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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SURREY. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SURREY. Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SURREY. Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
Bro . Greenwood , Prov . G . Secretary , said that in 1859 the same question was brought before Grand Lodge of England . L ' ol . Burdett observed that he had communications from East Lancashire yvhich pointed out that in that province the principle was thoroughly carried out . Bro . Greenwood said it was Bro . Symonds who brought
the matter before Grand Lodge in 18 59 , but it was then done more in aid of the charities than to concentrate voting power on behalf of a candidate . Bro . White ( now present ) sent up each year his report for some time , but gradually the system fell into decay . The system then adopted was for the purpose of obtaining funds for the charities ; now it was to unite voting power on behalf of
candidates . The Prov . Grand Master thought the question before the brethren was the approval of the design ; it would be for them to appoint a committee hereafter ; after which it would be communicated to the other provinces of Middlesex , Berks and Bucks , and Wilts . If they approved of the principle they would have to appoint a committee . Bro .
Grand Chaplain had moved that a committee be appointed . This had been seconded . When carried , Grand Lodge yvould nominate the members . The suggestion of Dr . Strong was a good one , that some permanent officer of a lodge should be appointed ; and his own feeling was that they could not have better members than the Secretaries , yvho , yvith the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Deputy
Prov . G . M ., and the Prov . G . M . could form the charity committee of the province . He did not wish to propose any ; he only threw out thc suggestion ; but he would be happy to take any trouble himself . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold said he thought it would be better to put it all into one resolution . Of course the Secretaries would be the best persons to place on the
committee , because they had all the communications respecting their lodges , and were perfectly conversant with all the business brought forward . He begged to add to his motion " That tbe committee consist of the Prov . G . M ., the Deputy Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Chaplain , the Prov . G . Secretary , and the Secretaries of the different lodges . Bro . Webster , W . M ., St . John ' s Lodge , seconded the
motion , as altered , which yvas then put and carried , after which the Audit Committee was appointed . Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D ., then rose and proposed " That Grand Lodge should vote a sum of money towards a testimonial which was on foot to be presented to Bro . Charles Greenwood , yvho for nearly a quarter of a century had ably discharged the duties of Secretary of the Prov . Grand Lodge . " He thought that such a testimonial
should at least be subscribed to by Prov . Grand Lodge . He yvould leave it to the Prov . G . Treasurer to propose the amount ; and he was sure that Bro . Greenwood himself and all the subscribers to the testimonial yvould appreciate it . The Prov . G . M . said he cordially agreed with the proposal to present to Bro . Greenwood this testimonial , sensible as he was that there was no brother in the
province yvho more deserved such a recognition of his setvices . The Prov . Grand Treasurer said he also heartily concurred in the proposition , for no one had derived so much assistance from Bro . Greenwood as hc had for a period of twenty years ; and he did not know what he should have done without him . Bro . Greenwood took upon himself a
vast amount of yvork , burdens yvhich really none but a brother like him could properly bear , and it was all done in a business-like way . He should propoiethat twenty guineas be voted towards the testimonial . ( Cheers . ) Bro . II . E . Francis seconded the motion , which the Prov . Grand Master put to the Grand Lodge , who carried it unanimously .
Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren went to the parish church of Croydon to join in the afternoon service . The grand old church was crowded , notwithstanding its immense size . Seats were reserved for the brethren ( who attended yvithout Masonic clothing ) in the body of the church . Prayers were read by the Rev . Canon Hodgson .
The sermon yvas preached by the Rev . C . W . Arnold , Grand Chaplain , who took for his text I . Cor ., Hi ., x ., xi . Thc sermon will be given in extenso in our next . The offertory , yvhich amounted to £ 23 7 s . 6 d ., yvas given to tbe Croydon Hospital . Shortly after five o'clock the brethren partook of a sumptuous banquet at the Greyhound , where the
Provincial Grand Oflicers were the guests of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord . The customary toasts were honoured subsequently . The Prov . Grand Master said , in proposing " 1 he Queen nnd the Craft , " that as it was impossible a Queen could ever be a Freemason , the Craft symbolised their fealty to their sovereign by connecting her yvith the Craft in this
toast . At the same time the brethren must not forget that irrespective of the loyalty they owed Her Majesty , she was the daughter of a Mason , and out of fc ur of her sons , three were Masons . If anything could attach her more warml y to the Order , it must be that fact . The Prov . G . M . in giving " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said that the hearts of all Masons went
with him when he set out on his Eastern expedition . It was impossible when he went that long journey to dissotirte in our minds certain perils which attached to the journey . I Ic went among a fanatic population ; and it was fresh in our memory that the Viceroy of India had not long before fallen by the hand of an assassin . There
yvere also dangers of climate , and dangers in the field . We all knew his pluck in sports , in which he was always in the front rank of the sportsmen . Well , he had come back , and it had been our good fortune to see him come back sound and safe in wind and limb . We rejoiced to sec him again amongst us ; and if he received a Masonic reception it woultl be such a one as hc might be proud of .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
The Prov . G . M . next proposed " The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , " who , he said , had frequently expressed to him his regret that he was unable to attend lodges and chapters more frequently than he did . In proposing " Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , " the Prov . G . M . said he was a fine manly English gentleman , and a good
cricketer , who must wm the hearts of all who knew him . He begged to couple the name of the Grand Chaplain yvith the toast . The brethren of the Province of Surrey—perhaps it was a feather in their caps—had the honour of finding Bro . Arnold made Grand Chaplain at last Grand Festival . ( Hear , hear . ) They muit all have been delighted with that excellent sermon they had just heard .
( Hear , hear . ) It was a very difficult sermon to preach , for they must remember they were in a church of which the vicar was not a Freemason ; and he could not imagine any subject treated yvith more good taste than Freemasonry was by the Chaplain in that sermon . He made himself perfectly understood by the brethren ; his references to Masonic symbols could not have been more
perfect ; and yet it was a sermon which could be preached to the yvhole yvorld . lt appealed thoroughly to the sympathies of the brethren as Masons , and yvas yet an admirable sermon to the outer yvorld . They would all join with him in thanking Bro . Arnold for his excellent discourse . His appeal produced £ 25 ? s . 6 d ., the greater part of yvhich was contributed , he thought , by the Masons . He hoped so .
The musical service was very good , and he had never heard the Hallelujah Chorus done better . Many who took part in the musical service were amateurs , who wished to do the Masons , or rather Bro . Woodward , honour . Next time Prov . Grand Lodge met he hoped more of the choir would be Masons . He wished to express his thanks to all who took part in the church portion of
the ceremony . Bro . Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , in reply , said , if there was one thing which had given him more pleasure than another in being one of the Prov . G . officers this year it was that they had given him plenty of work to do . In the first place , as the Prov . G . M . had said , in the present year there had been three lodges consecrated in the province of
Surrey , and at all of these he ( Bro . Arnold ) had assisted , and he yvas glad to do so . AH idle man was a disgrace to Freemasonry . Therefore , when he was asked by the Prov . G . M . to preach a sermon that day he said at once he should be glad to have the occasion , because he should feel he had done his duty of a Chaplain , and he did not care about being a Chaplain unless he had got some work
to do . There was one thing he should yvish to say . When they were at church he could not bring it into his sermon , because it was a thing most intimately connected with Freemasonry . He spoke about those who wcie of a fraternity , but he could not speak to them about the admission of persons into a fraternity . Now , they all knew that Freemasonry was extending largely in the country
Lodges were being opened day after day * , and there was no doubt that there had been a great impulse given V : Freemasonry of late . What he yvould say was , that he hoped every Freemason yvould carefully guard this in his heart , and take the greatest pains that no unworthy person should come into it . Having added this , he Lad nothing more to say . He thought then that his work
as their Chaplain would be done . The Prov . G . M . next proposed " The Visitors , " ar . d trusted they yvould accept from him in name of ' . he Prov . G . Lodge the heartiest welcome . Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , replied . I le sail he had been very much gratified by what he had seen that day , and by thc presence of so many Masons of tne
Province of Suirty . It yvas always gratifying to get a little interchange of hospitalities , and he only hoped that when he held the Prov . G . L . of Middlesex the Grand Master and brethren of Surrey yvould accept of its hospitality . Thmore these interchanges took place the more it strengthened the hands of the parties . They were able to do a great deal more than they could individually ; and with respect
to the charity committees whicli had been spoken of in Grand Lodge , it would be found that they would be able to effect an immense amount of good . The Prov . G . Treasurer proposed '' The Health of the Prov . G . Master . " He was not going to say he regretted this toast should hay e fallen to him In propose , or that it should have fallen to better hands , although he regretted
his inability to do justice to the toast . But there was not a brother in the room better qualified to discharge this duty than himself , because he was the oldest Prov . G . officer in the kingdom . He was made a Prov . G . Officer by Bro . Hall . He served under Bro . Dobie ; and he now served under Bro . Broyvnrigg . As such an old Prov . G . office , he ought to be a judge of the qualities of a Piov . G .
Master , and although he knew very well , and they all knew , what Bro . Dobie was , and now difficult it was for a Prov . G . M . to follow Bro . Dobie , their present Prov . G . M . did follow him , and followed him well , and they were fortunate in having such a brother to preside over them . They knew his great ability , and he was well skilled in the Masonic Craft ; and above all they knew that he was
impartial . He thought he should weaken the toast if he dwelt longer upon it . The Prov . G . M . said he yvas sensible of tbe brethren ' s kindness , yvhich it appeared to him , increased year after year . It went strai g ht to his heart . He congratulated thc brethren on the very excellent gathering they had had that day . Every year he came among them he knew them
better , and recognised many old faces . But he found many new ones , which yvas always pleasant . Four years he had held the oflice , and in that time the province had done very yvell indeed . They had done very well , even if it was only in the accession to the number of the lodges . But it was not that so much that he felt . Of course that was an advantage to them . They got more cosmopolitan ; they embraced a larger circle of friends and brothers ; but
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
yvhat he felt most was thc invariable kindness with which hc was received . He then proposed " The Grand Treasurer , " who had been for many years a faithful and trusted officer of the province . The Prov . G . Treas . responded , and said his work had been one of love . His duties , however , had been li ght bv his having been associated with other excellent officers
particularly the Prov . G . Sec . Bro . H . J . P . Dumas said , with reference to the testimonial to Bro . Greenwood , that he expected such an amount of spontaneity and readiness of concourse on the part of the brethren that there yvould be no need of any committees . All that would be required was that circulars . should be issued to the lodges , which would no doubt subscribe
their £ 3 each , and the individual brethren could subscribe yvhat amount they chose . He expected altogether as much as £ 140 . The Prov . G M . next proposed " The Prov . G . Secretary . " He could only say what he had said before , that he did not know what he should have dene without Bro . Greenwood . With such a supporter the brethren must be
well satisfied . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) took all the responsibility of his own acts ; but he could not have a better supporter . Bro . Greenwood , in the course of a very brief reply , said he had been Prov . G . S . for several years , and during that time he had seen the Craft progress vastly in the province . Year by year lodges had been added to the roll , and
certainly that circumstance had tended to increase his labours ; but still that was a labour of love . The Prov . G . M . then gave " The Health of the Prov . Senior and Junior Grand Wardens . " Whether a brother received the appointment * of Prov . G . Warden or Prov . G . Pursuivant , the appointment conveyed the Prov . Grand Master ' s sentiments of the worth of those on whom he
bestowed the appointment , and one should be considered as good as the other . The appointments he had made that day had been made after due consideration , and he hoped and trusted that the province yvould think that his selection was a good one . Bro . Ambrose Hall said , in reply , that the toast was an important one , and the Provincial Grand Officers yvere an
important body Masonically . Although the work they had to do Masonically was not large , yet thc Grand Officers were determined to do it well ; to carry out in the lodges the teachings of the Order ; and to set such an example as they should set . Above all it would be theirs , in any way they could , to uphold the offices they
respectively filled , and to support the Provincial Grand Master who now so ably , so eminently , and so courteously ruled over the important Province of Surrey . He was sure -yie few words he had said expressed the feelings of the brethren yvho were associated with him in Grand Office . The offices they held they yvere not only proud of , but they were determined to fulfil the duties of them with honour
to the Craft and credit to the province . The Prov . G . Junior Warden also expressed the same sentiments . The Prov . Grand Master then proposed "The East Surrey Lodge of Concord , " under yvhose auspices the Prov . Grane Lodge had been held . It would not be inopportune while proposing this ttast if he made a suggestion , in which
he was quite sure they yvould all agree , that the Secretary of the lodge be requested to convey to that beautiful choir which had sung in the church the very grateful thanks of the brethren . Something of that sort should be put on record , because he felt that they could not have been more gratified with the singing if it had been given in any of the cathedral churches in England .
A great many of the gentlemen came forward spontaneously to do honour to them as Freemasons , and he thought the brethren would be wanting in courtesy if they did not ask Bro . Woodward to convey their very best thanks for the great treat they had had that afternoon . He would propose "The Health ofthe W . M . and the Brethren of the East Surrey of Concord , " who had so sumptuously
entertained the Provincial Grand Lodge . It had seldom occured in any province that a Provincial Grand Lodge had been so well entertained . Bro . Dickins , W . M ., East Surrey Lodge of Concord , responded . He said the lodge were much pleased that what they had done had met with the gratification of the Prov . G . Lodge . He could not help thinking that it was
impossible they should not have been pleased with the musical ceremony in the splendid old parish church . The brethren of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord were very much pleased with the Grand Chaplain ' s sermon , and they yvere sorry hc had been obliged to leave so early . He hoped that the thanks of the brethren of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord yvould be conveyed to him . He yvould also add that thc R . W . Prov . G . M . might suggest to him
that the sermon should be printed and distributed among all the lodges of the province . The Prov . G . M . was at this time compelled to leave , and hc deputed the Prov . G . Treasurer to take his place . The Prov . G . Treasurer proposed "The Press , " and called on Bro ., H . Massey , of the " Freemason , " to reply-This having been done , the Prov . G . Treasurer proposed " Bro . C . H . Woodward's Health . " On him had fallen
the burden and heat of the day , and his services had been most useful . All the proceedings had been managed by him , and he had gone heart and soul into them , not only with regard to Grand Lodge or the banquet , but more especially as regarded the church . Th : proceedings had gone through yvithout a hitch . Bro . M . C Woodward said , thc toast had taken him
by surprise , but as the representative and Acting Secretary of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord he felt very deeply thc compliment paid him . Without being egotistical hc must say he had thrown all his effort and strength into making this meeting a great success . He had worked hard and spent many hours over it , and had exerted himself in many ways to attain his end ; great assistance had
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
Bro . Greenwood , Prov . G . Secretary , said that in 1859 the same question was brought before Grand Lodge of England . L ' ol . Burdett observed that he had communications from East Lancashire yvhich pointed out that in that province the principle was thoroughly carried out . Bro . Greenwood said it was Bro . Symonds who brought
the matter before Grand Lodge in 18 59 , but it was then done more in aid of the charities than to concentrate voting power on behalf of a candidate . Bro . White ( now present ) sent up each year his report for some time , but gradually the system fell into decay . The system then adopted was for the purpose of obtaining funds for the charities ; now it was to unite voting power on behalf of
candidates . The Prov . Grand Master thought the question before the brethren was the approval of the design ; it would be for them to appoint a committee hereafter ; after which it would be communicated to the other provinces of Middlesex , Berks and Bucks , and Wilts . If they approved of the principle they would have to appoint a committee . Bro .
Grand Chaplain had moved that a committee be appointed . This had been seconded . When carried , Grand Lodge yvould nominate the members . The suggestion of Dr . Strong was a good one , that some permanent officer of a lodge should be appointed ; and his own feeling was that they could not have better members than the Secretaries , yvho , yvith the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Deputy
Prov . G . M ., and the Prov . G . M . could form the charity committee of the province . He did not wish to propose any ; he only threw out thc suggestion ; but he would be happy to take any trouble himself . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold said he thought it would be better to put it all into one resolution . Of course the Secretaries would be the best persons to place on the
committee , because they had all the communications respecting their lodges , and were perfectly conversant with all the business brought forward . He begged to add to his motion " That tbe committee consist of the Prov . G . M ., the Deputy Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Chaplain , the Prov . G . Secretary , and the Secretaries of the different lodges . Bro . Webster , W . M ., St . John ' s Lodge , seconded the
motion , as altered , which yvas then put and carried , after which the Audit Committee was appointed . Bro . H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D ., then rose and proposed " That Grand Lodge should vote a sum of money towards a testimonial which was on foot to be presented to Bro . Charles Greenwood , yvho for nearly a quarter of a century had ably discharged the duties of Secretary of the Prov . Grand Lodge . " He thought that such a testimonial
should at least be subscribed to by Prov . Grand Lodge . He yvould leave it to the Prov . G . Treasurer to propose the amount ; and he was sure that Bro . Greenwood himself and all the subscribers to the testimonial yvould appreciate it . The Prov . G . M . said he cordially agreed with the proposal to present to Bro . Greenwood this testimonial , sensible as he was that there was no brother in the
province yvho more deserved such a recognition of his setvices . The Prov . Grand Treasurer said he also heartily concurred in the proposition , for no one had derived so much assistance from Bro . Greenwood as hc had for a period of twenty years ; and he did not know what he should have done without him . Bro . Greenwood took upon himself a
vast amount of yvork , burdens yvhich really none but a brother like him could properly bear , and it was all done in a business-like way . He should propoiethat twenty guineas be voted towards the testimonial . ( Cheers . ) Bro . II . E . Francis seconded the motion , which the Prov . Grand Master put to the Grand Lodge , who carried it unanimously .
Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren went to the parish church of Croydon to join in the afternoon service . The grand old church was crowded , notwithstanding its immense size . Seats were reserved for the brethren ( who attended yvithout Masonic clothing ) in the body of the church . Prayers were read by the Rev . Canon Hodgson .
The sermon yvas preached by the Rev . C . W . Arnold , Grand Chaplain , who took for his text I . Cor ., Hi ., x ., xi . Thc sermon will be given in extenso in our next . The offertory , yvhich amounted to £ 23 7 s . 6 d ., yvas given to tbe Croydon Hospital . Shortly after five o'clock the brethren partook of a sumptuous banquet at the Greyhound , where the
Provincial Grand Oflicers were the guests of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord . The customary toasts were honoured subsequently . The Prov . Grand Master said , in proposing " 1 he Queen nnd the Craft , " that as it was impossible a Queen could ever be a Freemason , the Craft symbolised their fealty to their sovereign by connecting her yvith the Craft in this
toast . At the same time the brethren must not forget that irrespective of the loyalty they owed Her Majesty , she was the daughter of a Mason , and out of fc ur of her sons , three were Masons . If anything could attach her more warml y to the Order , it must be that fact . The Prov . G . M . in giving " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " said that the hearts of all Masons went
with him when he set out on his Eastern expedition . It was impossible when he went that long journey to dissotirte in our minds certain perils which attached to the journey . I Ic went among a fanatic population ; and it was fresh in our memory that the Viceroy of India had not long before fallen by the hand of an assassin . There
yvere also dangers of climate , and dangers in the field . We all knew his pluck in sports , in which he was always in the front rank of the sportsmen . Well , he had come back , and it had been our good fortune to see him come back sound and safe in wind and limb . We rejoiced to sec him again amongst us ; and if he received a Masonic reception it woultl be such a one as hc might be proud of .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
The Prov . G . M . next proposed " The Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , " who , he said , had frequently expressed to him his regret that he was unable to attend lodges and chapters more frequently than he did . In proposing " Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , " the Prov . G . M . said he was a fine manly English gentleman , and a good
cricketer , who must wm the hearts of all who knew him . He begged to couple the name of the Grand Chaplain yvith the toast . The brethren of the Province of Surrey—perhaps it was a feather in their caps—had the honour of finding Bro . Arnold made Grand Chaplain at last Grand Festival . ( Hear , hear . ) They muit all have been delighted with that excellent sermon they had just heard .
( Hear , hear . ) It was a very difficult sermon to preach , for they must remember they were in a church of which the vicar was not a Freemason ; and he could not imagine any subject treated yvith more good taste than Freemasonry was by the Chaplain in that sermon . He made himself perfectly understood by the brethren ; his references to Masonic symbols could not have been more
perfect ; and yet it was a sermon which could be preached to the yvhole yvorld . lt appealed thoroughly to the sympathies of the brethren as Masons , and yvas yet an admirable sermon to the outer yvorld . They would all join with him in thanking Bro . Arnold for his excellent discourse . His appeal produced £ 25 ? s . 6 d ., the greater part of yvhich was contributed , he thought , by the Masons . He hoped so .
The musical service was very good , and he had never heard the Hallelujah Chorus done better . Many who took part in the musical service were amateurs , who wished to do the Masons , or rather Bro . Woodward , honour . Next time Prov . Grand Lodge met he hoped more of the choir would be Masons . He wished to express his thanks to all who took part in the church portion of
the ceremony . Bro . Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , in reply , said , if there was one thing which had given him more pleasure than another in being one of the Prov . G . officers this year it was that they had given him plenty of work to do . In the first place , as the Prov . G . M . had said , in the present year there had been three lodges consecrated in the province of
Surrey , and at all of these he ( Bro . Arnold ) had assisted , and he yvas glad to do so . AH idle man was a disgrace to Freemasonry . Therefore , when he was asked by the Prov . G . M . to preach a sermon that day he said at once he should be glad to have the occasion , because he should feel he had done his duty of a Chaplain , and he did not care about being a Chaplain unless he had got some work
to do . There was one thing he should yvish to say . When they were at church he could not bring it into his sermon , because it was a thing most intimately connected with Freemasonry . He spoke about those who wcie of a fraternity , but he could not speak to them about the admission of persons into a fraternity . Now , they all knew that Freemasonry was extending largely in the country
Lodges were being opened day after day * , and there was no doubt that there had been a great impulse given V : Freemasonry of late . What he yvould say was , that he hoped every Freemason yvould carefully guard this in his heart , and take the greatest pains that no unworthy person should come into it . Having added this , he Lad nothing more to say . He thought then that his work
as their Chaplain would be done . The Prov . G . M . next proposed " The Visitors , " ar . d trusted they yvould accept from him in name of ' . he Prov . G . Lodge the heartiest welcome . Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex , replied . I le sail he had been very much gratified by what he had seen that day , and by thc presence of so many Masons of tne
Province of Suirty . It yvas always gratifying to get a little interchange of hospitalities , and he only hoped that when he held the Prov . G . L . of Middlesex the Grand Master and brethren of Surrey yvould accept of its hospitality . Thmore these interchanges took place the more it strengthened the hands of the parties . They were able to do a great deal more than they could individually ; and with respect
to the charity committees whicli had been spoken of in Grand Lodge , it would be found that they would be able to effect an immense amount of good . The Prov . G . Treasurer proposed '' The Health of the Prov . G . Master . " He was not going to say he regretted this toast should hay e fallen to him In propose , or that it should have fallen to better hands , although he regretted
his inability to do justice to the toast . But there was not a brother in the room better qualified to discharge this duty than himself , because he was the oldest Prov . G . officer in the kingdom . He was made a Prov . G . Officer by Bro . Hall . He served under Bro . Dobie ; and he now served under Bro . Broyvnrigg . As such an old Prov . G . office , he ought to be a judge of the qualities of a Piov . G .
Master , and although he knew very well , and they all knew , what Bro . Dobie was , and now difficult it was for a Prov . G . M . to follow Bro . Dobie , their present Prov . G . M . did follow him , and followed him well , and they were fortunate in having such a brother to preside over them . They knew his great ability , and he was well skilled in the Masonic Craft ; and above all they knew that he was
impartial . He thought he should weaken the toast if he dwelt longer upon it . The Prov . G . M . said he yvas sensible of tbe brethren ' s kindness , yvhich it appeared to him , increased year after year . It went strai g ht to his heart . He congratulated thc brethren on the very excellent gathering they had had that day . Every year he came among them he knew them
better , and recognised many old faces . But he found many new ones , which yvas always pleasant . Four years he had held the oflice , and in that time the province had done very yvell indeed . They had done very well , even if it was only in the accession to the number of the lodges . But it was not that so much that he felt . Of course that was an advantage to them . They got more cosmopolitan ; they embraced a larger circle of friends and brothers ; but
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Surrey.
yvhat he felt most was thc invariable kindness with which hc was received . He then proposed " The Grand Treasurer , " who had been for many years a faithful and trusted officer of the province . The Prov . G . Treas . responded , and said his work had been one of love . His duties , however , had been li ght bv his having been associated with other excellent officers
particularly the Prov . G . Sec . Bro . H . J . P . Dumas said , with reference to the testimonial to Bro . Greenwood , that he expected such an amount of spontaneity and readiness of concourse on the part of the brethren that there yvould be no need of any committees . All that would be required was that circulars . should be issued to the lodges , which would no doubt subscribe
their £ 3 each , and the individual brethren could subscribe yvhat amount they chose . He expected altogether as much as £ 140 . The Prov . G M . next proposed " The Prov . G . Secretary . " He could only say what he had said before , that he did not know what he should have dene without Bro . Greenwood . With such a supporter the brethren must be
well satisfied . He ( the Prov . G . M . ) took all the responsibility of his own acts ; but he could not have a better supporter . Bro . Greenwood , in the course of a very brief reply , said he had been Prov . G . S . for several years , and during that time he had seen the Craft progress vastly in the province . Year by year lodges had been added to the roll , and
certainly that circumstance had tended to increase his labours ; but still that was a labour of love . The Prov . G . M . then gave " The Health of the Prov . Senior and Junior Grand Wardens . " Whether a brother received the appointment * of Prov . G . Warden or Prov . G . Pursuivant , the appointment conveyed the Prov . Grand Master ' s sentiments of the worth of those on whom he
bestowed the appointment , and one should be considered as good as the other . The appointments he had made that day had been made after due consideration , and he hoped and trusted that the province yvould think that his selection was a good one . Bro . Ambrose Hall said , in reply , that the toast was an important one , and the Provincial Grand Officers yvere an
important body Masonically . Although the work they had to do Masonically was not large , yet thc Grand Officers were determined to do it well ; to carry out in the lodges the teachings of the Order ; and to set such an example as they should set . Above all it would be theirs , in any way they could , to uphold the offices they
respectively filled , and to support the Provincial Grand Master who now so ably , so eminently , and so courteously ruled over the important Province of Surrey . He was sure -yie few words he had said expressed the feelings of the brethren yvho were associated with him in Grand Office . The offices they held they yvere not only proud of , but they were determined to fulfil the duties of them with honour
to the Craft and credit to the province . The Prov . G . Junior Warden also expressed the same sentiments . The Prov . Grand Master then proposed "The East Surrey Lodge of Concord , " under yvhose auspices the Prov . Grane Lodge had been held . It would not be inopportune while proposing this ttast if he made a suggestion , in which
he was quite sure they yvould all agree , that the Secretary of the lodge be requested to convey to that beautiful choir which had sung in the church the very grateful thanks of the brethren . Something of that sort should be put on record , because he felt that they could not have been more gratified with the singing if it had been given in any of the cathedral churches in England .
A great many of the gentlemen came forward spontaneously to do honour to them as Freemasons , and he thought the brethren would be wanting in courtesy if they did not ask Bro . Woodward to convey their very best thanks for the great treat they had had that afternoon . He would propose "The Health ofthe W . M . and the Brethren of the East Surrey of Concord , " who had so sumptuously
entertained the Provincial Grand Lodge . It had seldom occured in any province that a Provincial Grand Lodge had been so well entertained . Bro . Dickins , W . M ., East Surrey Lodge of Concord , responded . He said the lodge were much pleased that what they had done had met with the gratification of the Prov . G . Lodge . He could not help thinking that it was
impossible they should not have been pleased with the musical ceremony in the splendid old parish church . The brethren of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord were very much pleased with the Grand Chaplain ' s sermon , and they yvere sorry hc had been obliged to leave so early . He hoped that the thanks of the brethren of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord yvould be conveyed to him . He yvould also add that thc R . W . Prov . G . M . might suggest to him
that the sermon should be printed and distributed among all the lodges of the province . The Prov . G . M . was at this time compelled to leave , and hc deputed the Prov . G . Treasurer to take his place . The Prov . G . Treasurer proposed "The Press , " and called on Bro ., H . Massey , of the " Freemason , " to reply-This having been done , the Prov . G . Treasurer proposed " Bro . C . H . Woodward's Health . " On him had fallen
the burden and heat of the day , and his services had been most useful . All the proceedings had been managed by him , and he had gone heart and soul into them , not only with regard to Grand Lodge or the banquet , but more especially as regarded the church . Th : proceedings had gone through yvithout a hitch . Bro . M . C Woodward said , thc toast had taken him
by surprise , but as the representative and Acting Secretary of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord he felt very deeply thc compliment paid him . Without being egotistical hc must say he had thrown all his effort and strength into making this meeting a great success . He had worked hard and spent many hours over it , and had exerted himself in many ways to attain his end ; great assistance had