Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .

A Special Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of the Province of Middlesex and Surrey was held at the Ship and Turtle , Leadenhall-street , E . C ., on the 30 th ult , under the presidency of Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., P . G . M ., the occasion being the installation of a new Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in room of the late Bro . Frederic Davison . The lodge was draped . The brethren present

were—Bros . H . Lovegrove , P . S . G . W . ; Dr . J . T . Griffith , P . J . G . W . ; ] . H . Thomson , P . S . G . O . ; N . Prower , P . J . G . O . ; Rev . J . Cater , P . G . Chap . ; C . Hammerton , P . G Treas . ; P . Saillard , P . G . R . ; W . G . Brighten , P . G . Sec ; J . H . Clare , P . I . G . D . ; W . Lloyd Wise , P . G . I , of W . ; T . C Edmonds , P . G . D . C . ; F . R . Hales , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . } . Chitson , P . G . Std . Br . ; C . Lee , P . G . Org . ; H . Burgess and J . T . Callaway , P . G . Stewards ; J . Gilbert , P . G . Tyler ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec . ; F . Richard , son , G . Res . ; G . Gardner , P . G . D . C . ; J . W . Hobbs , P . G . O . ; C J . Axford , P . A . G .

D . C ; L . G . Gordon Robbins , P . P . S . G . W . ; C Belton , P . G . M . O . ; R . J . Mure , P . G . O . ; J . C . Collier , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . H . Kempster , P . G . Steward ; J . K . R . Cama , P . P . J . G . D . ; S . C . Dibdin , P . G . D . C . ; J . H . Cureton , J . W . 333 ; G . Dickinson , 1-0 . 355 ; " W . Clowes , W . M . 357 ; S . P . Catterson , P . M . 234 ; F . W . Huddleston , j . O . 355 5 C . Handley , J . W . 2 S 4 ; J . Moon , P . G . T . ; S . Green , J . W . 361 ; T . W . Richardson , S . W . 385 ; and E . Storr , W . M . 234 . Visitors : Bros . H . Weston , P . P . G . I . of W . Kent ; H . A . Hunt , Reg . 363 ; Major Ritchie , P . G . S . B . Kent ; and H . Massey , P . G . Steward .

After the Provincial Grand Lodge had been formally opened , Bro . BRIGHTEN , Prov . G . Sec , announced the death of Bro . Frederic Davison , and also the death of Bro . the Rev . G . W . Weldon , G . Chap ., and said that the Prov . Grand Lodge would have to pass votes of condolence and sympathy with the families of the two deceased brethren . He added that he had not waited for the meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge before writing letters of condolence to the two families , but had sent them when the melancholy events took place , and he had received replies .

25 th November , 1 SS 9 . Dear Madam , The melancholy intelligence of the death of our distinguished Bro . Frederic Davison , our esteemed Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master , has been received with

extreme regret . Our late brother was universally respected by all the Craft , and therefore his loss will be severely felt . By the command of the Prov . Grand Master ( Colonel Sir Francis Burdett ) a special circular has been sent out to all the Mark lodges in the province for the lodges and brethren to go into mourning as a mark of respect for our late brother . A copy of the circular is enclosed for your information .

On behalf of the Mark Master Masons of this province we tender this imperfect tribute of affectionate remembrance , and trust you may bear with fortitude the trial and affliction with which you are now visited . —Yours faithfully , WM . G . BRIGHTEN ,

Mrs . Davison . Prov . Grand Sec . Bro . LOVEGROVE , in moving the votes of condolence and sympathy , said Bro Davison was beloved b y all the brethren . For many years he ably filled the position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and they all felt now that they had lost a friend . After the letter which had been sent b y the Prov . Grand Secretary any votes could not add to their effect , but still it was usual to pass votes of condolence in Prov . Grand Lodge , and it was a proper thing to do , as it showed that

the deceased brother was respected and not forgotten by his brother Masons . He therefore moved that such a vote be recorded by the Prov . Grand Secretary . As regarded Bro . Weldon , every one thought from his fine figure and physique he would be with them for many years , and they were much shocked when they found he had been cut off in his prime . The brethren would unanimously agree in passing those two votes , as they had lost in the two brethren he had named men who were excellent Masons in every way . The P . J . G . W . seconded the motion .

The PROV . G . MASTER wished to add how much he with the other brethren respected the loss of Bro . Davison , who had been Deputy Prov . G . M . ever since this Prov . G . Lodge was formed . Bro . Davison always took the greatest interest in the working of the Prov . G . Lodge , until at last he was obliged to give way ; but he was as anxious then for the prosperity of the lodge as he was at the first . With respect to the late Prov . G . Chaplain , they also received the intelligence of his decease with great regret . The motion was put , and carried unanimously .

The PROV . G . SECRETARY read the letters he wrote when Bros . Davison and Weldon died , and said he should now write other letters stating that the vote had been passed . The Prov . G . Secretary also announced the resignation by Bro . Charles Hammerton of the office of Prov . G . Treasurer .

Bro . HAMMERTON rose , and said that , as the Prov . G . Master had honoured him with the appointment of Dep . P . G . Master , he could do nothing less than resign his Prov . G . Treasurership , and , as he had expressed in his letter , he returned his best thanks for the assistance all the brethren had given him during his term of office .

On the motion of the PRO v . G . SECRETARY , seconded by Bro . LOVEGROVE , Bro . Hammerton ' s resignation was accepted , the PROV . G . MASTER adding that all the brethren felt much indebted to Bro . Hammerton for the labour he had bestowed on the financial matters of the Prov . G . Lodge . Bro . Hammerton having retired from the lodge ,

The PROV . G . MASTER said that , although the brethren greatly regretted that they had lost their late Deputy Prov . G . M ., they felt much gratified in being able to find a brother as able as Bro . Hammerton to fill that important position—a brother who would do the work with earnestness and good will . He would be supported in his duties b y the good wishes of the brethren . Bro . Hammerton had

been with them ever since the Prov . G . Lodge had been formed , and he had performed the duties of Treasurer for eight or ten years to the satisfaction of the brethren . He ( Sir F . Burdett ) was pleased that he now had the opportunity of asking Bro . Hammerton to fulfil the duties of Deputy Prov . G . M ., because he knew he would perform them thoroughly . Bro . Hammerton had accepted the office , and would render him the same assistance as did the late Bro . Davison .

I he PROV . GRAND SECRETARY having announced that Bro . Hammerton was in attendance outside the lodge , a deputation was directed to conduct him into the room . The deputation having retired they re-entered with Bro . Hammerton , who was then presented to the Prov . Grand Master , and the obligation was administered . Afterwards Bro . Sir F . Burdett invested Bro . Hammerton with the insignia of his office . The warrant of appointment dated 30 th January , 18 90 , was read by Bro . BRIGHTEN , and the new Deputy Prov . Grand Master was duly saluted .

The next business was the election of Prov . G . Treasurer , and the candidates were Bro . J . Yates Collyer , proposed by Bro . C . Beltcn , and Bro . Leopold G . Gordon Robbins , proposed by . the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . Bro . Robbins was elected by 20 votes against 16 . Bro . L . G . GORDON ROBBINS having been invested and congratulated b y the

" rov . Grand Master , thanked the brethren for electing him . It had been a very close contest , but he might inform those brethren who attached great importance to the experience which bankers had in matters of finance , that he was alread y Treasurer of two lodges , and had been so for one of them for some time . Therefore he was not at all new to the work . He assured the brethren that he would perform his duties in a manner satisfactory to all .

Bro . MURRAY HAYNES was then presented to the Prov . G . Master to be invested ; is Assistant Prov . Grand Secretary , and the Prov . Grand Master invested him . The PROV . GRAND MASTER informed the brethren that a warrant had been granted for a new Mark lodge at Bisley , and that the Hi gh Cross Mark Lodge

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex And Surrey.

had been moved to the Liverpool-street Hotel . He said that he hoped to have a summer lodge of the Prov . Grand Lodge on the same day as the Bisley Lodge was consecrated . When the Percy Lodge was consecrated at Guildford , the Provincial Grand Lodge held a summer lodge , and it was such a successful day that he hoped that they would have a similar gathering at Bisley .

Letters of apology and regret from Grand Officers who were unable to attend were announced by the Secretary as having been received by him , and Prov . Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a delig htful banquet . The customary toasts followed . Bro . C . F . MATIER , G . Sec , responding to the toast of " The Grand Officers , " said the toast had been so often proposed in that Grand Lodge , and had been so

well responded to on many previous occasions , that little was left for him to say . Although he was one of the latest of those who had responded , he trusted they would not deem him one of the least grateful to the Prov . G . Master for having proposed it . The Grand Officers of the present time were as anxious as the Grand Officers of any time past to promote the well-being of the Order . He could tell them one little bit of news which had only come to him that afternoon . He had

received a letter from Marlborough House , which stated that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales had been pleased to appoint as Provincial Grand Master of the Province of Sussex , his brother , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . The brethren would be most delighted to hail the junior member of that splendid body of Provincial Grand Masters as one of that number , and it was a distinct pleasure to every

member of the province of Sussex to hail his Royal Highness in his new position of honour and responsibility . For the Grand Officers , he might say , that those brethren had a large amount of executive work to do , and in support of this assertion he might refer to Bro . Frank Richardson , G . Reg . of the Order , and President of the Board of General Purposes . That that work was well done the brethren would all agree in declaring .

Bro . C . HAMMERTON , D . P . G . M ., proposed "The Prov . Grand Master , " and said it was not necessary to enter into all Sir F . Burdett ' s virtues and worth , for they had known him many years . His desire in Freemasonry , whether Craft or Mark , was to do for it everything he possibly could . Not only did he try , but he did it most effectually , always ready , always willing , to advance Freemasonry , and to do it to the utmost of his ability . But the brethren knew as much about the Prov . Grand Master as he ( Bro . Hammerton ) could tell them , and therefore he should content himself by asking them to drink his health heartily .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , replying , said he felt grateful to the brethren for their kindness to him ever since he had held his present position . It was only held for three years , but he had been six or seven times re-appointed , and had thus been their Prov . Grand Master 20 years . He first had the honour of appearing as

Prov . Grand Master at Guildford in the Percy Lodge , in 18 70 , and he had always been kindly treated by the brethren , and had received from them every assistance . He could not thank the officers more heartily than he thanked them now for their support , and he could assure them he would do whatever he could in the future for any brother in the province .

Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , G . R ., in proposing "The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , " said that b y the applause the brethren had already given , his task had been made the easier , because it proved to him that the Prov . Grand Master had put the ri ght man in the right place . He had had the pleasure of the personal friendship of Bro . Hammerton for a great many years past . He had been associated with him in many places , but in none more closely than in the Masonic

Institution for Girls , where he had sat and worked with him on the House Committee . He had always found Bro . Hammerton a real , true Mason , good at his work , good at the banquet , good in social life , and good in every walk of life . Although in his province there were a many good Masons indeed , and many competent to fill bis place , no one among them could have been found more worthy or more qualified than Bro . Hammerton . Bro . Hammerton was a modest man , and therefore he

would not further dilate on his merits . Bro . HAMMERTON said he rose with some mingled feelings of p leasure and regret to respond to the toast and hearty good wishes expressed . With regret at the cause of his being in his present position—the death of Bro . Davison—of course as the sands of life ran , so all the brethren approached that period . With pleasure he responded to the toast , feeling as he did the honour the Prov . G . M . had

done him in appointing him as his Deputy , which the brethren had so cordially seconded by welcoming him that nig ht . There were reflections in every man ' s mind , and to-day was a red letter day to him in Mark Masonry . Looking back on the years he had happily spent in Masonry , he could not help thinking that at one time doing much more work in the Craft and in the Mark . But having so much to do at one time he was about to resign . He had been associated with this

provincial lodge from its birth . He was elected by the lodge at its first organisation ; he held the Secretaryship some years , and he then resigned it because his health would not allow him to keep on with it . He was afterwards appointed Treasurer , which he held with very great pleasure from that time to this . He felt some reluctance taking his responsibility , but he gladly and joyously accepted the honour the Prov . Grand Master had done him . They had all known the Prov . G . Master manyyears , but probably not so long as he ( Bro . Hammerton ) had

known him , which was half a century , as lieutenant in the 17 th Lancers . He was not sent to Coventry , but he was ordered there by her Majesty's Commander of the Forces , and he could see him galloping over the fields and the hedges . Consequently to be his Deputy was to him ( Bro . Hammerton ) a great honour . Again thanking the brethren for their hearty welcome he hoped he should be able to do the duties which devolved upon the Deputy in attending to what was beneficial to the Degree in this province , and trusted he should meet those present and members of other lodges during his term of office .

Bro . BRIGHTEN , Prov . G . Sec , Bro . LOVEGROVE , and others responded to the toast of " The Officers . " Bro . RITCHIE and others replied for "The Visitors , " and the Tyler ' s toast terminated the proceedings .

" Couvents Philosophiques , " and held one in 1777 , 177 8 , 1779 , 1780 , 17 82 , 1784 , 1785 , 1786 , 178 S , and 1789 . In 1812 Bro . Lenoir resumed them by the delivery of eig ht lectures in eig ht meetings on the " Rapports qui existent entre les anciens Mysteres des Egyptiens et des Grecs et ceux de la Franche Maconnerie . " These lectures , re-arranged , he published in 1814 at Paris , under the title "La Frenche Maconnerie rendue a sa ,

LENOIR , ALEXANDRE . —A Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur , and conservator of French antiquities at Paris ; was also a zealous and enlig htened Freemason , and an antiquary and archaeologist of great reputation . He was born in 1761 , and died in 1839 . He was the founder of the " Musee Central , " and saved many monuments and articles of antiquarian interest from destruction and oblivion . In 1777 the well-known Le Court de Gebelin had founded the

veritable origine , ou l'Antiquite de la Franche Maconnerie prouvee par l'exphcation des Mysteres anciens et modernes . " This work was illustrated by ten plates . We are not compelled to accept all Bro . Lenoir ' s conclusions , many of which are more than doubtful , when we express our admiration of his industry and his ingenuity in developing his own theses . That some connection existed as between the Building Societies and Mysteries is , we think , probable ; but it is equally , we

apprehend , incontestable that Freemasonry cannot be properly said to be the continuation of the Mysteries . Many of Bro . Lenoir ' s explanations , both of the actual import of our symbols and their mysterious lore , have long since been given up by Masonic students , but his work remains as a monument of his Masonic sympathies and learning , and will always repay perusal . —Kenning ' s Cyclopaedia of Freemasonry .