History Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement, No . 256.——(Continued).

History of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , No . 256 . ——( Continued ) .

( By Bro . HENRY SADLER , Sub-Librarian to the Grand Lodge of England ) .

IN responding to the toast , Bro . Fenn said : Bro . Lord Cremorne and Brethren—It has been the custom for some years past for the brother who has the honour of responding to this toast to give a short history of the Lodge , and ( ur reasons for claiming the highest authority for the ritual that it teachesbut I have been asked to change the

, subject this evening , and as the Emulation work has become so general , and its pre-eminence is now almost universally acknowledged , it does seem unnecessary to repeat the oft-told tale . But as I believe I am expected to say something respecting our Lodge , I do not know that I can do better

than avail myself of this opportunity to answer the question which has often been put to us , "Why we work the lectures on these occasions and not the ceremonies ? "

HIS HONOUR JUDliE PHlLBRlCK , K . C , P , G . \\\ , Chairman of the Fpxtir / il in 1 SSI . Formerly the sections were occasionally worked in private lodges , but whether it be from the increase of

ceremonial duties , whether it be from indifference or some other cause , the lectures have apparently been relegated to lodges of instruction , and the work in private lodges seems now generally confined to the ceremonies . The brethren have therefore so many

opportunities of hearing these ceremonies that we doubt if a repetition of them on these nights would prove sufficient attraction to bring together so large a gathering as we desire to see . But a brother newly-admitted into our mysteries naturally feels some degree of curiosity to learn more of the

meaning and design of the various ceremonies through which he has passed . He has heard that Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , but when he seeks an explanation of those symbols , when he asks why he was required to do this or that , or the

meaning of any particular part of the ceremonies , he is told that he must go to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement and hear the lectures , where he will have all these matters fully explained .

On these occasions he may possibly hear for the first time that Masonic Charity , in its true and extended sense , is to envy not our neighbour ; to believe not a tale reported to his prejudice ; to forgive the injuries of men ; and endeavour to blot them from our recollection ; not only to relieve the distressed ( which is a duty incumbent

on all men ) , but to soothe the unhappy , sympathise in their misfortunes , compassionate their miseries , and restore peace to their troubled minds ; and that to communicate happiness to others is the truest and surest source of happiness to ourselves .

We are taught in these lectures that in the Masonic interpretation of brotherly love is comprised that grand principle of universality which is one of the peculiar and distinguishing features of our Institution , which embraces in its fraternal arms the high and low , the rich and poor , and

men of every country , whatever may be their religious or political opinions . We are here told that to be a good Freemason is to lead an upright life , to be scrupulously honourable in all his dealings , to look clown with scorn and contempt on meanness and deception as something that is beneath him , to render to every man his just clue , and that without

distinction , whether he be his equal or his servant . And while maintaining and practising impartial justice , to exercise to the fullest extent that Divine attribute , mercy , even as he hopes for mercy hereafter himself . These lectures , in fact , expatiate on that grand system of morality

shadowed forth in our ceremonies , that firm and enduring foundation of our glorious Masonic edifice , which has enabled it to stand tne test of ages , to survive the wreck of mighty empires , and resist the destroying hand of time . Opinions may alter , manners change , creeds rise and fall , but the moral law , the foundation of Masonry , is graven on the tablets of eternity .

To preserve , in their integrity , our lectures which embody these sublime truths , and to hand them down to their successors as they have received them from those who have gone before , is one of the duties of the Committee whom I have the honour to represent , and in thanking you , in their names , for the compliment you have

paid them I can safely assure you that they are deeply sensible of the responsibility which this trust imposes upon them . For my own part I am now only a consulting member of the Committee , but while such brethren as Bro . Sudlow , who , I am pleased to see , has received the honour of the

purple since we last met ; Bro . Frank Spaull , our late Secretary , who has done such good service for the Lodge , and whose absence to-night from a severe accident we must all deplore ; Bro . Kentish , our present indefatigable Secretary ,

to whom the success ot this great gathering is mainly due ; and Bro . Rushton , who has lately been elected on the Committee in consideration of his efficiency and zeal for the interests of the Lodge—while such brethren are intrusted with that duty , we may rest assured that it will be faithfully and earnestly discharged .

While the brethren were assembling and dispersing , Bro . J . H . Maunder played a selection on the organ of the Grand Lodge . 1892 . The Committee and executive officers were unanimously re-elected to their respective positions .

At the Festival on the 26 th cf February , Bro . Thomas Fenn again presided as Worshipful Master , having Bro . R . C . Sudlow as I . P . M ., Bros . W . H . Kirby and F . T . Rushton as Wardens .