Knight Templary In England.

Head , and became " Royal Grand Patron , " being succeeded , on his Royal Highness ' s resignation as G . M ., by Judge Waller Rodwell Wright , in 1807 . The statutes which were agreed 10 in 1791 were revised in 1809 those of 1804 , including Regulations granted by the Duke of Kent , being revoked by his Royal Highness ' s authority , who also confirmed Bro . Wright in the office of Grand Master , so that the Duke was active as Grand Patron , though having ceased to bethe actual Ruler of the Society . The title in 18 . 19 was " The Royal , Exalted , Religious , and Military Order of H . R . D . M . Grand Elected Masonic Knights Templars K . D . S . H . of St . John of JerusalemPalestine . Rhodeskc . "

, , At this period " Lodges of Craft Masons and Chapters of the Royal Arch , " it was declared by authority of the Royal Grand Patron , " pretend by virtue of their respective Charters of Constitution to admit Knights of Ihe several Orders above mentioned , and to confer the Degrees of Ros : c Crucis to the said Orders annexed and thereon dependant" ; and means were taken to prevent such irregularity . In 1 S 10 there were 3 d " Chapters of Knights Templars" on thc roll ,

including " Observance of Seven Degrees" ( London ) , " Redemption " ( York ) , and "Baldwin" ( Bristol ) , without numbers , and described as of "Time Immemorial . " Then 33 arc numbered consecutively , one being of 1790 , two each of 1791 , 1792 , 300 ! 1793 , and others of 1794 , I / <; 6 , 180510 1810 . The old Encampment at Exeter is not mentioned . Others are noted as " discontinued from not being able to assemble , " one being the " Time Immemorial " at Bath , and one each in " First Dragoons , " Salisbury ,

Hampton Court , kc , some of which were revived subsequently . H . R . H . the Duke of Sussex became Grand Master in 1 S 12 ; and so continued to his decease in 1 S 43 , Colonel Kemeys-Tyntc succeeding his Royal H ighness in 184 ( 1 . A new era for the Knights Templars began in this year , the working of the Rose Croix and Kadosh was gradually placed in the hands of thc " Ancient and Accepted Rite , " which began then to be active , and has been a great power and influence for good ever sines , and the Grand Conclave soon became a flourishing Body .

On Colonel Tynte ' s decease in iSlb , Bro . William Stuarl , G . C . T ., was soon afterwards elected , and was installed in 1 S 61 . On his resignation in 1872 , my lamented friend , the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., became the acting Grand Master dm i ig the interregnum , when the eventful changes of 1 S 72 were introduced , and H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was installed Grand Master of the Convent General , 7 th April , 1873 , since composed of the Great Priories of England and Wales , Ireland , and Canada . The Scottish Fratres declined to join the new organisation , and Canada withdrew in 18 S 3 .

The Earl of Limerick , G . C . T ., was the first Great Prior of England and VVales under the new regime , followed by the liarl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , G . C . T ., in 187 ( 1 , on whose regretted decease the Earl of Lathom ( then Lo-d Skelme-sdale ) became the Great Prior , and happily still continues .

Full lists of all the offi . ers appointed and elected from 1 S 46 lo 18 SS were published in 1 S 8 S , compiled by Brn . WiUiam Tinkler , K . C . T ., as Vice Chancellor , and in the Calendar for 1895-18 9 ( 1 will be found many interesting particulars of the Order , and particularly the Roll of Preceptories , arranged in alphabetical order , but bearing a consecutive enumeration , according to precedenceand containing information as to where the meetings are held ,

, kc . There are in all 117 preceptories , five being lettered A to F ( excluding E ) , as of "Time Immemorial" ( viz ., Nottingham , Hull , Bristol , London , and Exeter ) , the remainder being numbered from 1 ( Bath ) to 164 ( Ceylon ) , excepting vacancies . The dates of warrants of these are duly entered . Some 16 are returned as being in arrears , but possibly some are only slightly behind time .

I cannot but think that a popular Constitution , active and popular Provincial Priors , and with the same Great Officers as well as the same courteous Vice Chancellor , quite a revival of interest in the Order would soon be manifested . W . 1 . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , E . G ., on the 24 th inst ., when Bro . Col . A . B . Cook , J . P ., Prov . G . M ., presided , supported by Bros . Col . Wyndham Hart , P . J . G . W . ; W . M . Stiles , P . G . S . B ., as Dep . G . M . ; A . Stewart Brown , P . G . Sec ; Basil Stewart , P . S . G . D . ; R . J . Tucker , P . G . S . B , ; Capt . C . J . Knightley , P . P . G . W . ; Dr . H . W . Roberts , P . G .

Stwd ; Geo . Thomas , P . P . G . M . O . ; M . C . Christian , P . S . G . D . ; A . McDowall , P . A . G . D . C . ; Geo . Graveley , P . G . S . B . ; W . C . Dickey , P . P . G . I . ofNV . ; W . Fisher , G . Rice , H . Higgins , F . A . Jewson , F . R . Trew , P . P . G . S . B . ; J- M . Small , j . W . 448 ; C . M . Challender , P . M . 323 ; A . C . Goodridge , VV . M . 3 ; C Wilkinson , J . Mansell , J . O . ; A . J . Blake , M . O . ;

G . Gregory , P . G . S . ; M . T . Tuck , M . O . 4 S 5 ; W . George , S . D . 485 ; W . Blackburn , P . M . 236 ; A . Tucker , P . M . 23 6 ; W . D . Seaton , 236 ; C . H . Ferryman , Sec . 2 S 4 ; M . J . Taylor , S . D . 173 ; W . G . Bridges , I . G . 173 ; W . H . Toye , 173 ; J . H . Frye , M . O . 485 ; J . Robinson , I . G . 199 ; A . D . Jones , 199 ; j . W . Goodridge , J . Bayne , 199 ; H . F . Adlard , Stafford Trego , 100 ; W . W . Lee , and others .

Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , and the minutes confirmed , Bro . A . S TEWART BROWN , J . G . D ., P . G . Sec , moved that ihe present P . G . M . should be recommended for re-appointment to the office . Having served under Bro . Col . Cook for two yeari as P . G . Secretary , it afforded him the greatest pleasure to make the proposition . He was

speaking from the hearts of every brother in Ihe province when he said tint a Prov . G . M . more indefatigable in the discharge of the duties of his high position could not be found through the length and breadth of the land . B-o . A . MCDOWALL , P . A . G . D . C , seconded the proposition , which was umnimcusly agreed to .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER returned grateful thanks for the compliment , which hc regarded as a proof that his efforts in the last three years hid met with their approbation . If ths M . W . G . M . were pleased to accede to their recommendation , his services would be at their disposal as in the

past . . The report of the Committee of G : ncral Purposes was adopted , showing an increase of 37 members , making a total of 180 brethren , exclusive of a new lodge recently formed . The PROV . G I \ M » MASTER ihen rtfenci lo the difficulties experienced by the head of a province in the appointment of Prov . Grand Officers ,

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex.

especially in a new province , where he Avas anxious to absorb in it some of the old and distinguished officers of the late Province of Middlesex and Surrey . When he appointed a brother to a junior post he hoped he would accept it , for , although it might not fully represent his merit , he would bs promoted in years to follow . He wished the province to understand that Masters or Past Masters should not refuse a minor office , for in the minds of the executive it meant promotion in the future . He also hoped the Secretaries of lodges would send notices of their meetings to thc executive , as it was a rule to do so . The roll of lodges was called , and all % vere represented .

Bro . Major Clifford Probyn , P . G . S . B ., was unanimously elected P . ov . Grand Treasurer . The following Prov . Grand Officers were appointed : Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , P . G . W . ... ... D . P . G . M . „ A . McDowall , W . M . 4 S 5 , P . A . G . D . C . ... Prov . S . G . W . „ G . Ward Verry , P . M . 173 , P . G . S . B . ... Prov . J . G . W . „ W . Blackburn , P . M . 23 6 ... ... Prov . G . M . O .

„ G . Rice , W . M . 284 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ A . P . Little , P . M . 199 ... ... ... Prov . j . G . O . „ Major Clifford Probyn , P . G . S . B . ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Millner lutsum , M . O . 173 ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ A . Stewart Brown , P . M . 448 , J . G . D . ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Dr . Hartzhorne , P . M . 357 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . G . Bridges , P . M . 3 S 0 ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

„ Capt . C . J . Knightley , P . M . 2 S 4 , G . S . B . ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . C . Goodinge , W . M . 3 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . H . Toye , W . M . 173 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ H . S . Trego , S . W . 199 ... .. ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

,, Simmonds , P . M . 181 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . Watkins , W . M . 350 ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Dr . J . H-Frye , Sec . 485 ... " ^ . Prov G Stewards „ C Wilkinson , 3 S 7 ... ... ... j "ov" ^ btewards-„ F . G . Mitchell , 448 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Letters of regret for non-attendance were announced from the Pro Grand Master , Grand Secretary , and Bros . Capt . Walls , G . Everett , W . H . B . Scott , F . Richardson , L . Steel , Dr . Lawrence , and VV . A . Scurrah . The sum of live guineas was unanimously voted from the Benevolent Fund to the Mark Benevolent Fund , to be placed on the list of the Prov . G . Master .

Prov . Grand Lodge was closed , and after banquet the proposing of the various toasts was proceeded with . " The Queen , " and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales" were first given , after which The PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed "The Grand Officers , " and with reference to the Pro G . Master and the Dep . G . Master said that they could

congratulate themselves on the fact that one had been present on two occasions and ihe other on one occasion of their provincial meetings . He deeply regretted the absence of the Grand Secretary owing to an accident which was likely to prove more serious , and would keep him at home for some little time . They all knew what a genial spirit Bro . Matier was , and what he had done for the Mark Degree and the Mark Benevolent Fund . He ( the Prov . G . Master ) could honestly congratulate the province that two brethren , Bros .

Stewart Brown , and Knightley had received Grand Office honours . Bro . Stewart Brown had been appointed as G . D ., and none were more deserving of it , and he also congratulated Bro . Capt . Knightley , for he was one to whom a Provincial Grand Master might always turn in time of trouble . There was also present with them Bro . Stiles , who was a Grand Officer and a P . P . G . Officer of Middlesex and Surrey . Perhaps in the future Bro . Stiles would belong to Middlesex , Avhich Avould be their gain , but also their loss , as he would presently be called upon to reply for the visitors .

Bro . A . STEWART BROWN , J . G . D ., said that was the first time he had had the honour to reply for the Grand Officers . He was extremely proud to reply on behalf oi those excellent Masons at the head of Grand Lodge , for they studied neither time nor distance in the discharge of their duties . It was only 48 hours previously that the Pro Grand Master consecrated a Mark lodge at Eastbourne , supported by five Present Grand Officers , and

10 or 12 Past Grand Officers , which showed that in this Degree they took an interest in the Order in which they had received honours . With regard to Bro . Knightley and himself , they considered their appointment as an honour to the province to which they belonged . Bro . Capt . C . J . KNIGHTLEY , G . S . B ., said he had a difficult task to perform in proposing "Success and Prosperity to the Prov . Grand Master , " but the brethren would agree that they had the right man in the right place .

It was not many years ago that at Hampton Court he ( Bro . Knightley ) made bold to go to Col , Cook and assure him , as a Prov . Grand Officer , that he would gain the esteem and friendship of the province , and that had been carried out to the letter . The Prov . Grand Mister had done his level best for the province , and the brethren would do their best for him in fair weather or foul . They had seen from the report that the province was increasing , and he was confident it would continue to increase under the able guidance of Col . Cook .

Bro . Col . A . B . COOK , P . G . M ., in reply , said the hearty endorsement the kind words cf Bro . Knightley had received had afforded him a great deal of pleasure . When he undertook the office he knew and felt there were many difficulties to be contended with , and that he had a somewhat difficult task . As the proposer of the toast had said , he had succeeded in getting rid , as it were , of some of the disagreeables of the positionand he

, thought the province might be said to be fairly started on a good way to success . He could not but thank them aga n for having recommended him to ihe M . W . G . M . for re-appointment . If his efforts had becn appreciated in the right way , ar . d he had carried out the object with which he was put into the position—that of smoothing down things that would naturally occur— -he Avas more than gratified . He thought he could say he had succeeded , and

could not tell them how proud he was tint he had been recommended for another term of three years . Nobody was more pleased than he was at the increase of their numbers . A new lodge hid been started and I 13 believed they would have another soon . He was proud to be in thc position of Prov-G . Master , grateful for thc reception he always received , and pleased to see such large numbers present .

In proposing "The Dep . Prov . G . Master and Prov . G . Officers , " t ne PROV . G . MASTER said the Dep . Prov . G . M . could be honestly excused at that critical time owing lo his many duties . He was very seldom brought officially into contact with the Prov . G . Officers except at a consecration , when he found he was well supported . He would couple the name of Bro . McDowaHi who was the first Master of the Highbury Lodge recently consecrated , when thc arrangements made by him were cxcell ent .