Special Grand Mark Lodge.

auspicious event of the marriage of his eldest daughter , the Princess Louise , with the Earl of Fi e . I am sure you will all agree with me that we should not allow this opportunity to pass by without expressing our great joy and sympathy with his Roval Highness on such an interesting occasion . We know also that her Royal Highness , like all the members of the Royal Family , has been well known to Masons on various public occasions , and has shown her interest in all

Masonic events . We also know that Lord Fife has taken a-prominent part in Scotland in Masonry , as Provincial Grand Master of Banffshire , and he is also known as a Royal Arch Mason in the Scottish Order . We have therefore every reas' n also tn greatly congratulate ourselves as Masons that the eldest daughter of our Grand Master is about to ally herself to a distinguished Mason . I have much

pleasure in moving this resolution , and I trust it will be . received as cordially by Grand Lodge as I move it . The resolution was as follows : " That a congratulatory address be presented to H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Mark Master , on the auspicious marriage of H . R . H . the Princess Louise of Wales with Bro . the Earl of Fife , P . G . M . of Banffshire . "

The Earl of EUSTON : I beg to second the motion . I think that no words are needed from me after what the Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master has said to you . I have the greatest pleasure in seconding the motion . We are all loyal , and we wish every happiness to our Grand Master and his family . The motion was carried unanimously , and amidst loud applause .

Bro . TOMLIN , No . 147 ( Victoria ) : M . W . Pro Grand Master , on behalf of the Mark lodges in Victoria , I beg to tender to you and to Bro . Matier , through you , their congratulations on the appointment of Bro . Matier as Grand Secretary . I can assure you it will give great satisfaction to the lodges in Victoria , for Bro . Matier is as well known there in name as any Mason . ( Cheers . )

Bro . CUMBERLAND wished to bring to the notice of Grand Lodge , for the purpose of alteration , the name adopted by the Grand Mark Lodge as its telegraphic address— " Adoniram , London . " Lord EGERTON of TATTON said that at a Special Grand Lodge , the matter not being on the agenda , it could not be brought forward . It was one , however , which ought to be referred to the General Board . Grand Lodge was then closed .

The following brethren sent apologies for not being present : Bros . Lord Henniker , P . G . M . ; Marquis of Hertford , D . G . M . ; Lord Arthur Hill , M . P . ; C L . Mason , Lord Cremorne , Lord Saltoun , R . V . Vassar Smith , C . Belton , J . S . Eastes , Rev . H . R . Cooper Smith , S . G . Kirchhoffer , Butler Wilkins , G . King Patten , Lieut-Col . F . R . Sewell , Capt . Williams Freeman , G . M . North Africa , W . Goodacre , H . Stocker , C . W . Duke , F . Crouch , W . Watson , A . R . Carter , A . Middleton , E . C . Patchett , W . Vincent , J . Unwin , jun ., W . R . Felton , Newington Bridges , Herbert Ellis , and H . S . Holdsworth .

Annual Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND .

The annual Festival of the Benevolent Fund , which is attached to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons , was held on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Tavern , when a large company of ladies and brethren , presided over by Sir Lionel Darell , Junior Grand Warden , attended to do honour to the occasion . Among those present were Bros . Sir Lionel Darell , Bart ., J . G . W ., Lady Darell , and Miss Darell ; Right Hon . the Earl of Euston , President Gen . Board ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke ,

P . S . G . W . ; Major A . B . Cook , P . G . M . O ., and Mrs . Cook ; Seva Ram and Mrs . Ram , of Lahore ; E . X . Leon , P . G . D ., P . G . Sec , Jamaica ; Frank Richardson , G . Reg ., Vice-President Gen . Board ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , Sec . M . B . F . ; James Moon , P . G . Treas . ; Thos . Fenn , P . G . W . ; Geo . Mickley , P . G . D . ; J . D . Murray , P . G . D . ; G . W . Marsden , Dr . Zacharie , G . S . R . Secret Monitor ;

Alfred Williams , P . G . Overseer ; Col . Marmaduke Ramsey , D . G . M . Mediterranean ; A . F . Godson , P . G . M . Worcestershire ; Baron de Ferrieres , P G . M . Gloucestershire and Herefordshire ; Robert Berridge , G . D . of C . ; Dr . Purchas , G , Sd . Br . ; R . J . Emmerson , P . G . O . ; Rev . H . R . Cooper-Smith , P . G . O . ; Horatio Ward , P . G . D ; Percy Wallis , P . G . D . ; A . Woodiwiss , Mayor of Derby ; C . H . Driver , P . G . M . O . ; Geo . Cooper , P . G . O . ; and James Terry , P . A . G . D . C . At the conclusion of the repast , which was both plentifully and tastefully supplied by Messrs . Spiers and Pond , grace was sung by the professional ladies and gentlemen , and the usual toasts were proposed . After the toast of "The Queen and Mark Masonry" had been proposed and honoured .

The CHAIRMAN , in proposing "The Health of the M . W . G . M . M . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " after alluding to the services he rendered to the Order , said that whenever the Prince of Wales could , and when he had the opportunity for so doing , he came among Masons , and did everything he could to promote the best and highest interests of Freemasonry . The G . M . had many onerous and arduous duties to perform , and the brethren all knew how faithfully and strictly he

performed them . He might say without fear of contradiction that there was no man in the world who performed the duties of his high station with a greater sense of responsibility than did the Grand Mark Master . This might also be said with regard to the rest of the Royal Family . On the present occasion , especially as the festive board was graced with the presence of ladies , he must allude to the happy event which was about to take place in the family of the Grand Master , viz ., the marriage of his eldest daughter , the Princess Louise , with the

Earl of Fife . They were assured by their Grand Master that this marriage was one of love and affection . Lord Fife was a Mason ; he was a Provincial Grand Master of Banffshire ; he was also a Mark Mason . On the present occasion , in drinking the health of the Grand Master , he must couple the Princess of Wales and the Princess Louise and Lord Fife , the bride and bridegroom , wishing them long life , health , happiness , prosperity , and God speed . ( Applause . ) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm .

The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Lord Egerton of Tatton , and the Past Grand Officers , the Right Hon . Lord Lei gh , the Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , the Right Hon . the Earl Amherst , W . W . B . Beach , Esq ., M . P ., the Right Hon . the Earl Percy , M . P ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Limerick , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , the Right Hon . the Lord Henniker , and the Ri ght Hon . the Earl of Kintore . " He said : Lord Egerton of

Tatton was very sorry he was not able to be present amongst us this evening . We all know full well the good work that these Past Grand Masters have done , and we are quite sure that they will always do what they can to promote the best interests of Freemasonry . I , therefore , ask you to join with me in drinking their health . The CHAIRMAN , in giving the toast of " The R . W . Bro . the Most Hon . the

Marquis of Hertford , Deputy Grand Master , Prov . G . M . Warwickshire , and that of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said : It is fresh in the memories of most of us how well and abl y the Marquis of Hertford filled the chair at this Festival last year . We are always glad on these occasions to welcome Grand Officers , and we are glad to see them present this evening . In asking you to drink their health , I shall couple the toast with the name of Bro . the Rev . T . Robinson , Provincial Grand Master of Kent .

Bro . Rev . T . ROBINSON acknowledged the toast , and said : I thank you for coupling my name with the toast to which you have just so warmly responded . On behalf of my brother officers , whether noblemen or commoners , whether present or past , whether belonging to the Metropolis or to the provinces , I return you my sincere thanks

Annual Festival Of The Mark Benevolent Fund.

for the way in which you have received this toast . Every Master of a lodge must have his officers ; every Grand Officer must have his officers ; and I am quite sure other officers will endorse what I am going to say—that we are all sensible of the honour which the Grand Master has given us in promoting us to hi g h office ; mid during our year of office we have done our best in performing the duties of the office to which we have been elected . On behalf of the Past Officers , I believe I

may say if , in case of death or sickness , or the pressure of secular avocations a Present Officer is prevented from doing his work , there are others always read y to step forward , out of loyalty to their chief , to take his place . ( Hear , hear . ) The Earl of EUSTON next said he was quite sure that the toast he was about to submit to the notice of the brethren was one that they would all drink with enthn . siasm , as it gave him the most hearty pleasure to propose it , because the Chairman

of the evening was a great personal friend of his own . Those who did not know the Chairman so well as he did , he could only assure that he was a thorough good Mason from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot ; his heart was with them and his interest and influence had been brought to bear in every shape and form to make this Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund a success . He would ask theni to drink most heartily this toast , wishing him good luck in the future , and that he

might live long among them to help them by the earnest way in which he always took up whatever work he put his hand to . Whether in the old Craft , Mark Masonry or Kni ght Templars , he did it thoroughly and well , and that stamped the man as a man and a Mason . He asked them to drink " The Health of Sir Lionel Darell J . G . W ., the Chairman of the evening , " and when they heard the lists read they would find they were onl y second in amount to the highest yet announced at these Festivals .

The toast having been enthusiasticall y drunk , The CHAIRMAN said he was much obliged to their good brother for the far too flattering manner in which he had mentioned his name , and to the ladies and brethren for the way in which they had received that toast . He could assure them that he reall y had the greatest appreciation of Masonry . The word "Mason " always to him had a good metallic ring about it . It was now his pleasure to

propose the toast of the evening—viz ., " Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund . " When he was asked to take the chair on this occasion he did so with some diffidence , not for fear of the present , for their good Bro . Matier would shortl y announce the Stewards' lists , which he hoped would be a fine record with those of former years ; but it was for the future of the Mark Benevolent Fund that he appealed that evening . This Fund was founded some 21 years a ™ .

It differed from other Masonic Institutions in that it had no houses to keep up and was at very little expense ; in fact , with the exception of printing and postage and a grant to the Secretary of £$ o a year , all the money that was subscribed to the Mark Benevolent Fund went for actual benevolence . ( Applause . ) It was divided into three branches , the benevolent , the educational , and the annuity . Sums for the benevolent were given in relief every month by the General Board , and since

the year 186 9 these sums amounted to considerably over £ 2000 . The educational branch was established onl y in 18 79 , and since that time 40 children had been educated at their own homes under the care of their parents and guardians , and in the year 1886 it was resolved that £ 5 be annually given to each pupil for clothes . This required a yearly expenditure of something like £ 450 . The annuity branch was founded in the year 1885 by the liberality of Lord Egerton of Tatton , who as to

a nucleus to the Fund gave a sum of £ 10 ^ . The Fund now gave five old brethren £ 26 a year each , and £ 5 extra was g iven at Christmas . There were three candidates now seeking relief , but it would depend on the liberality of the Stewards to extend those benefits . He mi ght say that at the first Festival the Benevolent Fund realised a sum of only ^ 50 , and in the year 188 7 it reached the substantial sum of £ 2220 . The brethren would see from this the excellent work this Mark

Benevolent Fund was doing , and he called upon the company one and all to do everything in their power to increase and augment that Fund . It was that night celebrating its majority—its 21 st year . They looked upon a man as not having come to full age till he had become 21 years old ; then as a general rule he grew in strength and generally in size . So he trusted it would be with this Fund . He hoped that Mark Masonry would grow in strength b y the increase of its

members , and that it would increase in size b y reason of the increase in its funds . He really did not think he need say anything further about this most excellent Fund , which commended itself most heartil y and cordially to each and every one of them . He now had the pleasure of making the announcement , which he was sure would be a most popular one . Most of them were aware that Bro . Binckes had resigned the office of Grand Secretary , and it had been the pleasure of the Grand

Master to confer that office on their good and worthy Bro . Matier . ( App lause . ) Some of the brethren had that afternoon had the opportunity of seeingthat brother invested with the collar of the office by Lord Egerton of Tatton . It would be invidious on his part , in his presence , to speak of what Bro . Matier had done for the Mark Benevolent Fund , because they all knew his good works as well as he ( the Chairman ) did . He should therefore content himself with asking the company to

drink the future prosperity of the Mark Benevolent Fund . With that toast he should couple the name of their Grand Secretary , Bro . Matier —( applause)—who , for the first time that ni ght , appeared in that capacity before them . He should ask them to drink his very good health , long life and happiness to him , and to congratulate him on the honour which had been conferred upon him , an honour which he so richl y deserved . ( Cheers . )

Bro . MATIER , the Grand Secretary , who was received with loud cheers , said : Before I read the results of the list of Stewards who have so heartily worked for tbe success of to-night ' s proceedings , permit me to express to you how much 1 feel , and how deeply I appreciate , the kindly sentiments with which you have mentioned my name . Believe me , right worship ful brother Chairman , it shall be my aim that everything in my power shall be done to promote the prosperity of the

Order , and certainly the extension of the Mark Benevolent Fund . ( Cheers . ) Although I cannot congratulate you on this occasion on breaking the record , I can congratulate you right worshipful sir , on being the Chairman of the second most successful gathering that has taken place in the annals of the Mark Benevolent Fund . ( Cheers . ) We have one Steward to-ni g ht who has brought up from the Rose and Thistle Lodge of Wigan , in Lancashire , the large sum , the totally unprecedented amount , of 200 guineas . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Matier then announced the

STEWARDS' LISTS .

GENERAL BOARD . £ s . d . Bro . the Earl of Euston ... 31 10 o ,, Frank Richardson ... 31 10 o „ R . Berridge 10 10 o „ G . Cooper ... 5 5 0 „ Rev . H . Cummings ... 550 „ C . H . Driver 15 15 o „ A . F . Godson , M . P . ( see Worcestershire ) ,, R . Loveland Loveland ( see Hants & 1 . of W . ) „ G . Mickley , M . A ., M . B . 550 „ James Moon 5 5 ° „ A . Williams 5 5 ° LONDON . Lodge Grand Masters' Bro . the Marquis of Hertford 35 14 0 Grand Stewards' Bro . F . W . Driver 10 10 o

Lodge A 5 ; i-Bon Accord Bro . Magnus Ohren 16 ' ° Old Kent „ E . M . Money 21 ° JJ 1 Bro . George Kenning ... 5 J 1 „ J . J . Thomas ... \ 3 g 5 0 1 „ Castello ... ) . 22 „ G . W . Marsden , jun . 52 I 0 ' 3 6 3 „ J . H . Matthews ... 1 ° UNATTACHED . 0 Bro . Lord Cremorne ... ¦¦•I 0 l 0 „ Lord Saltoun . „ J . Lewis Thomas ... ¦•¦ 5 I 0 „ jabez Church ... ... \ i a „ Charles Belton ... •••5 3 , „ Augustus Harris ... ¦••5 •> 0 „ C . ' F . Matier ... ... 73 l 0 0 „ W . Tomson ... ... ' ° . 0 „ J . Manwaring ... ¦••5 I 0 „ H . Massey ¦¦ 5 \ 0 „ W . T . Christian ... - 5 I „ „ Dr . T . B . Purchas ¦••J J