Red Cross Of Rome & Constantine.

Red Cross of Rome & Constantine .

DIVISIONAL CONCLAVE OF KENT . A meeting of the Divisional Conclave of Kent took place on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , William the Fourth , East Greenwich , under the banner of the Invicta Conclave , 14 S , when a large number of members of the province attended , also Sir Knight Mickley , of Premiei Conclave , and other visitors . Previous to the divisional meeting , a sanctuary of Knights

of the Holy Sepulchre was opened , and the Degree conferred on several sir knights , the ceremony being fully worked , according to the elaborate ritual , by Sir Knights Wood , Bateman , Weddell , and others . The Invicta Conclave was then opened , and a brother installed as a knight of the Order by Sir Knight Bateman , P . S ., at the request of the M . P . S ., Sir Knight Kipps , who was suffering from sore throat . The arch of steel having

been formed , the divisional officers . entered , headed by 111 Sir Knight Wood , Intendant-General of Kent , and his Deputy , Sir Knight Dr . Penfold , G . S . B . Eng . Divisional Grand Conclave was opened in full form , and the minutes of the last Divisional Grand Conclave , held at Belvedere , were read and confirmed . A letter was read from the Divisional Grand Treasurer , Knight Watson , forwarding Treasurer's books and a cheque

for the balance , with the request that his resignation might be accepted . The INTENDANT-GENERAL explained that he had made every effort to induce a withdrawal , but that pressure on Sir Knight W . Watson ' s time was severe , and he felt it would be unfair to put on further pressure . Sir Knight BATEMAN proposed , and Sir Knight PENFOLD seconded , and it was carried by acclamation , that the

resignation be accepted with regret , and that the hearty thanks of the Divisional Grand Conclave be accorded to Sir Knight Watson for his services as Treasurer since its establishment . The INTENDANT-GENERAL then proposed , seconded by Sir Knight KlPPS , and carried unanimous ' y , that Sir Knighi Dr . Burney , Recorder 14 S , be appointed Divisional Grand Treasurer . On the motion of Sir Knight Dr . PENFOLD , Deputy

Intendent-General , seconded by Sir Knight LEMON , P . G . V . E ., by-laws , as drafted , were read , confirmed , and adopted as the by-laws of the division . The alms of the sir knights were collected , and cordial votes of thanks were passed to the 111 . Sir Knight Wood for designing and providing collars for the Divisional Officers , the same to be paid for as funds permitted ; to the M . P . S . of Saye and Sele Conclave for loan of furniture

for the meeting ; and to the Invicta Conclave for entertaining Divisional Grand Conclave . Several letters of regret for non-attendance were read ; and the Intendant-General appointed and invested the following officers for the ensuing year : Sir Kts . Abel Penfold , M . P . S . 122 ... Viceroy Eusebius . „' . T . G . Green , V . E .. 62 ... Senior General , „ C . Jolly , V . E . 22 Junior General .

„ Rev . H . Cummings , G . H . P . England High Prelate . „ Dr . Burney Treasurer . „ Bateman , P . S ., G . I . R . Eng . Recorder . „ Dr . Weddell Chamberlain . „ H . Robeits Marshal . „ T . D . Hayes Prefect . „ A . Holmes Inspector of Regalia .

„ T . Fletcher 1 st Standard Bearer . „ G . H . Doswett 2 nd Standard Bearer . „ T . Ovenden Sword Bearer . : > W . Kipps , P . S ., P . G . V . E . Organist . „ G . Carter 1 st Herald . „ Nash 2 nd Herald . ,, Bateman D . of C . Frater Orum was then re-elected and invested as

Divisional Grand Sentinel . Divisional Grand Conclave was then closed and the Invicta Conclave be ' ng a ' s > closed , the sir knights adjourned to an admirable repast , furnished by Bro . Burney , to which full justice was done , presided over by 111 . Sir Knight F . Wood , Intendant General . The toasts usual to Christian Masonry were duly honoured and a very pleasant evening was spent , the musical pt rtion being conducted by Sir Knight Kipps in his usual known efficient manner .

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Ancient and Accepted Rite .

MANCHESTER . —Palatine Chapter ( No 7 ) . — This chapter was opened by the M . W . S ., III . Bro . W , Ormerod Walker , 30 ° , assisted by his officers , on Wednesday , 4 th inst ., at the Queen ' s Hotel . 111 . Bros C N . R . Beswicke Royds , S . G . I . G ., 33 ° . Inspector General North West District , and Charles James Banister , S . G . I . G ., 33 ° Inspector General North-East District , were received under an arch of steel and saluted .

Tu mmutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . Ihe ballot was taken for the candidate , Bro . Mjles Kennedy , which was unanimous . He was unable to be Present . At the request of the M . W . S ., the throne was M ? x , ° o Cupied bv ni - Br 0 - Beswicke Royds , 33 ° , and the i f j ct * J ames William Woodall , being presented , was installed by Bro . Royds with great care and

solemnity . The following officers were then appointed B .-and P . Bro . R . F . Ballantine , H . P . ; 111 . Bros . J . F . pongaard , 30 , xst General ; James Heeles , 30 , 2 nd , o J ? U Charles Schuster , 30 , Recorder ; J . McLaren , 3 ° , G . M . ; E . and P . Bro . Nicholas Albert Earle , R . ; ru , ~ " McDowell Smith , 31 ° , D . C . ; E . and P . Bros . Miarles Fiederick Woodall . Herald : Henrv Tohn Cutter .

p " ° i G- > and Bro . James Sly , Equerry Without . E . and -l " f \ j _ J ° hn H . Procter Leresche was unanimously reth * treasurer . The balance sheet was presented by perf f - rs and P assed . A candidate was proposed for closer ! TL llle t > usmeS 3 oi the chapter over it was Th h '"" . ethren retired under an arch of steel . ne DanOuet . which wnc Tf . rhf . rrh 4 luac r \ rt . c , tit . A niror K » .

rii » u TII * >? ' •t ! ro- James William Woodall , having on his laml D r . - Clement N . R . Beswicke Royds , 33 ; Chas . r u , T lsler ' 33 ° ; William Ormerod Walker , 30 ° Bros r r , - ; „ f £ ter RovIe ' 30 ° , P . M . W . S . ; E . and P . other * F - Woodall , G . E . Hutton , H . J . Cutter , and p vir e on his left '"•Bros - Stephen Smith , 32 ° , " •W . SJ . Robert McDowell Smith , 3 ! ° , P . M . W . S . ;

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

Thos . Chorlton , 30 ; James McLaren , 30 ; E . and P . Bros . Major Robt . Fred . Ballantine , N . A . Earle , Edwin Simpson , P . M . W . S . ; 111 . Bro . Charles Schuster , 30 " , and others . The vice chair was occupied by 111 . Bro . James Heeles , 30 . The M . W . S . in rotation proposed "The Healths of her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen ; " "Their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales , and other members of the Royal Family ; " "The Right Hon . Lord Lathom , M . P . S . G . C . of the Supreme Grand Council , 111 Bro . Captain N . G . Philips , M . I . L . G . C , and the members of the Supreme Council , " all of which were duly honoured . The M . W . S . then in suitable terms proposed " The Health of the two Superintendents of the Districts of

North-Western and North-Eastern , III . Bros . Beswicke Royds , 33 ° , and Banister , 33 , " which was received most cordially and drunk with all the honours . The illustrious brethren both returned thanks , and before Bro . Banister resumed his seat he asked the brethren to join him in drinking "The Health of the Members of the 3 ° > 3 t ° j and 30 , " telling the brethren how pleased he

was to again be with them and to see their old friends all looking so well , and wishing them each and all many years to be able to meet each other in this old chapter in which he had spent so many hours for now nearly 30 years , and he hoped to be able to come and see them once a year . He ( Bro . Banister ) informed them that the Supreme Council was coming to Sheffield on the 20 th inst .

to give the 30 , and if any eligible brother wished to take the Degree he should have much pleasure in adding his recommendation to that of their Illustrious Superintendent . 111 . Bros . Royds , 33 , in an excellent speech , proposed "The Health of the M . W . S ., " which was received most enthusiastically , and responded to by Bro . Woodall , M . W . S ., in very happy terms , he promising to do his very

best for the chapter , both in giving the beautiful ceremony and presiding at their banquets , and he looked forward to a very happy year in presiding over them , and in conclusion , proposed "The Health of the I . P . M . W . S ., III . Bro . William Ormerod Walker , 30 ° , " which was received with

acclamation and all the honours , and responded to by that 111 . brother in a truly Masonic speech . Other toasts were proposed and duly responded to , and a most social , interesting , and enjoyable evening was spent , which is , indeed , always the case by the brethren of this Palatine Rose Croix Chapter .

Australia.

Australia .

FORMATION OF A UNITED GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA . A meeting of Masters and Past Masters of lodges under the English , Irish , and Scottish Constitutions was held on Wednesday evening , May 30 th , in the Freemasons' Hall , Collins-street , to take into consideration the desirability of establishing a United Grand Lodge of Victoria . There

was a very representative response to the circular issued by Bro . John James , P . M . 520 , P . D . S . G . W . ( E . C ) , 133 signing their names at the doors , many also from lodges in the country districts . Bro . James was called to the chair , and before opening the proceedings announced that a number of letters and telegrams had been received from brethren expressing their sympathy with the movement .

The CHAIRMAN expressed his pleasure at seeing so large and influential an attendance of brethren for the consideration of so important a question—a question that concerned the welfare of Masonry in that colony . They were assembled together to take into consideration the desirability of forming a United Grand Lodge of Victoria . That was the object of the meeting , and he trusted that

any brother who had anything to say would strictly confine himself to that question . He believed that the majority of the brethren present had made up their minds on the subject , whilst there were , perhaps , some who had not come to a decision , and there might also be a few who disapproved of the movement . To these latter he would say he respected their motives , and his only wish was that

they would in time fall in with the general opinions of the brethren , and thereby ensure that perfect unanimity which was so desirable an essential for the successful carrying out of the movement . As to the desirability of the three Constitutions , as represented by the three districts in Victoria joining , there could be no argument . Their action was a desire for union , and that it was that

prompted them , rather than feelings of dissatisfaction with the respective Constitutions under which they had so long worked . He himself spoke for the English Constitution , and he believed that was also the feeling of the brethren who belonged to the Irish and Scotch Constitutions . The money they sent home was not of such importance to wish for a severance from their mother country ; but a higher

feeling actuated them , and they had only one object —and that was to unite the three bodies into one . He took t that this movement for a Grand Lodge would commence with acknowledgment by the three Grand Lodges at home , ani of that there could be no doubt , because they were proceeding , and intended to proceed , in a strictly constitutional manner . When they saw what had already taken place in

one colony , and what was in progress in another colony , there was every hope that their proceedings , carried out regularly as he himself desired , would ultimately meet with recognition . He alluded to the fact that the three Constitutions in Victoria were presided over by one head ; but there was a native element springing up and growing stronger every day , and it was time that they adopted government

of their own . But he impressed upon the brethren that there would be no absolute severance from the old country . As most of them knew , the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of England , was Grand Patron of the Order in Ireland and Scotland , and they would in time ask his Royal Highness to become Grand Patron of the Order in Victoria . As to the question of a Grand Master , he need

only mention the name of Sir William Clarke , their present head , and he entertained not the slightest doubt that his election as the first Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria would be unanimous . In conclusion , he urged that the movement should not be unduly or hastily rushed into existence , and they must adopt legitimate and

constitutional means to bring about their wishes , and by those means only could they expect recognition from the Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland . He then moved the following resolution : "That this meeting is of opinion that it is desirable to form a United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria , and

Australia.

pledges itself to use every legitimate Masonic means to accomplish that object . " Bro . J . A . CANTOR seconded the resolution , and in doing so said he represented the oldest lodge in the colony ( the Australia Felix , No . 474 , E . G . ) , which , at the end of this year , would have been in existence 50 years . Some discussion followed , in which undue haste was deprecated , and the chairman explained that every

subscribing member of the lodges would receive a circular asking his opinion . This procedure would form part of the work of the Committee subsequently to be elected . A number of brethren from country lodges intimated their instructions to assure the meeting of the deepest sympathy of their brethren in the movement , provided it was carried

to an end in a constitutional and regular manner . Bro , H . R . HOGG advocated the formation of a Grand Lodge for the whole of Australia . Bro . A . ELLIS , Prov . Grand Secretary , explained that they , as Irish Masons , never had had any grievance or difficulties with the Grand Lodge of Ireland . The motion was then put and carried , with three

dissentients . Bro . C H . BAYLEY moved , and Bro . T . SMITH next seconded , the following resolution : — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the United Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria , when formed , should adopt the ' Book of Constitutions' and the mode of procedure of the Grand Lodge of England , as far as the

same may be applicable , or until otherwise decided . " The resolution was carried unanimously . Bro . P . BLASHKI moved , and Bro . W . HENRY seconded , the following resolution : " That the following brethren be appointed a Committee ( with power to add to their number ) to carry into effect the resolutions of this meeting : English lodges ( Metropolitan)—Bros . J . James (

Chairman ) , W . F . Lamonby , W . J . Runting , J . J . E . Willmott , W . T . C . Kelly , J . A . Cantor , P . Blashki , C H . Bayley , P . Cohen , H . R . Hogg , and W . Henry . Country—Bros . C B . Finlayson , J . N . Dunn , J . G . Sowerby , W . C Vahland , H . Bannister , D . M . M'Leod , T . Tamswell , J . H . Franklin , G . R . Rippon , G . Little , T . H . Braim , T . W . Fowler ,

and E . H . Warren . Irish—Bros . A . Ellis , S . Franklin , J . M'inery , T . Smith , R . O . Thompson , and P . J . Bloomfield . Scottish—Bros . H . W . Lowry , G . F . Martin , P . Martin , J . Robertson , W . B . Lovering , and E . Evans . A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings , which were , on the whole , enthusiastic and

. There are now 85 lodges in work under the English Constitution , 14 under the Irish , and 12 under the Scotch .

Masonic Lecture By Bro. W. J. Hughan, P.G.D., At Hull.

MASONIC LECTURE BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN , P . G . D ., AT HULL .

On Thursday , the 5 th inst ., over 100 brethren assembled ( by kind permission ) at the Masonic Hall , Osborne-street , Hull , for the purpose of hearing a lecture delivered under the auspices of the Humber Installed Masters' Ledge of Instruction , of which Bro . M . C . Peck , G . Std . Br . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . Sec , is the W . M ., and Bro . W . Tesseyman , P . M ., P . G . Supt . of Works , the Secretary . The

greatest interest had been shown in the subject announced , viz ., " Sketches of British Freemasonry : a Retrospect of Five Centuries , " inasmuch as the lecture was to be delivered by the eminent Masonic historian—Bro . Wm . Jas . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England , P . S . G . W . Egypt , and P . P . S . G . W . Cornwall . Amongst the brethren present were : Bros . D . J .

O'Donoghue , P . J . G . W . ; Walter Reynolds , P . G . Treas . ; Thos . Gates , P . A . G . Sec ; G . L . Shackles , P . P . G . D . ; H . Toozes , P . P . G . D . ( Mayor of Hull ) ; M . Haberland , P . P . G . D . ; A . King , P . P . G . D . ; G . Wilson , P . P . G . D . ; R . Hodgson , P . P . G . D . ; J . Walton , P . P . G . D . ; W . D . Keywoith , P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; Wm . Giliett , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; C . S . Lane , P . P . G . D . Durham ; Wm . Hunt ,

P . P . G . D . C . Devon ; Winter , P . P . G . Std . Br . Norfolk ; J . Clark , W . M . 57 ; R . R . Hawley , W . M . 250 ; J . Chappell , W . M . 1605 ; H . Watson , 1040 ; M . M . Westerby , P . M . 294 ; J . Sugden , P . M . 1379 ; W . Watson , P . M . 2069 ; and many others . Bro . M . C . PECK , G . Std . Br . Eng ., and P . G . Sec , said ; W . Master , Past Masters , Officers , and Brethren , —In

connection with the Humber Installed Masters' Lodge of Instruction over which 1 have the honour to preside , a series of lectures have been given by eminent members of the Craft to the very great benefit and instruction of our Hull brethren , and , as we have been favoured with the consent of the most famous of all Masonic authors to deliver an address , we deemed it would be a wise course to

announce a public night , open to all brethren who would honour us with their company , and , accordingly , the W . Master of the parent lodge having kindly and most readily given his permission , the present meeting of the Installed Masters' Lodge is held in the open lodge of the Institution whence it originated . These few words will explain how it is that we are here . I will now shorily state why we are

assembled . We are met to-night , W . Sirs ard Brethren , to welcome our distinguished brother , W . j . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England , whose Masonic lore and unceasing labours in the cause of the Craft are well-known wherever Masonry extends , and will be gratefully remembered so long as Masonry shall flourish , for its literature can never die ! He was one of the first , if not the very first , to divest the

histo y of the Order from the dust by which it had been covered for centuries , and by painful research and scholarly industry to explode many foolish and improbable notions as to its antiquity and pretentions ; and thus place the literature of the Craft upon an equally respectable and reasonable footing with other subjects of archa : oIogical inquiry . These labours have been continued , many and

important works have issued from bis ready pen , and multifarious are the magazine and newspaper articles by which he has added to our stores of knowledge , and proved himself a doyen amongst Masonic authors . Bro . HUGHAN commenced by testifying to the pleasure he felt in visiting Hull , and seeing Bro . Peck and other brethren , with whom he had corresponded for many years

past , and seeing again his very old friend Bro . Hunt , by whose example and life he was first induced to think . of becoming a Freemason . He then proceeded to refer to the steps by which he had arrived to his present conclusions respecting Freemasonry . Its history commenced practically with the lourteenth century . There were various legends of the Craft relating to earlier periods , but they were simply legends , and too much importance had been attached to