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Provincial.
finned . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Having determined which candidates for the Masonic Charities should receive the support of the province , the Prov . G . Lodge next received the report ofthe Benevolent and Annuity Fund Committee , and considered the applications for relief recommended by the committee . At the conclusion of this business the officers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows Macb MasterEGraves
: —Bros . Major . cn , D . Prov . G . ; . , Prov . S . G . AA . ; J . ' Estlin , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Rev . C . H . AA ehh ,. and Rev . P . S . Harris , Prov . G . Chaps . ; J . T . Co ] lms , Prov . G . Treas . ; AV . L . Harrison , Prov . G . Reg . ; G . B eech , Prov . G . Sec ; J . Halbeard , Prov . S . G . D . ; F . A . Harrison , pr 0 v . J . G . D . ; G . M . Dickinson , Prov . G . Supt , of Works ; E . Worrall , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; F . Ferriman , Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; J . ArcherProv . G . S . B . ; E . BrownProv . G . OrgE .
Frid-, , . ; lander , Prov . G . Purst . ; W . C . McEntoe , Prov . G . Assist . Purst . At the close of tlie official business the brethren attended Divine service at the Parish Church , where an admirable sermon was preached by Bro . the Hon . and Rev . J . AA . Leigh , Prov . G . Chap , who took for his text First Chronicles , xxix ., 14 , " But who nm I , and what is my people , that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort ? For all things come of Thee
and of Thine own have we given Thee . " After adverting to the circumstances under which the words of the text were uttered—tlie occasion when the Israelites , having made the most munificent response to Ring David ' s appeal for aid in preparing for the erection of the temple , the preacher remarked that the event suggested reflections which mi ght not be inappropriate to that clay and that assembly , especially as he was addressing the
members of a society which embraced within its circle the highest and the humblest in the land—the prince , the noble , the wealthy , and the wise , as well as the hard-working son of toil . The fraternity of Masons was foremost in distributing the riches of its wealthier members among its poorer brethren , aud in lending its aid to the erection of stately edifices . To such a society , recognising as it did the directing hand of the Great Architect
of the Universe in all its undertakings , ancl having for its foundation the volume of the sacred law , ho thought he could not do better than point out some of the lessons to be gained from the pious behaviour of the Royal Psalmist ou the occasion to which
the text had reference . He first dwelt on the fact that the ability and the disposition to give to God , alike came from God . Laying stress ou the necessity for a right disposition in order to render an offering acceptable to heaven , he pointed out that it was the grace of God alone which could enable man to pull down the all-worshipped Dagon of self and substitute iu itsplace purity of motive , singleness of heart , and charity in its broadest sense . He urged his hearers to seek- the enjoyment of that
broad and comprehensive charity defined by the Apostle Paul , which was not the mistaken though well-meant form generally called charity , but a heavenly love springing from the fountains of the heart , and having for its foundation the love of God and the love of our neighbour . Love such as this was the foundation stone of the world , as well as of the Christian religion and of the Masonic brotherhood—a love which not merely
contributed to the pecuniary necessities of our brethren , but that God-like charity which , as a mantle , covered the errors and shortcomings of those who were travelling through the vale of tears with us to the same harbour of eternal rest . "Thou shalt love tlie Lord thy God with all thy heart , soul , and strength , and thy neighbour as thyself" were the two great commandments regarded by the Christian religion and the
society to which they belonged . No brother could be a true Mason without endeavouring to the best of his power to fulfil these injunctions , which comprehended tho whole of what might be termed the religion of Masonry . The foundation stone of the Masonic brotherhood was love , and , under God , love was the fundamental feature of its constitution . Firm on the rock of ages our life would he built up as a trophy to our God ; its
basement upon eartl :, indeed , but its top stone hid with Christ in God above . As its members continued to be built upon this foundation so only had they the assurance ofthe society ' s stability . On the strength of love had it arisen : tbi-ongh lack of love alone could it fail . A great trust was committed to its members—to carry out amid the jarring elements of the world and the divisions ofthe Church itself ; the spirit of the Divine Architect of
both—the forbearance , the indulgence , the direction , and the aid—in a word , the love of mankind in general . In conclusion , he impressed upon the brethren the duty of acting up to the lessons taught in the text and by Masonry—first , to acknowedge the Great Architect of the Universe in all His works ; and
secondly , to show a deep humility iu the performance of onr own works ; and thirdly , to be thankful to God for the ability and disposition given us by God to glorify His name , and to relieve the wants of poorer brethren . Their society—whose great object was the love of God aud the love of man—was a glorious fabric , founded in strength , ordered by wisdom , and adorned with beauty . It inculcated purity of thought , integrity of life , benignity of manners , and , above all , sweet charity . It
commended them to devout study of the volume of the sacred law as the revelation of their Divine Master ' s will . Whatever the enemies of the society might say , its tenets were good , and it rested with its members to carry thoin out ; aud if the sincerity of their faith was shown in decile as well as words enemies would cease to scoff , and be forced to say , " See how these brethren love one another . After tbe sermon a collection was made on behalf of the Prov .
Annuity and Benevolent Funds . A splendid banquet was provided by Bro . C . AVheal , of Leamington , at the Royal Assembly Rooms . As usual , no invitations were issued to the representatives of the press . The following is the toast list : — " The Queen ; " " Bro . his Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family : " "The M . AV . Bro . the Earl of
Zetland , G . M . ; " "His Deputy , the V . W . Bro . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the Grand Lodsre of England ; " "The RAY " . Bro . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . of Warwickshire ; " "The W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . " Machon , D . Prov . G . M ., ancl the Prov . G . Lodge of AA ar \ vickshire ; " "The AV . M . of the Guy Lodge , and success to his lodge ; " " The Visitors ; " " Masonic Charities ; " "Tyler's Toast . "
The arrangements were carried out in a manner which reflected the highest credit on the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Caleb Lee , the Prov . G . Assist . Sees ., Bros . G . Beech and F . A . Harrison , and other officials .
AVILTSIIIRE . DEVIZES . Provincial Grand Lodge . The annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Wiltshire was held at Devizes on Friday , the 29 th ult . There was a great number present from all parts of the province . The honour of
receiving the Prov . Grand Lodge devolved upon the Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 663 ) , tbe W . M . aud members of which did their utmost to do honour to the distinguished company . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in flic Council Chamber at three o ' clock by Lord Mcthvcn , Prov . G . M ., who , with the Prov . G . Officers , were received and saluted in due form . The company present comprised : —Lord Metbuen , Prov . G . M . ; Bros .
Samuel Witty , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bridges , D . Prov . G . M . of Somerset ; the Revs . C . R . Davy and T . F . Ravenshaw , G . Chaplains of England ; tlie Rev . M . P . Pym , Alcav of Corsham and Chaplain to the Sussex Lodge ( IJai ) i ); the Rev . W . S . Ffreneh , Chaplain to the Lansdown Lodge of Unity No . 626 ( Chippenham ); Frederick Binckes , G . S . ; It . Bradford , Prov . G . S . AV . & Prov . G . Treas . ; William Biggs , P . Prov . G . S . AV . ( Wilts ) , aud Prov . G . Sec . Berks and Buck's ; Henry C . Tombs , Prov . G . Sec ; Parfitt , P . Prov . S . G . AV . of Somerset , and AV . M . 626 ; R . Stokes , P . M . 586 ; C . AV . AVvndham , P . M . 586 , P . Prov . G .
Reg . ; IT . AVard , P . M ., 5 SG ; T . E . Darke , 586 ; W . Nott , AV . M . 663 ; R . Haslam , W . M . 10 G ; J . It Chandler , P . M . 335 ; M . M'llngb , P . M . 663 ; T . L . Holloway , S . AV . G 63 ; G . Alexander , J . W . GGG ; \ A . Read , P . M . 355 ; R Lawson , P . M . 632 , and AV . M . of the newly-consecrated lodge at Bradibrd-oii-Avon ; J . G . Benson , P . M . 586 ; Joseph Burr , P . M . 663 ; Holmes , R . A ., K . T ., P . M ., and W . M . of Roval Standard Lodge ( Halifax , Canada ); E . Pavne , P . M . 335 ; G . Toomer , P . M . 355 ; Mitchell ,
P . Prov . J . G . W !; AVeavcr , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Lord , AV . M . of Lodge of Rectitude 335 ; Parham , AV . M . 53 , Prov . G . Reg . Somerset ; Braid , and many other officers of lodges in the Provinces of " Wilts and Somerset . The Prov . G . Lodge was opened in due form , and the usual routine business being disposed of , the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follows : —Bros . KinneirProv . G . S . W . J . ChandlerProv . G . J . AVthe RevC
, , . ; . . R . Davy , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . — Dixon , Prov . G . Assist . Chap . ; Bradford , Prov . G . Treas . ; Stokes , Prov . G . Reg . ; Tombs , Prov . G . Sec ; Nott , Prov . G . S . D . ; M'Hugh , Prov G . J . D . ; Lord , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Parfitt , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AVard , Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Thompson , Prov .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Provincial.
finned . The report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted . Having determined which candidates for the Masonic Charities should receive the support of the province , the Prov . G . Lodge next received the report ofthe Benevolent and Annuity Fund Committee , and considered the applications for relief recommended by the committee . At the conclusion of this business the officers for the ensuing year were appointed as follows Macb MasterEGraves
: —Bros . Major . cn , D . Prov . G . ; . , Prov . S . G . AA . ; J . ' Estlin , Prov . J . G . AV . ; Rev . C . H . AA ehh ,. and Rev . P . S . Harris , Prov . G . Chaps . ; J . T . Co ] lms , Prov . G . Treas . ; AV . L . Harrison , Prov . G . Reg . ; G . B eech , Prov . G . Sec ; J . Halbeard , Prov . S . G . D . ; F . A . Harrison , pr 0 v . J . G . D . ; G . M . Dickinson , Prov . G . Supt , of Works ; E . Worrall , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; F . Ferriman , Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; J . ArcherProv . G . S . B . ; E . BrownProv . G . OrgE .
Frid-, , . ; lander , Prov . G . Purst . ; W . C . McEntoe , Prov . G . Assist . Purst . At the close of tlie official business the brethren attended Divine service at the Parish Church , where an admirable sermon was preached by Bro . the Hon . and Rev . J . AA . Leigh , Prov . G . Chap , who took for his text First Chronicles , xxix ., 14 , " But who nm I , and what is my people , that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort ? For all things come of Thee
and of Thine own have we given Thee . " After adverting to the circumstances under which the words of the text were uttered—tlie occasion when the Israelites , having made the most munificent response to Ring David ' s appeal for aid in preparing for the erection of the temple , the preacher remarked that the event suggested reflections which mi ght not be inappropriate to that clay and that assembly , especially as he was addressing the
members of a society which embraced within its circle the highest and the humblest in the land—the prince , the noble , the wealthy , and the wise , as well as the hard-working son of toil . The fraternity of Masons was foremost in distributing the riches of its wealthier members among its poorer brethren , aud in lending its aid to the erection of stately edifices . To such a society , recognising as it did the directing hand of the Great Architect
of the Universe in all its undertakings , ancl having for its foundation the volume of the sacred law , ho thought he could not do better than point out some of the lessons to be gained from the pious behaviour of the Royal Psalmist ou the occasion to which
the text had reference . He first dwelt on the fact that the ability and the disposition to give to God , alike came from God . Laying stress ou the necessity for a right disposition in order to render an offering acceptable to heaven , he pointed out that it was the grace of God alone which could enable man to pull down the all-worshipped Dagon of self and substitute iu itsplace purity of motive , singleness of heart , and charity in its broadest sense . He urged his hearers to seek- the enjoyment of that
broad and comprehensive charity defined by the Apostle Paul , which was not the mistaken though well-meant form generally called charity , but a heavenly love springing from the fountains of the heart , and having for its foundation the love of God and the love of our neighbour . Love such as this was the foundation stone of the world , as well as of the Christian religion and of the Masonic brotherhood—a love which not merely
contributed to the pecuniary necessities of our brethren , but that God-like charity which , as a mantle , covered the errors and shortcomings of those who were travelling through the vale of tears with us to the same harbour of eternal rest . "Thou shalt love tlie Lord thy God with all thy heart , soul , and strength , and thy neighbour as thyself" were the two great commandments regarded by the Christian religion and the
society to which they belonged . No brother could be a true Mason without endeavouring to the best of his power to fulfil these injunctions , which comprehended tho whole of what might be termed the religion of Masonry . The foundation stone of the Masonic brotherhood was love , and , under God , love was the fundamental feature of its constitution . Firm on the rock of ages our life would he built up as a trophy to our God ; its
basement upon eartl :, indeed , but its top stone hid with Christ in God above . As its members continued to be built upon this foundation so only had they the assurance ofthe society ' s stability . On the strength of love had it arisen : tbi-ongh lack of love alone could it fail . A great trust was committed to its members—to carry out amid the jarring elements of the world and the divisions ofthe Church itself ; the spirit of the Divine Architect of
both—the forbearance , the indulgence , the direction , and the aid—in a word , the love of mankind in general . In conclusion , he impressed upon the brethren the duty of acting up to the lessons taught in the text and by Masonry—first , to acknowedge the Great Architect of the Universe in all His works ; and
secondly , to show a deep humility iu the performance of onr own works ; and thirdly , to be thankful to God for the ability and disposition given us by God to glorify His name , and to relieve the wants of poorer brethren . Their society—whose great object was the love of God aud the love of man—was a glorious fabric , founded in strength , ordered by wisdom , and adorned with beauty . It inculcated purity of thought , integrity of life , benignity of manners , and , above all , sweet charity . It
commended them to devout study of the volume of the sacred law as the revelation of their Divine Master ' s will . Whatever the enemies of the society might say , its tenets were good , and it rested with its members to carry thoin out ; aud if the sincerity of their faith was shown in decile as well as words enemies would cease to scoff , and be forced to say , " See how these brethren love one another . After tbe sermon a collection was made on behalf of the Prov .
Annuity and Benevolent Funds . A splendid banquet was provided by Bro . C . AVheal , of Leamington , at the Royal Assembly Rooms . As usual , no invitations were issued to the representatives of the press . The following is the toast list : — " The Queen ; " " Bro . his Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family : " "The M . AV . Bro . the Earl of
Zetland , G . M . ; " "His Deputy , the V . W . Bro . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the Grand Lodsre of England ; " "The RAY " . Bro . Lord Leigh , Prov . G . M . of Warwickshire ; " "The W . Bro . Lieut .-Col . " Machon , D . Prov . G . M ., ancl the Prov . G . Lodge of AA ar \ vickshire ; " "The AV . M . of the Guy Lodge , and success to his lodge ; " " The Visitors ; " " Masonic Charities ; " "Tyler's Toast . "
The arrangements were carried out in a manner which reflected the highest credit on the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . Caleb Lee , the Prov . G . Assist . Sees ., Bros . G . Beech and F . A . Harrison , and other officials .
AVILTSIIIRE . DEVIZES . Provincial Grand Lodge . The annual meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Wiltshire was held at Devizes on Friday , the 29 th ult . There was a great number present from all parts of the province . The honour of
receiving the Prov . Grand Lodge devolved upon the Lodge of Fidelity ( No . 663 ) , tbe W . M . aud members of which did their utmost to do honour to the distinguished company . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in flic Council Chamber at three o ' clock by Lord Mcthvcn , Prov . G . M ., who , with the Prov . G . Officers , were received and saluted in due form . The company present comprised : —Lord Metbuen , Prov . G . M . ; Bros .
Samuel Witty , D . Prov . G . M . ; Bridges , D . Prov . G . M . of Somerset ; the Revs . C . R . Davy and T . F . Ravenshaw , G . Chaplains of England ; tlie Rev . M . P . Pym , Alcav of Corsham and Chaplain to the Sussex Lodge ( IJai ) i ); the Rev . W . S . Ffreneh , Chaplain to the Lansdown Lodge of Unity No . 626 ( Chippenham ); Frederick Binckes , G . S . ; It . Bradford , Prov . G . S . AV . & Prov . G . Treas . ; William Biggs , P . Prov . G . S . AV . ( Wilts ) , aud Prov . G . Sec . Berks and Buck's ; Henry C . Tombs , Prov . G . Sec ; Parfitt , P . Prov . S . G . AV . of Somerset , and AV . M . 626 ; R . Stokes , P . M . 586 ; C . AV . AVvndham , P . M . 586 , P . Prov . G .
Reg . ; IT . AVard , P . M ., 5 SG ; T . E . Darke , 586 ; W . Nott , AV . M . 663 ; R . Haslam , W . M . 10 G ; J . It Chandler , P . M . 335 ; M . M'llngb , P . M . 663 ; T . L . Holloway , S . AV . G 63 ; G . Alexander , J . W . GGG ; \ A . Read , P . M . 355 ; R Lawson , P . M . 632 , and AV . M . of the newly-consecrated lodge at Bradibrd-oii-Avon ; J . G . Benson , P . M . 586 ; Joseph Burr , P . M . 663 ; Holmes , R . A ., K . T ., P . M ., and W . M . of Roval Standard Lodge ( Halifax , Canada ); E . Pavne , P . M . 335 ; G . Toomer , P . M . 355 ; Mitchell ,
P . Prov . J . G . W !; AVeavcr , P . Prov . S . G . AV . ; Lord , AV . M . of Lodge of Rectitude 335 ; Parham , AV . M . 53 , Prov . G . Reg . Somerset ; Braid , and many other officers of lodges in the Provinces of " Wilts and Somerset . The Prov . G . Lodge was opened in due form , and the usual routine business being disposed of , the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested as follows : —Bros . KinneirProv . G . S . W . J . ChandlerProv . G . J . AVthe RevC
, , . ; . . R . Davy , Prov . G . Chap . ; the Rev . — Dixon , Prov . G . Assist . Chap . ; Bradford , Prov . G . Treas . ; Stokes , Prov . G . Reg . ; Tombs , Prov . G . Sec ; Nott , Prov . G . S . D . ; M'Hugh , Prov G . J . D . ; Lord , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Parfitt , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; AVard , Prov . G . Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Thompson , Prov .