Bro. James Stevens's Proposed Motion.

BRO . JAMES STEVENS'S PROPOSED MOTION .

BRO . James Stevens has favoured us with the accompanying memorandum , from which it will be seen that the Pro Grand Master has ruled against his proposed motion on the subject of subdividing the Metropolitan District into Sectional Grand Lodges , possessing the same

powers and privileges as those enjoyed by our Provincial Grand Lodges , on the ground that such motion seriously infringes on the prerogative of the Grand Master . Brother Stevens's idea is , as our readers are well aware , that the London brethren are worse off by comparison witb those

residing in the Provinces , by reason of the fact that Provincial Grand hononrs are closed against them , and that , considering their numbers and influence , but , above all things , the vast increase in their numerical strength which has been made during tbe last five-and-twenty years , the

apportionment of Grand Lodge honours which is accorded them is less than they are entitled to . We are inclined to think Bro . Stevens has acted injudiciously in pressing forward this motion . We do not question his statement that the London brethren would be mightily pleased if his

motion were carried . There are those who think themselves happy when they can tack on to their names sundry initial letters signifying that they are Past Grand Blunderbusses or Past Provincial Grand Directors of the Sun and Moon , with the Milky Way thrown in by way of regulating

the centre of gravity . Our own opinion is , that we have already enough of Grand and Provincial Grand titles . Still , legitimate ambition is admirable in its way , and we cannot venture to blame those who feel they will be so much the happier if they can write " Post Meridiem " or " Ante Meridiem " after their names .

Seriously , we bold it to be a most unwise thing on Bro . Stevens ' s part to question the ruling of the authorities , and especially of one so thoroughly conversant with Craft jurisprudence as the Pro Grand Master . Doubtless , no harm would have resulted either to the prerogative of the Grand

Master or the welfare of the London brethren , had the Pro Grand Master ruled that the notice of motion might stand , with a view to the question being discussed in Grand Lodge . Still tbe laws , both written and unwritten , must be observed , especially by Masons , and as it is ,

undoubtedly , the prerogative of the Grand Master to nominate representatives of himself in such Provinces and Districts as he may think proper , we suggest , with all c'eference to Bro . Stevens , tbat be will benefit the Craft and himsel - "

more by letting matters rest as they are , than by taking further steps to promulgate his latest nostrum for the ed _ fication and amelioration of the Craft in England . We append the document received , which roads as follows : —

Extract from a letter received , 24 th August , from Grand Seeretary . " The proposed Notice of Motion , & c , was submitted to the Board of Masters afc their meeting last evening , when the following communication from the Earl of Carnarvon , & c , was read : — "Bro . James Stevens's Notice of Motion , dated 25 th July 1882 , has been duly laid before me by the Grand Secretary , and having carefully considered its purport , I am clearly of opinion thafc the Motion

is one which cannot be placed on the Ageuda Paper for Grand Lodge , inasmuch as ifc might lead to interference with , and encroachment on , the undoubted prerogative of the Grand Master , and with his freedom of action in the performance of the important duties of his high Office 38 set forth in the Constitutions of the Order , " —and consequently the Chairman of the Board of Masters ruled the Notice of Motiou could not be received , Seo .

offered , of £ 35 , £ 25 , and £ 15 respectively , namely : 1 st premium to Messrs . Dunk and Geden , motto " Venite et wdificemus " ¦ 2 nd premium Mr . Thomas Kissack , motto , Esprit de Corps " ; 3 rd premium Mr . Robert Griggs , motto , " Wisdom , Strength , and Beauty . " -

In response to the invitation of the Committe of th R . M . I , for Boys , for designs for the proposed Preparatory School , no less than seventeen sets of plans were submitted , to the following three of which were awarded the premiums

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