United Grand Lodge.

seven candidates in the Jordan Lodge in one and the same day , without having obtained a dispensation for so doing ; but ho pleaded that , although at the time he knew there was a limit to the number that could legally be initiated on the same day , he did not know what that limit was , but also admitted he was aware that some objection at the time was made . The Board ,

in view of the law in this respect contained in the Book o ' Constitutions , , p . 82 , which subjects a lodge offending against any of tho laws therein referred to to erasure , resolved— " That the Jordan Lodge ( No . 201 ) , London , having , in contravention of the provisions of the Book of Constitutions , Art . G , p . 86 , initiated into Masonry moro than five persons in one and the

-same day , be suspended , and that the suspension be reported to Grand Lodge , " and ordered the warrant and books to be retained . The Board would hope that the punishment which the Jordan Lodge has already suffered will be a warning to its members to be observant for the future of the laws of the Craft , as laid down in the Book of Constitutions , and that

those in authority in the lodge will for the future take care that the ceremonies be conducted decently and in order ; and , being desirous to take a merciful view of the case , they recommend to Grand Lodge to resolve : " That , under the circumstances , the penalty of erasure , as regards the Jordan Lodge ( No . 201 ) , be remitted ; but tbat the suspension of tho said lodge be

continued , with power to the Board of General Purposes to remove the same on due submission being made , and on such conditions as the Board may see fit to impose . " 3 . It having come to the knowledge of the Board that certain irregularities had taken place nt an emergency meeting of the De Grey and Eipon Lodge ( No . 905 ) , Great Ilford , Essex , the Master and Wardens were summoned to attend the Board , and produce their warrant and books , and to give such

explanations as might be in their power . The Master and one of the Wardens accordingly attended . It appeared from tbe minutes that an election of Master had taken place at the regular meeting of the lodge ; the minutes of the election were not confirmed . A lodge of emergency was subsequently held , at whicli an election of Master took placo , and the brother so

elected was at the next regular meeting of the lodge installed . It , however , appeared that neither the present Master nor Wardens were members of the lodge when the said lodge of emergency was held . After full consideration , and under the circumstances , the Board resolved that , the De Grey and Ripon Lodge ( No . 905 ) having committed a gross error in allowing

the election of a Master at a lodge of emergency in March 1 S 64 , this Board declares the said election void , it beinocontrary to the Book of Constitutions , Art . 1 , p . 76 . The Board ordered Bro . Matthew Cooke , the brother thus irregularl y elected , to be summoned to attend the Board , to give any explanation that might be in his power . Bro . Cooke attended ,

and , admitted that his election had taken place at a lodge of emergency , which proceeding , he was now aware , was illegal ; but said he was not acquainted with the law at the time of the election , and that at that time he believed a lodge of emergency could be convened for any purpose if the business to be transacted was stated in the summons . The Board , after a full

consideration of tbe matter , resolved to submit the ease to the favourable consideration of Grand Lodge , and accordingly recommended— " That , under the circumstances , Grand Lodge do condone the error which has been committed in the case of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge ( No . 905 ) , in electing a Master at a lodge of emergency , and do sanction Bro . Matthew Cooko and the succeeding Masters of the said lodge , taking their seats as members of this Grand Lodge . "

4 . The Board have investigated a complaint against the-Lodge of Peace aud Harmony ( No . 496 ) , St . Anstell , for neglecting to pay quarterages for a deceased brother during the time he was a subscribing member of the lodge . The warrant and books were produced , and the Master and Wardens stated tbat they and a large majority of the present members had joined

since the said brother had left the lodge , and they were unable to assign any reason for the non-payment of Grand Lodgedues on his behalf , but they admitted that the brother had duly paid bis subscription during the four years he was a member , and the Master arid Wardens expressed regret at then-regularity of the former members . It was resolved— "That

the explanation be accepted , but that the lodge be required topay forthwith , the four years' quarterages due on behalf of the ' deceased brother . " The money having been paid , the warrant and books were returned .

5 . It has been brought to the notice of the Board that insome lodges an arrangement is allowed of compounding with ' their members to return their names during life to Grand Lodgeas annual subscribers to the Fund of Benevolence on the payment of a fixed sum to the lodge in lieu of a yearly subscription . The Board , upon full consideration of the matter , are of opinion ,

and submit to Grand Lodge , that such arrangement is illegal , as being contrary to the law as well as the policy of Grand Lodge , which , in the judgment of the Board , requires a continuous contribution ou the part of members of lodges to the Fund of Benevolence , as well as a subscription to a regularlodge .

6 . The very large impression of the 32 mo edition of the Book of Constitutions ( 5 , 000 copies ) printed in Maich , 1867 , by order of tho Grand Lodge , being exhausted , the Board have given directions for a reprint of the same , to meet the demands of the-Craft . ' ( Signed ) J . LLEWELLYN EVANS , President .

Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 20 th May , 1868 . At a meeting of the Board held on Tuesday , the 19 th nlfc ., after the ordinary business had been disposed of , it was unanimously resolved : — "That the thanks of the Board are due , and are hereby

tendered to the V . W . Bro . John Llewellyn Evans , the-President , for his attention to all matters of business that have been brought forward during the past year , for theability with which he has conducted the proceedings , and for his courteous bearing to all the members of the Board . " ' ( Signed ) CONRAD C . DUMAS , Vice-President .

To the report was subjoined a statement of the Grand Lodgeaccounts at the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on the 14 th ult ., showing a balance in the hands of the Grand Treasurer of £ 3 , 520 3 s . 2 d ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty cash £ 50 . Of these sums there belongs tothe Fund of Benevolence £ 1 , 216 17 s . 7 d ., to the Fund of General Purposes £ 1 , 963 9 s . 2 d ., and to the Unappropriated Account £ 389 16 s . 5 d .

The different items of this report were discussed and occupied the entire evening , but as our notice of the Grand Lodge has already extended to so great a length we must defer the report of the discussion until next week . The suspension of the Jordan Lodge was ordered to be removed on due submission being made .

The other business on the agenda could not be entered upon ,, and it was all deferred until the next quarterly communication .