Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement, No. 256.——(Continued).
History of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , No . 256 . ——( Continued ) .
( By Bro . HENRY * SADLER , Sub-Librarian to the Grand Lodge of England ) .
THE Lodge of Unity , IIOAV 82 , satisfied Avith his attainments and general conduct , first elected him their Master . He filled successively the chairs of 23 , 188 , 201 , 211 , 318 , 259 , and 7 , several times each , and died the Worshipful Master of the St . Michael's Lodge , No . 255 . For the last 16 years of his life , he was a distinguished member of
the Board of Benevolence , to qualify himself for Avhich he , during that period , annually filled the chair of a lodge , and discharged its arduous duties '' The difficulties Bro . Gilkes had encountered in perfecting himself in Masonry made him resolve to teach gratuitously such brethren as Avere disposed to attend him every day from
I'AST MASTEIVS JEAVEL l'HESENTKD TO 1 'ETKIt OILKKS IN ls' 22 .
one o ' clock till the time to attend some lodge or other , Avhere his evenings Avere generally spent ; he was always ready to receive them for this purpose , and even made several journies into Lincolnshire , Cambridge , and Norfolk , refusing all remuneration further than the mere expenses of his visit
" He Avas in a manner something Johnsonian in regard to Masonry—no advantage could be taken of him in lodge—he Avould not alloAY the slightest deviation in word , or manner , or mailer to please the most learned , or the most accomplished in other subjects ; Ave have observed him correct many men of rank and influence for deviations from the standard of
Masonic illustration , and who , to then * credit , acknowledged the reproof with all the courtesy which became their allegiance to the Craft " In his youth he must have been an extremely powerful man , for when in his 67 th year , on his return from the Blackfriars Lodge , he was attacked in Lincoln ' s Inn Fields
by four men , three of whom he knocked doAvn ; he generally carried a cook ' s knife to defend himself Avith in case of attack ; but , fortunately , he had left it at home on the night of the attack . " Although universally held in esteem amongst Masons , his conduct was always characterised by good sense ; he
never aspired beyond his station in life , and declined the honour of an office in the Grand Lodge , because he considered that his circumstances in life Avere not equal to the appointment . " By favour of the Percy Lodge , No . 198 , Ave are enabled to present to our readers an illustration of the handsome Past
Master ' s jewel , designed by Bro . John Harris , of Tracing Board fame , subscribed for in 1822 by some of the London pupils of Peter Gilkes , by whom it Avas bequeathed to his friend , executor , and favourite pupil , Bro . W . R . G . Key . The jewel , Avhich is profusely embellished with diamonds , is said to have cost one hundred guineas , and in 18 34 Bro . Key
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
History Of The Emulation Lod Ge Of Improvement, No. 256.——(Continued).
History of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , No . 256 . ——( Continued ) .
( By Bro . HENRY * SADLER , Sub-Librarian to the Grand Lodge of England ) .
THE Lodge of Unity , IIOAV 82 , satisfied Avith his attainments and general conduct , first elected him their Master . He filled successively the chairs of 23 , 188 , 201 , 211 , 318 , 259 , and 7 , several times each , and died the Worshipful Master of the St . Michael's Lodge , No . 255 . For the last 16 years of his life , he was a distinguished member of
the Board of Benevolence , to qualify himself for Avhich he , during that period , annually filled the chair of a lodge , and discharged its arduous duties '' The difficulties Bro . Gilkes had encountered in perfecting himself in Masonry made him resolve to teach gratuitously such brethren as Avere disposed to attend him every day from
I'AST MASTEIVS JEAVEL l'HESENTKD TO 1 'ETKIt OILKKS IN ls' 22 .
one o ' clock till the time to attend some lodge or other , Avhere his evenings Avere generally spent ; he was always ready to receive them for this purpose , and even made several journies into Lincolnshire , Cambridge , and Norfolk , refusing all remuneration further than the mere expenses of his visit
" He Avas in a manner something Johnsonian in regard to Masonry—no advantage could be taken of him in lodge—he Avould not alloAY the slightest deviation in word , or manner , or mailer to please the most learned , or the most accomplished in other subjects ; Ave have observed him correct many men of rank and influence for deviations from the standard of
Masonic illustration , and who , to then * credit , acknowledged the reproof with all the courtesy which became their allegiance to the Craft " In his youth he must have been an extremely powerful man , for when in his 67 th year , on his return from the Blackfriars Lodge , he was attacked in Lincoln ' s Inn Fields
by four men , three of whom he knocked doAvn ; he generally carried a cook ' s knife to defend himself Avith in case of attack ; but , fortunately , he had left it at home on the night of the attack . " Although universally held in esteem amongst Masons , his conduct was always characterised by good sense ; he
never aspired beyond his station in life , and declined the honour of an office in the Grand Lodge , because he considered that his circumstances in life Avere not equal to the appointment . " By favour of the Percy Lodge , No . 198 , Ave are enabled to present to our readers an illustration of the handsome Past
Master ' s jewel , designed by Bro . John Harris , of Tracing Board fame , subscribed for in 1822 by some of the London pupils of Peter Gilkes , by whom it Avas bequeathed to his friend , executor , and favourite pupil , Bro . W . R . G . Key . The jewel , Avhich is profusely embellished with diamonds , is said to have cost one hundred guineas , and in 18 34 Bro . Key