Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts.

GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS .

WE extr- < -t the following from the " Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , " copy of which has just been forwarded to

ns : — A Special Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts was held in the town of Peabody , the 21 st of April A . D . 1882 , for the purpose of performing the funeral rites over the remains of R . W . Bro . William Sutton Past Senior Grand Warden .

Bro . Samuel Crocker Lawrence ... Grand Master Edwin Wright Deputy Grand Master William Babaon Senior Grand Warden Henry G . Pay aa Jnnior Grand Warden Sereno D . Nickerson Recording Grand Secretary

Albert H . Sweetser D . D . G . Master , Dist . No . 5 Rev . Fielder Israel Grand Chaplain Frederick D . El y Grand Marshal John L . Stevenson Grand Sword Bearer Henry J . Parker Grand Tyler

Amongst the other brethren present were—Bros . William D . Coolidge P . G . M ., William Parkman P . G . M .. Chas C . Dame P . G . M ., Perceval L . Everett P . G . M ., Charles Levi Wood

bury D . P . G . M ., William H . Chessman P . G . W ., Honry J . Mills Master William Sutton Lodge , A . T . Stocker S . W ., George Parsons J . W ., Harmon Hall Member , Henry A . Brown P . M . Star King Lodge , Beni . Dean Past G . W .

At fifteen minutes past eleven o ' clock a . m . Grand Lodge was opened in ample form , at the residence of our deceased Brother , in that part of his library called the " Masonic Room , " where he had passed so many happy hours , surrounded by the portraits of brethren whom he

so dearly loved , and by the interesting and suggestive souvenirs of his sixty years of Masonic life . The M . W . Grand Master announced the purpose of the Communication . He gave a rapid sketch of the chief incidents in the history of our Brother , especially those

connected with his Masonic career . He described in appropriate and graceful terms the debt we owe him for firmness and fidelity in time of obloquy and persecution , for aid and support in time of poverty and need . His kindly , modest , and affectionate devotion to the Craft in all its branches ,

and to all the brethren with whom he came in contact , was set forth in language which happily expressed the thoughts and recollections of those present . The Grand Master summed up this brief but feeling tribute to the memory of our departed Brother by reading the following Sacred Roll , to be placed on perpetual record : —

R . W . BROTHER WILLIAM SUTTON , Past Senior Grand Warden of tbe M . W . Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . BORN IN SALEM , MASS ., 26 TH JULY 1800 . His life was one of busy and varied usefulness , —in every sphere

fall of honour , frankness , and truth . A patriotic citizen , a gallant soldier , a sincere friend , and a devoted Mason , to whose unselfish labours the Craft is largely indebted . DIED IN PEABODY , MASS .. 18 TH APRIL 1882 .

He has left behind him the record of a well-spent life , rendered beautiful by genial manners , generous friendliness , and active good works , and his brethren rendered grateful homage to the memory of one who served Masonry so faithfully and so well .

t The Grand Officers took their stations around the body , ^ an adjoining room , which was fragrant with the many noral tributes offered by numerous civil , military , and Masonic organisations with which our friend had been connected . His pastorthe Rev . John William Hudson

, , conducted a fitting service in the hall above , after which the famil y and near relatives joined the Masonic circle , and ™ c appropriate portions of our ritual were recited by the wand Master and fche Grand Chaplain , the responses ¦ 1 _ - —_« i _>_ . -vuv _ - . UU V _ . I U . ¦_ ¦ V * ¦ __ . l-U / l . > UI 1 U | IS _ - _ \ S J , V . __ ftSVS . __ . __ V . O ein

° -g rendered most beautifully and effectively by the J-emple Quartette . ., Tflc Grand Chaplain , Rev . Fielder Israel , then delivered e following parting words of affection , sympathy , and

Com ear Brethren and Friends , —I will protract these services of the ^ 1 emora ' * anf l fraternal love but a moment longer , to repeat Cn Pture : "This man . after hn had __ . v __ his - _ n _ ratinn . bv th _

Hfe ^ f ° God ' ° " sIee P- " Thia is Bro - Sutton ' s best eulogy . His a „ . more fchan fourscore years was spent in doing good . He had absorb l or . benevolei - * Kindness was the law of his life . He was _____ on and cnni . r _ li _ _ by it . Ia bim it was a principle and passion ,

Grand Lodge Of Massachusetts.

He lived for others , and pleased not himself . He was a trne Mason , " made on the good old plan of trnth , obedience , and love . " lie was exalted to tho snblimest decrees becanse of the fidelity of his conduct and the fulness of his charity . Ho was concern-. 1 in everything pertaining to hnman welfare . The

best interests of society always found in him an advocate and a sup . porter . Master and model to the Craft , ho studied its principles , understood its purposes , and practised its virtues . He was a cordial , confiding , generous brother , fnil of love " that believeth all things , hopeth all things , endareth nil things . " Ho went in and out among his brethren like ono who serveth . " In him and by him the ancient

word was fulfilled : " A man shall be a hiding-place from the wind , a covert from the tempest , as rivers of water in a dry place , and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land . " To-day , dear brethren , we have come to fill hia grave with our love , to plant the verdure of an everlasting spring upon his new-made sepulchre and then to go our way , to our duty and destiny , full of immortal hope ; so living

¦ ¦ ¦ " that Death , come when he may , shall find Us busily engaged in something whioh Shall cast a blessing on the world , rebound With one to our own breast , and tend to givo To man some benefit , to God some praise . "

At the conclusion of this most touching and impressive service , which brought tears to the eyes of many besides the near relatives , the Grand Officers and the family of the deceased took carriages , and proceeded to the family tomb in Harmony Grove Cemetery . After a brief prayer and

benediction by the Grand Chaplain , the mortal remains of our venerated brother were safely deposited in the silent tomb , and , with their hearts filled with sweet remembrance of his virtues , the brethren returned to the place of opening , and the Grand Lodge was closed in ample form at ten minutes past one o ' clock p . m .

Messrs. Spooner & Co.'S Annual Excursion.

Messrs . SPOONER & CO . 'S ANNUAL EXCURSION .

THB annual excursion of the employes of Messrs . Spooner and Co and Bro . J . E . Fells ( Worshipful Master of the Confidence Lodge , No . 193 ) , wine coopers and bottle merchants , of Laurence Pountney-lane , and Tooley-street , took place recently , Ightham , Kent , being again selected as the scene of the day ' s festivities . The weather was all that could be desired , and with an excellent programme before them , the men , numbering nearly 150 in all , assembled

in high spirits at the Elephant and Castle station at 9 . 20 a . m ., whence they proceeded to Wrotham , the journey down being enlivened with harmony and song . A pleasant walk over the Kentish hillside waa enjoyed , the country now appearing in its summer luxuriance , and the hops , in full growth , adding much to the attractiveness of the landscape . On reaching Ightham , the party made at once for the George

and Dragon Hotel , where" mine host , " Mr . W . Mist , had made ample preparation for their comfort j a substantial luncheon being laid ready for the visitors , whoso appetites had been sharpened by a brisk walk after the railway journey . Luncheon having been discussed , the party adjourned , some to inspect the grand old church of St . Peter , in which are some beautiful monuments of the Selby family ,

one of which is to the memory of Dame Dorothy Selby , who is believed to have discovered to her husband the Gunpowder Plot , and many memorial brasses to the Moultona and others . There is also a handsome window in the north aisle , facing the east , dedicated to the memory of Demetrius Grevis James , J . P ., and of Mary his wife , placed there by " their affectionate children . " The Mote

also was visited , and other places of inferest inspected , whilst the main body of the company repaired to Mr . Mist's field , where a number of athletic and other sports were well contested . At two o ' clock dinner was served in a spacious marquee in rear of the hotel , and which had been decorated iu such a manner as fairly to entitle ifc to the appellation applied , of the "little floral hall . " Bro . J . E . Fells

the acting partner of the firm , presided , supported by Mr . H . Grose , Mr . A . C . Hartley , Bro . Morris 193 , Bro . Diplock , Mr . J . J . Candliab , of Seabam Harbour ( son of one of the Prov . Grand Officers of Durham ) , Mr . Provost , and representatives of several wine firms in the City . The arrangements made by Mr . Mist elicited expressions of unqualified satisfaction , and afc fche conclusion of an excellent dinner

fche customary loyal toasts were honoured , followed by Success and Prosperity to the Firm of Messrs . Spooner and Co ., coupled with the name of Mr . H . Grose , who referred in felicitous terms to the steady growth of the business that day represented , and its increasing importance in the City of London . He alluded in flattering terms to the excellent management of Bro . J . E . Fells , and expressed fche hope

that the good understanding subsisting between the various departments of the firm might long continue . Bro . J . E . Fells , in a few happily chosen sentences , responded , extending to all a cordial welcome , and expressing the pleasure it afforded him of meeting fchem all once more nnder such very agreeable auspices . This was the twelfth anniversary of their " outing , " and seven of these pleasant

days had been spent at Ightham , which was their favourite resort . He then spoke of his twenty-six years' connection with the firm , and added a few words of encouragement and advice , especially to the younger members , exhorting them to emulation in all they saw waa good and likely to conduce to their happiness and success in life . He bade a hearty welcome to the Visitors , whose health was cordially

acknowledged by Bro . W . W . Hughes , of the Victoria Wine Company . Several other toasts were honoured , and later in tbe evening > ea was enjoyed ; and the cool of the evening pleasantly wiled away with singing and a variety of out-door amusements , until the time for the departure of the train for home , when all assembled and returned to town highly satisfied and delighted with the agreeable and admirably-arranged treat which had been provided for them .