Centenary Of The Unanimity Lodge , No. 287.

CENTENARY OF THE UNANIMITY LODGE , No . 287 .

The brethren of the Unanimity Lodge , No . 287 , an excellent name by the way , celebrated their centenary at Stockport , Cheshire , on Wednesday , the 14 th inst . [ t was undoubtedly worthy of the high reputation they have acquired , not only for the excellence of the

working , but also for the lavish hospitality dispensed on this memorable occasion . The Unanimity is undoubtedly favoured in the matter of a popular W . M ., Bro . Henry Smith , and the efficiency and literary power disp layed by Bro . J . Cookson , the Secretary , P . P . G . T ., were worthy of all praise . Thc event was also favoured in the matter of visitors .

At the opening the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M ., presided , supported by a large gathering of Grand and Provincial Grand Officers , including Bros . John Chadwick , P . G . S . B . of England , and P . G . Sec . East Lancashire ; j . H . Sillitoe , P . G . Std . Br . of Eng land ; the Hon . Alan de Tatton Egerton , M . P ., P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Marshall , P . P . G . R . West Yorkshire ;

R . Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; Herbert Finch , P . G . R . ; James Cookson , P . M . and Sec . 287 , P . P . G . Treas . ; VV . Ramsden , P . P . G . D . ; A . Lawley , P . M ., P . P . A . G . Sec ; A . Ingham , I . P . M ., P . P . G . Steward ; John Newton , P . M ., P . A . G . Sec . East Lancashire ; John Beresford , P . M . 104 , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Clayton , P . M . So , P . P . J . G . W . ; John Leigh , P . M . 28 7 , P . P . G . Stwd . ;

John Wakefield , 287 , P . P . G . S . ; John Marshall , P . M . 61 ; Jervis T . Hudson , 287 ; R . W . Baker , P . M ., P . P . G . O . ; N . Dumville Fairhrother , P . M . 322 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; W . Pritchard , P . AL 323 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; J . Smith , P . M . 323 , P . P . J . G . D . ; George Roberts , S . W . 2 S 7 , P . P . G . S . ; Charles Booth , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; C . D . Cheetham , P . M . 093 , P . P . G . D . ; G . McClelland ,

P . P . J . G . D . ; the Rev . Arthur Symonds , P . G . C . ; Jos . Slack , P . M . 323 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Jonathan Bailey , P . M . 361 , P . P . G . Steward ; John Turner , P . M . 287 and 1748 , P . S . G . D . South Wales ( Western Division ); S . May , P . M . 322 , P . P . G . S ; Thomas E . Rigby , P . M . 287 ; John Hardwicke Marsh , S . W . 1730 ; Geo . Wild , 344 ; James A . Cookson , Steward 287 ; Thomas Aspinall ,

P . M . 287 ; J . Herbert Foster , W . M . 1957 ; R . Blakehurst , P . M . 28 7 ; G . S . Smith , P . M . ; Charles Hulme P . AL 322 ; James Jackson , 1957 ; John | Wakefield , 287 , P . P . G . S . ; Wm . B . Flower , 1108 ; John Newton , 1140 ; Thomas Thorniley , P . M . 287 ; Jos . H . Monk , 2 S 7 ; Wm . Skilling , Steward 1565 ; F . G . Brooke . 287 ; Charles Bullock , 287 ; George Boothby , P . M .

323 ; Alexander Allan , 1534 , Levi Wilkinson , P . AL 1519 ; Charles Dawson , P . M . 287 ; G . J . McKinley , 424 ; George Gaskell , P . M . 164 ; W . H . Armitt , S . W . 215 s ; H . G . Small , W . M . 2368 ; J . Davenport , 104 S ; P- D . Hayes , 104 ; Charles Clarkson , P . M . 104 . Joshua Preston , 287 ; John Slack , P . M . 323 ; G . Stevens , W . M . 323 ; John Nicholson , P . M . 322 ; W .

Fielding , J . W . 336 ; H . S . Carrington , P . M . 28 7 ; E . Webb , S . W . 1134 ; Hyde Marriott , 1030 ; Arthur H . Roworth ; C . Turner , P . M . 1011 and 2156 ; Robert Johnson , 2156 ; Wm . Dumville , P . M . 2156 ; George Ibeson , W . M . 295 ; Cuthbert Blacow , J . D . 2156 ; G . Bland , P . M . 267 ; Henry Lomas , I . P . M . 1957 ; Capel T . Hogg , I . P . M . 1938 and 711 ; Joseph Gregson

Gregory , I . P . M . 999 ; Geo . L . Mills , 1140 ; J . E . Rarton , P . M ., D . C . 33 6 ; C . M . Armitage , 322 ; Jas . Hudson , W . M . 322 ; Wm . Lees , 203 ; Thomas W . Weathered , 104 ; John Clarke , 287 ; and others . The lodge having been duly opened , the P . G . M ., Bro . Lord EGERTON OF TATTON , handed the centenary warrant to Bro . Henry Smith , W . M ., and in doing so

expressed the pleasure it afforded him to entrust the warrant to him , and also to the fact that the brethren bad done so well in celebrating the centenary of the lod ge . He was pleased to be able to be the means to convey to the W . M . the warrant . Bro . H . Smith , W . M ., duly received the warrant , which was read by the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro .

NEWHOUSE . Afterwards the WORSHIPFUL MASTER of the lodge asked the Prov . Grand Master to acccept the first centenary jewel of the lodge , which the Prov . Grand Master accepted amid much applause . He returned thanks , and expressed his sense of the high honour done him thereby .

The PROV . GRAND MASTEK also presented Bro . H . Smith , W . M ., with a second centenary jewel , which was gracefully accepted with a few well chosen remarks . Both the above were the gifts of the brethren of the Unanimity Lodge and were of 18-carat gold , richly enamelledandwerespecimensof beautiful workmanship . , ^ ro . J AMES COOKSON , Sec , then gave the following

brief epitome of the lodge history : Right Worshipful provincial Grand Master , Worshipful Master of the Lod ge of Unanimity , Grand and Provincial Grand Officers and Brethren , —This is a day sacred to the founders of the Unanimity Lodge , and to us all of Jutiful , not less than of respectful , commemoration . I A'ter lives of honour and usefulnessthe founders sleep

, j" the dust of mortality . The best eulogim we can pay . 'heir memories will be to imitate their undoubted v ' rlues , and endeavour to avoid their scarcely discern'tble faults . But upon this day of general Masonic Sl _ n > ficance , no less than of local pride , the brethren ma y , perhaps , expect from me some observations

conning the great Institution itself . Preston relates * ' 'he office of Provincial Grand Master was instituted , "o the first deputation granted by Earl Inchiquin , on ., loth of May , 1727 , to Hugh Warburton , Esq ., for t "J " Wales—but we claim that Cheshire was the first [ . ^ J a Provincial Grand Master appointed , viz ., Col . ' Columbine , two years earlier than the above date .

Centenary Of The Unanimity Lodge , No. 287.

We , therefore , have just reason to be proud of belonging to the oldest province appointed by the Grand Lodge of England . " Truth is great and mighty above all things . " If the history of our Order , as it is called by many , is interestingto any person of good education , it ought to be pre-eminently so to an Englishman . On referring back we find H . R . H . William Henry , then

Duke of Clarence , was initiated into Masonry in 17 S 6 at the Lodge No . 86 , then held at Plymouth . In February , 1787 , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was made a Mason at the Star and Garter , Pall Mall , over which his uncle , the Duke of Cumberland , presided as Grand Master . When the Duke of Cumberland died the Prince of Wales was chosen

Grand Master on November 24 th , 1790 , but not initiated into office until May 2 nd , 1792 . I just mention these facts to show that when our lodge was constituted , as well as at the present time , the flower of the nobility , the greatest excellence and genius amongst the commoners in the three united kingdoms , belonged to it , and played a conspicuous part

in its history , so that in fact its history may be said to form no inconsiderable portion of the history of England . We think one of the happiest reminiscences of the brethren of the lodge may appropriately be recorded here . It took place in connection with the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge , at Knutsford , on the 19 th September , 18 S 8 , under the

presidency of the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M . After the business of the day was ended , and the brethren had attended Divine service at the Knutsford Parish Church , on the kind invitation of Lord Egerton , a visit was paid by a very large number of brethren to Tatton Park , his " lordship ' s seat in Cheshire . The courteous hospitality having been heartily enjoyed ,

after inspecting the gardens , vine houses , and conservatories , & c , several groups of photographs were taken on the terrace fronting the mansion , in which his lordship was included . A very hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Bro . Beresford , the oldest Past Master present , to Lord and Lady Egerton for their entertainment . The Prov . Grand Master responded , and at the

request of the brethren all joined in singing the National Anthem , and then dispersed with very pleasant recollections of their visit . My brethren , this necessaril y hasty and imperfect sketch , embracing but a few salient points in the history of the Lodge of Unanimity , may yet suffice to impress us all with a sense of the dignity of Freemasonry . May it be our aim ever to unite

together in one common bond of brotherhood , of peace , benevolence , and love . Let us endeavour as far as possible to comfort the afflicted , dry the tears of the widow and orphan , and by timely aid in the hour of distress give fresh courage to weary hearts , and then we may rest assured that through whatsoever storms or perturbations it may pass , the life which is thus

rounded with duty will find ample sustenance in the assurance of faith , the consolation of hope , and the ministrations of charity ; and when mortal visions shall fade from the lustreless eye , on the sight of the departing soul shall beam the glory of the celestial visionsthose bright rounds—faith , hope , and charity of the golden ladder stretching from earth to heaven , and then

Though time , exhausted time , shall die , An old forgotten story ; We shall ascend and reign on high , In everlasting glory . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said it would be very pleasing to the brethren to have such an interesting record , and he was sure they would vote Bro . Cookson

their thanks for having prepared it . Bro . CLAYTON , P . P . J . G . W ., seconded the resolution , which was carried with cheers . After the anthem , " Behold how good , " & c , Bro . the Rev . A . SYMONDS delivered an oration , in the course of which he said : Can we do better than study the history of the past , of which our centenary

reminds us ? When we remember how many utterly false and mistaken ideas about the history of our Craft prevail , not only in the outside world , but even within our lodges , we may well take into consideration whether it is not worth our while to make ourselves

better acquainted with the true facts of our history . Alasonry is not an invention of the 19 th century ; it is not a mere organisation for social purposes , but a living organisation founded upon the very purest principles , and having as its aim above all things the moral and social welfare of its members .

Thanks were heartily accorded to Bro . Symonds for his oration , and the lodge having been resumed in the First Degree , the Grand and Prov . Grand Officers retired . The offertory taken in aid of the proposed new fund of benevolence for the relief of distressed aged brethren and widows realised nearly , £ 8 . The brethren partook of a banquet at the Pendlebury

Alemonal Orphanage in the evening , and there was an excellent attendance . Bro . H . Smith , W . AL , presided , supported by the R . W . P . G . M ., Lord Egerton of Tatton , the Hon . Alan Egerton of Tatton , and other brethren . The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured . " The Health of the R . W . P . G . M . ' was drunk with enthusiasm .

His LORDSHIP , in reply , said he had had very great pleasure in being present that day . It must have been very gratifying to the VV . M . and brethren in the success of the arrangements they had made for that interesting and pleasant gathering . He trusted that the other lodges over which he had the honour to preside would , in course of time , have their centenary and that it might be equally successful and that they might be as happy in having such a chronicler as Bro .

Centenary Of The Unanimity Lodge , No. 287.

Cookson . It was a very desirable thing that these records should be preserved . He had been struck by the manner in which that lodge had supported the Masonic Charities , which he thought would justify their continued existence . He trusted also that they would foster charitable work and in that way they would show that Masonry had a distinct career of

usefulness before it . In this respect he felt highly honoured , and although from ill-health he had not been able to go amongst them so much as he should have liked , yet he should hope always to be able to promote the welfare of the brethren of the Craft generally . Other toasts followed and were duly honoured . In the course of the proceedings an interesting incident

occurred . His lordship wished to take wine with " all past , present , and future subscribers to the Provincial Fund of Benevolence . " Needless to say the brethren rose en masse , and he appeared greatly gratified . It is to be hoped the future subscribers will remember to carry out their pledge . "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed in flowing

language by Bro . W . M . LANCASTER , the I . P . AL of the lodge , which was received with great applause . Bro . SMITH , in reply , said-. Provincial Grand Officers and brethren all , in the absence of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master and the Grand Officers who have been unable to remain later with us , I beg to tender you my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for the manner our

esteemed I . P . M ., Bro . Lancaster , has proposed the toast of my health , and for the hearty and enthusiastic manner in which it has pleased you to receive that toast . Brethren , we are told that " Out of the fulness of the mouth the heart speaketh , " but just now I have the feeling that the proverb contradicts itself . My heart is full—full of thoughts of joy and thankfulness , which

come crowding up for utterance—but words fail me . I must confess my utter inability to do even scant justice to this most memorable occasion ; this day of hope and promise so long looked forward to by onr lodge . Brethren , be assured that I am deeply sensible of the high honour you have done me in electing me as you did the centenary Master of your lodge , but more

especially have you laid me under obligations which I can never discharge by the more than handsome manner in which since my election you have responded to my appeal to you on behalf of the Alasonic Charities . You answered that appeal right nobly , and since then I have never felt so much as a passing doubt about the success of the celebration of our centenary . I am

indeed proud this night to say that not so much as even the semblance of a hitch has arisen to mar the dignity and the pleasure of our happy and historic festival . But in the midst of our festivities , let us not be unmindful of the wise and thoughful providence of those old Past Masters of the Lodge of Unanimity , who , in their care for the morrow , set aside such a sum

of money as has enabled us to add so materially to our Charity contributions in this our centenary year , and make our gifts worthy of this auspicious occasion . My connection with the lod ge is of too recent a date to have known even their names . Alost of them have joined the majority ; let us trust the Grand Lodge above . Yet have we not heard so graphically from our

esteemed old Past Master , Bro . Carrington , who is one of them happily still spared to us , how they schemed and tried in every way to guard this treasure they had set aside with so much self-denial , and kept their promise inviolate that it should not be touched until this year . Brethren , be assured that though dead they lie in honoured graves—the fruit of their good

deeds lives after them . It is not " interred with their bones . " Yes ! these noble deeds will Phcunix-like rise again from their ashes to live renewed in our hearts , Yes , brethren , these worthy lives are renewed daily by the examples and traditions they have left us in their legacy of brotherly love and charity . Long may these bright examples shine amongst us , and " Our hands be

open as the day for meeting Charity . " Brethren , though they are not here with us to-ni ght in the llesh , I somehow feel that their spirit is with us , and I would fain ask you to pledge their honoured memory in silent thankfulness . To the Prov . Grand Alaster , Grand

Officers , Prov . Grand Officers , and to you all , brethren , let me once more , on behalf of the lodge , offer my expressions of sincere gratitude for your willing help in making our centenary year and festival one of mark and happy memory in our good old lodge—something that shall remain in our minds as long as we live .

" As from the wing no sear the sky retains , " " The parted wave no furrow from the ship ' s keel shows . " So is it with our ordinary Masonic life . When happily conducted it is uneventful . Still there are times and epochs which leave their mark—their something worthy of record , and we have to thank our esteemed Secretary , Bro . Cookson , P . AL , and our esteemed Bro .

Blakehurst , P . M ., for the painstaking way in which they have compiled a most interesting sketch of the history of the lodge from its foundation up to the present time . It will , when complete , embrace an account of this day ' s proceedings , and the best thanks of the lodge are due to them for this little labour of

love , if I may be permited so to call this kind action . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro . R . W . Baker , P . P . G . Org ,, and he was supported by Bros . Chas . Turner , P . M . ( alto ) ; W . Dumville , P . M . ( tenor ); and A . S . Kinncll ( bass ) , whilst Bro . Johnson , 2156 , accompanied the songs . The proceedings throughout were most successful .

The Queen has forwarded a donation of £ 50 and the Prince of Wales one of 25 guineas towards the lund that is being raised for the restoration of the Church of St . Martin ' s-inthe-Fields .