Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

On the motion of Bro . W . H . MARSDEN , seconded by Bro . Cox , Bro . G . T . Wrig ht was heartily and unanimously re-elected Chairman of the Charity Committee . The Prov . Grand Officers vvere then appointed and invested in the following order : —

Bro . Percy Wallis ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ V . J- Greenhough ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ The Rev . H . Price ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ The Rev . C . W . Groves .:. ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ J . B . Boycott ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ Wm . Naylor ... ... ... ... rrov . Lr . Sec , „ Cawthorne Webster ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ T . L . Roberts ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . Haslam ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W „ H . Arnold Bemrose ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C „ W . Dust ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . T . R . Turner ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br

„ A . J . Waller ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ J . Orme ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ S . S . Waddington ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . S . Mill ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Armfull ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Purst R . L . H . Mole ... ... ... -...- * .

„ „ J . T . Lee „ Glossop ... ... ... ... > Prov . G . Stwds „ Thomas Oldham ... ... ... j ., R . Hunt ... ... ... ...

„ Wm . Stone ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . After the proceedings at the Prov . Grand Lodge , the brethren dined together to the number of 60 ; the Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . H . C . Okeover , P . G . W . Eng ., presiding .

The leading toasts vvere given with true Masonic feeling from the chair , the D . P . G . M . observing that whilst very few Sovereigns of England had reigned so long as Queen Victoria , none had exemplified so fully the truly Christian and Masonic virtues of sympathy for suffering and generous help for those who needed it . The allusions to the M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , were equally happy , as were those to the Earl of Carnarvon .

Bro . W . H . MARSDEN , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed "The D . G . M ., the Earl of Lathom , and the Officers of Grand Lodge . " The CHAIRMAN , in responding , glanced back On his Masonic history , and said the obligation into which he entered at a time of life when serious views of its duties are not commonly entertained , made a deep impression on his mind , and by that impression his character had in no small degree

been influenced . He acknowledged with warm gratitude the kindness with which he had always been treated by the brethren , and he trusted that if any were disappointed that they had not that day received the office they might have supposed themselves entitled to , they would remember the difficulty of meeting all just expectations , and give him credit for an honest desire to act vvith impartiality . ( Applause . )

Bro . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT , Bart ., P . G . M . Middlesex , also acknowledged the toast , and expressed his satisfaction with the admirable way in which the Province of Derby was managed , and at the flourishing state of the Craft in the province . Bro . FREDERICK BINCKES , P . G . Stwd ., was also called upon , and briefly responded .

The CHAIRMAN , in proposing "The P . G . M ., the Most Hon , the Marquis of Hartington , " said they all regetted that they vvere not more frequently favoured with his presence , but they appreciated the great claims on his time and attention which fully explained his absence . They all earnestly wished him strength to play well the great role which was allotted to him in the destinies of the country , for they all recognised him as one of our finest public men .

Bro . THOMAS COX , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Treas ., proposed "The Health of the Chairman , " who briefly responded , and in doing so noticed with satisfaction not only the great numerical increase of Masonry in the province , but the far larger proportion vvho thoroughly mastered the ritual and spirit of the Craft . Bro . G . T . WRIGHT , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed "The Provincial Grand Officers . "

Bro . PERCY WALLIS , P . S . G . W ., responded , and expressed his satisfacfaction and gratitude that he had been deemed worthy to be placed in that distinguished posilion . Other toasts followed , including " The Visitors , " vvhich vvas proposed by Bro . J SMITH , P . P . S . G . W ., and eloquently responded to by Bro . F . BINCKES , P . G . Steward , Secretary to the R . M . I . B ., who took that opportunity of thanking the province for the noble effort made by the

brethren on the occasion of the 1885 Festival of the Institution which he had the honour to represent . He noticed that the bulk of their contributions this year would be given to Bro . Terry , of which he could not complain ; but he would be only too thankful for any crumbs which might fall from the rich man's table . After giving an outline of the position of the different Charities , Bro . Binckes concluded by heartily thanking the brethren for their reception of him that day . ( Loud applause . )

Progress In Freemasonry, 1886.

PROGRESS IN FREEMASONRY , 1886 .

A careful examination of the Calendars for 1887 reveals the fact of the continued prosperity of the Grand Lodge of England . The " Cosmo " exhibits an increase of 62 lodges , compared with the total in the previous issue . Taking , however , the Grand Lodge Calendar as our standard , being issued later , we find that whereas the last number in the edition for 1886

was 2129 , the latest for 1887 is 2182 , thus showing an increase of 53 lodges during the past year . This extraordinary addition to the roll of lodges is strikingly apparent by comparing the figures printed in the Calendar for 18 75 ( issued soon after H . R . H . the Prince of Wales became the Grand Master ) with those for 1887 . The junior lodge in 1875 Calendar bore the number 1514 , whereas in 1887 it is distinguished by 2182 , exhibiting a grand

total of 668 warrants granted during the period of 12 years , or in other words , nearly 56 per annum . For the term 1863-1875 , there vvere 580 warrants issued , making fully 48 per annum . When the numbers were altered in 1832 , according to Bro . John Lane ' s " Masonic Records , " there were 595 active lodges on the roll ; in 1863 there were 975 ( when the present numeration began ); and novv deducting 186 erasures , there are 1997 to begin the year 1887 , which is an unprecedented total .

Progress In Freemasonry, 1886.

We find , by counting the various columns , & c „ these 1997 lodges are thus distributed . In the Metropolitan District there are 345 ( an advance of five lodges ) , in the Provinces there are 1089 ( an increase of-19 ) , in the Colonies , & c , 557 ( an increase of 22 ) , and Military lodges six , as before . The seven erasures since the list of 179 , published by Bro . Hughan in the Freemason ( December 19 th , 1885 ) , are as follows : 519 , , 684 , 1352 , and 1525 , all of Bengal ; 1667 Wellington ( New Zealand ) , and 1935 in the Orange Free State .

The largest Province ( in England ) is East Lancashire vvith 9 6 lodges , West Lancashire coming next with 85 , and West Yorkshire makes a good third with 6 9 . Kent has Increased to 55 , Devon remains at 50 , Hants has run up to 45 , and Cheshire has reached 40 lodges , these making the seven largest Provincial Grand Lodges . There are now five more Provinces vvhich

share in the benefits conferred by Rule 88 , viz ., Middlesex , 38 ; Durham , 32 ; Warwick , 31 ; Surrey , 31 ; and Cornwall , 30 . Eleven Provinces range from 20 to 29 lodges , and there are 14 which number from 10 to 18 , the remainder ( seven in all ) run from eight down to four lodges , Hereford being the smallest of the Provincial Grand Lodges .

In Districts , Victoria leads off , with the large total of 92 lodges , New South Wales having a following of 75 ; Bengal ranking third as to size , with 35 lodges . The increased prosperity of Victoria and New South Wales * under the Grand Lodge of England , should be duly noted , as the numbers

for the previous year were 85 and 66 respectively , thus exhibiting a gross increase of 16 lodges . It seems evident that our brethren in these Colonies are not at all anxious to join the Grand Lodges of the minorities , and time but serves to illustrate the absurdity of those mushroom and ill advised organizations .

Masonic Reading.

MASONIC READING .

There are many valuable Masonic newspapers published all over the * world . There is much printed and sent broadcast regarding Masonry , in book form . There are a number of histories of the fraternity . There are voluminous proceedings of Masonic grand bodies . The world is full of books on the subject of Masonry , yet there is very little known of the true essence of the Craft teachings . The fact is , there is very little Masonic

literature that is read . A Mason thinks because he is a Mason he must have some history of the Order in his library , just as he thinks he must have some diploma or Masonic chart framed or hung over the mantel in the front parlour . The book adorns the shelf just as the picture adorns the wall , a matter of ornament merely , not to be consulted for information .

And then some Masonic widow or orphan come around with Addison ' s " Knights Templar , " " Mackey ' s Cyclopaedia , " or some other good work , and out of sympathy , and may be a desire to help a worthy sister , or what is more likely , just to get rid of the agent , he buys the book , never opens it , except to read the title page , puts it away and forgets it .

I here are various reasons for all this . The first and greatest reason , perhaps , is the brother does not feel that deep interest in the Masonic fraternity that he thought he did . For , after all , the number of really interested Masons in the vast army of five hundred and ninecy-six thousand that the United States contains , to say nothing of the rest of the world , is very small . They are ignorant of what Masonry has been , what it is to *

day , in organization , teaching and benefit . Many , perhaps the vast majority , join Masonry out of mere curiosity , and when that curiosity is gratified by the Degrees they take , they have all they want of . Masonry j never attend lodge meetings , never read a Masonic book , and never take a Masonic journal . Others join because it has pleasant social advantages ,

and they enjoy the lodge ; take delight in helping to confer the Third Degree , without realising what the great underlying fundamental principle of the drama is . They never read only to be posted about the ritual of the Degrees , so that the few who remain , whose interest is sufficient to lead them to search the records and read the current literature , must support the publications themselves .

Ihe complaint comes from all over the world , that Masons do not read ) that they do not support the publications of the Order . From India , from New Zealand , from Canada , from our own country , everywhere the same cry goes up . This , of course , ought not to be so . Every Mason should be an intelligent Mason , and if he fails to avail himself of the many opportunities for gaining knowledge , he is culpably negligent . But there

is also another side or the question . Brethren ought not to be expected to read everything that is found in Masonic periodicals , for there is much printed that is the merest trash . There should be , on the part of'those who publish Masonic newspapers , an effort to have the tone of the paper very high . Low , scurrilous articles ought to be excluded ; only the pure and beautiful should be published . Masonry is a system of beautiful symbols , and round it should be gathered everything that will bring out clearly and

distinctly every hidden glory , and nothing that will tarnish or destroy There should be variety , not strained monotony . There should be freedom , not stilted stoicism . All should be just such as would appeal to the nobler , higher , purer instincts of the man . Long , prosy articles , on some exploded theory , that may be very beautiful to stand off and look at , are a burden , and make a magazine heavy , and are never read . There has been very much of this in Masonry , too much , and it has been a direct injury to all Masonic publications .

Many of the periodicals , as they are published to-day , are unworthy of the names they bear . They are nothing but the scrapings , the peeling , while the fruit has been thrown away . There is a great deal of genuine talent in Masonry , and the very best of it should be employed on the literature . The trash should be weeded out , and only the true stuff should be preserved . Then the publication should be presented in an attractive

form , good type , clear and plain , good paper , and the whole workmanship should exhibit a master workman . Let those who essay to write , be careful to give only their best thoughts carefully prepared , and those who print , do it in a workmanlike manner , and it may be , some of the trouble vvill be removed . There are some Masonic publications in the world whose very appearance would create a feeling of disgust rather than admiration . The type , the paper , the whole " get up , " is so careless and uninviting , that , you

would expect to find the matter inside equally distasteful . This corrected , and then the matter carefully prepared , so that one may " pick something out of everything lie reads , " and the cry of want of support will be lessened , and the ignorance of the Craft will be supplanted by knowledge , and the tenets of the Order will be understood and more widely practiced , and the grand mission of our noble Institution made secure beyond a peradventure . —N . Y . Dispatch .