Freemasonry In Ireland And Scotland.

FREEMASONRY IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND .

IRELAND . The second oldest Grand Lodge is Ireland , constituted 1729—30 , at Dublin , but a Grand Lodge had a prior existence at Cork . There are 382 active lodges on the roll , the last number , as will be seen by reference to the official Calendar for that country or to the " Cosmo ., " being 1014 . The defunct numbers of lodges extinct are used again for new lodges , so that

for many years there has been no actual numerical revision , and as some lodges are only known by their numbers , this curious state of things is likely to continue . The precedency , so to speak , is no indication of age , as with the English and Scottish registers , No . 11 being of A . D . 1 S 65 , and No . 854 of A . D . 1707 .

There are 37 lodges in Dublin ( under very direct supervision , none more so in the world ) , 84 in Antrim , 47 in Down , and then they run in provinces from 26 down to five . There are seven in regiments , and abroad the numbers are ( or were until quite recently ) 15 each in Victoria and New Zealand , 14 in Q ueensland , nine in Tasmania , and four in Ceylon . One lodge each appears under South Australia , Isle of Man , Gibraltar , Malta ,

Constantinople , and Ontario , and two each at Bermuda and the Mauritius . In all-Dublin Lodges ... ... ... 37 Provincial ,, ... ... ... 271 Colonial , & c . „ ... ... ... 67 Military „ ... ... ... 7

382 The Grand Masters' Lodge , without a number , was founded in 1749 , and No , I , Cork , in 1731 . As I have given a number of transcripts of old warrants in the Freemason , there is no need to refer at length to that point now , nor to the roll of Grand Masters , especially as my list of the Masonic Rulers in Ireland has been incorporated in this year ' s official Calendar , and the previous one has been discarded .

I here are 145 Royal Arch chapters and 41 Knight Templar preceptories . All these take the same numbers as the lodges under whose wing they work . Thirteen Rose Croix chapters are chartered , and are active at the present time , and , like with our Supreme Council in England , those Degrees beyond the i 8 ° are worked from head-quarters only . The Craft and these" High Degrees" mutually recognise each other , and none others are allowed to be worked in Ireland . SCOTLAND . The Grand Lodge of Scotland is the junior of the three governing bodies of the British and Irish Craft , but , as respects the antiquity of its lodges , is far a head of its two sister Grand Lodges , and of every other under the sun ! Formed in 1736 , when there were some 100 active lodges in the country , many with records dating back to the 17 th century , and one

farther back still , the Grand Lodge of Scotland is pre-eminently the senior ruling power in the world , by continuity , in relation to the Society of Free and Accepted Masons , not a few of its subordinates being directly engaged in controlling and managing the Masons when Grand Lodges were unknown .

According to the " Cosmo ., '' there are 540 active lodges on the Scottish roll ; but it is possible there are more , only the annual return in the official reports is not quite clear on the subject , there being several given in arrear . In the Metropolitan District there are 28 lodges ; the largest home province is Ayrshire , vvith 42 lodges , followed by Glasgow , with 34 ; Forfarshire , 25 ; Fifeshire , 23 ; and Lanark ( Mid Ward ) , 21 , the remainder

varying from 15 down to as few as three lodges . In the Foreign and Colonial Provinces , New South Wales leads off with 55 , India having 36 , and New Zealand , in three provinces , lias 51 . Victoria is represented by 12 and Queensland with 11 lodges , and nearly a score else of provinces absorb the rest . It will be seen that this list will be subject to reduction , owing to the formation of Grand Lodges in New South Wales and Victoria .

1 he Grand Lodge of Scotland recognises the Mark Degree , but not the Royal Arch . England has adopted the latter ceremony , and declined the Mark , and Ireland has recognised both these Degrees . The Supreme Grand R . A . Chapter of Scotland has some 150 chapters on its register , and though not actually recognised , is virtually so , as the

Grand Master of the Grand Lodge usually occupies the position of " First Grand Principal , " just as vvith the corresponding * offices in England in the Craft and Arch . The Supreme Grand Chapter vvas not formed until the second decade of this century , and is fairly vigorous at the present time . There is , however , a margin , as yet , for an enthusiastic Grand Scribe E . to considerably increase its influence and prosperity .

There is a Grand Council for Scotland of the Royal and Select Masters ; also a Chapter General of lhe Temple , a Grand Imperial Council of the Red Cross , and a Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , besides a governing body for the " Royal Order of Scotland , " so that there is neither any lack of Degrees nor of Masonic organisations in North Britain . W . J . HUGHAN .

United Grand Lodge Of England.

UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND .

The Quarterly Communication of United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England was held on Wednesday evening , at Fie- 'masons' Hall , when there were about 1500 brethren present . The R . W . Bro . VV . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Prov . G . M . for Hants and the Isle of Wight , presided . Bro . T . W . Tew , Prov . G . M . for West Yorkshire , acted as Deputy G . M . ; Bro . Sir E . A . H . Lechmere , Prov . G . M . tor Worcestershire , as Past G . M . ; Bro . Brigadier Gen . Alexander VV . Adair , as S . G . W . ; and Bro . Lieut-Gen . the Hon . Somerset J . G . Calthorpe , P . G . W ., as J . G . W . Grand Lodge havingbeen opened in form , the GRAND SECRETARY read the minutes of the meeting on 5 th Dec , 1888 , vvhich were then put , and confirmed . Sir J GORST , P . M . Drury Lane Lodge , then rose and said : M . W . Grand Master in the chair , —I rise for the purpose of proposing his Royal

Highness the Prince of Wales to be elected Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . No words of mine are necessary to secure the unanimous acceptance by the brethren of this proposition ; but I think 1 shall be expressing the feelings of every brother here present when I say that they mark with pleasure and satisfaction how year by vear under his

United Grand Lodge Of England.

Royal Highness Freemasonry is strengthened , and how year by year the services his Royal Highness renders to the Craft are increased . I am sure we all hope his Royal Highness will live many years to cement and adorn our Order . Bro . THOMAS HASTINGS MILLER : Most VVorshipful Grand Master in

the chair , —I have very great pleasure in seconding the motion of Bro . Sir John Gorst , and I think I shall best consult the feelings of Grand Lod ge in repeating the hope of Sir John Gorst that the Great Architect of the Universe may give his Royal Highness many years of health and happiness to preside over this Grand Lodge .

The M . W . GRAND MASTER in the chair : Brethren , —I believe no other candidate is proposed , and therefore I declare his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales elected Most Worshipful Grand Master for the ensuing year . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Sir ALBERT VV . WOODS ( Garter ) , Grand Director of Ceremonies , then proclaimed his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales duly elected M . W . G . M . for the ensuing year .

Bro . Lord GEORGE HAMILTON . M . P ., First Lord of the Admiralty , VV . M . Chiswick Lodge , No . 2012 : M . W . G . M . in the chair , and brethren , — I rise for the purpose of proposing for election as Grand Treasurer for the year Bro . George Everett , P . M ., a brother whose devotion for thirty years to the cause of Freemasonry well entitles him to that high honour . Bro . FERGUSON , P . M . 177 : M . W . G . M . in the chair , —I have great

pleasure in seconding the motion laid before Grand Lodge by our Bro . Lord George Hamilton . I have had the honour and pleasure of the acquaintance and friendship of Bro . George Everett many years , and I can vouch to his great value as a Mason , both with regard to the working of the ritual and with regard to his charitable work . I may say , M . W . G . Master in the chair , that our Bro . Everett has served an apprenticeship to the duties of

Treasurer , because he has been the Treasurer of the Domatic Lodge for several years , and Treasurer also of numerous other lodges . In those and other capacities he has proved himself a most worthy brother , and I second the proposal of his election , feeling satisfied that Bro . Everett vvill hoid the high office of Grand Treasurer with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of the Craft .

Bro . THOMAS CATLING , W . M . Savage Club Lodge , No . 2190 : M . W . G . M . in the Chair , —Succeeding to the chair of King Solomon in the Savage Club Lodge , I have inherited from my predecessor , Sir Somers Vine , a very great and pleasant duty , that of recommending to you for election as Grand Treasurer , Bro . Edward O'Connor Terry . I wish to make my remarks on an occasion like this as brief as possible , but I must beg of you

for a few moments to bear with me , because I am most anxious that no brevity of speech on my part should impair my laying before the brethren from the provinces the claims of so estimable a brother as our Bro . E . Terry . Having been a Mason for many years , he has yet , we hope , a long and brilliant career to look forward to in the future . Bro . Edward Terry was initiated on May 26 th , 1868 , in the

Royal Union Lodge , Uxbridge , No . 3 S 2 . He joined the Asaph Lodge , No . 1319 , in which he served all the offices , and was installed W . M . in 1877 . He is also a Past Master of the St . Alban ' s Lodge , * No . 29 . He has been a member of the Savage Club Lodge , No . 2190 , since its foundation , and he is its Treasurer . He is a P . Z . of the Asaph Chapter , No . 1319 . He vvas appointed Grand Steward in 1885— 1 S 86 , and has for two

years been a member of the Board ot General Purposes , last year being returned at the head of the Past Masters . He is a Vice-President of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and a Life Governor of the other two Masonic Institutions . He has also served the office of Steward ten times . These records , M . W . G . M . in the chair , and brethren , show that he has not been unmindful oi his duties as a Mason . With regard to the qualifications of Bro . Terry for the office of Grand Treasurer I am able to speak

with some experience , because he has been associated with the Savage Club from its commencement . He has been its Treasurer two years , and its lunds are in a very prosperous condition . He has worked the duties of Master of the lodge , and has initiated within the past year as many new brethren as any Master in any lodge in London . These qualifications ol " Bro . Terry I hold entitle him to your regard , and I hope you vvill elect him . He is a good Mason and a good man , and a man as highly esteemed as any man belonging to the Craft .

Bro . LENNOX BROWNE : M . W . Grand Master in the Chair and brethren , —1 have the honour to second the proposition that our Bro . Terry be elected as Grand Treasurer ; but after the full list of his qualifications , vvhich do not at all express everything vvhich might be laid before you , I am sure it is not necessary for me to detain this Grand Lodge by further

or lengthened remarks . But allow me to say that I have known Bro . Edward Terry for many years , and I am sure that there is no man for whom I have greater regard . Although the duties of Grand Treasurer are not onerous , the appointment is very honourable . I am sure that both in his private and in his Masonic capacity his character for integrity and honour will justify you in electing him .

The bretnren then proceeded to the election , Scrutineers of the ballot were chosen and obligated , the voting papers vvere collected , and the Scrutineers withdrew . The following Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in vvhich are recommendations for the following Grants , was then laid before Grand Lodge and adopted : —

The widow of a brother of the Beacontree Lodge , No . 1228 , London £ 50 o P The widow of a brother ot the Excelsior Lodge , No . 1722 , Dagshai , E . I . ... ... ... ... ... 5 <"> ° ° The widow of a brother of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord , No . 4 63 , Croydon ... ... ... ... 50 o 0 A brother ot the Marquis of Ripon Lodge , No . 14 S 9 , London ... 50 o o 5300

The widow of a brother of the Dalhous-e Lodge , N j . S 60 , London A brother of the British Union Lodge , No . 114 , Ipswich ... 5 ° ° ° The widow of a brother of the Lodge of friendship , No . 278 , Gibraltar ... ... ... ... ... 5 ° ° ° A brother of the Stoneleigh Lodge , No . 725 , Coventry ... 5 ° ° ° A brother of the London Kifle Brigade Lodge , No . 1962 , London 100 o o A brother of the Lodge of Perfect friendship , No . 37 6 , Ipswich 100 o o

The widow of a brother of the Sphinx Lodge , No . 1329 , Camberwell ... ... ... ... - I 0 ° ° ° A brother of the Grenadiers Lodge , No . 66 , London ... ... 75 ° A brother of the Restoration Lodge , No . in , Darlington ... 100 o o A brother of the Lodge 0 / Tranquillity , No . 274 , Newchurch ... 5 ° ° The following Report of the Board of General Purposes was taken as read , received , and entered on the minutes . To the United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ot England , . , The Board have to report that on the ist of December last they receive