Presentation To Bro. J. J. Thomas, P.G. Std Br.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . J . THOMAS , P . G . Std Br .

As soon as it became known that H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . intended to confer the rank of P . G . Std . Br . upon Bro . J . J . Thomas , in recognition of his valuable services to Freemasonry , a desire was at once expressed amongst his Masonic friends to express their approval of that appointment in a practical manner by presenting Bro . J . J . Thomas with the necessary Masonic regalia . A Committee was formed , with the result that the presentation was duly made at a banquet held at the Frascati Restaurant , Oxford-street , on the 28 th ult . Bro . Dr . W . D .

Slyman , the senior P . M . of Bro . Thomas s mother lodge , presided , and was supported by Bros . W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas . ; { . J . Thomas , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Read , P . D . G . D . C ; J . Stephens , Dep . G . D . C . ; Major C . J . Knightley ; W . Thomas , P . M . ; W . J . Mason , P . M . 2150 ; A . Williams , P . M . 2090 ; Hillier , 2090 ; Schreiber , 2150 ; Andrews , W . M . 2421 ; W . J . Stratton , W . M . 2150 ; W . B Fendick , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Foxley , P . M . 173 ; J . Tickle , P . P . G . Reg . Middx .-S . Johnson , P . M . 1319 , Treas . Logic Club ; H . ] . Thomas , P . M . ; R . Manuel , P . M ., Preceptor Logic Club ; J . H . Chandler , W . M , elect 753 ; W . W . Lee , and many others .

At the conclusion of a well-served repast , the CHAIRMAN briefly proposed " The Queen and the Craft , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " Bro . W . M . STILES P . G . Treas ., replying for "The Grand Officers , " said they were always pleased to be associated with all the good things of Freemasonry , and one of the best things was to find so many associated together to do honour to a worthy brother . He would only say how pleased the Grand Officers were to include Bro . Thomas in their ranks , and how much they appreciated the kind remarks of the Chairman in proposing the toast .

Bro . J AIIES STEPHENS , D . G . D . C , also replied , and , on behalf of the present Grand Officers , expressed their appreciation of the toast . The CHAIRMAN then rose , and said he had the extreme pleasure of proposing the toast of " Our Guest . " There was one point he should like to explain , and that was why he was holding the honourable position of Chairman that evening . Amongst the brethren present were some who had never seen him before , and they would mentally echo the word—why ? It was his duty to explain that fact , and

they would all agree that their Chairman was in the right place . When it was first intimated that their esteemed guest was likely to obtain Grand Lodge honours the members associated with him in lodges met together in the residence of Bro . Stephens , under whose hospitable roof they were merrily entertained , to talk over the question whether or not they could induce Bro . Thomas to accept the presentation . It was then a question whether they would go still further , and invite him to dinner and give him some token of their esteem and regard . That was carried

with acclamation , and when it came to the question as to who should preside , he admitted there was a little difficulty . The lodges Bro . Thomas belonged to were the Prince Frederick William , the Tivoli , and the Carrington , the Prince Frederick William Lodge of Instruction , and the Logic Club . The first named was Bro . Thomas ' s mother lodge , and the brethren very properly thought that some member of that lodge would be the proper person to preside . They also thought that the proper thing would be for the senior member of that lodge

to preside . It was , therefore , a great pleasure to him to preside on such an occasion . He was present when Bro . Thomas was initiated into Freemasonry and had been associated with him through the various phases until he became W . M ., and after that date when the best of advice was wanted they only had to go to him when the master mind of Bro . Thomas was certain to give them the best obtainable . As far as their lodge was concerned Bro . Thomas was both Master and man combined . Their guest quickly saw through the depth of

Freemasonry , that there was something more beside the ritual that should be carried out and he took the Charities in hand and presented himself as Steward on many occasions , He then went through the greatest test , which was the election for the Board of General Purposes , and was elected time after time and they had ample proof of the graceful manner in which he carried out his duties . A large amount of time was devoted in connection with the management of the Masonic Schools . The members of the Prince Frederick William were therefore

very proud of their child , but Bro . Thomas extended his usefulness to the provinces and when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bucks quickly found out the gem from London they almost immediately elected him to the high office of Prov . Grand Treasurer . He ( the Chairman ) had now brought them well up through the Masonic career of their guest and he would , with their consent , present Bro . Thomas with what had been provided as a token of their affection . It occurred to him personally that the Masonic career of Bro . Thomas

was a remarkable one , as he had marched from usefulness to usefulness , from honour to honour , and attained the highest pinnacle of Masonic fame . In the name of those present he presented Bro . Thomas with the collar , apron , and cuffs of P . G . Std . Br ., and to complete the Masonic decorations of that high ofiice a jewel bearing the following inscription : " Presented to W . Bro . J . J . Thomas , P . M . 753 , 2150 , and 2421 , P . G . Treas . Bucks ., on bis appointment as P . G . Std . Br .

of the Grand Lodge of England , by the above lodges , together with the Prince Frederick William Lodge of Instruction , and the Logic Club , as a mark of their high appreciation and esteem , June 28 , 1897 . " The whole of the brethren were gratified with the past conduct ' of Bro . Thomas , and in presenting him with these regalia , he ( the Chairman ) hoped the more humble but affectionate members would not be forgotten , or be ever absent from his mind .

Bro . J . J . THOMAS , P . G . Std . Br ., who was heartily received , said he had never risen to respond to the toast of his health with a greater amount of diffidence than on this occasion . The brethren had always been kind to him , and this presentation had fairly taken the wind out of his sails . He was afraid his words would not . convey all his heart felt . He must admit that during his Masonic career he had endeavoured to do what he conceived to be bis duly to the Masonic brotherhood when he joined some 16 years ago . Very soon after he was raised to

be a Master Mason , some of the brethren thought there was some working ability about him , and so elected him Secretary of the Prince Frederick William Lodge of Instruction . To that beginnini . he owed his present position , and the duties of that office had really brought about the happy results of this present Decision . For 13 years and more he was Secretary , and during that time he had the opportunity of making many acejuaintances in Masonry , and he would take on himsell the unction that he did not think he had made an enemy during his Masonic

career . If he did not quite deserve all that had been said , he had tried to do so . He soon found there was much that came quite new to him . He found that he had allowed many years to pass by that might have been profitably employed in Masonic work , but having joined Masonry late in life there was one duty which he could do and in which he could make up for lost time . In 1880 he became Master of his mother lodge , being seven years alter his initiation , and the following year was appointed Secretary , a position he still held . This added to his Masonic

experience and other work fell to his share soon afterwards . In 1890 Bro . Cama was good enough to say Vie would support him ior election on vha Board oS General Purposes . He felt extremely flattered by Bro . Cama taking him in hand and by the kind suffrages of the brethren he was elected year after year . His success culminated last year when he . was elected Vice-President of that Board , which he much appreciated , and he had to thank Bro . Stephens for proposing him lor that office . This year the M . W . G .-U . had conferred upon him the dignity of Past Grand

Presentation To Bro. J. J. Thomas, P.G. Std Br.

Standard Bearer , and he felt it incumbent upon him not to seek re-election , that being quite understood amongst the members of the Board to be the rule . He had also taken an interest in the Boys' School , and five years ago was elected a member of the Board of Management . He liked the work , and was delighted to watch the progress of the boys . He hoped to be spared for many years to continue that work . He assured them he entered upon his duties in Masonry with a

determination to do all he could , and he hoped he had satisfied them he had done so . He must in conclusion thank the Committee formed at Bro . Stephens ' house for this mark of their affection and esteem . He thanked them earnestly and sincerely , and especially Bro . Hobbs , the Secretary , and Bro . Dr . Slyman the President . He hoped to be associated with them for many years , and so long as he had health and strength would he continue in the good work of Masonry , which was to him a labour of love .

Bro . J . STEPHENS , D . G . D . C , gave "The Chairman , " and " The Committee " having been honoured , the pleasant proceedings ended . A pleasing musical entertainment was ably carried out by Miss Alice Thomas , Miss Lucie Gilbert , Miss Kate Thomas , and Bros . Hopkins , Delevanti , Prenton , and H . J . Thomas , and Mr . L . Edgar .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Pattison Lodge , No . 913 . The above—one of the strongest and most influential lodges in the Province of Kent —celebrated its annual festival and installation meeting on Thursday , the 1 st instant , at Freemasons' Hall , Mount Pleasant , Plumstead , when Bro . J . O . Cook , S . W . and W . M . elect , was installed as W . M . The lodge was opened by Bro . D . K . Somers , W . M ., and the preliminaries being accomplished , Bro . Cook was presented , installed , proclaimed , and saluted , and appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . Daniel K . Somers , P . M ., LP . M . j John J . Murphy , S . W . ; E . Moseley Taylor , l . W . ; Rev . A . l ackson , P . M ., P . P . G . C , Chap . ; Charles Coupland , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . J . G . W .,

Treas . ; Wm . Campbell Taylor , P . M ., Sec . ; Wm . Sanders , P . M ., Asst . Sec . ; Arthur Moore , S . D . ; James Graham Tucker , j . D . ; John Henry Bull , I . G . ; F . Hoar , D . C . ; Wm . H . Chaney and Bertram , A . D . Cs . ; Sidney Horton , P . M ., Org . ; Henry Mason , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., George Roberts , John J . Messent , John Clark , and Wm . H . Lewis , Stewards ; and Charles Warren , Tyler . Bro . Somers gave the first two addresses and Bro . Turton the third . Bro . Somers was presented with a handsome Past Master's jewel , and Bro . Coupland having been chosen to represent the lodge on the Provincial Charity Committee , the lodge was closed . The banquet was alterwards served at the Holborn Restaurant , and was much enjoyed .

Among the other brethren present , and not above enumerated , were : Bros . A . Penfold , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . j R . J . Cook , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; B . de B . Lopez , P . M ., P . G . S . W ., P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Busbridge , P . M . ; Dr . E . Bryceson , P . MJ ; G . H . Letton , P . M ., P . M . 615 ; Jas . Farrier , P . M ., P . M . S 2 g ; C . folly , P . M . ( Hon . ) , P . M . and Sec . 1472 and 21 S 4 ; S . Horton , P . M ., P . M . 706 ; A . Tasker , H . Kirkman , R . Turrell , J . Rich , T . Griffiths , J . Taylor , A . Eton , H . Towns , W . Folkard , R . Ginman , W . Ween , L . Mills , W . C . Hallam , B . Littlewood , A . Hiscock , T . Turton , F . H . Butter , G . W . Lockwood , A . D . Capon , J . Rose , L . Nebel , W . Sallenger , G . Hall , las .

Stratton , A . Wallis , C . James , C . H . Stone , G . H . Campbell , J . Mitchell , F . G . White , H . Smith , G . Frost , J . O . Widger , W . H . Pryce , Dr . R . Williams , T . Jefferson-Nell , H . H . Grafton , G . Frankling , J . Hardy , D . Sedgley , R . Saunders , W . G . Newton , R . Bertram , and W . H . Nevers , all of . the lodge . Among the visitors were : Bros . G . Bertodano , S . D . 6 , A . W . Russell , W . M ., A . McQueen , S . W ., W . H . Turton , J . W . and W . M . elect of 13 , G . H . Porter , W . M ., H . Tammanc , S . W ., J . H . Roberts , P . M . and Treas ., J . Sanderson , P . M ., W . Chambers , J . D ., Z . O . Ketley , and T . Sanford , all of 700 ; Capt . George Fishenden , W . M ., G . Forster , Stwd ., and L . F . Webber , of 70 S ; J . Turton , VV . M ., and J . D . Brooks , Sec , oLGi 5 ; J . Macgregor ,

P . M . 548 ; r-. Keed , S . W . and W . M . elect , and C . J . Littlewood , of 1536 ; A . H . Bateman , P . M . 1973 , H . Crowdy , W . M ., G . Dyer , S . W ., and G . Wheatley , J . W ., of 2399 ; Major R . H . Murdock , R . A ., S . W . 17 S 9 ; Capt . G . H . Graham , P . J . W . 2841 ; Dr . G . Mugleston , P . M . 122 S ; T . Bush , W . M . 299 ; H . Bagshaw , W . M . 1050 ; the Rev . H . H . Walker , M . A ., S 59 ; R . A . Meyne , VV . M . 2266 ; W . Gamney , W . M . 1 S 3 ; W . J . Harvie , 132 + ; j . benn , 1950 ; G . Broad , 548 ; T . Nuttall , 554 ; S . Coote , VV . M . 987 ; S . Whadman , 1305 ; A . Whales , 1305 ; and G . H . Masters , P . M . 13 . The Worshipful Master , in proposing ' * The Queen and the Craft , " said there was a close connection between the Queen and Masonry , inasmuch as the sun never sat upon the British Empire , nor upon Masonry .

The toast was drunk with cheers , and the National Anthem was sung in chorus by the whole of the brethren . Thetoastof "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the Order , " evoked no less enthusiasm . The W . M ., in putting it , said he was unfortunately unable to be present at the recent meeting at the Albert Hall , over which their Grand Master so ably presided , but from what he had heard of it , it must have been a most impressive

spectacle . The next toast was that of " The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The W . M . said he had had the honour of seeing and hearing Lord Lathom at Grand Lodge . His lordship was a grand Mason . Of Earl Amherst he would have to speak presently ; then they were honoured b y having one of their most esteemed Past Masters as a Past Grand Officer , their Bro . Coupland , with whose name he coupled the toast .

Bvo , Coupland , who was most cordially received , said the present was an era in the history of the Pattison Lodge , for it was the first time that one of its members had ever had the purple of Grand Lodge conferred on him . It was a proud moment for him to have his name coupled with so important a toast . They all knew the position Lord Lathom held in Grand Lodge was next to that of the Grand Master , and that he carried out his duties on the true spirit of justice to all . Then , as to Karl Amherst , they also knew ho » v much he had , during the last 30 years , done for the Province of Kent . The two noblemen at the head of the Craft discharged the duties of their high office admirably , and were eminently worthy of their high position , and they , the Masons under their control , were proud of them . He thanked them for their hearty reception of thc

toast . The W . M ., in putting the toast of " Earl Amherst , Grand Master of the Province of Kent , " said a better business man than Earl Aoiherst they could not find . Hj ruled thc Provincial Grand Lodge with geniallity and with the strictest justice , and all he ( the W . M . ) wished was that he could rule over that lodge as well as his lordsdip ruled over the Province of Kent . The next toast was that of " Bro . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the Provincial Grand Oflicers , Present and Past . " The W . M . said that Bro . Eastes was present at their lodge the previous week , when they had the honour of entertaining the Provincial

Grand Lodge at its annual meeting , and he was proud to say that the highest honour that could be conferred upon any brother was conferred upon one of their esteemed Past Masters—Bro . Lopez . Bro . Lopez had that day presented the lodge with a handsome set of carved ivory gavels , the work of his own hand , and they must render him a hearty vote of thanks for his really splendid gift . The fact that they were made by him , and not purchased articles , made them still more valuable though their intrinsic value , which was not their least recommendation , and he might depend upon it , that as long as the lodge lasted , those gavels would be treasured by every succeeding W . M . He coupled the toast with the nam : of liro . Lopez .

Bro . Lopez , who is a great favourite with the brethren , was loudly cheered on rising to respond . He said the honour conferred upon him did not give him nearly so much pleasure as to know that the Grand Lod ; re of England had honoured his dear , good friend , Bro . Coupland , who had been * a true and loyal friend to him ( Bro . Lopez ) for thc last 35 years . He could assure them that he felt very proud of the honour of being an officer of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Kent . It was an honour more to the lodge than to him , and he could assure them that whatever he could do to promote the interest of the Pattison Lodge he should always endeavour to do . The W . M ., in response to the toast of his health , eloquently put by the I . P . M ., said he had to thank Past Master Lopez for the position he that day had achieved in the lodge . lie started at the bottom ol the ladder , and hoped that he had not , or ever