Provincial Grand Chapter Of. Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF . ESSEX .

The annual Prov . Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons was held in the Board-room of the Corn Exchange , Colchester , on the 27 th ult ., the arrangements for the occasion being made by the Principals and companions of the Patriotic Chapter , No . 51 . Comp . his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Superintendent ,

presided , and he was supportrd by Comps . George Cowell , P . A . G . Soj . as Prov . G . H . ; Captain Giles , R . N ., P . G . J . ; Thomas J , Ralling , P . G . S . B . ; F . H . Bright , P . G . P . S . ; James Block , P . A . G . Soj . ; Alfred J . Arthy , P . G . Reg . ; C . H . Bestow , P . G . S . B . ; G . W . Long , P . G . Std . Br . , * A . Lucking , P . A . G . D . C , P . G . D . C ; J . P . Green , P . A . G . D . C ; W . H . Cummings , Mus . Doc , P . G . Org . ; and others .

The roll of chapters having been called , the report of the Board of General Purposes was presented by Comp . J . C . Turner , P . P . G . J ., who also moved its adoption . It stated that the 13 chapters of the province showed a membership of 357 , as against 34 1 last year , 33 exaltations , and 11 ioining members . The Board recommended a grant ot 10 guineas to the

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and concluded with an expression of regret at the resignation of Comp . G . H . Finch , P . P . G . J ., who had been a member since the formation of the Board in the year 1893 . - Comp . G EORGE CORBLE seconded the motion , which was put and carried unanimously .

The next business was the election of Comps . J . C . Turner , P . Z . 51 , P . P . G . J 1 W . E . Dring , P . S . 453 , P . P . G . H . ; and George Cowell , P . Z . 1214 , P . A . G . Soj ., P . P . G . S . W ., to serve on the Board of General Purposes for the ensuing year . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , who was received with hearty applause , then rose to address the companions . He said he was exceedingly pleased

to meet them again at this annual gathering . Meetings of this kind were something like the birthday gatherings to which when they were younger they were so delighted to look forward . But as they increased in years their occupations were more varied and exacting , their responsibilities were greater , and if they attained higher honours , advancing years brought those infirmities which were inseparable to man in this state of existence . This

was , he believed , the 17 th time he had had the honour of presiding over them and of meeting so many friends , to recall the blessings of the past year , take stock of their present position , and go on with encouragement , satisfaction , and hope for the future . The number of their chapters , remained at what he might call the " mystic " number of 13 . They could not call it a Masonic number—it would be much more so if one could be added , and

so give them a double seven . This number had for some time appeared to meet the wants of the province , but he was gratified to know that there was a movement—and one that was evidently of the right kind—for the formation of a chapter at Shoeburyness . He need hardly say that the progress of the Order was not to be guaged by mere numbers . It was by the honest work of the chapters and the earnestness with which the principles

they professed were carried out by individual companions , and the loyalty with which they adhered to the traditions of the Order ; also by the fidelity with which they cultivated the true Masonic spirit which led them to esteem and respect each other and themselves . He was happy to say that during the past year there had been no rift in the lute , or a discordant note , which had g iven the slightest anxiety to the officials of the province , nor he trusted

also to the Principals of the chapters , the result being that the province presented a happy , united , and harmonious body . In guiding the destinies of such a body he felt how great were his responsibilities , but at the same time his duties became a pleasure and his anxieties reduced to nothing on account of the true Masonic spirit which pervaded the whole province . He should like to tell them that when

he went about in other parts of the kingdom , sometimes very far from where they were now assembled , it was most gratifying to him to hear the Province of Essex spoken of with the greatest respect as being a thoroughly good working province , and one that was loyally adhering to the best traditions of the Order . ( Applause . ) By the Report of the Board of General Purposes it would be seen that the numbers on the register

showed a few more than last year—death had unfortunately removed some from among them , but they had been succeeded by others who would carry the Institution on , for they must bear in mind that however important an individual might appear in an Institution like theirs , he only served for his day and generation , although it was equally certain here as in other walks of life his works would follow him , and that individual who in the truest

sense lived up to the principles of the Order , always left behind him , when the Great Enemy called him to another sphere , a memory clean among his survivors . He could not conclude without mentioning a matter which had affected him very deeply , No doubt they had all seen in the papers news that had come to this country from afar , and had revived the horrors of an atrocious crime committed in this town about seven years ago . They were

met that day under the banner of the Patriotic Chapter , m which the victim of that crime was one of its most respected and intelligent members , and ever since that event his blood has been calling ** to Heaven for vengeance . It behoved them all—and especially himself in the position he occupied—to be cautious in remarking upon a matter which seemed likely to come before the tribunals of the country , but he thought it was legitimate

for them all to express the hope that , though long deferred , retributive Justice was about to assert itself , and that , as should be the case , punishment would follow , He hoped to be pardoned for alluding to this matter , but he felt , meeting where they did , he could not let the opportunity pass without bearing his testimony to the honour in which the memory of the

late Comp . Welch was held amongst them . The election of a Prov . Grand Treasurer then took place , and Comp . Andrew Durrant was unanimously re-elected for the tSth year , on the motion of Comp . G . CORDLE , seconded by Comp . A . J . H . WARD . The Grand Superintendent then appointed his officers for the ensuing year as follows :

Comp . C . E . Egerton Green , M . E . Z . 51 ( Mayor of Colchester ) ... ... ... Prov . G . H . ., E . H . Baily , M . E . Z . 453 ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, T . J . Railing , P . Z ,, S . E . 51 , P . G . S . B . Eng . ( iSthyear ) ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . 1 . R . Galpin , M . E . Z . 1024 ... ... Prov , G . S . N . „ Rev . St . Clare Hill , I . P . Z . 2005 ,.. ... Prov . G . Reg

Provincial Grand Chapter Of. Essex.

Comp . J . Bourne Bromley , I . P . Z . 2154 ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ W . H . H . Roscoe , I . P . Z . 1437 ... ... Prov . ist A . G . S . „ Robert Cook , M . E . Z . 276 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S „ W . J . Barnes , M . E . Z . 276 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ F . England , H . 100 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ A . Lucking , P . Z .. Treas . ioo , P . A . G . D . C .

Eng . ( 18 th year ) ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ G . R . Brown , I . P . Z . 2256 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . Hayman Cummings , 2005 ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . H . Pavitt , H . 453 - - - Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . W . Martin ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor

On the motion of the GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the members of the Patriotic Chapter for the excellent arrangements they had made for the meeting , and having announced that the meeting next year would be held at Chelmsford , the Prov . Grand Chapter was closed .

About 50 companions afterwards dined together at the Cups Hotel , ¦ under the genial presidency of the Grand Superintendent , and as his Honour had to leave early to catch the last train for London , the post prandial proceedings were concluded under the equally genial presidency of his Worship the Mayor of Colchester . Button-hole bouquets , the gift of Miss Philbrick , Peering Hill House ( sister of the Grand Superintendent ) were placed on the banquet tables , and were much appreciated by those present .

Masonic Banquet To Lord Valentia.

MASONIC BANQUET TO LORD VALENTIA .

On Thursday , the Cth instant , on the evening of his receiving the freedom of the city of Oxford , Bro . Lord Valentia , who is the Deputy Prov . G , Master of Oxfordshire , was entertained at a banquet at the Randolph Hotel , Oxford , by the brethren of the province . The gathering was the largest ever held in Oxfordshire , moie than 200 being present . Every lodge in the province was represented , and the extraordinarily enthusiastic reception accorded his lordship testified to the esteem and affection with which he is regarded by the brethren of the

province . Bro . P . Colville Smith , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Sec . ( in the absence in India of the Prov . G . Master , Bro . the Earl of Jersey ) presided , and was supported oy , besides the guest of the evening , Bros . Dr . Burton , G . Chap . Eng . ; Dr . Pope , P . G . Chap . ; F . P . Morell , P . G . D . j R . E . Baynes , P . G . D . ; J . T

Morland , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Berks ; the Rev . W : H . Horlock , P . P . G . W . Hermon-Hodges , M . P . ; Major Noble ; G . C . Druce , P . P . G . W . ( Mayor of Oxford ); G . H . Morland , Prov . G . Sec , Berks and Oxdn ( Mark ); R . Ovey , P . P . G . W . ; the W . Ms , of the various lodges in the province , and many members of the neighbouring province of Berkshire .

The tables and rooms presented a very attractive appearance , the floral decorations being in red , white , and blue , tied with red and white ribbons , and flags were plentifully yet judiciously arranged on the walls , and the bill of fare was of a somewhat unique style . At the conclusion of the dinner , the CHAIRMAN gave the toasts of " The

Queen and Craft , " and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . Master , and the Oflicers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " He coupled with the toast the name of their Grand Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . Dr . Burton , of Banbury , W . M . of the Cherwell Lodge , for , as they knew , Grand Chaplains were always chosen for their eloquence .

The GRAND CHAPLAIN , in reply , said if they wished to hear his eloquence they should visit St . Mary ' s , South Banbury , on a Sunday , when he allowed himself three-quarters of an hour . ( Laughter . ) He did not think the Chaplains were selected for their oratorical powers , but because they had Freemasonry at

their hearts . He regretted that the clergy did not become Masons to the extent he thought they should . Every lodge should have its Chaplain . Some people thought that Christianity was incompatible with Freemasonry . It was a libel , for a good Mason was the best of Christians . They sank all politics , and he would advise every man who was of free age and honest and straightforward to become a Freemason .

Bro . Dr . POPE , in proposing the toast of the evening— " Our Guest "—said that what struck him was the extraordinary versatility of the talents of Lord Valentia , and the great efficiency he displayed in everything he did , whether in the bunting field , as Colonel of the Yeomanry , as Chairman of the County Council , a member of the House of Commons , or as Comptroller of her Majesty's household , he enjoyed the confidence of men of all shades of political opinion ,

and he ventured to prophesy that he would in the future reach even a higher position of distinguished merit . Directly the war broke out he was one ot tho first who used his energies in the formation of the force of Imperial Yeomanry ; he had no thought for himself , but he gave up the positions he held in this country and his family comforts , and did not hesitate to go to the front . ( Applause . ) As Adjutant-General of the force he occupied a position of great

responsibility , and he was one of the first to enter Pretoria . They were exceedingly g ' ad to welcome him back , and he had no hesitation in saying that what he had done was a great honour to him and pride to them . They were proud of him —( loud cheers)—and might they , through him , send their congratulations to Lady Valentia from the length and breadth of the province ; they knew what a noble wife she had been , and they asked to be allowed to share with her in her rejoicing on his safe return . ( Cheers . ) The motto of their guest ' s ancient house was

" Virtutis Amore , " two simple words—they meant the love of bravery and courage , the love of ail that was noble and manly , of all that was good and right and loyal and true ; and in the motto of Lord Valentia they might find the keynote of his whole life . - No one had more worthily borne its motto than he whom they delighted to honour that night , and from the outpourings of their hearts they gave him a hearty welcome back . ( Loud and prolonged cheers . ) He was deputed to present th , e following address from all the lodges in the province , which would be signed by every one of the members :

"To the Right Worshipful Brother Viscount Valentia , M . P ., P . G . W ., D . P . G . M ., and G . Supt . Oxfordshire , and P . G . M . Berks and Oxon , M . M . M ., — We , the members of the Lodges of the Royal Arch Chapters and Preceptories of Oxfordshire and of the Mark Lodges of Berks and Oxon , desire to offer your Lordship our fraternal greetings upon your safe return to your native country . We desire to express our deep gratitude to the Great Architect of the Universe

for t he protection which He has graciously extended to you during thc war in South Africa . Wc have observed with pride and pleasure your devotion to your Queen and country , and we welcome you back heartily once again to the County and Province of Oxfordshire , where your life and labours have been so greatly valued , and where you have shown yourself so deeply interested in all that concerns the prosperity and welfare of your brethren in Freemasonry . We wish you every happiness , and we pray that you may be granted a long fife of usefulness