Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

Barton , of 35 ; T . Stopher , P . P . G . S of Wks ., W . Gamon , P . P . J . G . W ., J . Marks , P . M ., H . Harber , P . M ., R . Klussman , and T . Attwood , of 76 ; C . J . Jellicoe , P . P . J . G . D ., 1 . Robertson , P . P . G . Stwd ., and W . Abraham , of 130 ; J . Webber , S . W ., E . White , S . D ., andC . W . Brooke , of 132 ; C . Carter , W . M ., G . H . Pack , P . P . J . G . D ., and B . J . Marvin , P . M . 175 ; St . J . Thurcher , P . M ., and J . Drew , P . M . 194 ; J . Stonham , Secretary , W . B . Rogers , P . P . G . Reg ., E . Whettlock , P . M ., J .

Shemni ) n . is , VV . M ., E . W . Cross , jun ., I . G ., E . Worth , P . M ., J . B . Atkinson , K . H . J . O . U ., f . Holland , D . Sydenham , C . Withers , H . N . Jenkins , C . Miles , I . P . M ., and H . J . Atkins , P . M ., of 195 ; VV . G . P . Gilbert , VV . M ., and M . E . Frost , P . P . S . G . W ., of 257 ; J . W . Gieve . P . M ., I . Mason , P . P S . G . D ., Rev . A . C . Hervey , P . P . G . C , Rev . A . A . Headley , P . P . G . C , and E . T . Crouch , of 309 ; A . Bist , D . C . 319 ; W . Beuttell , W . M ., J . C Masterman . Ore-.. R . Barnes , P . P . G . D . C , and 1 . E . Buck , P . P . G . Stwd ., of 342 ; H .

Norton , P . M ., and S . J . Gould , W . M . 319 ; J . W . Boughton , S . W ., W . M . Outridge , P . M ., T . P . Palsgrave , P . M ., and J . Orley , 487 ; Rev . J . Scott Ramsay , J . W ., F . D . Miller , S . D ., J . Gibson , P . M ., J . Harvey , P . P . G . Stwd ., G . Lear , P . P . S . G . D ., A . Portsmouth , P . P . J . G . D ., F . Lazenby , and J . H . Moore , of 694 ; R . Eve , P . P . S . G . W ., and R . Glasspool , P . M ., of 723 ; T . Francis , P . M ., and J . Colhngs , P . M . S 04 ; G . B . Irons . P . M ., and R . B . Browning , 903 ; R . Pocock , S . W ., C . Wells , J . W ., T .

Caparn , Secretary , M . P . Creedon , P . M ., W . B . Edgells , P . P . G . S . of W ., J . Swan , P . M ., E . Nayler , P . P . G . Stwd ., J . J . Bettle , and J . Fowler , of 92 S ; G . Whitehall , W . M ., W . T . Dupree , I . P . M ., H . Cawte , P . P . J . G . W ., and J . Gieve , P . P . G . D . C , of 1069 ; G . F . VV . Mortimer . P . M . 1112 ; J . Mitchels , P . P . G . P ., 1331 J E- Pratt , W . M ., G . Young , T . D ., and J . Laverty , P . P . A . G . D . C , of 147 S ; R . Bell , I . P . M ., W . H . Chapman . P . M . ; R . R . L . Rosoman , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . Bowyer , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; G .

T . Tilling , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . H . Smith , I . G . ; D . O . Hobbs , and H . Weeks , of I 401 ; 1 . Rayner , J . D . 1681 , J . Godding , W . M . ; W . J . Stanley , P . D . S . G . W . Gibraltar , of 177 6 ; VV . Berry , P . M . ; H . C . Herring , and T . Walton , of 1780 ; C . VV . Bevis , S . W . ; J . S . Gardner , T . Brine , and W . Francis , of 1 S 34 ; A . Shaw and J . Bunt , jun ., P . M ., of 1 S 69 ; A . Prescott , W . M ., and W . E . Foster , Sec , of 1971 ;

G . H . Swanborough , S . W . 2016 ; G . F . Bevis , W . M . elect ; J . Woodhouse , P . P . G . S . B . ; P . H . Kmanuel , J . W . ; W . Miller , S . D . ; and E . R . Fisher , of 206 S ; J . Whalebone , 2374 ; F . Apps , 2153 ; D . W . Preston , VV . M . 2158 ; A . Greenham , W . M . 1 S 84 ; G . Ward , W . M . ; W . Bellinger , S . W . ; las . Greig , J . W . ; G . King , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Campbell , D . of C . ; H . Pottle , l . P . M . ; H . Hodgson , P . M . ; F . Bascombe , J . Simpkin , C . Hall , E . Snook , G . Read , and D . K . Murray , of 1883 .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form , and The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER said it was usual to call a provincial meeting together once a year , and he trusted that the importance of the matter to be brought forward would be sufficient justification for his having convened that special meeting , one of the objects being to consider any suggestions as to the manner of commemorating the Jubilee year of her Majesty by the Freemasons of that province .

The P . G . Sec , Bro . E . GOBLE , read a letter from the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation , No . 1990 , enclosing a resolution unanimously passed , recommending that the sum proposed to be granted by the Provincial Grand Lodge to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution be increased from 100 to

250 guineas . Bro . G . F . LANCASTER , P . G . Reg ., said he need not speak of the special advantages of the Benevolent Institution ; but he would urge that a special duty was laid upon the brethren to loyally support the Provincial Grand Master on the occasion of his taking the chair at the approaching Festival . ( Hear , hear . ) The Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight was now one of the most important in England , numbering nearer 50 than 40 lodges ,

ard he hoped they would not send to their Provincial Grand Master so small a sum as 100 guineas , for he believed their funds were sufficientl y elastic to allow of their voting 250 guineas . The province had an invested capital of £ 800 ; but it need not touch that . He moved that a grant of 250 guineas be made , and if this was carried unanimously it would be a graceful act of loyalty to their Provincial Grand Master , and be an evidence of their sense of the necessities of the grand Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . ( Applause . )

Bro . A . BARFIELD , P . P . J . G . D ., seconded the motion , and pointed out that Bro . the Duke of Portland was originally invited to take the chair at the Festival , and consented ; but as he found he could not attend , the Provincial Grand Master of Hants was asked in December to preside , and promised to do so . This coming so late placed him at a disadvantage , many brethren who otherwise would have supported him having previously consented to go up as Stewards either to the Boys' or Girls' Festival . In view

of this it behoved the province to render all the aid it possibly could to Bro . Beach on the oecasion . ( Hear , hear . ) The Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . J . E . LE FEVJVRE , said the only doubt that could possibly aiise upon the motion was as to whether the funds would admit of such a grant , and he was very glad to hear from the Treasurer that the state of the finances would amply justify the larger vote . ( Hear , hear . ) It was quite true the Prov . Grand Master had accepted the

chairmanship of the festival at a late date , for it was not till the latter part of December that the offer was made to him , though it was usual to announce the names of the chairman at the festivals many months before . The sum subscribed on this occasion ought to considerably exceed ^ 10 , 000 . When the Prov . Grand Master presided at the Girls' Festival £ 12 , 000 or £ 13 , was subscribed , and he trusted that , considering the great want of . funds that

existed in regard to the Institution at this time , when there were so many candidates and so few vacancies , the Provincial Grand Lodge would see its way clear to pass this vote . Representing , as he ( the D . P . G . M . ) hoped to do , the Province on the Board of Stewards on the occasion , he need hardly say he should be deeply grateful if the brethren would allow him to place this very considerable sum upon his list . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . G . FELTON LANCASTER , P . G . Reg ., said he had intended to embody in the proposition that the amount should be added to the list of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . ( Applause . ) He gave as a precedent the occasions when Bros . Hickman and Stebbing attended the festivals . Bro . the Rev . J . N . PALMER , Grand Chaplain of England , P . P . G . Chap ., said he thought the funds would admit of 300 guineas being granted , and moved an amendment accordingly .

Bro . G . FELTON LANCASTER said he would have no objection to the motion stating that sum . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said that unless great necessity existed he did not think the Provincial Grand Lodge should trench upon its small funded property . He highly appreciated the fraternal spirit which had distinguished the remaiks made by the brethren in regard to the duty he had

undeitaken to perlorm . He quite saw the difficulties which existed through his having accepted the office of President at so late a date , and he felt that brethren were not given a lair chance , but he repeated that he hi ghly appreciated the kind wishes expressed that day , and by the brethren throughout the province generally , ( or his success as President at the approaching festival . ( Hear , hear . )

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And Isle Of Wight.

Tne proposition for 250 guineas was then put and carried , the amount being ordered to be placed on the list of the D . P . G . M ., Bro . J . E , Le Feuvre . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said the next business was to consider suggestions lor commemorating the Jubilee year . He had a circular from the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , requesting that circulars he

enclosed should be sent to the lodges under his jurisdiction as soon as possible , accompanied by whatever remarks he felt inclined to offer . He did not , however , send suggestions to the lodges , as he thought it better to convene a special Prov . G . Lodge to consider the subject . No doubt all the brethren had seen the circular of the Pro Grand Master , and there were in this two particular proposals as to the Masonic commemoration of the

Jubilee—one in reference to a gieat meeting in London in support of the Masonic Charities , and the other regarding contributions to the Imperial Institute—objects in themselves entirely separate and distinct . He was certain he might reiterate the trite expression that no body of men in the United Kingdom were so loyal as the Freemasons ( hear , hear ) , and they were only too glad to show their loyalty and devotion to the Sovereign b y in their At the

every means power . same time , however , it was not because they were Masons that they were possessed of any large amount of private means ; they were , too , private citizens , and they would no doubt be called upon to show their loyalty in different capacities . He commended to their notice the project to hold a mass meeting in London , which would be one of the . grandest things that Masons ever did , and no doubt a large

sum would be raised for the Charities . He urged that a guinea subscription would be sufficient , as placing brethren from the country on a better equality with those living on the spot , and he suggested each lodge should consider how many of its members was likely to attend , in order that favourable terms might be arranged with the railway companies , and he hoped that all who gave in their names to go would make it a point of honour to attend .

( Hear , hear . ) The meeting would be the most memorable one that Masonry had ever seen , and probably its like would never be seen again , certainly not in the lifetime of any one present . As regarded the second proposal , he hardly liked to make suggestions ; the lodges might consider whether individual collections mi ght not be made among the members .

The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY read a resolution passed by the Hampshire Lodge of Emulation , No . 1990 , suggesting that a festival should be held in the province , at a time and place to be fixed by the Prov . G . Master , in support of the recently formed Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Benevolent and Educational Institution .

Bro . G . FELTON LANCASTER , P . M . 1990 , speaking in support of the suggestion , explained that he intended it to be supplementary to the great meeting in London , and one need not interfere with the other . Referring to the Imperial Institute , he said it was a matter which most concerned the outside world . He moved a festival should be held , and Bro . M . E . FROST , P . P . S . G . W ., seconded .

A lengthy and enthusiastic discusion then ensued , Bro . J . STOPHER warmly urging , as Masons , that they might subscribe to the Imperial Institute , and ultimately the Pro Grand Master ' s circular was formally approved , and Bro . Lancaster ' s motion was unanimously agreed to . Bro . G . FELTON LANCASTER announced that in regard to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Benevolent and Educational Institution there was £ 5 in hand , whilst many promises of support had been given .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER commended to the notice of the brethren that Bro . Eve , P . P . S . G . W ., was a candidate for the high honour of Grand Treasurer of England , which appointment will be made in Grand Lodge on the 3 rd of March . Bro . H . HACKER , P . P . J . G . D ., said that at a Committee held that day he had made arrangements which would bring him , as Secretary to Bro .

Eve ' s Committee , into touch with every lodge in the province . ( Applause . ) Bro . EVE , P . P . S . G . W ., said he had been nominated to that high office by a London brother , and he ( Bro . Eve ) wae glad to hear there was such a hearty intention on the part of the brethren of the province to support him . Nothing further was brought forward , and the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form . The brethren subsequently sat down to a banquet at the Masonic Hall .

Royal Arch Masonry In Pennsylvania.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN PENNSYLVANIA .

The first Grand Principal of Pennsylvania ( U . S . A . ) delivered a very interesting address at the annual communication of the Grand Chapter , held on December 27 th , 1886 . These annual addresses are quite a feature of American Freemasonry , and are carefully considered and reported on by special Committees , who approve or disagree with the decisions of the

chiefs of the Craft , during their terms of office . Our desire , however , at the present time is to confine ourselves to the historical part of Bro . M . H . HENDERSON ' address as G . H . P . of the Grand Chapter . He states that "It is to be regretted that uniformity of usage regarding the Past Master ' s Degree cannot be established , and as this is the principal point of difference

between the other American Grand Chapters and ourselves , for which we have been mildly referred to as 'conservative old fogy , ' and our position alluded to as an isolated one , it may be well to contemplate the subject and ascertain to what extent our practice is supported by common sense and ancient usage and custom . "

Bro . Henderson quotes twice from a communication on the subject from Bro . Hughan to Bro . Meyer , October 1 st , 18 72 , and regrets he has not space to quote it in full . The gist of the address is to the effect that " the practice of conferring the Degree in chapters is a modern innovation , and that our Grand Chapter

is the only one in this country that has observed that time-honoured precep t which admonishes us to reject all attempts to improve Freemasonry . " The Grand Cnapter of Pennsylvania only confers tne R . A . on those who have had the Past Masters Degreec jnferred on them by lodges ; i . e ., those who have "passed the chair " as it is called . In England , it cannot be doubted that originally Royal Arch Masonry was confined to actual Past Masters , then

to virtual Past Masters , and finally , from 1817 , possibly all Master Masons became eligible for the ceremony . In Pennsylvania the second condition is still observed , as it was in 1758 ( circa ) wnen it originated in thac State . The other Grand Chapters conter the "P . M . " with trie Mark and Most Excellent Degrees as preparatory to the Royal Arch . Bro . Henderson claims for his Grand Chapter the meriv of consistency , as well as fidelity to the ancient landmarks .