The One Hundred And Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Peace And Harmony Lodge, No. 60.

who went in person to battle . There always was , and he trusted always would he , that strong feeling of loyalty and attachment whxh was capable of standing the effects not merely of 150 years , hut of 10 times that number . It vvas no mean tribute to the universa'ity of Freemasonry that they had present a brother who had been called to exalted rank amongst them hailing from a distant clime , and whom

in colour , and probably in religion , differed from them , but who met them as their honoured superior on the great platform of English Freemasonry . It was because ot the universality of the principles of Masonry that ft possessed its present power , and it vvas for that reason that Institutions like those were able to meet and celebrate an anniversary such as the present . During the existence of that lodge the boundaries of the map had been altered ; new

countries had been discovered , and new nations had come into existence ; hut wherever the English race had gone , there always had been found a want to which Masonry had responded , for the great principles of Freemasonry had a prominent attraction in the eyes of men . So long as that was the case , so long would they find the Institution respected , and that that miaht long continue was : the sincere wish ol the Grand Officers , for whom he had the honour to return thanks .

Bro . BERRIDGE said that after the exhaustive speech to which they had listened , he vvas quite sure the brethren would excuse him if he said but a few words . Bro . Philbrick had so eloquently alluded to the kind manner in which the toast was given and rereived , that it left but little for him to say . He would , however , beg to be allowed to congratulate the lodge on the manner in vvhich the work

and ceremonies were performed , and also to congratulate the Worshipful Master on presiding at the 150 th anniversary . Bro . ALTMAN , G . Stwd ., returned sincere thanks for the compliment paid him . It vvas a great privilege to stand there as a Grand Officer , and more especially being a Grand Steward for that lodge . He trusted he should render the

same pood suit and service as the past members had done . It would always be his wish to uphold the dignity of their lodge and promote Peace and Harmony . Bio . BINCKES , P . G . S . B ., P . M . and Sec : I rise with pleasure and gratification to propose the next toast , and it may be necessary to state that I assume this duty by the consent of the I . P . M ., on my right , whose privilege it

would naturally be to address you . There are reasons which have induced this arrangement , in which Bro . Soppet cheerfully concurs , and while I feel that the duties might be much more ably discharged , it is not for me to shiink from the task . I trust that on such an occasion you will listen to what I have to say with indulgent consideration , inasmuch as having no set oration in the

meeting- of the lodge it has been considered advisable that allusions should be made to a few salient points vvhich have been recorded from the time of our constitution . Let me assure you , if I find any sign of weariness I shall limit my remarks , and desist from further troubling you . Before proceeding , I must acknowledge my indebtedness to Bro . Sadler , the Grand Tyler and Sub-Librarian , who has

assisted me , not only vvith matter for my ad 'ress , but also with particulars for the compilation you have before you . The lodge vvas constituted , as you know , in 1738 , and there is nothing recorded down to 1745 , when we find from the minutes of Grand Lodge , that the Worshipful Master and Wardens attended Grand Lodge and contributed pretty regularly to Charity . On the 7 th March , 1748 , the Masters

of several lodges were ordered to be summoned to show cause why they had not attended Grand Lodge for some time past , and unfortunately our lodge , then No . 158 , was one of the delinquents . On 22 nd December , 1748 , the W . M . of 158 , with others , attended , and promised to he more refular in future . This shows a careful supervision by Grand Lodge over subordinate lodges , very necessary

then when the lodges were few , though rendered less necessary now with the large number in existence , it being observed , however , that lodges in default or guilty of neglect at the present day are unpleasantly reminded of their delinquencies hy being publicly posted at the various Quarterly Communications . In 1749 we find the lodge fairly represented in Grand Lodge , and in

the cash column , and continuing so for many years . In 1760 there were symptons of decline , but no complamt of non-attendance or non-payment can be found . From the first it se < - ms to have been a Tradesmen ' s Lodge and to have had numerous members at the close of last century . Its roll was cosmopolitan in character , comprising members of every conceivable profession and occupation—from that

comprehensive though undefined term " Gentleman , " down to "Bargeman . " For the latter I think , without straining a point , we have a right to substitute " Bargeowner , " for I can hardly realize any advantage from the admission of a tvpical " Bargee . " The brother so described vvas John Wilkinson , who joined 28 th November , 1 S 11 . In 1776 there joined , in June , a brother , "Oliver Cromwell Vile , "

who in 1780 was Secretary cf the Board of Grand Stewards , and it would thus appear Ihat the lodge vvas occasionally tepiese-ntfd by a Grand Steward dm ing the last century . This brother vvas a !* o a member of the Tuscan Lodge . Up to 1815 the M . W . G . M . claimed th' » right to nominate Grand Stewards , and he then selected t 8 lodges for the right of such nomination , amongst them

being No . 60 ( then i-ingularly bearing the same number as at ptesr-nt ) . The title of " Peace and Harmony" vvas first arqr ired , as No . 6 4 , in 17 S 9 . With 1 S 16 we come to the fiist Grand Steward chos-n by the lodge , Rio . J . G . Godwin , and there is no doubt that he was a brother of prominence , who had actively participated in the work of the Craft , for we find the fo lowing entry on the minutes of Grand I odge ,

under date 6 th September , 1 S 15—two yearsafter the Union — " A motion was made by Bro . Goldsworthy , P . M . No . 3 , and seconded by Bro . Godwin , of the Lodge of Peare and Harmony , No . 82 , that the thanks of the United Grand Lodge be most dutifully presented to H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex , M . W . G . M ., for his zealous , unremitting , and fraternal care , in watching over the interest of the Craft

in maintaining its ancient landmarks , and preserving inviolate its true principk s and tenets . And all the brethren testified their unanimous and unqualified concurrence by the accustomed honours . " In 1 S 16 the number of lodges on the register cf United Grand 1 od ge vvas between 350 and it doubt

400 , jnd vvas no regarded as an honour by a lodge to be selected as one of 18 lodges wilh the privilege of electing a Grand Steward—an honour conferred , one would imagine , for some merit on the part of the lodge , and it may fairlybe inferred that the Peace and Harmony Lodge was held in good repute , and obtained that distinc-

The One Hundred And Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Peace And Harmony Lodge, No. 60.

tion by the generally praiseworthy manner in vvhich its affairs were conducted , enabling it to maintain a distinguished position owing to the attention shown by its W . M . and officers to the details of the business of the Older . There is little or nothing of interest until we come to the by-laws , vvhich are under date 3 rd May , 1738 , have the style of "Orders , Rules , and Ordinances , " a much more

serious and awe-inspiring title than our modern " By-laws . " From these there is not much worth extracting , though the following may deserve a passing word of comment : " Ihat the lodge be held every second Tuesday in the month , the brothers to meet at the hour of six in the evening from Michaelmas to Lady-Day , and seven from Lady-Day to Michaelmas , and that no brother call for wine until the

Master of the lodge , or his Deputy , assume the chair ; or if the Master or Wardens do not come at the hours respectively above mentioned , the brothers may call for wine , & c . " The " & c . " probably included " smoke" and liquors other than wine . We may gather from this that in the old , primitive days , labour and refreshment were intimately combined , as in these degenerate days is the

custom in many lodges of instruction . Having provided for the " use" of these good things , we find provision made against "abuse" in thefol owing by-law : "That no brother , whether he be a member or a visitor , do enter the lodge-room disguised in liquor , or behave indecently towards the Master , Wardens , or any of the brethren in the lodge , on pain of being admonished by the Master ,

for the first offence ; and if , after being so admonished , he does not return to his duty and amend , the Master , for the time being , is hereby authorised and empowered to dismiss and exclude any such visiting brother or member belonging to the lodge , and entirely to deprive him or them of all advantages and privileges therein . " I have not found an instance of any enforcement of the penal power of this

law , though from the absence of minute books , I dare not claim a total exemption . The next by-law will prove that our brethren of this lodge , 150 years ago , were just as mindful as any of us Moderns of the qualifications essential in every candidate for admission into the Order , and that the lessons inculcated in these days were enforced by our predecessors , as they are now . "That no person be

made a Free and Accepted Mason , in this Lodge , or , if a Mason , a member thereof—unless well-known , to one member or more , to be a person of virtuous principles and integrity , and not a bondsman , but such as by his own consent is desirous to become a brother . it being contrary to our established Constitution to persuade or engage any

person thereto , and it is hereby recommended to every good Mason , and particularly to the brethren of this lodge , that they be careful who they lecommend to be made Masons , that they may not bring any any Disreputation " —there is a charmingly fine ring in these od time words—" on the Craft . " We find that on the 28 th

January , iSig , at a meeting held at the Bay Tree Tavern , Sr . Swithin's Lane , London , " This Lodge doth unanimously annul and make void all By-laws and Regulations now of force therein from and after the day on vvhich H . R . H . Prince Augustus Frederick , Dute of Sussex , Most Worshipful Grand Master of theUni-ed Fraternity of Ancient Frteand Accepted Masons

of England , shall have declared his sanction to certain new and amended by-laws herein afterwards set forth and specified . " There is one law not only worthy of notic ; , but of adoption by lodges in the present day—in the face of instances to which it is not necessary to make specific allusion . " The Master and Wardens are to demand sufficient security from the Treasurer , and should any loss

happen in consequence of their neglect herein , they shall be held responsible to the lodge . " In these amended laws there is inculcated the exercise of the same strict caution as to candidates lor membership of this lodge , and even further emphasised : "Such persons enly as are of g-oJ reputation for upright and moral conduct , and who are enabled by some honest profts-ion "—( how would this

apply to the case of the "Bargeman" of 1 S 11?)—" to support themselves and their families creditibly , shall be deemed eligible to become membeis of this lodge , and the Masters and Wardens , for the time being , are especially required to in ' orm themselves restecting every candidate bekre the ballot takes place . " While we hear this caution over and over again , line upon line , and precept upon

precept , laid down in Consecration ceremonies , we hnd that in our old lodge the necessity for the strictest exercise of discretion in the- choice of members as forcibly impressed as at the present day . Il those lessons have been forgotten , it is evident that blame in this respect cannot attach to the members of our old lodge . So much for the by-laws . What has the lodge done on behalf of Masonic Charity ?

Well , our record is not a very brilliant one , or one which we can regard altogether with complacency . It must , however , be stated , that the lodge has never been in a condition which may be called " wealthy , " the balance in the hands of the Treasurer having been rarely more than moderate . We have contributed about £ 161 15 s . to the Masonic Institutions , and we possess 29 votts ;

while , as a rule , we send up two Stewards at least in each j ear to represent the lodge . Let us hope that in this respect the future will show an improvement on the past . Now I come to the distinctions in Grand Lodge . 1 think the membeis are just as anxious as members of other

lodges , for what , to u .-e a hackneyed exprcstion , is called " the purple , " and vvhiih may be regarded as an object of legitimate ambition by every brother from the moment of his initiation . The members of this lodge who have been honoured vvith appointments in Grand Lodge are but few in number . They are :

1 . Jos . Di ugla =, Grand Steward , 1826 , S . G . D ., 1839 2 . Ceo . P . de Rhe Philipe , „ „ 1 S 2 S , G . S . B ., 1837 3 . R . T . Crucefix . M . D .,, „ 1 S 33 , J . G . D ., 1836 4 . J . Hodgkinson , „ „ 18 47 , S . G . D ., 1852 5 . J . N . Tomkins , „ „ 1 S 49 , J . G . D ., 1 S 55 6 . Wm . Young , ,, „ 18 57 G . S . B ., 1864

, 7 . Fredk . Binckes , „ „ 1867 , P . G . S . B ., 1887 . 8 . Jas . T . Collins , „ „ 1870 , G . S . B ., 1 S 74 . This would give a total of 8 appointments to Grand Office , but you must take it as seven-and-half , because I have been told , on high authority , that I am only half a Grand Officer . If I am only a moiety of a Grand Officer , I hope you will

accept the honour done to the lodge in my person , and that the next brother thus honoured may be equal to oneand-half , vvhich would equalise matters . Whether this brief list may be considered adequate to the deserts of so old , so meiitorious , so faithful , and so distinguished a lodge must be left to the judgment of the Supien . e Rulers of the

The One Hundred And Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Peace And Harmony Lodge, No. 60.

Masonic portion of the universe , and does not call f comment from me . The retiospect of 150 years is * lengthy one , and it would ill become me to dwell upon , i " chances and changes " of that period . Indeed , h J \ been disposed to do so , our eloquent friend Bro . Philb , ; 1 has anticipated me , and so rendered unnecessary a „ observations on these events . 1 need hardly sav wW '

source of intense satisfaction and pride it is that th Peace and Harmony Lodge , small in numbers , should h supported on such an occasion by so numerous a gatherfo of good and distinguished members of our Order—manv of them personal friends of members of the lod ge—each and all receiving a hearty welcome , on honouring us ; , L their presence to participate in the proceedings ; nF . < .-

memorable evening . To-night we complete a century and a half of what , 1 think , we may fairly claim to have been a prosperous existence , and to-morrow we enter on a new epoch . " As the days shall make the weeks , the weeks the months , the months add themselves and make the years theyears rollon into the centuries , " let usindulgein the hone that the prosperity of this lodge may be increased fe usefulness extended , its benevolence developed , and its

hospitality maintained . 1 think you are fully in possession ol what little history there is , and which is supp lemented by the book before you , containing a record ot the principal items of interest concerning our good old lodge , and , if yOU will allow me , I will couple wilh the t ast " Prosperity to the Lodge . " Let me now leave the "concrete , " and proceed to the " abstract , " the most difficult portion of n

duty , for I am going to ask—What manner of man is he who is our immediate ruler and governor ? When I venture to ask this question I will be presumptuous enough to answer it . To start vvith , he is one of the most accomplisheij W . M . 's the lodge ever possessed . I ask those , not only who are visitors tor the first time , and have had the opportunity of listening to the ceremonials in the lodge , there ren .

dered by him in a manner so perfect that it is onl y equalled by the ability and geniality with which he presides over us at tne banquet table—but those who are members of the lod ge and whose experience will justify my not empty eulogy . Bro . Josling has served every office , and has given satisfaction to every W . M ., ultimately arriving at the highest position the lodge can bestow upon him , and we

regard him as one of the brightest ornaments of which the lodge can boast . I could say mare if he were not present , 1 am not guilty of idle compliment in saying that to know him is to regard and esteem him , and that it would ha impossible to have the subject of the W . M . of a lodge to place before a large gathering such as we see here to-night vvith qualifications more calculated to inspire confidence in

submitting such a proposal than those 1 place before you in connection with the name of Bro . Josling . I aak you to jo . n me in wishing him " God speed " in his after career , We indulge in the hope that when he retires from the cnait he fills so well we shall not lose the benefit of his services , arid that when he comes amongst what , without egotism , 1 may call tne hunjured rank ot the Past Masters , he may

still retain the proud position in their estimation vvhich he has always he . d in the lodge . I have very tew words to add . 1 want you to rectily by your heartiness the imperieaions ot which I may have oeen guilty . My duty , which has not been an easy one , is now ended , and my thanks are due to the members of the lodge , and to the large pnalanx of visitois over whom the W . M . so effectively

presides , tor the kindness with which they have listened to my remarks . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in reply , said that those delights were the greatest which were tne most duticult to attain , and the complication of circumstances and the proud position he occupied compelled him in honesty lo aamit that the delight became somewhat modified ,

inasmuch as it necessitated an acknowledgment of compliments vvhich were in cxe-eas of his merits . He had also to acknowledge the eloquent terms in which those compliments weie conveyed . Ahusion nadbeen made to the satisfactory manner in which the work had been performed during the year he had had the honour to preside . He had always upheld , and still maintained , that he who aspired to the

honour ol being W . M . of a lodge vvas in duty bound to capacitate himself tor tlie proper dischaige ot the duties devolving upon the post . bro . Binckes had given them in a most comprehensive , lucid , and creditable manner many interesting details concerning the lodge , and he would assure them that in years to come it would give him p easure to look back upon the year that he presided ovei

them , and in which three such important events had been celebrated as the Jubilee of her Majesty's reign , the Silver Wedding of the M . W . G . M ., and the 150 th Anniversary of the Peace and Harmony Lodge . Bro . BINCKES , in giving "The Visitors , " said he approached a difficult task vvhich assumed exceptional importance , as the visiting brethren , greatly to their

gratification , outnumbered the members ot ihe lodge . They kne « that as a rule Masons were given to hospitality , and he should be sorry if the Peace and Harmony Lodge proved an exception , especially on an occcasion like the present , when they had been exceedingly anxious to properly entertain their visitors , and he vvas gratified to find that then endeavouis had ben crowned with success . I ' he

membeis weie denghied to see such a phalanx of visitwto whom they extenced a heaity welcome . Ihey knew that even in the domcsiic circle , however happy that circle might be , it vvas occasionally enlivened by tne presence w a good humoured , sympathetic guest . There vvas no douDi that the members 01 that lodge with the traditions tncy haa inherited , in spite of penal by-laws to the contrary , wei well ab : e to conduct their proceedings and social ^ us , n ^ j among themselves-, even if tncy had no viaitois , and wo ,

111 so doing be carrying out one of the principi » Masonry—that ot being happy themselves . But tn y would not be happy if they did not carry out the 0 J ot communicating happiness to others . It had been object to gather together , and he thought , they haa ¦ failed , as thoroughly a representative gathering ot . Ma ^ as possible , and it was a source of pleasure to the v and mpmhorc il . l , „ , , „! . fh ... 1 ,-irl hpen HisanpOinterJ j

many distinguished brethren , to see at the social boar representatives of the financial , legal , and cere . ™ cf branches of the Order , together with representativ ^ the Charitable Institutions . Having particularisei visiting brethren , and having made allusions to the »"¦ „ , and qualifications of the more distinguished of '" "L y M ber , Bro . Binckes called upon the members t 0 , ' !?" , Velthe warmth of their reception , the heartiness ot tn ^ come extended to the visitors , coupling with the toa ^ names of Bros . Plucknett , Imbert Terry , and J-V ' Si kinion , and a brother of the Pythagoras Lodge , tw