C. Sandeman, 315, 732, C. Moren, 916, T. S. Byass,

1465, PEOV. G. STEWAEDS ; and T. Hughes, Pfiov. G. tylee.
The Prov. G.M. then addressing the brethren said : —
"As the Prov. G-.M. of this Province he thought he might fairly take some feelings of personal satis- faction to himself in consequence of the M.W.G.M. having appointed him to this position. He assumed the position with a great deal of diffidence, feeling that he might sometimes not do quite masonically that which ought to be done. But he hoped and trusted that with the aid of his officers he would always be able to conduct the duties of his office. The gratification he had expressed was however much alloyed when he cast his eye around the room and missed two old Masons whom he had hoped to have seen present, Lord Pelham and Bro. Furner. The Prov. G.M. then referred to the cii'cumstances of the retirement of these two bi'ethren, and explained that Lord Pelham had retired on account of iU-health and Bro. Purner on account of his engagements being too numerous to permit him to perform the duties of his office. - He believed there would be some resolu- tion of thanks moved both to Lord Pelham and Bro. Purner and he was sure every brother would agree that these brethren richly deserved such resolution of thanks. With regard to himself and his appointment, he hoped he should have health and strength to perform his duties. If he had such health and strength it was his intention to visit every Lodge in the Province, but inasmuch as there were nineteen of them, and possibly might soon be one or two more, he did not think he could be expected to visit all in the course of one year ; but, to the best of his ability, he
60 ITtEEMASOlniT IN THE
would visit them all ; and he trusted that with the assistance of the brethren they would he able to conduct this Province fraternally, showing their good- will towards all people, and to the benefit of the Craft in general. He begged most sincerely to thank the brethren for their reception of him that day, and when they next met in September he hoped they would be able to see there had been good progress in Masonry." (Cheers.)
Bro. the Eev. 0. McCalogher, P.P.G. CHAP., then congratu- lated the brethren on the appointment of Sir W. Burrell to rule over them, adding, " that in the course of twenty^seven years of neighbourship with him, he had experienced many acts of kindness from him as a squire, a gentleman, a Mason, and a man."
A committee was then appointed to examine and revise the Prov. G.L. Bye Laws, and votes of thanks were passed for the services of Lord Pelham and Bro. Purner, which were ordered to be engrossed on vellum and for- warded to them as mementos of the position they had held in the Province ; a vote of thanks to Bro. J. Hervey, G. SEC. and Bro. T. Penn, g.a.d. of c. brought the business to a close.
The annual meeting was held on the eighteenth of September, the E.W. Prov. G.M. in the chair.
The Bye Laws as revised, were after some slight altera- tions adopted, and the report of the Provincial G. Secretary showed, that during the year seventy members had been initiated and twenty eight had joined, the total number of subscribing members being seven hundred and fifty-four.
Bro. Tatham having resigned the office of Prov. G. Treasurer, Bro. E. Crosskey was unanimously elected to that office ; the sum of one hundred pounds was voted towards the " Indian Famine Fund," Pifty guineas to the Masonic School for Boys for a Vice Presidentship, the
PROVINCE OF SUSSEX. 61
privileges of -whicli were to be exercised by the D.P.G.M. for the time being ; and Ten guineas towards the memorial to the late Bro. Dr. Oliver.
In 1878, the annual meeting was held on the fourth of October, the E.W. Prov. G. Master presided, and he was supported by a large number of the Fraternity : all the Lodges in the Province were represented excepting the " Abbey," 1184, and according to the statistics presented by the Prov. G-. Secretary, showing the strength of the various Lodges up to the 30th of June, it appeared there had been sixty-seven initiates and fifty-eight joining mem- bers, making a total of 824 members for the nineteen Lodges in the Province.
The E.W. Prov. G. Master, in his address to the brethren, congratulated them on the state of the Province and of the success of the Charity Committee, who had secured the- election of two Sussex candidates to the Boys' School ; and he also very forcibly pointed out the necessity of further exertions on the part of individuals in sapport of the Charitable Institutions of the Order, and hoped that the various Lodges would form Charity Associations, and collect contributions from their members with a view to increasing the nimiber of Life Governors of those excellent Institutions.
The Charities' Committee in their report, suggested that each Lodge in the Province should contribute two shillings per member to form a fund, from which a series of Life Subscriberships of ten guineas each should be drawn-for every year by the various Lodges : this scheme was subse- quently adopted by all the Lodges, and in September 1879, the sum of £88 : 8s. having been sent in, eight Life Governorships were distributed by ballot, the following Lodges being the winners: "Derwent," 40; "Howard Lodge of Brotherly Love," 56 ; " Eoyal York," 315 ; "Wellington," 341 ; "Abbey," 1184; " Pelham," 1303; " Gordon," 1726 ; " Southdown," 1797.
62 FKEEMASONEY IN THE
The next Annual Meeting was held on the sixth of October, the Prov. G. Master in the chair; the report of the Finance Committee was satisfactory, and the report of the Charities' Committee showed that during the past year one Candidate had been elected to the Oirls' School, and one widow as an annuitant on the funds of the Eoyal Masonic BeneYolent Institution. The statistics compiled by the Prov. Grand Secretary showed that four new. Lodges had been constituted during the year, at Bognor, Hurstpierpoint, Brighton and Shoreham, and the roll of members had in- creased from 828 to 884, there having been sixty-five initiations and forty-seven joinings, from which there were to be deducted fifty-six, viz., thirty-eight resignations, twelve members removed by death, and six excluded.
The sum of one hundred guineas was voted towards the funds of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution, the amount to be placed on the list of the D. Prov. G. Master, who was a Steward for the Festival in 1880.
In November the Provincial Charities' Committee inagurated the " Sussex Provincial Association of Benevo- lence," for the purpose of enabling Masons of the Province to become Life Governors of the three Masonic Institutions, the subscription to be at the rate of one shilling per week, and the drawings to take place at the quarterly meetings of the Committee ; proper rules were drawn up, and, as will subsequently be shown, the scheme proved successful.
We now come to the last year, the events of which will close this Sketch of the Province with respect to Craft Masonry, and we feel sure that it is with feelings of satis- faction that the year 1880 will long be remembered, owing to the prominent position the Province held at the Annual Festival of the Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged. Freemasons and their widows, on the ninth of February, when the Dep. Prov. G. Master took up the magnificent total of Six hundred and thirty pounds on his list ; such a
PEOVINOE OF SUSSEX. 63
result must have been highly gratifying to Bro. Scott, as out of twenty-seven Provinces represented, Sussex took the second place, the total amount subscribed by the Provinces being something over £4,700.
On Friday, the twentieth of February the Prov. Grand Lodge assembled to assist Sir W. W. Burrell, the peov. g.m. to lay the foundation stone of the new permanent Children's Hospital in the Dyke Eoad, Brighton : upwards of one hundred and fifty brethren were formed in the order of procession, and, in the presence of a numerous body of spectators, was laid with all the ceremonial of Masonic rites the foundation stone of a building which is intended to give better accommodation for this excellent Institution, which, though having been in existence only about twelve years, has been a great boon to the poor of the town. It is interesting to notice, that during the preceding ten years there had been admitted 1308 in-patients, and that 930C out-patients had been relieved, thus proving that this Charity " has been perfect in its parts and honorable to its founders."
At the Annual Festival of Grand Lodge, held at Freemason's Hall, on Wednesday, the 28th April, Bro. J. H. Scott was appointed one of the G.J. Deacons of England, which appointment was received with unanimous satisfac- tion throughout the Province.
The Annual Meeting of the Provincial G. Lodge was held on Friday, October the eighth, the agenda being a heavy one. There was a numerous attendance and several visitors of importance, the Prov. 6. Master being in the chair : the attention of the brethren was first directed to a circular from the Grand Secretary's offices, respecting the prefixes to which Freemasons are entitled according to their rank in Grand Lodge : the prefix "Eight Worshipful" is accorded to the Deputy Grand Master, the present and past Prov. Grand Masters and the present and past Grand
64 FREEMASONET IN THE
"Wardens of the United Grand Lodge of England ; the prefix of " Very Worshipful " is given only to the present and past Grand Chaplains, the present and past Grand Treasurers, the present and past Grand Eegistrars, and the present and past Grand Secretaries of the United Grand Lodge of England and to no others ; the title of "Worshipful" is. to be used by the rest of the present and past Grand Of&cers of the United Grand Lodge of England, and by the present and past Masters of Lodges ; and that all other members of the Craft are to be designated " Brother " only.
The Eeport of the Board of Finance was most satis- factory, there being a balance in hand of £239 : 2s. 2d., and on the recommendation of the Board the sum of ten guineas was voted to the widow of a deceased brother, and five guineas to the daughter of another deceased brother.
The Board also recommended a special vote of thanks to Bro. C. A. WooUey, who had filled the office of Prov. G. Eegistrar for ten years, and that the same be engraved on a Past Prov. Grand Eegistrar's Jewel and presented to him.
The Eeport and recommendations of the Committee were received and unanimously approved. The statistics of the returns furnished by the Prov. G. Secretary showed an increase of one Lodge to the roll since the last Annual Eeport and an increase of 139 members, bringing the total of Lodges in the Province to 24, and of members to 1023.
The Eeport of the Charities' Committee was then read ; the result of the formation of "The Sussex Provincial Association of Benevolence," inaugurated last year, was very encouraging, for at the first quarterly meeting of the Com- mittee in January, 79 members had joined the Association and subscribed £57 : 17s. Five Life Governorships were allotted. In April £87 : 14s. 6d. had been paid in, and nine Life Governorships were ballotted-for. In July the
PEOTINOE OF SUSSEX. 65
amount subscribed was £100 : 8s. 6d., and again nine Life Governorships were allotted, and at the fourth quarterly meeting £63 : 10s. was subscribed, and six Life Governor- ships were distributed ; thus for the first year the sum of £309 : 10s. was subscribed, of which £304 : 1 Os. was paid to one or other of the Masonic Charitable Institutions, and at the same time 29 brethren were made Life Governors.
The result of the scheme adopted by the Lodges was, that ten Life Subscriberships of ten guineas each were ballotted for, the successful Lodges being the following : — " South Saxon," 311 ; " Yarborough," 811 ; " Hartington," 916 ; "Tyrian," 1110 ; "Ockenden," 1465 ; "Hova Ecclesia," 1466 ; "St. Cecilia," 1636 ; "AUingworth," 1821 ; "Burrell," 1 829 ; " St. Leonards," 1842.
The E.W. the Prov. Grand Master then addressed the brethren as follows : —
"I have again to congratulate the Prov. G. Lodge on the statistics just read. It must be most gratifying to every member in the Province, as it is to myself, that Masonry is increasing, showing that the Craft is gaining in popularity, and, I hope doing much good. I certainly cannot but feel much astonished when I look at the figures. In 1877, we had 784 members ; in 1878, 828 members ; 1879, 884 members ; and now in 1880, we have 1023 subscribing members to the 24 Lodges in the Province.
"I must also with pride again refer to the success of the Provincial Association of Benevolence which numbers 131 members, and has been the means of providing 29 Life Governorships in one or other of the Masonic Institutions : the total amount received from this source being, as you have heard, £309 : 10s.; but this does not represent the extent of the assistance which the Province has rendered, as the total sum paid over to the various Masonic Institutions during
F
66 FREEMASONEY IX THE
the year amounts to nearly £L000. At the present time we have about 467 votes in the Boys' School, about 426 votes in the Girls' School, and about 600 votes in the Koyal Masonic Benevolent Institution. I think these results show (or at aU events I flatter myself they do) that the affairs of the Province are well managed. My Deputy Prov. G.M. and officers give me their cordial support, and I cannot hut feel proud of my position. I hope I may be spared many years to remain your Prov. G. Master, and see a continued and steady progress both in numbers and votes; and I do most sincerely trust that the brethren will, as far as their means permit, support the associa- tion which has been so successfully inaugurated." The sum of one hundred guineas was voted from the funds of the Prov G. Lodge for the purchase of a Vice-Presi- dentship in the Masonic School for Boys, the privileges thereof to he exercised in perpetuity by the Prov. G. Sec. of Sussex for the time being ; and it was resolved that the amount should be placed on the list of Bro. V. P. Freeman, the PBOV. G. SEC, who would represent the " Brunswick," No. 732, as Steward at the Annual Festival in 1881.
The brethren assembled expressed their congratulations on the appointment of the Deputy Prov. G. Master to the office of Grand Junior Deacon of England.
At this meeting the following new Bye-Law was adopted:—" That the W.M. of every Lodge in the Province, when a summons is issued for a meeting of his Lodge, do cause two copies of such summons to be forwarded to the Prov. G. Secretary."
The object for which the above law was framed is apparent, viz. to keep the Prov. G. Secretary posted up in the business of the various Lodges, which being thus brought under his notice will enable him to prevent any irregularities taking place in the election of candidates or in the advancement of brethren to a higher degree.
PROVINCE OF SUSSEX. 67
The business of the Prov. G-. Lodge heing over the usual banquet followed, the speciality on this occasion being a handsome menu card with portraits of the E.W. Prov. G.M. and W. Dep. Prov. G.M.
We need hardly add, after the statement of the E.W. Prov. G. Master at the last annual meeting, that the position of the Province with respect to the Charitable Institutions is a most honorable one ; this is owing to the thorough system of organization and admiaistration in all matters relating to the welfare of Masonry, which are carried out with such accuracy and precision that the best results must naturally follow.
The statement published in the " Freemason's Chronicle," of the 26th March and in the "Freemason" of the 2nd April last, credit the Province with .565 votes in the Girls' School, and 597 votes in the Boys' School ; these returns are of course made up to the end of the preceding year, and of the forty-three Provinces, Sussex ranks as No. 2, having an average of 48^ votes in the two Institu- tions for each of the twenty-four Lodges which are within its jurisdiction.
On the 29th June, 1881, the Annual Festival of the Masonic School for Boys was held in the Eoyal Pavilion, Brighton — this was the first time that an attempt had been made to hold such a gathering without the precincts of the metropolis. The result was in every sense a success, the chairman for the occasion being the Marquis of Londonderry, Prov. Grand Master for Durham : on this occasion Sussex took first place amongst the Provinces, the amount collected by the three Stewards exceeding £770, the list of Bro. V. P. Freeman alone exceeding £700.
On the seventh of October the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge took place, and the reports of the Financial and Charities' Committee gave proof of the increasing prosperity of the Society. From
the report of the latter we quote the following :=»•
f2
68 FREEMASONRY IN THE PROVINCE OF SUSSEX.
" The gross sum that the Province of Sussex has contributed to the Charities during the year is £1022 : 8s. ; £175 : Is. heing given to the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution, £105 to the Girls' School, and no less a sum than £742 : 7s. to the Boys — this through the exertions of our Prov. Grand Secretary, and the determination of the brethren that his list should be worthy of the Province.
"It is interesting to note the services of the Province during the past seven years. At 1 9 out of 21 Festivals Sussex has been represented ; the aggre- gate of £3749 : 6s. having been contributed— £1250 to the Benevolent Institution, £807 to the Girls' and £1692 to the Boys' School."
The Prov. Grand Master then addressed the brethren, congratulating them on the progress of Freemasonry in his Province, and next called the especial attention of Masters of Lodges respecting the entry on the minute book of all communications from Grand and Provincial Grand Lodge. The Prov. G. Treasurer's Eeport showed a balance in hand of upwards of one hundred and ninety pounds, and the returns from the various Lodges showed an increase of thirty-two subscribing members over that of last year.
A letter from the Secretary of Lodge 'No. 570, Irish Constitution, attached to the 5th Dragoon Guards, was then read, thanking the Masters of the Brighton Lodges and the brethren generally for the many acts of fraternal kindness the members of 570 had received whilst stationed in the town.
Ten Guineas were voted to the Hervey Testimonial Fund ; after some other business the Prov. G. Lodge was closed, and the brethren adjourned to the banquet which had been provided by the Prov. G. Stewards.
SUPPLEMENTARY.
NITED Fraternity of Antient, Free, and Accepted Masons of England and Wales. Province of Sussex, At the Annual Meeting of the Provincial
Grand Lodge, holden at the Eoyal Pavilion, Brighton, on
Friday, October 13th, 1882,
Fresent :
E,.W. Bro. SIB, WALTER WYNDHAM BXJRRELL, BAET., M.P., Pbovincial Grand Master.
W. Bro. JOHN H. SCOTT, P.G.D., Oepdi* Peovinoial Grand Master.
w.
Bro
W. H. HALLETT P. Prov. S.G.W.,
as
Prov. S.G. Warden
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