Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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n ; , rV . t he had the privilege of being present when one had joined the ranks of Masonry who , he was sure , would add lustre to the great roll ot Masons . The other Provincial Grand Officers equally appreciated the privilege , and for himself and his colleagues he congratulated the VV . M . on the excellent way in which he initiated the Mivor of Croydor . That day was somewhat of a red-letter diy—certainly with regard to Freem isonry . All the brethren who were associated with the b irough of Croydon knew perfectly well that th ? name of Edridge had been associated with everything Misonic for a long time . ye did not know that a member of that familv , who was now occupying the hinh office f first magistrate of the borough , could have done more to assist the work of Masonry
, in tliat pait of the Province of Surrey than by joining the Masonic ranks at such a time . Bro . G . A . King proposed "The Masonic Charities , " impressing upon the brethren Ihe duty if supporting the whole of those Institutions , but , drawing attention to the fact that Charity began at home , reminded them that the Insrifution for the Aged was located at Croydon . Then , the Surrey Masons considering that their first call wis to forward the claims of the children of indigent Surrey Masons , the Charity Committee of ( he Province did so , and they were successful at the last election in getting a Surrey boy i ) . e ' ed . He solicited assistance for the old people on the high ground that it wis an oichnance of the Great Architect that the weak should be supported by the strong .
Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., responded , and after detailing the benefits conferred by Ihe Girls' and the Boys' Schools , and the liberal support given to all the Institutions 1 y the Crait , stated that at the Centenary Festival of the Girls' Institution over £ 51 , 000 was subscribed , the largest sum subscribed to any Institution up to that time . But when the Jubilee of the Benevolent Institution was held in 1 S . . 12 , over £ 69 , 000 was collected for lhat Institution . No other charity ever obtained such a sum in one year . What wis going to be done at the centenary of the Boys'School in iSqSitwas utterly
impos . 'i' - le to predict . The number of the Craft was increasing , and he hoped their wealth would increase also , and that the Boys' Institution would have a larger sum than had j , t been known . Reverting to theOld People , it had been remarked that charity began at home . Croydon was the home of the Old People ' s Institution , and in that sense , and that sense only , he would ask the brethren to emulate the example of the W . M ., who , whf n Master of La Tolerance Lodge , donated a sum sufficient to qualify him as a Vice-Patron of the Benevolent Institution . But he was sure Surrey would never forget the Masonic Institutions .
Bro . Dr . S . Parsons-Smith proposed " The VV . M . " He had always had a deep interest in the Addiscombe Lodge Irom its first inception , and had hid a more or less close c < nr . cction and friendship with the brethren who had filled the position of its W . M . year i fur j ear . Looking down the roll of those illustrious names , he found two standing out wlich were always received with the greatest affection and respect when menti oned in tie Addiscombe Lodge—one was that of its first VV . M ., and the other the name of its 131 K Both those brethren had been removed by death . They were twotypical Misters . Ihe fiist was one of the keenest men , and Masonry was his hobby , and when he threw
his ardour into the establishment of the lodge the lodge had a form and substance . The 13 h was a man beloved and respected by all the brethren . Not alone did he pursue his Masonic duties in a very straightforward and Masonic manner , but by his person il qualifications he endeared himself to every person and every Freemason with whom he came in contact . He ventured to couple those two names because he thought the com-V nation cf , the two characters made a typical Master of a lodge . The nearest approach tu that combination was to be found in the brother who now so well and worthily filled the cha ' r . He would not dwell on his personal virtues , but taking his Masonic virtues ,
I e was keen in his interest in all that concerned Masonry ; he followed the example of ihe herd of English Mascnry—when he had mastered the beauties of Masonry , when he tad plumbed and sounded the depths of the art , it was his next care to bring in those vvho were near and dear to him . Those brethren who had been present in lodge that cveting must have been struck by the thorough , able , and masterly manner in which Ihe ceremony was rendered ; it was not gone through in a perfunctory manner , but as thovgh it was thoroughly understood and felt . He hoped that the way in which the beautiful principles of Masonry were emulated would sink into the ground and have
fruition in the future . When they had a man in the chair with all those virtues , the ledge had reason to be proud of such a W . M . Bro . S . G . Ediidge , VV . M ., in reply to the toast , said he wis not as a ru ' e hardprcssed to find words to express the thoughts that so often welled up in his mind . If he had any difficulty at times it was to compress what he had to say within reasonable 1 mits , ar . d not to disappoint and weary those whom it was his privilege to address . But hc did most solemnly say that he felt a heavy responsibility rested upon him in replying in fit terms to the toast which in such Masonic fervour had been proposed by Bro .
Parsons-Smith . The memory of the kindly reception he had received would not be transient , but would remain with him as one of his sweetest recollections . He took to h ' msclf a solace which was a proud heritage that he had in the brethren the goodwill which had stood the storm and stress of remarks that he had made from time to time that it Masonry vvere ether than it vvas would have given offence to several brethren . Mary 1 hen present knew that on every occasion he had had the opportunity he had ixpcsscdin no uncertain form what he considered to be the height as well as the medium and the depth of Masonry , and he ventured to say that as a glorious
brotherhood theyhad many weary miles to travel before they reached the ideal which their liturgy painted so well . They had heard a few words from Bro . King—words vvhich might well sink into their hearts—showing the necessity that lay upon them to practice Charity ; Charity vvas the raison d ' etre of tbe Order—the foundation of their existence —and that these friendly meetings which the outside public thought were the Alpha and Ortega of their being were not so . Masons knew it was nothing of the kind ; that it was a very important function to be observed , because it enabled them to meet and take sweet counsel together how they might reduce the aggregate of human misery and woe
—how they might , shoulder to shoulder , and hand in hand , joint to assist others . Where was there a nation worthy of the name which did not come face to face often vvith cises uf destitution and want ; where was there a Mason who did not meet from time to tim ; a man who had seen better days and whose heart still beat with pride , and who hid behind that pride the cankerworm within ? It vvas the duty of the Mason to get at the noids cf such an one ; it was for him to stretch forth the hand to him , to give sympathy to him and help him in his distress . What a noble ideal was this ! Was ' it to be Bordered at that one who was blessed beyond his desserts thought if Heaven had in its
[ n digality given him wealth he was only an unworthy Steward ? He hoped he had not unduly wearied the brethren , but his responsibility that night weighed very heavily upon lis . soul . He had asked to be present not only the Grand Officers but the Masters and Wardens of different lodges , because he wanted the opportunity to say to them he hoped 2 nd trusted the different Masters and Wardens would find some means of meeting together to discuss Masonic matters far more than had been the case . Lodges should te isolated only as far as their official duties were concerned ; but in that they tell very far stmt of the ideal of Masonry . He sincerely trusted that the present meeting would be
'r . e of many others at vvhich they would be able to take counsel together . In conclusion , I c thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart for the reception he had had ; he I'It it intensely and while life and health were left to him he hoped Masonry would have a near and dear corner in his heart . Bro . S . G . Edridge , W . M ., next proposed "The Initiate . " He said when they applied the level , as all good and true Masons invariably did , they applied it , of course , t » all persons , and , therefore , although there might be a peculiar importance attached [ 0 it , jet they drank that heahh that night he thought , in a Masonic sense , of a new I ri ther admitted into Masonry . He had to give them the toast of the initiate . Was it
by chance , was it by a happy coincidence , or was it by thc hand of Providence ordering things for the best , that the honour had fallen to his ljtof introducing into their Fraternity the head of his family ? Whether the one or whether the other , the honour of it he could not speak too highly of , and the benefit of it to the Craft in general could rot be over-estimated . Bro . F ' rederick Thomas Edridge had been , as they all knew , : biolutely devoted to the public service for some years past . ( What he had done under Ire rose , ncne of them knew , and there were many who could appreciate it . ) It vvas no new * uk that he had taken the important step in that night . Bro . Edridge was no novice
jn works of Charity and benevolence ; it was only opening a new and beautiful field for nim to labour in ; it was only to bring in contact with him a number of brethren equally actuated by the same motive ; and in their company let them hope and trust , as they Wieved , that he would not only spend many social happy hours , but in their company would help and assist them by his influential example and support to carry out the true interests of Freemasonry . It might be , and very likely , he was afraid , it vvas , that the
I rince of Wales would not be able to receive an address of welcome at the hands of the Masons of the Piovinceof Surrey ; that was a matter they would all regret ; but the coming cf the Piince of Wales on the lyth , instead of the 17 th , of next month would be an occasion on which they would be able practically to show their interest in those who were unable lo lake part in other than the outside portion of the celebration . It was his intention , with the assistance and help of other brethren , to see that one of the
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bast positions in Croydon to set their Grand Mister was assigned to those poor brethren and sisters to whom Bro . Terry had referred . They would 1 ) 2 entertained ( he was sorry to be able to tell the brethren it was a purely private meeting ) at a lawyer's ofli ; e . B / a happy coincidence , in order to prevent there being- anything ominous about it , he had asked Bro . Hooker and also Bro . Webb to give their best positions where he had not room , and Bro . Bullock ( there was a very good ring about the list , wnf . d brin ^ their brethren and sisters thnmih th :: crovJ-d streets ti see the s \ a , v , and then convey them bick to their hospitable roof , where h ; should ask B : o . Terry to arran' ;
something for them to eit and an J d \<\ 'i ; it woild be a ril-Wtter diy for thsivt is will as for others . It would lua great thin . r for them to see the great sho . v and citch a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of VVales . Whit hid that to do with the toast , the brethren would siy . He quite appreciated the question . It hid all the world to d > with it because he wanted to show the brethren how soon after the step had been taken by the initiate he identified himself with the interests of th ; brethren . II ; hid th ; initiate's permission to siy , and he thought it right the brethren should k IO . V , thit whit
they did would b ; griced by the initiate ' s presence , by bis wif . * , and by his sisters . He gave the toast of " The Initiate , " and w mid sit do . vn with the fee ' . ing thi * . the huidred ) of times he hid address : d audiences at C * o / d on th ; re wis n ) occtsion he hil b : e i in ire disippointed thin the way he hid done it that ni ^ h . Still , h ; kn ; . v whit wis in his heart : he hid a way—th : y knew it to their ost—he hid a rouj ' i and ready way of expressing himself , but yet he knew his aulience , and he knew th ; reception the brethren would gjive this toast when he sit do . vn would be such as to b ; a very s . vect memory to the initiate of that night .
Bro . F . I . Edridee , E . A ., responded . He slid he felt his task wis a very cleir one , and yet a very difficult one ; a very clear one , beciuse it was a duty to think the VV . M . and brethren most heartily for the very kind wiy in which they had received him in their Fraternity . He could hirdly hive expected he would be received , coming in so late in the day , with so great applause and acclimation . It was something like the else , in fact , of the wandering sheep , but he hoped it wis nit th ; cise , and thit the brethren would receive him , although coming in somewhit lite , as coming to do somethinjas far as he possibly could to support the Craft which , unquestionably , wis doin r a great
amount of good . Hs could oily siy further , tint he felt it a v ; ry greit privilege th it ha had been so introduced into the Craft—introduced by his own brother . He assured them it was not often such an event oc : urred ii the Craft , but it appeared to hi n that it was one he should treasure , and he trusted that the Craft would receive with favour . As far as he was concerned , he wis pleased to see the introductory ceremony was m ost impressive , and thit it wis conducted in a way which , to his mind , wis most difficult to conduct . It seemed so beciuse it occurrel to him , that to perform the cerem ony ii the way it wis conducted , required the greatest tact and ability , and if he mi ght be allowed
to say so in the presence of the W . M ., he would like to offer his tribute of admiration of the performance . His part was absolutely clear , but he thought his difficulties hid just begun . He was not much up yet in the mysteries of the Craft , and did not know when it began , if it went back to the diys of thc Confusion of Tongues—whether it wi ; the fact that the various Masonic signs with which he had to some extent been thit nijdit entrusted were due to the fict that the members of the Craft wished to keep themselves clear of that high distinction , or whether it wis tru : thit the first menbersof th ; Craft were those employed at the erecrbn of King Solon n ' s Temple : bur h ; dd no : ;
it was a very ancient Brotherhood , which in the past hid done excellent and good work . He was one of those matter-of-fact people not much in sympathy with ancient fi-ne . If a thing became old , and hc was asked to value it , he was personally one of those who could not swallow it ; but if it had attached to it a value , a beiuty , or usefulness , then he was one who appreciated it the more beciuse it was old . He believed , not only from what he had heard that night , but from what he had heard on many occasions , that ths Craft to which he had had the honour no . v to be introduced wa *> one thit which wis not only old , but had been useful in the past , and wis useful in the present div . He heard ,
with very great pleasure , that the very keystone of the Brotherhood wis Chirity . He was quite sure of one thing—thit si long as the Craft remembered that , so long would it continue to flourish . He did not feir thit when years forward every brother present would take a personal interest in those old people whom the people of Croydon had in their mids ** , to whom Bro . Terry had referred , and in respect of whom there was such a grand result at the Festival in iSy > . He believed there wis a great feeling for the old people . In these diys old people when they began to get old found very greit dilliculty in finding employment ; therefore , it was all the mire necessiry tilt those people who
had the means and the opportunity should , out of those m : ans and opportunities , endeavour to ascUt those who were more or less past work ; so long as the Craft did that it would continue to prosper . He further believed that in the Craft there were a very large number of people who were anxious for the benefit of their country at large , to support religion , to improve the social and moral position of their fellows , and that , therefore , in working for that they were working for the best ciuse they could hive at heart , and for these and various reasons he took it to be a great honour to have been
admitted to the partial mysteries of the ancient Craft . He hoped thit health and strength would bs spared him to do something to furthei its interests . Bros . Mawdesley and Duffet responded to the toist ol " The Visito . s , " which wis proposed by Br * . E .. Thompson , P . M ., and Bro . Lambert , P . M ., Sec , replied to th : toastof "The Officers , " which the W . M ., in proposing , seized to convey to liro . Limber * the debt ot gratitude every one owed him tor bringing the meeting to such unqualified success . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Selwyn Lodge , No . 1901 . The installation meeting of this popuhr South London lodge wis held at the Mo . itpt'lier Hotel , Choumert-road Peckham , S . E ., on Thursday , the iGth ultimo . Present Bros . Thos . Gay , W . M . ; A . II . Fraser , S . W . and W . M . elect ; F . li . l \ ,. v , J . VV . Win . Wills , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Wimble , P . M ., Sec . ; | . 11 . Stevenson , S . D . ; W II . Hook , P . M ., D . C . ; K . VVeddall Thomas , A . D . C . ; jas . Dickason , I . G . ; W . J Alford and | . Pointon , Stwds . ; Thos . Bowler , Tyler ; R . E . Anderson , P . M . ; Wal Davies , P . M . ; J . Lightfoot , P . M . ; Hy . Sercombe , C . A . Adams , ] . A . Miy , II . I )
Tredray , A . J . Elliott , L . Maybaum , Hy . Hayward , G . F . Cutts , W . G . Ford , G . R . Langley ( hon . member ) , J . E . Poole , A . Stroschneider , W . Bradslnw , W . II . Lee , II . H . Bolton , W . T . Tomkins , A . Guest , J . Frampton , and C . II . Mirrison . The visitors were Bros . W . B . Seagrave , P . M . 1672 ; D . Channon , P . M . 1475 ; J . VV . Very , P . M . 6 : y ; E . Dainton , S 74 ; A . Hart , 765 ; Jas . A . Thornhill , P . M . 1329 ; D . J . Robinson , P . M . 1 S 6 ; J . A . Braik , S . VV . 2310 ; Fred . Flood , P . M . and Sec . i . je _ ., Prov . A . G . D . C . Surrey ; j . Ellinger , P . M . 2222 ; Chas . Wheatley , S . D . 1512 ; VV . Hipgravc , 1632 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1 C 41 .
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditors ' report was received and adopted , which showed the lodge to lie in a sound financial position . Bro . W . II . Hook , P . M ., D . C ., next presented Bro . A . II . Fraser . S . VV . and W . M . elect , to receive the benefit of installation at the hands of Bro . R . E . Anderson , P . M ., which ceremony was performed in a commendable manner , as were also the three addresses . Bro . Fraser , VV . M ., invested his ollicers as folio vs : Bros . T . VV . Gay I . P . M . ; F . Ii . Pow , S . VV . ; J . II . Stevenson , J . VV . ; VVm . Wills , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Wimble , P . M ., Sec . VV . H . Hook , P . M ., D . C . ; VV . I . Allfo . d , A . D . C . ; F . H .
Ford , S . D ., ; J . A . Dickason , J D . ; R . Weddall Thomas , I . G . ; J . S . Pointon , J . A . May , and C . Id . Marrison , Stewards ; and Thos . Bowler , Tyler . Three names were handed in for initiation , which augurs well for th ; lod ^ e . It wis unanimously resoWel that a letter of sympathy be sent to Bro . F . II . Ford , S . D ., in his serious illness , heartily wishing his speedy recovery . A Committee was formed to cirry out the su n-ner outing during the month of June similar to last year , which proved most successful . A letter
was read from Bro . L , Eagle , an inmate of the Royal Hospital for Incura ' ol-is , thaiking the brethren for their great efforts in : ;; curing his son's election to the R . M . I . B ., under the able presidency of Bro . Geo . R . Langley , who replied , stating the liob . bt / incurred in votes on that occasion was liquidated , and he would thank th ; Hrethren for al tie assistance they could render him oil behalf of Mrs . Miry Pasci ' . l Clark , in which cise h ; wis much interested .
'The business of thc lodge ended it was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a recherche banquet , supplied by Bro . Pow , the proprietor , most a ' o ' y assisted by thc worthy hostess . 'Ihe cloth removed , thc loyal and Masonic toasts svere most loyally g ' wen and received , as was also that of "The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Ollicers , Presentand Past , " the VV . M . calling upon Bro . F . Flood , P . M ., Sec . i < j 2 < j , Prov . A . G . D . C . Surrey , who , in replying to the command of the VV . M ., said he would state that thc Grand OHicers performed their duties faithfully and well , and the GIIHQ spirit permeated the whole of the ofiicers of the lodge . He wis only a Prov . Grand Oliicer , but
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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n ; , rV . t he had the privilege of being present when one had joined the ranks of Masonry who , he was sure , would add lustre to the great roll ot Masons . The other Provincial Grand Officers equally appreciated the privilege , and for himself and his colleagues he congratulated the VV . M . on the excellent way in which he initiated the Mivor of Croydor . That day was somewhat of a red-letter diy—certainly with regard to Freem isonry . All the brethren who were associated with the b irough of Croydon knew perfectly well that th ? name of Edridge had been associated with everything Misonic for a long time . ye did not know that a member of that familv , who was now occupying the hinh office f first magistrate of the borough , could have done more to assist the work of Masonry
, in tliat pait of the Province of Surrey than by joining the Masonic ranks at such a time . Bro . G . A . King proposed "The Masonic Charities , " impressing upon the brethren Ihe duty if supporting the whole of those Institutions , but , drawing attention to the fact that Charity began at home , reminded them that the Insrifution for the Aged was located at Croydon . Then , the Surrey Masons considering that their first call wis to forward the claims of the children of indigent Surrey Masons , the Charity Committee of ( he Province did so , and they were successful at the last election in getting a Surrey boy i ) . e ' ed . He solicited assistance for the old people on the high ground that it wis an oichnance of the Great Architect that the weak should be supported by the strong .
Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., responded , and after detailing the benefits conferred by Ihe Girls' and the Boys' Schools , and the liberal support given to all the Institutions 1 y the Crait , stated that at the Centenary Festival of the Girls' Institution over £ 51 , 000 was subscribed , the largest sum subscribed to any Institution up to that time . But when the Jubilee of the Benevolent Institution was held in 1 S . . 12 , over £ 69 , 000 was collected for lhat Institution . No other charity ever obtained such a sum in one year . What wis going to be done at the centenary of the Boys'School in iSqSitwas utterly
impos . 'i' - le to predict . The number of the Craft was increasing , and he hoped their wealth would increase also , and that the Boys' Institution would have a larger sum than had j , t been known . Reverting to theOld People , it had been remarked that charity began at home . Croydon was the home of the Old People ' s Institution , and in that sense , and that sense only , he would ask the brethren to emulate the example of the W . M ., who , whf n Master of La Tolerance Lodge , donated a sum sufficient to qualify him as a Vice-Patron of the Benevolent Institution . But he was sure Surrey would never forget the Masonic Institutions .
Bro . Dr . S . Parsons-Smith proposed " The VV . M . " He had always had a deep interest in the Addiscombe Lodge Irom its first inception , and had hid a more or less close c < nr . cction and friendship with the brethren who had filled the position of its W . M . year i fur j ear . Looking down the roll of those illustrious names , he found two standing out wlich were always received with the greatest affection and respect when menti oned in tie Addiscombe Lodge—one was that of its first VV . M ., and the other the name of its 131 K Both those brethren had been removed by death . They were twotypical Misters . Ihe fiist was one of the keenest men , and Masonry was his hobby , and when he threw
his ardour into the establishment of the lodge the lodge had a form and substance . The 13 h was a man beloved and respected by all the brethren . Not alone did he pursue his Masonic duties in a very straightforward and Masonic manner , but by his person il qualifications he endeared himself to every person and every Freemason with whom he came in contact . He ventured to couple those two names because he thought the com-V nation cf , the two characters made a typical Master of a lodge . The nearest approach tu that combination was to be found in the brother who now so well and worthily filled the cha ' r . He would not dwell on his personal virtues , but taking his Masonic virtues ,
I e was keen in his interest in all that concerned Masonry ; he followed the example of ihe herd of English Mascnry—when he had mastered the beauties of Masonry , when he tad plumbed and sounded the depths of the art , it was his next care to bring in those vvho were near and dear to him . Those brethren who had been present in lodge that cveting must have been struck by the thorough , able , and masterly manner in which Ihe ceremony was rendered ; it was not gone through in a perfunctory manner , but as thovgh it was thoroughly understood and felt . He hoped that the way in which the beautiful principles of Masonry were emulated would sink into the ground and have
fruition in the future . When they had a man in the chair with all those virtues , the ledge had reason to be proud of such a W . M . Bro . S . G . Ediidge , VV . M ., in reply to the toast , said he wis not as a ru ' e hardprcssed to find words to express the thoughts that so often welled up in his mind . If he had any difficulty at times it was to compress what he had to say within reasonable 1 mits , ar . d not to disappoint and weary those whom it was his privilege to address . But hc did most solemnly say that he felt a heavy responsibility rested upon him in replying in fit terms to the toast which in such Masonic fervour had been proposed by Bro .
Parsons-Smith . The memory of the kindly reception he had received would not be transient , but would remain with him as one of his sweetest recollections . He took to h ' msclf a solace which was a proud heritage that he had in the brethren the goodwill which had stood the storm and stress of remarks that he had made from time to time that it Masonry vvere ether than it vvas would have given offence to several brethren . Mary 1 hen present knew that on every occasion he had had the opportunity he had ixpcsscdin no uncertain form what he considered to be the height as well as the medium and the depth of Masonry , and he ventured to say that as a glorious
brotherhood theyhad many weary miles to travel before they reached the ideal which their liturgy painted so well . They had heard a few words from Bro . King—words vvhich might well sink into their hearts—showing the necessity that lay upon them to practice Charity ; Charity vvas the raison d ' etre of tbe Order—the foundation of their existence —and that these friendly meetings which the outside public thought were the Alpha and Ortega of their being were not so . Masons knew it was nothing of the kind ; that it was a very important function to be observed , because it enabled them to meet and take sweet counsel together how they might reduce the aggregate of human misery and woe
—how they might , shoulder to shoulder , and hand in hand , joint to assist others . Where was there a nation worthy of the name which did not come face to face often vvith cises uf destitution and want ; where was there a Mason who did not meet from time to tim ; a man who had seen better days and whose heart still beat with pride , and who hid behind that pride the cankerworm within ? It vvas the duty of the Mason to get at the noids cf such an one ; it was for him to stretch forth the hand to him , to give sympathy to him and help him in his distress . What a noble ideal was this ! Was ' it to be Bordered at that one who was blessed beyond his desserts thought if Heaven had in its
[ n digality given him wealth he was only an unworthy Steward ? He hoped he had not unduly wearied the brethren , but his responsibility that night weighed very heavily upon lis . soul . He had asked to be present not only the Grand Officers but the Masters and Wardens of different lodges , because he wanted the opportunity to say to them he hoped 2 nd trusted the different Masters and Wardens would find some means of meeting together to discuss Masonic matters far more than had been the case . Lodges should te isolated only as far as their official duties were concerned ; but in that they tell very far stmt of the ideal of Masonry . He sincerely trusted that the present meeting would be
'r . e of many others at vvhich they would be able to take counsel together . In conclusion , I c thanked the brethren from the bottom of his heart for the reception he had had ; he I'It it intensely and while life and health were left to him he hoped Masonry would have a near and dear corner in his heart . Bro . S . G . Edridge , W . M ., next proposed "The Initiate . " He said when they applied the level , as all good and true Masons invariably did , they applied it , of course , t » all persons , and , therefore , although there might be a peculiar importance attached [ 0 it , jet they drank that heahh that night he thought , in a Masonic sense , of a new I ri ther admitted into Masonry . He had to give them the toast of the initiate . Was it
by chance , was it by a happy coincidence , or was it by thc hand of Providence ordering things for the best , that the honour had fallen to his ljtof introducing into their Fraternity the head of his family ? Whether the one or whether the other , the honour of it he could not speak too highly of , and the benefit of it to the Craft in general could rot be over-estimated . Bro . F ' rederick Thomas Edridge had been , as they all knew , : biolutely devoted to the public service for some years past . ( What he had done under Ire rose , ncne of them knew , and there were many who could appreciate it . ) It vvas no new * uk that he had taken the important step in that night . Bro . Edridge was no novice
jn works of Charity and benevolence ; it was only opening a new and beautiful field for nim to labour in ; it was only to bring in contact with him a number of brethren equally actuated by the same motive ; and in their company let them hope and trust , as they Wieved , that he would not only spend many social happy hours , but in their company would help and assist them by his influential example and support to carry out the true interests of Freemasonry . It might be , and very likely , he was afraid , it vvas , that the
I rince of Wales would not be able to receive an address of welcome at the hands of the Masons of the Piovinceof Surrey ; that was a matter they would all regret ; but the coming cf the Piince of Wales on the lyth , instead of the 17 th , of next month would be an occasion on which they would be able practically to show their interest in those who were unable lo lake part in other than the outside portion of the celebration . It was his intention , with the assistance and help of other brethren , to see that one of the
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bast positions in Croydon to set their Grand Mister was assigned to those poor brethren and sisters to whom Bro . Terry had referred . They would 1 ) 2 entertained ( he was sorry to be able to tell the brethren it was a purely private meeting ) at a lawyer's ofli ; e . B / a happy coincidence , in order to prevent there being- anything ominous about it , he had asked Bro . Hooker and also Bro . Webb to give their best positions where he had not room , and Bro . Bullock ( there was a very good ring about the list , wnf . d brin ^ their brethren and sisters thnmih th :: crovJ-d streets ti see the s \ a , v , and then convey them bick to their hospitable roof , where h ; should ask B : o . Terry to arran' ;
something for them to eit and an J d \<\ 'i ; it woild be a ril-Wtter diy for thsivt is will as for others . It would lua great thin . r for them to see the great sho . v and citch a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of VVales . Whit hid that to do with the toast , the brethren would siy . He quite appreciated the question . It hid all the world to d > with it because he wanted to show the brethren how soon after the step had been taken by the initiate he identified himself with the interests of th ; brethren . II ; hid th ; initiate's permission to siy , and he thought it right the brethren should k IO . V , thit whit
they did would b ; griced by the initiate ' s presence , by bis wif . * , and by his sisters . He gave the toast of " The Initiate , " and w mid sit do . vn with the fee ' . ing thi * . the huidred ) of times he hid address : d audiences at C * o / d on th ; re wis n ) occtsion he hil b : e i in ire disippointed thin the way he hid done it that ni ^ h . Still , h ; kn ; . v whit wis in his heart : he hid a way—th : y knew it to their ost—he hid a rouj ' i and ready way of expressing himself , but yet he knew his aulience , and he knew th ; reception the brethren would gjive this toast when he sit do . vn would be such as to b ; a very s . vect memory to the initiate of that night .
Bro . F . I . Edridee , E . A ., responded . He slid he felt his task wis a very cleir one , and yet a very difficult one ; a very clear one , beciuse it was a duty to think the VV . M . and brethren most heartily for the very kind wiy in which they had received him in their Fraternity . He could hirdly hive expected he would be received , coming in so late in the day , with so great applause and acclimation . It was something like the else , in fact , of the wandering sheep , but he hoped it wis nit th ; cise , and thit the brethren would receive him , although coming in somewhit lite , as coming to do somethinjas far as he possibly could to support the Craft which , unquestionably , wis doin r a great
amount of good . Hs could oily siy further , tint he felt it a v ; ry greit privilege th it ha had been so introduced into the Craft—introduced by his own brother . He assured them it was not often such an event oc : urred ii the Craft , but it appeared to hi n that it was one he should treasure , and he trusted that the Craft would receive with favour . As far as he was concerned , he wis pleased to see the introductory ceremony was m ost impressive , and thit it wis conducted in a way which , to his mind , wis most difficult to conduct . It seemed so beciuse it occurrel to him , that to perform the cerem ony ii the way it wis conducted , required the greatest tact and ability , and if he mi ght be allowed
to say so in the presence of the W . M ., he would like to offer his tribute of admiration of the performance . His part was absolutely clear , but he thought his difficulties hid just begun . He was not much up yet in the mysteries of the Craft , and did not know when it began , if it went back to the diys of thc Confusion of Tongues—whether it wi ; the fact that the various Masonic signs with which he had to some extent been thit nijdit entrusted were due to the fict that the members of the Craft wished to keep themselves clear of that high distinction , or whether it wis tru : thit the first menbersof th ; Craft were those employed at the erecrbn of King Solon n ' s Temple : bur h ; dd no : ;
it was a very ancient Brotherhood , which in the past hid done excellent and good work . He was one of those matter-of-fact people not much in sympathy with ancient fi-ne . If a thing became old , and hc was asked to value it , he was personally one of those who could not swallow it ; but if it had attached to it a value , a beiuty , or usefulness , then he was one who appreciated it the more beciuse it was old . He believed , not only from what he had heard that night , but from what he had heard on many occasions , that ths Craft to which he had had the honour no . v to be introduced wa *> one thit which wis not only old , but had been useful in the past , and wis useful in the present div . He heard ,
with very great pleasure , that the very keystone of the Brotherhood wis Chirity . He was quite sure of one thing—thit si long as the Craft remembered that , so long would it continue to flourish . He did not feir thit when years forward every brother present would take a personal interest in those old people whom the people of Croydon had in their mids ** , to whom Bro . Terry had referred , and in respect of whom there was such a grand result at the Festival in iSy > . He believed there wis a great feeling for the old people . In these diys old people when they began to get old found very greit dilliculty in finding employment ; therefore , it was all the mire necessiry tilt those people who
had the means and the opportunity should , out of those m : ans and opportunities , endeavour to ascUt those who were more or less past work ; so long as the Craft did that it would continue to prosper . He further believed that in the Craft there were a very large number of people who were anxious for the benefit of their country at large , to support religion , to improve the social and moral position of their fellows , and that , therefore , in working for that they were working for the best ciuse they could hive at heart , and for these and various reasons he took it to be a great honour to have been
admitted to the partial mysteries of the ancient Craft . He hoped thit health and strength would bs spared him to do something to furthei its interests . Bros . Mawdesley and Duffet responded to the toist ol " The Visito . s , " which wis proposed by Br * . E .. Thompson , P . M ., and Bro . Lambert , P . M ., Sec , replied to th : toastof "The Officers , " which the W . M ., in proposing , seized to convey to liro . Limber * the debt ot gratitude every one owed him tor bringing the meeting to such unqualified success . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings .
Selwyn Lodge , No . 1901 . The installation meeting of this popuhr South London lodge wis held at the Mo . itpt'lier Hotel , Choumert-road Peckham , S . E ., on Thursday , the iGth ultimo . Present Bros . Thos . Gay , W . M . ; A . II . Fraser , S . W . and W . M . elect ; F . li . l \ ,. v , J . VV . Win . Wills , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Wimble , P . M ., Sec . ; | . 11 . Stevenson , S . D . ; W II . Hook , P . M ., D . C . ; K . VVeddall Thomas , A . D . C . ; jas . Dickason , I . G . ; W . J Alford and | . Pointon , Stwds . ; Thos . Bowler , Tyler ; R . E . Anderson , P . M . ; Wal Davies , P . M . ; J . Lightfoot , P . M . ; Hy . Sercombe , C . A . Adams , ] . A . Miy , II . I )
Tredray , A . J . Elliott , L . Maybaum , Hy . Hayward , G . F . Cutts , W . G . Ford , G . R . Langley ( hon . member ) , J . E . Poole , A . Stroschneider , W . Bradslnw , W . II . Lee , II . H . Bolton , W . T . Tomkins , A . Guest , J . Frampton , and C . II . Mirrison . The visitors were Bros . W . B . Seagrave , P . M . 1672 ; D . Channon , P . M . 1475 ; J . VV . Very , P . M . 6 : y ; E . Dainton , S 74 ; A . Hart , 765 ; Jas . A . Thornhill , P . M . 1329 ; D . J . Robinson , P . M . 1 S 6 ; J . A . Braik , S . VV . 2310 ; Fred . Flood , P . M . and Sec . i . je _ ., Prov . A . G . D . C . Surrey ; j . Ellinger , P . M . 2222 ; Chas . Wheatley , S . D . 1512 ; VV . Hipgravc , 1632 ; and C . H . Stone , P . M . 507 , S . D . 1 C 41 .
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The Auditors ' report was received and adopted , which showed the lodge to lie in a sound financial position . Bro . W . II . Hook , P . M ., D . C ., next presented Bro . A . II . Fraser . S . VV . and W . M . elect , to receive the benefit of installation at the hands of Bro . R . E . Anderson , P . M ., which ceremony was performed in a commendable manner , as were also the three addresses . Bro . Fraser , VV . M ., invested his ollicers as folio vs : Bros . T . VV . Gay I . P . M . ; F . Ii . Pow , S . VV . ; J . II . Stevenson , J . VV . ; VVm . Wills , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Wimble , P . M ., Sec . VV . H . Hook , P . M ., D . C . ; VV . I . Allfo . d , A . D . C . ; F . H .
Ford , S . D ., ; J . A . Dickason , J D . ; R . Weddall Thomas , I . G . ; J . S . Pointon , J . A . May , and C . Id . Marrison , Stewards ; and Thos . Bowler , Tyler . Three names were handed in for initiation , which augurs well for th ; lod ^ e . It wis unanimously resoWel that a letter of sympathy be sent to Bro . F . II . Ford , S . D ., in his serious illness , heartily wishing his speedy recovery . A Committee was formed to cirry out the su n-ner outing during the month of June similar to last year , which proved most successful . A letter
was read from Bro . L , Eagle , an inmate of the Royal Hospital for Incura ' ol-is , thaiking the brethren for their great efforts in : ;; curing his son's election to the R . M . I . B ., under the able presidency of Bro . Geo . R . Langley , who replied , stating the liob . bt / incurred in votes on that occasion was liquidated , and he would thank th ; Hrethren for al tie assistance they could render him oil behalf of Mrs . Miry Pasci ' . l Clark , in which cise h ; wis much interested .
'The business of thc lodge ended it was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a recherche banquet , supplied by Bro . Pow , the proprietor , most a ' o ' y assisted by thc worthy hostess . 'Ihe cloth removed , thc loyal and Masonic toasts svere most loyally g ' wen and received , as was also that of "The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Ollicers , Presentand Past , " the VV . M . calling upon Bro . F . Flood , P . M ., Sec . i < j 2 < j , Prov . A . G . D . C . Surrey , who , in replying to the command of the VV . M ., said he would state that thc Grand OHicers performed their duties faithfully and well , and the GIIHQ spirit permeated the whole of the ofiicers of the lodge . He wis only a Prov . Grand Oliicer , but