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Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. ← Page 3 of 3 Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. Page 3 of 3 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 4 Article REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 4 →
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United Grand Lodge.
to Germany and presented themselves with their certificates to the lodge . They were asked individually if they were Christians , and individually they declined to answer , con . sidering the question anti-Masonic . He had hoped that from that time the barrier was broken down , but it had come up again the last three or four years . It was a stigma to the Craft in Germany , a stigma to the nation which
had shut up the banner cf Ultramontamsm which was attempted to be unfurled before them , a stigma to an intelligent race whose doctrines were founded upon the Bible . Let the brethren see what Freemasonry was . He thought Grand Lodge should exercise its utmost power to shew the brethren of Germany that they were wrong in refusing admission to Jews . He hoped that a representation made to
them would lead to a revision of their Constitution in 1881 . Lord 'Tenterden opposed the motion . In 1740 the Lodge of the Three Globes was established as a Christian lodge . It was not a lodge for the whole of Germany ; it was a particular system of Freemasonry based upon Christian principles . Questions whether the constitutions could be altered were raised in 1766 , 1783 , 1808 , 1844 ,
and 1849 ; but the feeling always seemed to have been that the Masons of that lodge were meeting under a Christian system of Masonry , and they wished to adhere to and maintain that particular form of ritual . In 1868 it was again considered , and the conclusion come to was that ' they had always been a Christian body , and they would he departing from their ancient land-marks if
they altered it . He moved an amendment to Bro Simpson ' s motion . Bro . Erasmus Wi ' son seconded the amendment . The Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C , saitl that Swedish Freemasonry was on the same footing as German Freemasonry , antl His Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales was matle a Freemason under the Swedish Constitutions .
Bro . James Mason objected to enforcing on German Grantl Lodges what English Freemasons thought they should do . Bro . Israel Abrahams , P . M . 188 , spoke in favour of the motion . Thc Earl of Limerick supported the amendment and said that the lotlge of the Three Globes were adhering to
their ancient constitutions . He thought Grand Lodge of England woultl hesitate to lake the step proposed , antl would leave it to be worked out by the great example which Grand Lodge of England set . All who presented English certificates to German Lodges were admitted as visitors , although they could not be joining members . Bro . S . V . Abraham ' said he had taken great interest in
this question . The Jewish brethren did not bring this matter before Grand Lotlge as a grievance to Jews alone . They denied that it was a question of Jew and Gentile ; they wisheel it considered only as a question of a Masonic , antl purely Masonic character . Thinking it advisable that the German Constitutions should be revised they came at once to the fountain-head to suggest the
alteration ; they came to a body whose head was the head of the country . By placing the matter in such hands they consiilered they were eloing right . Truly antl | Masonically had they brought the question forward , ami not from any party feeling . Bro . Mclntyrc , Grantl Registrar , opposed the motion . Bro . Simpson having replied ,
The Earl of Carnarvon said he should not think it necessary to say anything at all , except this , that as this was a question on which the principles of Freemasonry had been much invoked it woultl be perhaps unsatisfactory to Grand Lodge if he put it to the vote without the expression , however slight , of his own opinion . Hc need hardly tell the brethren that so far as his own opinion went , be regretted
the course which the German Grand Lodge of the Three Globes had taken . Looking at the point as he was bound to do , as an English Freemason , he shoultl have been glad if they coultl have accepted the view of the principles by which they had been guided , if indeed this was a case as some of the speakers hatl put it , absolutely within the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge of England , he should not
for a moment hesitate to endorse everything Bro . Simpson hatl said , but of course it was his ( the Earl of Carnarvon ' s ) duty to put it to the brethren in the most deliberate manner he could ; andtheconclusion to which he was carried after listening to this discussion was , that this Grantl Lodge shoultl be careful and cautious , very cautious in accepting such a motion as this . He did not care to go
through all the arguments which had been used on either side , but thc brethren must remember that there was extreme force in what Bro . Mclntyrc , the Giand Registrar , had said , thatjwe could not take up our position on the same ground that we had occupied with regard to the Grantl Orient of France . That body matle a distinct anil startling innovation . The Grantl Lodge of the Three
Globes , whether they be right or whether they be wrong , were simply atlhering to the course of precedent they had followed for more than a century . In the same way we thought we must bear in mind that in coming to a vote on this question we really were not very familiar with the details of it . Much that the Grand Senior Warden ( Lord Tenterden ) , had told them
was new , he ventured to say , to almost everybody present , antl that of itself should inform them that they were treading on rather delicate ground , and that if under the impulse of a right feeling , in which be ( Lord Carnarvon ) entirely went along with the biethren , ( and he wishetl to 'to full justice to the extremely fair , liberal , temperate , and Masonic manner and language in which the question had
been discussed by all those of the Jewish brethren who had taken part in it ) , still he must say they were treading on very delicate grountl , and if they were inadvertently to make a mistake , Granil Lodge woultl find itself in a very difficult position . It was always possible hereafter , after full explanation and enquiry to proceed to a decision based upon sountler conclusions , but if upon imperfect knowledge and without full cognizance of the details they proceeded
United Grand Lodge.
on a hasty conclusion , they placed themselves in a position which they might bitterly regret and which might lead to very great inconvenience . ( Hear , hear ) . He wished for his own part that the mover of the motion should withdraw it . They woultl all have stood in a better position on the one hand , and the Jewish race would not have been at all prejudiced ,
they would rather have gained by the moderation which they had exhibited , and Grantl Lodge would have been saved the risk of committing a serious blunder . He would fairly and frankly own to Grand Lodge that he doubted whether they were not exceeding their authority in making this recommendation to the German Grand Lodge of the Three Globes ; and if this were so , if they really were
travelling out of their own authority , if they were interfering in that which could upon argument be sustained as a matter of fair nternal regulation on the part of that German Grand Lodge , then they might place themselves ! in a position which would be a matter , to say the least , of very great regret . Grand Lotlge lastly must bear in mind : if they agreed to
this resolution and requested H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master , to convey a resolution to the German Grantl Lodge , and the Emperor of Germany as the head of that Grand Lodge , which could not be sustained in argument , which on argument might turn out to be a matter of internal regulation , this Grand Lodge placed its Illustrious Grand Master in a position , he might say
in a pretlicament , that they certainly could never intend , which it would be most painful to him to occupy , and from which he ( Lord Carnarvon ) frankly owned he did not see how thc Prince of Wales could extricate himself satisfactorily . He put it to Grand Lodge to pause well . They had waited for 140 years ; they might surely afford to wait for three
months longer . ( Hear , hear . ) There could be no error in that , but there might be a great error in hurrying to a decision that evening . He was sure he was giving Grand Lodge sound antl seasonable counsel to which no man could take exception , and which was for the comfort and satisfaction of all . If Bro . Simpson , would not withdraw the whole of his motion he would suggest that he should
only retain the first part of it "That the 300 petitions now presented to Grand Lodge on what is commonly called ' The German question' be received . " Bro . Simpson assented to this course , and the remaining portions of the motion having been withdrawn No . 1 was put to the brethren and carried unanimously . Grand Lodge was then closed in due form .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Btoflttru .
NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . —The regular November meeting of this famous old lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on Thursday week , the presiding officer being Bro . E . F . Storr , W . M . The business which was transacted was passing Bro . Cutting to the Second Degree , and initiating into Masonry Mr . A . F . Austen and Mr . E . R . Curtice . At the completion of
this work the brethren unanimously elected Bro . Phythisn , S . W ., as the W . M . of the lodge ; re-elected Bro . Isaac Wilcox , P . M ., as Treasurer ; electetl the Audit Committee ; on the motion of the Worshipful Master voted £ 10 to the " Henry Muggeritlge Testimonial Funtl ;" voted also a P . M . ' s jewel to Bro . Storr , W . M . ; and maele a donation of five pounds to a distressed brother , and five
pounds to his wife anil family . Bro . Phythian undertook the office of Steward for the next festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Girls ; and thc W . M . gave notice of motion for next meeting that ten guineas should be voted to each of the three Masonic Institutions . After the transaction of some other business the lodge was closed , antl the brethren adjourned to
banquet . Among the brethren present were Past Masters White , Harcourt , Battye , Nead , Gray , Fames , and Wilcox , and visitors Albert Storr , 1658 ; Thos . Kitching , 4351 J- Reinhardt , 2 * t ; H . Massey , 619 ( Freemason ); Sir . J . Bennett , 1 ; A . S . Swaine , 73 , ( as guests of the Worshipful Master ); and Alex . Crawford , 738 . After banquet , and the honouring of the formal toasts ,
Bro . Isaac Wilcox , P . M ., Treasurer , proposed "The W . M ., " and in doing so said it was not the first time he had had the same honour . It was with much pleasure he did it , because he knew , as the brethren knew , that Bro . Stotr had exerted himself to the utmost during his year of office to satisfy thc brethren . A- * far as he , as an old P . M ., could judge , speaking from many years' experience
the W . M . had conducted himself in a manner which redountled very much to his honour , and to the credit of the Neptune Lodge , which he trusted would maintain its gootl name and standing . It was acknowledged to be one of the best working lodges in the Craft , and there was nothing more gratifying to the P . M . ' s than to find the younger brethren aspire to the position of W . M ., and
endeavour to qual'fy themselves for the office . Many years since he passed the chair , and it was very pleasing to find that when there was work to do in the lodge the W . M . whom the brethren had selected was always able to do it , and he always did it in a creditable manner . He repeated that the W . M . had exerted himself to the utmost on behalf of the lodge ; he was a very energetic Mason ,
as all good Masons were ; and the brethren had seen that evening , by the way in which he had done the working of the ceremonies , and brought forward his different motions , with what true Masonic feeling he was actuated . The W . M . must be congratulated on the happy termination of his year of office , and the brethren wished him health and long life to enjoy his membership of this
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
lodge . ( Hear hear . ) Bro . E . F . Storr , in reply , said there were times in a man's life when to be silent was to be eloquent , and with himself he felt that that time was now , for he could not respond to this toast in a way which he felt Bro . Wilcox ' s remarks deserved . He could not hel p feeling that that evening his sun had set , and he hoped the rising sun would eclipse him . During his year of office , although it
had been a most prosperous one , he had had feelings of regret because he had had to support several cases from the lodge at the Lodge of Benevolence . This had been most distressing , and but for this his year would have been one of unmingled pleasure . No one had had better officers , without which what could a W . M . do ? He had tried to please the brethren and hc was pleased to find that
hc had been successful in his attempt . If they were satisfied that was sufficient recompense to him for what he had done . He hoped Bro . Phythian ' s year would be brighter , more prosperous , and luminous than ever his own had been . Bro . Austen responded to the toast of " The Initiates , " and said he had long looked forward with anxiety to the time when he should join the Order , and he
was now very grateful to the brother who had introduced him into it . Nothing should now be wanting on his part to make him a good Mason , and in speaking thus for himself he knew he was speaking the sentiments of his coinitiate , Bro . Curtice . 'Ihe W . M . proposed "The P . M . ' s , " of whom he said the Neptune Lodge could proudly boast . Long might they be spared to remain an ornament to the
lodge 1 Bro . Wilcox , P . M ., replied , aad said that the P . M . ' s were very proud of belonging to that body , and grateful for the compliments the brethren so often paid them . They had endeavoured in their day and generation to do properly that which devolved upon them , and they only hoped and trusted that all those who followed them would tread in their footsteps . Having the interest and
welfare of the lodge at heart he and his colleagues did their best in that direction , and nothing gave them greater pleasure than to see a brother in the chair who aimed at giving satisfaction to the brethren in the discharge of his duties as Bro . Storr had done . Unless a brother performed his duties well , they knew that a lodge deteriorated , and he felt confident that the brother who occupied the
position of W . M . felt the same as did the P . M ' . s . Bro . Sir John Bennett replied to the toast of " The Visitors . " It was indeed a pleasant thing in the midst of heavy daily and weekly work to come into a lodge of Freemasons , because they all had great respect for that great and very ancient institution . They knew its antiquity ; they knew its doings ; but they did not know
all its great doings in past centuries . Let him however , refer to some of the things which their predecessors in the Craft had done . If the history of the Craft could be written for the last 2000 years , they would have the history of the world through the dark ages , and see what the lodges did . The outward and visible signs of what they did remained in the grand ecclesiastical buildings , whose
architectural splendour astonished the world . But beyond that , Masons constituted a line of great societies of men , who from century to century , from age to age . werein their circles the most powerful agents that kept alive all that was great and good in the career of our industry ; the literary spirit , the artistic spirit . They were the body guard that taught liberty . Masons were proud to be
descendants of such a body of men , who kept alive all that had dignified , beautified , elevated , invigorated human society , and made civilisation what it now was . If they had done this in the past , Masons of the present day were the men to do it now ; to pass on this torch of human enlightenment , prosperity and civilization for the future . He was always proud when he came among Masons . He
had been but a poor Mason himself , because his occupations were numerous . Though extra-Masonic , they were nevertheless in the true spirit of Masonry wherever he went . He was proud to visit this lodge , by thc invitation of the Worshipful Master , and to have the opportunity of saying that he and the other visiters held among themselves the bright spirit
of our forefathers in this respect , that whatever they did well we were prepared to do tetter , with our greater power of knowledge and enlightenment , and of all those mani J fold appliances of daily life which multiplied the power of man , which made him feel he was the centre of circles that should not only invigorate and elevate , but send prosperity through the whole of the civilised community . The
common spirit which was shown to be among Masons by the ; friendly interchange of courtesies at these meetings would aid in this great work , and when they went forth from the lodge they would feel themselves the ' next day better men for the pleasure they had enjoyed that evening . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . next proposed " The W . M . elect . " He said that when he took the gavel from his predecessor
he was determined to do his duty to the Neptune Lodge , and he was pleased to find he had held it to the satisfaction of the brethren . In giving it up to another brother he had great pleasure and enjoyment in knowing that it would go into the hands of a brother who would equally endeavour to discharge his duties properly . Bro . Phythian , who would take th * gavel next year , was initiated the year after him
( the W . M . ) , and they had been like twin brothers ever since , and if he had nothing else to be thankful to Masonry for beyond his intercourse with the dear kind friends of the Neptune Lodge , the knowledge that he had made the friendship of Bro . Phythian , one of his bosom companions , was sufficient to make him pleased that he had became a Mason . Bro . Phythian responded .
He little thought , he said , six years ago , when he was initiated that he should ever be elected W . M . It had always been his great ambition to be Master , and the brethren knew he had always but once been punctual in his attendance . He had always been pleased to attend to his duties in the working of the lodge . He could not make any promise as to the way in which he should perform the duties of W . M . ; but he was working for it , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
to Germany and presented themselves with their certificates to the lodge . They were asked individually if they were Christians , and individually they declined to answer , con . sidering the question anti-Masonic . He had hoped that from that time the barrier was broken down , but it had come up again the last three or four years . It was a stigma to the Craft in Germany , a stigma to the nation which
had shut up the banner cf Ultramontamsm which was attempted to be unfurled before them , a stigma to an intelligent race whose doctrines were founded upon the Bible . Let the brethren see what Freemasonry was . He thought Grand Lodge should exercise its utmost power to shew the brethren of Germany that they were wrong in refusing admission to Jews . He hoped that a representation made to
them would lead to a revision of their Constitution in 1881 . Lord 'Tenterden opposed the motion . In 1740 the Lodge of the Three Globes was established as a Christian lodge . It was not a lodge for the whole of Germany ; it was a particular system of Freemasonry based upon Christian principles . Questions whether the constitutions could be altered were raised in 1766 , 1783 , 1808 , 1844 ,
and 1849 ; but the feeling always seemed to have been that the Masons of that lodge were meeting under a Christian system of Masonry , and they wished to adhere to and maintain that particular form of ritual . In 1868 it was again considered , and the conclusion come to was that ' they had always been a Christian body , and they would he departing from their ancient land-marks if
they altered it . He moved an amendment to Bro Simpson ' s motion . Bro . Erasmus Wi ' son seconded the amendment . The Rev . R . P . Bent , P . G . C , saitl that Swedish Freemasonry was on the same footing as German Freemasonry , antl His Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales was matle a Freemason under the Swedish Constitutions .
Bro . James Mason objected to enforcing on German Grantl Lodges what English Freemasons thought they should do . Bro . Israel Abrahams , P . M . 188 , spoke in favour of the motion . Thc Earl of Limerick supported the amendment and said that the lotlge of the Three Globes were adhering to
their ancient constitutions . He thought Grand Lodge of England woultl hesitate to lake the step proposed , antl would leave it to be worked out by the great example which Grand Lodge of England set . All who presented English certificates to German Lodges were admitted as visitors , although they could not be joining members . Bro . S . V . Abraham ' said he had taken great interest in
this question . The Jewish brethren did not bring this matter before Grand Lotlge as a grievance to Jews alone . They denied that it was a question of Jew and Gentile ; they wisheel it considered only as a question of a Masonic , antl purely Masonic character . Thinking it advisable that the German Constitutions should be revised they came at once to the fountain-head to suggest the
alteration ; they came to a body whose head was the head of the country . By placing the matter in such hands they consiilered they were eloing right . Truly antl | Masonically had they brought the question forward , ami not from any party feeling . Bro . Mclntyrc , Grantl Registrar , opposed the motion . Bro . Simpson having replied ,
The Earl of Carnarvon said he should not think it necessary to say anything at all , except this , that as this was a question on which the principles of Freemasonry had been much invoked it woultl be perhaps unsatisfactory to Grand Lodge if he put it to the vote without the expression , however slight , of his own opinion . Hc need hardly tell the brethren that so far as his own opinion went , be regretted
the course which the German Grand Lodge of the Three Globes had taken . Looking at the point as he was bound to do , as an English Freemason , he shoultl have been glad if they coultl have accepted the view of the principles by which they had been guided , if indeed this was a case as some of the speakers hatl put it , absolutely within the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge of England , he should not
for a moment hesitate to endorse everything Bro . Simpson hatl said , but of course it was his ( the Earl of Carnarvon ' s ) duty to put it to the brethren in the most deliberate manner he could ; andtheconclusion to which he was carried after listening to this discussion was , that this Grantl Lodge shoultl be careful and cautious , very cautious in accepting such a motion as this . He did not care to go
through all the arguments which had been used on either side , but thc brethren must remember that there was extreme force in what Bro . Mclntyrc , the Giand Registrar , had said , thatjwe could not take up our position on the same ground that we had occupied with regard to the Grantl Orient of France . That body matle a distinct anil startling innovation . The Grantl Lodge of the Three
Globes , whether they be right or whether they be wrong , were simply atlhering to the course of precedent they had followed for more than a century . In the same way we thought we must bear in mind that in coming to a vote on this question we really were not very familiar with the details of it . Much that the Grand Senior Warden ( Lord Tenterden ) , had told them
was new , he ventured to say , to almost everybody present , antl that of itself should inform them that they were treading on rather delicate ground , and that if under the impulse of a right feeling , in which be ( Lord Carnarvon ) entirely went along with the biethren , ( and he wishetl to 'to full justice to the extremely fair , liberal , temperate , and Masonic manner and language in which the question had
been discussed by all those of the Jewish brethren who had taken part in it ) , still he must say they were treading on very delicate grountl , and if they were inadvertently to make a mistake , Granil Lodge woultl find itself in a very difficult position . It was always possible hereafter , after full explanation and enquiry to proceed to a decision based upon sountler conclusions , but if upon imperfect knowledge and without full cognizance of the details they proceeded
United Grand Lodge.
on a hasty conclusion , they placed themselves in a position which they might bitterly regret and which might lead to very great inconvenience . ( Hear , hear ) . He wished for his own part that the mover of the motion should withdraw it . They woultl all have stood in a better position on the one hand , and the Jewish race would not have been at all prejudiced ,
they would rather have gained by the moderation which they had exhibited , and Grantl Lodge would have been saved the risk of committing a serious blunder . He would fairly and frankly own to Grand Lodge that he doubted whether they were not exceeding their authority in making this recommendation to the German Grand Lodge of the Three Globes ; and if this were so , if they really were
travelling out of their own authority , if they were interfering in that which could upon argument be sustained as a matter of fair nternal regulation on the part of that German Grand Lodge , then they might place themselves ! in a position which would be a matter , to say the least , of very great regret . Grand Lotlge lastly must bear in mind : if they agreed to
this resolution and requested H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master , to convey a resolution to the German Grantl Lodge , and the Emperor of Germany as the head of that Grand Lodge , which could not be sustained in argument , which on argument might turn out to be a matter of internal regulation , this Grand Lodge placed its Illustrious Grand Master in a position , he might say
in a pretlicament , that they certainly could never intend , which it would be most painful to him to occupy , and from which he ( Lord Carnarvon ) frankly owned he did not see how thc Prince of Wales could extricate himself satisfactorily . He put it to Grand Lodge to pause well . They had waited for 140 years ; they might surely afford to wait for three
months longer . ( Hear , hear . ) There could be no error in that , but there might be a great error in hurrying to a decision that evening . He was sure he was giving Grand Lodge sound antl seasonable counsel to which no man could take exception , and which was for the comfort and satisfaction of all . If Bro . Simpson , would not withdraw the whole of his motion he would suggest that he should
only retain the first part of it "That the 300 petitions now presented to Grand Lodge on what is commonly called ' The German question' be received . " Bro . Simpson assented to this course , and the remaining portions of the motion having been withdrawn No . 1 was put to the brethren and carried unanimously . Grand Lodge was then closed in due form .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
Craft Btoflttru .
NEPTUNE LODGE ( No . 22 ) . —The regular November meeting of this famous old lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , on Thursday week , the presiding officer being Bro . E . F . Storr , W . M . The business which was transacted was passing Bro . Cutting to the Second Degree , and initiating into Masonry Mr . A . F . Austen and Mr . E . R . Curtice . At the completion of
this work the brethren unanimously elected Bro . Phythisn , S . W ., as the W . M . of the lodge ; re-elected Bro . Isaac Wilcox , P . M ., as Treasurer ; electetl the Audit Committee ; on the motion of the Worshipful Master voted £ 10 to the " Henry Muggeritlge Testimonial Funtl ;" voted also a P . M . ' s jewel to Bro . Storr , W . M . ; and maele a donation of five pounds to a distressed brother , and five
pounds to his wife anil family . Bro . Phythian undertook the office of Steward for the next festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Girls ; and thc W . M . gave notice of motion for next meeting that ten guineas should be voted to each of the three Masonic Institutions . After the transaction of some other business the lodge was closed , antl the brethren adjourned to
banquet . Among the brethren present were Past Masters White , Harcourt , Battye , Nead , Gray , Fames , and Wilcox , and visitors Albert Storr , 1658 ; Thos . Kitching , 4351 J- Reinhardt , 2 * t ; H . Massey , 619 ( Freemason ); Sir . J . Bennett , 1 ; A . S . Swaine , 73 , ( as guests of the Worshipful Master ); and Alex . Crawford , 738 . After banquet , and the honouring of the formal toasts ,
Bro . Isaac Wilcox , P . M ., Treasurer , proposed "The W . M ., " and in doing so said it was not the first time he had had the same honour . It was with much pleasure he did it , because he knew , as the brethren knew , that Bro . Stotr had exerted himself to the utmost during his year of office to satisfy thc brethren . A- * far as he , as an old P . M ., could judge , speaking from many years' experience
the W . M . had conducted himself in a manner which redountled very much to his honour , and to the credit of the Neptune Lodge , which he trusted would maintain its gootl name and standing . It was acknowledged to be one of the best working lodges in the Craft , and there was nothing more gratifying to the P . M . ' s than to find the younger brethren aspire to the position of W . M ., and
endeavour to qual'fy themselves for the office . Many years since he passed the chair , and it was very pleasing to find that when there was work to do in the lodge the W . M . whom the brethren had selected was always able to do it , and he always did it in a creditable manner . He repeated that the W . M . had exerted himself to the utmost on behalf of the lodge ; he was a very energetic Mason ,
as all good Masons were ; and the brethren had seen that evening , by the way in which he had done the working of the ceremonies , and brought forward his different motions , with what true Masonic feeling he was actuated . The W . M . must be congratulated on the happy termination of his year of office , and the brethren wished him health and long life to enjoy his membership of this
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
lodge . ( Hear hear . ) Bro . E . F . Storr , in reply , said there were times in a man's life when to be silent was to be eloquent , and with himself he felt that that time was now , for he could not respond to this toast in a way which he felt Bro . Wilcox ' s remarks deserved . He could not hel p feeling that that evening his sun had set , and he hoped the rising sun would eclipse him . During his year of office , although it
had been a most prosperous one , he had had feelings of regret because he had had to support several cases from the lodge at the Lodge of Benevolence . This had been most distressing , and but for this his year would have been one of unmingled pleasure . No one had had better officers , without which what could a W . M . do ? He had tried to please the brethren and hc was pleased to find that
hc had been successful in his attempt . If they were satisfied that was sufficient recompense to him for what he had done . He hoped Bro . Phythian ' s year would be brighter , more prosperous , and luminous than ever his own had been . Bro . Austen responded to the toast of " The Initiates , " and said he had long looked forward with anxiety to the time when he should join the Order , and he
was now very grateful to the brother who had introduced him into it . Nothing should now be wanting on his part to make him a good Mason , and in speaking thus for himself he knew he was speaking the sentiments of his coinitiate , Bro . Curtice . 'Ihe W . M . proposed "The P . M . ' s , " of whom he said the Neptune Lodge could proudly boast . Long might they be spared to remain an ornament to the
lodge 1 Bro . Wilcox , P . M ., replied , aad said that the P . M . ' s were very proud of belonging to that body , and grateful for the compliments the brethren so often paid them . They had endeavoured in their day and generation to do properly that which devolved upon them , and they only hoped and trusted that all those who followed them would tread in their footsteps . Having the interest and
welfare of the lodge at heart he and his colleagues did their best in that direction , and nothing gave them greater pleasure than to see a brother in the chair who aimed at giving satisfaction to the brethren in the discharge of his duties as Bro . Storr had done . Unless a brother performed his duties well , they knew that a lodge deteriorated , and he felt confident that the brother who occupied the
position of W . M . felt the same as did the P . M ' . s . Bro . Sir John Bennett replied to the toast of " The Visitors . " It was indeed a pleasant thing in the midst of heavy daily and weekly work to come into a lodge of Freemasons , because they all had great respect for that great and very ancient institution . They knew its antiquity ; they knew its doings ; but they did not know
all its great doings in past centuries . Let him however , refer to some of the things which their predecessors in the Craft had done . If the history of the Craft could be written for the last 2000 years , they would have the history of the world through the dark ages , and see what the lodges did . The outward and visible signs of what they did remained in the grand ecclesiastical buildings , whose
architectural splendour astonished the world . But beyond that , Masons constituted a line of great societies of men , who from century to century , from age to age . werein their circles the most powerful agents that kept alive all that was great and good in the career of our industry ; the literary spirit , the artistic spirit . They were the body guard that taught liberty . Masons were proud to be
descendants of such a body of men , who kept alive all that had dignified , beautified , elevated , invigorated human society , and made civilisation what it now was . If they had done this in the past , Masons of the present day were the men to do it now ; to pass on this torch of human enlightenment , prosperity and civilization for the future . He was always proud when he came among Masons . He
had been but a poor Mason himself , because his occupations were numerous . Though extra-Masonic , they were nevertheless in the true spirit of Masonry wherever he went . He was proud to visit this lodge , by thc invitation of the Worshipful Master , and to have the opportunity of saying that he and the other visiters held among themselves the bright spirit
of our forefathers in this respect , that whatever they did well we were prepared to do tetter , with our greater power of knowledge and enlightenment , and of all those mani J fold appliances of daily life which multiplied the power of man , which made him feel he was the centre of circles that should not only invigorate and elevate , but send prosperity through the whole of the civilised community . The
common spirit which was shown to be among Masons by the ; friendly interchange of courtesies at these meetings would aid in this great work , and when they went forth from the lodge they would feel themselves the ' next day better men for the pleasure they had enjoyed that evening . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . next proposed " The W . M . elect . " He said that when he took the gavel from his predecessor
he was determined to do his duty to the Neptune Lodge , and he was pleased to find he had held it to the satisfaction of the brethren . In giving it up to another brother he had great pleasure and enjoyment in knowing that it would go into the hands of a brother who would equally endeavour to discharge his duties properly . Bro . Phythian , who would take th * gavel next year , was initiated the year after him
( the W . M . ) , and they had been like twin brothers ever since , and if he had nothing else to be thankful to Masonry for beyond his intercourse with the dear kind friends of the Neptune Lodge , the knowledge that he had made the friendship of Bro . Phythian , one of his bosom companions , was sufficient to make him pleased that he had became a Mason . Bro . Phythian responded .
He little thought , he said , six years ago , when he was initiated that he should ever be elected W . M . It had always been his great ambition to be Master , and the brethren knew he had always but once been punctual in his attendance . He had always been pleased to attend to his duties in the working of the lodge . He could not make any promise as to the way in which he should perform the duties of W . M . ; but he was working for it , and