Celebration Of The Centenary Of The Lodge Of Unions, No. 256.

roon professioh . no religion but that great tieof religion which had been so eloquently alluded to in the lodge , no difference whatever , but united in those great principles which made them one great brotherhood and affection , wished him Masonically ' and thoroughly hearty success in the discharge of his difficult task . They thought , and hoped , and felt that every Masonic heart would wish and desire that nothing might occur during his representation of the Sovereign

which mig ht tend to weaken the integrity of the Empire , or the ties which bound this great country . For the D . G . M ., who was in his province as a Prov . Grand Master , well known and also equally well known almost throughout the length and breadth of the land , his name commanded the affection , regard , and esteem of every Mason . He was sure Lord Lathom was one of those distinguished characters who , while they received dignity from Masonry shed a lustre

upon the Order to which they belonged . For the rest of the Grand Oflicers the distinguished array of brethren now rising in response to the toast make his task in responding for them somewhat difficult , there were so many who could answer for themselves better than he , and who had a better right . But he would venture to draw a moral from that most excellent and impressive address to which they had listened , that although the present leaders or the past

holders of Grand office now before him were , and had been concerned in the administration of the affairs of Masonry , yet that the great cause of Masonry was he trusted—and he thought he was expressing the opinion of his brethren —was so well wielded , its principles were so eternal , thc truths , on which it took its foundation were so immutable , that it scarcely taattered who administered the affairs . The Craft would al > . cys exist while it loyally adhered to the

great truths whLn it professed . An occasion like this , the centenary of a lodge , was always an occasion of mark ancl note in the annals of Masonry . The centenary of a lodge so distinguished as the Lodgeof Unions was an occasion of no ordinary interest . That it was so thc presence of so many distinguished brethren testified . Long might the lodge which had lasted so long , continue ! Long might it go on diffusing the principles it had spread so wide ! Long might the brethren

carry into practice the principles taught in the lodge and which they had so much at heart . Might it be distinguished in the Suture as in the past . Might it be prosperous in its concerns , happy in its choice of those it received into the lodge , and might it go on without any of those incidents which would affect its prosperity or diminish its harmony ; aad this was the sincere and hearty wish of the Grand Officers for whom he returned thanks .

Sir J * B . MONCKTON , P . G . W ., said he was much privileged by having to propose the toast of" The W . M ., " and , he might say , one and indivisibly with it , of course , the lodge itself . He might say it on this occasion , because it was the history ot the lodge . Oddly enough not very far from the history of the VV . M . now in the chair the jubilee of the VV . M . would be kept , and , no doubt , kept well and worthily . Looking at the splendid condition he

was in they were entitled , under the G . A . O . T . U ., to expect it . Therefore , the toast had a peculiar interest . It was a long time to look to , ioo years ; but it was a long time to look back to the period when the VV . M . was initiated in the lodge , when he took the interesting step which had been taken by the initiate that evening , who must be equally interested in what was taking place . He ( Sir John Monckton ) was a little chap in petticoais at the time . Bro .

Greene had been spared by the G . A . O . T . U . to take the chair on this occasion . One word for the Lodge of Unions . There were not a few of the brethren—and he certainly was one—who owed a deep debt of gratitude to the Lodge of Unions . In the early part of his Masonic career he was afraid to say , he was hardly as perfect in the ritual of the Craft as he should have been . He was indebted entirely for what he knew ( as Bro . Fenn knew , he was not very

good at the best of times ) to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and that he owed to the Lodge of Unions . They were all _ much indebted to this lodge . There were many interesting facts and features connected with the lodge . Some of them had been touched upon , and the memory of Bro . Farnfu-ld and Bro . Hervey had not been forgotten . The Lodge of Unions took a large part in the memorial raised to Bro . Hervey . They were many

interesting facts connected with the lodge , but not the least of the interesting Masonic associations connected with it was that Bro . Henry Greene , who was initiated in it in 1 S 3 G , was once again Master of the lodge . He hoped , therefore , that the toast would be drunk with all Masonic fervour . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in acknowledging the toast , said that he need scarcely tell the brethren that this was a peculiarly proud moment for him . It was one that

he could scarcely ever have expected to be present at . If he carried his mind back to the year 183 S , when , as a comparative youngster , lie entered the lodge , and then , after some years of travelling about , he again rejoined it in 1850 , and it was now some 35 years when he once more entered the lodge , and during that time he had had the opportunity of seeing it in varying aspects , always maintaining the even tenor of ils way , never deviating from the

right course , and that had been one of the instances and one of the reasons why , in reference to the speech of the Grand Registrar , they had never had any blocks in the lodge , or anything to disturb harmony , or promote difficulty to the members . It had been unmistakedly a . Lodge of Unions . He did feel proud at being in that positionthe father of the lodge and the Master , ancl to find himself associated for the year with . so many good old friends and

Past Masters who had accepted office . The youngest friends had stood by nobly , ami enabled the P . Ms , to fulfil the duty of officers . He thought that last observation showed the kind feeling which existed in the lodge , and he wished on the present occasion to express his gratitude to those associated with him , and to tho £ e who stood by , in order to enable the centenary of the lodge to be conducted by those who were the seniors . To his dear friend Sir John

IS . Monckton , who had so kindly passed by himself , and allowed thc toast of the Grand Ollicers to be acknowledged by the Grand Registrar , in order that he might propose this toast , he returned most cordial thanks . Sir John B . Monckton and himself saw each other very often , and they never saw each other without having a stronger feeling towards each other , and knowing that they had worked

together with unaminity and friendship , and that each might count upon the other . It was not without such feelings as those that he received the honour Sir John B . Monckton had paid him in proposing the toast . This was indeed a remarkable day in the history of their old lodge . They could not , as the P . G . Chaplain had said , expect to see another centenary , but they could wish to look forward

Celebration Of The Centenary Of The Lodge Of Unions, No. 256.

and believe and hope that there would be successors who would fill their place 100 years hence , and read the books they hail prepared for them , keep the minute books , receive the charter , and be able to see the warrant for a centenary , signed , as it was , by Bro . Colonel ShadweU II . Clerke . He saw no reason why they should not anticipate the 200—the bi-centenary of the lodge—and then it was

possible that they would see another Town Clerk come to propose the health of the VV . M . —a Grand Chaplain and Grand Registrar , and all the Grand Officers of those days , come in their numbers , and that they might not only fill that room , but some other and bigger room . At all events , he hoped that Masonry would then * flourish and continue till time should be no more .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed "The Initiate , " whom he was sure all the brethren sympathised with , as no doubt he felt in a fog . Bro . WILBEE replied , and expressed the pleasure he had in becoming a Mason . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed "The Visitors . "

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , Grand Secretary , in reply , said it was not only a great honour , but a very great responsibility to be permitted to return thanks for such a toast , because , owing to the marvellous hospitality of the Lodgeof Unions he could very easily see his constituents , but it was very difficult to see the members of the lodge . Such hospitality would never be excelled . The institution of brethren visiting lodges was more valuable than perhaps

brethren sometimes thought of , because , were it not for the practice of visiting , lodges would be isolated bodies , would work without any common bond of union , and would not know whether they were right or wrong in their procedure . But by the hospitality which was shewn in Masonic lodges in England , brethren met together , and brethren saw how the work was done . He had felt very strongly on this matter , because it had been his lot in former years , as a

soldier , to be a Mason in every quarter of the globe , and it had been his privilege to be permitted to visit lodges wherever he had been . He supposed no brother had witnessed mure hospitality than he , and therefore he appreciated thoroughly the feeling of hospitality that was shown in several lodges all over the world . Although they approved the visiting lodges in the ordinary course , it was a much greater privilege to visit this lodge to-night when

they were all met together to do honour to this very interesting occasion . They were met to congratulate the Lodge of Unions on their centenary festival . They all knew what it meant , the lodge was . one hundred years old . Through good days and evil days it had been kept together . Having carried on its work , it had at the end of a hundred years arrived at its centenary position . They congratulated the W . M . and the other brethren very sincerely , feeling

that they had done a good work , and they were quite sure they all desired in the luture , the Lodgeof Unions might continue to meet , work , and flourish . The VVORSHIPFUL MASTER next proposed "The Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , " the very child of the Lodge of Unions . Bro . THOMAS FENN , P . G . D ., responded . In returning thanks on behalf of the Committee of the Emulation

Lodge of Improvement for thc compliment which the W . AI . had so gracefully paid them , lie would pardon him if he expressed a wish that he had included in the toast the past members of the Committee and Bro . Alurton , whose name was so thoroughly identified with it . His services in the past had been so important and had spread over so long a period that they never ceased to look upon him as one of themselves , and they would like to have seen him

standing up in response to a toast in which he was as deeply interested as themselves . The VV . M . would permit him to supplement the allusions which had been made to the Emulation lodge of Improvement by some few remarks in reference to its origin . Its early minutes had , unfortunately , been destroyed , but they had a list of their members from its commencement and certain other documents , from which it appeared that the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement originated in 1 S 1 S ip a lodge of instiuction which worked then under the sanction of the British Lodge , No . S . This was very shortly after the union of the Grand Lodges , and about iS months after the revised ritual had received the sanction of the Grand Lodge . In 1 S 23 , the Emulation Lodge was founded by a number of members of that lodge of instruction , and some adept pupils of the famous Bro . Peter Gilkes for the purpose

of illustrating the working of the ceremonies and lectures strictly in accordance with the system which had been sanctioned by thc Grand Lodge ot England . Bro . Peter Gilkes became shortly afterwards the President of the lodge , and continued to preside over it until his death in 1 S 33 . 't was shortly before his death that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement became connected with the Lodge of Unions , and they had continued to work

under its banner from that day to this . Bro . Peter Gilkes was succeeded by the late Bro . Stephen Barton Wilson , who presided over the lodge for a period of 33 years , till his death in 1 S 6 G . Shortly after this the conduct of the lodge devolved upon Bro . John Hervey , the late Grand Secretary . Bro . Murton , Bro . Richards , and himself ( Bro . Fenn ) , who had all been personally instructed in Masonry by Bro . S . B . Wilson , so that the traditional

work of the lodge was still only in the third generation . It is on record that the first meeting of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in 1 S 33 was attended by the Grand Secretary , Bro . W . II . White , and other distinguished Grand Ollicers , all of them able workers who expressed their entire approval of the proceedings . He thought therefore they might safely assume that the system which was now practised by the

Emulation Lodge of Improvement , was that actual system which received the sanction of the Grand Lodge , and which was taught by the Lodge of Promulgation . The duty of the present Committee was to see that the traditional work which had been handed down to them was maintained with absolute correctness ; and he thought they might say , and might be allowed to say , with some pride , that in the experience of the oldest

members of this Committee , which now extended back to a period of neatly 30 years , the work of the ceremonies and lectures , were never more ably , correctly , or eloquently rendered than they were at the present time . The Committee of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement were sustained anil encouraged in the discharge of their duties by a sincere love of Masonry , and a firm belief in the beneficial influence uf an impressive delivery of the ritual . He was sure it must be in the experience of most present that

Celebration Of The Centenary Of The Lodge Of Unions, No. 256.

a brother initiated into Masonry in a slovenly ancl irreverent mariner had frequently left the lodge in disgust , never again to enter within its walls ; while , on the contrary , an . earnest and impressive rendering of the rite . ; and ceremonies had had a deep and lasting effect on the mind of an initiated brother , creating in him a desire to investigate their meaning , and becoming acquainted with their object ancl design , making him , in fact , a zealous Mason , useful to

the Craft , and an ornament to the Society of which he had become a member . It had , he knew , been a custom of many after-dinner speakers to impress on the minds cf young Masons that their first and hi ghest duty was , not to make a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge , but to subscribe to lhe Institutions , and from lhe very moment almost the initiated brother sat down fur lhe first time at the table he was pressed for a subscription .

An ambitious Mason , desirous of advancement , was impressed with the idea that a liberal subscription to the Charities was the surest step to Masonic honour , and munificent contributors were held upas having the hi ghest claim to Grand and Provincial Grand Office , although they had no other qualification . It was undoubtedl y the duty of every Mason to support the institutions to the utmost of his ability , and the Emulation

Lodge of Improvement set a brilliant example in devoting the whole of its surplus funds to that purpose , amounling generally to £ 30 or £ . \ o a year . But to figure on the lists of subscriptions to those Institutions was surely not the sole end and aim of Masonry ; nor was it , indeed , Masonic Charity in its true and fullest sense . Masonic Charity as they were taught in the ritual ancl lectures in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement was to envy not nei

our ghbour , to believe not a tale reported to his prejudice , to forgive the injuries of men , and to endeavour to blot them from our recollection , ever to be ready to listen to him who craves our assistance , and from him that is in want not to withhold a liberal hand , not only to relieve the distressed , which is a duty incumbent cm all men , but to soothe the unhappy , sympathise with thtir misfortunes , compassionate their miseries , and restsre peace

to the troubled mind ; to diop a tear of sympathy over the failings of a brother , and to pour the healin ; balm of consolation into the bosom of the afflicted . The privilece of wearing the Charity jewel might be considered a distinction ; but , believe him , he appreciated far more highly the distinction conferred upon him by the VV . M . in selecting him to represent the Emulation Lodge of Improvement ™ which not only liberally supported the Masonic Institutions ^ but

taught , under the auspices of this distinguished Lodge ot Unions—impressively taught the practice of those cardinal Masonic virtues—Temperance , Fortitude , Prudence , Justice—taught that a Mason could only attain the summit of his profession through faith , hope , and Charity taught ; that the characteristics of every good Mason were virtue , honour , and mercy ; taught , above all , the true and comprehensive definition of those grand principles on which Masonry was founded—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth .

Bro . hlGG , P . M . and S . VV ., in reply to the toast of "The Past Masters , " said they were at all times ready to assist the lodge , and it afforded them great gratification on that occasion to perform their duties . He had been a member of the lodge for one third of a century , and during the whole of that time the unity in the lodge had been so great that it had thoroughly earned the title of the Loelge

of Unions . He hoped the brethren of 100 years hence would be as happy as the brethren of the lodge were now . The Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . 'I he musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . J . A . Brown , who was assisted by Bros . E . Dalzell , F . Bevan , and Turle Lee , Bro . Turle Lee actin . " - as Organist in lodge .

The Stability Lodge Of Instruction, No. 217.

THE STABILITY LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 217 .

At a Committee Meeting of members of the Stability Lodge of Instruction , No . 217 , on Friday . the 30 th ult ., the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : " That in the opinion of the present meetingit is desirable that the Stability Lodgeof Instruction shall be continued

. and the brethren present pledge themselves to use their best endeavours to carry the same out . " " That Bro . John Bagot Scriven , P . G . Stwd ., be elected Treasurer of this lodge of instruction . " "That Bro . Eustace Anderson , jun ., be appointed

Secretary of this lodge of instruction . " "That this lodgeof instruction shall meet every Friday evening , from 6 to S o ' clock , at the Masons' Hall Tavern , Coleman-street , from the first Friday in October , tothe last Friday in March . Subscription ios . Gd . for the session , or one shilling each nightly attendance . "

Obituary.

Obituary .

THE DUKE OF ABERCORN , K . G ., GRAND MASTER OF IRELAND . Elsewhere we have given expression to the deep sympathy we feel for our brethren in Ireland at the death of their revered Grand Master , the Duke of Abercorn ; here our duty is to chronicle briefly the services rendered by his Grace . The deceased duke was born in the month of January , 1 S 11 , and , in 1 S 30 , while a student at Christ

Church , Oxfoid , was initiated into Freemasonry in the Apollo University Lodge , No . 357 . Two years later he took his seat in the House of Lords , and became so actively engaged in political matters that he does not seem to have had leisure to engage much in Masonic pursuiis . In 1 S 74 , the Duke of Leinster died , alter having presided over the fortunes of the Craft in Ireland for Gi years , and our late brother , who was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland for the second

time , and who , in 18 GS , at the close of his first term of office in that capacity , had been created a duke in the peerage of Ireland , was by the general wish of our Irish brethren invited to become Grand Master . His Grace accepted the invitation , and early in January , 1 S 75 , he was unanimously installed as successor to the late Duke of Leinster , having

just previously been passed through the chair of Grand Master ' s Lodge , Dublin . Since then the duke has given all the time lie could command to uphold the dignity of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , both at home and in the colonies , and a course of almost uninterrupted prosperity bears testimony to the beneficial influence he was able to oxercise .