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United Grand Lodge.
and the welfare of tho country . But if that was tho welcome throughout tho length and breadth of tho land , nowhere was it more strongly felt , nowhere was it moro heartily expressed , than it was among the Freemasons of England ( hear , hear ) . Their object that night was to find some means by which they could , so far as they wero concerned , erect a memorial of that successful progress of their illustrious Grand
Master H . R . n . the Pnnco of Wales ; and at the aanio tiino record tJioir thankfulness to tho Great Architect of tho Universo that it had pleased Him to preserve his Royal Highness through all thoso perils and difficulties , and restoro him back to us in England . As far as financo was concerned thero was no difficulty . Happily for Freemasons , unlike almost every other society , this difficulty did not
exist . Their fnnded property afforded them tho moans of being just and even gonorons . Their aminal surplus was not less than £ 3 , 000 . The difficulty really was , according to an old French proverb , the embarrassment that proceeded from an excess of wealth . It was diffi - cult to select the object to which their money should bo appropriated . At former meetings of Grand Lodgo thoro was somo difference of
opinion on the point . Many different schemes wero proposed , all admirable in themselves . It had been proposed to devote a snm to the restoration and decoration of certain old churches that wero moro or less connected with Masonry . It was also proposed , at another time , to devote a certain portion to tho foundation of scholarships . It was also proposed ( and this had at one timo found groat favour with him ) to
appropriate it to the charities of Freemasonry ( great cheering ) . He perfectly understood that cheer , and heartily sympathised with it . Had he seen his way to devoto this money to tho charities , he should have been the first to come forward and giro his voice in favour of it . But it was not from want of consideration or predilection for that course that ho had come to a different conclusion . If they adopted that
course they must etther creato a new charity , give to ono of tho old charities exclusively , or divide among the three charities equally . Ho was opposed to tho foundation of a new charity , and he thought the Grand Lodgo would not be prepared to devoto tho money to ono only of the existing charities . As to its boing divided among tho threo charities , it appeared to him that it would then be a paltry
sum . Tho charities were tho great jewel in tho Masonic crown , and if any money was wanted for them it could bo got immediately by the voluntary subscriptions of tho craft . In illustration of this he submitted to the brethren an experience of his own . Ho took the chair for the Boys' School tho year before last , and over £ 13 , 000 was raised on that occasion . Did they mean to toll him , orany one else , that tho Boys '
School needed the paltry addition of £ 1 , 500 ? If the Boys' School needed funds they had nothing to do but to appeal to tho Craft for what they wanted . Therefore he appealed to the brethren not to do the Masonic Institution tho wrong and tho injustice of applying this money to them ; let them not stop the freo flowing fountain of benevolence which was over running in their behalf . Tho object of
the present vote was to record a particular event in history in which the Grand Master of Freomasons played an important part . Ho thonghfc tho brethren had gone along with him so far . He wonld ask what were the objects to which they should look in this case ? They were—Firstly , that any memorial they might creato shonld be special and definite ; secondly , that it should be lasting ; thirdly ,
that it should bo inseparably connected with some great case of charity ; fourthly , that it should go beyond tho bounds of tho Craft , and embrace tho whole nation ; and , lastly , that it should bo connected with something in which they know tho Grand Master took a lively interest . The present proposition satisfied all these conditions . This memorial would bo lasting ; it wonld not be only for a few
years one that was to he the sport of tho winds and waves , to bo worn and torn , and to disappear in time ; hut it was to last in perpetuity , and to record , as long as tho waters washed our shores , the intention and purpose of Grand Lodgo . He had gono into tho matter carefully , and ho fonnd that by arrangements with the Lifeboat Institution they could , for £ 4 , 000 , furnish two life-boats . Tho
cost of ono boat would be about £ oo 0 ; her transport to her place of destination , £ 150 ; a building for housing her from decay £ 350 . Her maintenance would ho £ 70 a year , which would require £ 2 , 000 at 3 J per cent . ; but as the Life-boat Institution extonded over a large area , they conld afford to do it at a cheaper rate , and they would pledge themselves for £ 1 , 000 a year to maintain the life-boat .
Therefore , £ 4 , 000 would be enough for tho two . He thought this was a very satisfactory bargain . Ho was aware that in a matter of this sort ono person would like one thing , and another person another ; but he would put it to them that they should forego to a certain extent their own individual opinions . They were met together for a great pnrpose , and had no private or selfish interests
or objects in view . He would exhort them to endeavour at once to act with unanimity . Ho thought that tho foundation of two lifeboats would satisfy all the conditions he had mentioned . It was special and definite , lasting and permanent , and unquestionably charitable . It was national as well as Masonic , and no one could doubt that the Prince of Wales took the liveliost interest in it , because
on one occasion he had Presided at its Anniversary Festival . They would not go far astray in giving it for tho endowment of two lifeboats . The gift would be made in the cause of Masonry . Masons wore on board most ships , labouring in many a gale . Those who had heard the howling of the wind during this last week , those who had listened to the touching services in many of our churches ,
" For thoso in peril on the sea , " still more , thoso who , under snch circumstances had had a father or mother , brother or sister , relation or friend , on board those ships , Would feel that such a grant as he now asked the brethren to make Mel not really fall beyond the circle of Masonry . True it was that
in a certain sense such a vote appealed , beyond Masonry , to the whnlo ; ntward world , and ho , for one , rejoiced when , once in a way , they could put forth a hand to the outer world , and show they were united to it by the common ties of humanity and sympathy—that they could give the lie to what had been so often urged against the Order , that it wag a mere selfish body , actuated by selfish , motives and
United Grand Lodge.
selfish feeling ? . Ho rejoiced to give a practical proof in refutation of such a vile calumny as that . Sometimes it was said that Masonry was a mere benefit society . Freemasons , who knew its principles better , and saw its workings more intimately , were aware that there wis no truth whatever in such an assortion , and he ventured to t ' nink that they who that night recorded by their vote their assent to
ins proposal would do a great and signal service to English Freemasonry throughout tho whole of tho world . Ono word more . This proposal might ho bettor , or it might he worso ; he believed it to be good ; he belioved it to be ono of tho very few proposals which could lie mado that en the whole comprised all tho conditions that ho had mentioned , and which recommended it alike to Freemasons and to
others for the objects it had in view . Ho ventured to put it to Grand Lodgo that this vote should bo absolutely unanimous . He trusted sincerely that thoro wonld bo no one single voice raised in opposition to ir . Under ordinary circumstances ho courted criticism , ho rejoiced in criticism , bnt ho would ask them , that , having remitted this question to a Committee , that Committee having given tho
fairest , fullest , and most impartial consideration to it , tho brethren who hud appointed tho Committee should forego , so far as they conscientiously could , their individual desires ( which , ho admitted , wore perfectly legitimate in every one ) , and , if it was possible to do so , givo tho resolution a cordial and unanimous approval . Ho asked this , not for I ho sake of tho Committee , not for the sake
of the Chair from which he was addressing them , but specially for tho sako of the particular object they had in view , and of the illustrious person their Grand Master , with whom that object was indissoluble connected , and for whoso sako ho would not have , if it wero possible , tho slightest difference of opinion on the subject ( loud applause ) .
Lord Leigh seconded the motion . Ho regretted very ranch tho absence of tho Deputy Grand Master , who waa to havo seconded tho resolution . Ho was pleased , however , himself to havo tho honour of doing so , but his task was an easy one , as tho noble Earl had fully , ably and feelingly gone into tho whole subject . Ho must , however , bo permitted , on his own part , and on behalf of tho Provinco
over which ho had the honour of presiding , for six and twenty years , to express tho great pleasuro it had given him to hear read tho resolution which had emanated from the Committee . He agreed with all tho remarks of Lord Carnarvon when ho said he rejoiced to think that they stepped beyond Masonry with the proposed memorial . He agreed with tho noblo Earl that it was an unusual subject , and
that they ought to show tho great world outside Masonry that they wero capable of stepping outside thoir circle , and associating others than thoir own body with them . Tho three great Masonic Charities were nobly supported , and if they wanted more support they could not require that paltry £ 3 , 000 or £ 4 , 000 which was represented by this vote . Lord Carnarvon had said that thero wero many Masons
on board different ships ; he , Lord Leigh , might go beyond that , and say that there were tons of thousands of their brothren on the broad sens who might require their assistance ; on this ground , therefore , ho appealed to his brethren to carry tho resolution . He could not conceive a more English mode of assisting charity than for such a groat maritimo nation to assist their brethren on the seas . He might
add for himself , and also for his Province , which numbered a very large body of Freemasons , that they all most cordially agreed with the proposition which had been made . ( Applause . ) Bro . W . R . Marsh , amidst loud and continued expressions of dissent , addressed Grand Lodgo in opposition to the vote , and submitted an amendment , to the following eff'ct : That £ 1 , 500 be applied to
endow the Freemasons' Life Boat already stationed at North Berwick . That £ 1 , 000 bo given each to tho Girl ' s School and Royal Masonio Bonevolent Institution , and £ 2 , 500 to found a Scholarship for the Boys' School , this amendment Bro . J . Baxter Langley seconded , upon which Bro . E . J . McTntyro exnlained that an amendment could
not be received , whereon Bro . Marsh moved that the report be referred back to kho Committee . However , Bro . J . Baxter Langley and Bro . Marsh subsequently withdrew their amendment , and the resolution was put to Grand Lodge and carried unanimously , amidst hearty choRi-incr .
The Earl of Carnarvon complimented Bro . Marsh and Dr . Baxter Langley on their good feeling , which , he said , all the brethren appreciated ; and ho requested Grand Secretary to make a formal note that the resolution had been accepted unanimously .
We learn from tho Masonic Journal of Greensboro ' , N . O ., that the Grand Lodge of North Carolina held its ninetieth Session at the Hall in the City of Raleigh , on Tuesday the 7 th ultimo and three following clays . The Grand Master , Bro . Geo . W . Blount , presided , and was supported by his
Grand Wardens and other Officers , there being present about two hundred representatives of the Lodges under this jurisdiction . On the second day , the Grand Officers wero elected for the ensuing year , namely , Bro . H . H . Munson , Grand Master , and Bros . It . M . Hardee , and J . C . L .
Gudger , Grand Senior and Junior Wardens respectively , while Bros . W . E . Anderson and D . W . Bain were re-elected , the former Grand Treasurer , and the latter Grand Secretary . Tho various Committees having delivered their several
reports , and Grand Lodge having accepted them , in some eases with , in other cases without amendment , and having promulgated certain resolutions thereon , the installation of tho Grand Officers was held on the eveninw of the third
day . On tho last day , further business was transacted , and the Lodge was then closed in ample form and amidst tho greatest harmony .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
and the welfare of tho country . But if that was tho welcome throughout tho length and breadth of tho land , nowhere was it more strongly felt , nowhere was it moro heartily expressed , than it was among the Freemasons of England ( hear , hear ) . Their object that night was to find some means by which they could , so far as they wero concerned , erect a memorial of that successful progress of their illustrious Grand
Master H . R . n . the Pnnco of Wales ; and at the aanio tiino record tJioir thankfulness to tho Great Architect of tho Universo that it had pleased Him to preserve his Royal Highness through all thoso perils and difficulties , and restoro him back to us in England . As far as financo was concerned thero was no difficulty . Happily for Freemasons , unlike almost every other society , this difficulty did not
exist . Their fnnded property afforded them tho moans of being just and even gonorons . Their aminal surplus was not less than £ 3 , 000 . The difficulty really was , according to an old French proverb , the embarrassment that proceeded from an excess of wealth . It was diffi - cult to select the object to which their money should bo appropriated . At former meetings of Grand Lodgo thoro was somo difference of
opinion on the point . Many different schemes wero proposed , all admirable in themselves . It had been proposed to devote a snm to the restoration and decoration of certain old churches that wero moro or less connected with Masonry . It was also proposed , at another time , to devote a certain portion to tho foundation of scholarships . It was also proposed ( and this had at one timo found groat favour with him ) to
appropriate it to the charities of Freemasonry ( great cheering ) . He perfectly understood that cheer , and heartily sympathised with it . Had he seen his way to devoto this money to tho charities , he should have been the first to come forward and giro his voice in favour of it . But it was not from want of consideration or predilection for that course that ho had come to a different conclusion . If they adopted that
course they must etther creato a new charity , give to ono of tho old charities exclusively , or divide among the three charities equally . Ho was opposed to tho foundation of a new charity , and he thought the Grand Lodgo would not be prepared to devoto tho money to ono only of the existing charities . As to its boing divided among tho threo charities , it appeared to him that it would then be a paltry
sum . Tho charities were tho great jewel in tho Masonic crown , and if any money was wanted for them it could bo got immediately by the voluntary subscriptions of tho craft . In illustration of this he submitted to the brethren an experience of his own . Ho took the chair for the Boys' School tho year before last , and over £ 13 , 000 was raised on that occasion . Did they mean to toll him , orany one else , that tho Boys '
School needed the paltry addition of £ 1 , 500 ? If the Boys' School needed funds they had nothing to do but to appeal to tho Craft for what they wanted . Therefore he appealed to the brethren not to do the Masonic Institution tho wrong and tho injustice of applying this money to them ; let them not stop the freo flowing fountain of benevolence which was over running in their behalf . Tho object of
the present vote was to record a particular event in history in which the Grand Master of Freomasons played an important part . Ho thonghfc tho brethren had gone along with him so far . He wonld ask what were the objects to which they should look in this case ? They were—Firstly , that any memorial they might creato shonld be special and definite ; secondly , that it should be lasting ; thirdly ,
that it should bo inseparably connected with some great case of charity ; fourthly , that it should go beyond tho bounds of tho Craft , and embrace tho whole nation ; and , lastly , that it should bo connected with something in which they know tho Grand Master took a lively interest . The present proposition satisfied all these conditions . This memorial would bo lasting ; it wonld not be only for a few
years one that was to he the sport of tho winds and waves , to bo worn and torn , and to disappear in time ; hut it was to last in perpetuity , and to record , as long as tho waters washed our shores , the intention and purpose of Grand Lodgo . He had gono into tho matter carefully , and ho fonnd that by arrangements with the Lifeboat Institution they could , for £ 4 , 000 , furnish two life-boats . Tho
cost of ono boat would be about £ oo 0 ; her transport to her place of destination , £ 150 ; a building for housing her from decay £ 350 . Her maintenance would ho £ 70 a year , which would require £ 2 , 000 at 3 J per cent . ; but as the Life-boat Institution extonded over a large area , they conld afford to do it at a cheaper rate , and they would pledge themselves for £ 1 , 000 a year to maintain the life-boat .
Therefore , £ 4 , 000 would be enough for tho two . He thought this was a very satisfactory bargain . Ho was aware that in a matter of this sort ono person would like one thing , and another person another ; but he would put it to them that they should forego to a certain extent their own individual opinions . They were met together for a great pnrpose , and had no private or selfish interests
or objects in view . He would exhort them to endeavour at once to act with unanimity . Ho thought that tho foundation of two lifeboats would satisfy all the conditions he had mentioned . It was special and definite , lasting and permanent , and unquestionably charitable . It was national as well as Masonic , and no one could doubt that the Prince of Wales took the liveliost interest in it , because
on one occasion he had Presided at its Anniversary Festival . They would not go far astray in giving it for tho endowment of two lifeboats . The gift would be made in the cause of Masonry . Masons wore on board most ships , labouring in many a gale . Those who had heard the howling of the wind during this last week , those who had listened to the touching services in many of our churches ,
" For thoso in peril on the sea , " still more , thoso who , under snch circumstances had had a father or mother , brother or sister , relation or friend , on board those ships , Would feel that such a grant as he now asked the brethren to make Mel not really fall beyond the circle of Masonry . True it was that
in a certain sense such a vote appealed , beyond Masonry , to the whnlo ; ntward world , and ho , for one , rejoiced when , once in a way , they could put forth a hand to the outer world , and show they were united to it by the common ties of humanity and sympathy—that they could give the lie to what had been so often urged against the Order , that it wag a mere selfish body , actuated by selfish , motives and
United Grand Lodge.
selfish feeling ? . Ho rejoiced to give a practical proof in refutation of such a vile calumny as that . Sometimes it was said that Masonry was a mere benefit society . Freemasons , who knew its principles better , and saw its workings more intimately , were aware that there wis no truth whatever in such an assortion , and he ventured to t ' nink that they who that night recorded by their vote their assent to
ins proposal would do a great and signal service to English Freemasonry throughout tho whole of tho world . Ono word more . This proposal might ho bettor , or it might he worso ; he believed it to be good ; he belioved it to be ono of tho very few proposals which could lie mado that en the whole comprised all tho conditions that ho had mentioned , and which recommended it alike to Freemasons and to
others for the objects it had in view . Ho ventured to put it to Grand Lodgo that this vote should bo absolutely unanimous . He trusted sincerely that thoro wonld bo no one single voice raised in opposition to ir . Under ordinary circumstances ho courted criticism , ho rejoiced in criticism , bnt ho would ask them , that , having remitted this question to a Committee , that Committee having given tho
fairest , fullest , and most impartial consideration to it , tho brethren who hud appointed tho Committee should forego , so far as they conscientiously could , their individual desires ( which , ho admitted , wore perfectly legitimate in every one ) , and , if it was possible to do so , givo tho resolution a cordial and unanimous approval . Ho asked this , not for I ho sake of tho Committee , not for the sake
of the Chair from which he was addressing them , but specially for tho sako of the particular object they had in view , and of the illustrious person their Grand Master , with whom that object was indissoluble connected , and for whoso sako ho would not have , if it wero possible , tho slightest difference of opinion on the subject ( loud applause ) .
Lord Leigh seconded the motion . Ho regretted very ranch tho absence of tho Deputy Grand Master , who waa to havo seconded tho resolution . Ho was pleased , however , himself to havo tho honour of doing so , but his task was an easy one , as tho noble Earl had fully , ably and feelingly gone into tho whole subject . Ho must , however , bo permitted , on his own part , and on behalf of tho Provinco
over which ho had the honour of presiding , for six and twenty years , to express tho great pleasuro it had given him to hear read tho resolution which had emanated from the Committee . He agreed with all tho remarks of Lord Carnarvon when ho said he rejoiced to think that they stepped beyond Masonry with the proposed memorial . He agreed with tho noblo Earl that it was an unusual subject , and
that they ought to show tho great world outside Masonry that they wero capable of stepping outside thoir circle , and associating others than thoir own body with them . Tho three great Masonic Charities were nobly supported , and if they wanted more support they could not require that paltry £ 3 , 000 or £ 4 , 000 which was represented by this vote . Lord Carnarvon had said that thero wero many Masons
on board different ships ; he , Lord Leigh , might go beyond that , and say that there were tons of thousands of their brothren on the broad sens who might require their assistance ; on this ground , therefore , ho appealed to his brethren to carry tho resolution . He could not conceive a more English mode of assisting charity than for such a groat maritimo nation to assist their brethren on the seas . He might
add for himself , and also for his Province , which numbered a very large body of Freemasons , that they all most cordially agreed with the proposition which had been made . ( Applause . ) Bro . W . R . Marsh , amidst loud and continued expressions of dissent , addressed Grand Lodgo in opposition to the vote , and submitted an amendment , to the following eff'ct : That £ 1 , 500 be applied to
endow the Freemasons' Life Boat already stationed at North Berwick . That £ 1 , 000 bo given each to tho Girl ' s School and Royal Masonio Bonevolent Institution , and £ 2 , 500 to found a Scholarship for the Boys' School , this amendment Bro . J . Baxter Langley seconded , upon which Bro . E . J . McTntyro exnlained that an amendment could
not be received , whereon Bro . Marsh moved that the report be referred back to kho Committee . However , Bro . J . Baxter Langley and Bro . Marsh subsequently withdrew their amendment , and the resolution was put to Grand Lodge and carried unanimously , amidst hearty choRi-incr .
The Earl of Carnarvon complimented Bro . Marsh and Dr . Baxter Langley on their good feeling , which , he said , all the brethren appreciated ; and ho requested Grand Secretary to make a formal note that the resolution had been accepted unanimously .
We learn from tho Masonic Journal of Greensboro ' , N . O ., that the Grand Lodge of North Carolina held its ninetieth Session at the Hall in the City of Raleigh , on Tuesday the 7 th ultimo and three following clays . The Grand Master , Bro . Geo . W . Blount , presided , and was supported by his
Grand Wardens and other Officers , there being present about two hundred representatives of the Lodges under this jurisdiction . On the second day , the Grand Officers wero elected for the ensuing year , namely , Bro . H . H . Munson , Grand Master , and Bros . It . M . Hardee , and J . C . L .
Gudger , Grand Senior and Junior Wardens respectively , while Bros . W . E . Anderson and D . W . Bain were re-elected , the former Grand Treasurer , and the latter Grand Secretary . Tho various Committees having delivered their several
reports , and Grand Lodge having accepted them , in some eases with , in other cases without amendment , and having promulgated certain resolutions thereon , the installation of tho Grand Officers was held on the eveninw of the third
day . On tho last day , further business was transacted , and the Lodge was then closed in ample form and amidst tho greatest harmony .