The Mark Province Of Middlesex And Surrey.

previous meeting of a like character , and—what is still more important—the proceedings passed off amid the greatest enthusiasm and with far greater success than _ hitherto . The Report of the Committee of General Purposes showed that the lodges had increased during the past year by two to 37 , and the

members from 719 to 7 60 . The Provincial Grand Treasurer s statement of account , as audited , showed that financially the Province was in a prosperous state , and donations of £ 10 ios . in each case were unanimously voted to the Mark Benevolent Fund and the Fund for erecting an organ in Mark Grand Lodge as a

memorial to the late Bro . the Rev . Canon PORTAL , Past Grand M . M . At the banquet which followed Provincial Grand Lodge the usual compliments were paid to the respected Provincial Grand Master , who was in the chair , and that distinguished brother reciprocated them by speaking in the most eulogistic

terms of the services which had been rendered to him and the Province at large by his worthy Deputy ( Bro . C . HAMMERTON ) , the Provincial Grand Treasurer ( Bro . L . G . GORDON ROBBINS ) , and the Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . W . G . BRIGHTEN ) , whose duties had increased as the lodges in the Province had

gone on increasing and multiplying , but who had nevertheless succeeded in keeping their work so well in hand that there were absolutely no arrears of such returns as the lodges had been called upon to make during the past 12 months . We have had frequent evidence of the admirable manner in which the Craft

and Arch proceedings of the Province of Middlesex , of which Bro . Col . Sir F . BURDETT , Bart ., is Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent respectively , and it seems no more than

just to our Mark brethren that we should occasionally take cognisance of the success which has attended the proceedings of the Mark Province over which he has had the honour to preside from the date of its organisation .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE .

The largest and most influential assemblage of brethren that has been seen for some time in the Province of Notts took place on the 19 th ult ., at Southwell , when the Provincial Grand Lodge met within the ancient Palace of the Archbishops of York , and a new lodge was consecrated , which will hold its meetings in the Cathedral town . The meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge took place

at two p . m . As the brethren wended their way under the shadow ot the stately minster to the restored palace adjoining , they were conducted up a flight of stone stairs , and a procession was formed into a large panelled room overlooking the churchyard , the walls adorned with the portraits of distinguished ecclesiastics who have visited the Cathedral in days gone by , or resided within the palace—once a favourite resort of the Archbishops of York .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll was called , and most of the Masters and Wardens of lodges answered to their names . Bro . Bussell presided , Bro . Newton acting as D . G . M . The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Nottingham December 5 th , 188 9 , having been confirmed ,

Bro . H . GEORGE , P . P . G . D . C , proposed the following addition to By-law 22 : " And a sum , not exceeding one third of the total grant , may , by permission of the Benevolent and Educational Funds Committee , be expended on behalf of the children , for purposes other than education . " The resolution was carried unanimously .

Bro . E . M . KIDD , P . P . G . Treas ., moved a resolution in favour of printing and circulating reports of the General Purposes , Benevolent , and Educational Funds Committees previous to the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge , but the matter was reserved for further consideration . The ACTIA ' U P . G . M . drew attention to the fact that a respected member of the province—Bro . J . M . McLeod—was a candidate for the post of Secretary to the Boys' School , and a resolution pledging the province to do its utmost to secure his election vvas heartily agreed to .

At the close of Provincial Grand Lodge the brethren formed procession to attend Divine service in the Cathedral at 3 . 30 p . m . The Rector ( Rev . Canon Trebeck ) and the Rev . R . F . Smith , minor canon , were at the doors to receive them . The service was intoned by the Rev . R . F . Smith . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Very Rev . A . P . PUREV-CUST , D . D ., Dean of York , Past Grand Chaplain . Dr . Cust took for his text Genesis xi ., 9 , "Therefore is the name of it called Babel , that is , confusion . " In the course of an eloquent sermon , the Dean said :

They had here a purpose and a failure , and though it was difficult , if not impossible , at this distance of time to substantiate the details thereof and identify the actual site of the building he e alluded to , the outline furnished was so consistent with the circumstances and the locality , so entirely in harmony with the writings of the ancient historians , that they could well understand the Bible had recorded for us a simple fact and not a mere tradition , while it had also a spiritual significance , for which purpose no doubt it was

permitted to occupy a prominent position in the early pages of the Word of God . Its teaching was so plain that he that runs may read , and so profitable that it might be remembered hy all generations for all time . What was the object that these builders of the Tower had in view ? Josephus said it was the fear of another deluge , and the desire to guard against its waters , and so to defy the vengeance of God . Another testimony was that it was to be a rallying place , where they might gather

together for mutual society and protection , a purpose neither unnatural or unlawful , if they realised for a moment the state of the world at that period . But if there was not antagonism against God , there was certainly indifference to Him . The builders of the 'Tower relied entirely on the soundness of their materials and their skill in the manipulation of them , and ignored the blessings and guidance of God , hence those mutual misunderstandings which ended in the breaking up of the community and the abandonment

of the enterprise . It was a story full of interest to the archreologist and full of edification to all who were spiritually minded , lt illustrated that which had happened many times since then , the failure of industry and enterprise , simply because it was not leavened with the grace of God . Applying the lesson as not being otherwise than germane to the purpose for which they had met that afternoon , he would point out that

the object of their Craft was not only lawful and reasonable , but they realised the importance of promoting the cohesion of humanity . They endeavoured to draw men together in a world in which there was much to promote discord and dissension . Walls of brick , and mortar of bitumen , as used at Babel , would be out of place , but their method was the mutual recognition and cultivation of those principles of integrity and morality , the abuse or neglect of which sapped and ruined the prospects of the children of men . They , as Freemasons , promoted the mutual cultivation of social intercourse on a basis so

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Nottinghamshire.

broad that the distinctions and differences which alienated men from their fellows disappeared . They were banded together for co-operation , and works of practical philanthropy and charity provided a unity of purpose whieh was most efficacious in drawing out and holding together the best interests and sympathies of the heart . If they met in secret it was not from any mere love of mystery , but because it had been wisely judged that unless men were disposed to cast in their lot with them , they preferred to pursue their own ends in their own way for those who understood and appreciated what their

way was . Theirs , therefore , was not a mere union of sentiment . It had a definite and practical purpose , and they believed that in the pursuit of that purpose they should be enabled individually and socially to extend the sphere of usefulness , to increase their power of being useful , and to enjoy mutual intercourse that should be helpful to themselves and others . How far they were able to attain that object for themselves was best evidenced to the world around by the survival of the Craft to the present day , and its prosperity and increase in these intelligent and practical times . How far it was efficacious for others

their works would show . They did not court approval by a publication of the results achieved , but their Schools and other Institutions showed to even the most casual observer that they were not mere professors of philanthropy , while the large amounts disbursed by the Board of Benevolence in individual donations of such substantial sums as no other Charity that he knew of could equal , quietly and unostentatiously provided forthose who shrank from being known as the recipients of Chantv just the help of which they stood in need . Their prosperity had been lasting , and promised to be ever increasing ,

because they had not fallen into the error of the builders of old in being indifferent to God . They did not profess to be a religious body or sect , nor did they offer a substitute for Christianity . They looked for the strength and wisdom to sustain and develope the fundamental principles they had at heart , not merely to the precepts or proceedings of the Craft , but to the cultivation and practice of that which commended itself to their own consciences individually as the highest and purest form of religious belief . They believed that Christianity would make them better Freemasons , and that Freemasonry

would help them to become better Christians , would give them larger opportunities , and open out different spheres in which to practice it . They believed that Freemasonry was a valuable handmaid to Christianity , and that an association which broke down the walls of social , political , and religious distinction , and brought men together at meetings where the Bible was ever open , and the name of God ever mentioned with reverence , where principles of life and duty which they knew had God's approval were continually inculcated , and order , submission , loyalty , and benevolence practised and enjoined , must have the

approval of Him with whose Word and example they were so entirely in harmony . Their presence in the Minster that day was a token of the sincerity of their recognition of God ' s goodness and their reliance on His grace . It had been no mere pageantry in their eyes . They had not come together simply to participate in an unmeaning ceremony . To all of them those ancient and honoured walls had a peculiar interest . They believed they were raised by the hands of those who were members of the community to which they belonged , and they were instinct with edification because all around they carried analogies of

so much that they delighted to rehearse together . They came there with special pleasure that afternoon because they felt that they needed more and more the grace and blessing there to be obtained to make their v . raft more worthy of themselves as Christians , and themselves more worthy of their Craft . If they were brethren they were human , and had all the failings and infirmities of manhood . They were conscious of many temptations which beset them , and of many agencies counter to the purpose they had in view . Men watched them with a critical eye , sometimes friendly , and often unfriendly . Like every

other institution in these days , Masonry was on its trial , and people were drawing their own conclusions whereunto these things would grow . VVhat would the sequel prove ? Freemasonry offered just those principles in life which , if stamped with the image and superscription of God , might tend to His glory and the welfare of men . On the other hand , Freemasonry might be abused , and become an excuse for mere good fellowship

and the pandering to the animal instead of the intellectual and spiritual side of man , its forms mere formality , its utterances mere phrases , and its benevolence the mere crumbs that fell from the table of self-indulgence . VVhat then must the consequences be ? A glaring unreality , another phase of temptation , a waste of time and money ; appropriately named Babel , that is , confusion . As brethren of the Craft the issue was in their hands . " I speak as unto wise men . Judge ye what I say . "

At the close of the service the brethren returned to the lodge-room , and at four p . m . the St . Mary ' s Lodge , No . 2302 , Southwell , was consecrated , the consecrating officials being Bro . the Rev . F . Vernon Bussell , D . P . G . M ., P . G . C , assisted by officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . In his introductory address Bro . Bussell remarked that there was a lodge at Southwell some years ago , but it removed to Nottingham , where it had since held its meetings at the Masonic Hall . It was felt that the

time had now arrived to introduce a new lodge into the place , and some of the brethren applied to the Grand Master , who , in the exercise of his discretion , had granted a warrant for the creation of a St . Mary ' s Lodge . He congratulated the brethren on assembling in such l . trge numbers under the roof of that old archiepiscopal palace , and remarked tbat the picturesque remains amid which they had met irresistibly called to mind a long series of historical events . The first palace was most probably built in the time uf King Edwy , but to leave

probability aside and deal with recorded fact they knew that Archbishops Alfric ( 1023-50 ) and Gerard ( 1101-8 ) possessed a residence there , as they frequentl y lived at Southwell , and both died there . Cardinal Archbishop Kemp rebuilt a considerable portion of the palace , and the work was continued by some of his successors . To pass on to later times , Archbishop Wolsey sought repose in that palace after his fall in 1529 , and it formed the chief residence of Archbishop Sandys ( 1577-8 S ) . James I ., a patron of the Order , paid it a visit on his way from

Scotland to take possession ot the English throne , and Charles I . was there with the French Ambassador , sent by Cardinal Mazarin , to endeavour to arrange terms between the King and the Parliament . In the time of Cromwell , a greater part of the palace was destroyed , and the property being confiscated was purchased by one Edward Child , a Parliamentarian , born of humble parents at Arnold , near Nottingham . General Monk came here at the Restoration , and after that Child was compelled to restore what he had purchased for a mere nominal sum , and it

reverted back to the Archbishops of York , in whose hands it remained until it was made over to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners . On the See of Southwell being founded , Dr . Trollope purchased the remains of the old palace with a view of providing an episcopal residence , but as the Bishop did not see fit to reside there he did not proceed furtner with the work . The old hall in which they were assembled was the withdrawing room of the palace , and it had been restored to

more than its pristine beauty . He was sure they would wish him to write to the Bishop and to express their warmest thanks to him for having kindly permitted the use of the room for that ceremonial . He had now to commit the honour of the Craft at Southwell to the Master and brethren of the St . Mary ' s Lodge , named from the patron saint of the stately Cathedral , and to express the hope that they would guard and protect it , and do no act , living or dying , which they would wish to blot out .

The ceremony of consecration was then proceeded with , and was most impressively performed . The first officers of the new lodge are Bros . J . Townrow , P . M ., W . M . ; J . H . Bradwell , P . M ., S . W . ; R . J . Ingram , P . M ., J . W . ; G . Kirkland , Treas . ; and F . Carey Parker , Sec .

The W . M . designate was installed , Bro . H . R . Hatherley officiating , and at the close of the lodge the brethren dined together at the Concert Hall , where an excellent cold collation was provided by Mrs . Sharp , of the Crown Hotel . Bro . Townrow presided , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were g iven and honoured .

The Prince of Wales was present at the annual dinner of the Rifle Brigade , held at the Hotel Metropole on Saturday evening last , under the presidency of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Brigade . By command of the ( jueen a State ball was given at Buckingham Palace on Friday , the 4 th inst ., at which the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , the Duke and Duchess of Connaught , and other members of the Royal family were present . The attendance was very numerous .