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Article FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT. ← Page 2 of 3 Article FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT. Page 2 of 3 Article FESTIVAL OF THE EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT. Page 2 of 3 →
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Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
He initiated , passed , raised , and installed me . He has been a sincere friend to me in my Masonic career . He has been a dear friend to me and to all the Craft . I am sure I do not know any man more beloved by the Craft than Bro , Hervey . Let us indulge the hops that he may be spared to us for some time aud be with us again . I know his heart is with us on this occasion , for it is an
anniversary on which he would not have been absent on any account if he could have helped it ; and , therefore , it grieves me vcry much to put this resolution . The motion was then carried unanimously , and on the motion of Bro . Fenn , seconded by Bro . Melntyre , the Secretary was ordered to transmit a copy to Bro . Hervey . Lord Kensington , S . G . W ., in moving a vote of thanks
to the working brethren , said : We have all heard the able and efficient way in which the Lecture has been worked this evening . Speaking for myself , for the first time that I have had the honour and the pleasure of attending the meeting of this lodge , and knowing , as I most truly do , how much in need of improvement 1 myself am , I can only say that I have been immensely struck
with the way in which the various Sections of that Lecture have been worked ; but I think I cannot be saying too much when I express my opinion that the oldest member of the Craft present and the oldest member of this lodge will , in conjunction with myself , feel we have learned something from what we have heard to-night . The proposal I have to ask the brethren present to assent to is
that a cordial vote of thanks be passed to the brethren who have worked thc various Sections of the Lecture to-night . Major-Gen , Somerset G . Calthorpe , J . G . W ., in seconding the motion , said : Lean only as-sure you that I endorse every syllable that has been utteret ! by my Bro . Lord Kensington . I have been deeply impressed , and , I trust , have been greatly benefited by what I have heard .
The motion having been carried , Bro . Murton said : On behalf of the working brethren , I beg to thank you . This lodge has been established now , I think , for above fifty-three years , antl its office has been to promote improved working in the Craft . If we attain any approach ^ to that desirable end our object is accomplished .
The names of brethren desiring to become members were then taken , and the lodge was closed . ' 1 he brethren afterwards adjourned to supper at Freemasons' Tavern , at which they were presided over by Lord Kensington . After supper the toasts were proposed , and the loyal compliments having been paitl to " The Queen antl the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., " and " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and
the rest of the Grand Officers , " Bro . R . II . Giddy , District G . M . of Griqualand , in responding , said lie had to thank Lord Kensington for the kind reference he bail made to their names . He was only speaking the sentiments of thc whole Craft when he said that no two men among the brethren were more thoroughly appreciated than Lords Carnarvon ami
Skelmersdale . Hc thanked the brethren , also , on behalf cf the other Grand Officers , especially those who had the honour antl pleasure of partaking of the hospitality of the lodge . It was a very great pleasure to those who had belonged lo Grand Lotlge to be present at this gathering , but a very much greater pleasure it was to be at the meeting
of thc lotlge and see the wontlciful working , winch could not be sui passed . That working was a great credit to the Craft , and must greatly benefit it . The Grand Officers had thc greatest pleasure in seeing the good work which thc Emulation Lodge of Improvement was doing , because it inade the men who would be the future officers of Grand
Lodge . Bro . Melntyre , G . R ., in proposing " The Health of Lord Kensington , " as W . M . of the evening , said that although this was not thc first toast on the list , it woultl be the first with the biethren , as loyal Masons , upon this occasion , because , though they tlid the greatest homage and had to perform their most bounden duty to those who were
suprtme in thc Craft , they did not forget that they owed allegiance to the W . M . who presided , and who , in the manner in which he had presided , had shown himself most woithy ot thc confidence of the Craft , and of the honour tbey were now about to pay him . It was a high honour to the members of the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement that the S . G . W . of England was now presiding at their
annual festival . They were perfectly well assured that it was to his own merits as well as to the favourable consid ration of his friends and former schoolfellows that he hatl attained to the high position in the Craft which hc now occupied , and the confidence of thc Soveicign of the Craft which he now enjoyed . Those things alone would be sufficient to give him a passport to every assembly of
Masons in England , for a reception which woultl be heartfelt by ihe members ; but lie needed not that , because the way in which he had conducted the proceedings since he hatl been in the hall had shown that he was a ruler over men antl a great authority among Masons . He ( Bro . Melntyre ) had the greatest pleasure in pioposing " The Health of the R . W . Lord Kensington , " and , although
this was the first time his lordship hatl visitttl the Emulaion Lodge of Improvement , he hoped it would not be the ast lime hc would come into a public assembly of Masons , because the more hc came among them the more he would endear himrclf to all members of the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Kensington , in reply , saitl he most sincerely echoed that portion of Bro . Melntyre ' s speech in which hc saitl he hoped it woultl not be the last time hc ( Lortl
Kensington ) would attend this Lotlge of Improvement . What he had heard that evening had only convinced liitn of what he well knew before , that he hatl a great tle-. il to learn . As he . ventured to say at an earlier portion of the evening , in the Temple , he t'itl not think that any one of those who were present coultl possibly have left that room without feeling they had learned something . lie only hoped he might have the opportunity—and he should C frtaiuly endeavour to seize every opportunity he had—of
Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
attending thc meetings of this lodge . It had given him the very greatest pleasure to accept the invitation he had received a little time back to preside on this occasion . The only doubt that came across his mind was , whether he should be able to discharge the duties he was asked to undertake in a manner that should be acceptable to the brethren . The brethren had given proof of their
satisfaction by thc way in which they had received thc words of Bro . Melntyre . He came from the south-west of Wales ; so far , indeetl , that one coultl not go more than 400 yards from his home to thc cliff ' s edge . But there were a good many Masonic lodges in that quarter where Masonry was Well and carefully worked , and he knew that many of their members had attended the meetings of
the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , When he returned home he should have an opportunity of attending the several meetings of the lodges in that province , and he should then use words of encouragement , and try to stimulate the Brethren to be present at the meetings of the Emulation . He was certain that in that province they all had much to learn , and there could be no better place
for a man to learn to perfect himself in Freemasonry than in this lodge . In conclusion , if he had returned thanks imperfectly the brethren must excuse him , The imperfection was only outward ; internally he could feel no more than he did . Lord Kensington next proposed " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " and in doing so said that
when he entered the Temple that evening he had not the honour of being a member , but he was happy to say that since that time he had had the honour of being enrolled . Although he was the junior member of the lotlge , the toast would come very fitly from his lips . The good which arose from attending the lotlge was a fact no one could dispute who witnessed thc way in which the work
had been done that evening . He was immensely struck with the excellence of the work , which showed him how much any one had before him if he hoped to rise to proficiency . Bro . C . A . Murton , P . G . D ., replying , slid it remained for him to thank his lordship most cordially on behalf of the Committee and thc working members of the lotlge for
the kindness with which he had proposetl the toast , and the brethren for the corelial receptioi they hatl given to it . It was the desire of the Committee to promote a reilly good system of working , and he thought , as Bro . Giddy had said , that it hail made ils way in the Craft . He did not wish to hold up the lodge as of exceptional superiority , It had done , no doubt , a great deal of good during the
years it had been established in promoting good and efficient working in thc Craft . The sister lodges had also done their part in promoting good working . There had been more desire of late years to do so . Masonry ha 1 increased , and it had given an impetus to the zeal of the brethren . The working certainly had very much improved in lodges generally . Formerly country lodges were more
zealous than the London lodges , and , though their work might be a little peculiar , still they worked very zealously antl fluently . London lodges now worked very admirably as a rule . Of course there were certain little quaii . tnesses which were adopted by different lodges which might to a ceitain extent be demurred to , but whicii Misous did not wish to see quite eliminated ; but as a system of working
he thought tlie Emulation system was the best and most logical , antl no doubt it would make its way and be felt among all lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) Major Gcn . Somerset G . Calthorpe , J . G . W ., propnsed"The Health of the Officers of the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , " After the admirable way in which the lousiness of the evening had been conducted he was sure the brethren
would drink this toast most cordially . None who witnessed it could be otherwise than gratified . If every Mason coultl only sec how perfectly the ceremonies were performed it would add very much to their feeling of respect antl regard for the Order . Lodges of this kind coultl not fail to impress Masons with the importance and beauty of the symbolism of Masonry , and could have no other effect
than to make better men and better Masons , both for working and in social and private life . The VV . M . would cntlorse what he ( Gen . Cahloorpc ) said , that without good officers no Master could successfully cairy on his lotlge . In the Lodge of Emulation no exception coultl be taken to the way in which the W . M . was supported . With such a Master , no doubt , the officers had an example , which they
fountl it a pleasure and honour to follow , antl , therefore , hc was sine the brethren woultl all cordially respond to to this toast , with which he would couple the name of Bro . F . R . Spaull . Bro . Spaull replied . Bro . Murton , by thc permission of the W . M ., would propose a toast which , he knew , woultl have a hearty
reception— "The Lotlge of Unions , " under which the Emulation Lodge of Improvement worked . The Emulation Lotlge was proud of its mother , and lie hoped the Lodge of Unions was proud of its bantling . The Lodgeof Unions must feel satisfaction that the Emulation ha'l worked so long and so well under their warrant , anil the Emulation was grateful to the Lodge of Unions for allowing them to
work under it . Long might it continue to do so ; for a very vast number of ycars might it go on , to the completion of its first centenary . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . Farnfield . Bro . Farnfield , in response , said in these days of education antl of Boanl Schools , poor parents Were somewhat astonished or almost frightened at thc amount of education
their children were rcccivinsr , antl so it was with the Lodge of Unions in the first two or three years of the Lotlge of Emulation by the vast strides it made . They seriously took into consideration the working of the * lotlge , and if the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement had done one thing gootl it was to bring the Lodge of Unions to a sense- of its shortcomings in working , antl it made a change in the working of the lodge . Some eighteen years ago ,
Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
when he ( Bro . Farnfield ) joined the Lodge of Unions , they were rather slovenly in their working ; but since then every Master had done his duty , and if at a meeting there was no work to do , sections were worked . Every one who took office was expected to be able to do his work . As in the Board Schools the child worked up thc parent , so this Emulation Lodge of Improvement had worked up the
parent lod-ye , and he trusted this Emulation Lotlge might long go on and prosper , till in the year 188 5 it arrived at its 100 years of age . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D ., proposed " The Misonic Charities . " The toast commended itself to the heart of every Mason , and , therefore , no proof or argument in its favour was required . But he coultl not forget a clever ,
good , and truly brotherly remark that came from the mouth of a dear brother who stood in his ( Bro . Dumas' ) place this time last year—Bro . Rueker—who said he was addressing an assembly of those who either were , or had been , or would be subscribers to thc Masonic Charities . It told in his ( Bro . ' Dumas' ) mind , and he hoped it told in the minds of all those who heard Bro . Rucker . He had
not forgotten that speech , and under thc cover of that part of his speech he would like again to apply his wortls . He need not expatiate on the needs or requirements of those Institutions , or on what it was desirable that through the brethren they shoultl tlo ; but if example was wanted in this world ( and it often was ) he . conld only tell the brethren that thc Emulation Lodgeof Improvement gave all
its surplus funds to the three Masonic Charities . It was not for him as a Steward of the Emulation Lodge to boast , neither was it in any boasting spirit he said it ; but he did say that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement had done to the full all it could , and with the intention of doing all it could in the future for the Masonic Charities . These Charities were more than ever deserving of the support
ami consideration of the brethren , and hc took it for an established fact which required no proof at his hands . Masonry was spieading . Lodges did not always remain what they were ; they might not be what they promised to become ; and we might expect in the future many calls upon tbe purses and abilities of the Masonic Charities . If ever , now was the time to show we would not relax in
our desire to support them . The last three festivals showed that the heart of Masonry was in the right place , that it would do all it could , and more possibly than it had done . The Secretaries of all the Institutions were , unfortunately , not present . Bro . Terry was engaged at the jubilee of the lotlge at Watford , and Bro . Binckes , who was always glad to come when hc could , anil make one of those attractive
speeches which he always coultl , was also absent at another meeting . They hail , howenrr , thc pleasure of thc presence of Bro . Hedges , and he would call upon him to reply Bro . Hedges replied , and thanked the brethren for the very kind , cordial , and hearty support which the Lodge of Emulation had at all times granted to the Masonic charities . This was a fact which , being familiar to all
present , relieve ! him of the necessity of detaining thc brethren by informing them of it further . He woultl remind the brethren that the first of the Masonic festivals of the coming year was that of tlv : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and hc would ask the brethren to afford that institution all the support in their power . The Boys ' and Girts' Schools Festivals woultl take place in the
following May antl June ; and on behalf of all these institutions he begged to thank the brethren . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., proposed " Prosperity to thc Sister Lodge of Instruction—Stability . " It was a subject of great regret to him , antl it must be to all the brethren , that Bro . Muggeritlge , from great age antl failing health , was unable to be present that evening , as had always been
his custom for many years . He ( Bro . Fenn ) particularly regretted Bro . Muggeritlge ' s absence that night , because in face of the resolution about to be proposed in Grand Lotlge , on the 3 rd Deem her , the two ancient lodges of instruction should show themselves united to resist any interference in their ancient woiking . The Committee of this Emulation Lodge of Improvement , more especially those three of the
Committee who were pupils of the late Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , considered that they hatl a sacred trust bequeathed to them by him to maintain , to its fullest standard , the work which he taught in the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement ; and they hatl always shown tlie most conscientious zeal and desire to maintain that working in its utmost purity . They did not forget
lhat the Stability Lotlge of Instruction was the more ancient of the two , and although the working of that lodge diffeied somewhat from that of thc Emulation , in this they agreed to differ with the most fraternal feelings and the utmost good fellowship . Neither this lodge nor the Stability presumed or wished to enforce their working on any lotlge or any brother . But any brother who wished
to improve himself in Masonry was at liberty to go there or come here , and whether he came here or went there he woultl find a brother presiding who was anxious antl willing to assist his endeavours to the utmost of his ability . What was required was that the brethren who learned their work should work up to the standard lhat they chose . He was called to account a little time ago in
one of the Masonic papers for having saitl in another plare to those who wished to improve Masonry , that if they fountl out where to begin they would never find out where to leave off . He repeated that statement , and he believed they had better , leave alone the working as it existed in those lodges of improvement antl instruction , and he warned the brethren that if they attempted to use
the knife antl to cut away what they considered to be objtctionable in the way of anachronisms or discrepancies in Masonry , they might us- * the knife * to that extent that they might endanger thc very life of the pitient . He coultl only say that the two lodges hatl always worked together with thc utmost unanimity and fraternal concortl , antl he trusted that they would always do so to the etui of time . He gave with the most cordial goodwill , and more
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
He initiated , passed , raised , and installed me . He has been a sincere friend to me in my Masonic career . He has been a dear friend to me and to all the Craft . I am sure I do not know any man more beloved by the Craft than Bro , Hervey . Let us indulge the hops that he may be spared to us for some time aud be with us again . I know his heart is with us on this occasion , for it is an
anniversary on which he would not have been absent on any account if he could have helped it ; and , therefore , it grieves me vcry much to put this resolution . The motion was then carried unanimously , and on the motion of Bro . Fenn , seconded by Bro . Melntyre , the Secretary was ordered to transmit a copy to Bro . Hervey . Lord Kensington , S . G . W ., in moving a vote of thanks
to the working brethren , said : We have all heard the able and efficient way in which the Lecture has been worked this evening . Speaking for myself , for the first time that I have had the honour and the pleasure of attending the meeting of this lodge , and knowing , as I most truly do , how much in need of improvement 1 myself am , I can only say that I have been immensely struck
with the way in which the various Sections of that Lecture have been worked ; but I think I cannot be saying too much when I express my opinion that the oldest member of the Craft present and the oldest member of this lodge will , in conjunction with myself , feel we have learned something from what we have heard to-night . The proposal I have to ask the brethren present to assent to is
that a cordial vote of thanks be passed to the brethren who have worked thc various Sections of the Lecture to-night . Major-Gen , Somerset G . Calthorpe , J . G . W ., in seconding the motion , said : Lean only as-sure you that I endorse every syllable that has been utteret ! by my Bro . Lord Kensington . I have been deeply impressed , and , I trust , have been greatly benefited by what I have heard .
The motion having been carried , Bro . Murton said : On behalf of the working brethren , I beg to thank you . This lodge has been established now , I think , for above fifty-three years , antl its office has been to promote improved working in the Craft . If we attain any approach ^ to that desirable end our object is accomplished .
The names of brethren desiring to become members were then taken , and the lodge was closed . ' 1 he brethren afterwards adjourned to supper at Freemasons' Tavern , at which they were presided over by Lord Kensington . After supper the toasts were proposed , and the loyal compliments having been paitl to " The Queen antl the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., " and " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and
the rest of the Grand Officers , " Bro . R . II . Giddy , District G . M . of Griqualand , in responding , said lie had to thank Lord Kensington for the kind reference he bail made to their names . He was only speaking the sentiments of thc whole Craft when he said that no two men among the brethren were more thoroughly appreciated than Lords Carnarvon ami
Skelmersdale . Hc thanked the brethren , also , on behalf cf the other Grand Officers , especially those who had the honour antl pleasure of partaking of the hospitality of the lodge . It was a very great pleasure to those who had belonged lo Grand Lotlge to be present at this gathering , but a very much greater pleasure it was to be at the meeting
of thc lotlge and see the wontlciful working , winch could not be sui passed . That working was a great credit to the Craft , and must greatly benefit it . The Grand Officers had thc greatest pleasure in seeing the good work which thc Emulation Lodge of Improvement was doing , because it inade the men who would be the future officers of Grand
Lodge . Bro . Melntyre , G . R ., in proposing " The Health of Lord Kensington , " as W . M . of the evening , said that although this was not thc first toast on the list , it woultl be the first with the biethren , as loyal Masons , upon this occasion , because , though they tlid the greatest homage and had to perform their most bounden duty to those who were
suprtme in thc Craft , they did not forget that they owed allegiance to the W . M . who presided , and who , in the manner in which he had presided , had shown himself most woithy ot thc confidence of the Craft , and of the honour tbey were now about to pay him . It was a high honour to the members of the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement that the S . G . W . of England was now presiding at their
annual festival . They were perfectly well assured that it was to his own merits as well as to the favourable consid ration of his friends and former schoolfellows that he hatl attained to the high position in the Craft which hc now occupied , and the confidence of thc Soveicign of the Craft which he now enjoyed . Those things alone would be sufficient to give him a passport to every assembly of
Masons in England , for a reception which woultl be heartfelt by ihe members ; but lie needed not that , because the way in which he had conducted the proceedings since he hatl been in the hall had shown that he was a ruler over men antl a great authority among Masons . He ( Bro . Melntyre ) had the greatest pleasure in pioposing " The Health of the R . W . Lord Kensington , " and , although
this was the first time his lordship hatl visitttl the Emulaion Lodge of Improvement , he hoped it would not be the ast lime hc would come into a public assembly of Masons , because the more hc came among them the more he would endear himrclf to all members of the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Kensington , in reply , saitl he most sincerely echoed that portion of Bro . Melntyre ' s speech in which hc saitl he hoped it woultl not be the last time hc ( Lortl
Kensington ) would attend this Lotlge of Improvement . What he had heard that evening had only convinced liitn of what he well knew before , that he hatl a great tle-. il to learn . As he . ventured to say at an earlier portion of the evening , in the Temple , he t'itl not think that any one of those who were present coultl possibly have left that room without feeling they had learned something . lie only hoped he might have the opportunity—and he should C frtaiuly endeavour to seize every opportunity he had—of
Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
attending thc meetings of this lodge . It had given him the very greatest pleasure to accept the invitation he had received a little time back to preside on this occasion . The only doubt that came across his mind was , whether he should be able to discharge the duties he was asked to undertake in a manner that should be acceptable to the brethren . The brethren had given proof of their
satisfaction by thc way in which they had received thc words of Bro . Melntyre . He came from the south-west of Wales ; so far , indeetl , that one coultl not go more than 400 yards from his home to thc cliff ' s edge . But there were a good many Masonic lodges in that quarter where Masonry was Well and carefully worked , and he knew that many of their members had attended the meetings of
the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , When he returned home he should have an opportunity of attending the several meetings of the lodges in that province , and he should then use words of encouragement , and try to stimulate the Brethren to be present at the meetings of the Emulation . He was certain that in that province they all had much to learn , and there could be no better place
for a man to learn to perfect himself in Freemasonry than in this lodge . In conclusion , if he had returned thanks imperfectly the brethren must excuse him , The imperfection was only outward ; internally he could feel no more than he did . Lord Kensington next proposed " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " and in doing so said that
when he entered the Temple that evening he had not the honour of being a member , but he was happy to say that since that time he had had the honour of being enrolled . Although he was the junior member of the lotlge , the toast would come very fitly from his lips . The good which arose from attending the lotlge was a fact no one could dispute who witnessed thc way in which the work
had been done that evening . He was immensely struck with the excellence of the work , which showed him how much any one had before him if he hoped to rise to proficiency . Bro . C . A . Murton , P . G . D ., replying , slid it remained for him to thank his lordship most cordially on behalf of the Committee and thc working members of the lotlge for
the kindness with which he had proposetl the toast , and the brethren for the corelial receptioi they hatl given to it . It was the desire of the Committee to promote a reilly good system of working , and he thought , as Bro . Giddy had said , that it hail made ils way in the Craft . He did not wish to hold up the lodge as of exceptional superiority , It had done , no doubt , a great deal of good during the
years it had been established in promoting good and efficient working in thc Craft . The sister lodges had also done their part in promoting good working . There had been more desire of late years to do so . Masonry ha 1 increased , and it had given an impetus to the zeal of the brethren . The working certainly had very much improved in lodges generally . Formerly country lodges were more
zealous than the London lodges , and , though their work might be a little peculiar , still they worked very zealously antl fluently . London lodges now worked very admirably as a rule . Of course there were certain little quaii . tnesses which were adopted by different lodges which might to a ceitain extent be demurred to , but whicii Misous did not wish to see quite eliminated ; but as a system of working
he thought tlie Emulation system was the best and most logical , antl no doubt it would make its way and be felt among all lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) Major Gcn . Somerset G . Calthorpe , J . G . W ., propnsed"The Health of the Officers of the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , " After the admirable way in which the lousiness of the evening had been conducted he was sure the brethren
would drink this toast most cordially . None who witnessed it could be otherwise than gratified . If every Mason coultl only sec how perfectly the ceremonies were performed it would add very much to their feeling of respect antl regard for the Order . Lodges of this kind coultl not fail to impress Masons with the importance and beauty of the symbolism of Masonry , and could have no other effect
than to make better men and better Masons , both for working and in social and private life . The VV . M . would cntlorse what he ( Gen . Cahloorpc ) said , that without good officers no Master could successfully cairy on his lotlge . In the Lodge of Emulation no exception coultl be taken to the way in which the W . M . was supported . With such a Master , no doubt , the officers had an example , which they
fountl it a pleasure and honour to follow , antl , therefore , hc was sine the brethren woultl all cordially respond to to this toast , with which he would couple the name of Bro . F . R . Spaull . Bro . Spaull replied . Bro . Murton , by thc permission of the W . M ., would propose a toast which , he knew , woultl have a hearty
reception— "The Lotlge of Unions , " under which the Emulation Lodge of Improvement worked . The Emulation Lotlge was proud of its mother , and lie hoped the Lodge of Unions was proud of its bantling . The Lodgeof Unions must feel satisfaction that the Emulation ha'l worked so long and so well under their warrant , anil the Emulation was grateful to the Lodge of Unions for allowing them to
work under it . Long might it continue to do so ; for a very vast number of ycars might it go on , to the completion of its first centenary . He would couple with the toast the name of Bro . Farnfield . Bro . Farnfield , in response , said in these days of education antl of Boanl Schools , poor parents Were somewhat astonished or almost frightened at thc amount of education
their children were rcccivinsr , antl so it was with the Lodge of Unions in the first two or three years of the Lotlge of Emulation by the vast strides it made . They seriously took into consideration the working of the * lotlge , and if the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement had done one thing gootl it was to bring the Lodge of Unions to a sense- of its shortcomings in working , antl it made a change in the working of the lodge . Some eighteen years ago ,
Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.
when he ( Bro . Farnfield ) joined the Lodge of Unions , they were rather slovenly in their working ; but since then every Master had done his duty , and if at a meeting there was no work to do , sections were worked . Every one who took office was expected to be able to do his work . As in the Board Schools the child worked up thc parent , so this Emulation Lodge of Improvement had worked up the
parent lod-ye , and he trusted this Emulation Lotlge might long go on and prosper , till in the year 188 5 it arrived at its 100 years of age . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D ., proposed " The Misonic Charities . " The toast commended itself to the heart of every Mason , and , therefore , no proof or argument in its favour was required . But he coultl not forget a clever ,
good , and truly brotherly remark that came from the mouth of a dear brother who stood in his ( Bro . Dumas' ) place this time last year—Bro . Rueker—who said he was addressing an assembly of those who either were , or had been , or would be subscribers to thc Masonic Charities . It told in his ( Bro . ' Dumas' ) mind , and he hoped it told in the minds of all those who heard Bro . Rucker . He had
not forgotten that speech , and under thc cover of that part of his speech he would like again to apply his wortls . He need not expatiate on the needs or requirements of those Institutions , or on what it was desirable that through the brethren they shoultl tlo ; but if example was wanted in this world ( and it often was ) he . conld only tell the brethren that thc Emulation Lodgeof Improvement gave all
its surplus funds to the three Masonic Charities . It was not for him as a Steward of the Emulation Lodge to boast , neither was it in any boasting spirit he said it ; but he did say that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement had done to the full all it could , and with the intention of doing all it could in the future for the Masonic Charities . These Charities were more than ever deserving of the support
ami consideration of the brethren , and hc took it for an established fact which required no proof at his hands . Masonry was spieading . Lodges did not always remain what they were ; they might not be what they promised to become ; and we might expect in the future many calls upon tbe purses and abilities of the Masonic Charities . If ever , now was the time to show we would not relax in
our desire to support them . The last three festivals showed that the heart of Masonry was in the right place , that it would do all it could , and more possibly than it had done . The Secretaries of all the Institutions were , unfortunately , not present . Bro . Terry was engaged at the jubilee of the lotlge at Watford , and Bro . Binckes , who was always glad to come when hc could , anil make one of those attractive
speeches which he always coultl , was also absent at another meeting . They hail , howenrr , thc pleasure of thc presence of Bro . Hedges , and he would call upon him to reply Bro . Hedges replied , and thanked the brethren for the very kind , cordial , and hearty support which the Lodge of Emulation had at all times granted to the Masonic charities . This was a fact which , being familiar to all
present , relieve ! him of the necessity of detaining thc brethren by informing them of it further . He woultl remind the brethren that the first of the Masonic festivals of the coming year was that of tlv : Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and hc would ask the brethren to afford that institution all the support in their power . The Boys ' and Girts' Schools Festivals woultl take place in the
following May antl June ; and on behalf of all these institutions he begged to thank the brethren . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D ., proposed " Prosperity to thc Sister Lodge of Instruction—Stability . " It was a subject of great regret to him , antl it must be to all the brethren , that Bro . Muggeritlge , from great age antl failing health , was unable to be present that evening , as had always been
his custom for many years . He ( Bro . Fenn ) particularly regretted Bro . Muggeritlge ' s absence that night , because in face of the resolution about to be proposed in Grand Lotlge , on the 3 rd Deem her , the two ancient lodges of instruction should show themselves united to resist any interference in their ancient woiking . The Committee of this Emulation Lodge of Improvement , more especially those three of the
Committee who were pupils of the late Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , considered that they hatl a sacred trust bequeathed to them by him to maintain , to its fullest standard , the work which he taught in the Emulation Lotlge of Improvement ; and they hatl always shown tlie most conscientious zeal and desire to maintain that working in its utmost purity . They did not forget
lhat the Stability Lotlge of Instruction was the more ancient of the two , and although the working of that lodge diffeied somewhat from that of thc Emulation , in this they agreed to differ with the most fraternal feelings and the utmost good fellowship . Neither this lodge nor the Stability presumed or wished to enforce their working on any lotlge or any brother . But any brother who wished
to improve himself in Masonry was at liberty to go there or come here , and whether he came here or went there he woultl find a brother presiding who was anxious antl willing to assist his endeavours to the utmost of his ability . What was required was that the brethren who learned their work should work up to the standard lhat they chose . He was called to account a little time ago in
one of the Masonic papers for having saitl in another plare to those who wished to improve Masonry , that if they fountl out where to begin they would never find out where to leave off . He repeated that statement , and he believed they had better , leave alone the working as it existed in those lodges of improvement antl instruction , and he warned the brethren that if they attempted to use
the knife antl to cut away what they considered to be objtctionable in the way of anachronisms or discrepancies in Masonry , they might us- * the knife * to that extent that they might endanger thc very life of the pitient . He coultl only say that the two lodges hatl always worked together with thc utmost unanimity and fraternal concortl , antl he trusted that they would always do so to the etui of time . He gave with the most cordial goodwill , and more