History Of The Lodge Of Emulation . No. 21.

" ist . That it is the primary duty of the Grand Lodge to view with the greatest Jealousy any Breach of the Privileges secured to the Alasonic Body by the Legislature . " 2 nd . That one of the most valuable of those Privileges , and that which constitutes the very Essence and Spirit of

the Order , is the Secresy with respect to the Proceedings and Concerns of Alasonry , which is enjoined in the ancient Charges , inculcated by the strongest obligations in every Stage of Afasonic Degree , and rigidly laid down by the Laws and Constitutions .

" 3 rd . That the Publication by Alasons of the Proceedings and Concerns of Alasonry , or furnishing Alaterials for such Publications , are traiterous Violations of this most important Privilege , and deserving of the highest Punishment denounced against such Offences by the Laws and Constitutions , as such

Publications , if not discouraged and suppressed , must ultimately destroy the Respectability , and may even hazard the Existence of the Craft .

" 4 th . That , with a view of checking this Evil , the Grand Lodge call on all Alasonic Authorities and Masters of Lodges on their Masonic Allegiance to use their utmost Endeavours to cause all Brothers who may violate this Privilege b y engaging in any such Publication as the late Freemasons '

Quarterly AV ; ' /« c , or by furnishing Materials for such Publication by any Disclosure , without clue Sanction , of the Proceedings or Concerns of Alasonry , to be brought before the projier Tribunal to be dealt with according to the Laws and Constitutions of the Order .

" 5 th . That these Resolutions be forthwith transmitted by the Grand Secretary to all the Constituted Authorities of the Order , and the Alasters of all Lodges under the Jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England . " 6 th . That the AI . W . Grand Alaster be requested to

communicate the same , in whatever manner he may deem fit , to the Grand Alasters of Alasonry in Scotland and Ireland , and of other Grand Lodges . " 7 th . That the Master of every Lodge under the Jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England shall cause

these Resolutions to be read in open Lodge at the next Aleeting after the receijit thereof , and to be entered on the Alinutes of such Lodge ; and that he shall , immediately after such Aleeting , report to the Grand Secretary the compliance with this Resolution .

" And the Question being put thereon , the Resolutions were carried with only nine dissentients . " 1842 , Jan . 17 th . — "A Letter from Bro - William Henry White was read , announcing his resignation , which was accejited of course . " A Committee was then ajijiointed to jirepare a suitable Address to Bro . White on his retirement from active

membership of the Lodge and notice was given that he should be balloted for as an Honorary member at the next meeting . The subject is not mentioned in the minutes of February 2 ist , but at the Alarch meeting the jirojiosed distinction was conferred upon the veteran brother and the following Address

was approved and ordered to be transmitted to him . " The Members of the Lodge of Emulation beg to offer for Bro . William Henry White's acceptance , the title of Honorary Member , to which they have this day in open Lodge unanimously elected him .

The Members are fully sensible of the Ties that have linked Bro . White to the Lodge of Emulation for so long a period as Forty-Two years , the longest probably that any member of the Craft has continued a subscribing member to his mother Lodgetherefore they cannot but lament that his

, various increased duties have dejirived them for a considerable period of his society and ultimately necessitated him to retire ; they hojie however that he will honour them with his company whenever ojijiortunity offers , and thanking him most sincerely for his unwearied jiast services , his protection

of the rights and privileges of their Lodge , and his uniform kindness to themselves , particularly to those called upon to perform public duties in the Craft , trust that the Almighty will be jileased to spare him many years in Health and Strength to perform the duties of those offices he so honourably and so usefully fills . "

The business of the evening was concluded by a vote ot Ten Guineas to the Royal Alasonic Benevolent Annuity Fund , one of the earliest lodge contributions to that excellent Institution , which had only received the sanction of the Grand Lodge at the previous Quarterly Communication . Bro . W . H . White ' s reply to the Address was read to the

Lodge on 21 st November following , and entered in the minutes of the meeting . He continued lo fill the office of Grand Secretary until 1857 , when he retired , having served in that cajiacity for nearly 47 years . The Grand Master ( the Earl of Zetland ) ,

in jirojiosing a jiension jiassed a flattering eulogium on the faithful and distinguished services rendered by him to the Craft . " He knew of no one , and he believed there never was a Brother , who had done such eminent services for Freemasonry . He had been indefatigable and zealous in the cause , and he knew more of Masonry than any other man . "

Bro . White attended the Lodge of Emulation on 16 th April , 18 49 , as is stated in the Alinutes . on the fiftieth anniversary of his initiation and the fortieth of his office of Grand Secretary . A testimonial consisting of plate was jireseuted to him by the Craft 01120 th June , 1850 ; the Grand Alaster , the Dejiuty Grand Alaster , and one hundred Brethren

being jiresent at the banquet given on the occasion . The last meeting of the Lodge of Emulation at which he was jiresent was on 18 th April , 186 4 . His death occurred 5 th April , 1 S 66 . During his long connection with the Lodge , he had on several occasions resigned as a subscribing Member ,

and had been elected an honorary one , and again resumed active Membcrshiji . For many years he was a Member of the Grand Stewards Lodge , the Royal Somerset House and Inverness Lodge , No . 4 , the Lodge of Friendship , No . 6 , the Royal Alpha Lodge , No . 16 , the Britannic Lodge , No . 33 , and the Prince of Wales ' s Lodge , No . 259 .

In 18 40 Bro . W . H . White jireseuted sixty-three volumes and an ancient manuscript to the Grand Lodge , thus assisting in forming the nucleus of the magnificent collection of books , at Freemasons' Hall , known as " The Grand Lodge Library . " The following lines were published in The Freemasons '

Magazine and Masonic Mirror of April 14 th , 1866 , in which journal appears also a full and carefully written obituary notice of the Alasonic career of the venerable and distinguished Brother : — 3 n flDemortam .

Hl «> . WILLIAM HIiXRV WHITE . I'AST C . M . Wll SKCKKTAKY 111- ' KXl . l . AX . I . Horn Xoe . 10 , 1777 . Itiilinteil April 15 , 1790 . Died April 5 , 1866 . At Inst the subtle thread of life is broken—The venerable mason sleeps at

Inst—Death came and signalled him with mvslic token , To join the phantom brethren of the past . Bowed with the weight of nearly ninelv years , Our patriarch passes from this vale of tears . Horn when Columbia ' s flag was first unfurled , When Washington ' s was yet an unknown name

, And long before Xapoleon shook the world , Or Nelson soared upon the wings of fame . Through the long vista of his life we gaze , O ' ereome with visions of those bygone davs .

Empires and States have had their rise and fall Since lie appeared upon this stage of time ; Hut . Masonry—his pride—survives them all , Fixed on foundations heavenly and sublime . Age has not dimmed its lustre , nor effaced The principles on which its power is based .

Peace to the dead—his pilgrimage is done , And requiems at his sepulchre we sing . For him the light is fought , the battle won , Yet tin ' s last tribute to his tomb we bring—That Masonry he long and ably served , And never from the path of duty swerved .

Then may ( he acacia o ' er his ashes bloom , His memory still be cherished warm and bright , Till the last trump shall call him from the tomb , Again to mingle with the sons of light , In that divine , celestial lodge above , Where the world ' s Architect presides in love . P . M .