Annual Festival Of Lodge "Caledonian Railway," 354, Glasgow.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LODGE " CALEDONIAN RAILWAY , " 354 , GLASGOW .

The annual festival of this lodge took place on Friday evening , 19 th inst ., in the Prince of Wales ' Hall , 240 , Buchanan-street . The large hall , which was beautifully decorated with flags , emblematic banners , and evergreens , was well tilled , without

being crowded , there being in all 360 present . Bro . W . J . Hamilton , R . W . M ., presided , and on the platform were Bros . Jas . E . AVilson , P . M . ; AV R . Thomson , D . M . ; Dr . R . F . Paterson , S . M . ; D . K . Spiers , S . W . ; J . Crichton , J . W . ; A . Carmichael , Treas . ; P . Sanderson , Sec ; AVm . Smith , P . G ., Sec ;

Robt . Livingstone , R . W . M ., Star 219 ; Jas . Kerr , S . M ., Lodge of Harmony , Belfast ; Robt . Allan ; J . Goodfellow ; D . Campbell , and A . Randolp h . No . 3 bis . The p latform was also graced with the preseuce of a large number of ladies . After tea the CHAIRMAN rose and said : It has

been laid down that the power of speech was given to man to enable him to conceal his thoughts , if this paradoxical dogma , or dogmatical paradox , were to be accepted literally , there would be no necessity for me to attempt to address this assembly , inasmuch as it is with unqualified pleasure that I

rind myself called upon to preside at a meeting where intelligence and beauty are so abundantly represented . Thc addition we have got to outnumbers to-night in the persons of our lady friends , not only lends enchantment to the view , but I can see that it also awakens feelings of more than

friendship iu some , and profound respect and admiration in all . Ladies , it is a custom we have among Masons to " hail" a brother when he comes to visit us . I cannot salute you in masonic form . I can , however , address you and bid you welcome , and in the name of this lodge I now do so , and I

am sure the brethren will favor the wish I now express when I assure you I wish you could be with us always . While congratulating ourselves on the presence amongst us of so many of our fair friends , we must not forget another cause of rejoicing . I refer to the prosperity of our lodge ; it

is , as far as I know , without precedent in numbers , almost half-a-thousand men , who for intelligence and solid genuine worth in all the relatives of life , and for enthusiasm in Masonry , will bear favourable comparison with any lodge in the kingdom . Brethren , while admitting the intellectual ability and

moral worth of the members of this lodge , I must say the knowledge of Masonry evinced by themis due altogether to the ability of the late ofiicers , whose attentions to their duties were unremitting , and iu anything tending to promote the efficiency of this lodge they knew no weariness . Courteous

in their intercourse with the members , and ever ready to communicate instruction to them , they exhibited an example worthy of all praise , and proved themselves workmen that need not to be ashamed . Temperance , fortitude , prudence , and justice have distinguished them , and the propriety

and dignity of their deportment has made them an honor to the fraternity . AVheii I remember their worth , I feel how unfitted I am to follow men so distinguished ; and were it not that efficient brethren in the various offices act with me , and that I can iu any difficulty have their valuable assistance ,

I dare hardly have assumed the responsibility of accepting the proud position you have honored me with . Conscious of your support , and knowing that you will not criticise me severely , but exercise charity—the greatest of masonic virtues—I take courage and determine to do all in my power to

imitate those who have nobly gone before , trusting the lodge will continue to maintain the high position it now proudly holds . The days of set speech making are fast dying out , and even if endowed with powers of rhetoric equal to the task , it would be out of place on thia occasion to trespass upon your time with an address framed on the orthodox

plan from exordium to peroration , but rather would I try to emulate the brilliant display of fervid eloquence which many amongst us enjoyed the melancholy gratification of listening to when paying our last tribute of respect to the memory of one whose zeal in the cause of Masonry , whose noble virtues , and whose exalted position evoked such sentiments of sincere esteem as will remain a

lasting record to keep his memory green m tho present and future generations of our Craft . So much , and to the purpose , was uttered by the gifted orator in eulogising the rare merits of our lamented P . G . M ., that words of mine would be but feeble echoes of another voice ; thereforefrom the regretful past to

, the more immediate purpose of the present moment , permit me to invite your attention to the programme provided for your approval ; aud I shall conclude by wishing you the enjoyment of a pleasant evening ' s entertainment . [ Cheers . ]

An excellent musical programme was then gone through , the artistes being Misses A . and J . Blair and Bros . Clarke , Houston , Dunshee , Marm , and Porter ; Bro . A . A . Smith , Director of Music , presiding at the Piano . During an interval in the Concert the Chairman ,

Annual Festival Of Lodge "Caledonian Railway," 354, Glasgow.

in an eloquent and highly-complimentary speech , presented Bro . Jas . E . Wilson , P . M ., for the efficient manner in which he conducted the affairs of the lodge during the past two years , with a handsome silver tea and coffee service , beautifully engraved , and a P . M . 's jewel and medallion of the lodge seal in gold .

Bro . AVILSON returned thanks , as follows : Mr . Chairman , Ladies , Gentlemen , and Brethren all , it has been my privilege , as it has been a source of great pleasure and gratification to me , to attend many meetings of this lodge—I have not been absent from live since I had the honour of being initiated a member of it—but I have never before

felt so throughly overcome by conflicting feelings as I now do ; feelings of gratification at the warm and kindly reception accorded to me by this large and brilliant assemblage , feelings of gratitude for the elegant and costly gifts you have now presented to me , and feelings of diffidence that I do not deserve

the honours you are now conferring on me . I feel so overcome that I cannot say what I would , nor ¦ what I ought . From my heart I thank you ; yet I cannot help saying it is unfair that I should be the recip ient of such substantial tokens of your esteem for only doing my duty where we all have

been striving to do the same . AA here would have been the success of our lodge , but for the efficient support and advice of you , sir , aud Bros . Thomson , Paterson , and Allan—to tell all would be to name all our ofiicers , more than half our members . That my labours amongst you have been

appreciated , has been evinced to me by our large and harmonious meetings , at which all classes of our brethren have assisted at our ceremony . I am proud to-nig ht to see present on my right Bro . Goodfellow , oue of the first office-bearers and founders of this lodge . One cause of our prosperity

may be the care I have always taken to ascertain the wishes and to know the opinions of all the members of our lodge , and while ready to give my advice I bave never attempted to aet in any matter but with the full concurrence of the great majority . Indeed I may say all of our members , for during

my two years of office we have scarcely had a division . Hence our strength , hence , too , as your representative in our Provincial Grand Lodge and in Grand Lodge , I felt I could speak and act in the full confidence that I had a strong and united lodge to support ine in every good work . I almost think

these rich presents must also be to remind me that now that 1 am free of the active care of office I shall be expected to t > 'ote more timo to the history , antiquities , and science of Masonry , and to fit myself better to assist you , sirs , in training our younger brethren . I cau assure you it is my desire to do so . Circumstances over which we had no

control p laced me in the chair which you now holdwhen we wished another brother to take it and before I thought myself qualified for it . Attention to the literature of Masonry while I have held it I have , from want of time , found impossible—This , however , may have little interest for our lady friends

who , 1 daresay , are looking forward with zest to the Masons' "Grips" to lead them through the mazy dance , after our concert is over—There is one request I would make to the ladies—that is , that the } ' would see that their husbands or sweethearts , attend our working lodge meetings regularly ; for

we find that brothers who only attend once in three or six months always cause us late meetings , whether it is that they get so ignorant from non-attendance that we require more time to " post them up" as passable Masons , is not for me to say . Again , I say I cannot speak to-night ; I feel too strangely , I hope

the heart that heats in the breast on which you hung this jewel may always beat time to you and Masonry , and when it beats no more may your gifts be a memento to my sons and a stimulus to them to do their duty . From my inmost heart I thank you . [ Cheers . ]

Before thc close of the proceedings Bro . AVm . SMITH , P . G .. Sec . proposed a vote of thanks to the festival committee for the excellent manner in which they had performed the duties assigned to them , to which Bro . AV . It . THOMSON , D . M ., replied ; and Bro . LIVINGSTONE , R . AV . M ., 219 , proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman to which Bro . AV .

J . HAMILTON , R . AV . M ., replied , which closed the proceedings so far . An assembly followed , which was fashionally attended , Bro . A . A . Smith , acting as Master of Ceremonies . The dancing was kept up with great heartiness until about halt-past four in the morning , when all went home throughly well pleased with their night ' s entertainment .

Thc brethren of the Heading Lodges of Freemasons who attended the recent installation of Br . Bland as AV . M . of " Lodge of Hope , " Newbury , have , through Br . W . Biggs , made a handsome presentation to that lodge iu the shape of a . silver square and compasses , chastely engraved , in morocco case . The articles were supplied from Bro . Kenning ' s Masonic DepCt , Little Britain .

Presentation To Bro. Schmitt Of Jersey.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . SCHMITT OF JERSEY .

In our last number we gave a brief summary of the proceedings attending the presentation of a P . G . L . jewel to Bro . Schmitt , of Jersey , and we now give the worthy Brother ' s speech in reply : — " When I see so many distinguished and trusty Brethren gathered together for the sole purpose of

presenting me a testimonial , voted by the late Provincial Grand Lodge , my emotion , believe me , must be deep , preventing me from adequately conveying to you my feelings for this mark of your fraternal sympathy , but I hope you will attribute it to my want of words for imparting the sentiments I feel

vibrating in my heart , but am incapable to express . "If there is one sunny spot in thc existence of man , it is in the regard and esteem of his fellowmeu and the support of sincere friends . But where , I ask you , should a man look for friendship and affection if not iu a Masonic Lodge , for are we not a

baud of Brethren linked together in an endless chain of universal Brotherhood ? You are all , my Brethren , at this very moment , the living image of my assertion . " I came to you a perfect stranger , and on my admission into the Great Masonic Family , I soon found

a home and many friends in my newly adopted country , and never , never shall I forget those happymoments I have spent both in our Lodges , Chapters , and other Alasonic gatherings , as a member of the Order , that has withstood the storms of ages , and numbers iiow-a-day in its : anks many ofthe greatest

men of the earth and benefactors of humanity . " Ever since my name was enrolled in the cata logue of Craftsmen , I have adopted for my motto : ' To be free and to be useful . '—My conception of oui glorious and ancient Institution is liberal , large and lofty , —not confounding the operative mason , the

real builder of our Palaces and Cathedrals with the merely speculative or moral mason , whose buildings are edifices not reared with hands , whose materials are the subjugated passions of the soul and whose operations are the kindliest virtues of humanity . The moral mason builds his Temple in the human breast

and founds his structure on Truth , supporting it with the pillars of intelligence to find the Right , and of Fortitude to uphold it . The altar on which he worships is Goodwill to all men and cordial Fellowship to his Brethren . The li ghts that guide him are enli ghtened Reason and Justice , all his materials

are cemented b y Charity , and lastly he is duly bound to endeavour as f ; u- as it will be in his power , to dispel the clouds of bigotry , intolerance , superstition ami ignorance , in diffusing Knowledge and Instruction , in spreading the principles of * Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , amongst his brethren for the benefit of mankind .

" Such a conviction of the bearing and civilizing tendency of Freemasonry could not but actuate and stimulate my exertions iu that direction , aud freely and cheerfully make me devote to the good cause a considerable share of my time , deeming it a work of duty and love .

" I cannot too warmly express the pleasure and gratification 1 derive from being one of the Order ; which inculcates charity towards each other ' s faults and weaknesses , benevolence towards the distressed , the poor and the wretched , without asking or craving

to know the cause of their sorrows and alllictions , or whether they are Hindoos or Catholics , Mahometans , Protestants , Jews or Parsees , but simply because they are all children of one common parent , T . G . A . of the U .

" In conclusion , may I reckon upon your permitting me to say , that this evening ' s fraternal Festival while stamping this occasion as one of the white days of my life , will ever be prized and regarded with ardent gratitude as one ofthe brightest souvenirs in my Masonic existence , never to be effaced

from my breast . It will also be considered as a solace to my affliction and anxieties , as an affectionate and devoted sou of my cruelly oppressed Fatherland . The memory , therefore , of this festivity will ever be dear to me , whether near or far away . " AVith conscientious sincerity , 1 tender you once

more , my dear Brethren , this poor expression of thanks , and I entreat you to believe that , to retain the favourable position I have the happiness and honour to hold in your goodwill will ever be the end of my endeavours , and the highest object of my ambition , assuring you in return , that you may

reckon on anything 1 can do in co-operating with you , my Brethren , to promote the best Masonic interests of this our Province of Jersey , and finall y I pray the omnipotent Ruler and Alaster to b . ess and smile upon your families , your wives , your children , aud your homes . "

The Fifteen Sections will be worked at the Fidelity Lodge of Instruction , " Yorkshire Grey , " London-strect , Fitzroy-squarc , on Thursday evening , April 8 th , at seven o ' clock . Bro . J . A . Adams , P . M ., P . J 5 ., P . G . P ., in the chair when we hope to see a good muster of the brethren particularly of old members of the lodge .