Craft Masonry.

marks , and considered that those Masters of lodges who held votes which had been provided out of the funds of the Prov , G . lodge , were in duty bound to obey the opinion of the majority , instead of destroying the utility of the votes by voting for candidates other than those recommended by the Charity Committee . The permission of the Prov . G . Master was asked to proceed in procession to the church . The application was made on behalf

of the Dartford Lodge ( Emulation 299 ) , the brethren of which were anxious to have the procession , slating that it would bo a great disappointment to the inhabitants if it were not to take place , and that they had made great preparations for giving a welcome reception to the freemasons . It . was fourteen years since the Prov . G . Lodge was held at Dartford , and the present rate of increase in the number of lodges , it was quite within tbe range of probability many there to day miht not live to see it

g again hold in the old town of Dartford . The Prov . G . Master graciously acceded the permission solicited . The Prov . G , Dir . of Cers . then proceeded to marshal the brethren , and the procession proceeded to the church in the following order : —¦ The Tyler of the Emulation Lodge . A isiting Brethren , not being members of any lodge in the

Province . The Lodges of the Province in tlie following order , each lodge being thus arranged : — Members of the Lodge—two and two . Senior Deacon . Junior Deacon . Treasurer Secretary . Senior AVarden . Junior Warden . Past Masters—two and two .

AA'orshipful Master . No . 1310—Aceacia Lodge , Bromley . No . 1273—St . Michael's , Sittingboume . No . 1223—Amherst Lodge , AA'esterham . No . 1209—Lewis Lodge , Ramsgate . No . 1208—Corinthian Lodge , Dover . No . 1206—Cinque Ports Lodge , Sandwich . No . 1173—Pentangle Lodge , Chatham .

No . 1107—Cornwallis Lodge , Belvedere . No . 109 G—Lord AVarden Lodge , Walmer . No . 1098—De Shurland Lodge , Sheerness . No . 1063—Mailing Abbey Lodge , Mailing . No . 1050—Cfundulph Lodge , Rochester . No . 972—St Augustine ' s Lodge , Canterbury . No . 912—Pattisou Lodge , Plumstead . No . 874— Holmesdale Lodge , Tunbridge Wells .

No . 829—Sydney Lodge , Sidcup . So . 784—AVellington Lodge , Deal , No . 709—Invicta Lodge , Ashford . No . 615—St . John and St . Paul Lodge , Erith . No . 558—Temple Lodge , Folkestone . No . 502—Belvidere Lodge , Maidstone . No . 4 S 3—Lodge of Sympathy , Gravesend . No . 429—Royal Naval Lod Ramsgate .

ge , No . 199—Lodge of Peace and Harmony , Dover . No . 184—Lodge of Benevolence , Brampton . No . 158—Adam ' s Lodge , Sheerness . No . 133—Lodge of Harmony , Faversham . No . 127—Union Lodge , Margate . No . 125 . Prince Edwin's Lodge , Hythe . No . 77—Lodge of Freedom , Gravesend .

No . 31—United Industrious Lodge , Canterbury . ' Mo . 20—Royal Kent Lodge of Antiquity . Chatham . No . 299—Emulation Lodge , Dartford . Past Oflicers of ( he Grind Lodge of England . Past Provincial Grand Pursuivants . Provincial Grand Pursuivants . Past Provincial Grand Organists . Piovincial Grand Organist .

Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer . Past Provincial Grand Superintendents of Works . Prrvincial Grand Superintendent of AA'orks . Past Provincial Grand Directors of Ceremonies . Past Provincial Grand Deacons . Provincial Grand Junior Deacon . Provincial Grand Senior Deacon . Provincial Grand Secretary with Book of Constitutions . Past Provincial Grand Registrars . Provincial Grand Registrar ,

Provincial Grand Treasurer . i Past Provincial Grand AA ' avdens . Provincial Grand Junior AVarden . ! Provincial Grand Senior Warden . | Provincial Grand Stewards . ! Provincial Grand Assistant Chaplain . Provincial Grand Chaplain .

Past Deputy Provincial Grand Masters . Deputy Provincial Grand Master . Provincial Grand Sword Bearer . Provincial Grand Stewards . The Right AA ' orshipful the Provincial Grand Master . Provincial Grand Tyler . The procession left the Proviuci il Grand Lodgeat 1 o ' clock

, , passing up Spital-strcet ancl High-street to Holy Trinity Church . The procession halted , and the brethren opened to the right and left , the R . W . Prov . G . Master passed up the centre , preceded by the Sword Bearer , the Prov . G . Officers and Brethren following . At the conclusion of the sermon , which was preached by the Prov . G . Chaplain , Bro . the Rev . W . A . Hill , M . A ., of St . Peter ' s , Maidstone . The service concluded , the procession

reformed , and returned to the lodge room . A considerable sum was collected , which was divided betwee n the funds of tlie Dartford National schools and tho Masonic Charities in equal proportions . At the close of the service the procession re-formed , and returned to the lodge room in the same order . On the business of the lodse being resumed , a vote of thanks was passed to tho Prov . G . Chap , for his excellent discourse .

The Prov . G . Master announced that as the plan had been adopted of g iving warrants of appointment to the Provincial Grand oflicers , it was probable that some of the Past Provincial Grand officers would desire to have some memorial of their past services . He should , therefore , with pleasure sign warrants for any brethren who had held office since the time of his appointment . The business concluded , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren adjourned to

THE BANQUET , which was served in a largo marquee in the grounds of the Bull Inn . The menu comprised the choicest delicacies of the season , and the affair reflected the greatest credit on Bro . AV . G . Bray , who , with his family and all his assistants , were most assiduous in making every exertion to secure the comfort of the guests . On the cloth being cleared the Provincial Grand Master reminded the brethren that as it was impossible to tile the tent , they must be careful not to make any Alasonic demonstrations . He would also remark that as ic was very difficult to be heard under canvas , that long speeches would not bo the order of the day . He would , therefore give without preface "The Queen and the Craft , " which was loyally responded to . The Prov . G . Master gave " The Health of Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family , " which met with a similar hearty reception . The next toast the Prov . G . Master said was " the AA' . M . Grand Master of England , the Karl do Grey and Ripon . " He congratulated the Order that when toe Karl " of Zetland was no longer able to fill the office of Grand Master that they should have the good fortune to secure the services of the Earl de Grey

and Ripon . Ho considered it a good thing for Masonry when a , statesman of the high position of E irl de Grey consented to assume the responsibility of thatpositiou in addition to his otter duties . They could judge of the future by the past , for when necessity compelled our Past Grand Master to absent himself from Grand Lodge , the brethren had a foretaste of the abilities of the noble ear ! iu the conduct of the affairs of Grand Lodge . He considered that the Masons of England owed to Earl de

Grey and Ripon a debt of gratitude for consenting to odd to his already onerous and responsible duties that of the Grand Mastership . AVIiile drinking the health of their present Grand Master , they should have a thought for oue who had faithfully served them very many years . While paying homage to the rising sun , they must not let the setting sun sink into oblivion , but show to our Past Grand Master , of some meed gratitude for the many good deeds he has done for Masonry in the

1 past , that his declining years may be happy and peaceful , should be the sincere work of every Mason . The Prov . G . Master would now ask them to drink the " Health of the Earl of Carnarvon and rest of Grand Officers the Deputy Grand Master had had long served in Grand Lodge , aud bad for many years hold