Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.

QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF GRAND LODGE .

\ 1 7 "E have received the usual copy of Grand Lodge V V Proceedings at tho last Quarterly Communication , held on the Gth September , together with the accounts of tho Lodge of Benevolence and Board of General Purposes for the quarter ended 30 th June . We offer no further comment , as the salient features have already been noticed

sufficiently in these columns . We have likewise received copy of the business to be transacted at the Communication that will be held next Wednesday . At this meeting , after confirmation of the previous minutes , a Grand Master for the ensuing year will be nominated , and the Prince of Wales

will be again chosen to fill that office . A President , Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents of the Lodge of Benevolence , will then be elected , together with the twelve Past Masters to serve on the Lodge . After a series of grants of money have been submitted for the approval of Grand Lodge , a

report of the Board of General Purposes will bo presented , having reference to several instances in which circulars have been issued in behalf of proposed new Lodges , inviting Craftsmen to become joining members . The Board have it under direction from the Pro Grand Master

to make known his Lordship ' s strong disapproval of such proceedings , and that Lodges adopting such course risk the withdrawal of the Warrant . A statement of Grand Lodge accounts , and appeals against certain decisions of two District Grand Masters , -will next be submitted , and

then comes tho notice of motion we referred to last week , in which Bro . Binckes proposes the distribution , in equal portions , of the sum of £ 6 , 000 among the three Masonic Charitable Institutions . It is believed , however , this motion will be either withdrawn or adjourned , as the Pro

Grand Master has given notice of his intention to summon a Special Grand Lodge , in order to receire the report of the committee , appointed in September last , to consider tho most appropriate way of commemorating the Prince of Wales ' s visit to , and safe return from , India .

There is only one point in the above sketch of the programme of business appointed for next Wednesday on which comment seems at all necessary . This it is almost needless to point out , is the Pro Grand Master ' s condemnation of the practice of pro posed Now Lodges

canvassing among the craft for additional members . We heartily applaud the Pro Grand Master for dealing thus promptly with a practice so utterly at variance with the principles of Freemasonry . It is but one step further , and , if such proceedings were sanctioned or connived at , we

should very soon find Lodges canvassing for initiates . We fully recognize tho difference there is between touting for joining members , and touting for initiates . The latter is a direct violation of the law , and no man could honestly become a Mason who had been so invited . There is ,

indeed , no harm in one brother asking another who resides in his neighbourhood , with whom ho is associated in business , or on terms of intimacy , to join a proposed New Lodge . New Lodges aro erected in different neighbourhoods for the convenience of brethren , and it would only

be an act of fraternal courtesy to invite a friend or nei ghboar to become a joining member . But a friendly or neighbourly invitation is vastly different from an invitation

by printed circular . There is reason in the former case , but absolutel y no reason whatever in tho latter . A motive is assigned in the petition for establishing a new Lodge , but the insertion of such motive becomes a formality

Quarterly Communication Of Grand Lodge.

simply , when brethren from far and near are invited to join . We are always pleased when we hear of the establishment or proposed establishment of New Lodges . We tnko it to be , ordinarily , a sign of continued vitality in the craft .

When a Lodge in this or that neighbourhood is overweighted with numbers , the erection of a new one becomes a necessity . It is hoped that a Lodge of Freemasons will prove a harmonious body ; but what chance is there of so desirable an end being attained if Bro . A . or Z . is admitted a member for no other reason than that ho is anxious to

multiply himself Masonically into as many brethren as possible . True , the Lodge benefits , and Grand Lodge is richer to the extent of the fees and dues he has to pay . This , however , is but a sorry apology for thus inviting now

pining members . We are glad the Pro Grand Master has expressed himself so emphatically on tho subject , and wo feel convinced the very judicious hint conveyed in tho latter part of his direction to the Boardof Genei'al Purposes will meet with the universal approval of the Craft .

We necessarily defer all comment on Bro . Binclces ' s proposition till the scheme of tho Special Committee is before us . We doubt not tho combined wisdom of that

Committee will select tho most suitablo plan for commemorating the Prince ' s visit and safe return home , from those that will be submitted to their consideration ; or , failing the evidence of sufficient merit in any one of such , will erect one of its own which will serve the desired end , Our only hope is , that tho thing may be done speedily .

London Masonic Club Company Limited.

LONDON MASONIC CLUB COMPANY LIMITED .

A MEETING of the Shareholders was held on 29 th November , at the London Masonic Club , Mr . T . J .

Smith , the Chairman of the Board of Directors , presiding , The Secretary having read the notice convening tho meeting , the Chairman then proposed the adoption of the Report and Balance Sheet .

The Eeport stated that , " After very considerable difficulty , the Directors succeeded in obtaining premises at No , 101 Queen Victoria-street , which , being in courso of erection , could be completed in a manner to adapt them for the purposes of a club .

" The Club was opened on the 26 th day of July last , under the Presidency of the Right Hon . Lord Skolmersdale , and from that time to this it has been well attended , and its comforts appreciated by its members .

" The Directors , in the first instance , allotted only such a number of shares as in their opinion would be sufficient to test the willingness of their brother Masons to support a Masonic Club in London ; but having met with so much

encouragement and support from tho Freemasons in London and the Provinces , they felt quite justified in extending their operations , and in trusting to their Masonic Brethren to subscribe for any further shai"es which it might become desirable to issue .

" The Directors now contemplate a further issue of 1 , 000 shares , to enable them to clear off outstanding liabilities . " Since tho Balauce Sheeb has been made up , tho Directors and a few of tho members of tho Club havo

subscribed for 250 shares , and it is anticipated that before long the remaining shares will be taken up by the members . " The present income of the Club , from subscriptions and