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Article INTERESTING MASONRY. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE. Page 1 of 2 →
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Interesting Masonry.
INTERESTING MASONRY .
FROM THE KEYSTONE . T \/ rASONRi oujht to be interesting , deeply interesting , and if it i- -L isn ' t it is somebody ' s fault . Primarily , we mean interesting to its members ; but it ought also to havo certain elements of interest for every thoughtful , cultured man . Let us observe what these elements are , and how they present themselves . If any organisation in the world possesses a raison d ' etre , Free .
masonry does . It is founded upon a rock—tho rock of ideas . It owes its glory uot to its originator , for historically he is unknown , although traditionally King Solomon is credited with the Craft ' s origin . No man can claim , or has truly claimed , to be the father of Freemasonry . Like Melchisedeck , it is without father , having neither beginning of days , nor end of life . All that we know about
it in this respect is , that it was , it is , and it shall be . That is sufficient . We cannot peer throngh the mists of the past , we cannot divine the far oft' future . The present only is ours , aud it ia with reference to it that we shall now speak . We assert and maintain that Masonry now is , and should be intensely interesting to the average man and Freemason . We will give our reasons .
Freemasonry engages , enlarges , and elevates tho human mind . The ideas upon which it is founded are large ideas . Ifc is the teacher of truth , and of truth of momentous importance . This truth is threefold—Faith iu God , Hope in Immortality , and Charity to the Craft , aye , and to the world . Where can you find nobler or farther reaching ideas than these ? They reach back to the
Grand Architect of the Universe—they cover our present relations with our fellows , and they reach forward to the infinite hereafter . Who can find , or imagine , nobler , purer ideas ? They fill the mind , purify the morals , and elevate the soul . Therein , certainly , Freemasonry is interesting . Bufc there are other relations in which the Craffc comes home to us .
Freemasonry gratifies the heaven-implanted instinct of man for social and convivial enjoyment . While ifc lifts him up to the high level of divine truth , it does nofc continuously keep him breathing the rarified atmosphere of thafc region , but it lowers him again to his natural level , and then generously stoops to him , and comes in and sups with him . While the Craft is at Labour it is dispensing the
truth , lifting up the brethren to th © high level of the triune virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity ; but when the Craft is at refreshment , it condescendingly stoops to our every-day life , shares our joys with us , and heightens them by lending them a charm that we do not hesitate to say cannot be duplicated outzide of Freemasonry . There is more intense satisfaction and pleasure to bo derived from
association with our brethren around the festive board , than in any other association known among men . Ifc is innocent , ifc is recreative , it is enlivening Ifc is intensely interesting . And yet , in spite of these facts—for they are facts—some brethren fail to continuousl y take an interest in Freemasonry . Somehow or other their Lodge cannot hold their attention . For a certain percentage of absentees one can
readily account—old age , illness , absence from home , and permanent removal , will together account for , say one-eighth of the members being absent from their places . But where are the other seven-eighths ? If the truth were known , we are inclined fco think that fully one-half of these , for some cause or other , failed to find the Lodge and its proceedings interesting . Men will go where they are
interested , and ordinarily they will not go where dullness reigns supreme ; and they are not greatly to be blamed . What if Freemasonry does theoretically teach inspiring ideas , if it practically teaches nothing , in consequence of there being no work p How can dullness be interesting ? The Lodge without work is in a deplorable plight , and somebody is to blame . Primarily , its members are to
blame . Their inaction has produced the complete stagnation that is so appalling . When even the few that are diligent in their attendance fulfil their duty to the Lodge , ifc cannot fail to improve in all of its interests , and thereby prove interesting to its members generally , who will soon learn of the revival in their Lodge . A Grand Visitation to a Lodge by the Grand Officers is an
unfailing source of interest to a very large number of menbers and visitors , and on this account that Grand Master who makes the largest number of Grand Visitations , is doing what in the nature of things is fche best thafc can be done by him for the prosperity of the Craffc . It is a mistake to suppose that those brethren who are drawn out by these special occasions fail afterwards to appear again
until a similar inducement attracts them . A certain percentage are continuous in their attendance from the time that they awaken out of their lethargy . Whatever therefore tends legitimately to fill the Lodge . room with brethren , contributes fco the welfare of the Brotherhood . Freemasonry in action is always interesting . Of course if there be bub a score , or a dozen , in the Lodge-room , and no work and nothing to supply its place , ifc is dull , supremely dull .
Such things ought nofc to be . In itself Freemasonry possesses elements of the deepest interest , and if it fails to be interesting to the brethren , ifc is because those very brethren have failed themselves in the performance of their duty to their Lodge . We trust the time will come when there shall be no indifferent Masons , and no idle Lodges , and right sure we are that then there will be no body of the Craffc in whioh the exemplification of Freemasonry will not be interesting .
The members of the Loughborough Lodge of Instruction intend , afc their meeting on Monday evening next , at the Cambria Tavern , Cambria Road , Loughborough
Junction , S . W ., to discuss several points of Brother James Stevens's Lecture on the Ritual and Working of the First Degree . Brethren from other Lodges will be welcomed . Bro . Stevens has promised to attend on the occasion .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .
THE annual meeting of the above Lodge was held , for the first time at Bnrton-on-Trent , on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., and was attended by upwards of two hundred members of the Craft , a number which has not hitherto been exceeded at more than three or four gatherings of Masons in Staffordshire . The preparations for the meeting were made by Bro . Capt . J . A . Bindley W . M ., ancl the Officers of the Abbey Lodge , No . 624 , whose ordinary place of meeting is the Masouic
Hall , Union-street , Burton ; bnt on this occasion tho gathering was so large that it was found necessary to assemble afc St . Paul ' s Insti . tute , where the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge was trans , acted , and the banquet was held . The arrangements throughout reflected the greatest possible credit on Bro . J . A . Bindley W . M ., whose efforts were admirably seconded by Bro . Bailey P . M ., the
zealous corresponding Steward , as well as by the other Stewards , Bros . Dr . Lowe ancl Martin Pasfc Masters , W . Swinnerton , J . Tong , and G . Lathbury . Nothing could exceed the courtesy and kindness of the Burton brethren towards their numerous visitors . The Abbey Lodge was opened by Bro . Bindley at 12 * 30 , when the following , with about forty other members , were present : —W . Walters I . P . M . and
P . G . W . Derbyshire , W . J . Gothard P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 's Dr . W . G . Lowe , Thomas Martin , E . Auty , J . H . Meredith P . P . G . R ., C . Graham P . P . S . G . W ., S . Briggs P . P . G . S . D .,- E . Starey P . P . J . G . W ., R . R . Robinson P . P . S . G . D ., Alfred Hooper , S . D ., Percy Evershed J . W ., the Rev . W . F . Drury Chaplain , W . H . Bailey P . M . Secretary , M . L . Nicholas J . D ., John Wood I . G ., R . Harrison Organist , R . Lane and
F . Carter Tylers , Bro . Stirk acting as S . D . Soon after the opening of the Abbey Lodge brethren from all parts of the Province began to arrive . Bro . Major G . S . Tudor R . W . P . G . M ., accompanied by Bro . Col . Foster Gough S . B . of Grand Lodge and D . P . G . M ., Bro . Frank James P . D . G . M ., and other Officers and members of the P . G . Lodge were admitted , Bro . Tudor taking the
chair . Amongst those who signed the Tylers book besides the brethren named above were the following Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge : —Bros . A . L . Broad J . W ., J . Bodenham Treasurer , W . Cartwright Secretary , John Fowler S . D ., C . Bunting J . D ., T . E . Fowke D . C , C . W . Graham A . D . C ., F . Mounfcford Organist , J . W . H , Mackenzie Pursuivant , E . Piddock Sword Bearer , Thomas H .
Rathbone Standard Bearer , W . H . Bailey , T . Martw * ., W . G . Lowe , W . Swinnerton and G . Lathbury Stewards , H . Bagguley Tyler , and a large number of Pasfc Officers , members , and visitors . Bro . Cartwright , the Provincial Grand Secretary , having read fche notice convening the present meeting , and fche minntes of meetings previously held at Rugeley and Stafford , and the latter having been
confirmed , the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy were saluted in Masonic form . It was explained by Bro . Cartwright that the committee appointed at the Stafford meeting had taken into consider , ation the resolutions of the various Lodges with regard to the pro . posed Revision of the Book of Constitutions , and the same had been forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England , Bro . Tudor mentioned
that Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , had invited him to a meeting of Provincial Grand Masters , which was to be held on the 30 th instant , to consider fche subject , and he should endeavour to attend . Letters of apology were announced from Bro . Sir A . Bass , M . P ., Bro . Allsopp , and others , who were absent from various causes . The roll having been called over , showing that every Lodge in the Province was
represented , Bro . Bodenham produced the Treasurer ' s account ; , from which it appeared thafc the expenditure during the pasfc year had been £ 165 Is lOd , and that there was a balance in hand of £ 107 13 s 8 d , The statement of the Treasurer was adopted . Bro . Bodenham expressed his desire to resign his position as Treasurer , and proposed as his successor Bro . Thomas Wood , Staffordshire Knot Lodge , No . 726 ,
which was seconded by Bro . Cartwright and earned . Bro . James Senior , P . M . Staffordshire Knot Lodge , thanked the brethren for the honour conferred on Bro . Wood , who was unable , throngh illness , to be present that day . Bro . Tudor said he was sure they would all regret that Bro . Bodenham had retired , and he proposed a vote of thanks to him for the admirable manner in which he bad for many
years discharged the duties of Treasnrer . Bro . Gough , who seconded the proposition , also testified to the zeal and fidelity of Bro . Bodenham , the Provincial Grand Treasnrer . The motion was very heartily and unanimously approved , and Bro . Bodenham acknowledged the compliment paid him . He observed that he had felt lately that he had not been able to exercise that energy in the office which he did
in the earlier flush of his zeal , bufc this arose from want of time and nofc from any disinclination to serve the Province in the best way he could . He had completed a register of the members of the Province , which he hoped would be kept up every year . In Staffordshire much work had been divided between the Treasurer and Secretary . ' The arrangements which had been made had answered well , and , wifch
such an excellent Secretary as Bro . Cartwright , would work satisfactorily and save the Province the cost of a paid Secretary . He ( Bro . Bodenham ) hoped he might see his successor improve the position of fche Provincial Grand Lodge financially . Tbe R . W . Prov . Grand Master then referred to the recent appointment of Bro . Gough as Grand Standard Bearer of England , which he said was an honour conferred not only on Bro . Gough , but on the Province of
Staffordshire . He had long been anxious to see Bro . Gough in office in the Grand Lodge , and if the Prince of Wales should always make snch a good selection when appointing his Officers he could not but give great satisfaction to the Craft . He ( Bro . Tudor ) acknowledged the great assistance he had received from Bro . Gongh since he had been a Mason . The R . W . P . G . M . then made the following appointments to office in the Provincial Grand Lodge for the ensuing year : —
Bro . Capt . J . A . Bindley ... 624 G . Senior Warden J . H . Parkes 482 G . Junior Warden Thomas Ashworth ... 418 G . Registrar Rev . J . Seddons ... 526 " ) n n . i Rev . W . F . Drury ... 624 ] * ^ plains
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Interesting Masonry.
INTERESTING MASONRY .
FROM THE KEYSTONE . T \/ rASONRi oujht to be interesting , deeply interesting , and if it i- -L isn ' t it is somebody ' s fault . Primarily , we mean interesting to its members ; but it ought also to havo certain elements of interest for every thoughtful , cultured man . Let us observe what these elements are , and how they present themselves . If any organisation in the world possesses a raison d ' etre , Free .
masonry does . It is founded upon a rock—tho rock of ideas . It owes its glory uot to its originator , for historically he is unknown , although traditionally King Solomon is credited with the Craft ' s origin . No man can claim , or has truly claimed , to be the father of Freemasonry . Like Melchisedeck , it is without father , having neither beginning of days , nor end of life . All that we know about
it in this respect is , that it was , it is , and it shall be . That is sufficient . We cannot peer throngh the mists of the past , we cannot divine the far oft' future . The present only is ours , aud it ia with reference to it that we shall now speak . We assert and maintain that Masonry now is , and should be intensely interesting to the average man and Freemason . We will give our reasons .
Freemasonry engages , enlarges , and elevates tho human mind . The ideas upon which it is founded are large ideas . Ifc is the teacher of truth , and of truth of momentous importance . This truth is threefold—Faith iu God , Hope in Immortality , and Charity to the Craft , aye , and to the world . Where can you find nobler or farther reaching ideas than these ? They reach back to the
Grand Architect of the Universe—they cover our present relations with our fellows , and they reach forward to the infinite hereafter . Who can find , or imagine , nobler , purer ideas ? They fill the mind , purify the morals , and elevate the soul . Therein , certainly , Freemasonry is interesting . Bufc there are other relations in which the Craffc comes home to us .
Freemasonry gratifies the heaven-implanted instinct of man for social and convivial enjoyment . While ifc lifts him up to the high level of divine truth , it does nofc continuously keep him breathing the rarified atmosphere of thafc region , but it lowers him again to his natural level , and then generously stoops to him , and comes in and sups with him . While the Craft is at Labour it is dispensing the
truth , lifting up the brethren to th © high level of the triune virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity ; but when the Craft is at refreshment , it condescendingly stoops to our every-day life , shares our joys with us , and heightens them by lending them a charm that we do not hesitate to say cannot be duplicated outzide of Freemasonry . There is more intense satisfaction and pleasure to bo derived from
association with our brethren around the festive board , than in any other association known among men . Ifc is innocent , ifc is recreative , it is enlivening Ifc is intensely interesting . And yet , in spite of these facts—for they are facts—some brethren fail to continuousl y take an interest in Freemasonry . Somehow or other their Lodge cannot hold their attention . For a certain percentage of absentees one can
readily account—old age , illness , absence from home , and permanent removal , will together account for , say one-eighth of the members being absent from their places . But where are the other seven-eighths ? If the truth were known , we are inclined fco think that fully one-half of these , for some cause or other , failed to find the Lodge and its proceedings interesting . Men will go where they are
interested , and ordinarily they will not go where dullness reigns supreme ; and they are not greatly to be blamed . What if Freemasonry does theoretically teach inspiring ideas , if it practically teaches nothing , in consequence of there being no work p How can dullness be interesting ? The Lodge without work is in a deplorable plight , and somebody is to blame . Primarily , its members are to
blame . Their inaction has produced the complete stagnation that is so appalling . When even the few that are diligent in their attendance fulfil their duty to the Lodge , ifc cannot fail to improve in all of its interests , and thereby prove interesting to its members generally , who will soon learn of the revival in their Lodge . A Grand Visitation to a Lodge by the Grand Officers is an
unfailing source of interest to a very large number of menbers and visitors , and on this account that Grand Master who makes the largest number of Grand Visitations , is doing what in the nature of things is fche best thafc can be done by him for the prosperity of the Craffc . It is a mistake to suppose that those brethren who are drawn out by these special occasions fail afterwards to appear again
until a similar inducement attracts them . A certain percentage are continuous in their attendance from the time that they awaken out of their lethargy . Whatever therefore tends legitimately to fill the Lodge . room with brethren , contributes fco the welfare of the Brotherhood . Freemasonry in action is always interesting . Of course if there be bub a score , or a dozen , in the Lodge-room , and no work and nothing to supply its place , ifc is dull , supremely dull .
Such things ought nofc to be . In itself Freemasonry possesses elements of the deepest interest , and if it fails to be interesting to the brethren , ifc is because those very brethren have failed themselves in the performance of their duty to their Lodge . We trust the time will come when there shall be no indifferent Masons , and no idle Lodges , and right sure we are that then there will be no body of the Craffc in whioh the exemplification of Freemasonry will not be interesting .
The members of the Loughborough Lodge of Instruction intend , afc their meeting on Monday evening next , at the Cambria Tavern , Cambria Road , Loughborough
Junction , S . W ., to discuss several points of Brother James Stevens's Lecture on the Ritual and Working of the First Degree . Brethren from other Lodges will be welcomed . Bro . Stevens has promised to attend on the occasion .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .
THE annual meeting of the above Lodge was held , for the first time at Bnrton-on-Trent , on Tuesday , the 22 nd ult ., and was attended by upwards of two hundred members of the Craft , a number which has not hitherto been exceeded at more than three or four gatherings of Masons in Staffordshire . The preparations for the meeting were made by Bro . Capt . J . A . Bindley W . M ., ancl the Officers of the Abbey Lodge , No . 624 , whose ordinary place of meeting is the Masouic
Hall , Union-street , Burton ; bnt on this occasion tho gathering was so large that it was found necessary to assemble afc St . Paul ' s Insti . tute , where the business of the Provincial Grand Lodge was trans , acted , and the banquet was held . The arrangements throughout reflected the greatest possible credit on Bro . J . A . Bindley W . M ., whose efforts were admirably seconded by Bro . Bailey P . M ., the
zealous corresponding Steward , as well as by the other Stewards , Bros . Dr . Lowe ancl Martin Pasfc Masters , W . Swinnerton , J . Tong , and G . Lathbury . Nothing could exceed the courtesy and kindness of the Burton brethren towards their numerous visitors . The Abbey Lodge was opened by Bro . Bindley at 12 * 30 , when the following , with about forty other members , were present : —W . Walters I . P . M . and
P . G . W . Derbyshire , W . J . Gothard P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 's Dr . W . G . Lowe , Thomas Martin , E . Auty , J . H . Meredith P . P . G . R ., C . Graham P . P . S . G . W ., S . Briggs P . P . G . S . D .,- E . Starey P . P . J . G . W ., R . R . Robinson P . P . S . G . D ., Alfred Hooper , S . D ., Percy Evershed J . W ., the Rev . W . F . Drury Chaplain , W . H . Bailey P . M . Secretary , M . L . Nicholas J . D ., John Wood I . G ., R . Harrison Organist , R . Lane and
F . Carter Tylers , Bro . Stirk acting as S . D . Soon after the opening of the Abbey Lodge brethren from all parts of the Province began to arrive . Bro . Major G . S . Tudor R . W . P . G . M ., accompanied by Bro . Col . Foster Gough S . B . of Grand Lodge and D . P . G . M ., Bro . Frank James P . D . G . M ., and other Officers and members of the P . G . Lodge were admitted , Bro . Tudor taking the
chair . Amongst those who signed the Tylers book besides the brethren named above were the following Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge : —Bros . A . L . Broad J . W ., J . Bodenham Treasurer , W . Cartwright Secretary , John Fowler S . D ., C . Bunting J . D ., T . E . Fowke D . C , C . W . Graham A . D . C ., F . Mounfcford Organist , J . W . H , Mackenzie Pursuivant , E . Piddock Sword Bearer , Thomas H .
Rathbone Standard Bearer , W . H . Bailey , T . Martw * ., W . G . Lowe , W . Swinnerton and G . Lathbury Stewards , H . Bagguley Tyler , and a large number of Pasfc Officers , members , and visitors . Bro . Cartwright , the Provincial Grand Secretary , having read fche notice convening the present meeting , and fche minntes of meetings previously held at Rugeley and Stafford , and the latter having been
confirmed , the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy were saluted in Masonic form . It was explained by Bro . Cartwright that the committee appointed at the Stafford meeting had taken into consider , ation the resolutions of the various Lodges with regard to the pro . posed Revision of the Book of Constitutions , and the same had been forwarded to the Grand Lodge of England , Bro . Tudor mentioned
that Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , had invited him to a meeting of Provincial Grand Masters , which was to be held on the 30 th instant , to consider fche subject , and he should endeavour to attend . Letters of apology were announced from Bro . Sir A . Bass , M . P ., Bro . Allsopp , and others , who were absent from various causes . The roll having been called over , showing that every Lodge in the Province was
represented , Bro . Bodenham produced the Treasurer ' s account ; , from which it appeared thafc the expenditure during the pasfc year had been £ 165 Is lOd , and that there was a balance in hand of £ 107 13 s 8 d , The statement of the Treasurer was adopted . Bro . Bodenham expressed his desire to resign his position as Treasurer , and proposed as his successor Bro . Thomas Wood , Staffordshire Knot Lodge , No . 726 ,
which was seconded by Bro . Cartwright and earned . Bro . James Senior , P . M . Staffordshire Knot Lodge , thanked the brethren for the honour conferred on Bro . Wood , who was unable , throngh illness , to be present that day . Bro . Tudor said he was sure they would all regret that Bro . Bodenham had retired , and he proposed a vote of thanks to him for the admirable manner in which he bad for many
years discharged the duties of Treasnrer . Bro . Gough , who seconded the proposition , also testified to the zeal and fidelity of Bro . Bodenham , the Provincial Grand Treasnrer . The motion was very heartily and unanimously approved , and Bro . Bodenham acknowledged the compliment paid him . He observed that he had felt lately that he had not been able to exercise that energy in the office which he did
in the earlier flush of his zeal , bufc this arose from want of time and nofc from any disinclination to serve the Province in the best way he could . He had completed a register of the members of the Province , which he hoped would be kept up every year . In Staffordshire much work had been divided between the Treasurer and Secretary . ' The arrangements which had been made had answered well , and , wifch
such an excellent Secretary as Bro . Cartwright , would work satisfactorily and save the Province the cost of a paid Secretary . He ( Bro . Bodenham ) hoped he might see his successor improve the position of fche Provincial Grand Lodge financially . Tbe R . W . Prov . Grand Master then referred to the recent appointment of Bro . Gough as Grand Standard Bearer of England , which he said was an honour conferred not only on Bro . Gough , but on the Province of
Staffordshire . He had long been anxious to see Bro . Gough in office in the Grand Lodge , and if the Prince of Wales should always make snch a good selection when appointing his Officers he could not but give great satisfaction to the Craft . He ( Bro . Tudor ) acknowledged the great assistance he had received from Bro . Gongh since he had been a Mason . The R . W . P . G . M . then made the following appointments to office in the Provincial Grand Lodge for the ensuing year : —
Bro . Capt . J . A . Bindley ... 624 G . Senior Warden J . H . Parkes 482 G . Junior Warden Thomas Ashworth ... 418 G . Registrar Rev . J . Seddons ... 526 " ) n n . i Rev . W . F . Drury ... 624 ] * ^ plains