District Grand Lodge Of Barbados.

The D . G . M ASTER then announced that he had appointed Bro . Robert Havnes as Deputy District Grand Master , and the latter , having been obligated and invested , vvas placed in the chair to the immediate right of the D . G . M . D -itiiig the investiture , the D . G . M ., addressing his Worshipful Deputy , said : In accepting the position of Deputy District Grand Master ,

you are conferring more honour on us than vve confer on you in soliciting your acceptance of it , and I hope you may long live to wear the jewel of your office . The D . G . D . C . having proclaimed Bro . Robert Haynes as Deputy Dist . Grand Master of Barbados , and the brethren having saluted the worship ful brother , the roll of lodges in the district was called , and duly responded to by the members present .

The D ISTRICT GRAND MASTER then delivered the following address : VVorshipfuI Deputy District Grand Master , your Excellency Bro . Sir James Shaw Hay , and Brethren , —It is considerably over five years since a ceremony in many respects similar to the present vvas performed , namely , the installation of our highly-esteemed Bro . the Right Worshipful the District Grand Master , Col . John Elliott , C . B ., C . M . G ., by Bro . Sir Walter J . Sendall , K . C . M . G ., the then Governor of this colony . The installation , as you know , vvas held in the Legislative

Council Chamber , when brethren to the considerable number of nearly So vvere present , a very especial feature being that it represented the refoundation of District Grand Lodge for the third time after an abeyance of nearl y 50 years . In some respects my position among you makes it easier , and in others renders it somewhat difficult , to address you . It is easy , in the sense that I think I am more or less personally acquainted with nearly all the brethren here assembled , who know well my sentiments towards our noble institution , and it is difficult , because

anything I may now say has in some form or another been brought to your notice on the various occasions I have had the pleasure of addressing you . Before proceeding further , brethren , it is proper I should express my very great appreciation of thc high honour conferred on me by his Royal Highness the M . W . the Grand Master in appointing me to the responsible position of your District Grand Master , and also to express and acknowledge the personal obligation I feel to'vards his Excellency Bro . Sir James Shaw Hay , K . C . M . G ., the Governor of

this Colony , for associating himself so closely with Freemasonry by undertaking the ceremony of my installation . But , brethren , there is another name which I could not possibly omit on this occasion , a name that doubtless has at once occurred to you , I mean that of your late Right Worshipful District Grand Master , Colonel John Elliott , C . B ., C . M . G ., whose zeal and affection for the Craft is so well known to all of us , and to whom this District Grand Lodge as well as myself personally are under grateful obligations , and whose best welfare and long life

we all sincerely desire . My feeling of appreciation and pleasure is greatly enhanced hy the knowleelge that my appointment has met with such satisfaction from the brethren , and I need not say that in possessing your hearty good wishes and loyalty I have full confidence that our new relationship will cement the kind feelings we have mutually entertained and conduce to the continuance of the harmony of the District and the general good of the Order . Reviewing the period during which the District Grand Lodge has been in existence , it affords

me great pleasure to recognise the increasing extent of exchange of fraternal courtesies between the several lodges , vvhich , so far as I can judge , has been for good , both in the relations of business and social life , by bringing into contact brethren who , perhaps , vvould seldom have the opportunity of knowing each other , thereby enabling them to discover good qualities that they otherwise might possibly have remained ignorant of . This alone vvould amply establish the value of a District Grand Lodge , for it is largely on the basis of brotherly love that

our great and world-wide Fraternity justifies its existence . There is , however , brethren , another characteristic , vvhich is considered especially binding on us as Freemasons . I mean that of Charity ; and while this is , no doubt , practised freely in all the lodges , yet it does not take the position which , 1 am sure , you all consider it should do as regards the collective action of District Grand Lodge . On several occasions the subject has been raised and some preliminary steps taken by the appointment of a Committee to

arrange for contributions from the several lodges to a District Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , vvhich , in view of the limited number of lodges might fulfil collectively with advantage the work now done by each . This , of course , does not contemplate relief extended by lodges to their own members , but more especially to appeals from those who are now subscribers to any lodge , including wandering brethren , whose cases often require closely looking into to prevent unworthy would-be recipients obtaining the relief due to worthy men alone . I

trust the Committee will soon be able to hold a meeting , with a view to submit a scheme for the consideration of District Grand Lodge at its next Communication in July . In taking a retrospective view of the material course of affairs during the period under notice , 1 think on the whole it may be considered one of progress , though , it must be acknowledged , vve have not achieved the prosperity that some of us looked forward to when the present District Grand Lod ge was inaugurated ; still we may congratulate ourselves on the aggregate increase of our

numbers , though , owing to the terrible depression ofthe last two years , more than one lodge has experienced adversity , Prior to this , the increase in each vvas noticeably large , scarcely a meeting having been held vvhen work was not performed , and it affords me pleasure to state my conviction that , on the whole , judicious selections have been made , while no inconsiderable proportion of the newl y admitted brethren have proved valuable acquisitions to the Order , both as regards their Masonic work , as well as their worth and merit as private individuals . In

aspect to the falling off of candidates , I do not believe it is attributable to a diminution of the estimation in which the Craft is held in the Colony by those eligible , so much as to the hard times already referred to , but , in view of a measure of prosperity on vvhich I trust we are now entering , at any rate , for a time , vve may perhaps expect to be approached by some worthy candidates . Another matter of importance is the attendance of members ; this I am sorry in more than one lodge leaves much room for improvement , and brethren can suppose how keenly an able and

energetic Worshipful Master feels when he finds a scarcely sufficient number to open the lodge , while some even of the officers are absentees , and do not observe Ihe duty of sending an excuse . In connection with this subject , I may observe lhat there arc a large number of brethren who have ceased to subscribe to any lodge , and 1 would earnestly invite such to rejoin and take an active part in the Craft which at one time doubtless engaged their warm and loyal interest . As showing the substantial interest felt in Freemasonry in this Districtit is riht to

, g refer to the fact tbat since the re-establishment of District Grand Lodge a second commodious Masonic building has been erected in Belleville , while the one previousl y in existence in Spry-street has been considerably enlarged and improved , so that while on the former occasion the ceremony was carried through in the Legislative Cour . cil Chamber , for want of accommodation in the lodge room , we have now amply sufficient space for all purposes . Turning from the material position of Freemasonry ( in this District ) , it had occurred to me to offer some

remarks in detail on the attitude brethren should exhibit towards one another , but while lately re-reading the "Ancient Charges" in the Book of Constitutions I was s ° struck wilh the logical and exhaustive manner in which the whole subject is jrcated that I cannot do better than exhort Worshipful Masters to have them read 111 open Iodge as time and opportunities occur , and I can assure brethren who "'• 'iy not have read them tint they arc well worthy their closest attention and regard , as embodying the ideas of past worthies of the Craft , who devoted loving r are and attention to gathering ' and collecting from the rules , regulations , and

District Grand Lodge Of Barbados.

precepts of the Operative Masons of bye-gone ages those quaint but noble expressions of honour and fraternal affection which are placed before us for our instruction and improvement . I may , however , be permitted to say on the subject of our relations to each other , that while at all times a conciliatory frame of mind and disposition should be entertained between brethren , even although differences may have arisen , with a view of reconciliation , yet we should at all times carefully distinguish minor and incidental matters from those in which

offences against the laws of God or the ordinances of the realm are concerned . Speaking generally , vve should never publish to the world the weaknesses of a brother , but rather endeavour by fraternal methods to influence him to amend , and if we can advance nothing in his favour , when vve hear his conduct criticised , ever to remember those peculiar Masonic excellencies , "a silent tongue" and " a faithful heart . " In short , brethren , the sum of the teachings of Freemasonry is , what in a perfect state of society , would be the

universal practice of mankind , to exemplify and carry out the most noble precept by doing unto our neighbour what we wish he should do unto us . While we have much to be thankful for to the G . A . O . T . U . vvho has extended our lives vvith all their opportunities for usefulness , and can look around and see vvith pleasure many brethren who vvere present on the former similar occasion , it is vvith feelings of regret we observe the absence of many—some of whom are in distant lands , and for whom we have hearty and fraternal feelings , among them being our late

District Grand Master , Bro . Col . Elliott , —our Past Deputy District Grand Master , Bro . C . C . Knollys , and Past District Senior Grand Warden , Bro . J . C . Oughterson ; and to all of these I am sure vve desire every good thing that this world can afford . But , brethren , there are some who have departed this life with whom many of us have taken good counsel together , and who in the several ways open to them did their best to promote the good of our Order . The names of the most prominent will readily occur to youBros . Mark Wilson and M . E .

, Doorly , the former vvho is still regarded with especial affection by the brethren of the Albion Lodge , No . 196 , while we all know that his zeal for the interest of Freemasonry continued active to the end . VVe all remembered with sincere sorrow the death of Bro . M . E . Doorly , Mus . Bac , whose loss is , as we are all aware , still most intensely felt by his family—his great musical talents were always at the disposal of any charitable cause , while his services to the Craft

were highly appreciated and remembered by every one of us . May the memory of these departed brethren teach us to reflect on our inevitable destiny , and guide our thoughts to that most important study , the knowledge of ourselves , to s-ich good purpose , that vvhen we too are called from this sublunary abode vve may ascend to that Grand Lodge above , where the World's Great Architect lives and reigns for evermore .

At the conclusion of the address , Bros . CLAIRMONTE , Past D . G . W ., CLINCKETT , Past D . G . W ., and other brethren having tendered their congratulations to the D . G . M ., and a vote of thanks to his Excellency , Bro . Sir J . Shaw Hay , as Installing Master , having been passed by acclamation , Dist . G . Lodge was closed , and the brethren separated .

Annual Social Gathering Of Relief Lodge, No. 42.

ANNUAL SOCIAL GATHERING OF RELIEF LODGE , No . 42 .

The annual social gathering of this old and distinguished lodge was held at the Grey Mare Hotel , Bury , on Tuesday evening , the 28 th ult ., and was attended by about 60 persons , including brethren , their wives , and lady friends , who sat down to an excellent knife and fork tea , catered for by Bro . L . R . Duckworth and Mrs . Duckworth , in their usual style , after vvhich a lengthy programme was gone through .

Bro . V . Brown , W . M ., presided , Bros . O . Wild , S . W ., and J . Booth , J . ., acting as Deputy Chairmen , and Bro . T . Rigby , P . M ., P . G . S . B . E . Lanes ., as Director of Ceremonies .

The following toasts vvere proposed during the evening -. — "The Queen , " proposed by theW . M ., vvas honoured by the singing of the National Anthem , the solo being taken by Bro . H . Matthews . The W . M . next proposed " The Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of the Order , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , ' which was responded to by Bro . E . ROYLES , who sang " God bless the Prince of Wales . "

The other toasts were " The Worshipful Master , " coupled with " Prosperity to Relief Lodge , No . 42 , " proposed by Bro . R . W . BUXTON ( who sang " Here's to his health , " ) to which the W . M . duly responded , by giving the guests a hearty welcome , and thanking them for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which they had received and honoured the toast . "The Masonic Charities , " proposed by Bro . J . CHADWICK , P . M ., Charity Representative , was responded to by Bro . T . H . SLEIGH , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . E . Lanes ., Treasurer .

" Our Entertainers , " proposed by Bro . T . S . Co LUNGE , vvas responded to by Bro . W . DICKSON . " The Ladies , " proposed by Bro . J . W . KENTON , P . M ., P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . E . Lanes , ( the oldest Freemason present ) , was responded to , on their behalf , by Bro . J . WILH ( the youngest member of the lodge ) . "The Host and Hostess , " proposed by Bro . S . Cox , P . M ., Almoner , was responded to by Bro . L . R . DUCKWORTH and Mrs . DUCKWORTH .

The following programme of songs , recitations , & c , was also gone through -. Glee , " Allan Water , " by glee party—Bros . H . Matthews , E . Royles , and W . Dickson , and Messrs . F . Savin and Ingham ; humorous song , "A thing he had never done before , " Bro . R . Gregson ; song , "The charmed cup , " Mr . F . Savin ; recitation , " Tantler ' s sister , " Mr . H . Riley ; song , " It's such a dainty dame , " Bro . E . Royles ; song , " I ' m off to Philadelphia , " Bro . W . Dickson ; song , " I seek for thee in every flower , " Bro . H . Matthews ; duet , " The moon hath raised

her lamp , " Bro . E . Royles and Mr . F . Savin ; song , " The postillion , " Bro . W . Dickson ; humorous song , " I ' ve worked eight hours this day , " Bro . R . Gregson ; glee , " The pretty little flower and the great oak tree , " glee party ( as above ); recitation , "The old man out of town , " Mr . H . Riley ; song , " Mary , " Bro . E . Royles ; song , " Unrequited love , " Mr . F . Savin ; glee , " Sleep , gentle lady , " glee party ( as above ); song , " I dream of the sweet Madeline , " Mr . Ingham ; and recitation , " Mark Twain on the guides of Rome , " Mr . H . Riley .

The proceedings were concluded with the T yler ' s toast and the National Anthem .

Bro . J . W . Wolstencroft played the accompaniments during the evening in a most efficient manner . The gathering was one of the most successful ever held in connection with the lodge , everyone having thoroughly enjoyed themselves , and expressed their delight on being present at such an evening's entertainment .

THEIR ROVAL HIGHNESSES the Prince and Princess of Wales , the Duke and Duchess of York , the Princesses Victoria and Maud , and Prinze Charles of Denmark , attended by the Dowager Countess of Menmi , Miss Km lljs , Gem ral Sir Dighton Probyn , Mdjor-Genei . il Ullis , and the Hon . D ; rek Krppel , arriveJ at Sai . diingham on Saturday last lor the Whitsuntide holidays .