Centenary Festival Of The Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 271.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . Dennant for his excellent compilation . Bro . Rev . J . PUTTICK , Prov . G . Chap ., followed with a short address . A very impressive rendering of the anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " was given by Bros . J . A . Brown ,

E . A . Dalzell , James Kift , and C . Ackerman . Bro . V . P . Freeman was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge . The ceremony having concluded , the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where they sat down to an elegant banquet ,

supplied by Bro . D . Mutton , whose catering gave universal satisfaction . The W . M . presided . The post prandial proceedings were of an enthusiastic character . The W . M . opened the toast list with " The Queen and the Craft , " briefly remarking that her Majesty had

many virtues , and the Craft no vices . The W . M . next proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England . " Freemasons , he said , were proud in having the Prince of Wales as their Grand Master , and were grateful to him for devoting so much of his time to Freemasonry .

Bro . C . J . POCOCK , P . P . J . G . W ., then gave the toast of " The Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " The Officers of Grand Lodge , he said , fully deserved their hi gh preferment on account of their past services in the Craft . Their interest did not , however , cease on their appointment . They still worked actively in

Freemasonry . He gracefully alluded to the honour conferred upon the lodge by the attendance of Bro . Parkinson and other Grand Lodge Officers that day , and to the late Bros . J . H . Scott and Gerard Ford and other members of the Royal Clarence Lodge who had been promoted to Grand Lodge honours .

Bro . J . C . PARKINSON , P . G . D ., in responding , said nothing was more interesting in the Craft than the celebration of centenary festivals . It had been a source of pleasure to him to find the Royal Clarence Lodge prosperous and strong , and to see that the brethren , amidst other interchanges of fraternal sentiments ,

upheld the traditions of the Craft and the dignity of their lodge . Bro . TROLLOPE , P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W ., also acknowledged the toast , and , congratulating the W . M . on the success of the afternoon and evening , alluded to the pleasures he had experienced in visiting the late Bro .

J . H . Scott . Thanking the Royal Clarence brethren for their hospitality , he expressed the hope that their lodge would again do great and useful work in the next century . The W . M . proposed " The Duke of Connaught ,

Prov . G . M . " Coming nearer home , he said all present knew too well the interest the Duke of Connaught took in the Craft and how well he performed the ceremonies of his hi gh office . Unfortunately for the province , his Royal Hi ghness had been called away to India , where he took no less an interest inthe Craft as the D . G . M . of

that great empire . He had been two years away , and they all looked forward to the early part of next year , when they hoped to see him once more amongst them . He had not only sent letters through his Secretary , but had himself written to their late D . P . G . M ., Bro . Ford , asking for information respecting the Province of

Sussex . They also wished him health and happiness , and a speedy return to his native land . Bro . G . CAMPBELL , P . M ., proposed "Bro . the Ri ght Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . S . G . W ., and the Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " It was pleasing , he said , to the brethren of the

Royal Clarence Lodge to see present so large a gathering of distinguished Officers of Grand Lodge and Prov . Grand Lodge . The Royal Clarence Lodge was closely identified with the Prov . Grand Lodge , for the offices of Prov . Grand Master and Deputy Prov . Grand Master had been held by brethren of the lodge . He especially eulogised the efforts of their late

Bro . Gavin E . Pocock in Freemasonry , that brother having done more than any other to resuscitate the Provincial Grand Lodge . By the kindness of his esteemed son , Bro . C . J . Pocock , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., the lodge had been presented with the cup which had been presented to him ( Bro . Gavin E . Pocock ) by the brethren of the province . In fitting and eloquent terms he referred to the eminent services of the late

Bros . Sir W . W . Burrell , J . H . Scott , and Gerard Ford . He regretted that Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott had been called away from their gathering , and coupled the toast with the name of Bro . V . P . Freeman , Prov . Grand Secretary . Bro . V . P . FREEMAN , Prov . G . Sec , in responding , said that the officers , deprived of their leading directors , would all unite in promoting the interests of the

province . Bro . EDMUND YATES , P . G . S ., was cordially received on rising to propose "The Worshipful Master . " He said all present would realise his feelings when he said how happy he felt , after the week ' s heavy work and labour , to gain a little rest , and his pleasure in gliding from the stormy seas of controversy to the peaceful

haven of the Royal Clarence Lodge . Leaving the public platform and diversities of opinion behind , he stood before them confident that there would be no divergence from his own opinions . No one would ask him pressing questions as to why he left his house , or whether he lived in the top room of a club . The term " boy " could not be applied to him , and all present would see that the hair on his head was visible . He

had great pleasure , he said , in heartily proposing " The Worshipful Master . " He had known Bro . Billing for many years ' 4 and , alluding to the past services of the late Bro . J . H . Scott , said no more fitting successor

Centenary Festival Of The Royal Clarence Lodge, No. 271.

to that distinguished brother could be found than their W . M . Bro . Billing was a hardworking Mason , and in no point was he deficient . He was a jolly good fellow , perfectly sound and sensible , with no fads , one of the

most courteous of men , and always accessible . They had all seen how admirably he had discharged his duties that day , and he felt that the brethren of the lodge were honoured in having him as their Worshipful Master .

Bro . T . BILLING , on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received . He said " Out of the heart the mouth speaketh , " but their kind reception had almost taken all words from him . He thanked Bro . Yates for the kind and flattering manner in which he had spoken of him and the brethren for the cordial reception they had

given to the toast . He deeply felt the honour of being their W . M . for the second time . The honour had not arisen from any self-seeking on his part , and he felt grateful to the brethren for their confidence in him . The Royai Clarence Lodge was one of the oldest and most influential in the province , and he felt additional

pride in following such worthy Masons as those alluded to by Bro . Campbell . He gracefully alluded to the zeal and efficiency of their late Bro . Gerard Ford . His recent loss would remind them all that " Man proposes , but the Great Architect of the Universe disposes . " Concluding his response , he said he should strive

earnestly to carry out his duties to the satisfaction of the brethren , that when weig hed in the balances he trusted he should not be found wanting . Bro . W . KUHE , P . M ., P . G . O ., in his customary facetious manner , proposed " The Visitors . " Bro . W . C . MORRISON ( Mayor elect of Eastbourne )

and Bro . W . SENDALL ( Mayor of Brighton ) responded , each speaking in hi g h terms of the hospitality extended to them by the Royal Clarence Lodge . Bro . PARKINSON proposed " Success to the Royal Clarence Lodge . " Bro . T . BILLING , W . M responded , and thanked

those present for assisting in the celebration of the lodge centenary . For 27 years the Prov . Grand Lodge of Sussex , he said , had lapsed , and the Royal Clarence Lodge was called upon to undertake its duties . It was mainly owing to their late Bro . Gavin E . Pocock that the Provincial Grand Lodge was revived . The cup

presented to that distinguished brother had recently been presented to the lodge by his son , Bro . C . J . Pocock , as a loving cup . With so large a gathering before him , the cup could not then be passed round , but he himself would drink to them all a hearty welcome to the Royal Clarence Lodge . He trusted

the lodge would continue to prosper , that it would be happy in the choice of its members , and ever uphold its present hi g h standard of honour and efficiency . The W . M . proposed " The Worshipful Masters of the Province of Sussex , " to which Bro . E . S . MEDCALF responded .

Bro . L . DOWDALL gave " The Past Masters , " which Bro . C . J . CORDER acknowledged , with allusions to his own connection with the lodge for a third of a century , and referred to the work of the late Bros . Gavin E . Pocock and J . H . Scott . The W . M . proposed "The Oflicers , " to which Bros .

F . C . PARSON , S . W ., and C . A . KENDALL , I . C , replied . The Tyler ' s toast completed the very successful and enjoyable evening . The musical programme , carried out under the direction of Bros . Dr . A . King , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., and Dr . F . J . Sawyer , Prov . CO ., proved most enjoyable .

The vocalists engaged were Madame Antoinette Luck , Miss Minnie Freeman , and Bros . J . A . Brown , Edward Dalzell , Edward Plater , and C . Ackerman , who elicited warm applause by the admirable manner in which they gave their songs and glees , the latter , for the male

voices , being an especially pleasing feature . Bro . Kuhe delighted the brethren with a pianoforte solo . The duties of accompanist were admirably carried out by Bro . W . N . Roe , P . P . G . O .

Sermon By The Grand Chaplain Of England At Wigan.

SERMON BY THE GRAND CHAPLAIN OF ENGLAND AT WIGAN .

The last state visit to church of the present Mayor of Wigan , Bro . W . Rogers , J . P ., on Sunday morning , was signalised by the brethren of Wigan and the district joining the procession in large numbers , the interest being enhanced owing to the consent of Bro . the Rev . T . Barton Spencer , M . A ., P . M . 314 , P . P . G . C .

of West Lancashire , Grand Chaplain of England , to preach at Wigan Parish Church , his first Masonic sermon after accession to the Grand Chaplaincy . Over 100 brethren assembled at the Masonic Rooms , King-street , among whom were the following Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . W . E . M . Tomlinson ,

M . P ., 11 3 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Brindle , 17 8 and 226 9 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . Betley , 1335 , P . A . G . Sec . ; L . R . Rowbottom , P . P . G . W ., M . W . Peace , P . P . G . W ., and R . A . Ffarrington , P . P . G . W ., of 178 ; J . D . Murray , 1335 , P . P . G . D . C ; and J . N . Patterson , 484 , P . D . G . D . C The Wigari lodges were all strongly represented ,

and visiting brethren attended from Preston ( Bro . J . G . Christian P . M . 113 ) , Southport , Ashton-in-Makerfield , & c . In front of the Council Chamber a full procession was formed , headed by the band and members of the 1 st

V . B . M . R . ( Wigan Rifles ) , the brethren coming next , and preceding the mayor , aldermen , and councillors . Thousands of spectators lined the route , and the parish church was crowded . The Rev . E . H . Broadhurst ( curate ) read the prayers and the first lesson , the

Sermon By The Grand Chaplain Of England At Wigan.

second lesson being read by the Hon . and Rev . Canon Bridgeman ( rector ) . The anthem " Oh Lord , how manifold are Thy works , " was sung by the choir . Bro . Rev . T . BARTON SPENCER , M . A ., G . Chap . , preached from Micah vi ., 8— " What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God . " He said : The teaching

of the Church in the Gospel for to-day , the 18 th Sunday after Trinity , is our duty towards God and our duty towards our neig hbour . These duties are pressed upon our attention by the prophet Micah in my text , and I have chosen these words as appropriate for our consideration this morning , when the Freemasons of

this town are present as members of the Order . The text not only contains , though expressed in different words , the teaching of the Church in the Gospel , but it also contains , as it were , a summary of the teaching of Freemasonry . But , in the first place , methinks \ hear some one say what is Freemasonry ? " Well , " I

reply , " it is a peculiar or particular system of morality . " " It is founded on the purest principles of piety and virtue , " for the morality it teaches is taken from the volume of the Sacred Law , the Holy Bible , which is always open in our lodges . Freemasonry is a reli gious society which does not enter into competition with

Christianity , and I may illustrate this point by a reference to the case of Cornelius the Centurian , as recorded in Acts x . Cornelius was a man striving " to do justl y , to love mercy , and to walk humbly with his God , " as Freemasonry teaches its members to do . It was said of Cornelius " Thy prayers and thine alms

are come up for a memorial before God " ( Acts x ., 4 ) . Yet it was necessary that St Peter should be sent to him to preach Jesus Christ as his Saviour and to baptise him . As a religious society Freemasonry is a handmaid to the Christian religion , just as any other good society , such as the temperance ,

the White Cross , or any other society whose great end is to inculcate morality , is a handmaid to religion , while many of its degrees are known by the name of the Christian degrees . Having briefly explained what Freemasonry is , I pass on to show , in the second place , how it carries out the teaching of my text with regard

to our duty towards our neig hbour , for we are told "To do justly and to love mercy . " We are to do justly . What is the meaning of this ? Well , justice is requisite for the peace and happiness , nay , the very existence of society , for true liberty can only exist when justice is equally administered to all by the laws of the land , and

all obey them . Justice is that virtue which impels us to give to every person what is his due ; but in estimating what is due to any one , we must take into account the consideration that society is a whole , is one body , one divine family . To do justly , then , is to do justice to every one—it is to give every one his due . But to do

justly also signifies to do judgment , to pass righteous judgment in all circumstances . In order to do this we must not judge others merely according to appearances , for these are frequently deceptive , and things which often have a bad look appear quite different when we know all the facts and the reasons thereof .

To pass righteous judgment is to judge fairly and kindly of others . It leads us to remember how often we are blamed for the acts which we have done for the best of reasons and from the purest of motives , and so it may be with others . We are led to say , " Must not this man have a satisfactory explanation of

his conduct , if I only knew all the facts and his reasons for acting in the way which he has done ? " And before passing a severe judgment upon anyone , based upon something we have heard to his disparagement , we are led to put ourselves the three simple questions . " Is it true , is it kind , is it necessary ? " And

Freemasonry teaches us " to do justly . " It bids us do -, justice to every one , for its command is , " Let justice be the guide of all your actions . " It teaches us to i give every one his due . It instructs us as citizens to , give cheerful obedience to the laws and a loya j allegiance to the Sovereign of our native land . " And j

if Freemasonry were not loyal to the very core , it is j not likely that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales would be *• our Grand Master , or that Prince Albert Victor and the j Duke of Connaught would hold high office in the j Order . If Freemasonry did not inculcate obedience to ] the constituted authorities of our land , your hig hly- j his

esteemed mayor—who has discharged the duties of hi g h position in such an admirable manner and with : such bountiful li , erality that the termination of his , j office is regarded with a general feeling of g . ' j regret on the part of his fellow-townsmen—it lb not likelthat he would belong to our Order , or

y would have given it official sanction by permitting tl " ' Freemasons to form part of his procession to chuic upon this his last state visit . Freemasonry instructs u , as individuals to be true and just in all our dealing * j towards societyour familiesand ourselves It tea cl *) j

, , . us to judge fairly of others , and so long as it is pops'b j to judge kindly of others , for its bids us " maim ' 1 ^ a brother ' s honour in his absence as well as in his p j sence , and carefully preserve it as our own , while we < boldlv to reoel the slanderer of his pood name ; an ,. '

teaches us that to the just and uprig ht man death na not terrors equal to the stains of falsehood an" 1 ^ honour . " The second part of our duty towards 0 . neighbour , as set before us in mv text , is to love m J to

We are not only to be just to all , but to be kind < Our mercy , like God ' s , must be joined with et l l _ " Be ye therefore merciful , as your Father also is »* ful . " " And what is mercy ? " you ask . It nas ^ . .. rfpfinpd as havino- its namfi frnm' misery , and rn * , r y

to lay a brother ' s misery to heart , while it s ' ° » to in Charity . And does not Freemasonry teach u t ] iC love mercy , " seeing that it declares " Charity to