Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

tempting one , to asking the health of the brother in the chair , Lord Cremorne , and thanking him for pre-Bro . Lord CREMORNE , responding , said he wished he deserved the kind and flattering words of Bro . Pope , and their hearty reception by the brethren . When he was Master of his lodge he thought he succeeded fairly

in his work , and he acknowledged the valuable assistance he received in those days from the Lodge of Emulation . It was very kind of them to teach him his business . And that led him to perhaps a more important subject than his health—the toast of " Success | o the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " They were

there assembled to celebrate its annual festival , and the lodge no doubt might be justly proud of the good work it did and of the position it bore . Of course there were p lenty of other institutions of that nature , and probably they might very generally fairly justify their position and influence , but the position of the Lodge of

Emulation was a peculiar one , and it stood out apart from other institutions of that nature ; for that Lodge of Emulation not only instructed , it did more—it gave a , tone to the whole Masonic ritual of those lands ; it was accepted as a standard for ceremony , and in these days , when Masonry was spreading and spreading every

day , the necessity for one central standard to which all ceremonial could be referred , it was obviously all the more necessary . It was essential to guard against additions which were unnecessary , against mutilation and improper deviation ; it was necessary for the maintenance not only of words , but of forms and

ceremonies ! and in both those matters the Lodge of Emulation fulfilled a great duty to the Craft at large under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England to begin with , and in some degree he believed of foreign Constitions as well . What had been done in lodge that evening had been so ably alluded to by Bro . Pope that he need not say more on the subject , but that

perfection reigned in the Lodge of Emulation was , he thought , an accepted axiom of Masonry . In respect of that , the Committee who managed the lodge deserved well of the Craft on every possible and suitable occasion , and consequently , in proposing the toast of " Success to the Lodge of Emulation , " he was going to couple the name of a most eminent brother at the head of the

Committee , who had distinguished himself in Masonry in many ways . It must be pleasing to know that there was in Freemasons' Hall at the present moment an excellent portrait of him , as a memento of the good work he had done in Masonry . However , it was not

so much of Bro . Fenn personally that he spoke , but of the Committee who had managed the Lodge of Emulation , of which he was the chief , and possibly the ruling spirit , that he was going to ask the brethren to associate with the toast .

1 he toast was most cordially drunk . Bro . FENN , in reply , said .- Bro . Lord Cremorne and Brethren , —It has been the custom for some years past for the brother who has the honour of responding to this toast to give a short history of the lodge , and our reasons for claiming the highest authority for the ritual

that it teaches , but I have been asked to change the subject this evening , and as the Emulation work has become so general , and its pre-eminence is now almost universally acknowledged , it does seem unnecessary to repeat the oft-told tale . But as I believe I am expected to say something respecting our lodge , I do not know

that I can do better than avail myself of this opportunity to answer the question which has often been put to us , Wh y we work the lectures on these occasions and not the ceremonies r " Manyyears ago , but not so many as to be beyond my own recollection , the sections were occasionall y worked in private lodges , but whether it

be from the increase of ceremonial duties , whether it be from indifference or the superior attractions of the dinner table , the lectures have apparently been relegated to lodges of instruction , and the work in private lod ges—so far as my opportunities of observation goseems now generally confined to the ceremonies . The

brethren have therefore so manv opportunities of hearing these ceremonies that we doubt if a repetition of them on these nights would prove sufficient attraction to bring together so large a gathering as we desire to see . But a brother newly-admitted into our mysteries naturall y feels some degree of curiosity to learn more of

the meaning and design of the various peculiarities of the ceremonies through which he has passed . He has heard that Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , but when he seeks an explanation of those symbols , when he asks why he was required to do this o r that , the

or meaning of any particular part of the ceremonies , he is told that he must go to the Emulation Lodge of lm Provement and hear the lectures , where he will have "U these matters full y explained . But comparatively lew do come to the ordinary meetings of the Emulation Lod ge of Improvement , and it is olten that young Masons hear these lectures for the first time at our

annual festivals . A newly-initiated brother is not unrequtntl y—on the very night of his introduction into iasonry— told b y some zealous brother , who is serving as Reward for one of our Institutions , that as Charity is the reat principle in Masonrv . his first dutv is to

P ace a liberal subscription on his list . No one can oiame the zealous brother , he is actuated by the best motives , in endeavouring to swell his list of subscriptions for the Institution he represents . No doubt

every Mason should support to the best-of his ability ° noble Institutions of which we are justly proud , ' ' lod ge sets the example by giving to them ( as / ou have heard to-night ) ail its surplus funds . But it , y to conceive that in many cases the neophyte Y go away with the impression that to subscribe to

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

these Institutions is the sole end and aim of Masonic Charity . On these occasions he may hear for the first time in the lectures , which have been so ably and impressively rendered to-night , that Masonic Charity , in its true and extended sense , is to envy not our neighbour ; to believe not a tale reported to his

prejudice ; to forgive the injuries of men ; and endeavour to blot them from our recollection ; not only to relieve the distressed ( which is a duty incumbent on all men ) , but to soothe the unhappy , sympathise in their misfortunes , compassionate their miseries , and restore peace to their troubled minds ; and that to

communicate happiness to others is the truest and surest source of happiness to ourselves . We are taught in these lectures that in the Masonic interpretation of brotherl y love is comprised that grand principle of universality , which is one of the peculiar and distinguishing features of our Institution , which embraces in

its fraternal arms the high and low , the rich and poor , and men of every country , whatever may be their religious or political opinions . We are here told that to be a good Freemason is to lead an upright life , to be scrupulously honourable in all his dealings , to look down with scorn and contempt on meanness and deception as something

that is beneath him , to render to every man his just due , and that without distinction , whether he be his equal or his servant . And while maintaining and practising impartial justice , to exercise to the fullest extent that Divine attribute , mercy , even as he hopes hereafter for mercy himself . These lectures , in fact ,

expatiate on that grand system of morality , shadowed faith in our ceremonies , that firm and enduring foundation of our glorious Masonic edifice , which has enabled it to stand the test of ages , to survive the wreck of mighty empires , and resist the destroying hand of time . Opinions may alter , manners change , creeds rise and

fall , but the moral law , the foundation of Masonry , is graven on the tablets of eternity . To preserve , in their integrity , our lectures which embody these sublime truths , and to hand them down to their successors as they have received them from those who have gone before , is one of the duties of the Committee whom I

have the honour to represent , and in thanking you , in their names , for the compliment you have paid them I can safely assure you that they are deeply sensible of the responsibility which this trust imposes upon them . For my own part I am now only a consulting member of the Committee , but while such brethren as Bro .

Sudlow , who I am pleased to see has received the honour of the purple since we last met ; Bro . F . Spauil , our late Secretary , who has done such good service for the lodge , and whose absence to-night from a severe accident we must all deplore ; Bro . Kentish , our present indefatigable Secretary , to whom

the success of this great gathering is mainly due ; and Bro . Rushton , who has lately been elected on the Committee in consideration of his efficiency and zeal for the interests of the lodge . While such brethren are intrusted with that duty we may rest assured that it will be faithfully and earnestly discharged .

Bro . J . C . PARKINSON , P . G . D ., proposed "The Lodge of Unions , " under whose banner the Lodge of Emulation meets . He said whilst the eloquence of Bro . Fenn was still tingling on the brethren ' s ears and vibrating on their hearts , it was not for him to trouble them at any length . A better or more able exposition of the

meaning and force of the work of the Lodge of Emulation never fell from the lips of man since its establishment . He as an old , very old , member of the Lodge of Emulation , as one who had worked in the adjacent room , not so well as the brethren had worked that night , but still to the best of his ability , he was deeply

grateful to Bro . Fenn for putting before the younger members so clearly , so forcibly , so touchingly the great objects Masons had in preserving those lectures , and in preserving and upholding the forms and ceremonies of the Craft . They had been told earlier in the evening that Masonry is free : could they have had a better

exemplification of that than they had had that ni ght ? For though the ritual had been given verbatim , though the loyalty of its teachers had been so charmingly exemplified in the applause which greeted the name of Bro . Sudlow most deservedly , still behind that exactitude what had they seen ? They had seen that

individuals had different intellectual conceptions ; all found scope in the rendering of the ritual they had heard that nig ht . It was impossible to listen to the exposition of the various brethren who responded to the sections without seeing at once that their whole minds were at work , and that they , from their different

points of view , gave individual readings to the words set forth . They had the style of the late Mr . John Kemble ; they had a lighter style ; they had a deliberation of utterance , and a more rapid utterance ; they were able to discriminate between the two ; they were able to admire all that , and that they all owed to the

Lodge of Emulation , which held its warrant from the Lodge of Unions , and it was the toast of the Lodge of Unions that he now proposed . Bro . C . W . MAPLETON , W . M . 256 , in acknowledging the cordial greeting which followed the proposal of the toast said he could hardly express the feelings of the

lodge when he had to return thanks for the very cordial and fraternal sentiments expressed by Bro . Parkinson . He might , perhaps , tell the brethren in a few words one or two small facts in the history of the Lodge of Unions . It was founded in 1785 , at the Fox , in

Castlestreet , Southwark . They very soon after that appeared to get into money difficulties , for four years after consecration they found that the lodge had a delicate hint from the Secretary that a more punctual payment of dues would be appreciated . The Master took the hint , apologised , and paid , and received grace . Very soon

Annual Festival Of The Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

after , when Europe was disturbed by war , the price of provisions went up , and the price of supper was raised from 1 ' 6 to 2 / -, which he thought would hardly satisfy the brethren of the present day . Another sign that they were not very strong then was that sometimes they had from six to 10 members at a meeting , and it was

twice proposed and rejected that they should join with St . James ' s Union , No . 2990 . Very shortly after , the brethren pulled themselves together , for in 18 30 the Emulation Lodge of Improvement came to them , and they were only too pleased to grant them sanction , and they worked from the warrant of the Lodge of Unions

from that day to this . During the time from the consecration of the Lodge of Unions till 1851 , when they met at Freemasons' Hall , they had met at 17 houses in different parts of London ; in one year they met at four different houses , which showed they were of rather a roving disposition . Since then they had

gone on gaily and strongly , and they had had very good Masons , men who held good positions in the Craft . One was very well known in the Emulation—Bro . Peter Gilks—also John Hervey , latel y Grand Secretary . He thought it was in 1836 a brother joined them whose son was still

with them—the brother was Bro . William Farnfield , who became their Secretary and held that office 50 years . He was succeeded by his son , John A . Farnfield , their Treasurer , who now held the important position of Treasurer to the Benevolent Institution ; he was also Past Asst . G . D . C , which was conferred

on him b y the M . W . G . M . in 188 7 . They were now going on very strong and well , and were able at any time to afford relief in distress , and send up Stewards to the Festivals " of the Masonic Charities . One word more ; they were very proud of their connection with the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and he hoped

and trusted it might continue for many and many a long year to come . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . P ., proposed " The Masonic Charities , " and referring to the statistics of London Charities , said nearly . £ 100 , 000 a year was subscribed and disbursed in Charity . Comparing what

was subscribed by Masons for Charity , he contended that Masons did their duty loyally . Bro . J . MORRISON MCLEOD , Secretary to the Boys ' School , responded . Bro . FREDK . MEAD , P . G . S . B ., proposed " The Working Officers . "

Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , G . Std . Br ., said he had responded so often to the toast that he had nothing new to say . The position of officer of that lodge was one of no small importance , for it meant that a brother accepting office had made himself well ni gh perfect , not only in the ritual , but in all the details of his

office , so that he was eli gible to act , and virtually did act as Preceptor for the work he undertook . To be an officer of that lodge on evenings such as those , was a still greater distinction , inasmuch as every officer was specially selected by the Committee , and upon the officers so chosen rested the responsibility of

maintaining the prestige of the lodge for correct working and exemplifying the system of ritual as taught in that lodge . The references to the work of that ni ght had been most kindly and most generous , and he knew that the officers appreciated very highly the words of commendation that had fallen from different speakers . In

view of that praise , perhaps he might say of the officers of the lodge , as was said of some Craftsmen of old , that they filled their parts with the utmost fidelity . Bro . C . W . A . TUOI . LOPE , P . M . 1826 , also replied . Bro . W . G . KENTISH , P . M . 1 293 , 1758 , Secretary , in replying to the toast of " The Stewards , " thanked the

brethren for so kindl y drinking it in acknowledgment of the efforts that had been made to bring that great meeting to a successful issue . A great deal , of course , devolved upon him as Secretary of the lodge , and it might not be so well done if he was not assisted by a large body of Stewards , who threw themselves into the

work thoroughly . As far as he was concerned he thanked those Stewards most heartil y for their cooperation with him . He felt himself a servant in the Lodge of Emulation , and he was glad to do what he could for it . It had sent out a great many first-rate fellows . Many brethren came to it and graduated , and

became first-class Masons . He again thanked the Stewards for assisting him , and the brethren for acknowledging their work . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . In lodge the organ was beautifull y played while the brethren assembled and dispersed by Bro . J . H . Maunder .

Masonic Calendars , 1891.

MASONIC CALENDARS , 1891 .

West Yorkshire . —This useful ( what shall we call it ?) slip or sheet contains the days of meeting for the year for the 75 lodges , 38 chapters , 11 Mark lodges , 8 preceptories , and 3 Rose Croix chapters for the province , as well as places of meeting and other items . We still believe it would add to its practical character if published in pamphlet form .

Middlesex . —Edited on the same lines as 18 90 by Bros . Room and Lee , and a boon indeed to all concerned . The statistical information is valuable , and from the tables we glean that the 40 lodges in the province average 33 members each , the total strength being 1331

—the largest yet recorded . There are 14 Royal Arch chapters , with 292 members , the numbers being just one less for last return . There are only three Mark lodges in Middlesex , though there are 40 Craft lodges . Where , oh ! where , are the Mark Masons !