"Masonic Union."

in Great Britain , the Colonies , and Dependencies "; but would any such appointment render the Masonic body throughout the British Empire in any way more homogeneous than it is at the present time , when the Grand Lodges in the United Kingdom with their dependent lodges abroad and the different local Grand Lodges in Ihe Dominion of Canada and Australia , arc one solid

Craft of Masonry , but with local differences of procedure and occasional local frictions ? And does not the movement for the establishment of local Grand Lodges , to which our contemporary very properly alludes , point rather to a desire for Masonic autonomy than to any wish for the disintegration of Masonry ? At this moment the Prince of Wales is not only the Grand Master

of England , but he is also Patron of several of the Grand Lodges in the British Empire . Wouldthe ties which unite thevarious sections of the Craft in that Empire , be one whit the stronger if he were Patron or Supreme Sovereign of them all ? What is more to the point — if a General Grand Lodge for the whole of the British Craft

were established in the capital of the Empire , would it be in a position to exercise greater controlling posvers over the lodges and brethren in the more distant parts than the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland ? VVe do not think so . A central authority must be felt in order to be recognised . If the ties which now bind English , Irish , and Scotch Masons to

their respective mother Grand Lodges are not strong enough to resist the tendency of present-day Masonry towards decentralisation , we do not think they would be any stronger , or even as strong , if there were a single central

supreme Masonic authority for the whole of the British Empire . Neither do we consider lhat any beneficial results would follow upon the establishment of such an authority . We arc a united body in spite of the local differences , local jealousies , local frictions , which undoubtedly exist . We are united in

our principles , if not in our procedure . We are a religious body without the taint of sectarianism , and we are a political body , in so far as we respect all constituted authority , but without partisanship . This , in fact , is the basis of our " Masonic Union , " nor do we think a multiplication of Grand Lodges will tend to weaken , much less destroy it , any more than that the concentration of the supreme' authority in one person or one body will have the effect of Strengthening it or making it more enduring .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

The Quarterly Communication of United Grand 1 . odge of Free and Accepted Masons of England was held on Wednesday evening last at Freemasons' Hall , Bro . Col . Gerard Noel Money , C . B ., Prov . Grand Master for Surrey , presiding ; the Earl of Jersey , G . C . M . G ., P . G . W ., Prov . Grand Master for Oxfordshire , acted as Deputy Grand Master ; Bro . the Rev . C . J .

Martyn , P . G . C , as Senior Grand Warden ; and Lord Skelmersdale as Junior Grand Warden ; and among other brethren present were Bros . H . D . Sandeman , Dr . Balfour Cockburn , W . I .. Jackson , M . P ., Prov . G . M . West Yorkshire ; W . F . Smithson , Sir Albert Woods ( Garter ) , 1 " . A . Philbrick , Q . C , T . L . Wilkinson , R . Loveland Loveland , 15 . Coltman , Robert

Grey , E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , G . J . McKay , J . E . Le Feuvre , J . A . Farnfield , S . Cochrane , Richard live , George Everett , Fred . Mead , R . Clay Sudlow , Major-General Randolph , General Fred . Gadsden , ex-Sheriff Sir J . C . Dimsdale , Lennox Browne , Frank Richardson , Dr . Ralph Gooding , and Peter de Lande Long .

Grand Lodge having been opened in form , the GRAND SECRETARY read the minutes of the Quarterly Communication of September 51 I 1 . Bro . RICHARD EVI : said the Grand Secretary had not read that he ( Bro . Eve ) stated when he objected to his notice being postponed to the present meeting , the reasons why he objected—that he had then already given 21 days' notice to all the brothers whose action he called in question .

Bro . LETCHWORTH said that Bro . Eve's reasons appeared fully in the official printed proceedings of Grand Lodge . Bro . RICHARD EVE remarked that hc was aware that that was so .

The minutes were then confirmed . Bro . SwiNi'E . v EADY , Q . C , P . G . Steward , P . M . 21 , rose and said , Most Worshipful Grand Master in the chair , 1 have now the honour to nominate his Royal Highness thc Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . ( Applause . ) I know full well it is quite unnecessary

for me to add any words to the formal nomination , and that it is the earnest desire of every Freemason throughout the length and breadth of the land that his Royal Highness should be elected by acclamation . Nineteen years and more have elapsed since his Royal Highness presided first over the Craft as our Most Worshipful Grand Master , and during that time it has

been a period of unexampled prosperity of the cause of Freemasonry , and I am sure we all feel that much of that success is due to the zeal and devotion he has shown , and the great services he has rendered to the Craft , and that

the feeling through their ranks is one of loyally , fraternity and gratitude to the Most Worshipful Grand Master . I have therefore the honour to nominate his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful G ' - nd MaMer for thi- ensuing year . ( Applause . )

Bio . Col . ROUTLEDGE nominated as Grand Treasurer Bro . Alderman W . 11 tr V " u | ihnr . Meiij * 11 , sviui had nut nly perfeinnel his Masonic duties withcrtdi . 11 / h ins . li , bul svim sat'sfattun to the Craft . Alderman Vaughan Morgan li . lt Wal ' . s , a vi ry sni . nU boy , and svent into a very distinguished establishment knosvn as thc Bluecoat School , and now it was a satisfaction

to ail his frie-d . s that he was president ol that magnificent Institution . He now aspiicd to be Grand Treasurer of England . In a civic position , he was in a fair way to become Lord Mayor . He had always acleel in a most friendly . ind cordial manner to the Masonic body . In another character , he might say by his works hc should be known and trusted . There had been no more bciuficcnt giver of this world's weillh to the

United Grand Lodge Of England.

great hospitals and olher charitable institutions of this country than Bro . Alderman Vaughan Morgan . As such he had shown during the whole of his career thc most hearty , sincere and loving sympathy with the poor and suffering of this country . He had exemplified by his own gifts that he had a fixed canon of life in what was

understood as that double best gift of all Masons—the gift of Charity . Should Bro . Vaughan Morgan obtain the 'distinguished honour of Grand Treasurer , he would be , the brethren would be able to say at the end of the year , that during his year of office the glory of Freemasonry had not been dimmed or its lustre tarnished . ( Applause . )

Bro . LARDNER nominated Bro . William Mason Stiles , who had worked for many years for the advancement of Masonry generally , not only in private lodges , but particularly in the Charities of the Order . In 1872 he passed the chair of the Kings' Cross Lodge , of which he was a founder . He was a founder of the Royal Savoy , and was now a Past Master of that lodge and Treasurer . He was a founder of the Strand Lodge , No . 19 S 7 , and

was now a Past Master of it ; founder and first Treasurer of the Hendon Lodge , No . 2200 , and still was its Treasurer . He was also member of the Henry Levander , No . 2048 , province of Middlesex . In R . A . Masonry he was exalted in Mount Sinai Chapter of which he was now a Past Principal , founder of the Metropolitan Chapter , No . 1507 , founder and first Principal Hendon Chapter , and a P . Prov . G . Soj . of the Province of Middlesex . He

had served the office of Steward of the Charities 14 times , and was Vice-Patron of all the then Masonic Charities . This was a record which was seldom found , and perhaps not equalled ; it showed his heart was in Freemasonry . Since he had been a Freemason almost every year he had served Steward to one or other of the Charities . By his work and perseverance he had brought large sums of money into the coffers of the Institutions , and he

had not spared his own purse . At the last election of Grand Treasurer , for which hc was a candidate , he polled a larger number of votes than any previous candidate had polled , although , unfortunately , he was unsuccessful . He had now allowed himself to be put in nomination again , and it was with much pleasure and satisfaction that he ( Bro . Lardner ) in nominating Bro William Mason Stiles for the office of Grand Treasurer .

Bro . WILLIAM HENRY ARKER nominated Bro . Charles William Hudson , P . G . W . of the Province of Sussex , P . M . 315 and 1320 , Vice-President Bays ' Institution , Vice-Patron Benevolent , Life Subscriber Girls '; had served Stesvard , and had always been an active member of Freemasonry . These qualifications sdmirably fitted him for the office of Grand Treasurer . He had on many occasions acted for the Charities , and he had also sent a large sum of money , besides giving a vast amount himself .

Bro . Col . NOEL MONEV then announced that the Prince of Wales had again appointed Bro . Robert Grey , P . G . D ., President of the Board of Benevolenee .

Bro . Robert Grey advanced lo the chair , and was invested as President of the Board of Benevolence by Bro . Col . Money , amidst loud and general applause . Bro . Col . MONEY afterwards declared Hro . James Brett , Senior Vice-President of the Board of Benevolence , and Bro . C A . Cottebrune , Junior Vice-President , duly re-elected , and the following brethren ( Past Masters )

elected members of that Board : Bros . George Graveley , P . M . 834 ; Walter Martin , P . M . 879 ; George R . Langley , P . M . 2381 ; George 11 Chapman , P . M . 27 ; Charles Dairy , P . M . 141 ; William Fisher , P . M . 834 ; James Bunker , P . M . 1558 ; William Vincent , P . M . 1194 ; Simon H , Goldschnvdc , P . M . 1329 ; Robert A . Gowan , P . M . 2029 ; Robert H Evans , P . M . 1139 ; and William Kipps , P . M . 1275 .

On a motion of Bro . ROBERT GREY , seconded by Bro . HENRY GARROD , the recommendations ol grants suhich appeared in our last issue , wen confirmed .

Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND , President of the Board of General Purposes , then moved the recommenelation of the report of that Board as published in these columns last week . Wilh reference to the first , he said he moved the recommendation with mixed feelings of regret and pleasure—of regret that Grand Lodge had lost the services of a very faithful officer in the Grand Secretary ' s Office , nnd of pleasure because he felt sure that Bro . Pendlebury

was sj well known by all the members of Grand Lodge , and so universally respected that they would feel wich him ( Bro . Loveland ) that as a recognition of his past services they ought to do something for him now that he was incapacitated . Bro . Pendlebury , as they knew , had been in various positions in the Grand Secretary ' s ollice , until he arrived at that of Chief Clerk , and during the time he had been their official—over thirty

yearshe had been most faithful and assiduous in his duties . But latterly his health had failed , and on several occasions he had had to take rest and change . However , as soon as he in any small degree got better , he was back at his post endeavouring to his duty . Unfortunately his constitution had not improved as all had hoped , and the lime had nosv arrived when his friends told him it was unsafe for him to come to the office unless he was attended

and assisted by some kind Irientl . lherelore liro . Pendlebury thought ne ought to place liis resignation in the hands of Grand Lodge . Last year , Grand Lodge lost an old and faithful ollicer in Bro . Buss , who retired some years ago , after many years' service , and Grand Lodge granted him a pension r > . £ 400 a year . This pension having fallen in by his death in 1863 , tne Board , laking into account the long and faithful services of B-o . Pendlebury , unammously recommended Grand Lodge that he be granted on relirem : nt a similar peiuijn of £ 400 . ( Hear , hear . )

Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON svith great pleasure seconded . In considering ihe grant they should also consider that when they were in good health and retired of their own accord , they could curtail their expenses with '" income , but when the G . A . O . T . U . thought fit to inflict them , as He had afflicted Bro . Pendlebury , expenses arose they knew not of , as he ( p * Rich erdion ) himself could testily from a recent illness . Doctors and medical comtoits had 10 be , pis > vids : d isjr as ^ invalid , and a pension such as that now propohed was not too much to give in such a case . ( Hear , hear . )

Tbe motion was carried with acclamation . Bro . LOVELAND LOVELAND next said it would be in the recollection ° l Grand Lodge lhat on 7 th June , i 8 ej 3 , the following rule was adopted , arising out of the Report of the Board of General Purposes : "That all appointments

in the Grand Secretary ' s ollice should in future lie by recommendation 01 i"c Grand Secretary to ihe Board of General Purposes , and subject to tr . i'i approval , and that promotion should not necessarily go by seniority , but 01 the occasion of a vacancy tbe appointments should be made by fitness for ll '* r particular office vacated . " That had been done , as the Report showed , an thc Grand Secretary , finding that he had dispensed with the services of Bro .