MASONIC. ST. JOHN'S DAY. PAISLEY ST. MIRREN LODGE On Monday night the members of Lodge Paisley St. Mirren, No. 129, celebrated the Festival St. John. They met about half-past six o'clock in their hall in Moss Street, and after having masonically clothed themselves themselves they marched, headed by the instrumental band of the Paisley Volunteer Corps accompanied by flag and torch bearers, through the streets of the northern part of the town and thence to the Newtown, where the procession halted at the residence of Brother ex-Bailie Hamilton in Thread Street The ex-Bailie is the oldest mason in the town, and, as may be supposed, was right heartily greeted. Leaving there, the procession recrossed the river to Causeyside, and refreshed themselves at the residence of their R.W.M. Br. A. Wallace. The R.W.M. then joined the procession, which proceeded to the west end, and returned by way of High Street to the Globe Hotel. Here the Lodge was opened for a time, and several deputations from sister lodges were received in true masonic style. Thereafter large number of the members of the lodge and their friends sat down to dinner, and were presided over by the R.W.M. Brother Wallace, the Senior and Junior Wardens, supported by Brother A. M'Leod, P.M.; Brother Hamilton, P.M.; Brother J. Wallace. D.M.; Brother Gilmour, Brother Hill, Brother H. S. Edmonds, secretary; Brother W. L. Mair, advocate, and others.
After an excellent dinner, which was served up in Mr Morrison's best style, The Chairman said that would ask them to drink a cordial bumper to the health of the Queen. Her Majesty knew quite well, he felt sure, that all masons were true and loyal, and were always ready to assist in promoting the welfare of the country over which she so happily reigned. The toast was drunk with full masonic honours. The Chairman then gave the toast of the "Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family." He remarked that His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, had become a mason, and all would feel proud of that. The Princess was an amiable lady, and was beloved by all with whom she was brought into contact. With respect to other members of the Royal Family, they showed every disposition to do well. The toast was drunk with honours. THE CHAIRMAN then said that the next toast was a most most important one and he would ask them to drink to it heartily. It was "The Grand Lodge Scotland." He would couple it with the toast of the health of the Earl of Dalhousie, who had proved himself to be everything that masons could desire. (Cheers.) The toast was enthusiastically drunk. The Chairman then proposed "The Grand Lodges of England and Ireland, coupled with the healths of their Grand Masters". The toast was heartily received.
The CROUPIER (the Senior Warden) asked them to join him in drinking the toast of "The Army, Navy and Volunteers." Br. CAPTAIN PEOCH replied briefly on behalf of the Army and Navy. Br. H. S. Edmonds (secretary) acknowledged the compliment paid to the Volunteers, and remarked that he was exceedingly pleased to find that the Government intended to extend their aid to the force as a means of making it more efficient (Cheers.) Br. A. M'Leod, P.M., gave the toast of "The Lord Lieutenant of the County." Sir Michael R. S. Stewart he said was a thorough gentleman and eminently qualified to fill the position of Lord Lieutenant (Loud cheers.) Br. G. F. Paton proposed the health of the "County, and Burgh Members." Both he said were well deserving of praise. (Cheers.) J. Carswell said that had been entrusted with a toast which he felt sure they would respond to with earnestness, "The town and trade of Paisley," they were all more or less interested in. If you looked back for a number of years and contrasted the state of things in those days with what they were now they would see vast change. True it was that the palmy days of the shawl weaving had passed away, but notwithstanding that other industries of equally as gigantic a nature had from time to time been established, which had materially assisted towards the progress of Paisley. (Cheers.)
He coupled the toast with name of Br. James Gilmour. (Cheers.) Br. James GILMOUR replied in an appropriate manner. Br. H. A. EDMONDS proposed the health of "The Provost and Magistrates of Paisley." He thought that the citizens should be proud to be ruled over by such intelligent men as those of their corporate body. (Cheers.) The toast was coupled with the name of Br. John Carswell. Br. J. Carswell returned thanks, and stated although he was and stated that although he was not a Councillor he felt as convener of the Fourth Ward, it might be said that he occupied a position equal in every respect, if not of a higher grade, than any Councillor or any member of a Municipal body. (loud cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then called upon Brother J. Gilmour. Brother GILMOUR said - Met as they were around that festive board to commemorate the memory of St. John, that great teacher of the principles of brotherly love and sympathy, he felt that they had entrusted him with a high honour in asking him to convey to their worthy late R.W.M, Br. A M'Leod, their feelings of esteem and love. (Cheers.) During the two years that Br. M'Leod presided over their lodge he had earned their respect, for he had tried to the best of his ability to fulfil the duties allotted to him. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) At the same time they must be aware that none had a higher or greater task to perform during their reign as R.W.M. He felt that he was not able to represent their feelings thoroughly, but there could be no doubt that during the time Br. M'Leod filled the office of R.W.M. he had done so to the satisfaction of the lodge - unassumingly energetically, and with a strictness that became the craft to which they belonged. (Loud cheers.) Without fear of contradiction from all former Past Masters he might say that he had done his duty, perhaps if not better, with as much satisfaction, as any his predecessors. (Loud cheers.) It was certainly a very happy thing to feel that they could honestly express a deep sympathy and love towards any one; and would indeed be awanting in that sympathy and love towards their esteemed P. M. did they not show what they felt in some tangible form. (Cheers). It was really a great pleasure to him to be made the medium of the lodge to present to their brother a token of the esteem and love they had for him, for the manner in which he had acquitted himself during the last two years. When P. M. M'Leod looked the present before him hoped it would recall to his mind the pleasant moments that evening, and cause him to recollect that his energies to uphold and promote the interests the lodge had not been thrown away. (Applause.) They would be aware that his duties must have called him from his domestic fireside, and deprived him oftentimes of the pleasure of his family happiness and comforts. His "better-half" too would be kept from her rest at night later for an hour, or probably two, than she would otherwise have been, waiting on his return from the lodge. There- fore the members of the lodge had not forgotten her. (Loud applause and laughter.) In consideration of all they had determined to present to their brother P. M. M'Leod the massive and handsome gilt timepiece which was before him, and to Mrs M'Leod a beautiful silver cake basket. The presentation was then formally made. The timepiece was a very magnificent one, and was supplied by Br. R. L. Hill, jeweller, of the High Street, was also the silver cake basket. The company rose en masse, and assisted Br. Gilmour right-heartedly to make the presentation.
Br. M'LEOD, who was warmly received, replying, said that with reference to what Br. Gilmour had said, he had truly felt it somewhat difficult at times to approach the St. Mirren's Lodge when a flow of business was before it. He assured them that replying to the able remarks of Br. Gilmour, and to the kindly feelings he had expressed towards him that evening, he was at a loss to find words sufficient to convey his feelings. He had had something like a speech made, but after Br. Gilmour had spoken so well it had fairly taken the feet from him and rendered his prepared speech useless. (Cheers and laughter.) The like a speech made, but after Br. Gilmour had spoken so well it had fairly taken the feet from him and rendered his prepared speech useless. (Cheers and laughter.) The duties of a R.W.M. were at all times arduous and he would It had, as had been remarked, taken him a good deal from his home, but was proud indeed that his services had given such general satisfaction. During his reign he had had to take his part with the lodge the ceremonials of the opening of the Fountain Gardens and the laying of the foundation stone of the New Museum and Reading Room. (Applause.) In both cases a great many new members were anxious to join the craft, and the business of installation was one that he felt at the time would have been far more ably performed by some of the brethren higher in the scale of education than he was. In returning thanks for the handsome present he would say that it was a gift never expected to receive, and therefore be was placed that evening in position he never thought of being in. (Applause.) If he had not therefore sufficiently thanked the brethren he hoped they would take the will for the deed. (Applause.) He would prize the gift as long as he lived, and he hoped than when he was no more it would be memorial to those who came after him of the happy years,, he had filled the chair in St. Mirren's Lodge. (Applause.) Br. M'Leod then thanked the brethren for the appropriate present to his wife, and sat down amid loud applause.
The Chairman afterwards proposed "The Past Masters," to which Br ex-Bailie Hamilton replied. Br W. Ludovic Mair, advocate, in an eloquent address proposed "The Press" and referred to the many improvements that had been made of late years towards facilitating the means of supplying the world with literature. After dwelling for a short time on the onerous duties which attached to those who collected information for the public, he concluded by coupling the toasts with the name of Mr. J. Drewette, of the Daily Mail. Mr DREWETTE briefly replied. Br Past-Master M'LEOD proposed the toast of "Lodge St. Mary's Chapel No 1" which was replied to by Br W. L. Mair. The other toasts were "The office bearers", by Br W. Paterson, replied to by the R.W.M; "The Deputations," Deputations were received during the evening from the following lodges:- Renfrew County Kilwinning, 370 : Renfrew Prince of Wales 426; Greenock St. John's 175; and Port-Glasgow Doric Kilwinning, 68.