-
Articles/Ads
Article TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
REPORTS OF MASONIC M EETINGS : — v Craft Masonry : .- 71 India 73 Mark Masonry 74 Red Cross of Constantino 74 Masonic Ball at Bury 75 Obituary 75 Consecration of a Masonic llall at San Fernando ... 75 The Order of the Temple 7 6 Masonic Notes and Queries 77 Reviews 78 Presentation to Dr . Bell 7 S CORRESPONDENCE : — Bro . Emra Holmes ' s Notes 78 Lyon ' s History of Edinburgh 70 Mr . Locke and Freemasonry 79 That Bright Morning Star 79 The Red Cross Degree 79 Status of Past Masters 79 Immediate Past Masters So Masonic Tidings 80 Masonic Meetings for next week 80 Advertisements 6 9 , 70 , 76 , 8 r , 82 , 8 , 5 , 8 4
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
€ nU Ulasonrj } .
UNITED MARINERS LODGE ( NO . 30 ) . —The regular meeting of this prosperous lodge' was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , E . C ., on Tuesday , the 21 st of January , 1873 . Bro : G . J . C . Smith , W . M . presiding . The lodge was opened in ancient form in the ist , 2 nd , and
3 rd degrees , when Bro . W . J . Osborne , W . M . elect ., was dul y installed into the chair of K . S ., b y the Installing Master Bro . J . Driscoll , P . M ., 30 , assisted by a board of 18 Installed Masters . The W . M . then appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . J . C . Smith , l . P . M . ; W . Ansell , S . W .
H . Bethell , J . W , ; R . j . Deeley , S . D . i Lefeaux , J . D . ; T . Smith , I . G . ; Caseley , D . C ; Field , S . ; J . Driscoll , A . S . ; Crossley , O . The lodge was then closed with solemn prayer , and the brethren adjourned to a well provided banquet . The usual loyal toasts having been given ,
the I . P . M ., proposed " The Health ofthe W . M ., " who dul y responded . A Past Master ' s jewel having been awarded to Bro . G . J . C . Smith , by the lodge , the W . M . dul y presented it . The toasts to the visitors P . M . ' s , and the Installing Master having been given , Bro . J . Driscoll ,
P . M ., favoured the brethren with a beautiful recitation called "The S p irit of Charity . " The toast of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons was then g iven , coupled with the name of Bro . G . J . C . Smith , I . P . M ., who has accepted the ollice of Steward
at the forthcoming festival , which toast was dul y and full y responded , by Bro . Smith , and Bro . Gompertz , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P ., Herts ; other toasts followed concluding with with the T yler ' s . A number of songs were given during the evening , a very enjoyable evening having been spent . The visitors were Bros . Younglitisband ,
P . M ., P . Prov . G . P . 241 , Lancashire ; Gompertz , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P . Herts , S 6 9 ; Parker , P . M .. 619 ; How , P . M ., 212 ; Senecal , P . M ., SrJo ; Barly , P . M ., 441 ; Fulhain , P . M ., 1031 , Birmingham ; Tye , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P ., Middlesex , 1237 ; Roberts , P . M ., 192 , and numerous other brethren .
j- KEIGHLEY . —Royal Yorkshire Lodge ( No . ' s 2 t ^ 5 ) - —The brethen of this lodge met together 011 Friday evening last , in the lodge room of the -Masonic Hall , Hanover-street , to celebrate their annual festival , in honour of St . John the
Evangelist . The banquet , to which about sixty . brethren sat down , was presided over b y Bro . J-W . Rhodes , W . M ., assisted bv his officers , , ' ^ ros . W . Naxlor . S . \ Y . ; C . Dinsd ' ale , | . W ., and . "tilers ; and the Woishi pful Past Masters , Bros , i 'loplvinson , Scott , Smith , StimnierscaL s , Wall ,
and Williamson . Thc usual patriotic , loyal , and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The "• M ., in proposing the least of "The Queen , " pni'fl y advertec to the advancement and pros-! » j , 'i > ' "' ' - country under Her Most Gracious v ^ JaJL-sty ' s reign ; the brethren heartil y responded P ) ' singing the National Anthem . After the ' ° ast of » His Royal Highness the Prince of
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Wales , Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " Bro . Asqtiith gave the song and chorus " Go . d Bless the Prince of Wales . " Bro . Capt . Williamson responded with patriotic and soldierly warmth to the " Army , Navy , and Reserved Forces-, " after which B . T . Aked
s . mg "Let me like a Soldier Fall . " "Thc M . W . G . M . of England , the Marquis of Ripon , K .-. G ., " was worthil y given by the W . M ., who pourtrayed the benevolence and charity of the M . W . G . M . in such a manner as to make every brother feel that there was one at their head
who ever had the interest of Masonry at heart . The toast was heartily and enthusiasticall y greeted with tlie honours , & c . " The Visitm" - Brethren" was g iven by the W . M ., and responded to b y Bros . Hoyle , Hope Lodge ( 302 ) , Branford ; Dr . Murgatroyd , P . M . x \ iredale ( 387 ) , Shi pley ;
B . Pawson , P . M ., the Three Graces ( 408 ) , Haworth ; B . Kidd , Craven Lodge ( 810 ) , Skipton ; and Booth , of Exeter . "The l . P . M . of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge " was given by the W . M .- , who extolled the able and praiseworth y manner in which the business and work ins- of
the lodge had been conducted during the past year , and the interest displayed for the good of Masonry in general in so worthily maintaining the hi g h position of the Royal Yorkshire . The brethreil received the toast as it deserved . The l . P . M . gave the toast of " The W . M ., " which
was heaitily responded to b y the brethren . " The Officers of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge " and other toasts were severally proposed and honoured ; and the W . M ., in g iving " The Masonic Charities , " had onl y to observe , before the brethren should honour the toast , that charitv was the
distinguishing badge of everv true Mason , and was very happy to say that the brethren of this lodge had contributed about fifty guineas to the Masonic charities during the last year . Bro . S . Summerseales , in proposing " The Distressed Masons , " said that he merel y desired to remind the brethren that the " distressed Masons " were
men who had seen " better days , and therefore felt their present misfortunes the more keenly , Ike . The toast was drunk in silence . With toasts , songs , and g lees the evening g lided pleasantly away , and the brethren retired to their respectixe homes at " low twelve . "
BODMIN . — One and All Lodge ( No . 330 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on the 12 th of January , inst ., the notification Irom the Gi . uid Luil ^ c announcing the appointment of the Ri ght Honourable The Earl of Mount Edgccumbe , as
Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall , was read , whereupon it was resolved with great applause , that a congratulatory address be presented to the Right Worship ful Provincial Grand Master , tendering to him the sincere congratulations of this , the Mother Lodge of the eastern division of this province on his appointment as Provincial
Grand Master , and that it be signed by the acting-Master , Bro . Colick , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., and transmitted b y Bro . Rich , P . M . the P . J . G . W ., Hon . Secretary 330 , to which the folloxving gracious answer has been received . " Mount Edgecombe , Davenport . "Jan . aantl , 1873 . " AVorshipful Sir and Brother ,
I hax-e the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a fraternal address signed by you on behalf of the other officers and brethren of the One and All Lodge , congratulating me upon my appointment as Prov . Grand Master of Cornwall , and I beg that you xvill accept my best
thanks for your good xvishes and be assured that I am deepl y sensible of , and much gratified b y this expression of your kindXceling towards me ; ind that f hope it may not be very long before I have an opportunity of becoming further acquainted with yourself and the members of your
lodge . " I remain , Worshi p ful Sir and Brother , Yours , fiaternally , Moui . t hdgveiimbe . " " P . RO . IL J . C 01 . V 11 . 1 ., P . M ., Acting W . M . No 3 JO . P . Prov . l . vi . W . "
PORTSMOUTH . —Purlsiiiniilh Lodge ( No . 4 87 ) . —The installation of tlie W . M . elect of this lodge ( Bro . G . S . Lancaster ) took place in the Masonic Hall , St . Mary ' s-slreet , Portsmouth , on Monday afternoon , in the presence of a number of the members of the lod ge and visiting brethren , in-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
cluding the R . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Hants and the Isle of Wi g ht . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . Deacon of England , and the following P . M . ' s and W . M . ' s—Bros . M E . Frost , P . G . Treasurer ; F . M . Wells , T . Batchelor , H . Ford , S . D . Forbes . Rake , T . Cousins , A .
Cudlipp , J . Morgan , W . C . Redward , F . G . Bradbear , H . Cawte , W . H . Ford , R . H . C . Ubsdell , F- Bigg ( London ) . Leigh Bailey , and H . T . Miller , H . Sleeman , W . M . elect , Gosport Lodge , and S . R . Ellis , W . M . elect , Royal Sussex Lod ge . The ceiemony of installation
was ably performed b y Bro . Frost , antl the musical porticn was rendered with much effect by Bros . W . Barnes , P . G . O ., Bradbear , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Lancaster , P . G . S ., and Sleeman . The W . M . appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . J . Payne , S . W . ; J . Maltby , J . W . ; John Moore ,
S . D . j E . Bunting , J . D . ; E . M . Wells , Treasurer ; M . E . Frost , Secretary ; J . Astridge , Assistant-Secretary ; W . Barnes , Organist ; Toxvnshend , D . C . ; G . Bond , I . G . After the closing cf the lodge , a banquet was served in the adjoining room , to which upwards of 60 sat doxvn ,
including a number of guests invited by the W . M ., who with great liberality placed the wines upon the tables . The W . M . presided , and the vicechairs were filled by the Wardttis of the lodge . At the conclusion of the dinner the W . M ., in terse and appropriate terms , gave "The Queen , "
"P . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Craft ; " and "The M . W . the G . M ., the Marquis of Ripon , " to which D . P . G . M . of Hants ( Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . Deacon of England ) responded . He was sure they rejoiced with him
that the D . G . M . of England ( the Earl of Carnarvon ) was a Hampshire man , whom they very much regarded , and who was an actix'e Freemason . The G . M . was very much belox'ed for his personal bearing and kindness of heart . No doubt
many of the other officers of the Grand Lodge were there to the exclusion of men xvho had an equal and per ' iaps a greater title to that position , but it was pleasing to say that all xvho occupied positiuns in the Grand Lodge had done a great deal of good xvork outside their lodges for the
Masonic Charities and in hel ping on the work of the Masonic structure in one wry or another . The G . M . had looked a little beyond the City of Lontlon , and it was onl y some few years ago that two additional Deacons xvere added to the number of appointments at the disposal of the G . M . in
order that the brethren of the provinces mi gh have thei' - merits acknowledged . He hoped f would not be long before the G . M . would cast his ey in the direction of Portsmouth , so that one of hi ( the speaker ' s ) felloxv townsmen mi ght be placed on the dais . There was great Masonic merit in
the locality , and men deserving the recognition of the G . M . The W . M . next gave " The R . W . the P . G . M . of Hampshire and Isle of Wi ght , Bro . W . W . Beach , M . P . " and expressed a hope that he would hold the office for many years to come . In proposing "The R . W . the D . P . G . M .
of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Bro . J . R . Stebbing , and officers of P . G . L ., " the W . M . said he felt hi ghl y honoured by the presence of the D . P . G . M ., who attended at some personal sacrifice . D . P . G . M . Stebbing responded in a lengthened and eloquent speech . He referred to
the fact that he had constituted that lodge , and consecrated it some thirty-one years since . In exhorting brethren not to be over anxious as-to the attainment of Masonic honours , he mentioned that when he consecrated the lodge he had the appointment in his pocket of the D . P . G . M . of
Hampshire , but he did not then accept it . and had waited until he was an older man . After suggesting that it xx'onld be well if they endeavoured to close the meetings of the lodge a little earlier than at present , the D . G . M . called attention to
the wonderful progress M-isonry was making in ihe' present day . The number of lodges had doubled within a geneiation , and the number of members far exceeded the nnmbiT in any former period of its history , although Masonry had existed from the earliest limes . After much
reading anel research he believed Masonry was one of the oldest institutions that had existed in this xvorld . Masonry was not made up of the Grand Lodge or its officers , or of the number of the lodges , but it consisted in the strength and wisdom of the lodges and in the faithfulness and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
REPORTS OF MASONIC M EETINGS : — v Craft Masonry : .- 71 India 73 Mark Masonry 74 Red Cross of Constantino 74 Masonic Ball at Bury 75 Obituary 75 Consecration of a Masonic llall at San Fernando ... 75 The Order of the Temple 7 6 Masonic Notes and Queries 77 Reviews 78 Presentation to Dr . Bell 7 S CORRESPONDENCE : — Bro . Emra Holmes ' s Notes 78 Lyon ' s History of Edinburgh 70 Mr . Locke and Freemasonry 79 That Bright Morning Star 79 The Red Cross Degree 79 Status of Past Masters 79 Immediate Past Masters So Masonic Tidings 80 Masonic Meetings for next week 80 Advertisements 6 9 , 70 , 76 , 8 r , 82 , 8 , 5 , 8 4
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
€ nU Ulasonrj } .
UNITED MARINERS LODGE ( NO . 30 ) . —The regular meeting of this prosperous lodge' was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , E . C ., on Tuesday , the 21 st of January , 1873 . Bro : G . J . C . Smith , W . M . presiding . The lodge was opened in ancient form in the ist , 2 nd , and
3 rd degrees , when Bro . W . J . Osborne , W . M . elect ., was dul y installed into the chair of K . S ., b y the Installing Master Bro . J . Driscoll , P . M ., 30 , assisted by a board of 18 Installed Masters . The W . M . then appointed his officers as follows : Bros . G . J . C . Smith , l . P . M . ; W . Ansell , S . W .
H . Bethell , J . W , ; R . j . Deeley , S . D . i Lefeaux , J . D . ; T . Smith , I . G . ; Caseley , D . C ; Field , S . ; J . Driscoll , A . S . ; Crossley , O . The lodge was then closed with solemn prayer , and the brethren adjourned to a well provided banquet . The usual loyal toasts having been given ,
the I . P . M ., proposed " The Health ofthe W . M ., " who dul y responded . A Past Master ' s jewel having been awarded to Bro . G . J . C . Smith , by the lodge , the W . M . dul y presented it . The toasts to the visitors P . M . ' s , and the Installing Master having been given , Bro . J . Driscoll ,
P . M ., favoured the brethren with a beautiful recitation called "The S p irit of Charity . " The toast of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons was then g iven , coupled with the name of Bro . G . J . C . Smith , I . P . M ., who has accepted the ollice of Steward
at the forthcoming festival , which toast was dul y and full y responded , by Bro . Smith , and Bro . Gompertz , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P ., Herts ; other toasts followed concluding with with the T yler ' s . A number of songs were given during the evening , a very enjoyable evening having been spent . The visitors were Bros . Younglitisband ,
P . M ., P . Prov . G . P . 241 , Lancashire ; Gompertz , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P . Herts , S 6 9 ; Parker , P . M .. 619 ; How , P . M ., 212 ; Senecal , P . M ., SrJo ; Barly , P . M ., 441 ; Fulhain , P . M ., 1031 , Birmingham ; Tye , P . M ., P . Prov . G . P ., Middlesex , 1237 ; Roberts , P . M ., 192 , and numerous other brethren .
j- KEIGHLEY . —Royal Yorkshire Lodge ( No . ' s 2 t ^ 5 ) - —The brethen of this lodge met together 011 Friday evening last , in the lodge room of the -Masonic Hall , Hanover-street , to celebrate their annual festival , in honour of St . John the
Evangelist . The banquet , to which about sixty . brethren sat down , was presided over b y Bro . J-W . Rhodes , W . M ., assisted bv his officers , , ' ^ ros . W . Naxlor . S . \ Y . ; C . Dinsd ' ale , | . W ., and . "tilers ; and the Woishi pful Past Masters , Bros , i 'loplvinson , Scott , Smith , StimnierscaL s , Wall ,
and Williamson . Thc usual patriotic , loyal , and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . The "• M ., in proposing the least of "The Queen , " pni'fl y advertec to the advancement and pros-! » j , 'i > ' "' ' - country under Her Most Gracious v ^ JaJL-sty ' s reign ; the brethren heartil y responded P ) ' singing the National Anthem . After the ' ° ast of » His Royal Highness the Prince of
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Wales , Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " Bro . Asqtiith gave the song and chorus " Go . d Bless the Prince of Wales . " Bro . Capt . Williamson responded with patriotic and soldierly warmth to the " Army , Navy , and Reserved Forces-, " after which B . T . Aked
s . mg "Let me like a Soldier Fall . " "Thc M . W . G . M . of England , the Marquis of Ripon , K .-. G ., " was worthil y given by the W . M ., who pourtrayed the benevolence and charity of the M . W . G . M . in such a manner as to make every brother feel that there was one at their head
who ever had the interest of Masonry at heart . The toast was heartily and enthusiasticall y greeted with tlie honours , & c . " The Visitm" - Brethren" was g iven by the W . M ., and responded to b y Bros . Hoyle , Hope Lodge ( 302 ) , Branford ; Dr . Murgatroyd , P . M . x \ iredale ( 387 ) , Shi pley ;
B . Pawson , P . M ., the Three Graces ( 408 ) , Haworth ; B . Kidd , Craven Lodge ( 810 ) , Skipton ; and Booth , of Exeter . "The l . P . M . of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge " was given by the W . M .- , who extolled the able and praiseworth y manner in which the business and work ins- of
the lodge had been conducted during the past year , and the interest displayed for the good of Masonry in general in so worthily maintaining the hi g h position of the Royal Yorkshire . The brethreil received the toast as it deserved . The l . P . M . gave the toast of " The W . M ., " which
was heaitily responded to b y the brethren . " The Officers of the Royal Yorkshire Lodge " and other toasts were severally proposed and honoured ; and the W . M ., in g iving " The Masonic Charities , " had onl y to observe , before the brethren should honour the toast , that charitv was the
distinguishing badge of everv true Mason , and was very happy to say that the brethren of this lodge had contributed about fifty guineas to the Masonic charities during the last year . Bro . S . Summerseales , in proposing " The Distressed Masons , " said that he merel y desired to remind the brethren that the " distressed Masons " were
men who had seen " better days , and therefore felt their present misfortunes the more keenly , Ike . The toast was drunk in silence . With toasts , songs , and g lees the evening g lided pleasantly away , and the brethren retired to their respectixe homes at " low twelve . "
BODMIN . — One and All Lodge ( No . 330 ) . —At the regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , on the 12 th of January , inst ., the notification Irom the Gi . uid Luil ^ c announcing the appointment of the Ri ght Honourable The Earl of Mount Edgccumbe , as
Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall , was read , whereupon it was resolved with great applause , that a congratulatory address be presented to the Right Worship ful Provincial Grand Master , tendering to him the sincere congratulations of this , the Mother Lodge of the eastern division of this province on his appointment as Provincial
Grand Master , and that it be signed by the acting-Master , Bro . Colick , P . M ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., and transmitted b y Bro . Rich , P . M . the P . J . G . W ., Hon . Secretary 330 , to which the folloxving gracious answer has been received . " Mount Edgecombe , Davenport . "Jan . aantl , 1873 . " AVorshipful Sir and Brother ,
I hax-e the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of a fraternal address signed by you on behalf of the other officers and brethren of the One and All Lodge , congratulating me upon my appointment as Prov . Grand Master of Cornwall , and I beg that you xvill accept my best
thanks for your good xvishes and be assured that I am deepl y sensible of , and much gratified b y this expression of your kindXceling towards me ; ind that f hope it may not be very long before I have an opportunity of becoming further acquainted with yourself and the members of your
lodge . " I remain , Worshi p ful Sir and Brother , Yours , fiaternally , Moui . t hdgveiimbe . " " P . RO . IL J . C 01 . V 11 . 1 ., P . M ., Acting W . M . No 3 JO . P . Prov . l . vi . W . "
PORTSMOUTH . —Purlsiiiniilh Lodge ( No . 4 87 ) . —The installation of tlie W . M . elect of this lodge ( Bro . G . S . Lancaster ) took place in the Masonic Hall , St . Mary ' s-slreet , Portsmouth , on Monday afternoon , in the presence of a number of the members of the lod ge and visiting brethren , in-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
cluding the R . W . the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Hants and the Isle of Wi g ht . Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . Deacon of England , and the following P . M . ' s and W . M . ' s—Bros . M E . Frost , P . G . Treasurer ; F . M . Wells , T . Batchelor , H . Ford , S . D . Forbes . Rake , T . Cousins , A .
Cudlipp , J . Morgan , W . C . Redward , F . G . Bradbear , H . Cawte , W . H . Ford , R . H . C . Ubsdell , F- Bigg ( London ) . Leigh Bailey , and H . T . Miller , H . Sleeman , W . M . elect , Gosport Lodge , and S . R . Ellis , W . M . elect , Royal Sussex Lod ge . The ceiemony of installation
was ably performed b y Bro . Frost , antl the musical porticn was rendered with much effect by Bros . W . Barnes , P . G . O ., Bradbear , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Lancaster , P . G . S ., and Sleeman . The W . M . appointed his officers as follows : —Bros . J . Payne , S . W . ; J . Maltby , J . W . ; John Moore ,
S . D . j E . Bunting , J . D . ; E . M . Wells , Treasurer ; M . E . Frost , Secretary ; J . Astridge , Assistant-Secretary ; W . Barnes , Organist ; Toxvnshend , D . C . ; G . Bond , I . G . After the closing cf the lodge , a banquet was served in the adjoining room , to which upwards of 60 sat doxvn ,
including a number of guests invited by the W . M ., who with great liberality placed the wines upon the tables . The W . M . presided , and the vicechairs were filled by the Wardttis of the lodge . At the conclusion of the dinner the W . M ., in terse and appropriate terms , gave "The Queen , "
"P . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the Craft ; " and "The M . W . the G . M ., the Marquis of Ripon , " to which D . P . G . M . of Hants ( Bro . J . R . Stebbing , P . G . Deacon of England ) responded . He was sure they rejoiced with him
that the D . G . M . of England ( the Earl of Carnarvon ) was a Hampshire man , whom they very much regarded , and who was an actix'e Freemason . The G . M . was very much belox'ed for his personal bearing and kindness of heart . No doubt
many of the other officers of the Grand Lodge were there to the exclusion of men xvho had an equal and per ' iaps a greater title to that position , but it was pleasing to say that all xvho occupied positiuns in the Grand Lodge had done a great deal of good xvork outside their lodges for the
Masonic Charities and in hel ping on the work of the Masonic structure in one wry or another . The G . M . had looked a little beyond the City of Lontlon , and it was onl y some few years ago that two additional Deacons xvere added to the number of appointments at the disposal of the G . M . in
order that the brethren of the provinces mi gh have thei' - merits acknowledged . He hoped f would not be long before the G . M . would cast his ey in the direction of Portsmouth , so that one of hi ( the speaker ' s ) felloxv townsmen mi ght be placed on the dais . There was great Masonic merit in
the locality , and men deserving the recognition of the G . M . The W . M . next gave " The R . W . the P . G . M . of Hampshire and Isle of Wi ght , Bro . W . W . Beach , M . P . " and expressed a hope that he would hold the office for many years to come . In proposing "The R . W . the D . P . G . M .
of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Bro . J . R . Stebbing , and officers of P . G . L ., " the W . M . said he felt hi ghl y honoured by the presence of the D . P . G . M ., who attended at some personal sacrifice . D . P . G . M . Stebbing responded in a lengthened and eloquent speech . He referred to
the fact that he had constituted that lodge , and consecrated it some thirty-one years since . In exhorting brethren not to be over anxious as-to the attainment of Masonic honours , he mentioned that when he consecrated the lodge he had the appointment in his pocket of the D . P . G . M . of
Hampshire , but he did not then accept it . and had waited until he was an older man . After suggesting that it xx'onld be well if they endeavoured to close the meetings of the lodge a little earlier than at present , the D . G . M . called attention to
the wonderful progress M-isonry was making in ihe' present day . The number of lodges had doubled within a geneiation , and the number of members far exceeded the nnmbiT in any former period of its history , although Masonry had existed from the earliest limes . After much
reading anel research he believed Masonry was one of the oldest institutions that had existed in this xvorld . Masonry was not made up of the Grand Lodge or its officers , or of the number of the lodges , but it consisted in the strength and wisdom of the lodges and in the faithfulness and