Death Of The Provincial Grand Master Of Bristol, R.W. Bro. W. A. F. Powell.

Death of the Provincial Grand Master of Bristol , R . W . Bro . W . A . F . Powell .

TTTE regret to record the yy death of R . W . Bro . William Augustus Frederick Powell , Provincial Grand Master of Bristol , which took place on

February 10 th . It is , we believe , an unprecedented event in the annals of English Freemasonry that a Provincial Grand Master has not only

filled that honoured position at such an advanced age as 92 , but has continued to the last to take an active part in the ruling and governing

of his province—such is the record of the worthy and distinguished brother who has just passed from our midst .

The deceased brother , who was Past Grand Deacon of England , had . presided over the Bristol Province since the death of the Earl

of Limerick in 1889 , having for the previous 22 years ably filled the post of Deputy Provincial Grand Master .

THE LATE BRO . W . A . P . POWELL .

Under his rule the province grew rapidly in importance and influence , and though he had attained a great agehe was born on January

27 th , 1814—up to the last he discharged the duties of his office with unfailing regularity . Bro . Powell also took an active part in the

public life of the city , as hewas well qualified to do through his connection with the well-known firms of Messrs . Powell and Ricketts .

Pluenix Glass Bottle Works , St . Philip ' s , and of Messrs . William Powell and Sons , Temple Gate Pottery . The funeral took place at Arno ' s Vale Cemetery , and was

attended by a large concourse of brethren from the lodges in the province as well as from the surrounding district . The first part of

the service was conducted at St . Mary Redcliff Church , with which the deceased brother was closely identified .

Consecration Of The Vedra Lodge, No. 3137, Sunderland.

Consecration of the Vedra Lodge , No . 3137 , Sunderland .

r pHE consecration of a new Masonic lodge named the J [ Vedra Lodge ( No . 3137 ) took place at the Masonic Hall , Sunderland ' , on February 2 nd , the ceremony being performed by the Right Hon . Lord Barnard , R . W . Prov . G . Master . The founders of the new lodge are Bros . H . Brown , P . M . No . 138 9 P . P . S . G . D . ; J . B . Wilkinson , P . M .

, No . 1389 ; F . Wade , P . M . No . 1389 , P . P . G . Treas . ; R . E . Beveridge , P . M . No . 1389 , P . P . J . G . D . ; G . Harrison , P . M . No . 138 9 , P . P . G . Std . ; Geo . T . Brown , P . M . No . 138 9 ; ] . F . Strother , P . M . No . 1389 ; C . R . Garvev , W . M . No . 138 9 ; W . B . Milbanke , No . 1389 ; N . B " . WayNo . 138 9

, ; F . M . Wawn , No . 138 9 ; F . Pumphrey , No . 138 9 ; H . F Heath , No . 1389 ; li . Peacock , No . 138 9 ; A . I . Sharp , No ] 1389 ; P . M . Greenwood , No . 1389 ; and W . Moffet , No ] 2934 . At the opening ceremony , the Right Hon . Lord Barnard presidedsupported by the Senior and Junior

, Provincial Grand Wardens and a large number of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren . The duties of director of ceremonies were ably carried out by Bro . Charles T . Johnson , and music was rendered by a choir of brethren , Bro . T . N . McBinn , P . M ., presiding at the organ . An oration was

delivered by the Rev . William Bowker , M . A ., Prov . G . Chaplain , and the Rev . J . A . McLean assisted with the Scripture portions . The ceremony of installing the fust W . M . of the new lodge , Bro . H . Brown , P . P . G . D ., was performed by Bro . C . D . Hill Drury , P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W . Br . i . H . Brown then appointed and invested the following

officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . F . Wade . P . M . No . 1389 , P . P . G . Treas ., acting I . P . M . ; George T . Brown , P . M . No . 1389 , S . W . ; C . R . Garvey , W . M . No . 1389 , J . W . ; J . F . Strother , P . M . No . 1389 , Treasurer ; H . F . Heath , No . 1389 , Secretary ; F . Pumphrey , No . 1389 , S . D . ; N . B . Way ,

No . 13 ^ 9 , J . D . ; R . E . Beveridge , P . M . No . 1389 , P . P . J . G . D ., D . C . ; R . Peacock , No . 13 89 , I . G . ; A . J . Sharp , No . 1389 , Steward ; } . B . Wilkinson , P . M . No . 138 9 ; G . Harrison P . M . No . " 1389 , P . P . G . Std . ; W . B . Milbanke , No . 13 ^ 9 ; F . M . Wawn , No . 13 S 9 ; P . M . Greenwood , No . 138 9 ; W .

Moffet , No . 2934 . Dinner was afterwards served at the Grand Hotel , the W . M . Bro . H . Brown , presiding , supported by Bro . J . J . Candlish , the Mayor ( Councillor F . Foster ) , and many other brethren .

Ar00702

The ( ilobc , of February 16 th , contains the following cryptic announcement : — "The Modern Freemasons are , it seems , henceforward lo take the ancient landmarks as their guide , and for the more effectual observance of the same , n Lodge of Promulgation has been recently established , under the authority of the Grand Lodge , and at the head of it is placed , as M . E . R ., James Earnshaw , Esq ., P . J . G . W .,

a gentleman distinguished for his scientific acquirements , and extensive knowledge of the Masonic Art . The gentleman in question will , we apprehend , need all his ' scientific acquirements and extensive knowledge' to convince the modern Mason that he is in possession of the ancient landmarks or has anything of value to communicate either to his pseuclo Masonic followers or the outside public . "