Mark Masonry.

ALTRINCHAM . Stamford Lodge ( No . 148 ) . — The annual installation meeting of this lodge was held on Monday tvening , the 19 th ult ., at the Town Hall , when a fair gathering of the brethren were present . The ceremony of installation was admirably carried out by Bro . Cartwrieht , P . P . G . I . G . after which the newly-installed W . M ., Bro .

, Broadsmith , P . P . J . G . D ., nominated his officers for the ensuing vear , viz . : Bro . the Rev . C . C . Atkinson , P . J . G . W ., l . P . M . ; E . G . Parker , P . G . S . B ., S . W . ; Stephenson , J . W . ; Wagstaff , M . O . ; Law , S . O . ; Dykes , J . O . ; Ramsden , P . P . G . M . O ., Treas . ; Derbyshire , P . G . Stwd ., Sec . ; Mills , Reg . ; Small , P . G . D . C , D . C- ; Hamson , S . D . ; McLeod , J . D . ; Nicholson , P . G . Stwd ., I . G ;

Smith , P . G . O ., Org . ; and Huxley , Tyler . These brethren were duly invested , and received from Bro . Cartwright an address . Various items of business were then proceeded with . The Prov . Grand Secretary , Bro . Newhouse , P . S . G . D . Eng ., offered to the VV . M . ( Bro . Broadsmith ) , congratulations from Prov . Grand Lodge of

Mark Masons in Cheshire , and expressed his entire satisfaction as to the standing of the Stamford Mark Lodge and its future prospects . The lodge was then closed , and it cannot pass without notice , that this particular Degree in Freemasonry has made rapid strides , and carried out excellent work during the last few years . After business the brethren adjourned to refreshments .

HUDDERSFIELD . Truth Lodge ( No . 137 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge took place on Friday , the 23 rd ult ., in the Masonic Hall , Fitzwilliam-street . The lodge was opened by Bro . John F . Dyson , W . M ., assisted by Bros . G . Jackson , S . W ., W . M . elect ; A . Armitage , J . W . ; G Marshall , P . M ., Treas . ; A . Rowe , Sec . ; J . Naylor , M . O . ;

T . G . Howell , S . O . ; J . Brook , P . G . Org ., S . D . ; S . A . Radcliffe , J . D . ; H . Shaw , P . M ., as I . G . ; C Nicholson , P . M ., Tyler ; Rogerson and Marriott . Visitors : Bros . II . S . Ho'dsworth , P . M . 5 S , G . Std . Br . ; G . H . Radcliffe , P . M . 5 S , P . P . G . W . ; J . Matthewman , no , Pro G . Sec . ; W . H . Wilson , and others . The minutes of the last regular meeting having been

confirmed , the ballot was taken for two candidates , and proved unanimous . Bro . John Barker , P . M . 58 and 137 , P . G . 1 . of Wks ., Dep . Pro Grand Master of the province , now entered the lodge and having taken the chair proceeded with the business of the evening and advanced Bros . J . H . Dyson and Ben Naylor , after which Bro . G . Jackson , S . W ., W . M . Elect , was presented to him by Bro .

H . S . Holdsworth , G . Std . Br ., and duly installed in the chair of A . The following officers were then appointed by the W . M .: Bro . A . Armitage , S . W . ; T . G . Howell , J . W . ; R . Williams , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., Treas ., elected ; | . Naylor , Sec . ; A . Rowe , D . of C . ; T . Heaps , M . O . ; 1 . Brook , P . G . Org ., S . O . ; S . A . Radcliffe , J . O . ; F . VV . Marriott , S . D . ; T . Rogerson , J . D . ; C . Nicholson , P . M ., I . G . ; H . Shaw , P . M ., I . G . ; ' and J . H . Dyson , and B .

Naylor , Stwds . After " Hearty good wishes" had been expressed to the newly-installed W . M . for the continued prosperity of the lodge it was duly closed , and the brethren sat down to supper presided over by the VV . M ., and a pleasant evening was spent .

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

Lodges and Chapters of Instruction .

LA TOLERANCE LODGE ( No . 538 ) . —A meeting of this lodge was held on Wednesday , the 2 Sth ult ., at the Frascati Restauant , Oxford-street , W ., when there were present Bros . E . Kraus , W . M . ; J . Mason , S . W . ; M . Gooneratine , J . W . ; J . Paul , P . M ., Preceptor ; j . Thorn , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; VV . E . Willby , P . M ., Sec ; L . Guniel , S . D . ; A . Narten , J . D . j T . Pr . ogle ,

I . G . ; S . C . Cross , G . A . Sturgess , and F . Bande . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutrs of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ist Section of the Lecture was wrrked by Bro . J . Mason , and the 2 nd by Bro . Willby , Sec . The ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . S . C . Cross being the

candidate . The W . M . rose for the first time , and Bro . F . Bande , 511 , was elected a joining member . The dues were collected . At the second rising , Bro . J . Mason , S . W ., was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed his officers in rotation . The third ballot of the Charitable Asscciation was won by Bro . Rich . After the third rising , all Masonic business being ended , the lodge was closed .

ISLINGTON LODGE ( No . 1471 ) . —The usual weekly meeting was held on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , there being present Bros . R . P . Upton , W . M . ; J . H . Whadcoat , S . W . ; J . W . Clarke , J . W . ; W . Hancock , P . M ., Preceptor ; C M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , and J . Duncan , P . M ., Sees . ; W . Rapley , S . D . ; D . C . Ritchie , I . D . ; A . C Burnley , I . G . ;

A . Oliver , P . M . ; T . E . Williams , C . R . Kemp , VV . A . Goring , M . Tuck , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . Essex ; and H . B . Harding , P . M . The lodge was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Goring being the candidate . Bro . Goring answered the questions leading to the Second Degree and retired . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree and the

ceremony of passing rehearsed , Bro . Williams being the candidate , Bro . Whadcoat having taken the chair for the purpose of working this ceremony . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree and resumed in the First Degree . Bro . Kemp was elected a member of the lodge . Bro . Whadcot was elected W . M . for the ensuing week , and appointed the officers in rotation . The lodge was then closed .

CHAUCER LODGE ( No . 1540 ) . —A meeting was held on Tuesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Old White Hart J lottl , Borough , S . E . Present : Bros . J . O'Dea , W . M . ; Polah , S . W . ; Bullpiti , J . W . ; Roots , Preceptor ; Bird , Sec ; Featherstone , S . D . ; P . M . Malham , I . G . ; C . R . Williamson , P . M . ; and Layton .

The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Malham answered the usual questions . The lodge was opentd in the Second Degree , and the ceremony of passing was rehearsed , Bro . Malham being the candidate . Bro , O'Dea worked the ist Section of this Lecture . The

Lodges And Chapters Of Instruction.

lodge was resumed in the First Degree , and the ceremony of initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Layton being the candidate . 1 he W . M . rose the usual times , and the lodge was closed . STAR CHAPTER ( No . 1275 ) . —The usual weekly meetingof the above was held at the Stirling Castle Hotel , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday , the 23 rd ult .,

when there were present : Comps . F . Hilton , M . E . Z . ; Pullen , H . ; Cope , J . ; F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; Hewett , S . N . ; Lewis , P . S . ; Cass , Dunn , and Bendetti . The minutes of the previous convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Cass personating the candidate . Comp . J . Pullen H ., was elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting , and the chapter was closed .

The Voting Power Of Lodges.

THE VOTING POWER OF LODGES .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The subscribers to our three Masonic Institutions must carefully examine the proposed addition to

the laws of the " Benevolent" as it appears on the agenda for Grand Lodge of the 5 th inst . There can be no question as to the advisability of the ranks of Vice-Patron and Patron being accorded to each of the qualified lodges as is already the case with the Educational Institutions but it is a

moot point , whether that should be done as is proposed in this case , for one-half of the amount subscribed to the others . This is not , however , the worst feature . For a payment of 200 guineas it is proposed that a lodge shall rank as a Patron with 90 votes , whereas the previous part of the law shows clearly it will receive for the like sum no

votes . The proposed alteration therefore contradicts itself . Again , a further payment of 200 guineas will give 240 additional votes , making 350 in all , as against 80 given tor the like sum in the sister Institutions . This should not be , and is not fair to the others . The object of all

charitably disposed brethren must be that each Institution should stand on an equality , and not outbid the others . The proposed alteration is practically perpetuating the special " Jubilee " voting power , and is unjust to the other Institutions . I trust members of Grand Lodge will not " approve" the alteration . —Yours fraternally , JUSTITIA .

Masonic Lecture At Exeter.

MASONIC LECTURE AT EXETER .

There was a special gathering of Freemasons at the Masonic Hall , Exeter , on Wednesday , 21 st ult ., to hear a lecture by that ableand eloquent historian and Masonic antiquarian , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . Eng , P . P . G . W . Cornwall , P . S . G . W . Iowa , & c . The meeting took the form of an emergency lodge in connection with St .

John the Baptist Lodge , No . 39 , the W . M . of which , Bro . Andrew Hope , entertained a number of visiting brethren who accompanied Bro . Hughan from Torquay . There was a large attendance of Exeter and other brethren , some of whom came long distances to hear the lecture , which was on "The Cathedral builders in relation to the ' Old Charges' of the British

Freemasons , and the continuity of the Craft under the operative and speculative era of the Fraternity . " Bro . HUGHAN expressed his pleasure at meeting so many brethren under the banner of St . John ' s Lodge , which was fortunate in possessing the oldest original warrant of constitution in England , dating from 1732 . He only wished the records of the lodge had been

similarly preserved . The continuity of Freemasonry beyond the beginning of the last century had been denied , and it was that fact that led him to enter upon his researches some thirty years ago . There was no doubt that originally candidates were entrusted with a copy of the Old Charges , of which he had several facsimiles . When he began his researches

there were only 12 known manuscripts containing these Old Charges , and now there were about 60 . Up to the beginning of the past century Freemasonry in England was Christian , but now it was cosmopolitan . This was clearly proved by the Old Charges , which contained invocations to the Trinity and numerous Biblical references . This probably arose from the fact

that Masons were associated with religious teaching in consequence of their being the builders of the old cathedrals . In this way their continuity could be proved during the past five centuries . They had particulars in the records of 1350 that were preserved at York Minster . Practically at that time Freemasons possessed a monopoly , and no one had the power to

act as an operative Mason without belonging to a lodge . Freemasonry as they had it at the present time , and during the past five centuri es , was English in origin . Bro . Hughan proceeded to prove this by references to the Old Charges , of which he showed some valuable and interesting fac-similes . These records even went back so far as 500 years ago , and

Bro . Hughan suggested that some of these Old Charges should be read in open lodge , because they showed that their society was ancient as well as honourable . Alluding to the term Freemasons , it was suggested that the prefix Free had its origin in Free-stone Masons , though some preferred Free Stonemasons . In this connection they had Free Sewers in Exeter in the fifteenth century , as well as

the various breemen in connection with the London and other gilds . Although they had not the records of those times , they had the marks of the Masons in the old cathedrals , and particularly the crypts , and all the principal buildings all over the world . The Masons' Company in London had records of both operative and speculative Freemasons in 1621 , but in the latter part of the seventeenth century the company

Masonic Lecture At Exeter.

dropped tne prefix Free , and allowed that term to \> e utilised entirely by the speculative body . Both in the marks and arms could they trace their continuity , and through the Old Charges , which he regarded as their title deeds , it could be continued back to the twelfth century . Scotland was very rich in these records , and in Edinburgh the volumes dated from 1559 , and that of the old Kilwinning Lodge from 1642 , the earliest

English record being 1701 , though Ashmole ' s journal went back to 1646 . Their continuity as a secret society could be proved from the fourteenth century . In the course of a most interesting discussion , lasting over an hour , that followed , Bro . HUGHAN mentioned how he found the marks in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral , and suggested some one should find out the marks of Exeter Cathedral . At the new Truro Cathe .

dral , the marks were on the beds of the stones , and therefore out of sight , but he possessed a copyot them through the courtesy of the R . W . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , Prov . G . M . of Cornwall . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro . Hughan for his lecture , on the motion of Bro . E . H . SHOUIO , I . P . M ., seconded by Bro . J AMES J ARMAN , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ^^^

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . W . SUTTON GOVER . The death of Bro . W . Sutton Gover , which took place on Saturday last , has caused general regret in the City , both in civic and business circles . The deceased being well known and greatly respected . The sad event was not , however , unexpected , as Bro . Gover had for several days been in a most precarious

state of health ; indeed , his medical advisers regarded his condition as hopeless . Then a temporary rally ensued , but this was not maintained , and the deceased gradually sank , and expired on Saturday morning . The deceased , who was 72 years of age , was a member of the Corporation , and had filled thechair of nearly every Committee . At the time of his death he was a member of the

Music and Law and City Courts Committee . He was an old and esteemed Mason , being a Past Master of Grand Masters' Lodge , and P . Z . of St . James' Chapter . Asa commercial man he was widely respected , and possessed undoubted financial ability as well as a fine organising capacity . The deceased was the founder of the British Empire Mutual Assurance Company and

the British Equitable Assurance Company ( of which he was at the time of his death the managing director ) . The late Deputy was a liveryman of the Loriner ' s Company ( which he joined in 1867 ) , a member of the Vintry Ward Club , and President of the Metropolitan Chess Club . The deceased was also a member of the

first London School Board . He resided at Casino House , Dulwich , and leaves a widow , four sons ( one of whom is an assistant actuary at the office of the British Equitable ) , and two daughters ; and his mother , who , we learn , is an old lady in her 97 th year . The funeral took place on Thursday at Nunhead .

Scotland.

Scotland .

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OP LANARKSHIRE ( LOWER WARD ) . The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held in Chapter Rooms , 213 , Buchanan-street , on Monday , the 19 th ult . Comp . Major F . W . Allan , M . E . Supt ., occupied the chair , assisted by Comps . E .

Macbean , Depute Supt . ; James Provan , P . G . ist Principal ; J . R . Paton , P . G . 2 nd Principal ; Jas . Balfour , P . G . S . E . ; J . Sanderson , P . G . S . N . ; J . M'Naught Campbell , P . G . Treas . ; and others . After the usual routine business , the election of office bearers for the ensuing year took place , viz .:

Comp . W . M . Denholm ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . A . S . Kerr Prov . G . Chan . „ R . Bradshaw Prov . G . ist Soj . „ J . Connell Prov . G . 2 nd Soj . „ J . B , MacNaught ... Prov . G . 3 rd Soj . „ C . W . Schute Prov . G . S . B .

,, A . Robertson Prov . G . D . C . „ Emile Berger Prov . G . Org . „ 1 . Muir Prov . G . S . of W . „ R . M'Donald Prov . G . Std . Br . „ G . Muir Prov . G . Janitor .

The ceremony of installation was ably performed by the M . E . Superintendent . The Auditors' report showed the funds to be in a satisfactory position . The Provincial Scribe N . presented a handsome cushion in Royal Arch colours for the use of the

chapter . Comp . Major F . W . A LLAN stated that after a good deal of letter writing he had been successful in recovering the original minute book of date 1855 of " Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the Western District of Scotland , " so well presided over by the late

Dr . Walker Arnott . This book , along with some others , had been removed to London somewhere about 20 years ago , and was traced to a broker ' s shop there . They were now in his possession , and he had great pleasure in presenting them to the Provincial Grand

Chapter . Major Allan received the hearty thanks of tie chapter . Thereafter the Provincial Grand Chapter was duly closed .