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Prov. Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
that office , both tho D . P . G . M . ancl the P . D . P . G . M . testifying fco * the value of Bro . Bodenham ' s past services . The appointments by the Provincial Grand Master were as follow :
James Clark , M . D . 1039 ... ... Senior Warden C . T . Cavendish 166 ... ... Junior Warden Eev . Thos . L ! > yd 526 } Chaplains Rev . G . Tuthill GOG . . . j ^ P Iaina W . H . Bailey 624 .. . Eegistrar
W . Carfcwi'ighfc 4 G 0 ... ... Secretary E . H . Croydon 400 ... ... Assist . Secretary W . T . Aggntter 460 ... .. Senior Deacon H . C . Faram 637 ... ... Junior Deacon •P V PerllAV Bunt r . P Wnvl-0
T . E . Fowke 726 ... ... Diree . of Ceremonies John Dceley 482 ... ... Assist . D . of Core . G . W . H . Tudor 1888 ... ... Sword Bearer G . W . Walker 526 ... ... " ) „ , . , „ xv M . Mould 669 Standard Bearers
F . Mountford 460 ... ... Organist F . C . Bastick 419 ... ... )¦„ . , J . Mottram 726 j Pursuivants H . Bacraalev 460 ... ... 1 m .
R . Tomlinson 726 , - 7 lers E . Crosskey , G . Haynes , F . Harper , T . Cos :, ) ~ i W . A . Wood , J . T . H . Gladman 1039 ) » tewawls Tho brethren , on adjourning from the Lodge-room , formed a
procession , which was marshalled by Bro . Fowke P . D . C . Between the Chaplains and the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy were four Lewises—Charles Lomas , Goorgo Owens , Henry Barnes , and flurry Edwin Smyrk—carrying the Volume of tho Sacred Law . The brethren in procession marched to tho Cathedral for Divine Service .
The Dean of Lichfield ( Dr . Bickerstefch ) had kindly undertaken to preach on tho occasion , and Mr . J . B . Lott , the Cathedral organist , presided afc the grand instrument which the Cathedral contains . The service was impressive throughout , and afforded the greatest satis . faction to tbe brethren . The lessons were r ^ acl by tho Rev . T .
Lloyd P . G . C . and Archdeacon lies P . P . G . C . The Denn , taking as his text the words " God setteth tho solifctrry in familns , " said—It was doubtless by a Divine arrangement that mankind associated thomselvps in communities , whether great or small . Unman society was nothing else but a vast system , a network of mntnal dependencies
which would not tolerate anything like solitariness . He could not , bat think that the origin of Freemasonry , lost as it is in a very remote antiquity , was due to thafc love of association which finds its highest ancl most perfect expression in tho Chnrch of God . Signs were a common feature of most associated bodies ; and they were
probably used afc first to supply the deficiencies of language , and to enable persons of different races , and nsing different languages , to communicate with one another . It wns to the honour of Freemasonry that the principles of kindness and morality , of truth and justice , had always been associated with it . Even so far back as the
8 th centnry before tho Christian era we fonnd distinct allusions to the symbolism of the Masons ' art—the " square " ancl fcho " compass , " as representing order , regularity , and propriety . In a famous canonical work of Chinese origin , called fcho " Greafc Learning , " we read thafc " a man should abstain from doing to others what he
would not that they should do to him ; " and this , added the writer , was called tho principle of " acting on the sqnare . " To tho same purpose Mencins ( a disciple of Confucius ) , who lived abont 300 li c , taught thafc men ought to apply tho " square" and " compass" to their lives , nnd the " level" aud the " marking line" besides , if they
would walk in the straight nnd even paths of wisdom , and keep themselves within the bounds of honour and virtue . The Dean proceeded to trace the history of Freemasonry in this country from A . D . 301 when St . _ Alban , Britain ' s first martyr , was president of a council of Masons , if we may believe the old traditions respecting him , and in
tho ^ course of this sketch , took tho opportunity of expressing bis own obligations and those of the Chapter to tho Staffordshire Lodge of Freemasons for their generous offering of the beantifnl statnc of Henry III ., rs well as to the St . John's Lodge , for their gift of the striking figure of Solomon , both of which figures , the work of the
clever sculptor , Mr . Bridgemnn , adorn the west front of the Cathedral . In conclusion , tho Dean said : In the year A . D . 1717 Freemasonry ceased to exist as an operative brotherhood . Bufc it ; has never ceased to enjoy the favonr and the patronage of the noble , the great , and the good . In more recent times the Duke of Wharton
and the Duke of Bucclonch have been its Grand Masters ; and at the present moment I need not remind you that its Grand Blaster is his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is never wanting when occasions worthy of his presence and support invito his attendance . it , ia not saying too much for tho society cf Freemasons that it
" •onus to promote friendship , mutual assistance , loyalty to ° "P Institutions , in Church and State , and religion and morality . Here aro somo of tho prc . < cnt regulations of Freemasonry : "A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obey ' tho moral law ; and if ho rightl y understands his obligations ha can never be a stupid atheist
or a godless libertine . " Ho " of all men should best understand that wxl seeth „ ofc na nian seet * j . f 0 i . Lor ( 1 Jool-etb ;„ tfj 0 i 10 arfc- » A Mason must therefore never act against the dictates of his conscience . " "Lot his religion or his mode of worship bo what it ^ 'ly hois nofc excluded from the Order provided he believe iu the
, prions Architect of heaven and earth and practices tha sacred "nties of morality . " Masons are taught " to regard tho errors of Mankind with compassion , and to strive , by tho purity of their own induct , to demonstrate the superior exce'lonco of tho faith which
they profess . " So that . Freemasonry is " a bond of union between good men and true . " A Mason is a peaceable subject of the ^ 'il power . " He pledges himself "to conform to ab lawful ¦ •Hthont y , to uphold tho interests of the community , aud to promote ( k d 0 prosperity of all ranks and classes iu hia own country . " Hence vl "gs ancl princes in every ago have beeu disposed to patronise tho
Prov. Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
craftsmen on account ; of their peaeeablenessand loyalty . " Permit ; me my brethren of this ancient ancl honourable Brotherhood , to remind yon once moro of that higher and nobler association into which Christianity admits yon . Talk of honour , and truth and justice ; talk of warm-hearted friendship and generous devotedness j talk of all
that is lovely and of good report •where will yon find these and other virtues iu higher perfection than in him who has accepted Christ and His salvation , ancl has resolved to live "to Him who died for him and rose again . " This Masonic association , good and excellent as it appears to be , is terminated , as far as you individually
are concerned , by death . But he who has a place in the family of God is beyond the reach of earthly change or mortal decay . Death , which breaks up earthly alliances , makes this Brotherhood eternal . May God by his Spirit unite us all in this heavenly companionship through Jesus Christ our Lord .
At the closo of tho service fche brethren returned to the Guildhall , aud business was resumed . The D . P . G . M . said he was suro they must all have been intensely delighted with fche very beautiful service to which thoy had listened . The sermon was fine , and the service was enhanced by tho splendour of the beautiful temp ' o in which ifc
vvas held . Thoy conld not help being struck by tho peculiar appropriateness of the service , having reference to tho fundamental principles of Freemasonry , embodying as they did fche lessons of "brotherly love , relief , and truth . " They hal been favoured with an exceedingly able discourse , and they were greatly indebted to the
Dean . It was a matter of astonishment that the Dean , not being a Freemason , was so skilled in Masonry , and ifc was a source of regret that he was not a member of the Fraternity . He proposed that the Provincial Grand Master shonld be specially requested toeonvey fco fche Dean of Lichfield the sincere thanks of the brethren for his kindness
in opening the Cathedral , arranging for snch an admirable service , and especially for his sermm . Bro . James , in seconding the proposition , said the remarks of the Dean made him wonder whether in the earlier period of his life he ( the Dean ) had been initiated into the Craffc . Afc any rato , the history of Freemasonry was well known to
him , and they mi » bfc feel that afc any rate there was one good man outside their ranks who did nofc hesitate to speak well of Freemasonry . The proposition vvas carried with applause . Bro . Cartwrit'hfc announced thafc tho collection at the Cathedral amounted to £ 15 13 s lOd . Bro . James proposed that £ 5 5 s bo given
towards the fund for restoring St . Chad s Church and X / 5 5 s to the funds of the Lichfield Nursing Institntion . Bro . Dr . Clarke seconded the proposition . He bore personal testimony to fche value of the Nursing Institntion , which he said had been in existence about three years . The motion was passed unanimously .
After the close of theLodge , a largo number of tho brethren proceeded to tho Georgo Hotel , where an excellent banquet vvas provided by Mrs . Owen . The toasts wore interspersed with some unusually trood vocal music ; glees aud songs being given by Brothers Harrison , Bickley , Fredericks and Mountford , the
accompaniments to the songs being played by Brothers Mountford ancl Harper . Tho Provincial Grand Mister , who presided , gave the Loyal toasts , remarking with reference to the Prince of Wales that during tho timo his Eoyal Highness had held fche office of Grand Master of England , a period of ten vears , the Masonic Ladges had
nearly doubled in this country . Bro . Dr . Clarke , in appropriate terms , proposed the Earl of Carnarvon Pro Grand Master , Earl Lathom Deputy Grand Master , and Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past , coupling with it fcho name of Bro . Foster Gougb G . S . B ., who said he did nofc consider the Province of Stafford had
been fairly dealt with in tho matter of appointments iu the Grand Lodge , and he hoped he shonld soon have a Staffordshire colleague who would wear what might be termed the imperial purple . Bro . James , alluding to the sermon which tbe Dean bad preached , said they had the history of Froemasonrv unfolded fco their view by a
master hand . They had had Freemasonry introduced into this country , under varying circumstances , since afc any rate the fourth century . Ifc had been interdicted and resisted in various forms , bufc there never was a time when ifc was so progressive as ifc was afc fche present clay , and particularly
in Staffordshire . Referring to the fact thafc the Provincial Grand Master was ob'iged to spend a considerable portion of bis time iu Wales owing to the delicate state of his health , he ( Bro . James ) jocularly suggested that in these days of rapid and cheap travelling ifc mighfc p ' ossibly happen that afc some future day tbe Provincial Grand
Lodge of Staffordshire might be held on fche Great Ormshead to suit Bro . Tndor's convenience . He proposed fcho health of fche Provincial Grand Master , whicb was very heartily received . Bro . Tudor , in reply , said whilo he regretted the state of his health had not enabled him to visit tbe Lodges , they hacl been visited by his Deputy , who bad
kept him informed of everything that waa going on . During tho last ten years the number of Lodges in Staffordshire had increased from 19 t ' o 27 , of which he hacl consecrated six himself . Ilo urged the necessity of exercising caution so as uot to admit members who would do discredit to the Craffc . He spoke of the greafc value of the Masonic
Chanties , of which he said tho Fraternity had cause to be proud . He trusted that they would continue to support , th * Charities and carry out fche principles to which the Dean of Lichfioltl alluded—" brotherly love , relief , a , d truth . " Tho health of tho ,-. , . r- > . .. r \ 1 ir . , .. ...... all ... T ) .., nr Tr ir ,, lnn nnrl Grand Master ded bBroWHHates ancl
Deputy Prov . was prr-p' - y . . . suitably acknowledged . Bro . C at ' . vrii'hfc propo cd the Visitors , for whom Bro . W . T . Parkin , * , No . 4113 , Birmingham , responded . Tho toast of fcho Wor .-hipful Masters aud Otu- * ers of tho Lodges in the Province was cu-opos * d by Bro . tho Rev . T . Lloyd aud
acknowledged by Bro . Perkins W . M . 1019 . bro . F . James , in proposing the toast of tho Masonie Charities , said they were tho outward ' . nd visible sign of that fcruo Masonic r- ' pirit , which ho hoped was Uways present iu the breast of every Freemason . They Wt-re
substantial outward signd , and conveyed to the -odd somo reason why persons should Land together to ans sfc their poo * nnfori unite brethren and also for thafc high and noble object of thinking charitably of all men . While describing the Masonic Institutions as extremely
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Prov. Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
that office , both tho D . P . G . M . ancl the P . D . P . G . M . testifying fco * the value of Bro . Bodenham ' s past services . The appointments by the Provincial Grand Master were as follow :
James Clark , M . D . 1039 ... ... Senior Warden C . T . Cavendish 166 ... ... Junior Warden Eev . Thos . L ! > yd 526 } Chaplains Rev . G . Tuthill GOG . . . j ^ P Iaina W . H . Bailey 624 .. . Eegistrar
W . Carfcwi'ighfc 4 G 0 ... ... Secretary E . H . Croydon 400 ... ... Assist . Secretary W . T . Aggntter 460 ... .. Senior Deacon H . C . Faram 637 ... ... Junior Deacon •P V PerllAV Bunt r . P Wnvl-0
T . E . Fowke 726 ... ... Diree . of Ceremonies John Dceley 482 ... ... Assist . D . of Core . G . W . H . Tudor 1888 ... ... Sword Bearer G . W . Walker 526 ... ... " ) „ , . , „ xv M . Mould 669 Standard Bearers
F . Mountford 460 ... ... Organist F . C . Bastick 419 ... ... )¦„ . , J . Mottram 726 j Pursuivants H . Bacraalev 460 ... ... 1 m .
R . Tomlinson 726 , - 7 lers E . Crosskey , G . Haynes , F . Harper , T . Cos :, ) ~ i W . A . Wood , J . T . H . Gladman 1039 ) » tewawls Tho brethren , on adjourning from the Lodge-room , formed a
procession , which was marshalled by Bro . Fowke P . D . C . Between the Chaplains and the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy were four Lewises—Charles Lomas , Goorgo Owens , Henry Barnes , and flurry Edwin Smyrk—carrying the Volume of tho Sacred Law . The brethren in procession marched to tho Cathedral for Divine Service .
The Dean of Lichfield ( Dr . Bickerstefch ) had kindly undertaken to preach on tho occasion , and Mr . J . B . Lott , the Cathedral organist , presided afc the grand instrument which the Cathedral contains . The service was impressive throughout , and afforded the greatest satis . faction to tbe brethren . The lessons were r ^ acl by tho Rev . T .
Lloyd P . G . C . and Archdeacon lies P . P . G . C . The Denn , taking as his text the words " God setteth tho solifctrry in familns , " said—It was doubtless by a Divine arrangement that mankind associated thomselvps in communities , whether great or small . Unman society was nothing else but a vast system , a network of mntnal dependencies
which would not tolerate anything like solitariness . He could not , bat think that the origin of Freemasonry , lost as it is in a very remote antiquity , was due to thafc love of association which finds its highest ancl most perfect expression in tho Chnrch of God . Signs were a common feature of most associated bodies ; and they were
probably used afc first to supply the deficiencies of language , and to enable persons of different races , and nsing different languages , to communicate with one another . It wns to the honour of Freemasonry that the principles of kindness and morality , of truth and justice , had always been associated with it . Even so far back as the
8 th centnry before tho Christian era we fonnd distinct allusions to the symbolism of the Masons ' art—the " square " ancl fcho " compass , " as representing order , regularity , and propriety . In a famous canonical work of Chinese origin , called fcho " Greafc Learning , " we read thafc " a man should abstain from doing to others what he
would not that they should do to him ; " and this , added the writer , was called tho principle of " acting on the sqnare . " To tho same purpose Mencins ( a disciple of Confucius ) , who lived abont 300 li c , taught thafc men ought to apply tho " square" and " compass" to their lives , nnd the " level" aud the " marking line" besides , if they
would walk in the straight nnd even paths of wisdom , and keep themselves within the bounds of honour and virtue . The Dean proceeded to trace the history of Freemasonry in this country from A . D . 301 when St . _ Alban , Britain ' s first martyr , was president of a council of Masons , if we may believe the old traditions respecting him , and in
tho ^ course of this sketch , took tho opportunity of expressing bis own obligations and those of the Chapter to tho Staffordshire Lodge of Freemasons for their generous offering of the beantifnl statnc of Henry III ., rs well as to the St . John's Lodge , for their gift of the striking figure of Solomon , both of which figures , the work of the
clever sculptor , Mr . Bridgemnn , adorn the west front of the Cathedral . In conclusion , tho Dean said : In the year A . D . 1717 Freemasonry ceased to exist as an operative brotherhood . Bufc it ; has never ceased to enjoy the favonr and the patronage of the noble , the great , and the good . In more recent times the Duke of Wharton
and the Duke of Bucclonch have been its Grand Masters ; and at the present moment I need not remind you that its Grand Blaster is his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is never wanting when occasions worthy of his presence and support invito his attendance . it , ia not saying too much for tho society cf Freemasons that it
" •onus to promote friendship , mutual assistance , loyalty to ° "P Institutions , in Church and State , and religion and morality . Here aro somo of tho prc . < cnt regulations of Freemasonry : "A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obey ' tho moral law ; and if ho rightl y understands his obligations ha can never be a stupid atheist
or a godless libertine . " Ho " of all men should best understand that wxl seeth „ ofc na nian seet * j . f 0 i . Lor ( 1 Jool-etb ;„ tfj 0 i 10 arfc- » A Mason must therefore never act against the dictates of his conscience . " "Lot his religion or his mode of worship bo what it ^ 'ly hois nofc excluded from the Order provided he believe iu the
, prions Architect of heaven and earth and practices tha sacred "nties of morality . " Masons are taught " to regard tho errors of Mankind with compassion , and to strive , by tho purity of their own induct , to demonstrate the superior exce'lonco of tho faith which
they profess . " So that . Freemasonry is " a bond of union between good men and true . " A Mason is a peaceable subject of the ^ 'il power . " He pledges himself "to conform to ab lawful ¦ •Hthont y , to uphold tho interests of the community , aud to promote ( k d 0 prosperity of all ranks and classes iu hia own country . " Hence vl "gs ancl princes in every ago have beeu disposed to patronise tho
Prov. Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.
craftsmen on account ; of their peaeeablenessand loyalty . " Permit ; me my brethren of this ancient ancl honourable Brotherhood , to remind yon once moro of that higher and nobler association into which Christianity admits yon . Talk of honour , and truth and justice ; talk of warm-hearted friendship and generous devotedness j talk of all
that is lovely and of good report •where will yon find these and other virtues iu higher perfection than in him who has accepted Christ and His salvation , ancl has resolved to live "to Him who died for him and rose again . " This Masonic association , good and excellent as it appears to be , is terminated , as far as you individually
are concerned , by death . But he who has a place in the family of God is beyond the reach of earthly change or mortal decay . Death , which breaks up earthly alliances , makes this Brotherhood eternal . May God by his Spirit unite us all in this heavenly companionship through Jesus Christ our Lord .
At the closo of tho service fche brethren returned to the Guildhall , aud business was resumed . The D . P . G . M . said he was suro they must all have been intensely delighted with fche very beautiful service to which thoy had listened . The sermon was fine , and the service was enhanced by tho splendour of the beautiful temp ' o in which ifc
vvas held . Thoy conld not help being struck by tho peculiar appropriateness of the service , having reference to tho fundamental principles of Freemasonry , embodying as they did fche lessons of "brotherly love , relief , and truth . " They hal been favoured with an exceedingly able discourse , and they were greatly indebted to the
Dean . It was a matter of astonishment that the Dean , not being a Freemason , was so skilled in Masonry , and ifc was a source of regret that he was not a member of the Fraternity . He proposed that the Provincial Grand Master shonld be specially requested toeonvey fco fche Dean of Lichfield the sincere thanks of the brethren for his kindness
in opening the Cathedral , arranging for snch an admirable service , and especially for his sermm . Bro . James , in seconding the proposition , said the remarks of the Dean made him wonder whether in the earlier period of his life he ( the Dean ) had been initiated into the Craffc . Afc any rato , the history of Freemasonry was well known to
him , and they mi » bfc feel that afc any rate there was one good man outside their ranks who did nofc hesitate to speak well of Freemasonry . The proposition vvas carried with applause . Bro . Cartwrit'hfc announced thafc tho collection at the Cathedral amounted to £ 15 13 s lOd . Bro . James proposed that £ 5 5 s bo given
towards the fund for restoring St . Chad s Church and X / 5 5 s to the funds of the Lichfield Nursing Institntion . Bro . Dr . Clarke seconded the proposition . He bore personal testimony to fche value of the Nursing Institntion , which he said had been in existence about three years . The motion was passed unanimously .
After the close of theLodge , a largo number of tho brethren proceeded to tho Georgo Hotel , where an excellent banquet vvas provided by Mrs . Owen . The toasts wore interspersed with some unusually trood vocal music ; glees aud songs being given by Brothers Harrison , Bickley , Fredericks and Mountford , the
accompaniments to the songs being played by Brothers Mountford ancl Harper . Tho Provincial Grand Mister , who presided , gave the Loyal toasts , remarking with reference to the Prince of Wales that during tho timo his Eoyal Highness had held fche office of Grand Master of England , a period of ten vears , the Masonic Ladges had
nearly doubled in this country . Bro . Dr . Clarke , in appropriate terms , proposed the Earl of Carnarvon Pro Grand Master , Earl Lathom Deputy Grand Master , and Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past , coupling with it fcho name of Bro . Foster Gougb G . S . B ., who said he did nofc consider the Province of Stafford had
been fairly dealt with in tho matter of appointments iu the Grand Lodge , and he hoped he shonld soon have a Staffordshire colleague who would wear what might be termed the imperial purple . Bro . James , alluding to the sermon which tbe Dean bad preached , said they had the history of Froemasonrv unfolded fco their view by a
master hand . They had had Freemasonry introduced into this country , under varying circumstances , since afc any rate the fourth century . Ifc had been interdicted and resisted in various forms , bufc there never was a time when ifc was so progressive as ifc was afc fche present clay , and particularly
in Staffordshire . Referring to the fact thafc the Provincial Grand Master was ob'iged to spend a considerable portion of bis time iu Wales owing to the delicate state of his health , he ( Bro . James ) jocularly suggested that in these days of rapid and cheap travelling ifc mighfc p ' ossibly happen that afc some future day tbe Provincial Grand
Lodge of Staffordshire might be held on fche Great Ormshead to suit Bro . Tndor's convenience . He proposed fcho health of fche Provincial Grand Master , whicb was very heartily received . Bro . Tudor , in reply , said whilo he regretted the state of his health had not enabled him to visit tbe Lodges , they hacl been visited by his Deputy , who bad
kept him informed of everything that waa going on . During tho last ten years the number of Lodges in Staffordshire had increased from 19 t ' o 27 , of which he hacl consecrated six himself . Ilo urged the necessity of exercising caution so as uot to admit members who would do discredit to the Craffc . He spoke of the greafc value of the Masonic
Chanties , of which he said tho Fraternity had cause to be proud . He trusted that they would continue to support , th * Charities and carry out fche principles to which the Dean of Lichfioltl alluded—" brotherly love , relief , a , d truth . " Tho health of tho ,-. , . r- > . .. r \ 1 ir . , .. ...... all ... T ) .., nr Tr ir ,, lnn nnrl Grand Master ded bBroWHHates ancl
Deputy Prov . was prr-p' - y . . . suitably acknowledged . Bro . C at ' . vrii'hfc propo cd the Visitors , for whom Bro . W . T . Parkin , * , No . 4113 , Birmingham , responded . Tho toast of fcho Wor .-hipful Masters aud Otu- * ers of tho Lodges in the Province was cu-opos * d by Bro . tho Rev . T . Lloyd aud
acknowledged by Bro . Perkins W . M . 1019 . bro . F . James , in proposing the toast of tho Masonie Charities , said they were tho outward ' . nd visible sign of that fcruo Masonic r- ' pirit , which ho hoped was Uways present iu the breast of every Freemason . They Wt-re
substantial outward signd , and conveyed to the -odd somo reason why persons should Land together to ans sfc their poo * nnfori unite brethren and also for thafc high and noble object of thinking charitably of all men . While describing the Masonic Institutions as extremely