Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of The Domatic Chapter, No. 177.
trust that the distinction already attained will be increased . It augurs well for the chapter that there is such a large attendance here this evening , because it shows the interest taken in the chapter . The warrant I now present , which records the centenary of the chapter , I hope will be an incitement to the companions to persevere in that line of conduct vvhich has acquired for this chapter such great distinction . I have very great pleasure in presenting this centenary warrant to you .
The M . E . Z . said : Excellent Comp . Beach , Grand Officers , and Companions , on behalf of the Domatic Chapter I have to thank you very sincerely and heartily for your attendance here this evening , and especially on such an auspicious occasion , when we , as members of this chapter , feel so much honour has been done to us . Of course the existence of a chapter for so many years is a pride and a honour , as it shows that its existence for
so long a period in full working strength must have carried out the objects vvhich it had in view . The present year is a very eventful one in its career . VVe thank you , Comp . Beach , for the kind expressions you have used for its welfare , and we trust that the future of the chapter will be of the kind that you mention . Comp . Beach , we thank you very much for attending here this evening to present the centenary warrant .
The following companions were then invested ns officers of the chapter for the year : Comps . C . A . Cottebrune , Scribe E . ; Richard Moody , Scribe N . ; J . T . Briggs , Treas . ; E . A . G . Smith , P . S . ; Thomas Hobbs , ist A . S . ; A ) ircd Piper , and A . S . ; and James Verry , janitor . The M . E . Z . next presented a centenary jewel to Comp . H . N . Price ,
which he said was the first centenary jewel of the chapter . 1 he companions ought to feel a great honour had been conferred on them , and they felt it would not have come about had it not been for Comp . Price ' s exertions . Comp . Price had brought his endeavours to a successful issue , and he was to be congratulated upon it .
Comp . PRICE , I . P . Z ., said he thanked the M . E . Z . very cordially for his exceedingly kind words . Anything he had done to conduce to obtaining the centenary warrant had been to him a labour of love . If the companions were satisfied he was amply rewarded . He should like now to have the pleasure of presenting to the M . E . Z . a centenary jewel . There was no member of the chapter who would render it more honour . Comp . Price then decorated the M . E . Z . with a centenary jewel .
The M . E . Z . then called up Comps . Cottebrune , S . E ., and Briggs , Treas ., and presented each vvith a centenary jewel . He said that they had been many years in the chapter , and he hoped they would be in it for many years to come .
Comp . KOHRY ( British Burmah ) , on behalf of that district , congratulated the chapter on the excellent work he had seen that night , and also on the chapter obtaining a centenary warrant . When one came thousands of miles and saw the ceremonial of Masonry properly performed , it was extremely gratifying . It was very difficult to acquire the work . He had seen the working of a good many chapters , but he had never appreciated it
as he had that evening . That chapter had flourished for 100 years , and he hoped it might go on for many more . The chapter was then closed , after working for four consecutive hours . A splendid repast followed , at which Comp . Price presided , the honour having been conferred upon him in recognition of his services in obtaining the charter .
The music was performed by Masters R . and A . Hopkins , Bros . R , Evans , Wingrove Ives , R . B . Hopkins , and Fred Stephens . At the pianoforte were Mr . VV . A . Wade and Bro . R . B . Hopkins . Comp . PRICE , in proposing " The Queen and . R . A . Masonry , " said one of the most pleasing duties which could fall to the lot of a Presiding Officer was to have the honour of proposing the health of her Most Gracious
Majesty the Queen , a duty vvhich came from the love and respect they bore to that Royal Lady who had ruled over the vast empire which she held sway for a period of half thc time the Domatic Chapter had been in existence . During her reign and her long life she had , by her thought and her sympathies with the people , endeared herself to all of them . They all had the hope and wish that she might long reign over them . Her Majesty
being the Patroness of the Masonic Charities , hc would couple her name with R . A . Masonry , and he would call on the companions to drink long life , health , and prosperity to the Oueen and R . A . Masonry . Comp . PRICE , when the toast had been duly honoured , said the next toast he had the honour to propose was that of "The Health of the Grand Z . of the Order , H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , " and in proposing it he felt
perfectly certain it would meet with the same hearty and cordial reception which had always been accorded to it throughout Masonry all over the kingdom . During the 18 years his Royal Highness had reigned over Masonry , Royal Arch Masonry had made rapid strides , and in so doing had become fat more influential than it was formerly . Although , perhaps , his Royal Highness , by the various duties that devolved upon him , was
unable to attend the whole of Masons' assemblies , yet they knew there was nothing of importance which occurred in Masonry but he knew of it , and hc always took a part in everything that was for the good of R . A . Masonry . Comp . PRICE said the next toast he had the honour also to propose was that of "The Health of the Pro Grand Z ., the Earl of Lathom , the Grand H ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , and the Grand J ., Comp . W . VV . B .
Beach , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . There was very little necessary for him to say to recommend that toast to the consideration of the companions , for it always received a hearty acceptance . In the Earl of Lathom they had a very old and worthy Mason , who was always ready and willing to take command of their ceremonial . They had also the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , who was equally enthusiastic in Masonry , and
they next came to Comp . Beach , the Grand J ., vvho had honoured them with his presence that evening . It afforded him ( Comp . Price ) personally a very great amount of pleasure to welcome him in the Domatic Chapter , seeing that he ( Comp . Price ) was initiated in the Province of Hampshire in the first year of Comp . Beach ' s rule over that province as Grand Master . Therefore he felt peculiarly honoured by Comp . Beach coming to see one of
his Masonic children . Whenever the companions saw any of these Grand Officers occupying the position of president in Grand Lodge , they knew they occupied it with dignity . While they had such officers at the head of Masonry , they were certain that Royal Arch Masonry would never waver , but would remain the same grand noble institution it ever was . They had , also , to hold out the right hand of fellowship in the name of the Domatic
Chapter to Comp . Fenn , Past President of the Committee of General Purposes . There were very few Masons to-day vvho could carry out the ceremonies more efficiently than he , not only in their own language , but in other languages . Comp . b ' enn was ono of the most energetic Grand Officers . Then there was Comp . Letchworth , G . S . E ., who was most enthusiastic in his work , and to him he returned thanks for his assistance in obtaining the
Centenary Festival Of The Domatic Chapter, No. 177.
centenary warrant . Comp . Letchworth had given up an important engage , ment to be present at the Domatic Chapter that evening . Then they canie to Comp . Pendlebury , Assistant Grand Scribe E ., and there was another Grand Officer whom they claimed as a member of the chapter , Comp , George Everett , Past Grand Treasurer , and whom they were always ready to welcome . In all the chapters to which he belonged , there vvere
none more thoroughly satisfied to see Comp . Everett Grand Treasurer than his old chapter , the Domatic . Comp . James Lewis Thomas came next : hc was Past Grand Standard Bearer , and Comp . Henry Sadler Grand Janitor . Hc thanked them all for their attendance , and the Domatic Chapter must congratulate itself on being honoured with the presence of more Grand Officers than it ever had on any one evening of its existence . He called upon Comps . Beach and Fenn to respond .
Comp . W . VV . B . BEACH , Grand J ., in replying , said he thanked th companions for the cordial reception they had given to that toast . It was a great privilege to him , and he was very proud to be associated with such distinguished Masons as Lord Lathom and Lord Mount Edgcumbe , both of whom had done very much for Masonry in all its branches , and contributed very much to the success of Royal Arch Masonry . Since he had
been appointed to the distinguished office of Third Grand Principal he had tried to do a little more than he had before for the benefit of Royal Arch Masonry . He had always been under the impression that those who were charged -with duties should perform them to tne utmost of tVieir power , and if they could possibly attend meetings of Royal Arch Masons and try b y their example , and a few words of encouragement to do something for the
promotion of Royal Arch Masonry , it was a great pride ana pleasure for them to do so . He had felt for a long series of years in Royal Arch Masonry that he should do something for this branch of the Craft , to incite those vvho had not joined this high Degree to emulate those who had gone before them , and try to make themselves acquainted with the hidden irrysteries oi Masonry , which they could only do when the additional secrets were
committed to them from year to year in this exalted Degree . He thought that in provinces as Masonry increased so the Royal Arch Degree increased . There was generally a proportion of chapters which were called into existence commensurate with the number of lodges . That was a very health y sign , because it showed that the brethren were anxious to make themselves acquainted with this exalted Degree . He could only hope it would continue
to flourish . He had had very great pleasure in attending on this highly interesting occasion . He would say nothing more at that moment on this head , because he believed it would presently fall to him to say something on it , and he should , therefore , content himself by stating how pleased he was to be present , because a few hours ago he felt there were duties elsewhere vvhich would prevent him coming .
Comp . THOMAS FENN , also replying , said the toast had been responded to so fully and so ably by their excellent and beloved Comp . Beach , that a very few words would suffice from him . He was rather surprised that the M . E . Z . should ask him to respond , because their excellent G . S . E . took precedence of him . He had no doubt the M . E . Z . would have some toast slyly in the corner of his pocket in favour of the other companions . That
night he was permitted to tell them that Comp . Robert Grey , who was the real President of thc Committee of General Purposes , had felt himself—very unwillingly—obliged to absent himself , as he was Chairman for the month of the House Committee of the Girls' School , and , unfortunately , he vvas compelled to be present at the School . Although he ( Comp . Fenn ) was one of the Committee , Comp . Grey had commissioned him to represent him
as the only Past President of the Committee of General Purposes at present existing . He wished sincerely to convey to the companions of the Domatic Chapter the regret of Comp . Grey at being unavoidably absent , mere especially as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Board of Benevolence , who was an active member of that chapter— -Comp . Cottebrune—and Comp Everett , formerly a member , was one of its Vice-Presidents . He should not
forget himself , and he would say how gratified he felt at the first time of being in that chapter , in which so many of his old and original friends who vvere Masons vvere members . Not the least of these was S . Barton Wilson who was his instructor in Masonry , and with whom he was associated in the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement many years ; their Bro . John Snelling , one of the most distinguished lights of that lodge , and one ol their highly
esteemed companions , Comp . James Brett . He thanked the companions very much for the pleasure he had had , and he expressed his satisfaction at the way in which the work in chapter was conducted . When he had been invited to chapters it was usually for the purpose of doing the work , and it was an agreeable surprise to him as a guest to see the work so well performed by all the officers .
Comp . VV . BEACH , Grand J ., next said a most pleasing duty had been assigned to him . They had met that evening on a most interesting occasion , and therefore the toast which he had to propose to the companions was " Success to the Domatic Chapter . " He felt that that toast ought to have been proposed by some one more intimately connected with it , who could have done more justice to it , who could have entered more intimately into
the past history of the chapter . But he had been only informed of one or two facts in regard to it . He understood it existed first of all in 1789 , but not under authentic records , and it was not until 1793 that it began to exist under a warrant from the Athol Lodge . At that time chapters under the Athol Lodge did not exist by themselves , but they existed by warrant of the lodges under which they took origin , and therefore that was a very different
mode of proceeding to that of the present time . Of course , after the amalgamation of the different lodges and thc United Grand Lodge was broug ht into being , all these things were changed . No doubt during that time the DomaticChapter had done great and usefuhvork . Many distinguished Royal Arch Masons had been members of this chapter ; they had done very active and solid work in the interest of Royal Arch Masonry . During this long
series ol years the companions had handed down to their successors the traditions of the chapter and had shown unbroken work which formed a record in the present day . He vvas sorry to say he was not able to be present at the time when the candidates vvere exalted that afternoon , hut he had the pleasure of witnessing two of the installations , and he was delig hted vvith the way thc work was conducted . Comp . Fenn , who was present sooner , did justice to the way in which Comp . Price and the other onic ers
did their work . Therefore he thought they had to congratulate thc Doinati < - Chapter on the way the work was carried out in it , and they had every reason to believe that in future years the chapter would continue to flourish and bc an ornament to the Craft and to the Degree to which it belonged ' It had received a centenary warrant . He understood there were only three other chapters in London which had that distinction , and only 18 aItogct ' ' Of course it was a great distinction to be one of such a small number as t ' ; He congratulated the members of the Committee heartily on the succes *
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of The Domatic Chapter, No. 177.
trust that the distinction already attained will be increased . It augurs well for the chapter that there is such a large attendance here this evening , because it shows the interest taken in the chapter . The warrant I now present , which records the centenary of the chapter , I hope will be an incitement to the companions to persevere in that line of conduct vvhich has acquired for this chapter such great distinction . I have very great pleasure in presenting this centenary warrant to you .
The M . E . Z . said : Excellent Comp . Beach , Grand Officers , and Companions , on behalf of the Domatic Chapter I have to thank you very sincerely and heartily for your attendance here this evening , and especially on such an auspicious occasion , when we , as members of this chapter , feel so much honour has been done to us . Of course the existence of a chapter for so many years is a pride and a honour , as it shows that its existence for
so long a period in full working strength must have carried out the objects vvhich it had in view . The present year is a very eventful one in its career . VVe thank you , Comp . Beach , for the kind expressions you have used for its welfare , and we trust that the future of the chapter will be of the kind that you mention . Comp . Beach , we thank you very much for attending here this evening to present the centenary warrant .
The following companions were then invested ns officers of the chapter for the year : Comps . C . A . Cottebrune , Scribe E . ; Richard Moody , Scribe N . ; J . T . Briggs , Treas . ; E . A . G . Smith , P . S . ; Thomas Hobbs , ist A . S . ; A ) ircd Piper , and A . S . ; and James Verry , janitor . The M . E . Z . next presented a centenary jewel to Comp . H . N . Price ,
which he said was the first centenary jewel of the chapter . 1 he companions ought to feel a great honour had been conferred on them , and they felt it would not have come about had it not been for Comp . Price ' s exertions . Comp . Price had brought his endeavours to a successful issue , and he was to be congratulated upon it .
Comp . PRICE , I . P . Z ., said he thanked the M . E . Z . very cordially for his exceedingly kind words . Anything he had done to conduce to obtaining the centenary warrant had been to him a labour of love . If the companions were satisfied he was amply rewarded . He should like now to have the pleasure of presenting to the M . E . Z . a centenary jewel . There was no member of the chapter who would render it more honour . Comp . Price then decorated the M . E . Z . with a centenary jewel .
The M . E . Z . then called up Comps . Cottebrune , S . E ., and Briggs , Treas ., and presented each vvith a centenary jewel . He said that they had been many years in the chapter , and he hoped they would be in it for many years to come .
Comp . KOHRY ( British Burmah ) , on behalf of that district , congratulated the chapter on the excellent work he had seen that night , and also on the chapter obtaining a centenary warrant . When one came thousands of miles and saw the ceremonial of Masonry properly performed , it was extremely gratifying . It was very difficult to acquire the work . He had seen the working of a good many chapters , but he had never appreciated it
as he had that evening . That chapter had flourished for 100 years , and he hoped it might go on for many more . The chapter was then closed , after working for four consecutive hours . A splendid repast followed , at which Comp . Price presided , the honour having been conferred upon him in recognition of his services in obtaining the charter .
The music was performed by Masters R . and A . Hopkins , Bros . R , Evans , Wingrove Ives , R . B . Hopkins , and Fred Stephens . At the pianoforte were Mr . VV . A . Wade and Bro . R . B . Hopkins . Comp . PRICE , in proposing " The Queen and . R . A . Masonry , " said one of the most pleasing duties which could fall to the lot of a Presiding Officer was to have the honour of proposing the health of her Most Gracious
Majesty the Queen , a duty vvhich came from the love and respect they bore to that Royal Lady who had ruled over the vast empire which she held sway for a period of half thc time the Domatic Chapter had been in existence . During her reign and her long life she had , by her thought and her sympathies with the people , endeared herself to all of them . They all had the hope and wish that she might long reign over them . Her Majesty
being the Patroness of the Masonic Charities , hc would couple her name with R . A . Masonry , and he would call on the companions to drink long life , health , and prosperity to the Oueen and R . A . Masonry . Comp . PRICE , when the toast had been duly honoured , said the next toast he had the honour to propose was that of "The Health of the Grand Z . of the Order , H . R . H . the Prince of VVales , " and in proposing it he felt
perfectly certain it would meet with the same hearty and cordial reception which had always been accorded to it throughout Masonry all over the kingdom . During the 18 years his Royal Highness had reigned over Masonry , Royal Arch Masonry had made rapid strides , and in so doing had become fat more influential than it was formerly . Although , perhaps , his Royal Highness , by the various duties that devolved upon him , was
unable to attend the whole of Masons' assemblies , yet they knew there was nothing of importance which occurred in Masonry but he knew of it , and hc always took a part in everything that was for the good of R . A . Masonry . Comp . PRICE said the next toast he had the honour also to propose was that of "The Health of the Pro Grand Z ., the Earl of Lathom , the Grand H ., the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , and the Grand J ., Comp . W . VV . B .
Beach , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . There was very little necessary for him to say to recommend that toast to the consideration of the companions , for it always received a hearty acceptance . In the Earl of Lathom they had a very old and worthy Mason , who was always ready and willing to take command of their ceremonial . They had also the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , who was equally enthusiastic in Masonry , and
they next came to Comp . Beach , the Grand J ., vvho had honoured them with his presence that evening . It afforded him ( Comp . Price ) personally a very great amount of pleasure to welcome him in the Domatic Chapter , seeing that he ( Comp . Price ) was initiated in the Province of Hampshire in the first year of Comp . Beach ' s rule over that province as Grand Master . Therefore he felt peculiarly honoured by Comp . Beach coming to see one of
his Masonic children . Whenever the companions saw any of these Grand Officers occupying the position of president in Grand Lodge , they knew they occupied it with dignity . While they had such officers at the head of Masonry , they were certain that Royal Arch Masonry would never waver , but would remain the same grand noble institution it ever was . They had , also , to hold out the right hand of fellowship in the name of the Domatic
Chapter to Comp . Fenn , Past President of the Committee of General Purposes . There were very few Masons to-day vvho could carry out the ceremonies more efficiently than he , not only in their own language , but in other languages . Comp . b ' enn was ono of the most energetic Grand Officers . Then there was Comp . Letchworth , G . S . E ., who was most enthusiastic in his work , and to him he returned thanks for his assistance in obtaining the
Centenary Festival Of The Domatic Chapter, No. 177.
centenary warrant . Comp . Letchworth had given up an important engage , ment to be present at the Domatic Chapter that evening . Then they canie to Comp . Pendlebury , Assistant Grand Scribe E ., and there was another Grand Officer whom they claimed as a member of the chapter , Comp , George Everett , Past Grand Treasurer , and whom they were always ready to welcome . In all the chapters to which he belonged , there vvere
none more thoroughly satisfied to see Comp . Everett Grand Treasurer than his old chapter , the Domatic . Comp . James Lewis Thomas came next : hc was Past Grand Standard Bearer , and Comp . Henry Sadler Grand Janitor . Hc thanked them all for their attendance , and the Domatic Chapter must congratulate itself on being honoured with the presence of more Grand Officers than it ever had on any one evening of its existence . He called upon Comps . Beach and Fenn to respond .
Comp . W . VV . B . BEACH , Grand J ., in replying , said he thanked th companions for the cordial reception they had given to that toast . It was a great privilege to him , and he was very proud to be associated with such distinguished Masons as Lord Lathom and Lord Mount Edgcumbe , both of whom had done very much for Masonry in all its branches , and contributed very much to the success of Royal Arch Masonry . Since he had
been appointed to the distinguished office of Third Grand Principal he had tried to do a little more than he had before for the benefit of Royal Arch Masonry . He had always been under the impression that those who were charged -with duties should perform them to tne utmost of tVieir power , and if they could possibly attend meetings of Royal Arch Masons and try b y their example , and a few words of encouragement to do something for the
promotion of Royal Arch Masonry , it was a great pride ana pleasure for them to do so . He had felt for a long series of years in Royal Arch Masonry that he should do something for this branch of the Craft , to incite those vvho had not joined this high Degree to emulate those who had gone before them , and try to make themselves acquainted with the hidden irrysteries oi Masonry , which they could only do when the additional secrets were
committed to them from year to year in this exalted Degree . He thought that in provinces as Masonry increased so the Royal Arch Degree increased . There was generally a proportion of chapters which were called into existence commensurate with the number of lodges . That was a very health y sign , because it showed that the brethren were anxious to make themselves acquainted with this exalted Degree . He could only hope it would continue
to flourish . He had had very great pleasure in attending on this highly interesting occasion . He would say nothing more at that moment on this head , because he believed it would presently fall to him to say something on it , and he should , therefore , content himself by stating how pleased he was to be present , because a few hours ago he felt there were duties elsewhere vvhich would prevent him coming .
Comp . THOMAS FENN , also replying , said the toast had been responded to so fully and so ably by their excellent and beloved Comp . Beach , that a very few words would suffice from him . He was rather surprised that the M . E . Z . should ask him to respond , because their excellent G . S . E . took precedence of him . He had no doubt the M . E . Z . would have some toast slyly in the corner of his pocket in favour of the other companions . That
night he was permitted to tell them that Comp . Robert Grey , who was the real President of thc Committee of General Purposes , had felt himself—very unwillingly—obliged to absent himself , as he was Chairman for the month of the House Committee of the Girls' School , and , unfortunately , he vvas compelled to be present at the School . Although he ( Comp . Fenn ) was one of the Committee , Comp . Grey had commissioned him to represent him
as the only Past President of the Committee of General Purposes at present existing . He wished sincerely to convey to the companions of the Domatic Chapter the regret of Comp . Grey at being unavoidably absent , mere especially as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Board of Benevolence , who was an active member of that chapter— -Comp . Cottebrune—and Comp Everett , formerly a member , was one of its Vice-Presidents . He should not
forget himself , and he would say how gratified he felt at the first time of being in that chapter , in which so many of his old and original friends who vvere Masons vvere members . Not the least of these was S . Barton Wilson who was his instructor in Masonry , and with whom he was associated in the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement many years ; their Bro . John Snelling , one of the most distinguished lights of that lodge , and one ol their highly
esteemed companions , Comp . James Brett . He thanked the companions very much for the pleasure he had had , and he expressed his satisfaction at the way in which the work in chapter was conducted . When he had been invited to chapters it was usually for the purpose of doing the work , and it was an agreeable surprise to him as a guest to see the work so well performed by all the officers .
Comp . VV . BEACH , Grand J ., next said a most pleasing duty had been assigned to him . They had met that evening on a most interesting occasion , and therefore the toast which he had to propose to the companions was " Success to the Domatic Chapter . " He felt that that toast ought to have been proposed by some one more intimately connected with it , who could have done more justice to it , who could have entered more intimately into
the past history of the chapter . But he had been only informed of one or two facts in regard to it . He understood it existed first of all in 1789 , but not under authentic records , and it was not until 1793 that it began to exist under a warrant from the Athol Lodge . At that time chapters under the Athol Lodge did not exist by themselves , but they existed by warrant of the lodges under which they took origin , and therefore that was a very different
mode of proceeding to that of the present time . Of course , after the amalgamation of the different lodges and thc United Grand Lodge was broug ht into being , all these things were changed . No doubt during that time the DomaticChapter had done great and usefuhvork . Many distinguished Royal Arch Masons had been members of this chapter ; they had done very active and solid work in the interest of Royal Arch Masonry . During this long
series ol years the companions had handed down to their successors the traditions of the chapter and had shown unbroken work which formed a record in the present day . He vvas sorry to say he was not able to be present at the time when the candidates vvere exalted that afternoon , hut he had the pleasure of witnessing two of the installations , and he was delig hted vvith the way thc work was conducted . Comp . Fenn , who was present sooner , did justice to the way in which Comp . Price and the other onic ers
did their work . Therefore he thought they had to congratulate thc Doinati < - Chapter on the way the work was carried out in it , and they had every reason to believe that in future years the chapter would continue to flourish and bc an ornament to the Craft and to the Degree to which it belonged ' It had received a centenary warrant . He understood there were only three other chapters in London which had that distinction , and only 18 aItogct ' ' Of course it was a great distinction to be one of such a small number as t ' ; He congratulated the members of the Committee heartily on the succes *