Notes On The Old Minute Books Of The British Union Lodge, No. 114, Ipswich. A.D. 1762.

to g ive the names of the brethren who were members at this time , at all events to the Freemasons in the Province of Suffolk . There were 31 in all , hut one , Bro . Dagueville , we think the name is , appears to have resigned ; and their names occur

in the following order : John Spooner ; Robert Manning ; William Lane , Senr ., who is called throughout the records the Operative Mason ; Samuel Ribbans , Robert Tovell , John Blomfield , James WoolwardJohn Humphry , Thomas

, Askew , Benjamin Huggins , Joseph Scholding , Joseph Dobnam , William Lane Juur ., Thomas Smith , Inn-holder ; Robert Turner , Robert Coles , Robert Cole , Robert Worth , John Ripshaw , John Gooding , William MorrissThomas SmithWilliam P .

John-, , stone , Hugh Dyer , Richard Smith , Benjamin Dikes , William Marmall , Richard Lewis , Philip Hunt , Thomas Hinsby , William Churchman . In the list of members for the following year we find the name of William Middleton , Esq . no

, doubt this is the gentleman mentioned in our last paper as one of the candidates for the Prov . Grand Mastership of Suffolk . * Bro . Middleton ' s name with the affix

carefully given , appears in 1789 , and 1790 , and 1791 , as still belonging to the Lodge . And in the last-named year occur the names of James Devereux , C . Metralcourt , George Marven , and George Jerniyn , all well sounding names , but who the owners were we are not now able to

ascertain . Under date December 27 th , 1786 , St . John ' s Day , we find the following minute : " Last Lodge night a motion being made by several brethren " ( a new idea by the way ) " and it was unanimously agreed to that every member of this Lodge being

absent from dinner on either of ye Festivals of St . John , to forfeit Is . to ye fund of this Lodge " —from which it would appear that at this time both Festivals were kept . The Summer Festival , now known as the Feast of Rosesis evidently the outcome of

, this old custom , though it is not now held on the Saint ' s clay . Neither is the Winter Festival kept on the 27 th December ; but whenever the Lodge happens to meet during that month , and the W . M . Elect is

installed—and it is worthy of consideration whether a return to the old custom of a century ago—is not desirable , and the Lodge might attend divine worship as it did sometimes then , and celebrate the Festivals afterwards .

Amongst the other Officers at this time we note a Senior and Junior Steward—and we think it best to call attention to this fact—for these Officers are not now appointed in this Lodge we believe , nor in many others , which we think is a great

mistake ; their duties are to look after the brethren at refreshment under the guidence of the M . C ., and they should see that the banquet is properly served , that the waiters do their duty , and the guests paid clue attention to . In the " Freemason ' s Manual "

, an American work of some reputation , amongst other duties attached to their office , the Deacons are required to . examine and loelcome visiting brethren , and the Stewards are to provide refreshments and

make a regular report of the expense to the Treasurer , also to see that the regalia of the Loclge are in good order and always ready for use . On appointment to office , the following is the address made to them by the

Installing Master in America : " Brothers—You are appointed Stewards of this Lodge . The duties of your office are to assist iu the collection of dues and subscriptions ; to keep an account of the Loclge expenses ; to see that the tables are

properly furnished at refreshment , and that every Brother is suitably provided for ; and generally to assist the Deacons and other Officers in performing their duties . Your regular and early attendance will afford the best proof of your zeal and attachment to

the Lodge . " From this it is apparent that the Office is by no means considered unimportant , and the appointment of junior members to fulfil its functions will only the better prepare for other and more onerous duties .

Ou February 11 th , 1787 , a Lodge was convened at the " Sun " in order to join in procession to attend the funeral of Bro . Fenton , a member of the Perfect Friendshi p Lodge . The following Lodge night a pedestal , cushion , and stool were ordered for the use of this Lodge , and they were accordinglyprovidedat a cost of £ 2 13 s . lid . b y the meeting of the Lodge held in May ,