United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

THE agenda paper for the Quarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge , to be held on Wednesday next , now lies before ns . In addition to the routine business that has to be considered at each December meeting , on this occasion we have a renewal of the proposition , made in September last , to increase the number of Grand Officers , and we do

not doubt but that this proposition , as now formulated , will readily be accepted by the members who may be in attendance . The business is submitted under eight distinct headings , which may duly receive consideration at our hands in the order in which they appear upon the paper . First , then , we have the Minutes of the September Communication for

confirmation ; this may readily be taken as already accomplished . The second feature is thc nomination of a Grand Master for the ensuing year , and here again the work may be said to be of a simple character . H . B . H . the Prince of Wales will again be nominated , and we are convinced the nomination will

be assented to by every member of Grand Lodge . Next the brethren will be called upon to propose eligible candidates for the coveted post of Grand Treasurer . On this occasion we understand there will be a contest , and some of our eloquent Craftsmen will

be given the opportunity of expatiating on the merits and claims of the especial candidate they may feel inclined to favour with their support . We could almost wish that this little matter could be arranged without an actual trial of strength , bufc as this cannot

be hoped for , we must express our fervent wish that the true Masonic feeling should govern the actions of all who may be called upon to take part in the contest . With respect to the appointment and investment of a President of the Board of

Benevolence , the Craft at large are so appreciative of the zeal and devotion Bro . Robert Grey has displayed in the past that so long as he may consent to continue his services there is no question ' as to his re-appointment . The same remarks may equally apply to the

Senior and Junior Vice Presidents , Bros . James Brett and C . A . Cottebrune , who are the only candidates nominated on this occasion . The Report of the Board of Benevolence contains no special feature ; the several recommendations for grants will , as a matter of course , receive due attention .

We now come to the principal business of the evening , the Report of the Board of General Purposes . This states that as the propositions of the Most Worshipful Master , respecting the appointment of six additional Grand Officers , not having been accepted by Grand Lodge at thc last Quarterly Communication , the President of the Board laid a

report of the proceedings before the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , ancl requested his instructions . The Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , believing that Grand Lodge must have been acting under some

United Grand Lodge.

misapprehension , desired the Board to submit the proposition again to Grand Lodge , with some modifications which his lordship believes will be generally acceptable . Our readers will remember that at the September Communication the proposal submitted was : —

That an addition bo made to the Grand Officers appointed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master , by the appointment of a Grand Chancellor , to rank immediately after the Grand Wardens and whose duties shall be those

at present assigned to the Grand Registrar , and set forth in Articles 31 and 32 of the Book of Constitutions ; and of Four Additional Grand Beacons and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer , and that the same take effect on and after the Grand Festival of 1893 .

When the proposition was considered by Grand Lodge in September it was felt that the duties of the proposed Grand Chancellor were not clearly defined . Moreover , what nart the Grand Registrar was to play

seemed to be very uncertain . Hence those in charge of the motion deemed it better to withdraw it temporarily , and this course was accepted . The proposition which the Board now recommend for adoption is as follows : —

That an addition be made to the Grand Officers appointed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master , by the appointment of a Deputy Grand Eegistrar , to rank

immediately after the Grand Registrar , Two Additional Grand Deacons , Two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies , and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer , and that the same take effect on and after the Grand Festival of

1893 . This unquestionably defines the duties that will fall to the lot of the new Officer in the Grand Registrar ' s department ; while , with regard to the additional Grand Deacons , what they are likely to be called upon to undertake is well understood . The additional Provincial appointments may be considered merely as a necessary corollary .

One other feature in the Report we desire to call attention to is , that , as the amount of £ 25 per annum hitherto granted towards the expenses of the Grand Lodge Library being found insufficient , the Board recommend that the yearly grant be increased to £ 50 . Let this be done by all means ; indeed , we should like to hear that the annual grant was increased to £ 100 .

Victory-Crowned.

VICTORY-CROWNED .

Haifa Century ' s Aspirations ancl Hopes Realized . An Address by Bro . James Ten Eyck , Grand Master , at the Dedication of the Masonic Home at Utica , New York , 5 th October 189 % .

A LITTLE more than sixteen months ago the corner stone of this magnificent edifice was , in the presence of a vast concourse of craftsmen and interested citUviw , laid