Meeting Of Grand Lodge.

MEETING OF GRAND LODGE .

rpHE September Communication of the United JL Grand Lodge of England is to be held on Wednesday next , and with it may be said to open the

Masonic season ot 1898-4 . What that season may bring forth it is impossible to say , but it is very certain that next week's assembly of the rulers of the

Craft will present very few attractions to the ordinary Craftsman , unless something beyond what is included in the agenda is brought forward for discussion . It

is not unusual to havo a light programme at this season of the year , and wc do not know there is any reason for regret in the prospects that are before ns

oi a quiet meeting ; indeed tne lacli oi business even affords matter for congratulation , for ifc would be qnite impossible for such an immense organisation as ours to go on for a quarter of a year without any

question arising calling for the interference of tho governing authority , unless its affairs wore splendidly managed , and in nerfect order .

The first proposition to be submitted to Grand Lodge savours somewhat of ancient history , considered in the light of present day activity , it having

reference to the marriage ot Mis lloyal Highness tlie Duke of York and Princess' May . But the Craftsmen of England would not liko such an occasion as

the marriage of their Grand Master s son—apart from their feelings of loyalty to the throne—to pass by without being allowed the opportunity of

expressing gratification at the event , and tendering their good wishes to the newly wedded pair . There can be no doubt as to the unanimity with which this

suggested vote will be received , and our Grand Master will hear of it with satisfaction , feeling that his already very intimate association with

Freemasonry has been further strengthened by the evident interest of his brethren in all that concerns his own and his family ' s concerns .

The second matter on the agenda is another exemplification of true Freemasonry , it being proposed , on the proposition of the Deputy Grand Master of

nmgland , to grant a sum oi three hundred guineas from the Fund of General Purposes , for the relief of Brethren in the District of Queensland who have

suffered from the recent disastrous floods . It is only necessary to refer to the annals of the past to know what will be the result of this proposal—the money

will be cheerfully granted , and the best wishes ol the English Craft will accompany the more tangible expression of their fraternal sympathy .

ihe iteport pi the . Board ol lienevolence tor the past quarter is small , both in number of cases and amount of recommendations , there being but one for £ 75 , and three for £ 50 each . This is indeed matter

lor congratulation , as it gives evidence of increased general prosperity among those who in years gone by have done what lay in their power for the Masonic Order .

Meeting Of Grand Lodge.

Several presentations have been made to tho Grand Lodge Library and Museum since the last report of the Board of General Purposes , and their acknowledgment and a statement as to the Grand Lodge accounts are the sole matters referred to in the latest Eeport of the Board .

There is a notice oi motion in regard to old UOOKS and other Documents belonging to Districts formerly under the rule of the Grand Lodge of England , but now formed into independent Grand Lodges , and TM »/\ KO Klir -fnn TJ-i »/\ H-im" viMin onnimfo 4-lin i- » iiAr » noU , A « fJlWCUUXJ 11 iuu ouuimuo

V . KJ JJIUDUVI " uuu jjiupuoiljiun considers he has good reason for calling in the memoranda of bygone years to which he refers , but we imagine the local authorities would have a much

greater interest in these old documents than the central body , and much more enthusiasm would be aroused in tho far off Districts over the records of tho past than would be the case if they were stowed

away in tho archives of Grand Lodge here . The preamble of tho motion betrays its weakness , or so we consider , for it can hardly be necessary for Grand

Lodgo to call m old books and other document * in order " to insure and preserve thc rights and financial standing of its members in foreign parts . " That has already been dono by registration of fees ,

& c , and even it it were not so we imagine Grand Lodge could always obtain information by applying to the new authorities . On the whole the proposition seems to bear a dog in thc manger complexion , and is wholly at variance with the usages of the past , for

it has generally been the custom to allow regular seccders to hold their old Warrants as mementoes of their past allegiance , and in addition to the new ones granted them from the more recently established independent Grand Lodge of their neighbourhood .

The list of Lodges warranted during the quarter is exceptionally short , only live new ones having been created since May . Of these , No . 2482 is to be consecrated at Manchester , on the 13 th inst ., as mentioned in another part of this issue , where we also

refer to the two others shortly to be launched on their career of usefulness in this country . The remaining two are for the south of Africa , No . 2485 being warranted to meet at Pietersburg , South African Republic and No . 248 G for Hebron , Cape of Good Hope .

If the brief array of business for transaction in Grand Lodge next week presents no features of special interest it will at least afford an opportunity for friendly intercourse , and will supply the means for many brethren to meet again after the recess , before settling down to the work of the coming season , which we sincerely hope will be as successful as any of its predecessors .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

THE Quarterly Communication of this degree will be held on Tuesday when , the minutes having