The Masonic Year 1876.

Highness the Grand Master , having claimed admission , was ushered in by a body of Stewards previously selected for that purpose . Having ascended the throne , he was saluted with enthusiasm , and , making clue allowance for the difference in numbes , quite as effectively as at his

installation in the Royal Albert Hall . Lord Suffield , Provincial Grand Master elect , was then announced , and his patent of appointment having been given in and rend , his Lordship was introduced by certain of the Stewards , and duly installed by the Grand Master . His Royal

Highness then offered his congratulations to Lord Suffield , who , in acknowledging them , expressed a hope that he might be found worthy of the high office to which he had been appointed , and his determination to do all in his power to promote the welfare of tho Craft . The

Lodge was then closed , and the brethren dispersed , His Royal Highness being greeted with the same enthusiasm on leaving as on his arrival . In the evening the six Norwich Lodges met together , again to celebrate the auspicious event in the usual manner among Masons ,

and those who had the pleasure of being present as guests will ever look back with pleasure to the abounding kindness and hospitality of the Norwich brethren , one of whom , Bro . A . M . P . Morgan , Past Deputy Grand Master of the Province , deserves to be mentioned by name , as having

exerted himself to the utmost to receive and entertain the visitors who had flocked to the cit y from all parts . We almost have ib in our heart to envy our Norfolk brethren the high distinction they enjoyed in having their Provincial Grand Master installed thus ceremoniously by the highest

Masonic dignitary in England . As an incident of the week in which this event occurred , wo may mention that Prince Leopold was present as a visitor at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Wiltshire , held at Warminster , two days later . On this occasion the respected Provincial Grand Master ,

Lord Methuen , was presented with a magnificently emblazoned banner , in honour of his prolonged tenure of the Provincial Grand Mastership , and the many valuable services he had rendered to Freemasonry . After replying to the toast of his own health , His Royal Highness

proposed " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " in terms of well-merited eulogy , and his speech was most enthusiastically applauded by the brethren present . It is also worthy of mention , while referring to the connection of our Royal brethren with Freemasonry , that , early this

year , Prince Leopold was advanced to tho 30 ° , on which occasion the Earl of Carnarvon , Sovereign Grand Commander , 33 ° , presided ; and further , that during his term of service on the Staff at Gibraltar , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught had conferred upon him the 18 th degree of Rose Croix .

But while we sincerely congratulate the Fraternity on these accidents , for such they really are , of our growing fortune , we must look for the more substantial evidences of our progress to the regular working of the Craft . In doing this , we find our statement more than justified . At no

period in our history has there been greater zeal and energy displayed than during this year . Not only have our Lodges met on the appointed days with their wonted regularity , but they have done so in more considerable force than heretofore . There has , likewise , been a greater amount of

earnestness displayed in the labours of the Lodge , a greater desire to be perfect in rendering the ceremonies and working the Lectures , a deeper anxiety manifested to be Masons actually , as well as nominally . Craftsmen individuall y have fulfilled their duties in more workmanlike fashion , as

though they had been to the manner born ; while collectively , as Lodges , they have left no stone unturned in order to accomplish their allotted task . Grand Lodge , at its regular Quarterly CommunicationSj has been more numerously attended than ever , and this is explicable , at

least as much owing to the increased sense of our Masonic responsibilities as to the interest excited in one important question not yet fully determined , so far as regards the character it shall assume . The same may be said of the various Provincial Grand Lodges that have been held

throughout tho country ; while in the case of unusual celebrations , such as attended the consecration of a new Lodge-room at Havant , for the use of the Carnarvon Lodge , No . 804 , and the laying of the foundation-stones of new Masonic Halls at Launceston and Redruth , the occasions have

proved not only a source of pride and pleasure within the Craft , but a matter for envious comment—always , as we have said , a sign of increased prosperity—among profanes . And here it seems fitting that we should go just one step further , and mention some of the most conspicuous instances

The Masonic Year 1876.

in which the more zealous among onr members have received some acknowledgment for their valuable services . The presentation of these special testimonials of respect and esteem has occurred too frequently for us to enumerate them all , but certain of them deserve attention . Thus almost the

first duty that devolved upon Prince Leopold , as Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire , was the presentation to Bro . Spiers of an inkstand and a pnrso of 500 guineas . Bro . Spiers had held the important office of Deputy Grand Master of the Province for over twenty years , during

which period he displayed unwonted energy and enthusiasm in the discharge of his duties . His Oxfordshire brethren were fully sensible of this , aud very wisely determined that Bro . Spiers should receive a substantial token of their affection for him , both as a man and as a brother .

Accordingly , Prince Leopold had barely been installed and appointed his officers , when the pleasing task fell to him of handing tho testimonial we have mentioned to Bro . Spiers . A suitable address accompanied it , and in discharging his duty , the Prince added a few words of his

own , in graceful allusion to the Past Deputy P . G . Master ' s admirable career in Masonry . Among other instances of a like character must bo mentioned 3 thoso of Bro . Hervey , our respected Grand Secretary , and Bro . Sutcliffe , a leading Mason in tho Province of Lincolnshire . Bro . Hervey , as our

readers are no doubt aware , has filled the important office of Treasurer to the Emulation Lodge of Improvement for upwards of thirty years , and on the 24 th November a handsome inkstand was presented to him by our Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon , in the presence of between

600 and 700 brethren . On the 29 th of the same month , Bro . Sutcliffe , in his capacity of Provincial Grand Mark Master Mason of Lincolnshire , was presented with an oil painting , containing portraits of himself and his first Provincial Grand Officers , the handsome frame being enriched with suitable Masonic emblems .

Let us now , however , pass to the most important achievements of the year—we mean the work done for our various Masonic Institutions . Whenever the world is inclined to ho distrustful of the true purposes of Freemasonry , when

it tells us we aro little better than an irreligious , immoral society of men , bent on the destruction of all that is valued and valuable in all countries , a Brother has merely to point to onr three noble charities , and ask— " If an Order which has established aud maintains such noble institutions is

truly eager for the overthrow of Governments , religions , and moralities ? " He may say , "By our fruits ye shall know us ! " And how magnificent are these fruits of our beloved Freemasonry—a Benevolent Institution , which relieves aged and distressed brethren , and the widows of

distressed brethren , to the number of two hundred mid forty-six ; a Boys' School , which clothes , maintains , and educates one hundred and eighty boys ; and a Girls' School , which now receives one hundred and fifty , and will shortly be enlarged to receive over two hundred girls—the sons and

daughters of deceased or indigent Masons . These are , indeed , a legitimate subject of pride with all Craftsmen , and should satisfy the world that our Society is an honesb and an honourable one . And how is all this done ? By the voluntary contributions of Craftsmen , gathered and

presented annually , at the regular Festivals of the three Charities . This year the Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held at the Freemasons' Hotel , on 9 th February . Our Deputy Grand Master , Lord Skelmersdale , presided , and was ably and energetically

supported by nearly 400 brethren , lowards the close of the evening the indefatigable Secretary , Bro . Terry , announced the total amount of the subscriptions as £ 9 , 184 10 s 6 d ; West Lancashire , of which Lord Skelmersdale is the Pro - vincial Grand Master , nobly supporting his lordship to the

extent of over £ 1 , 500 . The substantial result of this magnificent success was the increase of the several sums payable to tho male annuitants from £ 36 to £ 40 , and to the female annuitants from £ 28 to £ 32 ; truly a great boon to our worthy patriarchal friends , who have seen more fortunate ,

if not happier times ! Before closing our reference to the Benevolent Institution , we may as well add , that the last year or two , Bro . Terry has provided a Summer and Winter

Entertainment for our Old Folks , and on these occasions there is always ' a numerous gathering of the friends and supporters of the Institution , who lay themselves out specially to please our ancient fellows . In May was held the eighty-eighth Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls . Sir Henry Edwards

Bart .. Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire , pre *