Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
them that he felt , in placing Bro . Duckworth in the chair that day , that he was in every respect worthy of that high position , and worthy also to succeed to that long line of good men and true Masons who had preceded him in that chair . Referring to the very kind manner in which Bro .
Hutchinson had spoken of him in proposing the toast , he said that he was not a little astonished at the remark that lie ( Bro . Hutchinson ) would abstain from passing any very high eulogium upon him . If the greater portion of Bro . Hutchinson ' s speech did not consist in a succession
of high eulogiums upon him , he must confess that he did not know what the word eulogium meant . But he could not "lay the llattering unction to his soul" so far as to imagine for a moment that he had in any measure deserved one half the kind things which Bro . Hutchinson
as well as Bro . Towers , and Bro . Duckworth , had been pleased to say of him . He could not see how consistently with his character as a Freemason he could have done otherwise , or done less than he had done . One of the first lessons taught him at his initiation was that he was to assist a friend or brother in his time of
need , so far as it might fairly be done without injury to himself or his connections . If that was the rule of his conduct to individual brethren , the same rule applied to them collectively . The lodge had need of his services ; it was his duty to render those services , and he had done so . But
if he could not be so vain as to think that all Bro . Hutchinson ' s remarks applied to him , there was one to which he thought lie might fairly Jay claim , and that was a zealin the cause of Freemasonry and fidelity to their lodge . Approaching , then , the subject of the testimonial , he said
he felt himself almost overwhelmed with the difficulty of the task that lay before him . They must suppose that , in his long experience in Freemasonry , extending now over more than thirty years , many . occasions must have arisen upon which it was necessary for him to address
his brethren both in the lodge and at the banquet table , and he had generally fiuind words sufficient to enable him to convey the ideas which it was his duty to bring before them . The present occasion , however , was one so far removed from the ordinary course of things , that he trusted .
although he-used a somewhat hackneyed form of words , he used them in their truest sense , when he said that he felt utterly unable to express all that the feelings of his heart would dictate . Oi one thing , however , let him assure them that , in all that he had done in their service , be it little
or much , valuable or otherwise , all had been done without hope or expectation of reward , and that until it was mentioned some time ago by Bro . Procter in the lodge , he had no reason to expect that such a thing was likely to take place . For , be it remembered , that that was
not a testimonial-giving lodge ; only once before , during the ten years that he had known the lodge , had any testimonial been given , and that was to Bro . Tiplady , by whom , as all knew , it was well earned by eminent services rendered b y him on the Charity Committee . This fact , he
said , greatly enhanced the value of their gift in his estimation . Well , he said that he had simply done his duty . He felt pleasure to add that , in his case , duty and pleasure had gone hand in hand , for he must say that the years he had spent with them in Freemasonry had been , upon
the whole , exceedingly happy ones . The horizon had not always been quite as clear and serene as might have been wished ; but considering the number of the members , and taking the average of men ' s dispositions , it could not be expected that , in the somewhat prominent position lie had
occupied , he should have succeeded in pleasing all ; but he was glad to feel assured that he had succeeded in that which had been the great end and object of his ambition , the esteem and the regard of the great majority of his brethren . The testimonial before him was the best possible
proof of this , and , as such , he should always highly value it . Intrinsically valuable as that present was , he felt that it was more valuable still as an incentive to himself and to others to do their duty in any position which the duties of the lodge might require . He further felt that the value of that testimonial would not be con-
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
fined to that generation ; he hoped that it would be handed down in his family from father to son for a long time to come , and that his children ' s children mightfeel when they looked upon it , that
a conscientious discharge of duty rarely failed , even in this world , in reaping its reward . Again , he begged them to accept that feeble expression of his gratitude , and to assure them that from his heart he thanked them for all the kindness he
had received at their hands . The testimonial consisted of two very elegant silver fruit stands , with glass dishes on the top , twelve dessert knives and forks , elegantly chased , with mother-of-pearl handles , four table-spoons , with shell bowls parcel-gilt , a cream ladle and
sugar-sifter to match , and a pair ofgrape scissorsall fitted into a very handsome oak case , with silver plate and inscription on the top . Also a Past Master ' s jewel of a beautiful and novel design , and chaste workmanship , which bore on its back the following inscription : " Presented
by the brethren of the Lodge of Perservance , No . 345 , of Blackburn , to Bro . Franklin Thomas , PAL , in recognition of his services to the lodge during ten years . Jan . nth , 1 S 72 . " Bro . Robinson , P . M ., brielly proposed "The Healths of the W . M . and Officers of the Lodge
of Perseverance , No . 345 . Bro . R . C . j . Duckworth , W . M ., in his reply , stated that the ceremony which he had passed through that clay had made an impression on his mind which would not be soon effaced : that he himself , and he thought he might speak for his
officers also , had entered upon the duties of their respective offices with the fullest determination to perform those duties faithfully , and to the best of their abilities , and that he trusted when he come to the end of his year of office he might feel the same satisfaction , in the sense of having perfoimed his duty as his predecessor in the
chair had reason to do . Bro . Thomas , in proposing "The I . P . M ., and the P . M . ' s , of the Lodge of Perseverance , Xo . 345 , ''' ' said : I feel pleased that the W . M . has placed this toast in my hands , because , from the position J have occupied in the lodge , J have been thrown into such close and intimate
communication with the brethren who have severally occupied the chair during the last ten years , that 1 am enabled to speak with more confidence than almost any other brother present , on the zeal and assiduity with which those brethren have discharged the onerous duties of their position . As . 1 shall associate the name of the
I . P . M . with this toast , and ask him to respond to it , I shall conclude what 1 have to sav by speaking more particularly of his performance of the duties of the chair during the last year . I think he must acknowledge that the prosperity of this lodge , upon which we have all so much reason
to congratulate ourselves , is mainly due to the excellent management and care of Bro . Towers , while his urbanity , combined with that firmness decision which mark his character , has tended very much to strengthen and cement the bond of good-feeling and good-fellowship which now happily prevails in the lodge .
Bro . Towers , P . M ., in replying , thanked the brethren very much for the kind response which they had given to the toast which had been proposed in so llattering a manner by Bro . Thomas . He was glad to be enabled to say that his year of office had been a very happy one . He had
been ably supported by his officers and by the whole of the i'AI . ' s , and could but again congratulate the lodge upon its general prosperity and upon the state of its finances . Bro . Tiplady , P . M ., and P . P . G . Treas ., proposed "The Masonic Charities'' in a very forcible and eloquent speech , in the course of which
he congratulated the lodge upon the fact of their having been enabled , during the last two years , to endow the Master and Senior Wardens ' chairs with a Governorship in perpetuity of the Girls ' School and Boys' School , respectively , a circumstance extremely gratifying to himself , and one of which he considered that the lodge might feel justly proud .
Bro . Bnerley proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " and , in doing so , took occasion to say that he had noticed , not unfrequcntly , in the replies to such toasts as he had the honour to
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
propose , that the visiting brethren expressed a sense of obligation to their entertainers . In his view , however , the obligation lay quite on the other side , and that they felt much indebted to the visiting brethren from the neighbouring lodges for the pleasure they had conferred upon them in honouring them with their presence on that
occasion . Bro . Whittaker , W . M . of Lodge 4 62 , Accrington , replied , in a very appropriate speech , on behalf of the visiting brethren . Bro . Hayward , W . M . of Lodge 1145 ,
Accrington , in proposing Prosperity to Lodge 345 , said he must observe that , on all sides , there were the evidences of material prosperity in the lodge . The bountiful repast , of which they had had the pleasure of partaking , could not have been provided by any " lodge which had not the
command of great resources . He must congratulate the lodge also upon its admirable working , which he had witnessed that day and on a former occasion , and he must further congratulate the lodge upon their being able to number among them brethren possessing powers of oratory of no common order .
A very efficient choir of brethren , connected with the lodges of Accrington and Blackburn , enlivened the proceedinds by rendering , at intervals , a choice selection of music appropriate to the several toasts . The meeting was brought to a conclusion , and the lodge was closed in due form at 11 p . m .
Masonic Presentation At Hull.
MASONIC PRESENTATION at HULL .
On the 16 th instant , the members of the Ilumber Lodge , No . 57 , succeeded in bringing to a consummation a little project which , for some time , has been in great favour amongst them . We believe there are few Masons who
are more sincerely esteemed and respected in any lodge than is Bro . W . Tesseyman in the . Ilumber . Although not what may be called a veteran Craftsman—having , we believe , nothad quite six years' service—he has nevertheless
worked his way to the Mastership , and has just left that position with the best wishes of the whole of the brethren . Bro . Tesseyman is in himself an instance that kindness of heart , a willingness at all times to assist his lesseducated
brethren , and thorough Masonic conduct in numerous other ways , are certain of being appreciated in a Masonic lodge . During his year of office all went well with the lodge ; its affairs were prosperous , and the members happy
and contented with their Master . Peace and unanimity dwelt amongst them , and the days of the AVAL glided tranquilly on . Time , however , waits for no man , and in its course changes come , even in Masonic lodges , and Bro .
Tesseyman became the I . P . M . The members of the lodge being , however , determined not to let his year of office pass without some recognition of the many agreeable hours it had been the means of their enjoying , determined amongst
themselves to surprise Bro . Tesseyman with a testimonial , and the surprise was very cleverl y effected . The Senior and Junior Wardens very skilfully managed the business , which , in their active hands , made wonderful progress , nearly
every attending member of the lodge being a contributor to the presentation fund . The night of Tuesday , the 16 th , was the time fixed upon , and the presentation was made by Bro . M . Kemp , P . M ., in a very appropriate address .
Bro . Kemp , in handing Bro . Tesseyman the testimonial , which consisted of a very beautifullyornamenlated Past Master ' s jewel , from the establishment of Bro . Ucorgc Kenning , London , remarked that Bro . Tesseyman was initiated into
Freemasonry during his Mastership ; that he had watched his Masonic progress with the greatest interest , and well he had been repaid for that watching . He had seen Bro . Tesseyman in every grade , from an E . A . to a W . M ., and well
had he always discharged the duties of every position in which he had been placed . He had won the regard of the lodge , not alone for his Masonic ability , but for his kindness , attention , and goodwill to all who came within the lodge .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
them that he felt , in placing Bro . Duckworth in the chair that day , that he was in every respect worthy of that high position , and worthy also to succeed to that long line of good men and true Masons who had preceded him in that chair . Referring to the very kind manner in which Bro .
Hutchinson had spoken of him in proposing the toast , he said that he was not a little astonished at the remark that lie ( Bro . Hutchinson ) would abstain from passing any very high eulogium upon him . If the greater portion of Bro . Hutchinson ' s speech did not consist in a succession
of high eulogiums upon him , he must confess that he did not know what the word eulogium meant . But he could not "lay the llattering unction to his soul" so far as to imagine for a moment that he had in any measure deserved one half the kind things which Bro . Hutchinson
as well as Bro . Towers , and Bro . Duckworth , had been pleased to say of him . He could not see how consistently with his character as a Freemason he could have done otherwise , or done less than he had done . One of the first lessons taught him at his initiation was that he was to assist a friend or brother in his time of
need , so far as it might fairly be done without injury to himself or his connections . If that was the rule of his conduct to individual brethren , the same rule applied to them collectively . The lodge had need of his services ; it was his duty to render those services , and he had done so . But
if he could not be so vain as to think that all Bro . Hutchinson ' s remarks applied to him , there was one to which he thought lie might fairly Jay claim , and that was a zealin the cause of Freemasonry and fidelity to their lodge . Approaching , then , the subject of the testimonial , he said
he felt himself almost overwhelmed with the difficulty of the task that lay before him . They must suppose that , in his long experience in Freemasonry , extending now over more than thirty years , many . occasions must have arisen upon which it was necessary for him to address
his brethren both in the lodge and at the banquet table , and he had generally fiuind words sufficient to enable him to convey the ideas which it was his duty to bring before them . The present occasion , however , was one so far removed from the ordinary course of things , that he trusted .
although he-used a somewhat hackneyed form of words , he used them in their truest sense , when he said that he felt utterly unable to express all that the feelings of his heart would dictate . Oi one thing , however , let him assure them that , in all that he had done in their service , be it little
or much , valuable or otherwise , all had been done without hope or expectation of reward , and that until it was mentioned some time ago by Bro . Procter in the lodge , he had no reason to expect that such a thing was likely to take place . For , be it remembered , that that was
not a testimonial-giving lodge ; only once before , during the ten years that he had known the lodge , had any testimonial been given , and that was to Bro . Tiplady , by whom , as all knew , it was well earned by eminent services rendered b y him on the Charity Committee . This fact , he
said , greatly enhanced the value of their gift in his estimation . Well , he said that he had simply done his duty . He felt pleasure to add that , in his case , duty and pleasure had gone hand in hand , for he must say that the years he had spent with them in Freemasonry had been , upon
the whole , exceedingly happy ones . The horizon had not always been quite as clear and serene as might have been wished ; but considering the number of the members , and taking the average of men ' s dispositions , it could not be expected that , in the somewhat prominent position lie had
occupied , he should have succeeded in pleasing all ; but he was glad to feel assured that he had succeeded in that which had been the great end and object of his ambition , the esteem and the regard of the great majority of his brethren . The testimonial before him was the best possible
proof of this , and , as such , he should always highly value it . Intrinsically valuable as that present was , he felt that it was more valuable still as an incentive to himself and to others to do their duty in any position which the duties of the lodge might require . He further felt that the value of that testimonial would not be con-
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
fined to that generation ; he hoped that it would be handed down in his family from father to son for a long time to come , and that his children ' s children mightfeel when they looked upon it , that
a conscientious discharge of duty rarely failed , even in this world , in reaping its reward . Again , he begged them to accept that feeble expression of his gratitude , and to assure them that from his heart he thanked them for all the kindness he
had received at their hands . The testimonial consisted of two very elegant silver fruit stands , with glass dishes on the top , twelve dessert knives and forks , elegantly chased , with mother-of-pearl handles , four table-spoons , with shell bowls parcel-gilt , a cream ladle and
sugar-sifter to match , and a pair ofgrape scissorsall fitted into a very handsome oak case , with silver plate and inscription on the top . Also a Past Master ' s jewel of a beautiful and novel design , and chaste workmanship , which bore on its back the following inscription : " Presented
by the brethren of the Lodge of Perservance , No . 345 , of Blackburn , to Bro . Franklin Thomas , PAL , in recognition of his services to the lodge during ten years . Jan . nth , 1 S 72 . " Bro . Robinson , P . M ., brielly proposed "The Healths of the W . M . and Officers of the Lodge
of Perseverance , No . 345 . Bro . R . C . j . Duckworth , W . M ., in his reply , stated that the ceremony which he had passed through that clay had made an impression on his mind which would not be soon effaced : that he himself , and he thought he might speak for his
officers also , had entered upon the duties of their respective offices with the fullest determination to perform those duties faithfully , and to the best of their abilities , and that he trusted when he come to the end of his year of office he might feel the same satisfaction , in the sense of having perfoimed his duty as his predecessor in the
chair had reason to do . Bro . Thomas , in proposing "The I . P . M ., and the P . M . ' s , of the Lodge of Perseverance , Xo . 345 , ''' ' said : I feel pleased that the W . M . has placed this toast in my hands , because , from the position J have occupied in the lodge , J have been thrown into such close and intimate
communication with the brethren who have severally occupied the chair during the last ten years , that 1 am enabled to speak with more confidence than almost any other brother present , on the zeal and assiduity with which those brethren have discharged the onerous duties of their position . As . 1 shall associate the name of the
I . P . M . with this toast , and ask him to respond to it , I shall conclude what 1 have to sav by speaking more particularly of his performance of the duties of the chair during the last year . I think he must acknowledge that the prosperity of this lodge , upon which we have all so much reason
to congratulate ourselves , is mainly due to the excellent management and care of Bro . Towers , while his urbanity , combined with that firmness decision which mark his character , has tended very much to strengthen and cement the bond of good-feeling and good-fellowship which now happily prevails in the lodge .
Bro . Towers , P . M ., in replying , thanked the brethren very much for the kind response which they had given to the toast which had been proposed in so llattering a manner by Bro . Thomas . He was glad to be enabled to say that his year of office had been a very happy one . He had
been ably supported by his officers and by the whole of the i'AI . ' s , and could but again congratulate the lodge upon its general prosperity and upon the state of its finances . Bro . Tiplady , P . M ., and P . P . G . Treas ., proposed "The Masonic Charities'' in a very forcible and eloquent speech , in the course of which
he congratulated the lodge upon the fact of their having been enabled , during the last two years , to endow the Master and Senior Wardens ' chairs with a Governorship in perpetuity of the Girls ' School and Boys' School , respectively , a circumstance extremely gratifying to himself , and one of which he considered that the lodge might feel justly proud .
Bro . Bnerley proposed " The Visiting Brethren , " and , in doing so , took occasion to say that he had noticed , not unfrequcntly , in the replies to such toasts as he had the honour to
Festival Of Lodge Of Perseverance , No. 345, Blackburn.
propose , that the visiting brethren expressed a sense of obligation to their entertainers . In his view , however , the obligation lay quite on the other side , and that they felt much indebted to the visiting brethren from the neighbouring lodges for the pleasure they had conferred upon them in honouring them with their presence on that
occasion . Bro . Whittaker , W . M . of Lodge 4 62 , Accrington , replied , in a very appropriate speech , on behalf of the visiting brethren . Bro . Hayward , W . M . of Lodge 1145 ,
Accrington , in proposing Prosperity to Lodge 345 , said he must observe that , on all sides , there were the evidences of material prosperity in the lodge . The bountiful repast , of which they had had the pleasure of partaking , could not have been provided by any " lodge which had not the
command of great resources . He must congratulate the lodge also upon its admirable working , which he had witnessed that day and on a former occasion , and he must further congratulate the lodge upon their being able to number among them brethren possessing powers of oratory of no common order .
A very efficient choir of brethren , connected with the lodges of Accrington and Blackburn , enlivened the proceedinds by rendering , at intervals , a choice selection of music appropriate to the several toasts . The meeting was brought to a conclusion , and the lodge was closed in due form at 11 p . m .
Masonic Presentation At Hull.
MASONIC PRESENTATION at HULL .
On the 16 th instant , the members of the Ilumber Lodge , No . 57 , succeeded in bringing to a consummation a little project which , for some time , has been in great favour amongst them . We believe there are few Masons who
are more sincerely esteemed and respected in any lodge than is Bro . W . Tesseyman in the . Ilumber . Although not what may be called a veteran Craftsman—having , we believe , nothad quite six years' service—he has nevertheless
worked his way to the Mastership , and has just left that position with the best wishes of the whole of the brethren . Bro . Tesseyman is in himself an instance that kindness of heart , a willingness at all times to assist his lesseducated
brethren , and thorough Masonic conduct in numerous other ways , are certain of being appreciated in a Masonic lodge . During his year of office all went well with the lodge ; its affairs were prosperous , and the members happy
and contented with their Master . Peace and unanimity dwelt amongst them , and the days of the AVAL glided tranquilly on . Time , however , waits for no man , and in its course changes come , even in Masonic lodges , and Bro .
Tesseyman became the I . P . M . The members of the lodge being , however , determined not to let his year of office pass without some recognition of the many agreeable hours it had been the means of their enjoying , determined amongst
themselves to surprise Bro . Tesseyman with a testimonial , and the surprise was very cleverl y effected . The Senior and Junior Wardens very skilfully managed the business , which , in their active hands , made wonderful progress , nearly
every attending member of the lodge being a contributor to the presentation fund . The night of Tuesday , the 16 th , was the time fixed upon , and the presentation was made by Bro . M . Kemp , P . M ., in a very appropriate address .
Bro . Kemp , in handing Bro . Tesseyman the testimonial , which consisted of a very beautifullyornamenlated Past Master ' s jewel , from the establishment of Bro . Ucorgc Kenning , London , remarked that Bro . Tesseyman was initiated into
Freemasonry during his Mastership ; that he had watched his Masonic progress with the greatest interest , and well he had been repaid for that watching . He had seen Bro . Tesseyman in every grade , from an E . A . to a W . M ., and well
had he always discharged the duties of every position in which he had been placed . He had won the regard of the lodge , not alone for his Masonic ability , but for his kindness , attention , and goodwill to all who came within the lodge .