Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

Bro . J . M . Kidd , P . M . 732 Prov . G . S . VV . „ G . Smith , Treas . 1821 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . R . V . Faithfull Davies ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Gerard Ford , P . M . 271 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ V . P . Freeman , P . M . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . .. E . Head . P . M . 1610 Prov . G . S . D .

„ A . Taylor , P . M . mo ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ C . C . Cook , P . M . 851 Prov . G . S . of VV „ C . W . Hudson , P . M . 315 Prov . G . D . of C . „ E . Fryman , P . M . 341 Prov . G . A . D . C . „ J . Curtis , P . M . 1797 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std Br . WT RrtQ T /^ A Prr »\? C ^ f ^ r-rf .

„ E . Taylor , P . M . 1141 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Carvick , W . M Prov . G . A . Purst . „ T . Francis , W . M . 56 ; S . Turner , P . M . 311 ; L . " ) Lewis , P . M . 811 ; G . S . Godfree , P . M . 1829 ; ( p r s , T . Packham , P . M . 1829 ; F . S . de B . Cooper , C rrov > u" * twas-W . M . 1842 J „ T . Hughes ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The lodge having been duly closed , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting-room , where they sat down to an excellent banquet . The R . W . Bro . Sir VV . W . Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., presided . At the termination of the

repast , The CHAIRMAN proposed "The Queen and the Craft ; " "The Most Worshipful the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ; " "The R . W . the Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon ; " and "The R . W . the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " In giving the last toast , he said he was pleased to find that they had no less than eight brethren present who had taken office at Grand Lodge .

The R . W . Bro . H . T . PRINSEP , District G . M . Bengal , responded . He felt no little difficulty in responding , for he was a stranger among them , his lot being cast in distant parts . He gave interesting details of Masonic work in India , contrasting the difficulties there with the comparative ease with which lodge duties were carried on in England . He regretted that he had not been able to avail himself of the many kind invitations he had

received to visit lodges since his stay in this country , but should carry back with him lively recollections of the hearty reception he had received from his English brethren , and particularly from those in Sussex . Bro . / E . J . MCINTYRE , M . P ., G . Registrar , proposed "The R . W . the Provincial Grand Master of Sussex , " and congratulated him upon having completed five years of office . That he had loyal Masons and loyal officers

associated with him was evidenced by the fact that in the Provincial Grand Lodge that day each lodge had been represented . Hosv well the province was conducted was also shown by the admirable manner in which the various reports had been brought forward . The officers worked well together , and their efforts were ably seconded by the general body of the brethren . True , in that assembly they had brethren opposite them , but it was a Masonic

opposition , and while they did not forget that they were politicians , they evidently remembered that they were Masons . The PROV . G . M ., in returning thanks , wished to bring one point before the brethren , which he had omitted doing in his address during the afternoonthat during the past three years the contributions from the Sussex province to the Masonic Charities had averaged £ 1000 a year . Still he felt that

there were many who had been lax in their efforts ; they might , he was confident , do more . All would , doubtless , if adverse circumstances befell them , be glad to become objects of Masonic Charity ; but would it not be better , he asked , to found a claim for such benevolence by subscribing to the fuids at the present time when they were able to do so . He felt touched by the strains

of the song so well rendered by Bro . Broadbndge , and recalled the words , "Time flies before us . " He was not anxious to preach to them , but still he felt strongly urged to impress upon them the inculcation of the true Masonic principles before the present and fast fleeting time had passed away from them .

BRO . COLONEL S HADWELL H . CLERKE , G . S ., next proposed "Ihe Worshipful Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . H . Scott , P . D . G ., and the Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " He felt it a privilege to propose that toast . Bro . Scott had worked long and admirably for the Province of Sussex . Twenty-three years ago he first took office , and since that time had filled every office in the Provincial Grand Lodge . He

need not tell them how well he had worked , and with what assiduity and skill he had devoted himself to the interests of the Craft in Sussex . He had not spared even his own and valuable private lime , and he ( Bro . Clerke ) congratulated Sir VV . VV . Burrell upon having such an excellent Deputy Prov . G . M . In Bro . J . M . Kidd they had a valued and well-tried officer , who had shown great attention and ability as Director of Ceremonies , while

Bro . G . Smith had proved himself a staunch Mason , and one to whom the brethren could at all times apply to and gain assistance and advice . He believed he had been an active Mason before he ( Bro . Clerke ) was born . The remaining officers had doubtless been equally well chosen , and he , therefore , felt confident the Sussex Province would continue to progress , and that its work would be carried on harmoniously .

Bro . J H . SCOTT , P . G . D ., Deputy P . G . M ., in reply , said : After a long lapse of years it is very gratifying to me to find that there is no diminution of your good will towards me . It may perhaps have struck some of you as strange that I have filled so many offices in Prov . Grand Lodge , and held them for successive years . But the reason is easily given . Twentythree years ago there were only eight lodges and 329 brethren in Sussex . to nil the various

There were not enough brethren eligible omces . rromotion was therefore inevitable , and the then Prov . Grand Master seldom changed his officers oftener than once in two years . So that when I was appointed Prov . G . S . D . in 1859 , I held that office two consecutive years . How I came to be Prov . G . S . VV . three years , was , that I was serving my second year when Col . Dabiac died , and his successor , Lord Pelham , when

he was installed Prov . Grand Master , made no change in the officers during his first year , but re-appointed all the officers of his predecessor . There was nothing unusual in my holding the office of Prov . Grand Secretary for four years ; indeed , I believe I should have been Prov . Grand Secretary still , had not the Prov . Grand Master honoured me by elevating me to be his

Deputy . How long 1 shall remain so rests entirely on his will and pleasure ; but so long as I possess his favour , so long as I retain your good will , and so long as I am free from ill-health or misfortuno , I hope to live for many years to enjoy the proud pre-eminenee I hold amongst you . I can add nothing to the excellent remarks made by our respected and beloved Prov . Grand Master during the afternoon . I endorse all that he has said , not because I am in duty bound to do so , but because his counsel commends

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

itself to my common sense , as I am sure it does to the right judgment of all present . I thank you most sincerely for drinking my health . Bro . KUHE , P . G . O ., gave "The Visitors" in a very humorous speech .

Bro . H . J ONES , P . G . D ., responded . He congratulated the brethren upon possessing such admirable rooms for holding their meetings . He had not attended many Provincial Grand Lodges , but if all were conducted as he had seen the business carried out that day they were bound to be prosperous .

Bro . Major-Gcneral FORD , P . G . D . Bengal , in responding , referred to his experience in Masonry in India , and testified to the anxiety felt by the brethren in Bengal to keep up their connection with the old country . Bro . STRAUBE also responded . Bro . H . DAVEY , P . P . J . G . W ., proposed "The Masonic Benevolent Institutions . No Mason in the province had inculcated charity more than

their i / rov . Grand Master , and while it was gratifying to find that their subscriptions had averaged £ 1000 a year , such a pleasing result he attributed to his ( Sir Walter W . Burrell ' s ) great and untiring energy . He trusted they would continue , and even improve , upon their exertions to assist these Chanties which afford relief to their brethren who are stricken down and to the young in the Boys' and Girls' Institutions .

Bro . BINCKKS , Secretary to the Boys' Institution , responded . He tendered the grateful thanks of all connected with the Institution for which he worked for the splendid accommodation afforded them on their recent visit to Brighton . The great financial success and the social enjoyment of that could not have been

gathering achieved but forthe great kindness of the Officers of the Sussex Province , and particularly of those in Brighton . The simple but effective eloquence of their R . W . the Prov . Grand Master when speaking of charity , would not be forgotten . In assisting the youn « - to fiffht the battle of life they were doing a good and noble work .

T , . ° ; J ? Proposed " lhe W . M . ' s of the Lod ges in the Province . " The W . M . s had rendered great assistance at their gatherings , and he eulogised the efforts of the Tyrian Lodge in having every officer in the lodge present that day . 6

Bro . TOMES responded . The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER gave " The Stewards , " to which Bro . C . W . HUDSON responded . They had felt honoured b y being invested as Stewards ; each one had that day been promoted , and would still strive to do the utmost towards promoting the success of the province . The Tyler's toast completed the list .

»» Dun " £ evening a fine selection of music was sung by Miss Bertha Moore , Miss Amy Ronayne , Bro . E . Broadbridge . and Mr . F . H Horscroft under the able direction of Bro . VV . Roe , Prov . G . O ., who was assisted in the duties of accompanist by Bro . A . King , P . Prov . G . O . Bro . VV Kuhe

terminated the music of the evening with a brilliant rendering of his own " Victoria ; " before it was concluded , however , the woodwork of one of the dragons in the central chandelier caught fire owing to an escape of gas in the pipe . The assistance of the Custodian was quickly secured , and further damage was averted by the use of a large goblet of water .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LANCASHIRE .

Bro . the Earl of Lathom , Provincial Grand Mark Master , presided over the annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lod ge at Accrington , on J hursday , at which all the lodges , with one exception , were represented . On the motion of Bro . Col . Starkie , Bro . the Earl of Lathom was again nominated for the office of Grand Master for the Province of Lancashire during the ensuing three years . He has alread y held the office for six years , and his nomination was received with acclamation . Bro . Cnlonpl

btarkie was elected Deputy Provincial Grand Master and Treasurerand the other officers were also elected . In the evening the Earl of Lathom presided at the banquet . A report will appear in our next .

The Third Degree.

THE THIRD DEGREE .

It is taught in the lessons and instructions of the lodge-room that one , and perhaps the chief , object in endeavouring to obtain the Third Degree in Masonry is that he who acquires it may be able to obtain higher wages , to earn more than he can by working as a Fellow Craft . His knowledge of the Art has been increased by study and practice , and his skill and abilities have been greatl y improved . He has risen to a higher position among the

workmen ^ additional light has dawned upon him , and he knows more ; add to this the increased skill acquired in his higher position , and by the more important work committed to his charge he will be able to accomplish the most intricate portions of the work required ; while to the Fellow Craft is allotted the more laborious and ordinary labour in completing the vast designs and reaching the great end in view . There are the foundations of

the wonderful Temple , there the almost completed structure . Around it there is something weird as well as sacred , a halo of light as from Sinai , shimmering about it . Its designs were dictated by Infinite Wisdom ; it is to be consecrated to the oldest and most sublime of religious worship ! In its most Holy place will be seen the Divine Shekinah ; from above its most sacred altars will be heard the voice of Jehovah . Within its courts and

surrounded by its unearthly grandeurs , a nation will " bow down and worship . At eventide , amid the glamour of fading twilight , there will be heard such music as angels make ; while future ages will point to Moriah as the religious landmark of the ages , gathering about it all that is glorious in conception and grand in achievement . What if the wasting centuries

do crumble its walls , and barbarous hands raize it to its foundation , and the Shekinah disappear and the voice from its altars be heard no more ; yet future ages will dig among its ruins for sacred mementos , and carry them when found to all lands , to be regarded as more priceless than gold , because it was in contradistinction to all others , and , in a special sense , the temple of God . —Bro . Cornelius Moore , A . M ., in the Voice of Masonry .

PRESENTATION TO BRO . LORD CHARLES BERESFORD . —On Tuesday next an illuminated congratulatory address will be presented to Bro . the Rt . Hon . Lord Charles Beresford , P . M ., by the brethren of the Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar Lodge No . 1903 . His _ lordship , it must be remembered , was the , first Worshipful Master ' and it was unanimously resolved that such an address should be given to the I . P . M ' congratulating him on the gallant part which he displayed during the Egyptian war * A lodge of emergency is called , and will close tyle at 4 . 30 p . m ., and after the business of the lodge , including three initiations , his lordship will be entertained at a banquet Invites have been forwarded to the R . W . Prov . G . M . ( Bro . VV . W . B . Beach MP ) and his officers , and several other distinguished brethren . ' ' " '