A Royal Commission.

A ROYAL COMMISSION .

A DOCUMENT of unusual interest to the Masonic Fraternity of this State was quite unexpectedly received a few days ago by ex-Alderman William E . Pine , Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey . It is a commission from the Grand Lodge of England , appointing

Mr . Pine a representative of that body to the Grand Lodge of this State , and bears the autograph of His Royal Highness , Albert Edward Prince of Wales and Grand Master of England . It is elaborately engrossed on a large skin of

parchment , some of the lines being embellished with initial letters in gold , blue and red , and the penmanship of the document is equal to fine copper-plate engraving . This is the first English commission crediting a representative to

the New Jersey Grand Lodge , and there are very few , ii any , Masons in the United States who have been thus honoured by the head of the English Fraternity . The following is a transcript of the commission , the signature of the Prince of Wales occupying the upper

lefthand corner : AT , BERT EDWARD , G . M . To the Most Worshipful Grand Master , the Eight Worshipful and Worshipful Officers of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Jersey , and all others whom these presents may concern .

Health , Peace , Unity I We , the Grand Master , in our own names aud on behalf of the Eight Worshipful and Worshipful the Officers and Brethren of the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Fiea and Acoepted Masons of England , being most desirous of establishing relations of amity and

brotherly love between the United Grand Lodge of England and the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of New Jersey , and the several Lodges and brethren under their authority and sanction respectively , and in token of the great confidence reposed in , as well as the high consideration entertained for , the Honourable William E . Pine , do

hereby nominate , constitute and appoint him Grand Eepresentative and the Eepresentative of the Grand Lodge of England in the said Grand Lodge of New Jersey , charging him oar said Eepresentative , at all times and upon ali occasions , to use his best exertions to promote and maintain the integrity , the honour and the welfare of the

Masonic Craft at large , and to testify our good will , high consideration and fraternal regard towards tho Most Worshipful Grand Master , his officers and brethren of the Eight Worshipfnl Grand Lodge of New Jersey , w hereby the bond of union may be strengthened

aud the interests of the Fraternity promoted . And we do hereb y confer upon our said Eepresentative ample powers to do and perform all such Masonic acts as by the laws and usages of the two Grand Lodges the Eepresentative of a sister Grand Lodge may do and perform .

With fraternal greeting we do request the Most Worshipful Graud Master of New Jersey to receive our said Eepresentative , whom we charge to assure the Grand Lodge of our high respect , and of our cordial desire to operate with them in every effort that can be made to preserve the purity and usefulness of Ancient Freemasonry

throughout the world . Given under our hand and seal of our Grand Lodge , at London , this 7 th dav of November , A . L . 5885 , A . D . 1885 , by command of the

Most Worshipful Grand Master His Eoyal Highness the Prince of Wales , E . G ., & c , & c . ( Seal ) . LATHOJI D . G . M . SHADWELL CLERKE G . S . The Commission was duly presented at the meeting of the Grand Lodge last week , and Mr . Pine received in

accordance with the expressed wish of the Royal Crafts , man . —Newark ( N . J . ) Sund ' ay Call , 31 s £ January .

Palestine Commandery, No. 18, K.T., Of New York City.

PALESTINE COMMANDERY , No . 18 , K . T ., OF NEW YORK CITY .

PALESTINE Commandery , No . 18 , K . T ., stationed at New York City , gave its eighth annual reception in the Metropolitan Opera House , ou Thursday evening , 14 th January . This occasion was one of the most brilliant events of the social season . Palestine Catnmandery is distinguished for two things , namely , the earnest

interest its members take in the maintaining of all things which are for the honour of the Order , and for the large and generous hospitality with which on an occasion like that of the past reception visiting Knights are received and entertained . The preparations for the event had been in the hands of an efficient committee a long time

previous , and when the evening arrived everything was completed by the best of good times . The Opera House was in gala array and resplendent with light when the Knights and their ladies and the many guests arrived . The decorations were made under tho superintendence of Sir Mitchell Halliday . All nations were represented in

the flags which adorned the fronts of the boxes , while the principal features of the display of light and colour were of an emblematic character , appropriate to Templary . The stage had been transformed

into a tent , iu the rear of which was a platform for the Grand Officers , garlands of flowers and statues buing displayed upon and about it . A large passion cross of white flowers , with a smaller Templar cross of red flowers , was a conspicuous object , which was

Palestine Commandery, No. 18, K.T., Of New York City.

made by Mrs . Milton Frost , of Detroit , and presented by her to Palestine Commandery . A cross formed in gas jets surmounted the flowers , and these also flamed out , in tongues of fire , the motto , " Tn Hoc Signo Tinces , " above the cross , while the name " Palestine , N <\ 18 , K . T . " appeared upon the cross itself . The beauseant of tho

Qommandery was in front of the proscenium arch , and on each side were representations of Knights in armour . The guests were received ^ y Em . Sir James W . Bowden , Em . Commander , Chairmnn of Committee on Invitation , and as the Knights in their rich uniforms , and the ladies in their elegant costumes gathered , the scene was one

of great beauty . Capp . vs Seventh Eegiment band , 110 pieces , discoursed charming music as the throng grew ; and as the boxes filled and tho more restless ones moved abmt the aspect was inspir . ing . After an overture from Verdi's " Sicilian Vespers , " and selections from the " Mikado , " the band struck up a grand match .

Palestine Commandery , composed by Signer Cappa , dnring the performance of whioh Grand Commander E . E . Sir Peter Forrester and his staff were escorted to the platform . Then followed an inspection and review by the Grand Commander , iu which appeared delegations from Columbian Oommand « ry , No . 1 ; Morton , No . 4 ;

Clinton , No . 14 ; Ccetir de Lion , No . 23 ; De Witt Clinlou , No . 27 ; Manhattan , No . 31 ; Ivanhoe , No . 36 ; Constantine , No . 48 ; Bethlehem , No . 53 ; York , No . 55 ; St . Elmo , No . 57 . ; Greenwood , No . 58 ; and Palestine , No . 18 . Following this inspection was an exhibition drill by the Drill Corps of Palestine Commandery , composed of

thirty-six Knights , under the command of P . En . Sir Eugene S . Ennson . The several movements , including varions emblematio formations , were admirably executed , in fact almost , if r . ofc quite , to perfection , and were observed with markel interest . Dancing followed , with an extended order of dances , which occupied the time

till nearly daybreak . Among the guests present were Mayor William E . Grace ; Hugh J . Grant , Sheriff of the oity ; V . E . Gen . Sir Charles Boomo , Aoting Graod Master of the Grand Encampment of the United States ; E . E . Sir Eli C . Birdsey , P . G . C . of Connecticut ; E . E . Sir John W . Simons , Trrasnrer of the Grand Encampment of

the United States ; E . E . Sir Peter Forrester , Grand Commander of Grand Commandery of New York ; E . Sir Albert G . Goodall , Grand Generalissimo ; E . C . Christinnce , Grand Treasurer , and Robert Macoy , Grand Recorder of the Grand Commmdery of New York . From the Grand Commandery of Now Jersov , R . E . Sir Thomas W .

Tilden ,, Past Grand Commander ; E . E . Sir John H . Ackorman , Grand Commander ; E . Sir Edward W . Price , Grand Generalissimo ; E . Sir Isaac C . Githens Grand Captain G ^ ner . d j E . Sir Thomas Godson Grand Prelate ; E . Sir Albert D . Winfield , Grand Standard-Bearar , and E . Sir Charles Stee , Grand Jnnior W . vrden . There wero also

present Most Worshipful Brothers Frink R . Lawrence , Grand Master ; Washington E . Connor , Grand Marshal ; Wor . Herman G . Carter , Grand Librarian ; George H . Rtiyovincl Gi-ani Lecturer , Col . E . M . L . Ehlers Grand Secretary of Graud Lodore of New York , Sir Holland of St . Bernard Commandery , Chicago , E . Sir Eobert M .

Lawrence , of Westchester Commandery , No . 42 , New York , and Sir George W . Latimer , of Detroit Commandery , Michigan , aa well as delegations from Washington Coramandory , Newport , R . I . ; Apollo , No . 1 , Chicago , III ., and St John's , No . 4 , of Philadelphia , Pa ., who lent their presence on this festive occasion . Noticeable among the

throng hailing from Massachusetts were Eminent Sir Charles E . Pierce , Commander of St . Omer Commandery , of South Boston and an honorary member of Palestine . On his suite were E . Sir Charles J . Noyes , P . Com ., aud Sir Charles H . Porter Junior Warden of St . Omer , and Sirs Frank H . Mudge and George S . Carpenter , of De

Molay Commandery , of Boston , and Sir George W . Frye , of Godfrey De Bouillon Commandery , of Fall Eiver—each of whom , with the exception of tho two Knights last named , were accompanied by their wives . India was represented by V . E . Sir K . Arthur Saunders , Prior of the Grand Priory of Madras , India , and District Deputy Grand

Master of the Grand Lodge of England iu India . Eminent Commander Bowden and the Officers and Knights of Palestine were ubiquitous , and unwearying in their exertions to promote the happiness of all participants , and their efforts for this Eighth Annual Eeception were crowned with success . Long live Palestine Commandery , No . 18 , Knights Templar !—Keystone .

An Inquiry.

AN INQUIRY .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Can any of your readers enlighten me with regard to the general practice in reference to Lodge Benevolent Funds ? First , Will Grand Lodge sanction a Bye-law embodied in the General Bye-laws of the Lodge—1 . Establishing such a

Fond ; 2 . Fixing the proportion of subscriptions ; 3 . Setting forth the sources from which the money is to come—collections from members and guests after or during banquets ; 4 . Constituting the body to administer the Fund ? Such a Bye-law I fancy gives the Lodge

something of the Bemblance of a Friendly or Benevolent Society , and 1 cannot but think that it is better altogether to omit it from tho general Bye-laws and to deal with the matter by sepnrate and distinct regulations . Faithfully and fraternally yours , Lux .

The Fifteen Sections

THE FIFTEEN SECTIONS

WILL BE WORKED By the Brethren of the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , No . 1056 , at the West Smithfield Lodge of Instruction , No . 1623 , beld at the Red Lion Tavern , Eed Lion Court , Fleet Street , E . C .

Bros . J . E . Stacey P . M . 1541 W . M ., Larchin P . M . 1541 S . W ., Gush P . M . 1541 J . W . First lecture—Bros . Tacon , Skelton , Spon , Snelling , Squirrell , Larchin , Gusb . Second lecture—Bros . Shipwright , Dury , Kearney , Jenkins , Stubbins . Third lecture—Bros . Beck , Fox , Shaw .