Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
Bro . DAVAGE also replied , and thanked the brethren for a handsome P . M jewel , which had been placed upon his breast by the W . M . The P . GBAND CHAPLAIN in responding for himself , after blaming the modesty of the Rev . Bro . Lee in not being the first to speak , complimented
the lodge on its hospitality , and denied his own seniority to Bro . Savage which that brother alluded to in his speech . He wont on to say he never was a stranger in any lodge of Freemasons , and to-night he had felt himself quite at home . He thanked all the brethren , and not
least his Bro . Lee , for suggesting that he should perform part of the service . lie had felt it an honour to lead the prayers and praises of the brethren , but ha did not like to walk in borrowed p lumes , aud could not think of receiving thanks which were justly the due of his Kev . brother .
He afterwards praised tlie brethren of Hampstead , for the festival which they had arranged , for the excellent banquet , which he considered a most happy and delightful way of concluding such a celebration , and for making a portion of that celebration the meeting in one of our
national temples , to praise that God who had preserved them , toassistonthisoccasion . " When , " ¦( continued the Rev . brother , ) our Bro . Buss alluded to another centenary , I could not help thinking where we should be then . Pardon me , if even in an happy festive meeting of this kind ,
I say that the thoughts which have been called forth by our Bro . Lee to-day , remind us that in another century those thoughts will be far more real , permanent , true and thorough to all who are permitted to assemble in the Grand Lodge above , than all thc evanescent speeches we hear ,
( which are as evanescent as the champagne we drank ) , and the passing p leasures which we have I do much value the social element iu Freemasonry , but let us value still moro thore deeds which are not fleeting , which are not passing , which belong to us as men , which belong to us
as Masons , and whicb will live when these bodies we have shall die . ( Cheers . * Bro . the REV . C . LE ' : Bro Savage said the Master can do no wrong . I cordially subscribed to that doctrine , until the W . M . proposed the vote you acceded to , and then I felt that in some
sort he had put tbo saddle on the wrong horse , and whatever his infallibility mi ght be , though he could do no wrong , in giving thanks to myself he had really reversed what to my heart and mind is the state of tho case , for I feel cordially , that my thanks are due to the W . M . and brethren
who invited me to preach the sermon , which I have had the honour and happiness to deliver . It led me to investigate for my own personal satisfaction , the wholi history of Freemasonry , and its uses ; and the study I have been able to pursue and follow out , has been one most
instructive to my own nnnd . I beg most cordially to thank you for the kind manner in which you have been pleased to speak of my labours , whbh I would say nro not only most instructive and interesting to nic , but are of common benefit to us all . The law of thc Church is , I believe ,
passive obedience and non-resistance . If , therefore , I urn called upon to print the sermon I was asked to preach , I should certainly do so , and submit to the wishes of my brethren . I shall theief'ore endeavour to improve it by the addition of somo notes and references , which may enable
them to verify the most important st itemciits that sermon contains . I so cordially re-echo from my inmost soul what Grand Chaplain hasjust given utterance to , that I can only say , that in every and any way it may be possible for me I shall always be ready to consult thogoodof Freemasonry
in general , nnd this most worthy and worshipful lodge in particular . ( Cheers . ) Bro . 1 ' AHGK , S . W ., returned thanks for the " Officers ; " liro . DOUGLAS for the "Treasurer ;" Bvo . J . 11 . TISOMVSON for the " Secretary ; " and Bro . F . ADLAIIP for the "Director of Ceremonies , " in a humourous speech , in which he
narrated how the brethren were always complaining to him ofthe badness of everything put before llicin , but which nevertheless they seemed heartily to enjoy . The brethren shortly afterwards separated . The evening was enlivened by some excellent singing by , among others , Bros . Seymour Smith and F . Vizotelly .
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Church Of St. Peter-In-Eastgate, Lincoln.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CHURCH OF ST . PETER-IN-EASTGATE , LINCOLN .
The Feast of St . Michael aud All Angels , in the year of grace 1 S 69 , will be memorable in the annals of the united parishes of St Peter-in-Eastgate and St . Margaret as the day upon which was laid the foundation stone of the
church for those combined parishes . The ceremony was attended with a greater display than is usual on such occasions , owing to tbe circumstances that the operation of laying the foundation stone was performed by thc Freemasons , with Masonic honors .
The ceremony was announced to take place at two o ' clock in the afternoon . The brethren assembled at the White Hart an hour previously where lodge was opened , various lodges of tbo county being represented . Shortly before two o ' clock , the brethren , about 70 in number , formed
in pro cession , and headed by the band of the Royal North Lincoln Militia , marched to the entrance of the churchyard , where it divided right and left , the lines facing inward . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire ( Major Smyth ) passed between to the place of
honour , followed by the brethren according to their rank and office . A procession of the clergy of the city and surrounding district was formed at Miss Cookson ' s school , and accompanied by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese , wended its way to the scene . The assemblage in the
churchyard was of an imposing character . Thc brilliant display mado by the Masons contrasted favourably with the surroundings—the surpl . ' ces of the clergy and choristers , and the gay attire of the large company of ladies for whose accommodation a platform ' had been erected on
the west side of the yard . Order having been observed , the Bishop offered up prayer , followed by the Vicar , the responses to which were sung by boys from the cathedral and other voices . The S 4 th psalm was next sung , after which the secretary to the Witham lodge ( liro . George
Bacon ) read a copy of a document deposited in a phial ( relative to the history of the church ) , which phial was securely placed within tho stone . The lime having been spread by tlie D . P . G . M ., the stone was lowered by the contractor into its proper place , the D . P . G . M . saying : "In the
faith of Jesus Christ we place this foundation stone , in the name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , Amen . " lie then tried the stone with square , the level , and the plumb-rule , and certified that it was property squared , laid , and adjusted ; and he afterwards
scattered corn , poured wine , sprinkled oil , and spread salt upon thc stone , saying : "I scatter corn on this stone , the emblem of fertility and prosperity ; I pour wine on this stone , the emblem of cheerfulness and joy ; I sprinkle oil on this slone , tho emblem of peace and love ; I
spread salt on this stone , the emblem of purity and incorruption . " This operation over , the D . P . G . M . said : "May the blessings of God rest upon this church , and all connected with it , upon those by whose munificence it is to be built , tin architect and workman employed thereon , and
may they bo preserved from all accidcn ' s during its progress ; upon the clergy who shall minister , and all who shall worship therein . May the great Architect of the universe bless thc united parishes of St . Peter and St . Margaret , this ancient city , the county , and the nation , the
Queen , and all who are placed over us in Church and State , with the corn of prosperity , the wine of cheerfulness , and the oil of peace , till time shall bo no more , for ever . Brethren , I now call upon you in ancient form to unite with me ia prayer that He may be with us in this and all
our undertakings , that our labours , thus begun in order , may be conducted in peace , and closed in harmony . " The brethren responded , * ' So mote it be . " Tho chaplain ( tho Rev . E . R . Larkon ) thou oflered up prayer , after which the brethren gavo the grand honours .
The D . P . G . M . next delivered the following oration : ' 1 he beautiful ceremony prescribed to be used by Freemasons on occasions of this kind is never considered complete without an oration or addre-is in houout of Freemasonry . Indeed
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Church Of St. Peter-In-Eastgate, Lincoln.
our worthy and distinguished Brother , the late Dr . Oliver , insists that no assembly of Masons should seperate without a charge being given b y the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , or by some other brother well skilled in the landmarks and principles of the Craft . Had I been addressing
Freemasons only it would be deemed unnecessary to enter upon a history of the Order , or a defence of its jjrinciples , especially in this city , where the learned doctor spent many years of his life , and wrote many of his works . As , however , there are probably in this assembly many who have not
read those works , and ai * e ignorant of our objects , I propose to give you in a few words a history of the Craft , and some of Free and Accepted Masonry . Masonry , then , in some shape or other , has existed from the earlist ages . We read in the 10 th chapter of Genesis of the
building of Babel , of Babylon and Ninevah , and many other cities , by the early descendants of Noah , and at this time Masonry may have been operati re only , but that spectulative or symbolical Masonry was amalgated with it at a very early date we have the strongest possible evidence in
the ancient sculptures of Ninevah and Egypt , which abound with symbolical emblems . I will only mention a few -which are symbols of their divinities . First , the well-known human-headed winged bull , represents the wisdom of the man with the strength of the bull ; secondly , the
man with the horns of the bull within a winged circle , shows omniscience , omnipotence , eternity , and omnipresence , the circle denoting infinity or eternity , and the wings ubiquity . The serpent , also , is often used to represent wisdom . One very remarkable emblem is the triange , or
Sacred Delta , the Greek letter D , which has been called the number of perfection , or the soul of nature , and everywhere represents the creative principle . Can we not all of us recognise in this symbol Three Persons and One God ? In Egypt this may allude to the Delta of the Nile ,
from which came their wealth and power , or it may have represented their three chief deities , Osiris , Isis and Horris , Osiris himself , also , it must be remembered , was a triune deity , under the names of Amnion , Phtha , and Osiris , severally representing the power , wisdom , and
goodness of God . There is also another remarkable emblem , the tau , or letter T , which was p laced on thc forehead of those initiated into the mysteries of Taminuz , or Adonis , or the Sun . This , we are told , was placed by judges on the breasts of those who had been acquitted of a
crime as a mark of innocence , and military commanders placed it on those who had escaped safe from the field of battle , therefore it was called the mark of life . This is also supposed to be the ancient form of tho cross , and it is a remarkable fact that this ancient svmbol of life should
be chosen as the instrument by which our own Blessed Redeemer should abolish death and bring life aud immortality to light . The sacred writings abound with types and symbols . The Paschal Lamb without blemish was a type of the Saviour , and the readiness of Isaac to be sacrificed , the
young man in the prime of manhood offering no resistencc to his aged father , was a fitting type of llim who " was brought as a lamb to the slaughter , and as a sheep before her shearer is dumb so opened He not His mouth . " Tho visions of the prophets were all symbolical . The
ornaments of the first temple were also symbolical . Thc two pillars at the porch way , Boaz and Jachin , were enriched with network , chain-work , pomegranates , and lil y work . 'Ihe network , from the connection of the meshes , and the chainwork , from its links , denote unity or
harmony . The pomegranates , from tlio exuberance of their seeds , denote p lenty , and the lily work , from its whiteness , peace and purity . How or when Masonry was first introduced into England is lost in obscurity . There is a legend that Joseph of A riniatheu , who came over to England and built Glastonbury Abbey , introduced it , and
that St . Alban was one of our Grand Masters ; but passing this over as entirel y legendary , it is beyond a doubt that in tho year A . D . 926 King Athelstan granted a charter to the Freemesonu , and after collecting many manuscripts in French , Greek , English , and other languages , caused a book to be made which declared how the science
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of St. John's Lodge, No. 167.
Bro . DAVAGE also replied , and thanked the brethren for a handsome P . M jewel , which had been placed upon his breast by the W . M . The P . GBAND CHAPLAIN in responding for himself , after blaming the modesty of the Rev . Bro . Lee in not being the first to speak , complimented
the lodge on its hospitality , and denied his own seniority to Bro . Savage which that brother alluded to in his speech . He wont on to say he never was a stranger in any lodge of Freemasons , and to-night he had felt himself quite at home . He thanked all the brethren , and not
least his Bro . Lee , for suggesting that he should perform part of the service . lie had felt it an honour to lead the prayers and praises of the brethren , but ha did not like to walk in borrowed p lumes , aud could not think of receiving thanks which were justly the due of his Kev . brother .
He afterwards praised tlie brethren of Hampstead , for the festival which they had arranged , for the excellent banquet , which he considered a most happy and delightful way of concluding such a celebration , and for making a portion of that celebration the meeting in one of our
national temples , to praise that God who had preserved them , toassistonthisoccasion . " When , " ¦( continued the Rev . brother , ) our Bro . Buss alluded to another centenary , I could not help thinking where we should be then . Pardon me , if even in an happy festive meeting of this kind ,
I say that the thoughts which have been called forth by our Bro . Lee to-day , remind us that in another century those thoughts will be far more real , permanent , true and thorough to all who are permitted to assemble in the Grand Lodge above , than all thc evanescent speeches we hear ,
( which are as evanescent as the champagne we drank ) , and the passing p leasures which we have I do much value the social element iu Freemasonry , but let us value still moro thore deeds which are not fleeting , which are not passing , which belong to us as men , which belong to us
as Masons , and whicb will live when these bodies we have shall die . ( Cheers . * Bro . the REV . C . LE ' : Bro Savage said the Master can do no wrong . I cordially subscribed to that doctrine , until the W . M . proposed the vote you acceded to , and then I felt that in some
sort he had put tbo saddle on the wrong horse , and whatever his infallibility mi ght be , though he could do no wrong , in giving thanks to myself he had really reversed what to my heart and mind is the state of tho case , for I feel cordially , that my thanks are due to the W . M . and brethren
who invited me to preach the sermon , which I have had the honour and happiness to deliver . It led me to investigate for my own personal satisfaction , the wholi history of Freemasonry , and its uses ; and the study I have been able to pursue and follow out , has been one most
instructive to my own nnnd . I beg most cordially to thank you for the kind manner in which you have been pleased to speak of my labours , whbh I would say nro not only most instructive and interesting to nic , but are of common benefit to us all . The law of thc Church is , I believe ,
passive obedience and non-resistance . If , therefore , I urn called upon to print the sermon I was asked to preach , I should certainly do so , and submit to the wishes of my brethren . I shall theief'ore endeavour to improve it by the addition of somo notes and references , which may enable
them to verify the most important st itemciits that sermon contains . I so cordially re-echo from my inmost soul what Grand Chaplain hasjust given utterance to , that I can only say , that in every and any way it may be possible for me I shall always be ready to consult thogoodof Freemasonry
in general , nnd this most worthy and worshipful lodge in particular . ( Cheers . ) Bro . 1 ' AHGK , S . W ., returned thanks for the " Officers ; " liro . DOUGLAS for the "Treasurer ;" Bvo . J . 11 . TISOMVSON for the " Secretary ; " and Bro . F . ADLAIIP for the "Director of Ceremonies , " in a humourous speech , in which he
narrated how the brethren were always complaining to him ofthe badness of everything put before llicin , but which nevertheless they seemed heartily to enjoy . The brethren shortly afterwards separated . The evening was enlivened by some excellent singing by , among others , Bros . Seymour Smith and F . Vizotelly .
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Church Of St. Peter-In-Eastgate, Lincoln.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE CHURCH OF ST . PETER-IN-EASTGATE , LINCOLN .
The Feast of St . Michael aud All Angels , in the year of grace 1 S 69 , will be memorable in the annals of the united parishes of St Peter-in-Eastgate and St . Margaret as the day upon which was laid the foundation stone of the
church for those combined parishes . The ceremony was attended with a greater display than is usual on such occasions , owing to tbe circumstances that the operation of laying the foundation stone was performed by thc Freemasons , with Masonic honors .
The ceremony was announced to take place at two o ' clock in the afternoon . The brethren assembled at the White Hart an hour previously where lodge was opened , various lodges of tbo county being represented . Shortly before two o ' clock , the brethren , about 70 in number , formed
in pro cession , and headed by the band of the Royal North Lincoln Militia , marched to the entrance of the churchyard , where it divided right and left , the lines facing inward . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire ( Major Smyth ) passed between to the place of
honour , followed by the brethren according to their rank and office . A procession of the clergy of the city and surrounding district was formed at Miss Cookson ' s school , and accompanied by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese , wended its way to the scene . The assemblage in the
churchyard was of an imposing character . Thc brilliant display mado by the Masons contrasted favourably with the surroundings—the surpl . ' ces of the clergy and choristers , and the gay attire of the large company of ladies for whose accommodation a platform ' had been erected on
the west side of the yard . Order having been observed , the Bishop offered up prayer , followed by the Vicar , the responses to which were sung by boys from the cathedral and other voices . The S 4 th psalm was next sung , after which the secretary to the Witham lodge ( liro . George
Bacon ) read a copy of a document deposited in a phial ( relative to the history of the church ) , which phial was securely placed within tho stone . The lime having been spread by tlie D . P . G . M ., the stone was lowered by the contractor into its proper place , the D . P . G . M . saying : "In the
faith of Jesus Christ we place this foundation stone , in the name of the Father , and of the Son , and of the Holy Ghost , Amen . " lie then tried the stone with square , the level , and the plumb-rule , and certified that it was property squared , laid , and adjusted ; and he afterwards
scattered corn , poured wine , sprinkled oil , and spread salt upon thc stone , saying : "I scatter corn on this stone , the emblem of fertility and prosperity ; I pour wine on this stone , the emblem of cheerfulness and joy ; I sprinkle oil on this slone , tho emblem of peace and love ; I
spread salt on this stone , the emblem of purity and incorruption . " This operation over , the D . P . G . M . said : "May the blessings of God rest upon this church , and all connected with it , upon those by whose munificence it is to be built , tin architect and workman employed thereon , and
may they bo preserved from all accidcn ' s during its progress ; upon the clergy who shall minister , and all who shall worship therein . May the great Architect of the universe bless thc united parishes of St . Peter and St . Margaret , this ancient city , the county , and the nation , the
Queen , and all who are placed over us in Church and State , with the corn of prosperity , the wine of cheerfulness , and the oil of peace , till time shall bo no more , for ever . Brethren , I now call upon you in ancient form to unite with me ia prayer that He may be with us in this and all
our undertakings , that our labours , thus begun in order , may be conducted in peace , and closed in harmony . " The brethren responded , * ' So mote it be . " Tho chaplain ( tho Rev . E . R . Larkon ) thou oflered up prayer , after which the brethren gavo the grand honours .
The D . P . G . M . next delivered the following oration : ' 1 he beautiful ceremony prescribed to be used by Freemasons on occasions of this kind is never considered complete without an oration or addre-is in houout of Freemasonry . Indeed
Laying The Foundation Stone Of The Church Of St. Peter-In-Eastgate, Lincoln.
our worthy and distinguished Brother , the late Dr . Oliver , insists that no assembly of Masons should seperate without a charge being given b y the Worshipful Master of the Lodge , or by some other brother well skilled in the landmarks and principles of the Craft . Had I been addressing
Freemasons only it would be deemed unnecessary to enter upon a history of the Order , or a defence of its jjrinciples , especially in this city , where the learned doctor spent many years of his life , and wrote many of his works . As , however , there are probably in this assembly many who have not
read those works , and ai * e ignorant of our objects , I propose to give you in a few words a history of the Craft , and some of Free and Accepted Masonry . Masonry , then , in some shape or other , has existed from the earlist ages . We read in the 10 th chapter of Genesis of the
building of Babel , of Babylon and Ninevah , and many other cities , by the early descendants of Noah , and at this time Masonry may have been operati re only , but that spectulative or symbolical Masonry was amalgated with it at a very early date we have the strongest possible evidence in
the ancient sculptures of Ninevah and Egypt , which abound with symbolical emblems . I will only mention a few -which are symbols of their divinities . First , the well-known human-headed winged bull , represents the wisdom of the man with the strength of the bull ; secondly , the
man with the horns of the bull within a winged circle , shows omniscience , omnipotence , eternity , and omnipresence , the circle denoting infinity or eternity , and the wings ubiquity . The serpent , also , is often used to represent wisdom . One very remarkable emblem is the triange , or
Sacred Delta , the Greek letter D , which has been called the number of perfection , or the soul of nature , and everywhere represents the creative principle . Can we not all of us recognise in this symbol Three Persons and One God ? In Egypt this may allude to the Delta of the Nile ,
from which came their wealth and power , or it may have represented their three chief deities , Osiris , Isis and Horris , Osiris himself , also , it must be remembered , was a triune deity , under the names of Amnion , Phtha , and Osiris , severally representing the power , wisdom , and
goodness of God . There is also another remarkable emblem , the tau , or letter T , which was p laced on thc forehead of those initiated into the mysteries of Taminuz , or Adonis , or the Sun . This , we are told , was placed by judges on the breasts of those who had been acquitted of a
crime as a mark of innocence , and military commanders placed it on those who had escaped safe from the field of battle , therefore it was called the mark of life . This is also supposed to be the ancient form of tho cross , and it is a remarkable fact that this ancient svmbol of life should
be chosen as the instrument by which our own Blessed Redeemer should abolish death and bring life aud immortality to light . The sacred writings abound with types and symbols . The Paschal Lamb without blemish was a type of the Saviour , and the readiness of Isaac to be sacrificed , the
young man in the prime of manhood offering no resistencc to his aged father , was a fitting type of llim who " was brought as a lamb to the slaughter , and as a sheep before her shearer is dumb so opened He not His mouth . " Tho visions of the prophets were all symbolical . The
ornaments of the first temple were also symbolical . Thc two pillars at the porch way , Boaz and Jachin , were enriched with network , chain-work , pomegranates , and lil y work . 'Ihe network , from the connection of the meshes , and the chainwork , from its links , denote unity or
harmony . The pomegranates , from tlio exuberance of their seeds , denote p lenty , and the lily work , from its whiteness , peace and purity . How or when Masonry was first introduced into England is lost in obscurity . There is a legend that Joseph of A riniatheu , who came over to England and built Glastonbury Abbey , introduced it , and
that St . Alban was one of our Grand Masters ; but passing this over as entirel y legendary , it is beyond a doubt that in tho year A . D . 926 King Athelstan granted a charter to the Freemesonu , and after collecting many manuscripts in French , Greek , English , and other languages , caused a book to be made which declared how the science