-
Articles/Ads
Article Craft Masonry. ← Page 3 of 3 Article Craft Masonry. Page 3 of 3
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Craft Masonry.
Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . A meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . Thomas Briggs , W . M . ; S . Croft , 1 . P . M . ; 11 . N . Bennett , S . VV . ; Rupert Smith , J . W . ; Sam White , P . M ., Treas . ; George KenningP . M ., Sec . ; C . R . R . Hopper , S . D . j A . B . Hudson ,
, P . M ., j . D . ; E . Anderton , P . M ., D . C ; S . G . C . Sanson , I . G . j H . Thomas , Tyler ; Matthew R . Webb , P . M . ; George Rawlinson , P . M . ; James Shotter , P . M . ; Ralph Langton , C . R . Leedham , and J . C . Hayes . Visitors : Bros . George Briggs , B . B . Bucal , T . Richardson , J oseph C . Verey , Henry Lamb , Rev . T . Selby Henrey , VV . Webb , M . Wilkinson , W . Hooker , VV . Candy , and VV . Salter .
The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Mr . C . R . Leedham was initiated . Bro . J . C . Hayes was admitted a joining member . One guinea was voted to the Guy ' s Hospital Fund . Ten guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , to be placed on the W . M . ' s list at the forthcoming festival . A Committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements for a complimentary dinner to Bro . Septimus Croft and Mrs . Croft . The lodge was closed ; a banquet followed .
London County Council , No . 2603 . The first installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Hotel Cecil , Strand , on Wednesday , the 17 th inst ., when a large and distinguished gathering to the number of 150 , assembled lo witness the interesting proceedings . The members in attendance included Bros , the Earl of Onslow , Prov . G . M . Surrey , VV . M . ; Sir Geo . D . Harris , PG . D ., S . W . ; Nathan Robinson , P . M ., J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; E . VVhite , P . M ., Sec ; G . S . Elliot , P . M ., S . D . ; H . Percy Harris , P . M ., J . D . j
VV . J . Bull , I . G . j T . H . W . Idris , W . H . L . Payne , H . bchartau , Urg . j Major Clifford Probyn , and many others . Amongst the large number of visitors present were Bros . Col . R . T . Caldwell , Prov . G . M . Cambridge ; Admiral Markham , Balfour Cockbourn , Prov . G . M . Guernsey ; G . Richards , D . G . M . Transvaal ; T . Fenn , P . G . W . j R . Grey , P . G . W . j W . H . Bailey , G . Treas . ; R . Eve , P . G . Treas . j G . Everett , P . G . Treas . j R . Horton Smith , Q . C , D . G . Reg . ; Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary ; W . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., S . G . D .: J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ;
P de lande Long , P . G . D . j F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; R . Gooding , P . G . D . j S . Pope , O . C , P . G . D . j R . Glutton , P . G . D . ; F . West , P . G . D . ; Judge E . Masterman , PG . D . ; H . H . Crawford , P . G . D . ; Rowland Plumbe , P . G . S . of Wks . ; J . Edmeston , P . G . S . of Wks . ; C Belton , P . D . G . D . C ; E . St . Clair , A . G . D . C . j G . Fairchild , Past Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies j T . Gardiner , Past A . G . D . C ; W M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; F . R . VV . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I , for Girls ; Major G . F . Gadsden , P . G . S . B . j W . A . Scurrah , G . Std . Br . ; C . F . Matier , Lake
P . G . S . B . j Deputy inspector-General Belgrave Ninnis , P . G . S . B . j W . , Asst . G . Sec . j R . Dudfieldj J . Lees Hall ; Rev . F . Downes ; Rev . T . L . Phillips ; H , S . Foster , M . P . ; L . Mievillej H . H . Collins j J . Williams j Rev . C M . Bevan ; Dr . lClement Godson , P . G . D . ; E . SchKiter ; E . Routledge ; E . A . Southall ; T . Sandeman j B . D . Barnett j H . W . Kiallmark , P . M . ; L . Reichenbach , G . Treas . Grand Lodge of Switzerland ; J . Williams , P . M . 1791 ; J . Dimsdale , 1 ; J . M . Prichard , P . M . 1 G 35 ; T . A . Reade , P . M . 166 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and many others . After the opening of the lodge , a candidate was raised to the Third Degree by
Bro . Nathan Robinson , P . M ., in the temporary absence of the W . M . Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , then assumed the chair , and installed Bro . Sir G . D . Harris , P . G . D ., as VV M The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Nathan Robinson , P M ., S . W . ; G . S . Elliot , P . M ., J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; E . White , P . M . ! Sec . j H . Percy Harris , P . M ., S . D . ; W . J . Bull , J . D . ; T . H . W . Idris , I . G . ; W . H . C . Payne , D . C ; II . Schartau , Org . ; and R . W . Edgley , P . M ., Tyler . On the proposition of Bro . White , P . M ., Sec , a sum of 25 guineas was voted to the W . M . 's list for the Girls' School , a similar sum having been given last year to the Boys '
School . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet , which reflected the highest credit upon all concerned . The usual toasts followed , "The Queen and the Craft" being heartily honoured , as was also that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " In giving " The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said there was as large a gather ! ng of Grand Officers present as had assembled that year , The members were exceedingly
grateful to them for coming to a lodge composed of the members of a body which had not the best of reputations . Besides asking the senior to reply , he would also call upon a Grand Officer who came from a part of the world about which some of them had heard something of late—the Transvaal . Bro . Colonel R . T . Caldwell , Prov . G . M . Cambs , said he was taken by surprise in having to reply for so large and illustrious a gathering of Grand Officers . They took , and had taken a great interest in the success of Freemasonry , and , as the W . M . had
said , the success of thc last few years was due in a great measure to that interest . They recognised that the success was principally due to the interest taken by the Grand Master , and they must gratefully recognise the interest taken by the active , energetic , and popular Grand Secretary . The Grand Officers showed their interest in Freemasonry by their presence , and that night there was a further inducement to be present besides the hospitable entertainment accorded them by that Iodge , which was unique . It was their British privilege to express their opinions freely , and , although occasionally in
speaking Ihey coupled it with the words , " I may be wrong , " there was an implied remark , " I am cocksure I am not . " The London County Council deserved great credit for possessing a lodge which brought the various elements together , enabled the machine to work amicably , and fostered a tolerance for other people ' s opinion . Bro . G . Richards , D . G . M . Transvaal , said he shared to the full the diffident feeling actuating Bro . Col . Caldwell when he started his speech , and admired the fluency with which his diffidence disappeared . He could not speak in the same eloquent
teims , for theie was a tradition and an old custom which he was told prevailed amongst the Dutch lodges that any member speaking for more than three minutes was deprived of his Masonic privileges for one year . He was not sure of the rules here , but was proud to be permitted to address them . He happened to meet a South African friend , and told him where he was going , and was told they were " a cosmopolitan lot , " and were all middle-class or peers . They were very moderate in the Transvaal , and , at the same time , very progressive . Thc progress of Masonry in the Transvaal was a proof of the
leaps and bounds that Masonryihad made under the wise rule of the Grand Master . In 1 SS 9 there were only two lodges existing in the Transvaal , but he now had the honour of presiding over iG lodges under the British Constitution . They were scattered , and it was a difficulty to arrive at a close communication with every lodge , because they had not a Pulman service of cars , and it took him four or five days by coach , and the roads—he meant the roads in the Transvaal—were none too pleasant to ride over , and had an interesting trick of bucking up against you when you did not want them . There
was perfect harmony between those working under the British , Netherlands and Scotch Constitutions . There were two Irish lodges , and " more power to them , " as they were good fellows to meet . The Dutch he attached importance to because he had found the peifect harmony of working and the fraternal feeling existing between them . He did not wish to trench upon anything political , but he believed that Freemasonry between those nationalities was a great factor in diminishing the race feeling which unfortunately
existed between them . Where they found good Masons they must eventually lind good govemment . He thanked the W . M . for the kind mention of his name , and one of his pleasantcst recollections would be his visit to thit lodge . He had been struck with the haimony and good feeling , and if any one of the members present should find himself in Johannesbuig—and it was not a far cry—they would be only too happy to reciprocate thejiospitality he had received at their hands . . . then said he had received the of
' Bro . the Earl of Onslow , I . P . M ., gavel authority for the purpose of proposing the most important toast of the evening , " The Worshipful Master of the London County Council Lodge . " There were many members of the London County Council present who knew Bro . Sir George Harris and his work and what he had done iol London , but there were a great many present who , perhaps , were not so intimately acquainted with the great setvices he had rendered to this inetronolis . As a member of the London County Council he ( the I . P . M . ) ventured
to recommend the toast not only for the able manner in which bir Ueorge Harris had discharged his duties in the chair that night , but also for the services he had rendered the ratepayers of the Metropolis , for he had spent a long , able , and useful life in the services of thc crown . He ( the I . P . M . ) was not altogether what was known as a chicken but he was one year old when Sir George Harris was Worshipful Master of an important lodge in a colony in which hc had resided—the Bahamas—and ever since that day the W M had devoted himself to the services of his Ouccn and Freemasonry . They would gather from what he had said that the VV . M . was no longer a young man . They had
Craft Masonry.
only to look at the illustrious scion of his house , who was one of the great supporters of the London County Council , to know what he had said was correct . If they looked at the subject of the toast they would see he had maintained his juvenility , his activity and his power of serving his fellow countrymen by the fact that he had never allowed himself to be an idle man . He ( the I . P . M . ) who had arrived only at middle
life could say that the greatest ambition he had , and which he believed would actuate most of them—was never to allow themselves to get rusty in the service of their Queen and country . That was what the W . M . had set before him and accomplished and it was on that account he asked them to drink his health as the second Master of the London County Council Lodge .
Bro . Sir Geo . Harris , P . G . D ., W . M ., in reply , said he did not think that at any period of his life he felt so much at a loss to lind words to express his gratitude , not only to Lord Onslow for the flattering terms in which he had been pleased to speak of him but for the enthusiastic way they had been pleased to receive the toast of his health . He was unfortunately not present at his election but he wondered at his own temerity in accepting the appointment , for if by any chance they put him in comparison with his illustrious predecessor he should be at an immense disadvantage . He had accepted the
office and would make every effort to continue the success of this lodge . Going again into the chair at the end of 44 years took him back to those days when he was quite a youngster in a lodge in a far distant land , and he could not but compare the scene on the present occasion to that in the far distant colony . They had no palatial banquet hall , and no room similar to where the ceremony was performed , but there was great enthusiasm among the Masons of that colony , and ii they were to go there and enter the harbour of Nassau , the most important building would be the Masonic hall , and
that spoke a great deal for the enthusiasm of lhe Craft there . With regard to that lodge , the VV . M . last year commented upon its peculiarities . In recent years there had been many class lodges established , and generally they had been a success . The Northern Bar , the Chancery Bar , the Guards , and the Marcians—each had some bond of union independent of Masonry . This was a class lodge , and , with one exception , he did not know of any other which had such a singular bond of union—for it was their differences . In the Council Chamber they differed pretty warmly , but directly they
put on their Masonic badge the whole thing was changed , and there was nothing but harmony . He hoped they would succeed as they had done in the past year under his illustrious predecessor , they would then do a good work in the Craft , and a greal deal of that asperity of feeling would be smoothed , for there was an old proverb , " You differ most when you know each other least . " In other countries a man on one political side would not look or talk to a man on the other side . Even before this lodge was started in the London Council , when they met in the tea-room , all was changed , and he had seen the
I . P . M . chaffing John Burns , who was not , perhaps , of the same way of thinking . He ( the W . M . ) would only thank them for the cordiality with which they had received him . He would do his best to carry out the work with the same good feeling as in the past . Before he sat down , he wished to propose "The Health of their I . P . M . " In recommending this to their notice , it was not that the I . P . M . was a peer of the realm , or a member of the Government ; it was not on account of his exalted position , and of his great experience in the Colonies , where he had ruled most successfully , but it was for
that kindness of disposition , that geniality and charm of manners which had pleased all those opposed to him in political views . It was that which had endeared him to them , and he would merely ask them to drink the toast . The very pretty jewel they were good enough to vote , he should have the pleasure of placing on the breast of the I . P . M ., and he did not think any jewel was ever conferred upon any P . M . which was more thoroughl y earned . The jewel bears the following inscription— " Presented to R . W . Bro . the Earl of
Onslow , by the London County Council Lodge , No . 2603 , in recognition of the ability with which he discharged the duties of first W . Master . 17 th March , 1 S 97 . " Bro . the Earl of Onslow , I . P . M ., expressed his deep sense of the obligation placed upon him by presenting him with a memento 01 one of the most pleasurable years of his existence when he had had the honour of being W . M . of the London County Council Lodge . It had been given to him , not he thought because he deseived it but because his brethren had been good enough to elect him to the post ot first W . M . He thought
he ought to apologise for not having been present to give the benefits of installation to his worthy successor , but he had important duties to perform in another place on behalf of the Government . Although he opened the lodge he had to absent himself until invested as I . P . M . He ventured to differ to some extent with the D . G . M . of the Transvaal who had remarked lhat this was the most cosmopolitan lodge he had attended ; for so far from being cosmopolitan it was one of the most British Institutions they could possibly find . The W . M , had expressed in well chosen words thc circumstances attendant
upon this lodge , namely , that although upon the London County Council they were sharply divided into two political parties , they met in the lodge upon fraternal ground . He ventured , to say there ^ were two institutions which could not be paralleled anywhere in the civilised world—the Tea Room of the House of Commons and the London County Council Lodge . Nowhere else could they find a common ground where both parties met in the utmost friendship , and that , he thought , was one of the greatest safeguards of the Constitution , that however much they might differ in politics , when they met , whether as
Freemasons or in friendly society , they recognised that their first duty at least was to agree not to differ . During the short time he had had the honour of being W . M . of that lodge he had noticed that that feeling had not in any way diminished , but was growing and gathering in strength , lie was a keen partisan , and it was his duty to represent the view of one party in that Council , but he was not without hope that the day may yet come when the interests of London will be as well safeguarded and as wel ! looked after even if party politics disappear . If that aim was ever
to be accomplished , he thought that one of thc most potent influences which would combine towards that end would be the instruction of the London County Council Lodge . They had been able to meet without a single item of friction from one side or the other , and he thought he might say that both parties were equally represented in the lodge , and not a little had been done even in the present party divisions to make the busi ness of the Council progress and prosper to the general interest of the ratepayers of London by the members of this lodge .
The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " calling upon the following brethren to reply , Bro . Reichenbach , of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland , whom they gladly welcomed , Bro . Routledge , formerly an alderman of the London County Council , and Bro . Rev . F . Downes . Bro . L . Reichenbach , G . Treas . Grand Lodge of Switzerland , thanked Bro . Williamson , the representative of his Grand Lodge of England , for the opportunity of being present . He could promise them a similar reception should they visit his fine country amongst Uie mountains and lakes .
Bros . E . Routledge and Rev . F . Downes also replied , the latter remarking that as they were about to be photographed , even if the photographer employed the Kontgen rays he would fail to discover a skeleton at the feast . Bro . R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas ., returned thanks on behalf of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said the whole of the work had devolved upon the Secretary ,
which had been worked in a manner which reflected the greatest credit upon . himself and the lodge . Bro . E . White , P . M ., Sec , said that , unfortunately , he had not been as well as he could have wished , and , therefore , he felt more anxiety than he otherwise would have done . He thanked the Worshipful Master for the honour done him by asking him to be Secretary for the second year , and would do what he could while he occupied that position .
The W . M ., in giving " The Officers , " alluded to the fact that his son was the S . D ., and had the distinction of installing his father into the chair of a lodge . He took the opportunity of thanking the Grand Secretary for the way he ( the W . M . ) had been installed that day . Bro . Nathan Robinson , P . M ., S . W ., observed that it had been said that Radicals dearly loved a lord , and , whether a lord or not , they admired Lord Onslow , because he was a man of the right sort . The Tyler ' s toast by Bro . Edgley , P . M ., concluded the proceedings .
During the evening a [ . holograph of thc banquet-hall was taken by Messrs . Fradclle and Young , of Regent-street , who make a speciality of this branch of photography , and from their past success it is safe to assume that thc result will be an interesting and artistic souvenir of the occasion . Bro . H . Schartau , Organist , vyas assisted in the musical arrangements by Madame Isabel George , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Brj . Walter Tilbury , and Maldwyn Humphreys . * _ THE COUNTESS ot BECTIVE is arranging for an Arts and Crafts Exhibition to be held in the town of Lancaster to commemorate the Dianond Jubilee of the Queen .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Craft Masonry.
Aldersgate Lodge , No . 1657 . A meeting of the above lodge was held on Monday , the 15 th inst ., at the Albion Tavern , Aldersgate-street , when there were present Bros . Thomas Briggs , W . M . ; S . Croft , 1 . P . M . ; 11 . N . Bennett , S . VV . ; Rupert Smith , J . W . ; Sam White , P . M ., Treas . ; George KenningP . M ., Sec . ; C . R . R . Hopper , S . D . j A . B . Hudson ,
, P . M ., j . D . ; E . Anderton , P . M ., D . C ; S . G . C . Sanson , I . G . j H . Thomas , Tyler ; Matthew R . Webb , P . M . ; George Rawlinson , P . M . ; James Shotter , P . M . ; Ralph Langton , C . R . Leedham , and J . C . Hayes . Visitors : Bros . George Briggs , B . B . Bucal , T . Richardson , J oseph C . Verey , Henry Lamb , Rev . T . Selby Henrey , VV . Webb , M . Wilkinson , W . Hooker , VV . Candy , and VV . Salter .
The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , Mr . C . R . Leedham was initiated . Bro . J . C . Hayes was admitted a joining member . One guinea was voted to the Guy ' s Hospital Fund . Ten guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , to be placed on the W . M . ' s list at the forthcoming festival . A Committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements for a complimentary dinner to Bro . Septimus Croft and Mrs . Croft . The lodge was closed ; a banquet followed .
London County Council , No . 2603 . The first installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Hotel Cecil , Strand , on Wednesday , the 17 th inst ., when a large and distinguished gathering to the number of 150 , assembled lo witness the interesting proceedings . The members in attendance included Bros , the Earl of Onslow , Prov . G . M . Surrey , VV . M . ; Sir Geo . D . Harris , PG . D ., S . W . ; Nathan Robinson , P . M ., J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; E . VVhite , P . M ., Sec ; G . S . Elliot , P . M ., S . D . ; H . Percy Harris , P . M ., J . D . j
VV . J . Bull , I . G . j T . H . W . Idris , W . H . L . Payne , H . bchartau , Urg . j Major Clifford Probyn , and many others . Amongst the large number of visitors present were Bros . Col . R . T . Caldwell , Prov . G . M . Cambridge ; Admiral Markham , Balfour Cockbourn , Prov . G . M . Guernsey ; G . Richards , D . G . M . Transvaal ; T . Fenn , P . G . W . j R . Grey , P . G . W . j W . H . Bailey , G . Treas . ; R . Eve , P . G . Treas . j G . Everett , P . G . Treas . j R . Horton Smith , Q . C , D . G . Reg . ; Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary ; W . M . Tomlinson , M . P ., S . G . D .: J . C . Parkinson , P . G . D . ;
P de lande Long , P . G . D . j F . Richardson , P . G . D . ; R . Gooding , P . G . D . j S . Pope , O . C , P . G . D . j R . Glutton , P . G . D . ; F . West , P . G . D . ; Judge E . Masterman , PG . D . ; H . H . Crawford , P . G . D . ; Rowland Plumbe , P . G . S . of Wks . ; J . Edmeston , P . G . S . of Wks . ; C Belton , P . D . G . D . C ; E . St . Clair , A . G . D . C . j G . Fairchild , Past Asst . Grand Director of Ceremonies j T . Gardiner , Past A . G . D . C ; W M . Bywater , P . G . S . B . ; F . R . VV . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I , for Girls ; Major G . F . Gadsden , P . G . S . B . j W . A . Scurrah , G . Std . Br . ; C . F . Matier , Lake
P . G . S . B . j Deputy inspector-General Belgrave Ninnis , P . G . S . B . j W . , Asst . G . Sec . j R . Dudfieldj J . Lees Hall ; Rev . F . Downes ; Rev . T . L . Phillips ; H , S . Foster , M . P . ; L . Mievillej H . H . Collins j J . Williams j Rev . C M . Bevan ; Dr . lClement Godson , P . G . D . ; E . SchKiter ; E . Routledge ; E . A . Southall ; T . Sandeman j B . D . Barnett j H . W . Kiallmark , P . M . ; L . Reichenbach , G . Treas . Grand Lodge of Switzerland ; J . Williams , P . M . 1791 ; J . Dimsdale , 1 ; J . M . Prichard , P . M . 1 G 35 ; T . A . Reade , P . M . 166 ; W . W . Lee , P . M . ; and many others . After the opening of the lodge , a candidate was raised to the Third Degree by
Bro . Nathan Robinson , P . M ., in the temporary absence of the W . M . Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , then assumed the chair , and installed Bro . Sir G . D . Harris , P . G . D ., as VV M The following officers were appointed and invested : Bros . Nathan Robinson , P M ., S . W . ; G . S . Elliot , P . M ., J . W . ; R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas . ; E . White , P . M . ! Sec . j H . Percy Harris , P . M ., S . D . ; W . J . Bull , J . D . ; T . H . W . Idris , I . G . ; W . H . C . Payne , D . C ; II . Schartau , Org . ; and R . W . Edgley , P . M ., Tyler . On the proposition of Bro . White , P . M ., Sec , a sum of 25 guineas was voted to the W . M . 's list for the Girls' School , a similar sum having been given last year to the Boys '
School . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet , which reflected the highest credit upon all concerned . The usual toasts followed , "The Queen and the Craft" being heartily honoured , as was also that of " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " In giving " The Grand Officers , " the W . M . said there was as large a gather ! ng of Grand Officers present as had assembled that year , The members were exceedingly
grateful to them for coming to a lodge composed of the members of a body which had not the best of reputations . Besides asking the senior to reply , he would also call upon a Grand Officer who came from a part of the world about which some of them had heard something of late—the Transvaal . Bro . Colonel R . T . Caldwell , Prov . G . M . Cambs , said he was taken by surprise in having to reply for so large and illustrious a gathering of Grand Officers . They took , and had taken a great interest in the success of Freemasonry , and , as the W . M . had
said , the success of thc last few years was due in a great measure to that interest . They recognised that the success was principally due to the interest taken by the Grand Master , and they must gratefully recognise the interest taken by the active , energetic , and popular Grand Secretary . The Grand Officers showed their interest in Freemasonry by their presence , and that night there was a further inducement to be present besides the hospitable entertainment accorded them by that Iodge , which was unique . It was their British privilege to express their opinions freely , and , although occasionally in
speaking Ihey coupled it with the words , " I may be wrong , " there was an implied remark , " I am cocksure I am not . " The London County Council deserved great credit for possessing a lodge which brought the various elements together , enabled the machine to work amicably , and fostered a tolerance for other people ' s opinion . Bro . G . Richards , D . G . M . Transvaal , said he shared to the full the diffident feeling actuating Bro . Col . Caldwell when he started his speech , and admired the fluency with which his diffidence disappeared . He could not speak in the same eloquent
teims , for theie was a tradition and an old custom which he was told prevailed amongst the Dutch lodges that any member speaking for more than three minutes was deprived of his Masonic privileges for one year . He was not sure of the rules here , but was proud to be permitted to address them . He happened to meet a South African friend , and told him where he was going , and was told they were " a cosmopolitan lot , " and were all middle-class or peers . They were very moderate in the Transvaal , and , at the same time , very progressive . Thc progress of Masonry in the Transvaal was a proof of the
leaps and bounds that Masonryihad made under the wise rule of the Grand Master . In 1 SS 9 there were only two lodges existing in the Transvaal , but he now had the honour of presiding over iG lodges under the British Constitution . They were scattered , and it was a difficulty to arrive at a close communication with every lodge , because they had not a Pulman service of cars , and it took him four or five days by coach , and the roads—he meant the roads in the Transvaal—were none too pleasant to ride over , and had an interesting trick of bucking up against you when you did not want them . There
was perfect harmony between those working under the British , Netherlands and Scotch Constitutions . There were two Irish lodges , and " more power to them , " as they were good fellows to meet . The Dutch he attached importance to because he had found the peifect harmony of working and the fraternal feeling existing between them . He did not wish to trench upon anything political , but he believed that Freemasonry between those nationalities was a great factor in diminishing the race feeling which unfortunately
existed between them . Where they found good Masons they must eventually lind good govemment . He thanked the W . M . for the kind mention of his name , and one of his pleasantcst recollections would be his visit to thit lodge . He had been struck with the haimony and good feeling , and if any one of the members present should find himself in Johannesbuig—and it was not a far cry—they would be only too happy to reciprocate thejiospitality he had received at their hands . . . then said he had received the of
' Bro . the Earl of Onslow , I . P . M ., gavel authority for the purpose of proposing the most important toast of the evening , " The Worshipful Master of the London County Council Lodge . " There were many members of the London County Council present who knew Bro . Sir George Harris and his work and what he had done iol London , but there were a great many present who , perhaps , were not so intimately acquainted with the great setvices he had rendered to this inetronolis . As a member of the London County Council he ( the I . P . M . ) ventured
to recommend the toast not only for the able manner in which bir Ueorge Harris had discharged his duties in the chair that night , but also for the services he had rendered the ratepayers of the Metropolis , for he had spent a long , able , and useful life in the services of thc crown . He ( the I . P . M . ) was not altogether what was known as a chicken but he was one year old when Sir George Harris was Worshipful Master of an important lodge in a colony in which hc had resided—the Bahamas—and ever since that day the W M had devoted himself to the services of his Ouccn and Freemasonry . They would gather from what he had said that the VV . M . was no longer a young man . They had
Craft Masonry.
only to look at the illustrious scion of his house , who was one of the great supporters of the London County Council , to know what he had said was correct . If they looked at the subject of the toast they would see he had maintained his juvenility , his activity and his power of serving his fellow countrymen by the fact that he had never allowed himself to be an idle man . He ( the I . P . M . ) who had arrived only at middle
life could say that the greatest ambition he had , and which he believed would actuate most of them—was never to allow themselves to get rusty in the service of their Queen and country . That was what the W . M . had set before him and accomplished and it was on that account he asked them to drink his health as the second Master of the London County Council Lodge .
Bro . Sir Geo . Harris , P . G . D ., W . M ., in reply , said he did not think that at any period of his life he felt so much at a loss to lind words to express his gratitude , not only to Lord Onslow for the flattering terms in which he had been pleased to speak of him but for the enthusiastic way they had been pleased to receive the toast of his health . He was unfortunately not present at his election but he wondered at his own temerity in accepting the appointment , for if by any chance they put him in comparison with his illustrious predecessor he should be at an immense disadvantage . He had accepted the
office and would make every effort to continue the success of this lodge . Going again into the chair at the end of 44 years took him back to those days when he was quite a youngster in a lodge in a far distant land , and he could not but compare the scene on the present occasion to that in the far distant colony . They had no palatial banquet hall , and no room similar to where the ceremony was performed , but there was great enthusiasm among the Masons of that colony , and ii they were to go there and enter the harbour of Nassau , the most important building would be the Masonic hall , and
that spoke a great deal for the enthusiasm of lhe Craft there . With regard to that lodge , the VV . M . last year commented upon its peculiarities . In recent years there had been many class lodges established , and generally they had been a success . The Northern Bar , the Chancery Bar , the Guards , and the Marcians—each had some bond of union independent of Masonry . This was a class lodge , and , with one exception , he did not know of any other which had such a singular bond of union—for it was their differences . In the Council Chamber they differed pretty warmly , but directly they
put on their Masonic badge the whole thing was changed , and there was nothing but harmony . He hoped they would succeed as they had done in the past year under his illustrious predecessor , they would then do a good work in the Craft , and a greal deal of that asperity of feeling would be smoothed , for there was an old proverb , " You differ most when you know each other least . " In other countries a man on one political side would not look or talk to a man on the other side . Even before this lodge was started in the London Council , when they met in the tea-room , all was changed , and he had seen the
I . P . M . chaffing John Burns , who was not , perhaps , of the same way of thinking . He ( the W . M . ) would only thank them for the cordiality with which they had received him . He would do his best to carry out the work with the same good feeling as in the past . Before he sat down , he wished to propose "The Health of their I . P . M . " In recommending this to their notice , it was not that the I . P . M . was a peer of the realm , or a member of the Government ; it was not on account of his exalted position , and of his great experience in the Colonies , where he had ruled most successfully , but it was for
that kindness of disposition , that geniality and charm of manners which had pleased all those opposed to him in political views . It was that which had endeared him to them , and he would merely ask them to drink the toast . The very pretty jewel they were good enough to vote , he should have the pleasure of placing on the breast of the I . P . M ., and he did not think any jewel was ever conferred upon any P . M . which was more thoroughl y earned . The jewel bears the following inscription— " Presented to R . W . Bro . the Earl of
Onslow , by the London County Council Lodge , No . 2603 , in recognition of the ability with which he discharged the duties of first W . Master . 17 th March , 1 S 97 . " Bro . the Earl of Onslow , I . P . M ., expressed his deep sense of the obligation placed upon him by presenting him with a memento 01 one of the most pleasurable years of his existence when he had had the honour of being W . M . of the London County Council Lodge . It had been given to him , not he thought because he deseived it but because his brethren had been good enough to elect him to the post ot first W . M . He thought
he ought to apologise for not having been present to give the benefits of installation to his worthy successor , but he had important duties to perform in another place on behalf of the Government . Although he opened the lodge he had to absent himself until invested as I . P . M . He ventured to differ to some extent with the D . G . M . of the Transvaal who had remarked lhat this was the most cosmopolitan lodge he had attended ; for so far from being cosmopolitan it was one of the most British Institutions they could possibly find . The W . M , had expressed in well chosen words thc circumstances attendant
upon this lodge , namely , that although upon the London County Council they were sharply divided into two political parties , they met in the lodge upon fraternal ground . He ventured , to say there ^ were two institutions which could not be paralleled anywhere in the civilised world—the Tea Room of the House of Commons and the London County Council Lodge . Nowhere else could they find a common ground where both parties met in the utmost friendship , and that , he thought , was one of the greatest safeguards of the Constitution , that however much they might differ in politics , when they met , whether as
Freemasons or in friendly society , they recognised that their first duty at least was to agree not to differ . During the short time he had had the honour of being W . M . of that lodge he had noticed that that feeling had not in any way diminished , but was growing and gathering in strength , lie was a keen partisan , and it was his duty to represent the view of one party in that Council , but he was not without hope that the day may yet come when the interests of London will be as well safeguarded and as wel ! looked after even if party politics disappear . If that aim was ever
to be accomplished , he thought that one of thc most potent influences which would combine towards that end would be the instruction of the London County Council Lodge . They had been able to meet without a single item of friction from one side or the other , and he thought he might say that both parties were equally represented in the lodge , and not a little had been done even in the present party divisions to make the busi ness of the Council progress and prosper to the general interest of the ratepayers of London by the members of this lodge .
The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " calling upon the following brethren to reply , Bro . Reichenbach , of the Grand Lodge of Switzerland , whom they gladly welcomed , Bro . Routledge , formerly an alderman of the London County Council , and Bro . Rev . F . Downes . Bro . L . Reichenbach , G . Treas . Grand Lodge of Switzerland , thanked Bro . Williamson , the representative of his Grand Lodge of England , for the opportunity of being present . He could promise them a similar reception should they visit his fine country amongst Uie mountains and lakes .
Bros . E . Routledge and Rev . F . Downes also replied , the latter remarking that as they were about to be photographed , even if the photographer employed the Kontgen rays he would fail to discover a skeleton at the feast . Bro . R . M . Beachcroft , P . M ., Treas ., returned thanks on behalf of " The Treasurer and Secretary , " and said the whole of the work had devolved upon the Secretary ,
which had been worked in a manner which reflected the greatest credit upon . himself and the lodge . Bro . E . White , P . M ., Sec , said that , unfortunately , he had not been as well as he could have wished , and , therefore , he felt more anxiety than he otherwise would have done . He thanked the Worshipful Master for the honour done him by asking him to be Secretary for the second year , and would do what he could while he occupied that position .
The W . M ., in giving " The Officers , " alluded to the fact that his son was the S . D ., and had the distinction of installing his father into the chair of a lodge . He took the opportunity of thanking the Grand Secretary for the way he ( the W . M . ) had been installed that day . Bro . Nathan Robinson , P . M ., S . W ., observed that it had been said that Radicals dearly loved a lord , and , whether a lord or not , they admired Lord Onslow , because he was a man of the right sort . The Tyler ' s toast by Bro . Edgley , P . M ., concluded the proceedings .
During the evening a [ . holograph of thc banquet-hall was taken by Messrs . Fradclle and Young , of Regent-street , who make a speciality of this branch of photography , and from their past success it is safe to assume that thc result will be an interesting and artistic souvenir of the occasion . Bro . H . Schartau , Organist , vyas assisted in the musical arrangements by Madame Isabel George , Miss Emily Foxcroft , Brj . Walter Tilbury , and Maldwyn Humphreys . * _ THE COUNTESS ot BECTIVE is arranging for an Arts and Crafts Exhibition to be held in the town of Lancaster to commemorate the Dianond Jubilee of the Queen .