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ing , as itfrequently happened in the provinces that lodges were held at public halls , where there was no convenience for dining , and then went to an hotel at some distance from the p lace of meeting , where they re-clothed and dined .

Bro . Melntyre said the banner of the lodge covered the banquet . The Earl of Limerick asked whether if they marched in clothing from the lodge to the hotel

the banner would cover the jiroceeding . Bro . Melntyre said it made no difference whether the lodge was closed , or called off for refreshment the banner still covered it , and lie

apprehended that if it was a reasonable distance it mig ht be allowed . Bro . W . Smith , had had experience o f country lodges , where no accommodation for

dining was to be found in the halls where they met , and the hotel where they partook of refection was at a considerable distance . He thought Bro . Mclntyre ' s suggestion could never be carried

out ; and he hoped it would be distinctly understood that the brethren vvere not to walk through the streets in clothing . Bro . Melntyre added , that if what had been

the rule had the sanction of Grand Lotlge , it would not be interfered with , but the new proposition did interfere with brethren in this

respect , that they should not go into balls , theatres , or other public assemblies in Masonic clothing without the sanction of the Grand Master .

The motion was thereupon put and carried nem . con . Bro . John Savage , P . G . D ., in tho absence of

Bro . Josejih Smith at his duties as Scrutineer , brought forward the annual report of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , in which were

suggestions ior the following alterations of the laws : — " That Article 2 , page 11 , of the Rules and Regulations for the Male fund be altered , by

substituting the figures ' , £ ' 40 ' in lieu of 'ft ' -,. "That Article 2 , jiage 13 , ofthe Rules and Regulations for the Widows' Fund be altered , by substituting the figures ' / . ' 30 ' in lieu of

' £ 20 . "That Article 7 , page 12 , of the Rules and Regulations for the Male Fund be altered , by substituting the figures ' / . ' 40 ' in lieu of' £ 2 ^ , '

and Article 8 , jiage 14 of the Rules and Regulations for the Widows' fund , by substituting the figures ' £ 30 ' in lieu of ' £ 20 . ' " The motion , that these alterations be made

was put and carried without a dissentient voice . Bro . Raynham AV . Stewart , P . G . D ,, moved" That any grant made by the Lodge of

Benevolence for the benefit of any brother , or the widow of any brother liaving been passed hy thc lodge at one meeting and confirmed at the following one , and recommended to Granil Lodge ,

shall , upon its being sanctioned by Grand Lodge , require no further confirmation . " Bro . Stewart said his object was to cause as little inconvenience as possible to biethren

ajijilying for relief . At jiresent they had frequently to wait a long time after the grants Wert made to them before they got the gifts into theii possession , owing to the existing laws requiring

confirmation ol the- grants made , lie fully explained the jiosition of matters under the present system , and illustrating it by referring

to eases which had linjijicni-tl . In conclusion , he thought the alteration would be gratifying to the brethren who assisted their needy fellows .

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Bro . H . Browse , P . G . D . seconded the motion . Bro . John Savage , l ' . G . D ., rose in opjiosition , exjilaining that many years ago he was instrumental in removing some of the obstacles which stood in the path of brethren seeking immediate

relief . The routine of the old days he thought wns too great , and that was the cause of his moving an alteration . He objected to the form of Bro . Stewart ' s proposition , which , being positively an alteration in the law , could not be

put . The acting Grand Master ruled otherwise , and said the motion was on precisely the same footing as any other motion . Grand Lodge would decide whether thev should receive it .

Bro . John M . Clabon , P . G . D ., after explaining the present position of grants over £$ o , which required confirmation , ventured to suggest to Bro . Stewart that his motion was not a formal one , but asked him to submit one that was more

formal . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart consented , and withdrew his motion . The scrutineers here returned and declared the result of the election of members of the Board

of General Purposes to be in favour of Bros , Finch , Grady , Greening , Johnson , Mullens , Parkinson , Scriven , Bywater , Levander , Alarch ' Poynter , Rucker , Griffiths Smith , Long . Bro . AV . SMITH , Steward , P . AI . No . 26

moved . " Thatinasmuchas"The Freemasons Calendar and Pocket Book published annuall y forthe benefit of the Charity Fund under the sanction of the United Grand Lodge o ( England , and by the

command of the AI . W . Grand Alaster , is neither so complete nor useful for AIasonic reference as it should be , nor is it as profitable or beneficial to the Charity Fund as it might be , the attention ofthe Board of General Purjioses is called there

to , and that it be an instruction from this Grand Lodge that they do make such changes or modifications in and additions to the said jiublication in the next issue as will increase its usefulness to the General Body of Freemasons , and greatly increase

the jnofits from each issue ; and to enable them to judge aright , they are to invite and receive evidence in sujijiort ofthe motion , " and " That inasmuch as the installation of the M . AA . The Grand Alaster , the appointment of

the Grand Officers and the nomination of Grantl Stewards , as also the ajipointment and election of the Alembers ofthe Board of General Purposes and thc Colonial Board for the year , all take place between the end of April and the beginning

of June in each year , "The Freemasons' Calendar and Pocket Book" as at jiresent published under the sanction of Grand Lodge is , for the jieriod of from six to eight months in each year , incorrect or inaccurate in many essential

iiarticulars , it be an instruction from this Grand Lodge to the Board of General Purposes ( or the Calendar Committee ) , either to publish the Grand Lodge Callendar on the ist of July in each year , so that it may contain correct lists of all

ollice bearers of the ( hand Lodge for the Masonic year , or to issue the Calendar twice in every year , as from the ist day July respectively , and that they are to invite and receive evidence in support of this motion . "

He stated that his reason for bringing forward these motions was that the Calendar might become a more useful book of reference for Freemasons than it was now . It was published in January , and in April , when the ( irand Master

was installed , the Grand Ollicers were changed , and the book was of no further use if any one wanted to see who the ( irand Ollicers were . Then again , thc members of the dill ' erenl Boards were , as the brethren had just witnessed , elected

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at the Quarterl y Communication , and this further rendered the Calendar useless as a guide to the Craft , as to who were on those ] Boards . Hehad suggested to tile Board to take these questions

into consideration , and he trusted that now Grand Lodge would entertain the subject . Bro . Ale Intyre on thc part of Bro . Horace Lloyd , would give these motions his most

respectful yet determined opposition . Tlie Board of General Purposes no doubt would have great pleasure if the resolution could be carried out in its integrity . But Bro . Smith should put in

writing before the board the certain things which he thought would be conducive to the interests of the Craft , and increase the sale of the Calendar . He had not done so , at least he Bro . Ale Intyre had no recollection of it . If the board didnotchoose

to attend to the suggestions , then he might come to Grand Lodge . Bro . Smith ' s motion was really an indictment framed against the Board . He was the only brother who was prepared to

make suggestions to the Board , and that only now , after all the years he had been a Mason ; and when he came to Grand Lodge about it , he

merely came with allegations , and without reasons to support them . The motions were then put and lost , and Grand Lodge was closed in due form .

Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTERS .

The summer half-yearly communication of Grand Lodge in the Alark degree , was held on Tuesday , at Freemasons' Tavern , London , and was so numerously attended to prove beyond doubt the widespread popularity of Mark

Alasonry in this country . Before the proceedings commenced , a Grand Lodge of Instruction was , according to custom , held , which was well attended by London brethren and representatives from the province . Bro . James Stevens , P . G . O ., as usual , presided , and jierformed the

ceremony of advancement with his accustomed ability . The full musical accompaniment with which the ceremony was worked was performed by Bro . John Read , P . G . Organist . At the conclusion of the advancement Bro . Stevens called on Bro . James Smith , Prov . G . Sec . for Kent , to deliver the lecture of the three degrees , which

he did with great fluency and in a most impressive stylo . Before the lodge was closed many of the brethren expressed themselves highly satisfied with the instruction that had been afforded , and hoped that the Lodge of Improvement would be continued lo be worked on all occasions of the meeting of Grand Lodge .

Before Grand Lodge met Earl Percy , who was to be installed as Grand Master , was installed as the Grand Alaster of Royal Ark Alariners , the degree being now given under the authority of Grand Alark Lodge by the Alark Lodges under its imisdiction .

Grand Lodge was opened shortly after five o ' clock by the AI . W . G . AI ., the Rev . G . Raymond Portal , M . A ., the following brethren occupying thc dill ' erent official posts : —Earl Percy , M . W . G . Al .-elect ; the Earl Limerick , Deputy G . M . ; F . G . Irwin , S . AV . ; James Stevens ,

J . W . ; the Revs . P . II . Newnham and W . Al . Heath , G . Chaplains ; Capt . C . J . Burgess , GReg . ; F . Binckes , G . Sec . the Rev . D . Shaboe , P . G . C , M . O . j K . Lawson , S . O . ; AV . Foulsham , J . O . ; H . C . Levander , S . D . ; Thos . Hargreaves , J . D .- S . Rosenthal , G . D . C ; T . J . Sabine , Asst . Do . ; John Read , G . Org . ; D . M .

Dewar , G . I . G . Among the other brethren present were : —Bros , the Rev . John Huyshe , the Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw , J . H . Wynne , A . D . Loewenstark , AV . H . Warrington , Le Gendre N . Starkie , Ii T . Inskip , Emra Holmes , Col . Whitwell , S . Funken / . stein , and the Revs . D . J . Drakeford , and J . H . J ukes , After Grand Secretary had read the minutes and balance sheet ,