A Lodge Presentation.

one that is bought ancl presented by a few friends and admirers of the testimonialised brother—if we may be allowed to use such an expression . Thus , in the case of the Past Master ' s jewel , which is now ordinarily given to every outgoing Master of a lodge in recognition of his services while in the chair , its real value lies in the

fact that it has been voted to him in open lodge by the brethren he has presided over , and is paid for out of the general lodge fund . He wears and appreciates it as ancl because it is the gift of the lodge as a whole . But it will no longer possess this special value if , in the case of an outgoing Master , to whom the

compliment of a Past Master's jewel is not paid , it is in the power of his friends ancl admirers to purchase and present him with one , not only in open lodge , but " in the name of the lodge " likewise . The silence of the non-contributing members may be taken to imply , as we have said , acquiescence , but it is not everyone

who has the nerve to protest against an act which , to all appearances , is perfectly harmless . It seems to us that it is the duty of the Master in whose keeping the honour of the lodge is for the time being , to prevent any section of the members from

arrogating to themselves the right to speak or act in the name and in behalf of the whole body , and especially in the case of jewels and other testimonials , to see that what is the gift of a few brethren only is not raised to the level of that which is the gift of the whole body .

Codefroi De Bouillon Preceptory, Stoke-On-Trent.

CODEFROI DE BOUILLON PRECEPTORY , STOKE-ON-TRENT .

On Wednesdiy , the Sth inst ., the walls of Lichfield Cathedral looked upon a sig ht which probably they have never looked upon before , and perhaps may never do so again . On one side a group of Knights Templar , in full clothing , with their Provincial Prior , wearing the Malta habit , in their midst ; on the other , the Dean and Canons of the Cathedral , accompanied by their clerk . The occasion * of the

gathering was the formal presentation and unveiling of a statue of Godefroi de Bouillon , which has been placed by this preceptory in a vacant niche on the south side of the Consistory Court . The knights clothed in the Theological College , whence they marched forth , and were introduced and received b y the Dean and Canons .

The proceedings were then continued by the REGISTRAR reading in Latin the presentation address , which was engrossed in antique script on parchment and rubricated , and ran as follows -. Viro Per—Revereudo Decano et Viris Reverendis Canonicis et Praebendariis

Ecclesiae Cathedralis Lichfieldensis , Pacem et Salutem . Etiamsi antiquus Ordo Relig iosus et Militaris Equitum Tempi ! Salomonis Hierosolymitani jam pridem praeteriit , servatur tamen memoria ejus in illo Ordine Liberorum Lapicidarum qui Equitum Templi vocatur , cujus Eminentissimus ac Supremus Magister est Illustrissimus Albertus Edoardus Cambriae Princeps , et cujus Nos , qui in Praeceptorio de Godofredo de Bouillon dicto in oppido Stoca super Trentam convenimus , Fratres ac Socii sumus .

Et quum Nos non in belli violentiaeque sed in pacis benevolentiaeque artibus versemur , recordati sumus Antiquum ilium Ordinem non solum ob res bellicas fortiter gestas clarum fuisse , sed etiam pulchritudine ecclesiarum delectatum , id quod vel praecipue ex Londinensi Ecclesia Templi cognosci potest . Convenienter ig itur animo et menti quum Antiqui turn Hodierni Ordinis ,

auxilium quantulumcumque ad Ecclesiam Cathedralem Lichfieldensem ornandam vobis afferre voluimus , et statuam dare qua compleatur aedicula quaevis vacua ; Qua de causa effigiem selegimus Godofredi de Bouillon , Ducis Lothringiae , Militis clarissimi in bellis Sanctae Urbis ab Infidelibus recipiendae causa sesceptis , et Regis Hierosolymorum , cujus de nomine vocatur Praeceptorium nostrum .

Hace est Statua quam nunc Vobis damns , donamus , dedicamus , in testimonium benevolentiae no : traecrgaopus a vobis susceptum , et signum ejusdem benevolentiae quod din in saecula posthac ventura mansurum speramus . Addimus Virum Eximium Carolum Fendelovium , Priorem ut aiunt Provincialem Ordinis nostri in comitatibus Staffordia , Verovico , Leicestria , ut se consilum comprobare nostrum palam demonstret hie nobis adesse , qui statuam pro nobis detreturus sit .

Qure res ut confirmentur , Nos pro Fratribus ac Sociis Pr ; eceptorii nomina subscripsimus die octavo mensis Januarii , anno Salutis millesimo octingentesimo

nonagesimo . Which may be Englished thus—To the Very Reverend the Dean , and the Reverend the Canons and Prebendaries of Lichfield Cathedral , Peace and Greeting :

Although the Ancient , Religious , and Military Order of Knights of the Temple of Solomon at Jerusalem has long passed away , its existence is yet commemorated in the Masonic Order of Knights Templars , of which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is the Most Eminent Grand Master , and of which We , meeting in the Preceptory Godsfroi de Bouillon , at Stoke-on-Trent , are members .

And since We are concerned not with arts of war and violence , but with those of peace and goodwill , we recall that while the ancient Order was conspicuous for its military prowess , it was also distinguished for the beauty of its ecclesiastical buildings , as is shown most especially in the Temple Church in London . In keeping , therefore , with the spirit both of the Ancient Order and with that

of our present Order , we desire to assist in some degree in the beautif ying of Lichfield Cathedral by offering to you a statue to fill up one of the vacant niches thereof ; for which purpose we have chosen the figure of Godefroi de Bouillon , Duke of Lorraine , Crusader , and King of Jerusalem , after whom our Preceptory i . s named .

It is this Statue which we now give , present , and dedicate to You , in token of our good will towards the work which you have taken in hand , and with the hope that it may long endure as a sign thereof to generations yet to come . And we must add that in evidence of his approval of our purpose , the Very Emt . Sir Knt . Charles Fendelow , the Provincial Prior of our Order in Staffordshire , Warwickshire , and Leicestershire , is here present with us to unveil the

Statue on our behalf . In confirmation wherof , we , on behalf of our Brethren and Knts . Companions of our Preceptory , have subscribed our names , this Sth day of January , in the year of Grace 1890 . The address was handed to the Dean , who expressed the pleasure it afforded to him and the chapter to receive such a gift to adorn the cathedral .

Codefroi De Bouillon Preceptory, Stoke-On-Trent.

The Very Eminent PROV . PRIOR then said : After the very excellent address that has been delivered by our worthy Registrar , and before I exercise the privilege of unveiling this statue , I have a few words to say to you all connected with our position here as Knights Templar , and to tell you our idea of the connection between the name and character of Godefroi de Bouillon and our present Order of Knights Templar , and to acknowledge that our duties are as clear in our present

sphere as were those of the Crusaders . From an early period in the history of the Church it was considered a pious act to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulchre , and to visit the various spots which the Saviour had consecrated by his presence , and the first Crusade was undertaken simply to vindicate the right of Christian Pilgrims to visit the Hol y Sepulchre , ancl when the first Crusade was set on foot the fame of the exploits of Godefroi de Bouillon caused him to be elected one of

the Commanders , and eight days after the capture of the City of Jerusalem , he was unanimously elected King of Jerusalem , but his modesty and piety forbade him to wear a crown of gold where his Saviour had worn one of'thorns . He therefore declined the Regal title , and contented himself with that of Baron or Defender of the Hol y Sepulchre . Jerusalem , thus delivered , became the object of intense enthusiasm throughout the Christian world , which

manifested itself by numerous weary pilgrimages thereto by persons of all ranks and stations in life , but these pilgrimages were not without great privations and dangers . Such circumstances appealed to the hearts of brave men and proved to be the ori gin of the Order of Knights Templar , who associated themselves into a hol y brotherhood in arms for the succour and protection of weary pilgrims travelling from afar . They were assigned a place near the

Temple in the City of Jerusalem , and thus became known as Knights of the Temple . Such are the examples we have chosen to give names to our preceptories , such are the lives and characters we have undertaken to emulate , and to the same cause we are solemnl y pledged as valiant and magnanimous Knig hts of the Temple . The times and occasions which gave birth to our Order have passed away , and there is now no need for war or adventure in its behalf . Nevertheless , the same contest

continues , and our duties are as distinct and imperative as were those of the valiant kni ghts of old . Infidelity is boldly asserted , and scepticism is unblushingly avowed ; influences insidious and antagonistic to the Christian religion , are in ceaseless operation , the divine origin of Christianity is denied , and the truth of the Holy Scriptures is openly questioned . Our duty is manifest—we call ourselves soldiers of the Cross , and we publicly display that sacred emblem ,

in token of our espousal of the cause of Jesus Christ . Un belief in whatever form must be combatted , wherever and whenever encountered . The battlefield with us is in our dail y lives , our social relations , our business contracts , and in every place , or sphere , where our individual characters are called into action . We need not go into the highways and public places to proselytise nor need we abandon our business to perform this mission . It is , however , our

duty to model ourselves accordiog to our professions , and demonstrate by our conduct and consistent lives , the good effects on ourselves , so that others seeing the same , may be led to appreciate and believe in the sacred cause we advocate . If we would be true kni ghts we must be true men . If we would influence others we must prove ourselves worthy of confidence , and if we would have our Order

respected , and honoured , we must so live and conduct ourselves at all times as to merit the respect of our fellow men . I have now in the name of our Order to thank the Dean and Chapter for allowing us to assist , in a small degree , in beautifying this cathedral b y placing this statue of Godefroi de Bouillon to show our high sense of his life and character , and to remind us all of our duty to emulate such a worthy example .

The Statue was then unveiled , and Bishop Abraham , one of the Canons , addressed the kni ghts in Latin , thus : Absit omen ut in hac sede Mtisarum , Latina adloquentibus respondeatur tantum Anglice . Illud nos habemus commune Vobis , quod milites sumus in exercitu Ducis nostri et Salvatoris Christi—Quam vos habetis curam pro Dei Templo , eaden est nostra pro Ecclesia .

Grato igitur animo nos acci pimus honestam hanc Cruciferi Militis effi giem , quae de vestra benevolentia posita est tanquam praesidium et propugnaculum Ecclesiae . Avete , Commilitones ! Which may be rendered : " Far be it from us that in this abode of learning , answer should be given in English only to those who address us in Latin . We

have it in common with you that we are soldiers in the army of our Captain and Saviour Christ . What care you have for God ' s Temple , that same have we for our Church . Gratefully , therefore , we accept this fair figure of the soldier bearing the cross , which of your goodwill has been set up , as if ' twere a guard and bulwark of the Church . Wherefore , hail , fellow soldiers ! "

The ceremony ended , the knights were conducted over the cathedral , under the able guidance of Canon Lonsdale ; then attended afternoon service ; and after a hearty tea at the George Hotel , leturned to Stoke . The Statue , which is a bold and striking figure , was executed by Mr . J . J . Milsom , of Manchester , and represents the great leader of the First Crusade starting forward , and drawing his sword , as if about to smite down an infidel

Saracen . The kni ghts present , who all signed the address , were Sir Knights C . Fendelow , Prov . Prior Staffordshire , Warwickshire , and Leicestershire ; E . H . Croydon , Preceptor , Godfrey de Bouillon ; J . Charlesworth , I . P . E . P ., P . Prov . Sub-Marshall ; J . Pratt , M . A ., P . E . P ., P . Great Prior ' s Aide-de-Camp , P . Prov . Constable , Registrar ; J . B . Piercy , P . E . P ., P . Prov . Marshall ; J . B . Ashwell , S . Mear , A . Mear , ancl J . T . Mear ; who were also accompanied by some ladies .

WARDEN * . —Originally the chief officer of a lodge in some parts , but apparentl y about the seventeenth century mad : subordinate to the Master , and again not appointed at all until of recent c . tte , according to some records . It i . s probable that each association of Freemasons had their special Warden in coriimon with the Handicraftsmen generally , the Master being in charge of the whole of the men engaged about the work . The Deacon appears to have been the superior of the

Warden in Scotland , and occupied the position now universally conceded to the Master . These officers were generally elected once a year ,- and in ¦ the operative period were invested with considerable power and authority . In Scotland the Chief Ruler of the whole assembly of any Craft was termed the Warden-General , and many instances of such appointments are to be found in Bro . D . Murray Lyon ' s history of the " Lodge of Edinburgh . " In modern times

the three chief officers of a lodge are the Msster and his two Wardens . In order to be eligible for the chair under the English Constitution , a brother must have served as Warden for 12 months ( of an English Lodge ) , save on a petition for a new lodge ; ancl an actual attendance during some portion of the qualif ying period is absolutel y necessary . The Junior Warden ' s position in the south , representative of the Column of Beauty and that of the Senior Warden

in the west , near the Column of Strength , are well known to Craftsmen ; and it is a happy event for the lodge when a brother ' s attention to the duties peculiar to association wiih these columns has been such as to render him worthy of advancement to the Orient , the seat of wisdom , and the place of trust . It has been claimed by some that the S . VV . or J . W . can give the degrees in the absence of the W . M . or other installed Master ; but we think erroneously , for

evidently without the presence of a legally qualified installed Master in the chair , the Warden in charge should rest contented with ruling the lodge . The duties of Wardens are clearly defined in the Constitutions , and should be carefully studied by such officers ; so as to ensure efficiency . The jewel of the J . W . is the plumb-rule , and of the S . W . the level , and , with appropriate surroundings , the same tools are representative of such officers in the Provincial and Grand Lodges . —Kenning ' s Cyclopte . Ua of Freemasonry .