Death Of Bro. George Kenning.

Death of Bro . George Kenning .

'"PHE death of Bro . George Kenning , which took place I suddenly on the 26 th of October , removes from the Masonic world a name long familiar to the Craft at home and abroad ; but it is something more than a name removed from the roll of members of our Fraternity . His was a strong personality—full of energy—far seeing in

the view he took early in life of the future of Freemasonry , and of the increasing strength and popularity of the Order . This is evidenced by the fact that at a time when the Body numbered probably little more than a third of its present strength , he laid himself out with much enterprise , not only

to provide the Craft with outward adornments , but perhaps more ardently , and certainly with a smaller prospect of pecuniary gain , to minister to their intellectual wants by inaugurating a series of Masonic publications which have contributed largely to the knowledge which the average Mason now possesses of the history and objects of the Fraternity .

So long ago as 186 9 , Bro . Kenning gathered around him the little Masonic coterie then existing in the persons ol Bros . W . J . Htighan , the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Wentworth Little , and one or two others , and commenced the publication of the Freemason , which was a second attempt at providing a weekly newspaper wholly devoted to the

interests of the Craft ; and considering the obstacles which beset the path of the Masonic journalist and the almost insuperable difficulties in the way of popularising and rendering of interest the records of a Bod y which does not seek advertisement , and whose real interests are largely of an esoteric character , it must be admitted that the attempt has met with a fair amount of success .

The Freemason was followed in 1872 by the Masonic Magazine , a monthly publication , of which nine annual volumes were issued , and which ceased to exist in December , 1882 . The Cosmopolitan Masonic Calendar was also commenced about the same time , and continues to provide useful information , mainly in relation to what are termed the higherD egrees at home and abroad .

Following the example ot the late Bro . Richard Spencer , * , no may be justly considered the pioneer of Masonic publishers , and whose series of works by the late Dr . Oliver and other Masonic writers of that period date so far back as 18 45 . Bro . Kenning issued from time to time many works of interest by Bros . Hughan , Woodford , and others , notably Kenning ' s

Masonic Encyclopedia , which was edited by the late Bro . Woodford and largely contributed to b y Bro . Hughan . This was followed by many other works of interest to Masonic readers , and it may be truthfully asserted that no one has done more to foster a spirit of enquiry and an intelligent interest in Masonry than our departed brother .

It need hardly be added that one so devoted to Masonn , could not but be the recipient of many honours and appointments , but his Masonic career extended over so long a period , and the offices he held were so numerous , that our space will

THE LATE IIIIO . GEOliGE KENNING .

not admit of even a short outline of his services in the various Orders and Degrees of which he was a member . We cannot , however , omit to record his many and generous gifts to the Masonic Charities . He had years ago qualified himself and other members of his family as Patrons of the

three Institutions , indeed his name was rarely absent from the list of contributors to any public or private fund in connection with Freemasonry , and many recipients of his private bounty will lose in him a sympathetic and generous friend .

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