The Masonic Mirror.

should be kept informed of the proceedings , of Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) The Board of Masters J > was intended to carry out this . ( Hear . ) That Board was supposed to be composed of representatives of the country Lodges coming to London to obtain information of the business to be brought forward at Grand Lodge , and to return to the Lodges they represent , and convey the information so procured .

It . was an extension of that principle to which they gave effect a short time ago , when they decided in Grand Lodge that there should be papers containing the motions to be submitted to Grand Lodge pi in ted and placed in the hands of the Brethren on entering Grand Lodge . ( Hear , hear . ) Of this they had already seen the advantage . ( Hear , hear . ) He considered that it was equally desirable and equally in accordance with the Book of Constitutions , that effect should be given to the motion which he then submitted . '* ' ( Applause . )

Bro . Havers said he had no objection to the motion , except that it was too indefinite . The phrase " at such time as shall afford opportunity" was too vague . While thus expressed , it was _ almost impossible that the Grand Secretary ' s office could carry it out . A week before Grand Lodge was now the rule , and some defined time of meeting would be requisite if such a change as this was to be made , Bro . the Earl of Carnavon replied that he had been content to leave the matter

in the hands of the Grand Secretary ' s office and the Board of General Purposes , though the same objection had previously been pointed out to him , and he had then consented to the fourth Wednesday previous to each Quarterly Communication . He would not detain Grand Lodge by entering into any argument in favour of that or of any particular day . If that day should be inconvenient ^ he was fully prepared to consent to any other day .

The Bev . Bro . Portal amended this motion in accordance with these observations , naming the fourth Wednesday previous to each Quarterly Communication . Bro . H . G . Warren objected to that day , as it would at least once a year fall upon the same day as the Grand Chapter . He suggested that it should be the last Wednesday in January , April , & c . This would be a week earlier , and give time to get the notices out . The Grand Master said Bro . Portal ' s amendment would alter the law , and notice must be given of it in the regular way .

Bro . Dobie said the alteration proposed would divide the Board of Benevolence from the Board of Masters . A Past Grand Officer , whose name we did not learn , was strongly in favour of a fixed day for meeting on many grounds . The Kev . Bro . Portal withdrew his amendment . Bro . Savage said if the day of meeting was to be altered , due notice must be given , The Grand Master said the motion called upon the Board of General Purposes to make an alteration which it was not in their power to make . The motion , as it originally stood , was then put and carried .

THE CHARITY JEWEL . Bro . Henry George Warren moved a resolution , " That the Charity Jewel , now conferred on Brethren who had served as Stewards to the Girls' and Boys' School , should be so extended as to include the Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons ¦ ind their Widows , so that Brethren serving as Stewards at the festivals of any two of the charities should be entitled to wear the medal , and those who served the three Stewardships should be further entitled to wear a clasp on the ribbon by which the medal was suspended . " Bro . Warren supported his motion , bv

observing that his object was simply to place the three charities upon an equal footing . Iht did not wish to hurt any one of the charities , and he did not believe i hat his motion would have the slightest tendency that way . Bro . John ILervey opposed the motion , because ho said he had the interests oi die charities at heart . If Masonic charities were to depend for their prosperity Lipon the privilege of wearing a medal , the sooner they had done with them the better . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho did not think that the wearing of such a bauble on hi > breast was worth so much attention , This motion would be detrimental to thn other two charities . Ho aslced . the Brethren if It was for the purpose oi