Provincial.

them , to say more than this—that he was sure the example of the Past Grand Officers would be followed by the present . He concluded by proposing "The Health of tbe R . AV . Prov . G . Master for Sussex . " Bro . Lord Pelham responded . He expressed his esjiccial gratification at the manner in which the late Masonic ceremony at Lewes—the laying the foundation stone—had been performed , and congratulated the brethren on tho progress of Masonry in

tbe county , and on its non-sectarian or political characteristics . They might rest assured that nothing of this kind would ever be introduced by him—nothing whereby in Masonry there should be the cause for political differences . In conclusion , he proposed " The Health of Bro . Furner , the A . AV . D . Prov . G . M . "

Bro . Furner , V . AV . D . Prov . G . M ., responded . He assured the brethren ho was deeply sensible of the honour they had conferred on him , by the manner in which his health had been proposed and responded to . Ho felt that tbe office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master was here a sinecure—they would agree with him , it they had such a Provincial Grand Master as Bro . Lord Pelham , one who fulfilled the duties so well it must necessarily be a sinecure . Masonry , in this province , had exceeded far beyond his most

sanguine expectations , and knowing what bad been done in the past his hopes were most sanguine for the future . Before resuming his seat he must call on them to assist him in proposing "The Health of the Provincial Grand Officers , Past and Present , " all of them were most efficient , and all performed tboir duties most ably—ho could not especially single out any one , but he was sure he should not be out of place in especially mentioning Bro . Corder , who had been so able and so proficient in his duties .

Bro . Corder responded Bro . J . H . Scott proposed "The Masters of the various Lodges in the province . " He said—Right AA orsbipful Provincial Grand Master and Brethren : This is the third time that at our annual banquets I have been entrusted with the same toast , and were it not that the subject , to speak artistically , is a good one , and admits of different treatment and handling , I should find it difficult before the same audience to propose it to you again in

sucli a manner as to make what I have to say interesting to you . The first time that I proposed the health of tbe AA ' . M . 's of the Sussex lodges , I ventured to state what were the duties of a AV . M ., and how essential it is to the interests of Freemasonry that none but those who are efficient should be elected to that important office . Last year at Hastings I congratulated the province on the high attainments of its A \ . M . ' s , and I remember saying that there never was a time when the chairs of our

lodges were more ably filled . But whilst paying this tribute to the merits and abilities of the many eminent brethren who chanced last year to bo our AA . M . 's , I also said there never was a time wheu it was more needful that we should have good Masters , or more needful that one and all of us should be true to the principles of the Order , and that for two reasons . Iu tho first place , because of the temper of the age in which we live ; aud , secondly—but I will not again dwell on that other reason . The occasion for doing so has passed away . Besides which I was

almost treading on forbidden ground , and although my ears were not assailed by what a clever and witty prelate has jocosely termed "sibilant noises , " I distinctly heard cries of " No politics . " I will not therefore to-day awaken the apprehension of any one present by speaking unadvisedly with my lips on that tabooed subject . The first reason that I urged upon you to be true to the Craft , still , however , holds good , for the temper of the times has not materially changed since we

met together twelve months ago . It is a temper peculiarly critical , peculiarly reforming , and , whilst ready enough to take up with what many would call " new tangled notions , " whilst ready enough to adopt new superstitions , and to believe almost any monstrous folly that is novel and attractive , it is nevertheless peculiarly impatient and intolerant of old prejudices , aud will do away oven with time-honoured institutions if they are found wanting , if they no longer serve the purposes for which

they were established , if , instead of being the living exponent of great principles , they have become the dead embodiment of uselessness and sham , I suppose this temper more or less always exists . As the world jogs on , or , rather , as we grow older , year after year , we are compelled to relinquish as obsolete and out of date , many cherished notions which once appeared to us to beall important . But it undoubtedly exists at the present time , for startling events , great discoveries , wondrous achievements , follow each other in such rapid succession as to cause a total

Provincial.

revolution of public feeling and opinion , and many an old man , whose thoughts and associations are with the past , must feel an aching void in bis heart as he sees , one after another , tbe revered and beloved standards of his long life ruthlessly , if not contemptuously put aside . Old institutions are on their trial and amongst them our own ancient and most honourable fraternity , and if , to use grandiloquent language , Freemasonry is to survive " tbe shock of empires , tbe fall of dynasties , and the disruption

of churches , " it can only be by holding fast to the great principles it teaches . You see then how important it is that not only we individually should be " good men and true , " but that we should have good Masters to preside over us—W . M . ' s whose square conduct should be an example to all men and Masons ; should cause all difficulties and animosities , if any unfortunately arise amongst the brethren , to subside ; and ensure that the business of Masonry should be conducted with harmony and

decorum . I have said that last year we were singularly fortunate in this respect , and I spoke confidently , lor I was acquainted with every AA' . M . in the province . This year I have not that personal knowledge , but if I can judge of those I do not know , by those I know right well , we have every reason to feel sure that tbe interests of Freemasonry will not suffer in their hands . I , therefore , tell you to drink their healths , and I couple with the toast the name of Bro . Griffith , our worthy Chaplain , who

is this year AV . M . of tbe Yarborongh Lodge . Bro . Scott then passed a warm eulogium on the exertions of Bro . Griffith iu the cause of Masonry , aud tbe toast was enthusiastically received by the brethren .

Bro . the Rev . Dr . J . Griffith , Prov . G . Cbap ., AV . M . of the Yarborough Lodge , responded . The task be had to perform in responding on behalf of all the Masters of the Sussex Lodges , was one he could scarcely hope to do justice to . But he entirely agreed with what had fallen from Bro . Scott as to the Institutions being on their trial . He was glad that this Institution , which had existed for centuries , should be so upon its trial ; he believed it would pass out of it triumphantlyinasmuch as it was

, standing up for those principles which were a blessing to all mankind—truth , mercy , justice , and charity . It was , perhaps * necessary , that the old red tape of Masonry should be preserved in its integrity ; they must not carelessly break in on the ritual of Masonry—he would venture to advise those who had not yot passed the chair , to become as perfect as they could in it before doing so . It was of great necessity—this uniformity in their

working—but this was not real Masonry . These were but the outward attributes . He would illustrate this . They bad many of them met with an old pump . AA'ell , the pump was right , the leverage was right , tho piston was right , but still no water came . So it might bo that their Masonry was right , their ritual right , but that there were no practical effects . They prayod that the Divine blessing might rest on their labours . He believed tbe Great Architect of the Universe had caused a stream of

goodwill to flow within each one , which eaeli must use . Let them seek and they would find , let them knock and it would be opened ; yes , heaven would be opened , the heavenly stream would come down , and they would be no longer dry founts , but real , living wells of water , springing up to everlasting lifo . Referring iu beautiful language to their Tyler ( Bro . Aucock ) languisliingaway on what could not be doubted was his death-bed , he said—AA'hat cau I do unless I canafter allpoint him to heavenpoint

, , , to him our Father and our Friend , point to that hope which sheds comfort and refreshment to the soul , so that when taken from us we may part in the sure and certain hope of being reunited in a joyous resurrection . Bro . W . Ycrrall proposed " The A'isitors , " to which Bro . Hyde Pullen and Bro . Binckes responded , the latter making a powerful appeal on behalf of the Masonic Boys' School . The proceedings then terminated .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

METROPOLITAN . MASK ' LODGE OP MAEX MASTEES ( NO . 1 ) . —Installation Meeting . — On Monday , the 9 th inst ., this old Mark lodge hold its regular meeting . Bro . Levander presided as AV . M ., and in able manner advanced three brethren to tbe ancient and honourable degree of Mark Masters . He then installed his successor , Bro . AA'escombe , AA . M ., who appointed Bros . F . G . Marsh , S . AV . ; Read Church , J . AV . ; T . Cubitt , M . O . ; K , Little , P . M . Sec . ; F .