Great Priory Of The United Religious And Military Orders Of The Temple.

Sir Knight John Taylor ... ... ,,. G . Chamberlain . „ Walter J . Ebbetts ... ... ist G C . of Guards . „ A . H . Hebbert ... ... ... 2 nd G . C . of Guards . „ Dr . H . J . Edwards , Mus . Doc . ... G . Org . The Grand Master appointed the following as members of the Council Ralph Gooding , K . C . T . ; Charles Belton , K . C . T . ; Major C . W . Carrell , K . C . T . ; and T . P . Dorman , Past Preceptor .

Sir Knight T . P . DORMAN proposed and Sir Knight W . J . EBHETTS seconded , and it was unanimously agreed that the following be elected to serve on the Council : Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , G . C . T . ; Gordon Miller , K . C . T . ; Sir George Harris , K . C . T . ; A . Woodiwiss , K . C . T . ; " J . Balfour Cockburn , K . C . T .

The GREAT TREASURER brought forward the petition of a distressed brother of the Temple who had held high office in Great Priory , and moved that a sum of £ 50 be granted out of the benevolent fund to relieve his necessities .

The GRAND MASTER : I am afraid by our statutes that we cannot pass this motion at once , but we can pass it on to the Council with an instruction to deal with it at their next meeting . I am quite sure that when such a case is brought forward by one so highly esteemed as our Great Treasurer it is our duty to relieve the necessities of this distressed brother . I will therefore ask you to instruct the Council to make this grant at their next meeting . The proposal was agreed to .

The following Knights Grand Cross were conducted to the foot of the thioneand invested with the collar and star of their rank * - V . E . Knights Frank Richardson , K . C . T ., and Ralph Clutton , K . C . T . The following Knights Commander were likewise invested with the insignia of their rank : V . E . Knights Baron de Ferrieres and J . Balfour Co : kburn , M . D .

General Corson Smith was then presented to the" G . Master by the G . Marshal , V . E . Knight BELTON , who said : Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , I beg to present to you General Corson Smith , Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar ot the State of Illinois , U . S . A . The GRAND MASTER then invested General Smith with the ribbon and

cross of a Knight Commander of the Temple , remarking : I have great pleasure in placing this ribbon about your neck , not only because you are the first to whom the honour has been given outside our own jurisdiction , but also because you have so recently joined in our councils , and done so much to cement the friendship which happily exists between the two great English-speaking nations . ( Applause . )

General CORSON SMITH having saluted the Grand Master , spoke as follows : Most Eminent Grand Master , I know not in what language or words befitting this occasion , in this splendid presence and with the hallowed memories which cluster around me in the portraits of your predecessors , to thank you for the distinguished honour which you have con - ferred upon me or on the brethren of my Grand Encampment . 1 have tried

in my own feeble way to bring about an understanding between our two Templar bodies , as I have in my own country politically between our two nations . I , at one time , was imbued very strongly with the declaration made in a great State paper of my country , which declares all men to be born free and equal . I have long since recognised that while that may be true before the law , it is not true in life . Born they may be free and equal ,

but in the intelligence and mind , which mikes a man influence his fellow creatures , there is no doubt that one man is greater than another . While then theoretically I recognise all people as my equals when they perform their duties in their proper manner , if they are loyal to their Government and faithful to their Creator , yet I have long since recognised that the English speaking people are ahead of all others , and that they

have not their equal on the iace 01 the earth . I feel it is fitting that we should come together to be one people in spirit , in truth , and in heart . I have been well pleased and greatly instructed by my visits to the various Masonic bodies in the United Kingdom , but , Sir Knights , 1 say to you that nothing that I have witnessed compares for a moment with this gathering . I have seen elsewhere no such asylum for the practice of

the Christian virtues . I have been particularly touched with the recognition you have given to the character of that great Knight Templar , the lamented Earl of Lathom , whose life was one of devotion to his country and of service to Freemasonry . In my judgment he may be regarded as the Chevalier Bayard of Templary as much as the loyal and faithful servant of his Oueen—for we in America love your Oueen almost as dearly

as you possibly can . ( Applause . ) Your body , Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , has impressed me with a dignity and character of true knighthood that I have not found in other assemblies . I have had experience in presiding over the Senate of Illinois for two years , and I know what turbulent assemblies legislative bodies can become , while they all lack the dignity and manly character that I have witnessed on this occasion . I thank you , Most Eminent Grand Master , for the high honour which you

have conferred upon me , and I thank you , Sir Knights here pn ^ ent , for the cordial reception which you have accorded me . I sh .. il leturn to my country to-morrow , and when I get home to my own people , lo my Grand Encampment , representing 125 000 true and trusty Templars , 1 shall tell them of the goodwill and the heatty wishes and of the ardent friendship for all time which I bring with me from this Great Priory of England . ( Loud cheers . )

The GRAND MASTER- . Brethren cf the Temple , betore we close the business of to-night , I have a few words to say to you . It is my great pleasure to announce to you the continued prosperity of the United Orders . In April last I attended a conference held in Dublin , at which delegates from the Grand Chapter of Scotland , the Great Priory of Irehnd , and this Great Priory were present . We also had as a visitor Gen . John Corson

Smith , the representative of the Grand Encampment of the United States . Many subjects of great interest to the Orders were discussed , and among other matters it was agreed to interchange representatives between the various Grand Bodies . The full report of the meeting will appear in the next report of the Grand Master ' s Council . Under the powers entrusted to me by Statute No , 50 , I have declared the office of Provincial Prior for Lancarhire vacant , and I have great pleasure in announcing that I have

appointed the Earl ol Lathom as Provicinal Prior , and I sincerely trust every member of the Orders in Lancashire will loyally support him , and do his best to bring that Great Province up to what it ought to be . For the last year or two it has not been in the poshian I should like to see it , but 1 hope we shall see a very different state of things in the near future ( Applause . ) Alms amounting to £ 5 is . were collected . Great Priory was closed in due form .

Great Priory Of The United Religious And Military Orders Of The Temple.

ORDER OF MALTA .

Great Priory of Malta was opened in due form . The Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , the Earl of Euston , G . C . T ., occupied the throne . The Great Chancellor , V . E . Knight C . F . MATIER , K . C . T ., read the minutes of the previous meeting , which were confirmed .

The Great Officers took their seats as follows—At the East Table : V . E . Sir Kni ghts R . Loveland-Loveland , G . C . T ., E . Prior ; Frank Richardson , G . C . T ., as Capt .-General ; Ralph Clutton , G . C . T ., as Lieut .-General ; Ralph Gooding , K . C . T ., as First Lieutenant ; and J . W . Woodall , K . C . T ., as Second Lieutenant . At the Octagon Table in ihe West

V . E . Knights Chas Belton , K . C . T ., Mareschal , and Capt . H . G . Gile ? , as Hospitaller ; E . Kni ghts J . C . FitzRoy Tower , Admiral ; R . Gresley Hall , as Conservator ; Capt . G . B . Preston , as Baillie ; Edward Armitage , Turcopolier ; T . P . Dorman , as Chancellor ; Col . G . Walton Walker , as Treasurer ; the Rev . C . C . Atkinson , as Prelate ; and Major T . W . Richardson , as Capt . of Outposts .

The following were Guards to the Banners : E . Knights F . E . Remfry , Banner B . ; A . Conyers Haycraft , Banner L . ; and W . C . Rowe , Banner D . ; Knight Imre Kiralfy , Banner R . ; and E . Kni ght Walter J . Ebbetts , Banner A .

Knight Col . Francis Gordon Degge Watson , of the Oxford and Cambridge University Preceptory , then received the Mediterranean Pass , was afterwards admited into the Order of Malta , the accolade being given by the M . E . and S . Grand Master . Great Priory was closed in due form .

The Most Eminent and Supreme Grand Master , the Earl of Euston , G . C . T ., afterwards presided at the banquet , supported by the V . E . Prov . Prior for N . and E . Yorkshire , the Great Officers , many Past Great Officers , Preceptors , and other knights .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

1 he annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Board Schools , Langport , on Friday , the 26 th ult ., under the banner ol the Portcullis Lodge , No . 2038 , when about 150 brethren assembled . Bro , the Right Hon . Viscount Dungarvan , P . G . M ., presided , there being also

present—Bros . W . Gough , P . S . G . D . ; C . L . F . Edwards , P . G . Treas . ; E . F . Wade , P . G . Sec . ; G . Norman , P . M . 41 ; E . W . Bovett , J . D . 125 ; J . D . Gowan , Tyler 135 ; W . Warner , W . M . 285 ; J . Edwards , Tyler 329 ; W . Gill , P . M . 52 ; J . D . Loveday , I . P . M . 261 ; E . A . Purvis , W . M . 379 ; R . R . Hutchings , P . M . 437 ; S , J . Goodall , I . P . M . 446 ; E . Stevens , 1179 , P . P . G . P . ; G . James , 1179 , P . P . G . D . of C . ; T . H . Mitchell , 1593 , P . S . G . D . ; H . A . Rogers , 18 S 3 ; H . Pittard , Stwd .

2038 ; W . G . Cozens , P . M ., D . C . 203 S ; J . P . Chapell , P . G . S . B . ; H . W , Collins , P . S . G . W . ; R . S . Gough , P . ] . G . W . ; F . B . George , P . J . G . D . ; W . Rice ; E . Q . Louch , W . M . 329 ; S . H . Knight ; T . H . Langford Sainsbury , 993 , P . P . G . C . Sussex ; T . J . Jaggs , W . M . 128 3 ; H . H . Bonning , 2038 ; W . H , Westlakc , 1966 ; W . C . Thomas , W . M . 1222 ; H . W . Marillier , 32 g ; E . R

Babbage , W . M . 135 ; G . H . Kite , P . G . R . ; H . Harrod , 976 ; W . B . Collins ; H . C . Norton ; G . Cox ; J . T . Knight ; H . R . Vereker ; J . Tompsett ; F . L . Hunt ; T . G . Coggan ; H . Davies ; F . Marshall Meade , I . G . ; R . P . Bicknell ; W . Plank ; G . B . Toms ; H . Aplin ; J . Wheatley ; J . Pamphlett ; Bishop Kennett ; and W . T . Baker .

The weather proved most favourable , and the whole of the proceedings were successfully carried out . Prov . Grand Lodge was opened at 1 . 30 , when the roll of lodges was called , and the minutes of the last annual meeting , held at Yatton on the 3 rd June last , were read , approved , and confirmed .

1 hn Prov . Grand Lod ge accounts were presented and passed , and after the offices had been declared vacant , the following officers were appointed and invested by the Prov . G . Master for the ensuing year : Bro . E . Q . Louch , 203 S ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W .

„ A . Norman , 41 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ the Rev . Barnwell , 772 ... ... ... - > „ the Rev . E . J . Morris , 1222 ... j Prov . G Chaps . „ W . Gill , 33 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ C . L . F . Edwards ,.. ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ E . Fry Wade ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . W . Gaylard , jjy ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ O . W . Wiltshire , 1883 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ T . Cross , 90 ( 1 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ R . H . Shrapnell , 188 3 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . H . Westlake , 1966 ... ... ... Prov ' : A . G . D . C . „ A . O . G . Collins , 379 ... ... ... p . G . S . B . ,, Creswell White , 437 ... ... ... ) „ r . ^ . .. ;; c . Aiford , 814 J / ... ::: ::. j ™ - . std . aK . „ C . J . Panett , 285 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ A . Ii . J . Creed , 97 6 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . Plank , 1953 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ A . H . Taylor , 44 . 6 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ,, E . R . Babbage , 135 ... ... ,,, "> ,, L . G . Loveday , 261 ... ... ... | „ A . Poole , 1197 ... ... ... ^ Prov . G . Stwds . ,, A . W . Metcalfe , 1999 ... ... ... | „ II . Pittard , 203 , 8 ... ... ... J „ A . J . Salter ... ... ... ... 1 „ S . Bigwood ... ... ... ) Prov . G . lylers . After the closing of the Prov . Grand Lod ge , a luncheon was partaken ot

by the brethren at the Langport Arms Hotel , which was served in excellent style by Mrs . Barling , the tables being most charmingly decorated for the occasion . The Prov . Grand Master presided , and the usual Masonic toasts were duly honoured . Viscount Dungarvan leaving before the termination of the proceedings , the chair was occupied by Bro . S . H . Knight , W . M . of the Portcullis Lodge .

H . R . H . THE PKINCB 01 WALKS , attended by Bro . Captain Holford , returned to Marlborough House on Saturday last from Great Yarmouth . The Prince and Princess of Wales and Princess Victoria were present at Divine servics on Sunday .