Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER spoke of the Provincial Grand Secretary ' s report as able and comprehensive , and touching upon so many matters , some of them of such great importance . With regard to the number of lodges in the province , and the number of the brethren , it was a very fine thing to stand at the top of the tree in those respects , but at the same time it became a question whether a province consisting of over ioo lodges was not becoming too unwieldly a

machine . That was a question for the Grand Lodge to decide . He wished to point out that it had been hinted to him—not in Lancashire—that it was all very well to have all that increase of warrants , but that the new lodges were not necessary . His answer to that was that anyone of that opinion should look at the number of Masons in the province—6561 , which would show that the lodges were all full and in good working order . So long as that was so no fault could be found

either with the number of lodges or with the numberof brethren belonging to them . But he must endorse what the Prov . G . Sec . had said as to their exercising more and more care in the selection of those to be elected to the brotherhood . There was another point to which he wished to refer—the question of provincial rank . It made him feel very sad sometimes to think how few rewards it was in his power to give to brethren in the province . A few years ago he was instrumental in obtaining two extra Deacons for provinces of over 40 lodges ; and he hoped that

if that question was brought before the council of the Grand Lodge something more would be agreed to . He thought that they as a province of 104 lodges should have more power of fixing rank than a province of 15 lodges or less . In conclusion , his lordship expressed his deep regret at the loss sustained by the death of his dear colleague the Earl of Carnarvon , who was a good Mason , a straight Statesman , and a good man , and whose loss to the brotherhood was great indeed .

The election of Prov . Grand 1 reasurer was the next item of business , considerable interest being manifested in the result . Bro . G . A . Harradon , P . M . of the Princes Lodge , No . 2316 , was proposed by Bro . S . G . Sinclair , P . P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . W . Blackhurst , P . M . 314 , and supported by Bro . Councillor J . de Bels Adam , W . M . 2316 , and others ; Bro . J . H . Tyson , P . M . 1182 , by Bro . Dr . J . K . Smith , P . P . G . Reg ., seconded by Bro . Dr . Costine , P . P . G . R . ; and Bro . W .

Savage , P . M . 1609 ; who was proposed by Bro . J . Newell , P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . Lewis Peake , P . M . 1035 . The voting was by ballot , and , after the scrutineers had performed their work , the P . G . M . announced the result as follows-. Bro . Harradon , 268 votes ; Bro . Tyson , 93 ; and Bro . Savage , 75 ; the announcement of the numbers being received with loud applause . Bro . Harradon was then invested by the P . G . M . as Prov . Grand Treasurer , and he briefly thanked the brethren for the honour which had been conferred upon him . The following Provincial Grand Officers were appointed and invested :

Bro . J . S . White ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Capt . John M'Nab , R . N . ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . C . Hesketh Knolys ... ... •••) r > r- ^ 1 „ Rev . J . Stowell ... ¦ J Prov . G . Chaps . „ W . Blackhurst ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . ,, W . Goodacre ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

;; l :i&::::::::::: } P-S . G . D , ;; fSng ::: ::: ::: ;;;]? -. I . G . D , „ R . Warriner ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . E . Boden ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . W . Elton ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C .

„ J . B . Wolstenholme ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, A . Beattie ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ;; S ; ::: ::: ::: : ;;} prov . G . std . Brs . ,, S . Jupp ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Chadderton ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ T . Whittle ... ... ... ... Prov . G . P .

„ T . Ball ... ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . P . ,, C . Wadsworth ... ... ... ... T ' ,, A . Cotter ,, W . Corner , jun . ... ... ... ••¦ u r f . J ^ J . Barrow f Prov . G . Stwds . „ W . Piatt „ W . Foulkes

„ P . Ball ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Charity jewels were presented to Bros . E . H . Cookson , J . de Bels Adam , Hindley , and Barrow . The following votes from the Charities Fund were , after discussion , agreed to : ioo guineas to the R . M . B . I ., 50 guineas to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 20 guineas to the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent

Fund , and 20 guineas to the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution . It was also resolved— "That in the event of the Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , accepting the position of Chairman at the next annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , the sum of 400 guineas be voted from the Fund of Benevolence to that Institution . "

Several matters affecting the Provincial Charities and other schemes were discussed at great length , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , after sitting more than three hours , the general proceedings being characterised b y more than the usual liveliness .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

The Provincial Grand Chapter of Somersetshire held its annual meeting under the banner of the Inkerman Chapter , at the Masonic Hall , Weston-super-Mare , on Monday , the 29 th ult ., when there was a good attendance of members from different parts of the county . The chairs of the three Principals were filled b y Comps . R . C . Else , Grand Supt . ; Col . W . Long , Prov . Grand H . ; and Elworthy , Prov . Grand J . The other Provincial Grand Officers present were Comps . Noke , P . G . S . E . ; Rice , P . G . P . S . ; J . Gill , P . G . D . C . ; A . Salter , P . A . G . D . C . ; and Salter and Bigwood , P . G . janitors .

The minutes of the Provincial Grand Chapter held at Clevedon last year having been read and confirmed , on the proposal of the G . SUPERINTENDENT it was unanimously resolved , " That the Royal Arch Masons of the Province of Somersetshire , in Grand Chapter assembled , desire to express and place on record their feelings of deep grief at the death of their beloved Pro Grand First Principal , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , and their sense of the deep loss the Royal Arch Degree has sustained thereby . "

The Treasurers accounts were presented and accepted , the same showing a balance in hand of £ 120 ' zs . 4 d ., against ^ 110 195 . 4 d . at this time last year . The Grand Superintendent then re-appointed Comp . Long as the Prov . G . H . for the ensuing year , and for the office of Prov . Grand J . he appointed Comp . F . W . S . Wicksteed , of Inkerman Chapter . These officers having been formall y invested , Comp . B . H . Watts was re-elected as P . G . Treasurer , and Comp . Noke as P . G . S . E .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somersetshire.

Collars of office were subsequently bestowed as under : Comp . Duckett ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Rice ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ Timmins , 73 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S . „ Knight , 41 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ E . White ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . Reece , 1 750 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ Holroyd , 291 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Gill ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ George Glossop , 1222 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Marchant , 285 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ Salter ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . ,, Bigwood ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Janitor .

On the proposal of the PROV . G . H ., By-law IV . of the Regulations of this Provincial Grand Chapter was altered as follows : " The members of the Provincial Grand Chapter are the Present and Past Officers thereof , and the Principals and Past First Principals of every chapter within the province , and Past First Principals of any chapter under the English Constitution , if a member of Grand Chapter , but no companion can be a member of the Provincial Grand Chapter unless he is a subscribing member of a chapter within the province . " It was . explained that the foregoing alteration was necessary to bring the provincial bylaws into harmony with the new Book of Constitutions .

Prior to the close of the Provincial Grand Chapter , alms amounting to £ 2 2 s . were taken , and voted to the Weston-super-Mare Hospital . Subsequently upwards of 50 companions sat down to a first-class banquet .

Consecration Of The Royal Oak Mark Lodge, No. 416, Deptford.

CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL OAK MARK LODGE , No . 416 , DEPTFORD .

This very interesting ceremony took place on Tuesday , the 16 th ult ., in the presence of a very large number of the Provincial Grand Officers , at the White Swan Hotel , Hi gh-street , Deptford . Bro . Rev . Thomas Robinson , M . A ., Prov . Grand Master , honoured the members of . the new lodge by performing the ceremony of consecration , assisted by Bros . Rev . Hayman Cummings , M . A ., Deputy

P . G . M . ; W . O . Kennett , P . J . G . W . ; J . G . Podevin , P . D . P . G . M ., Prov . G . Sec . ; F . Wright , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . Bateman ; J . Tomkins and Horatio H . Shirley , G . Stewards ; A . Escott , G . Pulsford , W . Denne , G . F . Slade , A . Dacon , G . B . Cobham , F . H . Miller , H . W . Partridge , E . Thiellay , C . Sims , and W . J . Spratling .

Previous to tne consecration Bro . Rev . Hayman Cummings , D . P . G . M ., advanced Bros . E . G . Bax , N . Brokenshire , W . H . Vint , A . C . Dandridge , A . J . Jones , W . Hewett , D . Walter , F . Morgan , R . H . Hancock , W . Melton , and F . Bugler to the Degree of M . M . . The founders are Bros . J . J . Pakes , J . G . Thomas , P . J . Dunbar , A . Dealer , and W . F . Crook . Joining member , Bro . W . C . Barker .

Bro . Rev . HAYMAN CUMMINGS , D . P . G . M ., delivered an oration on Mark Masonry and Masons' marks , which was listened to with deep attention by all the brethren present , the only feeling prevailing was one of regret that time compelled the shortening of one of the most eloquent and interesting orations ever delivered .

At the conclusion of the consecration the P . G . M . vacated the chair in favour of the D . P . G . M ., who in a most impressive manner performed the ceremony of installation . The first W . M . was Bro . John J . Pakes , who dul y appointed and invested the

following as his officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . G . Thomas , S . W . ; Major Penrose J . Dunbar , J . W . ( by deputy ) ; Rev . T . W . Embleton-Thomas , M . O . ( by deputy ); E . G . Bax , S . O . ; W . Hewett , J . O . ; Stringer , Treas . ( by deputy ); Dealer , R . of M . ; Brokenshire , Sec . ; Barker , S . D . ; Dandridge , J . D . ; Crook , I . G . ; Walter , D . C . ; Vint , Org . ; Jones , Steward ; and Ball , Tyler .

Cordial votes of thanks were unanimously passed to the Consecrating Officers , who were elected honorary members , and a Committee was formed for framing the by-laws . About 50 brethren subsequently partook of a very excellent banquet , that did great credit to the host , Bro . Vint .

The W . M ., Bro . Pakes , was supported on his ri ght by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . Thomas Robinson , M . A ., and on his left by Bro . the Rev . Hayman Cummings , M . A ., D . P . G . M . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Bros . TOMKINS and SHIRLEY responded on behalf of "The Officers of Grand Lodge . "

In response to the toast of "The Prov . G . M . of Kent , Bro . the Rev . Thomas Robinson , " which was received with great enthusiasm , the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER stated how pleased he was to be enabled to consecrate a Mark lodge in that far corner of his province . In proposing " The Health of the D . P . G . M ., " the WORSHIPFUL MASTER explained to the brethren the great interest Bro . the Rev . Hayman Cummings had taken in the formation of the lodge , and the large amount of correspondence that had taken place .

Bro . the Rev . HAYMAN CUMMINGS , in the course of his reply , stated that he had only a day or two previousl y turned up some of the letters dated 188 7 . The toast of " The W . M ., Bro . John J . Pakes , " was given in an eloquent speech by the Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Rev . T . ROBINSON , M . A . In proposing "The Visitors , " the WORSHIPEUL MASTER expressed the thanks of the brethren to Bros . F . H . Miller , G . Pulsford , E . Primrose , and A . Escott for their kindness in recommending the petition , they being officers of the Royal Naval College Mark Lodge . The toast of "The Officers" having been given , the Tyler ' s toast concluded u most enjoyable evening .

ORDER OK J OACHIM ( Joachim St ., Orden Von ) , is of German Ori gin , and has borne various names . It seems first to have been called " Orden von St . Jonathan , " about the middle of the last century , June 20 , 1755 , and was composed of nobles , who could , it appears , introduce their wives and children ; so that it was androgyne , and received equally Roman Catholics and Lutherans . Its chief seat seems to be Bamberg , in Bavaria . The first Grand Master was Christian Francis , Duke of Coburg , who was elected June 20 , 1756 . In 176 7 the name wa-. changed ot " Zur

Ehre der gotthchen Vorsehung , L'Ordre de la Providence Divine . " The Duke of Coburg resigned the Grand Mastersliip in consequence of his dislike tocertain Roman Catholic practices . In 1785 this order took the name of the "Ritterliches Weltliches Ordenshospital von St . Joachim , dem gebenedeiten Vaterder heihgen Jungfrau Maria , der Mutter unsere Herren und Heilandes , Jesu Christi , " the kni ghtly worldly chapter of the Order of St . Joachim , the blessed father of the hol y Virgin Mary , & 1806

c . In Joachim Murat became Grand Master of the Order . It has been said by Oliver and Thory that the Constitutions of the Order in 1772 proclaimed belief in the Holy Trinity , and forbade waltzing . It seems also that they prohibited childish amusements and the game of hazard . The cipher of the Order was at first O . J . ( Orden Jonathan ) ; later O . P . ( Ordo Providential ; in 1780 S . A . R . P . ( Stanislaus Augustus Rex Polonia : ) . The motto of the Order was

F . S . C . V . ( Fidf . < iP . cl mi viflpl nnd nn 1-U ,, i »„ rol nf t-Ua fl ^ r < T ., nu . * a : F . S . C . V . ( Fide sed cui , vide ) , and on the jewel of the Order " Junxit amicus amor . " The Order is said to have been dissolved peaceably in the early part of this century . —Kenning ' s Cydobatdia of Freemasonry .