Ad00903

23 GREAT QUEEN STREET , W . C .

Freemasonry In New York.

FREEMASONRY IN NEW YORK .

THE Hundredth Annual Grand Communication of tho Grand Lodge of New York was held on Tuesday , 7 th June , at the Masonic Temple , New York City , under the presidency of M . W . Bro . Anthony , Grand Master , who

was supported by no less than ten Past Grand Masters and a large concourse of brethren . In tho conrse of his address the Grand Master referred at considerable length , but ; in a ' very dignified and highly Masonic strain , to the unfortunate difference which had arisen between the Grand

Lodges of New York , and which had induced the former to pass an edict of non-intercourse with the latter . Bro . Anthony , having reviewed the circumstances and expressed it as his opinion that his own Grand Lodge were in the right in the conduct they had pursued , suggested they

should no further stand on mere etiquette , but should yield the point which was in the way of a settlement being arrived at . " Does the dignity of this Grand Lodge , " asked Bro . Anthony , " require that we should not recede from onr declaration of non-intercourse ? I am as strenuous

as any one to maintain our rights and occupy the position to which we are entitled as sovereign in our own jurisdiction , and yet I do say that I think it would be to our credit as Masons , and in no sense be considered as lowering the dignity of this Grand Lodge , to recall the edict of

nonintercourse , and say to the brethren of Connecticut—to its Grand Lodge—we propose to submit this question of principle to arbitration by our peers . Earnestly desiring , as a member of the Craft , that a council of our peers shonld

pass judgment on the case at issue , we recommend that this Grand Lodge consider whether it is not our duty to pick up the key and unlock the door , which the Grand Lodge of Connecticut now assumes stands as a barrier between

them and arbitration . " Better advice than this could not have been offered , and the Grand Lodge showed it appreciated it by unanimously passing the following resolution : Whereas , Tbe Grand Lodge of New York deeply deplores the nn . fortunate differences on the question of Grand Lodge jurisdiction which

exist between the Grand Lodge of Connecticut and the Grand Lodge of New York , and which led to the edict of non-interconrse with the Masons of Connecticut declared by the Grand Lodge of New York ; and whereas the G . Lodge of New York heartily desires to be on terms of unity and fraternal comity with all the Grand Lodges of the

United States ; and whereas the Grand Lodge of New York believes that the matters in dispute between it and the Grand Lodge of Connecticut may be Masonically adjusted by a submission of said matters to arbitration ; and whereas the Grand Lodge of New York is anxiousl y desirous that the said matter may be submitted to a

commission for arbitration , therefore Resolved , That the Grand Master be directed to terminate the edict of non-interconrse with the Masons of Connecticut , and be instructed to solicit the Grand Lodge of Connecticut to consent to a submission of the whole matter in dispute between the two Grand Lodges to a commission of their peers for arbitration .

The Grand Secretary ' s report showed the number of brethren in the jurisdiction to be 72 , 867 , while in that of the Grand Treasurer , the receipts were stated as 83 , 556 dollars . According to the report of the Trustees of the Hall and Asylum Fundthe indebtedness on the Temple

, had been reduced during the past year by over 32 , 202 dollars , so that the amount of debt now stands at , in round figures , 613 . 317 dollars . The Centennial proceedings included an elaborate and exhaustive sketch of the progress of Freemasonry in New York from its introduction into the

otate till now . This was followed by a concert and an oration by Bro . Frank R . Lawrence , Chief Commissioner ° t Appeals to Grand Lodge , the proceedings being brought to a conclusion by the choir singing a Masonic ode and

n , ^ ^ dredth . Among distinguished visitors from other jurisdictions , there were present : —Bros . Samuel B . ihek Grand Master , Conrad B . Day Deputy Grand Master , ihos . R . Patton Grand Treasurer , and Bro . Michael Nisbet wand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , Bro . Robert Bingham Senior Grand Warden of North Carolina

Freemasonry In New York.

Bro . Edwin Wright Deputy Grand Master of Massachusetts ; Bro . Charles Ingolsby Grand Secretary of South Carolina ; Bro . Wm . B . Isaacs Grand Secretary of Virginia ; and Bros . General Albert Pike , General Hobart Ward , and George Walgrove .

We may add that the following are the principal Grand Ofiicers elected and installed at the Communication for the year 1881--J , namely—Bros . Horace S . Taylor M . W . Grand Master , Benjamin Flager 11 . W . Deputy Grand Master ,

Bro . Wm . A . Brodie R . W . Senior Grand Warden , Bro . John W . "Vrooman It . W . Junior Grand Warden , Bro . John Boyd R . W . Grand Treasurer , Bro . James M . Austin M . D . R . W . Grand Secretary , this being , it seems , Bro . Austin ' s twenty-ninth successive term of service as Grand Secretary .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF MIDDLESEX AND SURREY .

THIS Provincial Grand Mark Lodge held its summer meeting at the Star and Garter Hotel , Richmond , on Saturday last , the 2 nd inst . It was not so largely attended as nsnal , consequent on the extreme heat of the day and the numerous pleasure engagements of many of its members . Nevertheless , the muster of brethren was not inconsiderable . Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at 4 p . m . by the V . W . Bro . Frederic Davison Deputy Prov . Grand Master ( in

the unavoidable absence of the Prov . Grand Master the R . W . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart . ) , and amongst the brethren present were Dr . F . W . Ramsay Prov . G . S . W ., C . Hammerton P . G . Treasurer , W . G . Brighten Prov . G . Secretary , Sir C . J . Palmer Prov . G . M . O ., John Rhodes Prov . G . Org ., T . W . Adams Prov . G . I . G ., H . J . Lardner , W . Ackland and J . W . Baldwin Prov . G . Stewards , D . M . Dewar P . G . J . O .

and Grand Mark Assistant Secretary ( acting as Prov . G . J . W . ) , James Stevens P . G . J . O . Past Prov . G . Mark Secretary ( acting as Prov . G . D . C . ) , C . W . R . Harrison Prov . G . M . Overseer , J . M . Klenck P . P . G . Reg ., Barou de Ferrieres , M . P ., P . G . M . O ., Chas . Palman P . P . J . D ., Henry Lovegrove G . S . W ., George Lilley P . P . A . D . C ., J . S . Batten P . P . G . Sword Bearer , W . J . Nicholls P . P . G . S ., J . Inglfs P . G . S ., Jas .

Curtis J . W . 234 , A . Haynes S . W . 211 , J . S . Gabriel 244 , J . W . Willis 223 , J . Cox J . W . 114 , R . B . Lewis S . W . 3 , H . C . Jepps S . W . 5 , T . W . Bicknell S . W . 238 , C . Hopwood 181 , E . B . Florence , W . Basnett , F . Lawrence , J . Gilbert , Harrison , & c . & c . The minutes of the previous Provincial Grand Lodgo meeting were confirmed . The roll call

showed a list of 21 Lodges as attached to the Province , of which number 16 were represented , and five were conspicuous by their absence , viz : Percy 114 , Studholme 197 , Monatohin 224 , Clapton 236 , and Royal Naval 239 . Although in some instances there had been a falling off in the number of members , the aggregate progress of the Order in connection with this Province was noticeable and

encouraging . The accounts of the Prov . Grand Treasurer V . W . Bro . Charles Hammerton were received , approved and recorded . The Officers appointed by the Provincial Grand Master to serve for the ensuing year were then named , and in all cases of presence invested , as'follows : —

Bro . F . Davison .... Dep . Prov . Grand Mark Master W . G . Brighten - . . Prov . Grand Senior Warden J . B . Batten .... M Junior Warden Rev . F . J . C . de Crespigny - " ) „ , , . C . H . Weldon - . A " Chaplains

Hugh H . Riach . .. „ Master Overseer H . C . Jepps -- .. „ Senior Overseer Lawrence .... „ Junior Overseer C . Hammerton ... .. Treasurer

— j , W . Basnett .... „ Reg . ofMarks J . M . Klenck . ... „ Secretary T . W . Adams- ... } t Senior Deacon W . J . Nicolls ... „ Junior Deacon J . C . Cox - - - - „ Dir . of Cer . George Lilley ... Assist , do .

E . Hopwood •-.. „ Sup . of Works •T . R . Bicknell ... „ Sword Bearer W . Ackland .... „ Standard Bearer J . S . Gabriel .... „ Organist H . J . Lardner ... „ Inner Guard R . B . Lewis , James Mills , )

James Curtis , E . P . Florence , > „ Stewards J . W . Willis , W . Kipling ) John Gilbert .... „ Tyler The Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the newly-appointed Officers having been duly sainted according to their respective

degrees , and a few matters of routine business disposed of , Provincial Grand Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was served in one of the large rooms overlooking one of the grandest landscapes in England . After the cloth was cleared , the Depnty Provincial Grand Master , who presided , gave the usual loyal , patriotic and Masonic toasts , which were all dnly honoured , that of the health of Sir Francis Bnrdett Prov . G . Mark Master being received

in his absence with mnch enthusiasm . Bro . tbe Baron de Ferrieres proposed the health of tho Deputy Prov . G . Master , then presiding , in terms of warm culo ^ 'inm , fur his active efforts on behalf of the Mark degree , and his readiness nh all times to fill any position which the circumstances of the moment mi ght require of him . Bro . Davison responded with cordi : il expressions of thanks to the proposer and to the brethren generally , and of gratification that the important busi-