For information the renumbering from 1008 to Lodge 706 occurred when UGLE renumbered Lodges in 1863
The R.W.D.G.M., the Right Hon. Lord Panmure, paid a visit to Woolwich on the 4th of August, for the purpose of inaugurating a new Lodge, under the above title, the Brethren connected with it being principally officers in the artillery—it being the first occasion of his lordship performing such a ceremony since his accession to office.
The Town Hall, in which the ceremony took place, was handsomely decorated with banners, flowers, evergreens, etc., and the noble D.G.M, was assisted by Bros. W. H, White, P.G. Sec. Stephen Barton Wilson, G.D. ; Farnfield, Assist. G. Sec. ; John Hervey, P.G.D. ; Dr. Karcourtv D. Prov. Gr.M. for Surrey ; Bisgood, D. Prov, G.M. for Kent ; Logan, Prov. G. Reg., Jersey ; and a large number of the Brethren. The ceremony, which was most impressively performed, having concluded* The D.G.M. addressed Capt. Forbes, the W.M. named in the warrant, and said, it gave him great pleasure to place the worthy Brother in the chair as Master of the new Lodge, for which he anticipated great prosperity. He looked upon the position of the Master of a Freemasons’ Lodge as the highest honour to which a man could aspire. It proved that he had that within him which induced him to study art and science, and to practise the strictest virtue. The institution to which they had the honour to belong was peculiarly based upon the exercise of the most ennobling virtue which could adorn man—charity.
They did not admit ladies to a participation in their secrets ; not that they undervalued the worth of female virtue and charity, but because it was not thought desirable that they should take part in mysteries, which, from their very name, particularly pointed them out as belonging only to man. But though they did not admit ladies amongst them, there was nothing to prevent them hailing from a Lodge bearing the name of a lady, the more especially when she was herself the personification of every Masonic virtue. He thought this Lodge was most appropriately named, the “Florence Nightingale,” as she had shown herself to be a woman of rare heroism—one possessed of the most disinterested charity, who had left her home to succour the soldier in the hour of trouble, with no other motive than that of benefiting her fellow-creatures and putting into practice the ennobling virtue of charity, in its highest and holiest sense. Florence Nightingale had, by her conduct, endeared herself not only to the army, but to every household in England, her fame was not confined to any given spot, but, like their ancient Craft, was spread throughout the world. He trusted that Florence Nightingale might enjoy many years of that unalloyed happiness which works of pure charity alone could give, and that this Lodge, dedicated to her name, might flourish through many generations, and until time should be no more. The D.G.M., who was listened to with the deepest attention, resumed his seat amidst loud applause.
The noble lord called upon Bro. Stephen Barton Wilson, J.G.D., to install Bro. Forbes into the chair, which he did with his accustomed skill. The W.M. then appointed his officers as follow :—Bros. P. Laird, P.M., Treas. ; T. Moore, P.M., Sec.; Br. H. J. Hinxman, P.M., Dir. of Cers. ; Col, E. Wodehouse, Royal Artillery, S.W. ; W. C. Taylor, J.W. ; Capt. G. Davis, Royal Artillery, S.D.; G. W. Cann, J.D. ; Lieut. H. J. Alderson, Royal Artillery, I.G. ; J. Smith, Organist ; J. Allinson, Tyler. The W.M. said he had now to thank the R.W.D.G.M. for his kind attendance in Woolwich that day, and for having done him the honour of placing him in the chair. He could assure the noble lord that he not only expressed his own feelings, but those of all the officers and members of the Florence Nightingale Lodge, in returning him their most sincere thanks for the great honour he had conferred upon them. The D.G.M. assured the W.M. and Brethren that it had given him great pleasure to attend their Lodge that day. In doing so he felt he had done nothing more than he was obligated to do—viz., to the utmost of his power to promote the interests of Freemasonry, He was sure, from what he knew of the Brethren comprising the Florence Nightingale Lodge, that it must prosper and reflect honour upon the Craft in which it was his pride to fill a somewhat important position. He could assure the Brethren that, at any time when it was thought he could promote the interests of the Order, his services would, as far as possible, be at their command. In conclusion, he begged to thank the Brethren for the honour conferred upon him, and the kind manner in which he had been received. The noble lord having resumed his seat amidst loud cheers, the Lodge was closed indue form. In the evening a large number of the Brethren dined together under the presidency of Captain Forbes, W.M., at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, but they were deprived of the pleasure of the company of the R.W.D.G.M. owing to his having to return to, town to attend to his parliamentary duties.
In addition to the Brethren we have named, there were present, amongst others, Bros. J. Townsend, M.P. ; T. Hassall, Quartermaster Royal Artillery ; E. Edwards, D. Walker, 0. Malings, J. Warreny M.D., and J. Finnimore ,M.D., Surgeons, Royal Artillery ; J. Franklin, Lieutenant, Royal Artillery; H. Allinson, M.D., Surgeon, Royal Artillery. The health of her Majesty and the M.W.G.M. having been duly honoured, The W.M. said he had now to propose a toast possessing more than usual interest, the health of R.W.D.G.M., who had honoured them with his presence that day ; and the past and present Grand Officers. They were particularly indebted, not only to the D.G.M., but to Bro. Wilson, for the part they had taken in the ceremonies of the day ; and he was sure they would be anxious to express their thanks by cordially drinking the toast. To Bro. White they were much indebted for his company; and he would therefore take the liberty of coupling with the toast, the names of Bros. White, Wilson, and Hervey. Bro. White, who was received with loud applause, regretted that Lord Panmure was not present to return thanks for the toast which had been so cordially drunk, as he was sure that he must have satisfied them, by the manner in which he had performed his duties in the Lodge, of the great interest he took in the prosperity of the Craft.
He believed there was not a more zealous or sincere Mason in England than Lord Panmure. His lordship was an old Mason, having been initiated in Canada when serving with his regiment, and having subsequently held high office in the Grand Lodge of England, when it was under His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex as G.M. His worthy Brother on his right (Bro. Wilson) was so well known that it was impossible for him to speak sufficiently in his favour, and he should therefore leave him to speak for himself. Personally it had been a matter of great pleasure and delight to be present that day to witness the consecration of the Lodge and the installation of a Master who, he was sure, so well deserved the confidence of the Brethren. He wished them every prosperity, being sure that they could not have adopted for their Lodge a name dearer to the hearts of Masons and of the people of England than that of Florence Nightingale. Bro. Wilson felt that Bro. White had left him nothing to say, beyond expressing his sincere thanks for the honour they had conferred upon him, assuring them that he should at all times be proud to render them any assistance in his power. Bro. Hervey also briefly acknowledged the compliment, The W.M. said that he had now to propose a toast individually of great importance to the members of the Lodge. That day they had consecrated a Lodge under the name of a lady who, as the D.G.M. had justly said, enjoyed not only an English but a world-wide reputation. Their Lodge was named the “ Florence Nightingale,” after a lady who was the first to volunteer her services to proceed on a mission of mercy to smooth the bed of the sick and dying soldier in the late war. Those who had been to the Crimea, knew how different were the military hospitals after the arrival of Miss Nightingale to what they had previously been.
He begged to propose to them the health of that best of women:
The toast was drunk with loud applause. Bro. White would take the liberty of proposing a toast, which he was quite satisfied they would be delighted to drink. He did so because there was no P.M. or other Brother m the Lodge who could claim that honour. The W.M. had manifested the greatest anxiety and zeal for the prosperity of the Lodge, and he felt sure, from wfo interests and comfort of the Brethren. He begged to propose “The health of the WM.” The toast having been responded to with all the honours, The W.M. returned thanks and said, that when it was first proposed to him to join the hew Lodge, he readily acquiesced, and it being afterwards discovered that lie was a P.M., he was asked to take upon himself the duties of the chair. He felt happy at having the opportunity to serve the Lodge, and he should make it his study to perform the duties to the utmost of his ability. He was so young an Officer and so young a Mason, that he was aware they might have found many men more worthy and more competent to fill the chair than himself (No, no), but they could not have found one with a more zealous desire to serve the Lodge and the Craft. He was glad to see several members of the other two Woolwich Lodges, Nos. 13 and 1,002, present, and he hoped they would always be found acting hand in hand together. He would now give them, “ The health of the visiting Brethren.” The toast was acknowledged to and Moore* Bro. Moore, having obtained the permission of the W.M. to propose a toast* would ask them to drink the health of a Brother whose courtesy and kindness every person who had visited the Grand Secretary’s office must have witnessed ; he alluded to the Assistant Grand Secretary, Bro. FarnfielcL (Cheers.) As Secretary of No. 13, he (Bro. Moore) had had frequent occasion to visit the office in Great Queen-street, and had ever received the most respectful and courteous attention from Bro. Farnfield. Bro. Farnfield assured the Brethren that the compliment which they, in conjunction with Bro. Moore, had been pleased to pay him, was totally unexpected on his part. He had ever endeavoured to do his duty to the Craft to the utmost of his ability, he should ever continue to do so, and if he met with the approbation of the Brethren, he would feel it to be his best reward. (Cheers.) Several other toasts were drunk, and brought the evening to a happy close. The band of the Royal Artillery was present during the dinner, and added much to the enjoyment of the Brethren.
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The R.W.D.G.M., the Right Hon. Lord Panmure, paid a visit to Woolwich on the 4th of August, for the purpose of inaugurating a new Lodge, under the above title, the Brethren connected with it being principally officers in the artillery—it being the first occasion of his lordship performing such a ceremony since his accession to office.
The Town Hall, in which the ceremony took place, was handsomely decorated with banners, flowers, evergreens, etc., and the noble D.G.M, was assisted by Bros. W. H, White, P.G. Sec. Stephen Barton Wilson, G.D. ; Farnfield, Assist. G. Sec. ; John Hervey, P.G.D. ; Dr. Karcourtv D. Prov. Gr.M. for Surrey ; Bisgood, D. Prov, G.M. for Kent ; Logan, Prov. G. Reg., Jersey ; and a large number of the Brethren. The ceremony, which was most impressively performed, having concluded* The D.G.M. addressed Capt. Forbes, the W.M. named in the warrant, and said, it gave him great pleasure to place the worthy Brother in the chair as Master of the new Lodge, for which he anticipated great prosperity. He looked upon the position of the Master of a Freemasons’ Lodge as the highest honour to which a man could aspire. It proved that he had that within him which induced him to study art and science, and to practise the strictest virtue. The institution to which they had the honour to belong was peculiarly based upon the exercise of the most ennobling virtue which could adorn man—charity.
They did not admit ladies to a participation in their secrets ; not that they undervalued the worth of female virtue and charity, but because it was not thought desirable that they should take part in mysteries, which, from their very name, particularly pointed them out as belonging only to man. But though they did not admit ladies amongst them, there was nothing to prevent them hailing from a Lodge bearing the name of a lady, the more especially when she was herself the personification of every Masonic virtue. He thought this Lodge was most appropriately named, the “Florence Nightingale,” as she had shown herself to be a woman of rare heroism—one possessed of the most disinterested charity, who had left her home to succour the soldier in the hour of trouble, with no other motive than that of benefiting her fellow-creatures and putting into practice the ennobling virtue of charity, in its highest and holiest sense. Florence Nightingale had, by her conduct, endeared herself not only to the army, but to every household in England, her fame was not confined to any given spot, but, like their ancient Craft, was spread throughout the world. He trusted that Florence Nightingale might enjoy many years of that unalloyed happiness which works of pure charity alone could give, and that this Lodge, dedicated to her name, might flourish through many generations, and until time should be no more. The D.G.M., who was listened to with the deepest attention, resumed his seat amidst loud applause.
The noble lord called upon Bro. Stephen Barton Wilson, J.G.D., to install Bro. Forbes into the chair, which he did with his accustomed skill. The W.M. then appointed his officers as follow :—Bros. P. Laird, P.M., Treas. ; T. Moore, P.M., Sec.; Br. H. J. Hinxman, P.M., Dir. of Cers. ; Col, E. Wodehouse, Royal Artillery, S.W. ; W. C. Taylor, J.W. ; Capt. G. Davis, Royal Artillery, S.D.; G. W. Cann, J.D. ; Lieut. H. J. Alderson, Royal Artillery, I.G. ; J. Smith, Organist ; J. Allinson, Tyler. The W.M. said he had now to thank the R.W.D.G.M. for his kind attendance in Woolwich that day, and for having done him the honour of placing him in the chair. He could assure the noble lord that he not only expressed his own feelings, but those of all the officers and members of the Florence Nightingale Lodge, in returning him their most sincere thanks for the great honour he had conferred upon them. The D.G.M. assured the W.M. and Brethren that it had given him great pleasure to attend their Lodge that day. In doing so he felt he had done nothing more than he was obligated to do—viz., to the utmost of his power to promote the interests of Freemasonry, He was sure, from what he knew of the Brethren comprising the Florence Nightingale Lodge, that it must prosper and reflect honour upon the Craft in which it was his pride to fill a somewhat important position. He could assure the Brethren that, at any time when it was thought he could promote the interests of the Order, his services would, as far as possible, be at their command. In conclusion, he begged to thank the Brethren for the honour conferred upon him, and the kind manner in which he had been received. The noble lord having resumed his seat amidst loud cheers, the Lodge was closed indue form. In the evening a large number of the Brethren dined together under the presidency of Captain Forbes, W.M., at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, but they were deprived of the pleasure of the company of the R.W.D.G.M. owing to his having to return to, town to attend to his parliamentary duties.
In addition to the Brethren we have named, there were present, amongst others, Bros. J. Townsend, M.P. ; T. Hassall, Quartermaster Royal Artillery ; E. Edwards, D. Walker, 0. Malings, J. Warreny M.D., and J. Finnimore ,M.D., Surgeons, Royal Artillery ; J. Franklin, Lieutenant, Royal Artillery; H. Allinson, M.D., Surgeon, Royal Artillery. The health of her Majesty and the M.W.G.M. having been duly honoured, The W.M. said he had now to propose a toast possessing more than usual interest, the health of R.W.D.G.M., who had honoured them with his presence that day ; and the past and present Grand Officers. They were particularly indebted, not only to the D.G.M., but to Bro. Wilson, for the part they had taken in the ceremonies of the day ; and he was sure they would be anxious to express their thanks by cordially drinking the toast. To Bro. White they were much indebted for his company; and he would therefore take the liberty of coupling with the toast, the names of Bros. White, Wilson, and Hervey. Bro. White, who was received with loud applause, regretted that Lord Panmure was not present to return thanks for the toast which had been so cordially drunk, as he was sure that he must have satisfied them, by the manner in which he had performed his duties in the Lodge, of the great interest he took in the prosperity of the Craft.
He believed there was not a more zealous or sincere Mason in England than Lord Panmure. His lordship was an old Mason, having been initiated in Canada when serving with his regiment, and having subsequently held high office in the Grand Lodge of England, when it was under His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex as G.M. His worthy Brother on his right (Bro. Wilson) was so well known that it was impossible for him to speak sufficiently in his favour, and he should therefore leave him to speak for himself. Personally it had been a matter of great pleasure and delight to be present that day to witness the consecration of the Lodge and the installation of a Master who, he was sure, so well deserved the confidence of the Brethren. He wished them every prosperity, being sure that they could not have adopted for their Lodge a name dearer to the hearts of Masons and of the people of England than that of Florence Nightingale. Bro. Wilson felt that Bro. White had left him nothing to say, beyond expressing his sincere thanks for the honour they had conferred upon him, assuring them that he should at all times be proud to render them any assistance in his power. Bro. Hervey also briefly acknowledged the compliment, The W.M. said that he had now to propose a toast individually of great importance to the members of the Lodge. That day they had consecrated a Lodge under the name of a lady who, as the D.G.M. had justly said, enjoyed not only an English but a world-wide reputation. Their Lodge was named the “ Florence Nightingale,” after a lady who was the first to volunteer her services to proceed on a mission of mercy to smooth the bed of the sick and dying soldier in the late war. Those who had been to the Crimea, knew how different were the military hospitals after the arrival of Miss Nightingale to what they had previously been.
He begged to propose to them the health of that best of women:
Miss Florence Nightingale, those charitable ladies who had assisted her in her holy mission, and the ladies generally.
The toast was drunk with loud applause. Bro. White would take the liberty of proposing a toast, which he was quite satisfied they would be delighted to drink. He did so because there was no P.M. or other Brother m the Lodge who could claim that honour. The W.M. had manifested the greatest anxiety and zeal for the prosperity of the Lodge, and he felt sure, from wfo interests and comfort of the Brethren. He begged to propose “The health of the WM.” The toast having been responded to with all the honours, The W.M. returned thanks and said, that when it was first proposed to him to join the hew Lodge, he readily acquiesced, and it being afterwards discovered that lie was a P.M., he was asked to take upon himself the duties of the chair. He felt happy at having the opportunity to serve the Lodge, and he should make it his study to perform the duties to the utmost of his ability. He was so young an Officer and so young a Mason, that he was aware they might have found many men more worthy and more competent to fill the chair than himself (No, no), but they could not have found one with a more zealous desire to serve the Lodge and the Craft. He was glad to see several members of the other two Woolwich Lodges, Nos. 13 and 1,002, present, and he hoped they would always be found acting hand in hand together. He would now give them, “ The health of the visiting Brethren.” The toast was acknowledged to and Moore* Bro. Moore, having obtained the permission of the W.M. to propose a toast* would ask them to drink the health of a Brother whose courtesy and kindness every person who had visited the Grand Secretary’s office must have witnessed ; he alluded to the Assistant Grand Secretary, Bro. FarnfielcL (Cheers.) As Secretary of No. 13, he (Bro. Moore) had had frequent occasion to visit the office in Great Queen-street, and had ever received the most respectful and courteous attention from Bro. Farnfield. Bro. Farnfield assured the Brethren that the compliment which they, in conjunction with Bro. Moore, had been pleased to pay him, was totally unexpected on his part. He had ever endeavoured to do his duty to the Craft to the utmost of his ability, he should ever continue to do so, and if he met with the approbation of the Brethren, he would feel it to be his best reward. (Cheers.) Several other toasts were drunk, and brought the evening to a happy close. The band of the Royal Artillery was present during the dinner, and added much to the enjoyment of the Brethren.
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