Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

decision to present to this Provincial Grand Lodge the report asit there stood . A considerable amount of discussion took place , chiefly on minor points , the principal one of importance raised having reference to one of the objects of the proposed Benevolent Fund . As recommended by the Committee , there was to be

power to make grants to " benevolent and charitable purposes generally . " Bro . STOKES , of Salisbury , objected to this wide range , and read a letter from Lord Harry Thynne , who was unfortunately prevented from being present , also taking this view ; the principal reason being that , whilst such powers were vested as now in the Provincial Grand Lodge , they were unnecessary in the case of the proposed fund ; and

Bro . Stokes proposed the insertion of the word " Masonic before the words quoted . ^ Bro . H ENRY C . T OMBS strongly opposed this , as savouring too much of selfishness , and urged that as Masons it behoved them to show to the world at large that Masons were large-hearted , and did not confine their charity to themselves .

However , after some discussion , the conclusion was come to that as the fund would for the present have but little to spare in the direction indicated , and as an alteration could at any time be made , the word " Masonic " should be inserted , as proposed . And it was then , on the motion of Bro . SIR GABRIEL GOLDNEY , Bart ., D . P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . STOKES ,

P . P . S . G . W ., resolved unanimously "that the powers of the present Provincial Charity Organisation Committee be increased , and that its name be altered to that of the Provincial Charity Organisation and Benevolent Fund Committee , and that it consist , as at present , of the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Treasurer , the Registrar , and the Secretary for the time

being of the province , and a representative from each lodge , together with the addition of Life Governors , to be constituted by the fund ; that the fund to be at the disposal of such new Committee be composed of grants from Provincial Grand Lodge , subscriptions from each lodge in the province willing to subscribe , and other voluntary subscriptions and donations from lodges and brethren ; that for the

present , and until further direction by Provincial Grand Lodge , not less than three-fourths of the annual income be capitalised and invested ; and that the fund be applied by the Committee for ( n ) the relief of aged or necessitous brethren of this province or their indigent widows ; ( b ) the relief , education , and advancement of the children of Freemasons of the province ; ( c ) the support of the general

Masonic Charities , subject to the approval of Provincial Grand Lodge ; ( d ) Masonic benevolent and charitable purposes generally . " A set of rules for the carrying out of the recommendations contained in the report had been prepared by the Committee , and accompanied its report . These rules , with the necessary alterations to make them in accordance with the foregoing resolution , were also

unanimously adopted , on the proposition of Bro . SIR GABRIEL GOLDNEY , seconded by Bro . STOKES . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then called attention to the valuable work , descriptive of the history of Freemasonry in this province , which had been since the last meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge completed by the Prov . Grand Treasurer , Bro . F . H . Goldney , who , entirely at his

own expense , had presented a copy to every brother in the province . He was sure that such a handsome and valuable contribution to Freemasonry in the province deserved some substantial mark of appreciation , and he , therefore , begged to propose " That a jewel be presented to the author by

this Provincial Grand Lodge , and that he be asked to accept the warmest thanks of the brethren for his liberality . " This was seconded by Bro . E . T . PAYNE , P . G . D ., and carried by acclamation . The PROVINCIAL GRAND TREASURER briefly returned thanks .

Ihe PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then referred to the trouble taken by Bro . Nott in relation to preparing the report and draft rules as to the establishment of a Benevolent Fund , as well as to his services as Secretary of the Provincial Charity Organisation Committee , and to the very liberal way in which he had treated the Provincial Grand Lodge as regards his expenses in connection with that

Committee , and proposed " That a jewel should be also voted to Bro . Nott , as some recognition of those services . " The P . G . M . further proposed " That the Provincial Grand Secretary and two Wardens should act as a Committee for carrying out this and the preceding resolution . " This proposition was seconded by Bro . SIR G . GOLDNEY , and carried by acclamation .

Bro . NOTT subsequently tendered his thanks to the Provincial Grand Lodge for this unexpected token of its appreciation of his services . The next business on the agenda paper was to consider the bye-laws and Charity rules of the province , with a view to the amendment thereof if found necessary ; and on the proposition of Bro . II . C . TOMBS , seconded bv Bro . \ V .

NOTT , it was resolved that it be referred to a committee , composed of the same members as that to which the question of the Benevolent Fund had been referred , to consider the necessity for the revision of such bye-laws and rules , and to report thereon to the next Provincial Grand Lod ge . And further , that it be a direction to such committee to consider the desirability of increasing the Fees of

Honour . " 'The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then declared all offices vacant , and Bro . F . H . Goldney having been unanimousl y re-elected Treasurer , the Provincial Grand Officers lor the ensuing year were then appointed and invested as follows : tiro . Charles F . Marshall , 335 Prov . P . S . G . W .

„ Alfred Plummer , 1533 Prov . P . J . G . W . " £ «'• J " " A . Lloyd , 1533 ••¦ Prov . P . G . Chap . » v . H . Goldney ( re-elected ) , 626 ... Prov . P . G . 'Treas » William Nott ( re-appointed ) , GG 3 Prov . P . G . Reg . " » V Cl Tombs ( re-appointed ) , 355 Prov . P . G . Sec . >> Alderman R . N . Fowler , C 26 ... Prov . P . S . G . D . » Thos . S . Tucker , 5 S 6 Prov . P . J . G . D Merriman

» E . B . , 1533 Prov . P . ' G . S . ofW > > John Chand ! et !( ie-appointed ) , 355 Prov . P . G . D . C . » Thos . R . Lavington , 032 Prov . P . G . A . D C " fe c £ rter ' ' 533 Prov . P . G . S . B . " 1 u ' Bamb "d ge , 1533 Prov . P . G . Org . " f "ammond , 1533 Prov . P . G . Purst . » John Savoy ( re-elected ) Prov . P . G . Tyler .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Wiltshire.

The PROV . GRAND MASTER before closing the lodge , said he was happy to congratulate the W . M . and members of the Lodge of Loyalty on the success which it had attained after an existence of onl y five yearsj and stated how pleased he was to hear that its finances had been so carefully managed that it was out of debt , a good example for other lodges . He could not doubt that the Lodge of Loyalty must flourish with the countenance and support of

such eminent men as the Marquis of Aylesbury and his sons , and of Bro . Merriman , and others . There was one event which had occurred during the past year that he could not refrain from alluding to , and he took the opportunity of congratulating the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Gabriel Goldney , Bart ., upon the high and distinguished honour Her Majesty had been pleased to confer upon him in making him a Baronet , for his assiduous attention to his

public duties , as an acknowledgment of his general work . It was most gratifying to him , the P . G . M ., that he should have selected two brethren as D . P . G . M . who had proved such good men and true , and had made for themselves such marks in the world as to entitle them to receive , as they justly deserved , such approval at the hand of Her Majesty , namely Sir Daniel Gooch , formerly D . P G . M . of this province , and now the P . G . M . of Berks and Bucks , and his

successor , Bro . Sir Gabriel Goldney , Bart . The P . G . M . alluded-to the irregularity in sending in the returns from the various lodges , alluded to in the report of the Registrar , but stated that he was very pleased to be informed that arrangements had been made by which such delay would not again occur . There was one occurrence during the year to

which he could not allude without the deepest regret and that was the great loss the Province of Wiltshire had sustained in the death of Bro . W . H . Poynder , who in all his actions was a bright example of charitableness and liberality . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER alluded with gratification to the establishment of a Benevolent Fund for this

province , and personally desired to thank Bros . F . H . Golduey , W . Nott , and Henry C . Tombs for the active steps they had taken in the matter . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER concluded by expressing his regret at his absence last year , and thanking the brethren for the warm consideration ever shewn to him .

After the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed the brethren dined together in another part of the same building , under the presidency of the Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Methuen , who was supported by the Marquis of Arlesbury , and his son , Lord F . Bruce , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Sir Gabriel Goldney ,

Bart ., Bro . W . H . Long , M . P ., and others . An excellent banquet , provided by Bro . Carter , to which the Marques of Arlesbury had contributed a bountiful supply of game , was done full justice to by the brethren , and the usual loyal and Masonic toasts brought a pleasant and successful gathering to a close .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Shire Hall , Stafford , on Thursday week , when there was a large assembly of brethren . The Staffordshire Knot Lodge , No . 726 , was opened at twelve o'clock , after which the W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . Major Tudor , acting as P . G . M .,

and the officers ) of P . G . Lodge entered the lodge , and the business of the day commenced . 'The following officers of the P . G . Lodge were present : —Bros . Chas . Fendelow , 526 , S . W . ; Thomas Turner , 460 , Registrar ; E . C . Berry , P . G . C ., 726 ; J . Bodenham , 726 , Treasurer ; W . Cartwright , 460 , Secretary ; S . Briggs , 624 , S . D . ; B . C . Cale , J . D . ; T . J . Barnett , 526 , Superintendent of Works ; T . Lmwin ,

6 37 , Pursuivant ; J . B . Ward , standard-bearer ; T . Wood , W . M . 72 C ; T . E . Eowke , I . P . M . 726 ; C . H . Dudley , 726 ; Edward J . Mousley , I . G . 726 ; J . B . M'Callum , 726 , and W . G . Bagnall , 726 , Stewards . The following also signed the Tyler ' s book : —Bros . Foster Gough , P . D . P . G . M . ; W . H . Hales , 41 S , P . P . S . G . W . ; f ! Taylor , 41 S , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Newman , 539 , P . P . G . J . W . ; H .

Parker , 451 , P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Steen , 536 , P . P . G . R . ; C . A . Newham , 526 and 419 ; T . M . Humphries , 530 , P . P . Superintendent of Works ; H . Woodhouse , 726 , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Rodgers , 41 S , P . P . G . J . D . ; F . Derry , P . P . G . W . ; A . G . Prince , P . P . G . J . D . ; J . ingamells , 460 , P . P . G . J . D . ; J . Webberley , P . P . G . P . ; W . Vernon , 456 , P . P . G . 5 . B . ; R . Dain , 9 S , P . P . A . D . C ; E . C . Perry ,

P . G . C . 72 G ; A . Caddick , 662 , P . P . G . Superintendent of Works ; G . Higham , P . P . G . Superintendent oi Works ; W . Bayliss , 539 , P . P . G . J . D . ; S . T . Tozer , P . P . G . C ; J . M . Darwin , J . W . 546 ; T . H . Griffiths , W . M . 54 6 ; E . R . Kimpton , S . W . 4 S 2 ; J . Powell , W . M . 347 ; R . Hilditch , W . M . gS ; J . Thorburn , P . M . 98 ; J . H . Rowley , J . D . 9 8 ; G . W . H . Tudor , I . G . 183 S ;

W . Brown , J . D . 347 ; J . Sidaway , 1031 ; K A . Jones , 347 ; R . Tooth , P . M . 637 ; W . T , Beetenson , W . M . 637 ; D . Smith , S . W . 637 ; J . G . Bakewell , P . M . 546 ; J . W . Thomas , P . M . and Treas . 637 ; F . Mountford , J . D . 460 ; J . Stubbs , 637 ; F . S . Hooper , Sec . 1520 ; R . Tolson , P . M . 10 C 0 ; W . H . Bucknell , S . W . 460 ; J . Bryan , W . M . 526 ; Rev . Chas . Bullivant , W . M . 1520 ; T . Barton , 1520 ;

J . B . Morgan , Sec . 1 S 38 ; G . \ V . Walker , S . D . 183 S ; W . E . Proctor , 526 ; D . H . Dunning , Sec . 637 ; R . Barton , I . G . 1520 ; G . Blagg , 1520 ; E . H . Thome , W . M . 185 S ; C . W . Graham , J . W . 1 S 38 ; G . Pitchford , P . M . 41 S ; G . Mcanley , 419 ; S . Parkes , 419 ; [ . C . Evans , 526 ; Rev . J . Birch , Chap . 9 S and 451 ; W . H . Bailey , W . M . 624 ; J . Baker , S . D . 726 ; E . H . Croydon , J . W .

4 60 ; U W . Martin , Org . 4 G 0 ; A . L . Broad , W . M . 4 O 0 ; W . Southall , 72 O ; J . Senior , 526 and 726 ; J . P . Pritchard , 539 ; R . Heath , 72 C ; J . H . Smith , S . W . 539 ; W . L . Armstrong , S . D . 539 ; W . J . Boys , W . M . 539 ; J . Rowley , P . M . 539 ; J . Griffin , 539 ; H . Farington , 539 ; S . Scott , 72 G ; 1 . B . Mottram , 726 ; E . Tildesley , P . M . 419 ; J . ( . Perkins , J . D . 1039 ; R . Thomas , J . D . 456 ; F .

Daily , W . M . elect 526 ; R . Tomlinson , 726 ; W . A . Phipson , J . D . 1792 ; W . B . Tatlow , P . M . 662 ; C . Round , 347 ; D . Round , J . W . 347 ; T . Ryder , 1792 ; W . E . Parkes , P . M . 4 S 2 ; M . Barker , W . M . 1 792 ; F . Greatrex , 726 ; R . A . Willcock , W . M . 419 ; J . H . Parkes , P . M . 4 S 2 ; J . F . Pepper , P . M . 4 82 ; J . Warrillow , 482 ; I . Deeley , W . M . 482 ; E . Piddock , S . W . 1792 ; E . W . Bradley , Sec . 482 ; J . R . Lee , D . C . 1792 ; F . J . Turley , J . W . 1792 ; G . Thonger ; S . W . Wainwnght , S . D . 1792 and 482 ; J . N . Moss , 1793 ; F .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

Garner , Tyler 347 ; J . G . Horder , J . W . 1039 W . Davis , Tyler 539 ; K . Macrae , P . M . 624 ; S . S . Plant , 726 ; G . Greenslade . W . M . 456 ; J . Mottram , J . D . 726 ; E . W . Taylor , Org . 726 ; Thos . Rigby , 726 ; George Griffith , 726 ; B . 1 . Oswell , 726 ; A . F . Whittome , 726 ; J . Woolndge , 726 ; J . Nutt , 726 ; Alfred Ward , 726 ; and W . D . Batkm , 726 . Bro . CARTWRIGHT having read the minutes of the last meeting of the P . G . Lodge , the following brethren received for

appointments the ensuing year : — Bro . W . Bayliss , 539 ... ... p . G . S . W . „ M . Barker , 1792 ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . E . C . Perry , 726 , and the ? D „ „ , Rev . J . Birch , S and 451 ) Prov - G - P - „ R . Tooth , 637 ... p rov . G . Reg . „ J . Bodenham , 726 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Cartwright , 460 ... ... p rov . G . Sec . „ Dr . W . E . Parkes , 4 S 2 ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ G . Pitchford , 41 S ... ... Prov . GJD

. .. „ K . Macrae , 624 Prov . G . S . of W . „ F . N . Seyde , 419 ... ... p rov . G . D . C . „ T . E . Fowk-e , 726 ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ E . Tildesley , 419 ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ T . Bedsmore , 1039 ... .,. Prov . G . Org . „ R . Tolson , 1060 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ T . Parton , 662 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br ;

„ H . Bagguley , 460 ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Dr . BODENHAM then submitted the statement of accounts , which he explained was for more than twelve months . The total receipts were £ 25 1 3 s . 6 d ., and the expenses £ 153 10 s . 5 d ., showing an excess of receipts over expenditure amounting to nearly £ 100 , leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hands at the presentjtime of , £ 227 17 s .

the accounts having been audited , were adopted and ordered to be printed . Bros . Tudor , D . P . G . M ., Foster Gough , P . D . P . G . M ., and Frank James , P . D . P . G . M ., were appointed trustees of the invested funds of the P . G . Lodge . Bro . TUDOR observed that in 1 S 70 there were 700 subscribing members of the Masonic lodges in Staffordshire , but at the present time there were 1048 subscribing membersand there had been

, an increase of four in the number of lodges . He then alluded to the quarterly meetings instituted by the late Earl of Shrewsbury , and said when he ( Bro . Tudor ) was appointed to his present office he gave an intimation that he did not intend to contine those meetings . Several lodges had asked him to renewthem , and it was suggested that onl y members of the P . G . Lodge should attend , and that tliere should be no banquet . There

were many who misunderstood the object of those quarterly meetings . He explained wh y they were instituted by the late Earl of Shrewsbury , which was to bring the brethren from different parts of the province together , and to acquire information as to what they could do and were doing . But his ( Bro . Tudor ' s ) notion from the first was that the brethren would not travel about to different parts of the province to attend the meetings regularly , and that

the P . G . M . could accomplish his object better by visiting the lodges at intervals . Before he died , the Earl of Shrewsbury acknowledged to him that the quarterly meetings did not carry out his views so fully as he had expected . Bro . Tudor , as Charity Steward , proceeded to thank the P . G . Lodge for the contribution of fifty guineas , which had previously been voted to the Charities , and said that the last year ' s contributions to the Masonic Charities from

Staffordshire amounted to £ 600 , and gave the province 120 additional votes . He made an earnest appeal to the brethren to support the Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association , through whose organisation they could be almost sure to carry any candidate for admission to the Charities that they wished . At the same time , he reminded them that the numbers of lodges and of new members kept edntihually increasing all over the country , and it was necessary

to do their utmost to keep pace with the increasing voting power of other provinces . The brethren tben adjourned in order to attend Divine service at St . Mary ' s Church , in their regalia , the procession being marshalled b y Bro . T , E . Fowlfe . The volume of the Sacred Law was carried b y four lewises , sons of Bros . Fowke , Scott , Mouseley , and Masters , of 726 lodge . The prayers and lessons were read by the rector , arid the sermon

was preached by Bro . the Rev . E . C . Perry . His text was taken from Hebrews xiii ., 1 , "Let brotherly love continue . " He pointed out that the charity eulogized in the Scriptures was not limited to the giving of alms , but included everything that flowed from the love of God and the love of man —everything that contributed to the happiness of mankind . He enforced this view with much earnestness . Brotherly love would prompt a man to make some

provision for those who were to come after him , and who would otherwise suffer in a temporary sense by his departure . It would induce a sense of reconciliation with mankind . Every man , and every set of men , had some duties , some good works so peculiarly belonging to their place arid circumstances that all others would be useless if these were omitted . After describing what he considered the virilies ' which Christians in general ought to possess , he said if his

brother Freemasons desired to know how they might sow in righteousness so as to reap a sure reward , he could no better direct them than to the Masonic Schools for Boys and Girls , where the bodies and souls of the poor were provided for , and where parents received both relief and comfort in the care which was taken of their children . By these Charities hundreds had already been , and many thousands were likely to be , rescued from extreme poverty and the

consequences of it . I heir efforts would be that a great many families would in all probabilit y ( gratefully remembering the method and the way by which they were raised ) hereafter contribute towards the continuance of brotherly love to future generations . Meanwhile , he explained , a good seed was being sown by supporting the Masonic Schools . At the close of the service the brethren returned to lodge , when it was announced that the collection at the r-hurch amounted to exactly £ S . Of this sum . £ 1 was

voted to the Rector of St . Mary ' s for his schools , and £ 5 to the Chaplain towards the funds for building a vicarage at Seighford . In the evening a banquet was held in the Assembly Room , the W . D . P . G . M ., Bro . Tudor , presiding . The caterer was Bro . J . Nutt , of the North-Western Hotel , and the dinner , both as to quality and the manner in which it was served , was in every respect satisfactory . The first toast after the repast was "The Queer ) arid the Craft , " followed by that of "The Most Worshipful Grant ! Master , the Prince of Wales , " proposed by Bro , TUDOR , who said he had seen His Royal Highness occupy the chair