Provincial Grand Chapter Of Wiltshire.

Master of the Craft , who had honoured them with his presence , he would express his pleasure at seeing him there . ' The PROV . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT alluded to the satisfactory nature of the charity and financial reports which they had to-day heard . He had been somewhat doubtful as to the wisdom of adopting any scheme which

would have a tendency to divide ourselves from the head charities , where our candidates had always been so successful , but he hoped that wc should not be less successful on account of the new Benevolent Fund scheme . Finally , as a Warminster man , he must thank the companions generally for comin" - to visit them on the occasion . The P . G . SUPERINTENDENT then declared all offices vacant .

On the proposition of the M . E . SUPERINTENDENT , seconded by Ex . Comp . FULCHER , Comp . W . Nott was re-elected Treasurer . The M . E . SUPERINTENDENT then proceeded to appoint and -invest the officers of the P . G . Chapter for the ensuing year as follows :

Comp . Henry C . Tombs ( P . G . A . S . } 355 - - Prov . G . H . „ T . S . Futcher , 59 6 - - Prov . G . J . „ H . P . Blackmore , 5 86 - - Prov . G . S . N . „ William Nott ( by election ) 632 - - Prov . G . Treas .

„ John Rumbold , 5 S 6 ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ F . J . Russell , 586 - ' - - Prov . G . ist A . S . „ Robert S . Edwards , 355 ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S .

„ Ambrose Tucker , 5 S 6 - - - Prov . G . Reg . „ John Chandler , 355 - Prov . G . D . C . „ John Savory ( by election ) 355 - - Prov . G . Jan . On the proposition of the M . E . P . G . SUPERINTENDENT ^ seconded by the P . G . H ., it was unanimously resolved that the cordial thanks of the chapter be voted to Comp . Shadwell Clerke for coining to consecrate the

Thynne Chapter ; to Comp W . Beach for his attendance and assistance in the ceremony ; and to the P . G . Master of Wiltshire , Lord Methuen , P . Z . 355 , for supporting them by his presence . The companions named respectively acknowledged the vote of thanks . After the usual routine business the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to the Bath Arms Hotel , where there awaited them an excellent banquet , to which the M . E . Superintendent had contributed a liberal supply of venison and game .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of South Wales.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SOUTH WALES .

The Grand Lodge of this province held a meeting on the 31 st uit ., in the Masonic Hall , Cardiff , the primary business at which was the installation of Bro . Sir Pryse Pryse , Bart , of Goggerdau , as Grand Master of the province . The lodge was held under the banner of the Langley Lodge , No . 2 S , and was very largely attended . Since thc death of Bro . T . M . Talbot , of

Margam , no successor had been appointed until the spring of last year , when the M . W . the Grand Mark Master Mason of England issued his patent to the Grand Registrar , desiring him to take charge " of the province , and exercise all the functions of Provincial Grand Master , until the brethren had selected one who , distinguished by birth , social position , and Masonic attainments , should be deemed worthy lo occupy the high and honourable

position of Grand Mark Master of so important and extensive a province as that of South Wales . The Grand Registrar , after an interval of twelve months , called the lodges together , and having reconstituted the Provincial Grand Lodge , and appointed his offices , called upon them to exercise their privilege in choosing the one whom they desired should bear rule over them .

Unanimously it was determined to recommend Sir Pryse Pryse to the W . M . the Grand Mark Master Mason of England , as peculiarly fitted to fill the exalted office . Immediate action was taken , which resulted in the fruition of the wishes of those brethren who desire the extension of this most important degree in Freemasonry .

TheJProvincial Grand Lodge was opened at two p . m . by the Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master , Bro . John Rogers , P . M . No . 2 S , in an impressive manner , and , after the transaction of the ordinary business , he gave place to the Installing Master , Bro . Capt . S . G . Homfray , J . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master of Monmouthshire , who ably performed thc ceremony of installation .

The Provincial Grand Mark Master then appointed , invested , and installed as his Deputy Bro . the Rev . Jonathan Marden , M . A ., a selection that has given entire satisfaction to the brethren of the Province . The folllowing brethren were appointed and invested office bearers for the ensuing year :

Bro . Major Prust , Tenby Lodge - - - Prov . G . S . W . „ Joseph Thomas , W . M . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . J . W . „ E . Daniels , Talbot Lodge - - - - Prov . G . M . O . ,, Howell Davies , W . M . Tenby Lodge - - Prov . G . S . O . „ Wm . Rowe , S . W . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . J . O . „ T . W . Jacobs , P . M . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . Reg . „ N . D . Marks , P . M . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . Sec . » , J . O . Lewis , Langley Lodge - - - Prov . G . Treas .

> , Dr . Lock , Tenby Lodge - Prov . G . S . D , .. A . P . Fabian , P . S . W . 2 - - - - p v . G . J . D . „ T . G . Glass , P . M . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . D . of C . . » John R . Ingram , J . W . Langley Lodge - - Prov . G . Swd . Br . > , William Dobbs , Langley Lodge - - - Prov . G . I . G . » F . B . Atkins , Mus . Bac , Oxon , Langley Lodge - Prov . G . Or « -.

)> Amos Jenkins , Langley Lodge . . . Prov . G . Tyler . The R . W . Prov . Grand Mark Master , of Monmouthshire , Bro . L . Augustus Homfray , with a large following of his officers , notably amongst whom was Bro . Wm . Watkins , thc Grand Secretary ( who ably officiated as Director of Ceremonies ) , honoured the lodge with their presence . The musical

arrangements were undertaken and carried out by Bro . II . J . Groves , Prov . G . Org . Monmouthshire , with his usual ability . lhe banquet , after the lodge was closed , was held at the Royal Hotel , and was largely attended . The Provincial Grand Mark Master presided , and a very happy and enjoyable evening was spent , one that will belong remembered by the brethren who were privileged to be present .

Consecration Of The Herschel Lodge, No. 1894, At Slough.

CONSECRATION OF THE HERSCHEL LODGE , No . 1894 , AT SLOUGH .

Upwards of eighty members of the Masonic Fraternity assembled at Slough on Wednesday last , on the occasion of the consecration of the Herschel Lodge , No . 18 94 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , so designated in honour of Sir William Herschel , the famous astronomer , who conducted his important and successful researches within a short distance of

the spot where" the interesting ceremony took place on Wednesday . For several years past a desire has been expressed for the formation of a Masonic lodge in this place , and through the exertions of Bro . R . P . Bent , Past G . Chap , of England ; Bro . A . H . Kennedy , Bro . Doran Webb , and others , the matter has been brought to a successful issue , and there is every prospect of a strong and flourishing lodge being established in the Province of Berks and Bucks .

The brethren , who assembled at the Crown Hotel , shortly after twelve o ' clock , included the V . W . Bros . J . Studholme Brownrigg , Past G . Chap , and Dep . Prov . G . M . of the province ; Col . Shadwell Clerke , G . Sec . of Eng . ; Rev . R . P . Bent , Past G . Chap , and W . M . designate ; Bros , the Rev . Nicholas T . Garry , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . C . G . Browne , P . P . G . C . Hants ; T . Taylor , P . G . SW . ; J . Wilson , P . G . J . W . ; H . C . Levander ,

J . G . D . Eng .: A . H . Kennedy ( who had been indefatigable as acting Secretary ) ; W . Biggs , P . P . G . Sec . ( who officiated as Prov . G . Sec , in Bro . Broadley ' s absence ); C . W . Cox , P . P . G . D . C ; James Rutland , P . P . G . O . ; H . H . Hodges , P . P . G . S . W . ; E . Davey , P . G . R . ; Major George Shanks , K . M ., P . P . S . W . Devon ; Rev . Vernon Blake , P . G . Chap . Oxfordshire ; Rev . W . A . Hill , G . Chap . ; W . B . Farr , P . G . S . W .

Bengal ; J . O . Carter , P . P . G . S . W . ; Rev . W . J . Mills Ellison , Powell , Jas Batting , G . Rowles , D . A . Mardon , H . W . Nicholson , E . Cotton , J . Harper , W . Phillips , G . S . Emanuel , W . Hinckley , H . Arrowsmith , R . Nicholson , Francis J . Ferguson , R . Mount , W . Sevemake , G . Clarke , C . A . Poole , J . Fisher , F . Marsh , Heath , Rev . G . N . Clements , A . B . Baker , R . C . Baverstock , Geo . Fountain , Rev . B . T . Thompson , R . Putlick . P . Stevenson , Rev . J . H . McSwiney , H . W . Liverd , H . Lovegrove , Jos . Martin , H .

G . Quilter , Charles Turner Stephen Knight , Prov . G . D . of C . ; R . P . Webb , C . Nowell , P . G . Purst . ; Dr . Alfred Meadows , W . N . Crowhurst , M . Duffield , James Strange , P . P . G . D . C ; L . Lichwitz , C . E . Riley , N . Isaacs , S . Kirkby , L . Nixon , P . G . S . D . ; J . Goddard , F . Manley , R . E . Hannis , W . S . Cantrell , P . P . G . D . ; H . D . Marshall , Welham Clarke , H . P . Prosser , Robt . Ramsay , Chas . Cousins , Thos . Brooks , E . T . Brown , R , Barton , J . Evans , George Westall , H . Kaswer , G . J . Cosburn ( Freemason ) , and others .

At a quarter past one the brethren , marshalled by Bro . Stephen Knight , the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , formed into procession , and walked to the parish church , where Divine service was held , and one and all were struck with the architectural beauty of the interior , due to the skill of Mr . John G . Scott , ( son of the late Sir George Gilbert Scott ) under whose direction the restoration of the sacred edifice was so ably carried out , The prayers were intoned by Bro . the Rev . B . Thompson , and the lesson

was read by Bro . the Rev . N . T . Garry , Vicar of St . Mary's , Reading , and Provincial Grand Chaplain . Thc service was full choral , thc efficient choir sustaining their parts admirably , Mr . Blanchett ably presiding at the organ . The anthem , taken from Psalm 133 , " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" was beautifully rendered . The concluding prayers were intoned by Bro . the Rev . J . H . H .

McSwiney , Vicar of Penn , Staffordshire , and the Rev . P . W . Phipps , Vicar of Slough , pronounced the benediction . The pulpit was occupied by Bro . the Rev . R . P . BENT , Past Grand Chaplain of England , who preached an eloquent and appropriate sermon from the ist Kings , 6 th Chap ., 7 th verse : "And the house when it was in building was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither ; so

that there was neither hammer , nor axe , nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building . " The ' reverend brother observed that the congregation gathered in that temple of the Most High that day was such a one that was not often to be seen within those sacred walls . Indeed , he knew that such a congregation had never assembled in that parish before in the memory of man . The congregation was mainly composed of those to

whom that portion of Holy Writ from which he had selected the text was specially interesting , because therein they obtained a description of the building which the royal architect reared in Jerusalem for T . G . A . O . T . U . It was to that portion of Holy Writ , descriDing the building of the Temple and its magnificent services , that they , as Masons , owed so much of their ritual , impressive symbolism , and legendary lore , and to Masons especially

it must always possess a strong interest , ever bright and fresh . Freemasons , however , did not presume to think they had an exclusive interest in any part of the Bible more than any other people . They venerated the whole of the Sacred Volume , and recognised the fact that it should be the lamp of light , and thc rule of faith to all alike , whether enrolled in the Masonic fraternity or not , and he ventured to hope that his sermon might be neither

uninteresting or unprofitable lo the non-Masonic memberst of the present congregation . Let him at once , before proceeding any further , assure his hearers—one and all—that while , as Chaplain of the Ancient Order , he took his place in the pulpit of their parish church , he dare not forget that he was a minister for One who was greater than Solomon . It was his privilege , three years ago , to visit Jerusalem , and see the very place where the

preparation of the stones referred to in the text went on . The stones for the Temple were hewn out of the solid rock at no great distance from the site chosen for the Temple . They were shaped and smoothed on thc spot , and then conveyed to their destination , and fixed in their respective positions . The result of the excavations was the formation by degrees of a set of underground vaults and chambers , where ample space was afforded for the

works , which must have been carried on by the aid of lamps , as then became further and further removed from thc light of day . When inspecting thc quarries three years ago , he had pointed out to him the very places where the lamps were undoubtedly hung . Those quarries had been thoroughly examined by the officers of the Palestine Exploration Fund ,

who had prosecuted their researches to the very foundations of the Temple itself . Those quarries were used not many years ago for a similar purpose to that for which they had gathered together that day , a Freemason's lodge having been consecrated in those very quarries where King Solomon had the stones prepared for the building of the Temple . They could see in the work described in the text

worked described in the text a type or symbol for their own learning and edification . God ' s people were like the stones in the Temple , each filling the place assigned by the Divine architect , and taking their place in humble