Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The half-yearly communication to Grand Mark Lodge of England was held on Tuesday evening , at Freemasons' Tavern . Prior to the assembling of the brethren as Grand Lodge , a lodge of improvement was held for the working of the ceremony of advancement . In this lodge Bro .

James Stevens , P . G . J . O ., presided as W . M ., and performed the ceremony according to the new ritual , in faultless style , for which he obtained the thanks and applause of the brethren . The lodge was full . On the assembling of the brethren in Grand Mark Lodge , Bro . the Rev .

G . R . Portal , M . A ., M . W . G . M ., presided , having the Earl of Limerick , D . G . M ., on his ri g ht . Col . Burdett , G . M . for Middlesex and Surrey , as S . G . W . ; Bros . J . C . Parkinson , G . J . W ' . ; Magnus Ghren , G . M . O . ; J . Stevens , G . S . O . ; The Rev . D . Shaboe , G . J . O . The other Grand

Officers in attendance were : —Bros . W . Mortimer Heath , G . Chaplain ; J . R . Stebbing , G . Treas . : Chas . J . Burgess , G . Reg . ; Fredk . Binckes , G . Sec . ; James Porter , G . S . D . ; Thomas Hargreaves , G . J . I ) . ; George Neale , G . Insp . Wks . ; T . J . Sabine , P . G . A . D . C ., as G . D . C . ;

S . Rosenthal , P . G . D . C , as G . A . D . C ; R . Spencer , P . G . Swd . Br ., as G . Swd . Br . ; A . D . Loewenstark , P . G . I . G ., as G . I . G . ; James W . Smith and Henry W . Binckes , G . Stewards ; Rev . T . F . Ravenshaw , P . G . Chaplain ; Morton Edwards , P . G . J . D . ; S . M . Lazarus , P . G . Org . ;

D . M . Dewarand Henry Massey , P . G . Stewards . Grand Lodge was also attended by a very numerous gathering of Mark Masters ,, the idea having somehow got abroad that Earl Percy , who wms elected G . M ., but was too ill to attend for installation in June , would be present for that purpose on this occasion . His lordship , however ,

as will be seen from the following report , has not yet so far recovered as to make his presence , in our uncertain climate , an advisable step during the winter months . The G . M ' s . announcement that his lordship ' s health had so much improved as to promise a speedy and clicetual recovery , was received with every mark of satisfaction b y the brethren assembled .

Grand Secretary having read the minutes of last Grand Lodge in J une , and of the moveable Grand Lodge , lately held in Manchester with so much eclat , the same were put by the M . W . G . M ., and carried unanimously .

The M . W . G . M . afterwards said that before calling on the G . Secretary to read the report of the General Board , there were one or two words he should like to say to Grand Lodge . First of all , he had great pleasure in staling that the M . W . G . M . nominate , had derived very irreat

benefit from his residence in the South ol France , and that there was every reason to believe he would return to this country at the end of the winter , entirel y restored to health . ( Cheers ) . There had been published in the Masonic newspapers a . statement that at the last

meeting of the Grand Chapter of Canada , the Grand Hig h Priest , or First Grand Principal , as we should call him here , had said that communication had taken place between him and ourselves relative to the granting of a Mark warrant from us to a lodge at Montreal , and he had

added that he had remonstrated with us for granting the warrant , and he also added lhat . no answer to his remonstrance had been received b y him . Now , as Grand Lodge had entrusted to the Grand Master the conduct of its foreign correspondence , he fell il was due to Grand Lodge

to say that such a communication had never been received by Grand M ; uk l . t dgc of England from Grand Chapter of Canada , lie ( the M . W . G . M . ) thought , moreover , that the Gram ! High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Canada ought lo have made himself better acquainted with the facts before submitting such a siateinciit lo the

companions , because , of course , if ;!; . ¦ : ial ' .-nu-ul had been true that a communication had l-. ' . n made to this Grand Maik Lodge , ihe ni . t a : v . v .. '; ring il implied that we had been gui' . iy of luvlig .. ¦( ¦ ¦•¦ in not attending to it . He ( the . ' . i . V . . G .. U . )

might now say thai the Mark Lo hy , about which eou-.-jilaiut had bet n made as suited , was one attached to a Craft . lodge still holding untie : Craft Graud Lodge of England . It would he in the recollection o ! those brethren wilo wciv luc'suil , and who took an interest , that at the

Grand Mark Lodge.

time of the , Canadian Declaration of Independence it was agreed between them and Grand Lodge of England , that any lodges that liked mi g ht hold under Grand Lodge of England , and should not take a warrant from Grand Lodge of Canada . Amonsrst those \ vhich desired to retain

their allegiance to our Grand Lodge was this lodge at Montreal . It applied to us , and we granted it a warrant . He could only repeat that we had had no communication from Grand Chapter of Canada whatsoever , and that as soon as a

communication arrived it would receive the most deliberate consideration such a letter demanded . The Secretary then read the report of the General Board , which was received and entered in the minutes .

The following recommendations were adopted : — T . "That the sum of ^ , 300 stock be purchased on account of ' The Benevolent Fund , ' and that it be invested in the names of the Rev . G . R . Portal , M . W . G . M . ; Rt . Hon . the Earl of

Limerick , R . W . Dep . G . M . : and Rt . Hon . the Earl Percy , M . P ., M . W . G . M . elect , as Trustees for the same , " and the same was ordered to be invested in Canadian Government Stock . The next recommendation , " That the stun of . -. £ '¦ 51 10 s . be voted to 'The Royal Masonic

Institution for Girls , ' to complete the amount necessary to qualify the Grand Mark Master for for the time being , as a Vice-President of the said Institution , and that such amount be placed on the list of Brother Sabine . , who has offered to represent the Order as Steward at the next

Festival , " was also carried unanimously , and Bro . Sabine returned thanks . Bro . A . 1 ) . Loewenstark nominated Earl Percy as G . M . for the ensuing year . Cant . Burgess said : M . W . G . M ., as one of

those who were present recentl y at the working of Grand Lodge as a Lodge ol Improvement , f beg to say that the new form of ritual , so far as I could learn from the brethren present , was very much approved of , especiall y as comments were made upon it from lime to time as we went

through the ceremony by the brother who was in the chair on that occasion , Bro ! James Stevens . Bro . James Stevens , P . G . J . U ., suggested that a full set of working implements and an harmonium were necessary to the proper working of the Ceremony , and hoped they would be at hand on a future occasion .

The M . W . G . M . thought notice should be g iven of this subject , il it was intended to be a motion . Grand Mark Lodge was thereupon closed , and the brethren adjourned to banquet . Bros . | ohn Kcad , Chaplin 1 lenry , J . 1 lodges , and Mr . J . Jcky ll , afterwards entertained them with some beautiful music .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft irbsonrn . METROPOLITAN .

M OI-XT I . EHVXOX LOIK . T . ( Xo . 7 , 3 ) . — 'Hie regular meeting of this ancient lodge was held on Tuesday , the ; i , th , ult ., at the liridge House 1 loiel , I ' joruugh High-sireet , Sotithwark . Bro . Geo . Free , W . M ., opened the lodge . There were present during the evening Bros . F . Walters , P . M . ; F . IL Ebsworlh , P . M .: I ) . Hose ,

P . M . ; T . | . Sabine , P . M . ; E . Harris , P . M ., treasurer : ii . | . Grace . P . M ., SAW : A . L . Dll— . k . | . W .: " | . S . Gouu-. lf . l . i ) . ; 'J . | . II . V . 'ii ' -: i ! is . ' I . -: ; .: R . G . Chippcrlijd , W . A . iuold , ( . . W . Mu-Acll . G . Austin , II . Feeble , W . M ., i-i 7 . 1 : \ V . Cliarlei worth , A . P . S' . ednian , A . J . 'I r . ' . on , J . .. i . ' - ' pindlcr , II . Stephens , W .

111 i - .: . . 1 , ;•' . L . Cooper , J . . Mercer , T . S . Mill , W . Hunter , S . Fraiikeiiberg , G . L . Williams , J . Weil , Ii . Bagulev , 'I ' . Sutton , and others . The iarge number ol visitors included Bros . T . J . Robins , -i 1 ; W . Palmer , W . M ., 27 ; W . liinnie , i' . G . D . C . ' Berks an I Bucks . W . M ., zo : y . R . Wcisiord , P . M . and Treasurer , ; . | S : I ! , l-. aaes , Adelphi Lodge , New York ; II . C . Tyler , i . ) -0 ;

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

C . Deakin , S . D ., 1178 ; W . Batchdor , D . C ., 117 S , Treasurer , 1365 ; and G . H . Mason , 7 153 . Ihe minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Ballots taken for Bros . W . Klingenstein , 1017 , and B . Isaacs , Adelphi

Lodge , New York , were in favour of their admission . The work , done in a very creditable manner , was the raising of Bros . W . Arnold , G . W . Muskett , and G . Austin . A Committee was appointed to revise the bye-laws . The usual Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . G . Free ,

H . M ., from the lod ge funds , for his efficient services rendered to the lodge . Business being ended , the lodge was closed . Bro . J . If . Spencer , the host , had provided one of his usual iirst-class banquets , which , as usual , gave great satisfaction to all . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts

were given . HOKXSKY LODCK ( No . 8 yo ) .- — -This popular lodge held a regular meeting on Friday , 1 st ult ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . The W . M ., Bro . Macpherson , presided throughout the

evening , and all Ins officers were in attendance at their respective po ts . One brother was passed to the second degree , and two gentlemen were initiated into the Order . The working was witnessed b y . 1 numerous body of visitors , amongst

whom were Bros . Rogers , sen ., P . M ., j o / j , and V . Walters , P . M ., 7 ; , who expressed the opinion that it was simply perfect . Any brother about to be placed in office will do well to pay a visit to the Hornsey Lodge , where he will find the

working a perfect study . The elections took place , and proved a very harmonious business . The S . W . was unanimously chosen to preside for the ensuing year , Bro . P . M . Webb unanimousl y re-elected Treasurer , and Bro . Radford , Tyler .

Ci .. \ i"i-ox Lemur . ( Xo . i , ]< J _ l ) . —A regular meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , 2 cth ult .. at the White Hart , Clapton . The W . M ., Bro . William Stephens , presided . The lodge having been opened and the minutes of

the previous meeting read and confirmed , Bro . Stephens proceeded to confer the third degree upon two candidates , Bros . Dr . Simons and Horncastle , which ceremony was performed in the most accomplished manner , the W . M . not

onl y discharging . he ordinary duties of his office , but also giving the traditionary history of that degree , and a full and clear explanation of the tracing board . The ballot was then taken in favour of five gentlemen , all of whom were

then initialed inlo the mysteries of the Craft : two were also passed to the Second degree . A motion stood 011 the paper for alterationof the initiation fee totenguiueasandthe joining fee to four , which was carried unanimously . The brethren

1 hen sat down to a plain dinner , and a most enjoyable evening was spent . There were present as visitors , Bros . Jnie-g P . G . D . C . for Northampton and Huntingdon . Soiners , P . G . D . for Westmoreland ; Terry . P . G . S . B . for Herts :

Benet , of Manchester Lodge , and a numerous attendance . A handsome charity-box , of peculiar form , representing the five points , was then formally presented to the lodge , the gift of Bro .

I . utwych , J . W ., Us contents to be presented annually to one or more of the Masonic Charities ; and from its reception we hope the founders of the lodge may be spared for many years to witness its beneficial results .

On Friday , the Lodge ol Instruction , in connection with this lodge , held its first anniversary meeting , and at the conclusion of the work Bro . W . Stephens , of the mother lodge , was elected chairman . The Auditors' report was received and

adopted , showing a balance in hand . Four guineas was then voted to the Masonic Charities , and one guinea to a distressed brother ( from America ) , who had claimed their assistance . Bro . J . Saunders , P . M ., was elected Preceptor ; Bro . W . Stephens , W . M ., Treasurer ; and Bro .

R . Buller , P . M ., Secretary . A banqu ; 1 was then served in Bro . B-. /' . IH ' be .-l style ; the usual toasts followed , harmony and . good-fellowship prevailed until a I .: ie hour , when , the members separated hig hly deli g hted with the result of not onl y the first vear ' s succ : s , but the evening ' s

entertaiu-111 . ' . 'L . CoNMi > : ' . \ i'i : Lonoi : ( Xo . 11 ; , ;) .- —This lodge lilt-L ; : ' . Amleri . on ' s Hotel , Heel-street , oil Monday , Uu- J ith Xo \ . / Jro . \ V . Williams , W . M ..