Emulation Lodge Of Improvement.

could admire both they were grateful and that was the case with the lodge . He concluded by adding a verse to the well known Masonic song . If a free and accepted Mason His career would throw no disgrace on , Let him learn with devout admiration

The working of Lodge Emulation . Bro . R . Clay Sudlow in reply said : For some years he had had the honour of replying to the toast , and hitherto had accepted the privilege without misgiving or compunction . But he felt he ought to-night to make way for Bro . Lander ,

who with Bro . Rankin had for the past two years borne the heat and burden of the clay . His absence from the weekly meetings did not in any sense mean that his interest was on the wane ; on the contrary , he was always finding reasons why his enthusiasm should remain at fever heat . There were

two important matters he particularly wanted to speak upon that evening . First , the brethren would notice that he spoke of Bro . Russell as their " late secretary" because at the beginning of the year he had retired after eleven years of conspicuous success . He was delighted at the opportunity

of paying a warm tribute of admiration to his skill and ability in the office of secretary . He was sure the great services he had rendered would never be forgotten . In Bro . Allsop , who

for a long time had acted as deputy , they had a very worthy successor . Xow he came to the other matter . He had learnt that it had been stated publicly that innovations had been introduced into the Emulation ritual . If so , he had not been faithful to the trust reposed in him by the late Bro . Fenn . He could say that he knew of no innovation , not

even of the most trivial character . If those who made these statements would come and see him and give specific instances , he felt sure that the result would be that they would find there was some misunderstanding . To guard the ritual from innovation had been his duty for the last

twentythree years , and to preserve it absolutely unaltered he could not only trust himself but also his two colleagues on the committee . Bro . T . W . Allsop , in reply to the toast of Secretary , said he felt he had undertaken a great responsibility in accepting

that office after Bro . Russell . He had not any idea until the clay before the election that he would be called upon . If on the present occasion he had not done all he should , he asked their indulgence . If he had their support he was amply rewarded . He only hoped that when he retired he would have equally high encomiums as those which had been passed on Bro . Russell .

United Grand Lodge Ofengland.

United Grand Lodge ofEngland .

THE March Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday , the 7 th inst . The Pro Grand Master , Earl Amherst , presided , and he was supported by the Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . T . F . Halsey and Lieut .-Gen . J . Wiinburn Laurie , Provincial Grand Master for South Wales ,

Western Division , who acted as Past Grand Master . R . W . Bros . Robert Grey as Senior Grand Warden , and Rev . Sir Borradaile Savory , Bart ., as Junior Grand Warden . A large number of Grand Officers were present , and the brethren filled every available seat and space . The Grand Lodge was opened in ample form , and with

solemn prayer . W . Bro . Viscount Hayashi , Ambassador of H . I . M . the Emperor of Japan to the Court of St . James , P . M . of the Empire Lodge , No . 2108 , was conducted to the Throne by V . W . Bro . Frank Richardson , G . D . C , and congratulated by

the Pro Grand Master upon the rank and dignity which had been conferred upon him of Past Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of England . The minutes of the last communication having been taken as read and duly confirmed , the Pro Grand Master expressed

his hearty thanks to Grand Lodge for the honour they had done him in resolving that his picture should be painted and placed amongst those who had been the former rulers of the Craft . It was always . pleasant to find , he said , that one's work is appreciated by those for whom it is done , but he

could assure Grand Lodge that he felt this honour very much indeed , and was very highly sensible of what they had done . At the request of the Pro Grand Master , the Grand Secretary then read the following letter from Her Majesty ¦ the Queen : —

" The Grand Secretary" Sir , —I have had the honour of submitting your letter of the 23 rd inst . to the Queen , together with the address of condolence which accompanied it ; and I am now commanded by Her Majesty to thank you for the same ,

and to ask you to be good enough to convey to the Pro Grand Master and the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England , the Queen ' s most sincere thanks for their very kind sympathy in Her Majesty ' s terrible bereavement . "

The M . W . Pro Grand Master stated that the letter had alread y been read to Grand Chapter , but he thought Grand Lodge would like to hear it .

W . Bro . R . A . McCall , K . C , in proposing the re-election of the Grand Master , said : —Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren , in pursuance of the notice given at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , and in pursuance of the nomination then made , I have now the honour to propose H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught be re-elected Most Worshipful Grand Master for

the ensuing year . I am sure I am only expressing the regret of everyone here when I express my own regret that His Royal Highness is unable to . be present to hear , as I have no doubt he might have heard , the unanimous approval with which Grand Lodge will receive this proposition . But , as

we all know , His Royal Highness is discharging difficult , delicate , and most important duties in South Africa , and it is some consolation to us to know that our loss is the Empire ' s gain . He is discharging not merely the important duties appertaining to his public capacity , but he is doing what ,

probably , will touch most of us more- —he is bringing great hope and great encouragement to the many Freemasons who are permanently or temporarily resident in South Africa . And probably when , upon his return to England , we have the opportunity of welcoming him again to Grand Lodge , our

welcome will not be less loyal—and certainly not less enthusiastic—when we realise , as I am sure we shall then realise , that His Royal Highness ' s sojourn in South Africa has brought loyalty , peace , and prosperity to His Majesty's South African dominions .

The proposition was seconded by W . Bro . Canon Horsley , who said : —Most Worshipful Sir and Brethren , I am most deeply sensible of the unmerited honour which has been placed upon me to second the resolution for the reelection of our Most Worshipful Grand Master . Those who annualry make this proposition have none of the excitement

of combat , none of the joys of battles , or fear lest their cause might not succeed . So long as His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught expresses his readiness to accept oflice , so long doubtless shall we honour ourselves by conferring that high office upon him . Telescopic and microscopic as are the eyes

that scan the stars in the firmament of royalty , and eager as some are to magnify or even invent their supposed faults , in the case of Prince Arthur of Connaught I feel sure that the tongue of good report lias always been heard in his favour as a man , as a soldier , and as a Mason . He is of all persons

most worthy to accept the high oflice . Doubtless there are those who can say that the honour conferred upon the office is amplified by the one who now occupies it , and who , we