United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The following is the Agcni ' a for Wednesday , 4 th Sep-Icmb . r , 1 S 7 K . 1 . The minu-cs of the Quarterly Communication of the 5 th June for confirmation . 2 . In consequence of the resolutions passed at the last Quarterly Communication for keeping banking account of the Grand Lodge , in future , at the Bank cf England , certain alterations in the Book of Ci nstitutions are rendered

necessary . The M . W . Grand Master will therefore move—1 st . to repeal Articles 2 and 3 , page 33 , of the Book of Constiiutions . 2 nd . To substitute for them the following , viz .: — " All monies belonging to the Grand Lodge shall be deposited in the Bank of England in the names of the

Grand or Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Treasurer . The duties of the Grand Treasurer shall be to keep a general supervision of the accounts , to sign cheques , which must be countersigned by the Grand Secretary for all monies duly voteel by the Grand Lodge , and gcnerally [ to assist and advise the Trustees and Executive Officers in the due and faithful administratijn of the funds of the Fraternity . The accounts shall bc

annually audited by the professional auditor , to be appointed by the Grand Master pursuant to a rt solution passed in Grand Lodge on the 23 rd of June , 18 59 . " 3 . The M . W . Pro Grand Master will make a communication to Grand Lodge with ngard to the scrutiny for the election of members oi the Board of General Purposes at thc . Quartcrly Communication on the 5 th ofjjune last ; and a resolution will be proposed approving the action of the Pro Grand Master in the matter .

4 . Report of the Lodge of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recommendations for the following grants , viz .: — A brother of the Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 , Gravesend ... £ 50 o o The widow of a brother , of the Hartington Lodge , No . 1021 , Barrow-in-Fcrness ... £ 50 o o

A brother of the Lion Lodge , No . 312 , Whitby £ 50 o 0 5 . Report of the Board of General Purposes . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England . The Board of General Purpose ; beg lo report to Grand Lodge as follows : At . 1 special meeting of the Board held on Tuesday , the

2 nd July , 18 78 , by direction of the Pro Grand Master , to i-onSidcr the matters relative to the election of members nf the Board by Grand L'jdgc on the 5 th June , 1878 , the several papers ( five in number ) containing the summary « 'f the voles were produced , and Ike Scrutineers ( who had been summoned to attend the Board ) were called upon to identify their respective papers .

Upon investigation only one paper appeared to the Board to require positive explanation , in consequence of there being recorded upon the face of it 113 votes in favour nf a brother whose correct grand total of votes , as ascertained by examination of the whole of the voting papers by order of the Pro Grand Master , amounted to only rrj . The entire number of brethren in Grand Lodge at the

Quarterly Communication referred to was 404 , and the voting papers examined and retained in the hands of the Grand Secretary amount to 374 , so that no more than 30 could by any possibility be missing , even supposing that every brother present voted . The Scrutineers' paper containing the said discrepant record was identified by Bro . Joseph Smith , Past Grand

Pursuivant , and by Bro . William Hilton , P . M ., of the Koyal Alfred Lodge , No . 780 , as the paper recording the votes examined by them , and upon these brethren alone if the whole body of Scrutineers the Board thought it necessary to call for explanation . It was stated by them that Bro . Joseph Smith performed the part of calling out the several votes on the

balloting papers , and that Bro . William Hilton marked down upon the Scrutineers' paper the votes so called out . Bro . Joseph Smith was called upon to explain the palpable discrepancy between the number of votes actually recorded fur ihe brother in question , and the number called out by bini tn Bro . Hilton as having been so recorded , and the explanation offered by him was , in the opinion of

the Board , most unsatisfactory , and could not by any ]> ossii ) ility bc reconciled with Jthe facts as ascertained by the Board , who reported accordingly to the Pro Grand Mastrr . Ata special meeting of the Board of General Purposes , held on Tuesday , the 30 th day of July , 1878 , hy directi n of the Pro Grand Master , the Board anivtil ui animi . usly

at the following conclusions : — That Bro . Joseph Smith wilfully misrepresented the votes on the balloting papers cuamined b y him . That in consequence the return made to Grand Lodge by Bro . Joseph Smith , as Chairman of the Scrutineers , was false , and that Bro . Joseph Smith , wh-n making such return , must have known and did know that the

same was false . That in addition to being guilty of a grave Masonic offence in misrepresenting the number of votes given , 8 ro . Joseph Smith violated his solemn pledge as Scrutineer , under the provisions of Article 3 , page 108 , of the Book of Constitutions , and thereby rendered himself amenable to Masonic punishment under Article 8 , page

ion . And it was thereupon unanimously resolved : — " 1 st . 'That Bro . Joseph Smith be suspended from all his Masonic functions and privileges for a period 1 if two years . " " 2 nd . Tint it has not l-ccn proved to the satisfaction nf the Board that Bro . William Hilton was in complicity with Bro . Joseph Smith , but that it has li en established lh . it Br " . William Hilton was

United Grand Lodge.

negligent in the discharge of his duties as Scrutineer . " 3 rd . That Bro . William Hilton bc admonished for the abovc-mentior . ed neglect of his duties as Scrutineer . ''

The Board have further to report that they have appointed a Committee to enquire and report whether any better mode can be devised than that specified in the Book of Constitutions , which may ensure grra'er accuracy in conducting the elections by Grand Lodge of members . ( or the several Boards and Committees .

( Signed ) J B . MONCKTON , Freemasons' Hall , London , President . 20 th August . itiyS . To the report is subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodge Accounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 17 th day of May inst ., shewing a balance in the hands of the Trustees of the late Grand

Treasurer of £ 3542 18 s . 9 'L ; in the London and Westminster Bank , £ 1925 3 s . 3 d . ; and in the hands of the Grand Secretary , for petty cash , £ 13 ; and for servants ' wages . £ 9 6 15 s . 6 . The report of a Special General Meeting of the Governor ? and Subscribers of the Rojal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Frcen . asons , held at Freemasons Hall , on Wednesday , the 10 th

day of July , 1878 . will be laid before Grand Lodge , and the following proposed alterations in the rules which were then agreed to will , in accordance with the laws of the Institution , be submitted for the approval of Grand Lodge : — To alter law 19 , page 9 , and laws 22 , 23 , 24 , 23 , and 26 , page 10 , of the Rules and Regulations , by substituting the words " Guineas "for " Pounds . "

New Lodges.

NEW LODGES .

The following is the list of lodges for which warrants have been granted by the M . W . Grand Ma-ter since the last Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge : —¦ 1755 . Eldon Loige , Pottishcid , Somersetshire . 1756 . Kirkdale Lodge , Liverpool . 1757 . King Henry the Eighth Lodge , llemel Hempstead , Herts .

1758 . Southern Cross Lodge , Palarncottah , Madras . 1 759 . Areas Lodge , Laura , South Australia . 1760 . Leopold Loelge-, Scarborough , Yorkshire . 1761 . Empress of India Lodge , Woollahra , Sydney , N . S . W 1762 . Gnulhurn Loilge of Australia , Goulburn , N . S . W . 1 763 . Saint Mary ' s Loilge , Thame , Oxfordshire . 176 4 . Eleanor Cross Loduc , Northampton .

17 6 5 . Trinity College Lodge , VVeymouth-strcct , London 1766 . Saint Leonard Lodge , Shoreditch . 1767 . Kensington Lodge , Kensington . 1768 . I . 'idge nf Progress , Freemasons' Hall . 1769 . Clarendon Lodge , Gresham-street . 1770 . Vale of . White Horse Lodge . Faringdon , Berks . 1771 . Jamaica Lodge , Kingston , Jamaica . 17 / 2 . Pimlico Lodge , Millbank , Westminster .

1773 . Albert Victor Lodge , Pendleton , Lancashire . 1774 . Mellor Lodge , Guide Bridge , Lancashire . 1775 . Leopold Lodge , Church , near Accrington , Lane . 1776 . Landport Lodge , Portsmouth . 1777 . Royal Hanover Lodge , Hounslow . 177 8 . Southern Cross Lodge , Harrismith , Orange Free State , South Africa . 1779 . Ivanhoe Lodge , Sheffield , Yorkshire .

Surrey Masonic Hall.

SURREY MASONIC HALL .

We regret to learn that , amongst other public establishments and private residences in Camberwell , this building has agiiin suffered from the floods which have been lately so prevalent in South London . It is , however , satisfactorily so far to learn that the amount of damage on this occasion is not so great as when the building experienced

a similar visitation at an earlier period of the year , although cbnsidcrablc loss and great inconvenience has resulted from last week's heavy storms . But that the building itself is of a most substantial character , every portion of the work having he-en carried out under the practised supervision of Bro . Oliver , its builder , and now proprietor , fears miiiht be entertained that the floods to which it has been

subj-cted would materially affect the structure . Such feais , however , would be unwarranted , and visitors to the Hill hive chiefly tr . deplore the damages to floors and surfaces of walls up to the level attained ny the flow of sewer woter , and the destruction of the Club and other furniture . On the former occasion some Urge quantity of valuable lodge furniture was greatly dam aged . On this

occasion , the admirable presence of mind of the Club Steward , Bro . Stocken , and his readily-applied labour resulted in the rescue of the progeny of several lodges from destruction , and the thanks of t he members of these lodges arc fa'rly due to him for bis forethought and energy . Tne Surrey Masonic Club members are , after the proprietor , the most inconvenienced hy

the disaster , for they had hai but a few weeks' occupation of their comfortable quarters , after the repairs necessary in consequence of the former flood , when they were " floated out " again . It is to bc hoped , nevertheless , that the reinstatement of their rooms will not occupy a lung space of tim :, and that they may b : able to inauguiate the commenc'merit of their second year on their anniversary date , the ist October next , by again taking possession .

Tne temple , dining rooms , and large entertainment hall are ab > ve the level of the flood , and are in no wise damaged . A public meeting was to have been held ia the hall itself last evening to consider what steps should be taken to direct the attention of the proper authorities 10 the insufficiency of the existing arrangements for cairying off the stoim waters , and we trust that means will be found to prevent the recurrence of similar disas'er * .

Letters From Our Irrepressible Correspondent.

LETTERS FROM OUR IRREPRESSIBLE CORRESPONDENT .

No . IL—INCOMPETENT W . MASTERS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As a general rule a very great improvcme-. i has taken place in the normal performance of the duties of the chair since I " first saw the light of Masonry , " inno . va good " Auld Lang Syne . " No doubt we mav

still here and there stumble on relics of a very bad old system , which , ignoring merit , and passing by capacity , made the election of the W . M . cither the job of a clique , or a setting forth of a " pure personality . " For instance , I have seen W . M . ' s elected simply for their social rank or wealth , who knew nothing of their work , never attempted to learn it , and even now , after a lapse of years , are as

little acquainted either wilh Masonic Ritual or the Book of Constitutions as if no such things existed for Masons in Masonry . Now I am not going to " run a muck " at rank or wealth . Very good things they arc in their way , nccessiry , absolutely needful , as we believe , as Masons as well as pitriots and philosophers , for the perfection of the Masonic

system , just as of our social state . He must be a very weak-minded or semi-educated man , who rails at rank or wealth , because others possess them and he docs not . Such are not my sentiments , nor those of any good Freemason We respect rank and we reverence authority , and ivc pay . to the former the deference it truly claims , and to the latter the obedience it has a right to expect . But as my

intelligent readers will perceive , ( and all the readers cf the Freemason are in my opinion very intelligent beings ) , I am dealing with an " abuse , " and not the " us ? , " with an abnoimal , not the normal state of things . There is a tendency in many minds to think tint position , rank , and wealth are everything here , whereas Freemasonry would teach us all to look to internal

qualifications as well as to external attributes of rank and fortune , and would bid us one and all constantly bear in mind , for it is a great truth , sometimes overlooked by us all , not only , as Bro . Burns would happily put it , " A man ' s a man for a'that , " but that we are ourselves , in a religous and kindly spirit to " honour all men . " Now , as I have often seen in my Masonic life too mu-.-li

yielding on this score , too great a recognition of merely social advantages , I think it well to raise a friendly and warning voice to day . What I mean is this , a brother is ; elected , not for what he has done , but for what he is , white Bro . Jones , who is thoroughly upin the Masonic lore , and who is an educated gentleman and a good fellow to boot , but has no social position , is pissed over , and

probably after a little recedes from Masonry . What is the state of a lodge which has voted into a position requ ' uing alike brains , caie , interest , attention , conduct , one who will not take the trouble even to n ;> -: n and close the lodge , but delegates the work to a Past Master ? Nothing in my opinion can be worse ! In nine cases out of ten , it is the beginning of the decline of that

lodge , because everybody is out of his proper place and im one does his proper duty , and though lodges , like weak constitutions , rally notwithstanding that all the faculty has doctored them , the chances are against that lotlge ever recovering its proper tone of positive independence and Masonic efficiency , simply because il has committed an act of injustice .

I cannot conceive a greater parody on all our M isonic professions and work , than placing a brother who cannot do and will not learn his work in the Master's chair . And having said this , I must touch another point . 'There are some brethren who are anxious for office , though they really have little claim for it , except their own good opi . nion of themselves . They arc neither regular at their

work , nor " up " in the lectures , nor do they appirently care much for Freemasonry , except as a social entertainment . They are proficients , I admit , in the " Knife and Fork " degree , and would stand any examination and takea'iy position , if examined inlo its mysteries . But thev wish to be W . M ., and they think it the correct thing to attend Grand Lodge . Alas for the lodge which elects such

as lhe chief ruler . We need have no doubt that such a presidency is characterized both by weakness and frivolity , anil neither advances the interests of the lodge , cements the concord of the brethren , or helps on Freemasonry either in its general or charitable tendencies . Hence I say to day tn all my brethren who read the Frremason , do not put W . M . 's into office who are not prepared to do their own

work . Make the election of the W . M . a reality and not a sham . No brother has any claim to such an office , no member of a lodge can look on it as his right . If a brother has served in the Warden ' s chair creditably to himself , pleasurably to the lodge , if he is fitted for the office of VV . M , if you feel sure that he will alikehonour the choice of the brethren , anil uphold th : prestige of thelodge , then

elect him confidingly and undoubtingly . as he , belie who he may , is assuredly the right man in the right place . I do not deny for one moment , that in all lodge life there are times when social rank may help on a struggling lodge , but as I believe that Masonry requires proficiency and efficiency in its rulers , it must be a very peculiar case

indeed which shall warrant a lodge in putting on one side humbler but tried ability for the more flashy outcome of privileged incompetency . So lend my letter as I began it hy saying— "Keep clear of incompetent W . Masters ; they are a nuisance to a lodge and an incubus on Freemasonry . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , YOUR OWN IRREPRESSIBLE CORRESPONDENT .

The Mayor and Mayoress of Liverpool have been staying atTarbert , Loch Fyne , for a day or two , an I during their visit the boxes of the Mayoress were broken open and a Urge quantity of very valuable jewellery stolen .