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

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

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

ON more than one occasion he referred somewhat regretfully to the discontinuance of an old custom which had formerly been strictly adhered to—that of having a plain supper at the conclusion of the lodge work , at which the Master for the evening presided , with the several officers in their respective positions .

At these gatherings the customary toasts were given and responded to , thus familiarising the aspirants to office with the usages and ceremonial of the banquet table as well as the more serious business of the lodge room . It seems to me that this old practice is not unworthy of the consideration

of the present leaders of the " Emulation . " Bro . Farnlield was for many years Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He died on the 27 th of February , 1876 , having been fifty years a member of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement .

. TOIIN WIHTMORE , P . M . OF THE RANK OF EXGLAXI ) LODGE , Chairman of Ihe Fetlivnl , Octolier lilli , 183 " . At the Anniversary of the lodge on the 7 th of October , 18 3 6 , neither lecture nor ceremony was worked , the

proceedings being merely of a festive character . Bro . Wilson was elected Treasurer and Bro . Savage , Secretary . On this occasion the new pedestals , which are described as " chaste and well made , " were used for the first time . The Festival for 18 3 8 was held on the 5 th of October ,

and is thus referred to in the Freemasons' Quarterly Review for December of that year : — " The anniversary of this Lodge of Instruction was , as usual , observed with even more than its usual eclat , occasioned by the attendance of Bro . Peter Thomson and some of his

excellent friends . The Grand Secretary , Bro . White , was also present , with many visitors . " Bro . Crucelix , as W . M ., in the chair . A few sections of the first lecture were worked ; the re-election of Bros . S . B . Wilson and Savage , as Treasurer and Secretary , was

unanimous . Bro . S . B . Wilson was presented with a very chastely executed jewel , unique in its design , and embracing some architectural references in allusion to his own profession . The W . M ., in addressing him on the subject of the

presentation , observed that he envied the feelings with which Bro . Wilson must naturally accept the jewel , which was offered as a memorial , by the members , of his superior qualifications in the Art and Science of Masonry . " The president for this evening was the proprietor and editor of the journal so often quoted in these columnsto

, whom we are chiefly indebted , as members of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , for what knowledge we have of its early history . When , in 1834 , ne published the first real Masonic journal in England , he met with the strongest opposition from head-quarters , but he was not easily daunted ,,

and by tact and perseverance overcame all obstacles , with the result that the Craft in the United Kingdom , as well as in the colonies , has a source of information relating to masonry in many cases unattainable elsewhere . He was , as is evinced by his frequent and laudatory references to the " Emulation , " "

which he joined in 1831 , one of its warmest supporters , and continued his encouragement and support , both by voice and pen , until his decease in 1850 . To do adequate justice to his memory and Masonic achievements would require far too much space for these columns . A sketch of his biography

was begun in the Freemasons' Quarterly Rcvictu , shortly after his decease , by one of his most valued and intimate friends—John Lane , D . C . L ., who , himself , passed away the same year ,, without having completed his sketch . The work was then taken up by the celebrated Dr . George Oliver , who certainly did ample justice to the subject in a series of articles well worthy of perusal .

Dr . Crucelix was initiated in the Burlington Lodge ( now No . 9 6 ) in 1829 ; in the following year he joined the Bank of England Lodge , of which lodge he became Master in 1832 . In 18 3 8 he attained the same position in his mother lodge . It is unnecessary to mention all the other Masonic bodies with which he was actively connected ; he seems

tohave been an enthusiast of the warmest kind and to have taken every Degree within his reach , besides being an honorary member of several lodges and chapters in Scotland and Ireland .

In 18 3 6 he was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England , and Grand Standard Bearer in Grand Chapter . He was the chief promoter and founder of the asylum for aged Masons , and evinced the warmest interest in the Schools of the Order . There is , however , one phase of his character which his biographers seem to have

overlooked ; he was a great lover of books , and the first to make a serious effort towards establishing a library under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of England ; he gave practical effect to his desires by presenting to the library the first six volumes of his journal handsomely bound in calf , which

volumes I am safe in saying are much more frequently used than any other works in the library . The estimation in which he was held by those who knew him personally cannot be better evinced than by the following motion passed at the first meeting of the Bank of

England Lodge after his decease : — " Resolved : That the Brethren of this Lodge , deeply sensible of the irreparable loss they have sustained in the death of their beloved Brother and revered P . M ., Dr . Robert Thomas Crucelix , are anxious to give expression to their

grateful admiration of his varied talents , his unbounded philanthropy , his active benevolence , and practical brotherly love , and to record their feelings of affectionate regard for one who was endeared to all who knew him by his amiable disposition , and by the social virtues which adorned his .