Grand Mark Lodge.

At this stage of the proceedings the Earl of Limerick drew attention to the fact that the recommendation did not appear on the Report of the General Boarel , anel the matter , therefore , fell to the ground . The following recommendations were then proposed , seconeled , and carrieel unanimously : — " That Grand Loelge authorise a grant of £ 23 in aid of

the brethren if the Mark Degree at Curacoa , who 1 st all their property and have been reduced to a state of great destitution by the hurricane of September , 1877 . " Grants from Benevolent Fund : — " That £ 13 be granted to Bro . R . H . ; that £ 10 be granted to widow of Bro . H . " The bye-laws of the proposed Educational Branch of the Mark Benevolent Fund were then submitted , ( these were

set out in full in the Freemason last week , ) and with a few minor alterations were adcpteel . Bro . James Stevens then moved , and Sir John Halford seconded , the following recommendation of the General Soartl : — " That the Granel Master be authorised to take charge of certain other orders and degrees connected with Freemasonry , uneler such conditions as the General Board

may from time to time recommend . " At the suggestion of the Earl of Limerick , Bro . Binckes explained the reason of this recommendition . Applications had been , from time to time , matle to the General Board that certain side degrees , as they were generally called , more or less connecteel with Mark Masonry , having no governing boely of their own , should be allowed to

come under Grand Mark Lodge . There was one called the Degree of St . Lawrence , which was acquiring a greater importance than had hitherto been attached to it . It was thought wise , prudent , and advisable to avoid a multiplication of Masonic supreme jurisdictions , and if the degree was worth preserving , it should be preserved by Grand Mark Lodge . The General Board considcreel

it unadvisable to go into minor details , but in their collective wisdom they could advise the Grar . d Master , when applications such as these came before them , what to elo , without having discussions in Grand Lodge on every application , which could not be thoroughly carried out without mentioning particulars of the degree that many of the members might not belong to . The General Board

might be relied on not to recommend the Grand Lodge to take up any degree which hael not some substantial foundation to justify its adoption . He hoped that his lordship and Grand Loelge would be of opinion that the General Board in asking for this power had done both wisely and well . Bro . Thomas Halsey , G . S . W ., suggested an addition

to the motion , of the words , after "from time to time , recommend " " anel the Grand Mark Master may approve . " Bro . Binckes said there was nothing compulsory suggested ; the motion was " that the Grand Master be authorised to take charge , " not" that the Grand Master shall take charge . " Bro . Levander elid not think there would be any objection

to Bro . Halsey ' s addition to the motion . Bro . C . J . Smith looked upon the recommendation with great sorrow and fear . The Grand Mark Lodge was not so free from dangers as he could desire , and it would be adding to those elangtrs if it adopted any of these so-called degrees . Grand Mark Lodge should rather endeavour to harmonise with Craft Grand Lodge , and not hamper its

harmony wilh degrees which were less authorised than the Mark Degree . The Earl of Limerick , before putting the motion , said he should not be properly discharging his duties in the chair if he did not point out to Grand Lodge that they were going to take a very serious step indeed . It might , or might not , be a step for good . He remembered the

discussions which took place , some time ago , as regarded the reception of one degree ; but the power now proposed to to be given was a much greater power than that given on a former occasion . It was in fact an unlimiteel power to the General Board and the Grand Master . ( Hear , hear . ) Before putting the motion to Grand Lodge he thought it his duty to point out that this was a very extensive power

— practically unlimited—and though it would be in most worthy hands , it might possibly give rise to eliscussions and cavils in Grand Lodge , as to the manner in which the General Board and the Grand Master had exercised their discretion , which might , perhaps , be inconvenient and injurious to the Mark Degree . Bro . Binckes said the strong argument on the point was

tile prevention of the multiplication of Grand Lodges ol different degrees . The Earl of Limerick said he would almost express the hope that this matter might be referrcel back to the General Board for reconsideration . He felt great responsibility in occupying the chair when a motion had to be put , which he thought might , perhaps , have an effect , hereafter ,

much more extended than thiy at present dreamed of . The General Board mig ht more nearly specify the nature of the degrees to be taken in , anel not leave the power quite so open as it was now . Bro . H . C . Levander said , that in Ihe absence of Bro , Portal , he was perfectly ready to acc . pt his lordship's suggestion , and have the matter referred back to the General

Board for reconsideration . ( Cries of " Withdraw . " ) The Earl of Limerick asked Bro . Levander whether he would withdraw the motion or have it referred back . Bro . Levander replieel that he wished it referred back , ( Cries of " No , no , withdraw . " ) Bro . James Stevens , as the mover of the resolution , begged to withdraw it . The motion was then withdrawn , amidst general marks

of approval . 'Iherepeirt of the G . ner . il Board , with the exevtion of recommendation A ( irroiic usly in < ened on the agenda paper ) , atul ihe last ree : omneiid , ition ( withdrawn ) were , then ade . pted . Bro . J . M . P . Montagu then said , Most Worshipful Grand Master in the chair , and brethren , I have a great deal ol pleasure in nominating Lord Skelmersdale for the

Grand Mark Lodge.

office of Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master for the ensuing year . ( Cheers . ) The Earl of Limerick ( after a pause ) : Has any other brother any nomination to make of Grand Master ? ( after a further pause ) . Brethren , the nomination of Lord Skelmersdale for the office of Grand Master is the onlv

nomination . The Earl of Limerick then distributed the Charity Jewels and Charity Bars to ihe following brethren : — Charity jewels to Bros , the Rev . D . Ace , D . D ., Province of Lincolnshire ; Robert Arnison , x ,. ; Henry Bagot , 36 ; John Barktr , 5 8 ; Richard Boggett , Proiince of Lincolnshire ; Rev . W ' . K . R . Bedford , P . G . M . Staffordshire

and Warwickshire ; W . G . Brighten , 144 ; Charles H . Coates , 148 ; Thomas Cubitt , 1 ; Richard Eve , 54 ; John Fawcett , 53 ; James Gardiner , 151 ; J . R . Goepri , 63 ; Major Charles Harding , 7 ; J . Cattley Mason , 22 ; Wm . Nicholl , 34 : Captain A . Thrale Perkins , 109 ; C . H . Perrot , 33 ; Captain J . Ritchie , 226 ; A . Scargill , 33 ; J . Lewis Thomas , 8 ; E . G . Tattcrshall , 13 ; F . M . Tindall ,

53 ; Fras . Trickett , 53 ; and George Ward Verry , 104 . Letters of apology for absence were received from , M . W Bros , the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , G . M . M . ; the Rev G . Raymond Portal , P . G . M . M . ; R . W . Bros . Col . F Burdett , P . G . M . Middlesex and Surrey ; Rev . Canon Tris tram P . G . M . Northumberland and Durham ; L . A . Horn fray , P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; Lord Mcnniker , G . S . W .

C . F . Matier , P . G . W . ; G . P . Brockbank , P . G . W . ; V . Bros . Rev . Dr . Brette , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . Chap . ; John Chadwick , P . G . O . ; W . J . Hughan , P . G . O . ; W . Bros . Lt . Col . Chas . Lyne , D . P . G . M . Monmouthshire ; Benj . Smith , G . S . D . ; Alfred Williams , G . S . D . ; Ed . J . Inskip , P . G . ] . D . ; Thos . Trollope , M . D ., P . G . D . of C . ;

Emra Holmes , P . G . J , of W . ; Martin Kemp , G . A . D . of C . ; Walter Reynolds , P . G . A . D . of C . ; Capt . Chas . Hunter , G . Swd . B . ; Walter Spencer , P . G . Swd . B . ; J . B . Shackleton , G . Std . B . ; Dr . Belcher , G . O . ; S . G . Homfray , Prov . G . S . W . ; G . A . Brown , Prov . G . J . W . ; Capt . A . T , Perkins , G . S . ; S . H . Knaggs , G . S . ; G . F . Tuckty , P . G . S . ; Wm . Nott , P . G . S . ; A . Greatorex , P . G . S .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft llasonrs .

LODGE OF ANTIQUITY ( No . 2 ) . —The regular meeting of this distinguished lodge took place on Wednesday week , when Mr . Ames , well-known by his yacht voyages in the Northern Seas , was initiated into Masonry by Bro . Rev . A . F . A . _ Woodford , P . G . C , anel D . M . of No . 2 . There was a goodly muster of Past

Masters , officers and brethren of the "Old Antiquity , " and after a most agreeable social re-union , and a very good dinner , and a most pleasant anel enjoyable meeting , the brethren separated at mi early hour , ( note this wotthy brethren all ) , happy to meet , sorry to part , and trusting to meet again as happily and comfortably in January next .

BEDFORD . —Stuart Lodge ( No . 640 ) . —Wednesday , November 27 th , found us o ;* ce more on our way to Beoford , to keep , what has long been , by the kindness of the biethrcn of the Stuart Lodge , a red-letter day to us . If tedium there could have been whilst the journey is so quickly and comfortably done—thanks to the enterprising secretary of the Midland Company—it would have

been completely elispelleel by the good company of the brethren bent on the same errand as ourselves . Arriving at the head-quarters , the Swan , we found the lodge opened early , in order that a great pressure of business might be disposed of . The accounts were duly audited . Bros . Alexantler , and Hetherington elected as joining members , and Bro . Augustus Leverton jessop raised to the

Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , every officer present doing his work in a most admirable manner . Mr . Wm . Dugald Stuart , Lieutenant in the Beds Lt . Infantry Militia , was then balloted for and unanimously elected . After being " called off , " and " recalled" to labour , the lodge once more got to the work cf installing Bro . Colburne as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . We cannot

praise too highly the quiet and reverent manner in which the retiring Master , Bro . Dr . Rhys Williams , placed his successor in the chair of King Solomon , nor the effective rendering of the alter charges and proclamation by our respected Bro . Dr . Prior . The officers for the ensuing year are as follows : —Captain John Colburne , W . M . ; R . H . Coombs , S . W . ; A . Thoely , J . W . ; Rev . C . Brereton

Honorary Canon of Ely , Rector of St . Mary ' s and Rural Dean , Chaplain ; Dr . W . Rhys Williams , one of H . M , CommUsioners in Lunacy , P . P . G . D . C , l . P . M . ; John Scrjeant , P . M ., ( Borough Treasurer ) , again re-elccteel Treas . ; Dr . Prior , P . M ., ( Coroner for the Borough of Bedford ) , P . M ., rc-inveslcd Secretary ; Alderman J . R . Bull , J . P ., P . M ., Steward ; Jabez Carter , S . D . ; R . B . Stafforel , J . D . ;

Captain Vercy , I . G . ; J . P . Piper , M . A ., Organist ; George Reynolds , Tyler ( elected for the twenty-sixth time ) . I'hc Past Masters present were Colonel W . Stuart , of Tcmpiford Hall , Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions , P . G . S . W . England , & c „ & c . ; Captain F . C . Polhill-Turntr , M . P ., of Horbury Hall , D . I .. ; Captain Edmond R . Green , J . P . ; Cookson , J . Fisher , E . Billson , J . M .

Cutiib . rt , Mark Whyley , Coroner for Bedforelshnc , and Clerk of the Peace tor th ^ Borough of Bedford ; Captain G . P . Nash . The members in . luded the Rev . 11 . Fawssett Ward , P . M . Louth ; R . Uou >; hton-Smith , P . M . Melton M . wbray . and Past " r . Grand D . C , K-tlaod aid Leice- > leishiie ; A . II . Allen , Augustus L . Jcs-ei ; -, T . V . de ¦ 01111 c ,

A . B . 1 hiunall , J . Warren , S . Fo . sicr , F . rbo .-np . oii . J . B . Lamliie , R . Roe , J . E . Page , R . P . JartU , H . Young . The brethren then a j ¦ mrned to the banqueting room , accompanied by the visitors : Bros . Rev . Dr . Bent , 91 ) , P . G . Chap . England ; 11 . J . Dumas , 46 , P . G . D . of England ; Conrad C . Dumas , P . G . D . C . of England . T . Dyers

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

46 , P . G . Steward ; G . H . Haydon , 46 , P . G Stwd . ; Rev . W . Tebbs , 283 , P . G . Chap . Somerset ; Rev . R . B . Poole , 140 , P . G . Chap . Bristol ; A . Barfielel , P . M . 511 ; C . Inwards , W . M . ; E . A . Cumberland , S . W . ; W . C . Haselgrove , J . W . ; A . Watkins , J . D . ; G . II . Chambers , S . D . ; and M . A . Rankin , oi the St . John the Baptist ( Luton ) Lodge . Bros . E . Swain , S . W . ! and Rev . C . C .

Evvbank , of the St . Andrews ( Biggleswade ) Loelge ; T . E . Moss , of the Australian Social Loelge ; T . Philipps , of the Union , 444 ; A . Block , Ionic , 227 ; J . Stevens , Eastern , 751 ! H . Dawson , St . George , Bermuda ; anil Bro . George Thompson , P . M . Royal St . Edmund-- , 1008 , Bury St . Edmunds . Of the banquet and all its appliances it is nceelless to say more than that it was well worthy of the

reputation of the Stuart Lodge in this respect , and that tc the last moment of one of the plcasantcst evenings we ever spent in our lives , the kindly attention of the brethren to the wants anel enjoyment of the visitors was unlimited . The usual loyal toasts having been v ; ell given by the W . M ., and duly drank , " The Health of the W . M . " was happily given by the I . P . M ., and feelingly responded to . Next

followed " I he Grand Lodge Toast , " responded to by Bro . Stuart , followed by Bro . Bent , who , in replying , gave a most interesting account of the " making " of our Royal Grand Master in Sweden , and his own fraternal reception in the same country . " The Visitors " were next toasted by Bro . Dr . Prior , in his usual happy manner . Bro . H . Dumas , in a speech brimful of fun and drollciy , extolled

in terms , by no means overdrawn , the conscientious woiking and unbounded hospitality of Stuart Lodge . Bro . C . Dumas added a few words of approva ' . Bro . Haydon felicitously remarked that he had felt ill in the morning , but had applied what his wife had declared to be a remedy , if his case were not altogether desperate , viz ., a visit to the anniversary , and Bro . Tebbs drew attention to the fact

that the concluding words ot the charge . " that our solemn deeds should be rejoiced in by our children and grandchildren , " had been accurately fulfilled in the election that night of Mr . W . D . Stuart , the son of Col . Stuart , who was himself the son and nephew of the founders of the lodge , He concluded by wishing that the Stuart Lodge might never want one of the name of Stuart to maintain its

character and carry cut its tiadiiions . " The Healths of the l . P . M . anil the Officers of the Loelge " were next given and followed by the Tyler ' s toast . We must not forget to mention that " The Masonic Charities " were happily toasted by Bro . Capt . Polhill Turner . After the lodge was untyled the evening was given up to harmony , many brethren delighting the conipan * by the

skilful use of their excellent voices . Amongst these we remember Bros . Serjeant , Cookson , Stafford , Green , Swaine , Colbrunr , Allen , the last we listened to being Bro . Carter , who rendered the ne wand patheticbalUd , " Lord Lovel , " in such a manner that weactually saw tears running down the cheeks of several brethren . This ought not to be too often repeated , as at least one brother complained

afterwards of severe pain in the side . The effect , we ought to say , was greatly enhanced by the sympathetic " pompom " and " ha ! ha I " accompaniments of Bro . Stafford . At the earliest opportunity that a stranger could secure , Bro . H . Dumas movcel a most earnest and hearty vote of thanks on behalf of the visitors , and th ; W . M . seconded it on behalf of the brethren , to Bro . J . R . Bull , for his selfdenying and ui . flagging efforts as Steward . For years

Bro . Bull has entirely clcprivtd himself the pleasures of the banquet , and devoted himself to attending to the comfort of his brethren and their guests , and we cannot rcfiain from remarking that it is to this brother that we attribute in no little degree the success of those entertainments that the Stuart Lodge is ever so ready to provide , and their friends are still more ready to avail themselves of . "Floreat Semper !"

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

COCKERMOUTH .- Faithfull Lodge ( No . 229 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Frielay evening , the 29 th ult ., in the Masonic Hall , Stationstreet . The following members were present : —Bros . W . F . Lamonby , W . M ., P . P . G . A . D . C ( Freemason ); R . Robinson , S . W . ; W . H . Lewthwaite , J . W . ; Captain Sewell , M . O . ; T . C . Robinson , J . O . ; J . Black , Sec , Treas ., and

Reg . M . ; H . Peacock , S . D .-, R . Bailey , J . D . ; W . Shiltow , I . G . ; and Jos . Henson , Tyler . The visitors were : — Bros . G . Dalrymple , W . M . Henry Lodge , No . 216 , Frizington , P . G . S . D . ; E . Tyson , Secretary Fletcher Lodge , No . 213 , Whitehaven ; and Jas . Quay , Whitwell Lodge , No . 151 , Maryport , who kindly acted as S . O . The minutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed , two

candidates for advancement were balloted for and accepted . In accordance with notice of motion given by the W . M ., it was unanimously agreed that a concert and ball be held in February , in conjunction with Skiddaw Craft Lodge , No . 1002 , and Dykes Conclave Red Cross Kni ghts , No . 3 6 . The bye-laws for the government of the lodge were then agreed to , anel a copy thereof ordered to be forwarded to the Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge authorities

for confirmation . Neither of the two candidates for advancement being present , at the request of the visiting brethren the ceremony of advancement was rehearsed ., Bro . Tyson kindly enacting the role of candidal-. At the close , the officers of Failhlull Lodge wire warmly complimented on the perfect maimer in which the Work had been performed . After hearty good wishes from the vis . ting brethren , the lodge was closed .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

ORIGINAL OR PREMIER CONCLAVE OF ENGLAND , —The Quarterly meeting took place on Monday the 2 nd inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern ,