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Article THE MASONIC YEAR 1877. ← Page 5 of 13 Article THE MASONIC YEAR 1877. Page 5 of 13 →
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The Masonic Year 1877.
honorary Vice-Patron , with all the privileges of tho rank , not only of the Boys' School , but of the Girls ' ancl the Benevolent likewise , ancl we need hardly say we heartily congratulate him on his very brilliant exploit . The speech day and Distribution of Prizes
preceded tho Festival , ancl was under the genial presidency of that most genial of Masonic chairmen , the Earl of Donoughmore . The principal prizes were taken by Edward Thomas Sage , who secured the silver medal awarded by tho Institution ; Frank Lewis Scurr , to whom was awarded the
Canonbnry gold medal ; ancl E . Pawley , who took the silver watch ancl chain given for good conduct by the Supremo Council of the A . and A . Rite . All present were delighted with the success of the day ' s proceedings , and the high standard of proficiency exhibited by the boys . Moreover ,
the value of the education given in the School is further shown—though further proof is hardly needed—by the success which has attended those pupils who havo presented themselves for examination at the Cambridge Local Examinations , at those conducted by the Science and Art
Department , South Kensington , and elsewhere . Nor , may we remark , is the physical training neglected , as was evidenced in the cricket match with tho boys of tho Grocers' School , when our eleven scored over 250 runs against the Grocers' 24 .
We have now completed the survey of our Institutions for the year 1877 , and to sum up the results we find that apart from the permanent income of the Charities the Craft has contributed £ 38 , 556 in the past twelve months , and this is devoted to ( 1 ) annuities to 283 old people ; ( 2 ) the
maintenance and education of about 180 girls , shortly to be increased to 204 ; ( 3 ) the maintenance ancl education of about 180 boys , shortly to be increased to about 212 . This is quite irrespective of the sums disbursed by Grand Lodge in relieving distressed brethren or the widows or
families of deceased brethren , whose cases are deemed worthy of being brought specially under the notice of the Lodge of Benevolence , and irrespective of the £ 5000 and upwards voted for special purposes . Thus we shall not be
wrong if we say that the total disbursements in tho twelve months still current is little if at all short of £ 60 , 000 . Under these circumstances we may say with truth that Freemasonry , as it is understood in England , is essentially ] practical . I
Of those grave questions of policy or great legal import- ; ance which occasionally arise to disturb the ordinary equa- j nimity of our Masonic communities , there have , we rejoice to say , been none originating directly in England . Afc the last Communication of Grand Lodge , two important
propositions were submitted to the brethren , but they had their origin abroad , and Grand Lodge met them with judicial calmness and dignity . The first of these was made by the Pro Grand Master , and had reference to a sweeping innovation upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry ,
introduced into the Constitution of the French G . Orient . We have treated the matter so fully , and we hope so fairly , in successive articles , that it will suffice if we mention that ; a Committee has been appointed for the purpose of making all needful inquiries into the matter , and it will report the
result of such inquiries and submit such proposal as may j seem just at the next Quarterly Communication . We shall then know in what position we English Freemasons stand to the Grand Orient of France and its subordinate Lodges . In the meantime , all French Masons whose certificates bear
date up to the 13 tb September last inclusive will be admissible into our Lodges . The other proposition , or rather series of propositions , was brought forward by our Rev . Bro . Simpson , their object being to induce the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes at Berlin to so far modify its
Constitutions , as to allow of non-Christian candidates for initiation or joining being accepted by thafc Grand Lodge and its daughter Lodges . The first proposition , which was merely to the effect that the 300 petitions referring to this German question should be received , was agreed
to . The other two were withdrawn , as it was questioned whether our Grand Lodge was acting within its right in offering such a suggestion to a foreign ancl perfectly independent Grand Lodge . We need say nothing further on the subject , as we have dealt with it so recently in these
columns . One constitutional question of some importance has likewise been settled publicly , ancl let us hope to the general satisfaction of the Craft . We allude to the decision of Grand Lodge in support of the ruling of Grand Registrar Mclntyre , that a Worshipful Master may invite ( my qualified brother to fulfil his duties in Lodge for him ,
The Masonic Year 1877.
the work so done being to all intents and purposes that of tho Master himself . We trust this will set at rest one frequent cause of difference , and even of soreness , between a W . M . ancl his P . M . 's , many among the latter having claimed
to do the duties of the former whenever ho felt indisposed to fulfil them himself . We trust after this we have heard the last of tho many bickerings which have arisen from so trifling a misconception of the law even in well-ordered Lodges .
Thus far , we havo dwell fully on the events vu Lngland , ancl as wo have noted the benefits that havo accrued to us ,
so is it right we should devote a brief space to tho losses we have sustained . Two foremost brethren havo passed away . Ono of them , the late Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , was in the very prime of life , ancl wc hoped ho would have been spared to us for many a year to adorn tho
Craft ho loved so well , and for which , on all occasions , ho was ready to work so arduously . As tho ruler of ono of our Provinces ho had won for himself the highest reputation as a Craftsman . Zealous , able , and obliging in all things , he was the very beau ideal of a perfect Mason .
His last public Masonic duty was the presiding , iu place of Prince Leopold , at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . His last appearance in any Masonic body was ou the Tuesday , or bnt two or three days , previous to his death , when he was present at a meeting of the Supreme
Council A . and A . Rite . It may be some consolation to his family to know that tho grief for so untimely a loss Avas as universal as it was profound . The other notable Mason who has departed this life during the current year had attained , if , indeed , he had not exceeded , the three
score and ten years which the Psalmist has told us make up the allotted span of life . Ho had played his part admirably in the Province to which he belonged , having been its Dep . G . Master for a period of twenty years , ancl having earned the esteem and respect of all his brethren . Tho
very first act which Prince Leopold , after his installation as Prov . G . Master of Oxfordshire , was called upon to perform was to present a handsome testimonial to Bro . Spirse
for his very valuable services to Freemasonry . These , of course , are not tho only victims which Pale Death has claimed for his own , but they arc tho most serious losses , and therefore tho most imevous to bear .
Wc now turn our attention to Ireland , where wc rejoice to say Freemasonry still occupies the same honourable position , though , by reason of tho influence exercised by tho Romish priesthood , it plays the part of the strong man , who wisely arms himself in defence of his own , lest a
stronger than he should assail and despoil him of his goods . There is , perhaps , a certain satisfaction in feeling that by one of its recent acts the Grand Lodge has managed to extort some faint praise from one of those papers which have again and again displayed towards ifc a
strong feeling of hostility . However , as our Irish brethren are admirably organized , and well governed by one of the most popular of our titled brethren , we do not imagine they feel more than a passing regret that some classes will persist in misrepresenting the objects for which
Freemasonry exists , and who will have it the Craft exercises , in some strange way , a pernicious influence on society in general , and its own discip les in particular . It is true we have heard no more of the feeble joke—for it could never have been intended for anything else—that Freemasonry
has exercised , or is exercising , a baneful influence on tho flax trade of Belfast , but we should not be astonished if a similar display of nonsense were exhibited at any time . However , to deal with the events of the year , which , we hope to place briefly before our readers . It is somewhat difficult to trace the losses and additions which the roll of
Grand Lodge Ireland has sustained this year . Still , by a very careful comparison of the lists for 1876 ancl 18 / 7 , we have ascertained that three Lodges—two attached to line regiments ancl one in Mayo—have been struck off the roll , ancl seven new ones added . The province of one of
them— "No . 139 , Mountmellick "—is not furnisned ; of the others , one , No . 316 , is in Co . Tipperary ; one , No . 748 , in Co . Wicklow ; and one , No . 994 , in Co . Tyrone . Tho
remaining three are abroad , namely , No . 303 iu Jamaica ; No . 304 in Trinidad ; and No . 4 G 2 iu New Zealand . This gives a net increase of four Lodges over last year , so there are now 369 Lodges on the roll instead of 365 . Of these
seventy are in the colonies of the united Kingdom or in countries abroad . Thus , there aro sixteen in Victoria , nine in South Australia , nine in Queensland , eight in New South Wales , eleven in Now Zealand , throe in Tasmania ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Masonic Year 1877.
honorary Vice-Patron , with all the privileges of tho rank , not only of the Boys' School , but of the Girls ' ancl the Benevolent likewise , ancl we need hardly say we heartily congratulate him on his very brilliant exploit . The speech day and Distribution of Prizes
preceded tho Festival , ancl was under the genial presidency of that most genial of Masonic chairmen , the Earl of Donoughmore . The principal prizes were taken by Edward Thomas Sage , who secured the silver medal awarded by tho Institution ; Frank Lewis Scurr , to whom was awarded the
Canonbnry gold medal ; ancl E . Pawley , who took the silver watch ancl chain given for good conduct by the Supremo Council of the A . and A . Rite . All present were delighted with the success of the day ' s proceedings , and the high standard of proficiency exhibited by the boys . Moreover ,
the value of the education given in the School is further shown—though further proof is hardly needed—by the success which has attended those pupils who havo presented themselves for examination at the Cambridge Local Examinations , at those conducted by the Science and Art
Department , South Kensington , and elsewhere . Nor , may we remark , is the physical training neglected , as was evidenced in the cricket match with tho boys of tho Grocers' School , when our eleven scored over 250 runs against the Grocers' 24 .
We have now completed the survey of our Institutions for the year 1877 , and to sum up the results we find that apart from the permanent income of the Charities the Craft has contributed £ 38 , 556 in the past twelve months , and this is devoted to ( 1 ) annuities to 283 old people ; ( 2 ) the
maintenance and education of about 180 girls , shortly to be increased to 204 ; ( 3 ) the maintenance ancl education of about 180 boys , shortly to be increased to about 212 . This is quite irrespective of the sums disbursed by Grand Lodge in relieving distressed brethren or the widows or
families of deceased brethren , whose cases are deemed worthy of being brought specially under the notice of the Lodge of Benevolence , and irrespective of the £ 5000 and upwards voted for special purposes . Thus we shall not be
wrong if we say that the total disbursements in tho twelve months still current is little if at all short of £ 60 , 000 . Under these circumstances we may say with truth that Freemasonry , as it is understood in England , is essentially ] practical . I
Of those grave questions of policy or great legal import- ; ance which occasionally arise to disturb the ordinary equa- j nimity of our Masonic communities , there have , we rejoice to say , been none originating directly in England . Afc the last Communication of Grand Lodge , two important
propositions were submitted to the brethren , but they had their origin abroad , and Grand Lodge met them with judicial calmness and dignity . The first of these was made by the Pro Grand Master , and had reference to a sweeping innovation upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry ,
introduced into the Constitution of the French G . Orient . We have treated the matter so fully , and we hope so fairly , in successive articles , that it will suffice if we mention that ; a Committee has been appointed for the purpose of making all needful inquiries into the matter , and it will report the
result of such inquiries and submit such proposal as may j seem just at the next Quarterly Communication . We shall then know in what position we English Freemasons stand to the Grand Orient of France and its subordinate Lodges . In the meantime , all French Masons whose certificates bear
date up to the 13 tb September last inclusive will be admissible into our Lodges . The other proposition , or rather series of propositions , was brought forward by our Rev . Bro . Simpson , their object being to induce the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes at Berlin to so far modify its
Constitutions , as to allow of non-Christian candidates for initiation or joining being accepted by thafc Grand Lodge and its daughter Lodges . The first proposition , which was merely to the effect that the 300 petitions referring to this German question should be received , was agreed
to . The other two were withdrawn , as it was questioned whether our Grand Lodge was acting within its right in offering such a suggestion to a foreign ancl perfectly independent Grand Lodge . We need say nothing further on the subject , as we have dealt with it so recently in these
columns . One constitutional question of some importance has likewise been settled publicly , ancl let us hope to the general satisfaction of the Craft . We allude to the decision of Grand Lodge in support of the ruling of Grand Registrar Mclntyre , that a Worshipful Master may invite ( my qualified brother to fulfil his duties in Lodge for him ,
The Masonic Year 1877.
the work so done being to all intents and purposes that of tho Master himself . We trust this will set at rest one frequent cause of difference , and even of soreness , between a W . M . ancl his P . M . 's , many among the latter having claimed
to do the duties of the former whenever ho felt indisposed to fulfil them himself . We trust after this we have heard the last of tho many bickerings which have arisen from so trifling a misconception of the law even in well-ordered Lodges .
Thus far , we havo dwell fully on the events vu Lngland , ancl as wo have noted the benefits that havo accrued to us ,
so is it right we should devote a brief space to tho losses we have sustained . Two foremost brethren havo passed away . Ono of them , the late Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , was in the very prime of life , ancl wc hoped ho would have been spared to us for many a year to adorn tho
Craft ho loved so well , and for which , on all occasions , ho was ready to work so arduously . As tho ruler of ono of our Provinces ho had won for himself the highest reputation as a Craftsman . Zealous , able , and obliging in all things , he was the very beau ideal of a perfect Mason .
His last public Masonic duty was the presiding , iu place of Prince Leopold , at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . His last appearance in any Masonic body was ou the Tuesday , or bnt two or three days , previous to his death , when he was present at a meeting of the Supreme
Council A . and A . Rite . It may be some consolation to his family to know that tho grief for so untimely a loss Avas as universal as it was profound . The other notable Mason who has departed this life during the current year had attained , if , indeed , he had not exceeded , the three
score and ten years which the Psalmist has told us make up the allotted span of life . Ho had played his part admirably in the Province to which he belonged , having been its Dep . G . Master for a period of twenty years , ancl having earned the esteem and respect of all his brethren . Tho
very first act which Prince Leopold , after his installation as Prov . G . Master of Oxfordshire , was called upon to perform was to present a handsome testimonial to Bro . Spirse
for his very valuable services to Freemasonry . These , of course , are not tho only victims which Pale Death has claimed for his own , but they arc tho most serious losses , and therefore tho most imevous to bear .
Wc now turn our attention to Ireland , where wc rejoice to say Freemasonry still occupies the same honourable position , though , by reason of tho influence exercised by tho Romish priesthood , it plays the part of the strong man , who wisely arms himself in defence of his own , lest a
stronger than he should assail and despoil him of his goods . There is , perhaps , a certain satisfaction in feeling that by one of its recent acts the Grand Lodge has managed to extort some faint praise from one of those papers which have again and again displayed towards ifc a
strong feeling of hostility . However , as our Irish brethren are admirably organized , and well governed by one of the most popular of our titled brethren , we do not imagine they feel more than a passing regret that some classes will persist in misrepresenting the objects for which
Freemasonry exists , and who will have it the Craft exercises , in some strange way , a pernicious influence on society in general , and its own discip les in particular . It is true we have heard no more of the feeble joke—for it could never have been intended for anything else—that Freemasonry
has exercised , or is exercising , a baneful influence on tho flax trade of Belfast , but we should not be astonished if a similar display of nonsense were exhibited at any time . However , to deal with the events of the year , which , we hope to place briefly before our readers . It is somewhat difficult to trace the losses and additions which the roll of
Grand Lodge Ireland has sustained this year . Still , by a very careful comparison of the lists for 1876 ancl 18 / 7 , we have ascertained that three Lodges—two attached to line regiments ancl one in Mayo—have been struck off the roll , ancl seven new ones added . The province of one of
them— "No . 139 , Mountmellick "—is not furnisned ; of the others , one , No . 316 , is in Co . Tipperary ; one , No . 748 , in Co . Wicklow ; and one , No . 994 , in Co . Tyrone . Tho
remaining three are abroad , namely , No . 303 iu Jamaica ; No . 304 in Trinidad ; and No . 4 G 2 iu New Zealand . This gives a net increase of four Lodges over last year , so there are now 369 Lodges on the roll instead of 365 . Of these
seventy are in the colonies of the united Kingdom or in countries abroad . Thus , there aro sixteen in Victoria , nine in South Australia , nine in Queensland , eight in New South Wales , eleven in Now Zealand , throe in Tasmania ,