Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .
rpHE periodical gatherings of tho Freemasons of the Province of J- Cumberland and Westmoreland , in Provincial meeting assembled , are , under ordinary circumstances , looked forward to and appreciated by tho brethren as amongst the most enjoyable reunions of the Order . Tho anticipated pleasure of tho Festival on the 21 st inst . was , however , greatly enhanced by the fact that , in
addition to the transaction of the usual business , a testimonial was to be presented at the meeting to Bro . W . B . Gibson P . M . 119 , Whitehaven , P . P . G . S . W . P . P . Grand Secretary . Bro . Gibson was elected P . G . S . in the year 1873 , on the retirement of Bro . Busher , t . f Kendal ; and from that time until the Provincial Meeting held at Workington on 10 th October 1881 ( a period of eight years ) , at which Bro . Gibson
tendered his resignation , he discharged the onerous duties of his office with the zeal and ability which all who had had an opportunity of estimating at their true value his previous services to the Craft felt would be certain to characterise his official labours . Having assigned as his reason for resigning office the pressing emergencies of his public aud private avocations , the brethren were reluctantly
compelled to accept Bro . Gibson s resignation ; and very shortly afterwards a movement , originated , wo , believe , on the suggestion of Bro . G . W . Kenworthy—an equally champion local veteran in Freemasonry , by-the-bye , with Bro . Gibson himself—was set on foot with the view of presenting to the latter gentleman some substantial testimonial in recognition of the eminent services which he had
rendered to the Craft in general and to the Proviuce of Cumberland and Westmoreland in particular . With a Committee composed of most of the influential members of the Lodges in the Province , including aa President and Vice-President , respectively , the Right Hon . the Earl of Bective , M . P . P . G . M . and J . L . Burns-Lindow , Esq . D . PG . M ., the labours of the promoters of the testimonial were speedily crowned
with success ; indeed , almost from the first , such was the popularity of the subject of the intended testimonial , success was foregone conclusion , by no means the least gratifying fact in connection with the testimonial being the voluntary nature of the contributions thereto . Tho testimonial consisted of a handsomo silver salver , supplied by Bro . Spittall , Whitehaven , bearing tho following inscription : —
'' Presented to W . B . Gibson P . P . G . S . W . on his retirement from the office of Provincial Grand Secretary of Cumberland and Westmoreland , in recognition of his valuable services , 1882 . " likewise a beautifully executed portrait of Bro . Gibson , photographed and painted in oil by Messrs . John Eeay and Son , of Whitehaven , Cleator Moor , and St . Bees , and a purse containing fifty guineas .
To Bro . Milligan P . M . 119 , who acted as honorary Secretary and Treasurer , the brethren throughout the Province , aud particularly the subscribers to the testimonial , owe a debt of gratitude for the trouble incurred by him in takiug charge of the " Gibson Testimonial Fund , " and generally for the laudable exertions made by him which so unequivocally resulted in the success of the undertaking .
The brethren assembled at balf-past two o ' clock in the Count y Hotel , nnd ^ r the banner of Union Lod ge No . 310 , Carlisle . In the un avoidable absence of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Bective , Bro . J . L . Burns-Lindow , Esq ., D . P . G . M . presided , and , assisted by the rest of the Provincial Officers , opened the Lodge in due form . Tho following brethren were also present
—Bro . George J . M'Kay , W . B . Gibson , G . W . Kenworthy , John Barr , Edward Atter , William Alsop , John Spittall , Thomas Atkinson , George Dalrymple , Charles J . Dalton , Joshua Tyson , John Milligan , William HansoD , William Cowan , W . Kirkbride , Joseph Pearson , W . Bell , J . Haswell , J . Nelson , W . Blaylock , Jesse Banning , John Harris , John Gate , T . Mandell , W . Court , J . C .
Mason , Thomas Kirkbride , T . B . Thwaite , John Pearson , Thomas Eicbardson , George Sowerbv , W . Cockett , William Carlyle , Morant Compton . Andrew Walton , W . Burnyeat , W . Eailton , Geo . Murchie , George G . Hay ward , J . W . Snlisbury , J . Cook , W . Middleton , P . de E . Collin , John Nicholson , John Reay , Samuel Wright , R . L . Court , Henry Court , aud John Murray . The minutes of tho Provincial
Grand Lodge held at Workington , on the 7 th October last , having been read , on the motion of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the same were confirmed . The Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . J . McKay then received the dues from the respective Lodges of the Province , together with the fees of honour from Provincial Grand Officers . The next business on the agenda paper was " to reco-nmend
to the Provincial Grand Master the place of meetiug for the celebration of the annual festival , " and on the motion of Brother Cook , Master of Bective Lodge , seconded by Brother Potter , it was arranged to hold the annual meeting at Carlisle , in accordance with the suggestion of Brother Masou at a former meeting . Brother W . ]! . Gibson , in moving the adoption of the Chnritv Committee ' s Report , said
the Committee recommended a grant of . Go to the widow of the lute Bro . Hnggins , also £ 25 to the Benevolent Fund to meet future limilar requirements , and fifty guineas , as a donation to the Royal Misonic Benevolent Institution , in accordance with the motion previously given by Bro . M'Kay . On the motion of Bro . Gibson , a letter of condolence with the family of the late Bro . Joseph Iredale , who filled
the post of Deputy Grand Master of Cumberland , under the late Sir James Graham , was ordered to be forwarded to the family of the deceased brother . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master said a part of the business on the programme was of . a somewhat pecnliar character , differing altogether from the ordinary business of the Lod"e ,
inasmuch as it was mixed with feelings of pleasnre and regret . The feelings of pleasnre were those which ho hoped prevailed in every breast , and that all present would be ready to acknowledge as heartily as possible the valuable services which had been rendered to the Craft by their worthy brcther on his right ( Bro . Gibson ) . For many years Bru . Gibson had laboured in the cause of Freemasonry—he
might say , night and day ; he had always been in season , and , to use an Irish expression , ho had very often been out of it—for one never could meet him but he was sure to " button-hole " one for that most odious of things , money out of pocket . But , joking apart , the services which Bro . Gibson had rendered to this Province could not be measured by any one , or told by words ; and he ( the speaker )
felt sure that although they might offer Bro . Gibson this testimonial , and ask him to receive it as an expression of their appreciation of his services , they conld not in any way measure the value of them . The Province had beeu appealed to to recognise in a fitting manner the good work which Bro . Gibson had done , and he was proud to say that that appeal had been heartily responded to , and in
snch a manner to show that it was not the amount of the subsorip . tions , but the exceeding hearty good feeling whioh had always beeu evinced in his ( Bro . Gibson's ) own case , generally upon all ocoasious in the every-day walks of life , and in Masonry in particular , that had evoked that response ; and he felt certain that it would be a far greater pleasure to Bro . Gibson to know that he enjoyed the good
feeling of the brethren throughout the Province than it would have been had things been otherwise , notwithstanding the intrinsic value of the testimonial which they were about to offer to him might have been of five times greater value than it was . After carefully considering the matter , the brethren had decided to offer Bro . Gibson this salver ( presenting it ) as a small token of their appreciation of his
valuable services , as well as a pledge of the brethren s estimation of his fraternal worth ; likewise his portrait , and a purse containing fifty guineas . He ( the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ) was sorry to announce that owing to some delay on tho part of the firm in London to whom the portrait of Bro . Gibson—whioh , in addition to the above , formed a part of the testimonial—had been entrusted by Bro . Eeay
for the purpose of framing , had not arrived , but he ( the Deputy Pro - vincial Grand Master ) hnppened to possess a photograph which he believed was quite as good as the portrait which nnfortunately had not come to hand , if not as good as the original . ( The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , amid the laughter of the brethren , and whioh was heartily shared in by Bro . Gibson , here disclosed a small toilet
mirror , and holding it before Bro . Gibson , that worthy beheld in it his own happy face , all radiant with smiles , as it mostly is—a lifelike likeness ) . Tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master then formally presented the several gifts to Bro . Gibson , observing as he did so , on behalf of the donors , that they were accompanied by all the feelings of goodwill whioh one man , or any body of men , could possibly
entertain towards any individual , Maaonically and otherwise . He also handed to Bro . Gibson a book containing a list of the subscribers . Bro . Gibson , in acknowledging the compliment paid to him , said he could hardly find words to express the feelings by which he was animated , feelings of deep gratitude for the loving kindness evinced by the brethren of the Province in presenting him with such a valuable
testimonial of their affection and regard for him , and their appreciation of the humble services which he had been able to render in the interests of Masonry in the Province . He could assure them that , in discharging the duties he had done for the past eight years , he had done so without the hope of favour or reward . He had done it in the interests of the Craft , and because he had felt a love for Masonry .
Wherever he had been as Provincial Secretary , whatever Lodge he had visited , he had always been received with the greatest kindness by those whom it was his pleasure as well as hia duty to meet in his official capacity . For nearly twenty-five years he had been associated with Masonry , and during the whole of that time he had appreciated the desire evinced by the brethren to promote good feeling and
kindheartedness one towards another , very superior , he thought he might say , to what it was in the open world . He believed that Masons , as sons of light , evinced a greater amount of kindness towards each other than was common between man and man in the outer world . Some of the happiest moments of his life had been spent amongst Masons . To-day the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland had overwhelmed him with their kindness . The
kindnesses he had received during the past twenty-five years had so accumulated that latterly they had literally showered upon him j and he felt himself altogether undeserving of so much kindness . It had pleased the brethren of the Province to present him with this handsome testimonial , and he could only say that he accepted it with heartfelt thankfulness , and as long aa life remained , he should look
upon that testimonial as conveying to his mind a feeling of affection and regard on the part of his brother Masons which time conld never extinguish . He hoped to retain as long as he lived his association with Masonry , and to be instrumental to the end in spreading a knowledge of its beneficent principles ; and that as Masons they might continue to meet and ever keep in view as one of the principal
objects of their meeting the subduing of their passions , until they ultimately reached the Grand Lodge above . He hoped and trusted that the principles of Freemasonry would be so practised as to lead not only to their temporal benefit , but also to their eternal happiness . Ho concluded by again thanking the brethren for their kindness towards him . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master being
obliged to leave , then vacated " the chair , the scat being filled by Bro . Gibson , by whom the Lodge wa 3 closed in due form . The brethren subsequently lunched together at the County Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Gibson . Besides the usual Loyal toasts , the health oF the Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Bective , proposed from the chair , and responded to by Bro . the Rev . Joshua Tyson , with whom the toast was coupled , was cordially Master
drank , as was also that of the Deputy Provincial Grand , and the rest of the Provincial Officers , proposed by Brother M Kay , and responded to Bro . John Barr , with whose name the toast wa 3 coupled . Bro . Gibson also proposed the health of Bro . Court W . M . of the Union Lodge , No . 310 , under whose bauuer the proceedings of the day had been held , and likewise the health of Bro . Cook W . M . ot the Bective Lodge , both of whom responded . The arrangements throughout were most complete , and reflected great credit , not only upon Bro . George J . M'Kay P . G . Secretary , but likewise upon tw Master and Officers of the Bective aud Uniou Lodges , Carlisle , tue
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmoreland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORELAND .
rpHE periodical gatherings of tho Freemasons of the Province of J- Cumberland and Westmoreland , in Provincial meeting assembled , are , under ordinary circumstances , looked forward to and appreciated by tho brethren as amongst the most enjoyable reunions of the Order . Tho anticipated pleasure of tho Festival on the 21 st inst . was , however , greatly enhanced by the fact that , in
addition to the transaction of the usual business , a testimonial was to be presented at the meeting to Bro . W . B . Gibson P . M . 119 , Whitehaven , P . P . G . S . W . P . P . Grand Secretary . Bro . Gibson was elected P . G . S . in the year 1873 , on the retirement of Bro . Busher , t . f Kendal ; and from that time until the Provincial Meeting held at Workington on 10 th October 1881 ( a period of eight years ) , at which Bro . Gibson
tendered his resignation , he discharged the onerous duties of his office with the zeal and ability which all who had had an opportunity of estimating at their true value his previous services to the Craft felt would be certain to characterise his official labours . Having assigned as his reason for resigning office the pressing emergencies of his public aud private avocations , the brethren were reluctantly
compelled to accept Bro . Gibson s resignation ; and very shortly afterwards a movement , originated , wo , believe , on the suggestion of Bro . G . W . Kenworthy—an equally champion local veteran in Freemasonry , by-the-bye , with Bro . Gibson himself—was set on foot with the view of presenting to the latter gentleman some substantial testimonial in recognition of the eminent services which he had
rendered to the Craft in general and to the Proviuce of Cumberland and Westmoreland in particular . With a Committee composed of most of the influential members of the Lodges in the Province , including aa President and Vice-President , respectively , the Right Hon . the Earl of Bective , M . P . P . G . M . and J . L . Burns-Lindow , Esq . D . PG . M ., the labours of the promoters of the testimonial were speedily crowned
with success ; indeed , almost from the first , such was the popularity of the subject of the intended testimonial , success was foregone conclusion , by no means the least gratifying fact in connection with the testimonial being the voluntary nature of the contributions thereto . Tho testimonial consisted of a handsomo silver salver , supplied by Bro . Spittall , Whitehaven , bearing tho following inscription : —
'' Presented to W . B . Gibson P . P . G . S . W . on his retirement from the office of Provincial Grand Secretary of Cumberland and Westmoreland , in recognition of his valuable services , 1882 . " likewise a beautifully executed portrait of Bro . Gibson , photographed and painted in oil by Messrs . John Eeay and Son , of Whitehaven , Cleator Moor , and St . Bees , and a purse containing fifty guineas .
To Bro . Milligan P . M . 119 , who acted as honorary Secretary and Treasurer , the brethren throughout the Province , aud particularly the subscribers to the testimonial , owe a debt of gratitude for the trouble incurred by him in takiug charge of the " Gibson Testimonial Fund , " and generally for the laudable exertions made by him which so unequivocally resulted in the success of the undertaking .
The brethren assembled at balf-past two o ' clock in the Count y Hotel , nnd ^ r the banner of Union Lod ge No . 310 , Carlisle . In the un avoidable absence of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Bective , Bro . J . L . Burns-Lindow , Esq ., D . P . G . M . presided , and , assisted by the rest of the Provincial Officers , opened the Lodge in due form . Tho following brethren were also present
—Bro . George J . M'Kay , W . B . Gibson , G . W . Kenworthy , John Barr , Edward Atter , William Alsop , John Spittall , Thomas Atkinson , George Dalrymple , Charles J . Dalton , Joshua Tyson , John Milligan , William HansoD , William Cowan , W . Kirkbride , Joseph Pearson , W . Bell , J . Haswell , J . Nelson , W . Blaylock , Jesse Banning , John Harris , John Gate , T . Mandell , W . Court , J . C .
Mason , Thomas Kirkbride , T . B . Thwaite , John Pearson , Thomas Eicbardson , George Sowerbv , W . Cockett , William Carlyle , Morant Compton . Andrew Walton , W . Burnyeat , W . Eailton , Geo . Murchie , George G . Hay ward , J . W . Snlisbury , J . Cook , W . Middleton , P . de E . Collin , John Nicholson , John Reay , Samuel Wright , R . L . Court , Henry Court , aud John Murray . The minutes of tho Provincial
Grand Lodge held at Workington , on the 7 th October last , having been read , on the motion of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the same were confirmed . The Provincial Grand Secretary Bro . J . McKay then received the dues from the respective Lodges of the Province , together with the fees of honour from Provincial Grand Officers . The next business on the agenda paper was " to reco-nmend
to the Provincial Grand Master the place of meetiug for the celebration of the annual festival , " and on the motion of Brother Cook , Master of Bective Lodge , seconded by Brother Potter , it was arranged to hold the annual meeting at Carlisle , in accordance with the suggestion of Brother Masou at a former meeting . Brother W . ]! . Gibson , in moving the adoption of the Chnritv Committee ' s Report , said
the Committee recommended a grant of . Go to the widow of the lute Bro . Hnggins , also £ 25 to the Benevolent Fund to meet future limilar requirements , and fifty guineas , as a donation to the Royal Misonic Benevolent Institution , in accordance with the motion previously given by Bro . M'Kay . On the motion of Bro . Gibson , a letter of condolence with the family of the late Bro . Joseph Iredale , who filled
the post of Deputy Grand Master of Cumberland , under the late Sir James Graham , was ordered to be forwarded to the family of the deceased brother . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master said a part of the business on the programme was of . a somewhat pecnliar character , differing altogether from the ordinary business of the Lod"e ,
inasmuch as it was mixed with feelings of pleasnre and regret . The feelings of pleasnre were those which ho hoped prevailed in every breast , and that all present would be ready to acknowledge as heartily as possible the valuable services which had been rendered to the Craft by their worthy brcther on his right ( Bro . Gibson ) . For many years Bru . Gibson had laboured in the cause of Freemasonry—he
might say , night and day ; he had always been in season , and , to use an Irish expression , ho had very often been out of it—for one never could meet him but he was sure to " button-hole " one for that most odious of things , money out of pocket . But , joking apart , the services which Bro . Gibson had rendered to this Province could not be measured by any one , or told by words ; and he ( the speaker )
felt sure that although they might offer Bro . Gibson this testimonial , and ask him to receive it as an expression of their appreciation of his services , they conld not in any way measure the value of them . The Province had beeu appealed to to recognise in a fitting manner the good work which Bro . Gibson had done , and he was proud to say that that appeal had been heartily responded to , and in
snch a manner to show that it was not the amount of the subsorip . tions , but the exceeding hearty good feeling whioh had always beeu evinced in his ( Bro . Gibson's ) own case , generally upon all ocoasious in the every-day walks of life , and in Masonry in particular , that had evoked that response ; and he felt certain that it would be a far greater pleasure to Bro . Gibson to know that he enjoyed the good
feeling of the brethren throughout the Province than it would have been had things been otherwise , notwithstanding the intrinsic value of the testimonial which they were about to offer to him might have been of five times greater value than it was . After carefully considering the matter , the brethren had decided to offer Bro . Gibson this salver ( presenting it ) as a small token of their appreciation of his
valuable services , as well as a pledge of the brethren s estimation of his fraternal worth ; likewise his portrait , and a purse containing fifty guineas . He ( the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ) was sorry to announce that owing to some delay on tho part of the firm in London to whom the portrait of Bro . Gibson—whioh , in addition to the above , formed a part of the testimonial—had been entrusted by Bro . Eeay
for the purpose of framing , had not arrived , but he ( the Deputy Pro - vincial Grand Master ) hnppened to possess a photograph which he believed was quite as good as the portrait which nnfortunately had not come to hand , if not as good as the original . ( The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , amid the laughter of the brethren , and whioh was heartily shared in by Bro . Gibson , here disclosed a small toilet
mirror , and holding it before Bro . Gibson , that worthy beheld in it his own happy face , all radiant with smiles , as it mostly is—a lifelike likeness ) . Tho Deputy Provincial Grand Master then formally presented the several gifts to Bro . Gibson , observing as he did so , on behalf of the donors , that they were accompanied by all the feelings of goodwill whioh one man , or any body of men , could possibly
entertain towards any individual , Maaonically and otherwise . He also handed to Bro . Gibson a book containing a list of the subscribers . Bro . Gibson , in acknowledging the compliment paid to him , said he could hardly find words to express the feelings by which he was animated , feelings of deep gratitude for the loving kindness evinced by the brethren of the Province in presenting him with such a valuable
testimonial of their affection and regard for him , and their appreciation of the humble services which he had been able to render in the interests of Masonry in the Province . He could assure them that , in discharging the duties he had done for the past eight years , he had done so without the hope of favour or reward . He had done it in the interests of the Craft , and because he had felt a love for Masonry .
Wherever he had been as Provincial Secretary , whatever Lodge he had visited , he had always been received with the greatest kindness by those whom it was his pleasure as well as hia duty to meet in his official capacity . For nearly twenty-five years he had been associated with Masonry , and during the whole of that time he had appreciated the desire evinced by the brethren to promote good feeling and
kindheartedness one towards another , very superior , he thought he might say , to what it was in the open world . He believed that Masons , as sons of light , evinced a greater amount of kindness towards each other than was common between man and man in the outer world . Some of the happiest moments of his life had been spent amongst Masons . To-day the Province of Cumberland and Westmorland had overwhelmed him with their kindness . The
kindnesses he had received during the past twenty-five years had so accumulated that latterly they had literally showered upon him j and he felt himself altogether undeserving of so much kindness . It had pleased the brethren of the Province to present him with this handsome testimonial , and he could only say that he accepted it with heartfelt thankfulness , and as long aa life remained , he should look
upon that testimonial as conveying to his mind a feeling of affection and regard on the part of his brother Masons which time conld never extinguish . He hoped to retain as long as he lived his association with Masonry , and to be instrumental to the end in spreading a knowledge of its beneficent principles ; and that as Masons they might continue to meet and ever keep in view as one of the principal
objects of their meeting the subduing of their passions , until they ultimately reached the Grand Lodge above . He hoped and trusted that the principles of Freemasonry would be so practised as to lead not only to their temporal benefit , but also to their eternal happiness . Ho concluded by again thanking the brethren for their kindness towards him . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master being
obliged to leave , then vacated " the chair , the scat being filled by Bro . Gibson , by whom the Lodge wa 3 closed in due form . The brethren subsequently lunched together at the County Hotel , under the presidency of Bro . Gibson . Besides the usual Loyal toasts , the health oF the Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Bective , proposed from the chair , and responded to by Bro . the Rev . Joshua Tyson , with whom the toast was coupled , was cordially Master
drank , as was also that of the Deputy Provincial Grand , and the rest of the Provincial Officers , proposed by Brother M Kay , and responded to Bro . John Barr , with whose name the toast wa 3 coupled . Bro . Gibson also proposed the health of Bro . Court W . M . of the Union Lodge , No . 310 , under whose bauuer the proceedings of the day had been held , and likewise the health of Bro . Cook W . M . ot the Bective Lodge , both of whom responded . The arrangements throughout were most complete , and reflected great credit , not only upon Bro . George J . M'Kay P . G . Secretary , but likewise upon tw Master and Officers of the Bective aud Uniou Lodges , Carlisle , tue