Summer Festival Of The Fidelity Lodge No. 3.

SUMMER FESTIVAL OF THE FIDELITY LODGE No . 3 .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . DEARSLEY . The Fidelity Lodge , No . 3 , dating almost from time immemorial , held its annual summer gathering under singularly fortunatecircumstanc . es at the Crystal Palace . Sydenham , on Tuesday last . In consequence 0 f the recent heavy rains the flowers looked beautiful ,

and , together with the other attractions of the palace , rendered the occasion one of peculiar pleasure and satisfaction . There were between sixty and eighty brethren present , including Bros . Cardwell , W . M . ; Terry , S . W . ; Enyler , J . W . ; Kelk , S . D . ; Squires , Sec . ; -Dearsley , Treas . and Father of the lodge ;

Potts , Ty ler . The visitors included Bros . Rev . Robert J . ' Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain ; Biggs , Past Grand Sword Bearer ; John Einmens , P . M . and Past Graud Pursuivant , & c . ; Bayncr ( P . M . 56 ) , Howard ( Lodge of Brotherly Love ) , Collier ( W . M . 200 ) , Quelch ( P . M . 619 ) , Henry Muggeridge ( P . M . 715 ,

Preceptor , & c ) , Young ( 12 ) , Dearsley , junr ., Gaywood ( 200 ) , Sampson ( 152 ) , Ward ( 75-1 ) , Simms ( late No . 31 , Palmer ( St . James 965 ) , Hamilton ( Mount Moriah 34 ) , Avery ( 619 ) and Chas . E . Thompson , JAY ., Southern Star , 1 , 158 and 177 ) . The banquet was provided in a room overlooking

the gardens anil terraces , and was served under Bro . Bertram ' s personal superintendence . It comprised every obtainable delicacy of the season , and gave the most unqualified satisfaction ; many old Masons remarking they had been to hundreds of dinners in their time , but at none of which were they better

served . During the banquet , and before the cloth was removed , The W . M . rose and said he had just received a telegraphic communication from a very worthy and esteemed brother ( Bro . Arthur McNamara ) , who had been looking forward to this meeting for some time

past , and was now unfortunately kept away through a severe accident which he sustained on Friday last . The telegram was to the following effect : — " Castle-street , Finsbury " . "To the W . M ., Fidelity Lod ge , —Happy to take wine with you , old fellow . I wish you liealth and

prosperity . " He was quite sure that at the mere mention of his ( Bro . Me . Vamara's ) name , they would all be happy to , respond to his request . ( Hear , hear . ) He therefore proposed they should all take wine with him , as he was ( although confined to his room ) in all probability

taking wine with them . ( Bro . McNamara was toasted with ' much enthusiasm , and a telegram despatched informing dim of the fact . From the cordiality with which his name was received , it was evident that Bro . McNamara is held in high esteem by tho brethren , and great regret was expressed by the brethren at

tho unforeseen circumstance which had deprived them of so genial a companion . ) Grace was then said by Bro . Simpson , P . G . Chap ., The W . M . proposed the health of Her Majesty , and said it was a toast which was alway looked upon with pleasure by Englishmen , and by none more so

than by Freemasons . He did not know if he were to attempt to discourse for a long period , that he could say anything which they hail not already heard in favour of the Queen , and as there were a great many brethren present who lived at considerable distances , he would not detain them by long speeches ,

hut content himself by simply asking them to join with him in drinking the health of the Queen . ( Cheers . ) Bro . DONALD KIXO sang the solo parts of the national anthem . 'Hie W . M . said he felt quite sure tho brethren

would drink the next toast with the same enthusiasm they always did when at home in the Fidelity Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) It was the Right Hon . the Earl ol Zetland , AV . M . G / . M of Masons . ' . rite name of the Earl of Zetland , in Freemasonry , was in itself a sufficient recommendation to induce them to drink the

toast , but when he informed them that he had been elected for the 2 tith time to preside over the Craft , they would drink the toast with more than ordinary enthusiasm . Without going further into his merits , lie pave them " The Rig ht Hon . the Earl of Zetland , MAV . G . M . " fCheers . A really good fire was

given . ) Bro . Plrllips ( son of the celebrated Henry Phillips ) sang l , My Guiding Star . " In proposing the next toast , tho Chairman said they had so often beard of the . good qualities of the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and liipou in relercuco to Masonry , that it would be a waste of time for him to descant upon them . He was at present one of

Her Majesty ' s ministers , mid one frequently engaged in Her Majesty ' s council ; he , nevertheless , found time to devote to Freemasonry , for whenever there was Anything important to do , or important to be said , ho was always in his place . lie thought the Craft ought to consider themselves extremel y " hig hly honoured in having a nobleman possessing so . much ability , and so much zeal in the interests of the Craft

Summer Festival Of The Fidelity Lodge No. 3.

i n the position lie held in Freemasonry . ( Hear , hear . ) He would therefore give them u The I > eputy Grand Master of Masons , the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the rest of the grand officers , past and present . " They had several illustrious officers present that day , and amr-. ngst them was Bro .

Simpson , Past Grand Chaplain . He ( the W . M . ) had no doubt there were many brethren present who witnessed the ceremony of the inauguration of the new building at Freemasons' Hall , and they must have been , as he was , hi ghly gratified at the oration which Bro . Simpson delivered on that occasion . He

believed it not only contained historical recollections with respect to Freemasonry , but it also contained historical truths and aphorisms which they would all do well to remember . He was quite sure that address would be handed down to posterity , and read with pleasure in ages to come .

I he toast was enthusiastically received . Bro . SIMPSON , P . G . Chap ., who was loudly cheered , returned thanks on behalf of the Grand Lodge of England , for the . kind and handsome manner in which the toast had been received . With regard to the Earl do Grey and Ripon , he said he need but say little , for

in whatever he took part , as in the Grand Lodge , he always threw his heart into his work , and therefore did it well . He believed that if a day should come when they would look for a Grand Master , there was no one they could look forward to with greater hope and promise than he . ( Hear , hear . ) He ( Bro . Simpson )

thanked the W . M ., fcrsinglinghim out in the presence of two brethren his seniors , ( Bros . J . Einmens and Biggs . ) He thanked Bro . Simms , his immediate host , for the great pleasure he had conferred upon him in inviting him tobeprescnt on that occasion , at being present at this summer meeting of the Fidelity Lodge .

It did confer upon him very sincere pleasure to have been present on that occasion , and to meet so many Brother Freemasons , whom he had reason to believe stood high among their fellow-men , and as long as such a lodge as the Fidelity existed , the Giand Lodge need not want the means to recruit its strength .

( Hear , hear . ) Ho believed a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Prance had been called for the purpose of condemning the allocution of the Pope , and lie was of opinion that the determination ' come to upon that occasion , that it would be better to take no notice of it

was a wise one . While they let the Pope alone , he thought that great Potentate would have quite enough to do to mind his own business . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) He again thanked the brethren for their kindness .

The W . M ., then rose and said : Brethren , I am about , on the present occasion , to depart from the usual routine which we adopt on these occasions . You are aware that this evening we are about to do honour to the Father of the Lodge , who is also the Treasurer . ( Cheers . ) In the first place , therefore , I will propose

his health , and I am quite sure it will need no recommendation or words from me to induce you to drink it with enthusiasm , when I tell you that Bro . Dearsley is the Father of the Lodge , and that he has been a member of it for now nearly 10 years ; that he has exerted himself in every possible way for the interest

of the lodge , and that he has introduced more members than perhaps any other person connected with the lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) That lie is always ready to do his duty as a Mason , as a father , as a ' husband—( hear , hear , )—and as a citizen ; that his hand is always ready for the purposes of charity , —( hear , hear ,

and cheers , )—no matter whether it is connected with Freemasonry or with any other institution . I believe that there is no member of the Institution who possesses those qualities which are necessary to make a man a true mason more than our Bro . Dearsley docs . I believe that in every respect he is a

true Mason . He has served tho interests ot the lodge , he has served the interests of Freemasonry , and the community in general , and when 1 say that " l need say no more . Without further preface , I give you tho liealth of our Bro . Dearsley , the Father of the Lodge and the Treasurer , and at the same time , I will

beg his acceptance of a very handsome testimonial . ( Loud and prolonged cheering . ) A testimonial whhih has been subscribed for by almost every member of the lodge , and which is of itself sufficient to show the esteem and respect which every member of the lodge has for him . ( Hear , hear , and renewed cheers . ) Iain

quite sure that when our Bro . Dearsley looks upon that _ testimonial , anil reads the inscription , which , ) he will find written upon it , he will say . "I am very p leased that I have in my endeavours to serve the interest of the lodge won the esteem and affection of every member "—( much applause )—and when his

family look upon it , they will lpok upon it , perhaps not so much for its intrinsic value , but for the feeling which is evinced by the . Lodge Fidelity for its oldest member . ( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , ' without saying more , I will give you the health , long life , and prosperity of our Bro . Dearsley , the Father and Treasurer of the lodge .

In obedience to a desire expressed by some of the members , that the ins .-ription should be read , the W . M . read the inscription , which hail been magnificently done . It was written in old English lettering

Summer Festival Of The Fidelity Lodge No. 3.

and was mounted and framed in a handsome manner . The inscription , which was accompanied by a very elegantly chased solid silver tea and coffee service , wonh 100 guineas , was as follows : —'' Presented , with a silver tea and coffee service , to Bro . Henry Dearsley , P . M ., and Treasurer of Lodge of Fidelity , No . 3 , by

several of the present and past members of the lodge , in testimony of his long and valuable services , and ' his unwearied exertions in promoting the welfare of tlie lodge and its members . July loth , ISO' 9 . " The WM . continued . : Brethren , I could say a great deal morein favour of our Bro . Dearsley , but I think it would be

waste of time . I will content myself b y asking you to drink most cordially his gcod health , and begging his acceptance of the handsome testimonial you see before you . It is almost needless to say the toast was drunk with enthusiasm , and more than usual Masonic honours

paid to the reci pient . Bro . DEARSLEV ' S rising was the signal for another outburst of applause , and it was some minutes before he could obtain a hearing , when he did ( speaking with some emotion ) , he said : W . Master , in rising ; to respond to the toast you have kindly placed before the

brethren , I assure you I do so with some diffidence , because I feel that I am not deserving of one half of the encomiums you have been pleased to pass upon me , and in the second place my inadequacy to convey to you in words , the outpourings of agratfcful heart . Worshipful Sir , during the many years I have been connected

with this lodge , I have made many dear friends , many of whom also have passed away from among us , and I trust I have never made an enemy . ( Hear , hear . ) The lodge has been pleased to place me in many positions , and among them that of wine-steward . With regard to my position as Trei . surer of the lodge , I can

assure } ou your funds shall be carefully husbanded . There is one thing 1 wish for , which is , that I may be spared a few years longer to enjoy the society of those who have been so kind as to give me this handsome testimonial , and when it may please the G . A . O . T . U . to call me from this sublunary abode , it shall be handed

down to my children , and my children s children ,, to show them that upright intentions and a faithful discharge of those duties we are called upon to perform will bring about such bri ght results as I see before me on this most pleasuiable and gratifying occasion . The much respected brother sat down amidst loud

and continued marks of approbation . Bro . P . M . Kourxsox proposed the W . M ., to which he responded in becoming terms , saying he felt it a high honour to be Master of a lodge ranking so high iu the Craft , and if there had been any shortcomings on his part , it was not owing to a want of desire , but

a want of ability . ( Cries of No , no . ) To the toast of the P . M . ' s of the lodge , Bro . Heath responded . Bro . SIMPSON , P . G . Chaplain , said , if it would not be considered presumption , he should like to add a few words to what had been alread y said about Bro .

Dearsley . He had not in the few words he addressed to them some time since , said anything about the testimonial , becanseit w . is not than before the brethren , ft had given him most sincere pleasure to be present on this occasion , because the handsome testimonial before them had not been got up by "jobbery" or

any thing ot that sort , but was the tribute of grateful hearts to the man who had worked so long and so worthily for his lodge . He believed he was sterling as the silver with which the articles had been made . The Rev . and worth y Bro . concluded his reuuivkswith an apology for the digression . The W . ' M . proposed "Tho Visitors . "

Bro . IlBXitv MUCGKHWCE , P . M ., * c , returned thanks , and said he did so with a great deal of pleasure . It was a great treat . to witness the presentation to Bro . Dearsley , whose name was not only known amongst the members of the Fidelity Lodge , but known among

the whole Craft . He had done everything in his power to promote ( he Charities . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . EMMKSS , P . M ., in a complimentary speech , paid a graceful tribute to Bro . McNamara . He was sure they all regretted his absence that evening wry much . Most of them knew how he had looked forward to that

meeting , and could guess how disappointed lie was at his unavoidable absence . lie asked them to drink towards his speedy recovery ; which was done with three times three . The brethren then separated .

TIIK RosicuuciANS . — A , very interesting work upon those singular people , the ltosierucians , respecting whoso precise tenets there has hitherto prevailed such apparently hopeless obscurity , will be shortl y published by Mr . I lot ten , the well known antiquarian publisher , of Piccadilly . This work , which will appear

in 8 vo ., will contain very numerous carefully-executed engravings , the subjects for which are drawn from almost all the museums and sites of interest in the world . Nothing authentic relative to the Bosicrucians has appeared in England since the days of Upbert

Hood , or Hudd ( Robertus de Fluetibus ) , who wrote in the davs of James the First . ' Mr . Hargrove Jennings , author of an anonymous book on the " Indian Religions , " and their occuit connection with Bhuddism , is the producer of " The llosicrucians . "