Presentation To Bro. James Willing, Jun.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JAMES WILLING , JUN .

A large and influential meeting was held at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , on the 13 th inst ., for the purpose of presenting to Bro . James Willing-, jun ., a testimonial to mark the estimation in which he is held by the Masonic body and other public and private friends . Bro . J . R . Stacey , of the Morning Advertiser occupied the chair as President of the Testimonial Committee , and he was

supported on the right by Bro . Willing , and on the left by Bro . Stiles , Hon . Sec . of the fund . A large number ot Masonic and other friends were present , including many members of the theatrical profession , amongst whom we noticed the following : Bros . A . Leon ( Spiers and Pond ) , E . Swanborough ( Strand Theatre ) , J . H . Bennett { Standard ) , W . T . Madge { Globe ) , Dumph y { Morning Post ) , VV . G . Thane { Standard ) , Du Val , of Egyptian Hall renown ; W . Harris , C . I . Scales , J . H . Batty , I . T . Buston . C . I .

Taylor , Willis , Dawson , Capt . Hobson , J . N . Hare ( General Omnibus Company ) , C . Hudson , Dr . Dunn , W . W . Knight , lames Terry ( Sec . of the Masonic Benevolent Institution ) , W . VV . Morgan , E . C . Massey , and many others . The toast ol " Her Majesty the Oueen" was proposed and coupled on this occasion witfT that of the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . None of the loyalty and heartiness which always accompanies the toast of the

Queen was lost by its being connected with her illustrious son , and it was received with the greatest fervour . Bro . STACEY then rose and said that he believed all present were aware that the object with which they had met that evening was to do some little honour by showing some little evidence of regard for the esteemed brother whom they had known for so many years . He remembered with pride his introduction to Bro . Willing , 15 or 16

years ago , in the work of Masonry . Bro . Willing made astonishing progress and left competitors behind in Masonry as he did in other undertakings . His compeers found that before they could attain his position in one lodge , he was founder of several lodges , many chapters , and Steward many times to the Masonic Charities . . In all the offices of Freemasonry Bro . Willing had done good suit and service ; he had done

everything as a good and true Mason to further the ¦ cause of Masonry in every way . Therefore it was the wish of his friends to try to do him honour as a good Freemason and as a citizen of the world . They could look hack on his career during the last 1 . 4 or 15 years and recall his steady and increasing- success . But , however successful he had been , Bro . Willing- was always known as a most energetic citizen , a genial friend , and an honourable and iust man of

business . For the rest , a few of Bro . Writing ' s friends had consulted together as to the way in which they could mark their esteem , and it was no sooner known that the movement was initiated than ftiends from all directions pressed forward and asked to have the- privilege of assisting in the work . Turning to the guest of the evening , Bro . Stacey said -. My dear Bro . Willing , wc beg most sincerely that you will be pleased to receive from us this token of out

esteem and regard for you . May you live long to enjoy it , and when in the course of time you have fulfilled your earthly career , may it be handed down and remain as an heirloom in your family . Wc trust that you ' will live Very many years to look upon and use these tokens of the regard of your friends , and that when , in God ' s time , your earthly life shall end you may leave this to remind your successors that , as a loving husband , an excellent father , and

most sincere friend you were loved by your contemporaries , and that they may read upon this bauble that you were held in high esteem by your fellow citi / ensand brethren in the Craft . the CHAIRMAN then called upon Bro . Stiles , the Hon . Secretary , to read the inscription on the central piece of plate , which was as follows : - "J . W . —M . A . P . W . —This dessert service was presented to James Willing , jun ., W . M . 19 S 7 , P . M . and Treasurer

1507 and 1744 , P . Z . and Treasurer 1507 , & c , & c , by numerous Masonic and other friends , in appreciation of his zealous services to Freemasonry , his many kindly acts , and in token of their respect and esteem . May 1 SS 4 . " Bro . WILLI . NO said : Mr . President , gentlemen , and brethren , —1 feel inclined to say brethren altogether on the present occasion , —I do not remember ever to have risen on an occasion when I wanted so much to say something

to the purpose , or when I felt less able to give expression to my thoughts . When any person has been for many years before the public , as 1 have been , and sees his many friends putting aside their business avocations and the various serious pursuits they have in life to come together to do him honour , as you have come here to do me honour to-day , it must be a source of the greatest gratilicatiqn to him , and he must know that such an occasion can only come to him

once in his life . 1 appreciate the assembly of gentlemen here this evening more than any testimonial , however great its value , that you have g iven me . Mr . Stacey has alluded to many things this evening—first of all to what 1 have been able to do in connection with Freemasonry . I have always done my best , because I believe in the tenctsof the Craft ; and a labour that a man delights in becomes a pleasure . As for as a citizen of the world , I may say that my success I

have in a great measure to thank the President for . He was constantly tellingmeof theimportance of _ the business , and I can assure you that the kindness of his disposition , his placing himself always at my disposal , helped my success greatly , and I do not think that any man could secure such a success as attended me as a young man unless he had a good friend at his back ready to help him at all time . Mr . President and gentlemen , for this splendid

testimonial which you have been kind enough to give mc , I thank you . 1 know that you have desired that my wife and family should participate in the . recognition you have kindly made mc , on account of the absence from home that Masonry entails . In their name , as well as for myself , I thank you , but I can assure you that , as far as I am concerned , if any incidental pleasure can be given to the husband and father , the wife and children look upon it with

added pleasure . I have never seen a handsomer service than you have given me , and it will remain with me as long as I live , and afterwards will be handed down to my children as a memento that at one time in life , at all events , I was held in good esteem . Whatever I may have done in the past , in the future my earnest and hearty services

will be at your disposal , and I shall look back to this hour ajs one of the proudest of my life . Several other toasts were subsequently proposed and honoured , the principal speakers being Dr . Dunn , Bros . Terry , Hudson , Stiles , Swanborough , Harris , & . c . Among others the healths of Bro . Willing-, sen ., who was absent

Presentation To Bro. James Willing, Jun.

from indisposition , and of Bro . Douglass , ot the Standard Theatre , who was specially engaged at the theatre that evening , were proposed . The value of the presentation of plate is about 300 guineas .

Presentation To R.W. Bro. Col. Ramsay, Past District Grand Master Punjab.

PRESENTATION TO R . W . BRO . COL . RAMSAY , PAST DISTRICT GRAND MASTER PUNJAB .

A highly interesting ceremony in connection with the regular meeting of the Honor Oak Lodge , No . 19 S 6 , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst ., at the Moore Park Hotel , Honor Oak , gave considerable eclat to the general business

of the evening , more particularly that a majority of members and the numerous visitors alike had no prior knowledge of what was to take place . The VV . M ., Bro . Chas . Henry Phillips , opened the lodge , supported by the following oflicers : Bros . Walter Hopekirk , l . P . M . ; H . M . Williams , S . W . ; Henry Stokes , J . W . ; John Hammond , . P . M ., P . P . G . D . Middx ., Sec . ; Rev . I . Wilton Haffenden , Chap . ;

J . W . Hartley , S . D . ; H . Hooper , J . D . ; and G . VV . Knight , I . G . Amongst the members present were Bros . J . Fuller , F . Wootton , W . H . O'Reilly , N . R . Mackinnon , D . Baird , C . Longhurst , W . Moodey , R . Neilans , G . R . Langley , S . S . Young , J . Forstcr , and others . The visitors were Bros . George Davies , P . M ., P . D . G . Sec . Punjab ; R . Mathews , P . M ., Prov . G . J . D . Gloucester ; las . Stevens ,

P . M . 720 , 1216 , and 1420 , & c ; VV . H . Williams , P . M . 104 ; A . J . Bellis , l . P . M . 1901 ; James Hading , P . M . and Treas . 30 ; VV . E . Davey , S . W . 1512 ; S . Richardson , J . W . 1 S 3 ; J . A . Danks , 1669 ; F . Baxter , 1216 ; G . H . W . Tear , 72 ; and W . Vilven , 1056 . The R . W . Bro . Col Ramsay , who is a member of this lodge , occupied a position of honour on the left of the VV . M .

The minutes of the previous meeting and of a lodge of emergency held for the passing of five brethren were read and confirmed . Bro . C . Longhurst was raised to the Third Degree , and Messrs . Samuel Scott . Young and B . Foster were initiated into the Order . The highly impressive manner in which the VV . M ., Bro . Phillips , conducted the respective ceremonies , with a most unusual correctness of

ritual and perfection of detail , was worthy of and received expressions of praise from all present , and his Wardens and Deacons also performed their part of the work in a most satisfactory manner . The Honor Oak is but a young lodge , but there appears to be an amount of earnestness amongst its members which bids fair to make it a most honourable addition to the Craft . If so much is done so well

in the " green leaf , " what may not fairly be expected from it in the "dry ? " We could wish , however , that the practice ot " resuming " thclodge from higher to lower degrees without closing the M . M . and F . C . lodges during the evening was avoided , for it certainly is not . correct Masonry . With this remark alone , wc do not hesitate to say that " work" on this occasion was worthy of imitation by all our

lodges . A notice of motion to raise the joining fee was not in order , and the consideration of the subject was deferred . The Audit Committee ' s report was received . A sum of 10 guineas was voted to the list of Bro . Ramsay , who was about to represent the lodge as Steward at the ensuing Festival of the Institution for Girls . Reference was made to the intention of the lodge to form a Masonic Benevolent

Association , and announcement was given of the intended opening of the Honor Oak Lodge of Instruction on the igth inst ., under the auspices of VV . Bro . James Terry , who had undertaken to perform the ceremonies of consecration and installation on the occasion . With this the ordinary business of the lodge terminated , and the VV . M . then in brief terms introduced formally to the lodge the V . W . Bro .

Geo . Davies , P . D . G . Sec . Punjab , for whom he claimed their attention . Uro . DAVIES , who was cordially received by the brethren , said : Permit me , first , VVorshipful Master , to tender to you fraternal greetings from the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab , by whom I am deputed to present the following address to the Right Worshipful Bro . Colonel

Ramsey , now a member of your lodge : " District Grand Lodge of the Punjab . "To the Right VVorshipful Bro . Colonel Marmadukc Ramsay , Past R . W . D . G . M . " R . W . Sir and Bro . —Wc , Colonel A . S . Stewart , R . W . D . G . M . ; Col . G . B . lWolcsley , Wor . D . D . G . M . ; Colonel T . T . Boswell , C . B ., Wor . S . G . Warden ; Hy . Whymper , Wor . J . G . Warden , with the other worshipful brethren in District Grand Lodge assembled , with fraternal and hcartv

greeting do hereby tender you our great regret that the state of your health necessitates your removal from India and the resignation of the high office as head of the Ancient Order of Freemasons in this important province of India entrusted to you by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of the Order . We beg hereby to express our sense of the great service you rendered to the cause of

breemasonry during the 10 years you ruled this district , from 1 S 72 to 18 S 2 , during , which time the number of lodges were increased from n to 19 and the membership from 29 G to over 600 , and the financial position of the D . G . Lodge established on a sound basis . During those years the beautiful Freemasons' Hall was made over to D . G . Lodge , suitably furnished and adorned , and the Punjab Masonic

Institution attained a degree of prosperity never contemp lated by its most ardent supporters . Its annual income increased from less than Rs . 2000 to over Rs . Sooo ; and in addition to all this you generated b y your zeal and fraternal spirit the true principles of Masonry— 'The Fatherhood of God' and 'the Brotherhood of Man . ' In congratulating you on what you were able to do for

Masonry in promoting the best interests of men you will be pleased to learn that the same spirit still prevails throughout the district , and that in truth it can be said we have peace within our walls and prosperity within our borders . "Signed on behalf of the R . W . D . G . M ., the Worshipful D . D . G . M ., the VVorshi p ful Grand Wardens , and the other worshipful brethren in District Grand Lodge assembled .

"C . H . PHILLIPS , W . M . 19 SG , for Dist . Grand Lodge . "GEORGE DAVIES , Past Dist . Grand Sec . " London , May 14 th , 1 SS 4 . " Bro . Davies then proceeded to the following effect : " W . Sir , —Masonry being universal I am persuaded that a succinct synopsis of the labours of R . W . Bro . Col .

Ramsay during the ten years he ruled the District of the Punjab will prove interesting and instructive to you all . When Bro . Ramsay was called to the charge of the Punjab the prospect of Masonry there was gloomy in the extreme , and the late W . Bro . Col . Baseri , whom he succeeded , seriously contemplated returning his warrant to England , and working under the rule of the District Grand

Presentation To R.W. Bro. Col. Ramsay, Past District Grand Master Punjab.

Lodge of Bengal . There were at that time only eleven lodges in the district , with 290 subscribing members , and two of the lodges were in abeyance . Grand Lodge was heavily in debt ; had used up every penny of the Fund of Benevolence money ; and although it had been in existence upwards of four years not a peiinv had been dispensed in chanty , nor a single child brought " on the Education Fund . VVhen Bro . Ramsey made over the charc-e of the district .

alter ruling it nearly ten years , there existed nineteen strong lodges with over six hundred subscribing members , the District Grand Lodge being in possession of a magnificent hall of its own , beautifully furnished , having no debts of any kind , and a considerable sum to the good ; in addition , the I'und of Benevolence had / . ' 400 to its credit , and had expended £ 1500 in charity , the Punjab Masonic Educational Fund , after educating thirty children , had balance of invested in

a ^ . 3000 Government Securities , its income having increased from about £ 90 per annum to £ 1000 per annum , this income being derived from purely ' voluntary subscriptions , from members of the Order during his tenure of office . No ballot had ever been taken for children , as room was made for every applicant and no child was ever refused ; nor was any application for relief made to the District Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence

ever left unattended to . If you will permit mc I will give one case to illustrate the many . A brother with a wife and large family was struck down by sun stroke ; the doctor said that unless he was removed to the hills at once he must sink ; his wife was absolutely without means ; by that evening a sum of £ 120 had been raised and made over to the wife , a furnished house at Dalhousie provided for their reception , secured ,

and arrangements made to remit £ ( 5 a month for their ' subsistence until it was possible for him to return to the plains , which he did some six months afterwards , perfectly recovered . In this single instance will be found illustrated the spirit which characterised Bro . Ramsey ' s administration of the district . One more instance . A brother in the prime of life dying , ' left a' widow and children quiteunprovided for from no fault of his own ; she , having the

aDinty , was assisted to the extent of £ 400 in establishing a school in the Hills of India , the result being that she is now the head of a nourishing Institution . Bro . Ramsey ' s purpose was to help all needing help to help themselves . What I have stated refers to the Grand Lodge only , but this b y no means represents the benefits which followed his administration , as each of the 19 lodges caught the spirit of the District 'Grand Master and vied with one

another in promoting the best interests of their fellows . It was indeed ten years of noble work , and what was accomplished proves " how good a thing it is for brethren to . dwell together in unity . " Addressing Bro . Ramsey , Bro . Davies said : And now Right Worshipful Sir , I present to you in the name of the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab their best and heartiest greetings and this address , which will indicate to you the feelings of respect and reverence

which is' entertained by them towards you ; and may the G . A . O . T . U . prosper and bless you all the days of your life . Bro . Davics ' s earnest and forcible speech was listened to with deep attention , and on the presentation of the beautifully illuminated parchment to its honoured recipient , a burst of well-merited applause betokened the satisfaction afforded to ' all present . The R . W . Bro . Col . RAMSAY , with evident emotion which for a few moments could scarcely be controlledsaid : W .

, Bro . Davies and W . M ., 1 . trust you will convey to the R . W . G . M ., the D . G . M ., and the brethren ol the Punjab my heartfelt thanks for the address which they have so kindly forwarded to inc . The 10 years that I ruled the district arc 10 years full of pleasant memories , fruitful beyond expectation ; but 1 have no desire to take the whole credit to myself , as no one is more sensible than I am how impossible it would be for any single man to bring about such results

unaided . From the moment I assumed charge of-the district brethren from all quarters tendered me their loyal support , and it is to me a delightful retrospect that I have never made an appeal for help in cases of need but that 1 received double what I asked for . With such a district to govern , the attainment of such results was easy ; however skillfully the head-may devise the hands are needed for its successful carrying out , and not only the hands , but each

joint of the body must perform its allotted task , and this was done by the brethren of the district , one and all ; and by no one was I more cordiall y assisted than by yourself , VV . Sir , who was throughout all those years my D . G . Secretary . To me the p leasing memories of those 10 years will ever be dear , and-1 shali always reflect with satisfaction that I was the directing head of a district that educated , maintained , clothed , and started in life , in positions far above

those occupied by their parents , 30 boys and girls , and that the claims of all " poor and distressed " were fully and cordially met . I trust I shall be permitted still to render some assistance to the cause of Masonry , which is dear to my heart . In conclusion , VV . Sir , let mc assure you it is an additional pleasure to me to receive this address in the body of a lodge which received me in so cordial and fraternal a manner as the 1 lonor Oak has done , and 1 thank you for

your kindness in allowing the presentation to take place within its walls . Bro . Ramsay then resumed his seat , and Bro . VVALTKK HOPEKIRK , P . M ., having expressed to Bro . Davies on behalf of the lodge ' thc p leasure his address had afforded them , and congratulating its members that so highly honoured a brother as Col . Ramsay was enrolled amongst them , proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the V . W . Bro .

Davies , and that honorary membership of the lodge be offered for his acceptance . This was carried by acclamation , and Bro . DAVIES , evidently taken by surprise , returned his warmest-thanks for the compliment paid to him , taking occasion at the same time to extol the work of the lodge as he had seen and heard it carried out by the W . M . and his officers . ¦ Bro . HOPEKIRK referred to the recent decease of Bro .

Ambrose , one of Ihe earliest initiates in the lodge , and a vote of condolence was passed to be conveyed to the widow , and this was supplemented by other practical and substantial assistance . All business being ended , and the ¦ business was such as all earnest Masons could but thoroughly enjoy , the lodge was closed . Time was pressing on visitors from a distance , and the

speeches after supper were laudabl y condensed . Several of the brethren assisted to keep up the harmony which had prevailed throughout the evening , and at last the brethren separated , gratified to the fullest extent with all that had transpired , and with music in their hearts vibrating to the chords of loyalty arid charity which had been so frequently struck during . the unique and interesting proceedings .