Red Cross Of Constantine.

nsecration of the conclave ; R . Young , Prelate ; W . P . Vines , Recorder ; J . McWean , S . P . ; T . Roberts , J . P . ; L . fourtenay , Orator ; Archdeacon , H . R . Pearson , S . B . ; J . R . Goepel , P-S-, D- C ; P- Ball , Sentinel . Sir Knight the Rev . Dr . Hyde was present as a visitor . A sumptuous repast followed the business . Eight Sir Knights took the order of St . Lawrence , and two guineas were handed over lo the funds of the Hamer Benevolent Fund .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

On Wednesday evening the quarterly convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden at Freemasons' Hall . Dr . R- Hamilton presided as M . E . Z . ; Col . Burdett as u- and Comp . S . Rawson as J . Among the other ' mpjnions . present were Col . Creaton , as S . E . ; Capt .

jf . Phillips , S . N . ; Peter de L _ nde Long , P . S . James Glaisher , as ist A . S . ; Robert Grey , 2 nd A . S . ; A . J . D . Filer , Robinson , F . Adlard , Hyde Pullen , J . C Parkinson , Thomas Fenn , Benjamin Head , Capt . Piatt , Andrew Holman , P . G . S . B . ; R . T . Elsam , Z ., 185 ; J . McDougall , jl , Q 13 ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . Z . 177 , & c . ; John Canham ,

H . 22 ; Edward Cox , P . Z . 360 ; R . Loveland-Loveland , Z . 2-7 ; Henry Reed , P . Z . 180 ; C . Burmeister , Z . 53 8 ; W . Step hens , Z . 865 ; E . Driver , H . 742 ; H . C . Levander , P . Z . 720 ; Dr - Ramsay , Z . 877 ; H . Massey , P . Z . 619 ( Freemason ); and J . R . Kerr , P . G . J ., G . C . of Canada . There were also several other Principals of chapters

present . After Grand Chapter had been opened , the warrants recommended by Grand Chapter Committee to be granted were granted . The granting of the charter for the Wanderers' Chapter raised considerable discussion , some companions holding that as Grand Chapter had a rule that no charter should

be granted to a lodge which had not been three years in existence , the rule ought not to be relaxed in favour of this lodge , which , though a military lodge , had only been in existence fourteen months . In the end the companions resolved not to grant the charter . A motion , of which Comp . John Mason had given notice ,

was not proceeded with , because Comp . / E . J . Mclntyre was on the South Wales circuit , and Comp . John Mason was too ill to attend . The next business was the voting 100 guineas for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at St . John , New Brunswick .

Col . Creaton said that all the companions were familiar with the circumstances attending the late lamentable fire at St . John , in New Brunswick , and he should , therefore , in a very conc-se form , place them before the companions . There were 375 acres consumed and 70-0 families were burnt out , making about 20 , 000 people houseless ; the value of the property destroyed was about 13 , 000 , 000

dollars , of which only about one-fifth was covered by insurance . With this simple statement he thought he might at once put the motion— "That the sum of too guineas be granted from the funds of Grand Chapter for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at St . John , New Brunswick . He was sure it wouldbe a great boon to those sufferers , and , at the same time , a very graceful act .

Comp . S . Rawson , acting J ., seconded the motion , and added that the amount should be sent to Grand Lodge of Quebec for distribution , as they were best able to appropriate the amount . Comp . Thomas Fenn , objected to this , as there was no

reference to Freemasonry in the matter . He would propose that it be paid to the general fund . Comp . Creaton said he presumed this would be the Mansion House Fund . Comp . Rawson consented to this , and the motion was carried without a dissentient voice . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

The ninth annual festival in aid of the Mark Benevolent fund was held at the Alexandra Palace on Wednesday , "to 1 st inst ., the R . W . Bro . Right Hon . the Earl of Donoughmore , G . S . W ., in the chair , supported by the follow-^ g , including , as will be seen , some guests not belonging

R . W . Bros . C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; V . W . Rev . F . W . inoyts , G . Chap . ; Fredk . Davison , G . Treas . ; Fredk . anew . P . G . J . W ., G . Sec . ; Thos . Meggy , P . M . Mac T 1 , ° dge ' * -M- ° - i W . Bros . Berridge , P . M . Mac-Pn » . U * - ' S " Rosenthal , P . M . Old Kent Lodge , Br 1 ' u * J ' * Wynne > P - - Old Kent Lodge , P . G . I . G . ; ™ - J . H . Spencer . W . M . Southwark ¦>¦> . P . fi . l . R . r fi

d _ rTi ? .. ' * * Steward ; Alfred Williams , P . M . Mac H _ M ' ' ' ' ; R'cl * ard Boggett , W . M . Humber . ; P . S . ownson , Humber , 182 ; A . Middleton , P . G . Steward Che _ h _ . Ge ° ' Hi SS ' ' * * * North wales and snire ; H . R . Coouer Smith . Carnavnn T . nd _ . , Ramn

Aldersh _; M ,- Capt ; Henry Berridge > T . J . Pulley , J . W . Kent t J MlUlary Lodge , Henry Wm . Binckes , P . M . Old c . J h LoQ ge . G . A . S . dples ^ f ( - _ a , S 0 many ladies r 5 t bcin E one ° f the prinarranr . IK 1 rk AIasons in holding their festivals to table . es add t 0 the * ustre oi 'heir banquet Bertram * !? n Was served in admirable style by Bros . 'J ' he " Roberts , the lessees of the Alexandra Palace . ¦ «•musical _ r , n „ . . _ .... . ____ , _ . .. ¦ " ¦ " ¦¦ 5 * - ¦¦ airection

'" adamp .., - " : " ¦ _ were unuer me Thadd . l \ ,. ,. Wclls > 'he vocalists being Mad . Elmore ? „; . *?* Mad * Alice Barnett ; Bro . Frank V H . ' nr ,, n , * Horscroft ; and the instrumentalist , At th . y ^ . ' * * * Organist , Middlesex . and said , , . lusion of 'he banquet , the Chairman rose ' ladies and Brethren , in introducing the toast

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

list to you to night , I should just like , before I begin it , to state what the ' nature of the toast is . There are some toasts which are usual on all occasions like the present , and there are others which are of special importance , and though I have no doubt they will all be received by you with pleasure , there are some—especially the toast of the evening—which will demand more attention than the

rest . We must not forget that there are such things as trains , which wait for no man , nor must we overlook the new class of men that has sprung up—the obstructivesand I assure you though I have some Irish blond in my veins , I have no wish to be classed with the Irish obstructives , and therefore I should not waste time over the toast list . With these few observations , I give you the first

toast " The Queen and Mark Masonry . " The Chairman : —Brethren , the second toast is " The Health of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " And I see on my toast list that the name of one member is particularly referred to , namely , Prince Leopold . I feel very much honored in proposing this toast , and the mention of Prince Leopold's name

is very agreeable to me , because I and another brother Mason lately vacated offices which were afterwards held by Prince Leopold , and his illustrious brother ; and we feel honoured tllat offices held by us are considered not unworthy of these illustrious brethren . The Chairman : —It is only a few weeks ago that I had to propose this toast that I am about to give you . I

proposed it after very valuable advice I received from the very worshipful brother sitting opposite ( Bro . Binckes ) , together with information upon what I may call the statistics of the Tvlark Degree , which enabled me to put before the party assembled the very satisfactory effect of having occupied the Grand Master ' s chair . I reminded the company assembled of the effect I refer to , namely , that there

were a great many Mark Grand Masters alive . We were only a lot of men sitting round that table , and I now repeat it for the benefit of the ladies . It is a very curious fact that we have seven Grand Masters alive , and , I believe , well , for it is so short a time since , that it is very unlikely anything has happened to them . I state it with a view to encourage them to think that if they could in any

way persuade those with whom they have influence to become Mark Masons , they might be doing a very good action . There are the Earl of Limerick , the Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Leigh , Lord Holmesdale , Bro . Portal , Bro . Beach , and Bro . Lord Percy . Brethren , I give you " The GrandMastersPast and Present . " Bro . Baron de Ferricres : —Mr . Chairman , Ladies and

Gentlemen , I confess that it is a great pleasure for me to rise and be able to say " Ladies " as well as " Brethren . " We have not quite reached the position of America , where the ladies are Masons , and where they have lodges of lady Masons . Though we cannot say "Sisters" it isa great pleasure to say " Ladies , " and I trust that the ladies will confess that the ladies are treated better by Mark Masons

than by Masons in general . I he Fast festival I attended was in Freemasons' Hall , where the ladies viewed the dinner from a gallery . Here , however , we have had them amongst us , and I am sure we have all enjoyed our dinner the better for their society . The toast committed to my hands , [ I presume , because all present are Grand Officers , or Past

Grand officers , ] is the Health of Lord Sk' lmersdale , and all the Grand Officers Past and Present . " We have heard that there is somethins . very conducive to health , in the Grand Mastership of Mark Masons , and there appears to be every probability r . f our numbers increasing very rapidly . I confess , as a Mark Mason , I do think our Craft is not recognised as it should be ; I do think that Masons in

general are apt to look down on Mark Masonry ; are apt to look upon us coldly . However gentlemen , without prolonging the time , I will at once give you " The Health of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " coupled with the name of Bro . Matier . Bro . Matier : —Right Worshipful Brother Chairman , ladies and brethren , for the last six years , my name has

has the honor of being coupled with the toast proposed . It is always with a very large amount of diffidence that I rise to respond to it , there being great number of brethren who could respond to it much better . Suffice it to say of the Grand Officers , that I believe , land they have done our best . As Deputy Grand Master , we have had Lord Skelmersdale . In addition to this post he occupies

ihe office of Prov . Grand Master of thc Province of Lancashire , the largest province in Mark Masonry . The other Grand Officers it would ill become nie to speak of , seeing that you sir , are the chief of them for the present year ; and that the Past Grand Officers have done their duty , 1 think this meeting amply shows . Bro . Matier concluded by reminding tie Chairman , that in proposing

the health of the Royal Family , he had omitted to call attention also to the Duke of Connaught , who also belonged to the Mark Degree , adding that he obtained it in Ireland , where he would shortly be made Prior . Major Barlow : —Ladies , brethren and friends , I have now to propose a toast , and I am perfectly sure that you will anticipate what that toast is ; I allude to our

worthy chairman who has presided over us this fvening , ( loud and continued applause ) . After that reception it will not require much' more for me to say , except that the G . S . W , of the Mark Degree , has presided over us ; and I also have very great pleasure in stating to the brethren connected with the Mark Degree that this has been the most successful collection we have

had ; with that process the influence 01 the Chairman has much to do . It is so with all charities , and we know that it is so . The song which is to follow is rather appropriate , because as we have always a fresh president every year , and we are now to hear a song of " The love who has sailed away , " which , I think , is rather appropriate . Without further preface I beg to propose "The Health of the Right Hon . the Earl of Donoughmore , S . G . W . of England ,

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

long life , and prosperity to him . I only wish to add that I trust I mty live to see him occupy the position of G . M . in the Mark Degree . The Chairman : —Ladies , brethren , and gentlemen , I do not know q ; iite wh t to respond to this toast . I think I may say that the s-ing has been very impressive , and calculated to carry one away . My invitation to take this

position this evening was rather sudden , and the notice somewhat short , but these sudden pleasures are always the greater . The position I occupy to night I shall look back to with pleasure and pride . I h ive heard a rumour that there is a lot of money flying about . I hope it is true ; it wil" be a happy recollection for mc , with these words I will ask you to accept my very heartfelt thanks

for the way in which you have received my name , and I will now proceed to the more important matter of the toast ofthe evening , " The Mark Misonic Ben . volent Fund . " Well , you will expect me to go a little into the history of the fund . Ic is now nine years , arid I think we may say that steadily—for nine years measures the age—the prosperity of the fund has been on the increase . There is one

feature connected with the fund , which to me individually is one of very good omen ; and that is that the fund is not connected with the Freemasonry of this country alone . In giving relief we have gone beyond the channel , and have also assisted brethren in Scotland and Ireland , and this was done in what I may call the struggling days of the fund ; in these struggling days the effort was made

and the effor t has now met with its reward . Whenever a pressing emergency did arise there has been no stinginess , but substantial aid has been forthcoming . In the past year three large grants were made from the fund . As far as the fund itself is concerned it has reached a point where its prosperity is assured . Now , however , I want to think of those to whom the prosperity of the fund is du ? .

There are two names in particular . One is Bro . Mrggy , whose exertions have been very great , and participating with him is Bro . Binckes , and to these two are mainly due the success of this fund . 1 am told , apropos of this particular matter , of a school in contemplation in connecrion with this fund when it reaches a certain state of prosperitythat there will be a school for the children of Mark Master

Masons , assisted by their own particular fund . And I should like to express the wish before we sit down that some progress may speedily b : made in it . When we are dealing with any particular fund the object is generally a charitable object , and if we can assist what extends over a very large section of the Craft by means of this fund without restricting the objects of the charity or hurting

ourselves , —what I mean is if we keep ourselves withir the four corners of the intentions of the fund , we need not be perfectly exclusive , and we can be helping others . With these words I conclude , and have said them with the wish for the prosperity of the institution and with very keen appreciation of it-i success . Bro . Meggy , in returning thanks , stated that during

the last nine years twenty-four families hid received substanial assistance from the fund ; and latterly the generosity of the brethren had enabled them to increase the amounts they could give , so that sums of £ 20 , £ 25 , or £ 30 were given when occasion arose . It was satisfactory also to say that they had £ 600 at present invested . Bro . Binckes , Grand Sec , also returned thanks , and

stated that the present years was by a very considerable sum the largest amount collected at any festival of the Mark Degree , and after some earnest appeals on behalf of the school , called up'in the Assistant Sec . ( Bro . H . W . Binckes ) , to announce the amounts of the Stewards' lists , which were as follows , giving a total of £ 232 2 s . Wm . Barfoot , Simon de Montfort Lodge ... £ 194 . o o

Rev . F . W . Thoytes 26 o o C . W . Wyndham 20 1 o J . C . Podevin , Dover and Cinque Ports Lodge , 152 10 10 o J . H , Spencer , Southwark Lodge , 22 ......... 9 18 6 J . D . Moore , Moore Lodge , 146 10 17 6 Richard Boggett , Humber Lodge , 182 30 15 o Arthur Middleton , St . Andrew ' s Lodge , 34 nil o

H . Cooper Smith , Carnarvon Lodge , 7 ... 14 14 o Alfred Williams , Macdonald Lodge , 10 4 ... 11 11 o G . Higgins , Cheshire and N . Wales 29 8 o Major G . Barlow , Studholme Lodge 197 3 3 o John Wordsworth 5 3 o S . Rosenthal 3 60 F . Binckes , Aldershot Military Lodge 54 27 3 o F . M . Tindall , R . Arnison , C . H . Perrot , Britannia Lodge 53 15 15 o

Total J . 2 .. 2 2 o Bro . Frederic Davison proposed "The Health of the Board of Stewards , " coupling with it the name of Bro . Boggett , who had collected the largest amount . Bro . Bogget having returned thanks , Bro . Meggy proposed " The Health of the Ladies , " which ( with the Chairman ' s concurrence ) he called the

toast of the evening , as the ladies were the most important feature in securing the success of these festivals , and he trusted that those who came would use their influence to bring their friends another time . Hc coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Cooper Smith , who briefly

returned thanks . The musical arrangements were very complete , and the efforts of the artistes pleasantly filled the intervals between the speeches . We may congratulate Bro . Binckes on the admirable arrangements , which secured so pleasant an evening .

The total receipts from the revenue into the National Exchequer from the ist April to the 14 th inst . were £ 21 , 805 , 837 . In the corresponding period of last year they were £ 21 , 442 , 931 . The expenditure was £ 26 , 644 , 677 ,, against £ 26 , 5 , 21 , 291 last year . The balance * n the Bauk of England on Saturday was £ 1 , 132 , 430 , and in the Bank of Ireland £ 532 , 405 .