Address.

duties , with the exception of one annual banquet among Craft Masons . To remedy this , I have made it my business to encourage private meetings with the brethren for instruction , and have especially devoted one evening in each week to

this object , offering to receive any who would favour me with their company at my residence . I think I may confidently appeal to each of these to support my assertion , that independently of the direct Masonic benefit , between us a degree

of interest in each others welfare and a kindly feeling have sprung up , which would not otherwise have existed . Knowing how difficult it is to induce brethren to attend simply to au . dit accounts , with a view to secure the presence of

the officers of this lodge on the recent occasion of the kind , I invited them all , 12 in number , to assemble at my residence , and after the transaction of the business to spend a social evening with me , for which my wife made due provision . Two

thirds of the number attended , and after the accounts hacl been passed , four only remained . I confess that we were disappointed at the failure

of my experiment . I refer to this , though rather a personal matter , because in other provinces I have seen the good effects of frequent inexpensive social gatherings within reasonable limits , and not extended late hours , which should I think be

encouraged . Clearly however the close union of Masons in friendly intercourse , as distinct from formal loclge meetings , is not understood here , and if we further bear in mind the fact thafc in the Mark and Eoyal Arch degrees , nothing whatever

has been done for the charities , and thafc in the Craft Lodge contributions have been limited to an annual guinea to each of the Masonic schools , and to a few half crowns occasionally dispensed

to itinerant Masons , the claims of many of whom have been recently shown to be very questionable , it is a matter for wonder that externs have asked me , " what is the advantage of Freemasonry in Totnes ? " I confess that iu face of the small

amount of good clone ancl the failure to promote kind social feeling , viewing also the secession from active participation in loclge work of men holding a good status in the town , I have hacl difficulty iu answering the question , and have

been forced to base my defence of our system on a wider range . I throw this out as a sio-nificant hint which you may turn over in your minds with benefit , for the points involved are such as we must grapple with .

If after clue consideration you feel that I am right , and I can hardly think that it will be otherwise , I entreat you to make an attempt to change your position , as Craft Masons , as Mark Masons , as Boyal Arch Companions . ¦ Rouse your

energies , and act towards the fraternity , especially towards our local branches of it , as you would in your own private affairs if yon found them not answering your expectations . By your conduct and your zeal prove yourselves worthy of our

honourable appellation of Freemasons ; callback the seceders aud the faint-hearted , inspiz-e them with confidence ; Jay aside all feelings of distrust which are unworthy of our calling ; encourage merit , wherever it may be found ; assist in every good work of mercy , of charity , for the extension of Masonic knowledge and the investigation of

Masonic questions . Thus you will satisfy your own consciences , promote unity and harmony , command the respect-of those who are not of us , ancl help to fulfil the great mission of our Order , remembering that " the complicated system of

Freemasonry is not to be received or rejected as may suifc your pleasure or convenience . " No ; you have voluntarily taken solemn obligations- ; from those obligations you have no right to swerve , and to them you are bound to be faithful .

Before leaving this part of the subject , I would express my deep regret that we have not been able to send money to the fund for explorations in Palestine conducted by Bro . Lieut . Warren , which are likely to be productive of great results , in confirming scripture narratives and in testing our Masonic traditions . To the whole Craft this is a

most interesting investigation , but especially to the students of Mark Masonry , whose records will be found on tables' of stone "long concealed beneath the rubbish . " The opportunity now offered is one which ought not to be limited by a

deficiency in funds , for it is one which will probably never be renewed . In conclusion , —to you brethren I must leave the decision whether I have succeeded in redeeming the pledge I gave on taking this chair ,

ancl how far I have earned your approval . If I may congratulate myself on the latter , I ask you to show your sense of it , by extending your full confidence to my successor , and hy assisting him in all his efforts to promote the prosperity of the

lodge under his rule . If I have failed to do all that was incumbent upon me , then still render him your support , on the ground that he will