Masonic Notes.

Donovan Master of No 6 to go up to tbe G . Secretary s place And in the Name of the Grand Lodge return the said G . Secretary public thanks for his unwearied diligence and Emminent services to the Antient Craft in General with five as Master Masons , " and when the

Grand Secretary , after expressing his thanks , remarked "that the No 5 was Irregular and hoped that it might be reduced to Three , Sec , " Grand Lodge , not to be disappointed in its desire to do him honour , resolved that "It is the Opinion of this lodge that any worthy Brother ( whose merit shall be publicly known ) may be

drank or toasted with any No . wbich the G Lodge shall p lease to dictate and the G . M . or his Deputy shall p lease to admit " and so it came about that , on the proposition of the Deputy G . Master , the Gd . Secretary was toasted with 39—the number of his years—though in a footnote it is added that " the Secretary was in the 41 st year of his age . "

# # # ¦ In ii-66 , St . John the Baptist ' s Day was celebrated in a different manner , and " the Fraternity by permission of the Grand Officers met at the Angel in White Chapel ] , and from thence walked in procession to

Stepney Church , where an Excellent Sermon , founded on the General Regulations of the Craft and upon a suitable Text , was preach'd bythe Rev . Mr . Parker Rowlands , our most worth / Brother . After the sermon the Fraternity , amounting to a vast number , vvith three

bands of Musick , & c , walked in a like manner to the Angel aforesaid , where they separated , and Each Lodge went to dine at the Houses where held . " These processions were continued in subsequent years , and a Grand Feast was held at some place previously selected ,

Stewards for its regulation being also appointed . But the winter St . John ' s Days were reserved for the ceremony of installation , though toasts vvere also honoured , and it vvas a very common thing for the brother in the chair to deliver a charge or address on the duties of the day .

It may also be worth while noticing that the ceremony varied according to the rank of the Grand Officers . Thus the Deputy was installed and so were the Grand Wardens and Grand Secretary—see Minutes 27 th December , 1777—but the Grand Treasurer and

Grand Chaplain were invested , and the Grand Pursuivant and Grand Tyler proclaimed . It seems proper to add that the Grand Officers vvere elected , with the exception of the Deputy , vvho was recommended by Grand Lodge and appointed by the Grand Master , and

the Asst . Grand Secretary , whenever such an officer was considered desirable , who vvas appointed by the G . S ., subject to the approval of Giand Lodge . Be it added as regards the Grand Wardens and the Grand Sword Bearer , that the general rule vvas to promote from the innior to the senior office .

* * What fortune may attend the celebration of the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution in February next , it is , of course , impossible to forecast , but it is a favourable omen , and one of which

our readers vvill be delighted to hear , that Bro . Terry has been making further satisfactory progress in organising the Board of Stewards for the occasion . We announced in our article of the ist instant on this subject that he had then succeeded in obtaining the services

of not far short of 150 brethren , and this number has been since increased to close on 180 . There is , therefore , just a possibility that between now and New Year ' s Day the Board may be nearer still to a full 200 . But whether thisis so or not , vve are in a position to announce that as compared with last year ' s figures , the prospects ,

in so far as they may be determined by this particular consideration , are decidedly lavourable . The Board that did duty for the last Festival ultimately consisted of 299 members , so that in the two months that still remain , it is not too much to hope that Bro . Terry will be able to show a substantial improvement on that number .

The need of such an improvement is generally recognised . We pointed out in our former article that the sum of , £ 16 . 000 or thereabouts is needed , and this , as vve have again and again remarked , takes a good deal of raising . It is also necessary to bear in mind that , while tlie lists of applicants are about as

formidable as usual , the vacancies are exceptionally few—five on the Male Fund and one on the Widows' Fund . We therefore renew the earnest appeal of three weeks since , and express the hope that at a season , vvhich more than any other season is looked upon as being specially devoted to Charity , Bro . Terry may be enabled to enlist additional support in behalf of our Old People .

Masonic Notes.

It is with the deepest regret vve have lo announce the death of Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P . i Prov . G . Master of Worcestershire . The sad event occurred with terrible suddenness on Tuesday evening , at Pershore , just when our distinguished brother was on the eve of addressing a large gathering of his

constituents . On entering the building , he was observed by one of his supporters , with whom he was in conversation , to fall against a table , and on being asked if anything was the matter , be replied— " Nothing : I am all right . " Almost immediately afterwards he expired . Rro . Sir F .. Lechmere had held the ofiice of Prov . G .

Master of Worcestershire since 1878 , and that of G . Superintendent since 1880 . We respectfully offer our sincere condolence with Lady Lechmere and his family in their great bereavement . A memoir of our late brother will appear next week . * * *

We regret to announce the death of Bro . W . J . Murlis , at his residence , 154 , Lancaster-road , North Kensington . Bro . Murlis vvas a P . M . of the Marquis of Ripon Lodge , No . 1489 , but was perhaps better known as a founder and first W . M . of the Earl of

Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1642 . Having filled the chair , he was subsequently appointed Secretary , and it may be confidently asserted that the success of this lodge and its influence in Freemasonry is in a great measure due to the active interest taken by Bro . Murlis , especially in the earlier years of its existence . Few

lodges on the roll of Grand Lodge can show a better record of contributions to the Charities than the " Earl of Carnarvon , " and that lodge vvill always stand as an example to the Craft . Our deceased brother was for many years an active and useful member of various local institutions , and was in every relation ol lite highly esteemed and respected . The funeral took

place at Kensal Green Cemetery on Friday last , and was attended by a large number of old friends and colleagues , as well as by the members of the lodges and chapters with vvhich he was connected , the Earl of Carnarvon Lodge being represented by Bros . F . C . Frye , M . P ., P . M . ; S . H . Parkhouse , P . M . ; and many others .

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It is only this evening tbat I have noticed in the Freemason of the 15 th inst ., that you have again referred to vvhat passed at the last Grand Lodge in

reference to this Institution , and purport to give a report of what I said . I was careful to preface my remarks by stating I was not present at the Special General Meeting when the resolution sought to be confirmed by Grand Lodge vvas passed , anti that 1 moved its adoption by virtue of my office as Treasurer . This you omit . You also put

into my mouth words that I never uttered , viz .: " If the present resolution was shelved as the G . Sec . wished , it would throw them over at the next Festival of the Benevolent Institution , for which there were 500 promises for this privilege . " What I did say was—that if the resolution were shelved the Institution would lose 500 guineas . 1 never

made any allusion to the G . Sec . such as you represent . He is a brother who fills an important post with tact and courtesy , and 1 believe has the welfare of this Institution at heart , and is incapable of the conduct mentioned .. —I am , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally , December 17 th . J . A . FARNFIELD .

ELECTION OW GRAND TREASURER . Tothe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was very much pleased to see in the Free , mason oi the Sth inst ., the letter of " Colonial Past Master . " I quite coincide with him in all his views as regards Election of Grand Treasurer , that if voting

papers were issued to all brethren entitled to vote in Grand Lodge , the same as now done by the three Charitable Institutions , it would save time , overcrowding of Grand Lodge , and save unnecessary expense of brethren wishing to assert their lawful ri ghts . It costs a brother from the Provinces , say Lancashire , Yorkshire , or Cheshire , quite - { . 5 , whilst a brother in or near

l . onoon not more than a shilling cab fare . Another thing , the Grand Lodge meets so late that brethren from a distance have to stay all night . I am sure tftat il the Grand Lodge were held about two o ' clock it would be much better , so that brethren could visit Grand Lodge , and return home the same day . We

contribute tu the Grand Lodge , also to our own Piovincial Grand Lodge ; therefore , why this injustice ' i The provinces must unite , hold meetings , lorm a committee , and appoint a brother , or brethren , to attend the next Grand Lodge meeting and give notice of motion that voting papers be sent out to all duly qualified Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens , so as to

Correspondence.

enable them to vote without incurring loss of time and expense ; and that it is the intention of the brethren of the provinces and Colonies to try and assert their rights . Then , when the time comes , the brethren must make a little sacrifice and go and support the notice of

motion by voting . We provincials have voted before in Grand Lodge , why cannot we do so on such an occasion , and win by a larger majority than ever ? I enclose my cird . — Yours fraternally , "FAIR PLAY . "

To the Editor of the " Freemison . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am extremely pleased to find that some brother has written complaining of the present m-.-thod of electing the Grand Treasurer , for I have for some time thought it unfair to the Craft in general . Take , for instance , the lodges situated in the north and far

west of England . How can one expect the brethren of those lodges to travel that distance , and lose a day or two ' s time to transact what is not more than half an hour ' s work ' : This even applies to the southern brethren , who would lose the best part of the day if they wish to record their vote . There is also the extra strain of the official to consider , as well as the inconvenience to those brethren attending the lodge—this latter , I

understand , at last election was by no means absent . These complaints would be remedied if the suggestion of "Colonial P . M . " vvas carried out , and I do not see a better plan whereby all would benefit , besides attaching greater honour to the office by being elected from the whole Craft , instead of by a comparative few . Trusting this question will meet vvith due consideration by the higher powers . —I remain , yours faithfully , I . W . 2450 .

RESIGNATIONS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am obliged to Bro . Lovegrove for his letter in last week's Freemason , which confirms my view of the matter , as expressed in my previous letter on the subject . As the point is an important one , and of

interest to the Craft generally , many of whom are not well informed on points of Masonic jurisprudence , I would like Bro . Lovegrove to refer to the report of the ruling of the Grand Registrar to which he refers , and , perhaps sir , you would be good enough to reproduce same in your columns for the information of your numerous readers . —Yours fraternally , EX-SECRETARY .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

H ^ KsmgffliSSl

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Ljon and Lamb Lodge ( No . 192 ) . — A meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., at Cannon Street Hotel , when there were present : Bros . J . Smith , W . M . ; T . VV . Fisher , S . W . , * R . Sarson , J . VV . ; Thos . Cohu , Treas . ; Hy . Legge , Sec . ; A . [ . Holmes , S . D . ; G . Garton , J . D . ; J . M . Mower , D . C . ;

VV . Baker , Stwd . ; C . Couchman , Tyler ; F . Hughes , P . M . ; Martyn , Johnson , Mokes , Rochf , Cravvshaw , Dart , Clarke , Simmonds , F . R . Kenniner , Welch , Robeson , and Virgo . Visitor : Bro . VV . B . Stamand , 172 . Ihe minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , Bros . Welch , Cravvshaw , and Roche were passed . Mr . J . T . Virgo , having been balloted for , was initiated . The report of the Committee , re musical evening , was read and adopted . 1 he Secretary reported the death of an old and valued member of the lodge , Bro . Sutherland , and a resolution of condolence was cairied .

Kennington Lodge ( No . 1381 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held at tne Horns Tavern , Kenningtonpaik , on the 4 b inst . Amongst those in attendance were Bios . J . N . Hearn , VV . M . ; Dr . Millsom , S . W . ; J . H . rry , S . D ., Acting J . W . ; George Everitt , P . G . Treas , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . S uart , P . M ., Sec . ; Parratt , J . D . ; Chisholm , I . G . ; Hopkins , Urg . ; H . Hiugins , P . M . ; Capt . T . C

Wall-- * , P . M ., G . Std . Br ., C . H . Kohler , P . M . ; Cockburn , P . M . ; W . W . Westley , P . M . ; La Feullade , P . M . ; Foale , P . M . ; Dennis , P . M . ; Lundie , P . M . Amongst the visitors vvere Bros . H . J . Lardner , P . P . G . D . C burrey , P . M . 1 745 ; F . Salter , 15 ; Spill , 174 ; Spott , iSC ; Webber , 19 S ; A . Kead . Sfu ; Dcuse , 1306 ; Walker , 234 S ; Railton , 25 iS . The minutes of the previous meeting having been

read and confirmed , Bros . H . Kulls and W . Huckin were raised to the Third Degree , and Bro . H . C . Linvvood passed to the Second Degree , both ceremonies being well performed . Bro . Dr . Mills > m was unanimously elected VV . M ., G . Everett , Treasurer , and F . Reinardt , Tyler . The audit committee vvere elected and appointed to meet on the third Tuesday in January next . A Past Master ' s jewel was

voted ro Bro . J . N . Hearn . The lodge was then closed . Refreshment followed labour . 'The usual tjasts were duly proposed and honoured . Bro . G . Evei-ett responded on behalf of " The Grand Officer ? , " in his customary happy vein . Bro . H . J . Latdner , replied on behalf of "'Ine Visitors . " In the course of his remarks he called the attention of the brethren , who had not already become Koyal Aich Masons , to the fac that there vvas an excellent

chapter attached to the lodge , which was in a most prosperous condition . Bro . Lundie acknowledged the toast of ••The Past Masters , " Bros . G . Everett and VV . Stuart "Tte Health of the Treasurer and Secretary , " and Uros . Bairy and Hopkins for " The Officers . " A very entertaining programme of music vvas carried out , in vvhich Bro . Hopkins , Lundie , Price , Davis , and Lrnwooq particularly distinguished themselves .