A Masonic Congress.

A MASONIC CONGRESS .

The following circular has been widely distributed by the esteemed Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Illinois , United States of America ( Bro . Munn ) . How many Grand Lodges will be represented at this "

Congress of Masons ¦ ' it is not stated , but evidently a sufficient number have responded to the invitation issued by command of the M . W . Bro . M . C . Crawford , Grand Master , to make the assembly both representative and international .

There are many questions of importance , and affecting the welfare of the Craft as a whole , which might well be considered by such a conference , such as that of Jurisdiction and Grand Lodge certificates , visitation , and election of joining members , and other matters concerningthe interests of the universal Craft , in relation to the action of the Grand Orient of France , invading

occupied territory , the exclusion of Jews from some Grand Lodges , and the issue of lodge certificates in lieu of the regular Grand Lodge certificates familiar to us in Great Britain and Ireland . Under proper guidance , and assuming that the proceedings will be deliberative

rather than legislative , we think much practical benefit should result from this conference on August 14 th , l 893-"From the Grand East of the Most Worshipful the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois , Free and Accepted Masons .

Jonesboro , III ., April 24 th , 18 93 . "To all Grand Lodges with whom we are in fraternal correspondence . " GREETING "By the current action of a sufficient number of Masonic Grand Jurisdictions , the meeting of a Congress of Masons , composed of delegates from such

Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons in correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Illinois as may decide to be represented therein , to be held in Chicago , the chief city of this Grand Jurisdiction , in August , 1893 , is assured . "Upon consultation with the delegates to the Congress

appointed at the last annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Illinois , and the executive Committee appointed at that time to make arrangements for the accommodation of assemblage , the Grand Master has decided to call the body to order at 10 o ' clock a . m ., on Monday , August 14 th , 18 93 , for preliminary organization .

"The Congress will hold its meetings in the Preceptory of Oriental Consistory in Masonic Temple . "Tosecure its prompt organization , the Grand Master directs that the Executive Committee , above referred to , take charge of the registration of members and any other matters in which their preliminary may assist the work of the Congress without trenching upon its right and duty to keep the details of organization and rules

ot government , subject exclusively to the determination of the assembled delegates . "The Executive Committee will be in session in the Preceptory of Oriental Consistory , in Masonic Temple , for the registration of members , on Saturday , August 12 th , from 10 a . m . to 4 j ) . m ., and on Monday , August 14 th , from 0 to 10 a . m .

" The Grand Master desire to emphasize and reiterate the assurance of cordial welcome to our jurisdiction , given b y the Grand Lod ge of Illinois at its last annual communication , to the Craft of other jurisdictions com-Posing the Congress , and to express for himself , as

• jrano * Master , the hope that all the Grand Lodges with whom we are in fraternal correspondence may be numbered among our guests . —Fraternally , "Attest . " MONROE C . CRAWFORD , " S . S . MUNN , " Grand Master . "Grand Secretary . "

Our Boys.

OUR BOYS .

On TktiBilay , the ist inst ., the 7 th annual dinner of tne Old Masonians , took place at Anderton ' s Hotel , 'he President , Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas ., pre . «¦

„ ' supported by Bro . J . Mcleod , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; Bro . I ' \« D' Head Master R * M . LB . ; Bros . Geo . Read , riu f , rker -J * L * Barrett , and others . Amongst the urn boys present were R . T . Chandler . H ™ Tr- »« .

"• J- Packer , Hon . Sec . ; E . A . Gough , Hon . Sec . ];• : Uwins , Sessions , R . H . Williams , Burgess , ' rancis , Lucas , Barnes , Hounslow , Glass , Ker , Johnson , Moorcroft , Scurr , and others . Alter justice had been done to the substantial reoast .

' hon j SUal loyal and Patriotic toasts had been duly noured , the CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast of said h Venin 'F ~ " Pros P er'tj" to the Old Masonians . " He im „ . ; s , he was to have the opportunity of coming spirit * lhe ° ld Bo > s ' and was P leased t 0 see thata He t ° brotherl * ° od existed amongst the members . fr-1 tPr rU 1 ' , they would ever perpetuate the kindly and 1 , 1 ! 1 feelin g which ori ginates in boyhood days , , * uoe always readv tn a \ vi > * ^ Inlnn- l , ^^ »„ >! , „„ w 6

Mr R than . themselves . " attenil S * CHANDLER , Hon . Treas ., in replying , drew Treas , ' ° the resi £ nation of Mr . Uwins , as Hon . ttededI I ** ' i- h'S 0 W" election to that office * He P "• urinp- Vu the gradual progress of the Association b » I ; iJL ? SeVen years oi lts ex' »* tcnce , that their and that Cet showed an available fund of 17 guineas , the naft n ° the - y had a capital of ^ 120—that during ¦ ' reside J ,, > had received three additional Viceand the c -5 * E * Ke > - Bro * Wm * Shurmur , kin < i don t ° Mlddlesex Lodge—and , among other Br Col p " ' ^ d received one of five guineas from of the fi j , Lamb ert . He made an appeal on behalf nd the y were forming with the object of

Our Boys.

assisting members in distress and of hel ping , when necessary , the boys on leaving school , bringing to a close his remarks by saying that they looked with confidence to the future , fully assured that the day was not far distant when the boys of the Masonic school would have , in addition to a strong Association , a good Masonic lodge , both of which would be worthy of the

traditions of the old school and a honour to the Craft to which they were attached . Mr . W . J . PACKER , Hon . Sec , also made a brief reply , in which he emphasised the need of a substantial benevolent fund by stating that he had only that day received a letter from a very old boy of the school asking for assistance .

The toast of '' The Past and Vice-Presidents" was ably proposed by Bro . R . H . WILLIAMS . He spoke of their first President , Bro . Frederick Binckes , and said his name would ever be cherished in the Association : he also alluded to the valuable support they had received from Bro . Col . George Lambert . He coupled with the toast the names of the two Vice-Presidents present , Bro .

Geo . Read and Bro . J . M . McLeod . Bro . GEO . READ thanked them for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received , and expressed his gratification at being present . Bro . J . M . MCLEOD replied with a speech full of kindly feeling to the members , and by the way in which it was received there is no doubt of the popularity he

enjoys in the Association . Mr . C . H . Uwins proposed the toast of " The Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , " and expressed the pleasure the members felt in having present the Head Master , Bro . Hebb , who they looked upon as one who could give the most valuable support to the Association by encouraging the boys as they leave School to enter

the ranks of the Old Masonians . He said they desired to become better acquainted with the boys , so that the Association might be in a better position to help them whenever necessary . In replying , Bro . HEDB spoke of the importance of school life , how it formed the character and laid the foundation of after life . He referred to the many

alterations at the School , and the better condition of things now existing . The toast of " The Chairman , our President , " was ¦ riven by Mr . SCURR in a most humorous speech . Mr . Scurr recounted certain incidents of his school life , which evoked from his audience a good deal of laughter . He extolled in no sparing language the

undoubted good qualities of the Chairman . Bro . EVE replied , stating that having now become acquainted with the Old Masonians he would do all in his power to forward their interests . "The Visitors" was proposed by Mr . E . A . GOUGH , and was replied to by Bros . J . W . BARKER and J . L , BARRETT . Before the close of the evening , Mr . R . S . CHANDI . UH

announced that donations had been received from the following : Bros . Richard Eve , £ 5 5 s . ; G . Reid , ios . ; H . Hebb , ^ 3 3 s . ; J . W . Barker , ^ 3 33 . 5 and J . L . Barrett , £ 3 3 s ., the last three qualifying as Vice-Presidents of the Association . We may add that Bro . J . M . McLeod has kindly consented to become the President of thc Association for the ensuing year .

Resuscitation Of The Doyle Conclave. No. 7. Guernsey.

RESUSCITATION OF THE DOYLE CONCLAVE . No . 7 . GUERNSEY .

It was indeed the fitting in of the keystone , or rather , we should say , the affixing of the approving seal of official recognition on the successful resuscitation of the Doyle Conclave , No . 7 , Guernsey , when on Tuesday evening , the 23 rd ultimo , the M . E . Sir Knight C .

Fitzgerald Matier , P . G . Viceroy , Intendant-General Lancashire , and Grand Registrar-General , accompanied by V . E . Sir Knight C . H . Driver , P . G . Guard ; Sir Knights Gordon Miller , Major W . C . Carrell , and Stewart Brown , forming a special deputation from the Imperial Grand Council and Senate , arrived in the Island , and attended a meeting of this conclave . It is

certainly one of the peculiar and happy attributes of the Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , Grand Sovereign of this Order , that hc never fails to impart to his officers a portion of that zeal and energy which inspires and so distinctly characterises his own conduct in all matters Masonic . He has ever been singularly successful in infusing into all the Orders and Degrees

of Freemasonry with which he has been connected a vigour and a vitality which has added increased strength to the strong and firm , and cheered and revived the weak and tottering . Never , indeed , were these facts better illustrated than in the recent improved working of this Order , and it is evidence of a wise administrative forethought on the part of the

Grand Sovereign to have permitted , and most favourably countenanced this official visit of his Grand Officers to so distant a portion of the United Kingdom —a visit which we are in a position to assure his lordship has been fraught with the most incalculable benefit , not alone to this Order , but to Masonry in general . The conclave was opened by Sir Knight Stickland , M . P . S ., assisted b y Sir Knight Bichard , as E ., with

Sir Knights Wilkins and Corbin , as Senior and Junior Generals ; Sir Knights Pickering , Hay , and Laine , as Prefect , Herald , and Standard Bearer j VV . Stranger , and several other knights , members of the conclave , as also Sir Knights Dr . Le Cronier , I <\ Godfrey , Capt . Barrette , J . Oldridge , Davy , and Hinton , visitors from the conclave in the sister island of Jersey . Very shortly after the opening , the arrival of the Grand Officers was announced , and these distinguished sir

Resuscitation Of The Doyle Conclave. No. 7. Guernsey.

knights , accompanied by the Intendant-General of Guernsey , Sir Knight Balfour Cockburn , to whose exertions the resuscitation of this conclave , after a lapse of 16 years , is mainly due , were ushered in and received with the usual formalities and appropriate honours . Bro . Randall was then admitted and duly installed as a Knight of the Red Cross in an excellent manner by

the M . P . S ., Sir Knight Stickland . This duty completed and the conclave closed , a Sanctuary of K . H . S . was opened by M . E . Sir Knight C . FitzGerald Matier , who appointed Knight Grand Commander Driver , Divisional Grand Commander Balfour Cockburn , Commanders Gordon Miller , Major Carrell , and Stewart Brown , as officers of the same ,

when 12 Knights of Rome and Constantine , all being Royal Arch Masons , were admitted , and the Degrees of K . H . S . and Knight of St . John the Evangelist conferred upon them . The Divisional Grand Commander , Sir Knight BALFOUR COCKHI ' RN , then presented Sir Knight Stickland to the Grand Registrar-General , with a request

that he might be installed as R . R . P . and Commander of St . John . This ceremony was carried out by Sir Knight C . FITZGERALD MATIER in his accustomed impressive manner , and Sir Knight Stickland was placed in the chair of the Sanctuarv with the usual solemnities .

Before closing , the DIVISIONAL GRAND COMMANDER proposed that a vote of thanks should be accorded to Sir Knight C . Fitzgerald Matier for the honour he had conferred upon the conclave , as also for his great exertion in conducting so long and difficult a ceremony , or rather , series of ceremonies , never before worked in the Island . He desired also that the names of the

other distinguished knights who had accompanied the Grand Registrar-General , should be included in this vote , and further be requested that they might all be pleased to consider themselves honorary members of Doyle ' s Conclave . This was seconded | by Sir Knight STICKLAND , and

carried by acclamation . Sir Knight C . FITZGERALD MATIER acknowledged the compliment in a few graceful words , and this brought the business of the evening to an end . The sir knights then repaired to the banquet hall , where an excellent supper awaited them .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

LARNACA , CYPRUS . St . George ' s Lodge ( No . 2402 ) . —The last regular meeting of the winter season of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Larnaca , on Saturday , the 13 th ult . There were present Bros . J . E . Sauby , VV . M . ; F . O . Harvey , LP . M . ; E . H . Hore , S . W . E . A . Carletti , J . W . j G- «• Harriott , P . M ., Sec . ; Cannins , S . D . ; Morten , J . D . ; and a goodly attendance of the brethren . All the brethren were

in mourning , and the lodge was draped in black , this being the lirst meeting of the lodge since the death of the Senior Steward , Bro . Brayshaw . The regular business being transacted , the lodge was opened as a funeral lodge of sorrow , and Bro . G . R . Harriott , P . P . G . M . Wigton , performed the impressive ceremony , assisted by Bro . Sauby , W . M ., and Bro . F . V . Harvey , I . P . M . Bro . Dr . Voung , Org ., presided atthe

organ , and played the musical portion ot thc service . Bro . Brayshaw was general manager of the Eastern Telegraph Company in Cyprus , and his death is a great loss to the Craft in the island . Although only a young Mason , he had shown great promise , and was one of the most liberal supporters of all works of Charity . He was initiated in St . Paul ' s Lodge , No . 2277 , Limassol , in i . SSy Was a founder of St . George ' s Lodge , Larnaca , and held the office of Senior Steward from its foundation until his

death . Hc was exalted in St . Paul s Koyal Arch Chapter , No . 2277 in 1 S 92 , and was a Life Subscriber to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The solemn ceremony of a funeral lodge was most impressively carried through , and afterwards a vote of sympathy and condolence with the bereaved family was proposed by the W . M ., seconded by the I . P . M ., and assented to b y the brethren in the usual manner adopted on such occasions . On account of the sad event , the usual banquet aftei lodge was dispensed Vith .

MELBOURNE . Combermere Lodge ( No . 752 , E . C . ) . —The brethren of this lodge assembled at their lodge room , Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , April 20 II 1 to celebrate the installation of the VV . M . elect , Bro . Andrew Thomson , P . M ., P . S . G . D . Victoria . This being the only English lodge in Victoria , the invitations were largely accepted . The ceremonies were commenced by Bro . A . Knight , as W . M .

Among the distinguished visitors was liro . Sir W . ) . Clarke , Bart ., Al . W . Grand Master of Victoria , whj is a member of this lodge , Grand Lodge Ollicers , Present aid Past , VVorshipful Masters and Past Masters of sister lu . iges , in all about 300 . The Installing Officers were Bros . Dr . J . J . E . Willmott , P . G . D . of England , and A . Knight , W . M . The W . M . elect , Bro . A . Thomson , waspres * nted by Bros . Dr . I . T . Brett , P . M ., and F . B . Force , P . G . D . Victoria ,

and installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The following officers were then invested by Bro . J . F . Crane , P . M .: Bros . IC . Lenthall Oldfield , S . W . ; F . Snowball , J . W . ; C . B . Williams , Treas . ; E . G . Balding , P . P . G . S . B . Monmouthshire , Sec ; Dr . F . W . VV . Morton , S . D . ; Dr . G . Cuscaden , J . D . ; Dr . J . T . Brett , P . M ., D . C ; i :. Wood , Choirmaster ; W . H . Sollas , I . G . ; G . H . Palfrey , U . G . Spall , and J . WNaughton , Stwds . ; and

J . Paul , Tyler . Bro . Dr . J . J . E . Willmott addressed the W . M ., also the brethren , and the address to the Wardens was delivered by Bro . F . II . Force . At the conclusion of the ceremonies the newly-elected Master , Bro . A . Thomson , invited thc visitors to a very elaborate banquet , laid out in the main hall .

I his lodge may be congratulated on thc ability of the choir , which adds considerably to the ceremonies , indeed the old lodge has been for very many years renowned in this important respect , lhe Choirmaster is Bro . Ernest Wood , Organist of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , and a member of a London lodge .