Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

this lodge was held on Monday , Sept . 3 rd at , the Albion Hotel . There was a good attendance , both of brethren and visitors . Bro . John Tennant , Ihe W . M ., presided . The officers present were Bros . Levi Wilkinson , S . W . ; R . H . Catterall , J . W . ; C . Hall , Sec ; Thos Hargreaves , S . D . ; Jas . Sharpies , J . D . ; J . T . Hall , I . G . ; T . Hodgkiss , Tyler . Amongst the visiting brethren were Bros . John

Brooks , 269 ; E . Walmsley , 79 ; John Magereson , 345 ; J . Walsh , 7 ; Wm . Walmsley , 79 ; T . Holland , 126 , and 1504 , Sec ; A . Balmforth , Ferrers and Ivanhoe , No . 779 , Ashby-de-la-Zouche . The lodge having been opened with the usual formalities of the Craft , the minutes of the last regular meeting were read by the Sec , and unanimously confirmed . The lodge was then opened up to the

Third Degree , when Bros . George Bray and Thomas Thompson , who had previously given proof cf their efficiency by answering the usual questions in open lodge , were raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Masons , Bro . John Tennant , the W . M ., in both cases performing the impressive ceremony in a very effective manner . The lodge was then closed down to the Second Degree , when

Bro . John Tennant , the W . M ., performed the ceremony of passing Bro . John Chatburn to the degree of Fellow Craft , in his usual and impressive style . The lodge was then closed down to the First Degree . There being no other business of importance after receiving from the visiting brethren the " hearty good-wishes " of the lodges which ihty represented , the lodge was closed according to

ancient custom with solemn prayer by the W . M ., and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , when the usual Masonic toasts were drunk , and a very pleasant evening was spent . In responding to the toast of the visiting brethren , Bro . Jno . Magereso " , from Lodge 345 , Blackburn , expressed his great pleasure at meeting with the brethren of Albert Edward Lodge , and especially with the

W . M . He had known him a good n any years , and since he had becnme the W . M . of the Albert Edward Lodge he had felt a strong desire to come over and see how he conducted himself in the chair . He was highly pleased with the working of the lodge gt-m rally , hut he was especially pleaied with the able manner the W . M . had gone through

the ceremonies . He appeared to be perfectly at home in the work . He was also highly pleased with the hearty manner the visiting brethren had been received , and he gave the hrethren of Albert Edward Lodge a hearty invitation to their lodge ( 345 ) , assuring them whenever they felt disposed to visic their lodge they would receive a hearty welcome .

Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

HAMPTON . —Era Chapter ( No . 1423 ) . —A convocation of this newly formed chapter was held at " The Island" Hotel , on Saturday , the 8 th instant . Amongst those present wire Comps . T . J . Sabine , P . Z ., P . G . P . S . Middlesex , M . E . Z . ; Thiellay , H . ; Dubois , P . Z ., Treasurer ; F . Walters , P . P . G . A . S . Middlesex , P . Z ., S . E . ; Mason , P . Z ., S . N . ; . T . C . Walls , P . S . x 8 fi , 1 st

Assistant S . ; Falconer , 2 nd Assistant S . ; Baldwin , M . E . Z . ( Mount Lebanon ) ; W . S . Johnston T . W . Ockenden . The minutes of the July convocation having been read and confirmed , it was reported that through unavoidable circumslances none of the seven brethren whose names were upon the agenda for exaltation could be present that day . There being no other business of moment before the

chapter it was closed , and the companions partook of refreshment . There were no speeches . This chapter was formed fcr a twofold purpose , firstly to give those brethren residing in the locality or being members of the mother lodge an opportunity of beknging to a summer chapter , and secondly to enable companions in town to combine Alasonic work with the pleasures of a rural cuting . The

quiet beauty of this part of the picturesque valUy of " Old Thames" is very attractive under favourable circumstances , but the members of the " Era " Chapter this season have had to contend with weather the reverse of genial , which rendered outdoor enjoyment almost impossible . The next meeting will take place on the second Saturday in May nett . .

Mark Masonry—England And The United States.

MARK MASONRY—ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES .

Wc are very pleased to notice the friendly and appreciative not'ee of our Mark Grand Lodge in the excellent Masonic Review , edited by the well-known M . W . Bro . Wheeler , P . G . M . of Tcnn ., and we believe the anticipations herein stated will be fully realised .

We cannot for a moment believe that the general Grand Chapter of the United States will any longer delay recognition , especially when it is evident that the Supreme Grand R . A . Chapter of England cannot by the " Articles of Union " have aught to do with the Mark Degree . It will then only remain for the Grand Chapter of Scotland to hold out the right hand of fellowship , " and we in advance extend our right hand to save time I

GRAND MARK LODGE OK ENGLAND . The General Grand Chapter of the United States will be called upon at its coming Triennial Convocation to recognise the Grand Mark Master Mason ' s Lodge of England . The Grand Lodge of England , by the terms ofjthe union of the three Grand Lodges in 1813 , ' can not recognise any degrees in Masonry save tbe first three and the Royal Arch . The Grand Chapter of England

confers only the Royal Arch ; the Mark Degree , not being recognised , is uncer a separate government . Should the Grand Mark Lodge be recognised by the G . G . Chapter , the Royal Arch Masons of England will probably be allowed to visit chapters within the jurisdiction of the United States . Bro . Drummond , of Maine , has anticipated this question coming before the General Grand Chapter , and in his report to the Grand Chapter of his State has

Mark Masonry—England And The United States.

given so much information concerning the Mark Degree as practised in England , and its history , that it will probably aid in the recognition of the Grand Mark Lodge of England by the United States . We hope so , for we believe the influence will then become greater to eliminate from the chapters in this country the Pa . st and Most Excellent Master's Degrees .

Opening Of The Walker Art Gallery In Liverpool.

OPENING OF THE WALKER ART GALLERY IN LIVERPOOL .

The ceremony in connection with the forma ! opening of the Art Gallery , presented to the town of Liverpool by Mr . Alderman A . B . Walker , now Mayor for the second time , at a cost of about £ 30 . 000 , was possibly the most imposing and impressive which has taken place within

the memory of the " oldest inhabitant . " Lord Derby performed the pleasant task of inauguration , some 10 , 000 representatives of the various trades " processioned " the town ; the inhabitants turned out in hundreds of thousands , and the whole of the day ' s proceedings were worthy of the munificence of the donor , and the princely

gift which will for generations delight and instruct the denizens of the " good old town . " The whole of the vast procession having arrived before the Art Gallery , and Lord Derby , the Mayor , and the guests having taken up their position , the ceremony of formally opening the Walker Art Gallery was proceeded with .

The Mavor presented the key of the building to Alderman Wcightman , chairman of the Finance and E-tate Committee , on behalf of the Corporation . Mr . Alderman Wcightman acknowledged the gift , and presented an address from the Corporation to the Mayor , which was read hy th <* Town Clerk , and was as follows : — "To the Woishii . ful the Mayor of Liverpool , Andrew

Barclay Walker , Esq .: We , the Deputy-Mayor , Aldermen , and Councillors of the borough of Liverpool , desire most respectfully , on behalf of the inhabitants , to offer to your Worship our grateful acknowledgment of your noble gift of the Gallery of Art to-day presented to the town . We assure you that your Worship ' s generosity is warmly appreciated by all classes of the community , and we trust

that you may for many years witness the benefits conferred upon your fellow-townsmen by your munificent liberality . Sealed with the corporate seal of the said borough , this 6 th day of September , 18 77 . " A public address and casket were then presented to the \? ayor by Lord Derby , on behalf of the subscribers , the address being read by Bro . J . B . Cooper .

T he address was as follows : — " 1 o Andrew Barclay Walker , Esq ., Mayor of Liverpool . Sir , —It is with no ordinary feelings of gratification that we ask the favour of your acceptance of this address from a very large number of your fellow-townsmen . We present it , and the casket containing it , as a slight memento of the opening of the beautiful Art Gallery which has this day been

delicated to its most elevating uses ; and , likewise , as a cordial mark of our high appreciation of your public services , as Mayor of this great community , during a period of two years . By thus munificently providing this splendid edifice for the reception , from time to time of our art treasures , you have not only supplied a long-felt want , indeed a most pressing educational necessity , but ,

furthermore , you have given a much needed stimulus to art in Liverpool , at a time when so many are earnestly striving to promote the higher as well as the elementary education of our people . We also propose to ourselves the pleasure of placing in the vestibule of what we may venture to term the Walker Art Gallery , as soon as the work can be executed , and with your Worship ' s approval , a marble

statue of its generous donor , so that we , in our time , and those who come after us , may look upon the features of their most liberal friend , the founder of this hi ghly attractive , recreative , and most improving educational resort . We pray that you may long be spared in health and happiness to enjoy all the pleasures of domestic family life , and of the innumerable friendships which have grown up about you , as the natural outcome of your genial and

kindly disposition ; and also that you may be gratified by witnessing a rapidly growing love of art , in all its varied forms of beauty and instructiveness , as one of the surest and most important agencies in the elevation and refinement of the tastes and habits of all cl-isses of our population . Signed this 6 th day of September , 1877 , on behalf of the Subscribers . ( Signed ) Thomas Edwards-Mess , Chairman . "

The Mayor replied to the address , and the Earl of Derby then , in a brief speech , declared the building opened . The large silver-gilt casket bears on its top a splendid model of the Art Gallery , to be repeated in oxydised silver . Around the casket are bas relitfs of " The Triumph of Love "—Fiamingo Cupids . The Arms of Liverpool in enamel on gold are in the centre panel of the front of the

casket , upheld by two silver figures representing Sculpture and Painting . At each corner of the casket are four exquisitively carved ivory figures , on silver pedestals , representing the four quarters of the globe . At the sides are the monograms of the Mayor and Mayoress in enamel on gold . Accompanying the casket is a splendidly bound album in crimson and gilt , with a silver flaque in the

centre of cover of "Neptune being driven by sea horses , " and medallion typical of wind and water . In this album is contained the address of the subscribers , splendidly illuminated b y Mr J . O . Marples , who also designed the casket and was the originator of the memorial—the scheme

being taken up most readily by all , and most ably managed by Bro . Jf . B . Cooper , who has acted as hon . secretary to the testimonial committee . A banquet for the grandees , and a display of fireworks for the people , by Mr . Brock , of London , were the evening attractions .

The Last Quarterly Communication.

THE LAST QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION .

( FROM THE DAILY CHRONICLE . ) The proposal to alter the title and constitution of the Lodge of Benevolence , of which the readers of the Daili Chronicle were apptised on Saturday week , was virtually withdrawn at Grand Lodge on Wednesday by the voluntary motion behalf of the Board of General

on Purposes to postpone the consideration of the subject till December The brethren will probaby never hear of the proposal again ' for , although an amendment to this motion was adopted ' and the discussion deferred till March next , the Board immediately discovered in what direction the feeling 0 [ Freemasons lay on the main question , and it is not likely

that they will throw themselves open to the disaster of a crushing defeat . While , however , they saw that there was no hope of their carrying their proposal on a future occasion , they must have seen that the object which the orig inal instigator of the scheme had in view was in a fair way of being attained —to secure from the Lod ge of

Benevolence such a careful estimate of the claims of applicants for relief , that not even the large annual surp lus which remains to the lodge after the liberal satisfaction of all demands shall be an inducement to the brethren to give away one single sovereign in excess of the merits of any individual case .

1 here is a notion outside the ranks of Freemasons that the Order is a benefit society , and this notion is somewhat confirmed by the reports whicli appear of large sums of money being given away by Grand Lodge , and by the existence of the three Masonic charitable institutions—the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution . Of the two first of these institutions the uninitiated or popular world believe that if a man becomes a Freemason lie lias a right to have his boys or girls educated there ; anil , with respect to the latter , they think there is a provision in old age which a Mason , by virtue of his being a member of the Craft , may claim . These concepof the nature of the Order are altogether wrong .

Freemasonry is not a benefit society , and it may bc as well to inform our readers who have not the great honour of belonging to so noble and excellent an institution , that if they enter it they will find it possesses far more of the nature of the leech than the pelican . Freemasonry has been frequently styled a luxury , and it is unciuestionable that only men of good and sufficient means should enter

into it . 1 he charitable institutions of the Order were afterthoughts . They were never intended as inducements for men to join the Craft , but only to meet the exigencies of such persons as , having been in good circumstances , from calamity or misfortune , might experience a reverse in life . The oldest of these charitable institutions has not been established 100 years , and the youngest is not half

a century old . It is only within the last 15 years that large subscription have flowed into their cofftrs , and it is certainly within that time that Masonry has become the popular institution it now is . With its popularity have come the great demands made upon it , and , as the Grand Secretary pointed out at the consecration of a lodge on Tuesday week , there is too much reason to fear that many

men join the Order now , not so much for the benefit which they may render to it as for the benefit which they conceive it may be to them . The institutions are simply and solely charities , however much some members of the Order may object , as they frequently do , to their being so styled . The donations to them are voluntary' and it is only on

charitable efforts that they depend for their maintenance . Their great success of late years is attributable to the enormous accession to the ranks of Freemasonry , and to the fact that each institution possesses a most energetic Secretary . The grand day of the year with every lodge is the day on which the new Master is installed , and to this great festival almost every lodge deems it its duty to

invite the Secretaries of the Masonic Institutions . The toast of " The Masonic Institutions " is always on the list of toasts , and the Secretaries in reply enforce the claims of the institutions . A member of the lodge proposes himself as Steward for one or other of the institutions ; the lodge generally heads his list with a good round sum , ( for which it receives an equivalent in a certain number of

votes at the elections of candidates ) , and other brethren put down their names for subscriptions , every subscriber receiving votes . In this way £ 39 , 600 were subscribed for the three institutions last year , and during the present year , as far as it has gone , more than £ 40 . 000 has been collected . Brethren are usually very anxious to become Stewards , although the office entails some expenditure

both of time and money , and it is a great ambition with them to carry up a large list . Of course , these lists vary in r . mount ; but the largest amount of any one list was attained at the festival of the Boys'School in June last , when one Steward took up over Q 1000 . Some lodges always send a Steward to one institution in the course of the year , and there are some who send a Steward every year

to each institution . So strongly are the claims of charity now felt by the brethren , that it is an ordinary occurrence at the consecration ( or first ) meeting of a new lodge for a brother to offer himself as a Steward , and this , it must be remembered , is at a time when the lodge itself has no funds out of which to subscribe to the Stewards list , and when it has to meet the large expense of lodge furniture . books

the cost of its warrant , its opening banquet , and its . There is , however , but little fear that in the course of the first year it will be able to subscribe something , tot a lodge seldom starts unless its promoters have 1 lar c circle of friends who are anxious to become Freemasons , and the fees for initiation and the annual subscri ptions to the lodge , in addition to paying all expenses , general y leave a sufficient balance for something to be given ou of it in the cause of Masonry . From the above statement , it will be seen that rrec