Scotland.

Constitution to the effect of requiring lodges to pay to the Benevolent Fund , not one-half of the annual subscription of each member , but only the sum of one shilling . The previous question was moved by Bro . PHILLIPS , Glasgow , " and seconded by Bro . J AMES TAYLOR , and was carried by 130 against no .

The annual accounts , which were submitted , showed that the income for the year ending 30 th November had amounted to ^ 6466 , and the expendditure to ^ 2710 , leaving a surplus of ^ 3736 . This brought the funds up from ^¦ 41 , 033 last year to . £ 43 , 103 . The Scottish Masonic Benevolent Fund amounted to £ 7918 , and the Annuity Fund to £ 27 , 814 , and it has to receive one-half of the income of the Grand Lodge , or £ iS 68 . The annuities paid last year ( 114 ) amounted to £ 1180 . The Grand Treasurer submitted a

statement for the past quarter , which showed that the income of the Grand Lodge had been £ 2319 , being £ 1092 in excess of the expenditure . Grand Committee recommended that Bro . John L . Officer , W . S ., be associated with his father , Bro . W . Officer , S . S . C ., as joint law agent for Grand Lodge in consideration of the long and valuable services rendered by the latter through several Committees to Grand Lodge . This was adopted by Grand Lodge .

Bro . Lieut .-Col . J CAMPBELL , Prov . G . Master Perthshire West , reported that he had visited the nine effective lodges in his province . The books , which were carefully kept , showed that all the lodges were in a prosperous condition . AH lodges in his province met in their own or rented halls , with one exception , and there was an excellent fraternal feeling amongst the lodges and brethren in the province .

It was pgreed to issue charters to the new Lodge Kildrummie , Methven , Perthshire East , and to four new lodges in Queensland and Western Australia .

Ladies' Festival Of The Molesey Lodge, No. 2473.

LADIES' FESTIVAL OF THE MOLESEY LODGE , No . 2473 .

This annual fixture took place at the Hotel Windsor , Victoria-street , S . W ., on the 27 th ult ., and , like its predecessors , proved an unqualified success . Bro . H . J . Keen , W . M ., and Mrs . Keen cordially welcomed the members and guests on their arrival . These included Bros . C . J . Sherwood ,

I . P . M . ; C . Stewart Walker , S . W . ; C . Morrell , J . W . ; F . W . Buxton , P . G . S . Wks . Berks , Treas . ; E . Parsons , Sec . ( pro tern ) ; C . O . Burgess , P . P . G . W . ; J . R . Cleaver , P . P . G . D . ; S . Hewett , P . M . ; W . J . Harvey , A . Bray , T . A . Mitchell , H . A . Lewis , E . L . Berry , P . P . G . D ., P . M . ; W . Greaves , P . M ., and many others .

At the conclusion of a well-served banquet , the toast of " The Queen and Royal Family " was heartily honoured . Bro . C . O . BURGESS , P . P . G . W ., in the absence of the I . P . M ., who had been obliged to leave owing to indisposition , proposed " The Health of the W . Master . " In proposing this toast to Bro . Keen's personal friends , he

would not dwell upon his personal qualities . Bro . Keen was the 7 th W . M . of this lodge , and it might be of interest to know he was about to be installed in another lodge—the Covent Garden . It was always a pleasing thing to see any man rising to a place of dignity that his elders had aspired to . The W . M . was a young man , and , by diligent application to the science of Masonry , he had risen to the position of the head of the lodge .

Bro . H . J . KEEN , W . M ., thanked Bro . Burgess for the very handsome and kind way in which he had proposed the toast . Some 10 years ago , when he joined Masonry , he never thought he should attain his present position , and , as stated , he hoped to be W . M . of another lodge in a few weeks . He wished to thank the ladies for their presence , and also thank Bro . Parsons , the Secretary pro tern , for the energetic manner in which he

had carried out his duties . Bro . Parsons stepped into the gap caused by the illness of Bro . Gilbert , who had gone South in search of health . He likewise thanked the Stewards who had assisted in making the affair a success . As a treat was in store for them in the musical programme provided by Bro . Stuart Walker , he would simply thank them . Bro . E . L , BERRY , P . P . G . D ., proposed "The Ladies and Visitors . "

The members considered it their duty to entertain the ladies , and were always pleased to see them , for they were happier men when the ladies were present . They therefore thanked the ladies for having graced their board , and hoped for many years to come they would do so . " The Visitors " was always received in this lodge with heartiness . A Molesey member only invited visitors who were " Hail fellow , well met , " and whom he could meet in public or private .

Mr . CHAMPION replied for "The Ladies , " and Bro . GREAVES , P . M ., for " The Visitors . " The health of the absent Secretary was drunk , and an excellent entertainment followed , which reflected the greatest credit upon all concerned . The artistes included Miss Florence Machin , Miss Clarice Harvey , Messrs . Alex . Prince ( Concertina ) , Jno . Warren ( Ventriloquist ) , and R . A . Roberts ( Humorous Sketches ) , and Bros . W . E . Goodwins , Ambrose Thome , and Stuart Walker . Mr . Eustace Wallis was accompanist .

Instruction.

Instruction .

PROSPERITY LODGE , No . 65 . A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 7 th inst ., at the Whittington , 5 and 7 , Moorlane , E . C . Present : Bros . P . O'Doherty , W . M . ; Hillman , S . W . ; J . G . Robeson , J . W . ; D . Harlow , P . M ., Preceptor ; William Baker , P . M ., Asst . Preceptor ; C . Butcher , P . M ., Asst . Sec . ; T . Stokes , S . D . ; Rix , J . D . ; Barker , P . M ., Org . j Weiss , I . G . j Hamilton , P . M . fj Brown , P . M . ; Roberts , P . M . ; Meurice , Gcrnon ,

Whetstone , Lockett , Fishleigh , Collins , Farr , Williams , and Bamford . The lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed . The ceremony of initiation was then rehearsed , Bro . Lockett acting as the candidate , the W . M . giving the charge . The lodge was opened in the Second Degree . The W . M . then vacated the chair in favour of Bro . J . Brown , P . M ., when Bro . Whetstone , answering the usual questions , was entrusted . The lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and Bro . Whetstone was raised to the Degree of M . M . by Bro . Brown , who rendered the ceremony in his very best style . Bro . Brown then vacated the chair

Instruction.

in favour of the W . M ., and the brethren went through Masonic drill , after which the lodge was resumed in the First Degree . On the second rising of the W . M ., the Preceptor proposed— " That a hearty vote of thanks he accorded to the W . M ., and recorded on the minutes , for the able manner in which he had worked the ceremonies for the first time . " This was carried unanimously . The mufical portion of the ceremonies was greatly enjoyed by all present , Bro . Barker

most ably presiding at the American organ ; in fact , it so adds to the beauty of the working that a P . M . and other brethren , who had been unable to attend since its introduction , and were strongly opposed to the idea , stated they bad changed their minds , and thought it a great improvement . Bro . Hillman , W . M . 560 , was unanimously elected to occupy the chair on Wednesday , the 14 th instant . The lodge was then closed .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . J . KNOWLES HODGES , P . M ., P . Z . The funeral of Bro . ] . K . Hodges , whose death is lamented by a numerous circle of friends and the brethren of the lodges of which he was for many years a member , tcok place in Norwood Cemetery on Monday , the 22 nd ult ., there being a full attendance of those who were anxious to pay the last tribute of respect to our deceased brother . Bro . Hodges , who was in his 64 th year , was a Gentleman of Her Majesty ' s Chapel Royal , St . James ' s , and also of St . Paul ' s Cathedral .

He was initiated in the Asaph Lodge , No . 1319 , was a founder and P . M . of the Orpheus Lodge , No . 1706 , a founder of the Sterndale Bennett Lodge , No . 2182 , and a founder and P . Z . of the chapter attached , to the last-named lodge . He had also been perfected Rose Croix , 18 , and for many years had been the musical director ol the Orpheus and Sterndale Bennett Lodges . Thus he was almost as well known in the Masonic as in the musical world , and was highly esteemed and respected in both .

BRO . THOMAS TAYLOR , J . P ., C . A . BUCKS . Early on Sunday morning , the 21 st ult ., news was circulated through Newport Pagnell that Bro . T . Taylor , who had been ill for a short time had passed away suddenly . The distressing intelligence caused a gloom amongst a very large section of the community , for Bro . Taylor was widely known and univers - ally respected , and much sympathy was expressed for Mrs . Taylor and family . His life for nearly half a century has been one of continual work for tbe good of his native town , he having been on all the public bodies , and was at the time of

his death a County Alderman for Pucks and a Justice of the Peace . As a man and a citizen it will , indeed , be difficult to fill his place . As an individual he possessed urbanity in a considerable degree , and to this was added chivalrous conduct and a genuine sympathetic disposition . In religion he was a Churchman , and was ever ready to further the prosperity of the Church and its welfare . The sacred edifice of St . Peter and St . Paul is a standing memorial to his endeavours and generosity in its beautiful interior . As a Freemason he was a

brother of sterling merit . He was initiated in St . Peter and St . Paul Lodge , No . 1410 , at Newport Pagnell on September 24 th , 1872 , installed W . M . in 18 79 , and was appointed its Secretary in 1883 , to which office he died in . He was appointed P . S . G . Warden for Bucks and Berks in 1881 . He was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry , St . George's Chapter , No . 8 40 , in January , 18 7 6 , and was installed M . E . Z . in 1883 ; was elected Treasurer in 1878 ; Scribe E , in 1896 , and continued in office . When the Province of Berks and

Bucks was divided in 1890 , he was appointed P . G . J , of Bucks , and , in 1896 , was elevated to P . G . H ., which he held to his decease . He was advanced in the St . Peter and St . Paul ' s Mark Lodge , No . 163 , in 18 73 , and was installed W . M . in 1881 , he was appointed Secretary in 1883 , which he continued to hold , was appointed Prov . S . G . W . of Bucks in 188 3 , Grand Steward in 1883 , Grand Standard Bearer in 1886 , and was D . P . G . M . of Bucks from 1892 . He was a founder of the Brownrigg Ark Mariner Lodge , and was a P . C . N , and its Scribe .

He was perfected a Rose Croix in the Adoniram Chapter , and was installed M . W . S . in 1896 , and was a member of the 30 ° . Was W . M . of the Stewart Council , No . 16 , and A . G . D . C . He was a Vice-President of all the Masonic Charities and a Life Governor of the Mark Benevolent Fund . The funeral took place at Newport Pagnell , on Thursday , the 25 th ult ., and was attended by a vast concourse of friends and sympathisers . The officiating clergy were Bro . the Rev . C . M . Otley , the Vicar , assisted by Bro . the Rev . V . P . Wyatt , P . G . Chap . Eng .,

the musical portion of the ceremony being conducted by Bro . O . H . Bull , the Organist . The Masonic part of the followers assembled in the Masonic Hall , and consisted of the brethren of the Lodge , Chapter , and Mark , and many distinguished Masons from all parts of the province . The coffin—of polished oak and massive brass furniture—bore the following inscription : "Thomas Taylor , born March 22 , 1832 ; died January 21 , 1900 . " Besides the friends of

the family and the Masonic friends , there also followed members of the County Council , as also Messrs . W . W . Carlisle , M . P ., J . P ., Tarver , and Levi , of the Magistrates' Court ; members of the Odd Fellows' and Foresters' Clubs—Urban District Council—and the Conservative Association . The large concourse of followers was due to the deceased being associated with every public institution in the town and of his great personal influence and generous disposition .

IN MEMORIAM . His hand is still'd , his voice is hushed , For the calm of Death is there , And all is silent as the grave , Except for a murmuring prayer . His eyes are closed , which lustre shed , And his spirit has taken its flight To realms beyond our mortal ken ,

And far removed from sight . His Masonic radiance—like a sun—Has ceased its beaming light , And his bright and glorious noon-day work Is o ' erclouded in darkness of night , It came—like a sudden eclipse ,

And shadowed his brilliant sun , Casting a gloom of mournful sadness , In that sphere where his work is done . But that life's work still remains , And beckons us on to that goal Which he sought , and truly obtained—Just reward for a faithful soul .

HER MAJESTV HAS , through Sir Arthur Bigge , intimated to the Newcastle-on-Tyne City Council , that she will be unable to visit Tyneslde to lay the foundation-stone of the new infirmary there , but that H . R . H . the Prince of Wa ' es will perform the ceremony on her behalf , on a day in the week commencing June 18 . The exact date is to be fixed by the Prince later .