Grand Lodge Of England.

Bro . John Symonds thought this was the proper time to mention a subject to the Grand Master which required to be settled . The Board of Benevolence had for a long time met at seven o ' clock in the evening ; but the board had itself lately altered that hour , and were now meeting at six . The board , he believed , had certain powers delegated to them ,

but had they recently had any further powers ? They had exercised a legislative power in making the alteration , and he thought it ought not to be passed over in silence , however unobjectionable it might be , as it would be establishing a precedent for their passing laws and regulations . He suggested that the subject be referred to the Board of General Purposes .

Bro . Nunn rose to order . There was no question before Grand Lodge . The hour of meeting of the board did not appear in the Book of Constitutions , and the members had a perfect right to fix it . Bro . Symonds said it was not the question of the alteration of the hour of meeting which was so important , as whether the committee as now

constituted possessed any legislative power ? That was the important principle which ought to be decided , There was no instance of any legislative powei being possessed by the Lodge of Benevolence other than the passing grants of money . He would move that , as doubts existed whether it had that power , it be referred to the Board of General Purposes to consider the question .

The Grand Master r I do not feel that it would be right to rule that the question j ' ust raised is out of order because no notice on the subject was given , because I imagine that the worthy brother did not know of this before in time to give notice . If he had had an opportunity of giving notice , clearly it

would be out of order that he should propose anything without notice ; but the report does raise the question , and I do not think it would be in accordance with our practice to rule that the discussion of the question is out of order ; but I think he has lost his opportunity of moving , as there is no notice . I

should be glad to hear the opinion of the Grand Registrar . Thc Grand Registrar thought they were bound to receive the report , and enter it on the minutes . The board seem to have thought they had authority to make this alteration themselves . That was a very

grave question . Now that the question was mooted , inquiry should be made whether the time had been fixed by Grand Lodge ? If so , it was perfectly out of the power of the board to alter it . The alteration appeared to have been made without notice to the Craft , which was necessary , as every Master had a

right to be present at the board . Bro . Symonds was right in taking the earliest opportunity of bringing the matter before Grand Lodge . The Grand Master should give directions to the Grand Secretary to summon the board at thc usual hour . Bro . Joshua Nunn informed Grand Lodge that

four months ago the motion for the alteration was proposed at the board , and notice was given that it would be discussed at the next meeting . At the next meeting it was discussed and carried . At the third meeting the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed , and it was not until another meeting

the question was asked whether they were doing wrong . It was found that there was no case in the Book of Constitutions that would interfere with the appointment of the hour of meeting . It was the fault of the Craft if they did not know . A circular went out every month from Grand Secretary ' s office

that the Master of a lodge should attend the board . The alteration was necessary . At one time the time required to dispose of tlie cases before the board was from seven to eight or nine ; now it was from seven to half-past eleven , and an earlier hour was consequently fixed . If the time got late many

brethren retired , and the concluding cases were left to the few who remained . For these reasons the board suggested an alteration , and finding that no time for meeting was named in the Book of Constitutions , the alteration was made for the convenience of the Craft .

The Grand Master : There is , no doubt , nothing in the Book of Constitutions which prescribes the hour at which the Board of Benevolence should meet , and I am quite sure there is nosinglemember of the Board of Benevolence who would wish to take

any step which was objected to by this Grand Lodge , or be open to criticism on the part of thc Craft . I should be sorry to be called upon to exercise my prerogative so strongly as to direct thc Grand Secretary , without communication , to summon the brethren for an hour different to that

decided on ; but I put it to thc members , after what has taken place with regard to the step which has been taken , which the W . M . of every lodge in thc Craft has had notice of , whether it would not be well to continue to meet at the hour at which they

have hitherto met , and that thc question should be raised and discussed at the next meeting of Grand Lodge , after thc brethren have had an opportunity of talking the matter over at their various lodges , and an harmonious conclusion be come to ?

Grand Lodge Of England.

Bro . Joshua Nunn said the summonses had already gone out fixing the hour at six . Bro . Raynham W . Stewart asked whether the Calendar for 1871 had been altered to six ? The Grand Secretary said yes ; and the summonses had gone out for the next three months . The Grand Registrar : Your lordship states the

hour , and I do not see that , until he altered it , it must remain . The Grand Master : It is a question , 1 think , which requires some consideration , and so far as my own view of the matter is concerned , I should desire to have time to consider what would be most convenient to the Craft in the circumstances under

which we are placed . As the notices have gone out , their withdrawal mi ght give rise to some inconvenience . My idea is that those notices should not be issued until the subject has had further consideration . I will consider it , and come to a

conclusion as soon as possible . Bro . Symonds should give notice for a full discussion . Bro . Symonds r I will do that at the proper time . The following report of the Board of General Purposes was taken as read , and then put to Grand Lodge and adopted : —

To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purposes beg to report as follows : I . That their attention has been directed to the fact of the new Postal Cards having been made the medium for lodge summonses . The Board desire to direct the attention of the members of Grand Lodge , and more especially that

of Secretaries to lodges , to the very objectionable nature of the above proceeding , and to warn all brethren that such an offence against Masonic decency will , if brought under the notice of the Board , be visited with the greatest displeasure . 2 . The Board beg further to report , that on the afternoon of Tuesday , the 8 th . November inst ., a fire occurred

tn some workshops situated in Little Wild-street , in the rear of the Society ' s freehold premises in Great Queenstreet . The great window of the New Banqueting Hall in the Tavern and the windows of the Tavern kitchen were destroyed , likewise that the south end of the Society ' s Great Hall sustained some damage . All the premises are insured . The Board immediately directed the Grand

Superintendent of Works to make the necessary survey , to take steps for agreeing upon the amount of compensation with the Insurance Companies , and for having the injuries incurred made good . 3 . The last edition of the Book of Constitutions being exhausted , the Board have ordered a reprint , with such alterations as have been sanctioned by Grand Lodge , with

as little delay as possible . 4 . The Board beg further to report , that in pursuance of the Resolution confirmed at the last Quarterly Communication , they have had the subject of the provision of an organ for use in Grand Lodge under consideration , and they hope shortly to make such arrangements on the subject as they trust will meet with the approval of Grand Lodge .

5 . The Board beg to subjoin a Statement of the Grand Lodge accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on the nth November , 1 S 70 , showing a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of . £ 2 , 280 3 s . Sd ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary , for petty cash , . £ 75 . ( Signed ) J . LLEWELLYN EVANS , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , Nov . 22 , 1 S 70 .

The Grand Registrar said a communication had been received from thc District Grand Lodge of Bombay , stating that Bro . George Bease having made his submission , had been restored to all his Masonic privileges . Bro . Bease had consequently withdrawn his appeal , which was deferred from the last Quarterly Communication at thc request of the

District Grand Lodge . Bro . Brackstonc Baker , P . G . D ., moved : "That a sum of , £ 100 be granted from the Fund of General Purposes to the fund now being raised under the auspices of thc Dowage rMarchioness of Lothian in aid of thc British and foreign refugees from

France . Bro . Bcnnoch seconded thc motion , which was then put and carried . The scrutineers here returned with the report that Bro . Joshua Nunn was elected Senior Vice President of thc Lodge of Benevolence , thc votes for him being 95 , and for Bro . Savage , P . G . D ., 74 .

Bro . James E . Saunders , P . M . No . 1 144 „ Samuel May , P . M . No . 780 138 „ Charles A . Cottebrune , P . M . No . 733 ... 132 ,. Charles James Hogg , P . M . No . 58 ... 132 „ Witham M . Bywater , P . M . No . 19 ... 130 „ James W . Halsey , P . M . No . 134 ... 130 „ James R . Sheen , P . M . No . 201 129 „ Samuel Gale , P . M . No . 19 127

„ William Mann , P . M . No . 186 125 „ Henry Garrod , P . M . No . 749 120 „ Philip Kirke , P . M . No . 144 113 „ S . Kemball Cook , P . M . No . 197 105 „ Thomas Tyrrell , P . M . No . 144 93 „ William Alexander , P . M . No . 167 ... 85 „ James Weaver , P . M . No . S 62 55 The first twelve being elected . Grand Lodge was then closed .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Reports of Masonic Meetings .

THE CRAFT . METROPOLITAN .

Domatic Lodge , No . 177 . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Friday evening , the 9 th inst ., at Bro . Clemow ' s ( Anderton ' s ) Hotel , Fleet-street , and was as is usual with this popular lodge , numerously attended . The officers present were , Bros . J . R . Foulger , W . M ., whose working cannot be excelled ; Walford , S . W . ;

Ferguson , J . W ., ( two very efficient officers ) ; Timms , S . D . ; Everitt , I . G ., ( Bro . Kent , theJ . D ., was unavoidably abscnl ) ; j . Smith , P . G . Pur . and Treas . ; James Brett , G . Pur ., P . M ., P . Z ., & c . ; and the following Past Masters , Bros . Wm . Carpenter , M . Haydon , Fred . Smith , II . Potter ( 115 S ) , 1-1 . Thompson H . Elmes , late Sec . Amongst the lay-brethren were Bros . S . A .

Treadwell , Barber , Kent , Giles , and Pulsford ( 115 S ) , Goodfellow , Hughes , Needham , Dyer , Hancock , J . Willing , junr ., R . Montagu , Chubb , Percival , Silverton , Turpin , Anscombe , and Chas . E . Thompson , S . W . 115 S . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Messrs Cruchley and J . Acason , who were subsequently initiated into the

mysteries of Masonry . Bros . Hughes , Needham , and Hancock , were then raised to the sublime degree , after which the election of a W . M . for the ensuing year took place . The choice of the brethren fell upon Bro . Walford , S . W ., by an unanimous vote . Bros . J . Smith , P . G . Pur ., was re-elected Treas ., and Daly , Tyler . Upon the motion of Bro . T . Smith , seconded by Bro . Elmes , and

carried unanimously , a jewel of the value of five guineas was voted to Bro . Foulger , the retiring W . M ., and certainly no former Master of the Domatic Lodge so richly deserved the honour as Bro . Foulger does , and we congratulate him upon that , and the respect and esteem in which he is held by all of the brethren , a fact made very evident by the applause with which he was received . Bros .

1 rcadwcll , Pulsford , Montague and Chas . E . Thompson , were elected Auditors , and Friday , the 23 rd inst ., was named for the purpose . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , which consisted of an excellent champagne dinner , provided by Bro . Clemow , who was ably assisted by Bro . Smith , the manager . The W . M . quickly dispose ! of the usual loyal and

Masonic toasts . To the toast of the P . M . ' s , & c , Bro . Ough , P . G . P . responded , and expressed the great pleasure he had experienced in being present that evening , and complimented in high terms , the W . M . for his complete working , and said he thought the Domatic Lodge ought to feel very proud in having three Grand Officers attached to them , viz ., Bro . Adams , J . Smith and James

Brett . He thanked them very sincerely for the way in which the toast had been received . Bro . Smith proposed " The W . M ., " which was received with more than usual applause . The W . M . in acknowledging the compliment said , if he had done his duty to the satisfaction of the lodge , he was amply repaid . He thanked the Officers and P . M . ' s for their kind assistance , especially Bro . J . Smith . Bros . Crtichlev and Acason returned thanks for

1 he Initiates in appropriate terms , and the " Visitors " of whom there was a goodly number , replied seriatum . Other toasts were given and responded to , ami a very pleasant evening was brought to a close . Bros . Fountain , Hancock ami Acason , contributed some very good songs . Bro . Giles made a very elegant compliment to the lodge , by presenting each member with a small , though handsome

bouquet . Lod ^ c of Asaph , No . 1319 . —The first meeting of this lodge which is compdscd of musical and theatrical -rethren , was held on the 51 I 1 inst ., at Freemasons' llall . Bro . E . Stanton Jones , W . M ., opened the lodge , when the minutes were read and confirmed , and the following brethren were balloted for as joining members : —Bros . C .

Coote , junr ., A . Phasey , E . rrewiii , J . Perry , J . Boatwright , G . llorton , G . Tyler , T . Edgar , W . IT . Cremer , all of 205 ; F . Ledger , II , II . Baker , J . T . Haines , W . T . Wrighton , and W . Froggett of 23 ; W . Maby 68 , R . Samson 186 , E . Dearie SS , and C . Harper , jun ., 332 Scotland , ami proved unanimous . Also for Messrs . \ V . A . Finney , John M . Ball . II . Sniders , W . II . Weston ,

II . B . Farnie , II . J . Snelling , IT . J . Finney , and W . A . Easton , as candidates the four first and thc last being in attendance , were duly initiated . Bro . Coote was elected Treasurer and invested , the following gentlemen were also proposed for initiation : Messrs . Julian Egerton , J . Radclil'fo and Frank Musgrave , all Professors of Music . Thirteen members were then elected to compose thc

Committee of the Benevolent Fund , which will form a special feature of this lodge , and we feel confident from the high character of its members that it will he a great success , and the example may be advantageously followed by other lodges in a like manner , reserving a per centage

of their income to form a fund lo assist their brethren in the time of need , admitting as we do , that Freemasonry is not a benefit society , in the usual acceptation of the term , yet we conceive ilto bcin harmony with our obligation to be able to assist a brother at once , without having to recommend his case to thc Lodge of Benevolence .

PROVINCIAL . SUNDER 1 AND . —Plm-nix Lodge , No . 94 . —The brethren of this lodge assembled in their llall , Qucen-strcct , Sunderland , on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., lo witness the installation of Bro . Thos . Henderson as W . M . for the

ensuing twelve months . The ceremony of installation w . ie performed by Bro . \ V . Whinham , P . M . Thc W . M . having been duly placed in the chair , lie appointed and investetljt ' ne following officers , viz : —Bros . W . IT . Sharp , I . P . M . ; J . S . Pearson , S . W . ; R . Lutert , J . W . ; J . Riseborough , P . M ., Treasurer ;! . J . Styles , P . M ., Secretary ;