Mark Masonry And The War.

MARK MASONRY AND THE WAR .

SPEAKING at the recent meeting of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Derbyshire the Earl of Euston Pro G . M . M . referred to the fact that a number of their Brethren

were at the front in South Africa . The Mark Masons hoped , he said , to be able to assist the families of any Mark Masons who fell or were disabled whilst serving their Queen and country .

It is virtually impossible just now to avoid reference to the war and its consequences at whatever gathering one may be ; and this was shown at the Installation meeting of the Empire Lodge , No . 2108 , when Bro . Sir Walter Peace , the Agent-General for Natal ; Bro . George Richards , District

Grand Master of Natal ; Bro . I . Waldie Parson , Past District Senior Grand Warden Natal ; and Bro . Duff Miller , Agent-General for New Brunswick were among the visitors . One of the purposes for which the Lodge was started in 1885 was to entertain colonial Masons who might be in England

at any time the Lodge met , and this object it has well carried out . On the occasion under notice Bro . Richards made a strong appeal to English Freemasons to support such Brethren in South Africa as had lost their all by leaving the Transvaal to save their wives and children . He said he had

sent out a circular in this respect to every Lodge in this country ; and , on the motion of Bro . Lennox Browne Treasurer of the Lodge , £ 20 was voted to Bro . Richards ' s

Fund , and ten guineas to the Natal Volunteer Fund , as an expression of the desire of English Freemasons to bear their share of "the white man ' s burden , " which had fallen so heavily on the colonists .

On the occasion of the installation meeting of the Earl of Mornington Lodge , No . 2000 , held at the Cafe Royal , on the 26 th ult ., the sum of five guineas was voted to the Widows and Orphans of Officers Fund , and subsequently the further sum of thirteen guineas was subscribed

by the members towards the same object . Later in the evening the newly installed Master Bro . William Turner , F . R . C . S ., mentioned that he was about to proceed to South Africa on the surgical staff of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital at Cape Town , and he felt that he would have the

kind remembrances of the Lodge during his absence . He regretted having to be away from them just as he had attained his present proud position , but it was his duty to go , and he was sure that the Lodge would be well looked after

by the Officers and Past Masters until his return . Needless to say , the members and visitors were most enthusiastic in wishing the W . M . success in his undertaking , trusting they would soon welcome him back again amongst them .

It would be very interesting to know how much Freemasonry has contributed to the different Funds promoted to relieve distress occasioned b y the War , but anything like a reliable summary is virtually impossible . The collection at a special Masonic Service held at St . Giles' Cathedral .

Edinburgh , last Sunday , realised £ 585—that amount including the sum given for tickets , but not several special donations made in connection with the Service . At the other end of the Kingdom , away down in Cornwall , we read of the War Steward of a private Lodge collecting £ 78 , which included a

grant of twenty guineas from the Lodge funds . It is gratifying in this connection to see that the "Daily Telegraph , " in referring to further contributions to its Fund from the Craft , says "Masonic bodies are , indeed , recognising the need for renewed support . "

Whatever mysteries are enacted behind the closed doors of a Masonic Lodge , there is no doubt that when the members of the Fraternity organise social gatherings which ladies can attend , the enjoyment of all concerned has no element of

mystery in it whatever ! Certainly those who were present at the annual ball of Lodge No . 245 ( I . C . ) enjoyed themselves thoroughly , says the "Irish Figaro , " and the result will be the addition of a considerable sum to the Fund in relief of Widows and Orphans of soldiers in Irish regiments .

An interesting event occurred at the recent meeting of the Lodge of Unity , No . 267 , Macclesfield . Four military Brethren belonging to the Macclesfield Lodges , viz ., Sergeant-

Mark Masonry And The War.

Major Willis , Sergeant Thompson , Colour-Sergeant Forrest , and Sergeant Jones , of the 4 th Battalion Cheshire Militia , were entertained by the Brethren , and had a hearty " send off" prior to leaving for garrison duty in Ireland with the regiment .

Devonshire Charity.

DEVONSHIRE CHARITY .

THE Province of Devonshire has long enjoyed the reputation of being a warm patron of the Institutiousso far as receiving their benefits is concerned , as well as being a liberal contributor to their funds , but it will come as a surprise to many that while Devonshire receives some £ 1 , 400

a year from the three Institutions , it does not subscribe one quarter of that amount . Of course we know the Institutions are not worked on a strict debtor and creditor basis , but one can hardly held the query , how is it managed ? There must

be an abundance of organisation in Devonshire , and a corresponding lack of combination somewhere else—London ,-in all probabitity—else such an anomaly would hardly be possible .

Yet in spite of these satisfactory results Devonshire does not seem to be altogether satisfied with the Central Charities , and accordingly has started two local Funds of its own , one

of which—the Fortescue—is reported as doing well , while the other—the Devon Educational—is holding its own . It would almost seem that this important Province is content to rest on its laurels—and its votes—so far as the Central Institutions are concerned , and give the bulk of its financial support to the local organisations . Is it not wise in its generation ?

West Lancashire Charity.

WEST LANCASHIRE CHARITY .

rriHE Balance Sheet of the Alpass West Lancashire JL Benevolent Institution , founded for the purpose of granting annuities and otherwise giving help to the widows of Freemasons , shows that much excellent work is being accomplished . Including a credit balance from 1898 of

£ 1 , 721 , the year 1899 closed with an income of £ 2 , 249 , and the expenditure amounted to £ 2 , 036 . The total invested capital at the close of the year was £ 8 , 058 . The sum paid to annuitants was £ 1 , 075 , and during the year there was invested £ 928 in Mersey Docks bonds and Consols .

THE fifty-first annual ball in aid of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution was held on the 17 th , at the Town Hall , Liverpool . Fears were at one time entertained that the drain made upon the resources of the inhabitants of the city for contributions to the war relief

funds would have interfered with the success of the function , but fortunately these were not realised , the attendance comparing most favourably with that of previous balls held for the purpose of supporting this most deserving Institution . Upwards of 500 ladies and gentlemen were present , and

dancing took place in both the large and small ball-rooms . The visitors were received on arrival by the Lord Mayor an'd Lady Mayoress , Bro . and Mrs . L . S . Cohen , Bro . C . Forbes-Bell Prov . G . Warden ( Chairman of the Committee ) , and Bro . Wylie D . P . G . M . A dance programme of a most

enjoyable character was provided by Bro . Geo . Eyton ' sband . Among the patrons and other distinguished visitors present were Bros . Geo . Broadbridge and Edwards Hon . Secretaries of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , Colonel Whitney , Louis Winslow , Alf . Cross , S . Gibson

Sinclair P . G . D . England , J . Lippincott , and James Tarbuck . The arrangements for the ball were admirably carried out by a Committee , of which , as stated , Bro . Forbes-Bell was the Chairman , while the duties of Hon , Secretary were discharged by Bro . John Plumpton P . M . Bros . Geo . A .

Harradon P . Pr . G . Treas ., E . R . Latham P . Pr . G . Tr ., and W . B . Sweetman P . Pr . G . D . proved themselves indefatigable Masters of Ceremonies ; while a staff of able and willing

Stewards was captained by Bro . Thos . Bush . Supper was served in the dining-room and upper and lower crypts , the catering of Messrs . Gait and Capper giving the utmost satisfaction .

The Queen has lately conferred upon the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe the First Class of the Royal Victorian Order ( G . C . V . O . ) . He has always been a favourite at court , and filled the office of Lord Chamberlain some 3 'ears ago . Freemasons will of course remember his services as Deputy Grand Master .