Celebration Of The 150th. Anniversary Of The Lodge Of Emulation, No. 1.

CELEBRATION OF THE 150 TH . ANNIVERSARY OF THE LODGE OF EMULATION , NO . 1 .

The Lodge of Emulation , No . 21 , celebrated the attainment of the 150 th year of its age on Monday last , at the Castle Hotel , Richmond , under the presidency of its W . M ., Bro . Thomas White , whose family have been members of this lodge for more than a hundred years . The

celebration was one of the most magnificient that could have been given , and for the purpose of furnishing additional eclat to the proceedings , all the Grand Officers were invited to partake of the lodge ' s hospitality . Of these only some were able to accept the invitation , but Lord Balfour of

Burleigh in declining it expressed his great regret that other engagements prevented his joining the other brethren under the W . M . ' s banner . The banquet was served in the beautiful dining-hall overlooking the Thames , which afforded sufficient space for the brethren to enjoy

themselves without the disagreeable attendants of heated air and crowded tables . The W . M . was supported on his ri ght by the Grand Chaplain , the Rev . A . Bruce Fraser , Bro . John Hervey , G . S . ; Bro . James Glaisher , G . S . D . jBro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . T .

A . Rucker , P . G . S . ; and among the visitors were Bros . Geo . Burt , 18 ; D . C . Nicholls , 198 ; G . Gurney , 28 ; G . W . Hubbuck , 58 ; D . W . Pentecost , 231 ; W . H . Trego , 1 ; E . W . Davis , 9 ?; and E . L . Caffin . An excellent pamphlet of 30 pages ,

handsomely printed by Norris and Son , compiled by the historiographer of the lodge , Bro . Brackstone Baker , P . G . D ., gave the history of the lodge , its distinguished members , and the events connected with its career . From this useful little book we are informed that on the 15 th of May , 1723 , old

style ( 26 th May , new style ) a warrant of Constitution was granted under the seal of Masonry , authorising certain brethren to assemble and hold a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons , and which lodge was accordingly opened at the Mourning Hush Tavern i n

Aldersgate-street , in the City of London , and called the Mourning Bush Lodge . Ti . e meaning of Mourning Bush at first si ght not being quite clear , further search into Bro . Baker ' s pamphlet explains that the loyalty of a former landlord induced him , when Charles I

was beheaded , to coyer with black crape the bush which was the sign of the tavern . The ori ginal warrant was lost , and a warrant of confirmation was granted by Grand Lodge to the Emulation Lodge , and signed by Grand Secretary , William Henry White . The Emulation Lodge seems to

have been a mixture of various lodges , part of its early history being associated with the Constitution Lodge and part with the Mourning Bush . The patent of the Constitution was granted on the nth April 1767 , 3111 ! the lodge met at the Constitution Colfee-house ,

Bedfordstreet , Covent-garden . This lodge then stood No . 390 on the register , so that even at that time the number of lodges was numerous . The lodge books shew that the lodge used to pay for badges for the brethren and visitors , and it was not until 1814 that brethren . found their own

aprons . Lodge fees were not so heavy then as now ; the three degrees were communicated for two guineas , and the subscription to the lodge was only 7 s . 6 d . a quarter . The Constitution Lodge was not long-lived under its original founders , for in three years and a-half dissensions

were manifest among the members , the minutes were kept in a slovenly manner , brethren resigned , and it was resolved to wind up , sell the jewels and pay the debts . It was , however , revived by Bro . W . H . White and others , who removed it , in 1770 , to the Guildhall

Coffeehouse , and named it tlie Lodge of Emulation . Bro . White was Master in 1771 , 1771 , 1774 , and 1777 , ar , d m ' 78 ° became Grand Secretary . At this time there was a great improvement in the keeping of the lodge minutes . In 1771 " the lodge left the Guildhall

Colleehouse , and removed to the St . Paul ' s Head , Cateaton-street , and in 1773 it again removed , this time to the London Tavern . There it remained until it was united with the Mourning Bush Lodge in 1780 . In 1773 a lodge of instruction was formed by Bro . White ; in 1776

Celebration Of The 150th. Anniversary Of The Lodge Of Emulation, No. 1.

such lodge was held at the Fleece , in Wellcourt , Queen-street , and a few months later at Cole ' s Coffee-house . In 1780 the union with the Mourning Bush Lodge occurred , and was conducted with much formality and exchange of courtesies .

The united lodges met at the St . Paul ' s Head , Cateaton-street . From this time the prosperity of the lodge may be dated , as the initiations and affiliations became very numerous . On the 18 th March , 1799 , Bro . W . White , proposed his son , W . H . White , for initiation , and on the 15 th

April he took the two first degrees . In a year and eight months he became Master of the lodge , and was re-elected as such Master in 1804 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , and 9 . On May 9 , 1810 , he was appointed Grand Secretary jointly with his father , and so continued till the union of the two

Grand Lodges in 1813 . His exertions were constantly recognised , and a resolution to that effect , with a handsome jewel , were presented to him on the 21 st Jan ., 1811 . Other names not less noteworthy are connected with this lod ge . Bro . W . P . Norris was initiated in it 21 st May ,

179 8 . On the death of his father-in-law , Bro . Stephen Clark , in i 799 > he was elected Treasurer , an office in which he was succeeded by his son in 1836 , who held it till his death in 1857 . The office of Treasurer was [ thus in the same family for 82 years . His son , Bro . T . R .

Norris , is still a P . M . Bro . James Deans was initiated in this lodge , as was also his son , who was afterwards G . Sword Bearer . In 1816 Bro . Thomas Taylor joined the lodge , and his son Joseph was initiated on i 8 th Jan . 1819 . On 20 th April 18- 57 , he was elected Treasurer . He held

the office , however , only two years , for he died suddenly on 7 th April 1 S 59 , after a membershi p of 40 years , and his son Thomas , the present holder of the key , succeeded him . Bro . Baker bears testimony to the great service this brother has rendered the lodge by the preparation of an

alphabetical and analytical index to the minute books , a work which he describes as " of intelligent industry unequalled in its kind , " affording a ready reference to all occurrences . The centenary festival of the lodge was held on May 27 th , 1823 , at the George and Vulture , when a

number of Grand Officers attended , and on Monday last tlie completion of another fifty years led to the celebration we are now recording . On the clearing of the cloth , The W . M ., in proposing the " Health of the

Queen , " and that of " The M . W . G . M ., " spoke of Her Majesty as the daughter of a Mason and the mother of a Mason ; and of the Marquis of Ripon as a Grand Alaster under whom Freemasonry was increasing , and prospering more and more every day . In giving the toast of

"The Past Grand Master , " he said he was sure all the brethren would agree with him in regretting that they had now to omit the late Earl of Zetland from this toast . With respect to the Prince of Wales , he had shewn himself very anxious to do all he could for Freemasonry , and

had already occupied the chair of W . M . of at least one lodge , the Royal Alpha . This toast having been duly honoured , The W . M . proposed the toast of" The R . W . the D . G . M . and the Grand Officers present and past . " The Grand Officers so far from thinking

that when they were made Grand Officers it was for services already rendered , and therefore had no need to do anything more for Masonry , still continued to be hard working Masons and performed their duties as members of the numerous committees of Grand Lodge with zeal and

fidelity . Among these Grand Officers who were then present were the Rev . A . Bruce Fraser , G . Chaplain , Hro . John Hervey , G . Secretary ; J . Glaisher , G . S . Deacon , ( a name well known in the world of science as well as in Masonry ) , Bro . J oshua Nunn , who was also well known in

rreemasonry , more especially perhaps in connection with the Masonic Charities . There was also Bro . Brackstone Baker , a P . M . of this lodge , who with the rest , was a fair type of the good men and true who had helped to raise the position of the Order .

Bro . the Rev . A . Bruce Fraser , G . Chaplain , in reply said , I have several times latel y had the pleasure of returning thanks for this toast . To night it is a great pleasure to do so , because you

Celebration Of The 150th. Anniversary Of The Lodge Of Emulation, No. 1.

will excuse the expression , it has been most awfully jolly to me , so much so , that I have but one regret , and that is , that I can scarcely hope to be present at the bi-centenary of this lodge . I assure you it is a subject of serious regret to both the Grand Secretary and myself , and I have

no doubt that other brethren at the table will share our feelings . I shall now conclude by thanking you in the name of the Grand Officers . Bro . James Glaisher , S . G . D ., in giving the " Health of the W . M ., " said he felt it a great

privilege to be present on so great an occasion as the 150 th anniversary of this lodge ; it was certainly a very grand occasion , but it was a still greater privilege that that he should be permitted to propose the health of the brother who had the high honour , by fortuitous

circumstances , to be the W . M . of the lodge at the time it attained that great age . Bro . Brackstone Baker had prepared a history of the lodge , from which it would be seen that Bro . White ' s family name was conspicuous as a leading member of the lodge for many years back . The family had

given some important members to the Order . One , Bro . W . H . White , had been Grand Secretary ^ and let them consider what were the qualifications for that high rank . It required a perfect knowledge of Freemasonry , not in theory , but in practice ; he had to be almost more than

a man : he had to bear with all the failings and ignorance of Freemasons who went to him for information , and when they were wrong to set them right . Such a man was the late Bro . W . H . White , and it was a proud position for the W . M . of the Emulation Lodge on the present

occasion to inherit a name which was known all over the Craft , and not confined to this lodge . The W . M . must feel as he ought to feel , and as they all felt , proud that he should be there . They all know how good and kind a man he was , and as an instance he might mention that

he ( Bro . Glaisher ) had recently to require his aid for a case which required great attention from the W . M ., when he alone could perform what was required ; and he was happy to say say that the admirable way in which it was done proved that the Masonic feeling of the Whites

ran fully within him . ( Cheers . ) The W . M . after the toast had been enthusiastically drank , said : —I hardly know on the present occasion how to return my thanks for the almost overpowering manner in which Bro . Glaisher proposed my health , and you , brethren , have received it . I am sorry to say , that though

there is a Bro . W . H . White present , I am not the fortunate bearer of that name ; however , I am proud to bear the name of White , and especially proud to be the W . M . of this lodge on the occasion of its 150 th anniversary '; and in addition to that , I am still more proud perhaps to be the fourth , I think it is , in direct descent of the name of White who have been Masters

of this lodge . Brethren . I beg to thank you . Bro . John Hervey , G . S ., said that although wishing a more capable brother than himself had been deputed to propose " The Health of the Past Masters , " no one could do it more heartily and sincereh than he , as he had long been a

guest at the Lodge of Emulation , and had been present at the installation of many of their P . Ms ., excepting indeed Bro . Wing . When he toid them that he was present at the installation of their Treasurer , Bro . Taylor , they might judge that he was well acquainted with the

proceedings of this lodge , and its good feeling . It was indeed an old friend of his , and therefore he thought they could not have selected a more suitable brother to propose this this toast . He agreed with Bro . Glaisher that it must be a proud thing for the W . M . to find himself after 103

years a representative of the house of White as Master or the lodge . Bro . W . H . White was Master about the year 1772 , or 3 , and now his great grandson sat in his seat . But it was not only to Bro . White that it must be gratifying to be present on this occasion ; there was another

brother , Stephen Norris , whose family , not quite so long , but for 80 years held tlie office of Treasurer to the lodge . There was also Bro . Taylor , whose family had been represented in the lodge for many years , and as that brother now held the office of Treasurer , it shewed that