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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT. Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
This Memorial Stone , of the Folkestone Masonio Hall , was laid by R . W . Bro . Earl Amherst , Prov . Grand Master of Kent , Wednesday , 7 th Jnlv 1886 .
Bro . G . L . Hart , Prov . G . J . W ., then introduced to his Lordship the directors of the Company and the architect of the building ; and the Provincial Grand Master delivered a brief address , expressing the hope that the undertaking upon which they had that day entered might prove successful , satisfactory to the promoters , and valuable to the Craft .
Lnter in the afternoon a sumptnons banquet was provided in the Winter Garden of the Royal Pavilion Hotel , which , with its exquisite display of flowers nnd luxurious appointments , presented a scene of unusual magnificence and animation . An elaborate repast was served by Bros . Spnrgen and Waite , and the pleasures of the occasion were
very materially enhanced by tho performance dm-ing dinner of a choice selection of music by the band of the first Battalion Manchester Regiment , under the direction of Mr . E . T . Quinn , bandmaster . At dessert the Provincial Grand Master proposed the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , which were received with the utmost
enthusiasm . Reference was made to the interest manifested by Her Majesty in the Craft , of which she is Patron , and his lordship observed that during tho past year it had been his good fortune to be present on two very interesting occasions , on whioh his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had taken a prominent part in Masonic
proceedings . One was the installation of his brother , the Duke of Connaught , as Provincial Grand Master of the neighbouring Province of Sussex , when there was such a magnificent assemblage of Freemasons at Brighton , from all parts of the kingdom , and from the Colonies as well , as hnd never been equalled since his Royal
Highness was installed as Grand Master in the Albert Hall , which many of those present would remember . Tho other occasion was when his Royal Highness took his obligation as Grand Master of Mark Masons of England . Besides that , his Royal Highness only a few days previously invested his eldest son , Prince Albert Victor , as
Senior Warden of the Royal Alpha Lodge . During the year his Royal Highness had taken part in many interesting fnnctions connected with Masonry ; and they were all grateful to him , considering the many claims upon his time , for having devoted so much of his attention to the interests of the Craft . His solicitude for the well .
being of Freemasonry was well known to all the members of it , and the Prince had shown himself to be a thorough Mason , not only in name , bat iu word and deed . The Provincial Grand Master next proposed the Most Worshipful the Earl of Carnarvon Pro Grand Master , the Right Worshipful Brother the Earl of Lathom Deputy
Grand Master , and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge Present and Past . In doing so he paid a deservedly high tribute of praise to our Masonio rulers for the ability with which they administered the affairs of Grand Lodgo , and said that to their efforts were in a great measnre indebted the success which had attended the
Craft . He associated with tho toast the name of their esteemed Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . S . Eastes . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who on rising to respond was received with hearty applause , said he did so with great pleasure and pride on the present interesting occasion . After acknowledging in suitable terms
the kindly recognition which had been made of the services rendered by the Officers of the Grand Lodge , he proposed the health of the Rt . Wor . Bro . Earl Amherst , Provincial Grand Master ; the toast being received with the utmost acclamation . He rejoiced to find that toast so heartily received , though he had not had an atom of doubt that it
would be so , because he knew the loyalty of the brethren of the Province of Kent , and he was therefore well assured that the toast would meet with a most cordial acceptance . He reminded them that the Inst Provincial Grand Lodge held iu Folkestone 'was so far back as 1867 , and it was a curious coincidence that that was the only time on which their Provincial Grand Master was absent from the
Festiyal . That absence was caused by unavoidable circumstances . But if they wanted any proof of the deep and active interest which the noble Earl took in matters concerning Freemasonry , he pointed to the fact that only once in 26 years had Earl Amherst been away from the Annual Festivals of the Province of Kent . His lordship was
appointed Provincial Grand Master in 1860 , at Gravesend , and at that time the Province could only boast of 17 Lodges , with something like 60 or 70 members . That was very unlike the return they had had made to-day , when there were 54 Lodges and 2800 members . About 80 joined in the course of last year . But although the
Lodges had so vastly increased in strength , it must be borne in mind that they had by no means deteriorated in quality , and tbey looked forward to having as good members in the future as they were fortunate enough now to number in their ranks . He did not see any reason why every man should not become a Mason .
One reason why he congratulated their esteemed Provincial Grand Master upon the increase of the Craft was , that whereas in times past it was only a spasmodic £ 50 or £ 100 that they were enabled to transmit to the Masonic Charities , on this occasion , for instance , they had voted £ 65 to cases of necessity in their own Province , and £ 400
towards the funds of the great Institutions of which they were all so justly proud . In this Province they never reserved money , but gave the whole of their income every year . Being perfectly satisfied with the way in which the Charities were managed , they accordingly gave them all they possessed . He considered that was
the best system to adopt . The toast having been received with every demonstration of welcome , the Provincial Grand Master returned thanks for the cordial reception with which he had been greeted on
this interesting occasion . During the many years he had ruled over this Province , he had been so favoured with health and strength that he had only once been absent on the occasion of Provincial Grand Lodge . Ho held that no man ought to undertake an ofiice
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
unless he was prepared and willing to carry out his duties . Sup „ posing he had many votes to dispose of to-day , he did not know what would como uppermost in his mind , his love for politics or Freemasonry ; but , having given Freemasonry hi 3 vote to-day , they had it all thoir own way . Nothing but pressure of imperative duty
would ever keep him away from them . They had had a very successful year in Kent . It had been his pleasurable duty to preside at the Consecration of two new Lodgeg which he hoped would add very considerably to the lnstre of the Province of Kent , and result in an accession to their
strength . They wero now deliberating as to the issue of a warrant for the 55 th Lodge , whether there was snffioient room in the place in which it was proposed to found it . All they desired was tho assur . ance of its continued success . To-day they had had a very intei-esfc . ing ceremony , that of laying the foundation-stone of what he hoped
would beoome the home of Freemasonry in the town of Folkestone . He was afraid , however , that the ladies who were present woul d believe he had deliberately laid himself out to " soil" them , by reason of the extraordinary brevity of the performance . Under the circumstances , however , a full Masonio ceremony was not practicable ,
and he believed a curtailed ceremony was most proper . He hoped the Province would go on in prosperity and success , and so long as ho was permitted to rule over them that they would receive the toast of his health with no less cordiality than they had to-day . The noble Earl resumed his seat amidst prolonged choering . The Provincial Grand
Master next proposed the V . W . Bro . J . Smith Eastes , Deputy Pro . vincial Grand Master , to whom he passed a warm encomium for tho able manner in which he had discharged the duties entrusted to him . He ( tho speaker ) did not know what he should have done without Bro . Eastes that day . The toast was heartily received , and the Deputy
Provincial Grand Master , in the course of his response , said he had occupied the proud position he now filled for ten or eleven years , and that time had been very agreeable to himself . He admitted there were certain difficulties connected with the office , but he had always felt such a deep love for Freemasonry that he could not
negloot anything it was in his power to do for the benefit of the Craft . He referred at some length to the gratifying increase in their Masonio strength since Provincial Grand Lodge last assembled in Folkestone , and to the efficiency of the members of the Temple Lodge , under whose banner they had met that day . Many of the brethren of
that Lodge could now perform the work much better than he ( tho speaker ) could do at the time he alluded to , and he had initiated many members into the Temple Lodge . It was a matter of great "ratification to him to see the way in which they had entertained Provincial Grand Lodge , and there could be no one present who
would feel that he could be more heartily welcomed elsewhere . In proposing the Provincial Grand Officers , present and past , Earl Amherst observed that there was now no difficulty in finding eligible recipients of the purple ; tho difficulty was rather to choose from so many . That day he had invested several brethren whose services to
Freemasonry deserved the honour . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Hart , Prov . G . S . W ., whose geniality and useful services to the Craft had won for him a very high place in Masonry , and had endeared him to all his brethren in the Temple Lodge . Ho ( the speaker ) was glad to recognise the services of the Grand Officers , and
looked forward with pleasant anticipations to co-operation with them in the future . Bro . G . L . Hart , Prov . G . S . W ., said it was utterly impossible for him to find words adequately to express his sense of the honour which had been conferred upon him that day . It would be false delicacy on his part if he did not say he was very proud of the
position which by their kindness ho now occupied . It would ever remain in his memory as one of the greatest " red-letter " days of his life . It was his privilege to represent the Temple Lodge at the recent Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and it was with feelings of exultation that he found Kent came out first in the list of
subscriptions . He referred to the great kindness of the noble Earl in laying the memorial stone of the new Masonic Hall , and said the promoters of that Company had been actuated by one motive only , the advancement of Freemasonry in the Province of Kent . He hoped the Province wonld occupy the high position it now enjoyed in the
estimation of the noble Earl during the many years they all trusted he would be spared to rule over them . Bro . Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . Secy ., then proposed the Masonic Charities , with a few appropriate remarks concerning each of the three Institutions . A large number of boys and girls had been educated , maintained and fed , at
the homes at Wood Green and Battersea , where they had been trained to discharge their duties in after life , whilst at the Old People ' s Home at Croydon , every comfort was provided for the aged and decayed , so as to enable them to peacefully pass their declining days . He spoke of the latter Institution feelingly , because at the last
Festival he occupied the proud position of sending in the largest return of any Province . He concluded by earnestly appealing to them to support the Institutions , which had been the means of doing so much good to the Craft in past years . Bro . F . Binckes , in responding , said , as a constant attendant at the Anniversary Festivals of the
Province of Kent for many years , it was utterly impossible for him to find any new words in which to acknowledge their cordial reception of this toast . He thanked Bro . Spencer for endeavouring to enlist the sympathies of the brethren on behalf of the great
Institutions of the Craft , with one of which he had had the honour of being associated since the year 1861 . He also alluded to the successful Festival of the Boys' School held four years ago , at the Crystal Palace , under the presidency of their Provincial Grand Master , then Lord Holmesdale . Kent still maintained the blue riband of the
Order , and he hoped it would continue to do so , and that the White Horse of Kent would maintain its title of " Invicta . " Bro . J . Terry also responded on behalf of the Benevolent Institution , of which he is the Secretary . After the speeches they had heard it would be
superfluous for him to travel over the same ground as his excellent colleague had taken ; therefore , in a few words he would thank them for the services they had rendered , through their Stewards , to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He thanked the Province for
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
This Memorial Stone , of the Folkestone Masonio Hall , was laid by R . W . Bro . Earl Amherst , Prov . Grand Master of Kent , Wednesday , 7 th Jnlv 1886 .
Bro . G . L . Hart , Prov . G . J . W ., then introduced to his Lordship the directors of the Company and the architect of the building ; and the Provincial Grand Master delivered a brief address , expressing the hope that the undertaking upon which they had that day entered might prove successful , satisfactory to the promoters , and valuable to the Craft .
Lnter in the afternoon a sumptnons banquet was provided in the Winter Garden of the Royal Pavilion Hotel , which , with its exquisite display of flowers nnd luxurious appointments , presented a scene of unusual magnificence and animation . An elaborate repast was served by Bros . Spnrgen and Waite , and the pleasures of the occasion were
very materially enhanced by tho performance dm-ing dinner of a choice selection of music by the band of the first Battalion Manchester Regiment , under the direction of Mr . E . T . Quinn , bandmaster . At dessert the Provincial Grand Master proposed the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , which were received with the utmost
enthusiasm . Reference was made to the interest manifested by Her Majesty in the Craft , of which she is Patron , and his lordship observed that during tho past year it had been his good fortune to be present on two very interesting occasions , on whioh his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had taken a prominent part in Masonic
proceedings . One was the installation of his brother , the Duke of Connaught , as Provincial Grand Master of the neighbouring Province of Sussex , when there was such a magnificent assemblage of Freemasons at Brighton , from all parts of the kingdom , and from the Colonies as well , as hnd never been equalled since his Royal
Highness was installed as Grand Master in the Albert Hall , which many of those present would remember . Tho other occasion was when his Royal Highness took his obligation as Grand Master of Mark Masons of England . Besides that , his Royal Highness only a few days previously invested his eldest son , Prince Albert Victor , as
Senior Warden of the Royal Alpha Lodge . During the year his Royal Highness had taken part in many interesting fnnctions connected with Masonry ; and they were all grateful to him , considering the many claims upon his time , for having devoted so much of his attention to the interests of the Craft . His solicitude for the well .
being of Freemasonry was well known to all the members of it , and the Prince had shown himself to be a thorough Mason , not only in name , bat iu word and deed . The Provincial Grand Master next proposed the Most Worshipful the Earl of Carnarvon Pro Grand Master , the Right Worshipful Brother the Earl of Lathom Deputy
Grand Master , and the rest of the Officers of Grand Lodge Present and Past . In doing so he paid a deservedly high tribute of praise to our Masonio rulers for the ability with which they administered the affairs of Grand Lodgo , and said that to their efforts were in a great measnre indebted the success which had attended the
Craft . He associated with tho toast the name of their esteemed Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . S . Eastes . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who on rising to respond was received with hearty applause , said he did so with great pleasure and pride on the present interesting occasion . After acknowledging in suitable terms
the kindly recognition which had been made of the services rendered by the Officers of the Grand Lodge , he proposed the health of the Rt . Wor . Bro . Earl Amherst , Provincial Grand Master ; the toast being received with the utmost acclamation . He rejoiced to find that toast so heartily received , though he had not had an atom of doubt that it
would be so , because he knew the loyalty of the brethren of the Province of Kent , and he was therefore well assured that the toast would meet with a most cordial acceptance . He reminded them that the Inst Provincial Grand Lodge held iu Folkestone 'was so far back as 1867 , and it was a curious coincidence that that was the only time on which their Provincial Grand Master was absent from the
Festiyal . That absence was caused by unavoidable circumstances . But if they wanted any proof of the deep and active interest which the noble Earl took in matters concerning Freemasonry , he pointed to the fact that only once in 26 years had Earl Amherst been away from the Annual Festivals of the Province of Kent . His lordship was
appointed Provincial Grand Master in 1860 , at Gravesend , and at that time the Province could only boast of 17 Lodges , with something like 60 or 70 members . That was very unlike the return they had had made to-day , when there were 54 Lodges and 2800 members . About 80 joined in the course of last year . But although the
Lodges had so vastly increased in strength , it must be borne in mind that they had by no means deteriorated in quality , and tbey looked forward to having as good members in the future as they were fortunate enough now to number in their ranks . He did not see any reason why every man should not become a Mason .
One reason why he congratulated their esteemed Provincial Grand Master upon the increase of the Craft was , that whereas in times past it was only a spasmodic £ 50 or £ 100 that they were enabled to transmit to the Masonic Charities , on this occasion , for instance , they had voted £ 65 to cases of necessity in their own Province , and £ 400
towards the funds of the great Institutions of which they were all so justly proud . In this Province they never reserved money , but gave the whole of their income every year . Being perfectly satisfied with the way in which the Charities were managed , they accordingly gave them all they possessed . He considered that was
the best system to adopt . The toast having been received with every demonstration of welcome , the Provincial Grand Master returned thanks for the cordial reception with which he had been greeted on
this interesting occasion . During the many years he had ruled over this Province , he had been so favoured with health and strength that he had only once been absent on the occasion of Provincial Grand Lodge . Ho held that no man ought to undertake an ofiice
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.
unless he was prepared and willing to carry out his duties . Sup „ posing he had many votes to dispose of to-day , he did not know what would como uppermost in his mind , his love for politics or Freemasonry ; but , having given Freemasonry hi 3 vote to-day , they had it all thoir own way . Nothing but pressure of imperative duty
would ever keep him away from them . They had had a very successful year in Kent . It had been his pleasurable duty to preside at the Consecration of two new Lodgeg which he hoped would add very considerably to the lnstre of the Province of Kent , and result in an accession to their
strength . They wero now deliberating as to the issue of a warrant for the 55 th Lodge , whether there was snffioient room in the place in which it was proposed to found it . All they desired was tho assur . ance of its continued success . To-day they had had a very intei-esfc . ing ceremony , that of laying the foundation-stone of what he hoped
would beoome the home of Freemasonry in the town of Folkestone . He was afraid , however , that the ladies who were present woul d believe he had deliberately laid himself out to " soil" them , by reason of the extraordinary brevity of the performance . Under the circumstances , however , a full Masonio ceremony was not practicable ,
and he believed a curtailed ceremony was most proper . He hoped the Province would go on in prosperity and success , and so long as ho was permitted to rule over them that they would receive the toast of his health with no less cordiality than they had to-day . The noble Earl resumed his seat amidst prolonged choering . The Provincial Grand
Master next proposed the V . W . Bro . J . Smith Eastes , Deputy Pro . vincial Grand Master , to whom he passed a warm encomium for tho able manner in which he had discharged the duties entrusted to him . He ( tho speaker ) did not know what he should have done without Bro . Eastes that day . The toast was heartily received , and the Deputy
Provincial Grand Master , in the course of his response , said he had occupied the proud position he now filled for ten or eleven years , and that time had been very agreeable to himself . He admitted there were certain difficulties connected with the office , but he had always felt such a deep love for Freemasonry that he could not
negloot anything it was in his power to do for the benefit of the Craft . He referred at some length to the gratifying increase in their Masonio strength since Provincial Grand Lodge last assembled in Folkestone , and to the efficiency of the members of the Temple Lodge , under whose banner they had met that day . Many of the brethren of
that Lodge could now perform the work much better than he ( tho speaker ) could do at the time he alluded to , and he had initiated many members into the Temple Lodge . It was a matter of great "ratification to him to see the way in which they had entertained Provincial Grand Lodge , and there could be no one present who
would feel that he could be more heartily welcomed elsewhere . In proposing the Provincial Grand Officers , present and past , Earl Amherst observed that there was now no difficulty in finding eligible recipients of the purple ; tho difficulty was rather to choose from so many . That day he had invested several brethren whose services to
Freemasonry deserved the honour . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Hart , Prov . G . S . W ., whose geniality and useful services to the Craft had won for him a very high place in Masonry , and had endeared him to all his brethren in the Temple Lodge . Ho ( the speaker ) was glad to recognise the services of the Grand Officers , and
looked forward with pleasant anticipations to co-operation with them in the future . Bro . G . L . Hart , Prov . G . S . W ., said it was utterly impossible for him to find words adequately to express his sense of the honour which had been conferred upon him that day . It would be false delicacy on his part if he did not say he was very proud of the
position which by their kindness ho now occupied . It would ever remain in his memory as one of the greatest " red-letter " days of his life . It was his privilege to represent the Temple Lodge at the recent Festival of the Benevolent Institution , and it was with feelings of exultation that he found Kent came out first in the list of
subscriptions . He referred to the great kindness of the noble Earl in laying the memorial stone of the new Masonic Hall , and said the promoters of that Company had been actuated by one motive only , the advancement of Freemasonry in the Province of Kent . He hoped the Province wonld occupy the high position it now enjoyed in the
estimation of the noble Earl during the many years they all trusted he would be spared to rule over them . Bro . Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . Secy ., then proposed the Masonic Charities , with a few appropriate remarks concerning each of the three Institutions . A large number of boys and girls had been educated , maintained and fed , at
the homes at Wood Green and Battersea , where they had been trained to discharge their duties in after life , whilst at the Old People ' s Home at Croydon , every comfort was provided for the aged and decayed , so as to enable them to peacefully pass their declining days . He spoke of the latter Institution feelingly , because at the last
Festival he occupied the proud position of sending in the largest return of any Province . He concluded by earnestly appealing to them to support the Institutions , which had been the means of doing so much good to the Craft in past years . Bro . F . Binckes , in responding , said , as a constant attendant at the Anniversary Festivals of the
Province of Kent for many years , it was utterly impossible for him to find any new words in which to acknowledge their cordial reception of this toast . He thanked Bro . Spencer for endeavouring to enlist the sympathies of the brethren on behalf of the great
Institutions of the Craft , with one of which he had had the honour of being associated since the year 1861 . He also alluded to the successful Festival of the Boys' School held four years ago , at the Crystal Palace , under the presidency of their Provincial Grand Master , then Lord Holmesdale . Kent still maintained the blue riband of the
Order , and he hoped it would continue to do so , and that the White Horse of Kent would maintain its title of " Invicta . " Bro . J . Terry also responded on behalf of the Benevolent Institution , of which he is the Secretary . After the speeches they had heard it would be
superfluous for him to travel over the same ground as his excellent colleague had taken ; therefore , in a few words he would thank them for the services they had rendered , through their Stewards , to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . He thanked the Province for