Notices Of Meetings.

NOTICES OF MEETINGS .

— : o : — NEW CONCORD LODGE , No . 813 .

THE closing of the session in connection with this sound and prosperous Lodge was marked by a very gratifying incident , on the evening of the 2 lst inst ., when substantial recognition vras made of the valuable services rendered for man ? years by Bro . R . Pv . Harper , as Pa <» t Master and Secretary . The meeting took place at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , where there was a numerous

attendance of brethren and visitors . The W . M ., Bro . Alfred J . Potter , was supported by Bros . C . We ° den S . W ., A . Perl J . W ., Rev . C . Stevens Chaplain , R . R . Harper P . M . and Secretary , F . Perl D . C , J . J . Pilley I . G . ; P . M . 's T . Bartlett , T . J . Cusworth , Sampson George , and L . C . Haslip , C . T . Speight Tyler , and manv other brethren . The

Visitors inclnded Bros . Walter George P . M . 101 , R . Pierpoint W . M . 177 , Arthur Grace 177 , F . A . Tinkley 1772 , H . H . Whale 172 , and others . After the transaction of some routine business , the W . M . called upon Bro . T . Bartlett , as the senior Past Master of the Lodge , and Treasurer of the testimonial fund , to make the presentation ^

which had been unanimously subscribed for , to Bro . Harper . In doing this Bro . Bartlett said he esteemed it a great honour and privilege to have been entrusted with the pleasant duty , inasmuch as Bro . Harper ' s connection with the New Concord Lodge was through his introduction . He had always made himself a useful member ,

from his initiation to the present time , and was ever ready to fill the office of any absent brother . Soon after his initiation he became permnnent Steward of the Lodge , and he then passed through all the offices leading up to S . W ., with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Lodge . By an arrangement with the then Master and himself ,

Bro . Harper filled the S . W . chair two years , until in 1879 he was elected to the chair , the duties of which he discharged in admirable aud efficient manner . In that year he was also the custodian of the Lodge books , which , from circumstances which need not be reverted to , had become somewhat disorganised . Through his zeal and assiduity ,

assisted by Bro . Haslip , he made the books so that they could be understood and followed by his successor , Bro . S . George ; and they all admitted that he performed a very difficult task most admirably . At the expiration of his term of office as Master , the Lodge elected him as Secretary , the duties of which posh he had faithfully and

zealously discharged np to the present time . That the brethren were satisfied with his efforts in that direction could be vouched for by the proceedings of that evening . At a meeting a short time ago , an opinion was expressed that such valuab ' e services as Bro . Harper had rendered to the Lodge should be somewhat substantially

acknowledged , and the suggestion was most readily and unanimously responded to . The result had been the purchase of a handsome Secretary's jewel or locket , together with a massive gold albert chain , in ca = e , in the selection of which Bro . Harper's choice had been consulted . He had very much pleasure in presenting the testimonial ,

in the name of the Lodge , and hoped the recipient migh t live many years to wear it , and to enjoy the esteem in which he was now held by the the brethren generally . It was but a slight token of their appreciation of his services of Secretary during the past six years

but he hoped whoever might come into possession of it in the future would always be reminded of the motives which had prompted the gift . He then read the inscription on the reverse side of tho jewel , iuuows

aa : — Presented to BRO . R . R . HARPER , P . M . and Secretary , by the brethren of the NEW CONCORD LODGE , NO . 813 ,

In appreciation of his valuable services , and as a token of their esteem and regard . 21 st May 1885 . Accompanying the gift -waa an address , engraved on vellum , and

beautifully illuminated in gold and colours , the whole being surmounted by a capital portrait of Bro . Harper . The address was enclosed in a neat frame and glazed , and the text ran as follows : — This Testimonial , Together with a gold chain and iewel , was

Presented to BRO . R . R . HARPER , P . M . and Secretary , By the brethren of the NEW CONCORD LODGE , NO . 813 , In appreciation of hia valuable services , and as a mark of their sincere regard and esteem .

21 st May 1885 . [ Signed by the present and past Masters , the Officers and many

of tho brethren ] . The applause which followed the presentation having subsided , Bro . Bartlett proceeded to pay that as there was a surplus of the fund remaining in hand , it was thought that no better or more graceful nse could be made of it than by asking Bro . Harper to accept , for his

wife , the present of a diamond ring , and concluded by expressing the hope that Mrs . Harper also might livo long to share iu the good feeling and kindly wishes which had been expressed towards her husband . Bro . Harper , who was evidently moved by the profuse expressions of regard which were showered upon him from all sides ,

« aid he was sure the brethren would pardon him if he failed adequately to express in words the feelings of gratitude within him for the kindness they had shown him . Ho asked them , therefore , to take the will for the deed : and as these splendid tokens had been

given for services ho had rendered to the Lodge he hoped not one of the brethren wonld regret having subscribed to them . He should endeavour in the future , as he had done in the past , a'l he possibly could to promote and sustain the interests of the New Concord Lodge . To him this was simply a labour of love ; in fact he admired

Notices Of Meetings.

the New Concord Lodge and all its surroundings . What he did ha did freely and willingly , and purely for the benefit of the Lodge . Perhaps he might have displeased one or two members at various times , but they must take the will for * the deed ; it was all done for their good . He again thanked the brethren for their handsome gifts , and

resumed his seat amidst loud applanse . On the motion of Bro . A . Perl J . W ., seconded by Bro . Mustoe , a vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes to the Committee , Treasurer and Secretary of the Harpev Testimonial Fant \ , iOT the efficient manner in which they had carried ont their duties . P . M . ' s T . Bartlett and S . George

briefly acknowledged the compliment paid them and their coadjutors . A grant of £ 10 from the Benevolent Fund of the Lodge was made to a distressed brother ; after which Bro . F . Perl S . D . said he had heard with deep regrpt , on entering the L"dge-ronm , of the death of Mrs . Speight , the wife of their respected Tyler . They had been associated

with Bro . Speight many years , and thpy conld not do Ws than testify their respect for him and their sincere sorrow at his bereavement , after forty-six years of happy married life . He therefore moved that the regret of the brethren be recorded on the minutes , and that the Secretary be requested to send a letter of condolence to Bro . Speight .

In seconding the proposition Bro . Bartlett P . M . observed that Bro . Speight had been Tyler of this Lodge ever since its formation , twenty-five years ago . He was deservedly respected by all with whom he came in contact , and it wns only due that the con . dolenoe of the brethren should be duly expressed . The motion waa carried unanimously At the conclusion of the bu ^ ine' -s the brethren .

and visitors repaired to the Throne-room , where an elegant banquet was served , under the personal superintendence of Bro . Marchant . The prefatory toasts having been duly honoured , the health of the W . M . was proposed in complimentary terms by Bro . Bartlett P . M .

and suitably acknowledged . For the Visitors Bro . R . Pierpoint , in responding , said he was a very old visitor to the New Concord Lodge . He remembered the brethren when they held their meetings at the Rosemary Branch , at Hoxton , and he had always received from them the greatest kindness and hospitality . The W . M . being a personal

friend of his it gave him the utmost pleasure to be present this evening , and to witness the presentation of a testimoninl to another very old friend . If ever a man deserved the name of " a brother Mason " it was Brother Harper ; beneath his waistcoat -was the tme throb of a Mason ' s heart . He had received from Bro . Harper the

greatest kindness , and he knew the brethren of the Lodge had also , Masonically . But he could speak of him outside Masonic circles , for he was brought in contact with Bro . Harper in business matters connected with the railway system , and he knew that after leaving the festive board he would bo puzzling his brain , trying to adopt

and improve appliances for the safety of the British public . Sooner or later he ventured to predict Bro . Harper would make his mark as a practical mechanical electrician . He had now an instrument under his charge which was calculated to reduce to a minimum the liability to accident to the British public , and for that alono he deserved

thanks . He had always found Bro . Harper a true Mason , and it gave him tbe utmost pleasure to be present that evening and to see how tho brethren appreciated him in tho Lodge . He hoped he might live many years to wear the chain and jewel which had been presented to him , and felt sure it would it wonld be gratifying to take hf-mo to

his wife that little token which was included in tho testimonial , to show that she also was not forgotten amidst tho expressions of recognition of the services her husband had rendered to the new Concord Lodge . Bros . Tinley , Whale , and Grace also responded , the latter observing that it had given him great pleasure to witness tho

presentation to his old and valued friend . Bio . W . George followed , in the same direction , and thanked the brethren for the right royal welcome they had extended to the Visitors . In responding for tho Past Masters Bro . Bartlett referred to Bro . Harper as ono of his children in the Lodge , and said that fact gave additional pleasure to him in

making the presentation . During his FIX years secretaryship he had completely resuscitated the Lodge , and brought it back to its original new Concord form , which it had somewhat lost when he took office . Bro . Cusworth , in the course of his rep ' y , said although a young LodgH comparatively , of only 25 ye irs' s , t tnding , the New Concord was

Vice-President of tho three Masonic Institutions , which coull not be said even of some older Lodges . As regarded the Charities , they had a Lodge Benevolent Fund , which was always at tho disposal of the W . M . and tho brethren . He hoped Bro . Potter would have a pleasant and happy year of office ; he saw no reason why he should

not , as he was supported by efficient and able Officers . Bro . Harper also responded , and in the course of hia remarks said that from the ' r Benevolent Fund they had recently confirmed a grant of £ 20 to the widow of a deceased brother , and to-night they had granted £ 10 to a distressed member of the Lodge . Still , th ^ y had a fund in the

bank amounting to over £ 100 , and ho believed there was m other Lodge of 25 years' standing that had given so much to the Masonic Charities . Bro . S . George , in his reply , said nothing would be wanting on his part and that of the other Past Masters to forward the interests of the Lodge . If any Officer or brother anxious for office

required assistance at any time , he had only to mention the matter to any of the Past Masters , who would advise him to the besD of their ability , and make him fit for any office to which he might aspire . The utmost harmony and concord prevailed in the Lodge , and every member seemed to have its interest really at heart , which was most

gratifying . Bro . Haslip also briefly responded , an . l tbe W . M . then proposed the Treasurer and Secretary , in doing which he regretted the absence of Bro . Stihvell P . M . through indisposition . Tho toast having been acknowledged , the Officers of the Lodge was proposed ,

and severally responded to , the list being brought to a fitting close by the Tyler's toast . The proceedings were interspersed by some excellent songs , and an unusually harmonious and agreeable evening was passed .

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