Masonic Missions.

the uncoin-tcous expressions used reflecting on the services of the Provincial Grand Master , and censuring their own charitable practices . Bro . Benjamin Bond Oabbell is a very old Mason , lie lias had much experience in the duties of the fraternity , and he is an example to all Masons who seek by watchful discretion , uprightness of character , and carefully regulated zeal , to promote a true and profitable knowledge of our Order . It is a fact , which I regret to say , must be admitted , that Masonry had grievously declined in Norfolk since the period when the late Earl of Leicester was Prov . Grand Master anil Bro . J . Ives D . Prov . Grand

Master , but it is also a fact that Masonry lias rapidly advanced and been remarkably strengthened since the installation of the present Prov . Grand Master , in 1850 . ' It is asserted that Bro . B . B . Cabhcll " was appointed" Prov . Grand Master " in 1 . 852 . " Your correspondent may have evidence for this assertion , with which 1 am not acquainted ; and ifthc assertion he correct , there may he satisfactory reasons for the delay in installation ; but I do not

suppose our Prov . Grand Master could have discharged the governing duties of his high office before his installation . At his " installation a very great number of Masons attended divine service in the . cathedral ; a collection had been previously made by the brethren in Prov . Grand Lodge for the benefit of the Norwich . District Visiting Society ; and after the sermon , wliich was preached by a brother with the permission of the dean , a second collection was made for the same charity . The collections were

spent in purchasing clothing , fuel , and food for necessitous poor . In the following year , 1857 , Bro . 15 . 15 . Cabhcll held the Prov . Grand Lodge at liarlcstoii . The incumbent of the parish did not consider it his duty to afford the Masons an opportunity of worshipping the God of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , the God of our fathers , and the God whom , as Masons , we are instructed to fear and love , and of having a sermon preached for the benefit of the 1 farleston Benevolent or District Visiting Society . The Masons , however , did not forget the distresses and privations of poverty , but liberally contributed in ' aid of the charity . In the ensuing wintejj

many poor were provided with warm clothing , cheered with a comforting lire , and had the keenness of hunger abated by a liberal supply of food . Our Ih-iiv . Grand Muster was munificent iu his gifts to the poor and needy , . 'four correspondent censures severely the Masons in Norfolk on account of the collections made tit the meetings of the Prov . Grand Lodge in Norwich and Harlcston . Each of the ' Lodgcs in Norwich contributes , as liberally as its finances admit , to those charities which befriend aged Masons , their widows and children

; brothers also contribute independently of their Lodges ; but perhaps if a brother , already a subscriber to the Masonic charities , were asked to give his services as local Secretary and Treasurer , ami lie assented , the contributions from Norfolk might be greatly increased . The Masons of Norwich have , within the last few weeks ' , subscribed most cheerfully and bountifully towards the necessities of the widow of a brother who had worked diligently as a Mason , and whose character as an upright and conscientious

Mason was highly appreciated . Whilst admitting that the Masonic charitable institutions have a strong claim on Masons , I cannot hut believe it is our duty to do good to all men , and that as Masons we are justified , and as servants of the one true anil living God are commanded , according to our abilit y to have mercy on the poor of every kindred and of all nations . The writer , on whose communication I am commenting , if he be a thoughtful and well instructed Mason , will perhaps permit me to bring under his notice one or two precepts from the greatest light of Masonry , the Holy Book which , as he knows , is always open in our 3 T 2