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Article ELEANOR CROSS LODGE, 1764, NORTHAMPTON. Page 1 of 1 Article ELEANOR CROSS LODGE, 1764, NORTHAMPTON. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Eleanor Cross Lodge, 1764, Northampton.
ELEANOR CROSS LODGE , 1764 , NORTHAMPTON .
THIS progressive and very prosperous Lodge held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday 17 th inst . ; the occasion was one of more than usual interest , as Bro . Thursby , a member of a family well known in the county of Northampton , wa 3 about to bid farewell , previously to sailing for the Cape . Bro . the Eev . S . J . W . Sanders P . G . C . presided , and was supported by the following Officers and
Brethren , viz . —Bros . Butler Wilkins D . P . G . M ., M . A . Boeme P . M ., H . J . Atkins S . W ., H . Brown J . W ., S . Wathen Wigg Chaplain , Beasley Assist . Chaplain , Ilill S . D ., H . Spoor J . D ., Franks Sec , Percival Assist . Sec , G . Ellard D . C ., E . Morris I . G ., J . Manning and T . Barnos Stewards , Dean and Kirby Tylers ; Brook , Sampson and E . Croft Organists ; also Bros . DeDenno Assist . D . C ., T . Emery , E . J . Johnston
J . Franklin , G . Poutcher , A . Jones , S . J . Newman , J . Currall , P . Thursby , Eobinson 442 , S . W . James 737 , J . Hart 360 , Stackie 1391 . Opening the Lodge , reading the minutes of tho last meeting and other preliminary business were disposed of , the Lodge was advanced , and Bro . Frederick Thursby was examined and entrusted . On tho Lodgo being opened in the third degree , Bro . Thursby was re-admitted and raised to the sublime degree of Master
Mason , the W . M . performing the ceremony for his benefit in a perfect manner , ihe solemnity of the occasion being greatly heightened by the able manner in which Bro . Croft performed the duties of Organist . On the conclusion of the Ceremony , the Chaplain , Bro . Wigg P . A . G . C ., by command of the W . M ., delivered an exposition of the words of the Eoyal Solomon written in chap , xii of the Book called Ecclesiastes , as follows : —
Masonry opens its ears to all wisdom , from whatsover source it may be derived ; but it becomes us to listen with a special , as well as a respectful attention , to the words of our A . G . M . the Eoyal Solomon , nnder whose fostering care and protection our ancient brethren erected that stately Temple which has since become so essential a part of speculative Masonry .
Those singularly impressive words which I have , by command of the W . M ., just recited in your hearing are not , as some have supposed them to be , the wail of a disappointed old sensualist but the matured reflections of a wise man , one who had himself drained to tbe dregs all known sources of pleasure , the stores of intellect , science , philosophy , the delights of every variety of sensual indulgence , the interest and
excitement of ambition , power , commerce , had all , in turn , ministered to his pleasure until , at last when the lust of the eye and the pride of life had failed him , in his second childhood if you will , but in a child , hood which brought him into intimate contact with the highest wisdom , he draws a picture of the close of life , a graphio picture of an old man , in order forcibly to impress tho great lesson which true wisdom has at length taught him , the fear of God , the G . A . and
R . O . T . U . Eemember , he says , thy Creator in tho days of thy youth , ere those evil days of feeble old age , of the failure of bodily and mental streugth , come upon thee , for all elso is vanity . Let us then , Brethren , for a few . minntes examine tho picture , which has been drawn so long for our instruction , and whioh is brought before ns in what is , I may venture to say , one of the most solemn moments of our life when in s and in d tho venerable
exhortation of onr A . G . M . is rehearsed in our ears . Eemember thy Creator ere the sun , or tho light , or tho moon , or the stars be darkened , and the clouds return after tho rain . Under the figure of the approach of the rainy clouds of an eastern winter , the old man beholds death drawing nigh , dark clouds which will soon envelope him in their shadow , and hide from his sight the sun , tho
light , the moon , the stars . Wo know that these represent to us the M ., W . ' s and B . of a Lodge , and these by death will be hidden from his gaze ; but they may also be explained in another manner . The Sun is that inner light which God supplies to every man to aid him in hia work of self knowledge and self government— " the light that ia in thee . " The light is mental activity , sharp apprehension , serviceable
memory . The moon is the soul of man ; and the stars aro those lights with which science , art and nature illumine his path . The leading thonght then ia , that the mind and the senses become darkened , and the winter of life , with its clouds and storms , approaches . The details which follow only serve to deepen tho impression thus made . The keepers of the house tremble , the aged man is represented as a
house m a ruinous condition , the keepers are hia arma which supply the house with what it needs , and keep away from it whatever threatens to do it injury . These protectors of the house have lost their early vigour , and tremble and shake . The legs , which in the fulness of youthful strength were like strong men supporting the whole fabric , are now shrunken and loose . The maidens who ground
the corn in a hand-mill aro compared to tho teeth—the grinders rest because they have become few , they stand no longer in a row . And the women looking out of the windows can see no longer because it has become dark . The eyes of the soul , without which wo could not experience what sight is , look out by means of the external eyes , which have become weak , indistinct , darkened . And tbo doors to the
street aro closed when the mill sounds low—the lips , from the absence of teeth , come close together , and only a low dull sound is heard from the laborious and feeble action of the well-nigh toothless jaws . He rises np at the voice of a bird ; even the twittering of the sparrows in the caves ia sufficient to disturb his light slumbers . He no longer delights in the charms of music , the " daughters of song" must
timidly retire , ho cannot longer bear their melody . He is afraid of that which is high , he no longer dare ascend to giddy heights , even his feeble tottering ventures aro full of terrors to him , all kinds of perils present themselves to his imagination if ho but cross the street . The almond tree is in blossom ; the snow white hair crowns tho
head of the old man as the almond flowers cover tho tree with a profusion of white blossoms before the leave 3 appear . The hopping and chirping of the restless grasshopper is burdensome to him , its persistence annoys him . The capcrberry fails , —these berries aro used to flavour and season food , but even highly spiced dishes fail to tempt his morbid appetite .
Eleanor Cross Lodge, 1764, Northampton.
I For man gooth to his everlasting habitations , and tho mourners go about tho streets .
Now wo proceed to view the dissolution of tho life of the body , by which the separation of the soul aud the body , and tho return of both to their original conditions ia completed . Tho silver cord is loosed ; that mysterious means of communication which connects tho brain , the golden bowl , with tho body—so that what tho brain wills the various organs perform—is loosed . The golden
bowl itself is broken , it can no longer command , the communication lies useless , and tho limbs fall helpless and motionless . The wheel make 3 its last laborious revolution—it break 3 ; tho pitcher goes rattling down the well and is shattered , tho breathing ceases , the death rattle is heard , and life is extinguished . The worn ont worthless clay is committed to its parent earth , and
tho spirit returns to him who originally bestowed it . The dust returns to the earth aa it was , and tho spirit returns to God who gave it . This then , brethren , is the pictnro our A . G . M . drew of the close of lifo ; and for what purpose ia it portrayed ? Is it merely to awaken in onr mind a morbid sentimont ? Must we regard it only to cry ' vanitas vanitatnm , ' the wail of the sensualist and the fool ? Nay , ib is not so ! Tho Eoyal Solomon designed to teach us tho grand lesson
that the fear of God and tho keeping of His commandments is tho highest wisdom—that ia tho conclusion of the whole matter . This short life of ours is indeed vanity , and passeth away , but tho true wisdom teaches ns the duty wo owo to God and to each other , that when we pass in reality , as onr brethren havo figuratively done to-night , the mysterious portals of tho tomb of transgression , we shall be con . ducted under hia protection to tho G . L . above , where the world ' s G . A . lives and reigns .
So mote it be . After receiving report of a meeting of the permanent Committeo respecting financial matters , by which it was shown that tho Lodge ia established on a sound basis , by the principle Founders contributing £ 5 each , to raise a capital of £ 100 , on tho proposition of Bro . H . Brown J . W ., seconded by the W . M ., a vote of thanks to Bro Wigg
was passed for his eloquent exposition bearing on the third degree , tho Lodgo was closed after hearty good wishes from 360 , 442 , 737 , and 1391 had been acknowledged , and the brethren adjourned to tho Banquet Hall , where a thoroughly Masonic and genial evening waa spent . The usual toasts were given from tho chair , Bro . Wigg G . P . A . C . replying on behalf of tho Prov . Grand Officers . Bro . C . H .
Frank Sec . gave , in complimentary terms , the health of the W . M . Bro . Sandera said he waa proud to bo Master of tho Eleanor Cross , and spared no pains to maintain the hig h character of the Lodge , and shonld strive to make tho working perfect . Bro . Eov . T . C . Beasley proposed the health of the candidate , Bro . Thursby , whom they had that evening the pleasure of raising to the degree of
M . M . Another ( Bro . Donne ) was to havo shared this privilege with Bro . Thursby , but war prevented being presont by indisposition . Ho should , however , venture to include him in the toast , and to wish him a speedy restoration to health . With regard to Bro . Thursby , ho felt that the present occasion was particularly interesting , because ho ( Bro . Thursby . ) was expecting very shortly to leave England for tho
Cape . Generally , when a brother was raised to this degree they looked forward to being able often to welcome him in Lodge ; but , unfortunately , they could not indulge in this expectation in the present instance . Ho assured him , however , that ho would not be forgotten by the members of this Lodge , short as the time waa during which they had had tho pleasure of being associated with him as a Mason .
They all knew that ono of tho most beautiful of sights , and ono which remained longest impressed upon the memory was tho brilliant meteor which flashed across the sky and then disappeared . He prophesied that in like manner the memory of Bro . Thursby would dwell long upon their hearts , and they hoped they might one day welcome him again in 1764 . Ho reminded them that Bro . ThurBby's
destination was the Capo of Good Hope , and trusted that on their behalf and in their name , ho might assure him that it waa alao tho Cape of good wishes . To this Bro . Thursby responded , expressing regret at having to leave the country of his birth , and tho pleasant associations of the Eleanor Cross , and hoped that in the foreign land in which he was going to seek a resting place for the " solo of hia
foot , " he should meet with brethren who would be ready to continue his Masonic education . Bro . Wigg submitted the " Visitors , " expressing tho pleasuro it gave the brethren generally to welcome members of other Lodges , and on this occasion himself particularly to welcome a brother of weight from his mother Lodge . Each of
the Visitors acknowledged the compliment . The Officers of tho Lodgo was given by Bro . Newman , and was responded to by Bro . Sampson Organist . Bros . Atkins , Hart , Beasley , Sampson , Croft , Eobinson , Butcher , and Jones , contributed to tho harmony , and tho Tyler's Toast brought the enjoyment to a close .
Percy Lodge of Instruction . " No . 198 . —On Saturday , 21 st instant , at Bro . Fysh ' s , the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , Bro . Byng presided , being ably assisted by tho following Officers : —Bros . J . Lorkin S . W ., Snare J . W ., Pearcy Preceptor , A . W . Fenner Secretary , Spencer S . D ., Western J . D ., Carr I . G . There were also present Bros . C . Lorkin , D . Moss , J . Millington , E . Defriez , Gush ,
Garrod , Hallam sen ., W . Williams jun ., & c . Bro . J . Millington proved himself an efficient F . C ., and was dnly entrusted . Lodcre was opened up , and tho ceremony of raising was rehearsed by the W . M . in a very effective manner . Lodge was called off and on , and resumed to tho second degree , when the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , Bro . J . Lorkin acting as W . M . elect , the ceremony boing performed in such
an excellent manner as to elicit the approbation of all present . Bro . J . Lorkin worked the first , Bro . Hallam the second sections of tho first lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . H . G . Gush , of the Alexandra Palaco Lodge , No . 1541 , was duly elected a member . Auditors for tho annual accounts wero dnly appointed . Bro . J . Lorkin was reappointed W . M . for next Saturday , after which Lodgo was closed and adjourned .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Eleanor Cross Lodge, 1764, Northampton.
ELEANOR CROSS LODGE , 1764 , NORTHAMPTON .
THIS progressive and very prosperous Lodge held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday 17 th inst . ; the occasion was one of more than usual interest , as Bro . Thursby , a member of a family well known in the county of Northampton , wa 3 about to bid farewell , previously to sailing for the Cape . Bro . the Eev . S . J . W . Sanders P . G . C . presided , and was supported by the following Officers and
Brethren , viz . —Bros . Butler Wilkins D . P . G . M ., M . A . Boeme P . M ., H . J . Atkins S . W ., H . Brown J . W ., S . Wathen Wigg Chaplain , Beasley Assist . Chaplain , Ilill S . D ., H . Spoor J . D ., Franks Sec , Percival Assist . Sec , G . Ellard D . C ., E . Morris I . G ., J . Manning and T . Barnos Stewards , Dean and Kirby Tylers ; Brook , Sampson and E . Croft Organists ; also Bros . DeDenno Assist . D . C ., T . Emery , E . J . Johnston
J . Franklin , G . Poutcher , A . Jones , S . J . Newman , J . Currall , P . Thursby , Eobinson 442 , S . W . James 737 , J . Hart 360 , Stackie 1391 . Opening the Lodge , reading the minutes of tho last meeting and other preliminary business were disposed of , the Lodge was advanced , and Bro . Frederick Thursby was examined and entrusted . On tho Lodgo being opened in the third degree , Bro . Thursby was re-admitted and raised to the sublime degree of Master
Mason , the W . M . performing the ceremony for his benefit in a perfect manner , ihe solemnity of the occasion being greatly heightened by the able manner in which Bro . Croft performed the duties of Organist . On the conclusion of the Ceremony , the Chaplain , Bro . Wigg P . A . G . C ., by command of the W . M ., delivered an exposition of the words of the Eoyal Solomon written in chap , xii of the Book called Ecclesiastes , as follows : —
Masonry opens its ears to all wisdom , from whatsover source it may be derived ; but it becomes us to listen with a special , as well as a respectful attention , to the words of our A . G . M . the Eoyal Solomon , nnder whose fostering care and protection our ancient brethren erected that stately Temple which has since become so essential a part of speculative Masonry .
Those singularly impressive words which I have , by command of the W . M ., just recited in your hearing are not , as some have supposed them to be , the wail of a disappointed old sensualist but the matured reflections of a wise man , one who had himself drained to tbe dregs all known sources of pleasure , the stores of intellect , science , philosophy , the delights of every variety of sensual indulgence , the interest and
excitement of ambition , power , commerce , had all , in turn , ministered to his pleasure until , at last when the lust of the eye and the pride of life had failed him , in his second childhood if you will , but in a child , hood which brought him into intimate contact with the highest wisdom , he draws a picture of the close of life , a graphio picture of an old man , in order forcibly to impress tho great lesson which true wisdom has at length taught him , the fear of God , the G . A . and
R . O . T . U . Eemember , he says , thy Creator in tho days of thy youth , ere those evil days of feeble old age , of the failure of bodily and mental streugth , come upon thee , for all elso is vanity . Let us then , Brethren , for a few . minntes examine tho picture , which has been drawn so long for our instruction , and whioh is brought before ns in what is , I may venture to say , one of the most solemn moments of our life when in s and in d tho venerable
exhortation of onr A . G . M . is rehearsed in our ears . Eemember thy Creator ere the sun , or tho light , or tho moon , or the stars be darkened , and the clouds return after tho rain . Under the figure of the approach of the rainy clouds of an eastern winter , the old man beholds death drawing nigh , dark clouds which will soon envelope him in their shadow , and hide from his sight the sun , tho
light , the moon , the stars . Wo know that these represent to us the M ., W . ' s and B . of a Lodge , and these by death will be hidden from his gaze ; but they may also be explained in another manner . The Sun is that inner light which God supplies to every man to aid him in hia work of self knowledge and self government— " the light that ia in thee . " The light is mental activity , sharp apprehension , serviceable
memory . The moon is the soul of man ; and the stars aro those lights with which science , art and nature illumine his path . The leading thonght then ia , that the mind and the senses become darkened , and the winter of life , with its clouds and storms , approaches . The details which follow only serve to deepen tho impression thus made . The keepers of the house tremble , the aged man is represented as a
house m a ruinous condition , the keepers are hia arma which supply the house with what it needs , and keep away from it whatever threatens to do it injury . These protectors of the house have lost their early vigour , and tremble and shake . The legs , which in the fulness of youthful strength were like strong men supporting the whole fabric , are now shrunken and loose . The maidens who ground
the corn in a hand-mill aro compared to tho teeth—the grinders rest because they have become few , they stand no longer in a row . And the women looking out of the windows can see no longer because it has become dark . The eyes of the soul , without which wo could not experience what sight is , look out by means of the external eyes , which have become weak , indistinct , darkened . And tbo doors to the
street aro closed when the mill sounds low—the lips , from the absence of teeth , come close together , and only a low dull sound is heard from the laborious and feeble action of the well-nigh toothless jaws . He rises np at the voice of a bird ; even the twittering of the sparrows in the caves ia sufficient to disturb his light slumbers . He no longer delights in the charms of music , the " daughters of song" must
timidly retire , ho cannot longer bear their melody . He is afraid of that which is high , he no longer dare ascend to giddy heights , even his feeble tottering ventures aro full of terrors to him , all kinds of perils present themselves to his imagination if ho but cross the street . The almond tree is in blossom ; the snow white hair crowns tho
head of the old man as the almond flowers cover tho tree with a profusion of white blossoms before the leave 3 appear . The hopping and chirping of the restless grasshopper is burdensome to him , its persistence annoys him . The capcrberry fails , —these berries aro used to flavour and season food , but even highly spiced dishes fail to tempt his morbid appetite .
Eleanor Cross Lodge, 1764, Northampton.
I For man gooth to his everlasting habitations , and tho mourners go about tho streets .
Now wo proceed to view the dissolution of tho life of the body , by which the separation of the soul aud the body , and tho return of both to their original conditions ia completed . Tho silver cord is loosed ; that mysterious means of communication which connects tho brain , the golden bowl , with tho body—so that what tho brain wills the various organs perform—is loosed . The golden
bowl itself is broken , it can no longer command , the communication lies useless , and tho limbs fall helpless and motionless . The wheel make 3 its last laborious revolution—it break 3 ; tho pitcher goes rattling down the well and is shattered , tho breathing ceases , the death rattle is heard , and life is extinguished . The worn ont worthless clay is committed to its parent earth , and
tho spirit returns to him who originally bestowed it . The dust returns to the earth aa it was , and tho spirit returns to God who gave it . This then , brethren , is the pictnro our A . G . M . drew of the close of lifo ; and for what purpose ia it portrayed ? Is it merely to awaken in onr mind a morbid sentimont ? Must we regard it only to cry ' vanitas vanitatnm , ' the wail of the sensualist and the fool ? Nay , ib is not so ! Tho Eoyal Solomon designed to teach us tho grand lesson
that the fear of God and tho keeping of His commandments is tho highest wisdom—that ia tho conclusion of the whole matter . This short life of ours is indeed vanity , and passeth away , but tho true wisdom teaches ns the duty wo owo to God and to each other , that when we pass in reality , as onr brethren havo figuratively done to-night , the mysterious portals of tho tomb of transgression , we shall be con . ducted under hia protection to tho G . L . above , where the world ' s G . A . lives and reigns .
So mote it be . After receiving report of a meeting of the permanent Committeo respecting financial matters , by which it was shown that tho Lodge ia established on a sound basis , by the principle Founders contributing £ 5 each , to raise a capital of £ 100 , on tho proposition of Bro . H . Brown J . W ., seconded by the W . M ., a vote of thanks to Bro Wigg
was passed for his eloquent exposition bearing on the third degree , tho Lodgo was closed after hearty good wishes from 360 , 442 , 737 , and 1391 had been acknowledged , and the brethren adjourned to tho Banquet Hall , where a thoroughly Masonic and genial evening waa spent . The usual toasts were given from tho chair , Bro . Wigg G . P . A . C . replying on behalf of tho Prov . Grand Officers . Bro . C . H .
Frank Sec . gave , in complimentary terms , the health of the W . M . Bro . Sandera said he waa proud to bo Master of tho Eleanor Cross , and spared no pains to maintain the hig h character of the Lodge , and shonld strive to make tho working perfect . Bro . Eov . T . C . Beasley proposed the health of the candidate , Bro . Thursby , whom they had that evening the pleasure of raising to the degree of
M . M . Another ( Bro . Donne ) was to havo shared this privilege with Bro . Thursby , but war prevented being presont by indisposition . Ho should , however , venture to include him in the toast , and to wish him a speedy restoration to health . With regard to Bro . Thursby , ho felt that the present occasion was particularly interesting , because ho ( Bro . Thursby . ) was expecting very shortly to leave England for tho
Cape . Generally , when a brother was raised to this degree they looked forward to being able often to welcome him in Lodge ; but , unfortunately , they could not indulge in this expectation in the present instance . Ho assured him , however , that ho would not be forgotten by the members of this Lodge , short as the time waa during which they had had tho pleasure of being associated with him as a Mason .
They all knew that ono of tho most beautiful of sights , and ono which remained longest impressed upon the memory was tho brilliant meteor which flashed across the sky and then disappeared . He prophesied that in like manner the memory of Bro . Thursby would dwell long upon their hearts , and they hoped they might one day welcome him again in 1764 . Ho reminded them that Bro . ThurBby's
destination was the Capo of Good Hope , and trusted that on their behalf and in their name , ho might assure him that it waa alao tho Cape of good wishes . To this Bro . Thursby responded , expressing regret at having to leave the country of his birth , and tho pleasant associations of the Eleanor Cross , and hoped that in the foreign land in which he was going to seek a resting place for the " solo of hia
foot , " he should meet with brethren who would be ready to continue his Masonic education . Bro . Wigg submitted the " Visitors , " expressing tho pleasuro it gave the brethren generally to welcome members of other Lodges , and on this occasion himself particularly to welcome a brother of weight from his mother Lodge . Each of
the Visitors acknowledged the compliment . The Officers of tho Lodgo was given by Bro . Newman , and was responded to by Bro . Sampson Organist . Bros . Atkins , Hart , Beasley , Sampson , Croft , Eobinson , Butcher , and Jones , contributed to tho harmony , and tho Tyler's Toast brought the enjoyment to a close .
Percy Lodge of Instruction . " No . 198 . —On Saturday , 21 st instant , at Bro . Fysh ' s , the Jolly Farmers , Southgate-road , Bro . Byng presided , being ably assisted by tho following Officers : —Bros . J . Lorkin S . W ., Snare J . W ., Pearcy Preceptor , A . W . Fenner Secretary , Spencer S . D ., Western J . D ., Carr I . G . There were also present Bros . C . Lorkin , D . Moss , J . Millington , E . Defriez , Gush ,
Garrod , Hallam sen ., W . Williams jun ., & c . Bro . J . Millington proved himself an efficient F . C ., and was dnly entrusted . Lodcre was opened up , and tho ceremony of raising was rehearsed by the W . M . in a very effective manner . Lodge was called off and on , and resumed to tho second degree , when the ceremony of installation was rehearsed , Bro . J . Lorkin acting as W . M . elect , the ceremony boing performed in such
an excellent manner as to elicit the approbation of all present . Bro . J . Lorkin worked the first , Bro . Hallam the second sections of tho first lecture , assisted by the brethren . Bro . H . G . Gush , of the Alexandra Palaco Lodge , No . 1541 , was duly elected a member . Auditors for tho annual accounts wero dnly appointed . Bro . J . Lorkin was reappointed W . M . for next Saturday , after which Lodgo was closed and adjourned .