Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.

Yatborough , Hundred of EUoc , St . Botolph's , Lindsey , and Alexandra . Bro . Marsden , Prov . G . S ., first read the minutes of last Grand Lodge , held at Grantham , thc 28 th Alay , iS ; 4 , whcn it appeared that 142 brethren signed the signature book , and every lotlge in the province was represented . The minutes having been put and confirmed ,

Bro . Nesbitt , Prov . G . I ., read the general balance-sheet , which showed a balance in his hands of £ 31 ) 1 is . 7 th after £ 21 hatl been given to the Masonic charities . To the credit of thc Fund of Benevolence , which account was also read , was a balance of £ 6 y 12 s . 71 I ., antl £ 320 being invested . Three petitioners had been relieved with the sum of -f 10 each , according lo thc report of thc Committee of

Charity , read by Bro , Katlley , P . M . 838 , P . P . G . J . W . Bro . Pigott , P . AL , 12 S 2 , the Stewartl for thc past year , then rose , anil thanked the brethren for the support he had received from them during the year hc was Stewartl . They had subscribed jf . 37 S to his list , for the Benevolent Institution . He hatl certainly met with the greatest possible kindness during the whole of his year of office . lie had

not been treated with the same consideration by one distinguished brother ; and he made this remark , trusting that tbe brother who woultl be Stewac-d next year might not have the same difficulty . The Dep . G . Alaster said that Brother Terry , the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , had come down from London to say a few words , to which all

the brethren would listen with pleasure . Bro . James Terry said that he hail been directed hy his Committee of Management , which met the previous day , to be present at this meeting of Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire for the purpose of returning their very

grateful and sincere thanks to Bro . Pigott , and to the Deputy Stewards who assistetl him at the festival on Jan . 7 th last , for Ihe very handsome and noble support they gave the Benevolent Institution on that occasion , and at thc same time to express their regret that the province was not successful in the return of their two candidates at thc

election on the 21 st of Alay . He could only say 111 addition lhat to the Deputy Grand Alaster hc was directed also to return the thanks of the Committee for the very handsome donation of . £ 103 for the purpose of endowing the office of Deputy Prov . G . Alaster for the time being , with votes . He was also desired to return the thanks of

his Committee to Bro . J . Sutcliffe for his third or fourth donation ; to Bro . Pigott and others , who kindly attended the festival in January , he gave thc most hearty , fraternal , and sincere thanks , and hoped that whoever might be the Steward next year , and whatever charily he went for , they might have as true and hearty a Alason to represent the province as he who represented it in 1874-3 . ( Cheers . )

The Dep . Prov . G . AL said he thought they must all be highly satisfied with the progress of this province . He knew as their Deputy Grand Alaster that the lodges were taking infinite pains in the admission of members . They did not wish to fill their numbers up at the expense of every olhcr consideration . The brethren had before them the report of the Committee of Charity , which was

still going on prospering ; they had the report of Bro . Pigott , which stated the large sum he carried up as Stewartl of the Benevolent liistittitilion ; and he was sure they must all look on this with the greatest satisfaction . He would ask Bro . Ace to say a few words on the subject . Thc Rev . Dr . Ace said that as a Grantl Lodge thev

would not be discharging their duty , in his humble opinion , unless they tendered their cordial and unanimous thanks to Bro . Pigott for the exertions which he had made during the past year on behalf of one of their principal charities , lie was well conversant with the deficiency and diffidence he ( Bro . Pigott ) exhibited in following so noble a steward as the broth r who preceded him in the

previous year . It was with considerable hesitancy he entered upon thc work , but when he did so hc did it manfully . He ( Bro . Ace ) knew the correspondence Bro . Pigott had hatl with lodges , and the rebuffs which . Steward always met with ; but he was determined that Lincolnshire should take the lead , and hc succeeded . He ditl not do it for an empty name , but to show that

Masonry was alive in this province . Bro . Pigott discharged his duties , and the province must now discharge theirs . He therefore proposed to this Grand Lodge that they present their cordial thanks lo Bro . Pigott for his unremitting and distinguished exertions on behalf of charity during the past year . The motion having been seconded and carried ,

Bro . Pigott thanked the brethren for the vole they had accorded to him . The work he had been engaged in during the year he coultl heartily say had been a labour of love . He hoped that whoever succeeded him would be supported hy the brethren with . is much as £ t , ooo . ( Hear , hear . ) It was then resolved thnt this vote of thanks shoultl he

recorded on the minutes , and the Deputy Grantl Alaster directed that the reports which had been read shoultl be printed and circulated with thc Provincial Grantl Lodge report . Bro . Hall said he had been instructed by the subscribers to the Alemorial Fund , which was got up in memory of the late Dr . Oliver , to make an offer to the Provincial Grantl

Lodge . That offer was that the sum of £ 197 7 s . 7 d ., which had been collected shoultl be handed over to the Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , upon condition that the Provincial Granil Lodge added a similar sum to it , and that the total sum , so made up , shoultl be devoted to some object , and made a fund , which should be named after

Dr . Oliver . The matter had been before the Benevolent Committee , antl there had been . 1 minute read by Brother Marsden that morning to Grand Lotlge , and it was necessary that a motion should be made that it be adopted . Thc committee of subscribers to the Oliver Alemorial Fund were anxious that the money should be invested , and that

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.

the interest of the money shoultl be devoted to the ' paying of small annuities to be given to distressed brethren in this province until they coultl get their larger annuities from Grantl Lodge of England . Some objection was raised to that ; but hc was sure hc was speaking thc sentiments of the subscribers when he saitl they woultl agree with anything the Provincial Granil Lotlge might think right and

proper , so long as the fund was called after thc late Dr . Oliver . Bro . Coltmaii , P . G . S . W ., inquired whether subscriptions to this fund had been limited to members of thc province of Lincolnshire , or were spread over the rest of the country under the jurisdiction of Grand Lotlge of England . Bro . Hall answered that they were not confined ' to the

province of Lincolnshire . Bro . the Rev . " George Coltman woultl then like to ask whether thc permission of those subscribers had been obtained to this proposed application of the money . Bro . Hall said , that a meeting of subscribers had been called , and at that meeting the resolution he had called attention to was passed .

The Dep . Prov . G . AL put the resolution , that this sum of money be accepted , with the addition of _ . ' 200 taken from the Reserve Fund , and applietl to such purposes as shoultl be hereafter considered . Bro . " Nesbitt , P . G . T ., asked under what regulations would it be dispensed ? They did not seem to have directions as to that from thc Prov . G . Lotlge . Should there not

be a committee ? The Dep . G . AL , said lhat might be added as a rider . A brother , who apologised for rising , asked on his own behalf and that of others , who were present , what were the terms on which this offer was made . He thought that before Provincial Grand Lotlge was called upon to vote its acceptance of this sum , and to put itself under the

obligation to add a similar sum to it , the brethren should be made aware of the terms of the offer and the purpose to which the sum total was intended to be applietl . Bro . Alantcll saitl this fund hail been collected from the Freemasons of the world , he believed , even from Australia , and he had not the slightest hesitation in saying that the offer of the Oliver Alemorial Committee was a very

handsome one . 1 he only difficulty in the way of the Prov . Grand Lodge woultl be that which had been raised by thc Prov , Grantl Treasurer , as to how the money should be spent . But he had always found that , that difficulty had been got over whenever they had thc money . ( Hear , hear . ) It appeared to him , however , attending here from year to year , that he coultl not do better than

follow the remarks ol the Provincial Grand Master last year , when he saitl what must be agreeable to them all to know , that the funds of thc Benevolent Committee , which were given in charity , increased year by year . He shoultl not be so pleasetl to sec that , as that they shoultl collect money every year antl spend it . He did not sec why the brethren of 18 74 should get £ 100 antl lay it up , when

they hail three institutions for maintaining both thc young and the old . When they collected the money they ought to spend it , especially when they hatl so many cries for help on the right and the left . He had been present on the Charity Committee that day , and it was seen that there hail been many pressing cases . He hoped , whatever Provincial Gram ! Lotlge did that day , that it woultl not

allow the fund to go into thc Benevolent Invested Fund , and be swallowed up without doing honour . to Bro . Oliver . He thought they ought to devote this money to some object , by which the sons or daughters of brethren , or brethren in distress , should for ever after remember Dr . Oliver . A scholarship might be attached to the Alasonic Boys' School ; that some boy

should be recommended by the master for it who showed such talent as bethought woultl entitle him toil ; that that boy shoultl be sent forward to the university or some school where he might be called " The Oliver Alemorial Boy . " In lhat way they woultl be doing some good , and not throwing the money into a charity fund they bail too much of already . Let them spend every year all the money they

got . Bro . Nesbitt , referring to a remark made by the last speaker , saitl that no application for relief had ever been made to tbe Benevolent Fund Committee which had not been generously and amply met . No application for relief had been refused . A Brother said he should like lo move that a scholarshi p be founded for the Wood Green school .

I he Dep . P . Grantl Alaster replied they had not sufficient money for thai ; it woultl take £ 1000 , anil they had at present only £ 400 . Bro . I lall hatl slated that he did not care what was done with the money . The Committee gave £ 200 for Grand Lotlge to put another £ 200 to it . Bro . Dr . Ace said thai the motion before Grand Lotlge was that they shoultl accept the £ 200 , and add £ 200 to

thc £ 200 alre .-. dy offered . lie thought if they got Grand Lotlge to advance so far , two steps were taken in the right direction , lie shoultl certainly do all he coultl for the Alemorial Scholarship to perpetuate the name , the honour , antl the works of Dr . Oliver . But let them pass this resolution first . The Dep . Prov . G . AL again put the motion , and said

that Grantl Lotlge coultl afterwards deal with the details . If the brethren wanted lo increase thc sum they could do it . The motion was carried unanimously . Thc Dep . Prov . G . M , saitl that now they were in a position to receive suggestions as to how it shoultl be applied . It was already in the hands of the Benevolent Fund

Committee . Let it remain there . If they coultl get sufficient additions to it to found a scholarship they could do so . This business being concluded , The Dep . Prov . G . AL saitl the brethren hatl now to consider what charity they should support next year ; and , when selected , he hoped that all the force of the province would be thrown into it . The Alasonic Institution for

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Lincolnshire.

Girls had been mentioned , and hc would therefore propose it Bro . John Sutcliffe , P . P . G . S . W ., asked permission to state a few figures with regard to thc charities . Of ] atc years the Girls' School had only had thc support of this province one year . During other seven years it was "iven to the Boys' School or the Benevolent Institution . In t ] lc Girls' School thc province held 99 voles ; in the Boys '

400 ; aim in the Benevolent Institution , 400 . I hey had four girls on the list of candidates and one boy . Onl y the paltry number of 99 vctes for four girls ! He hoped all the brethren would support the Girls' School this next year . The Dep . Prov . G . AL trusted that they would all put their shoulders to the wheel .

Bro . Fountain , as the representative of thc Hundred of Elloe Lotlge , saitl thc primary . object of his attendance at Grantl Lodge that day was to state that , notwithstanding the excellent efforts of Bro . Pigott , Airs . Tidswcll ' s election was unsuccessful . He therefore would ask the attention of the brethren to her case . She was in delicate health , bordering on 70 years of age , the widow of the

only brother of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge who attained to the rank of Provincial Grand Warden ; and possibly through being passed over this year she might fail to secure her election in the future . He heard that a very large number of votes were recorded in her favour , something near what succeeded in electing a candidate . He hoped some endeavour would be made to secure her return

next lime . The Dep . Prov . G . AL reminded Bro . Fountain that Airs . Tidswell was in very gootl hands . The motion "That the Girls' School be supported next year , " was then put and carried . Bro . Pigott rose to propose a Stewart ! . There were before him a great number of Deputy Stewards ( 19 ) , but

he thought Bro . Boyle , who had been named before coining into Grantl Lotlge , was a proper brother . He was sorry to find that Bro . Boyle's duties were so numerous as not to allow him to accept that office ; but he hoped he woultl reconsider the matter , become Steward , and raise such an amount as the province hatl never before sent up . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . Boyle said he should be happy to serve the province . His only object in refusing was that he thought he should not be able to attend to his duties so closely as he should wish . But if he could possibly have the assistance of his brethren throughout the province , he would cheerfully undertake the office , inasmuch as hc did not think it right to refuse any office

that might be oi use in the cause of Masonry . He was afraid he should not succeed as his predecessor had done ; but he would do his best , antl the best could do no more . Carried unanimously . Bro . Nesbitt , Prov . G . T ., observed that on former occasions £ \ o ios . had been given to the Stewards' list from the Provincial Grand Lotlge Funds . Hc would move that

the same sum be given this year . Bro . John Sutcliffe , V . Prov . G . S . W ,, moved as an amendment tliat fifty guineas be given . What better investment could there be for their money ? After some little discussion , the amount was altered from ten to twenty guineas , and carried . Bro . John Sutcliffe , P . P . G . S . W ., proposed fifty guineas

from thc Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund in addition . Bro . Marsden , G . S ., thought that Grand Lotlge had no power to control the Fund of Benevolence : it was for the Committee to do that . Bro . Parkinson moved , " That it be a recommendation from this Provincial Grand Lodge "—but the subject was

not carnetl further , antl consequently tlropped . The Deputy Prov . G . AL then rose and said , that before proceeding with the business on thc agenda paper he thought it right that they shoultl not let slip the first opportunity they had after the appointment and installation of the new AI . W . G . Alaster , the Prince of Wales , without expressing in some measure their sense of the

honour hc had done thcCraft in accepting the office of their Chief . He understood from those who had made researches that on former occasions an address of congratulation had been given to Royal Grand Alasters upon their installation . A great many of j the brethren before him had hatl an opportunity in the course of the last two months , of witnessing thc very grandest ceremony

that had ever taken place 111 Alasonry . 1 hey would all remember the cheers which were heard on that occasion , which showed the loyalty of the great mass who were there present . They would also remember the intense feeling with which the Grand Master explained that he should never forget that day ; and the way he reiterated the word " never" would never he forgotten by those who

heard him . Hc therefore had pleasure in proposing " That an address from this province be presented to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , AI . W . G . AI ., congratulating him on his installation . " He had already communicated with the Prov . G . AL , who woultl present it . He knew he had only to propose this resolution , and it would be immediately seconded and carried unanimously . He thought

it a great honour for Freemasonry to be presided over by their futurt * King , and hc trusted that he might long be spared to be their Grand Master . Bro . the Rev . George Coltman , P . D . Prov . G . M ., said he had great pleasure in rising on the present occasion to second the proposition of their worthy and worshipful Deputy Grand Alaster . He had been selected to second the

proposition , he supposed , because he was , if not the oldest man present , at least one of the oldest Alasons in Lincolnshire . His Alasonic life in Lincolnshire he thought was about 40 years , which was a good long time to look back upon . Looking at thc brethren he had met that day—he had not been able to come to the Provincial Grand Lodge the last few years , as he had been particularly engaged— - he was sorry to see so many faces that he really did not