Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Histo Ry Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement , No . 256.——(Continued).
( The ' Emulation ' ) are excellently arranged , and are , we believe , chiefly compilations from those formerly delivered by the late Dr . Hemming , one of the most accomplished Masons of his day . " The Lectures here referred to as then yvorked at the Grand Steyvards' Lodge yvere probably the " Prestonian "
Lectures , formerly yvorked in the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 , William Preston ' s favourite Lodge . We find it someyvhat difficult to account for the introduction of William Williams into the history of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , especially in vieyv of the fact that he yvas never a member of
that Lodge , nor , so far as yve can ascertain , did he ever attend its meetings . There can be no doubt that Williams was something more even than " a shining light " in the Freemasonry of his clay , but henceforth yve may safely acquit him of any participation in the affairs ef the " Emulation "
or its mode of yvorking , although his Masonic qualification might have amply justified such participation . He yvas one of the members of the Lodge of Reconciliation appointed in December , 1814 , to fill up the vacancies that had occurred in that Lodge since its formation , and it is on record that , as
Provincial Grand Master for Dorset , he explained , to his constituents , at a meeting held at Blandford on the 27 th of August , 1816 , the neyv mode of initiation prescribed by the Grand Lodge .
Were yve writing his biography , very much might be said of his Masonic services , yvhich , as early as March , 1816 , were most warmly acknowledged by a vote of thanks in Grand Lodge , and also on at least tyvo subsequent occasions . Notwithstanding a most careful research yve are unable to find in contemporary records or correspondence any mention of
his having been specially appointed to revise the Lectures or ceremonies . The yvriter of his obituary in 18 39 makes no reference to such an appointment , nor can yve find any such allusion prior to 18 7 8 , yvhen a statement similar in substance to that made by the late Thomas Fenn appears
in Kenuing's Masonic Cvc / optra'ia , but to the best of our knoyvledge in no other book . We are strongly of opinion , therefore , that this story should be deemed a " Masonic fiction , " and as such should be classed yvith several other statements , equally unsupported by evidence , by irresponsible
writers , having reference to the origin of our Lectures . 1895 . The Committee and executive officers yvere all re-elected on the 5 U 1 of January . The Annual Festival yvas held on the 23 rd of February , R . Clay Sudloyv , Past Grand Standard Bearer , presiding as W . M ., for the first time
at one of these important functions . He yvas ably assisted in working the Second Lecture by Bros . Henry S . Wellcome , W . H . Kirby , Charles Lewis , J . J . Black , and S . G . Budcl . About 430 members and visitors attended , 29 of whom yvere distinguished by the purple of Grand Lodge . At the conclusion of the working ,
Bro . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., said that he had permission , in the enforced absence of Bro . Pope , to propose a vote of thanks to the yvorking officers oi the lodge , for the admirable manner in which they had discharged their duties . Having filled the chair , noyv so worthily occupied by his successor , Bro . Sudloyv , for many years past , he ( Bro . Fenn ) was perhaps
better able to testify to the absolute correctness of the yvork they had heard than most of the brethren present , and every brother must have been gratified by the able and eloquent manner in yvhich the Sections had been delivered . He yvas sure they must all be pleased to see Bro . Sudloyv occupying
the place to which he was justly entitled . For man } ' years he had done what used to be his ( Bro . Fenn's ) work in the Lodge , and he had long felt that the brother yvho presided week after week throughout the year should have the honour of presiding over the Lodge on these great occasions . Indeed ,
he should have given it up long ago had not Bro . Sudlow himself urged him not to do so . He noyv felt quite unable to undergo the fatigue and excitement of the after-supper speech , and being noyv in his 74 th year , he thought it quite time that he gave up the yvork to his younger brethren . In
doing so it yvas a great satisfaction to him to feel assured that the Lodge with which he had been so closely connected for a period of 3 8 years , and in yvhich he had—so to
speakspent the greater part of his Masonic life , yvas noyv in such capable and yvilling hands . Eighty-five propositions for membership yvere handed in , the brethren being all duly elected at the folloyving meeting . Samuel Pope , Q . C ., P . G . Deacon , had intended to preside at the banquet , but was prevented at almost the last moment
by serious illness , and Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary , kindly consented to take his place . In proposing the toast , " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " the Chairman gave a brief description of the history of the Lodge and named several eminent brethren
yvho had been members of it , concluding his remarks as folloyvs — " The records of Grand Lodge conclusively proved that this Emulation Lodge of Improvement was looked upon as the standard of Masonic perfection . Its past career had been prosperous and brilliant , not only with reference to
advancing Masonic knowledge , but also as regarded its liberal response to the Masonic Charities . All the brethren yvould join yvith him in yvishing that the good work clone in the past by the Lodge might be continued for many years and that the Lodge might prosper . "
Bro . R . Clay Sudloyv , in replying to the toast , said : " We must all regret the absence of one who has been yvith us for so many years ; indeed , the Emulation Lodge of Improvement Festival scarcely seems to be itself without Bro . Fenn . For
I don't know hoyv many years this toast has been associated yvith the name of our Treasurer and chief ; and it is only because he preferred not to take the pocition that he has occupied on these occasions for so long that I have the honour to respond—an honour , brethren , that I need hardly say I very highly appreciate . In vieyv of the fact yvhich has
been mentioned by our Chairman that this Lodge has been in existence for over 70 years it is most gratifying to find that its influence is still extending , that its weekly meetings are always numerously attended , and that its Festivals are still a great success . The splendid gathering of to-night , brethren , is in
itself a proof that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement occupies a very important place in the confidence and good will of the Craft . Probably no one in this Lodge yvould desire to see a uniformity of ritual adopted even if that yvere attainable ; on the other hand I believe every one will agree
that a standard working is absolutely essential—a standard that shall be fixed , unaltering , and unalterable—and such a standard Emulation provides . As an Emulation enthusiast I would go further and I would say that it is the standard . I may give you , brethren , an example , and a very interesting
one , of the vitality yvith which the system recognised by this Lodge is adhered to . A brother who is probably present yvith us to-night joined this Lodge in the year 1863 . Betyveen
that time and 1867 , yvhen he left the Lodge , because he yvas going abroad , he thoroughly mastered the various ceremonies and many of the Sections . He remained away for the space of 26 years , only rejoining this Lodge last year . As you can easily imagine , yvhen he returned to us there was not a single face he knew , but the yvorking yvas precisely the same , and
though he kneyv no one , not even the Past Master who yvas acting as Preceptor , yet he was at once at home yvith the work yvhich was being carried on , and he is noyv one of outmost exemplary and regular workers . Brethren , this is the first time I have been associated with this toast , the first time
I have represented at our Festivals the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I have already spoken of the honour of that position , but it brings yvith it , as you will easily understand , a very great responsibility . I am glad to say that I do not share that responsibility alone—that is to say , I share it with my
colleagues , Bro . Spaull and Bro . Rushton . The knowledge that we possess of the traditions of this Lodge yve have received from Bros . Fenn , Murton , and Richards . We look upon the trust delivered to us by those brethren as very important indeed—a very sacred one—and , speaking for
myself , and I am sure , speaking in the name of my colleagues , I may say that that trust shall be most faithfully , most honourably , and most religiously preserved . The records for this year contain nothing further requiring special mention in these pages . ( To be Continued ) -
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Histo Ry Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement , No . 256.——(Continued).
( The ' Emulation ' ) are excellently arranged , and are , we believe , chiefly compilations from those formerly delivered by the late Dr . Hemming , one of the most accomplished Masons of his day . " The Lectures here referred to as then yvorked at the Grand Steyvards' Lodge yvere probably the " Prestonian "
Lectures , formerly yvorked in the Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 , William Preston ' s favourite Lodge . We find it someyvhat difficult to account for the introduction of William Williams into the history of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , especially in vieyv of the fact that he yvas never a member of
that Lodge , nor , so far as yve can ascertain , did he ever attend its meetings . There can be no doubt that Williams was something more even than " a shining light " in the Freemasonry of his clay , but henceforth yve may safely acquit him of any participation in the affairs ef the " Emulation "
or its mode of yvorking , although his Masonic qualification might have amply justified such participation . He yvas one of the members of the Lodge of Reconciliation appointed in December , 1814 , to fill up the vacancies that had occurred in that Lodge since its formation , and it is on record that , as
Provincial Grand Master for Dorset , he explained , to his constituents , at a meeting held at Blandford on the 27 th of August , 1816 , the neyv mode of initiation prescribed by the Grand Lodge .
Were yve writing his biography , very much might be said of his Masonic services , yvhich , as early as March , 1816 , were most warmly acknowledged by a vote of thanks in Grand Lodge , and also on at least tyvo subsequent occasions . Notwithstanding a most careful research yve are unable to find in contemporary records or correspondence any mention of
his having been specially appointed to revise the Lectures or ceremonies . The yvriter of his obituary in 18 39 makes no reference to such an appointment , nor can yve find any such allusion prior to 18 7 8 , yvhen a statement similar in substance to that made by the late Thomas Fenn appears
in Kenuing's Masonic Cvc / optra'ia , but to the best of our knoyvledge in no other book . We are strongly of opinion , therefore , that this story should be deemed a " Masonic fiction , " and as such should be classed yvith several other statements , equally unsupported by evidence , by irresponsible
writers , having reference to the origin of our Lectures . 1895 . The Committee and executive officers yvere all re-elected on the 5 U 1 of January . The Annual Festival yvas held on the 23 rd of February , R . Clay Sudloyv , Past Grand Standard Bearer , presiding as W . M ., for the first time
at one of these important functions . He yvas ably assisted in working the Second Lecture by Bros . Henry S . Wellcome , W . H . Kirby , Charles Lewis , J . J . Black , and S . G . Budcl . About 430 members and visitors attended , 29 of whom yvere distinguished by the purple of Grand Lodge . At the conclusion of the working ,
Bro . Fenn , P . B . G . P ., said that he had permission , in the enforced absence of Bro . Pope , to propose a vote of thanks to the yvorking officers oi the lodge , for the admirable manner in which they had discharged their duties . Having filled the chair , noyv so worthily occupied by his successor , Bro . Sudloyv , for many years past , he ( Bro . Fenn ) was perhaps
better able to testify to the absolute correctness of the yvork they had heard than most of the brethren present , and every brother must have been gratified by the able and eloquent manner in yvhich the Sections had been delivered . He yvas sure they must all be pleased to see Bro . Sudloyv occupying
the place to which he was justly entitled . For man } ' years he had done what used to be his ( Bro . Fenn's ) work in the Lodge , and he had long felt that the brother yvho presided week after week throughout the year should have the honour of presiding over the Lodge on these great occasions . Indeed ,
he should have given it up long ago had not Bro . Sudlow himself urged him not to do so . He noyv felt quite unable to undergo the fatigue and excitement of the after-supper speech , and being noyv in his 74 th year , he thought it quite time that he gave up the yvork to his younger brethren . In
doing so it yvas a great satisfaction to him to feel assured that the Lodge with which he had been so closely connected for a period of 3 8 years , and in yvhich he had—so to
speakspent the greater part of his Masonic life , yvas noyv in such capable and yvilling hands . Eighty-five propositions for membership yvere handed in , the brethren being all duly elected at the folloyving meeting . Samuel Pope , Q . C ., P . G . Deacon , had intended to preside at the banquet , but was prevented at almost the last moment
by serious illness , and Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary , kindly consented to take his place . In proposing the toast , " Success to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , " the Chairman gave a brief description of the history of the Lodge and named several eminent brethren
yvho had been members of it , concluding his remarks as folloyvs — " The records of Grand Lodge conclusively proved that this Emulation Lodge of Improvement was looked upon as the standard of Masonic perfection . Its past career had been prosperous and brilliant , not only with reference to
advancing Masonic knowledge , but also as regarded its liberal response to the Masonic Charities . All the brethren yvould join yvith him in yvishing that the good work clone in the past by the Lodge might be continued for many years and that the Lodge might prosper . "
Bro . R . Clay Sudloyv , in replying to the toast , said : " We must all regret the absence of one who has been yvith us for so many years ; indeed , the Emulation Lodge of Improvement Festival scarcely seems to be itself without Bro . Fenn . For
I don't know hoyv many years this toast has been associated yvith the name of our Treasurer and chief ; and it is only because he preferred not to take the pocition that he has occupied on these occasions for so long that I have the honour to respond—an honour , brethren , that I need hardly say I very highly appreciate . In vieyv of the fact yvhich has
been mentioned by our Chairman that this Lodge has been in existence for over 70 years it is most gratifying to find that its influence is still extending , that its weekly meetings are always numerously attended , and that its Festivals are still a great success . The splendid gathering of to-night , brethren , is in
itself a proof that the Emulation Lodge of Improvement occupies a very important place in the confidence and good will of the Craft . Probably no one in this Lodge yvould desire to see a uniformity of ritual adopted even if that yvere attainable ; on the other hand I believe every one will agree
that a standard working is absolutely essential—a standard that shall be fixed , unaltering , and unalterable—and such a standard Emulation provides . As an Emulation enthusiast I would go further and I would say that it is the standard . I may give you , brethren , an example , and a very interesting
one , of the vitality yvith which the system recognised by this Lodge is adhered to . A brother who is probably present yvith us to-night joined this Lodge in the year 1863 . Betyveen
that time and 1867 , yvhen he left the Lodge , because he yvas going abroad , he thoroughly mastered the various ceremonies and many of the Sections . He remained away for the space of 26 years , only rejoining this Lodge last year . As you can easily imagine , yvhen he returned to us there was not a single face he knew , but the yvorking yvas precisely the same , and
though he kneyv no one , not even the Past Master who yvas acting as Preceptor , yet he was at once at home yvith the work yvhich was being carried on , and he is noyv one of outmost exemplary and regular workers . Brethren , this is the first time I have been associated with this toast , the first time
I have represented at our Festivals the Emulation Lodge of Improvement . I have already spoken of the honour of that position , but it brings yvith it , as you will easily understand , a very great responsibility . I am glad to say that I do not share that responsibility alone—that is to say , I share it with my
colleagues , Bro . Spaull and Bro . Rushton . The knowledge that we possess of the traditions of this Lodge yve have received from Bros . Fenn , Murton , and Richards . We look upon the trust delivered to us by those brethren as very important indeed—a very sacred one—and , speaking for
myself , and I am sure , speaking in the name of my colleagues , I may say that that trust shall be most faithfully , most honourably , and most religiously preserved . The records for this year contain nothing further requiring special mention in these pages . ( To be Continued ) -