Grand Lodge.

sincerel y they were not , it would certainly give colour to the supposition that these unrecognised degrees , were in some measure countenanced , from the fact of names appearing in connection with them , which were also known to the Craft in connection with the Grand Lodge of England . It would be , ho considered , a point of honour with brethren so employed not

to engage in anything which might create such an impression . He instanced the case of professional men , who are bound in honour , not to engage in any trade or other occupation inconsistent with the dignity of their professions . Bro . F . Bennoch then rose to propose an amendment , " That the subject be referred to the Board of General Purposes . "

The amendment was duly seconded . Bro . Bennoch called attention to the necessity for the subject of Bro . Cooke ' s motion being fully discussed , and a decision made thereon . Grand Lodge , he considered , was not the place forthe consideration of such general charges against individuals as Bro . Cooke had brought forward . He pointed out the dilemma in

which Grand Lodge would be placed if an adverse vote were arrived at , for the purpose of showing that confidence which , he was sure , they all felt in Bro . Hervey , the Grand Secretary . They would stultify themselves , and , in a measure , recognise these degrees by such a course . He called attention to a circular , issued by a former Grand Secretary , relative to schismatic

and spurious bodies , at a time when the subject had been forced upon the attention of Grand Lodge ; and that recently he , as a member of the Colonial Board , had had his attention seriously called to the existence of certain spurious bodies , affecting the Masonic order , within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodgo of England .

Bro . Adlard made some observations upon the necessity for dealing with tho question , and finally disposing of it . Bro . Binckes then spoke against the amendment . The Rev . Bro . J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , supported the amendment of Bro . Bennoch . Bros . Barrow , Clabon , and Browse objected to the motion of Bro . Cooke .

Bro . John Hervey asked the permission of the Acting Grand Master to address the Grand Lodge . He repelled the accusations made by Bro . Cooke , of any employS having sold or improperly imparted the secrets of the Secretary ' s office , or in any way traded upon , or in connection with Freemasonry , or that any of the clerks of his office had any connection with , or

interest in the businsss of any Masonic jeweller , clothier , or other tradesmen . For his own part he courted the fullest investigatioii , although he objected to the manner in which the charges had been made .

Several other brethren spoke for and against the motion , and also for and against the amendment . Bro . Bennoch having replied , the Acting Grand Master called upon the Grand Lodge to vote upon the amendment of Bro . Bennock .

The amendment was carried by a vote of 73 to 63 . After the vote had been taken , and the Acting Grand Master had declared the amendment carried , many brethren left tho hall . Bro . Binckes rose and expressed his dissatisfaction with the result , and demanded thnta division should be taken . Considerable time was occupied in a discussion whether a

division could he taken , after the result of the vote had been declared . Eventually the Grand Master complied with tbe request of Bro . Binckes .

Upon a division , tbe amendment of Bro . Bennoch was again carried by a still larger majority . Bro . Joshua Nunn desired to move another amendment , viz ., that the further consideration of the question be adjoured sine die . Bro . Bennoch objected to any further discussion on his

amendment , and called upon the Grand Master to put his amendment as a substantive motion . Bros . Gover , Dumas , AVike , and others spoke , when the Grand Master put Bro . Bennoch ' s amendment as a substantive motion , which was again carried by a large majority . The President of the Board of General Purposes protested

that he did know what the Board had to consider , or what was referred to them . The subject was then allowed to drop . In the absence of Bro . Clabon Bro . Joshua Nunn , V . P . of the Board , asked that the consideration of the following motion of Bro . Clabon bo allowed to stand over till the quarterly communication in December .

"To amend the Constitutions under the head 'Fund of Benevolence , ' as follows : — " Art . 5 , lines 1 and 2 , omit ' registered under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of England' —line 5 , omit 'the ' before ' Grand Lodge , ' and add ' a , ' —line 7 , after the word ' period , ' add , ' if a Member of the Grand Lodge of England ,

have . ' "Art . S , lino 3 , after 'foreign Grand Lodges , ' add , ' and Members of Colonial Lodges , '—line 9 , after ' such relief , ' add , if exceeding three pounds . ' "Art 10 , line IS , after ' Foreign Lodges , ' add , " aud the Members of Colonial Lodges . ' Add to Art . 16 , or as Art . 17 ,

" Tho Lodge of Benevolence may grant relief to the extent of two pounds to any distressed Mason who has presented his petition in duo time , although tho conditions and forms above contained have not been complied with . " The motion was accordingly adjourned . There being no further business , Grand Lodge was closed in form , with prayer by Bro . C . J . Martyn , Acting Grand Chaplain .

The following Notices were placed in the Ante-Room : — NOTICE . —It having been represented to the Board of General Purposes that brethren are in the habit of attending Grand Lodge wearing jewels not recognized by the Grand Lodge , the Grand Pursuviant has been ordered to see the law carried into effect , viz . : " That no honorary or other Jewels shall be worn

in Grand Lodge , which shall not appertain to , or be consistent with those degrees , which are recognized and acknowledged by , and are under the control of the Grand Lodge as part of pure and Ancient Masonry . —By order of the Board of General Purposes , John Hervey , Grand Secretary .

The undermentioned lodges having neglected to make their returns and payments for more than twelve months past , the Masters , Wardens , and Past Masters of such lodges cannot bo permitted to attend any meeting of the Grand Lodge until such returns and payments shall have been completed -. — 20—Castle Lodge of Hnrinony , Willis ' s Rooms , St . James ' s ..

79—Pythagorean , Ship Tavern , Royal Hill , Greenwich . 157—Bedford , Freemasons' Hall . 176—Caveac , Radley's Hotel , Bridge Street , Blackfriars . 205—Israel , Radley ' s Hotel , Bridge Street , Blackfriars . ( Suspended by order of the Board of General Purposes ) .