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© tmtatts . PAGE . FREEMASONS' JIAUAZINE : — History of Freemasonry in Worcestershire 1 Freemasonry in France 3 Old Lodge Records—By Bro . R . S 5 Masonic Jottings—No . 26 8 JIasonie Notes and Queries 9

Music— " Grace BeforeJleat" ^ J ^ g ^^ . 10 , 11 Correspondence , /<< .. > . — _ r ~ V ^ v 13 Masonic Say ings and Doings Abroad /^/ Z . ^^ ......: \ . ' . \ 13 MASONIC M IRROR : - / JY ° '"MA / D VA Masonic Mems L . 1 ,. U . O .. , ~ .. „ . \ ZA lo CRAET LODGE M EETINGS : — r I , . " t nj Metropolitan ] tf . _\ h . ' . _ lli _ 4 Ry .. LJ . 15

Provincial \ Brv . y . ¦ ' .. / . 15 Royal Arch X ^^ Tj ^ j / 19 JIasonie Festivities i > i ^ J > hj } Z >< . 19 Scientific Jleetings 20 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 20 To Correspondents 20

History Of Freemasonry In Worcestershire.

HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY IN WORCESTERSHIRE .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JULY 2 , 1870 .

( Continued from page 502 . ) The next meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge was held at Dudley on Sept . 11 , 1848 , Bro . Dr . Boden , D . Prov . G . M ., acting as Prov . Grand Master , who again ruled at the meeting which

was held at Kidderminster in August , 1849 , on which occasion he announced to the brethren that it was probable that that would be the last time he should meet them in the capacity of D . Prov . G . M .

The third Grand Master of the Province of Worcestershire was Bro . Henry Chas . Vernon , a P . S . G . W . of England , and D . Prov . G . M . of Stafford . One hundred and ten brethren attended his installation at Worcester , June 17 , 1851 . After

appointing his officers , the R . W . Bro . delivered " an oration on the principles and excellence of Ereemasonry , " much to the gratification of his hearers . The next meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge

was held at Bromsgrove in June , 1852 , and subsequently annual meetings were held in different parts of the province . "The year 1857 , " says Bro . Griffiths , " was hoAvever marked by more than ordinary interest ,

from the occurrence of one of those events which may be said to be the particular prerogative of Masons , aud one in which they especially rejoice to be engaged . On the 3 rd of June in that year a special Provincial Grand Lodge was holden

at the Abbey Boarding House , Great Malvern , for the purpose of assisting the Lady of the Manor , Lady Emily Foley , in laying the

foundation stone of the new Malvern Schools , in the presence of a large gathering of brethren from lodges in and out of the province , and a lai-ge concourse of spectators . " In 1866 failing health induced Bro . Vernon ,

after a rule of fifteen years , to resign the gavel to the fourth Grand Master of the Province , Bro . Albert Hudson Royds . At his installation , which Avas performed by Bro . Stephen Blair , Prov . G . M .. East Lancashire , 428 brethren were present , the

largest Masonic gathering ever known in Worcestershire . On this occasion a vote of £ 50 was granted for a Masonic window in the cathedral . This , says Bro . Griffiths , brings his history of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Worcestershire Avithin

the knowledge of our youngest members , and he then turns his attention to the history of the Worcester Lodge , Avhich he says " in its teaching and practice of the grand principles of Freemasonry , has , doubtless , like kindred institutions ,

hacl reason to rejoice in its success , to lament its short-comings , and , as we knoAv , to mourn over its periods of depression . At first , like the tiny

rivulet" Just trickling from its mossy bod , Streak the heath-clad hill ; " then lost to observation amidst the tangled brake or lofty cleft ; now emerging into sunshine , giving evidence of its presence by "A bright emerald thread , "

affording refreshment to the wayfarer , rills of comfort to the Aveary and distressed , nourishing on its bosom smiling blossoms of joy and peace for the widow and oz'phan , and then

" Breaking forth with holder career , " it bears large evidence of its appreciation of those who earned the palm , and leaves enduring memorials of those of her sons who deserved and received honour . Uniting" Avith kindred streams

to found some noble institution , where instruction might be imparted to the little ones , or maintain an asylum for those who had borne the heat and burden of the day ; ancl now rejoicing to be permitted to add its mite in the restoration aud

adornment of the noble pile beneath whose shadow it had thriven , and so to evince its interest in the handiwork of ancient brethren ; aud especially in its desire for the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe , has this lodge sped

onward , fulfilling its pacific and exalted mission . " It is here mentioned that from the books in the possession of Grand Lodge Ave learn that a lodge