Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

LEICESTERSHIRE and the other counties constituting the Province , presided over by the veteran Bro . William Kelly , Prov . Grand Mark Master , contributed ; £ i 1 5 10 s ., the number of Stewards being six , of whom Bro . A . Woodiwiss , J . P ., of the Derby Lodge ,

No . 302 , Derby , raised ^ 52 10 s ., and Bro . H . Manfield , Simon de St . Liz Lodge , No . 245 , Northampton , , £ 42 . Last year there were five brethren , including four who acted on Wednesday as Stewards , but the total only reached ; £ 68 14 s . 6 d . LINCOLNSHIRE had three of its eight lodges represented by five Stewards , the aggregate of whose lists amounted to ^ , " 43 is . Following next in order comes the strongest of all our Provinces , comprising the Home Counties of

MIDDLESEX AND SURREY . It has on its roll no less than 37 lodges , of which as many as 22 were represented , each by one or more brethren , the number of Stewards , including Bro . Charles Hammerton , D . P . G . M ., who acted separately , being 41 . The highest lists were those of Bro . P . Saillard , Grosvenor Lodge , No . 144 , for £ 57 10 s . ; of Bro . Leopold G . Gordon-Robbins and Major Edward Ball , joint Stewards for the

Onslow Lodge , No . 3 61 , £ 57 15 s . ; Bro . Hammerton , £ 45 2 s . 6 d . ; of Bro . H . Faija , Davison Lodge , No . 331 , , £ 40 , to which must be added the contributions of Bro . Dr . W . H . Kempster and W . H . Kempster , M . B ., raising the lodge total to ^ 50 ios .. ; of Bro . Laurence Steele , Temperance-in-the-East Lodge , No . 350 , for ; £ i 9 19 s . ; and the joint list of Bros . Belgrave Ninnis and H . W . Kiallmark ,

of the Egerton of Tatton Lodge , No . 400 , for , £ 18 18 s . The Euston Lodge , No . 399 , had nine of its members acting as Stewards , several of whom will be found entered also in other parts of the Returns , the total from the lodge being , £ 57 15 s . The sum raised by the whole Province reached . £ 593 3 s . 66 .. Last year there were 35 Stewards , and the sum total of their contributions was ^ 411 3 s .

The next Provinces that figure in the Returns are those of MONMOUTHSHIRE , which contributed £ 42 , per Bro . Samuel Davis ; NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM , which had two Stewards in Bro . C . S . Lane , who acted for the Province and raised ^ 52 10 s ., and Bro . C . D . Hill Drury , representing the Darlington Lodge , No . 250 , the total being . £ 57 15 s . ; SOUTH WALES , which gave . £ 52 ios ., Bro . J . Munday , Provincial Steward , being responsible for . £ 42 , and Bro . T . E .

Remfry , Five Arches Lodge , No . 256 , Tenby , for the balance ; SUSSEX , three Stewards , whose lists amounted to ^ 38 17 s ., including £ 28 7 s . from Bro . Richard Clowes , of the Royal Connaught Lodge , No . 409 ; and WARWICKSHIRE , whose representative raised £ 15 15 s . Four of these Provinces were entered in the Returns of last year , but for lower amounts or without any amounts credited to them .

WEST YORKSHIRE , had three of its 11 lodges directly represented , while Bro . C . Letch Mason , Prov . G . M . did duty for the Province . The total from all sources was ^ 53 15 s . 6 d ., of which , £ 27 ios . 6 d . appeared on the joint list of Bros . F . Cleeves , W . C . Fox , and John Shaw . Last year the number of Stewards was seven , and the amount raised by the six who returned lists , £ 6 9 16 s .

As for the rest , WILTSHIRE , per Bro . F . S . Hancock , of the Wiltshire Keystone Lodge , No . 178 , contributed ^ 23 ios . ; WORCESTERSHIRE , per Bros . A . F . Godson , M . P ., P . G . M ., and W . B . Williamson , Provincial Steward , , £ 10 ios . ; and the Rose and Lily Chapter of Rose Croix , No . 97 , per Bro . George Gregory , £ 10 ios . The Grand Council of the Order of the Secret Monitor was represented by Bro . Frank Richardson , but the amount is included in his list elsewhere . FOREIGN STATIONS contributed ^ " 17 17 s .

, It remains for us to congratulate Bro . the Earl of Euston , Chairman of the day , the Board of Stewards , and its indefatigable Honorary Secretary , Bro . C . F . Matier , and our Mark brethren generally on the success of the Twenty-second Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , and to express the hope that in the years to come Fortune may look as favourably upon the efforts of their several Chairmen and Stewards as she has done at this and its later Festivals .

Consecration Of The Ubique Mark Lodge, No. 411.

CONSECRATION OF THE UBIQUE MARK LODGE , No . 411 .

Some 12 years ago the want of a central home for Masons , past and present , of the Royal Regiment of Artillery was materially felt and generally acknowledged . When the time had come for that want to be filled , the brother came also in the person of Bro . Major James T . Ritchie , R . A ., who soon found an energetic lieutenant in Bro . Capt . W . A . Weston , late R . A ., P . M . 1536 , P . P . S . G . D . Kent . In the ranks of these energetic brethren were Bros . Capt . W . A . Watkins , R . A ., 1536 ; Capt . J . Sculley , R . H . A ., P . M . 706 ; Capt . W . Richey , R . A ., P . M .

700 ; Capt . J . McCafl ' ery , R . A ., and one or two others , who set themselves to work , and in due course founded the now flourishing Ubique Craft Lodge , No . 1789 . From that lodge the Mark Lodge now under notice emanated , the prime movers being Bros . Ritchie and Weston . The lodge is entirely for the reception and advancement of commissioned and warrant officers of the Royal Artillery , and on Friday , the 18 th inst ., it came into existence at the Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , under the most propitious circumstances .

The lodge was opened by Bro . G . Kenneday , W . M . 206 , P . P . G . R . Kent , who advanced a candidate in the person of Bro . W . Robson , 1789 , and then the Consecrating Officer , Bro . C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , assumed the chair , and , with the assistance of Bros . Capt . W . G . Brighten , P . G . I , of W ., P . P . G . W ., as S . W . ; H . Lovegrove , P . G . I , of W ., P . P . G . W ., as J . W . ; Rev . J . Carter , P . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; and R . Berridge , P . G . W ., G . D . C ., as D . C , proceeded with the ceremony of consecration , the proceedings of which are too well known to the brethren to need recapitulation .

The following oration was delivered by the officiating CHAPLAIN : Neh . II ., v . 12 and 16 . — "I arose in the night , I and a few men with me ; neithei told I any man what my God had put into my heart to do at Jerusalem ; and the rulers knew not whither I went , nor what I did . "—In Nehemiah may be recognised a loyalty and devotion of . heart worthy of admiration , and well adapted as a Masonic example . Though enjoying circumstances of ease and luxury in Persia , the glory of God , and the welfare of his brethren were too niffh his heart for him to remain idle , when a day of

desolation came upon Jerusalem . He could not repress the desires which instinctively grew up within him . He formed and organised suitable plans . There were reasons wh y he should act without publicity . Therefore , while the moon beams fell upon the ruins of the holy city , he thoroughly investigated the mischief done , and devoted his best energies to repair it . We should be sadly in error were we to fail to recognise the fact that quiet forces are often very mighty ones . Some of the most powerful in nature are the least demonstrative . Gravitation makes no noise , yet it is the force which holds the

worlds together , and keeps every orb in its place . The sun does not rise with a flourish of trumpets , but with so gentle a quietness that his rising must be watched for or it will not be seen . The life power in vegetation at spring time when we enjoy the unfolding bud is not noisy , yet how wide-spread and prodigious are its effects . So is it in literature , in art , and in science . Silently and hidden in his quiet little room the poet broods over lines that shall instruct future ages . Quietly-thinking men carry on investigations which

shall startle the world . In solitude , withdrawn from the gaze of the many , the artist elaborates the picture that shall entrance thousands . So also in the quiet quarries is prepared the key stone of the mystic arch . Where the G . A . O . T . U . is duly recognised and the power of his truth is felt , there will often be stirrings of holy zeal for the well being of our fellow creatures . If the heart be pure and right there will be godly solicitude and impulse prompting to good work . It is quite possible in Masonry as in religion to live too much to one's self ; to have one's thoughts and experiences confined to one ' s own bosom ; to find the ruling passion of life to be an advancement of one ' s own moral and spiritual

Consecration Of The Ubique Mark Lodge, No. 411.

welfare . Attention to personal culture is indeed a blessed and important work , yet , after all , it is but the cultivation of one side of piety , it is not perfect healthfulness . Other promptings should be cherished . We have to do good to others , as well as to be good ourselves ; and the desire to be useful to others forms an essential part of a noble character . The G . O . looks for something to be done outside our own soul . There are many who will readily work , but only upon the condition that their work be publicly

known . Such have no idea of doing good in concealment . Such are not without value , for they rouse up others to emulation . Others can only devote themselves when certain lead the way ; these lack the power of devising and they want fellowship . But , to be like Nehemiah , and form purposes of usefulness quietly and apart , points to a healthy and divine-like condition within . As the fountain needs no stirring to make its waters flow , so from out of warm and inspired feelings of love there is sure to spring holy intention and good purpose , and , in such unobtrusive

godliness , content to do good rather than be known to do it , we may see bright evidences of spiritual life and sonship . Should a brother ' s friends forsake him , the envious traduce his good name , the malicious persecute him , dangers , doubts , or difficulties assail him ; should force attempt to drive , or temptation seek to entice him , among Mark Master Masons he should ever find those who will administer relief to his distress , and comfort in his affliction , and this not accompanied by public advertisement , but in such manner as should enable us to say— " Neither told I any man what my God had put into my heart to do , and the rulers knew not whither I went nor what I did . "

The founders were Bros . Ritchie , R . A ., P . G . Std . Br . England , P . P . J . G . W Middlesex , Surrey , and Kent ; Weston , P . P . J . G . W . Kent ; W . R . Arnold , R . A . < Lieutenant T . F . Cooper , R . A ., P . P . G . I . G . Kent ; J . D . Vicary , P . P . S . G . O . Madras ; Colonel C . E . Vansittart ; Captain G . Hearn ; and J . Whiteheart , P . P . G . I . G . Kent .

The ceremony , which was splendidly effective , being concluded , Bro . Matier installed Bro . Ritchie as first Master of the lodge , and he appointed his officers as follows : Bros . Weston , S . W . ; Arnold , J . W . ; T . Cooper , M . O . ; Colonel Vansittart , S . O . ; General A . H . W . Williams , J . O . ; Captain Hansard , Treas . ; G . Kenneday , Sec . ; W . Robson , R . M . ; J . Whiteheart , S . D . ; Captain Hearn , J . D . ; T . Lyon , I . G . ; and J . Vicary , Stwd .

A hearty vote of thanks was tendered Bro . Matier for his services as Installing Officer , and he was unanimously elected an honorary member of the lodge , for which he returned thanks . A Committee was appointed to frame the by-laws of the lodge ; candidates were proposed , and " Hearty good wishes " tendered , and then the lodge was closed .

The other brethren present were C . Hammerton , P . G . S . B . England , and D . P . G . M . Middlesex and Surrey ; G . Gordon-Robbins , G . M . O ., and P . P . G . Treas ; J . T . Norman-Calloway , P . G . I , of W . ; J . Barnett , P . P . G . M . O . ; A . J . Hone-Goldney , P . G . Stwd . ; Captain G . P . Airey , P . G . Stwd . ; J . P . Lancaster , P . G . Stwd . ; A . R . Carter , P . G . Stwd . ; C . R . Brighten ; E . Mills , G . Tyler ; and C . lolly , P . P . G . O . Kent .

The banquet having been served , and the cloth cleared , the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Grand Mark Lodge toasts , and then " The Past Grand Master , the D . P . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " and Bro . HAMMERTON , in response , said that upon all occasions it afforded him very great pleasure to respond for the Grand Officers . He felt that for some years he did not belong to them , but somehow the feeling of an old brother came back

to him , and he was proud to be with them . That ni ght , and upon that occasion , he felt especially proud , because he saw around him many of those who were present at the consecration of the Ubique Craft Lodge some 15 years ago , and whenever the opportunity occurred he should feel it a great honour to be present at that lodge , not only as a member of the Grand Lodge of England , but of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex and Surrey ,

_ The W . M . then gave the toast of " The Installing Officer , Bro . Matier . " He said it was useless for him to dilate upon the many excellent qualities of Bro . Matier , and he had very little to say about his bad ones , simply because he only knew of his good ones . For himself , he admired Bro . Matier for his periect knowledge of Masonry , especially Mark Masonry , and also for his b m kommic , and trusted he mi ght long be spared to hold the important position of Grand Mark Secretary . Twelve years ago he ( Bro . Ritchie ) had the honour of being placed

in the chair as first Master of Mark Lodge No . 226 , and that ni ght he had been further honoured by being placed as first Master of Mark Lodge No . 411 , and in both instances b y Bro . Matier . The remarkable increase in the number of Mark lodges since the Excelsior Lodge was consecrated—no less than 185—showed the hold the Mark had taken in the hearts of the brethren , and he trusted as years went on it would increase tenfold , and with the assistance of Bro . Matier he felt pretty sure that it would . He asked them to drink the toast heartily .

Bro . MATIER , in response , said he laboured under a disadvantage in these days of Masonic speeches to say something that some one else had not said , and as that was the fourth time during the last fortnight that he had had to respond , it somewhat taxed his ingenuity to say something fresh about it ; but whether he said something new or old he would say that the ceremony in 18 78 , when he had the pleasure of consecrating the Excelsior Lodge , seemed to him to be a sort of dress rehearsal to the present one , for on that occasion he had not only to

consecrate the lodge but to advance no less than 37 brethren to the Mark Degree , and that too upon a very hot summers' day . He always remembered that occasion with pleasure and satisfaction , for he fully believed that the success of the Excelsior Lodge had done good work for the cause of the Mark Degree , and he trusted the same excellent results would follow the work done that day . He then , in an eloquent speech , proposed the toast of "The W . M ., " and wished Bro . Ritchie health and strength to carry out his duties , and the lodge every success .

Bro . RITCHIE : I thank you . Bros . CATER , BERRIDGE , and KENNEDAY having responded for " The Visitors , " Bro . WESTON , in responding for " The Officers , " said they all swore fidelity to their W . M . and would rally round him . As one of the founders of the Excelsior Lodge and as an officer in that lodge under Bro . Ritchie , he could safely say that

as the officers of the Excelsior Lodge faithfull y served him , so would the officers of the Ubique Lodge serve him . The Excelsior Lodge had been a great success , but he believed the Ubique Lodge would beat it . At any rate , in the name of the officers , he wished Bro . Ritchie a good year of office . The Tyler ' s toast concluded the proceedings . During the ceremony of consecration Bro . F . Cozens officiated at the organ , and led the various anthems , responses , & c

STATUTES OF LABOURERS . —These were statutes which refer to the regulation of the Craftsmen of various handicrafts in olden days . The earliest statute which we have been able to discover is that of the 23 rd Edward III ., 1349 . Mackey ' s allusion to the statutes of Edward III . in 1360 we do not find to be exactly substantiated . True it is that in that year , the 34 th of Edward III ., several provisions were passed concerning labourersand confirming the statute passed in

, the 23 rd Edward III ., 1349 , and the 25 th Edward III ., 1350 . But we cannot find the exact words quoted by Mackey , though he is probably correct in his reference . We have used Keble ' s large folio edition of the statutes , 2 vols ., 16 95 . All these statutes were repealed by the 5 th Elizabeth , in or about 1562 . The heads of the provisions of the statutes of 1360 are as follows :

Cap . IX . —1 . The statutes of 23 rd Edward III . and 25 th Edward III . touching labourers confirmed ; 2 . Lords of towns may take and imprison them 15 days , i * they do not justify themselves ; 3 . The wages of carpenters and masons , and ' in what manner they shall serve . The famous statute of Henry VI . is the 3 rd Henry VI ., A . D . 1424 , and is cap . i . —Kenning ' s Cyclopedia of Freemasonry .