Provincial Grand Lodge Of Worcestershire.

The brethren of the province viexv xvith delight the recognition of Bro . Masefield s labours by the M . W . Grand Master of England , H . R . H . the lVmce of VVales , by his promotion to the otlicc of Grand Standard Bearer ; and , as some slight token of their satisfaction and nevtr-failinir remembrance of his name and good xvorks , they beg Bro .

Masefield ' s acceptance of the accompanying suit of Grand Lodge clothing , xvith the earnest hope that the G . A . O . T . U . may be pleased to grant him many years of health , strength , and usefulness before he is summoned from his labours here below to rest in the eternal happiness of the Grand Lodge above . Signed on behalf of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Worcestershire EDMUND A . H . LECHMERE ,

Dudley , September 13 th , 1 SS 2 . Prov . Grand Master . This resolution xvas passed xvith acclamation . The clothing was of most beautiful manufacture , and enclosed in a box , bearing the folloxx-ing inscription : " Presented by thc Provincial Grand Lodge " of Worcestershire to Bro . William Masefield , Past Deputy Prov . Grand Master Worcestershire , Grand Standard Bearer lingland . "

Bro . MASKITELD was too deepl y moved to say more than express his heartfelt thanks for the kindness of heart shoxvn him that day , and during

all his Masonic life spent in their midst . Bro . Augustus Frederick Godson , who is so generally and widely knoxvn in the Masonic xvorld as to need no description at our hands , had been nominated by the Prov . Grand Master as his Deputy , in the place of Bro .

Masefield , and the patent of appointment having been read by the Prov . Grand Secretary , he xvas conducted by the Prov . Grand Deacons-to the front of the pedestal , and duly obligated by the Proy . Grand ' Master . Having been invested he xvas proclaimed and saluted , the appointment being most popular and leasing to thu brethren .

p The Prox-. Grand Master then invested the rest of his Prov . Grand Officers as follows :

Bro . C . F . Pidcock , 280 ... •••Prov . G . S . W . „ G . W . Grosvenor , 18 74 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . VV . „ Rev . J . B . VVilson , M . A ., 2 S 0 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . ., Albert Brown , 1204 ... ... ... •••Prov . G . Treas . „ C . li . Bloomer , 573 Prov . G . Reg . „ George Taylor , 377 . 5 < A 1874 Prov . G . Sec . „ G . f . Westbury , 529 ... ... ... •••Prov . G . S . D . ,. K . R . Hartley , 252 ... ... ... •¦•Prov . G . J . D .

„ G . H . Williamson , 529 ... ... •••Prov . G . b . . ot VV , „ A . Comber , 377 Prov . G . D of C T . F . Hi-Ti-g , 252 ... ... ... •••" rov . G . A . D . C ' , ' F . G . Underwood , 1204 ... ... •••Prov . G . Swd . Br ., XV . Haynes , 120 4 ... ... •••Prov . G . Org . ' ., XV . Corbett . 49 8 ... ... .... ' ¦ ••- Prov . G . Purst . „ A . Pearson , 573 Prov . G . A . Purst „ R . Stevenson , 252 ; G . Owen , 252 ; Jas . Warham , V ^ 52 ; Jno . Jordan , 49 8 ; Geo . Scriven , 49 8 ; j-Prov . G . Stxvds . and C . G . Harrison , 49 8 ... ... ... J The Provincial Grand Master having received an invitation from' the

W . M . and brethren of the Uoyd ' s Lodge , No . 1204 , appointed to hold his next Provincial Grand Lodge at Malvern . It was decided to devote the colleccion to be made at church to the aid of thc Schools of St . Luke ' s Church and Guest ' s Hospital , in equal

amounts . •... The good xvishes of the visitors on behalf of their respective provinces having been tendered , Provincial Grand Lodge xvas duly closed . The brethren formed in procession , and proceeded to St . Luke ' s Church , xvhere an eloquent sermon xvas preached by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . J . B . Wilson , M . A .

The collection amounted to - £ u 17 s . Thc four lewises xvho carried the volume of the Sacred Law in the procession were , R . L . Green , A . J . L . Stokes , E . ' P . Turner , and H . H . Warmington . They were afterxvards each presented with a copy of that great light in Masonry by the Provincial Grand Master .

Thc procession returned from church lo the Dudley Arms Hotel , where a most enjoyable banquet was served , under the presidency of the R . VV . Bro . Sir li . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., supported by his visitors and ofiicers . The length of our report of the protracted but most interesting proceedings of the day xvill not permit of a reproduction of the many excellent speeches made during the evening ; xve should , hoxvever , notice that Worcestershirc xvas too xvell-knoxvn , and not too far removed , to be xvithout the

denial presence of a representative from the central Charities . Bro . Binckes , xvho , we hear , has lor years past attended these annual gatherings in Worcestershire , xvas , unfortunately , still too ill to travel , but his place xvas ably filled by Bro . John Mason , from the office of the Benevolent Institution , and so well did that brother argue the claims of his Institution , and p lead thc sacred cause , that wc believe thc Institution will be xvell repaid for his advocacy at Dudley , several Stewards having promised their services . The other Institutions , loo , xverc not forgotten in Bro . Mason ' s

appeal . •' . The proceedings terminated in time lor the brethren to depart b y their respective trains , all well satisfied xvith one more happy gathering .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodgeof Benex'olence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., President ; Bro . ' | ames Brelt , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President ; and Bro . the Rev A F A . ' Woodford , P . G . C , occupied the chairs of President , Senior Vice-President , and Junior Vice-President . Thc other brethren present

were—Bros . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec . ; H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Sec . ; A . A . Pendlc burv William Dodd , C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Henry Garrod PM . 749 . ; G . P BrittenPM . ( h ; I . ' . < . Stacey , P . M . 1 S 0 ; William Stephens , P . M . ; ) . ll . Mat to PM 1 Charles Atkins , P . M . 27 r Kev . R . j . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; C l " HoVar 1 PM -03 ¦ IC . I- ' . Storr , P . M . 22 ; John O . Carter , P . M . 20 Q ; R . VV k"cv W . M . 227 V T . VV . Knight , P . P . G . D . C . Kent , P . M . 0 . 5 ; C . VV . De Ber narfyf P . M . 47 > J Kicharf Croydon , P . M . 254 ; VV . H . Pcrryman VVM , 35 . ; h ' Frederick Drummond 217 CAWoodsWM 145

Jowver . vV . M . 9 C 4 ; , P . M . ; . . , . ; W Denison \ V . \\ . . 4 « i . !• i- N ^ m , VV . VI . 1902 ; Frederick Davison , P . M . , 0 and-706 •lohn X' . r , its , W .. \ I . 11- ; ; German I-ehrcnbach , P . M . and Ireasurer 3 S 2 ; Will ?™ c £ j £ , P . M . 74 <> i A . Nicols , VV . M . 874 ; I-. 1- Limebcer . P . M . , 446 ; S . George , P . M . Si -, ; C . VV . Peters , VV . M . 507 ; VV . I . Darnell VV . M . 1679 * VV . G . Lemon , W . M . 1601 ; K . VV . Koch , P . M . S 20 ; John Coe , P . M . 1339 ; ll ™ * ., Cross ' VV . M . 1194 ; J . Mason , P . M . 1567 ; H . Sadler , G . I . ; and II . Massey , VV . M . 192 S ( Freemason ) .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

The brethren first confirmed recommendations made at last meeting to the amount of , £ 285 . The new list contained txventy-one cases only ; of these three xvere delcrred , being incomplete . The remainder xvere relieved xvith grants to the amount of £ 570 , viz . r one grant of £ 100 , (^ iooj ; three of £ 5 » ( £ i 5 ° ) ; two of £ 4 ° (_ £ So ); two of £ 30 ( £ 60 ); . three of ^ 25 ( £ 75 ) I < Aec ° f £ ( £ 6 ° ) > one of jt-o ( £ 15 ); and three of £ 10 { £ 30 ) . The lodge sat three hours .

Consecration Of The Hadrian Lodge, No. 1970, At South Shields.

CONSECRATION OF THE HADRIAN LODGE , No . 1970 , AT SOUTH SHIELDS .

The ceremony of consecrating - another addition to the roll of English Craft lodges xvas performed xvith imposing effect , as xveil as complete success , on the 15 th inst ., by the Most Noble tbe Marquis of Londonderry , Kt . St . Patrick , & c , Lord Lieutenant of the County Palatine of Durham , as the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Province of Durham . The formation of a new lodge in South Shields had long been felt to be a

necessity , owing to the largeness of the member roll of the St . Hilda Lod ge , 240 , the only other lodge in the borough ; and xvhen , a fexv months ago , the advisability ot forming a nexv lodge xvas mooted , the question xvas taken up xvith such cordiality that the necessary formularies xvere speedily gone through . The recommendation of the Worshi pful Master ( Bro . G . S . Shottonl , his Wardens ( Bios . J . H . Thompson and Thos . Dinks ) , and the

brethren of St . Hilda s Lodge xvas obtained to the prayer of the petitioners for the new lodge . The Hadrian Lodge , it xvas decided , should meet in thc Freemasons' Hall , Fowler-street , which , in view of the consecration , was thorough / cleansed and redecorated ; and , xvhen the lodge-room was set out with the new furniture of the Hadrian Lodge , it presented a striking and tasteful effect .

It may be here mentioned that most of the furniture and moveable jewels xverc presented by the officers and members of the new lodge . Bro . Thomas Coulson , P . M ., P . G . J . D ., as W . M . designate , gave the Bible , square , and compasses ; Bro . Thos . Potter , P . M . 240 , the cable toxvs ; Bro . Wm . Davison , thc poinard , * Bro . Walter Ross , txx'o cushions ; Bro . Michael Wheatley , the chest , Deacons' wands , two squares , levels , plumb rules ,

and five gavels ; Bro . J . H . Morton , P . M ., 240 , and Bro ; Dr . Dalziel , the silk banner ; Bro . Joseph Robertson , P . M . 240 , the working tools forthe Three Degrees ; Bro . J . H . Thompson , S . W . 240 , ' three mahogany columns ; Bro . Thos . Tynemouth , silver salver ; Bro . Henderson , txvo mahogany desks ; Bro . Dr . Bootiman , sword for T yler ; Bro . J . Heppell , thc engrossed book and bye-laws , handsomely bound ; and Bro . George

Wilson , Organist 240 , the VV . M . s Bible . Ihe Bibles , silver square , and compass , and the beautiful banner , x \ ere obtained from the establishment of Bro . George Kenning , Little Britain , London , who also supplied the collars and jexvels for the ofiicers . The banner contained a xx'ell-executed head of the Roman Kmperor Hadrian , xvho , it is stated , during his generalship in the Roman army , held a station at the Lawe , South Shields , hence the

name assumed by the new lodge . 1 he representation ol the Emperor is surrounded by the xvords " Hadrian Lodge , No . 1970 , " in bold characters , the xvhole being in gold , upon dark-blue silk . Just prior to the consecration , Bro . Thos . Coulson , P . M . 240 , to whose indefatigable exertions the nexv lodge may be said to owe ils existence , received from a well-wisher a Hadrian penny piece , in a beautiful state of preservation . This interesting coin it is intended to frame and suspend from the banner .

The Provincial Grand Lodge xvas opened in form by Bro . E . D . Davis , P . P . S . G . W . Durham , P . G . D . of C . Northumberland , acting D . P . G . M ., assisted by the following Prov . Grand Officers : Bros . J . W . Cameron , P . S . G . W . ; J . McCullock , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . J . Brown , P . G . Chap . ; R .

Hudson , P . G . Sec . ; Thomas Bradley , Asst . P . G . Sec . ; Alexander Iley , P . S . G . D . ; T . G . Mabane . acling P . J . G . VV . ; G . Greenwell , P . G . D . of C ; D . Sinclair , Asst . P . G . D . C ; Malcolm , acting P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Porteous , acting P . G . Org . ; I . Sinclair , P . G . P . ; and Bro . John Thompson , Tyler . There was also a large attendance of other brethren , amongst xvhom were

Bros . VV . M . Bell , P . P . G . A . D . of C . Northumberlnnd ; T . Y . Strachan , P . P . G . R . Northumberland ; Geo . Lawson , P . P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Hardy , P . M . 1643 ; 1 . G . Smith , VV . M . S ; VV . Gray , VV . M . 1334 ; H . Colder , VV . M . 1119 ; A . McDougall , LP . M . 1119 ; John Hinde , P . P . S . G . D . ; John Stockoe , P . P . G . S . D . Northumberland , P . P . G . J . W . Durham ; Jos . Robertson . P . P . G . P . ; J . H . Morton , P . M . 240 ; Thos . Potter , P . M . 240 ; G . J . Place , P . M . 431 . 7

The lodge having been raised , the brethren receix'ed the Most Noble the Marquis of Londonderry , with thc usual honours , and the marquis then proceeded to perform thc consecration according to the ceremonial provided , the solemn prayers and addresses being impressix'el y given by the Rev . J . J . Brown , Prov . G . Chap . The music incidental 10 the ceremony xvas very ably rendered b y Bros . Geo . Porteous , acting Prov . G . Org . ; E . J . Gibbon , P . M . 541 , P . P . G . O . Northumberland ; G . J . Lcatham , 124 ; J . G . Smith , W . M . 48 ; J . VV . Woollier , 240 ; and Thomas Lumley , 240 .

The lodge having been consecrated , the first W . M . —Bro . Thomas Coulson , P . J . G . W ., —was presented to the Prov . Grand Master , as were also the petitioners , Bros . G . S . Shotton , W . M . ; J . ] . Athey , P . M . ; T . Potter , P . M . ; T . G . Mabanc , P . M ., and P . P . G . R . ; j . H . Morton , P . M . ; J . H . Thompson , S . VV . ; and VVm . Davidson . Bro . Thos . Coulson , W . M . designate of the new lodge , xvas installed into the chair of K . S ., by

Bro . E . D . Davis , acting Deputy P . G . M ., as the first VV . M . of the Hadrian Lodge , No . 1970 . The W . M . then invested his ofiicers as follows : —Thos . Potter , I . P . M . ; J . J . Athey , P . M ., S . W . ; Wm . Davidson , J . W . ; J . H . Morton , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Robertson , P . M ., D . of C ; J . Heppell , Sec . ; Walter Ross , S . D . ; M . I . Wheatley , J . D . ; J . R . Walker , jun ., I . G . ;

Colin Waxvn and VVm . Dalziel , Stexvards ; and John Brown , Ty ler . Several nexv members to join the new lodge xvere proposed , and thebusiness ofthe day xvas concluded by the W . M . being congratulated by the representatives of the various visiting lodges , one being from Philadel phia , in America .

Afterxvards the banquet xvas held at the Golden Lion Hotel , when nearly one hundred brethren sat doxvn to a first-class repast , comprising all the delicacies of the season , and xvhich xvas served in excellent order by the host , Bro . Lauderdale ! The chair xvas occupied by Bro . the Marquis of Londonderry , who xvas supported on his left b y Bro . Thos . Coulson , VV . M . of the Hadrian , and the vice-chair xvas occupied by Bro . J . J . Athey , S . W .

1 he cloth having been removed , the noble CHAIRMAN gave "The Oueen and the Craft " which was drank with enthusiasm . Tlic noble Chairman next gave "H . R . H . the Prince . of VVales , Grand Master of England , and the