Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
time for the further despatch of Masonic business . Bro . D . TILDESLTSY proposed , and Bro . DOUGLAS seconded , a vote of thanks to the Chaplain of
the lodge , for the excellent sermon he had preached , and included in the motion a request that he allow it to be printed at the expense of the lodge , for the use of the brethren .
The motion was carried unanimously , and was succeeded by another , not less important , made by Bro . DOUGLAS , and seconded by GRAND CHAPLAIN , of thanks to the incumbent of Hampstead Church , for granting the use of the sacred edifice for the service of the day . Bros . Douglas
and Dr . Davidson , could not allow another service to the lodge to pass unrequitted , aud the former proposed , aud the latter seconded a vote of thanks totheGrand Chaplain for the part he had taken in the ceremony . Bro . SIMPSON responded . It had been a
pleasure to himself to join the brethren and conduct prayer and praise to T . G . A . O . T . TJ . that day , and he took it as a kind compliment ou the part of the brethren to ask him to do so , and he was much obliged to them . A further vote was proposed by the GRAND
CHAPLAIN , although not a member of the lodge , to Bro . Seymour Smith for the musical portion ofthe service , gave an opportunity to an admirable speaker , Bro . J . Savage , P . G . D ., to open his lips . He gave in his adhesion to the motion . Being a listener he had taken part to speak in the service of the day , and he congratulated the lodge
in the arrangements that had been made , aud particularly on being so successful in producing such a solemn and sweet a ceremony as he had heard at church The sermon was everything that could be desired ; and the music was deli ghtful , particularly the singing of the Hallelujah chorus . This motion having been carried , and all the motions ordered to be entered
on the minutes , the brethren who had been at work for four hours , assisted the W . M . to close the lodge , and adjourned to banquet . Among the brethren who attended were the following : — Bros . W . Shury , P . M . ( 167 , 548 and 51 ); F . B . Davage , I . P . M . ; G . Pritchard , P . M . ; John
Douglas , P . M . ; Jonathan Ward , P . M . ; Thomas Adams , P . G . P ., P . M . ; E . Barge , S . W . j Rev . Charles Lee , Chaplain ; Hy . Cormick , Treasurer * S . Davison , Ralph Firbank , Thos . Thomson , J . D . ; F . Adlard , D . C . ; Edward Hammond , T . Vinall , D . Tildesloy , R . Frost , J . It . Thompson , P . M ..
Secretary ; E . Bannister , G . I . Kelly , Jas . W . Bean , A . W . llaward , J . Claridge , II . Hollis , J . T . Rowe , 15 . Harris , T . Dale , G . Piggott , 11 Wood , 0 . Bacon , W . B . Smith , E . A . Harris , R . Harkworth , W . Alexander , P . M . * F . Vizetelly , H . Higgins , S . D . ( 184 ); J . M . Byal ( 360 ) , H . P . Lyon ( 25 S . C ) , E . V . White ( 25 ) , James
Brett , A . G . P . ; W . Paxon , P . M . ( 167 ); John Shevars ( 411 ) , W . Ough , G . P . ( P . M .. 749 ) ; W . H . Warr , P . G . Stow . ( 23 ); W . Taverner ( 019 ); E . Matham ( Ml ); Thos . Tyrrell , P . M . ( 704 ); Jocob Hibberd , H . Milliagan ( 145 ) , Geo . Wood ( 145 ) , Chas . Roberts , W . M . ( 157 ); J W . Thurston ( 493 ) , F . Dalton ( 753 ); E . T . Osbaldeston . S . D . ( 1191 ); 11 . . Winsor , P . G . C . ( 10 );
W . Aspinall ( 196 ) , Hy . Field ( 200 ) , H . Webb 72 ) , W . Boys , Sec . ( 704 ); II . Wainwri ght ; i 050 ) , John Savage , P . G . S . D . ; Geo . States , P . M . ( 145 ); T . Bull ( 115 ) J . Caldcleugh , P . M .
( 173 ); II . C . Levander , P . M . ( 507 ) ; F . B Berkart ( 167 ) , Geo . Raistrick , Jno . Walker ( 7 ) F . G . Baker , P . M . ( 753 ); Geo . Campion , P . M ( 19 ); E . H . Lambert ( 382 ) , W . Young , P . G . S . 15 . ; J . N . Frost , P . M . ( 701 ); Jas . Kew , J . W , ( 179 ); II . G . Buss , P . M . ( 27 ); German Fehren
bach , W . M . ( 382 ); II . Massey , P . M . ( G 1 D ); John Dale , P . M . ( 11 ); John G . Bond , P . M . ( 87 ); E . Moody ( 193 ) , Chas . Terry , S . W . ( 3 ); J . W . Wilson ( 704 ) , Geo . Wade ( 753 ) , W . W . Clarke , H . Jennings , J . Dickinson ( 704 ) , James Yeo , H . Landfield ( 87 ) , and A . Wallis ( 173 ) . When the cloth had been removed and grace
said the W . M . proceeded with tlie toast , which he proposed very curtly but with hearty good-will . Tho toast of " Tho D . G . M . and the rest of the G . O ., " called up . Bro . JOHN SAVAGE , P . G . S . D ., who said : Obedient to your W . M . ' a call I rise with great pleasure to respond to the toast which he has
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
proposed , although he has certainly taken me somewhat by suprise , as one my senior , and much respected , on my left hand , should , to my mind , have been coupled with the toast . But the Master can do no wrong . It is not onl y his privilege , but it is a pleasant thing to think he can use .
thatprivilege , to call on any one he likes , although I would much rather he had selected my senior to reply to his compliment . Nevertheless the duty is gratifying , I assure yon , to speak on behalf of the brethren so many of whom have distinguished themselves , in the Craft , and all of whom deserve
at your hands every respect . Of our D . G . M . it is difficult to say too much ; the difficulty is to speak of him in terms adequate to his merits , but as I believe most , if not all of you , know during the time he has held that high office in the Craft which he does hold , have witnessed his
zeal in Freemasonry , it will be sufficient for me to say it is a most pleasant task to respond for him . Ou the part of my brother officers it is equally a pleasant thing to respond for them ; for meeting them at our Charity Boards and other Masonic Meetings constantly , it is at all times
most gratifying to me to see them working so well , and labouring for the good of the Craft . It is because I see such examples before me that I have felt myself honoured by being one of their number—( hear ) . Now , let me say a word , at the expense of keeping these brethren on their
legs , about what has brought us together to-day . My brother G . Officers and myself are delighted to meet you to day . They thank you for the kind invitations you have given them to witness the celebration of the centenary of your lodge , and they congratulate you through me , on the
manner in which you have conducted the ceremonies of to-day . ( Hear , hear . ) Gratifying must it have been to all of us to see the way in which Bro . Adams went through the ceremony of Installation . ( Hear , hear . ) I am sure all praise is due to him It is an honour to perform that
ceremony , iind that honour has been properly conceded to him , but never has he performed it better than lie has to-day . But brethren , you are not satisfied with simply letting your visitors see the ceremony of installation well performed , but you have very appropriately arranged for the
occasion , a sweet aud solemn service at your parish church , through the permission of that church ' s incumbent , and we have all derived pleasure , and , I trust , profit . It must have been delightful to you all to listen , as io was my privilege to listen , to the able and excellent discourse
of our friend and brother , the chaplain of this lodge . I am sure you could not have listened to it without profit . The research which it displayed was immense , and the practical lesson it enforced upon us were equally good and excellent . One thought contained in it was very delightful , that
as we have but one temporal head in England , so we have but one spiritual head—ib is a very beautiful thought—we have only one Master in Heaven , and wo are all brethren . But I must also observe before I sit down , that there were other delightful parts of that service which it
would not bo right to forget to mention . I am sure the musical portion of the service was most charming . Where all was so beautifull y it seems hardly right to pick out one particular part ; but if one was more delightful than another it was the concluding piece , tlie Hallelujah
chorus . It must have been enrapturing to us all . And now just one word more upon thc judgment displayed by the chaplain , in selecting the two beautiful lessons to which we listened ; the second inculcating that most beautiful lesson of charit y , not simply almsgiving , but including
that no doubt , but inculcating that more expansive charity which believeth all things , hopelh all things , and endureth all things , and then inculcating the three Masonic graces which we admire , and which are so well illustrated in our charities , " Faith , Hope , and Charity . " On behalf of myself and other Grand Officers , I beg to express
the great deli ght and pleasure we have experienced iu visiting St . John ' s Lodge to-day . ( Cheers . ) Bro . H . G . Buss responded for " Tlie Visitors , " and said : I very sincerely regret that yon have not coupled with that toast , thc name of some one more able than I to acknowledge it , but to say that any one can do so with more heartfelt
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
feelings than I do , would be to err , for really I can hardly find words to express my feelings of thanks to you all , for the way in which we have been entertained . To meet ycu here on an occasion like this is an event once in a man ' s life . I should be very glad to see a double centenary .
'Tis only once in a man ' s life-time it can happen , and we shall never forget thc manner in which the proceedings have been conducted , for which you have received the high compliments of Bro . Simpson and other brethreu who were competent to judge . It must have been a source
of gratification to you all to be able to go through the proceedings of this day in such a style , as to win the praises of brethren like those . I can only wish that you may live and prosper for the next century to come—and I could desire to be alive to see another , though that cannot "be—but
I hope the brethren who may then be here will see as happy a gathering as the present . I think I can say on behalf of all the numerous visitors , that we thank you most heartily for the manner in which we have been entertained , and we congratulate you on attaining the centenary of your
existence , and wish yo'i happiness aud prosperity in return . I am sorry I cannot express my feelings in better terms , but I do it to the best of my ability , and I wish you happiness and prosperity iu return for the compliment you have passed on the visitors by drinking their health .
( Cheers . ) Bro . DAVAGE , J . P . M .: Brethren , by my rising I have no doubt that you anticipate the toast I am about to propose to you . It is " * The Health of our esteemed W . M , " who now occupies the chair in which I have had the
honour of presiding over for you this last twelvcmouth . I can only say that I and the rest of the brethren of the lodge , have every confidence that the lodge will be well carried out during his year of office . I believe he is more capable and feels less diffidence
m the lodge than at the banquet tame . He is a thoroughly hard working Mason ; he is quite up in the three degrees , and when he shows you his working in the lodge , I know he will retire from tho chair with satisfaction to you and honour to himself . I trust you will drink this
toast in bumpers , this being our centenary festival . ( Cheers ) . The AV . M . : I have to thank the company for drinking my health , but especially have I to thank the brethren of the lodge for placing me in this chair . It is my wish , and shall be my endeavour
to contribute to the welfare of this lodgo and the comfort of tho brethren ; and I hope when my term of office expires the brethren will not have occasion to regret my having occupied this position . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . ADAMS , replying for the P . M . ' s , said he
had been the Installing Master of the Lodge for fifteen years , and he believed he had given satisfaction . He thought he knew something of Masonry , but when he heard that excellent sermon of the Chaplain ' s it took all the conceit out of him , though certainly he had not much
in him . It had made him feel quite an initiate . The rev . Chaplain had stated those things in Masonry which showed deep research after hidden knowledge . It was but a short time ago that ho ( 13 ro . Adams ) had deaconed him round tho lodge , and it must have astonished the brethren how so
much information could have been obtained by so young a mason . The sermon had given him great satisfaction ,, and he was sincerely thankful to the Great Architect for having spared him to hear it . This sermom , and the excellent speech of Bro . Savage had quite put him out of sorts
but he could honestly say he had done his best as thc preceptor oi the lodgo to improve men ' s minds and to make them have a knowledge of thc Supreme Being . Although he had lived so long among thc brethren he had been so kindly received that ho hoped lie might be spared strength for twenty years to como to meet tho
brethren in the lodge . He had seen tho lodge greatly improve . Fifteen years ago they thought twelve a goodly muster of the brethren , but now the number was very large . Their Chaplain had said they must not stand still , but must go on , and he hoped to seo tho lodge improve in the future as it had in the past . ( Cheers . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
time for the further despatch of Masonic business . Bro . D . TILDESLTSY proposed , and Bro . DOUGLAS seconded , a vote of thanks to the Chaplain of
the lodge , for the excellent sermon he had preached , and included in the motion a request that he allow it to be printed at the expense of the lodge , for the use of the brethren .
The motion was carried unanimously , and was succeeded by another , not less important , made by Bro . DOUGLAS , and seconded by GRAND CHAPLAIN , of thanks to the incumbent of Hampstead Church , for granting the use of the sacred edifice for the service of the day . Bros . Douglas
and Dr . Davidson , could not allow another service to the lodge to pass unrequitted , aud the former proposed , aud the latter seconded a vote of thanks totheGrand Chaplain for the part he had taken in the ceremony . Bro . SIMPSON responded . It had been a
pleasure to himself to join the brethren and conduct prayer and praise to T . G . A . O . T . TJ . that day , and he took it as a kind compliment ou the part of the brethren to ask him to do so , and he was much obliged to them . A further vote was proposed by the GRAND
CHAPLAIN , although not a member of the lodge , to Bro . Seymour Smith for the musical portion ofthe service , gave an opportunity to an admirable speaker , Bro . J . Savage , P . G . D ., to open his lips . He gave in his adhesion to the motion . Being a listener he had taken part to speak in the service of the day , and he congratulated the lodge
in the arrangements that had been made , aud particularly on being so successful in producing such a solemn and sweet a ceremony as he had heard at church The sermon was everything that could be desired ; and the music was deli ghtful , particularly the singing of the Hallelujah chorus . This motion having been carried , and all the motions ordered to be entered
on the minutes , the brethren who had been at work for four hours , assisted the W . M . to close the lodge , and adjourned to banquet . Among the brethren who attended were the following : — Bros . W . Shury , P . M . ( 167 , 548 and 51 ); F . B . Davage , I . P . M . ; G . Pritchard , P . M . ; John
Douglas , P . M . ; Jonathan Ward , P . M . ; Thomas Adams , P . G . P ., P . M . ; E . Barge , S . W . j Rev . Charles Lee , Chaplain ; Hy . Cormick , Treasurer * S . Davison , Ralph Firbank , Thos . Thomson , J . D . ; F . Adlard , D . C . ; Edward Hammond , T . Vinall , D . Tildesloy , R . Frost , J . It . Thompson , P . M ..
Secretary ; E . Bannister , G . I . Kelly , Jas . W . Bean , A . W . llaward , J . Claridge , II . Hollis , J . T . Rowe , 15 . Harris , T . Dale , G . Piggott , 11 Wood , 0 . Bacon , W . B . Smith , E . A . Harris , R . Harkworth , W . Alexander , P . M . * F . Vizetelly , H . Higgins , S . D . ( 184 ); J . M . Byal ( 360 ) , H . P . Lyon ( 25 S . C ) , E . V . White ( 25 ) , James
Brett , A . G . P . ; W . Paxon , P . M . ( 167 ); John Shevars ( 411 ) , W . Ough , G . P . ( P . M .. 749 ) ; W . H . Warr , P . G . Stow . ( 23 ); W . Taverner ( 019 ); E . Matham ( Ml ); Thos . Tyrrell , P . M . ( 704 ); Jocob Hibberd , H . Milliagan ( 145 ) , Geo . Wood ( 145 ) , Chas . Roberts , W . M . ( 157 ); J W . Thurston ( 493 ) , F . Dalton ( 753 ); E . T . Osbaldeston . S . D . ( 1191 ); 11 . . Winsor , P . G . C . ( 10 );
W . Aspinall ( 196 ) , Hy . Field ( 200 ) , H . Webb 72 ) , W . Boys , Sec . ( 704 ); II . Wainwri ght ; i 050 ) , John Savage , P . G . S . D . ; Geo . States , P . M . ( 145 ); T . Bull ( 115 ) J . Caldcleugh , P . M .
( 173 ); II . C . Levander , P . M . ( 507 ) ; F . B Berkart ( 167 ) , Geo . Raistrick , Jno . Walker ( 7 ) F . G . Baker , P . M . ( 753 ); Geo . Campion , P . M ( 19 ); E . H . Lambert ( 382 ) , W . Young , P . G . S . 15 . ; J . N . Frost , P . M . ( 701 ); Jas . Kew , J . W , ( 179 ); II . G . Buss , P . M . ( 27 ); German Fehren
bach , W . M . ( 382 ); II . Massey , P . M . ( G 1 D ); John Dale , P . M . ( 11 ); John G . Bond , P . M . ( 87 ); E . Moody ( 193 ) , Chas . Terry , S . W . ( 3 ); J . W . Wilson ( 704 ) , Geo . Wade ( 753 ) , W . W . Clarke , H . Jennings , J . Dickinson ( 704 ) , James Yeo , H . Landfield ( 87 ) , and A . Wallis ( 173 ) . When the cloth had been removed and grace
said the W . M . proceeded with tlie toast , which he proposed very curtly but with hearty good-will . Tho toast of " Tho D . G . M . and the rest of the G . O ., " called up . Bro . JOHN SAVAGE , P . G . S . D ., who said : Obedient to your W . M . ' a call I rise with great pleasure to respond to the toast which he has
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
proposed , although he has certainly taken me somewhat by suprise , as one my senior , and much respected , on my left hand , should , to my mind , have been coupled with the toast . But the Master can do no wrong . It is not onl y his privilege , but it is a pleasant thing to think he can use .
thatprivilege , to call on any one he likes , although I would much rather he had selected my senior to reply to his compliment . Nevertheless the duty is gratifying , I assure yon , to speak on behalf of the brethren so many of whom have distinguished themselves , in the Craft , and all of whom deserve
at your hands every respect . Of our D . G . M . it is difficult to say too much ; the difficulty is to speak of him in terms adequate to his merits , but as I believe most , if not all of you , know during the time he has held that high office in the Craft which he does hold , have witnessed his
zeal in Freemasonry , it will be sufficient for me to say it is a most pleasant task to respond for him . Ou the part of my brother officers it is equally a pleasant thing to respond for them ; for meeting them at our Charity Boards and other Masonic Meetings constantly , it is at all times
most gratifying to me to see them working so well , and labouring for the good of the Craft . It is because I see such examples before me that I have felt myself honoured by being one of their number—( hear ) . Now , let me say a word , at the expense of keeping these brethren on their
legs , about what has brought us together to-day . My brother G . Officers and myself are delighted to meet you to day . They thank you for the kind invitations you have given them to witness the celebration of the centenary of your lodge , and they congratulate you through me , on the
manner in which you have conducted the ceremonies of to-day . ( Hear , hear . ) Gratifying must it have been to all of us to see the way in which Bro . Adams went through the ceremony of Installation . ( Hear , hear . ) I am sure all praise is due to him It is an honour to perform that
ceremony , iind that honour has been properly conceded to him , but never has he performed it better than lie has to-day . But brethren , you are not satisfied with simply letting your visitors see the ceremony of installation well performed , but you have very appropriately arranged for the
occasion , a sweet aud solemn service at your parish church , through the permission of that church ' s incumbent , and we have all derived pleasure , and , I trust , profit . It must have been delightful to you all to listen , as io was my privilege to listen , to the able and excellent discourse
of our friend and brother , the chaplain of this lodge . I am sure you could not have listened to it without profit . The research which it displayed was immense , and the practical lesson it enforced upon us were equally good and excellent . One thought contained in it was very delightful , that
as we have but one temporal head in England , so we have but one spiritual head—ib is a very beautiful thought—we have only one Master in Heaven , and wo are all brethren . But I must also observe before I sit down , that there were other delightful parts of that service which it
would not bo right to forget to mention . I am sure the musical portion of the service was most charming . Where all was so beautifull y it seems hardly right to pick out one particular part ; but if one was more delightful than another it was the concluding piece , tlie Hallelujah
chorus . It must have been enrapturing to us all . And now just one word more upon thc judgment displayed by the chaplain , in selecting the two beautiful lessons to which we listened ; the second inculcating that most beautiful lesson of charit y , not simply almsgiving , but including
that no doubt , but inculcating that more expansive charity which believeth all things , hopelh all things , and endureth all things , and then inculcating the three Masonic graces which we admire , and which are so well illustrated in our charities , " Faith , Hope , and Charity . " On behalf of myself and other Grand Officers , I beg to express
the great deli ght and pleasure we have experienced iu visiting St . John ' s Lodge to-day . ( Cheers . ) Bro . H . G . Buss responded for " Tlie Visitors , " and said : I very sincerely regret that yon have not coupled with that toast , thc name of some one more able than I to acknowledge it , but to say that any one can do so with more heartfelt
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
feelings than I do , would be to err , for really I can hardly find words to express my feelings of thanks to you all , for the way in which we have been entertained . To meet ycu here on an occasion like this is an event once in a man ' s life . I should be very glad to see a double centenary .
'Tis only once in a man ' s life-time it can happen , and we shall never forget thc manner in which the proceedings have been conducted , for which you have received the high compliments of Bro . Simpson and other brethreu who were competent to judge . It must have been a source
of gratification to you all to be able to go through the proceedings of this day in such a style , as to win the praises of brethren like those . I can only wish that you may live and prosper for the next century to come—and I could desire to be alive to see another , though that cannot "be—but
I hope the brethren who may then be here will see as happy a gathering as the present . I think I can say on behalf of all the numerous visitors , that we thank you most heartily for the manner in which we have been entertained , and we congratulate you on attaining the centenary of your
existence , and wish yo'i happiness aud prosperity in return . I am sorry I cannot express my feelings in better terms , but I do it to the best of my ability , and I wish you happiness and prosperity iu return for the compliment you have passed on the visitors by drinking their health .
( Cheers . ) Bro . DAVAGE , J . P . M .: Brethren , by my rising I have no doubt that you anticipate the toast I am about to propose to you . It is " * The Health of our esteemed W . M , " who now occupies the chair in which I have had the
honour of presiding over for you this last twelvcmouth . I can only say that I and the rest of the brethren of the lodge , have every confidence that the lodge will be well carried out during his year of office . I believe he is more capable and feels less diffidence
m the lodge than at the banquet tame . He is a thoroughly hard working Mason ; he is quite up in the three degrees , and when he shows you his working in the lodge , I know he will retire from tho chair with satisfaction to you and honour to himself . I trust you will drink this
toast in bumpers , this being our centenary festival . ( Cheers ) . The AV . M . : I have to thank the company for drinking my health , but especially have I to thank the brethren of the lodge for placing me in this chair . It is my wish , and shall be my endeavour
to contribute to the welfare of this lodgo and the comfort of tho brethren ; and I hope when my term of office expires the brethren will not have occasion to regret my having occupied this position . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . ADAMS , replying for the P . M . ' s , said he
had been the Installing Master of the Lodge for fifteen years , and he believed he had given satisfaction . He thought he knew something of Masonry , but when he heard that excellent sermon of the Chaplain ' s it took all the conceit out of him , though certainly he had not much
in him . It had made him feel quite an initiate . The rev . Chaplain had stated those things in Masonry which showed deep research after hidden knowledge . It was but a short time ago that ho ( 13 ro . Adams ) had deaconed him round tho lodge , and it must have astonished the brethren how so
much information could have been obtained by so young a mason . The sermon had given him great satisfaction ,, and he was sincerely thankful to the Great Architect for having spared him to hear it . This sermom , and the excellent speech of Bro . Savage had quite put him out of sorts
but he could honestly say he had done his best as thc preceptor oi the lodgo to improve men ' s minds and to make them have a knowledge of thc Supreme Being . Although he had lived so long among thc brethren he had been so kindly received that ho hoped lie might be spared strength for twenty years to como to meet tho
brethren in the lodge . He had seen tho lodge greatly improve . Fifteen years ago they thought twelve a goodly muster of the brethren , but now the number was very large . Their Chaplain had said they must not stand still , but must go on , and he hoped to seo tho lodge improve in the future as it had in the past . ( Cheers . )