Presentation To Bro. A. F. Godson, M.P, P.G.M. Worcestershire.

brethren of your province , take this opportunity of recording our hearty appreciation of you and your Masonic working as P . G . M . It is particularly gratifying to note that bj the spontaneous wishes of the brethren and to commemorate such working , you have this day been presented by them vvith your portrait , executed by Mr . Herbert A . Olivier . It is believed that you hold the unique position in the Masonic world of being P . G . M . of the Craft , G . S . of the Royal Arch , P . G . M . of Mark Masons , and P . Prior of this Province of Worcestershire . The 32 years you have been connected with the province have only tended to cement and strengthen our pleasure at your popularity , courtesy , and unfailing kindness .

" Dated this 9 th day of March , 1898 . " WARNER OTTLEY , D . P . G . M . "WILLIAM WALDRON , P . G . H . "ABRAHAM GREEN , D . P . G . M . M . and P . G . Sub-Prior . "ALFRHD B . ROWE , P . G . Treasurer . " WILLIAM T . PAGE , P . G . Secretary . "

Then followed the names of the 280 subscribers to the presentation fund , and it will be interesting to state that the total cost of the gift to Bro . Godson amounted to £ 220 , the whole of which , it vvas announced at the meeting , had been cleared off . As the amount of each subscription was limited to one guinea , it will be at once apparent that the response made to the suggestion of the promoters of the presentation portrait was at once spontaneous and hearty .

Included among an unusually large attendance were Bros . Col . Hamer Oltley , D . P . G . M . ( in the chair ); A . Gre-ui , P . G . Sub-Prior and D . P . G . ( Mark ) M ., who occupied the vice-rhair ; A . F . Godson , M . P . ( the guest of the evening ) ; G . W . Grosvenor ( Mayor of Kidderminster ); W . Waldron , P . G . H . ; W . T . Page , P . M ., P . G . Sec ; A . B . Rowe , P . G . Treas . ; H . Rowe , E . Parry , Sec . of the Kidderminster Lodge ; T . Tanfield , J . Attwood , J . Round , E . Lowe , H . Wilcox , G . W . King , T . Vale , J . M . Harlow , W . E . Walker , H . Smith , Reg . Woodward ,

G . R . Green , B . L . Griffiths , E . Bennett , A . Cooper , M . Cole , F . Burcher , W . T . Martin , A . Cotton , C . B . Shuttleworth , Duncan J . Shedden , C . D . Eaton , A . Cookson , H . Guest , J . E . Jones , B . Hepworth , W . H . Yates , G . Holdsworth , J . Ray , C . Lowe , T . Green , J . Millington , H . F . Williams , A . J . Radford , J . Hill White , C . F . Holder , W . H . Maxey , H . Lowe , E . L . Adlington , C . Dakin , W . H . Kendrick , H . Richardson , C . Mytton , W . H . Moore , W . Edwards , J . Jones , and C . A . Drew .

Bro . Colonel OrrLEY , in opening the proceedings referred to the fact that 30 years had elapsed since Bro . Godson first began to take an interest in the Province of Worcestershire . He was one of the founders of the St . Michael ' s Lodge at Tenbury , and attained to several offices in Provincial Grand Lodge , independent of . being Deputy Grand Master for a period of 13 years , and P . G . M . since the lamented death of Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., M . P . Bro . Godson had always been most assiduous in promulgating the great

principles of Masonry , and had assisted in the formation of two lodges in the province and also one Royal Arch chapter . He now held the unique position of P . G . M . in the Craft , P . G . S . of the Royal Arch Masonry , P . G . Mark Master , and Prov . , Prior of the Knights Templar , and had ever shown great zeal and deep interest in Masonry . He had also been the means of securing the raising of Worcestershire to the rank of a province in Mark Masonry and Knight Templary ; and although his duties in those positions were onerous , yet he had not confined

himself only to them , for he was a Patron of the Boys' Masonic Institution , a Life Governor of the Girls' Institution , and a Vice-President of the Benevolent Institution , and the interest which Bro . Godson evinced in those Institutions also extended to Mrs . Godson , and her daughter ( Mrs . d'Eyncourt ) , who were also Vice-Patronesses of the several Institutions . The gallant Colonel stated that last year , when the British Empire was commemorating the Diamond [ ubilee of the reign of the Queen—to whom Masons really looked as the head of their

glorious Order in the person of her son , the Prince of Wales—the brethren thought they should like to commemorate Bro . Godson ' s admirable services to the cause of Freemasonry in the province , and the idea of the presentation of his portrait was taken up , meeting on all hands with a most spontaneous and hearty reception . However , there was not sufficient time to complete the work in the Jubilee year , but the brethren of the province , one and all , now wished Worshipful Brother Godson and Mrs . Godson every prosperity and happiness , and hoped that he might be spared for many years to rule over them . ( Applause . )

Bros . WALDRON and GREEN also made a few remarks in support of those Uttered by the Chairman , after which The Mayor of Kidderminster ( Bro . GROSV ' ENOR ) spoke to the presentation , remarking what a great pleasure it was to the Masons of Kidderminster that that auspicious gathering should take place under their banner . ( Applause . ) Bro . Col . WARNER OTTLEY said it now fell to his lot to ask Bro . Godson to accept , on behalf of the brethren of the province , the book containing a list of the subscribers to the present , and also the three-quarter portrait of himself , painted

by Mr . Olivier , together with the heartfelt and best wishes of all the subscribers , who hoped the gift would be pleasing to himself and the members of his family . The brethren ofthe province also asked Bro . Godson to accept the portrait as the expression of their best wishes for his future happiness and prosperity , and they trusted he would be spared to rule over them as ably in the future as he had done In the past . When made Prov . Grand Master , Bro , Godson left no stone unturned to do the best he could for the province , and to secure respect and esteem for himself , and thebrethren now requested his acceptance of this small token of the regard they all entertained for him . ( Applause . )

Bro . GODSON , on accepting the gift , was warmly applauded by the brethren present . He said he hardly knew where to bagin to thank the subscribers , but when he heard by a side wind of the kind proposal on the part of the brethren , he told those with whom he had an opportunity of speakingthat he thought it better for them to keep their money in their own pockets , because he really could not conceive what cou'd justify them in his eyes in paying that exceedingly handsome compliment to him . That day he was looking back as well as he could into his

past Masonic career , and although he was not initiated in that province , yet it was in the nearest lodge to his own native place—the Royal Edward Lodge at Leominster . Hc had to travel 11 miles to lodge there and back , so that he was in much the same position now with respect to the Kidderminster Lodge as he was In those early days , for he had now to travel 10 J miles there and back from Droitwich , vvhich showed that in all things there werc strange coincidences . It was permitted to him to take part in

Masonry with a former Deputy Grand Master of the Province , Bro . Major Barber , a most worthy man and a splendid Mason in every respect , and he became one of the founders of the St . Michael's Lodge at Tenbury . He had not been able to find out the data which would enable him to say whether he was the second or third Master of the lodge , but he joined it and occupied the Junior Warden ' s chair in the lodge at Worcester , and alsi the Senior Warden ' s chair at the Leominster Lodge at the time he became Worshipful Master of the St . Michael's Lodge at Tenbury . He had always had one view—unless a brother

was called upon by stress of circumstances to aid a brother in conducting a sec ind chair , it was well that hc should step aside and let those who wished for the honour to be conferred upon them to have thc opportunity . Hc therefore retired from one of the two positions he held , and passed through the chair of St . Michael's Lodge . He was honoured some time afterwards in being made Provincial Grand Registrar , and then Grand S ; nior Warden , and , as hid been mentioned , he subsequently became Deputy Grand Master of the Province , under one of the btst and worthiest of Masons , the late Provincial Grand Master . Sir

Presentation To Bro. A. F. Godson, M.P, P.G.M. Worcestershire.

Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., vvith whom he worked in a labour of love for 13 years . He hoped he had always been anxious to bring forward , in the Province of Worcestershire and elsewhere , the necessity of affording abundant relief to those who were in distress , and as Providence had been pleased to grant him the power to do so , he hoped while life was spared him that he should not cease in the course he had pursued for some time , nor cease to be a patron of all Masonic institutions . The beautiful book containing the illuminated address would be to him a great

charm , and would go alongside the book that was presented to his good . wife by the ladies and working women of Kidderminster some years ago—a book that Mrs . Godson valued greatly ; and although they had not accompanied their gift to him with a diamond bracelet —( laughter )—at the same time he should keep the book in his estimation as a most kind and generous gift . As regarded the portrait , if there was any fault to be found with it , he must ask them to put it to the credit of his daughter , because when she saw it she said it was very much like him , but that

it was too good looking and far too young —( laughter )—and she must have more " crows' feet" put in somewhere . ( Renewed laughter and applause . ) The artist objected very strongly , because he thought he had made the portrait as near perfection as he could ; but if they looked carefully into the picture they would find that " crows' feet " had been put in—in the right places he hoped . ( Laughter . ) The artist had appeased his daughter , and had not put in too many . ( Laughter . ) They had one great pleasure to record for their tontine Charity organisation ,

having obtained no less than 45 ballots for the Charity ; and if anything vvere wanted to add to the intense pleasure with which that day would be regarded by him , it was the fact that they had the record for the Charities of the province . ( Applause . ) They hoped this year vvould be a record one , at any rate tor the Charities , and although they could hardly hope to realise what he heard an enthusiastic London Mison say that they intended to get into six figures—. £ 100 , 000—yet he thought it would be such a record year as the world had never seen . ( Applause . ) They were pleased to say that it was his action in Masonry

and not his mere verbal utterances that had induced them to do what they had so kindly and generously done , and he only hoped that when the Great Architect should be " pleased " to call him from this sublimary existence to the realms above , he might leave a record for the future such as they had so generously considered was a satisfactory record of his vvork in Masonry in the past . ( Applause ) . The usual cordial votes of thanks to the Committee , Hon . Treasurer , and Hon . Secretary of the presentation fund , and to the" Chairman for presiding brought the proceedings to a close .

Centenary Festival Of The Lodge Of United Strength, No. 228.

CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE LODGE OF UNITED STRENGTH , No . 228 .

A meeting of this Iodge was held , by dispensation at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , on the 19 th inst ., when there vvas a large number of brethren present to celebrate the completion of its 100 years' existence . To mark the eventful year , all offices are filled by Past Masters , and Bro . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., who is father of the lodge , has for the third time been placed in the honourable position of W . M . of this , his mother lodge .

The brethren present included Bros . Jas . Terry , P . G . S . B ., W . M . ; J . Hillhouse , S . W . ; R . Griggs , P . M ., J . W . ; A . H . Hickman , Treas . ; J . Jennings , P . M ., Sec . ; J . T . Hunt , P . M ., S . D . ; J . T . Ashby , P . M ., J . D . ; G . R . Lambert , P . M ., D . C ; J . Curtis , Org . ; J . Holland , P . M ., l . G . ; A . C . Woolsey and C . Jeley , Stwds . ; F . W . Moss , I . P . M . ; G . Booker , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . Sir J .

Monckton , P . G . W . ; T . Fenn , P . G . W . ; R . Grey , P . G . W . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec ; J . D . Langton , P . A . G . D . C ; C E . Keyser , P . G . D . ; Jas . Stephens , Dep . G . D . C ; P .- Nairne , P . G . D . ; Major Newington Bridges , P . G . S . B . j W . A . Scurrah , P . G . S . B . ; J . Mason , P . G . S . B . ; J . Newton , P . G . P . ; W . Martin , A . G . P . ; H . Sadler , Grand Tyler ; Major E . M . Money , P . A . G . D . C ; John Albert

Farnfield , P . A . G . D . C ; Dr . George Mickley , P . A . G . D . C ; W . P . Johnson , 1997 ; F . Parker , 1426 ; J . G . Stevens , P . M . 554 ; B . Williams , P . M . 1861 ; J . J . Harward , 2265 ; R . Darling , P . M . 1446 ; H . C . Turner , P . M . 1662 ; T . A . Stenner , P . M . 1662 ; G . J . Cook , P . M . 1580 ; Dr . F . J . Harrison , P . P . G . P . ; E . H . Hopkins , H . Hyde , 1227 ; T . Taylor , P . M .

1677 ; F . H . Rigby , J . W . 201 ; E . F . Davey , P . M . 193 ; D . F . Norrington , J . W . 2686 ; G . W . Capel , W . M . 2412 ; A . J . Bailey , P . M . 1040 ; W . F . Hughes , P . M . 179 ; Jas . E . Terry , P . M . and Sec . 1964 ; E . C Whatley , 957 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and others . Lodge was opened and the dispensation read . Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , in handing the centenary warrant over to the W . M , expressed his pleasure at the privilege of doing so . That Iodge , he slid ,

was originally one of the Athol lodges , and mat at the Green Dragon , Paradiseroad , Chelsea—a hostelry which appears in a picture by a well-known artist of the reception of the news of the Battle of Waterloo . It remained th ; re for about five years , and afterwards tried the quality of taverns in every part of the Metropolis , until it found a hone at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , where it now meets . He tendered to the W . M . his hearty congratulations on the auspicious event they were celebrating , and wished the lodge continue j prosperity in thc future .

The SECRETARY read the centenary warrant . The W . M . expressed his grateful thanks to the Grand Secretary for hi- , kindness in attending to present the warrant , and to the distinguished brethren present for their attendance . Lodge was closed , and a banquet followed ir . the Crown Room , Freemason ; , ' Tavern .

The loyal toasts vvere afterwards honoured , and Bro . Hillhouse , P . M ., proposed " The Grand Ollicers . " Bro . T . FENN , P . G . W ., in reply , hoped the lodge would enjoy its present prosperity for many ycars . He had been looking down the list of those lodges holding Centenary Warrants and he found that No . 228 was the last in the London lodges holding its meetings under an Athol Warrant , and he trusted this would bs an announcement satisfactory to the brethren .

Bro . R . GRIGOS , P . M ., J . W ., then proposed " The Memory of the Founders , and said that through the kindness of Bro . Sadler , G . Tyler , he had been able 10 see the records of the lodge for the pist 100 years . He found the names of thi founders numbering 13 were Bro . W . McCulloch , as W . M ., when the lodge started , its number being then 314 , amongst the Ancients . The first initiate was Bro . Thomas Jones , a brewer . The meetings were held fortnightly at the Green Dragon , Paradise-road , Chelsea . The two Grand Lodges were united in 1813 , forming the present United Grand Lodge of England , and thc number of their lodge then

became 399 . In 1816 United Grand Lodge called upon all lodges to take names , the majority only previously having been known by numbers . This lodge suggested to Grand Lodge certain names , which were disapproved on the ground that other lodges had secured those names . He read in an old minute bojk ° ' 1816 that at the meeting when thi ; lodge took its name , a resolution was carried that as its emblems had been a roe , shamrock , and thistle , the lodge should b * : called the Lodge of United Strength . That name was adopted , and had been used ever since There was not another Masonic lodge with that name , althoug h he thought he had heard that a brother , initiated on the same night as him se *'