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Article THE BANQUET TO THE GRAND MASTER AT THE MANSION HOUSE. ← Page 3 of 3 Article ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA. Page 1 of 1 Article PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA. Page 1 of 1
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The Banquet To The Grand Master At The Mansion House.
Bro . F . G . Brown , P . M . „ Horace Jones ( City Architect ) , P . M . „ A . Peebles , P . M . „ Alderman Sir B . S . Phillips , P . M . „ Alderman and Col . Sir VV . A . Rose , P . M . „ J . Wheeler , P . M . „ T . Grove , W . M . elect , 1769 . „ H . B . Marshall , Treas . ' 1777 .
„ R . J . Pawley , Treas . 1 S 27 . „ A . Brookman , S . D . 1657 , Grand Masters' Lodge
„ J . Perkins , S . D . 1 G 72 . „ Alderman Hanson , I . G . 1591 . „ P . De Keyser , 31 . „ P . Morrison , go , 1 S 27 . „ Under-Sheriff Hanbury , 255 . „ G . T . Hertslet , 13 S 3 . „ J . A . Mallett , 1669 . . . R . Claude Belt .
„ G . Chitty Boor . „ Chambers . „ J . Gaywood . „ | . H . Gresham . „ " A . Halford . „ J . F . Hartridge .
„ P . B . Muggeridge . „ W . H . Pannell . „ W . Schloesser . ,, E . H . Sharp .
„ R . T . Wragg . „ W . Lake , P . M ., Past G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason )
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The monthly meeting of the General Commjttee of this Institution was held on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons ' Hall , Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were also present Bros . James Peters , William Stephens , H . A . Dubois , C . G . Brown , James F . Corben , C . H .
Webb , Frank Richardson , E . Letchworth , A . II . Tattershall , Richard Boncey , J . A . Rucker , Alfred C . Bell , Walter Hopekirk , jun ., V . R . W . Hedges ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . After the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed , and the minutes of the I louse and Audit Committees had been read for confirmation , the Committee granted ,
on the recommendation of thc 1 louse Committee , that £ 10 be given to Lilias Reatl . Three petitions were read and examined , and the candidates placed on the list for election in April , 1 SS 1 . When one of the petitions was read , and thc circumstances of thc petitioner ' s late father ' s initiation and death were explained , llro . RUCKER , while proposing that the petition be received , observed that he was afraid a practice
was prevalent—when a man found he was in failing health he entered into Freemasonry , or was persuaded by brethren who knew him to do so , in thc hope that if he dietl his children would bc admitted to the Schools ; and he thought that great caution should be exercised when such cases came before thc Committee . Bros . WM . STEPHENS and C . H . WEBIJ , did not think
such a practice prevailed , and had never heard of cases of the kind mentioned occurring . Bro . GLADWELL , however , mentioned an instance which had come within his own experience , and had no doubt there were others . Authority was afterwards given to thc Chairman to sign cheques , and the Committee then adjourned .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA .
The annual communication of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Malta on thc 15 th of October , 1 SS 0 The lodge was opened in ample form at 7 p . m . Present : — R . W . Bro . A . M . Broadley , barrister-at-law , P . G . M ., on the throne ; W . Bios . R . V . Wcstrupp , D . P . G . M . ; Read ,
G . S . W . ; Bro . Walker as G . J . W . ; Bro . Watson , G . M . O . ; W . Bro . Mackinnon as G . S . O . ; Bros . Senior as G . J . O . ; Glenday as G . Reg . j Backhouse as G . Chaplain ; and Segond , G . Treasurer ; W . Bro . Coffey , G . Sec ; Bros . Tagliafcrro as G . S . D . ; Pariente as G . J . D . ; Ford as G . D . of C . ; King , G . Asst . D . of C . ; Lwing , G . Organist ; Stanley as G . Sword Bearer ; England as G . I . G . ; and
Beck , G . 'lyler . Grand Stewards : —Bros . Yeoman , Truefitt , Donovan , Borg , and May . Bros . Abbott , Matthews , Kay , Jones , Bent , Welch , O . Segond , Burt , Phillips , Mackett , Pearce , Paricntc , Griffin , Cann , and Hacoune , of the Keystone Lodge , No . 107 ; Bros . Sandford , Grier , McLaughlin , Cox , Hewson , Finch-Noyes , Thomson , and Mortimer , of the Broadley Lodge , No . 24 S . ; Bros . Lockctt ,
Woodthorpe , Penketh , Jones , Mower , Lucy , Shtllinglaw , Walker , Timmins , Pearse , Santy , Greig , West , Huggett , and Giles , of the Union of Malta Lodge , No . 2 G 3 ; and Bro . Bridger , of the Kingston Lodge , No . 222 , at Tunis . Visitors : W . Bros . Thompson , W . M . of the Leinster Lodge , 3 S 7 ( LC ); and P . M . 's Doherty and Dahn ; Bros . 1 \ L Cullah , Tanti , Read , Savin , Morley , Linnctt , Santucci .
Cooper , Jackson , Yardley , Taylor , Hiscock , Jane , York , and Carlton , of the same lodge . In all more than eighty brethren were present during thc proceedings of the Grand Lodge . The lodge being duly opened the P . G . M . was saluted in the usual manner , and thc minutes of the meeting held on the 27 th of March Were unanimously confirmed . The petition for the
constitution of the " Union of Malta" Lodge , and the warrant for we same granted by the Earl of Lathom , M . W . G . M . M . •**¦ , on the 27 th of April , 1 SS 0 , having been read by the 1 -G . Sec , and the P . G . M . having pronounced the invocation as Consecrating Officer , the acting Grand Chaplain lelwered in a faultless manner the following oration , expressl y composed for the occasion by that distinguished iueni ot tne iviarK
-- ^ Degree , Jjro . 1 . u . Whytehead , ot Brethren : On such an auspicious occasion as thc prefh \ "hen we are met together to consecrate thc Union or Malta Lodge , in the Province of Malta and Tunis , a province that has made more rapid progress than any other on the records of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master
Masons of England , it may not be deemed inopportune if I make a few remarks on the Degree , which we are banded together ; to practise , and touch lightly and briefly upon its "" gin , practice , and prospects . We , brethren , who live "J ° " , ' CS made classic b y the deeds of those who have fcone oetore us ?\ ve who daily survey scenes enriched by the
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
pen of the historian and thc poet , who are familiar with lands and seas whose names are as household words to thc car of the antiquarian and the archaeologist—we can appreciate , perhaps , better than others the legends which are treasured up in the teachings of the Mark Degree . We need but to stroll round the palaces and fortresses which surround , us—we have only to carelessly survey the ruins of that wondrous city , at once the marvel and -the terror
of the day of her zenith—to view on every hand the traces of those ancient builders , our fathers in Masonry , to whose genius wc owe those art treasures , the boast of all ages and " the patterns for all time . The creators of these wondrous fabrics , the architects and sculptors of these exquisite stories , have engraved their _ names in undying characters , and have , moreover , individually distinguished each man his work by means of that cipher , which even to
this day is practised—1 mean the Mason s mark . Brethren , our legends come to us from thc period of the erection ot that stately edifice which crowned the Mount of God at Jerusalem , and we are told that in the process of building that Temple thc sound of workmen's tools was nof heard . Why ? Because the stones were all cut and marked in the quarries , and the marks guided the the builders who , with square , trowel , and plumb line
of wood fitted the stones joint to joint , _ until the last keystone was lowered into its place , amid the plaudits of the crowds of admiring Masons . Descending through history and examining the ancient temples , military erections , and domiciles of the several ages , we still find Masons' marks in use amongst the builders ; and whether we examine the ruined cities of Jordan , the walls of Jerusalem , the palaces of Venice , the cathedrals of
England and the Continent , the wall of Hadrian , the mosques of Constantinople , still the same silent , yet speaking , story comes to us—the story of the fraternity of builders , whose marks , handed from father to son , record on thc cold stone the deeds of those who wrought them . There is no break in this story , which continues even to this day , on which we have met , as Mark Masons , to perpetuate the principles which guided our forefathers .
The extensive repairs now being conducted at that noble and massive specimen of Gothic architecture , thc Cathedral of St . Peter , at York , are carried on exactly on the same principle as they were in the 13 th century , when Archbishop Gray erected the glorious South Transept , and thc old Gothic constitutions of the Freemasons , now preserved in the Cathedral library , were carefully planned . Each Mason has his mark , which he indented on his completed
stone , and the plan , or Tracing BoartI , committed by the master builder to the overseer's care is referred to to guide thc Masons in thc progress of their work . Each Mason is known to his overseer by his mark , just as he was in the days when Hiram , the widow ' s son , wrought in the quarries of Mount Moriah . So much for the operative side of the history ^ of Mark Masonry . We , brethren , as speculative Mark Masons have an origin coeval wilh that of
outoperative brethren . The workers in stone of thc present day have lost their speculative knowledge , which is preserved by us . The operative and speculative bodies of Masonry became divorced about the time of the spoliation of thc monasteries in England by thc Eighth Henry , which caused the building profession lo fall into comparative disrepute . The monks had been the great patrons of I'Veemasons , and , their
patronage removed , the occupation of the architectural fraternity was well nigh gone . But the speculative teaching , though dormant , was not lost , and was revived , as we believe , by our brethren at the commencement of the eighteenth century , who found it amongst the treasures which they banded themselves together piously to perserve , and which has come to us from them through various channels , to be at length condensed and perfected
in the ritual which wc now practise under thc Grand Mark Lodtje of England . Like many other Degrees , even like Craft Masonry itself , it is very uncertain which is thc old form of ritual in early use . Thc fact is that Mark rituals may be counted by the dozen , and after a perusal of many of them , I can affirm that it is impossible to decide upon their respective ages . One thing , however , is certain , and that is that the present ritual embodies every good
point of any real value in allot the older rituals . Minutes of old Mark meetings are very scarce in great Britain—thc only country where they exist . In Scotland the old minute books of the seventeenth century all contain marks selected by the candidates , but have no records of special Mark working . The earliest known minute in I ^ ondon is dated August , 1777 , and is in the minute books of the St . Thomas's Lodge , No . 142 . In the North of England , the earliest yet
discovered is in thc books of the Friendship Lodge , No . 277 , at Oldham , antl bears date October , 1795 . The earlier history of speculative Mark working has now , however , been taken up by several Mark Masons of ability and experience in Masonic research , and I doubt not that we shall hear of further discoveries being made as the interest of more brethren becomes enlisted in the servicg . At the present moment , the Grand Mark Lodgeof England occupies
a splendid position , and any Mason may well be proud to be enrolled under its banners . It enjoys the fraternal recognition of every orthodox body working the Mark Degree in thc world , and it has hatl a succession of Grand Masters second in position as well as Masonic knowledge to none in the world . It has under its banners no less than 2 S 0 lodges , and in the practice of benevolence it has set a proud example . There is no land in which Masonry
has found afoot in which the Degree of Mark Master Mason is not practised , and when worked in an impressive manner I know of no Degree more calculated to enlist the interest of a candidate . No teachings could be purer , none more cosmopolitan , and I am rejoiced to think that so valuable aschool for the theoretical ! - study and practical working of the virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity , should have founda foot in our fertile Masonic field of Malta and Tunis .
Brethren , I cannot do better than conclude in the words of an old Mark Ritual once used in England— " While Virtue is your ruling principle Hope will always find a residence in your bosom . Under the frowns of Fortune keep this consolation in your mind—that he who has a due faith in the dispensations of his Beneficent Creator , and a becoming
charity for his fellow creatures , will be sure of receiving that just reward which is thc consequent attendant on good and virtuous actions . " Thc P . G . M . proceeded with the ceremony of consecration according to immemorial usage , and finally dedicated the lodge . The musical portion of the ritual was very efficiently performed under the direction of Bro . Major Ewing . The W . M . and officers of the new lodge being invested with their respective collars of office . W . Bro . Rea ' d
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
expressed his heartfelt thanks for the honour done to the lodge and himself , and assured the P . G . M . that no pains would be spared to make the new lodge a signal success . The report of the Board of General Purposes was next read . It appeared from it that one new Mark Lodge ( No . 263 ) and two new Ark Lodges ( the Hospitallers , attached to Lodge No . 107 , and the Noah , attached to the Lodge
263 , ) had been added to the province during the half-year , and that , notwithstanding- the summer season had intervened , the number of active Mark Masters in the province had increased from 131 to 176 , and of the Ark Mariners from 45 to S 7 . The Board recommended a considerable increase in the fees of honour payable on appointment to provincial rank . The members of the Board highly
commended the energy and ability of thc P . G . M ., under whose rule the province hod so greatly prospered , and invited the members of Grand Lod ge to present him with an address on the occasion of the first anniversary of his installation . The report was unanimously adopted , and the P . G . Sec . then presented the following address to the P . G . M ., which was ordered to be engraved on vellum : —
"To R . W . Bro . Broadley , P . G . M . M . of the Province of Tunis and Malta . We , the Provincial Grand Officers , Masters , Past | Masters , Officers , and brethren of the Mark Degree in this Province , and in Grand Lodge assembled , feel that we cannot allow the auspicious occasion , viz ., the completion of your first year ot office , to pass without expressing to you that we consider the unexamoled
nrosperity of this province is due to your untiring energy and devotion to Mark Masonry . We trust that'the G . A . O . T . U . will grant you health , happiness , and long life so that you may be spared long to rule over us . With feelings of loyalty , zeal , and affection we affix our signatures on behalf of thc brethren of the Mark Degree in your province . ( Signed ) R . V . Westrupp , D . P . G . IVL ; W . Read , G . S . W . : vvaik
j . -er , tor u . J . VV . ; C . K . Coffey , G . Sec . Thc P . G . M . replied in feeling terms and expressed his earnest desire to do his duty both to the province and . Grand Mark Lodge . P . G . Sec . read congratulatory telegrams from the W . M . 's of Lodges 222 and 254 , at Tunis , which were ordered to bc inserted in the minutes . The P . G . M . then proposed that a cordial vote of thanks
be accorded by the P . G . Lodge to Bro . T . B . Whytehead , of York , to whose eloquent address they had listened with such marked attention lhat evening , and who had rendered on many occasions signal services to ' the Degree in general and to the province in particular . This proposition was seconded and carried unanimously . It was also ordered that an engrossed copy of the vote should be offered for
Bro . Whytehead ' s acceptance . Bro . Starkcy ( D . G . Sec . Craft ) then rose and offered to the P . G . M . and brethren the hearty good wishes and fraternal remembrances of R . W . Bro . W . Kingston , D . G . M ., who was himself a P . M . M . of Lodge 107 , and after whom Lotlge 222 had been named . During his absence in England . Bro . Kingston had superintended the oubVieation
of llro . Broadley ' s History of Masonry in Malta , and he had that very day received thc official circular which Bro . Kingston had addressed to every Mason in the district on the subject . He hoped the members of the Mark Grand Lodfje would support thc work , which would shortly appear , and in so doing they would at the same time show their appreciation 0 / thc labours of the P . G . M . M . and help the
Deputy Urand Lodge of Benevolence . Bro . Starkey ' s remarks were received with great pleasure by the members of the Grand Lodge . Thc P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as Grand Officers of the province for the ensuing year viz : W . Bros . Watson , S . W . ; Dr . Perini ; J . W . ; and Surgeon Major Mackinnon , M . O . ; Bros . Lieut . Col . Carey , 1
K . A ., a . u . ; . j < . Keade ( P . D . D . G . M . of Egypt ) , J . O . ; Rev . F . D . Backhouse and J . K . Lethbridge , Chaplains ; Glenday Registrar ; Segond ( elected ) , Treas . ; Surgeon Major Walker , Sec ; Tagliafcrro , S . D . ; Captain Hodgson , J . D . ; Captain Sir F . Blackwood , Bart ., J . of W . ; Captain Is . A . Johnstone , D . of C ; Andry , Asst . Sec . ; S . Yeoman , A . D . of C . ; Commander Bridget-, R . N ., Organist ; Captain rord . Sword Bearer : dnt . iin t Ii" _ Vfr . _ + 7 jv . />_ - c : t , _ ,, ! -, _ ., 1
Bearer ; Dr . H . Grier , F . G . ; and iieck , Tyler . G . Stewards : Bro . Borg ( 107 ) , Bassotti , ( 222 ) , Dr . Donovan , ( 248 ) , and May , ( 2 G 3 ) . I he P . G . Officers having been elected , the P . G . M . said he had decided to appoint VV . Bro . Lieut . Charles Edward Coffey , R . A ., P . Prov . G . Sec , to the arduous post of D . P . G . M . M ., but , before doing sohe proposed that a
, cordial vote of thanks be accorded to his present Deputy , Bro . Westrupp , who had taken a very important part in the formation of the province , and had afterwards efficiently performed thc duties appertaining to his office . ^ This proposition was carried by acclamation , and Bro . Coffey , after having been duly obligated , was invested with the insignia of Deputy P . G . M . and thanked the
, brethren for the cordiality with which they had received his nomination . The P . G . M . announced his intention of serving as a Steward at thc next Grand Alark Festival , and hoped he should be hugely supported by the P . G . Lodge and the lodges of the province . The G . D . of C . then collected thc alms , which amounted to £ 3
is-1 he Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the whole of the Mark Masters present adjourned to abanquet given by the three lodges , 107 , 24 S , and 2 G 3 . The usual toasts were given and responded to . W . Bro . WESTRUPP responded for "The P . P . Grand Officers ; " W . Bro . WATSON for " Their Newly-appointed Successors ; " W . Bro . READ ( W . M . 2 G }) for "The Worshi
pful Masters of the District ; " and W . Bro . DOHERTY . P . M ., for "The Visitors . " Bro . WALKER proposed the toast of "Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund ; " and a determination was expressed to co-operate in obtaining a satisfactory result for the P . G . M . ' s list . ' During the banquet Bro . Major Ewing presided at the piano . After the first toast the " National Anthem " was
sung , and several excellent songs were afterwards sung by Bros . McLaughlin , Bannister , and Grier . Bro . Watson delivered in an impressive manner Bro . Walter Spencer's "Ode to Masonry , " and Bro . MacKinnon's imitations of celebrated Shakespearian actors will not be easil y forgotten . About midnight the brethren separated , after singing
Auld Lang Syne . " The Masonic regalia purchased by the province was used for the first time . The arrangement for the comfort of the visitors and the elaborate programme of the consecration , & c , were much commended ; and the second annual festival of the Grand Mark I-odge was admitted on all hands to have been the largest and one of the most successful meetings ever held in the island .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Banquet To The Grand Master At The Mansion House.
Bro . F . G . Brown , P . M . „ Horace Jones ( City Architect ) , P . M . „ A . Peebles , P . M . „ Alderman Sir B . S . Phillips , P . M . „ Alderman and Col . Sir VV . A . Rose , P . M . „ J . Wheeler , P . M . „ T . Grove , W . M . elect , 1769 . „ H . B . Marshall , Treas . ' 1777 .
„ R . J . Pawley , Treas . 1 S 27 . „ A . Brookman , S . D . 1657 , Grand Masters' Lodge
„ J . Perkins , S . D . 1 G 72 . „ Alderman Hanson , I . G . 1591 . „ P . De Keyser , 31 . „ P . Morrison , go , 1 S 27 . „ Under-Sheriff Hanbury , 255 . „ G . T . Hertslet , 13 S 3 . „ J . A . Mallett , 1669 . . . R . Claude Belt .
„ G . Chitty Boor . „ Chambers . „ J . Gaywood . „ | . H . Gresham . „ " A . Halford . „ J . F . Hartridge .
„ P . B . Muggeridge . „ W . H . Pannell . „ W . Schloesser . ,, E . H . Sharp .
„ R . T . Wragg . „ W . Lake , P . M ., Past G . Reg . Cornwall ( Freemason )
Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
The monthly meeting of the General Commjttee of this Institution was held on Thursday afternoon at Freemasons ' Hall , Col . Creaton , Grand Treasurer , in the chair . There were also present Bros . James Peters , William Stephens , H . A . Dubois , C . G . Brown , James F . Corben , C . H .
Webb , Frank Richardson , E . Letchworth , A . II . Tattershall , Richard Boncey , J . A . Rucker , Alfred C . Bell , Walter Hopekirk , jun ., V . R . W . Hedges ( Sec ) , and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . After the minutes of last meeting had been read and confirmed , and the minutes of the I louse and Audit Committees had been read for confirmation , the Committee granted ,
on the recommendation of thc 1 louse Committee , that £ 10 be given to Lilias Reatl . Three petitions were read and examined , and the candidates placed on the list for election in April , 1 SS 1 . When one of the petitions was read , and thc circumstances of thc petitioner ' s late father ' s initiation and death were explained , llro . RUCKER , while proposing that the petition be received , observed that he was afraid a practice
was prevalent—when a man found he was in failing health he entered into Freemasonry , or was persuaded by brethren who knew him to do so , in thc hope that if he dietl his children would bc admitted to the Schools ; and he thought that great caution should be exercised when such cases came before thc Committee . Bros . WM . STEPHENS and C . H . WEBIJ , did not think
such a practice prevailed , and had never heard of cases of the kind mentioned occurring . Bro . GLADWELL , however , mentioned an instance which had come within his own experience , and had no doubt there were others . Authority was afterwards given to thc Chairman to sign cheques , and the Committee then adjourned .
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF TUNIS AND MALTA .
The annual communication of this Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Malta on thc 15 th of October , 1 SS 0 The lodge was opened in ample form at 7 p . m . Present : — R . W . Bro . A . M . Broadley , barrister-at-law , P . G . M ., on the throne ; W . Bios . R . V . Wcstrupp , D . P . G . M . ; Read ,
G . S . W . ; Bro . Walker as G . J . W . ; Bro . Watson , G . M . O . ; W . Bro . Mackinnon as G . S . O . ; Bros . Senior as G . J . O . ; Glenday as G . Reg . j Backhouse as G . Chaplain ; and Segond , G . Treasurer ; W . Bro . Coffey , G . Sec ; Bros . Tagliafcrro as G . S . D . ; Pariente as G . J . D . ; Ford as G . D . of C . ; King , G . Asst . D . of C . ; Lwing , G . Organist ; Stanley as G . Sword Bearer ; England as G . I . G . ; and
Beck , G . 'lyler . Grand Stewards : —Bros . Yeoman , Truefitt , Donovan , Borg , and May . Bros . Abbott , Matthews , Kay , Jones , Bent , Welch , O . Segond , Burt , Phillips , Mackett , Pearce , Paricntc , Griffin , Cann , and Hacoune , of the Keystone Lodge , No . 107 ; Bros . Sandford , Grier , McLaughlin , Cox , Hewson , Finch-Noyes , Thomson , and Mortimer , of the Broadley Lodge , No . 24 S . ; Bros . Lockctt ,
Woodthorpe , Penketh , Jones , Mower , Lucy , Shtllinglaw , Walker , Timmins , Pearse , Santy , Greig , West , Huggett , and Giles , of the Union of Malta Lodge , No . 2 G 3 ; and Bro . Bridger , of the Kingston Lodge , No . 222 , at Tunis . Visitors : W . Bros . Thompson , W . M . of the Leinster Lodge , 3 S 7 ( LC ); and P . M . 's Doherty and Dahn ; Bros . 1 \ L Cullah , Tanti , Read , Savin , Morley , Linnctt , Santucci .
Cooper , Jackson , Yardley , Taylor , Hiscock , Jane , York , and Carlton , of the same lodge . In all more than eighty brethren were present during thc proceedings of the Grand Lodge . The lodge being duly opened the P . G . M . was saluted in the usual manner , and thc minutes of the meeting held on the 27 th of March Were unanimously confirmed . The petition for the
constitution of the " Union of Malta" Lodge , and the warrant for we same granted by the Earl of Lathom , M . W . G . M . M . •**¦ , on the 27 th of April , 1 SS 0 , having been read by the 1 -G . Sec , and the P . G . M . having pronounced the invocation as Consecrating Officer , the acting Grand Chaplain lelwered in a faultless manner the following oration , expressl y composed for the occasion by that distinguished iueni ot tne iviarK
-- ^ Degree , Jjro . 1 . u . Whytehead , ot Brethren : On such an auspicious occasion as thc prefh \ "hen we are met together to consecrate thc Union or Malta Lodge , in the Province of Malta and Tunis , a province that has made more rapid progress than any other on the records of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master
Masons of England , it may not be deemed inopportune if I make a few remarks on the Degree , which we are banded together ; to practise , and touch lightly and briefly upon its "" gin , practice , and prospects . We , brethren , who live "J ° " , ' CS made classic b y the deeds of those who have fcone oetore us ?\ ve who daily survey scenes enriched by the
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
pen of the historian and thc poet , who are familiar with lands and seas whose names are as household words to thc car of the antiquarian and the archaeologist—we can appreciate , perhaps , better than others the legends which are treasured up in the teachings of the Mark Degree . We need but to stroll round the palaces and fortresses which surround , us—we have only to carelessly survey the ruins of that wondrous city , at once the marvel and -the terror
of the day of her zenith—to view on every hand the traces of those ancient builders , our fathers in Masonry , to whose genius wc owe those art treasures , the boast of all ages and " the patterns for all time . The creators of these wondrous fabrics , the architects and sculptors of these exquisite stories , have engraved their _ names in undying characters , and have , moreover , individually distinguished each man his work by means of that cipher , which even to
this day is practised—1 mean the Mason s mark . Brethren , our legends come to us from thc period of the erection ot that stately edifice which crowned the Mount of God at Jerusalem , and we are told that in the process of building that Temple thc sound of workmen's tools was nof heard . Why ? Because the stones were all cut and marked in the quarries , and the marks guided the the builders who , with square , trowel , and plumb line
of wood fitted the stones joint to joint , _ until the last keystone was lowered into its place , amid the plaudits of the crowds of admiring Masons . Descending through history and examining the ancient temples , military erections , and domiciles of the several ages , we still find Masons' marks in use amongst the builders ; and whether we examine the ruined cities of Jordan , the walls of Jerusalem , the palaces of Venice , the cathedrals of
England and the Continent , the wall of Hadrian , the mosques of Constantinople , still the same silent , yet speaking , story comes to us—the story of the fraternity of builders , whose marks , handed from father to son , record on thc cold stone the deeds of those who wrought them . There is no break in this story , which continues even to this day , on which we have met , as Mark Masons , to perpetuate the principles which guided our forefathers .
The extensive repairs now being conducted at that noble and massive specimen of Gothic architecture , thc Cathedral of St . Peter , at York , are carried on exactly on the same principle as they were in the 13 th century , when Archbishop Gray erected the glorious South Transept , and thc old Gothic constitutions of the Freemasons , now preserved in the Cathedral library , were carefully planned . Each Mason has his mark , which he indented on his completed
stone , and the plan , or Tracing BoartI , committed by the master builder to the overseer's care is referred to to guide thc Masons in thc progress of their work . Each Mason is known to his overseer by his mark , just as he was in the days when Hiram , the widow ' s son , wrought in the quarries of Mount Moriah . So much for the operative side of the history ^ of Mark Masonry . We , brethren , as speculative Mark Masons have an origin coeval wilh that of
outoperative brethren . The workers in stone of thc present day have lost their speculative knowledge , which is preserved by us . The operative and speculative bodies of Masonry became divorced about the time of the spoliation of thc monasteries in England by thc Eighth Henry , which caused the building profession lo fall into comparative disrepute . The monks had been the great patrons of I'Veemasons , and , their
patronage removed , the occupation of the architectural fraternity was well nigh gone . But the speculative teaching , though dormant , was not lost , and was revived , as we believe , by our brethren at the commencement of the eighteenth century , who found it amongst the treasures which they banded themselves together piously to perserve , and which has come to us from them through various channels , to be at length condensed and perfected
in the ritual which wc now practise under thc Grand Mark Lodtje of England . Like many other Degrees , even like Craft Masonry itself , it is very uncertain which is thc old form of ritual in early use . Thc fact is that Mark rituals may be counted by the dozen , and after a perusal of many of them , I can affirm that it is impossible to decide upon their respective ages . One thing , however , is certain , and that is that the present ritual embodies every good
point of any real value in allot the older rituals . Minutes of old Mark meetings are very scarce in great Britain—thc only country where they exist . In Scotland the old minute books of the seventeenth century all contain marks selected by the candidates , but have no records of special Mark working . The earliest known minute in I ^ ondon is dated August , 1777 , and is in the minute books of the St . Thomas's Lodge , No . 142 . In the North of England , the earliest yet
discovered is in thc books of the Friendship Lodge , No . 277 , at Oldham , antl bears date October , 1795 . The earlier history of speculative Mark working has now , however , been taken up by several Mark Masons of ability and experience in Masonic research , and I doubt not that we shall hear of further discoveries being made as the interest of more brethren becomes enlisted in the servicg . At the present moment , the Grand Mark Lodgeof England occupies
a splendid position , and any Mason may well be proud to be enrolled under its banners . It enjoys the fraternal recognition of every orthodox body working the Mark Degree in thc world , and it has hatl a succession of Grand Masters second in position as well as Masonic knowledge to none in the world . It has under its banners no less than 2 S 0 lodges , and in the practice of benevolence it has set a proud example . There is no land in which Masonry
has found afoot in which the Degree of Mark Master Mason is not practised , and when worked in an impressive manner I know of no Degree more calculated to enlist the interest of a candidate . No teachings could be purer , none more cosmopolitan , and I am rejoiced to think that so valuable aschool for the theoretical ! - study and practical working of the virtues of Faith , Hope , and Charity , should have founda foot in our fertile Masonic field of Malta and Tunis .
Brethren , I cannot do better than conclude in the words of an old Mark Ritual once used in England— " While Virtue is your ruling principle Hope will always find a residence in your bosom . Under the frowns of Fortune keep this consolation in your mind—that he who has a due faith in the dispensations of his Beneficent Creator , and a becoming
charity for his fellow creatures , will be sure of receiving that just reward which is thc consequent attendant on good and virtuous actions . " Thc P . G . M . proceeded with the ceremony of consecration according to immemorial usage , and finally dedicated the lodge . The musical portion of the ritual was very efficiently performed under the direction of Bro . Major Ewing . The W . M . and officers of the new lodge being invested with their respective collars of office . W . Bro . Rea ' d
Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Tunis And Malta.
expressed his heartfelt thanks for the honour done to the lodge and himself , and assured the P . G . M . that no pains would be spared to make the new lodge a signal success . The report of the Board of General Purposes was next read . It appeared from it that one new Mark Lodge ( No . 263 ) and two new Ark Lodges ( the Hospitallers , attached to Lodge No . 107 , and the Noah , attached to the Lodge
263 , ) had been added to the province during the half-year , and that , notwithstanding- the summer season had intervened , the number of active Mark Masters in the province had increased from 131 to 176 , and of the Ark Mariners from 45 to S 7 . The Board recommended a considerable increase in the fees of honour payable on appointment to provincial rank . The members of the Board highly
commended the energy and ability of thc P . G . M ., under whose rule the province hod so greatly prospered , and invited the members of Grand Lod ge to present him with an address on the occasion of the first anniversary of his installation . The report was unanimously adopted , and the P . G . Sec . then presented the following address to the P . G . M ., which was ordered to be engraved on vellum : —
"To R . W . Bro . Broadley , P . G . M . M . of the Province of Tunis and Malta . We , the Provincial Grand Officers , Masters , Past | Masters , Officers , and brethren of the Mark Degree in this Province , and in Grand Lodge assembled , feel that we cannot allow the auspicious occasion , viz ., the completion of your first year ot office , to pass without expressing to you that we consider the unexamoled
nrosperity of this province is due to your untiring energy and devotion to Mark Masonry . We trust that'the G . A . O . T . U . will grant you health , happiness , and long life so that you may be spared long to rule over us . With feelings of loyalty , zeal , and affection we affix our signatures on behalf of thc brethren of the Mark Degree in your province . ( Signed ) R . V . Westrupp , D . P . G . IVL ; W . Read , G . S . W . : vvaik
j . -er , tor u . J . VV . ; C . K . Coffey , G . Sec . Thc P . G . M . replied in feeling terms and expressed his earnest desire to do his duty both to the province and . Grand Mark Lodge . P . G . Sec . read congratulatory telegrams from the W . M . 's of Lodges 222 and 254 , at Tunis , which were ordered to bc inserted in the minutes . The P . G . M . then proposed that a cordial vote of thanks
be accorded by the P . G . Lodge to Bro . T . B . Whytehead , of York , to whose eloquent address they had listened with such marked attention lhat evening , and who had rendered on many occasions signal services to ' the Degree in general and to the province in particular . This proposition was seconded and carried unanimously . It was also ordered that an engrossed copy of the vote should be offered for
Bro . Whytehead ' s acceptance . Bro . Starkcy ( D . G . Sec . Craft ) then rose and offered to the P . G . M . and brethren the hearty good wishes and fraternal remembrances of R . W . Bro . W . Kingston , D . G . M ., who was himself a P . M . M . of Lodge 107 , and after whom Lotlge 222 had been named . During his absence in England . Bro . Kingston had superintended the oubVieation
of llro . Broadley ' s History of Masonry in Malta , and he had that very day received thc official circular which Bro . Kingston had addressed to every Mason in the district on the subject . He hoped the members of the Mark Grand Lodfje would support thc work , which would shortly appear , and in so doing they would at the same time show their appreciation 0 / thc labours of the P . G . M . M . and help the
Deputy Urand Lodge of Benevolence . Bro . Starkey ' s remarks were received with great pleasure by the members of the Grand Lodge . Thc P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as Grand Officers of the province for the ensuing year viz : W . Bros . Watson , S . W . ; Dr . Perini ; J . W . ; and Surgeon Major Mackinnon , M . O . ; Bros . Lieut . Col . Carey , 1
K . A ., a . u . ; . j < . Keade ( P . D . D . G . M . of Egypt ) , J . O . ; Rev . F . D . Backhouse and J . K . Lethbridge , Chaplains ; Glenday Registrar ; Segond ( elected ) , Treas . ; Surgeon Major Walker , Sec ; Tagliafcrro , S . D . ; Captain Hodgson , J . D . ; Captain Sir F . Blackwood , Bart ., J . of W . ; Captain Is . A . Johnstone , D . of C ; Andry , Asst . Sec . ; S . Yeoman , A . D . of C . ; Commander Bridget-, R . N ., Organist ; Captain rord . Sword Bearer : dnt . iin t Ii" _ Vfr . _ + 7 jv . />_ - c : t , _ ,, ! -, _ ., 1
Bearer ; Dr . H . Grier , F . G . ; and iieck , Tyler . G . Stewards : Bro . Borg ( 107 ) , Bassotti , ( 222 ) , Dr . Donovan , ( 248 ) , and May , ( 2 G 3 ) . I he P . G . Officers having been elected , the P . G . M . said he had decided to appoint VV . Bro . Lieut . Charles Edward Coffey , R . A ., P . Prov . G . Sec , to the arduous post of D . P . G . M . M ., but , before doing sohe proposed that a
, cordial vote of thanks be accorded to his present Deputy , Bro . Westrupp , who had taken a very important part in the formation of the province , and had afterwards efficiently performed thc duties appertaining to his office . ^ This proposition was carried by acclamation , and Bro . Coffey , after having been duly obligated , was invested with the insignia of Deputy P . G . M . and thanked the
, brethren for the cordiality with which they had received his nomination . The P . G . M . announced his intention of serving as a Steward at thc next Grand Alark Festival , and hoped he should be hugely supported by the P . G . Lodge and the lodges of the province . The G . D . of C . then collected thc alms , which amounted to £ 3
is-1 he Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the whole of the Mark Masters present adjourned to abanquet given by the three lodges , 107 , 24 S , and 2 G 3 . The usual toasts were given and responded to . W . Bro . WESTRUPP responded for "The P . P . Grand Officers ; " W . Bro . WATSON for " Their Newly-appointed Successors ; " W . Bro . READ ( W . M . 2 G }) for "The Worshi
pful Masters of the District ; " and W . Bro . DOHERTY . P . M ., for "The Visitors . " Bro . WALKER proposed the toast of "Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund ; " and a determination was expressed to co-operate in obtaining a satisfactory result for the P . G . M . ' s list . ' During the banquet Bro . Major Ewing presided at the piano . After the first toast the " National Anthem " was
sung , and several excellent songs were afterwards sung by Bros . McLaughlin , Bannister , and Grier . Bro . Watson delivered in an impressive manner Bro . Walter Spencer's "Ode to Masonry , " and Bro . MacKinnon's imitations of celebrated Shakespearian actors will not be easil y forgotten . About midnight the brethren separated , after singing
Auld Lang Syne . " The Masonic regalia purchased by the province was used for the first time . The arrangement for the comfort of the visitors and the elaborate programme of the consecration , & c , were much commended ; and the second annual festival of the Grand Mark I-odge was admitted on all hands to have been the largest and one of the most successful meetings ever held in the island .