Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : GRAND MARK LODGE AND ITS BENEVOLENT FUND 303 SPECIAL GRAND MARK LODGE 304 THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND 804 & 30 . "> SUMMER EXCURSION OF THE QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE .

No . 2076 30 ">& 30 <> ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 30 ( 5 PROPOSED UNITED GRAND LODGE FOR NEW ZEALAND ... 307 OUR TRESTLE BOARD 307 NOTIFICATIONS 308 CONSECRATION OF "THE SCOTS LODGE , " NO . 2319 308 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE

CURRENT WEEK 308 MARRIAGES 30 !) "WHITE FOR—BLACK AGAINST" 30 !) ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 302 , 30 * . ) , 310 , 311 , 312

Grand Mark Lodge And Its Benevolent Fund.

Grand Mark Lodge and its Benevolent Fund .

HE two principal Masonic events of the past week have been the holding of a Special Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and

dependencies of the British Crown , to receive a communication from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful

Grand Master ; and the Festival of the Benevolent Fund connected with the degree . We shall append hereto a brief report of each meeting . The proceedings associated

with tlie first named were brief in character , but full of interest to the members of the Marie Degree . The special communication from the M . W . Grand Master formall y

notified the acceptance of the resignation of V . W . Bro . Frederick Binckes from the Grand Secretaryship of the Order ; the approval of the recommendations of the General

Board for the grant to him of a retiring allowance of £ 125 per annum ; and the appointment of V . W . Bro . Charles Fitzgerald Matier to fill the vacant office . Tlie

resignation of Bro . Binckes has not come upon the general body of Mark Masons as a surprise . It has , however , occasioned considerable regret on the part of many of the older

members of the Mark degree who are familiar with the steady progress which it has made of late years , and some of whom were associated with that worthy brother nearly a

quarter of a century ago in laying the foundation of its subsequent prosperity . There will be reasons presently for remembering with much gratitude the eminent services

which the late revered Past Grand Master Canon Portal rendered to Mark Masonry , and which may be said to have culminated in securing for the business purposes of the

degree the new Grand Mark Lodge premises in London , which will shortly be opened . At such a time , as now , the remembrance of the talent and zealous labour with which the retired Grand Secretary supported and carried

Grand Mark Lodge And Its Benevolent Fund.

into permanent effect the plans and designs of his chiefs , should accompany the rejoicings which may be reasonably anticipated on that auspicious occasion . Then should be remembered those who , when the Grand Lodge of Mark

Masters could be amply accommodated in one small room in a moderately sized house , boi'e the heat and burden of the day , inspired with energy and hope by the lately deceased Past Grand Master and the lately retired Grand

Secretary . We have nothing to say of the latter in his connection with Mark Masonry but what is in the very highest degree commendable , and we who write , probably the only survivor , excepting Bro . Binckes , of that small

band which comprised the General Board of 18 G 9 , can vouch for a thorough conscientious service in his official position . Therefore we consider that the retiring allowance , though perhaps as much as so comparatively young

an organization could be expected to afford , is not one whit more than has been eminently deserved . It is further satisfactory in that the allowance can be taken from funds which have not been accumulated for one specific purpose ,

but for management unconnected with any charitable object , and we feel sure that we but echo the sentiments of every Mark Master Mason under English jurisdiction in

wishing our brother in his retirement long years of health and capacity for the enjoyment of that which he has honourably won .

The new Grand Mark Secretary has by his indefatigable exertions of the past few years as Assistant Grand Secretary , and his zeal in promoting the interests oH the Mark Benevolent Fund , fairly " won his spurs , " and enters upon

his increased duties with every good wish from the general body of Mark Master Masons , and their fullest confidence that he will persevere in his discreet and able management

of the affairs of the Order . We heartily join in the congratulations which attended his appointment and investiture .

Tlie departure from the rule which governs the proceedings of a Special Meeting , and forbids the introduction of any other business matter than that expressed on the notice or agenda , which departure consisted in the

reference by the M . W . Pro . Grand Master to the then approaching , and since consummated , marriage of the eldest daughter of the Most Worshipful Grand Master—the

Princess Louise—with the then Earl , and now Duke , of Fife , was an exception which , although it may establish a precedent in connection with future great and important events of a cognate character , was amply justified by the

surrounding circumstances . The cordiality with which the Pro . Grand Master ' s address was received , and the applause accompanying the unanimous acceptance of the resolution he proposed , were unmistakable evidences that