on Monday night to Bro . Alderman nnd Sheriff De Keyser , at the Albion , Aldersgate-street , by the Master and brethren of the Emulation Lndge , No . 21 , was a significant and brilliant sue cess . Both from the heartiness and urbanity which characterised the proceedings throughout , as well as from the number of distinguished Masons who graced the assemblage with their presence ,
the event must be regarded as one of the most important that has taken place in London for some time past . The " guest < f the evening " has long been a member of the Emulation Lodge , and it was a graceful act on the part of the brethren to recognise the many acts of kindness , benevolence and public enterprise which have earned for him such high distinction amongst the citizens of London .
The atmosphere of the Albion on the occasion referred to was pregnant with expressions of hearty amenity and pood fellowship , into which the brethren and the prominent members of Grand Lodge , and others who were invited guests , entered with the utmost spirit of good will . Lodge was opened at five o ' clock , with Bro . T . F . Peacock W . M . in the chair , supported by Bros . Samuel Hill S . W . R . C .
Grant J . W ., T . Taylor P . M . Treasurer , Arthur Hill Secretary , Major Campbell S . D ., M . R . Sewell J . D ., George Singer P . M . M . C , W . Wing P . M . W . S ., H . 0 . Brunningl . G ., and a galaxy of Past Masters , UN eluding Bros . Braokstone Baker P . G . J . D ., D . Clarke , H . J . Godrlen , S . J . Morris , J . Pointing , W . J . Vian , H . M . StoUenhoff , Griffiths , C . E . Stoltenhoff , R . Berridge , R . P . Spice , Geo . Watson , C .
Mansfield , W . Abbott , & o . There were about forty other brethren , and amongst the Visitors were Bros . Sir Francis W yatt Truscott , No . 1 , P . G . W ., and lately Lord Mayor of London , Alderman Fowler , M . P ., P . M . 626 , Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , ex-Sheriff , S . W . 778 , Major-General J . W . Laurie Grand Master of Nova S cotia . S ' . Moss
P . M . 7 , Canadian Registrar ( Montreal ) , ex-Sheriff Burt P . G . A . D . C , Sir John B . Monckton , Town Clerk , No . 1 , President of the Board *> f General Purposes , Col . Shadwell H . Clerke G . S . Emrlaud ; Rev . J . H . Smith P . M . 279 P . P . G . Chaplain Leicester and Rutland , R . H . Girard No . 1 , P . G . D ., J . Davis Sewell 1827 P . G . S ., G . Lambert P . M . 198 P . G . S . B ., R . S . Pteott 11 G . A . D . C , Frank Richardson 14
P . G . D ., T . G . Bullen P . M . 197 P . G . S ., H . Hiegins P . M . 1381 , J . Crispe W . M . 410 , H . Bishop P . M . 66 , A . Gabriel 310 , A . W . Stansfield P . M . 1019 , J . Donaldson W . M . 7 , A . Day P . M . 166 , C . Smith P . M . 58 , H . C . Barker P . M . 29 , C . Monckton P . M . 1150 , A . G . Browning P . M . 33 , G . N . Johnson P . M . 1 , J . R . Cooper P . M . 171 , A . W . Morgan P . M . 176 , E . M . Hnbbuck P . M . 58 , L . W . Dnrden W . M . 370 G . W . Harkwill W . M . elect 1150 , W . Herbage W . M . 177 , S . Day
S . W . 166 , C . D . Miller J . W . 28 , F . H . Williams I . G . 18 , E . J . Powell 360 ( Scotland ) , H . J . Grifliths late of 21 , E . Matheson 1320 ; A . W . Stead J . D . 25 , J . W . Stockwell 1364 , G . B . Cutler , E . Gamman 610 , A . L . Drought 163 , A . Probvn 172 , and many others ; with Bro . 0 . T . Speight Prov . G . T . Surrey Tyler . After the usual ceremonies , the Wor . Master Bro . Peacock was unanimously elected a Graud Steward and the ballot was then opened for Mr . Joseph Savory , Sheriff of
London and Middlesex , who had been nominated b y Bro . Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , and seconded by Bro . George Singer P . M . ; also for Mr . Marriott Ogle Tarbotton , C . E ., of Nottingham , proposed by Bro . R . P . Spice P . M ., seconded by Bro . E . Berrid ge P . M . The voting in each case was unanimous , and the candidates were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order , the workin" of the
W . M . and his Officers eliciting very deserved expressions of approbation from all present . After business , there was a good deal of pleasant greeting and interchange of friendly sentiment in the reception rooms , and at seven o ' clock the party sat down to an admirable banquet , which did infinite credit to the courteous manager of the Albion , Brother W . G . Jennings . The customary
prefatory toasts were got over briefly by the Worshi pful Master , and Bro . Sir F . Wyatt Truscott , in responding for tho Grand Officers , observed that the Craft generally must feel prond of being presided over by noblemen who devoted so much time to the interests of Freemasonry , and so well discharged the duties of their important offices . He expressed the peculiar pleasure it gave him to be present when
ho"our so deserved was to be bestowed upon his friend Bro . Aid . De Keyser , whose position they had so splendidly recognised on the occasion . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke observed that it was a pleasure to the Grand Officers to witness the success of all Masonic meetings , and more especially to be present in a Lodge like this , which had such a distinguished history for many years past , and when they had met to
congratulate one of their members upon the honours that had recently accrued to him . The Grand Officers were thoroughly in accord with every brother who wore the light blue . The Most Worshipful Grand Master bad , for good and proper reasons , honoured them with promotion to the dais , and he honestly believed they were all eager and anxions to do what they possibly conld to hold and
preserve the high positions in which they had been placed . The Wor . Master then gave the Sister Grand Lodges , and coupled "with the toast the name of Brother Major-General Laurie , Grand Master of Nova Scotia , who was most enthusiastically received . Brother Major-General Laurie , in an eloqnent address , in response , said he could not , although they had been kind enoagh to conple his
name with the sister Lodges throughout the world , consider himself a foreigner . He had lately been elected to the Court of the Saddlers ' Company , and therefore he was very mnch at home . Moreover , he had sat as a subscribing member in a Lodgo in every part of the world , under the banners either of England or Ireland . But he was called npon under rather peculiar circumstances , somo years aa ; o , to
] oin the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia , with a view of his name being brought forward as Grand Master . He had endeavoured to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of the brethren who put him in that position , although perhaps the state of Masonry abroad , outside the jurisdiction with which those present were acquainted , was not sn well known as it might be . It seemed almost a pity that some of the facta were not more widely familar to brethren on this side of
Banquet To Bro. Alderman De Keyser.
tho Atlantic . For instance , Bro . Braokstone Baker had just shown him a mednl of the Grand Lodge of New York , which meant thore were 80 , 000 subscribing members under tho banner of that Grand Lodge a'one . They must look at tho figures to recognise what a bold step Masonry had taken on the other side of the water . It was the same in principle there as in England , of course , but they wore not able to
exercise that magnificent charity which is dispensed in this country . Here they were able to put down £ 42 , 000 a year as subscriptions to the three grand Masonio Charities , to be distributed for the benefit of the widows and orphans , and old and decayed Masons . In America they could not do that ; at least , they had not yet tried . There , perhaps , they did their work in a somewhat different way . Each ,
Lodge supported its own aged , and widows and orphans , and then they went outside and gave personal service . In the fearful scourge of yellow fever they had heard of , Masons came forth from their different Lodges in the States of the Union , and went down and gave their services personally as doctors , nurses , and attendants to the poor suffering fever patients . Then , again , during the fearful floods
that had taken place in America , there were twenty-one lifeboats supported by the Masonic Fraternity , for saving lives . Thus the humanity and charity of Masonry were exemplified there as well as here , only they developed in a different practice . They went and gave their own right hands and own good hearts for others . These subordinate Lodges were the children of the great grandmother Lodge of
England , and had learnt and inherited the great virtne of Charity from this side , and here they must come as to the fountain of honour . Brother Abbott I . P . M . next proposed , in felicitous terms , the health of the Worshipful Masters and Bro . Peacock , in response , expressed his desire to discharge the duties of the chair to the satisfaction of the brethren . In coming to the toast of the evening , he asked their
indulgence while he told them why they had invited their guest , Bro . Alderman De Keyser , to come amongst them on that occasion , in order that they might welcome him in his present position . Bro . De Keyser was born in Belgium , but had come to this country , and become a naturalised British subject . He had worked in the City with intelligence and perseverance , which enabled him to conquer all
difficulties that beset his path , and he became a prosperous man in London . Having , like a sensible man , looked after his own interests , and acquired sufficient to enable him to settle down comfortably , he looked around to see how he could benefit his neighbours , and commenoed , as many Englishmen did , by entering into the political affairs of his parish . He successively served all the offices of St . Bride ' s ,
and was overseer , guardian , and churchwarden . Naturally , after that , he entered the Court of Common Council , and for many years , as now , he had given the results of his experience in life for the benefit of the citizens of London , serving in the . office of Chairman of the Bridge House Committee , and becoming a Governor , of . Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals . In due coarse he was . elected- as an
Alderman , and one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex , and was presented by the residents in his Ward with the badge aud insignia of his office , at a cost of about £ 600 , in token of their appreciation of his efforts for their general benefit . He was also one of the founders of the Guildhall School of Musio , and engaged actively in all matters of pnblic usefulness . He entered Freemasonry , nnder the auspices of
Bro . Braokstone Baker , in this Lodge , and continued in it for many years , ultimately serving as I . G . But Masonry offered no excuses for a man to neglect his bnsiness , and with his many and great responsibilities Bro . De Keyser ceased to be an active member of the Lodge for some time . They saw in him , however , ono of the founders of the Macdonald Lodge , in connection with the First Surrey Rifles ,
and he was also with the Volunteers in Belgium , where , in consideration of his active services , he was created by the King a Knight of the Order of Leopold . Daring all this time , although Bro . De Keyser was absent in person , he was always thought of , and they were most anxions to do hononr to him in his own Lodge ; consequently , they had invited as many friends as they could accommodate to meet him .
He thought they would all agree that in this assembly they had produced a very strong evidence of the respect and esteem in which Bro . De Keyser was held , and in conclusion he wished him health , all happiness , and prosperity , adding the hope that the Corporation of London might live long enough to see him Lord Mayor , and that he might ultimately occupy the chair of the Emulation Lodge .
Brother Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , who was enthusiastic ally received , said his heart was beating with sincere and deep gratitude for the hononr they had done him , and his brain was on Jira to find expressions adequate to interpret the sentiments which then animated him . He was sure that many of those present , having had similar , if not so complimentary , honours offered to them , would be able to understand how difficult it was in those moments to do
justice to such a toast . Their excellent Worshipful Master had been good enough to begin , as he sail ) , at the beginning , and that beginning was one of which , in a Masonio sense , he felt proud , because it proved that Masonry was of a truly generous spirit , as it recognised and admitted him as one of themselves—those who had not even come from the mother country . The Worshipful Master had alluded to fc * ho feeble services he had rendered in the different
positions he had occupied . He had occasion once before , in the presence of a few of the members of this Lodge to say that which he thought ha mig ht still repeat , that ono of the reasons which prompted him conscientiously to giro up a great deal of his time to public life was not out of vanity or ambition , but a desire to recognise what thev had done for him in the country of his adoption . He
did not forget he had a duty to perform . He knew too well what they had done for him in the past , and it would be ungrateful , and unlike a Mason , if he were not to express , to the utmost of his power , his readiness to do all he conld , not only for the community at large , but for the poor , in recognition of tho kindness , friendship , and
'okens of affection he had received in this country . He was very pleased when the Worshipful Master began by saying he would tell r . hem why they had invited him to this banquet , because he thonght Brother Peacock was going to get him out of a difficulty . He could not say what he had done to deserve the great compliment they bad