Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devon.

Perry , S . D . 328 ; AA ' . T . Maynard , P . M . 106 ; AV . T . Thomas , W . M . 159 ; T . E . ¦ Owen , P . M . 710 , S . G . D . ; W . H . W . Sargent , S . W . 1099 ; W . Furze , O . 39 ; T . B . Patterson . J . W . T 135 ; J . AVilliams , J . D . 1139 ; H . Winsor , 777 ; A . B . Ninor , S . AV . 710 ; J . Evans . 797 ; C . S Harland , P . M . 328 ; S .

• G . Blackmore , 106 : B . B . Bastin . P . M . 106 ; G Barry , P . M . 248 ; I . Latimer , J . W . 180 , P . P . G Sec . ; - A . F . Luke , J . D . 112 ; AV . Joll , T . AV 230 ; AV , Stone , S . W . 372 : AV . dimming , AV . M 710 ; AV . Moore ; Rev . J . R . Nankivell , S . AV i 332 , & c . ; lF . P . Holmes , P . M . 70 ; S . Thomas , P . M .

W . R . Shrnnpton , AA ' . M . 106 ; W . G . Lacey , 106 ; A . Bishop , P . M . 10 S ; J . Bannerman , 230 ; L . D . AA estcott , P . M . 70 ; G . G . Nicholls , P . M . 70 , P . P . G . O . ; C . G . Gibson . P . M . 1 S 9 , P . G . J . D . ; F . P . Balkwill . P . M . 189 ; J . W . H . Hawton , P . M . 954 , rc . 91 , P . P . G . D . C ; R . P . Cull " , A \ . M . 1247 ; II . L .

Brews ! er , P . M . 30 , 12 ^ 4 , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . Heath , P . M . 710 , 309 , P . P . J . D .. ; C . Knowsley , S . AV . 70 ; M . Perrow , 710 ; Philip T . Skclton , S . W . 1247 ; James Clase , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; John W . Tripp , P . M . 202 ; P . AA " ar .-en , J . 1254 ; W . Oram , P . M , 421 ; Samuel Jones , P . M . 112 , 1135 . 1332 ; John Way , P . ' M . 39 , P . G . S . ; J . M . Blake , P . M . 666 ; J .

H . AVcstlake , I . P . M . 666 ; J . Greenfield , P . M . and D . C . 328 ; Vincent Bird , P . M . 953 ; Major J . Yates , 1138 , P . G . S . AV .: B . T . Hodge , P . M . 164 , P . P . G . D . ; AV . A . Trcloar , 331 ; T . Oliver , AV . M . 32 S ; I-I . C . Hcnslev , P . M . 33 ; James Ellis , AV . M . 1212 ; R . Lose , P . M . 159 , P . P . G . P . ; J . AV . Cornish , AA ' . M . 223 ; J . Montgomery , I . P . M . 223 ; H . Hooper , AV . M . 1254 ; Cantain A . Ridgway , P . P . S . G . AV .

On the arrival of the down train , shortly before 11 . 30 , the lodge met in the Assembly Room , which was admirably suited for the occasion . On a raised portion at one end of the room was an harmonium , which was ablypresided over by Bro . AViiideatl :, of St . John ' s ,

No . 70 , and Bro . Taylor , of Pleiades , 710 , who , in the course of the day , performed sonic sacred and Masonic music . The Committee of Petitions met at the Guston Hotel , immediately on the arrival of the train , and did some valuable and benevolent work , considering all claims for relief which were brought before them .

Meantime the other brethren assembled in Grand Lodge , which was duly opened by the R . AV . the Grand Master in the usual form . Bro . Major Yates , S . G . W ., filled his chair , and Bro . Captain Tanner Davy acted as J . G . AA ., in the absence of Bro . Prinsep , and the other chairs were occupied by their respective officers .

The new Torbay Lodge , No . 135 S . was then opened , and after the warrant had been read and the lotlge properly placed , & c , the D . P . G . M ., Bro L . P . Metham , delivered thc following oration , which excited much applause : — Under whatever circumstances Masons meet

whether as individuals in the street or in tho dwelling-house , whether in the lodge room , or on an occasion of greater solemnity like the present , « ne sentiment alone animates them , one opinion alone prevails ar , to thc immutability of the principles to which ihey owe ob'dkne ' e and regard .

Politicians differ as to the principles by which v-vmkind are to be governed , although all ' profess , that in governing , they see ! : to confer the givate-t amount of good on the greater : possible number of individual- ; . Religious bodies , although thev invoke the name and relv on the mercv of the same

beneficent Cod for temporal happiness .-m . I denial salvation , have even sh ' . deuch other ' s bio 1 1 in th dr zeal for their own , a : ul llieir ha ! red of unoih ' -r ' s faith . But Masons do nor . cannot differ as li their principles ; they would cease lo Iv : Mi sons the moment that anvbut the raie . rue view of Masonrv

isenteitained and acred , e . n . The m-lhods by which those principles are indicated and enforced are . of necessity , antiquated , for ihey have he rn har »! --d down from father lo son , bv oral tradition , through numberless generations , iJut being founded on eternal truth , they are firm and solid as thev are

venerable . In those four words of our rilual . " Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , " are thc germ of all our principles . We may . ornament them , we may enlarge , wc may elucidate , we may practically apply them , but still they sland unaltered : the beacon light which has shone through a- / en , when

all else was dark , the pure morning' star which is to leid the happy future to the time when sorrow and suffer ' ng shall pass away for ever al ihe presence of its expanded rays . When we look back to the history ofthe past and reflect on lire ruins ol" the

narrow prejudices and seemingly impassable barriers it has demolished , arid of the bitter animosities it has quenched ; when we regard , too , thc movements of toleration , peace , and goodwill i ; has creeled in tin : minds of its c'i-.,-ciplvs , the principles oi' Masonry need no argument

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devon.

for their support . They are the embodiment of charity in its truest , amplest sense : the charity which carries comfort and consolation to every one of our feliow-creatures in the hour of their need , to the widow and thc orphan , thc sick , the blind , thc deaf , the dumb , the halt , and the maimed . It is

that charity which encourages the feeble in their stern battle of life , aids the unfortunate in their troublcs , and bids the despairing take heart again ; which protects the weak and succours the oppressed of whatever race or creed . It- is that charity which thinketh no evil and speaketh no evil , which gives to others the right it claims for itself , of freedom of

thought and freedom of speech ; it is that charity which not only preaches but practises peace and goodwill among men , and which , as the ritual of Masonry teaches us , leads us so to walk through life that we may raise our eye in humble and devout confidence in death—to that bright morning star whose rising shall bring peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . Such are

the words , AA ' orshipful Master and brethren of thc Torbay Lodge , which you , however feebly I may express them , one and all acknowledge , without a moment ' s hesitation , convey to your minds a correct description of the doctrines which Masonry cnunciatcs to her children ; not a sentence will

pass your lips , not even a thought will cross your minds to protest that I have painted Masonry in colours too bright and glowing . >> o brother will be so great a traitor lo those principles as to say , or even think , that Masonry is only a portrait of ideal excellence , meant as a pastime for poetical

imaginations , rather than an employment for human nature ' s daily occupation ; a theory to be expatiated onand admired , rather thana practice to be followed and obeyed . Its teaching is our truest staff in thc battle of life ; it instils into us patience and perseverance , and a firm trust in the final triumph of all

that is good . Thc best of its lessons is the duty of work , constant work for ourselves and others ; the idler in Masonry , like the slovenly husbandman , gets little for his pains when he merely scratches the surface : the earnest and industrious man who digs deep finds a mine of gold which will never fail .

In its salutary influences it adds to the pleasant links which Providence has provided for strengthening social nnd domestic ties ; to love Masonry an ; l to care nothing for the home constitutes a paradox which no true Mason can understand , if Masonrv , rightlv practised , conduces , as I contend

it does , to make men real , truthful , honest , independent , broad-minded , and warm-hearted to the outer world , surely in that inner world , home , it will make them kindly , considerate , and affectionate to those who depend on them for happiness and comfort . At best , life is not very long . A few more

smiles , a few more tears , some pleasure , much pain , sunshine and song , clouds and darkness , hasty greetings , abrupt farewells , and life's play will close ; and , injured or injurer , all will pass away and be forgotten . Is it worth while to hate each , other or to wrangle on so short a journey ? lie constant .

then , 1 pray you , brethren of the Torbay Lodge , in the practice of active universal charity , not only the charity of almsgiving , beautiful and commendable as that is , but that higher , deeper , broader charity , which enoblesand sanctities life . The one is lovely when even holding forth a cup of cold water to the

passing weary pilgrim—let that be your delight and daily practice ; but the other—digging a well in the desert , whose waters , one .: rising lo the surfe . ee , shall flow on for ever , to quench the burning thirst of generations yet unborn- —let that be the one aim ancl ambition of vour lives as . Masons . Let it be

your earnest and lifelong purpose 10 make ihe world better and happier than you found it . If you have done , or have determined to do this , . Masonry is no ! to you only an occasion for social gatherings and friendly recognition , it is not a sr-aled rio . iU . bat . uassi-. ij- bjyo-. v . l tire > i iri . iU . v- > . t hive

entered the inner courts ot the Temple , and there y > u will learn the true doctrines of Masonry , the lessons which smooth ami adorn the path of life and cheer the be I of death . A .-, a learned brother and t-. ii' . i ' . bVe-. - of the Gospel in America has well said , .. n -. n . 1 1 .,.. . ~ t 1 .-.. - 'U ierall the lain ol l ' reeniasonry

• -mem , p - arc pacific . It co-operates with oar blessed religion in regulating the temper :,, lcs ' . rair . ing the passions , and harmonising the discordant interests of men , bro . itites a spirit of universal love and benevolence ; adds one tlnv . td more lo ihe silv .- .-r chord of

evangelical chnr . ty w . iicn burls man to man , and seeks to entwine the cardinal virtues and Christian graces in the web of the r . fi ' eciions and the drapery of tlie conduct . " Would all Masons but practice and enAce the doctrines Masonry leaches them , how much of tlie i : ii .-: erv which the world has witnessed

miring lie List year would have been avoided I Tlie cha-acier of a true man is to iiope all things not impossible , aud to strive for all things not unreasonable . Why should we despair ofthe reason which has enabled us to subdue al ! nature to our purposes being compeicnl , ii * permitted bv the providence oi Go . ! . I ) achieve the si ill more difficult task of enabii ' i o the culleAve rvili 01 mankind to bear dovvii

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Devon.

the obstacles which human shortsightedness , selfishness , and passion oppose to a " consummation so devoutly to be wished ? " To do this it only needs that every brother should practise what he so professes to admire , and that he should labour by night and by day , in season and out of season , to forward principles so beneficent and divine .

While the day hath light , let light be used , For 110 man cm the night control ! Or ever the silken chord be loosed , Or broken the golden bowl , May we build King Solomon ' s Temple With a true Masonic soul !

Bro . W . G . Rogers , G . Sec , next read the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge , and then Bro . Jew , representing a committee ,. stated that ^ 48 6 s . 8 d . was due for fees of honour . They had received of these arrears ATiS 17 s . Sd ., leaving a balance unpaid of

, £ 30 9 s ., and they regretted to have to report that , owing to the death of five of the brethren , the sum of ^ 9 9 s . was irrecoverable . This arose certainly from the want of perseverance on the part of the Treasurer , and the committee strongly recommended that all tbe fees of honour should

be paid on the appointment to office , or within one month , or the P . G . Sec . make immediate application for the same . Bro . Jew then , while giving due eulogy to the conduct of the P . G . M ., showed that the sum of ^ 71 8 s . was lost by making reappointments to honours , instead of appointing fresh men .

The P . G . M ., Bro . Huyshe , thanked Bro . Jew for the report , and was much pleased with his courage in bringing up such a one . In respect to the latter part of it , referring to reappointments , he pointed out that the hopes of

obtaining higher honours acted as an incentive to action , which more than counterbalanced any pecuniary loss—a point of view in which the lodge cordially concurred , and in support of which Bro . Captain Ridgway made an admirable and telling speech .

Bro . I . AVatts moved that such of the brethren as were in arrears with their fees should be expunged from the lists ; but , on the motion of the P . G . M ., it was decided that they should have a month ' s time allowed them in which to

pay . The G . Sec , Bro . Rogers , read the statement of accounts , duly examined and signed by the auditors , Bros . AV . Cann and Isaac Latimer , which showed a balance in-hand of - £ 211 os . id . The same brethren were appointed as auditors for the ensuing year .

The Report of the Committee of Petitions was read by Bro . Gover , mentioning the various grants made in charity . It wished to point out to lodges how permanent an advantage would be conferred on the province , if instead of making individual members governors or .

subscribers , all votes were purchased in the name ofthe lotlge . It showed there was a large field for charity for the Devonshire brethren both in their corporate and individual capacities , and recommended the adoption of a plan , working excellently in other provinces , viz ., the periodical

purchase of life governorship or subscribership by a small quarterly payment of a shilling and upwards , by which means every brother would have the chance of having his name connected with some great Masonic charity , and thereby give an increased impetus to efforts on behalf of

less fortur . r . te brethren . After some remarks from Bro . Metham anti Bro . Cap . Ridgway , the former in favour and the latter rather against this proposal , on the proposition of Bro . Metham , fifty guineas were voted the Protcscuc Annuity Pinid , and fifty guineas to the Boys' School .

Tins was all the business of the lodge , and the brethren proceeded to church in grand procession , headed by the band of the Paignton Artillery Volunteers , taking in their walk a round of the town . The Rev . C . | . Lyne read

the lessons , and the sermon , a very excellent one , on a subject the same as treated by Bro . Metham in his oration , was preached by Rev . Bro . Nankivell . Tlie service ended , the procession re-formed , and returned to the lodge by tlie same way as it came . The G . S ., Bro . Rogers , read a report of the lodges of Devon , giving the names of the Mas-