Lating The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Temple At Kelvedon, Essex.

LATING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW MASONIC TEMPLE AT KELVEDON , ESSEX .

A highly interesting ceremony , perhaps unique in the annals of Freemasonry in the Province of Essex , took p lace at Kelvedon . on Thursday , the 14 th inst . The present W . M . of the Easterford Lodge , No . 2342 , a comparatively young lodge in the province , is Bro . Sir William Neville Abdy , Bart ., a justly esteemed and

very zealous Mason , and he , in the goodness of his heart and the love he bears to the Craft in general , and the Easterford Lodge in particular , has recently made a truly princely gift to the lodge he presides over with so much ability and devotion , by promising to build , at his own entire expense , a fitting home for the Easterford Lodge . The land has already been consigned

to trustees for the use of the lodge for Masonic purposes for ever , and oh the above day the corner stone of the very handsome temple which is to be erected thereon was laid by the generous donor himself , with full Masonic ceremony , and in the presence of a distinguished gathering of brethren ' , and a large number of the fair sex , who watched the unique proceedings with evident interest .

The brethren assembled in the lodge room , Angel Hotel , Bro . Sir W . N . Abdy occupying the chair , and after opening the lodge , Sir William vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . H . Salter , P . M ., who , in an impressive manner , initiated his friend , Mr . Alfred Money Wigram , M . P . for the Romford Division of Essex , into the mysteries of the Craft .

The Worshipful Master then resumed the chair , and , Bro . J . H . SALTER in the name of the brethren of the lodge , in a most happy speech , presented Bro . Sir W . N . Abdy with a handsome silver trowel , with carved ivory handle , as a token of the regard entertained for him by them , and as a memento of the interesting event about to take place . The trowel bore the following inscription : "

Presented to W . M . Sir William Neville Abdy , Bart , by the members of the Easterford Lodge , No . 2342 , in commemoration of his laying the foundation stone of the new Temple so generously presented to the lodg : by himself . Kelvedon , June 14 th , 1894 . " The W . M ., who spoke with evident emotion , said the presentation came as quite a surprise to him . He wished to thank them from the bottom of his heart for

their expression of loving kindness towards him ; he was deeply touched by their kindness , and although what he would say would come from the very bottom of his heart , he could not find words to adequately convey his great thanks . He assured them he would ever prize the trowel above his most cherished possessions , for it would always remind him of their very

real goodness and kindness to him . A procession was then formed and marched to the site of the new building , where an awning had been erected , and here a number of the general public and a good posse of ladies had assembled . The W . M . then delivered an interesting address , describing the brethren as true and faithful Masons .

They had among them secrets which were not revealed , and which no man had discovered ; but they were honourable secrets , and were not repugnant to the laws of God or man . Those secrets it was their duty to transmit unimpaired to posterity . If their cause were not a good and honourable one , it would not have lasted so many years , and they would not have so many

distinguished members . It was the first duty of Masons in all tfieir undertakings to invoke the aid of the Great Architect of the Universe ; and he begged , therefore , to call upon the Chaplain to offer prayer . Bro . the Rev . THOS . LLOVU , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap ., having responded to the request , . Bro . T . J . RALLING , Prov . G . Sec , read aloud the

inscription on the stone , which was as follows : " This stone was laid by Sir William Abdy , Bart ., Worshipful Master Easterford Lodge , No . 2342 , June 14 th , A . L , 5894 , A . D . 1894 , " and the Treasurer , Bro . J . H . Salter , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., then deposited a phial containing coins and newspapers in the cavity .

Ihe stone was then laid by Sir William , who having 'July proved its just position and form , gave it three distinct taps , and declared it well and truly laid . He expressed a hope that the architect would proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work , and he handed Bro . J . H . Salter , as Treasurer , the covenant and deed of trust .

The hymn , "All people that on earth do dwell , " having been sung , the Benediction was pronounced by 'he Chaplain . 3 Bro . F . Spalding then took a photograph of the party , and the procession , in inverted order , returned to the lodge , which was afterwards closed . A champagne luncheon followed at the Angel Hotel , 'he W . M . presided , having on his right the newly .

made brother , Bro . A . Money Wigram , M . P ., the brethren and visitors present numbering 40 . The W . M . having given the toast of "The Queen an a the Craft , " proposed "The Initiate . " He said that ; ill lod ges wanted initiates , but there were initiates and "iitiates . Some initiates as they proceeded did so w Hhout taking an interest in the Craft , and there were ii

M ) , e , he regretted to say , but only a few , happily , whose names did not redound to the honour and glory 01 the lodge into which they were admitted . He felt i > ure , however , that the name of their initiate of that aay would do so . Bro . Wigram was a man of intele « , insomuch that he had been chosen by the electors 0 assist in presiding over the destinies of the country , dn d he ( Sir William ) felt sure that Essex would find in

Lating The Foundation Stone Of A New Masonic Temple At Kelvedon, Essex.

him an earnest and honest advocate , in the sore trial through which , as an agricultural county , they were passing . He felt sure , also , that Bro . Wigram would do his duty as a Mason , and that he would learn to appreciate the good which Freemasonry professed to do for humanity , and the principles which its members universally carried out .

Bio . A . MONEY WIGRAM , who received quite an ovation , said it was seldom that one could lay claim to a title without having it disputed ; but he thought he might safely claim that he was at the present moment the youngest " entered apprentice . " He thought he could also lay claim to having been present at a ceremony such as few men had the

opportunity of witnessing . He could assure them that he esteemed it a very great privilege to have been admitted into their lodge . The greatest pleasure that those who spent their days in the turmoil of political life could have , was to join an absolutely non-political society . That he was impressed by their ceremony he need hardly say , and he would endeavour to take to heart

the good advice given him by the Worshipful Master and his old friend , Bro . Salter . He would attend the lodge meetings to the utmost of his power . He did not ask to be admitted to the lodge as a " show figure , " but with the intention of coming amongst them as often as he could and doing his duty . He would spare no effort to take his proper place in their new temple .

The other toasts were " The Worshipful Master , proposed in eulogistic terms by Bro . the Rev . T . LLOYD ; " The Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " proposed by Bro . J . H . SAOLER , and responded toby Bros . T . J . RALLING and E . H . BAILEY ; "The Visitors , " by the WORSHIPFUL MASTER , responded to by Bros . J . SADLER , E . HENNEMEYEK , J . P . LEWI . V ,

and F . G . GREEN ; "The Oflicers of the Easterford Lodge , " by Bro . J OSEPH SADLER , responded to by Bro . j . H . SALTER , P . M ., Treas . ; and the Tyler's toast . The visitors included Bros . T . J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., Prov . G . Sec ; Rev . T . Raffles , P . M . 2339 , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . SadLr , P . M . 1024 , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . P . Lewin , P . M . 276 , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; F . G .

Green , P . M . 1024 , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Hennemeyer , P . M . si , P . P . S . G . W . ; Walter de Caen , P . M . 1024 , P . P . A . G . P . ; F . Bird , P . M . 1024 , P . P . A . G . P . ; H . J . Skingley , P . M . 6 97 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . Francis , P . M . 51 , P . G . Siwd . ; F . C . Herbert , P . M . 45 ; W . Frost , 1977 ; T . Elsey Bland , 1024 ; L . J . Watts , 51 ; T . A . Bundock , 2442 ; E . H . Taylor , 1000 ;

b . W . Richards , Stwd . 6 97 ; and G . F . Hempson , LG . 2339 . The temple which Bro . Sir W . N . Abdy , Bart ., is so generously providing for the Easterford Lodge is to be of red brick , relieved by stone , and it will comprise a lo . ge room , Tyler ' s room , dining room , kitchen ,

cellar , and commodious vestibule . The lodge room will be 16 " feet high and its dimensions will be 30 feet by 40 feet . Mr . S . Thorne is the contractor , and the building will be erected under the personal supervision of Bro . F . Whitmore , architect , from plans prepared by the late Mr . Alan Stewart , CE .

Summer Outing Of The Tennant Lodge, No. 1992, Cardiff.

SUMMER OUTING OF THE TENNANT LODGE , No . 1992 , CARDIFF .

The summer outing of this lodge took place on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., in the beautiful grounds of Dunraven Castle , most generously placed at the disposal of the party by Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Dunraven , K . P .

About 120 brethren and ladies travelled in saloon and other carriages , specially retained , to Bridgend Station , where brakes were waiting to convey them to the castle , a lovely drive of about six miles . The weather being superb made the drive most enjoyable , and when entering his lordship ' s extensive grounds views of the sea in the distance gleaming with golden

sunshine lent enchantment to the scene , many were the expressions of pleasure . On arrival at the castle a most recherche luncheon , tastefully and prettily laid out under verandahs at the rear of the castle and facing the sea , was a welcome sight .

Bro . F . J . Ferris Bailey , W . M ., presided supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Marmaduke Tennant , and Miss Tennant , Mr . Irvine ( Lord Dunraven ' s agent ) , and most ofthe Past Masters of the lodge with their wives . During the luncheon Mr . Arthur Johnson ' s string band discoursed sweet music from a little distance .

Luncheon ended and the loyal toasts drunk with musical honours , The W . M . said it gave him great pleasure to propose the toast of "The Worshipful D . P . G . M ., " and though he could not in Bro . Tennant ' s presence say all that he would like to say , he could at least assure him that it was a great pleasure to them all to have

htm amongst them . They had the privilege of meeting him very often in the various lodges of the province , but it pleased them even more to see him on such a festive occasion as the present . Increased familiarity with the Worshipful Deputy meant increased liking and esteem . The toast was received with enthusiasm .

Bro . TENNANT thanked the W . M . and the ladies and brethren for the warmth of his reception , and expressed his gratitude to the W . M . forgiving him and his daughter the invitation to join them tiut day in their most enjoyable picnic . The W . M . had stated that in his presence he could not speak as freely as he could wish , but , though he was very sorry for Bro . Bailey , he did not hesitate to say that no such con-

Summer Outing Of The Tennant Lodge, No. 1992, Cardiff.

siderations would induce him to stay away when asked to meet them under such altogether delightful circumstances . He again thanked them most sincerely for their kind reception . The W . M . then , in cordial terms , proposed the toast of " Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Dunraven , K . P . " He bore eloquent testimony to the extreme

kindness of his lordship in giving permission ! to use as they pleased his beautiful grounds , and to the interest his lordship had taken in the matter by personally giving instructions for their comfort and happiness that day , instructions which had been most faithfully carried out by Mr . Irvine . ind those in charge

of the castle . He argued that apart fro . n their knowledge of his lordship they would know from the considerateness and courtesy of those who were in his lordship ' s employ that he himself must be a kindly , generous , and warm-hearted man . He thanked Mr . Irvine and all the others who had done so much for their

enjoyment , and asked the ladies and brethren to drink most heartily to the health of Bro . the Earl of Dunraven , in connection with which he should couple the name of Mr . Irvine . The toast was most cordially drunk , the brethren singing to the accompaniment of the band , " For he ' s a jolly good fellow . "

Mr . IRVINE , on rising to respond , was well received . He thanked the W . M . for all the kind things he had said about the Earl of Dunraven , and assured them that his lordshi p had taken a great interest in their visit there that day , and had requested him to do all he could for their comfort , which it had given him great pleasure to do . He was very glad that the weather

was so favourable , and sincerely hoped they would all most thoroughly enjoy the day , which his lordship would be delighted to hear had been the case . The toast of "The Ladies" was then proposed in his usual eloquent manner by Bro . T . MATTHEWS , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W ., and responded to in the same way by Bro . H . WHITE , P . M ., P . P . G . T ., both of whom indulged in

a dig at the W . M . Bro . J T . HOGG , Prov . G . Treas ., I . P . M ., then said he had a most pleasing duty entrusted to him . Bro . T . P . Kerman , J . W ., and Mrs . Kermin would on the following day celebrate their silver wedding . It was their privilege in the Tennant Lodge to jiiin in the joys and share the griefs of each other . They had

shared in Bro . Kerman ' s sorrows ; he had taken part in theirs . It was therefore a great pleasure to him to be made the mouthpiece of the brethren of the Tennant Lodge in congratulating Bro . and Mrs . Merman on reaching the termination of the first quarter of a century of their happy married life . The brethren had felt that they could not allow the occasion to pass

without showing some tangible mark of their interest in the happy event . He therefore had great pleasure in asking them to accept a punch bowl and ladle suitably engraved , as an earnest of their best wishes on the interesting occasion , and he sincerely hoped it would please the G . A . O . T . U . to spare them to spend very many more happy years together .

Bro . T . P . KERMAN , J . W . ( taken entirely by surprise ) , thanked Bro . Hogg and the brethren in the best way he could for their great kindness and thoughtfulness , and assured them he should ever prize the gift as an evidence of their good feeling towards himself and his beloved wife ; he informed the ladies and brethren that the 25 years had been very happy ones , and that if

he had to begin again he would marry the same dear little woman to-morrow . The D . P . G . M ., then , in a most humorous and hearty manner , proposed the toast of " The W . M , " a speech which was received with cheers and laughter , especially by the ladies . The W . M . immediately replied , and expressed his

pleasure at meeting them under such pleasant circumstances , The Earl of Dunraven had given up castle and grounds to them ; the weather was all that could be desired ; and everything conspired to make the day enjoyable , and he sincerely hoped that it would be most thoroughly enjoyed by them all . The party then assembled in front of the castle , and

were photographed by Bro . W . D . Dighton , afterwards being conducted through , and much admired , the beautiful castle and its contents , Bro . John Sheridan , S . W ., being especially enraptured with the magnificent collection of Shakesperean pictures , which he declared was the most complete he had ever seen . The time before tea was then spent in rambling

through the grounds , wandering to the beach , pi lying tennis , rounders , & c . After tea was perhaps the most enjoyable part of the day . To the sweet strains of the band dancing was indulged in by the more nimble members of the party , the others preferring to sit quietly and enjoy the scene , which , lit up by the rays of the setting sun , touched castle , sea , and hills with

golden beauty . Three hearty cheers having b : en givin for the W . M ., then for the Earl and Countess of Dunraven , afterwards for Bro . and Mrs . Dunn , who had catered so well , the party reluctantly turned towards the waiting brakes , and began the return jo . irr . ey , which , being safely accomplished , Cardiff was reached at 10 o ' clock , the unanimous opinion freely expressed being that it

had been an absolutely peifect day . At the regular meeting of the lodge on the following evening a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Bro . the Earl of Dunraven , aud ordered to be entered upon the minutes , and a copy seat to his lordship . The W . M . also expressed his gratitude to the Picnic Committee and the Stewards of the day for working so hard to make the outing such a grani success .