Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

their satisfaction . ( Hear , hear . ) If hc had at any time made mistakes , which , of course , he had , thej r had been mistakes of the head , and not of the heart . He first of all thanked the Grand Master of lingland for haying so readily acted upon his suggestion when he asked him

to appoint some one to take his jilace . Among the many members whose position and claims he had to consider , there was one who had been the first to introduce Mark Masonry into the jirovincc , who had acted so as to gain the approbation of all . The Grand Master

acceeded to his request , and having heard that Captain Tanner Davy had been a Mark Mason for upwards of thirty years , he kindl y appointed him to that office whicii he was now resigning , Thc Grand Secretary of England , Bro . Binckes , had very kindl y come down expressly for the

jiurpose of installing the new Grand Master of the Province , and he would now resign the chair to that distinguished brother , and ask him to proceed with the duties . ( The R . AA . Master , on vacating the chair , was greeted with warm

applause ) . Bro . Binckes , the officiating P . G . AI ., then took thc chair , and the . lodge was opened ia due form . A dejiutation then left thc lodge to escort and introduce the R . AV . the P . G . M . in

due form . On entering , the brethren stood in order , and the ist Psalm was chanted . This finished , the patent of ollice was jiresented and read by Bro . Rogers of Exeter , the P . ( J . S . The officiating P . G . Master then addressed

the R . AV . P . Grand Master nearly as follows : — 1 think this meeting sufficientl y influential , and the occasion sufficientl y important to justify something more than ordinal- } ' routine observation . Permit me , therefore , tooccujiy your time for a few minutes in taking a retrospect of the

degree under the auspices of which we are this day assembled . In doing this it is unnecessary for me to insist on the intrinsic value ol the degree in connection wilh the general Masonic system . I regard that as conceded—and its place properly assured—and this I have a ri ght

to infer , seeing the success whicn has followed the organisation of our Grand I . odge ; a success which , even if achieved , could not be maintained if the object of that organisation had been a sham or a mockery- —( hear , hear ) . And this reminds me that 1 am speaking in the presence

of one who was mainly instrumental iu founding the Grand Lodge , who for years was the mainspring of the machinery , by whie . h the work was carried on , who long held a high and resjionsible ollice , and who was worthil \ rewarded wilh distinguished rank by our second ( irand Master

—1 mean Bro . Captain Ridgway . Associated as Bro . Ridgway was not only with Craft Masonry , but with the hi g her degree in which he had attained great eoiiiunce , he knt the wei ght of his influence and his meat abilities to the

formation ol a governing body , whose laws are quoted as a model of Masonic legislation ; and I hope my friend is well satisfied with the vigorous maturity attained b y the child at whose birth lie assisted . Let me not forti ' et to add that Bro .

Ridgway had also the glories ol actual paternity to boast of , ior 1 believe I am correct iii stating that your new R . AV . Proy . Grand Master owes to him his Masonic birth- —( cheers ) . The general Masonic merits ol Bro . Ridgway must be well-known to Devon , as he has filled the

ofl * ce of Grand AA ' aiden of the | irovince , both in Craft and Mark , and is , no doubt , destined to higher honours . The Grand Lodge was established in 18 55 , and n 1857 Hro . Rev . J . Huyshe was appointed G . M . of Devon . At that time there were only two lodges in the iiroi ince . In

1873 Bro . Huyshe hands to his successor the charge of sixteen lodges in this province —( hear , hear ) . Ofthe high qualities of Hro . Huyshe , whether we regard him iu his exoteric position , speaking Masonically , as a gentleman , a clergyman , a magistrate—it is impossible to speak in anything but terms of praise—in his esoteric

position as bearing rule and sway in the various degrees in Masonry , whether recognised 01 unrecognised , it is difficult to find expression whicii shall adeijualely do justice to his deserts —( hind ajiplause ) . Mis retirement , full of honour , owing to increasing years , which demand and deserve repose , is , 1 feel confident , de-ejdy dejilored by all-- ( cheers ) . Two sources of

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

consolation , however , are his—one that he carries with him the esteem and regard of all those amongst whom he has laboured , and over whom he has ruled with firmness and courtesy , and in whose memories he will be cherished in screen remembrance ; the other , lhat he is

succeeded 111 the province by one in every way so worthy of his support and your trust —• ( apjilause ) . This brings me , Cajit . Davy , to address you personall y on the hig h iiosilion to whichyou are this day called . Initiated some years since , having filled the chair of your Craft Lodge ,

subsequently acted as M . AI . AL , and now forthe second time occujiying the chair of a Mark Lodge , having held hi g h office in the Craft P . G . Lodge , and also in the Mark , yon cannot be without experience in the science of ruling . The position of a Prov . G . Master is one of great importance and considerable responsibility , and is

an honour sufficiently distinguished to be an object of laudable ambition —( hear , hear ) . It demands in its possessor hi g h and varied qualifications—urbanity , firmness , patience , forbearance , and all the characteristics of a gentlemanknowledge of our laws and constitutions—a regard for order and regularity , and all the characteristics of a Mason . In none of these do we

believe you to be wanting , and crediting you with the jiossession of all requisite qualifications for the efficient discharge of the duties appertaining to your office , we heartily welcome you as the head of this province , and b ; d you good

speed m your work —( cheers ) . And now , brethren , bear with a few general remarks . A ' oii know the purpose for which you are this day assembled . A new chief has been legally placed oyer you . He has taken a solemn obligation tn maintain the laws , and administer them

impartially . And on your jiart , there is an implied obligation to render him your faithful allegiance , and a true and reasonable obedience , a kindl y and fraternal snjijiort —( cheers ) , ln a country such as ours , where we are enjoying to the fullest extent freedom , both of thought and expression

where policy is ojienl y discussed , and individuals sharply criticised , perfect unanimity is not , cannot be expected , and I have no right to regard the appointment to-day as an excejitional instance . I do not know of any divergence of opinion ; I would fain hojie there is none ; but

should there be , I ask Irom the minority a cheerful acquiescence in the wishes of the majority ; I ask for a fiir , di-qiassionatc judgment ou all questions all ' ecting the order ; I ask for a spirit of conciliation ; f ask for loyal assistance and kindly syiujialliy , so that we may hojie to lie alile to exclaim , " How good and joyful a thing it is

to see these brethren dwelling together in unity . " 1 look back at the history of Mark Masonry in this province , and I think I have warrant for taking the experience of the jiast as the foundation of the jiresent , on which shall be reared the g lorious superstructure of the future —( loud cheers ) .

The P . G Mark Master having then taken his p lace iu the clui ' - , proceeded lo return ill , inks for the distinguished hono'ir which had been conferred upon him . He felt very much the kindness which had been lavished upon him on all sides . Ik * then thanked collectively all those

brethren who had contributed , b y their exjiresions of good feeling , to his jiresent elevation . He stood there in a very jiro-. id position ; bat it was one that was not uuiningled with pain . He was the succ-ssor of one who had been

for many years known to the Freemasons of the province , his old and iniijli-valiicd fi iend , Hro . Huyshe , to whom his warmest thanks were due . ( Cheers . ) He was ji . lined to think that his R . AV . Brother , owing to increase of yeats ' , felt himself compelled to give up his ollice . He

wished that he could hive held the o / hee for many years to come , lor they all knew what judgment and kindness of heart he brought to bear in all his woik . ( Cheers . ) Hro . Huyshe had most kindly promised to give him all the assistance in his power . Th . ; sjieaker then

ex-| iress"d his warmest thanks to Col . Elliott for accepting a renewal of ollice as D . P . G . Mark Alaster of the Province , and he added his personal thanks to Bro . Binckes for coining down expressl y from London to instal him in his ollice . He next adverted to his indebtedness to Bro . Ridgway , who first instigated him to be-

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

come a Mark Mason , and after that he ( Captain Davy ) applied for a warrant and established the first Mark Mason ' s Lodge in the province , at Southmolton—thongh he believed that at some former time there had been a lodge at Plymouth , but not under the present constitution . He

should endeavour to carry out the duties of his office without favour or affection , and it would be his desire in the distribution of the honours that the working bees should get the honey . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , the R . VV . gentleman said that Bro . Metham had sent a letter

expressive of his regret that his absence in London ou business connected with the Orphan Asylum prevented his being jiresent . Bro . Colonel Elliott was then appointed D . P . G . Mark Master , and dul y obligated by Bro .

Binckes , after which he exjiressed his sense of the honour that had been conferred upon him , stating that he took 24 hours to consider whether he would accept ollice , and when he had decided he determined that he would perform its duties to the best of his ability . ( Cheers . )

The P . G . Master then asked aU the brethren now in office to continue to hold their offices till the end of the year . Bro . Langridge , who was G . J . Deacon , having died , his place was filled b y Bro . AV . Browning , who was

transferred from the office of Steward . Bro . I . Latimer was appointed to the office of Steward . It was then proposed that live guineas should be voted to the Grand Master , as a contribution to the Mark Benevolent Fund . The Treasurer

( liro . A ' . Bird ) said they could afford to vote ten guineas , but some economists opposing , a vote was eventuall y taken , and the larger sum was carried by a very large majority . An anthem from Psalm exxxiii . was then stintr

by the choir , after which the Chaplain , the Rev . Hro . Newnham , offered up prayer . After some other ceremonies , Hro . J . Rendle sang very beautifull y Mendelssohn ' s air , " O , rest in the Lord , " which was followed by the " Hallelujah Chorus . ''

The other business was then soon brought to a conclusion , and the lodge closed in due form . After the installation , the brethren repaired to the Globe Hotel , and jiartook of a dinner in every way worthy of Bro . AVatts' reputation .

The newly-installed P . G . M , presided , and had on his right P . P . G . M . thc Rev . J . Huyshe . D . P . G . M . Colonel Elliott , and Bro . J . Latimer , P . G . S . ; and on his left , Bro . Binckes , G . Sec , and Bro . Capt Ridgsway . P . G . R .

The loyal toasts having been given , the P . G . M . gave '" The G . M . of English Maik Masons , and other Officers of the Graud Lodge . " They had jiresent a distinguished member of the Grand Lodge in the person of Bro . Binckes , the G . S ., who so ably performed the ceremony of installation that day . Then there was present almost

the lather uf Mark Masonry , their old and valued friend Captain Ridgeway , who was , atone time , G . R . of England . Bro . Hopkins , Bro . Bird , and iheir universally respected P . P . G . M . were also Pa .-i Masters of the Grand Lodge , and he hoped they would all long be spired to be useful to Mark Masonry .

Bro . Binckes , G . S ., in responding , remarked that not only had their M . W . G . M . held the ollice for tlv : allotted term of three years , but , owing to the illness of the G . M , Elect , Karl Percy , he had held it for au additional year , and during that time most unquestionabl y a very huge advance had been made in Mark Masonrv ,

a \ ery large number ol new lodges had been formed , and new jirovinces had been constituted . Unquestionably the degree had made very maiked and considerable progress , and a large amount of that progress was due to the energy , Zeal and ability disjilayed by their AV . M ., who was not content to bear the honours of tha

Order , but took a very active part in its management , and never shiank from any legitimate duty . Ihen tlieir D . G . M ., the Earl of Limerick had disjilayed such energy and zeal that they expected great things of him when hc became G . M . Devonshire had a very fair proportion of grand

lodge ollicers . Every discrimination was exercised in th > choice of those ollicers , and there was no " back-stairs " influence used . The P . G . M . ' s and Masters of lodges were asked for the names of those who had signalised themselves by zeal and ability on behalf of Mark