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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKS AND BUCKS. Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
in the most admirable manner , as in fact he always did . He then alluded to the dignity of Past Grand rank having been conferred upon their excellent Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Bradley , who so well discharged his duty to the Province , and whom they all hoped might continue
to do so for many years to come ; and also upon Bro . W . E . Stewart P . G . S . W ., who was well known in the Province in the cause of Charity . From the statement , which had been read by the Provincial Grand Secretary ifc would appear that the Craft was not making much advancement
in the Province ; still , he was glad to observe it was nofc going back . The Charities had been well supported , and he asked the brethren to comply with the suggestions that had been thrown out with respect to forwarding all votes to the Charity Committee , in order to strengthen their
hands . If these votes were scattered about indiscriminately , they were of no benefit to anybody ; he hoped , therefore , they would send their votes to fche Committee , by whom they would be made the besfc use of . He hoped they would excuse him from dining with them that day , for he
felt hardly equal to the lack of any further exertion ; and concluded by wishing continued prosperity to the Province . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due form , after solemn prayer by Bro . the Rev . R . F . Harnett Provincial Grand Chaplain .
The banquet took place at fche Town Hall , were a numerous company sat down , under the presidency of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C . On his right was seated the District Graud Master of New York City , and on his left the Bishop of New Westminster . An excellent repast was prepared ,
but the arrangements were considerably marred by the inefficiency of the attendance—a circumstance much to be regretted on such an occasion . At dessert , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in proposing the Queen and the Craft , said under ordinary circumstances the toast was proposed in three words , but he should depart very shortly from
that practice , for he felt sure on this occasion , being the fiftieth year of Her Majesty ' s reign , meeting as they did in the Royal Borough of Windsor , they would wish him to say a few more words than usual . Many of them had seen in London , and most of them had seen in Windsor , the manner in whioh Her Most Gracious Majesty was
greeted . Those cheers represented to a great extent that loyalty whioh existed in the heart of every Mason—that feeling which disposed them to support the constituted authority , in whomsoever that constituted authority was placed . But he felfc sure that when they thus greeted Her Majesty there was something more than
the ordinary rendering of thafc duty which was due from every citizen : there was that affectionate greeting which they all gave to the Quoen as a woman who had in every matter of sympathy shown herself in touch with her subjects . Whenever any groat disaster
occurred either at home or abroad , the first telegram was from Her Majesty , showing her solicitude for those in trouble . She had won the hearts of her subjects , not merely because she waa Queen , but because she had kept herself iu thorough sympathy with all over whom she ruled .
The Deputy P . G . M . then gave the Moat Worshipful Grand Master , observing that any ono who was at all behind the scenes in Grand Lodge could testify thafc the office was one not merely of au ornamental character . He knew that every matter of importance was brought under His Royal Highoess's own cognisance , and received
his personal attention . The Prince of Wales interested himself most kindly and actively iu everything that concerned the Craft ; long might he be spared to do so . The next toast was that of the Grand Officer .., and in reference to ifc the D . P . G . M . said fcheir ranks had received a very large
acquisition this year , a number of Grand Officers having been made ou the occasion of the Jubilee meeting afc the Albert Hall . They were glad to find many of these were old friends and well known in the Province , and they were especially pleased to find that their own Provincial Grand Secretory , Bro . Bradley , and others who had
worked arduously and assiduously for the Masonic Charities had been admitted to the dais . He associated with the toast the name of Bro . the Rev . R . P . Bent P . G . C . Bro . Bent felfc ifc a very weighty responsibility to be called upon to return thanks for so august a body as thafc which comprised the Pro Grand Master , tho Deputy Grand
Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Fust . He believed the Earl of Lathom was not far from them at that moment , for ho saw him yesterday in St . George ' s Chapel . When he thonght of the very distinguished names he was responding for he was overwhelmed with the responsibility that had been put upon him . It fell
to his lot to be the Senior Grand Chaplain at the installation of His Royal Highness tbe Prince of Wales , an event which he should ever remember , even if he lived to the age of Mothusalah . Ifc rejoiced him to see hononr dono to mauy brethren of this Province , including Bros . Bradley and Stewart , aud equally so the Secretaries of out
three great Masonic Institutions . Bro . Stewart P . P . G . S . W . also responded . lie felt it a great hotiom to be ranked among the purple , and to belong to this Province . It was not due to anything that he had done especially , but waa rathe * an honour to the Lodges to which ho had the privilege and pleasure
of belonging . mi | ihe Deputy Provincial Grand Master next proposed the Provinciiil Grand Muster , Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., aud in doiu- ' so said thev
were exceedingly grateful to Sir Daniel , iu a moment of so great anxiet y and trouble , and in the midst of accumulated business , fur absenting himself temporarily from thafc business in order to pre-¦ side over their Provincial Grand Lodge . Thoy ali regretted that ho
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
did nofc feel equal to the task of being present at tho banquet' but they would be j » lad to know that he had not overtaxed bis strength by the duties he had performed elsewhere . Bro . the Rev . Oliver Grace P . G . C . ask » d permission to propose fche next toast—the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Past Deputy
Provincial Grand Masters , and Past Grand Officers of the Province . He felt ho was hardly the person fco do this ; from any rank he held in the Province , but although there might be others more worthy to propose the toasfc , there was nono who could have done it with feel , ings of moro profound satisfaction . The Deputy Provincial Grand
Mastor had sketched to them in Grand Lodge the office he held , the duties of which he performed so well ; he took the greatest interest in the affairs of the Province , and proposed those things which had to be brought before the notice of Provincial Grand Lodge in a way which made everything smooth and convenient . They were
all able to judge how well the rest ; of the Provincial Grand Officers performed their duties , and he gave them the toast with great cor diality and feelings of satisfaction . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in responding , felfc sure fchey would expect only a very short speech from him now . He had many
duties to perform in Masonry , but he could say for himself there wai nothing that gave him greater pleasure than when he was acting as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Berks and Backs . Bro . Grace had said he felt he was hardly the person to propose this toast , bufc he entertained a different opinion , for Bro . Grace was his oldest
friend in Masonry . Twenty-six or fcwenfcy-seven years ago , when he was a P . O . Mason , he remembered hearing a distinguished Paat Master addressing the brethren in forming a University Lodge ; and , looking at him from the end of the room , he hoped that some day he might become as great a man as Bro . Grace was then , and is now .
If ho had accomplished that object , ifc was in some measure dne to the grand example set him by Bro . Grace . He then proceeded to speak of the Visitors , observing thafc this was a toasfc always received with acclaim , and more especially so that day , as he was going to associate with ib the name of a Brother whose health ought to have
been proposed before . It had suggested itself to him to propose the toast of the Sister Grand Lodges , bufc something in the musical arrangements , with the harmouy of whioh lie did not wish to interfere , caused it to escape him . When he told them the B ofcher to whom he referred was the District Grand Master of New Turk
they would , he felfc sure , accord to him an enthusiastic , alt-oagh somewhat late , welcome . They probably knew whafc an important institution Masonry was in the United States of America . There were 48 Grand Lodges—not Provincial Grand Lodges—all exercising a separate and independent jurisdiction . New York City was the
key fco the United States , and Bro . Tilton the District Grand Master , occupied a position there similar to tbat whioh H . RH . the Prince of Wales held in this country . Therefore , it was a visitor of no mean distinction they had amongst that day . Going back to the topic which was all-engrossing this year , and meeting in the Royal
Borough of Winsdor , he could assure Bro . Tilton thafc amongst the citizens of the States who came over here to celebrate Her Majesty ' s Jubilee thore were no che . r . Englishmen were more glad to hear than those which came from the hearts and voices of citizens of the United States of America . They felt , especially this year , that wherever the
English language was spoken , there was a tie which could never be cut asund' -r , and thoy felfc , especially as Mas ins , when distinguished brethren like Bro . Tilton came amongst them , they must receive them not only as brothers iu name but as brothers indeed . The toast was received with loud and prolonged cheering .
Bro . The '* doro H . Tilton , District Grand Master of Now York , was leceived with a perfect ovation on rising to respond . He thanked the Deputy Provincial Grand Mnster most heartily for fcho kind wunls he had expressed iu giving the toast , and he desired to thank the brethren for fcho great cordiality with which it had been received .
It had given him very great pleasure to be present that day in the Royal Borough of Windsor , and to attend the meeting of their Provincial Grand Lodge . The President had said there were 48 Grand Lodges in tho United States ; he was right in the number , aud they comprised 600 , 000 Freemasons . But in New York
they had 725 Lodges , with a membership of more than 75 . 000 Freemasons . When he spoke of this he might say the New York Grand Lodge was one of the largest and oldest of all the Grand Lodges in the States . Ifc celebrated its 112 th anniversary on the 7 th of June this year . They were divided into 29 District Grand
Lodges , and he had had the honour for some years past of representing twenty-four Lodges and about -1 , 000 Freemasons . Somo of the District Grand Lodges were not quite so large , ranging from 2 , 000 to 4 , 000 . Freemasonry had increased during fche past twenty-live years in membership in the United States almost equal
iu ratio with thafc iu England since the accession of H . R . H . the Princo of Wales as Grand Master . He was present lasfc year at Brighton , and hoard the remarks the Prince made as to the advance Freemasonry had made during the reign of his Most Gracious Mother the Queen . lie said the Craffc had increased a hundredfold
during the last forty years and ibhad increased iu the United Si a . 68 of America almost to thafc extent ; so thafc fche Americans were keeping paee with England . Of late they had founded an Anglo-American Lodge in London , where they could receive American brethren cqnallv with those belonging to this country . They gave
all American brethren a hearty welcome when they came on thia side . The Lodge was founded under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodgo of England , the M . W . G . M . having granted a special dispensation for it , as there were already 150 Lodges iu the -Metropolitan district' . The members of the Anglo-American Lodge
would be most happy to receive visits from any of the brethren he ; : av ,- around him , and they might be assured of a very hearty welcome . lie again thanked them for the cordiality of thoir greeting , and tendered to them the hearty good wishes of the United Grand Lodge i if tho State of New York . 'Ihe Deputy Grand Master gave , without any preface , the Masonic -Jh-ui . ies , merely observing that every one present had more or les .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
in the most admirable manner , as in fact he always did . He then alluded to the dignity of Past Grand rank having been conferred upon their excellent Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Bradley , who so well discharged his duty to the Province , and whom they all hoped might continue
to do so for many years to come ; and also upon Bro . W . E . Stewart P . G . S . W ., who was well known in the Province in the cause of Charity . From the statement , which had been read by the Provincial Grand Secretary ifc would appear that the Craft was not making much advancement
in the Province ; still , he was glad to observe it was nofc going back . The Charities had been well supported , and he asked the brethren to comply with the suggestions that had been thrown out with respect to forwarding all votes to the Charity Committee , in order to strengthen their
hands . If these votes were scattered about indiscriminately , they were of no benefit to anybody ; he hoped , therefore , they would send their votes to fche Committee , by whom they would be made the besfc use of . He hoped they would excuse him from dining with them that day , for he
felt hardly equal to the lack of any further exertion ; and concluded by wishing continued prosperity to the Province . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in due form , after solemn prayer by Bro . the Rev . R . F . Harnett Provincial Grand Chaplain .
The banquet took place at fche Town Hall , were a numerous company sat down , under the presidency of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg P . G . C . On his right was seated the District Graud Master of New York City , and on his left the Bishop of New Westminster . An excellent repast was prepared ,
but the arrangements were considerably marred by the inefficiency of the attendance—a circumstance much to be regretted on such an occasion . At dessert , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in proposing the Queen and the Craft , said under ordinary circumstances the toast was proposed in three words , but he should depart very shortly from
that practice , for he felt sure on this occasion , being the fiftieth year of Her Majesty ' s reign , meeting as they did in the Royal Borough of Windsor , they would wish him to say a few more words than usual . Many of them had seen in London , and most of them had seen in Windsor , the manner in whioh Her Most Gracious Majesty was
greeted . Those cheers represented to a great extent that loyalty whioh existed in the heart of every Mason—that feeling which disposed them to support the constituted authority , in whomsoever that constituted authority was placed . But he felfc sure that when they thus greeted Her Majesty there was something more than
the ordinary rendering of thafc duty which was due from every citizen : there was that affectionate greeting which they all gave to the Quoen as a woman who had in every matter of sympathy shown herself in touch with her subjects . Whenever any groat disaster
occurred either at home or abroad , the first telegram was from Her Majesty , showing her solicitude for those in trouble . She had won the hearts of her subjects , not merely because she waa Queen , but because she had kept herself iu thorough sympathy with all over whom she ruled .
The Deputy P . G . M . then gave the Moat Worshipful Grand Master , observing that any ono who was at all behind the scenes in Grand Lodge could testify thafc the office was one not merely of au ornamental character . He knew that every matter of importance was brought under His Royal Highoess's own cognisance , and received
his personal attention . The Prince of Wales interested himself most kindly and actively iu everything that concerned the Craft ; long might he be spared to do so . The next toast was that of the Grand Officer .., and in reference to ifc the D . P . G . M . said fcheir ranks had received a very large
acquisition this year , a number of Grand Officers having been made ou the occasion of the Jubilee meeting afc the Albert Hall . They were glad to find many of these were old friends and well known in the Province , and they were especially pleased to find that their own Provincial Grand Secretory , Bro . Bradley , and others who had
worked arduously and assiduously for the Masonic Charities had been admitted to the dais . He associated with the toast the name of Bro . the Rev . R . P . Bent P . G . C . Bro . Bent felfc ifc a very weighty responsibility to be called upon to return thanks for so august a body as thafc which comprised the Pro Grand Master , tho Deputy Grand
Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Fust . He believed the Earl of Lathom was not far from them at that moment , for ho saw him yesterday in St . George ' s Chapel . When he thonght of the very distinguished names he was responding for he was overwhelmed with the responsibility that had been put upon him . It fell
to his lot to be the Senior Grand Chaplain at the installation of His Royal Highness tbe Prince of Wales , an event which he should ever remember , even if he lived to the age of Mothusalah . Ifc rejoiced him to see hononr dono to mauy brethren of this Province , including Bros . Bradley and Stewart , aud equally so the Secretaries of out
three great Masonic Institutions . Bro . Stewart P . P . G . S . W . also responded . lie felt it a great hotiom to be ranked among the purple , and to belong to this Province . It was not due to anything that he had done especially , but waa rathe * an honour to the Lodges to which ho had the privilege and pleasure
of belonging . mi | ihe Deputy Provincial Grand Master next proposed the Provinciiil Grand Muster , Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., aud in doiu- ' so said thev
were exceedingly grateful to Sir Daniel , iu a moment of so great anxiet y and trouble , and in the midst of accumulated business , fur absenting himself temporarily from thafc business in order to pre-¦ side over their Provincial Grand Lodge . Thoy ali regretted that ho
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.
did nofc feel equal to the task of being present at tho banquet' but they would be j » lad to know that he had not overtaxed bis strength by the duties he had performed elsewhere . Bro . the Rev . Oliver Grace P . G . C . ask » d permission to propose fche next toast—the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Past Deputy
Provincial Grand Masters , and Past Grand Officers of the Province . He felt ho was hardly the person fco do this ; from any rank he held in the Province , but although there might be others more worthy to propose the toasfc , there was nono who could have done it with feel , ings of moro profound satisfaction . The Deputy Provincial Grand
Mastor had sketched to them in Grand Lodge the office he held , the duties of which he performed so well ; he took the greatest interest in the affairs of the Province , and proposed those things which had to be brought before the notice of Provincial Grand Lodge in a way which made everything smooth and convenient . They were
all able to judge how well the rest ; of the Provincial Grand Officers performed their duties , and he gave them the toast with great cor diality and feelings of satisfaction . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , in responding , felfc sure fchey would expect only a very short speech from him now . He had many
duties to perform in Masonry , but he could say for himself there wai nothing that gave him greater pleasure than when he was acting as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Berks and Backs . Bro . Grace had said he felt he was hardly the person to propose this toast , bufc he entertained a different opinion , for Bro . Grace was his oldest
friend in Masonry . Twenty-six or fcwenfcy-seven years ago , when he was a P . O . Mason , he remembered hearing a distinguished Paat Master addressing the brethren in forming a University Lodge ; and , looking at him from the end of the room , he hoped that some day he might become as great a man as Bro . Grace was then , and is now .
If ho had accomplished that object , ifc was in some measure dne to the grand example set him by Bro . Grace . He then proceeded to speak of the Visitors , observing thafc this was a toasfc always received with acclaim , and more especially so that day , as he was going to associate with ib the name of a Brother whose health ought to have
been proposed before . It had suggested itself to him to propose the toast of the Sister Grand Lodges , bufc something in the musical arrangements , with the harmouy of whioh lie did not wish to interfere , caused it to escape him . When he told them the B ofcher to whom he referred was the District Grand Master of New Turk
they would , he felfc sure , accord to him an enthusiastic , alt-oagh somewhat late , welcome . They probably knew whafc an important institution Masonry was in the United States of America . There were 48 Grand Lodges—not Provincial Grand Lodges—all exercising a separate and independent jurisdiction . New York City was the
key fco the United States , and Bro . Tilton the District Grand Master , occupied a position there similar to tbat whioh H . RH . the Prince of Wales held in this country . Therefore , it was a visitor of no mean distinction they had amongst that day . Going back to the topic which was all-engrossing this year , and meeting in the Royal
Borough of Winsdor , he could assure Bro . Tilton thafc amongst the citizens of the States who came over here to celebrate Her Majesty ' s Jubilee thore were no che . r . Englishmen were more glad to hear than those which came from the hearts and voices of citizens of the United States of America . They felt , especially this year , that wherever the
English language was spoken , there was a tie which could never be cut asund' -r , and thoy felfc , especially as Mas ins , when distinguished brethren like Bro . Tilton came amongst them , they must receive them not only as brothers iu name but as brothers indeed . The toast was received with loud and prolonged cheering .
Bro . The '* doro H . Tilton , District Grand Master of Now York , was leceived with a perfect ovation on rising to respond . He thanked the Deputy Provincial Grand Mnster most heartily for fcho kind wunls he had expressed iu giving the toast , and he desired to thank the brethren for fcho great cordiality with which it had been received .
It had given him very great pleasure to be present that day in the Royal Borough of Windsor , and to attend the meeting of their Provincial Grand Lodge . The President had said there were 48 Grand Lodges in tho United States ; he was right in the number , aud they comprised 600 , 000 Freemasons . But in New York
they had 725 Lodges , with a membership of more than 75 . 000 Freemasons . When he spoke of this he might say the New York Grand Lodge was one of the largest and oldest of all the Grand Lodges in the States . Ifc celebrated its 112 th anniversary on the 7 th of June this year . They were divided into 29 District Grand
Lodges , and he had had the honour for some years past of representing twenty-four Lodges and about -1 , 000 Freemasons . Somo of the District Grand Lodges were not quite so large , ranging from 2 , 000 to 4 , 000 . Freemasonry had increased during fche past twenty-live years in membership in the United States almost equal
iu ratio with thafc iu England since the accession of H . R . H . the Princo of Wales as Grand Master . He was present lasfc year at Brighton , and hoard the remarks the Prince made as to the advance Freemasonry had made during the reign of his Most Gracious Mother the Queen . lie said the Craffc had increased a hundredfold
during the last forty years and ibhad increased iu the United Si a . 68 of America almost to thafc extent ; so thafc fche Americans were keeping paee with England . Of late they had founded an Anglo-American Lodge in London , where they could receive American brethren cqnallv with those belonging to this country . They gave
all American brethren a hearty welcome when they came on thia side . The Lodge was founded under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodgo of England , the M . W . G . M . having granted a special dispensation for it , as there were already 150 Lodges iu the -Metropolitan district' . The members of the Anglo-American Lodge
would be most happy to receive visits from any of the brethren he ; : av ,- around him , and they might be assured of a very hearty welcome . lie again thanked them for the cordiality of thoir greeting , and tendered to them the hearty good wishes of the United Grand Lodge i if tho State of New York . 'Ihe Deputy Grand Master gave , without any preface , the Masonic -Jh-ui . ies , merely observing that every one present had more or les .