Provincial Grand Of Durham.

G . S . Deacon ; Prov . Grand Sword Bearer ; the Most VV . Deputy Grand Master of England ; Past Prov . G . Sword Bearer . Among those occupying the chief seats were the Marquess of Londonderry , P . G . M ., Deputy Grand Master Earl of Lathom , Sir George Elliot , Bart ., & c The first lesson was read by the Rev . Mr . Robertson , and the second lesson by the Very Rev . the Dean of Durham . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . Canon

Cundill , P . G . Treasurer , who took his text from Ecclesiastes , chap . 5 , verse 4 . He would not deal so much with the antiquity of the Order , although there was much to interest and instruct , but rather call their serious and devout attention to the duties they were bound to practise in their lives and character by the very force of their Masonic vow under which they had deliberately pledged themselves . In briefly referring to the antiquity of Masonry he could not agree

with those who traced it back to Adam and Eve , much less with one writer who had attributed its origin to pre-Adamite times . Their Institution had a righful claim to a remote date in the annals of the world . It was found to exist among the distant Chinese , wild Arabs , and American savages , who were prepared to show kindness when they saw wandering English brethren . This implied a common and remote origin . In ancient times Masonry was both

operative and speculative , and it had had a large share in promoting the general civilisation of the world , fostering science and art , in increasing and purifying social comforts , and refining the taste , and , above all , adorning the temples of the Most High God . Though they did not claim to be a religious society in the common acceptation of the term , they were indeed religious in the spirit of their duties . The whole of their teachings

and practices were founded on the Volume of the Sacred Law , the revealed word of God . They were exhorted to Tegulate their lives and actions by its Divine precepts ; their duty to God , to themselves , and to others was drawn from it . All these duties were veiled in allegory and symbols , and admirably adapted to the truths they embodied . If all these things were so excellent and so good , why keep them secret and not open to the world ? The answer was

that they were not kept secret , it was only their ceremony and ritual that they kept secret . He denied the assertion that the Order had a tendency to irreligion and irreverence , and held that honour and reverence of God were the beginning , middle , and end of their system . As Christianity was not yet—as it would be—like their Craft , spread over the whole earth , he though Masonry might in some way prepare the way for Christianity .

A collection was taken in aid of the Durham County Hospital . The Rev . Dr . Armes presided at the organ . At the conclusion of the service the brethren returned to the Castle Hall , where the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren subsequently adjourned to the Town Hall , where a banquet , supplied by Mr . J . Phillips , of the Queen ' s Head Hotel , Newcastle , was partaken of . The R . W . P . G . M . presided , and he was supported by the Earl of

Lathom , Sir Htdworth Williamson , Str George Elliot , and a number of other distinguished brethren . After dinner , The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave the first toast , "The Queen . " ( Cheers . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER next proposed "TheM . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " ( Loud cheers . ) The PROV . GRAND MASTER then proposed , "The Pro

Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon . " ( A pp lause . ) The noble CHAIRMAN next gave , " The Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Lathom . " ( Loud cheers . ) He proposed this toast with very great pleasure , inasmuch as he was much indebted to the noble lord and his brother for having installed him to the office he held on this occasion . They nad known each other in early youth , and they were bound together now as Masons . He was sure , as Masons ,

they would find the hart of Lathom a true , honest , and straightforward gentleman . ( Loud applause ) . The Earl of LATHOM , R . W . D . G . M ., upon rising to reply was received with loud and prolonged cheering . He thanked them most heartily for the reception which they had accorded him that day . The pleasure , however , was all on his side . It was true he had come there as a matter of duty to instal a very old friend as Prov . CM . of the

Province of Durham . ( Applause . ) His duty took him to different parts of England , but he could assure them that in all the course of his tours through England he had never yet seen any ceremony so completely and so perfectly performed as it had been that day . ( Hear , hear . ) Not only that , but with the associations of that town , that glorious tdiueurai 11111 in naei metit

- , ana enac spienaia * wmcu ency , was all but impossible for any Masonic ceremony to be otherwise than perfectl y carried out . ( Hear , hear . ) His Lordship then referred in complimentary terms to the reports of the various lodges in the province which had that day been given . Other toasts followed , and a very pleasant and harmonious evening was spent .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Gloucestershire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE .

A special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire was held on the 6 th inst . at the Assembly Rooms , Cheltenham , under the presidency of the P . G . M ., Lord Sherborne . There was a numerous attendance of the brethren . The meeting was held for the purpose of presenting to Bro . E . VV . Trinder , P . G . S ., a testimonial

consisting ot an address , beautifully illuminated on vellum , and bound in blue morocco , together with a tea service of silver , suitably engraved , and a series of frameel watercolour drawings . Lord Sherborne , in presentation , referred to the valuable services of Bro . Trinder as P . G . S . from the formation of the P . G . Lodce twentv-four vears since .

In the course of thcmcetingtheP . G . M .. LordSHERBORNE , addressed the brethren , and stated that he did not again anticipate meeting them in lodge . He still felt the greatest interest in the order , and in the welfare of the Province of Gloucestershire , but increasing age and indifferent health would , he feared , necessitate his withdrawal from the high Position

which he had held for twenty-four years . Bro . GWINNETT , as one of the senior P . P . G . S . W . ' s of the province , spoke to the regret with which the brethren had ~ 1 " 'he announcement from his lordship . The lod ge was then closed , and the brethren retired to luncheon at the Plough Hotel . Old Matured Wines and ~ Spirits . —J . E . SHAND & Co ., Wine "ercnant , ( Experts and Valuers ) , 2 , Albert Mansions , Victoria-•» eet , London , S . W . Price lists on appUcatlon .-r . ADVT . ]

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Norfolk.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF NORFOLK .

The annual convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Norfolk was held at the Masonic Rooms , 23 , St . Giles ' - street , Norwich , on Wednesday , October 6 th , iSSo , "for the purposes of installing the Grand Superintendent , the Right Hon . Lord Suffield , K . C . B ., R . W . Prov . CM . of Norfolk , M . E . Z . Chapter Unanimity , No . 102 , & c , & c , & c , who has been appointed by H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., to

succeed Lieut-Colonel H . P . L Estrange , whose sad loss is seriously felt in Royal Arch Masonry through the entire province . The meeting was convened for four o'clock , and after the preliminary business was disposed of the Grand Superintendent designate was duly and in ancient form installed , the ceremony being impressively rendered by the M . E . Grand Superintendent of Suffolk , the Rev . C . J . Martyn . The Grand Superintendent then reappointed the Provincial Grand

Officers—Comp . Col . Bignold ... ... ... Prov . G . H . „ Hamon Le Strange Prov . G . J . „ Edwin Baldwin Prov . G . S . E . „ C . H . Capon Prov . G . S . N . „ James Bond Prov . G . P . S . „ George Smith ... ... ... Prov . G . 1 st A . S . „ E . J . Bonfellow Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . „ VV . Pattrick Prov . C Treas . „ G . S . VVoodwark Prov . G . Reg . „ Chadwick Prcv . G . Std . B . „ J . Dunsford Prov . G . D . C . „ 5 . W . Berry Prov . COrg . „ J . Franklin , and J . Boyce Prov . G . Stwds .

The Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on the following day interfered to some extent with the attendance . As it was a considerable number of companions assembled to witness the ceremony and to greet their new chief . The following officers and companions were among those present : —Col . Bignold , P . G . H . ; H . Le Strange , P . G . J . ; E . Baldwin , P . G . S . E . ; C . H . Capon , P . G . S . N . ; E . J . Bonfellow , A . S . ; J . Dunsford . P . G . D . C , Z . 52 ; VV Pattrick , P . G . Treas . ; H . G . Barwell , H . ; G . B . Kennett , J . 52 ; G . Baxter , J . 213 ; R . Martins , P . Z . 100 ; Robert Wortley , J . 102 ; VV . A . Tyssen-Amherst , P . ] , 52 ; S . N . Berry , P . G . Org . ; Sir Francis Boileau , P . S .

52 ; Colonel Boileau , 52 ; E . Orams , 52 ; Rev . H . T . Griffith , P . S . 102 ; Joseph Tomlinson , P . Z . 1503 ; VI . A . VVooster Reeves ; VV . Daking , P . Z . 221 ; G . F . Brown , H . 81 ; A . H . Santy , N . 52 ; J . C . Chittock , E . 52 ; J . Hotblack , P . J ., 807 ; T . VV . G . Barnard ; J . Watson , S . E . 213 ; A . Berry , S 07 ; G . Green , S 07 ; T . Isley , 213 ; T . Macklcy , 807 ; J . B . Pearce , 52 ; H . Rosling , S 07 ; VV . Shorten , 807 ; " M . Bailey , 807 ; J . J . Hunt , 807 . A banquet followed at the Norfolk Hotel , which was attended by about forty companions . It was served in capital style , and a very pleasant evening was spent .

Centenary Of The Freemasons' Hall Medal.—A.D. 1780.

CENTENARY OF THE FREEMASONS ' HALL MEDAL . —A . D . 1780 .

MEETING AT BATH . A most enthusiastic assembly of members of the Craft was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Bath , on Thursday , the 7 th inst . The tibject was to commemorate the Centenary of the " Frcemasems' Hall Medal , " which was agreed to in

June 1779 , and struck in 1 SS 0 . There are four country lodges entitled to the privilege of wearing- this medal in the persons of their Masters for the time being , in perpetuity , viz ., 41 , Bath , 75 , Falmouth , 154 , Wakefield , and 237 , Swansea . No . 75 celebrated the centenary of the vote of the medal on the 13 th October last , and the senior of the four lodges observed the centenary on the 7 th . At each of the

meetings the D . P . G . M . of the provinces ( Cornwall and Somerset respectively ) were present , and also Bro . VV . J . Hughan , P . G . D . of England , to whom the celebrations are mainly due . That of the Royal Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , Bath , however , far exceeded in enthusiasm and character that of No . 75 , because of the brilliant assembly of distinguished Masons , a well as the high position of their VV .

Master in the Order . Punctually at the hour mentioned on the summons , Bro . Dr . Henry Hopkins , P . M . 43 , P . P . S . G . W . of Warwickshire , & c , the W . M ., opened the lodge , and , after the reading of the minutes , the guests were admitted , the D . P . G . M . of Somerset , Br 0 . R . C Else , being duly saluted as such , and warmly greeted as the representative of the P . G . M ., the Rt . Hon . the Earl of

Carnarvon , who was unavoidably absent . The W . M . having tendcreel the gavel to the D . P . G . M ., the latter brother gracefully returned it , and congratulated the lodge on the special circumstances which had led to the meeting being held . He also paid a most pleasing compliment to the known efficiency and zeal of the veteran Mason , the Master of the lodge , whose energy and ability were warmly

appreciated by himself and all in the province . Of the members and officers present we noticed Bros . T . P . Ashley , P . M . and Treas ., P . P . G . VV . ; F . Wilkinson , P . M ., P . P . S . of VV . ; Thomas Wilton , P . M . and Dir . of C , P . P . G . W . ; T . B . Moutric , P . M ., P . P . G . W . ; John Rubie , P . M ., P . P . G . W . ; S . G . Mitchell , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Wilts ; F . Baldwin , P . M . ; P . Braham , I . P . M . ; R . P . Floyd , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ;

1 . Clark , P . M . ; Robert Cook , P . M ., ( ex-Mayor of Bath ); VVilliam Hunt , S . W . ; C . VV . Radway , J . W . ; R . B . Cater , Sec ; E . J . B . Mercer , S . D . ; Wm . L . Baldwin , Org . ; T . Ames , I . C ; Wm . Peach and T . K . Wilton , Stewds . ; and Bros . C . Wilkinson , R . Kendall , W . D . C . G . Monypenny , S . Stiles , W . Hunt , ] . W . Murlis , J . Cartmcl , R . Mann , VV . B . Gregory , H . B . Smith , VV . G . Smith , F . VV . Willis , T . Robinson , H . L . Brown , J . G . Wilton ,

T . G . Brown , VV . H . Reynolds , and S . Bigwood , Tyler . Of the visitors we may name Bros . VV . James Hughan , P . G . D . of England ; and R . C . Else , D . Prov . G . M . Somerset ; Thompson , P . M . 97 6 , ex-Mayor of Bath ; Pyne , P . P . G . Org ., Organist of the Abbey ; the Rev . Sanderson , S . W . 379 , Master of the Grammer School j

Williamson , P . M . 906 , P . P . G . D . C ; H . C . Hopkins , P . M . 379 ; Stuckey , W . M . 906 ; Sondermann , S . W . 53 ; Phillips gj 4 ; all of whom were entertained at the banquet subsequently as the guests of the W . M . The following brethren were also present in honour of the occasion as guests of the ' members or the W . M ., viz .: Bros . R . Peach , P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . ; Graham , P . M 976 P . P . J . G . W . Wilts ; Dill , P . M . 006 , P . P . G . P . ; Becker , P . M . 702 and 906 , P . P . G . S . B . j Lawson , I . P . M . 0061 Hayward , S . W .

Centenary Of The Freemasons' Hall Medal.—A.D. 1780.

906 ; Dingle , J . D . 906 ; Young , Bush , Dawe , Gill , Pinkett , Wilson , and Clements , of 53 or 906 ; D . C . Jones , of 237 , Swansea , S . W . 1573 ; Bertrand , 1624 ; and Bro . Brumby , of the Stenben Lodge , New York . Bros . Stohert , P . M . 53 , P . P . S . G . W ., and J . J . Dutton , of 53 , P . M . S 55 , were at the lodge only . The " work" consisted of the " passing" of Bros .

Brown and Reynolds , the ceremony being given magnificently by the W . M ., ably assisted in the arrangements by Bros . Thomas Wiltcn , P . M ., the D . ofC . ( whose post in this lodge is no sinecure ) ; E . J . B . Mercer , S . D ., who gave the tools ; and VV . Peach , Steward , who delivered the Lecture on the Tracing Board . The " work " was

perfection , and in saying that the candidates did their part as well as the officers is but doing them justice . After the applause had subsided on the completion of the Degree , the W . M . announced the special object of the meeting , and having called the brethren to order , the following prayer ( composed for the purpose ) was read by him in a most impressive manner .

Almighty God , Great Architect of the Universe , in Thy hand is the ordering of the events of this world , in the developement of which Thou employest the agency of the beings whom thou hast created . Especially dost Thou require us to do good to our fellow creatures , and thus to disp lay , however feebly , Thy attributes of charity and mercy . To this end Thou has disposed our predecessors to raise up

this Institution , and as Thou hast blest it with prosperity in past days , wo pray for help to enable us in our time to carry on the great work , and to transit it pure and unsullied to those who are to come after us . Be with us , members of this ancient lodge , now more especially , while we endeavour to commemorate the deeds of our ancestors , and incline our hearts increasingly to relieve the poor and

afflicted , and to care for the widows and orphans . So mote it be . The respected Treasurer , Bro . T . P . ASHLEY , P . M ., & c , then gave the members a short sketch of the old lodge , No . 41 , tracing it to the year 1732 , and considered it was even older than that , only the records were lost . He directed their attention to the whole of the minutes of the

lodge from 1732 to 1 SS 0 on the table before him , and pointed to the Book of Constitutions of 1723 ( the first printed ) and that of 173 S owned by the lodge . Considerable interest was displayed on our esteemed brother holding up an old silver trowel bearing the inscription "The gift of Howell Gwynne , Esq ., to ye members of ye lodge at ye Bear , Bath , 1742 . " This brother was the W . M . in 1742 , so it was doubtless presented to commemorate that

fact , and the lodge has kept " his memory green " for 138 years . Other presentations were exhibited in the hall—a fine folio ^ black'Jetter Bible of 1639 , and a smaller one of 1630 , & c . The Treasurer was evidentl y in his element , and time alone prevented the subject being dealt with exhaustivel y by that brother . Wc suggest the pages of the " Masonic Magazine" for that object , and feel sure that an extended history would be highly valued by many brethren .

Bro . HUGHAN , the well-known Masonic historian , being called upon by the W . M to furnish the members with particulars of the circumstances which led to the Freemasons ' Hall medal being- struck , did so in an extempore address of special interest to th « brethren of No . 41 . The origin of the present Freemasons' Hall , or rather its predecessor of 1775-6 , was carefully traced , and all the attempts to

procure the money to mtet the cost were facetiously narrated . The occasion of the medal being struck , of course , received the most attention , and the dates , lodges , and all connected therewith were noted and explained . Three W . M . ' sof the lodge were contributors , as well as the lodge itself , viz ., Bros . Thomas West , D . Prov . G . M ., W . M . first half-year of 17 S 6 , and seventeen times since ; E . Gardiner

W . M . 17 SS ; and Charles Phillot , W . M . 17 S 6 , and five times since . The chief points of the address were subsequently condensed by the W . M . in his speech at the banquet , and provoked much applause . In commemoration of the event , the W . M ., Dr . Henry Hopkins , F . C . P ., & c , presented a large donation to the lodge to complete the 10 c guineas as Vice-President , all the "Freemasons' Mair .

azines" in the quarto size , suitably bound , and a handsome " loving cup , " bearing an appropriate inscription . An excellent souvenir of the event was also presented to the lodge b y the W . M ., and some of the officers , consisting of the particulars of the occasion of the medal being struck , with facsimiles of the obverse and reverse of the medal , & c , all most artisticall y lithographed and framed

. Copies were presented of this pleasing souvenir , duly framed , to the D . Prov . CM ., Bro . R . C . Else , and Bro . Hughan , P . G . D ., who were likewise elected honorary members of the lodge by acclamation . The "Congratulations from Sister Lodges" occupied some time , and were quite a feature of the

eveningcom-, ing as they did from so many quarters , and given with such thorough heartiness . The D . PROV . G . M . proposed a vote of thanks to the VV . Master for the very handsome presentations he had that day made to the lodge , and alluded also to his princely hospitality in inviting such a number to the banquet in honour of the occasion . We need not state that on this

being seconded by the DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES , it was carried by acclamation . Thanks were also voted to Bro . VV . J . Hughan , P . G . D ., for his attendance and address , also to Bro . R . C Else , D . Prov . CM ., and the visitors for the favour of their company , and to Bro . T . P . Ashley , P . M ., for his excellent sketch of the old lodge .

I he banquet was served at the Christopher Hotel , by Bro . Rc-binson . The table was laid most artistically , and everything thereon was cooked and served to perfection , under the careful superintendence of the host . We have never been present at a better conducted feast , and all who partook of the hospitality of the revered W . M ., Bro . Dr . Hopkins , were apparently as well pleased . 'The following address was given by the W . M . at the

banquet : — Brethren , as your W . M . I gratefully accept the toast which has been so well proposed by the D . P . G . M ., and the sentiments of good will which have been so kindly expressed . I accept them with a conviction that they have been littered in all sincerity , under the hope that however much I have failed , 1 have at least thus far endeavoured to do my duty , a task which has been somewhat difficult to one who has been brought up in a different Masonic school , more popular and modern , ' as regards the working of our ceremonies , strengthened by the constant practice of ther »