United Grand Lodge.

we wish to give the brother the money to take him back to the country where he has friends , or where he has established a business . Then we wish to increase the amount , as we think the sum of £ 3 is rather small , and wc desire to make it £ 5 . Therefore I propose to alter " £ 3 " to " 3 , " anel then to add at the end of Constitution 8 the words , " or to any country in which they have

been established or have ftiends . " The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , you have heard the very clear explanation which Bro . Clabon has given of this motion . Is it your p ' easure to agree to it ? The question is "That £ 3 be altered to £ 3 , and th . it the words ' or to any country in which they have been established or have frienels , ' be added to the rule . " Tne noble Earl formally

put the proposition to Grand Lodge , when it was unanimously adopted . Bro . Clabon .: The next motion , M . W . Pro Grand Master , is that the end of No . 10 wc add the words after " certify in writing " the words " on a form , to be from time to time settled by the President and Vice-Presidents of the Lodge of Benevolence and the Grand Secretary . " You will all

remember , brethren , that under the constitutions we cannot gi ve any relief unlil a brother has visited the applicant , and , in town cases , also attends the Lodge of Benevolence to make additional personal statements in answer to an y questions which the brethren may desire to put to him . I may add , that the provision for such a visit was added to the old constitutions , some ten or twelve years

ago , by a committee , of which I was chairman , because we considered the visit necessary , whereas , without it tve did not know that the case was a proper one for the relief which was askeel . We considered that a visit by a brother to the home of the applicant would supply us with better information as to the circumstances of the applicant . If a brother gave only the certificate of visit only , we thought

that sometimes the information was very meagre indeed . Sometimes the brother would say— "I certify that I have visited the applicant , " and nothing more , and we thought that in town cases we ought to have the personal attendance of the brother who had visited . In country cases wc consider we ought to have a fuller certificate of visit than we now have , before we can make proper grants . Therefore ,

we want to have a form for such certificate , and wc shall then have two or three questions which the visiting Bro , may fill up , by which means we shall be better able to determine what the amount of relief shall be . I propose a motion on the terms I have mentioned . Bro . Joshua Nunn : I beg to scconel that motion . I am quite sure the brethren will feel the necessity for it ,

for we feel it is impossible for us to do justice to many cases that come before us . ( Hear , hear . ) The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , I have to put this second motion , and , in doing so , I simply wish to say it appears to me to be a motion that is very elesirable as a matter of business for Grand Lodge to accept . The motion is— " After the words ' certify in writing' in

No . 10 , adel ' on a form to be from time to time settled by the President and Vice-Presidents of the Lodge of Benevolence , and the Grand Secretary . '" The motion was carried unanimously . Bro . Clabon next moved an alteration in No . 16 , and said : M . W . Pro G . M ., I have one more motion to make , and perhaps it is a question of less importance than the

others , but still it is not without its importance . Grand Lodge will remember that at the end of No . 16 of the Constitutions , there are these words , and these were also added ten or twelve years ago : " The Lodge of Benevolence may grant relief to the extent of two pounds to any ilUtre .-. s < d Mason who has presented his petition in du time , altUouj" h the conditions and forms above ceintaiucel

have not hi en comp l ied with . " We sometimes find cases of this Kind . A brother makes his application , and the visiting brother is neit present at the Lodge of Benevolence . The case is then adjourned till the next meeting of the loelge . The sccnnl time , perhaps , the visiting brother does not come , and we cannot relieve the applicant . The President is bound to enforce the rules , and we cannot make the grant .

Sometimes a brother is in great distress , anel we give him £ 2 , and , at the same time , we think it is a small sum . We should like to have the power to grant more . We shall not always exercise it ; but where we see fit we want to have the power to exercise it . You must remember , brethren , the man must be a Mason , and lie must present his petition in due form .

Bro . J . M . Klenck : Most W . Pro Grand Master , I beg to move to adel as a rieler that it be a sum not exceeding £ 5 . £ 2 may not be sufficient in some cases , and there are others when £ 3 would be quite adequate . There arc other cases in which £ 2 would be quite sufficient , and £ 3 too much . I would , therefore , propose the addition of the words I have stated ,

Bro . Clabon : The words are already in , "The Lodge of Benevolence may grant relief to the extent if , " and then will follow " £ 5 . " Bro . Bracksteme Baker : M . W . Pro G . M ., I rise , not to make any observations on the proposed alterations ; but I think this is the proper time to express the views of the brethren as to the difficulties or tlilemmas in which wc are

placeel since 18 73 . Since that time we have had no other edition of the Book of Constitutions published . During that perio 1 the advancement of the science , and our additional income ' , have been the cause of our making great alterations in the Book of Constitutions , and we now really do not know what our legislation is ; and , therefore , I make these observations , not with reference to the

alterations proposed by these millions , but in order that you may recommend to Grand Secretary that there should speedily be a new' edi'i"n of the Book of Constitutions published , incorporating all the alterations that have been made . I am sure all the brethren will agree with me that that is very desirable . Bro . Hcrvey , G . S .: M . W . Pro G . M ., In answer to the observations of Bro . Brackstonc Baker , I beg to say that

United Grand Lodge.

the constitutions have been issued regularly to any brother who desires to see them , and on any addition being made in those constitutions , . which are in Grand Secretary ' s office , there is a slip pasted in the book , containing the alterations which have taken place in the laws during the period he has alluded to . 1 may say that up to the present moment , I do not think there has any ground of complaint

been made as to want of information , regarding the alteration of the laws or the constitutions of our Order ; and I am quite satisfied that when the time comes , and the Board of General Purposes ftnel it necessary to issue a new edition , they will anticipate the wants of the brethren of the Order , and a new edition will be published . Bro . Brackstone Baker -. I am quite satisfied .

Bro . Britten : M . W . Pro Grand Master , may I be allowed to say , not exactly in support of 3 ro . Gabon's motion , for that neeels no support—as has been seen in the several motions he has made , when he has shown us the best practical way of doing that which he wishes us to do , by utilising the large funds at the disposal of the Board of of Benevolence — ( hat the grants made by that

Board are very often indeed not so large as they would wish to make them . For my own part , I am sure that they are not large enough to give effective assistance to the applicants . I am also very sure that it frequently happens that a man who has been a Mason many years , and performed all his Masonic duties well , has occasion at la-t to apply to the Boarel of

Benevolence , and , if they are very liberal indeed , they recommend him to the Giand Lodge for a grant of £ 50 . In many of those instances if you were to make a large grant—if the Board of Benevolence felt themselves at liberty to make a really effectual grant , that man might be set up again in business , reinstated in his former position , anel made a useful member of society , — while the small grants we are

enabled to give now afford only a little temporary relief , but do not at all raise him from the ranks of destitution . 1 feel very confielent ineleed that Grand Lodge would like to see that tlirection taken for making use of large sums in our hands . Bro . Clabon : M . W . Pro G . M ., I would like to say that I have for many vears constantly presided over the Lodge

of Benevolence , and as a rule all grants made by the lodge quite come up to the necessities of the particular cases . lire ) . James Mason , P . G . S . B . : M . W . Pro G . M ., this is a matter which will have to be considered ultimately by Granel Lodge . I have constantly attended the Loelge of Benevolence for many years , and I cannot but c lincide

with the observations of the Bro . on the other siele of the room . I , as one of the members of the Lodge of Benevolence , do feel that there is a very large sum now staneling to our credit . Bro . Clabon has said that we cannot ileal with the whole of that , but I think that if there are objects to which that fund should be devoted , the objects are the indigent brethren of our Order . To divert that

fund from its object would be , in my opinion , a brcarh of trust . I think that the indigent brethren who come to that ^ lodge to have their wants supplied , ought to be dealt with with a liberal hand—that they ought not to be stinted when they come and ask for aid . I believe that every member of the lodge of Benevolence wishes to do what is right and proper . I give credit to every one for that , but

for one , I think they are not sufficiently liberal , and the great amount of funels at their disposal ought to be dealt with liberally in another mode . I could not let pass the o ^ ervations that have been addressed here without , as a member attending so frequently the Board of Benevolence giving my mite of information to assist you towards forming an opinion eventually on this important subject .

' 1 he Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , wc have had a very excellent conversation on many points which well deserve the attention of Grand Leielge , as regards one of its most important functions through the Board of Benevolence , but the question you have to decide at this moment is , whether the words " £ 2 , " in Clause 16 , shall be altered to " £ 5 . " ( Laughter . ) 1 think , myself , if 1 may give my

opinion to Grand Lodge that Bro . Clabon has shown very good reason why that increase should be sanctioned . The amendment on his proposal was moved , but not seconded , and I do not think that the worthy brother who moveel it , if he had the Book of Constitutions before him , would wish to persist in the amendment . He proposed that the words should be

" not exceeding £ 5 , " , but I think if he will look at the woreling of the rule , as it stands in the Book of Constitutions , he will see that his object is already attained , because it now runs in this form , " The Lodge of Benevolence may grant relief to the extent . of £ 2 , " and it will be if this Grand Lodge please to sanction the proposal of Bro Clabon , " The Loelge of Benevolence may grant relief tn

the extent of £ 5 . " Of course it will be perfectly obvious that " To the extent cf X 5 " is really the same thing as " not exceeding £ 5 . " Inasmuch as it is undesirable from what has been alreaely said in Grand Lodge , to alter the Book of Constitutions more than is absolutely necessary ,

I presume it would be the wish of the worthy brother to withdraw that amendment , therefore , I shall simply put Ihe proposal in the original form , that " £ 2 " be altered to " £ 5 " The motion was carried unanimously , and Grand Lodge was closcel in due form .

Dean Stanley , before returning to England from his American tour , will probably pay a visit to the Marquis of Lome at Ottawa , at the special request of H . R . H . the Princess Louise . —U'hitehull Review . Kenning ' s Masonic Cyclopredia is a very interesting volume , full of quaint love and suggestive information . Non-masonic readers will find much to pique their curiosity , while as a book of reference it must always be invaluable . —Whitehall Review .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The half-yearly Communication of Grand Mark Lod ge of England and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday evening at Freemasons'Tavern . TheRightHon . the Earl of Limerick , Past Grand Master , presided , in the absence of Lord Skelmersdale , M . W . G . M . M . M ., and there were also present

the following Mark Masters : —R . W . Bros . Samuel Rawson , Prov . G . M . of China , as Dep . G . M . ; R . W . H . Giddy , Prov . G . M . of South Africa ; Rev . W . K . R . Bedford ' P . G . M . of Warwickshire and Staffordshire ; Lt .-Gen . Jno . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . W ., as G . S . W . ; Thos . Freel ' . Halsey , G . J . W . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . J . W . ; Sir Hr , St . Jno . Halford , P . G . J . W . ; V . W . Bros . T . J . Sabine

G . M . O . ; Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O . ; R . J . Mure , G . S . O . ; J . R . Goepel , P . G . S . O . ; R . H . Thrupp , G . J . O . ; James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , G . Chap . ; W . M . Heath , T . F . Ravenshaw , C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chaps . ; Frederick Davison , G . Treas . ; II . C . Levander , G . Reg . ; Fredk . Binckes , P . G . J . W ., G . Sec . ; D . M . Dewar , P . G . S . O ., G . Asst . Sec . ; W . Bios . W . O . Walker , P . G . S . D . ; Capt . Geo .

Wattson , G . J . D . ; Robt . Berridge , G . D . of C . ; Wm . Wigginton , P . G . Sup . o ? Wks . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . D . of C . ; S . Rosenthal ,: Wm . Huelson , P . G . Asst . D . of Cir . ; Richard Eve , P . Prov . G . S . W ., as G . Sword Br . ; T . J . Pulley , P . Prov . G . St . Br ., as G . Sr . Br . ; T . S . Mortlock , P . G . St . Br . ; W . A . Barrett , P . G . Org ., as G . Org . ; James Salmon , C . I . G . ; Rev . Daniel Ace , D . D ., Geo . Higgins ,

C . II . Pearson , Thomas Wm . Murley , Grand Stewards ; Joseph Tomlinson , Charles Pulman , Henry Massey , ( Freemason ) , P . G . Stewards ; with the following Provincial Grand Officers : W . Bro . Thomas Scholield , P . Prov . G . S . W . West Yorkshire ; F . H . Woodford , M . D ., P . Prov . G . S . W . Somerset ; R . L . Loveland , Prov . G . J . W . Hampshire and Isle of Wight ; J . T . Ritchie , P . Prov .

G . J . W . Middlesex and Surrey , Prov . G . J . W . Kent ; John Mason , Prov . G . M . O . Midellescx and Surrey ; W . Coupland , Prov . G . S . O . Kent ; S . Mattison , Prov . G . S . O . North Wales and Cheshire ; J . Smyth , Prov . G . J . O . Kent ; Pev . C . ' A . Tolbe , Prov . G . Chaplain Kent ; W . T . Clarice , Prov . G . Sec . Sussex ; Wm . Watkins , Prov . G . Sec . Monmouthshire ; W . H . Weston , Prov . G . J . D . Kent ; II . Shaw ,

Prov . G . D . of C . Kent ; G . J . Smith , P . Prov . G . D . of C . Sussex ; Eugene Sweeny , Prov . G . Asst . D . of C . Kent ; J Newman , Prov . G . Standard Bearer Sussex ; Jno . Barker , Pro G . Superintendent of Works , West Yorkshire ; and W . Bros . Jno . Chandler , P . M . Wiltshire Keystone , 178 ; Lieut .-Colonel S . II . Cleike , P . M ., W . M . hleet , Studholme , 197 ; Wm . Pickford , W . M . Keystone , ion ; I . L . Thomas , W . M .

Thistle , 8 ; Bros . W . Klingenstcin , W . M . Elect , Southwark , 22 ; R . G . Clutton , S . W . Menatschin , 224 ; II . R . Cooper-Smith , J . W . Menatschin , 224 ; John Golding , J . W . Southdown , 104 ; C . W . Randolph , S . O . Studholme , 197 ; Geo . Westall , S , 0 ' . Leopold , 23 C ; Louis Hirsch , J . D . Macdonald , 104 ; Wm . Stainer , Chaplain Menatchin , 224 ; H . Baldwin , D . of C . Panmure , 139 , Secretary

Brixton , 234 ; Chas . Goolden , Secretary Menatchin , 224 ; C . J . ] Pearse , Steward Bon Accord , T . I . ; J . M . P . Montagu , St . Mary ' s , 121 ; John Collins , Bon Accord , T . I . ; Wm . Vincent , Panmure , 139 . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of last half-yearly Communication , and of the moveable Grand Lodge , held at Keswick , on the 14 th of Tune last ,

the Report of the General Board , as published in the Freemason last week , was taken as read ( all the brethren having received copies ) , and ordered to be received . The next business was to take the recommendations of the General Board , and the first of these was " That in clause sixty-three of the Book of Constitutions , the following words shall in future be omitted : 'That unless by

special dispensation of the Grand Master have been previously installed as Master of some Craft lodge of Freemasons , and also' "The clause in the Book of Constitution , to which this alteration refers , is as follows : — " Every loelge shall annually elect its Master and Treasurer by ballot . The Master must , unless by special dispensation of the Grand Master ,

have been previously installed as Master of some Craft Lodge of Freemasons , and also have regularly served as Warden of a Warranted Lodge of Mark Masters for one year ; and at the next meeting after his election , when the minutes are confirmed , he shall be duly installed in the chair , according to ancient usage , afecr which he shall appoint his Wardens and other officers , exeqit the

Treasurer . The Tyler is to be chosen by the members of the lodge . " Bro . H . C . Levander , G . R ., : n the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , Past Grand Master , introduced the motion , and explained that the words " unless by special dispensation of the Grand Master " were now unnecessary , as the ritual for the installation of a

Worshipful Master had been so altered that none of the secrets oi the Master ' s chair of a Craft Lodge were revealed , and consequently that there was no clashing with the Craft ceremonies . Bro . Colonel Wigginton seconded the motion . The Rev . H . J . Hatch opposed the motion , and moved as an amendment , that the words proposed to be omilted remain .

The Rev . W . K . Bedford seconded the amendment . Colonel Wigginton , speaking on the amendment , supported the motion . Bro . Goepel opposed the alteration , and slateel that one of his principal reasons for attending this Grand Lodge meeting was to resist the words being struck out of the

Book of Constitutions . Bro . Binckes , G . S ., said it was but fair that he should state that he had received letters from Bros . Pourett , Whitbread , W . M . of the Royal York ( Time Immemorial ) Lodge ; C . F . Matier , anil Walter Reynolels , who were unable to be present , emphatically condemning the proposed alteration ,