Mark Masonry.

hibit the admission into any of the lodges under its jurisdiction of any brother whose lodge , or whose Grand Lodge , shall refuse admission to any Mark Master hailing under this Grand Lodge , such prohibition to be in all cases reported to the next meeting of Grand Lodge . The reports from our distant possessions continue to be of a gratifying character , eminently so from the Indian Presidencies . In Madras the unabated energy of the Provincial Grand Master ,

Colonel Greenlaw , is productive of the happiest consequences . In Bombay , the labours of the Provincial Grand Master , the Hon , Mr . Justice Gibbs , bid fair to be attended with similar success , and in Bengal , under the rule of Bro . Hugh David Sandeman , who has been appointed Provincial Grand Master , there is every probability of the attainment of equal prosperity . The duties in the Grand Secretary ' s office have been considerably increasednecessitating for some time since the employment

, of assistance which has been obtained without any additional tax upon the resources of Grand Lodge . In fairness to the Grand Secretary , the Board considers that Grand Lodge should take some portion of this burden upon itself , and therefore recommends that a grant of £ 15 per annum be made to that officer in aid of the remuneration of the requisite assistant . In the event of the minutes of the last Half-yearly Convocation being confirmed b

y this Grand Lodge , the necessary steps will be immediatly taken for the formation of the " Fund of Benevolence . " ( Signed ) G . R . POETAL , V . P . Masonic Union Hall , London , 5 th June . 1 S 66 . The G . Registrar proposed the adoption of the recommendation of the Board , as to the alteration of the time of election of W . Masters of lodges .

Bro . John Udall , G . S . W ., seconded ; and Bro . W . J . Hughan , W . M ., No . 78 , supported the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The G . Registrar proposed the alteration of the dues payable to Grand Lodge from each subscribing member , from two shillings payable for the whole or any part of a year , to one shilling payable for each half-year . Bro . Thomas Meggy , M . O ., Kent Lodge , seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The G . Registrar proposed that the recommendation of the

Board allowing officers of Provincial Grand Lodges in the colonies and dependencies to wear gold cord on their aprons and collars be adopted . Bro . W . E . Gumbleton , G . J . W ., seconded the proposition , which was carried unanimously . The G . Registrar , in moving the adoption of the recommendation of the Board as to the non-admission to English Mark Lodges of the Members of any lodge hailing from

another jurisdiction , to which Lodge Mark Masons under thi 3 constitution were refused admission , said he thought it only failthat the members of a lodge to which admission was sought by our own brethren and refused , should be prohibited from being received into our lodges . He did not wish to extend this prohibition to every lodge holding under the jurisdiction with which a lodge so refusing admission was connected , hut only to

apply it to individual lodges so acting . Bro . W . E . Gumbleton , J . G . W ., seconded the proposition . Bro . James Hamer , G . M . O ., detailed the circumstances and position of the lodges at Liverpool , and stated that it was within his knowledge that the Scotch lodges in the neighbourhood of Liverpool had received instructions prohibiting the visits of English Mark Masons . Bro . Joshua Nunn , W . M . No . 8 , could not support the

adoption of this recommendation of the Board . He advocated a policy of conciliation- —to open their doors and freely admit all Mark brethren who might desire to visit them—not to shut them closely and exclude all but members under their own constitution . He would show that they were animated by a better spirit than their friends on the other side in opposition to the feeling manifested by them . Bro . A . D . Loewenstark , W . M . No . S 6 , agreed with Bro . Nunn .

If the spirit embodied in the recommendation of the Board bad originally prevailed , this Grand Lodge would have not have been so successful as it had been . All the Scotch lodges in London had either ceased to meet , or had transferred their allegiance to this Grand Lodge—with one exception , and he had every reason to believe that the lodge in question would very soon follow the example of the others and join them . This happy condition had been , and would be , brought about mainly in consequence of the friendly feeling existing between that Scotch lodge and one of the lodges under this jurisdiction , which

feeling could not have existed , had the present proposition been in force , nor could it be maintained should it now he adopted . The Acting M . W . G . M . hoped their R . W . brother would not press this recommendation of the Board . He quite concurred with the three last speakers . They were a powerful and increasing body , whom a policy of conciliation would best become . Let them get at the heart of Scotch Masonry by

manifesting in their own persons the civilising tendencies of conciliatorylegislation . Bro . W . J . Meymott , in the absence of those means of information in pussession of the Board , spoke with diffidence , but still would add his support to that of those who were in favour of a friendly policy . Bro . Rev . D . ShahoeP . G . Chap . although labouring under the

™ , , disadvantages alluded to by the last speaker , entirely agreed with him , and would move an amendment , " That the question embodied in the recommendation of the Board on the relations between other lodges and those under this jurisdiction he referred back to the General Board . "

Bro . Joshua Nunn ; W . M ., No . 8 , seconded the amendment . The G . Registrar , on behalf of the Board , ' would accept the amendment , simply expressing his conviction of the necessity of maintaining those who were firm in their loyalty to this Grand Lodge . The amendment was put pro forma and adopted . The G . Registrar moved that the recommendation of the Board for increased remuneration to the Grand Secretary , with a view to his providing more competent assistance , be approved .

Bro . E . S . Sfcillwell , W . M . elect No . 3 , seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . The G . Registrar then explained the suggested articles of agreement between their Grand Lodge and the association of Mark Master Masons in East Lancashire and Cheshire , a deputation from which body had recently met the Grand Secretary at Manchester . The principal articles were—To grant a warrant of confirmation enabling the associated bodto hold its meetings

y alternately at the places of meeting of the various lodges from which its members were drawn ; To admit members of the associated body down to the date of the warrant of confirmation as members of this jurisdiction on the usual terms , viz ., payment of one shilling by those brethren wishing to take our certificates ; Brethren advanced subsequently to the date of the warrant to pay the full fee of eiht shillings and sixpence for

g registration and certificate , and all members , new and old , to pay from that date the half-yearly due of one shilling during their continuance as subscribing members ; The title and description of the benefit fund in connection with the associated body to be changed so as to bring it in accordance with Masonic usage . The articles of agreement were severally proposed , seconded , and approved .

Bro . Joseph Rankin Stebbing was , on the nomination of Bro . W . E . Gumbleton , G . J . W ., seconded by Bro . F . Davison , ' unan ,-mously re-elected Grand Treasurer . Bro . Stebbing feelingly acknowledged the renewed mark of their confidence and esteem , and assured the brethren that lie highly appreciated the compliment paid to him . Bros . John Udall and Thomas Meggy were appointed to audit the accounts of Grand Lodge .

The M . W . G . M . Lord Holmesdale , M . P ., being unavoidably prevented from attending , had deputed Bro . J . R . Stebbing to perform the ceremony of installing his successor , to whom Bro . the Rev . G . R . Portal , G . Reg . presented Bro . W . W . Beach , Jl . P . D . G . M . and G . M . elect , for the purpose of being installed as M . W . G . M . of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales , and the colonies and dependencies of the British Crown . The Grand Master elect having advanced to the pedestal , was

in ancient form installed and placed on the throne . Havingbeen proclaimed and saluted , the M . W . G . M . addressed the brethren , assuring them of his continued interest in the well being of Masonry generally , and especially of his unabated regard for the degree over which he had that day been called upon to preside . He congratulated them upon their continued prosperity abroad and at home . This was the result of a well considered policy of liberality and conciliationand he doubted

, not that a continuance of that policy would conduce to still more gratifying results . They would ever find him determined to uphold the interests committed to his care , and anxious to discharge the duties he had undertaken with zeal and fidelity . The Grand Officers for the year appointed and invested are as follows : —Bros , the Rev . George Raymond Portal , D . G . M . ; Viscount Kenlis , S . G . W . ; Col . Meehan , J . G . W . ; Vincent Bird ,