The Bi-Centenary Jubilee Of The Grand Master Of The Netherlands.

question being put to him , he answered that be was called William Frederick Charles , Prince of the Netherlands , aged nineteen , of the Christian reformed religion , born at Berlin , Lieutenant-General by calling , having his ordinary residence at Berlin , and being then a temporary resident of Berlin . The Orator then inquired what could have induced this youth to present himself as a candidate for initiation into Masonry , and having mentioned the various reasons given under ordinary

circumstances , he showed bow , in addition to these , there was a special ground for his application , viz ., that it was the wish of his royal father , and that eighteen days previous to that of his application , the Grand Lodge of the Netherlands had elected him their Grand Master . "

Having given an account of the state of Masonry in the Netherlands at that time , how the glorious revolution of 1818 , while breaking the yoke of France and placing the dynasty of Orange on the throne of the Netherlands , did at the same time

deliver the Dutch lodges of the danger of being compelled to recognise the Grand Orient of France as their head , the Orator stated that , after the union of Belgium and Holland into one kingdom , it had been thought desirable to elect as the head

of the Freemasons of both countries one who , from his exalted position , would be acceptable to both , and , therefore , could only be found in the royal family , it being considered that that family could never give the jireference to one section of

the country above the other . This , the speaker said , was the means chosen and carried into effect by some of the most eminent Masons of the day , especially Bros . Falck ( then Secretary of State , afterwards Minister at the British Court ) and Byleveld , Past Grand Master : —

"The Prince having been passed on the 2 nd of July , and raised on the 25 th of the same month , sent , on the 2 Sth , a favourable answer to the Grand Lodge , and his installation as Grand Master took place on the 13 th of October , 1 S 16 . On this occasion he solemnly promised that he would strive , to the best of his ability , to advance the prosperity and glory of the Order , and to foster and maintain concord , peace , and harmony amongst the brethren . At that time there wasperhapsamidst

, , those who heard him pronounce this solemn vow , more than one wdio asked himself how that youth of nineteen should ever be able , even if animated with the best intentions , to fulfil the hopes entertained by the brethren , and respond to the task laid that day upon his shoulders . That question has now been answered . It has been answered by fifty years , during which no single day has been allowed by the Prince to elapse without

his giving proofs of his attachment to the brotherhood . It has been answered by the test of all that , has been accomplished by the Prince in his capacity of National Grand Master ; but tho most eloquent reply is given by the hearts of most of those present . "

The speaker next gave a snecint account of the principal reforms which had been effected in the working of the order daring the Prince ' s tenure of office . He then mentioned two instances out of many of the material services rendered by him

to the Craft in the Netherlands , viz .: — 1 st , On the twenty-fifth anniversary of his Grand Mastership , he presented the Order with a large gift , to remain intact for a certain number of years , and afterwards to be appropriated by the Grand Orient towards the realisation of some object of

charity . * ' 2 nd . In 1856 , upon the celebration of the centenary festival in commemoration of the institution of Masonry in the Netherlands , he made to the Grand Orient a free donation of the mansion at the Hague in which they are accustomed to meet .

Here the speaker paused , and the second part of the cantata was sung . He then resumed his discourse , when he did full justice to Prince Frederick ' s merits as Prince , as husband and father , as subject and citizen ; by the combination

of which virtues he proved himself to be an excellent Mason . He closed his speech by an exhortation to the brethren to follow the good example of the revered Grand Master , and with a prayer for his welfare . After this the third part

of the cantate was given . The Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Van Rappard , then , addressing the Prince , presented him with a memorial signed by the Grand Officers and all the brethren present , and expressing the feelings of the Dutch Masons on this occasion . This

document , a masterpiece of calligraphy , was enclosed in a magnificent octagonal case of silver inlaid with gold , the front bearing the Prince ' s sign manual in diamonds , surmounted with a crown ornamented with pearls , esmeralds and rubies ;

the back bearing the seals of the three grand Masonic bodies , the two other opposite sides the dates , 1816 and 1866 , and the four smaller sides different Masonic emblems , while on the edges eight cariatides supported the lid of the box , on

the top of which stands the Angel of Light holding in the left arm the palm of victory , and trampling upon a dragon . This present was much admired , and does great honour to the maker , Bro . Brauer , of Utrecht .

After this Count de Saltza addressed the Prince in the name of the King and Craft of Sweden . Bro . Leykam , Grand Master of the Concordia Grand Lodge of Darmstadt , presented H . R . H . with a patent of honorary member of the said

lodge , and the representatives of the different Grand Lodges , each in turn , with letters of congratulation from these bodies . The members of the Lodge If Union TLoyale at the Hague , of which the Prince is honorary member , next presented

him with a fine casing , surmounted by a beautiful statue representing Masonry , and holding an album , at the same time Bro . Mensing , W . M . of that lodge , delivered an appropriate address to the Prince . The delegates from the lodges of