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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORFOLK. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORFOLK. Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORFOLK. Page 2 of 2
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
. Jie inhabitants of Norfolk , and none are more earnest Masons than the Masons of Norfolk . ( Cheers . ) I give vou " The Health of the Lord Skelmersdale . " ( Loud Lord Skelmersdale , having returned thanks for the reception accorded the toast , said he should always look back with great pleasure to this day , and with agreeable
remembrances of the great kindness with which the brethren in this province had received him . In accepting the office to which he had had the honour of being appointed , he determined to do the duty which belonged to it , and , as he told them in lodge , this was the first instalment of it out of London . They had placed him under an obligation to them which would be further increased if they would have
thc kindness of meeting him in London on the gth of February , when he should have the honour of presiding at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Having expressed a warm desire for the continuance of harmony in the province , the noble lord gave " The Health of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk , " remarking that the brethren
were well aware what a good appointment it was of his friend and brother Walpole , who took so warm an interest in Masonry , and all would join with him in the hope that he would long live to occupy the chair into which he had the honour of installing him that day . ( Loud cheers . ) The Provincial Grand Master ( who was received with deafening cheers ) , in reply , said , —Brethren , I thank you
for the kindness of that reception . It encourages mc . I was wishing rather to postpone the time of returning thanks , thinking to arrange my ideas ; but finding no ideas really to arrange , I get up at your call . It is very difficult to speak on an occasion of this sort . I am sure that when , nearly one and thirty years ago , as a midshipman in Her Majesty ' s navy , I entered into Masonry , I little thought that
in the grand hall of Norfolk 1 should be installed as a Prov . G . Master . I little thought when , having given it up reluctantly , as it were , recalled into Masonry after a quarter of a century of work , I should be in this first hall of Norfolk the first Freemason of the province , but I have received all along one continued course of kindness , which renders those increasing years , years which we wish also to enjoy ,
and regret that they are passed . The Right Worshipful Brother on my right hand has spoken of the harmony existing among us . Why , sir , most of the brethren about me , ¦ except our guests—they at least that are of Norfolk—I have known from my boyhood upwards . They are men that I meet in daily intercourse . They have been to me * " a little more of kin if less of kind , " and I feel deeply
grateful to them for recommending me to His Royal Highness . Whatever His Royal Highness ' s wishes were , I should have been rejoiced to obey them , but when I heard that it was almost the unanimous wish ot those Masons among whom I had worked for years that I should take this place , I could not but immediately consent to take it . Having accepted it , I will engage truthfully and sincerely to the best
of my power to endeavour to do my duty in the office , so that when the time comes for me to retire , neither those who conferred the honour upon me , nor those who , by their kindness and their wish , had it conferred upon me , shall regret it . Having again thanked the brethren , the Prov . G . M . said he would now proceed to a livelier theme than speaking of himself , thc toast of " The Visitors . " Suffolk
was hardly regarded as a " stranger " or a " foreigner ; " it was not a " shire , " but it was a friend and relation . He was grateful to the Provincial Grand Master of Suffolk for the sacrifice he had made in coming to Norwich to this installation . He had been a hard-working man , and he deserved the heartest reception . He also proposed Bro . Lord Henniker in connection with this toast .
Lord Waveney , after a renewal of cheering , said—Right Worshipful Sir , I believe one of the first characteristics of Masonry is to be quick about your work , to get it well made up and cleanly carried out , and such has been the course this evening with the Right Worshipful Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) He took me , I confess , quite by surprise in so promptly bringing before you the claim he
was pleased to think I had of returning thanks as a visitor for those who partake of your magnificent hospitality this day—a day ever memorable in Norfolk , and to me , who have somewhat of an experience of such gatherings , very memorable indeed . ( Cheers . ) Three times I have been present at an installation . The first , you will understand , was a matter of high interest to me ; on the second I was
the most important person on the spot at the time , filling the position which has been occupied by the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master of England to-day—( cheers)—and on this , the third occasion , I stand as a pleased spectator of the brilliant and successful results of this day ' s proceedings , upon which I heartily congratulate you , Right Worshipful Sir , and the brethren of this great
province . ( Cheers . ) The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master has been pleased to say that he looks upon us Suffolk brethren as very near indeed . We accept that kindness most thankfully , and we are pleased also that with us are associated the many brethren who have come out of the shires , and have had the opportunity of knowing what we can do in the East Anglian corner of the
country . ( Hear , hear . ) I have only this to say , that from my experience in the honourable position which the Right Worshipful Brother has been placed in this day , I know that without the assistance of a willing province and of active Grand Officers progress is always difficult , but with such assistance it is impossible to fail . ( Hear , hear . ) 1 would , as a veteran , send you , Right Worshipful Sir ,
forward on your career with auspices such as those I am sure will be recorded the last time when you shall exercise your power , and which will be verified by thc fact , that , under your management , the province has grown from good to better , and from great to greater , not with reference to any disparagement of your predecessor , but on account of the increasing power of Masonry throughout thc
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
country . ( Cheers . ) On behalf of the visitors I beg to return to you and to the brethren my most grateful and sincere thanks . ( Renewed cheering . ) Lord Henniker , who also responded , said—As a young Mason I should have been shy of responding to this toast were it not that my name has been mentioned by my very old friend , your Prov . G . M . I thank you most sincerely for
the very kind way you have received me as a visitor . It has given me the very greatest pleasure to be present here to-day , and I thank your P . G . M . for giving me the opportunity of being here at this splendid entertainment , and also at the service at the Cathedral and the lodge this morning ; and if you don't want me to come another time , you must not give me an invitation . ( Laughter . ) I am
especially pleased at being present on the occasion of my old friend , my very esteemed friend , being installed as your P . G . M . I am sure this province cannot be in better hands . Though a young Mason , I claim to be second to none in my wishes for the good of Masonry , and I hope as years go by to have an opportunity of making myself useful , not only to the lodges in my district , but throughout England .
( Hear , hear . ) In conclusion , I must express a wish that your P . G . M . may live many years to hold the position which he will not fail to hold successfully . ( Cheers . ) Bro . the Rev . J . E . Cox then proposed , " The Provincial Grand Chaplain , " and in so doing stated that 3 1 years ago he was initiated into Masonry in Norfolk , and was a native of"Norwich , having been educated at the Grammar
School under Edward Valpy , and a chorister boy—the only one that had risen from the choir to preach in the Cathedral pulpit . On behalf of the brethren , he thanked the preacher of thc day for his excellent sermon , and concluded by proposing the toast . The Rev . J . Cholmeley , in reply , said he thanked the brethren for the cordial reception they had given to the
least , though he had received it with some reluctance , because he was not competent for the office . ( No , no . ) He kne > v himself better than his brethren knew him . When he heard he was to be appointed Grand Chaplain he went to Bro . Morgan to tell him he hoped some one else would take his position , but that brother that night had returned from some professional engagement very sleepy , and could
not listen to him . He was now thankful he was so sleepy , or he would not now have had the pleasure of supplying a fact he had omitted from his sermon . He then narrated the old Masonic tale of the Masonic chest of an English regiment being stolen in the American war , and returned afterwards by the French at Dominica . Bro . Bond Cabbell gave " The Provincial Grand Officers
of Norfolk , " coupled with thc healths of Bro . Morgan , D . P . G . M . ; Bro . L'Estrange , S . W . ; and Bro . Duff , J . W . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who was warmly cheered , said that if the day of his marriage was the happiest of his life , this was the proudest . ( Hear , hear . ) With all his brother Masons in the province , he had looked forward to this day , when they should sec the man of their
choice in the position which he held to-day . ( Applause . ) He was sorry that the first duty that truth compelled him to adopt was to correct the Provincial Grand Master in saying that he took his position by thc almost unanimous wish of the Craft . He appealed to them whether it was not the unanimous wish of the Craft that he should occupy that distinguished post . ( Cheers . ) If anything could
possibly enhance the pleasure with which he himself had received the honourable appointment of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , it was that it had been conferred by a Mason for whom he had such Masonic esteem as Bro . Walpole , the great honour he felt in acting under such a Master and that the brethren had so kindly approved of the appointment . ( Applause ) . He could not deny that for
something like the eleven years during which he had been their Secretary he had endeavoured to promote the welfare of the Craft generally , and to-day all his Masonic ambition was fulfilled and consummated . ( Hear , hear . ) The executive duties of the Prov . Grand Lodge would be thoroughly well represented by the Senior Warden , Bro . Colonel L'Estrange and by the Junior Warden , Bro . Colonel
Duff , both of whom were admirably fitted for the positions , and especially in physique and general appearance . ( Loud cheers . ) Bros . Col . L'Estrange and Col . Duff , both of whom were greeted with great cordiality , also responded , the lastnamed brother mentioning that he h . » d been a Mason 25 years , and that he should endeavour to perform the duties
of the high office to which he had been appointed , to the advantage of this lodge in particular , and of Masonry in general . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proposed " Prosperity to thc Lodges in the Province . " He said that since he had thc high privilege and honour of being a Mason the number of lodges in Norfolk had increased from seven to fourteen . ( Hear , hear . ) He could look
back to the time when it was necessary at every installation of Worshipful Master , to fall back upon a very old and much esteemed brother—Henry J . Mason—to go through the ritual ; but now every retiring Master installs his successor . ( Hear , hear . ) The working of the lodges in this province of Norfolk would be acknowledged to be most satisfactory by any Grand Officer who might honour
them with his presence . ( Hear , hear . ) In proposing the toast he coupled with it the name of Bro . Aldis , the Worshipful Master of the senior lodge—UnionXodge , 52—and he took this opportunity of saying that a great deal of the anxiety and work or preparing for this celebration had been taken off his hands by Bro . Aldis , who had greatly assisted him . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Aldis , W . M ., in responding , said that if any of the Grand Officers visited the lodges they would find that in this province the old landmarks of the Order were preserved , and further , that every / Master vied with each other in carrying on the work of his lodge with credit to himself and the province . ( Loud cheers . ) Norfolk had * ever been celebrated for freedom of thought , speech , and action , and
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
as Masonry was the very first flowsr of freedom , it was no wonder that it took early , deep , and abiding root in thc Masonic free soil of this good old county . As early as ijf 3 ' ( quoting from Preston ) a certain Francis , then Duke of Lorraine , and afterwards Emperor of Germany , was raised to the Third Degree in the ancestral home of the Walpoles , at Houghton Hall , in Norfolk , at an occasional
lodge held there . ( Cheers . ) It was also recorded that in 1736 Masonry made great progress in Norfolk under Edward Bacon , one of the two lodges which were founded under his auspices being Lodge Union , of which he ( Bro . Aldis ) had the distinguished honour of being Master . ( Cheers . ) A few years subsequent Richard Bacon was esteemed so highly for his Masonic attainments that to him
was delegated the high privilege of initiating the t hen Duke ofGloucester , andthatRichardBaconwas anancestor of the present P . G . Secretary , Bro . Henry Barwell , than whom a better Mason does not exist . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Aldis concluded by a reference to the proceedings at the installation in the morning , and by thanking the brethren for the reception they had given to the toast .
The Provincial Grand Master then proposed '' The Past Provincial Grand Officers , " whose services had been so valuable that they ought to have their healths drunk enthusiastically . ( Hear , hear . ) He coupled with the toast the name of Major Penrice , who might almost be called the father of Masonry in Norfolk . Bro . Penrice , in the course of his reply , referred to the
great impulse Freemasonry had received from the Grand Mastership of the Prince of Wales , and congratulated the province on the advent to the Deputy-Provincial Grand Mastership of Bro . Morgan , who had been a hard-working Mason , and always performed his duties with ability . The Rev . C j . Martyn , P . G . C , proposed " Thc Masonic Institutions , " and referred to the great good thev
did . He reminded the brethren of Lord Skelmersdale's presidency of the Masonic Institution ' s Festival on the 9 th of February , trusting that Norfolk would strongly support his lordship , and also referred to the recent complaints which had been made against the Boys' School . » He , however , spoke in the highest terms of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of that institution , and stated that it was to him thc great
success of that school was due . Bro . F . Binckes made an excellent reply , in which he amusingly alluded to the attempts that had been made to cause Freemasons to withdraw their confidence from him . He also mentioned the charge that had been made as to the institution being always in difficulties . He was happy , however , to say that the institution had not wanted
money . Bro . Terry also replied , and exhorted the brethren to support Lord Skelmersdale on the 9 th of February , when he would take the chair for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The Provincial Grand Master then proposed " The Health of a Distinguished Visitor "—one who , although sitting on the Opposition side of the house ( laughter ) ,
was unfortunately a Privy Councillor , and must not be passed over . He referred to a good and worthy brother Mason , "The Right Hon . E . Knatchbull-Hugessen . " ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . the Right Hon . Knatchbull-Hugessen , who was loudly cheered , said , —Right Worshipful Sir and Brother Masons , I am rather overcome with delight at being so
honoured by our worthy Provincial Grand Master , that I forgive him having said it is unfortunate I am a Privy Councillor . ( Laughter and hear , hear . ) I confess that when I was unable to decide where I ought to walk in the procession to-day , I felt entirely overcome with modesty when a gentlemen of great power in your institution , the Master of the Ceremonies , called to me to stand forward
as " a distinguished visitor . " ( Laughter ) and hear , hear . ) But overcoming that natural modesty which all Masons , and especially those who are only " erratic Masons , " possess ( laughter ) , I took my place in the procession , and I have been highly interested by witnessing the performances which have taken place to day . ( Applause . ) Brethren , my regard for Masonry and for you is so great , that
knowing that special trains wait for no man , I will not detain you by any long speech to-night . Suffice it for me to say that an institution like that of Masonry , founded upon the great and immutable principles of brotherly love and universal charity , must commend itself to the regard of every man who seeks to lead a Christian life according to those principles which are found in the Book of Holy Writ .
( Cheers . ) Brethren , satisfied that in Masonry is to be found one of the best supports of a Christian life , I for my part support Masonry , and glad I am to see that it is so worthily supported in this county of Norfolk . ( Applause . ) Brethren , I am taken by surprise in being called upon my legs to-night , but I live in a county close by the sea where we are never taken by surprise , or , if we are , we
always endeavour to be equal to the emergency . ( Laughter . ) Had I been called upon at an earlier part of the evening I might , perhaps , have noticed at greater length the observations made by the Grand Master , and if I had done so , I should have reciprocated the kindly feeling which he has expressed towards myself as one of the Opposition , and also have expressed the hope that many
years would not elapse before I could return to him the compliment—( laughter and cheers)—and recognise in friendly opposition a countenance ] which , whether by my side or opposite me , is always the countenance of an honest and faithful friend . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . J . B . Graver Browne proposed the last toast—that
of " The Ladies , " and in doing so took occasion to say , he was proud of the lodge to which he belonged—the Doricalthough that was one of the youngest lodges in the province , and no lodge was more delighted at the installation of the Hon . F . Walpole as Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Geoffrey Buxton having responded to thc toast , this successful meeting broke up .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
. Jie inhabitants of Norfolk , and none are more earnest Masons than the Masons of Norfolk . ( Cheers . ) I give vou " The Health of the Lord Skelmersdale . " ( Loud Lord Skelmersdale , having returned thanks for the reception accorded the toast , said he should always look back with great pleasure to this day , and with agreeable
remembrances of the great kindness with which the brethren in this province had received him . In accepting the office to which he had had the honour of being appointed , he determined to do the duty which belonged to it , and , as he told them in lodge , this was the first instalment of it out of London . They had placed him under an obligation to them which would be further increased if they would have
thc kindness of meeting him in London on the gth of February , when he should have the honour of presiding at the Festival of the Benevolent Institution . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Having expressed a warm desire for the continuance of harmony in the province , the noble lord gave " The Health of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Norfolk , " remarking that the brethren
were well aware what a good appointment it was of his friend and brother Walpole , who took so warm an interest in Masonry , and all would join with him in the hope that he would long live to occupy the chair into which he had the honour of installing him that day . ( Loud cheers . ) The Provincial Grand Master ( who was received with deafening cheers ) , in reply , said , —Brethren , I thank you
for the kindness of that reception . It encourages mc . I was wishing rather to postpone the time of returning thanks , thinking to arrange my ideas ; but finding no ideas really to arrange , I get up at your call . It is very difficult to speak on an occasion of this sort . I am sure that when , nearly one and thirty years ago , as a midshipman in Her Majesty ' s navy , I entered into Masonry , I little thought that
in the grand hall of Norfolk 1 should be installed as a Prov . G . Master . I little thought when , having given it up reluctantly , as it were , recalled into Masonry after a quarter of a century of work , I should be in this first hall of Norfolk the first Freemason of the province , but I have received all along one continued course of kindness , which renders those increasing years , years which we wish also to enjoy ,
and regret that they are passed . The Right Worshipful Brother on my right hand has spoken of the harmony existing among us . Why , sir , most of the brethren about me , ¦ except our guests—they at least that are of Norfolk—I have known from my boyhood upwards . They are men that I meet in daily intercourse . They have been to me * " a little more of kin if less of kind , " and I feel deeply
grateful to them for recommending me to His Royal Highness . Whatever His Royal Highness ' s wishes were , I should have been rejoiced to obey them , but when I heard that it was almost the unanimous wish ot those Masons among whom I had worked for years that I should take this place , I could not but immediately consent to take it . Having accepted it , I will engage truthfully and sincerely to the best
of my power to endeavour to do my duty in the office , so that when the time comes for me to retire , neither those who conferred the honour upon me , nor those who , by their kindness and their wish , had it conferred upon me , shall regret it . Having again thanked the brethren , the Prov . G . M . said he would now proceed to a livelier theme than speaking of himself , thc toast of " The Visitors . " Suffolk
was hardly regarded as a " stranger " or a " foreigner ; " it was not a " shire , " but it was a friend and relation . He was grateful to the Provincial Grand Master of Suffolk for the sacrifice he had made in coming to Norwich to this installation . He had been a hard-working man , and he deserved the heartest reception . He also proposed Bro . Lord Henniker in connection with this toast .
Lord Waveney , after a renewal of cheering , said—Right Worshipful Sir , I believe one of the first characteristics of Masonry is to be quick about your work , to get it well made up and cleanly carried out , and such has been the course this evening with the Right Worshipful Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) He took me , I confess , quite by surprise in so promptly bringing before you the claim he
was pleased to think I had of returning thanks as a visitor for those who partake of your magnificent hospitality this day—a day ever memorable in Norfolk , and to me , who have somewhat of an experience of such gatherings , very memorable indeed . ( Cheers . ) Three times I have been present at an installation . The first , you will understand , was a matter of high interest to me ; on the second I was
the most important person on the spot at the time , filling the position which has been occupied by the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master of England to-day—( cheers)—and on this , the third occasion , I stand as a pleased spectator of the brilliant and successful results of this day ' s proceedings , upon which I heartily congratulate you , Right Worshipful Sir , and the brethren of this great
province . ( Cheers . ) The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master has been pleased to say that he looks upon us Suffolk brethren as very near indeed . We accept that kindness most thankfully , and we are pleased also that with us are associated the many brethren who have come out of the shires , and have had the opportunity of knowing what we can do in the East Anglian corner of the
country . ( Hear , hear . ) I have only this to say , that from my experience in the honourable position which the Right Worshipful Brother has been placed in this day , I know that without the assistance of a willing province and of active Grand Officers progress is always difficult , but with such assistance it is impossible to fail . ( Hear , hear . ) 1 would , as a veteran , send you , Right Worshipful Sir ,
forward on your career with auspices such as those I am sure will be recorded the last time when you shall exercise your power , and which will be verified by thc fact , that , under your management , the province has grown from good to better , and from great to greater , not with reference to any disparagement of your predecessor , but on account of the increasing power of Masonry throughout thc
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
country . ( Cheers . ) On behalf of the visitors I beg to return to you and to the brethren my most grateful and sincere thanks . ( Renewed cheering . ) Lord Henniker , who also responded , said—As a young Mason I should have been shy of responding to this toast were it not that my name has been mentioned by my very old friend , your Prov . G . M . I thank you most sincerely for
the very kind way you have received me as a visitor . It has given me the very greatest pleasure to be present here to-day , and I thank your P . G . M . for giving me the opportunity of being here at this splendid entertainment , and also at the service at the Cathedral and the lodge this morning ; and if you don't want me to come another time , you must not give me an invitation . ( Laughter . ) I am
especially pleased at being present on the occasion of my old friend , my very esteemed friend , being installed as your P . G . M . I am sure this province cannot be in better hands . Though a young Mason , I claim to be second to none in my wishes for the good of Masonry , and I hope as years go by to have an opportunity of making myself useful , not only to the lodges in my district , but throughout England .
( Hear , hear . ) In conclusion , I must express a wish that your P . G . M . may live many years to hold the position which he will not fail to hold successfully . ( Cheers . ) Bro . the Rev . J . E . Cox then proposed , " The Provincial Grand Chaplain , " and in so doing stated that 3 1 years ago he was initiated into Masonry in Norfolk , and was a native of"Norwich , having been educated at the Grammar
School under Edward Valpy , and a chorister boy—the only one that had risen from the choir to preach in the Cathedral pulpit . On behalf of the brethren , he thanked the preacher of thc day for his excellent sermon , and concluded by proposing the toast . The Rev . J . Cholmeley , in reply , said he thanked the brethren for the cordial reception they had given to the
least , though he had received it with some reluctance , because he was not competent for the office . ( No , no . ) He kne > v himself better than his brethren knew him . When he heard he was to be appointed Grand Chaplain he went to Bro . Morgan to tell him he hoped some one else would take his position , but that brother that night had returned from some professional engagement very sleepy , and could
not listen to him . He was now thankful he was so sleepy , or he would not now have had the pleasure of supplying a fact he had omitted from his sermon . He then narrated the old Masonic tale of the Masonic chest of an English regiment being stolen in the American war , and returned afterwards by the French at Dominica . Bro . Bond Cabbell gave " The Provincial Grand Officers
of Norfolk , " coupled with thc healths of Bro . Morgan , D . P . G . M . ; Bro . L'Estrange , S . W . ; and Bro . Duff , J . W . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who was warmly cheered , said that if the day of his marriage was the happiest of his life , this was the proudest . ( Hear , hear . ) With all his brother Masons in the province , he had looked forward to this day , when they should sec the man of their
choice in the position which he held to-day . ( Applause . ) He was sorry that the first duty that truth compelled him to adopt was to correct the Provincial Grand Master in saying that he took his position by thc almost unanimous wish of the Craft . He appealed to them whether it was not the unanimous wish of the Craft that he should occupy that distinguished post . ( Cheers . ) If anything could
possibly enhance the pleasure with which he himself had received the honourable appointment of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , it was that it had been conferred by a Mason for whom he had such Masonic esteem as Bro . Walpole , the great honour he felt in acting under such a Master and that the brethren had so kindly approved of the appointment . ( Applause ) . He could not deny that for
something like the eleven years during which he had been their Secretary he had endeavoured to promote the welfare of the Craft generally , and to-day all his Masonic ambition was fulfilled and consummated . ( Hear , hear . ) The executive duties of the Prov . Grand Lodge would be thoroughly well represented by the Senior Warden , Bro . Colonel L'Estrange and by the Junior Warden , Bro . Colonel
Duff , both of whom were admirably fitted for the positions , and especially in physique and general appearance . ( Loud cheers . ) Bros . Col . L'Estrange and Col . Duff , both of whom were greeted with great cordiality , also responded , the lastnamed brother mentioning that he h . » d been a Mason 25 years , and that he should endeavour to perform the duties
of the high office to which he had been appointed , to the advantage of this lodge in particular , and of Masonry in general . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proposed " Prosperity to thc Lodges in the Province . " He said that since he had thc high privilege and honour of being a Mason the number of lodges in Norfolk had increased from seven to fourteen . ( Hear , hear . ) He could look
back to the time when it was necessary at every installation of Worshipful Master , to fall back upon a very old and much esteemed brother—Henry J . Mason—to go through the ritual ; but now every retiring Master installs his successor . ( Hear , hear . ) The working of the lodges in this province of Norfolk would be acknowledged to be most satisfactory by any Grand Officer who might honour
them with his presence . ( Hear , hear . ) In proposing the toast he coupled with it the name of Bro . Aldis , the Worshipful Master of the senior lodge—UnionXodge , 52—and he took this opportunity of saying that a great deal of the anxiety and work or preparing for this celebration had been taken off his hands by Bro . Aldis , who had greatly assisted him . ( Cheers . )
Bro . Aldis , W . M ., in responding , said that if any of the Grand Officers visited the lodges they would find that in this province the old landmarks of the Order were preserved , and further , that every / Master vied with each other in carrying on the work of his lodge with credit to himself and the province . ( Loud cheers . ) Norfolk had * ever been celebrated for freedom of thought , speech , and action , and
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Norfolk.
as Masonry was the very first flowsr of freedom , it was no wonder that it took early , deep , and abiding root in thc Masonic free soil of this good old county . As early as ijf 3 ' ( quoting from Preston ) a certain Francis , then Duke of Lorraine , and afterwards Emperor of Germany , was raised to the Third Degree in the ancestral home of the Walpoles , at Houghton Hall , in Norfolk , at an occasional
lodge held there . ( Cheers . ) It was also recorded that in 1736 Masonry made great progress in Norfolk under Edward Bacon , one of the two lodges which were founded under his auspices being Lodge Union , of which he ( Bro . Aldis ) had the distinguished honour of being Master . ( Cheers . ) A few years subsequent Richard Bacon was esteemed so highly for his Masonic attainments that to him
was delegated the high privilege of initiating the t hen Duke ofGloucester , andthatRichardBaconwas anancestor of the present P . G . Secretary , Bro . Henry Barwell , than whom a better Mason does not exist . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Aldis concluded by a reference to the proceedings at the installation in the morning , and by thanking the brethren for the reception they had given to the toast .
The Provincial Grand Master then proposed '' The Past Provincial Grand Officers , " whose services had been so valuable that they ought to have their healths drunk enthusiastically . ( Hear , hear . ) He coupled with the toast the name of Major Penrice , who might almost be called the father of Masonry in Norfolk . Bro . Penrice , in the course of his reply , referred to the
great impulse Freemasonry had received from the Grand Mastership of the Prince of Wales , and congratulated the province on the advent to the Deputy-Provincial Grand Mastership of Bro . Morgan , who had been a hard-working Mason , and always performed his duties with ability . The Rev . C j . Martyn , P . G . C , proposed " Thc Masonic Institutions , " and referred to the great good thev
did . He reminded the brethren of Lord Skelmersdale's presidency of the Masonic Institution ' s Festival on the 9 th of February , trusting that Norfolk would strongly support his lordship , and also referred to the recent complaints which had been made against the Boys' School . » He , however , spoke in the highest terms of Bro . Binckes , the Secretary of that institution , and stated that it was to him thc great
success of that school was due . Bro . F . Binckes made an excellent reply , in which he amusingly alluded to the attempts that had been made to cause Freemasons to withdraw their confidence from him . He also mentioned the charge that had been made as to the institution being always in difficulties . He was happy , however , to say that the institution had not wanted
money . Bro . Terry also replied , and exhorted the brethren to support Lord Skelmersdale on the 9 th of February , when he would take the chair for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The Provincial Grand Master then proposed " The Health of a Distinguished Visitor "—one who , although sitting on the Opposition side of the house ( laughter ) ,
was unfortunately a Privy Councillor , and must not be passed over . He referred to a good and worthy brother Mason , "The Right Hon . E . Knatchbull-Hugessen . " ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . the Right Hon . Knatchbull-Hugessen , who was loudly cheered , said , —Right Worshipful Sir and Brother Masons , I am rather overcome with delight at being so
honoured by our worthy Provincial Grand Master , that I forgive him having said it is unfortunate I am a Privy Councillor . ( Laughter and hear , hear . ) I confess that when I was unable to decide where I ought to walk in the procession to-day , I felt entirely overcome with modesty when a gentlemen of great power in your institution , the Master of the Ceremonies , called to me to stand forward
as " a distinguished visitor . " ( Laughter ) and hear , hear . ) But overcoming that natural modesty which all Masons , and especially those who are only " erratic Masons , " possess ( laughter ) , I took my place in the procession , and I have been highly interested by witnessing the performances which have taken place to day . ( Applause . ) Brethren , my regard for Masonry and for you is so great , that
knowing that special trains wait for no man , I will not detain you by any long speech to-night . Suffice it for me to say that an institution like that of Masonry , founded upon the great and immutable principles of brotherly love and universal charity , must commend itself to the regard of every man who seeks to lead a Christian life according to those principles which are found in the Book of Holy Writ .
( Cheers . ) Brethren , satisfied that in Masonry is to be found one of the best supports of a Christian life , I for my part support Masonry , and glad I am to see that it is so worthily supported in this county of Norfolk . ( Applause . ) Brethren , I am taken by surprise in being called upon my legs to-night , but I live in a county close by the sea where we are never taken by surprise , or , if we are , we
always endeavour to be equal to the emergency . ( Laughter . ) Had I been called upon at an earlier part of the evening I might , perhaps , have noticed at greater length the observations made by the Grand Master , and if I had done so , I should have reciprocated the kindly feeling which he has expressed towards myself as one of the Opposition , and also have expressed the hope that many
years would not elapse before I could return to him the compliment—( laughter and cheers)—and recognise in friendly opposition a countenance ] which , whether by my side or opposite me , is always the countenance of an honest and faithful friend . ( Great cheering . ) Bro . J . B . Graver Browne proposed the last toast—that
of " The Ladies , " and in doing so took occasion to say , he was proud of the lodge to which he belonged—the Doricalthough that was one of the youngest lodges in the province , and no lodge was more delighted at the installation of the Hon . F . Walpole as Provincial Grand Master . Bro . Geoffrey Buxton having responded to thc toast , this successful meeting broke up .