Mark Masonry.

mind expands , strengthens and becomes fully ripe for new and enlarged enjoyments , to be found only in its hidden recesses and intricacies of thought . It appeals and captivates the inner man , furnishes food for reflection and study , charms and entices men to attach themselves to it in every olirae and in every country where

civilisation exists ; hence we may infer that it possesses that organism , character and modes of procedure whioh pleases man , wins his regard for a higher and nobler nature , satisfying the craving of his mind and the aspiration of his soul . " It has virtue for its aim , the glory of God its object , and the eternal welfare of man is considered in every

part , point , or letter of its ineffable mysteries . " Freemasonry has withstood the fierce assaults of religious bigotry and the vindictive hate of political denunciation . It hath been calm and silent amid the unprovoked attacks of its enemies and of papal anathemas . Wise and distinguished Statesmen and Divines have stood firm in its defence ,

and without fear or misgiving avowed their love and confidence in it . There must then be something peculiar , something extraordinary , in its nature which thus adapts itself to all classes and conditions of good men , and which for long years has given its strength , power and influence among the best and most enlightened of mankind .

It must strike some hidden chord in human nature which causes a quick response , and which we doubt not was implanted by the Great Arohiteot of the Universe for some good and beneficent reason . It is this mental machinery , this unseen reasoning force that , coming into action , binds men , cultured to the highest point , strong in every

faculty , to Masonry , and gives them enjoyment and satisfaction in the participation of its ceremonies in loving teaching , and expounding its nature and principles , and perhaps while they cannot tell why it is , yet they feel its inspiration and are neither ashamed to own it , nor willing to ignore it . The profane may assure the initiate that its

oeremonies are frivolous or without practical benefit , yet where is the man who has knelt at its altars and penetrated into its mysteries who is not impressed with the solemnity of its spiritualistic observance and the utility of its lessons of wisdom and of virtue , tending to smooth the rough pathway of life and pointing to that higher and

more real life of everlasting happiness in the celestial mansion of eternal bliss and glory reserved for the good and true of all time and of every nation ? Thus , my brethren , I trust that we may all feel that Freemasonry is an institution designed to meet the need of human nature to be cherished as one of the great influences that make

men better , wiser and happier , and as we labour on in our respective spheres of life , perchance some heart may be cheered , some brother or companion may be made happier and better by it , and may we all strive with God'B blessing to promote its welfare and to extend its influence among mankind .

The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Rev . Dr . Smyth

Past Grand Chaplain , briefly acknowledged his salutation . The roll of Lodges was called , when every Lodge in the Province was represented . Apologies for non-attendance from the three absent Officers were read and were deemed

satisfactory . The minutes of the last meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Huddersfield , were confirmed . Bro . Geo . Normanton was unanimously reelected Treasurer for the ensuing year . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested the Officers for the ensuing year : —

Bro . Francis Smith - » Senior Warden Fred Barber - - - Junior Warden Jesse Arthur Thornton - Master Overseer E . J . Massie ... Senior Overseer Henry Smith - - - Junior Overseer

Kev . J . H . Evans , M . A . - - Chaplain George Normanton - - Treasurer Thomas Gaukroger - - Eegistrar William Cooke - - Socrotary William Ackroyd - - Senior Deacon

Thomas Howden - - Junior Deacon Thomas Myers - - Inspector of Works Christopher William Finckeu - Director of Ceremonies John P . Hewitt - - Asst . Director of Cers . John J . Green - - Sword Bearer

A . F . Fitzpatric - - Standard Bearer George F . Carr - - Organist Arthur Ferguson McGill - Inner Guard Kobert D . Kendall - ^

HIS:::««* Eobert E . Collinson - . / The Provincial Grand Eegistrar read the following statement of the numerical position of each Lodge up to the 31 st December 1887 : —

3 ® ° m m Lodges » ? ! -a . 1 * I * . § g

Prince Edward , 14 16 6 ... 22 4 18 2 ... Britannia , 53 68 8 ... 76 6 3 ... 67 ... 1 Fearnley , 58 53 2 ... 55 ... 2 1 52 ... 1 Integrity , 110 25 3 ... 28 ... 1 ... 27 2 ... Copley , 111 45 1 ... 46 1 45 Portal , 127 28 3 ... 31 31 3 ... Truth , 137 13 2 3 18 1 17 4 ... Old York , T . I . 31 31 1 30 ... 1 Prince Leopold , 352 26 1 ... 27 3 2 ... 22 ... 4 St . Chad ' s , 374 6 9 1 16 16 10 ...

311 35 4 350 12 8 5 325 21 7 . '

Mark Masonry.

The Provincial Grand Wardens and Overseers were elected to serve on the General Purposes Committee for the ensuing year . Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed and the brethren afterwards sat down to tea , after which the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the

Wakefield brethren for the arrangements made for the reception of Provincial Grand Lodge .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

rpHE Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons JL was held on Friday , the 26 th ult ., at the Old Masonic Hall , Old Orchard-street , Bath , under the banner

of the Royal Sussex Lodge , and was presided over by the Rev . Bro . R . C . Else Provincial Grand Mark Master , who was supported by Bro . Colonel Long Deputy Provincial Grand Master Mason . The visitors included Bros . Baron De Ferrieres Provincial Grand Master of Gloucester , and

Montague Provincial Grand Warden of England . The

Secretary ( Bro . Elworthy ) having called the roll of Lodges , it was found that all the working Lodges in the Province were represented . The minutes of the Lodge meeting at Yeovil last year having been confirmed , Bro . Rodway Treasurer read the accounts , which showed a balance in

hand of £ 63 lis 3 d . The following Officers were invested

for the ensuing year ;—Bro . Colonel Long ... ... Deputy Master Edwards P . M . 119 ... ... Senior Warden Mercer .., ... ... Junior Warden Duckett W . M . 191 ... ... Master Overseer

Holroyd ... ... ... Senior Overseer Shorland W . M . 119 ... ... Junior Overseer Eev . F . W . Macdonald ... ... Chaplain Eodway ... ... ... Treasurer Surgeon-General Einger ...Eegistrar of Marks

Elworthy ... ... ... Secretary Knight ... ... ... Senior Deacon Bewsey ... .. ... Junior Deacon Gill ... ... ... ... Inspector of Works Stranbridge ... ... ... Director of Ceremonies

Captain Newell ... ... Sword Bearer Dunsford ... .., ... Standard Bearer Nosworthy ... ... ... Organist Peckett ... ... ... Inner Guard Wilson ... ... ... Steward

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

A QUARTERLY Convocation of the Supreme Grand Chapter will be held at Freemasons' Hall , London , on Wednesday , the 7 th of November next , at six o ' clock in the evening .

BUSINESS . The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for con Urination . THE EEPOET OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENEEAL PUEPOSES

To the Supreme Graml Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England . The Committee of General Parposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 18 th July to the 16 th October 1888 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : — £ a d £ s d

Balance Grand Chap- Disbursements during ter - - 313 19 7 , the quarter - 310 12 5 „ Unappropriated j Balance - - 255 11 11 Account - 201 3 10 | „ Unappropriated Subsequent lteceipts- 242 2 6 I Account - 191 1 7

£ 757 5 11 ! £ 757 5 11

which balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee have to report that they have received the following petition : — From Companions Henry Cook as Z ., John Murray as H ,, Philip

Lancashire Booth as J ., and thirteen others for a Chapter to be attached to the Hartington Lodge , No . 1021 , Barrow-in-Furness , to be called " The Henry Cook Chapter , " and to meet at the Masonio Hall , Abbey Eoad , Barrow-in-Furness , Lancashire ( W . D . )

The petition being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayer thereof be granted . The Comniittco have likewise to report that they have received a memorial from the Grand Chapter of South Australia reporting that

they had been regularly established in March 1886 , and asking recognition by the Grand Chapter of England , and that fraternal relations and communication may bo established between tho two Grand Chanteru .