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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
1 S 51 , on a piece of needlework , in which it was expressed that the dignity of F . R . S . or L . L . D . could only be obtained through a diligent attention to A B C ; and by adopting that principle in a lodge of instruction , there was no doubt that they had a proof of it in what they had seen that night , and contributed no small amount to its success . He was happy at any time to attend the lodge of instruction , and urged all young Masons to attend where only the ABC
and the proper knowledge for working a lodge could be obtained . He thanked the W . M . most cordially , and wished him a happy and prosperous year of office . Bro . Saul also responded to the toast . As the Preceptor of the lodge of instruction , he said that the great anxiety of the members of it was to maintain the dignity of The Great City Lodge , and to make themselves efficient in all their duties before they came to the chair .
The W . M . then gave the next toast , "The Immediate Past Master , the Installing Master , and the Past Masters . " He had great pleasure in proposing this toast , and he presented , in the name of the lodge , a jewel to Bro . Taylor , the Immediate Past Master , and he hoped that the G . A . O . T . U . would grant him health for many years to wear it . They owed Bro . Hamer a debt of gratitude for the manner in which he had performed the duties of Installing
Master , and he was happy to say that all the Past Masters were present that night . Bro . Taylor said he was very much obliged to the officers and brethren of the lodge for their recognition of his conduct in the chair , and obliged to all who had done him this honour . Bro . Hamer thanked the brethren for the very kind way in which they had received his name ,. When asked to
perform the installation ceremony , he had some little hesitation , but duty induced him to undertake it . As long as he was a Past Master of the lodge he considered that it was his duty , as we !! as a pleasure , to assist in any way to the best of his ability . He hoped the unanimity of the lodge would long continue , and he hoped the VV . Master would have a successful year of office , and he would
require little assistance from him or from anyone else . The other Past Masters returned thanks . " The Treasurer and Secretary" was the next toast ; and the former , in replying , said he hoped that they would that evening have heard that the W . M . intended to serve the lodge as Steward at the Girls School Festival ; but it it was not now too late for him to express his willingness to serve the office of Steward for one of the Masonic
Chanties . This drew from the W . M . an observation that he intended to do so . Some other toasts were given , and the proceedings were brought to a close . Bros . Frost , Kenningham , Walker , and De Lacy contributed some choice songs during the evening , and frequently Bro . Ganz accompanied them on the pianoforte .
UNITED MILITARY LODGE ( No . 1536 } . — An emergency meeting of above lodge took place on Friday evening , the 13 th inst ., at the Lord Raglan , Burrage-road , for the purpose of discussing and expressing an opinion on a proposed increase of quarterage to Grand lodge , and other matters . Bro . T . HoIIeyman , W . M ., opened the lodge . Among some sixty brethren present were Bros . Welding , I . P . M . ; G . Spinks , P . M . ; Dr .
Flaxman Spurrell , P . P . G . J . W ., Kent , P . M . ; Capt . Joseph McCaffery . P . S . D . ; G . Kenneday , S . W . ; A . Saunders , J . W . ; J . Jee , Treas . ; A . Fisher , Sec . ; VV . Moulds , S . D . ; A . Rowley , I . D . ; T . Preece , Org . ; J . Purnell , I . G . ; J . Anderson . D . C . ; Sayles , Stwd . ; J . Chillingworth , W . M . 1973 ; Rev . C . F . Reilly , Chap . 593 ; F . Wood , S . W . 1973 ; H . King , S . D . 615 ; F . E . Huggett , 1050 ; J . Clegg , 1714 ; C . J . Carter , 1772 ; J . Butler , 17 S 7 ; J .
Davidson , 730 ; b . H . Widgery , 1449 ; S . West , 700 ; E . M . Taylor , 913 ; J . Elliott , J . D . 1973 ; and C . Jolly , 913 { Freemason ) . The ballot was taken for Quarter-Master Sergeant VV . H . Popplestone , Quarter-MasTer Sergeant A . Murdoch , and Sergeant-Major T . Hopper , and proving unanimous , they were initiated . Bro . A . F . King was then raised , and Bro . Rev . Dr . Bullock invested with the collar of office of
Chaplain , for which that distinguished brother returned thanks . The discussion on the increase of quarterage afterwards took place . The lodge was then closed , and around the social board the brethren partook of refreshments . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been honoured , the I . P . M . Bro . Welding , rose to propose the health of the W . M . He said he felt sure they must all have felt proud of their W . M . that night , when he , for the first time , sat in the chair of
K . S . and carried out the duties appertaining to that high office in so excellent and finished a style . He had showed himself thoroughly competent , and there could be no doubt that under his rule the lodge would have a very successful and even brilliant year . He , in their name , wished Bro . HoIIeyman health and strength to carry out those duties , and promised him every support and help so far as the lodge was concerned . Bro . HoIIeyman responded ,
and , after thanking them for their gracious acceptance of the toast , assured them that he had endeavoured to do his best to uphold the credit of the lodge . He was exceedingl y gratified that his efforts that night had met with their approbation . The next toast was that of the "Past Masters , ' and the W . M . on putting it said it had for them that night a double interest , inasmuch as they had with them Bro . P . M . Spinks . who had onlv iust returned from
long and distinguished services in South Africa . They all rejoiced to see him once more with them in health and strength , and tendered him a hearty welcome home . They were all delighted to see him once more among them . Two of their Past Masters , Bros . Deeves and Weston , were away on foreign service . Bro . Pownall was at Eastbourne , and Bros . Shaw and Picken on their travels ; so that , considering all things , they were favoured
by having two good ones present , and he asked them to drink the toast with all the enthusiasm it deserved . In reply , Bro . Spinks said he feared the lodge had been vcry unfortunate in its Past Masters , and yet , through no fault of their own , as their duties compelled them , at the call of their country , Ifc leave lodge , friends , and home , and to go all over the world , or at least to whatever part of
't they were sent to . He then passed an high eulogy upon the VV . M . for his excellent working , and also expressed the pleasure it gave him to see the officers , all of whom , with the exception of Bro . Kenneday , had been initiated into Masonry by him , do their work so handsomely . Bro . T . jw . Welding also briefly responded . The other toasts were I he Initiates , " "Visitors , " and "Officers , and then ine Tyler ' s Toast concluded the proceedings .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
CLERKENWELL LODGE ( No . 1964 ) . — VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR . —The first meetingof this lodge since its consecration was held on Saturday last , the 14 th inst ., at Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s Holborn Viaduct Hotel . The meeting was arranged to be one worthy of the lodge founded to take a leading position in the Craft , and for that purpose a large number of Grand Officers were invited . Many of these accepted the
invitation and attended , and among them was the chief guest of the evening , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , and Bro . McCulIagh Torrcns , M . P ., who represents in Parliament the borough in which Clerkenwell is situated . The brethren present were—The Right Hon . the Lord Alayor , Sir John Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., Grand Junior Warden . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master , Middx .
Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary . John Messent , Grand Sword Bearer . Peter de Lande Long , Past Grand Deacon . Raynham VV . Stewart , Past Grand Deacon . Thomas Fenn , Past Grand Deacon . George Lambert , Past Grand Standard Bearer . Frederick A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Past Grand Deacon . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary .
William Clarke , 114 , Past Grand Pursuivant . Bros . Edgar Bowyer , W . M . ; T . Hastings Miller , S . W . ; G . J . Goode , J . W . ; G . A . Potter , Treasurer ; James Terry , Secretary ; Col . Henry Radcliffe , S . D . ; Robert Rolfe , J . D . ; John Tuck , I . G . ; Howard Vyse , P . M . ; Henry Parsons , 410 , P . P . G . S . W . Surrey ; F . H . Wilson lies , D . P . G . M . Herts ; Thos . S . Carter , 403 ; A . H . Hickman , 22 S : I . A . Farnfield , P . M . 2 ^ 6 :
Robert H . Halford , 1580 , P . P . G . S . D . Herts ; Frederick Adlard , P . M . 7 , P . D . C . Essex ; D . Clarke , P . M . 21 ; E . Davies , P . M . 2 SS ; P . H . Jones , P . M . 858 ; VV . H . Dean , P . M . 417 and 1900 ; Alfred Colston , P . M . 22 S ; C . C . Larner , 1 G 77 ; J . Maples , P . M . 144 and 1 G 77 ; George Kenning , P . M . 192 and 1 G 57 , P . G . D . Middx . ; Joyce Murray , VV . M . 1700 ; Jas . G . Terry ; VVilliam John Halford , Rev . John H . Rose , Chap . ; Richard VV .
Cole , William Clarke , H . R . Todd , 858 and 16 94 ; H . Cox , 19 S and Gi ; T . P . Shipp , VV . M . 2 ; G . P . Festa , Worshipful Master 1000 ; Thomas Baxter , 22 S ; VV . F . Crutch , P . M . 127 S ; Charles Frederick Hogard , P . M . 205 ; Capt . A . Nicols , VV . M . 1974 ; George Cowell , VV . M . 19 S ; E . J . Annins , W . M . 1 G 25 ; VV . M . Bywater , P . M ., 19 ; Thomas Taylor , 1 G 77 ; J . J . Stjckall , 1 G 77 ; H . G . Lambert , P . M . 19 S ; Robert Paget , 22 S ; Arthur Millward , W . M . elect 1 G 77 : VV . Clarke , 1 G 77 ; Will . Tomson , 33 ; VV . H . Baker , J . W . 1 S 0 ; Seymour Smith , 742 ;
and H . Massey , P . M . Gig , W . M . 192 S { Freemason ) . The brethren who sent apologies for inability to attend were Bros . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts ; M . J . Mclntyre , O . C ., M . P ., G . Reg .,- Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C . ; Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., President of the Board of Genera ! Purposes ; Captain N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , P . G . D . ; Dr . Barringer , and John Symonds , P . G . D .
The lodge-room was filled , and if all the brethren who were invited had attended the room would have been inconveniently crowded . At the banquet , which followed the working of the lodge , there would not have been sitting accommodation , and as it was , the brethren were very closely packed , though every endeavour was made by Bro . Terry and the other officers to afford the maximum of convenience of each brother present .
present . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the consecration meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Bowyer , W . M ., resigned his seat in favour of Bro . James Terry , whose son was a candidate for initiation . Bro . Terry then took the chair , and initiated Mr . Jas . Edmund Terry and Mr . William R . Halford . The W . M . initiated Mr . William Clarke and Mr . Richard Wright Cole . Bros .
Rev . J . H . Rose , vicar of Clerkenwell , and Geo . Lambert , F ' . G . S . B ,, were elected as joining members . Before the lodge proceedings were concluded , Bro . James Terry , Secretary , brought to the notice of the brethren the fact that Bro . 'I . Hastings Miller , S . W ., had presented to the lodge the Volume of the Sacred Law ; whereupon a vote of thanks to Bro . T . Hastings Miller was proposed by Col . Ratcliffe , S . D ., and seconded by Bro . Potter , Treas .,
and carried unanimously . Bro . Terry then read the letters from the Grand Secretary on the subjects of the Revised Constitutions and the Royal College of Music . Afterwards Bro . Terry read the letters of apology , which the brethren who were unable to attend had sent . The Rev . J . H . Rose thanked the lodge heartily for the beautiful brass lectern which the lodge had presented to
the parish church ot Clerkenwell , by which every member of the congregation and every parishioner felt deeply complimented . Bro . Terry read a letter from the Secretary of the Clerkenwell Church Restoration Fund acknowledging the gift . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to banquet and honoured the usual toasts . The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , G . J . W ., in acknowledging the toast of " The Grand Officers , ' said that by
the gracious nomination of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., he had the honour to appear before the brethren as one of the present Grand Officers . Now , sometimes when he turned his eyes upon his inner self , he was fain to regard with some degree of doubt even the infallibility of the G . M ,, but when he considered how successfully the G . M . had chosen all the officers of the Craft , how , under his direction , the Craft had increased , and become an all-powerful
institution , even in this great State , he could not but feel that perhaps H . R . H ., aided by that occult science and knowledge of human nature , had discovered qualities in himself ( the Lord Mayor ) which he certainly did not believe—he was quite sure no collective body of men could ever have ascertained . But this he would say , that there was no more devoted servant of the Craft than himself . ( Hear , hear . ) He believed truly that the principles which were
inculcated by the Book of Constitutions , and the manner in which the affairs of the Craft were controlled by its great Parliament meeting in Freemasons Hall , called Quarterl y Communications , were the foundation of all Constitutional Government . The Freemasons began by asserting their first principles , which , he was sorry to
say , he had often been so indiscreet as to proclaim to the whole world ; and he more particularly must admit when the ladies had asked him what was the Freemasons secret , he had always acknowledged at once peace and goodwill towards men . He recollected assuring his lady friends , who were present on one occasion in great numbers , that he was
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
confiding to them a great secret , and a wonderful silence prevailed ; and he saw some of the Past Grand Officers and some of the present Grand Officers turn pale with fear ; they believed that he was about to confide to the females , and that he was overcome by the splendour of their beauty ( which was quite true ) , and to fall like Samson before Delilah . But when he informed them that the great secret of Freemasonry was the perfection of virtue , the
consolidation of all the moral principles of the earth , and that Freemasons looked only to do their duty to each other , he was sorry to say he was afraid the ladies were disappointed , but he thought the Present and Past Grand Officers were very much reassured . Those were the observations which he thought it necessary to make on public occasions , but in that temple , where they were close tyled , they might , perhaps , talk with a little more
confidence ; and , certainly , he believed that the principles which were disseminated throughout the Craft were those principles upon which the safety of society was built . ( Hear , hear . ) In visiting Holland he and his suite passed through a country where every man and every woman seemed industriously intent upon making the best of every opportunity where nature afforded either him or her for advancing the interests of their country b y cultivating the fruits of the soil
, and by taking care of their dwellings or their towns ; and his good colleague , the Sheriff , who was a Scotchman , raised his hands and his eyes and said , " Oh that we could make Irishmen into Dutchmen , and we should have no rebellion . " What struck him ( the Lord Mayor ) was that if they could only make all their fellowcountrymen into Freemasons they would have a completely happy family . Happily wherever he had entered into the
society of Freemasons , wherever he had had the honour of being present in a lodge like this , where he knew they were worthy of their existence , where they were founded by men who were well acquainted with the principles which directed F ' reemasons' conduct ; in fact , wherever he had found himself in the presence of a body of Freemasons he had felt that there was the prevalence of truth to each other , and an intention to do to others as they
would be done by ; to use their influence to produce peace and goodwill among men on earth . Therefore , he appealed to the brethren whether it was not a very proud position for any one to occupy as a Grand Officer of the Craft . He had had a great many honours since he had filled the office of Chief Magistrate of the City of London ; but he looked forward to more continued happiness in the high office he held by the permission of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . for he
, believed that when he entered into the society of Freemasons , which he hoped to do continuousl y as long as God should spare him health and strength to do so , and to wear his beautiful apron of cerulean blue , he should be received in a manner which would be gratifying to his friends and to himself . Nothing had given him greater pleasure than to have been present to receive the hospitality of the Clerkenwell Lodge . The day before he visited the church at
Clerkenwell . That was a shrine where adoration was paid to the great Creator , whom the Craft adored , and whom they held to be their bountiful benefactor , and the origin of all their happiness . He was delighted to see that the brethren had supported that church in the way they had done . He was astonished to behold those beautiful windows which had been erected . It not only spoke of their generosity , but it was an evidence of their taste and iudrrment in their
choice of an artist to execute the work , and the subject which he had to execute ( Bro . Charles Evans , 20 , Warwickstreet , Regent-street ) . He also felt that they were advancing the objects of the Craft and of Christianity and religion when the Clerkenwell Lodge came forward and provided the brass lectern on which the Great Book was to be placed , and from which the Chaplain to this lodge would read from time to time to the audience before himand which would
, connect the Church of this country and the Craft , of which they were so proud . There were now some 100 , 000 Craftsmen in the realm ; that was a very small number , for what was 100 , 000 among thirty-five millions ? He knew it was a principle that they were never to urge upon the outside world to become Masons ; but he thought they should never neglect the opportunity of informing all their friends and
relations how noble a thing it was to be a Freemason . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , also replied , and said he had great pleasure in meeting so many brethren from the neighbouring province of Hertford . I he two provinces were separated by a very small space , but they were united by the closest ties and each was glad when brethren from the one province visited the brethren of the other .
,,, . . ,, l ' or . ° ) Mayor , in proposing "The Health of the VV . M . , said there were many duties attached to the office of chief guest of the evening , and one of them was that he was always to appear to be entertained b y his entertainers . That sometimes was a very difficult duty . The more they endeavoured to entertain him the more anxious he was to be free from blandishments . Possibly another duty which was also confided to him , which was highlv intfiresiinn- h ., t
sometimes exceedingly difficult , was to propose the health of the brother who occup ied the chair of W . M . He was happy to say that that evening he had been free from the first entertainment , —that Jthere had been no endeavour to entertain him , —though he had been entertained by the gracious and generous hospitality which had been spread before him , by the kindly manner of the W . M ., and by the satisfaction he had in the society of such noble and
distinguished brethre n as those who sat right and left of him . Bro . Philbrick , as they knew , n a sort of . B ™ en whence flowed the most delightful fragrance of wit ; while Bro Terry ' s smile fell on all around himself , and radiated like the circumferences that surrounded a stone when it was cast into a pool . On his left he saw such ? c u a ^? 1 P lendou r 'hat he was afraid to speak of it , for it he did he knew that either his language would br « ,
overwhelming that they would think him absurd , or he should tall so far short of purpose that they would think he was not honest in his expression . Then he came to the second pomt , whether he felt that the health and prosperity of the VV . M . was worthy of his offering it to the brethren's acceptance . It was very seldom he was placed in such difficulty , but that evening he was placed pre-eminently m the contrary difficulty , not that there was a
doubt about it , but there was an apprehension in his mind whether he should be able to depict to the brethren the f , ^ u \ - aIlti ?? of tne VV - - of the Clerkenwell Lodge . He felt himself that Bro . Bowyer was the embodiment ! : what should constitute the W . M . of a lodge of Freemasons . First and foremost he had a most noble presence , which , it must be admitted , was no credit to him , but was a credit to those
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
1 S 51 , on a piece of needlework , in which it was expressed that the dignity of F . R . S . or L . L . D . could only be obtained through a diligent attention to A B C ; and by adopting that principle in a lodge of instruction , there was no doubt that they had a proof of it in what they had seen that night , and contributed no small amount to its success . He was happy at any time to attend the lodge of instruction , and urged all young Masons to attend where only the ABC
and the proper knowledge for working a lodge could be obtained . He thanked the W . M . most cordially , and wished him a happy and prosperous year of office . Bro . Saul also responded to the toast . As the Preceptor of the lodge of instruction , he said that the great anxiety of the members of it was to maintain the dignity of The Great City Lodge , and to make themselves efficient in all their duties before they came to the chair .
The W . M . then gave the next toast , "The Immediate Past Master , the Installing Master , and the Past Masters . " He had great pleasure in proposing this toast , and he presented , in the name of the lodge , a jewel to Bro . Taylor , the Immediate Past Master , and he hoped that the G . A . O . T . U . would grant him health for many years to wear it . They owed Bro . Hamer a debt of gratitude for the manner in which he had performed the duties of Installing
Master , and he was happy to say that all the Past Masters were present that night . Bro . Taylor said he was very much obliged to the officers and brethren of the lodge for their recognition of his conduct in the chair , and obliged to all who had done him this honour . Bro . Hamer thanked the brethren for the very kind way in which they had received his name ,. When asked to
perform the installation ceremony , he had some little hesitation , but duty induced him to undertake it . As long as he was a Past Master of the lodge he considered that it was his duty , as we !! as a pleasure , to assist in any way to the best of his ability . He hoped the unanimity of the lodge would long continue , and he hoped the VV . Master would have a successful year of office , and he would
require little assistance from him or from anyone else . The other Past Masters returned thanks . " The Treasurer and Secretary" was the next toast ; and the former , in replying , said he hoped that they would that evening have heard that the W . M . intended to serve the lodge as Steward at the Girls School Festival ; but it it was not now too late for him to express his willingness to serve the office of Steward for one of the Masonic
Chanties . This drew from the W . M . an observation that he intended to do so . Some other toasts were given , and the proceedings were brought to a close . Bros . Frost , Kenningham , Walker , and De Lacy contributed some choice songs during the evening , and frequently Bro . Ganz accompanied them on the pianoforte .
UNITED MILITARY LODGE ( No . 1536 } . — An emergency meeting of above lodge took place on Friday evening , the 13 th inst ., at the Lord Raglan , Burrage-road , for the purpose of discussing and expressing an opinion on a proposed increase of quarterage to Grand lodge , and other matters . Bro . T . HoIIeyman , W . M ., opened the lodge . Among some sixty brethren present were Bros . Welding , I . P . M . ; G . Spinks , P . M . ; Dr .
Flaxman Spurrell , P . P . G . J . W ., Kent , P . M . ; Capt . Joseph McCaffery . P . S . D . ; G . Kenneday , S . W . ; A . Saunders , J . W . ; J . Jee , Treas . ; A . Fisher , Sec . ; VV . Moulds , S . D . ; A . Rowley , I . D . ; T . Preece , Org . ; J . Purnell , I . G . ; J . Anderson . D . C . ; Sayles , Stwd . ; J . Chillingworth , W . M . 1973 ; Rev . C . F . Reilly , Chap . 593 ; F . Wood , S . W . 1973 ; H . King , S . D . 615 ; F . E . Huggett , 1050 ; J . Clegg , 1714 ; C . J . Carter , 1772 ; J . Butler , 17 S 7 ; J .
Davidson , 730 ; b . H . Widgery , 1449 ; S . West , 700 ; E . M . Taylor , 913 ; J . Elliott , J . D . 1973 ; and C . Jolly , 913 { Freemason ) . The ballot was taken for Quarter-Master Sergeant VV . H . Popplestone , Quarter-MasTer Sergeant A . Murdoch , and Sergeant-Major T . Hopper , and proving unanimous , they were initiated . Bro . A . F . King was then raised , and Bro . Rev . Dr . Bullock invested with the collar of office of
Chaplain , for which that distinguished brother returned thanks . The discussion on the increase of quarterage afterwards took place . The lodge was then closed , and around the social board the brethren partook of refreshments . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been honoured , the I . P . M . Bro . Welding , rose to propose the health of the W . M . He said he felt sure they must all have felt proud of their W . M . that night , when he , for the first time , sat in the chair of
K . S . and carried out the duties appertaining to that high office in so excellent and finished a style . He had showed himself thoroughly competent , and there could be no doubt that under his rule the lodge would have a very successful and even brilliant year . He , in their name , wished Bro . HoIIeyman health and strength to carry out those duties , and promised him every support and help so far as the lodge was concerned . Bro . HoIIeyman responded ,
and , after thanking them for their gracious acceptance of the toast , assured them that he had endeavoured to do his best to uphold the credit of the lodge . He was exceedingl y gratified that his efforts that night had met with their approbation . The next toast was that of the "Past Masters , ' and the W . M . on putting it said it had for them that night a double interest , inasmuch as they had with them Bro . P . M . Spinks . who had onlv iust returned from
long and distinguished services in South Africa . They all rejoiced to see him once more with them in health and strength , and tendered him a hearty welcome home . They were all delighted to see him once more among them . Two of their Past Masters , Bros . Deeves and Weston , were away on foreign service . Bro . Pownall was at Eastbourne , and Bros . Shaw and Picken on their travels ; so that , considering all things , they were favoured
by having two good ones present , and he asked them to drink the toast with all the enthusiasm it deserved . In reply , Bro . Spinks said he feared the lodge had been vcry unfortunate in its Past Masters , and yet , through no fault of their own , as their duties compelled them , at the call of their country , Ifc leave lodge , friends , and home , and to go all over the world , or at least to whatever part of
't they were sent to . He then passed an high eulogy upon the VV . M . for his excellent working , and also expressed the pleasure it gave him to see the officers , all of whom , with the exception of Bro . Kenneday , had been initiated into Masonry by him , do their work so handsomely . Bro . T . jw . Welding also briefly responded . The other toasts were I he Initiates , " "Visitors , " and "Officers , and then ine Tyler ' s Toast concluded the proceedings .
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
CLERKENWELL LODGE ( No . 1964 ) . — VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR . —The first meetingof this lodge since its consecration was held on Saturday last , the 14 th inst ., at Messrs . Spiers and Pond ' s Holborn Viaduct Hotel . The meeting was arranged to be one worthy of the lodge founded to take a leading position in the Craft , and for that purpose a large number of Grand Officers were invited . Many of these accepted the
invitation and attended , and among them was the chief guest of the evening , the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , and Bro . McCulIagh Torrcns , M . P ., who represents in Parliament the borough in which Clerkenwell is situated . The brethren present were—The Right Hon . the Lord Alayor , Sir John Whittaker Ellis , Bart ., Grand Junior Warden . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master , Middx .
Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary . John Messent , Grand Sword Bearer . Peter de Lande Long , Past Grand Deacon . Raynham VV . Stewart , Past Grand Deacon . Thomas Fenn , Past Grand Deacon . George Lambert , Past Grand Standard Bearer . Frederick A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Past Grand Deacon . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary .
William Clarke , 114 , Past Grand Pursuivant . Bros . Edgar Bowyer , W . M . ; T . Hastings Miller , S . W . ; G . J . Goode , J . W . ; G . A . Potter , Treasurer ; James Terry , Secretary ; Col . Henry Radcliffe , S . D . ; Robert Rolfe , J . D . ; John Tuck , I . G . ; Howard Vyse , P . M . ; Henry Parsons , 410 , P . P . G . S . W . Surrey ; F . H . Wilson lies , D . P . G . M . Herts ; Thos . S . Carter , 403 ; A . H . Hickman , 22 S : I . A . Farnfield , P . M . 2 ^ 6 :
Robert H . Halford , 1580 , P . P . G . S . D . Herts ; Frederick Adlard , P . M . 7 , P . D . C . Essex ; D . Clarke , P . M . 21 ; E . Davies , P . M . 2 SS ; P . H . Jones , P . M . 858 ; VV . H . Dean , P . M . 417 and 1900 ; Alfred Colston , P . M . 22 S ; C . C . Larner , 1 G 77 ; J . Maples , P . M . 144 and 1 G 77 ; George Kenning , P . M . 192 and 1 G 57 , P . G . D . Middx . ; Joyce Murray , VV . M . 1700 ; Jas . G . Terry ; VVilliam John Halford , Rev . John H . Rose , Chap . ; Richard VV .
Cole , William Clarke , H . R . Todd , 858 and 16 94 ; H . Cox , 19 S and Gi ; T . P . Shipp , VV . M . 2 ; G . P . Festa , Worshipful Master 1000 ; Thomas Baxter , 22 S ; VV . F . Crutch , P . M . 127 S ; Charles Frederick Hogard , P . M . 205 ; Capt . A . Nicols , VV . M . 1974 ; George Cowell , VV . M . 19 S ; E . J . Annins , W . M . 1 G 25 ; VV . M . Bywater , P . M ., 19 ; Thomas Taylor , 1 G 77 ; J . J . Stjckall , 1 G 77 ; H . G . Lambert , P . M . 19 S ; Robert Paget , 22 S ; Arthur Millward , W . M . elect 1 G 77 : VV . Clarke , 1 G 77 ; Will . Tomson , 33 ; VV . H . Baker , J . W . 1 S 0 ; Seymour Smith , 742 ;
and H . Massey , P . M . Gig , W . M . 192 S { Freemason ) . The brethren who sent apologies for inability to attend were Bros . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Prov . G . M . Herts ; M . J . Mclntyre , O . C ., M . P ., G . Reg .,- Sir Albert W . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C . ; Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., President of the Board of Genera ! Purposes ; Captain N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , P . G . D . ; Dr . Barringer , and John Symonds , P . G . D .
The lodge-room was filled , and if all the brethren who were invited had attended the room would have been inconveniently crowded . At the banquet , which followed the working of the lodge , there would not have been sitting accommodation , and as it was , the brethren were very closely packed , though every endeavour was made by Bro . Terry and the other officers to afford the maximum of convenience of each brother present .
present . After the lodge had been opened , and the minutes of the consecration meeting had been read and confirmed , Bro . Bowyer , W . M ., resigned his seat in favour of Bro . James Terry , whose son was a candidate for initiation . Bro . Terry then took the chair , and initiated Mr . Jas . Edmund Terry and Mr . William R . Halford . The W . M . initiated Mr . William Clarke and Mr . Richard Wright Cole . Bros .
Rev . J . H . Rose , vicar of Clerkenwell , and Geo . Lambert , F ' . G . S . B ,, were elected as joining members . Before the lodge proceedings were concluded , Bro . James Terry , Secretary , brought to the notice of the brethren the fact that Bro . 'I . Hastings Miller , S . W ., had presented to the lodge the Volume of the Sacred Law ; whereupon a vote of thanks to Bro . T . Hastings Miller was proposed by Col . Ratcliffe , S . D ., and seconded by Bro . Potter , Treas .,
and carried unanimously . Bro . Terry then read the letters from the Grand Secretary on the subjects of the Revised Constitutions and the Royal College of Music . Afterwards Bro . Terry read the letters of apology , which the brethren who were unable to attend had sent . The Rev . J . H . Rose thanked the lodge heartily for the beautiful brass lectern which the lodge had presented to
the parish church ot Clerkenwell , by which every member of the congregation and every parishioner felt deeply complimented . Bro . Terry read a letter from the Secretary of the Clerkenwell Church Restoration Fund acknowledging the gift . The lodge was then closed and the brethren adjourned to banquet and honoured the usual toasts . The Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , G . J . W ., in acknowledging the toast of " The Grand Officers , ' said that by
the gracious nomination of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M ., he had the honour to appear before the brethren as one of the present Grand Officers . Now , sometimes when he turned his eyes upon his inner self , he was fain to regard with some degree of doubt even the infallibility of the G . M ,, but when he considered how successfully the G . M . had chosen all the officers of the Craft , how , under his direction , the Craft had increased , and become an all-powerful
institution , even in this great State , he could not but feel that perhaps H . R . H ., aided by that occult science and knowledge of human nature , had discovered qualities in himself ( the Lord Mayor ) which he certainly did not believe—he was quite sure no collective body of men could ever have ascertained . But this he would say , that there was no more devoted servant of the Craft than himself . ( Hear , hear . ) He believed truly that the principles which were
inculcated by the Book of Constitutions , and the manner in which the affairs of the Craft were controlled by its great Parliament meeting in Freemasons Hall , called Quarterl y Communications , were the foundation of all Constitutional Government . The Freemasons began by asserting their first principles , which , he was sorry to
say , he had often been so indiscreet as to proclaim to the whole world ; and he more particularly must admit when the ladies had asked him what was the Freemasons secret , he had always acknowledged at once peace and goodwill towards men . He recollected assuring his lady friends , who were present on one occasion in great numbers , that he was
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
confiding to them a great secret , and a wonderful silence prevailed ; and he saw some of the Past Grand Officers and some of the present Grand Officers turn pale with fear ; they believed that he was about to confide to the females , and that he was overcome by the splendour of their beauty ( which was quite true ) , and to fall like Samson before Delilah . But when he informed them that the great secret of Freemasonry was the perfection of virtue , the
consolidation of all the moral principles of the earth , and that Freemasons looked only to do their duty to each other , he was sorry to say he was afraid the ladies were disappointed , but he thought the Present and Past Grand Officers were very much reassured . Those were the observations which he thought it necessary to make on public occasions , but in that temple , where they were close tyled , they might , perhaps , talk with a little more
confidence ; and , certainly , he believed that the principles which were disseminated throughout the Craft were those principles upon which the safety of society was built . ( Hear , hear . ) In visiting Holland he and his suite passed through a country where every man and every woman seemed industriously intent upon making the best of every opportunity where nature afforded either him or her for advancing the interests of their country b y cultivating the fruits of the soil
, and by taking care of their dwellings or their towns ; and his good colleague , the Sheriff , who was a Scotchman , raised his hands and his eyes and said , " Oh that we could make Irishmen into Dutchmen , and we should have no rebellion . " What struck him ( the Lord Mayor ) was that if they could only make all their fellowcountrymen into Freemasons they would have a completely happy family . Happily wherever he had entered into the
society of Freemasons , wherever he had had the honour of being present in a lodge like this , where he knew they were worthy of their existence , where they were founded by men who were well acquainted with the principles which directed F ' reemasons' conduct ; in fact , wherever he had found himself in the presence of a body of Freemasons he had felt that there was the prevalence of truth to each other , and an intention to do to others as they
would be done by ; to use their influence to produce peace and goodwill among men on earth . Therefore , he appealed to the brethren whether it was not a very proud position for any one to occupy as a Grand Officer of the Craft . He had had a great many honours since he had filled the office of Chief Magistrate of the City of London ; but he looked forward to more continued happiness in the high office he held by the permission of H . R . H . the M . W . G . M . for he
, believed that when he entered into the society of Freemasons , which he hoped to do continuousl y as long as God should spare him health and strength to do so , and to wear his beautiful apron of cerulean blue , he should be received in a manner which would be gratifying to his friends and to himself . Nothing had given him greater pleasure than to have been present to receive the hospitality of the Clerkenwell Lodge . The day before he visited the church at
Clerkenwell . That was a shrine where adoration was paid to the great Creator , whom the Craft adored , and whom they held to be their bountiful benefactor , and the origin of all their happiness . He was delighted to see that the brethren had supported that church in the way they had done . He was astonished to behold those beautiful windows which had been erected . It not only spoke of their generosity , but it was an evidence of their taste and iudrrment in their
choice of an artist to execute the work , and the subject which he had to execute ( Bro . Charles Evans , 20 , Warwickstreet , Regent-street ) . He also felt that they were advancing the objects of the Craft and of Christianity and religion when the Clerkenwell Lodge came forward and provided the brass lectern on which the Great Book was to be placed , and from which the Chaplain to this lodge would read from time to time to the audience before himand which would
, connect the Church of this country and the Craft , of which they were so proud . There were now some 100 , 000 Craftsmen in the realm ; that was a very small number , for what was 100 , 000 among thirty-five millions ? He knew it was a principle that they were never to urge upon the outside world to become Masons ; but he thought they should never neglect the opportunity of informing all their friends and
relations how noble a thing it was to be a Freemason . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , also replied , and said he had great pleasure in meeting so many brethren from the neighbouring province of Hertford . I he two provinces were separated by a very small space , but they were united by the closest ties and each was glad when brethren from the one province visited the brethren of the other .
,,, . . ,, l ' or . ° ) Mayor , in proposing "The Health of the VV . M . , said there were many duties attached to the office of chief guest of the evening , and one of them was that he was always to appear to be entertained b y his entertainers . That sometimes was a very difficult duty . The more they endeavoured to entertain him the more anxious he was to be free from blandishments . Possibly another duty which was also confided to him , which was highlv intfiresiinn- h ., t
sometimes exceedingly difficult , was to propose the health of the brother who occup ied the chair of W . M . He was happy to say that that evening he had been free from the first entertainment , —that Jthere had been no endeavour to entertain him , —though he had been entertained by the gracious and generous hospitality which had been spread before him , by the kindly manner of the W . M ., and by the satisfaction he had in the society of such noble and
distinguished brethre n as those who sat right and left of him . Bro . Philbrick , as they knew , n a sort of . B ™ en whence flowed the most delightful fragrance of wit ; while Bro Terry ' s smile fell on all around himself , and radiated like the circumferences that surrounded a stone when it was cast into a pool . On his left he saw such ? c u a ^? 1 P lendou r 'hat he was afraid to speak of it , for it he did he knew that either his language would br « ,
overwhelming that they would think him absurd , or he should tall so far short of purpose that they would think he was not honest in his expression . Then he came to the second pomt , whether he felt that the health and prosperity of the VV . M . was worthy of his offering it to the brethren's acceptance . It was very seldom he was placed in such difficulty , but that evening he was placed pre-eminently m the contrary difficulty , not that there was a
doubt about it , but there was an apprehension in his mind whether he should be able to depict to the brethren the f , ^ u \ - aIlti ?? of tne VV - - of the Clerkenwell Lodge . He felt himself that Bro . Bowyer was the embodiment ! : what should constitute the W . M . of a lodge of Freemasons . First and foremost he had a most noble presence , which , it must be admitted , was no credit to him , but was a credit to those