A Clerical Attack On Freemasonry.

that might be valuable to others , if it is his deliberate judgment that its value to others is increased by its being so kept . It is the firm belief of every true Freemason , not only that he is more useful to the general community of Avhich he is a member by

adopting the system peculiar to his art in preference to other systems , but also that his system Avould be less efficacious ancl its usefulness curtailed if its peculiarities Avere made generally known . This is not selfishness , nor is it humbug . The remaining objections of the Rev . Canon must be dealt with in a third and concluding article .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon vvas held on the 6 th inst ., at Seaton . The weather vvas very genial . There was a large attendance of the brethren , and the members of the De la Pole Lodge , No . 11 S 1 , made every requisite provision for the accommodation of the Prov . Grand Lodge . The first business was that of the Committee of Petitions , vvhich assembled at the Masonic Hall at noon . Bro . W . G . Rogers , 112 , D . P . G . M ., and P . G . D . of England , the Chairman of the Committee , presided .

Among the representatives of the lodges the following were present : Bros . J . B . Gover , 70 , P . P . G . Sec , and Secretary of the Committee ; R . Cawsey , 230 , P . P . J . G . D . ; S . Jew , 2258 , P . P . G . T . ; Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., 189 , P . J . G . W . ; J . R . Lord , 1247 , P . G . T . ; J . G . Kevern , 1550 ; John Lane , 1402 , P . P . G . Reg . ; M . Emdon , 105 , P . P . G . D . ; " H . Cole , IOQI , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Griffin , 202 * 5 , P . P . G . D . ; A . R . Lethbridge , 18 47 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . S . of

W . ; W . Powell , 120 * 5 ; W . Browning , 223 , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . Littlejohn , 372 ; H , J . Trethevvey , 159 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; S / B . Harvey , 12 5 . *;; f . W . Atherton , 248 ; H . Welch , 202 , P . P . G . Purst . ; F . Sanders , 1294 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . Watson , 9 S 4 , P . D . G . D . C ; W . Fowler , 1212 ; R . Pengelly , 70 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; T , Parkhouse , 112 * 5 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . B . Avent , 1443 ; S . Jones , 112 , P . P . l . G . W . ;

J . Stocker , 39 , P . P . G . T . ; W . K . Michell , 156 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . A . Orchard , 164 , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Taylor , 328 ; W . Burd , 1753 , P . P . S . G . D . -, Major G . C Davie , 251 , P . G . Sec ; A . P . Reece , 494 , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Evans , 11 S 1 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Major J . S . Swann , 847 , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . B . Maye , 710 , P . P . G . D . C ; and S . B . Harvey , 1255 .

The SECRETARY reported that the votes received from the province were : — October , 1888—Boys , 545 ; Girls , 300 . April , 18 S 9—Boys , 560 ; Girls , 335 ; total , Boys , 1105 ; Girls , 6 35 . Last year there were 9 83 and 537 . Increase—Boys , 122 ; Girls , 98 . May , 1889—Men , 531 ; Widows , 609 ; last year 580 and 589 ; Men a decrease of 29 , Widows an increase of 20 . Total votes for last year

268 9 , this year 2900 , an increase of 211 . So that the voting power of the province vvas about 400 more than it vvas two years since , and that without taking out about 850 votes which Bro . Whittley secured from outside sources . The province was free from debt before the present October election . It now had to its credit some 900 votes . One lodge , that of Kingsbridge , and one chapter , 954 , Devonport , had not sent their votes to the Committee .

Bro . C . WATSON , the representative for Chapter 954 , declared that the votes for that chapter had been dul y forwarded to Bro . Whittley , the London representative .

The London representative of the province , the Rev . Wm . Whittley ' s , report vvas taken as read . It showed the statistics of the voting of the province , and regretted that many votes were received too late to be polled , and that several vvere marked for other candidates than those adopted by the Committee . At a time when many questions as to the great Masonic Charities were exercising the minds of the brethren it mi ght not be out of place in that report for the London

representative , as a member of the Provisional Committee for the Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , to assure the brethren that everything possible was being done to render that Institution worthy of their continued and increased support . The nine petitions for relief were then considered , present relief and future recommendations decided thereon , and the following report to the Provincial Grand Lodge agreed upon :

The Committee of Petitions , in submitting their annual statement , have again the pleasure to report that their efforts have been as successful as on any previous occasion . For this year they have received from the province 2900 votes , an increase of 211 over the previous year , and of 400 over . 1887 . This increase is largely due to a great effort made to support our P . G . M ., vvho accepted the Chairmanship at the Annual Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and to

Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . J . G . W ., who , by his personal donations of 2 ^ 5 guineas this year to the Charities , in addition to former subscriptions , is now Vice-Patron of each , and possesses the largest number of votes in the province . Bro . the Rev . W . Whittley , P . G . D . England , P . P . S . G . W . Devon , by his admirable management was enabled to secure the election of the widow of the late Bro . C . Godtschalk on the Widows' Fund , and Fanny C . Campbell to the Girls' School .

He also helped largely to secure the elections of the widows of the late Bros . Franklyn and H . J . Ward . It should be remembered that a greater number of votes isrequired now at each election to elect a candidate than before . Every lodge and every brother is therefore earnestl y invited to keep their votes for Devon candidates , and it would much facilitate the arrangements if all votes vvere sent to the Secretary as soon as received . Some lodges and chapters require two or three

reminders , some send at the last moment , some too late , some not at all ; but it is a pleasure to say that only one lodge , No . i 486 , and one chapter , No . 954 , have withheld their votes this year . The Fortescue Fund and the Devon Masonic Educational Fund are doing good in relieving deserving Masons and the children of Masons , and each fund deserves a larger measure of support . In these Institutions there are no paid officers , consequently no pensions , and the money goes directl y to the purpose for vvhich it was given .

At the meeting of the Committee in Exeter , January 29 th , £$ was granted to the widow of' a brother ten years a member of Lodge St . John the Baptist , No . 39 , Exeter ; £ 5 to the widow of a brother seven years a member of Lodge St . John , No . 70 , Plymouth ; and £$ to the widow of a brother six years a member of Lodge friendshi p , No . 202 , Devonport . At the meeting held here this day at Seaton , the Committee have granted to the widows of a brother of Lodge St . John the Baptist ,

No . 3 g ( and of Lodge Friendship , No . 202 , Devonport ; and to a subscribing member of 7 . V years to Lodge Metham , No . 1205 , Stonehouse ; a subscribing member six years to Lodge Fortitude , No . 105 , Plymouth ; a subscribing member seven years of Lodge Friendship , No . 202 , Devonport ; a subscribing member 15-J years of Lodge St . John , No . 70 , Plymouth ; a subscribing member 30 years of Sincerit y Lodge , No . 18 9 ; a subscribing member 16 years to Lodge Harmony , Wo . 156 , Plymouth ; a subscribing member 28 years to the Pleiades Lodge , No .

ii * nes * £ S each . The Committee recommended the further grants of an additional £ 10 each to the widows , and the further grants of £$ each to the other se ven petitioners . The Committee also recommend the grants of the additional moities of ; £ : o ios . each to the lodges which had applied to the Provincial Grand ecretary under the by-law for lodges obtaining Life Governorships in the London Charities . Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at the Beach House , where the large assembl y room of the hotel was fitted up for the occasion .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.

Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , presided ; supported by Bros . W . G . Rogers , 112 , D . P . G . M . ; Major M . Tracy , R . A ., 1247 PGM Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . J . G . W . ; Rev . R . R . Tyacke , 1181 , P . G . Chap ¦ l ' ' R . Lord , 1247 , P . G . Treas . ; C G . Barnett , 1435 , P . G . Reg . ; Major J C Davie 251 , P . G . Sec . ; G . C . Searle , 248 , P . S . G . D . B . J . Fisher , 444 , P . S . G . D . T c ' Lewarne , 223 , P . J . G . D . ; J . Moass , 1284 , P . G . S . of W . ; C Watson 954 P G D C

, J . Kingdon , 421 , P . A . G . Purst . ; J . Algar , 39 , H . M . Imbert-Terry , 112 , A . P . Reece , 494 , J . Drennan , 710 , Capt . W . H . Ivimy , 1135 , and W . Adams , nSi , P . G . Stwds . ; and F . Shorter , 112 , Prov . G . Tyler . In addition to those officers and the other representatives of the Committee of Petitions in attendance , the brethren present also included Bros . F . Pollard , 1284 , P . P . G . D . C ; T . Goodall , 1550 , P . P . G . O . ; J . W . Cornish , 223 , P . P . G . T . ; John Chapman , 1 4 , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . J . Jefford

494 , P . P . J . G . D . ; L . H . Powys Maria , P . P . G . C . Devon and Surrey ; H L Friend P . P . A . G . D . C ; S . R . Baskett , 327 , 1367 , P . P . G . R . Dorset ; T . N . Webber 404 ' P . P . G . O . ; D . Cross , 1205 , 2258 , P . P . G . T . ; W . H . Michell , W . M . 156- ET Fulford , I 2 S 4 , P . P . G . T . ; R . Pike , 230 , P . P . G . O . ; H . W . Pengelly , W . M . ' 10 99 s ! Pile , P . M . 1181 ; G . D . Templeman , 814 ; L . Stevens , W . M . 1138 ; W . Taylor PM 328 ; W . A . L . Paul , W . M . 494 ; J . S . C . Stevens , P . M . 494 ; A . W . Oakley ' PM *

1181 ; W . Reed , W . M . 1550 ; R . Carter , W . M . 202 ; R . W . Pitcher , P . M 230- BS Johns , P . M . 159 ; G . Whittley , 156 , P . P . G . O . ; E . Chappie , P . M . 1181 ' j R H . Harris , P . M . 230 ; E . H . Littleton , P . M . 230 ; F . R . Thomas , I . P . M . 18 9 E . H . Wilton , P . M . 1181 ; J . Templeton , P . M . and Treas . 1332 ; ' w " . L . Lavers , P . M . 1255 ; J . Daniel , W . M . 1255 ; G . H . Selleck ! P . M . "

1550 ; W . F . Westcott , P . M . 70 ; W . King , W . M . 70 ; W . R . Northway , jun ., W . M . 282 ; j . B . Crabb , P . M . 1125 ; G . Hall , W . M . 1125 ' A . Andrews , P . M . 1125 ; W . Taylor , P . M . 328 ; J . Shapter , I . P . M . 1443 ; J . Horsham , P . M . 1443 ; J . Gidley , P . M . 2025 ; R . Dickson , P . M . 1205 ; A . Trout , W . M . 1205 ; J . Oldfield , J . W . 202 ; J . W . Foster , J . W . 1099 ; J . J . Leonard , J . W . 1212 ; R . Bassett , S . W . 1212 ; and others .

The P . G . SEC . reported that there were in the province 28 71 Masons , an increase of 127 over the preceding year . During the year 281 brethren had been initiated , an increase of 50 . There were 6 70 Past Masters on the books of the lodges . The number of brethren returned in arrears was 329 , an increase of 21 over the previous year . The sums of 10 guineas each , the moiety of the sums

necessary to obtain Life-Governorships in Royal Masonic Institutions , had been received from each of the following lodges -. For the Girls' School , from the Lodges Semper Fidelis , 1254 , Exeter ; Brent , 1284 , Topsham ; and Ashburton , 218 9 , Ashburton ; for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for A ged Freemasons from Lodges Fortitude , 105 , Plymouth , and Ashburton , 2189 , Ashburton .

The P . G . Treas ., Bro . J . R . LORD , reported receipts . £ 590 . The balance in hand , after paying the votes to the petitions and Charities , was ^ 288 ios . 2 d . The usual application had not been made to him on behalf of the Fortescue Fund which was entitled to about ^ 88 , which would leave a net balance of about ^ 200 . The Hon . Secretary of the Fortescue Annuity Fund , Bro . F . POLLARD , presented the report of the Governors . There are novv six annuitants on the Fund

. a brother from Lodge No . 156 , elected in 1871 ; a brother from No . 106 , elected in 18 7 8 ; a brother from No . 710 , a brother from No . 248 , a brother from No . 39 , and a brother from No . 710—all four elected in 1888 . The Governors had considered it expedient to revise the regulations of the trust . The principal alterations are—First , instead of giving to the P . G . M . any votes in respect of the sums paid over to the fund by the Provincial Grand Lodge , which have hitherto been

treated as donations , the new rules provide that each lodge shall have votes annuall y in proportion to the amount of its quarterages paid to the Provincial Grand Lodge . The P . G . M . approves of this arrangement . Second , facilities are afforded for inquiries into the position of applicants , and provision is made for excluding from fee voters' list the name of any brother not considered to be in a position entitling him to become a recipient of the fund . Third , an endeavour is made to secure the right of electing annuitants to bona-fide donors and subscribers only .

The TREASURER of the Fortescue Fund reported—receipts , . £ 336 ; expenses , including payments to annuitants , £ 270 ; capital account—Consols , , £ 1114 ios . Exeter market bonds , . £ 500 ; Exeter Asylum , £ 750 ; Devon and Exeter Savings Bank , £ 193 ; total , £ 2558 .

The reports were received and adopted , and the by-laws of the Fortescue Annuity Fund were confirmed . The report of the Committee of Petitions , and the proposition of Bro . W . POWELL that 20 guineas be voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows , and placed on the list of Bro . the Rev . T . W . Lemon , P . J . G . W ., were unanimously adopted .

Bro . S . J ONES proposed Bro . J . Templeton , P . M . 1332 , and Bro . D . CROSS proposed Bro . W . Powell , P . M . 1205 , for the office of Prov . G . Treasurer . Bro . J . B . GOVER advised Plymouth brethren not to use their power as a giant but support Bro . Templeton , proposed by the Exeter brethren in [ accordance with a previous understanding . Bro . Templeton was elected by a large majority . Bros . John Stocker and E . T . Fulford , of Exeter , were elected Auditors . The Prov . G . M . invested as the officers :

Bro . W . G . Rogers , 112 ... ... ... ... D . Prov . G . M . „ H . M . Imbert-Terry , 112 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Capt . W . H . Ivimy , 1135 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . A . W . Hamilton Gell ... ... ... ¦)„

„ Rev . E . P . Hood j nrov . u . Chaps . „ J . Templeton , 1332 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . H . H . Selleck , 1550 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Major G . C . Davie , 251 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ H . C . Guppy , 251 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ F . C . Hallett , 303 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ D . Banks , 156 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . R . Northwav , 282 ... ... ... Prov . T . G . D .

„ J . Algar , 29 ••• ••• •• - Prov . G . S . of W . „ W . Taylor , 328 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Adams , 1181 ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ A . P . Reece , 494 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ captain u . b . strode i ^ owe , 1055 ... ... frov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . Dreunan , 710 ... ... ... . ") - a r- on r > i , W . Oakley , 1181 j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ E . S . Griffiths , 847 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ G . B . Avant , 1 443 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . Kingdon , 421 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ R . W . Pitcher , 230 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst „ B . S . Johns , 159

„ J . btapleton , 000 ,, R . Dickson , 1205 ... ... ... ... D _ „ , " S . Sampson , 1254 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . Keverne , 1 550

„ S . G . Tapley , 1885 ... ... ... ... J „ F . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

A discussion ensued on the appointment of a new Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and it vvas unanimously resolved to entrust the votes of the province to Viscount Ebrington . An unanimous vote was passed protesting against the proposed pension to the Secretary of the Boys' School , and recommending its reduction . In the evening the brethren dined together at the Beach House Hotel , the Provincial Grand Master in the chair ,