History Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement, No . 256.——(Continued).

to-day , and to those brethren to whom the ritual had been so handed down , a deep debt of gratitude was due . It was not only the rulers of the Craft to whom this applied , but even to the Entered Apprentices . Many brethren worked up the ceremonies without studying the Lectures , and when this was the case , innovations would , of necessity , creep in .

THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH , PROV . G . M . STAFFORDSHIRE , Cliitirinali of file Fealiail in ] 8 ! H ( . The more a candidate might be impressed by the first three ceremonies by their being carefully rendered , the more likely he was to be a good Mason , and a good Mason could not be

a bad man . The Emulation system , and the manner in which it was handed down , was unalterable ; it was never varied , and it provided a standard of work—he spoke for himself and as a ruler in the Craft—which should always be adhered to in the provinces as well as in the metropolis . He

begged to propose the toast of ' The Emulation Lodge of Improvement , ' and might it for many generations continue to do its most useful work as it had clone in the past . " Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , P . A . G . D . C , in reply , said : Right W . Brother Chairman and brethren , I believe that I am only

giving expression to a truism when I say that every member of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement derives a certain amount of satisfaction from belonging to this important and useful Institution . It has stood successfully the test of nearly eighty years , and throughout the whole of that period it has not only justified its existence , but it has kept in touch with ,

and has amply provided for every requirement of the student of Masonic ritual I think we may venture to claim that accuracy is the special feature of the Lodge to-day , indeed , absolute perfection in this respect has been attained by not a few . Perhaps , for the information of some of the younger brethren , I may say that the apotheosis of an

absolutely correct working of a ceremony in the Emulation Lodge of Improvement is a silver match-box , upon which is recorded the success achieved ; and so frequently nowadays is that distinction won that the giver may yet live to find himself in the Bankruptcy Court . Are we then , brethrento

, think that because a standard has been set up , and because accuracy has been attained the mission of" this Loclge is at an end , or that its usefulness is on the wane ? Brethren , I say absolutely , no . Apart altogether from the fact that the standard has to be maintained , I think I can suggest an

additional field of usefulness for " Emulation , " namely , in the training of brethren lo act as Preceptors of Lodges of Instruction . Twenty years ago , brethren , so far as I know , there was only one Loclge of Instruction teaching the Emulation system . Of that particular Lodge I was the

Preceptor , and Bro . Langton , who is with us to-night at the Grand Officers' table , was the Secretary . Since that time , brethren , several Lodges have been started , each of them , I am glad to say , ruled over by experienced Craftsmen , well able to carry that Lodge on to success . But we do want , I believeother Lodges of Instruction teaching the Emulation

, system , and if they are to be useful they must be presided over by competent brethren , who , above everything else , have acquired absolute accuracy , not only as regards words , but as regards every little detail . Now , that , I venture to say , can only be acquired in the Emulation Lodge of

Improvement . The silver match-box , or certificate , above referred to , is the gift of Bro . Sudlow to every brother not on the Committee , who presides over the Loclge and performs the Master's work with perfect accuracy , unassisted by the

Preceptor for the evening . A record of the circumstance is engraved thereon , as well as any subsequent successes of a similar character which the recipient may be fortunate enough to achieve . The idea , which is probably unique , emanated from Bro . Sudlow about six years ago , and ,

notwithstanding the difficulties which his pupils have to surmount , he has had the gratification of handing to them no less than sixteen of these tangible mementos of industry and perseverance .

1903 . No change was made this year in the Committee and executive officers . The Annual Festival held on the 27 th of February was attended by about 450 brethren . Bro . R . Clay Sudlow , P . A . G . D . C , presided as W . M ., and was supported by Bro . Charles Lewis , as I . P . M . ; Bros . George Rankin , W . M . No . 2397 , as S . W . ; and D . D . WestW . M .

, No . 2818 , as J . W . The work was the First Lecture by Bros . Oliver Notcutt , J . F . Roberts , Algernon L . Collins , W . R . Bennett , J . H . Jenks , R . L . Devonshire , and T . W . Allsop . At the close of the work , the R . W . Bro . Lord Barnard ,

Prov . Grand Master for Durham , proposed a vote of thanks to the brethren who had so ably discharged their duties . His lordship said it had been with a feeling of profound admiration that he had listened to the lecture which had just been concluded , and the marvellous eloquence of the recitation , the very earnest reverence , and the great skill

LT .-COL . A . li . MARK IJII'KWilllll , M . P ., I'ltOV . ( i . M . ESSEX , Cliiiinioiii „/ t . ' ie pmliriil in plilil . which the brethren who answered the questions had shown in the Seven Sections , he thought , must have appealed to every brother who heard them . He felt confident that the repetition of the ritual and the eloquence of its great