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Article Untitled ← Page 2 of 2 Article A MASONIC FRIENDLY SOCIETY. Page 1 of 1 Article A MASONIC FRIENDLY SOCIETY. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article MASONIC LITERATURE. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
ONE by one , like the Crusaders from Palestine , our good brethren are struggling back to the " little village . " They are coming home from far and nea . r , from proximate marine villas and remote Welsh vales , from the Land of Lakes , from Switzerland , from the Rhine , from Scarborough and
Harrogate , from Felixstowe and CIactoi ,-on-Sea . We met a distinguished brother the other day , blooming and serene , and we congratulated him on his countrified appearance . " Yes , " he said , " I have been a fortnight away . " Happy man ! We trust that all have enjoyed their holiday tours , and have returned to lodge work and lodge symposia as earnest , as zealous , and as
genial as ever . * " ± THE statement that Bio . B EST is about to withdraw from Freemasons ' Tavern in favour of Messrs . SPIERS and POND , will , we think be received with general feelings of regret , yet with the accompaniment of " hearty
good wishes" for his successors in that onerous , and yet Jet us hope and believe , lucrative position . Our Masonic commissariat is a most important item in the movement and the campaigns of our Masonic army . Under Bro . BEST ' S regime , the most inveterate grumbler must admit that things have vastly improved , while for thoss who are easily contented , his efforts
to please have been well received and readily recognised . Those of us who can recall their first experience of a Freemasons' Festival , or a Freemasons' Tavern dinner , will feelingly proclaim Bro . BEST ' S , constant attention and marked improvements in all arrangements are deserving of all praise . We trust that if our authorities confirm the transfer
of the lease , under the liberal direction of Messrs . SPIERS and P OND the same sensible advance will be maintained ; nay , even still greater progress will be made . There are many difficulties we are fully aware in the paths of all Masonic caterers ; but tender meat and old wine are much better for the digestions and tempers of Masonic assemblies than even the most
skilfully concocted " menu . " Such , accommodation , however , is not always so easy to procure for us all just now as some might be disposed to think ; but as people must eat and drink to support exhausted nature , and even Freemasons are not exempt from the wants and necessities of human infirmity , let us trust that , like as in the past so in the future , the social circle of Freemasonry
may be always distinguished by the wholesomeness of its " materiel ' and the commendable creature comforts suggested by the best and most thoughtful of Stewards . AH habitues of Freemasons' Tavern will be pleased to hear that Bro . DAWKINS continues his active superintendence ; and all are sensible of his unfailing courtesy , his evident desire to please , his friendly efforts to make matters go smoothly , easily , and agreeably for all concerned .
A Masonic Friendly Society.
A MASONIC FRIENDLY SOCIETY .
BY BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . Some weeks ago I sent you an account of an old Masonic Benefit Society in existence in 1 S 00 , and which had received the imprimatur of the Grand Lodge in that year , but which seems to have dropped out of existence at some subsequent unknown period . Benefit societies of a similar kind have , I
notice , been formed from time to time by members of lodges , and are mentioned in old minute-books . In the library of the York Lodge , No . 236 , there is a little book referring to a Masonic friendly society of very much earlier date than the one above referred to . This book is the sixth edition of the "Rules and orders to be observed by a Friendly Society of Free and Accepted
Masons , who have mutually agreed to establish a fund for the support of each other under sickness , lameness , blindness , imprisonment , & c , constituted the 27 th day of January , 173 8 ; and now held the second and fourth Mondays in every month at the house of Mrs . Armstrong , at the Coach and Horses , in Holborn . " Asthissixth edition was published in 177 S , the society
must have had an existence at that time of forty years . In the introduction is a prayer and exhortation "to be read by the master or clerk every Quarterly night at the opening of the lodge , " in which the members are cautioned against the admission of doubtful persons into Masonry and their society . The rules are long , and I will only pick out a few of the more notable items in order to convey an idea of their scope and objects .
The Society was confined strictly to Masons , and was not to exceed sixty-one in number of members . No one under forty-one could be admitted ; and no soldier , sailor , carman , porter , labourer , livery-servant , apprentice , sheriffs-officer , bailiff or their assistants , carpenter , mason , bricklayer , plasterer , plumber , glazier , house-painter , water-gilder ,
coachman or waterman , plying for hire , was eligible . Other restrictions , as to character , were also laid down . The entrance fee was £ 1 us . 6 d „ and the subscription a shilling each night of meeting , and there were certain fines for non-attendance and neglect of duty . Twenty shillings could be spent , I suppose in materials for jollity , each night . The allowance in case of
sickness , " general distempers or illnesses occasioned by voluntary fighting excepted , " was 15 s . per week , if the Society had £ 500 in hand , but less in proportion to the funds available . Permanently disabled members were allowed 5 s . a week for life ; £ 5 was granted for the funeral expenses of a deceased member , and £ 15 to his widow ; and if a member ' s wife died he
got ^ 5 for her funeral . The accounts were kept by " a clerk—a sober man of reputation and abilities , " and both he and the tyler were to be exempt from certain fines . There were fines for drunkenness and swearing , as well as calling for liquor without the Master's leave ; and the Junior Warden's
duty was to keep the liquor score on a slate . 'I he Chairman at the time of making these rules was John Young ; the Master was John Adam Mangaar ; and the Clerk , Samuel Prosser ; in addition to whose names , at the foot of the rules , are the follosving ; Benjamin Field , Edward Hughes , Lewis
A Masonic Friendly Society.
Higden , Joseph Elham , John Godfned Elbell , W . Harvey , John Price , Ezekiel Varenne , Alexander Lindsay , Christopher Carpenter , Thos . Fleming , Thos . Verrall , and John Malkin . Then occurs a list of members , their callings and addresses . Twoof these were " original members , " and must , therefore ,
have attained a good old age . John Young , the Chairman , an undertaker , broker , and appraiser , of Kentish Town , was one , and Robert Scott , shoemaker , Lambeth Marsh , was the other . Then come the rest , admitted subsequently to the constitution of the Society at dates varying from 1743 to 177 6 , most of them being tradesmen , shoemakers and printers most numerous .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
f he monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall . There were present : Bros . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., in the chair , Charles John Perceval , C . A . Cottebrune , John Sampson Peirce , Fredk . Adlard , James Brette , Robert . P . Tate , Edgar Bowyer , A . H . Tattershall , J . M . Case , Thomas Cubitt , J . L . Moore
J . E . Gordon Robbins , James Terry ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey , Freemason After reading and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . TERRY informed the Comtiiitte that at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge on the 6 th inst ., the grant of / 800 per annum to this Institution from the Fund of
General Purposes , in addition to £ 800 a year at present received , was confirmed , and before the next meeting of the Committee he hoped he should be in receipt of a cheque for , £ 200 for the first quarter ' s instalment of the grant Bro . TERRY next reported the death of five annuitants .
Some grants of a quarter's annuity were made to the representatives of deceased annuitan ts , whose death had occurred a day or two before the current quarter ' s annuity was due . Half their late husbands' annuities were granted to two widows of deceased annuitants .
Authority was given to transfer £ 500 , part of £ 2300 now on deposit at the London and Westminster Bank , from the Deposit to the General Account . Two petitions were received and ex amined , and the petitioners placed on the list of candidates for next May election .
It was resolved to paint the building and the new central hall of the Institution at Croydon , at a cost not exceeding . £ 250 , the operation not to commence till the spring of next year . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Worcestershire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE .
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire was held , under the auspices of the Royal Standard Lodge , No . 498 , at the Public Hall , Dudley , on Wednesday last . The Grand Lodge was opened at one o ' clock . Among the brethren present were Bros , the Ri ght Worshipful Grand Master , Sir Edmund A . H . Lcchmcre , Bart ., M . P ., W .
Masefield , A . F . Godson , Baron de Ferrieres , M . P ., Lieut .-Col . Tuster Gough , Rev . W . Randall , Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , Rev . J . B . Wilson , Charles Frendelow , J . Aston , John Bodenham , George Bond , T . Spencer , A . Brown , Loxdale Warren , S . Wood , Chitty , P . S . Harris , and George Taylor , Grand Secretary .
After some formal business an address was presented to Bro . W . Masefield , P . D . P . G . M . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then appointed Bro . A . F . Godson , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in the place of Bro . Masefield . The patent of the Worshi pful Deputy Provincial Grand Master was read , and Bro . Godson was then formall y installed into the office .
The charity jewel was afterwards presented to Bros . W . Burkley and H . F . Dale , of 280 ; G . H . Williamson , 529 ; and G . VV . Grosvener , 1 S 74 ; they having served as Stewards at two of the charity festivals . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren walked in procession to attend divine service at St . Luke ' s Church , where the sermon
was preached by Bro . the Rev . J . B . Wilson , M . A ., Rector of St . Helen ' s , Worcester , Provincial Grand Chaplain . The offertory was divided between St . Luke's School and the Guest Hospital . At the close of the service the procession returned to the Dudley Arms Hotel , where a banquet was served . A full report will appear next week .
Masonic Literature.
MASONIC LITERATURE .
BY FRANK W . BAXTER IN THE " VOICE OF MASONRY . " " On entering upon the study of our art , the Masonic student will find it indispensably necessary to read the current Masonic literature of the day , " says a model Secretary of one of our southern jurisdictions in one of his annual reports .
While reading the report from which the above extract is taken , this question presented itself—How many Masons are there who enter upon the examination of our art as a stud y ? for Masonry is an art , when taken in its true character and bearings . Yes , it is an art peculiar to itself , not only embracing the various forms of literature , but the arts and sciences , which are symbolised by " Geometry , which is the basis of our art . "
Unfortunately for the institution of Freemasonry , there are Masons who , although they are within the portals of our temple , yet are not of us , only as far as numbersare concerned . We may well call them pleasure-day Masons , who , enjoying as they do all the pleasures of the Craft and reaping of all its benefits , are unwilling to perform any of its labours , or endure any of those privations which befall us .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
ONE by one , like the Crusaders from Palestine , our good brethren are struggling back to the " little village . " They are coming home from far and nea . r , from proximate marine villas and remote Welsh vales , from the Land of Lakes , from Switzerland , from the Rhine , from Scarborough and
Harrogate , from Felixstowe and CIactoi ,-on-Sea . We met a distinguished brother the other day , blooming and serene , and we congratulated him on his countrified appearance . " Yes , " he said , " I have been a fortnight away . " Happy man ! We trust that all have enjoyed their holiday tours , and have returned to lodge work and lodge symposia as earnest , as zealous , and as
genial as ever . * " ± THE statement that Bio . B EST is about to withdraw from Freemasons ' Tavern in favour of Messrs . SPIERS and POND , will , we think be received with general feelings of regret , yet with the accompaniment of " hearty
good wishes" for his successors in that onerous , and yet Jet us hope and believe , lucrative position . Our Masonic commissariat is a most important item in the movement and the campaigns of our Masonic army . Under Bro . BEST ' S regime , the most inveterate grumbler must admit that things have vastly improved , while for thoss who are easily contented , his efforts
to please have been well received and readily recognised . Those of us who can recall their first experience of a Freemasons' Festival , or a Freemasons' Tavern dinner , will feelingly proclaim Bro . BEST ' S , constant attention and marked improvements in all arrangements are deserving of all praise . We trust that if our authorities confirm the transfer
of the lease , under the liberal direction of Messrs . SPIERS and P OND the same sensible advance will be maintained ; nay , even still greater progress will be made . There are many difficulties we are fully aware in the paths of all Masonic caterers ; but tender meat and old wine are much better for the digestions and tempers of Masonic assemblies than even the most
skilfully concocted " menu . " Such , accommodation , however , is not always so easy to procure for us all just now as some might be disposed to think ; but as people must eat and drink to support exhausted nature , and even Freemasons are not exempt from the wants and necessities of human infirmity , let us trust that , like as in the past so in the future , the social circle of Freemasonry
may be always distinguished by the wholesomeness of its " materiel ' and the commendable creature comforts suggested by the best and most thoughtful of Stewards . AH habitues of Freemasons' Tavern will be pleased to hear that Bro . DAWKINS continues his active superintendence ; and all are sensible of his unfailing courtesy , his evident desire to please , his friendly efforts to make matters go smoothly , easily , and agreeably for all concerned .
A Masonic Friendly Society.
A MASONIC FRIENDLY SOCIETY .
BY BRO . T . B . WHYTEHEAD . Some weeks ago I sent you an account of an old Masonic Benefit Society in existence in 1 S 00 , and which had received the imprimatur of the Grand Lodge in that year , but which seems to have dropped out of existence at some subsequent unknown period . Benefit societies of a similar kind have , I
notice , been formed from time to time by members of lodges , and are mentioned in old minute-books . In the library of the York Lodge , No . 236 , there is a little book referring to a Masonic friendly society of very much earlier date than the one above referred to . This book is the sixth edition of the "Rules and orders to be observed by a Friendly Society of Free and Accepted
Masons , who have mutually agreed to establish a fund for the support of each other under sickness , lameness , blindness , imprisonment , & c , constituted the 27 th day of January , 173 8 ; and now held the second and fourth Mondays in every month at the house of Mrs . Armstrong , at the Coach and Horses , in Holborn . " Asthissixth edition was published in 177 S , the society
must have had an existence at that time of forty years . In the introduction is a prayer and exhortation "to be read by the master or clerk every Quarterly night at the opening of the lodge , " in which the members are cautioned against the admission of doubtful persons into Masonry and their society . The rules are long , and I will only pick out a few of the more notable items in order to convey an idea of their scope and objects .
The Society was confined strictly to Masons , and was not to exceed sixty-one in number of members . No one under forty-one could be admitted ; and no soldier , sailor , carman , porter , labourer , livery-servant , apprentice , sheriffs-officer , bailiff or their assistants , carpenter , mason , bricklayer , plasterer , plumber , glazier , house-painter , water-gilder ,
coachman or waterman , plying for hire , was eligible . Other restrictions , as to character , were also laid down . The entrance fee was £ 1 us . 6 d „ and the subscription a shilling each night of meeting , and there were certain fines for non-attendance and neglect of duty . Twenty shillings could be spent , I suppose in materials for jollity , each night . The allowance in case of
sickness , " general distempers or illnesses occasioned by voluntary fighting excepted , " was 15 s . per week , if the Society had £ 500 in hand , but less in proportion to the funds available . Permanently disabled members were allowed 5 s . a week for life ; £ 5 was granted for the funeral expenses of a deceased member , and £ 15 to his widow ; and if a member ' s wife died he
got ^ 5 for her funeral . The accounts were kept by " a clerk—a sober man of reputation and abilities , " and both he and the tyler were to be exempt from certain fines . There were fines for drunkenness and swearing , as well as calling for liquor without the Master's leave ; and the Junior Warden's
duty was to keep the liquor score on a slate . 'I he Chairman at the time of making these rules was John Young ; the Master was John Adam Mangaar ; and the Clerk , Samuel Prosser ; in addition to whose names , at the foot of the rules , are the follosving ; Benjamin Field , Edward Hughes , Lewis
A Masonic Friendly Society.
Higden , Joseph Elham , John Godfned Elbell , W . Harvey , John Price , Ezekiel Varenne , Alexander Lindsay , Christopher Carpenter , Thos . Fleming , Thos . Verrall , and John Malkin . Then occurs a list of members , their callings and addresses . Twoof these were " original members , " and must , therefore ,
have attained a good old age . John Young , the Chairman , an undertaker , broker , and appraiser , of Kentish Town , was one , and Robert Scott , shoemaker , Lambeth Marsh , was the other . Then come the rest , admitted subsequently to the constitution of the Society at dates varying from 1743 to 177 6 , most of them being tradesmen , shoemakers and printers most numerous .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
f he monthly meeting of the Committee of this Institution was held on Wednesday afternoon , at Freemasons' Hall . There were present : Bros . Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., in the chair , Charles John Perceval , C . A . Cottebrune , John Sampson Peirce , Fredk . Adlard , James Brette , Robert . P . Tate , Edgar Bowyer , A . H . Tattershall , J . M . Case , Thomas Cubitt , J . L . Moore
J . E . Gordon Robbins , James Terry ( Secretary ) , and H . Massey , Freemason After reading and confirmation of the minutes , Bro . TERRY informed the Comtiiitte that at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge on the 6 th inst ., the grant of / 800 per annum to this Institution from the Fund of
General Purposes , in addition to £ 800 a year at present received , was confirmed , and before the next meeting of the Committee he hoped he should be in receipt of a cheque for , £ 200 for the first quarter ' s instalment of the grant Bro . TERRY next reported the death of five annuitants .
Some grants of a quarter's annuity were made to the representatives of deceased annuitan ts , whose death had occurred a day or two before the current quarter ' s annuity was due . Half their late husbands' annuities were granted to two widows of deceased annuitants .
Authority was given to transfer £ 500 , part of £ 2300 now on deposit at the London and Westminster Bank , from the Deposit to the General Account . Two petitions were received and ex amined , and the petitioners placed on the list of candidates for next May election .
It was resolved to paint the building and the new central hall of the Institution at Croydon , at a cost not exceeding . £ 250 , the operation not to commence till the spring of next year . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Worcestershire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE .
The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire was held , under the auspices of the Royal Standard Lodge , No . 498 , at the Public Hall , Dudley , on Wednesday last . The Grand Lodge was opened at one o ' clock . Among the brethren present were Bros , the Ri ght Worshipful Grand Master , Sir Edmund A . H . Lcchmcre , Bart ., M . P ., W .
Masefield , A . F . Godson , Baron de Ferrieres , M . P ., Lieut .-Col . Tuster Gough , Rev . W . Randall , Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , Rev . J . B . Wilson , Charles Frendelow , J . Aston , John Bodenham , George Bond , T . Spencer , A . Brown , Loxdale Warren , S . Wood , Chitty , P . S . Harris , and George Taylor , Grand Secretary .
After some formal business an address was presented to Bro . W . Masefield , P . D . P . G . M . The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then appointed Bro . A . F . Godson , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in the place of Bro . Masefield . The patent of the Worshi pful Deputy Provincial Grand Master was read , and Bro . Godson was then formall y installed into the office .
The charity jewel was afterwards presented to Bros . W . Burkley and H . F . Dale , of 280 ; G . H . Williamson , 529 ; and G . VV . Grosvener , 1 S 74 ; they having served as Stewards at two of the charity festivals . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren walked in procession to attend divine service at St . Luke ' s Church , where the sermon
was preached by Bro . the Rev . J . B . Wilson , M . A ., Rector of St . Helen ' s , Worcester , Provincial Grand Chaplain . The offertory was divided between St . Luke's School and the Guest Hospital . At the close of the service the procession returned to the Dudley Arms Hotel , where a banquet was served . A full report will appear next week .
Masonic Literature.
MASONIC LITERATURE .
BY FRANK W . BAXTER IN THE " VOICE OF MASONRY . " " On entering upon the study of our art , the Masonic student will find it indispensably necessary to read the current Masonic literature of the day , " says a model Secretary of one of our southern jurisdictions in one of his annual reports .
While reading the report from which the above extract is taken , this question presented itself—How many Masons are there who enter upon the examination of our art as a stud y ? for Masonry is an art , when taken in its true character and bearings . Yes , it is an art peculiar to itself , not only embracing the various forms of literature , but the arts and sciences , which are symbolised by " Geometry , which is the basis of our art . "
Unfortunately for the institution of Freemasonry , there are Masons who , although they are within the portals of our temple , yet are not of us , only as far as numbersare concerned . We may well call them pleasure-day Masons , who , enjoying as they do all the pleasures of the Craft and reaping of all its benefits , are unwilling to perform any of its labours , or endure any of those privations which befall us .