Freemasonry In Suffolk.

Aldborough . It became No . 120 in 1 S 14 , No . 9 6 in 1 S . 32 , and in 1 S 63 , as it is still , No . 8 l . The still older lodge , No . 71 , the Unit } -, cf Lowestoft , held under the '' Modems , " was founded in 1 747 . Orginally , however , it was a Noifolk lodge , being held in the first instance at the Bear , in the city of Norwich . It was No . 198 at the time of its constitution on the tjth of May , 1747 . In 175 6 it became

No . 132 , antl No . 103 in 1770 . In 17 S 1 it was No . 83 , and was held at the Queen ' s Head , Acle , in ths same county . In 1792 it was renumbered as No . 76 , antl some time between that year and the Union it migrated to its present habitation , Lowestoft , for on the renumbering which followed that auspicious event it became No . 99 , and was described as the Lodge of Unity , Lowestoft . In 1832 it

became No . 84 , and in 186 3 No . 71 , antl is the premier lodge on the roll of the Provincial Grantl Lodge of Suffolk . There would seem to have been four other lodges which , if they were all now in existence , could boast of being upwards of a century old . The eldest of them was N 0 . 238 , was first held at the Mitrr , Union-street , Westminster , and was founded on the 2 nd March , 1754 . This became No . 178

in 173 b , No . 140 in 1770 , when it was held at the Rose and Crown , Crown-street , No . 114 in 1781 , and No . 104 in 1792 . Between this last year antl 1813 it migrated to Stowmarkct , in Suffolk , for on the renumbering in 1814 it became No . 129 , and was described as the Phoenix Lodge of that town . In 1832 it resumed its old Prae-Union number of No . io ^ , but , unfortunately , between

that year and 186 3 it has become extinct . The second of the four has been more fortunate , and is still flourishing , though it now hails frcm the county of Norfolk . This , however , is not to be wondered at , seeing- that it was Norfolk born . It was founded on the 18 th February , 17 , ^ 8 , as No . 231 , its first abode being at the Cock , in the parish of St . Mary , Norwich . It was No . 1 S 8 at lhe Flower in Hand , in

the same parish , in 1770 ; in 1781 . N 0 . 133 , at Johnson ' s Coffee House , in the same city ; in ^ 92 , No . I 3 ( i , at the King ' s Head , Coltish all , Noifolk . In 1814 it was held at Bungay in Suffolk , antl bore the stjle and title of No . 164 , Lodge of Unanimity , lt became No . 119 in 1832 , antl No . 102 in 1863 , and is now held at North Walsham , in Noifolk . The third of this small group was the R . Edwin Lodge , of

Bury St . Edmunds . This was founded in 176 5 as No . 338 , held at the Red Lion , Fakenham , Noifolk . It became No . 283 in 1770 , antl No , 226 in 1781 , by which time it had migrated to Thctfortl , in the same county . In 1592 it is described as No . 193 , the Royal Edwin Lodge , held at the Angel , Bury St . Edmunds . After the Union it was renumbered 238 , I ut its existence hatl determined when

the lodges were closetl up iu 1 S 32 . The last of them was the Royal Edmund Lodge , also of Bury St . Edmunds , where it was constilutetl as No . 437 , in 1772 . It became No . 343 in 1781 , No . 28 4 in 1792 , No . 3 ( 10 in 1814 , and No . 233 in 1832 , since when it has passed away . Of the other Prte-Union lodges , two , as will bc seen , still floutish , though five wet eat different times constituted .

The Lotlge of Perfect Friendship , held as No . 479 , at a private room in Ipswich , was fountled in 1785 , and became No . 38 9 in 1792 . After the Union it retrograded to No . 4 S 0 , and died subsequently before 1 S 32 . No . 328 , founded as the Philanthropic Lotlge , at the Bull , Melford , in 1788 , became No . 437 in 1792 , No . 501 in 1814 , antl No . 331 in 1832 . It no longer exists . The Lodge of Prudence , No .

500 , the Three Tuns , Halisworth , was fountled in 1792 . Its existence was of the briefest , as it had ceased working in 1813 . No . 344 before the Union , namely , the Apo'lo Lodge , of Beecles , was founded in 1794 . became No . 5 6 9 in 1814 , No . 3 S 3 in 1832 , No . 303 in 1863 , and is still in working order , while the Lotlge of Virtue and Silence , now No . 332 , of Hadleigh , was founded as No . 622 in 1811 ,

became No . ( 129 in 1814 , No . 417 in 18 32 , and received the number it now bears in 186 3 . Thus , of the fifteen lodges of the Moderns which were founded in or migrated to this county , four are still on its roll , antl one other has remigratcd to Norfolk , where it still holds its own comfortably . Of the four lodges holding under the Ancients at the date of the Union , one dating from 17 C 2 still

flourishes , as we have shown already , while the same remark applies to another which was foundetl in 1797 , antl prior to the Union was No . 309 , St . Luke , Ipswich . It became No . 393 in 1814 , No . 272 in 1832 , and No . 225 in 1863 . Two other "Ancient" lodgis have ceased , namely , No . 73 , Abiff's Lodge , of Saxmundham , which was renumbered No . 97 in 1814 , antl No . 249 , Prince Edwin ' s Lotlge , of

Woodbridge , which btcame No . 315 in 1814 , and No . 222 in 1832 . Thus , putting "Ancients" and "Moderns " together , there are in all six lodges now on the roll of Suffolk which were in exi tence at 1813 , namely , two ol the former and four if the latter . The following are the fourteen lodges which complete the tale : —No . 37 6 , Perfect Friendship , Ipswich , founded

1824 , and No . 3 88 , Prudence , Halisworth , in 1827 , both dating from the Grand Masttrship of the Duke of Sussex . No . 51 G , Phcenix , Stowmarket , of 1843 ¦ No . 333 , Fidelity , Framlingbam , of 18 4 8 ; No . 929 , Waveney , of Bungay , and No . 93 6 , the Adair , of Aldborough , btth of 1862 ; No . 939 , the Prince of Wales , Ipswich , of 1863 ; No . 1008 , Royal St . Edmunds , Bury St . Edmunds , of 1864 ,

and No . 1224 , Stour Valley . Suabury , of 1868 , were constituted during the Grand Mastership of the late Earl of Zetland . No . 1432 , St . Margaret's , Lowestoft , received its warrant uf constitution in 1873 , when the Marquis of Ripon presided over the tlestin ' us ofthe Craft . The remaining four , No . 1392 , Abbey , Bury St , Edmundr , 1873 ; No . ifi-si , St . Audiew's , Gorleston , 1876 ; No . 1661 ,

Hartismere , Eye , 1877 ; antl No . 1823 , the Royal Clarence , of Clare , 1879 , which was formally constituted on the 23 rd inst ., belong to the reign i . f our present Grand Master . Of these twenty lodges exactly cue-half have been constituted since Lord Waveney was appointed , in the ytar 1 S 60 , to the Grand Mastership of the province . May the career of Freemasonry in this portion of East Anglia be as prosperous in the future as it has been in the past I

Freemasonry In Port Elizabeth.

FREEMASONRY IN PORT ELIZABETH .

Regarded from a Masonic standpoii t , the meeting of the lodge in this town on Friday , the 13 th June , was ol an important character , for while at the reunion were representatives from most of the inland towns , the gathering was most noteworthy from the presence of the newlyclectcd officers of the District Grand Lodge . In former

years the latter was held in Cape Town , which in matters Masonic , as it has politically , proved not to be the most fitting place for government , and separation was the measure adopted by the lodges . The meetings since have been held in the Eastern Province , the first taking place in Graham ' s Town . The regular meeting was htld on Thursday , the 12 th June , and the movement with the object of cntertainine the officers at a banquet here was

warmly taken up by the lodges of Poit Elizabeth , who were a ' so supported by the Southern Cross Lodge of Uitenhage . The matter was entered upon with enthusiasm , and , where no pains or trouble were spared , it is almost supetfluous to add that the result was highly successful . The affair took the form of a cold collation ,

which was spread in the banqueting room of the lodge , and about ninety members of the Craft attended . The tables looked bright and gay with the bouquets of camellias and other choice flowers contributed by Uitenhage , and interspersed with bunches of wild flowers , that added to the effect of the whole . Bro . C . T . W . Mouat , W . M . Lodce of Good Will , presided with characteristic efficiency

antl at his right sat the District Grand Master , Bro . Egam and on his left the Deputy District Grand Master , Bro .. Bain . Among the distinguished visitors present , and exclusive of the officers of the District Grand Lotlge , in whose honour the banquet was given , were Bros . Simpson , VV . M . Middleton , W . M . elect ; and Past Masters VV . Wedderburn , O . Lester , antl Van der Broek , from Graham's

Town ; Dr . Arnhold , W . M . Graaf-Reinet-, Johnson and Sissing , from King William ' s Town ; and Bro . Austin , P . M . Cradock . Bio . Mouat proposed the usual loyal toasts , in which he adverted to the fact that the loyalty of colonists had been heightened by the aid and sympathy so generously given in the time of need . He th : n proposed " Bro . C . J . Egan , R . W . D . G . M . of the Eastern Districts , " antl took

advantage thus offered to say that he was sure the lodge woultl find in him a brother fully entitled and qualified for the high post to which he had been elevated . I le would rule evenly , firmly , and justly , antl the more tbe brethren knew of him in the higher degree would he bc esteemed . Bro . Egan , in response , saitl that his appointment had been to him a matter of surprise ; but now that he had been raised to the high office which he held , his only wish was for the welfare of the Order . It was the first time

that the District Grand Lodge had met in this town , but he hoped they would assemble here again . The present system was a great improvement on the old style . He also alluded to the useful measure just carried , providing for the education of orphan children of Masons antl of children of Masons in distressed circumstances .

The President then proposed " Bro . S . Bam , W . Deputy G . M ., " in suitable terms . The toast was most cordially received , and i ;> . response its recipient said that in accepting office he doubtetl whether his humble efforts woultl prove of much service . Nevertheless , he was glad indeid to be associated with Bro . Egan , who had the interest of Masonry always at heart . The educational measure which had

been adopted was of the highest importance , and woultl last as long as Masonry in Port Elizabeth . Bro . F . D . Deare , P . M ., in proposing " The Newlyappointed Officers of the D . G . Lodge , " , remarked that he was glad to notice among them one so well known and respected as Bro . J . C . Kemsley , who hatl been selected to fill office as the District Grand Senior Warden . It also

afforded him pleasure to see Bro . Madge in office . He believed that the establishment of the Grand Lodge in the Eastern Province would tend to the advance of Masonry . The District Grantl Master had a most intimate knowledge of the rules , antl with the management in his hands he believed Masonry would progress and many of its abuses disappear .

Bro . J . C . Kemsley , D . G . S . W ., replied on behalf of the newly-elected officers , and said that the duties would be light with two such experienced officers as the District Grant ! Master antl his Deputy , Bro . Bain . Their Secretary , also , was an experienced member of the Craft . The Masons of Port Elizabeth hatl taken a warm interest in the formation of the District Grand Lodge , which , though but

recently formed , had already commenced work ; and the educational scheme , he believed , would prove the pride and glory of Masonry . The movement was proof that if the lodges united their influence would extend tar and wide . The Grand Lodge was what might be termed a peripatetic institution . A meeting had been held in Graham ' s Town , and now the second took place in Port Elizabeth ; and the

effect of their visits to different towns would be to infuse more spirit into Masonry in the Eastern Districts ; and already a higher purpose had been laid hold of . He felt deeply the kindly words which had fallen from Bro . P . M . Deare , whose name had long been identified with the Lodge of Good Will , for he was one of its founders , and his interest in its welfare had never ceaseJ .

"The Retiring Officers of the District Grand Lodge " were then propositi by Bro . Egan , the D . G . M ., to which a suitable reply was made by Bro . O . Lester , P . D . G . S . W ., who thanked thim heartily for the kind and coidial manner in which the toast had been received . "The W . Masters respectively of the Good Will , Good

Hope , and Southern Cross " devolved upon Bro . Perks , D . G . Secretary , who spoke in warm terms of the hospitable reception the visitors had met with . Bayonians , however , were proverbial for their hospitality . He felt certain that the officers of the District Grand Lodge would combine to make it a success here . Suitable replies were made to this

Freemasonry In Port Elizabeth.

toast by Bros . Mouat , Mackay , and Smyth . The latter remarked that on behalf of Uitenhage the officers of the Southern Cross were glad to assist at the reception of the visitors , and as the sister lodge was so near it was deemed advisable to co-operate with the two lodges of Port Elizabeth , but Uitenhage would not yield to them in the heartiness of their welcome .

Bro . Mouat then proposed " Bro . Perks , the D . G . Secretary , " and spoke in cordial terms of his zeal and enthusiasm in the welfare and progress of Masonry . To this Bro . Perks replied , and remaiked that while he had life and health he would not fail to perform his duties to the best of his ability . He had always impressed upon his colleagues not to office unless intended

accept an they properly to carry out the duties which devolved upon them . He accepted office in thar spirit , and as he had behaved in the past so would he pursue the same course in tt . « future . Bro . H . W . Pearson , P . M ., followed with " Our Visiting W . Misters , " a toast which , he remarked , wanted no preface from him to wtlcome the visiting VV . Masters , who

had done them the honour of being present . Through those officers messages might be sent to their lodges of what had only recently been developed in the form of a District Grand Lodge . There was no man in the colony whom he esteemed more highly than Bro . Southey , but a multiplicity of duties prevented him from giving attention to the regular peiformance of those which were connected

with the lodge . All his intentions were good , but it was impossible , with his multifarious distractions , to ensure the execution of his duties as an officer of the lodge . Separation had been rendered imperative , and now they had an excellent D . G . M . and experienced officers . A healthly rivalry would spring up between the lodges , and each would bc emulous to build up the most charities and the

most temples . Masonry had now , perhaps , struck root in an institution which would commend itself to the heart of every good Mason . Bro . Dr . Arnhold , from Graaf-Reinet , replied , and stated that it was the first tin e he had been al the lodge . He had endeavoured before to come , but the duties of his profession had interfered . The rail , however , was bringing

towns into closer connection with one another , and in the future greater facilities would be offered for visiting other lodges . They had witnessed in what worthy hantls the duties of the newly-organised lodge had been placed , and each lodge would become a worthy link i 1 the chain . He was almost sony to say that Masonry in Graaf-Reinet had flagged—as all human institutions at times will do . Many

members hatl gone to the war . A strong effort had now been made , and he trusted their lodge woultl become powerful . Gatherings similar to the one held that evening had a stimulating effect , anil counlry lodges would assist in making a powerful stride in the work in which they were engaged . Bro . Bain , D . D . G . M ., then proposed " Our Visiting

Brethren , " and remarked that he hoped their \ 1 s 1 t would tend to cement the friendly feeling and sympathy which should exist in the province . All present would unite with him antl echo that sentiment , for they had never had so much rank and influence as were present on that occasion . In this respect it far surpassed all previous gatherings . The brethren must feel gratified at the presence of so

many visitors , for those reunions tended to cement and bind together the various lodges in the colony . In the name if the two local lodges , and also in that of the Southern Cross , which had heartily co-operated , he gave them a hcaity welcome , and hoped that the facilities for travelling now offered by rail would induce them to come

down more frequently to Port Elizabeth . Bro . Leigh , from Cradock , who replied on behalf of the visiting brethren , said that they could not possibly have been accorded a heartier reception . He had invited the officers of the Disttict Grand Lodge to hold their next meeting in Cradock , and trusted to meet them there on a future occasion .

Bro . J . C . Kemsley , G . D . S . W ., in proposing " Absent Biethren , " said that it was with mingled feelings of pain and pleasure that he spoke to the toast , which was a comprehensive one , for it included both dead and living . Among recent departures from the town was Bro . Brister , wiiose absence was greatly felt . The regret was considerably enhanced by the thought that had he remained here

he would have been placed in the chair . " Sweethearts and Wives " was a subject that drew largely upon the eloquence and facile diction of Bro . Cowen , and met with a willing response from Bro . T . Bennetts , whose remarks took a humorous turn , ta the intense amusement of the brethren . The list closed with the customary toast , followed by

" God Save the Queen . " During the evening some musical selections—vocal and instrumental—were rendered , and two recitations were also given . In the former department the ' ! Village Blacksmith " by Bro . Ryan is worthy ; of special mention , for it was capitally sung and excited

general admiration . Bro . Fox ' s name is so identified with success in the culinary line that it is almost superfluous to add that the spread was highly creditable even to him . In the minor adjuncts , too , there was nothing wanting , and both as a gathering and as a banquet the affair proved an entire and unqualified success .

for installation . The brethren of Faithful Lodge , No . 229 , Mark Masters , will meet at the same place , at five p . m ., for election of VV . M . and advancement o £ candidates . The Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe , Lord Chamberlain , has appointed Mr . J . W . Benson , of Ludgate-hil '» jeweller and watchmaker in ordinary to Her Majesty .

The annual assembly of the Sir Knig hts of Dykes Conclave , No . 36 , will be held at the Masonic Hall , Cockermouth , on Wednesday , the 30 th inst ., when the M . P . S . and V . E . for the ensuing year will be respectively enthroned and consecrated . There will also be candidates