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the French Grand Lodge have proposed also voluntarily to limit the powers of the Mark lodges to English Mark Masons alone , we cannot see in what the Grand Lodge of Quebec is damnified or of what it has actually to complain in juiy sense . One of the worst features in this incessant multiplication of Grand Lodges and this manipulation of American State ¦ Masonic law is the dreadful question of authority and jurisdiction which intervenes . In all the = e fierce Masonic disputes we think that Masonic
charity , equity , forbearance , seem often to disappear utterly , and believing that the authorities of the Mark Grand Lodge have been Both reasonable and moderate , cautious and conciliatory , in every respect , we hope in the name of everything Masonic that we have heard the last of that jealousy and fretfulness of that petulance and pettiness , of that resting on a little brief authority , and that for ^ etfulness of kindlier feelings which have marked some rtcent controversies in Ouebec , so emphatically from our point of view .
* * * IT is quite clear now that , according ' to the law of the land , until a legalizing or enablingact is obtained by the Grand Lodge of Quebec , the English lodges are absolutely legal , the Quebec Grand Lodge " vice-versa , " and that it is impossible to make Masonically lawful what is legally illegal . Until the Quebec Grand Lodge of Freemasons can show that they are bound and covered by
. a special Act , they simply remain illegal secret societies , under penalties every time they assemble . To assume what some writers do so hastily , and assert so boldly , that Freemasons can meet despite absolute laws to the contrary , is simply to justify the last Roman Catholic allocution in its untruthful assertion that Freemasons are an illegal secret society , in opposition and subversive of the laws of the land and of society . We hope that
we have heard the last of such illegal nonsense . Neither can we overlook the rhodomontade indulged in . by some , of the laws being passed by a Roman Catholic legislature , & c . Laws properly passed , whether we like them or not , are laws until they are lawfully repealed , a ' nd no more childish or t evolutionary programme ever was put forth than that which , confounding every question ol law , order , and right , seems to set up the absurd
pretentions ol a Masonic " Imperium in Imperio . " We advise our good . Quebec fiiends to moderate their ardour and amend their vocabulary . Life is really . too short to be spent in reading unending rhapsodies about Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter rights , a defence of an illegal position , an inveighing against all lawful authority , and all , after all , lor nothing . Nothing so sti ikes us in all this weary business as the utter nonentity ol the hubbub , the entire worthlessness of the contest . We trust that calmer reason and
prevailing good sense will lead our Quebec brethren to close this painfully ' lengthy , dull , uninteresting , and absurd , correspondence , and that we may be spared the pain and the trouble of wasting our lime and patience on discussions which are profitless , on details which are irritating , and on , after all , an utterly untenable and unreasonable proposition , which must be condemned by all who will study the question , and are not above making themselves acquainted with the facts of the case .
* * * A SMALL pamphlet , headed " Victoria ^ Royal Arch Chapter , " is fully dealt with among our reviews , and therefore suffice it to show here , we fear , that it shows the "difficulty of realizing the abstract importance of truth " is not . confined to profane circles , but may be in Masonic as well . We much regret this fact . For , after District Grand Superintendent ' s BADGKLY '
letter , the statement so often and so boldly made—that the warrant of this chapter was returned to him-formally , —is now demonstrated to be utterl y untrue ; and the very disagreeable fact remains that , by Masonic legerdemain , the warrant was abstracted by some one from the archives of the chapter , a reality well known to some who both ought to have known better , and who have sought skilfully to evade the full force of this admission by
starting this hare of professed surrender of the charter . . 1 here are other matters , some latent and some patent , involved in these questions which must fill all sound Freemasons with pain and sorrow , as wholly incongruous , un-Masonic , and unconstitutional in themselves , and which serve to bring out a pettiness and a lawlessness , which give us an unpleasant commentary on the past , and we fiar an unpropilious omen for the future .
• • • • THF . brethren in St . John ' s , New Brunswick , have been celebrating their centennial ; they organized a very long procession before many thousands of spectators and strangers . E \ ervthing seemed ' to have passed off most . successfully , the speeches of the Grand Master , Bro . ELLIS , and P . G . M . Major-General LAWRIE , were effective , and Dr . MACRAE ' oration was very thoughtful and appropriate . Freemasonry seem there to be alike active and popular . We shall probably recur to Dr . MACRAE ' ora' . ion again .
* * * . THE following paragraph , taken from the Standard of Wednesday , contains a report which is alleged to have created " painful surprise " at the Vatican , but will afford amusement to Freemasons everywhere : " Much painful surprise has been excited at the Vatican by the discovery that'King ALFONSO belongs to the Masonic Craft . Cardinal J ACOBIXI has written to the Nuncio at Madrid , in the POPF . ' name , asking for all details . " If this rumour be verified we shall soon hear more of it .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon was held on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., at the Royal Public Rooms , Exeter . Business commenced with a meeting of the Committee of Petitions , which assembled at one o ' clock . R . W . Bro . W . G . Rogers , 112 , D . P . G . M ,, the Chairman of the Committee , presided . Among the brethren present were also VV . Bros . J . 13 . Cover , 70 , P . P . G . A . IXC ., Sec . ; E . T . Fulford , 1254 , Prov . G . Treas . ; Inc . Brewer , 2 SI , P . G . Sec . ; Inn . Stocker , 39 , P . PiG . T . ; John U . Barker , 70 , P . P .
G . O .: Jas . Giffnrd , W . M . 105 ; W . T . Mayna . d , 106 , P . P . G . T . ; Rev . W . Whittley , 156 , Prov . G . S . W . ; H . J . Trethewey , P . M . 159 ; the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., iSn , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . Welch , 202 , P . P . G . Purs . ; William Browning , 223 , P . P . G . A , D . C ; R . Cawsey , 230 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Major Davie , 251 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Thos . Ch'pman , -2 S 2 . P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Taylor , P . M . 328 ; T . Hine , W . M . 372 ; H . Ascott , P . M . 4 S 0 ; l . ieut .-Colorel I . T . Daw , 421 , P . P . G . S . W . ; H . Cole , 10 9 , P . P . G . S . D . ;
F .. Aiiken-Davies , 1099 . P . P . G . S . \ SlUs . ; W . Powell , P . M . 1205 : A . If . Whidden , W . M . 1212 ; J .. hn R . Lord , 1247 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Sampson , l . P . M . 1254 ; C . Godtschalk , 1255 . P . P . G . D . ; F . Sanders . P . M . 1284 ; W . Bradnee , P . M . 1402 ; Samuel Lorain , 1443 , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . G . Kevern , P . M . 15 . 50 ; W . Brodie , 1753 , P . P . G . D . ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . M . 1847 ; P . Rousham , P . M . 1 S 55 ; and George R . Barrett , 2025 , P . G . Stwd . W . Bro . J . B . GOVER , Secretary , read his report , which was received and adopted , and afterwards incorporated in the report submitted to the
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
Prov . Grand Lodge . The London representative , W . Bro . J . E . Curteis , P . P . G . S . W ., was not present , nor was any report presented on his behalf . This was explained in a telegram received b y W . Bro . Goyer from the brother at Portsmouth during the meeting , stating that the report was not received through a mistake made in the brother ' s office . Bro . Curteis further asked Bro . Gover to explain to the Committee the result of tlie recent election , and added that Devonshire now owed 1100 votes to the
Benevolent Institution for Aged and Decayed Masons and their Widows . No case could , therefore , be adopted for the next election . The Boys ' and Girls ' votes received had been lent , and were repayable next October .. The case of a brother ' s son named should be taken up . He had already over 500 votes ,. and would get as many more . He had only two more chances before being over age . Bro , Curteis ' s absence was regretted , and after some
discussion the following resolution was adopted : "Thatthis meeting expresses its disappointment at there being no report of the London representative of this Committee of Petitions , and tegs that Bro . Curteis supply such report to a special meeting of the Committee to be held within three months , and that a copy of that report be previously supplied to each member of the Committee . "
The petitions for relief forwarded were then considered , and the various recommendations adopted thereon and embodied in the following report to the Provincial Grand Lodge : The Committee of Petitions have to report that during- the past quarter two widows ' and one aged Mason have been elected annuitants on the funds of -the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widows . The number of votes received by the Committee shows a slight increase over former years , but there are still a very large
number lost to the province from various causes , and it cannot be too strongly impressed upon the representatives of lodges that the exercise of a little forethought and attention would largely increase the power and usefulness of the Committee . Some lodges and chapters have still not thought fit to entrust their votes to the Committee after repeated applications . -At the meeting of the Committee held at Plymouth 31 st January , 1 SS 4 , the following sums were granted : £ 5 to the widow of a brother 13 years . a member of Lodge 1099 , Stoke , and £ 5 to the widow of a brother 12 years a member of Lodge 202 , Devonport . At the meeting held this day in Exeter the Committee recommend the
Provincial Grand Lodge to grant the following sums : £ 10 to the widow of a brother of Lodge 1099 ; £ 10 to the widow of a brother 35 years a member of Lodge 4 S 9 ; £ 15 to the widow of a brother of Lodges 421 and 251 , subscribing 22 years ; £ 5 to the widow of a brother a member of Lodge 32 S ; £ 15 to the widow of a brother 43 years a member of Lodge 2 S 2 ; £ 5 . to the widow of a brother 23 years a member of Lodge 156 ; £ 20 to the widow of a W . brother 17 years a member of Lodge 202 . Jn accordance with , the resolution of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the Committee recommend that the sum of 40 guineas be granted to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and 60 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution lor Aged Masons and their Widows . '
This closed the business of the Committee of Petitions . The Prov . Grand Lodge assembled at threep . m . Viscount EBRINGTON , M . P ., the Prov . G . M ., presided , supported by the following officers and the members of the Committee of Petitions : — . Bros . Capt . VV . Elphinstone , R . N ., 39 , P . P . G . J . W . ; W . Morris , P . P . G . J . W . Berks and Bucks ; Rev . H . A . Hebb , 112 and 444 , Prov , G . Chap . ; Rev . T . Russell ! 251 , P . P . G . J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Langley Pope , 113 S , P . P . G . Chap . ; D . Box . Prov . G . Rerr . ; S . ~
Jewi 1 S 47 , P . P . G . T . ; J . W . Cornish , 223 , P . P . G . T . ; H . L . Brewster , 1254 , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . B . Twose , 105 , P . P . G . T . ; F . W . N . Orchard , 164 , Prdvl G . J . D . ; S . G . Loveless , 49 * . P . P . G . J . D . ; R . H . Rae , 189 , P . P . G . D . ; C . H . Cooper , tos , Prov . G . D . ; R . Fulford , 1753 , P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Hooper , 444 . P . P . G . Reg .: G ' . B . ' Colston , 24 S , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . Brodie , 1254 , P . P . G . D . ; H . Cole , 10 9 1 , P . P . G . S . D . ; G . Evans , 11 S 1 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . S . Of W . ; * T , Jerman , 39 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; VV . Eastpn , 39 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; lames Thorne . >
1332 , P . P . U . b . of W . ; H . B . Start , 106 , P . P . G . O . ; E . Vinhecombe , P . P . G . O . ; A " * Rodley , 39 , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . R . Force , 444 . P . P . G . D . C . ; VV . Pidsley , 1254 , P . P . G . . A . D . C ; T . Parkhouse , 1125 , Piov . G . A . D . G . ; John Baxter , 954 , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Welch , 202 ; P . P . G . Purst . ; H . Bartlett , 710 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; J . M . Hifley , 223 . P . P . G A . D . C . ; J . C . Yelland , 39 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; John Lynn , 230 , P . P . G . S . B .: VV . Haynes , 106 , P . P . G . Purst . ; P . L . Blanchafd , 444 , P . G . Tyler ; S . Willoughby . 1099 . P . P . G . S . B . ; J . P . Heath , 39 , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . F . Willey , . 2 S 4 . P . P . G . LD .
W . B . Maye , 710 , P . G . D . C . ; F . Palk , 1338 , Prov . G . Purst ; F . Pollard , 1254 , P . P . G . D . C . ; G . Huxhum , 1254 , P . G . Stwd . ; R . P . Morrison , 251 , P . G . Stwd . ; Capt . O . W Every , W . M . 666 ; T . E . Peek , P . M . and Chap . 1205 ; VV . H . Hunt , P . M . 1205 ; ¦ . ] . Drennan , P . M . 710 ; 1 . Moasj , P . M . 12 S 4 ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . M . 1 S 47 ; H . I . Barter , W . M . 1247 ; A . T . Blarney , W . M . 1402 ; VV . Harris , P . M . 113 S ; VV . Burd , W . M . 1 753 ; VV . Taylor , W . M . 32 S ; Charles Stevens , P . M . : 13 S ; H . Martin , P . M . 113 S ; G . K . Hearder , Past J . W . 1138 ; T . S .. May , W . M . 1099 ; John AllenPM
, .. apd Sec . 1099 ; R . Jerman , W . M . 39 ; S . B . Chant , W . M . 421 ; J . A . Kingdom , P . M . and Treas . 421 ; S . L . R . TempIer . P . M . 303 ; N . R . Hammett , P . M . 666 ; L Gidley , P . M . 2025 ; J . T . Border , W . M . 230 ; R . Pike , P . M . and Org . 230 ; Thos . Freeman , P . M . 106 ; J . Barton Land , W . M . 1254 ; . Charles Organ , W . M . 202 ; I . T . Browning , P . M . 105 ; J . Lose , W . M . 1847 ; G . Wilton , P . M . IISI ; T . Upward , i i riLiinan iu 1101 ino iwi
a . m . . * 34 »» . a . , vv .. ; . Lane , . r .. 1402 ; U . . f epprell . W . M . 1402 ; R . T . Tyacke , l . P . M . 1181 ; W . J . Jefrerd , P . M . 494 ; D . Cross , P . M ! and'Ireas . U 05 ; John Moysey , P . M . 22 and 370 ; S . D . Nicolls , P . M . 2 S 2 ; W . H . Discombe , 1443 ; J . Page , P . M . 39 ; M . Emdon , P . M . 105 ; H . J . Kitt , P . M . 105 ; W . ' Lavers , W . M . 125 s ; W . H . Ley , P . M . 1091 ; T . Pickering , l . P . M . 494 ; G , R . Stevens , l . P . M . 106 ; C . Ashford . P . M . 1284 ; P . J . Dunn , W . M . 1205 ; K . Dickson , l . P . M . 1205 ; D . Banks , P . M . 156 ; J . D . Cobeldick , W . M . 1091 j and others .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER announced that the addresses of condolence to the Queen and the Duchess of Albany on the death of the Duke of Albany , voted at the last meeting , had been duly forwarded , and gracious replies received from the Queen and the Duchess . On the proposition of " VV . Bro . the Rev . T . RUSSELL , seconded by W . Bro . BRODIE , the Secretary was directed to enter those addresses and replies in the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge .
The Secretary , W . Bro . J OHN- BREWER , read his report , which showed a total of 24 . 59 subscribing members in the province . The Treasurer , W . Bro . E . T . FULFORD , read his report , showing receipts , £ 474 16 s . ; balance in hand , after paying all liabilities , £ 185 17 s . W . Bro . PorE read the report of the Fortescue Annuity Fund . There were four annuitants on the fund ; balance on the year carried to the savings ' bank , £ 54 os . iod . ; .-fund invested , £ 1114 10 s . ; Consols , ^ 5 PO ; Exeter Market Bonds , £ 766 1 is . iod . ; savings' bank total , X 2377 is . iod .
W . Bro . GOVER read the report adopted by the Committee of Petitions , . and the whole of the reports were unanimousl y adopted . The PROV . GRAND MASTER reported that the lfye-Iaws Revision Com- mission had revised those laws . He proposed that they should be printed by September next , and two copies supplied gratis to each lodge , copies to be also procurable b y brethren at one shilling each . Amendments or additions to be proposed to be placed in the hands of the Prov . Grand Secretary
not later than the close of November , and a Special Prov . Grand Lodge to be held in December to consider the bye-laws and those amendments or additions . The alterations made by the Committee included the embodying various customs which had been adopted by the lodge in order to give them the force of the law , the rules adopted by the Grand Lodge of England were also folio wed ,, some changes were made in the fees , they being slightly raised for the advantage of the province . Some regulations of the Grand Lodge of Lancashire were adopted for making inquiries in reference to candidates and ex-joining brethren . It was proposed to add the London representative
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
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the French Grand Lodge have proposed also voluntarily to limit the powers of the Mark lodges to English Mark Masons alone , we cannot see in what the Grand Lodge of Quebec is damnified or of what it has actually to complain in juiy sense . One of the worst features in this incessant multiplication of Grand Lodges and this manipulation of American State ¦ Masonic law is the dreadful question of authority and jurisdiction which intervenes . In all the = e fierce Masonic disputes we think that Masonic
charity , equity , forbearance , seem often to disappear utterly , and believing that the authorities of the Mark Grand Lodge have been Both reasonable and moderate , cautious and conciliatory , in every respect , we hope in the name of everything Masonic that we have heard the last of that jealousy and fretfulness of that petulance and pettiness , of that resting on a little brief authority , and that for ^ etfulness of kindlier feelings which have marked some rtcent controversies in Ouebec , so emphatically from our point of view .
* * * IT is quite clear now that , according ' to the law of the land , until a legalizing or enablingact is obtained by the Grand Lodge of Quebec , the English lodges are absolutely legal , the Quebec Grand Lodge " vice-versa , " and that it is impossible to make Masonically lawful what is legally illegal . Until the Quebec Grand Lodge of Freemasons can show that they are bound and covered by
. a special Act , they simply remain illegal secret societies , under penalties every time they assemble . To assume what some writers do so hastily , and assert so boldly , that Freemasons can meet despite absolute laws to the contrary , is simply to justify the last Roman Catholic allocution in its untruthful assertion that Freemasons are an illegal secret society , in opposition and subversive of the laws of the land and of society . We hope that
we have heard the last of such illegal nonsense . Neither can we overlook the rhodomontade indulged in . by some , of the laws being passed by a Roman Catholic legislature , & c . Laws properly passed , whether we like them or not , are laws until they are lawfully repealed , a ' nd no more childish or t evolutionary programme ever was put forth than that which , confounding every question ol law , order , and right , seems to set up the absurd
pretentions ol a Masonic " Imperium in Imperio . " We advise our good . Quebec fiiends to moderate their ardour and amend their vocabulary . Life is really . too short to be spent in reading unending rhapsodies about Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter rights , a defence of an illegal position , an inveighing against all lawful authority , and all , after all , lor nothing . Nothing so sti ikes us in all this weary business as the utter nonentity ol the hubbub , the entire worthlessness of the contest . We trust that calmer reason and
prevailing good sense will lead our Quebec brethren to close this painfully ' lengthy , dull , uninteresting , and absurd , correspondence , and that we may be spared the pain and the trouble of wasting our lime and patience on discussions which are profitless , on details which are irritating , and on , after all , an utterly untenable and unreasonable proposition , which must be condemned by all who will study the question , and are not above making themselves acquainted with the facts of the case .
* * * A SMALL pamphlet , headed " Victoria ^ Royal Arch Chapter , " is fully dealt with among our reviews , and therefore suffice it to show here , we fear , that it shows the "difficulty of realizing the abstract importance of truth " is not . confined to profane circles , but may be in Masonic as well . We much regret this fact . For , after District Grand Superintendent ' s BADGKLY '
letter , the statement so often and so boldly made—that the warrant of this chapter was returned to him-formally , —is now demonstrated to be utterl y untrue ; and the very disagreeable fact remains that , by Masonic legerdemain , the warrant was abstracted by some one from the archives of the chapter , a reality well known to some who both ought to have known better , and who have sought skilfully to evade the full force of this admission by
starting this hare of professed surrender of the charter . . 1 here are other matters , some latent and some patent , involved in these questions which must fill all sound Freemasons with pain and sorrow , as wholly incongruous , un-Masonic , and unconstitutional in themselves , and which serve to bring out a pettiness and a lawlessness , which give us an unpleasant commentary on the past , and we fiar an unpropilious omen for the future .
• • • • THF . brethren in St . John ' s , New Brunswick , have been celebrating their centennial ; they organized a very long procession before many thousands of spectators and strangers . E \ ervthing seemed ' to have passed off most . successfully , the speeches of the Grand Master , Bro . ELLIS , and P . G . M . Major-General LAWRIE , were effective , and Dr . MACRAE ' oration was very thoughtful and appropriate . Freemasonry seem there to be alike active and popular . We shall probably recur to Dr . MACRAE ' ora' . ion again .
* * * . THE following paragraph , taken from the Standard of Wednesday , contains a report which is alleged to have created " painful surprise " at the Vatican , but will afford amusement to Freemasons everywhere : " Much painful surprise has been excited at the Vatican by the discovery that'King ALFONSO belongs to the Masonic Craft . Cardinal J ACOBIXI has written to the Nuncio at Madrid , in the POPF . ' name , asking for all details . " If this rumour be verified we shall soon hear more of it .
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVON .
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon was held on Thursday , the 7 th inst ., at the Royal Public Rooms , Exeter . Business commenced with a meeting of the Committee of Petitions , which assembled at one o ' clock . R . W . Bro . W . G . Rogers , 112 , D . P . G . M ,, the Chairman of the Committee , presided . Among the brethren present were also VV . Bros . J . 13 . Cover , 70 , P . P . G . A . IXC ., Sec . ; E . T . Fulford , 1254 , Prov . G . Treas . ; Inc . Brewer , 2 SI , P . G . Sec . ; Inn . Stocker , 39 , P . PiG . T . ; John U . Barker , 70 , P . P .
G . O .: Jas . Giffnrd , W . M . 105 ; W . T . Mayna . d , 106 , P . P . G . T . ; Rev . W . Whittley , 156 , Prov . G . S . W . ; H . J . Trethewey , P . M . 159 ; the Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., iSn , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . Welch , 202 , P . P . G . Purs . ; William Browning , 223 , P . P . G . A , D . C ; R . Cawsey , 230 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Major Davie , 251 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Thos . Ch'pman , -2 S 2 . P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Taylor , P . M . 328 ; T . Hine , W . M . 372 ; H . Ascott , P . M . 4 S 0 ; l . ieut .-Colorel I . T . Daw , 421 , P . P . G . S . W . ; H . Cole , 10 9 , P . P . G . S . D . ;
F .. Aiiken-Davies , 1099 . P . P . G . S . \ SlUs . ; W . Powell , P . M . 1205 : A . If . Whidden , W . M . 1212 ; J .. hn R . Lord , 1247 , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Sampson , l . P . M . 1254 ; C . Godtschalk , 1255 . P . P . G . D . ; F . Sanders . P . M . 1284 ; W . Bradnee , P . M . 1402 ; Samuel Lorain , 1443 , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . G . Kevern , P . M . 15 . 50 ; W . Brodie , 1753 , P . P . G . D . ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . M . 1847 ; P . Rousham , P . M . 1 S 55 ; and George R . Barrett , 2025 , P . G . Stwd . W . Bro . J . B . GOVER , Secretary , read his report , which was received and adopted , and afterwards incorporated in the report submitted to the
Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devon.
Prov . Grand Lodge . The London representative , W . Bro . J . E . Curteis , P . P . G . S . W ., was not present , nor was any report presented on his behalf . This was explained in a telegram received b y W . Bro . Goyer from the brother at Portsmouth during the meeting , stating that the report was not received through a mistake made in the brother ' s office . Bro . Curteis further asked Bro . Gover to explain to the Committee the result of tlie recent election , and added that Devonshire now owed 1100 votes to the
Benevolent Institution for Aged and Decayed Masons and their Widows . No case could , therefore , be adopted for the next election . The Boys ' and Girls ' votes received had been lent , and were repayable next October .. The case of a brother ' s son named should be taken up . He had already over 500 votes ,. and would get as many more . He had only two more chances before being over age . Bro , Curteis ' s absence was regretted , and after some
discussion the following resolution was adopted : "Thatthis meeting expresses its disappointment at there being no report of the London representative of this Committee of Petitions , and tegs that Bro . Curteis supply such report to a special meeting of the Committee to be held within three months , and that a copy of that report be previously supplied to each member of the Committee . "
The petitions for relief forwarded were then considered , and the various recommendations adopted thereon and embodied in the following report to the Provincial Grand Lodge : The Committee of Petitions have to report that during- the past quarter two widows ' and one aged Mason have been elected annuitants on the funds of -the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widows . The number of votes received by the Committee shows a slight increase over former years , but there are still a very large
number lost to the province from various causes , and it cannot be too strongly impressed upon the representatives of lodges that the exercise of a little forethought and attention would largely increase the power and usefulness of the Committee . Some lodges and chapters have still not thought fit to entrust their votes to the Committee after repeated applications . -At the meeting of the Committee held at Plymouth 31 st January , 1 SS 4 , the following sums were granted : £ 5 to the widow of a brother 13 years . a member of Lodge 1099 , Stoke , and £ 5 to the widow of a brother 12 years a member of Lodge 202 , Devonport . At the meeting held this day in Exeter the Committee recommend the
Provincial Grand Lodge to grant the following sums : £ 10 to the widow of a brother of Lodge 1099 ; £ 10 to the widow of a brother 35 years a member of Lodge 4 S 9 ; £ 15 to the widow of a brother of Lodges 421 and 251 , subscribing 22 years ; £ 5 to the widow of a brother a member of Lodge 32 S ; £ 15 to the widow of a brother 43 years a member of Lodge 2 S 2 ; £ 5 . to the widow of a brother 23 years a member of Lodge 156 ; £ 20 to the widow of a W . brother 17 years a member of Lodge 202 . Jn accordance with , the resolution of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the Committee recommend that the sum of 40 guineas be granted to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and 60 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution lor Aged Masons and their Widows . '
This closed the business of the Committee of Petitions . The Prov . Grand Lodge assembled at threep . m . Viscount EBRINGTON , M . P ., the Prov . G . M ., presided , supported by the following officers and the members of the Committee of Petitions : — . Bros . Capt . VV . Elphinstone , R . N ., 39 , P . P . G . J . W . ; W . Morris , P . P . G . J . W . Berks and Bucks ; Rev . H . A . Hebb , 112 and 444 , Prov , G . Chap . ; Rev . T . Russell ! 251 , P . P . G . J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Langley Pope , 113 S , P . P . G . Chap . ; D . Box . Prov . G . Rerr . ; S . ~
Jewi 1 S 47 , P . P . G . T . ; J . W . Cornish , 223 , P . P . G . T . ; H . L . Brewster , 1254 , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . B . Twose , 105 , P . P . G . T . ; F . W . N . Orchard , 164 , Prdvl G . J . D . ; S . G . Loveless , 49 * . P . P . G . J . D . ; R . H . Rae , 189 , P . P . G . D . ; C . H . Cooper , tos , Prov . G . D . ; R . Fulford , 1753 , P . P . G . R . ; W . H . Hooper , 444 . P . P . G . Reg .: G ' . B . ' Colston , 24 S , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . Brodie , 1254 , P . P . G . D . ; H . Cole , 10 9 1 , P . P . G . S . D . ; G . Evans , 11 S 1 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Aitken-Davies , 1099 , P . P . G . S . Of W . ; * T , Jerman , 39 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; VV . Eastpn , 39 , P . P . G . S . of VV . ; lames Thorne . >
1332 , P . P . U . b . of W . ; H . B . Start , 106 , P . P . G . O . ; E . Vinhecombe , P . P . G . O . ; A " * Rodley , 39 , P . P . G . D . C . ; S . R . Force , 444 . P . P . G . D . C . ; VV . Pidsley , 1254 , P . P . G . . A . D . C ; T . Parkhouse , 1125 , Piov . G . A . D . G . ; John Baxter , 954 , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Welch , 202 ; P . P . G . Purst . ; H . Bartlett , 710 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; J . M . Hifley , 223 . P . P . G A . D . C . ; J . C . Yelland , 39 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; John Lynn , 230 , P . P . G . S . B .: VV . Haynes , 106 , P . P . G . Purst . ; P . L . Blanchafd , 444 , P . G . Tyler ; S . Willoughby . 1099 . P . P . G . S . B . ; J . P . Heath , 39 , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . F . Willey , . 2 S 4 . P . P . G . LD .
W . B . Maye , 710 , P . G . D . C . ; F . Palk , 1338 , Prov . G . Purst ; F . Pollard , 1254 , P . P . G . D . C . ; G . Huxhum , 1254 , P . G . Stwd . ; R . P . Morrison , 251 , P . G . Stwd . ; Capt . O . W Every , W . M . 666 ; T . E . Peek , P . M . and Chap . 1205 ; VV . H . Hunt , P . M . 1205 ; ¦ . ] . Drennan , P . M . 710 ; 1 . Moasj , P . M . 12 S 4 ; A . R . Lethbridge , P . M . 1 S 47 ; H . I . Barter , W . M . 1247 ; A . T . Blarney , W . M . 1402 ; VV . Harris , P . M . 113 S ; VV . Burd , W . M . 1 753 ; VV . Taylor , W . M . 32 S ; Charles Stevens , P . M . : 13 S ; H . Martin , P . M . 113 S ; G . K . Hearder , Past J . W . 1138 ; T . S .. May , W . M . 1099 ; John AllenPM
, .. apd Sec . 1099 ; R . Jerman , W . M . 39 ; S . B . Chant , W . M . 421 ; J . A . Kingdom , P . M . and Treas . 421 ; S . L . R . TempIer . P . M . 303 ; N . R . Hammett , P . M . 666 ; L Gidley , P . M . 2025 ; J . T . Border , W . M . 230 ; R . Pike , P . M . and Org . 230 ; Thos . Freeman , P . M . 106 ; J . Barton Land , W . M . 1254 ; . Charles Organ , W . M . 202 ; I . T . Browning , P . M . 105 ; J . Lose , W . M . 1847 ; G . Wilton , P . M . IISI ; T . Upward , i i riLiinan iu 1101 ino iwi
a . m . . * 34 »» . a . , vv .. ; . Lane , . r .. 1402 ; U . . f epprell . W . M . 1402 ; R . T . Tyacke , l . P . M . 1181 ; W . J . Jefrerd , P . M . 494 ; D . Cross , P . M ! and'Ireas . U 05 ; John Moysey , P . M . 22 and 370 ; S . D . Nicolls , P . M . 2 S 2 ; W . H . Discombe , 1443 ; J . Page , P . M . 39 ; M . Emdon , P . M . 105 ; H . J . Kitt , P . M . 105 ; W . ' Lavers , W . M . 125 s ; W . H . Ley , P . M . 1091 ; T . Pickering , l . P . M . 494 ; G , R . Stevens , l . P . M . 106 ; C . Ashford . P . M . 1284 ; P . J . Dunn , W . M . 1205 ; K . Dickson , l . P . M . 1205 ; D . Banks , P . M . 156 ; J . D . Cobeldick , W . M . 1091 j and others .
The PROV . GRAND MASTER announced that the addresses of condolence to the Queen and the Duchess of Albany on the death of the Duke of Albany , voted at the last meeting , had been duly forwarded , and gracious replies received from the Queen and the Duchess . On the proposition of " VV . Bro . the Rev . T . RUSSELL , seconded by W . Bro . BRODIE , the Secretary was directed to enter those addresses and replies in the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge .
The Secretary , W . Bro . J OHN- BREWER , read his report , which showed a total of 24 . 59 subscribing members in the province . The Treasurer , W . Bro . E . T . FULFORD , read his report , showing receipts , £ 474 16 s . ; balance in hand , after paying all liabilities , £ 185 17 s . W . Bro . PorE read the report of the Fortescue Annuity Fund . There were four annuitants on the fund ; balance on the year carried to the savings ' bank , £ 54 os . iod . ; .-fund invested , £ 1114 10 s . ; Consols , ^ 5 PO ; Exeter Market Bonds , £ 766 1 is . iod . ; savings' bank total , X 2377 is . iod .
W . Bro . GOVER read the report adopted by the Committee of Petitions , . and the whole of the reports were unanimousl y adopted . The PROV . GRAND MASTER reported that the lfye-Iaws Revision Com- mission had revised those laws . He proposed that they should be printed by September next , and two copies supplied gratis to each lodge , copies to be also procurable b y brethren at one shilling each . Amendments or additions to be proposed to be placed in the hands of the Prov . Grand Secretary
not later than the close of November , and a Special Prov . Grand Lodge to be held in December to consider the bye-laws and those amendments or additions . The alterations made by the Committee included the embodying various customs which had been adopted by the lodge in order to give them the force of the law , the rules adopted by the Grand Lodge of England were also folio wed ,, some changes were made in the fees , they being slightly raised for the advantage of the province . Some regulations of the Grand Lodge of Lancashire were adopted for making inquiries in reference to candidates and ex-joining brethren . It was proposed to add the London representative