Scotland.

Scotland .

GLASGOW . Lodge of Glasgow St . John ( 3 Bis ) . — The bi-monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the lodge room , 313 , Buchanan-street , on the 4 th inst . There was a la ' S attendance . Bro . Peter Brownlie , R . W . M ., occupied the chair , and was supported by Bros . R . A . M'Gilvray . I P . M . ; Alex . Bissett , D . M . ; J . L . Cown , S . W . las .

Laing , 1-W . ; R . Kyle , Sec . ; W . L . Dick , LD . ; John Baird , A . C . M'Farlane , D . of M . ; H . D . Walton , D . ; n . S . Law , J . S . ; Jas . Brown , I . G . ; JamesJTaylor . jun ., P . M . * J- G . H . McNaught , P . G . S . ; and J . S . Whyte , P . M . 715 . Applications for initiation were read from Messrs . . James Watson , Graham Robertson , Donald Smith , and E . S . Lawrie . The candidates were introduced and

received their initiation at the hands of Bro . R . A . M'Gilvray . I . P . M . The R . W . M . having suitably addressed them , he intimated that Bro . Graham Robertson was about to go abroad , and that it would be necessary to confer the Second and Third Degrees upon him that night . He then passed the lodge when the F . C . Degree was wrought by Bro . R . Kyle , Sec . Thereafter the lodge was raised to the

Sublime Degree of MM ., when Bro . Robertson was again introduced and received the _ Degree . Bro . James Taylor , jun ., P . M ., officiating . Invitations were read from Lodges Athole , Neptune and Kenmure . Votes of thanks were awarded . Bros . M'Gilvray , Taylor , and Kyle for their services ; and the R . W . M . having expressed the fraternal greetings of the lodge to the visiting brethren present , to which Bro . Whyte , P . M ., leplied , the lodge was closed .

LESMAHAGOW . St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 20 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday afternoon , the ist instant ., for the conferring of the Mark Degree , Bro . Thos . Meikle , R . W . M ., presiding at the opening , assisted by Bros . Robt . Meikle , D . M . ; John Dodds , S . W . ; Thos . Brown , J . W . ; John Muir , S . D . ; las . Sommerville , I . D . ; Alex . Arneil .

Sec . ; John Wilson , Treas . ; Richard Kerr , G . S . ; John Clelland , Stwd . ; John Gonddie , J . G . ; D . Ferguson , P . G . S . ; and George Tennant , Tyler . The lodge having been duly opened , the R . W . M . stated that they had with them that day some distinguished brethren from the Glasgow and Renfrewshire East Provinces . He would ask them to confer the F . C . and M . M .

Degrees , and thereupon called upon Bros . W . Mackie , P . M . No . 592 , Prov . Grand Treas . Renfrewshire East , and Jas . Gunn , P . M . No . 592 , Prov . G . S . W . Renfrewshire East , who performed the ceremony in their usu * l accomplished and impressive manner . At the conclusion an unusually large number of Masters and Past Masters of neighbouring lodges had assembled to witness the

conferring of the Mark Decree . The R . W . M . called upon Bro . Jas . Booth , I . P . M . No . 87 , to open a Mark lodge . In responding , he called upon Bros . John Fraser , P . M . No . 87 , and T . R . Richards , No . 772 , to occupy the Wardens ' chairs . Bros . Robt . Morrison , P . D . M . No . 413 , and Geo . Muir , R . W . M . No . 147 , filled the other offices . Twentyone brethren presented themselves for the honour of this

Degree . Bro . Booth , having the assistance of Bro . Morrison as Conductor , performed the ceremony in a highly interesting manner . The meeting was the largest that has been held by this historic lodge for many years , the hall biing densely packed . The oldest entry in the record of the lodge is a minute dated 1716 , which enacts that each person absent , without one lawful excuse , belonging to the

Lodge ot Lesmahagow , and not attending every quarterly meeting , be fined in the soume of one pound Scots , to be paid into the same Company . The original designation of the lodge was St ; Machute , which offers presumptive evidence of its antiquity , and no doubt it formerly worked under Mother Kilwinning ; and it is surmised on plausible grounds , that in the 12 th century , the Monks who

built the Priory were Mark Masons , as stones , very fine specimens of architecture , secured from the ruins , bear the impress of Mark Masonry , consequently , the Monks were brethren of " The Mystic 1 ie . " The present charter of the 1 lod ge bears date 1736 , and was confirmed by Grand wage in 1769 . Undoubtedly the lodge is historic in Mark Masonry as well as Craft .

Masonic Ceremony At Peterhead.

MASONIC CEREMONY AT PETERHEAD .

VISITATION OF GRAND LODGE . On the 5 th inst ., the Most Worshi pful the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , Bro . Sir Chas . Dalrymple , of Newhailes , Bart ., M . P ., made a grand visitation to »> e Provincial Grand Lodge of Aberdeenshire East , J- he was accompanied by the-following deputation : Bros . Lord Saltoun , Grand Mister Depute ; James C . Forshaw

, Prov . Grand Master of Aberdeen City ; went-Col . John Campbell , S . G . W . ; D ; Murray Lyon , wand Sec . j George Dobie , Past Grand Bard ; Robt . J-Jamieson , President of G . Stewards ; J Macnaught ^ mpbell , Grand Marshal ; William Munro Denholm , Orand Inner Guard ; and David Robertson , Past Grand " J * Previous to the deputation being received , a meeting 0 f the brethren was held in Keith ) lodge room .

• Pr 50 ' over which there presided Bro . Wm . Boyd , ' rov . Grand Master ; Bro . Lieut .-Col . Skene , Depute r ? v . Grand Master ; and Bro . Charles T . Gordon of Wk ' Sub-Pr ° '*' . Grand Master . After the lodge whi K * u n J raise < i t 0 the ™ rd De K - ' . ' deputation , ente

the * \ . mUch corQ , ' ahty . The Grand Master received symbol of-authority from the Prov . Grand Master . Mast * £ RAND SECRETARY intimate . ! that the Grand the o . made a minute inspection of the bjoks of Th r " Grand Lod « * the ; 1 ¦ D MASTER congratulated ' Bro . Boyd upon prosperous condition in which he had found the

Masonic Ceremony At Peterhead.

Province of East Aberdeenshire , and thanked him for the cordiality of his reception . There was a large attendance of the brethren , and representatives were present from Keith Lodge , No . 56 ; Forbes Lodge , No . 6 7 ; Solomon Lodge , No . 197 ; St . James ' s Lodge , No . 256 ; Fraser Lodge , No . 26 7 ; St . Andrew Lodge , No . 518 ; and St . Drostane Lodge ,

No . 789 . The GRAND MASTER , accepting the symbol of authority , thanked them for the reception they had given him , and said it was a subject of great congratution to him and to the deputation to find themselves in Keith lodge room . The books had been kept with regularity from the working existence of the Provincial

Grand Lodge up to the present time . The Provincial Grand Lodge was instituted in 1827 , but until 1 S 71 the lodge was not in an active condition . Since 1871 their present Grand Master had occupied the chair . Although it could not boast of its antiquity , it had a compact existence , and a survey could be made of it without difficult . He referred to the harmony which

existed between the subordinate lodges and Grand Lodge . It was a great pleasure for him to be with the first visitation of Grand Lodge to the Aberdeenshire East Province . He understood such a visit had not been made before , and it was interesting to find that lodge resident in such interesting and becoming quarters . He had seen lodges opened in school-rooms ,

where children used to gaze in at them , but their quarters were most suitable , being surrounded on one side by the sounding sea . It was not a mere formality that Grand Lodge should visit the provinces ; he hoped it would be for the encouragement of Masonry in the province , and they should feel they were closely identified with Grand Lodge , and feel that its most

harmonious working was the best tribute that could be paid to the unity which prevailed in their Craft . He congratulated the Provincial Grand Master on the length of time he had occupied the chair , and the manner in which the affairs of the province had been conducted . During the time the Provincial Grand Master had occupied the chair he had shown himself a

kind and liberal supporter of their Craft in his province . During the last century Aberdeenshire had given several occupants to the throne of Grand Master . Tbey had come there for the purpose of trying to bind the province closer with Grand Lodge , if possible , and he counted it a happy circumstance that Jit had been in his power to come there , and he wished them ali

prosperity . Bro . BOYD , Prov . Grand Master , referred to the gratification with which the members of the lodge had received the members of the deputation . If any success had attended the lodge , he felt he was greatly indebted to the assistance and good feeling of the many brethren which he saw around him . He was sure they

would all look back with pleasure at the visitation of Grand Lodge . He was sure they would preserve carefully the record of that day ' s proceedings , and he was sure the Grand Master would accept the good feeling and interest which he and his office bearers took in Grand Lodge .

The GRAND MASTER then resigned the symbol of ofiice to the Provincial Grand Master , and , in doing so , said he was much gratified in finding so many representatives from different lodges . Although the season was convenient to him , it might not have been so convenient to others , and he was pleased to see so many had been able to attend .

The deputation then withdrew , and the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to the North-Eastern Hotel , where lunch was served by Mrs . Porterlield , in her usual excellent manner . Bro . Boyd presided , and there was a large attendance . The CHAIRMAN , after the usual loyal and patriotic

toasts , referred to the progress of Masonry in the district , andsaidhe could testify to thegreat social improvement which had manifested itself since people began to take an interest in the principles of their Order . They had alwiys had friendly and intimate relations with the Grand Lodge , and they had on that occasion the unprecedented honour of receiving a visit from the

head of the body , Sir Charles Dalrymple , who held in his capable and worthy hands the most illustrious and distinguished office of Grand Master of Scotland . He need not . tell . them how intimately they were connected with the Grand Lodge , and how needful it was to them to keep up the most friendly relations . He asked them to drink the toast of " The Grand Lodge of Scotland . "

Bro . Sir CHARLES DALRYMPLE , in replying , thanked them for their kind reception . The Provincial Grand Master had spoken about the advance of Masonry in the province , and he saw that during his time of office one old lodge had been revived and two new lodges

added to the province . It was a greater feat , he thought , to revive an old lodge than to create a new one . He recognised their close feeling towards Grand Lodge , and he hoped the present visit would augment the feeling which prevailed in the past . He proposed " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master . "

Bro . BOYD replied . Bro . Lieutenant-Colonel SKENE gave the toast of " The Deputation , " and Bro . Lord SALTOUN replied , and expressed his pleasure at being present on such an occasion .

Bro . Sir CHARLES DALRYMPLE gave " Abeideenshire East Lodges , " and replies were made by Bros . HILL , R W . M . 56 ; DUNI ! AR , 67 ; HENRY , 197 ; M'PHERSON , P . M . 256 ; SCOTT , R . W . M . 26 7 ; CALDER , 518 ; and G ERRARD . Sec . 7 8 9 .

Masonic Ceremony At Peterhead.

EXMOUTH MASONIC HALL AND CLUB . Exmouth Masonic Hall and Club , the foundationstone of which was laid less than six months since by Mr . Tucker Pain , was dedicated on Saturday last . The site is central , and the building will be an ornament to the neighbourhood , as well as a convenient and

comfortable meeting place and resort for the brethren . The lodge room is at the top of the building , and approached by a separate entrance . The club premises on the ground floor comprises a billiard room , card room , refreshment bar , and necessary offices . Membership will be permitted to outsiders , and already a large number

have joined . The ceremony of the Sth instant was attended by a large number of brethren from all parts of Devon . They assembled at the old head-quarters , the Beacon Hotel , where they donned their regalia , and then marched in procession to Holy Trinity Church . The

service was a brief one } and was followed by an address from Bro . the Rev . Dr . Lemon , P . P . J . G . W ., Prov . G . Chaplain . The procession was afterwards reformed , and joined by others who had arrived at Exmouth by a late train , and , headed by the band of the ist R . V ., marched to

the new hall . Having perambulated the lodge once , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . W . G . Rogers , took the chair , being supported on his right by the W . M . of the lodge . The Wardens' chairs were occupied by the

P . G . Ws . The lodge was opened in the First Degree , and the building was then dedicated with the usual ceremonies , the anthem being " Behold how good and joyful a thing it is , brethren , to dwell together in unity . "

Masonic Service At Knotty Ash.

MASONIC SERVICE AT KNOTTY ASH .

On Sunday afternoon , the gth inst ., a Masonic service was held at St . John the Evangelist ' s Church , Knotty Ash , in aid of the funds of the West Lancashire Hamer Benevolent Institution for Aged and Distressed Freemasons of the province . Those present met prior to the service at the Village Hall , where

they assumed full Craft clothing , with the badges and jewels of their respective orders . From the hall they marched in processional order to the church , where the sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . Frank J . Powell , M . A ., Vicar of Knotty Ash , and Chaplain of the Bootle-Wilbraham Lodge , No . 2463 , under whose auspices the impressive gathering and service were

organised . Amongst those who attended were Bros . G . S . Willings , P . P . PG . D . ; E . Johnston , P . P . G . D . ; J . Hocken , P . P . G . D ., D . of C . ; R . G . Bradley , Prov . D . G . D . of C . ; John Hayes , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Beeken , P . A . G . S . ; J . D . Murray , P . G . Treas . Eng . ; C . Fothergill , Prov . J . G . D . ; John Christie , P . P . G . W . ; W . B . Ackerley ,

P . P . G . W . ; W . Simpson , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . J . Tickle , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . B . Mackenzie , P . P . S . G . D . j . Ai Heaster , Prov . G . P . West Yorkshire ; W . H . Bucknell , P . P . A . G . D . C . Staffs ., J . W . 2 / 033 ; J . R . Bottomley , P . P . A . G . D . C ; Philip Armstrong , P . M . 724 ; J . D . Crawford , 680 , P . D . G . D . C ; Thos . J . Jurman , P . M , 1325 , Treas . of the Hamer Fund ; John Craine , P . M .

1075 , A . G . D . C . Isle of Man ; J . Pittaway , Prov . D . G , S . B . j Eli Brooks , P . P . J . G . D . ; R . Tunnicliffe , I . P . M , 1182 ; J . R . Hounsell , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; Robert Cain , 724 , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . A . Harradon , P . P . G . T . ; Geo . Banner , P . M . 32 ; W . Henson , P . M . 249 ; and E . H . Cookson , W . M . 2463 . The preacher took for his text the words— ' * There

was neither hammer nor axe , nor any tool of iron , heard in the house while it was in building" ( I . Kings ; c . vi ., v . 7 . ) The first lesson to be drawn from the text was one for the spiritual life . We were all builders , who , by the use of God ' s gifts of grace , were called upon to follow the plans of the Great Architect of the Universe , to use their tools—God ' s spiritual gift

vouchsafed in the workshop of His Church—so that they might at the last great day be silently placed one by one as approved stones in the Holy Temple of the heavenly Jerusalem . Another lesson was with reference tothe great fraternity of Freemasons . The Order had spread over all lands throughout the habitable globe ; it had secured the allegiance of emperors and kings , princes

and potentates , as well as of less exalted individuals ; and everywhere the growth of the great living temple of Freemasonry had been after the manner indicated by the text—not by war and force of arms , but , silently and harmoniously , by brotherly love . Everywhere it had retained calmly and silently , amid the clamour often of conflicting beliefs , a firm belief in the Great

Architect and Ruler of the Universe , at whose creative fiat all things first were made . In conclusion , the preacher regarded the contrast between the din of labour near joppa , and the silent placing in position of the prepared materials , as a parable of the contrast between the quiet old age of those to whom God had vouchsafed a competency , and the lot of those whose closing years were disturbed by the pressure of need .

He pointed out that , in accordance with Masonic teaching with respect to Charity , it was the duty and privilege ot all present to do their utmost to prevent any harsh wringing cry of sorrow uncared for and of need unalleviated from ascending to the ears of the Great Architect from their brethren who were , through no fault of their own , in poverty and distress . A collection ia aid of the Funds of the Hamer Benevolent Fund was made at the close of the service !