The Late Bro. Thomas Feetam.

Collman Smith , who , in dedicating it to the founders , thus writes : — " Thus as the following history will disclose , from the granting of the warrant in 1756 , to the year 1827 ( when the jwesent Masonic hall was erected ) , during that period the lodge was held at taverns ; at intervals it either lost its vitality , or ts meetings terminated in dissension ; whilst subsequently to that period , and after a variety of differences had been healed , down to the present day , a course of almost unprecedented prosperity had marked its onward career . Not onlis there a most

y substantial Masonic hall , second perhaps to none in the provinces , free from debt , and possessing most elegant and costly furniture aud Masonic paraphernalia , but , by a judicious management , there is accumulated at this time a sum , derived from the quarterages ( which .-ire smaller than most lodges ) , closely verging upon £ 2000 , and , independently of this benevolent fund , there is annually dispensed from a contingent fund about £ 40 in casual and other relief . " Of the founders but two now survive , and in speaking of the one of whose invaluable services the lodge

has just been deprived , the historian of the warrant says . — " Shortly after his initiation into Masonry , he set himself to work , aud made himself acquainted with all the concerns of the Lodge , thoroughly mastering its affairs , when , seeing that it required more influential support than it then possessed , or than he was capable of giving it , he studiously himself declined office , preferring that the chairs of the Lodge should be filled by men at that time occupying leading stations in the town , thus securing for it a stability which he conceived at that time it wanted . " There

can be no doubt but that to the very close application and clear judgment of Bro . Feetam , the Lodge is indebted for its admirable code of by-laws , which were ratified by the Right AVorshipful Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Robert M . Beverley , on the 31 st July , 1 S 28 . During his life no brother was held in greater esteem for his practically Masonic character than Bro . Feetam , and none ever listened to more attentively whenever his opinion was required . As a token of his devotion to

the Craft , a handsome silver tea service was presented to him by the brethren in the year 1843 , with the following inscription : — "Presented to P . M . Bro Feetam , P . Prov . G . S . D ., one of the founders of the Humber Lodge , No . 65 , * by his Masonic Brethren , 4 th April , 1843 , A . L ., 5 S 43 , in testimony of their high regard for his Masonic and private worth , and as a grateful tribute to one whose energy and diligence the Humber Lodge mainly owes its distinguished position . " AA e understand that the Humber Lodge intends to mark its sense of Bro . Feetam ' s long and devoted attachment to its interests berecting an obelisk or some

monuy ment in tho cemetery to his memory , and a tablet or other lasting landmark in the Lodge he served so well . The Humber Chapter and Lodge have both voted addresses of sympathy to his bereaved family ; and with the one which will be engrossed on vellum , aud signed by the members of the Lodge and presented to his daughters , we can best close this brief notice , since it contains the description of the man by those who know him best;— " The laembeis of the Humber Lodge , having learned , with feelings of the most unfeigned regret , of the death of their

highly valued and esteemed Brother , P . M . Thomas Feetam , hasten to condole with bis bereaved family , and to assure them how deeply they sympathise with them in the great loss they have sustained . In the death of their lamented Brother , the members of the Lodge feel that they have lost one of the pillars of Freemasonry . in Hull , as to him much of the efficiency and prosperity of the Lodge may justly be attributed ; and as one of its founders and zealous and indefatigable officers , the Brethren feel that too earnest a tribute cannot be paid to his memory , and they

therefore desire most cordially to bear witness to the high integrity and honour that ever characterised his conduct . Their departed friend and Brother had endeared himself to them by tho admirable and sterling qualities he possessed , which made him not only an honour to the craft , but revered and respected by all who knew him . Combined with a rare integrity , uprightness , aud sense of justice , he had a most tender aud compassionate heart , ever ready to attend to the sorrows of the distressed , and , as far as lay in his power , to supply the wants of the needy , " * Q . y . " Hall "—the founding of the Lodge took place in 1756 ,