Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS .

A Special Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Fngland and Wales , and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday evening , at the hall of Grand Mark Lodge , Sa , Red Lion Square , for the purpose of passing a resolution , " That an address be respectfully presented to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Oucen by this Grand Lodge , which shall express the horror and indignation of all Mark -Master Masons

under Grand Lodge , at the atrocious attempt on the life of Her Majesty , and their sense of deep and lasting gratitude at Her Majesty ' s happy escape under Divine Providence . " The meeting was also called to pass a resolution " That an address of congratulation be presented to If . R . I I . the Duke of ¦\ lbany , P . G . M . M . M ., on his approaching marriage ;' "' and a further resolution " That a grant of / . ' . ?_ - ; be made out of Grand Lodge funds ,

towards the subscriptions to the Wedding Presentation Fund . " The Right lion . Lord Hennikcr , M . W . Grand Master presided , and ( he following brethren wore also present : - llros . Sir Pryse Pryse , Hart ., Pro / . G . M . for South Wales , as G . S . W . ; Frederic Davison , Grand Treasurer , as G . J . W . ; Win . Roebuck , P . G . M . O ., as G . M . O . ; Thomas Cuhitt , P . G . J . O ., asG . S . O . ; II . R . Cooper Smith , G . J . I ) . ; II . C . I . cvander , M . A .,

Grand Registrar ; Frederick Hinckes ( P . G . J . W . ) , Grand Secretary ; I ) . M . Dewar ( P . G . M . o !) , Asst . Grand Secretary ; T . J . Pulley , G . S . D . ; Alfred Williams , P . G . S . D . ; F . W . Ramsay , M . D ., P . G . S . D . ; II . I . ovegrove , Grand Stipt . of Wks . ; R . Herridge , Grand Dir . of Ctrs . ; S . Rosenthal , P . G . Dir . of Cers . ; II . Backer , Asst . Grand Dir . of Cers . ; Wilhelm Ganz , Grand Org . ; K . C . . Milligan , G . I . G . ; Geo . Clark , jtin .. Win . llarklev , II . J . I . ardner , W , ] . Meek , and W . II . Gimmingham , Grand Stewards ; R . P .

Spice , K . I . ovelaml Loveland , John barker , and Geo . Yosley , P . G . Stewards ; with the following Provincial Grand Ollicers : llros . !! . 11 . Riach , P . G . O . Middlesex and Surrey ; A . F . Godson , P . G . R . Warwickshire and Staffordshire ; Fli Knonles , P . P . G . Sap . of Wks . Lancashire ; Win . Stephens , P . P . G . S . H . Middlesex and Surrey ; II . Italdwin , P . P . G . D . of C . Middlesex and Suney ; C . G . Kipling , Pruv . G . Steward , Middlesex and Surrey ; II . Massey (/• Wniiiisaii ) , and several other brethren .

Grand Lodge having been formally opened , Bro . BINOKLS , G . S ., read the summons convening the meeting . Bro . BINTKI ' . S read the following address , which he stated he had just received : — "Starkie Lodge of Mark Master Ma « ons , No . 159 , Red Lion Hotel , Accrington , March 20 th , 1 SS 2 .

"To the Most Worshipful Grand . Mark . Master of Fngland , the Right Hon . Lord Hennikcr , and the Officers am ! brethren assembled in Grand Mark Lodge on the 21 st day of March , 1 S . S 2 . " Most Worshipful Sir and Hrcthren , "We , the Master , Past Masters , Wardens , and other brethren of the above lodge

of Mark Master Masons , in the county of Lancaster , have observed , with a deep sense of satisfaction , that il is the intention of Grand Lodge to convey to ller Most Gracious Majesty the Oucen , on behalf if the Mail ; Masons of Fngland , their horror and indignation at the atrocious attempt on the life of Her Majesty , and their sense of deep and lasting gratitude at Her Majesty ' s happy escape under Divine Providence .

" We , therefore , are desirous to record our deep satisfaction at the prupo-al of the Grand Lodge , and to endorse , with thankful hearts , the sentiments of the address , and to express our humble thanks to the Grand Overseer of the l . ' niverse for 1 lis merciful preservation of one so near and dear to the hearts of her subjects ' . " Signed on behalf of the above Ledge , " Cuiusroi-Hcu Fcuxi : ss . W . M . M ., P . G . LO . Lane . "

Bro . BixcKCS said , perhaps it would be as well here to say he had received a large number of sympathetic letters and letters of apology , and expressing regret and inability to be present at this Grand Lodge , from- - R . \ V . Bros . Sir Francis Hurdctt , Hart ., P . G . M . . Middlesex and Surrey ; Rev . C . R . Davy , l ' . G . M . Gloucestershire } ] . W . Woodall , I ' . G . M . N . and K . Yorkshire ; Lord Arthur Mill , G . S . W . ; Hon . W . T . Orde IWlett , G . | . W . ; Sir Fdmund l . eclimete , Hart ., P . G . W . ; Charles F . Matier , I . G . W . ; W . I . Hughan , P . G . W . ; G . P . ISrockbarik ,

I ' . G . W . ; VAV . Hros . | . F . l . c Feuvre , G . M . O . ; R . | . Mute , P . G . O . ; Rev . R . X . Sanderson , G . Chap . ; ' Rev . II . G . Morse , G . Chap . ; Rev . I ) . Ace , D . D ., P . G . Chap . ; Kt-v . P . 11 . Frnest Hic ' . te , D . D ., P . G . Chap . ; Rev . A . A . H . igshawe , P . G . Chap . ; W . Hros Capt . A . S . Perkins , G . S . D . ; S . S , Partridge , G . | . i ) . ; S . Madison , P . G . I ) . ; C . L . Mason , D . P . G . M . W . Yorks ; Fmra Holmes , P . G . Sup . of WI ;* . ; \ Y . T . belcher , P . G . Org . ; F . W . Anscll , P . G . S . ; W . T . Clarke , P . G . S . ; T . W . Adams , P . G . S . ; J . Lewis 'Ultimas , P . G . I ) . ; lames Stevens , P . G . O .

Lord I IrxMKi : i ; then rose and said : Brethren , the notice calling the meeting , which has been read by Bro . Cn . -ind Secretary , informs you of the reason for calling special Grand Lodge . Il is in order that this Grand Lod ge of Mark Master Masons may join in the universal feeling of sympathy and congratulation which has been shown to the Oucen in regard to the dreadful deed which took place a very short time ago ; and , therefore ,

I have to move the resolution , which , although it has been already read , 1 will now read again : "Thai an address be respectfully presented to I ler Most Gracious Majesty the Queen by this Grand Lodge , which shall express the horror and indignation of all Mark Master Masons under Grand Lodge , at the atrocious altcmpl on the life of I ler Majesty , and their ; ense ° f deep and lasting gratitude at Her . Majesty ' s happy escape , under Divine

Providence . '' 1 am sure , brethren , the way in which you will receive this proposition will show the feeling that you have with regard to this atrocious deed , and that il needs but very few words , if any , from me to recommend to you this resolution . We have no reason to enquire as to the motive which prompted the deed . When we rolled for a moment , we cannot lirvve the smallest idea of enquiring into ifs motive , for who can doubt for a single insiant that the wretched man who performed this deed was alone ,

ailfJ had no sympathiser in the act which he undertook to perform . After we have seen the outbursts of loyalty , the outbursts of sympathy , l » e outbursts of congratulation that came , not only from every man , woman , ¦ '"id child in this country , but from every man , woman , and child in all parts of the many far distant countries over which I ler Majesty reigns . Now , while we turn , " m tbe words of the resolution , away from this dark and dastardly deed with horror , on account of its wickedness and the terrible consequences which might have ensued , we arc able , fortunately , lo turn in the very next

Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons.

moment lo a far diflercnt picture- -a picture throughout this country and throughout the many countries and colonies to which I have referred—the picture of joy and thankfulness at Her Majesty ' s happy escape . We can turn to the enthusiasm of a devoted people , who know how well to appreciate any approach to the sli ghtest danger which threatens their beloved

Sovereign , wnose name alone brings into every Fnglish home and carries with il wherever it is mentioned all that is noble , all that is good ; under whose rule this country has prospered more than during any other period of its existence . ( Cheers . ) Again , brethren , we turn with pleasure and satisfaction to another picture . We turn lo that touching letter of I ler Majesty .

which has found its way to every FnglishmanVs h . jart : a letter which has shown us anew that the sympathy and the devotion displayed by her people are not all on one side- . that letter has shown us more than this thai this sympathy and this devotion arc full y appreciated and amply returned . Brethren , il has taught also , if it were necessary , or if it wore possible for us to

do so , to value more the life of the Soverei gn which has been so greatly tbre . ithened . Now , brethren , I have thought it right to say thc .-e few words to you , but I think that a very few words said from the heart are belter than a thousand long sentences , as things done from the heart are the best the heart itself being the keynote of Freemasonry . I hope , brethren , that you

will believe me when I say that the few words that ! have spoken to you have been said from the bottom of my heart . The other day it was said on another occasion thai the Freemasons all over the world will give way . nml those under the Fnglish Craft Lodge particularly , will give way lo

no one in their loyalty and devotion to the Sovereign of the-. < realms . I believe that lo be perfectly true ; bin I thinl . that it is equally true what I am about lo say—that the Mark Master Masons under the rule til" this Grand Lodge will give way in loyalty and devotion lo the Crown to no Freemasons ol

any other country . Having said this , therefore , brethren , I think I may speak without hesitation for the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , and I may speak for everyone separately of the lO . ooo members of Mark Masonry , spread all oyer the world under this Grand Lodge over whom I have the honour to preside , whence I say that the vole that wo are about to pass to-night is no empty vote , but that it is a true expression of our loyalty

and our attachment to the Queen , who , we must not forget , is the patron of all FYeemasonry -not only a true expression of our loyalty , but a true expression of our joy and thankfulness at her happy escape , and to hope that she ma ) 'be spared for many years to rule over the destinies of this great and prosperous country . ( Cheers . ) Bro . W . W . B . Bitten , M . P ., Prov . G . M . of Hants ami the Isle of

Wight : Mosi \\ orshi pful Grand Master , yon have s ,, well placed before this Grand Lodge the reasons why it is iiiciimbenl onus to vole this address , that il is only necessary for me to add a very few words to those which you have given . But , Sir , I rejoice indeed that you have summoned us together to give expression lo those feelings which , as you have justly remarked , we

yield to no section of the Craft 111 entertaining . ( Cheers , ) Brethren , in other parts of the world attempts have been made , with more or loss success , upon the lives of sovereigns . It is hard to divine the motives which have actuated many of these assassins , or would-be murdvrer-i ; but I should have thought . I confess , that whatever motives mi ght have actuated the

attempt against the life of our sovereign , her life and actions might have rendered them more willing to reconsider the impious project which they entertained . ( Hear , hear . ) She has never exceeded the constitutional limits assigned to her , and by her life she has earned the affection , the esteem , and the love of her people . ( Cheers and

hear , hear . ) It is , therefore , with astonishment that we learn that anyone can be found who would attempt her life ; but we must rejoice indeed thai the effort was so thoroughly unsuccessful , and that the attempt made mel with the universal reprobation anil horror of the population of this country . And , brethren , these various attempts in other parts of the world , whether

they have been in America or in countries were absolute sovereigns reign over the people , have caused some community of feeling between inhabitants of these various countries ; they have caused us lo interchange sympathy and love , therefore caused a community of feeling which 1 hope will bo productive

of the best results in the relations of one nation willi another . Brethren , that is only expressing the feelings which Masons cnlertain , and I hope we shall ever live to give expression to those feelings which so well distinguish the hearts of Freemasons . 1 have great p leasure in seconding the motion-The motion was carried unaniiiiouslv .

God Save the Queen was then sung , Bro . Wilhelm Can / officiating : u the organ . Lord I ! i : xs'iK . F . r . : Brethren , you have heard the other resolution read , " That an address of congratulation be presented to II . R . II . the Duke ol Albany , P . G . M . M . M ., on his approaching marriage . '' You will recollect ,

brethren , that very recently we had the pleasure of installing H . R . I I . the Duke of Albany , Past Grand Master , into his proper position and place in Grand Lodge , and all those who were present on thaloccasion , with myself , will agree that we shall for a long time remember that very pleasant and auspicious occasion . When I was addressing His Royal Highness 1 ventured to say a

few words , on behalf of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , of congratulation to him on the marriage which had jusl at that moment been announced , and those of you who were present will recollect thai he very graciously thanked us for the compliment which he had received . Brethren , we were pleased to know that the prospect of the marriage before His Royal

Highness was one which would bring him happiness and welfare throughout life , and that it had the sanction and approval of Her Majesty the Queen . All that has passed since thai lime has tended to increase our pleasure , and also to increase our confidence that the proposed marriage of His Royal Highness will tend lo the result which we all hope and v . isli . Brethren , I