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  • The Freemason's Chronicle
  • Dec. 31, 1887
  • Page 4
  • In Memoriam.
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The Freemason's Chronicle, Dec. 31, 1887: Page 4

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    Article HIRAM LODGE. ← Page 3 of 3
    Article In Memoriam. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 4

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Hiram Lodge.

the production of a fac-siraile copy , which could be used and referred to instead of tho orig inal . Such was the value of the charter in the estimate of Hiram Lodge and its members .

Third . There lies before me the written statement of a prominent citizen of New Haven , a Past Master of this Lodge nearly a quarter of a ceutury ago , that during all

this time he has regarded this old charter as of the utmost importance to Hiram Lodge , and as always a vital charter and a sufficient and lawful authority to Hiram Lodge to perpetuate its legal Masonic existence , should any

exigency ever arise to require it . Fourth . Tho fact that Hiram Lodge in its controversy with tho Grand Lodgo expressly based its refusal to comply with their ordor on the ground that it conflicted with the

requirements which were obligatory upon them by reason of this same old charter . Whether they were mistaken in their sense of this obligation is no matter , they did rest their objection on the ground of their belief that the old charter was valid and binding upon their consciences .

The conclusion to which we seem to be compelled is that the Oxnard Charter , held by Hiram Lodge , is a valid warrant , and sufficient to support and sustain a legal Lodge of

Free and Accepted Masons , entitled to " communication and correspondence" with all other Lodges aud Grand Lodges according to the manner of Masons .

The Grand Lodge of Connecticut has permitted the charter to survive unrestrained by any agreement of the parties or by any legislative provisions of limitation , or surrender , or devitalization , and she is now by every consideration of justice and propriety estopped to deny it .

Hiram Lodge required the charter to be returned to them without diminution of its power or prerogative , and has by preservation and publicity in dormancy , by vigilant

keeping and by conscious recognition of its vitality and possible necessity for use , preserved it alive , and in possession of its first and original investment .

And , finally , may we be permitted to say that while we believe in the relation of these two bodies as we have

developed them , and in the impregnability of Hiram Oxnard Charter as now existing , and while we foresee with misgivings the dangerous lengths to which this state of facts may in the future develop , we at the same time

believe m the narrowness and unimportance of the issues upon which the separation has taken place ; and that if the whole matter in dispute could be left to a judicious

arbitrament of Masonic sages , peace and harmony might soon be re-established , and these bodies consist as sweetly as before .

Nay , without arbitrament , if the bodies themselves would exercise the coolness and reason to expunge their respective votes of insistance , and leave the order of the Grand Lodge as at first promulgated to have its success

by gradual assimilation , and through the avenues of sympathy and ambition , as the same thing has been effectively accomplished uuder other Grand Lodge jurisdictions , even then this disgrace to Freemasonry would be at once wiped out .

We are all , one side as well as the other , to remember that mere will , even law , as the promoter of reform , only breeds violence and delay , and never prepares the way of harmony or growth .

These are considerations of abstract law and historic example . Both as respects the power and value of legitimate Lodge charters , and the invasive authority of Grand Lodges , or how far a Grand Lodge , upon its formation , can compel subordinates within its territorial jurisdiction ,

but warranted from other jurisdictions , to submit to , or co-operate with , or be compelled by them , that we hope to see discussed by the Masonic students of the kingdom , who are presumed to have more leisure for such studies and to be more learned and familiar with the examples and technical science of Masonry . JPSTITIA .

The Clapton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1365 , meets at the Lord Stanley , SaudriDgham Road , Hackney , every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock , under the Preceptorship of Bro . Cus worth P . M .

The first number for the New Year of Cassell ' s Saturday Journal will contain special features of interest , including a complete story by Theo . Gilt , illustrated j and the first of a series of humorous fullpage illustrations from original drawings by Jas . F . Sullivan .

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

THE death of Bro . the Rev . Adolphus Frederick Alexander Woodford , who for so long a period occupied such a prominent position in our Society , was announced in the FREEMASOIN ' S CHRONICLE of last week , though as it occurred within a few hours of going to press , the account of our

deceased brother ' s illness , together with a brief reference to the leading features of his Masonic career , have necessarily stood over until the issue of the current number of this journal .

The malady to which our brother succumbed was blood poisoning in a very aggravated form . So far back as June last he slightly hurt his right foot , but the ailment was totally neglected by him for a long while , and even when

he sought medical advice this appears to have been done as it were perfunctorily , and in such a manner as to have almost precluded the chance of any benefit resulting . He continued to get up as usual until about a fortnight before

his death , when he consented to remain one day in bed , but from this time the symptoms of blood poisoning increased in intensity , and it became evident that unless some great change occurred for the better his illness could only have one termination .

The last week but one of his existence was a period of great agony for our deceased brother , but his remaining days were passed with very little suffering , while his mind remained unclouded , until entire physical prostration set in .

Throughout this latter period he was very lovingly and tenderly cared for by those among whom he was residing , nor should I omit to state the extreme gratitude with which he spoke to me of the skill and attention of the trained nurse who was in attendance upon him .

The doctors did not abandon all hope of recovery until about Wednesday last , but the hope was at best a very forlorn one , and on Thursday there was a marked change for the worse , and from about the middle of that day he remained in an unconscious state until three o ' clock on

Friday morning , the 23 rd inst ., when he passed quietly and painlessly away . Bro . Woodford ' s remains were interred in the Lower Norwood Cemetery , on Tuesday last , the 27 th . Among

the relatives present were Mr . John Woodford , ( only surviving brother of the deceased ) and his son ; the Right Hon . James Lowfcher , and Colonel Hutchinson , R . A ., while his Masonic brethren were represented by several n ; embers

of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , and Bros . George Kenning and William Lake . Many others would doubtless have attended had there been any means of communicating with

them , but the place of burial having only been finally decided upon on Saturday afternoon , the columns of tbe Masonic newspapers were not available for a public intimation that the funeral would take place on the 27 fch .

Bro . Woodford—born 9 th July 1821—was the eldest son of the late Field Marshal Sir Alexander Woodford , and entered the Coldstream Guards in 1838 . Leaving ,

however , the Army in 1841 , he matriculated at Durham University in 1842 , and was ordained Deacon in 1846 , and Priest in 1847 . In the latter year he was presented to the rectory of Swillington , Leeds , which he held until 1872 .

He was initiated in the Lodge of Friendship , Gibraltar , No . 278 , in 1842 , and subsequently joined the following Lodges : Marquis of Granby , Durham , No . 124 , in 1842 ( W . M . in 1844 and 1845 ) ; Philanthropic , Leeds , No . 304 ,

in 1854 ( W . M . in 1858 and 1859 ); Antiquity , London , No . 2 , in 1863 ( Deputy Master in 1878 , under the Duke of Albany W . M . ); and was one of the founders of the

Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , in 1884 . He was exalted in Concord Chapter , Durham , No . 124 , in 1818 ; joined the Philanthropic , No . 304 , Leeds , in 1863 , and was the first

Z . ; St . James's , London , No . 2 , in 1874 ( Z . in 1882 ) ; appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain of Durham in 1847 , and of West Yorkshire in 1860 ; Prov . S . G . W ., 1857 , and finally Grand Chaplain of England in 1863 . It was during his tenure of the latter office that the

foundation stone of the new buildings at Freemasons' Hall was laid with Masonic honours , on 27 th April 1864 , by the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master , and in the official

proceedings of that occurrence it is recorded , " that the Junior Grand Chaplain delivered an Oration on the Dignity of the Order and the Principles of Freemasonry . " This is again referred to in the printed " Proceedings the middle of tbe present year , when he resumed hia pen

“The Freemason's Chronicle: 1887-12-31, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 7 Sept. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fcn/issues/fcn_31121887/page/4/.
  • List
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Title Category Page
" L'AN EST MORT; VIVE L'AN." Article 1
HIRAM LODGE. Article 2
In Memoriam. Article 4
THE SILVER WEDDING. Article 5
A DECEMBER NIGHT IN THE TEMPLE Article 6
THE THEATRES, &c. Article 6
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Ad 8
Untitled Article 8
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE. Article 8
NEW MASONIC HALL IN PLYMOUTH. Article 9
INSTALLATION MEETINGS, &c. Article 9
Untitled Article 11
Untitled Ad 11
DIARY FOR THE WEEK. Article 12
ROWING CLUBS LODGE. Article 13
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 14
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
THE THEATRES, AMUSEMENTS, &c. Article 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 15
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Ad 16
Untitled Article 16
Untitled Article 17
THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Article 17
THE FESTIVAL RETURNS. Article 20
THE BOYS' FETE AT WOOD GREEN. Article 22
Untitled Article 23
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Hiram Lodge.

the production of a fac-siraile copy , which could be used and referred to instead of tho orig inal . Such was the value of the charter in the estimate of Hiram Lodge and its members .

Third . There lies before me the written statement of a prominent citizen of New Haven , a Past Master of this Lodge nearly a quarter of a ceutury ago , that during all

this time he has regarded this old charter as of the utmost importance to Hiram Lodge , and as always a vital charter and a sufficient and lawful authority to Hiram Lodge to perpetuate its legal Masonic existence , should any

exigency ever arise to require it . Fourth . Tho fact that Hiram Lodge in its controversy with tho Grand Lodgo expressly based its refusal to comply with their ordor on the ground that it conflicted with the

requirements which were obligatory upon them by reason of this same old charter . Whether they were mistaken in their sense of this obligation is no matter , they did rest their objection on the ground of their belief that the old charter was valid and binding upon their consciences .

The conclusion to which we seem to be compelled is that the Oxnard Charter , held by Hiram Lodge , is a valid warrant , and sufficient to support and sustain a legal Lodge of

Free and Accepted Masons , entitled to " communication and correspondence" with all other Lodges aud Grand Lodges according to the manner of Masons .

The Grand Lodge of Connecticut has permitted the charter to survive unrestrained by any agreement of the parties or by any legislative provisions of limitation , or surrender , or devitalization , and she is now by every consideration of justice and propriety estopped to deny it .

Hiram Lodge required the charter to be returned to them without diminution of its power or prerogative , and has by preservation and publicity in dormancy , by vigilant

keeping and by conscious recognition of its vitality and possible necessity for use , preserved it alive , and in possession of its first and original investment .

And , finally , may we be permitted to say that while we believe in the relation of these two bodies as we have

developed them , and in the impregnability of Hiram Oxnard Charter as now existing , and while we foresee with misgivings the dangerous lengths to which this state of facts may in the future develop , we at the same time

believe m the narrowness and unimportance of the issues upon which the separation has taken place ; and that if the whole matter in dispute could be left to a judicious

arbitrament of Masonic sages , peace and harmony might soon be re-established , and these bodies consist as sweetly as before .

Nay , without arbitrament , if the bodies themselves would exercise the coolness and reason to expunge their respective votes of insistance , and leave the order of the Grand Lodge as at first promulgated to have its success

by gradual assimilation , and through the avenues of sympathy and ambition , as the same thing has been effectively accomplished uuder other Grand Lodge jurisdictions , even then this disgrace to Freemasonry would be at once wiped out .

We are all , one side as well as the other , to remember that mere will , even law , as the promoter of reform , only breeds violence and delay , and never prepares the way of harmony or growth .

These are considerations of abstract law and historic example . Both as respects the power and value of legitimate Lodge charters , and the invasive authority of Grand Lodges , or how far a Grand Lodge , upon its formation , can compel subordinates within its territorial jurisdiction ,

but warranted from other jurisdictions , to submit to , or co-operate with , or be compelled by them , that we hope to see discussed by the Masonic students of the kingdom , who are presumed to have more leisure for such studies and to be more learned and familiar with the examples and technical science of Masonry . JPSTITIA .

The Clapton Lodge of Instruction , No . 1365 , meets at the Lord Stanley , SaudriDgham Road , Hackney , every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock , under the Preceptorship of Bro . Cus worth P . M .

The first number for the New Year of Cassell ' s Saturday Journal will contain special features of interest , including a complete story by Theo . Gilt , illustrated j and the first of a series of humorous fullpage illustrations from original drawings by Jas . F . Sullivan .

In Memoriam.

In Memoriam .

THE death of Bro . the Rev . Adolphus Frederick Alexander Woodford , who for so long a period occupied such a prominent position in our Society , was announced in the FREEMASOIN ' S CHRONICLE of last week , though as it occurred within a few hours of going to press , the account of our

deceased brother ' s illness , together with a brief reference to the leading features of his Masonic career , have necessarily stood over until the issue of the current number of this journal .

The malady to which our brother succumbed was blood poisoning in a very aggravated form . So far back as June last he slightly hurt his right foot , but the ailment was totally neglected by him for a long while , and even when

he sought medical advice this appears to have been done as it were perfunctorily , and in such a manner as to have almost precluded the chance of any benefit resulting . He continued to get up as usual until about a fortnight before

his death , when he consented to remain one day in bed , but from this time the symptoms of blood poisoning increased in intensity , and it became evident that unless some great change occurred for the better his illness could only have one termination .

The last week but one of his existence was a period of great agony for our deceased brother , but his remaining days were passed with very little suffering , while his mind remained unclouded , until entire physical prostration set in .

Throughout this latter period he was very lovingly and tenderly cared for by those among whom he was residing , nor should I omit to state the extreme gratitude with which he spoke to me of the skill and attention of the trained nurse who was in attendance upon him .

The doctors did not abandon all hope of recovery until about Wednesday last , but the hope was at best a very forlorn one , and on Thursday there was a marked change for the worse , and from about the middle of that day he remained in an unconscious state until three o ' clock on

Friday morning , the 23 rd inst ., when he passed quietly and painlessly away . Bro . Woodford ' s remains were interred in the Lower Norwood Cemetery , on Tuesday last , the 27 th . Among

the relatives present were Mr . John Woodford , ( only surviving brother of the deceased ) and his son ; the Right Hon . James Lowfcher , and Colonel Hutchinson , R . A ., while his Masonic brethren were represented by several n ; embers

of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , and Bros . George Kenning and William Lake . Many others would doubtless have attended had there been any means of communicating with

them , but the place of burial having only been finally decided upon on Saturday afternoon , the columns of tbe Masonic newspapers were not available for a public intimation that the funeral would take place on the 27 fch .

Bro . Woodford—born 9 th July 1821—was the eldest son of the late Field Marshal Sir Alexander Woodford , and entered the Coldstream Guards in 1838 . Leaving ,

however , the Army in 1841 , he matriculated at Durham University in 1842 , and was ordained Deacon in 1846 , and Priest in 1847 . In the latter year he was presented to the rectory of Swillington , Leeds , which he held until 1872 .

He was initiated in the Lodge of Friendship , Gibraltar , No . 278 , in 1842 , and subsequently joined the following Lodges : Marquis of Granby , Durham , No . 124 , in 1842 ( W . M . in 1844 and 1845 ) ; Philanthropic , Leeds , No . 304 ,

in 1854 ( W . M . in 1858 and 1859 ); Antiquity , London , No . 2 , in 1863 ( Deputy Master in 1878 , under the Duke of Albany W . M . ); and was one of the founders of the

Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , in 1884 . He was exalted in Concord Chapter , Durham , No . 124 , in 1818 ; joined the Philanthropic , No . 304 , Leeds , in 1863 , and was the first

Z . ; St . James's , London , No . 2 , in 1874 ( Z . in 1882 ) ; appointed Provincial Grand Chaplain of Durham in 1847 , and of West Yorkshire in 1860 ; Prov . S . G . W ., 1857 , and finally Grand Chaplain of England in 1863 . It was during his tenure of the latter office that the

foundation stone of the new buildings at Freemasons' Hall was laid with Masonic honours , on 27 th April 1864 , by the Earl of Zetland , Grand Master , and in the official

proceedings of that occurrence it is recorded , " that the Junior Grand Chaplain delivered an Oration on the Dignity of the Order and the Principles of Freemasonry . " This is again referred to in the printed " Proceedings the middle of tbe present year , when he resumed hia pen

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