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  • Dec. 29, 1883
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The Freemason's Chronicle, Dec. 29, 1883: Page 12

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Reviews.

doubt a happy settlement of a very serious difficulty , especially for the British Government , which stood committed to the cause of the Khedive , whose case , if we may judge from Bro . Broadley's narrative , appears to grow weaker as Arabi ' s defence is more developed . As to the rest of the work , it is undoubtedly interesting , but , after the length to which our review has run , we hardly think it necessary to enter into any details respecting it . The greater portion of it is

subsidiary to the main narrative and as such is only of secondary value . Bnt in saying this we must not be understood as wishing to underrate its merits . It is only thus briefly dismissed , firstly because it is not essential to the completeness of the story of Arabi's defence ; and , secondly , because , if we did dwell upon it , we do not think it would serve to make more apparent the opinion we have already expressed of the whole work , to the effect that it is difficult to decide whether the matter it contains or the manner in which the author has set it forth is the more worthy of commendation .

The usual meeting of the General Committee of the Boyal Masonic Institution for Girls took place on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Col . Creaton , Past Grand Treasurer , among the brethren present being Bros . Bobert Grey P . G . D ., F .

Bichardson P . G . D ., Lt .-Col . James Peters Grand S . Bearer , C . F . Matier , J . H . Matthews , S . H . Parkhouse , H . Massey , and F . B W . Hedges Secretary . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Bichardson , on behalf of Bro . J . A . Bucker P . G . D ., brought forward the

motion of which the latter had given notice , to the effect that the salary of the Secretary , Bro . Hedges , be increased by £ 50 a year , thus raising his total stipend to £ 500 per annum . The motion was seconded by Bro . Col . Peters , and supported by Col . Creaton , who attended expressly

for that purpose , Bro . Massey , and others , and carried unanimously . Bro . Hedges , who had been absent from the room was hereupon recalled , and expressed his [ thanks to the brethren for their kind recognition of his past services , and assured them of his determination to use his utmost

endeavours to promote the success of the Institution . Ten guineas having been voted towards the Twelfth Ni ght Entertainment to be given to the pupils on Wednesday , the 9 th January , Bro . Hedges read a letter he had received from Col . Leach , B . E ., under whose superintendence the

recent drainage works at the School had been carried out , in which that officer spoke in warm terms of commendation of the manner in which the drainage had been done by Messrs . Fish , Prestige and Co ., and the plumbing by Bro . Thomas Crapper , and he expressed a strong opinion

that the services of Mr . Prestige , and his liberality in reducing the amount of the firm ' s charges , as well as those of Dr . Corfield and Bro . Crapper , should not be allowed to pass unnoticed by the Committee . Col . Leach ' s letter is appended , but it should be mentioned that , acting on the

suggestion , Bro . Gray gave notice of a motion to tbe effect that Bro . Prestige bo elected an honorary Life Governor of the Institution , with eight votes ; that letters of thanks be sent to Dr . Corfield , for his services in connection with the sanitary arrangements , and to Bro . Crapper , for the manner

in which his firm had executed the plumber ' s work . The other business included the consideration of twelve petitions , of which five were accepted , one rejected , and six deferred , the number of candidates for the April Election being fixed at 85 , and the number of vacancies 23 . Notices

of motions by Bros . Martin and Matier affecting tbe laws of the Institution were given , and on the proposition of Col . Creaton it was arranged tbat , as there was a balance of £ 1700 to the credit of the Sustentation Fund , while the

interest on the said fund was slightly in excess of £ 293 , £ 500 out of the former amount and £ 250 of tbe latter should be invested . The proceedings closed with the usual compliment to the Chairman . The following is the letter referred to : —

" 3 St . James-square , S . W ., 14 th December 1883 . " Dear Mr . Hedges , —I enclose the accounts for the drainage and plumbing work at the Institution . Fish , Prestige and Co . 's accounts amount together to £ 696 2 s 2 d , of which £ 550 has already been paid . I have arranged with Mr . Prestige , who , from the long connection

of his firm with the Institution , desires to act liberally towards it , that there shall be a discount of £ 46 2 s 2 d , or , in other words , that a further payment of £ 100 shall settle these accounts . Crapper ' s account amounts to £ 468 9 s lid , which , barring the odd shillings , will stand as sent in , deduction for the old lead having already

been made . £ 400 has been paid to Mr . Crapper , on account . Tbe total cost of the works has been : Fish and Co ., £ 650 ; Crapper , £ 468 ; and Dr . Corfield , £ 25 ; total , £ 1143 . "The accounts include many things which could not have been

originally foreseen , but which were found to be necessary during the progress of the work , as well as some other small items of work done to the house occupied by the younger children . I went over the Institution a short time back , after a year ' s trial and experience , and

Reviews.

fonnd everything working satisfactorily , and I was glad to hear from Dr . Howidl that not only had there been no ease of serious illness since the work was done , but tbat the tendency to sore throat , whioh was formerly prevalent oven among the servants , has disappeared I think , therefore , it may bo considered that the expenditure , though large , has not been unprofitable . Contrasting the expenditure with

previous estimates , and bearing in mind that they would have been considerably increased by the extra work , I think the expenditure cannot be considered otherwise than moderate , and I am sure it will be satisfactory to the Committee to be able to report that they have so material a saving in the money voted to them . I should be glad if some acknowledgment were made of the ready liberality with whioh Mr . Prestige met my viewB , and in sending Dr . Corfield's fee , if not

already done , a few complimentary expressions of well-deserved thanks from the Committee would no doubt be agreeable to him . "As Mr . Crapper did his work remarkably well , and well knows all connected with the plumbing work , and also has the pattern of the closet basins , which were made specially , I would venture to snggest that if anything material is required in that direction , he shonld be again employed .

" A short memorandum of what was done , and a complete plan of the drainage , as it now exists , would be useful for future reference , and I will have them prepared . " If I can again assist the Committee in any matter connected with the building , I shall have pleasnre in doing so . " I am , Dear Mr . Hedges , yours truly ,

" G . A . LEACH , R . E . "F . R . W . Hedges , Esq . "

St. John's Day. Why We Masons Celebrate It.

ST . JOHN'S DAY .

WHY WE MASONS CELEBRATE IT . THE New Tear's Day of the Masonic Fraternity is rapidly drawing near , and will be appropriately observed by the universal Craft . In Pennsylvania ( as our readers are aware ) the officers of the subordinate Lodges and Boyal Arch Chapters for the ensuing Masonic year are installed on or before St . John the Evangelist's Day , and

the Grand Officers of both Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter are installed , the former at High Twelve on St . John ' s Day , and the latter in the evening of that day . It is evident , therefore , that St . John ' s is no ordinary day . With reference to it an esteemed Brother , and subscriber to the Keystone , has just written us the following

inquiry : I am anxions to learn the origin of St . John ' s day , what connection it has with Masonry , and whether ' Holy St . John ' is supposed

to have been a Mason ? We shall endeavour to throw some light on this subject , and to answer these inquiries as fully and satisfactorily as it is possible , perhaps , now to do .

Let us plant our feet at the outset upon the rock of Masonic history . There are certain PACTS that are incontestable , and to these we first advert . They are not new , but they are true . There is no Masonic record superior to the Minute Book

of a lawful Lodge . In Edinburgh , Scotland , there is at the present time the Lodge of Edinburgh ( or Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 , which possesses its Minute Books back to the year 1598 , nearly three hundred years ago . The minutes of date , 27 th November , 1599 , contain the following entry :

" Item , ordanis all wardenis to be chosen uponn Sauct Johneis day yearlie . " In the same year ( 1599 ) the Warden . General of the Lodges of St Andrew ' s , Dundee , Perth , & c , convened them at St . Andrew ' s , and made tbe following order : —

" XXVII November , 1599 . First , it is ordainit that the haill Wardenis sal be chosen ilk yeir preciselie at Sauct Ihoueis day , to-wit , the xxvii day of december ; and thaireafter the said Generall Warden be adverteait qnha are chosen wardenis . " No record has been preserved of the action taken by this

Masonic assembl y ( History of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 , by D . Murray Lyon , Grand Secretary of Scotland . Edinburgh 1873 ) . Facsimiles of both of these deeply interesting entries are g iven in the above-mentioned history . These are the earliest known historic references to an

observance of St . John the Evangelist ' s Day as the day of election for Officers to serve the Craft . Thus , three hundred years ago , 27 th December , was the Craft ' s New

Year ' s Day . Bro . William Preston , in his famous " Illustrations of Masonry , " g ives what purports to be an historical relation of a Masonic occurrence , which was as follows :

" On the 27 th December , 1663 , a General Assembly was held at which Henry Jermyn , Earl of St . Albans , was elected Grand Master , who appointed Sir John Derham , Knight , his deputy , and

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1883-12-29, Page 12” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 5 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_29121883/page/12/.
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THE YEAR 1883. Article 1
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MARTIN LUTHER. 1483. 10th NOVEMBER. 1883. Article 2
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 4
PARTIAL DESTRUCTION OF THE NEW YORK MASONIC TEMPLE. Article 5
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 6
PARTIAL DESTRUCTION OF THE NEW YORK MASONIC TEMPLE. Article 7
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 8
GREAT NORTHERN LODGE, No. 1287. Article 8
SANDOWN LODGE, No. 1869. Article 8
YORK LODGE, No 236. Article 9
ST. MARYLEBONE LODGE, No. 1305. Article 9
MARK MASONRY. Article 9
PRESENTATION TO BRO. E. DAWKINS. Article 9
MASONIC SOIREE AND BALL. Article 9
ROYAL ARCH. Article 9
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REVIEWS. Article 10
ST. JOHN'S DAY. WHY WE MASONS CELEBRATE IT. Article 12
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DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 14
INSTALLATION MEETINGS, &c. Article 15
PERFECT FRIENDSHIP LODGE, No. 376. Article 15
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Reviews.

doubt a happy settlement of a very serious difficulty , especially for the British Government , which stood committed to the cause of the Khedive , whose case , if we may judge from Bro . Broadley's narrative , appears to grow weaker as Arabi ' s defence is more developed . As to the rest of the work , it is undoubtedly interesting , but , after the length to which our review has run , we hardly think it necessary to enter into any details respecting it . The greater portion of it is

subsidiary to the main narrative and as such is only of secondary value . Bnt in saying this we must not be understood as wishing to underrate its merits . It is only thus briefly dismissed , firstly because it is not essential to the completeness of the story of Arabi's defence ; and , secondly , because , if we did dwell upon it , we do not think it would serve to make more apparent the opinion we have already expressed of the whole work , to the effect that it is difficult to decide whether the matter it contains or the manner in which the author has set it forth is the more worthy of commendation .

The usual meeting of the General Committee of the Boyal Masonic Institution for Girls took place on Thursday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Col . Creaton , Past Grand Treasurer , among the brethren present being Bros . Bobert Grey P . G . D ., F .

Bichardson P . G . D ., Lt .-Col . James Peters Grand S . Bearer , C . F . Matier , J . H . Matthews , S . H . Parkhouse , H . Massey , and F . B W . Hedges Secretary . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Bichardson , on behalf of Bro . J . A . Bucker P . G . D ., brought forward the

motion of which the latter had given notice , to the effect that the salary of the Secretary , Bro . Hedges , be increased by £ 50 a year , thus raising his total stipend to £ 500 per annum . The motion was seconded by Bro . Col . Peters , and supported by Col . Creaton , who attended expressly

for that purpose , Bro . Massey , and others , and carried unanimously . Bro . Hedges , who had been absent from the room was hereupon recalled , and expressed his [ thanks to the brethren for their kind recognition of his past services , and assured them of his determination to use his utmost

endeavours to promote the success of the Institution . Ten guineas having been voted towards the Twelfth Ni ght Entertainment to be given to the pupils on Wednesday , the 9 th January , Bro . Hedges read a letter he had received from Col . Leach , B . E ., under whose superintendence the

recent drainage works at the School had been carried out , in which that officer spoke in warm terms of commendation of the manner in which the drainage had been done by Messrs . Fish , Prestige and Co ., and the plumbing by Bro . Thomas Crapper , and he expressed a strong opinion

that the services of Mr . Prestige , and his liberality in reducing the amount of the firm ' s charges , as well as those of Dr . Corfield and Bro . Crapper , should not be allowed to pass unnoticed by the Committee . Col . Leach ' s letter is appended , but it should be mentioned that , acting on the

suggestion , Bro . Gray gave notice of a motion to tbe effect that Bro . Prestige bo elected an honorary Life Governor of the Institution , with eight votes ; that letters of thanks be sent to Dr . Corfield , for his services in connection with the sanitary arrangements , and to Bro . Crapper , for the manner

in which his firm had executed the plumber ' s work . The other business included the consideration of twelve petitions , of which five were accepted , one rejected , and six deferred , the number of candidates for the April Election being fixed at 85 , and the number of vacancies 23 . Notices

of motions by Bros . Martin and Matier affecting tbe laws of the Institution were given , and on the proposition of Col . Creaton it was arranged tbat , as there was a balance of £ 1700 to the credit of the Sustentation Fund , while the

interest on the said fund was slightly in excess of £ 293 , £ 500 out of the former amount and £ 250 of tbe latter should be invested . The proceedings closed with the usual compliment to the Chairman . The following is the letter referred to : —

" 3 St . James-square , S . W ., 14 th December 1883 . " Dear Mr . Hedges , —I enclose the accounts for the drainage and plumbing work at the Institution . Fish , Prestige and Co . 's accounts amount together to £ 696 2 s 2 d , of which £ 550 has already been paid . I have arranged with Mr . Prestige , who , from the long connection

of his firm with the Institution , desires to act liberally towards it , that there shall be a discount of £ 46 2 s 2 d , or , in other words , that a further payment of £ 100 shall settle these accounts . Crapper ' s account amounts to £ 468 9 s lid , which , barring the odd shillings , will stand as sent in , deduction for the old lead having already

been made . £ 400 has been paid to Mr . Crapper , on account . Tbe total cost of the works has been : Fish and Co ., £ 650 ; Crapper , £ 468 ; and Dr . Corfield , £ 25 ; total , £ 1143 . "The accounts include many things which could not have been

originally foreseen , but which were found to be necessary during the progress of the work , as well as some other small items of work done to the house occupied by the younger children . I went over the Institution a short time back , after a year ' s trial and experience , and

Reviews.

fonnd everything working satisfactorily , and I was glad to hear from Dr . Howidl that not only had there been no ease of serious illness since the work was done , but tbat the tendency to sore throat , whioh was formerly prevalent oven among the servants , has disappeared I think , therefore , it may bo considered that the expenditure , though large , has not been unprofitable . Contrasting the expenditure with

previous estimates , and bearing in mind that they would have been considerably increased by the extra work , I think the expenditure cannot be considered otherwise than moderate , and I am sure it will be satisfactory to the Committee to be able to report that they have so material a saving in the money voted to them . I should be glad if some acknowledgment were made of the ready liberality with whioh Mr . Prestige met my viewB , and in sending Dr . Corfield's fee , if not

already done , a few complimentary expressions of well-deserved thanks from the Committee would no doubt be agreeable to him . "As Mr . Crapper did his work remarkably well , and well knows all connected with the plumbing work , and also has the pattern of the closet basins , which were made specially , I would venture to snggest that if anything material is required in that direction , he shonld be again employed .

" A short memorandum of what was done , and a complete plan of the drainage , as it now exists , would be useful for future reference , and I will have them prepared . " If I can again assist the Committee in any matter connected with the building , I shall have pleasnre in doing so . " I am , Dear Mr . Hedges , yours truly ,

" G . A . LEACH , R . E . "F . R . W . Hedges , Esq . "

St. John's Day. Why We Masons Celebrate It.

ST . JOHN'S DAY .

WHY WE MASONS CELEBRATE IT . THE New Tear's Day of the Masonic Fraternity is rapidly drawing near , and will be appropriately observed by the universal Craft . In Pennsylvania ( as our readers are aware ) the officers of the subordinate Lodges and Boyal Arch Chapters for the ensuing Masonic year are installed on or before St . John the Evangelist's Day , and

the Grand Officers of both Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter are installed , the former at High Twelve on St . John ' s Day , and the latter in the evening of that day . It is evident , therefore , that St . John ' s is no ordinary day . With reference to it an esteemed Brother , and subscriber to the Keystone , has just written us the following

inquiry : I am anxions to learn the origin of St . John ' s day , what connection it has with Masonry , and whether ' Holy St . John ' is supposed

to have been a Mason ? We shall endeavour to throw some light on this subject , and to answer these inquiries as fully and satisfactorily as it is possible , perhaps , now to do .

Let us plant our feet at the outset upon the rock of Masonic history . There are certain PACTS that are incontestable , and to these we first advert . They are not new , but they are true . There is no Masonic record superior to the Minute Book

of a lawful Lodge . In Edinburgh , Scotland , there is at the present time the Lodge of Edinburgh ( or Mary ' s Chapel ) , No . 1 , which possesses its Minute Books back to the year 1598 , nearly three hundred years ago . The minutes of date , 27 th November , 1599 , contain the following entry :

" Item , ordanis all wardenis to be chosen uponn Sauct Johneis day yearlie . " In the same year ( 1599 ) the Warden . General of the Lodges of St Andrew ' s , Dundee , Perth , & c , convened them at St . Andrew ' s , and made tbe following order : —

" XXVII November , 1599 . First , it is ordainit that the haill Wardenis sal be chosen ilk yeir preciselie at Sauct Ihoueis day , to-wit , the xxvii day of december ; and thaireafter the said Generall Warden be adverteait qnha are chosen wardenis . " No record has been preserved of the action taken by this

Masonic assembl y ( History of the Lodge of Edinburgh , No . 1 , by D . Murray Lyon , Grand Secretary of Scotland . Edinburgh 1873 ) . Facsimiles of both of these deeply interesting entries are g iven in the above-mentioned history . These are the earliest known historic references to an

observance of St . John the Evangelist ' s Day as the day of election for Officers to serve the Craft . Thus , three hundred years ago , 27 th December , was the Craft ' s New

Year ' s Day . Bro . William Preston , in his famous " Illustrations of Masonry , " g ives what purports to be an historical relation of a Masonic occurrence , which was as follows :

" On the 27 th December , 1663 , a General Assembly was held at which Henry Jermyn , Earl of St . Albans , was elected Grand Master , who appointed Sir John Derham , Knight , his deputy , and

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