Grand Lodge Of Illinois.

GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS .

The Grand Lodge of Illinois celebrated its semi-centennial on the 2 nd inst . Bro . GKORGF . C . L ORIMRR , D . D ., delivered the oration , from which we take the following extract : " Worshipful Grand Master and Worshipful Grand Lodge of Illinois , I have spoken these things to remind you and to inform

the world that our Fraternity is not a mere social organisation for the pleasure of banquetings ancl processionings , having no practical bearing on the serious issues of life . We are-not overgrown children , playing with gauclv toys and amusing ourselves

with regalias ancl high-sounding names , but the custodians of an Institution whose object is to elevate and unify mankind . Let us realise the significance of our responsibility and be faithful to our trust . And if wc shall feel the one , and be true to the other , we will outside the lodge remember what we have there been

taught regarding the dignity of labour , and in private life we will sympathise with its aspirations ancl seek to lighten its burdens . Every Mason should be known as the avowed friend of

the working-man , and if the multiplied thousands who bear that honoured name would only intelligently ancl generously espouse his cause the nig ht of misunderstandings and alienations would speedily be forgotten in the morning of fraternity ancl love .

" Most of us have not many years left in which to perform this God-given task . Already this Grand Lodge is entering on its second half-century of history , ancl when the entire century shall be completed , the large majority of those here gathered shall have ' gone the way of all the earth . ' Let us prize our

present opportunity . If Ave shall be true to * our traditions , when our successors shall assemble in their centennial , it may be in happier times than ours , ancl looking backward they may have reason to thank God that we ever lived and worked . Ah , sirs !

though we may not be permitted to see the coming brighter day , if we shall strive for it and pray for it , we may close our eyes on the sun in peace , assured that it will not tarry . Through the mist of years ancl the dim haze of tears I already see the dawning , and hail with joy the certain blessed future—

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND .

The annual Grand Lodge of this province was held at Keswick , in St . John ' s Church Lecture Hall , under the banner of the Greta Lodge , No . 1073 , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., when , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Right Hon . the Karl of Bective , M . P ., P . G . M ., through indisposition , Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell , P . M . 1002 , P . P . S . G . W ., presided , supported by Bro . William Kirkbride , P . M . ^ 33 . P . P . S . G . W ., as D . P . G . M ., and the Present and Past Provincial Grand

Officers of the province , viz .: Bros . G . W . Kenworthy , P . M . 11 9 , as P . S . G . W . ; W . Cirlyle , P . M . 1400 , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . H . D . Rawnsley , P . M . 1073 , P . G . Chap . ; R . J . Nelson , P . M . 129 , P . G . Treas . ; H . Moser , P . M . 129 , P . G . Reg . ; Geo . J . McKay , P . M . 120 , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec ; Dr . George Caldenvood , P . M . 126 7 , P . l . G . D . ; Georg-e Dalrymple . P . M . S 72 . i 65 o . P . G . D . C . : W . D . P . Field . P . M .

872 , P . A . G . D . C : H . Bewes , P . M . 327 , as P . G . S . B . ; | . Jenkinson , W . M . elect 228- , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . J . VVilson , P . M . 12 S 7 , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . P . Abraham , P . M . 1073 , P . G . Org . ; " Wm . Middleton , P . M . 129 , P . A . G . Sec ; Thos . Allinson , P . M . 119 , P . G . Purst . ; Henry Ward , P . M . 198 9 , P . A . G . Purst . ; Wm . Whilehead , Tyler 9 62 , P . G . Tyler ; F . A . Cooper , P . M . 1002 , P . G . Stwd . ; Dr . Chas . J . J . Harris . W . M . 119 ; Rev . Jas . Anderson , Sec , P . P . G . Chap . ; W . H . Atkinson ,

P . M ., P . P . G . Reg . ; W . C . Johns , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . ; S . Broadbent , J . W . ; J . P . Bennett , W . H . Chapman , H . Murphy , T . Wilson , P . M . 129 , P . P . S . G . W . ; " A . W . Hirdy , J . W . 129 ; William Court , P . M . 310 , P . P . G . D . C ; Jas . Beaty , W . M . 310 ; Thos . Beaty , J . T . Graham , Sec ; J . Slack , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Whart . in , J . W . ; R . D . Clarke , J . F . Grant , W . S . Ponton , W . M . 327 ; W . Rawes , P . M . 339 ; las . Gardiner , P . M . 371 , P . P . G . Reg- Thos . Mandle , P . M .,

P . P . G . D . C ; Jas . Dickinson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; Jos . Abbott , P . M . ; Rev . T . W . Melrose , Chaplain ; J . Hodgson , Ios . Peters , J . Messenger , P . P . G . Tyler ; Thomas Atkinson . P . M . 8 72 , P . P . G . D ' . C ; J . Wood , J . Sewell , James Lawson , Isaac D . ckinson , W . M . 9 S 2 ; J . Paterson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Brooker , P . M . ; H . I rving , P . M .. P . I' . G . Purst . ; J . Cottier , Francis Smith , W . M . 1002 ; T . Mason , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; H . Peacock , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; j . Hewson ,

P . P . G . Tyler ; Thos . Atkinson , J . W . ; T . C . Burn , S . W . ; D . Sinclair , I . G . ; W . H . Lewthwaite , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . ; W . Hodgson , W . M . 1073 ; J . Hall , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Rev . J . N . Hoare , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap . ; E . Jackson , P . M . ; Thos . Wilson , S . D . ; W . J . Atkinson , Sec ; J . Scott , J . Gibson , J . W . ; J . Marti-- , Rev . J . S . Ostlc , Thomas Usher , P . T . Freeman , P . P . G . Org . ; B . C . Waller . P . M . 1074 ; Wm . Armstrong , W . M . 126 7 ; Richd . Tyson , P . M . P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . L . Towerson , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; Thos . Miller , John

Mills , P . M . 1390 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Wm . Bradley , P . M . ; W . Lawrence , P . M . ; J . Cook , P . M . 1532 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Hewitson , T . J . Richardson , Sec ; J . Morton , W . M .. i 4 on ; Henrv Hartley , ' W . M . 1660 ; John McHarry , W . M . 198 9 ; J . Bewley , P . M . ; R . Walker , P . M . ; Chas . Gowan , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Heath , cite , J . Telford . W . Wilson , J . Pattison , J . . Sparks , T . Temple , W . Kewley , L . Rumney , J . C . Thompson , P . M . g 62 , 22 S 5 , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . Wilson , 77 s ( S . C ); and others .

It is just 15 years since the members of the Greta Lodge had the honour to entertain Provincial Grand Lodge . It was fully anticipated that it would have been held at Keswick last year , but the brethren graciously waived their claim in favour of Workington , there heing a new lodge to consecrate and a corner stone to lay .

The Chanty Committee met at 11 a . m ., Bro . W . Kirkbride , P . M . 339 , P . P . S . G . W .. in the chair , when the minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed , and one candidate for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was adopted , as previously agreed upon .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cumberland And Westmorland.

The Greta Lodge was opened by Bro . W . Hodgson , W . M ., and the acting P . G . M ., supported by the Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers of the province , was reported , and saluted according to rank . The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll of lodges and Prov . Grand Officers were called . Al ! the lodges were represented but two , and a few officers had tendered apologies for absence .

The minutes of the last half-yearly meeting , held at Carlisle last April , were read and confirmed . The Prov . G . Treasurer presented his statement of accounts , ancl eich brother present received a copy , which showed a balance of ^ 52 16 s . 2 d . to the credit of the province , after voting £ 105 to the R . M . B . I . and other items . On the motion of Bro . Col . SEWELL , seconded by Bro . G . W . KENWORTHY , they were unanimously passed as read .

Bro . J . C . THOMPSON proposed , and Bro . Rev . H . D . RAWNSLEY seconded , and it was unanimously confirmed , that Bro . R . J . Nelson be again Provincial Grand Treasurer . Bro . NELSON thanked the brethren for their renewal of confidence , and said he would like to have the united support of the province to enable him to have a larger balance in hand , it having been smaller for a few years than formerly . He should always like to ' sce it not less than ^ , and more , if possible . The following brethren were then nominated and invested as Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year , viz . :

Bro . Geo . Dalrymple , P . M . 872 , 1660 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ John Paterson , P . M . 9 62 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . " S " 'f- o n ^ ?? f ' Chap -371 | Prov . G . Chaps . ,, Rev . J . S . Ostle , Chap . 1073 ... ... ... ) r „ R . J . Nelson , P . M . 129 ( elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

„ J . Slack , P . M . 310 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, Geo . J . McKay , P . M . 129 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ B . C . Waller , P . M . 1074 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . ,, Edwin Jackson , P . M . 1073 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Wm . Hodg-son , W . M . 1073 ... ••• Prov . G . S . of W .

„ W . D . P . Field , P . M . 872 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Thos . Ormiston , P . M . 310 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ John Nelson , P . M . 1267 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ Wm . Lawrence , P . M . 1390 j Prov . G . Std . Brs . ,, W . C . Johns , P . M . 119 ... ... ... _ „ P . T . Freeman , Org . 1073 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ Wm . Middleton , P . M . 129 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . ,, Maurice Williams , P . M . 1532 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, Wm . Bradley , P . M . 1390 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ James Beaty , P . M . 310 ... ... ... " „ Jos . Abbott , P . M . 371

„ w . s . ronton , W M 327 ^ Prov . G . Stwds . „ Isaac Dickinson , W . M . 902 „ Henry Hartley , W . M . 1660 „ John Bewley , P . M . 198 9 ... ... ... _ ,, Thos . Usher , P . M . 1073 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The ASST . P . G . SECRETARY read the report of the Charity Committee , which was accepted as read . Bro . MCKAY P . G . Sec , next read his annual report of the doings in the province for the past year , also a very interesting statement relating to the progress Masonry had made in Cumberland and Westmorland for the last 15 years , during which time several lodges and chapters had been dedicated , and the Union Lodge , No . 129 , had received a centenary warrant , and the members are entitled to wear

a jewel in commemoration thereof . It appeared to have escaped the memory of our worth y P . G . Sec . that the members of Sun , Square , and Compasses Lodge , No . 119 , have also a centenary warrant , ancl the brethren have been adorned with a jewel for nearly five years in commemoration of an event that they are all much elevated with . And while we admit the seniority of the Union Lodge , 129 , of four short years , to that of 119 , viz ., 1764 and 1768 , we , nevertheless , feel honoured that the tivo old lodges have been a credit to our province in the past , long may it continue , and may their glory never depart .

A vote of condolence was passed unanimously to Bro . Dr . Chas . Gore-Ring , P . P . S . G . W ., on his recent bereavement , which accounted for him not being present . This being the chief of the business , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren were marshalled in order of procession by the P . G . D . of C , and his Assistant , and proceeded to Crosthwaite Church , headed by the Keswick

Volunteer Band , where a sermon was preached by Bro . Rev . H . D . RAWNSLEY , P . G . C , from the text 1 st Kings , chap . 6 , and v . 7 . The sermon was an interesting description of the building of the Temple of Solomon . The preacher spoke with a knowledge derived from a personal visit to the city of Jerusalem , and said that to-day could be seen the excellent work of the men of Hiram and Solomon , who built the temple in " majestic silence . " It was said that neither

the clang of the hammer , the crash of the axe , nor the ringing of . the tool of iron upon the stone was heard within the House of the Lord , the stone , ' ¦ it was said , had been prepared and brought thither from caverns which seemed to go right under the city walls , where now remain upstanding blocks , begrimed with the soot from the earthen lamps of the workers of 3000 years ago . The app lication of the sermon was that the Masons of to-day must build the temple of a good life ,

so as to be acceptable to the Great Architect in the building of the heavenly life . As in silence grew the old Temple of God , so in silence best grows the Temple ° ' Freemasonry—peaceful , not much heard of , benevolent and helpful , but not much spoken of . He confessed to a hope that in future his brother Masons will have harder tests put upon them as they build and labour at their house of good

fellowship . The joy of their handicraft kept the men of Hiram and Solomon together-Masons of to-day have much given them to do in the helping of the land , and are strong to spread handicrafts that will help the poor . Let them provoke each other to good works , so as to be acceptable to the Master Builder , a holy communion ot happy fellow-Craftsmen , bearing one another ' s burdens , and so fulfil the law ° life in brotherly peacedeedsand in brotherly love .

, , The prayers were read by Bro . Rev . J . S . Ostle , P . G . C , and the lessons hy Bro . Rev . J . N . Hoare , P . P . G . C . Bro . P . T . Freeman , P . G . Organist , p resided ; at the organ , and a collection was taken in aid of the Masonic Charities . ; After service the brethren were marched back to the library to disrobe , and the " proceeded to the Keswick Hotel , where an excellent banquet was prepared . ,

Bro . Col . F . R . Sewell presided , supported * by the Prov . Grand Ollicers of t ' year . A long toast list was gone through , the usual loyal toasts being g iven n * 01 ' the chair . „ Bro . MCKAY , P . G . Sec , proposed " The Health of the W . M . of Greta Lodge , ; who had provided for Provincial Grand Lodge , and had furnished and set out room to meet in with such excellent taste .

In the absence of Bro . Hodgson , the toast was coupled with the name of Jackson , P . M ., who briefl y responded . With other toasts a very pleasant evening was spent .

BERKELEY HOTEL ( late St . James ' s ) , 1 , Berkeley-street , and 77 , Pi ccad ^ London , W . First-class accommodation for residents , with a restaurant ne * J ^ attached for high class luncheons and dinners , at fixed prices and ii la car ' J C . DIETTE , Manager . —[ ADVT . ] J