Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey , President of the Board , presided . Bros . Tames Brett , Senior Vice-President , and C . A . Cottebrune , junior Vice-President , occupied their respective chairs . The other brethren who attended were Bros . Shadwell H . riprke . G . Sec . ; A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . Sec . ; VV . l * v 1

_ rc < ,., _ rr- _ _ c r * Dodd , and W . H . Lee attended from the oflice of Grand c retary ; and the other brethren present were Bros . H . lvtaudslay , David D . Mercer , J . B . Greaves , F . R . Spaull , Henry Garrod , Charles Dairy , J . M . Case , A . C . Woodward , Frederic Davison , Walter rjopekirk , L' . C Haslip , i yi , Matthews , Herbert J . Adams , Henry Greene . Frank Green George A . Cundy , Henry J . P . Dumas , T . Cull , A .

, Rarfield , John Hernaman , R . W . Smithett , W . Dance , T . p Peacock , Henry Baldwin , ] . G . Hall ; C . H . Webb , G . Bolton , E . W . Braine , J . G . Hopwood , R . P . Spice , Henry Massey , E . Gorely Johnson , W . Gorrie , T . Tedbury , 1 . J . Holland , J . Smith , P . M . 1192 and 45 ; lames Perkins , F . C . Hesselt , E . Bond , VV . F . Simmons , Rporge R- Langl-y , J . Ma-on , Henry Cawte , R . Andrews ,

\ Vm . Carey , J . Wimble , E . A . Smith , James Salmon , Jas . Holah , T . A . Greene , George Gill , John Finch , H . J . C . Lapman , E . H . Bramley , A . Calver , H . Dickey , George Powell , H . L . Diprose , F . M . Bilby . George G . Bullmore , William Lake , J . H . Watts , F . J . Eedle , J . Buscall , John \ V . Ray . A . E . Hughes , A . Wills , James Hill , Charles Belton , W Martin , and H . Sadler , G . Tyler .

The brethren first confirmed recommendations made at the former meeting in September , to the amount of £ 250 . On the new list there were 48 cases , coming from the London District , from Portsmouth , Liverpool , North Shields , Havant , Sudbury , Plymouth , Bournemouth , Nottingham , Norwich , Sunderland , West Bromwich , Cambridge , Go-sport , Carlisle , Sidcup , Budleigh Salterton , Surbiton , Stafford , Kingston-on-Thames , Marple , Sidney

( N . S . W . ) , Colchester , Feltham , and Newquay . In the course of nearly four hours' sitting , three of these were deferred , not being complete . The remaining 45 were relieved with a total of £ 1182 , which was made up as follows : Two recommendations to Grand Lodge for £ 75 each , and two for £ 50 each ; nine recommendations to the M . W . G . M . of £ 40 each , and five of £ 30 each ; 13 grants of £ 20 each ; six of £ is each ; seven of £ loeach ; and one grant of £ 2 .

Laying The Mrmorial-Stone Of The Children's Hospital At Leicester.

LAYING THE MRMORIAL-STONE OF THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT LEICESTER .

On Tuesday , the 9 th instant , the ceremony of laying the memorial-stone of the Children's Hospital for Leicester was performed by the Mayor of Leicester , Bro . Alderman T . Wright , in the presence of a large concourse

of spectators , and under the most favourable auspices , the weather being beautifully fine , and the interest of the proceedings being much enhanced by the attendance of a large number of the Masonic brethren of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland , who took partin the ceremonial with the accustomed ritual of the Fraternity . _ The assemblage of such a large gathering of the Masonic Fraternity ,

from all parts of the province , was not only a marked tribute to the esteem in which the Mayor is held by that body in which he has attained to the rank of Past Master and Past Provincial Grand Registrar , but was also a cordial recognition of the zealous and well directed efforts of his worship , to which Leicester entirely owes this valuable

addition to its numerous organisations for the relief of our suffering fellow creatures . When first the suggestion was made that the stone should be laid with Masonic honours , it was adopted with the utmost enthusiasm by the Fraternity , and the Prov . Grand Master was pleased to direct that a special meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge should be summoned for the

purpose . Accordingly the brethren assembled in a convenient portion of the present Infirmary Buildings , where the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , Bro . S . S . Partridge , P . A . G . D . C . England , in the absence of the P . G . M . Amongst the brethren attending Provincial Grand Lodge

were the following : Bros . Robert Brewin , P . P . J . G . W . Devon , acting Deputy Provincial Grand Master ; S . Cleaver , Prov . S . G . W . ; J . T . Thorpe , P . P . J . G . W ., acting Prov . J . G . W . ; the Revs . W . R . Hurd and Selwyn C . Freer , Prov . G . Chaps . ; R . Waite , Prov . G . Treas . ; the Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . P . S . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec . ; Miles J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W ., Prov . G . D . C ; W . H .

Lead , Prov . A . G . D . C ; G . J essop , Prov . G . Swd . Br . ; W . J . Freer , P . P . G . Swd . Br ., G . Newsome , and J . E . Beazeley , Prov . G . Std . Brs . ; C . Gurden , P . P . A . G . D . C , W . H . Barrow , Mus . Bac , F . C . O ., Prov . G . Org . , John Voung , E . Holmes , and R . B . Starkey , Prov . G . Stwds . ; James Tanser , Prov . G . Tyler ; Dr . W . Rhys-Williams , P . A . G . D . C . England ; the Rev . S . W . Wigg , P . P . G . C ;

F . J . Baines and T . VV . Clarke , P . P . S . G . W ' s . ; Joseph Young , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . H . Marshall , P . P . A . G . D . C ; R . S . Toller , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . Hassall , W . A . Musson , R . Michie , J . H . Thompson , and J . O . Law ,. P . P . G . D . 's ; F . B . Wilmer and T . Marson , P . P . G . Supts . Wks . ; E . Simokin , E . H . Butler , D . Challis . and J . Harrison , P . P . G . Std . " Brs . ; T . Laxton and VV . T . Rovvlatt , P . P . G . O . ' s ;

K . L . Gibson , P . P . G . P . ; T . Coltman , W . M . 1265 ; j . B . Fowler , VV . M . 1560 ; J . G . Simpkin , W . M . 2028 ; T . Corcoran , W . M . 1007 ; i . G . Charlesworth , VV . M . 523 ; ]• L . West , W . M . 2081 ; J . Vaughan , P . M . S 6 ; E . button , P . M . 1432 ; F . G . Boden , P . M . 779 ; Col . C . Phillips , P . M . 13 ; W . H . Goodwin , P . M . 1265 ; S . Knight , P . M . 1391 ; VV . Maurice Williams , S . W . 279 ;

J-B . Waring , S . W . 523 ; G . C . Oliver , S . W . 1007 ; and W . H . Key , J . W . 202 S . In addition there was present a very large number of officers and brethren of the several Craft lodges . After opening P . G . Lodge , and calling the rolls of officers and lodges , an interesting letter was read from Bro . W . Kellv . P . P . G . M .. expressinsr his great regret that

he Was prevented by indisposition from taking part in the Proceedings of the day , and from complying with the ' - '• P . G . M . 's wish that he should conduct the Masonic ceremony . Other business having been disposed of , the brethren Were marshalled in procession , in the order prescribed in the Book of Constitutions , and marched to the site of the

Laying The Mrmorial-Stone Of The Children's Hospital At Leicester.

new hospital , the general effect being much heightened by displaying the handsome banners of the several lodges . The brethren having assumed their places , an appropriate prayer was offered up by the Provincial Grand Chaplain . A glass bottle containing local newspapers ,

documents , & c , was then placed by the Prov . Grand Treasurer in a cavity in tbe lower stone , and the Mayor spread the cement , after which the memorial stone was lowered , to suitable music rendered by the Police Band . On completion of this operation , the acting PROV . G . MASTER addressed the spectators according to ancient

custom . The stone was then tried with the proper jewels of office , and the corn , wine , oil , and salt sprinkled with the customary formalities , the ceremony being completed by the acting P . G . M . handing the mallet to the Mayor , who , after striking with it three times upon the stone , declared the same to be laid in proper form .

The MAYOR then addressed the assembly , and in the course of his speech briefly explained the gratifying circumstances under which the movement had been started and carried to that advanced stage , remarking that he thought the success which had attended the efforts to raise the fund had been unprecedented , for in response to the first circular which was sent out , there was in six weeks

a promise of subscriptions to the amount of £ 6000 . The original idea was to raise £ 7000 , which at the time it was thought would cover all expenses down to the opening of the building , but this was found to be insufficient , and the need for further help had only to be made known to bring in many more contributions from town and country , till the Mayor had the gratification to be able to announce on

Tuesday that no less a sum than £ 8400 had altogether been promised , with a further sum of £ 105 as annual subscriptions towards the working expenses . When in full work it is estimated the cost of carrying on the Institution will be from £ 1200 to £ 1500 a year , but there can be little doubt that the benevolent public will readily contribute whatever sum is found to be necessary for such a laudable

and valuable undertaking . The silver trowel used in the course of the ceremony was next presented to the Mayor , as a memento of the occasion , and suitably acknowledged by his worship . The procession then re-formed and returned to the lodgeroom , where , after voting 10 guineas to the fund for the

Children's Hospital , the P . G . Lodge was closed . In conclusion , it is only just to state that the whole ot the arrangements for the Masonic ceremony were undertaken and most ably carried out by the Prov . Grand Director of Ceremonies , Bro . Miles J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W ., to whose untiring exertions the success of the entire proceedings was in great measure due .

Kaiser Wilhelm Ii. And The Freemasons.

KAISER WILHELM II . AND THE FREEMASONS .

A German Correspondent sends us the following : Some of the orthodox Catholic papers in Germany wrote in a most antagonistic spirit on the views of the present Emperor towards Freemasonry , going so far as ; o attribute to him the issue of an interdict on the Masonic Order in Court and military circles .

It is a well-known fact that the Catholic Press has always condemned Freemasonry as the enemy of religion ; it can , therefore , hardly be surprising that at this moment the German Catholic Press should once more come to the front to disparage Freemasonry . The following article appeared in a German daily paper , and will interest your readers , as it will throw some light on rumours which have found their way into English

papers : " Our two late Emperors , who , like all the Prussian Kings since Frederic the Great , stood at the head of Freemasonry in Germany , were only recently led to their last resting place , when the opponents of the Masonic Order raised their heads to calumniate Freemasonry and its numerous followers .

" Had not the late Emperors William and Frederic on many occasions openly expressed themselves of the high importance they attributed to Freemasonry , and had not almost the whole Press published these expressions , these slanders might be considered as mere ignorance , and as a proof of the unfounded . prejudice against the Masonic Order . Asitstands , theaiticlesof someof the antagonistic

papeis show , however , a most unseemly breach of pietism and reverence for the great deceased Emperors . " If the present Emperor is not connected with Freemasonry , and if he should choose not to occupy the high position in Freemasonry his predecessors held , it may be accepted as certain that he has other reasons foe doing so than those atbiouted to him by some ot the orthodox

Catholic papers . " It cannot be unknown to our present Emperor that his grandfather had up to the last moments of his life the warmest sympathies for Freemasonry , and that , according to his own expressions , he derived the greatest consolation in his sufferings through Freemasonry . " Would those great Emperors , who will at all times live

in the memory ot all Germans as examples of truly religious men , have become the protectors of Freemasonry if good dinners were the principal occupations of Freemasons , as these papers will try to make people believe ? " Would they have taken part with the enthusiasm and the ardour as they have done in the work of the Masonic Order , if , as these same papers will tell us , membership

only served to gain the favour of the superiors ? Would they have untiringly given their assistance in the work to build up Freemasonry , if there was nothing in the Masonic Order but antiquated secrecy , as these papers will express themselves ? "The high opinion the Emperor William entertained of Freemasonry is shown by his expressions in 1853 , in the

Magdeburg Lodge : " ' It has been the greatest satisfaction to me to have become a Freemason , because Freemasonry is a Society of men of all positions and age , who are united in the pursuit of a great and noble aim . It has been remarked that I introduced my son in the Masonic Order . His way lies

clear and distinct before him , if health and strength be granted him to followit . I have entrusted him to the lodge , to secure the future of the lodges of Prussia , and in the firm conviction that he will find a true support in the lodge . " 'No one—he may live in whatever a position that may be—can attain a thing by himself .

Kaiser Wilhelm Ii. And The Freemasons.

" * Everyone requires the assistance of true fellow workers , who pursue with him the good and the true . ' " In introducing his son to the lodge , the late Emperor William addressed him as follows : ' * ' There is only one aim to attain in human life , to fully recognise its highest principles ; to attain this the lodge will help you if it will be continually thy endeavour to

follow its holy teachings and to practise these teachings' . . . " ' May est thou become the great support to the Masonic Order , and thy future will not only be secured , but thou wilt reel the glorious satisfaction to have contributed to spread around thee that which is good and true . ' " Often , and with the greitest pleasure , the late Emperor Fiederic , when as Crown Prince , surrounded by all

the pomp he enjoyed by right of his Royal position , used to visit the lodges , he put aside all the Royal distinctions and associated with his fellow creatures , deriving the greatest satisfaction in feeling in their midst as a simple human being , and doing honour to humanity by works of sincere Charity . "The following is one of the many expressions of the

late Emperor Frederic regarding Freemasonry : "' Freemasonry will not estrange people from the Church ; on the contrary , no other Society will rouse more true religiousness and lead its members to the Church than Freemasonry . ' " When the Grand Lodge of England , through its Grand Master , the Prince of VVales , sent an address of

condolence to the Emperor Frederic , on the death of the Emperor William , the Emperor Frederic thanked , in his reply to the Prince of Wales , as follows : " ' 1 received with a deep sensation and a brotherly feeling the expressions of sympathy which your Royal Highness , in the name of the United lodges of England , has presented to me , and I am convinced they represented their

sincere feelings at the decease of my beloved father , the glorious Emperor William , who throughout the world was equally praised as monarch and as Freemason . Under his protection , Freemasonry has been able to uphold its name as a royal art . " 'Pure and noble in his feelings , animating in words and in deeds the brother Masons who followed his high

example on the road of culture , knowledge , and goodness , he was , up to his entrance into eternity , the brilliant example of all his brother Masons , who , though distributed over the world , are united in the royal art . " - In the same spirit as the late Emperor William , I shall endeavour to give my sincerest support to Freemasonry . ' "Frederic William III . expressed himself one day as follows :

" 'The Freemasons are my best subjects . ' ' * The Emperors Wniiam and Frederic found this sentence fully ronfirmfd , lor they kne . v that the love for the Emperor and the Empire Was taught in the lodges . " If at the present moment no German Emperor is at the head of Freemasonry , the latter will always be led by the high spirits of th « two late Emperors . " Great in thought , as in deed , were our two late

Emperors in their enthusiasm for everything that is good , true , and beautiful , and so they stood firm to the Freemasons up to their last breath . All the loity qualities of heart and mind , accompanied by the heroic spirit characterestic of the Hohenzollerns , have been transferred to the present Emperor William II . and his brother , Prince Henry . - ' this is the reply we have to make to the malevolent attacks of an antagonistic Press . "

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

MOUNT CALVARY ENCAMPMENT ( D ) . —This old encampment met at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln's Inn Fields , on the 13 th inst . Among those present were Sir Kni ghts J . H . Dodson , E . C . ; W . Paas , P . G . B . B ., P . E . C ., Treas . ; T . C . Walls , P . G . C . of G ., P . E . C , Reg . ; H . J . Lardner , Expert ; L . Steele , C Slater , N . Prower , M . A ., George Graveley , I . P . E . C . ; F . W .

Driver , M . A ., P . E . C ; Thomas , and others . Sir Knight the Rev . W . Lemon , M . A ., P . G . Prior of Devonshire , was a visitor . The minutes of the previous meeting was read and confirmed . Sir Knight Capt . Stohwasser was elected E . C , and Sir Knight VV . Pass , Treasurer . A Past Eminent

Commander ' s jewel was voted to the E . C . Comp . W . Hale-Hilton was balloted for , but was unavoidably prevented from attending to be installed . Apologies for absence were received from Sir Knights F . Binckes , P . E . C ; Glenn , P . E . C ; A . Williams , P . E . C ; C Driver , P . E . C . ; R . Berridge , P . E . C ; Capt . F . Stohwasser , Capt . Richardson , and otners . The encampment was then closed , and the sir knights adjourned to the banquet .

Queensland.

Queensland .

NEW MASONIC LODGE IN BRISBANE . Nearly 30 brethren of the Craft were present at a meet « ing held in the Albion Public Hall , on Friday , July 27 th , for the purpose of forming a Masonic lodge to work under the United Grand Lodge of England . Bro . the Hon . J . R . Dickson presided . It was resolved to petition the District Grand Master to constitute a lodge to be called the Albion Lodge , the first Master to be Bro . the Hon . J . R .

Dickson . I'he Master elect appointed Bro . the Hon . C . Holmes A'Court to be S . W . ; Bro . A . M'Nish Fraser to be J . W . ; and Bro . G . A . Parminter to be Secreiary . The date for constitution was fixed for Monday , 13 th August , and the Monday on or before the full moon was fixed as the regular meeting nights . The preparation of by-laws was entrusted to a Sub-Committee . A guarantee fund was

formed , and Bro . H . Stanwix was appointed Treasurer " pro tem . " Nearly the whole of tne lodge furniture ( jewels , regalia , and an American organ ) were promised as gilts to the new lodge by several brethren , and there is every prospect that the Albion Lodge will start under ihe most favourable auspices . This will make the fifth lodgo ( E . C ) in Brisbane , the previous one beingj the General Gordon Lodge , No . 3 i 19 .