Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

Tlie annual gathering of th « Masons of Kent , was held on Wednesday last , at Canterbury . Provincial Lodgo was opened at the Chapter House of the Cathedral at 12 . 30 , by tho R . W . tho Prov . G . Master . Visconnt Holmesdale , who was supported by an array of Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers , and a numerous assemblage of brethren . The minutes of tho last Prov . Grand Meeting having been con firmed ,

the R . W . Prov . G . M . announced , that the accounts of tho Prov . G . Treasurer had boon submitted to the Audit Committee , and were unproved , thev then received the confirmation of Prov . Grand Lodge , after which the brethren proceeded to the election of Prov . G . Treas . for the ensuing year . Tho vote was unanimous in favour of the Pas ' Treasurer , Bro . B . K . Thorpe , who thanked the brethren for his re .

eler-finn . Tho following brethren wore then appointed by the Prov . G . Master , as tho Officers for the Province for the ensuing year , and wero severally invested with their po'lars and jewels : —Col . A . H . King 153 fi P . M . 905 S . G . Warden , Philip Higham P . M . 31 J . G . W ., Revs . W . A . Hill and J . B . Harrison G . Chaplains , Geo . Pavne P . M . 1273 G . Reg ., R , C . Bnvfield P . M . 20 S . G . D ., F . Spencer P . M . 10 K 3

J . G . D ., T . Wills P . M . 299 G . S . of Works , Thomas Ayliug P . M . 109 f > G . D . of Ceremonies , J . P . Griffin P . M . 1050 Assist . G . D . of Cers ., Simon Young P . M . 184 G . S . Bearer , J . H . Jewell P . M . 1223 G . Org ., J . Hancock P . M . 1089 G . Purs ., H . S . Neato P . M . 77 , T . S . Chancellor P . M . 127 , B . S . W ilmnt P . M . 874 , G . Pilcher P . M . 972 , Georgo White P . M . 1174 , TI . T . Navlor W . M . It 19 G . Stewards . Tho announcement

of the various appointments was received with applause . The Prov . G . Master then pronosed , in accordance with notice given by him , that grants of £ 20 , £ 30 , £ 20 nnd £ 10 respectively , be granted to members of the Provineo from the Prov . Charity Fund . This proposition was seconded by the Deputy Prov . G . Master , and unanimously granted by Grand Lodge . The next proposition , made by Bro . Alf . Spencer

Prov . G . See . nnd seconded by Bro . Hill tho Prov . G . Chaplain , to the effect that . £ 105 bo given to the Boys School , in the name of the D . Prov . G . Master , to make him Vice-Patron of that Institution , was also adopted without opposition by Prov . Grand Lodge . The D . P . G . M . then proposed that various amounts ( £ 247 in all ) be granted from the Prov . G . Lodge Charity Fund , to certain of the Lodges of the

Province , to bo paid to the threo Masonic Chanties , and this being seconded , was nnanimously confirmed . Prov . Grand Lodge was then adjourned , and the brethren repaired in procession to the Cathedral , where service was hold . The sermon was preached by the Rev . W . A . Hill the Grand Chaplain , from Micah vi . 8 . " He hath shewed thee , O man , what is good ; and what doth the Lord require of thee , bnt

to do instly , and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God ? Bro . Dr . Longhnrst presided at the organ , and an anthem , which was composed by him specially for this gathering , was sung . Other parts of the service were conducted by Rev . Bro . Syree . After the sermon a collection was made , and resulted in a sum of £ 32 3 s being raised . Half of this amount wrs given to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital ;

the other half being devoted to the Masonic Charities . The brethren then returned to the Chapter House , where the thanks of Prov . Grand Lodge was voted to the Dean , Dr . Payne Smith , for his kindness in having allowed the use of tho Chapter House and Cathedral , thereby enabling the Masons of the Province to assemble with greater pomp and splendour than could possibly have been the case in any other

building . Provincial Grand Lodgo was then dosed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet at the music hall , which had been most elaborately decorated for the occasion . During tho banquet several instrumental selections were given by Mr . Tench White ' s Septet Band . At the conclusion , the Right Hon . Visconnt Holmesdale , who presided , gave the customary toasts . That of Her Majesty the

Queen was followed by the National Anthem , after which the chairman introduced that of the Mnst Worshipfnl the Grand Master . He considered it shonld not be received with less cordiality than that of Her Majesty because it was second on the list . Ho is a true Englishman , and desires to do everything in his power for the good of the country , nnd especially for the Masonic Craft . With the toast

was coupled the health of Her Royal Highness tho Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family . The next on the list was the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy G . M ., and the rest of tho Grand Officers past and present . As regards the two former the Prov . G . M . stated that he had not nnfrequently had the hononr of submitting their names . Tho brethren knew so well their good

qualities that he did not think it necessary to recount them . They had now for tho first time during his presidency over the Province the pleasure of coupling tho name of one of their own members with the toast . They all knew that Bro . Hill , who had acted as Prov . Grand Chaplain for many years , had been honoured with the appointment as Grand Chaplain of England for tho present year .

Tho Masons of Kent had for some time past agreed that some recognition was dno to Bro . Hill for his services in connection with the Craft , and the Prov . G . M . considered that the hononr conferred on him by Grand Lodge confirmed their opinion . Ho now had the pleasure of presenting to Bro . Hill a testimonial , which had been snbsoribed to by tho various Lodges of the Province , and which

consisted of silver plate and a purse of money , value together about £ 300 . This he asked liro . Hill to accept , with tho best wishes of his brother Masons , who were mindful of his untiring efforts for the good of the Craft . Bro . Hill thanked tho brethren on behalf of the Grand Officers , who , he considered were true noblemen , to tho front in all good causes . He felt that had he been called upon to

respond in the Chapter House , he would have been able to do sr with greater dignity , but surrounded as he was with brethren who ; , new Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , he was not afraid of their criticising him too severely . He had been connected with Masonry thirty-three years , and had enjoyed himself on many occasions in

connection with tho Institution . Ho had made many acquaintances from it , and always looked upon a good Mason as a sincere , honest , upright man . He had enjoyed the position of Prov . Grand Chaplain of Kent for the past eighteen years . He was extremely gratified at the handsome testimonial the brethren had presented to him ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

tie believed that the Sideup Lodge had originated tho idea , and onco having a start , it had gone ou increasing , and ended iu tho splendid gifts before him . Masonry had been to him tho oasis in tho desert of life , and he should ever look upon that day as one of tho most pleasing of its many enjoyments . Bro . Eastes , the D . P . G . M ., ' ose . The present was the first time during tho eighteen \ Tars their

Prov . G . M . had presided over them that tho Grand Lodge had met at Canterbury . He felt certain it must bo gratifying to him and to them to meet in a city so intimately connected with thoir ancient brethren . Looking back during the past 100 years , hn found that tho Provincial Lodge had onlv met four times at Canterbury , viz ., iu 1781 , 1792 , 1801 , and 1857 . Thus threo meetings had been

held during the first twenty years , bnt sinco then thoy had allowed fifty-six and twenty-one years respectively to elapse without a gathering . He hoped they would again adopt the shorter periods , as ho felt certain that a moro fitting plaoo for their meetings could hardly ho found . Then again comparing Freemasonry in the Province at the time of their last visit in 1857 , and at

the present time , he found that , whereas thoy then numbered fifteen Lodges with 449 members , they now had forty-three Lodges with 2430 members . Bnt this mere accession of numbers ho should consider insufficient , unless they could also show an increase in the good they had done . In 1857 tho Province sent £ (> 3 up to tho Charities , while in 1878 they had contributed £ 352 t" tho Institutions . These

figures showed an increase which he fo ! t conld but bo gratifying to every member of tho Province , and although thoy could hardly hope for a like increase in tho future , ho trusted they would not tiro in their efforts to do good . In connecting these remarks with tho Prov . Grand Master ' s name , thoy all knew that tho whole of tho increase was not duo to his lordship ,

many had joined their ranks in consequence of the good that was continually being done by Freemasons , but it could not ho denied that tho Province of Kent was deeply indebted to their Prov . G . Master , to whoso exertions most of their present prosperity was dne . He hoped tho brethren would that day show their appreciation of his endeavours by according such a reception to the toast as wonld prove

beyond doubt their feeling . The toast was most enthusiastically drunk . His lordship expressed his thanks for the kind way in which the brethren had received Bro . Eastes' remarks . He was always pleased to hear of their annual Masonic gatherings , and he was grat fied at tho reception accorded him on thoso occasions . Their Dep . G . M . had spoken at some length of tho progress of

Masonry during the past eighteen years . Ho agreed with him in thinking they conld hardly look forward to so great an increase in tho future , bnt hoped Masonry would never again lapse into that half frozen state which it held during 1780-1825 . Ho felt sure there waa not a brother among thorn who was not gratified at the gathoi ing of the day . Probably none of those present ( except those who were at tho

Albert Hall , on the occasion of the installation of TLis Royal Highness tho Prince of Wales ) had ever beheld so imposing a Masonic ceremony . Tho meeting was a numerous one , and the buildings in which they assembled wore perfectly adequate . The Provincial Grand Master was pleased at being enabled 'o allow the brethren to wear their Masonic regalia during the procession to tho Cathedral , ho

constdered it add : *! greatly to tho splendour of the meeting which had certainly been the stateliest ceremony over taken part in by the Craft of Kent during the past twenty years . He then proceeded to give the health of tho Deputy Prov . G . M . Bro . Eastes . It was to that brother he was indebted for much of his knowledge of tho affairs of tho Province . It was to him ho looked for information respecting the variona

appointments to bo made each year , and from the general satisfaction those appointments gave , ho felt sure that Bro . Eastes was not only able , but really did perform the arduous duties of his office with the greatest care and ability . The toast met with a hearty reception , and Bro . Eastes in responding thanked his lordship for his very complimentary remarks . Nothing conld stimulate him more to do his duty

or to work for the best interests of the Craft . It would ever bo his aim to carry out the wishes of tho Prov . G . M ., and he felt sure that thoso wishes would be for the good of the Freemasons of Kent . They were deeply indebted to those brethren who had had tho management of tho day ' s proceedings for the hospitable reception which had been accorded them , and he felt sure that ho was expressing the wish of

all present when ho thanked the Masons of Canterbury , and especially Bro . Hall aud others who had undertaken aud carried through the arrangements for the visit . He hoped it would not be many years before they would again have an opportunity of paying a visit to the grand old city . The Prov . Grand Master next gave tho health of the Provincial Grand Officers past and present , referring to each in a

few kindly words . In old times it was not unfrequent for a brother to attend the meeting when he was appointed to a Provincial office , and after that never to tako any notice of P . Grand Lodgo or its committees , but now things wero very different . They never had a meeting in connection with the affairs of the Province , but they had a goodly array of brethren wearing the purple ready to give their

advice or help in any matter introduced For tho welfare of tho Craft . Bro . Colonel King , the newly . appointed S . W ., was the first to Jeply . He must do so as a soldier , as he felt it was to his brother soldi rs that he was indebted for the honour conferred on him . It was a grand recognition of the work done in Masonry by the Military of Kent , who , he felt , wonld exert

themselves more and more to show they wero worthy of the compliment . The J . W . also replied . It would ever bo his aim to work for the good of the Craft , both in Kent and throughout the country . The health of the brethren of the throe entertaining Lodges was then given . The Grand Master felt that had not the Masons of Canterbury worked hard , they wonld have met that day under very great

disadvantages , but as they had so faithfully discharged their duties , their meeting had been a great success , and their reception a grand one . Bro . J . Plant , as W . M . of the oldest Lodge , replied . If they had fallen short in any way , he hoped the brethren would forgive them . He felt that a great part of the success of the day was due to the grand building in which they had been able to meet . The health of the Visitors was next given . The Prov . G . M . was always pleased to seo