Annual Assembly Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PROV . GRAND LODGE OF SUFFOLK .

This year , the R . W ; the P . G . M ; , Sir R . A . Shafto Adalry Bart ., fixed the annual assembly of the jlasbriic'body for Monday last , in the good old town of Bungay . ' The desire of the-P . G . M ; . has . always beeri ' to give every town in the'Province ; in : which a Masonic Lodge is held ; the honour and privilege of

receiving the Provincial Grand Lodge ; and so fortunate has he been in his selection up to the present time , that there is not the slightest cause on his part to regret the-choice he lias made . Certainly the meeting of 1869 was by no means the least enjoyable of these much-anticipated gatherings of brethren

from all parts of the Province . Bungay , though a most spirited towri , aud one which has proved itself iii'every-way worthy to receive the Masonic body , is somewhat difficult of access--not only from Ipswich , but from all parts of the country . But the obstacle of getting there and back the same day , was soon

removed by-the -P . G . M ., who with his usual kindness and forethought , and at considerable expense to himself , placed a special train at the disposal of the brethren . This train left Ipswich at 9 . 25 a . m ., calling at Stowmarket'and other places for the accommodation of members of tlie various lodges , and

arrived at its destination at 11 . 30 a . m . Here a hearty welcome ' awaited the visitors , and every arrangement was made for their comfort by the members of the Waveney Lodge , mainly through the untiring exertions of Bros . E . B . Adams , M . Abel , and Bnrtsal , W . M . of the lodge . In Earsham-street an arch was

carried from the residence of Bro . E . B . Adams to the opposite side of the street , from which were suspended bannerets , banners with mottoes , and floral devices . The residence of Bro . W . Walesby was ornamented with a design exhibiting the various emblems of the Order placed upon a tesselated blue and white

pavement and surrounded by an arch composed of evergreens and flowers ; and at the King ' s Head Hotel a triumphal arch surmounted with flags , & c , and a banner bearing the word " Welcome , " spanned the entrance to the Market-square , where the band of the 4 th Suffolk Rifles was stationed . At the

entrance to the town from Flixtoir , the country seat of the W . P . G . M ., Sir R . A . S . Adair , Bart ., several elegant floral designs and flags were displayed by Mi " . Meadows and others , and iu the Ollaud-street , Bro . John Betwriglitexhited an elegant device consisting of the Adair crest and arms supported and surmounted by Masonic emblems .

At 1 . 30 p . m ., the P . G . Lodge was opened at the Assembly Rooms , Tuns Hotel , tlie P . G . M . presiding , supported by Bro . Henry Thomas , acting P . S . G . W . ; Bro . W . Moore , P . J . G . W . On the right of the throne were seated the D . P . G . M ' . Bro . the Rev . E . I .

Lockwood , M . A ., and Rev . R . F . Palmer , P . P . G . chaplain , Oxfordshire . There were also present the following P . G . ollicers : -Bro . Spencer Freeman , P . G , Treasurer ; F . B . Marriolt , P . G . Secretary ; E . C Tidd , P . A . G . Sec ; A . J . Barber , P . G . Organist ; W . G . Ranson , P . S . G . I ) . ; M . Abel , P . J . G 1 ) . ; 1 <\

Long , PG . D . of Cers . ; J . T . Helms , PG . S . B . ; W . Gardener , P . G . Pur . ; G . S . Golding , F . Betts , and Geo . Bond , P . G . Stewards ; W . Syer , P . G . Tyler . Also , Bros . N . Garrett , P . M . No . 3 ; 0 . S . Pedgriff , P . P . G . Reg . ; Thomas Bayes , P . P . G . D . of Cers . ; S . It . Wright , P . M . 510 ; J . S . Gissing ,

P . P . J . G . W . ; C . Davy , P . M . 225 ; George Fenn , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . A . Pettitt , 332 ; II . S . Scott , 100 S ; F . B . Strathern , P . P . J . G . W . ; F . Jennings , P . D . P . G . M ., Bengal ; G . Holmes , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Boby , W . M ., 114 ; W . Hayward , P . P . G . D . of Cers . ; P . Whitehead , W . M ., 225 ; W . 0 . Chambers , W . M .,

71 ; Wm . Lucia , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . T . Wright , P . M . 980 ; F . Sp . dding , P . M ., 81 ; S . B . King , P . M ., 370 ; F . R . Bnrtsal , W . M ., 929 ; Robert Clarke , P . M ., 71 ; A . M . F . Morgan , P . G . Scc ., Norfolk ; Gardiner Stevens , P . M ., 52 , Norfolk ; R . Kent , P . M ., 93 ; Thomas HollandW . M .. 1224 ; E . B . Adams ,

, , P . P . G . S . B . ; F . R . Ward , W . M , 305 ; J . D . Larkin , W . M , 510 ; J . Marshall , P . P . G . D . of Cers ., Norfolk ; James Franks , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . Mann , P . M ., 929 ; G . E . Jeaffreson , Treasurer , 555 ; Rev , T . G . Brereton , W . M ., 555 ; J . A . Coombe ,

P . PG . C , Scientific Lodge , Cambridge ; E . B . Powell , P . M ., 332 ; Thomas Beard , P . M ., 81 ; J . Brcckles , P . P . G . S . W . ; R . Capon , S . W ., 555 ; & c . Over a hundred of the leading Brethren of the various lodges included in the Province were present .

The whole of the lodges were represented , namely : —Unity ( 71 ) . Lowestoft , by the W . M . ; Doric ( 81 ) , Woodridge . bythcI . P . M ; British Union ( 114 ) , Ipswich by the W . M . ; St . Luke ' s ( 2-io ) , ditto , by the W . M . ; Apollo ( 3 H 5 ) , Beccles , by W . M . : Virtue and

Si . ei . ce ( 332 ) , Hadleigh . by W . M . ; Pefect Friendship ( 37 ( 5 ) , Ipswich , by P . M . ; Prudence ( 388 ) , Halesworth , by W . M ; Plioonix ( 516 ) , Stowmarket , bv W . M . ; Fidelity ( 555 ) , Framlingham , by W . M . ; Waveney ( 929 ) , Bungay , by W . M . ; Adair ( 936 ) , Aldborough , by P . M . ; Prince of Wales ( 95 !)) , Ipswich , by P . M .

Annual Assembly Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

Royal Edmund ( 1008 ) , by P . M . ; Stour Valley ( 1224 ) , Sudbury ,- by , W ; M . After the disposal of various matters connected with the Province * the P . G . M ., appointed and invested the following brethren as P . G . officers for the ensuing year : —P . G . S . W . Bro . F . ' Jennings ( Fidelity );

P . G . J . W . Bro . W . Moore ; P . G . Chap , ( in place of the Rev . A . Tighe Gregory , resigned ) Bro . the Rev . R . F . Palmer , of Clopton ; P . G . Registrar , Bro . F . B . Jennings ; P . G . Sec . Bro . F . B . Marriott ; P . A . G . Sec , BmE . C . Tidd ; P . G . Org ., Bro ; A . J . Barber ; P . G . S . D ., Bro . S . B . King ; P . G : J . D ; , Bro . Parslee ;

P . G . Sup . of Works , Bro . Chambers ; P . G . D . of Cer , s ., Bro . F . Long ; P . G . A . D . of Cers ., Bro . W . Holland ; P . G . S . B ., Bro . W . Boby ; P . G , Pur ., Bro . Bnrtsal ; P . G . Tyler Bro . W . Syer . Bro . Spencer Freeman , who has held the office of P . G . ' Treasurer for many years , was unanimously

re-elected . The P . G . Stewards are—Bros . Golding ( 516 ); F . Betts ( 516 ) ; Geo . Bond ( 555 ) ; Thomas Boulter ( 929 ); Roberts ( 929 ) ; Blunderfield ( 305 ) . The PIG . Lodge was then adjourned , and a procession of the brethren , ranged under their various

banners and headed by the band of the Bungay Rifles , proceeded to the church of St . Mary , which had been most kindly granted for the occasion by the Rev . G . F . Matthews , the Rector . As the procession entered the church , where already a large

and respectable congregation had assembled , Bro . Barber , the P . G . Organist , played " Rejoice greatly , " & c :, as a voluntary . The choir was composed of ladies and gentlemen connected with the town , and who had most kindly come forward and volunteered their services .

The prayers were read by the rector , and the lessons by the Rev . Bros . E . I . Lockwood and T . G . Brereton . Then followed the anthem , " Behold how good and joyful , " & c , which was very finely rendered , the solo parts being takeu by Miss Adams , daughter of a respected brother , and by Brother

Walesby . We cannot speak in too high praise of the manner in which they acquitted themselves , and they richly deserve a vote of thanks from the Masonic brethren . The sermon warf ' preached by the P . G . Chaplain , who took is text from Genesis xi . 1 st and following verses . The hymn before the

sermon was " O Lord , how joyful tis to see ; and after , " For tllee , O dear , dear country , " & c , both admirably sung . At the conclusion of the service a collection was made on behalf of the Masonic charities , amounting to £ 7 10 s . The " Hallelujah Chorus , " as a finale , was ably played by Bro .

Barber , who richly deserves the thanks of the province for the manner in which the whole musical service was conducted , despite the local petty jealousies which surrounded him on all sides . The organ , ' which is a very fine one , was heard to perfection under the skilful hands of the worthy brother .

On the re-assembling of the Brethren in the lodge room , the P . G . M . proposed that the amount collected in Church should be handed over to the W . M . of the Waveney Lodge , Bro . Burtsal , who , he was informed , intended to apply it to the purchase of Life Governorships in the Aged

Freemason ' s Institution , and Boys' School . The proposition having met with a cordial response , was unanimously agreed to . A vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded and conveyed to the Rev . G . F . Matthews , for so kindly granting the use of the Church ; and to the

members of the Volunteer bauds for their services during the day . The I ' . W ., the P . G . M ., then announced that the next P . G . Lodge would be held at Aldeburgh , on the Monday iu July 1870 . The business of the lodge was then formally closed .

THE BANQUET , which was in every way worthy of the occasion , was set out in the Corn Hall , which was tastefully decorated , and formed what might be appropriately termed a most comfortable and airy dining-room . At five o ' clock , between 80 and 90 brethren sat

down , the P . G . M . presiding . The repast was served by Bro . J . Roper , of the King ' s Head Hotel , in a style which did him infinite credit , and which could not fail to give satisfaction to every one . The wines were first-class , and the dessert one of the best we ever saw at any provincial dinner .

The bill of fare included a fine haunch of delicious venison sent by the P . G . M . from Flixton Park . The after dinner proceedings were commenced by the P . G . M . giving the toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Prince of Wales , the

Princess , and the rest of the Royal family , " which were duly honoured by the company . Next followed " The healths of the G . M . of England , tho Earl of Zetland , " "The D . G . M ., the Earl de Grey and Ripon , " and "Tho officers of the G . L . of England , " which were drunk with full Masonic

honours . The D P . G . M , proposed , in appropriate terms , ' •The health of the P . G . M ., " and in doing so alluded to the words of a song , where it savs there was

Annual Assembly Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

" a magic char , rn , in the touch of the rosy . lips , " so therO wab also , a mjigic charm in the , whisper of ja loved lianie , which tlirilled through ' the hearts of every one present as though a silver trumpet Ji ' iid Sounded it—that' was the name of Adair . ( Loud applause . ) Suffolk , especially , was , p ' rimd . of the

name of its P . G . M ' ., arid-they ha ; d reason to be so , for from the first moment that their P . G . M :, was appointed to the , position he then so ably filled , the " prosperity of the Province had increased . ( Chfeersi ) And if there had been any doubt in the minds Of any one as to the . thoughtfulness and consideration

of their P . G . M ., for those over whom lie presided ; it would be' at once dispelled , by knowing what lie had done that day for their personal convenience . ( Cheers . ) He need not say . one word more , but pro ? pose to them with all honours thehealthof Sir Shafto Adair , their P . G . M . [ Drunk with full Masonic

honours and three times three cheers . ] Sir SHAFTO ADAIR , on rising , was met with loud bursts of cheering , which lasted for some time . He said they had been unusually kind to him in their cordial reception of the toast , proposed by the D . P . G ; M . What he had done for the Province

hehad done as well as he could do ; but when he had such assistance as he had in the person of the D . P . G . M . inthe discharge of the duties of his office , his task was an easy one indeed . It was most gratifying to him , not so miich to see their numbers augmented , but to notice the elevation of the Masonic character of

the various Lodges . ( Hear , hear . ) The manner in which the business of the various lodges had been conducted , also the proceedings of that day , were in every way satisfactory . They had bound , him honestly to their service , by bonds which he did not think capable of strengthening , but which he found

strengthened every year . ( Applause . ) The P . G . M ., shortly afterwards again rose , and proposed "The health of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Lock ,-wood , " to whom he paid a high compliment for the able and valuable assistance he had rendered him in the conduct ol the business of the Province . There

was one subject to which he must briefly allude , toshow that brother ' s zeal in the course of Masonry , and that was the desire on his part to effect a uniformity in all their proceedings , which he regretted to say , was at the present time far from being the case . Both the Irish and Scottish differed from the

English working , which created great difficulties amongst those who had been used to the mode of procedure in their English Lodges . The desire was to obtain a Board of experienced Masons , to take the whole matter into their consideration , and he hoped ultimately that desire would be effected .

( Hear , hear . ) He gave them in all sincerity the health of their D . P . G . M ., and thanks to him for tlie valuable assistance he had given him in all his duties in connection with , the Province . [ Drank with all honours . ] The D . P . G . M ; , in acknowledging the compliment ,

said it was true that he had made an humble attempt to draw attention to the matter alluded to by their P . G . M ., and it was gratifying to him to find it had been taken up by brethren eminent in the Craft . The subject of their Masonic working was an important matter , and the only remedy that he could see

for the defects which at present existed was to institute a Court of Appeal , consisting of P . M . ' s , who could give their attention to the matter , and probably remedy the evil under which they at the present laboured . ( Applause . ) The P . G : M . next gave " The Wardens and Officers ,

Past and Present , of the P . G . Lodge , " uniting with it the name ofTtlro . Fred . Jennings , the P . G . S . W . ( Applause . ) Bro . JENNINGS briefly replied . The P . G . M . proposed "The P . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . R . F . Palmer , and the Clergy of the

Province , " and in alluding to tho resignation of the P . P . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . A . Tithe Gregory , passed upon that worthy and must esteemed brother a warm and well deserved eulogium for the zealous and able manner in which he had discharged the duties of bis high office , and the deep interest he took

in all that concerned Masonry . He ( the P . G . M . ) well knew that when that brother took upon himself thatollice , he did so with great personal inconvenience to himself , but still he always felt that where his duty called him there he faithfully and zealously performed it . ( Loud applause . ) He thought they

might congratulate themselves , however , on having obtained the services of so excellent a brother as their present P . G . Chaplain . ( Hear , hear . ) The Rev . brother who had that day assisted them had a special claim to their favour for his great kindness and open-heartedness , for though not a member of their Masonic body he had kindly opened his Church

for them , ami kindly assisted them in the services of that day . ( Applause . ) This had its advantages , for all out of the Craft could not fail to have seen that the Masonic body we ' re not so obnoxious as some would have them believe . ( Applause . ) He gavfr them , with all honours , "The Health of the P . G . Chaplain , Bro . Palmer . " ( Drank with all honours . ) Tlie P . G . CHAPLAIN responded to the toast , no said though last year he was only a visitor amongst