Freemasonry In Sussex.

The D . P . G . M . would be the first W . M . of the New Lodge , and under such auspices its success was assured . Personally , he gave the founders assurances of his own hearty support , and he entertained the belief that the Duke of Connaught would be present to take part in the Consecration .

The toast of the Provincial Grand Master having been honoured , Bro . Clerke proposed the health of Bro . Gerard Ford , who in reply said he laid no claim to ability , but would yield to no man in his desire to carry out the duties of his office with the utmost efficiency . He felt greatly

encouraged by the words that had fallen from Bro . Clerke , and would do his utmost to merit the confidence of the brethren throughout the Province . He had now arrived at the end and object of the meeting . They were met to ask Bro . V . P . Freeman ' s acceptance of a proof of the

great respect and esteem in which he was held by the brethren of Sussex . He felt that he was not the best qualified brother present adequately to point to the merits of Bro . Freeman . He would not attempt to enumerate his many good points : they were known to all present .

As Provincial Grand Secretary and Scribe , he had laboured with such assiduity that his ( Bro . Ford ' s ) labours were materially lightened . Bro . Freeman ' s work for the Province was daily ; it never left him , and the machinery was never out of order . He merited the warmest thanks to every

brother in the Province for his untiring efforts , and he trusted Sussex Freemasons would long have the advantages of his services . The Masonic fates had apparently united together in doing honour to him ; for , associated with the presentation they were about to make to him , came the

news of his appointment as Grand Deacon . Cordially they all congratulated him upon the high honour bestowed upon him , and hoped that in all his glory he would not forget

the Province of Sussex . Bro . Ford then called upon Bro . B . Burfield , Provincial Assistant Grand Secretary , who read the following address , which formed part of the testimonial : —

" To Worshipful Bro . Vincent Paine Freeman , Provincial Grand Secretary , Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden , Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra , of Sussex . This testimonial , consisting of a bound address and purse , the latter containing a cheqne for £ 700 , has been mainly subscribed by his brethren and Companions of the various

Lodges and Chapters of the Province , as a tangible expression of that high Masonic regard which they have so long entertained towards hi ' m . In making this presentation , the Masons of Sussex desire to express to Bro . Freeman their deep obligation to him for the untiring energy with which he has uniformly given effect to his valuable

Masonic acquirements . They feel that it is in a great measure due to his zeal and . assiduity that the working of the Province has been so successfully kept iu motion , and that without a Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Scribe Ezra possessing those high qualifications which belong to Bro . Freeman , they could not have

hoped to see the best interests of the Cratt and Royal Arch Masonry so ably cared for , and the dignity as well as usefulness of the important positions which he ocupie 3 with the entire acclamation of his brethren and Companions , so effectually maintained . In asking him to accept this tribnte , tho various subscribers fraternally wish

him lengthened days of health and prosperity under the blessing of the Great Architect of the Universe , and they trust that the Brethren and Companions of Sussex may for many years enjoy the great ad vantages of his tried experience , and his ever re-idy helpfulness in ail important cases of doubt and difficulty . Dated , at the Royal Pavilion ,

Brighton , thig 23 rd day of April , A . L . 5887 , A . D . 1887 . Signed on behalf of the Presentation Committee , Gerrard Ford , Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( Chairman ) , Robert Crosskey , Provincial Grand

Treasurer ( Treasurer ) , John M . Kidd P . M . 732 , Francis Daniel P . M . 732 , B . Burfield P . M . 1821 ( Hon . Secretaries ) . " [ Here follows an alphabetical list of the names of the various Lodges and subsoriber 3 , 372 in number . ]

The illuminated address , an admirable work of art , took the form of a book bound in blue morocco . The silvei shield on the cover bearing the engraved monogram , "V . P . F . ; " while the first page was occupied with tho following words , artistically arranged and cleverl y designed : —

" United Fraternity of Ancient Free aud Accepted Masons of England and Wales ; Province ) of Sussex ; H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn Provincial Grand Master . " The testimonial was handed by the Deputy Prov . G . M . to Bro . Freeman , amidst enthusiastic and prolonged

applause . Bro . Freeman in the course of his reply said , the Province of Sussex had sent respectable sums to the Masonic Institutions , and the Brethren had recently

subscribed to the Scott Testimonial and the Burrell Portrait Testimonial Funds . Nor had the funds of local Institutions been forgotten , and during the last ten years between £ 9 , 000 and £ 10 , 000 had been subscribed by

Freemasonry In Sussex.

Sussex Freemasons . He ( Bro . Freeman ) was proud to share their respect and esteem , but surprised at the magnificent testimonial . He was not personally known to all the brethren , and that served to enhance the value of

the presentation . The kind words of the address had awakened in his mind feelings of the warmest appreciation . His unexpected honour in Grand Lodge he also appreciated , not merely as a compliment to himself , but to the

Province . Bro . W . R . Wood P . G . D ., proposed the Visitors . Bro . F . Binckes and Bro . Major-General Ford responding . The Deputy Prov . G . M . gave the Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter ,

Present and Past , which waa acknowledged by Brother Lieutenant-General Randolph , Prov . S . G . W ., and Brother 0 . W . Hudson Prov . J . G . W . ; while that of the Principals of the Chapters in the Province , was responded to by Bros .

P . Robinson , W . R . Wood jun ., and S . Peters . Brother Dawes proposed the W . M . ' s of the Lodges in the Province , to which Bros . W . Botting and Price responded . The remaining toasts were the Testimonial Committee ,

acknowledged by Bros . R . Crosskey , J . M . Kidd , F . Daniel , and B . Burfield , and the Tyler ' s Toast .

The Worcestershire Society.

THE WORCESTERSHIRE SOCIETY .

THE anniversary dinner of this old and useful Society , which has reached the seventy-second year of its existence , was held on Thursday evening , at Simpson ' s famous restaurant , in the Strand . Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., honorary treasurer , presided , in the unavoidable absence of Mr . James Corbett , M . P ., who had promised to occupy the chair , but was prevented by indisposition from fulfilling

his engagement . The company included Sir E . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P ., the Mayor of Worcester , the Mayor of Kidderminster , and many prominent supporters of the Society . The object of the association , as set forth in the speeches during the evening , is to raise a fund , by donations and annual subscriptions , for appren .

ticing children of necessitous persons , natives of any part of the county of Worcestershire , in the City of London and its vicinity , or in the city and county of Worcester j and also for lending them a sum of money at the expiration of their apprenticeship , to establish them in business , should their conduct have been meritorious . The

report of the Committee showed that the funds of the Society now amount to £ 1620 Is 8 d , standing in the name 3 of the trustees , while the liabilities are £ 490 . During the last year the Committee have apprenticed eight children , but there are fifteen waiting to be apprenticed . During its existence the Society has

apprenticed 355 children , twenty-eight of whom are now serving under indentures . The Committee earnestly draw the attention of the friends of the association to the fact that the funds at their disposal had only allowed them to apprentice eight ohildren out of a total of twenty-three applications . Up to this year no

application had been made for any aid from the Assistance Fund . During the year the Committee had received two applications , whioh had raised an entirely new and important question . A few years ago it was determined by the Society that pupil teachers should be made eligible for the benefits of their assistance in apprenticing , and

afterwards of assisting them in their start in life . It happened that two pupil teachez-s , natives of Worcestershire , who had not been apprenticed by the Society , were anxious to obtain assistance by paying tho fees required for entranoe into the Schoolmasters ' Training Institution . Both were under age ; one had passed first in

all England in his final examination , and the other bore an exemplary character in every way . As time pressed in the first case , the committee determined to recommend a vote of £ 40 out of the Assistance Fund , and they trusted that in doing so their views would be ratified by the general meeting

of the Society . The other case stood over , pending their decision upon the action already taken by the Committee . A hope was expressed that the opening of the People ' s Palace in the East End , and the schools connected therewith , would effect a material advance in the cause of technical education . There were several suggestions

before the Legislature in reference to the matter , which would no doubt receive due attention as soon as the state of business would hermit . Reference was made , with deep regret , to the loss the society had sustained in the death of Lord Hindlip , whose generous sympathy with all the charitable institutions in the county was

extended to this Society in a marked degree . One of the oldest subscribers , he was most regular in his attendances at their anniversary meetings . a 3 long as his health permitted him . The report , which was regarded as generally sstisfactory , was received and

aaopted . The usual toasts , which bore principally upon the trade and business of Worcestershire , were given , and received duo attention , and during the evening several substantial subscriptions were promised in aid of the funds of the Society .

IIOL tower ' s OixTitr . jfT A ^ FtLLs . —Golds , coughs , shortness of b-eath . — These maladies require early and U' remitting attention , for if neglected they often end in asthma , bronchitis , or consumption . T . ic Oiutment well rubbed on the chest and back , penetrating the skin , is absorbed and carried directly to the lungs , whence i " , expels all impurities . Ai ! tho blood in tho body is perpetually passed through the lungs , and there all noxious particles tending

o disease can be nuickl . v , thoroughly , and peinaneut y nuu ralizcd , rendered harmless , or ejected from the system . Holloway ' s Ointment and Fill ' ri perfectly accomplish this purifica ion ; and through the blood thus cleansed , the infiueuce of th ^ se wonderful medicaments reaches tue remotest part of the human body , and thus cures all diseased action , whothcr internal or external .