Royal Arch.

Bisley Chapter , No . 2317 . The installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Woking , on Thursday , the i ith inst ., when there were present Comps . C . F . Passmore , P . P . G . Std . Br ., M . E . Z . ; J . Webb , H . and M . E . Z . elect : Major G . Collins , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B ., as acting J . ; H . J . Askham , P . Z . and H . elect ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., S . E . ; A . H . Gale , VV . S . Jackson , and J . T . Wood . Visitors : Comps . F . Harper , 2120 , and E . A . Brown ,

2012 . M ^ T he minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the installation was next proceeded with , the installing of Z . and H . only was performed , the J . elect being abroad . The M . E . Z . then invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Ccmps . Major Collins , P . Z ., Treas . ; J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., S . E . ; A . H , Gale , P . S . ; Jackson , D . C . ; and J . T . Wood , Steward . The other officers elect being absent for various reasons , one being the election for the Chertsey D . vi . ion in

Parliament , which also kept away several of the visitors from the various chapters in the neighbourhood . The Auditors' report was received and adopted , showing the chapter to be in a sound financial position . The next business was the election of Charity Representative , towhich office Comp . J . B . S . Lancaster , P . Z ., S . E ., was unanimously elected . It may here be mentioned that the M . E . Z ., Comp . J . Webb , was the first exalted after

the Bisley Chapter had been consecrated , and has passed through the various offices of the chapter , he is S . E . of jthat young and prosperous chapter , Abb' -y ( Chertsey ) , 2120 , also being one of the founders . He has passed through all the offices of the Bisley Lodge , 2317 , of which he is P . M ., and of the Abbey Lodge , 2120 , of which he is row I . P . M ., he is J . W . of the Bisley Mark Lodge , and P . P . G . S . B . in the Mark Degree . .... . .

The business of the convocation being ended , the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to an excellent banquet which gave every satisfaction . The usual customary loyal and R . A . toasts were given by the M . E , Z ., with the most befitting eulogiums , which were responded to most royally , as was also that of "The G . Z ., G . H ., and G . J ., with the rest of the Grand Officers . " The toast of " The Grand Superintendent , the Earl of Onslow , and the rest of the P . G . Officers , " was next given in appropriate terms by the M . E . Z ., and responded to by Comp . C . F . PassmoreP . G . Std . Br ., I . P . Z .

, The I . P . Z . then gave the toast ot "The M . E . Z . " in a very neat speech , saying lhat it was his privilege to propose the toast of the health of so worthy and popular a Mason as the M . E . Z ., who had always used his best endeavours to assist the companions in making the Bisley Chapter so successful . The M . E . Z ., on rising to respond , met with a very hearty reception , he expressed his thanks to Comp , Passmore , P . Z ., for the kind remarks he had made , and also to the ccmpanions for the way in which they received the toast , and promised , during his

year of office as M . E . Z ., to do his best to uphold the high standard of the work done in the Bisley Chapter . The M . E . Z . next proposed "The Health of the I . P . Z ., " whom he had long been rcnr . ected with in Masonry . Comp . Passmore had , he observed , installed him in the chair of the Bisley Lodge , also in the chairs of J ., H ., and M . E . Z . of the chapter respectively , and had always done his woik in the most efficient manner , and he hoped he would long continue to be with them . Comp . Passmore , I . P . Z ., in response , thanked the M . E . Z . for his very flattering remarks , and said he had always taken great interest in the chapter , and would continue

to do so . The toast of "The Visitors" was next given , the M . E . Z . observing they were always pleased to see visitors present , and that he vvas sorry that more were not with them on that occasion . Ccmp . Harper , in responding , spoke in high terms of the M . E . Z ., whom he had always known as a very zealous and hard-working Mason . Comp . Brown also responded in a similarly neat speech .

The next toast was that of "The Treasurer and S . E . " The M . E . Z . said few chapters were so fortunate in having amongst them such distinguished and worthy Royal Aich Masons as Comps . Collins , P . Z ., Treasurer , and Lancaster , P . Z ., S . E . They had always done their best for the Bisley Chapter from its very commencement , and he hoped they wculd be Icng spared to come amongst them . Comp . Collins . P . Z ., in responding , said he had always taken great interest in the

chapter , and would continue to do so as much as he possibly cjuld . Comp . Lancaster , P . Z , in resporse , observed that he was very pleased they were in such a gocd position in regard to funds , and hoped they would start a Benevolent Fund during the year , which was a very useful thing to do . Most of the companions having to leave in order to catch the train , the rest of the toasts were omitted .

United Grand Lodge.

UNITED GRAND LODGE .

The following is the business to be transacted in Grand Lodge on Wednesday rext , the 3 rd prox .: 1 . The minutes of the Quarterly Communication of the 2 nd December for confirmation . 2 . To consider the following nctice of motion from the M . W . Grand Master :

That the sum of ioco guineas be voted to the Indian Famine Relief Fund . 3 . Election of M . W . Grand Master . 4 . Election of Grand Treasurer . 5 . Report of the Board of Benevolence for the last quarter , in which are recommendations for the following grants , viz .: A brother of the Love and Honour Lodge , No . 2 S 5 , Shepton

Mallet ... ... ... ... ... £ 50 o o The widow of a brother of the Zetland Lodge , No . 537 , Birkenhead ... ... ... ... ... 75 o o A brother of the Gallery Lodge , No . 1928 , London ... ... 50 o o A brother of the Duke of Connaught Lodge , No . 192 S , London ... Go o o A brother of the Lodge of Rectitude , No . 502 , Rugby ... 50 o o REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES .

To the United Grand Ledge of Ancient Frie and Accepted Masons of England . The Board have to report that their attention has been directed to the fact that the Book of Constitutions contains no provision requiring a brother joining an English lodge from one under another Constitution to enter into any obligation or make any declaration of allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England , and the Board therefore recommend the following addition be made to Rule 18 9 , Book

of Constitutions : To insert under " Private Lodges , " after Law 189—Every brother who has been initiated into Masonry in a Regular Lodge not under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England shall , previously to his becoming a member of any lodge , declare in open lodge his adhesion to lhe Book of Constitutions , and promise due obedience to the Grand Master and the Rules and Regulations of Grand Lodge , and the fact shall be recorded on the lodge minutes .

The Board have to report that the following presentations have been made to the Library and Museum since the last meeting of Grand Lod ge , all of which have been accepted with thanks :

TITLE OR O BJFCT . BY WHOM PRESENTED . An old Masonic Apron ( printed on silk ) ... John M . Canova , P . M . 10 S 3 . A curious old Tracing Board Lord Bolton , P . G . Warden . Masonic Token of 1794 ( copper ) Charles J . Sowton , S . W . 1 G 79 . Historic Notes of All Souls' Lodge , No . 170 Zillwood Milledge , P . P . G . W . Dorset . A curiously marked fossil James Terry , P . G . S . B . ^^^ a ^^ ^ AW ^ C 1— ' C- Secretary . Large Oil Portrait of Dr . R . T . Crucefix , 7 The Bntli ^ Lou e > No . , < - . Ir . Kj . tJ . in ¦ - " . ... ) ***

United Grand Lodge.

Three Foreign Masonic Aprons Vol . II . of Heraldry of York Minster Semi-centennial Medal of Kilbourn Royal Arch Chapter , Milwaukie , Wisconsin ... Reception of Arctic Explorers by Kane Lodge , No . 454 , N . Y Five Masonic MSS . ( French ) and three other Masonic books Enamelled Masonic Snuff Box ( 1764 )

Lieut .-Col . Geo . Lambert , P . G . S . B . f Mrs . Tew ( widow of the late Thos . W \ Tew , P . P . G . Master West Yorks ) . ' Mas . W . Squires , Wisconsin . > Kane Lodge , No . 454 , New York . j Robert Grey , P . G . Warden . John Mason , P . P . S . G . D . MiJdx .

The Board also submit a statement of the Grand Lodge accounts presented to the last meeting of the Finance Committee , held on Friday , the 12 th day of February instant , showing a balance in the Bank of England ( Laws Courts Branch ) of ^ 7216 12 s . Sd ., and in the hands of the Grand Secretary for petty

c ish ; 6 " ioo , and for servants wages . £ 100 . ( Signed ) RICHARD LOVELAND LOVELAND . President , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , 16 th February , 1897 .

7 . NOTICE OF MOTION . By his Honour Judge PHILBRICK , Q C , Grand Registrar . That the following additions and alterations be made to the Book of Constitutions -. To follow Rule 18—218 A . In a colony or foreign part in which a District Grand Lodge exists

, if the District Grand Master shall think proper to grant a dispensa . tion for that purpose , it shall be lawful for any Iodge to hold a special meeting , or meetings , to discuss and resolve on the question of the formation of a Sovereign Grand Lodge for or including the district or part thereof , or any neighbouring district or part thereof , or any lodges not in a district . Such dispensation may be granted

subject to any conditions that the District Grand Master may deem proper , and also to provisions enabling two or more lodges to unite in the special meeting ; and if the District Grand Master or Masters should refuse to grant a dispensation an appeal may be made to the Grand Master . 218 B . Whenever Grand Lodge shall , with the assent of the Grand M ister ,

recognise a Grand Lodge as a regular and independent Sovereign Body , having jurisdiction in any colony or foreign part where a District Grand Lodge or Lodges not in a district exist , and the Grand Master shall signify it is not his intention to grant for the future any warrant for a new lodge in that jurisdiction the following rules shall apply :

1 . Within six months after recognition the Master of every lod ge in such jurisdiction shall convene a special meeting of the lodge on not less than 21 days' notice to every member ; failing the Master , the District Grand Master or the acting Deputy s .. all convene such meeting , and preside thereat . 2 . The brethren present at such meeting shall decide whether they

desire that the lodge shall continue under the existing warrant or not . If the decision be in the negative , the brethren shall at the same meeting decide in whom the property and effects of the lodge shall be vested , and the warrant shall be forthwith returned to the Grand Secretary to be delivered up to the Grand Master . A majority

of two-thirds of those present shall be required to carry any resolution . 3 . No questions shall be discussed or put at such meeting other than those above prescribed . 4 . Immediately alter such meeting , a full copy of the minutes and a list from the signature book of all members attending , together with the

numbers voting for and against , shall be sent to the Grand Secretary , verified under the hand of the presiding Master , and countersigned by the Secretary of the lodge . 5 . No second meeting shall be called to discuss the above questions without the special leave of the Grand Master . Article 219 Book of Constitutions to be repealed , and to enact , in lieu thereof , the following ;

Whenever the number of subscribing members of any lodge , as shown on the last return to Grand Lodge , shall be fewer than five , the lodge shall cease to meet , and the warrant shall be delivered up to the Grand Master , who may , nevertheless , if he thinks proper , grant a dispensation to enable the members to meet , subject to such conditions as he may deem expedient , until he finally decides whether or not the lodge shall be continued .

APPEAL . 8 . By Bro . ROBT . W . BOURNE , P . M . of St . George ' s Lodge of Harmony , No . 32 , Liverpool , against a sentence of suspension from all Masonic privileges , passed on him by the Provincial Grand Master , for un-Masonic conduct and contumacy in not complying with a peremptory summons .

9 . A report of a special general meeting of Governors and Sjbscribers oT the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institu ion for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons , dated February lo . h , 1897 , will be laid before Grand Lodge , in which the following alteration of Rule I ., then agreed to , will be submitted for approval :

No widow shall be eligible under the age of 60 years , nor unless her last husband had been a subscribing member for 15 years to a lodge , " by substituting the word " ten " for " fifteen . "

List of lodges for which warrants have been granted by the M . W . Grand Master since the last Quarterly Communicat ' un of Grand LoJge . No . 2635 , The Besconsfield Lodge , Freemantle , Wes'ern Australia . 2636 , The Military Lodge , Perth , Western Australia . 2637 , The Norseman Lodge , Norseman , Western Australia . 2638 , The Esperance Lodge , Esperance , Western Australia .

2639 , The Menzies Lodge , Menzies , Western Australia . 2640 , The Star of the North Lodge , Pietersbu'g , Transvaal . 2641 , The Dart Lodge , Dartmouth . 2642 , The Ituni Lodge , New Amsterdam , Brhi . h Guiana . 2643 , The Royal George Lodge , Krugersdorp , Transvaal . 2644 , The Chaloner Lodge , Melksham , Wiltshire . 2643 , The Palm Lodge , Bassein , Burma .

2646 , The Stellenbosoh Lodge , Stellenbosch , Cape Colony . 26 47 , The Alleyn Lodge , London . 2648 , The Marcians Lodge , London . 2649 , The Sir Francis D * ake Lodge , Plymouth . 2650 , The Christ ' s Hospital Lodge , London . 2651 , The Charity Lodge , Warrington . 2652 , The Albany Lodge , Kingston-on-Thames ,