The Phœnix Lodge, No. 94, Durham.

lodge fell under the direction of Captain George Thompson , who held the chair seven years , and under whose auspices the number of members was sensibly and respectably augmented . He built an elegant hall for them , the first stone of which he laid with the accustomed ceremonies and honours , the brethren having accompanied him to the site of

the building in solemn procession , and it being the anniversary of his Majesty ' s accession , the loyal brethren , in honour of the clay , gave to their lodge , for the first time , ' a local habitation and a name , ' calling it from hence the King George's Lodge .

" The building being finished in due time , was solemnly dedicated on the 16 th July , 1778 . On that occasion the Grand Lodge of England favoured the brethren with the music , performed at the dedication of the Freemasons' Hall , which was admirably supported on the present occurrence by the principal vocal and instrumental performers round the country . From the hall , the brethren proceeded to the

assembly room , where the presence of above 120 ladies added elegance and interest to the scene . "An animated oration was delivered by William Hutchinson , Esq ., author of a ' History of the County of Durham , ' & e , after which 143 Masons dined together , and the whole was concluded with festivity tempered with moderation . "

The foregoing extract from Bro . George Garbutt ' s " History of Sunderland" ( 1819 ) will be read with interest in connection with the sketch of the Province of Durham , by Bro . W . J . Hughan , which has been very well received , and

has appeared in THE MASONIC ILLUSTRATED for July and August . The " Phcenix " had its number changed from 146 to 111 in 1832 and to 94 in 186 3 , at which it still remains . Bro . Hughan has kindly sent us a circular of this lodge of 1821 for reproduction , which is an excellent specimen of the period .

Laying The Foundation-Stone Of The Gordon Boys' Home.

Laying the Foundation-stone of the Gordon Boys' Home .

THE memorial stone of the new Gordon Home for Boys which is being erected in Cranmer Street , Nottingham , was laid on the 5 th August with Masonic ceremonial by his Grace the Duke of Portland , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Nottinghamshire . The Gordon Homes for poor boys is an institution which appeals to all benevolent people ,

and its objects , although not strictly Masonic , are well within the scope of Masonic Charity . The ceremony took place on the occasion of the installation by the Provincial Grand Master of the Rev . H . T . Hayman , vicar of Edwinstowe , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master ,

succeeding the late Judge Masterman , who had held the office for several years . The Mayor said it was with very great pleasure that he welcomed his Grace there that day . He was very grateful to him for so kindly consenting to perform the ceremony of

laying the foundation stone of that building . On behalf of the committee , he had great pleasure in presenting his Grace with the silver trowel and asking him to perform the

ceremony . The Duke of Portland , after gracefully accepting the gifts , proceeded to lay the stone in accordance with Masonic usage , and , in addressing the assembly , said : I am glad to have the opportunity of being here to-day to lay the memorial stone of this new building , for I was present at the

opening of the home in Peel Street in 1891 . The usefulness of the charity has been greatly curtailed for want of space , and I am glad to congratulate the committee , the subscribers , and the friends of the institution on the acquisition of a new and permanent home more suited to its needs . I should like

to interpose here a few words of my own , and to tell you an experience which I met with during a journey I made in Egypt last winter . The dragoman , or servant , who accompanied me up the Nile told me in the course of conversation that formerly he had been a servant of General Gordon , and

that he very nearly accompanied him to Khartoum . I remarked to him that perhaps it was lucky for him that he had not clone so , as most probably , if not certainly , he would have lost his life . The man ' s reply was that he would gladly have died with General Gordon , such was his faith in

him . We are assembled here to-day , in the presence of you all , to erect this building to the honour and glory of the most High , which , we pray God , may prosper as it seems good to Him ; and as the first duty of Masons in any undertaking is to invoke the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe on their work , I call upon you to unite with our Provincial Grand Chaplain in an address to the Throne of Grace .

The Provincial Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . T . W . Dolphin , then offered prayer , after which the Grand Master declared it his wish that the memorial stone of the building should be laid , and called upon the Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Dr . A . W . Chalmers Peskitt , to read the

inscription on the stone , which was as follows : — " This Home , built by public subscription , was founded in memory of Major-General Charles George Gordon , C . B ., a Christian Hero and a Great Soldier and Ruler . He gave his heart to the young , the poor , and the outcast . Born at Woolwich , January 28 th , 1830 . He fell at his post at Khartoum ,

January 26 th , 1885 . ' Faithful unto death . ' This stone was laid , with Masonic ceremony , on August 5 th , 1903 , by His Grace the Duke of Portland , K G ., Provincial Grand Master of Nottinghamshire and Lord-Lieutenant of the County . Ernest R . Sutton , Architect . "

PRO . THE REV . H . T . HAYMAN . A letter had been received by the committee from Mrs . Moffitt , of Southampton , the last surviving sister of the late General Gordon , in response to an invitation to her to be

present . Mrs . Moffitt , regretting that the long distance would prevent her attendance , added that it was very gratifying to her to know that the work her brother had so much at heart still bore fruit , and that his memory had not been forgotten .

The ceremony concluded with the pronouncement of the Benediction by the Provincial Grand Chaplain and the playing of the National Anthem by the band , cheers afterwards being given for the King , the Duke of Portland , the Alayor , and the Mayoress .