The Belfast Masonic Charities.

every shilling subscribed was properly applied , and utilised to the best advantage .

The motion was seconded by Bro . John McConnell , and unanimously agreed to . Rev . Dr . Crozier then moved , That this meeting , recognising the continued usefulness of these

funds , feels it to be its duty to urge upon Lodges and brethren tho necessity of sustaining them by a liberally inoreased pecuniary aid , in order to meet their ever-inoreasing claims , and thereby promote the noble virtue of charity , the keystone of the Masonic Order .

The resolution , he said , expressed first of all its recognition of the usefulness of these two Charities , and then it urged upon all Lodges and brethren the necessity for increased efforts to sustain them . The reports , he hoped ,

would be carefully perused . He wished to draw attention to two special features connected with the Societies . The great aim of those who managed them was to give to each case of distress—whether it had been caused by temporary sickness of the bread winnor , or the removal by

death of the head of the house—just assistance as would enable them to make a fresh start in life . There were too many in these lands ready to stand on one side and let others fight the battle for them , and they had to help others

to fight , and lift up those who had fallen in the race of life , and help them to run that race successfully . This was what their societies were doing . Those who managed these funds knew every man must bear his own burden , and fight the battle of life for himself . But at the same time

they recognised that when sickness or trouble entered a home it was the best and truest Brotherhood that could help to lift up the fallen . There was another matter to

which he thought their attention should be directed , and that was the vast and preponderating good that such societies could do in times of distress . It would be the

greatest impertinence on his part were he to enlarge upon the fact that Charity was the great keystono in the Arch of the Masonic building . If Masonry had taught them no other lesson they had learned that the whole human race

was one great family , high and low , rich and poor , together , and if they recognised this fact , as they ought to do , there was no fear that such charities as these should ever languish for want of help .

Bro . L . M . Ewart , J . P ., P . G . S . W ., who seconded the resolution , said it was very gratifying indeed to receive such favourable reports from the Committees and such satisfactory statements of accounts from the Treasurers of

their local charitable organizations iu connection with the Masonic body . The motion whioh had just been submitted called upon tho Lodges and brethren to sustain these charities by liberally increased pecuniary aid . He thought ,

however , he might take leave to travel beyond the strict letter of the motion , and say it was very gratifying and very acceptable to receive assistance from ladies and gentlemen who were non-Masons . Ifc was the custom in the

larger Masonic Chanties of Ireland—that is to say the Boys' Schools and the Girls' Schools—to receive assistance from a considerable number of non-Masons , and he did not

see why they should not initiate the same system , and dispense their charity at home . The motion was passed unanimously .

A vote of thanks was then passed to the Chairman , after which a programme of vocal and instrumental music was gone through , amid continued evidence of approval and satisfaction .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

— : o : — PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE 0 ¥ CORNWALL .

A PROVINCIAL Grand Lodge of the Mark Master Masons of Cornwall was held on the 25 th nit ., at Looe , under the banner of St . Anne ' s Lodge , No . i 351 . In addition to the usual annual business a further eclat was added to this convocation by its being officially visited by

the Acting Provincial Grand Master of an adjacent Province , accompanied by his officers—a circumstance which has never previously occurred since the

establishment of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Cornwall . The visitors were Bros . C . SpenceBate , F . R . S ., 35 , Acting Prov . G . M . of Devon , Jno . Olver 215 Acting P . G . S . W ? , G , R . Barrett 35 P . G . J . W ., E . Aitken-Davies 96 Acting

P . G . M . O . 18 degree , W . M . Robins 35 Acting P . G . S . O ., G . Perkins 169 P . S . G . D ., C . Hunt 91 P . G . S . B ., F . R . Thomas 35 Acting P . G . St . B ., J . Gidley 169 P . G . Tyler . The Cornish brethren assembled at the East Looe Guildhall , tastefully fitted up with appropriate emblems and furniture as a Provincial Grand Lodge . Flags adorned its walls and

plants its approaches . Bro . Sir Charles Brune Graves-Sawle , Bart ., 18 degree , the Provincial Grand Master , presided , supported by his Officers . The Devonshire

brethren assembled at Bro . T . Cook ' s , Ship Hotel . As soon as the Cornish Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , a deputation was appointed to proceed to the Ship Hotel , and invite the attendance of the Devonshire brethren . Bro .

C . Spence Bate and his Officers then proceeded in full regalia , with the banner of Devonshire displayed , escorted by the deputation to tho Guildhall , where they were very fraternally received by the Provincial Grand Lodge of

Cornwall . The report of the Provincial Grand Treasurer , Bro . E . M . Cock , shewed balance in hand from last year , £ 12 8 s ; receipts , £ 19 18 s ; total £ 32 6 s . Ten guineas subscribed to the London Girls' School , five guineas to the Grand Mark Lodge Benevolent Fund , £ 8 14 s expenses of the Lodge , total £ 24 9 s ; balance in hand £ 7 16 s . The

Secretary , Bro . W . J . Johns , reported the members returned in the Provinco at the close of the year 321 , and stated that an annuity of £ 30 per annum had been granted by the Grand Mark Lodge Benevolent Fund to Bro . Langdon the P . G . Tyler . Bro . Sir Charles Brune Graves-Sawle was unanimously re-elected for

recommendation as the Provincial Grand Master . Sir Charles , in thanking tho brethren , said he had now been filling the office of Provincial Grand Master of the Province for nine years , and was much pleased to find that he had carried out the duties to the satisfaction of

his brethren . On faking the office be had succeeded two very excellent Provincial Grand Masters—the late Sir Fredorick William * , and Colonel Peard . He had suffered so mnch from ill-health that he had been at times thinking

of resigning . While , however , the brethren wished to continue him in the office , he would endeavour to carry out its duties . He was glad to see the recent extensions which had been made in the Lodges of the Province , and

he should endeavour all he could to further that branch of Masonry as far as he was able . Bro . F . Crouch then asked permission , on behalf of the St . Anne ' s Lodge , No . 351 , to present a handsome Provincial banner to the

Province . The new banner was then uncovered . The Provincial Grand Master accepted with thanks the very handsome gift . Bro . E . M . Cock was re-elected the

Treasurer . The Provincial Grand Master aunouueed that all the Provinces were asked to go into monrning for three months for the decease of a very distinguished Mark Master Mason , the Rev . Canon Portal , M . A . He hoped that

request would be carried out through all the Cornish Lodges . Bro . Portal was , in 1869 , the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master Mason . Five guineas were voted to

the Cornwall Masonic Benevolent Fund , and five guineas to the Grand Mark Masters Benevolent Fund . Brother J . Langdon wf . s re-elected the Provincial Grand Tyler . The following Officers were then invested : —

Bros . P . T . Chirgwin 78 - . D . M . J . G . Henwood 351 - - Senior Warden Dr . W . Nettle 378 - - Junior Warden

J . Rosewarne 175 - . M . O . E . Venuiug 379 - - S . O . W . J . Tredinnick 275 - - J . O . J . Cressy Treffy 78 - - Registrar E . Milford Cock 73 - - Treasurer

W . J . Johns 78 - . Secretary Rev . — Murley 206 - - Chaplain W . A . Bennett 101 - - Inspector of Works Lieut . H . Sbapcott 351 - Org . H . Searle 101 - . Director of Ceremonies r . T . Chhgwio 78 - - Assistant D . C .

S . Trehane 357 - - Sword Bearer Jno . Hill 351 - . . ) H . P . Vivian - . . ( Stewards W . G . Hancock 379 - - ) J . Langdon 78 - - Tyler

Helstone and Chacewater were proposed for the next place of meeting . The Provincial Grand Master said he could not at present decide . It is , however , believed that Chacewater will be preferred . In the evening the brethren

dined at Bro . T . Cook ' s , Ship Hotel . Sir Charles Brune Graves-Sawle presided . Tbe Acting Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire and his officers were warmly toasted and thanked for iheir attendance . Bro . Bate proposed that an arrangement should be made on some future