Grand Lodge.

suggested by him , under which the Freemasons of England would contribute to the Decoration Fund of St . Paul ' s Cathedral a sum sufficient for the completion of the Cupola and Transepts , that the opinion of the Craft be ascertained through such circular , and that such steps be taken thereafter to secure the end in view as

may commend themselves to Grand Lodge . He estimated that £ 30 , 000 would be required for the work , and he thought this could be got together without infringing in the slightest degree on the Charities of the Order , which all Masons desired to support . All he asked was that by a circular the opinion of Freemasons should be obtained on the subject .

The motion was seconded by Bro . Herbert T . Stewart Grand Superintendent of Works . The Eev . E . J . Simpson moved as an amendment " That whilst sympathising with the beautiful work of decoration which

is being carried on in St . Paul ' s Cathedral , this Grand Lodge does not feel it expedient to vote a sum from its funds for such a purpose , however excellent in itself , and considers that it should be taken up by Masons in their individual capacity as more appropriate .

Bro . Philbrick , Q . C ., G . Eeg . pointed out that the motion did not ask for a contribution from Grand Lodge funds , but only sought the apsistance of individual subscribers . Bro . the Eev . E . J . Simpson reminded Grand Lodge that when it was proposed to commemorate the safe return from India

of the Prince of Wales Bro . Havers made a similar motion to Bro . Woodward's , but it was rejected by ten to one . But he did not mean to say that should be taken as a precedent . He

thought , however , it was a most questionable proceeding to make a grant out of funds intended for charitable purposes to the decoration of St . Paul ' s . Sending out a circular as proposed from Grand Lodge was next door to voting a sum of money .

Brother F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., Grand Eegistrar , said : Most Worshipful Master in the chair , my good friend , the acting Grand Warden , will permit me , I am sure , to say , that I agree with him that if we send out a circular from Grand Lodge soliciting contributions we give the Imprimatur of Grand Lodge to the

motion , and therefore the honour of Grand Lodge is committed . Now we have listened , I am sure with delight , to the very able speech of our Bro . Woodward . St . Paul's Cathedral dominates this great metropolis , and without entering into comparisons , which somebody has said " are odorous , " it is a monument of

•which this country may justly be proud . At the same time , sympathising most heartily with much that has been said , let us remember that Masonry is universal . We have no right to lend the weight of this great assembly to anything that may be tortured or misconstrued into a departure from that great

principle ; and while I , for one , am not afraid of my convictions , I yet feel that Grand Lodge might be involved in a position it could not in all cases justify if it lent itself to the restoration or the adornment of a building of a distinctly Protestant character . I would rather that we maintain the Catholicism—and I am not

using the word " Catholicism" in the sense of Protestant and Soman Catholicism—but I would rather that we maintain the Catholicism in the sense of the universality of the Craft by saying that though we might sympathise greatly with any movement to extend the usefulness or increase the beauty of a national

monument , yet , when it is distinctly ear marked with the religion of the State , as Masons we do not feel that we can entirely associate ourselves with it . I know the view is not popular ; it does not express my own internal sentiments—I mean as an individual ; but I am bound to be honest as your adviser and to

express what I feel as a Mason ; and therefore I would suggest that if Masons like—and there are many reasons why they should , admirably set forth by our Bro . Woodward—why they should promote the ornamentation of a great national monument —the temple which distinguishes us as a Protestant nation , yet

still as a Craft , the proudest boast of which is that we banish all those questions of politics and religion which divide people outside , but who unite on the broader basis on which we cau shake hands and meet with a Brother , grip the Jew , the

Catholic , the Protestant , ignore all minor divisions , rising superior to all those which separate the so-called Christian bodies , and resting on the Fatherhood of God , and the Brotherhood of man , I think this Grand Lodge will do well to abstain from supporting this movement .

The Eev . C . J . Martyn P . G . C . spoke in favour of the motion , and thought if Freemasons associated themselves with a movement of this kind it would redound to the honour of the Craft . Bro . Eichard Eve for once agreed with the Grand Eegistrar most thoroughly . Masonry made no distinction of creed or

colour so long as a man believed in the Great Architect of the Universe . If Grand Lodge associated itself with a movement of this kind what was to prevent it being asked to contribute to the decoration of mosques , those men who worshipped therein being also members of the Masonic Fraternity .

Bro . C . E . Keyser P . G . D . suggested that Bro . Woodward should follow the example of the Herts Brethren , who twenty years ago , by getting up a special Committee , with the Grand

Grand Lodge.

Master at their head , obtained sufficient subscriptions to supply a pulpit for St . Alban ' s Abbey . He thought Bro . Woodward mi •.. < ht with St . Paul's , act similarly for a portion of the decoration . Alderman Dimsdale P . G . T . could not support the resolution

as it stood , but he hoped that the moral weight of Freemasonry would be given to this great national undertaking . Feeling strongly on this point he trusted that Grand Lodge would permit this matter to be deferred , with the hope that Bro . Woodward would re-adjust his resolution and bring it before Grand Lod « e in

some manner in which they could receive it . He should deprecate as much as any Brother the hypothecation of funds which should go legitimately to our Masonic Charities , but he failed to see why the great moral strength of Freemasonry should not be

utilised and legitimately utilised to furthering this great national undertaking . Whatever might be said , they could not ignore the fact that Masonry was established upon religion—a belief in the Great Architect of the Universe . The motion wns ultimately withdrawn , and Grand Lod ° -e was closed in form .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE

THE Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday evening , at Mark Masons' Hall , the Earl of Euston Pro Grand Master presiding in the absence of the Prince of Wales . The Rev . J . S . Brownrigg acted as Deputy Grand Master ,

and the Wardens' chairs were tilled by the Earl of Portarlington and Bro . Frank Eichardson . Among other Brethren present were Bros . Eichard Eve , Charles Belton , E . Loveland Loveland , S . E .

Baskect , C . F . Matier , C . F . Hogard , J . Balfour Cockburn , Percy Wallis , Gordon Miller , James Speller , Major Carroll , E . Clowes , Will . E . Chapman and W . Vincent . The report of the General Board , given in our last issue , was adopted .

Bro . Matier announced that Charity Jewels and bars were awaiting distribution in his office to Brethren entitled to receive them . The Earl of Euston , before closing Grand Lodge , addressed the Brethren . He said : Considering that this is the off-time of

the year , and that not many persons are in town , I take this opportunity of saying that although there are not a great number of Brethren here , I am only too pleased to meet those who are here , for it shows that they take an interest in the Degree . I may also say that we are going on prosperously , which must be

very gratifying to all of you . Our receipts last year were exceedingly good in comparison with what they were the year before . I trust that we shall still go on and prosper , and that the Brethren will give that support to the Mark Degree in the future that they have given it in the past . You know that I

personally take very great interest in the Degree , and that everything that occurs which is in its favour gives me extreme pleasure . Its best interests are always my first concern , and I experience great delight when I see that other Brethren evince as much interest in it as you have shown to-night . . Grand Lodge was then closed in ample form .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

G 1 ENERAL regret has been expressed at the death of Bro . T John Lyle , on Wednesday , the 2 Lst ult . He had been known for years as a man of strict integrity , and one whom to know was to respect . Born half a century ago in the county of Yorkshire , he has borne the characteristic of a true " Tyke " in

being open , straight-spoken , clearly understood , and fearless for the right . He had never entered the matrimonial state , but held strict views of such a condition of life . •, About 30 years ago he came to London , and , until seized by that which proved a fatal

illness last year ( Bright ' s disease ) , was a zealous servant of Her Majesty , and also of the public , and his cheery face will be much missed at the General Post Office . When the Freemasons of Clapham decided to found the Duke of Fife Lodge he was one of its most zealous advocates . He had been initiated some time

before , and never had Bro . Westley a more attentive pupil at the Lodge of Instruction . As a founder of the Lodge he took office as Steward , and , as in all he did , was a complete success there . Gradually he rose , and when he was taken ill , he was Senior Deacon , and every member lonaed to see him continue

until he was Master . He sang a song with all the heartiness of bis nature , and his place will be hard to fill , says the " Clap ham Observer . " He was interred at Tooting Cemetery , on Friday , 23 rd ult ., and there were present to mourn for him those who

were nearest and dearest to him , including his brother , JVj . r . Geoige Lyle , and Mrs . Lyle , his nephews and niece , Mr . Robert Steele ( Treasurer of the Duke of Fife Lodge , and an old friend ) , Mr . Brown ( from the G . P . O . ) , Mr . Thompson , Mr . Gosling , & c -