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  • Dec. 25, 1875
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  • THE MASONIC YEAR 1875.
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The Freemason's Chronicle, Dec. 25, 1875: Page 6

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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Masonic Year 1875.

THE MASONIC YEAR 1875 .

A FEW days hence and 1875 will be numbered -with the past . Moreover , this present issue completes not only our second volume , but the first year of our existence . Hence the occasion seems not inopportune for reviewing the twelve months so nearly completed . The year 1875 will be a memorable one in the annals of

Freemasonry . Taking the whole Order , in its distribution throughout the old and new worlds , we may safely describe the position it now occupies as one of unexampled prosperity . It is not simply that we have grown in numbers only , though such growth , provided it be

accompanied by a proportionate increase in strength , is of itself matter for hearty gratulation ; but above and beyond this numerical increase , which has occurred to a greater or less extent in all countries where Masonry flourishes , the Order has acquired a firmer position than

ever , partly by the accession , as new members , of men eminent by their rank and position or by their talents , partly by a greater strengthening of the ruling powers , and , lastly , by greater activity among the rank and file . And as the Craft is thus stronger in itself , its influence on

the profane world has grown in proportion . Some may still sneer at it as child ' s play . Some may still decry it as a secret society , whose aim is the overthrow of religion and order . Ultramontane bigots may still fulminate their anathemas against us . But these sneers and false

accusations and curses fall innocuous at our feet , if even they do not prove , in the main , of service to our cause . There are not a few who regard it as an honour to be excommunicated by a Pope . There must be something substantially good in Masonry , they argue , when a tyrant priesthood goes out

of its way to curse . But let us leave conjecture alone , and revert to facts pure and simple . The angy denunciations of the Craft , by Bishop Dupanloup , and their approval by Pio Nono , together with a slight amount of persecution in remote countries , are all our enemies can point to as a

setoff to an increase in strength , wealth , and influence , which must truly be described as marvellous . Having stated the case thus generally , let us now proceed to give the details of our history during the year that is still current , English Masonry claiming , as a matter of course , our first attention .

The event which occupies the greatest prominence in the year ' s history is , undoubtedly , the election and installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M . Initiated into Freemasonry some seven years previously , by the late King of Sweden , His Royal Highness already held the

honorary rank of a Past G . M ., England , besides being G . M . of the Temple , and Grand Patron of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , England , as well as Patron of the Order both in Scotland and in Ireland . When , from motives that seemed good to him , the Marquis of Ripon felt called upon to

resign the Grand Mastership , the Prince of Wales at once accepted the invitation to fill the vacancy thus caused : thus following in the footsteps of three of his ancestors , the Duke of Cumberland , George , Prince of Wales , and the Duke of Sussex . The formal election was held at the

regular Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , on Wednesday , the 5 th March ; Bro . S . G . Grady proposing , and Bro . Grey , Deputy Master of the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , seconding the nomination ; which was carried unanimously , amidst the most enthusiastic cheering . It was then

announced that the ceremony of Installation had been arranged by His Royal Highness for Wednesday , the 28 th April , the day fixed by the Constitutions for holding the Annual Grand Festival , and it was further arranged that an additional number of Stewards should bo appointed , in

order to assist in carrying out tho ceremony , the said Stewards receiving permission to wear a special jewel commemorative of the event . At first some difficulties occurred in selecting a proper place where the Installation could be held . At length the Royal Albert Hall was chosen , and it

is needless to say that a better choice could not have been made . Not only was it capable of being securely tyled against the intrusion of profanes , it was also the most commodious hall in London , or , at all events , the one which ,

taking the previous consideration into account , would accommodate the greatest number of brethren . Large , however , as was the available space in this magnificent hall , it was very soon found that it would be impossible to accommodate all applicants . Hence , as regards the main body of the

The Masonic Year 1875.

Craft , tho attendance was restricted to the W . M ., Wardens , P . M . ' s , and one M . M . from each Lodge . By a marvellous display of zeal and energy on the part of Bro . Sir Albert Woods G . D . C ., Bros . Fenn , Monckton , and the Stewards generally , the preparations for the imposing ceremony were

successfully carried out , and on the day itself the eight thousand fortunate brethren who were privileged to be present assembled , clothed themselves , and were seated without the slightest hitch . Outside the Hall the scene was animated enough as regards the continuous arrival of

every description of vehicle , but it had been ordered there should be no display of Masonic clothing or emblems outside the precincts of the Hall , consequently , idlers had nothing to gaze at , beyond a few thousand gentlemen in evening dress , driving up more or less rapidly to the

several points of ingress . Of the Installation itself we say but little . The eloquence of the Pro Grand Master was equal to the occasion , the heartiness of His Royal Highness in acknowledging the honour conferred upon him was unmistakable , while the enthusiastic reception accorded

him by the assembly was great beyond conception , the salute being given with a precision and fervour that was quite startling . After the introduction to His Royal Highness of the representatives from the Grand Lodges of Ireland , Scotland , Sweden , and Denmark , and the

appointment of the Grand Officers for the year , Grand Lodge was closed in ample form , and the assembly dispersed , highly delighted with the success of the day ' s proceedings . In the evening the banquet was held at Freemasons' Hall , His Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master presiding ,

supported on his right by his brother the Duke of Connaught , the youngest M . M . in England , who had been raised the evening previous in the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , and on his left by the D . G . M . Lord Skelmersdale . The health of the Grand Master was proposed by his brother , and it is

needless to say , was most warmly responded to by the brethren present . The other toasts were drunk with great heartiness , and the evening terminated with a splendid

concert , His Royal Highness remaining for a short time . Thus ended the most eventful day in the modern history of Freemasonry , a day which will ever be remembered as affordin < r the most indubitable evidence of the firmness

and stability of the Craft , as well as of the esteem and respect in which it is held by all classes . It only remains for us to add that , at the meeting of Grand Chapter , on the following Wednesday , 5 th May , His Royal Highness was installed and duly obligated as Grand Z ., Comp . John

Havers presiding as first Principal , Comp . H . Sandeman acting as Grand H ., and Comp . J . Rawson as Grand J . The Prince then invested his officers , among whom may be mentioned Comp . Earl of Carnarvon as Pro G . Z ., Lord Skelmersdale as Grand H ., and Lord de Tabley as Grand J .

We now record the doings in connection with our three Charitable Institutions . The annual festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons was held on Wednesday , the 28 th January , the Right Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury and

Talb 6 t , R . W . Prov . G . M . Staffordshire , occupying the chair . His Lordship ' s appeal to the Craft for an increased support of this admirable Charity was a veiy earnest one , and when the worthy Secretary , Bro . Terry , rose to react

the list of subscriptions , the guests were delighted beyond measure on hearing that a sum of £ 6 , 63013 s 6 d , with eleven lists still outstanding , had been collected for the funds of the Institution , a result eminently satisfactory , and showing that those who had consented to act as Stewards of the festival

had been very zealous in the performance of their duties . The full amount subscribed proved in the end to be slightly in excess of £ 7 , 000 , the exact sum being stated as £ 7 , 020 16 s 6 d . The result of this liberality was soon apparent , and we had the pleasure of announcing , a fortnight later , that 15

widows and 22 males would be elected in the May following , instead of 3 widows and 12 males , thus bringing up the number of annuitants to 130 men and 100 widows , besides 16 widows receiving a moiety of their late husbands'

annuities . The number of vacancies was subsequently increased , by deaths , to 28 men and 18 women , there being 33 candidates for the former , and 35 for the latter . The election was held on Friday , the 21 st of May , the number of votes for the successful candidates ranging from 1 , 120 to 251 for the males , and from 867 to 499 for the females .

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1875-12-25, Page 6” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 4 Aug. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_25121875/page/6/.
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Title Category Page
OUR SECOND VOLUME. Article 1
MASONIC PORTRAITS (No. 8.) AN EASTERN STAR. Article 2
MANAGEMENT OF THE BOYS' SCHOOL. Article 2
BURIED ALIVE. Article 3
THE ANTIQUITY OF MASONRY. Article 4
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 5
THE MASONIC YEAR 1875. Article 6
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OUR WEEKLY BUDGET. Article 13
A MERRY CHRISTMAS. Article 15
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 15
NOTICES OF MEETINGS. Article 15
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Masonic Year 1875.

THE MASONIC YEAR 1875 .

A FEW days hence and 1875 will be numbered -with the past . Moreover , this present issue completes not only our second volume , but the first year of our existence . Hence the occasion seems not inopportune for reviewing the twelve months so nearly completed . The year 1875 will be a memorable one in the annals of

Freemasonry . Taking the whole Order , in its distribution throughout the old and new worlds , we may safely describe the position it now occupies as one of unexampled prosperity . It is not simply that we have grown in numbers only , though such growth , provided it be

accompanied by a proportionate increase in strength , is of itself matter for hearty gratulation ; but above and beyond this numerical increase , which has occurred to a greater or less extent in all countries where Masonry flourishes , the Order has acquired a firmer position than

ever , partly by the accession , as new members , of men eminent by their rank and position or by their talents , partly by a greater strengthening of the ruling powers , and , lastly , by greater activity among the rank and file . And as the Craft is thus stronger in itself , its influence on

the profane world has grown in proportion . Some may still sneer at it as child ' s play . Some may still decry it as a secret society , whose aim is the overthrow of religion and order . Ultramontane bigots may still fulminate their anathemas against us . But these sneers and false

accusations and curses fall innocuous at our feet , if even they do not prove , in the main , of service to our cause . There are not a few who regard it as an honour to be excommunicated by a Pope . There must be something substantially good in Masonry , they argue , when a tyrant priesthood goes out

of its way to curse . But let us leave conjecture alone , and revert to facts pure and simple . The angy denunciations of the Craft , by Bishop Dupanloup , and their approval by Pio Nono , together with a slight amount of persecution in remote countries , are all our enemies can point to as a

setoff to an increase in strength , wealth , and influence , which must truly be described as marvellous . Having stated the case thus generally , let us now proceed to give the details of our history during the year that is still current , English Masonry claiming , as a matter of course , our first attention .

The event which occupies the greatest prominence in the year ' s history is , undoubtedly , the election and installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M . Initiated into Freemasonry some seven years previously , by the late King of Sweden , His Royal Highness already held the

honorary rank of a Past G . M ., England , besides being G . M . of the Temple , and Grand Patron of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , England , as well as Patron of the Order both in Scotland and in Ireland . When , from motives that seemed good to him , the Marquis of Ripon felt called upon to

resign the Grand Mastership , the Prince of Wales at once accepted the invitation to fill the vacancy thus caused : thus following in the footsteps of three of his ancestors , the Duke of Cumberland , George , Prince of Wales , and the Duke of Sussex . The formal election was held at the

regular Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge , on Wednesday , the 5 th March ; Bro . S . G . Grady proposing , and Bro . Grey , Deputy Master of the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , seconding the nomination ; which was carried unanimously , amidst the most enthusiastic cheering . It was then

announced that the ceremony of Installation had been arranged by His Royal Highness for Wednesday , the 28 th April , the day fixed by the Constitutions for holding the Annual Grand Festival , and it was further arranged that an additional number of Stewards should bo appointed , in

order to assist in carrying out tho ceremony , the said Stewards receiving permission to wear a special jewel commemorative of the event . At first some difficulties occurred in selecting a proper place where the Installation could be held . At length the Royal Albert Hall was chosen , and it

is needless to say that a better choice could not have been made . Not only was it capable of being securely tyled against the intrusion of profanes , it was also the most commodious hall in London , or , at all events , the one which ,

taking the previous consideration into account , would accommodate the greatest number of brethren . Large , however , as was the available space in this magnificent hall , it was very soon found that it would be impossible to accommodate all applicants . Hence , as regards the main body of the

The Masonic Year 1875.

Craft , tho attendance was restricted to the W . M ., Wardens , P . M . ' s , and one M . M . from each Lodge . By a marvellous display of zeal and energy on the part of Bro . Sir Albert Woods G . D . C ., Bros . Fenn , Monckton , and the Stewards generally , the preparations for the imposing ceremony were

successfully carried out , and on the day itself the eight thousand fortunate brethren who were privileged to be present assembled , clothed themselves , and were seated without the slightest hitch . Outside the Hall the scene was animated enough as regards the continuous arrival of

every description of vehicle , but it had been ordered there should be no display of Masonic clothing or emblems outside the precincts of the Hall , consequently , idlers had nothing to gaze at , beyond a few thousand gentlemen in evening dress , driving up more or less rapidly to the

several points of ingress . Of the Installation itself we say but little . The eloquence of the Pro Grand Master was equal to the occasion , the heartiness of His Royal Highness in acknowledging the honour conferred upon him was unmistakable , while the enthusiastic reception accorded

him by the assembly was great beyond conception , the salute being given with a precision and fervour that was quite startling . After the introduction to His Royal Highness of the representatives from the Grand Lodges of Ireland , Scotland , Sweden , and Denmark , and the

appointment of the Grand Officers for the year , Grand Lodge was closed in ample form , and the assembly dispersed , highly delighted with the success of the day ' s proceedings . In the evening the banquet was held at Freemasons' Hall , His Royal Highness the M . W . Grand Master presiding ,

supported on his right by his brother the Duke of Connaught , the youngest M . M . in England , who had been raised the evening previous in the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , and on his left by the D . G . M . Lord Skelmersdale . The health of the Grand Master was proposed by his brother , and it is

needless to say , was most warmly responded to by the brethren present . The other toasts were drunk with great heartiness , and the evening terminated with a splendid

concert , His Royal Highness remaining for a short time . Thus ended the most eventful day in the modern history of Freemasonry , a day which will ever be remembered as affordin < r the most indubitable evidence of the firmness

and stability of the Craft , as well as of the esteem and respect in which it is held by all classes . It only remains for us to add that , at the meeting of Grand Chapter , on the following Wednesday , 5 th May , His Royal Highness was installed and duly obligated as Grand Z ., Comp . John

Havers presiding as first Principal , Comp . H . Sandeman acting as Grand H ., and Comp . J . Rawson as Grand J . The Prince then invested his officers , among whom may be mentioned Comp . Earl of Carnarvon as Pro G . Z ., Lord Skelmersdale as Grand H ., and Lord de Tabley as Grand J .

We now record the doings in connection with our three Charitable Institutions . The annual festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons was held on Wednesday , the 28 th January , the Right Hon . the Earl of Shrewsbury and

Talb 6 t , R . W . Prov . G . M . Staffordshire , occupying the chair . His Lordship ' s appeal to the Craft for an increased support of this admirable Charity was a veiy earnest one , and when the worthy Secretary , Bro . Terry , rose to react

the list of subscriptions , the guests were delighted beyond measure on hearing that a sum of £ 6 , 63013 s 6 d , with eleven lists still outstanding , had been collected for the funds of the Institution , a result eminently satisfactory , and showing that those who had consented to act as Stewards of the festival

had been very zealous in the performance of their duties . The full amount subscribed proved in the end to be slightly in excess of £ 7 , 000 , the exact sum being stated as £ 7 , 020 16 s 6 d . The result of this liberality was soon apparent , and we had the pleasure of announcing , a fortnight later , that 15

widows and 22 males would be elected in the May following , instead of 3 widows and 12 males , thus bringing up the number of annuitants to 130 men and 100 widows , besides 16 widows receiving a moiety of their late husbands'

annuities . The number of vacancies was subsequently increased , by deaths , to 28 men and 18 women , there being 33 candidates for the former , and 35 for the latter . The election was held on Friday , the 21 st of May , the number of votes for the successful candidates ranging from 1 , 120 to 251 for the males , and from 867 to 499 for the females .

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