Addressed To Worshipful Masters.

and the importance of a proper appreciation of what is due to it on your part . It requires constant study and earnest effort to meet the requirements of it , such as many thus exalted do not seem to appreciate . A W . M . cannot give " good and wholesome instruction " without a thorough knowledge of what is to

be taught . Election and installation into office in one sense may qualify , but does not give one the ability to preside . Force of circumstances often elevates a brother to the East , who at the time has but an imperfect knowledge of Masonic law , the ritual , or the duties of a Worshipful Master . Some of these ,

notwithstanding their installation vows and pledges , never do qualify themselves to preside over a lodge . To this class all we have written is pertinent , and if it stimulates a single one to a more faithful discharge of its important trust , its purpose will be accomplished . —Masonic Advocate .

Vacation Season.

VACATION SEASON .

Freemasonry as a system and as an organisation is peculiar in many respects . It has an attractive individuality by reason of its teaching , its symbols , its ceremonies . And its uniqueness is signified in the expression it makes of itself ; its separateness

from other organisations is seen in the way and manner it administers its affairs , transacts its business , and in its general order of procedure . In this respect most certainly it stands apart from other fraternal societies , beins ; a law unto itself .

Something of this individuality is made manifest by the rule that generally prevails in regard to lodge meetings—to intermit them during the greater part of the summer season , Other associations are not accustomed to take the vacations which are the rule among Masonic bodies . Some organisations are

established upon a basis that makes frequent meetings a necessity all through the year . Their purposes and the character of their beneficial work will not allow of an interregnum even durino" Dog Days . " The Masonic organisation is not thus established or limited . It can fulfil its mission , do its work , administer its

affairs to the satisfaction of all concerned , and yet call its members from labour to refreshment in July and August . No harm comes to the lodge or the Fraternity by this " calling off "

during the heated term . The interests of the Craft are not jeopardised , for then is renewed strength and greater zeal made available for the promotion of those interests by reason of the vacation which is taken and enjoyed .

We look approvingly on the closing of Masonic halls in summer . We believe that the vacation helps the lodge as well as the individual members . Our thought is in sympathy with the expression of the Keystone , which closes a recent editorial , entitled " Called off from Labour , " with the following glowing

words : " All hail , then , Refreshment—for the Craft as a Craft , for the brethren as men and fellows , for all' creation when it groaneth and travaileth in pain at the birth of summer . Summer was made for rest , and the wise man and Mason obtains all of it that in his wisdom he can . Of course he does not cease to

breathe—if he can help it , but he breathes slowly , walks slowly , talks slowly , ever remembering that refreshment , not labour , is the best order of the day . He refreshes now in order that he may properly labour later on . We sleep at night so that we may work in the day . In like manner we should measurabl y

rest in midsummer in order that we may labour profitably all the rest of the year . Nothing is gained , but much may be lost , by labouring equally all the time . Let us then ' call off' with a will , from our ordinary active Masonic duties , from over-effort in all the relations of life , and from racing after the ' almighty dollar

, ' as it rolls away before us . Give the dollar a rest . Even send some dollars after those which are rolling away , to keep them company . Be not improvident , but remember that life was given us for enjoyment as well as for strenuous effort , and we can best fulfil our duties , and accomplish our business , by calling off occasionally from labour . "—Freemasons' Repository .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berkshire And Oxfordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF BERKSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE .

Bro . Viscount Valentia , who was installed last year at Oxford as Provincial Grand Master of Mark Masons for the Province of Berks and Oxon , in succession to Bro . the Earl of Jersey , presided on Friday , the 18 th ult ., over the annual Provincial Grand Lodge , held in the Council Chamber , at Abingdon , under the banner of the Abbey Mark Lodge , No . 225 , of which Bro . Sidney Payne is W . Master .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the Provincial Grand Master , who was supported by several officers of the Grand Lodge , including Bros . Margrett , Past Grand Deacon , who acted as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in the absence ( through indisposition ) of Bro . Charles Stephens ; W . C . Gilles , Grand Treas Charles Fred

. Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; the Rev . Hayman Cummings , Past Grand Chaplain and Deputy Prov . Grand Master for Kent ; T . J . Pulley , Past Prov . Grand Secretary , who officiated as Director of Ceremonies ; Stephen Kni ght , last Grand Steward ; and a large number of past and present Provincial Grand Officers and brethren . The Provincial Grand Master and the officers of the Grand Mark Lodge of England having been respectively saluted with the accustomed honours , the Pro-

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Berkshire And Oxfordshire.

vincial Grand Secretary called over the roll of the lodges in the province , and it appeared that there were representatives present from each of them . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge , held at Oxford 12 months ago , having been read and confirmed , the PROV . GRAND SECRETARY presented his annual report , observing that it was not quite so satisfactory as he could wish , as they were not making the progress which he thought they should do . The resignations and deaths during the past year had numbered 26 .

The PROV . GRAND M ASTER said it might be well that he should ask the brethren who were present , and who took an active interest in Mark Masonry , to point out to those belonging to the Craft the advantages they would derive from joining the Mark Degree .

The Report of the Committee of General Purposes was next presented , and the PROV . GRAND S ECRETARY explained that the Committee had met that morning , under the presidency of Lord Valentia , and had examined the accounts , and also the minute books of the various lodges , and had found everything in a correct and satisfactory state .

The P . G . TREAS . then presented the financial report for the past year , which was adopted on the motion of Bro . TENCH , seconded by Bro . COSBURN . The PROV . GRAND MASTER said that he felt sure he should be acting in accordance with the feelings of the whole of the brethren in proposing the re-election of Bro . Tomkins as Provincial Grand Treasurer . They owed a debt of gratitude to

Bro . Tomkins for having held the position and discharged the duties of the office with much credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the province . They were also much indebted to him for having so kindly and cordially invited the Prov . Grand Lodge to meet him at Stratton House that day , and also for the great interest he had invariably shown in everything calculated to promote the prosperity of Mark Masonry .

Bro . MARGRETT seconded the proposal , observing that he had never met a Mark Mason who had shown greater zeal in behalf of Mark Masonry , or rendered more valuable service in connection with the Mark Degree than Bro . Tomkins . The resolution having been unanimously adopted , Bro . TOMKINS thanked the brethren for having once more elected him as Provincial Grand Treasurer .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then referred in feeling terms to the death of the Earl of Carnarvon , Past Grand Master , and moved a resolution recording the great loss which Mark Masonry had sustained by his lordship ' s death , and expressing the deep sympathy of the brethren with the Countess of Carnarvon and her family in their sad bereavement .

Bro . MARGRETT said he rose to second the motion with feelings of the deepest regret , and such as must fill the breast of every Mark Mason present . It seemed to him that from the date of his initiation the late Earl of Carnarvon had always been identified with the best characteristics that marked the Masonic Order . The earl ' s high personal character , his great scholarship , and his other good qualities rendered him particularly well fitted for the exalted positions which he held in Masonry as well as in Mark Masonry . Many of the brethren present would

remember with p leasurable feelings the meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge at Newbury a few years ago , when by Lord Carnarvon's kind invitation they had the privilege of visiting his delightful estate at Hig hclere . On that occasion Lord Carnarvon gave them a very hearty reception , and personally conducted them over the castle . He felt quite certain none of them could fully realise the great loss Masonry had sustained by Lord Carnarvon ' s death . The resolution was then put , and adopted nem . con .

Bro . the Rev . W . A . HILL , on behalf of the brethren of the Jersey Lodge , then invited the Provincial Grand Lodge to assemble next year at Maidenhead , and the PROV . GRAND M ASTER replied that he accepted the invitation with the greatest possible pleasure . The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY announced that he had received letters of

apology for non-attendance from Bros , the Earl of Euston , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., C . F . Matier , G . Sec , C . Stephens , Murdoch , M . P ., Belton , Shepherd , and others . On the suggestion of Bro . MARGRETT it was resolved to send to Bro . Stephens , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , a telegram of hearty good wishes for his restoration to health .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said that Bro . Stephens had written to him to the effect that owing to the state of his health he felt scarcely competent to hold the post of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , but he ( Lord Valentia ) was sure the brethren would be very sorry to see Bro . Stephens resign , and he had therefore re-appointed him as Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The remaining Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing 12 months were then appointed and invested by the Prov . Grand Master as follows ;

Bro . Sidney Payne ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ P . Colville Smith ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . J . Tomkins ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ C . H . Tench ... ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ W . R . Bowden ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O .

„ Rev . H . Lewis ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . ;; K : & ^ f :::::::::-jp-achap , „ F . Bacon ... ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . ,, W . Ravenscroft ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ C . D . Adkin ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ Corden ... ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ S . Wheeler ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ C . Batting ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „ G . W . Whittingham ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C „ W . Bonny ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . Bathurst ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ H . Gilligan ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ W . C . Long ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ Astley ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . " rw M , ^ I Prov . G . Stewards ,, G . H . Morland ... ... ... ... ) >• Hammings " ? . Prov . G . Ty lers . , Norwood ... ... ... ... ) J

The Provincial Grand Lodge was closed shortly afterwards , and on the invitation of the Provincial Grand Treasurer ( Bro . Tomkins ) the brethren adjourned to his residence , Stratton House , in the pleasant ground of which luncheon had been provided in a recherche style beneath a spacious tent , and the repast being over , Bro . Viscount Valentia , who presided , thanked Bro . Tomkins for the great hospitality he had shown to the brethren , and for all the valuable services he had rendered to Masonry .

Bro . TOMKINS having briefly responded , the company proceeded to Abingdon Bridge , and having gone on board a house boat , enjoyed a trip up the river as far as the rustic bridge at Nuneham , where they alighted , and strolled through the grounds . On returning to the boat a banquet was partaken of under the presidency of Bro . Lord Valentia , and the usual list oi Mark Masonic toasts was gone through . The return journey to Abingdon was completed in good time in the evening , when the brethren separated , having spent a very happy day .

The brethren present in addition to those already mentioned in the report included Bros . L . D . Morland , R . Wheeler , Walter Sowdon , C . Longhurst Lovett , P . W . Margetts , James Jenkin , A . H . Simpson , Walter Graham , F . J . Harrold , B . Challenor , J . N . Day , R . Pocock , J . B . King , J . T . Stransom , H . G . Sherwin , E . Jackson , W . Ballard , C . A . Bacon , W . Hedges , W . W . Ridley , and others .