Devon.

Gandy Street , at noon , the new building being both commodious and centrally situated . The Provincial Grand Lodge will meet in the Victoria . Hall , at two . The railway arrangements are very complete this time , tickets at the single journey fare and a quarter being available from London , Salisbury , Bath , and all stations

West , including those in Devonshire , but no mention is made of Cornwall . Brethren have to exhibit their Masonic clothing at the time of booking . The banquet is to be served at the Royal Public Rooms at 4-30 , but provision will be made only for those who apply for tickets before the 8 th inst .

Although not so stated on the official summons , it is understood that the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe Past D . G . M . of England and Prov . G . M . of Cornwall , will preside at the first part of the meeting , and will instal the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., as Provincial Grand Master of Devon , in succession

to Viscount Ebrington , who has resigned after having served in that office since 1879 . His lordship ' s predecessor was the revered Rev . John Huyshe , M . A ., whose costly and handsome chain of office ( presented to him by the Province in 1866 ) , will be used in the investment of the new Prov . G . M ., the decoration

having been presented to the Prov . Grand Lodge by the reverend gentleman in 1879 . Sir Stafford Northcote will be the fifth Provincial Grand Master of Devon since the year 1775 . There are now 52 active

Lodges in the Province , with over 800 Past Masters and 3 , 500 members , the Provincial Grand Lodge being in a high state of efficiency , with valuable charitable funds , which are managed by honorary and most devoted officers , to the great advantage of the fraternity .

There is no lack of other business to be transacted on the occasion , and the Officers for 1896-7 will be appointed and invested by the new Prov . Grand Master , whose appointment by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales is most popular throughout the country . — " Western Morning News . "

Mark Masonry In The Punjab.

MARK MASONRY IN THE PUNJAB .

THE first Lodge established here since the creation of the Punjab as a separate district was consecrated in June , at Jullunder , by the Rev . Spencer Grey Deputy District G . M . We read in the local paper that the evening of the consecration was most unfavourable , as a tremendous duststorm , followed by a deluge of rain , came on about 5 p . m ., which unroofed houses ,

uprooted trees , and destroyed almost every bit of fruit in the station . It also prevented those members who reside at a distance from being present , yet a fairly good number assembled to take part in the ceremony . Yet there are some who say the English climate is the most unreliable to be met with in any part of the world !

After the banquet the Consecrating Officer proposed the toast of the new Lodge—the Massy , congratulating the members upon having been the first Lodge established in the district , and pointing out how difficult it would have been , had they still been attached to Bengal , to have got an Officer of the required status

to perform the ceremony . He felt it was most regretable that the genial Commissioner Bro . Col . Massy Past District Grand Master of the Punjab , after whom the Lodge was named , was not present to assist at the christening ceremony , he being in England on short leave .

Amongst , the numerous congratulatory messages which the recent marriage of Princess Maud evoked from Her Majesty ' s loyal subjects were those * sent by members of the Queen Victoria

Lodge , No . 2584 , Manchester , to the Queen and the Princess of Wales . By the courtesy of Bro . Councillor Samuel I . Mills Worshipful Master we have copied the following telegraphic replies : —

Buckingham Palace . To S . MILLS , Cheetham Hill . Queen thanks you for kind congratulations . —PBIVATE SECBETAEY .

St . James ' s Palace . To S . MILLS , Conservative Club , Cheetham Hill . Princess of Wales and I thank the Brethren for kind congratulations . —ALBERT EDWAKD .

The objects of Freemasonry ( says a writer in the " Glasgow Evening News " ) is to raise its members above the elementary condition which was required at their entrance . It is open to every member , as it is onen to anv secular or theological student .

to instruct himself . But if he will not embrace the opportunity given him , he must be instructed . The first principles and the original conception of Freemasonry must be forced upon his understanding . We know what the neglect of the first principles has led to .

Church Service.

CHURCH SERVICE .

ON Sunday a Masonic church parade took place at Rainham , when , at the invitation of Bro . William Harvey , the Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge , No . 2184 , Rainham was joined by strong representations of St . John Lodge , Grays ; Liberty of Havering Lodge , Romford ; and Sincerity Lodge , London ; and an imposing display was made . The procession , which started from the

Phcenix Hotel , the headquarters of the local Lodge , was led by the Standard Bearers and Director of Ceremonies Bro . H . C . Borradaile , holding in his hands a Bible resting on a velvet cushion , followed by the entered apm-entices of the Craft ,

Craftsmen , Master Masons , and Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , all in full regalia , and the Tylers guarding the church doors with drawn swords . The Brethren having seated themselves left little accommodation for the crowd which lined the road as the

procession walked past . The service was fully choral , being conducted by the Venerable Archdeacon of Essex Bro . T . Stevens Grand Chaplain of England , and Rev . F . Haslock Provincial Grand Chaplain , the choir being that of Grays Parish Church , under Bro . J . Weymouth .

The processional hymn , " Brightly gleams our banner " ( Sullivan ) was sung , the Venerable Archdeacon read the prayers , Bro . Borradaile the lessons , and an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev . F . Haslock , who referred to the dilapidated condition of the church and the need for financial assistance .

The anthem " Behold , how good and joyful a thing it is , Brethren , to dwell together in unity " was sung ; the bass solo being rendered by Mr . D . Pean , and a duet by Master Seal ( Grays ) and Bro . J . Weymouth . The recessional hymn was " Onward , Christian Soldiers , " the congregation keeping their seats until the Masons had quitted the building .

The offertory , on behalf of the Church Restoration Fund , amounted to £ 21 , and the success of the service was assisted by the performance of Mr . Cecil Hyatt on the harmonium . After the service was over the Brethren disrobed at the Phcenix Hotel . — " Grays and Tilbury Gazette . "

A "Past Master" writes criticising some of the definitions of Masonic principles set forth by Bro . the Rev . W . G . Procter , at Oswaldtwistle the other Sunday . He doubts whether the teachings of tyie Graft are as explicit on the existence of a Supreme Architect , the immortality of the soul , and a future of

rewards and punishments , as Bro . Procter ' s sermon would lead readers to assume . Now a " system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols , " is obviously capable of more than one interpretation . " Past Master " holds one view , Bro . Procter and most Masons another . In any case , it is not a

matter that can be settled by debate in the Press . If "Past Master " feels strongly on the matter , his successor in the chair of King Solomon will no doubt afford facilities for a discussion in open Lodge , where alone such differences can be profitably talked over . — " Rossendale Gazette . "

In response to a special appeal from the Grand Lodge of New South Wales , the Lodges under , its jurisdiction have contributed over £ 150 towards the Annuity Fund there . The ages of those in receipt of annuities ranged from sixty to eighty years . During the past year the amount paid to annuitants had increased by nearly £ 100 .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

AT Bathwick Cemetery , Bath , on the 20 th ult ., the funeral of the late Bro . Francis Wilkinson , of Fernleigh , Pulteney Gardens , took place . There was a large attendance at the graveside , including the Mayor of Bath , and several other Freemasons , deceased being a member of that body for many years . Upon the coffin was engraved the Masonic emblem .

CHESTER Freemasons , and especially the older members of the Order , have sustained a loss in the death of Bro . William Ellis , of Parkgate Road , says the " Chester Courant . " Bro . Ellis , who was reputed to be the oldest Freemason in the city , was eighty years of age . He had been ailing about eighteen

months , and about a year ago he met with an accident , breaking his wrist through being blown over in the memorable storm of wind which passed over Chester last year . This resulted in a severe shock to the system , from which the deceased gentleman never properly recovered . He had been living in retirement in

Parkgate Road for about twenty years . Bro . Ellis was up to the time of his death president of the Chester Master Bakers ' Association , having formerly carried on a large and successful business as a baker in Foregate Street . He was the senior member of the Independence Lodge of Freemasons , having been initiated in i 860 .