Provincial.

determined as Freemasons to leave some memento of their visit by appropriating the collection to the Honiton Dispensary—a most useful institution , whose funds greatly required replenishing , and which must be in a great degree dependent upon voluntary contributions for its support . The rev . gentleman then proceeded to say—" But apart from your general duties as Christian men and true and faithful Masons , there is yet another reason peculiar to this day , which leads me to enjoin

upon you the heaven-descended duty of true charity with all the urgency in my power . To day a new lodge will be consecrated in Honiton ; another building will be dedicated to the performance ' of the Masonic rites . The lodge so to be set apart has been thought worthy of a remarkable distinction in the pro ' vince . It is from henceforth to bear the honoured name of the much revered Grand Master of this Province , who has so recently been called from presiding over a Grand Lodge below to

take his place among the celestial occupants of the Grand Lodge above . There they shall go no more out ; the Supreme Grand Master himself shall guide him and them beside the living fountains of waters , and none shall say—I am sick , for the tears shall be wiped away from all eyes and faces . To the brethren of the Order who knew the departed Grand Master and his manner of conversation , his acknowledged worth , and his many and discriminating charities , I trust I need say but little to

induce them on the present occasion to follow his bright example . Already in this Province , and particularly in the south of it , from which I come , I know that example has been appreciated and most worthily commemorated . There may have been some who might have preferred the erection of a monolith or monumental fame to our departed brother . I can imagine no more magnificent or abiding memorial than that which has already been raised in his honour . ' The Fortescue Annuity Fund' is one which , to my mind , is all the more striking , because it does not seek , like most memorials , to perpetuate the image of the

departed brother ' s body , but rather is intended to hand down to distant generations the faithful reflection of his spirit . Already , owing to the enthusiastic liberality of the brethren , three poor decayed Masons have become annuitants on the fund at £ 26 a year each , or 10 s . a week . Beholding a commemoration of the departed such as this , we may well say of the late Prov . G . M ., ' He being dead yet speaketh , and though he rests from his labours in the Grand Lodge above , his works yet do follow

bim . ' But there is still another motive whichwith most Masons —for very many are by faith Christians—must come home with even greater force than any which I can draw from the example of the mere sons of men . He who hath Himself declared ' it is more bhjssed to give than to receive' has , as we believe , given Himself for us . He hath given Himself , even as the Fathe ; - bath given Him up , to the death for us all , and in that great gift we have the blessed assurance of all lesser ifts

necessary g . And , Christian , what hast thou to offer ? Thyself , is thy reply . But what is there implied in that sacrifice ? Is it not at least the surrender of all which thou canst SDare which cau benefit thy poor or sickly neighbour ? If thy life be His who saved thee , shall not thy superfluities at least be shared with those for whom , as well as for thee , He has died ? But I know that I speak both to good Masons and faithful Christian men . The cause for which I plead is one which on every

ground is well deserving of your attention as Christians and Freemasons . This Grand Lodge here to-day assembled from every quarter of the province of Devon will give us one proof more , if such be needed , that our Order is no mere benefit club , as some have falsely asserted , but one of the most successful of institutions for carrying out in practice our great watchwords—Brotherly love , relief , and truth . I cannot better close my present appeal than by calling the attention of the brethren present to the following beautiful lines of a distinguished prelate of the Ancient Eastern Church : ¦—

"Those eternal bowers Man hath never trod , Those unfading flowers Round the throne of God . Who may hope to gain them After weary fight ? Who at length attain them

, Clad in robes of white ? He who gladly barters All on earthly ground , He , who like the martyrs . Says , " I will be crowned ;"

He whose one oblation Is a life of lore ; Clinging to the nation Of the blest above . While I do my duty Struggling thro' the tide Whisper thou of beauty

On the other side ! Tell who will tbe story Of our new distress : Oh ! the future glory ! Oh ! the loveliness !"

A subscription was then made , and the Benediction brought tbe service to a close . On leaving the church , they again formed in procession , and proceeded to the large room of the Lodge , which ,, it was arranged , should be consecrated on this occasion . The ceremonial , which was a very impressive and interesting one , was conducted by the Prov . G . M ., who was assisted by the officers of tbe lodge , and the brethren present . This

ceremonial having been interpreted , the brethren re-formed and returned to tbe Town Hall , where the business of the Grand Lodge was gone through . After the Grand Lodge had been formally opened , the Prov . G . Secretary , Bro . W . Denis Moore , read tbe minutes of the last meeting , and those were duly confirmed . The Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . JameB Rowe , brought up an account of the finances , which showed disposable balance of more tban £ 70 , being the largest balance that the Grand

Lodge bad had for many a year , and that notwithstanding the enlarged liberality to the various Masonic Charities during the past year . The Prov . G . Secretary read several reports , detailing the business of the province during the past year , and it was agreed to vote £ 20 to the Orphan Fund , and £ 20 to the General Annuitant Fund . A letter from the Earl Fortescue to the Grand Master was readin which his lordship acknowledged in terms expressive of

, his warmest feelings of satisfaction the successful efforts made by the Freemasons of the province to perpetuate the memory of his late revered father , by erecting a living memento so consonant with his late father's views , and so expressive of the native goodness of his heart . Every member of his family looked upon the establishment of the institution as a mark of distinguished resp'ect to themselves , as well as to the late lamented head of tbeir bouse , and the Fortescue Memorial Annuity Fund would

ever receive their kindest wishes and warm support . The R . W .. D . Prov . G . M . was frequently interrupted in the reading of the letter by the loud and enthusiastic applause of the brethren . On announcing the balance-sheet for the year , a well-merited eulogium was passed' on the V . W . Bro . James Rowe , Prov . G . Treas ., for the ' zeal and ability with which he had discharged the duties of his office . The following gentlemen were appointed officers for the

ensuing year' Bro . Alex . Ei ' agwav . _ ..... Prov . G . S . Warden . „ 1 . P . Mefchani Prov . G . J . Warden . „ Rev . J . Bowden " ) „ n rn t „ William Foord Crocker j - G " Chaplains . „ T . Harfoot Prov . G . Treasurer . „ R . Rodda , Prov . G . Registrar . W . D . Moore Prov . G . Secretary .

„ „ J . S . Guudry Prov . G . S . Deacon . „ W . Derry Prov . G . J . Deacon . „ Robinson Ridley Prov . G . Supt . of Works . „ H . L . Brewster Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . „ R . Mortimore Prov . G . Assist . Ditto . „ Edward Murcb Prov . G . Organist . „ Capt . Bewes Prov . G . Sword-bearer . „ John Merrifield Prov . G . Pursuivant .

„ J . C . Radford " | „ J . Hodge [ ¦ ;; j : Snl ::::::::::::::::::::: i -Prov - G - ^ - „ AV . J . H . Johns „ J . M . Mackay J „ James Gregory Prov . G . Tyler . „ John Rogers Prov . G . Assist . Tyler .

The D . PROV . G . M ., in awarding the respective collars to the new officials , made some complimentary remarks . In giving the collar to Bro . Harfoot , he Baid he was glad the Grand Lodgehad elected him to the office , because he had been very energetic