The Masonic Mirror.

giving a largo share of power to the latter . He was convinced that they should enter into further efforts for the purpose of carrying out the objects thoy had memorialised about . If they had the power to stop an ^ objectionable course , it was for the benefit of the Craft , aud onlyexercising their duty , that they should endeavour to obtain a general benefit . The London members seemed to say , " AA e will do this , and if yon ( provincial brethren ) ' beat us , you can only do so by coining up

in a body . " [ Bro . BIRT—If the Board do not do ivhat you say they want to do , what then ? AVhat benefit would it be to us ?] If they do not do what has been proposed , then the amount of money so saved could be [ applied as it ought to be , that is , to charitable purposes . ( Hear . ) They eould then meet all claims upon the Order in the way of charity that yet remained in existence and unrelieved . AVith the large amount of funds in hand , they had quite sufficient to minister to every case of distress that had been heard of . The Board had au idea of

building castles , and so spending the funds ; and the country members of Grand Lodge were practically excluded from exercising the choice of the men sitting on that Board in consequence of the unequal expense and inconvenience caused to them by attending in London in person at the elections . The remedy was to allow the provincial brethren to vote by proxy for the men to go on the Board , and then there would be more chance of getting men selected who were opposed to sueh schemes as he had referred to , and men who would legislate more for the general

benefit . There ivas a large sum of money in hand ivhich it did not appear the executive knew exactly what to do with . The provincial districts ought to have a fair voice in deciding how such money should be expended ; ancl surely it could not be an injustice to give all members of the Grand Lodge equal privileges . The provincial interest might only hope to attain fair representation by putting such men as Bro . Stebbing , for instance , upon the Board , well knowing his capabilities on all matters of business connected ivith the Orderand the general

, justness of his conclusions . He brought forward the resolutions already read in order to elicit the general views of the Lodge , and he intended that the committee to be formed might enter into inquiry , ancl put the whole of the provincial brethren in a position to know exactly how the matter stood . [ Bro . CARTER—Has not the Board power to set aside certain sums of money for special purposes , of which building is one ?] The intention ho sought was not to interfere with the powers to be exercised by the Board of General Purposes . Some of the brethren did not

seem to exactly understand the bearing ofhis resolutions . He only wished to affect the mode of electing the Board , so that provincial brethren might have the chance of getting on some ivho might advocate their views , as ivell as others . Many Lodges in the country disliked giving their money ( for they all contributed their quota to tho general fund ) for any other purposes than charity , especially to the otherwise spending of large amounts . ( Hear ) . No application for relief by distressed Alasons should be refused if any funds were in baud . Alen had been

refused year after year , though iu their previous life of prosperity they had contributed to the same funds , from which thoy might , and properly should , receive relief ; and he believed there ivas sufficient to meet every eligible claim that had ever been made . Bro . GERHARD made some observations , intended , it is presumed , to

show the usolcssness of interfering in tho matter of Grand Lodge expenditure , whether the Board of General Purposes intended to build largely or not . He did not , however , express any objection to the stated desirability of obtaining for provincial brethren the power of voting by proxy in the election of that board . Bro . COWEN also spoke , though not to tho point in discussion . He spoke of pecuniary matters in connection with his own Lodge , and advocated larger payments or loss expenses .

Several brethren expressed an opinion that the discussion should not be prolonged at , the present time . Bro . SIIERRV said ho only wished for the opinion of the Lodge upon the resolutions . He could not find any objection in the Lodgo to obtaining the power for members of Grand Lodge to vote by proxy . Bro . SMITH said he should bo sorry to oiler one remark upon this matter , if he was not of opinion that it had been purposely postponed for further discussion that evening . Some misunderstanding seemed to

exist on the part of certain brethren . Bro . Birt had asked what benefit ivas likely to arise to them . Tho benefit would be in this respect , supposing the voting by proxy carried—the money that went to Grand Lodge from the provinces would be more likel y to be expended or distributed in unison with the feelings of provincial brethren . Bro . Gerrard had seemed to think all this discussion that bad passed was solely upon tbe point whether or not Grand Lodge intended to construct hotels or club houses . The provincial brethren had not in a regular obtained

way a notice of tho intention so to expend money . It bad only oozed out that it was so contemplated to spend largely . Bro . Cowen ' s observations had simply reference to the funds of the AVinchester Lodge . Ho was sorry if there was a paucity of funds , and for ono bo should be glad to increase the payments , so as to get more for charitable purposes . Ho thought Bro . Sherry ' s intention that day had been to show the brethren generallythat the power of London brethrenand therefore that of the

, , Board of General Purposes , was greater than the provincial Alasons themselves contemplated . The Board of General Purposes might in effect bo considered as Grand Lodge itself ; as , whatever the Board decided upon was sure to bo carried under present circumstances . Bro . Smith quoted from the " Book of Constitutions" to show the peculiar powers of the Board . Tho published figures , slaying the respective total

attendance in London of London and provincial brethren , as quoted by Bro . Sherry , sufficiently proved the state of things to be as he had argued that day , and also on previous occasions , and tho objections remained unanswered—Grand Lodge and the Board of General Purposes wero virtually one thing . He took it that Bro . Sherry proposed that at the " quarterly communications" of Grand Lodge , all members entitled to be present should have the privilege and convenience of voting by Constitutions

paper proxy . There was nothing in that opposed to the themselves , or likely to counteract the interests of Alasonry generally . He looked upon the expense inflicted upon provincial brethren , if thoy personally attended the London meetings , as only iu the light of paying further dues to Grand Lodge than the London brethren had to pay . He therefore felt great pleasure iu seconding the resolutions before that Lodge , believing and considering that they would lead to annihilate a

great wrong and restore a great right ; that they would take away an existing illegitimate share of the power of representation ; that they would tend to the carrying out of the Constitutions without prejudice to any ; ancl that they would further tend to do away with past bickerings , ancl strengthen the efficiency of Alasonry in general . ( Hear ) ^ Bro . CARTER feared the proposition might be deemed a declaration of war against Grand Lodge ; and would rather appeal to the Board in a more conciliatory manner . Bro . SHERRY reminded all present that the course just recommended

by Bro . Carter had already been adopted without avail . Tbe Board had replied , aud stated that they ( the provincial brethren ) should not have ivhat had been applied for in the memorial . The only means now left was to endeavour to get a better hearing , and that by working their own cause through a committee as he proposed . Several brethren had now left , the discussion having been so prolonged . AATien the AA . AL put the resolutions to the brethren still assembled , tbey were carried unanimously . There was some disposition content

to continue the discussion , but Bro . Sherry expressed himself , having gained his object . During the remainder of the evening many other toasts were proposed , duly honoured aud responded to . Among the toasts was tho health of Bro . Huggins , proposed by Bro . Sherry , with the thanks of the Lodge for the able and correct manner in which he had voluntarily taken and forwarded to the Magazine reports of tho meetings during the last twelve months

. Bro . HuciciiNS responded , expressing the pleasure he experienced in finding himself useful . The health of Bro . R . AV . Smith , a P . AL of the Lodge , ivas proposed and duly honoured , and an energetic speech followed in response , advising brethren generally to a move decidedly Alasonic bearing in all the proceedings of the Lodge , ancl business connected with it . After the enjoyment of many able songs ( to which Bro . AVright very materially contributed ) , the Lodge closed at the hour of high twelve .

BOURNEMOUTH—Ilengisl Lodge ( No . 230 ) . —This Lodgo held its annual festival of St . John on Tuesday last . Tbe genei-. il business of tbe Lodge having terminated , Air . J . Briggs was unanimously elected and duly initiated . It was then proposed by the AV . AL , Bro . AV . E . Robbeck , that Bro . Bayly , P . M ., be elected AV . AI . for the year ensuing , which was unanimously agreed to . After alluding to the valuable services of Bro . AA . B . Rogers upon all occasions , it was proposed by Bro . Bayly and seconded by Bro . MeAVilliam that he should be re-elected Treasurer for

the next year , which was carried unanimously . The Lodgo having been closed , some ladies sent a present to the Lodge—of needlework executed by themselves , consisting of a cushion and hassock for the AV . AL's pedestal , together with a pair of slippers exquisitely worked with Masonic emblems . The following letter accompanied the present : —¦ " AVorshipful Sir , —Officers and Brethren of tho Lodge of Hongist . —AA ' e bog to present you a small tribute of our regard , and the respect in ivhich wo hold yourself and the members of tbe Lodge over which you

have the honour of presiding , as well as Masonry in general , and may prosperity attend you in all your several callings , individually and collectively . — Emma Bayly , M . Tuck , Jane Alacey , Eliza Hooper . " Tbe AV . M . in the name of the Lodge replied in appropriate ! terms , and the Secretary was directed to acknowledge the gift on behalf of the Lodge . The business of tbo Lodge being over , tbe brethren re-assembled in their hall , and sat down to dinner , accompanied by tbeir wives . The

Tho following toasts were given : — "The Queen and the Craft ; " ' - ' ALAV . G . AL the Earl of Zetland ; " "The R . AV . D . G . AI . Lord Pammire ;" "Tbe R . AV . Prov . G . AI . Sir Lucius Curtis ; " "The R . AV . D . Prov . G . AL C . Deacon , Esq . " Bro . S . AV . Tuck proposed the health of tho W . AL , complimenting him ou the zeal be had shown for Alasonry during the period ho hacf filled tbe chair . The health of the ladies was then given from the chair in a very appropriate speech . Bro . Briggs , the newly initiated member , duly responded to the toast . Bro . S . W . Tuck prol

posed the health of the AV . AI . elect . Bro . Bayy responded . Ho said—I thank you for the handsome manner you bave responded to the call , and to my worthy brother for proposing my health . The ladies , I perceive , with tbeir keen , penetrating eyes , are looking to catch every word whereby they maj' obtain the . secret of our art . I will not long keep them iu suspense , but tell them plainly what Alasonry is . It is a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , symbols that are used by the operative mason , but which we as speculative or free and accepted Alasons apply to a moral account . Instance the twenty-four inch guage , the common gavel , and the chisel ;