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Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge REPORTS or M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' "j : Instruction „* Ancient and Accepted Rite jf * Red Cross of Constantine ¦[; Grand Lodge of Ireland 'j
Thc Exclusion ot Heorews ¦ " •¦¦;•••" „ 6 Proposed Increase of thc Boys School J The Contest in French Freemasonry J The "Scottish Freemason " •••••¦¦ , "V"j "" „ , Thc Balance Sheet ofthe Irish Grand Lodge 97 The Quarterly Communication II CO Mcctin ° g ? oTco !^ n * ittecs of our Charitable Institutions 97 Historical Accuracy .......... 97 The Masonic Girls' School 97 Thc Exclusionof Hebrews ......... 97 lor vi
Stamps on Receipts Loogtuara Consecration ofthe Bcaconsfield Lodge , No . 1661 9 » What Good Dr . Vaughan ' s Lecture has Done 9 h Masonic Ball in Liverpool 98 Freemasonry in New bouth Wales 9 ** Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 99 Reviews ;••• 99 Masonic and General Tidings 99 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 100 Advertisements too . 1 . n . iii . iv . v . vi .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The March Quarterly Communication of thc Grand Lodge of England , was holden on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , when the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , presided ; Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master ; the Earl of Donoughmore , Senior Grand Warden , Bros . F . Pattison as J . G . W . ; Sir Albert Woods
( Garter ) , G . Dir . of Cers . ; JE . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , Grand Registrar ; J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Hervey , Grand Secretary ; S . Tomkins , Grand Treasurer ; Dr . W . Rhys Williams , Assistant Grand Dir . of Cer . ; and the Grand Deacons and Pursuivants were in their places . There were present altogether some 600 or 700 brethren , among whom were Lord de Tabley ,
W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Sir Michael Costa , Colonel Burdett , General Brownrigg , Richard Giddy , Rev . Sir , J . Warren Hayes , Thos . Fenn , Hyde Pullen , Rev . C . W , Arnold , Rev . Spencer R . Wigram , S . Rawson , Rev , C . J . Martyn , Rev . R . J . Simpson , J . M . Clabon , Benj . Head , Dr . Woodman , Dr . Jabez Hogg , F . Davidson , I . E . Middleton , Wilhelm Ganz , Wilhelm Kuhe , A . H .
Tattershall , Thomas Cubitt , Alderman Hadlcy , J . Wright , John Coutts , J . C . Parkinson , J . A . Rucker , James Glaisher , R . J . Spiers , James Mason , Joshua Nunn , II . J . P . Dumas , Capt . Piatt , and Capt . S . G . Homfray . Grand Lodge having been formally opened , Sir Albert Woods , G . D . C ., announced th-it the Grand Master of Nova Scotia was present , and called upon the brethren to
give him the customary salute . This having been done , business was proceeded with . Thc minutes of Grand Lodge of December , and of the Especial Grand Lodge of 3 rd January were read by Grand Secretary and confirmed . The Earl of Carnarvon then rose and said : Brethren , — Those who were present at the last Especial Grand Lodge
will remember the various arguments by which I introduced the subject which now comes before you , to your attention . It would be quite unnecessary for mc now to repeat those arguments . I shall therefore content myself with moving the resolutions of which notice has been given on this paper . And should it be necessary to offer any explanation I shall be quite ready to do so . The first
resolution is , "That the sum of £ 4000 be voted to the National Lifeboat Institution , for Ihe purpose of founding and furnishing two lifeboat stations , in perpetuity , in such localities on the English coast , as the Sub-Committee , hereafter mentioned , shall decide . " I will take the resolutions separately . I beg to move that resolution . Lord Skelmersdale said he had great pleasure in
seconding thc resolution . The Pro . G . M . had said himself that he had explained the matter so amply at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , that it was unnecessary to go into that again . He only hoped that thc resolution would be carried unanimously . The motion was put and carried without a dissentient voiee .
The Earl of Limerick said : I am happy to be able to state , and I shall request thc Grand Secretary to take formal note of it , that it may be communicated to His Royal Highness , that this resolution has passed with the unanimous concurrence of Grand Lodge . ( Great cheering . ) I have now to propose to you another resolution , which is simply intended lo give effect to the first . " That a
subcommittee , consisting of the M . W . the Pro . Grand Master , thc R . W ., the Deputy Grand Master , and the R . W . the Senior Grand Warden , be appointed to confer with the Secretary of the Royal National Life Boat Institution , with full powers to arrange all matters as to locality , details , & c . " I apprehend that there is comparatively little difficulty in this part of our duties , but of course it is necessary that
there should be some persons who should be made responsible for cirrying out the details . I am quite willing to undertake thc duty in conjunction with my two noble brothers , whose names stand on this resolution . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart having seconded the resolution it was put to Grand Lodge , and likewise carried unanimously , amidst cheers . The Earl of Carnarvon : Lastly , brethren , I have to ask
you to give your consent to a resolution , which will record , I trust , for ever , in this our solemn meeting place , thai memorial which we have decided to erect to the even ! which had given the Craft so much satisfaction . I do nol doubt that it will be possible at once to combine ii . that memorial tablet all that is necessary in the way ol recording the details , and also of adding one more cmbelliuhment to this hall . I ask , therefore , of Grand
United Grand Lodge.
Lodge , permission—and it will not cost a very large sumbut the permission to arrange for a memorial tablet , which shall in proper form and shape record the event in which we have all taken so deep an interest . ( Hear , hear . ) I have therefore to move "That a memorial tablet be erected in Grand Lodge in commemoration of the event . "
General Brownrigg , Prov . G . M . for Surrey , seconded the motion , which was also put and carried unanimously with the same general expressions of cordiality . The Earl of Carnarvon again rose and said : Brethren , I have to make at once an announcement to you , and to ask you to agree to a resolution on the same subject . Since we last met in this hall its walls have been < rraced
with one more portrait . It is a very fitting sequel to the vote to which we have unanimously agreed this evening . ( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , in this hall there are ten compartments ; those ten compartments are now full . Each of those compartments holds the portrait of one who in his day has been honoured , respected and dear to the Craft . Many of them represent members of our own
Royal Family , the relations of H . R . H . the Prince cf Wales , our present Grand Master . For some time the tenth compartment has been vacant , and now in an auspicious hour it has been filled , and a picture , not unworthy of the subject , and not unworthy of the place , fills that compartment . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been painted by an eminent painter ; it has been presented to Grand
Lodge by a well-known and honoured lodge , the Lodge of Friendship ; and my duty is to move that that picture henceforth be formally accepted and hung in that particular place , and that the cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge be given to our brethren of the Lodge of Friendship for this worthy and by us highly prized present . ( Cheers . ) I shall go through the form of asking for a
seconder , but I am confident that such a proposition as I now make will be carried by universal acclamation . ( General Brownrigg here approached thc Earl 'f Carnarvon and made some observations to him . ) The Earl of Carnarvon continued , —I have been very fitly reminded to add to what I have already said that the painter who has so worthily exhibited his art upon that canvas is
himself a member of the Lodge of Friendship , and by that very fact adds , I think , an additional value to the picture we are now accepting . I have , therefore , to submit to you the following resolution : " That this picture , painted expressly for the purpose by Bro . Louis Desanges , a member of the Lodge of Friendship , be accepted , and that thc cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge
are due and are hereby offered to the Lodgeof Friendship for this very acceptable present . " I beg to move that resolution . ( Hear , hear ) . Lord De Tabley seconded the motion , and he had great pleasure in doing so . More particularly had he satisfaction in seconding the resolution as he was himself a member of thc Lodge of Friendship , and he was only
happy to think that the picture redounded to the credit of those fraternal feelings of the brethren which were so acceptable to Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion was unanimously adopted . Bro . R . F . Gould , P . M . 92 , rose to propose thc election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the year ensuing , and in doing so said : —
Having had the honour to nominate the Grand Master , it now becomes my privilege to follow up the nomination by proposing in due form , and in accordance with ancient custom , the re-election of H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales to the hin-h office which for two years he has filled with so much grace and dignity . As I am conscious that the brethren must be awaiting with a very
natural impatience , the moment when they can , by acclamation , give expression to the feelings , which are dominant in our hearts , I shall trespass upon their attention for a few seconds only , but however inadequate I may feel myself to the duty I am attempting to discharge , I believe myself to be , though but a humble member of the rank and file , yet for the time being , the spokesman
both of Grand Lodge and thc Craft , and I think it would be considered unbefitting , if the occasion were allowed to pass by without their being manifested the most hearty recognition and most sincere appreciation of the vast and unprecedented stride which Masonry has made within the two past years , during which it has been thc happiness and the pride of the Craft
to be under the genial sway of His Royal Highness . I may be permitted to assure our Royal Grand Master , that by graciously consenting to remain at our head , a further incentive will be supplied tojus all , to maintain and uphold the dignity and high importance of Masonry , so as in all respects to merit a continuance of that illustrious patronage , which wc one and all so heartily welcome and
appreciate . The motion having been seconded , His Royal Highness was unanimously elected , and Sir Albert Woods then declared the fact , announcing the Prince of Wales by all his titles . The customary salute was thereupon given . Bro . Pearce , P . G . S ., proposed the re-election of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treasurer . He rose with
pleasure to propose it , and also with confidence , knowing full well that the mention of the name of their Very Worshipful Samuel Tomkins would be welcomed in Grand Lodge with favour . It was quite unnecessary for him to dilate for one single moment on the long series of brilliant and useful services Bro . Tomkins had performed to the Craft , and he should therefore content himself with proposing
his re-election . Having been seconded , thc motion was carried amidst loud applause . Bro . Samuel Tomkins , in returning thanks for his reelection , said he thanked thc brethren very heartily for the honour they had conferred upon him by re-electing him as Grand Treasurer . He had now had the honour of serving them for many years , and every year he had
United Grand Lodge.
seen the growing numbers and prosperity of the members of the Craft . He trusted this might long continue , and he hoped that under the guidance of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales they would see Masonry attain a higher and more influential position than ever it had had before . ( Cheers . ) The following grants made by the Lodge of Benevolence were then confirmed : A brother of tbe Lodge of Nine Muses ,
235 , London £ 100 o o A brother of thc Union Lodge , 129 , Kendal £ 200 o o A brother of the Angel Lodge , sji , Colchester £ S o 0 0 A brother of the New Forest Lodge , 310 , Lymington ' ... £ -0 o o A brother of the Apollo University Lodge ,
357 i Oxford £ j-o o o A brother of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , 60 , London , .,, £ 150 o o Bio . John B . Monckton , President , brought up the following report of the Board of General Purposes , and on his motion it was taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on thc minutes .
The Board of General Purposes beg to Report that it having come to their knowledge that the Tyndall Lodge , No . 1363 , Chipping Sodbury , had been guilty of Masonic irregularity by passing and raising brethren at shorter intervals than the period prescribed by the Book of Constitutions , the Board investigated the circumstances , and , in result , ordered that the brethren in question be duly
re-obligated and their certificates withheld until that be done ; and , further , that the lodge be fined one guinea for thc offence . The Board further report the investigation by them of a similar Masonic irregularity on the part of the Royal Alfred Lodge , 1028 , Alfreton , a brother having been raised in such lodge at a shorter interval than
prescribed by the Book of Constitutions , and that in result they have ordered the brother in question to be re-obligated , and his certificate to be withheld until that be done ; and further that the lodge be fined one guinea for the offence . Signed , J B . MONCKTON , President .
Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 20 th February , 18 77 . To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 16 th day of February , 187 * 7 , showing a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of £ (> W ] ios . 2 d . ; and in the hands of the Grand Secre
tary , for petty cash , £ 75 ; and for servants' wages , £ 9 6 15 s . Bro . Monckton said that some of the brethren might be disposed to think that the fines inflicted in the above cases were , as had been suggested , rather lenient than otherwise , but he hoped Grand Lodge would think that the board had erred on the right side . They had received
explanations in the cases , and they found that the mistakes made by thc brethren arose more from ignorance of the Masonic law than from wilful Masonic irregularity . Grand Secretary had been instructed to warn the brethren very strongly as to their conduct in future , and he hoped it would have a beneficial effect ; Bro . Peter De Lande Long seconded the motion , which
was put and carried . The report of Bro . R . P . Harding having been adopted , Grand Lodge proceeded with the appeals . Thc first was an appeal of Bro . Edmund Waller , M . D ., the then W . Master of St . Peter ' s Lodge , 442 , Peterborough , against the judgment of Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire ,
relative to dissensions which have arisen in the lodge , arinng chiefly on the subject of the powers and privileges of the W . Master . Bro . Mclntyre , G . Registrar , in stating the case to Grand Lodge , said that this appeal arose out of occurrences that took place at two meetings of the lodge of which Dr . Waller was W . M . at the time , and it was a case
which required some consideration ; but he thought upon thc whole Grand Lodge would come to the conclusion that the decision of thc Deputy Provincial Grand Master in this instance should be upheld . He did not say that the reason given by the Deputy P . G . M . for arriving at his conclusion was exactly that at which he ( G . R . ) would have arrived at ; but he thought when Grand Lodge had heard what
really took place , it would say the D . P . G . M . ' s judgment should not be overruled . The first complaint arose with regard to a meeting of the lodge when the ceremony of raising had to be performed . Dr . Waller , before the lodge met , asked a P . M . of the lodge to perform the ceremony for him . The D . P . G . M . seemed to have thought that Dr . Waller , in making that request before the lodge was
held , erred , and was not acting withiu the scope of his authority . So far thc D . P . G . M . was wrong , and in this opinion which he ( G . R . ) held , no doubt brethren who had been used to the working of the Craft would concur ; because if a brother was to be asked to perform a ceremony , which should be performed efficiently and well , timely notice should be given to him to get the ceremony up . In
his opinion Dr . Waller did that which was right . Dr . Waller mentioned in the ante-room what he had done , and Bro . Buckle , who was the Senior P . M ., stated , when Dr . Waller asked him to take thc S . W . chair , that he would do thc raising . Bro . Buckle claimed the right . They referred to the Book of Constitutions , which certainly
on this point was as clear as possible . The part they referred to was , " That should the Master die , or resign , or be incapable of performing his duties , " the S . W . should summon thc lodge , and the Senior P . M . should take the chair , and in the absence of P . M . ' s of the lodge the S . W . should rule it . He thought there was a misapprehension on the part of a great many brethren as to what was the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge REPORTS or M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry ' "j : Instruction „* Ancient and Accepted Rite jf * Red Cross of Constantine ¦[; Grand Lodge of Ireland 'j
Thc Exclusion ot Heorews ¦ " •¦¦;•••" „ 6 Proposed Increase of thc Boys School J The Contest in French Freemasonry J The "Scottish Freemason " •••••¦¦ , "V"j "" „ , Thc Balance Sheet ofthe Irish Grand Lodge 97 The Quarterly Communication II CO Mcctin ° g ? oTco !^ n * ittecs of our Charitable Institutions 97 Historical Accuracy .......... 97 The Masonic Girls' School 97 Thc Exclusionof Hebrews ......... 97 lor vi
Stamps on Receipts Loogtuara Consecration ofthe Bcaconsfield Lodge , No . 1661 9 » What Good Dr . Vaughan ' s Lecture has Done 9 h Masonic Ball in Liverpool 98 Freemasonry in New bouth Wales 9 ** Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 99 Reviews ;••• 99 Masonic and General Tidings 99 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 100 Advertisements too . 1 . n . iii . iv . v . vi .
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The March Quarterly Communication of thc Grand Lodge of England , was holden on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , when the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand Master , presided ; Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master ; the Earl of Donoughmore , Senior Grand Warden , Bros . F . Pattison as J . G . W . ; Sir Albert Woods
( Garter ) , G . Dir . of Cers . ; JE . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , Grand Registrar ; J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Hervey , Grand Secretary ; S . Tomkins , Grand Treasurer ; Dr . W . Rhys Williams , Assistant Grand Dir . of Cer . ; and the Grand Deacons and Pursuivants were in their places . There were present altogether some 600 or 700 brethren , among whom were Lord de Tabley ,
W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Sir Michael Costa , Colonel Burdett , General Brownrigg , Richard Giddy , Rev . Sir , J . Warren Hayes , Thos . Fenn , Hyde Pullen , Rev . C . W , Arnold , Rev . Spencer R . Wigram , S . Rawson , Rev , C . J . Martyn , Rev . R . J . Simpson , J . M . Clabon , Benj . Head , Dr . Woodman , Dr . Jabez Hogg , F . Davidson , I . E . Middleton , Wilhelm Ganz , Wilhelm Kuhe , A . H .
Tattershall , Thomas Cubitt , Alderman Hadlcy , J . Wright , John Coutts , J . C . Parkinson , J . A . Rucker , James Glaisher , R . J . Spiers , James Mason , Joshua Nunn , II . J . P . Dumas , Capt . Piatt , and Capt . S . G . Homfray . Grand Lodge having been formally opened , Sir Albert Woods , G . D . C ., announced th-it the Grand Master of Nova Scotia was present , and called upon the brethren to
give him the customary salute . This having been done , business was proceeded with . Thc minutes of Grand Lodge of December , and of the Especial Grand Lodge of 3 rd January were read by Grand Secretary and confirmed . The Earl of Carnarvon then rose and said : Brethren , — Those who were present at the last Especial Grand Lodge
will remember the various arguments by which I introduced the subject which now comes before you , to your attention . It would be quite unnecessary for mc now to repeat those arguments . I shall therefore content myself with moving the resolutions of which notice has been given on this paper . And should it be necessary to offer any explanation I shall be quite ready to do so . The first
resolution is , "That the sum of £ 4000 be voted to the National Lifeboat Institution , for Ihe purpose of founding and furnishing two lifeboat stations , in perpetuity , in such localities on the English coast , as the Sub-Committee , hereafter mentioned , shall decide . " I will take the resolutions separately . I beg to move that resolution . Lord Skelmersdale said he had great pleasure in
seconding thc resolution . The Pro . G . M . had said himself that he had explained the matter so amply at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , that it was unnecessary to go into that again . He only hoped that thc resolution would be carried unanimously . The motion was put and carried without a dissentient voiee .
The Earl of Limerick said : I am happy to be able to state , and I shall request thc Grand Secretary to take formal note of it , that it may be communicated to His Royal Highness , that this resolution has passed with the unanimous concurrence of Grand Lodge . ( Great cheering . ) I have now to propose to you another resolution , which is simply intended lo give effect to the first . " That a
subcommittee , consisting of the M . W . the Pro . Grand Master , thc R . W ., the Deputy Grand Master , and the R . W . the Senior Grand Warden , be appointed to confer with the Secretary of the Royal National Life Boat Institution , with full powers to arrange all matters as to locality , details , & c . " I apprehend that there is comparatively little difficulty in this part of our duties , but of course it is necessary that
there should be some persons who should be made responsible for cirrying out the details . I am quite willing to undertake thc duty in conjunction with my two noble brothers , whose names stand on this resolution . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart having seconded the resolution it was put to Grand Lodge , and likewise carried unanimously , amidst cheers . The Earl of Carnarvon : Lastly , brethren , I have to ask
you to give your consent to a resolution , which will record , I trust , for ever , in this our solemn meeting place , thai memorial which we have decided to erect to the even ! which had given the Craft so much satisfaction . I do nol doubt that it will be possible at once to combine ii . that memorial tablet all that is necessary in the way ol recording the details , and also of adding one more cmbelliuhment to this hall . I ask , therefore , of Grand
United Grand Lodge.
Lodge , permission—and it will not cost a very large sumbut the permission to arrange for a memorial tablet , which shall in proper form and shape record the event in which we have all taken so deep an interest . ( Hear , hear . ) I have therefore to move "That a memorial tablet be erected in Grand Lodge in commemoration of the event . "
General Brownrigg , Prov . G . M . for Surrey , seconded the motion , which was also put and carried unanimously with the same general expressions of cordiality . The Earl of Carnarvon again rose and said : Brethren , I have to make at once an announcement to you , and to ask you to agree to a resolution on the same subject . Since we last met in this hall its walls have been < rraced
with one more portrait . It is a very fitting sequel to the vote to which we have unanimously agreed this evening . ( Hear , hear . ) Brethren , in this hall there are ten compartments ; those ten compartments are now full . Each of those compartments holds the portrait of one who in his day has been honoured , respected and dear to the Craft . Many of them represent members of our own
Royal Family , the relations of H . R . H . the Prince cf Wales , our present Grand Master . For some time the tenth compartment has been vacant , and now in an auspicious hour it has been filled , and a picture , not unworthy of the subject , and not unworthy of the place , fills that compartment . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been painted by an eminent painter ; it has been presented to Grand
Lodge by a well-known and honoured lodge , the Lodge of Friendship ; and my duty is to move that that picture henceforth be formally accepted and hung in that particular place , and that the cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge be given to our brethren of the Lodge of Friendship for this worthy and by us highly prized present . ( Cheers . ) I shall go through the form of asking for a
seconder , but I am confident that such a proposition as I now make will be carried by universal acclamation . ( General Brownrigg here approached thc Earl 'f Carnarvon and made some observations to him . ) The Earl of Carnarvon continued , —I have been very fitly reminded to add to what I have already said that the painter who has so worthily exhibited his art upon that canvas is
himself a member of the Lodge of Friendship , and by that very fact adds , I think , an additional value to the picture we are now accepting . I have , therefore , to submit to you the following resolution : " That this picture , painted expressly for the purpose by Bro . Louis Desanges , a member of the Lodge of Friendship , be accepted , and that thc cordial thanks of this Grand Lodge
are due and are hereby offered to the Lodgeof Friendship for this very acceptable present . " I beg to move that resolution . ( Hear , hear ) . Lord De Tabley seconded the motion , and he had great pleasure in doing so . More particularly had he satisfaction in seconding the resolution as he was himself a member of thc Lodge of Friendship , and he was only
happy to think that the picture redounded to the credit of those fraternal feelings of the brethren which were so acceptable to Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) The motion was unanimously adopted . Bro . R . F . Gould , P . M . 92 , rose to propose thc election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Most Worshipful Grand Master for the year ensuing , and in doing so said : —
Having had the honour to nominate the Grand Master , it now becomes my privilege to follow up the nomination by proposing in due form , and in accordance with ancient custom , the re-election of H . R . H . thc Prince of Wales to the hin-h office which for two years he has filled with so much grace and dignity . As I am conscious that the brethren must be awaiting with a very
natural impatience , the moment when they can , by acclamation , give expression to the feelings , which are dominant in our hearts , I shall trespass upon their attention for a few seconds only , but however inadequate I may feel myself to the duty I am attempting to discharge , I believe myself to be , though but a humble member of the rank and file , yet for the time being , the spokesman
both of Grand Lodge and thc Craft , and I think it would be considered unbefitting , if the occasion were allowed to pass by without their being manifested the most hearty recognition and most sincere appreciation of the vast and unprecedented stride which Masonry has made within the two past years , during which it has been thc happiness and the pride of the Craft
to be under the genial sway of His Royal Highness . I may be permitted to assure our Royal Grand Master , that by graciously consenting to remain at our head , a further incentive will be supplied tojus all , to maintain and uphold the dignity and high importance of Masonry , so as in all respects to merit a continuance of that illustrious patronage , which wc one and all so heartily welcome and
appreciate . The motion having been seconded , His Royal Highness was unanimously elected , and Sir Albert Woods then declared the fact , announcing the Prince of Wales by all his titles . The customary salute was thereupon given . Bro . Pearce , P . G . S ., proposed the re-election of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treasurer . He rose with
pleasure to propose it , and also with confidence , knowing full well that the mention of the name of their Very Worshipful Samuel Tomkins would be welcomed in Grand Lodge with favour . It was quite unnecessary for him to dilate for one single moment on the long series of brilliant and useful services Bro . Tomkins had performed to the Craft , and he should therefore content himself with proposing
his re-election . Having been seconded , thc motion was carried amidst loud applause . Bro . Samuel Tomkins , in returning thanks for his reelection , said he thanked thc brethren very heartily for the honour they had conferred upon him by re-electing him as Grand Treasurer . He had now had the honour of serving them for many years , and every year he had
United Grand Lodge.
seen the growing numbers and prosperity of the members of the Craft . He trusted this might long continue , and he hoped that under the guidance of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales they would see Masonry attain a higher and more influential position than ever it had had before . ( Cheers . ) The following grants made by the Lodge of Benevolence were then confirmed : A brother of tbe Lodge of Nine Muses ,
235 , London £ 100 o o A brother of thc Union Lodge , 129 , Kendal £ 200 o o A brother of the Angel Lodge , sji , Colchester £ S o 0 0 A brother of the New Forest Lodge , 310 , Lymington ' ... £ -0 o o A brother of the Apollo University Lodge ,
357 i Oxford £ j-o o o A brother of the Lodge of Peace and Harmony , 60 , London , .,, £ 150 o o Bio . John B . Monckton , President , brought up the following report of the Board of General Purposes , and on his motion it was taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on thc minutes .
The Board of General Purposes beg to Report that it having come to their knowledge that the Tyndall Lodge , No . 1363 , Chipping Sodbury , had been guilty of Masonic irregularity by passing and raising brethren at shorter intervals than the period prescribed by the Book of Constitutions , the Board investigated the circumstances , and , in result , ordered that the brethren in question be duly
re-obligated and their certificates withheld until that be done ; and , further , that the lodge be fined one guinea for thc offence . The Board further report the investigation by them of a similar Masonic irregularity on the part of the Royal Alfred Lodge , 1028 , Alfreton , a brother having been raised in such lodge at a shorter interval than
prescribed by the Book of Constitutions , and that in result they have ordered the brother in question to be re-obligated , and his certificate to be withheld until that be done ; and further that the lodge be fined one guinea for the offence . Signed , J B . MONCKTON , President .
Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 20 th February , 18 77 . To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 16 th day of February , 187 * 7 , showing a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of £ (> W ] ios . 2 d . ; and in the hands of the Grand Secre
tary , for petty cash , £ 75 ; and for servants' wages , £ 9 6 15 s . Bro . Monckton said that some of the brethren might be disposed to think that the fines inflicted in the above cases were , as had been suggested , rather lenient than otherwise , but he hoped Grand Lodge would think that the board had erred on the right side . They had received
explanations in the cases , and they found that the mistakes made by thc brethren arose more from ignorance of the Masonic law than from wilful Masonic irregularity . Grand Secretary had been instructed to warn the brethren very strongly as to their conduct in future , and he hoped it would have a beneficial effect ; Bro . Peter De Lande Long seconded the motion , which
was put and carried . The report of Bro . R . P . Harding having been adopted , Grand Lodge proceeded with the appeals . Thc first was an appeal of Bro . Edmund Waller , M . D ., the then W . Master of St . Peter ' s Lodge , 442 , Peterborough , against the judgment of Bro . Butler Wilkins , Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire ,
relative to dissensions which have arisen in the lodge , arinng chiefly on the subject of the powers and privileges of the W . Master . Bro . Mclntyre , G . Registrar , in stating the case to Grand Lodge , said that this appeal arose out of occurrences that took place at two meetings of the lodge of which Dr . Waller was W . M . at the time , and it was a case
which required some consideration ; but he thought upon thc whole Grand Lodge would come to the conclusion that the decision of thc Deputy Provincial Grand Master in this instance should be upheld . He did not say that the reason given by the Deputy P . G . M . for arriving at his conclusion was exactly that at which he ( G . R . ) would have arrived at ; but he thought when Grand Lodge had heard what
really took place , it would say the D . P . G . M . ' s judgment should not be overruled . The first complaint arose with regard to a meeting of the lodge when the ceremony of raising had to be performed . Dr . Waller , before the lodge met , asked a P . M . of the lodge to perform the ceremony for him . The D . P . G . M . seemed to have thought that Dr . Waller , in making that request before the lodge was
held , erred , and was not acting withiu the scope of his authority . So far thc D . P . G . M . was wrong , and in this opinion which he ( G . R . ) held , no doubt brethren who had been used to the working of the Craft would concur ; because if a brother was to be asked to perform a ceremony , which should be performed efficiently and well , timely notice should be given to him to get the ceremony up . In
his opinion Dr . Waller did that which was right . Dr . Waller mentioned in the ante-room what he had done , and Bro . Buckle , who was the Senior P . M ., stated , when Dr . Waller asked him to take thc S . W . chair , that he would do thc raising . Bro . Buckle claimed the right . They referred to the Book of Constitutions , which certainly
on this point was as clear as possible . The part they referred to was , " That should the Master die , or resign , or be incapable of performing his duties , " the S . W . should summon thc lodge , and the Senior P . M . should take the chair , and in the absence of P . M . ' s of the lodge the S . W . should rule it . He thought there was a misapprehension on the part of a great many brethren as to what was the