''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

''A SPRIG OF ACACIA . ''

IT was with grief and regret we last week had to record the death of an esteemed - friend Bro . Robert J ohn Rogers , Past Master of the Westbourne Lodge , No . / 33 > and Treasurer of the Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , who was taken suddenly ill while returning with some Brethren from the regular meeting of his Lodge on the Thursday , and

expired oefore assistance could be obtained . Our worthy Brother leaves a widow to . mourn his loss , and those who knew our Brother Rogers can form some opinion of the great distress of that lady at the death of so estimable a husband . Bro . Rogers was highly esteemed by all who knew him , and

no Brother was more willing to render assistance to those whom it was in his power to help . He had been a member of the Westbourne Lodge for sixteen years , and the news of his death came as a great shock to the members who but a few' hours before had had his company , apparently in the

enjoyment of good health . He was a zealous worker in the cause of the Masonic Charities , both in obtaining subscriptions on their behalf and in assisting candidates to secure their benefits . He was initiated in the Westbourne Lodge , on 20 th November 1884 , and had served as Steward on behalf of

both the Boys and the Girls Schools . The funeral took place on Tuesday , at Paddington Cemetery , Willesden Lane , and was attended by 150 Brethren and others , the Westbourne Lodge and the Westbourne and Hyde Park Lodges of Instruction being each strongly represented on the occasion

which was one of great impressiveness to the many who attended to pay the lastsad tribute of respect to their departed friend . The service at the grave side was conducted by Rev .

Bro : Jamblih in a most impressive and touching manner , and at its conclusion the Brethren dropped the Masonic emblematic sprig into the grave . The massive oak coffin bore the Square and Compasses , and the inscription :

ROBERT J ROGERS . Died 18 th October 1900 . Aged 43 years ' . It was completely covered with a number of handsome wreaths , sent by Lodges , Brethren , relatives and other friends . After the funeral the Brethren repaired to the regular quarters

of the Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , at the Oliver Arms , Westbourne Terrace North , where a formal meeting was held under the presidency of the , W . M . of the Mother Lodge Bro .

C . E . Lilly , who was supported by Bros . George Weaver IP M ., Busby S . W ., H . Bagnall J . W ., H . Dehane P . M . P . P . G . D . Prec , G . Mogford P . M . Sec , E . Thomas S . D ., F . Beasley J . D ., C . Halston I . G .

The acting W . M . said they were assembled there that day under circumstances of . indescribable sadness . After paying the last reverent tribute of respect to their departed Brother Rogers at the grave side , they had thought it right , fitting , and proper , td come there , open the Lodge of Instruction

, and pass a vote of condolence to his widow and sorrowing relatives , and then forthwith close it as a mark of respect to his memory . He did not know how these things affected the Brethren , but to him it was most difficult to realise that the familiar voice , the cheery genial personagethe

, warmth of whose hand they knew so well , was for ever hushed m death . These things , he said , were to him , and he felt they were to them extremely difficult to grasp . But such was the inscrutable will of the Great Architect of the Universe , and all they had to do was to bow in humble submission .

They were happy in the knowled ge that his was a blameless life , and those who knew him—and there were many who did far more intimately than himself—could testify to his upright , honourable and purely unselfish nature . As one who passed through the various stages of Offices leading to the chair he

could bear witness to the willing help Bro . Rogers always extended to him , and indeed to every student in Masonry , and he was only too glad to have an opportunity of recording their grateful recognition to his memory for his many acts of

kindness . It would be idle for him to attempt to conceal the emotion he felt , and he would at once formally propose a vote of condolence Lo his widow in her grief and affliction , " and also to his relatives .

Bro . G . Walker P . M . Secretary of the Mother Lodge said it was a matter of great difficulty to find words in which to second the proposition . Pie knew Bro . Rogers as a boy—had

known him for thirty-five years , and had the honour of initiating him into their noble Order . The memory of Bro . Rogers ' s good qualities must remain with all who knew him . He was g lad to see so much respect had been paid to his

''A Sprig Of Acacia.''

memory that day , not alone by members of the Craft , but by numerous other friends who had attended at the grave side , and it must have made a lasting impression upon ail who saw it , and impressed them that he had passed away in peace , respected bv a large circle of acquaintances . Bro . Dehane , as

Preceptor , expressed his sympathetic support ; as did Bro . Stevens , an old friend of Bro . Rogers ; and others . Among those present were Bros . J . Woodford , C . j . Biorn , [ . E . Arie , N . Rolles , PI Flower , F . Baxter , G B . Nichols , W . Price , T . M . Lamble , W . H . Handover , W . Hughes , j . Sadler , C .

Pratt , A . Arrowsmith P . M ., E . J . Potter , G . Walker P . M ., J . Backham , F . Chidley , G . Goddard , E . J . White , T . Riley , R . H . Whuf , A . Rowsell , F . A . Smith , Percy Wheeler , T . Mogford P . M ., J . Wynman ( FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE ) , G . Mogford P . M . Sec . of the Westbourne Lodge of Instruction , R .

Barnes , E . Stevens , W . Hallett P . M ., F . Vv ortham P . M ., C . T . Brown P . M ., W . H . Faircloth P . M ., Smith Kelvett , J . W . Norris , E . Young ? , G . A . Newman , F . J . Middleton ,. W . Bell ,

W » Perringt T . Stroud ; and Messrs . C . Pratt , H . Sack * T . Culiss , D . Butler , W . Lane , F . Darnton , A . Ferris , F . L . Pontin ( brother-in-law ) , R . Rogers ( brother ) , R . Saunders ( brother-in-law ) , & c .

ON Monday evening a melancholy and yet one of the most interesting ceremonies that have been witnessed in London for a long time took place , when a Memorial Service was held by the Order of the Secret Monitor , in memory of their late Grand Supreme Ruler Dr . Issachar Zacharie . The

Service was held in the Masonic Temple at the Hotel Cecil , and there were between fifty and sixty ladies and gentlemen present . In the absence of the Earl of Warwick President of the Order , who sent a telegram of condolence and regret , the chair was taken by Colonel H . W . Kiallmark , and he was

supported by the Grand Recorder W . J . Spratling , A . W . Goodinp-e , Dr . Mugliston ( Brighton ) , W . J . Songhurst , J . Stiven , H . Tipper , J . M . Bastone , F . E . Lemon , John Kay , J . Tickle , C . L . Nelson , and many other well-known Brethren . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bro .

John Read , while Bro . Jekyll , late Organist of the Chapel Royal , presided at the organ . The Soloists were Miss Annie Swifen , Miss Annie Wilson , Bro . J / Cornish , and Mr . Musgrove Tufnail , A . R . A . M ., who are to be congratulated on the effectiveness and pathos with which they rendered the musical part of the ceremony .

A semi-public Masonic Memorial Service is a very rare thing in England , and is not usually attempted even by the Craft . On this occasion no jewels or Masonic clothing were

worn , and the whole ceremony was simple to a degree . The raised catafalque in the middle of the room was covered with a purple pall , and on it were deposited photographs of the deceased member , an illuminated and framed testimonial

presented to him on the establishment of the Order in England , and a beautifully illuminated album presented to him on the occasion of his golden wedding some years ago . Nearly all the members of his family , attired in deep mourning , were present , and everyone else present bore some mark of mourning out of respect to the departed .

The simple service prepared for such sad events is effective to the highest degree . The departed Brother is assumed to be Jonathan , whose chair stands empty , while , his robe and insignia lie upon it , awaiting his coming . The Conclave , in mourning , is awaiting his presence , and

messengers arrive bringing tidings of the progress of the disease , until , at last , it is announced that he is dead . Then the prayers that have been offered are turned into a . wail for his departure , but an appeal to Providence is made , and a ray of sunshine enters the hearts of the mourners , who break forth

into song , with Blessed are the departed , " and then in a clear voice , the sentence , " I heard a voice from heaven , " is pronounced . Certain short passages , some in Latin , and others from the Holy Scriptures , are recited , referring to the happiness of the good and upright , who have departed this

life , and , finally , after a recitation of the Lord ' s Prayer , the Service is ended by a solemn address from the President of the Assembly . On this particular occasion a friend of the

family , accompanying the Rev . Dr . Ker Gray , at his request , pronounced a Funeral Oration , which was listened to with rapt' attention , and which depicted in very graceful terms some of the most interesting details of Dr . Zacharie ' s life .

Then a solemn hymn of hope was sung , which was heartily joined in by all present , and the Organist closed the ceremony by playing , in his inimitable manner , the Dead March from " Saul . "