Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

be relied on we have reason to believe that hc was particularly attached to the Masons , having been admitted into their Order , and assisted at the initiation of King Henry VI . in 1442 . Encouraged by thc cxamjdc of the Sovereign , and allured by an ambition to excel , many lords and gentlemen of thc Court were initiated into Masonry , and pursued the Art with diligence and assiduity ,

Preston says thc King in person presided over the lodges , and nominated William Wainflcet , Bishop of Winchester , Grand Master . In 144 6 a Parliament was convened at Bury , under the influence ol thc Queen and Beaufort , now a Cardinal , tbe sworn enemy of the Freemasons , when Duke Humphrey was impeached for high treason . Prcjiavations were made for bringing him to a public

trial , but it is thought his enemies , dreading the triumph of his , innocence , had recourse to another method to destroy the gootl Duke , as he was called . He was fount ! dead in his bed the next morning , no doubt cruelly murdered . Cardinal Beaufort scarcely survived him two months , antl after his death the Masons continued to hold their lodges without fear of interruption , and under the King , who had

joined them , enjoyed great prosperity . Henry VI . held another Parliament at Bury in 1448 , antl Henry VII . paid a visit to the town in 14 S 6 . Queen Elizabeth , in her memorable progress through Suffolk and Norfolk in the year 157 8 , visited Bury St . Edmund's . Preston says that the Masons remained without any nominal head from the death of F 2 dward VI . till the reign

of Queen Elizabeth , when Sir Thomas Sackville accejited the ofiice of Grand Master . Lodges were held during this jiericul in different jiarts of England , but the General or Grand Lodge assembled in York , where the fraternity were numerous and respectable . Thc following circumstance is recorded of Elizabeth . Hearing that the Masons were in jiossession of secrets which they woultl not reveal ,

and being jealous of all secret assemblies , she sent an armed force to York with intent to break up their annual Grand Lotlge . This design , however , was hapjiily frustrated by the interjiosition of Sir Thomas Sackville , who took care to initiate some of the chief officers which she hatl sent on this duty . They joined in communication with the Masons , and made so favourable a report to the

Queen on their return that she countermanded her orders , and never afterwards attemjitcd to disturb the meetings oi the fraternity . We think we have now said enough to show what an interesting place Bury is to us Masons , anil how connected the town is in one way and another with the time-honoured Craft .

The meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the " Ancient and honourable fraternity of Free and Accejited Masons "for the jirovincc of Suffolk would in the usual order of rotation have been held this year at Ipswich , but as it had been held within a few years at Ijiswich , and Bury had not been visited for nine or ten years , the Ipswich brethren waived their claim antl relegated to the Provincial

Grand Master the appointment of the place where the Grand Lotlge should be held , it being understood that thc Bury Lodge was willing and anxious to receive it . The Right Worshijiful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Waveney , complying with thc views of thc brethren in both towns , accordingly fixed on Bury for the meeting this year , but the finance meeting , which has hitherto been held on

the morning of Provincial Grand Lodges , was held the previous Monday nt the Freemasons' Hall , Ijiswich . The day for holding the meeting is always the first Monday in July , antl every exertion was made by the Bury brethren last Monday to make the meeting of 1875 a complete success , and to give their comjianions a most hearty welcome . The Royal St . Edmund ' s Lodge has within the last few

years increased largely , and has become cne of thc most prosperous in the province . From the windows of those belonging to the Craft , antl from some houses whose occujiiers were not Masons , there was a display of bunting ; and the bells of the old Norman Tower rang merry peals

during the day . The Grantl Lodge was held at thc Town Hall , which was suitably fitted up for thc occasion , and the handsome furniture of the St . Edmund ' s Lodge was used . The banners of thc several lodges of thc jirovinces were stationed in the hall in the regular order of precedence ; anil under their several banners thc members of thc

lodges assembletl in full Masonic costume at the hour of " high twelve . " The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Waveney , having opened the lodge in due form , thc P . G . A . Secretary , W . E . Bailey , icadthe minutes of the Finance Board , which showed a disposable balance of about £ 60 , after jiaying thc expenses of the jiast year . Of this they recommended ten guineas to he given to the Masonic Boys' School , and £ 10 to the Royal Masonic

Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , the remainder to be kejit to meet urgent cases that might arise in the jirovincc . The report was unanimously agreed to . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master read a letter from Lord Henniker containing an invitation to all Suffolk brethren to attend the installation of the Prov . Grand Master for Norfolk by Lord Skelmersdale , Dejiuty Grand Master of England , at Norwich , in November next .

The roll of the lodges having been called over , antl the representatives of the lodges having reported the progress of the year , which was in all cases most satisfactory , though it was remarked that several lodges were not represented as they should have been by their Worshipful Master , and in one or two instances lodges were not represented at all . In the latter cases the P . G . M . very jirojicrly directed the Prov . Grand Secretary to write to Ihe lodges in question , antl require an exjilanation ol their absence .

The minutes of last Prov . Grand Lodge were taken as read , the * jiroceedings having been printed * and extensively circulated previously . Afterwauls the Right Worshijiful Prov . G . M . jiroceeded to the investiture of officers as follows : —P . G . S . W ., | . Iledley Bevan , W . M . 1008 ; P . G . S . D ., J . 11 . Fraser , P . M . 37 6 ; P . G . J . D ., J . Turner ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

P . M . 22 * 5 ; P . G . Chaplain , thc Rev . J . B . Tweed ; P . G , Sujit . of Works , E . J . Robertson , P . M . 959 ; P . G . Dir . of Cer ., Emra Holmes , P . P . G . R . ; P . G . Ass . Dir . of Cer ., W . Clarke , 114 ; P . G . Swd . B ., J . R . Thomjison , 1008 ; P . G . Purs ., II . Miller , 114 ; P . G . Stewards , O . C Diajier , 225 ; W . Sewell , 555 ; and E . J . Griffiths , 1008 . On the motion of Bro . W . Boby , P . G . S . W ., seconded by

Bro . Dr . Mills , P . P . G . S . W ., Bro . Major Huddlcston , P . P . G . S . W ., P . M . 100 S , was elected Treasurer in thc room of Bio . Spencer Freeman , who was compelled to resign through ill health . The R . VV . Prov . Granil Master , in highly eulogistic terms , jiroposed a vote of thanks to Bro . Freeman for his long antl valued services as Prov . Grantl Treasurer , and

expressed the unanimous feeling of regret which all the brethren felt that hc was compelled to resign , and the more for the cause of his resignation . The resolution was carried most unanimously , in the manner usual among Masons . Bro . Sycr was unanimously re-elected Tyler . Among the brethren y > rcsent at thc Provincial Grand

Lodge were Lord Waveney , P . G . M . of Suffolk ; the Rev . E . J . Lockwood , M . A ., Deputy P . G . M . of Suffolk ; and Bros . VV . Boby , P . G . S . W ., P . M . 114 ; VV . O . Chambers , P . G . J . W . ; N . Tracy , P . P . G . J . W ., W . M . -576 ; W . Armstrong , P . G . J . D . ; S . VV . Prentice , P . G . P . ; T . F . Lucia , P . G . S . ; W . II . Lucia , P . G . Sec . ; W . E . Bailey , P . G . A ., Sec ; F . Sj-alding , P . G . S . D ., P . M . 81 ; Dr . Mills , P . P . G . S . W . ;

E . Holmes , P . P . G . R ., P . G . D . C ; J . P . Sorcl , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . F . Hills , P . P . J . G . W . ; S . IL Wright , P . P . G . S . D ., W . W . Walesbv , P . P . G . S . W . ; W . T . Westgate , P . P . D . C ; T . J . Huddlcston , P . P . G . S . W . ; W . J . J ack , P . P . G . S . D .. Kent ; C J . T . Oakes , P . G . R . ; J . N . York , P . P . G . S . W . Cambs . ; Rev . VV . W . Bird , Chap . 555 ; S . B . Fyfe , VV . M . 3 S 8 ; VV . Clarke , S . D . 959 ;

J . B . Fraser , P . M . 37 6 ; R . Baker , S . D . 3 88 ; J . Marjoram , I . P . M . 355 ; Rev . R . Evans , Chap . 1008 ; II , Miller , jun ., S . D . " 114 ; O . C . Diajier , I . G . 225 ; J . Turner , P . M . 225 ; A . Barber , Sec . 225 ; J . Clarke , Treas . 225 ; George Abbot , S . W . 959 ; E . Robertson , P . M . 959 ; V . Wheeler , W . M . 1224 ; E . M . Fyson , I . G . 1008 ; G . E . Jeaffrcson , W . M " . 555 ; W . J . Nunn ,

Org . 1008 ; A . Bennett , I . G . 959 ; H . Miller , S . D , 1008 ; A . J . Barber , P . G . O . ; ' p . Fearnsidc , S . W . 1008 ; E . J . Griffiths ,-. 1008 ; J . B . Tweed , J . D . 114 ; G . Thompson , P . M . 1008 ; N . Garrett , P . P . G . S . W . ; the Rev . J . J . Farnham , P . G . Chaplain , Bombay ; IL Goldsmith , 1008 ; A . Webb , 1008 ; J . Norman , 929 ; G . Rojicr , 93 6 ; R . Postle , 1008 ; A . R . Barber , 225 ;

J . Clarke , 225 ; H . J . Barnard , 1273 ; C Emerson , 1224 ; E . G . Castledine , 1008 ; J . G . Oliver , 1008 ; W . M . Neale , 1008 ; J . Shepherd , 1008 ; J . M . Harvey , 936 ; G . E . Jeaffrcson , 555 ; W . J . Nunn , 1008 ; W . Pead , 1008 ; Capt . Home , 1008 ; H . Thomjison , 1008 ; J . R . Thomjison , 1008 ; A . A . Bennett , 959 ; F . Bennett , 959 ; L . Merlin , 1118 ; E . Huddlcston , 1008 ; G . Cornish , 1008 ;

E . King , 1008 ; G . J . Paine , 1008 ; E . Fyson , 1008 ; W . D . Paine , 1008 ; P . Fitch , 1008 ; Rev . II . Hall , 100 S ; Rev . C . II . Wenn , 1008 ; II . Sidney , 376 ; A . Laughton , 1008 ; G . J . Keeble , 1008 ; F . E . Aldrich , 1008 ; E . J . Griffiths , Steward 1008 ; A . Last , 1008 ; T . D . Taylor , 959 ; W . II . Smith , 1008 -, T . Gardner , 1008 ; J . Feek , 37 6 ; T . Reed , 1224 ; H . Deacon , I 3 I 2 ; A . A . Goldsmith ,

1008 ; P . M . Browne , 1008 ; H . Rolfe , 1008 ; F . C . Fitch , 1224 ; Dr . W . IL Short , 1008 ; C . Wing , 1008 ; G . F . Nunn , 1008 ; C . Lawrence , 88 ; A . Hunter , 1008 ; N . Garrett , P . M . ; H . Luff , P . G . S . of W . ; and others " At two o'clock a procession was formed under the guidance of Bro . Emra Holmes , the Director of Ceremonies , who was very ably assisted by Bro . W . Clarke , the Asst .

D . C , and the brethren were marshalled under their respective banners , and headed by Tylers with drawn swords , but without any band—none having been providedproceeded to church . Thc want of a band was very much felt , and wc would suggest that as music is en regie , and indeed provided for in thc Book of

Constitutions for public processions of Masons , it would be well if the Prov . Grand Lodge should jirovide a band at its own expense on another occasion , if thc lodge which receives P . G . Lodge is unwilling or unable to provide one . A procession without a band is like a body without a head—and we venture these remarks for the benefit of those whom it may concern . [ The conclusion of this report will be given next week . ]

Dedication Of The Surrey Masonic Hall, And Consecration Of The Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge (No. 1539).

DEDICATION OF THE SURREY MASONIC HALL , AND CONSECRATION OF THE SURREY MASONIC HALL LODGE ( No . 1539 ) .

On Wednesday last the new Masonic Hall for the South of London was formally dedicated to Freemasonry by Lonl Skelmersdale , Dejiuty Grantl Master , anil

Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire . The brethren began to assemble early in the afternoon , and shortly after half-jiast two o ' clock Lonl Skelmersdale arrived . I It was received by Grand Secretary ( Bro . Hervey ) ; Dr . Woodman , Grand Swortl Bearer ; Ex-Sheriff Hutton , Past Grand Deacon ; Col . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex * , Bro ,

Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; Bro . F . Binckes , Bro . II . VV . Little , Bro . Larlham , Bro . Ramsay , Bro . T . L . Green , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Rev . | . M . Vaughan , Rev . P . M . Holden , Bro . II . G . Buss , Pro . G . Treasurer , Middlesex ; Bro . E . Clark ( architect of the building ) , Bro . John Oliver ( the builder ) , Dr .

Goldsboro , Bro . II . C . Levander , Bro . James Lewis I homas , antl several others . His lordship immediately proceedetl to consecrate the building , and a procession was formed , which conducted him to the beautiful lodge-rcom . Assembled there to meet his lordship was a large jiarty of brethren from different parts of London , from the jirovincc

Dedication Of The Surrey Masonic Hall, And Consecration Of The Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge (No. 1539).

of Middlesex , and thc province of Surrey . Lord Sl ; el mcrsdale , who hail appointed Bro . Little to act n , " Director of Ceremonies , requested that brother to opVn thc lodge , which was accordingly done , Bro . Little laki < , the chair of W . M ., Bro . John Ilervey that of S . W ., anj Bro . Hutton that of J . W . Bro . the Rev . J . M . Vau ghan

was S . D . ; Bro . Levander , J . D ., and Bro . J . L Thoni ,- I . G . ; the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford acting as Chajilain ' The lodge having been ojiencd , Lord Skelmersdale tool " the chair of W . M . Bro . E . Clark , the architect , then ; ,.,. proached the W . M . with the plans , which hc laid on tlle pedestal , and explained all thc different chambers which had been j-roviiled for thc convenience of the brethren , th ,.

offices , banqueting room , large hall for public use billiard-room , kitchens , cellars , txc , and informed his lordship that the object the jiromoters had in view was to give lodges on the Surrey side of the water an op |> or . tunity of meeting at a jilace other than a tavern , but with all thc conveniences which a tavern could afford . In this scheme he hoped thc promoters would be

successful , ant ! that the brethren of Surrey would profit by it . Lord Skelmersdale expressed his npjiroval both of thc plans and the objects of thc promoters , ami handed back the plans to Bro . Clark ' s keeping with the best wishes for the success of the enterprise . Bro . Henry Parker , who was presiding at the harmonium , then commenced lilaying a march , and the procession

consisted of the Rev . A . F . Woodford , with the Sacred Law on a cushion , the square and compasses ; Bro . 1 lutton carrying thc cornucojiia with corn ; Bro . Hervey , with wine , and Col . Burdett with oil . Dr . Woodman , wilh thc Sword and Lord Skelmersdale , perambulated the room , and Uic formal act of dedication was performed , the Rev . A . |' , Woodford concluding it with the censer . Bro . Little

ticclared the lodge duly dedicated to Freemasonry and uiiiversal benevolence , and the Rev . A . F . A . Woodford deli , vered the oration , which will appear in our columns next week . After some further music , in which Bros . Farquhursoii antl Kerr Kedge sang some beautiful anthems , thc ceremony of dedication of the Surrey Masonic Hall was

co mplefcd , and the consecration of the Surrey Masonic Hall Lodge was jiroceeded with . Lord Skelmersdale informed this ceremony also , in vvhich the Rev . P . M . Hoi . den acted as Chaplain , and opened the proceedings with jirayer . Bro . John Oliver ( Secretary ) read the warrant , while the brethren named in it were ranged in the usual jilace . -The

brethren of the lodge having signified their assent to the nominations in the warrant ( which was headed with the autograph" Albert Edward , " Grand Master ) , the Rev . P . M . Holden in delivering the oration sjioke as follows * . — Most Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and brethren , —Masonry is an institution founded , not as the ignorant antl uninstructed vainly imagine , on unmeaning mysteries

sujiported by mere good fellowship ; but Masonry is an institution founded upon eternal reason and truth , whose deep recess is the civilisation of mankind , and whose everlasting glory it is to have thc immovable * support of those two mighty pillars , science and morality . In proof of this assertion of mine permit me on the present occasion , as appropriate to our

jiresent gathering , to touch very briefly indeed upon the an . tiejuity , the extent , and thc comjirehensiveness of our mystic art , concluding with a vcry few words upon its excellence and utility . As to its antiquity—Masons of course are very well informed from their own private and interior records that the building of King Solomon ' s Temple is a most important era from whence they derive many

mvsteries of their art . Now , be it remembered that this great event , the building of King Solomon's Temple , took jilace 1000 years before the Christian era , and therefore a century before Homer , the first of the Grecian jiocts , wrote , and five centuries before Pythagoras brought from the East his sublime system of Grand Masonic Instruction to illuminate this our western world . But , remote as this jieriod

unquestionably is , we date not from thence the commencement of our art . Though it might owe to thc great anil glorious and wise King of Israel some of its many mystic forms and hieroglyjihic ceremonies , yet the art itself is coeval with man , with man thc grand subject of it ,- nay , in very truth we may say that it is coeval with the Creation itself , when the Sovereign Architect raised on strictly Masonic

principles this beautiful globe , and commanded that mastet science , Geometry , to lay the rule to the jilanetary world and regulate by its laws the whole stupendous system . And as Masonry is of such remote antiquity , so is it , as might easily be imagined , of boundless extent . We trace its footsteps in the most distant ages and nations of tin * world ; we find it in the first and most celebrated civilize- "

of the East ; we can trace it from the first astronomers on the plains of Chaldea , to the wise and mystic kings anil priests of Egypt , the sages of Greece , the jihilosojihers ol Rome ; nay , even to thc rude and Gothic builders of a dark and degenerate age , whose vast temples still remain among us as monuments of their attachment to d "' Masonic art , and as signal jiroofs ot the taste vvliieh ,

however irregular , must always , nevertheless , be * considered awful , beautiful , grand , and sublime * . I" very truth , in no civilised age or country has Masonry ever been neglected . Thc most illustrious characters—¦ king *' antl nobles , sages and statesmen , authors and artists , warriors and jihilosojihers , have thought it their git ' ' )' ' advance , defend , protect , anil honour it . And even at ''"' esta

jiresent hour , when our brotherhood is successfully - blished in every kingdom on the earth , we are happy il " proud to include in that list names which do honour t " their own , and would , indeed , have done honour to an ) age . Of course , I have no time now to enumerate 1 " ¦'' mention those names ; but , perhaps , it would be id- ' cusable on my jiart did I not here mention one nam ' the name of His Royal Highness thc Prince <>' Wales ( cheers ) , our Worshijiful Grantl Master , ' •¦