Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
presence yesterday was a crowning triumph for the brethren of Hampshire . If there be any readers so benighted as to regard Freemasonry as a mere amusement , in-Tolving little trouble and enforcing few onerous duties , he would do well to consider yesterday ' s
programme as carried out by the Marquis of Ripon and the brethren who are his Grand Officers , or have been Grand Officers under him or his predecessor , the Earl of Zetland . Let the reader accompany in spirit the party yvhich left Waterloo yesterday at half-past nine
a . m ., and note the labours they underwent . First , a railway vide of two hours and a quarer . Upon the arrival of the train at Southampton , the Marquis of Ripon , the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire , W . W . B . Beach , ALP ., and the Grand Officers of England , with whom
were now joined the Provincial Grand Officers of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , were conducted by the Reception Committee of the Corporation of Southampton to the drawing-room ofthe South Western Hotel . Here the Alayor and Corporation , who promptly fired off a
complimentary address , at the Alarquis , welcoming him to Southampton . This important ceremony over , the Alayor invitesthe illustrious party to lunch with himan offer which was accepted at once . Immediately after luncheon , and just when some of the
weaker spirits mi g ht , perhaps , be cbsjiosed to regard a cigar in the holiday sunshine without absolute disfavour , stern duty makes another call . The Alasonic guests , with their Grand Alaster in the place of lionour , and accompanied by their host , the Mayor and the Corporation , next
proceed to the Deanery , where they bud a considerable number of Freemasons of lessexalted dignity already assembled and clothed . Up to this time the London party had appeared as one composed of private gentleman , and without showing so much as an inch of purple
ribbon to speak of the glories which were to come . At the Deanery they all "clothe . " It is rarely indeed that the outside world is permitted to gaze upon Freemasons in the paraphernalia of the Order . To wear an ajiron or collar in public , save under most exceptional
circumstances , and by a special dispensation from the Grand AIaster or his representative , would be a grave Masonic offence , and one certain to be punished if brought before the recognised authorities . The appearance of a Grand Lodge when the ruler of the ruler of the Craft is surrounded
by his advisers , all Avearing tbe jmrjile , and supported b y the Alasters and Wardens of lodges wearing tbe insignia of their rank , can in consequence be but partially appreciated by tbe outer world . It is not often , however , that public ceremonialstakeplaee in England which are more full
of pomp than the procession which made its way on Tuesday from the Southampton Deanery to the Church of St . Mary ' s . The Alarquis of Ripon ' s state apron , collar , clothing , and jewels as Grand Alaster , are magnificent ; and the rich dark purple of the Grand Officers' dress contrasts
bravely with the gold lace and embroidery with which they are plentifully adorned . The chests of many of these distinguished brethren were so covered with handsome jewels that tney resembled breast-plates of party-coloured chain armour composed of fine metals and rare stones .
When all were seated the interior of St . Alary ' s Church recalled a medireval celebration , and when the Special Service , which had been authorised by the Bishop of the diocese , commenced with a hymn , and the congregation stood up , the
jingling of ornaments , and the successive waves of varying colour , materially added to the scenic effect . The first verse of tbe hymn ran as follows : When the Almighty Architect
Had planned the heavens and earth , The hosts on high in concert joined , To sing aloud its birth . And after some intermediate verses , which contained few allusions or similes which can be called Masonic , it concluded thus :
Great Alaster Builder , prais'd be thou , The God whom we adore ; Be glory as it was , is now , And shall be evermore . Amen . The lessons were from the ist Kings , 28 th
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
to , 3 , 3 rd verses inclusive ; the ist St . Peter ii ., 1 ith to 17 th verses inclusive ; ancl the 13 , 3 rd Psalm ; and the prayers of this special service included some of the most expressive in our ritual . The
anthem was from 12 th Isaiah , 6 th verse . The prayer offered before the sermon , whicii was preached by the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , ALA ., one of the Grand Chaplains of England , ran as follows :
" O Almi ghty God , Great and Grand Architect of the universe , at whose word the Pillars of the Sky were raised , and its beauteous arches formed ; we are assembled in thy great name to acknowledge thy power , thy wisdom , and thy goodness , and to implore thy blessing .
Endue us with a competence of Th y Alost Holy Spirit , that we may be enabled to trace Thee out in all Thy wonderful works , that Th y praise may resound with the fervent love of Th y creatures from pole to pole , grant this O God . Amen . "
There was an extremel y brief interval between the conclusion of the service and the hour fixed for the opening of the lodge at the Philharmonichall . Upon the proceedings whicii took place within that sacred arcana it is , of course , necessary to draw a veil ; but this may be safely assumed—both the Grand Alaster and the Grand
Officers were kept " at attention" during the whole time the lodge was open . There was again but a brief interval between the conclusion of the ceremonies and the commencement of the banquet , which was given at the Royal Victoria
Rooms , at which ladies were jiresent , and where the after-dinner speaking was far above the average of that which the English public are unhajipily familiar . The jiresent Deputy Grand Alaster of Hampshire , Bro . L R . Stebbing , was
celebrated among Freemasons as an effective orator , long before " the purple " was conferred upon him , and when he was an able leader of " the Grand Alaster ' s ( Lord Zetland ' s ) opposition . " Quieter times have come , hut the speech
of more than one of the Grand Officers on Tuesday showed that the Craft fully maintains its reputation for eloquence , and that its boast that some of the best speakers on social subjects in England are to be found in its ranks is by no means without foundation in fact .
At 10 . 30 j ) . 111 . the Grand Alaster and his Grand Officers left by special train for London , where the Alarquis of Rijion , after attending the Cabinet Council , will preside at the ( irand Festival to be held in Freemasons' Hall .
The following was the Alayor ' s address to the Alarquis of Ripon ;—Aly Lord , "The Corporation have unanimously agreed to present your lordship with an address congratulating you on your Jn ' gli position in connection with the
AIasonic brethren , and in recognition of your valuable public services to your country . Although not a Alason , 1 have had great pleasure , both in my personal as well as in my social position as chief magistrate , in bearing of the
great good done in a charitable point of view , in the way of educating the . orphans of your Fraternity , and the benefit derived b y decayed Alasons . Under these circumstances it is a great pleasure to me , and a great gratification , to receive your
lordshij ) , and to i :. ke jxirt , as far as I can do , in this centenary festival . Southampton ' s hospitality is well-known , and given at all times to every illustrious personage who visits our shores , but in nocase can it be more hi ghly gratifying than
to receive your lordship this day . Your services entitle you to every acknowledgement from the citizens of Southampton . It would , however , be presumption on my jiart to allude to any of your eminent services in particular , ancl I have
only to express a hope that England may long continue to be on friendly terms with all the world , and that your lordship after the agreeable meeting of to-day , may return to London impressed with the usefulness of the day ' s proceed . ;
nigs . Allow me to introduce to your lordship the Worshipful Alaster of the Royal Gloucester Lodge ( Air . Pocock ) , a member of tbe Corporation , and a gentleman esteemed by his fellow tonwsmen . " ( Cheers . ) Air . Pearce , the Town Clerk , then read the following address to his lordship : —
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
" To the Alost Hon . the Alarquis of Ripon K . G ., Lord President of Her Alajesty ' s Council , & c . — "May it please yonr Lordship , —We , tbe Alayor , Aldermen , and Burgesses of the Borough of Southampton in Council assembled , beg leave to offer to your Lordship a hearty iwelcome on
your visit to the town , for the purpose of taking part in the celebration of an event connected with our local history , and of much interest to a large number of the inhabitants , who are members of the AIasonic Institution . The valuable public service which your Lordship has rendered
to your country during the past twenty years , tbe distinguished position which you occupy in the councils of our gracious ancl much beloved Queen , ancl tbe valuable assistance which you have ever given to tbe cause of education and our most useful and benevolent institutions ,
entitle you to the respect and gratitude of your countrymen of all ranks ancl parties . We trust that your visit to Southampton will be in every respect agreeable to your Lordship , that you will have reason to be gratified with your reception by the members of the Ancient Order over whicii
you so worthily preside , and we earnestly pray that your life may long be spared to enable you to realise to a still greater extent the noble objects you have always had in view—the promotion of the happiness and prosperity of the peojile of England , and of peace and unity among tbe different nations of the earth . "
Ihe Alarquis of Ripon said—Air . Alayor and gentlemen , allow me to express to you sincerely , and to thank you most cordially for , the honour you have clone me by your reception upon this occasion—and I can assure you that 1 appreciate highly the honour I have received in this ancient
and distinguished borough—and also for your appreciation of the Order of Freemasonry , over which I have the honour to preside . I thank you , sir , for the manner in which you have spoken of Freemasonry , for anything contrary to it would be at variance with the princijiles of our order ;
and from experience of various lodges , I can say that 1 have always found them good citizens , good neighbours , ancl loyal and devoted subjects of our Sovereign ; and I hope and trust that these principles will ever be found amongst those who belong to the order of Freemasonry . I heard
with pleasure the allusion you , sir , were pleased to make with regard to the subject of education , in which I feel a deep interest , ancl lean say that it is an interest I have always felt , from the first moment when I took part in public affairs , for I consider that a sound education throughout the
country is of the greatest national importance . As a member of the Government charged with this question , they believed that it was their duty not to cast aside any of the means which exist for their object , or reject any voluntary aid which may be offered , but to gather in all , and so be
enabled to effect one great system of national education . In conclusion , 1 may say that I shall carry back the most grateful feelings for the kindness you have shown me . The noble Alarquis then resumed bis seat amidst loud cheering . At a banquet in tbe evening , when upwards of
two hundred were jiresent , the Alarquis of Ripon , in responding to the toast of his health , spoke ofthe influence of Alasonry on Provincial lodges and their spirit , and said this centenary afforded an exceptional opportunity to one like himself of testifying his sympathy with Alasonry in the
South as well as the North of England , where he was better known . The recognition by the Alayor and Corporation of bis visit , he interpreted as their sense of the respect to which they thought the event was entitled . They were much mistaken who supposed the principal objects of the Craft to be gold ancl purjile clothing , or that
their main interests were centred in banquets ; for without presuming to place it too high , or to the detriment of other institutions , lie claimed the honour of its being one of those institutions which if rightly used made men better servants of their Queen and more devoted to their God . — Dailu News .
" MORE than a year ago one of my children was attacked with bronchitis , and , after a long illness , was ghen u |> by all physicians .-is ' past cure . ' I was then induced to try your Vegetable Pain Killer , and from' the time I began the use of it the child rapidly got better , and it is now strong and healthy . — J WINSTANLEY , IO , Whittlcst ,, L ' pool , i 8 ug . —To 1 > . 13 . & Son . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
presence yesterday was a crowning triumph for the brethren of Hampshire . If there be any readers so benighted as to regard Freemasonry as a mere amusement , in-Tolving little trouble and enforcing few onerous duties , he would do well to consider yesterday ' s
programme as carried out by the Marquis of Ripon and the brethren who are his Grand Officers , or have been Grand Officers under him or his predecessor , the Earl of Zetland . Let the reader accompany in spirit the party yvhich left Waterloo yesterday at half-past nine
a . m ., and note the labours they underwent . First , a railway vide of two hours and a quarer . Upon the arrival of the train at Southampton , the Marquis of Ripon , the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire , W . W . B . Beach , ALP ., and the Grand Officers of England , with whom
were now joined the Provincial Grand Officers of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , were conducted by the Reception Committee of the Corporation of Southampton to the drawing-room ofthe South Western Hotel . Here the Alayor and Corporation , who promptly fired off a
complimentary address , at the Alarquis , welcoming him to Southampton . This important ceremony over , the Alayor invitesthe illustrious party to lunch with himan offer which was accepted at once . Immediately after luncheon , and just when some of the
weaker spirits mi g ht , perhaps , be cbsjiosed to regard a cigar in the holiday sunshine without absolute disfavour , stern duty makes another call . The Alasonic guests , with their Grand Alaster in the place of lionour , and accompanied by their host , the Mayor and the Corporation , next
proceed to the Deanery , where they bud a considerable number of Freemasons of lessexalted dignity already assembled and clothed . Up to this time the London party had appeared as one composed of private gentleman , and without showing so much as an inch of purple
ribbon to speak of the glories which were to come . At the Deanery they all "clothe . " It is rarely indeed that the outside world is permitted to gaze upon Freemasons in the paraphernalia of the Order . To wear an ajiron or collar in public , save under most exceptional
circumstances , and by a special dispensation from the Grand AIaster or his representative , would be a grave Masonic offence , and one certain to be punished if brought before the recognised authorities . The appearance of a Grand Lodge when the ruler of the ruler of the Craft is surrounded
by his advisers , all Avearing tbe jmrjile , and supported b y the Alasters and Wardens of lodges wearing tbe insignia of their rank , can in consequence be but partially appreciated by tbe outer world . It is not often , however , that public ceremonialstakeplaee in England which are more full
of pomp than the procession which made its way on Tuesday from the Southampton Deanery to the Church of St . Mary ' s . The Alarquis of Ripon ' s state apron , collar , clothing , and jewels as Grand Alaster , are magnificent ; and the rich dark purple of the Grand Officers' dress contrasts
bravely with the gold lace and embroidery with which they are plentifully adorned . The chests of many of these distinguished brethren were so covered with handsome jewels that tney resembled breast-plates of party-coloured chain armour composed of fine metals and rare stones .
When all were seated the interior of St . Alary ' s Church recalled a medireval celebration , and when the Special Service , which had been authorised by the Bishop of the diocese , commenced with a hymn , and the congregation stood up , the
jingling of ornaments , and the successive waves of varying colour , materially added to the scenic effect . The first verse of tbe hymn ran as follows : When the Almighty Architect
Had planned the heavens and earth , The hosts on high in concert joined , To sing aloud its birth . And after some intermediate verses , which contained few allusions or similes which can be called Masonic , it concluded thus :
Great Alaster Builder , prais'd be thou , The God whom we adore ; Be glory as it was , is now , And shall be evermore . Amen . The lessons were from the ist Kings , 28 th
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
to , 3 , 3 rd verses inclusive ; the ist St . Peter ii ., 1 ith to 17 th verses inclusive ; ancl the 13 , 3 rd Psalm ; and the prayers of this special service included some of the most expressive in our ritual . The
anthem was from 12 th Isaiah , 6 th verse . The prayer offered before the sermon , whicii was preached by the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , ALA ., one of the Grand Chaplains of England , ran as follows :
" O Almi ghty God , Great and Grand Architect of the universe , at whose word the Pillars of the Sky were raised , and its beauteous arches formed ; we are assembled in thy great name to acknowledge thy power , thy wisdom , and thy goodness , and to implore thy blessing .
Endue us with a competence of Th y Alost Holy Spirit , that we may be enabled to trace Thee out in all Thy wonderful works , that Th y praise may resound with the fervent love of Th y creatures from pole to pole , grant this O God . Amen . "
There was an extremel y brief interval between the conclusion of the service and the hour fixed for the opening of the lodge at the Philharmonichall . Upon the proceedings whicii took place within that sacred arcana it is , of course , necessary to draw a veil ; but this may be safely assumed—both the Grand Alaster and the Grand
Officers were kept " at attention" during the whole time the lodge was open . There was again but a brief interval between the conclusion of the ceremonies and the commencement of the banquet , which was given at the Royal Victoria
Rooms , at which ladies were jiresent , and where the after-dinner speaking was far above the average of that which the English public are unhajipily familiar . The jiresent Deputy Grand Alaster of Hampshire , Bro . L R . Stebbing , was
celebrated among Freemasons as an effective orator , long before " the purple " was conferred upon him , and when he was an able leader of " the Grand Alaster ' s ( Lord Zetland ' s ) opposition . " Quieter times have come , hut the speech
of more than one of the Grand Officers on Tuesday showed that the Craft fully maintains its reputation for eloquence , and that its boast that some of the best speakers on social subjects in England are to be found in its ranks is by no means without foundation in fact .
At 10 . 30 j ) . 111 . the Grand Alaster and his Grand Officers left by special train for London , where the Alarquis of Rijion , after attending the Cabinet Council , will preside at the ( irand Festival to be held in Freemasons' Hall .
The following was the Alayor ' s address to the Alarquis of Ripon ;—Aly Lord , "The Corporation have unanimously agreed to present your lordship with an address congratulating you on your Jn ' gli position in connection with the
AIasonic brethren , and in recognition of your valuable public services to your country . Although not a Alason , 1 have had great pleasure , both in my personal as well as in my social position as chief magistrate , in bearing of the
great good done in a charitable point of view , in the way of educating the . orphans of your Fraternity , and the benefit derived b y decayed Alasons . Under these circumstances it is a great pleasure to me , and a great gratification , to receive your
lordshij ) , and to i :. ke jxirt , as far as I can do , in this centenary festival . Southampton ' s hospitality is well-known , and given at all times to every illustrious personage who visits our shores , but in nocase can it be more hi ghly gratifying than
to receive your lordship this day . Your services entitle you to every acknowledgement from the citizens of Southampton . It would , however , be presumption on my jiart to allude to any of your eminent services in particular , ancl I have
only to express a hope that England may long continue to be on friendly terms with all the world , and that your lordship after the agreeable meeting of to-day , may return to London impressed with the usefulness of the day ' s proceed . ;
nigs . Allow me to introduce to your lordship the Worshipful Alaster of the Royal Gloucester Lodge ( Air . Pocock ) , a member of tbe Corporation , and a gentleman esteemed by his fellow tonwsmen . " ( Cheers . ) Air . Pearce , the Town Clerk , then read the following address to his lordship : —
Centenary Of The Royal Gloucester Lodge, Southampton.
" To the Alost Hon . the Alarquis of Ripon K . G ., Lord President of Her Alajesty ' s Council , & c . — "May it please yonr Lordship , —We , tbe Alayor , Aldermen , and Burgesses of the Borough of Southampton in Council assembled , beg leave to offer to your Lordship a hearty iwelcome on
your visit to the town , for the purpose of taking part in the celebration of an event connected with our local history , and of much interest to a large number of the inhabitants , who are members of the AIasonic Institution . The valuable public service which your Lordship has rendered
to your country during the past twenty years , tbe distinguished position which you occupy in the councils of our gracious ancl much beloved Queen , ancl tbe valuable assistance which you have ever given to tbe cause of education and our most useful and benevolent institutions ,
entitle you to the respect and gratitude of your countrymen of all ranks ancl parties . We trust that your visit to Southampton will be in every respect agreeable to your Lordship , that you will have reason to be gratified with your reception by the members of the Ancient Order over whicii
you so worthily preside , and we earnestly pray that your life may long be spared to enable you to realise to a still greater extent the noble objects you have always had in view—the promotion of the happiness and prosperity of the peojile of England , and of peace and unity among tbe different nations of the earth . "
Ihe Alarquis of Ripon said—Air . Alayor and gentlemen , allow me to express to you sincerely , and to thank you most cordially for , the honour you have clone me by your reception upon this occasion—and I can assure you that 1 appreciate highly the honour I have received in this ancient
and distinguished borough—and also for your appreciation of the Order of Freemasonry , over which I have the honour to preside . I thank you , sir , for the manner in which you have spoken of Freemasonry , for anything contrary to it would be at variance with the princijiles of our order ;
and from experience of various lodges , I can say that 1 have always found them good citizens , good neighbours , ancl loyal and devoted subjects of our Sovereign ; and I hope and trust that these principles will ever be found amongst those who belong to the order of Freemasonry . I heard
with pleasure the allusion you , sir , were pleased to make with regard to the subject of education , in which I feel a deep interest , ancl lean say that it is an interest I have always felt , from the first moment when I took part in public affairs , for I consider that a sound education throughout the
country is of the greatest national importance . As a member of the Government charged with this question , they believed that it was their duty not to cast aside any of the means which exist for their object , or reject any voluntary aid which may be offered , but to gather in all , and so be
enabled to effect one great system of national education . In conclusion , 1 may say that I shall carry back the most grateful feelings for the kindness you have shown me . The noble Alarquis then resumed bis seat amidst loud cheering . At a banquet in tbe evening , when upwards of
two hundred were jiresent , the Alarquis of Ripon , in responding to the toast of his health , spoke ofthe influence of Alasonry on Provincial lodges and their spirit , and said this centenary afforded an exceptional opportunity to one like himself of testifying his sympathy with Alasonry in the
South as well as the North of England , where he was better known . The recognition by the Alayor and Corporation of bis visit , he interpreted as their sense of the respect to which they thought the event was entitled . They were much mistaken who supposed the principal objects of the Craft to be gold ancl purjile clothing , or that
their main interests were centred in banquets ; for without presuming to place it too high , or to the detriment of other institutions , lie claimed the honour of its being one of those institutions which if rightly used made men better servants of their Queen and more devoted to their God . — Dailu News .
" MORE than a year ago one of my children was attacked with bronchitis , and , after a long illness , was ghen u |> by all physicians .-is ' past cure . ' I was then induced to try your Vegetable Pain Killer , and from' the time I began the use of it the child rapidly got better , and it is now strong and healthy . — J WINSTANLEY , IO , Whittlcst ,, L ' pool , i 8 ug . —To 1 > . 13 . & Son . "