Past Minutes of the Stanhope Lodge
The stanhope lodge in 1890 -1909
Compiled and abbreviated by W Bro Tudor Morgan SLGR
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Past Minutes of the Stanhope Lodge |
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The stanhope lodge in 1890 -1909 Compiled and abbreviated by W Bro Tudor Morgan SLGR |
The start of the 1890 saw W Bro Waller in the chair and the continued growth of the Lodge with between 1890 and 1895 some 27 candidates being initiated. It seems that at this time the Lodge continued to complete all three degree in one meeting when required and the move to Surrey Masonic Centre, Camberwell New Road, seems to be going well. It was in 1890 that the Earl of Carnavon the MW PProGM died and his passing was mourned with all decorum and the wearing of Black rosettes on the Aprons.
October 1892 saw the Lodge opened in the First degree and the minutes of the last meeting were read. The report of the Audit committee was taken and the the accounts received and adopted. A ballot for a Mr Michael Vyne Trelraven an Architect was conducted which proved in his favour and as he was present (waiting outside no doubt) he was initiated there and then into the lodge. Bros Corke, Mills and Silber candidates to be passed to the 2nd degree being present were entrusted and retired. The Lodge was opened in the 2nd degree. Bros Corke, Mills and Sibler re entered and were passed to the degree of a fellowcraft. Bros Childs and Jarvis being present and candidates for Raising were entrusted and retired. The Lodge was opened in the 3rd Degree. At the request of the WM, W Bro Oldfield took the chair and Bros Childs and Jarvis were raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. The Lodge was resumed in the Second. W Bro H Wood took the Chair and acting as Installing Master, obligated Bro S P Wilkinson the JW as Master Elect. The Lodge was opened in the 3rd Degree and all below the rank of installed Master retired. A Board of Installed masters was opened and bro Wilkinson was installed in the Chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom. The BOIM was closed and the salutes given in the three degrees. The Lodge being resumed in each degree. The Addresses were given Officers appointed and invested. The WM and past Masters then proposed that a Secretaries Jewel be presented to Bro H Wood in recognition of his services to the Lodge over the 14 year period he had occupied that position. There was one resignation with a request that the Secretary write to the brother and ask for the fees for last year to be paid up first. A Certificate was given out to Bro A C Clout and a proposition for an initiate was received. The meeting ended and they all went off to dine. (Eds Note. this meeting started at 4.30pm and they were due to dine at 7pm)
November saw the Lodges past Organist Bro Seymour Smith being given an Illuminated Address in Vellum, glazed and framed in solid Oak and an Organist Jewel specially designed for the occasion. Bro Smith, explained his sorrow at the circumstances that had led to him having to resign from the Lodge thus terminating a connection of over twenty four years. Bro Smith thank all present and retired. (Eds Note, we have no record of what the address would have said but from the one given to Chas Ring later, we do have an idea of the format) A Ballot was taken for a Mr J E Bunkley who being in attendance was initiated in Freemasonry Bros Corke was raised to the sublime degree of a MM. They then presented Bro Wood with his Secretaries Jewel. A Candidate for initiation was read out.
The accounts for 1893 show that a sum of £22. 2s 5d had been spent on wine and cigars and again at the October meeting they had three degree and an Installation. The Lodge continued its support for the RMBI and again donated Ten Guineas to that organization. From the Records of 1884 it seems that around this time they had an Hon Sec. Not sure how or why that came about. In 1894 Bro Henry Wood went into the Chair for the Second time. and a Bro Sloman was the IG. Bro Sloman was later to be an instigator in the formation of one of our Daughter Lodges Good Hope. At the End of the year Bro Wood returned to his previous duties as Secretary so perhaps that was why there was an Hon Sec for just the one year. At that installation meeting 5 brethren were struck off for being 2 years in arrears of dues. 1895 saw three candidates balloted for at one meeting and it looks as if all three came in as well. 1895 also saw the first printed accounts and also a members list as well. This shows that W Bro Jas Ring was the sole surviving founder still attending the Lodge and there were 37 members who paid subscriptions totaling £155. 17s. 6d a membership fee per member of less than £5.00per head