Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

THE Quarterly Communication was held m fche freemasons Hall , Edinburgh , on Thursday , 6 th instant , the Grand Master Lord Saltoun presiding , while the Wardens chairs were occupied by the Earl of Eosslyn and Major Allan respectively . The Grand Master , before entering on the business of the meeting , said he had a very pleasing duty to perform , and that was to unveil a bust of Past Grand Master the Earl of

Haddington , who was one of the most popular Grand Masters thafc had occupied the throne of Scottish Freemasonry . His Lordship had done everything in his power to promote Masonry , and it was with deep regret that the Craft heard of his retiring from tbe high office he held because of ill-health . He was sorry to say that that ill-health still continued , and he suggested that

the Grand Secretary be authorised to send a sympathetic letter to Lord Haddington in his illness , and expressing fche hope tbat he would have a speedy recovery . The artist who had been entrusted with the work had executed his task admirably , the likeness being in all respects admirable and worthy to be placed

among the busts of former Grand Masters . His Lordship then , amid loud applause , unveiled the bust , which is a duplicate in marble by Brother W . Granfc Stevenson , E . S . A ., of the bronze bust which was presented in March last by Grand Lodge to the family of the Earl of Haddington , in acknowledgment of his Lordship's services as Grand Master Mason of Scotland .

A communication was submitted by Grand Committee from Western Australia , reporting that the recently erected Lodge Bonnie Doon , Perth , No . 839 , had been consecrated by the District Grand Secretary of Queensland Brother E . Lee Bryce , in presence of His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia , Colonel Sir Gerard Smith , of the English Constitution , and a

large assemblage of Craftsmen—the Installing Officer having travelled 3000 miles co perform the ceremony of Consecration and Installation . In the course of Brother Lee Bryce ' s visit a conference of Scottish-holding Brethren was held , at which a unanimous wish was expressed that the Lodges in Western

Australia should for the present be placed under the Masonic jurisdiction of Queensland . It was resolved to grant this request . On the motion of the Grand Master , it was resolved to present an address of congratulation to the Queen on the occasion of Her Majesty ' s Diamond Jubilee .

The Earl of Eosslyn called attention to the Constitution and Laws of Grand Lodge , and , with a view to avoiding fche conflicts which had recently taken place on the subject of the suspension of Lodges , moved that the names of all intrants , with dates of entry , passing , and raising , be notified by daughter Lodges direct to Provincial Grand Lodge , and subsequently by the Provincial Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge . Brofcher E . F . Shaw-Stewart

seconded the motion . Brother James Berry pointed oufc thafc the proposal would almost be unworkable because of the increased duties which would be imposed on Provincial Grand Secretaries , who would require fco be well-paid officials . Brother James Muir , Glasgow , moved the previous question , and this was seconded by Bro . Dr . Dickson , Edinburgh ; but the motion was carried by 104 to 85 .

From a statement prepared by Grand Secretary showing the number of intrants recorded ia the books of Grand Lodge in each year since the beginning of the century it appears that during the ninety-seven years there was a total of 245 , 750 intrants , being an average a little over 2 , 533 per annum . In 1 , 800 the number of intrants was 1 , 906 , and last year it was 5 , 343 , but the largest number recorded in the period embraced by the return was 6 , 078 , in the year 1891 . — "Scotsman . "

Bro . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master West Yorkshire presided at the eight-fifth anniversary dinner of the Yorkshire Society ' s School at the Holborn Eestaurant this week . In proposing success to the School , he said he quite admitted that Yorkshiremen had their faults and failings , bufc they

possesed a grit of some value , and if they had not the clannishness of Scotchmen or the eloquence of Irishmen , they possesed the characteristic of regarding their word wifch as much sacredness as any man on the face of the earth . Sir James Kitson , M . P ., and others , were amongst the remaining speakers .

A conscience void of offence is a blessing to any man . It will bring health and happiness . Few , however , can look into their hearts and find nothing to condemn . Thoughts will come into the mind that stain the tablets of memory , and desires will arise that cause the cheek to blush . Sins of omission and

commission both give offence to conscience . Blessed is the man who can say with the old coloured woman who was accused of stealing : " De Lord knows I ain ' t stole nuthin ' , an' I knows I ain't , an' life is too short for me to be splanin' and provin' all de time . I leaves my repetatiou with de Lord . "—Exchange .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for Insertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings .

METROPOLITAN .

ROYAL JUBILEE LODGE , No . 72 . THE ordinary meeting was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , on Monday , 3 rd inst ., under the presidency of Bro . W . Smith W . M . The first business was to raise Bro . G . Cross , after which Bros . G . B . Irvine , Peter White , H . C . Smith ( son of the W . M . ) , and Hans Schwemmer were passed . The ballot having been favourably taken for Mr . Christopher Berry , that gentleman was initiated in due form .

Bro . A . Darch P . M ., in conformity with notice given , proposed , and the Lodge resolved , to hold a ladies summer outing , and a strong Committee was formed to arrange for the purpose of carrying the resolution into effect . The Committee consists of the W . M ., Past Masters Dunn , Turner , Darch , and Taylor , Bros . Body J . W ., and Bantick .

It was resolved that the collection after the banquet in the evening should be given to the Princess of Wales Fund for the Poor of the Slums , which collection resulted in the sum of £ 2 7 s 6 d being handed to the Treasurer , for despatch to the Lord Mayor of London . The usual toasts followed the banquet , and some admirable songs were given by Miss Conisbee and Bros . G . Horton , Bantick , Lighfcfoot , Barton , & c .

UPTON LODGE , No . 1227 . BRETHREN who are accustomed to visit many Lodges cannot but be struck by the different receptions with which they are greeted , and by the manner in which the Masonic ceremonies are worked in various parts of London . In some Lodges the ritual is carried out so strictly that the slightest deviation is resented , and the visitor almost feels oppressed by the

rigid adherence to the working that is insisted upon . In these cases there is usually a lack of warmth in the fourth degree ; with them the work ' s " the thing , " and so long as that is perfectly rendered very little regard is paid to the social side of Freemasonry . In other Lodges again , one is received with open arms and a cordial welcome thafc goes far to compensate , we regret to say , for the shortcomings in the Lodge Boom . But when one is able to visit

a Lodge where competency and conviviality ate judiciously combined it is a real pleasure , and is often referred to as " a Masonic treat . " Such Lodges are fortunately not rare , and to this class belongs the Upton , the members of which pride themselves on conducting the ceremonies in a proper manner , at the same time extending a friendly greeting to visiting Brethren , who quickly find themselves " quite at home . "

A regular meeting of the Lodge took place on Thursday , at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool Street , E . G ., when Bro . George Albert Peters Worshipful Master presided , and was assisted by his Officers : —Bros . Henry Hyde S . W ., W . A . Bray J . W ., Charles Gieseke P . M . Treasurer , Charles John Free P . M . Secretary , W . J . Carroll acting S . D ., A . A . Butcher J . D ., H . J , Rowberry I . G ., Thomas Bowler Tyler .

There were also present Bros . Samuel Toye P . M ., John Stroud P . M ., Edwin Hill P . M ., John Bell , W . Prior , Frederick White , A . B . Noble , W . T . Hustwayte , F . W . Ward , J . Baker , F . Wiegand , B . F . Thomson , G . A . Fischer , Albert Crocker , Arthur J . Millington , C . E . Snowden , J . W . Isaacs . G . Norris .

Visitors : —Bros . J . H . Frankenstein 12 , Thos . Feistel 171 , W . Jennings 1598 , B . J . Hamilton 781 , W . C . Ferris 1901 , and Orlton Cooper St . Michael , P . M . 211 . The Lodge was opened by Bro . E . M . Jeffery , in the temporary absence of the W . M . Bro . G . A . Peters , after which the minutes were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken , and proved unanimous in favour of

Messrs . Theodore Martin , Ernest Claude Holmes , and Joseph William Holmes , and those gentlemen being in attendance , were admitted and regularly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Craft by Bro . Peters , who had then assumed the chair . Bro . Walter Hurley having answered the questions leading fco the second degree , was advanced to the rank of a Craftsman . Bros . John Angles and Charles William Cooper having proved their

proficiency in that degree , were regularly raised as Master Masons , and took their seats in the Lodgo . All the ceremonies were creditably performed by the Worshipful Master , and elicited the hearty approval of the Brethren . We must specially notice the admirable assistance rendered by Bro . W . J , Carroll as Senior Deacon , which was conspicuous in eaoh of tho ceremonies , and conduced in no small degree to the impressiveness of the ritual .

The Lodge having been resumed to the first degree the Secretary announced the death of Bro . Benjamin Picking P . M ., one of the Founders of fche Lodge , ' who had passed away since the last meeting . Three candidates were proposed for initiation . A petition of a distressed Brother to the Board of Benevolence was duly signed by the Blaster and Officers on behalf of the Lodge . There being no further business , the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony , and the Brethren adjourned to supper , after which a pleasant evening was spent .

ST . MARTIN LODGE , No . 2455 . ON Monday evening , 10 th insfc ., afc an emergency meeting , the W . M . Bro . H . T . Brickwell was assisted by the following : —Bros . W . B . Fendick I . P . M ., James Willing jun . P . M ., E . W . Browning S . W ., Thomas Mason J . W ., W . Farthing P . M . Treasurer , E . W . Murnane P . M . Secretary , Charles William Cole S . D ., J . C . Greenfield jun . J . D ., William Challice I . G ., James Connah Organist , J . B . Godson and Charles Maynard Walker Stewards .

The W . M . initiated into the secrets of Freemasonry Messrs . Charles St . John Denton , David Fowler , Frederick George Latham , George Moore , and Alfred Southerland . The members of the Lodge turned up in full force , and among the visitors present , who afterwards attended the banquet at the Grand Hotel , were : —Bros . J . D . Beveridge P . M ., W . Sergeant Lee P . M ., Harry Nicholls W . M . 2190 , E . S . Berry W . M . 2473 , E . J . Lonnen , Lugui Labalache , John Crook , Walter Lonnen , Herbert Budd , Fred W . Grellin , Arthur Collins , H . G . Hibbert , and others . The musical arrangements were capitally carried out under the superintendance of Bros . S . Hemsley and James Connah .