Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

amount , or such other form as the Prov . Grand Lodge may decide upon ; " and at the suggestion of the M . W . P . G . M . the following words were added : — "And that the Charity Organisation Committee be requested to consider the subject and take any steps they may deem expedient in regard to this object . " The resolu'ion was carried . Some other formal business was then disposed of , including sundry

charitable grants , and brought the bu > iness to a close . The brethren then proceeded to the banquetting hall , where a splendid repast was served by Bro . F . C . George , 44 6 , of the Swan Hotel , Wells , to which about 140 brethren sat down , the R . W . the P . G . M . presiding , and being supported by the newly-appointed D . P . G . M ., W . Bro . R . C . Else , V . W . Bro . S . G . Homfray , A . G . D . of C , D . P . G . M .

( Monmouth ); W . Bro . Major S . II . Clerke , P . G . S . W . ( Devon ); Bro . H . Lopes , M . P ., S . W . 973 ; General Doherty , C . B ., P . Prov . G . S . W . Sornt . ; W . Bro . F . Binckes , P . G . S . Eng . ; * W . Bro . W . R . Wood , P . G . S . Eng . ; R . W . General Gore Munbee , P . Prov . G . S . W . Somt . ; and the newlyappointed G . P . Officers . The two ends of the horseshoe table were presided over

by the Provincial Grand Wardens , W . Bro . Major Preston , and W . Bro . A . T . Perkins . 'The haunch of venison at the banquet was sent by Lord Carnarvon . After the claims of hunger had been appeased , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and heartily responded to .

General Doherty , P . P . G . S . W ., proposed in eloquent terms the health of the R . W . the P . G . M ., the Earl of Carnarvon , remarking that this was the first time this province had had the opportunity of personally congratulating him upon the distinction conferred on him by the Prince of Wales on the 28 th of April last , by appointing him Pro Grand Master of England , and how cordially

every Mason in Somersetshire rlid so . With his Lordship ' s health he also coupled the healths of the D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , and the rest of the Grand Officers , past and present . I lis Lordship returned thanks in feeling and suitable terms . Major Shadwell II . Clerke , P . P . G . S . W ., Devon ,

proposed the next toast , which was " The newly-installed D . P . G . M . of Somerset , and the rest of the P . G . Officers past and present . " fie congratulated the province on the appointment of Bro . Else , as D . P . G . M . ; a brother whose merits were so well known in the province , that any repetition of them would appear at the present moment to be superfluous . He would therefore content himself with

saying that Bro . Else ' s name and character , as an enthusiastic and untiring worker for the Craft , was widely known , and highly respected in every province in England . Major Clerke continued to remark that it afforded him peculiar pleasure to be present on this occasion , to witness the investment into the high and honourable office of Junior Grand Warden of the Province , of a very old friend

and brother officer of his , namely , Captain Alfred Perkins , and who hail , by exertions in the province , so worthily earned the honour he had now received . In conclusion , he said that although unfortunately he was a stranger to many of the new Provincial Grand Officers , still , he was fully aware that they were brethren who had well deserved the position to which they had just attained , and in wishing

the province every success in the future , he begged to congratulate , W . Bro . Else on the high appointment he had that day received , and the province of Somerset on having so true and trusty a brother as theii new D . P . G . M . Bro . Else , in responding to the toast , thanked Bro . Clerke for the kind and flattering remarks he had made , and said that the services he had rendered the province for

the last ten years as P . G . Secretary , would still be continued with even greater pleasure as D . P . G . M . and for himself and his fellow officers he return' -d his sincere and hearty thanks for the reception which had that day been accorded him . Lord Carnarvon being obliged to leave the chair , it was assumed by W . Bro . Else , who proceeded to propose the

rrext toast , which was " The Health of the D . P . G . M ., of Monmouth , who had come strongly supported by the brethren of his province , and had rendered great assistance in the proceedings of the day . Bro . Homfray was one of those brethren who had been especially singled out for distinction on the occasion of the installation of IT . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and on that occasion had been appointed

A . G . D . C . Bro . Else congratulated him on his well-earned honours , and assured hint and the brethren of his province , of the hearty welcome they would at all times receive in the neighbouring Province of Somerset . Bro . S . George Homfray responded , and thanked the D . P . G . M ., for the compliment paid his province by the special notice taken of them . Although unknown to most

of the Province of Somerset , still their late D . P . G . M ., Bro . Bridges , was his father in Masonry , and had trained him in the Craft , and his loss was not only a serious one to the Province of Somerset , but also to the G . L . of England , which he had the honour to represent . Bro . Homfray congratulated the province on Bro . Else ' s appointment , and , as the D . P . G . M . of a neighbouring

province , could promise him every support and assistance , if required . W . Bro . Else next proposed "The Health of Bro H . G . Lopes , S . W ., of No . 973 , and M . P . for Frome , " who responded in suitable terms . The next toast was "Th : W . M . of No . 44 6 , W . Bro . Capt A . S . Perkins , and the Officers and Brethren of the Lodge . "

The D . P . G . M . in giving this toast , said that it gave the brethren of the province great pleasure to visit the Benevolent Lodge , and he touk this opportunity of thanking the W . M . and brethren for their reception of the Prov . G . L ., and for the hospitality they had shewn them on this occasion . He felt especially glad that Lord Carnarvon had selected their W . M . for the office of P . G . J . W ., as be could see by the reception | givcn to the province by his lodge

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

this day , that the appointment was a most appropriate one , and he felt sure that at the end of W . Bro . Pert-ins '? term of office , he would hand over his lodge in the same efficient state to which he had now brought it . W . Bro . Capt . Perkins , in returning thanks , said that he was proud and glad to see the large number of brethren of the province who had come to visit his lodge this day ,

and in the name of his lodge he offered them a hearty welcome to the ancient City of Wells . He specially welcomed those distinguished visitors who he saw supporting the D . G . Master , and would now take this opportunity of returning thanks for the high office to which he had been this day appointed , and to his old friend and comrade , Major Clerke , for the very kind way he had spoken of him ,

when proposing the health of the P . G . Officers . He was happy to state that his lodge was in a most flourishing condition , and he hoped that he had been able to keep up its ancient fame during his term as Master , and trusted to hand it over in as good a state as he had himself received it . W . Bro . E . Turner Payne , V . G . Treasurer , proposed

The W . M . s and Officers of the other Lodges in the Province , " which was replied to by W . Bro . M . Messiter , W . M . of the Frome Lodge . The toast of " The Visiting Brethren " was given by W . Bro . Else , and W . Bro . Wood replied in a humorous and amusing speech . The D . P . G . M . proposed as the next toast " Those

Institutions which were the pride of every Mason ; those Charitable Schools and Asylums which were supported by the Craft , and which afforded a home for so many aged men and women and education for their children . " He was pleased to see Bro . Binckes here to-day . He was one who had given up much of his time to these institutions , and as the Secretary of the Boys' School he would call upon him

to return thanks . Bro . Binckes , in returning thanks , said he was glad to have this opportunity of speaking in this province . At the last festival their P . G . M . presided , and it was owing to his exertions , that the magnificent sum of £ 12 , 000 had been subscribed on that occasion , the largest sum that had ever been brought up at one meeting , and the province of Somerset alone brought , through their stewards , Bros .

Else , Doherty , and Gagne , the handsome sum of £ 500 , the largest sum subscribed by one province . Bro . Binckes proceeded to give some account of the working , & c , ot the Boys' School , and expressed a hope that its present prosperity might long continue . After the Tyler's toast had been given and responded to , the brethren broke up , having enjoyed a most pleasant and successful meeting .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DORSETSHIRE .

The Grand Lodge of the Province of Dorsetshire assembled on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Town Hall , Wareham , when there was a large attendance of past and present provincial officers , and representatives from nearly all the thirteen lodges in the county . The inhabitants of Dorset have frequently been held up to a great

disadvantage when compared with the residents of larger counties , and though often the criticisms have been unfair , yet , by the local press they have been often allowed to pass for what they are worth . Masonry boasts of being an universal institution . On members of the Craft the sun ever shines with noon-tide splendour , because in every part of the habitable globe Masonic lodges are to be found .

Whilst this is the case it is also a fact that nowhere have the principles of true Masonry been better carried out than in the little county of Dorset with its thirteen lodges and five Royal Arch Chapters . If proof is demanded we may cite the fact that the sum taken up for the Masonic Institution for Boys last year , by the two Dorset Stewards was over JCIOOO , being nearly one-twelfth of the whole

collected in the country ; and of this large contribution Bro . H . C . Burt , P . M . 622 , Wimborne , collected £ 633 3 s ., an amount only exceeded by the West Riding of Yorkshire as the result of the labours of its twenty-seven stewards . The amount taken in by Bro . Montague , D . P . G . M ., was £ 368 1 is . All the lodges in the province are in good working order , and yearly increasing in numerical strength and

Masonic activity . This happy condition of the province is very largely owing to the zealous exertions of Bro . T . Coombs , of Dorchester , who for years has made Freemasonry his relaxation from professional work . The incident of the present annual meeting has been the retirement of Bro . T . Coombs from the secretarial office he has held with so much advantage to the Craft and to those

objects of benevolence with which Masonry is so particularly identified . Nothing could exceed the kind feeling shown by the brethren when mention of Bro . Coombs' retirement was made , and better fortune , better health , and a renewal at no distant time of his active participation in the direction of the province was the hearty wish of both Provincial Chapter and Provincial Lodge .

The lodge having been opened in ample form , Bro . the Rev . II . Pix , Prov . G . Chaplain , delivered an address . He remarked in the outset that their obligations as English Masons were not opposed to or inconsistent with their obligations as Christians ; and proceeded to enlarge on the advantage of making known as widely as possible their Masonic principles so far as that was not inconsistent with

Masonic vows . The common idea of Masonry was that it was a secret society , whose transactions in lodge would not bear the light , and , in other countries , that their meetings were frequently held for factious purposes , and even plots and conspiracies . They knew how untrue were

these notions -, that religion and politics were not named in their meetings , but he thought they would be acting wisely by ventilating the principles embodied in the published Book of Constitutions . The ancient charges were not to be kept secret , but to be read and studied , and he thought if they were more widely known they would silence

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Dorsetshire.

many of the objections put forward by those of the out--world . He concluded by commending the brethren not only to study for themselves this book , but to spread anion ,,, the uninitiated its lofty maxims as a means of wardino-,, } the accusations of ignorant men .

On the motion of the Prov . Grand Master , a vote of thanks was passed to Bro . Pix by acclamation . The R . W . Prov . G . Master then addressed the brethren on the state of the province , congratulating them that the improvement in regard to the charities reported last year had been continued , for a larger amount had been con . tributed to the Masonic Charities in the past twelve months

than in any previous year ( applause ) not only that , but the subscriptions to the Boys' Institution , carried up by Bro . I ] , C . Burt , of Wimborne , amounted to more than any other list , excepting that for the western division of Yorkshire . The fact spoke strongly for the popularity of Bro . H . C . Burt in the province and for the liberality of the Craft . Bro . Montagu took up a large sum on the same occasion , ami

the two lists combined made considerably more than even the Yorkshire contributions of which he had spoken . They must all feel very grateful to those two Stewards , anil might well be proud of their province proving not onl y capable btt willing to subscribe so handsomely . It showed that the true spirit of Masonry was vivid amongst them , and indicated the strength of their position in regard to the

charities . In illustration he mentioned the triumphant election of a son of the late Captain Barrett , and the failure only to secure young Green ' s election through the bad faith of a person who had borrowed votes to be returned at that election , but which were used against our candidates . He referred in congratulatory terms to the resuscitation of Wareham Lodge , 3 S 6 , by the exertions of Bros . Budden

and Wyndham and the brethren of Wimborne Lodge , ami hoped that it would become one of the most flourishing in the province . After referring to other topics of purely Masonic interest , he concluded by speaking of the success which had attended the concentration of the voting power of the province and to advocate its closer application . The good management of the province had been largely due to the eminent abilities and zealous exertions of their Bro . T .

Coombs , and he was much grieved that circumstances had arisen which had let him to relinquish the position of P . G . S . which he had so ably and devotedly filled . Me should havcan opportunity of alluding to the subject presently , but he could not allow it to pass without mention in his address to the lodge . The Acting Secretary ( Bro . R . Case ) then read a letter

from W . Bro . T . Coombs resigning the Secretaryship , and it was received with very deep regret by the entire lodge : — The P . G . Master said he was sure they all joined with him in his feelings of sympathy and regret on the resignation of Bro . Coombs . Through his abilities and exertions the province had been raised to its present eminent position , and he was sure they all greatly deplored that

circumstances , over which to a great extent he believed Bro . Coombs had no control , should have rendered it necessary —for a time at least—that he should sever his active connection with the province . ( Applause ) . He had kept them in a state of order and prosperity , and it would be difficult , if not impossible , to fill his place . Personally Bro . Coombs had been of very great assistance to himself

as G . M ., advising and aiding 111 all the questions that necessarily arose . He proposed— " That a very cordial and heartfelt vote of thanks be given to W . Bro . Thomas Coombs on his retiring from the office of Grand Secretary to this province after sixteen years of unremitting services , during which time by his untiring energy ami zeal for Masonry , be brought both the old and the new lodges of

the province into regular working order , aud conducted the important duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of this P . G . Lodge ; and that this P . G . Lodge whilst sincerely regretting that in deference to the wishes of his friends and medical advisers Bro . Coombs has resigned his office , would record their earnest hope that his absence from amongst them may be but of temporary duration .

and beg to express their firm belief that for the benefit of Freemasonry in general and of this P . G . L . in particular , his presence at future meetings will be of great importance Applause ) . W . Bro . Montagu , D . P . G . M ., seconded the motion . At the suggestion of Bro . Crickmay , supported by Bro . W . Smith , it was added to the motion that the resolution

be engrossed on vellum and forwarded to Bro . Coombs . The motion was carried with acclamation . The G . Master announced that the annual P . G . Lodge would be held at Shaftesbury . Bro . the Rev . W . M . Heath seconded , and it was carried . W . Bro . Montagu proposed " That the thanks of this Prov . G . L . be rendered to W . Bro . Wm . Smith , P . M .,

170 , Pfov . G . J . W ., and W . Bro . H . C . Burt , P . M . 622 , P . Prov . G . A . D . C , for undertaking and executing the office of Stewards from this province on the occasion of the installation of H . R . IT . the Prince of Wales as M . W . G . M . on the 28 th April last , and that for this and their other constant , ready , and good services to the Craft in general , and this province in particular , and as a token of

appreciation thereof , the Prov . G . L . do present these brethren with the commemoration jewels sanctioned to be worn by those who acterl as Stewards on that occasion , and that a sum not exceeding £ 10 be expended out of the funds or the Prov . G . Lodge for that purpose . " Bro . the Rev . H . Pix seconded , and it was carried . The G . M . affixed the jewels amid the app lause of the

brethren . The Pro G . Master proposed— " Thanks of this Prov . L > . Lodge are pre-eminently due and arc hereby rendered to W . Bro . H . C . Burt , P . M . 622 for his exertions as Steward from this Province , for the R . M . Institution for Boys , which enabled him to present a list at the festival of that charity in July last , with donations amounting to £ 633 3 - an amount only exceeded by that from West Yorkshire , tne result of the labours of 17 Stewards . That the thanks 01