Provincial. Grand Lodge Of Essex.

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in addressing the brethren remarked that as he should later on have an opportunity of addressing them , he would not now take up much of their time . It had been well said that happy is the country which has no history . This mig ht be applied to a Masonic nrovince . He was gratified at recognising the happy and harmonious feeling that existed in the province . He alluded : „ ,-nmDlimentary terms to the energy displayed in the

exercise of his official duties by their late respected Dep . Prov . G M . Bro . the Rev . Spencer R . Wigram , P . G . C . Bro . Wigram , the Prov . G . M . stated , had removed from the province , and , feeling that the distance of his sojourn would militate against an adequate fulfilment of his duties , had tendered his resignation as Deputy Prov . G . M . He ( Lord Tenterden ) , however , could congratulate the members of n , o nmvince that there had been no thorough break of

continuity . No man could have attended better to his duties and to this the members would readily testify—than did Bro . Wigram , but he felt he could not take barren honours . However , though one Deputy Provincial Grand Master had left them , he had been able to secure the services of another . Lord Tenterden then spoke in eloquent terms of praise of the zeal displayed by Bro . Philbrick . It did not require much to be said in his favour ; he was well known , and the

more he was known the more he was respected . Bro . Philbrick had already received his appointment ; an occasion having arisen where he had an opportunity of being formally recognised as the D . Prov . G . M ., and where he had been installed by his immediate predecessor , Bro . Wigram , who kindly undertook the duty in his ( Lord Tenterden's ) enforced absence . The noble lord closed his remarks by calling on the brethren to salute their Deputy Prov . Grand

Master . Bro . P HILBRICK , in responding , stated he felt the great honour that had been conferred upon him , and expressed his acknowledgments for the kind remarks of Lord Tenterden . It was with great diffidence he accepted the office when it was proffered him ; however , he assured the brethren df the province he would do all he could to fulfil the duties so satisfactorily carried out by his predecessor , and he

trusted his efforts would be appreciated at their true value . The next business was the selection of a Prov . Grand Treasurer , and for this important office Bro . Andrew Durrant was by unanimous consent re-elected . After Bro . DuRRANT ^ had expressed his appreciation of the honour conferred upon him , The Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested the following brethren :

Bro . G . F . Jones , I . P . M . 1000 ... Prov . G . S . W . „ F . J . Wiseman , P . M . 160 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . H . Hayes , W . M . 1734 ... Prov . G . Chap . „ A . Durrant , P . M . 276 Prov . G . Treas . „ J . H . Crowther , W . M . 1457 ... Prov . G . Reg . „ " T . J . Railing , P , M . 51 Prov . G . Sec . „ R . Martin , I . P . M . 453 Prov . G . S . D . „ T . Jennings , W . M . 650 Prov . G . J . D . „ J . P . Lcwin , W . M . 27 G Prov . G . ' S . of W . „ A . Lucking , P . M . 1 G 0 Prov . G . D . of C .

„ J . Godwin , P . M . 1343 Prov . G . A . D . C . „ G . J . Glasscock , W . M . 1 S 17 ... Prov . O . Sd . Br . ,, E . Gower , Organist 1024 ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . B . I . Harrington , I . P . M . 160 Prov . G . Purs . „ Berry , W . M . 1000 -, . . T . F . Barrett , S . W . 1000

„ W . D . Merrett , J . W . 1000 ... J „ „ r c . r „ W . Richey , W . M . 51 \ P , 0 T - Gl Stds - „ I . Dean , W . M . 433 „ Dehane , S . W . 1543 - * „ T . S . Sarel , 276 Prov . G . Tyler . After the Prov . Grand Officers had been saluted , what may be considered the feature of the day ' s proceedings

was brought under notice , that is the propositions for the adoption of certain bye-laws relating to charity organisation in the province . Several happy suggestions were made as to the sense in which it was intended they should be exercised , and arrangements made for a Committee who should undertake the establishment of the

organisation , which consequently we may soon hope to see in full operation . The remaining business was then proceeded with . A sum of £ 10 10 s . was voted in aid of the Southend Life Boat Sustentation Fund , and after the brethren had expressed their thanks to Lord Tenterden for his kindness in attending , Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in regular form .

I he banquet took place at the terminus Hotel , where ample accommodation was provided for the eighty-two brethren who partook . On the removal of the cloth the loyal toasts were full y honoured , the Prov . Grand Master , in consequence of being compelled to leave by an early train made his introductory remarks somewhat brief . "The Health of the Right Hon . the Lord Tenterden " was proposed by the Deput y Prov . Grand Master , who introduced the toast with

nappy allusions to the interest their Prov . Grand Master had unquestionabl y displayed in his conduct of the business ot the day . One thing could but have struck all who were present—that was , their Prov . Grand Master was equal to any , cmergency . He knew he was expressing the opinion ot one and all when he announced they gave him a hearty « fTi j' " ~ nad keen said—happy was the province that had no history ; he might venture to predict that

Freemasonry in the Province of Essex had a brilliant future Mi " ' ' -r he ' mg under the ru , e of such a Prov - Grand « I i T- toast was rece ' vecl most enthusiastically , and H' J 5 fentera cn ' s rising , he was vociferously cheered . Aft 1 S " > rouS : hout was listened to with intense interest . H ,. \ tna , ing liis Deputy for the way he had submitted the toast tl , e R . \ V . PROV . G . M . spoke as follows : Brethren

vnuYiT 1 [? ' P'acc » , ct me congratulate myself at meeting rien < - b , outnenc l- Although my earliest Masonic expe-Unii ' ? u " rovmcc »' cre at the old Lodge of Hope and » " ' Komford , it was at Southend that I became , so to verv f ,. ralized in t ,, e co « nt J ' . < l > think that there are mnr » 1 P P C J not natives of the place , who have spent « ., p '? asant holiday hours than I have , collecting wild sailin 1 r ?™ y rural lanes of the neighbourhood , or sa hng and hshinir off its m . ist It is , ] , „ r ? . („ r „ -, „„„ A „ . nl

I n , W * c" ° , me lo a , jle to assemble the Provincial Grand bn . rV , r , utne , lt , > where it has not met since 1 S 72 . Well , was a r » i " ' first l < ncw Southend , thirty years ago , it the « . nJ , la S > merely a row of houses by the sea . By the lasit n ° tlce that k liastloublcd its population during vince h-ic " yearS ¦ , n that time ^ " -masonry in the prohavin ? l , „ ' nCreascd ln cvcn Skater proportions , six lodges tion indepfl 1 f ° . 1 SCC , ated ; and this is but a ver > ' sma 11 fra <> taken nla 7 » « . e vast lncrease of Freemasonry which has Place throughout th-i British Dominions , under the

Provincial. Grand Lodge Of Essex.

Masonic jurisdiction of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . During the last three years upwards of 150 warrants have been granted by Grand Lodge to lodges in all parts of the world * We may truly say , " Quce regio in terris tiostri non pleva laboris . " Lodges have been constituted in Bengal , Bombay , Madras , New Zealand , New South Wales , Jamaica , the Island of Dominica , British Burmah , South Africa , Trinidad , China , New

Caledonia , and in the country of which some of us hear a good deal just now—Tunis . The total number of lodges is about 1900 , and will soon , I suppose , be 2000 . I have no reason to doubt that in other countries , especially in the United States , there has been a corresponding increase . Now , what is the reason of this great spread of Freemasonry ? Some of the uninitiated say—Oh , it is because the Prince of Wales is Grand Master . We all of us here

present , I am sure , fully acknowledge the obligations of the Craft to the zealous ability with which His Royal Highness presides over it , and his example has probably attracted many to our ranks , but it must be something more than the fact that the Craft in England is governed by so popular a Prince which leads our brethren all over the world to establish Masonic lodges . Other people say—It is because Freemasonry leads to pleasant dinners and Social

gatherings ; but in the days when conviviality , singing Bacchanalian choruses , and drinking endless toasts were the fashion , and the popular idea of a Freemason , as illustrated by Hogarth , was a man in a fantastic apron staggering home at early morning , Freemasonry made comparatively little progress . Others , again , say—It is because it is a great Charitable Institution ; and this is the true answer , although we must not takesthe expression in its narrowest

sense . It is-a Charitable Institution , because it inculcates Charity in its noblest , in its widest aspect . Not only must a Freemason have "a tear for pity , and a hand open as day for melting charity , " but he is bound by his Masonic obligations to exercise the spirit of charity in brotherly love towards all mankind , and especially towards his brethren in Freemasonry . It is often vcry much easier to give a sovereign than to forgive an injurv . Freemasonry

teaches us not only to succour the distressed , but to exercise universal toleration , and to receive and treat as brethren men of all races and creeds who join with us in recognising the landmarks of our Order , the duties we owe to the Most High , to our Fraternity , and to the Queen . This is the secret of Freemasonry , and it is in this respect that Freemasonry may be said to be the handmaid of religion and the support of social order . There have been

days when " Christians have burnt each other , quite persuaded that all the Apostles would have done as they did . " Those days have passed , never , it is to be hoped , to return ; but the spirit of bigotry still survives in many forms , and it is the great advantage of Freemasonry , as an institution of universal charity , that by banishing from its lodges all questions of political or religious differences , it enables men to " meet on the level , and to part on the square . "

I o enter a Masonic lodge should at all times have elevating and moral influence , and in times of strife and contention should be like taking refuge within the shady aisle cf some cathedral from the burning heat of the tropical sun . It is this characteristic of . Freemasonry which constitutes its real value to mankind , which has given it permanence , and which is ever attracting worthy members to its ranks . At the present time , when secret societies are principally

known as recklessly threatening death and revolution , it seems to inc a fitting opportunity for calling attention to the true objects of our Order , and to the fact that throughout the British Dominions , and in every country where freedom and enlightenment prevail , there are thousands , probably hundreds of thousands , of brethren of our Society , who , while recognising the great principles of natural

equality and mutual dependence , are bound to exercise universal fraternal toleration , and above all to render reverence to the Great Architect of the Universe and respect to all lawfully constituted authority . The next toast brought under consideration was " The Wor . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., P . G . D ., D . P . G . M ., and the Rest of the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past . "

The PROV . GRAND MASTER thanked those who had rendered him such goodly assistance in the past . For his present officers he had realised the difficulties he had to encounter in making appointments . His idea was to distribute the honours , not to individuals who were popular in any special district , but to those who had distinguished themselves in Freemasonry . ln this regard he had done his best to appoint worthy men . He called upon Bro . Philbrick to reply .

Our learned brother , in the course of his response , remarked that the Provincial Grand Master had alluded to the position Freemasonry had taken up both in this country and abroad , likewise to the advance it had made in their own province . The unswerving permanence of our stability was attributable to the fact that we were true to ourselves , true to our Older , and true to our God . This made Masonry what it was—a living pen , and not a dead letter . In his

opinion , in which he thought all would coincide , Freemasonry in the province was well represented by its officers . They were a good , hard-working body ; men who would strive to uphold the best interests of the Craft . On his own and their behalf he thanked one and all for the reception given to the toast . In speaking to the toast of "The Visitors , " Lord 'I E . NTERDEN regretted the absence of many whose

avocations had prevented their attendance ; with it he would associate the name of Bro . Leith , Past District Grand S . W . of Bombay—a Mason well-known and highly esteemed , and father of the present District Grand Master of Bombay . Bro . LEITH feared he might trespass somewhat upon the limited time at the disposal of the brethren . However , with their permission , he would sav a few words resiierh '

nnwhat was being done in the district with which he and his sons were more immediately associated . Our worthy brother then detailed some interesting experiences in connection with Freemasonry in the East , ' his remarks making a very powerful impression upon those who were privileged to listen to them . At this stage of ( he proceedings the exigencies of the

train service necessitated the departure of the P . G . Master and many of the brethren who had corresponding trains to catch . The 5 u - . pROV ' - vc , u - GRAN . ) MASTER , however , assumed the chair , and gave several \ jiher toasts , making a fervid appeal to the brethren of the r . iovinco to sustain the several Charitable Institutions in theii . present state of efficiency . --

Provincial. Grand Lodge Of Essex.

With the "Masonic Charities" he associated the name of Bro . Wood , a Vice-President of each , and the first Worshipful Master of the Priory Lodge , under whose banner they were assembled that day . After this had been acknowledged by Bro . Wood , the W . M . ' s of lodges in the province were complimented . Then came the " Reception Committee , " a special word of praise being vouchsafed to Bros . Wardell and Albert Lucking . The Tyler was then summoned , and the formal

proceedings closed , though for same hour or so afterwards a spirit of harmony prevailed . The musical arrangements Were entrusted to Bro . Fred Cozens , who had for his associates Bros . J . Brown , Turle , Lee , and T . Lawler . The following bye-laws have been adopted : — r . For the purpose of organising and concentrating the strength of the province at the election of candidates for the Masonic Charitable Institutions , a Committee shall bo formed , to be called " The Charity Committee for the Province of Essex . "

2 . Such Committee shall consist of the Provincial Grand Master and his Deputy , the Provincial Grand Chaplain , Provincial Grand Treasurer , and Provincial Grand Secretary , and one member from each lodge in the province , who shall be elected annually on the day of installation of the W . M ., and whose name and address shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the lodge to the Provincial Grand Secretary immediately after the election .

3 . Should any brother so elected die , resign , or otherwise become disqualified to serve his term of office , another brother shall be duly elected in his stead on the next regular lodge night , when due notice of such fresh election shall be forwarded to the Provincial Grand Secretary . 4 . The Charity Committee shall meet at least twice in each year , as soon as the lists of the candidates from the several Institutions have been obtained , and at such other

times as they may be convened by the Provincial Grand Master or his Deputy . Any member who cannot attend may be represented by any brother of his lodge he may depute . 5 . The Committee shall select , by majority of members present , the candidates to be supported by the province , and appoint a brother or brethren to conduct the business of the elections .

6 . All votes belonging to the Provincial Grand Lodge , or its officers as such , shall be forwarded to the Provincial Grand Secretary , and be dealt with according to decision of the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity Committee . 7 . Whenever the Committee shall have resolved that any case is worthy of the support of the province , they shall

forthwith communicate with the several lodges in the province , and take such other steps as may appear advisable to make known the merits and claims of the candidate , and to secure the support and co-operation of the lodges , and the assistance of the subscribers to the various Charitable Institutions , in order that their efforts may be united and attended with success .

Grand Lodge Of Canada.

GRAND LODGE OF CANADA .

The Grand Lodge of Canada met on July 14 th , at the Grand Opera house , Hamilton . After the routine business the election of district deputies was proceeded with , -with the following result : St . Clair , T . C . McNab ; London , W . Milner ; Wilson , George E . Eden ; Huron , Dr . Wm . H . Martyn ; Wellington , S . S . McCromack ; Hamilton , W . G . Reid ; Niagara , J . Murrison Dunn ; Toronto , J . .

Nixon ; Georgian , John Creasor ; Ontario , G . H . F . Dartnell ; Prince Edward , John S . Loomis ; St . Lawrence , A . F . Milliken ; Ottawa , J . G . Cranston . The election of officers then took place , Lieul .-Colonel James Moffatt , of London , being elected by 616 out of S 26 . The GRAND MASTER elect said : Most Worshipful Master and brethren of the Grand Lodge , my feelings at

this moment can better be imagined than expressed . For over forty years I have been a recipient of many favours at the hands of my fellow citizens , and many honorary distinctions from my Masonic brethren . I have prized them all very highly ; but none of them as highly as this honour you have seen fit to bestow on me to-day . ( Applause . ) There is a curious coincidence in connection with this election in relation to me . In 1 S 55 , nearly thirty years ago ,

I assisted my brethren in forming the Grand Lodge of Canada , in this same city of Hamilton , and now in the same place my brethren , many of whom were present at that time , honour me by choosing me as the Grand Master . ( Cheers . ) I trust , I hope , I pray that the Great Architect of the Universe may assist me in conducting the affairs of the Grand Lodge to the satisfaction of my brethren of the Craft . Without His assistance our efforts will be a naught

and in vain . I am known to a very large circle of Masons in this and other jurisdictions . I have been forty years a Mason , and consequently cannot be legarded as a novice in the work of the Craft . Thirty years of that time have bsen spent with my London brethren who knew me as one who identified himself with every object calculated toadvance the interests of the brethren . ( Loud cheers . ) I will do the work assigned me cheerfully , and to the best of

my ability , relying upon the brethren , for that cordial support which has ever been vouchsafed the Grand Master in the past . I thank you again , most heartily . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Daniel Spry , of Barrie , was elected Deputy Grand Master . Bro . Wm . Haydcn , of Woodstock , was elected Grand Senior Warden . The next annual communication of Grand Lodge will be

held in London . The affairs of the Grand Lodge are in a flourishing condition , the funds having increased since 31 st December , 1 S 70 , by 2 G 29 . 96 dollars . The statement of the benevolent operations of the Fraternity shows that Hamilton district last year received 1251 . 99 dollars , and expended 1102 . 7 S dollars . The following arc the officers elected : —

Bro . Lieut .-Col . Moffatt , London ... G . M . „ Daniel Spry , Barrie G . D . M . „ Wm . Hayden , Woodstock ... G . S . W . „ W . G , Gunn , Kingston G . J . W . „ Rev . Evans Davis , London ... G . Chap . „ E . Mitchell , Hamilton G . Treas . „ E . II . Long G . Reg . „ J . J . Mason , Hamilton G . Sec . „ F . J . Hood , London G . Tyler . The following brethren were elected to serve on the f 3 oatd , oi General Purposes : Bros . Donald Ross ,, Pictoo i