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Ar00200
and able DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , and a zealous Charity Committee , appears with ^ 400 in round numbers ; but our good old friends of West Yorkshire , £ ? i 5 2 5 - > ayic ^ ^ remarkable return of Leicestershire and Rutland for £ 350 ' , Warwickshire , £ oS ° ' a"d Bristol with ^ 293 , deserve nolice . Wc
cannot pass over Surrey with £ 244 , West Lancashire with , £ 234 , Berks and Bucks with ^ 222 15 s ., or Middlesex with £ 213 us ., or even Suffolk with ^ 201 . We regret to observe that only 12 lodges from No . 1800 are represented .
••• THE meeting at York of the Rosicrucian College was , we feel sure , a very pleasant one for those who were privileged to be present . The catalogue of the Masonic collection of books , medals , jewels , MSS ., and curiosities exhibited is a very striking one , and speaks much for the kindness of the
contributors , and the knowledge and zeal of the collectors . \\ e hardly ever saw a more suggestive catalogue or one that abounds in every page with subjects of deeper interest t ° Masonic Students , one that says more or speaks more fullvoiced in respect of the aesthetic value and the arcluclogical importance and the intense realism of all such Masonic exhibitions .
«* # As Freemasons we are all friends to education , and the spread of those influences of instruction , cultivation , civilization which are of such vital importance to the individual man , and tend so much to the peace and progress and happiness and safety ofthe body politic . We hear often to-day from two
classes of eager combatants , that education is extended in insufficient rapidity , and that we are overdoing it and overeducating our people . But what shall we say of certain figures which thc " Century " for February contains ( page 790 ) ,
which arc new , we think , to most of our readers , as they arc to us , that there were in thc United States in iSSonearly five millions of people who could not read , and six and a quarter millions of people who could not write . At such statistics as these we really must pause to think .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER AND GRAND TREASURER . The Ouarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday in the large hall of Freemasons' Tavern , when over 800 brethren were present . Thc throne was occupied by the Earl of Lathom , R . W .
Deputy Grand Master . Ihe Grand Oilicers present were Bros . General Brownrigg , C . B ., acting as Deputy Grand Master ; Sir Michael Hicks Beach , M . P ., as Past Grand Master ; the Earl of Milltown , G . S . W . ; and Victor Williamson , P . G . W ., as G . J . W . Also
Bros . Hev . 11 . G . Morse , Grand Chaplain ; Rev . W . Oswell Thompson , Grand Chaplain ; John Derby Allcroft , Grand Treasurer ; Apneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C , M . P ., Grand Registrar ; Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A ., Pres . Board , of Gen . Purps . ; Col-Shadwell II . Gierke , G . Sec ; T . \ V . Tew , J . P ., G . S . D . ; Ralph Gooding G . S . D . ; Fiank Green , G . J . D . ; T . II . Devonshire , G . J . D . ; Horace Jones , G . Supt . of Wks . . Sir Albert \ V . Woods ( Garter ) G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . Dolling Bolton , Deputy G *
D . ofC . ; Raymond II . Thrupp , A . G . D . C . ; Lieut .-Col . James Peters , G . S . B . ; Lieut .-Col . A . C . Foster Gough , Grand Standard Bearer ; Edgar Bowyer , Grand Standard Bearer ; W . G . Cusins , Grand Organist ; II . G . Buss , Asst . Grand Secretary ; L . F . Littell , Grand Purst . ; XV . Stephens , Asst . Grand Purst . ; Henry Sadler , G . Tyler ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; R . Southcy , P . D . G . M . S . Africa ; John Havers , P . G . Warden ; Rev . Ambrose XV . Hall , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . E . Cox , P . G .
Chap . ; Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . Chap . ; Rev C . XV . Spencer-Stanhope , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . E . Moore , P . G . Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; j . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; James Glaisher , P . G . D . i E . J . Barron , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; J . H . Scott , P . G . D . j
J . E . Saunders , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , P . G . D . ; F . A . Philbrick , P . G . D . ; P . P . Morrell , P . G . D . ; Henry Mawdsley , P . G . D . ; Raphael Costa , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; J . A Rucker , P . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; R . Grey , P . G . D . ; C . XV . C . Hutton , P . G . D . * Major J . Penricc , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; John Gibson , P . G . Supt . of Works Magnus Ohren , P . G . A . D . of C . ; C . C . Dumas , P . G . A . D . of C ; J . Lewis-Thomas '
P . G . A . D . of C . ; R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . of C . ; George Burt , P . G . A . D . of C . ; John Messent , P . G . S . B . ; J . F . Collins , P . G . S . B . ; C . Greenwood , P . G . S . B .. G . Toller , )__ ., P . G . S . B . ; W . F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; C . E . Willing , P . G . Org . ' C . S . Jekyll , P . G . Org . ; W . Clarke , P . G . Purst . ; S . G . Foxall , P . G . Purst . ; Jas . ' Brett , P . G . Purst . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Purst . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . Purst . Amongst others present were Bros . George Kenning , P . G . D . Middx . ; N . B . Headon , P . M . 1426 ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; E . M . Lott , P . M . 1020 ; Capt .
Colvill , P . G . S . W . Cornwall ; Frederick Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . Boys ; T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middx . ; Capt . Nicols , P . M . 1974 ; Rev . H . Cummings ; F . R . Keeble , W . M . 1426 ; G . Dawson , P . M . 1 S 53 ; Col . Radcliffe , P . G . Steward ; H . J . Lardner , P . G . O . Surrey ; W . Lake , P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; G . P . Festa , P . M . 1900 ; H . Dehane , P . P . G . S . D . Essex ; John J . Hohnen , P . M ., D . G . Purst . Bombay ; James Terry , Sec . freeman
R . M . B . I . ; W . 1 . Rickwood ; , r . O . S . Sussex ; J . L . Mather , Swanborough , Hamer , Staley , Spratling , Venn , Godson , Southwood , Thurkle , G . M . Taylor , Morgan , Garrod , Donald M . Dewar , and others . Grand Lodge having been opened in form , Grand Secretary read the minutes of the December Communication , which were put and confirmed .
Major HARDING , in proposing the re-election of his Royal Hi ghness ihe Prince of Wales as M . W . Grand Master for the ensuing year , said since thc period when his Royal Highness first became Grand Master of the Order the progress of Freemasonry—as had been frequently observed in other p laces—had been enormous . Not only had the numbers increased both of lodges and members , but the definite principles of the Craft had bcen widely extended . The contributions to the Benevolent Fund and the Educational
Institutions had been such as to show that the Craft had really increased . It would be unnecessary for him , speaking as he was to the motion which he htid the privilege to place before the brethren to give expression to his
United Grand Lodge.
belief that much of this unbounded prosperity was due to the hearty loyalty of the Grand Master to the Craft , and his devotion to thc true principles of the Order . He felt sure lhat there was not one brother in Grand Lodge who would deny the hearty warmth , the uniform courtesy and urbanity which had ever been the characteristics of his Royal Highness in this Grand
Lodge . He could assure the brethren of the pleasure with which he made this motion , and he was sure it would receive at the hands of thc brethren an appreciation such as would not only give entire satisfaction to every member of Grand Lodge , but he would go further , and say that that
satisfaction would be extended to the heart of every Craftsman throughout the length and breadth of thc dominions of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . ( Loud cheers greeted Bro . Harding several times in the course of his address . )
Bro . BAYLIS seconded the motion , and stated after the way in which it had been proposed he was sure it was not necessary for him to add any words . He was sure that every brother would give his hearty support to the motion .
The Earl of LATHOM in pulling thc motion said it needed no words of his after the ample and eloquent speech of thc proposer in support of the motion . He was sure the brethren would carry it wilh acclamation .
The motion was carried unanimously and with loud cheers . Sir Albert W . Woods ( Carter ) , G . D . of C , then proclaimed his Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales , with all his titles , Most Worshipful Grand Master of Freemasons .
Bro . LETCHWORTH said hc rose with great pleasure to propose their Very Worshipful Brother J ohn Derby Allcroft for re-election to the office of Grand Treasurer . It must , he thought , be within thc recollection of all present there that evening that this time last year Grand Lodge saw fit to elect Bro . Allcroft to the office of Grand Treasurer in the room of their very
respected and distinguished Bro . Col . Creaton , who had most worthil y filled that office for the very short period of three years . He said short period because , although by a wise provision in their Constitutions , the election to the office of Grand Treasurer , no less than that of the M . W . G . M ., was an annual one , it had not previously been thc custom to challenge
thc re-election either of one or of the other . Indeed , he found that between thc year 1813 , the date of their Union , and 1879 , when Col . Creaton was first elected there were but four Grand Treasurers , who held oflice for periods averaging 16 years . Hc would not attempt to disguise the fact that the opposition which that time last year was offered to the
re-election of Bro . Creaton was a source of deep and sincere regret to very many in that Grand Lodge ; but hc thought hc was justified in affirming that one and all recognised in Bro . Allcroft a fitting and worthy successor , eminently qualified , both by social position and Masonic worth , to uphold thc dignity and command the respect which had always attached to thc
oflice he then so worthily filled . As Grand Lodge was aware the re-election of their Grand Treasurer had again been challenged , and another candidate proposed in his stead . It was but fair to Bro . Allcroft to stale that he was too keenly sensible of what was due both to Grand Lodge and to himself to seek by any action or influence of his own their suffrages and support .
But there wcr e many there who believed that it would conduce neither to the dignity of their Order , nor to the harmony of their brotherhood that Grand Lodge should annually become thc arena for party conflict and factious rivalry . In that view a strong appeal had becn addressed to Bro . Allcroft , and it was in response to lhat appeal that he had again
permitted himself to be put in nomination . He would not occupy their time that evening by recapitulating Bro . Allcroft ' s many claims to their support which that time last year were so strongly and so successfully urged . Neither would he outrage Bro . Allcroft ' s feelings by referring to those many acts of princely ,
though unostentatious benevolence , which had characterised his private life , no less than his public career . The name of Bro . Allcroft was too well known , his character too highly respected to need words of eulogy from him . In regard to thc worthy brother who had been nominated in opposition to Bro . Allcroft he desired to speak with the
utmost respect . For he had been informed , indeed it had been loudly proclaimed , that he too had contributed a large sum of money to the Masonic Charities . He knew full well there were no surer means by which a Mason's heart could be reached and his sympathy gained than by the exercise of that Masonic virtue—Charity , but he trusted thc time would
never come when the measure of a brother's claim to either of the two high offices that Grand Lodge could bestow would be the length of his purse . Hc was well aware of that restless passion for change which was characteristic of the times , but he most earnestly , though no less respectfully , entreated
the brethren present , dispassionately to consider whether in the best interest of the Craft , which he was sure they all desired to promote , it was expedient , or desirable , that the custom and traditions of Grand Lodge should be wantonly abandoned . and ignored , and that a high and dignified office should annually become the subject of factious contention and dispute .
Bro . KNYVETT , Past Grand Steward , in seconding the motion said he rose to second the nomination which had been so ably proposed by Bro . Letchworth , feeling that he represents a large portion of the Craft who , like himself , deprecate an annual change of Grand Treasurer . He would not detain Grand Lodge beyond a few words , but in those few words hc
would urge it with all earnestness to pause before taking this new departure , a departure so fraught with elements of discord . He feared that each returning election would find us confronted with rival candidates , the
illeffects of which have bcen painfully foreshadowed in thc controversy of the last few months , or what would be worse the nomination might fall into the hands of some energetic brother who have time and opportunity to canvass rather than the selection of the Craft at large . Surely , brethren , this would
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ar00200
and able DEPUTY GRAND MASTER , and a zealous Charity Committee , appears with ^ 400 in round numbers ; but our good old friends of West Yorkshire , £ ? i 5 2 5 - > ayic ^ ^ remarkable return of Leicestershire and Rutland for £ 350 ' , Warwickshire , £ oS ° ' a"d Bristol with ^ 293 , deserve nolice . Wc
cannot pass over Surrey with £ 244 , West Lancashire with , £ 234 , Berks and Bucks with ^ 222 15 s ., or Middlesex with £ 213 us ., or even Suffolk with ^ 201 . We regret to observe that only 12 lodges from No . 1800 are represented .
••• THE meeting at York of the Rosicrucian College was , we feel sure , a very pleasant one for those who were privileged to be present . The catalogue of the Masonic collection of books , medals , jewels , MSS ., and curiosities exhibited is a very striking one , and speaks much for the kindness of the
contributors , and the knowledge and zeal of the collectors . \\ e hardly ever saw a more suggestive catalogue or one that abounds in every page with subjects of deeper interest t ° Masonic Students , one that says more or speaks more fullvoiced in respect of the aesthetic value and the arcluclogical importance and the intense realism of all such Masonic exhibitions .
«* # As Freemasons we are all friends to education , and the spread of those influences of instruction , cultivation , civilization which are of such vital importance to the individual man , and tend so much to the peace and progress and happiness and safety ofthe body politic . We hear often to-day from two
classes of eager combatants , that education is extended in insufficient rapidity , and that we are overdoing it and overeducating our people . But what shall we say of certain figures which thc " Century " for February contains ( page 790 ) ,
which arc new , we think , to most of our readers , as they arc to us , that there were in thc United States in iSSonearly five millions of people who could not read , and six and a quarter millions of people who could not write . At such statistics as these we really must pause to think .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
ELECTION OF GRAND MASTER AND GRAND TREASURER . The Ouarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge was held on Wednesday in the large hall of Freemasons' Tavern , when over 800 brethren were present . Thc throne was occupied by the Earl of Lathom , R . W .
Deputy Grand Master . Ihe Grand Oilicers present were Bros . General Brownrigg , C . B ., acting as Deputy Grand Master ; Sir Michael Hicks Beach , M . P ., as Past Grand Master ; the Earl of Milltown , G . S . W . ; and Victor Williamson , P . G . W ., as G . J . W . Also
Bros . Hev . 11 . G . Morse , Grand Chaplain ; Rev . W . Oswell Thompson , Grand Chaplain ; John Derby Allcroft , Grand Treasurer ; Apneas J . Mclntyre , Q . C , M . P ., Grand Registrar ; Sir John B . Monckton , F . S . A ., Pres . Board , of Gen . Purps . ; Col-Shadwell II . Gierke , G . Sec ; T . \ V . Tew , J . P ., G . S . D . ; Ralph Gooding G . S . D . ; Fiank Green , G . J . D . ; T . II . Devonshire , G . J . D . ; Horace Jones , G . Supt . of Wks . . Sir Albert \ V . Woods ( Garter ) G . Dir . of Cers . ; T . Dolling Bolton , Deputy G *
D . ofC . ; Raymond II . Thrupp , A . G . D . C . ; Lieut .-Col . James Peters , G . S . B . ; Lieut .-Col . A . C . Foster Gough , Grand Standard Bearer ; Edgar Bowyer , Grand Standard Bearer ; W . G . Cusins , Grand Organist ; II . G . Buss , Asst . Grand Secretary ; L . F . Littell , Grand Purst . ; XV . Stephens , Asst . Grand Purst . ; Henry Sadler , G . Tyler ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal ; R . Southcy , P . D . G . M . S . Africa ; John Havers , P . G . Warden ; Rev . Ambrose XV . Hall , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . E . Cox , P . G .
Chap . ; Rev . Thos . Cochrane , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , P . G . Chap . ; Rev C . XV . Spencer-Stanhope , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . J . E . Moore , P . G . Chap . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; j . Sampson Peirce , P . G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; James Glaisher , P . G . D . i E . J . Barron , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; J . H . Scott , P . G . D . j
J . E . Saunders , P . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , P . G . D . ; F . A . Philbrick , P . G . D . ; P . P . Morrell , P . G . D . ; Henry Mawdsley , P . G . D . ; Raphael Costa , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; J . A Rucker , P . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; R . Grey , P . G . D . ; C . XV . C . Hutton , P . G . D . * Major J . Penricc , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; John Gibson , P . G . Supt . of Works Magnus Ohren , P . G . A . D . of C . ; C . C . Dumas , P . G . A . D . of C ; J . Lewis-Thomas '
P . G . A . D . of C . ; R . Turtle Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . A . D . of C . ; George Burt , P . G . A . D . of C . ; John Messent , P . G . S . B . ; J . F . Collins , P . G . S . B . ; C . Greenwood , P . G . S . B .. G . Toller , )__ ., P . G . S . B . ; W . F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; C . E . Willing , P . G . Org . ' C . S . Jekyll , P . G . Org . ; W . Clarke , P . G . Purst . ; S . G . Foxall , P . G . Purst . ; Jas . ' Brett , P . G . Purst . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . Purst . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . Purst . Amongst others present were Bros . George Kenning , P . G . D . Middx . ; N . B . Headon , P . M . 1426 ; A . M . Broadley , P . D . D . G . M . Malta ; E . M . Lott , P . M . 1020 ; Capt .
Colvill , P . G . S . W . Cornwall ; Frederick Binckes , Sec . R . M . I . Boys ; T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B . Middx . ; Capt . Nicols , P . M . 1974 ; Rev . H . Cummings ; F . R . Keeble , W . M . 1426 ; G . Dawson , P . M . 1 S 53 ; Col . Radcliffe , P . G . Steward ; H . J . Lardner , P . G . O . Surrey ; W . Lake , P . G . Reg . Cornwall ; G . P . Festa , P . M . 1900 ; H . Dehane , P . P . G . S . D . Essex ; John J . Hohnen , P . M ., D . G . Purst . Bombay ; James Terry , Sec . freeman
R . M . B . I . ; W . 1 . Rickwood ; , r . O . S . Sussex ; J . L . Mather , Swanborough , Hamer , Staley , Spratling , Venn , Godson , Southwood , Thurkle , G . M . Taylor , Morgan , Garrod , Donald M . Dewar , and others . Grand Lodge having been opened in form , Grand Secretary read the minutes of the December Communication , which were put and confirmed .
Major HARDING , in proposing the re-election of his Royal Hi ghness ihe Prince of Wales as M . W . Grand Master for the ensuing year , said since thc period when his Royal Highness first became Grand Master of the Order the progress of Freemasonry—as had been frequently observed in other p laces—had been enormous . Not only had the numbers increased both of lodges and members , but the definite principles of the Craft had bcen widely extended . The contributions to the Benevolent Fund and the Educational
Institutions had been such as to show that the Craft had really increased . It would be unnecessary for him , speaking as he was to the motion which he htid the privilege to place before the brethren to give expression to his
United Grand Lodge.
belief that much of this unbounded prosperity was due to the hearty loyalty of the Grand Master to the Craft , and his devotion to thc true principles of the Order . He felt sure lhat there was not one brother in Grand Lodge who would deny the hearty warmth , the uniform courtesy and urbanity which had ever been the characteristics of his Royal Highness in this Grand
Lodge . He could assure the brethren of the pleasure with which he made this motion , and he was sure it would receive at the hands of thc brethren an appreciation such as would not only give entire satisfaction to every member of Grand Lodge , but he would go further , and say that that
satisfaction would be extended to the heart of every Craftsman throughout the length and breadth of thc dominions of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . ( Loud cheers greeted Bro . Harding several times in the course of his address . )
Bro . BAYLIS seconded the motion , and stated after the way in which it had been proposed he was sure it was not necessary for him to add any words . He was sure that every brother would give his hearty support to the motion .
The Earl of LATHOM in pulling thc motion said it needed no words of his after the ample and eloquent speech of thc proposer in support of the motion . He was sure the brethren would carry it wilh acclamation .
The motion was carried unanimously and with loud cheers . Sir Albert W . Woods ( Carter ) , G . D . of C , then proclaimed his Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales , with all his titles , Most Worshipful Grand Master of Freemasons .
Bro . LETCHWORTH said hc rose with great pleasure to propose their Very Worshipful Brother J ohn Derby Allcroft for re-election to the office of Grand Treasurer . It must , he thought , be within thc recollection of all present there that evening that this time last year Grand Lodge saw fit to elect Bro . Allcroft to the office of Grand Treasurer in the room of their very
respected and distinguished Bro . Col . Creaton , who had most worthil y filled that office for the very short period of three years . He said short period because , although by a wise provision in their Constitutions , the election to the office of Grand Treasurer , no less than that of the M . W . G . M ., was an annual one , it had not previously been thc custom to challenge
thc re-election either of one or of the other . Indeed , he found that between thc year 1813 , the date of their Union , and 1879 , when Col . Creaton was first elected there were but four Grand Treasurers , who held oflice for periods averaging 16 years . Hc would not attempt to disguise the fact that the opposition which that time last year was offered to the
re-election of Bro . Creaton was a source of deep and sincere regret to very many in that Grand Lodge ; but hc thought hc was justified in affirming that one and all recognised in Bro . Allcroft a fitting and worthy successor , eminently qualified , both by social position and Masonic worth , to uphold thc dignity and command the respect which had always attached to thc
oflice he then so worthily filled . As Grand Lodge was aware the re-election of their Grand Treasurer had again been challenged , and another candidate proposed in his stead . It was but fair to Bro . Allcroft to stale that he was too keenly sensible of what was due both to Grand Lodge and to himself to seek by any action or influence of his own their suffrages and support .
But there wcr e many there who believed that it would conduce neither to the dignity of their Order , nor to the harmony of their brotherhood that Grand Lodge should annually become thc arena for party conflict and factious rivalry . In that view a strong appeal had becn addressed to Bro . Allcroft , and it was in response to lhat appeal that he had again
permitted himself to be put in nomination . He would not occupy their time that evening by recapitulating Bro . Allcroft ' s many claims to their support which that time last year were so strongly and so successfully urged . Neither would he outrage Bro . Allcroft ' s feelings by referring to those many acts of princely ,
though unostentatious benevolence , which had characterised his private life , no less than his public career . The name of Bro . Allcroft was too well known , his character too highly respected to need words of eulogy from him . In regard to thc worthy brother who had been nominated in opposition to Bro . Allcroft he desired to speak with the
utmost respect . For he had been informed , indeed it had been loudly proclaimed , that he too had contributed a large sum of money to the Masonic Charities . He knew full well there were no surer means by which a Mason's heart could be reached and his sympathy gained than by the exercise of that Masonic virtue—Charity , but he trusted thc time would
never come when the measure of a brother's claim to either of the two high offices that Grand Lodge could bestow would be the length of his purse . Hc was well aware of that restless passion for change which was characteristic of the times , but he most earnestly , though no less respectfully , entreated
the brethren present , dispassionately to consider whether in the best interest of the Craft , which he was sure they all desired to promote , it was expedient , or desirable , that the custom and traditions of Grand Lodge should be wantonly abandoned . and ignored , and that a high and dignified office should annually become the subject of factious contention and dispute .
Bro . KNYVETT , Past Grand Steward , in seconding the motion said he rose to second the nomination which had been so ably proposed by Bro . Letchworth , feeling that he represents a large portion of the Craft who , like himself , deprecate an annual change of Grand Treasurer . He would not detain Grand Lodge beyond a few words , but in those few words hc
would urge it with all earnestness to pause before taking this new departure , a departure so fraught with elements of discord . He feared that each returning election would find us confronted with rival candidates , the
illeffects of which have bcen painfully foreshadowed in thc controversy of the last few months , or what would be worse the nomination might fall into the hands of some energetic brother who have time and opportunity to canvass rather than the selection of the Craft at large . Surely , brethren , this would