Lodge Officers. [ Communicated.] During The Course Of The Installation Ceremony The Worship Ful Master Elect Has The Advantage Of Hearing Recited, Not Only The Requisite Qualifications For The Office He Proposes To Assume, But The Antient Rules By Which He Is Bound To Regulate

It has been decided , on an appeal , by Grand Lodge that a visitor cannot refuse to produce his Grand Lodge certificate if called upon . If the Master adhere to what is , after all , a rule , he should in no case relax it during his year of office . " Vouching " for a brother implies in nine cases out of ten

nothing more than that the voucher has sat in lodge with the vouchee . Under what circumstances the latter got there is not , as a rule , inquired into , and , therefore , if an undesirable brother has got admission as a visitor through laxity of examination , the wrong is perpetuated , as he will probably at the next lodge he visits be able to call a dozen brethren to vouch for him .

We have purposely retrained in these few remarks from touching upon those points such as use of rituals , as to which public Masonic opinion is agreed , but have rather endeavoured to refer to questions upon which opinion has in some cases not yet crystallised .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CORNWALL .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held on the nth instant , at the Town Hail , Launceston . The R'ght Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M ., presided . The Prov . Grand Lodge was constituted as follows : Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . Eng ., who carried

J . Sharpe , 75 , P . G . Reg . ; B . F . Edyvean , 330 , P . G . Sec . ; W . J . M , Gooding , 75 . and R . P . Couch , 121 , P . S . G . Ds . ; J . Willey , 318 , and T . Burge , 1544 , PJ . G . Ds . ; A . Carkeek , 589 , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; G . B . Treverton , 330 , P . G . D . C ; R . S . Rundle , 856 , P . D . G . D . C . ; G . M . Davis , 1136 , P . A . G . D . C . ; R . S . Langford , 1785 , P . G . S . B . ; N . Pascoe ,

699 , and J . White , 1164 , P . G . Std . Brs . ; J . McTurk , 496 , P . G . Org . ; F . Downing , 789 , P . A . G . Sec ; W . Coulter , 2166 , P . G . P . ; J . H . Chubb , 067 , P . A . G . P . ; R . T . Peters , 1006 , N . Bray , 1071 , W . Andrew , 977 , E . A . Broad , 450 , T . Condy , S 93 , and W . F . Clarke , 131 , P . G . Stewards ; M . Richards , 75 , P . G . Tyler ; and J . C . R . Crewes , Clerk-Assistant to P . G

Secretary . Several apologies for absence were announced , including Bros , the Rev . E . V . Nugent ( who is ill ) , and G . A . Jenkins , P . J . GAV . Others present included the following Past Prov . Grand Officers of Cornwall :

Bros . C R . Prideaux Brune , 17 S 5 ; W . Andrew , 7 S 9 ; W . R . Brewer , 330 ; E . M . Milford , 589 ; J . li . Kerswill , 116 4 ; G . Cassell , 1136 ; H . W . White , 1136 ; J . Newland , 1544 ; E . Venning , 510 ; B . Blight , 496 ; R . A . Newcombe , 9 6 7 ; J . Hawkins , 789 ; T . D . Deeble , 1071 ; J . Crossman , 97 o ; J . P . Lillicrap , 970 ; S . Gale , 977 ; E . R . Brown , 856 ; G . Stevens , 450 ; J . T . Letcher , 131 j T . B . Tresise , 1136 ; N . Robins , 1954 ; D . T . Brooking , 1071 ; C . E . Brown , 856

J . | . Gratrex , 1529 ; W . H . Stantan , 510 ; R . R . Alford , 2166 ; W . Sowden , 21 ( 56 ; T . C Betty , 557 ; J . H . Hosken , 557 ; W . Symons , 557 ; J . T . Williams , 557 ; R . T . Peters , 1006 ; A . T . Hunter , 970 ,- J . Nichols , 1544 ; J . Stribley , 1785 ; J . Goodfellow , 1954 ; R . George , 1954 ; W . Trevenan , 318 ; P . Colvillo Smith , 331 ; C . Truscott . 496 ; VV . Bond , 557 ; G . B . Pearce , 450 ; E . Benney , 131 ; W . Sowden , 21 G 6 ; J . D . Pearn , 893 ; W . R . Evans , 8 93 ; G . Rowe , 2166 ; H . Down , 2166 ; J . Olver , 1138 ; W . A . Bennett , 6 99 ; S . H . Hare

¦ 954 ; W . Lucy , 1954 ; P . T . Chirgwin , 121 ; S . White , 970 ; J . Daive , 970 ; J . \ V . Higman , 49 ; \ V . H . Lake , 496 ; J . Fitton , 1006 ; J . Doney , 8 56 -, F . J . Denison , 977 ; W . S . Cara , 789 ; F . A . Rawling , 1071 and 1164 ; J . Lander , 1071 ; J . Retallick , 699 ; R . S . Rundle , S 56 ; J . Hill , 970 ; T . Burge , 1544 ; W . R . Gilbert , 330 ; W . K . Baker , 1272 ; J . C . Burrow , 1544 ; W . Colunso , 121 ; J . E . Rogers , 121 ; and T . Thorn , 1071 . There were also present Bros . C . G . Withell , 70 and 2025 ; J . Gidley , 2025 ; Geo . Dunstervillc , 189 ; and W . T . Knight , 445 and 2380 .

the P . G . SECRETARY reported that invitations had been received to hold the next annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting at Fowey and Callington . Before proceeding to the business of the Prov . G . Lodge , the PROV . G . MASTER expressed the pleasure he felt at again visiting the old town of punheved , which the Prov . G . Lodge had not visited since 1 S 77 . Although it was his duty to consult the convenience of the brethren generally in

making the choice of the place / or the Provincial meeting , he thought they must occasionally go to some of the lodges , which , if not easy ot access , were not the least excellent in the county . ( Applause . ) Considering the difficulties in the way of reaching that far end of Cornwall , the attendance there that day was very good . ( Applause . ) Since the last annual meeting 'Masonry had sustained a very heavy loss by the death of the Pro Grand

Master , Lord Lathom , who was beloved by all who knew him . His lordsnip referred to the death of Bro . Anderton , who , he said , had the Masonry ° ' the county entirely at heart , and had never spared himself , his close amplication to his duties no doubt having tended to curtail his life . As they " » ew , there was a movement on foot among the brethren of the province to erect

a memorial to Bro . Anderton . The Prov . G . Master welcomed Bro . \» . J . Hughan , who was filling the chair of the Dep . Prov . G . Master , in 'he absence of Bro . Sir Charles Graves-Sawle , and remarked that they were all glad to have him among them . Bro . Hughan , a Past G . D . of 25 years standing , although not now living in Cornwall , always took a deep interest in Cornish Masonry , and they felt honoured to receive him among 'Hem . ( ADDlaUSe . 1 Thflu aUn hqH turn nnai Hr ^ nA Mflirorc u , i ' fl > thorn

7 ? ' , Y olvll | e Smith ( who at the present moment is Worshipful Master J" the lod ge—Westminster and Keystone , No . 10—in which he ( Lord wotmt Edgcumbe ) was first made a Mason ) , and Colonel Parkyn . His , ™ P concluded by expressing his regret at the absence of the senior H , ' J Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . E . F . Nugent , who was seriously ill . ne trusted that he would soon be restored to health . ( Hear , hear . ) l

staf ' 'V' measurer ( Bro . J . M . BLAMEY ) presented the financial diement , which showed that the year was commenced with a balance of iTm . ? S j- lhls sum had been increased by nearly £ Cm , the balance " ° w standing to the ciedit of the Prov . G . Lodge being £ 306 13 s . Od .

out the duties of Deputy P . G . M ., in the absence of Bro . Sir Charles B . Graves-Sawle , Bart . ; E . W . Carus-Wilson , 331 & 1529 , P . S . G . W . ; G . A . Jenkins , 967 , P . J . G . W . ; the Rev . E . F . Nugent , 1785 , and the Rev . C . F . Mermagen , 131 , P . G . Chaps ., J . M . Blamey , 9 G 7 , P . G . Treas . ; W . W .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cornwall.

The report was adopted . Bro . B . F . EDYVEAN , Prov . G . Secretary , reported that during the year there had been 161 initiations , which , with 23 joining members and 179 8 subscribing members , brought the strength of the province up to 1979 , an increase of 54 compared with the previous year . On the 1 st July , a new

lodge was constituted at Newquay , the consecration ceremony being performed by the G . Secretary of England ( Bro . E . Letch worth ) . A hundred and eighty-seven guineas was announced as promised towards the Anderton memorial . Reference was made in the course of the report to the necessity of strict care being taken so as to prevent the admission of unsuitable persons into the Order .

The PROV . G . MASTER pointed out that the question of the admission of members into lodges was a very difficult and delicate one . AH should keep in view the necessity which existed of only selecting those who were likely to carry out the responsibilities of Freemasonry . The Prov . G . Secretary ' s report was adopted . Bro . Milford presented the report of the Cornwall Masonic Annuity and

Benevolent Fund . The total income was £ 1114 8 s . Sd . The annuities and grants were to aged Masons , £ 75 ; widows , ^ 50 ; educational , £ 55 . The balance in the bank was £ 610 16 s . iod . The capital balance of the fund now amounted to ^ 6664 7 s . 4 d „ against ^ 6364 9 s . 8 d . at the last annual meeting , being an increase of ^ 299 17 s . 8 d . The present annual charges on the fund are ^ 333 . Applications had been received for three annuities and five educational grants , and the Committee recommended three

annuities ( , £ 52 a year ) and three educational grants ( £ 35 a year ) , which , if voted , would increase the annual charge to . £ 442 . The Committee also recommended that Bros . P . Colville Smith , B . F . Edyvean , Gilbert Pearce , and E . W . Carus-Wilson be appointed as additional trustees . The donations and subscriptions from the lodges amounted to ^ 385 13 s ., as compared with ^ 329 10 s . 6 d . last year . The recommendations were adopted , S 90 votes being recorded in favour and 18 against .

The report of the Committee of Relief on Petitions was carried , the sum of 90 guineas being voted in grants to the CM . A . and B . Fund , and great Masonic Charities .

On the motion of Bro . E . W . CARI ' S-WILSON , seconded by Bro . W . J . HUGHAN , it was resolved to vote a sum not exceeding 50 guineas to the " Anderton Memorial Fund . " At this stage the Prov . G . Lodge rose , and the brethren , headed by the Volunteer band , marched in procession to the Church of St . Mary Magdalene , where the annual sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . C . F . MERMAGEN

Taking his text from Exodus iv ., 2 , he said that English Freemasonry was distinguished from every other society by its great charity and its cosmopolitan character . Freemasonry was distinctly religious , as the fathers of the Order had firmly stamped it throughout their ceremonies . Freemasonry was not an end in itself , it was not religion , but the handmaiden of religion . No irreligious man could enter it . A true Freemason was a Christian , and he could only be true to his obligation if he was a Christian .

On th 1 conclusion of the service , the procession was reformed , and was again headed by the band , which played the brethren to the Town Hall . Before the business was resumed , the Prov . G . M . presented a Bible to each of the four Lewises , Wm . C . P . Davis , Colling Parsons , Godfrey Shepherd , and Lawson Cater , who had carried the volume of the Sacred Law in the procession . He briefly addressed the lads , and after they had withdrawn , his lordship again took the chair .

The 14 th annual report of the Cornwall Masonic Charity Association was submitted by Bio . Gilbert B . Pearce , who said that in consequence of some brethren failing to complete their payments on the ballot and a too ready disposition to distribute the utmost sums at their disposal , there was a slight deficiency , which he suggested the Grand Lodge should vote 10 guineas to make up . Such a sli ght assistance as this after 14 years ' work , and the collection of between £ so » a and _ £ | OIK > , he thought might be readily voted , especially as the money would go to the great charities .

Bro . MIIJ ' OKI ) , who seconded the adoption of the report , took the opportunity of thanking the brethren for the support accorded him when he went to London as a Steward for the Girls' Fund .

1 he report was adopted . Bro . B . F . Em-VEAN presented his statement as manager of the votes for the great Masonic Charities . It showed a very satisfactory state of affairs . Bro . Edyvean announced his retirement from the position of Charity representative of the province , an ollice he had held for six years . He thanked the brethren for their continuous support , which had tended so largely to the success of his labours . The report was carried , after which

1 he Karl of MOUNT EDGCUMHE thanked Bro . Edyvean for the trouble he had taken and the devotion he had shown on behalf of the province in the matter of the Charities . He regretted that he ( Bro . Edyvean ) was obliged to give it up , but the work of Provincial Grand Secretary was such that it was impossible to ask him to continue to look after the Charities . He proposed that they should show their appreciation of his services by presenting him with the full-dress clothing of his new ollice as Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of England .

this proposition was warmly supported by Bro . Hughan , who had for some years acted as manager previously , and heartily agreed to , after which the PROV . G . SECRETARY replied . The officers of the C . M . A . and B . Fund were re-elected , after which Bro . F . A . Rawling , P . M . 1071 , was appointed Prov . G . Treas . Bros . Harvey , W . M . 1071 , and J . Lander , Sec . 1071 , were elected Auditors .

Bro . HioJiAN moved that Bro . E . A . P . Broad , of Hayle , be appointed Charity representative . He remarked that it was very difficult to find a successor to Bro . Edyvean , but he was confident that Bro . Broad would dj his very best . Bro . W . K . BAKER seconded .

The PROV . G . M . mentioned that the Cornish Lodge in London gave the manager of the votes great assistance . They had every reason to be grateful to the Cornish Lodge . Bro . BROAD was unanimously elected . The collection in church amounted to £ 0 9 s . 6 d . It was determined to give two-fifths to the dispensary , two-fifths to the C . M . A . and B . Fund , and one-fifth to the rector for the church funds .

Before proceeding to appoint and invest the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year , the PROV . GRANIJ MASTER expressed his regret that Bro . Sir Charles Graves-Sawle had found it necessary to retire from the office of D . P . G . M . His lordship also mentioned that he had offered a collar to Bro . C . T . Pearce , who had declined it , however , on the ground of age . He