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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL. Page 1 of 1
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL .
The Freemasons of Falmouth , on Thursday , 22 nd ult ., . rave a right hearty welcome to their brethren of the province on the occasion of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting of Cornwall being held in that town . The principal streets were , from emt to end , profusely decorated with the flags of all nations ; the Town Hall , in which the ProvinciaKJrand Lodge was held , was most tastefully
arranged with flags , evergreens , and other ornamentation , the work of thc Mayoress ( Mrs . Webber ) and her daughters , and the same skill and taste were shown in the decoration 0 f the . Polytechnic Hall , where the annual banquet was held . The attendance of brethren from all parts of thc province was so large—every lodge was represented—that many of them were unable to obtain admission into the Town
Hall . Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M ., presided , and amongst those present were Bros . R . Rogers , 331 , P . P . G . Sec , and P . D . P . G . M . ; T . Chirgwin , 131 , P . G . S . W . ; H . G . Colvill , 330 , P . P . G . S . W . ; F . "W . Dabb , , 89 , P . P . G . J . W . ; W . C . Borlase , 121 , P . P . G . S . W . ; F . * [ . Hext , -tfo , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . W . Peard , 977 , P . P . G .
S . W . ; R . John , I- , P . P . G . D . C ; E . T . Carlyon , 331 , P . G . Sec ; W . H . Jenkins , 331 , P . P . G . S . W . ; E . A . Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . S . Works ; N . J . West , P . G . S . B . ; \ V . H . Bloxsome , 318 , P . P . G . Chap .-, W . Tweedy , 331 , P . G . Treas . ; U . Heath , 589 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Peter , V ;; . P . G . J . W . ; W . W . Dymond , 357 , P-G . Org . ; E . Miiford Cock , sSg , P . P . G . S . ; W . D . Pearse , 7 S 9 , P . P
G . S . W-. ; | . H . Filmer , 893 , P . G . Stwd ; W . F . Newman , 75 , P . P . G . D . ; J . Hocking , jun ., 589 , P . P . J . G . D . ; T . Taylor , 318 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . D . Anderton , 331 ; P . P . G . S . Works ; T . N . Curry , 3 iS , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Niness , 699 , P . Prov . G . R . -, G . Lemon Church , 699 , P . Piov . G . Chaplain ; J . Hawkins , 7 S 9 , Prov . G . Steward ; 1 . Paull , 6 99 , ' P . Prov . G . S . D . ; S . Mitchell , 6 99
P . P . G . S . ; W . J . Johns , 131 , P . P . G . R . ; J . G . Mason , = , ¦¦¦ 7 , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . Gill , 9 67 , P . G . Steward ; W . Hosken , 9 67 , P . P . G . O . ; W . Guy , 49 6 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . H . A . Wright , 331 , P . P . G . C ; G . Brown , 131 , P . G . W . of Leicestershire and Rutland ; S . Holloway , 131 , P . P . G . J . D . ; W . Lake , 131 , P . P . G . R . ; R . A . Courtney , 510 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . Dennis , 75 , P . G . P . ;
P . Giles , 49 ( 1 , P . P . G . Steward ; E . G . Dyke , 496 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Grigg , 491 , P . G . S . ; E . Commins , 330 , P . P . G . R . ; H . Cochrane , 1136 , P . G . J . D . ; S . Moyle , C 99 , P . G . S .-, J . Boaden , 30 b , P . G . C ; J . Hill , 970 , P . G . S . ; J . Cardevv , 1164 , ' P . P . G . Steward ; W . N . Abbott , 977 , P . P . G . Steward ; G . W . Trenery , 9 65 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Dennis , 330 , P . P . G . Steward ; B .
Brokenshar , 8 6 , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . Lean , 699 , P . P . G . T . ; W . Rooks , P . G . P . ; R . Penvvarden , P . G . Tyler ; A . T . Grant , 318 , P . G . Steward ; and numerous Past Masters , Wardens , officers , and brethren of the various lodges in the province . 'I he Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the last meeting were read by
Bro . Richard John , and confirmed . Before the regular business was proceeded with , The Prov . G . M . addressed a few observations to the brethren , in thc course of which lie said : —You will be glad to know that during the past year there have been three new lodges formed in the province , which I have had the pleasure of consecrating , viz ., the Fort Lodge ,
Newquay , the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , at St . Columb , and the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , at Camborne —( hear , hear)—and , so far as I can ascertain , I believe they are progressing very favourably in their infancy . At Newquay , indeed , thc Fort Lodge seems to have gone beyond its infancy , the members having already increased from 25 to 40 . It is also a very satisfactory thing to sec that the
lodges throughout the province are gradually having buildings of their own instead of holding their meetings at inns . ( Hear , hear . ) The foundation-stone of three new Masonic . halls have been laid this year , one at Redruth , the other at Launccston , and a third at Callington , and out of the twenty-seven lodges now existing in the province twenty of them have provided rooms or halls of their
own ( Applause . ) Of the remaining seven , two are new lodges that have only recently been formed , and therefore it could hardly be expected that they vvould as yet have established a building of their own . 1 look upon this as exceedingly satisfactory , because 1 believe it is of great importance that lodges should have rooms of their own instead of having to meet at public houses . ( Hear ,
hear , and applause . ) 1 am glad to be able to say that there has been a marked improvement in the manner in which tne returns have been sent in this year . Last time I expressed a hope that they would be sent in more regularly than formerly , and now I am informed that there has oeen no default whatever , all the lodges having sent in their returns within the time required . That has enabled
Bro . Hughan to bring out his Directory with much greater ease and punctuality , and has also materially facilitated the work of the Secretary . The returns shew that Masonry is making very satisfactory progress throughout the province , as during the year the numbers have increased trom 1 240 to 1433 , and during thc time I have had the honour of holding the position cf Prov . Grand Master tare has been an increase of between four and five hun-( - * I- * " - •¦¦ -. -. U *) -, Wi Ul .-. l-H . ' . U -LUUI ciii-u imv , 11 ia
11-Vied brethren . ( Applause . ) At the same time I believe ' t , lc general observation of those with whom I have consulted on the matter that the tone and status of the brethren who are admittedjias not deteriorated , but has r-tner been raised . ( Hear hear . ) You wilt see presently m t " Treasurer ' s account that wc have a larger balance this year than last— £ 58 Os . iod . against £ 4 . 6 4 s . funrf V Ui this notwithstanding the fact that £ 80 of our babl * e beCn distinctl ) r expended in charity , and proy with such a balance as wc have now in hand we
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
shall be well able to contribute again , as heretofore , to the great Masonic charities of the country . I think it is only due that . Cornwall should contribute to those charities because , owing mainly to the indefatigable zeal of Bro . Hughan , we have received a great deal of advantage from them . We have been remarkably successful with our candidates , and it is due to those charities that we should
subscribe to them as a province . ( Hear hear . ) I know that for many years the efforts of Bro . Hughan have occasioned him a great deal of trouble and expense , and we really owe him a debt of gratitude for all that he has dene . ( Applause . ) His lordship mentioned , in conclusion , that he had received four applications from lodges desiring to have the next year ' s meeting held in their towns , and he intimated that he should hold it in the eastern part of the
province . Bro . R . John then read the report of the Prov . Grand Secretary , which stated that the number of initiations in 18 75 was 167 , 3 s against 177 in the previous year . The joining members were 64 last year as compared with 54 in 1 S 74 , and the total number of members at the present time is 1433 , giving an increase of 193 over the year preceding .
During the last year the Prov . Grand Master has consecrated three new lodges , at Newbury , St . Columb , and Camborne . The returns for the past year have come in much more punctually than heretofore , and this has enabled Bro . Hughan to complete and issue his Directory in a reasonable and convenient time . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s report showed that thc
expenditure for the year had amounted to £ 179 9 s . 4 d ., and the receipts to £ 232 16 s . 2 d ., leaving a balance in hand of £$ 8 6 s . iod . Last year the credit balance was £ 46 4 s . I id . Bro . Chirgwin , Secretary of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund , read the report of the committee , which stated that thc amount received from the
various lodges in the province during the year amounted to £ 15 8 16 s . 6 d ., as compared with £ 142 ios . in the previous year , showing an increase of £ 16 6 s . 6 d . ( Applause . ) Thc capital of the fund now amounts to £ 2493 5 s . 41 ! ., an increase over last year of £ 232 14 s . iod . Suggestions having been made for an alteration of the rules , the committee thought it desirable thata small committee should be appointed to consider the matter , ' and to
report at the next Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . The Secretary ' s duties having during the last few years considerably increased , the committee recommended that an assistant Secretary should bc appointed at an annual salary of £ 10 . They also recommended that a sum not exceeding £ 100 be voted for grants to be dealt with by the subscribers at the next annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , and that a vacancy be declared in the Annuity Fund , in consequence of thc death of one of the
annuitants . The report was . unanimously adopted ; and the following brethren were appointed as a Committee to revise the rules , " The Prov . Grand Master , and Bros . T . Carlyon , T . Webber , W . Tweedy , W . J . Hughan , G . L . Church , E . D . Anderton , T . Chirgwin , and R . Rogers . Thc report of the Committee of Relief having been
passed , Bro . Chirgwin read the report of Bro . Hughan , P . P . G . Secretary ( prevented through illness from attending ) , respecting his management of the votes for the London Masonic Charities on behalf of the province . They had , he said , been successful in securing the election of a deceased brother ' s widow as an annuitant of the Royal
Masonic Benevolent Institution , and she vvould receive £ 32 per annum for life . As they had but 122 votes for widows in the province , and polled 654 , it ' would readily be seen that without exchanging their votes for the other Masonic Institutions success vvould have been impossible . ( Hear , hear . ) By reason of having no candidate this time for the Girls' or Boys' Institution they were able to assist the
Province of Devon in obtaining the election of its candidates . Devon and Cornwall should alivays be united in such a good vvoi k . ( Applause . ) The consolidation of the votes and good working organization in other provinces rendered it imperatively necessary for the Province of Cornwall to unite most completely and combine together as lodges for thc management of their votes for
the great Masonic Charities . Individual action meant a loss to the community , and unless thc subscribers and the contributing lodges were willing to send their votes to an agreed centre , for thc use of the Province generally , it would be as well to give up hopes of ever carrying their candidates . Combined action in the past had secured about , £ 2- * oo in value for the Province of Cornwall in ten years . ( Applause . ) As Steward for the Royal Masonic
Institution for Boys he hoped to send up on thc 28 th June at least 400 guineas —( applause)—and he only wished thc amount could have been trebled , for as Masons they failed in their duty if they neglected the claims of the fatherless and widows in their affliction . ( Hear , hear . ) The report was adopted , and a cordial vote of thanks was given to Bro . Hughan for his past valuable services in thc province in connection with tin : Masonic
charities . Bro . Tweedy next proposed that a sum of money should be voted to Bro . Hughan in order to reimburse him his personal expenses during the many years that he had laboured in connection with the charities . ( Hear , hear . ) While Bro . Hughan had succeeded in every election , and had placed a large number of their poorer brethren and
their relations on the funds of thc great Masonic charities , he had never been paid a single penny for his expenses , which must have been very considerable , because he had to travel about from place to place in order to obtain the votes that were needed , this being thc only way by which prompt success could be obtained . Bro . Hughan had refused to take any money for himself , but would be proud to have his name associated as a donor with one
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
of the Masonic Institutions . He ( Bro . Tweedy ) therefore moved , " That in consideration of the great trouble Bro . Hughan has taken , as well as the amount he has been out of pocket for postage and other expenses in carrying out the canvass for and election oi candidates for the great Masonic charities , a sum of twenty guineas be paid in his name to one of the great charities , and that in future all
out-of-pocket expenses be repaid to him . ( Applause . ) The motion was seconded by Bro . T . Webber , and cordially supported by Bro . Colvill , and before putting it to the meeting the P . G . M . said there could be but one opinion as to the advantage of the work in which Bro . Hughan had been so long engaged , nor , he thought , could there be a second opinion as to the desirability of adopting his
proposal to put all the votes of the different lodges together , in preference to attempting individual action . ( Applause . ) The resolution-was then carried with acclamation . The following sums were voted -. — £ 25 to the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund ; £ 10 ios . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,- £ 10 ios . to the Institution for Girls ;
and £ 10 ios . to the Institution for aged Freemasons . The Secretary and Treasurer of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund were re-elected for the year ensuing , and Bros . Trenery and S . Jacobs were appointed as Auditors . The election of an annuitant to this fund fell through , as the ballot did not prove favourable to the candidate who applied for it .
An application was made by the widow of a deceased brother for a grant on behalf of her youngest child to assist in his education , and it was resolved to give the sum of £ 13 a year for three years . The Committee of Relief were re-elected . The Prov . G . Master invested the following brethren as his officers for the year ensuing ::
—R . Rogers D . Prov . G . M . The Rev . G . L . Church , 6 99 Prov . G . S . W . E . D . Anderton , 331 Prov . G . J . W . The Rev . J . K . Le ' thbridge , 789 Prov . G . S . C . The Rev . j . B . Jones , 1272 Prov . G . J . C . W . Tweedy Prov . G . Treas . E . T . Carlyon Prov . G . Sec .
W . fenkins , 967 Prov . G . Reg . J . Cardevv , 116 4 Prov . G . S . D . I . H . Filmer , 893 Prov . G . J . D . T . White , 510 Prov . G . S . Wks . *} . Chegwidden , 510 Prov . G . D . C . T . Gill , 967 Prov . G . A . D . C . J . Vivian , 7 ! Prov . G . S . B .
Carter , 75 Prov . G . Organist A . T . Grant , 318 Prov . G . Purst . W . Rooks ... " Prov . G . A . Purst . Rusden Prov . G . Tyler . The following brethren were invested as Stewards : —T . Webber , 73 ; C . Archer , 789 ; G . Barnes , 1164 ; T . C . Polglase , 75 ; J . Burgess , 1006 ; Tonkin , 977 ; T . C .
Stevens , 1151 ; S . Serpell , 331 . Bro . R . John was re-appointed as P . G . Asst . Sec , and Bro . Crewes received the appointment of Assistant Secretary to tbe Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund . Bros . Hughan and Penrose were elected as Auditors for the coming year .
This concluded the routine business , but before the Pro vincial Grand Lodge closed a resolution was unanimously passed expressing gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe on thc safe return cf His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , from his Indian tour . At mid-day the brethren marched in procession to the
parish church , where an excellent sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . G . L . Church , from the words , " But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates . Now , I pray to God that yc do no evil , not that we should appear approved but that ye should do that which is honest , though we be as reprobates . " Thc rev . gentleman said it would be rather late in this year of light , 587 6 , if he were
even to attempt to defend Freemasonry from the sometimes absuid and sometimes false charges that were brought against it . Not long since it was denounced from the Vatican and classed with such secret societies as the Inquisition , the Illuminate , and other similar institutions , and no doubt it was so denounced because they were known as " Free and Accepted Masons , " and the Church
of Rome did not allow liberty of conscience or freedom of thought to any , but every man ' s will must be subject to that of one who called his decrees infallible . That Freemasonry , had its secrets they did not for a moment deny , and further than that it was their proud bopst , as it was their bounden duty , that they should not reveal them to any one but a brother . But those secrets affected not their
religious or political opinions . They were condemned by the outer world for keeping the essentials of their institution from the knowledge of those who were not members of it , and it was said that this must sufficiently prove them to be of a bad nature and tendency . If , however , secrecy bc a viitue—and who could deny it—could that be brought against them as a crime which had been considered an
excellence in all ages He contended that the institution of Freemasonry was one highly to be approved of both on account of thc principles which it inculcated , and the great good which it accomplished in the community . A collection was made at the close of the service , and realized £ 15 8 s . 4 < 1 ., with one exception , thc largest ever made . Of this sum two-fifths will go to the Cornwall
Masonic Annuity Fund ; two-fifths to the ralmouth Dispensary , and the remaining one fifth to the clergyman of thc parish . In the afternoon a large number of brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , provided at thc Polytechnic HaH by Bro .-Carter , of the Royal Hotel . Thc P . G . M . presided , and the usual Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to .
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL .
The Freemasons of Falmouth , on Thursday , 22 nd ult ., . rave a right hearty welcome to their brethren of the province on the occasion of the annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting of Cornwall being held in that town . The principal streets were , from emt to end , profusely decorated with the flags of all nations ; the Town Hall , in which the ProvinciaKJrand Lodge was held , was most tastefully
arranged with flags , evergreens , and other ornamentation , the work of thc Mayoress ( Mrs . Webber ) and her daughters , and the same skill and taste were shown in the decoration 0 f the . Polytechnic Hall , where the annual banquet was held . The attendance of brethren from all parts of thc province was so large—every lodge was represented—that many of them were unable to obtain admission into the Town
Hall . Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M ., presided , and amongst those present were Bros . R . Rogers , 331 , P . P . G . Sec , and P . D . P . G . M . ; T . Chirgwin , 131 , P . G . S . W . ; H . G . Colvill , 330 , P . P . G . S . W . ; F . "W . Dabb , , 89 , P . P . G . J . W . ; W . C . Borlase , 121 , P . P . G . S . W . ; F . * [ . Hext , -tfo , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . W . Peard , 977 , P . P . G .
S . W . ; R . John , I- , P . P . G . D . C ; E . T . Carlyon , 331 , P . G . Sec ; W . H . Jenkins , 331 , P . P . G . S . W . ; E . A . Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . S . Works ; N . J . West , P . G . S . B . ; \ V . H . Bloxsome , 318 , P . P . G . Chap .-, W . Tweedy , 331 , P . G . Treas . ; U . Heath , 589 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Peter , V ;; . P . G . J . W . ; W . W . Dymond , 357 , P-G . Org . ; E . Miiford Cock , sSg , P . P . G . S . ; W . D . Pearse , 7 S 9 , P . P
G . S . W-. ; | . H . Filmer , 893 , P . G . Stwd ; W . F . Newman , 75 , P . P . G . D . ; J . Hocking , jun ., 589 , P . P . J . G . D . ; T . Taylor , 318 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . D . Anderton , 331 ; P . P . G . S . Works ; T . N . Curry , 3 iS , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Niness , 699 , P . Prov . G . R . -, G . Lemon Church , 699 , P . Piov . G . Chaplain ; J . Hawkins , 7 S 9 , Prov . G . Steward ; 1 . Paull , 6 99 , ' P . Prov . G . S . D . ; S . Mitchell , 6 99
P . P . G . S . ; W . J . Johns , 131 , P . P . G . R . ; J . G . Mason , = , ¦¦¦ 7 , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . Gill , 9 67 , P . G . Steward ; W . Hosken , 9 67 , P . P . G . O . ; W . Guy , 49 6 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . H . A . Wright , 331 , P . P . G . C ; G . Brown , 131 , P . G . W . of Leicestershire and Rutland ; S . Holloway , 131 , P . P . G . J . D . ; W . Lake , 131 , P . P . G . R . ; R . A . Courtney , 510 , P . P . G . D . C ; F . Dennis , 75 , P . G . P . ;
P . Giles , 49 ( 1 , P . P . G . Steward ; E . G . Dyke , 496 , P . P . G . O . ; J . Grigg , 491 , P . G . S . ; E . Commins , 330 , P . P . G . R . ; H . Cochrane , 1136 , P . G . J . D . ; S . Moyle , C 99 , P . G . S .-, J . Boaden , 30 b , P . G . C ; J . Hill , 970 , P . G . S . ; J . Cardevv , 1164 , ' P . P . G . Steward ; W . N . Abbott , 977 , P . P . G . Steward ; G . W . Trenery , 9 65 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Dennis , 330 , P . P . G . Steward ; B .
Brokenshar , 8 6 , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . Lean , 699 , P . P . G . T . ; W . Rooks , P . G . P . ; R . Penvvarden , P . G . Tyler ; A . T . Grant , 318 , P . G . Steward ; and numerous Past Masters , Wardens , officers , and brethren of the various lodges in the province . 'I he Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the last meeting were read by
Bro . Richard John , and confirmed . Before the regular business was proceeded with , The Prov . G . M . addressed a few observations to the brethren , in thc course of which lie said : —You will be glad to know that during the past year there have been three new lodges formed in the province , which I have had the pleasure of consecrating , viz ., the Fort Lodge ,
Newquay , the Duke of Cornwall Lodge , at St . Columb , and the Mount Edgcumbe Lodge , at Camborne —( hear , hear)—and , so far as I can ascertain , I believe they are progressing very favourably in their infancy . At Newquay , indeed , thc Fort Lodge seems to have gone beyond its infancy , the members having already increased from 25 to 40 . It is also a very satisfactory thing to sec that the
lodges throughout the province are gradually having buildings of their own instead of holding their meetings at inns . ( Hear , hear . ) The foundation-stone of three new Masonic . halls have been laid this year , one at Redruth , the other at Launccston , and a third at Callington , and out of the twenty-seven lodges now existing in the province twenty of them have provided rooms or halls of their
own ( Applause . ) Of the remaining seven , two are new lodges that have only recently been formed , and therefore it could hardly be expected that they vvould as yet have established a building of their own . 1 look upon this as exceedingly satisfactory , because 1 believe it is of great importance that lodges should have rooms of their own instead of having to meet at public houses . ( Hear ,
hear , and applause . ) 1 am glad to be able to say that there has been a marked improvement in the manner in which tne returns have been sent in this year . Last time I expressed a hope that they would be sent in more regularly than formerly , and now I am informed that there has oeen no default whatever , all the lodges having sent in their returns within the time required . That has enabled
Bro . Hughan to bring out his Directory with much greater ease and punctuality , and has also materially facilitated the work of the Secretary . The returns shew that Masonry is making very satisfactory progress throughout the province , as during the year the numbers have increased trom 1 240 to 1433 , and during thc time I have had the honour of holding the position cf Prov . Grand Master tare has been an increase of between four and five hun-( - * I- * " - •¦¦ -. -. U *) -, Wi Ul .-. l-H . ' . U -LUUI ciii-u imv , 11 ia
11-Vied brethren . ( Applause . ) At the same time I believe ' t , lc general observation of those with whom I have consulted on the matter that the tone and status of the brethren who are admittedjias not deteriorated , but has r-tner been raised . ( Hear hear . ) You wilt see presently m t " Treasurer ' s account that wc have a larger balance this year than last— £ 58 Os . iod . against £ 4 . 6 4 s . funrf V Ui this notwithstanding the fact that £ 80 of our babl * e beCn distinctl ) r expended in charity , and proy with such a balance as wc have now in hand we
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
shall be well able to contribute again , as heretofore , to the great Masonic charities of the country . I think it is only due that . Cornwall should contribute to those charities because , owing mainly to the indefatigable zeal of Bro . Hughan , we have received a great deal of advantage from them . We have been remarkably successful with our candidates , and it is due to those charities that we should
subscribe to them as a province . ( Hear hear . ) I know that for many years the efforts of Bro . Hughan have occasioned him a great deal of trouble and expense , and we really owe him a debt of gratitude for all that he has dene . ( Applause . ) His lordship mentioned , in conclusion , that he had received four applications from lodges desiring to have the next year ' s meeting held in their towns , and he intimated that he should hold it in the eastern part of the
province . Bro . R . John then read the report of the Prov . Grand Secretary , which stated that the number of initiations in 18 75 was 167 , 3 s against 177 in the previous year . The joining members were 64 last year as compared with 54 in 1 S 74 , and the total number of members at the present time is 1433 , giving an increase of 193 over the year preceding .
During the last year the Prov . Grand Master has consecrated three new lodges , at Newbury , St . Columb , and Camborne . The returns for the past year have come in much more punctually than heretofore , and this has enabled Bro . Hughan to complete and issue his Directory in a reasonable and convenient time . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s report showed that thc
expenditure for the year had amounted to £ 179 9 s . 4 d ., and the receipts to £ 232 16 s . 2 d ., leaving a balance in hand of £$ 8 6 s . iod . Last year the credit balance was £ 46 4 s . I id . Bro . Chirgwin , Secretary of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund , read the report of the committee , which stated that thc amount received from the
various lodges in the province during the year amounted to £ 15 8 16 s . 6 d ., as compared with £ 142 ios . in the previous year , showing an increase of £ 16 6 s . 6 d . ( Applause . ) Thc capital of the fund now amounts to £ 2493 5 s . 41 ! ., an increase over last year of £ 232 14 s . iod . Suggestions having been made for an alteration of the rules , the committee thought it desirable thata small committee should be appointed to consider the matter , ' and to
report at the next Prov . Grand Lodge meeting . The Secretary ' s duties having during the last few years considerably increased , the committee recommended that an assistant Secretary should bc appointed at an annual salary of £ 10 . They also recommended that a sum not exceeding £ 100 be voted for grants to be dealt with by the subscribers at the next annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , and that a vacancy be declared in the Annuity Fund , in consequence of thc death of one of the
annuitants . The report was . unanimously adopted ; and the following brethren were appointed as a Committee to revise the rules , " The Prov . Grand Master , and Bros . T . Carlyon , T . Webber , W . Tweedy , W . J . Hughan , G . L . Church , E . D . Anderton , T . Chirgwin , and R . Rogers . Thc report of the Committee of Relief having been
passed , Bro . Chirgwin read the report of Bro . Hughan , P . P . G . Secretary ( prevented through illness from attending ) , respecting his management of the votes for the London Masonic Charities on behalf of the province . They had , he said , been successful in securing the election of a deceased brother ' s widow as an annuitant of the Royal
Masonic Benevolent Institution , and she vvould receive £ 32 per annum for life . As they had but 122 votes for widows in the province , and polled 654 , it ' would readily be seen that without exchanging their votes for the other Masonic Institutions success vvould have been impossible . ( Hear , hear . ) By reason of having no candidate this time for the Girls' or Boys' Institution they were able to assist the
Province of Devon in obtaining the election of its candidates . Devon and Cornwall should alivays be united in such a good vvoi k . ( Applause . ) The consolidation of the votes and good working organization in other provinces rendered it imperatively necessary for the Province of Cornwall to unite most completely and combine together as lodges for thc management of their votes for
the great Masonic Charities . Individual action meant a loss to the community , and unless thc subscribers and the contributing lodges were willing to send their votes to an agreed centre , for thc use of the Province generally , it would be as well to give up hopes of ever carrying their candidates . Combined action in the past had secured about , £ 2- * oo in value for the Province of Cornwall in ten years . ( Applause . ) As Steward for the Royal Masonic
Institution for Boys he hoped to send up on thc 28 th June at least 400 guineas —( applause)—and he only wished thc amount could have been trebled , for as Masons they failed in their duty if they neglected the claims of the fatherless and widows in their affliction . ( Hear , hear . ) The report was adopted , and a cordial vote of thanks was given to Bro . Hughan for his past valuable services in thc province in connection with tin : Masonic
charities . Bro . Tweedy next proposed that a sum of money should be voted to Bro . Hughan in order to reimburse him his personal expenses during the many years that he had laboured in connection with the charities . ( Hear , hear . ) While Bro . Hughan had succeeded in every election , and had placed a large number of their poorer brethren and
their relations on the funds of thc great Masonic charities , he had never been paid a single penny for his expenses , which must have been very considerable , because he had to travel about from place to place in order to obtain the votes that were needed , this being thc only way by which prompt success could be obtained . Bro . Hughan had refused to take any money for himself , but would be proud to have his name associated as a donor with one
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.
of the Masonic Institutions . He ( Bro . Tweedy ) therefore moved , " That in consideration of the great trouble Bro . Hughan has taken , as well as the amount he has been out of pocket for postage and other expenses in carrying out the canvass for and election oi candidates for the great Masonic charities , a sum of twenty guineas be paid in his name to one of the great charities , and that in future all
out-of-pocket expenses be repaid to him . ( Applause . ) The motion was seconded by Bro . T . Webber , and cordially supported by Bro . Colvill , and before putting it to the meeting the P . G . M . said there could be but one opinion as to the advantage of the work in which Bro . Hughan had been so long engaged , nor , he thought , could there be a second opinion as to the desirability of adopting his
proposal to put all the votes of the different lodges together , in preference to attempting individual action . ( Applause . ) The resolution-was then carried with acclamation . The following sums were voted -. — £ 25 to the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund ; £ 10 ios . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ,- £ 10 ios . to the Institution for Girls ;
and £ 10 ios . to the Institution for aged Freemasons . The Secretary and Treasurer of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund were re-elected for the year ensuing , and Bros . Trenery and S . Jacobs were appointed as Auditors . The election of an annuitant to this fund fell through , as the ballot did not prove favourable to the candidate who applied for it .
An application was made by the widow of a deceased brother for a grant on behalf of her youngest child to assist in his education , and it was resolved to give the sum of £ 13 a year for three years . The Committee of Relief were re-elected . The Prov . G . Master invested the following brethren as his officers for the year ensuing ::
—R . Rogers D . Prov . G . M . The Rev . G . L . Church , 6 99 Prov . G . S . W . E . D . Anderton , 331 Prov . G . J . W . The Rev . J . K . Le ' thbridge , 789 Prov . G . S . C . The Rev . j . B . Jones , 1272 Prov . G . J . C . W . Tweedy Prov . G . Treas . E . T . Carlyon Prov . G . Sec .
W . fenkins , 967 Prov . G . Reg . J . Cardevv , 116 4 Prov . G . S . D . I . H . Filmer , 893 Prov . G . J . D . T . White , 510 Prov . G . S . Wks . *} . Chegwidden , 510 Prov . G . D . C . T . Gill , 967 Prov . G . A . D . C . J . Vivian , 7 ! Prov . G . S . B .
Carter , 75 Prov . G . Organist A . T . Grant , 318 Prov . G . Purst . W . Rooks ... " Prov . G . A . Purst . Rusden Prov . G . Tyler . The following brethren were invested as Stewards : —T . Webber , 73 ; C . Archer , 789 ; G . Barnes , 1164 ; T . C . Polglase , 75 ; J . Burgess , 1006 ; Tonkin , 977 ; T . C .
Stevens , 1151 ; S . Serpell , 331 . Bro . R . John was re-appointed as P . G . Asst . Sec , and Bro . Crewes received the appointment of Assistant Secretary to tbe Cornwall Masonic Annuity and Benevolent Fund . Bros . Hughan and Penrose were elected as Auditors for the coming year .
This concluded the routine business , but before the Pro vincial Grand Lodge closed a resolution was unanimously passed expressing gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe on thc safe return cf His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England , from his Indian tour . At mid-day the brethren marched in procession to the
parish church , where an excellent sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . G . L . Church , from the words , " But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates . Now , I pray to God that yc do no evil , not that we should appear approved but that ye should do that which is honest , though we be as reprobates . " Thc rev . gentleman said it would be rather late in this year of light , 587 6 , if he were
even to attempt to defend Freemasonry from the sometimes absuid and sometimes false charges that were brought against it . Not long since it was denounced from the Vatican and classed with such secret societies as the Inquisition , the Illuminate , and other similar institutions , and no doubt it was so denounced because they were known as " Free and Accepted Masons , " and the Church
of Rome did not allow liberty of conscience or freedom of thought to any , but every man ' s will must be subject to that of one who called his decrees infallible . That Freemasonry , had its secrets they did not for a moment deny , and further than that it was their proud bopst , as it was their bounden duty , that they should not reveal them to any one but a brother . But those secrets affected not their
religious or political opinions . They were condemned by the outer world for keeping the essentials of their institution from the knowledge of those who were not members of it , and it was said that this must sufficiently prove them to be of a bad nature and tendency . If , however , secrecy bc a viitue—and who could deny it—could that be brought against them as a crime which had been considered an
excellence in all ages He contended that the institution of Freemasonry was one highly to be approved of both on account of thc principles which it inculcated , and the great good which it accomplished in the community . A collection was made at the close of the service , and realized £ 15 8 s . 4 < 1 ., with one exception , thc largest ever made . Of this sum two-fifths will go to the Cornwall
Masonic Annuity Fund ; two-fifths to the ralmouth Dispensary , and the remaining one fifth to the clergyman of thc parish . In the afternoon a large number of brethren sat down to an excellent banquet , provided at thc Polytechnic HaH by Bro .-Carter , of the Royal Hotel . Thc P . G . M . presided , and the usual Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to .