Grand Mark Lodge.

Grand Lodge congratulated itself on the way the work was done in the provinces . The Province of Bristol had recently been constituted , and it augured well for the progress of Mark Masonry in that ancient home of Masonry . The year before two Provincial Grand Lodges were formed , and from year to year Mark Masonry was spreading , and a strong and settled form of government was established .

Bro . Elliot , D . P . G . M . Devon , replied . Bro . Levander proposed " The Benevolent Fund , " to which Bros . Roebuck and Brette responded . The M . W . G . M . proposed "The Grand Stewards , " coupling with it the name of Bro . H . Massey ( " Freemason " ) , Past Grand Steward , who briefly acknowledged the compliment , and the remaining toasts were afterwards given , and the brethren separated .

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Scotland .

GLASGOW . —Lodge Kilwinning ( No . 4 ) . —An emergencj' meeting of this lodge was held in the hall , 162 , Kent-road , on Friday afternoon , at 4 p . m ., the 2 nd inst ., Bro . R . Prout , W . M ., presiding , supported by his office-bearers and a fair attendance of members . On the lodge being opened a brother was passed to the F . C . degree by Bro . T . Stewart , P . M . Thistle and Rose , No . 73 ,

and afterwards a brother was raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . G . W . Wheeler , Chaplain No . 73 . KIRKINTILLOCH . —St . John Kilwinning Lodge ( No . 28 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this very old lodge was held in their lodge-room , " Black Bull "' Inn , on Saturday afternoon , the 27 th ult . Bro . D . Cameron , W . M ., presided , supported by his Wardens , and Bro .

Allan , D . M ., acting Sec . On the lodge being opened , and the minutes of last monthly meeting read and confirmed , two applications were read from the following gentlemen—Messrs . John Buchanan and Alexander Russell —and favourably received . They were then admitted and received the E . A . degree at the hands of Bro . Cameron , W . M ., in that brother ' s able and impressive manner .

Bro . Archibald Neven was afterwards raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . D . Gilchrist , W . M . St . Andrew's , Glasgow , No . 46 ;; . The meeting was well attended by members , and a deputation was present from Maryhill Lodge , No . 510 , headed by Bro . John M'Kay , W . M . The lodge was then resumed in the First Degree , and closed in due form .

GLASGOW . —Union and Grown Lodge ( No . 103 ) . —The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Commercial Hall , 30 , Hope-strect , on Monday evening , the 29 th ult ., Bro . D . Murray , W . M ., in the chair , suppoited by Bros . A . M . Wright , I . P . M ., acting S . W . ; W . Ferguson , P . M . 543 , acting J . W . ; R . Munro , D . M . ; J . M'Farlane , S . M . ; Neil Cameron , Treas . ; J . Gillies , P . M ..

Sec . ; A . Gray , J . D . ; J . Gray , I . G . ; and R . Boyd , Tyler , Among the visiting brethren were Bros . D . Butler , W . M . St . Mungo , 27 ; VV . Foster , P . M . 354 ; David Reid , I . P . M . 4 6 5 ; Jas . Findlay , S . M . 333 ; J . M'Leish , S . M . 465 ; J . Bannerman , D . M . 73 ; John Stewart , 360 ; R . Young , St . Patrick , Belfast , 195 ( I . C . ) , and members from Nos . 28 , 73 , 169 , 219 , 292 , 204 , 307 , 333 , 46 s , and 553 . On the

lodge being opened , the Secretaiy read thc minutes of the last monthly and one emergency meeting , which were approved i'f . The W . M . then complimented the officebearers anil members of the lodge on the choice they had made in securing the Commercial Masonic Hall for holding their meetings , at the same time remarking that he ( the chairman ) hoped thc day was not fur distant when

the Union aud Crown Lodge , No . 103 , would be in a position to have a hall of their own . The W . M . then said he was glad in using his prerogative in proposing for honorary affiliation to the Union and Crown Lodge Bros . J . Findlay , S . M . 333 ; W . Ferguson , I . P . M . 543 ( " Freemason" ) ; j . hteward , " 3 60 ( N . B . D . M . ) ; and J . Ban Herman , D . M . 73 , for services rendered to the lodge ; and

they were duly obligated by Bro . Gillies , P . M ., Sec . Mr . Jas . Patterson was initiated by Bro . A . M . Wright , I . P . M ., in his usual careful manner . The lodge was then closed , and afterwards a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and conferred lhat degree on Bro . W . Foster , P . M . 354 , Bro . Ferguson officiating , supported by Bros . Gillies , Murray , and Reid . The brethren then adjourned to

refreshment , when a short time was spent in harmonv . RUTHERGLEN . —Lodge St . John Operati ve'No . 347 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Friday evening , the 26 th ult ., Bro . D . Smart , VV . M ., in the chair ; J . Murdoch , S . W . ; T . Alston , J . W . The W . M . was supported on the dais by Bros . D . Butler , W . M . 27 ; Hamilton , W . M . 116 ; W . Phillips , W . M .

536 ; A . Cow , S . M . 5 81 ; J . Cunningham . I . P . M . ; and M . Abbott , D . M . of the lodge . The principle feature of the evening's business was presentation to Bro . Cunningham , I . P . M ., for his valuable services to the lodge as W . M . for the long period of four consecutive years , and the occasion turned out a large number of brethren from the different lodges in the Province of Glasgow and neighbourbood

, no less than 200 were present . Deputations were present from the following lodges : —3 . J , 4 , 18 , 27 , 28 , 73 , 10 3 . 116 , 128 , 142 , 219 , 275 , 278 / 305 , 333 , 3 62 , 408 441 . 550 and 581 . The lodge having been opened , and niinutes of last meeting read and confirmed , four gentlemen , Messrs . P . McGregor , J . McCrae , S . Burlington , and , S . Wilson were initiated into the E . A . Degree by Bro . Smart , the W . M . The lodge was then closed and

transferred to refreshment . Bro . M . Abbott , D . M ., was called upon to make thc presentation , who , in a excellent speech , referring particularly to the past conduct of the woith y brother whom he had the honour to present with this testimonial , the untiring energies with which he had for the past years wrought for this , his mother lod ge in particular , and the Craft in general . « e also referred to this charitable disposition ,

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remarking that he had set a good and true example to those who may follow in his footsteps . Bro . Abbott then presented Bro . Cunningham with a massive gold watch and chain with appendages , and they were , we understand , subscribed for not only in Scotland , but in England and Ireland as well , owing to the esteem in which he is held . Bro . Cunningham replied in feeling terms ,

confining himself principally to the progress of the lodge during his mastership . He stated that the initiates had been numerous , they had also acquired a splendid hall which they were now assembled in , and that he had worked pretty hard , but all the honour was not due to him , if he had not been supported by the most able and willino- office-bearers it would have been utterly impossible

for him as an individual to have gone through the work , he therefore thanked the brethren for the handsome and costly present . ( Applause . ) During the evening the several W . M . ' s present occupied the chair in rotation , and among the various toasts which were honoured , "The Prosperity of Lodge St . John , No . 347 , ' ' was proposed by Bro . D . Butler , W . M . 27 , and replied to by Bro . Smart ,

W . M . " The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . Smart , W . M ., and replied to by Bro . Robert Allan , Sec . 5 81 . GLASGOW . —Commercial Lodge ( No . 3 60 ) . — The regular meeting of this lodge was held in their hall , 30 , Hope-street , on Friday evening , 2 nd inst ., Bro . John Monro , W . M ., in the chair ; Davidson , P . M . ; J . M . Oliver , S . W . ; J . M . Duncan , acting J . W . ; John Smith ,

Sec ; G , Scott , Treas . ; R . Brodie , D . of M ., and a very good attendance of members and visiting brethren . Among the latter was a Bro . J . Richmond , of Lodge 526 , holding of Grand Lodge of Springfield , America . On the lodge being opened the minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . W . Campbell was then raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., Bro . Oliver , S . W ., giving

the obligation , and the W . M ., Bro . Munro , performing the remaining part of the degree in his able and impressive style . The lodge was then resumed in the First Degree , and closed in due form . GLASGOW . —Clyde Lodge ( No . 408 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held in St . Mark ' s Hall , 213 , Buchanan-street , on Friday evening , the 2 nd

inst . In the unavoidable absence of Bro , W . Harper , W . M ., 3 ro . T . Gordon , P . M ., D . M ., occupied the chair ; J . M'Innes , S . M . ; W . Bilsland , S . W . ; J . Neagle , f . W . 441 , acting J . W . ; W . Anderson , Treas . ; R . Wallace , & c . Among the visitors were Bros . G . M'Donald , W . M . 73 ; J . Bannerman , D . M . 73 ; Wheeler , Chap . 73 ; Kay , S . D . 7-JJ A Bain , P . M . 103 ; Ferguson , P . M . 543 ("

Freemason" ) . The lodge was opened , and Mr . Angel Roman Colunga was initiated . Messrs . Louis Lesser Dutch and Andrew Deans were also initiated on behalf of Thistle and Rose Lodge , No . 73 . Bros . Colunga and Dutch having to leave Scotland in a- few days , were then passed at their own request to the F . C . degree , and they were afterwards , along with Bro . M . Smith , raised to the

sublime degree of M . M ., Bro . T . Gordon , P . M ., D . M ., performing the whole of the ceremonies . The lodge was then reduced to the E . A . degree , and closed in due form . GLASGOW . —St . Andrew Lodge ( N 0 . 465 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held in their Masonic Hall , 69 , Garngad-road , on Thursday evening , the ist . inst ., Bro . D . Gilchrist , W . M ., presiding ; J . M'Leish , S . M . ; G . B .

Davidson , S . W . ; W . Chalmers , JW . ; W . Campbell , Sec . Visitors : Bros . J . T . Muir , W . M . Argyle , No . 33 c , ; J . Martin , D . M . 219 ; B . Smart , Treas . 219 , and a deputation of fifteen ; J . M'Innes , S . W . 332 ; W . Ferguson , P . M . 543 ( " Freemason" ); J . S . Allan , D . M . 28 , and others . The lodge being opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , it was called to refreshment , when the

W . M . in succession proposed the following toasts , which were most enthusiastically responded to , viz ., " The Queen and the Craft , " " The Three Grand Lodges , " " Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , '' ( replied to by Bro . Campbell , of Lodge No . 22 ) , "The Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , " " The Visitors , " coupled with the name of Bro . Muir , W . M . 331 ; , who replied in a very able manner ;

" The VV . M ., " proposed by Bro . Martin , D . M . 219 , and neatly replied to by Bro . Gilchrist ; " Thc Masonic Press , " by the W . M ., replied to by Bro . Ferguson , P . M . 543 ( " Freemason" ) . Other toasts followed . During the evening Bros . Chalmers , Davidson , Neven , Grieve , and others contributed to the enjoyment by singing some excellent songs , and the brethren , after spending a most

harmonious evening , separated , after the Tyler ' s toast , " Happy to meet , sorry to part , and happy to meet again . " THORNLIEBANK . —Lodge Thorntree ( No . 512 ) . — The regular monthly meeting of this prosperous lodge was held in their hall , on Saturday last , Bro . Robert Scobie , W . M ., presiding , supported by Bro . Robert

Fletcher , S . W ., and Bro . Robert M'Ewan , J . W ., and was attended by a numerous and distinguished company . Amongst tlie visiting brethren were deputations from the Paisley St . Mirren ' s Lodge , No . 129 , and Renfrew County Kilwinning Lodge , No . 370 , Paisley . On the lodge being opened on the First Degree , it was announced that the members of thc Provincial Grand Lodge , Renfrewshire

East , were in waiting outside for the purpose of inspecting the lodge . The W . M . gave instructions to receive them , which was accordingly done , with the usual honours . The deputation , in the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Master , Col , Campbell , of Blythswood , was headed by ex-Bailie Caldwell , of Craigielea , P . G . Deputy Master , who , on

taking his seat on the dais , was handed the mallet by the W . M . of Thorntree Lodge , and requested to occupy the chair , which compliment the Deputy Master gracefully acknowledged , at the same time returning the mallet , and requesting the R . W . M . to retain his seat . Ex-Bailie Caldwell then said that they had made a careful examination of the books of the Lodge Thorntree , No . 512 , and found them to be in a most satisfactory condition , reflecting

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great credit on the Secretary . The general working of the lodge was found to be in strict harmony with the constitution of the Grand Lodge . He complimented the lodge on their excellent staff of office-bearers , making special reference to the W . M ., and also spoke of its prosperity , no less than twenty-five new members being added to its roll for last year . In conclusion , he hoped that the

same prosperity would attend the lodge in the future as had been the case in the past . The W . M . then thanked the deputation for their flattering report ; after which two candidates were admitted as members of the Order , the initiation ceiemony being ably rendered by Bro . Scobie .

The lodge was called to harmony , and the Provincial deputation and visiting brethren most hospitably entertained by the office-bearers of Thorntree Lodge , when hearty good wishes were expressed by the brethren from the various visiting lodges towards the Thorntree Lodge for their kindness to them on this occasion .

GLASGOW * . —Clydesdale Lodge ( No . 556 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held in their hall , 106 , Rosestreet , S . S ., on Tuesday , -joth ult ., Bro . W . Phillips , W . M ., in the chair ; J . M'Naug ' ht , S . W . ; T . Phillips , J . W . ; H . M . [ Culloch , D . M . ; J . M'Kechnie , Treas . ; G . B . Yuill , Sec . ; P . Young , S . D . ; J . M'Cammon , J . D . ; W . Smith ., I . G . ; and W . Graham , Tyler ; and a large turn-out of

members and visitors . Among the latter we noticed Bros . W . J . E . Dobson , W . M . Dramatic , 571 ; G . C . H . M'Naught , P . M . 275 ; Wm . Foster , P . M . 354 ; J . M . Oliver , S . W . 360 ; M . Staik , 553 ; W . Ferguson , P . M . 543 ( " Freemason , " ; J . Robertson , I . G . 571 , and others . The minutes of last meeting being read and confirmed , and other business disposed of , Messrs . J . Bennet , R .

Mabin , and Peter Lloyd were initiated into the E . A . degree by the W . M . Bros . Alex . Moore , S . Johnstone , and Robt . M'Millan were passed to the F . C . degree by Bro . W . Ferguson , P . M . 543 ; and Bros . R . Wilson , A . Richardson , and J . Moore were raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . Phillips , W . M . The lodge was then reduced to the First Degree , and afterwards a short time was spent in harmony and refreshment .

MASONIC AND GENERAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY , LIMITED . —We would again call the attention of our readers to the steady progress which this company is making . We do so more particularly at this time as its financial year ends on 30 th September next . It is also a very satisfactory fact that this company has had no difficulty or trouble whatever in passing its accounts and

balance-sheet with the Board of Trade , in compliance with the Act . The accounts for the year ending 30 th September , 1875 , have been duly filed and passed by the Board of Trade , and when the next bluebook is issued will appear therein . These are facts which should be pleasing to our readers , and we strongly recommend our brethren to follow

out the advice of the late Charles Dickens , " Be assured , whether you are thinking of the safety of your life by land , or by railway , or by sea , or of the unbroken condition of your arms and legs , or of the maintenance of general health , or of comfort , and competence in your old age , or of the interests of wife and children when you may be 110 more , or for a provision for your boy when he

reaches the apprenticing age , or of the happy marriage and the wedding portion of your little Mary Anne , one day to be , you hope , a blushing bride , now a tiny prattling fairy of two or three years—never mind the subject matter — " Be assured . " In a recent but eloquent speech made by the Rev . Dr . Gillan on assurance matters , he said : " I commend such institutions because I see in them thc centre

point or germs of many of the higher virtues which adorn man and the Christian . Among these , self-abnegation stands out the most prominent . Narrowness is banished , and liberality takes its place . In many casts of life assurance restraint is placed on individual inclination . Domestic privations are often submitted to , which the unselfish must admire ; and where luxuries or superfluities are

denied for this purpose , a blessing is safe to rest on what remains . This is the highest sentiment which can inspire the breast , and what can be more touchingly indicative of genuine generous affection than the adoption of such a course ? Whatever is contained in your Policy is secured fcr the benefit of others . It is a provision for your nearest and dearest when you can provide for them no longer . It

is to ward off the horrors of poverty , and , humanly speaking , to render destitution impossible . To vindicate the neglect of such a precaution on the plea of plenty while living cannot be admitted . On the contrary , the more comfortably the family are kept , the greater the cruelty of leaving them to the cold charity of an unfeeling . world . The greener the pasture now , the more dreary will the

desert be then . Such exercises of self denial cannot go without their reward . " What ought to prove an investigation of interest and value is about to be made in Glasgow . It is determined to begin a series of observations on the air of that city . It is understood that Dr . Russell , the medical officer of health

has associated with himself Dr . Joseph Coates and Mr . Dickson , the former of whom will undertake the microscopic examination of the air-working , and the latter the chemical . The result should be exceedingly interesting , and the example might with advantage be followed in other great cities .

Copies of the" Freemason " for May ist and Sth , 1875 , containing a full account of the proceedings at the Installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , as Most Worshipful Grand Master and First Grand Principal , are still obtainable at the office , 198 , Fleet-street . The " Masonic Magazine " for the current month , contains an engraving of the first church built in England , A . . 61 .