Masonic Portraits. (No. 39.)

of Warden , he was elected to the position of Master uo less than three times . Moreover , ho discharged the duties of Treasurer for seven years . In 1853 , he joined Affability Lodge , then No . 399 , now No . 317 , of Manchester , and was chosen to be its W . M . in 1859 . He was also a joining

member of Shakespeare Lodge , No . 1009 , of Manchester , and , on referring to former records of Craft doings , we find him present at the consecration of that Lodge in 1864 , by the late Bro . Stephen Blair , P . G . M . East Lancashire . The occasion was an important one . The day chosen for

the ceremony was the tercentenary of Shakespeare ' s birth , and there was , moreover , another Lodge , No . 999 , named after the late Bro . Robert Burns , consecrated at the same time and place . Later the same year , we read of his taking an active part in the consecration of the Masonic

Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . Thrice has he been elected to fill the honorable office of Provincial Grand Treasurer , and we believe he is tho oldest Provincial Senior Grand Warden whose name is borne on the list of Grand Officers of his Province . For years he was the

personal friend and confidential adviser of the late Bro . Blair , whose name we have just mentioned , and we may be sure that in this twofold capacity he played no unimportant part in the Government of * the Province over which that worthy brother presided . So highly , indeed ,

were his services valued , that it was quite on the cards he might have received the appointment of Deputy P . G . Master ; but , with the retiring modesty which invariably accompanies sterling merit , he waived any claim he may have felt he had to such a position in favour of the late

highly respected Bro . W . Romaine Callender . He has also held provincial rank in Mark Masonry , having filled the office of Provincial G . M . O ., while in Templar Masonry he is a P . E . Commander , and for the long period of sixteen years has been the Treasurer of Jerusalem Conclave . This

however , represents but a very meagre portion of the work he has achieved . He is the Chairman of the Charity Committee of his Province , and for years has been charged on its behalf with the conduct of the elections to our central London Charities . He is , moreover , the founder of the

Manchester and Salford Committee for the relief of itinerant brethren , and , by the careful action of this Committee , many cases of imposition have been detected and prevented . As regards our Institutions , we may state that he is a Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and

a Life Governor of the other Charities . He has likewise served the office of Steward at sundry of their Festivals , and has thus been the means of raising funds for them very largely in excess of what he deemed himself justified in contributing out of his own purse . Indeed , the greatest of

all his many achievements is associated with the Institution whose anniversary has been held this week , aud at which he has once again served the office of Steward . This happened in the year 1839 , when a supreme effort was made , and made successfully , to clear off a mortgage of

£ 10 , 000 on the School property . We are so accustomed to hear now-a-days of our Festivals being productive to the extent of many thousands , that we are apt to forget it is not so very long since the sum of £ 3000 or £ 4000 was considered a very handsome amount to realise .

In the year we allude to , however , the feats we have come to regard almost as a matter of course in connection with the Boys' School was anticipated . Over £ 12 , 000 was raised , and of this sum the Province of East Lancashire contributed £ 3885 . The Provincial Grand Master , the

late Bro . Blair , headed the list with the munificent donation of one thousand guineas . The Provincial Grand Lodge presented the sum of five hundred guineas , and two prominent members of the Provincial Grand Lodge gave each one hundred guineas , while from the Craft throughout the

Province , as represented by thirty-five Stewards , no less than two thousand guineas were raised . The enthusiasm with which Bro . Blair ' s contribution in particular , and the conduct of the Province generally , were received , may be more easily imagined than described . Contemporary

records relate how , in connection with the former , " the whole assembly rose en masse , the more enthusiastic of the members—ladies included—waving their handkerchiefs and demonstrating in every possible way their appreciation of this contribution . " As regards the latter , we read

further how Bro . Binckes " acknowledged the great and invaluable assistance in every way rendered " by the subject of this notice , who had " aided most largely in bringing about the great result which the Province had achieved . " Albeit our " time-honoured Lancaster " is more retiring

Masonic Portraits. (No. 39.)

than most men , we have noted the flush of just pride mantling on his cheek when haply he has been called upon to recount the signal triumph of that memorable year . It falls not to the lot of many a man to bo able to boast he took a leading part in so glorious an achievement .

However , the assistance he rendered was publicly recognised , and the memory of his deed will never be forgotten . We feel that we have hardly done justice to the singular merits of our respected brother in the sketch we have drawn of his career . We have touched , as far as consisted

with a due sonse of propriety , on his extra-Masonic deeds . We have enumerated the various positions of trust and dignity he has filled at different times , with so much credit to himself and with such infinite advantage to the Fraternity . But though we have recorded certain facts , which will

always be inseparably connected with his name , it is beyond onr power to lay before the reader a perfect " counterfeit presentment , " which shall be truly worthy of the man himself . It is easy enough to say that anyone is genial and kind , that he has laboured diligently , and that he has

enjoyed a full measure of success . But words will not serve to convey an adequate idea of our esteemed and estimable brother ' s worth . They who are privileged to meet him frequently , whether in society , in "business , or in Freemasonry , know well enough how admirable are the

qualities , both of heart and mind , by which he is distinguished . By these , indeed , no terms of praise we might employ would be considered too great , for his career has been beyond all praise . But others there are who know him not , or only by reputation , and they might imagine

we were inclining towards adulation if we spake of him as he deserves . We deem it best , under these circumstances , to leave the portrait as it is . We have done our utmost to observe as closely as possible the outlines of the original . The main features are accurately delineated , though it is

possible , of course , they might have been presented more artistically . Be this as it may , in taking leave of " timehonoured Lancaster , " we express a hope that he has many other honours yet in store for him , and that great has have been his services to Freemasonry , he may be enabled

to render others , which , though they may not raise hira to a higher pinnacle of fame , —for that were well-nigh impossible , —may nevertheless serve to confirm him still more in the affectionate regard of his fellows . It has been said

" Honours best thrive When rather from our acta we them derive Than our fore-goers . " We have already shown that our esteemed brother is indebted to his own energy and talents for the respect in

which he is held . His honours derived from his own acts have thriven apace . May they continue to thrive henceforth as heretofore ! And may he continue to enjoy , henceforth , as we feel confident he has enjoyed heretofore , the happiness which , to quote the words of an early English poets , includes

" The equal friend , no grudge , no strife ; No charge of rule , nor governance ; Without disease , the healthful life ; The household of oontinuanoe . "

Mere numerical increase does not necessarily bring with , it increased strength , but when we note how splendidly our new Lodges are fulfilling their duties , how they vie with each other which shall best promote the welfare of our Charitable Institutions , we are justified in assuming that , in English

Freemasonry , numerical increase does imply an increase of strength . Let us take as an example the Cripplegate Lodge , No . 1613 , which was consecrated the 24 th June 1876 . By the 27 th June 1877 , it has contributed over £ 267 to our Charities , namely , £ 67 2 s at the Festival of

the Royal Masonic Institution in February , and £ 198 19 s by Bro . C . J . Benson , Steward , at Wednesday ' s Festival —since increased , for the sake of even money , feo £ 200- — at Wednesday ' s Festival of the Boys' School . And there is still a considerable sum in hand for future distribution

when the proper time arrives . Facts like these speak for themselves . We apologise for the seeming slanginess of the expression ; but we cannot refrain from saying , and we say it with our heartiest felicitations on their prosperous career thus far , —Go it , ye Cripples-o ' -th ' -Gate ! Macti virtute !