Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

The annua ] meeting of our brethren of Sussex was held , as usual of late years , at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , but under exceptionally depressing circumstances , on Saturday , the 12 th instant , when the chair which , in the absence in India of his Royal Highness , the Prov . Grand Master , would have been occupied by the late Bro . Gerard Ford , D . P . G . M ., was taken b y Bro . Lord Algernon Gordon-Lennox , Prov . S . G . Warden , Bro . Thomas Trollope , Past Prov . S . G . W ., acting as Dep . P . G . Master .

There was a very large gathering of Prov . Grand Officers , both Present and Past , as well as the representatives of the several lodges , ancl when the minutes of the previous general meeting and the special meeting in December last had been read and confirmed , the roll of lodges was called , and a letter of thanks from Mrs . R . Crosskey for the vote of sympathy with her family on the death of her husband , Bro . R . Crosskey , Prov . Grand Treasurer , which hacl been passed by the Provincial Grand Lodge , was read .

Bro . W . H . Hallett having been unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treasurer , the different statistical , financial , and Charity reports were read and approved . From these it appeared that the funds were in a healthy condition , that the number of subscribing members in the province had increased during the past year from 1179 to 1200 , and that Bro . J . Eberall ' s resignation of the office of Steward of the Charities Committee had been tendered , and was accepted with regret , Bro . C . H . Haine being elected his successor . It was also decided that the publication of the Provincial Calendar or Almanack should be continued .

A letter was read from Mrs . Gerard F ord , who alluded in grateful terms to the deep interest taken by her late husband in the work of the province , and endorsed the following address , which our late respected brother had begun in anticipation of the annual meeting , but had not completed at the time of his death : It seems hardly possible , Brethren , that a year has passed since I last addressed you . It has been , Masonically , a quiet , uneventful year in the province . But it

is in the quiet uneventful years that real progress is made . It is in the stillness and darkness of the earth that the corn germinates and springs forth , not in the g lare and roar of the busy highway . I believe that a steady advance has taken p lace in our beloved Craft in the province , and that the love of it and the understanding of it , as a rule of life and conduct , is higher to-day than it was last year . I draw this conclusion from many seemingly unimportant circumstances , the tone

of our meetings , the increase in our numbers , and many pleasant talks I have had with my brethren , when I have learned what their feelings are with regard to our brotherhood ; I have rejoiced to find their hearts in unison with mine . Masonry , I may truly say , is now the work of my life ; the time I spend on other things is but a tithe of what I g ive to Masonry , and it is a most inspiriting thought and one which g ives me infinite gratification to know that my labour is not unrewarded . It

rejoices my heart to feel , as , indeed , I have often felt this year , that when I visit the lodges I receive a welcome , not only as Dep . Prov . Grand Master , but as Gerard Ford , your fellow Craftsman and your brother . There have been times , brethren , durino * the past few months when the waters have seemed about to close over me , and I have doubted whether 1 should ever again stand here at your head ancl address you . During that time the beautiful words of the Third Degree have been often

present to my mind , for it seemed that nature was about to present to me that " one great and useful lesson more , " that last great lesson after learning which we may enter the Grand Lodge Above . Alas ! my brethren , since we gathered here a year ago many breaches have again been made in our ranks ; my dear Bro . Crosskey , whose absence we lamented so much a year ago , Bro . Smith , LP . M ., that good and worthy Mason , and many more . Bear with me , brethren , if my words are

somewhat tinged with the hue of that dark valley into which I seemed about to enter . It is well , perhaps , sometimes that even at a joyful meeting like the present we should stand quietly apart for a moment from the bustle and stir of business and prosperity , and lift our hearts to the contemplation of the impenetrable mysteries of life . I think we shall return to our duties and our pleasures none the worse for those quiet moments when our thoughts were raised above the sordid

things of every-day life . Ours is a complicated double existence , and it is as true to-day as it was more than 1800 years ago that " man does not live by bread alone . " It was a great pleasure to me to receive a kind and gracious letter from H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , our Right W . Prov . Grand Master . Before this time next year he will be again in England , but it is well that brethren should not expect too much personal attention from one whose exalted position gives him

many hig h and difficult duties to perform , the execution of which he cannot relegate to a deputy . During my wanderings , and more especially since the heavy hand of affliction has been laid upon me , I have often felt cheered and comforted by the kind messages that have reached me from my brethren . Once on board a boat on the Rhine I had the happiness of meeting with a brother Mason a German-American , with whom I had a long and interesting talk about the Craft on the other side of the world .

The ACTING PROV . G . MASTER , after briefl y commenting on the affecting address they had just heard , remarked that the least they could do was to pass a vote of condolence with Mrs . Ford in the terrible bereavement from which she was suffering , and accordingly he proposed the following resolution , a copy thereof to be transmitted to her :

" We , the Freemasons of the Province of Sussex , in Provincial Grand Lodge assembled , desire to tender to Mrs . Gerard Ford the expression of our respectful and sincere sympathy with her in the distressing and heavy bereavement with which it has pleased the G . A . O . T . U . to visit her . They further desire to testify their deep and lasting gratitude to their late and much lamented brother and Deputy Provincial Grand Master ( whose death has filled the hearts of all Sussex

Masons with grief ) for the full and well ni gh perfect manner in which , with firmness , discretion , and impartialit y he discharged the onerous duties , ancl maintained m undiminished lustre the honour of the hi gh office to which H . R . H . the Ri ght W . Prov . Grand Master had been graciously pleased to appoint him , and for the general courtesy and kindness he , at all times and on all occasions , evinced ancl showed to his brethren in Freemasonry . They desire also to thank Mrs . Ford for her trul y Masonic letter , and the opportunity she has given them of hearing the

touching words which he had prepared with the hope of reading them in lodge today . They form a fitting farewell to his earthl y labours and a record that the interests of Freemasonry occupied his last moments . And they pray that T . G . A . 0 - f . U . will , of His infinite mercy , grant to those nearest and dearest to him o-race and consolation in the hour of this , their heavy affliction . Dated this 12 th day of October , 1889 . Algernon Gordon-Lennox , acting Prov . Grand Master in the . chair , R . Pidcock , Prov . G . Registrar , V . P . FreemanProv . G . Secretary . "

, The motion having been seconded by Bro . W . MARCHANT , and supported in a Ver y eloquent speech by Bro . W . DAWES , was unanimously passed . The following brethren were appointed and invested as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year :

Bl * o . Ri ght Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . .. T . Billing , W . M . 271 ... ... ... Prov . J G W .. Very Rev . E . R . Currie , P . M . 1184 ... ... * >„ 7 , „ , .. Rev . J . Puttick , W . M . 40 ... ... _ j 1 rov . G . Chaps . ¦> W . H . Hallett , P . M . 271 ... ... ... p . G . Treas .

11 K . Pidcock , P . M . 916 ... ... ... Prov . G Reg .. V . P . Freeman , P . M . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ' n W . H . Causton , P . M . 1726 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . 11 W . Seymour Burrows , P . M . 811 ... ... Prov . J G D » W . L . Wallis , P . M . 916 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

Bro . W . Balchin , jun ., P . M . 1636 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C „ H . Beaumont , P . M . 315 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ A . M . Betchley , P . M . 1619 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ T . W . Dean , P . M . 1110 ... ... ... } p „ „ . , _ ' T . TT 1 T-i r \ , r _ . o . . Prov . G . Std . Brs . hes 1184 "u " u ' 1 ""

„ B . Hug , P . M . ... ... ... ) ' „ F . J . Sawyer , Mus . Doc , 271 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ B . Burfield , P . M . 1821 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ T . Berry , P . M . 1 S 21 ... .... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ G . E . Chapman , P . M . 311 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

„ W . Botting , P . M . 732 „ E . T . Cooksey , W . M . 851 „ W . E . Morrison , W . M . 916 ... ... ... „ „ , A r > r > ivr o „„ r- Prov . G . Stwds . „ A . Brazier , P . M . 1829 „ J . Graham Edwards , P . M . 1466 ... „ L . R . Styer , W . M . 315 ... ... . ... J „ H . Hughes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

Prov . G . Lodge was shortly afterwards closed , ancl the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where they dined together , under the presidency of Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., Prov . S . G . Warden , the loyal ancl Masonic toasts , which wore duly honoured , being interspersed with some excellent music , both vocal and instrumental , under thc direction of Bro . Dr . F . J . Sawyer , Prov . Grand Or 2 "anist .

Consecration Of The Regent's Park Chapter, No. 2202.

CONSECRATION OF THE REGENT'S PARK CHAPTER , No . 2202 .

This chapter was consecrated on Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., at the York and Albany Hotel , Gloucester Gate , Regent ' s Park , by Comp . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E ., assisted by Comps . C . F . Matier , Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Fran !; Richardson , ancl Dr . F . E . Pocock . The following founders were present : Comps . D . I \ Cairn , J . K . R . Cama , Dr . N . John Goodchild , E . C . Mulvey , Dr . N . Goodchild . Charles Sheppard , Dr . John Powdrell , Harry Rose , A . A . Nottingham , and H . E . Coffin . Visitors : Comps . John Fenwick , P . Z . 908 , District Grand Sec Queensland ; G . S .

Dunkley , P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; W . J . Mason , S . N . 132 S ; W . A . Scurrah , l . P . Z . 749 ; H . Sadler , 16 9 , G . Janitor ; FI . H . Shirley , H . 2 ; A . Scurrah , S . N . 2048 ; N . D . Fracis , 255 ; D . E . Dhawar , 1158 ; J . Gladwell , P . Z . 948 , P . P . G . S . B . Bucks ; and J . Rawles , acting Janitor . The chapter being opened by Comp . Shadwell H . Clerke , assisted by his officers and Principals , the other companions were admitted , ancl the Consecrating Officer addressed the companions on the object of their meeting .

Comp . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG gave an oration on the Glory of God anrl the consequent frailness of man , and'the necessity of Institutions such as Masonry can afford , to develop a healthy ambition amongst brethren to approach as near as man possibly can to the perfection of the Omnipotent . The chapter was then consecrated by the Consecrating * Officer with

his usual masterly precision . I he three Principals designate were then placed in their respective chairs—Comps . J . K . R . Cama , as Z . ; N . J . Goodchild , H . ; and E . C . Mulvey , ] . The other officers having been elected , were 'invested by the M . E . Z . as follows : Comps . D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas ., l . P . Z . ; Dr . G . Goodchild , Treas . ; C . Sheppard , S . E . ; Dr . John Powdrell , S . N . ; II . Rose , ist Asst . Soj . ; ancl Nottingham , 2 nd Asst . Soj .

The M . E . Z . then proposed a vote of thanks to Comp . 'Col . Shadwell H . Clerke and the Consecrating Officers for their excellent services , and also proposeel them as honorary members of the chapter . This being seconded , was carried unanimously , and suitably acknowledged . A similar honour was done to Comp . Fenwick , of Queensland , by electing him an honorary member . After a few propositions for induction , ancl " Hearty good wishes , " the chapter was closed .

The companions then adjourned to the banquet , which was served in a very elegant style , under the management of Bro . Holden . The M . E . Z ., in proposing " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry , " said that the Queen-Empress , though not a Mason de facto , was indeed one at heart , of which fact they hacl a living proof in the members of her famil y being Masons . '

Comp . J . K . R . CAMA then proposed " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Z ., & c , ancl the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " expressing his admiration for the excellent work done by some of the Grand Officers in assisting at the consecration . The toast was replied to by Comps . Rev . J . S . BROWNRIGG ancl FRANK RICHARDSON in suitable terms .

" The Consecrating Officer " was then proposed , when the M . E . Z . went srria ' . im through the Consecrating Officers , dilating on thc excellences of each . He had the pleasure of the company of some of them at a recent Masonic gathering where the Grand Scribe E . was pronounced by no less a personage than a P . G . Warden of England to be a "walking mass of eloquence . " From his humble position , he would not dare to make any such statement , but he was impelled to

describe him as the " moving essence of excellence , " and those who had seen the excellent work done by him that evening could not hel p endorsing that statement . The Consecrating Officer , Comp . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in replying to the toast , thanked the M . E . Z . ancl the companions for the appreciation of his working , and dwelt at length on the high dignity of the Degree , and the importance of keeping it select and open to well-qualified brethren only . He also congratulate 1

the M . E . Z on having attained the highest chair in the Royal Arch Degree , ami congratulated the companions on having selected a companion whose cognomen was a household word in English Masonry , and whose father held a high Masonic rank in Bombay . Finally , he would recommend them to look to quality and not to quantity , and would wish the new chapter he had launched into being a very prosperous and happy future . He would give them the toast of " The M . E . Z . "

The M . E . Z ., in reply , said he wished he could lay claim to half the good things that had been said about him . He was indeed proud to occupy the position he did , but would express his gratitude to the companions for the honour done to him by placing him so hig h on the ladder of Royal Arch Masonry . Hc had to thank two companions particularly—Comps . D . P . Cama and N . Goodchild . The former , being a P . G . Treasurer , had taken pains to bring him out in Masonic

circles , and the latter had voluntaril y offered him the first chair when he moved for a chapter to be attached to the lodge . Hj could not help thanking them from the fulness of his heart for their kind thought of him . He would thank the Consecrating Officers for having placed him in the Royal chair in a masterly manner , ancl for the hig h terms of eulogium he used in proposing the toast . He woulel endeavour to merit all and gain the goodwill of the companions .

"The Visitors" was then proposed by Comp . E . C . MULVEY , and dul y responded to by Comp . FE . VWICK , P . Z ., of Queensland , and others . Comp . D . P . CAMA then proposed "The H . and J ., Comps . Dr . N . J . Goodchild and E . C . Mulvey , " who replied in suitable terms . " The Officers " and the Janitor ' s toast brought the evening ' s proceedings to a happy termination . | The musical arrangements being under the direction of Comp . G . S . Graham , some comic songs , whistling accompaniments , & c , were given during the evening .