Masonic Presentation To Bro. H. Jeffs, P. Prov. G.W., Sheriff Of Gloucester.

MASONIC PRESENTATION TO BRO . H . JEFFS , P . PROV . G . W ., SHERIFF OF GLOUCESTER .

The handsome gold chain to be in future worn by the Sheriffs of Gloucester , which has been subscribed for by the brethren of the province , was recently presented to Uro . Henry Jeffs , the City Sheriff , at a banquet given at Beaufort House . Over 70 sat down , including many ladies .

Bro . T . Nelson Foster , P . M .. occupied the chair and made the presentation . He was supported on his right and left by Bro . Jeffs and Mrs . Jeffs , and Miss Ponsford , niece of Bro . Jeffs . Alderman Edwards and Councillor Matthews occuthe vice-chairs . The company included Aide . man Jones , Alderman Robinson , Mr . C . B . Walker , Alderman Knight , Alderman Murrell , Councillors Roberts , Ashbee , and Luker , Dr . Bond , Messrs . Sydney-Turner , XV . Higgs , J .

Green , J . H . Jones , S . Aitken , F . Higgs , T . B . Davies , T . R . Davies , J . VV . Jcens , C . Washbourne , A . V . Hatton , G . Peters , VV . B . Stocker , G . Norman , C . E . Lashmore , E . Lea , H . Frith , J . Minchin , VV . J . Lifton , E . G . Woodward , VV . Fream , G . Lance , S . Bland , W . C . Ferriss , E . T . Chipp , | . S . Gee , A . Wettre , Cook , A . Woodward , Cugley , G . Griffiths , B . London , C . Portlock , H . T . Jew , Shiistune , and others .

The CHAIRMAN gave "The Queen , " and "Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " in appropriate terms , and the toasts were dul y honoured . The CHAIRMAN said it was now his privilege to propose the toast of the evening . He would ask them to drink " The Health of Mr . Henry Jeffs , the City Sheriff , " their guest that evening . He sincerely regretted that the toast had not fallen into abler hands . It was a source of sorrow

to them that they had not Bro . J . J . Powell , formerly member for the city , leader of the Oxford Circuit , to occupy the position he did . He believed his absence was due entirely to official etiquette , it being the ¦ custom of the Bar for no member of a circuit to enter an assize town before a forthcoming assize . There was much in common between Mr . Powell and their guest that evening , for they were both of antiquarian tastes . He felt sure if

Mr . Powell had been present they would have heard much antiquarian lore , especially as to Freemasonry , and they would probably have been detained till a very late hour . There was nothing so gratifying as generous commendation , and rendering honour where honour was due , especially to a deserving citizen , and this was never more deserved than in this case . In the name of the one hundred and eleven contributors to this handsome testimonial he

asked Bro . Jeffs ' s acceptance of the beautiful address before him and of the chain of office . He read the address , which stated that it was presented with the gold chain and badge on his appointment to the office of Sheriff to the city by the undersigned members of the Masonic Craft in testimony of their esteem towards him and in recognition of his efforts to advance Freemasonry . In presenting this he was reminded that Bro . J effs in his

commercial capacity had through a life of strict honour and integrity gained a position of confidence and esteem in one of the oldest mercantile establishments in the city . ( Applause . ) As a Freemason Bro . Jeffs had been a shining lig ht for many years . He held the distinguished office of Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden . He had held several distinguished offices , and at the present time he was Worshipful Master of the Koyal Zetland Lodge , of

which he was , he believed , one of the founders , and he had now thc satisfaction of seeing that lodge rank in a proud position in the province . As a citizen they knew Bro . Jeffs not only as a Freemason , but as a distinguished historian and antiquarian , and he was sure his contributions to the local press had always been read with interest . Bvo . Jeffs , he believed , was mainly instrumental in securing for Gloucester the monument to Bishop Hooper . During the past

year , as they were aware , their guest naa been ralleu upon to fill the office of City Sheriff , and many of his friends , more particularly the Masons , felt that the occasion should be seized upon to do honour to him by some testimonial to mark that auspicious event . A numerous committee was formed and contributions were invited , and they flowed in from all parts of the province , on less than 111 brethren having contributed . The shape which it was thought best

for the testimonial to take was thc very handsome chain then before them . It was intrinsicall y valuable , and it was of elegant design , and was a beautiful work of art . In conception it was Masonic , and its design was municipal . They looked upon Bro . Jeffs in both capacities . It was now his pleasing duty to invest Bro . Jeffs with that chain of office . Having done so , the Chairman went on to express a hope that the chain might adorn the high municipal oflice

Bro . Jeffs held ; that it might serve to perpetuate that bond of good fellowship and good feeling which subsisted between him and his brother Masons ; and that when it passed to the shoulders of another Sheriff it might never be to one less worthy , but one who would have the interests of the city at heart as he had . He further hoped that Bro . Jeffs would be blest with every possible happiness and prosperity , and that he would be spared long life in his native city . (

Applause . ) . The toast was drunk with rounds of cheering . Bro . Sheriff J EFFS responded . He said : This meeting is of a novel character . In presenting me with this Sheriff ' s gold chain and badge you have conferred an honour upon a very humble if an earnest citizen of Gloucester . You have dignified the official position which 1 have the honour to hold , and you have shown your respect and attachment to the city of Gloucester uninfluenced by the least

political party bias . Those who would even but whispei otherwise would " commit the blunder and create the fault . " Some of my lady friends , prompted by a very natural curiosity , may desire to know what Freemasonry is Freemasonry is a system of morality veiled in allegory and of symbolical teaching . Reverentially we adopt as our motto the first words recorded as uttered by the Great Architect of the Universe : "Let there be light . " Allegorically we admit into our teaching many of the principal the revealed volume of Godword

fncidents related in ' s ; but there are three great epochs which we especially recognise : ist , The erection of the Tabernacle at the foot of Mount Horeb ; 2 nd , The dedication of King Solomon's Temple on Mount Moriah ; 3 rd , The restoration of that Temple after the return of the Children of Israe from their Baby lonish Captivity . We believe that the Divine li-rht will ultimately destroy all evil , and that at its full and final rising it will bring peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race ; and that the body and

Masonic Presentation To Bro. H. Jeffs, P. Prov. G.W., Sheriff Of Gloucester.

soul of man may be penetrated by the Divine light and become living Temples to God's service is the wish of every true Freemason . ( Hear , hear . ) As there are several degrees in Freemasonry , so in our Father's house there are many mansions . What degrees of glory there may be reserved for thc faithful we do not inculcate ; we only trust that , acting according to the laws of our Divine Creator , when we are summoned from

this sublunary abode we may ascend to the Grand Lodge above , where the world's great Architect lives and reigns for ever . 1 quote from the canons of our Order : " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order , provided he believe in the glorious Architect of heaven and earth , and practise the sacred duties of morality . " "No private piques or quarrels must be brought within the doors of the lodge ,

far less any quarrels about religion , or nations , or State policy , we being only , as Masons , ofthe universal religion ; we are also of all nations , kindreds , and languages , and are resolved against all politics , as what never yet conduced to the welfare of the lodge , nor ever will . " Thus Vlasonry is the centre of union between good men and true , and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a

perpetual distance . And that charity , which is a leading characteristic of a Freemason's heart , is practised amongst us our benevolent institutions testify . _ But , after all , the Masonic Order is but human . It is not always the Arcadia that could be desired , nor is it the Happy Valley depicted in Rasselas . This handsome Sheriff's gold chain and badge are evidence of true brotherly regard . I wish that I possessed the gift of eloquence and a

tongue of fire which would enable me appropriately to express my gratitude for your thoughtful kindness . What poverty of thanks 1 have to offer ! 1 would if 1 could give freely . 1 understood we were to have had the pleasure of the company of the Rev . Jonathan Mayne" A well-polished gentleman ; a classic volume well bound . " In a once substantial house , enclosed in a well-kept garden , in a then most picturesque spot in view of the venerable

ruins of St . Catherines Church , now happily restored , my great grandfather lived and died . Gloucester was once a link in the chain of a vast primeval forest , of which the Forest of Dean is but the remains . There in solitude roamed the untutored savage and the wild beast" Great Nature spoke , observant man obeyed , Cities were formed , societies were made ; Here rose one little state , another near ,

Man joined to man through love or fear . " Caergloio , the " fair city " of the British , the "bright city , " the "dtyof the pure stream * , " Glevum , the first sy llable its Celtic name , the second the Roman . First came the British trackways , then the improvement of the Roman roads . The road to Birdlip , straight almost as an arrow , is the Ermin-street from Glevum to Cirencester , the Corinium of the Romans . What city can compare

with Gloucester ? Its main streets , from the gentle knoll at the Cross , lead to the four points of the compass . The Tolsey , deriving its name from toll being formerly collected there , was the ancient forum orcapitolof the Romans . The garrison of Glevum came over into Britain with Julius Qcsar , but thc British had first to be driven out , and retired to their fastnesses in South Wales . King Lucius , the first Christain Prince of Britain , is said to have been

interred at Gloucester . St . Paul is said to have preached here . After possession of Gloucester for 500 years the Romans evacuated the place and the British repossessed it . Then followed cruel wars and the Saxons drove out the British . At Kingsholm rose the palace of the Saxons . Hengist for his treacherous cruelty suffered death near the city . King Alfred , King Edgar , and Edward the Confessor sojourned here . King Athelstan died here . Edward

the Confessor feasted at Gloucester Eustace , Earl of Bologne . Canute the Dane and Edmund Ironsides are alleged to have met for single combat on the Isle of Alney , close to the city , which is surrounded by the River Severn , which resulted in a bloodless encounter , and they agreed to divide the kingdom . Then came the Normans . William of Normandy was fond of Gloucester as a place of residence . William Rufus lay here when afflicted with

a serious illness during the whole of Lent , and in our cathedral to this day may be seen thc curious effigy of Robert the Courteous . King Henry I . held his Court here , as did Henry 11 ., and King Henry III . was crowned here . Edward the First , in 1272 , enacted useful laws called the Statutes ot Gloucester . Edward II . dwelt here . Edward III . granted a fair here , which King Richard II . confirmed . Henry IV . held a Parliament here , as did Edward IV . King Richard 111 . visited

Gloucester , of which he had been previously Duke . The great novelist Sir Walter Scott speaks of the " Lancastrian prejudices of Shakespeare , " having , no doubt , in his mind the delineation of the character and physical presentments of Richard > lthe Third . Shakespeare no doubt ministered to the prejudices of Elizabeth . How well thc sculptural genius of Milton would have contrasted with the mental painting of Shakespeare with such a subject as Richard the Third . The ideal touches of the poetical chisel of the too inflexible Parliamentarian would have thrown into the shade

the hard outlines on the canvas of his more courtly predecessor . Be that as it may , whether Richard the Third was or was not thc devil he was painted , he was a great benefactor to Gloucester . Gloucester was a city as early as 671 , and so continued when London wan only a borough ; but Gloucester got into disrepute , especially from siding with that noble character Gilbert de Clare , Earl of Gloucester , who joined the confederacy of the Barons against Royal encroachments . The citizens of Gloucester have ever

evinced their attachment to the cause of liberty . King John made Gloucester a borough , and in the year 1199 made the Sheriff thc Chief Officer of Gloucester . John was lax in his morals and lived apart from his Queen , heiress to the Earl of Gloucester . King Henry III . constituted it a corporate town , and so its ancient privileges were restored . Richard the Third gave us the sword and cap of maintenance ; he also constituted the city a county of itself , and by proclamation of the City Sheriff at the present

assizes it is called the county of the city of Gloucester . In the year 148 3 it was that Sheriffsof thecity of Gloucester were appointed . Edward I . suspended the Sheriff of Gloucester by appointing as chief officers of the town two bailiffs , and so it continued down to Richard III ., who then by Koyal Charter gave us a mayor , two sheriffs , and other oflicers . So this year we celebrate the fourth century of their appointment , ls not the coincidence singular , and is it not apposite to present this year thc

Masonic Presentation To Bro. H. Jeffs, P. Prov. G.W., Sheriff Of Gloucester.

City Sheriff with a gold chain , to be worn by him and then lobe handed down by his successors in office ? It may some day be a fruitful topic to the historian as well as the novelist gifted with word painting to describe the pageant attendant on thc visit of King Henry VIL to Gloucester . The King rode from Worcester to Gloucester , where , three miles out of the town , the Mayor , with his brethren and the Sheriffs in scarlet gowns , and other people in

great numbers , with red gowns and all on horseback , welcomed the King without the gates . There was a great procession of Friars , Black and Grey . Within a stone's throw from this table the Abbot and Monks received the King with procession at the Abbey or Cathedral door . The Abbot , mitred , performed High Mass , and it may be near here the King abode Saturday and Sunday . In the presence of a great assembly of citizens at the Cathedral

the Bishop of Worcester preached a sermon before his Majesty . King Henry VIII . visited Gloucester and an Act of Parliament was passed to repair our streets . It may be interesting to my lady friends here present to know that pin-making was first introduced into Gloucester in the year 1626 . Not but what " clothes pegs " had been already in fashion . Silver skewers were used by thc wealthy to fasten their rich attire , but the poor , before

they had brass pins , used the prickles of thorns curiously trimmed and dried to fasten their gowns , for even buttons were denied except to the titled and the affluent . And last came the Civil War , in which Charles the First and his Parliament were at issue . You are familiar with the painting at the Tolsey which represents King Charles I ., who came here with Sooo soldiers to subdue the city , conferring with Sergeant-Major Pudsey and Toby

Jordan , afterwards Mayor of Gloucester , in Tredworth Field at the foot of Robin ' s Wood Hill . Our present learned and amiable bishop , with quiet and good humour and a critical taste which cannot be denied , takes exception to the " impossible " tall hat worn b y one of the deputation , and has pronounced the horse on which the Parliamentarian is seated " a screw . " His lordship might have been equally severe upon the ferocious bulldog in the picture . John

Dorney , the city orator and town clerk , in oneof his famous annual speeches in the year 16 45 , charges the city sheriffs that they are " to uphold the good customs of the city to their power , making their own private estates , in a more than ordinary manner , tributary to the public state of the Corporation . " Now , having no estate , I shall bequeath to the city this gold chain and badge , and in doing so I hope I shall have your approbation , and alike secure the esteem

and commendation of my fellow-citizens . ( Hear , hear . ) For your gentlemanly courtesy and true brotherly feeling , worthy and Worshipful Past Master , Bro . Nelson Foster , in presiding at this meeting , tothe subscribers to the chain , and to the company here present , from my heart I thank you . ( Applause . ) Aid . ROBINSON referred to the pleasant character of that gathering , and said the honour they were offering to Sheriff

Jeffs was well deserved . The Corporation he was sure would gladl y accept the chain' through their friend Bro . Jeffs when his term of office should have expired , and the Corporation would always regard it with satisfaction , while all present would always remember the happy evening they had spent in associating together to do honour to their worthy Sheriff . ( Applause . ) Mr . W . HIGGS proposed "The Subscribers to thc

testimonial , " speaking of the good feeling they had shown in paying a well-deserved honour to Bro . Sheriff Jeffs , and in beautifying the plate of the Corporation . It was only right that the high officials of the city should be distinguished in some appropriate manner . Owing to their not being so distinguished it was stated that the crimsongowned sword bearer with his cap of maintenance had been mistaken for the Mayor on the occasion of the visit

of Princess Victoria to Gloucester many years ago . As the municipal procession now passed through the streets they would be able to distinguish their Mayor and Sheriff . He referred to his long acquaintance with Bro . Jeffs , and to their being Sunday-school teachers together . Bro . Jeffs had made his mark in the town , and it would never be obliterated , for it stood on record that he it was who originated the handsome monument to Bishop Hooper ,

which stood where once stood the sheep-market . When the market was enclosed the charred stake where Bishop Hooper had been burnt was discovered , and it had been removed to the Museum . A Mason had laid the foundation-stone of that monument , and the Masons had subscribed for the reredos in the cathedral . Outsiders must therefore regard the institution of Freemasonry as not only very ancient but also very useful , and it had now united

to do honour to their worthy Sheriff . ( Applause ) . Councillor MATTHEWS in responding said the beautifully-executed inscription on vellum , thc work of Bro . Lifton , setting forth the names and Masonic titles of the subscribers , indicated that in Masons had responded . The list comprised two Members of Parliament , a Oucen ' s Counsel , two masters of arts , and a clergyman , and many occupying high positions in the Craft . It was satisfactory

that so many of the brethren of the three Gloucester lodges were willing to combine to do honour to a brother Mason . Brotherly love was one of the foundation-stones of their Order , and the subscribers only had one object in view , namely , to unite in signalising in a gratifying manner a salient episode in Bro . Jeff's career . He should hand over to him the very kind letters which had been received from many ot the subscribers , which he

believed would be even more valued than the testimonial . Those letters bespoke the high esteem in which Bro . Jeffs was held , and the pleasure of the writers in having an opportunity of manifesting their goodwill . The subscribers had been limited strictly to Masons . The suggestion that had been made in one of the weekly newspapers that the list should be thrown open never found any favour amongst the brethren , although thev knew they

were denying a gratification to many outside the Craft , and the result has justified their reliance on Masonic spirit . As chairman of the committee he might say that unanimity had characterised their proceedings . Where all had worked with energy it would be invidious to make mention of particular names , but it would be less than just to . Bro . Edwards not to say that the success of the testimonial was

due to his zeal . Bros . Green and Bland had also rendered efficient service . ( Applause . ) The CHAIRMAN mentioned that he had been made a Mason in that room . In commending Freemasonry he hinted to the ladies present that every Mason made a good husband . The pleasure of attending that gathering had been greatly enhanced by the presence of ladies .