Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
List Of "Ancient Lodges," 1813, With Their Numbers In 1814, 1832, And 1863.
No . A . D .. 1 S 13 . 1811 1832 1 SG 3 353 Fifth Regiment of Foot , Fermoy ... 454 304 354 Tenth Battalion , Royal Artillery , Cape of GoodHope ... 456 305 355 Mechanics'Lodge , Jersey 457 306 245 356 Tenth Battalion , Royal Artillery 459 357 Royal Union Lodge , Cirencester 461 307 246 358 Union Lodge , Demerara 462 808 247 359 Lodge of Chosen Friends , Martinique 463
Three Christmas Eves.
THREE CHRISTMAS EVES .
AN OLD MASON'S STORY .
BY BEO . REV . Wll , TEI 3 BS . / CHRISTMAS Eve in Brinemouth that year was not one of those jolly times of which ^ one so often reads in the Christmas Annual , all snow and frost , all gas-light ancl glitter , all fun and revelry ; but it was one of those awful nights that the Brinemouth the
people can tell of , when the wind howls and roars amongst the house-tops , shaking roofs and swaying the chimneys , and , down by the Hard , driving the huge inrolling waves high up the street , dashing them in foam against the very house doors , and whirling the blinding foam far above the ridges . Through the cutting wind and the pitiless pelting rain two men passed from the Crown and Anchor , where they had been at Lodge , but were now returning supperless to their own abode . As they neared the door a blooming woman , scarcely past middleage , strangely beautiful for her time of life , threw it open ready to welcome with a fond kiss her husband and her son .
" Well , Paul ! Well , Charles ! how has it gone at Lodge to-night ? " " Dreadfully dismal , " replied the son , which he quickly altered to , " solemn as usual , mother dear , " as he noticed a strangely sad shadow pass . over her usually laughing face , toning down , and well-nigh blotting out her captivating smile . " Yes ! darling , " added Charles Nelson to his wife , " solemn , but , to me , most beautifulas I trust it ever in to come to all those whobelonging to
, may prove years , the old Crown and Anchor Lodge , shall care to learn the meaning of this our Memorial Lodge held every Christmas Eve ! " " Father ! Mother ! " said Paul , turning to her as he spoke , " tell me the meaning of this , for I am certain from the interest you take in it that you do know the meaning of this night ' s solemn rites . "
"I do , my boy , " said Mrs . Nelson ; " but it is not mine to tell the tale of how a woman once gained entrance to a Mason ' s Lodge , and there took silent part in one of the most solemn rites that they have . Ask your father , my boy ; and , if he thinks that your probation has been long enough , and that to know this strange history will do more for you than merely gratify your curiosity , I am certain that he will impart , under certain conditionsthis knowledto . "
, ge yon " That I vail , Mary , and this very night , too , for none could be more seasonable , as it was on just such a weird wild night of storm as this that that which we commemorate year by year took place . " Supper ended , ancl , according to ancient custom , the loving-cup of hotted elderwine , with its sippets of toast , having been handed round ancl partaken of , and the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
List Of "Ancient Lodges," 1813, With Their Numbers In 1814, 1832, And 1863.
No . A . D .. 1 S 13 . 1811 1832 1 SG 3 353 Fifth Regiment of Foot , Fermoy ... 454 304 354 Tenth Battalion , Royal Artillery , Cape of GoodHope ... 456 305 355 Mechanics'Lodge , Jersey 457 306 245 356 Tenth Battalion , Royal Artillery 459 357 Royal Union Lodge , Cirencester 461 307 246 358 Union Lodge , Demerara 462 808 247 359 Lodge of Chosen Friends , Martinique 463
Three Christmas Eves.
THREE CHRISTMAS EVES .
AN OLD MASON'S STORY .
BY BEO . REV . Wll , TEI 3 BS . / CHRISTMAS Eve in Brinemouth that year was not one of those jolly times of which ^ one so often reads in the Christmas Annual , all snow and frost , all gas-light ancl glitter , all fun and revelry ; but it was one of those awful nights that the Brinemouth the
people can tell of , when the wind howls and roars amongst the house-tops , shaking roofs and swaying the chimneys , and , down by the Hard , driving the huge inrolling waves high up the street , dashing them in foam against the very house doors , and whirling the blinding foam far above the ridges . Through the cutting wind and the pitiless pelting rain two men passed from the Crown and Anchor , where they had been at Lodge , but were now returning supperless to their own abode . As they neared the door a blooming woman , scarcely past middleage , strangely beautiful for her time of life , threw it open ready to welcome with a fond kiss her husband and her son .
" Well , Paul ! Well , Charles ! how has it gone at Lodge to-night ? " " Dreadfully dismal , " replied the son , which he quickly altered to , " solemn as usual , mother dear , " as he noticed a strangely sad shadow pass . over her usually laughing face , toning down , and well-nigh blotting out her captivating smile . " Yes ! darling , " added Charles Nelson to his wife , " solemn , but , to me , most beautifulas I trust it ever in to come to all those whobelonging to
, may prove years , the old Crown and Anchor Lodge , shall care to learn the meaning of this our Memorial Lodge held every Christmas Eve ! " " Father ! Mother ! " said Paul , turning to her as he spoke , " tell me the meaning of this , for I am certain from the interest you take in it that you do know the meaning of this night ' s solemn rites . "
"I do , my boy , " said Mrs . Nelson ; " but it is not mine to tell the tale of how a woman once gained entrance to a Mason ' s Lodge , and there took silent part in one of the most solemn rites that they have . Ask your father , my boy ; and , if he thinks that your probation has been long enough , and that to know this strange history will do more for you than merely gratify your curiosity , I am certain that he will impart , under certain conditionsthis knowledto . "
, ge yon " That I vail , Mary , and this very night , too , for none could be more seasonable , as it was on just such a weird wild night of storm as this that that which we commemorate year by year took place . " Supper ended , ancl , according to ancient custom , the loving-cup of hotted elderwine , with its sippets of toast , having been handed round ancl partaken of , and the