-
Articles/Ads
Article CONSECRATION OF THE GREAT CITY LODGE, No. 1426. ← Page 3 of 4 Article CONSECRATION OF THE GREAT CITY LODGE, No. 1426. Page 3 of 4 Article CONSECRATION OF THE GREAT CITY LODGE, No. 1426. Page 3 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
and when thc time arrived that he should be removed , which he trusted mi ght be very distant , the name of Earl of Zetland would be loved and revered by every Mason , for he had nobly acquitted himself for the benefit of Masons , who had a warm recollection of his services for a
very lengthened period . He thanked the Great Architect of the Universe that he was still amongst them , and he trusted that for many years his life mi ght be preserved , and that they might have many opportunities of drinking his health as they did then . As to the Prince of
Wales , speaking from below his lofty station , he appeared to have connected himself with the Order , and he doubted not that while that connection would do an immense amount of good to the Prince , the Order would receive a corresponding amount of good from him . All that
they had to do was to emulate the qualifications if they could not arrive at the position of those reverend heads of the Craft . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was , " The Right Worshipful Deputy
Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , Past and Present . " It was impossible for him to mention them in order , and although he might only select one of their body , he intended to compliment the whole of them . He named Bro . Simpson , their
respected and venerated Chaplain . He Isaw present on this occasion Bro . Terry , the Secretary of the Royal Benevolent Institution , who had been most successful in his exertions on behalf of the charity with which he was connected . Then there was Bro . Buss , a man
who was well known . Then there was Bro . Little , a man whom they were all proud of , and he took that first opportunity of congratulating him on becoming Secretary of the Girls' School , having been elected with such unanimity , and who conferred honour upon the Craft . Then
there was Bro . Boyd , who was well-known , and it had recently pleased the Grand Master to confer upon him the rank of a Past Grand Officer , which he would enjoy as long as he lived . As to Bro . Hervey , the least they said about him the better ( laughter ) . It would be
his ( the W . M . ' s ) study to make "The Great City Lodge" a pattern lodge in Freemasonry , and he would do all he could to carry out the precepts which their esteemed Chaplain , Bro . Simpson , had laid down . They had assumed an ambitious title when they called themselves "The Great City Lodge , " and to deserve that
title he did not think they could do better than follow the precepts he had set before them . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Rev . R . J . Simpson . The toast was well received , followed by the song of "The Village Blacksmith , " by Bro . Hook .
Bro . Simpson , in responding , said he thanked the W . M ., on behalf of the Deputy Grand Master and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , for the high honour he had conferred upon them , and in calling upon them to respond to the toast , inasmuch as he was surrounded by other Grand
Officers , abler and older men than himself , who would have responded to it . He could assure them that he had heard with pleasure the admirable address of Bro . Hervey , which he hoped would impress the members of lodges , for his observations were entitled to their highest respect
and regard . They were like a piece of West of England cloth that would always bear the strain and stress of weather . It was an advisable thing for them to come in contact with the great rulers of the Craft , and they owetl to them a deep debt of duty as well as that of the
Craft to which they had the honour and the privilege to belong . It was highly gratifying to him to be present that evening , and to be received in such a princely manner at their hospitable entertainment ; and although he had been a Mason for a quarter of a century , he could assure them that he had never received
greater pleasure than he had that night in seeing how the lodge had carried out its duties . He was sure that Lord Carnarvon ' s heart would be delighted to hear how the du ' . ies had been performed , and the way in which a large number of officers of the Grand Lodge had been received . Having spoken of the admirable performance and
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
the manner in which Bro . Little , the Director of Ceremonies , had performed his duties , he said it was like the main spring of a watch , unless that was in good order things would not go on well , but never were his duties better performed . They had met in a place where they had room to
breathe , which was a thing most important amongst all conditions of Freemasons , and was attended with the happiest and most beneficial effects . He rejoiced as one of the members of the Grand Lodge in being present on that occasion , and he rejoiced that in the meetings of the
Great City Lodge they would find a relief from the tedium of the week in the social recreation of Saturday , when they could meet without any detriment of their character . In the happiness which they enjoyed he felt it cast a halo around , and in the words of the poet he might
say" Long long be my heart with such memories filled , Like the vase in which roses have once been
distiU'dYon may break , you may ruin the vase if you will , But the scent of the roses will hang round it still . " He was glad to find that the Great City Lodge showed their appreciation of the value and
principles of Freemasonry , and that they could enjoy themselves without detriment to their social , moral or religious character . He hoped to be present at many future meetings , and that the lodge would never be untrue to its antecedents . The W . M . said the next toast he had to
propose was , the health of one who was a perfect man and Mason , their " Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary of England , " who had so kindly , so effectively , and so efficiently carried out thc business of the meeting in a manner which rendered it an unprecedented success in Freemasonry , and as he was now connected bv
membership with the Great City Lodge he hoped they would give him a cordial reception by drinking his health as Consecrating Master . In him to become a member of the lodge they had done less honour to him , than he had done them by accepting it . The toast was drunk with enthusiastic
cheering , followed by the old song of " The Woodpecker , " by Bro . F . N . Cozens . Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , said , —He did not know a greater gratification a man could receive than the approbation of the brethren with whom he was associated , although he did not mean
to say that was confined to the Masonic body , but pervaded through every institution in life , and no man but must feel gratified with the applause which was conferred upon him . The W . M . had been pleased to give his health , and to speak of him in a manner which far exceeded any
services he had rendered , but upon the present occasion he was proud to receive the honour from the brethren who were then assembled round that table and for the way in which the Worshipful Master had proposed his health . He believed , however , that there were many in
the City of London , or the confines thereof , who would have gone through the ceremony better than he had done that evening . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) Would have done it as well , at any rate if not better , but it was gratifying to him to receive their approbation . He was gratified when
he was asked to consecrate the lodge , and having met with such kindness from the brethren that evening . He trusted that would not be the last occasion upon which he should meet them . The gavel had been placed in his hands and he was then at liberty to do as he liked , and therefore he asked the brethren to do honour to the
toast he was about to propose . He proposed with all solemnity and gratification a toast which was twofold , for in doing so he should throw two toasts into one , as he felt they ought not to be dissevered , which was "The Health of the W . M ., and Prosperity to the Great City Lodge . " He had no doubt that its prosperity
would be assured , that the Great City Lodge would maintain its came in the future , which would be at all times gratifying to the first Master , by whom it had been launched into existence , and baptised as it was by their worthy Past Grand Chaplain , Bro . Simpson . First of all , as he ought to do , he expressed hi ; gratifica-
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
tion at their kindness in having elected him as an honorary member of the lodge , and also for installing him as a Past Master . That was a position which entailed no future honour , but it entailed a great compliment . He gave" Prosperity to the Great City Lodge , and health and long life to its fist Master , Bro . Stevens . "
Ihe toast was cordiall y responded to , followed by the song " What better Theme than Masonry , " sung by Bro . F . W . Cozens , the words by the Worshipful Master . The song was greeted with loud applause . The W . M . said he had a double duty to
perform , to thank tbem for the compliment they had paid him and also for drinking to the prosperity of the lodge . He thanked them most sincerel y for the compliment , and hoped to appreciate'iit by any services he could render for the next twelve months . He could say that he intended
to rule the lodge with courtesy , but with all firmness consistent with the principles of the institution . It was impossible that they could tire him with work , for he would rather be three hours at work t ' uin one at the banquet table , and he hoped at the end of twelve months he should
be able to show that the Great City Lodge was worthy of the name it bore . He should remember the maxim " A ol-lesse oblige" and they would be great not only in name and prosperity , but in reputation , not great individually but collectively . They would seek to carry out the principles enunciated bv the Consecrating
Master , and the revered Chaplain , and although they might not succeed , they would endeavour to do so . They would endeavour to carry out the acme of Freemasonry , as one of the principal lodges in the Craft , and in conclusion gave " The Health of the Visitors , coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Meggy . " Bro . Meggy returned thanks for the visitors .
Ihe W . Master , m giving the toast of "Ihe Masonic Charities , " said it gave him great pleasure to have a representative of each of those institutions present on that occasion ; and it was gratifying to him that they had each come
amongst them that evening . As to their Masonic charities , he hoped that they would never be lost sight of . He did not speak of them in a sentimental way ; and it was a mistake which he wished to point out , when it was said by the outer world that their Masonic charities were
mere sentiments . Let them go to Wood-green , to Battersea , to Croydon , or to the homes of many poor Masons , and then they could well afford to disregard the sneers of the outer world , who said that ther charities were sentimental
ami not practical ; but he would say that the hearts of more men were touched by sentiment than by any other means . He complimented Bro . Binckcs on the prospect of the Boys' Institution , and the Girls' Schools with Bro . Little , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution with Bro . Terry , and said that on no future occasion would a meeting take place without the charity box being passed round . The toast having been drunk , Bro . Binckcs responded , and said that in consequence of a resolution which had been come to
by the committee to extend the time of the boys remaining in the school from fifteen to sixteen years of age , the election of any others into the Institution would be stopped unless something was done to extend its benefits , and therefore they must ask the Craft to extend the accomodation , and give them the means of receiving the
candidates who were constantly being sent to them . He did not think they ought to have three speeches in responding to one toast . Bro . Terr ) ' had had a most successful festival in February last , and he ( Ilrti . Binckcs ) had also had a very satisfactory one in March , and he trusted the same success would attend Br , ) .
Little at the festival of the Girls' School , on the 14 th of May next . 1 ie knew how good the Craft were , and he had only to express one word of gratitude and he had done . It was no mattet what they had done in the past , for Masonry
was a progressive science , and as their numbers increased so a large increase of support would be required for the future . They must support their Institutions for it was their first duty , their first boast , their highest boast , and if they were true to their Masonic obligations it was their continued duty . He was deeply grateful to them
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
and when thc time arrived that he should be removed , which he trusted mi ght be very distant , the name of Earl of Zetland would be loved and revered by every Mason , for he had nobly acquitted himself for the benefit of Masons , who had a warm recollection of his services for a
very lengthened period . He thanked the Great Architect of the Universe that he was still amongst them , and he trusted that for many years his life mi ght be preserved , and that they might have many opportunities of drinking his health as they did then . As to the Prince of
Wales , speaking from below his lofty station , he appeared to have connected himself with the Order , and he doubted not that while that connection would do an immense amount of good to the Prince , the Order would receive a corresponding amount of good from him . All that
they had to do was to emulate the qualifications if they could not arrive at the position of those reverend heads of the Craft . The toast was drunk with enthusiasm . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was , " The Right Worshipful Deputy
Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , Past and Present . " It was impossible for him to mention them in order , and although he might only select one of their body , he intended to compliment the whole of them . He named Bro . Simpson , their
respected and venerated Chaplain . He Isaw present on this occasion Bro . Terry , the Secretary of the Royal Benevolent Institution , who had been most successful in his exertions on behalf of the charity with which he was connected . Then there was Bro . Buss , a man
who was well known . Then there was Bro . Little , a man whom they were all proud of , and he took that first opportunity of congratulating him on becoming Secretary of the Girls' School , having been elected with such unanimity , and who conferred honour upon the Craft . Then
there was Bro . Boyd , who was well-known , and it had recently pleased the Grand Master to confer upon him the rank of a Past Grand Officer , which he would enjoy as long as he lived . As to Bro . Hervey , the least they said about him the better ( laughter ) . It would be
his ( the W . M . ' s ) study to make "The Great City Lodge" a pattern lodge in Freemasonry , and he would do all he could to carry out the precepts which their esteemed Chaplain , Bro . Simpson , had laid down . They had assumed an ambitious title when they called themselves "The Great City Lodge , " and to deserve that
title he did not think they could do better than follow the precepts he had set before them . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Rev . R . J . Simpson . The toast was well received , followed by the song of "The Village Blacksmith , " by Bro . Hook .
Bro . Simpson , in responding , said he thanked the W . M ., on behalf of the Deputy Grand Master and the Officers of the Grand Lodge , for the high honour he had conferred upon them , and in calling upon them to respond to the toast , inasmuch as he was surrounded by other Grand
Officers , abler and older men than himself , who would have responded to it . He could assure them that he had heard with pleasure the admirable address of Bro . Hervey , which he hoped would impress the members of lodges , for his observations were entitled to their highest respect
and regard . They were like a piece of West of England cloth that would always bear the strain and stress of weather . It was an advisable thing for them to come in contact with the great rulers of the Craft , and they owetl to them a deep debt of duty as well as that of the
Craft to which they had the honour and the privilege to belong . It was highly gratifying to him to be present that evening , and to be received in such a princely manner at their hospitable entertainment ; and although he had been a Mason for a quarter of a century , he could assure them that he had never received
greater pleasure than he had that night in seeing how the lodge had carried out its duties . He was sure that Lord Carnarvon ' s heart would be delighted to hear how the du ' . ies had been performed , and the way in which a large number of officers of the Grand Lodge had been received . Having spoken of the admirable performance and
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
the manner in which Bro . Little , the Director of Ceremonies , had performed his duties , he said it was like the main spring of a watch , unless that was in good order things would not go on well , but never were his duties better performed . They had met in a place where they had room to
breathe , which was a thing most important amongst all conditions of Freemasons , and was attended with the happiest and most beneficial effects . He rejoiced as one of the members of the Grand Lodge in being present on that occasion , and he rejoiced that in the meetings of the
Great City Lodge they would find a relief from the tedium of the week in the social recreation of Saturday , when they could meet without any detriment of their character . In the happiness which they enjoyed he felt it cast a halo around , and in the words of the poet he might
say" Long long be my heart with such memories filled , Like the vase in which roses have once been
distiU'dYon may break , you may ruin the vase if you will , But the scent of the roses will hang round it still . " He was glad to find that the Great City Lodge showed their appreciation of the value and
principles of Freemasonry , and that they could enjoy themselves without detriment to their social , moral or religious character . He hoped to be present at many future meetings , and that the lodge would never be untrue to its antecedents . The W . M . said the next toast he had to
propose was , the health of one who was a perfect man and Mason , their " Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary of England , " who had so kindly , so effectively , and so efficiently carried out thc business of the meeting in a manner which rendered it an unprecedented success in Freemasonry , and as he was now connected bv
membership with the Great City Lodge he hoped they would give him a cordial reception by drinking his health as Consecrating Master . In him to become a member of the lodge they had done less honour to him , than he had done them by accepting it . The toast was drunk with enthusiastic
cheering , followed by the old song of " The Woodpecker , " by Bro . F . N . Cozens . Bro . Hervey , Grand Secretary , said , —He did not know a greater gratification a man could receive than the approbation of the brethren with whom he was associated , although he did not mean
to say that was confined to the Masonic body , but pervaded through every institution in life , and no man but must feel gratified with the applause which was conferred upon him . The W . M . had been pleased to give his health , and to speak of him in a manner which far exceeded any
services he had rendered , but upon the present occasion he was proud to receive the honour from the brethren who were then assembled round that table and for the way in which the Worshipful Master had proposed his health . He believed , however , that there were many in
the City of London , or the confines thereof , who would have gone through the ceremony better than he had done that evening . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) Would have done it as well , at any rate if not better , but it was gratifying to him to receive their approbation . He was gratified when
he was asked to consecrate the lodge , and having met with such kindness from the brethren that evening . He trusted that would not be the last occasion upon which he should meet them . The gavel had been placed in his hands and he was then at liberty to do as he liked , and therefore he asked the brethren to do honour to the
toast he was about to propose . He proposed with all solemnity and gratification a toast which was twofold , for in doing so he should throw two toasts into one , as he felt they ought not to be dissevered , which was "The Health of the W . M ., and Prosperity to the Great City Lodge . " He had no doubt that its prosperity
would be assured , that the Great City Lodge would maintain its came in the future , which would be at all times gratifying to the first Master , by whom it had been launched into existence , and baptised as it was by their worthy Past Grand Chaplain , Bro . Simpson . First of all , as he ought to do , he expressed hi ; gratifica-
Consecration Of The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.
tion at their kindness in having elected him as an honorary member of the lodge , and also for installing him as a Past Master . That was a position which entailed no future honour , but it entailed a great compliment . He gave" Prosperity to the Great City Lodge , and health and long life to its fist Master , Bro . Stevens . "
Ihe toast was cordiall y responded to , followed by the song " What better Theme than Masonry , " sung by Bro . F . W . Cozens , the words by the Worshipful Master . The song was greeted with loud applause . The W . M . said he had a double duty to
perform , to thank tbem for the compliment they had paid him and also for drinking to the prosperity of the lodge . He thanked them most sincerel y for the compliment , and hoped to appreciate'iit by any services he could render for the next twelve months . He could say that he intended
to rule the lodge with courtesy , but with all firmness consistent with the principles of the institution . It was impossible that they could tire him with work , for he would rather be three hours at work t ' uin one at the banquet table , and he hoped at the end of twelve months he should
be able to show that the Great City Lodge was worthy of the name it bore . He should remember the maxim " A ol-lesse oblige" and they would be great not only in name and prosperity , but in reputation , not great individually but collectively . They would seek to carry out the principles enunciated bv the Consecrating
Master , and the revered Chaplain , and although they might not succeed , they would endeavour to do so . They would endeavour to carry out the acme of Freemasonry , as one of the principal lodges in the Craft , and in conclusion gave " The Health of the Visitors , coupling with the toast the name of Bro . Meggy . " Bro . Meggy returned thanks for the visitors .
Ihe W . Master , m giving the toast of "Ihe Masonic Charities , " said it gave him great pleasure to have a representative of each of those institutions present on that occasion ; and it was gratifying to him that they had each come
amongst them that evening . As to their Masonic charities , he hoped that they would never be lost sight of . He did not speak of them in a sentimental way ; and it was a mistake which he wished to point out , when it was said by the outer world that their Masonic charities were
mere sentiments . Let them go to Wood-green , to Battersea , to Croydon , or to the homes of many poor Masons , and then they could well afford to disregard the sneers of the outer world , who said that ther charities were sentimental
ami not practical ; but he would say that the hearts of more men were touched by sentiment than by any other means . He complimented Bro . Binckcs on the prospect of the Boys' Institution , and the Girls' Schools with Bro . Little , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution with Bro . Terry , and said that on no future occasion would a meeting take place without the charity box being passed round . The toast having been drunk , Bro . Binckcs responded , and said that in consequence of a resolution which had been come to
by the committee to extend the time of the boys remaining in the school from fifteen to sixteen years of age , the election of any others into the Institution would be stopped unless something was done to extend its benefits , and therefore they must ask the Craft to extend the accomodation , and give them the means of receiving the
candidates who were constantly being sent to them . He did not think they ought to have three speeches in responding to one toast . Bro . Terr ) ' had had a most successful festival in February last , and he ( Ilrti . Binckcs ) had also had a very satisfactory one in March , and he trusted the same success would attend Br , ) .
Little at the festival of the Girls' School , on the 14 th of May next . 1 ie knew how good the Craft were , and he had only to express one word of gratitude and he had done . It was no mattet what they had done in the past , for Masonry
was a progressive science , and as their numbers increased so a large increase of support would be required for the future . They must support their Institutions for it was their first duty , their first boast , their highest boast , and if they were true to their Masonic obligations it was their continued duty . He was deeply grateful to them