The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-08-14 00:00:00

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DORSET

FREEMASON&

The "brethren of the mystic tie," belonging to
Dorset, assenshled for the transaction of the annual
business of the
_province, at the Town Hall,
Dorchester, on Wednesday. In ooneequence of
continued indisposition the Right Worshipful Pro-
vincial Grand Master (Bro. Joseph Gundry, of The
Hyde, Bridport), was prevented from being present,
and the proceedings of the day were carried out
under the superinteasdenoe of the Deputy Provincial
Grand Master, Bro. J. N. I'. Montagu.
A provincial grand Royal Arch Chapter took
place at the Masonic Hall the previous evening.
The grind lodge assembled for the transaction of
the manual business of the province on Wednesday
morning at eleven o'clock. An abstract of the
treasurer's account was laid before the fraternity.
The total receipts, including a balance of £66 6s. 6d.
at the beginning of the year, amounted to
#122 7a. 6d., and VIS Its. 4d. had been expended,
leaving a balance in hand of £79 lie. 2d. Two
petitions for relief from the benevolent fund—one
from an afflicted brother, and the other from the
wife of a deceased mason, were discussed at great
length, and ultimately £lO were voted to each. At
one o'clock the brethren of the craft were marshalled
in procession in their respective lodges, by
Bro. J. Maunders, Provincial Grand Director of
Ceremonies, and wearing the regalia, and carrying
the lodge banners and the insignia of the
Order, proceeded to Holy Trinity Church for
Divine service. The band of the 3rd D.V.R.,
under Mr. Henry Wellspring, played excellently
The Freemason's March " on the route,
and the neighbourhood was thronged with
people anxious to witness the procession.
At the church, prayers were read by the Rev.
J. Fisher, rector, and the sermon was preached
by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Rev. W.
H. Haab, of Upper Lytchett, who took his
text from Romans 'ii, 2.—" Not slothful in
business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." On
returning to the Tovrn4mll, a discussion ensued as
to the propriety of discontinuing the promotion to
church at the annual meetings of the Provincial
Grand lodge, and it was resolved to abolish
both the procession and the attendance at church;
in place of the latter, an oration is to be delivered
to the craft by_ the Grand Chaplain at their plasm of
assembly. The annual meeting of the province in
1667 is to be held at Weymouth. The future
attendance of visiting members at the grand
lodge is however reduced to a nullity, mainly,
we believe. in consequence of the enforcement of the
rule that none but past marten and wardens should
speak or vote—a regulation we think likely to
deprive the grand lodge of the attendance of any
ordinary brethren in future. The following are
the appointments made for the ensuing year :
Pro. G. Senior Warden, W. Bro. G. H. Cricktney, P.M.,
Weymouth.
Pro. G. Junior Warden, W. Bro. T. C. W. Saunders,
P.M., Dorchester.
Pro. G. Chaplain, Bro. the Rev. H. Piz, Wimbome.
Pro. G. Registrar, W. Bro. W. J. Hill, WAL, Portland.
Pro. C. Secretary, W. Bro. Thee Coombs, W.M.,
Dorchester.
Pro. 0. Senior D., Bra Joseph New, Shaftesbury.
Pro. 0. Junior D., Bro. W. Chick, Dorchester.

_ .
Pm O. Sept of Works, W. Bro. Danio Ci' NAL,
Weymouth.
Pro. 0. Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Joseph
Meanders, Weymouth,
Pro. CI. Assist. Directar of Ceremonies, W. Bro. J. B.
Webb, Bridged.
Pro, 0. Sword Bearer, Bro. 0. F. Chick, Bridport.
Pro. 0. Organist, Bro. H. T. Stagg, Weymouth.
Pro. 0. Parsuivent, Bro. Chas. Hayter Crickmay, %Vey.
mouth.