Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wakefield Masonic Literary Society.
upon which great stress was laid by the lecturer . A system of Scottish Masonry , differing from that of England , might have continued to exist side by side with the latter , and that it did not was a matter of great importance . The Ancient landmarks had never been defined , but if they possessed any meaning at all the inclosure they marked out could not be lessened in size by their being set back , neither could it be extended by their being pushed forward so as to comprise any
territory beyond the former boundaries . Hence it seemed to follow that it was beyond the power of Grand Lodges to dispense with any one of the first Three Degrees , and as they could not subtract from neither could they add to the ceremonial or secrets of Ancient Freemasonry . The ceremonial of Ancient has been preserved in the Degrees of Modern Masonry , but it had been contended that besides the Degrees of E . A ., F . C , and M . M ., that
of Installed Master had also an existence in a period of time at least equally remote . But though in the first half of the last century a new Mastcr was installed , so also were the Wardens , and the ceremony was as simple and devoid of the elements making up a Degree in the one case as in the other . In support of this position three reasons might be assigned , each of which would establish to the entire satisfaction of Masonic students that the Degree of Installed Master was
unknown in the English lodges during the first half of the last century . The Royal Arch Degree was first heard of in 1 744 , and that of Installed Master in 1762 . These Degrees were adopted by the Original or Regujar Grand Lodge of England on its fusion with the Schismatics or " Ancients , " " and this action on their part had been regarded by foreign critics with disfavour , though , on the principle that " the end justified the means , " it had been viewed with complacency by English Masonic writers . But one of two conclusions was alone possible . Either Ancient
Freemasonry was composed of three Degrees only , or there was no limit whatever to the number of ceremonies that might be made Masonic by adoption . The first three Degrees therefore reposed upon a higher plane than the others . The remaining Degrees to which Freemasons only were admitted had their special merits and attractions , but of one and all it mi ght be said , without in the sli ghtest respect deprecating their value , that they did not , and could not , be said to form an integral part of the system of pure and Ancient Masonry which preceded their own existence .
The lecture , the salient features and dates of which were emphasised by means of a blackboard , was followed with considerable interest , and at its close a very interesting discussion arose upon several of the points raised , notably on the subject of the Royal Arch and Installed Masters' Degrees . The LECTURER having replied , a vote of thanks to Bro * . Gould , proposed by Bro . C L . MASON , seconded b y Bro . A . W . STAANFSELD , J . P ., and supported by Bro . J . GERRARD , P . M ., was carried by acclamation .
Bro . GOULD thanked the members of the Wakefield Masonic Literary Society for their intelligent interest in and appreciation of his lecture , and spoke in very warm terms of the hearty welcome which be had received from his Yorkshire brethren at this the outset of his tour . He explained that he was at Huddersfield
on the previous evening , and that he contemplated visiting Halifax , Dewsbury , York , Hull , arid Sheffield , at all of which places he had arranged to deliver lectures . He especially thanked the Prov . G . M . for paying him the compliment of his presence that evening , and above all for the kind and generous terms in which he had spoken of him in the very able address which had preceded his lecture .
The brethren then adjourned for refreshment , and "The Health of Bro . Gould , " proposed in graceful terms by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . SMITH , who presided , was drunk with Yorkshire heartiness . We understand that the course of lectures projected for Bro . Gould was duly carried out , that the arrangements at Huddersfield were in the hands of Bro . A . J . H . Fletcher and the W . Masters of Lodges 275 and 290 , that Bros . A . Robertshaw , W . M ., and Austin Roberts acted for Lodges 61 and 448 at Halifax
and Bros . Whytehead , Shackles , Binney , and A . Shaw managed matters for . the various lodges at York , Hull , Sheffield , and Dewsbury , at all of which places the suggestion of a visit froir , Bro . Gould was eagerly entertained . The author of the " History of Freemasonry , " we are informed , has every reason to be gratified with his Yorkshire tour , and we should not be surprised to learn that as one immediate result the numbers of the Correspondence Circle of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge will be materially increased .
A strenuous effort on the part of Bros . T . W . Embleton , P . M . ; J . H . Gration , P . M . ; and Chas . Lingard , Sec . ( all of Lodge 1513 , Barnsley ) , to secure a visit and lecture from Bro . Gould unfortunatel y failed . The dates at the disposal of the Barnsley brethren could not be made to fit in with Bro . Gould's arrangements .
Centenary Celebration Of St. John's Lodge, No. 279, Leicester.
CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 279 , LEICESTER .
It will be in the recollection of our readers that the members of this the mother lodge of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland , and a large number of visiting brethren from that province , and from adjacent and distant provinces , celebrated the 100 th anniversary of the establishment of the lodge by attending a service of thanksgiving at St . George ' s Church , Leicester ( . the foundation-stone of which church was laid in 1825 with full Masonic honours by this lodge ) on Sunday ,
the 31 st August last , that day in 1790 being the date of the warrant of the lodge . It was on that occasion announced that the centenary would be further celebrated under the sanction of the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland by a lodge of emergency and banquet on the nth November ( that date in 1790 being the date of the consecration of the lodge and the installation of its first Master ) . In fulfilment of that announcement the W . M . of the lodge , Bro .
William Kelly , F . S . A ., F . R . H . S ., P . Prov . G . M . ( for whose restoration to health after a most serious illness may the G . A . O . T . U . be praised ) , summoned the members to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Tuesday sen ' ni ght , and a cordial invitation was issued to every member of the other 11 lodges within the province , and to a goodly number of distinguished brethren outside the province , to attend on the occasion . Moreover , in honour of the event Bro . the Earl of Ferrers , Prov . G . M ., summoned the Present and Past Officers of Provincial Grand
Lodge to attend him on a state visit to the lodge . Accordingly on Tuesday , the nth instant , a very large number of brethren from all parts of the country being present , the W . M . opened the lodge , and immediately afterwards the Prov . G . M ., the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , the Officers Present and Past of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland , and several Past Officers of the Grand Lodge of England and Officers of nei ghbouring Provincial Grand Lodges were admitted and received with the customary salutations .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER having very briefly thanked the assembled brethren for the cordiality of their reception , the hymn " Hail Eternal , by whose aid" was sung in a thoroughly reverend , hearty , and inspiring manner , Bro . C . E . Birch , P . Prov . G . Org ., the present Organist of St . John ' s Lodge , officiating at a new organ of beautiful tone kindly lent by Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , S . W . and P . M . 1007 , Prov . S . G . W .
The lodge room at this moment presented probably the most magnificent sight ever beheld within its walls , the display of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge clothing , and of jewels , surpassing in splendour , and the assemblage of
Centenary Celebration Of St. John's Lodge, No. 279, Leicester.
brethren far exceeding in number , anything before witnessed at Masonic ceremonies in this province . The impressiveness of the proceedings at this stage was increased by the reading of Bro . the Rev . J . HENRY SMITH , M . A ., Chaplain and P . M . of the lodge , of the ist and 133 rd Psalms , and by the delivery of a special prayer written by him for the ceremony .
After an unmistakeabiy responsive " So mote it be , " our venerable , trusty , and well-beloved Bro . KELLY rose to deliver an introductory address , which , coming from one who has done exceptionally good suit and service to Masonry in the province over which he held sway as Prov . Grand Master for several years , ' and whose example has been followed and influence felt in every spot into which the ramifications of Masonic life have extended , deserves to be set out in extenso ,
and this we have special pleasure in doing : — " Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Right Worshipful , Very Worshipful , and Worshipful Sirs , and brethren all , —Holding as I have had the distinguished honour to do for the fifth time the honourable position of Worshipful Master of St . John ' s Lodge on this ever memorable occasion of its centenary festival , allow me to welcome you all most heartily to this meeting which I sincerely trust will pass off to the honour
of the Ancient Craft and to the satisfaction and enjoyment of all present . Brethren , it has been sagely remarked ' that no one ought to prophesy until he knows , ' but I think everyone of us may sagely prophesy that whilst some of the names of those now present may be handed down to future generations of the Craft , not one of those now present will ever take part in a second centenary festival of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 . My intention is now to address you as
briefly as possible , as the list on the agenda paper is somewhat long . I will therefore explain that in my first year as Provincial Grand Master of this province in 1870 I issued a history of Freemasonry in Leicestershire from 1775 to that time , which has been out of print for many years ; and in 1888 , when celebrating my Masonic Jubilee , I had printed for presentation to the brethren of the lodge a little work entitled ' Fifty years of Masonic Reminiscences briefly Told . ' It had
been my intention to-day to have brought down this sketch of the history of St . John ' s Lodge to the present day , but the serious , and what mi g ht have been fatal , accident which befel me on the 28 th September last has up to the present time prevented me from taking any active part in the preparations for this important day ' s celebration , and the Immediate Past Master , Bro . W . Maurice Williams , has very kindly and in a truly fraternal spirit undertaken the literary
duty which should otherwise have devolved on me , and for which , with the other many important duties which he has so kindly performed , I shall ever feel greatly indebted personally , and for which the brethren of the lodge generally are , I am sure , deeply obliged to him . Brethren , I have now to congratulate you on the fact that our learned and distinguished Masonic author , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . of England , P . P . S . G . W . of Cornwall , and an honorary member of St . John ' s
Lodge , No . 279 , has been good enough to send in a short paper on ' English Masonry in 1 790 , ' when our mother lodge . was founded ; but , contrary to my full expectation of receiving him as my guest on this occasion , he has been prevented being with us in person to-day by his doctor ' s orders , owing to an unfortunate attack of paralysis . Those who had the privilege of hearing the sermon of the
Rev . Charles Martyn , P . G . Chap ., Chaplain to the Queen , & c , at St . George ' s Church , on the 31 st August last , will be delighted to have him once more with us , and to listen to the oration which he had been good enough to prepare for this auspicious occasion . Without taking up more of your valuable time 1 will now call upon the Secretary to read the Centenary warrant . "
The . grand old Mason was very affectionately received , and the delivery of the address was , in Masonic fashion , warmly applauded . Many were the heartfelt congratulations offered to him by his brethren of hi gh and low degree on his having been spared to see the completion of the Centenary of the lodge which so far back as the 7 th November , 1838 , gave him Masonic birth . With Bro . Kelly absent from the Centenary Festival the event would indeed have been shorn of
the chief interest which attached to it , and he it was who , during the whole of the day ' s proceedings , was rightly the centre of attraction , and whom above all others the brethren deli ghted to honour . That he may live many years to extend to the brethren of his province the benefit of his long and wide Masonic experience is the devout and ardent prayer of every Mason who , either personally or through his Masonic work and writings , has the enviable privilege of his acquaintance .
To return to the order of proceedings . On the completion of Bro . Kelly ' s address the Secretary of the lodge , Bro . CHAS . BENNION , Prov . G . Stwd ., read the Centenary warrant , which having been handed to the Prov . G . M ., was presented by him to the W . M . in an exceedingly neat and graceful speech , in the course of which he congratulated the aged chief on the consummation of the wish which had for so long a period found prominence in his heart , the members on the high and much-coveted distinction which their lodge had attained , and himself the Prov . G . M . on being privileged to attend on an occasion so unique and
auspicious . A short but extremely interesting paper on "English Freemasonry in 1790 " by Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . England , P . P . S . G . W . Cornwall , and an honorary member of the lodge , was then read by Bro . the Rev . C HENTON WOOD , M . A ., P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec . The absence of Bro . Hughan , and especially the cause of his absence , was much and generally regretted .
Bro . Hughan ' s paper was followed by a brief historical account of the lodge from 1790 to 18 90 by Bro . W . Maurice Williams , I . P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . The W . M . then unveiled a commemoration tablet of brass , mounted in a massive oak frame , specially and elegantly designed by , and executed under the superintendence of , Bro . W . H . Noble , Steward of the lodge . The tablet bears the following inscription :
St . John's Lodge , No . 270 , Province of Leicestershire and Rutland . R . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , Prov . G . Master ; VV . Bro . Samuel S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . The St . John's Lodge , No . 279 , having completed the 100 th year of its existence on the register of the Grand Lodge of England has placed this tablet as a permanent record of that auspicious event . Consecrated on thc nth day of November , 1790 , and having
during the before-named period existed in perfect unanimity and concord , it is now under the rule of its beloved chief , the R . W . Bro . VV . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., for the fifth time W . M ., and for upwards of 50 years a subscribing member , desires by this memorial to record its gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe for having so long preserved it , and to express earnest hope that its present prosperity and progress may be maintained for the welfare of the Craft and for the promotion of the great Masonic principles of brotherly love and relief and truth until time shall be no more .
Officers—R . W . Bro . William Kelly , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., Worshipful Master ; Bros . J . Maurice Williams , P . P . J . G . D ., Immediate P . M . ; J . Herbert Marshall , Prov . S . G . W ., Senior Warden ; Edward Holmes , Junior Warden ; the Rev . J . Henry Smith , B . A ., Chaplain ; Robt . Mitchie , P . P . J . G . D ., Treasurer ; Walter D . Grant , Senior Deacon ; Henry Pickering , Director of Cers . ; John Clifton , Inner Guard ; James Tanser , Prov .
G . T ., Tyler ; Chas . Bennion , Prov . G . Std ., Secretary ; Charles Lakin , Junior Deacon ; Chas . E . Birch , P . P . G . O ., Organist ; William H . Noble and John Butcher , Stewards . Past Masters—Bros . W . Kelly , R . W . P . P . G . M . ; W . H . Mams , P . P . S . G . D . ; L . A . Clarke , P . P . S . G . W . ; C Stretton , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . VV . Statham , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; S . Cleaver , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Smith , P . P . G . C ; J . O . Law , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . Gurden , P . P . A . G . D . C ; R . Michie , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Rowley , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; C F . Wike , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . M . Williams , P . P . J . G . D .
The Organist having played a voluntary , a singularly appropriate hymn ( 380 , Hymns , Ancient and Modern ) was sung . Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , M . A ., P . G . C England , D . P . G . M . Suffolk , and Chaplain-in-Ordinary to our Chief Patroness her Majesty the Queen , who attended at considerable inconvenience ( having journeyed to Leicester from Felixstowe ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wakefield Masonic Literary Society.
upon which great stress was laid by the lecturer . A system of Scottish Masonry , differing from that of England , might have continued to exist side by side with the latter , and that it did not was a matter of great importance . The Ancient landmarks had never been defined , but if they possessed any meaning at all the inclosure they marked out could not be lessened in size by their being set back , neither could it be extended by their being pushed forward so as to comprise any
territory beyond the former boundaries . Hence it seemed to follow that it was beyond the power of Grand Lodges to dispense with any one of the first Three Degrees , and as they could not subtract from neither could they add to the ceremonial or secrets of Ancient Freemasonry . The ceremonial of Ancient has been preserved in the Degrees of Modern Masonry , but it had been contended that besides the Degrees of E . A ., F . C , and M . M ., that
of Installed Master had also an existence in a period of time at least equally remote . But though in the first half of the last century a new Mastcr was installed , so also were the Wardens , and the ceremony was as simple and devoid of the elements making up a Degree in the one case as in the other . In support of this position three reasons might be assigned , each of which would establish to the entire satisfaction of Masonic students that the Degree of Installed Master was
unknown in the English lodges during the first half of the last century . The Royal Arch Degree was first heard of in 1 744 , and that of Installed Master in 1762 . These Degrees were adopted by the Original or Regujar Grand Lodge of England on its fusion with the Schismatics or " Ancients , " " and this action on their part had been regarded by foreign critics with disfavour , though , on the principle that " the end justified the means , " it had been viewed with complacency by English Masonic writers . But one of two conclusions was alone possible . Either Ancient
Freemasonry was composed of three Degrees only , or there was no limit whatever to the number of ceremonies that might be made Masonic by adoption . The first three Degrees therefore reposed upon a higher plane than the others . The remaining Degrees to which Freemasons only were admitted had their special merits and attractions , but of one and all it mi ght be said , without in the sli ghtest respect deprecating their value , that they did not , and could not , be said to form an integral part of the system of pure and Ancient Masonry which preceded their own existence .
The lecture , the salient features and dates of which were emphasised by means of a blackboard , was followed with considerable interest , and at its close a very interesting discussion arose upon several of the points raised , notably on the subject of the Royal Arch and Installed Masters' Degrees . The LECTURER having replied , a vote of thanks to Bro * . Gould , proposed by Bro . C L . MASON , seconded b y Bro . A . W . STAANFSELD , J . P ., and supported by Bro . J . GERRARD , P . M ., was carried by acclamation .
Bro . GOULD thanked the members of the Wakefield Masonic Literary Society for their intelligent interest in and appreciation of his lecture , and spoke in very warm terms of the hearty welcome which be had received from his Yorkshire brethren at this the outset of his tour . He explained that he was at Huddersfield
on the previous evening , and that he contemplated visiting Halifax , Dewsbury , York , Hull , arid Sheffield , at all of which places he had arranged to deliver lectures . He especially thanked the Prov . G . M . for paying him the compliment of his presence that evening , and above all for the kind and generous terms in which he had spoken of him in the very able address which had preceded his lecture .
The brethren then adjourned for refreshment , and "The Health of Bro . Gould , " proposed in graceful terms by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . H . SMITH , who presided , was drunk with Yorkshire heartiness . We understand that the course of lectures projected for Bro . Gould was duly carried out , that the arrangements at Huddersfield were in the hands of Bro . A . J . H . Fletcher and the W . Masters of Lodges 275 and 290 , that Bros . A . Robertshaw , W . M ., and Austin Roberts acted for Lodges 61 and 448 at Halifax
and Bros . Whytehead , Shackles , Binney , and A . Shaw managed matters for . the various lodges at York , Hull , Sheffield , and Dewsbury , at all of which places the suggestion of a visit froir , Bro . Gould was eagerly entertained . The author of the " History of Freemasonry , " we are informed , has every reason to be gratified with his Yorkshire tour , and we should not be surprised to learn that as one immediate result the numbers of the Correspondence Circle of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge will be materially increased .
A strenuous effort on the part of Bros . T . W . Embleton , P . M . ; J . H . Gration , P . M . ; and Chas . Lingard , Sec . ( all of Lodge 1513 , Barnsley ) , to secure a visit and lecture from Bro . Gould unfortunatel y failed . The dates at the disposal of the Barnsley brethren could not be made to fit in with Bro . Gould's arrangements .
Centenary Celebration Of St. John's Lodge, No. 279, Leicester.
CENTENARY CELEBRATION OF ST . JOHN'S LODGE , No . 279 , LEICESTER .
It will be in the recollection of our readers that the members of this the mother lodge of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland , and a large number of visiting brethren from that province , and from adjacent and distant provinces , celebrated the 100 th anniversary of the establishment of the lodge by attending a service of thanksgiving at St . George ' s Church , Leicester ( . the foundation-stone of which church was laid in 1825 with full Masonic honours by this lodge ) on Sunday ,
the 31 st August last , that day in 1790 being the date of the warrant of the lodge . It was on that occasion announced that the centenary would be further celebrated under the sanction of the Provincial Grand Master of Leicestershire and Rutland by a lodge of emergency and banquet on the nth November ( that date in 1790 being the date of the consecration of the lodge and the installation of its first Master ) . In fulfilment of that announcement the W . M . of the lodge , Bro .
William Kelly , F . S . A ., F . R . H . S ., P . Prov . G . M . ( for whose restoration to health after a most serious illness may the G . A . O . T . U . be praised ) , summoned the members to meet at the Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Tuesday sen ' ni ght , and a cordial invitation was issued to every member of the other 11 lodges within the province , and to a goodly number of distinguished brethren outside the province , to attend on the occasion . Moreover , in honour of the event Bro . the Earl of Ferrers , Prov . G . M ., summoned the Present and Past Officers of Provincial Grand
Lodge to attend him on a state visit to the lodge . Accordingly on Tuesday , the nth instant , a very large number of brethren from all parts of the country being present , the W . M . opened the lodge , and immediately afterwards the Prov . G . M ., the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , the Officers Present and Past of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire and Rutland , and several Past Officers of the Grand Lodge of England and Officers of nei ghbouring Provincial Grand Lodges were admitted and received with the customary salutations .
The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER having very briefly thanked the assembled brethren for the cordiality of their reception , the hymn " Hail Eternal , by whose aid" was sung in a thoroughly reverend , hearty , and inspiring manner , Bro . C . E . Birch , P . Prov . G . Org ., the present Organist of St . John ' s Lodge , officiating at a new organ of beautiful tone kindly lent by Bro . J . Herbert Marshall , S . W . and P . M . 1007 , Prov . S . G . W .
The lodge room at this moment presented probably the most magnificent sight ever beheld within its walls , the display of Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge clothing , and of jewels , surpassing in splendour , and the assemblage of
Centenary Celebration Of St. John's Lodge, No. 279, Leicester.
brethren far exceeding in number , anything before witnessed at Masonic ceremonies in this province . The impressiveness of the proceedings at this stage was increased by the reading of Bro . the Rev . J . HENRY SMITH , M . A ., Chaplain and P . M . of the lodge , of the ist and 133 rd Psalms , and by the delivery of a special prayer written by him for the ceremony .
After an unmistakeabiy responsive " So mote it be , " our venerable , trusty , and well-beloved Bro . KELLY rose to deliver an introductory address , which , coming from one who has done exceptionally good suit and service to Masonry in the province over which he held sway as Prov . Grand Master for several years , ' and whose example has been followed and influence felt in every spot into which the ramifications of Masonic life have extended , deserves to be set out in extenso ,
and this we have special pleasure in doing : — " Ri ght Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Right Worshipful , Very Worshipful , and Worshipful Sirs , and brethren all , —Holding as I have had the distinguished honour to do for the fifth time the honourable position of Worshipful Master of St . John ' s Lodge on this ever memorable occasion of its centenary festival , allow me to welcome you all most heartily to this meeting which I sincerely trust will pass off to the honour
of the Ancient Craft and to the satisfaction and enjoyment of all present . Brethren , it has been sagely remarked ' that no one ought to prophesy until he knows , ' but I think everyone of us may sagely prophesy that whilst some of the names of those now present may be handed down to future generations of the Craft , not one of those now present will ever take part in a second centenary festival of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 . My intention is now to address you as
briefly as possible , as the list on the agenda paper is somewhat long . I will therefore explain that in my first year as Provincial Grand Master of this province in 1870 I issued a history of Freemasonry in Leicestershire from 1775 to that time , which has been out of print for many years ; and in 1888 , when celebrating my Masonic Jubilee , I had printed for presentation to the brethren of the lodge a little work entitled ' Fifty years of Masonic Reminiscences briefly Told . ' It had
been my intention to-day to have brought down this sketch of the history of St . John ' s Lodge to the present day , but the serious , and what mi g ht have been fatal , accident which befel me on the 28 th September last has up to the present time prevented me from taking any active part in the preparations for this important day ' s celebration , and the Immediate Past Master , Bro . W . Maurice Williams , has very kindly and in a truly fraternal spirit undertaken the literary
duty which should otherwise have devolved on me , and for which , with the other many important duties which he has so kindly performed , I shall ever feel greatly indebted personally , and for which the brethren of the lodge generally are , I am sure , deeply obliged to him . Brethren , I have now to congratulate you on the fact that our learned and distinguished Masonic author , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . of England , P . P . S . G . W . of Cornwall , and an honorary member of St . John ' s
Lodge , No . 279 , has been good enough to send in a short paper on ' English Masonry in 1 790 , ' when our mother lodge . was founded ; but , contrary to my full expectation of receiving him as my guest on this occasion , he has been prevented being with us in person to-day by his doctor ' s orders , owing to an unfortunate attack of paralysis . Those who had the privilege of hearing the sermon of the
Rev . Charles Martyn , P . G . Chap ., Chaplain to the Queen , & c , at St . George ' s Church , on the 31 st August last , will be delighted to have him once more with us , and to listen to the oration which he had been good enough to prepare for this auspicious occasion . Without taking up more of your valuable time 1 will now call upon the Secretary to read the Centenary warrant . "
The . grand old Mason was very affectionately received , and the delivery of the address was , in Masonic fashion , warmly applauded . Many were the heartfelt congratulations offered to him by his brethren of hi gh and low degree on his having been spared to see the completion of the Centenary of the lodge which so far back as the 7 th November , 1838 , gave him Masonic birth . With Bro . Kelly absent from the Centenary Festival the event would indeed have been shorn of
the chief interest which attached to it , and he it was who , during the whole of the day ' s proceedings , was rightly the centre of attraction , and whom above all others the brethren deli ghted to honour . That he may live many years to extend to the brethren of his province the benefit of his long and wide Masonic experience is the devout and ardent prayer of every Mason who , either personally or through his Masonic work and writings , has the enviable privilege of his acquaintance .
To return to the order of proceedings . On the completion of Bro . Kelly ' s address the Secretary of the lodge , Bro . CHAS . BENNION , Prov . G . Stwd ., read the Centenary warrant , which having been handed to the Prov . G . M ., was presented by him to the W . M . in an exceedingly neat and graceful speech , in the course of which he congratulated the aged chief on the consummation of the wish which had for so long a period found prominence in his heart , the members on the high and much-coveted distinction which their lodge had attained , and himself the Prov . G . M . on being privileged to attend on an occasion so unique and
auspicious . A short but extremely interesting paper on "English Freemasonry in 1790 " by Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . England , P . P . S . G . W . Cornwall , and an honorary member of the lodge , was then read by Bro . the Rev . C HENTON WOOD , M . A ., P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec . The absence of Bro . Hughan , and especially the cause of his absence , was much and generally regretted .
Bro . Hughan ' s paper was followed by a brief historical account of the lodge from 1790 to 18 90 by Bro . W . Maurice Williams , I . P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . The W . M . then unveiled a commemoration tablet of brass , mounted in a massive oak frame , specially and elegantly designed by , and executed under the superintendence of , Bro . W . H . Noble , Steward of the lodge . The tablet bears the following inscription :
St . John's Lodge , No . 270 , Province of Leicestershire and Rutland . R . W . Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , Prov . G . Master ; VV . Bro . Samuel S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., D . P . G . M . The St . John's Lodge , No . 279 , having completed the 100 th year of its existence on the register of the Grand Lodge of England has placed this tablet as a permanent record of that auspicious event . Consecrated on thc nth day of November , 1790 , and having
during the before-named period existed in perfect unanimity and concord , it is now under the rule of its beloved chief , the R . W . Bro . VV . Kelly , P . P . G . M ., for the fifth time W . M ., and for upwards of 50 years a subscribing member , desires by this memorial to record its gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe for having so long preserved it , and to express earnest hope that its present prosperity and progress may be maintained for the welfare of the Craft and for the promotion of the great Masonic principles of brotherly love and relief and truth until time shall be no more .
Officers—R . W . Bro . William Kelly , P . M ., P . P . G . M ., Worshipful Master ; Bros . J . Maurice Williams , P . P . J . G . D ., Immediate P . M . ; J . Herbert Marshall , Prov . S . G . W ., Senior Warden ; Edward Holmes , Junior Warden ; the Rev . J . Henry Smith , B . A ., Chaplain ; Robt . Mitchie , P . P . J . G . D ., Treasurer ; Walter D . Grant , Senior Deacon ; Henry Pickering , Director of Cers . ; John Clifton , Inner Guard ; James Tanser , Prov .
G . T ., Tyler ; Chas . Bennion , Prov . G . Std ., Secretary ; Charles Lakin , Junior Deacon ; Chas . E . Birch , P . P . G . O ., Organist ; William H . Noble and John Butcher , Stewards . Past Masters—Bros . W . Kelly , R . W . P . P . G . M . ; W . H . Mams , P . P . S . G . D . ; L . A . Clarke , P . P . S . G . W . ; C Stretton , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . VV . Statham , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; S . Cleaver , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Smith , P . P . G . C ; J . O . Law , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . Gurden , P . P . A . G . D . C ; R . Michie , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Rowley , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; C F . Wike , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . M . Williams , P . P . J . G . D .
The Organist having played a voluntary , a singularly appropriate hymn ( 380 , Hymns , Ancient and Modern ) was sung . Bro . the Rev . C . J . MARTYN , M . A ., P . G . C England , D . P . G . M . Suffolk , and Chaplain-in-Ordinary to our Chief Patroness her Majesty the Queen , who attended at considerable inconvenience ( having journeyed to Leicester from Felixstowe ,