The Consecration on 2nd April 1862
The Minute Book of the Lodge of Prosperity No. 78, later renumbered 65, informs us that in April 1861 a petition was signed by W.Bro. Valentine, W.M., also other distinguished brethren, and sent to Grand Lodge. The petition being approved, permission was granted by the then Most Worshipful Grand Master The Earl of Zetland, K.G., in September 1861, for the formation of a new lodge to be known as the Lodge of Temperance in the East No. 1200, later renumbered 898, on the Roll of the United Grand Lodge of England.
Eight founders are named as W.Bro. William Rule, Lodge 78; J. J. Saltmarsh, Lodge 78; Geo. Chas. Kernot, Lodge 78; William Mansell Evans, Lodge Eastern Star 112 (later 95); Chas. Wyatt Smith, Lodge Merchant Navy 1083 (later 781); Henry Youens, Lodge 112; Alfred Robert Ramage, Lodge of Friendship 248 (later 206) and Glandville Smith, Lodge Imperial George 92 (later 78). What reasons actuated the brethren in applying for a Charter remains a problem as no indication appears in the minutes which would enable the mystery to be solved.
Only five of the founders were present at the Consecration, namely: Bros. William Rule, Mansell Evans, Wyatt Smith, Henry Youens and George Kernot. The last named subsequently never appeared in the lodge again, so that the entire future of the lodge depended upon the efforts of only four founders.
The programme of the Consecration is dated the 26th of March, 1862, but reference to a telegram sent to the tyler, informing him to take all vessels, etc., to the Assembly Rooms, Newby Place, Poplar, London, by 2.30 p.m., on the 2nd of April for the ceremony of consecration, and enquiries made at Grand Lodge, confirm that this latter date is the correct one and as such recorded in the register of Grand Lodge.
No exact reason for the postponement is known, but it can be safely assumed that as a regular meeting of the Lodge of Prosperity was actually held on the former date and William Rule being present as Secretary, the Consecration was deferred to suit the convenience of such of the founders attached to that lodge.
The Consecrating Officer was W.Bro. John Savage, Past Grand Senior Deacon, and was assisted during the ceremony by W.Bro. Rev. David Shaboe as Grand Chaplain (afterwards Chaplain of the Lodge); W.Bro. William Rule, Grand Pursuivant, as Grand Senior Warden; W.Bro. Kincard as Grand Junior Warden; and W.Bro. Isaac Saqui as Grand Organist (afterwards Organist of the Lodge). The founders and other brethren present were as follows:-
Bros. James W. Smith 63
Jno Atherton 63
R Welsford 805
S. Chivers 78
W. Mansell Evaps 112
Chas. Wyatt Smith 1083
Henry James William Thompson 78
Swyer 13
F. L. Good 112
Henry Youens 112
John Rofs 56
G. Brown 96
J. W. Smith 1067
Henry Bradley 264 & 1333
Thomas Purdy 430
J. H.. Saville y 198
Alfred Page 1002
G. C. Kernot 78
James Payne 198
Wm. Henry Moore 87
Thos. J. Steel 303
Geo. Sharpe 112
Henry Cocks 1133 (Scottish Constitution)
Eight founders are named as W.Bro. William Rule, Lodge 78; J. J. Saltmarsh, Lodge 78; Geo. Chas. Kernot, Lodge 78; William Mansell Evans, Lodge Eastern Star 112 (later 95); Chas. Wyatt Smith, Lodge Merchant Navy 1083 (later 781); Henry Youens, Lodge 112; Alfred Robert Ramage, Lodge of Friendship 248 (later 206) and Glandville Smith, Lodge Imperial George 92 (later 78). What reasons actuated the brethren in applying for a Charter remains a problem as no indication appears in the minutes which would enable the mystery to be solved.
Only five of the founders were present at the Consecration, namely: Bros. William Rule, Mansell Evans, Wyatt Smith, Henry Youens and George Kernot. The last named subsequently never appeared in the lodge again, so that the entire future of the lodge depended upon the efforts of only four founders.
The programme of the Consecration is dated the 26th of March, 1862, but reference to a telegram sent to the tyler, informing him to take all vessels, etc., to the Assembly Rooms, Newby Place, Poplar, London, by 2.30 p.m., on the 2nd of April for the ceremony of consecration, and enquiries made at Grand Lodge, confirm that this latter date is the correct one and as such recorded in the register of Grand Lodge.
No exact reason for the postponement is known, but it can be safely assumed that as a regular meeting of the Lodge of Prosperity was actually held on the former date and William Rule being present as Secretary, the Consecration was deferred to suit the convenience of such of the founders attached to that lodge.
The Consecrating Officer was W.Bro. John Savage, Past Grand Senior Deacon, and was assisted during the ceremony by W.Bro. Rev. David Shaboe as Grand Chaplain (afterwards Chaplain of the Lodge); W.Bro. William Rule, Grand Pursuivant, as Grand Senior Warden; W.Bro. Kincard as Grand Junior Warden; and W.Bro. Isaac Saqui as Grand Organist (afterwards Organist of the Lodge). The founders and other brethren present were as follows:-
Bros. James W. Smith 63
Jno Atherton 63
R Welsford 805
S. Chivers 78
W. Mansell Evaps 112
Chas. Wyatt Smith 1083
Henry James William Thompson 78
Swyer 13
F. L. Good 112
Henry Youens 112
John Rofs 56
G. Brown 96
J. W. Smith 1067
Henry Bradley 264 & 1333
Thomas Purdy 430
J. H.. Saville y 198
Alfred Page 1002
G. C. Kernot 78
James Payne 198
Wm. Henry Moore 87
Thos. J. Steel 303
Geo. Sharpe 112
Henry Cocks 1133 (Scottish Constitution)
Bros. Hoare, Johnson & Stone - Tylers Pro-Tem.
A lodge room necessitating three tylers makes one wonder just how many entrances there were!
The complete minutes of the Consecration of the Lodge are faithfully recorded hereunder.
W.Bro. John Savage proceeded to open and consecrate the lodge according to antient form.
The complete minutes of the Consecration of the Lodge are faithfully recorded hereunder.
W.Bro. John Savage proceeded to open and consecrate the lodge according to antient form.
The lodge being regularly constituted, W.Bro. Savage installed Bro. William Mansell Evans as W.M., who was acknowledged and saluted in presence of the P.M.’s, after the brethren were admitted, etc., and saluted the W.M. in the three degrees; then proceeded to appoint his officers as follows:-
Bro. Dr. Chas. Wyatt Smith Senior Warden
Bro. Henry James William Thompson Junior Warden (Pro Tem.)
Bro. Swyer Senior Deacon
Bro. F. L. Good Junior Deacon
Bro. Henry Youens Inner Guard
Bro. William Rule Secretary
The W.Bro. Inst. Master then addressed the various officers on their respective duties.
Bro. Dr. Chas. Wyatt Smith Senior Warden
Bro. Henry James William Thompson Junior Warden (Pro Tem.)
Bro. Swyer Senior Deacon
Bro. F. L. Good Junior Deacon
Bro. Henry Youens Inner Guard
Bro. William Rule Secretary
The W.Bro. Inst. Master then addressed the various officers on their respective duties.
A ballot was then taken for Mr. Edward Dowsett of Blenheim House, Blackwall (no occupation given), which proving unanimous, Mr. Dowsett was admitted and initiated by W.Bro. John Savage.
On the question beingr asked, Bro. Dr. Charles Wyatt Smith, Senior Warden, proposed and W.Bro. Mansell Evans seconded that Mr. James Duncan of 6 Orchard Street, Bromley, Blacksmith, become a candidate for initiation subject to a ballot at the next regular lodge.
W.Bro. Rule proposed and W.Bro. Mansell Evans seconded that a vote of thanks be given to W.Bro. John Savage for the very impressive and able manner in which he conducted the Consecratlon and ceremony of Installation.
It was also proposed by W.Bro. Rule and seconded by the W.M. that a vote of thanks be presented to the Rev. David Shaboe for his kindness in assisting as Chaplain in the ceremonies of the day.
W.Bro. Rule proposed and W.Bro. Evans, W.M., seconded that Bro. Henry Cocks of the British Oak lodge become a joining member.
On the question beingr asked, Bro. Dr. Charles Wyatt Smith, Senior Warden, proposed and W.Bro. Mansell Evans seconded that Mr. James Duncan of 6 Orchard Street, Bromley, Blacksmith, become a candidate for initiation subject to a ballot at the next regular lodge.
W.Bro. Rule proposed and W.Bro. Mansell Evans seconded that a vote of thanks be given to W.Bro. John Savage for the very impressive and able manner in which he conducted the Consecratlon and ceremony of Installation.
It was also proposed by W.Bro. Rule and seconded by the W.M. that a vote of thanks be presented to the Rev. David Shaboe for his kindness in assisting as Chaplain in the ceremonies of the day.
W.Bro. Rule proposed and W.Bro. Evans, W.M., seconded that Bro. Henry Cocks of the British Oak lodge become a joining member.
It was then proposed by the W.M. and seconded by the S.W. that W.Bro. John Savage and W.Bro. Rev. David Shaboe become honorary members of the Lodge.
Nothing further being offered for the good of freemasonry, the Lodge was closed in due form with solemn prayer and adjourned.
It may well be asked how an initiation followed the ceremony of Consecration and Installation. Who was in a position to make a proposition previous to the formation of the lodge? W.Bro. Newton, assistant librarian at Grand Lodge, has submitted that in bygone days the Consecrating Officer was empowered to initiate a candidate, naturally after searching enquiries concerning his character. This particular candidate, Edward Dowsett, resigned on the 2nd of December, 1863, one year and eight months after his initiation.
James Duncan, Blacksmith, the other candidate proposed on the same evening, became the subject of a ballot, unanimous, at the second meeting of the Lodge on the 7th of May, 1862; he was admitted, initiated and subsequently became Worshipful Master on the 2nd of May, 1866.
Bro. J. J. Saltmarsh, founder, was to have been first Junior Warden, his non-attendance at any meeting precluded his investiture and Bro. H. J. W. Thompson, appointed pro-tem, continued to hold the office.
It will be observed that the brethren appointed Deacons were both visitors to the lodge, Bro. Swyer, the Senior, attended for some fifteen months and then discontinued attendance through rather peculiar circumstances as is later recorded; Bro. F. L. Good, the Junior, was not seen again.
Thus the Lodge was launched by a few stalwarts with moderate sobriety and perforce had to rely on visitors to fill the vacant offices, a state of affairs not entirely unknown even in this day and age. The rapid promotion of the members was also rendered possible by the frequency of meetings, twelve regular per year, reduced to eleven after a period of time and on the 3rd of October, 1866, the Lodge night was changed from the first to the last Wednesday in the month. An adjournment was usually made from November to January due to the proximity of December to Christmas. An emergency was often held earlier in the month.
Profuse as the meetings were, they did not satisfy the unbound enthusiasm of the members and emergencies were often called, fifteen meetings took place in 1865, viewed with their allegiance to other lodges vivacity was an important factor in an exacting science
It may well be asked how an initiation followed the ceremony of Consecration and Installation. Who was in a position to make a proposition previous to the formation of the lodge? W.Bro. Newton, assistant librarian at Grand Lodge, has submitted that in bygone days the Consecrating Officer was empowered to initiate a candidate, naturally after searching enquiries concerning his character. This particular candidate, Edward Dowsett, resigned on the 2nd of December, 1863, one year and eight months after his initiation.
James Duncan, Blacksmith, the other candidate proposed on the same evening, became the subject of a ballot, unanimous, at the second meeting of the Lodge on the 7th of May, 1862; he was admitted, initiated and subsequently became Worshipful Master on the 2nd of May, 1866.
Bro. J. J. Saltmarsh, founder, was to have been first Junior Warden, his non-attendance at any meeting precluded his investiture and Bro. H. J. W. Thompson, appointed pro-tem, continued to hold the office.
It will be observed that the brethren appointed Deacons were both visitors to the lodge, Bro. Swyer, the Senior, attended for some fifteen months and then discontinued attendance through rather peculiar circumstances as is later recorded; Bro. F. L. Good, the Junior, was not seen again.
Thus the Lodge was launched by a few stalwarts with moderate sobriety and perforce had to rely on visitors to fill the vacant offices, a state of affairs not entirely unknown even in this day and age. The rapid promotion of the members was also rendered possible by the frequency of meetings, twelve regular per year, reduced to eleven after a period of time and on the 3rd of October, 1866, the Lodge night was changed from the first to the last Wednesday in the month. An adjournment was usually made from November to January due to the proximity of December to Christmas. An emergency was often held earlier in the month.
Profuse as the meetings were, they did not satisfy the unbound enthusiasm of the members and emergencies were often called, fifteen meetings took place in 1865, viewed with their allegiance to other lodges vivacity was an important factor in an exacting science
(Reproduced from "A Historical Account of the Lodge of Temperance in the East 1862-1962, pages 5-7")
