Loyalty.

LOYALTY .

NOTWITHSTANDING the oft repeated assertion in our Lodges as to the Loyalty of Freemasons to the Queen and other members of the Eoyal Family , we

are often confronted with the charge that the Craft really exists for the purpose of upsetting recognised authority , while its members conspire against the heads of the different countries in which they reside—in other

words their mission , instead of being the work of Brotherly Love it professes , is one of rebellion and revolution , its main object being to upset the existing state of affairs and supplant in its place a reign of

anarchy and sedition . Strange to say , there are many , apparently sensible men of the world , who really believe that Freemasonry is not only capable of the villainy its

adversaries charge against it , but that it is possible for its members to practice all the evil ways they are accredited with .

We , within the circle of the Craft , know what nonsense all these charges against the Order really are , and were it not for the continued utterances of the other side we should feel inclined to let the matter take its

own course , as being unworthy of notice on behalf of Freemasonry ; but silence has been referred to as evidence of impossibility to refute the charges made against the

Order , and on that account we again protest against the unfounded statements of our opponents . The last few days have supplied ample evidence as to

the loyalty of the English Brotherhood towards those at the head of the Empire , the birth of a great grandson to Her Majesty the Queen having afforded the opportunity

for an enthusiastic outburst of loyalty among Freemasons throughout the country , which would have been impossible if its members were the conspirators they are

charged with being . The Grand Lodges of the Craft and Mark Degrees lead the way , and many of the Provincial Grand bodies have combined to make the

outburst of loyalty the more marked , as being so widely

offered . It has not been a question of a hole and corner meeting being summoned to pass a mere formal vote , but a general expression of goodwill has gone up

to our Grand Master as head of the Craft , as well as to the Queen and other members of the Koyal Family , who , we are convinced , must recognise that in the members of

the Masonic Order they may count on as loyal a body of

citizens as is to be found anywhere in the widely extended limits of the Empire . Masons most heartily rejoice on the birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of York , not only by reason of

the importance of the event to the country at large , but also because it has once more afforded them the opportunity of expressing their loyalty to the throne , as well as to tho Princo who is at their head .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

A SPECIAL meeting of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Thursday , at Mark Masons' Hall , London , for the purpose of voting addresses of congratulation to Her Majesty the Queen and His Boyal Highness the Prince of Wales Most Worshipful Grand Master , on the birth of the son of the Duke and Duchess of York , grandson of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and great grandson of Her Majesty the Queen .

The Earl of Euston Pro Grand Master presided , supported by Viscount Dungarvan Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of Yarborough , Bro . T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Col . A . B . Cook , Bro . B . Loveland-Loveland , Frank Richardson , C . F . Matier , C . H . Driver , Hamon Le Strange and

several other Grand Officers . After the formal opening of Graud Lodge and the reading of the Summons convening the meeting , The Earl of Euston said : Brethren , I have called this Grand Lodge because I felt certain that every Mark Mason of England and Wales and the great Colonies

which are under our jurisdiction would be glad , as on former occasions , when we condoled with the Grand Master on the death of his son the Duke of Clarence , and congratulated him on the marriage of his son tho Duke of York , to show our loyalty and devotion . We

are now here again to show our loyalty to the Royal Family that rules over this kingdom , aud our devotion to His Royal Highness , in congratulating them on the birth of a Prince of the fourth generation in the direct line as heir to the Throne ; and I ought also to say to

congratulate Her Majesty the Queen most heartily and loyally upon her being in the unique position of seeing a direct descendant of herself born , making now three in the direct line eligible to sit on the throne of this Empire . Many years has the Queen reigned over it .

We all know how firm sne can be when it is necessary , and how kind and good she can be in all cases of charity . I shall now move that one address of congratulation be sent to Her Majesty the Queen on the birth of the

Prince her great grandson , and another to the Most Worshipful Grand Master on the birth of his grandson , and wishing the young Prince may have many years of health before him . Before moving the resolution I wil

call upon the Grand Secretary to read tho address to Her Majesty and the address to the Graud Master . Bro . C . F . Matier Grand Secretary then read the

addresses . The Earl of Euston : Brethren , you have heard the two addresses we propose to send , I now beg to move formally thafc those be sent to the Queen and the Grand Master .

Viscount Dungarvan : Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master and Brethren , the lasfc time we had occasion to vote addresses of congratulation fco His Royal Highness the Grand Master it was on the occasion of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York . Since then another

event has happend of far more importance to the kingdom , and when it was announced by telegraph to all parts of the world that a grandson in the direct line had

been born to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , I am sure ifc filled every one with feelings of loyalty and enthusiasm . I have very much pleasure in seconding the proposition inovod by your lordship , because 1 kuow