The Late Emperor William.

THE LATE EMPEROR WILLIAM .

LODGE OF SORROW AT THE PILGRIM LODGE , No . 23 S . nn Thursday , tne I 2 th inst ., a most impressive ceremony , ~[ tne title of a Mourning- Lodge , or Lodge of Sorrow , J " le place in the Great Hall at Freemasons' Tavern , in hnourof the late Emperor William , under the auspices of fh Pilgiim Lodge , which may be taken to be a representat i lodge of German Freemasons in this country , as none

ve hut German speaking members are admitted , and the ritual from first to last is worked entirely in the German language . No pains or expense apparently had been spared in the reparations . AU round the walls were funeral draperies P f { J | ack cloth hung in double rows of festoons , relieved with white cords and fringes , the upper row being ornaintervals with medallions the

mented at beaiing Imperial eaele > and the lower having- in each of the 50 festoons the pmble ' ms of mortality . The chairs and pedestals of the Master and Wardens were also draped in black , and at the end 01 the room behind the Master ' s chair were heavy black curtains surrounding a large escutcheon bearing the and backed of the of

Imperial arms , by a trophy flags various nations . In the centre of the lodge stood a bier draped with black velvet , surrounded with palms , lilies , and other flowers of the purest white . At the head of the bier stood a pedestal with a bust of the late Emperor , downed with a wreath of bays . On the lodge board lay a perfect palm branch , about three feet long , emerging

from a bouquet of white flowers . This cen'ral group formed a very beautiful spectacle , and was illuminated with three candelabra , one on either side of the head , and the other at the foot of the bier . All the officers of the lodge wore long scarves of black crape passing over the left shoulder and fastened at the right hip , all other members of the lodge wearing the ordinary Masonic mourning , and all present being in evening dress with black neckties .

The brethren , summoned by Bro . F . Seiferf , the D . of C , entered the Temple in pairs , Bro . Wilhelm Ganz , P . G . O ., presiding at the organ , During the latter part of the funeral march the Grand Officers were conducted into the Temple by P . M . ' s C . Sevin , Dr . C . Harrer , C .

Kupferschmidt , and Bro . Vogeler , Secretary of the Lodge . The lodge was opened by Bro . F . Wagner , W . M ., Bro C . Schmidt being S . W ., and Bro . J . Hamm , J . W . The ceremony commenced with prayer delivered by the W . M ., which was followed by a

hymn" How they so softly rest , all , all the holy dead , Unto whose dwelling place now doth my soul draw near How they so softly rest , all in their silent graves , Deep to corruption slowly down-sinking . And they no longer weep here where complaint is still ! And they no longer feel here where all gladness flies ! And by the cypresses softly o'ershadowed , Until the angel calls them they slumber . "

The WOR . MASTER then addressed the lodge , saying that the death of the Emperor had cast the deepest sorrow , not only over Germany , but over the whole world . A hero , a wise ruler , was no more . But Freemasons mourned the more deeply , because they lost in him not only their Emperor , but also the strong supporter of the Craft . They had now assembled to offer a tribute to his memory , and to raise to his honour an indestructible memorial in

their hearts . The WOR . MASTER then called upon Bro . Baelz , I . P . M ., who delivered the following oration-Death I Hidden in this word lie depths of grief ; as a double-ed ged sword it enters our hearts and casts shadows overall . But one short word brings the balm of

consolation—it is " Love . " We will continue our love until we are called away to you , great Emperor , noble man , faithful Bro . William . When he , the beloved , for ever closed his eyes , the world seemed convulsed ; all life seemed to cease . In palace and in hovel , village and town , on mountain and in dale , wherever man dwells , entered deep and holy grief ; all differences

of nations , opinions , and religions ceased ; ™ Mt that the greatest and noblest figure of our century had left us , and had taken a part of our own life away with mm . Among the grand men whose names will live in history , whose deeds will be told for hundreds , nay , thousands , ° t years in words of eloquence , there is none for whom the

wnole world , from east to west , from south to north , has mourned so sincerely as for our German Emperor . " The ° ays of our years are three score years and ten , and , if by 1 eason of strength they be four score years , yet is their strength labour and sorrow . " The great man at whose Dier we stand to-day has li / ed four score years and tenill ot

" sorrow and trouble , but full also of wisdom , strength , and beaut y . After times of humiliation as ever fell upon a nation and its rulers , when the Prussian people and with it inrMh | ' l , ria . 1 , ad victoriously returned from break-. ]? " . Joke of their conqueror , the youth , only 17 years ° , said on being confirmed : " I will never forget that ls

l ) ii ! i ' a . a man wno nas to ° h ey the same laws which uina others . M y energies belong to the whole world in Hi m ^ countr y > ' will therefore ever be active wisel P 1 P rescr'bed to me ; I will use my time 1 w j ,, ' . do as much good as may be in my power , towa A „ te and keep sincere and cordial benevolence i .... s a . " men . be thev ever so humhle . for the . v are mv

, nohl „ J prince has never spoken more beautiful and thc ' . ? L ; Bul Kalser "Wilhelm has not only spoken of h ;' , Dut h ? has kept them before him throughout the whole his fi-m ? j cIearrRind , his knowledge of mankind , rieht ' r steadrast ness of purpose always showed him the eattuM 7- u the r ' 2 ht men - If these brilliant qualities of his cni H ' V ^ hest admiration , the nobility and purity of ai | ~ ° bro "ght him the unmeasured love and veneration fortune f ? tron S misfortune , modest in the hours of hnnn „_! j . v'ctory , and the supremest power , he was

s )' mDathv jV rlends and enemies , as is now proved by the on ' y for it * ho J m ? , abroad , for Germany mourned not for the m d , Emperor , but the whole world mourned Peace vm , , ° b ' man—the prince and protector of IIle 9 th of Ivi 1 , L sad messa ge ° his death reached on become f arcn the shores of the great empire , which has Efa'n of tl ° i . second and beloved home , many a silent syropathv » , " of English fiiends told more of their '" an words h ^ v , r dee P sense of the loss sustained a PPatent th »? n , ab r to ex P ress - Then > a £ ain > ! t was both nation * . ? i Same Saxon blood courses in the veins of Wa S a nrnt , ' - , Srasp of the hand of the individuals remise of both peoples to stand firmly together ,

The Late Emperor William.

whatever betide , for their own strength , for the benefit also of the whole world . But , brethren , our mourning is not meant only for the grand hero whom death has taken away , it chiefly is for the brave Mason , the faithful brother , who has realised the principles of our Craft in every one of his actions . As grand as he was as hero , mighty and beloved as ruler , so he was faithful and true as a brother . He

guarded and augmented the honour of his people and of his Royal house ; but he guarded and augmented the honour of others also , for he was a true Mason in his thoughts and in his actions ! Few of you , brethren , may know how faithful , good , and noblea member of the Craftour Emperor has been . After having been initiated on May 22 nd , 1840—that is nearly 48 years ago—he supported Freemasonry in

stormy and in happy days . When , in the excited times of 1 S 48 , and later under the re-action of 1 S 50 , Masonry was bitterly attacked by Papists and Protestants , when by these the lowest means were not despised to prejudice the Craft , our Emperor openly was the champion of our ideals , and we owe it chiefly to him that Masonry did not only live in German }' , but developed and flourished . In reply to the

toast after his initiation , Bro . William spoke as follows " Already on the first day of my initiation I have here discovered an amount of dignity , depth , and earnestness of thought , which has proved to me that 1 haveentered an association which is worthy of the highest recognition . I have joined very willingly , because the Craft is a society of men , of all professions and ages , who pursue a noble object . I count

the day of my initiation one of the happiest of my life , and thank you for the confidence which you have placed in me , and for your love . " In the following speech he expresses his views about the proper object of Masonry : " When the Mason in his sanctuary , joined in Iraternal chain , labours to illume his reason , and warm his heart to virtue , he must also , entering into the world , prove by his actions ,

whenever he has an opportunity , that the sacred teachings of the Craft have found the way to his heart and have there ripened into fruit . He knows that all men are brethren ; that he must endeavour to the best of his power to further the weal of all . _ Mental and bodily help the brother shall give wherever it is required , but by the manner- in which he dispenses it , and by his example , shall awaken and

spread a sense of order , of duty , and of love . May the world _ feel the life-giving warmth of the fraternity without knowing whence it comes . If we were not ready to carry our convictions into the outer world , what good would be our resolutions , our promises of brotherly love , our feelings as expressed by our grasp of hand ? When man enters into life he leaves behind him a lost paradise , has before

him one to be gained , but between both is the freedom of his will to take the path that leads- to heaven . These words characterise the task which each Mason has here to perform . Religion and fear of the Lord , that is the basis upon which Masonry rests ; the latter must nurture these and carry them into the outer world . Ever follow these principles ; I will show you the lead . " When the lodge

at Solmgen was subject to particular hatred of many parties , he successfully and immediately counteracted this by going to Solingen , went into the lodge where the brethren were assembled , and promised them , in beautiful speech , his protection , exhorting them to continue to walk in the road leading to wisdom , strength , and beauty . When , a few years later , the attacks upon the Fraternity were renewed , he initiated

his only son , our present Emperor Frederick . and thus gave the clearest and most brilliant proof of the love for our ideals , and of his endeavour not only to protect our Craft but to further it in every way . After the initiation of his son he said to him in the lodge , " Become and remain a strong protector of Masonry , then your future will not only be secure , but you will carry with you the noble conviction that you help

in the spread of all that is true and good . " My brethren I the love of our never to be forgotten brother who is gone to rest is a model to be imitated by every one , ' . especially by every true Mason . We cannot place upon his grave a more beautiful memorial than the sacred promise , in this holy hour , to be just , true , and faithful , as he was . Rest softly , faithful brother I Thy dust will perish as that of all men

but thy memory will live for ever in the hearts of thy brethren , in love , love , love I At the conclusion of this apostrophe to the dead the speaker placed the palm branch on the coffin in token of peace and farewell . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then said s The name of our Emperor will live in German hearts as long as German

mothers teach German children the German language ; he will also live in the Mason ' s breast as a brilliant example of a true Master cf our Royal art . Before all it was his endeavour to fulfil his duty . Duty was the moving force of his whole life . From the first moment in which he entered active life , when the command of his father sent him into the jaws of his enemy ' s cannons to do his duty ;

through the dark days of 1 S 48 , when he cast his life into the balance to fulfil the duty he owed to his Royal brother , and had to suffer banishment from his fatherland as a reward ; and through the whole of his later life he was obedient to his duty , be it in relation to the highest or the lowest of his fellow-creatures . We owe our thanks to

him as a true and faithful Mason , and will ever cherish his memory in our grateful hearts . In reply to a question with which the Master concluded , the J . W . ascertained from brethren present that they all concurred in the description which they had heard from the I . P . M ., and that the departed was worthy of the honour of a lasting memory in the . Craft .

Another hymn having been sung" Trauergesiinge stromen von den Lippen , " The following oration was then delivered by Bro . Otto Hehner , Orator of the lodge : We have on this solemn occasion given expression to our grief at the loss of our great brother . Ever graven in gilt letters in the tablets of history his name will live ; it will , like a brilliant star , show

to the German people the path it must pursue . But not only in history , not only in the grateful hearts of his people and of his mourning brethren will he live , he lives in his son . In the sight of this bier , the remembrance of which will ever be with us during our lives , we cast our view into the future , turn our looks upon him who now is Germany ' s first son , German Freemasonry ' s foremost brother . To

him we transfer the veneration , the love , the palernal regard which we have willingly given to the departed Frederick the Third , as man , one of the best of the German nation ; as warrior , the much tried , noble , and victorious leader , who has helped to gain German unity , long hoped for , almost despaired of ; as protector of peace , the support of true Masonry , brother of each member of

The Late Emperor William.

the Craft , cultivator of science and art ; as rider , the worthy successor of his father , and of two of the greatest figures in German history—Frederick Barbarossa , and Frederick the Second ( the Great ) . Under ordinary circumstances , the advent of such a man upon the throne of the great German Empire would have been hailed with pride and with joy . But deep shadows rest

upon the people . Ihe man who has been face to face with death in many a battle , who has weathered many a storm , he fights now his bitterest fight with an enemy who wields weapons more terrible than those forged by the hand of man . Anxiously , in fear almost , the faithful people look upon him ; from millions of sorrowing hearts the fervent prayer rises to Heaven—Thou , Great Architect

of the Universe , Governor of worlds , King of Kings , "Salvum fac Regem , " give health to our Emperor . And , as if Heaven listened to our prayer , the fringe of the cloud , which but a few days ago hung thick and black , begins to be silverlined by the rays of the star of hope . Not Germany only —nay , the whole world is watching anxiously these rays , and every true man joins in the cry " God save our Emperor . "

Whatever betide , faithfully his people stand around his throne , closely joined with him in the fraternal chain—one thought , one feeling , animates all . We who , far away from our Fatherland , have found a second Iwme in this hospitable country , join the chain no less closely . We feel that we are the representatives of German intellect , German science , German commerce , German faith in England ;

we take upon ourselves the welcome duty to forge links to bind the nations together not less strong than those that join the Royal houses . For we are convinced that the future of the civilised world depends upon this union . Come weal , come woe , it is the duty of our lives , the duty towards our Emperor , as man and Mason , to add to the strength of the German and English union . Our heartiest and

warmest wishes are with him . May his heroic figure recover , to the joy of two nations ; may he long reign in peace with his neighbours , in happiness with his people ; may he guide and strengthen our Fatherland in the manner of his great father ; may he remain the protector of Masonry , and may our children say of him , as we do of the departed— " He lives for all time who is praised by the

noblest of his age . " The orator ' s speech was followed by an organ solo , " Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott , " performed by Bro . Ganz . A telegram expressing the sympathy of assembled brethren , and heartiest wishes for a long and happy reign , was then read by the W . M ., and , with the approval ot the meeting , sent to Emperor Frederick , and the lodge was

closed with prayer by the W . M ., and the brethren dismissed . A telegram notifying that a vote of sympathy had been passed by the St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 442 , in Peterboro ' , was received during the ceremony . There were about 250 brethren present on the occasion , including the following visitors : Bros . Dr . Ernest E . Wendt , G . Sec . for German Correspondence ; Alfred Pendlebury , Asst . G . Sec . ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas .

Henry J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; H . W . Penfold , Prov . S . G . W . Kent ; W . J . Dunkley , P . G . Purst . Middx . ; Major D'Arcy , P . P . G . S . ; Chas . Briscoe , P . P . A . G . P . Sussex ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; E . Terry , Bro . Emil Hollandt , W . M ., and brethren of No . 1969 ; Bro . W . White , W . M ., and brethren of No . 1671 ; Bro . McDonnell , W . M ., and brethren of No . 2150 ; Bro . R . Michaelis , W . M ., and brethren of No . 507 ; and many others .

Masonic Ball At Ipswich.

MASONIC BALL AT IPSWICH .

The ball held on Friday evening , the 6 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Ipswich , under the joint auspices of three of the local lodges , was an unqualified success . It is many years since a Masonic ball was held in Ipswich , and to St . Luke ' s Lodge is due the credit for having initiated the movement , which , it is hoped , will lead to a revival of those

pleasant reunions . All the arrangements appeared togivesatisfaction . The entire suite of rooms at the Masonic Hall was uliiised for the occasion . The banquet room was converted into an elegantly-furnished ball room , in the lodge room the supper was served , and the various committee-rooms were used as card and cloak rooms .

The decoration of the ball room was entrusted to Bro . E . J . Sherman , who executed the work in a most tasteful manner . The banners of the Prov . Grand Lodge occupied the post of honour under the dais , and were flanked on the right by the time-honoured but somewhat dingy banner of the Perfect Friendship Lodge , and on the lett by the bright blue banner of the St . Luke's Lodge ,. At the

opposite end was the handsome banner of the Prince of Wales Lodge , and in other parts of the room were the _ banners belonging to the Royal Arch Chapter . National flags and small banners bearing Masonic emblems adorned the side walls , and at both ends of the room were large mirrors , tastefully draped with lace curtains . Effectively arranged groups of hot-house plants in various parts

of the hall completed the decorations , and when the company had assembled the ball room presented a very handsome appearance . Over a hundred tickets were issued , and , by permision of the Prov . Grand Master , the brethren appeared in full Craft clothing . Prov . Grand Officers were present in all the glory of purple and gold , the humbler brethren of the Craft being clothed in the modest blue and silver .

Bro . John White , P . M . and S . W . of the Prince of Wales Lodge , P . P . G . Supt . of Works , who undertook and discharged with consummate ability the onerous duties of honorary secretary , officiated as M . C . The Stewards were the Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn ) , Bros . Edgar Scrivener , W . M . ; S . J . Morley , S . W . ; Geo . Abbott , J . W ., P . P . G . S . B . ; and

J . Napier , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., ot St . Luke's Lodge ; F . A . Bales , VV . M . ; John Hunt , I . P . M . ; A . A . Bennett , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; and Fred . C . Atkinson , J . W ., of Perfect Friendship Lodge ; A . R . Trew , W . M . ; G . T . Pick , J . W . ; and E . J . Brown , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D ., of Prince of Wales Lodge . Thestringbandof the 3 rd Brigade E . D . R . A . was engaged

for the occasion , and , under the direction of Mr . F . Harris , performed an excellent programme in a manner which gave great satisfaction . Dancing commenced at nine o ' clock , and at eleven the large company sat down to an admirably served supper , provided by Mr . Chivers . Dancing was afterwards resumed , and was kept up until close on five o ' clcck in the morning .