Prov. Grand Chapter Of Middlesex

PROV . GRAND CHAPTER OF MIDDLESEX

THE Seventh Convocation of this Prov . Grand Chapter was hold at tho Grammar School , Enfield Town , on Saturday last , and favoured by propitious weather , was largely attended . Under tho auspices of the Enfield Chapter , the members of which had spared no pains to afford a hearty welcome to tho Provincial Grand Superintendent and his Officers , tho meeting Avas equally attractive as

successful . The spacious and comfortablo school-room was rendered bright and cheerful by tho elaborato sotting out of tho admirable appointments of tho Enfield Chapter , tho principal cjiadrs of Avhich were placed on a dais surrounded by largo and valuaVfc plants and exotics , aud whon tho Prov . Grand Chapter had assembled , tho general effect was of a most pleasing character , and merited tho encomium bestowed

on those Companions who had so tastefully provided for the gratification of their guests . Amougst thoso present during the meeting wero the M . E . Comps . Col . Francis Burdott G . Superintendent , Frederic Davison Prov . G . H ., C . Horsloy P . G . Re ? , as Prov . G . J ., II . 0 . Levandor Prov . G . S . E ., H . G . Buss Prov . G . Treas ., G . Letchwovth Prov . G . P . S ., H . J . Adams Prov . G . Sword Bearer , D . A .

Cama Prov . G . Standard Bearer , T . Walls Prov . G . Org ., J . Gilbert Prov . G . Janitor ; also Comps . H . A . Dubois P . P . G . D . C ., D . W . Tearce P . P . G . R .. W . F . Laxton , P . P . G . R ., Dr . E . Brotte P . P . G . A . S ., George Kenning P . P . G . D . C ., C . R . Shorvill P . Z . 382 , G . H . Jaffa P . S . 1237 , T . Massa J . 1293 , W . II . Postans II . 1237 , Louis Beck 1326 , T . W . Ockendon P . S . 1423 , E . Hopwood P . Z . 1326 , J . Linzell J . 1237 ,

E . W . Mackncy P . Z . 131 , E . Mathison 1237 , G . Cordwoll P . Z . 132 G , J . B . Shacklcton 1326 , & c . Amongst the visitors Avere—E . Comps . James Stevens P . Z . 720 , 771 , S . Hill P . Z . 109 , A . Dnrrant Z . 11 S 5 , and G . W . Dorn . The Provincial Grand Chapter having been opened with the utmost solemnity , tho roll of Chaptors in tho Province was called , viz ., Royal Union 382 Uxbridgo , Bard of Avon 77 S Hampton

Court , Strawberry Hill 910 Twickenham , Royal Middlesex 1191 Hampton Court , Enfiold 1237 Enfield Town , Burdett 1293 Hampton Court , Lebanon 1326 Hampton , Eva 1123 Hampton Court , and Francis Burdett 1503 Twickenham . These , with the exception of No . 916 , were well represented . The minutes of tho previous Convocation were verified . Tho report of tho Audit Committee , which

was extremely favourable , as notwithstanding a largo and necessary outlay for Prov . Grand Chapter appointments during tho past year , a satisfactory balance is still left in tho hands of the worthy Prov . Grand Treasurer , Comp . Buss , was received and nuanimously adopted . Tho Prov . Grand Superintendent then announced that he had appointed Ex . Comp . H . C . Levander as Prov . G . H ., and Ex .

Comp . the Rev . Ernest Bretto as Prov . G . J ., and immediately proceeded to instal thoso Companions into their respective offices . This ceremony , though brief , was conducted with all the usnal careful and impressive observance customary to tho Prov . Grand Superintendent when performing Masonic ceremonial , and the newly

installed Provincial Grand Officers were greeted and eongratnlatcd on their appointments . The election of Prov . Grand Treasurer resulted iu the unanimous , re-election of Ex . Comp . H . G . Buss , who was re-invested by Col . Burdott amidst acclamation . The remaining appointments to Prov . Grand Office were : —

Companion II . A . Dubois Prov . G . S . E . ,, Glover ... ... ... ... „ G . S . N . „ Herbert Dickctts „ G . P . S . „ G . Curdwell „ G . 1 st A . S . ,, John Hammond ,, G . 2 nd A . S .

„ Keen ... ... ... ... „ & . Reg . „ D . P . Cama „ G . S . B . „ J . B . Shacklcton „ G . S . B . „ T . Walls „ G . D . C . ,, Louis Beck „ G . Org . „ John Gilbert ... ... ... „ G . Janitor

Ex . Comp . H . G . Buss called the attention of the Prov . Grand Chapter to tho death dnriug tho past year of Ex . Comp . Weutworth Little , aud stated that a subscription was now in conrso of being raised for a fitting memorial of his great Masonic services , and the worth and esteem in which he was held by all Freemasons , as well in the Craft as in other degrees . lie proposed a vote of five guineas

from the Prov . Grand Chapter funds towards such memorial . The Prov . Grand Superintendent stated his desire to second that proposition , and spoke in tho most unqualified terms nf approval of the exertions and energy of the lato Comp . Little , to whom he considered the Provinco of Middlesex had been at all times greatly indebted . The proposal now made gave him pleasure , but it was

mingled with grief aud sorrow at the loss of ono Avho had in his brief sojourn hero been of so much assistance personally to himself , aud generally to the Craft throughout tho district over which ho had the honour to preside . It is almost needless to say tho proposal was accepted with the utmost unanimity . Letters of apology from Grand Scribe E ., and several other distinguished Companions , regretting their

inability to be present , were read , and tho Prov . Grand Chapter was solemnly closed , and the meeting adjourned . A large proportion of the Companions remained to banquet , which was admirably served at the George Hotel under the personal supervision of Companion Itobcrt Mathison 1237 , tho " worthy host , " wdiose liberality , both in respect of viauds and wines and perfect service , was greatly and

dodeservedl y extolled . " To scatter plenty o ' er a smiling land " seemed t" be tho set purpose of mine host of the " George , " and he carried jf - out to the fullest . On the clearance of tho cloth and a deliberate attention to a well-spread dessert , tho Prov . Grand Superintendent 1 'roposed tho first toast , " ' The Queen audit . A . Masonry , " which was

received with the usual cordiality . In consequence of the necessity f ' oi a t" earl y departure there wore but two other toasts given , viz ., " Grand Chapter , " and " Prov . Grand Chapter of Middlesex , " the latter being coupled with the health of the Prov . Grand Superintendent . Kx ^ ° mp . Levander in proposing this toast spoke in most enthusiastic tcrms of the privilege which all Middlesex Masons enjoyed in being

Prov. Grand Chapter Of Middlesex

presided over by Col . Burdett , and , judging from tho reception his name met with there could be no two opinions as to tho popularity of that distinguished Brother and Companion . In response tho Prov . Grand Superintendent expressed his best thanks for all tho gratifying words of Ex . Comp Levander and tho reception of the toast , and stated that from a Provinco comprising only some three or four

Chapters in 1872 it had how nine prosperous Chapters , and there was reason to expect that at no distant period every Lodgo in tho Provinco would havo its Chapter . The Order of tho Royal Arch was itself generally increasing , and ought to receiro tho strongest support from all true Masons . He desired to thank his Officers of tho past year for all thoir exertions , as well as those of

former years for securing tho effectual establishment of the Provinco itself , and ho also thanked his present Officers by anticipation for what ho felt assured would be equal energy and zeal on thoir part towards continued progress . Tho brief period at tho further disposal of returning Companions was agreeably devoted to harmony , Comp . Stevens reciting "Mason ' s Vows ! " and spinning "Jack ' s

Tarn ; " Comp . Walls singing , in admirable style , " I don't mean to tell you her name ; " aud though last , not least , Comp . Jas . Vorry , tho respected Janitor of the Enfield Chapter , humming " Tho Three Flies . " This brought tho meeting to a conclusion , and at nine o ' clock tho Companions started for the London trains , quite satisfied and delighted with tho success attending the Seventh Convocation of the Prov . Grand Chapter of Middlesex .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications . All Letters must bear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for pxiblication , but as a guarantee of good faith .

ASSISTANCE FUND—OUR SCHOLARS IN" AFTER LIFE .

To the Editor of THE FUEEJIASOX S CiiKONicr . E . DEAR Srit AND BKOTIIKU , —I beg to thank you for yonr kindness in printing my letter last week . I am pleased to see an effort is being made by Bro . Jacobs , and am flattored to think my suggestions , following tho Earl of Rosslyn ' s proposal , havo had the effect of producing such an able article . Enclosed , I beg to hand a sketch of tho scheme , and hope yon will not only be able to givo ine the

benefit of your experience , but that yon will also add your name to the list of patrons , and assist to carry out tho work . Not a . day passes but I receive evidence that the "Assistance Fund" will bo enthusiastically received . As , therefore , . you havo taken up tho matter so kindly , I venture to hope you will continne to ventilate it in your columns . The question is such an universal ono that it wonld be arrogance on ono lmin ' s part to dictate what to do with the Fund , and I am anxious to hoar suggestions

—1 st . As to how money could be raised . 2 nd . How it should bo applied . I propose , now that the scheme is well afloat , calling a meeting , and inviting tho'brethren to take part iu carrying out details . Secretaries of Provincial Grand Lodges and Country Lodges have great opportunities for supporting the scheme , without expense to their Lodges ,

by simply announcing on their notice papers , " The merits of the scheme will bo discussed , and brethren anxious to assist are requested to givo in their names . " It would hardly be within the limits of reason to hope the large sum required can bo raised in a feAV months ; but if every Lodge wero to start a subscription list for small monthly payments , how soon the desired total would bo obtainable . I agree

with yon it would hardly be possible , for each Provinco to work separately , nor wonld it bo to its advantage . I do not think any Province would be strong enough to support their nominations entirely , although donbtlcss some means conld be devised to givo them a vote for their nominees . But is not this disgressing ? Is not our aim now to raise a fund , and invite the wholo Craft to

consider that it as essential to provide for our scholars in after life as it is to educate them in thoir youth ? The more I think that we have no Assistance Fund attached to onr grand Charities , tho more inexplicable it seems to me . Thoro is scarcely another Charity to be found that does not assist its scholars with some start in life on their leaving school , and the statistical facts given by some of

these Charities , I am assured , arc most gratifying . No doubt there are many brethren in a position to take an apprentice , or otherwise offer an opening . What better opportunity could suoh as these have ? Let them apply to the Schools ; thoy will be gainers in many ways . They will be assured of the respectability , and will receive a reliable guarantee of tho ability of the scholar . The boy or girl has

also the advantage of going amongst kindly disposed people , and will havo the satisfaction of knowing that ho or she would not ho so placed unless proper inquiries had been made , or it was considered he or she was fitted for the vacancy . I simply urge this , en ¦ passant , as ono way in which the Assistance Committee would be doing good service . Bro . Binckes points out , indeed , two prominent eases ,

and ho is right iu stating it is laudable for onr beys to wish to servo their country ; indeed , what greater profit could wo have in return for our " assistance " than to / . now that not only did our lloysi serve their country , but deserved well of their country ! Who knows but one of these days we might have to score a second Rorko ' s Drift by our Boys . Without passing an opinion ou Bro . Jacob's laudable scheme ,