United Grand Lodge.

" Grand Treasurer " must be omitted from this resolution . Bro . Fawcett : M . W . Pro G . M . and brethren , I beg leave to second thc resolution which has just been proposed to you by thc M . W . Grand Master in the chair . Bro . C . W . Hutton , P . G . D .: M . W . G . M ., may I be allowed to ask if the President of the Board e . f General Purposes proposes putting his signature to thc cheques ?

Bro . Mclntyre , G . R .: M . W . G . M ., I think I can answer the question which has been put by our Bro . Hutton . In all cases the real signature is the counter-signature of the Grand Secretary ; but in all cases where the cheque , is from the Board of General Purposes , the President of the Board affixes his signature , and that is part of the resolution to-night . Lord Carnarvon : Brethren , you have heard this resolution

read , and it has been moved and seconded . Is it your pleasure to agree to it ? The resolution was then unanimously adopted . Bros . Cottebrune , James Terry , H . Bartlett , H . Garrod , W . H . Lee , Joseph Smith , John Newton , Edwin Bare , W . J . Murlis , W . Hilton , James Willing , and Walter Hopekirk were then entrusted as scrutineers of v < tes for the election , and withdrew , the voting papers being collecteel .

Lord Camarvon then said : Brethren , I regret that in consequence of business which it has becn absolutely impossible for me to put aside , 1 am compelled at this moment to leave the chair . It was with considerable difficulty 1 came htre this evening , but I felt so much anxiety as to the important work which we have just disposed of that I came here even though knowing I should be obliged to leave at eight o'clock . I shall , therefore , request

Bro . Fawcett to take my place . Lord Carnarvon was then conducted out of Grand Lodge , accompanied by Sir Harcourt Johnstone , G . J . W ., whose place was occupied by Capt . Piatt , Past G . J . W . Col . Burdett took the chair of Deputy Grand Master . Grand Secretary read the report of the Lodge of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which were recommendations for thc following grants : —

The widow of a brother of thc South Saxon Lodge , No . 311 , Lewes ... ... ... £ 75 o o \ brother of thc St . Paul's Lodge , No . 194 , London ... ... ... 121 ; o o The widow of a brother of the South Norwood Lodge , No . 1139 , South Norwood ... ... ... co o o

The widow of a brother cf the Royal Athelstan Lodge , No . 19 , London 75 o o A brother of the Lodge of Three Grand Principle ., No . 208 , Dewsbury 75 o o Bro . Nunn moved and Bro . C . S . Burdett seconded the first of these grants ; and Bro . Nunn moved and Bro . A . D . Loewenstark seconded the second .

Bro . J . M . Clabon , in moving the last three grants , said : M . W . G . M . in the chair , it becomes my duty to move the confirmation of the next three recommendations , and Grand Lodge has indulged me now and then as Presitlent of the Board in making of such observations as occurred to me , and which I have thought it my duty to communicate to Grand Lodge . It must not be supposed for a moment

that I object to any one of thc recommendations I am going to propose , but I cannot help saying that there is a disposition on the part of the Lodge of Benevolence to give rather large grants . I may remind Grand Lodge thn on two former occasions I have asked them to apply a ceitiin portion of the ainual surplus every year for particular objects , that is , to help our young boys and girls when

they leave the schools , before they can become breadwinners for themselves . When I first diel that nine years ago we had accumulated a fund of £ 27 , , anil n \ r annual surplus was then as now over £ 1500 . Grand lolge then thought the time had not come , that thc funds wtic teot sufficient for us to begin to apply any surplus . Four years ago I repeated my motion , and our

funds had then amounteel to £ 35 , 000 with the same annual surplus . Although our expenses had increase ' , our funds had iucreasetl in the same proportion . The accumulated funds now amount to £ 42 , 000 . Grand Lodge thinks it again too soon to do anything ; but I think it right to remind them that they have tllat fund , and that there is an annual surplus

I tliink last year it was nearly £ 1700 ; and 1 must say that , entertaining thc opinion that the Lodge of Benevolence sometimes are moved to make larger grants than thc occasion rceiuircs , I cannot blame them for it , because when there is this large fund and this annual surplus , and Granel Loelge docs nut apply that surplus , you can hardly be surprised at thc Loelge of I $ -ncvolence desiring te > be very

lib . ral indeed with lhat fuivl behind them . With those f . w remarks , 1 beg to move thc third grant on the paper . Bro . Joshua Nunn sccondt-tl thc motion , which , with the other two , also moved by Bro . Clabon , and seconded by Bro . Nunn , were carried . Bro . Mclntyre said : M . W . G ; M ., I am sorry to have to

state to yourself and to Grand Lodge that thc President of the Board of Gene ral Purposes , in consequence of a severe elomestic affliction , is notable to be present at Granel Lodge 0 : 1 this occasion , and I , acting on his behalf , beg to move that the report be taken as reatl . Bro . H . C . Levander , V . P . of the Board of Gm . ral Purposes : I brg to seconel it .

The following report eif the Boarel of General Purposes was then taken as read : —

T 11 the United Grand Lodge eif Ancient Free anel Accepted Masons of England . The Boarel cf General Purposes beg to report as follows : — I . Several matters ot Masonic complaint have been brought bcfeT-the Board since the last Quarterly Commuteiration . Thcfe have , hjwevrr , either been withdrawn or so dispo « eil eif ; is not to necessitate a specific report to Grand Lodge .

United Grand Lodge.

2 . An application from Mr . 1 nomas Bacon , the lessee cf Bacoo's Hotel , for a new lease on thc expiration of the existing one , al Ihe end eif thc present year , was referred to the Premises Committee for consideration and report ; and the Hoard of General Purposes unanimously agreeing with the recommt-nrlation of that Committee now advise GrantI Lodge that a new lease for seven years from the expiration of the lease he granted to Mr . Thomas Bacon at the present rental , subject to the proviso that such lease be

not alienable on death or otherwise . ( Signed ) J B . MONCKTON , Freemasons' Hall , London , President . 21 st May , 1878 . At thc meeting of the Board , held on Tuesday , the 21 st ult ., after the ordinary business had been disposed of , it was unanimously resolved : —

" That the thanks of the Board are due , and are hereby tcntlercd , to the V . W . Bro . John H . Monckton , the President , for his attention to all maiters of business that have been brought forwaid during the past year , for the ability witli which he has conducted the proceedings , and [ for his courteous bearing to all thc members of the Board . " ( Signed ) HRNRY C . LEVANDER , Vice-President .

To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , helel on Frielay , the 17 th elay of May instant , shewing a balance in the hands of the late Grand Treasurer of £ 3543 13 s . g d . ; in the London and Westminster Bank , £ 2145 7 s . ; and in the hands of the Grand Secretary , for petty cash , £ 71 ;; and for servants' wages , £ 96 ics .

11 . The annual report of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , elated the 17 th o May , 18 78 , will be laid before Grand Lodge . The report was then ordered to be received and entered on the minutes , on the motion of Grand Registrar , seconded by Bro . Levander ; after which the report was

adopted . Grand Secretary then laid before GrantI Lodge the Report of the proceedings of the Governors and Subscribers for the past year of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , which was adopted on the motion of Bro . S . Rawson , seconded by Col . Burdett . On thc motion of Bro . Head , seconded by Bro . Nunn ,

the following resolution was adopted : " That thc sum of £ 70 be given from thc Fund of General Purposes ; that the money be pi iced in thc hands of the St-crcUiry ol the " Royal . Masonic Benevolent Institution of Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , " lo supply the le-si'lcnts of the Institution at

Croydon with c <> als during the winter season . " Bro . Fawcett : Brethren , I have now to communicate to you that thc M . W . G . M . has been pleas d to appoint Brn . John B . Monckton , P . G . D ., as President of the Board eif General Purposes , and Bro . John A . Rucker as President of the Colonial Boar . ! . Granel Lotlge was then closed .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

Tne Half-yearly Communication of Grand Loelge of Matk Masters of England anel Wales and thc Co ' oni s anel Pcpendencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday evening at Freemasons' Tavern . The Earl of Limerick , G . M . M . M ., presided . Lorel Skelmcrsdile , D . G . M ., anil G . M . M . M . elect , was on the right of the Grand Master ,

the Rev . G . R . Portal , Past G . M . M . M ., on his lelt ; Gen . Brownrigg , G . S . W . ; Bros . W . E . Gumbleton , G . J . . ; Mellor , G . M . O . ; Goepcl , G . S . O . ; and S . Hosentha ) , G . J . O . The other brethren present were : —Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , Prov . G . M . M . M . Warwickshire atvl SUffordshirc ; John Wordsworth , Prov . G . M . M . M . West Yorkshire ; the Hon . R . W . H . Giddy , Prov . G . M . M . M . South Africa ;

Sam . Rawson , Prov . G . M . M . M . China ; P . M . Dewar , G . S . O . ; Rev . F . W . Thoyts , G . Chap . : Rev . P . M . Holden , G > Chap . ; Frederic Davison , G . Trejis .: II . C . Levanelcr . G . R . g . ; Frcelerick Binckes , P . G . J . W ., G . Src . ; H . C Else , G . J . D . ; William Wigg in _ . ii , G . Snp . of Works ; Robt . Berridge , G . D . of C . ; Walter Sjienrcr , G . A . D . of C . j Capt . Chas . Hunter , Asst . G . Sworel 15 . ; J . B . Shackleton ,

Asst . G . Standard B . ; W . T . Belcher , Mus . Doc , G . Org . ; Thos . Poore , G . Inn . Guard ; Joseph Tomlinson , G . Sid . ; C T . Speight , G . Tiler . With tlie f ,. ll < nvhg Past Grind Officers : —R . VV . Uro * . Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . J . W . ; Col . ) ohn Whitw . ll , P . G . | . W . ; V . W . Bros . ( Je . rge Mellor , P . G . S . O . ; T . Meggy , ' I' . G . M . O . ; S . C . Dubois P . G . | . O . j James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; Rev . T . K . Ravenshaw , P . G .

Chaplain ; Hev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . Chaplain ; Hev . D . Shaboe , P . G . Chaplain ; VV . Bros . C . C . W . Griffiths P . G . S . U . ; Thomas Hargrraves , P . G . J . D . ; E . T . Inskip , P . G . | . D . j George Weall , P . G . Supt . of W . ; Thos . Trollope , M . D ., P . G . D . of C . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . D . of C ; T . | . Sabine , P . G . A . D . of C . ; Wm . Worrell , P . G . Org . ; F . H . Cozens , P . G . Org . ; W . A . Barrett ,

P . G . Org . ; J . il . Spencer , P . G . I . G . ; A . Williams , P . G . Stwd . ; H . Massey , P . G . Stwd . ( Freemason ) ; and Provincial Granel Officers—vV . Bros . T . T . Strachan , Dep . Prov . G . M . M . M . Northumberland and Durham - , Geo . Higgins , Prov . G . S . W . North Wales and Cheshire ; K . H . Thrupp , Piov . G . / . VV . Middlesex and Surrey ; If . Love-land Loveland , P . Prov . G . | . W . Hants and I . of W . ; R . J . Mure ,

P . I ' rov . G . M . O . Middlesex and Surrey ; Rev . Thos . Raelley , Prov . G . C . Line . ; Jas . Salm ..., P . G . R . N . Wales anil Che-hire ; J . W . M . Piggt ' ill , P . P . P . G . R . Midilx . an I Surrey ; J . L . C . Hunter Little , Pri . v . G . S . D . Monmouthshire ; Chas . G _ dlchalk , P . Prov . G . D . Devon ; Theis . Ceixhead , P . Prov . G . A . D . of C . Neirth Wales an I Cheshire ; T . I . Pulley , Prov . G . Steel . Br . Hants iinel l .-le ef Wi g ht ; J . M . Gibson ami John Close , Prov . G . Stewards Middlesex and

Grand Mark Lodge.

Surrey , J . I .. I liomas W . M . S ; George Smith , P . M . , 3 ; Rev . H . J . Hatch , S . O . 22 ; O . II . Pearson , VV . M . 7 ; G . J . Robinson , Yeirk T . I . ; R . G . Smith , 12 ; C . I .. Mason , W . M . in ; S . H . Knaggs , S . VV . 1 S 1 ; J . N . Rogers , Reg . 181 ; Win . Barfoot , P . M ., 104 ; H . R . Cooper Smith , P . M . :: ; M . Kemp , P . M . 182 ;

Capt . G . Watson , P . M . 6 9 ; Capt . A . T . Petkins ,, W . M . io 9 ; T . W . Murley , W . M . 144 ; H . W . Charrington , S . W . 114 ; W . R . Marsh , W . M . 173 ; Col . H . S . Burney , 197 ; Lieut . Col . S . H . Gierke , P . M . 197-, H . E . Batcher , 4 . ;; and E . Greenway , 54 , and others . After the formal opening of Grand Lodge the G . M . and Dtp . G . M . were saluted , Bro . Berridge acting as D . C Bro . Binckes , G . S ., then read the minutes , which were put and cot-firmed .

1 hc next business being the reception anil adoption of the report of the General Boarel , it was taken as read , and on the motion of General Brownrigg , seconded b y Bro . Gumbleton , was received , adopteel , anel ordereel to be entered on the minutes . The report was as follows : — During the six months en ling 31 st March , 18 78 , there were issued 612 certificates , bringing the number eif brethren registered as having been advanced , un ler the

jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge , to a total of 11 , 078 . In the same petiod there were granted warrants for 12 new leidges , viz . -. — T . 1 . " The Howe , " Birmingham . No . 211 " Hammersmith , " Lunelon . ,, 212 " Albion , " Barbados . ,, 213 " Fletcher , " Whitehaven , Cumb ., and West . „ 214 " St . John ' s , " Abergavenny , Mon .

„ 215 " Devon , " Newton Abbot , Devon . „ 216 " Henry , " Frizzington , Cumb . and West . (

Confirmati in , ft rmcrly Scotch Constitution ) . „ 217 "Cornerstone , " Kimberley , South Africa . „ 218 " Lyegrove , " Chipping Sodbury , Gloucestershire . ,. 219 " Ardvorlich , " Rawul Pindec , Bengal . „ 220 " Sandeman Stat Veritas , " Dum Dum , Bengal . „ 221 " St . John ' s , " Mean Meer , Punjab .

( MEMO . —Since the date named , six warrants have been granted in addition to those named . ) The certificates exceed the largest number ever issued in a corresponding period ( 336 ) by 5 6 , and thc gratification deiivcd from this fact will be further increased when it is stated that the amount received for fees , dues , & c , is largely in excess of any previous corresponding

receipts—£ 487 to March , 1876 , and £ 49 1 to March , 1877—the total in the past six months having been . £ 59 6 . For several years past the ex |> entliture at the festivals helel in aid of the Benevolent Fund has exceeded the amount provided for by the sale of dinner tickets and the fees paid by thc Stewards . This has been partly owing to the want of efficient supervision on the part of the

Stewards , aiising from the circumstance of the residences of the majority being in the provinces , and partly to the nonpayment of their fees by some of those officers . Thc total liability in connection with these festivals is £ 39 17 s . 1 id ., and the Boarel recommend that this amount be paid out of the Benevolent Fund .

Regulations for the conduct of future festivals have been maele by the Board which will effectually prevent thc recurrence of similar liabilities . There is a balance at thc bankers on account of thc General Fund of £ 359 3 s . 71 ) ., and the Board recommends the investment of £ 200 , making the total invested property on this account £ 800 .

There is to the credit eif thc Benevolent Fund a current balance of £ 09 4 s . 8 d . The investments on account of this fund amount to £ 800 . With a view to extend thc usefulness of thc fuml cstablishe / 1 for purposes of benevolence , thc Board rccommen'ls -. — " That so soon as thc invested property of the Fund of

Benevolence amounts to £ 1000 , a separate account be opened , to be calleel the Education Fund . " That one-half of all contributions hereafter receivcel for the benevolent , purposes of the Order he paid to the Education Fund , and . one-half to the Benevolent Funil . " Th-et the income accruing from whatever source to the two fuinls be kept entirely distinct .

"That the Education Fund be administered in such manner as shall be from time to time directed by Grand Lodge . " It is with the / jmtcst satisfaction tliat the Beiarel is en . i ' ileil t <> submit to Grand Lodge the two following

coniniunic'iiijiis , embodying the L . rmal recognition of this Grand l / ulge by the General Granel Royal Arch Chapter of the United - tales of America . With reference to this most important event , resolutions will be formally submitted for H 12 approval of , and adoption by , Grand Lodge . " G .-neral Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the

United States of America . " Office of General Grand Secretary , Buffalo , N . Y ., " March ist , 1878 . " F . Binckes , Ei-q ., Grand Secretary , Granel Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , & c . " Dear Sir anel R . VV . Brother , —I take occasion to forward to you by the hands cf Brti . A . G . Goodall , who is

about to vi . it England , a copy of the resolution adopted by the General Granel Chapter of the United States in August ef last year , recognising the Grand Mark Lodge e . f England and Wales as the rightful governing body of the degree of Mark Master Mason in the colonies and dependencies 1 f ihe British Clown , in which no Grand

Body eif that eltgree claims jurisdiction , and hy means of which it seeks to establish with the Grand Lodge a more intimate and perfect relation than has hitheito existed between the two boelies . "The printed proceedings of the General Granel Chapter will soon be feirwardcel teiyour address . " Permit me to express the hope tint the future relations