Article 219 Of The Book Of Constitutions.

grounds , we ask , are those who remain , i . e ., who do not secede from us , to be denied the exercise of the rig ht conferred on them by Article 219 ? Is it because , in the face of a disloyal majority ,

they have elected to remain loyal to our Grand Lodge that they are to be punished by deprivation of this rig ht and , as a natural consequence , of all the other rights and privileges they possess as a lodge of Freemasons under the English Constittukm ?

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

There was a brilliant gathering- of brethren at Plymouth , on the nth instant , on the occasion of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire being held there . The Provincial Grand Lodge assembled under the banner of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 70 , and the arrangements for the reception made by the local brethren were of the most efficient character . Provincial Grand Lodge vvas opened at two o ' clock , prior to vvhich the Committee of Petitions met , and transacted a large amount of business .

The attendance of Masons of the province vvas very large , and the accommodation which the new hall affords , ample though it is , vvas taxed to the uttermost . Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., Prov . Grand Master , was , through indisposition , unable to attend , and his absence was a source of regret to all the brethren . His place vvas occupied by Bro . W . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M ., and the Wardens' chairs were filled by Bros . H . M . Imbert-Terry , P . S . G . W ., and Capt . Ivimy , P . J . G . W .

Bro . Major Tracy , P . P . S . G . W ., occupied the D . P . G . M . 's chair . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . G . ROGERS , expressed deep regret , in vvhich he vvas sure he should be joined by every brother present , at the absence of the Provincial Grand Master on account of ill-health . Bro . G . C . DAVIE , Prov . Grand Secretary , presented the report for the year , vvhich showed that at the end of the year there vvere in the province 2920 Masons ,

being an increase of 49 over the previous year . There had been 255 initiated , being a decrease of 3 6 . There were on the roil 706 Past Masters , and the members returned in arrears vvere 382 , being an increase of 52 over the preceding year . The report was adopted unanimously . The report of the Treasurer , vvhich vvas also adopted , showed a balance of £ 244 . The SECRETARY of the Fortescue Annuity Fund presented his annual statement ,

which was adopted . The statement of the Committee of Petitions vvas also presented by Bro . GOVER , together vvith the following report of the London representative of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire ( Bro . the Rev . W . Whittley , P . G . D . England , and P . P . S . G . W . ) : — " In presenting another annual report your London representative has again the gratification of declaring the Province free from debt .

The two candidates adopted by the Committee vvere duly elected—Alberta Dale in April , and Thomas Chapman in May last . Fortunately for the province the friends of Alberta Dale worked so well that only no votes were required from the province to secure her election . For Bro . Chapman 304 1 votes vvere polled , thus placing him fifth on the list of successful candidates . The votes received from the province by your representative were as follows : October , 188 9 , boys '

votes , 570 ; October , 18 S 9 , girls' votes , 329 ; April , 1890 , boys' votes , 565 ; April , 18 90 , girls' votes , 327 ; May , 18 90 , men ' s votes , 559 ; May , 1890 , women ' s votes , 697—total , 3047 . As before stated , the votes polled vvere—Alberta Dale , no ; Bro . Chapman , 3041 ; total , 3151 . The 104 votes required to make upthe number polled were secured from other sources , without incurring further liability . The increasing difficulty attending the elections renders it more and more desirable

that all the lodges and brethren in the province should be loyal to the Committee , and especially that all proxies should be sent to the Secretary as early as possible after the date of issue . It is always necessary to exchange votes with some other province , and it places your representative at a great disadvantage when , having arranged for such exchange , he is unable to forward the votes required . If the

brethren vvill be prompt in forwarding their proxies they vvill greatly aid your representative in vvhat is every year a more difficult task . Your representative was able , without touching the votes of the province , to render assistance in the election of Mrs . Helmore , also a Devonshire case . The remaining fact to be noted is that some proxies have this year been received the day after the election . " On the motion of Bro . J ONES ,, the report vvas adopted .

Bro . Powell , P . M ., Sec . 1205 , was unanimously elected Treasurer , on the proposition of Bro . J . STOCKER , seconded by Bro . MERRIFIELD . Bros . S . Jew and Cornish vvere elected Auditors by the unanimous vote of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Before proceeding to invest the officers for the year , the D . P . G . M . said it was

to their great regret that Bro . Hughan , of Torquay , who vvas to have been appointed Prov . S . G . W ., vvas prevented by ill-health from taking that office . The collar had been offered to him by the P . G . M . as some sli g ht recognition of the services rendered by him to Masonry in general and the West of England in particular . The following vvere then duly invested by the D . P . G . M .:

Bro . Capt . Kersteman , 303 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . Stocker , 39 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . E . P . Hood , 248 ^ Prov G Chaos „ Rev . A . Newman , 494 ... ... _ ^ rrov . Cr . cnaps . ,, W . Powell , 102 5 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Locke , 444 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

,, G . C . Davie , 251 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ,, J . Bassett , 1212 ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ P . G . L . Pearce , 1247 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Westcott , 70 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . ,, J . Sampson , 1254 ... ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D .

,, J . C . Palmer , 372 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . ,, j . G . Kevern , 1550 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . Tapley , 1885 ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ R . Dixon , 1205 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ B . S . Johns . 159 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ H . Berwick , 16 4 ... ... ... - } p a Sf R . c

„ J . Stapleton , 1666 ... ... ... ... ) ... ,, G . Morgan , 402 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ C . Ashford , 1254 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . ,, R . W . Pitcher , 230 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ H . J . Kitt , 10 5 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ H . Langmead , 202 ... ... ... ... ~ „ W . H . G . Churchill , 106 G

„ 1 . Osborn , 10 4 ... ... ... ... 0 _ -. c . J „ H . Marled 1358 ^ Prov . . Stwds . „ W . Bond , i 486 ,, | . Gidley , 2025 „ F . Shooter , 112 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . T y ler . At the conclusion of the ceremony of investiture the D . P . G . M . proposed a vote of condolence with the Dowager Lady Carnarvon on the death of the Pro Grand Master , who vvas for many years the ruling head of English Freemasonry .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Devonshire.

The Earl of Carnarvon had been closely associated vvith our Order as long as he could recollect , and certainly as long as he had occupied a prominent position in the Craft . His name vvas a household word , and he was universally beloved . A tribute of respect to the memory of the late noble Earl vvas also paid by Bro . the Rev . Langley Pope , a Mason of 45 years' standing , who had been associated with the Pro Grand Master , both in Masonry and in their old University , of which Lord Carnarvon was Hig h Steward for many years . The vote vvas carried unanimously .

A hearty vote of thanks to Lodge No . 70 , under whose banner the Provincial Grand Lodge had met that day , vvas carried unanimously . It vvas mentioned by Bro . H . L . FRIEND that on the third Monday in October the Dawlish brethren would dedicate the new Salem Lodge , and he hoped the brethren of the province would do their best to celebrate the event , and make it a red-letter day for Dawlish .

In the course of further proceedings a hearty greeting vvas given to Bro . McLeod , the newly-appointed Secretary of the Boys' School . Bro . MCLEOD , in acknowledgment , thanked the brethren of the province for their assistance in placing him in the position he how held . He expressed the hope that they would continue to support the Institution of which he was now an executive officer .

The Provincial Grand Lodge vvas then closed . In the evening the annual banquet vvas held in the large dining hall of the Masonic Club . Over 100 brethren vvere present . The acting Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . G . Rogers , D . P . G . M ., presided , supported by the

newlyappointed Provincial Grand Officers and several prominent Past Provincial Grand Officers , including Bros . H . M . Imbert-Terry , P . P . S . G . W . ; Major M . Tracy , R . A ., P . P . S . G . W . ; the Rev . Dr . T . W . Lemon , P . P . G . Chap , and P . P . J . G . W . ; S . Jones , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Lane , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Stocker , P . P . G . T . ; S . Jew , P . P . G . T . ; J . W . Cornish , P . P . G . T . ; E . T . Fulford , P . P . G . T . ; and J . R . Lord , P . P . G . T .

After the Joyal toasts had been duly honoured , Bro . ROGERS proposed " Bro . Viscount Ebrington , M . P ., P . G . M . of Devon . " The absence of the Prov . Grand Master from their gathering that day vvas , he vvas sure , as regrettable to his lordship himself as it was to all the brethren . But the orders of the R . W .

brother ' s medical advisers were precise as to his abstention from work for some time , as well as from the excitement of public meetings . With proper attention to the course thus advised , they hoped in a few months to restore his lordship to perfect health , when their P . G . M . would have as much pleasure in meeting his provincial brethren as they would have in meeting him .

Bro . F . B . W ESTLAKE proposed "The Presiding Officer , our D . P . G . M ., and the P . G . L . of Devon . " He said he feit certain that ail were pleased at the admirable manner in vvhich the business had been carried out that day . They were also pleased at the appointment of officers that had been made . Bro . ROGERS acknowledged the compliment , and , having done so , he said the

next toast vvas one indigenous to the province . He had himself been a member of three other provinces , in neither of vvhich had he heard the compliment extended of toasting their neighbours . No one in the Province of Devon , however , held in hig her respect Bro . the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe , P . G . M . of Cornwall , than he did himself . He proposed vvith much pleasure "The P . G . M . and Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall . "

Bro . IMBERT-TERRY , in the absence of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , who had been obliged to leave , gave the toast of " The Visitors , " and the toast vvas acknowledged by Bro . MCLEOD , the recently-appointed Secretary of the Boys' School . Bro McLeod thanked the Devonshire Province for the kind support he received at the election . He promised his best exertions to justify the selection they had assisted

in making . The continued education and rearing up of 265 boys vvas a matter of considerable moment , and he hoped to obtain the aid of the Masons of Devon ; indeed , he thought he should be able to show them that he had a claim on their assistance . In the first place , there vvas the yet unsettled difficulty in reference to the last Secretary . Bro . Whittley , their representative in London , had joined in adopting the arrangement for the settlement agreed upon . Yet out of the 52

lodges of Devon only 19 had rendered the small individual assistance required , and he hoped that the representatives of the other 33 lodges would , on their return to their lodges , earnestly impress upon their brethren the claim there was upon them to render that aid to that excellent Charity . Then there vvas a large revenue required to meet the current expenditure needed in maintaining the school , notwithstanding the careful and searching inquiry there had been made b y

the Committee to carry it out vvith all economy consistent vvith efficiency . The newly-appointed Head Master who vvas endeavouring to mould the School after the best modern models of educational establishments , so that it might prove most creditable to the hig h and honourable body it represented , had discovered many alterations in the buildings vvhich would require further expense . He had recommended a swimming bath as most desirable for the health and future training of the lads , but for the present it had to be set aside for still more essential work . He

called the attention of the brethren to the great need there thus vvas for present pecuniary aid . He hoped they would kindly do their best to thus aid him in proving his ability for the position they had assisted in conferring on him . Two brethren of the province , Bro . Truscott , from Exeter , and Bro . Taylor , from Torquay , had undertaken Stewardships in aid of the Charity , and he hoped they would be well supported , and he should be glad if another brother at Plymouth would undertake a similar Stewardship .

The toast of " Masons' Wives and Masons' Sweethearts " followed , and Bro . Dr . LEMON replied . " Absent brethren , and those who need our sympathy , " followed . Bro . Imbert-Terry then had to retire , and left Bro . the Rev . Dr . Lemon in the chair . Bro . A . Liddiard ' s band entertained tho brethren throughout the evening . Bros . Revill , Debnam , J . Leonard , W . C . Lavers , and others also rendered vocal aid .

FELLOW CRAET . —In French compagnon , " in Italian " lavorante , " in Dutch " medgezel , " in Swedish " medbroder , " is the second grade in English Freemasonry , and is apparently of considerable antiquity . It is identical with the Scottish fallow , or fellow of Craft , and the German gesell . Whatever may be the exact antiquity of the three grades , it is quite clear to us , that the argument is not really tenable vvhich makes all Freemasonry consist until 1717 in one common grade .

It seems to us that even by the evidence of the Scottish minutes , the Masters , the Fellows of Craft , and the Apprentice have each distinct existence . Some difficulty is occasioned by the words "' Master and Fellow of Craft , " being apparentl y used as identical ; but stili it is apparently the fact that the " Maisters" were a distinct body , and probably had meetings of their own . Itmaybeaquestion vvhethertherewas not a distinction then as now , though somewhat different of course , as between the

Master Mason and the Master of the lodge . The matter is , however , still far from plain or clear , and we do not think any one can dogmatise on the subject . The Second Fellow Craft ' s Degree , says Bro . Archdeacon Mant , as Oliver points out , is rendered interesting by those scientific instructions and philosophical lectures which characterise later parts of the mysteries , though both of these Degrees were

made to tend to the glory of that God who had given such wonderful faculties to them , and to the welfare of their fellow-creatures . We may observe , that though the rule was not uniform , the Second or Fellow Craft Degree was given onl y in the Grand Lodge or Grand Assembly in England . —Kenning ' s Cyclopadia of Freemasonry .