United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The Quarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge of Free nnd Acccptcd ~ Mnsor . s was held on Wednesday evening- at Freemasons' Hall , when there was a large attendance . Bro . General Brownrigg , P . G . W ., Provincial Grand Master for Surrey , presided . Bro . Sir Edmund A . H . Lechmere , M . P ., Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire , acted as Deputy Grand Master ; Bro . LL D . Sandeman , Past District Grand Master of Bengal , as Past Grand Master ; Bro . Col . Cole , P . G . W ., as Grand Senior Warden ; and Bro . ihe Rev . Sir John Warren Hayes , Past Grand Chaplain , as Grand Junior Warden .

The other Grand Officers present were Bros . XV . Kingston , D . G . M . Malta ; Rev . A . W . Hall , G . Chap . ; Lieut .-Col . Creaton , G . Treas . ; Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec . ; J . Sampson Peirce , J . G . D . ; H . C . Levander , J . G . D . ; Sir Albert \ V . Woods ( Garter ) , G . D . of C . ; Capt . A . B . Cooke , A . G . D . of " C . ; George Lambert , G . S . B . ; H . G . Buss , A . G . Sec . ; William Clarke , G . P . ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . C . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C . ; R . P . Gould , P . G . D . ; Prank Richardson , P . G . D . ; Lieut .-Col . II . S . Somerville

Burney , P . G . D . ; J . H . Scott , P . G . D . ; J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Robert Grey , P . G . D . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; W . A . F . Powell , P . G . D . ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; Raynham XV . Stewart , P . G . D . ; XV . J . Ilughan , P . G . D . ; Henry Mawdsley , P . G . D . ; Matthew Clark , P . G . D . ; R . Warren Wheeler , P . G . D . ; Peter de Lande Long , P . G . D . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; John A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; T . Fenn , P . G . D . ; I . M . Clabon , P . G . D . ; Reginald Bird , P . G . D . ; Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; H . J . P . Dumas , P . G . D . ; James Lewis Thomas , F . R . S ., P . A . G . D . of C . ; George Burt , P . A . G . D . of C .: I . Nunn , P . G . S . B . ; lames Mason , P . G . S . B . ; A . J . Duff Filer , P . G . S . B . ;

Charles Greenwood , P . G . S . B . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; John Wright , P . G . P . ; and Richard Etheridge , Representative for G . Orient of Spain ; and H . Massey , P . M . ( Freemason ) . Grand Lodge having been formally opened , GRAND SECRETARY read the minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the ist June , which were put and confirmed . On motion duly made and seconded , the following grants , recommended b y the Lodge of Benevolence during the last quarter , were confirmed : The widow of a brother of thc Lodge of Emulation , No . 21 ,

London ... ... ... ... ¦•• £ 5 ° ° ° The widow of a brother of thc Yarborough Lodge , No . 554 , London ... ... ... ... ... 200 o o A brother of the Lodge of Sincerity , No . 174 , London ... 150 o o A brother of thc Bute Lodge , No . r > fio , Cardiff ... ... 100 o o The widow of a brother of the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 1 O 5 S ,

Camberwell ... ... ... ... ... 50 o 0 A brother of the Shakespeare Lodge , No . 99 , London ... 250 o o The widow of a brother of the Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 491 , Jersey ... ... ... ... ... 100 o o A brother of Ihe Priory Lodge , No . 1000 , Southend ... ... 100 o o A brother of thc Beadon Lodge , No . 619 , Dulwich ... ... 100 o o From the above lists are omitted the cases of two brethren who since the grants lo them , respectively recommended by thc Lodge of Benevolence , of ¦ £ 50 and - £ 75 havc died .

, Bro . F . DAVISON enquired whether il was competent for Grand Lodge to make these grants payable lo the widows of the deceased brethren , as they might be in circumstances in which the amount would be a great benefit to' them .

The GRAND MASTER in the CHAIR said the cases certainly must have the sympathy of Grand Lodge , but there was a rule to be followed . Bro . J . M . CLABON said he was afraid the grants could not be made without notice . As Bro . Davison had said , the cases must have thc sympathy of Grand Lodge , and the brethren would have a desire to give the money . No doubt an application would be made according to the existing rules , and then the cases would come before Grand Lodge again . However , thc grants could not be made without notice ; he wished they could .

Bro . F . DAVISON said he observed there were several amendments of the Constitutions on thc paper proposed to be made with respect lo the grants of thc Fund of Benevolence , and he hoped they would meet such

cases . Thc subject then dropped . On the motion of Bro . THOMAS FENN , P . G . D ., thc following report of the Board of General Purposes was taken as read , and ordered to be received , and entered on the minutes : REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . —To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . —The Board of General Purposes beg to report as follows : The Grand Lodge having at its last meeting on thc ist June referred back to the

Board the question of purchasing certain freehold premises , with stable in New lard , adjoining the property of Grand Lodge , with authority to purchase thc same at such sum as they may think proper : The Board accordingly reconsidered the matter , and having ascertained that thc owners of the property would not accept less than the sum originally asl < cd , viz ., £ 1000 , and being strongly of opinion that the premises were not worth that amount , decided to drop the negocialion . ( Signed ) FRANK GREEN , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , Vice-President . lGlh August , 1 SS 1 .

To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 12 th August , showing a balance in the Bank of England of £ 4753 ( is . iod . ; and _ in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 75 , and for servants' wages £ < j (> 15 s . The annual report of the Ro _ y . il Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , dated 20 th March , 1 S 81 , was laid before Grand Lodge .

Bro . J OSHUA NUNN , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President of the Lodge of Benevolence , then rose to propose lhc following :

' ' Alteration of Laws—I-undof Benevolence . " Article 16 , page 104 ( small edition ) . 11 //; line : —After the words ' but should the vote exceed Fifty pounds ' to add ' nn greater sum than Fifty pounds lie paid until the confirmation at the next Grand Lodge , ' nnd omit Ihe words ' it shall not be valid until confirmed at the next Grand Lodge . ' ' ¦ ' 15 //; fine : —Substitute ' Twenty pounds ' for ' Ten pounds . ' " igth line : —Substitute ' Twenty pounds' for ' Ten pound ; . ' "

The following is the text of the law , the words in italics are those proposed to be altered . " When cases of extraordinary distress occur , and the sum of twenty pounds does not appear sufficient to afford adequate- relief , ( he Lodgeof Benevolence may recommend such cases lo the Grand Master , who may grant any sum not exceeding- forty pounds . Whenever any vote for a sum of money not exceeding fifty pounds shall be carried in

Grand Lodge , pursuant lo a recommendation for the Lodge of Benevolence , the same shall be placed forthwith : but should the vote exceed fifty pounds , it shall not be valid until confirmed at the next Grand Lodge . Any vote or recommendation for a sum exceeding ten founds shall not he effectual until confirmed at the next or a subsequent meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence , except in cases of the recommendation of Grand Lodge ; but the lodge may at once pay any sum not exceeding ten pounds on account of any vole or recommendation of the lotlge exceeding that sum . "

United Grand Lodge.

Bro . NUNN said he had taken the liberty of asking the Grand Lodo-e to make a slight alteration in the law of Grand Lodge relating to the Fund of Benevolence . Twelve years ago , when the law was made as it now stood small sums were sufficient to meet thc urgency of cases . Thc Lod » c of Benevolence , however , now iound that larger sums were necessary , particularly when ihey were to assist a brother to go abroad , or where thc case was

one of extraordinary distress . According tothe law as it stood , "When cases of extraordinary distress occur , and thc sum of £ 20 docs not appcar sufficient to afford adequate relief , the Lodge of Benevolence may recommend such cases to the Grand Master , who may grant any sum not exceeding £ 40 . Whenever any vote for a sum of money not exceeding / 50 shall be carried in Grand Lodge , pursuant lo a recommendation from the

Lodge of Benevolence , the same shall be paid forthwith ; but should thc vote exceed £ 50 it shall not be valid until confirmed at thc next Grand Lodge . " His object in proposing an alteration in this part of the law was that they should be allowed to give £ 50 after the confirmation by Grand Lodge , if the sum granted exceeded £ " 50 ; that is to say , if ^ 75 or £ 100 , or more , was granted , Grand Secretary might be permitted to pay at least

£ 50 on the morrow if it were confirmed b y Grand Lodge , the balance to remain until thc second confirmation . For a number of years he had been on thc Board , and he considered that it would be an advantage to thc brother who was to be relieved lo give him thc £ 50 . At the same , time he thought Grand Lodge ought to have the opportunity of another three months , in case there might be exceptional circumstances for asking Grand

Lodge to give more . It had very rarely occurred , but it had occurred , and it was as well for them to be prepared for a matter of that kind when they were disposed to be more than ordinarily generous . Lie therefore asked , in the first instance , lhat thc law might be altered b y making the small addition after thc words " but should thc vote exceed £ 50 " of " ' no oreater sum than ^ 50 be paid until the confirmation ' at the next Grand Lodge ; "

the meaning of this being that they should be able to pay as much as £ 50 immediately after a larger sum than , £ 50 was confirmed by Grand Lodge . For instance , the sums over , £ 50 which had just been granted could not be paid until the minutes of the present meeting were confirmed in December . If the law was altered as he proposed , they would in future be able to [ Day £ 50 out of

those grants the next day . At the present moment , not nn atom of that could be touched till after thc meeting in December . Lie , therefore , asked that lhey _ might be empowered to give £ 50 of it on the morrow . ( Hear , hear . ) The second part of his proposition was to allow the Board of Benevolence to give as much as £ 20 at once , without wailing till the next meeting of thc Lodgeof Benevolence for confirmation . Alf cases of above £ 20 had to go to the Grand Master . The brethren would see that it was necessary

in many instances . He was sure the Board of Benevolence would be very particular in granting sums of over £ 10 . When granted , thc ^ 20 would be of more service to the recipient thc next clay than ' if it was deferred . With thc permission of Grand Lodge , he would , therefore , move the substitution of " £ ' 20 " for " £ 10 , " thus giving the Lodge of Benevolence power to pay tho sum of £ ' 20 the day after they had recommended thc grant of over £ 20 . ( Hear , hear . )

Bio . J . M . CLABON , P . G . D ., President of the Lodgeof Benevolc-nee _ , seconded the motion , but thought before Grand Lodge voted upon it thc brethren would like to know the condition of thc Fund of Benevolence now , and how it had altered from what it was twenty years ago . They were now dealing with £ Sooo a year , twenty years ago they were ' dealing with £ 3000 or , £ 4 . 000 a year . For a large number of years , up to last year , the sums

voted in one year b y the Lodge of Benevolence did not amount to one year ' s income which they had the power to vote ; consequently , the amount had been accumulating . It had been thc disposition—and he thought a very proper disposition—of the Board of Benevolence to spend of late years nearly the whole of their income ; but for many years they did not do so , and propositions were made b y himself and others for dealing with thc surplus .

. NOW , noweyer , mere was no surplus , ancl lie thought that was a properstate of things . The only question in the future would arise from thc contention of Bro . Britten as to going beyond that and spending the accumulation of income of previous years , which he might call the Capital Fund . That was a question for the future , but he hoped thc brethren would never do that . He would like lo keep that -Ao . ooo as

a sort of nest-egg , and he hoped that _ £ Sooo a year would be an ample sum for relieving the necessities of the decayed brethren . Last year he found this slate of things . He was in a position lo say that , whereas last year they had just overspent their income , this year they had just underspent it . He hoped that would be the rule in the future . With respect to the first part of Bro . Nunn ' s proposition , he agreed with him that when they

recommended Urand Lodge to grant more lhat £ 50 , it stood over for another three months . He thought the ) - mi ght pay £ 50 of it the next day . Sometimes they had lo deal with a sum of £ 200 or . £ 300 . In such cases he thought £ 50 of it would be enough for the person lo go on with , and he hoped brethren would not go beyond that , / . ' so outrhl lo be enough for the

present necessities of a brother , nnd in making these large grantshc hoped Grand Lodge would keep a conlrol over them . They might make grants in cases where , under certain circumstances , as they knew , would be hardl y worth y of them , and they might havc to recall them . He would suggest ns a matter of form that Bro . Perceval should now move his amendment .

Bro . J . LEWIS THOMAS , P . A . G . D . C , had not gathered what-was the limit of thc amount that was to be paid without waiting for confirmation at a future Grand Lodge . Some very large grants had been made lhat evening , which he certainly intended to opp ' oscat the next meeting . Bro . Ci . Aliox said .-it present the Lodgeof Benevolence could not vole more than £ 20 . Thc Grand Master could grant up lo £ 40 . But a grant

of J 65 ° had to come to Grand Lodge , and if Grand Lodge confirmed it it was paid the next day . If the sum was over £ ' 50 then , after Grand Lodge had confirmed it , it could not be paid until the minutes of lhat Grand Lodge were confirmed at thc following Grand Lodge . The proposition now was that £ 50 of that larger sum lhan £ 50 might be paid on account thc day after it had been first confirmed b y Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . CIIARI . ES J PERCEVAL , P . M . 16117 , moved—¦

" That any applicant seeking relief from the Board of Benevolence , and bein" - voted such a sum as requires the confirmation by Grand Lodge , shall , within twenty-four hours , or immediately after such grant has been so confirmed , be entitled to receive the same in full without any further delay , save only £ 10 or such portion ( if any ) of £ 10 the grantee may have received on account . "

In moving this as an amendment , he said he had thought ¦' great deal on the matter , and had conferred wilh Bro . Joshua Nunn on thc subject , whose motion he considered was in the right direction , but still lie did not think it went far enough . An applicant for relief came introduced