United Grand Lodge.

brethren present to allow him to state his case without interruption . If they would do so he would , on his part , make his remaiks as short as possible , considering thc advanced hour , and he should be quite prepared to take the verdict e . f Grand Lodge as to a settlement of the question . He then went on to show that there were certain aiticlcs of union belonging to the Craft Which were a sort

of standing orders by which thc Craft was regulated and governed , and that this prescribed one code of working which should be maintained , upheld , and practised throughout the Masonic world . He could not understand that any more forcible regulations could have been laid down than those which were laid down in 1813 . These rules appeared to have been acted on in 1815-16 , and a rite was

rehearsed in Grand Lodge and ordered to be worked in all Masonic lodges . Therefore , Bro . Stevens said , in 1816 there was what he hoped to ask Grand Lodge to decide upon—a standard ritual ; and the question he had to ask them now was , Had that standard ritual been observed ? He was not speaking of the mere wording to be used . He did not expect that every one should use the same wording ,

it was not that he asked , but it was the doing away with many matters which were a disgrace to Masonry . Ten years ago he had attempted to enter a Masonic lodge in the provinces , and he found that , though he was a Mason of many years' standing , he did not understand the Entered Apprentice ' s sign ; and gave some other instances of wide divergencies from the ordinary ritual

which were in vogue in provincial lodges . In consequence of this , on the matter being brought before Grand Lodge in December , 186 9 , it was decidetl that , with a view to the greater uniformity of working , a Committee of Past Masters be appointed to report to Grand Lotigeand

recommend a remedy ; which resolution was ratified in March , 1870 . He did not know how it was , but somebody blundered ; and the committee was never appointed . Since that time things had gone from bad to worse ; but the same arguments for the appointment of a Committee which were held to be sufficient in 1861 were not held to

be sufficient now . It was not now a question whether the teacher knew whpt he was teaching , or the learner what he was learning ; but it was a question of the absolute setting aside of Masonic morality . It was not only in the provinces that such divergencies occurred , hut in some parts of London also ; and therefore he hoped that this Committee of Past Masters would be formed with a view

to put down the vcry gross evils that existed . Bro , Stevens said that the objection urged was that he was advocating manuals of rituals . He condimned manuals of rituals as much as anybody . He believed that if wc searched there was in the archives a standard of working , but there was no authorised printed look extant to instruct Freemasons in any way . And yet there were

booksmanuals of the ritual—in all parts of the world ; and he asked , was it not a shame that they should be found in English lodges ? Were they recognised by Grand Lodge ? They were printed and sold as if they were authorised , and the younger brethren of the Craft , at least , were thereby misled . Here was a printed book , and here was the printed adveitisement

which stated that Bro . A . Mason was the publisher ' s name , whereas in annther instance we had it that a book was published by authority . Bro . Stevens added that hc had the printed matter there which hc referred to . He would not detain the biethren , but hc asked them , in enmmon sympathy with the task he had undertaken , to give him that patience which he had himself given to thc

subject . He had met with a great deal of opposition , but at the same time , he must own he had also met with a great deal of support . Bro . Stevens went on to say lhat he woultl leave the consideration of such comparatively small matters as he had been speaking of , and turn to unity of essentials . He then laid before Grand Lodge a statement of things existing in some lodges quit- ; out of harmony

with the spirit of Freemasonry . In this portion of his speech Bro . Stevens necessarily entered into details which it would be un-Masonic to publish , and concluded with his motion , which was , " 1 hat the Committee be now appoii ttd which had alrtady been voted . " Bro . Marsh sreemded the motion . Bro . Woodfonl rose to ask the Grand Lodge lo vote

a direct negative to the motion , and reviewed the various improvements of the ritual since 1723 down to the latest improvements effected by Preston . He said that in 1723 Bros . Desaguliers and Anderson are stated to have put together the first ritual , subsequently altered by Clare , emendated by Dunckerley , and improved by Prenton , who was said to have used two

versions . In addition to these there were from the middle of the last centuiy the concurrent system of the " Antients , " which had great influence on English Freemasonry , so that previous to 1813 there werc five distinct systems of ritual . Jn 1813 it was endeavoured to combine the two systems of the " Antients " and the " Moderns , " so called , and thc very incident that Bro . Stevens has mentioned

about the Master ' s light , showed a point of disagreement whicii had never been reconciled . Dr . Hemming was tlie brother to whom , in 1813 , the Duke of Sussex confided the rearrangement of the ritual , which was henctfoith to be one , but his original ritual was subsequently perfected by Bro . Williams , and this was the system now in vogue in the Lotlge nf Emulation . But Dr . Hemming ' - * ritual

was still extensively usetl , and was represented by the Stability Lodge of In .-truciioti . And thru , in addition , then- w * r- st-v-.-- .--l woikings in England . Thtre was , for inst ma-, the working of I ' ri ston , and even remains ot the ancient working . Grand Lodge in its toltration had wisely

helti , as I'nig as essentials were maintained , and sti long as thet . bligatitoiis were correctly givenjibeity o ! verbiage should be allowed 10 all lodges . The worthy brother who hatl proposed this motion must be aware that there , were a great number of brethren in this Grand Lodge who arc not prepared to say that all the alterations of 181-1 were

United Grand Lodge.

altogether advisable . The whole question settled in 1813 must be again gone into . If wc agree to refer the ritual to a Board oi Preceptors , each one ot whom may have his favourite system , it would remain a difficulty to secure unanimity ; and if unanimity were secured , it would be difficult to carry their resolutions into effect . Bro . Woodfotd referred again to the point he had before mentioned

about the Master ' s light , and stated that since' the year 1813 , notwithstanding circulars on the subject from Gran J Lodge , the practice to which various lodges had been accustomed was still maintained among them . He called upon the brethren , therefore , not to pass this resolution . If they did , they would simply make the fortune of one or two degraded brethren , who are selling rituals to the

Craft . Bro . Woodford concluded by moving a direct negative to Bro . Stevens ' s motion . Bro . J . While rose to move that the question be not put . He thought Bro . Stevens had been indiscreet , inasmuch as he had got up a correspondence in a public print , and had afterwards collected and published the same under the title " What is Correct ; " and the week before last there

was the whole discussion in print in a leading article . ( On Bro . While referring to some objectionable letter that had appeared in print , Bro . Stevens iose and vehemently de . nied all knowledge of such a letter . ) Bro . While continued , and said that in the same paper , and in the leading article last week , they actually discussed the question about an alteration in the Third Degree .

The remainder of Bro . While ' s speech was inaudible , for having alluded to Bro . Stevens as the Grand Master of Preceptors , Bro . Stevens protested , and consilerable noise prevailed during the conclusion of Bro . Wnile ' s speech . Bro . Simpson said that , as one of those who had listened to this case , anxious to hear the truth and to vote according to that hearing , he was placed in a difficulty .

The amendment called upon them to give a direct negative to Bro . Stevens ' s motion , which was only for the giving effect to a resolution solemnly passed by Grand Lodge ten years ago . If subsequent facts had altered previous convictions then that negative might be given ; but if it vvas admitted that the objectionable facts , previously condemned , werc still existing , and as deserving as ever of

condemnation , he did not see how Grand Lodge could do other than follow the matter to a logical conclusion by voting the motion proposed by Bro . Stevens , which was to nominate a Committee already agreed to be appointed . And if there were reasons ten years ago , when Alasons were comparatively limited in number , for appointing this Committee , in consequence of errors in performance of the

ritual , it was likely that there were still stronger reasons now for doing so , as the errors were likely to have greatly multiplied , in consequence of the vast increase in tbe number of lodges since the date of that resolution nf Grand Lodge . Bro . Simpson , after reminding Grand Lodge that if they . carried out the system laid down by Bio Woodford , the question , what are esseutials ? would

be a difficult one which would require to be answered , concluded by supporting the motion . Bro . Bodenham protested against a statement made by Bro . Woodford that the provincial lodges will not give up the practices referred to without a struggle , and said that the provincial lodges look up to Grand Lodge as a lawgiver , and were always loyal .

Bro . Stevens , in rising to reply , said he would not avail himself of his right in this respect , but vvas perfectly willing to leave the question in the hands of the Grand Lodge . The Chairman then put "the previous question , " as the amendment proposed by Bro . Woodford , which was declared to be lost . Bro . Stevens' original motion , " That

the Committee be appointed , " was then put and carried . Bro . Stevens said that he was perfectly willing to leave the nomination of the Committee in the hands of Grand Lodge . He had not even come prepared with a list of names . He was quite prepared to leave the selection of the Committee to the Board of General Purposes , but whoever was appointed he assumed that he himself should

be entitled to sit with them . Bro . Mclntyrc said that he had never yet heard that any body could without consulting them cause the Board of General Purposes to perform any special service , and to say that the Board of General Purposes and Bto . Stevens should be the Committee sounded like the assertion of a right to their services , which had no existence in fact . No

doubt , if they were consulted on the matter , the Board would give it their favourable consideration , but at this stage they should be considered as a body who might refuse , and had a right to refuse , to act either with or without Bro . Stevens in the matter . Bro . Simpson suggested the matter should not be referred to any body whatever in the meantime , but that Bro .

Stevens should give notice of motion for next Quarterly Communication that he would then propose a list of brethren for appointment . Bro . Stevens gave the necessary notice . Bro . Havers rose to order on matter of very great im . portance . To save lime he ventured to ask the opinion of the M . W . G . M . in the chair whether their worthy Bro

Clabon ' s proposal to divert any portion of the monies of the Benevolent Fund from the original charitable purposes for which those monies were applicable could be ever discui-setl . Was it within the intention of the fund that any portion should be applied for purchasing " exhibitions " for the Schools ? It was a question of very grave importance , ami it was , therefore , very desirable to know what

waa the legal aspect of the question . Bro . CUbton said it seemed to him rather strange that when the word " charity " was of such wide meaning this question should be raised . In the legal sense the word charity included schools and universities of all kinds , and he knew of no greater charity than to give the means of higher education to those who were worthy and required help .

United Grand Lodge.

Bro . Havers said he should like to hear the opinion of the Grand Registrar on the point . Bro . Mclntyte thought that in this matter they should consider what the compilers of the Book of Constitutions intended ; and they must look at the context and consider the subject as a whole . The fund was raised from every member of the Craft ; whether a supporter of the Schools

or not , he is compelled to support this fund , to contribute his money to this , to assist Alasons and the widows of Masons , and those only , in the way in which it is pointed out . That was laid down by the founders . It was perfectly open to Bro . Clabon to move tbat the Constitutions , be altered , and to substitute a different system , but as

regards Bro . Clabon ' s proposition , the Constitutions do not appear by the context to contemplate the fund being so used by those who founded it . It was at this point agreed that , owing to the lateness of the hour , Bro . Clabon should postpone his proposition until next Quarterly Communication , on the understanding that it was to take precedence of other business .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday evening last , at Freemasons' Tavern . Bros , the Rev . G . R . Pottal , M . A .., M . W . Past G . Master , occupied the chair ; Capt . N . G . Philips occupied the chair of G .

S . W . ; J . M . P . Montagu , the chair of G . J . W . ; and among a very large number of brethren present were Bros . S . Rawson , as D . G . M . ; Broadley , G . M . of Tunis ; Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , D . Ace , T . F . Ravcnshaw , R . H . Giddy , Dr . Ramsay , James Lewis Thomas , Alfred Williams , Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , R . Berridge , G . D . C . ; J . B . Shackleton , H . C . Levander , G . R . ; F . Davison , G . T . ; George

LamDert , F . Binckes , G . S . ; Don . M . Dewar , Asst . G . S . ; Thomas Cubitt , Charles Horsley , T . C . Walls , and Baron ce Ferrieres . Grand Lt < dge having been opened , and the G . M . saluted , the minutes were read and confirmed . The report of the General Board , which was as follows , was taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on the minutes : —

The number of certificates issued during the six months ending 30 th September last is 49 6 , making- the total of registered advancements 12 , 908 . In the same period five warrants for new lodges have been it-sued , viz .: — 243 Simon dc St . Liz ... Northampton . 246 Duke of Connaught ... Derby .

247 Alfred ... ... Oxford ( City ) . 248 Broadley ... ... Malta . 249 Empress of India ... Woolahra , N . S . Wales . During the year ending 30 th September there have been issued 167 certificates for Royal Aik Mariners , the register showing the total number of brethren elevated to this Degree to be 507 ; and thirteen warrants for new

lodges have been issued , viz .: — Mount Horeb , attached to St John ' s Lodge , T . L , Bolton . Carnarvon „ Carnarvon „ No . 7 London . United Manchester „ St . Andrew ' s „ „ 34 Manchester Mount Ararat „ Fidelity „ „ 9 8 Lahore . Panmure „ Par . mure „ „ 139 Balham . Grosvenor „ Grosvenor ,, „ 144 London .

Olive Branch „ Lebanon „ „ 207 Allahabad . St . Wilfrid ' s „ St . Wilfrid's „ „ 209 Alford . Ararat ,, Ardvoirlich „ „ 219 Rawal Pindi Axe „ St . John's „ „ 221 Meean Meer Refuge ,, Garnet „ „ 228 Dinapore . Brixton „ Brixton „ „ Brixton . Sane Elmo „ Broadley „ „ 248 Malta . The Treasurer ' s accounts , subjoined , show that the

receipts from all sources for six months were £ 543 2 s . 4 d ., and that on the 30 th September the balances were : — £ s . d . In favour of the General Fund ... 154 12 9 „ „ Benevolent Fund ... . 42 16 5 „ „ Educational Fund ... 90 13 o While investments have been made .

On account of Benevolent Fund ... 200 o o „ „ Educational Fund ... 200 o o „ „ General Fund ... 200 0 ' o That the objects proposed by the establishment of the Benevolent antl Educational Fund are widely and

increasingly appreciated and approved is convincingly manifested by the support extended thereto at the anniversary festivals , the festival held at the Alexandra Palace , on Wednesday , 2 nd July last , under the Presidency of W . Bro . Lord Arthur Hill , Prov . G . S . W . of Sussex , having proved most successful , the proceeds of the thirty-two Stewards' lists

amounting to £ 542 . The first election of a boy for the benefits of the Educational Fund took place on 20 th of May last , when Harry Lowndes Edwards was elected , and is now being educated at the Manchester Grammar School . Two new provinces have been constituted—Tunis and Malta and Berks and Oxon .

Bro . Alexander Meyrick Broadley has been appointed as R . W . Prov . Grand Master of the former , and was installed at Malta on the i ith of September . No event of greater interest in the history of this Grand Lotlge has occurred than the establishment of a Mark lodge , in the first place , and recently of a province , in a locality rich in so many antiquarian associations as the

site of the world-renowned city of Carthage . Masonry in all its branches is flourishing there , but no Degree has attracted so much attention , or has been pursued with such avidity , as that of thc Mark , and with the details and information received from time to time , the Board considers itself justified in thus making prominent mention oi so exceptionally gratifying a circumstance , and in testifying to the zeal and ability of the R . W , Bro . Broadley , whose