Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
next , when I hope to have the pleasure of meeting many of you at the Guildhall Tavern in Gresham-street . Bro . S . Rawson—I know Brethren , that my rising would be considered a great boldness , and if it were not for the character of the toast' which
I have the pleasure of proposing I should rise with very very great diffidence . I wish I had the eloquence of your worthy president to expatiate on his talents and virtues as he has alread y done in regard to the character of your preceptor . 1 believe however , that you will agree with me
that every word he has addressed to you in proposing the health of your preceptor mi ght be very well addressed by myself to you in speaking of him . You all feel that he is a credit to the high office he fills this evening as he is , whether in a private lodge or in Grand Lodge . Any office he
tills he adorns , and you will best express the same sentiment by drinking his health with the greatest enthusiasm . ( Cheers ) . The toast having been drunk . The Chairman saiel—I will not allow a moment to elapse before returning thanks forthe
kind manner in which you have been pleased to receive my name . I cannot forget that this lodge which has existed for so many years had as its president at the banquet , one of the most distinguished men in Alasonry , I mean our Bro . John Havers ; and I must say that anyone who had to
come after him hacl a very difficult task to fulfil . I am quite certain that the task has not been fulfilled ; but still 1 know this , that your kindness has made up for any want of that power that ought to have come from the chair . You have had formerly a great president , one who did
honour to Masonry . I have tried to do my best ; ancl you have no more than seconded me . I thank you very much for the manner in which you have received me on this occasion . T only regret that I cannot come up to the virtues and excellences of presidency which were always
displayed by our distinguished Bro . Havers . I thank you again very much . I have , as I said , tried to tlo my best . M y friend on my ri ght ( Bro . Rawson ) says I have succeeded . I do not say that , but 1 have tried to do as well as I can ; and on this occasion , and on all occasions ,
whether in the chair or out of the chair , it shall be my endeavour to support this great and glorious lodge . ( Applause ) . Bro . Brackstone Baker—I see the room is thinning so quickly that it is essential I should bring the second or duplicate toast of the evening
before you at once , that : is the toast of " The Working Brethren . " Our Bro . Aluggerielge has told you to-night that Masonry is speculative . I think it is also operative , and my opinion will be borne out when you reflect on the labour that has been bestowed by those busy bees who have
worked the ceremonies , in acquiring a knowledge of their duties . You will admit that they well deserve that we should drink their health , and drink it with the enthusiasm that belongs to Masonry . It requires not only to have a good teacher , but an apt scholar ; ancl I look upon the
present meeting as a public examination of the results of the lectures of Professor jAIuggeridge . ( Laughter . ) Those particular scholars have passed that examination and have obtained their diploma and they well deserved to be called Alasters of their art . They are the dramatis personoe of the evening ' s entertainment , and we should ill acquit
ourselves of that gratitude which we owe to the brethren who have proved themselves so worthy of their preceptor , and who have manifested to us that the art which we all profess is not speculative but operative also . Bro .. Eames will respond to the toast , as our Bro . Aluggerielge who is also a working brother has already spoken .
The brethren then drank the toast with Ala sonic honours .
Bro . Eames—In rising to return thanks for this toast I can only express my feelings of regret that the duty has not fallen into the hands of some abler representative than myself . I can only say lhat we , the working brethren of this evening , are especially happy in having our Bro .
Muggeridge among us as a working brother tonight , ancl if he had not already spoKen we should have been glad to depute to him the honour of returning thanks for us . I would expressly wish to state that we , one anel all , working brethren , feel how much we have been
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
honoured to-night that Bro . Muggeridge has accepted the position of a fellow workman . I am speaking on behalf of the other working brethren besides myself , and on their behalf as well as my own thank him for the exertion he has used in making us acquire the knowledge we possess .
In the acquisition of that knowledge we have experienced the greatest pleasure and deli ght , because we have the welfare of Freemasonry at heart , and in exhibiting our proficiency to you our pleasure has been enhanced by the knowledge of
the attention with which you have witnessed it . In conclusion , I have only to add , that we thoroughly appreciate the kind expressions you have made use of , and having the good of Masonry at heart we shall do all that lies in our power to further the welfare of this lodge of Instruction .
Bro . Benjamin Head—Our good President has empowered me to propose the next toast , and I do it with a great deal of pleasure , because it is " Success to the Sister Lodge of fnstruction . " This has been the Mother Lodge of Instruction ; but the other one has been associated with it for
some years . In that lodge our good friends , Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , Bros . Fenn ancl Baker , have taken a leading position in imparting Alasonic instruction , and we must all feel that that lodge is in the best of hands . It has gone on and prospered , with such instruction .
So amiable , so kind , so benevolent in all their feelings , they yet think it a pleasure to give instruction , and they go on performing their appointed task . We have here some members of that lodge , ancl I can only say that it always gives me great delight when I go to visit other
lodges , and hear their working . I am quite certain that everybody here feels as sincerel y for the well being of the other Lodge of Instruction as they do for their own . I shall therefore ask you to drink " Suecess to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . "
The toast having been honoured , Bro . II . Brigg replied . He said—As members of the sister lodge we are greatly obliged to you for not forgetting it on this happy occasion . Many of us are members of this lodge as well as of the Emulation , and we have the sincerest feeling of
pleasure at the success which has always attended you . This evening we have enjoyed ourselves very much , and while we are delighted at your prosperity we know you deserve it , and it is a pleasure to us at all times to come among you to congratulate you upon it .
The Chairman—Without a moment ' s pause I think I ought to propose the next toast , the last toast of the evening , because I know if we delay these things we get nearly empty benches ; ancl I must say it has been always against my principle to propose this toast at the end of the evening . I think very much earlier would have
been better , because if given so late as I now give it , as soon as the speaker begins , some one moves , and the attention which tlie toast deserves is not given to it . But as it is always given at this anniversary meeting in its present order , 1 now beg to propose " Prosperity to the Alasonic Charities . " Two of those charities have had
their festivals this year . The Aged Freemasons had a very good festival ; ancl the Boys' School , which had an unprecedently excellent list . There is one Alasonic charity that remains to have its festival , a charity , I was going to say , dearer to us all than either of the other two—cpiite as dear ,
at all events , and that is the Charity of the Girls ' School . We all know that men may struggle on even when they are beyond the period of youth . Boys may fight their way under very adverse circumstances ; but girls are left in a very disadvantageous position if their parents
have departed this life , and have had but little to give them ; and therefore beyond doubt , I think the Girls' Institution ought to have the great support of Masons . The other two Charities have had their chance , and they have done well , The Girls' chance is to come , and 1 am glad tei say that we know they have a most energetic
Secretary , a man who has distinguished himself , and who will distinguish himself , because he is a young man . He has life before him , ancl he has the advantage of the Institution before him , and he will push it to the utmost . I think therefore that in drinking this toast" The Freemasons Charities , " and in coupling that toast with thc
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
Girls' School and with its most distinguished Secretary , who will do so much for it ( he has not had a chance yet ) , Bro . Little , we can do no more than wish prosperity to it—wish he may have most distinguished success on that occasion , and upon all occasions ; and that Bro . Little may long be the distinguished Secretary of that Institution .
Bro . Little —Worshipful Sir and Brethren , following the very admirable example that you have set us this evening , I rise at once to return thanks for the toast which you have been pleased to propose . I am very pleased to know that the toast of "The Alasonic Charities " is one which
is always well received in Alasonic bodies , and I am more especially pleased on the present occasion to testify to the great liberality the Craft has displayed in supporting the two charities which have preceded the charity which I now
represent . In the year 1873 they have been most nobly , most liberally , most generously supported by the Craft . Their subscriptions have been , as you have remarked , Worshipful Sir , unprecedented , and unprecedented to an extent that we had no idea of at the commencement of the
year . We have had many expositions of the principles of Alasonry in the lodge which was held in this room . I fancy we had more than the exposition of this principle in that lotlge , for I must remember this , that without carrying the principle into practice we were told we were guilty of not performing one duty as Alasons . The admirable Institution established
by our forefathers , the Alasonic Institutions carry into practical life ancl into tangible existence the principle we all profess . They are , so to speak , " the outward and visible sign " of the principles of the Craft . 1 say it without fear of contradiction , that without those Charities
Alasonry were a mummery . You have well , as I have said , supported the Charities in the past , and I am sure that the brethren I see gathered round this board this evening will assist , and not only assist , but propagate , the principles of generosity and liberality ; n the future you have
displayed in the past—that they will rally around the Girls' School at its next festival on the 14 th Alay — that they will evince that the last of the charitable festivals , is not the least in their thoughts—that they will support Lord Skelmersdale , who is , they will have seen , to take the
chair . However amply they have evinced their sense of the duties devolving upon them by supporting the other Institutions , I am sure they have not forgotten the oldest , and as our Chairman has said not the least dear of our Charities . I will not detain you at this late period of the
evening longer than to remind you that although we are the ^ oldest , and have been liberall y supported in the past , we require liberal support in the present . We are now providing for an increased number of children . Only yesterday , at a meeting of the General Committee , they
determined to increase the number of the objects of their bounty , and I am satisfied the Craft of this country will support them in their resolution to enlarge and increase the extent of that Charity , and in that desire they will be seconded by the general body of Freemasons . 1 have to
thank you Worshipful Sir , for the way in which you have spoken of myself personally . I have every desire to tlo my duty to this noble Institution ; ancl I may say during the short period I have occupied the post , I have received the utmost assistance , the utmost aid , the utmost
encouragement not only in London but in the provinces in my desire to enlarge the scope of our usefulness , that we should extend the benefits of the Institution to the deserving children of all deserving brethren ; anti I am sure I shall continue to receive lhat support as long as I follow the same course . I have to return my
sincere thanks for myself , ancl forthe Institution of which I am the Secretary . I know . Worship ful Sir , the Masonic Charities have received the utmost aid and encouragement from you , and I am confident they will receive that encouragement in the future they have done in the past , and the encouragement of ev'ery brother around this board . ( Cheeis . )
Bro . Terry , who was loudly called for , said—Excuse me making any lengthened remarks , as I have not the power , owing to a cold , to make my voice heard ; but I return my thanks to you sir
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
next , when I hope to have the pleasure of meeting many of you at the Guildhall Tavern in Gresham-street . Bro . S . Rawson—I know Brethren , that my rising would be considered a great boldness , and if it were not for the character of the toast' which
I have the pleasure of proposing I should rise with very very great diffidence . I wish I had the eloquence of your worthy president to expatiate on his talents and virtues as he has alread y done in regard to the character of your preceptor . 1 believe however , that you will agree with me
that every word he has addressed to you in proposing the health of your preceptor mi ght be very well addressed by myself to you in speaking of him . You all feel that he is a credit to the high office he fills this evening as he is , whether in a private lodge or in Grand Lodge . Any office he
tills he adorns , and you will best express the same sentiment by drinking his health with the greatest enthusiasm . ( Cheers ) . The toast having been drunk . The Chairman saiel—I will not allow a moment to elapse before returning thanks forthe
kind manner in which you have been pleased to receive my name . I cannot forget that this lodge which has existed for so many years had as its president at the banquet , one of the most distinguished men in Alasonry , I mean our Bro . John Havers ; and I must say that anyone who had to
come after him hacl a very difficult task to fulfil . I am quite certain that the task has not been fulfilled ; but still 1 know this , that your kindness has made up for any want of that power that ought to have come from the chair . You have had formerly a great president , one who did
honour to Masonry . I have tried to do my best ; ancl you have no more than seconded me . I thank you very much for the manner in which you have received me on this occasion . T only regret that I cannot come up to the virtues and excellences of presidency which were always
displayed by our distinguished Bro . Havers . I thank you again very much . I have , as I said , tried to tlo my best . M y friend on my ri ght ( Bro . Rawson ) says I have succeeded . I do not say that , but 1 have tried to do as well as I can ; and on this occasion , and on all occasions ,
whether in the chair or out of the chair , it shall be my endeavour to support this great and glorious lodge . ( Applause ) . Bro . Brackstone Baker—I see the room is thinning so quickly that it is essential I should bring the second or duplicate toast of the evening
before you at once , that : is the toast of " The Working Brethren . " Our Bro . Aluggerielge has told you to-night that Masonry is speculative . I think it is also operative , and my opinion will be borne out when you reflect on the labour that has been bestowed by those busy bees who have
worked the ceremonies , in acquiring a knowledge of their duties . You will admit that they well deserve that we should drink their health , and drink it with the enthusiasm that belongs to Masonry . It requires not only to have a good teacher , but an apt scholar ; ancl I look upon the
present meeting as a public examination of the results of the lectures of Professor jAIuggeridge . ( Laughter . ) Those particular scholars have passed that examination and have obtained their diploma and they well deserved to be called Alasters of their art . They are the dramatis personoe of the evening ' s entertainment , and we should ill acquit
ourselves of that gratitude which we owe to the brethren who have proved themselves so worthy of their preceptor , and who have manifested to us that the art which we all profess is not speculative but operative also . Bro .. Eames will respond to the toast , as our Bro . Aluggerielge who is also a working brother has already spoken .
The brethren then drank the toast with Ala sonic honours .
Bro . Eames—In rising to return thanks for this toast I can only express my feelings of regret that the duty has not fallen into the hands of some abler representative than myself . I can only say lhat we , the working brethren of this evening , are especially happy in having our Bro .
Muggeridge among us as a working brother tonight , ancl if he had not already spoKen we should have been glad to depute to him the honour of returning thanks for us . I would expressly wish to state that we , one anel all , working brethren , feel how much we have been
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
honoured to-night that Bro . Muggeridge has accepted the position of a fellow workman . I am speaking on behalf of the other working brethren besides myself , and on their behalf as well as my own thank him for the exertion he has used in making us acquire the knowledge we possess .
In the acquisition of that knowledge we have experienced the greatest pleasure and deli ght , because we have the welfare of Freemasonry at heart , and in exhibiting our proficiency to you our pleasure has been enhanced by the knowledge of
the attention with which you have witnessed it . In conclusion , I have only to add , that we thoroughly appreciate the kind expressions you have made use of , and having the good of Masonry at heart we shall do all that lies in our power to further the welfare of this lodge of Instruction .
Bro . Benjamin Head—Our good President has empowered me to propose the next toast , and I do it with a great deal of pleasure , because it is " Success to the Sister Lodge of fnstruction . " This has been the Mother Lodge of Instruction ; but the other one has been associated with it for
some years . In that lodge our good friends , Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , Bros . Fenn ancl Baker , have taken a leading position in imparting Alasonic instruction , and we must all feel that that lodge is in the best of hands . It has gone on and prospered , with such instruction .
So amiable , so kind , so benevolent in all their feelings , they yet think it a pleasure to give instruction , and they go on performing their appointed task . We have here some members of that lodge , ancl I can only say that it always gives me great delight when I go to visit other
lodges , and hear their working . I am quite certain that everybody here feels as sincerel y for the well being of the other Lodge of Instruction as they do for their own . I shall therefore ask you to drink " Suecess to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . "
The toast having been honoured , Bro . II . Brigg replied . He said—As members of the sister lodge we are greatly obliged to you for not forgetting it on this happy occasion . Many of us are members of this lodge as well as of the Emulation , and we have the sincerest feeling of
pleasure at the success which has always attended you . This evening we have enjoyed ourselves very much , and while we are delighted at your prosperity we know you deserve it , and it is a pleasure to us at all times to come among you to congratulate you upon it .
The Chairman—Without a moment ' s pause I think I ought to propose the next toast , the last toast of the evening , because I know if we delay these things we get nearly empty benches ; ancl I must say it has been always against my principle to propose this toast at the end of the evening . I think very much earlier would have
been better , because if given so late as I now give it , as soon as the speaker begins , some one moves , and the attention which tlie toast deserves is not given to it . But as it is always given at this anniversary meeting in its present order , 1 now beg to propose " Prosperity to the Alasonic Charities . " Two of those charities have had
their festivals this year . The Aged Freemasons had a very good festival ; ancl the Boys' School , which had an unprecedently excellent list . There is one Alasonic charity that remains to have its festival , a charity , I was going to say , dearer to us all than either of the other two—cpiite as dear ,
at all events , and that is the Charity of the Girls ' School . We all know that men may struggle on even when they are beyond the period of youth . Boys may fight their way under very adverse circumstances ; but girls are left in a very disadvantageous position if their parents
have departed this life , and have had but little to give them ; and therefore beyond doubt , I think the Girls' Institution ought to have the great support of Masons . The other two Charities have had their chance , and they have done well , The Girls' chance is to come , and 1 am glad tei say that we know they have a most energetic
Secretary , a man who has distinguished himself , and who will distinguish himself , because he is a young man . He has life before him , ancl he has the advantage of the Institution before him , and he will push it to the utmost . I think therefore that in drinking this toast" The Freemasons Charities , " and in coupling that toast with thc
Annual Festival Ofthe Stability Lodgeof Instruction (No. 217).
Girls' School and with its most distinguished Secretary , who will do so much for it ( he has not had a chance yet ) , Bro . Little , we can do no more than wish prosperity to it—wish he may have most distinguished success on that occasion , and upon all occasions ; and that Bro . Little may long be the distinguished Secretary of that Institution .
Bro . Little —Worshipful Sir and Brethren , following the very admirable example that you have set us this evening , I rise at once to return thanks for the toast which you have been pleased to propose . I am very pleased to know that the toast of "The Alasonic Charities " is one which
is always well received in Alasonic bodies , and I am more especially pleased on the present occasion to testify to the great liberality the Craft has displayed in supporting the two charities which have preceded the charity which I now
represent . In the year 1873 they have been most nobly , most liberally , most generously supported by the Craft . Their subscriptions have been , as you have remarked , Worshipful Sir , unprecedented , and unprecedented to an extent that we had no idea of at the commencement of the
year . We have had many expositions of the principles of Alasonry in the lodge which was held in this room . I fancy we had more than the exposition of this principle in that lotlge , for I must remember this , that without carrying the principle into practice we were told we were guilty of not performing one duty as Alasons . The admirable Institution established
by our forefathers , the Alasonic Institutions carry into practical life ancl into tangible existence the principle we all profess . They are , so to speak , " the outward and visible sign " of the principles of the Craft . 1 say it without fear of contradiction , that without those Charities
Alasonry were a mummery . You have well , as I have said , supported the Charities in the past , and I am sure that the brethren I see gathered round this board this evening will assist , and not only assist , but propagate , the principles of generosity and liberality ; n the future you have
displayed in the past—that they will rally around the Girls' School at its next festival on the 14 th Alay — that they will evince that the last of the charitable festivals , is not the least in their thoughts—that they will support Lord Skelmersdale , who is , they will have seen , to take the
chair . However amply they have evinced their sense of the duties devolving upon them by supporting the other Institutions , I am sure they have not forgotten the oldest , and as our Chairman has said not the least dear of our Charities . I will not detain you at this late period of the
evening longer than to remind you that although we are the ^ oldest , and have been liberall y supported in the past , we require liberal support in the present . We are now providing for an increased number of children . Only yesterday , at a meeting of the General Committee , they
determined to increase the number of the objects of their bounty , and I am satisfied the Craft of this country will support them in their resolution to enlarge and increase the extent of that Charity , and in that desire they will be seconded by the general body of Freemasons . 1 have to
thank you Worshipful Sir , for the way in which you have spoken of myself personally . I have every desire to tlo my duty to this noble Institution ; ancl I may say during the short period I have occupied the post , I have received the utmost assistance , the utmost aid , the utmost
encouragement not only in London but in the provinces in my desire to enlarge the scope of our usefulness , that we should extend the benefits of the Institution to the deserving children of all deserving brethren ; anti I am sure I shall continue to receive lhat support as long as I follow the same course . I have to return my
sincere thanks for myself , ancl forthe Institution of which I am the Secretary . I know . Worship ful Sir , the Masonic Charities have received the utmost aid and encouragement from you , and I am confident they will receive that encouragement in the future they have done in the past , and the encouragement of ev'ery brother around this board . ( Cheeis . )
Bro . Terry , who was loudly called for , said—Excuse me making any lengthened remarks , as I have not the power , owing to a cold , to make my voice heard ; but I return my thanks to you sir