United Grand Lodge.

ITcrvey , and after his resignation until the appoint"' „ t < f the present Grand Secretary ; and they unani" " usly recommend that in consideration of the assiduous '" jnner in which these services were performed a gratuity " ! ,-o guineas be paid lo Bro . Buss . (( , " ) ' The Board have to report the Masonic misconduct , iliiire No . 160 ; , in passing- a brother with an interval

1 twenty-three dajs only after his initiation . They ° „| ered that the brother in question be re-obligated , and L lodge was fined £ 2 2 S . and admonished . ( -. ) The attention of the Board has been emphatically town to the frequent occurrence in new lodges of

brethren ( other than petitioners ; bung permitted to join on the night of consecration without ballot , and of course •ithout previous proposition , as enjoined by the Constitu-•ns . and directions have been given that an unmistakejble intimation of the illegality of such a proceeding cball accompany the delivery of every new warrant . ( Signed ) JOHN B . MONCKTON , President .

freemasons' Hall , London , W . C ., 17 th February , 18 S 0 . To the rcpott is subjoined a statement of the Grand L OII accounts , at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 13 th February inst ., showing a balance in the Bank of England of £ 4087 17 s . 6 d . ; an d in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash / -5 , and for servants' wages £ 9 6 15 s ., and £ 22 14 s . 5 d . i „ the hands of the Solicitor of the Society .

The President will move : — 1 . That the rcporc be received and entered on the minutes . 2 . That the various works mentioned in the report be carried out , and that it be referred back to the Board lo execute the same in accordance with the estimates submitted .

3 . That the recommendation in paragraph five of the report , with reference to the Assistant Grand Secretary , be adopted . Bro . Levander seconded the motion . The Pro Grand Master : It is necessary for me to make a few remarks on the first paragraph of the report of the Board of General Purposes . By that first paragraph you

will observe it is stated that it having come to the knowledge of the Board that the freehold premises adjoining Freemasons' Hall were about to be sold by auction , it was thought desirable to acquire the same at a fair price , and itivas referred to the Premises Committee 10 take steps accordingly . Well , I am aware of the circumstances under which this purchase was made , and I am quite

conscious that the Board of General Purposes and their Chairman , who have had such long experience in all matters of the Craft—1 am quite conscious of the motives which influenced them . They knew that the property was a very impoitant property to Grand Lodge , and they felt that a discussion about it might cause the price to be raised , and that , therefore , they were justified in taking the

responsibility on themselves and in purchasing it for the benefit of Grand Lodge . Thuse are circumstances which may occur in business , which constantly do occur , and nbich circumstances are a justification for an unusual act on the pait of those in authority . At the same time we must remember that the law of Grand Lodge is extremely clear on this subject . The Constitutions lay down what

things the Board ot General Purposes may do , and the things they may not do . They have power to provide everything for the use of Grand Lodge ; but this docs not include the puichase of freehold property . It is quite clear that the Constitutions should net he broken . Rules are laid down for all time , and these laws are not made to he broken . It is my duty ' to uphold them , and the interests of the Craft in

the long run will be the better for it . Looking to these rules I ihmk it will be necessary to refer this matter to a Committee to consider ami advise Grand Lodge on the subject . This was the view I took of the matter as soon as- I saw the words on the paper ; and i have since had the opportunity of talking the matter over with the Gin ml Registrar , and also with Bro . Monckton , and

they concur in my views . I think that by adopting the course 1 have indicated , and referring the matter to a Committee , > ve shall ultimately uphold the conclusion to which tie Board of General Purposes have ome ; the propeity will be se-curnl to Grand Lodge , and we shall make it perfectly clear that we intend to guide ourselves strictly by the written law of the Constitution .

Bro . Monckton seconded the motion of the Pro Grand Master . Bro . Clenck suggested that the amount mentioned in the report—some £ 7000—should be referred to the same Committee . The Pro Grand Master : I think we had better not comt I'licate the matters by mixing them up . The first motion

'shall put lo Grand Lodge is that this report be taken as read . In reference to paragraph one , it has been moved ; lhat , whilst this Grand Lodge acknowledges the action of 'he Board of General Purposes in the purchase of freehold property , the matter should be referred to a Committee '" nsisting of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand faster , the Secretary and the Chairman of the Board of

Central Purposes . The motion was then put and carried unanimously . The Pro Grand Master then explained that he had taken the chair , though under some physical infirmity , begged that Grand Lodge would dispense with his services for the remainder of the fitting , and retired .

Bro . Monckton then called attention to the second clause of the repoit , and explained that the Benevolent Institutions had cried out loudly for increased accommodation ; that the Board had considered the matter , and now asked Grand Lodge to say whether their suggestions should be carried out in practice . Plans had been prepared by the Grand Superintendent of Woiks , and he was led to believe

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that the arrangements would meet with the approval o the Institutions . Bro . Clenck inquired whether this expenditure of £ 4000 would be open to competition . Bro . Monckton said that would certainly be the case . Bro . Binckes asked how the plans had been submitted . He , as Secretary of one of the Institutions interested , could say that he was not aware that any plans had beer .

submitted tj the Institutions . Bro . Monckton explained that until they had the sanction of Grand Ledge they were not in a position to submit them officially , but Bro . Col . Creaton , who sat beside him , was his authority for the statement he had made . The motion was then put and carried . Clause No . 3 , as to the conversion of the library into an office for Grand Secretary , did net call for any important

discussion . Bro . Monckton : Clause No . 4 is a matter of great importance ; it related to the painting and cleaning of the interior of Freemasons' Hall , which , in the opinion of the Grand Superintendent of Works , would , with a moderate amount of decoration , cost some £ 3000 , and it was for Grand Lodge to say whether it should be done at the

present time . Financially there was no obstacle , as tbey had £ 11 , 000 or £ 12 , 000 in the Three per Cents . The motion having been seconded , Bro . Clenck thought that the matter might very well be deferred for another twelve months , and moved an amendment to that effect , but did not find any one to second it . The motion for the expenditure of £ 3000 for painting

and cleaning Freemasons' Hall was then put and carried . Bro . Monckton : Clause No . 5 is a personal matter in which I believe we shall have your hearty sympathy . Bro . Buss represented the Grand Secretary during Bro . Hervey ' s illness and absence in a most assiduous manner , and the Board of General Purposes has thought it only fair to mark their appreciation of his services by recommending to Grand Lodge to hand him a gratuity of

150 guineas . Bro . Levander seconded the motion , with an expression of regret , as a member of the Board , that they did not see their way to make it a larger sum . The motion was put and carried unanimously . The report of Bro . R . P . Harding , Auditor of Grand Lodge accounts of receipts and disbursements during the

year 1879 , was read and ordered to be recorded . Bro . Britten wished to call attention of Grand Lodge to the fact that while it was said that the Board of Benevolence had exceeded its income for the last twelve months , they had a fund of £ 50 , 000 in hand . He did not think that under the circumstances it could be said that they had overstepped their income , or needed to retrench .

Bro . John M . Clabon , P . G . D ., President of the Lodge of Benevolence , moved that the following additions be made to the Book of Constitutions , Fund of Benevolence : — 17 . Until Grand Lodge shall otherwise direct , onethird of the annual suiplus of the Fund of Benevolence shall be appropriated for the Royal

Masonic Institution for Boys , and another third for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , m forming funds for apprenticing the children of Freemasons who have been in those Schools , or in otherwise assisting them to commence life . i 8 . Such one-third parts respectively shall be invested in the names of four Trustees for each School ,

to be appointed by Grand Lodge , and the . ividends paid to the Treasurer of each School . 19 . The General Committee , on the recommendation of the House Committee of each School , may apply the dividends of the funds respectively appropriated to the School for the benefit of children who have been at the School

during the preceding twelve months , in apprenticing them to any business or profession , or otherwise aiding them to obtain employment , or in applying any sum granted by annual instalments for a limited period for the benefit of those proceeding to any school , college , or university . 20 . No sum exccceUng £ 25 shall be appropriated for

the benefit of any child without the consent of the Quarterly Court of the School ; and such Court shall render to Grand Lodge an annual account of the receipts and expenditure on account of the said fund . That the Constitutions , No . 3 Fund of Benevolence , be amended by adding , after the word " shall "

m the second line , the words ' except as provided for by Clauses 17 , 18 , 19 , and 20 . " Bro . Clabon : M . W . Pro . G . Master , this is not the first time that I have submitted this resolution to Grand Lodge . About twelve years ago a Committee was appointed to revise the rules of the lodge , and I gave such reasons as the Committee had in their mind for declining

to adopt them . There was then about £ 25 , 000 invested . Grand Lodge said that that was not enough , and that the capital must not be dealt with . In , I think , 1874 I thought something might be done with the surplus . The fund was then £ 37 , , and there was an annual surplus , but Grand Lodge still said—We have not accumulated enough . Other six years have passed , and the fund now

amounts to £ 50 , 000 . The revenue from this and the quarterage fees make something like £ 8000 . The Lodge of Benevolence has the power as at present constituted to spend the whole ot that sum if it thinks fit . I only ask for a portion of the surplus when there is one . He considered that they could not better apply a surplus than by

assisting boys and girls leaving the schools—who could not themselves immediately become bread winners—by apprenticing the boys and enabling the girls to become nursery governesses . He was aware , however , that there was a strong feeling against his proposition among some of the members of the Lodge of Benevolence , who were in

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favour of spending all they had the power to spend , so that there should be no surplus . Under these circumstances he should not press his motion , and would withdraw it . As , however , there might be some brethren present desirous of saying a few words he would move the resolution pro forma . Dr . Jabez Hogg seconded Bro . Clabon ' s motion , and

argued that though the Grand Registrar had laid it down that , in terms of the Constitution , no part of the funds of the Lodge of Benevolence could be diverted , he might , on reconsidering them , find that it was possible to do so , as the spending money for the objects proposed was in itself an act of benevolence . He went on to say that in the Board schools , and every strata of society , the plan of assisting

scholars to a higher education was beginning to prevail , and he thought that Freemasonry should not hesitate to follow their example . Bro . Thomas enquired whether the motion was before Grand Lodge or not . The motion had been withdrawn by Bro . Clabon . He himself held that they would be misappropriating funds intended for the relief of aged and indigent brethren and their widows . The Institutions B < -o .

Clabon was pleading for were well supported in other ways . Masonry had greatly increased of late years , thereby increasing the funds , but they must bear in mind that by increased numbers of the whole body they were certain in future years to have increased numbers applying for relief , and it was therefore inexpedient to do anything to impair the resources of the Lodge of Benevolence . Tl . e subject then dropped , and Grand Lodge was closed with solemn prayer .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft jteonrg .

ROYAL SOMERSET HOUSE AND INVERNESS LODGE ( No . 4 ) . —The installation meeting of this old lodge , acting from time immemorial , was held on Monday evening , the 23 rd ult ., at the Freemasons' Hall , Great Q . ueen-street . Bro . Mackintosh , M . D ., W . M ., after having initiated Mr . Edward Weldon into Freemasonry , installed in the most impressive manner

Bro . Horace Browne , M . A ., into the chair of K . S . The new W . M . then appointed his officers as follows-. Btos . G . Holl , S . W . ; the Rev . — Lonsdale , J . W . ; Chynoweth , P . M ., Treas . ; West , P . M ., Sec . ; the Rev . G . W . Weldon , S . D . ; Whitmore , J . D . ; West , I . G . ; Leepart , D . C ; and Speight , P . M ., Tyler . Among the brethren and visitors present we noticed Bros . Philbrick , ft . C , P . G . D . ; Locock Webb , Q .. C , P . M . ; Meadows , M . D ., P . M . ;

Bennett , P . M . ; N . W . Dunn , P . M . ; Bothamley , P . M . ; Thomas , P . M . ; Edward Swanborough , W . M . Lodge oi Asaph ; J . Walker , S . W . Weldon , Tinney , J . Child , and others . After the lodge was closed the brethren partook of an elegant banquet , served at the Freemasons' Tavern . The musical arrangements were of the most enjoyable nature , and the artistes who assisted included Bro . Stedmau ' s choir , Bros . Tinney , and Child , and Miss Webster .

FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 V—This lodge met at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 24 th ult . rhere were present among others Bros . Rumball , W . M . ; Moirison , S . W . ; Heaphy , J . W . ; Carter , P . M ., Treas . ; W . Stuart , P . M ., Sec . ; C . Dairy , l . P . M . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middx ., S . D . ; Clark , J . D . ; Whitby , W . S ., acting I . G . ; Jordan , D . C ; E . Hopwood , P . P . G . S . B . Middx .,

P . M . ; Green , P . M . ; Themans , P . M . ; Cobham , P . M . ; and Longstaffe , Tyler . Among the visitors were Bros . Simpson , W . M . 1178 ; Linton , W . M . Brownrigg ; J . Cox , l . P . M . 7 65 ; Filler , J . W . 1793 ; Howe , S . D . Strong Man ; Goodchild , I . G . 1793 ; Pratt , 957 ; Contrire , 1306 ; Buckingham , 16 77 ; E . ' D . Cox , City of Westminster ; and King , Eccleston . The minutes of the previous meeting

having been read and confirmed , the W . M . passed Bros . Harrison , How , and Mason , and initiated Mr . Alexander McMullen , the ceremonies being well performed . The lodge having been clcsed , the brethren adjourned to a most elegant and well served banquet . Upon the removal of the cloth the customary routine of toasts was done full justice to . In proposing " The Health of the W . M ., " the

l . P . M . said tint no lodge could be blessed with a ktnderhearted Master than Bro . Rumball had proved himself to be . He had moreover done his " work " well , and he ( the l . P . M . ) hoped that the W . M . ' s health would be suffi . ciently good to enable him to complete his year ot office in the same admirable way as had hitherto characterised it . In conclusion , the speaker congratulated the lodge upon

its present prosperous condition . The W . M ., in reply , briefly said that it was a source of gratification to him to think that he had succeeded in pleasing them all . His health was not so good as it might be , and he trusted that should there be any shortcomings on his part the brethren would , on that account , kindly grant him their indulgence . In concluding his remarks , he said that he felt

exceedingly grateful to the l . P . M . for the manner in which he had proposed his health , and to the brethren for the hearty way that they had received it . " The Initiate " followed . Bro . McMullen , in response , said that he felt exceedingly honoured in having been admitted a member of their old lodge . He went on to say that he hoped that his future career in the Cti » ft would be such as not to bring discredit upon their ancient institution . To be a

Freemason was an honour he had for years coveted , and he took that opportunity of returning his thanks to his proposer , Bro . Carter , for having given him that chance . From what he had gleaned that evening he firmly believed that Freemasonry was one of the most valuable and distinguished institutions in the world . _ " The Health of the Visitors " came next in order , and this pledge having been received with excellent ' * fire , " Btos . Piller . Goodchild ,