Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Kelburne , I can only return you our most sincere thanks for the way in which our health has been proposed and received . I may mention that the Lodge Kelburne , now that it has been consecrated , was formed under circumstances of great difficulty . All credit connected with its formation I must give to the present Junior AVarden . Ten years ago he suggested tho idea of a Masonic lodge in Millport . The difficulty which first presented itself was that we did not know anybody in Millport as a Mason ,
besides ourselves , and you know that two could not commence a lodge . Things went on in that way every year , the Bro . Junior AVarden always suggesting something about a Masonic lodge at Millport , till at last , this year , we seriously took up the idea . But , as I said , the whole credit must , iu the first instance , be due to him . AA e had a meeting , at which we barely mustered seven brethren . We were assisted by several of our brethren who were down in summer from Glasgow . A ' ery noticeable
¦ were Bro . M'Taggart , who is Master of Lodge 27 , and Bro . Miller , P . M . 102 , who is now present . We managed , with the assistance of these Glasgow brethren , to get a petition drawn up and sent to the Grand Lodge , by whom it was accepted , and from whom we received a working letter . We started on the 8 th September . I think , at our first meeting , wo numbered thirteen of our own members , who may be called the original members of the Lodge Kelburne At present we number
fortyfour members . During these three and a half months I have liad the honour and privilege of initiating into . Masonry twentytwo , and we have had seven who joined us as affiliating brethren . Tbat roll of members is not , perhaps , so large as I would have liked , hut still we have increased visibly , we bave trebled and that is something . I have no doubt at our next anniversary , we shall have increased more . Our great object in establishing a lodge in this islandwas to try tospread Masonic principles , which
, are so well known to promote peace and harmony among all mankind . The only pity is they are not more generally known and acted upon , though , perhaps , even here , there may be some people who say " what nonsense . " But if they speak thus , it is simply because tbey do not know anything about Freemrsonry . Yet we trust—nay , we believe—that as people are coming to be admitted , as candidates , into our lodge , even in this remote island , they will find out that Masonry is , as we Masons know it
to be , founded upon the strictest principles of morality ancl virtue , and that it inculcates harmony ancl good-will among mankind . Therefore it is that we trust its principles will gradually spread , not only throughout this island , but also throughout the adjacent islands . Bro . Sir MiciijVEL SHAW STEWART : I beg to propose tho "Lodges of the Pvovvucc of Avgyleslure and the Isles . " I am very sorry that the toast should bo to a certain extent
somewhat informal , as there ought probabl y to be a Provincial Grand Lodgo of Argylesbire and the Isles . But your Worshipful Master , brethren , has given you a very good reason why that toast could not be proposed iu that shape . I re . aret you should be in this position . I regret very much that when the Right AVorshipful Master of this lodge applied to the Grand Lodge to know under which Provincial Lodge they were to work , the Grand Lodge did not at present seem to know . Perhaps it
would have been as well that the Grand Lodgo had been able to reply definitely about the matter . I remember Captain M'Donald , of the THogue , telling me once that when he applied to head-quarters for a chaplain , tbe answer came back , " we have not one in store . " I rather think , however , that was Capt . M'Donald ' s facetious way of putting the answer . The Grand Lodge may not have a Provincial Grand Master , but I may venture to say there is one in store for you . I could
almost name one for you witnout going very far . I hope that Masonry will look up in this province , more especially because of the impetus it has received from the Lodge Kelburne , in this island . You have done much in the cause of Masonry , but yet you must Set your wits about you , and get a Provincial Grand Master for the islands . I am sure you will , at any rate , do all honour to the lodges of the province in which we are now met . I am not acquainted with a great many lodges , but
I have had the satisfaction of meeting some members of the lodges of this district who have upon more than one occasion done us tho favour to come over ancl help us in Renfrewshire , and we have always been glad to see them . I will ask you to drink to the very good health of the lodges of this district . I shall beg leave to couple with this toast the name of a worthy Mason , the Worshipful Master of St . John ' s Lodge , Rothesay , 292 , Bro . Taylor . Bro . TATLOE returned thanks for the honour done to his and
the other lodges embraced m the toast . They had had great difficulties in the matter of a Provincial Grand Master , but they hoped they would get good assistance from the Kelburne Lodge ,, whose prosperity he was happy to see . He had had great happiness in his correspondence with the Kelburne , and he was sure all the members of his lodge would be glad to further it-He hoped they would be able to get a Provincial Grand Master who , along with his office-bearers , would look after tbe lodges .
By that means their candidates ancl members would be better trained , and the knowledge of Masonry would be advanced . Bro . A . DICKSON , S . AA ., in proposing " The Visiting- Brethren " said he had been a Mason for nearl y forty years , and had experienced kindness from his brethren in several parts of the globe . It might be truly said , in tho words of an authority , that any Mason who was destitute would find in every clime a
home , ancl in every land a brother . Bro . PARK returned thanks for St . John ' s , Glasgow , 32 ; Bros . Young for St . Mungo , Glasgow , 27 ; Dr . J . Simpson-Gumming for Doric Kilwinning , Port-Glasgow , 68 ; Miller for St . Mark's , Glasgow , 102 ; Barclay for St . John ' s , Largs , 170 ; M'JVfaster for St . John ' s , Greenock , 175 ; Taylor , for St . John ' s , Rothesay , 272 ; M'Crae for Renfrew County Kilwinning , Paisley , 370 ; Muir for A ancouver's Island 789 ; Morrison for St .
, John ' s , Newfoundland , 844 E . C . The R . AA . MASTER said : I ought to have mentioned sooner that amongst the invitations sent was one to Col . Campbell , of Blythwood , who is Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East , and who has been , unfortunately , detained in England . I received a note from him this morning , saying he had delayed his answer till be was certain whether he would be able to come or not . Unfortunatelyhe has been unable to
, come . I also had a letter from Sir James Ferguson , the late Prov . G . M . of Ayrshire . But he has been detained by his duties as a member of Government . Bro . W ylie , the Prov . G . M . of Ayrshire , is unable to come , for he is to-night keeping the festival of his own mother lodge , Kilwinning . The Rev . Bro . WALPOLE : We have had , in remembrance the Lodges of Scotland , England , and Ireland collectively , our own
included . The next toast—and I 'have the honour to proposeit—is that of our brethren of the Craft who are scattered throughout the world—whether in civilised Europe , in the wilds of Africa , in America , or in Australia . Strange to say , there is no place in which Masonry has uot found its way . News has come home from the wilds of Australia , that there lodges of Masons have been found . No one knows how they have got there . It is also important to co « sU \ e \ - that the benefit of
Masonry has been manifested in the different wars which have been waged in Europe , ancl that the lives of brethren have been saved merely from their being Masons . Kind acts are very common , indeed , among Masons , however otherwise they maybe separated . " The Masonic Press" ancl " The Ladies" having been given , The R . W . MASTER said-. I am going to propose a toast which , more especially concerns tbe Lodge Kelburne—thatis , "The
, health of our worthy brother and host this evening , Bro . John 1 King . " It is not the usual practice of the Lodge Kelburne to turn from labour to refreshment , so this is the first occasion of formally returning thanks in this way . Bro . John King has acted very fraternally towards us—he has granted us the ' free use of this room ever since we opened . AVe have given him a great deal of trouble , for , besides our regular meetings , we have had emergency meetings . I propose we should drink
with all honours his health , not only for his excellent entertainment , but also for his generosity all along to this lodge . Bro . JOHN KING said he was highly gratified at the compliment they had paid him . AVhat he bad done was very little , and he would be proud at any other time to do as much for the-Masonic Craft . Bro . MILLER proposed " The health of the office-bearers of
the Lodge Kelburne , " which was replied to by the AVardens . The TYLER proposed , "The health of all poor and distressed-Masons throughout the world . " The lodge was then closed in the usual manner , and the proceedings , which were varied by well-sung songs and by recitations , ancl were throughout of a most harmonious character , terminated .
GLASGOW . — Union and Crown Lodge ( No . 103 . )—The centenary festival of this lodge was celebrated on the 28 th ult . A report of the proceedings will be found in another page .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Scotland.
Kelburne , I can only return you our most sincere thanks for the way in which our health has been proposed and received . I may mention that the Lodge Kelburne , now that it has been consecrated , was formed under circumstances of great difficulty . All credit connected with its formation I must give to the present Junior AVarden . Ten years ago he suggested tho idea of a Masonic lodge in Millport . The difficulty which first presented itself was that we did not know anybody in Millport as a Mason ,
besides ourselves , and you know that two could not commence a lodge . Things went on in that way every year , the Bro . Junior AVarden always suggesting something about a Masonic lodge at Millport , till at last , this year , we seriously took up the idea . But , as I said , the whole credit must , iu the first instance , be due to him . AA e had a meeting , at which we barely mustered seven brethren . We were assisted by several of our brethren who were down in summer from Glasgow . A ' ery noticeable
¦ were Bro . M'Taggart , who is Master of Lodge 27 , and Bro . Miller , P . M . 102 , who is now present . We managed , with the assistance of these Glasgow brethren , to get a petition drawn up and sent to the Grand Lodge , by whom it was accepted , and from whom we received a working letter . We started on the 8 th September . I think , at our first meeting , wo numbered thirteen of our own members , who may be called the original members of the Lodge Kelburne At present we number
fortyfour members . During these three and a half months I have liad the honour and privilege of initiating into . Masonry twentytwo , and we have had seven who joined us as affiliating brethren . Tbat roll of members is not , perhaps , so large as I would have liked , hut still we have increased visibly , we bave trebled and that is something . I have no doubt at our next anniversary , we shall have increased more . Our great object in establishing a lodge in this islandwas to try tospread Masonic principles , which
, are so well known to promote peace and harmony among all mankind . The only pity is they are not more generally known and acted upon , though , perhaps , even here , there may be some people who say " what nonsense . " But if they speak thus , it is simply because tbey do not know anything about Freemrsonry . Yet we trust—nay , we believe—that as people are coming to be admitted , as candidates , into our lodge , even in this remote island , they will find out that Masonry is , as we Masons know it
to be , founded upon the strictest principles of morality ancl virtue , and that it inculcates harmony ancl good-will among mankind . Therefore it is that we trust its principles will gradually spread , not only throughout this island , but also throughout the adjacent islands . Bro . Sir MiciijVEL SHAW STEWART : I beg to propose tho "Lodges of the Pvovvucc of Avgyleslure and the Isles . " I am very sorry that the toast should bo to a certain extent
somewhat informal , as there ought probabl y to be a Provincial Grand Lodgo of Argylesbire and the Isles . But your Worshipful Master , brethren , has given you a very good reason why that toast could not be proposed iu that shape . I re . aret you should be in this position . I regret very much that when the Right AVorshipful Master of this lodge applied to the Grand Lodge to know under which Provincial Lodge they were to work , the Grand Lodge did not at present seem to know . Perhaps it
would have been as well that the Grand Lodgo had been able to reply definitely about the matter . I remember Captain M'Donald , of the THogue , telling me once that when he applied to head-quarters for a chaplain , tbe answer came back , " we have not one in store . " I rather think , however , that was Capt . M'Donald ' s facetious way of putting the answer . The Grand Lodge may not have a Provincial Grand Master , but I may venture to say there is one in store for you . I could
almost name one for you witnout going very far . I hope that Masonry will look up in this province , more especially because of the impetus it has received from the Lodge Kelburne , in this island . You have done much in the cause of Masonry , but yet you must Set your wits about you , and get a Provincial Grand Master for the islands . I am sure you will , at any rate , do all honour to the lodges of the province in which we are now met . I am not acquainted with a great many lodges , but
I have had the satisfaction of meeting some members of the lodges of this district who have upon more than one occasion done us tho favour to come over ancl help us in Renfrewshire , and we have always been glad to see them . I will ask you to drink to the very good health of the lodges of this district . I shall beg leave to couple with this toast the name of a worthy Mason , the Worshipful Master of St . John ' s Lodge , Rothesay , 292 , Bro . Taylor . Bro . TATLOE returned thanks for the honour done to his and
the other lodges embraced m the toast . They had had great difficulties in the matter of a Provincial Grand Master , but they hoped they would get good assistance from the Kelburne Lodge ,, whose prosperity he was happy to see . He had had great happiness in his correspondence with the Kelburne , and he was sure all the members of his lodge would be glad to further it-He hoped they would be able to get a Provincial Grand Master who , along with his office-bearers , would look after tbe lodges .
By that means their candidates ancl members would be better trained , and the knowledge of Masonry would be advanced . Bro . A . DICKSON , S . AA ., in proposing " The Visiting- Brethren " said he had been a Mason for nearl y forty years , and had experienced kindness from his brethren in several parts of the globe . It might be truly said , in tho words of an authority , that any Mason who was destitute would find in every clime a
home , ancl in every land a brother . Bro . PARK returned thanks for St . John ' s , Glasgow , 32 ; Bros . Young for St . Mungo , Glasgow , 27 ; Dr . J . Simpson-Gumming for Doric Kilwinning , Port-Glasgow , 68 ; Miller for St . Mark's , Glasgow , 102 ; Barclay for St . John ' s , Largs , 170 ; M'JVfaster for St . John ' s , Greenock , 175 ; Taylor , for St . John ' s , Rothesay , 272 ; M'Crae for Renfrew County Kilwinning , Paisley , 370 ; Muir for A ancouver's Island 789 ; Morrison for St .
, John ' s , Newfoundland , 844 E . C . The R . AA . MASTER said : I ought to have mentioned sooner that amongst the invitations sent was one to Col . Campbell , of Blythwood , who is Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East , and who has been , unfortunately , detained in England . I received a note from him this morning , saying he had delayed his answer till be was certain whether he would be able to come or not . Unfortunatelyhe has been unable to
, come . I also had a letter from Sir James Ferguson , the late Prov . G . M . of Ayrshire . But he has been detained by his duties as a member of Government . Bro . W ylie , the Prov . G . M . of Ayrshire , is unable to come , for he is to-night keeping the festival of his own mother lodge , Kilwinning . The Rev . Bro . WALPOLE : We have had , in remembrance the Lodges of Scotland , England , and Ireland collectively , our own
included . The next toast—and I 'have the honour to proposeit—is that of our brethren of the Craft who are scattered throughout the world—whether in civilised Europe , in the wilds of Africa , in America , or in Australia . Strange to say , there is no place in which Masonry has uot found its way . News has come home from the wilds of Australia , that there lodges of Masons have been found . No one knows how they have got there . It is also important to co « sU \ e \ - that the benefit of
Masonry has been manifested in the different wars which have been waged in Europe , ancl that the lives of brethren have been saved merely from their being Masons . Kind acts are very common , indeed , among Masons , however otherwise they maybe separated . " The Masonic Press" ancl " The Ladies" having been given , The R . W . MASTER said-. I am going to propose a toast which , more especially concerns tbe Lodge Kelburne—thatis , "The
, health of our worthy brother and host this evening , Bro . John 1 King . " It is not the usual practice of the Lodge Kelburne to turn from labour to refreshment , so this is the first occasion of formally returning thanks in this way . Bro . John King has acted very fraternally towards us—he has granted us the ' free use of this room ever since we opened . AVe have given him a great deal of trouble , for , besides our regular meetings , we have had emergency meetings . I propose we should drink
with all honours his health , not only for his excellent entertainment , but also for his generosity all along to this lodge . Bro . JOHN KING said he was highly gratified at the compliment they had paid him . AVhat he bad done was very little , and he would be proud at any other time to do as much for the-Masonic Craft . Bro . MILLER proposed " The health of the office-bearers of
the Lodge Kelburne , " which was replied to by the AVardens . The TYLER proposed , "The health of all poor and distressed-Masons throughout the world . " The lodge was then closed in the usual manner , and the proceedings , which were varied by well-sung songs and by recitations , ancl were throughout of a most harmonious character , terminated .
GLASGOW . — Union and Crown Lodge ( No . 103 . )—The centenary festival of this lodge was celebrated on the 28 th ult . A report of the proceedings will be found in another page .