Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

The PROV . GRAND MASTER having personally thanked Bros . Keats , the architect , and Goad , the builder , for the completeness of their arrangements up to this time , the proceedings terminated . Bro . T . Goodall , 1550 , has acted as Secretary of the new club , which is now open to members of the Masonic body , and in that capacity has given every satisfaction to the brethren at large .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DERBYSHIRE .

At the annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge , held on Tuesday afternoon , December 20 th , at the Masonic Hall , Gower-street , Derby , there was a large and influential gathering , every lodge in the province being represented . It had been hoped that the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Marquis of Hartington , M . P ., would have made it convenient to attend on this occasion , but at the eleventh hour the noble lord found

himself unable , by reason of " important business which called him to London , to be present . In his absence , the chair was occupied by the genial and popular Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Haughton Charles Okeover , who was supported by a large number of distinguished Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past . The chair of the D . P . G . M . was filled by Bro . W . H . Marsden , P . P . S . G . W ., and the following were also present : —

Bros . Percy Wallis , Prov . S . G . W . ; B . J . Greenhough , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . H . Price , Prov . G . C . ; Rev . C . W . Groves , Prov . G . C . ; Thos . Cox , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Treas . ; J . B . Boycott , Prov . G . R . ; Wm . Naylor , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec . ; C . Webster , " Piov . S . G . D . ; J . Hassall , Prov . G . S . of W . ; H . Arnold-Bemrose , Prov . G . D . of C ; W . Dust , Prov . A . G . D . C ; G . R . Turner , Prov . G . S . B . ; A . J . Wallis , and 1 . H . Orme , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; S . S . Waddinston , Prov . G . Org . ; W . Silver Hall ,

Prov . A . G . Sec . ; W . F . Mill , Prov . G . P . ; W . Stone , Prov . G . Tyler ; T . Day , Prov . A . G . Tyler ; R . L . Homer Mole , J . 'I ' . Lee , W . Glossop , and T . Oldham , Prov . G . Stwds . ; also Bros . Frank Campion , P . P . S . G . W . ; Henry Hillam , P . P . S . G . W . ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . Sd . Br . ; John Chadwick , P . G . Sd . Br . ; Sir John G . N . Alleyne , Bait ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Fitzherbert Wright , P . P . S . G . W . ; ] . B . Coulson , P . P . S . G . W . ; Sirlohn Smith , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Walters , P . P . S . G . W . ; Geo . T .

Wright , P . P . S . G . W . ; Miles J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W . Leicestershire and Rutland ; W . L . Bali , P . P . J . G . W . ; Wm . Bodcn , P . P . J . G . W . ; S . Stone , P . P . J . G . W , ; C . Maltby , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . R . Ward , P . P . G . R . ; W . Wkiltaker , P . P . G . R . ; J . H . Lawson , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Day , P . P . S . G . D . ; S . Robinson , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Howell , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Bous ; hen , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . R . Duke , P . P . G . D . of C ; John C . Merry , P . P . G . D . of C ; fas . Whitehead , P . P . G . D . of C . ; T . R . Gee ,

F . ] . Robinson , J . O . Manton , F . Bennett , and J . Clex ' on , P . P . A . G . D . of Cs . ; W . H . Fisher , P . P . G . Sd . Br . ; Edgar Horne , Gadsby , J . W . Brigg , A . B . Plant , and W . L . Dodd , P . P . G . Orgs . ; S . Steele , P . P . G . P . ; W . J . Piper , P . M . 802 ; ] . H . Richardson , W . M . 10 S 5 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; R . B . Barratr , W . M . 353 ; J . R . Cain , P . M . ; W . Elphinstone , P . M . ; T . N . Turner , P . M . ; Thos . E . Yeomans , P . M . ; S . Warhurst , W . M . 625 ; John Hall , P . M . ; Jackson , W . M . 654 ; H . Barber , P . M . ; G . H .

Knighton , W . M . 681 ; A . Woodiwiss , J . P ., W . M . 731 ; J . Copestick , P . M . ; E . J . H . Hoskins , P . M . ; W . B . Woodforde , W . M . 787 ; R . Slater , W . M . 802 ; G . M . Huntley , P . M . ; W . Prince , P . M . ; Jos . F . Donegani , W . M . S 50 ; J . M . McLeod , P . M . ; Henry George , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C . Notts ; Robert Knowles , W . M . 102 S ; A . Schofield , P . M ., P . P . G . P . ; H . Carr , P . M . ; Geo . Johnson , P . M . ; H . F . Daykin

W . M . 1179 ; W . Fletcher , P . M . ; Wm . Wade , P . M . ; J . E . Whitehead , P . M . ; Geo . Smedley , W . M . 1235 ; J . H . Harrison , P . M . ; Douglas Upton , 1 . P . M . 1324 ; H . B . Boap , W . M . 1495 ; J . W . Skidmore . P . M . ; W . Carvell , W . M . 16 SS ; J . D . Wragg , W . M . 1739 ; John D . Simpson , W M . 1952 ; Andreas E . Cokayne , W . M . 2129 ; J . P . Fearfield , S . W . 2224 ; and many other P . M . 's , Officers , and brethren .

The annual reports presented from the various lodges indicated a steady growth of Masonic strength , it being particularly noticeable that the Charities of the Order were receiving a very hearty and liberal recognition . On the latter point , it was mentioned by Bro . G . T . Wright , P . P . S . G . W ., Chairman of the Charity Committee , that during the past year the province had subscribed £ 657 5 = . 6 d . towards the three great Masonic Charitable

Institutions , and that during the past three years no less than £ 2400 had been sent up from Deibyshire . An interesting feature of the day ' s proceedings was the presentation of a testimonial to Bro . Wm . Naylor , who has for a great many years most zealously and efficiently discharged the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary . It was reported by Bro . Percy Wallis , P . S . G . W ., who had acted as Hon . Secretary to the Presentation

Fund , that the proposal to recognise Bro . Naylor s services had been most liberally responded to from all parts of the province , and that after purchasing his full and undress Grand Lodge clothing , and also clothing for Grand Arch Chapter ( in both of which Bro . Naylor has been made the recipient of honours ) , the Committee were able to hand over a cheque of the value of £ 175 for presentation .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in investing Bro . Naylor with the handsome new clothing , and presenting him with the cheque referred to , bore eloquent testimony to the great services he had rendered to the Province of Derbyshire , and wished him an abundant measure of health to continue his honourable Masonic career .

Bro . NAYLOR , in returning thanks , referred to the enormous strides made by Derbyshire Freemasonry during the 17 years he had been connected with the province . The number of lodges had increased from 15 to 22 , and the number of members from 465 to 1023 . The province had also increased the number of its votes for Charities ten fold ; and during the period named they had erected a Masonic Hall and furnished it beautifully .

What was of even greater moment , the building was entirely free from debt . In other respects there had been great progress , and it was to him a source of pride and satisfaction to know that he had played some part in the important work which had been going on . Bro . Naylor , amid the general applause of the brethren , expressed the hope that he might long be permitted to serve the interests of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

In recognition of the Jubilee year , and by the authorfty of the Prince of Wales , Past rank was conferred on four brethren of the province . The recipients of these honours

were—Bro . J . H . Lawson , Phcenix Lodge of St . Ann ... P . P . S . G . W . „ John Howell , St . Oswald Lodge ... ... P . P . J . G . W . „ J . Hall , Devonshire Lodge ... ... P . P . S . G . D . „ H . Barber , Peveril of the Peak Lod ge ... P . P . S . G . D . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then appointed the officers of the province for the ensuing year in the following order ;

Bro . E . R . Ward ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ D . Upton ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Thomas Cox ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Wm . Naylor ( re-elected ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, Rev . Herbert Price ... ... ... 7 ™ ^ ^ , „ Rev . C W . Groves ... ... __] Prov . G . Chaps . „ Edgar Horne ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ T . N . Turner ,,. ... ,.. ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . Fletcher ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Arnold Bemrose ( re-appointed ) „ , , „ Prov . G . D . C .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Derbyshire.

Bro . W . Davis ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . Silver-Hall ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . Copestick ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, Henry Carr ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ E . J . H . Hoskyns ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . Cholerton ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . M . McLeod ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

j , Wm . Forman ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, G . Sutherland ... ... .,. ... ) „ W . H . Wright ... ... ... [ ,, I . S . Sanders ... ... ... ... ! n r- c . J II Wm . Hart j- Prov . G . Stwds . „ W . Prince ... ... ... ... j ,, J . H . Cooke ... ... ... ... J

After the transaction of formal business , the brethren adjourned to the Royal Hotel , where they partook of dinner , which was well served by Mr . Keyl , the manager . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were dul y honoured , and a very pleasant evening was spent . The clothing and jewels presented to Bro . Taylor were supplied by Bro . George Kenning and were much admired .

"Masonic Facts And Fictions."

"MASONIC FACTS AND FICTIONS . "

The mind frequently acquires a strong and invincible attachment to whatever has been familiar to it for any bngth of time . Habit , primarily introduced by accident or necessity , will inspire an affection for peculiarities which have the reverse of intrinsic merit to recommend them . "—DR . COGAN . It is always a source of regret on my part to differ with Bro . Hughan on any point in Masonic history however trivial it may appear , and especially so on the

present occasion when the question at issue is of so important a character as the origin of one of the two Bodies that formed the present Grand Lodge of England . While our historians are content with airily intimating that I have not proved my case , and they do not agree with me , etc ., etc ., I am powerless , for unfortunately I cannot argue , but whenever they undertake to criticise my work in the public

press , I shall certainly do my level best to defend the position I have taken up . I therefore , await with some curiosity and much interest , Bro . Hughan's reasons for being unable to accept my " dictum that those who have applied the term ' Seceders ' to this section of our Order have done so under a wrong impression . " "Dictum " by the way , is not my word , but Bro . Hughan ' s .

In the passage quoted , I said " I shall now endeavour to prove that those who have , etc . " Well , many of the readers of " Masonic Facts and Fictions" agree that I have succeeded in my endeavours ; let those who think otherwise print the reasons on which they base their objections , if they have any . The expression of inion that the evidence adduced in support of theory is certainlneither

op my " y emphatic nor conclusive , " although coming from so eminent an authority as Bro . Hughan , will not , I fancy have much historical weight unless backed up by something stronger than the uncorroborated statement of the Masonic renegade William Preston .

If Bro . Hughan has the smallest doubt as to the genuineness of my evidence he is quite at liberty to inspect the original documents quoted ; if , however , he is able to accept it as authentic , how will he dispose of Chapters V . and VII . In the former I plainly show that in 1766 , 177 6 , 1 793 , and 1806 , the "Ancients" were generally looked upon as Irish Masons , and their lodges were described as " Irish Lodges" by the rank and file of their rivals ; that a large majority of the brethren who comprised the "Ancient " Organisation in 1751 were Irishmen , and many of

them Irish Masons ; that their first book of Constitutions and their by-laws for private lodges were copied from Ireland . A distinct resemblance may be traced in their warrants , seals , and certificates , in the forming a "Grand Master ' s Lodge " after the model of a lodge of the same name and character established in Dublin only a few years earlier , the formation of which lodge they had evidently had in view from the first ; and I am reminded by the reviewer of " Masonic Facts and Fictions" in the Freemason of the 3 rd December , that their ritual was also derived from the same source .

Chapter VII . contains a letter written by the Grand Secretary of the " Moderns" in 1769 , purporting to give a description of the origin and character of the rival Society . This letter clearly evinces that the writer personally knew very little of the organisation of the " Ancients , " and still less of their origin . He calls them everything but gentlemen , and yet " the words seceders or schismatics are not to be found in this lengthy document , nor does he even insinuate that these epithets might , with propriety , be applied to them . "

He says they "first made their appearance about the year 1746 . " Now , I appeal to the common sense of any unprejudiced reader , do these words point to secession from the Grand Lodge in London , or do they not rather imply that these people " made their appearance " from some other quarter ? This letter was copied into the official letter book and dished up again a few years afterwards with a little stronger seasoning , and with this important addition , " about the year 1745 , or 1746 , a few of the very lowest class of people admitted Masons in some of our lodges were the promoters of this Schism . "

A most important point in this connexion is , that the writer of the first letter says " the late Mr . Revis" gave him certain information as to the " Ancients . " Now , the Mr . Revis here mentioned , was Grand Secretary of the " Moderns" from 1734 to 1756 , and had a secession occurred during that period he must have been cognizant of it . Yet , so far as I am able to learn there is no evidence in existence to justify the conclusion that prior to 1775 the "Ancients" were considered

" Seceders or Schismatics . Bro . Hughan appears to attach considerable importance to the want of a Grand Lodge Register of the " Moderns" for the period when the secession is supposed to have taken place ; so do I , and , moreover , I claim the absence of such register as a most valuable piece of evidence in support of my theory . Had there been no register on either side we should certainly be very much in the dark , and Bro . Hughan ' s contention would have been reasonable , but I have shown that the " Ancients" had a complete system of registration from

the very beginning of their organisation , even before they formed a Grand Lodge , while registration had been discontinued by the "Modern" Society at least 20 years previously—and when in vogue it was totally different to the system of the " Ancients . " Where then did the latter get the idea and the system if not from the Grand Lodge of Ireland ? I am sorry to say I cannot accept Bro . Hughan's general verdict of " not proven , " for in my opinion the facts adduced are most convincing ; it remains to be seen whether he is in possession of any rebutting evidence sufficiently strong to enable him to put a different complexion on the subject .

I am , nevertheless , truly grateful for his suggestion as to " a friendly injunction to restrain , " & c , but must object to the word "Schismatics" being omitted from the said injunction ; it bears so strong a resemblance to " Seceders " that they must be twins , and it would be cruel to separate them after so long a journey together . HENRY SADLER .