MAEdwardVII

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EDWARD VII 1841-1910

210px-Eduard_VII.jpg

Grand Master of England, 1874-1900
King of Great Britain, 1901-1910

MEMORIAL

From Proceedings, Page 1910-82, address of the Grand Master:

Albert Edward, the second child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, was born in London Nov. 9, 1841. He was created Prince of Wales Dec. 8, 1841, and Earl of Dublin Jan. 17, 1850. He received other titles under the Statute of Edward III., Scottish titles from Robert III. of Scotland, and Irish titles were conferred upon him by Queen Victoria Sept. 10, 1849.

In 1860 he visited America, arriving in Boston October 1 at four o'clock in the afternoon. He was given a reception by the civil and military authorities and by people of the State. Bro. Nathaniel P. Banks, who was Governor, escorted him to the Revere House, the dragoons and infantry forming a grand procession amidst the greatest cheering by the people who lined the streets. October 18 was made by proclamation a holiday in Boston in honor of the Prince; the places of business were closed and there was a quiet Sunday-like appearance. At eleven o'clock A.M. the Prince€ visited the Governor at the State House; receptions were held in the Representative and Senate Chambers, followed by a review of the State militia. In the afternoon two thousand children welcomed him in Music Hall, singing the national ode written by Oliver Wendell Holmes. In the evening a ball was given in his honor at the Boston Theatre. The next day the Prince visited Cambridge and Mount Auburn. On October 20 His Royal Highness and suite, "amidst every demonstration of esteem and affection from the persons who had helped to entertain him, and the whole people of Boston, took their departure from that interesting city for Portland."

In 1863, he married at Windsor, England, Alexandra, eldest daughter of Christian IX. of Denmark. She survives her royal husband, comforted and strengthened by the sympathy of the civilized world.

The Prince of Wales was initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry by the King of Sweden in December, 1868, while on a visit to Stockholm. In September, 1869, the Grand Lodge of England conferred upon him the rank of Past Grand Master, and in December of the same year he became Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England. He held this position for twenty-seven years, 1874-1900, during which time one thousand three hundred and eleven new lodges were added to the English Register, and ten millions of dollars were expended by the Grand Lodge in charity.

On his elevation to the throne he was succeeded as Grand Master by his brother, His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. In reply to an address to the King by the Grand Lodge, he said, "I shall not cease to retain the same deep interest that I have always felt in Freemasonry, and as Protector of English Freemasonry I shall continue to watch over its interests and to rejoice over its prosperity and growth."

King Edward VII. died May 6, 1910, and his remains were deposited in their resting-place May 20. Around his bier were gathered the representatives of the Republics and Kingdoms of the earth. His last words reveal the calmness and satisfaction of his mind: "Well, it is all over, but I think I have done my duty."

Expressive of our regret at the death of our distinguished Brother and of our sincere sympathy with our English Brethren, I sent the following communication which, with the reply received from the Grand Secretary of England, will be read by the Recording Grand Secretary:

Boston May 7, 1910.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, K.G., Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United, Grand, Lodge of England,

Most Worshipful, and Dear Brother: Without waiting for official information of the death of his Majesty, King Edward VII., Past Most Worshipful Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, indebted to the Grand Lodge of England for the initial authority under which constituted Freemasonry was established in North America, desire to express their sincere and profound regret at the death of so eminent and distinguished a Mason, the Protector of English Freemasons, and to offer to the Brethren of the Fraternity represented by your Most Worshipful Grand Lodge their condolence in this hour of bereavement. We shall ever cherish in fraternal remembrance the distinguished services of our late Most Worshipful Brother, not the least of which was rendered when he consented to assume the office of Grand Master, since then so ably filled by him and by yourself, and we desire to unite with our Brethren of England in cherishing the memory of one who, appreciating the Fraternity, was pleased to lend his countenance and presence to the propagation of the moral and humanitarian principles which our Fraternity represents.

We also desire to tender most courteously our sincere sympathy to you, his brother, and to the other members of the Royal Family.

ln the name of,the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts,
Dana Judson Flanders,
Most Worshipful Grand Master.

Att€ested and entered upon the records of the Grand Lodge.
Thomas W. Davis, Recording Grand Secretary.

United Grand Lodge of England,
Freemasons' Hall,
Great Queen St., London, W.C.,
27 May, 1910.

Most Worshipful and dear Brother: I have received the commands of the Most Worshipful Grand Master to ask you to be so good as to convey to the Brethren of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts the grateful thanks of His Royal Highness and of the Grand Lodge of England for the fraternal sentiments expressed in your communication of the 7th instant, and for heir sympathy with himself and the other members of the Royal Family in their deep sorrow.

I am, Most Worshipful and dear Brother,
Yours faithfully anal fraternally,

E. Letchworth.


Distinguished Brothers