Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Special Meeting Of Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.
With the 324 brought forward our candidate was elected the tenth on tbe poll . I then , holding 204 votes saved , after 1 had mado the candidate secure , lent the 204 saved votes to the Province of Warwickshire on IOU for return for the April electiou this year , Bro , Gover holding the IOU . For the Girl's Election , October 1880 , no candidate was adopted
by the Committee , from the fact that no votes were available , for had I not obtained the large number of boys' votes from sister provinces , every girl ' s vote from Devon would havo been exchanged for boys , and nsed for the adopted candidate Loveridge ; even in that case the combined boys and girls' votes of our Province would not have produced more than one-third the number of votes necessary for
the boy ' s election . This Committee having given me power of discretion in the management of the votes , whilst the girls' election of October last was unusually favourable for candidates , I , in conjunction with Bro . Gover , and from letters received from Mrs . Hnysha upon the snbjeot of a Devon girl , the daughter of our late Bro . Drake , solicitor , of Exeter , was induced to take np the case of that child ,
with the following results : —Received from Bro . Gover , Devon Province , girls votes 150 , repaid to me by South Wales upon their IOU , which I held 200 , total votes ( girls ) from Devon 350 , from Cornwall , through Bro . Gover , 126 girls , I obtained from the Province of Berks ( girls ) 67 , from Dorsetshire 67 , by exchange for boys 43 . Then polling for the girl Drake 567 , and she bringing forward 22 , elected
the case No . 39 on poll with 589 votes . At this most unusual election there were 54 candidates and 42 vacancies . The highest elected polled 1422 , the lowest elected polled 582 votes . Therefore , with my 589 winning it is evident no votes were wasted . I have now to call tbe attention of the Committee to tho following facts—the indebtedness of Devon to the following Provinces : —We owe Cornwall 68
boys' votes , 126 girls' votes , and 120 widows' votes . To Berkshire we owe 93 boys' and 67 girls ' . To Chesbire 300 boys ' . To Shropshire 100 boys ' . To North Wales 100 boys' . To Dorsetshire 276 boys' and 67 girls ' , for which these Provinces hold severalty the IOU ' s of Devon . To myself the Province owes 128 boys' votes and 362 widows' votes , for which I am personally responsible , and for
which I hold the IOU of Devon , signed by Bro . Gover . As a setoff to these figures , Warwickshire is indebted to Devon 400 aged Masons' and widows' votes , also 204 boys' votes—604 . Iu conclusion , it may be stated that between April and October 1880 , five Devon candidates have been elected into tho respective Institutions—first , in April , H . Norrish , a boy , into the Bovs' School , he having polled
1513 votes ; next , in May last , Mrs . Andrews , of Plymouth , who had polled for her 923 votes , and Bro . G . Elliott , of Brixbam , polled 320 votes , the fourth and fifth candidates , the boy Loveridge and girl Drake polled respectively 1652 and 589 votes . The actual number of votes polled for the five candidates has been 4997 . To do this the total number of votes received from Devon has been 1948 ,
leaving a gap of 3049 votes , which have been found elsewhere . Summary—Devon owes 1807 votes , against which deduct 604 votes owed to Devon by Warwickshire , reducing the number owed by Devon to 1203 . Therefore , take the Devon votes received by me 1948 , aid to them the votes Devon owes 1203—total 3151 ; for these votes the Province has elected five candidates , and has nothing to pay . For
difference between the 3151 votes and the 4997 votes it cost to elect the five candidates , viz ., 1846 votes . In recognition of this and previous work of the same character , I have to ask , through you , Bro . Chairman , that this Committee do now recommend the Provincial Grand Lodge , at its regular annual meeting ( whenever that takes place ) , to vote the sums respectively of £ 52 10 s to the Royal Masonic
Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and Widows , and the Royal Masonio Institution for Girls . The report was received and adopted , and , though no resolution could be put , it was understood that the brethren would support one at the next meeting , when they would have power to recommend the sums named in the last passages of the report . In a discussion which
followed , it was suggested that if the representatives of the different Lodges would make themselves better acquainted with the Charities of the Order , and keep tbe matter well before their Lodges , much benefit would accrue . The Secretary had received no petitions for relief , and , in accordance with the by-law , no candidate could be
adopted for either of the great Charities . R . W . Bro . W . G . Rogers was unanimously re-elected the chairman , M . W . J . B . Gover the Secretary , and V . W . Bro . C . GcJtschalk the representative iu London ; and a very cordial vote of thanks was given to each of these brethren for their services .
The Especial Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the new Lodge room about two p . m . R . W . Bro . Viscount Ebrington , Provincial Grand Master , presided , supported by Bros . W . G . Rogers , J . Edward Cartel ' s , Rev . Thomas Russell , Rev . L . H . Powys Manrice , J . E . Moon , J . Brewer , E . Furze , J . Harris Square , J . Russell Lord , John Lynn , W . C . Oliver , F . Hooper , P . L . Blanchard . In addition to these and the
brethren who vrero at the Committee , there were also present , Bros . John Wood , A . Bradley , R . P . Morrison 281 , W . C . Wallace 175 , John Bickle 421 , H . M . Burrows 480 , G . Pollard 489 , John Baxter 954 , C . R . Jones 421 , P . Rousham 1885 , H . Ascot 489 , J . C . Clark 489 , Hon . J . S . Tref nsis 112 , J . Omer , and J . Crocker . Upon the proposition of Lord Ebrington , it was unanimously
resolved " That the P . G . Lodge desires to express its sympathy with Mrs . Huyshe in the loss she has sustained by the lamented death of the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., & c , and to record , by some lasting memorial , the affectionate esteem in which the late P . P . G . M . was held by the Masons of Devonshire . " The W . Bro . Rogers then proposed— "That the P . G . Lodge desires to perpetuate the remembrance of tho late P . P . G-M . by a memorial
window in the Cathedral Cbnrch of the Diocese , and that a committee be appointed to collect subscriptions and make the necessary arrangements . " He spoke of Bro . Huyshe as a Freemason , a clergyman , and a magistrate , and contended that there could be no better memorial than what he had suggested . He had authority for saying that tho Dean and Chapter would consent to the erection of such a window , and bo believed it would have the approval of Mrs . Huyshe .
Special Meeting Of Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.
Bro . S . Jones seconded tho proposition , aud said that in the recout restoration of tho Exeter Cathedral the marks of Frwmasons had boon found on the old portions of the bnildin * , and it was theroforo the placo for a memorial of ono of the best oF Masons . Thero was no innovation , as similar windows had been placed in various parts of tho country in Cathedrals .
Bro . Charles Godtschalk , iu nu ablo speech , observed that , taking np the debate from the motion of tho Provincial Grand Master ' s words , to record , by somo lasting memorial , tho memory of their lato Bro . Huyshe , would undoubtedly meofc with the unanimous approval of tho Province—were tho Province polled from end to end . And not alone in tho Province of Dovon did this esteem aud respect for
the memory of our late brother exist—bnt many brethren outside and wide of Devon wonld only too cheerfully subscribe to a memorial to perpetuate that name . But was it not a question of s * reat doubt whether a memorial window , as proposed by tbe D . P . G . M ., was the most fitting form to perpetuate the memory of one so dearly and universally beloved as their lato Bro . John Huyshe— a memorial
window placed in a cmiToh , even if that church bo the cathedral located in the capital town of the Province , was but a poor aud antiquated form to hand down the name from one generation to another . My experience tells me that memorial windows , as a rule , are placed in an out of the way corner of a damp church . Seldom seen , and often forgotten , even before completion , or very shortly
after , and record nothing . He believed the majority of the brethren of tho Province would feel more satisfaction in subscribing to a momorial of a character in keeping with the active life and benevo . lence of Bro . Huyshe . He therefore suggested that the proposed memorial take the form of an endowment for a scholarship , to bo called the Huyshe Scholarship , and that Scholarship be added to
the Devon Educational Fund . This Scholarship would really perpetuate and keep green the name of Huyshe . Whenever this Scholarship was gained , tho name of Huyshe would appear with it , and even outside the Order it would be asked , who wasHuyshe ? and the reply would be a good man , who was the Past Grand Master of
tho Masons of Devon , whose whole life was ono of active benevolence , charity of heart and of pocket , a man totally free from all sectarian bias .
In illustration of this , take the action of Grand Lodgo in comme . morating the return of the Grand Mastor H . R . H . the Prince of Wales from India . Certain brethren on the dais strongly advocated the money should be expended in adorning St . Paul ' s Cathedral , and in restoration of St . Alban ' s Abbey ; but the sterling good sense of the body of Grand Lodge , some 600 to 700 strong , willed it otherwise ,
namely , that the return of H . R . H . should be commemorated by founding two Lifeboats . Brethren , one of those boats has since been placed on the coast of Devon , the other ou the coast of Essex . Both have done good work—Masonic work in its truest sense—aiding suffering humanity in tho time of need and peril . Surely this is a better outcome for our money than elaborating the Cathedral of St . Paul ,
and piling stones on St . Alban ' s Abbey . In a like manner , therefore , will the Scholarship to be called tho "Huyshe , " if added to a local fund of charity that already is doing good in the Province , bo the means of far more good than the memorial window proposed by the D . P . G . M . Ifc not only will perpetuate the memory wo hold dear , but be the best investment for our
subscription to this fund . Bro . J . E . Curteis proposed as an amendment that the question as ' to the form of tho memorial be adjourned to the annual meeting of the P . G . Lodge . The few members present made it hardly a representative body in so a large a Province , and he was very doubtful
whether the suggested window was the most advisable . Bro . Huyshe in his life had always been practical in his unbounded charity , and would ifc nob bo better to take the far more advantageous form of a Scholarship in connection either with the Devon Educational Fund or some other Masonic Charitv ?
Bro . Gover seconded the amendment . He did not think that at a meeting so small , and in a remote part of the Province , was either the time or the place to decide upon -what form the memorial should take . There was no Freemason in the Province that would not assist , if they believed ifc would perpetuate the memory of so good a Mason as their revered late P . G . Master . He also suggested a Foundation
Scholarship , and alluded to the fact of the grandfather of the present P . G . Master having his name handed down to posterity in connection with the Fortescue Annuity Fund , which was doing good service , and a very much more lasting memorial than a window which few would see . He was anxious that above all things the Province should be united in what they did , and should have time for consideration .
Bro . Moon supported the proposition , and thought the window was the best suggestion . Bro . Bradie also supported the proposition . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master said that as onl y about sixty brethren were present it would perhaps be advisable to defer the matter , bat he suggested that in the interval the Masters of tho
different Lodges shonld ventilate the subject , and report to the Prov . Grand Secretary the members who were inclined to support either or any other scheme , and the amounts they were willing to subscribe . It might be found that both suggestions could be carried out . The amendment was then carried .
The new Lodge , the Torridge , No . 1885 , was then consecrated and constituted , the ceremony being ably performed by tbe Prov . Grand Master , with Bros . Rogers and Curteis . The brethren then adjourned to tho Globe Hotel for the banquet , whioh was very satisfactorily served . After the banquet the Worshipful Master of the new Lodge was
installed by Bros . W . G . Rogers , J . Linn , and J . Baxter . The first Master is W . Bro . Charles Richard Jones , and the Officers invested or appointed were Bros . P . Rousham S . W ., Bov . W . C . Wallace J . W ., F . Haberfield Treasurer , H . MalletfcS . D ., J . Hayley J . D ., Dr . Norman D . C , S . Tapley I . G . The very inclement weather prevented a large number of brethren from attending .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Special Meeting Of Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.
With the 324 brought forward our candidate was elected the tenth on tbe poll . I then , holding 204 votes saved , after 1 had mado the candidate secure , lent the 204 saved votes to the Province of Warwickshire on IOU for return for the April electiou this year , Bro , Gover holding the IOU . For the Girl's Election , October 1880 , no candidate was adopted
by the Committee , from the fact that no votes were available , for had I not obtained the large number of boys' votes from sister provinces , every girl ' s vote from Devon would havo been exchanged for boys , and nsed for the adopted candidate Loveridge ; even in that case the combined boys and girls' votes of our Province would not have produced more than one-third the number of votes necessary for
the boy ' s election . This Committee having given me power of discretion in the management of the votes , whilst the girls' election of October last was unusually favourable for candidates , I , in conjunction with Bro . Gover , and from letters received from Mrs . Hnysha upon the snbjeot of a Devon girl , the daughter of our late Bro . Drake , solicitor , of Exeter , was induced to take np the case of that child ,
with the following results : —Received from Bro . Gover , Devon Province , girls votes 150 , repaid to me by South Wales upon their IOU , which I held 200 , total votes ( girls ) from Devon 350 , from Cornwall , through Bro . Gover , 126 girls , I obtained from the Province of Berks ( girls ) 67 , from Dorsetshire 67 , by exchange for boys 43 . Then polling for the girl Drake 567 , and she bringing forward 22 , elected
the case No . 39 on poll with 589 votes . At this most unusual election there were 54 candidates and 42 vacancies . The highest elected polled 1422 , the lowest elected polled 582 votes . Therefore , with my 589 winning it is evident no votes were wasted . I have now to call tbe attention of the Committee to tho following facts—the indebtedness of Devon to the following Provinces : —We owe Cornwall 68
boys' votes , 126 girls' votes , and 120 widows' votes . To Berkshire we owe 93 boys' and 67 girls ' . To Chesbire 300 boys ' . To Shropshire 100 boys ' . To North Wales 100 boys' . To Dorsetshire 276 boys' and 67 girls ' , for which these Provinces hold severalty the IOU ' s of Devon . To myself the Province owes 128 boys' votes and 362 widows' votes , for which I am personally responsible , and for
which I hold the IOU of Devon , signed by Bro . Gover . As a setoff to these figures , Warwickshire is indebted to Devon 400 aged Masons' and widows' votes , also 204 boys' votes—604 . Iu conclusion , it may be stated that between April and October 1880 , five Devon candidates have been elected into tho respective Institutions—first , in April , H . Norrish , a boy , into the Bovs' School , he having polled
1513 votes ; next , in May last , Mrs . Andrews , of Plymouth , who had polled for her 923 votes , and Bro . G . Elliott , of Brixbam , polled 320 votes , the fourth and fifth candidates , the boy Loveridge and girl Drake polled respectively 1652 and 589 votes . The actual number of votes polled for the five candidates has been 4997 . To do this the total number of votes received from Devon has been 1948 ,
leaving a gap of 3049 votes , which have been found elsewhere . Summary—Devon owes 1807 votes , against which deduct 604 votes owed to Devon by Warwickshire , reducing the number owed by Devon to 1203 . Therefore , take the Devon votes received by me 1948 , aid to them the votes Devon owes 1203—total 3151 ; for these votes the Province has elected five candidates , and has nothing to pay . For
difference between the 3151 votes and the 4997 votes it cost to elect the five candidates , viz ., 1846 votes . In recognition of this and previous work of the same character , I have to ask , through you , Bro . Chairman , that this Committee do now recommend the Provincial Grand Lodge , at its regular annual meeting ( whenever that takes place ) , to vote the sums respectively of £ 52 10 s to the Royal Masonic
Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and Widows , and the Royal Masonio Institution for Girls . The report was received and adopted , and , though no resolution could be put , it was understood that the brethren would support one at the next meeting , when they would have power to recommend the sums named in the last passages of the report . In a discussion which
followed , it was suggested that if the representatives of the different Lodges would make themselves better acquainted with the Charities of the Order , and keep tbe matter well before their Lodges , much benefit would accrue . The Secretary had received no petitions for relief , and , in accordance with the by-law , no candidate could be
adopted for either of the great Charities . R . W . Bro . W . G . Rogers was unanimously re-elected the chairman , M . W . J . B . Gover the Secretary , and V . W . Bro . C . GcJtschalk the representative iu London ; and a very cordial vote of thanks was given to each of these brethren for their services .
The Especial Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the new Lodge room about two p . m . R . W . Bro . Viscount Ebrington , Provincial Grand Master , presided , supported by Bros . W . G . Rogers , J . Edward Cartel ' s , Rev . Thomas Russell , Rev . L . H . Powys Manrice , J . E . Moon , J . Brewer , E . Furze , J . Harris Square , J . Russell Lord , John Lynn , W . C . Oliver , F . Hooper , P . L . Blanchard . In addition to these and the
brethren who vrero at the Committee , there were also present , Bros . John Wood , A . Bradley , R . P . Morrison 281 , W . C . Wallace 175 , John Bickle 421 , H . M . Burrows 480 , G . Pollard 489 , John Baxter 954 , C . R . Jones 421 , P . Rousham 1885 , H . Ascot 489 , J . C . Clark 489 , Hon . J . S . Tref nsis 112 , J . Omer , and J . Crocker . Upon the proposition of Lord Ebrington , it was unanimously
resolved " That the P . G . Lodge desires to express its sympathy with Mrs . Huyshe in the loss she has sustained by the lamented death of the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., & c , and to record , by some lasting memorial , the affectionate esteem in which the late P . P . G . M . was held by the Masons of Devonshire . " The W . Bro . Rogers then proposed— "That the P . G . Lodge desires to perpetuate the remembrance of tho late P . P . G-M . by a memorial
window in the Cathedral Cbnrch of the Diocese , and that a committee be appointed to collect subscriptions and make the necessary arrangements . " He spoke of Bro . Huyshe as a Freemason , a clergyman , and a magistrate , and contended that there could be no better memorial than what he had suggested . He had authority for saying that tho Dean and Chapter would consent to the erection of such a window , and bo believed it would have the approval of Mrs . Huyshe .
Special Meeting Of Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.
Bro . S . Jones seconded tho proposition , aud said that in the recout restoration of tho Exeter Cathedral the marks of Frwmasons had boon found on the old portions of the bnildin * , and it was theroforo the placo for a memorial of ono of the best oF Masons . Thero was no innovation , as similar windows had been placed in various parts of tho country in Cathedrals .
Bro . Charles Godtschalk , iu nu ablo speech , observed that , taking np the debate from the motion of tho Provincial Grand Master ' s words , to record , by somo lasting memorial , tho memory of their lato Bro . Huyshe , would undoubtedly meofc with the unanimous approval of tho Province—were tho Province polled from end to end . And not alone in tho Province of Dovon did this esteem aud respect for
the memory of our late brother exist—bnt many brethren outside and wide of Devon wonld only too cheerfully subscribe to a memorial to perpetuate that name . But was it not a question of s * reat doubt whether a memorial window , as proposed by tbe D . P . G . M ., was the most fitting form to perpetuate the memory of one so dearly and universally beloved as their lato Bro . John Huyshe— a memorial
window placed in a cmiToh , even if that church bo the cathedral located in the capital town of the Province , was but a poor aud antiquated form to hand down the name from one generation to another . My experience tells me that memorial windows , as a rule , are placed in an out of the way corner of a damp church . Seldom seen , and often forgotten , even before completion , or very shortly
after , and record nothing . He believed the majority of the brethren of tho Province would feel more satisfaction in subscribing to a momorial of a character in keeping with the active life and benevo . lence of Bro . Huyshe . He therefore suggested that the proposed memorial take the form of an endowment for a scholarship , to bo called the Huyshe Scholarship , and that Scholarship be added to
the Devon Educational Fund . This Scholarship would really perpetuate and keep green the name of Huyshe . Whenever this Scholarship was gained , tho name of Huyshe would appear with it , and even outside the Order it would be asked , who wasHuyshe ? and the reply would be a good man , who was the Past Grand Master of
tho Masons of Devon , whose whole life was ono of active benevolence , charity of heart and of pocket , a man totally free from all sectarian bias .
In illustration of this , take the action of Grand Lodgo in comme . morating the return of the Grand Mastor H . R . H . the Prince of Wales from India . Certain brethren on the dais strongly advocated the money should be expended in adorning St . Paul ' s Cathedral , and in restoration of St . Alban ' s Abbey ; but the sterling good sense of the body of Grand Lodge , some 600 to 700 strong , willed it otherwise ,
namely , that the return of H . R . H . should be commemorated by founding two Lifeboats . Brethren , one of those boats has since been placed on the coast of Devon , the other ou the coast of Essex . Both have done good work—Masonic work in its truest sense—aiding suffering humanity in tho time of need and peril . Surely this is a better outcome for our money than elaborating the Cathedral of St . Paul ,
and piling stones on St . Alban ' s Abbey . In a like manner , therefore , will the Scholarship to be called tho "Huyshe , " if added to a local fund of charity that already is doing good in the Province , bo the means of far more good than the memorial window proposed by the D . P . G . M . Ifc not only will perpetuate the memory wo hold dear , but be the best investment for our
subscription to this fund . Bro . J . E . Curteis proposed as an amendment that the question as ' to the form of tho memorial be adjourned to the annual meeting of the P . G . Lodge . The few members present made it hardly a representative body in so a large a Province , and he was very doubtful
whether the suggested window was the most advisable . Bro . Huyshe in his life had always been practical in his unbounded charity , and would ifc nob bo better to take the far more advantageous form of a Scholarship in connection either with the Devon Educational Fund or some other Masonic Charitv ?
Bro . Gover seconded the amendment . He did not think that at a meeting so small , and in a remote part of the Province , was either the time or the place to decide upon -what form the memorial should take . There was no Freemason in the Province that would not assist , if they believed ifc would perpetuate the memory of so good a Mason as their revered late P . G . Master . He also suggested a Foundation
Scholarship , and alluded to the fact of the grandfather of the present P . G . Master having his name handed down to posterity in connection with the Fortescue Annuity Fund , which was doing good service , and a very much more lasting memorial than a window which few would see . He was anxious that above all things the Province should be united in what they did , and should have time for consideration .
Bro . Moon supported the proposition , and thought the window was the best suggestion . Bro . Bradie also supported the proposition . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master said that as onl y about sixty brethren were present it would perhaps be advisable to defer the matter , bat he suggested that in the interval the Masters of tho
different Lodges shonld ventilate the subject , and report to the Prov . Grand Secretary the members who were inclined to support either or any other scheme , and the amounts they were willing to subscribe . It might be found that both suggestions could be carried out . The amendment was then carried .
The new Lodge , the Torridge , No . 1885 , was then consecrated and constituted , the ceremony being ably performed by tbe Prov . Grand Master , with Bros . Rogers and Curteis . The brethren then adjourned to tho Globe Hotel for the banquet , whioh was very satisfactorily served . After the banquet the Worshipful Master of the new Lodge was
installed by Bros . W . G . Rogers , J . Linn , and J . Baxter . The first Master is W . Bro . Charles Richard Jones , and the Officers invested or appointed were Bros . P . Rousham S . W ., Bov . W . C . Wallace J . W ., F . Haberfield Treasurer , H . MalletfcS . D ., J . Hayley J . D ., Dr . Norman D . C , S . Tapley I . G . The very inclement weather prevented a large number of brethren from attending .