Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cambridgeshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Cambridgeshire was held at the Lion Hotel , Cambridge , under the banner of the Scientific Lodge , No . 88 , on Friday , the nth inst . The R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of Hardwicke , presided , and the officers present were—Bros . A . H . Moyes , P . G . Std . Br ., D . P . G . M . ; VV . Welchman , P . S . G . VV . ; Rev . \ V . Cunningham , P . G . Chap . ; J . S . Youneman , P . G . R . ; J . Bonnett , P . G . S . ; W . I .

ashler , P . J . G . D . ; VV . P . Spalding-, P . G . S . of VV . ; T . R . Green , P . G . D . C ; E . Armytage , P . A . G . D . C ; J . Sedger , P . G . Swd . Br . ; R . Thornton and C . H . Banham , P . G . Stewards . The attendance likewise included Bros . Dr . B . Anningson , G . McCallum , T . Watts T . Hunnybun , T . Nichols , E . Hills , VV . M . Fawcett , Rev . J . Imrie , O . Browning-, E . H . Jennings , S . H . Sharman , Frank Piggott , T . Jennings , jun ., VV . B . Redfarn , Oliver Papworth , I . F . Miller , W . Purchas , G . VVhitmore , J . F . Symonds , C . W ,

Palmer , W . Chaplin , G . Scales , J . H . Moyes , Dr . Roper , J . V . Pryor , and others . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , the PROV . G . SECRETARY called the roll of lodges . Scientific Lodge , 88 , represented by Bro . VV . I . Pashler , W . M ., numbered 7 S members ; Three Grand Principles , 441 , represented by Bro . S . H . Sharman , W . M ., has 60 members ; United Good Fellowship , 809 , represented by Bro . W . Welchman , has 49

members ; Isaac Newton University Lodge , 859 , represented by Bro . Annytage , W . M ., has 114 members ; Alma Mater , 1492 , represented by Bro . W . M , Fawcett , has 14 members ; and Etheldreda , 2107 , represented by Bro . E . Hilis , W . M ., has 30 members . The minutes of last annual Provincial Grand Lodge and the lodge of emergency , held on the occasion of the Queen ' s Jubilee , were read and confirmed .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be conveyed to Bro . Thomas Nichols , P . G . Treas ., for the services he had rendered to the province as a Prov . Grand Officer during the long period of 15 years , with the earnest hope that they might long continue to receive his advice in P . G . Lodge . This was seconded by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , and carried unanimously .

Bro . T . NICHOLS acknowledged the vote , and said that what he had done had been a labour of love . It would ever be the greatest pleasure to render a service to the Craft . Upon the motion of the D . P . G . M ., seconded by Bro . E . H . J ENNINGS , Bro . C . Geldard , 859 , was re-elected P . G . Treasurer . The PROV . GRAND MASTER then appointed and invested his officers as follows : —

Bro . T . Nichols , P . M . 88 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ E . Hills , W . M . 2107 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . F . J . Foakes Jackson , P . M . 859 •••]P a ph-m * ., Rev . J . Imrie , 2017 ... ... j rrov . U . Chaps . „ C . Geldard , P . M . 8 59 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Oscar Browning , P . M . 1492 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ I . Bonnett , 8 . SQ ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

,, S . H . Sharman , W . M . 441 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ C . H . Peck , VV . M . 809 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . ,, T . Jennings , jun ., S . W . 2107 ... ... Prov . S . of W . „ ] . F . Symonds , S . D . 441 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ R . Smith , l . G . 809 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ G . Whitmore , 441 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br „ W . Purchas , J . VV . 88 ... ... ... Prov . G . Ore .

„ VV . B . Redfarn , l . G . SS ... ... ' ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, C . H . Banham , 88 ... ... ... ¦ ) „ J . F . Miller , 441 ... ... ... C Prov . G . Stwds . ,, R . L . Thornton , 859 ... ... ... ) " „ T . Collier ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , under a special dispensation on the occasion of her Maje = ty ihe Queen ' s Jubilee , then appointed Bro . J . T . Hiscox , P . M . 1410 , 3 s Past Prov . G , Reg . Bro . Hiscox had , done much for the Craft in the province , and his general assistance to Masonry justified the appointment , which he I rusted would be appreciated by Grand Lodge and the province . ( Applause . ) Bro . Hiscox was P . M . of a lodge outside this province . ( He was last week re-elected Mayor of Wisbeach . ) The Auditors' report of the Treasurer ' s accounts was read and confirmed .

The fourth annual report of the Cambridgeshire Masonic Charity Association was next read . The province was again to be congratulated on a very successful year as regards the election of a candidate to one of the Masonic Charities , and also upon the sums collected by the Stewards attending the three Festivals for the present year . •At the April election for the Boys ' School , J . M . Mitchell , son of the late Bro . B . H . Mitchell , No . 441 ,

Cambridge , was placed 13 th on the list of 27 successful candidates . For the Benevolent , Bro . A . H . Moyes , D . P . G . M ., took up with him ^ 220 ios . ; for the Boys' , Bro . S . H . Sharman , W . M . No . 88 , took up ^ 137 ns . ; for the Girls ' , Bro . C . Geldard , P . M . 859 , took up £ 200 . Sums amounting to £ 73 ios . were contributed to these lists by the Association . Prov . Grand

Lodge gave 21 guineas , and ten guineas was collected at the last Prov . Grand Lodge banquet . The votes in the province were now 170 Boys' and 166 Girls ' , half-yearly , and 304 Benevolent , yearly . There were Si brethren who subscribed to the Association . During the year subscriptions were made to the three Masonic Charities from

the six lodges and four chapters in the province , as under : — Scientific , £ 15 15 s . to the Benevolent ; Three Grand Principles , £ 10 ios . to the ^ Boys '; United Good Fellowship , £ 15 15 s . to the Benevolent ; Isaac Newton , £ 21 to the Girls '; Alma Mater , none ; Etheldreda , £ 10 ios . to the Benevolent ; Pythagoras Chapter ( 8 S ) , £$ 5 s . to the Benevolent ;

Fidelity , Etheldreda , and Euclid Chapters , nil . Contributions through Stewards from the province during the years 1883 , 1884 , 1885 , 1886 , and 1 S 87 , to the three Masonic Charities , amounted to a total of £ 1545 is . In conclusion , the Committee appealed to the brethren to join the Association . 1

ue rRov . URAND MASTER said the report was most gratifying . The P . G . SECRETARY ( in the absence of Bro . Geldard ) proposed "That a sum of 20 guineas be voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and be placed on the list of the D . P . G . M . " Seconded by Bro . J . S . YOUNG . MAN , and carried unanimously .

Ihe P . G . SECRETARY next proposed "That a sum of five guineas be voted to the Cambridgeshire Masonic Charity Association , for current expenses . " Seconded by Bro . F . PIGGOTT , and agreed to . After a discussion as to the publication of accounts , Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

At the banquet which followed , The PROV . GRAND MASTER gave "The Queen and Craft , " and offered some remarks on her Majesty ' s reign . This'liad been no ordinary year in

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cambridgeshire.

the annals of this country , or the history of the Craft . The various and multitudinous assemblies which had taken place all over England , and with which all classes were associated , had afforded the strongest manifestation of the popular feeling which existed towards the Sovereign of these realms . He thought there was nothing more striking in the history of England than that with the greater development of the opinions and suffrages

of the people , the more security and devotion to the throne had been shown . The history of the reign of the Queen was most magnificent and most realistic . Together with the progress of knowledge , the increase of education , and the power of the people of the world , those two great factors steam and electricity had produced the most marvellous changes in the state of

civilized society . Indeed , old things had passed away and everything had become new . Still Masonry remained what it should be , a consolidated bod y of trusting and trustworthy citizens . Long might Masonry continue to exist and flourish , and be a mainstay 01 the throne , and an assistant of the civilisation of the world .

"The Health of the M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " was given from the chair . Bro . Lord HARDWICKE said his Royal Hig hness had told him what great satisfaction it gave him to meet so many members of the Craft of the empire at the great meeting held in London this year ; and among his many duties , none came with more affection than the authority he held over the Craft in this country . All right-thinking

people would appreciate the difficult position which his Royal Highness held as Heir Apparent , and would also appreciate the endeavours he made to fulfil the dudes of that position with credit to himself and advantage to the general interests of the people . They would sympathise with him in the illness which some members of his family had lately suffered , and congratulate him that the Princesses would soon be enabled to return to England .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER next proposed "The Health of the M . W . Pro G . M ., the Right Hon , the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . D . G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom ; and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " They knew perfectly well that no constituted Society could exist without having at its head efficient and competent persons to manage and regulate its affairs , and the Craft in England could boast of having as their

officers men of the highest integrity and of universal esteem . In speaking of Lord Carnarvon , he said that all would deeply regret the great affliction which had fallen upon him and his family by the sudden death of Captain Byng , the husband of his eldest daughter . As to Lord Lathom ; he was always glad lo be able to afford some help and benefit to the Craft . With the toast he coupled the name of Bro . A , H . Moyes , P . G . Std . Br ., the D . G . M . of that province .

Bro . A . H . MOVES , in responding , attributed his appointment in Grand Lodge as an honour to the province . Bro . VV . I . PASHLER gave the toast of "The R . W . the Prov . Grand Master , " remarking that Lord Hardwicke was a true and earnest Mason , and one beloved by every brother in the province . He was the type of a true English gentleman , a true admirer of all British sport , a staunch supporter of the Throne , and had a generous heart towards the poor . I . ong might he be preserved to preside over them .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said he was exceedingly gratified with tlie manner in which he was received , though the eulogies ot Bro . Pashler were unfortunately not deserved . As one got on in years he saw the shortcomings which had been detrimental ; and he always lelt , when sitting down with a body of gentlemen connected with the county of Cambridge—which he dearly loved—how much he might have done . Still , while there was lite

there was hope ; and although he was happy to be hailed as grandfather by smiling children , he still lelt the power . and vigour of youth . He looked back upon the past with regret ; but the generous manner in which he was always received in Cambridgeshire made him sometimes inclined to forget the past and its errors . As to his Masonic brethren , he was happy in being in their society ; and he did not think there was a province which—considering its smallness—had done more to fulfil ihe principles of their Order

since he had been at their head . There was perlect sympathy with those about them , and Charity with those below them ; and he knew , irom what was told him in Grand Lodge , that iheie was no body of Masons who worked more for the welfare ol the Cralt . Though small , the province had made its mark for being zealous and charitable . He hoped it would long continue to do so . He could assure them that so long as he lived , and they felt him fitted to serve them , he should do all he could to serve them , and further the interests of true Masonry .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER subsequently gave "The Health of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master . " The good working of a province depended upon the zeal and bona fides of the Deputy , and naturally when he had to appoint a successor to their departed Bros . Deighton and York , he had somewhat of a difficult task . But frbm what had passed during Bro .

Moyes ' s year he felt he had done that which had been of benefit to the province , as well as assistance to himself . Bro . Moyes had for a very considerable period of time been strongly and fondly attached to Masonry , he was highly respected by the people of Cambridgeshire , and in his present position as D . P . G . M . he would realise their fondest hopes , which were for the best interests of Masonry in the province .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER said it would ill become him to speak of anything he had done for Masonry , to which he had been long attached , and at present he felt to be almost on his probation . Still , he thought he could say lor the province that it had upheld its position in the country , considering the number of lodges it possessed .

Lord HARDWICKE next proposed " The Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " and with the toast associated the name of Bro . T . Nichols , P . S . G . VV ., who was one ol their most assiduous and devoted brethren . The present state of their finances was mainly owing to the assiduity of their late P . G . Treasurer . For himself , he should have been

satisfied had there been no change , but , ' ¦ tempora mutantur , " they could not help looking with affection and gratitude to the services he had rendered in the past . In Bro . Nichols they had a Past and Present Officer . The name of Bro . E . H . Jennings was likewise coupled , with the remark that the Craft would be well served whenever he was again called to office .

Bros . NICHOLS and J ENNINGS suitably responded . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER gave "The Masonic Charities , " and appealed for a generous support of those Institutions . Bro . OLIVER PAPWORTH , Hon . Secretary of the Cambridgeshire Masonic Charity Association , responded , in the unavoidable absence

of Bro . Hedges , from the Giils' School , and strongly urged the brethren not . to go back upon their present position in regard to the Charities . When he first went to town on this matter Cambridgeshire was not known ; now it was quite different , the province being well received and looked up to , He regretted that , althoug h