What Is Ancient Freemasonry?

tolerated the ' Order of the Holy Royal Arch . ' At that S * e and prior thereto many so-called rites and Degrees hacl l " en established , and upon the continent of Europe Masonry c in a confused ancl anomalous condition in consequence .

relish-speaking Masons , and the brand Lodges in the United States particularly , have generally kept aloof from any depar' from the original p lan . In conclusion , your Committee assert ithout hesitation that , as Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , \ know of no Masonry that this Grand Lodge consistently can " should sanction as legitimate except the Degrees of E . A ., F . C , ind MM "— -Keystone .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge took place on Tuesday , the 2 nd inst ., at the White Hart Hotel , Bromley , under the auspices and ., t the invitation of the Acacia Lodge , No . 1314 . The P . G . M ., Earl Amherst , presided , supported by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . James Smith Eastes , P . G . D . Eng ., ancl 1 large and representative gathering of the Masons of the Province . Prov . G . Lodge vvas opened , and the brethren beingseated , his lordship entered ,

oreceded by the Present and Past Grand Officers , and , upon assuming the chair , opened P . G . Lodge . The minutes of the previous P . G . L . vvere then approved of , ns vvas the P . G . Treasurer ' s account . The next business vvas the election of P . G . Treasurer , and here vve may at once express our regret that that old and distinguished Mason , Bro . B . K . Thorpe , P . G . Std . Br . Eng ., and P . G . Treas ., has found it necessary to resign a position that he has for so many years held with honour to himself , and advantage to the

Province . That being understood , and prefaced by a few words of regret on the part of the P . G . M ., Bro . A . F . Bird , P . M . 784 , and P . P . S . G . W ., in the course of an eloquent speech , in which he eulogised the long and faithful services of Bro . Thorpe to the province , and forcibly expressed the regret of the brethren on hearing of Bro . Thorpe ' s desire for rest , moved " That Bro . W . Russell , P . M . 77 , and P . P . S . G . W ., be P . G . Sec . for the ensuing year . " He spoke of Bro . Russell as one of unblemished reputation , of his services with Bro . Adamson in the cause of Charity , , -md of his being the possessor of the essential qualifications for so high and

important a position . This vvas seconded by Bro . C . E . BIRCH , P . M . 1223 , in a few well chosen sentences , and it was carried unanimously . Bro . RUSSELL , in returning thanks , regretted the necessity for his election , because he had always looked upon Bro . Thorpe as one who would have , and ought , to hold the office as long as he lived . Six weeks ago he had not the slightest idea that he should be proposed for such a high office . He vvould not

detain them then , but later on would take the opportunity of more fully thanking them for the confidence reposed in him . Bro . STORY proposed " That the best thanks of P . G . Lodge be presented to Bro . Thorpe for the long and valuable services rendered the province by him while acting as P . G . Treasurer , and while expressing their regret at his retirement from lhat office , wish him long life and every happiness . " The D . P . G . M . suggested that the following addition shonld be put to the

motion , and then he vvould second it , " and the brethren be asked to form a Committee to include the D . P . G . M ., the P . G . Officers , and the Master of every lodge in the province , with the First Principals of every chapter in the province , for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Bro . Thorpe , as a recognition of his long iind faithful services to the province . " This Bro . STORY acquiesced in , and on the P . G . M . putting it , it was carried b y acclamation .

Bro . THORPE , in returning thanks , said he first took over the duties of Sec . " pro tem . " in 18 72 , but it was not till 18 7 6 that he vvas fully elected to the office , having done the work for four years in the name of his predecessor . At that time the amount of dues , & c , amounted to about . £ 354 per annum , now they amounted to some ^ 642 , so that the strength of the province had nearly doubled itself . He ihanked them heartil y for their good wishes . fhe P . G . Master then appointed and invested the following brethren as officers lor the ensuing year : —

wo . Col . R . p . Laurie , M . P ., P . M . 31 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ¦ > G . R . Bolton , P . M . 1314 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . .. Rev . W . H . Bond , M . A ., P . M . 1 273 ... ... ) r r-u ..Rev . H . M . Maugham , M . A ., P . M . 1915 j Prov . G . Chaps . ¦ 1 W . Russell , P . M . 77 , P . P . S . G . W . ... ... Prov . G . Treas . n Alfred S pencer ( re-appointed ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . *> F - Wood , P . M . 1973 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . •- D - Welsh , M . D ., P . M . 2046 ... ... ... * ) D c r ~ , » D . Grinsted , P . M . 16 92 ... ... j Prov . S . G . D . s . " w . J . Smith , P . M . 100 ... ... ... - ) „ . „_ ., " S - Joseph , P . M . 558 . ... ... j Prov . J . G . D . ' s . » £ . H . Cure ] , P . M . 1050 *•* - - Prov . G . S . of W " ™ : Wootton , P . M . 127 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . » W . H . Marcool yn , P . M . 1209 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . " «¦ r . Green , P . M . 158 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . " H T o rmaster V - Brown . P M " 74 **• **• Prov . G . Swd . Br . " " ¦ J- Sturgeon , P . M . 429 ... ... ... * ) p r Q , , „ " AG . Archer , P . M . 1089 j Pr 0 V * G * Std * Brs * " p , ™ gge , P . M . 709 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . » * r- -Kingsmill , P . M . 125 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec " m , ; * R * U , P . M . H 07 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . " p -Moulder , P . M . 829 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . " £ Naylor , P . M . 20 ... 1 ;; & W . Mitch ell P . M . 615 S n- ; , Cronk . P-M- I 4 I 4 •••- -LP r- C . A " § , \ Morgan ' , P . M . 1424 i > Prov . G . Stwds . >•RAr-K- ™ "' ™ *^ *•A . Gibbons , P . M . 1464 ... ... ... J " J-0 rum , 20 ,. * Prov . G . Tyler .

mitt ee and *'"/ & rants were recommended by the P . G . Lodge Charity Comto the widow f ed ' viz £ 20 t 0 the widow of a brother of Lodge 184 ; and £ 20 ] ? 3 , 158 ig ! a brother of Lodge 16 7 8 ; ^ 21 each to Lodges 20 , 31 , 77 , 125 , 127 , ' ' und ; £ ai ?' and 2 "' ^ * the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Widows ' •^ ' 99 ios to fif ° o ° 3 ges 20 > 3 , 77 , l 8 37 . and 1854 , for the Girls' School ; and thc Wtiitio yS' Schoo ! in the name ' of the P . G . M ., to make him Patron of ' ' !" ' chiirfw h " i ? - the P rovince was called , and then the brethren went to the Sv l"ent and * permission of the Rev . J . G . Hellicarthe , the vicar ) , where an Ip-Chap . fr lmpr , essive sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . W . H . Bond , "' e sons ' nf ° n j ^ ° " ° wing text .- " Then the morning stars sang together , and 0 n re- < is & Lw shouted for i ° y , " J 3 8 , v . 7 . D 1 y at the lodge room , a vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Bond

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

for his services , and to the vicar for the use of the church , and then Prov . G . Lodge was closed . The banquet ( elegantly served by Messrs . Hill and Sons ) was partaken of at the Town Hall , which was prettily decorated for the occasion vvith flags and flowers . A string band in the gallery played selections during dinner . The wines were of the best vintages , and were supplied by Messrs . Winder and Co ., under conditions favourable to the entertainers , and at a liberal tariff .

The following list of Stewards were present , all of the Acacia Lodge , and were indefatigable in looking after the comfort of their guests ( they wore as a badge the rampant White Horse of Kent in silver , on a blue ground , the effect being exceedingly neat and pretty ) : Bros . E . Coste , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; W . Seaman , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; J . Wyer , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . Bond , P . M , P . P . A . G . D . C ; G . R .

Bolton , P . M . ; T . Finch , P . M . ; H . Gross , W . M . ; E . E . Elverston , S . W . ; R . Brand , J . W . ; J . H . Sanders , S . D . ; E . W . Ellis , J . D . ; Dr . J . S . Buck , LG . ; R . A . Hose , Stwd . ; E . D . Lavender , W . Burtt , R . Ferris , H . Fryer , G . H . Lay , T . L . Woodhams , T . G . Hill , and G . R . Hoare . The Stewards badges were manufactured b y Bro . George Kenning .

Among the other brethren present were : Bros . W . Downing , P . M ., P . P . G D . C G . R . Cobham , P . M , S . W . 20 ; J . C Er ' r . gs , P . M , P . P . G . D . C , W . Hills , W . M . ' W . E . Hollingham , P . M , P . P . A . G . D . C , t . K . Champion , P . M , P . P . S . G . D , Rev . A . Jackson , Chap , G . T . King , P . M , P . P . G . P , A . Beamish , J . W , F . Hitehins , J . D , G . Rackstraw , Stwd , and J . Solomon , D . C , all of 77 ; C . W . Young and G . S . Wilkes , of 125 ; I . Healing , W . M , and B . Moor , S . W , of 127 ; E . Stutelv . G . S . Wilkes , of 125 ; J . Healing , W . M , and B . Moor , S . W , of 127 ; E . Stutely

P . M , R . Derry , P . M , P . P . G . Std . Br , W . T . Carpenter , P . M , P . P . G . P , and J . Cork , of 158 ; J . S . Ranger , P . M . 18 4 , P . P . A . G . P . ; N . Martin , P . M , P . P . S . G . D . T . Wills , P . M , P . P . G . S . of W , J . Brock , P . M , P . P . S . G . D , T . Jenkins , W . M . A . W . Wells , P . M , P . P . S . G . D , and C Hind , S . W , all of 299 ; H . E . Coppin 429 ; T . W . Wallis , P . M , P . P . G . Std . Br , H . Doughty , P . M , P . P . G . Std . Br , A . Ronaldson , P . M , and C . R . Grimshaw , S . W ., all of 483 ; G . Baker , P . M

, J . R . Foord , P . M , P . P . G . D . C , T . Ellmore , P . M , J . S . Anscombe , P . M , P . P . G . S . of Wks , G . F . Baker , W . M , and J . Barker , S . W , all of 503 ; W . Dunk , P . M , G . Spurgen , S . W , F . G . Morrison , T . Holmes , W . Worsell , and J . Miners , all of 558 ; J . Aillud , P . M , P . P . A . G . D . C , and G . Cash-field , J . D , of 615 ; C . W . Blaxted , J . W . 709 ; T . Hastings , P . M . 829 , P . P . G . P . ; C . Coupland , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W , E . Denton , P . M , P . P . J . G . D , A . Penfold , P . M , P . P . S . G . D .

T . D . Hayes , P . M , P . P . S . G . D , H . Mason , P . M , E . Palmer , P . M . C . H . Lawson , P . M , C . Jolly , P . M . ( Honorary ) , W . C . Campbell , I . G , and C . J . Clapham , D . C , all of 913 ; R . Clout , W . M , and W . Jude , P . M . P . P . A . G . Sec , of 1063 ; H . E . Pannell , W . M , and A . Archer , P . M , of 108 9 ; P . F . Weniger , S . D . 1107 ; Dr . H . Penfold , P . M , P . P . J . G . W , C . Walker , W . M , S . G . Reid , S . W , and J . S . Sponge , J . W , all of 1174 ; W . W . Woodruff , P . M .

1206 ; G . Adamson , P . M . 1208 , P . P . S . G . W . ; Rev . C . E . Shirley-Woolmer , P . M , P . P . G . Chap , W . Gill , W . M , and G . Page , P . M , P . P . S . G . D , all of 1209 ; J . H . Jewell , P . M . 1223 , P . P . G . R . ; H . Morris , W . M , G . Goble , P . M , H . Black P . M , P . P . A . G . D . C , and L . Seager , S . W , all of 1273 ; A . Bertchnell , J . A . Harvey , P . M , and S . Cotterill , all of 1314 ; C . Holcroft , P . M , and Rev . C . S . Curtis , M . A , P . M , P . P . G . Chap , of 1414 ; W . B . Kennett , P . M , R . H . Pledge ,

P . M , P . P . A . G . Sec , O . Smith , S . D , all of 143 6 ; W . Hollis , W . M , W . Kipps , P . M , P . P . G . Org , and C . F . Quicke , S . D , all of 1531 ; Capt . G . Spinks , P . M , P . P . G . Std . Br , G . Kenneday , P . M , P . P . G . S . B , and J . Whiteheart , Stwd , all of 153 6 ; W . G . Stidolph , W . M , and B . Wadmore , J . W , of 16 78 ; J . King , I . P . M , R . L . Gore , T . C . Newson , P . M , P . P . G . S . B , W . Dickens . W . M , J . Sanders , J . W , R . Buckitt , Sec , and J . W . Jones , all of 1692 ; Capt . W . H . Tylden-Pattenson , P . M . 1854 ; S . W . Shaw , P . M , P . P . S . G . W , T . W . Porter , S . W , A . W .

Southwell , D . C , and B . Li ghtfoot , I . G , 1915 ; G . H . Bishop , W . M . 1965 ; A . H . Bateman , P . M . 1973 ; J . B . Groom , W . M , and T . Barden , S . W , of 2046 ; H . C . Jones W . M . 2099 ; H . Tyrer , W . M , J . Pollard , S . W , and A . Bowers , J . W . 2147 ; R . Stevenson , W . M , T . Baker , S . W , and T . Ry der , J . W , all of 2200 ; T . West , P . M . 1815 ; B . Kaufman , P . M . 1732 ; A . F . Caspard , S . D . 1668 ; G . Chew , P . M . 1 * 535 ; W . J . Harris , P . M , P . P . S . G . W , H . Nash , J . Longley , and R . Waldin , all of 1428 ; and others .

Thetoastof The Queen and the Craft having been honoured , the PROV . GRAND MASTER gave that of "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England , " and , in giving it , the P . G . M . said H . R . H . had for many years presided most successfully over the Craft , and during that time it had increased both in numbers and influence ; and as his eldest daughter was about to be married to a not unworthy subject , they would drink his health , and send up their hearty good wishes for his , and his daughter ' s welfare . The toast was drunk amid rounds of cheers , which literally shook the hall .

The next toast was that of "The M . W . the Earl of Carnarvon , P . G . M , the R . W . the Earl of Lathom , D . P . G . M , and the rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in giving it , said their G . M . was most ably seconded and supported b y his lieutenants , but it was seldom that one

or the other attended such a meeting as that ; he should have liked to have coupled the toast with a member of the province , but he should on that occasion couple it with the name of Bro . Weldon , P . G . Chap , who , although with them , had onl y joined one of their lodges as an honorary member . He asked them to drink that brother ' s health in connection with the toast .

Bro . WELDON thanked the P . G . M . for the honour conferred upon him in coupling his name with so important a toast , and thanked the brethren for their hearty reception of it . For those brethren who were not acquainted with the working of Grand Lodge , it was as well that upon that occasion he should remind them that the work undertaken by the Grand Officers was no slight or easy task , but one that required a great sacrifice of time and intense application . There were reports to

receive and consider from all parts of the civilized world , and he was glad to say that at the present time there was no part of the civilized world where the influence of Grand Lodge was not felt and its power acknowledged . There were questions that required the utmost clearness of head and soundness of judgment to deal with them , and they would agree with him when he said that in the persons of their Pro and Deput y Grand Masters they had leaders whose judgment in all matters Masonic was admitted and submitted to without a murmur of dissent . After

referring to the splendid sermon preached by the P . G . C , he said they had that day shown to the outside world that Masonry was not only a mystic service , but , in the best sense of the word , a religious one , and was the means of uniting all classes in all parts of the world with a Fatherhood of God and a Brotherhood of Men . The D . P . G . M . then asked the brethren to fill up a bumper , for he was quite sure that they would respond most heartily to the toast he was now about to put before

them . He could assure them that he felt it a great privilege , as D . P . G . M , to have to propose the toast , and he was sure they vvould drink it heartily when he told them it was " The Health of the P . G . M . " that he was about to give them . Their P . G . M . had now held that office for the last 29 years . There were many of them who could well remember the day when the patent was granted to their P . G . M , and he vvas sure that it was a very good day for the Province of Kent . Even those

who had not been Masons so long must acknowledge the immense advantage it had been to the province to have a nobleman at their head , whose skill in matters Masonic was onl y equalled b y his geniality , and whose hand and heart was always open to and for the cause of the oppressed , Why , for the many qualities that made a man and a Mason he would , to use a sporting phrase , back his lordshi p

against the world . In 1886 , the P . G . M . was appointed P . G . M . of the Province of Kent . It was then in a very low state ; now , after 29 years , he could tell them they had quadrupled the number , and where they could then only give ^ 100 in the cause of Charity , they could now give ^ 500 , and had the actual power to do justice to the claims of a poor and distressed brother in difficulties . He felt it a very