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Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX. ← Page 2 of 3 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MIDDLESEX. Page 2 of 3 →
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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
Provincial Grand Lodge was duly opened and the minutes confirmed . The Prov . Grand Treasurer's accounts and the reports of the Audit and Charity Committees were received and adopted . The latter report proved of great interest , and showed that a sum of £ S 2 had been devoted to Charity during the past year out of the limited income of the province . The efforts of the Elections Committee had been crowned with great success . Four candidates had been elected to the Masonic Institutions , and the total
number of votes polled for various cases amounted to 16 , 587 . The Committee expressed their indebtedness and thanks to Bro . G . R . Langley , P . P . G . D ., the Special Secretary for Elections , ' through whose indefatigable
exertions a large proportion of the votes were obtained . A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Bilby , for his services , and , on the motion of Bro . W . G . KENTISH , P . P . G . D ., Bro . B . J . Jacob , P . M . 1293 , was unanimously elected to succeed him . The Prov . G . M . re-appointed Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( for the 14 th time ) , and the following Prov . Grand Officers were invested :
Bro . His Honour Judge Lumley Smith , Q . C ., 70 S ... Prov . S . G . W . „ C . E . Cassal , 1 415 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . P . Henderson Aitken , 1597 ... ... } G chaps . „ Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , 1503 ... ... 3 rr 0 V" ^ Un pS ' „ W . H . Glynn Smith , 1691 ... ... Prov . G ., Reg . „ B . J . Jacob , 1293 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Howard H . Room , 1777 , G . Std . Br . ... Prov . G . Sec .
„ Thos . Barlow , 20 S 7 ... ... - [ Prov . S . G . Deacons . „ J . E . Lane , 2183 ... ... 3 " £ * ? amSey ' , V - 1 Prov . J . G . Deacons . „ W . T . Angel , 1871 ... ... ... j J . R . T . Tavlnr . izfa ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .
„ H . B . May , 1237 , 1579 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . W . Greenwood , 1579 , 1702 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . ,, J . J . Robinson , 788 ... ... ... ~ ) „ R . Dunstan , 1326 ... ... ... > Prov . A . G . D . Cs .
,, W . J . Trewinnard , 2325 ... ... ... J „ G . Ransford , 1512 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . " H . Sapsworth , 1656 ... ... - | Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ S . Meech , 2163 ... ... ... ) „ W . H . Lee , 1897 , P . P . G . D . ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .
„ R . F . Tyler , 1597 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . J . Wilson , 382 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ R . M . Sunidge , 2048 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . Gilbert , 1194 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . ,, C . J . Davison , 1 897 ... ... ... " ] „ E . R . Bartley Denniss , 1460 , 254 8 ... " W-W-Lee , 1897 , 2381 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ R . C . Read , 1 309 ... ... .... ! „ Guy Repton , 778 „ E . Swain , 12 93 ... ... ... J
Thirty guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at the next Festival of which the Prov . Grand Master will preside , and 15 guineas to each of the other two Masonic Institutions . Thanks were accorded the Vicar of Teddington for the use of the Parish Rooms , and an offertory amounting to over ^ 10 was placed at his disposal for local charity . Thanks were also given to the Sir Charles Bright Lodge for the use of furniture , and especially to Bro . R . W . Forge , who renders excellent ser-.- 'fe at the annual meetings in carrying out the arrangements .
The following oration on " Some popular misconceptions regarding Freemasonry ' ¦ ivas then delivered by Bro . the Rev . P . HENDERSON AITKEN , Prov . G . Chap ., aticr which the Prov . G . Lodge was closed : " O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us , It wad frae mony a blunder free us And toolish notion . "
So sang the Scottish bard , and we admit the truth of his lines , while we also endorse the old heraldic proverb -. " They say . " " What say they ? " " Let them say ! " In other words , as members of this ancient and honourable Fraternity , we cannot be indifferent to the judgment and opinion of those who are without , when that criticism is intelligent and fair , as we may admit it sometimes is ; while at the same time we are supremely unconcerned at the silly or spiteful things that are said in disparagement of our Order . Needless to remark that
most of the prejudices that prevail in the uninitiated or popular world are due in great measure to the folly and indiscretion of our brethren . To begin with , the atrocious rigmarole about the pretended exposure and torture of initiation , the fables regarding red-hot branding irons , and bare-back goat riding , have doubtless contributed not only to deter many simple , but sincere and self-respecting souls , from entering the Masonic world , but also , and especially , to discredit and lower the Institution , in the estimation of serious and sober minds , to the level of a
mere fantastic buffoonery . It is plainly the duty , therefore , of all right-thinking Masons to abstain from , and generally to discountenance , such thoughtless and ill-timed travesties of what are really solemn and significant ceremonies . 1 have myself been told by more than one member of the Order that repugnance at such supposed treatment kept them for years from joining , while others have expressed sincere regret at having been first presented by friends with a grotesque caricature of what would otherwise have been a most impressive and memorable experience ,
but whose good effect was in great measure spoilt by those only too well remembered prophecies of pain and shame . Only the other day a friend , after his initiation , confided to me his absolute conviction that on his entrance to the lodge he was being marked with some sort of indelible stamp or dermatograph pencil , so universal and so deep-rooted is this belief in a secret visible brand or sign . Another misconception prevails in regard to our secret bond of brotherhood . Freemasonry has always had its miserable and mischievous detractors , who decry
the system as a dangerous secret society , a political conjuration , a hole and corner revolutionary combination , a masked and muffled foe alike to Church and State , the congener , in short , of the ancient German Vehm-Gericht , or the modern Italian Camorra . But Lessing , though ( as I understand ) not himself a Mason , declared in no uncertain tones the fallacy of such fancies by stating that the existence of Freemasonry in any country was in itself a proof of the strength and
stability of that Government , while its suppression was a conclusive evidence of weakness as well as tyranny . In this connection I cannot refrain from stigmatising the opprobrious appellation " Anti-Christian" as wickedly false and cruel . Freemasonry , like Jerusalem that is from above , is free—free alike from political rancours and theological hatreds . It is founded on the purest principle of piety and virtue , yet without confinement or compromise in the shape of creed , confession , or
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
catechism . It realises the consummation of a generous and unsectanan Catholicit y , the ideal of a living and practical faith unperplexed by formulas . On its neutral ground all worshippers may meet and find , on a closer mutual inspection , that doctrinal or systematic differences do not , after all , constitute impossible barriers or prevent men from kneeling side by side , as brethren , to address one common God and Father . But there is another misconception quite as mischievous as the last , which persistently presents the be-all and end-all of Masonry as simpl y
" dining and wining . " Now , this is a reproach on which certain representatives of the Order can hardly be acquitted . But it is far from a fair judgment to assert of the whole Fraternity what may be true only occasionally of particular members . No doubt there are , here and there , Masons to whom the labours of the Fourth Degree are apparently more congenial than any of the former , and for whom the only " chairs " they care to fill seem to be those set round the banquet table , I would not say one word , however , in seeming disparagement of the enjoyable
social aspects of the Institution . They are a real privilege , and should be shared by all judiciously and temperately , and , therefore , to the fullest advantage . Geniality may well on occasion broaden to joviality without incurring the censure of any but sour and senseless ascetics . One other popular prejudice I shall notice ere I close . Freemasonry is too often regarded as a species of life insurance , a variety of the mutual benefit business . Here , I am afraid , brethren are to blame for so representing the nature of our Institution , in urging its claims
upon the notice of their friends . No doubt relief and brotherly love are two of the great principles on which the Order is founded . No doubt Charity may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . At the same time , the Masonic Order does not for one moment wish to compete with the insurance offices , and the attraction of new members by means of such representations is distinctly reprehensible for several reasons . Firstly , it lowers the moral tone of the Order . Secondly , it introduces into Freemasonry those whose
positions in life do not fairly warrant such a step ; and , thirdly , as a consequence of this , it brings upon the resources of our various Benevolent organisations an overwhelming number of applications for relief , qualified neither by age nor by services rendered to the cause of Masonry . No man should be led to join with the intention or even the remotest prospect of getting as much out of it one day as he now puts in . Such belief and practice can issue only in the degradation of the Order and the ultimate destruction of its usfulness . " If ye lend to them of
whom ye hope to receive , what thanks have ye ? for sinners also lend to sinners to receive so much again . But , do good and lend , hoping for nothing again ; and your reward shall be great , and ye shall be the children of the Highest : for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil . Be ye , therefore , merciful , as your Father also is merciful . " The brethren having been photographed by Bro . Fehrenbach , proceeded to the Town Hall , where dinner was provided , and the usual toasts were afterwards given .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER first proposed " The Queen and the Craft " —the best of all living governors , and the best ot all living governed . Governments came and went , and those who went out of office had some relaxation ; but for her Majesty there was no such relaxation . During a period of 58 years her Majesty had been the amiable Sovereign who had formed the highest conception of what a constitutional monarch should be . " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was heartily given , after which
The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave " The Grand Officers , with which he associated the name of Bro . Thrupp , D . P . G . M . There was another brother whom he should have liked to associate , but whose modesty prevented him . He alluded to the latest , but he was perfectly certain by no means the least , efficient of the Grand Officers—Bro . Room , the Prov . Grand Secretary . When he ( the Prov . Grand Master ) accepted office in the province , as a cautious man , he made preliminary enquiries , and he found there were two
pillars of Freemasonry in Middlesex—Bros . Thrupp and Room—and it was not until he was satisfied of the admirable manner in which they discharged their respective offices that he thought he might take upon himself with tne reflected glory of those distinguished officers , the office of Prov . Grand Master . He was glad to be able to associate the name of Bro . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , with the toast , for they were all delighted to see him present , and hoped that whatever little fancies or ideas there might be concerning his
health would be disseminated by the fine weather , and that for years to come he would be associated with Freemasonry in Middlesex and the duties he so ably discharged . Bro . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . G . M ., in reply , said that the M . W . G . M ., the Pro G . M ., and other Grand Officers were that day at St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital consecrating a new lodge , and a week hence the Pro Grand Master would install Lord Onslow as Provincial
Grand Master and Grand Superintendent of Surrey . When they bad chiefs showing such desire for the good of the Craft , surely the minor Grand Officers must do what they could to support them . He had hoped that a Present Grand Officer would reply , but Bro . Room was one of those workers in and out of a lodge , and the grandest organiser that ever slept in bedfor it wanted a lot of sleep to get the necessary energy . The way in which
the present meeting had been carried out had been perfect , and it was a great relief to himself and the Provincial Grand Master to know that all the work was carried out for them by their Provincial Grand Secretary , and that was characteristic of aGiand Officer . If every Grand Officer deserved the honour as thoroughly as Bro . Room , well , they might perhaps have better Grand Officers than they had .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then said they had arrived at the toast of the evening— " The Health of their Prov . Grand Master . " They had been hoping against hope that he would be present , and were delighted to see him , and only wished they could see him more often , but , as they were aware , Bro . Lord George Hamilton had very little time to visit their lodges .
Without broaching politics , they could sincerely congratulate her Majesty on having once more appointed their Prov . G . Master as one of her Secretaries of State , and , knowing what he had done lor the government of their province , they felt sure he would carry the same good feeling and wisdom for the government of the country—the country would be happier , and they poor Masons would be happier , too .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in responding , said it was always with reluctance that he saw his gavel pass into the hands of his Deputy , for Bro . Thrupp always led the " fire " so much better than he could . As an old military officer , he liked to keep his company as compact as possible ; but had not been able to retain the position a commanding officer should . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master had alluded to the fact that he had other
duties to perform . He always thought they should try to conduct themselves by the guiding principles they learnt as Freemasons-First , to respect authority . Next , that all persons were _ more or less on a condition of equality and should be treated with consideration , and lastly that those who either by accident or misfortune were in a less happy condition should be helped to the best of their power , Those
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
Provincial Grand Lodge was duly opened and the minutes confirmed . The Prov . Grand Treasurer's accounts and the reports of the Audit and Charity Committees were received and adopted . The latter report proved of great interest , and showed that a sum of £ S 2 had been devoted to Charity during the past year out of the limited income of the province . The efforts of the Elections Committee had been crowned with great success . Four candidates had been elected to the Masonic Institutions , and the total
number of votes polled for various cases amounted to 16 , 587 . The Committee expressed their indebtedness and thanks to Bro . G . R . Langley , P . P . G . D ., the Special Secretary for Elections , ' through whose indefatigable
exertions a large proportion of the votes were obtained . A vote of thanks was accorded the retiring Prov . G . Treasurer , Bro . Bilby , for his services , and , on the motion of Bro . W . G . KENTISH , P . P . G . D ., Bro . B . J . Jacob , P . M . 1293 , was unanimously elected to succeed him . The Prov . G . M . re-appointed Bro . Raymond H . Thrupp as Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( for the 14 th time ) , and the following Prov . Grand Officers were invested :
Bro . His Honour Judge Lumley Smith , Q . C ., 70 S ... Prov . S . G . W . „ C . E . Cassal , 1 415 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . P . Henderson Aitken , 1597 ... ... } G chaps . „ Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , 1503 ... ... 3 rr 0 V" ^ Un pS ' „ W . H . Glynn Smith , 1691 ... ... Prov . G ., Reg . „ B . J . Jacob , 1293 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Howard H . Room , 1777 , G . Std . Br . ... Prov . G . Sec .
„ Thos . Barlow , 20 S 7 ... ... - [ Prov . S . G . Deacons . „ J . E . Lane , 2183 ... ... 3 " £ * ? amSey ' , V - 1 Prov . J . G . Deacons . „ W . T . Angel , 1871 ... ... ... j J . R . T . Tavlnr . izfa ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .
„ H . B . May , 1237 , 1579 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . W . Greenwood , 1579 , 1702 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . ,, J . J . Robinson , 788 ... ... ... ~ ) „ R . Dunstan , 1326 ... ... ... > Prov . A . G . D . Cs .
,, W . J . Trewinnard , 2325 ... ... ... J „ G . Ransford , 1512 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . " H . Sapsworth , 1656 ... ... - | Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ S . Meech , 2163 ... ... ... ) „ W . H . Lee , 1897 , P . P . G . D . ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .
„ R . F . Tyler , 1597 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . J . Wilson , 382 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ R . M . Sunidge , 2048 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . Gilbert , 1194 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . ,, C . J . Davison , 1 897 ... ... ... " ] „ E . R . Bartley Denniss , 1460 , 254 8 ... " W-W-Lee , 1897 , 2381 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ R . C . Read , 1 309 ... ... .... ! „ Guy Repton , 778 „ E . Swain , 12 93 ... ... ... J
Thirty guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , at the next Festival of which the Prov . Grand Master will preside , and 15 guineas to each of the other two Masonic Institutions . Thanks were accorded the Vicar of Teddington for the use of the Parish Rooms , and an offertory amounting to over ^ 10 was placed at his disposal for local charity . Thanks were also given to the Sir Charles Bright Lodge for the use of furniture , and especially to Bro . R . W . Forge , who renders excellent ser-.- 'fe at the annual meetings in carrying out the arrangements .
The following oration on " Some popular misconceptions regarding Freemasonry ' ¦ ivas then delivered by Bro . the Rev . P . HENDERSON AITKEN , Prov . G . Chap ., aticr which the Prov . G . Lodge was closed : " O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us , It wad frae mony a blunder free us And toolish notion . "
So sang the Scottish bard , and we admit the truth of his lines , while we also endorse the old heraldic proverb -. " They say . " " What say they ? " " Let them say ! " In other words , as members of this ancient and honourable Fraternity , we cannot be indifferent to the judgment and opinion of those who are without , when that criticism is intelligent and fair , as we may admit it sometimes is ; while at the same time we are supremely unconcerned at the silly or spiteful things that are said in disparagement of our Order . Needless to remark that
most of the prejudices that prevail in the uninitiated or popular world are due in great measure to the folly and indiscretion of our brethren . To begin with , the atrocious rigmarole about the pretended exposure and torture of initiation , the fables regarding red-hot branding irons , and bare-back goat riding , have doubtless contributed not only to deter many simple , but sincere and self-respecting souls , from entering the Masonic world , but also , and especially , to discredit and lower the Institution , in the estimation of serious and sober minds , to the level of a
mere fantastic buffoonery . It is plainly the duty , therefore , of all right-thinking Masons to abstain from , and generally to discountenance , such thoughtless and ill-timed travesties of what are really solemn and significant ceremonies . 1 have myself been told by more than one member of the Order that repugnance at such supposed treatment kept them for years from joining , while others have expressed sincere regret at having been first presented by friends with a grotesque caricature of what would otherwise have been a most impressive and memorable experience ,
but whose good effect was in great measure spoilt by those only too well remembered prophecies of pain and shame . Only the other day a friend , after his initiation , confided to me his absolute conviction that on his entrance to the lodge he was being marked with some sort of indelible stamp or dermatograph pencil , so universal and so deep-rooted is this belief in a secret visible brand or sign . Another misconception prevails in regard to our secret bond of brotherhood . Freemasonry has always had its miserable and mischievous detractors , who decry
the system as a dangerous secret society , a political conjuration , a hole and corner revolutionary combination , a masked and muffled foe alike to Church and State , the congener , in short , of the ancient German Vehm-Gericht , or the modern Italian Camorra . But Lessing , though ( as I understand ) not himself a Mason , declared in no uncertain tones the fallacy of such fancies by stating that the existence of Freemasonry in any country was in itself a proof of the strength and
stability of that Government , while its suppression was a conclusive evidence of weakness as well as tyranny . In this connection I cannot refrain from stigmatising the opprobrious appellation " Anti-Christian" as wickedly false and cruel . Freemasonry , like Jerusalem that is from above , is free—free alike from political rancours and theological hatreds . It is founded on the purest principle of piety and virtue , yet without confinement or compromise in the shape of creed , confession , or
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Middlesex.
catechism . It realises the consummation of a generous and unsectanan Catholicit y , the ideal of a living and practical faith unperplexed by formulas . On its neutral ground all worshippers may meet and find , on a closer mutual inspection , that doctrinal or systematic differences do not , after all , constitute impossible barriers or prevent men from kneeling side by side , as brethren , to address one common God and Father . But there is another misconception quite as mischievous as the last , which persistently presents the be-all and end-all of Masonry as simpl y
" dining and wining . " Now , this is a reproach on which certain representatives of the Order can hardly be acquitted . But it is far from a fair judgment to assert of the whole Fraternity what may be true only occasionally of particular members . No doubt there are , here and there , Masons to whom the labours of the Fourth Degree are apparently more congenial than any of the former , and for whom the only " chairs " they care to fill seem to be those set round the banquet table , I would not say one word , however , in seeming disparagement of the enjoyable
social aspects of the Institution . They are a real privilege , and should be shared by all judiciously and temperately , and , therefore , to the fullest advantage . Geniality may well on occasion broaden to joviality without incurring the censure of any but sour and senseless ascetics . One other popular prejudice I shall notice ere I close . Freemasonry is too often regarded as a species of life insurance , a variety of the mutual benefit business . Here , I am afraid , brethren are to blame for so representing the nature of our Institution , in urging its claims
upon the notice of their friends . No doubt relief and brotherly love are two of the great principles on which the Order is founded . No doubt Charity may justly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart . At the same time , the Masonic Order does not for one moment wish to compete with the insurance offices , and the attraction of new members by means of such representations is distinctly reprehensible for several reasons . Firstly , it lowers the moral tone of the Order . Secondly , it introduces into Freemasonry those whose
positions in life do not fairly warrant such a step ; and , thirdly , as a consequence of this , it brings upon the resources of our various Benevolent organisations an overwhelming number of applications for relief , qualified neither by age nor by services rendered to the cause of Masonry . No man should be led to join with the intention or even the remotest prospect of getting as much out of it one day as he now puts in . Such belief and practice can issue only in the degradation of the Order and the ultimate destruction of its usfulness . " If ye lend to them of
whom ye hope to receive , what thanks have ye ? for sinners also lend to sinners to receive so much again . But , do good and lend , hoping for nothing again ; and your reward shall be great , and ye shall be the children of the Highest : for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil . Be ye , therefore , merciful , as your Father also is merciful . " The brethren having been photographed by Bro . Fehrenbach , proceeded to the Town Hall , where dinner was provided , and the usual toasts were afterwards given .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER first proposed " The Queen and the Craft " —the best of all living governors , and the best ot all living governed . Governments came and went , and those who went out of office had some relaxation ; but for her Majesty there was no such relaxation . During a period of 58 years her Majesty had been the amiable Sovereign who had formed the highest conception of what a constitutional monarch should be . " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " was heartily given , after which
The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave " The Grand Officers , with which he associated the name of Bro . Thrupp , D . P . G . M . There was another brother whom he should have liked to associate , but whose modesty prevented him . He alluded to the latest , but he was perfectly certain by no means the least , efficient of the Grand Officers—Bro . Room , the Prov . Grand Secretary . When he ( the Prov . Grand Master ) accepted office in the province , as a cautious man , he made preliminary enquiries , and he found there were two
pillars of Freemasonry in Middlesex—Bros . Thrupp and Room—and it was not until he was satisfied of the admirable manner in which they discharged their respective offices that he thought he might take upon himself with tne reflected glory of those distinguished officers , the office of Prov . Grand Master . He was glad to be able to associate the name of Bro . Thrupp , P . A . G . D . C , with the toast , for they were all delighted to see him present , and hoped that whatever little fancies or ideas there might be concerning his
health would be disseminated by the fine weather , and that for years to come he would be associated with Freemasonry in Middlesex and the duties he so ably discharged . Bro . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , P . A . G . D . C , Deputy Prov . G . M ., in reply , said that the M . W . G . M ., the Pro G . M ., and other Grand Officers were that day at St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital consecrating a new lodge , and a week hence the Pro Grand Master would install Lord Onslow as Provincial
Grand Master and Grand Superintendent of Surrey . When they bad chiefs showing such desire for the good of the Craft , surely the minor Grand Officers must do what they could to support them . He had hoped that a Present Grand Officer would reply , but Bro . Room was one of those workers in and out of a lodge , and the grandest organiser that ever slept in bedfor it wanted a lot of sleep to get the necessary energy . The way in which
the present meeting had been carried out had been perfect , and it was a great relief to himself and the Provincial Grand Master to know that all the work was carried out for them by their Provincial Grand Secretary , and that was characteristic of aGiand Officer . If every Grand Officer deserved the honour as thoroughly as Bro . Room , well , they might perhaps have better Grand Officers than they had .
The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then said they had arrived at the toast of the evening— " The Health of their Prov . Grand Master . " They had been hoping against hope that he would be present , and were delighted to see him , and only wished they could see him more often , but , as they were aware , Bro . Lord George Hamilton had very little time to visit their lodges .
Without broaching politics , they could sincerely congratulate her Majesty on having once more appointed their Prov . G . Master as one of her Secretaries of State , and , knowing what he had done lor the government of their province , they felt sure he would carry the same good feeling and wisdom for the government of the country—the country would be happier , and they poor Masons would be happier , too .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in responding , said it was always with reluctance that he saw his gavel pass into the hands of his Deputy , for Bro . Thrupp always led the " fire " so much better than he could . As an old military officer , he liked to keep his company as compact as possible ; but had not been able to retain the position a commanding officer should . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master had alluded to the fact that he had other
duties to perform . He always thought they should try to conduct themselves by the guiding principles they learnt as Freemasons-First , to respect authority . Next , that all persons were _ more or less on a condition of equality and should be treated with consideration , and lastly that those who either by accident or misfortune were in a less happy condition should be helped to the best of their power , Those