Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Dangerous Innovation On Templarism In Scotland.
A DANGEROUS INNOVATION ON TEMPLARISM IN SCOTLAND .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) Our attention has been called by a Brother Knight Templar , to a paragraph which appeared in an Edinburgh newspaper , about the beginning of last month , and which may , perhaps have appeared in other newspapers , although not observed by us , concerning
"the Institution of thc Order of Good Templars " in Edinburgh , Glasgow , and other towns in Scotland . It states that on a certain evening , not long since , a gentleman of Philadelphia , U . S ., " Representative of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars of North America , " delivered a lecture in the
Temperance Hall of Edinburgh , on the constitution and objects of the said order , Mr . W , being in the chair , and introducing the lecturer ; that the hall was crowded , and that a lodge was organized . The lecturer is reported to have said that a great work still remains to be done by the Temperance Reformers
of Scotland , which work it seems that this new organization is intended to accomplish . He said that " in America , the order he represented had been honoured to do a great amount of good in this work ; " that "the Good Templars were at least five hundred thousand strong in America , " and were forty thousand strong
in tbe state of Pennsylvania alone . He believed they were " the great instrumentality directed by Providence to lead on to victory the great Temperance Reform movement . " He further stated , that "the principal characteristic of the order was the cultivation of brotherly love , and a deep interest in the welfare of
each other , as a power by which they might overthrow thc rum-bottle ; " and that every lodge held weekly meetings " for the initiation of candidates and for the improvement of the members ; " also that the cooperation of women was invited and encouraged , and that women are equally eligible with men , not only
for membership , but for all the offices of the order . Moreover , he added that the Good Templars had their secrets , " which not only bound them together as with a moral cement , but enabled one brother to know another anywhere , and always secured to him sympathy
and kindness m any circumstances . ' Tho " p latform of tho order " was read by thc chairman before the close ofthe meeting , and is as follows : — 1 st , Total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor as a beverage . ' - ' ud , No license , in any form , of the manufacture , importation , and sale of such liquors , to be used as a
beverage . 3 rd , The absolute prohibition of the manufacture , importation , aud sale of intoxicating liquors for -such purposes—prohibition by tbe will of the people , expressed in due form of law , with the penalties deserved for a crime of such enormity .
4 th , Tho creation of a healthy public opinion upon the subject , by the active dissemination of truth in all the modes known to an enlightened philanthropy . 5 th , The election of good , honest men to administer the laws . 6 th , Persistence iu efforts to save individuals and
communities from so direful a scourge , against nil forms of opposition and difficulty , until our success is complete and universal . There cm be nodoubt of the right of any whochoose to form themselves into an association for the purposes signified in this " platform . " Hut the formation
of a secret association—an association having its secrets , by which the members are to lie known to each other—is a very different thing , ami is clearly contrary to thc law of the land . The Ancient and Honourable Order of Freemasons , enjoys , under law , a special privilege in this respect . There is also a
very ancient Order , the Order of Knight Templars , affiliated to thc Masonic body , although not strictly Masouic iu its origin . The Order of Good Templars seems by the very name which it assumes , to place itself in opposition to this ancient Order , and to claim regard as something better in ils character and
purposes . That this claim is not well founded may bc seen by considering the " professions" of the Knight Templars , which are known to all , and more especially to thc members belonging to the Order . What , then , is the special excellence of this new order ? It is a mere Teetotal Association , with sonic
of * the forms of Freemasonry . It is not truly Masonic ; thc admission of women as members is contrary to one ot * the first princi ples of the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry . It is a mere mimic . ri / of Masonic institutions . It is founded in evident contravention
of the law against secret societies . In its operation , also , if any considerable number of people enter into it , it cannot but soon become dangerous , through its influence on municipal and parliamentary elections . There is no doubt that Teetotallers have exercised a
considerable influence in these already , but their influence has been fairly and honourably exercised . Whatever may bc thought of their views , they have gone to work openly , and in a legitimate manner , and if they have supported candidates
holding thc same views , advocates of the suppression of public-bouses , and favourable to thc " Permissive ( Prohibition ) Bill , " no one has a ri ght to object to it . The case is entirely altered , when a secret society is formed . Freemasons refrain from entering , as such , into political questions . Thc privileges which they
A Dangerous Innovation On Templarism In Scotland.
exclusively enjoy , depend upon this . They are not associated for any . political purpose , or to ' effect any C hange in the laws of the land . As Freemasons they are bound , to conform themselves to the laws of the land ; as members of the community , they are entitled to seek by all fair means , any change of them which
they think desirable . But here is an " order " constituted , having for its special object the change of some of the existing laws . The whole thing is contrary to the system of government under which we live , and if it were to attain any considerable magnitude , would be found inconsistent with the
welfare of society ; a conspiracy , rather than an Association . Let any object which men think good , be openly prosecuted , and by fair means ; but there ought to be no secret society , the members of which are bound together to support candidates of particular views in municipal or parliamentary elections .
This society may extend over the United Kingdom ; probably it may not , but it is hard to say what may happen . Is it ' not thc duty of Knight , Templars to protect the reputation of their own Order , which is indirectly assailed ? All honourable associations , such as Benefit Societies and the like , are enrolled under
Act of _ Parliament , and are subject to complete supervision by the registrars in the various districts . But why should this association— " Good Templars , " a secret one—be allowed to parade that character in the eyes ofthe public , whilst in consequence of that very character it is illegal , and whilst it aims at the
upsetting of laws of the land , and thereby at once becomes dangerous from the fact of its being a secret society . The case is different with Freemasons , and all the various degrees or orders affiliated or connected with them . One of their chief characteristics
is that of being peaceable subjects , and cheerfully conforming to the laws of the land , to which they are bound by special and solemn obligations . Of this they make no secret , and it is to be found printed in their Laws and Constitutions .
Will not the British public say to themselves , if this illegal association is the " Good Templars , " naturally enough the existing ancient Order of Knight Templars are bad . Kni ght Templars look to your reputation . I have the honour to be , CIPES , A Member ofthe Oroer of Knights Templar .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire & Rutland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND .
Thursday , the 30 th ultimo , will long be a day memorable in the annals of Freemasonry in Leicestershire , a new Province having then been added to the rule of its estimable Provincial Grand Master , the Earl Howe , by the M . W . the G . . Master . On that day the annual meeting of
the Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Agricultural Hall , Oakham , when the County of Piiitlaud , which has not hitherto possessed any Masonic Lodge , became , de facto , united to the Province of Leicestershire by the Consecration ofthe Vale of Catmos Lodge , No . 12 G 5 , and the Installation as its first W . M ., George Brown , Esq ., of Cottesmore Hall .
The attendance , as mi g ht be anticipated on so interesting an occasion , was unusually numerous , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was honoured with the visit of a deputation of members of the neig hbouring Province of Northampton and Hunts , headed by the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro .
Inns , and tbe Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . Orffbrd . In the deeply regretted absence of Earl Howe , owing to his infirm state of health , the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , discharged the duties of the day as acting Prov . G . Master . Among the brethren of the Provincial Grand
Lodge present were Fred . Goodyer , P . P . G . S . W ., acting as Dep . Prov . G . M . ; the Revs . Dr . Pyemont , Prov . G . S . W . ; W . K . Robinson , B . A . ; and John Spittal , M , A ., Prov . G . Chaplains ; and W . Langley , M . A ., P . P . G . C . and W . M ., No . 1130 ; S . Davis , P . M ., No . 50 , P . P . J . W . ; C .
Stretton , P . P . G . Reg ., as 1 \ G . Sec . ; A . M . Duff , P . M ., No . 523 , P . G . S . D . ; Henry Douglas , S . W ., 1130 ; and Thos . Thorpe , S . D ., No . 279 , P . G . Dirs . of Cer . ; \ V . Adcock , Sec , No . 1130 , P . G . S . B . ; Chas . Johnson , P . M ., No . 191 , and Org . 523 , P . G . O . ; and T . H . Buzzard , S . W ., No . 523 ; Thomas Markham , J . W ,, No . 12 G 5 ; and
John Hunt , U . l , ' , O . S ., Ko . 523 , Prov . G . Stewards . Among the members of private Lodges in the Province were Bros . Toller , W . M . ; Rev . Dr . Ilaycrofc , S . D . ; S . S . Partridge , J . D . ; M . II . Lewin , I . G . ; M . Hack , « fec , of the John of Gaunt Lodge , No . 523 , Leicester ; E . J . Crow , Sec . and Org .: Jno . Hart , I . G . ; L . L . Atwood , B . W . Widdowson , J . Wright Smith , and others
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire & Rutland.
of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 ; J . J . Fast , J . W . ; S . Weaver , Sec . ; J . E . Brig ht , S . D . ; J . Selby , F . S Petty , W . Rew , W . A . Leadbetter , W . Hardy , J . Snodin , J . E . W . Clarke , and W . Mann , of the Rutland Lodge , No . 1130 , Melton ; whilst the following members of the new Lodge were present ( including the D . P . G . M . and others ) , Geo . Brown , W . M . designate ; G . M
Ashforth , M . D ., S . W . ; Thos . Markham , J . W . ; W . Berridge , J . W . Kew , J . B , Bennett , W . C . Crowson , Capt . Bailey , and Alex . Brown ( P . M ., father of the W . M . ) , the Chaplain of the new Lodge , the Rev . Fred . Orme , Rector of Lyndon , ( a P . P . S . G . W . for Herts ) , was absent owing to a famil y bereavement , as were also the Prov . G . Treas ., Major Brewin , and several other P . P . G . Officers .
Among the visiting brethren were S . Inns , ( Leicester ) Dep . Prov . G . M . ; E . J . Orfford , P . G . S . W . ; and J . M . Howard , W M . ; Horace Wright , J . B . Corby , W . W . Dalton , M . Wood , W . Oldham , H . Duncome , W . Brown , Thos . Hasson , A . Coulson , Geo . Catmel , H . Michelson , and H . Whincup ( all of Lodge , No . 4 : 66 ,
Stamford ) , from the Province of Northampton and Hunts ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . and Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; Rev . E . Hawley , Pelham Lodge , Newark ; E . W . Ovitt , S . W ., No . S 31 , London ; W . Crowson , No . 142 , and others . A letter was read from the R . W . Prov . G . Master Earl Howe , expressing his deep sorrow that the state
of his health , which confiued him to his room ( a bad cough being added to his usual ailments ) forbad his having the pleasure of meeting his brethren on the occasion ; his trust that all would go off satisfactorily , and that his absence would injure no one but himself ; he further expressed his anxious desire that arrangements might be made as early as practicable for his retirement from office .
Letters were also read , apologising for absence , from the Duke Of ? Manchester , P . G . M . Northampton and Hunts , the Earl of Shrewsbury , Earl Ferrers , S . W . of the Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge , No . 779 , Ashby-de-la-Zouch , Rev . F . Orme , Bro . Hervey , G . Sec , Bro . Jno . Symonds , P . G . I ) ., and others . A letter was also read from the Right Kev . Bro .
the Lord Bishop of Peterborough , " regretting very much that his numerous engagements already made must prevent his compliance with the request of" the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire , '' to preach the Sermon on this occasion . The preliminary business having been completed , the ceremonies of consecration and insta'lation were
most effectively and impressively performed according to a printed programme supplied to every Brother on entering the Hall . The "Oration , " which was delivered by the Junior Prov . G . Chaplain , the Rev . John Spittal , M . A ., Vicar of St . Andrew ' s , Leicester , P . M ., No . : > 2 o , and P . P . G . S . W . was an exceedingly appropriate and eloquent disquisition on thc leading principles of the
Order , and a resume of the progress and extension of the Order in the Province , under the fostering care of Prov . G . Master and his Deputy ; and which was greatly applauded .
During the ceremony of Consecrat ion the various chants and hymns , ably conducted by Bros . Crow and Johnson , and joined in b y 70 or 80 voices , coupled with the mystic rites of the Order , had a highly impressive effect , far exceeding any similar ceremony in the Province .
The new Lodge having been declared duly Constituted , the acting Prov . G . M . proceeded to instal Bro . Geo . Brown into the chair , who having been duly proclaimed and saluted , invested his " Wardens , and received various propositions and candid-ites for
initiation , and joining , & c , afterwards closed the Craft Lodge . The acting P . G . M . then appointed and invested the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge for thc ensuing year as follows : —
Prov . O . Snr . Warden Kev . A \< . Langley , AV . M ., No . 1130 . „ „ Jnr . AVarden George Crown , W . M ., No . 1265 . / Rev . John Spittal , P . M . No . 523 r , , . J and P . P .. S G . AV . " " P " "* S l *{ cv . Krai . Orme , No . 1205 , and
V P . P . G S . AV ., Hants . < T * / i „ t . \ J W . Beaumont Smith , P . M ., No . „ „ Trcn . ( clectd . ) \ S 23 , ond P . P . G . J . W . „ „ Registrar .. Ocm-ge Toller , Jnr ., AA . M ., No . 523 . „ . , t Charles Morris , P . M ., 279 , and „ „ Secretary .. > **\ p . t " . S . AV .
„ „ Snr . Deacon , j 15 ' ^ "" - - ' 1 Vemn > S * *' „ „ Jnr . Deacon . AV . li s ' . Stanley , S . AV ., No . 279 . „ „ Sup . of AVks . J . . 1 . Fast , J . A \ ., No . 1130 .
„ „ Dir . of Cers . Henry Douglas , S . W ., No . 1130 . „ ,, Asst . ditto John Hunt , No . 522 . _ , „ l a . M . Ashforth . M . P-, S . AV ., „ ,. Swd . Bearer . No . 1265 .
1 E . J . Crow ( Fellow of College of „ „ Organist .. | Organists ) , Sec , No . 27 U . „ Pursuivant . J . H . Buzzard , S . W ., No , 523 .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Dangerous Innovation On Templarism In Scotland.
A DANGEROUS INNOVATION ON TEMPLARISM IN SCOTLAND .
( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) Our attention has been called by a Brother Knight Templar , to a paragraph which appeared in an Edinburgh newspaper , about the beginning of last month , and which may , perhaps have appeared in other newspapers , although not observed by us , concerning
"the Institution of thc Order of Good Templars " in Edinburgh , Glasgow , and other towns in Scotland . It states that on a certain evening , not long since , a gentleman of Philadelphia , U . S ., " Representative of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of Good Templars of North America , " delivered a lecture in the
Temperance Hall of Edinburgh , on the constitution and objects of the said order , Mr . W , being in the chair , and introducing the lecturer ; that the hall was crowded , and that a lodge was organized . The lecturer is reported to have said that a great work still remains to be done by the Temperance Reformers
of Scotland , which work it seems that this new organization is intended to accomplish . He said that " in America , the order he represented had been honoured to do a great amount of good in this work ; " that "the Good Templars were at least five hundred thousand strong in America , " and were forty thousand strong
in tbe state of Pennsylvania alone . He believed they were " the great instrumentality directed by Providence to lead on to victory the great Temperance Reform movement . " He further stated , that "the principal characteristic of the order was the cultivation of brotherly love , and a deep interest in the welfare of
each other , as a power by which they might overthrow thc rum-bottle ; " and that every lodge held weekly meetings " for the initiation of candidates and for the improvement of the members ; " also that the cooperation of women was invited and encouraged , and that women are equally eligible with men , not only
for membership , but for all the offices of the order . Moreover , he added that the Good Templars had their secrets , " which not only bound them together as with a moral cement , but enabled one brother to know another anywhere , and always secured to him sympathy
and kindness m any circumstances . ' Tho " p latform of tho order " was read by thc chairman before the close ofthe meeting , and is as follows : — 1 st , Total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor as a beverage . ' - ' ud , No license , in any form , of the manufacture , importation , and sale of such liquors , to be used as a
beverage . 3 rd , The absolute prohibition of the manufacture , importation , aud sale of intoxicating liquors for -such purposes—prohibition by tbe will of the people , expressed in due form of law , with the penalties deserved for a crime of such enormity .
4 th , Tho creation of a healthy public opinion upon the subject , by the active dissemination of truth in all the modes known to an enlightened philanthropy . 5 th , The election of good , honest men to administer the laws . 6 th , Persistence iu efforts to save individuals and
communities from so direful a scourge , against nil forms of opposition and difficulty , until our success is complete and universal . There cm be nodoubt of the right of any whochoose to form themselves into an association for the purposes signified in this " platform . " Hut the formation
of a secret association—an association having its secrets , by which the members are to lie known to each other—is a very different thing , ami is clearly contrary to thc law of the land . The Ancient and Honourable Order of Freemasons , enjoys , under law , a special privilege in this respect . There is also a
very ancient Order , the Order of Knight Templars , affiliated to thc Masonic body , although not strictly Masouic iu its origin . The Order of Good Templars seems by the very name which it assumes , to place itself in opposition to this ancient Order , and to claim regard as something better in ils character and
purposes . That this claim is not well founded may bc seen by considering the " professions" of the Knight Templars , which are known to all , and more especially to thc members belonging to the Order . What , then , is the special excellence of this new order ? It is a mere Teetotal Association , with sonic
of * the forms of Freemasonry . It is not truly Masonic ; thc admission of women as members is contrary to one ot * the first princi ples of the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry . It is a mere mimic . ri / of Masonic institutions . It is founded in evident contravention
of the law against secret societies . In its operation , also , if any considerable number of people enter into it , it cannot but soon become dangerous , through its influence on municipal and parliamentary elections . There is no doubt that Teetotallers have exercised a
considerable influence in these already , but their influence has been fairly and honourably exercised . Whatever may bc thought of their views , they have gone to work openly , and in a legitimate manner , and if they have supported candidates
holding thc same views , advocates of the suppression of public-bouses , and favourable to thc " Permissive ( Prohibition ) Bill , " no one has a ri ght to object to it . The case is entirely altered , when a secret society is formed . Freemasons refrain from entering , as such , into political questions . Thc privileges which they
A Dangerous Innovation On Templarism In Scotland.
exclusively enjoy , depend upon this . They are not associated for any . political purpose , or to ' effect any C hange in the laws of the land . As Freemasons they are bound , to conform themselves to the laws of the land ; as members of the community , they are entitled to seek by all fair means , any change of them which
they think desirable . But here is an " order " constituted , having for its special object the change of some of the existing laws . The whole thing is contrary to the system of government under which we live , and if it were to attain any considerable magnitude , would be found inconsistent with the
welfare of society ; a conspiracy , rather than an Association . Let any object which men think good , be openly prosecuted , and by fair means ; but there ought to be no secret society , the members of which are bound together to support candidates of particular views in municipal or parliamentary elections .
This society may extend over the United Kingdom ; probably it may not , but it is hard to say what may happen . Is it ' not thc duty of Knight , Templars to protect the reputation of their own Order , which is indirectly assailed ? All honourable associations , such as Benefit Societies and the like , are enrolled under
Act of _ Parliament , and are subject to complete supervision by the registrars in the various districts . But why should this association— " Good Templars , " a secret one—be allowed to parade that character in the eyes ofthe public , whilst in consequence of that very character it is illegal , and whilst it aims at the
upsetting of laws of the land , and thereby at once becomes dangerous from the fact of its being a secret society . The case is different with Freemasons , and all the various degrees or orders affiliated or connected with them . One of their chief characteristics
is that of being peaceable subjects , and cheerfully conforming to the laws of the land , to which they are bound by special and solemn obligations . Of this they make no secret , and it is to be found printed in their Laws and Constitutions .
Will not the British public say to themselves , if this illegal association is the " Good Templars , " naturally enough the existing ancient Order of Knight Templars are bad . Kni ght Templars look to your reputation . I have the honour to be , CIPES , A Member ofthe Oroer of Knights Templar .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire & Rutland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND .
Thursday , the 30 th ultimo , will long be a day memorable in the annals of Freemasonry in Leicestershire , a new Province having then been added to the rule of its estimable Provincial Grand Master , the Earl Howe , by the M . W . the G . . Master . On that day the annual meeting of
the Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Agricultural Hall , Oakham , when the County of Piiitlaud , which has not hitherto possessed any Masonic Lodge , became , de facto , united to the Province of Leicestershire by the Consecration ofthe Vale of Catmos Lodge , No . 12 G 5 , and the Installation as its first W . M ., George Brown , Esq ., of Cottesmore Hall .
The attendance , as mi g ht be anticipated on so interesting an occasion , was unusually numerous , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was honoured with the visit of a deputation of members of the neig hbouring Province of Northampton and Hunts , headed by the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro .
Inns , and tbe Prov . S . G . W ., Bro . Orffbrd . In the deeply regretted absence of Earl Howe , owing to his infirm state of health , the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Kelly , discharged the duties of the day as acting Prov . G . Master . Among the brethren of the Provincial Grand
Lodge present were Fred . Goodyer , P . P . G . S . W ., acting as Dep . Prov . G . M . ; the Revs . Dr . Pyemont , Prov . G . S . W . ; W . K . Robinson , B . A . ; and John Spittal , M , A ., Prov . G . Chaplains ; and W . Langley , M . A ., P . P . G . C . and W . M ., No . 1130 ; S . Davis , P . M ., No . 50 , P . P . J . W . ; C .
Stretton , P . P . G . Reg ., as 1 \ G . Sec . ; A . M . Duff , P . M ., No . 523 , P . G . S . D . ; Henry Douglas , S . W ., 1130 ; and Thos . Thorpe , S . D ., No . 279 , P . G . Dirs . of Cer . ; \ V . Adcock , Sec , No . 1130 , P . G . S . B . ; Chas . Johnson , P . M ., No . 191 , and Org . 523 , P . G . O . ; and T . H . Buzzard , S . W ., No . 523 ; Thomas Markham , J . W ,, No . 12 G 5 ; and
John Hunt , U . l , ' , O . S ., Ko . 523 , Prov . G . Stewards . Among the members of private Lodges in the Province were Bros . Toller , W . M . ; Rev . Dr . Ilaycrofc , S . D . ; S . S . Partridge , J . D . ; M . II . Lewin , I . G . ; M . Hack , « fec , of the John of Gaunt Lodge , No . 523 , Leicester ; E . J . Crow , Sec . and Org .: Jno . Hart , I . G . ; L . L . Atwood , B . W . Widdowson , J . Wright Smith , and others
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire & Rutland.
of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 ; J . J . Fast , J . W . ; S . Weaver , Sec . ; J . E . Brig ht , S . D . ; J . Selby , F . S Petty , W . Rew , W . A . Leadbetter , W . Hardy , J . Snodin , J . E . W . Clarke , and W . Mann , of the Rutland Lodge , No . 1130 , Melton ; whilst the following members of the new Lodge were present ( including the D . P . G . M . and others ) , Geo . Brown , W . M . designate ; G . M
Ashforth , M . D ., S . W . ; Thos . Markham , J . W . ; W . Berridge , J . W . Kew , J . B , Bennett , W . C . Crowson , Capt . Bailey , and Alex . Brown ( P . M ., father of the W . M . ) , the Chaplain of the new Lodge , the Rev . Fred . Orme , Rector of Lyndon , ( a P . P . S . G . W . for Herts ) , was absent owing to a famil y bereavement , as were also the Prov . G . Treas ., Major Brewin , and several other P . P . G . Officers .
Among the visiting brethren were S . Inns , ( Leicester ) Dep . Prov . G . M . ; E . J . Orfford , P . G . S . W . ; and J . M . Howard , W M . ; Horace Wright , J . B . Corby , W . W . Dalton , M . Wood , W . Oldham , H . Duncome , W . Brown , Thos . Hasson , A . Coulson , Geo . Catmel , H . Michelson , and H . Whincup ( all of Lodge , No . 4 : 66 ,
Stamford ) , from the Province of Northampton and Hunts ; Frederick Binckes , P . G . S . and Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; Rev . E . Hawley , Pelham Lodge , Newark ; E . W . Ovitt , S . W ., No . S 31 , London ; W . Crowson , No . 142 , and others . A letter was read from the R . W . Prov . G . Master Earl Howe , expressing his deep sorrow that the state
of his health , which confiued him to his room ( a bad cough being added to his usual ailments ) forbad his having the pleasure of meeting his brethren on the occasion ; his trust that all would go off satisfactorily , and that his absence would injure no one but himself ; he further expressed his anxious desire that arrangements might be made as early as practicable for his retirement from office .
Letters were also read , apologising for absence , from the Duke Of ? Manchester , P . G . M . Northampton and Hunts , the Earl of Shrewsbury , Earl Ferrers , S . W . of the Ferrers and Ivanhoe Lodge , No . 779 , Ashby-de-la-Zouch , Rev . F . Orme , Bro . Hervey , G . Sec , Bro . Jno . Symonds , P . G . I ) ., and others . A letter was also read from the Right Kev . Bro .
the Lord Bishop of Peterborough , " regretting very much that his numerous engagements already made must prevent his compliance with the request of" the Provincial Grand Lodge of Leicestershire , '' to preach the Sermon on this occasion . The preliminary business having been completed , the ceremonies of consecration and insta'lation were
most effectively and impressively performed according to a printed programme supplied to every Brother on entering the Hall . The "Oration , " which was delivered by the Junior Prov . G . Chaplain , the Rev . John Spittal , M . A ., Vicar of St . Andrew ' s , Leicester , P . M ., No . : > 2 o , and P . P . G . S . W . was an exceedingly appropriate and eloquent disquisition on thc leading principles of the
Order , and a resume of the progress and extension of the Order in the Province , under the fostering care of Prov . G . Master and his Deputy ; and which was greatly applauded .
During the ceremony of Consecrat ion the various chants and hymns , ably conducted by Bros . Crow and Johnson , and joined in b y 70 or 80 voices , coupled with the mystic rites of the Order , had a highly impressive effect , far exceeding any similar ceremony in the Province .
The new Lodge having been declared duly Constituted , the acting Prov . G . M . proceeded to instal Bro . Geo . Brown into the chair , who having been duly proclaimed and saluted , invested his " Wardens , and received various propositions and candid-ites for
initiation , and joining , & c , afterwards closed the Craft Lodge . The acting P . G . M . then appointed and invested the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge for thc ensuing year as follows : —
Prov . O . Snr . Warden Kev . A \< . Langley , AV . M ., No . 1130 . „ „ Jnr . AVarden George Crown , W . M ., No . 1265 . / Rev . John Spittal , P . M . No . 523 r , , . J and P . P .. S G . AV . " " P " "* S l *{ cv . Krai . Orme , No . 1205 , and
V P . P . G S . AV ., Hants . < T * / i „ t . \ J W . Beaumont Smith , P . M ., No . „ „ Trcn . ( clectd . ) \ S 23 , ond P . P . G . J . W . „ „ Registrar .. Ocm-ge Toller , Jnr ., AA . M ., No . 523 . „ . , t Charles Morris , P . M ., 279 , and „ „ Secretary .. > **\ p . t " . S . AV .
„ „ Snr . Deacon , j 15 ' ^ "" - - ' 1 Vemn > S * *' „ „ Jnr . Deacon . AV . li s ' . Stanley , S . AV ., No . 279 . „ „ Sup . of AVks . J . . 1 . Fast , J . A \ ., No . 1130 .
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