Centenary Of The Domatic Lodge, No. 177.

S . W . 127 . W . E . Williams P . M . 1 ( 52 , G . Ransford S . D . 1512 , J . T . Salmon S . W . 917 , E . F . Crowe S . D . 1828 , F . Hill J . W . 1563 , M . J . Wrangham P . M . 619 , W . Smith J . W . 228 , J . H . Laurie 2 ( ISTova Scotia ) , Michael Marks 185 , W . R . Barnett P . M . 749 , D . Roso P . M . 73 , J . L . Hnme J . D . 144 , R . H . Blades 256 , S . Watford 569 , W . Kingwell J . D . 1512 , W . Yogt 55 , H . G . Stranger P . M . 1381 , Robert H . Clemow

1589 , W . Cock W . M . 1597 , W . H . Smith P . M . 108 , C . W . Hudson P . P . G . D . C Sussex P . M . 315 1540 & c , A . Penert 834 , C . Graham W . M . 874 S . G . D . Middlesex , W . W . Morgan jnn .. G . W . Knight S . W . 1507 , J . Britton S . W . 1613 , G . T . N . Fannan 1257 , A . J . Potter 813 .

F . A . Smith J . W . 1669 , J . B . Reirl 1364 , J . Gibbs W . M . 1613 D . De Pinna ( F . C . ) 2030 , J . Parsons P . M . 502 , J . C . Whiddington D . C 1027 , Keller , H . Smith 1848 , G . Bigloy 1298 , R . J . Taylor P . M . Ill A . W . Lane 167 , G . W . Dixon P . M . " 209 591 1 S 71 , & o . P . G . S . W

Berks and Backs , G . Cmxton P . M . 1769 , T . G . Willis 11 , T . Meekham P . M . 1288 , H . E . Pollard J . D . 4 , James Burroughs P . M . 58 , F . S . Lelen 100 , John Lelen 1636 , F . Robinson 100 , fl . G . Hill 2012 , R . Bnrham Past Master 144 , A . Holt 1744 , T . Bntt Past Mast .-.

700 , W . E . Collett 1470 , W . N . Price 1816 , T . M . Coleman 192 , A . E . Painter 198 , J . W . Chapman Immediate Past Master 1922 , G . E . Goodinge P . M . 171 , VV . H . Collbrand 1567 , Alfred Powles W . M . 1901 , G . F . Edwards J . D . 766 , W . F . Packer I . G . 1571 , II . E . Price 1744 , W . A . Dowling S . D . 2012 , G . R . Wood 1339 , G . B . Arnold 1613 ,

J . Wardley 1381 , Franklin Clivo 1319 , W . Do ^ son P . M . 860 , J . Gr ^ cnfield W . M . 795 , Capt . Baker P . M . 180 , E . T . West wood 193 , J . H . Batty P . M . 22 , George Price 619 , C . Cutbnsh 1987 , W . J . Innes 1928 , W . Hudson No . 1 ( Scotland ) , n . Dickey S . W . 1744 , and others . The Lodge having been formally opened and the minutes

confirmed , the Worshipfnl Master proceeded to raise Bro . Webster , after which he initiated Messrs . T . H . Hobbs , R . Willinmsnn , J . Anley jun ., and J . J . Elliott , and then passed Bros . T . W . Trodd , R . Hewetson , A . F . Pencoek , and E . A . G . Smith ( members of the Lcdpc ) , together with Brother J . H . Lanrie , son of the Grand

Master of Nova Scotia , who is at present en a visit to this country . Before the Ledge was cWed Col . ClcikeroFe ; le had the p l easure of presenting to the W . M . the first centenary jewel of theDomatic Lodge . The Lodges which hr . d attained the hundredth year of their existwf re row petting moTe nnmerons than v . ns formerly tho case .

Whatever pride and pleasure he had on the present occasion he Untight it must boa still greater pride and pleasnre to the W . M . tn be the recipient of the first centenary jewel which the Lodge , on the completion of its centenary , voted him . He was instruct eel to say that this was given as a very slight recognition by the Lodge of the services Bro . H . Nelson Price had dnrincr his tenure of office rendered

to the Lodge , and to assure him they felt that during the remainder of his term he would give them as much satisfaction as hitherto . The brethren had asked him , in their name , and on their behalf , to present Bro . Price with this first centenary jewel , and it was unnecessary for him to say that he accepted the duty with great pleasnre

ineJeed , and he congratulated the W . M . on being President of the Lodge on such an interesting occasion . Bro . Price , in thanking Col . Clerko and the Lodge , said ho felt it a very high honour to receive this jewel , and the honour was greatly enhanced by tho very happy terms with which tho Graud Secretary had accompanied tho

presentation . He trnsted Col . Clerke s remarks would bo verified ; he should certainly do everything he possibly could worthily to fill the high position in which he was placed , and to sustain tho Lodge in the exalted position it now occupied in tho Craft ; at tho same time he shonld study the harmony and happiness of the brethren . Bio .

Spurrell then read the Grand Lodge warrant authorising the members of the Lodge so long as they continued subscribing members of tho Lodgo to wear the centenary jewel . Shortl y afterwards the Lodge was closed , and the brethren assembled in the largo dining hall to banquet . When this was disposed of the

toasts were proposed . After tho Queen and the Craft had been duly honoured , the Worshipfnl Master said the Prince of Wales was the most popnlar man in tho world . Dnring tho eleven years His Royal Highness had occupied the position of Grand Master Freemasonry had made great strides , not only in the number of Lodges and the

number of members of tho Craft , but also in the amount distributed by its Charitable Institutions . He was snre that while His Royal Highness was able to devote time to Freemasonry it would flourish even moro in the future than it had in the past . Bro . Ferguson proposed the Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon , tho Deputy

Grand Master the Earl of Lathom , aud the rest of tho Grand Officers Preseut and Past;—brethren who had taken so mnch interest in the welfare of the Craft , and brought it to it 3 present state of perfection . They had the respect of every one living , wherever the English language was spoken . Wheresoever Masonry existed the Grand Lod"e

of England was held in tho highest respect . That had arisen , doubtless , from the fact of such distinguished and earnest brethren presiding over it . Both in the past and the piesent . such brethren had given their catefnl and anxious thoughts to promoting the interests ol Freemasonry . Thoso who had the privilege of attending Grand

Lodge had seen the manner the Earl of Carnarvon presided ; he had set an example to every one who might preside over any great assembly . In coupling tho name of the Grand Secretary with thic toast , he reminded tho brethren that Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke was universally known . He had endeavoured to assist the Craft in

every way , and when he was appealed to on any point of difficulty he solved the matter in the most satisfactory manner , ft was clear to the brethren ho had Freemasonry at heart . Col . Clerke in reply said , he was not in the least prepared to return thanks for this toast , because their worthy and distinguished brother on his left ( Bro .

Philbrick ) was bis senior , and to him should have fallen the duty to answer . But the Grand Registrar was about to speak on another subject . Thanking the brethren for the comptimant just paid , he could not but remark that the toast was a most important one

because it comprised such a large number of good and worth y gentlemen , of every social position in life . Not to speak of tho 3 e eJi . -tingaished noblemen , Lord Carnarvon and Lord Lathom , there was a large array of Present and Past Grand Officers , who wero onl y too

Centenary Of The Domatic Lodge, No. 177.

grateful for tho kind recognition they alway 3 received from th / ir brethren in Masonry . They had done their best to promote ita interest " , and they wero fortunate enough to be selected by tho M . W . G . M . from titno to titno to receive distinction at his handg . He could only hope that there wero many in the room to whom the

distinction would come in the fulness of timo . The G . Offioers were always happy to receive recognition of their services , and it was a great pleasure to thoso who were present that ni ght to have visited tho Lodge . It was certainly a pleasure to him , and he knew it was to the Grand Registrar . Tho occasion was exceedingly interesting—it

was the centenary year of the Lodge . At the present day there freqnently were such celebrations , because Lodges were working up to their one hundredth year . But it was not always that a Lodge which dated back 100 years conld prove its centenary , becau-e at headquarters they had not only to be satisfied that a Lodge was founded

100 years ago , but also tliat it had worked continuously 100 years . Many a Lodge had been refused its centenary warrant because it conld not show its centenary existence . The Domatic Lodge , however , was fortunate , as it was seen at a glauca that it had woi'ked c > n innonslv for a centnry . It was , therefore , entitled to its

centenary warrant , and it had received it without delay . The Grand Officers wore present that night to congratulate the Lodge very heanily indeed , and this he did in the name of the absent as well aa in the name of those who were present . They also wished the Lodge every success in the future , and hoppd the day woull come , though

none of thoso present would see it , when the Domatic Lodge would celebrate its second centenary . Bro . Pierpoint I . P . M . rose to exercise the privilege which his position allowed him , the privilege was a most pleasurable one ; to propose the health of their worthy and highly esteemed Worshipfnl Master . The W . M . that evening stood

in a position of which he was verv proud , he was well known to the brethren of the Domatic Lod ,-e , if not to the Visitors . His genial and cordial manner , both in Lodge and out of it , had gained for hira the good will and affection of the brethren . They had in him a Master they were all proud of . He could only wish him a most

pleasant year of office . From his Offioers he would receive every support , as well as from every member of the Lodge . The Worshipful Master , in reply , said there were some p-riods in a man ' s life-time —in tho history of it at all events— when he conld scarcely be coherent ; ho did not mean after dinner ; but when a man had a

certain amount of honour placed npon him it was a very difficult matter for him to ' find words adequately to express his high appreciation . Now , he had had great honour placed upon him that evening , more especially by tho way iu which the I . P . M . had proposed this toast . He could only say that if he was half as good as Bro . Pierpoiot had

represented to them he shonld consider himself a better man than he thought he was . However , he should endeavour to be so . As far as the Domatic Lodge was concerned , ho was emits snro it would bs his study to nse his best endeavours to keep it in tho high position in which it now stood ; also to do all in his power to enhance the

comfort and happiness of the brethren . While the Lodge remained in the same harmonious condition , while the same unanimity of opinion continued , it would be ns prosperous as it was now . It was a great honour to be tho Worshipful Master of the Lodge for such an important period . He hoped he should be a ' blo to got through the year to the satisfaction of the brethren and reflect a little credit on himself .

Bo . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Registrar said a great honour had baen conferred upon him by the Worshipfnl Master , an honour of which ho felt duly sensible—to propose Prosperity to the Lodge * , tho centenary of which they were met to celebrate . Possibly the W . M ., and if not lie , certainly some of tho brethren whom he had

the privilego of addressing , had either said , or heard said , that the toast of the evening was about to bo proposed , and he had heard digtingnished orators advance many and great reasons why the toast the company was being asked to honour should be esteemed the toast of tho evening . He would advance no reasons , he would utter no word ,

to commend to the brethren this as the toast of the eveuing ; it recommendo-1 itself in that assembly . Thoy who were met after 100 years of tho world ' s history , of the history of Masonry passed by , to celebrate the anniversary of the inauguration of this Lodge , at such a distant period , knew well enough that such a meeting must be

of rare occurrence in the annals of the Craft , must be siugularl y noted in the records of Masonry , and imi 3 t commend itself to all who wore present to take part in it . As the Grand Secretary had remarked , the course of tho Domatic Lodge had been plain and clear . It had ruti in an unbroken channel for a century ; it began life

beforo the great distnrbanco which led to tho first French Revolution startled the world ; it had seen the kingdoms of Europe shaken anl the map of Europe divided and divided again ; it ha 1 witnessed the struggle for existence which their kingdom waged against the great conqueror of En rone ; it had seen how the powers of Europe were

allied against this country ; it witnessed tho overthrow ot 1814 ; it passed the hundred days ; an el he had no doubt if they OJtild go b ick seventy years it took its own part iu the rejoicings after Waterloo . Ho hoped he might be pardoned if he appeared to dilate on topii' 3 of ancient history ; but when they celebrated one hundred years , they

meant all that those one hundred years contained . When , after that _ 'ieat conflict , this nation emerged with honour to itself , aud at tho head of tho powers of Europe , and all that depended for inward life and for uar . inn . nl vigour upon the maintenance and the continuance of tin English nation , it revived and flourished afresh ; bo made rioexuus 3

in an assembly of Englishmen for reminding them of that which was dear to their forefathers , which was an object of solicitude to them ; but which bad placed us in the position wo now so prondly filled . And , turning from the history of the nation to the hi-uory of the Lodge , he congratulated the Worshipful Master and the brethren

on the position which at the end of this century the L > dgo found itself in . It was said by those who nnderstoo \ horticulture that the fruit of an old tree showed all the qualities of thy race , and the best qualities in perfection , lie cangrttulared the , M . and the brethren of the Lodge that the old tree could still beir fresh fruit , aud he trusted that the motto of horticulture would bJ realised ia the Lodge