V. P. FREEMAN, P. Paov. S.G.W.,

8, St. George's Place, Brighton, Provincial G. Secretary.
November 16th, 1881.
The Prov. G.D. of Ceremonies called upon the Brethren to' salute the Et. W. the Prov. G. Master, the W. Deputy Prov. G. Master, afterwards the Prov. G. Wardens and the rest of the Prov. G. Officers.
86 FEBEMASONRT m THE
The Prov. G. Secretary stated that he had received letters of apology for non-attendance from :^-
W. Bro. LORD A. HILL ... Prov. S.G. Warden.
„ G. W. KING ... ... P. Prov. S.G. "Warden.
„ A. R. CROUCHER ... P. Prov. A.G.D. of C.
„ C. M. NORRIS ... Prov. G. Pnrst.
„ E. A. HEAD ... ... Prov. G. Steward.
„ EGBERT FRYMAN ... „ „ „
The Et. W. the Prov. G. Master then addressied the Brethren. He said that having heard how kindly the visitors to York had been treated by the Masons of that city, he thought it only right to take the present oppor- tunity to greet the Brethren from aU Provinces in a fraternal manner and give them a cordial welcome. He could only hope that this interchange of hospitality would long continue, and that honour, charity and justice might prevail as long as Freemasonry prospered. He hoped that the Queen might long live to rule and reign, and that the M.W. the Grand Master might continue for many years to preside over the Craft. He thanked the Visitors for their presence and the cordial reception he had received, and would call upon the Deputy Prov. G. Master to address them.
W. Bro. John H. Scott, P.G.D., dep. peov. g.m., next addressed the Brethren.
It was, he said, a happy thought on the part of their worthy Brother, His Worship the Mayor of Brighton, when the idea occurred to him which they were endeavouring to carry out that evening. Such gatherings did great good, they afforded the opportunity of bringing men of all classes together, whereby acquaintanceship was made which often ripened into affection, and so men became true and lasting friends who would never have known each other but through the intervention of Freemasonry. This was one of the great objects which Freemasonry had in view, and one of the great benefits which it conferred upon society.
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It did promote brotherly love and goodwill amongst all sorts and condition of men. He hoped in years to come, when many of those whom he was then addressing had become faithful and attached friends, they would be able to trace back their first acquaintanceship to their meeting at the Masonic gathering which took place at the Brighton Health Congress.
The Deputy Provincial G. Master then added that he had been turning over in his mind on what topic he should address them, and it had occurred to him that a short epitome of the history of the " Eoyal Clarence " Lodge, No. 271, might be interesting to them. He had chosen the " Eoyal Clarence " Lodge because it was the oldest Lodge in Brighton. Virtually it was the oldest Lodge in the Province. There were three other Lodges whose numbers stood higher on the Eegister of the Grand Lodge of England, viz., the " Lodge of Union," No. 38, Chichester ; the "Derwent Lodge," No. 40, Hastings; and the "lEoward Lodge of Brotherly Love," No. 56, Arundel. But these Lodges were not indigene as to Sussex, they were trans- planted, or, to use a Masonic expression, "removed " from other places, whereas the "Eoyal Clarence" Lodge was established in Brighton, August 26th, 1789. It had there- fore existed very nearly one hundred years, and with very few exceptions, when there were not suf&cient Brethren present to form a Lodge, it had uninterruptedly held its meetings regularly during the whole of that long period. It had initiated 636 Brethren, and also admitted 216 Joining Members, amongst whom had been many of Brighton's oldest, best known, and most respected inhabi- tants. The "Eoyal Clarence" Lodge, independently of the benefactions of its members, had expended from its funds more than £2,000 in works of charity and public usefulness, and still subscribed annually £30 to the local and Masonic Institutions.
88 . FEEEMASONET IS THE
The Eoyal Clarence Lodge had taken part in several puhlic ceremonials. In 1808 the Duke of Eichmond was the W.M. of the Eoyal Clarence Lodge, and in that capacity laid the Foundation of the -Nelson Memorial in Dublin, with Masonic honours. In 1817, the Lodge assisted in driviug the first pile of Shoreham Harbour. In 1824, laying the first stone of St. Peter's Church, Brighton. In 1831, laying the first stone of the Norfolk Bridge, Shoreham. In 1839, laying the first stone of the Railway Viaduct across New England Hill. In 1840, laying the first stone of the Adelaide wing of the Sussex County Hospital,
The character of the Eoyal Clarence had always been of a wide and general character. It had never been in any sense a class Lodge, In large towns class Lodges became inevitable. Birds of a feather would flock together, and so there would be the Gentleman's Lodge, the Professional man's Lodge and the Tradesman's Lodge ; and there was no objection to that so long as each Lodge carried out Masonic principles and did not endeavour to kfiep up its own importance by depreciating the other Lodges. Of course when any one wished to become a Freemason, or to join a Lodge, he would naturally join the Lodge in which he would find most of his own friends, and any Brother knowing such a friend would be justified in saying, "you' had better join us, you will find so and so there," but no Brother would be justified in persuading any one to join his own particular Lodge by disparaging other Lodges in the same town. That would be a dishonourable departure from Masonic principle. The "Eoyal Clarence" Lodge had embraced men of almost every creed, caEing and circumstance amongst its members^noblemen, baronets, squires, country gentlemen, professional men of the highest standing in divinity, law and physic, artists, architects and actors, men of science and literature, tradesmen of every calling. Jews, French, Germanss, Italians and a Parsee,
PROVINCE OF SUSSEX. 89
had all belonged to it, and most of them had attained the highest honours the Lodge can confer on any of its Memhers.
The Dep. Prov. G.M. concluded by saying that he had told "them enough to prove that the " Eoyal Clarence" Lodge was an old and influential Lodge ; that it had held an honourable career, and he was glad to know that there 'were at the present time many young members who were all anxious to maintain the usefulness and keep up the reputation of the " Eoyal Clarence."
The W. Prov. G. Chaplain (Bro. Eev. E. V. Faithfull Davies), then gave an address, showing that it was to the interest, and indeed a part of Freemasonry, to endeavour to assist anything which was calculated to promote the health of our fellow-creatures. He was pleased, he said, to see such a large assembly, which one hundred years ago would not have been practicable. Now Brethren were able to come from all parts, not merely to spend a pleasant evening in Prov. Grand Lodge, but to learn the laws of science and health, so that we may be able to do good to our fellow-creatures, and by the interesting Exhibition which was connected with the Congress, whilst promoting their health as Masons at the same time to endeavour to assist in inculcating morality. Even for a selfish reason it is for our own benefit to follow the laws of health, although it is to be feared that we all do many things which are quite contrary to those laws. We ought to consider it our duty as reasonable creatures to promote by all means in our power the observance of those laws, using those faculties which have been given us, and try and learn from those eminent men who have devoted so much attention to these subjects. Only let them give us, not guesses, however brilliant, but facts and truth, and they will find none more ready to second their efforts than Bretbren in Masonry.
90 FKEEMASONKT IN THE
The Acting Prov. S.G. Warden (Bro. W. H. HaUett), then addressed the Brethren. He said that during a Masonic career of 30 years, commencing in the Grenadiers' Lodge, in London, of which he wag a P.M., and afterwards, for the last 12 years, in this Province as a Member, and in 1875 W.M. of the " Eoyal Clarence" Lodge, he had felt there was a latent talent among Masons which only required to be sought out. He had found that many members who were not in office were quite willing, if opportunity offered, to render their assistance, and he had been able, during his year of office, to work all the sections in each degree, thus adding to the interest of their Masonic meetings. Of course, all have not equal powers, but each should do his best, as we have not so many opportunities in this Province as are offered to Brethren resident in London. He trusted that the present meeting proved that many Brethren were willing to work and take an interest in matters connected with the health and instruction of mankind, and without under-valuing social qualifications, show that all classes of Freemasons combined together not only for the present welfare but for the future prosperity of the craft.
The Prov. G, Secretary then read a paper which had been prepared by Bro. Thos. Francis, W.M. 56, giving a summary of the various Lodges, past and present, and of the general proceedings of the Craft throughout the Province, being selections from a History of Freemasonry in the Province of Sussex, which, by permission of the Et. W. the Prov. G. Master, Bro. Francis was preparing for publication and which would shortly be printed.
The Et. W. the Prov. G. Master said he was sure all would join in giving a vote of thanks to those Brethren who had given the interesting addresses, which was carried by acclamation.
An anthem was sung, also au ode, accompanied by the Prov; Q. Organist (Bro. Eoe).
PEOVmCE OF SUSSEX.
91
W. Bro. r. Sundius Smith, W-M. 271, in the name of the W.M.'s and Brethren of the Brighton Lodges invited the Brethren to take refreshment after the Lodge.
All business being ended, the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed " in due form " and with solemn prayer.
Special Meeting, holden at the Eoyal Pavilion, Brighton, on Saturday, March 11th, 1882.
Present : R.W. Bro. SIR W. W. BURRELL, BART., M.P., Prov. G. Master.
"W. Bro. JOHN H. SCOTT, P.G.D., Dbp. Proy. G.M.
"W. Bro.
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