The Freemason 7 May 1881
From th
From the Archives
The Freemason - 7th May 1881
The sixty-fourth anniversary of the Stability Lodge of Instruction was commemorated on Friday evening, the 29th ult., at Masons' Hall Tavern, in Coleman Street. These anniversary meetings have always been interesting and have frequently been remarkable for the very able speeches that have been delivered at them by some of the most notable members of the Craft. The skill of Bro. Muggeridge as an instructor, and the proficiency his pupils manifested on these occasions in working the elaborated Stability form of ritual, always secured a large gathering, and; all but young Masons can remember the crush and heat that had to be endured on these occasions, even in the large rooms of Radley's and Cannon Street Hotels. For some years, however, the advanced age of Bro. Muggeridge has caused a cessation of these anniversary Stability festivals and it is, we believe, only under exceptional circumstances that the meeting of Friday, the 29th ult., was held; but it gave us much pleasure to observe that though our esteemed Bro. Muggeridge may find his strength unequal to the efforts of former years, he appeared in excellent health, and remarkably vigorous for a man of his age.
The meeting was under the presidency of the V.W.Bro. the Rev. A.F.A. Woodford, M.A., Past Grand Chaplain of England, who occupied in lodge the position of Immediate P. M., at the left of the chair, which was, of course, occupied by the W. Bro. Henry Muggeridge, P.M.. W.M., whose officers on the occasion were Bros. Scriven, Arnold, Sack, Anderson, Steingraber, Arkell, and Birdseye. The following is a list of most of the brethren who attended: Bros. Henry Muggeridge, W.M.; J. Bagot Scriven, S.W., P.G.Stewd.; Charles Arnold, J.W.; Alfred Sack, S.D.; Eustace Anderson, J.D.; Louis Steingraber, I.G.; Charles Arkell, Hon." Sec; Henry Birdseye, D. of C.; A.F.A. Woodford, P. . Chap.; J. Sampson, Peirce, G.D.; E. M. J Hubbuck, P.G. Steward.; George Kenning, P.G.D. Middlesex; W. Hopekirk, J. G. Webb, Richard Webb, King, Reddall, Hemsley, Stoner, T. Cohu, Percy Taylor, H. L. Buck, H. Cuff, Colliver, Harper, T, Fletcher, Hubbard, Diron, W. Grellier, T. R. Earncs, E. F. Storr, L H. Weedon, W.R. Brook, Westmore, A.C. Cope, F.W. Braine, G.Stewd.; W. Birdseye, W.T. Rickwood, Richard Conder, H. Leah, S.T. Lucas, Ernest Zwinger, Richard W. Muggeridge, C.W. Spiller, F.H. Spiller, Britain, F.D.R. Copestick, James H. Townend, S. Wood, Joseph Clever, E.C. Massey (Freemason), and a number of other brethren, in all between seventy and eighty. Bro. Frederick H. Cozens, at the pianoforte.
Contrary to an expectation there was no working of Sections, but the three ceremonies were worked by Bro. Muggeridge and his Officers, and we need not say that the fullest justice was done to them.
When Bro. Muggeridge had concluded his labours, the chair was assumed by the President, when votes of thanks to Bro. Muggeridge and to the brethren who had assisted him for the able manner in which the work had been done were passed and ordered to be recorded on the minutes.
The formal business of confirming the minutes of the previous meeting was then gone through, and a considerable number of brethren, having been duly proposed and seconded, were added to the roll of members of the Stability Lodge of Instruction.
The brethren then adjourned to an upper room, where excellent an cold collation was provided for their very necessary refreshment after the working, which was not concluded till eight o'clock.
After the customary toast of' “The Queen and the Craft " had been given and received with all loyal demonstrations, in opening the final stage of the evening's proceedings the Chairman, Bro. WOODFORD, rose and said : Brethren the second toast upon our programme is one that is always gratifying to the Chairman at a Masonic meeting, as it is to the members of our always loyal Craft, who are proud to have the heir apparent to the throne as the Grand Master of their Order. We all desire that the intimate union between the Royal Family and Freemasonry may be maintained. The loyalty of the Order to the House of Brunswick has never wavered or faltered. About 100 years ago English Freemasons assured another Prince of Wales, then G. M., that they were all loyal to the Throne at all times and under all circumstances. I allude to this now because a foolish writer has been stating, as you will see in the Freemason, that Freemasons are Nihilists, and because I am sure that you would wish it to go forth to the world that we indignantly deny the charge and proclaim ourselves ever loyal subjects of the Crown. Considering it, as we do, a very great privilege to have His Royal Highness at our head, I am sure you will cordially respond when I propose as I do now, " The Health of the M.W. Grand Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales."
It is scarcely necessary to say that this speech was loudly cheered, and the Grand Master's health drunk with enthusiasm and strongly marked Masonic honours.
The CHAIRMAN' : The third toast is peculiarly welcome to all Freemasons, the health of those who preside over and conduct the business of Grand Lodge now, and of those who have occupied those important positions in the past - "The Pro Grand Master, the Earl of Carnarvon; the D. G. M., the Right Hon. the Earl of Lathom; and the Grand Officers, Past and Present. " I think we shall admit that a very great debt of gratitude is owing to those who transact our routine business and maintain the " prestige of our great and benevolent Order. In this year 1 SS 1, the care with which the Grand Officers have been selected by the Grand Master is extremely satisfactory. How remarkably good the selection is will be seen by noting the important classes from which our present Grand Officers have been taken. You will find they are selected from the nobility, from our judges, and from hard-working Masons, many of them for twenty or thirty years. It is a matter of great gratification when with somewhat perhaps of a jealous scrutiny we scan the list of appointments, to find working Masons from all parts of England selected to fill those offices which distinguish our Masonic ranks. It has been my lot on many occasions to propose this toast, but I never did it with greater pleasure than now that I have to couple with it one of those thorough hard-working Masons of many years' standing of whom I have been speaking as having had their merits recognised by a bestowal of the purple. I allude to our Bro. Sampson Peirce, and in asking you to drink the health of the Grand Officers, Task you to drink also that of our distinguished, old, and valued friend, Bro. Sampson Peirce, Grand Deacon of England.
Bro. SAMPSON PEIRCE, G.D.: Mr. Chairman and brethren, in returning thanks for the toast that has been so eloquently given to you by our Chairman, and ( so warmly responded to by everybody at the table, I can but rise, as I do now, to return to the best of my ability the heartfelt thanks of every one who was included in that toast. With regard to our Pro Grand Master, Lord Carnarvon, I am pleased to say that the state of his health has been very much improved by his visit to Madeira. He has now returned, but he was not well enough to be with us the other night. With regard to the Deputy; Grand Master, the Earl of Lathom, we have in him a man universally popular; a man who throws his whole soul into Freemasonry, and who comes among us whenever he can. It was only that he had received the shock of a sudden bereavement that had occurred to him that caused his absence on Wednesday. With regard to the Grand Officers, Present and Past, many Grand Officers, as our Chairman has said, have been selected from working Masons, who have been good representatives of the Craft in their proper place, and 1 hope that those recruits who have been taken into the ranks of the Grand Officers this year may enjoy their honours for many years. Some of us only go to Grand Lodge after a long service of years; mine has not been very long—a quarter of a century—during which time I have had the opportunity and pleasure and honour of making many warm and fast friends. I trust that the post I have been called upon to occupy will be of some service to the Craft in general, far [ more than my own personal merit; and I trust that it may be the lot of the Grand Officers through me to come before you at many meetings of Masons, and ever meet with your approval of what we do from year to year.
The CHAIRMAN: In rising to propose the fourth toast, brethren, on the present occasion, I feel some little hesitation in asking your attention for a short space while I try to do justice to this time-honoured toast. I should not have thought myself justified in trespassing upon your attention at all, but that I have for so long a time been a member of the Lodge of Stability, finding tonight that next to our respected old Preceptor, Bro. Muggeridge, I am the oldest member of the lodge present, I felt gratified in acceding to his invitation to preside on the present occasion. At the same time, I feel diffident, as I said before, in addressing you, because I remember how many distinguished Masons have presided in former years over these anniversary meetings of the Stability. With what delight, for instance, have we on such occasions listened to the words of that very distinguished Mason, Bro. John Havers, two or three of whose best speeches were delivered from the chair in the Lodge of Stability. You will be sorry to learn that he, whose good working and great services to the Craft are unequalled in our Order, is now lying on a bed of physical affliction; and I am sure it will be gratifying to him if you will allow me when I write to him, to convey to him the goodwill and sympathy of all members of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. (Applause.) Brethren, the question of this toast is a very interesting one, because it relates to the beautiful ritual of our Order, and the very vitality of Freemasonry in this country. Some of us are aware that from time to time there is a yearning in some for what is called uniformity of ritual. But I am quite certain, that what is called uniformity of ritual would lead to many evils which I will try to explain if you will give me your attention for a few minutes. A rigid uniformity of ritual must infallibly lead to a printed ritual. If there is to be only one uniform ritual, it would be certain to happen in the process of time, that some unscrupulous brother would for the sake of profit print the alleged infallible ritual, and thus we should soon have recourse to a printed ritual. A printed ritual would be the death blow to all lodges of instruction. Lodges of instruction are peculiar to English Masonry, and I beg to say that a great deal of Masonic vitality, and; energy, and zeal depends upon lodges of instruction. I venture to think, moreover, that our duty is to strengthen our lodges of instruction in every way that we can, not to go to surreptitious rituals, but to look to the "Masters" of our Order for faithful Preceptors in our lodges of instruction. (Cheers.)
There are no doubt, and always have been, diversities of ritual in this country. Previously to 1813, when the modern and ancient systems were blended, there were four systems running in this country, including Preston's ritual, of which I may say this, that though the First and Second Degrees are worked in a great many lodges, yet the Third Degree of Preston has never been worked I believe in this country at all. In 1813, the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed, which was an attempt to establish a uniform ritual. But Grand Lodge has wisely never interfered with little differences in modes of working. In 1810 there was a movement to ascertain what were the "ancient ceremonies," with a view to preparing for the union of 1813. Among others they adopted in the so-called Lodge of Promulgation the present Installation Ceremony of Masters, and in 1813 the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed, and Bro. I lemmings was instructed to prepare a ritual, which he did, and the Stability ritual is that of the Rev. Bro. Hemmings. Bro. Williams, who was Provincial Grand Master for Dorsetshire, revised this ritual, and the system of Hemmings, perfected by Williams, is the system used by the Lodge of Emulation. I hope I have put it to you clearly, that you have the ritual prepared by Hemmings himself, and which has, as we have witnessed and proved tonight, still many admirers. Are we then to have all these various "modes" merged into one, and all this lawful liberty of ritual taken away from us? I cannot see why, when Masonry is "to the fore" in all other respects, a careful rendering of a ritual in which your officers are proficient should not be adhered to, because it may differ from others in some particulars which, perhaps, those habituated to another mode may regard possibly as faults. All the "modes" convey to us in a very beautiful manner the meaning of Freemasonry, and I cannot see why the liberty we enjoy as to slight variations in the ritual should be taken away from us. There are slight peculiarities in the working of different lodges to which the members initiated in those lodges become attached through long years, and I ask why we should ask for a uniform ritual which, when we get it, might not appear to every brother the most eloquent, the most beautiful, or most fitly expressed that might have been fixed upon. (Cheers.) I was very much struck tonight with the wording of the ceremonial in regard to the working tools. There may, of course, be two opinions on the subject, and a very great deal may be said both on the side of the Emulation, and on the side of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. But here let us agree to differ, each, in good will and brotherly regard, holding the form we like and know the best. (Cheers.) The Stability Lodge of Instruction was formed by some good brethren in 1817. Philip Broadfoot, Peter Thomson, Thomas Satterly, James Black, were among those who took an active part in forming the Stability Lodge of Instruction. From their times downwards the Stability Lodge of Instruction has had its annual meetings, with the consequent assembling of eminent Masons, and I venture to say tonight that these meetings have had not a little to do to the preservation of a pure Freemasonry among us. I have been told, and I have no doubt it is true, that Philip Broadfoot and Peter Thompson used to preside alternately over the Stability Lodge of Instruction, and in 1852, when Peter Thompson passed away, an excellent old Mason, I believe he was called Bro. Muggeridge (a voice: "Called old Mug" ) was chosen as his successor, (cheers.) But there is a fact connected with Masonic history not so generally known. It is this: this same Bro. Muggeridge having on some day in 1839, under great and peculiar trials, entered the Lion and Lamb Lodge, the very next day he was proposed a joining member of the Stability Lodge of Instruction (laughter and cheer); and this I venture to commend to the notice of young and promising Masons. (Hear, hear.) But long speeches and long sermons are alike out of date, and I must bring my remarks to a close. What I would urge upon you is to preserve those little differences of ritual which form an additional link of attachment to our respective lodges, and from which we must all therefore be loath to part. We, in the Lodge of Antiquity, for instance, have a very peculiar ceremony connected with the Third Degree, which we should be most reluctant to part with, and which is observed in only one other lodge in England. That is an illustration of what I have been saying of things which we ought to strive to maintain, and on no account wish hastily to give up for improved systems. What can be better? What can be more effective? What can come home more to the brethren received into the Second and Third Degrees than such a ritual as we have seen worked in the Stability Lodge of Instruction tonight? Therefore, brethren, I do give, with sincere wishes for the prosperity of the lodge of which I have the honour to be a member, "Prosperity to the Stability Lodge of Instruction," and couple with it the health of our good old friend, whose zeal for Freemasonry is so great, and who we all wish may be long spared by the Great Architect of the Universe to continue to act as Preceptor to the Stability Lodge of. Instruction. (Loud applause.)
Bro. MUGGERIDGE: Very Worshipful President and brethren, in rising to acknowledge the very kind manner in which our Chairman has proposed the last toast, the very eloquent and interesting account that he has given you of the progress of Freemasonry for the last sixty or seventy years, and the kind manner in which he has mentioned my name in connection with the Stability Lodge of Instruction, permit me to return my grateful thanks. Brethren, I take the opportunity of saying that I was initiated in the Lion and Lamb Lodge, now numbered 192, then 227, on the 7th November, 1839, and, strange to say, I continued a subscribing member of that lodge exactly forty years to a day; for on the 6th November, which happened to be a Thursday, 1879, I resigned. Therefore, I was actually a subscribing member a term of forty years. Well, brethren, I was initiated, and I was introduced, by Bro. Peter Thompson; on the following night, with him, I entered the old house where Queen Mary sojourned for some time, which was the homestead where this lodge of instruction held its meetings at that time. Well, Peter Thompson was the manager and Preceptor to the year when he died the year 1851—and I have had the honour to be the Preceptor to the present time. I must tell you that the first meeting after the death of Bro. Thompson was held at the Old London Tavern, and that respected Mason, Bro. John Havers, presided on that occasion. We had a very large meeting on that occasion, and some very eminent Masons of that time were present. It is thirty years ago, but I remember it very well. We had a very successful meeting and the following year we had our meeting there, and after that we went to Radley' s Hotel for our large meetings. In comparison with those meetings; this is a small meeting. They were always happy meetings, and I think I am only expressing the general opinion when I say that. Three years ago we held our meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel. Bro. Philbrick presided, and I said on that occasion that I was falling into the sere and yellow leaf, and should have to discontinue these meetings. We should not have got up this one but that our Bro. Peirce (whose elevation to the purple we all rejoice over, knowing that a more deserving Mason does not exist) had expressed a wish to see me work the three ceremonies, whereupon I said that if he would come to the lodge of instruction I would give him the opportunity; and so instead of a small gathering when we thought we should number about twenty, it has come to pass that this important assembly of brethren has gathered around us. The lodge of instruction is my chief pleasure in Freemasonry. In the chapter I have been the Scribe, and that for nearly twenty years, but I have thrown half my life into the lodge of instruction. I have not resigned the Preceptorship of the Stability Lodge of Instruction, and I do not intend to resign it till the Great Architect of the Universe in his good providence sees fit to remove me from this sublunary sphere. Brethren, as long as I live I will endeavour to promote the prosperity of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. The fact of being passed through the Three Degrees, and the fact of taking an uncertain number of Masonic Degrees - this does not constitute Freemasonry. There is something beyond. There are the Masonic Charities, and no Mason should forget those Institutions, which are the best and most glorious Charities in the world. Brethren, I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes for the prosperity of the lodge of instruction, and for your kindly feelings towards myself.
Bro. HUBBUCK: I am going to make this a short speech, but it is an important one, and, therefore, I hope you will do this toast all the honour you possibly can. We have a President tonight who has come from the far west to preside over us. He is a Mason of antiquity. We have been greatly edified by his beautiful remarks on Freemasonry. We know he has been appointed to one of the principal offices in Grand Lodge, because he is a brother who has worked hard for the benefit of Freemasonry and has used moral influence in support of the moral Order of Freemasons. I hope we shall on a future occasion see him in this lodge to give us his beautiful and sound advice.
The PRESIDENT: As the time is getting on, I will, therefore. confine myself to thanking you and say that it has given me much pleasure to preside this evening over a gathering of brethren who have come together to testify their appreciation of the long services of an old and common friend, Bro. Muggeridge. I am not a very young man myself now, and am a very old Mason, and my work is nearly over. I was initiated in 1842, at Gibraltar. My zeal for Freemasonry has never slackened, and never will so long as I live, because I believe it is an institution calculated to do very great good in promoting kindly feelings one towards another among men. (applause). In order that this pleasant meeting may not separate prematurely, I will now proceed, very shortly, to propose the other toasts. The next toast is one we shall all be glad to honour, "The Health of those Working Brethren - Bros. Scriven, Arnold, Sack, Anderson, Steingraber, Arkell, and Birdseye, who so kindly assisted to illustrate the working this evening. With the toast I will couple the name of Bro. Scriven.
Bro. SCRIVEN: Worshipful Sir, Bro. Muggeridge, and brethren. We cannot but feel, after the eloquent way in which the duties of the Masonic ritual - as practised in the Stability were practised to night, have been referred to by our Chairman - very much pleasure in having assisted in securing such warm expressions of approval. We cannot but fell that the labour of our Preceptor's lifetime, the zeal which he has shown in working, have but one object, but that work should be good, thorough, and perfect. Bro. Muggeridge has told us, and we should be making but a poor return for Bro. Muggeridge ' s zeal as an instructor if we ever allowed his precepts to fall to the ground. I am taking what steps I can in the west of London to perpetuate this mode of working, and I do not think that we can better return thanks than by acting in such a manner as will give pleasure to those who are so much our seniors in Freemasonry.
The PRESIDENT: There is a toast which I have special pleasure in proposing to-night, and that is "Prosperity to the sister lodge of instruction, the Emulation Lodge. I have been instructed to couple with it the name of Bro. H. Leah. I think that we shall feel that the more lodges of instruction there are the better. They help to spread Masonic light and uphold the perfect working of our most beautiful Masonic ritual. And there is no doubt that the Emulation Lodge has done good "suit and service" to Masonry. I give you " Prosperity to the Emulation Lodge of Instruction, " for which Bro. Leah will return thanks. Bro. LEAH having said a few words in reply, The PRESIDENT proceeded to propose the last toast. The toast, he said, was one which aroused all our sympathies. He knew a good deal of every kind of charitable working, but he knew of no society which could collect annually between forty and fifty thousand pounds, as was the case with the three—nay four—Masonic Institutions. Before the end of 1881 they would have reached, he hoped, nearly £ 50, 000, and he was sure that he need make no additional remark to commend the toast to their notice, and he would couple with it the name of Bro. Storr.
Bro. STORR: Most Worshipful Sir, Past Master and Bro. Henry Muggeridge, Preceptor of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. I thank you heartily for drinking "Prosperity to the Charities." You know that my heart is so full of the Charities, so taken up in promoting their welfare, that I am proud to have the appellation of "Charity" Storr. In matter of Masonic age, I am a young man, but I have served some ten Stewardships. I owe all my Masonry to Bro. Muggeridge, and belong to the Neptune Lodge and Henry Muggeridge Lodge, in particular. Of the Charities I cannot say enough if I kept you here till 12 o'clock. No young brethren can do too much for the Charities, and I cannot thank too much the Great Architect of the Universe in doing so much for the Charities. Whenever there is not a Steward to be found in my lodge it shall not go unrepresented if it rest with me. God speed the Charities, and may they prosper. (Cheers.)
The meeting was under the presidency of the V.W.Bro. the Rev. A.F.A. Woodford, M.A., Past Grand Chaplain of England, who occupied in lodge the position of Immediate P. M., at the left of the chair, which was, of course, occupied by the W. Bro. Henry Muggeridge, P.M.. W.M., whose officers on the occasion were Bros. Scriven, Arnold, Sack, Anderson, Steingraber, Arkell, and Birdseye. The following is a list of most of the brethren who attended: Bros. Henry Muggeridge, W.M.; J. Bagot Scriven, S.W., P.G.Stewd.; Charles Arnold, J.W.; Alfred Sack, S.D.; Eustace Anderson, J.D.; Louis Steingraber, I.G.; Charles Arkell, Hon." Sec; Henry Birdseye, D. of C.; A.F.A. Woodford, P. . Chap.; J. Sampson, Peirce, G.D.; E. M. J Hubbuck, P.G. Steward.; George Kenning, P.G.D. Middlesex; W. Hopekirk, J. G. Webb, Richard Webb, King, Reddall, Hemsley, Stoner, T. Cohu, Percy Taylor, H. L. Buck, H. Cuff, Colliver, Harper, T, Fletcher, Hubbard, Diron, W. Grellier, T. R. Earncs, E. F. Storr, L H. Weedon, W.R. Brook, Westmore, A.C. Cope, F.W. Braine, G.Stewd.; W. Birdseye, W.T. Rickwood, Richard Conder, H. Leah, S.T. Lucas, Ernest Zwinger, Richard W. Muggeridge, C.W. Spiller, F.H. Spiller, Britain, F.D.R. Copestick, James H. Townend, S. Wood, Joseph Clever, E.C. Massey (Freemason), and a number of other brethren, in all between seventy and eighty. Bro. Frederick H. Cozens, at the pianoforte.
Contrary to an expectation there was no working of Sections, but the three ceremonies were worked by Bro. Muggeridge and his Officers, and we need not say that the fullest justice was done to them.
When Bro. Muggeridge had concluded his labours, the chair was assumed by the President, when votes of thanks to Bro. Muggeridge and to the brethren who had assisted him for the able manner in which the work had been done were passed and ordered to be recorded on the minutes.
The formal business of confirming the minutes of the previous meeting was then gone through, and a considerable number of brethren, having been duly proposed and seconded, were added to the roll of members of the Stability Lodge of Instruction.
The brethren then adjourned to an upper room, where excellent an cold collation was provided for their very necessary refreshment after the working, which was not concluded till eight o'clock.
After the customary toast of' “The Queen and the Craft " had been given and received with all loyal demonstrations, in opening the final stage of the evening's proceedings the Chairman, Bro. WOODFORD, rose and said : Brethren the second toast upon our programme is one that is always gratifying to the Chairman at a Masonic meeting, as it is to the members of our always loyal Craft, who are proud to have the heir apparent to the throne as the Grand Master of their Order. We all desire that the intimate union between the Royal Family and Freemasonry may be maintained. The loyalty of the Order to the House of Brunswick has never wavered or faltered. About 100 years ago English Freemasons assured another Prince of Wales, then G. M., that they were all loyal to the Throne at all times and under all circumstances. I allude to this now because a foolish writer has been stating, as you will see in the Freemason, that Freemasons are Nihilists, and because I am sure that you would wish it to go forth to the world that we indignantly deny the charge and proclaim ourselves ever loyal subjects of the Crown. Considering it, as we do, a very great privilege to have His Royal Highness at our head, I am sure you will cordially respond when I propose as I do now, " The Health of the M.W. Grand Master, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales."
It is scarcely necessary to say that this speech was loudly cheered, and the Grand Master's health drunk with enthusiasm and strongly marked Masonic honours.
The CHAIRMAN' : The third toast is peculiarly welcome to all Freemasons, the health of those who preside over and conduct the business of Grand Lodge now, and of those who have occupied those important positions in the past - "The Pro Grand Master, the Earl of Carnarvon; the D. G. M., the Right Hon. the Earl of Lathom; and the Grand Officers, Past and Present. " I think we shall admit that a very great debt of gratitude is owing to those who transact our routine business and maintain the " prestige of our great and benevolent Order. In this year 1 SS 1, the care with which the Grand Officers have been selected by the Grand Master is extremely satisfactory. How remarkably good the selection is will be seen by noting the important classes from which our present Grand Officers have been taken. You will find they are selected from the nobility, from our judges, and from hard-working Masons, many of them for twenty or thirty years. It is a matter of great gratification when with somewhat perhaps of a jealous scrutiny we scan the list of appointments, to find working Masons from all parts of England selected to fill those offices which distinguish our Masonic ranks. It has been my lot on many occasions to propose this toast, but I never did it with greater pleasure than now that I have to couple with it one of those thorough hard-working Masons of many years' standing of whom I have been speaking as having had their merits recognised by a bestowal of the purple. I allude to our Bro. Sampson Peirce, and in asking you to drink the health of the Grand Officers, Task you to drink also that of our distinguished, old, and valued friend, Bro. Sampson Peirce, Grand Deacon of England.
Bro. SAMPSON PEIRCE, G.D.: Mr. Chairman and brethren, in returning thanks for the toast that has been so eloquently given to you by our Chairman, and ( so warmly responded to by everybody at the table, I can but rise, as I do now, to return to the best of my ability the heartfelt thanks of every one who was included in that toast. With regard to our Pro Grand Master, Lord Carnarvon, I am pleased to say that the state of his health has been very much improved by his visit to Madeira. He has now returned, but he was not well enough to be with us the other night. With regard to the Deputy; Grand Master, the Earl of Lathom, we have in him a man universally popular; a man who throws his whole soul into Freemasonry, and who comes among us whenever he can. It was only that he had received the shock of a sudden bereavement that had occurred to him that caused his absence on Wednesday. With regard to the Grand Officers, Present and Past, many Grand Officers, as our Chairman has said, have been selected from working Masons, who have been good representatives of the Craft in their proper place, and 1 hope that those recruits who have been taken into the ranks of the Grand Officers this year may enjoy their honours for many years. Some of us only go to Grand Lodge after a long service of years; mine has not been very long—a quarter of a century—during which time I have had the opportunity and pleasure and honour of making many warm and fast friends. I trust that the post I have been called upon to occupy will be of some service to the Craft in general, far [ more than my own personal merit; and I trust that it may be the lot of the Grand Officers through me to come before you at many meetings of Masons, and ever meet with your approval of what we do from year to year.
The CHAIRMAN: In rising to propose the fourth toast, brethren, on the present occasion, I feel some little hesitation in asking your attention for a short space while I try to do justice to this time-honoured toast. I should not have thought myself justified in trespassing upon your attention at all, but that I have for so long a time been a member of the Lodge of Stability, finding tonight that next to our respected old Preceptor, Bro. Muggeridge, I am the oldest member of the lodge present, I felt gratified in acceding to his invitation to preside on the present occasion. At the same time, I feel diffident, as I said before, in addressing you, because I remember how many distinguished Masons have presided in former years over these anniversary meetings of the Stability. With what delight, for instance, have we on such occasions listened to the words of that very distinguished Mason, Bro. John Havers, two or three of whose best speeches were delivered from the chair in the Lodge of Stability. You will be sorry to learn that he, whose good working and great services to the Craft are unequalled in our Order, is now lying on a bed of physical affliction; and I am sure it will be gratifying to him if you will allow me when I write to him, to convey to him the goodwill and sympathy of all members of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. (Applause.) Brethren, the question of this toast is a very interesting one, because it relates to the beautiful ritual of our Order, and the very vitality of Freemasonry in this country. Some of us are aware that from time to time there is a yearning in some for what is called uniformity of ritual. But I am quite certain, that what is called uniformity of ritual would lead to many evils which I will try to explain if you will give me your attention for a few minutes. A rigid uniformity of ritual must infallibly lead to a printed ritual. If there is to be only one uniform ritual, it would be certain to happen in the process of time, that some unscrupulous brother would for the sake of profit print the alleged infallible ritual, and thus we should soon have recourse to a printed ritual. A printed ritual would be the death blow to all lodges of instruction. Lodges of instruction are peculiar to English Masonry, and I beg to say that a great deal of Masonic vitality, and; energy, and zeal depends upon lodges of instruction. I venture to think, moreover, that our duty is to strengthen our lodges of instruction in every way that we can, not to go to surreptitious rituals, but to look to the "Masters" of our Order for faithful Preceptors in our lodges of instruction. (Cheers.)
There are no doubt, and always have been, diversities of ritual in this country. Previously to 1813, when the modern and ancient systems were blended, there were four systems running in this country, including Preston's ritual, of which I may say this, that though the First and Second Degrees are worked in a great many lodges, yet the Third Degree of Preston has never been worked I believe in this country at all. In 1813, the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed, which was an attempt to establish a uniform ritual. But Grand Lodge has wisely never interfered with little differences in modes of working. In 1810 there was a movement to ascertain what were the "ancient ceremonies," with a view to preparing for the union of 1813. Among others they adopted in the so-called Lodge of Promulgation the present Installation Ceremony of Masters, and in 1813 the Lodge of Reconciliation was formed, and Bro. I lemmings was instructed to prepare a ritual, which he did, and the Stability ritual is that of the Rev. Bro. Hemmings. Bro. Williams, who was Provincial Grand Master for Dorsetshire, revised this ritual, and the system of Hemmings, perfected by Williams, is the system used by the Lodge of Emulation. I hope I have put it to you clearly, that you have the ritual prepared by Hemmings himself, and which has, as we have witnessed and proved tonight, still many admirers. Are we then to have all these various "modes" merged into one, and all this lawful liberty of ritual taken away from us? I cannot see why, when Masonry is "to the fore" in all other respects, a careful rendering of a ritual in which your officers are proficient should not be adhered to, because it may differ from others in some particulars which, perhaps, those habituated to another mode may regard possibly as faults. All the "modes" convey to us in a very beautiful manner the meaning of Freemasonry, and I cannot see why the liberty we enjoy as to slight variations in the ritual should be taken away from us. There are slight peculiarities in the working of different lodges to which the members initiated in those lodges become attached through long years, and I ask why we should ask for a uniform ritual which, when we get it, might not appear to every brother the most eloquent, the most beautiful, or most fitly expressed that might have been fixed upon. (Cheers.) I was very much struck tonight with the wording of the ceremonial in regard to the working tools. There may, of course, be two opinions on the subject, and a very great deal may be said both on the side of the Emulation, and on the side of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. But here let us agree to differ, each, in good will and brotherly regard, holding the form we like and know the best. (Cheers.) The Stability Lodge of Instruction was formed by some good brethren in 1817. Philip Broadfoot, Peter Thomson, Thomas Satterly, James Black, were among those who took an active part in forming the Stability Lodge of Instruction. From their times downwards the Stability Lodge of Instruction has had its annual meetings, with the consequent assembling of eminent Masons, and I venture to say tonight that these meetings have had not a little to do to the preservation of a pure Freemasonry among us. I have been told, and I have no doubt it is true, that Philip Broadfoot and Peter Thompson used to preside alternately over the Stability Lodge of Instruction, and in 1852, when Peter Thompson passed away, an excellent old Mason, I believe he was called Bro. Muggeridge (a voice: "Called old Mug" ) was chosen as his successor, (cheers.) But there is a fact connected with Masonic history not so generally known. It is this: this same Bro. Muggeridge having on some day in 1839, under great and peculiar trials, entered the Lion and Lamb Lodge, the very next day he was proposed a joining member of the Stability Lodge of Instruction (laughter and cheer); and this I venture to commend to the notice of young and promising Masons. (Hear, hear.) But long speeches and long sermons are alike out of date, and I must bring my remarks to a close. What I would urge upon you is to preserve those little differences of ritual which form an additional link of attachment to our respective lodges, and from which we must all therefore be loath to part. We, in the Lodge of Antiquity, for instance, have a very peculiar ceremony connected with the Third Degree, which we should be most reluctant to part with, and which is observed in only one other lodge in England. That is an illustration of what I have been saying of things which we ought to strive to maintain, and on no account wish hastily to give up for improved systems. What can be better? What can be more effective? What can come home more to the brethren received into the Second and Third Degrees than such a ritual as we have seen worked in the Stability Lodge of Instruction tonight? Therefore, brethren, I do give, with sincere wishes for the prosperity of the lodge of which I have the honour to be a member, "Prosperity to the Stability Lodge of Instruction," and couple with it the health of our good old friend, whose zeal for Freemasonry is so great, and who we all wish may be long spared by the Great Architect of the Universe to continue to act as Preceptor to the Stability Lodge of. Instruction. (Loud applause.)
Bro. MUGGERIDGE: Very Worshipful President and brethren, in rising to acknowledge the very kind manner in which our Chairman has proposed the last toast, the very eloquent and interesting account that he has given you of the progress of Freemasonry for the last sixty or seventy years, and the kind manner in which he has mentioned my name in connection with the Stability Lodge of Instruction, permit me to return my grateful thanks. Brethren, I take the opportunity of saying that I was initiated in the Lion and Lamb Lodge, now numbered 192, then 227, on the 7th November, 1839, and, strange to say, I continued a subscribing member of that lodge exactly forty years to a day; for on the 6th November, which happened to be a Thursday, 1879, I resigned. Therefore, I was actually a subscribing member a term of forty years. Well, brethren, I was initiated, and I was introduced, by Bro. Peter Thompson; on the following night, with him, I entered the old house where Queen Mary sojourned for some time, which was the homestead where this lodge of instruction held its meetings at that time. Well, Peter Thompson was the manager and Preceptor to the year when he died the year 1851—and I have had the honour to be the Preceptor to the present time. I must tell you that the first meeting after the death of Bro. Thompson was held at the Old London Tavern, and that respected Mason, Bro. John Havers, presided on that occasion. We had a very large meeting on that occasion, and some very eminent Masons of that time were present. It is thirty years ago, but I remember it very well. We had a very successful meeting and the following year we had our meeting there, and after that we went to Radley' s Hotel for our large meetings. In comparison with those meetings; this is a small meeting. They were always happy meetings, and I think I am only expressing the general opinion when I say that. Three years ago we held our meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel. Bro. Philbrick presided, and I said on that occasion that I was falling into the sere and yellow leaf, and should have to discontinue these meetings. We should not have got up this one but that our Bro. Peirce (whose elevation to the purple we all rejoice over, knowing that a more deserving Mason does not exist) had expressed a wish to see me work the three ceremonies, whereupon I said that if he would come to the lodge of instruction I would give him the opportunity; and so instead of a small gathering when we thought we should number about twenty, it has come to pass that this important assembly of brethren has gathered around us. The lodge of instruction is my chief pleasure in Freemasonry. In the chapter I have been the Scribe, and that for nearly twenty years, but I have thrown half my life into the lodge of instruction. I have not resigned the Preceptorship of the Stability Lodge of Instruction, and I do not intend to resign it till the Great Architect of the Universe in his good providence sees fit to remove me from this sublunary sphere. Brethren, as long as I live I will endeavour to promote the prosperity of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. The fact of being passed through the Three Degrees, and the fact of taking an uncertain number of Masonic Degrees - this does not constitute Freemasonry. There is something beyond. There are the Masonic Charities, and no Mason should forget those Institutions, which are the best and most glorious Charities in the world. Brethren, I thank you most sincerely for your good wishes for the prosperity of the lodge of instruction, and for your kindly feelings towards myself.
Bro. HUBBUCK: I am going to make this a short speech, but it is an important one, and, therefore, I hope you will do this toast all the honour you possibly can. We have a President tonight who has come from the far west to preside over us. He is a Mason of antiquity. We have been greatly edified by his beautiful remarks on Freemasonry. We know he has been appointed to one of the principal offices in Grand Lodge, because he is a brother who has worked hard for the benefit of Freemasonry and has used moral influence in support of the moral Order of Freemasons. I hope we shall on a future occasion see him in this lodge to give us his beautiful and sound advice.
The PRESIDENT: As the time is getting on, I will, therefore. confine myself to thanking you and say that it has given me much pleasure to preside this evening over a gathering of brethren who have come together to testify their appreciation of the long services of an old and common friend, Bro. Muggeridge. I am not a very young man myself now, and am a very old Mason, and my work is nearly over. I was initiated in 1842, at Gibraltar. My zeal for Freemasonry has never slackened, and never will so long as I live, because I believe it is an institution calculated to do very great good in promoting kindly feelings one towards another among men. (applause). In order that this pleasant meeting may not separate prematurely, I will now proceed, very shortly, to propose the other toasts. The next toast is one we shall all be glad to honour, "The Health of those Working Brethren - Bros. Scriven, Arnold, Sack, Anderson, Steingraber, Arkell, and Birdseye, who so kindly assisted to illustrate the working this evening. With the toast I will couple the name of Bro. Scriven.
Bro. SCRIVEN: Worshipful Sir, Bro. Muggeridge, and brethren. We cannot but feel, after the eloquent way in which the duties of the Masonic ritual - as practised in the Stability were practised to night, have been referred to by our Chairman - very much pleasure in having assisted in securing such warm expressions of approval. We cannot but fell that the labour of our Preceptor's lifetime, the zeal which he has shown in working, have but one object, but that work should be good, thorough, and perfect. Bro. Muggeridge has told us, and we should be making but a poor return for Bro. Muggeridge ' s zeal as an instructor if we ever allowed his precepts to fall to the ground. I am taking what steps I can in the west of London to perpetuate this mode of working, and I do not think that we can better return thanks than by acting in such a manner as will give pleasure to those who are so much our seniors in Freemasonry.
The PRESIDENT: There is a toast which I have special pleasure in proposing to-night, and that is "Prosperity to the sister lodge of instruction, the Emulation Lodge. I have been instructed to couple with it the name of Bro. H. Leah. I think that we shall feel that the more lodges of instruction there are the better. They help to spread Masonic light and uphold the perfect working of our most beautiful Masonic ritual. And there is no doubt that the Emulation Lodge has done good "suit and service" to Masonry. I give you " Prosperity to the Emulation Lodge of Instruction, " for which Bro. Leah will return thanks. Bro. LEAH having said a few words in reply, The PRESIDENT proceeded to propose the last toast. The toast, he said, was one which aroused all our sympathies. He knew a good deal of every kind of charitable working, but he knew of no society which could collect annually between forty and fifty thousand pounds, as was the case with the three—nay four—Masonic Institutions. Before the end of 1881 they would have reached, he hoped, nearly £ 50, 000, and he was sure that he need make no additional remark to commend the toast to their notice, and he would couple with it the name of Bro. Storr.
Bro. STORR: Most Worshipful Sir, Past Master and Bro. Henry Muggeridge, Preceptor of the Stability Lodge of Instruction. I thank you heartily for drinking "Prosperity to the Charities." You know that my heart is so full of the Charities, so taken up in promoting their welfare, that I am proud to have the appellation of "Charity" Storr. In matter of Masonic age, I am a young man, but I have served some ten Stewardships. I owe all my Masonry to Bro. Muggeridge, and belong to the Neptune Lodge and Henry Muggeridge Lodge, in particular. Of the Charities I cannot say enough if I kept you here till 12 o'clock. No young brethren can do too much for the Charities, and I cannot thank too much the Great Architect of the Universe in doing so much for the Charities. Whenever there is not a Steward to be found in my lodge it shall not go unrepresented if it rest with me. God speed the Charities, and may they prosper. (Cheers.)
The Freemason: 7th May 1881, page 5 - Library and Museum of Freemasonry
© Stability Ritual Association
