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Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. ← Page 2 of 4 Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. Page 2 of 4 Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. Page 2 of 4 →
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United Grand Lodge.
No other biother having been nominated , it is somewhat a matter of form , and I assure you it is a form that commends itself to every member of Grand Lodge , and it is one tr at gives us another opportunity of testifying how gratifying it is to us to see the interest H . R . H . takes in the Cra't , anel condescending to honour us by presiding over us . I am sure it is unnecessary for me to remind
you of the numerous occasions on which he has shown the intent he docs take in the Craft . I am sure the unanimous way iu which from year toyear h- is elected by ustuthc office of Grand Master is sufficient proof of that , ai . d the continued confidence Grand Lodge repc sts in 1 im must be very satisfactrry to him . I think I shall follow the feelings of this Grand Lodge if without fuither remark I move
that H . R . H the Prince of Wales be elected eur Grand Master for the ensuing year . Bro . Robert F . Gould , P . M . 92 . —M . W . Pro G . M .: I beg to second the proposition that has just been maele for thc re-election of H . R . H ., and I do so heartily , tin ugh briefly , for I do not feel justified in interfering one moment longer between Grand Loc ' ee and the una : in-. ous vote which 1
feel confident lt will arrive at . The Eail of Carnarvon . —Brethren , it is my m . st pleasing task this evening to put ( lis vote to vou . I cannot think there will be the slig ht , st dirTcrci . ee of nnini M . upon it . You have * heard it proposed that H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales be elected as the Grand Master for the ensuing year . All those who are of that opinion will signify tl . eir
opinion in the manner common to Masons . H . R . H . was then re-elected unanimously , amidst loud cheers . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D , aetingas G D . C , then proclaimed H . R . H . the Prince of Wales with all his titles G . M . of Freemasons for the year ensuing , and concluded with
the words , " whom may the G . A . O . T . U . long preserve . " ( Cheers . ) The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , the next business mhich stands on the paper is one which on all previous occasions has been of a very formal nature . It is one unfortunately which we cannot so treat this evening . It relates to the election of a Grand Treasurer . All those
who are present are doubtless aware of the catastrophe , for so I must call it , which has occurred . J would almost venture in the first instance to deprecate any discussion of details at this moment . There ought to be hereafter the fullest opportunity for discussion , and I for one should be the first to invite it , but I feel that we are not yet in possession of either the figures or the facts upon which
this matter turns , and that it would perhaps bc hardly fair , even to those parties who are concerned in the case , to discuss it . What , however , I think Grand Lodge is entitled to is full information of all that has been done by its executive officers upon this subject , and as far as I know the facts , I will brierly state them to Grand Lodge . When the news reached the ears of the Grand Secretary of this
unfortunate failure , he and the President of thc Board of General Purposes , feeling an absolute necessity of finding some means for paying the current expenses of the Craft , opened an account wilh the London and Westminster Bank , and the 1 ondon and Westminster Bank . I need not say , was very happy to give any accomodation to Grand LoeVe . Our credit has not fallen so low
but that vie can command , and I believe without any difficulty , and it was then settled that the drafts diawn , should be signed by the Grand Secretary , and by the President of the Board of General Purposes , that being the arrangement which has been working for the la . it few days . The advice which I think on the whole , I should give to Grand Lodge in the circumstances would be this ,
that they should allow that arrangement to subsist till the next Qua'terly Communication , as a provisional arrangement , subject to an alteration , while I will immediately mention that those officers who sign the drafts should be the President of the Board of General Purposes , and Piesidentof the Board tf Benevolence , countersigned by the Giand Secretary , and further
that power should be given to the locum tenens , of the Board of General Purposes or the Board of Benevolence , should be allowed to sign in the absence of those officers , because I think you would have a sufficient safeguard , a check in the countersignature of the Grand Secretary , but I may propose that this arrangement should be merely a provisional arrangement , to last till the next
Quarterly Communication . Brethren , 1 think that any misfortune of this soit , any failure or misfortune of this sort , as regards the funds of a body such as ours , cannot be sciutiniscd too closely , or too critically , and I , for one , think it very likely , that if criticism is now brought to bear at this juncture many improvements for the future may be devised , and possibly some defects in our past
system may be ascertained . And therefore I would propose that a Committee should be appointed to enquire for the next three months into the whole financial and banking arrangements of Grand Lodge , with full power to examine 10 the utmost , and to report their opinion to Grand Lodge at next Quarterly Communication . We ought then to be in a position , with our
cyts clearly opened , and with a knowledge of real facts and figures as regards this unfortunate failure , to determine satisfactory with regard to the interests of the Craft . I have only one other thing to mention . I think Grand Lodge may naturally desire to know what the amount of the balance at the bankers when this failure took place . I am told that ihe balance in favour of Giand Lodges was £ * c . 4 * some shillings . The balance in favour
tf Grand Chapter was fortunately only £ 3 88 . Grand Lodge might also like to know , I think , what the amounts were under the different Charities . I find that the Benevolent Institution lor aged Freemasons and Witlows of Freemasons had a balance of £ 39 80 , but of this sum—very nearly £ 4000—an order had been transmitted , I think , two or three weeks ago , for the investment of no less than £ 3000 j and if thatirder has not been complied with , then
United Grand Lodge.
he amount I need not say is large ; but if it has been complied with , it is not large . If complied with , though there may remain £ 980 , that may not be entirely lost . Then the Boys' School , I am sorry to sav had no less than £ 15 66 at the bankers . The Girls' School had a balance of jt 777 ; but I also find that it had overdrawn its account by £ 4000 . Brethren , on the whole , therefore , what we
must call a bad business , I hope is not quite so bad , even on this pres nt showing , which is the worst anel most unfave urable showing as it might be . I am indeed told , 1 ut I do nut wish to give it on authority , either of myself or any one else , that when the accounts came to be ex-- > mined , it may possibly turn oi t that Grand Lodge will be a very small loser . I think it right to say that ; but still
we know nothing at the present for certain , though we must be prepared for a loss , though I trust it may not be a heavy loss . Brethren , I would propose that the arrangement which I have explained to Grand Lodge be carried out during the next quarter , and that at present a Committee be appointed consisting ofthe Pro Grand Ma ? ter , the Deputy Giand Master , ex officio , the Grand
Regutrar , the Presidents cf the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence , ancl of the Colonial Board , together with Bro . Havers , Bro . Philbriek , and Bro . Gibson , to enquire into and report upon the whole cf our financial and banking arrangements . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . -. Most Worshipful Sir , I have very great pleasure in rising to second that motion ,
" That this Committee be appointed . " I think , brethren , that we must all be gratified to hear that the loss , if I may say so , is comparatively so sm ? U , and certainly , speaking fir m > self , I was under the impression it would be very much larger . But brethren , I have no doubt that , whatever that loss may be , it will be easily made up . I have that confidence in my Masonic brethren to feel that
they will not let any loss of this kind remain , if I may say so , as a slur on Masonry . In proof of what I say , I have this morning received a letter—it is a letter from a worthy brctherin tancashire—and if you will allow me I will read you two or three sentences out of it . He says " I have seen with great regret that by the failute of Messrs . Willis , Pereival , & Co . the Grand Lodge and Grand
Chapter , and above all the various Masonic Charities , will be great losers . It must occur to every one that for the Charities this loss is very like a calamity . All I can say is that I , for one , shall be most happy to contribute to a special fund to replace these losses to the Charities , and that I may be counted upon for 200 guineas to be given in proportion to the losses sustained by them
severally . " This brother is , I may say , a most worthy , a most charitable brother . He has not authorised me to read this letter ; he has not authorised me to give his name ; but I have no hesitation in doing so . It is Bro . W . Harrison , the Past Provincial Giand Senirr Warden of East Lancashire of the 64 , the 118 , and the 345 Lodges . Now , brethren , I think that this is an example .
I showed the letter to our Pro Grand Master before coming into Grand Lodge , and he agreed with me that it would not be right to keep the name in the daik . Such an example is one which shadows forth what the Craft will do—I do not say at once—but the lime may come when those losses may have to be made up . I think this is an example worthy to be followed . I have the greatest
possible pleasure in seconding the motion . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . —Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , I beg to say that as we have heard of the unfoitunate circumstances of a good brother who has always stuod upon the dais , because calamity has come upon him we ought not to discountenance him . He may possibly not have had control over this concern , and we
ought to sympathise with him rather than conelemn him . ( Bro . Stewart ' s observations were received with great interruption , and with cries of "No , no , " and "Vote , vote , " which rendered his further remarks entirely inaudible . ) Bro . J . M . Klenck , W . M . 1686 . —M . W . Pro Grand Master , there is only one alteration I should like to suggest , I quite agree with the view that has been expressed , and
am in thorough accord with the observations that have been made by yourself ; but I should bc a great deal better pleased if the name of the Bank of England had been substituted for that of the London and Westminster Bank , ( cries of " Hear , hear , " and " Vote , vote . " ) Thc Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren : I understand that it is the desire of Grand Lodge to come at once to a vote
on this subject , and I think you are right . I may just mention with reference to a point that was raised by the worthy brother who spoke last , who recommended that the Bank of England should be the Bank , instead of the London and Westminster , that I think it would be very unsatisfactory and invidious if we were to make choice of one bank against another ; but inasmuch as this is a purely
temporary arrangement , and inasmuch as that arrangement was entered into under veiy pressing and critical circumstances on their own behalf ( which I felt myself quite justified m approving at once ) by the Grand Secretary and the President of the Board of General Purposes , I do not think it would be quite fair or expedient if vve were to reverse that without any just cause . However , this is
starting quite afresh , and as it is , I think Grand Lodge would wish to allow the present arrangement , which is a purely temporary one , to subsist for the next three months . The only addition which I think it would be desirable to make to the motion which I have put to you , is that the election of Grand Treasurer be postponed , because that will afford the Committee an opportunity of giving any
recommendation on the subject which they may think in their discretion proper . The resolution therefore which I have to put is first of all , "That the election of the Treasurer be postponed . " The motion was carried ntm . dis . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , the next proposal I shall have to make will be , "That the provisional arrangement entered into for the diawingof orders in the name
United Grand Lodge.
of the Grand Secretary and the President of thc Board of General Purposes be adopted , with the addition ' that the name of the President of the Board of Benevolence be added to that number , ' and it being also understood that the locum tenens of those Presidents have full authority to sign , with the counter signature of the Grand Secretary . "
This motion was also carried . 'J he Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , and lastly , it is my duty to put to you a resolution , "That a Committee bc appointed , consisting of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , the Grand Registrar , the Presidents ef the Boards of General Purposes ant' . Benevolence anel Colonial Board , Bros . Havers , Philbriek , and Gibson , to
enquire into and report upon the whole of our financial and banking anangements . " The motion was carried unanimously . The following grants recommended by thc Lodge of Benevolence were then confirmed : — The widow cf a Bro . of the Old Union Lodge , No . 46 , London ... £ zo o o
The widow of a Bro . of the Mechanics Lodge , 245 , Jersey 50 o o The widow cf a Bro . of the Rojal Athelstan Lodge , Nc . 19 , London ... ... 30 o o A brother of the Strawberry 11 ill Lodge , No . 946 , Twickenham ... ... ... 100 o o The next business on the paper was the report of the
Board of General Purposes , which stated that : — In the month of September last a complaint was preferred by the Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1558 , Camberwell , against Bio . , thc Treasurer [ of the loelge , for falsifying the accounts , and detaining the books and papers cf the lodge . Bro . was summoned to attend the Board to answer that complaint . Not
attending to such summons a peremptory summons was directed to be sent to Bro . . At the meeting of the Btard in November , in his continued absence , the adjudication was further adjourned , and Bro . required to hand in his hooks and papers to the Grand Secretary forthwith . This order not being complied with , the Board oidered Bro . to be peremptorily summoned to alter . d the next
meeting of the Board . Bro . failed to attend this peremptory summons , or to satisfactorily account for his absence , and it was resolved , " That Bro . be suspended in accordance with the Constitutions , and the suspension notified to Grand Lodge . " On the motion of Bro . J . B . Monckton , seconded by Bro . T . Fenn , this report was taken as read , and ordered
to be received and entered on the minutes . " Bro . J . B . Monckton then said . — M . W . Pro Grand Master , the next business on the paper is the resumption of the adjourned debate on so much of the report ol the Board of General Purposes of 21 st August last as relates to the Lodge of Benevolence , viz ., that set out on the agenda paper . I had not the opportunity—the advantage
I may call it—of being present when the report came up , and I am glad to-day to be here in crdcr that I may put the Board right with Grand Lodge , and I hope I may put Grand Lodge right with the Board . In the first place , I have to say one thing with great emphasis . One or two brethren , perhaps more during the interval that has elapsed since the adjournment of the debate , have said that
in effect if thc report is not agreed with it will be practically a vote of censure on the Beard of General Purposes , and that it would be better to withdraw it . Now , the reason why the Board cf General Purposes were unanimous in these resolutions was this . In the first place we had no option to withdraw the report , which was brought up last September , and placid before Grand
Lodge . It was brought up and placed before Grand Lodge , and it remained in the hands of Grand Lodge ; and it would have been impertinence in us to make a movement to withdraw from Grand Lodge that which we had brought up . For the rest I may say emphatically that the Board of General Purposes quite remembered that they are Masonically the servants of Grand Lodge—the serving
board ofGrand Lodge during the year—on whatever matters are put before us to consider and report upon , and having considered and brought up a report we do so to the best of our ability , and with all respect to Grand Lodge j but we never forget tbat we are still members of Grand Lodge , and being members of Grand Ledge we dcsiie to be guided by the opinion of the majority as any other members
would do . I say this because I would not have it thought , nor would any member of the Board have it thought , that the motion before Grand Lodge if not carried would cast any reflection on the Board of General Purposes . We simply desire the Grand Lodge to take it into considciation fairly and decide according to the best of its judgment , and the conscience of each of its members . I will
retrace the steps that have been taken in the matter in order that those brethren who have not been present in Grand Lodge on previous occasions when this matter was before them may understand them . At the Quarterly Communication in June of last year the question of the constitution of the Board ol Benevolence was very strongly spoken of , and by no less an authority than Bro . Clabon ,
thaa whom I may say there is no one better able to speak on a subject much concurred in by Grand Lodge . Bro . Clabon's observations were made on the subject cf charity , and he said that our most sacred work of charity should be thoroughly , fully , and faithfully performed , and in order to that end some alterations seemed to him necessary in
the constitution of the Boarel of Benevolence . Those remarks were at any rate so strongly endorsed at the time by Grand Lodge , that the matter went to the Board of General Purposes to consider . It was therefore not an initiation of the matter on thepartof the Board . What we had to do was to consider the matter
sent to us to the best of our ability . 1 he point tbat I think Bro . Clabon dwelt upon indirectly — for he said as President he should not directly put it — was that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
No other biother having been nominated , it is somewhat a matter of form , and I assure you it is a form that commends itself to every member of Grand Lodge , and it is one tr at gives us another opportunity of testifying how gratifying it is to us to see the interest H . R . H . takes in the Cra't , anel condescending to honour us by presiding over us . I am sure it is unnecessary for me to remind
you of the numerous occasions on which he has shown the intent he docs take in the Craft . I am sure the unanimous way iu which from year toyear h- is elected by ustuthc office of Grand Master is sufficient proof of that , ai . d the continued confidence Grand Lodge repc sts in 1 im must be very satisfactrry to him . I think I shall follow the feelings of this Grand Lodge if without fuither remark I move
that H . R . H the Prince of Wales be elected eur Grand Master for the ensuing year . Bro . Robert F . Gould , P . M . 92 . —M . W . Pro G . M .: I beg to second the proposition that has just been maele for thc re-election of H . R . H ., and I do so heartily , tin ugh briefly , for I do not feel justified in interfering one moment longer between Grand Loc ' ee and the una : in-. ous vote which 1
feel confident lt will arrive at . The Eail of Carnarvon . —Brethren , it is my m . st pleasing task this evening to put ( lis vote to vou . I cannot think there will be the slig ht , st dirTcrci . ee of nnini M . upon it . You have * heard it proposed that H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales be elected as the Grand Master for the ensuing year . All those who are of that opinion will signify tl . eir
opinion in the manner common to Masons . H . R . H . was then re-elected unanimously , amidst loud cheers . Bro . Thomas Fenn , P . G . D , aetingas G D . C , then proclaimed H . R . H . the Prince of Wales with all his titles G . M . of Freemasons for the year ensuing , and concluded with
the words , " whom may the G . A . O . T . U . long preserve . " ( Cheers . ) The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , the next business mhich stands on the paper is one which on all previous occasions has been of a very formal nature . It is one unfortunately which we cannot so treat this evening . It relates to the election of a Grand Treasurer . All those
who are present are doubtless aware of the catastrophe , for so I must call it , which has occurred . J would almost venture in the first instance to deprecate any discussion of details at this moment . There ought to be hereafter the fullest opportunity for discussion , and I for one should be the first to invite it , but I feel that we are not yet in possession of either the figures or the facts upon which
this matter turns , and that it would perhaps bc hardly fair , even to those parties who are concerned in the case , to discuss it . What , however , I think Grand Lodge is entitled to is full information of all that has been done by its executive officers upon this subject , and as far as I know the facts , I will brierly state them to Grand Lodge . When the news reached the ears of the Grand Secretary of this
unfortunate failure , he and the President of thc Board of General Purposes , feeling an absolute necessity of finding some means for paying the current expenses of the Craft , opened an account wilh the London and Westminster Bank , and the 1 ondon and Westminster Bank . I need not say , was very happy to give any accomodation to Grand LoeVe . Our credit has not fallen so low
but that vie can command , and I believe without any difficulty , and it was then settled that the drafts diawn , should be signed by the Grand Secretary , and by the President of the Board of General Purposes , that being the arrangement which has been working for the la . it few days . The advice which I think on the whole , I should give to Grand Lodge in the circumstances would be this ,
that they should allow that arrangement to subsist till the next Qua'terly Communication , as a provisional arrangement , subject to an alteration , while I will immediately mention that those officers who sign the drafts should be the President of the Board of General Purposes , and Piesidentof the Board tf Benevolence , countersigned by the Giand Secretary , and further
that power should be given to the locum tenens , of the Board of General Purposes or the Board of Benevolence , should be allowed to sign in the absence of those officers , because I think you would have a sufficient safeguard , a check in the countersignature of the Grand Secretary , but I may propose that this arrangement should be merely a provisional arrangement , to last till the next
Quarterly Communication . Brethren , 1 think that any misfortune of this soit , any failure or misfortune of this sort , as regards the funds of a body such as ours , cannot be sciutiniscd too closely , or too critically , and I , for one , think it very likely , that if criticism is now brought to bear at this juncture many improvements for the future may be devised , and possibly some defects in our past
system may be ascertained . And therefore I would propose that a Committee should be appointed to enquire for the next three months into the whole financial and banking arrangements of Grand Lodge , with full power to examine 10 the utmost , and to report their opinion to Grand Lodge at next Quarterly Communication . We ought then to be in a position , with our
cyts clearly opened , and with a knowledge of real facts and figures as regards this unfortunate failure , to determine satisfactory with regard to the interests of the Craft . I have only one other thing to mention . I think Grand Lodge may naturally desire to know what the amount of the balance at the bankers when this failure took place . I am told that ihe balance in favour of Giand Lodges was £ * c . 4 * some shillings . The balance in favour
tf Grand Chapter was fortunately only £ 3 88 . Grand Lodge might also like to know , I think , what the amounts were under the different Charities . I find that the Benevolent Institution lor aged Freemasons and Witlows of Freemasons had a balance of £ 39 80 , but of this sum—very nearly £ 4000—an order had been transmitted , I think , two or three weeks ago , for the investment of no less than £ 3000 j and if thatirder has not been complied with , then
United Grand Lodge.
he amount I need not say is large ; but if it has been complied with , it is not large . If complied with , though there may remain £ 980 , that may not be entirely lost . Then the Boys' School , I am sorry to sav had no less than £ 15 66 at the bankers . The Girls' School had a balance of jt 777 ; but I also find that it had overdrawn its account by £ 4000 . Brethren , on the whole , therefore , what we
must call a bad business , I hope is not quite so bad , even on this pres nt showing , which is the worst anel most unfave urable showing as it might be . I am indeed told , 1 ut I do nut wish to give it on authority , either of myself or any one else , that when the accounts came to be ex-- > mined , it may possibly turn oi t that Grand Lodge will be a very small loser . I think it right to say that ; but still
we know nothing at the present for certain , though we must be prepared for a loss , though I trust it may not be a heavy loss . Brethren , I would propose that the arrangement which I have explained to Grand Lodge be carried out during the next quarter , and that at present a Committee be appointed consisting ofthe Pro Grand Ma ? ter , the Deputy Giand Master , ex officio , the Grand
Regutrar , the Presidents cf the Boards of General Purposes and Benevolence , ancl of the Colonial Board , together with Bro . Havers , Bro . Philbriek , and Bro . Gibson , to enquire into and report upon the whole cf our financial and banking arrangements . Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . -. Most Worshipful Sir , I have very great pleasure in rising to second that motion ,
" That this Committee be appointed . " I think , brethren , that we must all be gratified to hear that the loss , if I may say so , is comparatively so sm ? U , and certainly , speaking fir m > self , I was under the impression it would be very much larger . But brethren , I have no doubt that , whatever that loss may be , it will be easily made up . I have that confidence in my Masonic brethren to feel that
they will not let any loss of this kind remain , if I may say so , as a slur on Masonry . In proof of what I say , I have this morning received a letter—it is a letter from a worthy brctherin tancashire—and if you will allow me I will read you two or three sentences out of it . He says " I have seen with great regret that by the failute of Messrs . Willis , Pereival , & Co . the Grand Lodge and Grand
Chapter , and above all the various Masonic Charities , will be great losers . It must occur to every one that for the Charities this loss is very like a calamity . All I can say is that I , for one , shall be most happy to contribute to a special fund to replace these losses to the Charities , and that I may be counted upon for 200 guineas to be given in proportion to the losses sustained by them
severally . " This brother is , I may say , a most worthy , a most charitable brother . He has not authorised me to read this letter ; he has not authorised me to give his name ; but I have no hesitation in doing so . It is Bro . W . Harrison , the Past Provincial Giand Senirr Warden of East Lancashire of the 64 , the 118 , and the 345 Lodges . Now , brethren , I think that this is an example .
I showed the letter to our Pro Grand Master before coming into Grand Lodge , and he agreed with me that it would not be right to keep the name in the daik . Such an example is one which shadows forth what the Craft will do—I do not say at once—but the lime may come when those losses may have to be made up . I think this is an example worthy to be followed . I have the greatest
possible pleasure in seconding the motion . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . —Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , I beg to say that as we have heard of the unfoitunate circumstances of a good brother who has always stuod upon the dais , because calamity has come upon him we ought not to discountenance him . He may possibly not have had control over this concern , and we
ought to sympathise with him rather than conelemn him . ( Bro . Stewart ' s observations were received with great interruption , and with cries of "No , no , " and "Vote , vote , " which rendered his further remarks entirely inaudible . ) Bro . J . M . Klenck , W . M . 1686 . —M . W . Pro Grand Master , there is only one alteration I should like to suggest , I quite agree with the view that has been expressed , and
am in thorough accord with the observations that have been made by yourself ; but I should bc a great deal better pleased if the name of the Bank of England had been substituted for that of the London and Westminster Bank , ( cries of " Hear , hear , " and " Vote , vote . " ) Thc Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren : I understand that it is the desire of Grand Lodge to come at once to a vote
on this subject , and I think you are right . I may just mention with reference to a point that was raised by the worthy brother who spoke last , who recommended that the Bank of England should be the Bank , instead of the London and Westminster , that I think it would be very unsatisfactory and invidious if we were to make choice of one bank against another ; but inasmuch as this is a purely
temporary arrangement , and inasmuch as that arrangement was entered into under veiy pressing and critical circumstances on their own behalf ( which I felt myself quite justified m approving at once ) by the Grand Secretary and the President of the Board of General Purposes , I do not think it would be quite fair or expedient if vve were to reverse that without any just cause . However , this is
starting quite afresh , and as it is , I think Grand Lodge would wish to allow the present arrangement , which is a purely temporary one , to subsist for the next three months . The only addition which I think it would be desirable to make to the motion which I have put to you , is that the election of Grand Treasurer be postponed , because that will afford the Committee an opportunity of giving any
recommendation on the subject which they may think in their discretion proper . The resolution therefore which I have to put is first of all , "That the election of the Treasurer be postponed . " The motion was carried ntm . dis . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , the next proposal I shall have to make will be , "That the provisional arrangement entered into for the diawingof orders in the name
United Grand Lodge.
of the Grand Secretary and the President of thc Board of General Purposes be adopted , with the addition ' that the name of the President of the Board of Benevolence be added to that number , ' and it being also understood that the locum tenens of those Presidents have full authority to sign , with the counter signature of the Grand Secretary . "
This motion was also carried . 'J he Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , and lastly , it is my duty to put to you a resolution , "That a Committee bc appointed , consisting of the Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , the Grand Registrar , the Presidents ef the Boards of General Purposes ant' . Benevolence anel Colonial Board , Bros . Havers , Philbriek , and Gibson , to
enquire into and report upon the whole of our financial and banking anangements . " The motion was carried unanimously . The following grants recommended by thc Lodge of Benevolence were then confirmed : — The widow cf a Bro . of the Old Union Lodge , No . 46 , London ... £ zo o o
The widow of a Bro . of the Mechanics Lodge , 245 , Jersey 50 o o The widow cf a Bro . of the Rojal Athelstan Lodge , Nc . 19 , London ... ... 30 o o A brother of the Strawberry 11 ill Lodge , No . 946 , Twickenham ... ... ... 100 o o The next business on the paper was the report of the
Board of General Purposes , which stated that : — In the month of September last a complaint was preferred by the Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 1558 , Camberwell , against Bio . , thc Treasurer [ of the loelge , for falsifying the accounts , and detaining the books and papers cf the lodge . Bro . was summoned to attend the Board to answer that complaint . Not
attending to such summons a peremptory summons was directed to be sent to Bro . . At the meeting of the Btard in November , in his continued absence , the adjudication was further adjourned , and Bro . required to hand in his hooks and papers to the Grand Secretary forthwith . This order not being complied with , the Board oidered Bro . to be peremptorily summoned to alter . d the next
meeting of the Board . Bro . failed to attend this peremptory summons , or to satisfactorily account for his absence , and it was resolved , " That Bro . be suspended in accordance with the Constitutions , and the suspension notified to Grand Lodge . " On the motion of Bro . J . B . Monckton , seconded by Bro . T . Fenn , this report was taken as read , and ordered
to be received and entered on the minutes . " Bro . J . B . Monckton then said . — M . W . Pro Grand Master , the next business on the paper is the resumption of the adjourned debate on so much of the report ol the Board of General Purposes of 21 st August last as relates to the Lodge of Benevolence , viz ., that set out on the agenda paper . I had not the opportunity—the advantage
I may call it—of being present when the report came up , and I am glad to-day to be here in crdcr that I may put the Board right with Grand Lodge , and I hope I may put Grand Lodge right with the Board . In the first place , I have to say one thing with great emphasis . One or two brethren , perhaps more during the interval that has elapsed since the adjournment of the debate , have said that
in effect if thc report is not agreed with it will be practically a vote of censure on the Beard of General Purposes , and that it would be better to withdraw it . Now , the reason why the Board cf General Purposes were unanimous in these resolutions was this . In the first place we had no option to withdraw the report , which was brought up last September , and placid before Grand
Lodge . It was brought up and placed before Grand Lodge , and it remained in the hands of Grand Lodge ; and it would have been impertinence in us to make a movement to withdraw from Grand Lodge that which we had brought up . For the rest I may say emphatically that the Board of General Purposes quite remembered that they are Masonically the servants of Grand Lodge—the serving
board ofGrand Lodge during the year—on whatever matters are put before us to consider and report upon , and having considered and brought up a report we do so to the best of our ability , and with all respect to Grand Lodge j but we never forget tbat we are still members of Grand Lodge , and being members of Grand Ledge we dcsiie to be guided by the opinion of the majority as any other members
would do . I say this because I would not have it thought , nor would any member of the Board have it thought , that the motion before Grand Lodge if not carried would cast any reflection on the Board of General Purposes . We simply desire the Grand Lodge to take it into considciation fairly and decide according to the best of its judgment , and the conscience of each of its members . I will
retrace the steps that have been taken in the matter in order that those brethren who have not been present in Grand Lodge on previous occasions when this matter was before them may understand them . At the Quarterly Communication in June of last year the question of the constitution of the Board ol Benevolence was very strongly spoken of , and by no less an authority than Bro . Clabon ,
thaa whom I may say there is no one better able to speak on a subject much concurred in by Grand Lodge . Bro . Clabon's observations were made on the subject cf charity , and he said that our most sacred work of charity should be thoroughly , fully , and faithfully performed , and in order to that end some alterations seemed to him necessary in
the constitution of the Boarel of Benevolence . Those remarks were at any rate so strongly endorsed at the time by Grand Lodge , that the matter went to the Board of General Purposes to consider . It was therefore not an initiation of the matter on thepartof the Board . What we had to do was to consider the matter
sent to us to the best of our ability . 1 he point tbat I think Bro . Clabon dwelt upon indirectly — for he said as President he should not directly put it — was that