Consecration to the end of the 19th Century
We were consecrated at Licence's Assembly Rooms on the sea
front, in the presence of the Right Worshipful, the Provincial Grand Master,
Viscount Holmesdale, M.P., by Worshipful Brother Henry Muggeridge, a Past
Master of the Lion and Lamb Lodge No. 227 (now 192) who installed as first
Master Brother George Adamson of 199.
At this meeting eight gentlemen were proposed for initiation and eleven as
joining members. Trinity Pilots predominated, but veterinary
surgeons, licensed victuallers, printers, tailors, and grocers were among
the number. Brother Adamson must have worked very
hard. At his first meeting in March he initiated eight candidates
and admitted the joining members. How he coped we cannot think;
but he did. Incidentally, the Lodge opened at 6.15 pm and closed
at 9.45 pm. Our meetings were held at the Royal Hotel in Clarence
Place. (Royal Hotel)
The minutes rarely mention 'after proceedings', but I suspect that there
was some 'calling off', and the Junior Warden's column was occasionally in
the erect position. However, here is a brief account of what
followed our 1870 Installation:
"The brethren then adjourned (5.30) to a superior banquet, replete with
every comfort, served up by our worthy and esteemed host, Brother Past
Master Adamson. After the usual patriotic and Masonic toasts, a
number of excellent songs were sung by the brethren, and the evening was
passed with harmony and decorum peculiar to the
craft". What more could be desired?
In February 1875, Brother William Albert Smeeth was installed as Master. His promotion had been rapid; but his influence in Lodge lasted over half a century. He was Secretary of the Lodge for 37 years from 1876, and his minutes can still be read without eyestrain.
In September 1886, we moved from the Royal Hotel to the Freemason's Hall, a building recently acquired. Ten shillings per member was voted as our contribution to the decoration and furnishing of our new home. The Master was Worshipful Brother Woldemar Oehme Kennett, who had a considerable share in the acquisition of the new building.
Queen Victoria's Jubilee Year saw the birth of the Military Jubilee Lodge on 23rd March 1887. We were the sponsoring Lodge and watched with interest the rapid growth and popularity of the new Lodge.
The last decade of the century was for us a period of steady growth in
numbers and friendly relationships between Lodges in Dover and in
neighbouring towns. To read of the initiation of such stalwarts
as David Henry Wilson, Charles James Sellens, Edward Wilfred Barclay and
Alexander William Prince is something of a thrill. It is also a
reminder of passing years! Those stalwarts quickly reached the
chair; Brother Sellens occupied it during 1899-1900, and it was during his
mastership that the Masonic Hall Company was formed to take over from the
trustees the ownership of the Masonic Hall. Brothers Sellens and
Smeeth were appointed to the Board of Directors and the Company leased the
building to the Masonic Hall Committee at a rental of £85 per
annum. Brother Sellens' last initiate was Charles Steven Harris,
who so frequently entertained the Lodge with 'The Bells of St. Mary'.