Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.

Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall .

^ pHE annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall was held j on the 22 nd September at the Public Rooms , St . Austell . In the absence of the Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , who had not arrived from Bodmin , the Provincial Lodge was opened by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , W . Bro . P . Colville Smith , who was supported by a

large number of Provincial Grand Officers and brethren . The first business submitted to the Provincial Grand Lodge was the proposal by W . Bro . B . F . Edyvean , on behalf of the Committee of Relief , to alter certain by-laws affecting the administration of the Charities . He stated that at a

meeting of the Committee of Relief held at Truro in August last , it was decided to recommend the constitution of a Provincial Committee to investigate petitions for relief , and to increase the amount which must be granted as relief in cases of emergency and urgency from . £ 5 to . £ 10 . Such committee

also to consider applications to the Royal Masonic Institution , to select the cases to be supported by the province , and to consider and report upon any matters which may be referred to it by the Provincial Grand Lodge or the P . G . Master .

The suggested alterations w * ere adopted , as was also the proposal that no more than £ 25 should be granted to any applicant in any one year .

At this stage of the proceedings , the lodge , in accordance with immemorial custom in this province , was adjourned for the purpose of attending Divine Service . A procession was formed , and the brethren marched to the Holy Trinity Church arranged under their respective banners . The preacher was the Rev . Alexander Hawken , of Bradstone Rectory , Tavistock , Senior

P . G . Chaplain , who took as his text "There was neither hammer , nor axe , nor any tool of iron heard in the house , while it was in building , " I . Kings vi ., 7 . He said there was much talk among Masons about friendships , benevolence , and the like . But was there as much reality in all that as there

should be ? If Masons only acted up to their most admirable principles , if in the spirit as well as in the letter they carried out their most admirable rules and regulations , who could calculate the mighty engine for good they would become ? Let their kindly actions be clone silently and quietly , and

what was more they should not keep the alabaster boxes of their affections sealed and laid away until their friends were dead . Justice came too late when it was pronounced only in funeral eulogium . If only they would do these things , then Masonry would be , in subservience to Religion , one of the greatest

leaveners of all society . The Prov . Grand Organist , W . Bro . Harold Bullen , and Bro . F . C . Thomas , organist of the church , were responsible for the musical portion of the service .

On the conclusion of the service the procession was reformed and marched back to the Public Rooms , where the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe presided , and the business of the Prov . Grand Lodge was then resumed . Addressing the brethren , the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe said it was the first occasion on which the Prov . Grand Lodge had met since the

¦ death of that old and beloved Mason , who was for so many years D . P . G . M . of the province , Sir Charles Graves-Sawle . He was sure it would be the wish of all that a vote of sympathy should be passed with Lady Sawle , who had , unfortunately , lost her son and daughter , as well as her

husband . They desired to express their feeling of respect for one they loved and esteemed , and their deep sympathy for the widow . The vote was passed in silence . Proceeding , the Prov . Grand Master mentioned that seven

lodges had not sent in their returns of the attendances of the Past Masters , which were useful in guiding him in his selection of provincial officers . He understood that none of the lodges in the province had registered under the new Licensing Act . Personally , he did not know much of the

probable effect of the Act on lodges . But he thought it would be advisable for the Prov . Grand Secretary to ascertain what had been clone in other provinces , so that they might determine whether it was absolutely necessary to register . It was undesirable that any risk should be run . Continuing , the P . G . Master said the general progress of the province

was very satisfactory . They had sent up . £ 645 during the year to the great Masonic Institutions . From the Treasurer ' s report they would see that they had spent . £ 43 is . 8 d . more than their income , and £ 6 $ had been paid in relief more than last year , but very pressing cases had been brought

before the committee . Still , there was a balance in hand of ^ 259 , so they had not gone into debt . W . Bro . E . M . Milford presented reports of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity Fund and of the " Anderton Memorial " Fund , and said the year was commenced with a balance in hand 6 dThe of

of ^ 123 4 s . . amount invested capital at the last annual meeting was ^ 7178 3 s ., an increase of ^ 243 on the preceding year . It was stated that the total contributions to the Anderton Memorial Fund amounted to ^ 330 10 s ., and had been invested in the purchase of , £ 320 16 s . Natal 3 ^ income of

per cent . Inscribed Stock , producing an £ 11 4 s . 7 c ! . per annum , less tax . The reports were passed , and the retiring officers were re-elected . W . Bro . R . A . Courtney submitted the eighteenth annual statement and report of the Cornwall Masonic Charity Association , which was adopted .

Bro . E . P . A . Broad presented his statement as manager of votes for the Central Masonic Charities , and stated that at present the province had live girls and one boy being educated in the schools , and two men and three widows receiving annuities . W . Bro . Martin Body , of Lodge Dunheved , Launceston ,

was unanimously elected Prov . Grand Treasurer . W . Bros . W . Metherell and A . K . Lee , also of 789 , were appointed auditors . W . Bro . E . A . P . Broad was re-elected charity representative , whilst W . Bros . Pearce Couch and Dr . Hammond were

respectively appointed representatives from West and East Cornwall on the Temporary Relief Committee . It was announced that the offertory at the service at the church amounted to , £ 10 17 s . Two-fifths were voted to the C . M . A . Fund , one-fifth to the vicar , and two-fifths to the local

nursing association . On retiring from the office of secretary and treasurer of the C . M . Charity Association , W . Bro . G . B . Pearce was presented with a handsome and massive silver tea and coffee service , with salver , the whole weighing 223 ]; ounces .

In making the presentation the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe said Bro . Pearce had worked hard for nearhr twentv vears in the service of the province , and had accomplished much good work . The testimonial had been subscribed for by the lodges and the brethren of the province , every lodge having

contributed to the gift . He had great pleasure in asking Bro . Pearce ' s acceptance of the presentation in recognition of what he had clone for Masonry in the province .

In acknowledging the handsome gift , W . Bro . Pearce said he greatly regretted having to retire from the position , as he was deeply attached to the work . He gratefully appreciated their kindness , but never conceived the possibility of receiving any such tribute or reward for the service he had been able to perform . He thanked them all for their

generous gift , but could not help reminding them that if it had not been for the enthusiastic workers in the lodges it would not have been possible for the association to have achieved the results it had . The Provincial Grand Master then appointed and invested his officers for the ensuing year , and Provincial Grand Lodge was closed .