Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

obably never have heard of him , and certainly not given him Past Grand rank . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) He could assure them that it was most gratify ing' , and he could not do more than express his heartfelt gratitude f 0 r their long continued confidence . Bro . CUMMINGS then rose to propose the toast of " The R . W . the Earl Amherst , Prov . Grand Master of the Province of Kent , " and directly he of

mentioned the object of his rising he was met with such a tempest app lause that he had to desist for some minutes . When he could go on he said he could see that there was no occasion for him to make a speech , or to say a single word in favour of their Prov . Grand Master , but would asU them if it was not a fact that wherever they met their Prov . Grand Master in the province they greeted him with a most hearty and truly

Masonic greeting —( hear , hear)—and further , if they were not proud of having such a true nobleman to rule over them . ( Yes , and great cheering . ) Their Prov . Grand Master was one who by his genuine love for the Craft , and the bright example he showed in every moral and social virtue , had endeared himself to all , and wherever he was known he was loved , honoured , and respected . Now , there was one way in which they could show how they

were animated towards him far more than by saying so , and that was to make the grand scheme proposed by him that day in Provincial Grand Lodge a grand success . ( Cheers . ) Never could they forget that memorable year when his lordship presided over the Festival of the Boys' School when the sum of over ^ 23 000 was subscribed , and he felt sure that if they

, would only do their endeavour the 1000 guineas proposed to be raised would be raised , and be a lasting memorial of their desire to prove their affection to their Prov . Grand Master by deeds as well as by words . ( Loud cheers . ) He asked them to drink to the toast , and wish that God might spare their Prov . Grand Master for many years to live and rule over them in the

Province of Kent . The PROV . G . MASTER , who was enthusiastically cheered on rising , after a few preliminary observations , said there were a good many people who did not care for the good opinions of their fellow creatures , but he was not so cold-blooded , anddid hope and trust that , as time went on , he should so conduct himself that their kind feelings and good wishes would ever

continue the same as then , for it would be otherwise a hard thing for him ever to lose that love and respect which he believed they had for him , and which he could assure them was , and ever would be , so dear to him . ( Cheers . ) During the past year he had consecrated two new lodges , and would shortly have to consecrate another . Some years ago he thought that there was hardly room in the province for more lodges , but , like the shillings put in a

full glass , there always seemed room for one more . His first enquiry , when the petition for a new lodge came before him , was "how will this effect the lodges in the neig hbourhood ? " because he did not want to see the old lodges injured by new ones , and if he found that it would not injure but would reinforce the strength of the province fairly , then he consented to its

being founded , as it not only increased their strength , but also their powers for Charity in the province " They liked to belong to the province , and rejoiced in its progress , and he trusted the time would be long before anyone else had to respond to the toast . All that he could do for the prosperity of the province he would do , and he assured them of his cordial sympathy and desire for the welfare and happiness of the brethren . ( Loud and continued

cheering . ) The PROV . G . MASTER then proposed "The V . W . Bro . James Smith Eastes , D . P . G . M . " He said it was a toast that was generally drunk with unmingled feelings of pleasure , but on the present occasion he proposed it with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret ; pleasure because it was a great satisfaction to him to know that he should still have the invaluable

services of Bro . Eastes at his right hand in the province , and regret at the heavy domestic affliction that had so recently befallen that good and excellent brother . He had received a most touching letter from Bro . Eastes in response to a letter of condolence sent him from their preliminary meeting at Canterbury , but on account of the presence of Bro . Eastes at Grand Lodge he ( the P . G . M . ) thought it best to treat it " sub silentio , " so as not

to again open wounds that time alone could heal . It was a most happy hour when , as by an inspiration , he chose Bro . Eastes as his Deputy ; the amount of work Bro . Eastes did and the responsibility that fell upon his shoulders was simply enormous ; not only was the work onerous , but sometimes delicate . He trusted everyone , in drinking the toast , would ask T . G . A . O . T . U . to grant Bro . Eastes health and strength to support him in

his affliction , and that the cloud now over his life would soon pass away . The toast was drunk with every expression of regret , mingled with hearty good wishes to Bro . Eastes . The next toast was that of "The Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past , " and , in giving it , the PROV . G . MASTER said it had been his good fortune to have the best of officers from the first day he himself assumed office , when Bro . Noah Martin carried the sword before him , and took as much

care of him as if he was conveying his ( Noah s ) namesake into the ark . ( Cheers and laughter . ) He spoke highly of Bro . Cummings and Penfold , the latter of whom , he said , had had a collar before , but one which , in his opinion , did not equal the deserts of Bro . Penfold , either socially or Masonically . Both had worked hard and steadily for Freemasonry in the province , and were examples of what perseverance could attain . He asked them to drink the toast heartily ; and would couple with it the names of the Prov . Senior and Junior G . Wardens , who severally returned thanks .

The Masonic Charities" was the next toast , and in putting it the P . G . M . eloquently dwelt upon the fact that their Order was not a benefit society like the Oddfellows , Foresters , and other provident associations ; it Was simply a system of morality founded upon certain principles which included Charity among them . He dwelt upon the noble response that a

claim Irom either of the Charities always received from the brethren of the province of Kent , and feel sure that the 1000 guineas subscription proposed that day would be obtained . He coupled the toast with the names of Bros . Binckes and Terry , both of whom had received Past Grand honours at the Meeting at the Albert Hall .

Bro . BINCKES , in the course of a lengthy and brilliant speech , expressed "is und ying gratitude to Kent for what it had done in the cause of Charity , Speciall y in the year 1884 , which would never be forgotten , and which had "ever been beaten . In that year , under the auspices of their beloved Grand Ti ? - ' ^ d Amherst , over £ 23 , 000 was subscribed to the Boys' School . ne hi ghest subscribing province being that of the Province of Kent . Bro . TERRYin the absence of BroHedgesasked to be allowed to W W WWI t

, . , ., ~~ .... * , . . . ... — U »^ W .. WW . U .. ^ -.-W ^^ W , UU . . UU WW « W ...... U w ank . lneir P . G . M . and the brethren for the handsome sum proposed to be V . bscribed f ° the Girls' School , and felt sure that it would be doubled when 11 those desirous of assisting such a grand scheme had sent in their subscripts . He trusted someday their esteemed Prov . Grand Master would again P'ewdeover the Benevolent Institution Festival . He spoke enthusiastically

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

of the grand results of the Festival in February last , when the handsome sum of £ 25 , 000 had been realised . He pleaded hard lor the old people , whom no one would adopt , whereas anyone would adopt a boy or a girl . ( Laughter and cheers . ) Bros . BEACH and EDWARD TERRY responded for " The Visitors , " the latter convulsing the bretnren by his humorous manner ; he also gave two anecdotes , one in Irish and the other in the Cornish dialect , both exceedingly clever and quaint , and tor which he was heartily applauded .

The P . G . M . then gave " The Committee of the Emulation Lodge , " and spoke highly of the excellent arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of Prov . Grand Lodge , for which he , and he felt sure every brother present , tendered them their heartv thanks . He coupled the toast with the

name of Bro . T . Wills , P . M ., and P . P . G . Supt . of Works , who , in returning thanks expressed the pleasure and honour it had afforded the brethren of the lodge to have to entertain Prov . Grand Lodge , and assured them that their greatest reward was the kind words expressed by his lordship , and the evident satisfaction of every brother present .

Bro . NOAH MARTIN also responded , and then the Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . The musical arrangements were under the control of Bro . J . Kift , Org ., and the singers included the Misses Ada Beck and Marion Ellis , and Bros . T . W . Page , W . H . Webb , and J . Kilt .

Great praise is due to Bros . F . Snowden , C . Hind , T . Wills , C . C . Potter , and P . Jones , lor their invaluable aid in designing and carrying out the decorations , and also to the Entertainment Committee , as lollows : Past Masters , E . A . Quait , P . P . G . P . ; N . Martin , P . P . G . Sd . Br . ; VV . C . Fooks , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Tinkler , P . P . A . G . D . C ; H . G . Thompson , J .

J . Davison , VV . Heeley , 1 . Wills , W . J . Light , E . J . Sears , P . P . S . G . D .: A . VV . Wells , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Brock , H . H . McNaul ; and Bros . G . B . Chapman , VV . Greig , VV . M . ; F . Snovvdon , S . W . ; T . Jenkins , J . W . : C Hind , S . D . ; F . Barton , J . D . ; T . VV . Page , I . G . ; G . C . Baker , D . C . ; R . S . Howett , Org . ; C . C . Potter , Stwd . ; and P . Jones , P . M . and Stwd .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF DURHAM .

The annual Provincial Grand Chapter was held on Monday at the Masonic Hall , Durham , presided over by Comp . Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., assisted by Comps . John Horsley , H ., William Coxen , j ., and the other officers of Provincial Grand Chapter . There were also present upwards ot 100 Principals and Past Principals ,

Ihe treasurer presented his statement of accounts showing a considerable balance in favour of the chapter . The sum ol ten guineas was voted towards the Durham Masonic Education Fund . The Principals 01 the various chapters in the province presented their reports showing a steady increase in the number of members buring the past year . Comp . Babbington Boulton was re-elected Treasurer , and Comp . William Coxen and Charles E . Barnes , Auditors .

The following officers were appointed and invested for the ensuing year : Comp . Rev . H . B . Tristram ... ,,. .,, Prov . G . H . „ R . Luck ... ... ... ... p . G . J . ' ., Robt . Hudson ... ... ... p . G . S . R .

„ R . B . Reed ... ... ... ... p . G . S . N . „ F . H . Bennet ,,. ... .,, Prov . G . Reg . „ J . Mitchinson ... ... ... p . G . P . ST „ J . Usher and A . Macdougall ... ... Prov . A . G . S . „ H . Baumann ... ... ... ... p . G . Swd . Br „ J . Barker ... ... ,.. .,. p . G . Std . Br .

„ j . J . Clay ,.. ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Hudson ... ... ,,. ... p rov . A . C . D . C „ James Hudson ,,. ... ,,, Prov . G . Org . „ J . R . Patteson ,,. ... ,,. Prov . A . G . S . E . „ John Brown ... ... ... ,,, prov . G . Janitor ,

Review,

REVIEW ,

FINAL NOTICE * THE HISTORY OF FREEMASONRif . By Bro . ROBERT FREKE GOULD , Vol . VI . London : Thomas C . Jack , 45 , Ludgate Hill . 188 7 . It is not necessary we should add much more to the remarks we have already made on the concluding volume of Bro . Gould ' s History . Its most interesting

chapterto English-speaking Masons , at least—is the one we dealt with last week on " Freemasonry in the United States ot America , " and , as we have said already , in our opinion , it only needed that Bro . Gould should have recognised the full effect of the latest discoveries by Bro . MacCalla as to early Freemasonry in Philadelphia in order to make this chapter acceptable in all respects . What is said about the

remaining Grand Lodges , other than those of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts , or rather as to the rise and progress of Freemasonry in the remaining States of the Union , is necessarily compendious , but it is sufficient for the purposes ot a general history of the Craft in this part of America . It may , perhaps , be suggested that a fuller account should have been given of the Black Masons , with their 31 Grand

Lodges and nearly 18 , 000 members ; but we cannot see that any advantage would have resulted had Bro . Gould gone more particularly into the subject . Perhaps , too , it will be thought that he should have said more about the Morgan affair in 1826 , and the cloud under which Freemasonry remained in consequence during the following ten years . But those who hold tuis opinion appear to lose si ght of

the fact that the Morgan controversy was political rather than Masonicai in its character , and that any one would have answered the purposes of Tweed and his party equally as well as that which the mysterious disappearance of Morgan provided them with . This point is noted by Bro . Gould in the brief reference he makes to the subject .

The same may be said as to the chapter devoted to " The Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland . " Bro . Gould traces clearly enough the course of Freemasonry in British North America , and had he gone beyond the limits he has imposed upon himself , he would have found he was dealing with matters which are of local rather

than of general interest . Those who wish for an outline of Canadian Masonic history as a constituent part of the general history of the Cralt will finu all the leading facts noted in Bro . Gould ' s Chapter XXXII . ; those who are oesirous of carr } ing their inquiries further must look to other sources of information .