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Article Reviews. ← Page 2 of 2 Article JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HERTFORD LODGE, No. 403. Page 1 of 2 Article JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HERTFORD LODGE, No. 403. Page 1 of 2 Article JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HERTFORD LODGE, No. 403. Page 1 of 2 →
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Reviews.
to the Nore , " is a " terra incognita " actually to ordinary mortals . And yet in these days of athletic exercises , of " muscular Christianity , " at an epoch when Cook ' s cosmopolitan trips are becoming stale , and Gaze ' s European journies are becoming vapid , it seems a reasonable excuse of time and temper , a proper derelopement of money and patience , to search out the nooks and corners of the " old
country , " and to realize that instead of a " cheap trip " to Boulogne or Hamburg , or Mount Blanc , or even Paris , —yes , even Paris , —it would be better for us if we realized what charms good Father Thames , and our fair country side have for the pedestrian tour or the family expedition . There are aspects and scenes of beauty , nature , and interest in
Great Britain , which we may defy the world to equal or surpass . Here we see , or we think we see , in these little books , which is the same thing , a wish to superinduce a knowledge of , and taste for , home realities and English life ; a wish to remove ignorance and impart information , equally creditable to the author as a "litterateur" and a Freemason , and , therefore , we
warmly welcome them . We have ourselves turned over the pages of the new handbook with much pleasure . We have found a good deal of interesting information in it , and we cannot help hoping that with the idea it appears to us to suggest , and the love of country it traces so effectively , when summer again brings us green meads and " sighing trees , " many a pleasant jaunt may be organized ,
which will not only bring out the great capabilities of the Thames for personal and intellectual enjoyment , but will make many better acquainted with the resourses of their own country than they are at present , in respect of a needful holiday or mental recreation . The handbook will also be useful to yachting men , and then—yes , oh ! then—it only costs " one bob ! " As Captain Cuttle says , " When found make a note of it . "
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HERTFORD LODGE , No . 403 .
A lodge of emergency in connection with the Hertford Lodge of Freemasons was held in the Shire Hall , Henford , on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., followed by a banquet in the Assembly Room , to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the lodg-e .
The proceedings were rendered the more interesting and remarkable from the fact that they also served to maik the fiftieth anniversary of the membership of Bro . Stephen Austin , sen ., the Worrhipful Master of the lodge for the present term . There was a large attendance of members , and several visitors from all parts of the country were also present .
After the transaction of the routine business of the lodge , Bro . T . S . Carter , P . M ., P . G . J . W ., in the name of the members of the lodge , presented Bro . Austin with a handsome dining-room clock , a pair of antique bronze ewers , and an address illuminated and framed , of which the following is a copy : — " To the Worshipful Bro . Stephen Austin , P . P . G . Sup .
Wks . Herts , W . M . and P . M . of the Hertford Lodge , No . 4 ° 3-" We , the members of the Hertforel Lodge , No . 403 , upon the occasion of celebrating its jubilee , most fraternally request your acceptance of the accompanying timepiece as a slight token of our esteem and regard , and as a memento of your having been one of our first initiated
members . We congratulate you upon the completion of your coth year in Freemasonry , knowing that you have been during those years a continuous subscribing member of one and the same lodge—a fact unprecedented in the annals of the Cralt . We earnestly trust that the Great Architect of the Universe will in His infinite wisdom grant you health and strength for many years , that you mav be
enabled to witness the growth and continued prosperity of the Order , and afford this loelge the advantage of your matured experience . " The Worshipful Master feelingly acknowledged the presentation , and alluding to the jubilee character of the proceedings and to the valuable articles presented to him , said that they would be placeel in his house in such a position
that his children and those who came after him might at all times look upon them and see in them an appreciation of him by the members of his lodge as a true , tried , and valued friend . In the course of his remarks he said that a brother had recently waited upon him with a manuscript containing a history of the lodge compileti from its minutes . He had added to this an article from Tumor ' s
" History of Hertford , " giving a brief history of the Craft , a list of the members of the lodge from its foundation to the present time , lists of joining members and honorary members , anel a list of Worshipful Masters from the first Master of the lodge downwards , anel thinking that a copy of these documents would be interesting to the members , he had had copies printed in the form of a book , one of
which he asked each member of the lodge and each visitor to accept . The lodge having been closed , the members and visitors adjourned to the Assembly Room , where the banquet was served . The banquet was presided over by Bro . Stephen Austin , "W . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Works , and amongst the members ol
the lodge present were Bros . Rev . Lewis Deedcs , S . W ., P . P . G . Chaplain ; Baron Dimsdale , J . W . ; J . R . Cocks , P . M ., P . P G . J . W ., Treasurer ; Robert T . Andrews , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., Secretary ; R . Benyon Croft , S . D . ; John Harrington , J . D . ; F . Taylor , I . G . ; J . E . Bumard , M . C . ;
R . W . Brett , Steward ; T . S . Carter , P . M ., P . G . J . W . ; J . D . Medcalf , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; H . Campkin , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . j H . C . Heard , P . P . G . J . D ., P . M . 449 ; C . Drummond , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; E . A . Simson , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Wks . ; J . Terry , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Boatwright , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Wks . ; S . Neale , jun . ;
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
J . E . Cussans , P . M ., 1366 ; C . C . Dick , P . M . 112 , 494 , 1181 ; W . Warrener , W . M . elect 2 ; W . P . Willson , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C . ; Abel Smitn , M . P . ; E . R . P . Francis , F . Roberts , A . J . Small , J . T . Dorman , W . J . Morris , W . Finch , J . Wells , E . Oram , W . H . Clarke , F . Cates , T . D . Medcalf , C . H . K . Gilbertson , and F . Hall . The following visitors were also present : The Right Worshipful Bro .
T . F . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . M . ; Bros . F . H . Wilson lies , M . D ., D . P . G . M . ; A . W . Nash , W . M . 409 , P . A . G . D . C . j T . Erskine Austin , P . M . 475 ; R . J . Abbott , P . M . 1473 ; R . Freer Austin , Studholme , 1591 ; Stephen Austin , jun ., 403 ; W . M . Armstrong , P . M . 403 ; j . R . Dagg , 449 ; David Roberts , P . M . 754 ; H . C . Finch , P . P . G . R ., P . M . 404 ; Geo . Turner , 70 , St . Abb , Eyemouth ; Fredk .
Venablcs , W . M . 1385 ; John Lowthin , P . M . 1185 , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . ChiWs , 4 S 3 ; George Corbie , 45 . 5 , P . P . G . J . W . Essex ; John Purrott , W . M . 1479 , P-G . S . B . ; and Malcolm Heywood , P . P . G . Orgt . 403 . Letters expressive of regret at being unable to be present were read from the following brothers : Bros . L . P . Metham , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . Devon ; W . C . Maddever , W . M . 504 ; W . Oswell
Thompson , W . M . 1757 , P . G . Chap . ; W . H . Green , 403 ; Samuel Jacobs , W . M . 1 : 527 ; Geo . Fair , 403 ; George E . Lake , W . M . 404 , P . P . G * . Regr . ; C . W . Bernard , M . D ., Secretary 1757 ; C . E . Keyser , J . W . 404 ; the Right Hon . Earl Cowpcr , K . G . ; G . T . Carter , P . M . 382 ; W . J . Fitch , P . M ., Secretary 449 ; G . E . Gompertz ' P . M ., Secretary 860 ; and S . Andrews , 403 . Bros . William Winn
Thomas Baxter , and Charles Beckett were present , and affordee ! the utmost gratification by their classical rendering of several glees , songs , & c , during the evening , Bro . M . Heywood accompanying on the pianoforte in his usual excellent manner . On the removal of the cloth , The Chairman said his duty was now to propose a
toast which was the first proposed in every company of loyal Englishmen , and he would therefore ask them to drink " The Health of the Queen . " This toast he was sure would be received with all the enthusiasm it so richly deserved . ( Applause . ) The toast was drank with great applause , the company sincing " God save the Queen . "
The Chairman next proposed "The Health of the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and in doing so remarked that he presented a striking contrast to many of his predecessors , in that he came among his people in such a way as to make himself respected , admired , and beloved . " The Health of the Pro . Grand Master ( the Earl of
Carnarvon ) , the Deputy Grand Master ( Lord Skelmersdale ) , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " followed , and was received with great enthusiasm . The Chairman next proposed "The Health of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , " and said it was unnecessary for him to say anything in the way of eulogy of the brother who filled this distinguished
office , inasmuch as he was so well known and appreciated by all present . ( Applause . ) Bro . Halsey possessed that most admirable quality of doing whatever he had to do in the best possible way it could be done , and he had , therefore , no hesitation in recommending him as an
example for them to imitate . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . Halsey , Provincial Grand Master , said he had to return them his most sincere thanks for the very kind manner in which they had received the toast of his health , and for their flattering expressions of feeling in regard to himself . He could assure them that he esteemeel them
very highly , because , from their originating with one who filled the position the Chairman did in bis lodgereckoning a membership of fifty years ' , and tilling the highest office in it—he could not regard them but as of a very high character , and as showing that his labours were appreciated . He could only say that it had given him very great pleasure to be with them em that occasion .
It was the third time , independently of the day of his installation as Pr < vinri . il Grand Master , that he had visited the Hertford Loelge , and he was glad to see that their work prospered as the years - . vent nn . ( Applause . ) He most sincerely saiel that he hope : d this meeting , marking as it did the close of one half century of their lodge ' s successful working , would be the commencement of anothet ,
and that timing the next fifty years it would go on as prosperously as it had hitherto done , and show even an increased amount of work at its close . Jt gave him great pleasure to know—although the fact was not due to any merits cf his own—tint Masonry in the province was not only not deteriorating , but in spite of bad times and depression of trade was increasing . He was glad of this
continued prosperity cf the lodges , and it was satisfactory to him to know that he had at least done nothing to counteract it . ( Applause . ) "The Health ol the Deputy G . Matter , V . W . Bro . lies , " was next proposed in very complimentary terms by Bro . Capt . Dick , P . M ., and eirunk with great applause . The Chairman next proposed "The Memory of the
Founeler-, " and remarked that it was unnecessary for him to say much to ceimmend this toast to their acceptance . The Duke of Sussex was the Grand Master at the time of the foundation cf the Hertfeird Lodge , and granted the warrant fer it upon the petition of Francis Criw , Alfred Septimus Dowling , Robert William James Rodgers , John Cass , Thomas Cobham , [ ohn Harwood , Joseph Francis
Taylor , and others . He felt that he must say a word about Bro . Crew , who was the " head and front" of the whole matter . There were people alive now who could recollect his powers of vocalisation . Anything more exquisite than his singing he ( the chairman ) never heard ,
and he pleased the members so greatly that it was felt they must have the ladies present to listen to him . Accordingly , when singing was going on , ths eloors of the lodge were opened , and the ladies , who were in the adjoining room , were permitted to hear , and this was continued for some time . ( Applause . )
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence . Bro . Halsey ( P . G . M . ) proposed the next toast , "The Worshipful Master of the Hertford Lodge , and continued prosperity to it , " which he said might emphatically be called the " toast of the evening . " When they remembered that the lodge was founded so long ago as the 1 st of September , 1829 ( as he saw by the book the Chairman
bad kindly placed in their hands ) , and when he found on the 19 th of October , in that year , in the list of initiates one of the name of Stephen Austin , jun ., printer , Hertford ( loud applause )—when he found fifty years and three days afterwards , to be exact , the same Stephen Austin—but he must say senior now—in the chair , although not for the first time , they would , he thought , agree with him in
saying that they had before them a career of which every Mason might be proud . The present year marked a great era in the province , this lodge being not alone in celebrating its jubilee , for on the 28 th November the "Watford Lodge—of which he had the honour of being a Past Master—would be engaged in the same agreeable proceedings . It would not fall to their
lot , however , for it fell to the lot of very few lodges , to celebrate the fiftieth year of its existence and the fiftieth year of the membership of a brother—and that brother the Worshipful Master—at one and the same time , but on behalf of the Watford brothers he would say that iE any of those here were there on the evening they celebrated their jubilee , they would receive a most cordial welcome .
( Loud applause . ) The Chairman on rising to respond to the toast was received with a long-continued burst of applause . On silence being at length restored , he said that he felt he must rise at once to thank them for their most kind and hearty congratulations . He felt very grateful to God , the Great Architect of the Universe , that , notwithstanding his
age , he was in the full enjoyment of all his senses . He was twenty-five years of age when he was initiated in the Hertford Lodge , and having completed his fiftieth year as a member , he was now seventy-five , and he , therefore , could not be sufficiently thankful for the health and strength which he enjoyed . ( Applause . ) He felt a little pride in his own name having been so long and agreeably
associated with the lodge , anil hoped that at the termination of another fifty years of its existence some of its descendants would be found connected with it , and woulel then receive similar expressions of good will from its members as he now did . ( Applause . ) He had just to add that none of the members of the lodge who assisted at its foundation were living now , but one or two of the
initiates of 1829 were still alive , and he desired at this time to mention their names . These were Charles Smith , of Enfield , and his friend from boyhood , Young Crawley , and then of a litt ' c later date there were Valentine Carter , of Buntingford , George Farr , William Robert Baker , of Bayfordbury , the Right Hon . William Cowper-Temple , Dr . Woodhouse—whom he would have liked to have seen
present—and Henry Kembcr . He had only in conclusion to thank them , and that most warmly , for the kinel feelings they had expressed towards himself . ( Loud applause . ) " The Health of the Visitors " was proposed by Bro . Cocks , Treasurer , and responded to by Bro . Nash . The Rev . L . Deedes , S . W ., proposed " The Masonic
Institutions , " a toast which , he said , was most dear to his own heart . The Institutions connected with Masonry were the principal attractions that induceel him to join the Hert ford Lodge , an act which he had never for a moment regretted , and he most seriously hoped that all earnest men , whatever their position in life cr the form of their religion might be , would unite in extending the benefits which they
were calculated to confer upon all , no matter what the position in life might be in which it might have pleased the Almighty to place them . ( Applause . ) These Institutions were of undoubted excellence , of tried capability , and were bringing forth fruit which would redound to the credit of all concerned in founding and conducting them . With the toast he coupled the name of Bro . James Terry
Secretary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . ( Applause . ) Bro . Terry returned thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received , and assured the company that he esteemed it a great compliment to be allowed to responel to it . Allusion had been made to the fact that these Institutions were not " charities , " and he might justly say , on
behalf of their Committees , that everything was done that could be accomplished to take away from their benefits all idea of charity . The Committees knew full well what had been done by the Hertford Lodge in the way of rendering them assistance by their contributions . He found , by referring to their books , that since its foundation the members had contributed £ 700 in this way , and
although this sum might not appear large when spread over a period of fifty years , yet , when it was remembered that it was only during the last nine or ten years that the claims of the various Institutions were brought prominently befeire them , the amcunt contributed was very considerable , anil on their behalf he had to thank the members of the Hertforel Loelge for what they had done .
( Applause . ) Bro . Carter would represent the lodge as Steward during the present year ; and he ventured to think that as Bro . Crew , to whom allusion had more than once been made , was at once time Secretary of the Girls'School , there was a debt of gratitude due to that Institution on his account which might be paid through Bro . Carter in May , 1880 . ( Applause . ) Reference was then made to the
the Girls'School and the Benevolent Institution , and in course of an eloquent appeal for adelitional subscriptions to the three Institutions , Bro . Terry mentioned th . it if an average contribution of £ 60 a year could be got frorn each lodge , no candidate for admission need ever be turned away for want of funds . The Chairman proposed " The Healths of the Officers of the Hertford Lodge , " and in doing so thanked them very
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reviews.
to the Nore , " is a " terra incognita " actually to ordinary mortals . And yet in these days of athletic exercises , of " muscular Christianity , " at an epoch when Cook ' s cosmopolitan trips are becoming stale , and Gaze ' s European journies are becoming vapid , it seems a reasonable excuse of time and temper , a proper derelopement of money and patience , to search out the nooks and corners of the " old
country , " and to realize that instead of a " cheap trip " to Boulogne or Hamburg , or Mount Blanc , or even Paris , —yes , even Paris , —it would be better for us if we realized what charms good Father Thames , and our fair country side have for the pedestrian tour or the family expedition . There are aspects and scenes of beauty , nature , and interest in
Great Britain , which we may defy the world to equal or surpass . Here we see , or we think we see , in these little books , which is the same thing , a wish to superinduce a knowledge of , and taste for , home realities and English life ; a wish to remove ignorance and impart information , equally creditable to the author as a "litterateur" and a Freemason , and , therefore , we
warmly welcome them . We have ourselves turned over the pages of the new handbook with much pleasure . We have found a good deal of interesting information in it , and we cannot help hoping that with the idea it appears to us to suggest , and the love of country it traces so effectively , when summer again brings us green meads and " sighing trees , " many a pleasant jaunt may be organized ,
which will not only bring out the great capabilities of the Thames for personal and intellectual enjoyment , but will make many better acquainted with the resourses of their own country than they are at present , in respect of a needful holiday or mental recreation . The handbook will also be useful to yachting men , and then—yes , oh ! then—it only costs " one bob ! " As Captain Cuttle says , " When found make a note of it . "
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE HERTFORD LODGE , No . 403 .
A lodge of emergency in connection with the Hertford Lodge of Freemasons was held in the Shire Hall , Henford , on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., followed by a banquet in the Assembly Room , to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the lodg-e .
The proceedings were rendered the more interesting and remarkable from the fact that they also served to maik the fiftieth anniversary of the membership of Bro . Stephen Austin , sen ., the Worrhipful Master of the lodge for the present term . There was a large attendance of members , and several visitors from all parts of the country were also present .
After the transaction of the routine business of the lodge , Bro . T . S . Carter , P . M ., P . G . J . W ., in the name of the members of the lodge , presented Bro . Austin with a handsome dining-room clock , a pair of antique bronze ewers , and an address illuminated and framed , of which the following is a copy : — " To the Worshipful Bro . Stephen Austin , P . P . G . Sup .
Wks . Herts , W . M . and P . M . of the Hertford Lodge , No . 4 ° 3-" We , the members of the Hertforel Lodge , No . 403 , upon the occasion of celebrating its jubilee , most fraternally request your acceptance of the accompanying timepiece as a slight token of our esteem and regard , and as a memento of your having been one of our first initiated
members . We congratulate you upon the completion of your coth year in Freemasonry , knowing that you have been during those years a continuous subscribing member of one and the same lodge—a fact unprecedented in the annals of the Cralt . We earnestly trust that the Great Architect of the Universe will in His infinite wisdom grant you health and strength for many years , that you mav be
enabled to witness the growth and continued prosperity of the Order , and afford this loelge the advantage of your matured experience . " The Worshipful Master feelingly acknowledged the presentation , and alluding to the jubilee character of the proceedings and to the valuable articles presented to him , said that they would be placeel in his house in such a position
that his children and those who came after him might at all times look upon them and see in them an appreciation of him by the members of his lodge as a true , tried , and valued friend . In the course of his remarks he said that a brother had recently waited upon him with a manuscript containing a history of the lodge compileti from its minutes . He had added to this an article from Tumor ' s
" History of Hertford , " giving a brief history of the Craft , a list of the members of the lodge from its foundation to the present time , lists of joining members and honorary members , anel a list of Worshipful Masters from the first Master of the lodge downwards , anel thinking that a copy of these documents would be interesting to the members , he had had copies printed in the form of a book , one of
which he asked each member of the lodge and each visitor to accept . The lodge having been closed , the members and visitors adjourned to the Assembly Room , where the banquet was served . The banquet was presided over by Bro . Stephen Austin , "W . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Works , and amongst the members ol
the lodge present were Bros . Rev . Lewis Deedcs , S . W ., P . P . G . Chaplain ; Baron Dimsdale , J . W . ; J . R . Cocks , P . M ., P . P G . J . W ., Treasurer ; Robert T . Andrews , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W ., Secretary ; R . Benyon Croft , S . D . ; John Harrington , J . D . ; F . Taylor , I . G . ; J . E . Bumard , M . C . ;
R . W . Brett , Steward ; T . S . Carter , P . M ., P . G . J . W . ; J . D . Medcalf , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; H . Campkin , P . M ., P . P . G . S . D . j H . C . Heard , P . P . G . J . D ., P . M . 449 ; C . Drummond , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; E . A . Simson , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Wks . ; J . Terry , P . M ., P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Boatwright , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . Wks . ; S . Neale , jun . ;
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
J . E . Cussans , P . M ., 1366 ; C . C . Dick , P . M . 112 , 494 , 1181 ; W . Warrener , W . M . elect 2 ; W . P . Willson , P . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C . ; Abel Smitn , M . P . ; E . R . P . Francis , F . Roberts , A . J . Small , J . T . Dorman , W . J . Morris , W . Finch , J . Wells , E . Oram , W . H . Clarke , F . Cates , T . D . Medcalf , C . H . K . Gilbertson , and F . Hall . The following visitors were also present : The Right Worshipful Bro .
T . F . Halsey , M . P ., P . G . M . ; Bros . F . H . Wilson lies , M . D ., D . P . G . M . ; A . W . Nash , W . M . 409 , P . A . G . D . C . j T . Erskine Austin , P . M . 475 ; R . J . Abbott , P . M . 1473 ; R . Freer Austin , Studholme , 1591 ; Stephen Austin , jun ., 403 ; W . M . Armstrong , P . M . 403 ; j . R . Dagg , 449 ; David Roberts , P . M . 754 ; H . C . Finch , P . P . G . R ., P . M . 404 ; Geo . Turner , 70 , St . Abb , Eyemouth ; Fredk .
Venablcs , W . M . 1385 ; John Lowthin , P . M . 1185 , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . ChiWs , 4 S 3 ; George Corbie , 45 . 5 , P . P . G . J . W . Essex ; John Purrott , W . M . 1479 , P-G . S . B . ; and Malcolm Heywood , P . P . G . Orgt . 403 . Letters expressive of regret at being unable to be present were read from the following brothers : Bros . L . P . Metham , P . G . D . England , D . P . G . M . Devon ; W . C . Maddever , W . M . 504 ; W . Oswell
Thompson , W . M . 1757 , P . G . Chap . ; W . H . Green , 403 ; Samuel Jacobs , W . M . 1 : 527 ; Geo . Fair , 403 ; George E . Lake , W . M . 404 , P . P . G * . Regr . ; C . W . Bernard , M . D ., Secretary 1757 ; C . E . Keyser , J . W . 404 ; the Right Hon . Earl Cowpcr , K . G . ; G . T . Carter , P . M . 382 ; W . J . Fitch , P . M ., Secretary 449 ; G . E . Gompertz ' P . M ., Secretary 860 ; and S . Andrews , 403 . Bros . William Winn
Thomas Baxter , and Charles Beckett were present , and affordee ! the utmost gratification by their classical rendering of several glees , songs , & c , during the evening , Bro . M . Heywood accompanying on the pianoforte in his usual excellent manner . On the removal of the cloth , The Chairman said his duty was now to propose a
toast which was the first proposed in every company of loyal Englishmen , and he would therefore ask them to drink " The Health of the Queen . " This toast he was sure would be received with all the enthusiasm it so richly deserved . ( Applause . ) The toast was drank with great applause , the company sincing " God save the Queen . "
The Chairman next proposed "The Health of the M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " and in doing so remarked that he presented a striking contrast to many of his predecessors , in that he came among his people in such a way as to make himself respected , admired , and beloved . " The Health of the Pro . Grand Master ( the Earl of
Carnarvon ) , the Deputy Grand Master ( Lord Skelmersdale ) , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " followed , and was received with great enthusiasm . The Chairman next proposed "The Health of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , " and said it was unnecessary for him to say anything in the way of eulogy of the brother who filled this distinguished
office , inasmuch as he was so well known and appreciated by all present . ( Applause . ) Bro . Halsey possessed that most admirable quality of doing whatever he had to do in the best possible way it could be done , and he had , therefore , no hesitation in recommending him as an
example for them to imitate . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . Halsey , Provincial Grand Master , said he had to return them his most sincere thanks for the very kind manner in which they had received the toast of his health , and for their flattering expressions of feeling in regard to himself . He could assure them that he esteemeel them
very highly , because , from their originating with one who filled the position the Chairman did in bis lodgereckoning a membership of fifty years ' , and tilling the highest office in it—he could not regard them but as of a very high character , and as showing that his labours were appreciated . He could only say that it had given him very great pleasure to be with them em that occasion .
It was the third time , independently of the day of his installation as Pr < vinri . il Grand Master , that he had visited the Hertford Loelge , and he was glad to see that their work prospered as the years - . vent nn . ( Applause . ) He most sincerely saiel that he hope : d this meeting , marking as it did the close of one half century of their lodge ' s successful working , would be the commencement of anothet ,
and that timing the next fifty years it would go on as prosperously as it had hitherto done , and show even an increased amount of work at its close . Jt gave him great pleasure to know—although the fact was not due to any merits cf his own—tint Masonry in the province was not only not deteriorating , but in spite of bad times and depression of trade was increasing . He was glad of this
continued prosperity cf the lodges , and it was satisfactory to him to know that he had at least done nothing to counteract it . ( Applause . ) "The Health ol the Deputy G . Matter , V . W . Bro . lies , " was next proposed in very complimentary terms by Bro . Capt . Dick , P . M ., and eirunk with great applause . The Chairman next proposed "The Memory of the
Founeler-, " and remarked that it was unnecessary for him to say much to ceimmend this toast to their acceptance . The Duke of Sussex was the Grand Master at the time of the foundation cf the Hertfeird Lodge , and granted the warrant fer it upon the petition of Francis Criw , Alfred Septimus Dowling , Robert William James Rodgers , John Cass , Thomas Cobham , [ ohn Harwood , Joseph Francis
Taylor , and others . He felt that he must say a word about Bro . Crew , who was the " head and front" of the whole matter . There were people alive now who could recollect his powers of vocalisation . Anything more exquisite than his singing he ( the chairman ) never heard ,
and he pleased the members so greatly that it was felt they must have the ladies present to listen to him . Accordingly , when singing was going on , ths eloors of the lodge were opened , and the ladies , who were in the adjoining room , were permitted to hear , and this was continued for some time . ( Applause . )
Jubilee Celebration Of The Hertford Lodge, No. 403.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence . Bro . Halsey ( P . G . M . ) proposed the next toast , "The Worshipful Master of the Hertford Lodge , and continued prosperity to it , " which he said might emphatically be called the " toast of the evening . " When they remembered that the lodge was founded so long ago as the 1 st of September , 1829 ( as he saw by the book the Chairman
bad kindly placed in their hands ) , and when he found on the 19 th of October , in that year , in the list of initiates one of the name of Stephen Austin , jun ., printer , Hertford ( loud applause )—when he found fifty years and three days afterwards , to be exact , the same Stephen Austin—but he must say senior now—in the chair , although not for the first time , they would , he thought , agree with him in
saying that they had before them a career of which every Mason might be proud . The present year marked a great era in the province , this lodge being not alone in celebrating its jubilee , for on the 28 th November the "Watford Lodge—of which he had the honour of being a Past Master—would be engaged in the same agreeable proceedings . It would not fall to their
lot , however , for it fell to the lot of very few lodges , to celebrate the fiftieth year of its existence and the fiftieth year of the membership of a brother—and that brother the Worshipful Master—at one and the same time , but on behalf of the Watford brothers he would say that iE any of those here were there on the evening they celebrated their jubilee , they would receive a most cordial welcome .
( Loud applause . ) The Chairman on rising to respond to the toast was received with a long-continued burst of applause . On silence being at length restored , he said that he felt he must rise at once to thank them for their most kind and hearty congratulations . He felt very grateful to God , the Great Architect of the Universe , that , notwithstanding his
age , he was in the full enjoyment of all his senses . He was twenty-five years of age when he was initiated in the Hertford Lodge , and having completed his fiftieth year as a member , he was now seventy-five , and he , therefore , could not be sufficiently thankful for the health and strength which he enjoyed . ( Applause . ) He felt a little pride in his own name having been so long and agreeably
associated with the lodge , anil hoped that at the termination of another fifty years of its existence some of its descendants would be found connected with it , and woulel then receive similar expressions of good will from its members as he now did . ( Applause . ) He had just to add that none of the members of the lodge who assisted at its foundation were living now , but one or two of the
initiates of 1829 were still alive , and he desired at this time to mention their names . These were Charles Smith , of Enfield , and his friend from boyhood , Young Crawley , and then of a litt ' c later date there were Valentine Carter , of Buntingford , George Farr , William Robert Baker , of Bayfordbury , the Right Hon . William Cowper-Temple , Dr . Woodhouse—whom he would have liked to have seen
present—and Henry Kembcr . He had only in conclusion to thank them , and that most warmly , for the kinel feelings they had expressed towards himself . ( Loud applause . ) " The Health of the Visitors " was proposed by Bro . Cocks , Treasurer , and responded to by Bro . Nash . The Rev . L . Deedes , S . W ., proposed " The Masonic
Institutions , " a toast which , he said , was most dear to his own heart . The Institutions connected with Masonry were the principal attractions that induceel him to join the Hert ford Lodge , an act which he had never for a moment regretted , and he most seriously hoped that all earnest men , whatever their position in life cr the form of their religion might be , would unite in extending the benefits which they
were calculated to confer upon all , no matter what the position in life might be in which it might have pleased the Almighty to place them . ( Applause . ) These Institutions were of undoubted excellence , of tried capability , and were bringing forth fruit which would redound to the credit of all concerned in founding and conducting them . With the toast he coupled the name of Bro . James Terry
Secretary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons . ( Applause . ) Bro . Terry returned thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received , and assured the company that he esteemed it a great compliment to be allowed to responel to it . Allusion had been made to the fact that these Institutions were not " charities , " and he might justly say , on
behalf of their Committees , that everything was done that could be accomplished to take away from their benefits all idea of charity . The Committees knew full well what had been done by the Hertford Lodge in the way of rendering them assistance by their contributions . He found , by referring to their books , that since its foundation the members had contributed £ 700 in this way , and
although this sum might not appear large when spread over a period of fifty years , yet , when it was remembered that it was only during the last nine or ten years that the claims of the various Institutions were brought prominently befeire them , the amcunt contributed was very considerable , anil on their behalf he had to thank the members of the Hertforel Loelge for what they had done .
( Applause . ) Bro . Carter would represent the lodge as Steward during the present year ; and he ventured to think that as Bro . Crew , to whom allusion had more than once been made , was at once time Secretary of the Girls'School , there was a debt of gratitude due to that Institution on his account which might be paid through Bro . Carter in May , 1880 . ( Applause . ) Reference was then made to the
the Girls'School and the Benevolent Institution , and in course of an eloquent appeal for adelitional subscriptions to the three Institutions , Bro . Terry mentioned th . it if an average contribution of £ 60 a year could be got frorn each lodge , no candidate for admission need ever be turned away for want of funds . The Chairman proposed " The Healths of the Officers of the Hertford Lodge , " and in doing so thanked them very