Contents.

CONTENTS .

Provincial Grand Chapter of Somerset i & a Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Sussex 5 < S _ > Father Agncw *• 5 ^ 9 Christmas Festivities , Past , Present , and Future 570 Lodgeof Benevolence 57 ° Masonic Notes and Queries S 71

Reviews 57 South Africa 57 ' Ancient and Primitive Rite 571 REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry 57 ^ Royal Arch 574 Mark Masonry 574

Instruction 574 Knights Templar : 574 Literary , Art , and Antiquarian Notes 574 Masonic and General Tidings 575 A Mason ' s Christmas Greeting 575 Warm Thanks and "Hearty Good Wishes" 57 6 Summary for 1 SS 0 576 LEADERS , 57 a

CORRESPONDENCEFreemasonry in Durham 579 Foreign Languages 579 Lodgeof Antiquity 579 Burglary at thc Masonic Hall , Newport 579 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 579 Advertisements I ., IL , III ., IV .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSET .

The ceremony of the installation of Comp . Colonel A . VV . Adair as Grand Superintendent of the Province of Somerset took placej at the Alasonic Hall , Taunton , on Thursday , the iGth inst . Chapter Sincerity , 261 , having been opened by three Principals—Thomas Alevler , ' / .. ;

William Adams II . ; and William Reed , acting as J . —and the companions being admitted , the Installing Principal , Colonel Shadwell Gierke , P . Z ., Grand Scribe E . of England , entered the lodge , accompanied by Comp . J . Al . P . Alontagu , Grand Superintendent of R . A . AI . of Dorset as II ., and Comp . E . Turner Payne , of Bath , as J ., and took their seats , vacated bv the Principals of Chapter 261 .

Processional and other instrumental music during the ceremony was very ably played on the organ by Dr . N . M . Bonn , who kindly vacated his chair as J . of the chapter for that purpose . Comp . VV . R . Alaby , of Bristol , very effectively performed the triumphal blasts on the cornet and trumpet . The Installing Principal then informed the companions that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Alost

Excellent Grand Principal Z „ had been graciously pleased to appoint Comp . Col . A . VV . Adair to be Grand Superintendent of the Province of Somerset , and he then instructed the Director of Ceremonies to read the patent of appointment . The Installing Principal then deputed two P . Z . 's , Else and Ateyler , with thc Director of Ceremonies , to conduct Col . Adair into the chapter . Col . Adair and Comps .

Else and Aleyler then entered the [ chapter amid a grand flourish of trumpets . Col . Gierke then addressed Col . Adair on the importance of the office and the services which he had already rendered to Freemasonry , and finished by congratulating him on the honourable position to which he had been appointed . The new Grand Superintendenthaving been duly invested with the robes and collar of his office , all

the companions , except the Past Principals , left the chapter . Col . Adair was then duly installed into the chair of the Principal , and appointed Comp . Else as Second Principal H ., and Comp . General Gore-Alunbee , of Weston-super-Mare , as Third Principal J . All the companions then entered thc chanter , and saluted the new Grand Superintendent . Thc

whole of the companions then joined in singing a version of the 100 th Psalm , written ^ b y T . Aleyler , AI . E . Z ., Chapter p f Sincerity . The election of officers followed , namely , as Treasurer , Comp . E . Turner Payne , P . G . Treas . . proposed and seconded by Comps . Commans and Else . Col . Adair said he had consulted the Past Principals before making thc following appointments :

Comps . Captain Long ... ... Prov . G . S . E . ,, Commans ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ Aleyler ... ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . ,, Burnett ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S „ Chaffin ... ... ... Prov . G . 2 nd A . S ,, Alitchell ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ Capt . Perkins ... ... Prov . G . D . of C . „\ Davis ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ C J . Cottrill Prov . G . St . B . ,, Dr . Bonn ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . A committee was next appointed to form bye-laws , and a collection of alms was made , amounting to £ 2 12 s Gd , which was handed over to the Somerset and Taunton Hospital . Principals of the Grand Provincial Chanter then

^ 'tired , and the Chapter of Sincerity was duly closed . Colonel Adair has handsomely presented all the robes and Jewels of office which will be necessary to thc newly-formed * rovincial Chapter , for which he was accorded a most heart y vote of thanks , proposed by Comp . Else and seconded by Comp . Meyler . The M . E . SUPERINTENDENT , after acknowledging the ™ te , proposed the best thanks of the chapter be given to M -E . Comp . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke , P . Z ., Grand

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

Scribe , for the able manner he had performed the ceremony of his installation , and his great kindness in coming so far . Carried by acclamation . ALE . Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in responding , said that the Provincial Grand Collars which the companions had just received ought not to be worn at Craft meetings . The Provincial Grand Chapter was closed at four p . m .,

when the companions retired to an excellent dinner provided for them at the Castle Hotel . There were present at thc chapter Bros . Thos . Aleyler , Z . ; VV . Adams , H . ; James Showers , E . ; Arthur Villar , Pijn . Soj . ; John G . Vile , 2 nd Asst . Sojourner . Associate brethren : Comps . George Strawbridgc , A . Piatt , P . Z . ; R . C . Else , P . Z . ; H . Allen , H . Newland , G . N . Pollard , H . A . Adair , R . H . West , J . O . Goodman ,

P . Z . ; F . H . Woodforde , P . Z . ; VV . Bidgood , and L . M . Bonn , J . Visitors : Comps . J . AL P . Alontagu , G . Sup . of R . A . AI . of Dorset ; J . Burnett , P . Z . 291 ; G . Evans , P . Z . S 47 ; VV . Alay , ' Z . 291 ; VV . R . Alaby , O . ; J . Cornwall , P . Z . 291 ; R . VV . Commans , P . Z . 53 ; C . Davis , P . Z . 379 ; S . G . Alitchell , P . Z . 41 ; J . Randle Ford , P . Z . 53 ; J . F . Eager , P . S . 329 ; J- C . Hunt , H . 291 ; IClphinstone Stone , P . P . Z . 10 G ; J . Burston , P . Z . 829 ; VV . A . Rueg , Z . 53 ; John Home Farley , Z . 329 ; John

Chafiin , P . Z . 329 ; Edwards , Bath , P . Z . 445 ; E , Western , 1222 ; James A . Bright , Z . 44 6 ; Francis VV Raban , P . S . S 59 ; H . Hawkins , A . S . 291 ,- Fred Vizard , P . Z . 1222 ; VV . E . Perrett , P . S . 1222 ; Lewis E . Newnham , S . E . 446 ; E . J . Palmer , 291 ; Robert Alontgomery , 141 ; Fred . Cox , P . Z . 329 ; Wm . Cox , J . 329 ; VV . Al . Forty , Z . 1222 ; G . Saunders , jun ., 261 ; W . J . Nosworthy , E . 329 ; VV . Long , P . Z . 446 ; Sidney Lewis , H . 1222 ; J . Rashleigh Banfield , SiS .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF SUSSEX .

A Special Prov . Grand Lodge meeting was held at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Wednesday , the 15 th inst ., for the purpose of installing Bro . Thos . Trollopc , ALD ,, Prov . G . M . M ., and other business of thc province . The province is to be greatly congratulated in securing the

services of so eminent a Mason , also in having Bro . Lord A . VV . Hill , ALP ., Dep . Prov . G . M . M . His lordship is a true and hard-working Alason , and takes particular interest in the Alark Degree . Thc following Grand Officers , Prov . Grand Officers , and brethren were present : Bros . H . C . Levander , G . Reg . ( under whose government the province has been since October , 1 S 7 S ); Davieson , G . Treas . ; F . Binckes , G .

Sec ; D . M . Dewarr G . A . Sec ; Alatier ; VV . T . Clarke and T . Adams , G . Stewards ; T . Trollope , ALD ., Dep . Prov . G . M . M . j Lord A . VV . Hill , M . P ., Prov . G . S . W . ; E . F . Cave Browne Cave , ALA ., Prov . G . Chap . ; J . Pearson , Prov . G . Treas . ; R . Pidcock , Prov . G . Reg . ; AlcWinnie , Prov . G . S . D ., as I . G . ; C W . Hudson , Prov . G . J . D . ; C . Duke , Prov . G . D . of C ; S . Peters , Prov .

G . Steward ; G . Smith , P . P . G . J . W ., & c ; C . J . Smith , P . P . G . D . of C . j H . VV . Charrington , P . M ., & c ; J . Harrison , P . AL , Sec . ; T . J . Pulley , P . AL , & c . ; Dorman , Rossitcr , Cable , Burrows , Bridges , R . Y . B . Powell , and Bayliss . Visitors : Bros . Hodgson and Lemon . The Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Clarke , read the authority of the acting Prov . G . M . M . from Grand Lodge . The installation ceremony was afterwards most ably performed by Bro .

H . C Levander , G . Reg ., who has ever taken a marked interest in this province , and is very anxious for its welfare . The R . Vv . Prov . G . AL designate was introduced by Bros . Binckes and Alatier , two P . Al . ' s . After taking his position in Prov . Grand Lodge , the R . W . Prov . G . M . M . was saluted , and proceeded to appoint and invest his officers ( to each of whom he gave a few kind , appropriate , and encouraging words ) as follows : —

Bro . Lord A . VV . Hill , M . P ., & c . ... Prov . D . G . M . M „ C . J . Smith Prov . S . G . W . „ A . Croucher , M . D Prov . J . G . W . „ G . R . Lockyer Prov . G . ALO . „ C . AL Norris Prov . G . S . O . „ AlcVVhinnie Prov . G . J . O .

„ E . F . Cave Browne Cave , M . A . ... Prov . G . Chap „ J . Pearson Prov . G . Treas „ R . Pidcock Prov . G . Reg . „ H . VV . Charrington ... Prov . G . Sec . „ C . II . Hudson Prov . S . G . D .

„ R . Paige Prov . G . I . G . . 'I VV . C . D $ iss Bro- I Cab , eand j Prov . G . Stwds

The brethren appointed to remaining offices were not in attendance . The R . W . Prov . G . M . M . thanked the Past Officers , and impressively enjoined upon the Present to support him , and do all in their power to promote this grand Degree in this province particularly . The Prov . Grand Alark Lodge was then closed , and the brethren proceeded to the grand banqueting room , where

a splendid banquet was prepared ( caterer , Bro . R . Paige , Sec . 75 ) , presided over by the R . W . Prov . G . M . M . After grace had been said , thc usual loyal toasts were given and enthusiastically responded to . " The Health of the M . W . G . M . M . " was next given , and the CHAIRMAN ably eulogised his grand Masonic principles , evidenced by the great interest betakes in all Masonic work . Next followed "The Deputy G . M . and Grand Officers , Present and Past , " to which Bro . MATIER responded , and

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Sussex.

pleasingly referred to his own province ( Lancashire ) being presided over by the M . W . G . M . M ., which is the largest province under the Constitution . VV . Bro . LEVANDER then proposed " The Health of the Newly-Installed Prov . G . M . M ., " and spoke most highly of his energetic Alasonic qualities , feeling convinced that under his guidance this province must flourish .

The R . W . Prov . G . Al . M . suitably acknowledged the eulogies deservedl y given him , and expressed his determination to do all in ' his power to further the interests of the province and the comforts of his brethren . He then proposed "The Health of the Deputy Prov . G . AI . AL , Bro . Lord A . W . Hill , ALP ., & c , and Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and again most heartil y thanked the Past Officers fpr their services , and especially for their

arrangements so ably carried out at this meeting ; and impressed upon the newly-appointed ones to stand by and assist him during his term of office . He called attention to the number of brethren who had deserved well of the Order by unflagging energy , and had been promoted to Grand Lodge . He also very feelingly alluded to the loss the province had sustained by the death of Bro . T . J . Sabine , to whose indefatigable energy this province owes its existence .

Bro . Lord A . VV . HILL ably responded . The remaining toasts were duly given , honoured , and suitably responded to . The thanks of the brethren were given to Bro . Dewar , who contributed to the enjoyment of the evening by singing an excellent song .

Father Agnew.

FATHER AGNEW .

A correspondent wishes to know why the Papal exorcism of " Secret Societies" does not extend to Oddfellows , Foresters , and the like . "Surely , " he says , "therecan be no line drawn between the two societies named , and the Freemasons and Good Templars . If he remembers rightly , Cardinal Alanning , some time back , failed in inducing the Pope to exclude the Good Templars . " Wc take the following extract from the Carlisle Patriot ol December 10 th :

"THE CHURCH AND THE SECRET SOCIETIES . " This was the subject of a lecture which a Roman Catholic clergyman delivered to a Carlisle audience on Monday . From much that Father Agnew said about the destructive forces of Democracy throughout Europe , and thc dangers to religion and civil authority which may be apprehended from that quarter in the immediate future , no

observing man can differ . Recent proceedings in Ireland afford an illustration of the peril ; but the reverend gentleman , singularly but not unintelligibly , said not one word on that subject . In observing silence regarding the secret bodies which issue their fiats of murder and outrage , with the object of overthrowing the existing constitution of Ireland , he onl y follows the example of the heads of his

Church . 1 his omission was the more striking by contrast with his elaborate attack upon the Freemasons , a body which , in this country at least , has always comprised some of the principal personages who _ are peculiarly identified with the preservation of our constitution , as well as a powerful infusion of the most respectable and law-abiding classes of the community , whose possessions give them a great

stake in the maintenance of order . But Air . Agnew says this all goes for nothing , since , on some isolated occasions , in time past , in other countries , there have been Freemasons who avowed very different designs . We can only say that , in the course of . our historical reading , we have failed to trace the connection of the Freemasons with the French and other upheavals . Various secret clubs are named :

but not the Freemasons . In France , during the Reign of Terror , the Order suffered severely with the Royalist body ; and in the edict issued in 1797 by the English Government , suppressing the meetings ' of all secret societies , an exception was expressly made in favour of the Freemasons , on the ground that their work was loyal and benevolent . But even supposing that a numerous association like the Freemasons

has comprised some foolish and violent members , who , after the manner of such , sought to lead it with them in unlawful courses , is that a reason why the great body should desert it , and leave the few to degrade and pervert its useful functions ? Rather , is it not a reason why the loyal members should the more tenaciously hold by it , in order that its legitimate services to the nation may be preserved . '

We will illustrate what we mean . In the famous Syllabus which Pius IX . promulgated , among the heresies and errors denounced along with those of the Freemasons , is that of education by the secular authority . " Totum scholarum publicarum regimen , in qtiibus Christiana ; alicujus Reipublice instituitur , potest ac debet attribui auctoritati civili . " This principle is anathematised in the same terms ,

in the same document , as the Socialists and Freemasons ( and , let us add , Bible Societies , which are catalogued with them among the " pests ! " ) Alight we not think , then , that a good Roman Catholic should [ abstain from participating in work thus denounced by the Papal authority ? But in most towns , Carlisle included , we see Roman Catholic clergymen sitting on School Boards , and doing their

best to work the system which lies under the ban of the Holy Father . Are they to be condemned for doing so ? Certainl y not . If they held aloof , they would merely throw the civil machinery into the hands of the enemies of what they believe to be sound education . On the same line of action , the mass of Freemasons will not desert their Order because they are told that somebod y , somewhere , has malignant designs to drag it into thc mire of Revolution . "