Masonic Missions.

esprit de corps to feel that his presence , at least , should have induced Bro . Cabbell honestly and boldly to declare the publication to which he alluded , in order that he might have , at once , been answered , if our representative had thought fit to do so , as he most assuredly would not . Having proceeded so far , let us noAV examine in what has consisted the great exertions of Bro . Cabbell which

has entitled him to be jjiiblicly honoured , and why Freemasonry is not more widely extended in Norfolk than it is . In the first pilaee , Bro . Cabbell , a P . S . G . W ., was appointed Prov . Grand Master of Norfolk in 1852 , when Masonry in the provinces was acknowledged to be

greatly depressed and disorganised ; and so great was his anxiety to promote the interests of the Oraffc , that itwas not until October , 1856 , he was installed into officewhen it was believed ho was about to place his house in order—Bro . Fox , the Prov . Grand Secretary , "lamenting " there were so few as eight lodges in theprovince , but hoping

that "in a year or two there would be twenty ; " though , after our article appeared in 1859 , Bro . Fox discovered that the " eight lodges in Norfolk were equal to sixteen ordinary lodges . " But the Prov . Grand Secretary is not the onl y brother who has ""lamented" the want of vitality in the province of Norfolk , for , on the occasion of his installation , the S . Yf . Prov . Grand Master thus addressed the brethren : —

" He hoped he should not bo considered as infringing ; upon the conviviality of the moment if ho expressed his regret that many of the lodges assembled with small and diminished numbers . He hoped that they would awake from their slumber , and , like giants refreshed , exhibit that activity and energy which the G . A . O . T . U . gave to man . ISTo exertions should be wanting on his part . . . . He left the matter in the hands of the brethren . No one could perforin the duties which now devolved upon him , without tho

support of the brethren at large ; and he hoped to receive their warm and continued exertions , that Freemasonry might be restored to its former character within the province . If they made these exertions , they would not only add to their honour ' and ber . etic , but , at the same time , they would promote the honour and welfare of the country , for nothing was more calculated to promote tho glory of God , aud the welfare of mankind , than the free exercise of the principles of the Order . "

Now , after all these promises , what lias been done to promote the interests of the Craft in the provincewhere have been all the vaunted exertions ? In 1857 , a-Prov . Grand Lodge was held at Harleston ; in 185 S , at Great Yarmouth ; in 1859 , at North Walsham ; in I 860 , as recently reported , at Lynn ; ancl now the brethren nave given a grand dinner to the Prov . Grand Master

in acknowledgement of such eminent services , tho local charities , we are informed , "having benefitted upon each occasion of holding the Provincial Grand Lodge ; " ancl what did we say in reference to that at Great Walsham , " we rejoice that the amount ( alludin g to the collection at the church , and the donation of

the Prov . G . M . ) was given to the local charities , as it is not to those out of the Craft that we would appeal for support to our institutions . " But we would remind Bro . Cabbell , that the holding of Prov . Grand Lodges once a year is not all the exertion required to promote the interests of the Craft , but every private lodge should , in '

its turn , be visited , its Avork inspected , and , if necessary , corrected by the Prov . Grand Master or his deput y ; but here we are reminded that there is no Deputy Prov . Grand Master in Norfolk . And Avhy is there not ? It cannot be because there are no brethren of influenceintelli and to undertake the

, gence , energy office , for the attendance at the various meetings , and offices they have held , proves the contrary . It cannot be because the province does not desire it , as we are informed that very strong opinions upon the subiect ' have

been expressed even to the Prov . Grand Master himself . It cannot be because there is no necessity for such an officer , for the very fact that a short time since the Prov . Grand Master , in consequence of indisposition ( which we are happy to see has passed away ) had to obtain the assistance of our respected Bro . the Eev . W . FreemanD . Prov . Grand Master for Suffolkto

, , perforin the ceremony of consecrating the New Cabbell Lodge , in Norwich , proves that the services of such an officer is occasionally required . Then , why is there no Deputy appointed ? We are almost afraid to hint what we have heard , but as we consider the challenge has been thrown out to us to show why Masonry does not

flourish in Norfolk , we will not shrink from answering . If wo are rightly informed , then , no Deputy Prov . Grand Master is appointed , because the ambition of one brother leads him to seek the office , ancl , whilst the Prov . Grand Master shrinks from tho responsibility of appointing- him , knowing how unpopular such an appointment would be , he has not the moral courage

to do his duty , and ofter the office to a brother who would be acceptable to every Mason in the province —if we except the one . Bro . Cabbell may rely upon it , that if he will fearlessly perform the duties which his hi gh position require of him , appoint a good and efficient D . Prov . Grand Master , who will visit the lodges of the provinceadvise withand encourage them

, , —we speak -not of the Norwich Lodges , for we hear they are prospering—and will at the same time do away with the absurd rule of keeping his Grand Officers in harness for two years , to the manifest disregard of the claims of others to advancement , there will be no necessity for him long to ask , " How are wo to have new lodges without

Freemasons ? " but that tbe latter will be found in plenty to aid in carrying on the good work when it is at once energetically commenced . We repeat , what we jniblished on the 29 th of August , 1 S 59 , that there are no doubt scattered about iu many towns , whore there are no lodges , numbers of Masons who , for the want of lodges , are separated from the Craft , and , —

"AV bat ire wish to sec is this , the bringing back of brethren separated from tbe Craft by distance from lodges into closer communion with their brethren , and the making of new members of our Order only through their example and influence as upright men , good citizens , and sincere friends . AVc could point out many towns in the kingdom in which there are worthy Masons who fancy they have not the power to create new lodges within themselves , but would readily assist tiie Prov . Grand O . Micers in doing so . "

At the same time , wc referred to what had been done in Sussex and Surrey in extending the Order—restoring old , and creating new lodges—through the exertions of Prov . Grand Officers of energy and determination . We have great pleasure iu adding Hampshire to the list ; and we are sure that , if Bro . Cabbell . wishes for advice on the subjectit will be readily afforded him bBro .

, y Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis , . Bro . Captain Dalbiac , or Bro . Dobie , either of whom will inform liim that tho grand secret of ensuring prosperity to a province is to secure good , active , and energetic officers . Of the goodness of heart , the practical benevolence , and the sincere desire conscientiouslto perforin his

y duties , of Bro . Cabbell , we are fully convinced ; but , until we see something more performed in Norfolk than hitherto , wo shall retain the opinion expressed in April , 1859 , that , "instead of having the importance of two average provinces [ as its size would demand ] , Norfolk has onlthe development of one average province . " And

y that , too , notwithstanding its eight lodges "are equal to sixteen lodges" in other provinces : a fact which , until we have the numbers composing them , wc take the liberty of doubting .