Page 8 - Book 1_Neat

the first ten years alms were collected at he Festive Board. I recall at time in the 70s or 80s
when there was a directive that alms must be collected in the Lodge.

MEMBERSHIP

On 16 April 1953 Bro D S Clemence proposed Arthur William Payne, one of the candidates
for Initiation. This was the first time that someone was proposed other than by a Founder.
Bro Clemence was the first Joining Member of the Lodge. At the same meeting the Assistant
PGM, W Bro was made an Honorary Member

First death of a member was Bro Leonard Brain, a Founder and Chief Steward, on 15 October
1953.

First resignation was reported on 21 January 1954. Bro Fred Willetts.

On three occasions by November 1953 two brethren were part of a double Initiation, Passing
and Raising.
.

ODDS and ………….

In October 1952 two interesting items were reported from Grand Lodge. There was a growing
practice of circulating ‘Chain Prayers’. Brethren instructed to destroy them if received and
not forward them. A chain prayer is simply a request that people join you in prayer and pass
the chain along. The idea is that the more people you have praying together, the more amplified
the power of the prayer. It is a practice that seems to continue.

Second secretary made omissions like the first.

When a master handed over the chair to another brother for a ceremony it was referred to as
handing over the authority of the Lodge when handed back until November 1953 when the
‘gavel was returned or chair re-occupied.

Reports from PGL are duplicated sheets.
Alms and subscriptions always collected at the Festive Board.

17 April 1952 The first summons to include a reading from the VSL. Minutes record 1 Kings
chap 7 vs 1 -12. Reading initially at the end after the Risings but later changed to just before
the Risings. The readings were rarely made by the Chaplain and varied form senior Past
Masters to fairly new Brethren.

On 15 November 1951 the style of the Summons changed for the first time on the front page.
Shenstone Lodge comes under the square and Compasses but still has the green box. On 19
November 1953 it changed again by removing the green box.

In the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 1953 the Secretary reported "An
acknowledgement of the receipt of the return of members was received from the Clerk of the