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Article ANSWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF THE LODGE of GLASGO W ST. JOHN, Page 1 of 1 Article ANSWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF THE LODGE of GLASGO W ST. JOHN, Page 1 of 1 Article ANSWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF THE LODGE of GLASGO W ST. JOHN, Page 1 of 1 Article CAUTION TO THE CRAFT. Page 1 of 1 Article THEATRICAL. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
ANSWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF THE LODGE of GLASGO W ST . JOHN ,
No . 3 bis . ( Vide Memorial at page 662 of THE FREEMASON , Dec . 17 M , 1870 . J ( Continued from page 151 . ) The late Bro . James Pagan , Esq ., member of No . 3 bis , and editor of the Glasgow Herald ,
acknowledged it to be a forgery , stating that he had been misled by the late Bro . James Miller , R . W . M . of St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 102 , whose remarks on the subject he had copied and quoted . Bro . Wm . H . Hill , Esq ., who has considerable knowledge of old documents , and who not only
saw it , but also examined the oldest extant minute book of the Glasgow Incorporation of Masons , which extends from 1600 to 1681 , considered it a forgery . Even our late esteemed Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Captain Speirs , M . P ,, afterwards
acknowledged in a letter to me that he had been misled in December 1867 , and June 10 th , 1868 , says : — " I am very glad indeed that you have investigated the matter , and although we should have liked if our charter had been a genuine one , still as it is an imposition it is a good thing that it should be
showed up . " Our Scottish Masonic historian Bro . D . Murray Lyon , designated it " The Malcolm Canmore Swindle . " Bro . W . J . Hughan , of Truro , who I am happy to acknowledge as one of the foremost Masonic
students of the day , observes : — " I consider the ' Macolm Charter' to have been written by zealous but mistaken Masons , not earlier than the latter part of the eighteenth century , in order to deceive the Fraternity . In that respect it is on a level with the noted ' Locke MS . ' and other «« -Masonic
forgeries which are well suited to act as beacons to prevent Masonic students from being shipwrecked on the quicksands of credulity . " Bro . Hyde Clarke , of London , another eminent Masonic student , and Foreign Secretary Ethnological Society , Member American and Geiman
Oriental Societies , & c , says : — " From internal evidence the reputed Charter of Malcolm cannot be genuine . " * It is unnecessary to give the opinions of other parties who have condemned this pretended charter , only I might observe that one Glasgow historian
who was misled by it observed to me that thc Masons used to carry it about in their pockets , which of course would tend to soil it and give it the appearance of age , and , I have been told , it is much dirtier-looking now than it was about thirty years ago , so that between that and other things ,
the present dirty , tattered , smoked-up appearance of the parchment may be easily accounted for . At page 484 , vol . 2 , of Cleland's " Annals of Glasgow , " published in 1816 , we find what has sent all the succeeding Glasgow historians astray , viz .: — " Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge . —
The members of this lodge having lately discovered an old musty paper in their charter chcst , f procured a translation of it , when it turned out to be a charter in their favour from Malcolm III ., King of Scots , by which they claim precedency over all the other lodges in Scotland . Accordingly , in the
grand Masonic procession which took place at laying the foundation-stone of the Glasgow Asylum for Lunatics in 181 c , the Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge took precedence of all other lodges , except the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " Even the minutes of the Lodge of Glasgow St .
John themselves condemn this document , for on March 3 rd , 186 S , a motion was passed that a committee be appointed to examine into thc historical evidence and data of the antiquity of the lodge ( I must here observe that my information was not derived through this committee , although I gave it
information ); and on 15 th September , same year , a report was read , which is engrossed in the minute book ofthe lodge , and which , so far as this Malcolm writ was concerned , effectually shows up its falsehood ( to anyonccapablc of understanding what historical demonstration is ) , as the copy of it which I enclose will show , or as may also be seen by a
perusal of it at page 189 of THE FREEMASON for April 16 th , 1870 . Yet , notwithstanding all this , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , as a body , still holds forth the Malcolm document as genuine . ' every lodge circular sent out being stamped with what , I am - "ry to say , I can only look upon as the usual lie , v ...., " The Lodge of Glasgow St . John , char-
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
tered by Malcolm III ., King of Scots , 1057 . " And whether ir . so doing , under the circumstances , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John is guilty of falsehood , fraud , and wilful imposition , it is for the Grand Lodge to judge , or whether a stop should be put to its further propagation , and consequent
discredit of the Order , I humbly submit that it is the duty of the Grand Lodge of Scotland now to decide ; and which latter , as a member of No 3 bis , I most humbly and respectfully pray that it may do . As to the " Second" head of the St . John ' s
memorial , which states that it has been the invariable practice of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to concede as a right to the senior lodge of the province in which the ceremonial takes place the appointment of the operatives to carry the tools , I can only say that I am not aware of this , and point
to the fact that , not only did the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , backed up by Grand Lodge , when assembled in the Chapter House of Glasgow Cathedral preparatory to laying the foundation-stone of the Albert Bridge , on June 3 rd , 1870 , allow the members of the Journeymen
Lodge , No . 8 , to do so , but absolutely refused to allow the senior lodge of the Glasgow province to deal with the matter as it wished . Then , at the laying of the foundation-stone ofthe Paisley Free Library and Museum by the Most W . G . M . the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie , on 27 th
April , 1869 , we find the members of the Lodge Journeymen , No 8 , carrying the tools , as also ( vide page 423 of Grand Lodge Reporter , June , 1869 ) at the Industrial Schools , Mossbank , in 1868 ; Corn Exchange , Hawick , 1 S 63 ; Wallace Monument at Sterling , 1861 ; and other places . So that , so far as
precedent is concerned , the Lodge Journeymen , No . 8 , can point to many places out of the Edinburgh province where they have carried the tools . Further , in looking over the Grand Lodge Books , we find the following law passed in 1783 , which accords to the Lodge Journeymen a certain
prerogative at all Masonic ceremonials , especially when the Grand Master is present , not only in Edinburgh but throughout Scotland , as the minute says : " It was moved that for some time past the Grand Tyler has been in use of carrying the mallet at the public processions of the Grand Lodge , and as that
officers attendance is often requisite on other matters of some importance , therefore it be a rule in all time coining that flic seniormetnber of the Lodgeof Journeymen Masons , Edinburgh ( out of office ) carry the mallet behind the Grand Master inallfutureprocessions . " Consequently , the carrying ofthe mallet
by William Nielson , of the Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge , at the laying of the foundation-stone of the Victoria Bridge at Glasgow on the gth day of April , 1851 , as mentioned in the first head ofthe St . John ' s memorial , was in direct violation of the above 1783 law , unless , indeed , the
Lodge Journeymen , No . 8 , voluntarily conceded the privilege , or onus , for the time being . As to thc " Third " head ofthe St . John ' s memorial , I would respectfully observe that the printed Grand Lodge Law , chap , x . v ,, sec . 3 , whan taken in connection with the 17 S 3 Grand Lodge minute
above referred to , does not preclude , and has not precluded , the members of the Journeymen Lodge , No . 8 , from carrying the mallet , & c , out of Edinbuijgh , for the words "Edinburgh and no other place , " which thc St . John ' s memorial pretends to quote , do not occur in this Grand Lodge Law
chap , xx ., sec 3 . Therefore , their foundation in this case is so far a misquotation . And as to the members of No . 8 being " capable of carrying thc implements in question , " which thc St . John ' s memorial would appear to fear , the upshot proved that , so far as capability was concerned , thc members of No . 8
were just as " capable " of doing so at Glasgow as they formerly were at Paisley , Stirling , & c . As to thc " fourth" head of this memorial and its reference to Grand Lodge Laws , chap , xi ., sec . 13 , I would observe that , as I stated above , the decision of the Most Worshipful Grancl Master or . the
occasion referred towns approved of bythe members of Grand Lodge then assembled ( myself included ) . And as to the assertion that " thc chair in awarding precedence to the Lodge Edinburgh Journeymen , acted contrary to the laws of the Grand Lodge , " I look upon that , under the circumstances , as a pure
mistake ; and as to the notion of altering the minutes of Grand Lodge from the foregoing imaginary data , lhat I consider to be absurd . The fact of the matter appears to me simply to be that if the St . John ' s Lodge wished it to be properly understood that it was the privilege of thc Senior Lodge of a
Province to look after the carrying of thc tools at all Masonic processions in its district , it should have got a motion proposed to that effect , and so got the matter regularly settled ; that such has not been done long ere now , is not therefore the fault
of Grand Lodge , but is due to thc remissness of the senior lodges themselves , including St . John ' s Lodge amongst the rest . Instead , therefore , ofthe St . John ' s Lodge asking , as is clone in the latter part of their memorial , that the Grand Lodge should "de-
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
clare and enact that the late assumption by the Lodge Edinburgh Journeymen , No . 8 , of the ( presumed ) rights and privileges of the Lodge of Glasgow , No . 3 bis , was illegal and uncalled for , " it is the opinion of a number of the members of No . 3 bis , including myself , that the conduct of the St .
John ' s Lodge was neither so dignifiednor Masonic as it ought to have been , and they may be very thankful that they were not ordered to apologise for their own proceedings then , for if redress be due from any quarter in relation to the proceedings at the ceremonial of laying the foundation stone of the
Albert Bridge at Glasgow on the 3 rd day of June , 1870 , not to speak of former Masonic ceremonials in Glasgow , that redress , under the circumstances , is due from the Lodge of Glasgow , St . John ' s , No . 3 bis . I must now apologise for replying to the request
of the Grand Clerk at so great length , but as the pretensions of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , and its pretended Malcolm Charter have been thrust forward so often and so prominently on so many occasions , I considered it would be better to enter into the matter fully and distinctly , so that any one
not otherwise acquainted with the subject might be able to understand it . Some brethren have signified to me that , seeing I am a member St . John ' s Lodge myself , I should not therefore expose any of its faults , but I consider it to be no part of true Freemasonry to smother up the truth and to allow a lie
to pass current as truth , more especially when the means are at hand to expose it . What I have said has simply been written in order to elucidate the truth , and truth , as we all ought to know , is one of the great foundations of all true Freemasonry . Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to do
what I could in a fair and honest manner to uphold the Jdignity and status of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , of which I have the honour to be a member and Past Office-bearer , but we must strive to build up that dignity and status upon a sure and legitimate foundation , and seeing that , as I have
already said , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John got its status of No . 3 bis upon the 1628 Roslin Charter , it follows therefore that that status is not affected by the declaration of the unworthiness of this unfortunate Malcolm document . It has been the misfortune of the present members of No . 3 bis to suffer for the faults of their predecessors ; but I hope
that , aided by the counsel and assistance of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and guided by the evidence adduced , the members of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , No . 3 bis , will now honourably acquiesce in such a decision upon this matter , as will settle it , humanly speaking , for ever . I am , most respectfully ,
Sincerely and fraternally yours , W . P . BUCHAN , Past Senior Warden No . 3 bis , Proxy S . W . No . 432 , and Grand Steward Grand Lodge of Scotland .
Caution To The Craft.
CAUTION TO THE CRAFT .
Almoners of London and other lodges are desired to be cautious with respect to Charles Couch and George Gibbs . Reasons why can be had of
J . BIRD , Almoner for Plymouth , Stonehaven , and Devonport .
Theatrical.
THEATRICAL .
DRURY LANE . — "Amy Robsart " and " The Dragon of Wantlcy , " will only be played for two weeks . AH who wish to see these attractive pieces should book their places early , so as to prevent disappointment , IIAV . MAKKI- |' . —Thc programme remains unchanged during this month . " Thc Wolf and the Lamb , " "The
I ' alace of Truth , " " Uncle ' s Will , " and " Blue Devils , " are thc pieces performed to crowded houses . VAUDEVILLE . —No change has taken place in the programme at this popular theatre . " Chiselling , " "Two Koses , " and " Elizabeth , " arc sufficiently attractive to fill the theatre with a large audience every evening .
The M . W . Grand Master has sanctioned the alteration in the time of meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence from 7 to 6 o ' clock , at which time it will in future be holden , * THE name of Colonel Whitwell , M . P . for Kendal , and Grand Preceptor , was accidentally omitted from the list of knights present at the General Grand Conclave ofthe fled Cross Order .
BRO . J . FLETCHER BRENNAN , Editor ofthe American Freemason , is now engaged in compiling a General Masonic Register of the Lodges and Grand Lodges in North America , which will contain such useful and necessary information concerning thc 6 , 000 Masonic Lodges and the 45 Grand Lodges of the North American Continent , as is suitable for general circulation , compiled
from thc reports of the Secretaries now 111 office in the various lodges of the United States and the Dominion of Canada , with an appemlixcomprising most useful Masonic Memorabilia . It will be published by the American Masonic Publishing Association , 114 , Main-street , Cincinnati ; price , one dollar .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
ANSWERS TO THE MEMORIAL OF THE LODGE of GLASGO W ST . JOHN ,
No . 3 bis . ( Vide Memorial at page 662 of THE FREEMASON , Dec . 17 M , 1870 . J ( Continued from page 151 . ) The late Bro . James Pagan , Esq ., member of No . 3 bis , and editor of the Glasgow Herald ,
acknowledged it to be a forgery , stating that he had been misled by the late Bro . James Miller , R . W . M . of St . Mark ' s Lodge , No . 102 , whose remarks on the subject he had copied and quoted . Bro . Wm . H . Hill , Esq ., who has considerable knowledge of old documents , and who not only
saw it , but also examined the oldest extant minute book of the Glasgow Incorporation of Masons , which extends from 1600 to 1681 , considered it a forgery . Even our late esteemed Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Captain Speirs , M . P ,, afterwards
acknowledged in a letter to me that he had been misled in December 1867 , and June 10 th , 1868 , says : — " I am very glad indeed that you have investigated the matter , and although we should have liked if our charter had been a genuine one , still as it is an imposition it is a good thing that it should be
showed up . " Our Scottish Masonic historian Bro . D . Murray Lyon , designated it " The Malcolm Canmore Swindle . " Bro . W . J . Hughan , of Truro , who I am happy to acknowledge as one of the foremost Masonic
students of the day , observes : — " I consider the ' Macolm Charter' to have been written by zealous but mistaken Masons , not earlier than the latter part of the eighteenth century , in order to deceive the Fraternity . In that respect it is on a level with the noted ' Locke MS . ' and other «« -Masonic
forgeries which are well suited to act as beacons to prevent Masonic students from being shipwrecked on the quicksands of credulity . " Bro . Hyde Clarke , of London , another eminent Masonic student , and Foreign Secretary Ethnological Society , Member American and Geiman
Oriental Societies , & c , says : — " From internal evidence the reputed Charter of Malcolm cannot be genuine . " * It is unnecessary to give the opinions of other parties who have condemned this pretended charter , only I might observe that one Glasgow historian
who was misled by it observed to me that thc Masons used to carry it about in their pockets , which of course would tend to soil it and give it the appearance of age , and , I have been told , it is much dirtier-looking now than it was about thirty years ago , so that between that and other things ,
the present dirty , tattered , smoked-up appearance of the parchment may be easily accounted for . At page 484 , vol . 2 , of Cleland's " Annals of Glasgow , " published in 1816 , we find what has sent all the succeeding Glasgow historians astray , viz .: — " Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge . —
The members of this lodge having lately discovered an old musty paper in their charter chcst , f procured a translation of it , when it turned out to be a charter in their favour from Malcolm III ., King of Scots , by which they claim precedency over all the other lodges in Scotland . Accordingly , in the
grand Masonic procession which took place at laying the foundation-stone of the Glasgow Asylum for Lunatics in 181 c , the Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge took precedence of all other lodges , except the Grand Lodge of Scotland . " Even the minutes of the Lodge of Glasgow St .
John themselves condemn this document , for on March 3 rd , 186 S , a motion was passed that a committee be appointed to examine into thc historical evidence and data of the antiquity of the lodge ( I must here observe that my information was not derived through this committee , although I gave it
information ); and on 15 th September , same year , a report was read , which is engrossed in the minute book ofthe lodge , and which , so far as this Malcolm writ was concerned , effectually shows up its falsehood ( to anyonccapablc of understanding what historical demonstration is ) , as the copy of it which I enclose will show , or as may also be seen by a
perusal of it at page 189 of THE FREEMASON for April 16 th , 1870 . Yet , notwithstanding all this , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , as a body , still holds forth the Malcolm document as genuine . ' every lodge circular sent out being stamped with what , I am - "ry to say , I can only look upon as the usual lie , v ...., " The Lodge of Glasgow St . John , char-
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
tered by Malcolm III ., King of Scots , 1057 . " And whether ir . so doing , under the circumstances , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John is guilty of falsehood , fraud , and wilful imposition , it is for the Grand Lodge to judge , or whether a stop should be put to its further propagation , and consequent
discredit of the Order , I humbly submit that it is the duty of the Grand Lodge of Scotland now to decide ; and which latter , as a member of No 3 bis , I most humbly and respectfully pray that it may do . As to the " Second" head of the St . John ' s
memorial , which states that it has been the invariable practice of the Grand Lodge of Scotland to concede as a right to the senior lodge of the province in which the ceremonial takes place the appointment of the operatives to carry the tools , I can only say that I am not aware of this , and point
to the fact that , not only did the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Mason of Scotland , backed up by Grand Lodge , when assembled in the Chapter House of Glasgow Cathedral preparatory to laying the foundation-stone of the Albert Bridge , on June 3 rd , 1870 , allow the members of the Journeymen
Lodge , No . 8 , to do so , but absolutely refused to allow the senior lodge of the Glasgow province to deal with the matter as it wished . Then , at the laying of the foundation-stone ofthe Paisley Free Library and Museum by the Most W . G . M . the Right Honourable the Earl of Dalhousie , on 27 th
April , 1869 , we find the members of the Lodge Journeymen , No 8 , carrying the tools , as also ( vide page 423 of Grand Lodge Reporter , June , 1869 ) at the Industrial Schools , Mossbank , in 1868 ; Corn Exchange , Hawick , 1 S 63 ; Wallace Monument at Sterling , 1861 ; and other places . So that , so far as
precedent is concerned , the Lodge Journeymen , No . 8 , can point to many places out of the Edinburgh province where they have carried the tools . Further , in looking over the Grand Lodge Books , we find the following law passed in 1783 , which accords to the Lodge Journeymen a certain
prerogative at all Masonic ceremonials , especially when the Grand Master is present , not only in Edinburgh but throughout Scotland , as the minute says : " It was moved that for some time past the Grand Tyler has been in use of carrying the mallet at the public processions of the Grand Lodge , and as that
officers attendance is often requisite on other matters of some importance , therefore it be a rule in all time coining that flic seniormetnber of the Lodgeof Journeymen Masons , Edinburgh ( out of office ) carry the mallet behind the Grand Master inallfutureprocessions . " Consequently , the carrying ofthe mallet
by William Nielson , of the Glasgow Freemen Operative St . John ' s Lodge , at the laying of the foundation-stone of the Victoria Bridge at Glasgow on the gth day of April , 1851 , as mentioned in the first head ofthe St . John ' s memorial , was in direct violation of the above 1783 law , unless , indeed , the
Lodge Journeymen , No . 8 , voluntarily conceded the privilege , or onus , for the time being . As to thc " Third " head ofthe St . John ' s memorial , I would respectfully observe that the printed Grand Lodge Law , chap , x . v ,, sec . 3 , whan taken in connection with the 17 S 3 Grand Lodge minute
above referred to , does not preclude , and has not precluded , the members of the Journeymen Lodge , No . 8 , from carrying the mallet , & c , out of Edinbuijgh , for the words "Edinburgh and no other place , " which thc St . John ' s memorial pretends to quote , do not occur in this Grand Lodge Law
chap , xx ., sec 3 . Therefore , their foundation in this case is so far a misquotation . And as to the members of No . 8 being " capable of carrying thc implements in question , " which thc St . John ' s memorial would appear to fear , the upshot proved that , so far as capability was concerned , thc members of No . 8
were just as " capable " of doing so at Glasgow as they formerly were at Paisley , Stirling , & c . As to thc " fourth" head of this memorial and its reference to Grand Lodge Laws , chap , xi ., sec . 13 , I would observe that , as I stated above , the decision of the Most Worshipful Grancl Master or . the
occasion referred towns approved of bythe members of Grand Lodge then assembled ( myself included ) . And as to the assertion that " thc chair in awarding precedence to the Lodge Edinburgh Journeymen , acted contrary to the laws of the Grand Lodge , " I look upon that , under the circumstances , as a pure
mistake ; and as to the notion of altering the minutes of Grand Lodge from the foregoing imaginary data , lhat I consider to be absurd . The fact of the matter appears to me simply to be that if the St . John ' s Lodge wished it to be properly understood that it was the privilege of thc Senior Lodge of a
Province to look after the carrying of thc tools at all Masonic processions in its district , it should have got a motion proposed to that effect , and so got the matter regularly settled ; that such has not been done long ere now , is not therefore the fault
of Grand Lodge , but is due to thc remissness of the senior lodges themselves , including St . John ' s Lodge amongst the rest . Instead , therefore , ofthe St . John ' s Lodge asking , as is clone in the latter part of their memorial , that the Grand Lodge should "de-
Answers To The Memorial Of The Lodge Of Glasgo W St. John,
clare and enact that the late assumption by the Lodge Edinburgh Journeymen , No . 8 , of the ( presumed ) rights and privileges of the Lodge of Glasgow , No . 3 bis , was illegal and uncalled for , " it is the opinion of a number of the members of No . 3 bis , including myself , that the conduct of the St .
John ' s Lodge was neither so dignifiednor Masonic as it ought to have been , and they may be very thankful that they were not ordered to apologise for their own proceedings then , for if redress be due from any quarter in relation to the proceedings at the ceremonial of laying the foundation stone of the
Albert Bridge at Glasgow on the 3 rd day of June , 1870 , not to speak of former Masonic ceremonials in Glasgow , that redress , under the circumstances , is due from the Lodge of Glasgow , St . John ' s , No . 3 bis . I must now apologise for replying to the request
of the Grand Clerk at so great length , but as the pretensions of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , and its pretended Malcolm Charter have been thrust forward so often and so prominently on so many occasions , I considered it would be better to enter into the matter fully and distinctly , so that any one
not otherwise acquainted with the subject might be able to understand it . Some brethren have signified to me that , seeing I am a member St . John ' s Lodge myself , I should not therefore expose any of its faults , but I consider it to be no part of true Freemasonry to smother up the truth and to allow a lie
to pass current as truth , more especially when the means are at hand to expose it . What I have said has simply been written in order to elucidate the truth , and truth , as we all ought to know , is one of the great foundations of all true Freemasonry . Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to do
what I could in a fair and honest manner to uphold the Jdignity and status of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , of which I have the honour to be a member and Past Office-bearer , but we must strive to build up that dignity and status upon a sure and legitimate foundation , and seeing that , as I have
already said , the Lodge of Glasgow St . John got its status of No . 3 bis upon the 1628 Roslin Charter , it follows therefore that that status is not affected by the declaration of the unworthiness of this unfortunate Malcolm document . It has been the misfortune of the present members of No . 3 bis to suffer for the faults of their predecessors ; but I hope
that , aided by the counsel and assistance of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and guided by the evidence adduced , the members of the Lodge of Glasgow St . John , No . 3 bis , will now honourably acquiesce in such a decision upon this matter , as will settle it , humanly speaking , for ever . I am , most respectfully ,
Sincerely and fraternally yours , W . P . BUCHAN , Past Senior Warden No . 3 bis , Proxy S . W . No . 432 , and Grand Steward Grand Lodge of Scotland .
Caution To The Craft.
CAUTION TO THE CRAFT .
Almoners of London and other lodges are desired to be cautious with respect to Charles Couch and George Gibbs . Reasons why can be had of
J . BIRD , Almoner for Plymouth , Stonehaven , and Devonport .
Theatrical.
THEATRICAL .
DRURY LANE . — "Amy Robsart " and " The Dragon of Wantlcy , " will only be played for two weeks . AH who wish to see these attractive pieces should book their places early , so as to prevent disappointment , IIAV . MAKKI- |' . —Thc programme remains unchanged during this month . " Thc Wolf and the Lamb , " "The
I ' alace of Truth , " " Uncle ' s Will , " and " Blue Devils , " are thc pieces performed to crowded houses . VAUDEVILLE . —No change has taken place in the programme at this popular theatre . " Chiselling , " "Two Koses , " and " Elizabeth , " arc sufficiently attractive to fill the theatre with a large audience every evening .
The M . W . Grand Master has sanctioned the alteration in the time of meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence from 7 to 6 o ' clock , at which time it will in future be holden , * THE name of Colonel Whitwell , M . P . for Kendal , and Grand Preceptor , was accidentally omitted from the list of knights present at the General Grand Conclave ofthe fled Cross Order .
BRO . J . FLETCHER BRENNAN , Editor ofthe American Freemason , is now engaged in compiling a General Masonic Register of the Lodges and Grand Lodges in North America , which will contain such useful and necessary information concerning thc 6 , 000 Masonic Lodges and the 45 Grand Lodges of the North American Continent , as is suitable for general circulation , compiled
from thc reports of the Secretaries now 111 office in the various lodges of the United States and the Dominion of Canada , with an appemlixcomprising most useful Masonic Memorabilia . It will be published by the American Masonic Publishing Association , 114 , Main-street , Cincinnati ; price , one dollar .