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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
guide il rough life . Many of the brethren might have heard it ; it u a « , ' •Vast is the mighty ocean , for drops have made it vast ; " and he felt the sea had been made vast by every drop of rain and every river coming down into it and increasing it . So he felt that he , as one human unit added to the great Masonic world , might do something to add to the tide of benevolence and Charity throughout the world .
He aspired no higher ; but he vvas very much struck by the extraordinary willingness of prominent members of the lodge to efface themselves provided that by so doing they could advance their lodge or Masonry in general . He happened to hold now high political office , and no doubt it occurred to certain of his ; brethren of the lodge that if , in the combination of the duties of W . M . of the
Chiswick Lodge and First Lord of the Admiralty he was to act it might be of benefit to the lodge and to Masonry . There were some of the brethren thoroughly versed in Masonry who were better qualified than himself to discharge the duties of the lodge , but they deliberately effaced themselves—sacrificed themselves—and asked him to take their place . Possibly there might be this idea in their
minds that he might not long occupy his political post , and they took the opportunity while it occurred . At any rate , he thanked them most heartily for the reception they had accorded him , and the goodly muster , not only of the members of the lodge , but of those brethren outside the lodge . Without in any way infringing the rules of Masonry or disclosing the secrets of the Craft , he might say there
was one duty a Master ought to perform , vvhich he vvas afraid he should find it somewhat difficult to perform ., The brethren had been told he ought to be easy of access , and he feared that during his year he should not be so easy of access as he could wish ; but if that should be the case . it would not be from any disregard of Masonic precepts , as all knew , even those who had only a superficial knowledge of
Masonry . Masonry supposed a certain time of labour , a certain time for refreshment , and a certain time for meditation . He vvas sorry to say that in the House of Commons these rules did not prevail ; they had no time for refreshment , still less for meditation , because when they snatched a hasty meal they were constantly interrupted by divisions , which played mischief vvith the digestion of the brethren ,
and the labour was absolutely unlimited , and every year it became greater and greater . It was for these reasons he would not be able to devote much time and attention to the lodge ; but it vvas simply because he vvas chained to another place , though he hoped in course of time he would be in a position of greater freedom , and give time to his Masonic duties . In the Craft thev were told there were certain
things that were moveable and certain things that were immoveable . The dignified post he now occupied , with its honours and insignia of office , would pass away in the course of twelve months , and be conferred on somelone more worthy than himself ; but that vvhich vvas immoveable , and vvhich he should not forget as long as he lived , was gratitude for the kindness and sympathy vvhich he had met vvith from
all the brethren of the Chiswick Lodge , and if he should in the course of a short time , to use the saying of a distinguished man , be in a position of greater freedom and less responsibility , he hoped to make up for that deficiency of time and attention , which , owing to exceptional circumstances , he had been unable to pay to his Masonic duties . He thanked them all again for the honour they had been
kind enough to pay him . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Installing Master . " Of all the functions vvhich were associated with Masonry , the most important vvas that of the yearly installation of the Master of a lodge , and it no doubt conferred notoriety and dignity upon a lodge that that duty should be performed by one who occupied a high position in the
Masonic Order . The brethren had been specially favoured that day by the attendance of a large number of Grand Officers . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , was kind enough to undertake that most important duty . For that he cordially thanked him , and he trusted he would find , not only during the next 12 months but in years to come , that this lodge by its growth and development
appreciated the attention which on this occasion had been bestovyed on it by distinguished Masons , and that it would show itself in every way worthy of the duty vvhich he had so kindly undertook on its behalf . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , in reply , said that as Grand Secretary of the Order he supposed he might call himself the executive officer of the Masonic
Society . In addition to the light employment of his morning ' s work of opening and answering one or two hundred letters he had also to watch over and considerably make himself acquainted vvith the affairs , the efforts , the working and history of the 2000 and more lodges on the roll of the United Grand Lodge . The history of the Chiswick Lodge did not—even in this amount of work—escape his eye on
these occasions . It vvas as nearly as possible five years ago that he had the great pleasure and honour of consecrating that lodge and of installing a good and worthy brother , whose absence that night they much regretted , Bro . Everett , as the first Master . It vvas not consecrated on the Surrey side of the water , but it was shortly afterwards removed to the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , and it vvas
a fortunate event it was so . Since then he had been present at many of its meetings , and he had watched over its progress and seen it ruled over by many good and worthy brethren—more especially he might mention Bro . Gardner , Bro . Harvey , and Bro . Lawrance . But he never contemplated that he should have so great an honour and distinction conferred upon him as to be asked to install the noble
brother who now occupied the chair . That noble brother came of an illustrious Masonic stock . As an old Irish Mason of many Degrees , he had a strong recollection of the illustrious father of the W . M . —the late Duke of Abercorn —in Ireland , and they all knevv vvith what acclamation his illustrious brother succeeded his father in that position . The whole of that family had been Masons , good and keen
Masons ; and therefore he was sure that the Chiswick Lodge must have a peculiar feeling of pride and gratification in receiving Lord George Hamilton as their Master . Lord George Hamilton had hitherto been an Irish Mason , and he ( Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ) personally felt it a very great pleasure to know that he had extended his Masonic connection to the English jurisdiction . Another reason for
having such pleasure in installing him was that he vvas not onlyan ornamental , but a good and useful Mason . Ifhewere not , he would not have been called from the distinguished position he so highly adorned in politics to come among the brethren ; but he vvas actuated by a strong Masonic feeling , and , as he had so eloquently put it before the brethren , he had felt he would add one more unit to the build-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
ing up of a work for the good of Masonry and the amelioration of the condition of mankind . He should not readily forget the auspicious occasion on vvhich he had the honour of installing L-. rd George Hamilton in the chair of the Chiswick Lodge . Bro . Harvey , P . M ., proposed "The Initiates , " and Bros . Pemeller and Callingham briefly responded .
1 he W . M ., in proposing " The Visitors , " regretted the absence of the Lord Chancellor , who had been obliged to catch an early train in order to get home , and Bro . Philbrick , who had premonitory symptoms of gout . But Lord Claud Hamilton represented Irish Masonry on this occasion . All his ( the W . M . 's ) family came from the Irish Masonic stock ; but the ideas and connection between the
Masonry of the United Kingdom and that of Ireland were so identical , the union of hearts was so thorough , that no legislation would ever be able to separate them . He would call on Lord Claud Hamilton to reply , and also on Bro . Broadley , a Past Deputy District Grand Master . Lord Claud Hamilton said he vvas only a humble Irish P . M ., but he trusted the company assembled would not
think that for that reason he was an unworthy representative of the visitors to the Chiswick Lodge . The visitors had but one feeling vvith regard to what had taken place on this auspicious occasion—a feeling of intense satisfaction at the manner in which the ritual had been given , and at the hospitality they had received . The W . M . had said that in his opinion ( from which he would not dissent ) , it
was some advantage to a lodge to be associated vvith a gentleman high in political position . In this country he cordially agreed with what had fallen from the W . M . in that respect ; but the advantages of their being connected with the Navy vvas in some respects mutual . It had been said in this country that the Civil Lords were not altogether acquainted with the Service , over which it vvas their duty ,
from time to time , to preside . But on this occasion the W . M . had learned some valuable information ; he had been able to learn from Col . Shadwell Clerke , the undoubted fact that the sun rose in the east ; he had also learned from the S . W . that the same grand luminary set in the west , and that was a very important factor in naval administration . He would call that the practical side of
the question . He would now go to the convivial . In Ireland they conducted the ritual with the selfsame care as that vvhich vvas accorded to it in England . At all events , they believed they werefully equal to their English brethren in work ; but when their labours were over they indulged in refresh ment , and often spent very cheery evenings . Sometimes , in his own lodge—not on such grand occasions as
the present , but more homely ones—they favoured the lodge with a song . Now , if there was one thing the members of the naval service believed they were more capable of than another , it vvas the singing of a song , and he thought the W . M . might do worse than in moments of leisure cultivating that art , and he might bring in a former colleague of his own , and learn from Lord Charles
Beresford the tune and words of " Tom Bowling "—possibly the somewhat more racy words of the long forgotten song — "Lovely Sally . " On behalf of the visitors , he wished the Chiswick Lodge success . It had had a short but very distinguished life ; there vvas every indication that it would continue to progress , and become equal to any Masonic body in England .
Bro . Broadley said he would not trespass very long on the attention of the brethren . lt would doubtless be a great deal more entertaining if Lord Claud Hamilton would favour them with either of those ditties he had mentioned than to listen to post-prandial oratory . But he could not forbear tendering his humble congratulations as the representative of Freemasonry in the Mediterranean , and as Secretary of
the Drury Lane Lodge , to the Chiswick Lodge—on possessing so illustrious a VV . M ., and , secondly to Lord George Hamilton on arriving at the high position of a ruler in the Craft . There vvas a time when vehicles not so swift as trains existed when royalty lived in their midst , but he thought that this was the first occasion when two Cabinet Ministers had been present at a Masonic meeting at Kew .
The ceremony of that night would doubtless to some extent restore the pristine fame of Kew ; but , at the same time , he had not the slightest doubt it would mark an epoch in the history of that lodge , which had already gained an enviable reputation among the lodges in the suburbs of London , There was an affinity between the Drury Lane Lodge and the Chiswick Lodge in the present year ; while
the First Lord of the Admiralty held the helm of one , a veteran Admiral will rule over the other . Looking at the emblems vvhich adorned the room in which the brethren were then assembled , which consisted of naval flags and trophies , and , remembering that Admiral Inglefield was to preside over Drury Lane Lodge this year , it vvas a subject of regret that he was not able to be then
present . There was a very great and traditional affinity between the naval service and Freemasonry . There was a time the Grand Secretary could tell them when warrants were granted for holding lodges on board her Majesty's ships , and there vvas no place where Freemasonry was
more popular than in seaboard places . In Malta , the naval half-way house of the Mediterranean , 32 years ago , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke vvas initiated in one of the lodges there . If there was one subject vvhich must cause all of them great sorrow that evening it vvas that there vvas a vacant chair which betokened the
absence of a respected and esteemed brother , and he would be doing injustice to the brethren ' s feelings if he did not say one word about their good Bro . Everett . The Chiswick Lodge , like every other institution , vvas indebted to a great extent to individual energy , and he thought they would all agree vvith him that that energy vvas personified in that large-hearted brother whose
indisposition precluded his presence that evening . Bro . Everett had no doubt tortured himself vvith all manner of anxieties as to the success of the gathering . The year 1 SS 9 was doubtless destined to be a memorable one in the history of the Chiswick Lodge . In the month of January the First Lord of the Admiralty transferred his affections from those boards vvith vvhich he vvas officially connected to the Masonic board , which perhaps after all he
would find more convivial ; but the month of March might have in store for the Chiswick Lodge not a greater , but an equally important , honour , for the accession of Lord George Hamilton to the chair might—and he ventured to say very probably would—be supplemented by the accession to the office of Grand Treasurer of England of Bro . George Everett , there esteemed P . M . and Treasurer . The next toast being that of " The Past Masters , " the W . M . said if the Chiswick Lodge had in the course of its
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
existence attained considerable prosperity , and if it In J , after its expenses had been paid , a considerable bal nee at its bankers , that was mainly due to the care of the Past Masters , and prominent among them were Bros . Lawrance , Gardner , and Everett . They had exercised every care , had discharged vvith the utmost ability every duty , with one single exception , which his brother , an Irish Mason ,.
seemed to think was inseparable for the duties of a Mason , that of singing a good song . He would only point out to his brother that English differed from his Irish friends in this , that here in England they always sang in harmony . These songs occasionally produced in Ireland something more than a mere momentary jar . With that single exception the Past Masters of this lodge were capable of
comparing with the Past Masters of any other lodge . Bro . Dr . Lawrance , l . P . M ., who vvas the first to reply , said that one and all of the Past Masters took great interest in the Chiswick Lodge , and as long as they remained members of it would do all they could to promote its prosperity . He did not hesitate to say of the lodge that good work had been done . It had always been a great
point to have the work thoroughly well done . It had been done by his predecessors , and he hoped the brethren had been satisfied with what he had done in the past year . A proof that they were satisfied was the handsome jewel vvith vvhich they had presented him , and for which he could not find words to thank the brethren sufficiently to show his gratitude . For his own part he should continue to take an
interest in the lodge , and he vvas sure Bro . Gardner , who had already done so much for the lodge , would continue to do as much . He need say nothing to assure the brethren of Bro . Everett ' s interest in the lodge ; it vvas patent to all the brethren . Bro . Everett vvas particularly sorry to be away that night , but there was no help for it ; his medical man would not allow him to leave his bed . With regard
to the working of the lodge , the brethren of the lodge all knew Lord George Hamilton would not be able to be vvith them at every meeting during his year of office , but the work would be done by him ( Dr . Lawrance ) or some other P . M ., and his lordship might make himself quite comfortable on that point . Bro . Gardner , P . M . and Sec , proposed "The Masonic
Charities , " which all the brethren were aware was a pet toast of his . From the commencement of the lodge it had always contributed yearly a certain sum from its funds towards one of the Masonic Charities in turn . This year it fell to its lot to contribute to the Boys' School , which , he took it , vvas more in want of subscriptions than either of the other Charities . Last year the Girls' School Centenary
Festival was held at the Albert Hall , and the very large sum of over £ 50 , 000 vvas announced . That necessitated a falling off in the subscriptions to the Boys' School and the Old People ' s Institution this year , because they could not find brethren to put their hands in their pockets , even those who would wish to do so , every day to support all three Institutions . The Institution he vvas going to
support this year he thought was the most deserving , or rather it had most claims upon the attention of the brethren , inasmuch as it had educated more children than the Girls' School , had more at the present time to provide for , and had less funded capital than either of the other Institutions . Last year there vvas a sum of about £ 21 , 000 contributed to the Benevolent Institution , and only
£ n , ooo to the Boys' School , and that was sufficient to show that Freemasons should this year use their whole exertions to enhance the funds of the Boys' School , because they needed it . He thought that School had 250 boys educated there , and he invited the brethren to go down to Wood Green and see how those boys were clothed , educated , and fed . The Institution had just passed
through a somewhat severe castigation , but the verdict had not yet been passed . When it was passed he trusted it would be given to the Masonic world , and that those who were connected with the rnanagemeht of the Institution would come out scatheless . The worthy Secretary of the Institution vvas present and would respond to the toast , and no doubt when the verdict he had referred to vvas
pronounced , it would relieve him and others who had the management and good government of the Institution at heart of any stigma that might have been cast upon them in consequence of some very officious brethren who had moved in the matter . At any rate , he hoped the investigation would be of some service to the Institution , and that in future the Boys' School would be looked upon as , if not
the principal one , the one that they should give their best energies to support . He had caused five or six lists to be distributed about the table , and he hoped when they were returned they would be very satisfactory . When he was Master of the lodge they sent him as Steward with the largest sum that v / as taken by any one Steward on that occasion . He trusted they would do the same this time ,
and send him as the premier Steward . Bro . Binckes esteemed himself extremely fortunate in having the honour of being present that evening , even at that very late hour ( nearly n p . m . ) to reply to the toast , and he also esteemed himself fortunate inasmuch as the compliment which had been paid to him of associating his name with the toast , not by selection , vvhich might
carry with it perhaps something in the shape of invidious comparison , but by an accident of circumstances by vvhich this Chiswick Lodge , taking , in the exercise of its discretion , the support of all the Institutions in rotation , in this very auspicious year supported the Institution with which he was more particularly associated . There were many brethren present who knew very well that for along number
ot years he had endeavoured to minister as successfully as possible on behalf of the Boys' School , while never forgetting his obligations to the other two Institutions ; but they , fortunately for all , as Bro . Gardner had said , occupied a very substantial position of prosperity and success , the Benevolent Institution possessing something like £ 47 , 000 or £ 48 , 000 of funded property , and having achieved last
year a successful Festival ; the Girls School havingafunded property of over £ 50 , 000 , and by the celebration of a magnificent centenary , which all were rejoiced to help , securing over £ 50 , 000 more . Now the mere fact of the Festival having been postponed to suit the convenience of the Prince of VVales , who presided , it was brought within three weeks of the Festival of the Boys' School , and there could
be no question—it went without saying—that the result of that was that while helping materially to improve the successful celebration of the Girls' Festival , to a great extent interfered with the support which the Boys' would otherwise have received . The Boys' School realised less than £ 9000 at its Festival , a smaller sum than for a great number of years , and consequently the year iSSS found them placed
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
guide il rough life . Many of the brethren might have heard it ; it u a « , ' •Vast is the mighty ocean , for drops have made it vast ; " and he felt the sea had been made vast by every drop of rain and every river coming down into it and increasing it . So he felt that he , as one human unit added to the great Masonic world , might do something to add to the tide of benevolence and Charity throughout the world .
He aspired no higher ; but he vvas very much struck by the extraordinary willingness of prominent members of the lodge to efface themselves provided that by so doing they could advance their lodge or Masonry in general . He happened to hold now high political office , and no doubt it occurred to certain of his ; brethren of the lodge that if , in the combination of the duties of W . M . of the
Chiswick Lodge and First Lord of the Admiralty he was to act it might be of benefit to the lodge and to Masonry . There were some of the brethren thoroughly versed in Masonry who were better qualified than himself to discharge the duties of the lodge , but they deliberately effaced themselves—sacrificed themselves—and asked him to take their place . Possibly there might be this idea in their
minds that he might not long occupy his political post , and they took the opportunity while it occurred . At any rate , he thanked them most heartily for the reception they had accorded him , and the goodly muster , not only of the members of the lodge , but of those brethren outside the lodge . Without in any way infringing the rules of Masonry or disclosing the secrets of the Craft , he might say there
was one duty a Master ought to perform , vvhich he vvas afraid he should find it somewhat difficult to perform ., The brethren had been told he ought to be easy of access , and he feared that during his year he should not be so easy of access as he could wish ; but if that should be the case . it would not be from any disregard of Masonic precepts , as all knew , even those who had only a superficial knowledge of
Masonry . Masonry supposed a certain time of labour , a certain time for refreshment , and a certain time for meditation . He vvas sorry to say that in the House of Commons these rules did not prevail ; they had no time for refreshment , still less for meditation , because when they snatched a hasty meal they were constantly interrupted by divisions , which played mischief vvith the digestion of the brethren ,
and the labour was absolutely unlimited , and every year it became greater and greater . It was for these reasons he would not be able to devote much time and attention to the lodge ; but it vvas simply because he vvas chained to another place , though he hoped in course of time he would be in a position of greater freedom , and give time to his Masonic duties . In the Craft thev were told there were certain
things that were moveable and certain things that were immoveable . The dignified post he now occupied , with its honours and insignia of office , would pass away in the course of twelve months , and be conferred on somelone more worthy than himself ; but that vvhich vvas immoveable , and vvhich he should not forget as long as he lived , was gratitude for the kindness and sympathy vvhich he had met vvith from
all the brethren of the Chiswick Lodge , and if he should in the course of a short time , to use the saying of a distinguished man , be in a position of greater freedom and less responsibility , he hoped to make up for that deficiency of time and attention , which , owing to exceptional circumstances , he had been unable to pay to his Masonic duties . He thanked them all again for the honour they had been
kind enough to pay him . The Worshipful Master next proposed " The Installing Master . " Of all the functions vvhich were associated with Masonry , the most important vvas that of the yearly installation of the Master of a lodge , and it no doubt conferred notoriety and dignity upon a lodge that that duty should be performed by one who occupied a high position in the
Masonic Order . The brethren had been specially favoured that day by the attendance of a large number of Grand Officers . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec , was kind enough to undertake that most important duty . For that he cordially thanked him , and he trusted he would find , not only during the next 12 months but in years to come , that this lodge by its growth and development
appreciated the attention which on this occasion had been bestovyed on it by distinguished Masons , and that it would show itself in every way worthy of the duty vvhich he had so kindly undertook on its behalf . Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , in reply , said that as Grand Secretary of the Order he supposed he might call himself the executive officer of the Masonic
Society . In addition to the light employment of his morning ' s work of opening and answering one or two hundred letters he had also to watch over and considerably make himself acquainted vvith the affairs , the efforts , the working and history of the 2000 and more lodges on the roll of the United Grand Lodge . The history of the Chiswick Lodge did not—even in this amount of work—escape his eye on
these occasions . It vvas as nearly as possible five years ago that he had the great pleasure and honour of consecrating that lodge and of installing a good and worthy brother , whose absence that night they much regretted , Bro . Everett , as the first Master . It vvas not consecrated on the Surrey side of the water , but it was shortly afterwards removed to the Star and Garter , Kew Bridge , and it vvas
a fortunate event it was so . Since then he had been present at many of its meetings , and he had watched over its progress and seen it ruled over by many good and worthy brethren—more especially he might mention Bro . Gardner , Bro . Harvey , and Bro . Lawrance . But he never contemplated that he should have so great an honour and distinction conferred upon him as to be asked to install the noble
brother who now occupied the chair . That noble brother came of an illustrious Masonic stock . As an old Irish Mason of many Degrees , he had a strong recollection of the illustrious father of the W . M . —the late Duke of Abercorn —in Ireland , and they all knevv vvith what acclamation his illustrious brother succeeded his father in that position . The whole of that family had been Masons , good and keen
Masons ; and therefore he was sure that the Chiswick Lodge must have a peculiar feeling of pride and gratification in receiving Lord George Hamilton as their Master . Lord George Hamilton had hitherto been an Irish Mason , and he ( Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ) personally felt it a very great pleasure to know that he had extended his Masonic connection to the English jurisdiction . Another reason for
having such pleasure in installing him was that he vvas not onlyan ornamental , but a good and useful Mason . Ifhewere not , he would not have been called from the distinguished position he so highly adorned in politics to come among the brethren ; but he vvas actuated by a strong Masonic feeling , and , as he had so eloquently put it before the brethren , he had felt he would add one more unit to the build-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
ing up of a work for the good of Masonry and the amelioration of the condition of mankind . He should not readily forget the auspicious occasion on vvhich he had the honour of installing L-. rd George Hamilton in the chair of the Chiswick Lodge . Bro . Harvey , P . M ., proposed "The Initiates , " and Bros . Pemeller and Callingham briefly responded .
1 he W . M ., in proposing " The Visitors , " regretted the absence of the Lord Chancellor , who had been obliged to catch an early train in order to get home , and Bro . Philbrick , who had premonitory symptoms of gout . But Lord Claud Hamilton represented Irish Masonry on this occasion . All his ( the W . M . 's ) family came from the Irish Masonic stock ; but the ideas and connection between the
Masonry of the United Kingdom and that of Ireland were so identical , the union of hearts was so thorough , that no legislation would ever be able to separate them . He would call on Lord Claud Hamilton to reply , and also on Bro . Broadley , a Past Deputy District Grand Master . Lord Claud Hamilton said he vvas only a humble Irish P . M ., but he trusted the company assembled would not
think that for that reason he was an unworthy representative of the visitors to the Chiswick Lodge . The visitors had but one feeling vvith regard to what had taken place on this auspicious occasion—a feeling of intense satisfaction at the manner in which the ritual had been given , and at the hospitality they had received . The W . M . had said that in his opinion ( from which he would not dissent ) , it
was some advantage to a lodge to be associated vvith a gentleman high in political position . In this country he cordially agreed with what had fallen from the W . M . in that respect ; but the advantages of their being connected with the Navy vvas in some respects mutual . It had been said in this country that the Civil Lords were not altogether acquainted with the Service , over which it vvas their duty ,
from time to time , to preside . But on this occasion the W . M . had learned some valuable information ; he had been able to learn from Col . Shadwell Clerke , the undoubted fact that the sun rose in the east ; he had also learned from the S . W . that the same grand luminary set in the west , and that was a very important factor in naval administration . He would call that the practical side of
the question . He would now go to the convivial . In Ireland they conducted the ritual with the selfsame care as that vvhich vvas accorded to it in England . At all events , they believed they werefully equal to their English brethren in work ; but when their labours were over they indulged in refresh ment , and often spent very cheery evenings . Sometimes , in his own lodge—not on such grand occasions as
the present , but more homely ones—they favoured the lodge with a song . Now , if there was one thing the members of the naval service believed they were more capable of than another , it vvas the singing of a song , and he thought the W . M . might do worse than in moments of leisure cultivating that art , and he might bring in a former colleague of his own , and learn from Lord Charles
Beresford the tune and words of " Tom Bowling "—possibly the somewhat more racy words of the long forgotten song — "Lovely Sally . " On behalf of the visitors , he wished the Chiswick Lodge success . It had had a short but very distinguished life ; there vvas every indication that it would continue to progress , and become equal to any Masonic body in England .
Bro . Broadley said he would not trespass very long on the attention of the brethren . lt would doubtless be a great deal more entertaining if Lord Claud Hamilton would favour them with either of those ditties he had mentioned than to listen to post-prandial oratory . But he could not forbear tendering his humble congratulations as the representative of Freemasonry in the Mediterranean , and as Secretary of
the Drury Lane Lodge , to the Chiswick Lodge—on possessing so illustrious a VV . M ., and , secondly to Lord George Hamilton on arriving at the high position of a ruler in the Craft . There vvas a time when vehicles not so swift as trains existed when royalty lived in their midst , but he thought that this was the first occasion when two Cabinet Ministers had been present at a Masonic meeting at Kew .
The ceremony of that night would doubtless to some extent restore the pristine fame of Kew ; but , at the same time , he had not the slightest doubt it would mark an epoch in the history of that lodge , which had already gained an enviable reputation among the lodges in the suburbs of London , There was an affinity between the Drury Lane Lodge and the Chiswick Lodge in the present year ; while
the First Lord of the Admiralty held the helm of one , a veteran Admiral will rule over the other . Looking at the emblems vvhich adorned the room in which the brethren were then assembled , which consisted of naval flags and trophies , and , remembering that Admiral Inglefield was to preside over Drury Lane Lodge this year , it vvas a subject of regret that he was not able to be then
present . There was a very great and traditional affinity between the naval service and Freemasonry . There was a time the Grand Secretary could tell them when warrants were granted for holding lodges on board her Majesty's ships , and there vvas no place where Freemasonry was
more popular than in seaboard places . In Malta , the naval half-way house of the Mediterranean , 32 years ago , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke vvas initiated in one of the lodges there . If there was one subject vvhich must cause all of them great sorrow that evening it vvas that there vvas a vacant chair which betokened the
absence of a respected and esteemed brother , and he would be doing injustice to the brethren ' s feelings if he did not say one word about their good Bro . Everett . The Chiswick Lodge , like every other institution , vvas indebted to a great extent to individual energy , and he thought they would all agree vvith him that that energy vvas personified in that large-hearted brother whose
indisposition precluded his presence that evening . Bro . Everett had no doubt tortured himself vvith all manner of anxieties as to the success of the gathering . The year 1 SS 9 was doubtless destined to be a memorable one in the history of the Chiswick Lodge . In the month of January the First Lord of the Admiralty transferred his affections from those boards vvith vvhich he vvas officially connected to the Masonic board , which perhaps after all he
would find more convivial ; but the month of March might have in store for the Chiswick Lodge not a greater , but an equally important , honour , for the accession of Lord George Hamilton to the chair might—and he ventured to say very probably would—be supplemented by the accession to the office of Grand Treasurer of England of Bro . George Everett , there esteemed P . M . and Treasurer . The next toast being that of " The Past Masters , " the W . M . said if the Chiswick Lodge had in the course of its
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
existence attained considerable prosperity , and if it In J , after its expenses had been paid , a considerable bal nee at its bankers , that was mainly due to the care of the Past Masters , and prominent among them were Bros . Lawrance , Gardner , and Everett . They had exercised every care , had discharged vvith the utmost ability every duty , with one single exception , which his brother , an Irish Mason ,.
seemed to think was inseparable for the duties of a Mason , that of singing a good song . He would only point out to his brother that English differed from his Irish friends in this , that here in England they always sang in harmony . These songs occasionally produced in Ireland something more than a mere momentary jar . With that single exception the Past Masters of this lodge were capable of
comparing with the Past Masters of any other lodge . Bro . Dr . Lawrance , l . P . M ., who vvas the first to reply , said that one and all of the Past Masters took great interest in the Chiswick Lodge , and as long as they remained members of it would do all they could to promote its prosperity . He did not hesitate to say of the lodge that good work had been done . It had always been a great
point to have the work thoroughly well done . It had been done by his predecessors , and he hoped the brethren had been satisfied with what he had done in the past year . A proof that they were satisfied was the handsome jewel vvith vvhich they had presented him , and for which he could not find words to thank the brethren sufficiently to show his gratitude . For his own part he should continue to take an
interest in the lodge , and he vvas sure Bro . Gardner , who had already done so much for the lodge , would continue to do as much . He need say nothing to assure the brethren of Bro . Everett ' s interest in the lodge ; it vvas patent to all the brethren . Bro . Everett vvas particularly sorry to be away that night , but there was no help for it ; his medical man would not allow him to leave his bed . With regard
to the working of the lodge , the brethren of the lodge all knew Lord George Hamilton would not be able to be vvith them at every meeting during his year of office , but the work would be done by him ( Dr . Lawrance ) or some other P . M ., and his lordship might make himself quite comfortable on that point . Bro . Gardner , P . M . and Sec , proposed "The Masonic
Charities , " which all the brethren were aware was a pet toast of his . From the commencement of the lodge it had always contributed yearly a certain sum from its funds towards one of the Masonic Charities in turn . This year it fell to its lot to contribute to the Boys' School , which , he took it , vvas more in want of subscriptions than either of the other Charities . Last year the Girls' School Centenary
Festival was held at the Albert Hall , and the very large sum of over £ 50 , 000 vvas announced . That necessitated a falling off in the subscriptions to the Boys' School and the Old People ' s Institution this year , because they could not find brethren to put their hands in their pockets , even those who would wish to do so , every day to support all three Institutions . The Institution he vvas going to
support this year he thought was the most deserving , or rather it had most claims upon the attention of the brethren , inasmuch as it had educated more children than the Girls' School , had more at the present time to provide for , and had less funded capital than either of the other Institutions . Last year there vvas a sum of about £ 21 , 000 contributed to the Benevolent Institution , and only
£ n , ooo to the Boys' School , and that was sufficient to show that Freemasons should this year use their whole exertions to enhance the funds of the Boys' School , because they needed it . He thought that School had 250 boys educated there , and he invited the brethren to go down to Wood Green and see how those boys were clothed , educated , and fed . The Institution had just passed
through a somewhat severe castigation , but the verdict had not yet been passed . When it was passed he trusted it would be given to the Masonic world , and that those who were connected with the rnanagemeht of the Institution would come out scatheless . The worthy Secretary of the Institution vvas present and would respond to the toast , and no doubt when the verdict he had referred to vvas
pronounced , it would relieve him and others who had the management and good government of the Institution at heart of any stigma that might have been cast upon them in consequence of some very officious brethren who had moved in the matter . At any rate , he hoped the investigation would be of some service to the Institution , and that in future the Boys' School would be looked upon as , if not
the principal one , the one that they should give their best energies to support . He had caused five or six lists to be distributed about the table , and he hoped when they were returned they would be very satisfactory . When he was Master of the lodge they sent him as Steward with the largest sum that v / as taken by any one Steward on that occasion . He trusted they would do the same this time ,
and send him as the premier Steward . Bro . Binckes esteemed himself extremely fortunate in having the honour of being present that evening , even at that very late hour ( nearly n p . m . ) to reply to the toast , and he also esteemed himself fortunate inasmuch as the compliment which had been paid to him of associating his name with the toast , not by selection , vvhich might
carry with it perhaps something in the shape of invidious comparison , but by an accident of circumstances by vvhich this Chiswick Lodge , taking , in the exercise of its discretion , the support of all the Institutions in rotation , in this very auspicious year supported the Institution with which he was more particularly associated . There were many brethren present who knew very well that for along number
ot years he had endeavoured to minister as successfully as possible on behalf of the Boys' School , while never forgetting his obligations to the other two Institutions ; but they , fortunately for all , as Bro . Gardner had said , occupied a very substantial position of prosperity and success , the Benevolent Institution possessing something like £ 47 , 000 or £ 48 , 000 of funded property , and having achieved last
year a successful Festival ; the Girls School havingafunded property of over £ 50 , 000 , and by the celebration of a magnificent centenary , which all were rejoiced to help , securing over £ 50 , 000 more . Now the mere fact of the Festival having been postponed to suit the convenience of the Prince of VVales , who presided , it was brought within three weeks of the Festival of the Boys' School , and there could
be no question—it went without saying—that the result of that was that while helping materially to improve the successful celebration of the Girls' Festival , to a great extent interfered with the support which the Boys' would otherwise have received . The Boys' School realised less than £ 9000 at its Festival , a smaller sum than for a great number of years , and consequently the year iSSS found them placed