Page 150 - An account of the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235. 1777 to 2012UGLE

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CELEBRATIONS

HIS chapter, which holds out promise of a retrospective feast for the
annalist and the gourmet, can only cause disappointment so meagre are
Tsuch records of these festivities as have come down to us.
The first of the celebrations in date and importance is that of the centenary of
the foundation of the Lodge in 1877.
This was foreshadowed in the previous year when on 14 November 1876
it was decided “That application be made to Grand Lodge to hold a centenary
festival in 1877 & wear a centenary jewel.”
The Grand Lodge gave the necessary sanction, and on 10 April 1877, the
W.M., Bro. Walter Webb, reported that the Centenary Warrant had been received
by him from the Grand Lodge and he moved “That the Centenary Warrant be
framed & left in charge of the W.M.” 57
This was carried and the W.M. “expressed his hope that the Brethren would use
their privilege at the festival to take place on the 8th May to wear the centenary
jewel”. And it was further agreed that “the place for holding the centenary festival
be left to the W.M.”
Whether the Brethren wore the centenary jewel on that occasion or no, the
use did not continue and Brethren now seem unaware that they are entitled to it.
58
The jewel authorised by Grand Lodge is illustrated in the Book of Constitutions;
a specimen formerly belonging to a member of the Lodge may be seen in the
Museum at Freemasons’ Hall. Its use might well be revived.
The Centenary Warrant was duly framed and is exhibited at all meetings of
59
the Lodge. It is engrossed on vellum and the principal words are illuminated in
gold, red and blue.
The text is as follows:

57 The Centenary Warrant is now mounted as described in footnote 37, page 109.
58 Nine silver gilt Centenary jewels were purchased by the Lodge from the Grand Secretary on
14 May 1884, at a cost of £11. 14s.
59 See footnote 37, page 109