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Article THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE MARK DEGREE. ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE MARK DEGREE. Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. Page 1 of 2 →
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The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
knew how much of their success was due to his exertions . There were also Bro . Davidson , their Grand Treasurer ; Bro . Levander , their Grand Registrar ; Bro . Dewar , the Assistant Grand Secretary ; and Bro . Berridge , all of whom it was necessary to name , for . the services they had rendered . He should associate with this toast the name of Percy Leith , Past District Grand Master Bombay , upon whom he would call to reply .
Bro . PERCY LEITH said he considered it a great compliment to have his name associated with the toast ; but he was only a Past District Grand Officer of India , which was not equivalent to a Provincial Grand Mastership in this country . He went on to say that he had done his best while in India to bring native brethren into Mark Masonry .
Bro . BINCKES , the Grand Secretary , in response to a long-continued call , rose , and said that he was one of a large number whose names were associated with that toast who were quite content to trust the response to the very able hands of Bro . Percy Leith , Past District Grand Master of Bombay , and he did not think that he could add anything to what he had said in returning thanks for the very kind manner in which the company
had been pleased to receive the toast of the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Officers . But if he dare say a word it was this—as to the allusion to his services in the past—he would say , and that without fear of contradiction , that when twenty-five years ago , or thereabouts , he took his share as a responsible officer of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , and engaged to do all he could to promote the interests of the Order that he
thought deserved support , he never calculated that he should live to findas he did find that night—such a magnificent success . There were brethren there that night , some of his own fellow labourers , who had with him worked with a stern determination , but they never thought that , with the hostility that was displayed towards them , they would after twenty-five years of hard work find the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of English Freemasons
accepting the Senior Past Grand Mastership of Mark Master Masons . He had ventured to say to a distinguished brother that night that Mark Masons did many extraordinary things , and he repeated it now . The word used in their Order was " advancement ; " it was by progress , by advance , that they went on from strength to strength , and he would undertake to say that Mark Grand Lodge had that night received within itself the surest keystone
that could by any possibility be placed upon it . They would show to the Masonic world that they were an essentia ! part of Masonry , and the Grand Lodge should know , if a day of grief ever came to it ( which was not likely ) , that Mark Masonry was the best friend to Craft Masonry . Bro . DEWAR , Asst . Grand Secretary , said he could add nothing whatever to the brilliant observations that had emanated from the Mark Grand
Secretary , except to say that he thanked the President and brethren for the manner in which the toast of his health had been proposed and received on this occasion , as he had had to do on many previous occasions , and to assure them that as he had done in the past he should serve the Order in the future to the best of his ability . Bro . STEPHENS ( of Reading ) said he had been commissioned to propose
the next toast , which was not the least important— that of ' * The Mark Benevolent Fund . " And he would call upon a brother who could give particulars of the fund to reply . He would merely say that the Mark Benevolent Fund deserved the heartiest support , and he would associate the name of Bro . . Binckes , while asking the company to drink to its continued
success . Bro . BINCKES said lhat as he had replied to a toast a few minutes before , he had hoped that some one else would have been found to say a few words in reply to this one ; however , Bro . Stephens had associated his name with this toast of the Mark Benevolent Fund probably because his name was pretty well connected with charity matters in Freemasonry . It was ,
however , a yery hard task whenever he had an opportunity of addressing his brother Freemasons to be eternally called upon to say something in reference to practical Masonic Charity . There was no charm attaching to it ; he simply had to endeavour to press upon every one he had the opportunity of addressing to do something for the support of the Masonic Charities . And what words could he use that should be conveyed in the shape of novelty ?
what words could he use that would have any charm whatever t It was simply the duty of asking them when they were enjoying themselves , as they were that evening , just to bear in mind that there were those who in the circumstances of life were not so happily situated as those who were then present ; that there were the children also of those who had at one time been as happily situated as his hearers , and there were the old people too . He
had had occasion to say in Mark Lodge over and over again that one of the most eminent members of Grand Lodge—Bro . John Havers—had , in reference to the great success of Mark Masonry said to him , " Don ' t you think it a great mistake to divert the money from the Charities of the Order for the purpose of fostering an ideal degree like the Mark Grand Lodge ' t " His ( Bro . Binckes ' s ) reply was that wherever you meet — under
whatever circumstances you meet you will never find brethren who won ' t be disposed to do something in the shape of practical charity . What had they done in the Mark Degree ? They had a certain amount of money , for their own Charities had been most successful . At two o'clock that afternoon his Royal Highness was partaking of their hospitality at a luncheon ; at half-past three " he was taking the proud position of Senior Past Grand
Master . They would make this a red letter day . Hc placed his mark there , every one present placed his mark there . They had at the banquet table distinguished brethren from all parts of England . What was the result of their observation of the work of Mark Masonry ; Why they knew as all present knew , that the object of Mark Masters was to do all they possibly could to cultivate and support the best interests of Freemasonry .
They had nothing in the shape of hostility to the Grand Lodge of England . Would his Royal Highness have honoured them with his presence if he had thought he would violate the obligation he had taken ? He ( Bro . Binckes ) wanted them to bear in mind that his Royal Highness laid it down as a distinct understanding that by his undertaking that position in Mark Grand Lodgo it was not to be considered in any shape or way any justification for
an appeal that the Mark was to be accepted as an integral portion of Freemasonry . He would tell them they did not wish for that ; they werc strong enough to hold their own ; they had nine Past Masters , the most illustrious brethren in the Grand Lodge of England . A year ago they accepted and paid homage to the Duke of Albany as Past Grand Master , and to-night as
they knew they had received , as Senior Past Grand Master , the Prince of Wales . The Craft Grand Lodge could not do that . The Mark word , however , was advancement—progress . Now , as to the Charity , his good friend , Bro . Havers , had asked him "don ' t you think it is a great mistake to divert the funds that are supporting Mark Masonry from supporting the Charities of the Order ? " Now , what had they found by experience ? why that their Mark Lodges and Mark Grand Lodges had been and were thc
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
best supporters . of all the great Charities annexed to Craft Masonry ; and then they had gone outside and founded Charities of their owna Benevolent Fund and an Educational Fund—by means of which both boys and girls were supported and educated ; and he said , without fearof contradiction , that their Mark Grand Lodge was the besfc handmaid that the Craft Grand Lodge of England ever had in the world ;
and they were carrying out , on parallel lines , its great inestimable truths . Let . them goon and prosper . Mark Masonry was recognised by every other in the old world and in the new ; but , as he had said before , they could do without affiliation , as they were strong enough to stand alone . Bro . MATIER said he had been honoured by the M . W . Grand Master in the chair on that occasion to propose a toast that was not in the official
programme , and that toast was one that he was sure that all Mark Masters about that board would honour , and revere , and drink to with hearty and cordial enthusiasm . Although they had not been honoured that nightthrough circumstances over which they and those to whom he referred had no control—with the presence of the W . Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master , they were honoured that night by a brother who had presided over
them with the utmost ability , the most gracious cordiality , and the most perfect manner in every way in which a chairman should behave . Their R . W . Bro Broadley , P . G . M . Mediterranean , had presided over them that night , and he ( Bro . Matier ) was perfectly sure that no brother about that table would like to leave the room without thanking him for the hearty manner in which he had presided over them . They all knew what a
large amount of judicial intellect he had exhibited abroad . In foreign and far distant parts—from ancient Carthage and more modern Malta ° to still more modern London—Bro . Broadley had worked well , both in the quarries and in the forest , and he was sure that every one about the table would drink most heartily to "The Health of the Most W . Grand Master in the chair . "
Bro . BROADLEY , in acknowledging the compliment , said that while he was in Tunis and Malta he had done his best to promote Mark Masonry . While in Egypt , though engaged for sixteen hours a day on a very special business , the nature of which he need not particularly allude to , he contrived to found a lodge under the shadow of the Pyramids , and he understood that two others only awaited confirmation .
Bro . BINCKES , in rising to propose thc concluding toast , said he did not know whether the company were going to break up suddenly , or whether they were going to maintain the enjoyment of the evening for a little while longer . But there was a distinguished brother present for whom he ( Bro . Binckes ) had a very great regard , one who had done Mark Maoonry great services in many ways ; and while they were pluming themselves on havinir
achieved a very large amount ot success , he thought they must not lose sight of the fact that every member of Mark Grand Lodge was a member of the Craft Grand Lodge of England . They had amongst them that evening a brother who , while discharging his duties most faithfully in reference to the Grand Lodge of England , did not ignore other Decrees outside that svstem
which was laid down to be the one they ought to observe under the Grand Lodge of England—the Three Degrees , the Royal Arch , and no more . That brother ' s presence there showed that he had a great desire to support a Degree not altogether recognised by the Grand Lodge of England . He proproposed to them the toast of " The Health of the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . " ( Applause . )
Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE having said a few words in acknowledgment of the compliment , the company separated . At the banquet table the Senior Warden ' s chair was occupied by Bro , Dewar , while Bro . Berridge occupied that of the Junior Warden ' s . The insignia with which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was invested waa manufactured expressly by Bro . George Kenning , P . M . No . i .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND .
The annual meeting * of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., under the auspices of the Commercial Lodge , No . 1391 . In the absence of the R . W . Prov .
Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , the R . W . Past Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Wm . Kelly , F . S . A ., F . R . H . S ., occupied the chair , and was supported by W . Bro . George Toller , jun ., P . G . S . B . Eng ., the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and a large number of Prov . Grand Officers , amongst whom were
W . Bros . C . E . Stretton , P . G . S . W ; M . j . Walker . P . G . J . VV . ; Revs . J . Bird and A . P . Dawson , P . G . Chaps . ; R . Waite , P . G . Treas . ; S . S . Partridge , P . G . Sec ; J . Halford and J . O . Law , P . G . Dirs . of Cers . ; R . Bradshaw Smith , P . G . Supt . of Wks J . Young , P . G . D . C . ; E . Taylor , P . G . A . D . C ; G . Oliver and J . Hassall , P . G ° Pursts . '; C . Oliver , E . Jees , B . A . Smith , R . R . Cole , and R . Michie , P . G . Stwds . ; and Bros . r ? p ? - *? vJ anSC 7 'x (^ i ?; ylerS D or ? , ^» - , D s - Rev ^ H - L *» -S . I * -y and W . B . Smith , P . P . G . S . Ws . ; J . T . Thorp , P . P . G . I . W .: Revs . F . H . Rchardmn , nA r H . ^ t
„„ W ?* °£ - . ^ -J ? - . * V „ - S - Alfen a ™ -- F -J- Baines , P . P . G . Ds . ; S . Cleaver P . P . G . A D . C ; Capt . J . G . F . Richardson P W . S . B . ; H * . Nicholson and VV . Via t ' oZ ' * * ** ' * « r \ ' « , ^« *" A-U , , kinson ' ' - - P"rsts . ; C . Gurden P . P . G . S B . ; E . Watson , W . M . 1301 ; D . Challis , W . M . 533 s F . Griffith , W . M . 1265 J . Wiggins , W . M . 1330 ; A . H . . Burgess , I . P . M ; 1560 ; R . S . Toller , W . M . 15 C 0 ; and many others . Amongst the visitors were W . Bros . J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I .- I , S . uinoenanu j 11 votKSand
v . , r . r . u .. vv . . ana u . ; John Featherston , W . M . 1656 . The roll of lodges and of Prov . Grand Officers liaving been called and duly responded to , the minutes of the previous annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , which had been previously printed and circulated amongst the members , were taken as read , and were confirmed .
The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read the report of thc Prov . Committee of General Purposes , which presented a very satisfactory account of the condition of Maso . iry in the province , and alluded particularly to the great interest shown in Masonic matters in the county town , to thc rapid increase in thc number of members during the past few years , and to the consequent want of additional lodges , in order to satisfy the claims of the many
competent , deserving brethren aspiring to take office . At the present time Leicester , having a population of somewhere about i . v > . < - >< io , only numbers four lodges . The report , after dealing with some other local matters , referred speciall y to the revision of the Book of Constitutions , and to the desirable alterations and additions which had been made in the interests of the
pvovinces . and urged upon the brethren to support to the utmost those alterations and additions when they came before Grand Lodgeat the DecemberQuarterl y Communication . An exception , however , was made in reference to thc revised clause No . 186 J relating to the status of joining P . Ms , of Craft lodges , the Committee so far as their knowledge and experience in this province extends failing to perceive the existence of any hardshi p in the present posi-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
knew how much of their success was due to his exertions . There were also Bro . Davidson , their Grand Treasurer ; Bro . Levander , their Grand Registrar ; Bro . Dewar , the Assistant Grand Secretary ; and Bro . Berridge , all of whom it was necessary to name , for . the services they had rendered . He should associate with this toast the name of Percy Leith , Past District Grand Master Bombay , upon whom he would call to reply .
Bro . PERCY LEITH said he considered it a great compliment to have his name associated with the toast ; but he was only a Past District Grand Officer of India , which was not equivalent to a Provincial Grand Mastership in this country . He went on to say that he had done his best while in India to bring native brethren into Mark Masonry .
Bro . BINCKES , the Grand Secretary , in response to a long-continued call , rose , and said that he was one of a large number whose names were associated with that toast who were quite content to trust the response to the very able hands of Bro . Percy Leith , Past District Grand Master of Bombay , and he did not think that he could add anything to what he had said in returning thanks for the very kind manner in which the company
had been pleased to receive the toast of the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Officers . But if he dare say a word it was this—as to the allusion to his services in the past—he would say , and that without fear of contradiction , that when twenty-five years ago , or thereabouts , he took his share as a responsible officer of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , and engaged to do all he could to promote the interests of the Order that he
thought deserved support , he never calculated that he should live to findas he did find that night—such a magnificent success . There were brethren there that night , some of his own fellow labourers , who had with him worked with a stern determination , but they never thought that , with the hostility that was displayed towards them , they would after twenty-five years of hard work find the Most Worshipful the Grand Master of English Freemasons
accepting the Senior Past Grand Mastership of Mark Master Masons . He had ventured to say to a distinguished brother that night that Mark Masons did many extraordinary things , and he repeated it now . The word used in their Order was " advancement ; " it was by progress , by advance , that they went on from strength to strength , and he would undertake to say that Mark Grand Lodge had that night received within itself the surest keystone
that could by any possibility be placed upon it . They would show to the Masonic world that they were an essentia ! part of Masonry , and the Grand Lodge should know , if a day of grief ever came to it ( which was not likely ) , that Mark Masonry was the best friend to Craft Masonry . Bro . DEWAR , Asst . Grand Secretary , said he could add nothing whatever to the brilliant observations that had emanated from the Mark Grand
Secretary , except to say that he thanked the President and brethren for the manner in which the toast of his health had been proposed and received on this occasion , as he had had to do on many previous occasions , and to assure them that as he had done in the past he should serve the Order in the future to the best of his ability . Bro . STEPHENS ( of Reading ) said he had been commissioned to propose
the next toast , which was not the least important— that of ' * The Mark Benevolent Fund . " And he would call upon a brother who could give particulars of the fund to reply . He would merely say that the Mark Benevolent Fund deserved the heartiest support , and he would associate the name of Bro . . Binckes , while asking the company to drink to its continued
success . Bro . BINCKES said lhat as he had replied to a toast a few minutes before , he had hoped that some one else would have been found to say a few words in reply to this one ; however , Bro . Stephens had associated his name with this toast of the Mark Benevolent Fund probably because his name was pretty well connected with charity matters in Freemasonry . It was ,
however , a yery hard task whenever he had an opportunity of addressing his brother Freemasons to be eternally called upon to say something in reference to practical Masonic Charity . There was no charm attaching to it ; he simply had to endeavour to press upon every one he had the opportunity of addressing to do something for the support of the Masonic Charities . And what words could he use that should be conveyed in the shape of novelty ?
what words could he use that would have any charm whatever t It was simply the duty of asking them when they were enjoying themselves , as they were that evening , just to bear in mind that there were those who in the circumstances of life were not so happily situated as those who were then present ; that there were the children also of those who had at one time been as happily situated as his hearers , and there were the old people too . He
had had occasion to say in Mark Lodge over and over again that one of the most eminent members of Grand Lodge—Bro . John Havers—had , in reference to the great success of Mark Masonry said to him , " Don ' t you think it a great mistake to divert the money from the Charities of the Order for the purpose of fostering an ideal degree like the Mark Grand Lodge ' t " His ( Bro . Binckes ' s ) reply was that wherever you meet — under
whatever circumstances you meet you will never find brethren who won ' t be disposed to do something in the shape of practical charity . What had they done in the Mark Degree ? They had a certain amount of money , for their own Charities had been most successful . At two o'clock that afternoon his Royal Highness was partaking of their hospitality at a luncheon ; at half-past three " he was taking the proud position of Senior Past Grand
Master . They would make this a red letter day . Hc placed his mark there , every one present placed his mark there . They had at the banquet table distinguished brethren from all parts of England . What was the result of their observation of the work of Mark Masonry ; Why they knew as all present knew , that the object of Mark Masters was to do all they possibly could to cultivate and support the best interests of Freemasonry .
They had nothing in the shape of hostility to the Grand Lodge of England . Would his Royal Highness have honoured them with his presence if he had thought he would violate the obligation he had taken ? He ( Bro . Binckes ) wanted them to bear in mind that his Royal Highness laid it down as a distinct understanding that by his undertaking that position in Mark Grand Lodgo it was not to be considered in any shape or way any justification for
an appeal that the Mark was to be accepted as an integral portion of Freemasonry . He would tell them they did not wish for that ; they werc strong enough to hold their own ; they had nine Past Masters , the most illustrious brethren in the Grand Lodge of England . A year ago they accepted and paid homage to the Duke of Albany as Past Grand Master , and to-night as
they knew they had received , as Senior Past Grand Master , the Prince of Wales . The Craft Grand Lodge could not do that . The Mark word , however , was advancement—progress . Now , as to the Charity , his good friend , Bro . Havers , had asked him "don ' t you think it is a great mistake to divert the funds that are supporting Mark Masonry from supporting the Charities of the Order ? " Now , what had they found by experience ? why that their Mark Lodges and Mark Grand Lodges had been and were thc
The Prince Of Wales And The Mark Degree.
best supporters . of all the great Charities annexed to Craft Masonry ; and then they had gone outside and founded Charities of their owna Benevolent Fund and an Educational Fund—by means of which both boys and girls were supported and educated ; and he said , without fearof contradiction , that their Mark Grand Lodge was the besfc handmaid that the Craft Grand Lodge of England ever had in the world ;
and they were carrying out , on parallel lines , its great inestimable truths . Let . them goon and prosper . Mark Masonry was recognised by every other in the old world and in the new ; but , as he had said before , they could do without affiliation , as they were strong enough to stand alone . Bro . MATIER said he had been honoured by the M . W . Grand Master in the chair on that occasion to propose a toast that was not in the official
programme , and that toast was one that he was sure that all Mark Masters about that board would honour , and revere , and drink to with hearty and cordial enthusiasm . Although they had not been honoured that nightthrough circumstances over which they and those to whom he referred had no control—with the presence of the W . Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master , they were honoured that night by a brother who had presided over
them with the utmost ability , the most gracious cordiality , and the most perfect manner in every way in which a chairman should behave . Their R . W . Bro Broadley , P . G . M . Mediterranean , had presided over them that night , and he ( Bro . Matier ) was perfectly sure that no brother about that table would like to leave the room without thanking him for the hearty manner in which he had presided over them . They all knew what a
large amount of judicial intellect he had exhibited abroad . In foreign and far distant parts—from ancient Carthage and more modern Malta ° to still more modern London—Bro . Broadley had worked well , both in the quarries and in the forest , and he was sure that every one about the table would drink most heartily to "The Health of the Most W . Grand Master in the chair . "
Bro . BROADLEY , in acknowledging the compliment , said that while he was in Tunis and Malta he had done his best to promote Mark Masonry . While in Egypt , though engaged for sixteen hours a day on a very special business , the nature of which he need not particularly allude to , he contrived to found a lodge under the shadow of the Pyramids , and he understood that two others only awaited confirmation .
Bro . BINCKES , in rising to propose thc concluding toast , said he did not know whether the company were going to break up suddenly , or whether they were going to maintain the enjoyment of the evening for a little while longer . But there was a distinguished brother present for whom he ( Bro . Binckes ) had a very great regard , one who had done Mark Maoonry great services in many ways ; and while they were pluming themselves on havinir
achieved a very large amount ot success , he thought they must not lose sight of the fact that every member of Mark Grand Lodge was a member of the Craft Grand Lodge of England . They had amongst them that evening a brother who , while discharging his duties most faithfully in reference to the Grand Lodge of England , did not ignore other Decrees outside that svstem
which was laid down to be the one they ought to observe under the Grand Lodge of England—the Three Degrees , the Royal Arch , and no more . That brother ' s presence there showed that he had a great desire to support a Degree not altogether recognised by the Grand Lodge of England . He proproposed to them the toast of " The Health of the Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke . " ( Applause . )
Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE having said a few words in acknowledgment of the compliment , the company separated . At the banquet table the Senior Warden ' s chair was occupied by Bro , Dewar , while Bro . Berridge occupied that of the Junior Warden ' s . The insignia with which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was invested waa manufactured expressly by Bro . George Kenning , P . M . No . i .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Leicestershire And Rutland.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND .
The annual meeting * of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Leicester , on Wednesday , the 28 th ult ., under the auspices of the Commercial Lodge , No . 1391 . In the absence of the R . W . Prov .
Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl Ferrers , the R . W . Past Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Wm . Kelly , F . S . A ., F . R . H . S ., occupied the chair , and was supported by W . Bro . George Toller , jun ., P . G . S . B . Eng ., the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and a large number of Prov . Grand Officers , amongst whom were
W . Bros . C . E . Stretton , P . G . S . W ; M . j . Walker . P . G . J . VV . ; Revs . J . Bird and A . P . Dawson , P . G . Chaps . ; R . Waite , P . G . Treas . ; S . S . Partridge , P . G . Sec ; J . Halford and J . O . Law , P . G . Dirs . of Cers . ; R . Bradshaw Smith , P . G . Supt . of Wks J . Young , P . G . D . C . ; E . Taylor , P . G . A . D . C ; G . Oliver and J . Hassall , P . G ° Pursts . '; C . Oliver , E . Jees , B . A . Smith , R . R . Cole , and R . Michie , P . G . Stwds . ; and Bros . r ? p ? - *? vJ anSC 7 'x (^ i ?; ylerS D or ? , ^» - , D s - Rev ^ H - L *» -S . I * -y and W . B . Smith , P . P . G . S . Ws . ; J . T . Thorp , P . P . G . I . W .: Revs . F . H . Rchardmn , nA r H . ^ t
„„ W ?* °£ - . ^ -J ? - . * V „ - S - Alfen a ™ -- F -J- Baines , P . P . G . Ds . ; S . Cleaver P . P . G . A D . C ; Capt . J . G . F . Richardson P W . S . B . ; H * . Nicholson and VV . Via t ' oZ ' * * ** ' * « r \ ' « , ^« *" A-U , , kinson ' ' - - P"rsts . ; C . Gurden P . P . G . S B . ; E . Watson , W . M . 1301 ; D . Challis , W . M . 533 s F . Griffith , W . M . 1265 J . Wiggins , W . M . 1330 ; A . H . . Burgess , I . P . M ; 1560 ; R . S . Toller , W . M . 15 C 0 ; and many others . Amongst the visitors were W . Bros . J . Terry , Sec . R . M . B . I .- I , S . uinoenanu j 11 votKSand
v . , r . r . u .. vv . . ana u . ; John Featherston , W . M . 1656 . The roll of lodges and of Prov . Grand Officers liaving been called and duly responded to , the minutes of the previous annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge , which had been previously printed and circulated amongst the members , were taken as read , and were confirmed .
The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read the report of thc Prov . Committee of General Purposes , which presented a very satisfactory account of the condition of Maso . iry in the province , and alluded particularly to the great interest shown in Masonic matters in the county town , to thc rapid increase in thc number of members during the past few years , and to the consequent want of additional lodges , in order to satisfy the claims of the many
competent , deserving brethren aspiring to take office . At the present time Leicester , having a population of somewhere about i . v > . < - >< io , only numbers four lodges . The report , after dealing with some other local matters , referred speciall y to the revision of the Book of Constitutions , and to the desirable alterations and additions which had been made in the interests of the
pvovinces . and urged upon the brethren to support to the utmost those alterations and additions when they came before Grand Lodgeat the DecemberQuarterl y Communication . An exception , however , was made in reference to thc revised clause No . 186 J relating to the status of joining P . Ms , of Craft lodges , the Committee so far as their knowledge and experience in this province extends failing to perceive the existence of any hardshi p in the present posi-