Prov. Grand Lodge Of Kent.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF KENT .

On Wednesday last week the town of Dartford was honoured by a visit of thc Prov . Grand Lodge of Kent . The excitement on the occasion was even anticipatory , ancl throughout the preceding day the tradesmen were busily engaged fixing flags across the High-street , from roof to roof . Banners were

soon fluttering in endless variety and profusion , extending from East to West Hills , and along Lowfield-street—where they all came from was a bewildering mystery . The colours ofthe 12 th Kent ( Dartford ) Rifle Volunteers was especially prominent . In the evening , from above the

entranceway of the Bull Hotel , where thc Dartford Lodge of Emulation is held , the thoroughfare was brilliantly illuminated with a magnificent star and central crown , and the street became crowded with a concourse of blinking juveniles ancl more mature admirers , and the next evening was added , in the

Corn Exchange , an illuminated " V . R . " The eventful morning broke somewhat inauspiciously , low-hanging , moist clouds obscured the sky's azure arc , and the flags of the street hung dull in the stilly air . Soon after nine o ' clock gladsome tones were pealing from the belfry of the

parish church , gladdening every heart . As the morning wore , the sun pierced the damp masses of cloud with the thin edge of its glittering wedge , and soon beamed joyously through , whilst the blue vault of heaven was slowly unveiled . Thc band of the 12 th Kent Volunteers was heard executing

some of the spnghthest of modern airs , and the whole aspect of affairs was brightened , all going " merry as a marriage bell . " Breakfast at eleven o'clock , dejeuner a lajour chette , was the first prominent feature of the day's proceedings . It took place in the Masonic

lodgeroom , and in its arrangement there was displayed an amount of quiet taste and undoubted skill that entitled the Committee of Managementto the fullest praise . The Right Worshipful thc Provincial Grand Master , Viscount Holmesdale , M . P ., presided at the breakfast .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at thc Wesleyan School-room , Spital-street , at half-past twelve o'clock , Lord Holmesdale on the throne . An imposing and dazzling spectacle was created by the brethren in their jewels , honours , and clothing generally . Banners were also plentiful , one bearing

the Craft motto , "Audi , vide , lace . "—this belonged to Lodge 1 , 174 ( Pentangle , Chatham ) . The minutes were read by Bro . Wates , P . G . Sec , and the officers for thc ensuing year were then elected : Bros . Lord Holmesdale , P . G . M . ; Dobson , P . D . G . M . ; J . Marshall ( Dover ) , P . G . S . W . ; J . L .

Ellcrm , P . G . J . W . ; Hill , Chap . ; Graham , Assist . Chap . ; Thorpe , P . G . Treas . ; Wates , P . G . Sec . ; J . Chaplin , P . G . Assist . Sec . ; O . J . Carter , P . S . G . D . ; S . Bewinsky , P . J . G . D . ; McDonald , G . Dir . Cer . : G . Niel , G . Assist . Dir . Cer . ; T . Coppett , Sup . of Works ; G . E . Horpes , G . Sword Bearer ; G .

Mackney , P . G . Org . ; T . Smith , G . Sup . of Works ; and Briggs , P . G . Tyler . These , with thc Grand Stewards , were duly installed , and received their warrants from his lordship , who expressed his willingness to give back warrants to those who had fulfilled the samcofficcs .

One hundred and forty guineas were applied to the purchase of votes , in sums of , £ 20 each , to the following lodges : l 99 ( Peaceand Harmony , Dover ) , 503 ( belvedere , Maidstone ) , 184 ( Benevolence , Brompton ) , i 5 S ( Adam ' s , Sheerness ) , 913 ( Pattison , Plumstead ) , 784 ( Wcllington . Deal ) , ancl 127 ( Union ,

Margate ) ; , £ 50 to thc Widows of Freemasons ' Fund ; £$ to a distressed brother , late of 20 Lodge ( Royal Kent of Antiquity , Chatham ); , £ 20 to a brother of 1 , 206 ( Cinque Ports , Dover ) . Bro . DoBSOX impressed upon all the necessity of acting uniformly with the wishes of the Charity

Committee , nnd this his LORUSIUI * endorsed , remarking lhat thc province was strong enough to get any candidate into the institution if acting unitedly . It was resolved to proceed to church in clothing , although objections had on previous occasions been raised to this practice .

At half-past one o ' clock a procession of the brethren was formed , and marched through the Highstreet , accompanied by the rillc corps band . Freely decorated with insignia , the procession defiled through the centre aisle , ancl were ushered to scats by Bros . Stidolph , Quait . and Martin , ihe last-named gentleman almost ablaze with the brilliancy of thc

decorations with which be had been invested . Thc special hymns which were to bc sung were freel y distributed about the church , which ' was nearly filled , thc brcthrcli occupying the basement . and the galleries being selected b y ladies , who attended in considerable force in every exquisite stvle of modern rnslumc * .

Thc opening prayers were read by the Rev . II . 15 . Bowlby , M . A ., vicar of Hartford : the ill st lesson b y the Rev . G . W . Sicklcmoie , M . A ., lector of St . Lawrence , Thanct ; the second by the Rev . G . H . Timins , M . A ., rector of Town Mailing ; the latter

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Kent.

part ofthe prayers by the Rev . Mr . Hodgson , M . A ., curate of Aylesford . After the third collect a special hymn was sung , framed on the words , " Being fruitful in every good work , " Col ., c . 1 ., v . 10 , commencing : " Work is sweet , for God has blest

Honest work with quiet rest—Rest below and rest above , In the mansions of His love ; When thc work of life is clone , When the battle ' s fought and won ; ' *" and the sermon was preceded by a second hymn

founded on Dent ., c . 4 , v . 7 , and expressive of the tenderest supplication , embodied in the most earnest language , opening thus : — Onward through life Thy children stray , Groping at noon their silent way ; Long is the road , and fierce the sun ,

When will the dreary day be done ? Footsore and faint , to Thee we cry—Father of all I be very nigh . The sermon was preached by the Rev . W . A . Hill , M . A ., Rector of St . Peter ' s , Maidstone , Prov . Grand Chaplain , who chose as his text—Psalm 130 .

verse 7 , " Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit ; or whither flee from Thy presence ? " The preacher ' s most eloquent discourse concluded thus : Rich and fertile was the thought , " whether shall I fly from Thy presence ? " The spirit of man was limited , it could not bring a large circle within its sight in a

moment , if it tried to view too much it saw nothing ; but God ' s boundless spirit could pierce the Universe . They knew that they were in that venerable sanctuary , because they recognised objects which informed them of the fact ; and God was everywhere , because He had knowledge of everything that

occurred . If they descended into the most secret and unknown depth , or enwrapped themselves in the closest darkness , He could see them . In the midst of the battle , pestilence , and famine , and the ravages springing from the pride of nations , He saw all . It was written of Him , "When Thou takest

away their breath they die , and are turned again to their dust . When Thou lettest Th y breath go forth they shall bc made , and Thou shalt renew the face ofthe earth . " In their seasons of business , and daily prosperity , theyshould remember , " Except the Lord build thc house , they labour in vain that build

it , except the Lord keep the city , the watchman waketh but in vain . " Many recognised the force of these things , but failed to allow them to exert practical influence , and indulged in secret passions and hidden depravity . "Who could commit sin that reflected upon the words , " Thou God secst nic ?"

He ( the preacher ) requested them to uphold as a rampart of defence the doctrine thc all-seeing power of God . Let them go on daring and doing , undeterred by disappointment , and unstayed by misrepresentation . The eye that saw Shadrach and Meshach amidst the flames of thc fierv furnace was

open upon them . Let them think of the vast Universe , of thc power manifested in the system around them—that filled all things , ancl upheld all things , —and strive to render Him thc homage of grateful and affectionate hearts . There was little need to stir them up to an act well known to the Masonic

Brotherhood- —an act of charity . More than , £ 215 had been granted by them to different institutions this year , yet he was sure they would leave a large blessing behind for one of the educational instituof this town , and give to Masonic Charities a memorial of their visit to Dartford to-dav . Let them

finally , foster brotherly union , and banish all prejudices . In Heaven they would bc in ihe eternal presence of God—let them do nothing which they would not like God to sec , say nothing which they would not like . Him to licar , write nothing which they would not like Him to read , go nowhere where they would not like Him to discover they had been , spend

no time where tbey would not like Godtosay , "What account have you to give of it ?*' A collection was afterwards made , thc receipts amounting to nearly / 20 ; one moiety will be presented to the parish National School , thc other will bc devoted to thc Boys' and Girls' Charity Schools connected with the Masonic Order .

Ihe numbers then returned to the lodge-room , when thanks were given to thc Rev . Bro . Hill for his discourse , to which that gentleman replied . Thanks were also given to the Rev . II . I ! , Bowlby , for the use of the parish church , ancl to Mr . E . Hall and the Trustees of thc Wesleyan School , which was described by Lord Ilolmesdaleasa most eligible buildiii !'

'Flic lodge was then closed in due form . Lord Holmesdale proved a very efficient president , and thc other officers executed their duties well .

Tin * , BANQUET . This npnst was laid out with considerable taste , which hail elicited the admiration of numerous visitors who had prieviously been allowed to view it .

I he barcpitt was held in a prodi gious tent , erected in Mr . Potter ' s field , and in consequence of the comparative openness of the place of assembly all Masonic forms were dispensed with , which was the only thing wc heard of during the day's proceedings

Prov. Grand Lodge Of Kent.

disappointing to the Masons . About 180 persons were present , under the presidency of Viscount Holmesdale . In addition to the usual good fare , the principal table was graced with a splendid wild boar's head . Grace was said by the Rev . Bro . Hill . Under the direction of Bro . Theodore Distin , the services of Miss Jane Wells , Bro . Frederick Walker ,

and Mr . Baxter were engaged , and those distinguished artistes gave an admirable selection of music , and sang as grace after meat , " Non nobis domine" ( Bird ) . Thc toast-list was then opened , " The Queen and the Craft" being given first . " National Anthem " ( Dr . John Bull ) . " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal

Family . " Glee , " There is Beauty on the Mountain " ( Goss ) . " The M . W . Grand Master of England , Earl De Grey and Ripon . " In proposing this toast , the President spoke of the gratitude with which Freemasons should feel inspired towards the noble earl

for devoting his time to occupying the dignified position he held as their head . Part song , " Lady , rise , sweet Morn ' s awaking " ( H . Smart ) . " Thc R . W . the Deputy Grand Master of England , Earl Carnarvon , and the Grand Officers . " Song , "The Nightingale's Thrill" ( Ganz ) , Miss

W * * ells . Bro . FOOKS , in proposing " The M . W . Provincial Grand Master , Viscount Holmesdale , MP . "— who has for ten years been the P . G . M . of Kent—said they ought to be proud of men who represented

them in the Legislature , and who occupied such positions as their noble president filled that day . He ( the speaker ) was satisfied that if the principles of Masonry were carried—as he he did not doubt they were—with parliamentary members into their places in thc House of Commons , practical good

would ensue . Lord HOLMESDALE returned thanks . As time went on , he said , it was comforting to think that the principles of Masonic life did find practical results , for even now , while they were hearing of war and rumours of war , they also , side by side , heard of associations for ministering to the ills of ihe wounded ; and therefore it was comforting

to hope lhat the good old Masonic principles would continue to exist . Probably wars would never cease ; but when they found persons ready to sacrifice their personal case , time , and money for thc good of humanity , ancl that those who led their ranks were , for the most part , Masons , they were thankful , in 110 boastful spirit , for one more good deed , one further diminution of human misery , and

were led to congratulate themselves that their Institution was based upon the most humane principles , which were ever kept in view—viz ., that of alleviating human misery ; ancl that their meetings—festive , joyous , though they might sometimes make them—were not the meie enjoyments of the hour . This province had largely increased during the ten years he had been G . M . There were when

he joined sixteen , now there were thirty-three , lodges ; they were 560 strong , now they numbered from 1400 to 1500 . It might occur that it would bc deemed desirable to divide ihe province into two sections ; but there was one thing he wished to impress , and that was for them to be careful not to lower the dignity of the Order by the introduction of men of low status in society , as

Freemasons had more need of men of good quality ancl pure character than otherwise . Part song , " Sweet and Low " ( I'arnby ) . In proposing "The Provincial Grand Officers , " associated with the name of Bro . Dobson , Secretary , Viscount IIOLMF . SDALK alluded to the social qualities nnd abilities required for that oflice , and said that he right heartily

drank ihe Secretary ' s health . Bro . DOBSON , replying , referred lo the peat amount of work involved in keeping twenty or thirty lodges well visited during the year , and created some amusement by reading extracts from the bycla ' ws ofthe Lodge True and Faithful , hold at the Rose Inn , Dartford , and subsequently at llic Marquis of Granby , dated ( une 13 , 1775 , a , 1 d he

showed how well our forefathers understood thc princiciplcs of Masonry , by stating that we were actually now reintroducing some of the rules which then guided them . Glee from " Oberon in fairy land " ( Stevens ) . Lord IIoLMrcsDALK proposed "Thc Brethren of Emulation Loilge , No . 299 , and its worthy W . M ., Bro . Tinkler . " lie complimented them on the completeness of

tilth' arrangements forlhc day . liro . TINKLER appropriately replied on behalf of himself and the lodge . Song , " The true right hand" ( Distin ) , Bro . T . Dislin " . liro . MARTIN proposed " The Visitors , " coupling the name of Bro . GRKIG , R . W . P . G . M . of Pennsylvania ,

which was suitably responded lo . Glee , "Hark ! the lark " ( Dr . Cooke ) . liro . TIMMINS gave "The Press , " and Bro . GABLE acknowledged the toast . Madrigal , " Down in a flow ' ry vale ( Fcsla ) .

Bro . WATI'S gave " The Ladies , "in a humorous and complimentary speech . Part song , " 1 love my love in the morning" ( G . B . Allen ) ; subsequently Mr . Walker sang a choice ballad , and thc glee " Mynheer van Dunck " ( Bishop ) , was rendered .

1 he CHAIRMAN gave " To our next merry meeting , " ancl the great provincial anniversary terminated . — Dartford Chronicle .