Centenary Of The Lodge Of Friendship (No. 206).

CENTENARY OF THE LODGE OF FRIENDSHIP ( No . 206 ) .

This prosperous and harmonious lodge celebrated its centenary at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., under the presidency of its genial W . M ., Bro . Dr . Alfred Harris , who was supported upon the

auspicious occasion by the following members and visitors , amongst others . Members . —Bros . Wm . Conbro , S . W . ; Samuel Gamman , S . W . ; John Waters , S . D . ; Allen R , Ramsey , J . D . ; Arthur J . Hard , I . G . ; Geo .

Collier , Immediate P . M . ; Robert Boyd , P . M . ; F . Harrison , P . M . ; E . B . Barnard , P . M . ; H , M . Collier , P . M . ; John Stewart , P . M . ; Wm ,

Rumsey , P . M ., Treas . ; JohnRumsey , P . M ., Sec . ; Chas . T . Parsons , Thos . Taylor , Wm . Medcalf , Jas . Pettengill ; J . G . Stephens , E . Squirrel ] , Thos . G . Seaborn .

Visitors : —Bros . John Hervey , G . Sec . ; J . Brett , P . G . P . ; John Boyd , G . P . ; R . W . Little , P . M ., Prov . G . Sec . Middlesex ; Wm . Blackburn , P . M . ; E . Sillifant P . M ., Prov . G . Deacon , Middlesex ; Revd . Brcnchly Kingsford , zfy - .

Henry Dearsly , P . M . 3 ; Joseph Davis , 3 ; Chas . Smithers , P . M . 101 ; Robt . Brown , St . Peters , Montrose ; Arthur Gamman , 376 ; Francis

Munton , W . M . 60 ; Richard Seaborn , 217 ; Henry Smith , 907 ; George L . Mustoph , 134 ; S . Noon , 788 ; A . Mellish , 18 S ; Hugh Cummings , 11 ; Robert Wood , 174 ; C . Croxford , 73 .

Thelodge having been duly opened , the W . M . called upon the respected Secretary , Bro . John Rumsey , P . M ., to read the M . W . Grand Master ' s Warrant authorising the lodge to wear a

centenary jewel , after which Bro . Runisy delivered with great precision and effect , although he was only recovering from severe indisposition , the following address : —

Brethren , although theevent which we have met to celebrate this evening is more especially interresting to the members of our lodge , it is also one which may fairly arrest the attention of every lover of the Craft , One hundred years

have passed away since the foundations of the Lodge of Friendship were laid , and its present position and prosperity afford us another evidence , if any were required , of the vitality which distinguishes Freemasonry , when its supporters are

true and upright men . Beyond doubt our lodge has experienced periods of depression , like all other human institutions , but the broad fact remains , as an incentive and stimulus to us and our successors .

that the flag of " Friendship , " which was unfurled in 1772 , has ever since been bomealoftby afaithful band of brothers , and is now is pure and unsullied as when first it waved . On such an occasion as this it is as well to take a retrospective

glance , and to trace noteworthy occurences in the history of thelodge , but the records of No . 206 present to us such an unbroken series of peaceful and harmonious meetings , that few comments are necessary or desirable .

It will be found that the lodge was established ori ginall y at the " Bull Inn , " Wrotham , in the county of Kent , on the 9 th June , 1772 , by Bro . Thomas Fulljames , Sen ., Thomas Fulljames , Jun ., and Samuel Terry , the number then being

431 . It would appear , however , that but a moderate share of success attended the labours of the brethren in that rural district , and accordingly , alter a lapse of 10 or 12 years , the precise date not being known , it was resolved to remove the

lodge nearer town , and it was therefore taken to the Oxford Arms , Church-street , Deptford , having previously , about the year 1781 , obtained a hi gher place on the register of lodges by being re-numbcred 340 , a subsequent alteration in l / () 2 making it No . 280 , a position which il re

Centenary Of The Lodge Of Friendship (No. 206).

tained on the roll until the union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 . The lodge appears to have flourished in Deptford , particularly during the decade ending with 1795 , in which period no less than 115 new

members were admitted , including the Revd . Jcthro Inwood , author of several Masonic sermons , which are preserved in the library at Freemasons' Hall , and who atthetimeof his initiation

was citrate of St . Paul s , Deptford . A large proportion of the members at this time were mariners , and several naval captains are found anions : the number ,

The lodge pursued its tranquil and prosperous career down to the time of the union , when , as already intimated , the number was again altered from 280 to 354 , the subsequent changes being from 354 to 248 in 1832 , and from 248 to

206 in 1 S 63 , at which number it now stands on the register of the Grand Lodge , of England . From 1813 the lodge has undergone few vicissitudes , and during that period its roll has been graced by many names well-known and greatly

respected in the Masonic world . Bro . Henry Beaumont Leeson , M . D ., one of the most learned masons of this or any other age , was a member of this lodge , which lie joined in 1836 . The present father of the lodge , Bro . William

Rumsey , was initiated on the 9 th January , 1840 , his membership thus extending over a period of more titan 32 years , or nearly one third of the entire duration of the existence of the Lodge . Following in his steps , I am glad to say , are

many worthy brethren to whom the destinies of the Lodge in times to come may safely be entrusted , and with the example of those who have gone before to direct and . sustain their exertions we may reasonably anticipate a future of

increased success for tiie Lodge ol l ' riendship . Let us then strive in onr several capacities to promote the happiness of the brethren and to maintain not onl y the prestige of this Lodge , but the dignity of the whole craft , so that when revolving years

shall bring to our successors a second centenary , the memory of this day shall still be fondly cherished , although the voices of those who now celebrate it with joy and gladness shall long have been hushed in silence .

With every good wish for the welfare of Freemasonry in general and the Lodge of Friendship in particular , brethren , let uscontinueby diligence and fidelity in the discharge of the duties of our respective avocations , by liberal benevolence and

diffusive charity , by kind words and amiable deportment , to convince the world of the benefits ol our invaluable institution , let it not besaid that here we have worked in vain or spent our strength for nought . Finally , brethren , let us remain of one

mind , live together in fraternal harmony and may the God of peace be pleased to dwell amongst us . And now , Worshipful Master and brethren , I have only to thank you for the kind attention which you have awarded to this hasty

and imperfect sketch of the records of this lodge . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat down to a most recherche banquet provided in thegood old "Ship and Turtle " style , by Bro .

Painter . After the removal of the cloth , the W . M gave the following toasts : — - "The Qiuen and the Craft . "

"The Marquis of Ripon , W . M . Grand Master . " " The Earl of Zetland , K . T ., and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Past Grand Masters . " " Theliarl of Carnarvon , Deputy Grand Master ,

and rest ol the Grand Officers , past and present . This was coupled with the name of Bro . Hervey , the Grand Secretary , who , upon rising to return thanks , was greeted with loud cheers . Bro . Hervev , having acknowledged the

compliment paid to himself and the Grand Officers , drew attention to the pleasing character of the meeting , which he described as an epoch in the history of the lodge , and counselled all its members Lo maintain the high prestige > t had

Centenary Of The Lodge Of Friendship (No. 206).

acquired at the close of a hundred years existence . The health of the W . Master was given by

one of the P . M ' s ( Bro . Collier we believe ) , who spoke in the highest terms of Bro . Harris ' s urbanity and attention to duty at all times , ar . well as of his Masonic attainments . The toast was

received with an enthusiasm which proved that the worthy brother reigns in the hearts of his brethren , and after a very felicitous reply , the W . M . proposed the health of the numerous and

distinguished "Visitors , " with which he coupled the name of Bro . Wentworth Little , Prov . G . Sec . for Middlesex . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Little in responding to the toast alluded to the important character

of the event which they had met to celebrate , proving as it did that Freemasonry was no ephemeral institution , which derived its strength from popular favour—but was one founded upon

principles that would ever flourish wherever friendship animated the hearts of men . ( Applause . ) He concluded his speech by thanking the W . M . and members of " 206 " for the

opportunity afforded the Visitors of witnessing the proceedings of the Centenary celebration , and of tendering their hearty congratulations to the lodge .

Ihe toast of the evening was then proposed by Bro . Harris , W . M ., as follows : — "The Centenary of the Lodge of Friendship , and may

its future bear improved fruits of good fellowship and friendship . " The toast was drunk with the greatest cordiality , and " Prosperity to the Lodge " was the additional pledge of all present .

The W . M . then proposetl the health of the Past Masters , eight of whom , he was happy . to say , were present . ( Applause . ) Of Bro . W . Rumsey , the Treasurer , and father of the Lodge

he could speak nothing but praise , and the same , remark applied to the next senior P . M ., their indefatigable Secretary , Bro . John Rumsey , whose services to the lodge had been so great and so

valuable—m fact all the P . M . ' s were worth y of the high respect in which they were held by th brethren—and he , the W . M ., was sure all honour would be done to the toast of their healths . A

most hearty reception having been given to the P . M . ' s , and suitable responses made by Bro . Rumsey and other brethren , the " Wardens and

other Officers" followed , and the proceedings of a very delightful evening terminated with the Tyler ' s toast .

Freemasonry In Bermuda.

FREEMASONRY IN BERMUDA .

—A special meeting of the Loyalty Lodge ( No . 385 ) , Loyalty Lodge , was held in the Hall on the evening of the above day , for the purpose of presenting to Brother G . \ V . Green , a

handsome Secretary s Jewel , and for ihe purpose of taking a farewell of the worth y G . W . Bro . Robert Barnaby , on his leaving for England . There were present , Bro . J . C . Tucker , W . M ., in the chair , supported by Bros . | . C Thiele , J .

P . M .: [ . R . Longshaw , P . M ., ; II . | . P . Anderson , P . M ., Revd . R . Measham , P . M . land P . G . C . of Devon ; and all his officers , viz : —Bros . R . Barnaby , S . W . ; W . E . Warder , J . W . ; G . Rothwell , Treas . ; f . Brav , Sec . ; S . Bostridge , S . D . ; W . Amsdeii . | . D . ; ] . York , I . G . ; T .

Barnes , Tyler : T . Stanley , G . W . Green , E . Blackwell , J . Taylor , Tims , Hitch , tVc . & c , and a number of visitors , chiefly from PLM . S . Royal Alfred , among whom were noticed Bros . C . Thomas , G . R . C . Eyres , W . T . Littlejohn , J . Edgcumbe , R . A . H . Simmons , Fr . uicis C . Bate , Hawkins , Hayward , ike .