The Late Bro. G. P. Brockbank, P.M. 221, P.G. Std. Br., And The Late Bro. Wm. Siddorn, W.M. 221.

THE LATE BRO . G . P . BROCKBANK , P . M . 221 , P . G . Std . Br ., AND THE LATE BRO . Wm . SIDDORN , W . M . 221 .

On Wednesday evening , the iSth inst ., an emergency eeting of St . John's Lodge , 221 , Bolton , was held in the Tiv « . pmasons' Hall , Bolton , in memory of the late Bro . rrnrae Parker Brockbank , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . of Eng .,

P P . S-G . D . East Lancashire , and tiro . VV . Siddorn , W . M . The ' occasion was one completely unique in the annals of local Freemasonry , but the position of Bro . Brockbank in lv , Grand Lodge of England , and the eminent services which both brethren had rendered to the Masonic Craft , had been such as to merit the holding of this special lodge , n ( j the brethren of the whole of the five lodges in Bolton , fortitude

o well as the members of the Lodge of , 64 , Manch ester ( of which lodge Bro . Brockbank was VV . M . elect at the time of his death ) , had been specially invited to attend . Bro . James Walker , I . P . M ., acting W . M . 221 , presided , being supported by Bro . R . Cuerden , S . W ., and Bro . Wm . Forrest , I . W . The other members of Lodge 221 present

were Bros . Jno . Rutter , P . M ., P . P . G . R . j J . W . Taylor , p M P . P . S . G . D . ; T . Morris , P . M . ; Chas . Howarth , See ; E . Halliwell , J . D . ; W . H . Brown , Steward ; T . Hie ' son , Prov . G . Tyler , Tyler ; L . Hochschild , D . W . Stevenson , E . Bolton , T . S . Atkinson , W . H . Bridge , R . Marg inson , H . Critchley , J . Sutcliffe ; and amongst the visitors present were Bros . J . L . Hir . e , 64 , P . P . S . G . W . ;

I Walker , 32 , P . PJ . G . W . j E . G . Harwood , I 723 , P . P . I . G . W . j Rev . A . E . Bigoe Bagot , 62 , Prov . G . Chap . ; W . Nicholl , 317 , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . H . P . Leresche , 64 , P . P . G-R . ; N . Nicholson , 1723 , Prov . S . G . D . ; J . Newton , xi P . P . S . G . D ., Prov . A . G . Sec . ; John Morris , 146 , P . P . G . S . of Works ; A . H . Jefferis , 1161 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; R . Duxbury , 1773 P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Cooper , 146 , Prov .

, G Std . Br . ; J . Alcock , 348 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; John M . Bentley , 37 . - - - 0 rg- ! E- w- ' mS , 2156 , Prov . G . Steward ; J . D . Murray , 1335 , P . P . G . D . C . West Lane . ; W H . Lomax , W . M . ; R . K . Freeman , P . M . ; Johnson Miils , P . M . ; T . Murphy , T . Barnes , F . W . Brockbank , J , N . Thompson , F . W . Broadbent , Geo . Crowther , M . Robinson , and H . L . Hinnell , of 37 ; J . T . Voce , W . M . ;

W . Downs , S . W . ; Hy . Ainsworth , P . M . ; Jas . Dooley , H . Broughton , R . Johnson , J . D . ; J . Binns , Org . ; F . M . Millner , l . G . ; S . Smithies , E . Eaton , W . Long , H . C . Atkinson , W . Varley , W . Harrison , H . Walker , J . Hilton , T . Hamer , and W . Bromley , of 146 ; R . Jones , W . M . J J . Eckersley , S . W . ; J . Mantel ] , J . D . ; T . H . Heyes , l . G . ; E . Gregory , N . Yates , H . Smith , R .

Williamson , W . Greenwood , and E . Parkinson , of 348 ; A . Cosgrave , P . M . ; T . B . Tong , P . M . ; J . Miles , Org . ; J . Collins , J . Ashton , A . Taylor , J . Orrell , W . Altham , T . Magee , G . H . Whittaker , T . Morris , and J . Ratcliffe , of 1723 ; and J . W . Almond , P . M . 1773 . After the lodge was opened , a march was played on the organ by Bro . Miles , Org . 1723 , during which the Prov .

Grand Officers entered and took their places on the dais . This was followed by the singing of the " Old Hundred " hymn , and prayer was offered up by Bro . Rev . A . E . BIGOE BAGOT , Prov . G . Chap . Grand Honours were then given by Bro . J OHNSON MILLS , P . M ., D . of C . 37 . The chant , " Man that is born of a woman , " was rendered by the choir , after which an impressive and

eloquent oration was delivered by Bro . E . Bigoe Bagot , LL . B ., rector of Beswick , Manchester , Chaplain 62 , P . G . Chap , of East Lanes , and P . P . G . Chap , of Cheshire : After speaking of the sudden death of Bro . Brockbank , and the solemn warning of the brevity of life which was forced upon our thoughts—a truth which we all believe , and all forget—he said that among the many aspects and

varied hues in which Masonry exhibited itself , there were three he would briefly refer to , the universality of Masonry , its unity , and its largeheartedness . Our deceased brother exhibited these characteristics in a very singular manner , and his noble Masonic career did much to cement and promote these principles . Freemasonry addressed itself to the universal wants , to the great rudimentary

universally diffused characteristics of human nature . The great poet of the Lakes said : " We have all one human heart , " and the Craft appealed to the common humanity which belonged to all , and to the wants and sorrows and inward consciousness which were the heritage of man , as man ; Bro . Brockbank , by his widespread experience , his undeviating loyalty to Masonry , his indefatigable

exertions , and his advancement of the interests of the Order , played no small part in the increase and strength of the lod ges in the province . There was again the unity of Masonry , and this spirit was largely promoted by the kindl y heart , the courteous manner , and the genial brotherly spirit of our departed friend . In Masonry we meet together in that kindly spirit which does not require the

compromise of one sincere conviction , nor sanction the intrusion of one uncharitable thought . We do not set up a tabernacle for sect or party , but we seek to unite various grades and sections , diverse elements of conflicting society , " 1 one reasonable and harmonious whole , and on one broad and comprehensive basis . Thirdly , there was the largeheartedness of Masonry . Theneedof this was evidentwhen

We observed the hurtful influence of the power of selfishness in the world around . Self was made the centre , r ° ?? d which other men , like satellites , revolve . Masonry exhibited beauteous contrasts by the bestowment of largeness of heart—all that was contracted and unworthy was sought to be replaced by all that was noble and sympathisln g—and brother was taught to grasp the hand of brother

'n fraternal recognition . We mourned over the thought that he who had shown this character so truly , whose generous and untiring zeal for the Charities of Masonry 'ere so widely known , would no longer lead the van , and Jc . ? b y lhe trumpet-tongued and persuasive eloquence * J * self-sacrificing- life to greater energy and heartier nf ? tnose Charities which are the key-note and index C — ' ^ nnii ^ i nib in .. ni . jiiuiintiu IHUC

u _ ,, " - «« .- .. a .... v . s . - . A ij me system . " Heaven does with us as we with torches § nT ° u ''& ht them for themselves : for if our virtues did not 0 lorth ot us , t ' were all alike as if we had them not—. Pints are not finely touched but to fine issues . " It has "een well said that " God buries His workmen , but He nf Ti ? on H ' work . " The example of all true servants 0 £ j ,. - " -- -. num . xiic CAampc u . ail nut oci . anw

Da ,, encourages and keeps those who still are in the fore £ * " of the battle . Ihey being dead , yet speak . And the" ? ^ ° a ste P fur'her— 'We often lose the true comfort , W L tor . tifying and the cheering thought which lies somegenti m , eVery sorrow , for such as have the secret—the Wei ! J s P ' '' » tne tenderer the conscience , the more e | y and loving the life , the stronger is the argument

The Late Bro. G. P. Brockbank, P.M. 221, P.G. Std. Br., And The Late Bro. Wm. Siddorn, W.M. 221.

from its very defeat and discomfiture here , for its immortality in a state of which sight and sense give no demonstation . We mustbelieve that our brother's life cannot be ended , but must still be growing and expanding , learning and loving somewhere out of the sight of earth . We were living in an age of transition and , in many respects , of surprise . Amid its manifold activities for good and evil it

was difficult to trace the progress , which , in spite of many discouragements , is ever going on . But that progress is not the less real because we cannot see it , because our eyes are dimmed by the films of sense , or blinded by the tears of sorrow . We have continually to mourn over the afflictive occurrences that are happening around us . Affliction and disappointment , bereavement and trial , come like grim

spectres , haunting every avenue , and constantly flitting across the path of life . In our earthly lodges we are called upon every year to suffer strange experiences , which bewilder us and make us sad ; mourning over new made graves of wise or kind ones snatched from the midst of us'' Ere yet , to mortal thought , their life ' s great work is done . " But up above is a Grand Lodge , where the eternal Grand Master sits assured of an accomplished purpose . There is

found rest purchased by the toil of earth ; peace seared by its wars ; wealth purchased by its poverty ; rapture in the stead of its sorrow ; the joining of hands and hearts long unclapsed from each other's welcomes , in the eternal re-union of the skies . " O the sobbing of the winds of autumn ; 0 the sunset streak of stormy gold ; O the poor heart , thinking in the churchyard . Night is coming and the grave is cold .

O the rest for ever , and the rapture j O the hand that wipes the tears away ; 0 the golden homes beyond the sunset ; O the God that watches o ' er the clay . " A special poem " In memoriam G . P . B . " ( the words of which appeared in the Freemason of the 9 th ult . ) , by Bro . R . Gowanlock , 1723 , the music specially composed by Bro .

J . M . Bentley , Mus . Doc , was then sung . Bro . J MORRIS , P . M ., D . of C . 146 , gave the Grand Honours , and this was followed by the singing of the hymn " 0 God our help in ages past , " to the tune "Dundee . " At the conclusion of which Bro . W . NICHOLL , P . M . 317 , P . P . G . Treas ., delivered an oration , relating more

particularly to Bro . Brockbank s connection with the higher Degrees of Freemasonry , in all of which as well as the Craft he ever took the deepest interest . He also referred to Bro . Brockbank ' s active association with Masonic Charities and to his zeal and . indefatigable exertions on their behalf , and also his unwearying labours in connection with the Charity Committee of East Lancashire and the

East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Benevolent Institution . In all his spheres of labour he had left behind him a void which would not be easy to fill and an example worthy of being followed by his brethren . The choir then sang the anthem , "Cast thy burden , " from "' Elijah , " and grand honours were given by Bro . J . W . Taylor , P . M ., D . of C , 221 . The Hymn , " Lead ,

kindly Light , " to Dr . Dyke's . well-known air , "Lux Benigna , " was then sung , and a quartette , Gaul ' s "Silent land , " was then rendered . Grand honours were given by Bro . John Alcock , P . M ., Sec . 348 . At the call of the Presiding Master , Bro . J . M . RUTTER , P . M . 221 , P . Prov . G . Reg ., delivered thefollowing oration : In rising this evening to say a few words to you with

reference to the memory of our late departed brethren ( I refer to Bro . Brockbank and Bro . Siddorn ) , I cannot but feel that there are many who could more ably have addressed you on this occasion than myself , but at the same time 1 feel that the profound respect which I entertain for the memory of both of our departed brethren is my excuse in venturing to say a few words this evening . Since

my entry into this lodge ( now 20 years ago ) , the hand of death has been very busy , and has especially made sad havoc in the ranks of the Past Masters of the lodge , and now we have been sorely smitten by the removal from our midst of two whom I may properly call the oldest and youngest Master—for Bro . Brockbank was not only our tried and trusted friend , but also our Senior Past Master ,

and Bro . Siddorn was the actual W . M . of the lodge . I have , myself , been personally intimate with Bro . Brockbank all my life , and always esteemed him as a true friend , and 1 can look back with pleasure to many acts of kindness at his hands , and to many hours of social pleasure spent in his company . As a husband and a father , he was loving , kindly , and considerate , and was always filled with

solicitude for the comfort and happiness of those nearest and dearest to him . As a man of business he was always found to be honest y punctual , and straightforward , and I am justified in saying that in his death the Municipality of Bolton have sustained a great loss , and the services of a most hardworking and valuable official . But it was as a member and leader in the Masonic Craft that we chiefly

have learned to love and admire Bro . Brockbank . It is not for me to recapitulate his brilliant Masonic career . Suffice it to say that he was initiated into Freemasonry in the St . John ' s Lodge , now No . 221 , on the 17 th January , 1846 ( the lodge in which I myself first saw the light of Masonry , and of which many of us are so justly proud . ) In 1849 , he was Worshipful

Master of the same lodge . He subsequently joined the Anchor and Hope Lodge , No . 37 , in this town , and served the office of W . M . of that lodge in 1883 , and was Secretary at the time of his death . He was the founder and first W . M . of St . George ' s Lodge , No . 1723 , in tbe year 1877 , at which time it gave me great pleasure to act as the first Secretary of the lodge in his year of office as

W . M ., and it was with great solicitude that he always watched over the interests of that lodge and with pardonable pride , that he always spoke of the great success of that , the youngest , lodge in the town , and which so appropriately bears the name of " St . George . " He also joined the Lodge of Fortitude , No . 64 , Manchester , and served the office of Secretary therein several years , and was W . M . elect at the time of his death . As we all know , Bro .

Brockbank served many offices in various Degrees connected with Freemasonry , and in 1885 he filled the office of Grand Standard Bearer of England , a position which had been fully earned by his long and active services , and made the brethren of this district proud to have a brother of such great distinction amongst them . Most of us well remember the occasion of the complimentary dinner given to him in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on the 24 th July , 1885 , when Col . Starkie , R . W . Provincial Grand Master , presided , and a presentation was made , for which

The Late Bro. G. P. Brockbank, P.M. 221, P.G. Std. Br., And The Late Bro. Wm. Siddorn, W.M. 221.

£ 200 had been subscribed , and out of this sum £ 125 was given , at Bro . Brockbank ' s wish , to the Masonic Charities . And it is in connection with these Charities that Bro . Brockbank most particularly distinguished himself , and it is his great interest and activity in relation to these Charities that constitutes the jewel that is most resplendent in his Masonic career . He had not only qualified as a

Vice-President of each of the Charitable Institutions of our Order , but had served as a Steward at no less than 25 of their Annual Festivals , at the last of which , however ( the Girls ' Centenary Festival ) , he was not present , inasmuch as it was the will ot the Great Architect of the Universe that he should be called away from this sublunary abode , and , as we all reverently hope and trust , to join in the celebration

of a grander Festival in the Grand Lodge above . In Bro . Brockbank ' s death our Order has received a great shock ; but we who knew him more particularly in this district have great cause for grief . He was a friend to every brother , ever ready to assist and teach him , even from his entry into the lodge and onward to higher rank j and now that he is gone from among us , we all feel how

sound and true were all his admonitions and precepts . He was exceedingly kind and sympathetic to any brother in distress or trouble . His last letter was one written by him to a well-known London brother , condoling with him on the death of his only son , and was received by that brother a few hours after Bro . Brockbank ' s death . This is a melancholy occasion , but , at the same time , it is a pleasurable one

when we have the belief in our minds that the brother who has been taken so suddenly and so unexpectedly had led such a life of active usefulness , in which Charity was the predominating feature . Bro . Brockbank has left a great void , and it will be very difficult for any one to follow him

in his mission of usefulness . His is a noble example , and , although we may not be able to do as he did , we are able to strive to the best of our ability , circumstances , and power during the short space of life allotted to each of us , to do as much good in the world as possible , striving to leave our fellow-men happier and better than we found them .

" Sad , silent , and dark be the tears that we shed , As the night dew that falls on the grass o ' er his head ; But the night dew that falls , though in silence it weeps , Shall brighten with verdure the grave where he sleeps ; And the tear that we shed , though in secret it rolls , Shall long keep his memory green in our souls . " —Moore

By the decease of Bro . Siddorn , who was the actual W . M . of Lodge 221 for the current year , we feel that we have lost one who if he had been spared had ho doubt a bright and useful Masonic career before him . He was initiated in the lodge in the year 1880 , and has since , with credit to himself and honour to the Fraternity , duly filled the various offices in the lodge leading up to that of

Worshipful Master . In him we always found a painstaking and assiduous officer ; he was of a most genial disposition , and always beaming with good nature , and the grasp or his hand made one feel that in him there was a true friend and a real Masonic brother . I well remember his installation to the chair of K . S ., which took place in January last ; how happy he seemed , and how full of hope for the

future ; but , alas , death is no respecter either of age or youth , and the young as well as the old are gathered to his garner . The old veteran and the young Master have both gone , and "death , the grand leveller of all human greatness , has reduced them both to the same state . " Finally , let us endeavour to imitate all the good virtues of

our departed brethren , and by so doing we shall be discharging our duty in the sight of the Great Architect of the Universe , and when we are called upon to appear before the great white throne we can leave behind us , like the departed brethren whose loss we all mourn , " A grateful , refreshing , and pleasant memory . "

" Let fate do her worst , there are relics of joy , Bright dreams ot the past which she cannot destroy , Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care , And bring back the features that joy used to wear ; Long , long be my heart with such memories filled ! Like the vase in which roses have long been distilled : You may break , you may shatter , the vase if you will , But the scent of the roses will hang round it still . "

* ' May they rest in peace ! " —Moore , At the conclusion of Bro . Rutter ' s touching oration , Gounod's sacred song , " Glory to Thee , " was impressively rendered by Bro . Binns . Grand Honours were given by Bro . N . Nicholson , P . M ., Sec . [ 1723 , and Barnby's chant " Lord now lettest" was sung . Bro . 1 . H . P . LERESCHE , P . M . 6 A . P . P . G . Ret ? ., bv

special request , as one of the oldest members of the Fortitude Lodge , No . 64 , addressed a few words to the brethren , and at the outset congratulated the Bolton brethren upon having so successfully , in every manner , carried out the arrangements for the mournful yet beautiful ceremony or service which had been so reverently and respectfully gone through that evening . He took that

opportunity of assuring them that their sorrow occasioned by Bro . Brockbank ' s death was equally shared in by every member of the Fortitude Lodge , No . 64 , of which lodge Bro . Brockbank had been an honoured and respected member for upwards of 15 years . That lodge , as they would be aware , was entirely composed of brethren who had attained to the dignity of office in

Grand Lodge or Provincial Grand Lodge , and therefore naturally the position of Worshipful Master in that lodge was one which might be said to be " a blue riband one . " Bro . Brockbank had been unanimously elected to that office , and had he been spared what he might almost call a few hours longer , would have been regularly installed into the chair of K . S . Instead of that ,

however , the Great Architect of the Universe in His inscrutable Providence had thought fit to remove our dear brother from among us , and it became their melancholy duty on the day fixed for his installation to adopt a letter of condolence to his bereaved widow and family . A closing march was rendered by Bro . Miles on the organ , and the lodge was then closed . It may be observed that the musical arrangements were

most admirably conducted by Bro . J . Bentley , Mus ; Doc , P . P . G . Org . ; the choir being composed of Bros . Collins , Almond , Williamson , Johnson , Whittaker , Harrison , and Binns . Bro . John Miles presiding at the organ . Bro . J . W . Taylor , P . P . S . G . D ., acted as D . of C , and it may be added that all the brethren concerned most assiduously and efficiently carried out their parts , and the proceedings which throughout were characterised by the utmost reverence will long be remembered in Bolton .