Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.
W . M . added that he had no doubt Bro . Shand xvould perform his secretarial duties xvith satisfaction to the lodge . Bro . Montague , the High Constable of Westminster , also came in for a humorous reference to the opportunity he xvould have of seeing thc peace perfectly kept in that place ; and to Bro . Jones he intimated that it ' appcarcd to him lo be appropriate that that brother should have an office in the lodge who had been so intimately associated
with the construction of the building in which thc lodge was held . Before the closing of the lodge the WORSHIPFUL MASTER rose and said that he had a proposition to put forxvard , xvhich he thought should take precedence of all other matters . It might have occurred to many brethren there present that that day—the day upon which the most important ceremony of that lodge had been performed—xvas the date of an occasion xvhich brought
joy and happiness to this country—it xvas the anniversary of the marriage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . Therefore he would briefly say —because he thought they must have divined at once the purport of xvhat he had to say—that bethought it right and fitting that as , to use the words of the Installing Officer , he had received the xvarrant fresh from the hands of the Grand Master , that in the open lodge that c \* eniiig they should pass a
resolution congratulating his Royal Highness on the twenty-first anniversary of that happy event . He had \* entured to draw up a resolution as folloxvs : " It was proposed by Bro . Burdett-Coutts , and seconded by the S . W ., that , the brethren , rejoicing in the auspicious fact that the consecration and first meeting of their lodge takes place on this , the twenty-first anniversary of the marriage of his Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales , thc Most Worshipful Grand Master , do hereby tender their heartfelt
congratulations to his Royal Highness , and trust that the G . A . O . T . U . xvill be pleased to preserve his Royal Highness for many years to come to reign for many years over the Craft , and xvith his illustrious and beloved consort , her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , to continue to diffuse happiness amongst the faithful subjects of the realm . " ( Applause . ) The SENIOR WARDEN said he xvould not spoil thc effect of this happy idea of thc W . M . by making a speech upon it ; he xvould rather leave it to the brethren to carry it xvith the unanimity that their applause indicated .
The motion xvas put to the vote by the J . W ., and carried unanimously , amid the applause of thc brethren . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he presumed it was the p leasure of thc lodge that the resolution should be forwarded to his Royal Highness so that he should receive it before the day xvas closed . ( Applause . ) The folloxving answer has been receix-ed from General Sir F . Knollys ,
C . B ., in acknowledgment of the foregoing resolution : " Marlborough House , Pall Mall , W ., nth March , 1 S 84 . 1 am desired in reply to request you to be so good as to convey to the brethren of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , 2030 , the expression of their Royal Highness ' s warm thanks for the congratulations olfered by them to the Prince and Princess on thc occasion of the anniversary of their xvedding day . —I remain , yours truly ,
FRANCIS KNOLLYS , C . B . —XV . Burdett-Coutts , Esq . Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS again rose and said he had noxv thc pleasure to propose a vole of thanks lo the Consecrating Officer . A few xvords from him were necessary ( particularly as the hours were advancing , and they were approaching another ceremony ) to express the gratitude they felt to the Grand Secretary and thc other Grand Officers for coming there lo assist
in the consecration . The Grand Ofiicers must knoxv that thc brethren were sensible of the great honour that their presence conferred . He xvould rather embody their gratitude in another proposition , which he xx'ould make connected with that one , and that xvas , he xvould propose as honorary members of thc lodge those officers of the Grand lodge who had assisted in thc consecration , namely , Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Sir Albert Woods ,
Dr . Turtle Piggott , the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Frank Richardson , and Thos . Fenn , and for reasons that xvould be apparent , he xvould ask them to add the name of his cousin , Bro . Sir Francis Burdett . This proposition xx'as also seconded by thc S . W ., and carried unanimously amidst applause . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE on behalf of himself and his colleagues
returned thanks for the double compliment that had been paid them , and accepted with gratitude the honorary membershi p in the Abbey Lodge , for xvhicli they hoped continued prosperity . Bro . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , also returned thanks for thc compliment having bscn extended to him on special grounds , and notwithstanding lhat he had not taken any part in the consecration
ceremony . Thc SECRETARY read a fexv of the many letters of regret that he had received , stating thc inability of the xvriters to be present . These included the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , the Duke of Manchester , Lord Wolseley , Lord Milltoxvn , Lord Limerick , and many eminent Masons . He also read a letter from Bro . Hedges , Secretary of thc Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , asking for a Steward for thc next festival of the Institution , xvhereupon
Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS rose and said that he proposed being a Stexvard al that festival .
Bro . BAKER , S . W ., said that that announcement xvould give the brethren great pleasure . He had very great gratification in proposing " That twenty guineas out of the lodge funds be placed on the W . M . ' s list ; " and knowing as he did what the brethren desired to do with regard to the Charities , he felt sure that the sum would not bear comparison with the support the VV . M . xvould receive from thc brethren individually .
1 his proposition xvas seconded by the J . W . and carried unanimously . There xverc numerous proposals for initiation and also for thc election of brethren as joining members . A Committee , comprising the W . M ., the Senior and Junior Wardens , the Treasurer , and Secretary , xvas appointed to draxv up the byc-laxvs . Thc lodge xvas then closed in due form , and the brethren of the lodge and their very numerous guests dined together in thc large hall on thc
ground floor of the building . On the removal of the cloth , Bro . Burdett-Coutts proceeded to propose various loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing the first toasl he said : Brethren , the first toast xvhich I have the honour to propose to you to-night is one which derives an added feeling from its connection xvith the special circumstances of thc evening , it is the toast of "The Queen and thc Craft . " The Queen—her sympathies are so wide , her connections are so numerous and varied with thc different interests
in this country , that it is not difficult to find on any different occasion some connection betxveen her Majesty and thc subject of that occasion . On this nig ht I find it—in fact we know it—that the Queen is the friend of the Craft ; and she is the mother of our Grand Master . Though it is not connected xvith this particular lodge , I could remind you' that the Queen was born within the precincts of St . Margaret ' s parish , xvas proclaimed queen within those precincts , and there held her first council . That gives us of
Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.
this lodge , prominently representing the City of Westminster , an apparent connection with her Majesty to-night . I xvill say no more , but commit to your loyal hands the toast of thc Queen and the Craft . The toast was loyally and enthusiastically received , and in proceeding xvith the toast list ,
The CHAIRMAN said : Brethren , the next toast I have to propose is one xvhich I think will receive your cordial consent ; it is the toast of " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " I think I am not xvrong in believing that this is in the heart of every one here present , the feeling to which I endeavoured to give expression in thc lodge to-dayfeelings of sincere congratulation to their Royal Highnesses o ? bavin" -
attained the twenty first anniversary of their xvedding day . Wherever the name of an English gentleman is honoured there I think the name of the Prince of Wales xvill be received with pleasure and esteem . But xve have a higher character in xvhich to invest him in our thoughts to-night ; it is the character of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of our Order . As such xve , here
tonight , are able to bear testimony to the admirable manner in xvhich he presides over the Craft ; and both I and the founders of this lotlge can return him on this occasion our grateful thanks for enabling us lo form a Craft body of Masonry , and entertain our friends here to-ni ght . With every grateful and loyal expression I give you the toast of H . R . H . the Prince of VVales . This toast met xvith an enthusiastic reception , after which
Ihe CHAIRMAN said that the next toast xvhich he had to propose was that to " The Grand Officers . " He thought they had a xery distinguished company of Grand Officers present on that occasion . He xvas not too xvell acquainted with consecration meetings ; but he xvas told that it was rare to see such an assemblage of FVcemasons in general . He considered their presence a very great honour to himself ; but it xvas a greater honour tothe
lodge over which he was permitted to rule . On his right he had his cousin , Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bro . Hopkinson , Bro . Sir J . ' McGarel Hogg , Bro . Philbrick , Bro . Creaton , Bro . Fenn , Bro . Richardson ( xvho had aided them so much in thc conduct of the ceremony that day ) , and Bro . Sir John B . Monckton ; on his left he had Bro . General Brownrigg , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke ( of xvhom he would havc to say something later on ) , Bro . Sir
Albert Woods ( an old friend of his , and an honoured and dear friend of Lady Burdett-Coutts ) , Bro . Capt . Philips , Bro . Admiral Keppel , Bro . Burt , Bro . Horace Jones , Bro . Sir John Whittaker Ellis . and probably some others whom his ignorance obliged him to pass over . In thc name ol the brethren of the lodge he xvished briefly to bid these Grand Officers a most hearty welcome . The lodge was young—they xverc almost in the hour of their birth—he xvas
happy to say it xvas not a painful process . To thc Grand Officers he xvould say that as noxv so in thc future thc brethren xvould alxvays xxelcomc them and be proud of their presence . It xvas an honour to the lodge that the Grand Officers had presided over thc difficult but happy circumstance of their coming into existence ; it xvas an honour xvhich they xvcre not likely to
forget . Willi this general toast he would not mention more names than he xvas permitted by circumstances and time to do . He knexv they had many able and eloquent speakers among them ; but xvhere there xvcre . so many he must be guided by a certain rule , and he xvould therefore mention the names of Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , and Bro . General Broxvnrigg , Prov . Grand Master of Surrey .
Bros . Sir FRANCIS TRUSCOTT and General BROWNRIOC ; having acknowledged the compliment in thc name of the Grand Officers , Bro . Col . SHADXX-KLL H . CLERKE , G . S ., rose and said it was his duly to propose a very important toast—a toast dear to every founder of the lodge and one xvhich the visitors xvould receive xvith cordiality and pleasure . He xvas about to propose " The Health of thc W . M ., " xvhom he had had the
nonour to install that evening . Me had taken the opportunity of saying' a fexv xvords to the brethren in the lodge , and those remarks he noxv fully and clearly endorsed . When the founders of thc Abbey Lodge conspired together to get up their lodge they did a very wise and proper thing in selecting so good and proper a Mason as Bro . Burdett-Coutts to be their first Master . Bro . Burdett-Coutts xvas made , and xvell made , in the xvell-known Apollo which had don
Lodge , a * lodge e perhaps more good than any other lodge he could name . For several years his xvay of life had throxvn him out of the way of Masonry . His merits had noxv been recognised ; he had been nominated the Master of a nexv lodge , and they had seen the xvay in xvhich he had invested his ofiicers . In that work , which xvas most thoroughly done , he had gixen a specimen of xvhat he meant to do in his year of oilice . In
xvitncssmg thc very pleasing ceremony xvhich preceded thc formation of the lodge the assembled brethren had been charmed and delighted at thc presence of the noble lady , xvhich xvould influence very strongly the future success of thc Abbey Lodge , xvhich , howex-er , he believed did not require any outside influence , their first Master being so good a man . He thought he might venture to add that at thc end of this x'car the hrethren
would say they could not havc made a better choice . He xvould not xvcary them with further words ; they knexv their man as well as he did ; he xvould therefore only ask them to join him in drinking the very good health and every possible good luck to the W . M . of the Abbey Lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in making his acknowledgments for the toast , said : Thc xvords in xvhich you , Bro . Shadwell Clerke , have proposed this toast ,
and the unmistakeable warmth and cordiality with which you , brethren , have received it , has gone straight to my heart , and there they xvill ever rest as one of its most treasured and grateful memories . ( Cheers . ) I must beg of your indulgence , as I have been performing my part to-day under exceptional p hysical difficulties , as any brother xvho , in pursuance of the charitable principles involved in this our Order , xvould kindly exchange his throat
for mine , xvould soon discover . ( Laughter and cheers . ) Yet I xvould fain explain to you one or txvo reasons xvhy then I say that it is a very great honour and pleasure to me to hax * e been chosen tlie first Master of this lodge . I use these xvords in no formal or merely complimentary sense . In the first place , there are the circumstances that led to the formation of the lodge , xvhich are fresh in your recollection . It xvas felt that there xvas a distinct
want for the lodge to gather together the great interests of local self-government xvhich concentrate themselves xvithin this hall into a lodge of the Craft , to xvhich so many of the workers in , and representatives of , that local self-government belong . The xvarrant was spontaneous among you , brethren , xvho are citizens of Westminster , proceeding directly from those who by the ceremony of to-night have been united in the
confraternal bonds of the Abbey Lodge . Wc all know thc value of such a basis . It means a direct personal interest , on the part of every brother in the lodge , as a creation of their oxvn , and I trust I shall not be claiming too much if I venture to hope and beliex-e that the act by xvhich you have chosen me as your first Master partook of something of the same spontaneity , unanimity , and personal interest which guided you to the formation of the lodge itself . At any rate I will lay that flattering unction to my soul , for it
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.
W . M . added that he had no doubt Bro . Shand xvould perform his secretarial duties xvith satisfaction to the lodge . Bro . Montague , the High Constable of Westminster , also came in for a humorous reference to the opportunity he xvould have of seeing thc peace perfectly kept in that place ; and to Bro . Jones he intimated that it ' appcarcd to him lo be appropriate that that brother should have an office in the lodge who had been so intimately associated
with the construction of the building in which thc lodge was held . Before the closing of the lodge the WORSHIPFUL MASTER rose and said that he had a proposition to put forxvard , xvhich he thought should take precedence of all other matters . It might have occurred to many brethren there present that that day—the day upon which the most important ceremony of that lodge had been performed—xvas the date of an occasion xvhich brought
joy and happiness to this country—it xvas the anniversary of the marriage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales . Therefore he would briefly say —because he thought they must have divined at once the purport of xvhat he had to say—that bethought it right and fitting that as , to use the words of the Installing Officer , he had received the xvarrant fresh from the hands of the Grand Master , that in the open lodge that c \* eniiig they should pass a
resolution congratulating his Royal Highness on the twenty-first anniversary of that happy event . He had \* entured to draw up a resolution as folloxvs : " It was proposed by Bro . Burdett-Coutts , and seconded by the S . W ., that , the brethren , rejoicing in the auspicious fact that the consecration and first meeting of their lodge takes place on this , the twenty-first anniversary of the marriage of his Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales , thc Most Worshipful Grand Master , do hereby tender their heartfelt
congratulations to his Royal Highness , and trust that the G . A . O . T . U . xvill be pleased to preserve his Royal Highness for many years to come to reign for many years over the Craft , and xvith his illustrious and beloved consort , her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales , to continue to diffuse happiness amongst the faithful subjects of the realm . " ( Applause . ) The SENIOR WARDEN said he xvould not spoil thc effect of this happy idea of thc W . M . by making a speech upon it ; he xvould rather leave it to the brethren to carry it xvith the unanimity that their applause indicated .
The motion xvas put to the vote by the J . W ., and carried unanimously , amid the applause of thc brethren . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER said he presumed it was the p leasure of thc lodge that the resolution should be forwarded to his Royal Highness so that he should receive it before the day xvas closed . ( Applause . ) The folloxving answer has been receix-ed from General Sir F . Knollys ,
C . B ., in acknowledgment of the foregoing resolution : " Marlborough House , Pall Mall , W ., nth March , 1 S 84 . 1 am desired in reply to request you to be so good as to convey to the brethren of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , 2030 , the expression of their Royal Highness ' s warm thanks for the congratulations olfered by them to the Prince and Princess on thc occasion of the anniversary of their xvedding day . —I remain , yours truly ,
FRANCIS KNOLLYS , C . B . —XV . Burdett-Coutts , Esq . Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS again rose and said he had noxv thc pleasure to propose a vole of thanks lo the Consecrating Officer . A few xvords from him were necessary ( particularly as the hours were advancing , and they were approaching another ceremony ) to express the gratitude they felt to the Grand Secretary and thc other Grand Officers for coming there lo assist
in the consecration . The Grand Ofiicers must knoxv that thc brethren were sensible of the great honour that their presence conferred . He xvould rather embody their gratitude in another proposition , which he xx'ould make connected with that one , and that xvas , he xvould propose as honorary members of thc lodge those officers of the Grand lodge who had assisted in thc consecration , namely , Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Sir Albert Woods ,
Dr . Turtle Piggott , the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Frank Richardson , and Thos . Fenn , and for reasons that xvould be apparent , he xvould ask them to add the name of his cousin , Bro . Sir Francis Burdett . This proposition xx'as also seconded by thc S . W ., and carried unanimously amidst applause . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE on behalf of himself and his colleagues
returned thanks for the double compliment that had been paid them , and accepted with gratitude the honorary membershi p in the Abbey Lodge , for xvhicli they hoped continued prosperity . Bro . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , also returned thanks for thc compliment having bscn extended to him on special grounds , and notwithstanding lhat he had not taken any part in the consecration
ceremony . Thc SECRETARY read a fexv of the many letters of regret that he had received , stating thc inability of the xvriters to be present . These included the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor , the Duke of Manchester , Lord Wolseley , Lord Milltoxvn , Lord Limerick , and many eminent Masons . He also read a letter from Bro . Hedges , Secretary of thc Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , asking for a Steward for thc next festival of the Institution , xvhereupon
Bro . BURDETT-COUTTS rose and said that he proposed being a Stexvard al that festival .
Bro . BAKER , S . W ., said that that announcement xvould give the brethren great pleasure . He had very great gratification in proposing " That twenty guineas out of the lodge funds be placed on the W . M . ' s list ; " and knowing as he did what the brethren desired to do with regard to the Charities , he felt sure that the sum would not bear comparison with the support the VV . M . xvould receive from thc brethren individually .
1 his proposition xvas seconded by the J . W . and carried unanimously . There xverc numerous proposals for initiation and also for thc election of brethren as joining members . A Committee , comprising the W . M ., the Senior and Junior Wardens , the Treasurer , and Secretary , xvas appointed to draxv up the byc-laxvs . Thc lodge xvas then closed in due form , and the brethren of the lodge and their very numerous guests dined together in thc large hall on thc
ground floor of the building . On the removal of the cloth , Bro . Burdett-Coutts proceeded to propose various loyal and Masonic toasts . In proposing the first toasl he said : Brethren , the first toast xvhich I have the honour to propose to you to-night is one which derives an added feeling from its connection xvith the special circumstances of thc evening , it is the toast of "The Queen and thc Craft . " The Queen—her sympathies are so wide , her connections are so numerous and varied with thc different interests
in this country , that it is not difficult to find on any different occasion some connection betxveen her Majesty and thc subject of that occasion . On this nig ht I find it—in fact we know it—that the Queen is the friend of the Craft ; and she is the mother of our Grand Master . Though it is not connected xvith this particular lodge , I could remind you' that the Queen was born within the precincts of St . Margaret ' s parish , xvas proclaimed queen within those precincts , and there held her first council . That gives us of
Consecration Of The Abbey Lodge, No. 2030, Westminster.
this lodge , prominently representing the City of Westminster , an apparent connection with her Majesty to-night . I xvill say no more , but commit to your loyal hands the toast of thc Queen and the Craft . The toast was loyally and enthusiastically received , and in proceeding xvith the toast list ,
The CHAIRMAN said : Brethren , the next toast I have to propose is one xvhich I think will receive your cordial consent ; it is the toast of " The Most Worshipful Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " I think I am not xvrong in believing that this is in the heart of every one here present , the feeling to which I endeavoured to give expression in thc lodge to-dayfeelings of sincere congratulation to their Royal Highnesses o ? bavin" -
attained the twenty first anniversary of their xvedding day . Wherever the name of an English gentleman is honoured there I think the name of the Prince of Wales xvill be received with pleasure and esteem . But xve have a higher character in xvhich to invest him in our thoughts to-night ; it is the character of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of our Order . As such xve , here
tonight , are able to bear testimony to the admirable manner in xvhich he presides over the Craft ; and both I and the founders of this lotlge can return him on this occasion our grateful thanks for enabling us lo form a Craft body of Masonry , and entertain our friends here to-ni ght . With every grateful and loyal expression I give you the toast of H . R . H . the Prince of VVales . This toast met xvith an enthusiastic reception , after which
Ihe CHAIRMAN said that the next toast xvhich he had to propose was that to " The Grand Officers . " He thought they had a xery distinguished company of Grand Officers present on that occasion . He xvas not too xvell acquainted with consecration meetings ; but he xvas told that it was rare to see such an assemblage of FVcemasons in general . He considered their presence a very great honour to himself ; but it xvas a greater honour tothe
lodge over which he was permitted to rule . On his right he had his cousin , Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bro . Hopkinson , Bro . Sir J . ' McGarel Hogg , Bro . Philbrick , Bro . Creaton , Bro . Fenn , Bro . Richardson ( xvho had aided them so much in thc conduct of the ceremony that day ) , and Bro . Sir John B . Monckton ; on his left he had Bro . General Brownrigg , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke ( of xvhom he would havc to say something later on ) , Bro . Sir
Albert Woods ( an old friend of his , and an honoured and dear friend of Lady Burdett-Coutts ) , Bro . Capt . Philips , Bro . Admiral Keppel , Bro . Burt , Bro . Horace Jones , Bro . Sir John Whittaker Ellis . and probably some others whom his ignorance obliged him to pass over . In thc name ol the brethren of the lodge he xvished briefly to bid these Grand Officers a most hearty welcome . The lodge was young—they xverc almost in the hour of their birth—he xvas
happy to say it xvas not a painful process . To thc Grand Officers he xvould say that as noxv so in thc future thc brethren xvould alxvays xxelcomc them and be proud of their presence . It xvas an honour to the lodge that the Grand Officers had presided over thc difficult but happy circumstance of their coming into existence ; it xvas an honour xvhich they xvcre not likely to
forget . Willi this general toast he would not mention more names than he xvas permitted by circumstances and time to do . He knexv they had many able and eloquent speakers among them ; but xvhere there xvcre . so many he must be guided by a certain rule , and he xvould therefore mention the names of Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , and Bro . General Broxvnrigg , Prov . Grand Master of Surrey .
Bros . Sir FRANCIS TRUSCOTT and General BROWNRIOC ; having acknowledged the compliment in thc name of the Grand Officers , Bro . Col . SHADXX-KLL H . CLERKE , G . S ., rose and said it was his duly to propose a very important toast—a toast dear to every founder of the lodge and one xvhich the visitors xvould receive xvith cordiality and pleasure . He xvas about to propose " The Health of thc W . M ., " xvhom he had had the
nonour to install that evening . Me had taken the opportunity of saying' a fexv xvords to the brethren in the lodge , and those remarks he noxv fully and clearly endorsed . When the founders of thc Abbey Lodge conspired together to get up their lodge they did a very wise and proper thing in selecting so good and proper a Mason as Bro . Burdett-Coutts to be their first Master . Bro . Burdett-Coutts xvas made , and xvell made , in the xvell-known Apollo which had don
Lodge , a * lodge e perhaps more good than any other lodge he could name . For several years his xvay of life had throxvn him out of the way of Masonry . His merits had noxv been recognised ; he had been nominated the Master of a nexv lodge , and they had seen the xvay in xvhich he had invested his ofiicers . In that work , which xvas most thoroughly done , he had gixen a specimen of xvhat he meant to do in his year of oilice . In
xvitncssmg thc very pleasing ceremony xvhich preceded thc formation of the lodge the assembled brethren had been charmed and delighted at thc presence of the noble lady , xvhich xvould influence very strongly the future success of thc Abbey Lodge , xvhich , howex-er , he believed did not require any outside influence , their first Master being so good a man . He thought he might venture to add that at thc end of this x'car the hrethren
would say they could not havc made a better choice . He xvould not xvcary them with further words ; they knexv their man as well as he did ; he xvould therefore only ask them to join him in drinking the very good health and every possible good luck to the W . M . of the Abbey Lodge . The WORSHIPFUL MASTER , in making his acknowledgments for the toast , said : Thc xvords in xvhich you , Bro . Shadwell Clerke , have proposed this toast ,
and the unmistakeable warmth and cordiality with which you , brethren , have received it , has gone straight to my heart , and there they xvill ever rest as one of its most treasured and grateful memories . ( Cheers . ) I must beg of your indulgence , as I have been performing my part to-day under exceptional p hysical difficulties , as any brother xvho , in pursuance of the charitable principles involved in this our Order , xvould kindly exchange his throat
for mine , xvould soon discover . ( Laughter and cheers . ) Yet I xvould fain explain to you one or txvo reasons xvhy then I say that it is a very great honour and pleasure to me to hax * e been chosen tlie first Master of this lodge . I use these xvords in no formal or merely complimentary sense . In the first place , there are the circumstances that led to the formation of the lodge , xvhich are fresh in your recollection . It xvas felt that there xvas a distinct
want for the lodge to gather together the great interests of local self-government xvhich concentrate themselves xvithin this hall into a lodge of the Craft , to xvhich so many of the workers in , and representatives of , that local self-government belong . The xvarrant was spontaneous among you , brethren , xvho are citizens of Westminster , proceeding directly from those who by the ceremony of to-night have been united in the
confraternal bonds of the Abbey Lodge . Wc all know thc value of such a basis . It means a direct personal interest , on the part of every brother in the lodge , as a creation of their oxvn , and I trust I shall not be claiming too much if I venture to hope and beliex-e that the act by xvhich you have chosen me as your first Master partook of something of the same spontaneity , unanimity , and personal interest which guided you to the formation of the lodge itself . At any rate I will lay that flattering unction to my soul , for it