Red Cross Of Constantine.

RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE .

MEETING OF MOVEABLE GRAND CONCLAVE AT LIVERPOOL . Thc " good old town" of Liverpool lias again clearly established its position as a great Masonic centre by the hearty and unanimously spontaneous welcome given to thc representatives of the Grand

Imperial Council in connection with the second Moveable Grand Conclave and Grand Commandery of the Masonic and Military Orders of the Red Cross of Constantine , K . H . S ., and St . John the Evangelist , which was held at the Masonic Hall on Friday , thc 13 th inst . Not only was the Grand

Conclave most numerously and influentially attended , but the spirit of hearty good fellowship which actuated every Sir Knight present made the illustrious gathering one of the most pleasant and enjoyable which has been held in Liverpool for many a day . The steady and vigorous growth of

the chivalric order could not possibly have been more clearly demonstrated than by the gathering on this occasion—certainly the largest ever witnessed in the provinces , and not excelled even by many held in the metropolis . So soon as it was clearly ascertained that the Grand Council would honour

the "first shipping village in the country" with its presence , arrangements were immediately set on foot for giving thc illustrious visitors a fitting welcome , and there is no doubt that the nature of the reception given to thc members of the Grand Council on Friday last was not only satisfactory to

thc Grand Council , but most creditable to the Liverpool Conclave , more especially those charged with carrying out thc arrangements . The interior of the large hall , as arranged for the meeting of the Grand Conclave was exceedingly striking , imposing , and picturesque , and much of

this admirable arrangement was due to Sir Knight J . Wood . Treas ., 55 ; Sir Knight G . E . Hayner , Recorder , 97 ; and Sir Knight J . R . Goepcl , P . S ., 55 , each of whom , in different ways , spared no effort to make the large room worthy of thc occasion . Thc banners of ( lie following conclaves were

displayed to great advantage : —Roman Eagle , 6 , London ; Rose of Sharon , 19 , Birmingham ; Byzantine , 44 , Leicester ; Palatine , 56 , Manchester ; Liverpool ( Premier ) , 55 , Liverpool ; Skelmersdale , 77 , Liverpool ; Walton , 97 , Kirkdale , Liverpool ; and thc banner of the Grand Conclave . Thc large

and handsome Red Cross Hags from Bro . Kcnmng ' s well-known Masonic establishments , which have already been used to good decorative purpose in connection with royal visits to Liverpool , were also displayed in thc room with thc most striking effect , and the banners of several Knights Templar added

still further to thc exceeding beanty of the whole internal picture . Tho three Liverpool Conclaves were very numerously represented , and there were also Knights from conclaves in London , Leicester , Bolton , Glasgow , and Manchester . In thc unavoidable absence , through illness , of

M . I . Sir Frederick Martin Williams , Bart ., M . P ., Grand Sovereign , thc position of President of thc Council was taken by Most Eminent Colonel Francis Ihirdctt , Grand Viceroy , and amongst the others present were the following — Grand Imperial Council , —II . Sir Knight thc

Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , Chief Int . Gen . for West Lancashire ; II . Sir Knight R . Wentworth Little , G . Treas . ; II . Sir Knight J . Boyd , Grand Marshal ; II . Sir Knight Captain T . Cubitt , Grand Orator ; and II . Sir Knight G . Toller , jun ., G . Historiographer .

Grand Senate . —11 . Sir Knights Henry A . Dubois , G . Sub-Almoner ; Eugene H . Thiellay , G . Vicc-Chancellor ; J . G . Marsh , P . G . S . G . and P . G . A . ; G . Turner , Int . Gen ., W . L . ; Dr . J . K . Smith , I . G ., W . L ., unattached . Sovereigns and Past Sovereigns . —II . Sir Knights

C . F . Matier , D . Int . Gen ., South Lancashire ; J . R . Goepcl , P . S ., 55 ; II . Nelson , P . S ., 77 ; H . M . Molyneux , P . S ., 55 ; J . T . Callow , M . P . S ., 77 * JC . Lunl , P . S . and Treas ., 97 ; Rev . J . Rees Jenkins , P . S . 23 ; Jesse Banning , M . P . S ., 97 : R . Washington , II . P . and P . S ., 55 ; C . Stretton , M . P . S ., 44 ; T .

Clark , M . P . S ., 55 ; and G . W . Wheeler , M . P . S ., 114 . Viceroys and P . Viceroys . —E . Sir Knights W . Cottrell , 77 ; the Rev . T . W . Richardson , 97 ; and W . Doyle , 55 .

Generals and Prelates . —Sir Knights G . H . timer , J . G . 55 ; W . Quayle , S . G ., 97 ; J . J . Rose , H . P ., 77 ; G . E . Hayner , Recorder , 97 ; Rev . C . R . Hyde , LL . D ., H . P ., 97 ; R . Washington , H . P ., 55 ; II . Jackson , S . G ., 77 ; J . E . Jackson , S . G ., c *; .

Knights . —Sir Knights Joseph Wood , Treas ., 55 ; A . Mitchell , IL , 55 ; S . Hague , 55 ; W . S . Thomson , 55 ; R . Young , 55 ; J . li . McKenzie , 55 ; J . Lloyd , 55 ; T . McWcan , 5 S ; J . W . McWean , 55 ; J . Bcl ., 55 ; R . Pearson , 55 ; J . Skeaf , Rcc , 77 ; W . Quaylc , S . B ., 77 ; W . H . Cooper , H ., 77 ; II . Burrows , S . S ., 77 ; T . B .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Myers , 77 ; J . Dale , 77 ; T . Large , 77 ; J . Dawson , 77 ; C . Munro , 77 ; W . S . Matthews , 77 ; J . White , 77 ; J . Atkinson , 77 ; W . Shortis , 77 ; E . A . Wright , 77 ; W . P . Jennings , 77 ; P . Ball , Sentinel , 55 , 77 , & c , ; T . W . Robinson , 55 , and 77 ; N . Turner , 97 ; W . Fletcher , 77 ; G . E . Hayner , J . G ., 97 .

The assembled Knights having been ranged under their respective columns , received the members of the Grand Imperial Council under the Arch of Steel . M . E . Sir Knight Colonel Francis Burdett , Grand Viceroy , occupied the throne as Grand Sovereign , and the other officers who assisted at

the opening of the Grand Conclave were V . I . Sir Knight , Lord Skelmersdale , Int . Gen ., Lancashire , as Most E . Grand Viceroy ; V . I . Sir Knight , R . W . Little , G . Treasurer , as G . Prelate ; V . II . Sir Knight J . Boyd , Grand Ma shal ; V . II . Sir Knight Captain Cubitt , Grand Orator ; V . I . Sir J . Toller , jun .,

Grand Hist . ; V . II . Sir Knight H . A . Dubois , G . S . A . ; and V . E . Sir Knight E . H . Thiellay , G . V . C . The lines at the reception of the Grand Imperial Council were under the direction of Sir Knight Hayner , Recorder , 97 , and the different movements were executed with almost military

precision . After the Acting Most Illustrious Sovereign and his grand orficers had taken their respective places , the Grand Conclave was opened in Imperial Form , and with solemn prayer to the Omnipotent Ruler of the Universe , offered by V . I . Sir Knight Little , Acting G . H . P .

The report of the Executive Committee , by command of the G . S ., was taken as read . A Sanctuary of K . H . S ., and Commandery of St , John were then opened , and thc degrees were conferred on no fewer than 2 S candidates , which added to those who have already taken the degrees

make about 50 in Liverpool who have joined thc sacred religious order . Sir Knight Little acted as the M . E . Commander , and the other offices were filled by members of the order . V . E . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale was appointed a Grand Viceroy in the Grand Imperial

Council . His lordship was also appointed Int . General for West Lancashire , II . Sir Knight G . Turner resigning in his favour , and 11 . Sir Knight Dr . J . K . Smith was appointed Deputy Int . Gen . for the division , and II . Sir Knights G . Turner and Dr . Moore were appointed Past Int . Generals for

the same division . In connection with the sanctuary of K . H . S ., and Commandery of St . John thc Evangelist , Iiro . Knight Lord Skelmersdale was appointed Prov . G . C , and he appointed the following as his officers : —Bro . Knights G . Turner , P . P ., G . C . ; Dr . J . K . Smith

P . D . G . C ; J . R . Goepcl , P . G . Seneschal ; R . Wash ington , P . G . C . of Guard ; H . M . Molyneux , P . G , Prior ; I . W . Robinson , P . G . Sub-prior ; H . Nelson , P . G . Chancellor General ; G . E . Hayner , P . G Registrar General ; T . Clark , P . G . Treasurer General : W . Doyle , P . G . Hospitaller General ; J . T

Callow , P . G . ist Lieutenant ; J . E . Jackson , P . G . 2 nd Lieutenant ; J . Banning , P . G . G . ofthe S . V . ; J . L . Lunt , P . G . S . B . ; W . Cottrell , P . G . T . B . ; J . Lloyd , P . G . Verger ; W . Quayle , P . G . Harbinger ; and Robert Pearson , P . G . Warder . The Grand Conclave was closed in hnperial form .

The music for thc imposing ceremonials during the afternoon was furnished in a very effective manner by Sir Knight J . Skeaf , Recorder 77 , who presided at thc harmonium . Immediately on the conclusion of the proceedings in Conclave , thc representatives of the Grand

Imperial Council and Grand Senate were entertained by the Knights of the three Liverpool Conclaves , at a sumptuous banquet at the Adelp hi Hotel . There were between fifty and sixty present . M . E . Sir Knight Colonel Burdett , G . V ., presided , supported on the right and left by

members of the Grand Council and Grand Senate , Int . Generals of Divisions , and other distinguished Sir Knights . Bro . Ludlow , the courteous manager ofthe hotel , provided a very excellent banquet , and the wines were of tlie choicest quality . After dessert had been placed on the table ,

Colonel Burdett proposed " Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen , and thc Christian , Masonic and Military Orders . " The toast , he said , was one with which they were all perfectly familiar , but as true and loyal subjects he was sure it would be received in that assembly with the same cordiality as

in other orders . ( Received with the greatest cordiality . ) "Thc National Anthem "—Sir Knight Washington . Colonel Burdett : Sir Knights , thc next toast is one which I have very much pleasure in giving , and it is one 1 am certain which will be received with the greatest enthusaism . Without any comment , as

that is unnecessary , I give you ' Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Ptincess of Wales , and the Rest of the Royal Family . " Colonel Burdett added ; We have all drank that toast with thc greatest enthusiasm , but on the present occasion , we must all feel that His Royal Highness is now more to us than he has ever been before . He has now taken that position in thc craft which we have all looked

Red Cross Of Constantine.

forward to , although we had no idea that the honour would have come so quickly . We must all feel highly honoured by his acceptance of this high office , and each of us ought to feel it our duty to support him in the duties he has undertaken . ( Cheers ) . " God Bless the Prince of Wales "—Sir Knight

Quayle . Colonel Burdett : The next toast which I wish to submit is " The Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign , Sir F . M . Williams , Bart ., M . P . " This is a toast which I feel confident you will honour with enthusiasm , as it more closely concerns ourselves

than any ofthe others . I am exceedingly sorry out Grand Sovereign has not been able to attend oui meeting to-day , but as he has , I personally know , been suffering from several little things , rheumatism , gout , and so on , —( laughter)—you will at once see it was impossible he could have been present . Wc must all sympathize with him in his suffering .

( Hear , hear ) . He has sent his regrets that he was unable to come to Liverpool , but hopes to have that pleasure at some future time . ( Loud cheers ) . I know the Grand Sovereign has the interests of thc order at heart as much as wc have , and he has assisted the order not only by his personal influence , but by his active exertions . Song , " Thy Voice is Near "—Sir Knight thc Rev .

J . Rees Jenkins . II . Sir Knight G . Turner , P . Int . Gen ., said : I have now the honour and privilege of proposing the next toast , " The Most Eminent Grand Viceroy , Colonel Francis Burdett . " ( "Great cheering ) . I knew that when I mentioned that name it would be

received with thc greatest enthusiasm . Both as thc P . G . M . of a most important province , and as a gentleman , Colonel Burdett has taken a very warm interest in Masonry , ancl we must all have felt great pride in seeing him preside during the successful meeting of this day . ( Hear , hear ) . I

personally feel he has conferred an honour and favour upon us , and wc have endeavoured to give him and his companions the hearty welcome which Lancashire Masons arc in the habit of giving . I trust you will receive this toast with the cordiality becoming the position of him whom wc seek to honour .

Song—Sir Knight Quayle . Colonel Burdett , who was received with longcontinued applause , said : I feel myself inadequate to return you thanks for thc kind manner in which my health has been proposed and responded to . I assure you , though this is not the first time I have

had to do it , I don ' t think I have ever been more gratified than by the kind and cordial manner in which thc toast has been responded to this evening . I feel I am no longer among strangers , but in the midst of friends , and all I sec hero , 1 hope , will permit mc to call them friends . ( Applause . ) I

also feci very much gratified indeed this evening to find such a large number here representing thc different conclaves . Wc have had different opportunities of meeting together , but still I think I have never seen such an assembly as this—not only this evening , but at thc Grand Conclave we have closed

a short time ago . Last year wc had thc pleasure and gratification of meeting a large number at Leicester , but here wc have had even a larger gathering . There is an old saying , "A rolling stone gathers no moss , " but 1 think that has been upset in this instance . We have rolled from London to

Leicester , and then from Leicester to Liverpool , and still wc arc gathering " moss "—increasing in numbers ; and I have no doubt that , as we roll further , wc shall gather more . (* ' Hear , hear , " and cheers . ) I am very glad to sec this , and to know that the Order of the Red Cross is progressing

throughout the country , being most popular where it is best known . A great compliment has been paid to the Grand Council by such a meeting as this ; and although it may put us to some inconvenience in coming down to Liverpool , still we have all felt great pleasure in being here , and thus

showing that wc wish to do our duty to thc members of the order . ( "Cheers . ) There is one thing which we ought to congratulate ourselves upon , and that is the manner in which the drill was gone through this afternoon . Thc way in which that drill was gone through led me to suppose you must have been

under a drill sergeant , but the fact that it was done entirely by thc illustrious Knights of thc Order does you infinite credit . I feel very much gratified at the reception you have given us , and personally thank you for the manner , in which you have received the toast .

Colonel Burdett ; I now gwe you " I he Past and Present Members of the Grand Imperial Council . " Earl Ferrers , thc G . S . G ., is one who throws himself heartily into the order , and wc all rejoice , 1 am sure , to sec him occupy his present proud position . He also occupies thc distinguished post of P . G . M .

for Leicestershire , and although still a young man , we arc sure to sec him yet do a great deal for the order in general . I desire to couple with this toast thc name of an officer whom you all know both publicly and privately—whose name is known here and everywhere—1 mean Sir Knight Robert Wentworth