Freemasonry In Torquay.

the Lodge Brethren of merit and ability we are bound to admit , for the large silver jewel that was presented in the year 1814 , four years after the formation of the Lodge , to Bro . John Simms P . M ., is proof positive that some of the first Masters were true and zealous Masons . It may

be of interest to most here present to know that at the time of the Consecration of this Lodge , and for seven years after its Consecration , the Master of a Freemason ' s Lodge was only designated or addressed as " Master , " the prefix " Worshipful " being added in the year 1817 ;

that is the reason why we find in the Warrant or charter of the Lodge it is expressed that " we do further , at their said petition , and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said above-named brethren , hereby appoint the said John Drew to be Master . "

The usage also among many Lodges that date back for more than 100 years , was to meet twice each month , and that is the reason why this Lodge met on the first and third Monday in each month up to a very recent date . The list of P . Ms , is very incomplete . I made a

very diligent search in order to try and compile a perfect list of P . Ms , of the Lodge , but found the Grand Lodge was not in possession of a perfect list of W . Ms . The most remote record which this Lodge holds is dated for the year 1848 . I was therefore unable to secure

anything like a perfect list . W . Bro . John Taylor is in possession of a P . M . jewel that had been the property of Bro . James Braham , who is accredited in our oldest minute book as being a goldsmith in Torquay . He was initiated on the 10 th January 1828 , and was raised on the

3 rd March in the same year . W . Bro . Braham twice filled the chair of W . M . in this Lodge , in the year 1830 and in the year 1850 . The workmanship and style of the jewel clearly indicate the business that our Brother was engaged in , for it is set in a circle of imitation

diamonds , and is a very pretty specimen of the jeweller ' s art . Bro . Braham was born in 1805 , so that he would be 25 years of age when he first filled the chair of this Lodge , and 45 years of age when he occupied it on the second occasion . He was the predecessor of the firm of

Bradford , jewellers , on the Strand , Torquay . One of the oldest P . Ms , of this Lodge , whom I had the honour of meeting with during my year of office as

Secretary of the Lodge in 1871 , was W . Bro , William Melluish , who was made in the Sun Lodge , Exmouth , and who subsequently joined the St . John ' s Lodge , Torquay , on the 27 th of December 1828 , and became W . M . in 1831 . He was a most zealous and intelligent

Masonic student , who spared no effort to advance the interests of Freemasonry in Torquay . He had the advantage of knowing the early history of the Lodge , not only from the fact that Exmouth , where he was introduced to Freemasonry , was near to Torquay , but from

the fact he was in connection with several founders of Sfc . John ' s Lodge during his early efforts in the Lodge . According to an exceptionally fully-worded minute that appears in the Lodge book for the 16 th of March 1868 , there is a record of a presentation to our late Masonic

veteran , Bro . Melluish , who received a valuable Masonic jewel , and also a parchment scroll with the names of the contributors on it . W . Bro . G . Glanfield dilated in the most felicitous terms with regard to the zeal and ability of Bro . Melluish , which had extended over forty years ;

and W . Bro . the Bev . R . Bowden W . M ., who made the presentation in equally happy terms , testified to the sterling Masonic worth of Bro . Melluish . The last time Bro . Melluish attended the Lodge was in the year 1871 , when he would be in the 69 th year of his age . This

interesting event brings the matter within the recollection of one of our old subscribing members , and very near the time when our esteemed P . M . W . Bro . D . J . Allams first saw the light of Freemasonry in St . John ' s Lodge . One usage that has passed away in connection

with this Lodge , and in fact with most Lodges under the English Constitution , is the passing the chair to enable a Brother to take the R . A . Degree . In the old minute book we find several cases where Brethren passed the

chair in a Past Master ' s Lodge for this purpose . On the 23 rd of January 1851 , there is a minute that states that a Past Master ' s Lodge was then held , and Bro . Webber duly installed W . M . of this Lodge , and " Bro . Hoar was past the chair to enable him to take the

degree of H . R . A . " Since that date the alterations in the regulations of the H . R . A . have enabled any Master

Freemasonry In Torquay.

Mason to take the degree without passing the Craft chair . In the United States of America the usage is still in force to give the P . M . degree , and I remember when I was over in the United States , in 1886 , being present at

a Lodge meeting in Philadelphia , when a Brother passed the chair . An amusing incident comes out during the ceremony , for on the Brother being installed and presented with the gavel , he is the Master of the Lodge

pro tem . ; this fact is intimated to the Brother , who evidently enjoys the peculiar situation ; still , I was informed that they never found a Brother who wished to

take undue advantage of the position by attempting to rule the Lodge and remain in the chair for the remainder of the evening . ( To be continued . )

Ar00203

In the question of benevolence , as dispensed by our Lodges ; of where it should be given and where withheld ; some Lodges are continually on the rack , says " The

Mallet . ' I have seldom , however , come across a more easily classified application than the case which came before a Lodge recently . Here it is : Made twenty-one years ago ; got all degrees in one night ; went abroad ;

remained out of the country six years ; returned to Glasgow , and had been in the city during the last fifteen years ; had never been in a Lodge except on the one night away back in ' 73 , and now , because he had been

three months out of employment , this model of what a Freemason should not be puts in a claim for relief . That Brother (?) , need I say , sowed the wind , and reaped a whirlwind , but no sympathy .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

THE funeral of Bro . Edmund Worrall took place at Moseley , on the 10 th inst ., and was attended by a large number of Masons , who appeared at the grave side

in Masonic clothing . Nearly all the Lodges and Chapters of Warwickshire were represented . Our deceased Brother was distinguished in many ways in

Masonry , but was perhaps best known as Provincial G . Scribe E . of Warwickshire , a post he had occupied for twenty-five years .

Bro . Thomas Lamb Smith , of the city of Worcester , a well known Freemason , died on the 2 nd inst . He was initiated in 1864 in the Worcester Lodge , No . 280 , and filled all the offices with credit and renown . In 1866

he was exalted to the Royal Arch in the St . Wulstan ' s Chapter , where he likewise filled all the offices . In Mark Masonry he especially distinguished himself in the Lechmere Lodge , No . 59 . He was also a Knight Templar , Red Cross , Ark Mariner , St . Lawrence , High

Priest , Knight of Constantinople , Babylon—was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland , the Rose Croix 18 ° and finally the 30 ° . Bro . Lamb Smith worked all the degrees with zeal , and retained office till death , really dying " in harness . " The Province of

Worcestershire bestowed upon him the high rank of Grand Warden several years ago . He was Life Governor of each of the Masonic Institutions . Besides his Masonic position he

was a busy citizen of Worcester , being a member of the City Council , and had served the offices of City Chamberlain , Guardian for the poor , &<* .., and was also a Director of two or three local Companies . He was

buried at Norwood Cemetery by the side of his wife , who had predeceased him . Many Brethren at Worcester being unable to go to London to pay their last sad mark of respect , attended a special memorial service at Holy Trinity Church at the hour fixed for the funeral , the

Rev . Bro . G . F . Hough ( the vicar ) being the W . M . of Lodge No . 280 . Very many friends attended , including the Mayor of Worcester ( Bro . G . H . Williamson ) and other members of the Corporation . The solemn service

was conducted m a manner to leave a lasting impression on those who were there . The music was specially solemn . Bro . Lamb Smith had endeared himself to all who knew him , so that his loss will be severely felt .

ON the 5 th inst ., the remains of Bro . Nicholson Brown , for many years Secretary of the Union Waterloo Lodge , No . 13 , and one of the Preceptors of the Lodge of Instruction associated therewith , were laid to rest in Woolwich cemetery in the presence of a large assembly .