The Late Bro. John Thomas.

THE LATE BRO . JOHN THOMAS .

A numerous gathering of Freemasons assembled on Saturday , the 27 th ult ., in the large Board-room of the Freemasons' HaU , Great Queen-street , to take into consideration the best means of perpetuating the memory of the above-named lately deceased brother , and to appoint a committee to carry out . the resolutions which such meeting might determine

upon . The chair was taken at 3 p . m , by Bro . Edward Worthington , P . M . 507 , P . Z . 720 , and amongst those present were : —Bros . James Stevens , P . M . 25 , 720 , 1216 , and W . M . ofthe Great City Lodge , 1426 , & c . ; Henry C .

Levander , P . M . 507 , P . Z . 720 , & c . ; the Rev . W . B . Church , W . M . 165 ; R . Wentworth Little , P . M ., P . Z ., & c , Secretary Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; C . A . Cottebrune . G . P ., Ike . ; Edward Clark , P . M . 1 : 94 , 1329 , kc . ; Newington Bridges , P . M . 772 , W . M . 1216 ;

M . S . Larlham , S . D . 1216 ; G . Macdonald , 11 , 58 ; N . B . Headon , S . W . 1426 ; D . Drysdale , P . M . 211 ; W . S . Cackett , 1216 ; D . R . Bryant , 1326 ; W . Mann , W . M . 1381 , & a ; James Dann , W . M . 72 ; John Oliver , 1328 ; Dr . W . V . Bedolfe , 1328 ; Henry Martin , 1329 ; and many

others . Letters of regret for non-attendance from Bros . John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; Fred . Binckes , Secretary to Boys' School ; J . Terry , Secretary of Benevolent Institution ; George Kenning , Joseph Nunn , E . H . Hunt , S . C . Davison , Overall , Allman , and several

other brethren were read . The Chairman briefly addressed the meeting , stating the object for which the brethren were assembled , and expressed his conviction that all present were of one mind in regard to the propriety and necessity of recording for present and future generations of Freemasons ,

the good and noble works of the worthy and distinguished Mason whose loss they had so much reason to deplore . He had no doubt that a practical expression of such unanimity of feeling would result from the proceedings of the day , and would call upon Bro . James Stevens fo move the first resolution .

Bro . Stevens said that the duty which now devolved upon him was one which for some reasons he would have preferred should have been undertaken by another , but which on other accounts he admitted was most appropriately his to perform , he having been the earliest of all

present to enjoy the companionship and encouragement of our late lamented brother . For nearly 20 years , had the friendship , first formed by Masonic introduction , increased from year to year , and for all that period the same useful instruction , kindly advice , and generous

actions which had so endeared him to all who now mourned his loss so much , it had been his ( Bro . Stevens ' s ) proud privilege to enjoy . And during that period what opportunities had been afforded to discover and appreciate the sterling good qualities , both social and Masonic , of

outworthy departed ! The true embodiment of " Brotherly love , relief , and truth , " he never tired in the practical exemplification of those " three grand principles . " The lirst was thoroughly pouttrayed in his earnest and sincere desire for the fullest instruction and progress of

those who were glad to call him their preceptor , to whom he was at all times accessible , and with whom it was his delight to walk many miles , and to pass many hours in communicating to them a knowledge of our mystic art . Wis Stewardships to onr several Charities , especially

his devotion to the cause of the indigent aged and unfortunate , bore testimony to his regard for thc second principle upon which our Order is founded ; whilst his upright , courteous , and conscientious discharge of his social duties , no less than those which devolved upon him in his

Alasonic position , gave glorious evidence of his truthful nature' . This was the character of the brother who has gone before us , at the comparatively early age of 6 f ,, and such the man whose memory it was now sought to appropriately

honour . The bri ghtness of such an example ought not to be allowed to dim whilst it was in the power of so many whom he had cheered and assisted lo maintain its brilliancy by perpetuating the frequent recollection of his revered name * . Truly , iu many

The Late Bro. John Thomas.

places , in many breasts , such recollections will remain even without the aid of monumental record . The lodges he has himself founded , those he has so greatly assisted by his connection with them , the Masonic works with which he has been associated , will all cherish his memory ;

whilst individual Masons will , as they gam Masonic culture and position , remember him as the original promoter and cause of their zeal and assiduity . But beyond these there are many who have not had the privilege of personal acquaintance , yet have known our lamented brother

by repute and the record of his good works ; and also others , distinguished as zealous advocates of our Order , and who never lose an opportunity to promote its interests by placing bright examples before its members and bidding them to fol ! ow . It is to these three classes , those who

knew him , those who have heard of him , and those who would see his like again , that Masonry should now look to preserve his name amongst us , that whilst , as we humbly hope and believe , he is reaping the reward of his good works , in the Grand Lodge above , his words and actions in

this life may prove a guiding star to lead others to the satr . e desired haven of peace and salvation . Bro . Stevens concluded by proposing the following resolution , viz ., " That this meeting desires to express its sense of the deep loss which Freemasons have sustained by the lamented decease

of Bro . John Thomas . P . M . of several lodges , and particularly the brethren of the South of London , to whom he had ever proved a dear friend and genial instructor . " This was seconded by Bro . Newington Bridges , W . M . 12 16 , and carried unanimously .

Bro . H . C . Levander said that he fully endorsed the remarks of Bro . Stevens , and could add his testimony to the merits of the late Bro . Thomas . As , however , a lengthened speech could be but a reiteration of what had been already said , and those merits were so well known by all present , he should dispense with further

preface , and at once move , " That in orderto perpetuate the memory of so good a Mason , a committee be formed for the purpose of raising a fund , the manner of disposal of which shall be hereafter determined by such committee , and of which disposal the subscribers shall have notice . " Bro . the llev . W . B . Church seconded the

motion , which was unanimously agreed to . It was then determined that the Committee should comprise all brethren then present , with the addition thereto of Bros . Joseph Nunn , P . M . 507 ; S . C . Davison , and E . H . Hunt , and with power to add further to their number , if

considered necessary . The following were selected from the sub-committee for working the details of management , viz ., Bros . E . Worthington , J . Stevens , H . C . Levander , Joseph Nunn , C . A . Cottebrune , N . B . Headon , W . V . Bedolfe , W . Maun , Edward Clarke , G . Alacdonald , AI . S . Larlham . and W . B . Church .

Bro . Stevens proposed , Bro . Clarke seconded , and it was resolved , that the fund shall be cailcd " The Thomas Memorial Fund . " Bro . Levander was elected Treasurer to the fund , and Bro . Joseph Nunn , the Secretary ; and it was also resolved that the sub-committee be

empowered to incur such expenses and take such steps , as they may deem advisable to give publicity to the undertaking . ' 1 he meetings of the committee will he hehl at the Board room ofthe Surrey . Alasonic Hall Company . Subscriptions

may be sent to the Hon . Treasurer , 11 . C . Levander , 30 , North Villas , Camden Square , N . W ., and communications to the 1 lon . [ Secretary , Bro . Joseph Nunn , the Triangle , Kennington Roatl , S . E .

Bro . Worthington , the Chairman , havinn * first proposed that the thanks ofthe meeting be offered to the Board of General Purposes and the Grand Secretary , for the use ofthe Bo-trd mom ( which proposition was carried unanimously )

expressed his ¦ ttatilieatitin that til" pnrpo-cs of the ; meeting had been so cordiall y supported , . * i ! id his anticipations that the fund proposed to lie raised would be in | " *| proportion to the merits uf the departed brother .

1 he subscription list was opened , the whole ol the brethren present subscribing thereto , and llianks having been voted to the Chairman , the meeting separated .

The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT .

This excellent lodge of instruction dates its existence from the 2 nd of October , 1823 , and so highly were the founders and their mode of working appreciated that in the course of a few months they were joined ¦ by a considerable number of eminent brethren , many of whom

had frequently assisted in the ceremonies at the Lodge of Reconciliation . * Amongst these latter may be included Bro . Edwards Harper , Grand Secretary , W . Longstaff ' , P . M . 407 , and Peter Gilkes , P . M . 25 , the first named brother having been Secretary to the Lodge of Reconciliation ,

while the two latter may be reckoned amongst the most earnest promulgators of our rites and ceremonies , as practised at that Iod ge . Bro . Gilkes soon became the Preceptor of the new lodge of instruction , and continued to hold that important office down to the time of his decease .

We believe the oldest member now living is Bro . W . Farnfield , P . A . G . S ., who joined the lodge on the ioth of February , 1826 , and although of late years he has refrained from taking an active part in the work at the weekly meetings , until prevented by his recent illness hc was invariably

to be found occupying the venerable post of father of the lodge at its annual Festivals , and wc are sure our readers cordially join us in the wish that he may long continue to hold that distinguished position . We hope at no distant period to present our

readers with a more comprehensive history of this old established lod ge of instruction , and to furnish them with the names of many other able and zealous brethren , who are entitled to the warmest gratitude of the English Craft for having assisted in preserving and hantling down

to us our beautiful lectures and ceremonies , with scarcely any variation , since they were first promulgated by the Lod ge of Reconciliation . Our present object is to direct the attention of brethren in search of genuine Masonic knowledge ( more especially such of them as are desirous

of attaining proficiency in the diffe rent ceremonies ) to the importance of attending this well regulated lodge of instruction . No doubt it will amply suffice for this purpose to give a brief sketch of the system of conducting the business , and the progress of the Lod ge during the last few

years . The lodge is under the supervision of the Committeeof General Purposes , who are selected from amongst the oldest and most experienced members , one of whom acts as Preceptor at each meeting .

The present {" committee consists of the following distinguished brethren , whose names are doubtless a sufficient guarantee of good order and regularity : —Bros . John Hervey , P . G . D . and G . Sec ; Thos . Fenn , P . A . G . D . C . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; A . A . Richards , P . G . S . ; and A . Green ,

W . AL N 0 . 7 , Secretary . Bro . Hervey has filled the office of Treasurer to the Lodge for the last 26 years , during which period he has had the satisfaction of pitying to the different Masonic charities from the funds of the Lodge upwards of / . ' 600 . The ceremony of installation is worked on

the lirst Friday in the month , from October to Alarch inclusive , 'i'he number of brethren who joined the lodge in 1870 was 105 ; in 1871 , 112 ; and in 1872 , 1 16 ; while the attendance for the same period was as ' follows—in 1870 , 114 ; in 1871 ,

1323 ; and in 1872 , 1573 ; ( exclusive of the large g ; i ihering at the annual Festivals , when , as is well known , some two or three hundred brethren assembled ) , and we doubt not that the close of the current year will show a corresponding degree of prosperity .