Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

EAST GREENWICH . Borough of Greenwich Lodge ( No . 332 ) . —The installation meeting of the above select lodge took place on Tuesday , the 25 th ult ., at the William IV , Hotel , Bro . George Burney ' s comfortable hostelry , vvhen Bro . W . T . Hunt , S . VV . and W . M . elect , svas placed in the chair of A ., and saluted . The follosving officers were

appointed , viz .: Bros . Dr . W . C . S . Burney , I . P . M . ; W . H . Burney , S . W . j J . G . Thomas , J . W . ; S . J . Gore , M . O . ; G . P . Carter , S . O . ; E . W . Carpenter , J . O . ; F . Couldry , P . M ., Treas . ; G . P . Carter , acting Sec ; T . Nesvton , R . of M . j C . Kedgley , S . D . j H . T . Fryer , J . D . ; T . J . Cracknell , I . G . ; and J . Spinks , Tyler . Bro . Dr . Ralph Gooding , P . M ., and P . M . Bon Accord Lodge ,

( T . L ) , and P . J . G . O . England , svas the Installing Officer , and carried out the duty in that magnificently eloquent and impressive manner svhich characterises all the Masonic svork he does . He was accorded an unanimous vote of thanks , the same to be recorded on the minutes of the lodge , for vvhich he returned thanks . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren sat dosvn to

one of the worthy host ' s elegantly appointed and served banquets , for vvhich he vvas complimented on all sides . Among the other brethren present were Bros . W . Kipps , P . M ., P . P . J . G . O . Kent ; IT . W . Partridge , P . M ., P . G . M . O . Kent ; T . Morgan , G . Burney , and C . Jolly , M . O . 226 , P . P . G . O . Kent . The toasts of "The Queen and Mark Masonry" and

"The M . W . Grand Mark Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " having been drunk with much enthusiasm , that of "The Pro Grand Mark Master , the D . G . M ., and the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was honoured , and , in responding , Bro . Gooding said that , in returning thanks for their cordial reception of a toast that included in its scope some of

the grandest gentlemen of England , he supposed that he ought to be very serious ; but , whether serious or gay , he responded to it with ' a great deal of pleasure . Of the Prince of Wales it vvould be unnecessary to say much , because they all knesv the great interest his Royal Highness alsvays took , and had taken , not only in the Mark , but in Craft Masonry . Lord Egerton of Tatton had been before them

in every capacity as a Freemason , and not only that lodge , but every lodge , fully appreciated his quality as a guardian of the principles , and a thorough good worker for the success of the Mark Degree . For those officers holding humbler rank , including himself , he thanked them most cordially . The officers of Grand Mark Lodge had been selected for their services to the M . W . G . M ., and they duly appreciated

the honour , especially vvhen they came into such assemblies as the present one , because they felt that the selection made met svith the approbation of the great majority of the brethren of the Degree . For himself , he could say , that he had alsvays taken a great interest in that lodge , and it struck him that they should have , and ought to have , more members than they had at present , and he felt sure if the

brethren of the Craft in the district knesv more of the Degree they svould join it . They had H . R . H . the Prince of Wales at their head ; they had the most distinguished noblemen and excellent gentlemen for their senior Grand Officers ; while the rest of the Grand Officers and Grand Lodge itself were worthy of their pride and admiration . Then they had their osvn Charities , and plenty

of money in their funds , and he could not help thinking that in that district , svhere there svere so many good Craft Masons , if the advantages of the Degree svere knosvn there svould be a much larger increase to the strength of that vvhich vvas such an excellent and svell placed lodge . With respect to their nesv grand hall , it svould be svhen finished one of the best in London , equal to every call that might be

required of it . Then , in conclusion , he svould say again that he should very much like to see the lodge increase in numbers ; they had plenty of quality , and if they could get a greater quantity vvith an equal amount of quality , he sasv no reason svhy the lodge should not be one of the most flourishing in the province of Kent . As the lirst Past Master of the lodge , he thanked them for their cordial reception , and

wished the Master a prosperous year of office . Bro , Partridge , in responding for "The R . W . P . G . M . M ., the D . G . M . M ., and the rest of the P . G . Officers , Present and Past , " thanked them , and felt proud of being that year P . G . O . of such a province as that of the Province of Kent . He looked upon it not so much an honour to himself , but to the Borough of Greensvich Lodge . He considered himself

a lucky fellosv , and hoped to see Bro . Burney a P . G . Officer next year . Bro . Kipps spoke highly of their P . G . M ., and said it vvas only tsvo years ago they all thought they svere going to lose him . In the person of Bro . Cummings , their esteemed D . P . G . M ., they had a most energetic and hard working Mason , and one who had been most kind to that lodge . He

vvas pleased to see the father of the lodge present , in Bro . Gooding , and thanked him for coming amongst them and installing their W . M . in such a splendid manner , and trusted that for many years , svhether the Masters installed their successors or not , they might alsvays have him amongst them , at least at their annual festival . The I . P . M . then proposed the toast of "The W . M . "

He said he had had the pleasure of Bro . Hunt ' s acquaintance for many years , both in the Craft , the Royal Arch , and in that lodge , and hoped that acquaintance might long continue . He svas exceedingly glad to see him in the chair , and trusted he svould have a good year of office . Bro . Hunt , in response , thanked them for their hearty reception of the toast . He had arrived at the chair much

sooner than he expected svhen he joined the lodge . He hoped to have a good number of initiates , and , if so , he vvould not be found wanting in carrying out the work . Hc thought , and indeed trusted , nosv they had such a prosperous Craft lodge as the Borough of Greenwich Lodge , held at that house , that at least five or six of its members svould join theirs—the Borough of Greenwich Mark Lodge—and if they did he should leave the chair svith the satisfaction of

having done something to increase its strength . The next toast vvas that of " The Past Masters , " and , in putting it , the W . M . spoke highly of the valuable services rendered the lodge by its Past Master , and especially by Bros . Gooding , Kipps , Couldry , and Burney , svho svere also deserving of their gratitude . He presented Bro . Burney with a handsome Past Master ' s jewel , and wished him many years of health and happiness to wear it .

Mark Masonry.

Bros . Burney , Kipps , and Couldry severally eloquently responded . The Worshipful Master , in eulogistic terms , proposed the toast of " The Installing Officer , " for which Bro . Gooding feelingly returned thanks . Bro . Jolly responded for "The Visitors , " and Bros .

Thomas , Gore , Couldry , Carter , and Kedgley responded for "The Officers . " The Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings , vvhich were enlivened b y some excellent singing and reciting , Bro . Kipps presiding at the piano with marked ability .

Straits Settlements.

Straits Settlements .

SINGAPORE . Abdullam Conclave ( No . 17 ) . —This conclave of Secret Monitor svas constituted and consecrated by Bro . F . H . Gottlieb on the 17 th February . The follosving are the officers : Bros . G . Thompson , S . R . ; W . Porteous , Con . ; E . J . Khory , Guide ; VV . Makepeace , Treas . ; R . O . Morris , Sec . ; J . P . Joaquim , S . V . D . ; G . A . Derrick , J . V . D . j J . S . Robertson , Org . ; and S . R . Robinson , Guarder .

New South Wales.

New South Wales .

LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE OF ST . PAUL'S CHURCH .

On the 17 th January the ceremony of laying the memorial stone of St . Paul ' s Church , Stockton , New South Wales , was carried out with great eclat . Large numbers assembled , it being understood that the Fraternity had interested themselves in the affair , and that the Bishop of Bathurst vvould take a prominent part in

the ceremony . The proceedings were commenced by the Harmony Lodge , No . 15 , assisted by representatives from numerous lodges . The brethren were received with the usual ceremonies . A Masonic procession was then formed , which

moved towards the scene of laying the foundation stone , where a great crowd had assembled . The stone vvas laid with all Masonic ceremony by Bro . Camidge , Bishop of Bathurst . Upwards of £ 250 was laid upon the stone . After the ceremony Bishop CAMIDGE delivered a very

stirring address upon Masonry and the usefulness of architecture . He maintained that such a style of architecture vvas indicative of the character of the age in which the buildings were erected . He insisted , however , above all , in the principle of acoustics being considered in preference to anything . He concluded by

appealing to Masons to attend St . Paul's Church when it vvas completed . The Vicar-General of the diocese , the Rev . Canon SELWYN , replied , thanking his brother members of the Craft for their attendance that afternoon , and the

influence they exercised on behalf of the Building Fund of St . Paul ' s Church , Stockton . The Eisteddfodd choir then sang "Worthy is the Lamb , " and the ceremonies closed with the National Anthem . The whole proceedings were highly successful .

On the following day a Masonic festival vvas held at the Pro Cathedral in aid of the same purpose . The Rev . Dr . Camidge preached the sermon , and all the lodges were well represented . The Vicar-General , Canon Selwyn , and the Rev . S . C . Grime assisted at the service . The collection vvas a good one .

Australia.

Australia .

GRAND LODGE OF VICTORIA .

A special communication of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Melbourne , on the 29 th January , The meeting was convened for the especial purpose of discussing the new Book of Constitutions or code of law . The Grand Lodge vvas opened by the Deputy Grand . Master , Bro . George Baker , P . G . M ., who occupied the * chair during the whole of the proceedings .

The seven first clauses were passed after much discussion , and with several amendments . At this stage , the adjournment of the debate was proposed , and negatived . Clauses 8 to 14 were then carried . On clause 15 , " the Grand Master , if the Governor

of Victoria , may appoint a Pro Grand Master , " a . lengthy and animated debate arose , vvhich re-opened , the question of appointment or election , and which , turned upon the point whether the present meeting ,, convened for the purpose of framing new laws , should , be bound by any previous decision of Grand Lodge .

The Grand Registrar , Bro . I . A . ISAACS , P . M ., spoke ; at length upon this point . No settlement having been arrived at at a late hour ,, Bro . J . COPELAND , P . G . S . B ., proposed , and Bro . H .. L . BATTEN , P . J . G . D ., seconded the adjournment of the : debate , after which the Grand Lodge was closed .

Freemasons' Dinner And Tea To Poor People.

FREEMASONS' DINNER AND TEA TO POOR PEOPLE .

On Thursday , the 20 th ult ., the members of the Unioni Lodge No . 127 , according to their annual custom ,, invited about 250 of the respected aged poor to dinner * and tea at the Foresters' Hall , Margate . An excellent

Freemasons' Dinner And Tea To Poor People.

dinner was provided by Mr . J . Hume , of Hig h-street , consisting of roast beef , haunches of mutton , roast veal , hams , Masonic pudding , and- mince pies . After vvhich an entertainment—referred to below—was given ; then followed oranges , lig ht refreshments , tobacco , & c , tea , and cake , and bread and butter , and , on leaving , each

person received one pound of tea . The Mayor ( Bro . W . L . Lewis ) presided , supported by Bro . B . L . Moor , W . M ., and the Rev . W . Taylor Jones , Chaplain ; and among the members of the lodge and others present were Bros . F . Stanley , S . W . ; J . Brighurst , J . W . ; Bamber , S . D . ; Fagg , J . D . ;

W . J . Clarke , W . M . 133 D . C . ; J . Moore , A . D . C . ; H . Manning , Stwd . ; H . Wootton , Sec . ; A . Wootton , P . P . G . S . ; C . J . Buck , Akhurst , W . Crasvford , Watt , Rayner , F . T . Perry , Morley , J . Roach , Gurton , Goodyear , F . W . Willett , Phipps , J . W . Simpson , J . L . Hume , F . Pointer , J . Healing , I . P . M ., Hon ,

Sec . and Treasurer ; H . Toohey , and others , many of whom acted as Stewards , and , assisted by their wives and other lad y friends , attended to the wants ot the guests . The Vicar of Margate and the Rev . D . Lloyd were present during a portion of the afternoon . Grace vvas said by the Chaplain , and a band , under the

direction of Bro . J . Moore , performed during the dinner . After the dinner , the MAYOR said that , dinner being over , and as they had done all things decently and in order , as all good Masons desired to do , the Committee had provided a programme for the recreation of the ladies and gentlemen present .

The first part of the programme vvas an overture by the band ; songs by Bros . J . G . Henning , H . Wootton , and J . L . Hume , and Mrs . J . A . Fagg , and Miss Simpson ; and a recitation by Mr . Hodges . In the interval , the CHAPLAIN said it vvas very kind of his Worship the Mayor to ask him to say a few

words to them ; but he thought they had an evidence before them that the Freemasons were better at doing than at talking . It gave him great pleasure to see them there that day , and he hoped they had enjoyed themselves . The princip les of Freemasonry were brotherly love , relief , and truth . He thought they had a proof

that brotherly love existed among the Margate Freemasons ; and he was sure nothing pleased them better than to see their poor brethren enjoying themselves , as he trusted they were doing that day . They knew one was expected to give good advice on spiritual welfare ; but good advice , accompanied by the best advice in

action , often went straig ht and best to the heart . Mr . RICHARD OVENDEN , one of the guests , in response to a call from the chair , said he svas thankful that they had people on the face of the earth called Freemasons , vvho filled hungry brothers . Might they all feel gratitude to the ladies and gentlemen for their

kindness and attention to the poor of Margate . A vote having been carried , a selection vvas played by the band ; Misses Healing and Ethel M . Buck performed a piano duet ; Miss Maud M . Willett gave a recitation with excellent effect , eliciting a demand for a second piece , which was given ; Mr . Tomlin sang a

comic song , vvhich vvas encored ; Mr . Hodges gave a recitation ; Bro . F . Stanley sang ; and the Mayor gave a pathetic reading entitled " Called on . " The piano vvas kindly lent by Bro . Brighurst , and the accompaniments were by Mrs . W . Jones Lane and others . Tea vvas then provided , and , at the close , the MAYOR

proposed a vote of thanks to the donors , and also to the ladies and their children , for the assistance they had so kindl y rendered . The motion having been carried unanimously , The respected WORSHIPFUL MASTER responded , and thanked the Mayor for the kindness and ability vvith

which he had presided . He also stated that the Union Lodge vvas established in Margate in 176 3 , and was numbered 127 on the Grand Register . It was , he added , a curious coincidence that the lodge vvas exactly 127 years old that very day . Bro . A . WOOTTON , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., seconded , and it was carried ; and the MAYOR suitably responded .

A New York Scheme Of Masonic Relief.

A NEW YORK SCHEME OF MASONIC RELIEF .

Some time ago acircularwas sent forth by the Masonic Board of Relief inviting donations for the establishment and maintenance in New York of a Charity ive regard as being among the most practical and beneficial projects as yet presented to the Fraternity for a common and universal support . New York , it must be borne in

mind , is a cosmopolitan and commercial metropolis , the Atlantic seaport , to vvhich naturally drifts a vast body of strangers and svayfarers , among them Masons , their widows and orphans , at any moment liable to be stricken vvith sickness , temporary penury , or other affliction . Hundreds of strangers annually apply to the

Board of Relief tor assistance , vvhich can onl y be extended as it is at present constituted by donations in limited sums of money , a most unsatisfactory arrangement , proving an encouragement for perpetration of petty impostures and frauds . Now the Board proposes to hire or to build a house in a central portion of the

city wherein to establish a species of caravansery svith eating saloons , lodging rooms , and a hospital combined , svhereat the stranger proving his dependence upon the mystic tie and his worthiness and need can be cared for , after the manner of the Samaritan of old , beneath the

immediate supervision of agents of the Fraternity , and then depart upon his way , thankful that he had not encountered the fate of the man from Jericho . Nesv York Masons owe it to themselves to see that this excellent project is immediately carried out .