Before I talk about the actual formation and history of our own Lodge, I wonder if I may set the scene a little both generally and masonically and, for reasons which will shortly become obvious, I would like to choose not 1789 but 1786 as a starting date. Think for a moment of the World as it then was.

Not a very notable year in itself - indeed not a very memorable decade as a whole. George III was on the throne with William Pitt as Prime Minister at the very young age of 27. We had just lost the American War of Independence and, in 3 years time, Washington was to become the first president of America. We had, for years off and on, been at War with France although Napoleon was then Only 17 - Nelson was 28 and, as for Hornblower - he would have been about 51. In the world of music, Beethoven had barely started as he was just a youth of 16, but Mozart, at 30, was in full flight. Literature was doing quite well - Rabbie Burns at 27 was enjoying himself in Scotland and, although Dr. Johnson had been dead 2 years, Boswell was in the middle of his biography and was 46. Some had not yet started. Sir Walter Scott was 15, Wordsworth 16 and Jane Austen still a tender babe of 1 year. It was a mid-period for the great English painters - Gainsborough was past his best at 59 and Constable, aged 10, had hardly started. We were nearing the end of the great furniture designers; Chippendale had been dead for 7 years, Hepplewhite died that year but Sheraton was in his prime at 35. Very little was happening in the world of science - Sir Humphrey Davy was only 8 and Faraday was not born for another 5 years. There was, of course, no electricity nor gas and no railway system at all. The steam engine had just been invented by James Watt but George Stephenson was only 5 and hardly thinking about trains.

The most important vehicles on the roads were stage-coaches which made regular runs between London and most large towns. Exeter was a 6 day journey, York was 4, Birmingham took 2 1/2 days and Dover about 2 days with the passengers dining at Rochester and sleeping at Canterbury. As for Edinburgh, well that took 10 days in summer and 12 in winter. However, things were improving as the first Royal Mail Coach started in 1784 from Bath to London and made the 106 miles journey in the record time of 16 hours with a change of horses every 7 miles. In London itself the most elegant form of travel was still the sedan-chair. London was hardly the size it is now, the population was about 250, 000 and indeed the population of the whole of England-was well under 9 million - about the same as London as it now is. Freemasonry, however, was starting to flourish in England, after a period of some disfavour, but unhappily Lodges then in existence Owed allegiance to one or other of two rival Grand Lodges. The first, known as the Grand Lodge of England, was established in 1717 and published its first printed Book of Constitutions in 1723. However, a group of Irish masons who had settled in London, claimed that members of the Grand Lodge had made changes in the ceremonial but that they themselves had remained faithful to the ancient rules and landmarks of the Order. Accordingly, in 1751, they established a body which they termed "The Grand Lodge of England according to the Old Institutions" and gave themselves the name of "Antients" - the members of the older and senior Grand Lodge they termed Moderns".

We therefore had a situation that Lodges were formed under two jurisdictions each of which accorded them a number on its own roll. I did say earlier that 1786 was not a very notable year in itself but, as far as we are concerned, a most important event took place. Dispensation was sought at the end of 1785 from the Antient Grand Lodge, then known as The Grand Lodge of the Most Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons", by a Past Master of Atholl Lodge to make and form a new Lodge of operative masons - i.e. brethren who were masons by trade or otherwise engaged in the building business and, in 1786, the Domatic Lodge, then No. 234, was consecrated at the Ship Tavern, Lincoln's Inn Fields. As, however, commented, Operative Masons only were to be admitted and it is recorded that at a meeting of the Lodge on April 24th, 1786, two Brothers who had been proposed as joining members were rejected because they were not Operative Masons. This arrangement did not find favour with the existing members as, of necessity, it restricted their numbers and indeed they were in further difficulties as several brethren had changed their vocation. Accordingly, at an Emergency Meeting held on 15th December 1789 the Worshipful Master proposed obtaining a new Warrant to the Lodge, known as a Working Warrant to enable Free and Accepted or Speculative Masons to be members of Domatic Lodge. This was agreed to and the new Warrant was actually obtained in some 9 days - perhaps an object lesson in speed to United Grand Lodge.

This second Warrant - indeed, W.M., our own Warrant displayed to every candidate on his initiation - is dated 24th December 1789 and bears the names of W.Bro. Sir Watkin Lewes, Master Elect- W.Bro. Edward Cook, S.W., and W. Bro. Thomas Abbott, J.W., who were empowered to form and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the "Sign of the Sun"-, Lincoln's Inn Fields, to which the Domatic Lodge had recently moved, on the second Thursday of each month. The new Lodge was numbered 258 and when inaugurated it had 165 Lodges on the Roll as companions. The regular Grand Lodge known then as the "Moderns" had 174 so that together there were, at that time, only 340 Lodges on the registers of the two Grand Lodges.

The Domatic Lodge therefore had two separate warrants, an event without parallel in English Masonry. Thus, the Lodge afterwards known as the Lion & Lamb, came into existence. Sir Watkin Lewes, the first Worshipful Master, was a member of the Joiner's Company, Alderman and Sheriff of the City of London in 1772 and Lord Mayor of London in 1780. He was a Member of Parliament for the City and appointed Junior Grand Warden of the Antient Grand Lodge on 2nd December 1789 when it was resolved by Grand Lodge that his private Lodge be directed to pass him through the Chair on the morning of St. John's Day next if he should not have been installed Master of a Lodge before that date. There is no doubt that one of the principal objects in starting this Lodge was to enable Sir Watkin Lewes to occupy the Chair so that he could qualify for Grand Lodge Honours. He was proclaimed Senior Grand Warden in December 1790, With the exception of Sir Watkin Lewes, all the Brethren who formed the Lodge were also members of the Domatic Lodge and yet when they attended the Domatic Lodge they signed as visitors.

The two separate Warrants were worked by the Domatic Lodge until 1795 but obviously this failed to give satisfaction for, at the regular meeting of the Domatic held on 27th October 1795, the Worshipful Master ordered the Lodge to be summoned on Friday, October 30th with the object of taking into consideration the disposal of Lodge No. 258 and in the minutes of that Emergency Meeting we read - and I quote - "The Worshipful Master informed the Lodge that he had ordered the Secretary to summon the Brothers for this evening to take into consideration the disposal of the Warrant of Lodge No. 258 as, it being found that members did not meet to support the two Warrants, and that Lodge No.258 by this reason was become burdensome, it was thought best to dispose of it as an application had been made by a respectable Company of gentlemen",

The suggestion was unanimously adopted and a Committee appointed to have full power to dispose of the warrant in such a manner "as they think meet for the good of the Lodge".

On 26th January 1796 it is recorded that:

"Bro. Wright presented the Lodge with the sum of One Pound from Bro. Clark of 244 for having purchased the Warrant No. 258 and afterwards relinquishing the same, which sum was put to the moneys for decorating the Lodge, by unanimous consent of the Members present". The matter is finally disposed of On the 26th April 1796 when the minutes of the Domatic Lodge tell us that:- "Bro Wright informed the Lodge that the Committee appointed for the disposal of the Warrant 258 had disposed of the same, that the Lodge No. 258 was to be moved to the "Bear and Wheatsheaf" in Lower Thames Street and that the Secretary should acquaint the Grand Secretary of the same".

Thus the baby, now the Lion & Lamb Lodge, was taken away to work out its own future. It was obviously intended that we should be a Master Masons Lodge as the early Minutes make no mention of any initiation but refer solely to Lectures. Dues were collected at each meeting and were 6d (2 1/2- new pence) per meeting. In those days the Master and Officers were elected each half-year and the first mention of an annual election was in December 1815.

As you will know, Worshipful Master, some of the early Minutes read very curiously. For instance, a joining Brother was required to deposit his Certificate in the Ark. Prior to 1814 it was the custom for the Lodge to retain a Member's Certificate and deposit this in the Ark which was, in fact, a box kept for that purpose. He could only regain his Certificate when he resigned as a member of the Lodge.

Undoubtedly the social side of our activities played a very much more prominent part than it does nowadays. A minute of June 4th 1812 records that it was proposed and seconded that the members should dine together on St , John's Day next and any Brother not dining be fined 3/6d - members to pay 10/6d which included a bottle of wine and that a Band of Music of seven musicians be engaged to meet the Lodge at 9 o'clock in the morning and be at the Lodge's service until 12 o'clock at night. Apparently, the arrangements were that the members - 43 attended - should march in procession, doubtless in full regalia, to the place appointed for the dinner or banquet. It was also resolved at this meeting to send Bro. Morgan, an invalid and distressed Brother, the sum of 10/6d that he might provide himself with a dinner on that day.

Many meeting places were recorded in the first few decades of the Lodge's history, indeed between 1789 and 1810, 9 hostelries are recorded and between 1810 and 1825, a further 10.

The circumstances causing us to leave certain hostelries make very interesting reading. In 1813 we met at an Inn known as the "Hope and Anchor" Union Street, Blackfriars. However, the Lodge left this hostelry under rather peculiar circumstances and the actual minute of May 6th 1813 reads:-

"In consequence of the closet wherein were kept the regalia, jewels etc. (the property of the Lodge) being broken open, Brother Andrews - presumably the Landlord - was called up to state by whom and for what purpose it was done but, failing to give the Brethren a satisfactory account, and his wife having at the same time come up to the door of the Preparatory Room and behaved in a most outrageous manner, it was not only deemed advisable to move the property of the Lodge, but it was also the unanimous opinion of the Brethren present that they could not, in justice to themselves nor the Craft in general, meet in the house again".

This resolution was acted upon and the property of the Lodge immediately removed to the house of Bro. Matthews till a suitable place could be found where, to use the language of the Minutes - "our property might be secure and our persons safe from assault". The Lodge then transferred to the "Hercules Tavern" in Threadneedle Street but this again proved temporary as it is recorded that at the meeting of June 1st 1815 the Landlord, Bro. Hooper, complained that the remuneration for the use of his rooms, namely two shillings per night, was insufficient to pay the cost of the candles, etc., and requested some increase to be made. It was unanimously agreed to advance the amount to six shillings with which Bro. Hooper expressed himself satisfied. However, this resolution was rescinded at the next meeting and as, and I quote, "consequent discomforts" arose the Lodge was transferred to the "Cock and Magpie", Wilson Street, Finsbury Square.

The next minute of note is for February 3rd 1814 when the Minutes are headed "Lodge 325 (late 258)". This was as a result of the Union of the two Grand Lodges (Modern and Antients) on December 27th 1813 when the Duke of Sussex was installed Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Clause VII of the Articles of Union reads "The representatives of the several Lodges shall sit under their respective banners according to seniority. The two first Lodges under each Grand Lodge to draw a lot in the first place for priority and to which of the two the Lot No.I shall fall, the other to rank as No.2; and all the others shall fall in alternately, that is the Lodge which is No.2 of the Fraternity whose lot it shall be to draw No.I shall rank as No.3 in the United Grand Lodge, and the No.2 shall rank as No.4, and so on alternately through all the numbers respectively."

There were 388 Modern Lodges and 260 of the Antients making 648 in all. This numbering procedure explains why our Lodge became No.325 thus taking a more favourable position than the date of the Warrant justified.

A minute which will be of interest to our D.C., who is also the Preceptor of the Lodge of Instruction, is dated June 1814 when the Brethren agreed to meet fortnightly to instruct each other, this is the first reference to a Lodge of Instruction. About this time it is evident that Petitions for Relief were becoming too frequent; at every meeting some brother was applying for relief. In November 1814 it was agreed that only Brethren of the Lodge, in distress and applying for relief, shall be considered. Probably as a result of our generosity the Lodge became heavily in debt and it is recorded that at the end of 1819 they were in debt to the Treasurer for the sum of £20.4s.0d. but such was the generosity of the Members that they continued to give relief to Brethren in distress.

However, this deficit was wiped off by the end of 1823 and a small balance showed in favour of the Lodge. Even in those days, attendance waxed and waned and in May 1822 it was agreed owing to the poor attendance of the members to adjourn until September. Similarly in 1823 and 1824 various meetings were cancelled.

Our next re-numbering took place in 1832 when the Lodge No. was changed to 227, late 325. No reason is given in the Minutes but in fact it was due to so many Lodges ceasing to work that United Grand Lodge ordered a re-numbering of all Lodges.
Bye-Laws issued in 1839.
November 1835 is significant as the Minutes begin "Lodge Lion and Lamb 227". This is the first time the name appears at the head of the Minutes although it was noted in the records of United Grand Lodge as early as 1816. At the time United Grand Lodge was allocating new numbers to the Lodges they also asked Lodges to adopt names in addition to their numbers. Past historians have commented that the origin of our name has been lost but, thanks to a considerable amount of research conducted by our own Bro. Charles MacColl Botly in the 1960s, we can fairly claim to have solved the mystery and I quote his own explanation -

"Firstly, there is a complete record of all taverns and other meeting places of the Lodge, and the name "Lion" or "Lamb" does not appear. To the Lodge brethren, the "Lion" was self-evident it is the Lion Rampant of Scotland, one of the emblems on the banner of the Antient Grand Lodge, which Arms had also been adopted in their entirety by our Lodge (and appear on our present banner). But I am indebted to Bro. Newton, Assistant Librarian at Grand Lodge, for the information that the "Lion" also appeared on the Armorial Bearings of the Duke of Kent, whilst the "Lamb" on those of the Duke of Sussex, respectively Grand Masters of the "Antients" and "Moderns" at the date of reconciliation. Thus the name "Lion and Lamb" was adopted by the Lodge at the time of the formation of the United Grand Lodge, and it symbolises the merging of the "Antients" represented by the "Lion", with the "Moderns" represented by the "Lamb" of the Duke of Sussex. There is also the Old Testament quotation, "The Lion and the Lamb shall lie down together".

The name was also adopted to commemorate the very noteworthy participation of the brethren of the Lodge in the negotiations culminating in the creation of the United Grand Lodge, as one of our own members took part in the negotiations. The "Lion" is also a constant reminder of our roots in the Antient Grand Lodge, the "Atholl Masons". We can certainly speculate upon the conversations between the Lodge brethren upon this subject. They already had the Lion, and the termination of the rivalry between the two Grand Lodges would doubtless bring to mind the Biblical analogy. They were quite possibly unaware of the Heraldic coincidence, and the fact that the "Articles of Union" were signed left to right, i. e. Lion and Lamb. As human nature, even Masonic, being what it is, our early brethren would be gratified that, as "Antients" this title would give them the "edge" over their erstwhile rivals. It is apparent that this solution for the reason of the names was not appreciated or known to the later brethren, for in the design of the Past Master's Jewel in 1866, the Lion is depicted lying down, in a natural attitude, with the lamb beside him. The heraldry had gone."

Inevitably, the occasional dispute arose between members and one such is recorded in the Minutes for March 1828 which read -

"Received a letter from Bro. Smith, P.M., stating that being informed of his having offended at the last meeting Bro. Carter, P. M., he waited upon Bro. Carter to say that if he had given him any offence he was sorry for it, and trusted that as a Mason he would forget and forgive, which he (Bro.Carter) thought proper to refuse. In answer to this, Bro.Carter said that he had not the least animosity against Bro. Smith but he could not consistently, as a Mason, accept an apology unless it was made in open Lodge, in any way Bro. Smith should think proper. After some further remarks upon the subject Bro. Jackson proposed that a letter to that effect be sent to Bro.Smith, which was seconded by Bro. Button and unanimouslycarried."

This matter was again referred to at the succeeding meeting in April, when it was agreed that "A copy of the letter sent to Bro. Smith at the preceding Lodge should be annexed to the Minutes of the Lodge." The copy does not, however, appear, nor is anything further recorded of the incident.

1837 was a memorable year for us as in January, Bro. Rule presented us with the Tracing Boards of the 1st and 3rd Degrees which are in use to this day, 166 years later. Bro.Rule was, by trade, a Painter and Grainier and made the Boards himself. The Tracing Board of the 1st Degree is true to type but that of the 3rd is of a design of his own - both are unique.

Keeping to the chronological sequence of events and whilst I have not yet had an opportunity of researching all our old property still remaining, it may interest Brethren to know that the Secretary's jewel - which I am now wearing - is itself of considerable antiquity. It was engraved on the back in 1838 with the number 227, that being the number of the Lodge at that time, although the date of the jewel is considerably earlier - about 1802 - or even possibly before then. 1840 recorded a most unusual event. - the initiation of a minor. It seems fairly obvious that the youth in question was the son of a member but even so why this departure from the normal regulations should have occurred we shall never know. Special dispensation had to be sought and the relevant extract reads - It having been represented to the Most Worshipful Grand Master that Mr. George Webster Osbaldiston, a minor of the age of 20 years and 9 months, son of David Webster Osbaldiston, is desirous, with the consent of his father, to be initiated into the mysteries of the Craft, and that he is in all respects a fit and proper person to be received, His Royal Highness is pleased therefore to grant this Dispensation". Accordingly, the young man was immediately balloted for and afterwards initiated into Freemasonry, for which he was charged the sum of 4. 14s. 6d.

Our Lodge has always kept abreast of the times and following the introduction of the 1d post it is not surprising that in December 1843 it was agreed that all letters "off the stones" be posted instead of the Tyler delivering them. I assume this related to Summons to members. However, evidently this resolution was not carried out for there is a similar resolution put and carried during the year 1863.

Perhaps, at this stage, I could interject a note of general interest regarding one of the difficulties that researchers have in compiling accurate historical notes, as the then Secretaries were not punctilious either in attributing correct dates of initiation to the relevant year or more importantly being consistent in the spelling of names. Indeed in the excellent illustrated history of the Lion and Lamb published by Bro. George Kenning in 1894 he comments that the then secretaries advanced the maxim that it was "a sign of a poor scholar to spell a word only one way". In one case the surname of a Brother did duty for the town in which he resided and the second Christian name was utilised for his surname.

I have mentioned our 1st and 3rd Degree Tracing Boards as these in fact pre-date that of the 2nd Degree. However, this can hardly be termed as of recent origin as it was in fact presented to us in 1853 by one of our then members, Br. Frederick Breitling. This Board was of his own design and as far as is known it is the only one of its kind in existence - the most interesting minute recording our appreciation for this gift reads:- "That the very best thanks of the members of this Lodge be given to Bro.Frederick William Breitling P.M. & G. P. for his very handsome offering and able design of a new Lodge Board in the second Degree. The Brethren cannot allow this opportunity to escape without complimenting their Brother Breitling on the zeal he always exercises in forwarding the interests of Freemasonry and more particularly of this Lodge. The great want of a good Lodge Board in this Degree has long been felt and we may now congratulate the Craft that our Brother's labours should have produced so pleasing a result. It will be a source of great gratification to this Lodge should the Craft eventually adopt it. The Members are fully aware of the time, labour, and research that have been devoted to this subject and feel the greatest confidence in recommending the production to the Craft generally."

A not so happy event occurred two years later in 1855 when we were again forced to seek another meeting place. The landlord of the "George and Vulture" where we were then meeting being in difficulties, the Lodge furniture was seized under distraint for rent. The sum of 17. 11s. 0d was paid by us, under protest, to redeem the Furniture and the next meeting was held at the Bridge House Hotel, Southwark. The furniture had evidently been damaged in either seizure or removal, for a further sum of 17. 0s. 0d. was later paid for repairs. As far as one can see, no notice was taken of the protest and the money was never recovered.

Twelve years later in 1863 Grand Lodge again ordered a re-numbering of all the Lodges and the minutes of October 1863 are headed "Lion & Lamb Lodge192 (late 227)". Thus the Lodge has been four times numbered - 258 in 1789, 325 in 1814, 227 in 1832 and 192 in 1863.

At this stage, I wonder if I might depart from a strict chronological sequence and mention a few fascinating comments made in his reminiscences by Bro. Cohu regarding our Festive Board. Whilst I cannot set an exact date to his first observation, which formed part of a general address to the Lodge in 1909, it seems appropriate now to mention this and one or two other extracts regarding the situation in the mid- and subsequently late 19th Century and early 20th Century.

I quote from his reminiscences verbatim -
"I remember Bro. Jenkins saying that in the old days there were no dining or banquets (with the exception of an annual feast which most Lodges indulged in) and that when the Lion and Lamb Lodge first indulged in a leg of mutton or something of that sort, one old Member as a protest against such extravagance, would sit at the table with the others but have only a bottle of Mr. Guiness' stout and an Abernethy biscuit. In my own early days the soup, fish, joints and poultry were all placed on the table and the Worshipful Master and Wardens carved the principal things whilst others round the table helped the smaller dishes. After a time the Hotel wanted to adopt the more modern service, that is to have the carving done by their men at a side table, but our members would not have it, they said it was like having a plate of meat at a cook's shop, they liked to see the joints on the table, and I believe we were the last party at this Hotel who allowed the alteration.

I remember poor Bro. Legge, when he was nearing the Junior Warden's Chair, telling me that the carving would be his greatest trouble, he could master the work in the Lodge, but he had never carved a joint or a fowl in his life, as his wife had always done it. For some years a light wine was put on to begin, then about the middle of the dinner a limited supply of Champagne. Dinner being over the cloth was removed, and dessert put on, with decanters of Port - on the shining mahogany, and Port was the wine until it was time to go home.

As to harmony in the old days, we were very happy, without professionals, as such, if one or two were brought as visitors (masons of course) they would sing sitting at the table, as our members did, without accompaniment - but
a good chorus was appreciated! N. B. No Ladies. As we become more refined, we adopted the present ways, but I have a strong leaning towards those old days, as more time for conversation was possible, and we had more facility to make acquaintances.

At one time our numbers were so few, and our cash so low, the Hotel, through the intercession of Bro. Abbott, put on a supper for a year or two at 2s. 6d. each, we had large jugs of ale, and afterwards Whisky, which the majority took with hot water, lemon and sugar. This was in the next room, as the party (say 8) was too small for the Pillar Hall. How things have changed!"

We have always accepted, without wondering why, that our Installation is in March but in fact it used to be in January as you will have noticed from the old bye-laws and the reason for the change is rather interesting. Apparently in December 1876 a Brother was duly elected to the Chair for installation in January 1877. However, between December 1876 and January 1877 there was a change of heart by the members as apparently the Worshipful Master elect had commented that he intended to make many alterations to the appointment of Officers, including the Secretary. It seems clear that in those days one did not offend the Secretary lightly for at the January meeting when the Minutes, including the election for the Worshipful Master, were put for confirmation, only 9 voted in favour and 35 against. As a result, the reigning Worshipful Master remained in Office until March 1877 and the bye-laws were amended to make March the installation date. Incidentally, I am happy to say that all was subsequently forgiven and the member in question did become Worshipful Master a few years later.

However, the contretemps did not end there for obviously feelings ran high and a member sent a note of the proceedings to a newspaper called "The Licensed Victuallers Guardian" who published what is referred to in the Minutes as a "scurrilous report of the proceedings". This lead to the unprecedented step of the member who had communicated to the newspaper being censured in open Lodge and the actual motion of censure reads - "For sending a distorted report of the proceedings of the Lodge, reflecting upon the character of several of its members, to a non-Masonic paper".

Our first experiment at a social event to bring in our ladies was in 1886 when an annual summer festival was arranged at, and I quote, "some attractive riverside place" but obviously this was not a great success as after two years it was discontinued. However, you will be interested to learn that our first Ladies' Night was in February 1895 when special dispensation was granted by Grand Lodge for the Brethren to dine in Masonic Clothing. Indeed this privilege was obtained for many years but was discontinued some 45-50 years ago as apparently some Lodges had brought it into disrepute.

An event occurred in 1886 which we can now look back on with a smile but which must have caused acute embarrassment at the time. A Candidate for initiation was within the Lodge and that stage of the Ceremony had been reached at which the Senior Warden presents the Candidate to the W. M. as "a Candidate properly prepared to be made a Freemason". At this point, the Senior Warden noticed that the Candidate appeared totally deaf and had not heard a single word of the proceedings to that time. Being a man of very strong character, he decided that the Candidate was not properly prepared nor a fit and proper person and refused to present him. The poor chap was then escorted from the Lodge, still in a state of darkness in, I imagine, every sense of the word and that was that. However, the Lodge felt that they should clarify the matter with Grand Lodge and wrote accordingly. I think the reply from Grand Lodge is worth quoting -

'Dear Sir and Brother,
I have to acknowledge your letter of the 11th inst. relative to what occurred at the last meeting of your Lodge respecting a deaf candidate, and I have consulted with the Grand Registrar thereon who concurs with me in the
following views:
1st. That blame be attached to the proposer and seconder of the candidate for not at first mentioning his infirmity to the members when proposing him.
2nd. That the late S.W. was in error in refusing to present the candidate on the ground that he was not 'properly prepared' and a fit and proper person to be made a Mason. The first portion refers to the arrangement of the clothing and the absence of valuables, and the second portion to the moral character. Deafness is no actual disqualification for admission.
3rd. That the Lodge, having gone so far, are now bound to Initiate the Candidate as best they can, either by means of ear-trumpet or by a deaf alphabet.
I remain, dear Sir and Brother, Yours fraternally, Shadwell H.Clarke, G.S."

In fact the seconder of this Candidate was Bro. Cohu who refers to the matter in his reminiscences in these words - "A brother asked me to second a Candidate he wished to propose and I agreed to. He told me that it was his
nephew and that he was rather deaf - I thought that was the case with many of us and did not realise that it would be impossible to make him hear. However he went abroad soon after and we never saw him again. In
consequence of this I have never since seconded a Candidate without seeing him."

You will obviously expect me to mention our Centenary in 1889 and certainly I will but I should perhaps first mention a certain confusion in the date which again is referred to by Bro. Cohu. Apparently it was thought by the Brethren that we were constituted in 1769. It seems that in the Calendar then published by Grand Lodge, the Lodge before ours No. 191 was dated 1769 - our Lodge had no date as the appropriate space was left blank and No. 193 was dated 1790. We therefore assumed hopefully that the space indicated that our date was the same as the one before, namely 1769, until Grand Lodge pointed out the factual situation. By all accounts the meeting itself was memorable although the attendance was perhaps not as great as one would have desired, there being 25 members and 24 guests. The then Assistant Grand Secretary attended and in fact the event was reported at great length in the edition of the magazine "Freemason" for February 1890. It would take a very long time to read this report which quoted the various speeches made at the banquet almost verbatim and I will only observe that its success will certainly put us on our mettle when we come to arrange our bi-centennial festival in 8 years time.

One is very much reminded of the altogether more gracious and leisurely style of living at the end of the last century when one reads the style of correspondence in those days. This was drawn to my notice when I read a letter from Worshipful Brother Henry Muggeridge a Past Master of the Lodge to the then secretary, Bro. George Abbott expressing his apologies for non-attendance at the Centenary dinner - if we only had the time and indeed literary ability to write such letters nowadays, much to be preferred to dining cards. I will, if I may, read this letter to you in full -

"My dear Bro. Abbott,
In reply to your kind and complimentary letter I feel very much obliged to you and the Master of the Lion and Lamb Lodge for the very flattering invitation you have so kindly sent me, though I am sorry to say I cannot accept it. The infirmities of advanced age prevent my doing so, otherwise I should be pleased to be present. The excitement would be too much. I do not tell you I am ill - really I am fairly well, but next Saturday will be eight weeks since I have been out. We are told that the "Ancients" in their splendid banquets of old, placed a 'Skeleton' at their festive boards as an 'emblem of mortality', to remind their guests what was in store for the good people. Now I do not say that I am or look like a skeleton - on the contrary, as, owing, I suppose, to the inactive and comfortable life I lead, my weight is between 14 and 15 stones. I imagine that I am somewhat like 'Sancho Panza' who, when appointed Governor of Barrataria was not permitted by the Doctor to eat THIS or THAT or drink THIS or THAT - although he was very desirous of doing so, and so am I, but as discretion is the better part of valour, prudence says 'don't go', and I say ditto. Therefore, under these circumstances, I trust you and Bro. Cohu will kindly excuse me, and now, wishing you all a successful and pleasant meet, believe me, with fraternal regards to all,
Yours very truly, Henry Muggeridge."

Unfortunately, the closing decades of the last century saw us passing through a lean period both in respect of members and funds. On several occasions during the 1880s and 1890s the words - "No Work - No Banquet" appeared on the Summons and in 1884 we had no initiates or joining members. The minutes and summons for a few years therefore made rather sad reading. Funds were so low that both in June and December 1895 we had no banquet or supper and there were similar occurrences in 1897. However the members rallied round and by the beginning of this century membership and funds were improving again. The death of Queen Victoria saw the whole country plunged into a period of mourning and resulted in the cancellation of the Ladies' Festival in 1901 and I shall refer to this again in a minute. There were no matters of startling import during the first few years of this Century except that following the death of one of our members in the USA we received a charming but rather unusual letter from the W. M. of Atlas Lodge No. 316 New York in December 1907 which makes interesting reading:

"Worshipful Sir and Brethren,
It is with profound regrets that I have to advise you of the death of one of your members and Past Master of your Lodge, Bro.Thomas William Fisher. The circumstances of his death were particularly sad. It seems he had met with misfortune in business at home and had come to this City with the object of starting life afresh. He became associated with an institution of which two members of my Lodge were identified. I am informed that his was a very loveable character, that he was strictly temperate, and unusually faithful in the discharge of every duty entrusted to his care. He was thought a great deal of by everybody with whom he came in contact. Early last week he was taken ill with pneumonia and was sent to Bellevue Hospital, this City, where he died on Thursday last. One of our members secured from the Public Administrator, his effects, and had them on exhibition at our last communication on Friday last - his Jewels, apron, certificates, and a History of your Lodge in which his name is prominently mentioned. This member, who was associated with the same institution as Bro. Fisher, brought the matter to the attention of the Lodge officials, and as his effects consisted of a very small sum of money and a few personal belongings, it was decided that we take possession of the Body, have it cared for and buried in our own Plot in Evergreen cemetery, Brooklyn Borough, New York City. I had the sad pleasure of officiating at the funeral service yesterday. We debated about notifying his widow and decided it would be better not to notify her until after Christmas. There is nothing to be gained by notifying her at once, and we consider it would be better to have the family pass the Christmas season without this great grief hanging Over them. Unfortunately, I have learned today, however, that a former room-mate of his notified his widow On Friday. I expect to see this party some time today and get her address, and will then communicate with her. In the meantime, I presume you will acquaint the widow with the demise of her husband and inform yourselves of her circumstances and needs. Our
members are very much interested in this sad case and would be pleased to hear from you as to just what has been done. In informing his widow of her bereavement please convey to her and her friends the utmost sympathy of the Atlas Lodge, and please also obtain from her wishes as to the disposition of his personal effects.
Yours sincerely and fraternally, Ralph W. Smyth, Master."

Following the death of King Edward VII in 1910 a very moving resolution appears in the Minutes for June 2nd 1910 which I think demonstrates the great affection in which he was held by the whole country - the actual resolution reads -

"That the Brethren of this Lodge whilst mourning the lamented death of our late beloved Sovereign King Edward VII, Patron of our Order, desire to place on record their high sense of the irreparable loss that the Country and Craft have sustained by his death, and humbly to give expression of their feelings of loyal sympathy and condolence to his Majesty King George V, Her Majesty Queen Mary, Her Majesty the Queen Mother and to His Royal Highness The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, our most Worshipful Grand Master, and the rest of the Royal Family. Trusting that the thought that their grief is shared by all their loyal and devoted subjects throughout the world may comfort and help them to bear the burden of their sudden bereavement."

The next date of historic significance is November 2nd 1916 when the banner which you see before you was dedicated. Our old banner dating back to approximately 1809 had become so frail from age that it was impossible
to unfurl it at our meetings. The present banner which has therefore been in use in the Lodge for 65 years is an exact replica of the banner of 1809 but with the various numbers of the Lodge added. It bears the arms of the Antient or Atholl Grand Lodge but with the old original motto "Kodish Lo Adonia" translated into English as "Holiness to the Lord". It was dedicated at our meeting in November 1916 by The Lord Bishop of Barking, W. Bro.P.G. Chaplain who was then made an honorary member of the Lodge.

You will no doubt have realised that at the time of this dedication in 1916 we were roughly at mid-point in the First World War or, as it was then known, the Great War. Obviously this proved a difficult period for the Lodge as so many brethren were serving in different parts of the World but we were singularly fortunate that we did not have to mourn the death of any member. In many ways it was an interesting period as, acting on a suggestion from London Grand Rank Association, this Lodge together with other London Lodges invited wounded Brethren from Overseas to our meetings and during this period we welcomed Brethren from nearly all the Commonwealth or, as the then minutes note, "from nearly all the Colonies". They were brought from the different hospitals, entertained by us and returned to the hospital escorted by various of our own members. We were particularly fortunate in receiving a number of brethren from New Zealand and as an expression of gratitude and affection not only did the Grand Master of New Zealand visit us but we received a most charming and friendly letter from the President of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Masonic Association, which I am sure you would like to read -

"Dear Sir and Brother,
We have been desired by the executive of the above Association to convey to you the feelings of high appreciation entertained by the members for your kindness to our soldier Freemasons whilst absent from the Dominion in the service of their King and Country. The Brethren of the Lion and Lamb Lodge were ever ready to extend the right hand of fellowship to their Colonial visitors who were made to feel that they were indeed members of our vast Brotherhood, and the ties, not only of Empire but of our Ancient Fraternity, have been drawn closer together in consequence.We hope that at some future time we may have the opportunity of returning, in some small measure, the hospitality which your Lodge extended to the New Zealand Freemasons. Both the Lodge and its members will ever be held in kindly remembrance by those of our Brethren who were privileged to be received within its portals, and that the Great Architect of the Universe may watch over and give you prosperity will ever be the wish of the New Zealand Freemasons.
With Fraternal greetings to the Worshipful Master, Wardens and members.
We beg to remain, on behalf of the N. Z. E. F. M. Association,
Yours fraternally,
Geo. Barclay, Lt. -Col. President
A. Hardy, C.F. General Secretary."

The year 1925 was of course a memorable one for Freemasonry as a whole as it saw the establishment of the Masonic Million Memorial Fund (which resulted in the building of Grand Lodge). This Lodge was one of the first to
notify its intention of becoming a Hall Stone Lodge by subscribing 1000 guineas to the fund and received a Certificate to this effect and subsequently the Hall Stone jewel now worn by The W.M. and which is passed to each succeeding Master at his installation. Whilst I am sure we did not celebrate this occasion by dancing in the streets, it may perhaps have been an expression of our euphoria that at the end of that year it was decided, for the first time, to permit dancing at the Ladies' Festival.

Nine years later, 1934, brought us a further letter of which I am delighted to say the contents have been recorded for posterity. This was from the Royal Masonic Hospital and reads -

"Dear Bro. Turner, 10th October 1934
- The Roll of Founding Lodges -
One page of the Book of Founding Lodges which lies open in the bronze and crystal casket on the Dedication Stone in the entrance hall, is turned over every morning with due ceremonial. You might perhaps like to inform the Brethren at a convenient opportunity that today the record of the qualification of the Lion and Lamb Lodge No.192
as one of the original Founding Lodges of the former Freemasons' Hospital and Nursing Home, was exposed to view.
Yours sincerely and fraternally,

Percy Still, P.G.D.
C.H. Thorp, P.G.D

Our Ladies Festival in 1937 introduced one particularly pleasing note. You will remember that I mentioned that the Festival in 1901 had to be cancelled following the death of Queen Victoria which, of course, resulted in the then W. M., W. Bro. Stokes, missing his opportunity to act as president. The W. M. in 1937 was unable to attend or preside at his Ladies night and therefore Bro. Stokes was asked to preside and enjoyed being president on that occasion more than a quarter of a century later than would normally have been the case.

1937 also saw one of the greatest gatherings of Freemasons ever assembled in the World and I refer to the installation of King George Vlth as Past Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. This took place at the
Albert Hall in the presence of no less than 10, 000 Freemasons from all over the world and much mention has been made of the incredible roar of welcome which greeted the King on his entrance.

We were represented by the S. W. (in the unavoidable absence of the W. M.) and a number of Past Masters.
I think that as we are now approaching that period of the Lodge's history which can be personally recalled by several of our older members it would be opportune to finish my historic notes at that point as the events of the last 40-50 years can be recorded in more detail on another occasion. W. M. and Brethren, despite the inordinate length of this address I have been able to deal only cursorily with the history of the Lodge and touch upon only a few of the high-lights in our long existence. There are many features omitted - indeed the problem was not to find material but to decide what to leave out.

I have mentioned briefly, in the introduction to my talk, various brethren to whom I am indebted for any information but have had to omit so many other equally worthy brethren who contributed so much in their time - I
think particularly of Bro. Henry Muggeridge known as the Father of the Lodge and Bro. Butler who achieved the record of 67 years of continuous membership from 1823 till his death in 1890. These and other Brethren may have been unmentioned but they are certainly not forgotten and will receive their due acclaim in the history which I have been charged to write. At one time it was the custom to present an illuminated address to Brethren who, over a period of many years - sometimes more than half a century - had given so much of their life to the well being of the Lion and Lamb.

Alas we now have little trace of these addresses - some were handed back to the Lodge but destroyed with many other irreplaceable items in the last War but, fortunately, we still have one such address in our possession. This was the address presented to Bro. Cohu in 1919 to mark his 50 years as an active member of the Lodge and which recorded his Masonic career and contained a full list of the then members.

W. M., I do not think I can better end this document than by quoting the actual words with which Bro. Cohu terminated his address to the Lodge 72 years ago, in 1909, and which express so much my own feelings. I quote:-

W.Bro John Curtis.