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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
>— ssss = T ^ ' ' . rrJ . J . I . : .. ; .. = saaw ^^—Craft fil > asonn > . flDetropolitan / l & eettngs .
Moil'a Lodge ( No . 92 ) . —The annual festival of this distinguished lodge was held on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . The members present were Bros . R . AV . Tweedie , AV . M . ; Col . Sir Norman AV . D . Pringle , Bart ., S . AV . ; G . Greiner , J . W . j T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Houle , P . M ., Sec . ; 1 . P . Murromrh , S . D . ; M . F . Tweedie , J . D . ; R . F .
Gould , P . M ., P . G . D . ; AV . Noakes , P . M . ; G . C . Andrew , P . M . ; AV . Bohm , P . M . ; Sir Alfred Dent , K . C . M . G ., P . M . ; S . Shorter , P . M . ; A . Pringle , P . M . ; J . A . Maitland , AV . Kidner , J . P . Fearfield , E . Greiner , J _ . M . Mitchell , and Rev . R . J . AVoodhouse . The list of visitors included the following : Bros . Edward Terry , G . Treas . ; E . lackson Barron , P . M . and Sec . 2 , P . G . D . ; Frank
Richardson , P . G . D . ; Col . R . AV . Edis , G . S . of Works ; Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; AA ' . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; AV . H . Rylands , AV . M . 2 , P . G . Steward ; Lieut . Col . S . C . Pratt , R . A ., AV . M . 2076 ; B . A . Charlesworth , 1357 ; G . Gardner , AV . M . 2309 ; AV . Batt , P . M . 162 ; J . E . Page , 540 ; J . AV . Noakes , 19 S 2 ; E . North ; AV . G . Poole , S 60 ; C . G . Poole , 1 S 92 ; R . Sheriff , AV . M . 196 ;
li . 1 . Castle , Q . C ., P . M . 143 ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . P . G . C . ; H . Reid , I . P 7 M . 142 ; AV . Clower , 2012 ; A . Rewtor , 1159 ; G . R . Ously , P . M . 59 ; S . E . Southgate , S . AV . 700 ; G .- Boulton , P . M . 143 ; L . Hansard , P . M . 1506 ; AV . H . Hooker , 1670 ; T . H . Gardiner , 1150 ; E . Roberts , 917 ; and T . Lawler , 129 C . Among the invited guests who were unavoidably precluded
from attending were Bros . F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg . ; T . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec .: Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . ; P . de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; AValter Besant , Treas . 2076 ; Professor T . Hayter Lewis , J . AV . 2076 ; AV . Lake , P . P . G . R . Cornwall ; Serjeant Robinson , Dr . Pollard , Surgeon-General J . B . C . Reade , C . B ., and
E . Bailey . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the AV . M . elect , Bro . Col . Sir Norman AV . D . Pringle , Bart ., was presented by Bro . T . L . Wilkinson , and installed by Bro . R . F . Gould . The following is a list of the officers : Bros . R . AV . Tweedie , l . P . M . ; G . Greiner , S . AV . ; J . P . Murrough , J . W . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M .,
Treas . ; J . Houle , P . M ., Sec ; M . F . Tweedie , S . D . ; J . P . Fearfield , J . D . ; E . Greiner , l . G . ; AV . Noakes , P . M ., Steward ; and B . Banks , Tyler . After the banquet , which followed the dosing of the lodge , the AV . M . proposed in due sequence "The Queen and the Craft" and " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . "
Both toasts were loyally and musically acknowledged . This was followed by that of " The Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which , in the absence of Bro . Terry , Grand Treasurer , who had been compelled to leave before the toast was reached , was coupled with the name of Bro . E . J . Barron , P . G . D ., the
next Grand Officer in seniority . Bro . E . Jackson Barron , P . G . D ., P . M . and Sec . No . 2 , said : 1 feel sorry that the Grand Treasurer , who is more accustomed to public speaking than myself , has been obliged to leave , as no doubt Bro . Terry would have been better able to do justice to this toast than I am . The AV . M . has referred in very kind terms to the Grand Officers , and I felt sure that from the manner the toast had been received that
the generosity of your disposition does n t envy us our preferment . Modesty , perhaps , prevented the AA ' . M . from mentioning the name of the Installing- Master , Bro . Gould , a distinguished member of your lodge , and himself a P . G . D . I feel sure that all the Grand Officers are ever ready and willing to give their assistance and perform duties when called on , as has happened this evening , when , besides the
Installing Master , Bro . Frank Richardson and Bro . Bywater , both of them Past Grand Officers , filled the chairs of the AVardens during the ceremony , and they , 1 feel sure , felt honoured in being called upon to undertake those duties . 1 will not detain you longer than to express our thanks for the very kind words used by the AV . M . in proposing the toast , the very fraternal manner in which it was received , and the
excellent reception you have given this evening to the Grand Officers . The toast of the evening , " The Memory of the Earl of Moira , " was then proposed by Bro . T . L . Wilkinson , P . M . and Treas ., who said : Brethren , —It is difficult this year to recall the career of Lord Moira , without also recalling the career of the eminent man , who has so recently received the
Freedom of this City in recognition of his public servicesthe Marquis of Dufferin—for the careers of both were in many features curiously alike . Lord Moira and Lord Dufferin both came from the same Irish county . Their families had been friends and neighbours for generations . Their family estates either touched , or were almost contiguous . Each of them began life as the eldest son of
an Irish Peer of new creation , without any very especial advantages beyond what lay in himself . Each attained an extraordinary measure of success , at an age when most men who attain success in public life have scarcely felt their feet . Lord Moira , leaving Oxford at 17 to begin his career as an ensign in a marching regiment , won by his services in North America an English Peerage at nine and
twenty—the youngest man , 1 think , who during three centuries , has gained that honour for purely military services . Lord Dufferin by his services won an earldom of the United Kingdom at four and forty , one of the youngest men , if not the youngest man , who ever received the honour for purely civil services . Each of
them , after brilliant work in North America and Europe , was sent to Indiaas Governor-General . The administration of each was eminently successful , and was marked by many features in common . Each received the honorary Freedom of this City . Each , a Marquisate of the United Kingdom at the close of his term of office ; and each returned to Europe , in a noble poverty , that kept him in
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
harness . Lord Moira to assume the Governorship of Malta , Lord Dufferin to assume the Embassy at Rome . Curiously enough , also , the secret of the success of each was n a great measure the same—a rare sympathetic tact joined to a determined nature , a glove of the softest velvet clothing a hand of the best tempered steel ; and each also derived the qualities that most distinguished him through the spindle
side . Lord Moira from a race prominent in Europe for twelve centuries—the illustrious house of Hastings ; Lord Dufferin with the blood of Richard Brinsley Sheridan . Brethren , it is not only interesting , but it is advantageous , to make comparison of these points of similarity , for it helps us to realise how Lord Moira was regarded by his contemporaries . It is always a difficult thing to realise , with any accuracy ,
how a man , who has long lain beneath the pavement of the Abbey or St . Paul ' s was looked on by his own generation ; but if vve add to the reputation which Lord Dufferin actually possesses , the reputation of a great Parliamentary leader and the reputation of a great soldier , vve can get a fair idea of the reputation of Lord Moira with our forefathers . Brethren , Lord Moira was a many-sided man ; one of the
most so whose life is recorded in history ; but there is one side that vve Masons have ever loved especially to regardhis connection with the Craft , and its influence on his life As you all know , Lord Moira , after filling many high offices , amongst us became Pro Grand Master in 1790 , and held that rank until 1 S 13 . Those plunged into the conflict of public life are too often tempted , perhaps unconsciously tempted ,
to look on high places in a wide-spread and powerful Society like ours as a thing to be of use to them in the world , rather than as a trust imposing on them the most serious obligations . Such tempation never influenced Lord Moira . His conduct in office so commended itself to the Craft that the universal expression of sorrow from the brethren when he had to resign his chair , and the presentation to him of a
jewel valued 1000 guineas , form one of the well-known Masonic historical events . But what was far more important , he ever was so governed by our system of morality that his beneficence became a by-word . Not alone the beneficence marked by the gift in Charity of large sums of money , though it was well said "that his ample fortune absolutely sank under the benevolence of his nature , " but
by gifts of the energy and skill of a busy man to further the well-being of large portions of the human race . One is afraid of using the language of exaggeration in this , so I prefer to use the words of the historian of British India , who can never be accused of undue enthusiasm . In summing up the administration of Lord Moira as Governor-General , Mr . Mill , after srivinq- him a place with Give , Warren
Hastings , and Lord VVellesley , and being distinguished by splendour , comprehensiveness , and rectitude of that administration , concludes , " No sacrifice of personal comfort , or convenience , deterred Lord Moira from promoting , by his participation and encouragement , whatever was projected for the diffusion of benevolence , the cultivation of knowledge , and the general good and
happiness of the community . " Brethren , it is an old subject of dispute , whether the good done by a man in his life lives after him , or even whether Charity itself is a good to mankind . To my mind , the good lives quite as much as the evil , and Marc Anthony was only using an oratorical trick when he said to the Roman citizens" The evil that men do lives after them ;
the good is oft interred with their bones . " The good done by a man in his lifetime does not pass away when his body is laid " earth to earth , " and his spirit stands lightened " with the blaze of the bright ranks that guard the eternal throne . " And if there be any doubt as to the good to mankind done by such Charity as that of Lord Moira , just think what his Charity did . It gave shelter to
the homeless , food to the hungry , rest to the sleepless bed , lessened the sweat of agony on the brow of the sick , and brought peace to dying men , tortured by fears for the future of their children . And it was a Chanty unconfir . ed by class , by creed , or by colour . It was given with equal freedom to those who peopled clearings in the backwoods of North America , and those who peopled
the crowded lanes of the ancient cities of Europe , to those who people cabins , nestled in the glens of Ulster , and villages scattered amongst the rice fields of Bengal . Such Charity as that , brethren , by reducing human suffering , must have affected the welfare of generations , and enabled thousands the better to withstand this world ' s woes— " The danger , the travail , the strife , and the sin "—Lord Moira was one to
whom much was given , but each gift brought its corresponding temptation . To him was given high place and illustrious ancestry . He could know that his eldest son would inherit sixteen peerages —a Marquisate of the United Kingdom—a Scotch and Irish earldom—a group of ancient English baronies , granted by Plantaganet kings , for services by his forefathers to England , under Henry V . and
the Black Prince . He was given a widelj ' -extended and noble fame—The fame of a Statesman who had led successfully the popular party in this country , whilst , remaining a devoted servant to the Crown , and a passionate supporter of all that conduced to the welfare and honour of the realm—The fame of a great soldier—not alone of a commander , who had led armies , with brilliant
success , through many campaigns , but that from , still , dearer _ to Englishmen , the fame of conspicious valour in the field—the fame of one , who , in the days of his youth and subordinate rank , at the close of more than one doubtful day—but when the thin red lines stood still , holding its ground doggedly , no doubt out-numbered , out-flanked , unsupported—had shown that he knew even then how to
lire the blood of his countrymen , and grasp victory by trusting to the cold steel alone . But think of the temptations that accompanied these gifts ; the tempation to further gild that splendid heritage with increased wealth and fortune ; the temptation to indulge in all that is meant by pride of birth , pride of place , and pride of rank . And yet he so ordered his life , that when he had turned to take his last
sleep , men forgot for the moment the memory of his glory , and recollected that he was indeed one , to quote the ritual of to-day , whose heart was guided by justice only , and whose hand was extended with benevolence . Therefore , it is , brethren , that we still treasure his name in this lodge , and humbly hope , that God in His abundant mercy may grant to the Craft many such brethren as he . Brethren , 1 ask
you to drink in solemn silence , to the memory of our departed brother and former patron of the lodge , Francis Rawdon , second Earl Moira and first Marquis of Hastings . The toast was drunk , and the honours given in silence . After which there was a burst of loud and prolonged cheering . The l . P . M ., Bro . R . AV . Tweedie , then rose and in a few
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
well-chosen words proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " In reply , Bro . Col . Sir Norman Pringle , Bart ., W . M ., said : Bro . Past Master Tweedie , I thank you for the kind manner in which you have proposed my health , and you , brethren , most heartily for your cordial reception of the toast . I have been longer than some of you in climbing to
the position in which I now find myself , but the exigencies of military service by requiring me to be present with my regiment abroad , have operated to my disadvantage to a certain extent Masonically , by arresting the flow of promotion , which , in the ordinary case would have carried me through all the minor offices , and rendered me eligible for the chair , some years before it has actually been my good fortune
to fill it . Yet I cannot thank too warmly those brethren who stood aside , or the lodge in general , for their kind consideration in placing me last year in the chair of S . AV ., thus conveying to me the gratifying assurance that the lodge and brethren were equally conscious of my wish to walk up to the chair , and of the causes which had prevented me from doing so . Soldiers who are Masons have to contend with
very grave disabilities , from which other sections of our fraternity are exempt . Prominent among these is the constant shifting of quarters , which makes it impossible for a military brother , unless on the permanent staff or other exceptional circumstances , to remain at any one station sufficiently long to reap the reward due to faithful service in the subordinate offices by election to the Master ' s chair .
In further illustration of my meaning , let me state that I took office in the Moira Lodge in 1 S 81 , but had to rejoin my battalion in Malta ; there I also took office . In 1 SS 2 I again took office in my mother lodge , but was called upon to go to Egypt . I again took office in 1 SS 6 at Gibraltar , and lastly , in iSSS , 1 was appointed to the office of S . W . of this lodge by the generous action alluded to in the earlier
portion of my remarks . In former days things were very different . At one time almost every regiment had a lodge attached to it , and to the influence of these military , or travelling lodges , is due much of the Masonic progress of the last century , more especially in America . There was a famous lodge in my own regiment—the sSth Foot , now the 1 st Battalion South Staffordshire
Regiment—for which a warrant , bearing the number 441 , was granted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1765 . This lodge had many remarkable incidents in its history , one of which being that its chest , jewels , and warrant , together with the records of the regiment , were captured by the enemy . The former were returned uninjured , but the latter never were heard of again .- Its proceedings , from the
publicity given them , were , some years ago , a common topic of discussion in the Masonic press . But I shall now only mention one more incident in its remarkable history . This lodge , while the 3 Sth Regiment was in America , formed one of the nine lodges present at the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of New York in 17 S 2 , and an officer in the regiment and Lodge 441 , Lieut . J . Studholme Brownrigg , was elected
the first S . G . W . of the new governing body . Of those nine lodges which took part in the formation of the Grand Lodge of New A'ork , it is not a little remarkable that six of them belonged to British regiments serving in the garrison . I have been unable to resist the temptation of alluding to an old and distinguished lodge attached for upwards of a century to the regiment which I have so recently had the
honour to command . It may be interesting to the brethren to know that the lodge was in working order up to 1 S 60 . The chest , jewels , and minutes are still in the possession of the Masons of the battalion . But I must now endeavour to show you that there are other and stronger reasons than the pleasing associations connected with my own military career , for the wish I have long entertained to fill the important
office in which 1 have been this evening so ably installed by Bro . Gould , Past Master and Past Grand Deacon . In England , so far as I am informed , there is no documentary evidence relating to the actual proceedings of lodges which is of older date than the Grand Lodge of England itself . By this I mean that there are no lodge minutes or records of earlier date than 1717 . The AV . M . of the oldest
English lodge , I am glad to say , is present , and I dare say will , at a later period , put me right if I am wrong in my supposition . _ To proceed , however , with my remarks—in Scotland it is very different , for both lodge minutes and records abound . From these I shall next make a brief selection . It would appear from the oldest minute book of St . John's Lodge , Kelso , which dates from 1701 , that iri that
year "George Faa" was the Master . This name is well known on the border , being the name of the Royal Family of the gipsy tribe located there . In the next year , under the date , Kelso , 2 nd June , 1 7 , vve meet with the following : " The whilk day the Company of Masons of the honourable lodge of Kelso having met ther , and taking to ther consideration that Georg Faa , last Master to the said company ,
is now deceased , they therfor , after matur deliberation , have selected the honourable Sir John Pringall to be Master in the place of deceased deacon Faa , and to continu to actt and do as Master until St . John ' s day next , when the company shall again have it under their consideration whether to elect another or continue the said Sir John Pringall . " When St . John ' s Day arrived Sir John Pringle was
unanimously elected . And here I must proceed to explain why these extracts have been recited to you . It would seem that in 1702 , or 15 years before there was a Grand Lodge of England , my direct ancestor and great-great-grandfather succeeded either the king of the gipsies or one of that Royal line as Master of the Kelso Lodge . One more quotation and I have done . The Grand Secretary of Scotland , in his
history of the Lodge of Edinburgh , records under the date of June 24 th , 1670 , the admission of Walter Pringle , Advocate , " as Brother and fellow Craft . " This Walter Pringle was the brother of my "great-great-great-grandfather , Sir Robert Pringle , Bart ., " and with his name I reach the highest point to which 1 can trace my Masonic pedigree , that is to say 219 years from the present time . But it will
suffice , I hope , to establish what I am anxious to submit for your consideration . It is that the love of Masonry , with which 1 sincerely trust 1 am imbued , has come down to me by inheritance , and that in seeking admission into the Craft , as well as in my fortunate selection of a mother lodge , I have been guided by an instinctive feeling which has happily caused my feet to tread in the footsteps of those
brethren of my name and family in the 17 th and iSth centuries , whose connection with the Lodges of Edinburgh and Kelso respectively I have briefly adverted to . Lastly , brethren , and 1 hope 1 have not fatigued you with my remarks , let me assure you that during my year of office it will be my constant aim to act according to the traditions of this chair , and to fill as worthily as I can a seat which has been
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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .
>— ssss = T ^ ' ' . rrJ . J . I . : .. ; .. = saaw ^^—Craft fil > asonn > . flDetropolitan / l & eettngs .
Moil'a Lodge ( No . 92 ) . —The annual festival of this distinguished lodge was held on Thursday , the 5 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street . The members present were Bros . R . AV . Tweedie , AV . M . ; Col . Sir Norman AV . D . Pringle , Bart ., S . AV . ; G . Greiner , J . W . j T . L . Wilkinson , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Houle , P . M ., Sec . ; 1 . P . Murromrh , S . D . ; M . F . Tweedie , J . D . ; R . F .
Gould , P . M ., P . G . D . ; AV . Noakes , P . M . ; G . C . Andrew , P . M . ; AV . Bohm , P . M . ; Sir Alfred Dent , K . C . M . G ., P . M . ; S . Shorter , P . M . ; A . Pringle , P . M . ; J . A . Maitland , AV . Kidner , J . P . Fearfield , E . Greiner , J _ . M . Mitchell , and Rev . R . J . AVoodhouse . The list of visitors included the following : Bros . Edward Terry , G . Treas . ; E . lackson Barron , P . M . and Sec . 2 , P . G . D . ; Frank
Richardson , P . G . D . ; Col . R . AV . Edis , G . S . of Works ; Major George Lambert , P . G . S . B . ; AA ' . M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; AV . H . Rylands , AV . M . 2 , P . G . Steward ; Lieut . Col . S . C . Pratt , R . A ., AV . M . 2076 ; B . A . Charlesworth , 1357 ; G . Gardner , AV . M . 2309 ; AV . Batt , P . M . 162 ; J . E . Page , 540 ; J . AV . Noakes , 19 S 2 ; E . North ; AV . G . Poole , S 60 ; C . G . Poole , 1 S 92 ; R . Sheriff , AV . M . 196 ;
li . 1 . Castle , Q . C ., P . M . 143 ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . P . G . C . ; H . Reid , I . P 7 M . 142 ; AV . Clower , 2012 ; A . Rewtor , 1159 ; G . R . Ously , P . M . 59 ; S . E . Southgate , S . AV . 700 ; G .- Boulton , P . M . 143 ; L . Hansard , P . M . 1506 ; AV . H . Hooker , 1670 ; T . H . Gardiner , 1150 ; E . Roberts , 917 ; and T . Lawler , 129 C . Among the invited guests who were unavoidably precluded
from attending were Bros . F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg . ; T . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec .: Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . G . D . ; P . de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; E . Letchworth , P . G . D . ; AValter Besant , Treas . 2076 ; Professor T . Hayter Lewis , J . AV . 2076 ; AV . Lake , P . P . G . R . Cornwall ; Serjeant Robinson , Dr . Pollard , Surgeon-General J . B . C . Reade , C . B ., and
E . Bailey . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the AV . M . elect , Bro . Col . Sir Norman AV . D . Pringle , Bart ., was presented by Bro . T . L . Wilkinson , and installed by Bro . R . F . Gould . The following is a list of the officers : Bros . R . AV . Tweedie , l . P . M . ; G . Greiner , S . AV . ; J . P . Murrough , J . W . ; T . L . Wilkinson , P . M .,
Treas . ; J . Houle , P . M ., Sec ; M . F . Tweedie , S . D . ; J . P . Fearfield , J . D . ; E . Greiner , l . G . ; AV . Noakes , P . M ., Steward ; and B . Banks , Tyler . After the banquet , which followed the dosing of the lodge , the AV . M . proposed in due sequence "The Queen and the Craft" and " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . "
Both toasts were loyally and musically acknowledged . This was followed by that of " The Pro G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon ; the Dep . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which , in the absence of Bro . Terry , Grand Treasurer , who had been compelled to leave before the toast was reached , was coupled with the name of Bro . E . J . Barron , P . G . D ., the
next Grand Officer in seniority . Bro . E . Jackson Barron , P . G . D ., P . M . and Sec . No . 2 , said : 1 feel sorry that the Grand Treasurer , who is more accustomed to public speaking than myself , has been obliged to leave , as no doubt Bro . Terry would have been better able to do justice to this toast than I am . The AV . M . has referred in very kind terms to the Grand Officers , and I felt sure that from the manner the toast had been received that
the generosity of your disposition does n t envy us our preferment . Modesty , perhaps , prevented the AA ' . M . from mentioning the name of the Installing- Master , Bro . Gould , a distinguished member of your lodge , and himself a P . G . D . I feel sure that all the Grand Officers are ever ready and willing to give their assistance and perform duties when called on , as has happened this evening , when , besides the
Installing Master , Bro . Frank Richardson and Bro . Bywater , both of them Past Grand Officers , filled the chairs of the AVardens during the ceremony , and they , 1 feel sure , felt honoured in being called upon to undertake those duties . 1 will not detain you longer than to express our thanks for the very kind words used by the AV . M . in proposing the toast , the very fraternal manner in which it was received , and the
excellent reception you have given this evening to the Grand Officers . The toast of the evening , " The Memory of the Earl of Moira , " was then proposed by Bro . T . L . Wilkinson , P . M . and Treas ., who said : Brethren , —It is difficult this year to recall the career of Lord Moira , without also recalling the career of the eminent man , who has so recently received the
Freedom of this City in recognition of his public servicesthe Marquis of Dufferin—for the careers of both were in many features curiously alike . Lord Moira and Lord Dufferin both came from the same Irish county . Their families had been friends and neighbours for generations . Their family estates either touched , or were almost contiguous . Each of them began life as the eldest son of
an Irish Peer of new creation , without any very especial advantages beyond what lay in himself . Each attained an extraordinary measure of success , at an age when most men who attain success in public life have scarcely felt their feet . Lord Moira , leaving Oxford at 17 to begin his career as an ensign in a marching regiment , won by his services in North America an English Peerage at nine and
twenty—the youngest man , 1 think , who during three centuries , has gained that honour for purely military services . Lord Dufferin by his services won an earldom of the United Kingdom at four and forty , one of the youngest men , if not the youngest man , who ever received the honour for purely civil services . Each of
them , after brilliant work in North America and Europe , was sent to Indiaas Governor-General . The administration of each was eminently successful , and was marked by many features in common . Each received the honorary Freedom of this City . Each , a Marquisate of the United Kingdom at the close of his term of office ; and each returned to Europe , in a noble poverty , that kept him in
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
harness . Lord Moira to assume the Governorship of Malta , Lord Dufferin to assume the Embassy at Rome . Curiously enough , also , the secret of the success of each was n a great measure the same—a rare sympathetic tact joined to a determined nature , a glove of the softest velvet clothing a hand of the best tempered steel ; and each also derived the qualities that most distinguished him through the spindle
side . Lord Moira from a race prominent in Europe for twelve centuries—the illustrious house of Hastings ; Lord Dufferin with the blood of Richard Brinsley Sheridan . Brethren , it is not only interesting , but it is advantageous , to make comparison of these points of similarity , for it helps us to realise how Lord Moira was regarded by his contemporaries . It is always a difficult thing to realise , with any accuracy ,
how a man , who has long lain beneath the pavement of the Abbey or St . Paul ' s was looked on by his own generation ; but if vve add to the reputation which Lord Dufferin actually possesses , the reputation of a great Parliamentary leader and the reputation of a great soldier , vve can get a fair idea of the reputation of Lord Moira with our forefathers . Brethren , Lord Moira was a many-sided man ; one of the
most so whose life is recorded in history ; but there is one side that vve Masons have ever loved especially to regardhis connection with the Craft , and its influence on his life As you all know , Lord Moira , after filling many high offices , amongst us became Pro Grand Master in 1790 , and held that rank until 1 S 13 . Those plunged into the conflict of public life are too often tempted , perhaps unconsciously tempted ,
to look on high places in a wide-spread and powerful Society like ours as a thing to be of use to them in the world , rather than as a trust imposing on them the most serious obligations . Such tempation never influenced Lord Moira . His conduct in office so commended itself to the Craft that the universal expression of sorrow from the brethren when he had to resign his chair , and the presentation to him of a
jewel valued 1000 guineas , form one of the well-known Masonic historical events . But what was far more important , he ever was so governed by our system of morality that his beneficence became a by-word . Not alone the beneficence marked by the gift in Charity of large sums of money , though it was well said "that his ample fortune absolutely sank under the benevolence of his nature , " but
by gifts of the energy and skill of a busy man to further the well-being of large portions of the human race . One is afraid of using the language of exaggeration in this , so I prefer to use the words of the historian of British India , who can never be accused of undue enthusiasm . In summing up the administration of Lord Moira as Governor-General , Mr . Mill , after srivinq- him a place with Give , Warren
Hastings , and Lord VVellesley , and being distinguished by splendour , comprehensiveness , and rectitude of that administration , concludes , " No sacrifice of personal comfort , or convenience , deterred Lord Moira from promoting , by his participation and encouragement , whatever was projected for the diffusion of benevolence , the cultivation of knowledge , and the general good and
happiness of the community . " Brethren , it is an old subject of dispute , whether the good done by a man in his life lives after him , or even whether Charity itself is a good to mankind . To my mind , the good lives quite as much as the evil , and Marc Anthony was only using an oratorical trick when he said to the Roman citizens" The evil that men do lives after them ;
the good is oft interred with their bones . " The good done by a man in his lifetime does not pass away when his body is laid " earth to earth , " and his spirit stands lightened " with the blaze of the bright ranks that guard the eternal throne . " And if there be any doubt as to the good to mankind done by such Charity as that of Lord Moira , just think what his Charity did . It gave shelter to
the homeless , food to the hungry , rest to the sleepless bed , lessened the sweat of agony on the brow of the sick , and brought peace to dying men , tortured by fears for the future of their children . And it was a Chanty unconfir . ed by class , by creed , or by colour . It was given with equal freedom to those who peopled clearings in the backwoods of North America , and those who peopled
the crowded lanes of the ancient cities of Europe , to those who people cabins , nestled in the glens of Ulster , and villages scattered amongst the rice fields of Bengal . Such Charity as that , brethren , by reducing human suffering , must have affected the welfare of generations , and enabled thousands the better to withstand this world ' s woes— " The danger , the travail , the strife , and the sin "—Lord Moira was one to
whom much was given , but each gift brought its corresponding temptation . To him was given high place and illustrious ancestry . He could know that his eldest son would inherit sixteen peerages —a Marquisate of the United Kingdom—a Scotch and Irish earldom—a group of ancient English baronies , granted by Plantaganet kings , for services by his forefathers to England , under Henry V . and
the Black Prince . He was given a widelj ' -extended and noble fame—The fame of a Statesman who had led successfully the popular party in this country , whilst , remaining a devoted servant to the Crown , and a passionate supporter of all that conduced to the welfare and honour of the realm—The fame of a great soldier—not alone of a commander , who had led armies , with brilliant
success , through many campaigns , but that from , still , dearer _ to Englishmen , the fame of conspicious valour in the field—the fame of one , who , in the days of his youth and subordinate rank , at the close of more than one doubtful day—but when the thin red lines stood still , holding its ground doggedly , no doubt out-numbered , out-flanked , unsupported—had shown that he knew even then how to
lire the blood of his countrymen , and grasp victory by trusting to the cold steel alone . But think of the temptations that accompanied these gifts ; the tempation to further gild that splendid heritage with increased wealth and fortune ; the temptation to indulge in all that is meant by pride of birth , pride of place , and pride of rank . And yet he so ordered his life , that when he had turned to take his last
sleep , men forgot for the moment the memory of his glory , and recollected that he was indeed one , to quote the ritual of to-day , whose heart was guided by justice only , and whose hand was extended with benevolence . Therefore , it is , brethren , that we still treasure his name in this lodge , and humbly hope , that God in His abundant mercy may grant to the Craft many such brethren as he . Brethren , 1 ask
you to drink in solemn silence , to the memory of our departed brother and former patron of the lodge , Francis Rawdon , second Earl Moira and first Marquis of Hastings . The toast was drunk , and the honours given in silence . After which there was a burst of loud and prolonged cheering . The l . P . M ., Bro . R . AV . Tweedie , then rose and in a few
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
well-chosen words proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " In reply , Bro . Col . Sir Norman Pringle , Bart ., W . M ., said : Bro . Past Master Tweedie , I thank you for the kind manner in which you have proposed my health , and you , brethren , most heartily for your cordial reception of the toast . I have been longer than some of you in climbing to
the position in which I now find myself , but the exigencies of military service by requiring me to be present with my regiment abroad , have operated to my disadvantage to a certain extent Masonically , by arresting the flow of promotion , which , in the ordinary case would have carried me through all the minor offices , and rendered me eligible for the chair , some years before it has actually been my good fortune
to fill it . Yet I cannot thank too warmly those brethren who stood aside , or the lodge in general , for their kind consideration in placing me last year in the chair of S . AV ., thus conveying to me the gratifying assurance that the lodge and brethren were equally conscious of my wish to walk up to the chair , and of the causes which had prevented me from doing so . Soldiers who are Masons have to contend with
very grave disabilities , from which other sections of our fraternity are exempt . Prominent among these is the constant shifting of quarters , which makes it impossible for a military brother , unless on the permanent staff or other exceptional circumstances , to remain at any one station sufficiently long to reap the reward due to faithful service in the subordinate offices by election to the Master ' s chair .
In further illustration of my meaning , let me state that I took office in the Moira Lodge in 1 S 81 , but had to rejoin my battalion in Malta ; there I also took office . In 1 SS 2 I again took office in my mother lodge , but was called upon to go to Egypt . I again took office in 1 SS 6 at Gibraltar , and lastly , in iSSS , 1 was appointed to the office of S . W . of this lodge by the generous action alluded to in the earlier
portion of my remarks . In former days things were very different . At one time almost every regiment had a lodge attached to it , and to the influence of these military , or travelling lodges , is due much of the Masonic progress of the last century , more especially in America . There was a famous lodge in my own regiment—the sSth Foot , now the 1 st Battalion South Staffordshire
Regiment—for which a warrant , bearing the number 441 , was granted by the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 1765 . This lodge had many remarkable incidents in its history , one of which being that its chest , jewels , and warrant , together with the records of the regiment , were captured by the enemy . The former were returned uninjured , but the latter never were heard of again .- Its proceedings , from the
publicity given them , were , some years ago , a common topic of discussion in the Masonic press . But I shall now only mention one more incident in its remarkable history . This lodge , while the 3 Sth Regiment was in America , formed one of the nine lodges present at the inauguration of the Grand Lodge of New York in 17 S 2 , and an officer in the regiment and Lodge 441 , Lieut . J . Studholme Brownrigg , was elected
the first S . G . W . of the new governing body . Of those nine lodges which took part in the formation of the Grand Lodge of New A'ork , it is not a little remarkable that six of them belonged to British regiments serving in the garrison . I have been unable to resist the temptation of alluding to an old and distinguished lodge attached for upwards of a century to the regiment which I have so recently had the
honour to command . It may be interesting to the brethren to know that the lodge was in working order up to 1 S 60 . The chest , jewels , and minutes are still in the possession of the Masons of the battalion . But I must now endeavour to show you that there are other and stronger reasons than the pleasing associations connected with my own military career , for the wish I have long entertained to fill the important
office in which 1 have been this evening so ably installed by Bro . Gould , Past Master and Past Grand Deacon . In England , so far as I am informed , there is no documentary evidence relating to the actual proceedings of lodges which is of older date than the Grand Lodge of England itself . By this I mean that there are no lodge minutes or records of earlier date than 1717 . The AV . M . of the oldest
English lodge , I am glad to say , is present , and I dare say will , at a later period , put me right if I am wrong in my supposition . _ To proceed , however , with my remarks—in Scotland it is very different , for both lodge minutes and records abound . From these I shall next make a brief selection . It would appear from the oldest minute book of St . John's Lodge , Kelso , which dates from 1701 , that iri that
year "George Faa" was the Master . This name is well known on the border , being the name of the Royal Family of the gipsy tribe located there . In the next year , under the date , Kelso , 2 nd June , 1 7 , vve meet with the following : " The whilk day the Company of Masons of the honourable lodge of Kelso having met ther , and taking to ther consideration that Georg Faa , last Master to the said company ,
is now deceased , they therfor , after matur deliberation , have selected the honourable Sir John Pringall to be Master in the place of deceased deacon Faa , and to continu to actt and do as Master until St . John ' s day next , when the company shall again have it under their consideration whether to elect another or continue the said Sir John Pringall . " When St . John ' s Day arrived Sir John Pringle was
unanimously elected . And here I must proceed to explain why these extracts have been recited to you . It would seem that in 1702 , or 15 years before there was a Grand Lodge of England , my direct ancestor and great-great-grandfather succeeded either the king of the gipsies or one of that Royal line as Master of the Kelso Lodge . One more quotation and I have done . The Grand Secretary of Scotland , in his
history of the Lodge of Edinburgh , records under the date of June 24 th , 1670 , the admission of Walter Pringle , Advocate , " as Brother and fellow Craft . " This Walter Pringle was the brother of my "great-great-great-grandfather , Sir Robert Pringle , Bart ., " and with his name I reach the highest point to which 1 can trace my Masonic pedigree , that is to say 219 years from the present time . But it will
suffice , I hope , to establish what I am anxious to submit for your consideration . It is that the love of Masonry , with which 1 sincerely trust 1 am imbued , has come down to me by inheritance , and that in seeking admission into the Craft , as well as in my fortunate selection of a mother lodge , I have been guided by an instinctive feeling which has happily caused my feet to tread in the footsteps of those
brethren of my name and family in the 17 th and iSth centuries , whose connection with the Lodges of Edinburgh and Kelso respectively I have briefly adverted to . Lastly , brethren , and 1 hope 1 have not fatigued you with my remarks , let me assure you that during my year of office it will be my constant aim to act according to the traditions of this chair , and to fill as worthily as I can a seat which has been