Special Convent General.

With regard to another proposition , Sir Knight Royd accepted instead a suggestion from Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke to revert to the old arrangement of the Patriarchal Cross and badge of office worn on the cloak . Of the last three resolutions of Sir Knight Royds , the first two were declared by Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke to be already in the ritual of the Order , and there was no necessity to alter statutes ; and the other resolution , to the effect

that no candidate shall be incepted as a Knight of Malta for a fee under one guinea , was carried . The motion proposed b y Sir Knight BANISTER was included in Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ' s , and was , therefore , dropped . Convent General was then closed .

Grand Lodge Of Scotland.

GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND .

The Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held on the afternoon of the ist inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , George-street , Edinburgh . There was a large attendance of the brethren from all parts of the country . In the unavoidable absence of the Grand Master , Bro . Sir Archibald Campbell , Bro . the Earl of Haddington , Depute Grand Master , occupied the throne . Bro . Dr . J . Middleton acted as Sub . Grand Master ; and there also present Bros . J . Dalrymple

Duncan , acting S . G . W . ; Col . John Campbell , acting J . G . W . ; D . Murray Lyon , G . Sec . ; David Reid , G . Treas . ; Rev . Thomas Somerville and Rev . J . Glasse , G . Chaplains ; Dr . James Carmichael , G . S . B . ; George Christie , G . Marshal ; John Wilson , G . Bard ; Robert Nisbet , J . G . D . ; Colin Galletly , G . Bible Bearer ; G . C . H . M'Naught , G . I . G . ; Col . J . Clark Forrest , Prov . G . M . of Lanark ( Middle Ward ); Major F . W . Allan , Proxy Prov . G . M . of Gibraltar ; James Fleming , Proxy Prov . G . M . of South-East Africa ; and James Caldwell , P . G . D .

Grand Lodge next took up the report of the Grand Committee , to the effect that the " Grand Lodge fully recognises the inalienable right of all Master Masons to meet in open lodge and discuss Masonic affairs , and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the constitution and laws to petition Grand Lodge on any

matters connected with Masonry , but daughter lodges and brethren , individually or collectively , are prohibited from issuing circulars or other communications relating to proceedings before Grand Lodge or Grand Committee , or on Masonic subjects , special or general , to the public or the Craft without having previousl y obtained the sanction of Grand Committee . "

Bro . MACFARLANE moved the previous question on the ground that should such a resolution be carried it would debar members of the Craft from discussing Masonic affairs in private , and even in Masonic company . Bro . HUME , in supporting the amendment , traced the history of the cause which had given rise to the recommendation of Grand Committee , and held that brethren were quite entitled to bring subjects under dispute before the respective lodges by circular or otherwise . After discussion the report was adopted by a large majority .

It was resolved to issue charters to the following new lodges : Pollok , Pollokshields , Renfrewshire East ; Eden , Aintab , Syria ; St . Molios , Lamlash , Island of Arran ; Darling Downs , Toowomba , Queensland ; and St . James , Bridgeton , Glasgow .

From reports which were submitted it appeared that the income of Grand Lodge for the first five months of the financial year had been £ 264 . 4 ., or £ 193 in excess of that for the corresponding period of last year . The income of the Fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence for the last three months had been £ 604 . ; and £ 150 had been voted as grants to Freemasons or the widows of Masons . ¦

On the recommendation of Grand Committee , Bro . Major WILLIAM D . INNES , was appointed Prov . Grand Master of Kincardineshire . An interim report was submitted in regard to the Grand Lodge bazaar , the object of which is to raise ^ 10 , 000 in aid of the annuit y branch of the fund of Scottish Masonic Benevolence . The report bore : " That the patronage of her Majesty the Queen has been graciously given to the bazaar , which will be held in

the Waverley Market , Edinburgh , on the 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , and 6 th days of December next . The interior of the market will , as suggested by the G . Master , be laid out in the form of an Egyptian temple , from plans prepared by the Grand Architect , Bro . M'Intyre Henry ; A large central court surrounded on all sides b y a colonnade , that at the east end representing the porch or portico giving entrance to the inner buildings . Between the columns surrounding the court will be placed the various stalls , 19 or 20 in number , including those for game , dairy produce

parcels , & c , and in the centre of the market area or court will be placed the Grand Lodge stall , measuring about 25 feet square , and representing a small temple . Small Zetland ; Haddington and Berwickshires , with Roxburgh and Selkirk ; Dumfries and Wigtown and Kircudbri ghtshires ; Upper and Middle Wards of Lanarkshire ; Inverness and Ross and Cromarty ; East and West Pertshire ; India , with China and Japan ; the Colonies and foreign parts . Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire East and West have authority to unite in holding an auxiliary bazaar in Aberdeen .

The Ladies General Committee are busil y engaged in arranging matters of detail . On the suggestion of Lad y Campbell , it has been decided that the ladies attached to each stall shall wear distinctive dresses , the proposed colour and character of which to be intimated to Committee before being fixed , so that the stalls may not clash in design or colour . The ladies in the Metropolitan stall ,

which will be presided over b y Lady Campbell , will wear costumes in thistle green , with aprons and badges distinctive of the lodges represented . It has been intimated by Lady Gertrude Cochrane and Lady Octavia Shaw-Stewart that white and gold , and dark blue and gold , will be the distinctive colours in the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire stalls respectively .

The GRAND SECRETARY reported that on a request preferred by representatives of Lodges St . David and Dramatic and Arts , the Grand Master had given his sanction to a Masonic sermon being preached before the Metropolitan lodges in St . Giles' Cathedral b y one of the Grand Chaplains , on which occasion a collection would be made for the Grand Masonic bazaar in connection with the Annuit y Fund of Grand Lodge . Since it was first mooted the scheme had assumed

such importance that its promoters had thought it right to respectfully ask Grand Lodge to take official charge of the matter , and issue invitations to the Metropolitan lodges for their presence and support on the occasion . Grand Lodge Committee had resolved that the proposed service be held under the auspices of Grand Lodge , and that Grand Secretary be authorised to make the necessary arrangements . This was approved by Grand Lodge .

Grand Lodge also considered the motion moved b y Bro . J AMES MUIR , R . W . M . S 79 , and seconded by Bro . Col . J . CLARK FORREST , Prov . G . M . of Middle Ward of Lanark— " That whereas during the past year 17 provinces or thereby in Scotland , in which are comprised 180 daughter lodges , were unrepresented on Grand

Committee , it be remitted to said Committee to consider and report what alterations should be made on the present mode of electing members of Grand Committee , so as to secure a more direct representation for each province , and thereby promote a wider interest in the affairs of Grand Lodge and of the Craft generally . "

The previous question was moved b y Bro . D . DUNCAN , and seconded b y Bro MACFARLANE , but the motion was carried b y 82 against 18 . The other business was unimportant .

The Late Bro. Dresser E. Rogers, P.M.

THE LATE BRO . DRESSER E . ROGERS , P . M .

Bro . Dresser E . Rogers , whose death , after a long and painful illness , occurred on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., though a Mason of some years' standing , was far better known in his civic and journalistic capacity , and through his long connection with the late Metropolitan Board of Works . He was born in 1824 , and , on reaching manhood , he devoted himself firstly to the profession of architect and surveyor in Southwark , and afterwards to that of journalism , with which latter he

remained associated to the very close of his life . During his residence in Southwark , he became in 1846 a member of its Board of Guardians . Ten years later he was elected to a seat at St . Saviour ' s Board of Works , while in 1852 he became Honorary Secretary of the Surrey Gas Consumers' Committee , Sir John Thwaites being the Chairman , and it was mainly through his exertions that the monopoly of the gas companies , especially in South London , was broken

down , and the price 01 gas reduced to its present level . For these services he was presented with a silver salver and a purse of 100 guineas . In 1868 , after being resident in Camberwell for some years , and having done it good service as guardian and vestryman , he became the representative of that district on the Metropolitan Board of Works , and continued to occupy the position , serving from time to time as Chairman of the

principal Committee , and for three years as Deputy-Chairman , until the dissolution of the Board last year . Some years previously—in 1862- ^ he had entered the Corporation of London as one of the representatives of Aldgate , and while still a junior member succeeded in inducing the Corporation to promote the City of London Gas Act of 1868 , by which the sliding scale was adopted . He also tried

to induce the Corporation to bring forward a proposal for buying up the companies , but in these efforts he was unsuccessful . But generally , as regards his civic duties , he filled the chairs of most of the principal Committees , and in 1885 had the honour of being elected to the Chairmanship of the City Lands Committee , the occupant of which is always designated the Chief Commoner , and it was in this capacity that he was one of a Committee which waited on

THE LATE BRO . DRESSER ROGERS , D . L . the King of the Belgians in reference to the Free State of the Congo , the distinction of a Knight Chevalier of the Royal Order of Leopold being conferred upon him for his services in this respect . Last year , on the death of his old friend and associate , Deputy Burnell , the Alderman of the Ward of Aldgate conferred upon Bro . Rogers the office of Deputy thus rendered vacant . In 1888 the good

people of Camberwell being desirous of possessing a memorial of one who had laboured hard and so successfully for their benefit , had his portrait in oils taken and hung in the Vestry Hall , a replica of it being at the same time presented to Mrs . Rogers . In 1859 , at the time of the Volunteer movement , he took a very active part in establishing the 1 st Surrey Rifles , from which corps , after attaining the rank of Captain , he retired with much credit , being at the same time presented with a testimonial consisting of a sword and a dinner

service . In 1867 he took part with the Reform party , but though several times solicited to come forward as a candidate for Parliamentary honours , he steadfastly refused up till 1885 , when he accepted the invitation to stand in the Liberal interest for Peckham , and was defeated . In Freemasonry , owing to the heavy demands on his time made by his civic and metropolitan duties , he was unable to take a very active part ; but he was a Past Master of the Kent Lodge , No . 15 , and also a member of the Macdonald Lodge , No . 1216 , which is connected with the ist Surrey Rifles .

The funeral of our late respected brother took place on Thursday at Forest Hill Cemetery , the first portion of the service having been celebrated at St . Giles ' s Church , Camberwell , in the presence of a large gathering of the deceased brother ' s relations , friends , acquaintances , and colleagues . There was also a large gathering at the grave side to witness the conclusion of the ceremony . . & -.

Cross , though for fast approaching 1900 years the special emblem of Christ , is an old religious symbol . It is not a Masonic symbol , that is to say since 1717 . As to the Guilds , it would undoubtedly be , and was , as we know , from Halliwell ' s MS ., and , as Mackey carefully points out , familiar as the " Rode , " " Rood . " Oliver , indeed , states that , according to ancient tradition , the Temple of Solomon

had three foundations ; the first of which contained seventy stones , five rows from north to south , and fourteen in each row , running from east to west . The centre row corresponded with the upri ght of a cross , whose transverse was formed b y two stones on each side of the eleventh stone from the east end of the centre row , of which the upright is formed , and the fourth stone from the west end of it . —Kenning ' s Cydopcedia of Freemasonry .