Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall

of his health . He had desired to visit the Cornish Lodge in London , but was unable to do so , and that day , when the Prov . Grand Master again appointed him , he asked that a younger man mi ght be selected , as his health had failed very much lately , and he should have to withdraw still more from public affairs ere long . He wished them every prosperity . The CHAIRMAN proposed " The Prov . Grand Wardens and Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . " Before doing so he referred to the D . P . G . M .,

and said while it might be easy for him ( the speaker ) to find a younger man for the position , it would be difficult for him to find a better man to take his p lace . Should Sir C . Graves-Sawle not always be well and able to undertake his duties , he would continue for many years to benefit , not only Masonry , but the county in every way . They did not desite to part with old friends , because they could not do what they had done a few years since ,

and if he could not do all that he had done , they would not require at his hands what he was not able to perform . With respect to the Prov . Grand Officers he had appointed from year to year , they always supported him very well , all being present that day with the exception of two , one of whom was ill with rheumatic fever , and the other had some important reason which prevented him coming . He was quite sure the Wardens and Officers appointed

this year would take the same keen interest in the Masonry of the province as those did who had preceded them . The appointment was always a difficult one for the Prov . Grand Master , who had to consider the . services of individual members , the natural claims of the various lodges , and the relative claims of the east and west of the county . He did his best , and he thought he had done pretty well generally .

Bro . Rev . R . F . FRASER FRIZELL responded on behalf of Bro . Courtenay , and spoke of how much Masonry had done to promote brotherly love in all parts of the world . The CHAIRMAN , in giving "The W . M . of the Zetland Lodge , I 07 i , and Members , " said they had to thank them for having made most excellent arrangements for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge that day .

The W . M ., Bro . RAWLING , replied , and expressed a hope that the Provincial Grand Lodge would visit Saltash again before 30 years had passed . "The Visiting Brethren" was acknowledged by Bro . Dr . KNIGHT , Norths and Hunts . The Tyler ' s toast , given by Bro . LANDER , brought the proceedings to a close . During the afternoon the Plymouth Borough Band played a most choice selection of operatic and other airs .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Worcestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE .

INSTALLATION OF BRO . A . F . GODSON AS PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER .

The annual meeting in connection with the above Provincial Grand Lodge took place on the 12 th inst ., at the Shire Hall , Worcester . Owing to the lamented death of Bro . Sir Edmund Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., who was for 16 years the head of the province , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of England , has appointed Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., P . G . D . Eng ., D . P . G . M ., to be Prov . Grand Master of Worcestershire , and

the appointment being popular , there was an exceptionally large attendance ofbrethren from the various lodges in the province , and also from the neighbouring provinces , to witness the installation ceremony by the Pro Grand Master of England ( Bro . the Earl of Lathom . )

Among those present were Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . j F . Richardson , P . G . D . j the Hon , Sir W . T . Marriott , S . G . D . ; A . S . Tomkins , J . G . D . ; W . H . Rylands , A . G . D . C . ; J . S . Cumberland , D . G . S . B . ; Lt .-Col . Somerville Burney , P . G . D . ; J . Bodenham , P . A . G . D . C ; C . Moore , P . G . M . Nova Scotia ; J . T . Collins , P . G . Std . Br ., D . P . G . M . Warwickshire ; Col . Bindley , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Staffordshire ; H . C . Beddow , D . P . G . M . Herefordshire ; R . G . Venables ,

P . A . G . D . C , D . P . G . M . Salop ; G . Beach , P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . Sec . Warwickshire ; J . M ; McLeod , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; F . R . VV . Hedges , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . G . ; ] . Mason , R . M . B . I . ; H . Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . West Yorks ; and many others . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the Provincial Grand Master designate , Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., after which he was saluted according to ancient custom .

1 he muster roll of the lodges was called , after which the Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were submitted and adopted . Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , D . G . M . ; Lord Roberts of Candahar , S . G . W . ; Lord Barnard , J . G . W . ; the Dean of Gloucester , G . Chap . ; Sir F . Seager Hunt , S . G . D ., * Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . C ; the Earl of Euston . P . G . M .

fvonbants and Hunts ; Lord Onslow , P . G . M . Surrey ; the Marquess of Hertford , P . G . W ., * Lord Leigh , P . G . M . Warwickshire ; Lord Dartmouth , •. G . M . Staffordshire ; Sir J . Bailey , P . G . M . Herefordshire ; Sir Ollley Wakeman , P . G . M . Salop ; Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . D . England ; and a "umber of other distinguished brethren . On the motion of Bro . W . E . WALKER , seconded by Bro . Rev . W . J . L ) OWN , Bro . Arter was re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer .

The ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER reported that Masonry was still . nourishing in the province , the total number of members being 555 , an mcrease of 22 as compared with the number in the previous year . The report was considered to be satisfactorv .

On the proposition of the ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER , it was decided 'hat the Benevolent Committee be amalgamated with the Charity Committee . The SECRETARY of the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee ""ported an increase of £ _ 8 17 s . in the Charity Funds as compared with the previous year . Bro . Guy Pritchard tendered his resignation as Secretary of the v-ommittee .

It was accepted with regret , and a vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . 1 "" itchard for his services . Bro . W . T . Page was elected to the vacant office . i he ACTING PROV . GRAND MASTER announced that Lady Lechmere had

Presented to the Provincial Grand Lod ge , for the use of the Provincial Grand 'aster for all time to come , the collar , jewels , and other Masonic clothing oeionging to the late Sir Edmund Lechmere , M . P . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Lady Lechmere . th a I-ec * lmere Memorial Committee submitted the following report to c ! Provincial Grand Lodge : ( 1 ) "That a memorial window be placed in ot - John ' s Chapel , Worcester Cathedral ; " ( 2 ) "That the amount bj divided

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Worcestershire.

between the Masonic Boys'and Girls' School , in the name of the Lechmere ) Memorial , for the purchase of votes in perpetuity , and that a memoria brass be placed in St . John ' s Chapel , Worcester Cathedral . " In discussion it was stated that about ^ 210 had been subscribed . The second clause was eventually carried unanimously .

The Acting Prov . Grand Master having retired , the Pro Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Lathom , entered the hall , accompanied by several Grand Officers , Present and Past . The PRO GRAND MASTER took the chair , ard the brethren sang the hymn " Hail I Eternal , by whose aid . " The Pro Grand Master and other Grand Officers and Provincial Grand Masters having been saluted , his

lordship addressed the Provincial Grand Lodge upon the subject of the installation . He said it was with pleasure he attended that day to perform the ceremony of installing the R . W . Bro . Godson as Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire . He had done excellent work , and was well worthy of the appointment conferred upon him by H . R . H . the Princeof Wales , the Grand Master of England . He could not forget the fact that the

appointment was in consequence of the death of the R . W . Bro . Sir 15 . Lechmere , who had so well and ably performed the duties of his high office . It was now nearly 17 years since he had the pleasure of installing the late Sir Edmund Lechmere to the high office of Provincial Grand Master . During that long period they had lost by death a large number of brethren , but it was gratifying to know that others had joined the ranks and were continuing the good work .

The arrival of the Provincial Grand Master designate having been announced , he was directed to send in his patent , which was presented by the Prov . G . D . C . to the Pro Grand Master , who , having examined it , directed a deputation of seven Past Masters , two Past Prov . G . Wardens , and the Prov . Senior and Junior G . Deacons to retire with the G . D . of C , and introduce the Prov . Grand Master .

A procession was formed , and the deputation entered the lodge in the following order : Bro . the Rev . W . J . Down , the W . M . of the oldest lodge in the province , and Bro . H . Manley , the VV . M . of the junior lodge . The former carried on a cushion the gloves and apron of the Prov . Grand Master , and the latter the collar and jewel . Bro . W . Waldron , Prov . G . D . C , followed , the Prov . Grand Master being escorted by Bros . Samuel Smith ,

P . M . 252 ; H . Rowe , P . M . 280 ; A . Comber , P . M . 377 ; A . Green , P . M . 49 S ; T . E . Lucy , P . M . 529 ; J . T . Meredith , P . M . 560 ; and Walter Wood , P . M . 564 , who represented the seven oldest lodges in the province . The procession moved up the centre of the lodge , halting at the pedestal , and Bros . R . P . Hill and J . Fitzgerald , two senior P ^ st Masters , presented

the Provincial Grand Master Designate . The patent having been read , the ceremony of installation was performed by the Pro Grand Master , who invested the Prov . Grand Master with the apron , chain and jewel of office . During the ceremony the anthem , "Be thou faithful unto death , " was beautifully rendered .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said he appreciated the honour the Grand Master of England had conferred upon him , and his best efforts would be made to follow in the footsteps of his late distinguished predecessor . He had been Deputy Prov . Grand Master 13 years all but two days , consequently he had had some experience , and with the assistance of the brethren he trusted their work would go on satisfactorily .

The Prov . Grand Master then appointed his officers , a list of which appeared in our last issue . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the Guildhall , where a banquet was provided , the Provincial Grand Master presiding . The usual Masonic toasts were observed .

The M . W . Pro Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of LATHOM , in responding to the toast of " The Grand Officers of England , " said it had fallen to his lot to instal 24 Provincial Grand Masters . He was glad the Prince of Wales , as the Grand Master of England , had appointed Right Worshipful Bro . Godson as the Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire . He was fully convinced that he would worthily discharge the duties of his high office , and that his selection met with the approval of the brethren of the

province . Masonry was making progress , not only in that province , but also in those adjoining . As Freemasons they prided themselves upon their Charities , and it was their duty to see that they were not imposed upon . There were a large number of applicants for Masonry , and it was the duty of the brethren who took upon themselves the responsibilities of proposing them that they should first make diligent inquiries into their characters , in order that only good men should be admitted into the Craft .

His lordship afterwards proposed ' •The Health of the Provincial Grand Master . " Several other toasts followed , which were interspersed with appropriate music .

Freemasonry In England And Scotland.

FREEMASONRY IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND .

Scotland has suffered in the estimation of Craftsmen located in England , partly by wild stories recounted of her ways , and partly from wrongly-formed ideas , founded on individual cases . Within the last live or six years , there has been a good deal of interchange of visits between members of the Craft in the two countries , and many wrong impressions on either side have been rubbed out , There is thus a growing feeling more akin to that which should exist among Freemasons situated in different parts of the kingdom . This is , says a correspondent

in Scotland , naturally gratifying to us , for nothing more depresses and puts a man out of temper than being misunderstood . One of the most recent examples ot this educating influence , begotten of experience , is found in the person of Uro . James Stevens , Past Master of , among other lodges , The Great City , No . 1426 , London . Bro . Stevens has been located with us in Glasgow during the last three months in the interests of Messrs . Chaffey Bros . ' Australian Irrigation Colonies , and when free from business has taken opportunity to visit over a dozen lodges

during his stay . He has been treated while with us with every demonstration of brotherly respect and kindness , and in three lodges has been enrolled in honorary Membership , namely , Clydesdale , No . 556 ; Dramatic , No . 571 ; and The Gael , No . 609 . Bro . Stevens has , according to his avowal ** , at the lodges he has visited latterly , been taking notice of the manner in which the ceremonies are performed in Scotland , and he acknowledges that he has been surprised , after all he had heard in the South of Masonry in Scotland , to find the similarity of the work with that

in practice in England ; the efficiency with which the ceremo . iies are performed , and the pains that is taken to impress the instruction on candidates . Such a . testimony from a brother who has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the ceremonies of Masonry during the past 30 or 4 . 0 years , gives Scotland just cause to be proud of hi-r lodges , and proud of the fact that in one of them—the Dramatic , to wit—the names of Bro . Hi ward Terry , P . ist Grand Treasurer of England , and that of Bro . Stevens arc enrolled in honorary membership .