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Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened with prayer by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Rev . J . T . Hassall , The Prov . Grand Master proposed , anil the Deputy Prov . Granel Master seconded , that the minutes be taken as read , and this was agreed to . The minutes were then confirmed .
Representatives from the several lodges in the Province reported on the condition of the lodges respectively . Bro . Strathern called attention to an omission in the minutes with reference to the report of the Provincial Grand Secretary , as to what constituted a Provincial Granel Lodge . Past Masters were omitted , He also called attention to the desirability of registering the ; names of members
of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The P . G . Secretary explained that with regard to the first point it was purely an accidental omission ; and with regard to the other matter , that relating to the registration , while he perfectly agreed with the remarks of Bro . Strathern that such a book ought to be in existence , such a book could not be kept unless returns were sent to him
regularly anil properly . ( Hear , hear . ) Notices of removals and deaths should be sent to him at once . ( Hear , hear . ) The P . G . Master remarked that the forms prepared by the P . G . Secretary provided for the fullest information , and it was the members' own fault if that information was neit supplied . He thought the brethren would agree with him that the Provincial Grand Secretary had shown a
minuteness of attention in preparing returns that was beyond all praise —( hear , hear)—and he would avail himself of the authority with which they had invested him to direct that such a book be prepareel , anel that it should be a permanent record in the nature of a ledger , which shoulel be serviceable for some years to come . ( Hear , hear . ) On the suggestion of Bro . Strathern , Masters of lodges
were rendered eligible to attend , and in their absence appoint a Past Master to attend . The Provincial Grand Master congratulateel the Provincial Grand Lodge on the solicitude that the Board of General Purposes had shown for the honour and integrity of the Masonic body , an >! agreed in the importance of having the fullest enquiry made into the antecedents of
applicants for the honour of being admitted to Freemasonry , especially when individuals , after being black-balled in one locality , sought election in another . In all these matters , however , they must show a spirit of brotherl y forbearance . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Strathern again brought before the Provincial Grand Loelge the scheme of centralising the voting power
of the province for elections for Masonic charities in a committee . Since the meeting last year at Hadlci-jh the matter hael been discussed at a meeting at Ipswich , and after entering fully into the question , he had decideel to bring forward the following motion , which he thought , from its permissive character , woulel reconcile the views of all parties : "That in order to prevent , as is often ' the case- ,
a waste of votes from the brethren of the lodge eif candidates for Masonic charities in this province , a committee be appointed to conduct the election of such can iielates , such committee to consist of the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , the Provincial Grand Wardens , anil the Secretary , ex-ofjicio , and a member
appointed by each lodge in the province ; and that it be a recommendation to the Provincial Grand Lodge that the several lodges and such committee , by giving the votes of their members when not otherwise engaged , and that they avail themselves of this committee when they deem it advisable . "
Bro . T . F . Lucia said when they met at Ipswich time would not allow this questi in to be gone into ; he , therefore , thought that the committee shoulel again be called together , anil that it would not be right to receive the proposition of a single member of the committee , inste . nl of a recommendation from the whole of the brethren appointed for that purpose . ( Hear , hear . )
The resolution was supported by the D .-puty Prov . Granel Master , who bore testimony to the difficulty experienced in securing the election of a candidate from the Province of Suffolk to cither of the Masonic charities . If they had a central committee in whom was vested the power of using all the votes i . i the province , the-y could by a reciprocal arrangement assist in the election of
candidates in other provinces , and when occasion required there would be a similar amount of support given in return to the province . Until , however , they had the sanction of the Prov . Granel Lodge to such an arrangement they could make no promises of support to other Provincial Grand Lodges , and they could never rely with any certainty on the chance of securing the election of any of
their own candidates . I le asked them to make it compulsory , although some people might kick against it and say , " We have paid our money , anil we have a right to vote just as we like ; " but he was sure that until they had such an organisation they could not utilise their voting power as they might uneler the circumstances he proposed . The voting power in Suffolk had teen very greatly
increased . Last night the list for the province of Suffolk reached £ iz $ , which he thought was no mean sum for the province to send up , and in future years that would no doubt be consielerably increased , because in the past few years the voting power in Suffolk had doubled , trebled , anel quadrupled . It was therefore an important matter that those votes should not be scattered , but be gathered together as far as possible . ( Hear , hear . ) lie did net
wish in any way to bring forward his own views in opposition to the views of the Grand Lodge , but he apprehended that , after the long discussion which had taken place at Ipswich , they should be no nearer a settlement of the question two years hence than they were now , and he therefore adviseel the adoption of Bro . Strathcrn ' s motion . Bro . W . Whitmore , P . G . P ., seconded the proposition . The motion was then carried . The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to invest his
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
officers for the year , anil said that , in the exercise of his prerogative , he had resolved in future the term of office in l ' rov . Grand Lodge should ba one year only , instead e > f two as previously . In the absence of the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens , the appointment of their successors was not prncce'led with . The P . G . M ., however , invested Bro . Youell as Senior G . W . designate . In
appointing the Rev . W . Bird , of Framlingham College , to the office ot Chaplain , he remarked that he for one knew how anxiously and steadily his labours had been given to the young men of this province , anel he was sure that what he hael done for the young men he would continue to elo the old men , and he had great pleasure in showing the
confidence he placed m him by appointing him Provincial Grand Chaplain . Bro . Wheeler , of Loelge 1234 , was appointeel Registrar ; Bro . George Cooper , of Lodge 71 , Supt of Works ; Bro . Campling , of Loelge 929 , Deputy Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . Hudelleston was unanimously elected Prov . Granel Treasurer ; anel Bro . Sycr , Tyler .
The R . W . P . G . M . said he hael pleasure in re-appointing as Prov . Grand Sccretaiy for the year Bro . W . H . Lucia , to exercise those duties which he had satisfactoril y dischargee ! for so many years to the Prov . Granel Lodge of Suffolk . ( Applause . ) Bro . W . H . Lucia having thanked the P . G . M ., the following were appointed as Stewards : Bro . C . F . Brown ,
Doric Lodge ; Bro . Woodward , Adair ; anel Bro . Crackneil , Haitismcre . The P . G . M ., in highly complimentary terms , re-appointcd Bro . Clark as Director of Ceremonies . ( Applause . ) The brethren , who were attired in full Masonic costume , and who excited considerable interest among the large number of spectators , then proceeded to Gorleston Church .
( Ihe church is in process of a much-needed restoration , and in this work Bro . Youell has taken the greatest interest . ) The Vicar , the Rev . G . W . Tomkins , read the prayers , mil the Rev . M . Whitehead the lessons . Bro . Bailey was meist polite and attentive in his capacity as churchwarden . Bro . Bray prcsieleil at the organ . The hymns used weie of
an appropriate character . The P . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . W . W . Bird , Master of Framlingham College , preached an excellent sermon from the text , " He that lovcth another hath fulfilled the law . " The collections amounted to £ 9 us . 81 In leaving the church , the brethren re-formed their process ion and returned to the lodge-room , where the R . W ,
Brei . Lorel Waveney delivered an eloquent oration on the principles of Freemasonry , prefacing his observations by desiring that the offertory at the church should be placeel in the hands eif the Worshipful Master of St . Andrew's Loelge , partly for the restoration of the church , aiiil paitly lor the purposes of charity in such manner as he might deem suitable . The Dep .-. ty Pr . iv . Granel Master conveycel the regret of
Lord Henniker in being unable to be present , and said he was asked the previous evening by the Prov . Grand Master of Norfolk , Lord SurTielel , to make a si . nilar apology , and express bis lordship ' s hope that the proceedings woulel be of a satisfactory character . ( Applause . ) The Senior Grand Provincial Warden , Bro . Youell , returned Uaanks to the Granel Master for placing the proceeelines of the offertory at his disposal .
The P . G . Master , in his address , recapitulated what had occurred in the past year , anil then expressed their hopes for future . I le was happy to find there was such a . gueid feeling existing betiveen tiais ami the neighbouring Province * of Noifolk and Essex . ( Hear , hear . ) They had not furgotten the kind way the'y were received in the neighbouring city of Norwich e > n the occasion of the Grand Master
of England being present . ( Applause . ) Those events should never fade from their memory . ( Applause . ) Under the presidency of Lord Waveney the brethren sat down to an elegant banquet in a marquee on Bro . Youell ' s lawn . Willing hands hail also been at work here , anel the result was that the floral decorations were really very beautiful .
The noble : Chairman , in introducing the toasts , said that , under present circumstances , if they could not act purely Masonic they coulel be loyal . He therefore , in giving the toast of " The Queen , " finished with cheers . Then came " The Health of the Grand Master of England , " eif whom his lordship spoke in the highest terms , and whose name was receiver : with rounds of applause .
The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , in proposing " The Health of the Grand Officers , " saiel Lord Skelmersdale was always reaely to come elown to Suffolk to do anything in his power to promote the interests of the Craft . On Wednesday he woulel be at Clacton-on-Sca to inaugurate the Lileboat there . ( Applause . ) He coupled witn the toast the name of Bro . P . M . Lucia , Grand Sword Bearer
of England . ( Cheers . ) The toast was most heartily received . The Worshipful P . G . S . B . of England , Bro . Lucia , returned thanks for the kind way in which the toast had been proposed , and the heartiness with which the brethren had received it . Unlike the Deputy Grand Master e f the Granel Lodge , he was able to be present , and was very
happy to have the honour of returning thanks on behalf of the Officers of the Granel L'lilge of England . ( Cheers . ) The V . W . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain of England , said he was only too delighted to have such an excellent confrere as Bro . Lucia to respond for the Provincial Granel Officers . One of the greatest piivileges belonging to the posi'ion of a Grand Officer was lhat eif
prop sing " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " who ruleel over the : province . ( Hear , hear . ) There was no man in England holding the position that he ( Uro . Maitvn ) held with such a Provincial Grand Master as he had the honour to be associated with . ( Applause . ) He hael the pleasure of proposing , and he asked them to drink it with all cordiality "The Health of the Provincial Grand
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
Master , Lorel Waveney . " ( Cheers . ) Wc all know ( he said ) how in every relation of life our W . Master shines , anel it would be superfluous in me to sav further in introducing the toast to your approval . ( Cheers . ) I may mention , however , that I notice on the card that the song to the toast is " Love's Request . " Let it be love's request that you drink this toast . ( Much chcerinrr . )
The Provincial Granel master , in response , said he felt quite sure that the discipline and admirable arrangements for which this Granel Lodge was noteel were never more fully discernable than on the present occasion , as was proved by the fact of their drinking his health in a loi ' ge that was not close tyled . He felt particularly fortunate in having so excellent a Deputy Provincial Granel Master ,
anel he felt confident he should always be able to concur in whatever was done by Bro . Martyn in his absence . ( Hear , hear . ) He assured them his work was both ensy and pleasant , anel he thanked them for the honour they had done him that day . ( Applause . ) Rising shortly afterwards , his lordship said the toast he was about to ' give them was that of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ,
( Cheers . ) He would say nothing of the advantage it was to himself to have such assistance , but he might be permitted to say that it was of signal advantage in working the province of Suffolk to have such assistance granted to such a lodge at the shortest notice . ( Hear , hear . ) The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was always accessible either by letter or in person on any contingency that might
arise , and he was a man who was looked up to as one who was experienced in the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) He gave " The Health of the Very Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " and he trusted he might be as acceptable to them as he was to him . ( Applause . ) The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , when the cheering had subsieleel , said he had at all times received so many
marks of kind favour from the Provincial Grand Master that he hardly knew the way to thank him sufii- 'icntly for the kinel sentiments he had expressed . ( Hear , hear . ) Anything connected with Freemasonry was to him a labour of love , but it fell to the lot of very few men to have their own peculiar hobby honoured as his own hob'iy hael been ; but it so happened that he hail succeeded more in
Masonry than his most sanejumc expectations had looked forward to , and this he attributed to Grxl's great goodness to him , and to the kind forbearance shown towarels him in his many shortcomings . He thanked them most heartily for the- kind way in which they had received the toast proposed by the Provincial Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) The Grand Master had said he trusted him , and he ( Bro .
Martyn ) hoped and trusted that that trust had not in any way been misplaced . ( Cheers . ) Such were his feelings towards him , and he believed tliey were those of all the members of the province . ( Applause . ) Their Provincial Grand Master had just completed his 50 th year of Freemasonry , anil he would tell them that he had never rei / rcttcd having joined it from the first down to the present
day . ( Cheers . ) The Rev . W . W . Bird , Chaplain , in responding to the toast of his health , saiel he was not a little surprised when he received a leitcr appointing hi'ii to the Chaplaincy of their lodge . The more he saw and heard of Freemasonry the more he was convinced that it was v . nrihy of every support from them . He was sometimes asked what was
the use of Freemasonry , and his answer was , " If 1 am not a better man the fault i- ; my own ; the fault is not in the system . " ( Applause . ) Freemasonry was based u , . on the strictest princip les e . f moralitv , and rested on the sounelest of bases—the volume of the Sacred Law . It was a wheel within a wheel , and he mo-t firmly believed that those beautiful and solemn ceremonies , which had
been hrarel or joined in by every brother , must sooner or later proeluce a wholesome effect . ( Applause . ) The Provincial Grand Master , in complimentary terms , proposed "Tile Worshipful Master e . f St . Andrew ' s Lodge . " ( Long continued cheering . ) The hospitality which was associateel with the name of St . Andrew's was as well known many elegrecs to the seiutti of ihe county
in which he lived . ( Hear , hear . ) 'I hs ejuestioii hael been raiseel whether the figure of St . Andrew should bs pla . rd before or behind the : cross , hut wherever St . Andrew's cross was seen , whether it floated from the great keep e . f Edinburgh t > r from an English castle , it was rcspectcel and honoureel . ( Applause . ) The privacy of Bro . Youell's beautiful home had been broken in upon by friends , and
they all knew how well he had received them , and honoured their visit by ensuring their reception in that great and noble church , which , like the ether churches in this country , was a beacon of safety , not , only to the landsman but to the mariner on the deep . ( Applause . ) The toast was very heartily received and responelcel to by the W . M . in appropriate terms .
At this stage of the proceedings Lorel Waveney was compelled to leave , anel the chair was most ably filled during the remaineler of the evening by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Martyn . The other toasts of the evening were " The Officers of St . Andrew's Ltidge , " " The Masonic Chanties , " proposed by Bro . Strathern in a lengthy speech , ami which was
admirably responded to by Bro . James Terry ; " The W . Masters of the Lodges in the Province , " proposed by the Chairman , and responelcel to by Bro . T . F . Lucia . ; "The Prov . Granel Secretary , " by the Chairman , in a very humorous and complimentary speech ; and that of "The Ladies" exhausted the toast list . We cannot close thii report without expressing , on
behalf of all who were present , the warmest acknowledgments to Bro . Youell feir his brotherly and ^ ciicruus reception . All that coulel be ilonc was done b y him and Mrs . Youell and family , and we are sure that such kinel efforts will not soon , if ever , be lorgotten . Thanks are also due to Bro . and Mrs . Franklin for the admirable manner in which , although so far from heael quarters , the entire arrangements of the banquet were carried out .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened with prayer by the Prov . Grand Chaplain , the Rev . J . T . Hassall , The Prov . Grand Master proposed , anil the Deputy Prov . Granel Master seconded , that the minutes be taken as read , and this was agreed to . The minutes were then confirmed .
Representatives from the several lodges in the Province reported on the condition of the lodges respectively . Bro . Strathern called attention to an omission in the minutes with reference to the report of the Provincial Grand Secretary , as to what constituted a Provincial Granel Lodge . Past Masters were omitted , He also called attention to the desirability of registering the ; names of members
of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The P . G . Secretary explained that with regard to the first point it was purely an accidental omission ; and with regard to the other matter , that relating to the registration , while he perfectly agreed with the remarks of Bro . Strathern that such a book ought to be in existence , such a book could not be kept unless returns were sent to him
regularly anil properly . ( Hear , hear . ) Notices of removals and deaths should be sent to him at once . ( Hear , hear . ) The P . G . Master remarked that the forms prepared by the P . G . Secretary provided for the fullest information , and it was the members' own fault if that information was neit supplied . He thought the brethren would agree with him that the Provincial Grand Secretary had shown a
minuteness of attention in preparing returns that was beyond all praise —( hear , hear)—and he would avail himself of the authority with which they had invested him to direct that such a book be prepareel , anel that it should be a permanent record in the nature of a ledger , which shoulel be serviceable for some years to come . ( Hear , hear . ) On the suggestion of Bro . Strathern , Masters of lodges
were rendered eligible to attend , and in their absence appoint a Past Master to attend . The Provincial Grand Master congratulateel the Provincial Grand Lodge on the solicitude that the Board of General Purposes had shown for the honour and integrity of the Masonic body , an >! agreed in the importance of having the fullest enquiry made into the antecedents of
applicants for the honour of being admitted to Freemasonry , especially when individuals , after being black-balled in one locality , sought election in another . In all these matters , however , they must show a spirit of brotherl y forbearance . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Strathern again brought before the Provincial Grand Loelge the scheme of centralising the voting power
of the province for elections for Masonic charities in a committee . Since the meeting last year at Hadlci-jh the matter hael been discussed at a meeting at Ipswich , and after entering fully into the question , he had decideel to bring forward the following motion , which he thought , from its permissive character , woulel reconcile the views of all parties : "That in order to prevent , as is often ' the case- ,
a waste of votes from the brethren of the lodge eif candidates for Masonic charities in this province , a committee be appointed to conduct the election of such can iielates , such committee to consist of the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Provincial Grand Alaster , the Provincial Grand Wardens , anil the Secretary , ex-ofjicio , and a member
appointed by each lodge in the province ; and that it be a recommendation to the Provincial Grand Lodge that the several lodges and such committee , by giving the votes of their members when not otherwise engaged , and that they avail themselves of this committee when they deem it advisable . "
Bro . T . F . Lucia said when they met at Ipswich time would not allow this questi in to be gone into ; he , therefore , thought that the committee shoulel again be called together , anil that it would not be right to receive the proposition of a single member of the committee , inste . nl of a recommendation from the whole of the brethren appointed for that purpose . ( Hear , hear . )
The resolution was supported by the D .-puty Prov . Granel Master , who bore testimony to the difficulty experienced in securing the election of a candidate from the Province of Suffolk to cither of the Masonic charities . If they had a central committee in whom was vested the power of using all the votes i . i the province , the-y could by a reciprocal arrangement assist in the election of
candidates in other provinces , and when occasion required there would be a similar amount of support given in return to the province . Until , however , they had the sanction of the Prov . Granel Lodge to such an arrangement they could make no promises of support to other Provincial Grand Lodges , and they could never rely with any certainty on the chance of securing the election of any of
their own candidates . I le asked them to make it compulsory , although some people might kick against it and say , " We have paid our money , anil we have a right to vote just as we like ; " but he was sure that until they had such an organisation they could not utilise their voting power as they might uneler the circumstances he proposed . The voting power in Suffolk had teen very greatly
increased . Last night the list for the province of Suffolk reached £ iz $ , which he thought was no mean sum for the province to send up , and in future years that would no doubt be consielerably increased , because in the past few years the voting power in Suffolk had doubled , trebled , anel quadrupled . It was therefore an important matter that those votes should not be scattered , but be gathered together as far as possible . ( Hear , hear . ) lie did net
wish in any way to bring forward his own views in opposition to the views of the Grand Lodge , but he apprehended that , after the long discussion which had taken place at Ipswich , they should be no nearer a settlement of the question two years hence than they were now , and he therefore adviseel the adoption of Bro . Strathcrn ' s motion . Bro . W . Whitmore , P . G . P ., seconded the proposition . The motion was then carried . The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to invest his
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
officers for the year , anil said that , in the exercise of his prerogative , he had resolved in future the term of office in l ' rov . Grand Lodge should ba one year only , instead e > f two as previously . In the absence of the Senior and Junior Grand Wardens , the appointment of their successors was not prncce'led with . The P . G . M ., however , invested Bro . Youell as Senior G . W . designate . In
appointing the Rev . W . Bird , of Framlingham College , to the office ot Chaplain , he remarked that he for one knew how anxiously and steadily his labours had been given to the young men of this province , anel he was sure that what he hael done for the young men he would continue to elo the old men , and he had great pleasure in showing the
confidence he placed m him by appointing him Provincial Grand Chaplain . Bro . Wheeler , of Loelge 1234 , was appointeel Registrar ; Bro . George Cooper , of Lodge 71 , Supt of Works ; Bro . Campling , of Loelge 929 , Deputy Director of Ceremonies ; Bro . Hudelleston was unanimously elected Prov . Granel Treasurer ; anel Bro . Sycr , Tyler .
The R . W . P . G . M . said he hael pleasure in re-appointing as Prov . Grand Sccretaiy for the year Bro . W . H . Lucia , to exercise those duties which he had satisfactoril y dischargee ! for so many years to the Prov . Granel Lodge of Suffolk . ( Applause . ) Bro . W . H . Lucia having thanked the P . G . M ., the following were appointed as Stewards : Bro . C . F . Brown ,
Doric Lodge ; Bro . Woodward , Adair ; anel Bro . Crackneil , Haitismcre . The P . G . M ., in highly complimentary terms , re-appointcd Bro . Clark as Director of Ceremonies . ( Applause . ) The brethren , who were attired in full Masonic costume , and who excited considerable interest among the large number of spectators , then proceeded to Gorleston Church .
( Ihe church is in process of a much-needed restoration , and in this work Bro . Youell has taken the greatest interest . ) The Vicar , the Rev . G . W . Tomkins , read the prayers , mil the Rev . M . Whitehead the lessons . Bro . Bailey was meist polite and attentive in his capacity as churchwarden . Bro . Bray prcsieleil at the organ . The hymns used weie of
an appropriate character . The P . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . W . W . Bird , Master of Framlingham College , preached an excellent sermon from the text , " He that lovcth another hath fulfilled the law . " The collections amounted to £ 9 us . 81 In leaving the church , the brethren re-formed their process ion and returned to the lodge-room , where the R . W ,
Brei . Lorel Waveney delivered an eloquent oration on the principles of Freemasonry , prefacing his observations by desiring that the offertory at the church should be placeel in the hands eif the Worshipful Master of St . Andrew's Loelge , partly for the restoration of the church , aiiil paitly lor the purposes of charity in such manner as he might deem suitable . The Dep .-. ty Pr . iv . Granel Master conveycel the regret of
Lord Henniker in being unable to be present , and said he was asked the previous evening by the Prov . Grand Master of Norfolk , Lord SurTielel , to make a si . nilar apology , and express bis lordship ' s hope that the proceedings woulel be of a satisfactory character . ( Applause . ) The Senior Grand Provincial Warden , Bro . Youell , returned Uaanks to the Granel Master for placing the proceeelines of the offertory at his disposal .
The P . G . Master , in his address , recapitulated what had occurred in the past year , anil then expressed their hopes for future . I le was happy to find there was such a . gueid feeling existing betiveen tiais ami the neighbouring Province * of Noifolk and Essex . ( Hear , hear . ) They had not furgotten the kind way the'y were received in the neighbouring city of Norwich e > n the occasion of the Grand Master
of England being present . ( Applause . ) Those events should never fade from their memory . ( Applause . ) Under the presidency of Lord Waveney the brethren sat down to an elegant banquet in a marquee on Bro . Youell ' s lawn . Willing hands hail also been at work here , anel the result was that the floral decorations were really very beautiful .
The noble : Chairman , in introducing the toasts , said that , under present circumstances , if they could not act purely Masonic they coulel be loyal . He therefore , in giving the toast of " The Queen , " finished with cheers . Then came " The Health of the Grand Master of England , " eif whom his lordship spoke in the highest terms , and whose name was receiver : with rounds of applause .
The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , in proposing " The Health of the Grand Officers , " saiel Lord Skelmersdale was always reaely to come elown to Suffolk to do anything in his power to promote the interests of the Craft . On Wednesday he woulel be at Clacton-on-Sca to inaugurate the Lileboat there . ( Applause . ) He coupled witn the toast the name of Bro . P . M . Lucia , Grand Sword Bearer
of England . ( Cheers . ) The toast was most heartily received . The Worshipful P . G . S . B . of England , Bro . Lucia , returned thanks for the kind way in which the toast had been proposed , and the heartiness with which the brethren had received it . Unlike the Deputy Grand Master e f the Granel Lodge , he was able to be present , and was very
happy to have the honour of returning thanks on behalf of the Officers of the Granel L'lilge of England . ( Cheers . ) The V . W . Bro . the Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaplain of England , said he was only too delighted to have such an excellent confrere as Bro . Lucia to respond for the Provincial Granel Officers . One of the greatest piivileges belonging to the posi'ion of a Grand Officer was lhat eif
prop sing " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master , " who ruleel over the : province . ( Hear , hear . ) There was no man in England holding the position that he ( Uro . Maitvn ) held with such a Provincial Grand Master as he had the honour to be associated with . ( Applause . ) He hael the pleasure of proposing , and he asked them to drink it with all cordiality "The Health of the Provincial Grand
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.
Master , Lorel Waveney . " ( Cheers . ) Wc all know ( he said ) how in every relation of life our W . Master shines , anel it would be superfluous in me to sav further in introducing the toast to your approval . ( Cheers . ) I may mention , however , that I notice on the card that the song to the toast is " Love's Request . " Let it be love's request that you drink this toast . ( Much chcerinrr . )
The Provincial Granel master , in response , said he felt quite sure that the discipline and admirable arrangements for which this Granel Lodge was noteel were never more fully discernable than on the present occasion , as was proved by the fact of their drinking his health in a loi ' ge that was not close tyled . He felt particularly fortunate in having so excellent a Deputy Provincial Granel Master ,
anel he felt confident he should always be able to concur in whatever was done by Bro . Martyn in his absence . ( Hear , hear . ) He assured them his work was both ensy and pleasant , anel he thanked them for the honour they had done him that day . ( Applause . ) Rising shortly afterwards , his lordship said the toast he was about to ' give them was that of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ,
( Cheers . ) He would say nothing of the advantage it was to himself to have such assistance , but he might be permitted to say that it was of signal advantage in working the province of Suffolk to have such assistance granted to such a lodge at the shortest notice . ( Hear , hear . ) The Deputy Provincial Grand Master was always accessible either by letter or in person on any contingency that might
arise , and he was a man who was looked up to as one who was experienced in the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) He gave " The Health of the Very Worshipful the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " and he trusted he might be as acceptable to them as he was to him . ( Applause . ) The Deputy Provincial Grand Master , when the cheering had subsieleel , said he had at all times received so many
marks of kind favour from the Provincial Grand Master that he hardly knew the way to thank him sufii- 'icntly for the kinel sentiments he had expressed . ( Hear , hear . ) Anything connected with Freemasonry was to him a labour of love , but it fell to the lot of very few men to have their own peculiar hobby honoured as his own hob'iy hael been ; but it so happened that he hail succeeded more in
Masonry than his most sanejumc expectations had looked forward to , and this he attributed to Grxl's great goodness to him , and to the kind forbearance shown towarels him in his many shortcomings . He thanked them most heartily for the- kind way in which they had received the toast proposed by the Provincial Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) The Grand Master had said he trusted him , and he ( Bro .
Martyn ) hoped and trusted that that trust had not in any way been misplaced . ( Cheers . ) Such were his feelings towards him , and he believed tliey were those of all the members of the province . ( Applause . ) Their Provincial Grand Master had just completed his 50 th year of Freemasonry , anil he would tell them that he had never rei / rcttcd having joined it from the first down to the present
day . ( Cheers . ) The Rev . W . W . Bird , Chaplain , in responding to the toast of his health , saiel he was not a little surprised when he received a leitcr appointing hi'ii to the Chaplaincy of their lodge . The more he saw and heard of Freemasonry the more he was convinced that it was v . nrihy of every support from them . He was sometimes asked what was
the use of Freemasonry , and his answer was , " If 1 am not a better man the fault i- ; my own ; the fault is not in the system . " ( Applause . ) Freemasonry was based u , . on the strictest princip les e . f moralitv , and rested on the sounelest of bases—the volume of the Sacred Law . It was a wheel within a wheel , and he mo-t firmly believed that those beautiful and solemn ceremonies , which had
been hrarel or joined in by every brother , must sooner or later proeluce a wholesome effect . ( Applause . ) The Provincial Grand Master , in complimentary terms , proposed "Tile Worshipful Master e . f St . Andrew ' s Lodge . " ( Long continued cheering . ) The hospitality which was associateel with the name of St . Andrew's was as well known many elegrecs to the seiutti of ihe county
in which he lived . ( Hear , hear . ) 'I hs ejuestioii hael been raiseel whether the figure of St . Andrew should bs pla . rd before or behind the : cross , hut wherever St . Andrew's cross was seen , whether it floated from the great keep e . f Edinburgh t > r from an English castle , it was rcspectcel and honoureel . ( Applause . ) The privacy of Bro . Youell's beautiful home had been broken in upon by friends , and
they all knew how well he had received them , and honoured their visit by ensuring their reception in that great and noble church , which , like the ether churches in this country , was a beacon of safety , not , only to the landsman but to the mariner on the deep . ( Applause . ) The toast was very heartily received and responelcel to by the W . M . in appropriate terms .
At this stage of the proceedings Lorel Waveney was compelled to leave , anel the chair was most ably filled during the remaineler of the evening by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Martyn . The other toasts of the evening were " The Officers of St . Andrew's Ltidge , " " The Masonic Chanties , " proposed by Bro . Strathern in a lengthy speech , ami which was
admirably responded to by Bro . James Terry ; " The W . Masters of the Lodges in the Province , " proposed by the Chairman , and responelcel to by Bro . T . F . Lucia . ; "The Prov . Granel Secretary , " by the Chairman , in a very humorous and complimentary speech ; and that of "The Ladies" exhausted the toast list . We cannot close thii report without expressing , on
behalf of all who were present , the warmest acknowledgments to Bro . Youell feir his brotherly and ^ ciicruus reception . All that coulel be ilonc was done b y him and Mrs . Youell and family , and we are sure that such kinel efforts will not soon , if ever , be lorgotten . Thanks are also due to Bro . and Mrs . Franklin for the admirable manner in which , although so far from heael quarters , the entire arrangements of the banquet were carried out .