Efforts To Establish A General Grand Lodce.

begun relative to the establishment of a " Grand Lodge of America , " with Gen . Washington as Grand Master . The military Lodges wer . ; responsible for the movement , which originated at a celebration , on St . John ' s Day , 1779 , at Morristown , New Jersey . It is recorded that Washington

attended this meeting . A convention was called to meet on 7 th February 1780 , to consider the subject . It was duly assembled and an address to the Grand Lodge was adopted .

During the month preceding this convention the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held an emergent meeting , and chose Gen . Washington as Grand Master of the United States . It was ordered that the minutes be transmitted to the various

Grand Lodges for their concurrence . The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts did not look favourably on the plans of either convention , and the subject was eventually dropped . During 1790 a proposition to establish a General Grand

Lodge was issued by the Grand Lodge of Georgia , and , strange to say , the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania proved the strongest opponent of the measure . The effort again proved futile .

The Grand Lodge of South Carolina came forth with an aadress in 1799 , setting forth the advantages of a " Superintending Grand Lodge of America . " It was proposed to hold a convention in Washington , but , while

several of the bodies signified their willingness to send delegates , the convention never took place . The experiment was repeated by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in 1803 , but the proposition suffered the same fate .

Similar agitations occurred in 1806 , 1807 and 1811 , and unsuccessful attempts were made to hold conventions . The records of the Grand Lodges make frequent allusions to the subject during this period , and most of them favoured efforts to bring about uniformity in the work , but were hostile to the establishment of a Supreme body .

It was not until 8 th March 1822 , that a convention was finally assembled at Washington to discuss the much-mooted question . At this meeting the great statesman , Henry Clay , presided . An eloquent appeal was drafted and sent to the various Grand Lodges , but most of the bodies remained firm in their opposition .

The Grand Lodge of Maryland was the prime mover in another agitation , in 1845 . An invitation was extended to its sister Grand Lodges to hold a convention at Baltimore

on 23 rd September 1847 . But seven Grand bodies were represented at the meeting . A constitution was adopted , however , and submitted-, without success , to the various Grand Lodges .

The next effort originated in the State of New York , during 1 S 48 , when it was proposed that each of the Grand Lodges outline a constitution for a General Grand Lodge , to be sent with a delegate to Boston in 1850 . The convention never met , however , the idea proving as unpopular as ever .

Friends of the measure had not lost hope , and a meeting was held at Lexington , Kentucky , in 1853 , to arrange for a more complete convention , to be held in 1855 . A series of

nine propositions , entitled ' Articles of Confederation , " was issued to the various Grand Lodges by the latter convention , but failed to awaken enthusiasm , and the usual failure resulted .

The last attempt of this character which amounted to anything was inspired by the Grand Lodge of Maine , in 1857 . A circular was issued urging the formation of a Supreme body at a convention to be held at Chicago ,, in 1859 . The call was responded to , but the attempt again suffered defeat — " Masonic Tidings . "

Star Bicycling Club.

Star Bicycling Club .

T ^ iub , whose members are in a great measure associated with the Craft of Freemasonry , held its twenty-third annual supper on Saturday , 8 th inst ., at the Holborn Restaurant . The Club was established in 187 S , and its members are proud of the fact that it is now one of the most prosperous in the metropolis , and in having Bro . W . T . Imbrey as their Vice President . Their

hospitality is also well known , and was fully exemplified at this year ' s entertainment , which was held in the Caledonian Room at the Holborn , taxed almost to its full capacity by a large assembly . The chair was occupied by Bro . W . T . Imbrey , supported by Bros . B . Barton J . D . Treasurer in the vice' chair , H . Parsons Secretary , H . Reed Vice Captain , W . Brockwell , W . Emerson

Pianist , also Bros . J . Anley P . M ., J . Ibbertson , H . Gee Moore P . M ., E . G . Piatt , W . H . Jeanes , T . H . Palmer , F . J . Meadwell . W . H . Tdley , VV . . A . Wallace , and other Brethren and members . Amongst the many visitors were Bros . " W . S . Wright P . M ., J . Sheffield S . W ., M . Wigginton , D . Wittc S . W ., Koski , Kcckic , F . S . Heiasley , T . Feistel , and others ,

Star Bicycling Club.

Ample justice having been done to the excellent dinner , Bro . W . T . Imbrey in an eloquent speech gave the toast of the Queen and Roval family , which was accorded full musical honours . The Star Bicycling Club was the next toast , and Bro . Imbrey , in proposing it , said he had the pleasure to announce it was the twenty-third anniversary of the Club ' s foundation . It was a great honour to preside at their meeting . He was also very pleased to

say theirs was one of the most prosperous Clubs . Alluding to the record on the shield , he said they had thereon the names of Bros . Oelrichs ( Captain ) , H . Reed ( Vice-Captain ) , and H . Parsons ( Secretary ) . He hoped to have the pleasure of seeing Bro . Parsons ' name repeated on the shield for many years to come . It was not the custom to inscribe the Treasurers name , but Bro . Barton was a hard working member , and certainly deserved it .

Bro . Reed , as Vice-Captain , sincerely thanked the Chairman for his kind remarks . He was proud of the Club , and would do everything in his power for its welfare and prosperity . Bro . Barton also thanked the Chairman and company , and said that the Club had never been in a more satisfactory financial condition than it was at present , although it had given ten guineas to various Charities .

Bro . Parsons Secretary was pleased to say the Club was one of the strongest , and did not want many more members , otherwise they would require joint Secretaries , which did not always work well . He thanked the Chairman for having coupled his name with the toast , and the company for receiving it in so cordial a manner . The Secretary had very much pleasure in proposing the toast of the Visitors and the Press , which toast was heartily received , and responded to .

Bro . Brockwell in highly complimentary and well deserved terms gave the toast of the Chairman , and said that the Club had to thank him in a great measure for its successful gatherings , especially the one that evening . Bro . Imbrey on rising received quite an ovation . He thanked

Bro . Brockwell for his compliment , also the members and company for receiving the toast in such a hearty manner . He was more than delighted to see such a nice assembly and so hearty a company , and was especially pleased to see the faces of several old members . As usual he made a strong appeal to the members not to forget the Charity Box .

Subsequently , Brother Imbrey had very much pleasure in announcing that £ & 12 s 6 d had been contributed for the "Referee " Children ' s Dinner Fund , and that a like amount would be sent to the " Daily Telegraph " Fund . Other toasts followed , and were suitably responded- to . During the evening some excellent songs were given , which added greatly to the enjoyment of the company . Bro . W . Emerson presided at the piano , in a most creditable manner .

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