Order Of The Secret Monitor.

and to spread the principles of the Order through Craft Masonry , and he hoped by the influence he should be able to bring to bear upon his friends that it would be as common to have a conclave of Secret Monitors attached to a Craft lodge as it was now common to have a Royal Arch chapter .

The S UPREME RULER then gave " The Consecrating Officer , " and said the brethren knew that the position of Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke was calculated to reflect lustre wherever he appeared , and they had therefore been greatly honoured by his presence . The G . S . R . had told them how kind Bro . Col . Shadwell H .

Clerke had been in assisting in the formation of this Order , and he thought they must share in the thanks thus bestowed . The G . S . R . had conferred the rank of P . G . S . R . on two brethren—Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke and Lewis Thomas , and he should therefore include the latter brother in the toast .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , P . G . S . R ., in response , said he knew he should be speaking the sentiments of his colleague and himself when he thanked the Supreme Ruler for the manner in which he had g iven the toast . Bro . Lewis Thomas and he were old members of the Order , as he was in his 35 th year and

possibly there were very few living who could go further back . It had been a great pleasure to him to take part in the work , but he must enter a solemn protest against the remarks of the Grand Supreme Ruler , and say that it was solely owing to Bro . Zacharie ' s indomitable energy , assisted by Bro .

Spratling and others , that the Order was in its present position . He ( Bro . Col . Clerke ) simply gave some small assistance because he considered that in their great world of Masonry there was room for all Degrees . They all ran in different lines with different points to follow , which , if they followed as they should , could not fail to have a beneficial effect upon them .

He had had great pleasure in assisting this Order , and it had given him great gratification in being present that day to take part in the formation of this conclave , especially as it was named after a very old brother officer of his own—Bro . Major Penrose Dunbar , who had fought with him on the tented field . He thanked them for their kind reception , and for the flattering

remarks with which his name was introduced . Bro . J . LEWIS THOMAS , P . G . S . R ., also responded , and said he was made a member of the Order 3 8 or 40 years ago , when it was not given in the splendid manner they had heard it that evening . The principles were , however , the same . When the Order was

started here they found an enthusiastic brother in Bro . Spratling , who worked with such enthusiasm that it was impossible to fail . He was delighted to find the Order had a home in England , and hoped its success would be great . Bro . J . P . HORNER , P . G . M . Louisiana , replied for

" The Visitors , " but protested at being included among them , as he was one of the founder members of this conclave . He was glad to know that hereafter he should have a home in England , and therefore would not be a visitor when he came again . He was pleased to be with them , and thanked the Grand Supreme

Ruler for the honours conferred upon him . It occurred to him as he watched the ceremonies what a great tie it was that tie of Freemasonry , and how very great was the tiebetween those who spoke the same old English language . They were not strangers , the Americans , for when they visited England they

came back to their home . They came from England , and no matter what they called their form of government they were Englishmen in heart as they were in body . There was no great characteristic of the English race not shared b y the Americans . He should go back to America and speak of what he had seen here and how

he had been treated . He wanted them to think of him , for he hoped to come back soon , and he should come here first , but when they assembled he hoped they would remember there was among their founder members a brother Jonathan . Other toasts were given , and the proceedings terminated with the Sentinel ' s toast .

Freemasonry In Staffordshire.

FREEMASONRY IN STAFFORDSHIRE .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . SUDLOW . The fourth and last of a series of meetings of Preceptors and lodge representatives in furtherance of the scheme of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Col . Foster Jjough , for assimilating the ceremonies to those of the

-mulation Lodge of Improvement , was held at the wan Hotel , Stafford , on Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., Bro . Ludlow , Past Grand Std . Br . England , and member the Lodge of Emulation Improvement Committee , attending for the purpose of acting as Preceptor on e occasion . The lodge Preceptors were entertained at

luncheon b y Bro . Col . Gough prior to the commencement of the business . ref ^ conclusI 0 n of the luncheon Bro . Col . GOUGH a e 1 ^ a c' *' ' wh'oh he had sent out suggesting m a .. - ! ournmen t of their proceedings sine die after this eetmg , and said he had not received a single note r ai ~ w ^ i aftm itc uau iiuu icucivcu d . single I 1 ULC

m a ny one of them in opposition to the views exof iv 'n t'le c'rcu'ar - He had only one qualification ^ his v ; tQ mak 6 j anc that was t 0 state that a ' . g would be immediatel y convened upon the p 'Pt of a requisition from the majority of the Pr eceptors f or the time being . He took it ther ^ ^ nte < ^ that they were all unanimous that e should be an adjournment , at any rate for the

Freemasonry In Staffordshire.

next 12 months , of the present class of meetings . In the meantime , it need hardly be said , Bro . Sudlow would be delighted to see any of them who could conveniently attend at the meetings of the Lodge of Emulation in London . Or a letter of inquiry on any point of working might be submitted through him ( Colonel

Gough ) , and Bro . Sudlow would be glad to lend his valuable assistance with regard to it . It had been said that the weak point in this instruction scheme was that it would be sure to bring Worshipful Masters and Preceptors into collision , but he was pleased to state that since the lodges of instruction were formed he had

never received a single complaint of interference with the work of the Masters or officers in the parent lodges , or of any unwillingness on the part of a Preceptor to give information and instruction to a parent lodge whenever called upon to do so . It should be remembered that the power of the W . M . in the chair

was absolutely paramount . He would lay down this rule for the Preceptors always to adopt with regard to their duty and conduct towards the parent lodgesalways wait until you are asked , then never wait a moment longer . In their lodges of instruction they might point out to the brethren the value of that

excellent publication the Freemason , and induce as many as possible of them to subscribe to it . They should also take care that reports of important meetings of lodges of instruction were sent to the Freemason . The editor of that journal thought very highly of the Province of Staffordshire , and would not reject any

report as to their instruction lodges that was sent to him . The same remarks also applied to reports of the meetings of the parent lodges . With regard to the Charities , he found that there was a falling off in the amount of the subscriptions to the " A " Fund , and he did not like it . He did not think there

was any falling off in the subscriptions to the " B , " or local fund . He did not see how they could draw much money from the instruction lodges , but they should take every opportunity of bringing the strong sacred duty of Masonic Charity beforetheseas well as the parent lodges . With regard to the yuatuor Coronati Lodge , its

Transactions were especially valuable to lodges of instruction , and by becoming members ofthe Correspondence Circle , which they could do for the small sum of ios . annually , they would receive far more than their money ' s worth in the reprints of the valuable papers read before that lodge . They would thereby greatly enlarge their views

and ideas , and extend their information and knowledge with regard to Masonic matters . If they wished to become members of the Correspondence Circle they had only to inform Bro . Bodenham , who had undertaken the duties of Secretary for this province . At the meeting of the Preceptors and lodge

representatives and representatives of adjacent provinces there were present , in addition to the Prov . G . M ., Bro . Col . Gough , and Bro . Sudlow , Bros . J . B . Piercy , 2149 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . ] . Gothard , 624 , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . H . Stanger , 419 , P . G . R . ; Rev . W . F . Bradley , 662 , P . G . C ; A . S . Townsend , 117 , P . P . G . S . of W . Salop ;

John Mossop , 18 74 , P . G . D . C . Worcestershire ; j . Wooldridge , 726 , P . G . D . C ; G . W . Walker , 18 38 , P . A . G . Sec . ; E . W . Taylor , 726 , P . P . G . O . ; E . Peake , 1942 , P . P . G . P . ; J . Stevenson , 1942 , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . R . Arter , 925 , P . P . G . S . B . Warwickshire ; G . Piatt , 662 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Hovvson , W . M . 2064 ; G .

W . Bradford , W . M . 2149 ; S . Keeling , W . M . 456 ; W . Garnham , W . M . 98 ; A . Smith , W . M . 347 ; E . J . Mousley , P . M . 726 ; F . S . Pepper , P . M . 482 ; G . Ashmall , P . M . 1037 ; English Pearson , P . M . 9 8 ; F . Thompson , P . M . 624 ; W . Brickel , P . M . 1715 ; J . Williams , P . M . 539 , P . P . G . P . ; R . Gibson , P . M . 419 ,

P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Fred . W . Gribble , S . W . $ 39 ; W . E . Marples , W . M . 1941 ; F . G . Warburton , P . M . 1914 ; E . Penn , W . M . 6 37 ; George Haynes , W . M . 1039 ; T . J . Barnett , P . M . 526 ; J . B . Ashwell , P . M . 2149 and 6 37 ; H . Finch , P . M . 104 , P . G . Reg . Cheshire ; J . M . Willdig , P . M . 1914 ; J . W . Abbott , P . M . 10 3 , P . P .

G . D . C . East Lancashire ; John Chadwick , 44 , P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Newby , W . M . 460 ; F . Skerret , P . M . 460 ; J . Wearing , J . W . 206 4 ; W . R . Wooldridge , W . M . 1942 ; E . Hallam , I . P . M . 1942 ; } . Stevenson , P . M . 1942 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . White , W . M . 2214 ; E . B . Jackson , P . M . 2214 , P . G . S . of W . ; J . Webberley , P . M . 546 ,

P . P . G . R . ; and W . Twist , P . G . Tyler . When the Preceptors and representatives had assembled in lodge the PKOV . GRAND MASTER took the chair , and tendered a very hearty welcome to the assembled brethren and bore his testimony to the greatly increased interest which was now taken in the

working of the Emulation ritual . They commenced their meetings in association with Warwickshire alone , but at the present time there were no less than six different provinces more or less in alliance with them . He mentioned that at the close of the proceedings an opportunity would be given for any brother present to

ask whatever non-argumentative questions he might think fit . The meetings , he pointed out , were not for the purpose of argument but to show what was and what was not the Emulation working . Bro . Col . GOUGH then called upon Bro . Beaumont Piercy , P . P . S . G . W ., the acting W . M ., to take the chair

and open the lodge , the officers being appointed as follows : Bros . Stanger , S . W . ; Piatt , J . W . ; Brickel , S . D . ; Gothard , J . D . ; and Pepper , I . G . The ceremonies of initiation and raising were then gone through , Bros . Williams and Willdig taking the part of the

candidates . In the ceremony of raising , Bro . the Rev . Bradley took the chair . At the close of the proceedings various questions were put as to matters of ritual and procedure . At the conclusion of the business , Bro . Col . Gough presented Bro . Sudlow with a handsome black marble

Freemasonry In Staffordshire.

timepiece , withbronze ornaments . The timepiece bore the following inscription : " Presented to Worshipful Bro . Robert Clay Sudlow , P . M ., Past Grand Standard Bearer Eng ., in recognition of his very eminent services to the lodges of instruction and brethren in the Province of Staffordshire and adjacent provinces in promulgating

amongst them uniformity of ritual and procedure in Craft Masonry . Subscribed for by many grateful brethren and presented to Worshipful Bro . Sudlow , on their behalf , by the Right Worshipful Bro . Bro . Col . Foster Gough , LL . D ., Fast Grand Standard Bearer Eng ., P . G . M . Staffordshire , at Stafford , on the 6 th day of

October , AD . 18 91 , . L . 5891 . " In making the presentation Bro . Col . GOUGH said : Worshipful Master in the chair and brethren , —On behalf of the Preceptors and the lodge representatives of the Province of Staffordshire , as also on behalf of the representatives of the allied provinces , I have a

very pleasant duty to perform towards our illustrious Preceptor-in-chief , Bro . Sudlow . For the sake of representatives from East Lancashire , Cheshire , and elsewhere who were not with us on the last occasion , it may be said that I then endeavoured to express our admiration of Bro . Sudlow ' s talents , talents which at a

comparatively early age have gained for him a deservedly merited appointment of office in the Grand Lodge of England , and a prominent place upon the Committee of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I referred also to his extraordinary tact , his perfect combination and adjustment of the " Suaviter in Modo "

with the "fortiter in re , " the power of correcting errors , whether minute or serious , without g iving the sli ghtest offence . This power with the instantaneous detection of an error was commended , and I still commend it , to the very serious attention of all Preceptors in the earnest hope that they may study to acquire it . It is no doubt

much to have learned what to do , but it is nearly , if not quite , as important to have learned how to do it . But what I have especially spoken of , what I have still to speak of , and what will ever be spoken of by all who have met him , has been , and will be , his more than fraternal kindness in attending each one of our meetings .

Personally I have to record his prompt and valuable correspondence , and his most gracious receptions of myself in London whenever in your interest I have sought his assistance . Neither can it be forgotten that he will have travelled little less than 1000 miles for our sole benefit , and that I have not been able to induce

him to accept anything towards his expenses . We now come to the present time , and it is needless to say that the feelings and sentiments referred to are much intensified by Bro . Sudlow ' s re-appearance amongst us , and the more especially so because this day may be considered as marking the completion of the foundation

of a strict and uniform Emulation ritual and procedure throughout Staffordshire , and possibly also in some at least of the six more or less allied provinces . May we not say that Bro . Sudlow has " well and truly laid " the foundation-stone of a splendid structure , that he has handed to us all the necessary plans and designs , and

ought we not to feel that he has a right to expect from us the erection and completion of a superstructure perfect in every part and honourable alike to the founder as also to the builders ? Bro . Sudlow is now about to say farewell to us for a season . I say season because we sincerel y hope that he may frequently return into the province , but before taking his present departure

there is yet one more favour he can confer upon us , and that is his acceptance of this small tribute , which I now present to him , as our acknowledgment of his personal and Masonic ivorth—a visible and tangible assurance of the affection , the admiration , and the gratitude of those he has served so faithfully and so well .

Bro . STANGER having , at the request of the Prov . Grand Master , read the inscription as set forth above , Bro . SUDLOW , in acknowled ging the presentation , said it was quite out of his power to thank them in anything like an adequate manner for the magnificent presentation that had just been made to him , or for

the more than kind words and expressions that the Prov . Grand Master had made use of in handing over their gift . One sometimes heard the expression " killed b y kindness , " and if such a condition of things were possible it was perfectly clear to him that his decease was imminent and that the responsibility would

rest on his brethren of Staffordshire and the allied provinces . The kind words that Col . Gough had uttered carried him back to the first interview that he had with him in London . They knew better than he did what an enthusiastic Mason Col . Gough is , and he might say that their gallant Prov . Grand Master came to an

enthusiastic Mason , and he thought that a good deal of fiery enthusiasm was the result . He knew that he offered at once , if Col . Gough thought he could beof any service , to come among them . He fully expected to receive from them a friendly welcome , but he received a great deal more . Though a perfect stranger , they took him

at once into brotherhood , and they had continuously treated him in the most markedly kindly manner . The gift which he had now received was far beyond his expectations . He had no thought of any recognition of the services which had been so kindly referred to , and he would have been glad if no recognition at all had been made . But as they had been pleased

to offer him that beautiful gift , he accepted it at their hands in the same spirit that they presented it to him . He felt very deeply indeed that the brethren of Staffordshire had made him their debtor . He did not know whether the Grand Treasurer of the province was present , but he felt that he should remain for a very long time on the debit side of his ledger . He hoped , however , it would be in