Consecration Of The Roll Call Lodge, No. 2523.

Bro . W . J . TREWINNARD , W . M ., said he was thankful for the kin manner in which his endeavours had been referred to . The future was ver >' brig ht and hopeful , and the past had been black enough . He hoped he should never pass through such a black time again . Many nights he had laid awake and wondered why he should meet with the checks he had met

with . He could only say those rebuffs were given through a mistaken sense of duty and from no other cause . Many a time he was on the point of throwing it all up , but his better judgment came to the rescue . The result had been they had met t at night . He was willing to give his time to make the lodge a . success and he hoped they would be lenient with him . He intended to fulfil their expectations for he believed the lodge had a bright future before it .

" The Visitors" and other toasts were given , and the proceedings terminated . The lodge was furnished by Bro . George Kenning .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The yearly assembly of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., at the Chapter House of Canterbury Cathedral , under the pres-idency of the Prov . Grand Alaster , Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , who was supported by his Deputy , Bro . J . S . Eastes , and a large number of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers and other leaders

of the district , together with several visitors , including a number of officers of Grand Lodge , the attendance exceeding 500 brethren . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in ample form , and the usual preliminaries were observed , after which the re-election of Bro . Russell as Prov . Grand Treasurer was proposed by Bro . HORATIO WARD , and carried with acclamation .

The Prov . Grand Master then appointed the following as his officers for the year :

Bros . Allan Tassell , P . S . G . W . ; Edward Murton , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . C H . Fielding and Rev . Augustus Jackson , P . G . Chaps . ; William Russell , P . G . Treas . ; Alfred Spencer , P . G . Sec . ; Wm . Jas . Hughes , P . G . Reg . ; John Knowles and John Russell , P . S . G . Deacons ; Andrew James Crane and Henry Mason , P . J . G . Deacons ; Thomas Elmore , P . G . S . of Wks . ; Thomas Eastcn , P . G . D . C . ; Thomas

Hearn , P . Dep . G . D . C . ; Roberi J . Beamish , J . S . Huntley , and Geo . Goble , P . A . G . D . Cs . ; John Pollard , P . G . S . B . ; Robert Gooding and William Albert Rudd , P . G . Std . Brs . ; Dr . William H . Longhurst , P . G . Org . ; Arthur Ronaldson , P . Asst . G . Sec . ; George D . Stevenson , P . G . Purst . ; Samuel Fuller , P . Asst . G . Purst . ; George Church , Albert Henry Pilchcr , Joseph Auty , Frederic Gordon , John Pead , and Edwin Cockersell , P . G . Stwds . ; and Joseph Orum , P . G . Tyler

The voles recommended at the preliminary meeting were then agreed to , on the proposition of Bro . Earl AMHERST , seconded by the D . P . G . M ., after which a sum of £ 126 was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ( 60 guineas to each Fund ) , and the balance of ^ 460 on the accounts of the year was carried forward , to be added to a sum amounting to a total of , £ 1260 to purchase a perpetual presentation to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

The Prov . Grand Treasurer was afterwards authorised to temporarily raise the balance due for this purpose , and then the Provincial Grand Lodge was adjourned , so that the company might attend divine service in the Cathedral .

On their return , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and very many of those present adjourned to the annual banquet , which was held in the Kent County Pavilion , under the presidency of Bro . Earl Amherst . After the preliminary toasts from the CHAIRMAN , Bro . the Rev . CUMMINGS ( Dean of Battle ) , responded for "The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and made a most interesting speech . The

brethren of Sussex had been accustomed to say that they possessed in the Royal Pavilion buildings at Brighton the finest place outside of London for Masonic purposes , but after his experiences of that day in Kent they would have to modify their statement , for assuredly there were finer surroundings in Canterbury Cathedral than could be found at Brighton , and he could well appreciate the enthusiasm with which thc men of Kent referred to their

motto of " Invicta . " Freemasonry was supported on three great pillarswisdom , as represented by their Provincial Grand Master ; strength , as displayed by the goodly assembly of Masons that day ; and beauty , as evidenced by the brilliant company of ladies who were present in thc galleries above . Those of his learned brethren who had mastered the seven orders of architecture would remember there was something there about

beautiful women ; but for all this he could but feel something like the lion who had to eat his dinner under the scrutiny of many eyes , and he was of opinion that the arrangement of matters might reasonably be reversed with advantage . But before even suggesting this he might point out for the ladies that the three great principles of Freemasonry were to fear God , honour the Queen , and love the ladies .

pro . J . S . EASTES proposed the toast of " The Provincial Grand Master , " feeling that in doing so he must bring the company from the clouds of romance to ( he very practical toast of their Masonic ruler . He referred to the meeting of the 3 rd July , 1878 , when he also had the honour of proposing this toast at a Provincial gathering held at Canterbury , and compared the position of the Kentish Craft then with what it was to-day . At the time of

their last visit to Canterbury the province numbered 43 lodges and 2340 Masons ; now they had 59 lodges , with a membership of 3 650 , an advance that must be very gratifying to all the Masons of Kent . The present Provincial Grand Master had been 34 years at the head of the province , and was , with two exceptions only , the Senior Provincial Grand Master of England , those who had a longer record being the Duke of Devonshire , who had

been at the head of Derbyshire since 1 S 58 ; and Lord Leigh , who had ruled in Warwickshire since 1 S 52 . So far as Kent was concerned they could safel y say that the large increase of lodges and members had led to larger amounts of money being raised for charitable purposes , while the increase of numbers had not been brought about by any deterioration in the quality of the Craft in their district . In 1878 the province gave about 300 guineas in benevolence ; that day they had been able to spend 700 guineas that

m direction—a fact that spoke for itself . They must one and all agree 'hat in having a Chairman who had done so much for them , they must recognise their chief strength , and should be doubly obliged to him for what he had done . They hoped he might be spared for many years to continue his beneficent presidency of the district . The speaker could but say a word in reierence to Lad y Amherst , and the way in which she had worked in the matter shortl y to be brought before them . They could not desire a better exemplification of Freemasonry than the wife of their esteemed chief , who ney must hope would live to enjoy many years of health and happiness with their Provincial Grand Master .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

Bro . the Earl AMHERST replied . It was rather unkind on the part of Bro . Eastes to refer them to the great number of years that had elapsed since he first took charge of the Province of Kent , but men were not like the ladies in regard to age , and did not object to its being known how old they were getting . In his case , the reference to age had given him the opportunity to cut short his remark in response to the toast to which he had so often responded , and to which there was nothing fresh to add . Indeed , if there were

anything new to mention , it could only be to refer to something that was wrong in the province . He appreciated their reference to his wife , and should mention to her how much her efforts had been esteemed . They could not enlist the services of the Provincial Secretary in the work of raising a testimonial to himself , but the gap was ably filled by Lady Amherst . They had not yet got to the advanced stage of America and introduced a section of Freemasonry for ladies , but he was sure that whenever the reform did take place Lady Amherst would be one of the first members .

The next toast was that of "The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " proposed by the CHAIRMAN , who spoke of the 20 years' service of Bro . Eastes . He should leave anything special he had to say in regard to that brother until next year , when he hoped to have some particular features of interest to refer to .

Bro . EASTES tendered his thanks . He fully appreciated the brevity of the Provincial Grand Master , because they so well understood each other . There was a general good feeling existing among the Masons of Kent , and so long as it continued he should be pleased to do his share to add to the general prosperity . The toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next given , and was acknowledged by the SENIOR GRAND WARDEN of this and last year .

In rising to submit the next toast , the CHAIRMAN said they had now reached the event that would most specially distinguish that day . For 21 years Bro . Spencer had discharged the duties of Provincial Grand Secretary in such a way as was known and appreciated by the whole of the members of the district . When the time came round to celebrate his majority the question of providing something with which to mark their

appreciation at once suggested itself . They had formed a Committeesmall , but representative—and the result was the presentation of plate and the diamond tiara for Mrs . Spencer they saw before them . They had managed to secure a salver among the other pieces , and on this he had endeavoured to express in as brief terms as possible what he hoped were the sentiments of the whole province . The inscription was as follows : " Presented , with other pieces of plate

and a diamond tiara , to Bro . Alfred Spencer , Provincial Grand Secretary of Kent , by the brethren of the Province , in grateful recognition of the ability , assiduity , and courtesy with which during 21 years he had discharged the important duties of his office . —July 4 th , 1 S 94 . " Like a good Mason , Bro . Spencer had desired that the chief portion of the presentation should be made to his wife , and in making the joint gift he hoped that both Bro . and Mrs . Spencer would live for many years to enjoy it , and would look back on that evening with gratification and pleasure .

Bro . SPENCER acknowledged the gift and the hearty greeting in suitable terms , after which the toast of " The . Charities " \ yas proposed , and acknowledged by Bro . J AMES TERRY , Sec . R . M . B . I . Other toasts included " The Entertaining Members , " who were warmly congratulated on the most efficient and liberal arrangements they had made .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berkse1re.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF BERKSE 1 RE .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge for the Province of Berkshire was held on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., in the Corn Exchange , Wallingford , when there was a large and influential attendance , the whole of the lodges in the county being represented . Bro . John Thornhill Morland , Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( in charge ) , presided , and there were also present : Bros . S .

Jopp , Prov . S . G . W . ; R . C Davey , Prov . J . G . W . ; J . Stewart , Prov . G . Chap . ; C E . Hewett , Prov . G . Reg . ; John VV . Martin , Prov . G . Sec . ; A . H . Simpson , Prov . J . G . D . : E . Prince , Prov . G . Supt . of Wks . ; H . G . Sherwin , acting Prov . G . D . C ; J . Champion , Prov . G . S . B . ; VV . B . Biddies , Prov . G . Org . ; J . H . Constance , Prov . G . Stwd . ; and a large number of Past Grand Officers and brethren .

The minutes of thc last Provincial Grand Lodge having been taken as read , The P . G . SECRETARY read a reply received from Sir Joseph Knollys expressing the thanks of H . R . H . the Grand Master for the address of congratulation and good wishes presented by the Prov . G . Lodge on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York , passed at the last Provincial Grand Lodge .

The P . G . MASTER said that connected with the auspicious event upon which [ they addressed the Grand Master when they last met came another resolution which he had the honour ol proposing , and which he felt sure the brethren would heartily approve of . He would propose that a telegram be sent to the Grand Master offering the hearty congratulations of the brethren on the happy event of the birth of a grandson . Bro . KIRCHHOFEER seconded thc motion , which was carried by acclamation , and a telegram was at once despatched to the Prince of Wales .

Bro . KiRciniOTFER then referred to the valuable services Bro , Morland had rendered as Acting Provincial Grand Master , and moved that the hearty congratulations of the Provincial Grand Lodge be presented to Bro . Morland on having been appointed by the Grand Master as the Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England .

Bro . TOMKINS , in stconding the motion , added his personal congratulations , and spoke of the loyal manner in which Bro . Morland had continued to promote the interests of Masonry in his native town of Abingdon , notwithstanding his many important engagements . The resolution having been adopted with much cordiality ,

Bro . MORLAND replied , expressing his warm thanks . He valued the honour very highly , but felt that it was conferred upon him not so much in his individual capacity as that of Presiding Officer of the province , and as an acknowledgment of the good work done by that province . The P . G . SECRETARY then announced that letters of apology for nonattendance had been received from Viscount Valentia , Bro . E . Letchworth ( Grand Secretary ) , Bro . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Bro . Murdoch , Bro Field ( Mayor of Reading ) , and other brethren .

The report of the P . G . Treasurer was then read by the P . G . SECRETARY , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . Stephens . It showed a balance of . £ 10 9 on the general account and £ qo 13 s . 6 d . on the Charity account .