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Article TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 3 →
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Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' 99 Instruction 2 QI Mark Masonry 201 Ancient and Accepted Rite 202 Red Cross of Constantine 202 Scotland 202
Consecration of another Melrose Lodge at Glasgow ... 203 Surrey Masonic Hali ; 203 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 20 . 3 Masonic Tidings 2 ° . S West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 204 Masonic Halls 2 ° S Weekly Summary of News 205
CORRESPONDENCE : — Old Melrose Lodge 206 Masonic Literature 20 G Mr . Cuffe 207 Early Grand Encampment in Scotland 207
Speech of Bro . Parkinson 207 Reviews ..., 2 ° 1 Notes and Queries 207 Italian Freemasonry 207 Lodge Meetings for next week 208 Advertisements 197 198 204309 2 to 211 212
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
toft UtaHTj . LIVERPOOL . —Ancient Union Lodge ( No . 20 . 3 ) . —The annual meeting of the brethren of this lodge took place on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , the whole of the evening ' s proceedings being of the most successful and enjoyable character . The lodge was
opened shortly after five o ' clock by Bro . F . W . Sarjeant , W . M ., amongst his official supporters being Bros . J . Parsons , I . P . M . ; B . W . Rowson , P . P . G . Superintendent of Works , P . M . ; W . A . Wilson , P . M . ; P . M . F . Neill , S . W . ; J . Birtles , S . D .: J . Winsor , I . G . 5 C . Bromley , P . M .,
Treas . ; E . Johnson , Sec . ; W . Wilson , S . ; and P . Ball , Ty ler . The members of the lodge present were Bros . J . Gallaher , A . M'Dougall , W . Barclay , W . Winsor , R . Sillitoe , E . Greenlaw , W . N . Aronsburg , A . Barton , J . R . Japha , D . Meek , C . Birch , J- Hargreaves , W . Clarkson ,
H . C . Harrison , J . Bathie , J . Hilton , J . 11 Williams , W . Whiteside , Ed . Maccabe , J . F . Alston , C . Desoer , J . Boyes , J . Crompton , J . Fletcher , W . H . Ball , J . Thomas , T . Lovell , W . E . Helling , W . Myers , and W . Eastwood . Amongst the visitors present were C . H . Hill ,
P . G . Reg . ; T- Skeaf , P . G . O . ; Jesse Banning , P . G . O ., C . and W . ; R . R . Martin , W . M . 163 4 ; AV . Boulton , W . M . 823 ; Dr . Slack , P . M ., late 203 ; J . Wood , Treasurer 1094 ; J . T . Callow , P . M . 673 ; E . Nash , 141 ; John Winsor , 251 ; H . A . Lawton , 7 S 6 ; Dr . C . Puzey , 857 ; T .
Whitfield , 1181 ; A . C . Hesketh , 1182 ; G . Winsor , 241 ; G . Bird , 6 73 ; H . Burrows , 673 5 B . Price , 1393 ; G . Musker , 1182 ; T . W . M'Kuen , 241 ; G . W . Chirnside , 1325 5 H . W . Nicholas , I . G . 249 ; W . Burnet , 1013 , & c . After the lodge had been opened , and the minute ?
of the previous meeting confirmed , the retiring W . M ., Bro . Sarjeant , assumed the position of Installing Master , and proceeded to place Bro . Patrick McFarlane Neill , the W . M . elect , in the chair of the lodge . By thus fulfilling the important functions of Installing Master , Bro . Serjeant
worthily closed a prosperous year of ofhec , and the exceedingly masterly and thoroughly effective style in which he performed the whole ceremony , not only elicited universal admiration , but showed that he is a Masonic student of a high order . The closing charges to the Masters ,
Wardens , and brethren were especially impressive , and the closing weighty sentences were listened lo wilh the most profound attention . The brethren invested by the W . M . as officers of the lodge were Bros . J . W . Sergeant , I . P . M . ; E . Johnston , S . W . ; J .
Crompton , J . W . ; C . Bromley , P . M ., Treas ., ( re-elected ) ; J . Parsons , P . M ., Sec . ; James Winsor , S . D . ; T- Frank , J . D . ; A . McDougall , i . G . ; W . Wilson , S . S . ; and J . Hilton , J . S . Bro . P . Ball was again elected Tyler of the lodge . There being a candidate for initiation , the
newl y-installed VV . M . commenced his year ' s work by initiating hini into the mysteries and privileges of the Order in a very creditable manner . The majority of the brethren subsequentl y sat down to a sumptuous banquet , under the presidency of the W . M .. who during the earlier
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
part of the evening , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In the course of the after-dinner proceedings , Bro . Rawson , in the name of the brethren , presented Bro . Sergeant , I . P . M ., with a chaste and valuable mantel timepiece , as a token of the esteem and respect of the members ofthe Ancient Union . The presentation
was acknowledged by Bro . Sergeant , in an exceedingly thoughtful and vigorous speech , which was much above the average of the numerous complimentary orations . The health of the W . M . was received with the most enthusiastic cordiality . A very pleasant evening was enl ivened by a great number of capitally rendered songs .
IrswiCH . —Perfect Friendship Lodge ( No . 376 . )—This lodge held its jubilee meeting on Wednesday evening , the 18 th ult ., having attained the fiftieth year of its existence . Having been invited by the courtesy of the VV . M ., Bro . Gamman , to attend on this interesting occasion ,
we availed ourselves of the opportunity to visit this prosperous lodge , and must profess ourselves as greatly p leased and edified with the working of the lodge , and with the great harmony which prevailed—a characteristic not always found in Masonic Lodges , softly be it spoken .
Amongst those present were Bros . A . Gamman , W . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; Dr . Straddon , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Elliston , P . M . ; W . Spalding , P . M . ; N . Tracy , P . P . G . S . W ., S . W . ; S . B . King , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . T . Westgate , P . P . G . D . C ; J . A . Pettit , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; W . A . Smith ,
P . P . G . D . C . ; G . Scopes , J . W . ; Daking , I . G . ; Jack , P . P . G . S . D . ; Abbott ; Woods , and others . Visitors , C . F . Long , P . M . 114 ; P . G . D . C ; Emra Holmes , P . M . tfi , P . G . Reg ., P . P . G . A . D . C ; S . Wright ; P . Cornell , P . P . G . S . D ., of the British Union Lodge ; M .
Cohen and G . Abbott , of the Prince of Wales Lodge , and Bros . Westgate and King , who also represented the St . Luke ' s Lodge . Thus the whole of the Ipswich lodges were fitly represented , and a most agreeable and harmonious meeting was the result . The lodge having been
opened by Bro . N . Tracy , in the absence ofthe Master , who arrived later , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Edward Bovredd Lewcock , shipbroker , and being in his favour , and the candidate present , he was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry . The lodge being
opened in the third degree , Bros . 1 . R . Liking - ton and Albert Cannon were respectively admitted , obligated , and in due form raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , the ceremonies being conducted by Bro . Tracy in admirable style , who was ably assisted by the officers of
the lodge and by Bro . Westgate , who acted as Deacon . The Worshipful Master , whose business engagements had prevented his arriving earlier in the evening , but who usually conducts the whole of the ceremonies in excellent fashion himself , then resumed the gavel and entrusted
the newly-raised Master Masons with the secrets restricted to this degree , and the lodge was afterwaids closed down to the first degree . The W . M . then read to the brethren a letter couched in feeling and grateful terms from Mr . Franks , son of the late venerated Bro . J . Franks , P . M .,
in reply to the letter of condolence from the lodge to the relatives of the deceased brother , and which was ordered to be recorded on the minutes . The further business of the lodge having been disposed of , the lodge was closed in due and ancient form and with solemn prayer ,
and the brethren retired for refreshment . After doing ample justice to a most substantial repast , the W . M . rose and proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , not forgetting the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , which were of course loyally and Masonically responded
to , Bro . Abbott singing the solo of the National Anthem in his usual animated style . In givinq ; " The P . G . M . and officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge , " the W . M . stated that he had received a letter from Lord Wavcney expressing his great regret at being unable lo atlend that evening , but his Parliamentary duties
precluded the possibility of his accepting on that occasion the invitation ofthe lodge . His Lordship added , however , that it would not need a jubilee meeting to bring him down , and he quite hoped ere long to visit the Perfect Frindship Lodge . The W . M . took occasion to remark on the illness of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . E .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
J . Lockwood , Rector of Belstead , and expressed a hope , cordially endorsed by the brethren , that T . G . A . O . T . U . might be pleased speedily to restore him once more to health . Bro . Q . Tracej ' , whose name was coupled with the toast , responded for the Past Grand Officers and made
a few modest , and pertinent remarks . Bro . Emra Holmes responded for the present Provincial Grand Officers , who he said he believed were chosen for their Masonic zeal and attainments , and they would no doubt do their utmost to sustain the reputation of their predecessors in
office . He ventured to remark on the small number of those present who were decorated with the Royal Arch jewel , and urged the younger brethren to show their Masonic zeal and extend their Masonic knowledge by taking that sublime degree as soon as they were able to
do so . No Freemason should stop short of the Royal Arch if he wanted to be considered a Mason in truth and not in name only . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the evening "Success to the Perfect Friendship Lodge "
which was drunk upstanding with high honours , none but Master Masons being present , and those below that rank withdrawing for a time . The VV . M . in giving the toast , narrated some interesting facts culled from the old minute books in connection with the Perfect
Friendship . It appears that the first meeting to constitute the lodge was held April 21 st , 1824 , when Bro . George Bullen , W . M . of the British Union Lodge , then No . 180 , Bro . Alfred Head , S . W ., of the same Lodge , and Bro . John Garnham , J . W . of St . Luke ' s Lodge , No . 393 ,
attended for the purpose of installation . The lodge was opened at the Unicorn Inn , and the following were the first officers appointed : —J . Gosling , W . M . ; T . Hardy , I . P . M ; J . Gamham , S . W . ; S . Cook , J . W . 5 E . Planter , S . D . ; J . Hill , J . D . ; J . Bromley , I . G . ; K . Cole ,
Treasurer ; S . Pipper , Secretary ; W . Rudland , Tyler . The lodge was held at the King ' s Head Inn , the number was 790 , and at the first festival of St . John , in Dec , 1824 , twenty-four members were present . The W . M . remarked that a very salutary law was in force at that time , and on
the 21 st Sept . 1 S 25 , officers were fined for nonattendance . The following year the first brother was erased for non-payment of quarterage . In 1829 the lodge was removed to the Bee Hive Inn , and in 1830 they applied for a Royal Arch Warrant . In 1 834 there were thirty-four
members , on 23 rd Aug ., 1835 , '' X attended a Masonic funeral , that of Bro . Pepper , Secretary for eleven years . The lodge moved to the White HorseHotel ( celebrated in " Pickwick" by Dickens ) in 1 S 31 . On Oct . 19 , 1843 , the lodge took part in the ceremony of laying the
foundation stone of the handsome new custom house , a building in the Italian style of architecture They attended the Church of St . Mary-le-Tower , and afterwards went in procession to the quay with the Mayor and corporation , and after the ceremony the brethren , eighty in number , dined
together at the Assembly Rooms . Bro . W . Elliston was then W . M ., and Bro . Pettit , the builder , was Secretary . The lodge was honoured with a visit from the R . W . the P . G . M . of Essex at the St . John ' s Festival in 18 55 . Jt appears to have been of a very migratory
disposition , for some time afterwards it was removed to the Assembly Rooms , and then returned to the White Horse . The most sensible move however was that made in April , 1870 , when the lodge was removed to the handsome Masonic Hall in Brook-street , one of the most elegant and
complete Masonic halts for its size 11 : England , where it is still held , and where its prosperity is daily on the increase . Bro . Pettit , who was initiated in 1830 , and W . M . in 1835 , and whose name , together with that of Bro . W . Spalding , was coupled with the toast , gave some amusing
additional particulars as to the lodge in the old days . It appears the lodge used to meet on Sundays , and sometimes when they had their festivals , they sat down at 4 p . m ., ami left at 4 a . m . There was no Lord Abcrdare in those days ,
and every lodge did what was right in its own eyes . There had been an old Perfect Friendship Lodge , Out it had become moribund , ami it was resolved at a meeting on the casting vote of the W . M . to give up the charter , as it was thought the St . Luke ' s being , the older lodge , should have
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Table Of Contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS .
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' 99 Instruction 2 QI Mark Masonry 201 Ancient and Accepted Rite 202 Red Cross of Constantine 202 Scotland 202
Consecration of another Melrose Lodge at Glasgow ... 203 Surrey Masonic Hali ; 203 Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 20 . 3 Masonic Tidings 2 ° . S West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution 204 Masonic Halls 2 ° S Weekly Summary of News 205
CORRESPONDENCE : — Old Melrose Lodge 206 Masonic Literature 20 G Mr . Cuffe 207 Early Grand Encampment in Scotland 207
Speech of Bro . Parkinson 207 Reviews ..., 2 ° 1 Notes and Queries 207 Italian Freemasonry 207 Lodge Meetings for next week 208 Advertisements 197 198 204309 2 to 211 212
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
toft UtaHTj . LIVERPOOL . —Ancient Union Lodge ( No . 20 . 3 ) . —The annual meeting of the brethren of this lodge took place on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at the Masonic Temple , Hope-street , the whole of the evening ' s proceedings being of the most successful and enjoyable character . The lodge was
opened shortly after five o ' clock by Bro . F . W . Sarjeant , W . M ., amongst his official supporters being Bros . J . Parsons , I . P . M . ; B . W . Rowson , P . P . G . Superintendent of Works , P . M . ; W . A . Wilson , P . M . ; P . M . F . Neill , S . W . ; J . Birtles , S . D .: J . Winsor , I . G . 5 C . Bromley , P . M .,
Treas . ; E . Johnson , Sec . ; W . Wilson , S . ; and P . Ball , Ty ler . The members of the lodge present were Bros . J . Gallaher , A . M'Dougall , W . Barclay , W . Winsor , R . Sillitoe , E . Greenlaw , W . N . Aronsburg , A . Barton , J . R . Japha , D . Meek , C . Birch , J- Hargreaves , W . Clarkson ,
H . C . Harrison , J . Bathie , J . Hilton , J . 11 Williams , W . Whiteside , Ed . Maccabe , J . F . Alston , C . Desoer , J . Boyes , J . Crompton , J . Fletcher , W . H . Ball , J . Thomas , T . Lovell , W . E . Helling , W . Myers , and W . Eastwood . Amongst the visitors present were C . H . Hill ,
P . G . Reg . ; T- Skeaf , P . G . O . ; Jesse Banning , P . G . O ., C . and W . ; R . R . Martin , W . M . 163 4 ; AV . Boulton , W . M . 823 ; Dr . Slack , P . M ., late 203 ; J . Wood , Treasurer 1094 ; J . T . Callow , P . M . 673 ; E . Nash , 141 ; John Winsor , 251 ; H . A . Lawton , 7 S 6 ; Dr . C . Puzey , 857 ; T .
Whitfield , 1181 ; A . C . Hesketh , 1182 ; G . Winsor , 241 ; G . Bird , 6 73 ; H . Burrows , 673 5 B . Price , 1393 ; G . Musker , 1182 ; T . W . M'Kuen , 241 ; G . W . Chirnside , 1325 5 H . W . Nicholas , I . G . 249 ; W . Burnet , 1013 , & c . After the lodge had been opened , and the minute ?
of the previous meeting confirmed , the retiring W . M ., Bro . Sarjeant , assumed the position of Installing Master , and proceeded to place Bro . Patrick McFarlane Neill , the W . M . elect , in the chair of the lodge . By thus fulfilling the important functions of Installing Master , Bro . Serjeant
worthily closed a prosperous year of ofhec , and the exceedingly masterly and thoroughly effective style in which he performed the whole ceremony , not only elicited universal admiration , but showed that he is a Masonic student of a high order . The closing charges to the Masters ,
Wardens , and brethren were especially impressive , and the closing weighty sentences were listened lo wilh the most profound attention . The brethren invested by the W . M . as officers of the lodge were Bros . J . W . Sergeant , I . P . M . ; E . Johnston , S . W . ; J .
Crompton , J . W . ; C . Bromley , P . M ., Treas ., ( re-elected ) ; J . Parsons , P . M ., Sec . ; James Winsor , S . D . ; T- Frank , J . D . ; A . McDougall , i . G . ; W . Wilson , S . S . ; and J . Hilton , J . S . Bro . P . Ball was again elected Tyler of the lodge . There being a candidate for initiation , the
newl y-installed VV . M . commenced his year ' s work by initiating hini into the mysteries and privileges of the Order in a very creditable manner . The majority of the brethren subsequentl y sat down to a sumptuous banquet , under the presidency of the W . M .. who during the earlier
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
part of the evening , proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts . In the course of the after-dinner proceedings , Bro . Rawson , in the name of the brethren , presented Bro . Sergeant , I . P . M ., with a chaste and valuable mantel timepiece , as a token of the esteem and respect of the members ofthe Ancient Union . The presentation
was acknowledged by Bro . Sergeant , in an exceedingly thoughtful and vigorous speech , which was much above the average of the numerous complimentary orations . The health of the W . M . was received with the most enthusiastic cordiality . A very pleasant evening was enl ivened by a great number of capitally rendered songs .
IrswiCH . —Perfect Friendship Lodge ( No . 376 . )—This lodge held its jubilee meeting on Wednesday evening , the 18 th ult ., having attained the fiftieth year of its existence . Having been invited by the courtesy of the VV . M ., Bro . Gamman , to attend on this interesting occasion ,
we availed ourselves of the opportunity to visit this prosperous lodge , and must profess ourselves as greatly p leased and edified with the working of the lodge , and with the great harmony which prevailed—a characteristic not always found in Masonic Lodges , softly be it spoken .
Amongst those present were Bros . A . Gamman , W . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; Dr . Straddon , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Elliston , P . M . ; W . Spalding , P . M . ; N . Tracy , P . P . G . S . W ., S . W . ; S . B . King , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . T . Westgate , P . P . G . D . C ; J . A . Pettit , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; W . A . Smith ,
P . P . G . D . C . ; G . Scopes , J . W . ; Daking , I . G . ; Jack , P . P . G . S . D . ; Abbott ; Woods , and others . Visitors , C . F . Long , P . M . 114 ; P . G . D . C ; Emra Holmes , P . M . tfi , P . G . Reg ., P . P . G . A . D . C ; S . Wright ; P . Cornell , P . P . G . S . D ., of the British Union Lodge ; M .
Cohen and G . Abbott , of the Prince of Wales Lodge , and Bros . Westgate and King , who also represented the St . Luke ' s Lodge . Thus the whole of the Ipswich lodges were fitly represented , and a most agreeable and harmonious meeting was the result . The lodge having been
opened by Bro . N . Tracy , in the absence ofthe Master , who arrived later , and the minutes read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Edward Bovredd Lewcock , shipbroker , and being in his favour , and the candidate present , he was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry . The lodge being
opened in the third degree , Bros . 1 . R . Liking - ton and Albert Cannon were respectively admitted , obligated , and in due form raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason , the ceremonies being conducted by Bro . Tracy in admirable style , who was ably assisted by the officers of
the lodge and by Bro . Westgate , who acted as Deacon . The Worshipful Master , whose business engagements had prevented his arriving earlier in the evening , but who usually conducts the whole of the ceremonies in excellent fashion himself , then resumed the gavel and entrusted
the newly-raised Master Masons with the secrets restricted to this degree , and the lodge was afterwaids closed down to the first degree . The W . M . then read to the brethren a letter couched in feeling and grateful terms from Mr . Franks , son of the late venerated Bro . J . Franks , P . M .,
in reply to the letter of condolence from the lodge to the relatives of the deceased brother , and which was ordered to be recorded on the minutes . The further business of the lodge having been disposed of , the lodge was closed in due and ancient form and with solemn prayer ,
and the brethren retired for refreshment . After doing ample justice to a most substantial repast , the W . M . rose and proposed the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , not forgetting the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , which were of course loyally and Masonically responded
to , Bro . Abbott singing the solo of the National Anthem in his usual animated style . In givinq ; " The P . G . M . and officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge , " the W . M . stated that he had received a letter from Lord Wavcney expressing his great regret at being unable lo atlend that evening , but his Parliamentary duties
precluded the possibility of his accepting on that occasion the invitation ofthe lodge . His Lordship added , however , that it would not need a jubilee meeting to bring him down , and he quite hoped ere long to visit the Perfect Frindship Lodge . The W . M . took occasion to remark on the illness of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . E .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
J . Lockwood , Rector of Belstead , and expressed a hope , cordially endorsed by the brethren , that T . G . A . O . T . U . might be pleased speedily to restore him once more to health . Bro . Q . Tracej ' , whose name was coupled with the toast , responded for the Past Grand Officers and made
a few modest , and pertinent remarks . Bro . Emra Holmes responded for the present Provincial Grand Officers , who he said he believed were chosen for their Masonic zeal and attainments , and they would no doubt do their utmost to sustain the reputation of their predecessors in
office . He ventured to remark on the small number of those present who were decorated with the Royal Arch jewel , and urged the younger brethren to show their Masonic zeal and extend their Masonic knowledge by taking that sublime degree as soon as they were able to
do so . No Freemason should stop short of the Royal Arch if he wanted to be considered a Mason in truth and not in name only . The W . M . then proposed the toast of the evening "Success to the Perfect Friendship Lodge "
which was drunk upstanding with high honours , none but Master Masons being present , and those below that rank withdrawing for a time . The VV . M . in giving the toast , narrated some interesting facts culled from the old minute books in connection with the Perfect
Friendship . It appears that the first meeting to constitute the lodge was held April 21 st , 1824 , when Bro . George Bullen , W . M . of the British Union Lodge , then No . 180 , Bro . Alfred Head , S . W ., of the same Lodge , and Bro . John Garnham , J . W . of St . Luke ' s Lodge , No . 393 ,
attended for the purpose of installation . The lodge was opened at the Unicorn Inn , and the following were the first officers appointed : —J . Gosling , W . M . ; T . Hardy , I . P . M ; J . Gamham , S . W . ; S . Cook , J . W . 5 E . Planter , S . D . ; J . Hill , J . D . ; J . Bromley , I . G . ; K . Cole ,
Treasurer ; S . Pipper , Secretary ; W . Rudland , Tyler . The lodge was held at the King ' s Head Inn , the number was 790 , and at the first festival of St . John , in Dec , 1824 , twenty-four members were present . The W . M . remarked that a very salutary law was in force at that time , and on
the 21 st Sept . 1 S 25 , officers were fined for nonattendance . The following year the first brother was erased for non-payment of quarterage . In 1829 the lodge was removed to the Bee Hive Inn , and in 1830 they applied for a Royal Arch Warrant . In 1 834 there were thirty-four
members , on 23 rd Aug ., 1835 , '' X attended a Masonic funeral , that of Bro . Pepper , Secretary for eleven years . The lodge moved to the White HorseHotel ( celebrated in " Pickwick" by Dickens ) in 1 S 31 . On Oct . 19 , 1843 , the lodge took part in the ceremony of laying the
foundation stone of the handsome new custom house , a building in the Italian style of architecture They attended the Church of St . Mary-le-Tower , and afterwards went in procession to the quay with the Mayor and corporation , and after the ceremony the brethren , eighty in number , dined
together at the Assembly Rooms . Bro . W . Elliston was then W . M ., and Bro . Pettit , the builder , was Secretary . The lodge was honoured with a visit from the R . W . the P . G . M . of Essex at the St . John ' s Festival in 18 55 . Jt appears to have been of a very migratory
disposition , for some time afterwards it was removed to the Assembly Rooms , and then returned to the White Horse . The most sensible move however was that made in April , 1870 , when the lodge was removed to the handsome Masonic Hall in Brook-street , one of the most elegant and
complete Masonic halts for its size 11 : England , where it is still held , and where its prosperity is daily on the increase . Bro . Pettit , who was initiated in 1830 , and W . M . in 1835 , and whose name , together with that of Bro . W . Spalding , was coupled with the toast , gave some amusing
additional particulars as to the lodge in the old days . It appears the lodge used to meet on Sundays , and sometimes when they had their festivals , they sat down at 4 p . m ., ami left at 4 a . m . There was no Lord Abcrdare in those days ,
and every lodge did what was right in its own eyes . There had been an old Perfect Friendship Lodge , Out it had become moribund , ami it was resolved at a meeting on the casting vote of the W . M . to give up the charter , as it was thought the St . Luke ' s being , the older lodge , should have