The Royal Cumberland Lodge, No. 4 1.

g his interest in this lodge , through personal friendship towards myself , has been strongly excited , and hc has Ihus been led to make enquiries in quarters _ to which wc hould not have thought of resorting , but his experience directed him , whence he has obtained information as to our ' arly history of the greatest importance , thus supplement-% , <>• the work so intelligently drawn up and published Past Master and still farther what

uy ' Bro . Ashley , proving lie only surmised on examination of the earliest recorded niinutes . For several reasons many difficulties are met with and have to be overcome in investigating the history of all thc old lodges , which may be thus enumerated . Early in the eighteenth century there existed four Grand Lodges , each

claiming thehighest authority , thus causingmuch confusion , after a lapse of many years , in tracing the lodges tinder the Jurisdiction of each . Of this you will be perfectly convinced j > y a perusal of Bro . Robert Freke Gould's elaborate work published last year under the title of "The Four Old Lodges . " Subsequently there were but two Grand Lodges , respectivel y under the Dukes of Sussex and Kent , the

former known as " The Moderns , " and the latter as " The Ancients . " In 1 S 13 these two were amalgamated , and by the alternate arrangement of numbers , many old lodges appear to be of much more recent date than others founded lon * - - after them . As an illustration of the effect in our own district , it may be mentioned that | thc Royal Sussex Lodge , No . 53 though now within twelve numbers of the Royal

, Cumberland Lodge , No . 41 , and within ten numbers of the St . Paul ' s Lodge No . 43 , —thus appearing to any one not acquainted with thc circumstances of nearly the same antiquity , —will not be entitled to claim the centenary jewel till 1912 , thc date on the warrant being 1 S 12 , though that jewel lawfull y belonged to us as well as ' to my mother lodge , No . 43 , Birmingham in 1 S 33 , that is , seventy-nine years

earlier . It will be at once evident that thc lodges had their origin from a different source , No . 53 coming from the socalled "Ancients , " or Seceders , ! and Nos . 41 and 43 from those styled " Moderns , " the latter being really the more ancient . From the period when it was warranted in 1733 , our lodge has undergone nine changes of number , as you will find recently engraved on each of the jewels worn by

the officers . The periodical revision of numbers and tlie occasional combination of two lodges to form one , thus present another obstacle . Lodges which have ceased to exist are erased from the list , and tlie numbers of all thc remaining ones arc pushed on , sometimes to a very great extent , from another cause , namely , removal to a different jurisdiction , as was the case in 1 S 63 , when a separate Grand

Lodge for Canada was formed , to which all English lodges in that country were transferred . As an example of the effect , it may be mentioned that in that year I founded a lodge in Jersey . 'No . 12 GC , which , when the change took place a few months later , became 958 . Were it not that thc extension of education and intelligence has caused records to be kept with greater exactitude than formerly , if we may

judge from the difficulties now encountered in reconciling anomalies during the last century , it is probable that so great and sudden a change might not be readily accounted for by Masonic historians a century hence . The carelessness with which entries of niinutes were made in the lodge books , and the scantiness of information , sometimes limited to the names of those present , created

another obstacle . Lastly , it is well known that at one period a large number of Masonicdocuments were destroyed , as mentioned in Bro . Ashley ' s book , from a fear that they might be compelled to be given up , and fall into the hands of improper persons . Even at present needless obstacles arc occasionally interposed , by whicii attempts arc made to prevent our recognised historians from obtaining thc

most simple information ; for instance , I was some time ago refused permission to copy not only the warrant of an old lodge , though it always hung in the hall for general inspection , but even the dates upon it , with a view to registration and tabulation with others . In this case , however , the precaution was of no avail , since by taking a little more trouble the information was obtained from the records of Grand

Lodge . The time has long passed by when it was desirable to conceal any thing beyond the arcana of thc Order . Under all the circumstances named in those preliminary observations , it is most important , for the benefit of future historians of Freemasonry , that a record should be preserved of the exact discoveries Bro . Hughan has made in reference to our old lodge , communicated to us at the

meeting on October the 7 th , which I now proceed to relate in greater detail than is convenient in the minutes of the transactions of that day . This paper may then find a place ¦ n the iron chest with our most valuable documents , not as original from me , but as an epitome of results obtained by others . Our warrant from thc Grand Lodge of England bears the date of April 2 Gth 1733 . In his published account of

, the lod ge Bro . Ashley writes , on the authority of the minute books which are in ourpossession in aperfect state from that date , " the year before the warrant was granted , it is stated , in the ordinary way of entry , that the lodge met , —it had then its own Master and Wardens , —without any mention of 'heir being elected , —was initiating and raising members and performing ceremonies . " Atthefirst meeting recorded . field

on December 28 th , 1732 , evidently one preliminary to the obtainment of the warrant , ten brethren were present , whose names are given , namely , the VV . M ., two Wardens and seven members . Another significant fact is that at the meeting on May 18 th , 1733 , vvhen the lodge met under thc Present warrant , in addition to the VV . M ., two Wardens , lone of whom bears a different name from the one at the

Previous nieeting ) , four Past Masters , and six Master thr c n " thirteen , hesides one mentioned as absent , Fir ? i ° c Crafts were present , who must have taken the ' A , Second Degrees in a previously existing lodge , was 1 m \ mg wi ! 1 perhaps explain what and where this exn' before entering upon it , I would remark that the sin „ i Sslon ln the minutes of December 28 th , 1732 , is a n" ? uIar 9 J * e : "The lodge met at Bro . Robinson ' s , the

nlvin 'Ir ' reeular ' y formed themselves , " thus imthat iv . * P revious transactions had been irregular , and whirl , l - , the first ste P t ° waro . s a perfect authority , Ma * , T n § « subsequently obtained from the Grand Hie ov Montague » at the meeting on May 18 th , 1733 , were r Pref * Slon , ' - - that " the lod £ e *" et and M warrant chosen »;! » " £ mt 0 o a re P r lod £ e - when fie officers excentMfJ ' v' , ' ^ '' % , \ , «<> « - * er officers are mentioned one of il ' , * - and Wardens , and , as has been stated , bei 4 re-elet d " ^ changed ' thc W ' ' and other Warden ( To be continued ) .

The Charities In South London.

THE CHARITIES IN SOUTH LONDON .

At a recent meeting of thc Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 165 S , held at the Surrey Masonic Hall , thc Treasurer vvas able to announce that the financial position of this comparatively young lodge was a highly satisfactory one . He urged upon his brethren the duty incumbent upon every good Mason of supporting thc various deserving Charities so intimately associated with the Craft , and he re-called

attention to the fact that within the last twelve months two children , daughters of deceased members of lhat lodge , had been elected to the Masonic Institution for Girls . He said that , although the expenses incidental to the establishment of a young lodge had necessarily absorbed a large portion of their annual revenue , yet they had now in hand a good surplus , and that surplus could in no way be better employed than in supporting the Masonic Institutions .

With thc assent of the . Worshipful Master , the Treasurer then proposed that an annual sum of thirty guineas should be contributed by members of 164 S , one half to be given by the lodge , and the other moiety by thirty members of an association to be then formed , each to pay half a guinea yearly . The six life subscriberships thus provided for would be balloted for by members of the lodge until all had become at last lifc subscribers , and it was hoped life

governors , of one or other of the Masonic charities . The Master , Bro . George J . Earney , in a few eloquent sentences , signified his entire approval of the proposition , which he earnestly recommended to the favourable consideration of hiS brethren , and on being put to the lodge thc resolution was carried withont a single dissentient voice or vote . Later in the evening , while the lodge was at refreshment ,

it was accidentally discovered by a member of the lodge that the date of their meeting that evening happened to be the birthday of their deservedly popular Worshi p ful Master ; and , as he had on that occasion initiated four brethren into Freemasonry , it was felt that so interesting an occasion deserved to be marked in some fitting manner . In graceful and felicitous terms the Immediate Past Master intimated to Bro . Earney the " Hearty good wishes" of his

brethren , and it was then proposed that a life subscribership in one of the Masonic Institutions should be contributed by the brethren present and given to their Worshipful Master as a mark of their regard and esteem . A list was sent round the table , and when it was returned to the Treasurer ' s hands it was found to be sufficiently filled to

admit of thc purchase of a life governorship , and a cheque for the amount was handed to the Worshipful Master , vvho , as need hardly be said , was deeply gratified by the action of his brethren . A fitting acknowledgment from him terminated this interesting episode in thc life of the Skelmersdale Lodge .

Presentation To Bro. J. Murlis, P.M. And Secretary Lodge No. 1642.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . J . MURLIS , P . M . AND SECRETARY LODGE No . 1642 .

An assembly of a most interesting character took place at the Ladbroke Hall , Notting-hill , on Thursday week , Ihe 2 nd inst ., when notwithstanding tlie dense fog there were a large number of brethren present . The occasion was tlie celebration of Bro . Murlis ' s silver wedding , and thc brethren

of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge deemed it a fitting opportunity to present him with a testimonial as a token of their regard and esteem , and to mark their appreciation of his services as Founder , Master , and Secretary of the lodge . The meeting was summoned for seven o'clock , and at half past that hour the company sat down to an excellent dinner , exceedingly well served under the

supervision of Bro . Linscott , and genially presided over b y the VV . M ., Bro . Samuel Smout , sen ., supported on his right b y Bro . VV . Murlis , the guest of the evening , Bro . II . J . Pearson , P . M . 1196 ; Mr . Churchwarden Bailey , and Bro . Dr . J . E . Carpenter , P . M . and Sec , 1196 ; and on his left by Bros . E . M . Lander , I . P . M ., George Penn , P . M ., Treas ., Samuel H . Parkhouse , P . M ., Sec , and VV .

Stephens , P . M ., the vice chair being occupied by Bro . the Rev . C . Darby Reid , chairman of the Kensington Board of Guardians . Tlie members of thc lodge and visitors included Bros . Smout , jun ., J . Bartlc , J . Woodmason , VV . VV . Buckland , Dr . Pocock , Dr . Rule , R . C Green , J . Adkins , VV . VV . Morgan , VV . Hallett , Humphries , Fisher , F . A . Kelly ( Freemason ) , and about fifty others .

At the conclusion of the dinner the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were given and heartil y responded to . In giving the toast of thc evening Bro . Smout said , that they had assembled there that evening to celebrate the silver wedding of their honoured Secretary , Bro . VV . J . Murlis , whicii remark produced hearty and prolonged cheers . Most present , thc chairman continued , were able to judge , from

experience , of thc excellent services Bro . Murlis had rendered to the lodge both as Founder , Master , and Secretary and it was through their liberality that he now had the extreme pleasure of presenting to their first Worshipful Master a handsome gold keyless chronometer watch . Mrs . Murlis also was not forgotten as he had the extreme gratification of presenting to Bro . Murlis on that esteemed lady's

behalf , a case containing aset of gold ornaments consisting of a brooch , locket , and ear-rings of exquisite design . The watch , which is a very handsome one , and cost , wc were informed , forty guineas , bears the following inscription : "Presented to Bro . VV . J . Murlis , P . M ., on the occasion of his silver wedding , by the members of the Ear ! of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1 G 42 , as a token of theircstecm and

regard , and in recognition of his services as Secretary and founder . Dec . 2 nd , 1 SS 0 . " Thc following was the inscription on the case containing the brooch , locket , and earrings : " Presented to Mrs . Murlis , by tlie members of the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1642 , on her silver wedding day . Dec . 2 nd , 1 SS 0 . " After Bro . S . H . Parkhouse , Secretary of thc fund , had

read the list of subscribers , a still further proof of Bro . Murlis ' s popularity was the presentation tohim of a handsome silver cruet by Bro . VV . STEPHENS , P . M . 14 S 9 , & c , who , in handing it to the recipient , said it was given by himself and Mrs . Stephens as a remembrance of the long friendship which had existed between them . Hc had known him of

during the whole ^ course his married life—twenty-five years—and he now wished him health , wealth , and all the happiness that life could give . Bro . MURLIS , who was visibly affected by the hearty manner in which each mention of his name was received , in the course of his reply , thanked those present for celebrating his silver wedding in so kindly and joyous a manner . Twenty-five years back , when a complete

stranger in London , he had little idea so grand an evening vvas in store for him . During that long period his married life had been a happy one , and this evening he would cherish and hold in the greatest reverence as long as he lived . Mrs . Murlis , he vvas sure , would prize the present more than any other she had . In thanking Bro . Stephens for . the silver cruet , Bro . Murlis remarked that he had known

him for thirty years , and hoped the same feeling of friendship would continue between them until his dying day . Several others toasts were given , including ' " ' The Visitors , " acknowledged by Messrs . BAYLEY , WATSON , and WALTER HALLETT , and " The W . M ., " proposed in glowing terms by Bro . LANDER , I . P . M ., to which Bro . SMOUT , sen ., replied .

Freemasonry In Jamaica.

FREEMASONRY IN JAMAICA .

The Special District Grand Lodge , called for the 27 th October , to nominate a brother to be recommended to His Royal Highness the M . Wor . G . Master to fill the office of District Grand Master , was held at the Friendly Lodge- , rooms , the Right Worshipful J . W . Whitboume , Past Deputy . District Grand Master presiding .

The Secretary read minutes of the several lodges in the district , showing that five lodges were in favour of nominating R . Wor . A . DeCordova , whilst two lodges were for Wor . Dr . T . Allen . Those brethren having been both proposed and seconded in District Grand Lodge , a division took place , vvhen there appeared for Bro . DeCordova twentyseven and for Bro . Allen eleven votes . The whole

proceedings , with minutes of private lodges , were directed to be forwarded to the Grand Secretary for the information of the M . Wor . Grand Master . It is much to be regretted that Bro . Whitboume would not sanction his name to be put forward against the candidates ( Bros . DeCordora and Allen ); he would have been unanimously elected and all parties pleased—as it is now , the appointment of either of the brethren named

is almost sure to produce a split in the Masonic community of this district , and already threats have been held out to the conflicting parties to the effect that they will not work in harmony . It is therefore the fervent hope of most rightminded Masons in the district that , notwithstanding Bro . Whitbourne ' s refusal to offer himself , the M . W . G . Master will appoint him , so as to secure a continuance of harmony , and brotherly love .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . The Grand Lodge of Scotland met in Freemasons' Hall on the inst ., for the installation of the officers for next year , and also for the celebration of the festival of St . Andrew . The ceremony of installation took place at four o ' clock , in the presence of a crowded attendance of members of thc Craft . Grand Lodge was opened by the Grand Master of all India , Bro . Macintosh Balfour , who

intimated all the elective offices vacant , and proposed for election as Grand Master Mason Sir Michael R . Shaw Stewart , Bart . This having been unanimously agreed to , the Grand Wardens and President and Vice-President of the Board of Grand Stewards introduced the Grand Master , who took the usual obligation , and was then congratulated on his reappointment . The Grand Master thanked the brethren for reappointing him to his high office , and took

his place on the throne , and installed the other officers who had . been appointed for the ensuing year , the following being the names thereof -. — Bro . the Earl of Rosslyn P . G . M . „ the Earl of Mar and Kellie ... D . G . M .. „ Colonel Sir A . C . Campbell ... Sub . G . M . „ R . F . Shaw Stewart S . G . W . „ the Earl of Haddington J . G . W .

,, D . Murray Lyon G . Sec . „ David Kinnear G . Cashier . „ Rev . T . N . Wannop , and Rev . \ n n \ ,, W . C . E . Jamieson , B . A . j ' P ' „ the Earl of Breadalbane S . G . D . „ Captain J . Crombie J . G . D . „ Andrew Kerr G . Architect . „ J ... S . Matheson G . Jeweller .

„ G . Fisher G . Bible-Bearer „ Captain VV . Hills G . D . of C . „ H . Y . D . Copland G . Sword-Bearer „ C . D . Hamilton G . D . of Music „ R . Davidson G . Org . „ Captain Fafquhar Macgillivray ... G . Marshal . „ W . M . Bryce G . Tyler .

„ J . Ness G . Outer Guard . „ J . Turner Pres . ofG . Stwds . „ J . Crichton ... V . P . of G . Stwds . At this stage a pleasing ceremony was performed b y thc Substitute Grand Master , who presented to the Grand Master a copy of the resolution of the previous meeting

congratulating him on the marriage of his daughter . the resolution was beautifully illuminated on vellum by Bro . Melville , Edinburgh , handsomely bound , and bore the arms of Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge then adjourned to the large hall , there to celebrate the festival of St . Andrew , in which tbey were assisted b y members of Grand Lodge and deputations from daughter lodges in Edinburgh and many parts of the

country . There were about 250 of the brethren present , who received Grand Lodge standing , whilst the appropriate music was played on the organ . The chair vvas taken by thc Grand Master , who was supported on the right by Bros . Col . Sir Archibald Campbell , Bart ., Substitute Grand Master ; Lieut .-Gen . Sir James Alexander , Prov . G . M . of Stirlingshire ; Rev . T . N . Wannop , G . Chap . ; William Officer , Representative from the Grand Orient of Egypt ;

David Kinnear , G . Cashier ; Andrew Kerr , G . Architect ; Rev . Alexander Inglis ; Carl Hamilton , G . Dir . of Music ; Captain Hills , G . Dir . of Cer . ; and on the left by Bros . Macintosh Balfour , Grand Master of all India ; Rev . VV . C . E . Jamieson , G . Chap . ; William Mann , Proxy District Grand Master of all India ; Captain C . Hunter ,

Representative of the Grand Lodge of Greece ; Captain I . Crombie , J . G . D . ; George Fisher , G . Bible Bearer ; John S . Matheson , G . Jeweller ; and Captain Macgillivray , G . Marshal . The Croupiers were Bros . R . F . S . Stewart , S . G . W ., and the Earl of Haddington , J . G . W . ; and James Turner , President ; James Crichton , Vice-President , of the Board of Grand Stewards ; and Albert Apthorpe , Past