Grand Lodge Of New York.

appointed for the purpose , presented an elaborate report to the Grand Lodge , respecting the action of the Grand Master concerning the death of Queen Victoria , "the Patroness of

Freemasonry" which is too long for reproduction herewith , but I hope it will be printed in full ere long , because of its interest and importance historically and generally . The Grand Secretary was instructed to communicate such action of the Grand Lodge

of New York to the Grand Lodge of England . Personally , I should like to say that we in this country , whether Freemasons or not , hi g hly appreciate the message of the Grand Master of

New York , and the subsequent acceptance b y the Grand Lodge of the report of the Special Committee , and that I feel proud of having been for so long a member of the Fraternity , in which Grand Master Mead and the Committee are also members and

distinguished exponents of the true aims and cosmopolitan character of Free and Accepted Masonry . Several pages of the work are devoted to a register of the dispensations granted , appointments made , and ceremonies

performed , either by , or by order , of the Grand Master , who had also the p leasure to state that the " Relations with sister Grand Lodges continue of the most cordial and fraternal nature . " M . W . Bro . Mead notes the fact lhat " the Grand

Lodge of Hamburg has established a subordinate , lodge in the City of Copenhagen . " Surel y this is very much lo lie regretted , and though , I know , that the Grand Master of Hamburg believes

his action is justified by the motives which led to such a result , it seems to me that no reason can possibl y justify the invasion ol a friendl y Grand Lodge , and therefore it is lo be hoped that the charter will be recalled . No humiliation would be involved in

so doing , but on the contrary , it would be honourable and fraternal so to do . If the warrant be for brethren who do not belong to the Grand Lodge of Denmark , that is beside the question , as-thai body is sovereign in its own territory , and must be the onl y authority from -whom charters emanate for that country , or for aught in relation to Ihe Craft .

The report of the Grand Secretary is both suggestive and encouraging , concerning one of tin : largest two Grand Lodges in the world ( England being the other ) . On the roll are 750 lodges , about one-third as compared with this country , but the average

membershi p is far larger , as the total of subscribers lo the lodges in that State number over 106 , 000 , or an average of full y 140 per lodge . The increase is unprecedented , being a net gain of 4 68 7 during the year .

I dare not allow myself to dwell upon the report generally , as nothing short of reproducing it in full , would content me ; but I must point out the extraordinary fact that since Bro . Ehlers has been the Grand Secretary ( tiven / y years of faithful service ) , the membership has increased by 3 6 , 533 , and the Debt

oi 604 , 000 dollars has been changed into a Credit Balance of 384 , 000 dollars , besides cost of the Masonic Home at lUiea , on which 718 , 000 dollars have been expended , in addition to which the Grand Lodge of New York , during the period , " Has discharged every obligation of benevolence at

Home and Abroad in unstinted measure . Other reports must be passed over , save ( hose of the Grand Librarian ( R . W . llro . A . A . Clark ) , and the Grand Historian ( Dr . Ross ) , which interest me very much indeed . A catalogue is in preparation by Bro . Clarke , and Dr . Ross ' s report deals

with the completion of the Rosier of Brethren who took part in the great Wars of the Revolution—1812 and the Civil War . This is of a most elaborate character , and like all lhat the Grand

Historian . does , accurate and exhaustive . The R . W . Bro . \\ H . Andrews reports on behalf of the Committee on Antiquities , which has done good work in the acquisition of souvenirs ol the eventful past .

The "Board of Relief" Report shows the amount expended on behalf of needy applicants belonging to , or hailing Irom , the Grand Lodge of New York and other Grand Lodges ; England is down for 72 . 50 dollars , Ireland , 108 . 00 dollars , and Scotland , 156 . 25 dollars . The grand total was only 1705 . 6 5 dollars , being an average of about 10 dollars to each

recipient . At the election of Grand Ollicers , R . W . Bro . C . W . Cash man declined the ollice ol S . G . W ., to which he was re-elected

in a very feeling address , of which the Grand Lodge showed its warm appreciation hy making him an Honorary fast Grand Master . The cause was due lo his p hysical condition , which he felt unfitted him for the discharge of the duties as one of Ihe

principal ol ' li ' ers . The honour conferred was evidently well merited . 'file " Committee on Jurisprudence" recommended that the recognition of the Grand Lodge ol Western Australia be

deferred ( not for long I hope ) , that the Grand Lodge ol Costa Rica be recognised , and that the Grand Master be authorised to enter into fraternal relations with the National Grand Lodge and the Royal York Grand Lodge of Germany—all

Grand Lodge Of New York.

being agreed to . Oilier Committees also reported , but I cannot even mention their names , because of the space already used ; but one must be noted at length ere long , and that is by M . W . Bro . Jesse 1 ! . Anthony , Past G . M ., as Chairman , occupying 186 pages on '' Foreign Correspondence . "

The numerous tables presented by the Grand Secretary , which must have cost much labour and patience to produce , are models ol accuracy and thoroughness . W . J . I 1 UGHAN .

Mark Benevolent Fund.

MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

The 33 rd annual Festival of the Benevolent Fund attached to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons ' Tavern , London , under the presidency of Bro . Lt .-Col . Clifford Probyn , Past Grand Treasurer . Some 200 ladies and brethren attended , and among- the latter were :

Bros , the Earl of Euston , Sir Thomas Roe , M . P . ; Dr . Clement Godson , R . L . Loveland , Baron de Ferneres , C F . Matier , G . Sec ; W . J . Fisher , J . G . O . ; C . Letch Mason , Prov . G . M . W . Yorks j Major J . W . Woodall , Major C . ' w ] Carrell , H . Saxon Snell , Rev . Russell Findlay , lm re Kiralfy , Charles Belton P . G . W . ; Gordon Miller , P . G . T . ; R . Clowes , Fitzroy Tower , F . West , and Col . Mark Lockwood , M . P .

After the toasts of "The King "and "The M . W . G . M . " had been proposed and heartily drunk , Bro . Col . MARK LOCKWOOII proposed "The M . W . Pro Grand Master and the Past Grand Maste rs , " and referred to the long list of remarkable brethren who had filled the chair of Grand Mark Master . No one would say they were not worthy of the high office of which they had been the

possessors ; their virtues , domestic and public , must bs well known to the brethren ; they were admirably fitted for the position they filled , and the Mark Degree thought a great deal of them . They had proved already to Mark Masonry how valuable they were both by rank and position , and their acquaintance with Mark Masonry proves how the expectations of the brethren as to the way the duties expected of them were carried out .

The Karl of HUSTON , Pro G . M ., in replying , said the Past Grand Masters had done good service to the Order and had established the Mark Degree as second to none . The Craft refused the Degree , and it started a Grand Lodge of its own . It was now an established fact , and a very strong one ; and so long as he held his position of Pro Grand Master so long would he strive for the honour and good name of the Degree in order that

they might say they weie one with each other . There were no bickerings or quarrels among them , and they constituted a happy family . He had been Pro Grand Master nine or 10 years ; he had not abused the position , but had acted fair and square for every one . Whatever part of England they came from , the Grand Officers , from Northumberland or Cornwall , the extreme north , or south , they all assisted him . But there was one

he must speak of more particularly , the Grand Secretary , for without him he could not get on . ( Hear , hear . ) The brethren had met together that evening , and Col . Probyn had taken the chair ; he had stepped into the breach , and he had performed his part very well ; it was only to be hoped that he would be satisfied with the results , as he was

satisfied with the company he saw around him . If he did not beat the record he hoped they would be able to say the Festival had been a success . He ( Lord Euston ) thanked the brethren for the toast , and assured them that he had always tried to do his duty , and always would as long as he retained his position .

The F . arl of EISTON , in proposing " The Health of the Chairman , " said Colonel Probyn had filled many offices , public offices in the City of London , and offices in Masonry . I le had well acquainted himself with all of them ; he had served his country among the Volunteers , and he succeeded in everything he took up . The brethren all wished him every prosperity and

success . Bro . Colonel Curroun PROHVN , P . G . Treas ., in reply , said that whatever position he was placed in he always endeavoured to do his best . It was not in mortals to command success , bit if they deserved it , then , as far as he was concerned , he was perfectly satisfied . Lord Euston alluded to his ( Col . Probyn ) taking the chair . He had attempted to take the chair ,

and on behalf of the Chanty , he felt very despondent to think he should be the unfortunate brother to take the chair after Lord Euston , the Pro Grand Master . The Pro Grand Master found it no trouble to go anywhere—to Newcastle or to Cornwall—to promote the interests of the Order . To take the chair after him at these Festivals made him ( Col . Probyn ) feel

uncomfortable . But some one had to step into the breach , and he ( Col . Probyn ) did it . He was not likely to get a result such as Lord Euston got—a record subscription—but he had endeavoured to do so . He hoped he would get a large subscription . It had been to him a source of great happiness and pleasure that his good wife had given him leave of absence . ( Laughter , as Mrs . Probyn was at the gallant colonel ' s side . )

Bro . Col . PROHVN next proposed "Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " The Fund was divided into three branches— ' . he Educational , the Benevolent , and the Annuity . It was notorious that for many years past not a single applicant for relief from the Mark Benevolent Order had been refused if it was a worthy case . How was that relief bssto ^ ed upon those who unfortunately had to call upon them ? As they knew , those who called

upon them must he in very reduced circumstances , because to be in the Order at all they must have been above necessity . Ho * did the Fund relieve them ? Not by giving a grant to live in benevolent houses , but in their own homes—no separation between old women and old men ; there was no inquisitorial inspection ; they sent down to the Provincial Secretary , who furnished all the details of the applicant ' s condition . Accordingly it wis

done in one of the gentlest manners possible and the least offensive to sensitive minds . In the educitional branch the money was sent to the home to enable the child to go to school in its own neighbourhood , and there was no separation from family influences which were so much to a child ' s benefit . The managers of the fund thought it bsst to alf jrd assistance to

education in this way . They did not lose sight of those children ; they obtained reports of their progress , and if a child showel aptitude in study a board sitting in Mark Masons' Hall encouraged the child with a medal of appreciation . He did not hesitate to ask the brethren tonight to let their hearts be filled with generosity , and remember that " he