Royalty And The Craft.

ROYALTY AND THE CRAFT .

'TpHAT Freemasonry has made most rapid strides * during the last quarter of a century is manifest . Not only has it greatly increased numerically , but its influence has widened out and extended to such an

extent as to make it really a power in the worldhappily , a power for good . It is nothing unusual for prominent Brethren among us to ascribe very much of this extension to the

association of the Prince of Wales with the Craft , and the active interest displayed by His Royal Highness and other members of the Royal Family in our doings

and no doubt the intimate association of Royalty with Freemasonry has had much to do with its great extension in recent years .

Hence it is we are particularly pleased in being able to announce to-day that our Royal Grand Master will—by deputy , it is true—lay the foundation stone of the new Schools for the Royal Masonic Institution for

Boys , at Bushey , on Saturday , the 12 th May next , with full Masonic honours . Not only must this announcement be a source of gratification to every supporter of our Institutions , but it also serves to illustrate our text

—Royalty and the Craft—for the deputy selected by the Prince of Wales to act for him on the occasion is none other than his own brother H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught who , despite his many duties at the present

time in Ireland , and the additional work that will devolve upon him in consequence of the Queen ' s visit to the Isle , yet pledges himself to a truly , Masoniq action , and thereby forges another link in the chain which unites the Queen and the Craft .

May the good work to be accomplished in the new Schools at Bushey repay the distinguished members of the Royal Family for the time and attention they had devoted to this branch of the Order .

Next Year's Grand Treasurership.

NEXT YEAR'S GRAND TREASURERSHIP .

OUR well known Brother Horace Brooks Marshall is to be proposed as a candidate for the Office of Grand Treasurer for igbi , and a large number of influential Brethren are already at work of his behalf , under the able direction of Bro . J . D . Langton P . D . G . D . C . of England . The proposed

candidate bears a name long honoured in Freemasonry , his father having been elected to the Office of Grand Treasurer of England in 1884 , but it is not alone as the " son of his father " that the present Bro . H . B . Marshall is entitled to respect and regard . He has been a liberal and consistent

supporter of the three Institutions from the moment he entered the portals of Freemasonry in 1886 , and holds the unique record of having served as Steward to each of the three Charities every year since his initiation , and not only so but he has done much more for the welfare of Freemasonry , having other matters

among , taking a prominent part in the establishment of the Streatham Lodge where , during his year ' s Mastership , he initiated no less than nineteen gentlemen . The names of Brethren willing to support the candidature will be thankfully received by Bro . J . D . Langton , Hon . Sec . of the Election Committee , at 12 New Inn , Strand , London , W . C .

Royalty And The Craft.

ROYALTY AND THE CRAFT .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Chapter of East Lancashire was held in the Exchange , Blackburn , on Thursday . Comp . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Prov . G . H . acted as Grand Superintendent . All the Chapters in the Province , with two exceptions , answered to the roll-call . The Provincial Grand Treasurer

presented his financial statement , which showed a substantial balance in favour of the Chapter . On the motion of Companion Colonel Robinson , seconded by Companion R . Gornall , Companion W . H . Peel , of Perseverance Chapter , Blackburn , was elected Provincial Grand Treasurer .

The other Provincial Officers were appointed and invested as follow :

Comp . Jas . Newton 37 - - - - Scribe B . F . B . Cooper 1055 - Scribe N . W . F . Harrington 204 - Registrar J . Higginson 269 ... - Deputy Register J . F . Reynolds 62 - - - - Sojourner J . Aspinall .... 1 st Assistant Sojourner

J . Wardley 381 . - - - - 2 nd Assistant Sojourner G . T . Lenard 1455 - - - 1 q „ n-a E „ ..,, T . Oliver 325 - J Sword Bearers J . Smith 268 - ) H . T . Grundy .... ' Standard Bearers J . H . Heap 344 - - - - )

A . Mibbert aao - - - - Directors or ceremonies J . W . White 815 - - - - " ) 0 . J . Schofield - £ Assist . Dir . of Cers . T . Stevenson 2341 - - - - \ C . Shaw 993 .... Organist W . H . Buckley 281 - - - - Assistant Scribe E .

Bro . Dr . G . Eady ( Juglans Lodge , Enfield ) , has addressed an appeal to the Medical Journals , on behalf of the little son of the late Bro . F . W . Skrimshire , who is a candidate for the

Boys School at the coming election , and is , he believes , the only one from the medical profession . Our Brother Eady will be pleased . to receive proxies , or they may be sent to Mrs . Skrimshire , Southampton Terrace , Farnborough , Hants .

We are pleased to hear that on Sunday last the pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , at Wood Green , made a voluntary collection amounting to £ g 17 s 3 d on

behalf of the Widows and Orphans of our Forces in South Africa , and that the amount has been paid over to the " Daily Telegraph " Fund . This kindly action is greatly to the credit of the lads .

We are pleased to know the long Masonic services of Bro . W . C . Lupton Chairman of the Charity Committee of West Yorkshire , Mayor of Bradford , are to be recognised at the coming Festival of Grand Lodge , by his appointment as

one of the Junior Grand Deacons of the year . We have had occasion to refer more than once lately to the great liberality of Bro . Lupton , who has won renown for himself by very

handsome personal donations for our troops in South Africa , and zealous efforts on their behalf , apart from the great services he has so long rendered to the Craft .

The installation meeting of the Waltham Abbey Lodge , No . 2750 , will be held on Thursday next , 5 th prox ., at the Cock Hotel , Waltham Abbey , when Bro . James Graham

P . M . 652 Prov . G . Steward will be installed as ruler , in succession to Bro . James Speller P . P . J . G . D . The Lodge is called for 4 o ' clock , and will be followed by a banquet at 6 .

The annual supper of the Royal Alfred Lodge of Instruction , No . 780 , will be held on Thursday , 19 th April next , at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge .