Opportunities Of Masters.

tise the same virtue in the Lodge , especially when , in many cases , it leaves a larger amount of funds for distribution among our Charities , or for the relief of tho necessitous ,

yet deserving brethren , while m others it operates favourably by reducing the fees ? Let wealthy Lodges by all means be liberal in their expenditure , though even these need nofc be lavisb . Ifc must nofc be overlooked that there

is among Masonic Lodges the same risk of rivalry as in society , where people often pinch themselves for a month or two in order to eclipse their neighbours in some ball or party . Economy is a virtue , but too many people ignore ifc in the belief that it will be mistaken for meanness . Here ,

then , is another opportunity , and , indeed , the last on which we purpose commenting in this article , in whicb a Master may distinguish himself . We commend these notions to our readers . They may be a little old-fashioned , perhaps , but we do nofc think they are the worse for that .

Grand Commandery Of Virginia, U.S.A.

GRAND COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA , U . S . A .

WE hasten to acknowledge , with fraternal thanks , receipt of copy of the Proceedings of this Grand Commandery at its Grand Annual Assembly , held in Lynchburg , on the 9 th and 10 th October of last year . On the former of those days , the Grand Commandery having been escorted from its head quarters at Arlington House to the

Masonic Hall , an address of welcome , which evoked the hearty applause of all present , was delivered by Sir Knight S . T . Graham , of the De Molay Commandery , No . 4 . R . E . Grand Commander Robert E . Withers having suitably acknowledged this , the Grand Commandery was opened in

solemn form by the Grand Commander , who was supported by Sir Knight L . P . Johnson Deputy G . Commander and his other Grand Officers . Representatives from ten of the

fourteen Commanderies in the jurisdiction were present , the Dove , No . 7 , Stevenson , No . 8 , Winchester , No . 12 , and Johnson , No . 14 , being excused from attending . The address of the Grand Master contained reference to all the

leading events of the past year , and especially to his presence at the late triennial session , at Cleveland , Ohio , of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States . This address having been referred to a Committee , the Grand Treasurer reported that the memorial voted to

the late Grand Recorder , John Dove , consisting of a gold pin set with diamonds , had been procured , and was in the possession of the Grand Commandery , while he had taken upon himself the responsibility of adding a " Dove , " which was not only most appropriate as an emblem of peace , bufc was

likewise tbe name , a part of the coat of arms , and the Masonic mark of the late Grand Recorder . The Report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence having been referred to a Committee , and some other business having been transacted , the Grand Commandery was dismissed till

the morning of the following day , when it met in considerable numbers , and proceeded to the election of officers . Sir Knight R . E . Withers was re-elected Grand Commander , and amongst his principal officers must be mentioned Sir Knights La Fayette Johnson Deputy G . Commander , J . G .

Bain G . Generalissimo , J . F . Regnault G . Capt . General , G . W . Dame G . Prelate , P . S . Coles G . S . Warden , J . L . Roper O . J . Warden , J . Evans G . Treasurer , and W . Bryan Isaacs G . Recorder . Those officers who were present having been duly installed , the Committee on the G . Treasurer ' s

accounts delivered their report , from which it appears that the receipts during the year , with the balance remaining from the previous year , amounted to dollars 919 38 , and the expenses to dollars 616 * 52 , leaving a balance in hand on { ith October of dollars 302 ' 8 b \ The Committee on Charters

and Dispensations recommended that the Harrisonburg Commandery under Dispensation receive a Charter , as No . 10 . Invitations having been extended to the G . Commandery to hold its meeting at Winchester , Richmond , or Norfolk , a ballot was taken , and resulted in the

selection of the last-mentioned place , where , in due course , it will be held on the second Tuesday in November of this year . Other business , including a vote of thanks to the De Molay Commandery , No . 4 , for its courteous reception

of the Grand Commandery , having been disposed of , G . Commandery was dismissed . So much for the Proceedings . The account of these is followed by a statement of the Accounts , and a complete list of members of the several

Grand Commandery Of Virginia, U.S.A.

Commanderies , tho results of which aro tabulated . We gather from this that there are , as we have said , fourteen Commanderies in this jurisdiction , the highest number being No . 16 , but there are no Nos . 13 and 15 . Tho total number of Sir Knights is 805 , of whom sixty were created ,

and seven affiliated , during the year . Twenty-five Sir Knights withdrew during tho same period , eleven wore suspended , and two expelled , while seven died . The strongest , numerically speaking , is tho Richmond Commandery , No . 2 , which musters 213 Knights . Then , but at a long

distance , follows tho Do Molay , No . 4 , Lynchburg , with 95 the Grice , No . 10 , Norfolk , with 81 ; and tho Appomattox , No . 6 , at St . Petersburg , with 79 ; the smallest being

the newly-chartered Harrisonburg , No . 10 , with 20 ; and the Fredericksburg , No . 1 , which musters only 25 . Tho whole concludes with a full and highly interesting Report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence .

Masonic Ball At Blackburn.

MASONIC BALL AT BLACKBURN .

PKESENTATION TO COLONEL LE GENDRE NICHOLAS STARKIE .

ON Thursday evening , the 10 th inst ., a Masonic Ball of a brilliant description took place in the Town Ilall , the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonio Educational and Benevolent Institution . Prior to the proceedings in tho ball-room , a preliminary assembly took place in the large Police Conrt , Town Hall , his Worship the Mayor , Bro . James Dickinson , presided , and was supported by numerous Prov . G . Officers and brethren .

The Mayor said they had assembled for a purpose which ho had no doubt would give great satisfaction to all present , and thoso connected with the Masonio Craft generally . They should that day celebrate the fiftieth birthday of the worthy Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire . He was sure it would bo a source of gratification to all present to see him in such a state of health as they found him that

evening . He ( the Mayor ) was sure they all wished that he might have many happy returns of the day , and that he might be long spared to live amongst them . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . Thomas then read the address , which , artistically speaking , is a splendid piece of workmanship . It is contained in a massive gilt frame , richly illuminated and decorated with Masonic emblems . Bro . E . H .

Hutchinson P . P . S . G . W . of East Lancashire , was called upon to present the address . When ho looked back on the past , he remembered that Colonel Starkie was the son of a most noble Mason , and he reigned over the whole Province of Lancashire with such dignity and grace that he gained the goodwill of the brethren , and when the timo came that it was necessary that the Province should be divided ,

he was ready and willing to divide the district into two great parts . He ( Bro . Hutchinson ) was sure that so long as their Provincial Grand Master was at the head of the Order in this district , he would regard with sympathy , affection , and esteem , all the brethren who dwelt under his care . Nobody knew better than he did how to maintain those feelings of right and justice and charity , in as gentle

yet as forcible a manner as possible . Bro . W . Coddington had great pleasure in supporting the presentation of the address . Ho had had the pleasure of knowing Bro . Starkie for a number of years , and whether he looked upon him as a Freemason , as a gentleman , as a country squire of the good old English type , or , last though not least , as a thorough sportsman —( loud cheers)—he felt thafc they

might go far indeed before they found one who could fulfil his multifarious duties in so able and conscientious a manner . Bro . Starkie rose to reply . Anybody who was placed in tho same situation as he was would feel most gratified , most thankful , and also have sentiments almost similar to those which were in his mind , that it was hardly possible to

find words adequate to express in proper language his thanks for thafc beautiful and touching testimony of their esteem and regard for himself on the one hand , and for the sentiments which had flowed from the lips of Past Grand Officers on the other ; for tho cordial Masonic friendship which had been expressed by his friend Brother Coddington , or by the high degree of honour which

had been done him by the Mayor of that great and important borough in presiding on that occasion . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Hutchinson had alluded to tho long relationship of his family with Freemasonry . He did not like to bo egotistical , but he must say that he did feel proud that for a long series of years his family had been intimately connected in a very high position with

Freemasonry . ( Cheers ) . He believed that if the principles of their Order were carried out with strict integrity they would add to the benefits of mankind by softening asperities , and to the advancement of social and moral good to an incalculable degree , of which those outside the Order could have no idea . Since ho had joined the Order it had led him to meet many men of different opinions , and he had

had the advantage of discussing those opinions in a calm and brotherly manner , without a wish on the part of either to get the better of the other . It was a grand and noble Order ; it had no narrow limits , but proud and noble lines . It had no dogma , but ifc took the grand idea to benefit mankind on earth , and to fit them

better for eternity . He might not have in himself the capabilities entirely to fill all the duties of the Offices he might take , but since he had had the honour of ruling over that province he had met with such kindness of feeling , such nobleness of sentiment , such kind expressions of brotherly love and affection from those he ruled , over , that he had felt how very great were his short-