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Article Untitled ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM. Page 1 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
WE receive communications from time to time in respect of a letter concerning the legality of our Order , which recently appeared in our columns . VVe feel convinced ourselves that the point raised is untenable , partakes of the nature of an amusing legal quibble ,. ind need not trouble the Masonic
mind at all . Indeed , if the contention of some of our correspondents be correct , we are reduced to a hopeless " reductio ad absurdum . " We venture to think also that the reply which appeared in our leader column to that letter covers the whole ground , and is thoroughly satisfactory and conclusive in every respect .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM .
On Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham was held in the University Buildings , Durham , which had been courteously placed at the disposal of the Craft lay the authorities of the University . The proceedings commenced at noon for the transaction of business in connection with the Charities Committee , and this was
followed by a meeting of the Fund Committee . At two o ' clock the brethren of the province assembled in the Lecture Hall , Palace Green , and about a quarler after the hour the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , attended by a large number of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers and brethren , who presented a most imposing spectacle , entered the hall , and ascended the dais .
The R . W . Prov . Grand Mastcr ( the Marquess of Londonderry , K . P . ) was supported on his right by Bro . Victor Williamson , P . G . W . England , who fulfilled the duties of D . P . G . M . in the absence of Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , D . P . G . M . The Most Hon . the Marquess of Londonderry , K . P ., Provincial Grand Master , was also supported by the following Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . John Horsley , P . G . S . W . ; John Wood ,
P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . E . C . Biggs and the Rev . W . C . Harris , P . G . Chaplains ; H . Maddison , P . G . R . ; B . Boulton , P . G . Treas . ; R . Hudson , P . G . Sec ; R . S . Hopper , P . G . S . D . ; G . C . Watson , P . G . J . D . ; E . Hudson , P . G . D . of C . ; G . Hardy , A . P . G . D . of C . ; C . McNamara , P . G . St . Br . ; M . Frampton , P . G . Swd . Br . ; R . Talintyre , P . G . Org . ; R . Kir . wood , P . G . P . ; and J . Curry , P . G . Tyler .
Among those present were : Bros . J . Banister , P . G . S . B . England ; John Trotter , P . P . G . J . W . ; R . Luck , P . P . G R . ; XV . Gregory , VV . M . 764 ; Charles S . Lane , P . P . G . D . ; H . J . Turnbull , P . P . G . P . : 1 . ) . ( lay , P . P . G . S . of W . ; T . Coulson , P . P . G . D . ; G . Greenwell , P . P . G . D . of C . ; * M . ' Corbelt . P . P . G . D . ; VV . H . Turner , P . P . G . Std . ; W . Brignal , P . P . G . R . ; VV . A . Malcolm , P . P . G . P . ; VV . Forster , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; J . McCulIoch , P . P . G .
J . VV . ; T . Jones , P . P . G . R . ; the Rev . Canon Tristram , P . P . G . S . W . ; the Rev . J . P . I ) e Pledge , P . P . G . S . W . ; Col . Monks , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . Sinclair , P . P . G . P . ; J . Potts , P . P . G . D . ; I . Walker , P . P . G . O . ; VV . Donkin , P . P . G . P . ; VV . Liddell , P . P . G . D . ; T . Bell , P . P . ' G . D . ; H . B . Wright , P . P . G . R . ; J . Graham , P . P . G . R . ; N . W . Apperly , ] . D . 375 ; the Rev . J . J . Brown , P . P . G . Chap . ; E . R . Bulman , P . P . G . J . W . ; G . Johnston , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Lawrence . P . P . G . J . W . ; J . G . Hall , W . M . 1230 ; W . Coxon , P . G . S . B . ; J . Hunter , P . G . W . ; George Porteous , P . P . G . O . ; VV . Garbutt , W . AI , 4 S ; J . Nelson , So ; J . C . Moor , VV . M . 97 ; J . Dixon , W . M . 94 ; J . G . Kirtley ,
W . M . 949 ; J . Sedcole , W . M . n 19 ; William Davidson , VV . M . 1970 ; J . Heslop , VV . M . 1932 ; ] . R . Pattison , S . VV . 94 ; R . Ashton , W . M . 1 940 ; Thos . lopling , P . M . 97 , P . P . G . D . ; G . D . Wilson , P . P . G . W . ; J . G . Smith , P . M . ; J . Probert , P . M . ; J . Moult , P . M . 48 ; T . Burlinson , So ; J . Barker , P . M . 1334 ; VV . H . Sharp , P . M . 94 ; | . Uiseborough , P . G . P . ; W . Whinham , P . M . 94 ; J . Deans , J . W . So and 2030 ; 1 . VV . Rainbow , S . W . 94 ; VV . H . Craven , VV . Brandt , P . M . 13 S 9 ; J . W .
Brown , P . 79 ; J . G . Marshall , Jas . Storey , 97 ; A . Carr , W . M . 124 ; S . Holdsworth , P . M . ; J . Sewell , R . M . 124 ; J . Richardson , P . M . ; H . W . Emerson , P . M . ; J . Scorfield , T . Shepherd , P . M . ; E . Atkinson , VV . M . 661 ; J . McDougall , P . M . 1119 ; S . Chadwick , W . M . 1643 ; J . F . Hiller , W . M . 1334 ; and others . The arrangements made by the Durham brethren and the Provincial Grand Lodge were very complete . The brethren being placed in their new
ieclure hall , under their respective banners , they rose to receive the Prov . Giand Masters and the Prov . Grand Officers . The lodge was opened in due form by the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Marquess of Londonderry . Bro . R . HUDSON , P . G . Sec , read the minutes ol the past year ' s proceedings , which included records of the annual Prov . Grand Lodge held at Sunderland last October , those of the special lodges held at Durham in
January in honour of the visit of his Royal Highness the late Duke of Albany , P . P . G . M . of Oxford ; at Crook in March , in connection with the consecration of the Crook Lodge ; at Durham in April , to decide upon the addresses of condolence to the Queen and the Duchess of Albany on the occasion of the decease of his Royal Highuess the Duke ; and at Sunderland in August , to consecrate the Londonderry Lodge .
Bro . BABBINGTON BOULTON , Prov . G . Treas ., next read his report , which showed a balance in hand of £ 159 17 s . jd . ; and upon the motion of them into harmony with the new Constitutions of the Grand Lodge . He also suggested that a Special Provincial Grand Lodge might be convened to consider the report of the Committee , in order to facilitate the adoption of the revised rules .
The motion was unanimously carried , and the following brethren were appointed the Committee : the P . G . T . and P . G . S ., R . A . Luck ( Restoration ) , T . M . Barron ( Marquis of Ripon ) , and R . Luck , P . P . G . R . The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER invested Bro . Victor Williamson as D . P . G . M . for Bro . Sir H . Williamson . The R . W . P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following officers : —
Bro . J . W . Barnes , P . M . 375 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ R . A . Luck , P . M . in ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . J . Lawson , Chap . 124 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . D . VV . James , Chap . 661 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ B . Boulton , P . M . in ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . M . Barron , W . M . 1379 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Robt . Hudson , W . M . 2039 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . C . Blackett , P . M . 124 ... ... Prov . G . S . D .
,, Thos . Walton , P . M . 940 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ John C . Moon , W . M . 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ F . H . Bennett , P . M . 1862 ... ...Prov . G . J . D . „ R . W . Thompson , P . M . 1121 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . ,, Edward Hudson , P . M . 7 64 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . J . Clay , P . M . 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . D . C . „ H . VV . Emerson , P . M . 661 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C .
,, T . M . Wraith , 424 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . ,, Thos . Bradley , P . M . 940 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . A . Sec . ,, S . Fenny , P . M . 124 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . Gray , P . M . 1334 ... ... ... prov . G . Std . Br . „ D . Whitehead , I . P . M . 1334 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . T . Wilson , P . M . 240 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . H . Turner , I . P . M . 1932 ,.. ... Prov . G . Purst . „ James Curny , 48 ( re-appointed ) ,.. ... Prov . G . Tyler .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.
Stewards were appointed from the following lodges : Crook , Harbour of Refuge , Stranton , Perseverance , Philanthropy , and Phoenix . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Marquess of LONDONDERRY , addressing the Prov . Grand Officers and brethren of the lodge , said they had met together on another year to celebrate their Provincial Grand Lodge , and it was with very sincere satisfaction he found that since last they met
there had been no retrogression in numbers—they had increased to 30 lodges , and by that means they had increased the number of officers appointed in Provincial Grand Lodge . From the report which he had received from the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Hudson , the year which ended with that meeting had been an eventful one so far as the province was concerned , for there had been no less than four Special Provincial Lodges held—a number
for which there was no parallel in the records of the province . The opening days of 1 S 84 found them all busy in preparing for the expected visit of a Royal Brother , an event which had not occurred for well ni gh 50 years . And when on a bright day in the end of January they mustered in unprecedented numbers in the grand old Castle Hall , and received that Royal Brother so enthusiastically , and afterwards escorted him to that celebrated
fane , the Cathedral of the province , and after engaging in those devotions befitting the occasion , they had the rare opportunity of listening to a brief but pointed address on Freemasonry so abl y delivered by Bro . the Rev . Canon Tristram , they little expected that within a few weeks that Royal Brother , whom they then met in apparently good health , would so soon be taken from their midst . Following close upon this melancholy event , which
filled the heart of every Mason with the deepest grief , came the Special Provincial Lodge so ably presided over by the Rev . Canon Tristram . He thought that the words which fell from their Bro . Canon Tristram on that occasion were so touching and so feeling , and were , at the same time , so appropriate , that he thought it would be needless on his part to attempt to say anything more to them in addition to the language which was reported
and printed during his unavoidable absence . On the occasion when his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany did him the honour to come and pay him a visit to his house—Wynyard Park—and the Provincial Grand Lodge was called to celebrate that visit , he confessed that when he came over with him , knowing the delicate state of his Royal Highness's health , and that he was not to undergo any fatigue , he was somewhat anxious on that occasion .
Every hall-hour of their time was taken up , and they had a great deal of work to get through during the day ; but when he returned home with his Royal Highness that day he was pleased to find that the exertion had done him no harm , and he left their home at Wynyard in the highest of health and spirits . It was therefore a great satisfaction to him , knowing that his house was the last which his Royal Highness visited , that he
did not experience any great fatigue which might injure his health . He was quite satisfied that he could not in better words than those of Bro . Canon Tristram and Bro . the Prov . Grand Secretary express the feeling that existed in the heart of every true Mason in the province on the loss the Craft had sustained by the sudden death of his Royal Highness . In the interval between the Special Provincial Lodges in January and April they
consecrated a new lodge in the west of the province , at Crook ; the officers and members of that lodge were entering heartil y into their work , and the lodge bade fair to be a very successful one . Coming nearer to the present date , they were again called up to consecrate a new lodge in the town of Sunderland , and he had much pleasure in going to Sunderland and consecrating the lodge which bore his name , and he was happy to find that the Provincial
Grand Secretary had undertaken the Mastership of that lodge , and Bro . Hudson informed him that the Londonderry was progressing , as he was sure they would all wish it should do . ( Applause . ) As they now mustered thirty lodges , they were entitled to three additional officers , which would enable them to recognise more fully the services of worthy members . During the twelve months the Prov . Grand
Secretary had visited the greater portion of the lodges in the province , and many lodges had also been visited by others of the principal officers , and they united in according a meed of praise to the Worshipful Masters , officers , and Past Masters for their care in rendering the ceremonies , and in the general conduct of the lodges . Since their meeting in October , 1883 , the Constitutions had been finally settled by the Grand Lodge of England ,
and had since been printed and issued to all lodges . Many dubious clauses had been made clear , and others added to form a more comprehensive system of Masonic jurisprudence in harmony with the times in which we live . The Province of Durham had taken an active part in the revision , and the Committee—whose labours were continued at their last regular Bro . C . S . LANE , P . G . D ., West Hartlepool , and Bro . J . HUNTER , P . P . G . J . W ., Hartlepool , the report was received and confirmed .
Bro . T . BRADLEY , Stockton , P . G . A . S ., then read the recommendations of the Fund Committee , that £ 5 be voted to the Durham Masonic Educational Fund , and fifty guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . J . TROTTER , P . P . G . J . W ., as Chairman of the Fund Committee , moved its reception and confirmation , and expressed regret that , owing to exceptional expenses , the customary grant of £ 100 to the Boys' and Girls ' Schools had had to be this year regrettably withheld .
Bro . T . BRADLEY next proceeded to read the report of the Charities Committee , which stated that the voting power to the Institutions for the county was—for Boys 800 votes ; Girls 400 ; Men 450 ; Widows 406 . Since the year 1878 six boys had been admitted from the county , two girls , one man , and one widow . Upon the motion of Bro . LANE the report was adopted .
Bro . R . LUCK , P . P . G . R ., according to notice , moved for the appointment of a Committee to revise the bye-laws of the Province , in order to bring meeting—had since issued a report , in which the leading incidents of the revision are lucidly set forth , and they were much indebted to Bro . Richard A . Luck , P . P . G . Reg ., for the time and labour he devoted to the subject . He was also happy to find and congratulate the lodges upon their
having rendered their accounts and their proceedings in good time . The brethren of the Wear Valley Lodge at Bishop Auckland were very anxious that the annual meeting in 1885 should take place in that town , and the leading members were satisfied that they could now make suitable and ample provision for the meeting ; and he had come to the conclusion to
accede to the request , and the Provincial Grand Lodge next year would be held at Bishop Auckland , under the banner of the Wear Valley Lodge . In conclusion , his lordship trusted the lodges in the province would go on and prosper ; he had every wish to promote the welfare of the Cralt in general , and more especially of the province of Durham , and was glad that prosperity had continued to attend the lodges generally . ( Loud applause . )
The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY moved that the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge be given to Dr . Plummer and the University authorities for their great kindness in placing at their disposal the lecture hall
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
WE receive communications from time to time in respect of a letter concerning the legality of our Order , which recently appeared in our columns . VVe feel convinced ourselves that the point raised is untenable , partakes of the nature of an amusing legal quibble ,. ind need not trouble the Masonic
mind at all . Indeed , if the contention of some of our correspondents be correct , we are reduced to a hopeless " reductio ad absurdum . " We venture to think also that the reply which appeared in our leader column to that letter covers the whole ground , and is thoroughly satisfactory and conclusive in every respect .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM .
On Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham was held in the University Buildings , Durham , which had been courteously placed at the disposal of the Craft lay the authorities of the University . The proceedings commenced at noon for the transaction of business in connection with the Charities Committee , and this was
followed by a meeting of the Fund Committee . At two o ' clock the brethren of the province assembled in the Lecture Hall , Palace Green , and about a quarler after the hour the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , attended by a large number of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers and brethren , who presented a most imposing spectacle , entered the hall , and ascended the dais .
The R . W . Prov . Grand Mastcr ( the Marquess of Londonderry , K . P . ) was supported on his right by Bro . Victor Williamson , P . G . W . England , who fulfilled the duties of D . P . G . M . in the absence of Bro . Sir Hedworth Williamson , D . P . G . M . The Most Hon . the Marquess of Londonderry , K . P ., Provincial Grand Master , was also supported by the following Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . John Horsley , P . G . S . W . ; John Wood ,
P . G . J . W . ; the Rev . E . C . Biggs and the Rev . W . C . Harris , P . G . Chaplains ; H . Maddison , P . G . R . ; B . Boulton , P . G . Treas . ; R . Hudson , P . G . Sec ; R . S . Hopper , P . G . S . D . ; G . C . Watson , P . G . J . D . ; E . Hudson , P . G . D . of C . ; G . Hardy , A . P . G . D . of C . ; C . McNamara , P . G . St . Br . ; M . Frampton , P . G . Swd . Br . ; R . Talintyre , P . G . Org . ; R . Kir . wood , P . G . P . ; and J . Curry , P . G . Tyler .
Among those present were : Bros . J . Banister , P . G . S . B . England ; John Trotter , P . P . G . J . W . ; R . Luck , P . P . G R . ; XV . Gregory , VV . M . 764 ; Charles S . Lane , P . P . G . D . ; H . J . Turnbull , P . P . G . P . : 1 . ) . ( lay , P . P . G . S . of W . ; T . Coulson , P . P . G . D . ; G . Greenwell , P . P . G . D . of C . ; * M . ' Corbelt . P . P . G . D . ; VV . H . Turner , P . P . G . Std . ; W . Brignal , P . P . G . R . ; VV . A . Malcolm , P . P . G . P . ; VV . Forster , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; J . McCulIoch , P . P . G .
J . VV . ; T . Jones , P . P . G . R . ; the Rev . Canon Tristram , P . P . G . S . W . ; the Rev . J . P . I ) e Pledge , P . P . G . S . W . ; Col . Monks , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . Sinclair , P . P . G . P . ; J . Potts , P . P . G . D . ; I . Walker , P . P . G . O . ; VV . Donkin , P . P . G . P . ; VV . Liddell , P . P . G . D . ; T . Bell , P . P . ' G . D . ; H . B . Wright , P . P . G . R . ; J . Graham , P . P . G . R . ; N . W . Apperly , ] . D . 375 ; the Rev . J . J . Brown , P . P . G . Chap . ; E . R . Bulman , P . P . G . J . W . ; G . Johnston , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Lawrence . P . P . G . J . W . ; J . G . Hall , W . M . 1230 ; W . Coxon , P . G . S . B . ; J . Hunter , P . G . W . ; George Porteous , P . P . G . O . ; VV . Garbutt , W . AI , 4 S ; J . Nelson , So ; J . C . Moor , VV . M . 97 ; J . Dixon , W . M . 94 ; J . G . Kirtley ,
W . M . 949 ; J . Sedcole , W . M . n 19 ; William Davidson , VV . M . 1970 ; J . Heslop , VV . M . 1932 ; ] . R . Pattison , S . VV . 94 ; R . Ashton , W . M . 1 940 ; Thos . lopling , P . M . 97 , P . P . G . D . ; G . D . Wilson , P . P . G . W . ; J . G . Smith , P . M . ; J . Probert , P . M . ; J . Moult , P . M . 48 ; T . Burlinson , So ; J . Barker , P . M . 1334 ; VV . H . Sharp , P . M . 94 ; | . Uiseborough , P . G . P . ; W . Whinham , P . M . 94 ; J . Deans , J . W . So and 2030 ; 1 . VV . Rainbow , S . W . 94 ; VV . H . Craven , VV . Brandt , P . M . 13 S 9 ; J . W .
Brown , P . 79 ; J . G . Marshall , Jas . Storey , 97 ; A . Carr , W . M . 124 ; S . Holdsworth , P . M . ; J . Sewell , R . M . 124 ; J . Richardson , P . M . ; H . W . Emerson , P . M . ; J . Scorfield , T . Shepherd , P . M . ; E . Atkinson , VV . M . 661 ; J . McDougall , P . M . 1119 ; S . Chadwick , W . M . 1643 ; J . F . Hiller , W . M . 1334 ; and others . The arrangements made by the Durham brethren and the Provincial Grand Lodge were very complete . The brethren being placed in their new
ieclure hall , under their respective banners , they rose to receive the Prov . Giand Masters and the Prov . Grand Officers . The lodge was opened in due form by the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Marquess of Londonderry . Bro . R . HUDSON , P . G . Sec , read the minutes ol the past year ' s proceedings , which included records of the annual Prov . Grand Lodge held at Sunderland last October , those of the special lodges held at Durham in
January in honour of the visit of his Royal Highness the late Duke of Albany , P . P . G . M . of Oxford ; at Crook in March , in connection with the consecration of the Crook Lodge ; at Durham in April , to decide upon the addresses of condolence to the Queen and the Duchess of Albany on the occasion of the decease of his Royal Highuess the Duke ; and at Sunderland in August , to consecrate the Londonderry Lodge .
Bro . BABBINGTON BOULTON , Prov . G . Treas ., next read his report , which showed a balance in hand of £ 159 17 s . jd . ; and upon the motion of them into harmony with the new Constitutions of the Grand Lodge . He also suggested that a Special Provincial Grand Lodge might be convened to consider the report of the Committee , in order to facilitate the adoption of the revised rules .
The motion was unanimously carried , and the following brethren were appointed the Committee : the P . G . T . and P . G . S ., R . A . Luck ( Restoration ) , T . M . Barron ( Marquis of Ripon ) , and R . Luck , P . P . G . R . The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER invested Bro . Victor Williamson as D . P . G . M . for Bro . Sir H . Williamson . The R . W . P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following officers : —
Bro . J . W . Barnes , P . M . 375 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ R . A . Luck , P . M . in ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . J . Lawson , Chap . 124 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . D . VV . James , Chap . 661 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ B . Boulton , P . M . in ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . M . Barron , W . M . 1379 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Robt . Hudson , W . M . 2039 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . C . Blackett , P . M . 124 ... ... Prov . G . S . D .
,, Thos . Walton , P . M . 940 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ John C . Moon , W . M . 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ F . H . Bennett , P . M . 1862 ... ...Prov . G . J . D . „ R . W . Thompson , P . M . 1121 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . ,, Edward Hudson , P . M . 7 64 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . J . Clay , P . M . 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . D . C . „ H . VV . Emerson , P . M . 661 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C .
,, T . M . Wraith , 424 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . ,, Thos . Bradley , P . M . 940 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . A . Sec . ,, S . Fenny , P . M . 124 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . Gray , P . M . 1334 ... ... ... prov . G . Std . Br . „ D . Whitehead , I . P . M . 1334 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . T . Wilson , P . M . 240 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . H . Turner , I . P . M . 1932 ,.. ... Prov . G . Purst . „ James Curny , 48 ( re-appointed ) ,.. ... Prov . G . Tyler .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.
Stewards were appointed from the following lodges : Crook , Harbour of Refuge , Stranton , Perseverance , Philanthropy , and Phoenix . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , the Marquess of LONDONDERRY , addressing the Prov . Grand Officers and brethren of the lodge , said they had met together on another year to celebrate their Provincial Grand Lodge , and it was with very sincere satisfaction he found that since last they met
there had been no retrogression in numbers—they had increased to 30 lodges , and by that means they had increased the number of officers appointed in Provincial Grand Lodge . From the report which he had received from the Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Hudson , the year which ended with that meeting had been an eventful one so far as the province was concerned , for there had been no less than four Special Provincial Lodges held—a number
for which there was no parallel in the records of the province . The opening days of 1 S 84 found them all busy in preparing for the expected visit of a Royal Brother , an event which had not occurred for well ni gh 50 years . And when on a bright day in the end of January they mustered in unprecedented numbers in the grand old Castle Hall , and received that Royal Brother so enthusiastically , and afterwards escorted him to that celebrated
fane , the Cathedral of the province , and after engaging in those devotions befitting the occasion , they had the rare opportunity of listening to a brief but pointed address on Freemasonry so abl y delivered by Bro . the Rev . Canon Tristram , they little expected that within a few weeks that Royal Brother , whom they then met in apparently good health , would so soon be taken from their midst . Following close upon this melancholy event , which
filled the heart of every Mason with the deepest grief , came the Special Provincial Lodge so ably presided over by the Rev . Canon Tristram . He thought that the words which fell from their Bro . Canon Tristram on that occasion were so touching and so feeling , and were , at the same time , so appropriate , that he thought it would be needless on his part to attempt to say anything more to them in addition to the language which was reported
and printed during his unavoidable absence . On the occasion when his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany did him the honour to come and pay him a visit to his house—Wynyard Park—and the Provincial Grand Lodge was called to celebrate that visit , he confessed that when he came over with him , knowing the delicate state of his Royal Highness's health , and that he was not to undergo any fatigue , he was somewhat anxious on that occasion .
Every hall-hour of their time was taken up , and they had a great deal of work to get through during the day ; but when he returned home with his Royal Highness that day he was pleased to find that the exertion had done him no harm , and he left their home at Wynyard in the highest of health and spirits . It was therefore a great satisfaction to him , knowing that his house was the last which his Royal Highness visited , that he
did not experience any great fatigue which might injure his health . He was quite satisfied that he could not in better words than those of Bro . Canon Tristram and Bro . the Prov . Grand Secretary express the feeling that existed in the heart of every true Mason in the province on the loss the Craft had sustained by the sudden death of his Royal Highness . In the interval between the Special Provincial Lodges in January and April they
consecrated a new lodge in the west of the province , at Crook ; the officers and members of that lodge were entering heartil y into their work , and the lodge bade fair to be a very successful one . Coming nearer to the present date , they were again called up to consecrate a new lodge in the town of Sunderland , and he had much pleasure in going to Sunderland and consecrating the lodge which bore his name , and he was happy to find that the Provincial
Grand Secretary had undertaken the Mastership of that lodge , and Bro . Hudson informed him that the Londonderry was progressing , as he was sure they would all wish it should do . ( Applause . ) As they now mustered thirty lodges , they were entitled to three additional officers , which would enable them to recognise more fully the services of worthy members . During the twelve months the Prov . Grand
Secretary had visited the greater portion of the lodges in the province , and many lodges had also been visited by others of the principal officers , and they united in according a meed of praise to the Worshipful Masters , officers , and Past Masters for their care in rendering the ceremonies , and in the general conduct of the lodges . Since their meeting in October , 1883 , the Constitutions had been finally settled by the Grand Lodge of England ,
and had since been printed and issued to all lodges . Many dubious clauses had been made clear , and others added to form a more comprehensive system of Masonic jurisprudence in harmony with the times in which we live . The Province of Durham had taken an active part in the revision , and the Committee—whose labours were continued at their last regular Bro . C . S . LANE , P . G . D ., West Hartlepool , and Bro . J . HUNTER , P . P . G . J . W ., Hartlepool , the report was received and confirmed .
Bro . T . BRADLEY , Stockton , P . G . A . S ., then read the recommendations of the Fund Committee , that £ 5 be voted to the Durham Masonic Educational Fund , and fifty guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Bro . J . TROTTER , P . P . G . J . W ., as Chairman of the Fund Committee , moved its reception and confirmation , and expressed regret that , owing to exceptional expenses , the customary grant of £ 100 to the Boys' and Girls ' Schools had had to be this year regrettably withheld .
Bro . T . BRADLEY next proceeded to read the report of the Charities Committee , which stated that the voting power to the Institutions for the county was—for Boys 800 votes ; Girls 400 ; Men 450 ; Widows 406 . Since the year 1878 six boys had been admitted from the county , two girls , one man , and one widow . Upon the motion of Bro . LANE the report was adopted .
Bro . R . LUCK , P . P . G . R ., according to notice , moved for the appointment of a Committee to revise the bye-laws of the Province , in order to bring meeting—had since issued a report , in which the leading incidents of the revision are lucidly set forth , and they were much indebted to Bro . Richard A . Luck , P . P . G . Reg ., for the time and labour he devoted to the subject . He was also happy to find and congratulate the lodges upon their
having rendered their accounts and their proceedings in good time . The brethren of the Wear Valley Lodge at Bishop Auckland were very anxious that the annual meeting in 1885 should take place in that town , and the leading members were satisfied that they could now make suitable and ample provision for the meeting ; and he had come to the conclusion to
accede to the request , and the Provincial Grand Lodge next year would be held at Bishop Auckland , under the banner of the Wear Valley Lodge . In conclusion , his lordship trusted the lodges in the province would go on and prosper ; he had every wish to promote the welfare of the Cralt in general , and more especially of the province of Durham , and was glad that prosperity had continued to attend the lodges generally . ( Loud applause . )
The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY moved that the thanks of the Provincial Grand Lodge be given to Dr . Plummer and the University authorities for their great kindness in placing at their disposal the lecture hall