United Orders Of The Temple And Hospital.

j . That thc present Provincial Grand Commanders be called " Preceptors " during office . 8 . That all installed Grand Priors and Preceptors with such other Knights Commanders as may be distinguished by patent of the Grand Master be Knights Grand Cross for life . —( Si / e Letter

herewith , Mar . 28 , 1863 . R . W . ) 9 . That all " Eminent Commanders " be called " Commanders " during office . 10 . That all installed Commanders be Knights Commanders for life . —( See Letter , R . W . ) 11 . That the jewel of a Knight Grand Cross be a

gold cross of eight points , two inches and-a-half across , enamelled white , bearing on the centre a cross patlcc , enairicHcd gules , and surmounted by the Grand Master ' s crown , worn round thc neck , pendant from a gold or gilt collar . —( Burnes' Ifist ., P * 5- )

12 . That the jewel of a Knight Commander be of thc same size and kind , worn round the neck pendant from a scarlet ribbon edged with white . 13 . That thc jewel of a Knight Companion be of thc same kind , but measuring an inch and-a-half across , or of smaller size if preferred , worn on the left breast from a similar ribbon .

This appears to be only a restitution of the old jewels as to Commanders and Companions . The Provincial Grand Commanders appear to have been distinguished by a gold patriarchial cross , but the foregoing suggestions seem to give greater uniformity and preserve thc one form of jewel .

14 . That the star be worn only by Grand Crosses and Commanders , and that it be of distinctive form for each rank . 15 . That the triple , double , and patriarchial cross he used as heretofore , but only as badges of office instead of as jewels of the Order , and be not worn

after expiration or resignation of office except on the mantle . 16 . That thc hood of the mantle be lined with silk of a distinctive colour . For a Grand Cross or Grand Officer who is a Knight Commander , of violet : for a Knight Commander or Grand Officer

who is not a Knight Commander , of scarlet ; and for a Knight Companion , of white . 17 . That if any additional jewel be deemed desirable in distinct perpetuation of the Order of Saint John , it be a gold cross of eight points enamelled white , siirinounted by an Imperial Crown , and

worn on thc left breast pendant from a black ribbon . —( Prom a History published about 1800 . ) 18 . That thc velvet belt and apron now in use be discontinued , and a narrow sword belt substituted , of black leather , with a silver clasp for Knights wearing white hoods , and of red , with a gold clasp ,

for Knights wearing violet or scarlet hoods . — ( Scotch Statutes , p . 22 . ' 19 . That thc term " baldrick" be discontinued , and " ribbon of investiture" substituted , and the ribbon thereby restored to its original purpose . — ( History of 1800 . )

20 . That a crosshiltcd sword be used , without specifying or restricting any particular pattern . 2 r . That right be reserved to present members of thc Order to wear all such jewels as they have been , heretofore entitled to wear . It is thought that these suggestions need not in

any way interfere with thc use of the Jewels of the Grand Conclave , which were thc handsome gift of the late Grand Master , as they are essentially Badges of Office , as distinguished from Jewels of Rank in the grades ofthe Order . These suggestions arc offered on historic and

antiquarian grounds , in the belief that they comprise alterations consistent with thc regulations of thc ancient Orders , and they arc earnestly and confidently commended to the consideration of the committee with thc intent alone that thc modern constitution shall be advanced and secured in

dignity and position . Given under my hand in the Provincial Grand Conclave of the Province of Worcester , on thc clay and year first before written . ( Signed ) II . C . VERNON , Provincial Grand Commander . I have carefully perused thc above , and feel so

pleased with the suggestions that I have laid them before my Provincial Grand Conclave with an earnest recommendation lo the Sir Knights to give them their best support . ( Signed ) CHAS . J xo . VIGNE , Prov . Gr . Comr ., Dorset . 13 th Oct ., 1 S 62 .

Instead of the ranks ofthe Order being thinned iis asserted , they have numerically increased , the bust test of which is thc greatly increasing number of certificates issued from the Chancery ofthe Order .

The members of the Order are invited thoughtfully to consider those matters for themselves , in that spirit of moderation and fairness which only can promote the good ofthe Order . 22 , Chancery-lane , London , W . C . November , 1875 ,

"Singula Quæ Que Locum Sortita Decenter."

"SINGULA QU ? QUE LOCUM SORTITA DECENTER . "

We have been requested to publish the following report of a meeting called by circular , addressed " to those gentlemen who , as Ancient , Free , and Accepted Masons under the Grand Lodge of England , signed a petition in July last , directed to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of the Order in England . "

Thc brethren who had petitioned tlie Grand Lodge of England in July of this year for a warrant to be granted to English resident brethren in Belgium , to form a Masonic Lodge under the English Constitution , was called together on Wednesday evening , the 3 rd Nov ., to receive the official reply received .

Colonel Kemeys Tynte , P . P . G . M ., the Master-Elect of the English Lodge " in spe , " occupied the chair . Pie stated in opening the proceedings of the evening that he was exceedingly disappointed in having to communicate to the brethren the answer he had received from thc

Grand Lodge , but that , as members of that illustrious body , thc Free and Accepted Masons of England , there remained but one course open , and that was to obey the decrees of the governing body . He then proceeded to read the reply , which was signed by Bro . Tohn Hervey , Grand

Secretary . It was to thc effect that previous to the departure of his Royal Highness the Prince of W * ales for India , the petition of the brethren had been laid before him , but that he regretted he could not accede to their request , as his doing so might be considered as an innovation

of a Foreign Masonic Jurisdiction , and a breach of Masonic usage and etiquette . Having read the communication , Colonel Kemcys-Tynte invited any of the brethren present who might wish to make some suggestions or observations on the subject matter , to do so .

Bro . W . C . A . Rccttger , P . M ., and P . Z ., the Senior Warden-elect , then rose , and expressed his deep regret at what had been just communicated to the meeting . He said he was the more sorry as there were several candidates who would have been happy to be initiated into the

much-coveted mysteries of thc Order , but who were now lost to the Fraternity , as they were only agreeable to take " that mystic step" under the guarantee of a National Lodge , i . e ., Grand Lodge of England . There were a great many English brethren resident in Belgium , who ,

although they quite appreciated the objects English Masons have in view , in common with thc Fraternity in Belgium , more especially charity and brotherly love , they yet felt strangers in the Lodges of this country , where , partly through the imperfect knowledge of the

language , and partly through difference 111 Rite , they did not feel at home , and consequently very rarely visited Belgian Lodges . Although bowing to the decision of thc Grand Lodge , he said he trusted some means might be found available to bring about the so much desired

object—the establishment of an English Lodge , besides the already existing Lodges , which are under the "Rite Ecossaise moderne , " for he was quite certain there was ample room for both . Moreover , from his personal knowledge of the dignitaries of the Grand Orient of Belgium , he was quite sure that they would be very

much pleased to sec an English Lodge exist in Belgium , besides the already-established Belg ian Lodges . Bro . Iltimberslon , P . M ., made similar remarks , and expressed a hope that the wishes of the brethren might yet be crowned with success . After various other observations from the

brethren present , all testifying to thc great regret felt about the polite , yet distinct refusal , and agreeing in the course to be taken—that is , implicit obedience to the decrees of the Grand Locke to which they belong ,

Bro . Rccttger rose , and , in addressing Col . Tynte , and the other brethren , said—Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , it is now my pleasing duty of returning lo our Master-elect ( the gallant and Right Worshipful Brother Col .

"Singula Quæ Que Locum Sortita Decenter."

Kemeys Tynte ) our most heartfelt and sincere thanks for the great interest and trouble he has taken in aiding our united endeavours to bring about the establishment of an English Lodge in Brussels . That we have not succeeded , sir , is not for want of interest on your part . Your

name alone , which may be almost looked upon as a pass-word in Masonry , would have been sufficient guarantee to have had our prayers granted , had there been a possibility of this being done by his Royal . Highness the Grand Master ; but , suffice it to say , Right Worshipful

Sir , that , although we have not been successful in our most earnest endeavours , we are fully sensible of the great and sincere interest and support you have given to our petition . I am exceedingly sorry , sir , that I have not that How of language at my command to express all that

I—and I am certain my brethren feel—impressed with the sentiments of gratitude . Be assured , however , Right Worshipful Brother , that our sentiment and wishes are sincere . May , then , the Great Architect of the Universe permit you to sojourn a long time yet among us

and to remain an ornament amongst thc Rulers of the Craft to which we all have thc honour to belong . Colonel Kemeys Tynte tendered his heartfelt thanks to Bro . Rccttger and the other brethren for thc kind sentiments expressed towards him .

He said he valued the words that had just been spoken , all thc more because he knew that they were not meant as flattery , but proceeded from a sincere desire of giving some appreciation to the very trifling assistance he had rendered lo thc movement . He begged in the meantime to

assure the brethren present that , should there be at any future time a chance of seeing their wishes as to the establishment of a Lodge , under the English Constitution , realised , he would come forward and do all in his power to further that object .

Bro . Col . Whitle then rose and tendered his thanks to the Chairman on behalf of the absent brethren . He said—Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , I am commissioned by thc absent brethren to return to you , sir , their heartfelt thanks for the efforts you have made to support

their prayer for a Craft Lodge to be held in Brussels , and , on their behalf , to bow to the decision of thc Grand Lodge of England . We are well aware , as Bro . Rccttger says , that , had it been possible to grant our prayer , no name on the time-honoured roll of Free ancl Accepted

Masons could have carried greater weight than yours , Right Worshipful Sir . It now devolves upon me to ask you , sir , in the name of the brethren who signed the petition , to accept from my hands all the correspondence and

documents relating to this our effort to establish an English Lodge in Brussels , wilh the hope that the Great Architect of the Universe may take you and yours into His keeping , until you are translated to the Great Lodge above . " So mote it be ' . "

Nil . Dr . si'KRANDUM . —True hope is based on energy of character . A strong mind always hopes , because il knows the mutability of human affairs , ami how slight a cii'Ctim . si . iiiL'c may clungo ( lie whole course ol events . Sucli a spirit , too , rests upon itself , and it is 11 t confined lo partial views or to one particular object , am ] if at last all should be lost , it has saved itself , its own integrity and

worth . Hope awakens courage , while despondency is the last of all evils ; it is the abandonment of good , the giving up of the bat lie of life wilh dead nothingness . He who can implant courage in thc human soul is its best phyician . Goon WINS * NKKHS NO HUSH . — In the spring of 1 S 74 , a daily contemporary writing of The General

Expenditure A-surancc Company , says : —l ! y a clever and happily conceived airangemenl , so simple and judiciutts that it is wonderful il was imt tliou-jlit of before , the company is enabled tu assure the return of all money spent for the ordinary wanls of life . At this festive season , to all fillers , this information will be nn addition of " good cheer , " and we commend the pamphlet ,

brimful of information , publisned by 1 he General Expenditure Assurance Company , obtainable at llieir several offices , and Smith and Son ' s K .-. ilu-ay-bookslalls—to die notice of heads of families and our readers generally . Prom the period above-named the company lias rapidly extended its operations ; the trade members are numbered

by thousands , and the success of the Coupon Trading System is now assured . In addition lo the London Office , 8 , Old Jewry , E . C ,, Branch Offices . ire established in Dublin , Liverpool , . Yew-castle , Btig / ilon , and olliei " chief towns . J ! ro . the Hon . V . Walpole , M . I' ., P . Grand Master of Norfolk , is a trustee ofthe Company .