Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Greenwood Lodge, No. 1982, Epsom.
In speaking to the next toast , " The Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said that General Brownrigg stood in the highest estimation amongst the members of his province , while with respect to the Provincial Grand Ofiicers , one and all felt proud in being associated with such a chief .
In reply Bro . SITWELL thanked the W . M . and members of the lodge for the hospitality they had dispensed . He felt he was speaking the sentiments of all for whom he was replying when he wished the lodge every prosperity . He , with the other brethren who had assisted in the ceremony
of the day , appreciated the compliment paid them by making them honorary members of this new lodge , and felt it must be a source of infinite o-ratification to Bro . Greenwood to have his name perpetuated by this nssociation .
Bro . H . E . FRANCES proposed the "Worshipful Master . " He said he had had great pleasure in conducting the ceremony of installation that day , though he had to make some few slight alterations in order to conform to the peculiar views Bro . Steele—xvho is a member of the Society of
Friendsentertained . This was the first time in the course of his Masonic experience when he had to accept an affirmation in lieu of the customary obligation . However , Bro . Steele was a thoroughly honest and consistent worker , and he ( Bro . Frances ) and all associated with the lodge felt he would conscientiously carry out the duties of Master of the new lodge .
Bro . STEELE in acknowledging the compliment regretted he could not command the flow of language so eloquently dispensed by Bro . Frances . However , he could assure those present the position he noxv occupied was one he held in the highest estimation . He had felt from the time he was
received as an initiate into the Brotherhood there was a something to strive for , and in his aspiration he had realised that Bro . Frances was a tower o £ strength . He thanked the brethren most cordially for the reception they had given him , and assured them he would strive to the utmost to advance the lodge .
" The Visitors having been honoured and acknowledged , a toast was g iven in honour of the Claremont Lodge , the brethren of which had so kindly acted as sponsors for the Greenwood . Bro . STEELE commented upon the well-ordered lines on which the Claremont Lodge was conducted , and stated it would be his desire to emulate it .
Bro . VINCENT in replying said the little services he had been enabled to render were cordially entered upon , and he anticipated that a bright future would be the outcome of the day ' s work they had been engaged in .
Other toasts followed and some capital songs and glees were given , while the Prov . Grand Chaplain played a march composed by himself that met with especial favour from the brethren . Bro . Theodore Distin also sang with great effect a new song of his own composition , "The Queen ' s Hussar . "
Summer Entertainment At The Institution At Croydon.
SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT AT THE INSTITUTION AT CROYDON .
The summer entertainment to the residents of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Croydon took place on Tuesday last . With the usual forethought for the comfort of visitors Bro Terry had arranged for special saloon carriages to be reserved in the train leaving Charing-cross at , 3 . 22 , aiid calling at Cannon-street and London-bridge , so that the visitors
to the Institution travelled and arrived together . As customary on these occasions the visitors took an early tea on their arrival and afterxvards visited the residents in their homes or strolled with them in the grounds until halfpast six when the big bell summoned everybody tothe hall , ¦ vhere they found Bro . Harry Tipper and his troupe , known as the Royal Criterion Hand-bell
ringers and glee singers , awaiting them with their carillon of 120 silver-toned bells , and peal of twelve silver bells . The performances on the bells were highly successful and excited the wonder as well as the admiration of the audience ; aud the glee singing was both admirable and highly amusing . On the bells the performance included selections from Faust
( Soldier ' s chorus ) , and Les Cloches de Corneville and II Irovatore . Selections of English and Scotch music , including " The blue bells of Scotland , " and " Auld lang syne . " The specimens of dance music including the Picnic Glee , polka , and My Queen , waltz ; and in addition on the peals of silver bells , an imitation of village chimes was given , introducing
the morning and evening hymns , & c . Of all the performances on the bells this last named appeared to make the deepest impression on the audience , judging from the applause which followed . My Queen , waltz , was another piece which stood out from the rest of the performance as peculiarl y good , and Auld Lang Syne was another . Scotch airs appear
particularl y suitable for performance upon the bells . " The lost chord as a four-part song , was very ably sung , also " Comrade ' s song of hope , " and one entitled " A little farm well tilled . " Mr . Tipper was exceedingly amusing in his solo songs "The Muddle Puddle porter , " " He went to a Party , " and "The awful scrub , " the addition of chorus , especially
'o the last mentioned , greatly increasing thc effect of this already sufficiently droll song . The "Gypsy ' s laughing chorus " was also very well sung , and secured much very genuine applause . When these professional gentlemen had concluded their performance there was still nearly an hour to spare before the departure of the appointed train for London ; but volunteers were
soon found to continue the concert . Miss Terry and Miss Owen sang very prettil y , M , * Strong performed a brilliant pianoforte solo , and Mr . Hal-• ord , jun ., sang " The powder monkey " with good effect . There was an abundant supply of the finest fruit in season provided for the refreshment ° f the old people and the friends who had come to see them enjoy themselves ,
Summer Entertainment At The Institution At Croydon.
and these with cake and wine were handed round by volunteer waiters at interx'als during the evening . It must not be omitted that Bro . Terry did not come down empty handed ; for each of the old ladies he brought a pound of tea and a pound of sugar ; for each of the male residents he brought half-a-pound of tobacco ,
and a bottle of port or sherry for each of them . The former gifts were sent by the Supreme Council of the 33 , and the wine by Bro . Ellis , of Leadenhall-street . Bro . and Mrs . Murlis also sent down a large box of very fine roses , which were presented to each of the residents as they passed into the hall .
At the conclusion of the concert Bro . NEWTON said that a very pleasing duty was placed on his shoulders to propose a vote of thanks to " Bro . Terry " the well beloved Secretary of the Institution for the entertainment that he had succeeded in placing before the company on that occasion . He should not detain them with any remarks , but trusted that his proposal would
be responded to heartily . When he thought of the first entertainment which was given at the institution and which consisted merely of a conjurer's enter , tainment , and compared it with that which they had had that evening , and remembered all the care and trouble in which it involved the Secretary he
thought they could do no less than return their thanks to Bro . Terry . Bro . Halford , who was one of the first to promote the institution of these annual entertainments , was now present among them , and he would bear out what he had said about the great advance ihey had made in the entertainments since they were first introduced .
Bro . i ERRY in returning thanks said that for the evidence of the kindly feeling toxvards him which had just been shown lie was very , very much indebted to those present ; to his old and tried friend , Bro . Newton , for the kind words he had used in speaking of him , and to the friends assembled there for their hearty response . The providing the entertainment did not ,
however , rest with him , but with the Committee ; the Committee authorised him to provide an entertainment of this description , and he undertook to do his duty , and he did his best . That it had been a successful entertainment he hoped , and trusted that those present had enjoyed themselves ; and that they might have many , many occasions of meeting together and enjoying
each other s society was his earnest wish , and he trusted it was theirs also . The happier they could be together—the morecomfortable their guests could be made—the more these meetings could be made home like , the better and happier for all . The writer of a letter to one of the Masonic paperswho signed himself " Watchman , " had spoken ol the Home at Croydon as a
white elephant ; had said it was associatied with the idea of wrecked fortunes and happier days ; and that though it was a haven of rest to the weary , the bane was equally present with the antidote . Bro . Terry doubted if the writer of that letter had ever been within those walls , or he would have seen that their inmates had a home where all could eniov
themselves as if they were living in their own apartments , where there was no restriction whatever placed on them , but where they had to a great extent the advantage of a comfortable private residence , and the further advantage of a watchful Committee , who displayed the greatest care and
anxiety for thc comfort and well being of those who resided within those walls . If their friend , "The Watchman , " would come that way and reveal himself , they might be able to enlighten his mind and enlist his sympathy , so that he might become an annual subscriber , or even a Governor of the Institution . They all knew , however , that it was much
more easy to find fault than to govern wisely . While lhat Institution conlinued a residential institution , he venturedto hope that their friends who had been there that day would endorse his sentiments ; it was not conducted as an ordinary charitable institution , but each one was made to think of it as his own particular residence . Bro . Terry said he felt it to be right to
give this public contradiction to " Watchman , " though as a rule he never answered anonymous correspondents . He hoped and trusted that " Watchman " might favour them with a visit there , and become disabused of the erroneous ideas with which his mind was impressed . Amongst those present
were—Mr . and Mrs . Robt . H . Halford , Mr . Thos . Jones , Mr . Hy . and Mrs . Bartlett , Mr . and Mrs . Dixon , Mr . and Mrs . Moore , Mr . and Mrs . Berry , Rev . W . H . W . Casely , Miss Jessie and Miss Kate Terry , Miss Ayliffe , Mr . Drexv , the Misses A . and E . Halford , tha Misses Lottie and Annie Loffill , Bros . Edgar Bowyer , Farnfield , Cubitt , Dr . Strong , Bro . and Mrs . Nexvton , Mrs . Morris , Bro . and and Mrs . Murlis , Miss Simmonds , Mrs . Culmer , Mrs . Hampton , Mrs . Mason , Bros . Spooner , James Terry , J . E . Terry , Recknell , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) .
THE IrsauisiTioN . —In the famous Bill ol Clement XII ., April 2 S , 1738 , Freemasons were kindly recommended lo ils tender mercies , " xvhoever they" ( the Freemasons ) " might be . " Though much has been said of the cruelties of the Inquisition against Freemasons , except the known cases at Lisbon , we are not aware of any authentic narratives of such acts . As Freemasons , we should always avoid exaggeration . No doubt Torrubia ,
thc xvell-knoxvn Inquisitor and a Franciscan , in 1751 , at Madrid , issued a complaint against the Freemasons as a most pernicious and damnable sect of heretics , and that holy man was quite prepared to have a nice little auto da fe . The King , however , is said to have objected , and by a royal decree , 2 nd of July , 1751 , suppressed all lodges in Spain . There are later stories of the persecution of the Inquisition and sufferings of Freemasons at Seville , but we do not feel satisfied as to their accuracy . As we have said
before , we have spoken to a brother in the flesh who escaped from the Inqusition at Madrid by the aid of a friendly and fraternal familiar . ( See Sandoval the Freemason . ) In Italy , at various times , the Inquisition imprisoned Freemasons ; and Caglibstro , the charlatan , was arrested by the Inquisition , and died in a Roman prison . There seems to be a wish in some violent Ultramoiitanes to rcvix-e the " fiery mercies" of the Inquisition . — Kenning ' s Cyclohtedia .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Greenwood Lodge, No. 1982, Epsom.
In speaking to the next toast , " The Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said that General Brownrigg stood in the highest estimation amongst the members of his province , while with respect to the Provincial Grand Ofiicers , one and all felt proud in being associated with such a chief .
In reply Bro . SITWELL thanked the W . M . and members of the lodge for the hospitality they had dispensed . He felt he was speaking the sentiments of all for whom he was replying when he wished the lodge every prosperity . He , with the other brethren who had assisted in the ceremony
of the day , appreciated the compliment paid them by making them honorary members of this new lodge , and felt it must be a source of infinite o-ratification to Bro . Greenwood to have his name perpetuated by this nssociation .
Bro . H . E . FRANCES proposed the "Worshipful Master . " He said he had had great pleasure in conducting the ceremony of installation that day , though he had to make some few slight alterations in order to conform to the peculiar views Bro . Steele—xvho is a member of the Society of
Friendsentertained . This was the first time in the course of his Masonic experience when he had to accept an affirmation in lieu of the customary obligation . However , Bro . Steele was a thoroughly honest and consistent worker , and he ( Bro . Frances ) and all associated with the lodge felt he would conscientiously carry out the duties of Master of the new lodge .
Bro . STEELE in acknowledging the compliment regretted he could not command the flow of language so eloquently dispensed by Bro . Frances . However , he could assure those present the position he noxv occupied was one he held in the highest estimation . He had felt from the time he was
received as an initiate into the Brotherhood there was a something to strive for , and in his aspiration he had realised that Bro . Frances was a tower o £ strength . He thanked the brethren most cordially for the reception they had given him , and assured them he would strive to the utmost to advance the lodge .
" The Visitors having been honoured and acknowledged , a toast was g iven in honour of the Claremont Lodge , the brethren of which had so kindly acted as sponsors for the Greenwood . Bro . STEELE commented upon the well-ordered lines on which the Claremont Lodge was conducted , and stated it would be his desire to emulate it .
Bro . VINCENT in replying said the little services he had been enabled to render were cordially entered upon , and he anticipated that a bright future would be the outcome of the day ' s work they had been engaged in .
Other toasts followed and some capital songs and glees were given , while the Prov . Grand Chaplain played a march composed by himself that met with especial favour from the brethren . Bro . Theodore Distin also sang with great effect a new song of his own composition , "The Queen ' s Hussar . "
Summer Entertainment At The Institution At Croydon.
SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT AT THE INSTITUTION AT CROYDON .
The summer entertainment to the residents of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution at Croydon took place on Tuesday last . With the usual forethought for the comfort of visitors Bro Terry had arranged for special saloon carriages to be reserved in the train leaving Charing-cross at , 3 . 22 , aiid calling at Cannon-street and London-bridge , so that the visitors
to the Institution travelled and arrived together . As customary on these occasions the visitors took an early tea on their arrival and afterxvards visited the residents in their homes or strolled with them in the grounds until halfpast six when the big bell summoned everybody tothe hall , ¦ vhere they found Bro . Harry Tipper and his troupe , known as the Royal Criterion Hand-bell
ringers and glee singers , awaiting them with their carillon of 120 silver-toned bells , and peal of twelve silver bells . The performances on the bells were highly successful and excited the wonder as well as the admiration of the audience ; aud the glee singing was both admirable and highly amusing . On the bells the performance included selections from Faust
( Soldier ' s chorus ) , and Les Cloches de Corneville and II Irovatore . Selections of English and Scotch music , including " The blue bells of Scotland , " and " Auld lang syne . " The specimens of dance music including the Picnic Glee , polka , and My Queen , waltz ; and in addition on the peals of silver bells , an imitation of village chimes was given , introducing
the morning and evening hymns , & c . Of all the performances on the bells this last named appeared to make the deepest impression on the audience , judging from the applause which followed . My Queen , waltz , was another piece which stood out from the rest of the performance as peculiarl y good , and Auld Lang Syne was another . Scotch airs appear
particularl y suitable for performance upon the bells . " The lost chord as a four-part song , was very ably sung , also " Comrade ' s song of hope , " and one entitled " A little farm well tilled . " Mr . Tipper was exceedingly amusing in his solo songs "The Muddle Puddle porter , " " He went to a Party , " and "The awful scrub , " the addition of chorus , especially
'o the last mentioned , greatly increasing thc effect of this already sufficiently droll song . The "Gypsy ' s laughing chorus " was also very well sung , and secured much very genuine applause . When these professional gentlemen had concluded their performance there was still nearly an hour to spare before the departure of the appointed train for London ; but volunteers were
soon found to continue the concert . Miss Terry and Miss Owen sang very prettil y , M , * Strong performed a brilliant pianoforte solo , and Mr . Hal-• ord , jun ., sang " The powder monkey " with good effect . There was an abundant supply of the finest fruit in season provided for the refreshment ° f the old people and the friends who had come to see them enjoy themselves ,
Summer Entertainment At The Institution At Croydon.
and these with cake and wine were handed round by volunteer waiters at interx'als during the evening . It must not be omitted that Bro . Terry did not come down empty handed ; for each of the old ladies he brought a pound of tea and a pound of sugar ; for each of the male residents he brought half-a-pound of tobacco ,
and a bottle of port or sherry for each of them . The former gifts were sent by the Supreme Council of the 33 , and the wine by Bro . Ellis , of Leadenhall-street . Bro . and Mrs . Murlis also sent down a large box of very fine roses , which were presented to each of the residents as they passed into the hall .
At the conclusion of the concert Bro . NEWTON said that a very pleasing duty was placed on his shoulders to propose a vote of thanks to " Bro . Terry " the well beloved Secretary of the Institution for the entertainment that he had succeeded in placing before the company on that occasion . He should not detain them with any remarks , but trusted that his proposal would
be responded to heartily . When he thought of the first entertainment which was given at the institution and which consisted merely of a conjurer's enter , tainment , and compared it with that which they had had that evening , and remembered all the care and trouble in which it involved the Secretary he
thought they could do no less than return their thanks to Bro . Terry . Bro . Halford , who was one of the first to promote the institution of these annual entertainments , was now present among them , and he would bear out what he had said about the great advance ihey had made in the entertainments since they were first introduced .
Bro . i ERRY in returning thanks said that for the evidence of the kindly feeling toxvards him which had just been shown lie was very , very much indebted to those present ; to his old and tried friend , Bro . Newton , for the kind words he had used in speaking of him , and to the friends assembled there for their hearty response . The providing the entertainment did not ,
however , rest with him , but with the Committee ; the Committee authorised him to provide an entertainment of this description , and he undertook to do his duty , and he did his best . That it had been a successful entertainment he hoped , and trusted that those present had enjoyed themselves ; and that they might have many , many occasions of meeting together and enjoying
each other s society was his earnest wish , and he trusted it was theirs also . The happier they could be together—the morecomfortable their guests could be made—the more these meetings could be made home like , the better and happier for all . The writer of a letter to one of the Masonic paperswho signed himself " Watchman , " had spoken ol the Home at Croydon as a
white elephant ; had said it was associatied with the idea of wrecked fortunes and happier days ; and that though it was a haven of rest to the weary , the bane was equally present with the antidote . Bro . Terry doubted if the writer of that letter had ever been within those walls , or he would have seen that their inmates had a home where all could eniov
themselves as if they were living in their own apartments , where there was no restriction whatever placed on them , but where they had to a great extent the advantage of a comfortable private residence , and the further advantage of a watchful Committee , who displayed the greatest care and
anxiety for thc comfort and well being of those who resided within those walls . If their friend , "The Watchman , " would come that way and reveal himself , they might be able to enlighten his mind and enlist his sympathy , so that he might become an annual subscriber , or even a Governor of the Institution . They all knew , however , that it was much
more easy to find fault than to govern wisely . While lhat Institution conlinued a residential institution , he venturedto hope that their friends who had been there that day would endorse his sentiments ; it was not conducted as an ordinary charitable institution , but each one was made to think of it as his own particular residence . Bro . Terry said he felt it to be right to
give this public contradiction to " Watchman , " though as a rule he never answered anonymous correspondents . He hoped and trusted that " Watchman " might favour them with a visit there , and become disabused of the erroneous ideas with which his mind was impressed . Amongst those present
were—Mr . and Mrs . Robt . H . Halford , Mr . Thos . Jones , Mr . Hy . and Mrs . Bartlett , Mr . and Mrs . Dixon , Mr . and Mrs . Moore , Mr . and Mrs . Berry , Rev . W . H . W . Casely , Miss Jessie and Miss Kate Terry , Miss Ayliffe , Mr . Drexv , the Misses A . and E . Halford , tha Misses Lottie and Annie Loffill , Bros . Edgar Bowyer , Farnfield , Cubitt , Dr . Strong , Bro . and Mrs . Nexvton , Mrs . Morris , Bro . and and Mrs . Murlis , Miss Simmonds , Mrs . Culmer , Mrs . Hampton , Mrs . Mason , Bros . Spooner , James Terry , J . E . Terry , Recknell , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) .
THE IrsauisiTioN . —In the famous Bill ol Clement XII ., April 2 S , 1738 , Freemasons were kindly recommended lo ils tender mercies , " xvhoever they" ( the Freemasons ) " might be . " Though much has been said of the cruelties of the Inquisition against Freemasons , except the known cases at Lisbon , we are not aware of any authentic narratives of such acts . As Freemasons , we should always avoid exaggeration . No doubt Torrubia ,
thc xvell-knoxvn Inquisitor and a Franciscan , in 1751 , at Madrid , issued a complaint against the Freemasons as a most pernicious and damnable sect of heretics , and that holy man was quite prepared to have a nice little auto da fe . The King , however , is said to have objected , and by a royal decree , 2 nd of July , 1751 , suppressed all lodges in Spain . There are later stories of the persecution of the Inquisition and sufferings of Freemasons at Seville , but we do not feel satisfied as to their accuracy . As we have said
before , we have spoken to a brother in the flesh who escaped from the Inqusition at Madrid by the aid of a friendly and fraternal familiar . ( See Sandoval the Freemason . ) In Italy , at various times , the Inquisition imprisoned Freemasons ; and Caglibstro , the charlatan , was arrested by the Inquisition , and died in a Roman prison . There seems to be a wish in some violent Ultramoiitanes to rcvix-e the " fiery mercies" of the Inquisition . — Kenning ' s Cyclohtedia .