Contents.

CONTENTS .

REPORTS or MASONIC M EETINGS : — Craft Masonry Sp Instruction S * ° Roval Arcli S ° Scotland 5 » i Red Cross of Constantine 561 Freemasonry in Scotland SiiJ Ceremonial at Wakefield 5 ^ 3

The Last Quarterly Coininunication ... 50 ^ The Progress of thc Controversy raising by the Grantl Orient of France $ 64 Some Fresh Roman Catholic Attacks 5 G 5 C ORRESPONDENCE : — Grand Lodge of Scotland _ S 05 Trading on Freemasonry " S ° i The Burns' Statue and Freemasonry 56 C

The Order of the Temple 50 C Royal Masonic Uencvolcnt Institution J 6 f Consecration of the Studholme Mark Lotlge 56 ; Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Lincolnshire $ b ; Masonic and General Tidings 565 Freemasonry in New Zealand J 6 t Obituary 5 ' M asonic Meetings for next Week 5 * 3 c Advertisements SS ^ i ' SH , ' •il . '"•iv . v . vi

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

V © raft UlajjimrB . FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —A meeting of this old lodge was held at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tuesday , the 28 th ult . There were present at the opening of the lodge Bros . M . Davis , W . M . ; E . Mallett , S . W . ; E . Hopwood , P . M . 131 , 1 5 , acting J . W . ; Waygootl , I . P . M . ; Stuart , P . M ., Sec . ; Peevor , P . M . ; Themans , P . M . ; Gumball , S . D . ; Walls , A . D . C , acting I . G . ; Longstafle , Tyler .

Later on thc staff of officers were supplemented by Bros . Taylor , P . M . ; Carter , Treas . ; Dairey , J . W . ; Bye , J . D . ; Whitby , I . G . ; Morrison , A . W . S . ; Heaphy , D . C . The minutes of the installation meeting having been read and confirmed , the W . M . passed Bro . Travers , and raised Bro . Rothenburg . The ceremenies were exceedingly well performed . At the conclusion of the latter ceremony

another candidate for passing arrived in the person of Bro . Stokes , who , notwithstanding his want of punctuality , had thc good fortune to receive his degree . The W . M . ' s labours were still further protracted by his having to initiate Mr . | Alkn into Craft mysteries , which " work " having been satisfactorily carried out , Bro . Taylor , P . M ., brought forward a notice of motion given by him at the

last meeting , that the initiation fee should be increased to ten guineas , and the joining fee to five guineas , and that the annual subscription should be raised to three guineas . In speaking upon his proposition , Bro . Taylor stated that as there appeared to be a divided opinion upon thc latter motion he was willing to withdraw it , although he wished the lodge to understand that the increased subscription was

only intended to affect members joining in and after January , 1877 . Hc then went on to state that in thc brief course of three or four years thc lodge had drifted from a highly prosperous to a very precarious state , and concluded by saying that as thc subject was so important it was necessary that it should be fully and freely discussed , and he should therefore reserve his other remarks in support

of the motion until any brethren who desired to speak upon the . matter had finished . Bro . Hopwood , P . M ., in seconding the proposition , said that when hc joined thc lodge some nineteen years ago , at a low fee , there were only thirty or forty members belonging to it , but the funds were comparatively in good condition . At the present time , antl with higher fees , they were three times as strong ,

but thc balance , according to thc last audit , was on the wrong side . In conclusion , Bro . Hopwood gave as his opinion that as Freemasonry had of late years made such gigantic strides by the influx of new members the Faith would find plenty of persons willing to pay ten guineas in order to have the honour of becoming members of so old and popular a lodge as No . 141 . Thc proposition

having been fully discussed pro and con by Bros . Carter , Walls , JPilbrou , and others , Bro . Taylor , P . M ., again addressed the brethren at length . 1 le said he thought that 120 members , which number constituted , hc believed , their present strength , was large enough for any lodge . If their numbers increased too rapidly there would not be sufficient room , either in thc lodge or in

the banquet hall , to accommodate them properly , and he further said that large lodges were not to be admired . Bro . Walls had said that " quality , not quantity , " was the Masonic desideratum , and he ( Bro . Taylor ) , quite agreed with him . If the fees were increased , and thc house-bills economised , thc lodge would be able to support the three great Craft charities to a larger extent than it had of late

years done . They must also not forget that there was a vcry great difference in the value of money now than there was formerly , and in conclusion the speaker forcibly said that thc members then present by supporting his motion , would be doing justice not only to the lodge , but to the fraternity at large . The motion having been formally put by the W . M ., was carried by a very latgc majority .

the lodge was shortly afterwards closed , and the brethren adjourned to thc last Tuesday in January next . The visitors were Bros . Pitt , 4 O 3 , and Whclon , 1035 . There was no banquet . CAVEAC LODGE ( No . 17 O . )—This lotlge met at the " Albion , " Aldersgate-st ., London , on Saturday , the 9 th inst . Present : —Bros . W . Goss , W . M . ; P . A . Nairne , P . M .,

as S . W . ; J . B . Sorrell , J . W . ; Stansfield , S . D . ; Neumegcn , J . D . ; Thorpe , I . G . ; C . Dovey , P . M . and Sec ; C Browne , P . M . and D . C . ; P . Browne , P . M . and Treas . ; Sorrell , I . P . M . ; Bcsley , P . M ., and Lemann , P . M . ; Lamb , Khkness , Griffiths , Morrice , Jones , Akcnhcad , Payne , Moore , Boyson , and others . Visitors : —W . Bro . the Rev . K * J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain ; James Stevens , P . M . 1426 ;

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

A . H . Lilley , P . M . 12 ; John Constable , P . M . iSg i Edward Clarke , P . M . 134 , and Alfred Grubb , 73 , 1 . C . Lodge was opened , passed into Second Degree , and Bro . Bayson most ably passed to the degree of F . C . Several matters of lodge business having been attended to , the brethren subsequently assembled at banquet , which was

most excellently served and was admirably presided over by the W . M ., whose brief but apt and forcible introduction of the several loyal and principal Masonic toasts evinced a more than exceptional ability for the position of chairman . For Grand Lodge Officers , the Past Grand

Chaplain , Bro . Simpson , responded , congratulating the lodge on its progress and working , and , referring to the Special Grand Lodge about to be called for the purpose of considering the best means for commemorating the return of thc M . W . Grand Master , hoped that all divergence of opinion might give way to an unanimous acceptance of whatever decision might then be arrived at , he being quite

quite assured that the object of each and ali who took interest in the matter was a full and perfect accord throughout the Craft that the honour proposed might be acceptable to the Chief of the Order . The W . Master ' s health having been drank with enthusiastic response to

the fair laudation with which the toast had been given , the W . M . replied in appropriate terms of acknowledgment , and gave the toast of " The Visitors . " Bros . Lilley and Clarke replied , and Bro , Stevens , in obedience to the general request , also responded . He stated that he had accompanied Bro . Simpson from " The Great City " Lodge , then holding its meeting at Cannon-street Hotel ,

for the purpose of representing that lodge , and conveying to the W . M . and brethren of the "Caveac" expressions of cordial greeting and hearty good wishes . The reception hc had that evening experienced at their hands was not only gratifying to himself personally , but would be greatly appreciated by thc lodge he represented ; and hc ventured to suggest the practicability as well as policy

of lodges , whose dates of meeting were concurrent , being represented by one or more members from the respective lodges in session . It would serve to cement the bond of union and good fellowship which they as Freemasons desired to encourage , and would enable them to keep up that association , the one with the other , which the circumstance of their being in different places at the same moment at

present rendered almcst , and in any other way , impossible . He thought it probable hc might yet again meet the members of " The Great City" Lodge before they separated on that evening , and , if so , he would through the W . M . of that lodge notify to them the cordial reception they had accorded to him as their representative on this occasion . " The Healths of Bros . Dovey , Sec . ; and

Brown , Treas ., were drank , and the charity box circulated . A " whip round , " in accordance with annual custom , was made for the purpose of affording a " Cheery Christmas " to the worthy Tyler , who , after the services of ' ¦ ' Thc Officers " had been recognised , gave the " final toast , " and so brought an agreeable and thoroughly practical Masonic meeting to a highly satisfactory termination .

LEWIS LODGE ( No . 1185 ) . —At an emergency meeting a large number of the members of this lodge assembled at thc King ' s'Arms Hotel , Wood Green , on Saturday , 2 d inst ., pursuant to summons , for the purpose of passing a vote of sympathy with the widow and family of their late Treasurer , W . Bro . S . May , who was also one of the founders of this lodge , and to elect a

Treasurer in his stead . Bro . turner , W . M . presided , supported by the following Past Masters of the lodge , viz ., Bros . Cover , Leared ( Sec . ) Edwards , Row , and Durrant , together with the officers , Bros . Shipwright , S . W . ; Sayer , J . W . ; Bone , S . D . ; Berrie , J . D . ; and Hooper , I . G . The lodge having been opened in due form with solemn prayer , there were four passings and two

initiations taken first , in order to give the brethren full time to assemble , after which Bro . Turner , W . M ., addressed the brethren as follows : —Brethren , I have called this lodge of emergency together for a special purpose , one which I have not the slightest doubt will recommend itself to every member—that of sympathising with thc widow and family of our late much respected and lamented Bro .

May , who was one of the founders of this lodge , and who has been our Treasurer from the very first ; and you , brethren , know how efficiently he discharged the duties of that office . Taking into account the vcry kind interest which Bro . May has always taken in the welfare and happiness of this lodge , the truly Masonic spirit displayed by him on all occasions , and the deep and sincere interest

which hc has always taken in our noble charities—ol which wc arc all justly proud—I have not the slightest fear but that the resolution about to be proposed by Bro . Cover—one of the founders , and now senior Past Master of this lodge , will receive your entire approbation . Bro . May was with us at our last meeting , having left , I might almost say , his death bed on purpose lo be present , but

was toa ill to remain long , tor my own part 1 shall ever remember the kind and hearty manner in which on that occasion hc congratulated me on my installation as Master of this lodge . I shall now without further comment ask Bro . Cover to read his proposed resolution . W . Bro . Cover having addressed a few well-chosen remarks as to the high esteem in which Bro . May was held

—not only by this lodge , but generally , and pointing out that of the founders there are now but two , himself and Bro . Leared , P . M . ( Sec ) , left as subscribing members—proposed a vote of sympathy with the widow and family of their late Bro . May , for their great and irreparable loss . This having been seconded by Bro . Leared , met with the

unanimous approbation of thc lodge . W . Bro . Durrant , I . P . M ., was elected as Treasurer in the room of Bro . May , deceased . This having concluded the business of the evening the lodge was closed in due form , and the brethren separated , there being no banquet on this melancholy occasion . THE GREAT CITY LODGE ( No . 1426 ) . —The regular meeting of The Great City Lodge was held on

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Saturday evening , Dec . 9 th , at the Cannon-street Hotel , and was well attended . Bro . John Seex , W . M ., presided . There were also present Bros . R . Stannay , S . W . ; J . Freeman , J . W . ; R . J . Simpson , Chap . ; N . _ . Headon , Treas . ; E . Moody , Sec . ; Blockie , S . D . ; Catchpole , J . D . ; J . Jenkins , Org . ; Hamer , I . G ., and Kibble and Hook , Stewards . The lodge having been

opened and the minutes read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second Degree , when Bros . Shaw and Cartwright were raised to the Sublime Degree . The next business was the passing of Bro . Libersart to the Second Degree . The lod ge was then resumed to the First Degree , and after a . ballot Mr . Louis Charles Brocks was introduced and impressively initiated into the mysteries of

ancient Freemasonry , the whole of the three ceremonies being well rendered by the W . M . The next business was the discussion of a notice of motion , given by Bro . Townend , I . P . M ., for the alteration of one of the rules which pressed hardly upon any one wishing to resign the lodge , but the discussion terminated in the notice of motion being negatived . The lodge was then closed , and the

brethren adjourned for refreshment . At its close the W . M . gave " The Queen and the Craft , " which was duly honoured . The W . M . said the next toast was " The Health of the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Prince of Wales , " and remarked that there was no place where that toast was received more heartily , or shown a greater amount of honour than in The Great City Lodge . The

toast was received with hearty enthusiasm and the Masonic honours . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose he was sure would be received with the same welcome as the former ones , as it was " The Health of the Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the Deputy Grand Master , Lord Skelmersdale , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present . " He was sure that

they would give the toast a hearty welcome , as they were not merely ornamental but useful members of the Craft , which they had lately proved by thc efficient manner in which they had done the work at the Lodge of Emulation , and he had no doubt but that it would stimulate every Mason to perform his duties to the Craft . The toast was well received . Bro .

Townend , I . P . M ., said he was authorised to introduce a toast to their notice , which he was sure would be received with acclamation by the brethren , as it was " The Health of the W . M . " For himself he regretted that he was not present to hear him work the ritual that night , but he knew from experience what he could do , and the excellent manner in which that ritual was rendered by him , and he

was kind and genial to all who came in contact with him , either as a Mason or an individual . He , therefore , asked them to ^ drink The health of the W . M . in the usual cordial manner of The Great City Lodge . The W . M ., in reply , said while the honour was conferred upon him of being the W . M . of The Great City Lodge hc felt the great responsibility imposed upon him of carrying out the duties

of the chair . The observations of their I . P . M . exceeded anything ; he deserved , and his desire was to perform his duties , which would be a sufficient reward to him without being overloaded with praise . Hc was glad to possess their good wishes , hoping to do his duty with some credit to himself , and he trusted to the satisfaction of the members of the lodge . The W . M , said he

was sure the next toast would be received in a fraternal spirit , as it was one that mainly affected the vitality of the Craft . There had been no meeting of The Great City Lodge without the W . M . having with great pleasure to refer to thc subject of instruction . Thc brother who had that night been initiated was well known to a brother in the lodge by whom he had been proposed , and they

receivcd him with a hearty welcome . They always received a new brother with honour , respect , and esteem , and above all with that friendship which one member of the Craft should bear to another . With those few remarks hc asked them to drink " The Health of their Newly-Initiated Brother Brocks . Bro . Brocks said hc was greatly pleased at the manner he had been received amongst

them , and hoped to belong to them for many years . The W . M . said he had then to bring under their notice a toast , which was thc health of those brcthrea who had already reaped thc honours of the occupation of thc chair in that young lodge . Their Immediate Past Master , Bro . Townend , had had a very successful year ; he had been well received and worked heartily for the benefit of thc lodge . As to their

senior Past Master , Bro . Headon , the less that was said as to his position in thc lodge the greater honour would it confer upon him . He gave " The Health of the Past Masters of the Lodge . " Bro . Townend , I . P . M ., said that he was obliged that the W . M . had spoken of him , as he had done his duty to the best of his ability , although he had learned another ritual different from that worked in the

lodge . He knew Bro . Hcadon ' s abilities as a Mason , and he only wished that he was able to work the ceremonies as he was . Hc assured them that at all times hc was ready and willing to advance the interests of The Great City Lodge , as he always had them at heart , and hc should always be willing to impart any knowledge to the younger brethren who aspired to thc chair . The W . Master next

gave a toast which hc said was more welcome than any other to the W . Master of The Grand City Lodge , as it was The Health of their Visiting Brethren , " and having enumerated those present asked the brethren to do honour to the toast . Bro . Roberts , o' Lodge No . 1594 , returned thanks . Thc W . Master in giving " Thc Health of the Treasurer and Secretary of the Lodge , Bros . Headon and

Moody , " said he looked upon that as the most important toast of the evening , for the services they rendered to thc Lodge were most important and required great discrimination on their part . He was sure all the members were greatly indebted to Bro . Moody for the manner in which he carried out his duties as Secretary , for as it was a very large lodge he undoubtedly held a most responsible position , and he was sure that although he had only made