Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON .

A PROVINCIAL Grand Lodge meeting of Devon was hold on 23 rd ult ., at the St . George ' s Hall , Stonehonso , for the purpose of constituting and consecrating the " Lodge of St . George , " which haa been founded on temperance principles . There was a grand assembly of Provincial Officers , Past Masters , and Masons , there being nearly 400 present . The large hall waa utilised for tho occasion , and waa handsomely decorated with flags , fern trees , ferns ,

flowers , andexotios of the most choice description from the conservatories of Right Worshipful Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgonmbo and M . W . Bro . L . P . Metham , of The Elms . The Provincial Grand Master of Devon ( Lord Ebrington ) was accompanied by tho Provincial Grand Master of Cornwall ( Lord Mount Edgcumbe ) , who officiated as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in the unavoidable

absence of V . W . Bro . G . R . Rogers , of Exeter . There waa a very large company preaent . In consequence of the much lamented death of his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany , K . G ., P . G . M . of Oxfordshire , P . G . W ., it was ordered that Masonio mourning should be worn . When the Lodge bad been opened in dno form , the Provincial Grand Master said that he should like to propose a resolution , which was

not upon the agenda paper viz ., a vote of condolence with Her Mnjesty and the Duchess of Albany on the sad bereavement they had sustained through the death of Hia Royal Highness Princo Leopold . A Fraternity whioh prided itself on its loyalty as much ns its antiquity was nofc likely to be behind the rest of the people of England in the expression of feeling of respect and sympathy for the Royal Family ,

whether in weal or woe . The Queen had graciously acknowledged , in her beautiful letter to her anbjecta , the great sympathy ahe had received in her sorrow from the people of England , and had aaid that these expressions comforted her and her daughter-in-law in their terrible bereavement . There was a special meeting of the Grand Lodge of England to-morrow to pass votes of condolence with the

Queen and the Duchess of Albany , and he felt that they would like to send their vote of condolence with the rest . He would ask their assent to such a vote without addressing them further . The Earl of Mount Edgonmbe , on rising , said he had the greatest possible pleasure in seconding the resolution . The P . G . M . thought that they could not do better than couch their

vote in the same language as the Grand Lodge would adopt , and he , therefore , suggested that the wording of their resolution be deferred nntil this question hid been decided by the Grand Lodge . The reaolution waa put to the meeting and carried unanimously . The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe propoaed that the suggestion of the P . G . M . with regard to the wording of the resolution be acted upon

, and that the whole matier be left in his hands . The P . G . M . expressed his willingness to undertake the duty . The P . G . Secretary having announced to the P . G . Master that certain brethren , having obtained a warrant from the G . M . of England , desired to be constitnted into a regular Lodge in antient form , the P . G . M . desired tho P . G . Secretary to read the warrant from the

Mosfc Worshipfnl the Grand Master of England , and this Y . W . Bro . Brewer did . The brethren of the new Lodge having , at tho request of tho P . G . M ., signified their assent to the Officers named in tho warrant , Bro . C . Croydon delivered an impressive and eloquent oration on the subject of Masonry . Ifc was as follows : —R . W . Prov . G . Master

, The bi gh honour yon have conferred upon me in desiring that I should deliver an address to thia Grand Lodge is one thafc I cannot over estimate , and only fear . I shall fall short in that which is expected from me , but if my eloquence shonld fail me , I trust my earnestness ¦ will plead for my egotism in having undertaken the task . I can only say thafc

" I shall speak with earnest mind What is in me ; self-rewarded If I aid , though unregarded , The advancement of my kind . "

Worshi pful Brethren and Brother , —Ifc has been customary on all occasions like the present , when a new Lodgo has been consecrated , to mark the event by the delivery of an address to the brethren assembled , reminding them of the great and important obligations they have taken upon themselves as men and Masons . Events such

as we are now celebrating form good stand-points from which to take a survey of tbe past , as far as ifc regards Masonry itself , the special Masonio Society in which we move , and above all the high and dignified position the individual Mason occupies in that Society . It not onl y forms a stand-point from which to look back o'er the past , but it becomes , as it were , a new beacon light to incite in us increased

efforts in the future ; it forms a new nucleus , around which another band of brethren shall assemble , and from whence shall flow all those streams of kindly affection , sympathy , and brotherly love . The great and important lessons which the past Mstory of Freemasonry teaches us containing , as ifc does , the elements of nil that is great , and good , and noble of veneration for . and submission to . the will of

the most ^ High , and a conscientious performance of tho active duties of onr daily life , shonld be indelibly imprinted on our minds . Tbe earlier history of Freemasonry presented striking and important features aa far as regards the civilisation aud improvement of man , ever different in its requirements from those of to-day . There were times when ifc may be aaid that tho Arts and Sciences owed their verv

existence to the secrecy of Masonic Lodges and the fidelity of the " brethren . This was at a time when ignorance , superstition , and bigotry reigned supreme ; but in modern times , when the general education of the people and the diffusion of knowledge have become so universal , this part of its mission has become in a great measure obsolete

, giving to the brethren of onr day more time to cultivate the moral and social virtues and the grand principles of brotherly love , relief , and troth . The ancient history of Freemasonry can scarcely be considered on an occasion like the present , bufc the history of Freemasonry to every individual brother may be considered to mean that

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.

Masonic history , the earliest chapter of which commences afc th ; ifc timo when his eyes first open on tho three great lighta of Freoni- » . sonry , where ho is taught to look on nnd understand the mystio symbols of tho Craft and then learn the deep and inatmctive lessons thoy inculcate ; it is there tho foundation stone will be laid , and from hence , step by step , be is led on , imbibing by tho way thoso groat

moral lessons and religious trnths that are to build up the superstructure of his Masonio life . To yon , Worshipfnl Brethren , I wonld first appeal , you aro placed in the foremost rank as rulers of the Craft , yon have been selected by the brethren to receive the highest hononr the Craft can give , or the Lodgo bestow on any of its members . On von they have conferred this honour as mon to be trusted , and

brethren to be loved , aa Masons well skilled in all the ancient charges , regulations , and landmarks of the Order , to whose judgment they can defer in all cases of difficulty , doubt , and danger . When you received this high hononr yon entered into a solemn engagement to be strict in yonr moral conduct , to conform to the laws of your countryto obey all those who are placed in authority over yon , to

, live in unity and brotherly love with all mankind , to avoid mtempernnce and excess in all things , and in all the actions of your lives deal justly ancl honourably with all men . In proportion as the honour you have received is high and dignified , so will your responsibilities have increased ; those whom it has pleased the Most High to endow with wealthrankand honourhave great responsibilities placed upon

, , , them ; that whioh they receive , they receive in trust ; they are but the custodians of tbe general happiness of their kind . Hence , when yon receive thafc high honour yon took upon yourselves to rule and govern your brethren with all firmness , bnt kindness of heart , to up . hold the weak , confirm the wavering , instruct the ignorant , direct the strong , and in all things follow the teachings of the sacred

volume which has been given as a rule and guide for yonr faith . Brethren , as you are aware , snch is the peculiar nature of our constitution that , as some must teach and govern , others of necessity must learn to submit and obey . Obedience is one of the greafc prinoiples of Freemasonry , for only as yon are obedient to the laws yourselves can you expect obedience from others when at any time

you shall be placed in authority aa a ruler over them . Yonr fidelity mnst be exemplified in every act of your lives , for to the faithful all things are trusted . Faith , hope , and charity are taught you as the three greafc moral virtues ; but the greatest of these is charity ; and of what does it consist ? not merely in extending thehand of benevolence and doling out the minted coin ; besides this it means

the rendering to your neigh hours—and Masonically the whole world is your neighbour—every kind office that justice or mercy may require , soothing his affliction , pouring the healing balm npon the troubled spirit , teaching him to look to hig her and better things , and doing unto him as you wonld that he shonld do unto yon . Worshipful Master designate of Lodge St . George , yon will this day be elevated

to a post of high hononr and dignity . I congratulate yoa on tho trust reposed in yon by your Brethren , and tho confirmation of that trust by the R . W . P . G . M . The task before you is an arduous one ; that man who advances from the rank of his fellow men professedly to teach a more useful , higher , holier life , requires a great amount of moral courage to undertake the task , and need seek that support

from on bigh which alone will enable him to carry oat his purpose . You start out ; from among your fellow men in your own belief a better man than they are , or how professedly conld you teach them better things . See that your every act and word , nay , every thought , be pure ; that your precept and examp le go hand in hand , and thus place before the outer world the spirit of Freemasonry in its truest

and its noblest form . Your name will be emblazoned on the warrant of the Lodge as its first Master . Let that name remain pure and unsullied , not only to the termination of your official career , but to the latest moment of your life , ancl then shall your children ' s children look with joy and rejoicing upon that record of a noble name . Brethren of Lodge St . George , yon will have this day assisted to

inaugurate a new Lodge , starting somewhat on new lines , or , at least , with new resolves ; you will have placed your Worship fnl Master on a pedestal where yonr moral support will be required to maintain him with honour and dignity , and I pray yon to remember that , as grains form the mountains and minntes make the years , so will theaccumulated acts of the individuals of a society stamp that community with

a good or bad repute . Be sure , then , thafc the conduct of each one of you be such as shall aid in establishing the good repute of the Society of which you are members . And thus , my Brethren , if by a firm resolve of purpose , and acting on tbe purest principles of morality and virtue , you have , in carrying out yonr Masonic duties , led a good and holy lifehow patiently yon can afford to wait until that time

, when , as all things earthly , you shall pass away ; and oh ! how great , how glorious , will be thafc moment when you shall hear the Archangel ' s trumpet summoning you to the Grand Lodge above , nnd the voice of fche High ancl Mighty One exclaiming , " Well done , thou good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of you r Lord . " The P . G . M . said he wns snre the brethren would express their

acknowledgments to W . Bro . Croydon for hia splendid address . The P . G . M . pledged tho Masters and members of the new Lodge to obey the laws and constitutions of the Lodge , the Lodge board was them placed in the proper position , covered with white satin . W . Bro . W . Hearder then sang in splendid style the solo from the Creation , "In Native Worth . " Several brethren sang the 133 rd

Psalm as an anthem . The music for this was specially composed by W . Bro . JohnHele , Mns . Bac , P . P . G . O . Cornwall . Tho P . G . Chap-Iain offered in an impressive manner tho first part of the dedication prayer , and subsequently the P . G . M . gave the invocation , and the P . G . Chaplain followed by reading the first sixteen verses of the 2 nd Chapter of the second book of Chronicles . The Lodge board

having been uncovered with solemn mnaie , the ceremony of consecrating the Lodgo , with corn , wine , and oil , followed . The Brethren chanted , " Glory to God in tbe Highest , and on earth p ? ace , goodwill towards men . " Whilst the P . G . Chap lain was offering tho second part of the dedication prayer the W . M . and Wardens of St . George's Lodge deposited the working tools of the three degrees