Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of The Percy Lodge, No. 198.
CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE PERCY LODGE , No . 198 .
The Percy Lodge , No . 19 8—the warrant for which is dated January , 1791—celebrated its centenary festival at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., when brethren to the number of about 130 assembled to take part in the proceedings . At the last meeting the members elected Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B—who has filled the chair on five previous occasions in this lodge—as ' Master for the centenary year , and he was accordingly
installed on the occasion under notice for the sixth time . This was a striking example of the esteem and regard in which Bro . Lambert is held by the members , and the large number of distinguished * brethren present to witness his installation clearl y showed that their opinion is shared by the Craft generally . The lodge was opened by Bro . C . Lambert , W . M ., and the minutes confirmed . Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., was then presented as the W . M . elect , and
duly installed into the chair to preside during the ensuing year . The officers were appointed , and with the exception of Bro . Rowe , P . M ., J . W ., who was unfortunately absent through ill-health and family bereavement , were invested with their respective collars , viz .: Bros . Orchard , P . M ., S . W . ; Dr . Cowell , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Lambert , I . P . M ., Sec ; Holmden , S . D . ; Phillips , J . D . ; Hilliard , I . G . ; and John Read , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org .
The customary addresses were then delivered b y the Installing Master , Bro . CL AMBERT , I . P . M . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER announced that the M . W . G . M . had been pleased to grant a centenary warrant to the lodge , which he now asked the members to accept at his hands . He also presented Bro . Chas . Lambert , I . P . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel , observing that it was the only jewel in the Craft suspended by a chain , all others being worn with a blue ribband . Bro . Gilkes bequeathed the jewel , and permission was granted by Lord Zetland for it to be suspended by chains .
The IMMEDIATE PAST MASTER returned thanks for that mark of esteem , remarking that he had tried to do his best and no man could do more . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usualtoasts were afterwards heartily honoured , including "The Queen and the Craft " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . "
In proposing "The D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said they could well suppose that in the large Society of Freemasons , spreading all over the globe , their Grand Officers had a great deal on their hands , and a great deal to think of , more than appeared upon the surface . Those who had attended Grand Lodge might have noticed the great care always taken by their excellent friend the Grand Registrar in discharging the
duties coming before him . The revision of the Book of Constitutions , which took place some five or six years ago , was an effort on the part of the Grand Officers , and if he was not mistaken was accepted as the dictum of his excellent friend the Grand Registrar . He bore the Grand Officers a great deal of honour , and felt they were the rig ht men in the right place . He would not enumerate the whole of the 20 or more Grand Officers present , but thanked them for their attendance , and hoped they were pleased with the entertainment offered them .
Bro . R . EVE , P . G . Treasurer , said he felt a difficult duty fell upon his shoulders , although it was a great privilege to be called upon to respond on behalf of the Grand Officers . He had to thank the W . M . for the kind way in which he had spoken of them and their works . There was no doubt many of them had very onerous duties to perform , and the W . M . had properly referred to the Grand Registrar , who was one of those to whom they owed a debt of gratitude , and other
Grand Oflicers were Masons who had discharged their duties to Masonry , and were to some extent resting upon their laurels . They were pleased to have the opportunity of seeing the W . M . —an old Grand Officer—installed into the chair for the sixth time , and also to have the privilege and honour to be present to celebrate the centenary of the Percy Lodge . They all knew the birth of a young Mason was an event upon which lodges rejoiced , and if that was a matter for rejoicing , how
much greater should be the rejoicing when they had to record 100 years' existence of such a lodge as this ? He had looked at the old charter dated January , 1791 , and it was refreshing to find that the . spirit of Masonry had so much improved and increased . The Percy Lodge when it first met at the Sun public-house was not the lodge it was that day . It might have been founded in wisdom , but they knew it was established in strength when they found such men at the
head as the W . M . There was one octogenarian brother present who had been nearly 60 years in the lodge , and he carried them back for two generations , leaving only one to be accounted for . Then they had Bro . Freeman , who was also an octogenarian , and this showed the strength and vitality of the lodge and Masonry . They were pleased to find such specimens , and were gratified to see the W . M .
installed , for he was one of themselves . They congratulated the members of the lodge on its having attained its centenary , and trusted that in another 100 years their strength would be none the less , and their sphere of usefulness also none the less . They were glad of the opportunity of being present , and hoped to have the pleasure of meeting the brethren on many other occasions .
Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , Grand Registrar , proposed "The Health of the Worshi pful Master , " and said that on this , the interesting occasion of the centenary of the lodge , the personality of the W . M . was a matter of peculiar interest to himself . As they had met that day to celebrate , not merely the anniversary of the 100 th year , but the sixth installation into the chair of Bro . George Lambert , he thought it mi ght fairly be said , without putting too abstruse
an arithmetical calculation , that the lodge must highly reverence and honour the person of the W . M . as a Mason when in a long existence like a century it had to accord five years of its life to his presidency , and when , at the end of that time , it feels it is alike honouring him in honouring itself by placing him in the proud position—the highest position that any lodge could confer on any member . An occasion of this kind was one on which an allusion that went home to their hearts
conveyed far more than the most elaborate speech . The election and installation of a Master were necessary in an Institution like Masonry , but when an event like the centenary comes in the history of a lodge and finds the lodge in the full tide of its prosperity , in the full career of its Masonic usefulness—not merely resting as an old lodge upon the past , and what more honourable or what more glorious past could any lodge refer to—they found a Master in the chair for the sixth time
who was initiated 43 years ago by a distinguished brother present that ni ght ( Bro . Dr . Cross ) . The lodge did not rest merel y on its laurels of the past , but could show an Entered Apprentice to do honour and salute the newly-installed W . M . Such a lodge fulfilled truly the highest Masonic aims and ends , and that it did so under the presidency of the W . M . he was sure was the opinion of the brethren who had elected him , and if they who were privileged to be visitors mi ght be
permitted to express a word on such a matter , they most heartily and most thoroughly agreed . With regard to the distinct career of usefulness of the lodge , he referred to the lodge of instruction which was dependent upon the lodge . There were so many old Masons present that he was almost afraid to say anything about it , but perhaps there were some young Masons to whom he would say that the essence and quality of a lodge depended upon
Centenary Festival Of The Percy Lodge, No. 198.
hard work , for nothing that was worth winning was obtained without hard work , and that had always been the same as long as they had any record of the history of man . Nothing could be of greater interest to a lodge than a lodge of instruction , which offers the necessary instruction to those who join the ranks of Masonry . Suffice it to say that why he alluded to it was that it showed the usefulness and truly fraternal principles of Masonry of the lodge , and also that the W . M . had
been singularly fortunate in the efforts made in the cause of Masonry . The personal claims of the W . M . were great . He could not refer to the military , but would say that they as Masons who had the privilege of knowing Bro . George Lambert , felt that an Institution to which he was attracted must of itself be a good one , and that the W . M ., in having joined them and become so well known and so truly esteemed , must have felt that the great cause of Masonry was one to
commend itself to him to enlist his sympathies and command his exertions . On that great occasion in the history of the lodge , when Bro . Lambert ' s name was associated with such an anniversary , the lodge had done him honour and itself honour in selecting him to preside over them for the sixth time . With the greatest pleasure and utmost heartiness , he ( Bro . Philbrick ) called upon the brethren to drink to the W . M . and to the lodge ' s success , prosperity , union , and happiness in
its 100 th year of existence . Bro . Major GEORGE LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., W . M ., returned his most sincere thanks for the very kind manner in which the Grand Registrar had brought the toast before the lodge . During the period that he had had the honour of being a member—since 1844—he had passed through many gradations of office , and if a man wanted to be a thoroughly practical Mason he could only learn his work b y
going through the various offices . He had served for 15 years as Secretary , 12 years as Treasurer , and had fallen back into his old position to be their Secretary again . The Book of Constitutions was the text book , and he believed he had it very nearly at his fingers' ends , and close observance of the by-laws had enabled him to achieve the position which he now held . He might say to the youngest Masons that if they wished to ascend the ladder , it was no idle task , but
one to afford the greatest satisfaction , especially in the various Charities connected with their Craft . They would thus see that Masonry was no empty bauble , as it appeared upon the surface , but that it had something stirring at its base . Wh y had it something stirring ? Because no Mason could neglect the commands of that Book which was so closely allied to Masonry that none could tell where the first began and the other ended . He thanked the Grand Registrar for mentioning
the lodge of instruction , which dated back from 1793 or 1793 , and was doing a great deal . He held in his hand a paper signed by the Secretary , from which he could tell them that the attendances for last year had been 107 S , and an average of 25 , some having attended 39 times , and others only five or six . They were indebted to the excellent Preceptor , Bro . Cohen , who spared no time or trouble , and who was assisted by the Secretary , Bro . Galer . The two institutions were
bound together as every lodge of instruction ought to be bound to the mother lodge . Amongst the members they had had Bro . Gilkes , and also Bros . S . Barton Wilson and Cama . Leaving that part he would return sincere thanks , and assure them that he was grieved to find so many excellent and good friends not present , and he could not allow the evening to pass without mentioning the name of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , to whom he was very much indebted , and who was on a bed
of sickness . Having placed him ( the W . M . ) in the chair , no effort would be spared to evince to his good father in Masonry that he still had Masonry at heart . When one arrived at nearly 70 years he had not all the esprit de corps he formerly possessed , but on all occasions when any matter of importance came before the lodge he would endeavour to rule them , not with a rod of iron , but with suavity in modo a . ndfortiter in re . Call upon him when they would his services would be for the benefit of that lodge , and for the benefit of any brother who
required a helping hand to attain a position he desired . Before he sat down he would propose "The Health of his Cousin , Bro . Charles Lambert , I . P . M . " They would say the I . P . M . was a good descendant of the old Lamberts , and he had known about five Lamberts in that lodge . He would also include the names of the Past Masters , who had all done good suit and service . Theirs was a small lodge , and they thought that 25 were enough , but let those 25 be good and ready to discharge any duty coming before them .
Bro . CHARLES LAMBERT , I . P . M ., on behalf of the Past Masters , assured the W . M . they would do their very best to support him , and also to assist all the members . He did not think they should omit on that important occasion to say how pleased they were to be honoured with the presence of one of the Past Masters who was the oldest member of the lodge , and they hoped the Great Architect would spare him for many years . If any efforts of the Past Masters could conduce to the prosperity of the lodge , they would give their services whenever called
upon . Bro . W . G . LEMON , A . G . D . C , replied for " The Visitors , " and on their behalf returned sincere thanks—not mere formal thanks , which were given on so many occasions and meant so little—for they regarded that as a special meeting , and the circumstances connected therewith rellected great honour on the lodge . Honour to the lodge they had heard referred to b y the Grand Registrar , but the visitors had
been honoured by being permitted to be present , and to have seen not only the admirable working , but to have seen the genial smile and heard the cheery words which fell from the W . M . Bro . George Lambert was known everywhere in Masonry , and on all occasions carried with him the love and affection of all who were permitted to share his friendship or his hospitality . He did not say in the usual happy phrase that they should all like to be present again , for he was afraid
there were too many to accept that honour , but there were some bri ght sparks in their memory which ever shone forth , and he was confident he was speaking the sentiments of every visitor that he would ever record in his memory that ni ght , the 13 th January , 1891 , when , having overcome dangers and difficulties to winch the W . M . had alluded , they had met together , they had enjoyed the cordiality and friendship which held Masonry together , and had partaken of the banquet and hospitality of the Percy Lodge on the festival of their centenary .
" Success to the Percy Lodge of Instruction " was next given in cordial terms by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , and Bro . 1 . P . COHEN , P . M ., Preceptor , in response , said the lodge of instruction had gained ground since he had been connected with it , and had contributed about £ 800 to the Masonic Charities . The instruction he was able to convey , and which he did in the most genial manner possible , he felt a great pleasure in doing , and
had been able to produce some of the brethren who had presided at their mother lodge with credit . As the centenary of the lodge of instruction would not take place for a year or two , it would be premature to speak of any celebration , but they had felt inclined to give an evening ' s entertainment in the course of a few weeks , and hoped to have the presence of the W . M ., Bro . Lambert . Nothing should be wanting on his part to further the interests of the lodge of instruction or that lodge .
Bro . Dr . COWELL , P . M ., Treasurer , responded for " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said the officers that night shone with the reflected light emanating from the W . M . They were pleased to have placed Bro . Lambert in the chair tor the sixth time , for they highly esteemed him , and they most thoroughly felt him to be the right man in the right place .
In giving " Ihe Officers , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said the S . W . was a host in himself , and had introduced a number of brethren of the first class . With regard to Bro . Rowe , P . M ., J . W ., death the great leveller had kept him away , but in his absence they would wish him well . They had two good Deacons—one a very young member willing to do the work , and he was therefore glad to offer him a collar . Bro . Phillips was also a young member , and it was by coming into such a lodge as that that a man gained eminence .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Festival Of The Percy Lodge, No. 198.
CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE PERCY LODGE , No . 198 .
The Percy Lodge , No . 19 8—the warrant for which is dated January , 1791—celebrated its centenary festival at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , on Tuesday , the 13 th inst ., when brethren to the number of about 130 assembled to take part in the proceedings . At the last meeting the members elected Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B—who has filled the chair on five previous occasions in this lodge—as ' Master for the centenary year , and he was accordingly
installed on the occasion under notice for the sixth time . This was a striking example of the esteem and regard in which Bro . Lambert is held by the members , and the large number of distinguished * brethren present to witness his installation clearl y showed that their opinion is shared by the Craft generally . The lodge was opened by Bro . C . Lambert , W . M ., and the minutes confirmed . Bro . Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B ., was then presented as the W . M . elect , and
duly installed into the chair to preside during the ensuing year . The officers were appointed , and with the exception of Bro . Rowe , P . M ., J . W ., who was unfortunately absent through ill-health and family bereavement , were invested with their respective collars , viz .: Bros . Orchard , P . M ., S . W . ; Dr . Cowell , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Lambert , I . P . M ., Sec ; Holmden , S . D . ; Phillips , J . D . ; Hilliard , I . G . ; and John Read , P . P . G . Org . Middx ., Org .
The customary addresses were then delivered b y the Installing Master , Bro . CL AMBERT , I . P . M . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER announced that the M . W . G . M . had been pleased to grant a centenary warrant to the lodge , which he now asked the members to accept at his hands . He also presented Bro . Chas . Lambert , I . P . M ., with a Past Master ' s jewel , observing that it was the only jewel in the Craft suspended by a chain , all others being worn with a blue ribband . Bro . Gilkes bequeathed the jewel , and permission was granted by Lord Zetland for it to be suspended by chains .
The IMMEDIATE PAST MASTER returned thanks for that mark of esteem , remarking that he had tried to do his best and no man could do more . The lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet . The usualtoasts were afterwards heartily honoured , including "The Queen and the Craft " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . "
In proposing "The D . G . M . and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said they could well suppose that in the large Society of Freemasons , spreading all over the globe , their Grand Officers had a great deal on their hands , and a great deal to think of , more than appeared upon the surface . Those who had attended Grand Lodge might have noticed the great care always taken by their excellent friend the Grand Registrar in discharging the
duties coming before him . The revision of the Book of Constitutions , which took place some five or six years ago , was an effort on the part of the Grand Officers , and if he was not mistaken was accepted as the dictum of his excellent friend the Grand Registrar . He bore the Grand Officers a great deal of honour , and felt they were the rig ht men in the right place . He would not enumerate the whole of the 20 or more Grand Officers present , but thanked them for their attendance , and hoped they were pleased with the entertainment offered them .
Bro . R . EVE , P . G . Treasurer , said he felt a difficult duty fell upon his shoulders , although it was a great privilege to be called upon to respond on behalf of the Grand Officers . He had to thank the W . M . for the kind way in which he had spoken of them and their works . There was no doubt many of them had very onerous duties to perform , and the W . M . had properly referred to the Grand Registrar , who was one of those to whom they owed a debt of gratitude , and other
Grand Oflicers were Masons who had discharged their duties to Masonry , and were to some extent resting upon their laurels . They were pleased to have the opportunity of seeing the W . M . —an old Grand Officer—installed into the chair for the sixth time , and also to have the privilege and honour to be present to celebrate the centenary of the Percy Lodge . They all knew the birth of a young Mason was an event upon which lodges rejoiced , and if that was a matter for rejoicing , how
much greater should be the rejoicing when they had to record 100 years' existence of such a lodge as this ? He had looked at the old charter dated January , 1791 , and it was refreshing to find that the . spirit of Masonry had so much improved and increased . The Percy Lodge when it first met at the Sun public-house was not the lodge it was that day . It might have been founded in wisdom , but they knew it was established in strength when they found such men at the
head as the W . M . There was one octogenarian brother present who had been nearly 60 years in the lodge , and he carried them back for two generations , leaving only one to be accounted for . Then they had Bro . Freeman , who was also an octogenarian , and this showed the strength and vitality of the lodge and Masonry . They were pleased to find such specimens , and were gratified to see the W . M .
installed , for he was one of themselves . They congratulated the members of the lodge on its having attained its centenary , and trusted that in another 100 years their strength would be none the less , and their sphere of usefulness also none the less . They were glad of the opportunity of being present , and hoped to have the pleasure of meeting the brethren on many other occasions .
Bro . F . A . PHILBRICK , Q . C , Grand Registrar , proposed "The Health of the Worshi pful Master , " and said that on this , the interesting occasion of the centenary of the lodge , the personality of the W . M . was a matter of peculiar interest to himself . As they had met that day to celebrate , not merely the anniversary of the 100 th year , but the sixth installation into the chair of Bro . George Lambert , he thought it mi ght fairly be said , without putting too abstruse
an arithmetical calculation , that the lodge must highly reverence and honour the person of the W . M . as a Mason when in a long existence like a century it had to accord five years of its life to his presidency , and when , at the end of that time , it feels it is alike honouring him in honouring itself by placing him in the proud position—the highest position that any lodge could confer on any member . An occasion of this kind was one on which an allusion that went home to their hearts
conveyed far more than the most elaborate speech . The election and installation of a Master were necessary in an Institution like Masonry , but when an event like the centenary comes in the history of a lodge and finds the lodge in the full tide of its prosperity , in the full career of its Masonic usefulness—not merely resting as an old lodge upon the past , and what more honourable or what more glorious past could any lodge refer to—they found a Master in the chair for the sixth time
who was initiated 43 years ago by a distinguished brother present that ni ght ( Bro . Dr . Cross ) . The lodge did not rest merel y on its laurels of the past , but could show an Entered Apprentice to do honour and salute the newly-installed W . M . Such a lodge fulfilled truly the highest Masonic aims and ends , and that it did so under the presidency of the W . M . he was sure was the opinion of the brethren who had elected him , and if they who were privileged to be visitors mi ght be
permitted to express a word on such a matter , they most heartily and most thoroughly agreed . With regard to the distinct career of usefulness of the lodge , he referred to the lodge of instruction which was dependent upon the lodge . There were so many old Masons present that he was almost afraid to say anything about it , but perhaps there were some young Masons to whom he would say that the essence and quality of a lodge depended upon
Centenary Festival Of The Percy Lodge, No. 198.
hard work , for nothing that was worth winning was obtained without hard work , and that had always been the same as long as they had any record of the history of man . Nothing could be of greater interest to a lodge than a lodge of instruction , which offers the necessary instruction to those who join the ranks of Masonry . Suffice it to say that why he alluded to it was that it showed the usefulness and truly fraternal principles of Masonry of the lodge , and also that the W . M . had
been singularly fortunate in the efforts made in the cause of Masonry . The personal claims of the W . M . were great . He could not refer to the military , but would say that they as Masons who had the privilege of knowing Bro . George Lambert , felt that an Institution to which he was attracted must of itself be a good one , and that the W . M ., in having joined them and become so well known and so truly esteemed , must have felt that the great cause of Masonry was one to
commend itself to him to enlist his sympathies and command his exertions . On that great occasion in the history of the lodge , when Bro . Lambert ' s name was associated with such an anniversary , the lodge had done him honour and itself honour in selecting him to preside over them for the sixth time . With the greatest pleasure and utmost heartiness , he ( Bro . Philbrick ) called upon the brethren to drink to the W . M . and to the lodge ' s success , prosperity , union , and happiness in
its 100 th year of existence . Bro . Major GEORGE LAMBERT , P . G . S . B ., W . M ., returned his most sincere thanks for the very kind manner in which the Grand Registrar had brought the toast before the lodge . During the period that he had had the honour of being a member—since 1844—he had passed through many gradations of office , and if a man wanted to be a thoroughly practical Mason he could only learn his work b y
going through the various offices . He had served for 15 years as Secretary , 12 years as Treasurer , and had fallen back into his old position to be their Secretary again . The Book of Constitutions was the text book , and he believed he had it very nearly at his fingers' ends , and close observance of the by-laws had enabled him to achieve the position which he now held . He might say to the youngest Masons that if they wished to ascend the ladder , it was no idle task , but
one to afford the greatest satisfaction , especially in the various Charities connected with their Craft . They would thus see that Masonry was no empty bauble , as it appeared upon the surface , but that it had something stirring at its base . Wh y had it something stirring ? Because no Mason could neglect the commands of that Book which was so closely allied to Masonry that none could tell where the first began and the other ended . He thanked the Grand Registrar for mentioning
the lodge of instruction , which dated back from 1793 or 1793 , and was doing a great deal . He held in his hand a paper signed by the Secretary , from which he could tell them that the attendances for last year had been 107 S , and an average of 25 , some having attended 39 times , and others only five or six . They were indebted to the excellent Preceptor , Bro . Cohen , who spared no time or trouble , and who was assisted by the Secretary , Bro . Galer . The two institutions were
bound together as every lodge of instruction ought to be bound to the mother lodge . Amongst the members they had had Bro . Gilkes , and also Bros . S . Barton Wilson and Cama . Leaving that part he would return sincere thanks , and assure them that he was grieved to find so many excellent and good friends not present , and he could not allow the evening to pass without mentioning the name of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , to whom he was very much indebted , and who was on a bed
of sickness . Having placed him ( the W . M . ) in the chair , no effort would be spared to evince to his good father in Masonry that he still had Masonry at heart . When one arrived at nearly 70 years he had not all the esprit de corps he formerly possessed , but on all occasions when any matter of importance came before the lodge he would endeavour to rule them , not with a rod of iron , but with suavity in modo a . ndfortiter in re . Call upon him when they would his services would be for the benefit of that lodge , and for the benefit of any brother who
required a helping hand to attain a position he desired . Before he sat down he would propose "The Health of his Cousin , Bro . Charles Lambert , I . P . M . " They would say the I . P . M . was a good descendant of the old Lamberts , and he had known about five Lamberts in that lodge . He would also include the names of the Past Masters , who had all done good suit and service . Theirs was a small lodge , and they thought that 25 were enough , but let those 25 be good and ready to discharge any duty coming before them .
Bro . CHARLES LAMBERT , I . P . M ., on behalf of the Past Masters , assured the W . M . they would do their very best to support him , and also to assist all the members . He did not think they should omit on that important occasion to say how pleased they were to be honoured with the presence of one of the Past Masters who was the oldest member of the lodge , and they hoped the Great Architect would spare him for many years . If any efforts of the Past Masters could conduce to the prosperity of the lodge , they would give their services whenever called
upon . Bro . W . G . LEMON , A . G . D . C , replied for " The Visitors , " and on their behalf returned sincere thanks—not mere formal thanks , which were given on so many occasions and meant so little—for they regarded that as a special meeting , and the circumstances connected therewith rellected great honour on the lodge . Honour to the lodge they had heard referred to b y the Grand Registrar , but the visitors had
been honoured by being permitted to be present , and to have seen not only the admirable working , but to have seen the genial smile and heard the cheery words which fell from the W . M . Bro . George Lambert was known everywhere in Masonry , and on all occasions carried with him the love and affection of all who were permitted to share his friendship or his hospitality . He did not say in the usual happy phrase that they should all like to be present again , for he was afraid
there were too many to accept that honour , but there were some bri ght sparks in their memory which ever shone forth , and he was confident he was speaking the sentiments of every visitor that he would ever record in his memory that ni ght , the 13 th January , 1891 , when , having overcome dangers and difficulties to winch the W . M . had alluded , they had met together , they had enjoyed the cordiality and friendship which held Masonry together , and had partaken of the banquet and hospitality of the Percy Lodge on the festival of their centenary .
" Success to the Percy Lodge of Instruction " was next given in cordial terms by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , and Bro . 1 . P . COHEN , P . M ., Preceptor , in response , said the lodge of instruction had gained ground since he had been connected with it , and had contributed about £ 800 to the Masonic Charities . The instruction he was able to convey , and which he did in the most genial manner possible , he felt a great pleasure in doing , and
had been able to produce some of the brethren who had presided at their mother lodge with credit . As the centenary of the lodge of instruction would not take place for a year or two , it would be premature to speak of any celebration , but they had felt inclined to give an evening ' s entertainment in the course of a few weeks , and hoped to have the presence of the W . M ., Bro . Lambert . Nothing should be wanting on his part to further the interests of the lodge of instruction or that lodge .
Bro . Dr . COWELL , P . M ., Treasurer , responded for " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said the officers that night shone with the reflected light emanating from the W . M . They were pleased to have placed Bro . Lambert in the chair tor the sixth time , for they highly esteemed him , and they most thoroughly felt him to be the right man in the right place .
In giving " Ihe Officers , the WORSHIPFUL MASTER said the S . W . was a host in himself , and had introduced a number of brethren of the first class . With regard to Bro . Rowe , P . M ., J . W ., death the great leveller had kept him away , but in his absence they would wish him well . They had two good Deacons—one a very young member willing to do the work , and he was therefore glad to offer him a collar . Bro . Phillips was also a young member , and it was by coming into such a lodge as that that a man gained eminence .