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Article THE LATE BROTHER JOHN RAMSBOTTOM. ← Page 2 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Brother John Ramsbottom.
Steward . He joined the Grand Steward ' s Lodge , and ive believe served as Master ; from this Lodge he retired in the year 1 S 38 . He was appointed Grand Warden , and subsequently , Provincial Grand Master for tlie Province of Berkshire ; ancl for many years filled the dignified office of Third Grand Principal of the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of England . He was formerly a Member of the Chapter of Observance ( Masonic Knihts Templar ) and held possession for many yyars
g , the warrant of the Britannic Lodge , in which so many of the Royal Family were initiated , and which Lodge was under the immediate care of tbe late Earl of Moira , A . G . M . * He was for many years Treasurer to the Female School , having succeeded Bro . W . Williams , the P . G . M . for Dorset ; he was a generous contributor to the funds of the institution , and presented an organ to it , by which the children are enabled to practise psalmody . This gift is
conspicuously placed in the school-room . Bro . Ramsbottom was a devoted adherent of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , yet no sycophant . He always spoke his mind , and having a powerful voice , his observations generally told well ; on one oecasion , ! p _ owever , lie sustained a pointed rebuff ; it was ivhen the subject of the admission of Past Masters to the Board of Genera ] Purposes was in debate , when he observed that the power of the Grand Master was supreme , that in fact it was a moral despotism and must be yielded to , and thankfully too ; he spoke with more than his usual warmth , and
went so far as to intimate the too probable resignation of the illustrious Grand Master if the measure was carried ! This expression was resisted with such significant marks of displeasure , that the R . W . Brother rose from his seat and declared that he would never again enter the Grand Lodge ; on passing down the hall , a member addressed him loudly ancl said , "Brother Ramsbottom , after what you have said , I will never drink more of your ale . " This did not disconcert the natural good
humour ' of the R . W . Brother , who replied , " Certainly not , if you can get any better , " and amid the laughter that ensued he retired . He was , however , too good a Mason to act from a hasty impulse ; he continued to render his invaluable services until incapacitated by the illness that terminated so fatally . There must have been many important circumstances connected with the Masonic career of this estimable man , ivhich it is hoped will form
the subject of an abler pen than that which records what falls within its limited sphere . During the sittings of the Committee for carrying into effect the Testimonial to the Grand Master f , he was a frequent attendant , always exhibiting his blunt independence of manner ; on one occasion the Deputy Grand Master , Lord John Churchill , finding the subscription to proceed very slowly , expressed his opinion that it was disrespectful to the character of the Grand Master , and that he ( the D . G . M . ) should resign the office of Chairman . A member of the Committee , to prevent this taking place , offered to give one thousand guineas to the Committee ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Brother John Ramsbottom.
Steward . He joined the Grand Steward ' s Lodge , and ive believe served as Master ; from this Lodge he retired in the year 1 S 38 . He was appointed Grand Warden , and subsequently , Provincial Grand Master for tlie Province of Berkshire ; ancl for many years filled the dignified office of Third Grand Principal of the Supreme Royal Arch Chapter of England . He was formerly a Member of the Chapter of Observance ( Masonic Knihts Templar ) and held possession for many yyars
g , the warrant of the Britannic Lodge , in which so many of the Royal Family were initiated , and which Lodge was under the immediate care of tbe late Earl of Moira , A . G . M . * He was for many years Treasurer to the Female School , having succeeded Bro . W . Williams , the P . G . M . for Dorset ; he was a generous contributor to the funds of the institution , and presented an organ to it , by which the children are enabled to practise psalmody . This gift is
conspicuously placed in the school-room . Bro . Ramsbottom was a devoted adherent of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , yet no sycophant . He always spoke his mind , and having a powerful voice , his observations generally told well ; on one oecasion , ! p _ owever , lie sustained a pointed rebuff ; it was ivhen the subject of the admission of Past Masters to the Board of Genera ] Purposes was in debate , when he observed that the power of the Grand Master was supreme , that in fact it was a moral despotism and must be yielded to , and thankfully too ; he spoke with more than his usual warmth , and
went so far as to intimate the too probable resignation of the illustrious Grand Master if the measure was carried ! This expression was resisted with such significant marks of displeasure , that the R . W . Brother rose from his seat and declared that he would never again enter the Grand Lodge ; on passing down the hall , a member addressed him loudly ancl said , "Brother Ramsbottom , after what you have said , I will never drink more of your ale . " This did not disconcert the natural good
humour ' of the R . W . Brother , who replied , " Certainly not , if you can get any better , " and amid the laughter that ensued he retired . He was , however , too good a Mason to act from a hasty impulse ; he continued to render his invaluable services until incapacitated by the illness that terminated so fatally . There must have been many important circumstances connected with the Masonic career of this estimable man , ivhich it is hoped will form
the subject of an abler pen than that which records what falls within its limited sphere . During the sittings of the Committee for carrying into effect the Testimonial to the Grand Master f , he was a frequent attendant , always exhibiting his blunt independence of manner ; on one occasion the Deputy Grand Master , Lord John Churchill , finding the subscription to proceed very slowly , expressed his opinion that it was disrespectful to the character of the Grand Master , and that he ( the D . G . M . ) should resign the office of Chairman . A member of the Committee , to prevent this taking place , offered to give one thousand guineas to the Committee ,