Quarterly Communication Of United Grand Lodge.

from the R . W . Provincial Grand Master of Devonshire , the Viscount Ebrington , nnder Article 93 of the Book of Constitutions , transmitting a memorial from the Lodge

Sincerity , No . 189 , East Stonehouse , for the expulsion froin the Order of a Brother of the said Lodge , he having been convicted of felony , and sentenced to five years' penal servitude . Article 93 reads thus : — " The Provincial

Grand Master has no power to erase a Lodge or expel a Mason ; when , therefore , the case is of so flagrant a nature as , in his judgment , to require the erasure of a Lodge , or the expulsion of a Brother , he shall make a special report

to the Grand Lodge , -with his opinion thereon . ' This was done in the present instance , and the facts of the case were stated , so that the whole question hinged npon the Article quoted . The matter created a considerable amount

of discussion , and Bro . F . Binckes , on rising to object to the proposal , pointed out in a very forcible speech how great would be the hardship attaching to the man , in addition to his present punishment , through his having

been expelled from the Craft . We heartily agree with Bro . Binckes in this matter , and are of opinion that Graud Lodge in its corporate capacity could scarcely realise what it was undertaking . If the case of every member of

the Craft who commits himself is tojbe dragged before the Grand Lodge , and the time of that supreme tribunal wasted in the discussion of personal details , the problem is—where is it all going to end ? Are we to expel

rigidly every member of our Order who in an unfortunate moment transgresses the law ? The Brother referred to is practically and morally ostracised ; at any rate it is painfully obvious that he cannot enter a Lodge

for the next five years . But when he has expiated the offence for . which he has been committed to " durance vile , " even if he then desired to enter a Lodge , we opine he

would have sufficient sense of decency left to curb such a wish . But , taking the question generally , it may be asked , " Where is the line to be drawn ? " and what the extent

of the crime to justify the expulsion of a member ? There was evidently a strong feeling on this point on Wednesday night , and the motion was thrice submitted to Grand

Lodge before ifc was carried . The question undoubtedly requires very careful consideration , and althongh we have not a word to advance in extenuation of this Brother ' s

conduct , nevertheless by this action we fear a precedent is being set up which may involve no little difficulty in the future . The report of the Board of General Purposes , of which we gave the full text in our columns last week , was

presented by the President , Bro . Thomas Fenn , and adopted . The chief items of interest in it included the preparation of a catalogue of the Library of Grand Lodge , and that , in order to accommodate brethren who may desire

to make use of the library during the evening , it was proposed that it remain open on Mondays and Thursdays until 10 o ' clock p . m ., and on other days by arrangement . The proposition that Bro . Henry Sadler , Grand T yler , be

appointed sub-librarian , under the Grand Secretary , in addition to his other duties , with an addition to his salary of £ 20 a year , was unanimously endorsed . As a matter of fact it was considered that the increased emolument was

a very small one , and had it been more substantial the general opinion was that Grand Lodge would have readily accorded it . The next recommendation in the report was equally popular , namely , thafc in consideration of the very

large increase in the Craft and Royal Arch of late years , and consequently in the duties of Grand Secretary , the salary of Bro . Colonel Shadwell H . Gierke be raised from i £ 800 to £ 1 , 000 per annum . This proposal was

accompanied by a just tribute of recognition and appreciation of the efficient manner in which the duties of Grand Secretary are discharged ; ancl Bro . Sir John Monckton , in supporting the recommendation of the Board , called attention to the

vast increase in the number of Lodges , and in the numerical strength of the Craft since the salary was originally fixed at its present rate , and pointed out how heavy and laborious the duties now were , in comparison

"with what they were when Bro . Colonel Shadwell Gierke first entered office . He deemed it unnecessary to support the proposal for the increase by auy lengthened remarks ; and the recommendation of the Board was at once assented

to nem con . The appeal from Bombay , described in our report last week , was dismissed . Another matter of importance fco tlie Craft was then brought on for consideration , in connection with the suggested Special Jubilee Offering of the Grand Lodge to the Masonic Institutions . ¦ oro , Joseph Clever P . M . 171 , Greenwich , had given notice

Quarterly Communication Of United Grand Lodge.

of a motion thafc the sum of one thousand pounds should be paid from the Fund of General Purposes to each of the three Masonic Charities , but this was withdrawn in order to allow of full consideration being given to a second

resolution , by Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . Deacon , that the amount to be given should be Two Thousand Poundsdouble that suggested by Bro . Clever . It was ruled out of order to transpose the two motions on the paper , and

thus the first was withdrawn in order that Bro . Raynham Stewart ' s might be brought forward . There was some little show of opposition , but of so insignificant a character that it was scarcely worth notice . Bro . J . Lewis Thomas

moved , as an amendment , that the sum granted to each of the Institutions be one thousand pounds only , and this waa seconded by Bro . Scurrah ; but on being put to the vote it was supported by only half a-dozen brethren . Bro .

Stewart ' s motion was then put , and carried by an overwhelming majority , amidst prolonged applause . Another commendable resolution , emanating from Bro . Raynham Stewart , met with the approbation of Grand

Lodge , viz . that the sum of £ 70 be given from the Fund of General Purposes , and placed in ths hands of the Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , to

supply the inmates of the Institution at Croydon with coals during the winter season . This good news will be very welcome to , and duly appreciated by , tbe " Old Folks " at the Home at Croydon . Later in the evening tbe result of the scrutiny of votes in connection with the

election of members to serve on the Board of General Purposes was announced , as follows : — EDWARD TERRY .. ... Lodge 29 AUGUSTUS TAYLOR DAY ... .. 58 HENRY SUTHERLAND , M . D . .... . 99 CHARLES BELTON •- - - - - - 165 FREDERICK TROTMAN BENNETT ... . 211

JAMES TERRY .... 228 NUSSERWAN . TEE DOSSAUHOY FLLACIS .... 255 ROBERT GEORGE GLUTTON .... . 631 THOMAS HASTINGS MILLER .... 907 HENRY PRITCHARD .... . 1415 TOM DREW BEAR - - - - - - 1584 HENRY DICKEY .. .... 1744 FREDERICK ERNEST POCOCK , M . D . .... 1891

HOWARD HENRY ROOM ..... 2090 It was announced by the Grand Secretary that the M . W . G . M . had nominated Bros . J . A . Rucker ( Chairman ) , H . D . Sandeman , and Brackstone Baker on the Colonial

Board . The following other brethren were declared elected on that Board : — JAMES BRETT . .... 177 THOMAS HENRY GARDINER .... . 657

THOMAS JAMES REEVES .... 1118 THOMAS CHARLES WALLS .... 1381 REGINALD ST . A . ROUMIEU - - - - 1537 ALBERT ESCOTT .... 1593 LIEUT .-C OL . GEORGE HALDANE ( Vice-chairman ) - - 1615

The Grand Secretary announced that the M . W . G . M . had nominated as members of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , Dr . Jabez Hogg , and F . Davison . The following brethren were nominated by tbe Committee of Masters : —

ALI ' REO HENRY TATTERSHALL .... 140 CHARLES GEORGE DILLEY ..... 147 JOHN EDWARD DAWSON .... 404 HUGH COTTER .... . . 554 Major ALFRED DURRANT ..... 569

CHARLES ALEXANDER COTI ' EIJRUNE .... 733 JAPIIETH TICKLE . ..... 1196 RICHARD KIMI ' - . -. - - 1287 ALBERT FISH ..... . 1366 WILLIAM JOHN M UKLIS . .. .. 1524 There were no other nominations , and the brethren named were declared to have been duly elected .

The annual supper of the Chiswick Lodg e of Instruction will be held on Wednesday next , the 8 th inst ., at the Windsor Castle Hotel , King-street , Hammersmith , when a testimonial will be presented to Bro . E . Ayling , in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered to the Lodge .

Brother John Sampson , of York , has just published , in leaflet form , a Jubilee song , by Sir Charles Dodsworth , entitled " England . " The words arc in patriotic strain , and are to be snug to the tune of the National Anthem .