Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The brethren of the Province of Kent assembled on Thursday , the ioth inst ., at Ashford , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . Earl Amherst , who was supported by Bro . J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M ., several Grand Officers , and a large number of Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers . It was estimated that nearly 300 brethren were present at the meeting , which was held in the Assembly Rooms .

The brethren present were—Bros . I . F . Warne , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Robinson , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Evans Crank , P . PG . D . C ; W , H . Tylden-Pattenson , P . M . 1 S 54 ; J . S . Charlton , P . M . 1678 ; Rev . J ' Stewart , P . G . C ; B . Kelly Thorpe , P . G . Std . Br . England , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . E . Manby , P . P . A . G . S . ; W . Elliott , P . A . G . D . C . ; ] . Plant , P . P . G . O . ; C . Coupland , P . J . G . W . ; Noah Martin , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . W . Mitchell , P . G . Stwd . ; F . VV .

Prescott , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Aillud , P . P . G . D . C ; H . Cummings , P . S . G . W . ; Robert Jamblin , P . P . G . C ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; R . Turtle Pigott , P . A . G . D . C . ; ' I . Terry , P . G . S . B . ; G . Greeg , P . A . G . D . C ; J . D . Terson , P . P . S . G . D . ; A . Pen-Fold , P . P . S . G . D . ; F . Klatt , P . P . G . D . ; F . Bellingham , P . P . S . G . W . Sussex ; Edwd . Terry , P . G . Treas . England ; G . Peden , W . M . 125 ; S . H . Greenstreet , 125 ; S . E . Morgan , P . A . G . D . C ; ' G . H . Chexfield , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . H . Marcoolyn , P . P . D . G . D 7 C ; W . Moulder , P . A . G . P . ; T . Hastings , P . P . G . P . ; C . S . A . Atkinson , P . P .

G . Reg . ; Capt . G . Spinks , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . Denton , P . P . J . G . D . ; Rev . W . H . Bond , P . G . C ; W . 1 . Harris , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . Black , P . P . A . G . D . C ; C Burley , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; T . Wills , P . P . G . S . cf W . ; T . S . Curteis , P . P . G . C . ; W . Gregg , P . P . G . D . ; W 1 , Light , P . G . S . of W . ; G . Page , P . P . G . D . ; W . H . Longhurst , P . M . 31 ; G . T . Ring , P . P . G . P . ; H . J . Sturgeon , P . G . Std . Br . ; T . Puzey , P . P . G . D . C ; T . H . Blamires , P . M . 1440 ; Rev . H . M . Maugham , Chaplain ; J . A . Bates , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . Cessford , P . P . G . P . ; VV . H . Cronk , P . G . S . ; E . Hire , P . P . G . S . B . ; John S . Lovett , P . M . 700 ; J . Oram , P . G . Tyler ; E . Coste , P . P . G . R . ; and G . Adamson , P . P . S . G . W .

Bro . the Earl of Amherst having opened the Provincial Grand Lodge , the minutes of last year ' s gathering , held at Bromley , were read and duly confirmed . The accounts of the Prov . Grand Treasurer were next submitted , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . Then followed the election of a Prov . Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year , the choice of the members falling upon Bro , Russell , who had filled the appointment during the last year , and had given every satisfaction in the discharge of

the duties attached to it . No other name was submitted to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and Bro . Russell ' s election was received with acclamation , Bro . RUSSELL replied , acknowledg ing the honour the province had conferred on him , and hoped he might continue to give satisfaction . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as the Prov . Grand Officers for the coming year , the P . G . M . addressing to each a few words of congratulation on their appointment i

Bro . Capt . W . H . Tylden-Pattenson , P . M . 1854 ... •¦• Prov . S . G , W . „ J . S . Lovett , P . M . 709 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . H . M . Maugham , M . A ., P . M . 1915 ... ... Prov . S . G . Chap . ,, Rev . J . Stewart , M . A ., W . M . 1414 ... ... Prov . J . G . Chap . „ W . Russell , P . M . 1464 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Alfred Spencer ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . S . Stenning , P . M . 172 ; ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ R . A . Gibbons , P . M . 1464 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . H . Cronk , P . M . 1414 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . S . Charlton , P . M . 167 S ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ C . E . Birch , P . M . 1223 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . J . Light , P . M . 229 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . G . W . Mitrhell . P . M . fiiK ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C

„ G . Naylor , P . M . 20 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ S . E . Morgan , P . M . 1424 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ T . H . Blamires , P . M . 1 449 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ S . F . Pinquer , P . M . 972 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ P . Jones , P . M . 1837 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ W . H . Longhurst , Mus . Doc , P . M . 31 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ E . L . Walford , P . M . 2148 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec

„ J . J . B . Caudell , P . M . 143 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . T . Brailey , P . M . 1531 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ T . Deane , P . M . 77 ... „ R . Griggs , P . M . 133 „ J . Hunt , P . M . 503 ... ... ... ... p r s , „ R . Jewell Cook , P . M . 913 ... ... ... f L rOV ' U Mwds - „ C . Baker , P . M . 1206 ,, G . R . Igglesden , P . M . 1208 „ J . Oram , 20 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . T yler . The recommendations of the Prov . G . Lodge Charity Committee were then

brought forward by the PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER and unanimously approved of . These included one grant of ^ 20 , four of £ 15 each , and one of ^ 10 for distressed members of the province ; £ 13 for the purpose of placing a memorial light in the Centenary Hall of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and ^ 142 ios . to the Boys' School Pension Indemnity Fund , that being at the rate of five shillings per Iodge for 10 years from all the lodges in the Province of Kent , the sum proposed to be subscribed by all the lodges of the country .

These proposals were seconded by Bro . J . S . EASTES and unanimously agreed to . That brother then proposed the granting of various sums to the three Institutions , to be paid in the name of various lodges in the county . These grants amounted in the aggregate to ^ 315 , and were distributed as follows : — £ 126 to thc Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; ^ 105 to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; and ^ 84 to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then brought forward certain alterations that had been proposed in the by-laws of the province . The existing ones , he said , had been in use for a long time . Grand Lodge had , a few years back , revised the Book of Constitutions , and it was desirable their local laws should agree with that book in word as well as in spirit . An amendment was suggested in connection with the proposed new Law IX ., which will have the effect of bringing all who are , as well as those who have been , members of the lodges within its scope . The amendment was agreed lo and the other alterations accepted .

Lord AMHERST then proposed that the various lodges of the province be invited to contribute from their respective funds a sum of 2 s . per annum for every member on their books , the sum so received to be applied in subscriptions to the Masonic Institutions , the votes so accruing being apportioned to the lodges in the province as hitherto . This was simply intended as a means of keeping up the Charity

Fund of the province . He especially wished to impress on them that he had no power to enforce this payment , but he hoped that the various lodges in his district would see their way to its payment . He should very much regret to see their old Charity Fund fall through , but felt safe in leaving the matter in the hands of the members . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then adjourned , and the brethren proceeded to the parish church , where a special service was given , and a sermon preached by

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the Rev . H . M . Maugham , who took for his subject the several points of Freemasonry—prayer , labour , recreation , brotherly love , charity , and truth . Bros . Longhurst and Legge played the organ during the service . On the return to Provincial Grand Lodge , Earl AMHERST proposed that the thanks of the hrethren should be given to the Vicar for the use of his beautiful church that day .

Bro . EASTES seconded , and said the Vicar had given every assistance in his power to ensure the success of the day ' s proceedings . Earl AMHERST then proposed that the thanks of Provincial Grand Lodge be voted to their Chaplain ( Bro . Maugham ) for his excellent sermon . This was carried with acclamation , and , in replying , the CHAPLAIN announced that the offertory had amounted to ^ 15 14 s . —an amount in excess of the sum collected last year—and that it would be equally divided between the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls and the National Schools of Ashford .

This completing the business of the day , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the company repaired tothe Corn Exchange , where the annual banquet , provided in excellent style by Mr . Foster , of the Kent Arms Hotel , was held , under the presidency of the County Chief . Mr . Tench White ' s band gave a selection of music during the dinner , while

vocal music , under the direction of Mr . Stedman , was contributed by Miss Jessie Griffin , Miss Kate Hemming , Mr . E . Bryant , and Mr . G . Smith . The hall was artistically decorated , and the tables presented a charming appearance with their floral adornment carried out by the ladies . Each small table was presided over by a Steward selected from the Invicta Lodge .

The CHAIRMAN having given the toasts of "The Queen and Craft" and "The M . WG . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " "The Health of the Deputy Grand Master and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was submitted by Bro . Earl AMHERST , who referred to the gap which now existed in that toast

through the death of the Pro Grand Master ; but he felt they would all cherish for many years to come the memory of the late Earl of Carnarvon . He had much pleasure in coupling the name of Bro . E . Terry , P . G . Treas ., with the toast , and of adding the name of the Grand Secretary as the senior present official among them .

Bro . EDWARD TERRY was the first to reply . He felt literally crushed at the overwhelming nature of the toast to which he had to reply ; not that he dreaded to face Kentish fire , for no Englishmen need be afraid of that , but he feared his flowers of speech had been washed away by the late rains , and that he should not

be able to do justice to the toast . He must say that when he was appointed Grand Treasurer he was entrusted with a key that would open—nothing . It might be that his was too short an experience of the work of the office , but he could not help feeling that the key was a bogus one altogether . Bro . Terry rounded off his amusing speech by a few lines of impromptu verse .

Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , followed . Although invited to the meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent on many occasions , the present was the first time he had been able to avail himself of the invitation . He and the officers ot Grand Lodge generall y were delighted to be present at such meetings

as the present . I hey had 40 lodges in their district , working under a magnificent organisation . In point of number of lodges they stood fourth among the counties of England . In no district was the work better carried out . than in Kent , and he congratulated the members on having such a Provincial Grand Master just as he congratulated Lord Amherst on having such a district to rule over .

Bro . EASTES gave the next toast , The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , Earl Amherst . " They were happily assembled that day to celebrate the annual festival of their Provincial Grand Lodge ; and , as those present well knew , he considered it a sort of privilege to be allowed on such occasions to propose the health of their chief . He knew from a long experience that the toast would be heartily received , as it deserved to be . Lord Amherst had presided over the

district for 30 years , and one and all of the brethren who had worked under him had experienced a happy and pleasant time . Without troubling them with a mass of statistics , he might tell them the Provincial Grand Lodge had met three times in Ashford during those 30 years , first in 1861 , then in 1874 , and to-day in 1890 . On the occasion of the meeting in 1861 they had 17 lodges and 815 members ; in 1874 , 38 lodges and 1770 members ; and to-day , 57 lodges with 3300 members .

That was satisfactory proof of their progress , and he felt that much of their success was due to the fact that the Provincial Grand Master never lost an opportunity of coming among them . During the 30 years he had just referred tothey had not been quite idle in Charity matters , for from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge alone they had voted some ^ 8000 to the three Institutions , irrespective of the thousand guineas collected by the members themselves , and

quite apart from their personal donations . These grants from the lodge funds proper showed an average of between ^ 250 and ^ 300 a year , and it must be somewhat of a gratification to the Provincial Grand Master to know that he presided over a band of men who were to be relied on in matters of benevolence .-Bro . Eastes referred to the fact that their chief would preside at the Anniversary Festival of the Benevolent Institution in February , and hoped the Kentish Masons

would rally round him on that occasion . He also spoke of the regret they felt that Earl Amherst had not taken up the lord-lieutenancy of the count y , as they considered that he was so eminently qualified for the appointment . At the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge it was known their chief was about to take to himself a wife , and he would now ask the members to cordially drink to the health of the countess in connection with that of her husband , and to wish them both many years of happiness together , in the full enjoyment of good health .

Lord AMHERST , having replied , next proposed "The Health of the Deputy P . G . M . of Kent , Bro . J . S . Eastes , " who had said a great many kind things when proposing his health , but those kind things would have been much more applicable if applied to Bro . Eastes himself . It must be borne in mind that , if the Provincial Grand Master was the ornamental head of the district , the Deputy was the working bee . He thought it was a lucky day when he had asked Bro . Eastes to take the onerous duties of Deputy , and he had never regretted having done so .

Bro . EASTES replied , tendering his very hearty thanks for the kind way in which he had been received . He might mention that , as Kent stood fourth among thc provinces , Lord Amherst stood fourth in the matter of seniority among the provincial chiefs . Lord Leigh ( Warwickshire ) , Lord Methuen ( Wiltshire ) , and

the Marquis of Hartington ( Derbyshire ) were all older appointed , but none he felt could improve on the way that Earl Amherst had conducted the affairs of his district . It was 16 years ago that very day that he himself had been invested in the office of Deputy Grand Master , and since that day there had been one continuation of happy days for him among the Freemasons of Kent .

The toast of the " Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next given , Earl AMHERST coupling with the toast the name of the Senior Warden of the province and Bro . Bird . A presentation to the retiring Provincial Grand Treasurer , Bro . Thorpe , was then made , and the recipient having returned thanks , Bro . the Rev . ROBINSON proposed the toast of " The Masonic Charities , " which was acknowledged by Bro . J AMES TERRY .

At this juncture Larl Amherst and the majority were compelled to leave for the railway stations , and Bro . Eastes occupied the chair . The only other toast was " The Receiving Lodge , " proposed by the CHAIRMAN , and responded to by Bros . AUSTEN and ATKINSON , the W . M . and Secretary of the Invicta Lodge .