Visit Of The Lord Mayor, J.G.W., To Welshpool.

VISIT OF THE LORD MAYOR , J . G . W ., TO WELSHPOOL .

On Friday , the 4 th inst , the members of the Welshpool Lodge , No . 99 S , taking advantage of the Lord Mayor ' s visit to thc above town , eagerly availed themselves of the opportunity of asking his lordship to honour the lodge by attending as Junior Grand Warden of England . The lodge , which was held in the lodge-room at the railway station , was opened by Bro . Edmund Field Robinson ,

W . M ., m the chair , assisted by Bros . Rev . A . Whitlow , M . A ., I . P . M ., Chap . ; T . R . Morris , P . M ., as S . W . j Dr . Morgan , P . M ., as J . W . ; VV . Withy , P . M ., Treas . j D . P . Owen , P . M ., Sec ; W . Cullender , P . P . G . A . D . C , as S . D . ; Rhys Buckley Williames , J . D . ; Rees Thomas , I . G . j T . McGrath , D . of C . ; and the following members of the lodge : Bros . Sir W . VV . Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . Master North Wales and Shropshire ; J . Danily , P . P . G .

S . B . ; F . Britton , P . P . G . J . W . Derbyshire ; J . H . Anderson , P . M . ; R . VV . Hurst , Edward Owen , John Owen , R . Lewis Andrew , ; J . Kitto , P . M . ; VV . Spraggon , P . P . G . A . D . of C . j C . K . Monro , J . Nunn , P . M . ; T . A . Forster , P . M ., and Clement O . Ray . The following visitors were also present : Bros , the Rt . Hon . the Lord Mayor of London , G . J . W . of England , attended by the City Marshall , Bro . Major Bannerman

Campbell , 21 ; the Sword Bearer , Bro . C . J . VV . Winzar , S 7 j andthe Mace Bearer , Bro . VV . H . R . Ikey , 697 ; Bros . Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., Prov . G . M . Surrey j VV . H . Spaull , Prov . G . Sec . ; Col . Huddleston , 4 G 0 ; Edgar Attwood . VV . M . 1070 j T . Goodman , P . M . 1594 J T . VV . Thomson , P . M . 117 j J . H . Webb , VV . M . 15 S 2 J VV . Russell , 120 J A . J . Blair , 1432 ; J . Pugh Morris , 1124 ; Joseph Evans , 15 S 3 ; !•' . Davies , 15 S 2 ; VV . Craig , 954 ; VV .

Francis , 1 594 ; J . A . Talbot , 1594 ; Edward Jones , 1594 ; and C . L . B . Powell . 1072 . An unanimous ballot was taken that Bros . T . Morgan , P . M . 1120 . and A . J . Blair , 1432 , be joining members , and also that Mr . William Noah Holt be admitted a candidate for Freemasonry . The R . W . Prov . G . M . of North Wales and Shropshire , was then announced , and received in proper form , and the same with the Prov . G . M . of Surrey , and

they were saluted accordingly . The VV . M . then asked VV . Bro . D . P . Owen , P . M ., to ascend the pedestal , and the candidate already balloted for being present , he was admitted and initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry . The Masonic services were conducted musically , Bro . D . P . Owen ' s Masonic Service of Scriptural Extracts being ' ably rendered by the aid of Bro . R . Lewis Andrew presiding at the harmonium ,

assisted by Bros . John Owen , Ed . Owen , and VV . Francis . On the conclusion of the ceremony , the VV . M . resumed the pedestal , when the R . W . the Grand Junior Warden was announced , and a deputation , consisting of VV . Bros . Collender and Spraggon , P . Prov . G . A . D . of C . 's , awaited upon his lordship , and conducted his lordship to the dais

when he was saluted in due form . A petition to the Board of Benevolence was ' sanctioned b y the lodge on behalf of an old member , and a cheque for £ 5 was ordered to be sent to meet his present necessities . The lodge afterwards was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the Royal Oak , when a sumptuous banquet was served .

The VV . M . said the first toast lie Had to propose was one of unusual interest—that of the most illustrious lady in the land , " The Queen . " They all knew how she had endeared herself to the Brotherhood by permitting her son to take the sincerest interest in the welfare of the Order . The W . M . then said the next toast he had to propose was that of "The Prince of Wales "—a name that was dear to all as the noble patron of the Order and the

Worshipful Grand Master of England . His geniality and thoughtfulness were so proverbial that he need not say more on that point , and it gave him great pleasure to couple with the toast the name of the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor of London , with sincere thanks for the honour he had done Lodge 998 by accepting their invitation to advance the interests of the Craft , and if he ( the speaker ) were not going beyond the bounds of propriety , he was

quite sure that the Most Worshipful the Grand Master would give hiin absolution if he said on his behalf that there was nothing which gave him greater satisfaction than to feel that the Freemasons appreciated the work he did on their behalf . The LORD MAYOR , in responding , said he hardly knew how to reply for the Most Worshipful , the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England , but they all knew how

exceedingly gracious and condescending His Royal Highness was , and how he was always anxious to promote the interests of Freemasonry . The objects and ends of Freemasonry were so worthy that upon several occasions he had freely and with the most open-heartedness explained the real and true principles upon which Free Masons act , and he was assured that those principles were the principles which his Royal Highness highly approved . He believed

that the basis of all Freemasonry was good will towards men . Justice , truth , honour , and virtue were the words that were inscribed , not upon their banners , but in tlieir hearts . They believed that the happiness of mankind was made up by a behaving to each other as they would be done by , and that those virtues should be practised by Freemasons , not occasionally but univerasally , at all times . With them emulation was one of the first principals , but

they desired to succeed not to the disadvantage of others , hut that their success might be a benefit to all who were associated with them . Those were the sentiments which he believed should emanate from every true Mason . Having the honour on the present occasion of answering for that toast , he had great pleasure in doing so . He felt it a most distinguished honour and a pleasure , and a gratification beyond expression . He felt also very great

satisfaction in being associated with such excellent company . Perhaps he could hardly speak amongst Welshmen of his friend Sir Watkin Williams Wynn in terms whicli would be equal to what he knew animated their breasts ; in fact no language could describe the position which Sir Watkin held in the Principality . He hoped and trusted that some jnore able orator than himself would yet propose the

health of Sir Watkin Williams Wynn . But speaking * or Bro . Colonel Brownrigg , he was the P . G . M . of the County of Surrey , which was the county in wliich he had long resided . He could say that they were very proud of their county . It was a metropolitan count y . They believed they had the advantages which a great town affords in civilising and educating the people , but they also possessed some of thc most beautiful

Visit Of The Lord Mayor, J.G.W., To Welshpool.

scenery in the world—the river Thames in its beauteous course—the Surrey hills , full of grand scenery , and almost as poetic as the hills of Wales ; but the beauty and grandeur of the scenery of Surrey would not create envy , because envy never entered the breast of a Welshman . ( Great cheering . ) But they esteemed Bro . Brownrigg on account of his knowledge and skill in the Craft of a Freemason . His lordship concluded by returning their

heartfelt thanks to the brethren for the manner in which they had received the toast . VV . Bro . D . P . OWEN then said that it gave him the greatest pleasure to propose the next toast , viz ., "The Health of the R . VV . Prov . Grand Master of North Wales and Shropshire , Sir VV . VV . Wynn , and the Ofiicers of the Prov . Grand Lodge . " He ( Bro . Owen ) had peculiar pleasure in iso doing , as he was one of the very few who were

present eighteen years ago , when Sir Watkin came and consecrated the lodge . The pleasure of Sir Watkin's presence was always enhanced by the knowledge that he ahvays expressed his great delight whenever he honoured the old town with a visit . The able manner in which Sir Watkin governed his province was evinced by the fact that Masonry was dull in the province previously to the establishment of the No . 90 S . The Masons of the province sprang

into activity in 1 SG 4 , since which time Sir Watkin had consecrated eighteen lodges , and in the province in addition to the twenty-seven Blue Lodges , five chapters were flourishing as well . As regards the other Provincial Ofiicers , it was well known how assiduous they were in the performance ot their duties . Bro . Sir WATKIN WILLIAMS WYNN said he rose to return thanks to his old friend Bro . Pryce Owen for the

kind way in which he had proposed his health . Hc begged to thank them all for the kindness they had shown to him . It gave him great pleasure to be amongst them again , for in no town in North Wales had he received more kindness . He was glad of the present opportunity of being there , and very glad to see one in particular coming amongst them—one who occupied a very high position in this country—one presiding over the largest municipality in the kingdom . In

that position the Lord Mayor had done all he could to keep up the prestige of that high office . He felt sure that they were glad to have the opportunity of welcoming one who held one of the highest offices in the Grand Lodge as well as the responsible position of Lord Mayor of London . He thanked the officers and their predecessors' for their kindness . Bro . Sir WATKIN WILLIAMS WYNN then said he had

to give them a toast which he thought ought to be given , "The Health of the Worshipful Master , " with thanks for the trouble he had taken in receiving the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor in the way which he had done , and also to propose prosperity to the lodge . The VV . M . thanked them sincerely for the manner in which his health had been drunk . ft was a great honour to him to receive such distinguished company that day ,

and it would afford pleasing reminiscences to him and the lodge . Bro . PRYCE J ONES said that the next toast , that of "The I . P . M . and the Ofiicers of the Lodge , " had been placed in his hands , why , he assured them , he knew not , save that it was simply because he was an inhabitant of the county of Montgomery , and also a member of the Welshpool lodge . lt was his

mother lodge in Masonry , certainly , and the Masonry which had taken root throughout the county , initiated by the lodge at Welschpool . The Immediate Past Ofiicers , and its Present Officers must certainly , therefore , have managed the affairs of Masonry at the Welshpool Lodge in such a manner as to merit their thanks . He also knew that they were continually making life votes , year after year , for the good cause of Masonry .

Bro . Rev . A . WHITLOW , I . P . M ., in responding , said it was his duty to return thanks . He confessed it was the most auspicious occasion upon ' which' he had been at a banquet . It was no doubt a grand red-letter day in the history of the lodge , and he ventured to express a hope that it would encourage them to work harder and ( make Masonry prosper here and everywhere else . The VV . M . said he wished to give the next toast , " The

Visitors , " with great heartiness , lhey had honoured and distinguished guests , and old friends , and he was very pleased to see them , and hoped that they might long be spared to meet them again . He thought that those visits did a great deal of good—infused new ideas , and introduced influences wliich would tend to the prosperity of the art . He coupled with the toast the name of R . W . Bro . General Brownrigg , P . G . M ., Surrey .

R . W . Bro . BROWNRIGG , in responding , said that he felt sure that all those who were , like himself , visitors , would entirely agree with him in thanking thc Lodge of Welshpool most cordially for the hospitality they had shown them that evening . Hc was very pleased with their lodge-room , and particularly struck by the arrangement of the draperies , and the artistic and very charming appearance of the room . It was much better that Masons should hold

tlieir meetings separately trom any hotel—there was a certain sanctity about their meetings and customs whicli made it far better to have a temple dedicated to Masonry in which to hold them . VV'hat struck him very forcibly , also , was the admirable way in which the initiate went through his trial , and the solemnity which he exhibited . Very often , sometimes through nervousness , sometimes from other causes , there was an appearance of carelessness . But he

believed the ritual of the Order was thoroughly impressed upon the mind of the initiate that day . He concluded by returning thanks on behalf of the visitors , and said it was a matter of great congratulation to him to meet them , and to see that they were flourishing and doing so good work . W . Bro . D . P . O WEN then gave " The Masonic Charities . " Their distinguished guest , the Lord Mayor had a few days before presided over the Boys' Festival , and his

exertions in the cause of charity evinced itself in the fact that not quite £ 12 , 000 was put on the dinner table . As regarded the Charities and the Welehpool Lodge , they were supported by making a life vote every year ; and if every lodge followed their example it would . add about £ 10 , 000 per annum to thc funds of the three Charities . The Tyler , Bro . J BARNARD , gave " To all Poor and Distressed Masons , " and the proceedings then closed .

Bro . Sir Garnet Wolseley is not suffering from Cyprus fever , as has been stated in many journals , but from fever occasioned by erysipelas in a mild form over one eye . Ihe sea voyage and rest arc expected to put the gallant officer in thorough health .

Province Of West Lancashire And The Book Of Constitutions.

PROVINCE OF WEST LANCASHIRE AND THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS .

A very large and most influential meetingof Masters and Past Masters resident in Liverpool and immediate district , was held on Friday afternoon , the 4 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , for the purpose ofconsidering

certain alterations in " l'he Book of Constitutions . " Bro . Clayton , Prov . G . J . W ., occupied the chair , there being besides about fifty W . M . ' s and P . M . ' s present , and the discussion which took place showed how intelligently the working of Masonry was understood in the largest province in England .

At the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge on the 7 th June last , the following reportfrom the Board of General Purposes , relating co the revision of the Book of Constitutions , was received and adopted viz .: — "The Board desire to lay before the Grand Lodge the revision of the Hook of Constitutions , on which much thought and attention have been bestowed , and they recommend that the

Most Worshipful Grand Alaster be asked to convene a special Grand Lodge at a convenient time to consider the same . " The P . G . Secretaries of the various provinces were requested to give every opportunity of inspecting the new scheme , in order that they might become acquainted , as far as practicable , with the suggested alterations before thc meeting of the special Grand Lodge . At the meeting in Liverpool on this occasion Bro . H . S .

i . ? f ' St ' ' of En S "d , 'he Prov . Grand Secretary of West L \ ncashire , read and fully explained the proposed alterations in the " Book of Constitutions . " It was ultimately agreed that the W . M . ' s of the various lodges in the district ( or P . M . ' s nominated by them ) and the present Provincial Grand Lodge ofiicers should be appointed to consider the proposed alterations and report to a future meeting . The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to Bro . Clayton for presiding .

The Third Of August.

THE THIRD OF AUGUST .

. 'lit impromptu , song , inritten by Bro . Frank Toole , P . M ., and father of Chigwell Lodge , _ V ... 453 , „ t thc annual banquet of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex , held at Chingford , 3 rd August , 1882 . Sang by Bro . Arthur Hooper . Music arranged b y Bro . IV . Latter .

Dedicated by special permission to the Right Hon . the Lord Tenterden , K . C . B ., Prov . Graud Master of Essex . Impromptu , 3 rd August , 1 SS 2 . Success" be my theme For our Grand Lodge to-day ;

To Lord Tenterden , Master , All honour we pay . Good Philbrick—likewise Warden Ellis , Lord Mayor , By right , and by love , Full honours shall share .

Corbie , Railing , and Lucking Come in good will , With Dehane , Shedd , and Durrant , All brothers of skill . Lord Waveney of Suffolk , Sir Francis Burdett , And Sir Gabriel Goldney

We gladly have met . Also bright Sir Charles Bright , With Florence and Lowman ; Grand Secretary , Shadwell Clerke , Yielding to no man . Whilst Matthew Clark , Creaton , Binckes , Gordon , and Terry ,

In wisdom and humour , Are happy and merry . Now , should any brother Exclaim , " Pray , Oh ! tell Who reigns as the Host Of this Forest Hotel ? " Like Alfred the King ,

Alfred Buck here is found—A good kingly Buck Of this woody ground . Chigwell to Chingford Comes with a bound , With outstretched hand , To Essex around ;

thus in the Royal Forest Loyal Masons all meet , And in brotherly unity Each other greet . With good hearts and good spirits , This Queen ' s Royal weather , Makes jolly and joyous

Essex Masons together . God bless the Grand Master , And Deputy Grand , As landmarks of honour Long may they stand . So here ' s to this banquet

Of August the Third , Whilst taking to heart The Grand Master ' s grand word . May prosperity thus For ever attend Each lodge in the province , Our neighbour and friend .

Jamaica Masonic Benevolence Association.

JAMAICA MASONIC BENEVOLENCE ASSOCIATION .

_ The Board of Management of this Association held tlieir first meeting on Thursday , the Gth ult ., at Freemasons-Hall , Kingston , when the following executive officers were elected : K . W . Bros . Alt . De Cordova , Deputy District Grand Master , President ; S . C . Burke , Prov . Grand

Master for Scotland , and W . Bro . M . C . P . McCormack , Vice-Presidents j Bros . J . C . Ford , Treas . ; and A . C . Sinclair , Sec . It was resolved that a musical and dramatic entertainment in aid of the funds should be given at the Theatre Royal at an early date , and the Committee have determined to make it attractive and worth y thc support of thc community .