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Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Lodge , Birkenhead . Thc election in each case was unanimous . The lodge was then raised to that degree which may be justly termed , " Retrospective and Prospective . " Bro . J . B . Howard was then raised to the Sublime degree of a M . M . by Bro . John Wood , P . M ., D . C . ; thc W . M . then conferred the same dignity upon Bros . John Bradshaw and Henry Wilson . Two other raisings were also
due , but want of time necessitated their postponement . Two notices of motion were given by Bro . John Wood , P . M ., D . C , and one by Bro . Harvey Heywood , P . M . and Treas ., and of which subject we hope to speak favourably in our next Imperial George report . Bro . J . Millhouse , J . D ., and Bro . J . Hatton , I . G ., each proposed a candidate for initiation , after which hearty good wishes were accorded
from lodges , 287 , 467 , 815 , 1375 . Chanty was next attended to , after -which the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the social board . After refreshment the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given ; then followed the ' toast of "Our Newly Raised Brethren , " this having been responded to , the toast of " The Visitors " was next given and acknowledged . Bro . John Kent ,
O . G ., " worthy Mason he " completed the list of toasts , with the one at all times cheerfully received— " to all poor and distressed Masons . " Before closing , our report we make a slight allusion to the " social board , " to which , when labour is completed , the brethren , as a rule , retire . Such a couJse is also beneficial , especially when every brother seasons his merry heart with moderation and
decorum . Although the graver responsibilities of the Craft are not conveyed to the banquetting room in their fullest form , it behoves us ever there to keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts , and to remember that impious feast recorded , as " The feast of Belshazzar . " Our social board when surrounded with lights of steady flame , both trimmed and guarded , points out the way to closer union , does not
impede but helps us on our pathway of charity and love , a well trodden path , which every Freemason should be proud to traverse . We conclude , therefore , by remarking that the true Mason can be discovered even at the banquetting board . SHEERNESS . —Adam ' s Lodge ( No . 158 ) . — Yesterday week thc installation meeting of this old lodge
was held , by dispensation from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . S . Eastes , at the offices of the Local Board , Mile Town , Shecrncss , which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the brethren by the chairman and members ofthe Board . About seventy brethren attended , and the spacious room was well filled . The W . M ., Bro . Ferminger , opened the lodge . On the Deputy Provincial Grand
Master entering he was saluted according to ancient custom , after which the W . M . delegated the duties of Installing Master to Bro . A . Spears , Past Prov . G . Organist , Kent . Bro . Carpenter , P . M ., then presented Bro . J . Woodley , S . W ., for installation , and Bro . Spears duly installed him as Master in the presence of the following Board of Installed Masters -. —Bros . Ferminger , W . M . ;
J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . S . ; T . M . Rigg , P . P . G . Reg ., P . M . 1089 , De Shurland ; Townsend , P . M . 158 , P . P . G . S . D . ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . ; Clout , P . M ., Mailing Abbey ; Wm . Ord , P . M . 387 , Leinster , ( Malta ); J . Parkes , P . M . 387 ( Malta ); Carpenter , P . M . 158 ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( "Freemason" ); E . Gorham , W . M ,
184 , Lodge of Benevolence ; and Bro . J . Hancock , P . M . 1089 , De Shurland . Bro . Spears announced that Bro . Woodley was the 98 th Master who had been installed in Adam ' s Lodge since the date of the warrant . The following brethren were appointed to office : —Bros . Ferminger , I . P . M . ; Brett , S . W . ; Watts , J . W . ; A . Spears , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec . ; Carpenter
P . M ., D . C . ( the first brother who has held that office , the Installing Master said , since he had known Adam ' s Lodge ); Nunn , S . D . ; Perkins , J . D . ; R . Coleman , LG . ; Akhurst , Tyler . After the addresses had been delivered and thc ceremony completed , the new W . M . called upon the Deputy Prov . G . M . to invest the I . P . M . with the jewel which had been voted to him by the brethren of the lodge . Bro . J . S .
Eastes thereupon rose , and said he had been requested somewhat suddenly by the W . M . to present Bro . Ferminger with a token of love and regard which the brethren of the lodge had voted to him on his retiring from the chair . He complied with the request with a great deal of pleasure from what he had seen of his conduct that day . Still he had seen but little of him himself ; but from what he
had been told he had no doubt Bro . Ferminger had been a most active and zealous Master , and that for some time past he had been a most active and zealous member ol this lodge . He might remind the I . P . M . that though he had passed from the rank of W . M . to that of P . M . his duties had not ended , but had in fact recommenced , because thc duties of a P . M . were heavy ; above all , he would have
to give advice to thc brethren of the lodge , which was a responsible office to take , not less responsible than that of the W . M . himself . He might rely upon it that if the P . M . ' s of a lodge remained firm and steady to the principles of Freemasonry , and carried out their duties for thc lodge through the chair of which they had passed , the working of the lodges would be performed earnestly and
well . He hoped that Bio . Ferminger would still adhere to the working of the ceremonies of the lodge , and that he would consider it his bounden duty to instruct those brethren who cprr . e after him . If he did that thc brethren would feel that this present which had been given to their brother fr m love and regard had not been given without foundatirr ft 1 those feelings , because he would then show
that he had been a Mason throughout . I le trusted that Bro . Ferminger would bear in mind what he had just said , t \ - * " he vvould at all times support the Master in the chair ann the brethren of thc lodge to the utmost of his abili' . j' He had great pleasure in conforming with the will , of ihe W . M . and brethren in placing this jewel on Br 0 . Fermingcf s breast , not only as a reward for what he l ^ d already done , but also in the hope that he would con-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tinue to act for thc good of thc lodge . Bro . Ferminger , in acknowledging the gift , said he felt it a greater honour than many who had received the same , for this reason , be had in his possession a certificate granted to a brother of this lodge whom he had much pleasure as well as honour in recognising as his own grandfather . The certificate was some 80 or 90 years old . His ( Bro . Fcrminger ' s )
father was a member of this lodge , and the brethren voted him a jewel of a somewhat similar description to the one just voted . It was an additional honour and pleasure to receive the jewel , because he was thankful to say that during the year of office , which their kindness had voted him to unanimously , he had followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather . He hoped he should continue
to act m the same spirit that he had evinced during his year of office ; and he could assure the junior brethren that if they wanted instruction they had only to go to the P . M . ' s to get it . If any brother , young or old , would come to him he would be happy to devote any time he had at his disposal for instruction of the brethren . As he had received much assistance from the P . M . ' s during his
year of office he begged now to thank them for it . On thc motion of Bro . Spears , seconded by Bro . Townsend , P . M ., a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., for honouring the lodge with his presence . Bro . Eastes , in reply , said he did not consider his presence was deserving of such a vote , as he considered it only a pleasurable duty te come in his official capacity .
By repute he knew a great deal of Adam ' s Lodge . He knew intimately at one time their late Bro . Kcddill , who was a P . M . of the lodge , and in coming that day he renewed his recollection of him . He had to express his thanks to the brethren for having fixed a day for the installation which was suitable to his own convenience , and it was with much pleasure that he availed himself of the
opportunity to come among the brethren . Bro . Ferminger proposed , and Bro . Carpenter seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . Spears for perfoiming the ceremony of installation , and Bro . Spears having responded , a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman and members of the Local Board * for granting the use of the board-room to the Adams ' s Lodge for the installation . Thc motion , which
was made by Bro . Townsend , seconded by Bro . Ferminger , and carried unanimously , was ordered to be conveyed to the Local Board in a letter from Bro . J . Bagshaw , Secretary . This concluded the business of tlie lodge , which was then closed , and the brethren ad ourned to their own room for banquet , which was admirably provided and served . When the banquet had been disposed ofthe toasts were
proposed , the W . M . getting through them with great rapidity for the convenience of the many brethren leaving by thc last ( eight o'clock ) train . To enable the brethren to get off at this hour he coupled thc name of Bro . Binckes , Past G . Steward , with thc toast of " The Grand Officers , " and cleverly introduced the toast of " Thc Masonic Charities " to save time . Bro . Binckes , in reply , said that although
he was not a Grand Officer , yet it had been held that in the absence of a Grand Officer or a Past Grand Officer a Grand Steward or Past Grand Steward might properly respond to this toast . On thc present occasion there was no one present of higher rank in Grand Lodge than himself , and he would therefore discharge the duty cast upon him with much pleasure . Thc W . M ., in his speech
proposing the toast , had referred to Lord Skelmersdale as a zealous and hard-working Mason , and as a brother who had taken thc chair of different Masonic charities , at the last of which—the Benevolent Institution—subscriptions to the amount of nearly . £ ' 10 , 000 were obtained . Although comparatively young , his lordship was strenuous in the support of the Masonic Order , which he was sure arose
from his intense love of it , and its general principles . He had at all times shown himself anxious to occupy any position he might be called upon to fill with advantage to Freemasonry . Occupying thc high position he did he was constantly with Freemasons , and wherever he went he was received with the utmost enthusiasm , and had won " golden opinions from all sorts of people . " With respect to the
other Grand Officers , they discharged their duties with fidelity and zeal . Speaking upon the cause of charity which had been joined by the W . M . with this toast , the evening was waning very rapidly , and he would simply thank the brethren for what they had done in the cause , and the W . M . for bringing it before them . He considered charity the very
mainspring of Freemasonry , the item by which Freemasons were better known and understood by the outer world than by anything else . Twenty-five years he had been associated with all thc institutions , and fourteen years he had actually been the Secretary of thc Boys' School . He trusted he might say—spite of some little exclusively prevailing opinions in one locality , at all events in the province of
Kent—that he could challenge denial when he stated that in that position he had discharged his duty faithfully , conscientiously , and he would go so far as to say on the present occasion honestly , without being open to the charge of being egotistical . Kent had nobly supported the charities , it was always doing something for them , and he thanked the brethren heaitily for what they had done .
Freemasonry had received a great impetus by the advent to its supreme power of the Prince of Wales ; but it must be remembered that with a great accession to the number of Freemasons greater demands would be made on the Institutions , and consequently greater would be thc efforts required by all those connected with the institutions to keep pace with those demands . Larger responsibilities would
be required of Freemasons than they had hitherto been called upon to bear . He hoped they vvould be all equal to the emergency , and that the proud boast of Freemasons that no deserving brother in distress , no widow or orphan of a brother , went away unrelieved , would always be asserted with the greatest tiuth . The toast of "The I ' rov . G . M ., Lord Holmesdale , " waa next pieposed , and Bro . J . S . ' . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for the
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
very cordial reception he had met with that day . lt was scarcely two years since he ( Bro . Eastes ) had the honour of receiving his appointment from Lord Holmesdale , and he had not once during the time that had since elapsed had the opportunity of visiting : this lodge in his official capacity . To-day , however , he had been enabled to carry out his own especial feelings with regard to lodges where there were two
or more in a town m that he had been enabled to visit the more ancient first . A lodge like this , which was really 11 o years old , should be looked upon in an especial way . Since he had been appointed to his office a new face had been put upon Freemasonry . One and all must individually feel this . Still fresh in their recollection was that heavy blow which was aimed at their headship , and which , after
all perhaps , figuratively , was a device for bringing us to our knees . In what light , however , could it be looked upon by our enemies . They had seen the Prince of Wales accepting the position of Grand Master , a wonderful increase in the number of Masons , and the wonderful prosperity of Freemasonry throughout the world , thanks to his Royal Highness stepping in and taking tho Grand
Mastership . They ought to be very proud that thc principles of the Order enabled him to do so without fear and without reproach . This was a very great thing , and it had made a great impression on the outer world . We could gather from this at least one lesson for ourselves , how very necessary and desirable it was that all Freemasons should conduct themselves in
such a manner as to shew to the world that there was something real and earnest in the spirit of Freemasonry . It was most essential that that should Ire the case ; we ought to be especially good ; and certainly in any little differences of opinion they had they ought to be careful not to let thc world know of them . This was a thing he wished to be cultivated in the . Province of Kent , that
brotherly love which they desired to see in the various lodges , and among the individual members themselves . They should be particular to earn a good name as Freemasons ; that their action should not dim thc lustre of that close relationship they had with their Royal Grand Master . There was one other subject he wished to speak upon , thc subject of charity referred to by Bro . Binckes . lt was a
subject which the brethren of Kent had a great interest in . They might assume that the charitable institutions of the Order were never in a more prosperous condition than now . Thanks to the energy and ability of the Secretaries of those institutions the matter was brought before the Freemasons in the provinces , and the result had been very great additions to the funds . The province of Kent had not been
behind hand . But this would be of no avail if they did not back up their caily efforts by renewed energy . A great deal more had to be done . There were many individuals in the provinces who never thought of subscribing to the charities , and he was sorry to say there were many lodges which had not thought of this duty . This was an especial field for the Charity Committee of the province
to work in ; they should call them to account if they did not bring a large amount of subscriptions . There was another matter he wished to bring before the brethren , the necessity of combination and concentration of their whole voting power when they had a candidate . Let them place thc candidates in the hands of the committee , and when the committee had decided which to support let them all
use their efforts to carry that one in . It was utterly useless , and a mere frittering away of strength , if several brethren were using their exertions on behalf of different candidates . He hoped he had made himself explicit enough on this point . He felt it was of vital importance to thc
province of Kent . He did not care what they gave ; although he would not wish to discourage their giving what they could , he would say it was useless giving away their votes , one here and one there ; let them give them all into the hands of their representative , and pass them over for the benefit of the candidate their
Charity Committee might select . He made these remarks in a friendly spirit , and as such he hoped they would be taken . Bro . Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . Sec , replied for the Prov . Grand Officers , and informed the brethren that Masonic affairs in the province were in a very satisfactory condition , better than they had been in for years . On some occasions he had had occasion to
complain of the work of the different Secretaries , but he was pleased to say there was a great improvement in that respect . His observations had been received kindly , and the returns had been properly made . The number of Masons was now becoming so large that it was incumbent on Masters and the brethren of lodges to be careful whom they admitted , because , as Bro . Binckes had said , as the
number increased greater demands were made on the charities . Masonic law might be put in a very few words -, bc careful whom you admit ; being careful whom you admit you will only have good members who will conform to the laws and constitutions of the Order ; you will have order and propriety in your meetings ; and you may depend upon it that if * we act strictly upon that principle , our
Craft will bc supported by our Grand Master and other eminent Masons . Bro . Spencer then called the attention of the brethren to the circular from Grand Lodge as to the jewels which ought to be worn , and called upon the brethren to see that the orders of Grand Lodge were obeyed . He also called attention to the fact that Bro . Spencer was representative for the Charity Committee , and asked the brethren to support him . Bro . Ferminger , I . P . M .,
proposed " The Health of the W . M . " They all wished him good health during his year of office . They had had an opportunity of seeing what he could do in the various offices throughwhich he had passed , and they believed he would perform his duties as W . M . as satisfactorily . If he did , Adam ' s Lodge would never regret electing him to the W . M . 's chair . He had been a member of the lodge for the last twelve or fourteen years , and during that time had been most assiduous in his duties . He had never been absent except when his Queen and country called him
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
Lodge , Birkenhead . Thc election in each case was unanimous . The lodge was then raised to that degree which may be justly termed , " Retrospective and Prospective . " Bro . J . B . Howard was then raised to the Sublime degree of a M . M . by Bro . John Wood , P . M ., D . C . ; thc W . M . then conferred the same dignity upon Bros . John Bradshaw and Henry Wilson . Two other raisings were also
due , but want of time necessitated their postponement . Two notices of motion were given by Bro . John Wood , P . M ., D . C , and one by Bro . Harvey Heywood , P . M . and Treas ., and of which subject we hope to speak favourably in our next Imperial George report . Bro . J . Millhouse , J . D ., and Bro . J . Hatton , I . G ., each proposed a candidate for initiation , after which hearty good wishes were accorded
from lodges , 287 , 467 , 815 , 1375 . Chanty was next attended to , after -which the lodge was duly closed , and the brethren adjourned to the social board . After refreshment the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given ; then followed the ' toast of "Our Newly Raised Brethren , " this having been responded to , the toast of " The Visitors " was next given and acknowledged . Bro . John Kent ,
O . G ., " worthy Mason he " completed the list of toasts , with the one at all times cheerfully received— " to all poor and distressed Masons . " Before closing , our report we make a slight allusion to the " social board , " to which , when labour is completed , the brethren , as a rule , retire . Such a couJse is also beneficial , especially when every brother seasons his merry heart with moderation and
decorum . Although the graver responsibilities of the Craft are not conveyed to the banquetting room in their fullest form , it behoves us ever there to keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts , and to remember that impious feast recorded , as " The feast of Belshazzar . " Our social board when surrounded with lights of steady flame , both trimmed and guarded , points out the way to closer union , does not
impede but helps us on our pathway of charity and love , a well trodden path , which every Freemason should be proud to traverse . We conclude , therefore , by remarking that the true Mason can be discovered even at the banquetting board . SHEERNESS . —Adam ' s Lodge ( No . 158 ) . — Yesterday week thc installation meeting of this old lodge
was held , by dispensation from the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . J . S . Eastes , at the offices of the Local Board , Mile Town , Shecrncss , which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the brethren by the chairman and members ofthe Board . About seventy brethren attended , and the spacious room was well filled . The W . M ., Bro . Ferminger , opened the lodge . On the Deputy Provincial Grand
Master entering he was saluted according to ancient custom , after which the W . M . delegated the duties of Installing Master to Bro . A . Spears , Past Prov . G . Organist , Kent . Bro . Carpenter , P . M ., then presented Bro . J . Woodley , S . W ., for installation , and Bro . Spears duly installed him as Master in the presence of the following Board of Installed Masters -. —Bros . Ferminger , W . M . ;
J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . S . ; T . M . Rigg , P . P . G . Reg ., P . M . 1089 , De Shurland ; Townsend , P . M . 158 , P . P . G . S . D . ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . ; Clout , P . M ., Mailing Abbey ; Wm . Ord , P . M . 387 , Leinster , ( Malta ); J . Parkes , P . M . 387 ( Malta ); Carpenter , P . M . 158 ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 ( "Freemason" ); E . Gorham , W . M ,
184 , Lodge of Benevolence ; and Bro . J . Hancock , P . M . 1089 , De Shurland . Bro . Spears announced that Bro . Woodley was the 98 th Master who had been installed in Adam ' s Lodge since the date of the warrant . The following brethren were appointed to office : —Bros . Ferminger , I . P . M . ; Brett , S . W . ; Watts , J . W . ; A . Spears , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Bagshaw , P . M ., Sec . ; Carpenter
P . M ., D . C . ( the first brother who has held that office , the Installing Master said , since he had known Adam ' s Lodge ); Nunn , S . D . ; Perkins , J . D . ; R . Coleman , LG . ; Akhurst , Tyler . After the addresses had been delivered and thc ceremony completed , the new W . M . called upon the Deputy Prov . G . M . to invest the I . P . M . with the jewel which had been voted to him by the brethren of the lodge . Bro . J . S .
Eastes thereupon rose , and said he had been requested somewhat suddenly by the W . M . to present Bro . Ferminger with a token of love and regard which the brethren of the lodge had voted to him on his retiring from the chair . He complied with the request with a great deal of pleasure from what he had seen of his conduct that day . Still he had seen but little of him himself ; but from what he
had been told he had no doubt Bro . Ferminger had been a most active and zealous Master , and that for some time past he had been a most active and zealous member ol this lodge . He might remind the I . P . M . that though he had passed from the rank of W . M . to that of P . M . his duties had not ended , but had in fact recommenced , because thc duties of a P . M . were heavy ; above all , he would have
to give advice to thc brethren of the lodge , which was a responsible office to take , not less responsible than that of the W . M . himself . He might rely upon it that if the P . M . ' s of a lodge remained firm and steady to the principles of Freemasonry , and carried out their duties for thc lodge through the chair of which they had passed , the working of the lodges would be performed earnestly and
well . He hoped that Bio . Ferminger would still adhere to the working of the ceremonies of the lodge , and that he would consider it his bounden duty to instruct those brethren who cprr . e after him . If he did that thc brethren would feel that this present which had been given to their brother fr m love and regard had not been given without foundatirr ft 1 those feelings , because he would then show
that he had been a Mason throughout . I le trusted that Bro . Ferminger would bear in mind what he had just said , t \ - * " he vvould at all times support the Master in the chair ann the brethren of thc lodge to the utmost of his abili' . j' He had great pleasure in conforming with the will , of ihe W . M . and brethren in placing this jewel on Br 0 . Fermingcf s breast , not only as a reward for what he l ^ d already done , but also in the hope that he would con-
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
tinue to act for thc good of thc lodge . Bro . Ferminger , in acknowledging the gift , said he felt it a greater honour than many who had received the same , for this reason , be had in his possession a certificate granted to a brother of this lodge whom he had much pleasure as well as honour in recognising as his own grandfather . The certificate was some 80 or 90 years old . His ( Bro . Fcrminger ' s )
father was a member of this lodge , and the brethren voted him a jewel of a somewhat similar description to the one just voted . It was an additional honour and pleasure to receive the jewel , because he was thankful to say that during the year of office , which their kindness had voted him to unanimously , he had followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather . He hoped he should continue
to act m the same spirit that he had evinced during his year of office ; and he could assure the junior brethren that if they wanted instruction they had only to go to the P . M . ' s to get it . If any brother , young or old , would come to him he would be happy to devote any time he had at his disposal for instruction of the brethren . As he had received much assistance from the P . M . ' s during his
year of office he begged now to thank them for it . On thc motion of Bro . Spears , seconded by Bro . Townsend , P . M ., a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., for honouring the lodge with his presence . Bro . Eastes , in reply , said he did not consider his presence was deserving of such a vote , as he considered it only a pleasurable duty te come in his official capacity .
By repute he knew a great deal of Adam ' s Lodge . He knew intimately at one time their late Bro . Kcddill , who was a P . M . of the lodge , and in coming that day he renewed his recollection of him . He had to express his thanks to the brethren for having fixed a day for the installation which was suitable to his own convenience , and it was with much pleasure that he availed himself of the
opportunity to come among the brethren . Bro . Ferminger proposed , and Bro . Carpenter seconded , a vote of thanks to Bro . Spears for perfoiming the ceremony of installation , and Bro . Spears having responded , a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman and members of the Local Board * for granting the use of the board-room to the Adams ' s Lodge for the installation . Thc motion , which
was made by Bro . Townsend , seconded by Bro . Ferminger , and carried unanimously , was ordered to be conveyed to the Local Board in a letter from Bro . J . Bagshaw , Secretary . This concluded the business of tlie lodge , which was then closed , and the brethren ad ourned to their own room for banquet , which was admirably provided and served . When the banquet had been disposed ofthe toasts were
proposed , the W . M . getting through them with great rapidity for the convenience of the many brethren leaving by thc last ( eight o'clock ) train . To enable the brethren to get off at this hour he coupled thc name of Bro . Binckes , Past G . Steward , with thc toast of " The Grand Officers , " and cleverly introduced the toast of " Thc Masonic Charities " to save time . Bro . Binckes , in reply , said that although
he was not a Grand Officer , yet it had been held that in the absence of a Grand Officer or a Past Grand Officer a Grand Steward or Past Grand Steward might properly respond to this toast . On thc present occasion there was no one present of higher rank in Grand Lodge than himself , and he would therefore discharge the duty cast upon him with much pleasure . Thc W . M ., in his speech
proposing the toast , had referred to Lord Skelmersdale as a zealous and hard-working Mason , and as a brother who had taken thc chair of different Masonic charities , at the last of which—the Benevolent Institution—subscriptions to the amount of nearly . £ ' 10 , 000 were obtained . Although comparatively young , his lordship was strenuous in the support of the Masonic Order , which he was sure arose
from his intense love of it , and its general principles . He had at all times shown himself anxious to occupy any position he might be called upon to fill with advantage to Freemasonry . Occupying thc high position he did he was constantly with Freemasons , and wherever he went he was received with the utmost enthusiasm , and had won " golden opinions from all sorts of people . " With respect to the
other Grand Officers , they discharged their duties with fidelity and zeal . Speaking upon the cause of charity which had been joined by the W . M . with this toast , the evening was waning very rapidly , and he would simply thank the brethren for what they had done in the cause , and the W . M . for bringing it before them . He considered charity the very
mainspring of Freemasonry , the item by which Freemasons were better known and understood by the outer world than by anything else . Twenty-five years he had been associated with all thc institutions , and fourteen years he had actually been the Secretary of thc Boys' School . He trusted he might say—spite of some little exclusively prevailing opinions in one locality , at all events in the province of
Kent—that he could challenge denial when he stated that in that position he had discharged his duty faithfully , conscientiously , and he would go so far as to say on the present occasion honestly , without being open to the charge of being egotistical . Kent had nobly supported the charities , it was always doing something for them , and he thanked the brethren heaitily for what they had done .
Freemasonry had received a great impetus by the advent to its supreme power of the Prince of Wales ; but it must be remembered that with a great accession to the number of Freemasons greater demands would be made on the Institutions , and consequently greater would be thc efforts required by all those connected with the institutions to keep pace with those demands . Larger responsibilities would
be required of Freemasons than they had hitherto been called upon to bear . He hoped they vvould be all equal to the emergency , and that the proud boast of Freemasons that no deserving brother in distress , no widow or orphan of a brother , went away unrelieved , would always be asserted with the greatest tiuth . The toast of "The I ' rov . G . M ., Lord Holmesdale , " waa next pieposed , and Bro . J . S . ' . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., in reply , thanked the brethren for the
Reports Of Masonic Meetings.
very cordial reception he had met with that day . lt was scarcely two years since he ( Bro . Eastes ) had the honour of receiving his appointment from Lord Holmesdale , and he had not once during the time that had since elapsed had the opportunity of visiting : this lodge in his official capacity . To-day , however , he had been enabled to carry out his own especial feelings with regard to lodges where there were two
or more in a town m that he had been enabled to visit the more ancient first . A lodge like this , which was really 11 o years old , should be looked upon in an especial way . Since he had been appointed to his office a new face had been put upon Freemasonry . One and all must individually feel this . Still fresh in their recollection was that heavy blow which was aimed at their headship , and which , after
all perhaps , figuratively , was a device for bringing us to our knees . In what light , however , could it be looked upon by our enemies . They had seen the Prince of Wales accepting the position of Grand Master , a wonderful increase in the number of Masons , and the wonderful prosperity of Freemasonry throughout the world , thanks to his Royal Highness stepping in and taking tho Grand
Mastership . They ought to be very proud that thc principles of the Order enabled him to do so without fear and without reproach . This was a very great thing , and it had made a great impression on the outer world . We could gather from this at least one lesson for ourselves , how very necessary and desirable it was that all Freemasons should conduct themselves in
such a manner as to shew to the world that there was something real and earnest in the spirit of Freemasonry . It was most essential that that should Ire the case ; we ought to be especially good ; and certainly in any little differences of opinion they had they ought to be careful not to let thc world know of them . This was a thing he wished to be cultivated in the . Province of Kent , that
brotherly love which they desired to see in the various lodges , and among the individual members themselves . They should be particular to earn a good name as Freemasons ; that their action should not dim thc lustre of that close relationship they had with their Royal Grand Master . There was one other subject he wished to speak upon , thc subject of charity referred to by Bro . Binckes . lt was a
subject which the brethren of Kent had a great interest in . They might assume that the charitable institutions of the Order were never in a more prosperous condition than now . Thanks to the energy and ability of the Secretaries of those institutions the matter was brought before the Freemasons in the provinces , and the result had been very great additions to the funds . The province of Kent had not been
behind hand . But this would be of no avail if they did not back up their caily efforts by renewed energy . A great deal more had to be done . There were many individuals in the provinces who never thought of subscribing to the charities , and he was sorry to say there were many lodges which had not thought of this duty . This was an especial field for the Charity Committee of the province
to work in ; they should call them to account if they did not bring a large amount of subscriptions . There was another matter he wished to bring before the brethren , the necessity of combination and concentration of their whole voting power when they had a candidate . Let them place thc candidates in the hands of the committee , and when the committee had decided which to support let them all
use their efforts to carry that one in . It was utterly useless , and a mere frittering away of strength , if several brethren were using their exertions on behalf of different candidates . He hoped he had made himself explicit enough on this point . He felt it was of vital importance to thc
province of Kent . He did not care what they gave ; although he would not wish to discourage their giving what they could , he would say it was useless giving away their votes , one here and one there ; let them give them all into the hands of their representative , and pass them over for the benefit of the candidate their
Charity Committee might select . He made these remarks in a friendly spirit , and as such he hoped they would be taken . Bro . Alfred Spencer , Prov . G . Sec , replied for the Prov . Grand Officers , and informed the brethren that Masonic affairs in the province were in a very satisfactory condition , better than they had been in for years . On some occasions he had had occasion to
complain of the work of the different Secretaries , but he was pleased to say there was a great improvement in that respect . His observations had been received kindly , and the returns had been properly made . The number of Masons was now becoming so large that it was incumbent on Masters and the brethren of lodges to be careful whom they admitted , because , as Bro . Binckes had said , as the
number increased greater demands were made on the charities . Masonic law might be put in a very few words -, bc careful whom you admit ; being careful whom you admit you will only have good members who will conform to the laws and constitutions of the Order ; you will have order and propriety in your meetings ; and you may depend upon it that if * we act strictly upon that principle , our
Craft will bc supported by our Grand Master and other eminent Masons . Bro . Spencer then called the attention of the brethren to the circular from Grand Lodge as to the jewels which ought to be worn , and called upon the brethren to see that the orders of Grand Lodge were obeyed . He also called attention to the fact that Bro . Spencer was representative for the Charity Committee , and asked the brethren to support him . Bro . Ferminger , I . P . M .,
proposed " The Health of the W . M . " They all wished him good health during his year of office . They had had an opportunity of seeing what he could do in the various offices throughwhich he had passed , and they believed he would perform his duties as W . M . as satisfactorily . If he did , Adam ' s Lodge would never regret electing him to the W . M . 's chair . He had been a member of the lodge for the last twelve or fourteen years , and during that time had been most assiduous in his duties . He had never been absent except when his Queen and country called him