-
Articles/Ads
Article CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE. Page 1 of 1 Article FUNERAL OF BRO. EDWARD COX. Page 1 of 1 Article FUNERAL OF BRO. EDWARD COX. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN WORCESTERSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN WORCESTERSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article HEREFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Lodge of Benevolence 4 31 Funeral o £ Bro . Edward Cox 4 " Freemasonry in Worcestershire 4 21 Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association 421 The Aberdeen Lodges , Scotland 42 a Jubilee of Palestine Lodge , Missouri 42 a Scotland 4 " Leather Trades' Exhibition 423
Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 423 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry ; 4 * 3 Instruction 42 4 Obituary 42 4 Masonic Notes and Queries 43 4 Reviews 43 4 Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes 424 Amusements 425 LEADERS 426
CORRESPONDENCEFreemasonry in Cambridgeshire ....: 427 Freemasonry in Oxfordshire 427 The un-Masonic Trial 428 A Caution 42 S Masonic Funerals 42 S The Admission of Visitors 428 Ancient and Primitive Rite 42 S Masonic and General Tidings 428 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 429 Advertisements I ., II ., 430
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , Past Grand Sword Bearer , Junior Vice-President , occupied the chair of President ; the Senior Vice-Presidents chair was held by Bro . James Brett , Past Grand Pursuivant , Junior Vice-President ; and the chair of
Junior Vice-President by Bro . S . Rawson , Past District Grand Master for China . The other brethren present were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 183 ; VV . Mann , P . M . 1 S 6 ; Jonn Constable , P . M . 1 S 5 ; Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , G . J . D . ; Wm . Stephens , P . M . ; J . D . Collier , P . M . ; W . H . Perryman , P . M . ; Chas . Fredk . Hogard , P . M . ; Neville Green , P . M . 1524 ;
George Powell , W . M . and P . M . 142 ; A . H . Tattershall , P . M . 140 ; James Chapman , W . M . 013 ; J . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; G . Bolton , P . M . 147 ; J . B . Shackleton , P . M . 16 S 5 ; Wm . Hammond , P . M . 1656 ; W . G . Dickins , W . M . S 60 ; W . Moulder , W . M . S 29 ; C . H . Webb , W . M . 174 ; Nicholson Brown , W . M . 13 ; Harold Carter , W . M . 02 ; James W . Baldwin , P . M . 1423 ; Charles Nott , W . M . S 7 ; Henry Stephens , P . M . 754 ; John
Weston , W . M . 1 C 02 ; G . L . Moore , P . M . 109 ; P . McCarthy , W . M . 1076 ; Robt . Harris , W . M . 115 S ; John Hammond , W . M . 1326 ; Thos . W . Murley , W . M . 1257 ; Hy . Potter , P . M . 11 ; J . G . Vohman , W . M . S 71 ; W . J . Large , W . M . 1321 ; II . G . Buss , Asst . G . Secretary ; W . t ) odd , H . Sadler , Grand Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . Gig ( Freemason ) . The brethren first confirmed grants to the extentof £ 165 recommended at last meeting . There were nineteen cases
on the new list . The brethren sat for three hours considering these cases , and the result of the deliberation was that three cases were dismissed , and one was deferred . The remaining fifteen cases were relieved with a total of £ 460 , which was composed of five grants of £ 50 each ( £ 250 ) ; two of £ 40 ( £ So ); one of £ 30 ( £ 3 ° )! two of £ 25 ( £ 50 ); one of £ 20 ( £ 20 ); and five of £ 10 ( £ 50 ) . The Lodge of Benevolence was then closed .
Funeral Of Bro. Edward Cox.
FUNERAL OF BRO . EDWARD COX .
The mortal remains of our Iate _ highly-revered Bro . Edward Cox were consigned to their last earthly resting place in Highgate Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon . The body was taken from the deceased ' s residence , Blount Lodge , Carlton-road , Putney , to 102 , Chancery-lane , the place of business , where four mourning coaches were in
waiting to take the relatives and immediate friends to the cemetery . The procession left Chancery-lane shortly after twelve noon , and arrived at the cemetery soon after one o ' clock . When the body was conveyed into the chapel of the cemetery it was followed by Bro . Edward H . Cox ( son ) and Mrs . E . H . Cox , Bro . VV . Clifton Crick ( son-inlaw ) and Mrs . Crick ( daughter ) , Mr . Edmund Cox ( brother
of deceased ) , Mr . Cox , of Stoney Stratford , and Mrs . Cox , Bro . W . Winn , P . M . 657 ; Bro . J . Llewellyn Jones , P . M . No . 657 : Bro . W . J . Crutch , Mr . Hartshorn , Mr . F . Martin , Mr . Buckland , Mr . Harry G . Rogers ( Secretary of the United Law Clerks' Society ) , Mr . Scrivener , Bro . John Layton , No . 657 ( Vestry Clerk of Islington ) , Mr . Willcocks , Bro . W . F . C . Moutrie , Bro . James Terry ( Secretary to
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ) , and Bro . H . Massey . The Province of Northampton and Huntingdon was represented by Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Frank G . Buckle , Provincial Grand Secretary ; Butler J . U . Stanton , Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon ; Bro . S . P . Ekins , Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . T . M . Evans , Worshipful
Master Lodge of Fidelity , No . 445 , Towcester , Provincial Grand Pursuivant ; and Bro . H . Standley , Worshi p ful Master Lodge of Perseverance , No . 455 , Kettering . Among the brethren and gentlemen who assembled at the deceased ' s place of business to witness the departure of the funeral cortege were W . Long , George Martin , U Noad , D . J . Noad , Joseph Thorpe , J . Warner , and Uutterbuck .
Funeral Of Bro. Edward Cox.
The funeral service was read by the Rev . G . Stanton , D . D ., Bishop of North Queensland , a very old friend of the deceased , who also administered the sacrament to Bro . Cox during his illness , and who accompanied the mourning relatives in the cortege . The bod y having been lowered into the grave and the funeral service completed , the Masonic brethren present approached the grave , and each dropped his sprig of acacia on the coffin , and remained some short time to see the earth filled in .
Freemasonry In Worcestershire.
FREEMASONRY IN WORCESTERSHIRE .
The present will be a red-letter week in the annals of the Craft in this county . On Tuesday , Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., was installed Grand Superintendent of the province at a Prov . G . Chapter especially convened for the purpose at the Masonic Hall , Worcester , under the auspices of St . Wulstan ' s Chapter , No . 2 S 0 , of that city , and on the
day following , the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Kidderminster , under the banner of the Hope and Charity Lodge , No . 377 . This hall , or rather hall and club , was opened in December of last year by the popular chief of the province , and from the description we recently gave of the accommodation in the building , and the general excellence of the
arrangements for Masonic and club purposes , our readers may rest assured that Freemasonry has a sure and certain hold , not only on the good people of Kidderminster , but on the province , while , if proof were needed of the regard in which the chief of the province is held , it will be found in the establishment of a new lodge named in his honour , the Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 , of Kidderminster , the
consecration of which is expected to take place very shortly . Under these circumstances a short sketch of the rise and progress of the Craft in this county will match appropriately with our reports of the installation of the new Prov . G . Superintendent , and the meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge , and the more so that , in the brief period that has elapsed since he was appointed to preside over the Craft in
this district , Sir E . Lechmere has shown a degree of activity and interest of which it is impossible to speak in too laudatory terms . The earliest date at which a lodge of Freemasons was established in this county was the 1 st August , 1733 , when a lodge , No . 119 , was warranted tomeet at the Dog , Stourbridge . It became No . 104 in 1740 , and No . 12 in i 75 C , in which latter year it held its meetingsat the sign of theToIbut , as described
in the Grand Lodge list . Before , however , the next closing up of the lodges it had ceased to exist , and for a considerable interval of time at all events Masonry was unrepresented by any lodge . In J 7 S 1 we find located at Stourbridge , and meeting at the sign of the Three Tuns , a Lodge of Hope , No . 2 S 7 , which was originally warranted as No . 437 , on the 6 th February , 17 G 9 , and met at the Queen ' s
Head , in Mary-Ic-Bon . It was still here at the closing up of lodges in 1770 , when it became No . 372 , but when the re-numbering took place in 17 S 1 , and the Lodge of Hope was , as we have said , No . 2 S 7 , it had its quarters in Stourbridge . In 1792 it was altered to No . 241 , and in 1 S 14 , after the Union , to No . 303 , but it does not figure in the 1 S 32 list . However , long before the demise of this
lodge took place others had been established in other towns in the county , and in the short space of about six years as many as three new lodges were constituted , two of which still happily appear on the roll of our United Grand Lodge . The eldest of the three , the Harmonic Lodge , held at the Bush ( Query " Bull" ) Inn , Dudley , was warranted in the year 17 S 4 , as No . 457 . In 1792 it was
renumbered 3 69 , and met at the Bull Inn . It became No . 471 in 1 S 14 , No . 313 in 1 S 32 , and in 1 SC 3 it took the number it still bears , namely , No . 252 . This is the premier lodge of the province , and , if all goes well , ' will in another four years be in a position to celebrate the centenary anniversary of its existence . The second of the three lodges was warranted in 17 S 6 , as the St . John's , No . 4 S 7 , of
Bromsgrove , where it met at the sign of the Golden Cross . It became No . 397 in 1792 , but when the Union of Ancients and Moderns took place in iSi 3 , it had ceased to meet . The third lodge , which for many years has borne the name of the Worcester , was warranted as No . 574 in 1790 , and met at the Reindeer , Worcester . It became No . 483 in 1792 , and in 1 S 14 No . 526 . But in 1 S 32 it advanced to No .
349 , and in 1 S 63 to No . 2 S 0 . Thus at the time of the Union the Grand Lodge , " Moderns , " could boast of having three subordinate lodges in this county , namely , one at Stourbridge , one at Dudley , and one at Worcester , and of these the last two still survive , while at the same epoch there was one lodge holding under the " Ancients , " namely , No . 24 G , held at the Green Dragon , Tipton , which was
renumbered 310 in 1814 , and some time afterwards ceased working . Since the Union , quite a numberof lodges have been constituted , and in addition to the two pra > Union lodges still preserved to us , there are the following on the roll of Grand Lodge , the youngest , however , not having yet been consecrated : Hope and Charity Lodge , No . 377 , of
Kidderminster , which played the leading part in Wednesday's proceedings . This was warranted in 1 S 24 . We next come upon a group , so to speak , of five lodges , all constituted within a period of six years . The eldest of these was founded in 1 S 44 at the Royal Standard , No . 730 , of
Dudley ; it is now No . 49 S . Semper Fidelis , No . 529 , of Worcester , was warranted in 1 S 46 as No . 772 . The Vernon , No . 560—so named in honour of R . W . Bro . H . C . Vernon , Past Grand Master of the province—and now meeting at Stourport , dates from 1 S 49 , and first met at Dudley as No . S 19 . The same year witnessed the consti-
Freemasonry In Worcestershire.
tution of a second , or , rather , as the old one had deceased , a new lodge at Stourbridge , namel y , Stability , No . 824 , now 564 ; while the year following ( 1 S 50 ) witnessed the establishment of a fourth lodge at Dudley , namely , the Perseverance , No . S 3 S , now 573 , and meeting at Hales-Owen . Some years elapsed ere any addition was made to the roll of lodges in the province , and it was not till the year 1 S 66 that the St . Michael Lodge , No . 1097 , of
Tenbury , was constituted . In 1 S 6 7 was founded—named after the then R . W . Bro . A . Hudson Royds , P . G . M . —the Royds Lodge , No . 1204 , of Malvern ; and there is now awaiting consecration asecond Kidderminsterlodge , namely , the Lechmere , the number of whose warrant is 1 S 74 , and which , if it have anything like a reasonable share of prosperity , will serve to commemorate for some years , and , indeed , let us hope , for some generations , the wise and beneficent rule of
the present chief of the province . It should be added , as Sir E . A . Lechmere now figures in the dual capacity of Prov . Grand Master and Prov . Grand Superintendent of Worcestershire , that the county can boast of four chapters , namely : the Dudley Chapter , No . 252 , working under the Harmonic Lodge , of Dudley , bearing the same number ; St . Wulstan's Chapter , No . 2 S 0 , working under the
Worcester Lodge , of Worcester ; the Hope and Charity , No . 377 , of Kidderminster ; and the Royal Standard , No . 49 8 , of Dudley ; which are respectively attached to the lodges bearing those numbers , and meeting in those localities . We may , from the sketch we have given , without risk of being charged with flattery , congratulate our Worcestershire brethren on their present position and future prospects .
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
HEREFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
The third general meeting cf this flourishing Association was recently held at the Feathers , under the presidency of Bro . J . C . Gregg , P . M ., whose Masonic zeal and ability are well known . The following report was read and adopted : —
Your Committee have again the pleasure of congratulating the brethren of the province on the continued success of this Association . Since its inauguration in the month of August , 1 S 7 S , it has contributed the sum of £ 136 10 s . to the three Masonic Charitable Institutions , andthe further sum of £ 80 will shortly be remitted . A copy of the proceedings at the general meeting at Ross
in July , 1879 , was forwarded to each member of the Society , and your Committee have to record their thanks to Bro . Philip Ralph , proprietor of the Hereford Journal , for his gift of 100 copies of that report . At that meeting eleven votes resulted from the ballot for priority of presentation to the Masonic Institutions , and the brethren subsequently made the following selections : —
BOYS' SCHOOL . —Bros . Walter Young , Thomas Maund , Thomas Jowitt . GIRLS ^ SCHOOL . —Bros . F . R . Dillon , W . H . Oswin , Grcnville Myer , John Davies , Henry Bond , William Earle , Vitruvian Lodge , Ross . INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS . —Bro . the Rev . T . T . Smith . Your Committee continue to hope that the Masters , Past
Masters , and brethren , generally in the province , will do all they can in their respective lodges to increase the number of subscribers to the Association , inasmuch as the Province of Herefordshire has contributed but little towards the sum of £ 3600 annuall y required to carry out the great work of the Masonic Charitable Institutions . The Association has now sixty members holding
sixtyfour shares , and the subscription income is £ 70 7 s . Your Committee have elected to hold the general meeting on the 26 th July , at Ledbury . Subjoined are the statementsof account for the year ending 31 st December , duly audited . July gth , 18 S 0 . J . C . GREGG , President . SUBSCRIPTION ACCOUNT . —Receipts—To 48
subscribers at £ 1 is ., £ 50 Ss . ; to 3 subscribers at £ 2 2 s ., £ 6 Gs . ; to 1 subscriber at £ 3 3 s ., £ 3 3 s . ; to 2 lodges at £ 2 2 s ., £ 4 4 s . ; to 1 chapter at £ 2 2 S ., £ 2 2 s . ; Bro . Jowitt , balance for vote , £ 3 3 s . Total , £ 69 2 s . —Payments—By Secretary of Boys' School for votes as per annual report , £ 15 15 s . ; do . Girls' School do ., £ 4 . 2 : do . Institution for Aired Freemasons , £ 5 ss .: balance
in the hands of Treasurer carried forward , £ 6 J 6 s . Total , £ 69 6 s . MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT . —To balance from last account , £ 1 17 s . nd . ; to 3 members at 2 S . 6 d ., 7 s . 6 d . ; balance due to Treasurer , 10 s . iod . Total , £ 2 16 s . 3 d . By printing circulars , cost of ballot box , postage , messenger , and sundries , £ 2 16 s . 3 d . Examined and found to be correct .
I . bMITH , I . ... TREO . LANE J Aud t 0 rS ' July 7 th , 1880 . W . EARLE , Hon . Sec . The following officers for the ensuing year were then appointed in conformity with rule : Bros . Henry Gurney , P . M . 120 , President ; J . R . Smith , W . M . 751 , Vice-President ; H . C . Beddoe , Treasurer ; Wm . Earle , P . M . 120 , Secretary ; O . Shellard , P . Prov . G . S . W . Herefordshire , J . E . S . Hewett , P . Prov . G . J . W . Herefordshire , Rev . J .
Buckle , P . M ., and J . J . Kerss , S . W . 751 , members of Committee . The Province of Herefordshire for many years did very little indeed for the cause of Masonic charity , but the judicious action of a few good Masons has resulted in the remittance , within three years , of the sum of £ 210 to the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Lodge of Benevolence 4 31 Funeral o £ Bro . Edward Cox 4 " Freemasonry in Worcestershire 4 21 Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association 421 The Aberdeen Lodges , Scotland 42 a Jubilee of Palestine Lodge , Missouri 42 a Scotland 4 " Leather Trades' Exhibition 423
Royal Masonic Institution for Girls 423 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry ; 4 * 3 Instruction 42 4 Obituary 42 4 Masonic Notes and Queries 43 4 Reviews 43 4 Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes 424 Amusements 425 LEADERS 426
CORRESPONDENCEFreemasonry in Cambridgeshire ....: 427 Freemasonry in Oxfordshire 427 The un-Masonic Trial 428 A Caution 42 S Masonic Funerals 42 S The Admission of Visitors 428 Ancient and Primitive Rite 42 S Masonic and General Tidings 428 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 429 Advertisements I ., II ., 430
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , Past Grand Sword Bearer , Junior Vice-President , occupied the chair of President ; the Senior Vice-Presidents chair was held by Bro . James Brett , Past Grand Pursuivant , Junior Vice-President ; and the chair of
Junior Vice-President by Bro . S . Rawson , Past District Grand Master for China . The other brethren present were Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; G . P . Britten , P . M . 183 ; VV . Mann , P . M . 1 S 6 ; Jonn Constable , P . M . 1 S 5 ; Col . H . S . Somerville Burney , G . J . D . ; Wm . Stephens , P . M . ; J . D . Collier , P . M . ; W . H . Perryman , P . M . ; Chas . Fredk . Hogard , P . M . ; Neville Green , P . M . 1524 ;
George Powell , W . M . and P . M . 142 ; A . H . Tattershall , P . M . 140 ; James Chapman , W . M . 013 ; J . H . Matthews , P . M . 143 ; G . Bolton , P . M . 147 ; J . B . Shackleton , P . M . 16 S 5 ; Wm . Hammond , P . M . 1656 ; W . G . Dickins , W . M . S 60 ; W . Moulder , W . M . S 29 ; C . H . Webb , W . M . 174 ; Nicholson Brown , W . M . 13 ; Harold Carter , W . M . 02 ; James W . Baldwin , P . M . 1423 ; Charles Nott , W . M . S 7 ; Henry Stephens , P . M . 754 ; John
Weston , W . M . 1 C 02 ; G . L . Moore , P . M . 109 ; P . McCarthy , W . M . 1076 ; Robt . Harris , W . M . 115 S ; John Hammond , W . M . 1326 ; Thos . W . Murley , W . M . 1257 ; Hy . Potter , P . M . 11 ; J . G . Vohman , W . M . S 71 ; W . J . Large , W . M . 1321 ; II . G . Buss , Asst . G . Secretary ; W . t ) odd , H . Sadler , Grand Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . Gig ( Freemason ) . The brethren first confirmed grants to the extentof £ 165 recommended at last meeting . There were nineteen cases
on the new list . The brethren sat for three hours considering these cases , and the result of the deliberation was that three cases were dismissed , and one was deferred . The remaining fifteen cases were relieved with a total of £ 460 , which was composed of five grants of £ 50 each ( £ 250 ) ; two of £ 40 ( £ So ); one of £ 30 ( £ 3 ° )! two of £ 25 ( £ 50 ); one of £ 20 ( £ 20 ); and five of £ 10 ( £ 50 ) . The Lodge of Benevolence was then closed .
Funeral Of Bro. Edward Cox.
FUNERAL OF BRO . EDWARD COX .
The mortal remains of our Iate _ highly-revered Bro . Edward Cox were consigned to their last earthly resting place in Highgate Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon . The body was taken from the deceased ' s residence , Blount Lodge , Carlton-road , Putney , to 102 , Chancery-lane , the place of business , where four mourning coaches were in
waiting to take the relatives and immediate friends to the cemetery . The procession left Chancery-lane shortly after twelve noon , and arrived at the cemetery soon after one o ' clock . When the body was conveyed into the chapel of the cemetery it was followed by Bro . Edward H . Cox ( son ) and Mrs . E . H . Cox , Bro . VV . Clifton Crick ( son-inlaw ) and Mrs . Crick ( daughter ) , Mr . Edmund Cox ( brother
of deceased ) , Mr . Cox , of Stoney Stratford , and Mrs . Cox , Bro . W . Winn , P . M . 657 ; Bro . J . Llewellyn Jones , P . M . No . 657 : Bro . W . J . Crutch , Mr . Hartshorn , Mr . F . Martin , Mr . Buckland , Mr . Harry G . Rogers ( Secretary of the United Law Clerks' Society ) , Mr . Scrivener , Bro . John Layton , No . 657 ( Vestry Clerk of Islington ) , Mr . Willcocks , Bro . W . F . C . Moutrie , Bro . James Terry ( Secretary to
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ) , and Bro . H . Massey . The Province of Northampton and Huntingdon was represented by Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Frank G . Buckle , Provincial Grand Secretary ; Butler J . U . Stanton , Past Provincial Grand Senior Deacon ; Bro . S . P . Ekins , Past Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . T . M . Evans , Worshipful
Master Lodge of Fidelity , No . 445 , Towcester , Provincial Grand Pursuivant ; and Bro . H . Standley , Worshi p ful Master Lodge of Perseverance , No . 455 , Kettering . Among the brethren and gentlemen who assembled at the deceased ' s place of business to witness the departure of the funeral cortege were W . Long , George Martin , U Noad , D . J . Noad , Joseph Thorpe , J . Warner , and Uutterbuck .
Funeral Of Bro. Edward Cox.
The funeral service was read by the Rev . G . Stanton , D . D ., Bishop of North Queensland , a very old friend of the deceased , who also administered the sacrament to Bro . Cox during his illness , and who accompanied the mourning relatives in the cortege . The bod y having been lowered into the grave and the funeral service completed , the Masonic brethren present approached the grave , and each dropped his sprig of acacia on the coffin , and remained some short time to see the earth filled in .
Freemasonry In Worcestershire.
FREEMASONRY IN WORCESTERSHIRE .
The present will be a red-letter week in the annals of the Craft in this county . On Tuesday , Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., was installed Grand Superintendent of the province at a Prov . G . Chapter especially convened for the purpose at the Masonic Hall , Worcester , under the auspices of St . Wulstan ' s Chapter , No . 2 S 0 , of that city , and on the
day following , the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Kidderminster , under the banner of the Hope and Charity Lodge , No . 377 . This hall , or rather hall and club , was opened in December of last year by the popular chief of the province , and from the description we recently gave of the accommodation in the building , and the general excellence of the
arrangements for Masonic and club purposes , our readers may rest assured that Freemasonry has a sure and certain hold , not only on the good people of Kidderminster , but on the province , while , if proof were needed of the regard in which the chief of the province is held , it will be found in the establishment of a new lodge named in his honour , the Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 , of Kidderminster , the
consecration of which is expected to take place very shortly . Under these circumstances a short sketch of the rise and progress of the Craft in this county will match appropriately with our reports of the installation of the new Prov . G . Superintendent , and the meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge , and the more so that , in the brief period that has elapsed since he was appointed to preside over the Craft in
this district , Sir E . Lechmere has shown a degree of activity and interest of which it is impossible to speak in too laudatory terms . The earliest date at which a lodge of Freemasons was established in this county was the 1 st August , 1733 , when a lodge , No . 119 , was warranted tomeet at the Dog , Stourbridge . It became No . 104 in 1740 , and No . 12 in i 75 C , in which latter year it held its meetingsat the sign of theToIbut , as described
in the Grand Lodge list . Before , however , the next closing up of the lodges it had ceased to exist , and for a considerable interval of time at all events Masonry was unrepresented by any lodge . In J 7 S 1 we find located at Stourbridge , and meeting at the sign of the Three Tuns , a Lodge of Hope , No . 2 S 7 , which was originally warranted as No . 437 , on the 6 th February , 17 G 9 , and met at the Queen ' s
Head , in Mary-Ic-Bon . It was still here at the closing up of lodges in 1770 , when it became No . 372 , but when the re-numbering took place in 17 S 1 , and the Lodge of Hope was , as we have said , No . 2 S 7 , it had its quarters in Stourbridge . In 1792 it was altered to No . 241 , and in 1 S 14 , after the Union , to No . 303 , but it does not figure in the 1 S 32 list . However , long before the demise of this
lodge took place others had been established in other towns in the county , and in the short space of about six years as many as three new lodges were constituted , two of which still happily appear on the roll of our United Grand Lodge . The eldest of the three , the Harmonic Lodge , held at the Bush ( Query " Bull" ) Inn , Dudley , was warranted in the year 17 S 4 , as No . 457 . In 1792 it was
renumbered 3 69 , and met at the Bull Inn . It became No . 471 in 1 S 14 , No . 313 in 1 S 32 , and in 1 SC 3 it took the number it still bears , namely , No . 252 . This is the premier lodge of the province , and , if all goes well , ' will in another four years be in a position to celebrate the centenary anniversary of its existence . The second of the three lodges was warranted in 17 S 6 , as the St . John's , No . 4 S 7 , of
Bromsgrove , where it met at the sign of the Golden Cross . It became No . 397 in 1792 , but when the Union of Ancients and Moderns took place in iSi 3 , it had ceased to meet . The third lodge , which for many years has borne the name of the Worcester , was warranted as No . 574 in 1790 , and met at the Reindeer , Worcester . It became No . 483 in 1792 , and in 1 S 14 No . 526 . But in 1 S 32 it advanced to No .
349 , and in 1 S 63 to No . 2 S 0 . Thus at the time of the Union the Grand Lodge , " Moderns , " could boast of having three subordinate lodges in this county , namely , one at Stourbridge , one at Dudley , and one at Worcester , and of these the last two still survive , while at the same epoch there was one lodge holding under the " Ancients , " namely , No . 24 G , held at the Green Dragon , Tipton , which was
renumbered 310 in 1814 , and some time afterwards ceased working . Since the Union , quite a numberof lodges have been constituted , and in addition to the two pra > Union lodges still preserved to us , there are the following on the roll of Grand Lodge , the youngest , however , not having yet been consecrated : Hope and Charity Lodge , No . 377 , of
Kidderminster , which played the leading part in Wednesday's proceedings . This was warranted in 1 S 24 . We next come upon a group , so to speak , of five lodges , all constituted within a period of six years . The eldest of these was founded in 1 S 44 at the Royal Standard , No . 730 , of
Dudley ; it is now No . 49 S . Semper Fidelis , No . 529 , of Worcester , was warranted in 1 S 46 as No . 772 . The Vernon , No . 560—so named in honour of R . W . Bro . H . C . Vernon , Past Grand Master of the province—and now meeting at Stourport , dates from 1 S 49 , and first met at Dudley as No . S 19 . The same year witnessed the consti-
Freemasonry In Worcestershire.
tution of a second , or , rather , as the old one had deceased , a new lodge at Stourbridge , namel y , Stability , No . 824 , now 564 ; while the year following ( 1 S 50 ) witnessed the establishment of a fourth lodge at Dudley , namely , the Perseverance , No . S 3 S , now 573 , and meeting at Hales-Owen . Some years elapsed ere any addition was made to the roll of lodges in the province , and it was not till the year 1 S 66 that the St . Michael Lodge , No . 1097 , of
Tenbury , was constituted . In 1 S 6 7 was founded—named after the then R . W . Bro . A . Hudson Royds , P . G . M . —the Royds Lodge , No . 1204 , of Malvern ; and there is now awaiting consecration asecond Kidderminsterlodge , namely , the Lechmere , the number of whose warrant is 1 S 74 , and which , if it have anything like a reasonable share of prosperity , will serve to commemorate for some years , and , indeed , let us hope , for some generations , the wise and beneficent rule of
the present chief of the province . It should be added , as Sir E . A . Lechmere now figures in the dual capacity of Prov . Grand Master and Prov . Grand Superintendent of Worcestershire , that the county can boast of four chapters , namely : the Dudley Chapter , No . 252 , working under the Harmonic Lodge , of Dudley , bearing the same number ; St . Wulstan's Chapter , No . 2 S 0 , working under the
Worcester Lodge , of Worcester ; the Hope and Charity , No . 377 , of Kidderminster ; and the Royal Standard , No . 49 8 , of Dudley ; which are respectively attached to the lodges bearing those numbers , and meeting in those localities . We may , from the sketch we have given , without risk of being charged with flattery , congratulate our Worcestershire brethren on their present position and future prospects .
Herefordshire Masonic Charity Association.
HEREFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITY ASSOCIATION .
The third general meeting cf this flourishing Association was recently held at the Feathers , under the presidency of Bro . J . C . Gregg , P . M ., whose Masonic zeal and ability are well known . The following report was read and adopted : —
Your Committee have again the pleasure of congratulating the brethren of the province on the continued success of this Association . Since its inauguration in the month of August , 1 S 7 S , it has contributed the sum of £ 136 10 s . to the three Masonic Charitable Institutions , andthe further sum of £ 80 will shortly be remitted . A copy of the proceedings at the general meeting at Ross
in July , 1879 , was forwarded to each member of the Society , and your Committee have to record their thanks to Bro . Philip Ralph , proprietor of the Hereford Journal , for his gift of 100 copies of that report . At that meeting eleven votes resulted from the ballot for priority of presentation to the Masonic Institutions , and the brethren subsequently made the following selections : —
BOYS' SCHOOL . —Bros . Walter Young , Thomas Maund , Thomas Jowitt . GIRLS ^ SCHOOL . —Bros . F . R . Dillon , W . H . Oswin , Grcnville Myer , John Davies , Henry Bond , William Earle , Vitruvian Lodge , Ross . INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS . —Bro . the Rev . T . T . Smith . Your Committee continue to hope that the Masters , Past
Masters , and brethren , generally in the province , will do all they can in their respective lodges to increase the number of subscribers to the Association , inasmuch as the Province of Herefordshire has contributed but little towards the sum of £ 3600 annuall y required to carry out the great work of the Masonic Charitable Institutions . The Association has now sixty members holding
sixtyfour shares , and the subscription income is £ 70 7 s . Your Committee have elected to hold the general meeting on the 26 th July , at Ledbury . Subjoined are the statementsof account for the year ending 31 st December , duly audited . July gth , 18 S 0 . J . C . GREGG , President . SUBSCRIPTION ACCOUNT . —Receipts—To 48
subscribers at £ 1 is ., £ 50 Ss . ; to 3 subscribers at £ 2 2 s ., £ 6 Gs . ; to 1 subscriber at £ 3 3 s ., £ 3 3 s . ; to 2 lodges at £ 2 2 s ., £ 4 4 s . ; to 1 chapter at £ 2 2 S ., £ 2 2 s . ; Bro . Jowitt , balance for vote , £ 3 3 s . Total , £ 69 2 s . —Payments—By Secretary of Boys' School for votes as per annual report , £ 15 15 s . ; do . Girls' School do ., £ 4 . 2 : do . Institution for Aired Freemasons , £ 5 ss .: balance
in the hands of Treasurer carried forward , £ 6 J 6 s . Total , £ 69 6 s . MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT . —To balance from last account , £ 1 17 s . nd . ; to 3 members at 2 S . 6 d ., 7 s . 6 d . ; balance due to Treasurer , 10 s . iod . Total , £ 2 16 s . 3 d . By printing circulars , cost of ballot box , postage , messenger , and sundries , £ 2 16 s . 3 d . Examined and found to be correct .
I . bMITH , I . ... TREO . LANE J Aud t 0 rS ' July 7 th , 1880 . W . EARLE , Hon . Sec . The following officers for the ensuing year were then appointed in conformity with rule : Bros . Henry Gurney , P . M . 120 , President ; J . R . Smith , W . M . 751 , Vice-President ; H . C . Beddoe , Treasurer ; Wm . Earle , P . M . 120 , Secretary ; O . Shellard , P . Prov . G . S . W . Herefordshire , J . E . S . Hewett , P . Prov . G . J . W . Herefordshire , Rev . J .
Buckle , P . M ., and J . J . Kerss , S . W . 751 , members of Committee . The Province of Herefordshire for many years did very little indeed for the cause of Masonic charity , but the judicious action of a few good Masons has resulted in the remittance , within three years , of the sum of £ 210 to the