Correspondence.

Our one difficulty is the ground , and I know it is only necessary for me to appeal through the medium of your valuable paper , to those amongst the Freemasons who have a suitable ground which they can offer us within easy access of the City at a nominal rent— I am , dear Sir , your Obedient Servant , GEO . INNES-KER , Hon . Sec . 13 , St . Julian's Farm-road , West Norwood , 20 th June .

WHO IS MY BROTHER ? To thc Editor of the " Freemason . ' ' Sir , Will you kindly insert the lit of contributions to the support of " Our . Brother ' s" bud in the Free Home for thc Dying at Clapham , with our best ( hanks for their help . Further donations are asked , especially from lodges , as the total amount to date is ^ 32 12 s . 6 d . of the . £ 100 required for 18 95 . —Fraternally yours ,

W . PORTLOCK-DADSON , 1383 , Office : 2 S 1 , Strand , W . C . Honorary Secretary . For List of Contributions already received , see page ii .

Presentation To Bro. Joseph Todd, Grand Standard Bearer.

PRESENTATION TO BRO . JOSEPH TODD , GRAND STANDARD BEARER .

There was a numerous gathering of members of York Lodge , No . 236 , at the Masonic Hall , Duncombc-place , York , on Monday evening , the 17 th inst ., owing to the fact that , in addition to the business of the regular lodge , a presentation was to be made to Bro . Joseph Todd , P . M ., Treas ., P . G . Treas . N . and E . Yorks , and G . Std . Br . Eng ., of an address of congratulation and Grand Lodge clothing and jewel , and subsequently the recipient to be entertained to a banquet .

The lodge was opened in due form . The Worshi pful Master , Bro . Edwin Carter , presided , and was supported by his officers , and the following brethren : Bros , the Hon . W . T . Orde- Poivlett , P . G . W . Eng ., D . P . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ; the Very Rev . the Dean of York , P . G . Chap .,- J . Todd , P . G . Treas ., G . Std . Br . Eng . ; M . C . Peck , P . G . Sec , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; J . Sykes Rymer , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; S . Border , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; Mark Rooke , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; H .

Foster , P . M ., P . G . D . C ; G . Kirby , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; A . Buckle , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; G . Garbutt , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; W . Draper , P . M ., P . P . G . D . ; A . Jones , P . M . ; J . B . Sampson , P . M . ; E . W . Purnell , P . M . ; T . S . Brogden , P . M . ; H . L . Swift , P . M . ; M . Bryson , S . W . ; F . S . Gramshaw , J . W . ; A . Proctor , Sec ; F . W . Laughton , S , D . ; J , Askew , J . D . ; T . Saunderson , Org . ; J . Strangman Shannon , A . G . Rayner , J . Biscomb , D . Lockwood , W . Hepper , T .

A . Collier , W . N . Stimpson , G . H . Osborn , E . S . Robinson , W . Wordsworth , T . A . Collier , J . Smith , W . M . 1611 ; J . W . Dow , W . M . 1991 ; F . Shann , W . M . 2328 ; C . Wilson , 1611 . Letters of apology for non-attendance were read from the Most Hon . the Marquess of Zetland , Prov . G . Master ; Bros . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . Eng . ; Bro . R . F . Gould ; J . G . Butcher , M . P . ; T . B . Whytehead , P . M ., P . S . G . D . Eng . ; the Rev . C . Lindley , Chap . ; and others .

The SECRETARY ( Bro . A . Proctor ) read the minutes of the last regular lodge which were confirmed , and a successful ballot was made for a joining member . The Worshipful Master then vacated the chair , and , at his request , the position was occupied by Bro . Lieut .-Col . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , J . P ., D . L ., P . G . W . Eng ., D . P . G . M . N . and E . Yorks , for the purpose of making the presen - tation to Bro . Todd .

Bro . the Hon . W . T . ORDE-POWLETT , having called upon the Secretary to read the address , said that he felt they were conferring a great honour upon him in asking him to come there to perform the ceremony of presenting Grand Lodge clothing to their worthy Bro . Todd , and also to present him at the same time with an illuminated address . He wished the duty had fallen into abler hands than his , but none could feel greater pleasure than he in what he was about to do . He

thought there were very few Masons who could give such a record for services to Craft and Royal Arch Masonry as could Bro . Todd , and he was sure that there was no one who had the interests of Masonry more at heart than Bro . Todd , there was no one who had done more for the York Lodge , especially in looking after the valuable MSS . and books in the possession of the lodge . There might be some brethren present—chiefly amongst the junior members—who had no idea of

the services Bro . Todd had rendered to Masonry , and , by permission of the W . M . he would like to read a list he had made out with regard to their worthy brother . It appeared that Bro . Todd was initiated in the Union Lodge , No . 28 7 , York , now the York Lodge , No . 236 , on February 4 th , 1861 ; was I . G ., 1804-5 ; J . W ., 186 9 ; S . W ., 1870 ; W . M . ( installed 19 th December , 1870 ) , 1871 ; Secretary , 1 S 73 to , S 77 inclusive ; Treasurer , 18 7 8 to present time . He installed all the Masters

° f Ihe lodge from 1878 to 1 S 94 inclusive . He was Provincial Grand Registrar ° f North and East Yorkshire in 18 79 , and had the rank of Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden conferred upon him on the occasion of her Majesty the Queen ' s Jubilee , 29 th September , 188 7 . He had held the position of Vice-Chairman ol 'he Provincial Charities Association from 1885 to the present time ; and was also Vice-Chairman of the Educational Fund since its formation in 188 7 to the present

'" ne . He was the first Charity Representative of the York Lodge , No . 236 , and "eld the office from 1880 , until elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , by virtue of winch he became an cx-officio member of the Association . As Provincial Grand licasurer , he was elected unanimously at a special meeting at York , on 27 th November , 18 93 , and since re-elected . He was Treasurer of the Educational

' und b y virtue of that election . He was the writer of the history of the York Lod ge , No . 236 , published in 1875 , and joint editor of the York Rolls of Consti"tions in 18 94 . He is an hon . member of the Masonic Veteran Association of '" nois and of several lodges . His most recent honour was the appointm ent of Grand Standard Bearer of England on April 24 th , 1895 . With A'ard to Royal Arch Masonry , Bro . Todd was exalted in tho Zetland

-apier 236 , York , 27 th October , 186 9 ; S . N ., 18 71 ; 3 rd Principal , 1872 ; 2 nd incipal , i « ist Principal , 1874 ; 2 nd Principal ( second Time ) , 18 75 ; ist "" C'Pal ( second time ) , 18 7 6 ; Provincial Grand J . of North and East Yorkshire , Gr ' ' , , T rcasurer of tne Zetland Chapter , : 8 7 s to the present time ; Provincial Gr '" 1 J- reasurer i c ' ectcd unanimously at a special meeting of the Provincial ind Chapter at York , 27 th November , iSy .-j ; since re-elected . Assistant Grand su , ¦ ° Ceremomcs of England , 1 st May , 18 95 . With such a record was it Iri P " . " " 'h 3 ' l »"' Our should be done to whom honour was due ? All Bro . Todd's ( . ends and arqu lintances must congratulate him on the honour conferred upon 1 ° y the I ' lincc of Wales , Die Grand Master , his Royal Highness having

Presentation To Bro. Joseph Todd, Grand Standard Bearer.

worthily recognised the labours of their brother . In conclusion the D . P . G . M . ( turning to Bro . Todd ) said : Brother Todd , it only remains forme now to ask you to accept on behalf of the brethren of York Lodge the clothing and jewel ofthe office of Grand Standard Bearer of England as a slight acknowledgment of the many services you have rendered to Y ' ork Lodge and to Masonry in general , and may you be long spared to wear that clothing worthily , and to continue in those good works which you have so ably performed in the past .

Bro . Todd was then duly invested by Bro . thc Hon . Orde-Powlett , assisted by the Worshipful Master , and Bro . Dr . Foster , P . M ., Prov . G . D . C . N . and E . Yorks . He was also presented with an illuminated address , which ran as follows : —

"To Worshipful Brother Joseph Todd , P . M . and Treasurer of York Lodge , No . 236 , P . G . T ., P . P . G . R ., and " P . P . S . G . W . North and East Yorkshire , and Grand Standard Bearcar England : — VVe , the Master , Past Masters , Wardens , and Brethren of the York Lodge , No . 236 , give you fraternal greetings and hearty congratulations on your

appointment to the office of Grand Standard Bearer of England , and as a token of our esteem and regard for you , and in grateful recognition of the valuable services you have rendered to Freemasonry in general , and specially to our Lodge , for upwards of thirty years , we beg you to accept at our hands the accompanying gift of Grand Lodge Clothing and Jewel , and we trust the G . A . O . T . U . will give you long life , health and strength to enjoy the honours you have so well earned .

Dated at the Masonic Hall , Duncombe-place , in the City of York , this seventeenth day of June , A . L . 5 S 97 . A . D . 1 S 95 . Signed on behalf of the lodge—Edwin Carter , W . M . ; Mungo Bryson , S . W . ; F . Sydney Gramshaw , M . D . J . VV . ; Alfred Proctor , Sec . "

Bro . TODD , who met with a most hearty reception , said : R . W . Depu ty Provincial Grand Master , Worshipful Master , Past Masters , and Brethren—I am afraid it will be impossible for me adequately to express my deep sense of your kindness , and of the great ; honour you have done me this evening . In the beautiful and artistic address you have presented to me at the hands of our beloved Deputy Prov . Grand Master , congratulating me on my recent appointment to office in Grand Lodge , you have in most fraternal but far too flattering terms

alluded to my work in Freemasonry , and especially in this lodge , of which I am proud to have been a member for the last 30 years . Recognising , as I do , the value of those great principles on which our Order is founded , it has been to me a real pleasure to have ; been of any service to an institution which has stood the test of centuries , which has been the means of administering comfort and happiness to thousands of brethren and their families , an institution calculated to promote , in no small degree , the well-being of its members , and which exercises a

far-reaching influence on society at large . In the service of this great Brotherhood , I can truly say that I have spared neither time nor labour . With regard to what you are pleased to consider my special services to this lodge , 1 will only say that in the performance of any Masonic duty or service it has been my privilege to render , I have always endeavoured lo maintain and uphold the dignity and high reputation of the lodge , and 1 have never lost sight of the fact that our lodge is associated with a city renowned and distinguished throughout the world for its

Masonic history , having formerly been the home of a Grand Lodge of its own , and venerated as being the ancient seat of Freemasonry in this country . Brethren , believe me that 1 receive this address with grateful feelings . Especially do I thank you for the kind wishes it expresses , and let me assure you that I shall ever look upon this pleasing memorial of your fraternal regard as one ot my choicest and most valued possessions . Accompanying the address you have also presented me with the clothing and jewel of the office to which I recently had thc

honour of being appointed by his Royal Highness the Most Worshipful Grand Master in the Grand Lodge of England , the noblest , and in every sense the greatest , Grand Lodge in the world . Brethren , I regard this appointment , not only as an honour conferred upon myself , hut upon the lodge with which I have been so long associated , and upon the province in the work of which I have for many years taken an active part ; and , lo me one of the most pleasing features in connection with my appointment is , th at the same has received the warm approval

of my brethren of York and of the province , and of many eminent and wellknown members of the Craft . Another most gratifying circumstance , which all of us highly appreciate , is that our R . VV . Brother , who so worthily fills the distinguished position of Deputy Provincial Grand Master of this province , has done the lodge and myself thc honour of attending here this evening to make these presentations on your behalf . From him I have always received the greatest courtesy and consideration , and I desire most heartily to thank him for the

exceedingly kind terms in which he has referred to me in making these presentations . Nothing could have been more in unison with my own feelings than to have received your generous gifts at his hands , for I know how much indebted I am to him and to our honoured Prov . Grand Master in regard to the appointment recently conferred upon me . My earnest wish is , and I am sure it is yours also , that both our honoured chiefs will long live to rule over this province , and to

enjoy , as they assuredly do , the warm regard and approval of the brethren throughout its jurisdiction . During my long association with this lodge 1 have received from its members many acts of kindness , and I wish I could adequately acknowledge the generous favour shown me to-day . Brethren , I can only say that 1 thank you with all my heart , and assure you that the abundant kindness I have experienced from you on this , the crowning event of my Masonic career , will be held most warmly in my remembrance , so long as life and memory shall last .

The VVoRSiui'i'Ui . MASTBK proposed , and Bro . Dr . FOSTER seconded , a vote of thanks to tho D . P . G . M . for making the presentation , which was carried with acclamation , and suitably acknowledged . Shortly after the business , a banquet was held in the lodge , when about 40 brethren were presided over by the W . M ., supported by the guest of the evening , Bro . Todd , the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett , the Dean of York , and most of the brethren above-mentioned .

The following toasts were duly honoured : "The Queen and thc Craft ;" "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England , and the Grand Lodge ; " " The Most Honourable the Marquess of Zetland , R . W . P . G . M . N . and E . Yorks ;" " The Honourable VV . T . Orde-Powlett , P . G . W . England , R . W . D . P . G . M . N . and E . Yorkshire , and the Provincial Grand Lodge ; " " W . Bro . Joseph Todd , P . M ., Treas . 236 , P . G . T . N . and E . Yorks , G . Std . Br . England ; ' " and " The Worshipful Master of the York Lodge . " The health of Bro . Todd was received with rounds of hearty cheering .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 1035 . l'he members of this lodge held their annual meeting 011 Thursday , the 13 th iri . t ., at the Skclinersilal- Hall , Weatininstei-roaci , Liverpool , to install the W . M . elect , Bin . John Jones . The chair was taken by Bio . ' / ,. Djvics , W . M ., supported liy Bros . John Tunstall , P . P . G . P . ; William Peters , P . M . ; W . Uoakin ,. P . M . ; L . Peake , P . A . G . D . C ; VV . Addison , P . M . ; and others . Among the visitors were Bros . VV . Goodacre , P . G . S . B . England , P . G . Sec . ; E . C . Gaskill , | . W . 175 ( 1 ; R . Rawlinson , I . P . M . i | 7 . i ; Edwin Kite , P . M ., D . C . SIT , ; Walter Sutherland , P . M . IO . ; Philip Armstrong , P . M . 7 J 4 ; | . Wild , S . W . loSO ; Joseph Tyson , P . M . - ' . ) 1 ; Kev . F . Powell ,