Annual Meeting Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROV . GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

Masonry has within the last few years greatly increased in popularity in the province of Cheshire , and this fact was fully illustrated on Thursday week by the large and " highly-enthusiastic meeting which took p lace at the Music Hall , Birkenhead . In pursuance of the directions of the R . W . P . G . M . ( the Right Hon . the Lord de Tabley ) , the annual

meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Cheshire was then' held , and the summons was cordially responded to , not only by the Prov . Grand Officers , W . Masters , P ; Masters , and Wardens in the province , but also by the members of the sister lodges in other parts of "the country , who numbered iu greater numbers

^ thtin are usually met with at these interesting periodical gatherings ; There were about 300 of the brethren present , which shows a great increase upon the gathering which took p lace at Macclesfield last year . The * Provincial Grand Lodge was announced to open at noon , but it was some time after that hour before the members were found in

their places and the business of the meeting was proceeded with . 'Amongst the most prominent of the brethren present were Bros . Thomas Wilcock , W . M . 245 ; Daniel Woolev , W . M ., 287 ; Peter Wills , W . M , 1088 ; E . G . Reass , W . M ., 430 ; J . E . Shanks , P . P . G . S . B ., Devonshire ; William Rigbv , P . P . G .

Pur ., 758 ; H . S . Aspinwall , W . M ., 267 ; E . Dakiu Garvin , P . G . C . ; T . Armstrong P . G . J . D ., West Lancashire ; William Fair , P . P . G . S . W . ; John Twiss , P . G . O .: Robert Wylie , P . Assist . G . D . C , West Lancashire ; J . Healing , W . M ., 1264 ; W . H . Perrin , W . M . 336 ; J . Hock en , W M ., 673 ; J . Beresford , W . M ., 104 ; R . W . Worrall , 721 ; Peter

Wadsworth , W . M ., 295 ; H . Isherwood , W . M ., 322 ; Robert Sykes . W . M ., 324 ; G . White , W . M ., 079 ; J . Martin , W ! M ., 293 ; T . Stafford , P . P . D . G , 1085 ; C . Atkinson , W . M ., 323 ; J . Swindells , P . G . Tyler ; W . Hague , W . M , 830 ; J . B . Piatt , P . G . J . W . ; J . Barclay , P . G . S ., 539 ; F . Jackson , jun ., P . G . D . C , Cheshire ; A . J . Maciutyre , G . R . ; Thomas Piatt ,

P . P . J . G . D . ; F . Bincker , P . G . Steward ; W . Evans , W . M , 220 ; Horatio Lloyd , P . P . G . S . D , Cheshire , 425 ; E . Newbold , P . G . S . D , 247 ; J . A . Sharpe . P . M ., 292 ; H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec . West Div . of Lancashire ; R Gracie , W . M ., 477 ; G . H . Hobson , P . M , 477 ; E . G . Willonghby , P . P . J . W , P . M ., 477 ; R . Meacock , P . M . 477 ; E . Harbord , S . W . 477 ;

S . Jones , S . D . 477 ; C . Sayer , J . D . 477 ; J . IT Johnston , Sec . 477 ; J . Griffith , I . G . 477 ; W . R . Bainhridge , P . M . 721 ; C . Leedman , P . M . 220 ; C . J . Butterfield , Sec . 220 ; John Lunt , P . M . 1 ( 186 ; W . Archer , P . M . 1086 ; R . Humphreys , Sec . 600 , J . W . 384 and 1113 ; C . Wigan , P . G . S , North Wales and Shropshire ; J . Wood , Treas . 1094 ; J .

Pemberton , S . W . 1260 ; & c . The brethren were requested to appear in full Craft Masonic clothing and jewels , with white cravats and gloves , and this order from head-quarters was almost unexceptionally attended to . After some delay , the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in proper form , Lord de Tabley taking

his seat upon the thi-ono bv virtue of his oilice as R . W . P . G . M . The P . G . Sec . ( Bro . R . II . Griffiths ) , after calling the mil , read tha minutes of the previous Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Macclesfield , and also the minutes of the committee of the Fund of Benevolence , which were found to be correctly recorded , and passed unanimously .

TheGrand Treasurer ( Bro . T . Bland , Macclesfield ) read his financial statement , and reported that the expenditure last year was very large , iu consequence of the dishurseinei ts for the Zetland Testimonial , the Palestine Exploration Fund , the Cheshire Educational Institution , & c . Notwithstanding these extra demands , however , he reported that there was

a balance in hand of £ 1371 5 s . Id . He proposed that , in addition to the money already invested with the Birkenhead commissioners a further sum of £ -2 » 0 should he so disposed of . The accounts , with the proposed disposal of the sum of . £ 200 . were

unanimously adopted . The P . G . M . then nominated Bro . T . Bland as the P . G Treasurer , and iu doing so thanked him very much for the trouble he had taken and the ability he had shown in the discharge of the duties of that office .

Bro . Bland ' s election was confirmed by acclamation . Tho R . W . P . G . M . then proceeded to nominate his Grand officers for the ensuing year , and the following brethren were unanimously elected : —G . Cornwall Leah , M . l ' ., li . W D . P . G . M . ; Captain Cope , P . G S . W . ; Henry Bulley , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . G . II . Hobson and Rev . v \ I erry , P . G . Chaplains ; John

Wood , I'M It . ; K . II . Griffiths : l' . G . S / cretary ; Charles Dutton , P . G . S . li . ; James Hampson , P . G .-I 1 ) . ; K . Jackson and W . J . Bates P . G . D . ol'C ; — limit in , P . G . Superintendent ot Works ; J . C . Clieeth . im , P . G . S . B . ; J . Harold , P . G . P . ; J . Twiss , P . G . O . ; J . Swindells , P . G . Tyler ; J . II . Johnston , T . K . Stevenson . T . Leighton , O . Jones , J . Sillitoe , H . M . Barclay , i ' . G . . Stewards .

Annual Meeting Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

In accordance with former practice , the R . W . P . G . M . then addressed the Provincial Grand Lodge ou the condition of Masonry in Cheshire , and he remarked that he was happy to be able to congratulate the Craft on its continued prosperity , thanks to the efforts of the masters and brethren of the different lodges within the province . He also congratulated

the brethren upon the successful efforts they had made in securing the admission of Bro . Saxby to the benefits of the Masonic Institution , and counselled the brethren to be unanimous in their votes as to any candidate who might be brought forward , as the only means of securing his admission . He concluded by thanking the grand ofiicers and

brethren for the sympathy they had shown to him during the past year , and for the cordial reception he had always met with when attending the Provincial Graud Lodge , and he assured them it would be always his endeavour to merit their support aud confidence . Bro . Captain Cope was re-appointed chairman of

the committee of the Fund of Benevolence . After considerable discusssion it was agreed , on the motion of Bro . Latham , seconded by Bro . Fair , that the consideration of the nomination of the most deserving candidate by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire for admission to the Boys ' School should be ' referred to the committee of the

Fund of Benevolence , to meet in about ten days for that purpose . The R . W . P . G . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev . Mr . Sandberg , vicar of St . John ' s , for the use of his church for the day ' s services ; and this proposition was unanimously adopted . Lord de Tabley announced that he would hold the next Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Cougleton ,

where it had not beeu held since 1852 . This was till the business set down on the paper for disposal . The Provincial Grand Lodge then proceeded from the lodge room to St . John ' s Church , by way of Athertoii-street and Grange-lane , where a large crowd had assembled to witness the displa \\ The following was the order of the processsion : —

Two Tylers , with drawn swords . Music . Union flag . Urethral not members of any lodge , two and two . Tlie County Lodges , according to tlicir numbers , and each in the following order juniors going first : —

Tlie Clarendon Lodge , Hyde , No . 116 G . Banner ; Tyler , with drawn sword ; Hrethren , two and two ; Inner Guard , willi a sword ; Stewards , Deacons , Secretary , Treasurer , Chaplain , Wardens , Past Masters , W . Master . The Ashton Lodge , Clioadle , No . 1 H 0 . The Oakwood Lodge , I . ' omiley . No . 112 G . The Koyal Edward Lodge , Staley bridge , No . 1088 . The Lodge , of Four Cudinul Virtues , Crewe , No . 970 .

The De Tabley Lodge , Knutsford , No . 0 + 1 . Tlie Endeavour Lodge , Dukinfield , No . 830 . The ICllcsiin'i-i ! Lodge , liuncorn , No . 753 . The Lodge of Independence , Chester , No . 721 . The Combermere Lodge , Seacombo , No . 605 . The Zetland Lodge , l' . irkenbead , No . 537 .

The Eaton Lodge , Congleton , No . 533 . The Mersey Lodge , ItirUi-nhead . No . -177 . The Lodge ' of Unity , Macclesfield , No . -1 (> 7 . The Lodge of Fortitude , Newton , No . -101 . The Lodge of fidelity , Dukinfield , No . -i . 10 . The Lodge of Sincerity , Norlhwicli , No . 428 .

Ihe Oostriaii Lodge , Chester , No . 420 . The Samaritan Lodge . Sandbach , No . 3 lj 8 . Tho Lodge of Industry , Hyde , No . 301 . The Lodge of Ucnevolcncc , Marple , No . 330 . The Moira Lodge S'aleybridge , No . 324 . Tlio Lodge of Concord , Stockport , No . 323 .

J lie Lodge of Peace , Stockport , No . 322 . The Lodge of Unity , Crewe , No . 321 . The Lodge of Loyalty , Mottram , No . 320 . The Lodge of Union , " Macclesfield , No . 295 . The King ' s Friend * ' Lodge , Nantwicli , No . 293 . The Lodge of Unanimity , Stockport , No . 287 . Tlie Lodge of St . John , Stockport , No . 104 . The Lodge of Unanimity , Dukinfield , No . 89 .

Union I- 'lag . P . G . Tyler . Past P . G . Pursuivants . P . (} . Pursuivant . Floor cloth of the first degree . Past P . < J . Organists . P . G . Organist . Past P . G . Directors of Ceremonies . P . G . Assistant Director of Ceremonies . P . G . Director of Ceremonies .

Hoor cloth of the second degree . The Tracing Hoard , b . irne on a pedestal by a . Past Master

of a Lodge . Past P . G . Sword Hearers . Past P . . Superintendents of the Works . P . O . Superintendent of tho Works . Floor cloth of the third degree . Past P . G . Deacons . P . G . Secretary , with the Hook of Constitutions . Past P . G . Registrars .

P G . Kegistrar , with his bag . P . G . Treasurer . Past P . G Ch iplains . Past P . G Wardens . Visiting P . G . Officers , two and two . according to rank ,

juniors going first . Thc Corinthian Light , borne by a IVt Master of a Lodge . The Column of P . J . G . Warden , borne by a Past Master of a Lodge .

Annual Meeting Of The Prov. Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

The P . J . G . Warden , with the Plumb Rule . ' "'" P . G . Steward of the i Banner of the > P . G . Steward of the year , with Wand . ? P . G . Lodge . ) year with Wand . The Doric Light , borne by a Past Master of a- Lodge ; The Column of P . S . G . Warden , borne by a Past Master .

The P . S . G . Warden , with the Level . , P . J . G . Deacon . P . G . Steward ( The P . G . Chaplain , bearing "! P . G . Steward of the year <¦ THE SACKED LAW > of the year with Wand . ( . on a Cushion . J with Wand .

Past D . P . G Master . Tlio D . P . G . Master , with Square . The Ionic Light , borne hy a Past M aster of a Lodge . A Past P . G . M ., or other Brother of eminence , bearing the Mallet . ¦• ¦¦¦ . ! ¦ ¦ ' ' P . G . Steward of the j The Standard of j P . G . Steward of ths year , with Wand , j the P . G . Master . J year , with Wand . The P . G . Sword Bearer . -

The Right Worshipful the PROVINCIAL GKAN-D MASTEK . P . S . G . Deacon . P . G . Tyler , with drawn Sword . On arriving at the door of the church the procession halted , and the brethren opened to the right and

left , faced inwards , so as to leave room for ; the'P . G . Master to pass up the centre , he being preceded by his standard and sword bearers ; the P . G . officers and brethren following in succession from the rear , so as to invert the order of procession . ,. .- - . ;/ ,

Full cathedral service "was given , the choir consisting of Bros . Edmondson , Baker , Wilson , Parker , T . J . Hughes , and Aimstroug , assisted by Miss Green and Miss Phillips , aud the choir boys of St : Peter ' s parish church , Liverpool : Bro . Twiss P . G . O : of Cheshire , presided at the organ , and played an appropriate voluntary while the brethren were

entering the church . The responses were Talhs s , the Psalms for the evening being sung to chants by Havergall , llussell , and ( loss , while the "Magnificat " and "Nunc Dimittis " were Boynton Smith ' s in E . flat . The anthem was "Great is the Lord " ( Dr . Hayes ") , and the hymn before the sermon was the 100 th Psalm , sung partly in unison and pirtly

in harmony , the concluding selection being Mendelssohn ' s fine chorale from " St . Paul , ' - ' " Sleepers , awake . " With the exception of the chant from the Psalms , which was somewhat wanting in precision and certainty , the choral service was rendered with true devotional spirit , the organ ' accompaniments being played in admirable taste arid

with fine effect . The sermon was preached by the P . G . C . ( Bro . Hobson ) , who chose tor ids text the 12 th verse of the 10 th chapter of Romans , "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek ; for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call upon Him . " In the course of his discourse the . preacher referred at some length to the distinguishing

features of Masonry , which recommended itself to the favourable consideration of every man , because it sought net his own glory , but the glory of God and the welfare of mankind . A collection was afterwards made in aid of the Birkenhead Borough Hospital and the provincial fund of benevolence . The brethren observed the same order in returning

from Church to the Music Hall , where the PrOv : Grai . d Lodge was duly closed . Mr . Superintendent Birnie , witli three inspectors and twenty-five constables , was on duty at different points along the route , but their services were merely confined to keeping tho observers iu their proper position . The band of the 2 nd C . R . V . accompanied the brethren to and from the church .

Shortly after the return of the brethren from church a ' banquet was served iu the Music Hall , to which about 2 U 0 sat down , Bro . Stokes , of'Seacombe , being the purveyor . Lord de Tabley presided , and was supported right aud left by the officers ol the Provincial Grand Lodge . The musical arrangements , which were admirably carried out , were

under the direction of Bro . Twiss , P . G . O . ( who , presided at the piano-forte ) , assisted by Bros . ' ' Edmondson , Baker , W . Parker , T . J . Hughes , and T . Armstrong . Alter proposing the toast of " The Queen , " which was most cordially received , the H . W . P . G . M . gave the toast "The Prince' of Wales and Earl of Chester , the Princess of Wales , and

the rest of the Royal Family , " and in doing so he said he was happy to drink not only to the prince as Prince of Wales merely , hut as P . G . M . of England . The toast was responded to with great enthusiasm . " The Cambrian Plume , " anew song by Briuley Richards , was sung by Bro . Hughes with ureal spirit , and loudly cheered . The

principal remaining to . ists were : — "The Earl of Zetland , M . W . G . M ., and the Officers of the Grand Lodge " ( responded to bv Bro . M'lutyre , G . lt . ); " Lord de Tabley" ( proposed by Bro . Cope , P . G . S . W . ) ; "The It . W . P . Grand Masters of Neighbouring Provinces " ( responded toby Bro . II . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec ., Wv Lancashire ) , & c . The Grand Stewards deserve

especial notice for the indefatigable zeal they dis- played at the banquet and throughout the day's proceedings with the view of securing the comfort and mtbdSiction of all the brethren . After the criliclitding toast , "All Poor and Distressed Masons ;" the brethren separated , all expressing their p leasure at tlie result of the day ' s doings .