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    Article OFFICIAL BULLETIN S.C. 33° U.S.A. (S.J.) Page 1 of 1
    Article NOTES ON THE CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION. Page 1 of 1
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Ar00200

others have said before him , he is voted tiresome , while if he launches out into something with which his audience is not familiar , he runs great risk of being charged with the grievous sin of heterodoxy . Occasionally , however , we are treated to an address vvhich satisfies our love of orthodoxy by comprising whatever is just and requisite to the circumstances which called it

forth , and which , at the same time , is sufficiently interesting to be worth listening to , on the score of its own merits , and not because it is an acceptable reproduction of somebody else's ideas . Such an address as this was delivered the other day by Bro . the Rev . E . BIGOE BAGOT , Prov . Grand Chaplain of East Lancashire , at the consecration of the Thornham Lodge ,

No . 2279 , Royton . It was an address which admirably set forth the purpose as well as the virtues of Freemasonry . It was rich in ideas which , if not absolutely novel , had about them all the charm of novelty , as well as the sustaining power of truth to recommend them . Lastly , these ideas were presented in language which it must have been a treat to listen

tosimple , yet polished , as is the language of a man of culture ; brief , and to the point , yet comprehensive and far-reaching enough to satisfy the most exigent of critics . The attributes of Masonry to vvhich Bro . BAGOT gave his attention principally were its universality , its unity , and its largeheartedness , and on each and every of these our reverend brother enlarged

most eloquently , without ever being carried by his eloquence from the strict , undeviating path of truth . In short , the address impressed us most favourably when vve read it first , and the more carefully vve have read it since , the more firmly persuaded are vve that it is one of the best , and truest , and most eloquent expositions of Freemasonry which have been delivered in our day .

Official Bulletin S.C. 33° U.S.A. (S.J.)

OFFICIAL BULLETIN S . C . 33 ° U . S . A . ( S . J . )

Another grand volume—the eighth—is now completed and circulated by the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , U . S . A . ( S . J . ) , edited by the Masonic veteran , General Albert Pike , Grand Commander . This part is of special value for the reproductions of " Old Registers of Lodges" preserved in the archives of the "Supreme Council , " Washington D . C . These include the " Annual Register" of the members of the

various Degrees , from the 4 to the 33 , at Charleston in 1802 , " Tableau " of the French Prov . Lodge , the " Sagesse , " Portsmouth , Virginia , for the years 1794 and 1795 , of " Loge de St . Jean de Jerusalem , " No . 12 , Charleston ( established in 179 6 ) , tor 1801 , called " La Candeur , " also for 1803 ¦ the " Reunion Francaise " ( formed 1799 ) , No . 45 , for 1804 and 1807 •" Loge des F . Reunis , " No . 87 , for 1801 , at St . Domingo , also for the same year the " Reunion Dcsirce" ( constituted by Grand Orient of France in 1784 at

Port-au-Prince ) , and another for No . 47 , " Reunion des Cours , " Port Republican , and one for the " Sept Pre res Reunis , " at St . Domingo , of 24 th June , 1 S 02 , besides others of great interest and importance , many of the curious emblems being reproduced as vignettes on the title pages of each tableau . Several certificates are also given of brethren celebrated as Craftsmen and distinguished in this Rite , such as Auguste de Grasse Tilly ' s , of 179 6 , for the " Hig her Degrees , " John Mitchell ( native of Ireland ) , as Deputy Inspector General , A . D . 1795 , Dr . Dalcho , 1 S 0 I , and others .

The copies of the warrant and constitution ( laws , & x . ) granted by the G . C . of Princes of Jerusalem to the Lodge of Perfection in Charleston in 1 S 01 are worth preservation an d study , and so also as respects several parchments and sets of laws of various bodies of the Ineffable Degrees from 17 SS cowards . The earliest of the kind preserved date as far back as 1767 , for Albany , New York .

A transcript of the warrant granted by the Grand Council of the Princes of Jerusalem to the Mark Lodge , No . 1 ,

was made and duly printed in the work , and , being of special interest to the brethren in England , where the Mark Grand Lodge controls that Degree , a copy has been made for their information . WARRANT FOR "MARK LODGE , No . 1 , " 1 S 03 . By the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . Lux e Tenebiis .

From the East of the Grand of the Mo-l Sublime Council of Princes of Jerusalem under tl e Celestial Canopy ot the Zenith which answers to 32 deg ., 45 minutes North Latitude . , , Health Stability and Power . Whereas on the gth day of the month of January Anno Lucis 5 S 02 and of the Chrittian Era 1802 , A petition vvas addressed to the Grand Council of Princes of

Jerusalem by sundry Brethren Master Mark Masons , praying * that a warrant may be <• ranged to enable them to establish a Lodge of Mark Masonry , to be known and distinguish- , d . by the name of the American Eagle Mark Lodge , No . 1 . And whereas the Symbolical Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons in ihis State do not acknowledge the extenson of Masonry beyond the three fuse degrees , whereby the Petitioners could not address their prayer to that body . The Grand Council , as well for preventing illegal conviction that the establishment of Lodof Mark

Masonic Associations as from a a ge Masonry would facilitate and advance the progress of the _ Royal Art in the Sublime de'Tees , do deem it expedient to grant the prayer of the petitioners , hereby authorizing and empowering * by virtue of this warrant , our beloved and Worshipful Brother the Reverend William Bes-t , as Master , our beloved and Worshipful Brother Emanuel De la Motta , ss Senior Warden , and our beloved and Worshipful Brother Isaac'Auld , as Junior Warden , to congregate and establish a Lodge of Mark Masonry , who , as well as their

successors in office , shall diligently and faithfully , discharge and execute the duties and functions appertaining to such Lodge ( which duties and functions shall be considerd as cumprizini ; the passing of the Symbolic Chair previous to their initiation in the mysteries ' of the said Lodge ) agreeably to ancient forms and usages as heretofore established in such Lodges , and also to frame Bye Laws for their Local Government-Provided nevertheless that such forms , usages , and Bye Laws shall receive the sanction and -tuornhation of the Grand Council .

In witness whereof we , the undersigned members of the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem in open Council in Charleston , South Carolna , have hereunto set our hanii ** and affixed the Grand Sialsofour illustrious Orderin the place where the greatest Trea-ures arc deposited , lhe beholding ot which fills us with comfort joy and acknowthe under the

ledgement of all that is great and g ^ ood near B . B . C . C . this twenty-first day of the month called Shebat which answers to the twenty-first day of January Anno Lucis 5 S 02 and of the Christian Era 1 S 02 . ( Signed ) John Mitchell M . E . and President

Fredk . Dalcho Benj . Cudworth S . Grand Treasurer K . D . pro tem E Elizer . Em . D . L . Motta S . Grand Secy . J . M . E . S . M . E . pro tem . [ Seal of the Sublime Lodge , ]

Notes On The Ceremony Of Installation.

NOTES ON THE CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION .

BY BRO . H . SADLER . ( Continued from page 716 ) . From the fact of the names of Bros . Dowley , Cooper , and S . B . Wilson being mentioned conjointly as successors to Peter Gilkes in the guidance of

the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , I should think it probable that the Iodge was then conducted in a similar manner to that in vogue in the present day , i . e ., by a Committee selected by the members from amongst the most experienced of the brethren that attend the weekly meetings .

Although it is not quite clear that Stephen Barton Wilson directl y foi lowed Gilkes in the leadership , there can be no doubt that he took an active interest in the affairs of the lodge from the period of his joining it 1832 for in 1834 his name is mentioned amongst those who attended for the

purpose of instructing their younger brethren ; and , at the Annual Festival in 1837 , a motion was " unanimously carried that a subscri ption should be opened for the purpose of presenting Brother S . B . Wilson with a Masonic jewel , to mark the high sense entertained by the Brethren for the great and valuable services rendered by him to the Lodge . "

Replying to a correspondent , the Editor of the Freemasons' Quarterl y Review , 1838 , says : "The Emulation Lodge of Improvement ( now held at Evans' Hotel , Covent Garden ) may be considered as a standard in working . " Formerly , very few , if any , of the lodges of instruction worked the ceremony of Installation of Master ; and I am inclined to think that credit

is due to Bro . Wilson for having introduced that ceremony as a portion of the regular programme in his favourite lodge , for , in the report of the Festival for 1841 , the writer says : " We were much pleased to observe that one of the most important ceremonials of the Order , that of the Installation

of Master , was fixed to be practised on the first Friday in the months of November , December , January , and February . This intelli gence will be gratefully welcomed by the Metropolitan and the Provincial Brethren , the latter more especially , as they will have an opportunity of witnessing the most correct mode of conducting this great Masonic duty . "

In the report of the Festival of the following year reference is again made to the ceremony of installation , " which is here performed with the most scrupluous regard to correctness , and is , as may readily be conceived very attractive . We were greatly delighted to find , at our last visit , that Bro . S . B . Wilson was sufficiently recovered to be able to conduct this

important ritual with his accustomed zeal ; and although the attendance was very numerous , our only surprise was , that the Provincial Masters did not muster in greater strength . " I may observe that from the year 18 41 down to the present time this ceremony has been regularly practised during the winter months in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement : I do not wish to

insinuate that it vvas not worked even at an earlier period * on the contrary , I am inclined to the opinion that it was worked occasionall y , probably for some years , before it was deemed advisable to introduce it as a part of the regular programme . It is quite certain , however , that from within 14 years of the promulgation of the authorised ceremony of installation it has been

constantly rehearsed under the eyes , as it were , ol the lawfully constituted Masonic authorities ; it is most unlikely , therefore , that any material deviation from the ceremony sanctioned by the Grand Master would have been allowed or even attempted . A few verbal alterations have probably been made from time to time ; but I have every reason to believe that the

ceremony now worked in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is substantially identical with that of " Board of Installation " 01 1827 . Myown connection with the lodge extends only over a period of 19 years , but Bro . James Pike , who , if I recollect rightly , vvas my proposer , had been an active member of it from the year 1833 . Bro . John Hervey ( late Grand Secretary ) who held

the office of Treasurer for upwards of 30 years , joined the lodge in 1844 , his successor , Bro . Thomas Fenn , present Treasurer , who , if tradition is correct , vvas a favourite pupil of Bro . S . B . Wilson , became a member in 1857 , and Bro . C . A . Murton , Past Grand Deacon , many years Secretary , joined during the same year . I mention these

brethren because it is mainly to them that I am indebted for whatever knowledge of the Emulation ritual and practices I am in possession of , although I might reasonably consider myself as having been the adopted child of the whole of the Committee during my working days in that lodge , as each and all were most zealous in their endeavours , both by precept and examp le ,

to inculcate and propagate the knowledge they had themselves acquired by a regularattendanceat the weekly meetings . I embrace vvith pleasure this opportunity of recording my gratitude to the late William Farnfield , Past Assistant Grand Secretary , for information particularl y interesting to me , having reierence to the history and management of the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement at a very early period of its career . This brother vvas initiated in the Lodge of Unions , No . 481 , now No . 256 , in the year 1825 , and joined the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement the following year ; his name is i 10 ' amongst those of the brethren who were present at the meetings of t ' " Board of Installation ' , " as at that time he vvas not qualified to attend , he

was , however , installed Master of his mother lodge on the 29 th January-1828 , just one month after this Board finished its labours ; he evinced a warm and active interest in the affairs of the Emulation Lodge of Impro ve " ment until advancing age compelled him to take a less prominent part m the esoteric concerns of the Craft generally , but up to within a few years of

his death ( 1876 ) his well known and venerable figure was invariably found occupying the distinguished post of "father of the lodge" at its Annual Festivals . On his retirement from the office of Assistant Grand Secretary in 1866 , Bro . Farnfield had been 41 years in the service of the Grand Lodgeconsequently his knowledge of the ceremonies , customs , and l ? . ws of f-Order must have been very nearly as extensive as that of his forme

“The Freemason: 1888-12-15, Page 2” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 30 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_15121888/page/2/.
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CONTENTS. Article 1
Untitled Article 1
OFFICIAL BULLETIN S.C. 33° U.S.A. (S.J.) Article 2
NOTES ON THE CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION. Article 2
Untitled Article 3
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF THE ISLE OF MAN. Article 4
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND HEREFORDSHIRE. Article 4
NEW MASONIC TEMPLE AT KIMBERLEY, S.A. Article 4
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Article 5
THE POET BURNS. Article 5
THE LATE BRO. SIMEON MOSELY. Article 5
Obituary. Article 5
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
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Untitled Ad 7
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Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY Article 7
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Article 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
To Correspondents. Article 7
Untitled Article 7
Original Correspondence. Article 7
REVIEWS Article 8
Masonic Notes and Queries: Article 8
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 8
INSTRUCTION. Article 11
Royal Arch. Article 11
INSTRUCTION. Article 12
Knights Templar. Article 12
Australia. Article 12
CHRISTMAS RAILWAY ARRANGEMENTS. Article 13
South Africa. Article 13
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 13
MASONIC AND TIDINGS Article 14
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
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Untitled Ad 15
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Untitled Ad 15
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METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS Article 16
PROVINCIAL MASONIC MEETINGS Article 16
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others have said before him , he is voted tiresome , while if he launches out into something with which his audience is not familiar , he runs great risk of being charged with the grievous sin of heterodoxy . Occasionally , however , we are treated to an address vvhich satisfies our love of orthodoxy by comprising whatever is just and requisite to the circumstances which called it

forth , and which , at the same time , is sufficiently interesting to be worth listening to , on the score of its own merits , and not because it is an acceptable reproduction of somebody else's ideas . Such an address as this was delivered the other day by Bro . the Rev . E . BIGOE BAGOT , Prov . Grand Chaplain of East Lancashire , at the consecration of the Thornham Lodge ,

No . 2279 , Royton . It was an address which admirably set forth the purpose as well as the virtues of Freemasonry . It was rich in ideas which , if not absolutely novel , had about them all the charm of novelty , as well as the sustaining power of truth to recommend them . Lastly , these ideas were presented in language which it must have been a treat to listen

tosimple , yet polished , as is the language of a man of culture ; brief , and to the point , yet comprehensive and far-reaching enough to satisfy the most exigent of critics . The attributes of Masonry to vvhich Bro . BAGOT gave his attention principally were its universality , its unity , and its largeheartedness , and on each and every of these our reverend brother enlarged

most eloquently , without ever being carried by his eloquence from the strict , undeviating path of truth . In short , the address impressed us most favourably when vve read it first , and the more carefully vve have read it since , the more firmly persuaded are vve that it is one of the best , and truest , and most eloquent expositions of Freemasonry which have been delivered in our day .

Official Bulletin S.C. 33° U.S.A. (S.J.)

OFFICIAL BULLETIN S . C . 33 ° U . S . A . ( S . J . )

Another grand volume—the eighth—is now completed and circulated by the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , U . S . A . ( S . J . ) , edited by the Masonic veteran , General Albert Pike , Grand Commander . This part is of special value for the reproductions of " Old Registers of Lodges" preserved in the archives of the "Supreme Council , " Washington D . C . These include the " Annual Register" of the members of the

various Degrees , from the 4 to the 33 , at Charleston in 1802 , " Tableau " of the French Prov . Lodge , the " Sagesse , " Portsmouth , Virginia , for the years 1794 and 1795 , of " Loge de St . Jean de Jerusalem , " No . 12 , Charleston ( established in 179 6 ) , tor 1801 , called " La Candeur , " also for 1803 ¦ the " Reunion Francaise " ( formed 1799 ) , No . 45 , for 1804 and 1807 •" Loge des F . Reunis , " No . 87 , for 1801 , at St . Domingo , also for the same year the " Reunion Dcsirce" ( constituted by Grand Orient of France in 1784 at

Port-au-Prince ) , and another for No . 47 , " Reunion des Cours , " Port Republican , and one for the " Sept Pre res Reunis , " at St . Domingo , of 24 th June , 1 S 02 , besides others of great interest and importance , many of the curious emblems being reproduced as vignettes on the title pages of each tableau . Several certificates are also given of brethren celebrated as Craftsmen and distinguished in this Rite , such as Auguste de Grasse Tilly ' s , of 179 6 , for the " Hig her Degrees , " John Mitchell ( native of Ireland ) , as Deputy Inspector General , A . D . 1795 , Dr . Dalcho , 1 S 0 I , and others .

The copies of the warrant and constitution ( laws , & x . ) granted by the G . C . of Princes of Jerusalem to the Lodge of Perfection in Charleston in 1 S 01 are worth preservation an d study , and so also as respects several parchments and sets of laws of various bodies of the Ineffable Degrees from 17 SS cowards . The earliest of the kind preserved date as far back as 1767 , for Albany , New York .

A transcript of the warrant granted by the Grand Council of the Princes of Jerusalem to the Mark Lodge , No . 1 ,

was made and duly printed in the work , and , being of special interest to the brethren in England , where the Mark Grand Lodge controls that Degree , a copy has been made for their information . WARRANT FOR "MARK LODGE , No . 1 , " 1 S 03 . By the Glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . Lux e Tenebiis .

From the East of the Grand of the Mo-l Sublime Council of Princes of Jerusalem under tl e Celestial Canopy ot the Zenith which answers to 32 deg ., 45 minutes North Latitude . , , Health Stability and Power . Whereas on the gth day of the month of January Anno Lucis 5 S 02 and of the Chrittian Era 1802 , A petition vvas addressed to the Grand Council of Princes of

Jerusalem by sundry Brethren Master Mark Masons , praying * that a warrant may be <• ranged to enable them to establish a Lodge of Mark Masonry , to be known and distinguish- , d . by the name of the American Eagle Mark Lodge , No . 1 . And whereas the Symbolical Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons in ihis State do not acknowledge the extenson of Masonry beyond the three fuse degrees , whereby the Petitioners could not address their prayer to that body . The Grand Council , as well for preventing illegal conviction that the establishment of Lodof Mark

Masonic Associations as from a a ge Masonry would facilitate and advance the progress of the _ Royal Art in the Sublime de'Tees , do deem it expedient to grant the prayer of the petitioners , hereby authorizing and empowering * by virtue of this warrant , our beloved and Worshipful Brother the Reverend William Bes-t , as Master , our beloved and Worshipful Brother Emanuel De la Motta , ss Senior Warden , and our beloved and Worshipful Brother Isaac'Auld , as Junior Warden , to congregate and establish a Lodge of Mark Masonry , who , as well as their

successors in office , shall diligently and faithfully , discharge and execute the duties and functions appertaining to such Lodge ( which duties and functions shall be considerd as cumprizini ; the passing of the Symbolic Chair previous to their initiation in the mysteries ' of the said Lodge ) agreeably to ancient forms and usages as heretofore established in such Lodges , and also to frame Bye Laws for their Local Government-Provided nevertheless that such forms , usages , and Bye Laws shall receive the sanction and -tuornhation of the Grand Council .

In witness whereof we , the undersigned members of the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem in open Council in Charleston , South Carolna , have hereunto set our hanii ** and affixed the Grand Sialsofour illustrious Orderin the place where the greatest Trea-ures arc deposited , lhe beholding ot which fills us with comfort joy and acknowthe under the

ledgement of all that is great and g ^ ood near B . B . C . C . this twenty-first day of the month called Shebat which answers to the twenty-first day of January Anno Lucis 5 S 02 and of the Christian Era 1 S 02 . ( Signed ) John Mitchell M . E . and President

Fredk . Dalcho Benj . Cudworth S . Grand Treasurer K . D . pro tem E Elizer . Em . D . L . Motta S . Grand Secy . J . M . E . S . M . E . pro tem . [ Seal of the Sublime Lodge , ]

Notes On The Ceremony Of Installation.

NOTES ON THE CEREMONY OF INSTALLATION .

BY BRO . H . SADLER . ( Continued from page 716 ) . From the fact of the names of Bros . Dowley , Cooper , and S . B . Wilson being mentioned conjointly as successors to Peter Gilkes in the guidance of

the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement , I should think it probable that the Iodge was then conducted in a similar manner to that in vogue in the present day , i . e ., by a Committee selected by the members from amongst the most experienced of the brethren that attend the weekly meetings .

Although it is not quite clear that Stephen Barton Wilson directl y foi lowed Gilkes in the leadership , there can be no doubt that he took an active interest in the affairs of the lodge from the period of his joining it 1832 for in 1834 his name is mentioned amongst those who attended for the

purpose of instructing their younger brethren ; and , at the Annual Festival in 1837 , a motion was " unanimously carried that a subscri ption should be opened for the purpose of presenting Brother S . B . Wilson with a Masonic jewel , to mark the high sense entertained by the Brethren for the great and valuable services rendered by him to the Lodge . "

Replying to a correspondent , the Editor of the Freemasons' Quarterl y Review , 1838 , says : "The Emulation Lodge of Improvement ( now held at Evans' Hotel , Covent Garden ) may be considered as a standard in working . " Formerly , very few , if any , of the lodges of instruction worked the ceremony of Installation of Master ; and I am inclined to think that credit

is due to Bro . Wilson for having introduced that ceremony as a portion of the regular programme in his favourite lodge , for , in the report of the Festival for 1841 , the writer says : " We were much pleased to observe that one of the most important ceremonials of the Order , that of the Installation

of Master , was fixed to be practised on the first Friday in the months of November , December , January , and February . This intelli gence will be gratefully welcomed by the Metropolitan and the Provincial Brethren , the latter more especially , as they will have an opportunity of witnessing the most correct mode of conducting this great Masonic duty . "

In the report of the Festival of the following year reference is again made to the ceremony of installation , " which is here performed with the most scrupluous regard to correctness , and is , as may readily be conceived very attractive . We were greatly delighted to find , at our last visit , that Bro . S . B . Wilson was sufficiently recovered to be able to conduct this

important ritual with his accustomed zeal ; and although the attendance was very numerous , our only surprise was , that the Provincial Masters did not muster in greater strength . " I may observe that from the year 18 41 down to the present time this ceremony has been regularly practised during the winter months in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement : I do not wish to

insinuate that it vvas not worked even at an earlier period * on the contrary , I am inclined to the opinion that it was worked occasionall y , probably for some years , before it was deemed advisable to introduce it as a part of the regular programme . It is quite certain , however , that from within 14 years of the promulgation of the authorised ceremony of installation it has been

constantly rehearsed under the eyes , as it were , ol the lawfully constituted Masonic authorities ; it is most unlikely , therefore , that any material deviation from the ceremony sanctioned by the Grand Master would have been allowed or even attempted . A few verbal alterations have probably been made from time to time ; but I have every reason to believe that the

ceremony now worked in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is substantially identical with that of " Board of Installation " 01 1827 . Myown connection with the lodge extends only over a period of 19 years , but Bro . James Pike , who , if I recollect rightly , vvas my proposer , had been an active member of it from the year 1833 . Bro . John Hervey ( late Grand Secretary ) who held

the office of Treasurer for upwards of 30 years , joined the lodge in 1844 , his successor , Bro . Thomas Fenn , present Treasurer , who , if tradition is correct , vvas a favourite pupil of Bro . S . B . Wilson , became a member in 1857 , and Bro . C . A . Murton , Past Grand Deacon , many years Secretary , joined during the same year . I mention these

brethren because it is mainly to them that I am indebted for whatever knowledge of the Emulation ritual and practices I am in possession of , although I might reasonably consider myself as having been the adopted child of the whole of the Committee during my working days in that lodge , as each and all were most zealous in their endeavours , both by precept and examp le ,

to inculcate and propagate the knowledge they had themselves acquired by a regularattendanceat the weekly meetings . I embrace vvith pleasure this opportunity of recording my gratitude to the late William Farnfield , Past Assistant Grand Secretary , for information particularl y interesting to me , having reierence to the history and management of the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement at a very early period of its career . This brother vvas initiated in the Lodge of Unions , No . 481 , now No . 256 , in the year 1825 , and joined the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement the following year ; his name is i 10 ' amongst those of the brethren who were present at the meetings of t ' " Board of Installation ' , " as at that time he vvas not qualified to attend , he

was , however , installed Master of his mother lodge on the 29 th January-1828 , just one month after this Board finished its labours ; he evinced a warm and active interest in the affairs of the Emulation Lodge of Impro ve " ment until advancing age compelled him to take a less prominent part m the esoteric concerns of the Craft generally , but up to within a few years of

his death ( 1876 ) his well known and venerable figure was invariably found occupying the distinguished post of "father of the lodge" at its Annual Festivals . On his retirement from the office of Assistant Grand Secretary in 1866 , Bro . Farnfield had been 41 years in the service of the Grand Lodgeconsequently his knowledge of the ceremonies , customs , and l ? . ws of f-Order must have been very nearly as extensive as that of his forme

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