Grand Lodge Certificates.

GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I note with pleasure the letter in your current issue signed " Ex-Secretary , " and , feeling that the question involved is one of real importance to the Craft , I should be glad indeed if our "Board of General

Purposes" would take the matter as to the proper delivery of Masonic certificates into their serious consideration , and lay down a rule of guidance for lodges to definitely act upon . Some few years ago , I well remember a man applying to the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1507 , for pecuniary relief , and , as evidence of his

bonafides , he sent in a Scotch certificate unsigned . I did not feel warranted in impounding it , but took full particulars of same , and wrote the Grand Secretary ( S . C . ) thereon . I had a most courteous letter from Bro . Murray Lyon in reply , thanking me , and grieving the loose way in which some lodges delivered their certificate * .

As Secretary of an old lodge , I have some dozen of unclaimed certificates delivered over to me by my predecessors . I " guard , " but know not what else to do with them . A curious thing recently occurred anent one of these said unclaimed certificates . In course of conversation with a neighbour , Masonry was spoken of , and I told

him I had his own certificate at home , and promised to give it him , but he denied it , and showed me his framed ( facsimile ) . Having taken particulars , Grand Secretary ' s office told me . that the one I hold is the original , but a duplicate had undoubtedly been issued to my friend , but nothing on the face of his serves to show it is a duplicate .

Possession of a lodge certificate does not concern most of us London brethren ; but to many of those away it is a valued treasure . The " ne varietur " is invaluable . I do hope it will ever be faithfully adhered to . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours in fraternity , EDWIN STORR , P . M ., Sec . 167 . January 13 th .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

DEDICATION OF A NEW MASONIC TEMPLE AT TRINIDAD , WEST INDIES , . The ceremony of Dedicating the new temple of the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 867 , 10 Freemasonry took place on Thursday , the 27 th ult , and was largely attended by most of the old and distinguished Masons

in the colony . Established in the year 1861 , this Iodge has had , during its varying career , no less than five removals to different places of meeting in the City of Port of Spain , but we are glad to say that its last has found it it in a building tbat could not be better adapted to the usese of a lodge , and , better still , in a property of its own .

On March 2 nd last , the first meeting was held in the new temple , and prosperity has been with it throughout the year , which came to a close with the dedication ceremony on the 27 th ult ., which also formed a suitable termination to the most brilliant year of the lodge ' s existence under the able mastership of Bro . Samuel Henderson .

The following brethren were present at the cere > mony : Bro . Samuel Henderson , W . M . ; fames Laing I . P . M . ; A . D . P . Owen , P . M . ; Robert Stiren P . M . ; Edgar Tripp , P . M . ; F . A . Skut , P . M . ; F ; Wippenbeck , P . M . ; H . Wainwright , P . M . ; Carl O , Bock , S . W . ; Samuel Wood , J . W . ; Theodore Tanner , Treas . ; George Huggins , Sec . ; J . A . Harragin , S . D . ; J . H . Hart , J . D ; H . Healey , I . G . •John Griffith , Tyler ,

and 21 other members , besides the following visitors : Bros . Sir F . Napier Broome , K . C . M . G ., P . D . G . S . W . Western Australia ; His Lordshi p The Bishop of Trinidad , P . M . j Sir John Goldney , P . M . ; The Hon . C . C . Knollys , C . M . G . P . D . D . G . M . Barbadoes ; Co ) . A . Man , P . M . 54 ; the Hon . Conrad F . Stollmeyer . P . M . ; C . W . Normtn , P . M . J . McCracken , 405 : J . Palmer ,

438 ; R . J . Miller , 86 7 ; W . S . Maishall , 1549 ; Cyril Monier-Wiltiams , and many others . Lodge was opened , and the W . M ., Bro . SAMUEL HENDERSON , addressed the brethren , and asked Bro . C . C . Knollys , P . D . D . G . M ., of Baibadoes . to preside ; he readily consented , and appointed Bro . Henderson to act as his S . W ., and Bro . James Lainy , I . P . M ., as J . W .

Bro . EDGAR TRIPP . P . M ., then delivered an able and feeling address to the lodge , giving a short account of the different changes that had taken place in the course of the now prosperous lodge , and expressed the hope that ere long it would succed in establishing in Trinidad a " Fund of Benevolence " under its management . At the conclusion , the PRESIDING OFFICER , assisted

by Bro . his lordship the Bishop , as Prelate , performed the solemn ceremony of dedication . After the lodge closed , the brethren assembled in the banquet hall , where a sumptuous repast was enjoyed , and the usual toasts proposed and drunk heartily . Too much cannot be said ot those brethren who

undertook the various duties of decoration , & c , which was so faithfully discharged . We may say that on this occasion Trinidad witnessed a most brilliant assemblage of Masons , and that the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 867 , located as it flow is , is certainly an ornament to the fraternity .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

IJRgPORTSCE ^ jEgl l ^^^ gjgggQnggj ' :

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS Bedford Lodge ( No . 157 ) . —The installation meeting of this old lodge at Freemasons' Hall on the nth inst . was a most successful gathering , and the manner in which the work was done reflected the greatest credit on the workers . Bro . J . Bruton , P . M . 2006 , P . D . P . G . D . C . Essex , presided , and he had to assist his officers , and PastJ Masters Bros . J . C . Main , E . Jones , C . J . Turner , E . T . Shoebridge ,

Vincent Larner , J . T . Briggs , Treas . ; and W . Liddall , Sec . Visitors : Bros . Joseph Owen , P * M . 217 ; R . J . I * . Hopkins , P . M . 87 ; P . C . Walker , S . W . 2006 ; E . R . Barker , 10 S ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; J . Hattersley , P . M . 2262 ; G . S . Smith , 11 S 5 ; E . VV . Standford , 2006 ; M . Schifferdidler , J . W . 17 G 0 ; E . Hall , 1 793 ; A . D . Jones , 1677 ; S . A . Addiscott , S 9 S ; F . C . Austin , P . D . P . G . D . C . Middx . ; George White , 1 S 91 ; W . H . H .

Sherwin , 1076 ; J . C . Parkinson P . G . D . ; W . J . Flack , VV . M . 2006 ; M . ( allie , 153 S ; H . Davey , J . VV . 1326 ; F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ; George J . Reed , P . M . rgio ; F . Mead , P 7 G . S . B . ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 619 and 1928 ; J . S . Tamburini , W . M . 1719 ; and others . Lodge having been opened , Bros . William Smith and

Joseph Richard Hill were raised to the Third Degree by the VV . M ., who afterwards installed Bro . L . A . Richardson , S . W . and W . M . elect , as Master of the lodge . Bro . J . Bruton received the collar of I . P . M ., and the other brethren invested were Bros . E . T . Shoebridge , P . M ., S . W . ; H . W . Dyne , J . W . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . Liddall , P . M ., Sec . ; R . C . Cork , S . D . ; C . B . Weedon ,

J . D . ; G . H . Cox , I . G . ; J . C . Main , P . M ., D . C ; W . Smith , Dep . D . C ; V . Larner , P . M ., and J . R . Hill , Stewards ; and E . Mallett , Tyler . A handsome Past Master ' s jewel was presented to Bro . J . Bruton , I . P . M . The candidate for initiation , unfortunately , was not present , and the brethren had a little time to spare before they partook of a very nice banquet at Freemasons' Tavern . After the banquet a capital programme of music was

performed by Bros . Edward Hall , Alfred Grieve , Littlechild , E . P . Hans , E . Barker , and Sherwin . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., responded to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " and said it was much to the unity of administration , much to the confidence of thebrethren in the administration , much to the unity of the brethren among themselves , and to their consistent adherence to the great tenets of the Order that they owed

the position of Freemasonry , and that it was a power , a great power , and a power foi good none could doubt . It bound the brethren together on a platform which rose superior to petty differences which divided mankind ; the Freemasons' lodge barred those discordant topics which from the beginning had divided , and to the end , he feared would divide mankind ; but it did this—it recognised that there was something higher and better , above the subjects and points about which mankind might quarrel , wherein

there was a common ground of union , and where , at all events , they could find that they were not distracted either by political , religious , or social differences . To the institution which had these aims the Grand Officers of the day were servants ; they all ministered , each in his capacity as far as his lights permitted , to this institution of which they were so proud . That its success was great , that it went on prospaiing , and he trusted yet to prosper , was evident ; that it might long so continue was the wish of all the brethren and of all the Grand Officers .

Bro . Bruton , I . P . M ., in proposing "The W . M ., " said he avas sure he was echuing the sentiments of all the brethren when he said he wished Bro , Richardson a successful year of office , and congratulated him on the high position to which he had attained . The officers and brethren , one and all , would help him in every way to the best of their ability to carry out his duties . They trusted he would have plenty of work because they knew he could

do it . He had known Bro . Richardson for over 20 years , and as a Mason and as a man he had found him one who if a Iriend ( God forbid it ever should be so ) wanted assistance , would give it him . Bro . Richardson was a good Mason , and therefore he must be a good man . Bro . L . A . Richardson , W . M ., rn reply to the toast which was most enthusiastically received , said it had been a lasting ambition of his to occupy the W . M . ' s chair . Of

ci ur . se they all knew there were certain reasons why one did not arrive at it always so si ion as he might ; extraneous matters , business matter .-, and other circumstances arose to prevent it ; however , thtre he was , and he ceitainly urn t say he felt in a very proud position , not only on account of the attendance if so many brethren , but by the presence ot four Grand Officers . One of those Grand Officers promised him two years ago that he would come

to his installation , and when Bro . Parkinson's secretary wrote , in reply , accepting the invitation , it was a great pleasure and delight to him . Regarding the lodge , he felt one great disappointment—the initiate did not attend . He ( the Worship ! ul Master ) had been studying the pirt , and there had been hardly a night in the month of November ( he could not go to a iodge of instruction ) that he did not work at it at home and in

bed . It was very disappointing , but it was one of those even's all were liable to . He hoped some of the brethren would bring forward initiates during his year of ofiice , in older that he might do some work . He would give all the time and attention he possibly could to the work , and do everything in his leisure hours fur the benefit of the Bedford Lodge . With reference to what had been said about his assisting brethren , he was sure what was meant was

that , in his humble way , if there was a friend wanting anything , he had in his tune assisted him and gone without his dinner , having a biscuit instead . Charity was , no douot , one of the grandest features in Freemasonry ; it was one of the grandest characteristics of a Freemason's heart ; and , therefore , its gifts ought not to be niggardly , but according to the giver ' s means . Bro . Richards n , W . M ., then proposed " The Installing Maste' , Bio . J < s-ph Bruton , " who had for two years in suicession bun W . M . of the Tilbury Lodge , and received

Craft Masonry.

Provincial Grand rank in Essex . It was perfectly unnecessary to dilate on his work because the brethren had all seen it . He ( Hro . Richardson ) felt a certain amount of diffidence in taking the chair , because he knew his own shortcomings and that he would not be up to the mark the same as Bro . Bruton . However , he should endeavour , and he would do his best . He did not think there was any other lodge in Fngland could have suggested a better VV . M . than

Bro . Bruton ; in fact , l-e should look to him during his year of office as a reed which w u'd not fail him , one of those stiff reeds which would not break , but which he could lean on in perfect safety . In proposing this toast , he reiurned him his m > st grateful thanks for installing him . The jewel which had been presented to Bro . Bruton in lodge was not the only mark of the brethren ' s erteem to be given him ; he now handed him a handsome silver cigar-box , which the

brethren had sub ; c ibed for , and Bro . Main would say a few words relating to it . Bro . J . C . M * = iin , P . M ., D . C , said that as far as the Bedford Lodge was concerned , that subject was most interesting , because the brethren felt they had a duty to perform in recognising the very efficient services of the outgoing Master . He had the privilege of having been associated with Bro . Bruton in Masonry for some years ;

Bro . Bruton came into the lodge und -r his advice and at his suggestion , and he had shown himself to have those extraordinary abilities which went to show a man worthy to fill the chair , and who would do it with credit to himself . Everything he had had to do as Master had been done in such a way that the brethren felt it wis absolutely essential he should receive something to mark their appreciation of his excellent work and management . He had been at all

times of the best temper , had shown some of the best working , and it was only right that they should recognise it . The brethren all joined in wishing him long life , the best health , and unbounded happiness to enjoy the possession of the gift . The box , which was of solid silver , bore the following inscription : " Presented to Brother J oseph Bruton , P . P . D . G . D . C . Essex , by the members of the Bedford Lodge , No .

157 , as an additional expression of their appreciation of his excellent qualities as Worshipful Master during the year 1 S 94 . " Bro . J oseph Bruton , I . P . M ., in acknowledging the toast and the presentation , said he considered he had a most difficult task to perform to express in the terms he actually meant his thanks to the brethren for the kindness they had shown to him , not only that day , but throughout the whole

time he had been a member of the lodge . The W . M . had said very gratifying and pleasing things of him , and so had Bro . Main , P . M . He did not say he deserved it ; h * : had only endeavoured to do his work . Seven years ago he came among the brethren of the Bedford Lodge a total stranger ; he had served every office in the lodge , and he was now relegated to the Past Masters , and he trusted with the sincere respect of all the members of the Iodge . Although

he had gone over to the fossils , it would only be his pleasing duty and privilege to perform any ofiice the present or any other W . M . might require of him ,- as long as T . G . A . O . T . U . preserved him he should always consider it a duty and a privilege to assist . If he had done his duty it was nothing to be surprised at ; he was a Past Provincial Grand Officer of Essex , and it was only natural that a Past Grand Officer would do it . Nevertheless , he endeavoured to do his best

for the Bedford Lodge , and he had seen the work done quite as well as he did it . Bro . Main had done it , and so had Bro . Stockbrid-fe , Bro . Larner , Bro . Briggs , and Bra . Liddall , all of whom could give him a long ( start . But he was at a loss for words , and would content himself by asking them to accept his grateful thanks . Bro . J . C . Parkinson , P . G D ., responding to the toast of "The Visitors , " said whatever might be the case in the

outer world , and although politics were absolutely excluded from Masonic assemblies , still the brethren were citizens who read the newspapers , and they knew the various subjects of public interest that were in the air , and among them he heard was one relating to privilege without representation . Whatever might be the case outside the Masons' lodge , they who were privileged as Grand Officers were a strictly representative body , and he had never

heard yet that in the Masonic world representation and privilege were ever considered to be divorced . Their strength lay in being truly the representatives of their brethren—a point that was never disputed but always accepted loyally in Masonic assemblies . He had , therefore , the highest satisfiction in being selected to return thanks forthe visitors ; he did so as a privileged body , as a representative of those who were standing up . Well , this was

his first visit to the Bedford Lodge , and he might be appalled by the responsibility of expressing the gratitude of so many brethren , did he not feel that they were united in sentiment and in opinion . From the time of entering the lodge and hearing the beautiful installation ceremony so admirably rendered , from what they siw of the discipline , and of the perfection of the working of one ollicer after another , all tending to " one harmonious whole "—whether

it was the excellent way in which the Master of Ceremonies conducted his part of the proceedings , rendering full adhesion and loyalty to the brother who was performing the ceremony , whether it was the happy interposition of the Secretary who reminded the W . M . that there were one or two more ofiicers to be appointed after the Tyler—the whole thing struck tie vi-itors as a testimony to that universality of Freemasonry which was exemplified in their

lodges , and in none m ir « than in that lodge . He had had the pleasure of knowing the W . M . and the I . P . M . more than 20 years , and when the W . M . invited him some months ago to attend his installation , he resolved to accept by force majeure , all oiher engagements should be swept away . He was amply rewarded by seeing Bro . Richardson so respected and I > ved by the brethren over whom he presided , and knowing as he did his concentration of purpose

and the admirable way in which hc devoted himself to what he had in hand , he had no doubt that at the end of his year of office the brethren would say , " Well done , good and faithful servant . " As to the pleasures of the table he had enjoyed Ihem , the hospitality of the lodge had been unbounded , geniality and sympathy had reigned supreme .

and surtly he could not give higher praise . On behalf of the visitors generally he could say th-. y would look back wilh gratification at being present on tnis occasion . Bio . Turner , P . M ., also replied to the toast of "The Visitors , " and Bros . Brigg , P . M ., and Liddall , P . M ., to that of "The Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Ollicers , " and the Tyler's toast having been honoured , the brethren separated .