The Craft Abroad.

ened District Grand Lodge , when he received the high honours due to his position . Bro . E . J . SMITH , the courteous Dist . G . Sec , then read the summons convening the special Communication . The roll of lodges was called over , distinguished visitors were received

an conducted to their pi ices , and Bro . J . W . Smith , the Grand Master of All Scottish Freemasonry in India , accompanied by his officers , entered the District Grand Lodge in procession , and was duly received and saluted with hig h honours . The DEPUTY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER then addressed the District Grand Lodge , and stated the special business of the Communication .

The Marshal , Bro . the Hon . W . R . JM ACDONELL next announced that Bro . Lord Sandhurst , the Pro District Grand Master Designate was without , and requested that he might be installed . The DEPUTY DISTRICT GRAND MASTER required the patent of appointment to be presented , which was done and after examining it , he pronounced it to be in order , and passed it to the District Grand Secretary . The Marshal

and seven Past Masters , Bros . Justice Parsons , W . L . Harvey , G . K . Heinrichs , Framroz R . Jochi , S . N . Cooper , Dr . H . Batlivalla , and Dr . G . R . Kirtiker then went out , and introduced the Pro District Grand Master Designate in procession , all the brethren standing to Order ; and after certain ceremonies , the latter was inducted into the chair , and proclaimed bv the Marshal and saluted . He then addressed the District Grand Lodge ,

and soon after closed it . His Excellency was accompanied to the ceremony by Bro . Surgeon-Major Croly . The brethren then retired to the banquet tables , which had been arranged by Mr . Borri , of the Victoria Terminus , in three long parallel rows , covers being laid for about 150 brethren . The large centre hall was ablaze with the lig ht of 14 starlights and nine sunburners . Bunting and flags all over the hall formed a prominent feature . Tne organ platform was decorated

with rows of plants , in flowers and foliage , and a network screen of ( lowers and ferns at the back of the Pro Dist . G . Master ' s chair , over which waved coloured digs . Two colossal arches , with full foliage , spanned the hall from p illar to pillar , from which were suspended suns and stars worked in flowers . The p illars were decorated with shields and emblems of different lodges and

chapters , over which were artistically arranged suns and moons worked in flowers . A large net-work screen of flowers and evergreens enveloped the marble statue of Mounstuart Elphinstone at the north end of the hall , surmounted with the word " Welcome '' worked in flowers . A selection of music was played during dinner by the band of the G . I . P . Railway Volunteers .

At the conclusion of the banqust , the PRO DISTRICT GRAND MASTER proposed the toasts of " The Queen-Empress and the Craft ; " " The Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince ot Wales ; " " The Grand Master of Scotland and the Grand Master of Ireland ; " and " The District Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , " which were cordially received .

Bro . BARROW , the Deputy District Grand Master , then gave the toast of " Bro . Lord Sandhurst , " which was most enthusiastically received . Bro . Lord SANDHURST , who was wa mly greeted , in his reply alluded in very feeling terms to the loss sustained by Freemasonry [ by the death of Bro . Framjee Dinshaw Petit , and expressed a hope that he would not only be glad to have an opportunity of laying the foundation-stone of a Masonic Temple in Bombay , but would much desire to see its completion before he left this country .

The toasts of "The Grand Master of all Scottish Freemasonry in India ; " " The Deputy District Grand Master and the Officers of the District Grand Lodge , and the Lodges working under the Sister District Grand Lodges , " and " The Visitors " were then proposed and drunk amidst cheers . A very enjoyable evening was spent , and the proceedings terminated at a late hour .

Board Of Benevolence. *

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE . *

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey , President of the Board , presided . Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , Junior Vice-President , acted as Senior Vice-President , and Bro . C . J . R . Tijou , as Junior Vice-President . There were also present Bros . E . Letchworth , Grand Sec ; W . Lake , As * i . tint Grand S : c ; W . Dodd , W . H . Lee , and Frank Palmer , from Grand Secretary ' s department ; the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , D . D . Mercer , H . Garrod , William Vincent , Chas . Dairy ,

H . Massey , J . W . Burgess , J . Kay , C . H . Webb , George Graveley , Jas . Bunker , Walter Martin , S . H . Goldschmidt , T . W . Whitmarsh , R . H . Evans , W . Kipps , Robert S . Gowan , Henry J . Moxon , W . H . Bale , George M . Gross , J . Pickett , T . W . Robinson , S . W . Larkin , S . Waight , Edwd . Wills , I . Woodbridge Wills , Geo . James Sinclair , David Baker , and E . C . Mulvey . The brethren first confirmed grants to the amount of £ 60 recommended by thc

previous meeting . There were 22 cases on the new list from London , Paignton , Croston , Bridgnorth , Sunderland , Burwood , N . S . W ., Liverpool , Hatfield , Stretford , Hong Kong , Sudbury , Bromley , Preston , Towyn , and South Shields . Three of the cases were deferred . The remainder were relieved with a total of fsoo , Grand Lodge was recommended to grant one brother , £ 150 and one . £ 50 . fhree cases were recommended to the Grand Master for ^ 30 each . There were iix grants of / 20 each ; two of £ i _ each ; and si * of ; £ lo each .

Scotland

Scotland

Glasgow Kilwinning Lodge , No . 4 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held in the Freemasons' Hall , 14 , Bishop-Tk ' - ^ ^ ton > Glasgow , on Wednesday , the 4 th instant , and was largely attended , 'he chair was occupied by the R . W . M ., Bro . Wm . Morris , who was supported by Bro-.. { Andrew Thorburn , P . M . ; T . G . Jamieson , P . M . ; John Gordon , P . M . ; and F . W . au " I-P , M * > wh i ' e the Wardens' chairs were occupied by Bro . David Adam , S . W ., ? i « . * ***• Armstrong , acting J . W . Amongst the visitors were Bros . James Stevens , 1 -M P . Z ., & c . ( E . G . ) , and Wm . Falconer , S 7 ' ( S . C ) .

ihe business of the meeting was the conferring of the First Degree on three entrants , which was very satisfactorily performed by the R . M . M . After the ceremony " ¦ initiation , Bro . James Stevens craved the indulgence of the lodge while he expressed •ls Krc-t pleasure at being present at that meeting and seeing the I'irst Degree worked "such a smooth manner . He found the work in that lodge the nearest approach he met

"" yet with in Scotland to the ritual used in the lodges in Ungland . He then Sr'lt ^ i . l " '' " ' fferences he had noticed , and in a friendly way criticised the aft working , to all of which the assembled brethren listened very attentively , and terwards accorded him a hearty vote of thanks for his eloquent remarks . This con" - "" Jed the business of the meeting .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . The annual meeting of the above lodge was held at Torquay on Tuesday , the ioth instant , when Bro . George West , S . W ., was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing 12 months . The ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Samuel Wills , who was assisted by the following Board of Installed Masters : Bros . John Lane , P . A . G . D . C . England , John Dodge , P . P . G . T ., W . T . Blarney , P . P . J . G . D ., T . H . Wills , W . Harvey , J . Taylor , Prov . G . S ., W . Winget . and J . W . McKellar , all of the lodee 1 G . T . Barry , P . P .

G . F ., and J . M . Davis , W . M ., of 248 ; W . S . Wakeham , P . P . G . S . B ., T . A . Blackler , and H . R . Beer , ot 32 S ; and C . Emmett and R . E . Drew , W . M . of 135 S . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . W . McKellar , LP . M . ; T . J . Grossman , S . W . ; J . Risdon , J . W . ; John Dodge , Chap . ; Samuel Wills , Treas . ; John Taylor , Sec ., Charity Stwd ., and Representative on Committee of Petitions ; J . D . Beer , S . D . ; C . Hill , I . D . ; T . H . Wills , D . C . ; F . C . Sanford , Org . ; R . Pickard , I . G . ; J . G , Turle , W . T . Gale , and R . D . Scholes , Stwds . ; and J . E . Newton , Tyler . Apologies

for non-attendance were announced from Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . England , and R . F . Gould , P . G . D . England , hon . member of the lodge . A beautiful Past Master's jewel was presented to the I . P . M ., Bro . McKellar , by Bro . Dodge in a gractful speech , and a handsome copy of his new edition of "Masonic Records , 1717-1 S 94 , " was presented to the lodge by Bro . Jn *> . Lane , who said it was the ( first copy he had received from the press . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Lane for his generosity . The annual banquet followed .

Lodge of Perseverance , No . 1743 . A very successful installation meeting was held in connection with this lodge at Anderton's Hotel , Fleet-street , E . G ., on Saturday , the 14 th instant , when the retiring Master , Bro . T . J . O'Brien , completed his two years' work by installing his successor , Bro . W . J . Wall , in an able and impressive manner . Amongst the brethren present were Bros . T . J . O'Brien , W . M . ; W . J . Wall , S . W ., W . M . elect ; H . C . Lonsdale , J . W . ; T . Lovell , P . M ., Treas . ; G . 1 . Tollett , Sec ; H . Watts , S . D . ; H .

I . Park , J . D . ; W . Cossham , I . G . j R . Perry , D . C ; J . Handley and J . Boyles , Stewards ; W . J . Squire , P . M . ; F . Kearney , P . M . ; S . A . Leins , P . M . ; J . Start , P . M . ; S . L . Hinton , J . Flexman , B . Ferry , C . E . Ferry , G . W . White , T . Tyrell , R . T . Headdey , J . H . Bridgrnan , C Daniel , P . M . ; W . Farrant , H . Hawkins , and G . Belhomme . Visitors : Bros . H . Foreman , P . M . 1275 ; A . Ford , 171 ; W . Roots , P . M . 1273 ; J . Lusty , W . M . 1259 ; A . T . Ramsey , 765 ; J . R . W . Soper , Org . 19 S 7 ; W . G . London , 15 S 0 ; W . W . Lee , Prov . G . Stwd . Middx . ; and others .

Lodge was opened , and the minutes confirmed . Bro . W . J . Wall was then presented as W . M . elect , and , having been duly installed into the chair , invested the following officers in a manner that augured well for the good working of the lodge during the coming year : Bros . Lonsdale , S . W . ; Watts , j . W . ; Lovell , P . M ., Treas . ; Tollett , Sec ; Park , S . D . ; Cossham , J . D . j Fells , I . G . ; R . Perry , D . C ; J . Handley , A . D . C ; Boyles and Bridgrnan , Stewards ; Tollett , Org . ; and Lane , Tyler . The audit report was adopted , and letters of regret from Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., and others were announced . Charity was dispensed to the widow of a deceased brother and to " A Brother ' s Bed , " Home for the Dying , Clapham . Other business was transacted , and the lodge was closed .

The brethren adjourned to banquet in the Pillar Room , which has been recently re-decorated and renovated . The usual toasts followed , the speeches being commendably brief , in view of the musical talent forthcoming . Bro . T . J . O . Brien , LP . M ., in proposing "The Health ofthe Worshipful Master , " said the gavel had been handed to him to make him feel he was not quite out inthe cold . Bro . Wall had fought , or rather worked his way up to the honourable

position in-which he was now situated , and they hoped that what he had learnt inthe inner working that night would help him to conduct his year of office aright . He ( the I . P . M . ) wished the toast had been placed in other hinds who would have given expression to the W . M's . good qualities , but he would simply ask the brethren to drink the toast . Bro . W . J . Wall , W . M ., who was heartily received , returned sincere thanks for the kindly proposition and enthusiastic reception of the toast . It was a very great pleasure

to him to have attained the chair . It was now 13 or 14 years since he was initiated in that lodge , and he could assure them that from that hour he had never regretted it . Being a busy man , he was not able to afford the time for a holiday , but one evening with his brethren was a holiday to him suitable for a week . He was pleased to say that thanks to Bro . Lonsdale , S . W ., there was an initiate for the next meeting . With the officers he had , he was sure they would be able to work together harmoniously , and prove themselves a happy and harmonious lodge . As long as he occupied the chair he

should do the best he could to give them satisfaction , and spare no trouble to that end . "The Visitors" was next submitted in a kindly manner to the brethren , each visiting brother availing himself of the opportunity afforded him of expressing his indebtedness to the lodge for an enjoyable evening . The W . M . then proposed "The I . P . M . and Installing Master , " and said that Bro . O'Brien , I . P . M ., had done his work in a thorough and practical manner , and had been always ready to assist his junior officers . The able manner in which the installation had

been earned out would have done credit to any Past Master in the lodge . He ( the W . M . ) had the privilege of asking the I . P . M . to accept a Past Master ' s jewel , which had been well earned . Bro . T . J . O'Brien , I . P . M ., expressed many thanks for the toast , and also for the jewel . He was pleased to have given them satisfaction during his year of dike , but it was entirely owing to the kindness of the brethren that he had succeeded . The secret of success was learnt in a lodge of instruction , and any thanks for the rendering of the installation ceremony should be given in that quarter . He thanked the Past Masters

for their kindness during his year , and also his ofiicers for their able assistance . " The Past Masters " was next heartily honoured and dul y responded to . Bros . Lovell , P . M ., Treas ., and Tollett , Sec , replied for "The Treasurer and Secretary , " each asserting their anxiety for the welfare of thc lodge and the comfort of the brethren . " The Officers" having been given , the Tyler ' s toast closed a successful gathering . Bros . Farrant , Soper , Tollett , Kamsay , and others kindly contributed several excellent songs and recitations .

Lechmere Volunteer Lodge , No . 1874 . This new lodge , which has been grafted on to the old Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 , is now composed of the W . M ., officers , and brethren of the old lodge , and the non-commissioned officers of thc various auxiliary foices , and has been removed from Kidderminster , where it formerly flourished as a private lodge under the auspices and with the distinctive title of " Lechmere , " in honour of the late Bro . Sir Edmund Lechmere ( M . P . tor the Eastern Divison of the county of Worcester ) , the Prov . Grand Master . The

date of the old warrant , which has been handed over to the practically new lodge being the 3 rd day of August , 1 SS 0 . The original founders of the Lechmere Lodge , No . 18 74 , were described in the warrant as folloivs : Bros . George Taylor , P . M . 377 ; George W . Grovenor , P . M . 37 ; and 5 C 9 ; G . N . Naylor , P . M . 560 ; G . Hammond , P . M . 377 ; J . T . Meredith , P . M . 5 60 ; W . M . Roden , 377 ; F . Butcher , 377 ; A . Connell , M . Tomkinson , and J . J . Harvey , all of whom have since greatly distinguished themselves in Masonry , the first-named , Bro . Geo . Taylor ( who is also one of the leading lights in the

new lodge ) having risen to a distinguished position inthe Grand Lodije of England ; and of the remainder no less than live of them have since passed the chair of the ( now old ) Lechmere Lodge , No . 1 S 74 . The new lodge has been promoted to meet the . wants of the non-commissioned ofiicers in the joint counties of Warwickshire , Worcestershire , and Staffordshire , parts

of which counties , as is well known , all merge into the city of Birmingham , and the principal promoters—Bros . Sergt . C . D ., Eaton and Pioneer-Sergt . J . C . Aston—originally intended that the lodge should have its location in the Province of Warwick , but the rulers and governors of that province , although for the last 17 yars tney have added only one ludge to their roll—the Swan of Avon , No . 2133 , in iSSfi—^ ave them no encouragement , for the reason , as it was said , that exclusive lodges did not , as a rule ,

succeed . The promoters , however , had no difficulty in finding funds in the neighbouring Province of Worcester , and as soon as it was known that such a distinguished body ot