The History Of Craft Masonry In Reading.

THE HISTORY OF CRAFT MASONRY IN READING .

An Address , delivered hy Bro . Chas . Oades W . M . to the Union Lodge 414 , on Tuesday , Wth December 1879 . ( Continuod from page 119 . ) In 1843 , Bro . John Jackson Blandy was installed W . M ., tho Lodgo also went into mourning for twelve months on account of the death of H . E . H . tho Duke of Sussex G . M .

In 1845 , the Lodgo also went into mourning for six months , on account of the death of Bro . Eamsbottom E . W . Prov . G . M . af Berkshire . In December of this year Bro . J . Leaver was initiated , and in the following April was appointed Secretary , an office ho held uninterruptedly nntil last Christmas . In June 1817 , tho lato Bro . Botloy was initiated , and on the samo

evening Bro . tho Eev . Arthur Eoberts , tho presont Vicar of Barkham , and for many years the Chaplain of the Lodge , was initiated . About this period in our history of tho Lodge the minnto book invariably ends as follows , " and tho brethren retired to the Georgo Inn , whore thoy partook of a banquet , and afterwards separated at an early hour . "

In February 1848 , there was a vory largo gathering of tho Craft , tho occasion being the Installation of tho Marqnis of Downshire as W . M . of tho Lodgo of Union , and afterwards , at a P . G . Lodge , as E . W . P . G . Master of Berks and Backs . The same P . G . M . was reelected the following year , but all the work appears to have been done by Bro . Gibson , who acted as D . P . G . M .

In April 1850 , appears the name of Bro . F . A . Bnlley as initiated , and in November Bro . Sir C . S . Paul Hunter as joining . Bro . H . E . Jordan prosided over the Lodge this year , and distinguished himself as a very ecorgetio Mason . In March 1851 , Bro . Eobt . Gibson P . M . offered 40 , 000 bricks as a

contribution towards building a Masonio Hall ; a committee was at onco appointed to make inquiries as to a suitable site , and to ascertain what support tho scheme was likely to meet with . In the following month tho Marquis of Downshire held a P . G . Lodge in the Town Hall . In Juno Bro . W . H . Ferguson , the father of my enorgetio J . D ., first saw the light of a Mason .

In March 1853 , tho Lodgo passed a resolution to havo only three banquets yearly ( previously they had a banquet after every Lodge ) . In 185-4 , Bro . the Eev . Arthur Eoberts ( now Vicar of Barkham ) , was installed tho W . M ., and at his first Lodge initiated that ornament of Masonry , Bro . W . W . Moxhay , onr present installing Master ; this is now a quarter of a century ago , but his frequent prosonce amongst

ns testifies that his interest lin tho Craft and tho welfare of tho Lodge is still undiminished . In 1855 , tho lato Bro . Botloy was W . M . ; ho had a heavy year's work during his Mastership ; at his last Lodge three initiations , one passing , and two raisings ! Bro . Moxhay was elected W . M . in 1857 . In 1859 , tho Lodgo again migrated to the room in St . Lauronco ' s

Churchyard . The 23 rd of March in this year was a red lottor day for tho Masons of Eoading , for tho offer of Bro . Eobt . Gibson ( previously alluded to ) boro frnit ; and the foundation stono of this beautiful Lodgo room was laid by tho Marqnis of Downshire ; tho brethren attended St . Lanronco's Church , the services being conducted by Bro . Sir J . W . Hayes , who read tho prayors , and Bro . A .

Eoberts , who preached the sermon , which was appropriate to the occasion . Tho first Lodge was held in tho new building on tho 20 th November 1860 . Bro . J . B . Clacy was the Architect , and was installed as the first Master in the new building . In February 1861 , Bros . W . P . Ivey and E . C . Hurley , both prominent among the Masons of Eeading , were received into the Craft ,

and at the following Lodgo , Bro . Chas . Smith , one of our P . M . 's , who still visits the room where ho first saw the Masonic light , was initiated . In 1862 , the Lodge appears to have been worked very badly , and one of the P . M . ' s proposed a resolution equivalent to a vote of censure at the November Lodge ; it was not carried , but the brethren appear to have marked their sense of the W . M . ' s shortcomings by

not voting him the usual jewel . In April 1863 , the following resolution was carried : — " That no brother shall be installed into the chair unless he can open and close the Lodge in the three degrees , and bo able to perform the ceremonies of initiation and passing ; and that tho W . M ., and two P . M . ' s appointed by him , shall examine the brother proposed to be elected as W . M . as to his efficiency , and decide thereon . "

In June 1863 , Bro . Stransom , the present Treasuror of 1101 , was initiated , and in August Bro . Hounslow P . M . also came into the Craft . In this year tho number of the Lodge was altered from 597 to 414 . In January 1864 , Bro . Eobt . Bradley , our Prov . G . Sec , was received into the Craft . Tho samo evening Bro . Moxhay appears to have installed tho W . M . for the first time . In this year the brothrcn , by

great exertion , succeeded in getting the daughter of the late Bro . Jordan elected into the Girls' School . In May , Bro . Wcightman was initiated . In March 1865 , Bro . Botley presented a now Bible to tho Lodge , tho old one being presented to Bro . Body . In 1866 , Bro . A . Sellar was W . M . In March of this year tho I . P . M . Bro . Hole died , and thirty-six of tho brethren attended the funeral , and in the samo month

the officers of 414 signed a petition for the constitution of a new Lodgo in Eeading , which was speedily carried into effect ; and the Grey Friars Lodge , No . 1101 , was constitnted by the Grand Eogistrar of England ( who was then acting P . G . M . of Berks and Bucks ) , on tho 17 th May , and Bro . W . P . Ivey , tho S . W . of 414 , was installed as the first Master . From that time to the present , under a succession

of energetic W . M . ' s , the Lodgo has had a continuous career of prosperity . In November of this yoar , Bro . Sir Peter Spokes was initiated , and at the following Lodgo Bro . Weightman presented tho perfect ashlar with appurtenances , for which a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation . Bro . Chae . Smith was the W . M . for 18 G 7 , and on tho first meeting

The History Of Craft Masonry In Reading.

a petition for tho formation of a E . A . Chapter in connection with 414 was agreed to , and tho Chapter was duly formod . In Maroh , Bro . Joseph Morris wa 3 initiated , and Bro . Weightman received the thanks of tho Lodgo for the broken column prosented by him . Bro . John Old wa 3 W . M . for 1868 . In December of that year an official notice was received that Sir Daniol Gooch , Bart . M . P ., waa

appointed Prov . G . M . for Berks and Bucks , which office ho still holds , to tho groat advantage of the province . In 1869 , Bro . J . T . Blowers was W . M ., and in 1870 Bro . Hounslow . This was an important year for the Masons , as tho now Prov . G . M . published a frosh sot of By-laws for tho gnidanco of tho Province , to

which was added a TOstory of tho Province , by Bro . W . Biggs P . M . Prov . G . See . In 1871 , Bro . Eobort Bradloy , onr prosont activo Prov . G . See ., filled tho chair , and in 1872 Bro . J . A . Strachan was installed . In November of this year Bro . W . Biggs was mado an hon . momber , in recognition of his many services , both in thi 3 province and that of Wilts .

Bro . J . Weightman waa W . M . in 1873 ; in April of this yoar an effort was commenced to reduco the mortgago debt on tho Lodgo premises , by setting apart for that purpose tho rents received from the Grey Friars Lodgo and Union Chapter . In November Bro . Weightman , in addition to his many other gifts , presoutod a set of silver third degreo working tools , for which a vote of thanks was carried by

acclamation . Bro . Joseph Morris was W . M . in 1871 , and initiated Bros . F . J . Ferguson , M . J . Withers , D . H . Withcrington and S . Wheolor , all of whom aro now Officers , and I hopo will in duo timo occupy thia chair . In 1875 , Bro . Strickland was W . M ., and in February initiatod Bro . C . Stephens , the presont J . W . of tho Lodge and G . Treasurer of the Province . H . E . H . tho Prince of Wales was installed M . W . G . M . of

England in the Albert Hall , London , a largo number of P . M . 's and brethron from this Province attending . In June the brethren invited Bro . tho Eev . A . P . Purey-Cnst to a banquot on his leaving Eeading , about sixty attended . Bro . A . M . Yetts was installed in 1 S 76 , and during his year of office , a very handsome jewel , subscribed for by tho two Lodges , was

presented to Bro . Moxhay , in appreciation of his sorvices as Installing Master . Sir D . Gooch , Bart . M . P . the Prov . G . M . attending to make tho presentation . In April Bro . tho Eev . N . T . Garry our present Chaplain was initiated . On the completion of his year of office , Bro . Yetta presented the Lodgo with a complete set of working tools , f o » which a vote of thanks was recorded .

Bro . S . A . Pocock was W . M . in 1877 , and in this yoar Bro . Weightman represented the Lodgo a 3 Steward at tho E . M . I . B ., tho Lodge voting ten guineas to his list . As the number of Trustees was considerably reduced by death , new Trustees of tho bnilding wero appointed , consisting of Bros . Moxhay , E . Bradley , Weightman , Morria and Chas . Stephens ; opportunity was taken to reduce tho mortgage

debt by tho payment of £ 100 , leaving £ 400 still owing . In 1878 , Bro . E . Baker was installed W . M ., in which year Bro . E . Bradloy P . M . Prov . G . Sec . went np as Stoward to the Festival of the E . M . I . G . the Lodge voting ton guineas to his list . In November the W . M . announced that Bro . Leaver , who had beon Socretary of tho Lodgo for moro than thirty years , was compolled

by failing health to resign his office . Having to examine every page of the minute book for moro than 33 years to extract tho details which I havo had tho pleasure of submitting to tho Lodgo , no ono better than myself can testify as to tho most cxcellont way in which tho minutes havo been kept , and I trust tho brethren will all put their shoulders to tho wheel , and help to secure for Bro . Leavor the

pension for which ho is a candidate , arid which ho so richly deserves . I havo now traced ( a 3 far as the records will allow ) tho careor of Craft Masonry from its commencement in Eoading down to tho present year , which has been principally distinguished by tho recent visit of the M . W . the Pro G . M . to set tho memorial stone of the new Town Hall

and other buildings , which , when completed , will prove of incalculable advantage to this Town , and when in two or threo years a splendid pile of buildings occupy tho ground where we stood on that day , every Mason who was present will feel proud that he took a part , however humble , in its inauguration .

Tho J . W . Bro . C . Stephens proposed a voto of thanks to tho W . M . for his very entertaining and instructive address , which was seconded and carried with enthusiastic acclamation .

Grey Friars Lodge , No . 1101 . —Tho regular monthly meeting of this Lodgo took place at tho Masonic Hall , Eeading , on Wednesday 11 th February . Present—Bros . Danks W . M ., Flanagan I . P . M ., Ferguson S . W ., Blackwell J . W ., Stransom Treas ., Ivey P . M . Sec , Dowsett S . D ., Prickott Steward acting J . D ., Hawkes D . C ., Newman I . G ., Hemraings Tyler ; Past Masters Bros . Welch and

Margrott ; Bros . Vowles , Hukins , Ehind , Beoton , Bailey , 0 . Weather , head , Wort , Fitcombe . Visitors—Bros . J . Williams , J . W . Creaton Lodge 1791 , S . Bradley W . M . 414 , Withers Sec . 414 , Wheeler J . D . 414 , Trill Ellington 1666 , Moody P . M . Tho Great City 1426 . Lodgo was opened , and tho minntes of last rcgnlar Lodgo wero read and confirmed . Bros . Collins , Wort , and Titcombo gave proof of

thoir efficiency , wero entrusted , and , with Bro . Weathcrhcad , wore passed to the degreo of F . C ., tho W . M . giving tho charge . Tho Treasurer ' s accounts as audited by tho Permanent Committee wore passed ; there was a balanco of ovor £ 30 iu hand . Bro . Bailey gavo notico of motion "that tho sum of Ton Guineas from

tho Funds of tho Lodgo bo voted to tho E . M . I . G ., tho same to bo added to tho list of tho W . M ., who will represent tho Lodgo at tho forthcoming Festival . " The labours of the evening being onded , tho Lodgo was closed according to ancient form , and adjourned to the second Wednesday in tho ensuing month .

The Fifteen Sections will bo worked in tho Constitutional Lodgo of Instruction , No . 55 , at tbe Bedford Hotol , Southampton-buildings , on the fourth Taesdoy in March .