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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF KENT. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF KENT. Page 2 of 2
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Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.
receiving the sword so generously given by Bro . Ward in private , to receive it in open Prov . G . Lodge assembled . He felt that it would give that brother an opportunity of making the presentation himself , and so receive , as they must all agree that he deserved , the united thanks of Prov . Grand Lodge for his thoughtful and handsome present . ( Cheers . )
Bro . WARD , in making the presentation , said that some time since he had noticed the want of a proper sword in Provincial Grand Lodge , one that , in his opinion , would enhance the dignity of its meetings ; and having had the honour conferred upon him of a Grand Deacon by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . M . M . of England , he thought he would mark his appreciation of that honour by presenting the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Kent with a sword . He then formally handed the sword to
Bro . Robinson , and wished that distinguished brother many years of life and health to preside over them as their Prov . G . Master . ( Loud cheers . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER expressed his pleasure at receiving the sword , and said he should anticipate what would be sure to follow later on , by at once moving- " That a cordial vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Ward , and inscribed on the minutes of Prov . Grand Lodge , " which was carried by acclamation .
Bro . the Rev . H . CUMMINGS , M . A ., P . M . 322 , D . P . G . M ., and P . G . C . England , having briefly seconded the proposition , it was carried by acclaim , and the G . S . W . returned thanks suitably . The report of the Committee of General Purposes and Treasurer ' s accounts having been passed ,
The PROV . GRAND MASTER announced to his great regret that Bro . George Page had written him a letter declining re-election as Treasurer , in consequence of failing health ; and Bro . J AMES S . EASTES , P . G . S . O . England , and P . P . G . S . W . Kent , proposed Bro . Briggs , P . G . I , of Works , Kent , as Provincial Grand Treasurer ior the ensuing year , and the proposition having been seconded , Bro . Briggs was declared duly elected , but , owing to his absence , his collar was received by proxy . The following were appointed and invested as officers for the ensuing year , namely :
Bro . Rev . H . Cummings , M . A ., P . M . 322 ... D . Prov . G . M . „ W . Masterman , W . M . 294 ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ C . V . Cotterell , P . M . 322 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ A . H . Bateman , W . M . 309 ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ J . E . Wiltshire , W . M . 262 ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ A . H . Holbein , M . O . 266 ... ... Prov . G . I . O .
„ Rev . J . Pownall-Britton , P . M . 322 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ L . B . Briggs , P . M . 237 •••... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . Kenneday , S . O . 226 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . S . Podovin , P . M . 237 , P . P . D . G . M . ... Prov . G . Sec . „ E . Denton , W . M . 44 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ I . Bordeaux , W . M . elect 1 S 2 ... ... Prov . G . I . D .
„ H . Roberts , P . M . 332 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ James Taylor , S . O . 237 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ G . S . Creswick , P . M . and Sec . 294 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ S . H . White , S . D . 266 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ B . Minness , M . D ., 237 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . B . „ James Towers , J . W . 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .
„ G . Hurn , K . M . 255 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ T . Cooper , S . D . 226 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Rev . Emile D'Anquir , M . A ., ' M . O . 129 ... - j „ G . W . Parsons , M . O . 237 ' ... ... Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . Aillud , I . G . 226 ... ... ... ) „ R . T . Rolfe , Tyler 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bros . Rev . J . B . Harrison , P . M . 129 , P . G . Chap ., and F . Hughes
Hallett , P . M . 129 , P . P . G . J . W ., were re-elected Auditors ; and the Prov Grand Master nominated Bro . Eastes as his Auditor for the coming year Bros . Eugene Sweny , P . M . 44 and P . P . G . S . W . ; H . Penfold , P . M . 237 P . P . G . J . W . ; H . Wood , P . M . 69 , P . P . G . J . W . ; and C . V . Cotterell , P . M 322 , P . G . J . W ., were re-elected as a Board of General Purposes .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed that 30 guineas should be given to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and be placed on the list of Bro . Cotterel , as Steward for the province at the next festival , and the proposition having been carried , Prov . G . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The GRAND MASTER having given the usual loyal and Grand Mark Lodge toasts , which were honoured with enthusiasm ,
Bro . SWENY proposed that of " The D . G . M ., Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and having paid many and just compliments to those dignitaries , concluded by coupling with it the names of Bros . Miller and Ward , the two Grand Deacons of Grand Lodge .
Both Bros . MILLER and WARD responded , the former stating he considered the honour conferred upon him was a greater honour to his ( the Naval ) lodge ; and the latter that he should always do all in his power to increase the prosperity and prestige of the Degree in the Province of Kent . The . DEP . PROV . G . MASTER then submitted the toast of "The R . W . the P . G . M . of the Province of Kent , Bro . Robinson , " and in doing
so Bro . CUMMINGS said it was a great honour to belong to such a province , ; it stood the highest upon the roil of the Grand Lodge of England , it had made great strides during the past few years ; and to whom might they attribute its high position and its progress but to that eminent Mason and good brother under whose rule they were content , aye delighted , to be governed ? It was the wise , fatherly , and kind ruling of their esteemed and
beloved Prov . Grand Master that made them so united , and the work so harmonious . He reigned and ruled in their hearts as well as in their lodges , and they were pleased to see him with them that day , better in health , and stronger to carry on the work , and that T . G . O . O . T . U . might spare him to them for many years to come was the desire of all their hearts , so that he might receive at their hands the hearty , loving , fraternal good wishes of every brother in the province .
lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER , who was received with prolonged applause , in response said he knew not how to answer such a toast so eloquently and kindl y put , and so heartily and touchingly received .. AH that he could do was to say how much he felt their kindness , and how gratifying it was to him to receive such tokens of their good will and appreciation of his endeavours to promote the prosperity of the Mark Degree . When he took
over the office of Prov . Grand Master , some seven years ago , there were six lod ges in the province , now there were sixteen , and he thought there would be at least two more added to the roll during the coming year . It was a great pleasure to him to see so goodly a number assembled that day , and it was especially cheering to their hearts to hear what they had done in the cause of Charity , and before next year closed he hoped they should hear ,
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.
not only that the province had surpassed even its last year's contributions , and so kept at the top ol the tree with its subscription as it had done for the last two years . Bro . Cotterell would at the forthcoming Mark Benevolent Festival represent the province , and in his hands the work would go on until his list surpassed that of his predecessor , Bro . Cummings , who took up the handsome sum of one hundred guineas . ( Loud cheers . ) As to the statistics of the province , he should leave that in the hands of the Deputy Prov . Grand
Master . They all knew what Bro , Cummings had done for Charity , and how assiduously he had visited the lodges in the province . Bro . Cummings threw his heart into the work , and went straight at it , and in so gentlemanly a manner that wherever he went he was heartil y welcomed , and they felt sure that whatever he did he did right . After adverting in kindly terms to Bros . Podson and Snowdon , P . P . D . G . Masters , he asked them to drink Bro . Cummings ' s health with all the cordiality it deserved .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in response , said as their Prov . Grand Master had referred to him in urging the cause of Charitv , he would take that matter first . That , he took it , was a representative meeting , and he felt that everything that was said there would be circulated among every one of the sixteen lodges in the province , and under the banner of their esteemed Prov . G . Master . He felt sure it would interest them , and that they
would cordially assist in making Bro . Cotterell ' s list worthy of the province and the cause . With regard to the Mark Benevolent Fund , it would be a grand thing if every lodge in the province was represented at the next Festival . He knew that it was not always convenient to stand as Steward , but he thought that it might be possible for , say , two lodges to join together , and send up a Steward between them , so that , in fact , every lodge might be
represented . There was no earthly reason why not only a representative from a lodge should go up , but also any and every brother who chose to do so . The Steward ' s fee was two guineas , for which not only a dinner was provided , but a jewel was presented , and if the brother who went chose to give five guineas he not only did good at the time , but laid up honour for himself in the future . There was another incentive , although he knew the
brethren did not want other incentives than the sacred cause of Charity , yet he could tell them that upon the next Festival every Steward would receive a special jewel from H . R . H . the Grand Mark Master of England . He would further suggest that a Committee of Stewards should be formed , so that they might meet and discuss their progress or otherwise , and so keep themselves up to their work . With regard to the province , he regretted that he had
not been able to visit every lodge in it , but he had most of them . He was glad to find that there was good progress made in most of them , and great improvement in all . Then , as to numbers , as their P . G . M . had told them , they had 16 lodges , and he , Bro . Cummings , could tell them , that notwithstanding withdrawals , deaths , and other causes , they had over 400 members good on the books of Prov . G . Lodge , showing an increase of over 6-5
members during the past year . There was not only strength in their numbers , but the calibre was good , and that , he was proud to say , was a characteristic of the Province of Kent . He asked the brethren of the lodge to send him invitations when there was work to be done , and concluded a lengthy and brilliant address by thanking them for the toast , and hoped that it might be long before they were severed , but that they might work together in the future , as they had in the past , with love and unity .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed the toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers , " coupled with the name of the P . G . S . W ., Bro . MASTERMAN , who cordially thanked the brethren , and assured the Prov . G . M . that the Prov . G . Officers highly prized the honour conferred upon them , and that they would do all they could for the prosperity of the Degree . The toast of "The Visitors , " was coupled with the name of Bro . Pop . PLETON , who returned thanks .
lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed "The Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Entertaining Lodge , " coupled with the names of the W . M ., Bro . MASTERMAN , and Bro . MILLER , who both responded . The D . P . G . M . proposed the toast of " Bro . Matier , " in connection with the Mark Benevolent Fund , and
Bro . MATIER said he would , in the first place , thank Bro . Cummings and all the other Stewards for their valuable assistance , and then say a few words about the grand Charities of the Craft . They had been charged with taking away money that had better be given for the support of the aged and the education of the young . ( No , no . ) Now , they were not so doing ; they were supplementing the good work carried on by the Craft ,
and he , as one of the Committee of the Aged Freemasons' Benevolent Institution , was exceedingly sorry to tell them that at the present moment there were no less than 130 candidates for the benefits of that Institution , and still more sorry to say that there was not a single vacancy for one of them , either as an inmate or as an annuitant . As they got on in years , their sympathies were drawn strongly to the aged and destitute , and
therefore , he thought that a kind word on behalf of the poor old people , the good old Mason , who had borne the heat and burden of the day , and the lonely old widow , who had no help except such as they might give her , awoke their deepest sympathies , and he could not let the occasion pass without strongly recommending those excellent Institutions to their charitable consideration . Now with regard to their own Charities . Those who had done so well in
that province would be pleased to know that the amount paid in Benevolence in 1885 was nearly £ 400 . At the present time there were 21 children receiving education , at a cost of £ 200 ; and it had been determined to add the sum of five guineas to the cost of each child for the purchase of clothing , so that the child might attend the local grammar or high school in garments suitable to the class it joined with . Then , as to the annuities , they had
had none hitherto , but it was decided to grant annuities of £ 20 each to two old Mark Masters , and £ 16 to the same number of old women ; and if they went on in the future as well as they had lately , they intended to increase the number of annuitants to six . And now , how could he thank the Province of Kent for what it had done ? For two years it had been at the head of the list for its contributions , and he felt sure that under the presidency of
Earl Amherst ( who was a P . G . M . M . of England ) at the next Festival they would exceed anything done in the past , and win the thanks of every Mark Mason under the rule of Grand Lodge . When they remembered that under the presidency of Earl Amherst , the beloved P . G . M . of Craft Masonry in Kent , the Boys' School Festival , in 18 S 3 , produced the handsome
sum of £ 23 , 500 , a sum never before or since reached , it was an augury for the success of the next Mark Benevolent Festival , for the same noble earl and good brother would preside over that Festival . He earnestly urged them to work for its success , and concluded by trusting that next year they might meet under the banner of their esteemed P . G . M . M . as mutually pleased and delighted with one another as they were upon the present occasion . The Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.
receiving the sword so generously given by Bro . Ward in private , to receive it in open Prov . G . Lodge assembled . He felt that it would give that brother an opportunity of making the presentation himself , and so receive , as they must all agree that he deserved , the united thanks of Prov . Grand Lodge for his thoughtful and handsome present . ( Cheers . )
Bro . WARD , in making the presentation , said that some time since he had noticed the want of a proper sword in Provincial Grand Lodge , one that , in his opinion , would enhance the dignity of its meetings ; and having had the honour conferred upon him of a Grand Deacon by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , G . M . M . of England , he thought he would mark his appreciation of that honour by presenting the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Kent with a sword . He then formally handed the sword to
Bro . Robinson , and wished that distinguished brother many years of life and health to preside over them as their Prov . G . Master . ( Loud cheers . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER expressed his pleasure at receiving the sword , and said he should anticipate what would be sure to follow later on , by at once moving- " That a cordial vote of thanks be presented to Bro . Ward , and inscribed on the minutes of Prov . Grand Lodge , " which was carried by acclamation .
Bro . the Rev . H . CUMMINGS , M . A ., P . M . 322 , D . P . G . M ., and P . G . C . England , having briefly seconded the proposition , it was carried by acclaim , and the G . S . W . returned thanks suitably . The report of the Committee of General Purposes and Treasurer ' s accounts having been passed ,
The PROV . GRAND MASTER announced to his great regret that Bro . George Page had written him a letter declining re-election as Treasurer , in consequence of failing health ; and Bro . J AMES S . EASTES , P . G . S . O . England , and P . P . G . S . W . Kent , proposed Bro . Briggs , P . G . I , of Works , Kent , as Provincial Grand Treasurer ior the ensuing year , and the proposition having been seconded , Bro . Briggs was declared duly elected , but , owing to his absence , his collar was received by proxy . The following were appointed and invested as officers for the ensuing year , namely :
Bro . Rev . H . Cummings , M . A ., P . M . 322 ... D . Prov . G . M . „ W . Masterman , W . M . 294 ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ C . V . Cotterell , P . M . 322 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ A . H . Bateman , W . M . 309 ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ J . E . Wiltshire , W . M . 262 ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ A . H . Holbein , M . O . 266 ... ... Prov . G . I . O .
„ Rev . J . Pownall-Britton , P . M . 322 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ L . B . Briggs , P . M . 237 •••... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ G . Kenneday , S . O . 226 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ J . S . Podovin , P . M . 237 , P . P . D . G . M . ... Prov . G . Sec . „ E . Denton , W . M . 44 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ I . Bordeaux , W . M . elect 1 S 2 ... ... Prov . G . I . D .
„ H . Roberts , P . M . 332 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W . „ James Taylor , S . O . 237 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ G . S . Creswick , P . M . and Sec . 294 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ S . H . White , S . D . 266 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ B . Minness , M . D ., 237 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . B . „ James Towers , J . W . 6 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .
„ G . Hurn , K . M . 255 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ T . Cooper , S . D . 226 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Rev . Emile D'Anquir , M . A ., ' M . O . 129 ... - j „ G . W . Parsons , M . O . 237 ' ... ... Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . Aillud , I . G . 226 ... ... ... ) „ R . T . Rolfe , Tyler 129 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bros . Rev . J . B . Harrison , P . M . 129 , P . G . Chap ., and F . Hughes
Hallett , P . M . 129 , P . P . G . J . W ., were re-elected Auditors ; and the Prov Grand Master nominated Bro . Eastes as his Auditor for the coming year Bros . Eugene Sweny , P . M . 44 and P . P . G . S . W . ; H . Penfold , P . M . 237 P . P . G . J . W . ; H . Wood , P . M . 69 , P . P . G . J . W . ; and C . V . Cotterell , P . M 322 , P . G . J . W ., were re-elected as a Board of General Purposes .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed that 30 guineas should be given to the Mark Benevolent Fund , and be placed on the list of Bro . Cotterel , as Steward for the province at the next festival , and the proposition having been carried , Prov . G . Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . The GRAND MASTER having given the usual loyal and Grand Mark Lodge toasts , which were honoured with enthusiasm ,
Bro . SWENY proposed that of " The D . G . M ., Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and having paid many and just compliments to those dignitaries , concluded by coupling with it the names of Bros . Miller and Ward , the two Grand Deacons of Grand Lodge .
Both Bros . MILLER and WARD responded , the former stating he considered the honour conferred upon him was a greater honour to his ( the Naval ) lodge ; and the latter that he should always do all in his power to increase the prosperity and prestige of the Degree in the Province of Kent . The . DEP . PROV . G . MASTER then submitted the toast of "The R . W . the P . G . M . of the Province of Kent , Bro . Robinson , " and in doing
so Bro . CUMMINGS said it was a great honour to belong to such a province , ; it stood the highest upon the roil of the Grand Lodge of England , it had made great strides during the past few years ; and to whom might they attribute its high position and its progress but to that eminent Mason and good brother under whose rule they were content , aye delighted , to be governed ? It was the wise , fatherly , and kind ruling of their esteemed and
beloved Prov . Grand Master that made them so united , and the work so harmonious . He reigned and ruled in their hearts as well as in their lodges , and they were pleased to see him with them that day , better in health , and stronger to carry on the work , and that T . G . O . O . T . U . might spare him to them for many years to come was the desire of all their hearts , so that he might receive at their hands the hearty , loving , fraternal good wishes of every brother in the province .
lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER , who was received with prolonged applause , in response said he knew not how to answer such a toast so eloquently and kindl y put , and so heartily and touchingly received .. AH that he could do was to say how much he felt their kindness , and how gratifying it was to him to receive such tokens of their good will and appreciation of his endeavours to promote the prosperity of the Mark Degree . When he took
over the office of Prov . Grand Master , some seven years ago , there were six lod ges in the province , now there were sixteen , and he thought there would be at least two more added to the roll during the coming year . It was a great pleasure to him to see so goodly a number assembled that day , and it was especially cheering to their hearts to hear what they had done in the cause of Charity , and before next year closed he hoped they should hear ,
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Kent.
not only that the province had surpassed even its last year's contributions , and so kept at the top ol the tree with its subscription as it had done for the last two years . Bro . Cotterell would at the forthcoming Mark Benevolent Festival represent the province , and in his hands the work would go on until his list surpassed that of his predecessor , Bro . Cummings , who took up the handsome sum of one hundred guineas . ( Loud cheers . ) As to the statistics of the province , he should leave that in the hands of the Deputy Prov . Grand
Master . They all knew what Bro , Cummings had done for Charity , and how assiduously he had visited the lodges in the province . Bro . Cummings threw his heart into the work , and went straight at it , and in so gentlemanly a manner that wherever he went he was heartil y welcomed , and they felt sure that whatever he did he did right . After adverting in kindly terms to Bros . Podson and Snowdon , P . P . D . G . Masters , he asked them to drink Bro . Cummings ' s health with all the cordiality it deserved .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , in response , said as their Prov . Grand Master had referred to him in urging the cause of Charitv , he would take that matter first . That , he took it , was a representative meeting , and he felt that everything that was said there would be circulated among every one of the sixteen lodges in the province , and under the banner of their esteemed Prov . G . Master . He felt sure it would interest them , and that they
would cordially assist in making Bro . Cotterell ' s list worthy of the province and the cause . With regard to the Mark Benevolent Fund , it would be a grand thing if every lodge in the province was represented at the next Festival . He knew that it was not always convenient to stand as Steward , but he thought that it might be possible for , say , two lodges to join together , and send up a Steward between them , so that , in fact , every lodge might be
represented . There was no earthly reason why not only a representative from a lodge should go up , but also any and every brother who chose to do so . The Steward ' s fee was two guineas , for which not only a dinner was provided , but a jewel was presented , and if the brother who went chose to give five guineas he not only did good at the time , but laid up honour for himself in the future . There was another incentive , although he knew the
brethren did not want other incentives than the sacred cause of Charity , yet he could tell them that upon the next Festival every Steward would receive a special jewel from H . R . H . the Grand Mark Master of England . He would further suggest that a Committee of Stewards should be formed , so that they might meet and discuss their progress or otherwise , and so keep themselves up to their work . With regard to the province , he regretted that he had
not been able to visit every lodge in it , but he had most of them . He was glad to find that there was good progress made in most of them , and great improvement in all . Then , as to numbers , as their P . G . M . had told them , they had 16 lodges , and he , Bro . Cummings , could tell them , that notwithstanding withdrawals , deaths , and other causes , they had over 400 members good on the books of Prov . G . Lodge , showing an increase of over 6-5
members during the past year . There was not only strength in their numbers , but the calibre was good , and that , he was proud to say , was a characteristic of the Province of Kent . He asked the brethren of the lodge to send him invitations when there was work to be done , and concluded a lengthy and brilliant address by thanking them for the toast , and hoped that it might be long before they were severed , but that they might work together in the future , as they had in the past , with love and unity .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed the toast of " The Provincial Grand Officers , " coupled with the name of the P . G . S . W ., Bro . MASTERMAN , who cordially thanked the brethren , and assured the Prov . G . M . that the Prov . G . Officers highly prized the honour conferred upon them , and that they would do all they could for the prosperity of the Degree . The toast of "The Visitors , " was coupled with the name of Bro . Pop . PLETON , who returned thanks .
lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed "The Worshipful Master and Brethren of the Entertaining Lodge , " coupled with the names of the W . M ., Bro . MASTERMAN , and Bro . MILLER , who both responded . The D . P . G . M . proposed the toast of " Bro . Matier , " in connection with the Mark Benevolent Fund , and
Bro . MATIER said he would , in the first place , thank Bro . Cummings and all the other Stewards for their valuable assistance , and then say a few words about the grand Charities of the Craft . They had been charged with taking away money that had better be given for the support of the aged and the education of the young . ( No , no . ) Now , they were not so doing ; they were supplementing the good work carried on by the Craft ,
and he , as one of the Committee of the Aged Freemasons' Benevolent Institution , was exceedingly sorry to tell them that at the present moment there were no less than 130 candidates for the benefits of that Institution , and still more sorry to say that there was not a single vacancy for one of them , either as an inmate or as an annuitant . As they got on in years , their sympathies were drawn strongly to the aged and destitute , and
therefore , he thought that a kind word on behalf of the poor old people , the good old Mason , who had borne the heat and burden of the day , and the lonely old widow , who had no help except such as they might give her , awoke their deepest sympathies , and he could not let the occasion pass without strongly recommending those excellent Institutions to their charitable consideration . Now with regard to their own Charities . Those who had done so well in
that province would be pleased to know that the amount paid in Benevolence in 1885 was nearly £ 400 . At the present time there were 21 children receiving education , at a cost of £ 200 ; and it had been determined to add the sum of five guineas to the cost of each child for the purchase of clothing , so that the child might attend the local grammar or high school in garments suitable to the class it joined with . Then , as to the annuities , they had
had none hitherto , but it was decided to grant annuities of £ 20 each to two old Mark Masters , and £ 16 to the same number of old women ; and if they went on in the future as well as they had lately , they intended to increase the number of annuitants to six . And now , how could he thank the Province of Kent for what it had done ? For two years it had been at the head of the list for its contributions , and he felt sure that under the presidency of
Earl Amherst ( who was a P . G . M . M . of England ) at the next Festival they would exceed anything done in the past , and win the thanks of every Mark Mason under the rule of Grand Lodge . When they remembered that under the presidency of Earl Amherst , the beloved P . G . M . of Craft Masonry in Kent , the Boys' School Festival , in 18 S 3 , produced the handsome
sum of £ 23 , 500 , a sum never before or since reached , it was an augury for the success of the next Mark Benevolent Festival , for the same noble earl and good brother would preside over that Festival . He earnestly urged them to work for its success , and concluded by trusting that next year they might meet under the banner of their esteemed P . G . M . M . as mutually pleased and delighted with one another as they were upon the present occasion . The Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings .