Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Lodge Of King Solomon, No. 2029.
witnessed that day the Lodge of King Solomon was destined to have a very successful career , and to fill a conspicuous position on the Masonic lodge roll . He had addressed them so often and so lengthily thai day ; that he should forbear from trespassing further on their attention than by proposing to them " The Health of their W . M . " In naming Bro . Richardson he was alluding to a brother well known for his energy and activity in other sciences and other departments . He was fully assured that he would most admirably
discharge the duties of W . M . which now devolved upon him , and that alike in his work and his rule he would seek to excel . It was rather a curious coincidence that their W . M . had been initiated b y his present S . W ., and he mentioned this because Bro . Richardson was an old Freemason and P . M ., and who , after some years of non-activity , had now resumed active work in the Craft . He wished him all health , happiness , and success , as well as to the Lodge of King Solomon .
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER ; who was very warmly received , in replying said he felt very deeply indeed the honour conferred upon him by his brethren in selecting him as their first W . M . He should never forget their kindness , and he should always endeavour to merit their confidence and approbation . He thought , he said , the time had now come when he might fairly allude to the great end and object of the formation of the Lodge of King Solomon . It was founded as all knew as a temperance
lodge , on distinctly temperance principles , that is tosay , on abstinence from alcoholic or intoxicanl beverages at their social gatherings . As this was a very great and important reality and fact , he desired more fully to explain himself . There were three points of view from which the temperance question was approached by different minds . There was first a class who were affected with actual horror , as they were led to think of the dire effects of the Demon of Drink . It was awful to them to realize that
80 , 000 persons died annually in these islands from the effects of drink , and that an overwhelming proportion of the criminality of the country might be traced to drink , and they thought everything ought to be done to restrain such great and alarming evils . There were those , secondly , who took an utilitarian , somewhat selfish , but not unworthy view of thc question . They thought that by abstaining from alcoholic effects
and excitements , they might remove disease , augment health , prolong life , and generally add to their personal happiness , domestic comfort , and national well-being . He quite agreed with them , as with the first-class , and thought their views deserving ofevcry consideration . There was a third-class who , like himself , looked at the drink question as a physical question . He could not from scientific ' research or experiment ascertain that alcoholic drinks did
anyone any good , or in any way added to our physical health or mental well-being . On the contraryhe believed that thc body was rendered stronger and more efficient for work , and the mind clearer and less easily wearied , by abstinence from stimulants , and that Freemasonry , which was marked b y very striking principles , and productive of many great benefits to mankind , might attain , by the adoption of temperance principles , a still more
elevated position than it had ever yet reached . Therefore it was that temperance lodges were forming ; therefore the Lodge of King Solomon had been consecrated that day ; and while under his mastership it . would always remain true tothcseprinciples . Toall the brethren for their confidence and sympathy hc was indeed most truly gratcful . and could truly with Hamlet declare " I am poor even in tftanks . '
Bro . Richardson sat down amid much applause . Bro . BARRETT , of Plymouth , thc W , Master of St . George ' s Lodge , also a temperance lodge , in reply lo the toast of "Thc other 'Icmpcrancc Lodges , " made some interesting observations . He said that the principle of having such lodges was rapidly spreading , that there was one temperance lodge at Sheffield , the Wolseley at Manchester , the-St . George's at Plvmouth . the Kino- Solomon in Londonand a warrant had been obtained
, for the Londonderry at Sunderland . At the present time hc knew-that there were seventeen petitions being prepared for as many temperance lodges in different parts of England , and in Ireland and Scotland there were one or two of these lodges , He sincerely believed they would do a great , deal of good , and as an instance of thc interest which was being taken in the matter hc had no less than 500 letters on the subject that hc had not
been able to answer . The remaining toasts were duly given , and appropriately responded to , and after a very enjoyable evening , and much good singing , under thc skilled direction of Bro . Ganz , the brethren separated with every good wish for the future progress and prosperity of thc lodge of King Solomon . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
( Continued from page _ ** .. ) It may be stated here once for all that thc difficulty was ultimately arranged ; but thc election of thc new Trustees appears to have had no effect in bringing it about . Bro . Humphreys seems to have been immovable in his resolve , whatever it may have bcen ; and , to make a long story short , it was not till March , 1830 , when thc Secretary reported the death of Bro .
Humphreys , that his place as Trustee was filled by the appointment of Bro . Thomas Moore , P . G . D ., the then Treasurer . Again during Bro . Lindo ' s Treasurership certain changes appear to have bcen introduced in carrying out the duties of Festival Steward . Thus on 13 th February , 1816 , it was resolved "That each Steward apply to his friends at the Festival for contributions and subscriptions instead of
pursuing the course adopted on former occasions , which may possibly have been handing round the plate . At a similar meeting held in December of the same year , but preparatory to the Festival appointed to be held on the 13 th February , 1817 , it was resolved unanimously " That the Stewards be requested individually to receive donations and subscriptions from such of their friends as may not be able lo altend the Festival , but
may nevertheless be disposed to contribute towards the support of the Charity , and that each Steward ' s Account of moneys thus received be publicly announced at the Festival . " It also seems that each Steward's deposit towards covering the expenses of the Festival was £ 5 , and further that it appears gradually to have become the custom for thc Grand Master
to fix the day for holding the Festival , which on occasions he appears to have done somewhat arbitrarily . . As regards the measures taken for the government of the Institution , but more particularly with reference to the extension of its educational benefits , it may be stated that the Rules and Regulations underwent one of the customary periodical revisions , of which in thc main his
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Royal Highness the Grand Master expressed his approval , a suggestion of his that the meetings of the Gove ' rniii g Body should be held at Freemasons ' Hall being adopted as regards the Quarterly Meetings from April , 1816 , though the Committee still continued for some years longer to-meet at their old trysting place , the Virginia Coffee House . In respect of educational improvements , it has already been mentioned incidentally that at the Festival
of 1 S 1 S his Royal Highness presented the medals given by Bros . Lindo and Daniel to the boys to whom they had been respectively adjudged , namely , David Humphreys and Thomas " Sawgood . Whether a prize was bestowed the following year , and if so to whom it was awarded , does not appear , but at the Committee Meeting on ist May , 1820 , it is minuted "That , upon examining and comparing the specimens in writing sent in by the children ,
it was resolved that the medal be adjudged to William Paul and that it be presented to him at the Festival . " Who was the donor of the medal is not mentioned . On the 7 th of May , 1821 , the Committee awarded the medal to Richard Fletcher , and several entries occur in the minutes of later years . In 1817 , it was ordered that each boy should receive a Bible and Prayer Book at the expense qf the Institution , and in May , 1822 , that the
Schoolmasters Bills in the case of London Boys should be sent in half-yearly—at Midsummer and Christmas—the expense not to exceed 15 s . per quarter for each Boy ' s Education and writing and cyphering books , " an order for any extra books to be-applied for by tlie children before being furnished by the Masters . It was also arranged that the children residing east of Temple Bar should attend the Committee Meeting at the Virginia Coffee House in .
August or February , and those residing west of Temple Bar the Quarterly Meeting at Freemasons' Hall in January or July and produce their writing and cyphering books for inspection . In the event of a child absenting himself from School thc Master was to inform the Secretary , otherwise the Boy would be expelled or removed to another School . A few incidents belonging to this period may also be noted . Thus in one
case a child who had not been elected was furnished with a suit of clothes , and on inquiry it turned out that one of the Committee being under the impression that thc boy was successful " had sent him for the clothes , which had been given to him and which he had worn ever since . It also appeared that if the clothes were taken from him he would have nothing to wear and it was therefore determined that he should keep them . " Who ultimately
paid for the clothes does not appear , as at the next Quarterly Court Bro . Edwards Harper moved that they should not be paid for b y the Charity , and it was also agreed that " in future a list of the successful candidates be supplied to the Treasurer and the person contracting for thc clothing immediately after the election . " It also appears that on thc 15 th March , 1818 / two sermons were preached at St . Olave's Church , Tooley-street , in aid of the
two Masonic Schools , the proceeds to each after paying the expenses being ' in round figures 18 guineas . The matter is noteworthy solely from thc fact that thc morning sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . Samuel Henning , D . D ., Rector of East Lavant , Sussex , thc first Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge , and at the time Grand Chaplain . One other incident will be best recorded in the words of the minute , which
bears date thc 3 rd June , 1816 , and is to the following effect : "Read the petition of Bro . Richard White , of No . 1 , Grove-road , Mile End , late member of lodge No . 253 , praying that his son , John White , born 18 th October , 1804 , may be admitted into the Charity , when it appeared that thc Petitioner had carried on an extensive business at Dartmouth and Portsmouth as a Shipowner from thc year 1789 to 1812 , when from losses and misfortunes in in
trade lie oceanic oanurupt—mat ne lias since ocen connnea . prison lor debt and is now out of employment , having a family of 12 children dependent on him for support . 'Ihe Petitioner being recommended to the especial notice and protection of the Charity by their Royal Highnesses thc Dukes of Kent and Sussex , the Committee , anxious to evince its gratitude to their Royal Highnesses and to forward their benevolent wishes as fully and as expeditously as possible , resolved that Bro . White ' s son be forthwith clothed
and sent to school at thc expense of the Charity , and that hc should continue until thc next election of candidates , which will take place in January , 1817 . " At thc Quarterly meeting in July , not only was this . minute confirmed , but it was " moved , seconded , and carried , that the thanks of this meeting be given to thc brethren of the Committee for their conduct respecting the temporary admission of John White to thc benefits of this Charity , " and when the election was held in January , 1817 , the said John
White was one of thc successful seven elected by ballot out of 33 candidates . The case was undoubtedly a most painful one and was very gracefully met by the Committee , upon whom , indeed , even the danger of establishing an awkward precedent appears to have exercised no sort of terror . At all events , it shows the breadth of view which prevailed in Bro . Lindo ' s days , and forms an appropriate conclusion to this account of his Treasurership .
CHAPTER V . FROM THE RESIGNATION OF BRO . LINDO TO THE ELECTION or BRO . THOMAS MOORE AS TREASURER , 1823-1826 . The regret wc must all feel at thc retirement from further active participation in the government of the Charity of so able and energetic an officer as Bro . Lindo is very naturally increased by the fact that only a few months later his resignation was followed by that of Bro . Wm . Hancock
, who had held the post of Secretary for close on 18 years with credit to himself and greatly to the advantage of the Institution . It will be remembered that at thc Festival in May , 1822 , when the chair was taken by Bro . Lindo , there was so considerable a falling off in thc donations and subscriptions lhat il was resolved to hold no election till July , 1823 , and this unfortunate diminution in the receipts forms the burden of the song with
which we are greeted in the intermediate February at the regular Committee held a few days prior to the Special General Meeting appointed for the election of a successor to Bro . Lindo . The picture presented to us on this occasion is the reverse of assuring . The Minutes say " It was unanimously resolved , that it appears to this Committee that the -donations and subscriptions received during the last year fall short of those received in the
year 1821 by nearly two hundred pounds , and thai therefore it has become necessary to postpone the election of candidates from the usual period of election ( viz ., July last ) to July 1823 , although there are more than twenty- - five vacancies to be filled up . That there are 56 Candidates on the list for admission , and that the Balance in hand on the last Audit will scarcely be
sufficient to furnish the children now on the establishment with their annual clothing and to defray the School Bills up to Christmas . That the list of Stewards for the next Festival is ten short of the usual number . " - It was thereupon resolved ** That the present situation of the Charity demands the utmost exertions of ils friends and supporters " and that the above Resolu-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Lodge Of King Solomon, No. 2029.
witnessed that day the Lodge of King Solomon was destined to have a very successful career , and to fill a conspicuous position on the Masonic lodge roll . He had addressed them so often and so lengthily thai day ; that he should forbear from trespassing further on their attention than by proposing to them " The Health of their W . M . " In naming Bro . Richardson he was alluding to a brother well known for his energy and activity in other sciences and other departments . He was fully assured that he would most admirably
discharge the duties of W . M . which now devolved upon him , and that alike in his work and his rule he would seek to excel . It was rather a curious coincidence that their W . M . had been initiated b y his present S . W ., and he mentioned this because Bro . Richardson was an old Freemason and P . M ., and who , after some years of non-activity , had now resumed active work in the Craft . He wished him all health , happiness , and success , as well as to the Lodge of King Solomon .
The WORSHIPFUL MASTER ; who was very warmly received , in replying said he felt very deeply indeed the honour conferred upon him by his brethren in selecting him as their first W . M . He should never forget their kindness , and he should always endeavour to merit their confidence and approbation . He thought , he said , the time had now come when he might fairly allude to the great end and object of the formation of the Lodge of King Solomon . It was founded as all knew as a temperance
lodge , on distinctly temperance principles , that is tosay , on abstinence from alcoholic or intoxicanl beverages at their social gatherings . As this was a very great and important reality and fact , he desired more fully to explain himself . There were three points of view from which the temperance question was approached by different minds . There was first a class who were affected with actual horror , as they were led to think of the dire effects of the Demon of Drink . It was awful to them to realize that
80 , 000 persons died annually in these islands from the effects of drink , and that an overwhelming proportion of the criminality of the country might be traced to drink , and they thought everything ought to be done to restrain such great and alarming evils . There were those , secondly , who took an utilitarian , somewhat selfish , but not unworthy view of thc question . They thought that by abstaining from alcoholic effects
and excitements , they might remove disease , augment health , prolong life , and generally add to their personal happiness , domestic comfort , and national well-being . He quite agreed with them , as with the first-class , and thought their views deserving ofevcry consideration . There was a third-class who , like himself , looked at the drink question as a physical question . He could not from scientific ' research or experiment ascertain that alcoholic drinks did
anyone any good , or in any way added to our physical health or mental well-being . On the contraryhe believed that thc body was rendered stronger and more efficient for work , and the mind clearer and less easily wearied , by abstinence from stimulants , and that Freemasonry , which was marked b y very striking principles , and productive of many great benefits to mankind , might attain , by the adoption of temperance principles , a still more
elevated position than it had ever yet reached . Therefore it was that temperance lodges were forming ; therefore the Lodge of King Solomon had been consecrated that day ; and while under his mastership it . would always remain true tothcseprinciples . Toall the brethren for their confidence and sympathy hc was indeed most truly gratcful . and could truly with Hamlet declare " I am poor even in tftanks . '
Bro . Richardson sat down amid much applause . Bro . BARRETT , of Plymouth , thc W , Master of St . George ' s Lodge , also a temperance lodge , in reply lo the toast of "Thc other 'Icmpcrancc Lodges , " made some interesting observations . He said that the principle of having such lodges was rapidly spreading , that there was one temperance lodge at Sheffield , the Wolseley at Manchester , the-St . George's at Plvmouth . the Kino- Solomon in Londonand a warrant had been obtained
, for the Londonderry at Sunderland . At the present time hc knew-that there were seventeen petitions being prepared for as many temperance lodges in different parts of England , and in Ireland and Scotland there were one or two of these lodges , He sincerely believed they would do a great , deal of good , and as an instance of thc interest which was being taken in the matter hc had no less than 500 letters on the subject that hc had not
been able to answer . The remaining toasts were duly given , and appropriately responded to , and after a very enjoyable evening , and much good singing , under thc skilled direction of Bro . Ganz , the brethren separated with every good wish for the future progress and prosperity of thc lodge of King Solomon . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
HISTORY OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
( Continued from page _ ** .. ) It may be stated here once for all that thc difficulty was ultimately arranged ; but thc election of thc new Trustees appears to have had no effect in bringing it about . Bro . Humphreys seems to have been immovable in his resolve , whatever it may have bcen ; and , to make a long story short , it was not till March , 1830 , when thc Secretary reported the death of Bro .
Humphreys , that his place as Trustee was filled by the appointment of Bro . Thomas Moore , P . G . D ., the then Treasurer . Again during Bro . Lindo ' s Treasurership certain changes appear to have bcen introduced in carrying out the duties of Festival Steward . Thus on 13 th February , 1816 , it was resolved "That each Steward apply to his friends at the Festival for contributions and subscriptions instead of
pursuing the course adopted on former occasions , which may possibly have been handing round the plate . At a similar meeting held in December of the same year , but preparatory to the Festival appointed to be held on the 13 th February , 1817 , it was resolved unanimously " That the Stewards be requested individually to receive donations and subscriptions from such of their friends as may not be able lo altend the Festival , but
may nevertheless be disposed to contribute towards the support of the Charity , and that each Steward ' s Account of moneys thus received be publicly announced at the Festival . " It also seems that each Steward's deposit towards covering the expenses of the Festival was £ 5 , and further that it appears gradually to have become the custom for thc Grand Master
to fix the day for holding the Festival , which on occasions he appears to have done somewhat arbitrarily . . As regards the measures taken for the government of the Institution , but more particularly with reference to the extension of its educational benefits , it may be stated that the Rules and Regulations underwent one of the customary periodical revisions , of which in thc main his
History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
Royal Highness the Grand Master expressed his approval , a suggestion of his that the meetings of the Gove ' rniii g Body should be held at Freemasons ' Hall being adopted as regards the Quarterly Meetings from April , 1816 , though the Committee still continued for some years longer to-meet at their old trysting place , the Virginia Coffee House . In respect of educational improvements , it has already been mentioned incidentally that at the Festival
of 1 S 1 S his Royal Highness presented the medals given by Bros . Lindo and Daniel to the boys to whom they had been respectively adjudged , namely , David Humphreys and Thomas " Sawgood . Whether a prize was bestowed the following year , and if so to whom it was awarded , does not appear , but at the Committee Meeting on ist May , 1820 , it is minuted "That , upon examining and comparing the specimens in writing sent in by the children ,
it was resolved that the medal be adjudged to William Paul and that it be presented to him at the Festival . " Who was the donor of the medal is not mentioned . On the 7 th of May , 1821 , the Committee awarded the medal to Richard Fletcher , and several entries occur in the minutes of later years . In 1817 , it was ordered that each boy should receive a Bible and Prayer Book at the expense qf the Institution , and in May , 1822 , that the
Schoolmasters Bills in the case of London Boys should be sent in half-yearly—at Midsummer and Christmas—the expense not to exceed 15 s . per quarter for each Boy ' s Education and writing and cyphering books , " an order for any extra books to be-applied for by tlie children before being furnished by the Masters . It was also arranged that the children residing east of Temple Bar should attend the Committee Meeting at the Virginia Coffee House in .
August or February , and those residing west of Temple Bar the Quarterly Meeting at Freemasons' Hall in January or July and produce their writing and cyphering books for inspection . In the event of a child absenting himself from School thc Master was to inform the Secretary , otherwise the Boy would be expelled or removed to another School . A few incidents belonging to this period may also be noted . Thus in one
case a child who had not been elected was furnished with a suit of clothes , and on inquiry it turned out that one of the Committee being under the impression that thc boy was successful " had sent him for the clothes , which had been given to him and which he had worn ever since . It also appeared that if the clothes were taken from him he would have nothing to wear and it was therefore determined that he should keep them . " Who ultimately
paid for the clothes does not appear , as at the next Quarterly Court Bro . Edwards Harper moved that they should not be paid for b y the Charity , and it was also agreed that " in future a list of the successful candidates be supplied to the Treasurer and the person contracting for thc clothing immediately after the election . " It also appears that on thc 15 th March , 1818 / two sermons were preached at St . Olave's Church , Tooley-street , in aid of the
two Masonic Schools , the proceeds to each after paying the expenses being ' in round figures 18 guineas . The matter is noteworthy solely from thc fact that thc morning sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . Samuel Henning , D . D ., Rector of East Lavant , Sussex , thc first Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge , and at the time Grand Chaplain . One other incident will be best recorded in the words of the minute , which
bears date thc 3 rd June , 1816 , and is to the following effect : "Read the petition of Bro . Richard White , of No . 1 , Grove-road , Mile End , late member of lodge No . 253 , praying that his son , John White , born 18 th October , 1804 , may be admitted into the Charity , when it appeared that thc Petitioner had carried on an extensive business at Dartmouth and Portsmouth as a Shipowner from thc year 1789 to 1812 , when from losses and misfortunes in in
trade lie oceanic oanurupt—mat ne lias since ocen connnea . prison lor debt and is now out of employment , having a family of 12 children dependent on him for support . 'Ihe Petitioner being recommended to the especial notice and protection of the Charity by their Royal Highnesses thc Dukes of Kent and Sussex , the Committee , anxious to evince its gratitude to their Royal Highnesses and to forward their benevolent wishes as fully and as expeditously as possible , resolved that Bro . White ' s son be forthwith clothed
and sent to school at thc expense of the Charity , and that hc should continue until thc next election of candidates , which will take place in January , 1817 . " At thc Quarterly meeting in July , not only was this . minute confirmed , but it was " moved , seconded , and carried , that the thanks of this meeting be given to thc brethren of the Committee for their conduct respecting the temporary admission of John White to thc benefits of this Charity , " and when the election was held in January , 1817 , the said John
White was one of thc successful seven elected by ballot out of 33 candidates . The case was undoubtedly a most painful one and was very gracefully met by the Committee , upon whom , indeed , even the danger of establishing an awkward precedent appears to have exercised no sort of terror . At all events , it shows the breadth of view which prevailed in Bro . Lindo ' s days , and forms an appropriate conclusion to this account of his Treasurership .
CHAPTER V . FROM THE RESIGNATION OF BRO . LINDO TO THE ELECTION or BRO . THOMAS MOORE AS TREASURER , 1823-1826 . The regret wc must all feel at thc retirement from further active participation in the government of the Charity of so able and energetic an officer as Bro . Lindo is very naturally increased by the fact that only a few months later his resignation was followed by that of Bro . Wm . Hancock
, who had held the post of Secretary for close on 18 years with credit to himself and greatly to the advantage of the Institution . It will be remembered that at thc Festival in May , 1822 , when the chair was taken by Bro . Lindo , there was so considerable a falling off in thc donations and subscriptions lhat il was resolved to hold no election till July , 1823 , and this unfortunate diminution in the receipts forms the burden of the song with
which we are greeted in the intermediate February at the regular Committee held a few days prior to the Special General Meeting appointed for the election of a successor to Bro . Lindo . The picture presented to us on this occasion is the reverse of assuring . The Minutes say " It was unanimously resolved , that it appears to this Committee that the -donations and subscriptions received during the last year fall short of those received in the
year 1821 by nearly two hundred pounds , and thai therefore it has become necessary to postpone the election of candidates from the usual period of election ( viz ., July last ) to July 1823 , although there are more than twenty- - five vacancies to be filled up . That there are 56 Candidates on the list for admission , and that the Balance in hand on the last Audit will scarcely be
sufficient to furnish the children now on the establishment with their annual clothing and to defray the School Bills up to Christmas . That the list of Stewards for the next Festival is ten short of the usual number . " - It was thereupon resolved ** That the present situation of the Charity demands the utmost exertions of ils friends and supporters " and that the above Resolu-