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Article FREEMASONRY IN 1884. ← Page 3 of 5 Article FREEMASONRY IN 1884. Page 3 of 5 →
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Freemasonry In 1884.
M . W . P . G . M . M . M . of his brother , the Prince of Wales , our Craft Grand Master . The latest event of interest in connection with this Degree was the consecration , on Tuesday , the 2 nd December , of the Grand Stewards ' Lodge , the members of which will be strictly limited to Grand and Past Grand Stewards of Grand Lodge . The ceremony was impressively carried
out by the Earl of Kintore , G . M ., and with Bro . C . E . Soppet as its W . Master , and such other well-known brethren as Bros . Spice , Hogard , Cumberland , & c , among its officers , we have no hesitating in stating that the lodge could not have started under better auspices . Of the inevitable changes which each succeeding year effects in this as in other branches
of Masonry , it is noteworthy that Lord Henniker was succeeded in June last by the Earl of Kintore , the latter's post of D . G . M . being occupied by Lord Egerton of Tatton . The kindly face of Bro . D . M . Dewar , Asst . G . Secretary , has gone for ever from our sight , and there is no doubt his death has been a great loss to the Mark . His brethren , however , did what they
could to show their great respect for his many and valuable services by raising a fund for his widow of some £ 340 , Grand Lodge itself contributingas its mite the sum of £ 50 His post in the office of Grand Secretary is now occupied by Bro . C F . Matier , a most indefatigable brother , who will render most efficient service in his new capacity , though it is impossible he can surpass in zeal and courtesy his able and genial predecessor .
Among the other new officials must be mentioned Bros . Sir H . B . Hancock , Chief Justice of Gibraltar , P . G . M . of the new Mark Province of Gibraltar ; Bro . A . F . Godson , installed but the other day P . G . M . of Worcestershire—now for the first time included in the list of Mark Provinces ; and Bro . R . I . Finnemore , the first P . G . M . of Natal . We note also that
Bro . W . Charlton Hughes has succeeded Bro . J . W . Smith as P . G . M . of Bombay , and Bro . Col . G . B . Wolseley , Bro . Col . A . Stewart as P . G . M . Bengal . Bros . Sir Pryse-Pryse , Bart ., P . G . M . South Wales , and R . C . Else , P . G . M . Somerset , have had their terms of office respectively extended for
a further period of three years . Be it added that Bro . F . Davison , Grand Treasurer , has been honoured with the rank of P . G . J . W ., and that the post of the late Bro . H . C . Levander , as Grand Registrar of Marks , and his place in the Grand Master ' s Royal Ark Mariners Council are both
vacant . It is , of course , impossible in a survey of this kind to quite ignore the somewhat embittered dispute between the Grand Chapter of Quebec and our Mark Grand Lodge . The subject has been pretty well worn threadbare by this time , nor is it the place here , or , indeed , our intention , to touch upon
the merits of the disputant bodies . Perhaps if our friend the enemy wcre associated with any other jurisdiction than Quebec , a way might be found of settling the matter amicably , and in a manner honourable to both sides .
But the Quebec officials are of such inflammatory temperament , that perhaps we shall best consult the future interests of peace by stating the bare fact that the present position of the rival bodies is as nearly as possible what it was at the corresponding period of 1883 .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The unkind critic who finds we say but little of the various branches of Masonry which may be grouped together under this head , will not improbably suggest lhat we are reticent because we have nothing to say lhat is worth recording . This is by np means the case . Each of these degrees has
more than held its own during the year ; but the numbers we have to deal with are smaller , and what they are able to effect is less easily noticed . Our Knights Templar are a very quiet and unassuming body , unlike the Knights Templar organisations of the United States with their public parades and pageants , their drill competitions , and their pilgrimages . This
kind of thing is unknown here , the bare records of meetings and the statistics contained in the " Cosmo " being the only kind of publicity vouchsafed , or , indeed , desired . The roll of preceptories under the Great Priory of England has been slightly added to , while the general membership , if it has not been materially strengthened , has certainly maintained its strength .
The complete independence which was established last year by the Great Priory of Canada has had no effect on Templary here , for the reason that Canada was previously independent in everything but name . As regards the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , four new conclaves have been added to the roll , and these are all established in Australia ; or
if they have not yet been constituted , they will be so very shortly . Three new Rose Croix . Chapters figure in the returns of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and a similar increment is observable in the case of the Grand Council of the Allied Degrees , which now has 15 instead of 12 subordinate councils . It must also be borne in mind that a ! l , the members
of these various bodies bear their part in the general work of Masonry , and that hardly a Festival subscription list is published which does not contain one or more handsome contributions from some chapter—other than Royal Arch—council , conclave , or preceptory . If what Bro . Jacob Norton calls our " High Degrce-ers " make very little noise in the Masonic world , it is
because they know the work they put their hands to will be done even more effectually without ostentation . If , for instance , in the case of the Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Rite , a " balance , being capital , " exceeding £ 15 , , on the 30 th June , 1884 , may be taken as the evidence of a fair state of prosperity—and , in our humble opinion , it is—then our "High
Degree-ers" must be pretty well circumstanced , and , what is of even greater consequence , their affairs must be very well and economicall y administered . In fine , our Chivalric and High Degrees must not be excepted from the acknowledged prosperous condition of English Masonry ; the reports and statistics which have appeared in our columns place this fact beyond all question .
OUR I NSTITUTIONS . We have every reason to be satisfied with , and even proud of , what has happened in connection with our Institutions . It is true there has been achieved
Freemasonry In 1884.
nothing of an exceptionally brilliant character , as was the case at the Boys ' School Festival in 1883 , when Viscount Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , presided , and upwards of £ " 23 , 000 was found to have been realised in the way of subscriptions and donations . But it must be gratifying to learn lhat this unusual influx of funds to a single Institution at one Festival has not ,
as it was feared at thc time might prove to be the case , had tho effect of impairing seriously the ordinary flow of contributions into the coffers either of the same or the sister Charities . Thc three Festivals of 18 S 3 yielded together some £ 47 , 000 ; those held during 1884 produced a sum total of nearly £ 42 , 000 , and if wc bear in mind that a considerable portion of the
sum realised at the Boys' Festival in the former was for the special purpose of erecting a junior school , we must see good reason to be pleased with the general total yielded in the latter . 'Ihe Anniversary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held at Freemasons' Tavern on the 26 th February . Bro . J . D . Allcroft , Grand Treasurer , had kindh / undertaken to
preside , but illness stepped in at the critical moment lo prevent this arrangement being carried out , and the chair was occupied by Sir J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes . The gathering was numerous and representative , and Bro . Terry had the satisfaction of announcing a total of nearly £ 14 , 350 , which was ultimatel y increased to £ 14 , 665 . This
great success is all the more satisfactory , as it enabled the Committee of Management to suggest a further increase in the number of annuitantsand the increase was sadly necessary—from 16 5 to 170 on the Male Fund , and from 167 to 182 on the Female Fund . In May was held the Ninety-sixth Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Lord
Brooke , M . P ., P . G . M . of Essex , presided ; there was the usual muster of friends and supporters of the Institution , and Bro . Hedges must be congratulated on the total of over £ 13 , , which , in the course of the evening , it became his duty to announce . There is one feature in connection with this Anniversary , which it is desirable we should introduce . In the case of
the two School celebrations , there is always associated with them a Stewards' visit to the Institution and a public distribution of prizes . This associate celebration in respect of the Girls' Institution was held at St . John ' s Hill , on the 19 th May , when the President for the day was no less distinguished a personage
than the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , a name very dear to Freemasonry , not only from the fact of her father having been one of us , but also , and in an especial degree , from the deep interest exhibited by her ladyship on several notable occasions towards our Society , as well as from the fact of her husband , Bro . Burdett-Coutts , W . M . of the Abbey Lodge , No .
2030 , Westminster , being one of the Stewards . Thus it was from the hands of this lady , whose name is so dear to the Craft , that ihe girls who had distinguished themselves in the early half of this year received the prizes they had so honourably earned , and it was from her lips they heard many kindly words of advice which we are convinced they will take into
iheir young hearts and treasure there during the rest of their days . The service rendered by the Baroness at this Festival was shortly afterwards made the occasion for presenting her with an address of thanks , not only for what she had done in this one instance , but likewise for her repeated displays of generous interest in the doings of our Fraternity . Last of all there
was held at the Crystal Palace , on the 28 th June , under the genial presidency of our worthy Bro . Alderman Fowler , M . P ., then Lord Mayor of London , the 86 th Festival of the Boys' School , when Bro . Binckes had the pleasure of being able to state the result of his Stewards' efforts at a total of £ 14 , , which , though considerably below his exceptional
announcement in 1883 , falls but little , if at all , short of being the most considerable sum ever raised , even at one of his successful gatherings . Him , too , we must congratulate on so splendid a result , and we do so the more heartily because in his endeavours to secure the services of an efficient chairman , he experienced prertty much the same number of disappointments as his brother
Secretary of the R . M . Benevolent Institution , though in Bro . Binckes's case the disappointments were intensified by the fact of his having enlisted for this purpose the assistance of the late lamented Duke of Albany , who had graciously accepted the post of Chairman at the Boys' Festival for this year , and indeed had only fixed the day it would be convenient for him to preside
a short space before his death occurred . The minor Festival at the Institution itself , when the prizes were distributed , passed off admirably under the presidency of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . As to the proposed Preparatory School , we may state that not only has thc requisite ground been purchased , but contracts for erecting the additional buildings and a
new hall have been entered into and their fulfilment is already far advanced towards completion , so that we look to there being an appreciable increase in the establishment at Wood Green early in the course of next year . And
who knows but that perhaps an illustrious member of the Craft may have it in his power to inaugurate the new School ? We hope it may be so , and that this casual expression of a hope , for which there is no other warranty than our own heartv good wishes for the School ' s welfare , may be realised .
PROVINCIAL AND OTHER CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS . It is so natural the Craft should give its chief attention lo the Central Masonic Institutions—Institutions which appeal annually for support to the brethren throughout the whole country , and by which applicants from all parts are benefited—that wc fear there is some danger of those minor
associations which have been established in so many of our provinces , and in connection with so many of our metropolitan lodges , meeting with but scant recognition in return for their valuable assistance to poorer deceased members and their families . Yel many of these are organised on a large scale ,
own considerable funded properly , and by the local good they do , must perceptibly lessen the severe pressure which is increasingly being brought to bear on the resources of our principal Charities . We have not the space to give full particulars of the work done by these various bodies 3 many of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In 1884.
M . W . P . G . M . M . M . of his brother , the Prince of Wales , our Craft Grand Master . The latest event of interest in connection with this Degree was the consecration , on Tuesday , the 2 nd December , of the Grand Stewards ' Lodge , the members of which will be strictly limited to Grand and Past Grand Stewards of Grand Lodge . The ceremony was impressively carried
out by the Earl of Kintore , G . M ., and with Bro . C . E . Soppet as its W . Master , and such other well-known brethren as Bros . Spice , Hogard , Cumberland , & c , among its officers , we have no hesitating in stating that the lodge could not have started under better auspices . Of the inevitable changes which each succeeding year effects in this as in other branches
of Masonry , it is noteworthy that Lord Henniker was succeeded in June last by the Earl of Kintore , the latter's post of D . G . M . being occupied by Lord Egerton of Tatton . The kindly face of Bro . D . M . Dewar , Asst . G . Secretary , has gone for ever from our sight , and there is no doubt his death has been a great loss to the Mark . His brethren , however , did what they
could to show their great respect for his many and valuable services by raising a fund for his widow of some £ 340 , Grand Lodge itself contributingas its mite the sum of £ 50 His post in the office of Grand Secretary is now occupied by Bro . C F . Matier , a most indefatigable brother , who will render most efficient service in his new capacity , though it is impossible he can surpass in zeal and courtesy his able and genial predecessor .
Among the other new officials must be mentioned Bros . Sir H . B . Hancock , Chief Justice of Gibraltar , P . G . M . of the new Mark Province of Gibraltar ; Bro . A . F . Godson , installed but the other day P . G . M . of Worcestershire—now for the first time included in the list of Mark Provinces ; and Bro . R . I . Finnemore , the first P . G . M . of Natal . We note also that
Bro . W . Charlton Hughes has succeeded Bro . J . W . Smith as P . G . M . of Bombay , and Bro . Col . G . B . Wolseley , Bro . Col . A . Stewart as P . G . M . Bengal . Bros . Sir Pryse-Pryse , Bart ., P . G . M . South Wales , and R . C . Else , P . G . M . Somerset , have had their terms of office respectively extended for
a further period of three years . Be it added that Bro . F . Davison , Grand Treasurer , has been honoured with the rank of P . G . J . W ., and that the post of the late Bro . H . C . Levander , as Grand Registrar of Marks , and his place in the Grand Master ' s Royal Ark Mariners Council are both
vacant . It is , of course , impossible in a survey of this kind to quite ignore the somewhat embittered dispute between the Grand Chapter of Quebec and our Mark Grand Lodge . The subject has been pretty well worn threadbare by this time , nor is it the place here , or , indeed , our intention , to touch upon
the merits of the disputant bodies . Perhaps if our friend the enemy wcre associated with any other jurisdiction than Quebec , a way might be found of settling the matter amicably , and in a manner honourable to both sides .
But the Quebec officials are of such inflammatory temperament , that perhaps we shall best consult the future interests of peace by stating the bare fact that the present position of the rival bodies is as nearly as possible what it was at the corresponding period of 1883 .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The unkind critic who finds we say but little of the various branches of Masonry which may be grouped together under this head , will not improbably suggest lhat we are reticent because we have nothing to say lhat is worth recording . This is by np means the case . Each of these degrees has
more than held its own during the year ; but the numbers we have to deal with are smaller , and what they are able to effect is less easily noticed . Our Knights Templar are a very quiet and unassuming body , unlike the Knights Templar organisations of the United States with their public parades and pageants , their drill competitions , and their pilgrimages . This
kind of thing is unknown here , the bare records of meetings and the statistics contained in the " Cosmo " being the only kind of publicity vouchsafed , or , indeed , desired . The roll of preceptories under the Great Priory of England has been slightly added to , while the general membership , if it has not been materially strengthened , has certainly maintained its strength .
The complete independence which was established last year by the Great Priory of Canada has had no effect on Templary here , for the reason that Canada was previously independent in everything but name . As regards the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , four new conclaves have been added to the roll , and these are all established in Australia ; or
if they have not yet been constituted , they will be so very shortly . Three new Rose Croix . Chapters figure in the returns of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , and a similar increment is observable in the case of the Grand Council of the Allied Degrees , which now has 15 instead of 12 subordinate councils . It must also be borne in mind that a ! l , the members
of these various bodies bear their part in the general work of Masonry , and that hardly a Festival subscription list is published which does not contain one or more handsome contributions from some chapter—other than Royal Arch—council , conclave , or preceptory . If what Bro . Jacob Norton calls our " High Degrce-ers " make very little noise in the Masonic world , it is
because they know the work they put their hands to will be done even more effectually without ostentation . If , for instance , in the case of the Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Rite , a " balance , being capital , " exceeding £ 15 , , on the 30 th June , 1884 , may be taken as the evidence of a fair state of prosperity—and , in our humble opinion , it is—then our "High
Degree-ers" must be pretty well circumstanced , and , what is of even greater consequence , their affairs must be very well and economicall y administered . In fine , our Chivalric and High Degrees must not be excepted from the acknowledged prosperous condition of English Masonry ; the reports and statistics which have appeared in our columns place this fact beyond all question .
OUR I NSTITUTIONS . We have every reason to be satisfied with , and even proud of , what has happened in connection with our Institutions . It is true there has been achieved
Freemasonry In 1884.
nothing of an exceptionally brilliant character , as was the case at the Boys ' School Festival in 1883 , when Viscount Holmesdale , P . G . M . Kent , presided , and upwards of £ " 23 , 000 was found to have been realised in the way of subscriptions and donations . But it must be gratifying to learn lhat this unusual influx of funds to a single Institution at one Festival has not ,
as it was feared at thc time might prove to be the case , had tho effect of impairing seriously the ordinary flow of contributions into the coffers either of the same or the sister Charities . Thc three Festivals of 18 S 3 yielded together some £ 47 , 000 ; those held during 1884 produced a sum total of nearly £ 42 , 000 , and if wc bear in mind that a considerable portion of the
sum realised at the Boys' Festival in the former was for the special purpose of erecting a junior school , we must see good reason to be pleased with the general total yielded in the latter . 'Ihe Anniversary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held at Freemasons' Tavern on the 26 th February . Bro . J . D . Allcroft , Grand Treasurer , had kindh / undertaken to
preside , but illness stepped in at the critical moment lo prevent this arrangement being carried out , and the chair was occupied by Sir J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes . The gathering was numerous and representative , and Bro . Terry had the satisfaction of announcing a total of nearly £ 14 , 350 , which was ultimatel y increased to £ 14 , 665 . This
great success is all the more satisfactory , as it enabled the Committee of Management to suggest a further increase in the number of annuitantsand the increase was sadly necessary—from 16 5 to 170 on the Male Fund , and from 167 to 182 on the Female Fund . In May was held the Ninety-sixth Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Lord
Brooke , M . P ., P . G . M . of Essex , presided ; there was the usual muster of friends and supporters of the Institution , and Bro . Hedges must be congratulated on the total of over £ 13 , , which , in the course of the evening , it became his duty to announce . There is one feature in connection with this Anniversary , which it is desirable we should introduce . In the case of
the two School celebrations , there is always associated with them a Stewards' visit to the Institution and a public distribution of prizes . This associate celebration in respect of the Girls' Institution was held at St . John ' s Hill , on the 19 th May , when the President for the day was no less distinguished a personage
than the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , a name very dear to Freemasonry , not only from the fact of her father having been one of us , but also , and in an especial degree , from the deep interest exhibited by her ladyship on several notable occasions towards our Society , as well as from the fact of her husband , Bro . Burdett-Coutts , W . M . of the Abbey Lodge , No .
2030 , Westminster , being one of the Stewards . Thus it was from the hands of this lady , whose name is so dear to the Craft , that ihe girls who had distinguished themselves in the early half of this year received the prizes they had so honourably earned , and it was from her lips they heard many kindly words of advice which we are convinced they will take into
iheir young hearts and treasure there during the rest of their days . The service rendered by the Baroness at this Festival was shortly afterwards made the occasion for presenting her with an address of thanks , not only for what she had done in this one instance , but likewise for her repeated displays of generous interest in the doings of our Fraternity . Last of all there
was held at the Crystal Palace , on the 28 th June , under the genial presidency of our worthy Bro . Alderman Fowler , M . P ., then Lord Mayor of London , the 86 th Festival of the Boys' School , when Bro . Binckes had the pleasure of being able to state the result of his Stewards' efforts at a total of £ 14 , , which , though considerably below his exceptional
announcement in 1883 , falls but little , if at all , short of being the most considerable sum ever raised , even at one of his successful gatherings . Him , too , we must congratulate on so splendid a result , and we do so the more heartily because in his endeavours to secure the services of an efficient chairman , he experienced prertty much the same number of disappointments as his brother
Secretary of the R . M . Benevolent Institution , though in Bro . Binckes's case the disappointments were intensified by the fact of his having enlisted for this purpose the assistance of the late lamented Duke of Albany , who had graciously accepted the post of Chairman at the Boys' Festival for this year , and indeed had only fixed the day it would be convenient for him to preside
a short space before his death occurred . The minor Festival at the Institution itself , when the prizes were distributed , passed off admirably under the presidency of Bro . Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Std . Br . As to the proposed Preparatory School , we may state that not only has thc requisite ground been purchased , but contracts for erecting the additional buildings and a
new hall have been entered into and their fulfilment is already far advanced towards completion , so that we look to there being an appreciable increase in the establishment at Wood Green early in the course of next year . And
who knows but that perhaps an illustrious member of the Craft may have it in his power to inaugurate the new School ? We hope it may be so , and that this casual expression of a hope , for which there is no other warranty than our own heartv good wishes for the School ' s welfare , may be realised .
PROVINCIAL AND OTHER CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS . It is so natural the Craft should give its chief attention lo the Central Masonic Institutions—Institutions which appeal annually for support to the brethren throughout the whole country , and by which applicants from all parts are benefited—that wc fear there is some danger of those minor
associations which have been established in so many of our provinces , and in connection with so many of our metropolitan lodges , meeting with but scant recognition in return for their valuable assistance to poorer deceased members and their families . Yel many of these are organised on a large scale ,
own considerable funded properly , and by the local good they do , must perceptibly lessen the severe pressure which is increasingly being brought to bear on the resources of our principal Charities . We have not the space to give full particulars of the work done by these various bodies 3 many of