In August 1871 the secretary read a letter from Bro Clarke, Master at Arms of HMS Volage at Copenhagen, informing the lodge of the death by drowning of our Bro H. J. Lippard, Steward of HMS Volage, who was washed overboard during a storm.

In 1872 there is notice given of the Provincial meeting at the Sussex Hotel, Tunbridge Wells on 3rd July, breakfast at 11.00 am, lodge at the Corn Exchange 12.30 pm, church 2.00 pm, banquet at 4.00 pm.

At the installation meeting in 1874 it was first recorded that the Installing Master addressed the WM, Wardens and Brethren in the most impressive manner from the different points.

Bro Pelton served the lodge as Tyler for 38 years and in 1876 he reported that owing to failing health he must of necessity retire from that office. The lodge immediately voted him an honorary member but he unfortunately died in March 1880.

Also in 1876 it was proposed that a company be formed to be called “The Masonic and Public Hall Company”. It was suggested that if every member purchased two £4 shares sufficient capital would be raised. A committee was formed and they were encouraged to search for a suitable site on which to build. Little more was heard of this project although certain monies must have been subscribed because two years later trustees were appointed to invest this money.

In 1877 dispensation was received from the DepPGM to initiate Mr Harry Cooper for the purpose of being Tyler and in that year a silk banner was presented to the lodge by Bro White-Pearce and it remained in use until November 1982.

In 1878 a harmonium was purchased for use in the lodge and four years later is the first record of the opening and closing hymns being used.

Also recorded in the minutes of 24th September 1878 is the greatest tragedy that ever occurred on the Thames when on the evening of 3rd September the Steam Ship “Princess Alice” was sunk after a collision, when some 700 lives were lost and among them a member of the lodge, Bro Charles Jardine.

In March 1879 the meeting nights of the Lodge of Instruction were reviewed and it was resolved — “That the Lodge of Instruction meet every Tuesday evening throughout the year except on regular Lodge night, and in the months of June, July and August” — and this has continued practically unchanged up to the present time.

On 26th November 1879 an invitation was received to attend the Consecration of the Lullingstone Lodge No. 1837. An application for the loan of the organ for use at the Consecration at Farningham was also considered. A resolution respecting the non-removal of the organ from the lodge room was suspended, and it was agreed to loan the organ for the ceremony on the payment of £1.

In January 1880 a candidate reported properly prepared was admitted and the initiation ceremony commenced, when it was discovered that by an oversight of the Tyler in the preparation of the candidate, the ceremony had to be repeated. After the completion of the initiation ceremony, the Tyler was called into the lodge and admonished by the WM. An interesting point of procedure noted in the minutes over a considerable period is that previous to the ceremonies of passing and raising the brethren were called to the East to answer the usual questions. Later in that year Bro P. M. Harvey presented to the lodge a square, level and plumb rule in mahogany, made by himself, with the hope that they would remain for many years after he had passed away. The WM accepted them on behalf of the lodge and, at the same time, congratulated Bro Harvey on the craftsmanship he had displayed.

The Vicar of Wilmington, the Rev Robert Jamblin, who was a member of Gundulf Lodge was the ProvGChap of Kent. He became a joining member and Chaplain of both Lullingstone Lodge and The Lodge of Emulation and in June 1882 he arranged for a Masonic Church Service to be held at Wilmington. Our lodge attended this service and the vicar afterwards announced that he would erect a Memorial Window in the church to record the occasion. The lodge decided to donate the sum of £5 5s as a contribution towards the cost.

In July 1882 it was proposed that the consent of the lodge be given to the removal of the Lullingsone Lodge from Farningham to a place nearer Dartford.