Grand Mark Lodge.

GRAND MARK LODGE .

{ ContinuedJrovt p . 338 . ) Bro . H . C . Levander said that tin ijjth July had been fixed as the day for holding the Benevolent Fund Festival . As to the place of meeting it had not yet been fixed . It had been hoped

that the Alexandra Palace would be ready by that time , and communication had beeu had ¦ with the directors on the subject . An answer had not yet been received , but it was immediately expected .

Bro . J . H . Wynne hoped that a large number of brethren would c ome forward as Stew ards on the occasion . Grand Secretary said that the banquet was so well managed at the Alexandra Palace last year , and gave so much satisfaction , that it was wished to have it there again .

The Acting Grand Master hoped that in the interval between this meeting and the festival it would be well made known among the brethren and ladies . - The calls on the Benevolent Fund were small and the balance in hand was considerable . It was a matter of great congratulation that

very few Mark Masters applied to the fund for relief from time to time . It was proposed that as there were so few calls on it , there should be one ^ b ' r two exhibitions , by which one or two bbyscould have admission to Grammar Schools , apd , after being examined and passing , should

have scholarships at one of the universities . By this means deserving boys would have a chance of getting on . He thought the scheme was a good one . ( Cheers . ) Bro . J . T . Sabine thanked Grand Lodge for the vote which it had passed for his services . He trusted that at the festival

for which he was fo be Steward for Mark Grand Lodge , he should receive as good if not a better amount of support than he did in 1873 . He then , as W . M . of the oldest Sussex Mark Lodge , invited in the name of that ' . odge the Grand Master to hold the annual moveable Grand

Lodge at Brighton , in September or October . Bro . James Stevens said it would give general satisfaction if the Grand Master selected Brighton for the purpose , and added that the moveable Grand Lodges had been of great service to Mark Masonry .

The Acting Grand Master observed that the holding ofthe Moveable Grand Lodge was entirely within the power of the Grand Master , and also as to where it should be held . He would bring the matter before Earl Percy , and he had

no doubt arrangements would be made for holding it in Brighton in September or October . A list of apologies for absence was read from several brethren , and a letter of condolence from Grand Lodge on his illness was ordered to be written by Grand Secretary ( Bro . Stebbing ) .

Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren headed by Bro . Portal , sat down to banquet . After the banquet grace was sung by Bros . H . D . Martin , T . B . Evison , A . Hubbard , and F . H . Cozens , and Hiss Agnes Drummond . The Acting Grand Master then gave the usual

toasts . That of " The Queen" was proposed simply in these words—Brethren I give you "TheQueen and Mark Masonry . " The next toast was proposed by Bro . Portal in these words—Brethren I give you " The Prince of Wales , Prince Arthur , and Prince Leopold , " all

three of whom are Masons , and I am sure it is a matter of great congratulation that the younger brothers of the Prince of Wales have at last joined our great Order , and I have no doubt they will be as great an ornament to the Order as their brother .

The Acting Grand Master again rose and said : The next toast I have to bring before your notice is " The Health of our Grand Master . " ( Hear hear ) . It is a necessary condition of the election of a nobleman of hi gh rank and great position , such as our Grand Masterywho is not only a member of Parliament but also a high

officer in the Queen ' s household , it is a condition of such an appointment as that , that we cannot be able to command his services here , as if we had an officer who had no other avocation or calling elsewhere . But I am sure the Grand Master regrets exceedingly , as he stated in the letter which I read you to-night that he is no

Grand Mark Lodge.

present with us . He feels very much the honour you have done him in electing him the second time to the chair of this Grand Lodge . His heart is in Mark Masonry , and he has done his utmost to promote the degree in his own province of Northumberland . I an . sure there is no brother more deserves to have his health drunk with

cordiality than our Grand Master . The toast having been duly honoured , Sir Edmund Lechmere , P . D . G . M ., proposed " The Past Grand Masters , " and in doing so said he knew they would all look with pride on the illustrious list of Past Grand Masters

of this Order . Lord Leigh , the Earl of Carnarvon , Lord Holmesdale , Mr . Beach , and the Rev . G . R . Portal . With them , and the Earl Percy for the present Master , he could not conceive a more illustrious roll , though there might be in future times many

distinguished Mark Masters added to the list , yet none could work more zealously than had those Grand Masters to place Mark Masonry in the position it now occupied . It was therefore due to them to acknowledge their services , both in the revival and sustaining of Mark

Masonry , but while drinking the health of those who were absent they must not forget what they owed to Bro . Portal for the spread of the Order . He ( Bro . Lechmere ) was but a sluggish Mason , but it was surprising to see the stimulus which Bro . Porta ! gave to the Order . By his

energyhe had tended to strengthen the zeal of others to the cause , and he must be looked upon as one of the motive powers of the degree . The acting Grand Master , in a very brief reply , said , that while thanking the brethren for this toast on behalf of the other P . G . M . ' s and

for himself , they thought the very least they could do was to place their services at the dis posal of this Order . So long as they could be of use they would be happy to be so , and speaking for himself , if eyer they wanted any one to conduct the business of the lodge , or this table , he should be always happy to do it .

1 ne acting Grand Master then gave " The Deputy Grand Mark Master , the Earl of Limerick . " That brother wns unfortunately detained in the House of Lords , but they had a very distinguished Past Deputy Grand Master present , Sir Edmund Lechmere . Time was

when he attended this Grand Lodgo more regularly than he had of late years . In those days , under the influence of the good cheer which Grand Lodge set before its friends , he promised no ellort should be wanting on his part to promote the good of . Mark Masonry in his province

of Worcester . But no doubt other avocations had prevented his carrying out those promises as fully as he would desire . But he ( lira . Portal ) could not help thinking that Sir Edward Lechmere had set himself up as the Provincial Grand Master of Worcester . This Grand Lodge

would be only too glad to see Mark Masonry put under his charge there , and he would hope lie would allow no reasons to stand in his way . Sir E . Lechmere said he rose as a repentant prodigal to respond to the toast . As regarded the province of Worcester there was but one

lodge 111 it , but Bro . Griffiths and another had taken great interest in forming a local organisation in the shape of a Grand Lodge . At one time a fusion with Gloucestershire was suggested , but ultimately it was not considered desirable until there was an extension

of Mark Masonry in the province . Me was afraid it was hardly fair to tax him with not being Provincial Grand Master . They had not the wherewithal . He looked upon Masonry as representing thu ancient guilds at work in the Temple . Masonry contained very much that

illustrated that idea , and modern speculative Masonry was closely connected with the Masonry of our predecessors . When the Cathedral of Worcester was re-opened the Dean and Chapter recognised the fact in inviting the Masons of the province to participate in the ceremony .

Ihe acting Grand Master , in giving " The Health of the Grand Officers , Past and Present , " said there was nothing which fell within the Grand Master ' s domain of so anxious and critical a nature as the appointment to Grand Office . It had always been the endeavour of the Grand Masters of this degree to give office where merit was due , and the greatest possible nains was taken

Grand Mark Lodge.

to ascertain who were desirable brethren . From the recommendation obtained , alone , office was given , and never from ' any private or personal feeling at all . Therefore , he could ask them to drink the health of the Grand Officers as that of men who had endeavoured to do justice to

Mark Grand Lodge Two this degree . He would couple with this toast the name of Bro . Little , than whom there was no man who had worked harder in the cause of Masonry in the various degrees , or in the Charities of the Order .

Bro . Little confessed that he hardly expected it would have fallen to his lot to respond to such a distinguished toast that evening , but ; it arose from his seniors in office not being present . He was satisfied that those distinguished brethren who had been selected would have been delighted

had they been present to witness the convivial and harmonious meeting , and to congratulate the acting Grand Master on the great spread of the Mark Degree through the length ami breadth of the land . He hoped he should al , vays endeavour to do his duty in every position

he- obtained in Masonry . He had not done much for the Mark Degree , nor for Masonry generally , but he hoped that the office conferred on him to-day would be an additional ' stimulus . If he was spared , that would be the case . The Acting Grand Master next gave " Success to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " with thanks to

the Chairman and Board of Stewards of the Festivals already held , and repeated the scheme he announced in Grand Lodge , for founding exhibitions and scholarships , Bro . F . Binckes , in the . course of acknowledging the compliment , ' said "that it was truly astonishing that in so short a r time as the fund had been established the brethren had done so

much- They had already invested 56400 , and before closing the year it would very likely be £ 600 . He had been rather taken by surprise by the scheme of the Grand Master , but it was no

doubt one which commended itself to Bro . Portal's mind , and would to the minds of others . Whatever might be done , he was sure the best consideration would be given to any well devisrrd scheme . For the coining- festival there was

every prospect of success , and he thought it would be even greater tlia 11 any of its predecessors , and that a large amount would be realised ,-He hoped it would be so ; he was a man of progress himself , and could not endure the

cr-iblike progress ot going backwards . He wanted to go / rom strength to strength ; that the fund would continue to have as satisfactory a prosperity as it was now enjoying . He hoped that their friends would rally round them , and that the number ot Stewards would increase before

tlie festival came round , that a large amount of money , which means the sinews of war , would come in , and when they had sufficient of it they would determine how it should be disposed of . The brethren shortly afterwards separated .

'Hie dinner was well supplied by Bro . Francatelli , and during the evening a selection of music was performed by Miss Agues Drummond , and Bros . H . D . Martin , T . B . Evison , and A . Hubbard , under the direction of Bro . F . H . Cozens .

Multum In Parbo, Or Masonic Notes And Queries.

Multum in Parbo , or Masonic Notes and Queries .

I am putting together an account of William Preston , and I am anxious to learn if any brother can kindly refer me to any account or memoranda of his life , or tell me of any letters of his . It may be that some traces of him may still be found in York . Among the brethren of

tlie old York Grand Lodge appears tlie name of Preston more than once , both earlier and later . In one place he is called John Preston , and appears to have been W . M . Is there any known relationship between him and our great Masonic historian ? It struck lue some years ago that W . Preston li . nl some sort of connection with

York , from his reference to the York MSS ., etc ., and I remember that our able Bro . W . J . Hughan seems also struck with the fact . A . l . A . VVOODI ' .