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Article CONTENTS. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE. Page 1 of 1 Article FREEMASONRY IN KIDDERMINSTER. Page 1 of 1 Article FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO. GEORGE BRADFORD. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 4 ° ' Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 4 ° ' Freemasonry m Oxfordshire 4 01 Freemasonry in Kidderminster 401 Funeral of the Late lire ) . George Bradford 401 Obituary 402 Masonic Notes and Queries , 402 Scotland ~ . 402
REPORTS OK MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 404 Red Cross of Constantine 404 Literary , Art , and Antrijnarian Notes 404 Masonic and General Tidings 4 ° 5 Amusements 40 ft LEADERS 406
CORRESPONDENCEA Quotation 407 Freemasonrv iu Cambridgeshire 407 The Gathering nf the Knights Templar at Chicago 407 Query . " . 407 The Goss Rite 4 oS Thc Blackballing Case 40 S Grand Lodge Otticers 408
Lieut .-Col . Hurler ' s Attack on Freemasonry 408 Admission of Visitors . ' . 40 S A Begging Mason 408 Reviews 408 Lodge Meetings ( or Next Week 40 S Advertisements 1 . ; II ., 409 , 410
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held last Saturday at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present Bros . Richard Tyrrell S . Rawson , Raynham W . Stewart , VV . F . C . Moutrie , Rev . Richard Morris , S . Rosenthal , Thomas Meggy , A . J . Duff-Filer ,
and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) . The petition to place one candidate on the list for election in April next was read and received , and the candidate was placed on the list . An outfit was granted to one expupil of thc Institution , and one candidate , No . 34 , on the fist for election in October was withdrawn . Bro . S . B . VVilson having brought an action against the Trustees for his professional charges in connection with the
extension buildings at the School-house , the same not having been settled amicably as desired by Bro . Wilson , a resolution was passed indemnifying the Trustees from personal responsibility in thc action . On the motion of Bro . RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , seconded by Bro . AIOUTRIE , it was resolved to open a voluntary fund for the purchase of a portrait of Miss Hall , Matron , to be placed in the hall of the School . The Committee then adjourned .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The monthly meeting of the Committeeof this Institution was held on Wednesday last at Freemasons' Hall . There were present Bros . Col . Creaton , in the chair ; Dr . Hogg , J . M . Case , S . Rawson , fames Brett , C . A . Cottebrune , C . G . Dilley , Raynham ' XV . Stewart , VV . Hilton , C . J .
Perceval , John Newton , James lorry ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The SECRETARV , after the reading and confirmation of the minutes of last meeting , reported the death of S . Walker , of Radcliffe . Thc Warden's report contained nothing of any importance , except that two candidates , elected as annuitants in May last , entered and took possession of their apartments at tne i
nsyium ar ^ royuon . A cheque for half year ' s poor rate for £ 10 ns . id . was authorised to be signed . Three candidates were placed on the list for thc next election in Alay , iSSr . Bro . Terry produced the policy of the Provident Clerks ' Assurance in guarantee of the new Collector , Bro . John Mason , after which Bro . RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , hearing
that thc House Committee on examination of the Asylum at Croydon recommended that steps should be taken for making such repairs as were necessary for the more healthy occupation by the inmates , on the motion of Bro . J . AT . Case , resolved to refer the matter to the Building Committee . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed thc proceedings .
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE .
We cannot , perhaps , do better than follow up our sketch Of breemasonry in Cambridgeshire than by describing the rise , progress , and condition of the Craft in the rival University county . The two pictures placed side by side are unequal in point of merit , though , as wc havc already observed , there is no particul ar reason whv the intluence of
Masonry should not be as great on the Cnn and in the province which derives its name from that river as it is on the Isis . To judge , indeed , from its earlier progress in the two counties , one might not unreasonably have anticipated that thc order of merit would havc been rev -recti . Though Masonry did not seek a home in Cambridgeshire at so
early a period as in Oxfordshire , yet once it had established itself there , it enjoyed a more or less unbroken continuity of existence in the days anterior to the Union of 1 S 13 , when there were , as there are now , four lodges in working order , while at the same epoch there was , wc believe , only one lodge of "Ancient" origin , namely , No . 1 S 5 , held at thelCrown
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
Inn , Bice ; ster , which became No . 224 after the Union . One of those four lodges , the Scientific , No . SS , still lives to attest the greater interest of Cambridgeshire in those days in the fortunes of the Craft than prevailed in Oxford . But the latter has more than made ample compensation for its earlier dilatoriness . The second lodge warranted after the Union was the Alfred , now No . 340 , and the premier lodge
on the roll of the province . Another—the Apollo University , No . 357—followed within five years , and by the date of the last ^ re-numbering of the lodges in 1 S 63 , Freemasonry may be said to have been about on a level in respect of the number of its lodges , though those in Oxfordshire would seem to have evinced a greater degree of activity . Since then , however , while Cambridge has made no single step
forward , Oxford has more than doubled its strength , and five lodges have been added to its roll in the last seventeen years , the date of the constitution of the youngest Cambridge lodge being 1 S 61 . Aloreover , the former province has not confined its interest to local Alasonic matters . It has taken an active , energetic part in support of our Institutions ; and we wish it had been inourpoweron the 2 Sth ult . to pay its rival province the same compliment . However ,
we will not prolong this comparison further , for who knows what a few years may bring forth ? Cambridge , as it has done before , may make another spurt , and bring itself level , if not in advance , though in order to arrive at so desirable a consummation as approximate equality between thc two , there must be something like an approximation of equality in the conditions under which the two provinces work .
I he earliest Oxford lodge was warranted on Sth August , 1729 , anel took up its quarters at the Crown , Corn Market , but it enjoyed only a short life , for when the lodges were closed up in 1740 this " Crown " lodge had disappeared . However , on the 31 st March in that year , a lodge , No . 181 , was started at the White Lion , Banbury , and in 1 756 became No . 114 . On 27 th January , J 76 S , it was erased from the list . In the list of 1770 appears for the first time a
lodge in connection with the University , namely , No . 391 , " Lodge of Alfred , University of Oxford , " warranted on the 2 nd December , 1769 , and on the 17 th March of the year following a second lodge was warranted in the same city , namely , the Constitutional Lodge , No . 39 C . These in 1781 became Nos . 304 and 307 respectively , but they did not long survive this change of number , the former dying out somewhere about 1783 , while both had disappeared
from the roll by 1792 . Ihe above completes the list of the lodges holding under the " Moderns " in the pra > Union days . The " Ancients" were so far more successful , that , as we have said , they could boast of one lodge , at all events , when the Union was arranged , namely , No . 1 S 5 , Crown Inn , Bicester , which became No . 224 in consequence of the re-numbering , and subsequently passed away . In 1 S 14 , however , was founded the Alfred Lodge , No . 640 ,
which m 1 S 32 became No . 425 , and in 1 S 63 assumed its present number , 340 . In 1 S 19 was consecrated Lodge No . 711 , which , in the first instance , received the designation of the Apollo , but which , before the completion of the first year of its existence , had this altered to Apollo University , thus renewing the connection between Oxford University and Freemasonry , which had been established for a brief season during the latter half of thc previous century . This
became No . 460 in 1 S 32 , and No . 357 , as it now is , in 1 S 63 . In 1841 was consecrated a third Oxford lodge , namely , the Churchill , No . 702 , now No . 47 S , and in 1 S 52 came into being the Chcrwcll , No . S 73 , of Banbury , now No . 599 . In 1 SG 4 was consecrated the Bowyer Lodge , No . 1036 , Chipping Norton , so named in honour of Lieut .-Col . Atkins Bowyer , the then Grand Master of the province . Fight years passed , when in 1 S 72 the Alarlborough Lodge , No . 1100 ,
of Woodstock , was established ; in 1 S 74 the Bertie , No . 1515 , of Oxford—making a fourth lodge for that city ; in 1877 the Windrush , No . 1703 , of Witney ; and in 187 S the St . Alary , No . 17 ( 13 , of Thame , were added to the roll of the province , thus bringing up the number of the lodges to nine , which all things considered , is a very satisfactory condition of things , li y comparison , perhaps , with such provinces as thc two divisions of Lancashire , West Yorkshire ,
Kent , Devon , Cornwall , Hants and the Isle of Wight , this may not at first sight seem much . But Oxfordshire —apart from the fact of its having Prince Leopold for its Grand Alaster—must not as a province be measured by numbers so much as by the influence it exercises in Freemasonry generally throughout the country . As the University of Oxford is regarded by many less as a seat of learning than on account of the part its old alumni
play in thc senate , at the bar , in the classical , medical , and other professions , so must this Apollo University Lodge be judged , not so much by its local influence , though that is undoubtedly great , as by the part which its members play in the active pursuits of the Craft in all parts of thc country . There arc few loelges to whose proceedings so much interest attaches , few which can boast of so brilliant an array of members , and far fewer still which point to having so manv
of its brethren who arc or have been established in the highest ranks of the Craft , so many who have taken so conspicuous a part in the parliamentary and municipal conduct of affairs in the United Kingdom . Wc have before us a short history of the lodge published a few years back , together with an appendix containing , first , lists of all its
members who have been appointed to Grander Prov . Grand Office , and secondly , a list of all the brethren , joining- or initiated , who have been members . Thus , among Alasons who have attained high rank , and been members of this lodge , maybe enumerated R . W . Bros . John Fawcett , who has just resigned the Prov . G . Mastership of Durham ; Sir Ii . R . Borough , Bart ., Past Dep . G . Alaster , Ireland ; Rev . John Huyshe , P . P . G . AI . Devonshire : thclate Fred . 1 .
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
fifth Baron Alonson , Prov . G . AI . Surrey ; Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Ireland ; Lord de Tabley , Prov . Grand Alaster of Cheshire ; the late E . V ., fourth Lord Suffield , Prov . G . Alaster Norfolk ; the late fifth Duke of Newcastle , Prov . Grand Alaster of Notts ; the late Sir J . Simeon , Bart ., P . G . AI . Isle of Wight ; the late Sir Henry Aleux , Bart ., P . G . AI . Herts ; Rev . G . Raymond Portal , PastG . M . ALAI . ; VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M-
Hants and Isle of Wight ; Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart .,. Al . P ., P . G . M . Worcestershire ; M . C . Close , M . P ., P . G . M . Armagh ; the late Earl of Shrewsbury , P . G . M , Staffordshire ; " Col . A . VV . Adair , P . P . G . AI . Somersetshire ; tie late ( sixth ) Duke of Newcastle , P . G . M . Notts ; thelate Lieut .-Col . H . Atkins Bowyer , P . G . M . Oxfordshire ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P . G . M . Suffolk ; Earl of Lathom , Dep . G . . Master England ; Earl of Carnarvon ( joining
member ) , Pro Grand Alaster ; the late T . M . Talbot , P . G . AI . South Wales , East Div . ; T . F . Halsey , P . G . M . Herts ; the late Henry Shute , P . G . M . Bristol ; and Earl of Bective , ALP ., P . G . AI . Cumberland and Westmorland . Among those who have distinguished themselves in politics may be mentioned the Earl of Shaftesbury , K . G . ; the late Duke of Newcastle , K . G ., Secretary of State for War ; the late Earl Canning , K . G ., Governor-General of Indiar .
Sir AL Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., lately Secretary of Statefor the Colonies ; the liar ! of Carnarvon , ditto ; the late G . Ward-Hunt , First Lord of the Admiralty ; Earl Granville , Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ; Robert Lowe , now Lord Brabourne , formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer . The above is not intended to be a complete list of members of the Apollo University who have achieved distinction in Masonry and the State ; but as regards the former it will suffice to indicate the extent of the
influenceit must exercise throughout the ranks of the Craft generally . That the province is most favourably circumstanced in having Prince Leopold , himself a member of the Apollo--University , for its chief is undeniable , but even before his ' promotion to the post of P . G . M ., it had busied and dis —• tinguished itself both locally and generally , and there is every probability that its influence will go on increasing . - At any rate , it is permitted to us to hope that having achieved so much in the past it vvill strive to make itself ¦ ' still more prominent in the future . May this hope be realised ! ¦ ' .
Freemasonry In Kidderminster.
FREEMASONRY IN KIDDERMINSTER .
As announced last week , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire will this year be held at Kidderminster , the p lace of meeting being the Masonic Hall , in Alill-street ... This handsome building , or rather , Masonic Hall and Club , . was opened under very favourable auspices by Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., ALP ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master ,
on-Friday , December 19 th , 1 S 79 , and has been remarkable for the success which has attended its brief career . The premises were originally in the occupation of Dr . Jotham , but ' having been purchased by the Alasonic Hall and Club-Company ( Limited ) , underwent considerable alterationsfor the purpose of properly adapting them to the requirements of a Alasonic Hall and Club . The alterations tc
that portion at the building for the meeting of the various-Degrees consisted in the removal of the top floor of a threestorey warehouse , and the formation of a very handsome lodge room , 53 feet by 21 feet , and 20 feet high , with a robing room adjoining , 15 feet by 15 feet , an ante-room 16 feet by 11 feet , store room , lavatory , & rc The lodge is approached by a spacious staircase , effectively ventilated in the summer
months and thoroughl y warmed by hot water in the winter . The club portion of the premises consists of a well lighted and ventilated billiard-room , 34 feet by 17 feet , general , dining , reading and card rooms , each 17 feet by 15 feet , committee , secretary , and book rooms , caretaker's apartments , and large kitchens , with serving-rooms , pantries , and extensive cellarage . The dining and billiard rooms are
served by a lift rising from the kitchen to the top storey . The . whole of the arrangements were most successfully carried out from the plans of Bro . J . T . Meredith , the eminent architect , under the superintendence of Bro . George Tay-.-lor , S . G . D . Worcestershire , the eneigetic Secretary . On , the occasion of our visit we found the hall undergoing de-. corations , preparatory tothe meeting on the 22 nd inst ., and " we are informed thatit iscontemplatedto purchase adjoining .
property and very much extend the scope and convenienceof the club . Altogether thc scheme is in a flourishing con-, dition and has already borne fruit in the establishment of a . new lodge , thc Lechmere , No . 1 S 74 , which will be consecrated shortly . We congratulate our brethren in Kidder- , minster upon having such a building for their meetings and in possessing such a Hon . Sec . as Bro . George Taylor , the chief promoter , and under whom tbe entire scheme was . carried out .
Funeral Of The Late Bro. George Bradford.
FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO . GEORGE BRADFORD .
On Friday , the 27 th ult ., the remains of the late George-Bradford were consigned to their last resting-place , in the cemetery at Dan-y-graig . In response to a wish expressed b y thc deceased ( luring his illness , and in recognition nf the high position he had attained in the Order , of which he was .
an old and highly-esteemed member , a Alasonic funeral service was associated with the interment , thc remains . being followed to the grave by a large number of brethren . At half-past ten o ' clock the Inelefatigablc Lodge , of which thclate Bro . Bradford was a Past Alaster , was opened in due and solemn form by Bro . Symons , the Worshipful Master , thc lodge-room being draped with black , a large . .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 4 ° ' Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution 4 ° ' Freemasonry m Oxfordshire 4 01 Freemasonry in Kidderminster 401 Funeral of the Late lire ) . George Bradford 401 Obituary 402 Masonic Notes and Queries , 402 Scotland ~ . 402
REPORTS OK MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 404 Red Cross of Constantine 404 Literary , Art , and Antrijnarian Notes 404 Masonic and General Tidings 4 ° 5 Amusements 40 ft LEADERS 406
CORRESPONDENCEA Quotation 407 Freemasonrv iu Cambridgeshire 407 The Gathering nf the Knights Templar at Chicago 407 Query . " . 407 The Goss Rite 4 oS Thc Blackballing Case 40 S Grand Lodge Otticers 408
Lieut .-Col . Hurler ' s Attack on Freemasonry 408 Admission of Visitors . ' . 40 S A Begging Mason 408 Reviews 408 Lodge Meetings ( or Next Week 40 S Advertisements 1 . ; II ., 409 , 410
Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The monthly meeting of the General Committee of this Institution was held last Saturday at Freemasons' Hall , when there were present Bros . Richard Tyrrell S . Rawson , Raynham W . Stewart , VV . F . C . Moutrie , Rev . Richard Morris , S . Rosenthal , Thomas Meggy , A . J . Duff-Filer ,
and F . Binckes ( Secretary ) . The petition to place one candidate on the list for election in April next was read and received , and the candidate was placed on the list . An outfit was granted to one expupil of thc Institution , and one candidate , No . 34 , on the fist for election in October was withdrawn . Bro . S . B . VVilson having brought an action against the Trustees for his professional charges in connection with the
extension buildings at the School-house , the same not having been settled amicably as desired by Bro . Wilson , a resolution was passed indemnifying the Trustees from personal responsibility in thc action . On the motion of Bro . RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , seconded by Bro . AIOUTRIE , it was resolved to open a voluntary fund for the purchase of a portrait of Miss Hall , Matron , to be placed in the hall of the School . The Committee then adjourned .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The monthly meeting of the Committeeof this Institution was held on Wednesday last at Freemasons' Hall . There were present Bros . Col . Creaton , in the chair ; Dr . Hogg , J . M . Case , S . Rawson , fames Brett , C . A . Cottebrune , C . G . Dilley , Raynham ' XV . Stewart , VV . Hilton , C . J .
Perceval , John Newton , James lorry ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The SECRETARV , after the reading and confirmation of the minutes of last meeting , reported the death of S . Walker , of Radcliffe . Thc Warden's report contained nothing of any importance , except that two candidates , elected as annuitants in May last , entered and took possession of their apartments at tne i
nsyium ar ^ royuon . A cheque for half year ' s poor rate for £ 10 ns . id . was authorised to be signed . Three candidates were placed on the list for thc next election in Alay , iSSr . Bro . Terry produced the policy of the Provident Clerks ' Assurance in guarantee of the new Collector , Bro . John Mason , after which Bro . RAYNHAM VV . STEWART , hearing
that thc House Committee on examination of the Asylum at Croydon recommended that steps should be taken for making such repairs as were necessary for the more healthy occupation by the inmates , on the motion of Bro . J . AT . Case , resolved to refer the matter to the Building Committee . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed thc proceedings .
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
FREEMASONRY IN OXFORDSHIRE .
We cannot , perhaps , do better than follow up our sketch Of breemasonry in Cambridgeshire than by describing the rise , progress , and condition of the Craft in the rival University county . The two pictures placed side by side are unequal in point of merit , though , as wc havc already observed , there is no particul ar reason whv the intluence of
Masonry should not be as great on the Cnn and in the province which derives its name from that river as it is on the Isis . To judge , indeed , from its earlier progress in the two counties , one might not unreasonably have anticipated that thc order of merit would havc been rev -recti . Though Masonry did not seek a home in Cambridgeshire at so
early a period as in Oxfordshire , yet once it had established itself there , it enjoyed a more or less unbroken continuity of existence in the days anterior to the Union of 1 S 13 , when there were , as there are now , four lodges in working order , while at the same epoch there was , wc believe , only one lodge of "Ancient" origin , namely , No . 1 S 5 , held at thelCrown
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
Inn , Bice ; ster , which became No . 224 after the Union . One of those four lodges , the Scientific , No . SS , still lives to attest the greater interest of Cambridgeshire in those days in the fortunes of the Craft than prevailed in Oxford . But the latter has more than made ample compensation for its earlier dilatoriness . The second lodge warranted after the Union was the Alfred , now No . 340 , and the premier lodge
on the roll of the province . Another—the Apollo University , No . 357—followed within five years , and by the date of the last ^ re-numbering of the lodges in 1 S 63 , Freemasonry may be said to have been about on a level in respect of the number of its lodges , though those in Oxfordshire would seem to have evinced a greater degree of activity . Since then , however , while Cambridge has made no single step
forward , Oxford has more than doubled its strength , and five lodges have been added to its roll in the last seventeen years , the date of the constitution of the youngest Cambridge lodge being 1 S 61 . Aloreover , the former province has not confined its interest to local Alasonic matters . It has taken an active , energetic part in support of our Institutions ; and we wish it had been inourpoweron the 2 Sth ult . to pay its rival province the same compliment . However ,
we will not prolong this comparison further , for who knows what a few years may bring forth ? Cambridge , as it has done before , may make another spurt , and bring itself level , if not in advance , though in order to arrive at so desirable a consummation as approximate equality between thc two , there must be something like an approximation of equality in the conditions under which the two provinces work .
I he earliest Oxford lodge was warranted on Sth August , 1729 , anel took up its quarters at the Crown , Corn Market , but it enjoyed only a short life , for when the lodges were closed up in 1740 this " Crown " lodge had disappeared . However , on the 31 st March in that year , a lodge , No . 181 , was started at the White Lion , Banbury , and in 1 756 became No . 114 . On 27 th January , J 76 S , it was erased from the list . In the list of 1770 appears for the first time a
lodge in connection with the University , namely , No . 391 , " Lodge of Alfred , University of Oxford , " warranted on the 2 nd December , 1769 , and on the 17 th March of the year following a second lodge was warranted in the same city , namely , the Constitutional Lodge , No . 39 C . These in 1781 became Nos . 304 and 307 respectively , but they did not long survive this change of number , the former dying out somewhere about 1783 , while both had disappeared
from the roll by 1792 . Ihe above completes the list of the lodges holding under the " Moderns " in the pra > Union days . The " Ancients" were so far more successful , that , as we have said , they could boast of one lodge , at all events , when the Union was arranged , namely , No . 1 S 5 , Crown Inn , Bicester , which became No . 224 in consequence of the re-numbering , and subsequently passed away . In 1 S 14 , however , was founded the Alfred Lodge , No . 640 ,
which m 1 S 32 became No . 425 , and in 1 S 63 assumed its present number , 340 . In 1 S 19 was consecrated Lodge No . 711 , which , in the first instance , received the designation of the Apollo , but which , before the completion of the first year of its existence , had this altered to Apollo University , thus renewing the connection between Oxford University and Freemasonry , which had been established for a brief season during the latter half of thc previous century . This
became No . 460 in 1 S 32 , and No . 357 , as it now is , in 1 S 63 . In 1841 was consecrated a third Oxford lodge , namely , the Churchill , No . 702 , now No . 47 S , and in 1 S 52 came into being the Chcrwcll , No . S 73 , of Banbury , now No . 599 . In 1 SG 4 was consecrated the Bowyer Lodge , No . 1036 , Chipping Norton , so named in honour of Lieut .-Col . Atkins Bowyer , the then Grand Master of the province . Fight years passed , when in 1 S 72 the Alarlborough Lodge , No . 1100 ,
of Woodstock , was established ; in 1 S 74 the Bertie , No . 1515 , of Oxford—making a fourth lodge for that city ; in 1877 the Windrush , No . 1703 , of Witney ; and in 187 S the St . Alary , No . 17 ( 13 , of Thame , were added to the roll of the province , thus bringing up the number of the lodges to nine , which all things considered , is a very satisfactory condition of things , li y comparison , perhaps , with such provinces as thc two divisions of Lancashire , West Yorkshire ,
Kent , Devon , Cornwall , Hants and the Isle of Wight , this may not at first sight seem much . But Oxfordshire —apart from the fact of its having Prince Leopold for its Grand Alaster—must not as a province be measured by numbers so much as by the influence it exercises in Freemasonry generally throughout the country . As the University of Oxford is regarded by many less as a seat of learning than on account of the part its old alumni
play in thc senate , at the bar , in the classical , medical , and other professions , so must this Apollo University Lodge be judged , not so much by its local influence , though that is undoubtedly great , as by the part which its members play in the active pursuits of the Craft in all parts of thc country . There arc few loelges to whose proceedings so much interest attaches , few which can boast of so brilliant an array of members , and far fewer still which point to having so manv
of its brethren who arc or have been established in the highest ranks of the Craft , so many who have taken so conspicuous a part in the parliamentary and municipal conduct of affairs in the United Kingdom . Wc have before us a short history of the lodge published a few years back , together with an appendix containing , first , lists of all its
members who have been appointed to Grander Prov . Grand Office , and secondly , a list of all the brethren , joining- or initiated , who have been members . Thus , among Alasons who have attained high rank , and been members of this lodge , maybe enumerated R . W . Bros . John Fawcett , who has just resigned the Prov . G . Mastership of Durham ; Sir Ii . R . Borough , Bart ., Past Dep . G . Alaster , Ireland ; Rev . John Huyshe , P . P . G . AI . Devonshire : thclate Fred . 1 .
Freemasonry In Oxfordshire.
fifth Baron Alonson , Prov . G . AI . Surrey ; Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of Ireland ; Lord de Tabley , Prov . Grand Alaster of Cheshire ; the late E . V ., fourth Lord Suffield , Prov . G . Alaster Norfolk ; the late fifth Duke of Newcastle , Prov . Grand Alaster of Notts ; the late Sir J . Simeon , Bart ., P . G . AI . Isle of Wight ; the late Sir Henry Aleux , Bart ., P . G . AI . Herts ; Rev . G . Raymond Portal , PastG . M . ALAI . ; VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M-
Hants and Isle of Wight ; Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart .,. Al . P ., P . G . M . Worcestershire ; M . C . Close , M . P ., P . G . M . Armagh ; the late Earl of Shrewsbury , P . G . M , Staffordshire ; " Col . A . VV . Adair , P . P . G . AI . Somersetshire ; tie late ( sixth ) Duke of Newcastle , P . G . M . Notts ; thelate Lieut .-Col . H . Atkins Bowyer , P . G . M . Oxfordshire ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P . G . M . Suffolk ; Earl of Lathom , Dep . G . . Master England ; Earl of Carnarvon ( joining
member ) , Pro Grand Alaster ; the late T . M . Talbot , P . G . AI . South Wales , East Div . ; T . F . Halsey , P . G . M . Herts ; the late Henry Shute , P . G . M . Bristol ; and Earl of Bective , ALP ., P . G . AI . Cumberland and Westmorland . Among those who have distinguished themselves in politics may be mentioned the Earl of Shaftesbury , K . G . ; the late Duke of Newcastle , K . G ., Secretary of State for War ; the late Earl Canning , K . G ., Governor-General of Indiar .
Sir AL Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., lately Secretary of Statefor the Colonies ; the liar ! of Carnarvon , ditto ; the late G . Ward-Hunt , First Lord of the Admiralty ; Earl Granville , Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ; Robert Lowe , now Lord Brabourne , formerly Chancellor of the Exchequer . The above is not intended to be a complete list of members of the Apollo University who have achieved distinction in Masonry and the State ; but as regards the former it will suffice to indicate the extent of the
influenceit must exercise throughout the ranks of the Craft generally . That the province is most favourably circumstanced in having Prince Leopold , himself a member of the Apollo--University , for its chief is undeniable , but even before his ' promotion to the post of P . G . M ., it had busied and dis —• tinguished itself both locally and generally , and there is every probability that its influence will go on increasing . - At any rate , it is permitted to us to hope that having achieved so much in the past it vvill strive to make itself ¦ ' still more prominent in the future . May this hope be realised ! ¦ ' .
Freemasonry In Kidderminster.
FREEMASONRY IN KIDDERMINSTER .
As announced last week , the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire will this year be held at Kidderminster , the p lace of meeting being the Masonic Hall , in Alill-street ... This handsome building , or rather , Masonic Hall and Club , . was opened under very favourable auspices by Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., ALP ., R . W . Prov . Grand Master ,
on-Friday , December 19 th , 1 S 79 , and has been remarkable for the success which has attended its brief career . The premises were originally in the occupation of Dr . Jotham , but ' having been purchased by the Alasonic Hall and Club-Company ( Limited ) , underwent considerable alterationsfor the purpose of properly adapting them to the requirements of a Alasonic Hall and Club . The alterations tc
that portion at the building for the meeting of the various-Degrees consisted in the removal of the top floor of a threestorey warehouse , and the formation of a very handsome lodge room , 53 feet by 21 feet , and 20 feet high , with a robing room adjoining , 15 feet by 15 feet , an ante-room 16 feet by 11 feet , store room , lavatory , & rc The lodge is approached by a spacious staircase , effectively ventilated in the summer
months and thoroughl y warmed by hot water in the winter . The club portion of the premises consists of a well lighted and ventilated billiard-room , 34 feet by 17 feet , general , dining , reading and card rooms , each 17 feet by 15 feet , committee , secretary , and book rooms , caretaker's apartments , and large kitchens , with serving-rooms , pantries , and extensive cellarage . The dining and billiard rooms are
served by a lift rising from the kitchen to the top storey . The . whole of the arrangements were most successfully carried out from the plans of Bro . J . T . Meredith , the eminent architect , under the superintendence of Bro . George Tay-.-lor , S . G . D . Worcestershire , the eneigetic Secretary . On , the occasion of our visit we found the hall undergoing de-. corations , preparatory tothe meeting on the 22 nd inst ., and " we are informed thatit iscontemplatedto purchase adjoining .
property and very much extend the scope and convenienceof the club . Altogether thc scheme is in a flourishing con-, dition and has already borne fruit in the establishment of a . new lodge , thc Lechmere , No . 1 S 74 , which will be consecrated shortly . We congratulate our brethren in Kidder- , minster upon having such a building for their meetings and in possessing such a Hon . Sec . as Bro . George Taylor , the chief promoter , and under whom tbe entire scheme was . carried out .
Funeral Of The Late Bro. George Bradford.
FUNERAL OF THE LATE BRO . GEORGE BRADFORD .
On Friday , the 27 th ult ., the remains of the late George-Bradford were consigned to their last resting-place , in the cemetery at Dan-y-graig . In response to a wish expressed b y thc deceased ( luring his illness , and in recognition nf the high position he had attained in the Order , of which he was .
an old and highly-esteemed member , a Alasonic funeral service was associated with the interment , thc remains . being followed to the grave by a large number of brethren . At half-past ten o ' clock the Inelefatigablc Lodge , of which thclate Bro . Bradford was a Past Alaster , was opened in due and solemn form by Bro . Symons , the Worshipful Master , thc lodge-room being draped with black , a large . .