Presentation To Bro. Sudlow, G.S.B.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . SUDLOW , G . S . B .

The recent appointment of Bro . R . Clay Sudlow to the office of Grand Standard Bearer in Grand Lodge and Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies in Supreme Grand Chapter was regarded by his very numerous Masonic friends and co-workers as a fitting opportunity of acknowledging his valuable services and the hi gh esteem in which he is held .

A strong Committee was formed , and their efforts resulted in a numerously attended congratulatory dinner , held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , and the presentation to Bro . Sudlow of a handsome testimonial . Bro . Thos . Fenn , Pres . Board of General Purposes , presided , and amongst those present

were—Bros . R . C Sudlow , J . A . Farnfield , H . Pritchard , G . L . Kennaby , F . T . Rushton , W . G . Kentish , W . P . Reynolds , J . Russell , H . Bue , J . T . Tanqueray , S . W . Shaw , W . H . Kirby , A . Lister , G . Cook , P . j . Rutland , T . C . Meade , H . L . Wellcome , G . Delma , Alder Wright , E . M . Money , A . Marvin , P . Ockenden , D . G . Imlay , A . Oliver , G . E . Lewis ,

A . T . Trehearne , J . C . Mortimer , G . F . Janes , C . Bassano , J . Lancaster , J . VV . Cooper , R . Mackway , D . J . Williams , J . H . McQueen , P . W . Dumville , W . Wellsman , E . P . Debenham , VV . Taylor , G . VV . Carter , H . Owens , Lieut .-Col . Henry Gardner , G . R . Kennedy , J . W . J .

Kennedy , Col . J . Ward , Col . J . Peters , S . M . Burroughs , N . S . Campbell , J . W . Drysdale , A . Rosenthal ! , J . T . Ashby , J . Jennings , H . Edmonds , R . V . F . Seton , E . M . Morriss , C VV . Mapleton , F . Lawrance , J . Eraser , W . H . Causton , H . M . Hobbs , and VV . W . Lee .

An excellent repast having been enjoyed , a few toasts appropriate to the occasion were honoured . " The Queen " having been given , The CHAIRMAN proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and said he could not help alluding to the very serious loss which the M . W . G . M . had sustained , and which the Craft must all deplore , in the death of the Pro Grand Master . Few knew better

than the executive officers how great were the services rendered to the Craft by the late Pro Grand Master , whose heart was always open whenever his assistance was needed . The concerns of the Craft , and especially those of the greatest importance , were always considered very deeply , and his advice was always wisely

given , and , therefore , it vvas difficult af the present moment to see how his place could be supplied . The CHAIRMAN then said : We now come to the toast of the evening . We are met together this evening , as you all know , to do honour to our Brother Sudlow , to congratulate him upon his appointment as

Grand Standard Bearer of Grand Lodge and D . G . D . C of Supreme Grand Chapter , and to offer him a testimonial in recognition of his services to the various lodges and chapters vvith which he is connected , and also from those who have benefited by his instruction . I am extremely glad to see so many members of the

Eastes Lodge , of which he was one of the founders and the first W . M . It was in that lodge he first entered the chair of any lodge , and the manner in which he discharged his duties I venture to say has not been surpassed , and was entirely to the satisfaction of all the members . I am pleased also to see members of

the Bank of England Lodge , more especially my worthy and esteemed Bro . Colonel Peters , because in that lodge Bro . Sudlow occupied the chair for two successive years . I recollect being present at his installation—I think on the first occasion—and I know full well from what I have heard since , that he

discharged his duties there in a very admirable manner . There are also companions present from the various chapters in which our Bro . Sudlow held office . I am told with very great ability . I can quite understand that his work in chapter is equal to his work in lodge , and on one occasion heard him give one of the lectures ,

which was very ably done . To all those brethren the merits of Bro . Sudlow and his great ability are well knovvn , and must be highly appreciated , and we will endeavour , through the Press , to make them knovvn to the Craft outside this assembly . Why he has been appointed to this Grand office I am unable to say . The

brethren who have drawn up the address know more about it than I , and it is not usual for the M . W . G . M . to give any reason for his appointment , except on some occasions when Past Grand rank is given for distinguished services . I imagine that this honour has been conferred not so much for the duties he has

performed so well in his private lodges , but for his services to the Craft in general in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and perhaps also it may be somewhat in recognition of the services and the usefulness of that great institution . Our Bro . Sudlow learned his Masonry , as many men now eminent in the Craft have

done before him , in that excellent lodge of improvement , and so admirably did he learn the work of the ritual and the lectures that he vvas selected to preside and become Preceptor of the Langton Lodge of Instruction , the members of which were very anxious that their lodge should be conducted strictly on

the lines of Emulation . I recollect on one occasion when I vvas unexpectedly called upon to preside at one of their annual meetings , that it occurred to me what a useful man Bro . Sudlow would be in the Emulation Lodgeof Improvement . It vvas somewhat at my suggestion that he vvas invited to join the

Emulation Lodge of Improvement , ancl it vvas primarily in the interests of that lodge that I did so , but I must confess I had a personal motive in recommending him to be on the Committee . I had for many years occupied that position , but my engagements were increasing , particularly in the Royal Arch , and two of

Presentation To Bro. Sudlow, G.S.B.

my chapters met on a Friday , and it became very difficult to maintain the constant attendance at that lodge , which I had hitherto so strictly observed . Therefore , it vvas a great satisfaction to see in Bro . Sudlow one upon whom I could rely to fill my place vvith credit to the Emulation Lodge and with great

advantage to the brethren attending it . Shortly after Bro . Sudlow came on the Committee , older members gracefully and ungrudgingly accorded him the precedence which he merited , and which he took naturally , because they were unable to attend so regularly , and I venture to say they could not compete with him in the

thorough knowledge of the work , although well acquainted with the ritual , and well able to take his place on occasions . I have not been able to attend for many years vvith the assiduit y I did in former times , and I feel more and more that the time vvill come very shortly when I shall have to give up Masonry

altogether , but while the brethren choose to re-elect me as Treasurer , I shall hope , during a few years , to do them what service I can , and I think I am able to render some service on their annual festival nights by inducing some prominent Mason to occupy the chair , and also by bringing together a brilliant assemblage of

Grand Officers to maintain the prestige and credit of that Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I shall not detain you much longer . Our Brother Sudlow has , I think , shown during the time he has been a member of that Committee , that he can perform the work there vvith perfect correctness , and the courteous manner in which he performs that very difficult and delicate task

of correction , I think you must admit has your approbation and approval . I know how difficult it is to maintain correctness of work without giving offence . You feel you must keep up the work , and yet you must feel there are some who will be offended at being stopped at every half-dozen words . But Bro . Sudlow does it vvith such a courteous manner that

1 hardly think he can give offence . You can well understand how satisfied 1 feel in leaving the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in the hands of those who vvill maintain the prestige of that noble institution . He will see that the strict working of the lodge—for which it has been so celebrated in the past

—vvill be thoroughly followed . While you might have elected a brother to perform the duties of this evening far more ably than myself , ' and unequal as I feel to the task , I should have regretted had I not been invited to preside . There is no one who is more thoroughly impressed vvith the worth of Bro . Sudlow than myself ,

and no one values his service to the Emulation Lodge more highly , and the service he has done myself in relieving me of duties which were becoming too onerous . I have now extreme pleasure in presenting to him the full dress clothing of Grand Std . Br . , two sets of undress clothing , the jewel of Grand Standard

Bearer , a complete set of jewels in miniature , and the jewel of D G . D . of C . of Grand Chapter . All the jewels are in 18 carat gold . There is likewise a magnificent address , which I shall have the pleasure of reading to you , and which is handsomely bound , and to which is appended 185 names . Bro . Sudlow , in presenting this

testimonial to you in recognition of your services , not only to the members of lodges and chapters where you have distinguished yourself , but to the members of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , as a testimony of their recognition of your high merits , we express the hope that you may long live to enjoy your honours

and render valuable service to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement for many years to come . Bro . R . CLAY SUDLOW , G . Std . Br ., said he wished it were in his power adequately to thank them for the magnificent testimonial that had been presented to him . His words might be poor and halting , and he

might fail altogether to convey to them what he felt , but he hoped they would understand that it was not because he vvas indifferent to their great kindness , but rather that he appreciated it almost beyond expression . He was generally credited by those who knew him with being a very sensitive man , and he was glad that a

keen susceptibility was part of his nature , as it enabled him to value in a very special degree their congratulations , their splendid gift , their presence that evening , the extreme kindness of Bro . Fenn in taking the chair at very great personal incon . venience , and , lastly , the labours of the Committee to ensure that nothing that could give him

pleasure should be overlooked . It had been suggested that his appointment was due , in some measure at all events , to his connection with the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , and it vvas vvith the greatest satisfaction that he thought that such might be the case . He had not desired the purple for himself—he said that trulybut he had desired it for many reasons for that lodge , and he liked to think that as a member of the

Committee of that lodge , and the one perhaps upon whom of late years the bulk of the work had fallen , he had not been a stumbling block in the way of the distinction , but had been thought worthy to be the medium through whom the lodge had received it . He accepted with the greatest possible pleasure the beautiful gift

presented to him , and he should wear the Grand Lodge clothing and the jewels with very great pride . There seemed to have been a sort of friendly conspiracy amongst them to prevent him putting his hand in his pocket for a single thing necessary—nay , even for luxuries—and he thanked them very , very heartily for

them all , and also for the address which formed part of the presentation . He should prize it very highly , not only on account of its intrinsic value , but because it contained a record of a list of Masonic friends who , by their personal interest in—nay , he might almost say participation in—the honour that had been con-

Presentation To Bro. Sudlow, G.S.B.

ferred upon him , as well as by their useful gift , had made that one of the most p leasurable and one of the most memorable incidents of his whole life . With regard to the office itself , he vvas rather glad it was that of Grand Std . Br . —rather than S . G . Warden , for instance —( laughter)—because it seemed to him

particularly appropriate to his work and position in Masonry . During his year of office it would be his duty to carry one of the standards in Grand Lodge , and to his mind it would be typ ical of the standard of ritual and working it would still be his privilege to guard in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . He

need not say that the p leasure he had in accepting their testimonial vvas greatl y enhanced by the fact of receiving it at the hands of one of the most distinguished of Masons—Bro . Fenn , the President of the Board of General Purposes . He thanked him very heartily and very deeply for all the

kind things said of him , and also for his presence that night . He considered Bro . Fenn had paid him a very great honour in accepting the Chairmanship at this testimonial dinner , and he appreciated that honour very , very highly . Before he sat down he must express his gratitude to the members ot the

Committee with Bro . Col . Peters at their head . lhat distinguished brother had been one of those who , for a long time past , had been anxious to see a purple collar round his ( Bro . Sudlow ' s ) neck , and he regarded him as one of his vigorous champions . Amongst the members of the Committee he numbered his oldest

and best Masonic friends , and he knew that each one felt almost as much pleasure in his appointment as if it had been conferred upon himself . His special thanks were due to Bros . Pritchard and Cook for their personal work in the address and the jewels , and last , but certainly not least , to their never-tiring and energetic

Secretary , Bro . Kirby . The Committee had failed in one thing , which vvas , they might have sent him a dinner ticket , but it vvas obvious he vvas expected . It had occurred to him that things would not have gone so smoothly had he not been present , and perhaps they would , one and all , excuse him for attending with .

out an invitation —( laughter ) . "The Chairman" was given by Bro . Col . PETERS , and appropriately acknowledged by Bro . Fenn . The proceedings then terminated , every brother being presented by Bro . Sudlow with an admirably

executed portrait of himself , which would serve to remind those present—if a reminder were necessaryof a p leasurable and eventful occasion . The testimonial consisted of an imperial quarto album , beautifully illuminated , and handsomely bound in blue morocco , vvith engraved monogram , in gold , on

the outside cover . The first page , bordered with ornament of the Roman period , appropriately coloured , contained the title , in which were incorporated the banners and emblems of Bro . Clay Sudlow ' s offices as Gran J Standard Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England and Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies

Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The second page was also fully illuminated . On this was engrossed the commencement of the address , which was continued on the following leaves , and these , together with the pages containing the signatures , were bordered and coloured in a very artistic manner , the pattern being different on each leaf .

" To W . Bro . Robert Clay-Sudlow , Grand Standard Bearer the United Grand Lodge of England , 18 90 ; Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , 1890 ; P . P . G . S . D . Kent ; P . M . 26 3 , P . M . 1965 , P . G . S . N . Middlesex , P . Z . 1194 , P . Z . 28 , Treasurer

1965 , Member of Committee of Emulation Lodge of Improvement , Hon . Member 1768 . We , your brethren and companions of the Craft and Royal Arch Masonry , tender you our heartiest greetings and sincerest congratulations on your Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter appointments , as above , which honours have been

conferred upon you in recognition of—ist—Your exceptional attainments in Masonic work ; 2 nd—Your faithful devotion to the highest principles of Freemasonry . 3 rd—Your patient and untiring zeal in imparting Masonic knowledge to others ; and 4 th—Your general courtesy of manners and kindness of heart .

Being sensible ot the benefits we have received through your assistance and high example , and as a tangible token of our affectionate regard for you , we ask you to accept the following in commemoration of , perhaps , the most important point of your Masonic career , viz .:

Grand Lodge clothing and set of miniature jewels , and may the Great Architect of the Universe bless you with a long and happy life , to enjoy the honours you have won , is the earnest prayer of your affectionate brethren . "

Bro . Lieut .-Col . H . Smith-Daniel , Chief Constable of Hertfordshire , has made up his mind to contest the vacant Commissionership of City Police against the piesent acting Commissioner . The Chapel Royal , St . James ' s Palace , was attended last Sunday by I ' . R . H . the Princesses Victoria and . Maud uf Wales , the Duke of Edinburgh , Prince Alfred , and the Princesses Marie , Victoria , Melita , Louise , and Alexandra

of Edinburgh , who all walked from their respective residences . Earl Granville , Lord Stratheden and Campbell , Duke of Richmond and Gordon , Bro . the Duke of St . Albans , Prov . G . M . Notts , Bro . Admiral Lord Alcester , G . C . B ., S . G . W . ; Marquis of Drogheda , Sir Henry Tyler , Mr . K . R , Causton , M . P ., Mr . and Mrs . Henry Gladstone , Capt . Henry Wright , Sir Spencer and Lady Ponsonby Fane , Mrs . Laking , Mrs . Cavendish Bentinck , and the Deputy Grand Master and Lady Maud Wilbraham .