Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

The M . W . G . M . rose and said that before jiroceeding further , there was one circumstance to which he desired to make allusion . Since the last meeting of Grand Lodge the Craft had sustained a very great loss in the removal by death of Lord Zetland , who had , for many years ,

presided over Grand Cratt Lodge . Lord Zetland was a nobleman , for whose character and abilities as a man and a Alason every brother had the highest possible resjiect , and he thought it would be hardly fitting if an assemblage of Alasons like Grand Alark Lodge omitted to pass a vote of

sorrow that it had pleased the Almighty to deprive them of so worthy a Alason . He would , therefore , move that such a vote be entered on thc minutes , and that the Grand Alaster should be entrusted to convey the same to his lordship ' s family .

Thc Earl of Limerick seconded the motion , and agreed with the Grand Alaster that it would not be fitting to separate without expressing the sense of Grand Alark Lodge of the inestimable loss they had sustained in Lord Zetland's death . He did not feci it necessary to go at any length

into a recital of the virtues of the deceased brother , as many of the brethren present had heard , in words which he would not attempt to emulate , on another occasion and in another p lace , the feeling of the Craft expressed by the two distinguished brethren who now presided

over the Craft in this country . Thc vote was then carried unanimously . Grand Secretary read the report of the General Board , from which it appeared that during the last half-year a larger number of Alark Alasons

had been made than at any previous period on record ; that dnring the same time Cheshire and North AVales had been erected into a Province ; that the Royal Ark Alariners' warrants of constitution had been issued ; and that a favourable termination had been come to of the difficulties

which had existed between Grand Alark Lodge and that grand body . The report recommended the obligating of the Grand Master as a Royal Ark Alariner before his installation as Grand Alark Alaster , and congratulated Grand Lodge on its friendly relations with other supreme jurisdictions . It further stated that the business of

Grand Secretary ' s office continued to increase greatly and rapidly , and that Grand Lodge had secured premises at 2 , Led Lion-square , at an annual rental of £ '/ $ . An account was also given of the money invested since last Grand Lodge , and the report concluded with a statement that reports of proceedings of foreign Grand bodies had been received from Iowa and

Columbia . The rejiort was received with ajiplause . Cajit . Barlow jirojiosed , and Rev . D . Shaboe seconded , the following motion . — "That the sum of ten guineas be voted from the Cunds of this Grand Lodge to the Portal Testimonial Fund

Ihe motion was carried amidst great applause . Capt . Burgess moved " That thc sum of . = £ 4 , 5 he voted from the funds of their Grand Lodge to Ihe Royal Alasonic Benevolent Institution , and placed on the list of Bro . T . J . Sabine , P . G . A . D . C , who has offered to represent the

Alark Degree as Steward at the festival in January , 1874 . " Bro . A . D . Loewenstark seconded the motion , which was then put and carried unanimously . Grand Secretary having read the notice of Bro . Levander ' s motion , that the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine should be admitted

into the trijiartite treaty . Bro . H . C . Levander rose to bring the motion before Grand Lotlge , and in doing so observed that the time had now arrived for this step to be taken , and as oilier orders had been admitted ,

it did not require any observations to recommend the motion . He did not expect any opposition , and should therefore simjily make the motion . Bro . S . Rosenthal seconded the motion . Bro . A . D . Loewenstark said a few words in

ojijiosition , but after a few words from Earl Percy and the AI . W . G . AI ., staling that they sawno danger in the alliance , and that it did not affect Grand Lodge in the slightest degree , the motion was carried without a dissentient . The AI . W . G . M . moved the recommendation

Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

of thc General Board , that the affairs of thc Royal Ark Alariners degree should be managed by the Grand Alark Alaster , ( who should be obligated first as an Ark Alariner ) , with the advice and assistance of a council of twelve brethren . He

said that negotiations between the Grand Alark Lodge and the Grand Ark had gone on for a long time , and they at last came to an amicable understanding , whereby Grand Alark Lodge consented to be assisted in its management of Atk Alariners

business by a council of Ark Alariners . The terms of arrangement had been carefully considered , and he could see nothing in them which would militate against the Alark degree , but he could see a great deal that would strengthen it .

Bro . H . C Levander seconded-the motion . In answer to Bros . Irwin and A . D . Loewenstark , the AI . W . G . M . said , the [ irojiosition had been submitted to Bro . Morton Edwards as the ultimatum of Grand Lodge . Bro , Edwards had

said he would be perfectl y satisfied with the resolution , provided those brethren who had held office in what he claimed , but Grand Alark Lodge denied to be a Grand Lodge , should be the first members of this Grand Alaster ' s board of advice

in Ark matters . He ( the AI . W . G . AI . ) saw no objection to the adoption of this request , and on that footing the matter rested . The motion was carried . Grand Secretary read the Treasurer ' s report , whicii showed : —

Balance at last Meeting , £ 28610 " 9 Receipts for last six months ... 417 19 o £ / ° 4 LS 9 Exjienditure ... 263 n 3 £ 44 1 4 d

FUND OE BENEVOLENCE . Last Balance ... ... ... £ 27- ; 13 5 Donations received to 3 1 st Alarch lS 73 5 . 3 5 ° £ 328 J 8 , 5

Disbursememts on that account : — Purchase of £ 300 Canadian Bonds and Brokerage ... £ 313 10 o Balance /' 15 S K

lo which would have to be added the half-j-ear ' s dividends received in January , and those which would be received immediately after the 30 th inst . The announcement of the financial statement was received with cheers .

Bro . A . D . Loewenstark then proposed Earl Percy as Grand Master for the ensuing twelve months . Bro . James Stevens seconded the motion , which was thereimon put and carried .

The Earl of Limerick , in presenting Earl Percy to the AI . W . G . M ., said : —I have to jiresent to you Brother the Earl Percy , who has heen duly elected to preside over Alark Alasonry for the ensuing year . I need not state to you the many eminent qualities that have so well fitted him for

this post , and I am sure the degree in which Alark Alasonry has flourished under your headship will continue under the headship of the brother who has been elected to-day . All Alark Alasons regretted the cause which jirevented him

from coming among us up to the ( -resent time , but at the same time rejoice that Alark Masonry has not suflcred from his absence , as during that unavoidable period it has been presided over by one so universall y beloved as yourself . ( Hear , hear . )

The AI . W . G . M , -. —Bro . Karl Percy , it is with great jileasure that I have heard the nomination , and received the presentation just made by our Bro . Lord Limerick . Having hatl myself the honour and very great jileasure of initiating you , my lord , into Alasonry , I have naturally watched your career with very great interest ; and I can truly say , that from your exertions for this

tlegree in your own Province , in Northumberland and Durham , and from the energetic sujiport it has always received from you as my dejiuty since you have held that ollice , I consider that you have every claim for the hi gh honour which the Grand Lodge has conferred on you , and on the other hand , I think the Grand Lodge most

Grand Lodge Of Mark Masters.

fortunate in having the services of so worthy and well-esteemed a brother as yourself . Earl Percy was then obligated by the Grand Master invested and installed , wherefrom he was greeted in the usual form adopted by Mark Masons .

The M . W . G . AI . : —Most Worshi pful Grand Past Master and Brethren , I feel unwilling ' to detain you very long with any observations of mine at the jiresent moment , because I believe I may have to address you again this evening , perhaps more than once ; but I am sure you will

hear me with much greater pleasure after dinner than you will before . But at the same time , I cannot allow this occasion to pass without thanking you , Alost Worshipful Sir , for the very kind way in which you have spoken of me , and for the terms which you have been pleased to apply to

my poor services to Alasonry , and I have to thank you , brethren , for electing me to this high office , and especiall y because you have had , I am sorry to say , to wait some time before I could obey this summons , whicii you were kind enough on a former occasion to lay upon me . I need

not say how highly I feel the honour of being jilaced in this great position . This degree has now assumed proportions which make the occupation of this chair a prize which all , even the highest , Alasonry may well be proud to hold . I therefore feel greatly the honour you have

done me at the same time I feel that our Order has now so widely extended , and its interests are so important , that I should ' shrink '; from accejiting the onerous duties which this post will carry with it , were it not that Lfeel certain that the officers who are selected to sustain me in my position

will ably jierform their duties , and that you , brethren , will extend to me your kind indulgence and supjiort ujion all occasions when I shall need them , ( applause ) . Before I jiroceed to invest my Grand Officers , I have a very pleasing duty to perform it is to present ,

in thc name of the lodge , our Past Grand Alaster with a distinguishing jewel of that office ( hear hear ) . Bro . Portal , it gives mc the vcry greatest pleasure to invest you with this jewel in the name of this Grand Lodge . Aly own private feelings perhaps may ajijiear

intrusive at the present time , but I cannot help saying that I look upon you , and always have done , as my father in Freeemasonry and and if I have been able to be of any use to the Order , or if I have risen to the post I now hold , I feel that it is entirely owing to your kindness

and consideration in aiding my steps and instructing me in the duties of Freemasonry . On behalf of the lodge , I think I may fairly sav that you , sir , have held your term of office with a lustre of distinction which was not surjinssed by any Grand Master who has ever preceded you . Greater

stejis have been made in Alark Masonry than ever were made during the term of ollice of any other Grand AIaster . Aluch valuable lime am ) much exertion have been given by you to the advancement of the Order : and I am sure I speak the feelings of all here when I say that the jewel which I have now presented yot : with

, in the name of the Grand Lodge , is but a poor testimony of the gratitude they owe you for all your exertions . ( Cheers . ) 1 will now proceed to ajipoint my Grand officers . I appoint Bro . Lord Limerick as Deputy Grand Master . I am strre this selection will lu- m-nt if <> lr ,, r tn r ' rrt .-,. ! r .., 1 oiiuu /

' - Ca " *¦ V 5 . Jjl . ULM .:. I rather feel that he ought to be in the position I now hold . The following ollicers were then ajijiointed : — - Le Gendre N . Starkie ... ... G . S . AV . Colonel Whitwell fi I w "

The Rev . I ) . J . Drakeford ... . G Chm J-II . Jukes J . R . Stebbing Ci , Treas . Capt . C . Burgess G . Re »\ F . Binckes r . <„ , ?

S Bryant ... , . ' . ' . ' G . M . O . W . II . Prmce ... ... ... G . S . O . J . H . Scherling .. G 1 O W . O . AValker ... . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' G . S . D . ' E . T . Inskip ( i . 1 . 1 ) 1

Emra Holmes G . Suji . AVkw . 1 hoinas Cubitt G . D . C . James Crisjie G . A . D . C 'P . AV . Collin ... ... ... G . S . B . li . Worrell ' . ' , ' . G . 0 ' S . I ' unkenzslein G . I . G