United Grand Lodge.

The motion was seconded anil carried . Bro . the Rev . C . W . SPENCER STANHOPE then rose anil said : Most Worshipful Grand Master in the chair , 1 am about to move a resolution which I ilo not suppose lias ever been heard before in this Grand Lodge . To-day is the ist of December , as you all know ; but a great many of you may be unaware that it is the birthday of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales . ( Hear , hear , and applause . )

To-day is Her Royal Highness's thirty-sixth birthday . Wc all know her well , I hope , and she is beloved by every Englishman and every Englishwoman throughout the worid . ( Applause . ) And , without further preface or any great ado , as many brethren want to go , I know , I will move the following resolution : "That the very best wishes of this Grand Lodge be conveyed to Her Royal Highness on this her thirty-sixth birthday ; and that it may please

the Great Architect of the Universe in His great mercy to grant her many happy returns of the day is the prayer of the Freemasons of England gathered together in Grand Lodge this evening . " ( Hear , hear , and great applause . ) The Rev . C . j . MARTYN , Past Grand Chaplain and Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Suffolk : Most Worshipful Grand Master in the chair , May I have the honour of seconding that motion ?

Lord TENDERTEN : Brethren , I have had much pleasure in granting leave to our worthy and distinguished brother to make the motion which he has submitted , and which has now been seconded . I am sure we can all add to it hearty good wishes . I need not put it io the vote , as you will all be unanimous upon it , as we are generally in Grand Lodge . ( Applause . ) Grand Lodge was then formally closed .

Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

The Half-yearly Communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonics and Dependencies of the British Crown was held on Tuesday evening , at the Freemasons' Tavern . Lord Hennikcr , Deputy Grand Master , presided ; the Baron dc Ferrieres , M . P ., took the S . W . chair , and Bro . Twecilale the chair of J . W . The brethren present were : Bros . Lord

Henmker . D . G . M . M . asG . M . M . ; Rcv . G . Raymond Portal , M . A ., P . G . M ., and P . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; Charles Stephens , D . P . G . M . Berks and Oxon , as D . G . M . ; the Hon . Wilbraham Egcrton , M . P ., P . G . M . for Cheshire ; Baron de Feirieres , M . P ., as G . S . W . ; J . F . Tweedalc , as G . J . W . ; W . Roebuck , C . E ., as G . M . O . ; O . II . Pearson , as G . S . O . ; Captain A . B . Cook , as G . J . O . ; Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O . ; Reginald 1 . Mure and R . deM . Lawson

P . G . S . O . ; Revs . Ambrose W . Hall , M . A ., and W . Stain ton Moses , G . C ; Revs . T . 1 " . F . Ravenshaw , M . A ., and C . W . Spencer Stanhope , M . A ., P . G . C . ; James Stevens , P . G . J . O . ; F . Davison , G . Treas . ; II . C . Levander , M . A ., G . Reg . ; F . Binekes , G . S . ; D . M . Dewar , A . G . S . ; G . J . McKay , G . S . D . ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . D . ; Capt . Thomas Hargrcaves , P . G . J . D . ; C . II . Driver , G . Sup . of Works ; W . F . Westgate , A . G . D . C ; W . Hudson , P . G . D . C ; S .

Rosenthal , as G . S . B . ; T . W . Adams , as G . S . B . ; E . M . Lott , as G . Org-. ; F . II . Cozens , P . G . Org . ; W . F . Clarke , as G . I . G . ; A . D . I . oewenstark , P . G . S . ; A . Haynes , J . Smythe , andT . de I . cliva , G . Stewards ; Hcmy Massey and Thomas J . Pulley , P . C Stewards ; C . T . Speight , Grand Tyler ; J . E . Le Fcuvrc , G . S . W . Hants ; E . Passawer , G . Reg . Middx . and Surrey ; Thomas Benham , G . S . D . Hants ; II . Lovegrove , G . Sup . of Works Middx . and

Surrey ; H . Baldwin , Asst . D . C . Middx . and Surrey j J . R . Shearer , G . I . G . Hants and Isle of Wight ; II . W . Hnrriann , G . I . G . Berks and Oxon ; II . George , G . I . G . Lincolnshire ; W . J . Meek , W . M . 190 ; Rev . II . ' G . Morse , W . M . 197 ; A . F . Godson , W . M . 40 ; J . Reaney , W . M . ^; W . Groome , W . M . 205 ; W . Stephens , P . M . . ' , 5 ; W . Klingenstein , P . M . 22 ; E . J . Iloaie , M . O . 244 ; J . II . Peach

Org . 199 ; A . J . Bristow , D . I ) . 7 ; J . J . Marsh , 199 ; James Harris , 44 ; J . E . Wright , 54 ; W . ' Winnelt , 239 ; [ and R . Prockter , 54 . After Grand Lodge had been formally opened , Bro . F . BIN ' CKES , Grand Secretary , read the minutes of the last Half-yearly Communication , which were put and confirmed .

i he following was the report of the General Board , the adoption of which was the next business on the paper : The number of certificates issued during the six months to 30 th September , 1 SS 0 , is 572 . The total number of registered advancements to same date is i 4 , oSfi . | Warrants for new lodges have been issued as follows : No . 2 G 2 St . Martin Canterbury , Kent .

„ 2 G 3 Union of Malta Malta . „ 264 Eollicn Hong Kong . „ 2 O 5 Fleming Newark , Notts . ,, 2 fifi Amherst Sandgatc , Kent . „ 2 C 7 King Charles the Martyr Tunbiidge Wells , Kent . „ 2 OS Lathom Southport , Lancashire . The number of certificates of elevation to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner is 99 , and the warrants for new lodges are

Yr Ysgallen , attached to St . David ' s Lodge , No . 38 . Hospitallers „ Keystone , ' , 107 . Phrcnix „ Phoenix „ 242 . Natalia „ Natalia „ 232 . Noah „ Union af Malta ,, 263 . The Treasurer ' s account shows receipts from nil sources on account of the General Fund £ 623 17 6

and balances on 30 th September last-In favour of the General Fund ... ... £ 203 2 1 ,, ,, Benevolent Fund ... ... 2 S 9 7 3 n _ ,, Educational Fund ... ... 243 11 7 while investments have since been made—On account of Benevolent Fund / ' 200 o o ,, ,, Educational Fund ... ... 200 o o The Province of Cornwall has been placed under the

charge of the Grand Registrar , owing to the lamented illness of R . W . Bi-n . Col . Pearce , Prov . G . Master . The Province of Cheshire and North Wales has been divided , the lodges in the latter district having been funned into a separate province , with R . W . liro . William Bulkcley Hughes , M . P ., as Provincial Grand Master .

The services of General Doherty , which promised to be so valuable in his capacity as R . W . Prov . Grand M . Master of Somerset , are unfortunately lost to the Order owing to protracted illness , and that province has also been temporarily placed under the charge of the Grand Registrar , pending the nomination of a successor .

Grand Mark Lodge.

The 12 th Annual Festival in behalf of the Benevolent Fund was held at the Crystal Palace , nn Wednesday , the 7 th of July , under the presidency of R . W . Bro . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., Prov . G . Master of Middlesex and Surrey . The result was a most successful one , the amount contributed through the efforts of 30 Stewards having been £ " 550 9 s . fid .

The Board recommend the following grant from the Benevolent Fund : A sum not cxceeding £ 2 5 to F . C . K . The advantages offered by the educational branch of the Benevolent Fund are , at present , enjoyed by one recipient only . The law requiring a qualification of three years' contribution to a lodge by a ; brother to render his son eligible for the assistance of this fund is considered to operate

arbitrarily and prejudicially , and the Board recommend the suspension of this requirement , reserving the right of Grand Lodge to restore it should circumstances in their opinion justify its rc-cnactment . Much difficulty has been found to exist in connection with honorary membership of lodges . The status of brethren complimented by such distinction is certainly

undefined and unsatisfactory . The Board therefore advise the insertion in the Book of Constitutions of the following clause , which shall both recognise and clearly define the status and unsition of honorary members : " Brethren who have deserved well of the Order , or of a lodge , may be admitted as honorary members of a lodge under the same conditions as subsrribinp- members . But

honorary membership shall convey no rights or privileges beyond that of being present at lodges and attending banquets on payment of the same fee as subscribing members . " The tenancy of the offices of Grand Lodge , at No . 2 , Red Lion-square will expire on 25 th March , 1 SS 1 , the

premises having passed into other hands . The General Board recommend that they be empowered to make all such arrangements and , if necessary , to incur such expenditure as may be requisite for providing proper offices . The Grand Treasurer's accounts for the six months ending 30 th September , 1 SS 0 , show the following results :

GENERAL __ XI > . Balance from 31 st March , 1 SS 0 ... ... £ 34 $ 19 3 Half-year ' s Rcceipls ... ... £ ' 589 3 2 Interest on Investments ... 34 14 4 C 23 17 C

£ 97- i ° 9 Half-year ' s Disbursements : Expenditure ... ... ... £ 39 $ 2 2 Purchase of £ 300 Queensland 4 per Cent . Debentures ... 2 S 1 12 6 G 79 U S

Balance at Bankers , 30 th September , 1 SS 0 ,. 293 2 1 BENEVOLENT FUND . Balance from 31 st March , 1 SS 0 jfm 15 1 Half-year's receipts £ cfi 6 6 " Interest on Investments 2 S iC 5 ¦ 395 2 11

£ 306 iS o Half-year ' s Disbursements : Grants in relief ... £ 52 o o Expenses ... ... ... ... 040 Transferred to Education Fund 105 ( 1 9 217 10 9

Balance at Bankers , 30 th September , iSfo £ - ? 9 7 3 ! El ) UCATION FUND . Balance on 31 st March , 1 SS 0 £ 16 9 19 - Transferred from Benevolent Fund jfi (" 15 G 9 Interest on Investments ... ... 672 1 7 3

r vi r L ^ ' Expenditure ... ... ... ^ . 4 4 o Purchase of £ 100 Queensland 4 per Cent . Debentures ... 95 17 fi — 9 S 1 fi

Balance at Bankers , 30 th September , 1 SS 0 / . 243 11 7 Audited and found correct , ( Signed ) THOMAS Mi ; t ; i ; v , Auditor , filli October , lNI- ' o . , On the motion of Bro . S . ROSENTHAL , P . G . D . C , seconded by Bro . J AMES LEWIS THOMAS , Grand Senior Deacon , this report was taken as read , and received , and

ordered to lie entered on the minutes . Bro . PORTAL , P . G . M ., in moving the first recommendation in the report , " That a sum not exceeding £ 23 be granted to F . C . K . from the Benevolent Fund , " explained the circumstances of the case , which was an exceedingly distressing one , and said that the General Board , after carefully going into it , had come to the conclusion that the

amount recommended would be very fairly bestowed . Bro . V . DAVISON , Grand Treasurer , seconded the motion , which was then put and carried unanimously . Bro . G . R . PORTAL , P . G . M ., next moved the recommendation " That Bye-law X . of the Educational Branch of the Mark Benevolent Fund be suspended , subject to reenactment if deemed desirable . " The bye-law in question

is as follows : " . \ o applicant" ( the child who is candidate for education at the expense of the Educational Branch of the Benevolent Fund ) " shall be eligible for election unless the father has been for at least three years a subscribing member of some Mark lodge under the English Constitution . " Bro . Portal said the fund was now . 1 very considerable one , and there was only one boy receiving its

advantages . In addition to this , there was no application from any Mark Mason of three years' standing , while there wen : several brethren who had ivit been Mark Masons so lone who were desirous to benefit by tile fund , and they were brethren who had done a great ileal for the prosperity ol the Marl . IK-grei ' . The brctlircn present from the Province of Berk-shire would know there was one brother who had been very instrumental in reviving Marl ; Masonry in that

province , and yet who had not been a subscribing - member to a Mark lodge under the English Constitution for three years , to whom the benefit of this fund would be a very great boon . Then ; were several others in the same position . The Board only asked that Bye-law X . should be suspended for a time , and if the candidates became loo numerous the suspension would be taken off . The General Board believed that their proposition would be of advantage to the Order .

Grand Mark Lodge.

Bro . F . DAVISON , Grand Treasurer , seconded the motion . liro . J . LEWIS THOMAS , G . S . D ., thought there was one objection to allowing Mark Masons of less than three years ' subscription to an English Mark lodge to have the benefit of the fund—that it would be an inducement to brethren to become Mark Masters only for the purpose of coming on the fund . It would open the door to men to seek the

Degree only with the object of getting their children educated free of expense . ( Hear , hear . ) Bro . F . BI . NXKES , G . S ., said if the applicants becam e numerous the Board had power to restore Bye-law X . The Board thought if the bye-law was suspended they could place one or two more deserving applicants on the fund .

The moment the Board found that by their leniency any abuse of it was likely to occur they could re-enact the three years ' " law . He did not for a moment anticipate they would be overcrowded with applications . A brother must be a Mason of some standing before he was made a Mark Master , and his character would be well tested before the time he wanted the benefits of the fund .

Bro . T . J . PULLEY , P . G . Steward , supported the motion , as there was a large balance in hand , and only one boy now on the fund . The motion was put and carried item . con . The next motion was " That the following clause be added to the Book of Constitutions , to follow Clause No . S 9 : ' Brethren who have deserved well of the Order , or of a lodge , may be admitted as honorary members of a lodge under

the same conditions as subscribing members . But honorary membership shall convey no rights or privileges beyond that of being present at lodges , or attending banquets on payment of the same fee as subscribing members . ' " Bro . G . R . PORTAL , P . G . M ., in making the motion , said there had been in the minds of many Mark brethren very great doubt as to what the position of honorary members of a lodge was . In some lodges honorary members had even held office , and in many they were allowed to speak

and to vote . It was very clear that either of those positions was contrary to the accepted landmarks of the Order . 1 lonorary members of lodges were like tbe honorary members of a club . The honorary members could dine with the regular members on paying the same dining fee as the members , and they could be present at all the meetings , but beyond that they clearly ought not to go ; because if they were allowed greater privileges than that it would interfere with the rules as regarded regular members . Bro . F . DAVISON , Grand Treasurer , seconded the

motion . Bro . J AMES STEVENS , P . G . J . O ., opposed the motion , as the conferring of the honorary degree on a . brother who had deserved well of the Order , or of a lodge , meant nothing unless it was to show that a brother had deserved well of the Order , or of a lodge . He looked upon the restrictions which would be placed on this honour , if the motion before the lodge was carried , as depriving the honour of its real merit .

Bro . THOMAS MEGGY , P . G . M . O ., proposed that the matter should be referred back to the General Board for consideration . ' • • After a long discussion , in which Bros . A . F . Godson , Portal , Mure , Binekes , Levander , Baron de Ferrieres , and Capt . Hargrcaves took part , The GRAND MASTER in the chair said it appeared to him that there was sonic difficulty as to the form in which

the alteration should be effected , and that it would be advisable to refer it back to the Board . Bro . G . R . PORTAL , P . G . M ., adopted the suggestion , and the subject was referred back . Bro . G . R . PORTAL , P . G . M . next moved "That as the tenancy of the offices of Grand Lodge , at No . 2 , Red Lionsquare , will expire on 23 th March , 1 SS 1 , the General Board is hereby empowered to make all such arrangements , anil

if necessary , to incur such expenditure as may be requisite for providing proper offices . " lie said lie would ask Grand Lodge to have sufficient confidence in the General Board to allow them , if necessary , to incur expenditure . Grand Lodge was at present under notice to quit their present offices , and it was quite possible a premium might have to be paid in obtaining a lease of premises . If the matter were deferred to the Grand Lodge in the summer it would then be too late .

Bro . F . DAVISON , G . Treasurer , seconded the motion , which was then put and carried . On the motion of Captain I IARGREAVES , seconded by Bro . G . J . MCKAY , the report of the General Board was then adopted . Bro . GODSON then rose and said : A very pleasant duty now- falls upon me , and that is to propose the name to you for the Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuim ;

year . When 1 mention that 1 am about to put before you our Bro . Lord Hennikcr , I am sure the very few words I shall say on his behalf will be necessary to induce you nt once to receive it with acclamation . For myself , I have not had Hie good foituncof the personal acquaintance with ' the noble lord who has presided to-night ; but it has been my good foitune to know several members of his family , though they have now been called away ; and I shall

always retain the very deepest respect for everybody ol that name . Brethren , we all know how Lord Hennikcr has worked in the eastern districts of England . I do not repeat the offices that he has held , or how well he has served those offices , because , I am sure , the discussion that has taken place has taken up more time than any one here gave allowance for when they came into this room . Therefore , I do not propose to add anything to what I have already

said , and 1 am sure you will receive with the greatest possible pleasure the nomination I now make , which is that the Right Hon . Lord Hennikcr , Deputy Grand Master , should be the Most Worshipful Grand Mark Master Mason for the ensuing year . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Hennikcr then presented Charity jewels to Bros . Daniel Ace . D . I ) ., 227 ; T . W . Adams , 223 ; J . E . 'Anderson . 13 ; Thus . Benham , 54 ; Fredk . Binekes " ; Alfred J .

Bristow , 7 ; Rev . C . R . Haw , P . G . M . Gloucestershire ; W . Klingensroin , 22 : W . I ' . Lamonby , 229 ; C . S . Lane , 30 ; I ' - ' . C . Mather , Old Kent ; S . Mattison , 11 ; George Newman , 1 ; Christopher Park , 247 ; E . Passawer , LL . U- > 5 ; Thomas U . IVel , 34 ; Thomas | . Pullev , 2 } 5 ; '' " '" Shepherd , 225 ; II . R . Cooper Smith , Berks and Oxen ;

James Smyth , 44 ; J . F . Twecilale , 171 ; Augustus Walton . _ 144 ; Win . Watkiiis , Monmouthshire ; ' and Alfred Williams , 104 . Bro . BINCKKS , O . . Secretary , read a list of brethren who had written , apologising for inability to attend this Grand Lodge . Grand Lodge was then closed .