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Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SURREY LODGE , No . 416 , REIGATE .
BRO . AMBROSE W . HALL'S MASONIC JUBILEE . On Saturday , thc 19 th ult ., the Surrey Lodge , No . 416 , celebrated its 50 th anniversary at the Public Hall , Reigate , under the Mastership of the Rev . . Ambrose W . Hall , Past Grand Chaplain , the fiftieth anniversary of whose initiation
in the same lodge was celebrated at the same time . It was in consideration of this being the reverend brother ' s halfcentury of membership of the lodge and of his initiation therein that the brethren elected him for the second time W . M . of the lodge , the S . W ., Bro . Thomas Wood , most readily foregoing his claim to that high office in order that a brother in such an exceptional position as Bro . Hall might again rule thc lodge . Bro . Hall produced the
summons of the lodge meeting 111 which he was initiated , dated nth June , 1 S 34 , signed by Lord Monson , the W . M . On this there were candidates for initiation , Lieut . Robert Wynter and Ambrose Hall . The summons was in a beautiful state of preservation . 'The brethren who attended the meeting on Saturday were numerous , and went not only from all parts of the Province of Surrey , but from London . The full list—and it being such a
memorable occasion it would be as well to give all the names—recorded the attendance of the following brethren : Bros . Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , W . M . ; Thos . Wood , S . VV . ; F . A . Guimaraens , J . W . ; G . II . Sprucls , S . D . ; W . Percy Morrison , J . D . ; G . Carter Morrison , P . M ., 'Treas . ; John Lees , P . M . " , Sec ; Stuart B . Roupell , I . G . ; George K . Pym , P . M ., D . ofC ; J . Lees , P . M ., and C . T . Smith , P . M ., Almoners ; Past Masters Chas . Jas .
Smith , J . Dundas Down , Geo . K . Paxon , Wm . Chessall , M . D ., Ernest D . Morrison , J . Maddock , J . Thomson , C . Attersoll , Smith , acting Inner Guard ; Henry Home , P . P . G . S . U . ; II . W . Atkinson Grimshaw , J . Bean Maidmcnt , Herbert J . Garrod , 11 . S . Stone , Ralph W . Clutton , Gerard Harrison , Geo . Jno . Lodge , R . Bank Cooper , E . Cazenore , Henry Woodgate , ami T . J . C . Blakiston . Visitors : Bros . Gen . j . S . Brownrigg , Prov . Grand
Master ; Eugene E . Street , P . M . 56 ; Charles Greenwood , Prov . G . Secretary ; Capt . Nathl . Geo . Philips , P . G . D . ; Capt . A . B . Cook , 259 , P . A . G . D . C . ; L . P . Catteison , J . W . 19 S 1 , P . M . 54 S ; M . Catlerson , W . M . 19 S 1 1 C . W . A . Trollopc , | . W . 1 S 26 ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C , Dep . Prov . G . M . Surrey ; W . Clifford , S . W . 1 S 2 G ; Joseph Haines , W . M . 1 S 2 O ; F . II . Woodforde , 261 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Geoffrey Hughes , Chap . 1149 ; Frank
Richardson , 14 , P . G . D . ; T . S . Phillips , W . M . 1929 ; George Joseph Dunklcy , S . W . 18 . 51 ; E . Letchworth , 2 , P . G . Stwd . ; M . W . Rosscter , Treasurer 1149 ; R . G . Howson , W . M . 15 C 4 ; Edwin Nichols , P . M . 1714 ; John S . Ilickley , S . W . 104 ( 1 ; John T . Roberts , 428 ; George Ross , W . M . 1851 ; John D . Allcroft , G . Treas . ; Thomas S . Sadler , S . W . 1149 ; Godson Godson , P . M . 6 9 , 1363 ; F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., P . M . 259 , ISIJI ; J . M . Wood . ' l ' . M . 13 O 2 ; George T . Clayton , W . M .
1 S 72 , 57 ; R . Sebastian Hart , S . W . 1872 ; A . K Asher , j . VV . 1395 ; G . D . Lister , W . M . 410 ; L . F . Manslcy , 6 97 ; W . II . Smith , W . M . 10 S ; W . R . Church , W . M . 1347 ; John I .. Locke , S . W . 1347 ; John Hooke , I . P . M . 463 ; George Baker , late 416 ; H . T . | cssc , W . M . 1556 ; 1 . H . Mouat , S . W . 1556 ; John Furlcy , late 41 G ; C . R . " Ellis , S . W . 19 S 2 ; S . Pidcock , J . W . 19 S 2 ; A . T . Onslow , S . W . 1305 ; Charles Nightingale , W . M . 13 O 2 ; James
Nightingale , S . D . 13 G 2 ; R . Southcy , P . P . G . W . ; Arthur H . Bowles , W . M . 1395 ; Frederick Wood , W . M . 1149 ; James Officer , P . M . 1362 ; Charles A . White , 1149 ; Charles E . Lloyd , P . M . 11 . S 5 ; Arthur J . Grant , W . M . 171 S ; Bifcott Ridge , W . M . 463 ; J . Lewis-Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; Edgar J . Paine , 5 ; George W . Marshall , P . M . 1097 ; Alfred Parr , Combermcrc ; Thomas Fenn , P . M . ifi , P . G . D . ; Charles Helton , P . M . 777 , P . P . G . D . ; A . Hclscy , Sir
Patrick M . C . de Colquhoun , Edward Stanton , P . M . 181 ; | . Thornton , 13 S 7 ; If . F . Barraud , 1362 ; J . W . Andrew , V . M . 410 ; Algernon Bcauclcrk , 120 O ; Henry H . Hughes , J . W . 1556 ; C T . Speight , Tyler ; Heather , Asst . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 019 , 192 S ( Freemason ) . Before entering the lodge every brother was presented with a history of the lodge , which had been carefully compiled by Bro . Lees , P . M ., Sec The compilation formed a
most interesting and valuable sketch , not only of thc lodge itself , but of Masonry in the Province , and of Masonry generally , from the earliest known times . It was necessarily brief , but no Masonic library henceforth will be complete without it . The lodge having been opened , Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., occupying a scat on the immediate right of thc W . M ., and Bro . Lloyd , I . P . M ., his own seat on the left , thc initial
proceedings were gone through , and then the W . M . ceded his chair to Bro . John Lees , Sec , for the purpose of initiating his nephew , Mr . Sidney Herbert Burchell , Surveyor , Reigate . Bro . Lees performed the ceremony to perfection , and the W . M . having again assumed thc chair , Bro . T . F . Lloyd , I . P . M ., gave in unimpeachable style the "Antient Charge , " and "The Lcctureon the First Tracing Board . " 'The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then rose to give an
historical address , but said the hour had become so late that it was of course impossible for him to enlarge upon the excellent institution of Masonry , but he knew thc brethren would pardon him for saying a few words as a short epitome , not as a formal Masonic address but onl y as what came uppermost in his mind , first as to thc excellent work of Masonry and next as to their assembly that day . Bro . Lees had as the result of great research placed before the
brethren a very interesting volume in which he in a certain way traced Masonry back to a very early age , even to 4000 years before the Christian era , and he called attention to a facsimile of the statue of Gudea in the Louvre , Gudea being the earliest practical Mason on record . It was most interesting to sec a representation of a great architect of early days , one who in his generation laid the stones of great buildings and left drawings of future buildings . That was a matter of research , but certainly Gudea's
architecture could have nothing to do with the present speculative Masonry . Next in the book came a drawing of a tablet which was peculiarly interesting to the Surrey brethren , because it was obtained through a brother well known in Reigate , Bro . Hart , . many years Secretary of the lodge , who inherited a piece of basaltic stone from his father-inlaw , Ambrose Glover , an archieologist , and Bro . Hart was very fond of dabbling in arch . cology . It was a portion of an Egyptian calendar for the month of October , and the figures represented the existence of Freemasonry . He
Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
( the W . M . ) did not think it had anything to do with our present speculative Masonry . Then came a sketch from St . Alban ' s Abbey , thc Masonic nature of which all Master Masons must recognise . The figure was that of St . Alban , which was most interesting . The book contained a very excellent account of Grand Lodge , of the Masonic charities , and also of the province of Surrey . This province took its rise from the lodge in which the brethren now were .
The lirst Master of this lodge was the late Lord Monson , who initiated , passed , and raised him ( the W . M . ) half a century ago . At that lime there was no Provincial Grand Lodge , but two or three years after the Surrey Lodge was consecrated the province was constituted , and the first of its Prov . Grand Masters was Lord Monson , who presided over it some 13 years . Unhappily , he was then taken off , and his remains were now in the sarcophagus in the churchyard
at Gatton . Lord Monson was succeeded by Bro . Alex . Dobie , who , in his turn , was succeeded by the present excellent Provincial Grand Master , General Brownrigg , now in the lodge , whom they all loved , and whose ruling of the province they all appreciated . It was curious that at Reigate they not only now celebrated the fiftieth year of the Surrey Lodge , but almost a century of Masonry in that town , for there was an old lodge established there in 17 S 4 .
From papers preserved by Mr . Ambrose Glover , in the hands of Bro . Lees , who had shown them to him ( the W . M . ) , he found much interesting matter , and the names of Broughton and Bryant and other well-known people appeared in them . Thc Great Architect had mercifully spared him ( the W . M . ) long enough to be a connecting link between that lodge of 100 years ago and the present generation . He would say more on the subject after banquet . Having alluded
to the Great Architect sparing him , he trusted that he offered up those thanks and prayers which were due and should always come Cram a creature to the Creator . Whilst he did that he felt as it were somewhat alone when he remembered the faces of old ; but that feeling was a great deal changed when he knew there was one now in lodge who was one of thc friends of old , and who had come at great inconvenience to himself in order to support him ( thc
VV . M . ) Tor that he felt great gratitude , and was sure all thc brethren would render Bro . Baker thanks . It gave him thc greatest pleasure to see Bro . Baker present , one of his old compeers ; but he was sorry he would not be able to stop to thc banquet . He trusted , however , that , notwithstanding Bro . Baker ' s great age , he would be able to come again and again to the lodge and remain in health and strength for many years amongst them , and still have a happy and
pleasant life . With these few words , which he would supplement after banquet , he would close this short address . Bro . BAKER , who was received with loud applause , said : I trust that you will acquit me of affectation when I say it is not without emotion that I rise to offer my best thanks for thc very cordial , kind , and generous manner in which you have made mention of my name . Sir , when I look around mc and sec one or two faces of friends , as you have just
remarked , with us on thc formation of our Lodge 603 , now 50 years ago , I cannot but be painfully reminded how few there arc that remain ; how many cherished friends have passed away to that better land which 1 hope and trust will be thc inheritance of us all by God ' s blessing ; how few there arc now who knew the great , thc noble character of thc brother you have mentioned , who presided over us as our first Master—Lord Monson . It was my good fortune
to be for many years thc Treasurer of that lodge , when I was seated next to my old friend Bro . T . Hart , thc Secretary , and when we mention his name it awakens the memory of all that is generous in human nature . I can speak with warmth and affection of him and of his admirable character , and also of one who so highly distinguished himself by his knowledge of Freemasonry—Peter Martin . I may even tell our friends in your presence of your own
active energies , of your noble dignity of nature , of your urbanity of manner , and of your courtesy , all of which have endeared yourself to all thc members of your lodge , who love and revere you ; but I am reminder ! that I am very nearl y 80 years of age , and am short of breath , as well as of tunc , and I will not detain you longer , but heartily , deeply , and sincerely thank you for your great kindnesses . Bro . SMITH then proposed , and Bro . LESS seconded , a
vote of thc lodge congratulating the W . M . upon attaining his fiftieth year in Masonry , and thanking him for the very handsome silver loving cup he had presented to thc lodge . The motion having been carried , Thc WORSHIPFUL MASTER assured thc brethren that the honour of being a second time in thc chair of this lodge was his and not the brethren ' s , and he deeply appreciated thc kindness which had enabled him to preside on this
most interesting occasion . With regard to the loving cup , he thought it was one of thc nicest presents one Mason could make to another , and he trusted all thc brethren of this lodge would long live to pledge each other in it . Bro . G . CARTER THOMPSON , P . M ., Treasurer , proposed and Bro . DOWNING seconded a vote of thanks to Bro . J . D . Thompson , P . P . G . W ., for thc gift of a handsome set of eight carved oak chairs to match those
presented to the lodge by thc late Lord Monson . This motion having also been carried , Bro . 'THOMPSON said he was fully rewarded by thc appreciation of the members of the lodge . He had thought this a fitting occasion to supplement , in however humble a way , thc elegant gift made by thc late Lord Monson , and he hoped that when all the present occupants of those chairs had learned the one additional secret more
those chairs would be occupied by brethren as distinguished , as zealous , and as worthy ( they could not be filled by those who were more so ) as those who now occupied them . Thc WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed and Bro . MAKOWSKI seconded the following vote : " That thc thanks of thc brethren of the Surrey Lodge be tendered to Bro . Lees , P . M ., Sec , P . P . G . W . Surrey , for thc very interesting and carefully compiled history of the lodge ,
a copy of which he has presented to every brother attending our jubilee meeting . " 'The motion was carried , and Bro . LEES said he thanked the brethren very heartily and sincerely for thc great honour they had conferred upon him in permitting him to initiate his own nephew , and more particularly in this Surrey Lodge , which he loved , and
in which he had worked with others as zealous as himself . Some had passed away , but he felt they would be followed by others as zealous . He would have liked to sec Bro . John Steele there , but he was afraid of the excitement such a meeting would have been to him . It was a great honour to have the Provincial Grand Master present . The brethren esteemed the honour very highly , and also the pre-
Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
sence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Secretary . It was also a great honour to have many other eminent men in Masonry present from Grand Lodge . He would end his address by saying in the words of his farewell at the end of his book : " My task is ended . My history has attained a greater length , and embraces subjects I had not originally contemplated . If you are not wearied in its perusal , and if it leads you to
appreciate the high value of Freemasonry , then my labour has not been in vain . " The Provincial Grand Master was then formally saluted , and thc lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards partook of an excellent banquet , provided by Mr . J . Keasley , and the wines of which were supplied by Messrs .-Blakiston and Son . The usual toasts followed .
In giving the toast which includes The Grand Officers , the W . M . said that General Brownrigg was a Past Grand Warden in Grand Lodge , and was one of those brethren who was always in Grand Lodge when any work was required of them . General Brownrigg was well-known for his zeal and energy in thc cause of Masonry . General BROWNRIGG , in reply , said he was sure he was only expressing thc sentiments of the goodly array of Grand
Officers around him when he said that they were grateful for the kind reception given them on all occasions of their visiting lodges , and that they were sincerely pleased at witnessing the ceremony of the day . He could not say that the duties of the Grand Officers were particularly onerous ; but he supposed the brethren were selected for Grand office for their love for the Craft and their service to the Craft ; and nothing could be a greater pleasure than to sec
thc steady working—the continuous traditional good working—of an old lodge like the Surrey Lodge . The occasion of the day was one of peculiar interest to all Grand Officers ; he would speak of its interest to himself later on ; but to the Grand Officers the interest was in seeing the dear old Craft so well supported , its tenets so well carried out as they had been for 50 years in the Surrey Lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER having announced that thc
charity box , which had been sent round , had produced £ 7 , then proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , thc Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " & c , saying Surrey was eminent for its Masonry , and it had increased in a wonderful way . On looking back to an old memorandum he found thc first lodge in Surrey was in 1725 , A second was formed afterwards . Of those two lodges one had ceased to exist , but the other—the
Constitutional , 55—was alive still , and held a centenary jewel . Thc present Provincial Grand Master had now held his office 13 years . The numbcrof lodges in the province now was 2 O ; when General Brownrigg became Grand Master there were only nine . General Brownrigg was also Grand Superintendent of thc Royal Arch for Surrey , Past G . J . W . of thc Mark Degree , Great Prior of Kent and Surrey , and also Great Prior in the Supreme Council of the 31 ° . All
those were honourable oflices , and showed to the brethren the zeal and assiduity General Brownrigg had applied to his Masonic work , and they all ought to be proud of him . He was well supported by thc Deputy , Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , and thc other Grand Officers , who , with thc exception of thc Grand Secretary and Treasurer , changed every year . It was in honour of these brethren that he proposed this toast . The Rev . C . W . ARNOLD replied and said he felt verv
proud to come and see such a magnificent array of thc Masons of Surrey and of thc brethren of Grand Lodge . He was particularly pleased that the Grand Officers had come down and seen such magnificent working as they had that day witnessed . It was a great p leasure to all old Masons to have seen thc beautiful ritual performed in thc way it was by Bros . Lees and Lloyd . 'The province of Surrey had progressed very much during the time General
Brownrigg had presided over it . I hey had now more than double the number of lodges there were before General Brownrigg was appointed , and through the whole of those lodges the work was thoroughly well done , and he was happy to say it was one uniform working . That was most gratifying , because it showed that there was no necessity for any one to come down to their province and give them instruction . He was pleased to see thc prosperity of the
lodge . It was very seldom that one man lived to preside as Master of his lodge after he had been 50 years a member of it , and thc Grand Officers felt it a great pleasure to rally round Bro . Hall . Thanking the brethren for the magnificent way in which they had entertained thc Grand Officers he wished the lodge every prosperity , and if it went on setting so good an example of work to the province he was certain that when they came to thc centenary of thc lodge they
would do so with flying colours . Bro . THOS . LLOYD , I . P . M ., proposed "Thc W . M ., " a toast which though always most acceptable was more so on this occasion by reason of the W . M . attaining his fiftieth year of membership . Bro . Hall was unanimously elected , and he was eminently fitted for the position not only on account of the rank he had attained in the province and afterwards in United Grand Lodge , but also because he
had secured the affection and esteem of the brethren of the lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER replying said he spoke with a certain amount of emotion . He felt , when he looked back upon the past , all alone . There were , it was true , the brethren of what he might call his own lodge still alive , but none of them , from the circumstance of age , were able to be at the banquet . Yet , although alone , while surrounded by thc many kind faces that had greeted him , he felt , and
he should always feel , in the Surrey Lodge that he was among friends—friends who would stick to him—and he could assure thc brethren that as long as life , health , and strength were granted to him by the Great Architect he would Masonically stick to them . Going back to early reminiscences , when he was initiated into Masonry in this lodge at the age of 21 , at thc White Hart Inn , Lord Monson performed the ceremony in a way that impressed
him so much that he had followed Masonry . From what he learned at first he became a Mason at heart . He had endeavoured during his life to carry out the beautiful instructions given to him in thc Three Degrees , and he trusted he might yet be spared to practice those precepts although he had arrived at such an age that he could hope
only for a few years to mingle with Ins brethren . Those early days of meeting were happy days . 'The brethren assembled 20 or 30 , and when the lodge was closed they ordered in one or two bowls of punch in winter time and sat round the fire , sang songs , and told stories . There were no railroads then , and he had four or five miles to
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Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
CELEBRATION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SURREY LODGE , No . 416 , REIGATE .
BRO . AMBROSE W . HALL'S MASONIC JUBILEE . On Saturday , thc 19 th ult ., the Surrey Lodge , No . 416 , celebrated its 50 th anniversary at the Public Hall , Reigate , under the Mastership of the Rev . . Ambrose W . Hall , Past Grand Chaplain , the fiftieth anniversary of whose initiation
in the same lodge was celebrated at the same time . It was in consideration of this being the reverend brother ' s halfcentury of membership of the lodge and of his initiation therein that the brethren elected him for the second time W . M . of the lodge , the S . W ., Bro . Thomas Wood , most readily foregoing his claim to that high office in order that a brother in such an exceptional position as Bro . Hall might again rule thc lodge . Bro . Hall produced the
summons of the lodge meeting 111 which he was initiated , dated nth June , 1 S 34 , signed by Lord Monson , the W . M . On this there were candidates for initiation , Lieut . Robert Wynter and Ambrose Hall . The summons was in a beautiful state of preservation . 'The brethren who attended the meeting on Saturday were numerous , and went not only from all parts of the Province of Surrey , but from London . The full list—and it being such a
memorable occasion it would be as well to give all the names—recorded the attendance of the following brethren : Bros . Rev . Ambrose W . Hall , W . M . ; Thos . Wood , S . VV . ; F . A . Guimaraens , J . W . ; G . II . Sprucls , S . D . ; W . Percy Morrison , J . D . ; G . Carter Morrison , P . M ., 'Treas . ; John Lees , P . M . " , Sec ; Stuart B . Roupell , I . G . ; George K . Pym , P . M ., D . ofC ; J . Lees , P . M ., and C . T . Smith , P . M ., Almoners ; Past Masters Chas . Jas .
Smith , J . Dundas Down , Geo . K . Paxon , Wm . Chessall , M . D ., Ernest D . Morrison , J . Maddock , J . Thomson , C . Attersoll , Smith , acting Inner Guard ; Henry Home , P . P . G . S . U . ; II . W . Atkinson Grimshaw , J . Bean Maidmcnt , Herbert J . Garrod , 11 . S . Stone , Ralph W . Clutton , Gerard Harrison , Geo . Jno . Lodge , R . Bank Cooper , E . Cazenore , Henry Woodgate , ami T . J . C . Blakiston . Visitors : Bros . Gen . j . S . Brownrigg , Prov . Grand
Master ; Eugene E . Street , P . M . 56 ; Charles Greenwood , Prov . G . Secretary ; Capt . Nathl . Geo . Philips , P . G . D . ; Capt . A . B . Cook , 259 , P . A . G . D . C . ; L . P . Catteison , J . W . 19 S 1 , P . M . 54 S ; M . Catlerson , W . M . 19 S 1 1 C . W . A . Trollopc , | . W . 1 S 26 ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . C , Dep . Prov . G . M . Surrey ; W . Clifford , S . W . 1 S 2 G ; Joseph Haines , W . M . 1 S 2 O ; F . II . Woodforde , 261 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Geoffrey Hughes , Chap . 1149 ; Frank
Richardson , 14 , P . G . D . ; T . S . Phillips , W . M . 1929 ; George Joseph Dunklcy , S . W . 18 . 51 ; E . Letchworth , 2 , P . G . Stwd . ; M . W . Rosscter , Treasurer 1149 ; R . G . Howson , W . M . 15 C 4 ; Edwin Nichols , P . M . 1714 ; John S . Ilickley , S . W . 104 ( 1 ; John T . Roberts , 428 ; George Ross , W . M . 1851 ; John D . Allcroft , G . Treas . ; Thomas S . Sadler , S . W . 1149 ; Godson Godson , P . M . 6 9 , 1363 ; F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., P . M . 259 , ISIJI ; J . M . Wood . ' l ' . M . 13 O 2 ; George T . Clayton , W . M .
1 S 72 , 57 ; R . Sebastian Hart , S . W . 1872 ; A . K Asher , j . VV . 1395 ; G . D . Lister , W . M . 410 ; L . F . Manslcy , 6 97 ; W . II . Smith , W . M . 10 S ; W . R . Church , W . M . 1347 ; John I .. Locke , S . W . 1347 ; John Hooke , I . P . M . 463 ; George Baker , late 416 ; H . T . | cssc , W . M . 1556 ; 1 . H . Mouat , S . W . 1556 ; John Furlcy , late 41 G ; C . R . " Ellis , S . W . 19 S 2 ; S . Pidcock , J . W . 19 S 2 ; A . T . Onslow , S . W . 1305 ; Charles Nightingale , W . M . 13 O 2 ; James
Nightingale , S . D . 13 G 2 ; R . Southcy , P . P . G . W . ; Arthur H . Bowles , W . M . 1395 ; Frederick Wood , W . M . 1149 ; James Officer , P . M . 1362 ; Charles A . White , 1149 ; Charles E . Lloyd , P . M . 11 . S 5 ; Arthur J . Grant , W . M . 171 S ; Bifcott Ridge , W . M . 463 ; J . Lewis-Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; Edgar J . Paine , 5 ; George W . Marshall , P . M . 1097 ; Alfred Parr , Combermcrc ; Thomas Fenn , P . M . ifi , P . G . D . ; Charles Helton , P . M . 777 , P . P . G . D . ; A . Hclscy , Sir
Patrick M . C . de Colquhoun , Edward Stanton , P . M . 181 ; | . Thornton , 13 S 7 ; If . F . Barraud , 1362 ; J . W . Andrew , V . M . 410 ; Algernon Bcauclcrk , 120 O ; Henry H . Hughes , J . W . 1556 ; C T . Speight , Tyler ; Heather , Asst . Tyler ; and H . Massey , P . M . 019 , 192 S ( Freemason ) . Before entering the lodge every brother was presented with a history of the lodge , which had been carefully compiled by Bro . Lees , P . M ., Sec The compilation formed a
most interesting and valuable sketch , not only of thc lodge itself , but of Masonry in the Province , and of Masonry generally , from the earliest known times . It was necessarily brief , but no Masonic library henceforth will be complete without it . The lodge having been opened , Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., occupying a scat on the immediate right of thc W . M ., and Bro . Lloyd , I . P . M ., his own seat on the left , thc initial
proceedings were gone through , and then the W . M . ceded his chair to Bro . John Lees , Sec , for the purpose of initiating his nephew , Mr . Sidney Herbert Burchell , Surveyor , Reigate . Bro . Lees performed the ceremony to perfection , and the W . M . having again assumed thc chair , Bro . T . F . Lloyd , I . P . M ., gave in unimpeachable style the "Antient Charge , " and "The Lcctureon the First Tracing Board . " 'The WORSHIPFUL MASTER then rose to give an
historical address , but said the hour had become so late that it was of course impossible for him to enlarge upon the excellent institution of Masonry , but he knew thc brethren would pardon him for saying a few words as a short epitome , not as a formal Masonic address but onl y as what came uppermost in his mind , first as to thc excellent work of Masonry and next as to their assembly that day . Bro . Lees had as the result of great research placed before the
brethren a very interesting volume in which he in a certain way traced Masonry back to a very early age , even to 4000 years before the Christian era , and he called attention to a facsimile of the statue of Gudea in the Louvre , Gudea being the earliest practical Mason on record . It was most interesting to sec a representation of a great architect of early days , one who in his generation laid the stones of great buildings and left drawings of future buildings . That was a matter of research , but certainly Gudea's
architecture could have nothing to do with the present speculative Masonry . Next in the book came a drawing of a tablet which was peculiarly interesting to the Surrey brethren , because it was obtained through a brother well known in Reigate , Bro . Hart , . many years Secretary of the lodge , who inherited a piece of basaltic stone from his father-inlaw , Ambrose Glover , an archieologist , and Bro . Hart was very fond of dabbling in arch . cology . It was a portion of an Egyptian calendar for the month of October , and the figures represented the existence of Freemasonry . He
Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
( the W . M . ) did not think it had anything to do with our present speculative Masonry . Then came a sketch from St . Alban ' s Abbey , thc Masonic nature of which all Master Masons must recognise . The figure was that of St . Alban , which was most interesting . The book contained a very excellent account of Grand Lodge , of the Masonic charities , and also of the province of Surrey . This province took its rise from the lodge in which the brethren now were .
The lirst Master of this lodge was the late Lord Monson , who initiated , passed , and raised him ( the W . M . ) half a century ago . At that lime there was no Provincial Grand Lodge , but two or three years after the Surrey Lodge was consecrated the province was constituted , and the first of its Prov . Grand Masters was Lord Monson , who presided over it some 13 years . Unhappily , he was then taken off , and his remains were now in the sarcophagus in the churchyard
at Gatton . Lord Monson was succeeded by Bro . Alex . Dobie , who , in his turn , was succeeded by the present excellent Provincial Grand Master , General Brownrigg , now in the lodge , whom they all loved , and whose ruling of the province they all appreciated . It was curious that at Reigate they not only now celebrated the fiftieth year of the Surrey Lodge , but almost a century of Masonry in that town , for there was an old lodge established there in 17 S 4 .
From papers preserved by Mr . Ambrose Glover , in the hands of Bro . Lees , who had shown them to him ( the W . M . ) , he found much interesting matter , and the names of Broughton and Bryant and other well-known people appeared in them . Thc Great Architect had mercifully spared him ( the W . M . ) long enough to be a connecting link between that lodge of 100 years ago and the present generation . He would say more on the subject after banquet . Having alluded
to the Great Architect sparing him , he trusted that he offered up those thanks and prayers which were due and should always come Cram a creature to the Creator . Whilst he did that he felt as it were somewhat alone when he remembered the faces of old ; but that feeling was a great deal changed when he knew there was one now in lodge who was one of thc friends of old , and who had come at great inconvenience to himself in order to support him ( thc
VV . M . ) Tor that he felt great gratitude , and was sure all thc brethren would render Bro . Baker thanks . It gave him thc greatest pleasure to see Bro . Baker present , one of his old compeers ; but he was sorry he would not be able to stop to thc banquet . He trusted , however , that , notwithstanding Bro . Baker ' s great age , he would be able to come again and again to the lodge and remain in health and strength for many years amongst them , and still have a happy and
pleasant life . With these few words , which he would supplement after banquet , he would close this short address . Bro . BAKER , who was received with loud applause , said : I trust that you will acquit me of affectation when I say it is not without emotion that I rise to offer my best thanks for thc very cordial , kind , and generous manner in which you have made mention of my name . Sir , when I look around mc and sec one or two faces of friends , as you have just
remarked , with us on thc formation of our Lodge 603 , now 50 years ago , I cannot but be painfully reminded how few there arc that remain ; how many cherished friends have passed away to that better land which 1 hope and trust will be thc inheritance of us all by God ' s blessing ; how few there arc now who knew the great , thc noble character of thc brother you have mentioned , who presided over us as our first Master—Lord Monson . It was my good fortune
to be for many years thc Treasurer of that lodge , when I was seated next to my old friend Bro . T . Hart , thc Secretary , and when we mention his name it awakens the memory of all that is generous in human nature . I can speak with warmth and affection of him and of his admirable character , and also of one who so highly distinguished himself by his knowledge of Freemasonry—Peter Martin . I may even tell our friends in your presence of your own
active energies , of your noble dignity of nature , of your urbanity of manner , and of your courtesy , all of which have endeared yourself to all thc members of your lodge , who love and revere you ; but I am reminder ! that I am very nearl y 80 years of age , and am short of breath , as well as of tunc , and I will not detain you longer , but heartily , deeply , and sincerely thank you for your great kindnesses . Bro . SMITH then proposed , and Bro . LESS seconded , a
vote of thc lodge congratulating the W . M . upon attaining his fiftieth year in Masonry , and thanking him for the very handsome silver loving cup he had presented to thc lodge . The motion having been carried , Thc WORSHIPFUL MASTER assured thc brethren that the honour of being a second time in thc chair of this lodge was his and not the brethren ' s , and he deeply appreciated thc kindness which had enabled him to preside on this
most interesting occasion . With regard to the loving cup , he thought it was one of thc nicest presents one Mason could make to another , and he trusted all thc brethren of this lodge would long live to pledge each other in it . Bro . G . CARTER THOMPSON , P . M ., Treasurer , proposed and Bro . DOWNING seconded a vote of thanks to Bro . J . D . Thompson , P . P . G . W ., for thc gift of a handsome set of eight carved oak chairs to match those
presented to the lodge by thc late Lord Monson . This motion having also been carried , Bro . 'THOMPSON said he was fully rewarded by thc appreciation of the members of the lodge . He had thought this a fitting occasion to supplement , in however humble a way , thc elegant gift made by thc late Lord Monson , and he hoped that when all the present occupants of those chairs had learned the one additional secret more
those chairs would be occupied by brethren as distinguished , as zealous , and as worthy ( they could not be filled by those who were more so ) as those who now occupied them . Thc WORSHIPFUL MASTER proposed and Bro . MAKOWSKI seconded the following vote : " That thc thanks of thc brethren of the Surrey Lodge be tendered to Bro . Lees , P . M ., Sec , P . P . G . W . Surrey , for thc very interesting and carefully compiled history of the lodge ,
a copy of which he has presented to every brother attending our jubilee meeting . " 'The motion was carried , and Bro . LEES said he thanked the brethren very heartily and sincerely for thc great honour they had conferred upon him in permitting him to initiate his own nephew , and more particularly in this Surrey Lodge , which he loved , and
in which he had worked with others as zealous as himself . Some had passed away , but he felt they would be followed by others as zealous . He would have liked to sec Bro . John Steele there , but he was afraid of the excitement such a meeting would have been to him . It was a great honour to have the Provincial Grand Master present . The brethren esteemed the honour very highly , and also the pre-
Celebration Of The Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Surrey Lodge, No. 416, Reigate.
sence of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Secretary . It was also a great honour to have many other eminent men in Masonry present from Grand Lodge . He would end his address by saying in the words of his farewell at the end of his book : " My task is ended . My history has attained a greater length , and embraces subjects I had not originally contemplated . If you are not wearied in its perusal , and if it leads you to
appreciate the high value of Freemasonry , then my labour has not been in vain . " The Provincial Grand Master was then formally saluted , and thc lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards partook of an excellent banquet , provided by Mr . J . Keasley , and the wines of which were supplied by Messrs .-Blakiston and Son . The usual toasts followed .
In giving the toast which includes The Grand Officers , the W . M . said that General Brownrigg was a Past Grand Warden in Grand Lodge , and was one of those brethren who was always in Grand Lodge when any work was required of them . General Brownrigg was well-known for his zeal and energy in thc cause of Masonry . General BROWNRIGG , in reply , said he was sure he was only expressing thc sentiments of the goodly array of Grand
Officers around him when he said that they were grateful for the kind reception given them on all occasions of their visiting lodges , and that they were sincerely pleased at witnessing the ceremony of the day . He could not say that the duties of the Grand Officers were particularly onerous ; but he supposed the brethren were selected for Grand office for their love for the Craft and their service to the Craft ; and nothing could be a greater pleasure than to sec
thc steady working—the continuous traditional good working—of an old lodge like the Surrey Lodge . The occasion of the day was one of peculiar interest to all Grand Officers ; he would speak of its interest to himself later on ; but to the Grand Officers the interest was in seeing the dear old Craft so well supported , its tenets so well carried out as they had been for 50 years in the Surrey Lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER having announced that thc
charity box , which had been sent round , had produced £ 7 , then proposed " The Provincial Grand Master , thc Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " & c , saying Surrey was eminent for its Masonry , and it had increased in a wonderful way . On looking back to an old memorandum he found thc first lodge in Surrey was in 1725 , A second was formed afterwards . Of those two lodges one had ceased to exist , but the other—the
Constitutional , 55—was alive still , and held a centenary jewel . Thc present Provincial Grand Master had now held his office 13 years . The numbcrof lodges in the province now was 2 O ; when General Brownrigg became Grand Master there were only nine . General Brownrigg was also Grand Superintendent of thc Royal Arch for Surrey , Past G . J . W . of thc Mark Degree , Great Prior of Kent and Surrey , and also Great Prior in the Supreme Council of the 31 ° . All
those were honourable oflices , and showed to the brethren the zeal and assiduity General Brownrigg had applied to his Masonic work , and they all ought to be proud of him . He was well supported by thc Deputy , Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , and thc other Grand Officers , who , with thc exception of thc Grand Secretary and Treasurer , changed every year . It was in honour of these brethren that he proposed this toast . The Rev . C . W . ARNOLD replied and said he felt verv
proud to come and see such a magnificent array of thc Masons of Surrey and of thc brethren of Grand Lodge . He was particularly pleased that the Grand Officers had come down and seen such magnificent working as they had that day witnessed . It was a great p leasure to all old Masons to have seen thc beautiful ritual performed in thc way it was by Bros . Lees and Lloyd . 'The province of Surrey had progressed very much during the time General
Brownrigg had presided over it . I hey had now more than double the number of lodges there were before General Brownrigg was appointed , and through the whole of those lodges the work was thoroughly well done , and he was happy to say it was one uniform working . That was most gratifying , because it showed that there was no necessity for any one to come down to their province and give them instruction . He was pleased to see thc prosperity of the
lodge . It was very seldom that one man lived to preside as Master of his lodge after he had been 50 years a member of it , and thc Grand Officers felt it a great pleasure to rally round Bro . Hall . Thanking the brethren for the magnificent way in which they had entertained thc Grand Officers he wished the lodge every prosperity , and if it went on setting so good an example of work to the province he was certain that when they came to thc centenary of thc lodge they
would do so with flying colours . Bro . THOS . LLOYD , I . P . M ., proposed "Thc W . M ., " a toast which though always most acceptable was more so on this occasion by reason of the W . M . attaining his fiftieth year of membership . Bro . Hall was unanimously elected , and he was eminently fitted for the position not only on account of the rank he had attained in the province and afterwards in United Grand Lodge , but also because he
had secured the affection and esteem of the brethren of the lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER replying said he spoke with a certain amount of emotion . He felt , when he looked back upon the past , all alone . There were , it was true , the brethren of what he might call his own lodge still alive , but none of them , from the circumstance of age , were able to be at the banquet . Yet , although alone , while surrounded by thc many kind faces that had greeted him , he felt , and
he should always feel , in the Surrey Lodge that he was among friends—friends who would stick to him—and he could assure thc brethren that as long as life , health , and strength were granted to him by the Great Architect he would Masonically stick to them . Going back to early reminiscences , when he was initiated into Masonry in this lodge at the age of 21 , at thc White Hart Inn , Lord Monson performed the ceremony in a way that impressed
him so much that he had followed Masonry . From what he learned at first he became a Mason at heart . He had endeavoured during his life to carry out the beautiful instructions given to him in thc Three Degrees , and he trusted he might yet be spared to practice those precepts although he had arrived at such an age that he could hope
only for a few years to mingle with Ins brethren . Those early days of meeting were happy days . 'The brethren assembled 20 or 30 , and when the lodge was closed they ordered in one or two bowls of punch in winter time and sat round the fire , sang songs , and told stories . There were no railroads then , and he had four or five miles to