Province Of Devon.

PROVINCE OF DEVON .

The brethren of the Lodge Fidelity ( No . 230 , Devonport ) always delay their annual banquet until the spring of the year , and do not as the other lodges , hold this festivity , at the Christmas season . This is done in order to suit the convenience of the Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., the Grand Master of the Province of Devonshire , the senior member of the lodge , with which he has been

associated for nearly forty years . It was therefore arranged that the installation banquet should be held at the Royal Hotel , Plymouth , Bro . Pearse being one of the brethren who took an active part in the transplanting of the lodge . At half-past one o ' clock on Wednesday , the Prov . Grand Chapter of Devon assembled at the Huyshe

Masonic Temple , Princess-square , Plymouth . E . C . John Huyshe , Grand Superintendent of the Province , Z ., E . G . ; L . P . Metham , as H . E . C . J . C . Radford , as J . E . C . ; Walter G . Rogers , Exeter , E . ; E . C . Vincent Bird , P . S . ; and many Prov . Grand Officers , past and present , as well as the representatives of the various Chapters in the County and Province of Devon . The usual business of

the Chapter having been transacted , the munificent sum of twenty guineas was voted to the Royal Freemasons ' Girls' School ; ten guineas to the Fortescue Annuitant Fund ; ten guineas to the " Masonic Bed "' in the Royal Albert Hospital , Devonport ; and two guineas to the North Devon Infirmary , both these Institutions having been associated with Masonic aid at the early period of

their career . The following appointments were then made , after which the Plymouth Chapter was closed . Col . J . Elliott , R . M ., 1205 , II . ; R . H . Ray , 189 , J . ; W . G . Rogers , 112 , S . E . ; S . Jones , 112 , S . N . ; J . B . Gover , 70 , P . S . ; C . Pearse , 202 , A . S . ; J . Harris , 954 , G . T . ; T . S . Bayly , 1 S 9 , G . Regis . ; J . M . Hifley , 70 , G . S . B . ; J . Brown , 954 , 1 st . G . St . B . ; J . Lynn , 230 ,

2 nd G . St . B . ; Dr . Blake , 230 , G . D . O . C . ; W . Foxwell , 954 , G . O . ; F . P . Holmes , 70 , G . B . B . At . 2 . 30 the Provincial Grand Conclave of Devon was opened at the other hall in the Huyshe Temple , when the Rev . J . Huyshe , D . G . M . of England , and G . C . of this province , presided . There was a large assemblage of Sir Knights . The funds of thc Conclave were again opened ,

and five guineas voted ( in addition to that sum at the meeting in July last ) for the Freemasons' Girls' School , to be added to the list of Bro . Metham , who represents the province as Steward , at the festival in May next , at Freemasons' Hall , London , where a large sum is expected to be added to thc funds of that institution , which has such strong claims on the brethren of this neighbourhood ,

from the fact that the daughter of a brother well-known in this locality , was last week placed on the foundation by the munificence of the brethren . The appointments of officers for the ensuing year were then made : —Sir Knts . L . P . Metham , D . P . G . C . : Col . Elliott , P . G . P . ; Capt . Shanks , R . M ., P . G . S . P . ; the Rev . Dr . Pope , P . G . Prel . ; Major Russell , 1 st C . C . C . ; C . Leigh , R . N ., 2 nd C . C . C . ;

J . J . Clase , P . G . Chan . ; F . Codd , P . G . V . Chan . ; T . M . Hifley , 1 st P . G . Exp . ; Dr . J . N . Blake , D . C . ; E A . Davies , Assist . D . C . ; C . S . Willshire , P . G . A . ; F . P . Holmes , 1 st . A . D . C . ; G . Hilson , 2 nd A . D . C . ; W Foxwell , 1 st CL . ; P . B . Clemens , 2 nd CL . ; G . Glan field , St . B . ; G . Warren , S . B . ; J . Brown , 1 st II . At five precisely a well-served banquet ( being the festi

val of Lodge Fidelity , No . 230 , ) was partaken of by a goodly number of brethren , who fully appreciated the excellent catering of Bro . Pearse , of the Royal . The president was Bro . J . N . Blake , the W . M . of the lodge , supported on his right by thc Grand Master Of the province ; thc senior member of the lodge , Rev . J , Huyshe , M . A ., Bros . Capt . Clarke , Provincial Grand Commander of the West Indies , P . E . C . ; Col . Elliott , P . P . S . G . W . ;

Capt . J . Tanner Davy , P . P . G . S . W . ; W . G . Rogers , P . G . Sec . ; and on the left by Bros . Metham , D . P . G . M . ; Major Yates , P . J . G . W . ; Leigh , W . M ., ioia ; Lynn , S . W . ; Bannerman , J . W . ; Briggs , Puvsey , Codd , Clase , Radford , Jew , W . Toll , Adams , Knight , Jackson , Pearse , Jones , Browning , & c , The usual toasts were responded to in the terms peculiar to thc brethren , and a very pleasant evening was spent . — Western Daily Mercury .

Scotland.

SCOTLAND .

—? CENTENARY OF THE ROYAL ARCH LODGE , No . 122 , PERTH . On the 30 th ult ., the brethren of the above lodge , celebrated the centenary of their lodge by a dinner and a ball . The dinner , to which upwards of one hundred sat down , took place in the hall of the Royal George

Hotel , Perth , the chair being occupied by Bro . J . Whyte-Melville , Past G . Master Mason of Scotland , the Senior and Junior Wardens of the Royal Arch ( Bros . John Dawson and Charles Wood , ) officiating as Croupiers . Deputations from various lodges were present , viz . : Edinburgh ; Coupar-Angus ; Stirling ; Aberdeen ; Forfar and Kincardine , Dundee ; Operative Lodge , Dunkeld ; Scoon and Perth

Lodge , Perth ; and St . Andrew s Lodge , Perth . The deputation from the Grand Lodge of Scotland consisted of Bros . J . Whyte-Melville , P . G . M . ; W . A . Laurie , G . Sec . ; Henry R . Kyd , S . G . W . ; William Mann , J . G . W . ; Francis L . Law , David Marshall , James Macduff , George Dickson , M . D . ; David Kinnear , Alexander Boswell , Murdoch MacKenzie , G . Marshal ; and William Bryce , Grand Tyler .

The ball—which afterwards took place in thc county hall—was a most undoubted success . The attendance numbered fully 150 ladies and brethren . Amongst the brethren present were : —Bro . Whyte-Melville , Esq ., of Benochy and Strathkinness , and the brethren composing the Grand Lodge deputation ; Bros . Sir David Ross , Butter-Malcolm , William MacLcish , John Shields , James Macduff , ( of Newmill ) , Fleckstcin , William Reid ,

Scotland.

Lieutenant J . A . Imrie , Lieutenant Adam Makenzie , John Young , C . E ., and the office-bearers of thc Scoon and Perth , St . Andrew ' s , and Royal Arch Lodges .

ST . ANDREW'S ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER , No . 69 . An emergency meeting of this Chapter was held on the 22 nd inst ., within the chapter-rooms , 170 , Buchananstreet , Glasgow . The chapter was opened in the Mark Degree by the M . E . P . Z ., T . M . Campbell ; Bros . W . McEwan , J . W . ; William Lindsay , S . W . Bro . Benjamin Hackman and George Maynard , M . M . 's of Lodge Clyde

No . 408 , and Joseph Gilbert , M . M . of Star 219 , received the degree of Mark Master . The lodge being raised to the Chair Degree , or Past Masters' Lodge , they were passed into the chair , Bro . W . McEwan officiating in both degrees . The chapter was then opened in the Excellent Master's Degree , when the before-mentioned brethren ,

along Vith Bro . W . Harper , received the degree . The chapter was then opened on the Holy Royal Arch Degree , when the same four brethren were exalted , instructed and received into companionship . The M . E . Z . officiated , and the working of the several degrees was done in the superior style that the St Andrew ' s is famed for .

FUNERAL OF FRO . ROBERT WALKER

P . M . No . 51 , 117 , and 4 S 0 ., &> c , &* c . It having been the wish of the deceased to be buried by the Craft and according to the rites of Masonry , the brethren of the various lodges in the Glasgow Province met at the house of the deceased , No . 2 , Catherine-lane , Anderston , on the 20 th inst ., at 8 a . m . Deputations were present from the P . G . Lodge , G . K . L . No . 4 , St .

Mungo 27 , Thistle and Rose 73 , Thistle 87 , and Clyde 40 S , who proceeded with the hearse containing the body to the head of Eglinton-street , where one of Menzie ' s omnibuses was in waiting to convey them to Newmilns , in Ayrshire . The brethren having been comfortably seated , and the day being fine , after a- drive of nearly five hours they reached Newmilns .

The funeral cortege was met about a mile from the village by the Loudon Newmilns Kilwinning Lodge No . 51 , and Galston St . Peter ' s Lodge No . 331 , accompanied by the Newmilns Instrumental Band . The procession was formed in order by Bro . Thomas P . Mullin , Tyler of Clyde 408 , acting Marshal , and ,

followed by the hearse and relatives of the deceased , proceeded to the lodge room . The body having been removed , it was placed on a bier in the centre of the lodge , a pure white lamb's-skin being placed on the coffin , and a sprig of acacia at the head . The following inscription was on tlie

plate;—Bro . ROBERT WALKER , Died 16 th April , 1870 , aged 74 , P . M . No . 51 , 117 , and 408 . The coffin was covered with black velvet , and mounted with rich black lace . The solemn and imposing rites of the Masonic funeral service then began , Bro . Thomas M . Campbell , P . M . 40 S , Prox-M . 4 89 , M . E . P . Z . 69 , & c , acting Master ; Bro . J . Borland , R . W . M ., L . N . K .,

51 , acting S . W . ; Bro . John Buchanan , R . W . M . Clyde 40 S , acting J . W . The ceremony in the hall having been concluded , a short oration suitable to the occasion was delivered by the Master . The brethren , each bearing a sprig of acacia on his left breast , jewels and emblems covered with crape—the members of the " Clyde " having a band of crape on their left arm—proceeded from the lodge room as follows : —

Marshal . Tyler with drawn sword . Stewards with white rods . Instrumental Band . Master Masons . Secretary . Chaplain . Treasurer Senior and Junior Wardens . The Holy Bible

( carried on a cushion covered with black cloth ) Master ( three acting ) , Supported by two Deacons with white rods . The Coffin , containing thc Body ( carried by six Wardens and six Pall Bearers ) .

Relatives and friends of deceased . The brethren marched with slow and measured tread , the band played the " Dead March in Saul . " On arrival at the Cemetery the ranks were opened up , and the Marshal and Tyler having returned , escorted the three acting Masters to thc grave—viz ., Bro . T . M . Campbell , supported on the right by J . Borland , and on the left by J .

Buchanan , followed by the body . On reaching the grave , the concourse of people being great , the brethren had difficulty in forcing their way through them . It is believed that not less than three thousand were present . Tlie coffin was placed on rests , and the Master called on thc Chaplain of the Clyde Lodge , Bro . Robert Burns Thomson ( grandson of Scotia ' s bard ) , who delivered the

follow prayer : — "Almighty and Most Merciful Father , we adore Thee as the God of time and Eternity . As it has pleased Thee to take from the light of our abode one dear to our hearts , we beseech Thee to bless and sanctify unto us this dispensation of Thy providence . Inspire our hearts with wisdom from on high , that wc may glorify Thee in all our ways . May we realize that Thine all-seeing eye is

upon us , and be influenced by the spirit of truth and love to perfect obedience ; that we may enjoy the divine approbation here below ; and when our toils on earth shall have ended may we be raised to the enjoyment of fadeless light and immortal life in that Kingdom where faith and hope shall end , and love and joy prevail through eternal ages . And Thine , O Righteous Father , shall be thc glory for ever . Amen . " Response by thc brethren : So mote it be .

Scotland.

The usual Masonic exhortation was delivered by the Master , and the apron being then laid on the coffin , the Master said : "The lamb ' s-skin or white apron is the emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason . It is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle and more honourable than the Star and Garter , or any other order in existence , being thc badge of

innocence and the bond of friendship and reminds us of the universal dominion of Death , and that the wealth of the world cannot purchase our release , nor the strong arm of friendship nor the virtue of innocence can prevent his coming . Then ( holding the evergreen in his hand ) the Master continued : The evergreen which once marked the temporary resting-place of the illustrious dead is an

emblem of our faith in the immortality of the soul . By it we are reminded of our high and glorious destiny beyond the world of shadows , and that there dwells within our tabernacle of clay an imperishable and immortal spirit which the grave shall never receive , and over which death lias no dominion . By it we are admonished that though , like our brother whose rennins lie before us , we

shall soon be clothed in the habiliments of death , and deposited in thc silent tomb , yet , through our belief in the mercy of God we may confidently hope that our souls will bloom in eternal spring . This , too , I deposit in the grave with the exclamation , "Alas , my brother , " ( the brethren then severally dropped a sprig of evergreen into the grave ) . The Master then finished the exhortation by sprinkling earth three times on the coffin , adding , "Earth

to earth , ashes to ashess , dust to dust . " The brethren then joined in singing Pleyel ' s hymn Solemn strikes the fun ' ral chime , Notes of our departing time As we journey here below Thro' a pilgrimage of woe . Mortals now indulge a tear , For mortality is here ! See how wide her trophies wave

O er the slumbers of the grave . Here another guest we bring ; Seraphs of celestial wing , To our fun'ral altar come , Waft our friend and brother home

There enlarged thy soul shall see What was veiled in mystery ; Heavenly glories of the pi ice Show his Maker face to face . Lord of all ! below , above-Fill our hearts with truth and love , When dissolves our earthly tio

Take us to Thy lodge on high . The services was concluded by thc Chaplain offering up prayer , the Master saying : The will of God is accomplished . Response : So mote it be . Master : From dust we came , and unto dust we must return . Response : May we all be recompensed at the

resurrection of the just . Amen . The procession then re-formed and returned to the lodge room , where the lodge was closed in ancient form . Thc following were the brethren from Glasgow , viz . : Bros . John Btichan , an R . W . M ., Lodge Clyde , No . 408 ; T . M . Campbell , P . M . ; Capt . John A . McDonald , Acting D . M . ; John Boyle , S . M . ; William Lindsay , S . W . ; John

Campbell , Architect , Acting J . W . ; William McEwan , Treas . ; Archd . McPhcrson , Sec . ; Robert Burns Thomson , Chaplain ; W . S . Williamson , S . D . ; George Maynard , Acting J . D . ; John F . W . Templeton , Jeweller ; William Harper , B . B . ; John Brown , S . Bearer ; James A . Thomson , Acting S . S . ; William Clinton , Acting J . S .. John Mclntyre , Acting I . G . ; Edward Burrow , Acting Tyler . Bros . Robt . B . Prout , G K . L ., 4 ; William

Jamieson , Thistle and Rose , No . 73 ; John Grieve , R . Gibson , and Andrew Miller , Thistle , No . 87 . The proceedings were carried out under the direction of Bro . T . M . Campbell , assisted by Bro . T . P . Mullin , Marshal , who left by an early train in the morning for the purpose of making the arrangements , which were conducted throughout in the most orderly manner , highly creditable to thc Craft . Nearly two hundred Masons were

present . When the principles of Masonry arc reduced to practice , Masons can hardly help being better men than they were before they were admitted to the Craft . Amidst all the evils , real and imaginary , which have been set down against Masonic lodges , one good gecms to have always remained—the brotherly kindness and regard for each other entertained by the brethren . Whether this arises

from the fact , that it is more insisted on in Masonic teaching than anything else , or because Masons possess a kind of knowledge hidden from the rest of the world , it is not easy to say , but there are ties and sympathies evidenced among the brethren , which are seldom found elsewhere . It was something of this nature—respect for the memory of a departed brother—that led to the funeral of Bro . Walker ,

which is a mode of cherishing the memory of the dead peculiar to Masons alone . By acts of this kind the Fraternity reflect honour and credit on their own body , and increase their confidence in each other . To have the assurance of being cared for while liviing , and remembered with tenderness when dead , cannot be called any other than a high and pure source of satisfaction .

" MORE than a year ago , one of my children was attacked with bronchitis , and after a long illness was given up by my physician as past cure . I was then induced to use your Pain Killer , and leave off all other medicines , and from thc time I began it the child rapidly got better , and is now strong and healthy . — J WINSTANLEY , 10 , Whittle-street , Liverpool , Jan . 2 , 1869 . —To Perry Davis & Son , London . "