United Grand Lodge.

thai I shall put in order to take the sense of the Grand Lodge upon them are these ; that thc amendment in favour of the previous question be withdrawn first of all , and secondly , I shall put the substantive question that stands on the paper , aye , or no . Is it your pleasure that the previous question should be adopted or withdrawn ?

Thc motion for withdrawing thc previous ejuestion was then carried unanimously . The Earl of Carnarvon : Thc next question that I shall put is the substantive question , that the resolution moved by the President of the Board of General Purposes be adopted . ( No hands were held up . ) On thc contrary . ( For this there was a general show of hands , and his

lordship declared the contrary carried ) . Grand Secretary then read the report of Bro . R . P Harding , Auditor of Grand Lodge accounts , of receipts and disbursements duiing the year 1877 , an ( ' ' report , on motion duly made and seconded , vvas ordered to be received and entered on the minutes . The Earl of Carnarvon then said that the next business

on the paper vvas the receipt of letters and papers from Lord de Tabley , Provincial Grand Master from Cheshire , recommending the erasure of the Southam Lodge , No . 1054 Wilmslow , from the Roll of Lodges . Grand Secretary read the letter from Lord de Tabley , and another letter from the Secretary rf the Southam Lodge praying on behalf of its members for a respire

for twelve months . This latter document set forth that the lodge would now go on comfortably , and would be a united lodge . The Earl of Carnarvon : Is the Worshipful Master of the Southam Lodge present ? ( There being no reply , his lordship continued ) . Then I will call on the Grand Registrar , who happens to be , I believe , the Senior Grand

Warden of the Province , and who is conversant with the true state of this case , to explain to Grand Lodge , if he will , what the circumstances are . Bro . Mclntyre , G . R . —M . W . G . M . : I felt and do feci very great delicacy in speaking of a lodge which is within the province of which I have the honour to be appointed the Senior Grand Warden for the present year ; but I

must say that I know that our Provincial Grand Master , Lord de Tabley , has taken very great pains indeed , to ascertain the position of this lodge . Wilmslow is a township in the north part of Cheshire , within a very few miles of Manchester , anel when that lodge was formed the idea of Lord de Tabley was that it would be composed principally of local members . That

idea vvas unfortunately disappointed . Certainly a few local members joined and were initiated into Freemasonry in it . But now that the great city of Manchester has become sc large it has sent a great number of men over to Wilmslow to be members of that Lodge , and by that means the Manchester members have completely out-voted and put to shame the local Wilmslow brethren . Atthetimethc

disturbances—for they really weic disturbances—in this lodge took place there were very few local members in the lodge ; it being chiefly composed of brethren from the City of Manchester . There was great difficulty in getting a lodge lo be held at all . A j / entleman who was proposed ns ; i member found on going that no lodge was to bc held , and the reason for no lodge to be held was that thc

Master and the Wardens did not com '" to thc time , ancl the other members were ne , t present . When erne brother , who was the chief one that made this complaint to Lord de Tabley , hacl been initiated in Freemasonry , he had to wait seven months before being passed to the Second Degree . He states , in a letter which I have read , that on some occasions when he has come there , there have been no

officers of the lodge present , anel when the officers have been there the Worshipful Master ( the place where thc lodge was held was a publichousr , with a bowling green attached ) at five o ' clock in the evening was p laying nt bowls , and did so till seven o ' clock , when the other Manchester brethren had to go back by thc ten minutes oast seven train . Lord de Tabley on several

occasions warned the lodge that they ought to be more particular—lhat brethren who vv-ete initiated ought to be passed lo their other e ' egrecs , and at all events that their certificates ought to be obtained for them from Grand Lodge-. This 'articular brother who complained so much vvas initiated , and for nine months he never got his certificate . The lodge was now I think in airear to Grand

Lodge ; they have not paid their dues in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and Lord de Tabley directed a course of inquiry to be held . That inquiry was held , ancl by their unanimous report they suggested that the lodge should be erased , because they saw no chance whatever of the lodge being belter . We have heard from the Giand Secretary the letter that has been sent by the lodge , in which they

pray for further time * . That , of course , must be left to Grand Lodge . I make no motion whatever . I ought , perhaps , to make a motie . 11 , as I am thc representative of the Provincial Grancl Master as his Senior Warden I merely gather the facts from letters before Grand lodge , 1 state those facts , and it is for Grand Lodge to decide whether thc recommendation of the Provincial Grand

Master—having tried his best to keep the lodge in order , having done his utmost to see whether the lodge can be sustained , having sent a Commission of Inquiry to report and that Committee having reported that that lodge ought to be erased—shall be confirmed , or whether that lodge is to be continued . In my official capacity of Grand Registrar know that the conduct of thc province is left , as it must be left , to the Provincial Giand Master and to his

Provincial Grand Lodge and those who advise him ; and if he lays before you full and sufficient grounds why this Lodge ought not to continue in his Province , Grand Lodge , ought lo hesitate before they decide differently . I make no motion whatever , I have stated before the facts as they appear from , thc papers I have read , and I submit this that I know all thc members of the Committee of Inquiry , all of them are men who are good . Masons ,

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good men , and men of position , who would inquire candidly aud fairly , and I think they would not come to any conclusion that was not warranteel by the facts placed before them . Thc Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C—After what has been said to us by thc Grand Registrar , the brethren present can have no doubt or hesitation as to what ought to be

done in this matter , and that such a lodge should be erased as a disgrace to Freemasonry . I move that it be erased . Bro . H . A . Bennett , P . Prov . G . W . Chesbire . —I rise to support , as one of the Provincial Grand Officers of Cheshire every thing that our Bro . Mclntyre has stated this evening . I think this lodge , as it is at present constituted , will not

bc able to carry out the duties of Masonry . I do not second the motion , but I only desire to support and confirm every word that our Grand Registrar has stated . Bro . F . Davison : I second the motion . The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , this motion for the erasure of the Southam Lodge has been moved and seconded , and you have heard the statement which those

who are conversant with the locality have given , and on the other hand there is the fact which I think ought not to be di , regardeel that the Master of this Lodge has not thought fit to attend here anel justify his conduct . I feel , as every one present must feel , lhat it is a serious , a very serious matter to erase a lodge ; at the same time it is no less a serious matter to keep an unworthy lodge upon the

roll of Freemasonry . The authority of the Provincial Grand Master ought to be maintained , anel when those who are charged with , after all , what amounts tn a commission of Masonic offences , do not appear either by themselves or their friends to defend their conduct . 1 can hardly see what course is open to Grand Lodge , except to agree to this resolution .

The motion was then put arid carried unanimously . Grand Secretary read an application from the Royal Lodge , No . 207 , Kingstown , Jamaica , for assistance to enable them to build a Masonic Temple , but no motion was made upon it . Grand Secretary read a letter which he hacl that afternoon received from the Secretary of the Royal National

Lifeboat Institution , relative to the model ol the lifeboat placed in front of the Grand Master ' s pedestal . The letter vvas as follows : — " Dear sir ancl brother , I have the honour , by direction of my Cc mmitter , to ask thc acceptance by Grand Lodge of models of the lifeboats and transporting carriages , accompanied by water colour orawin- » s of the lifeboat houses at Clacton-on-Sca , ancl Hone Cove ,

which thc Freemasons of England generously presented to the National Lifeboat Institution as a token of the thankfulness of the Craft for the safe return from India of the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Piince of Wales . I am to add that the Committee ancl officers of thc Institution will spare no effort to maintain the property of the

Masonic Lifeboat Establishment , which will ever be a monument of the sympathy of the Craft for thc shipwrecked sailor . 1 am , yours truly and fraternally , Richd . Lewis . " This letter was ordered to be entered on the minute . , and Grand Lodge was closed in the usual form .

REPORTS , etc ., intended for insertion in current number , should reach the Office , ( 198 , Fleet-street ) , by 12 o ' clock noon , on Wednesdays .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings .

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft ggtogflttrg . ROYAL JUBILEE LODGE ( No . 72 ) . —The usual nnd ordinary meeting of this lodge vvas held on Monday evening , Match 4 , at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleetstreet , and was very numerously attended by members anil visitors . Bro . Watson Carr , W . M ., preside . ! . Bro . Dunn , S . W . ; Bro . Dann , P . M . ( in thc absence of Bro . Harvey' , J . W . ; Chesterton , S . D ., Thurston , I . G . ; J . N .

Bate , Steward ; Joseph Nunn , Secretary ; and Past Masters Hines , Dodson , and Durkin ; besides the following visitors G . Smith , 1 S 6 ; Tattershall , P . M . 140 ; Dalby , 1475 ; Whitfield , 1000 ; Mudge , Mount Carmel ; J . Dixon , W . M . 1728 ; H . Thompson , 1426 , and P . M . 177 and 1158 ( Freemason ) ; Batchelor , 147 ; Robards , P . M . ancl P . Z . 228 ; Greenwood P . M . 410 , and P . G . Secretary for

Surrey ; Biddle , 193 ; Tomkins , 201 ; Chalk , S . D . 155 8 ; Fenwick , 1178 ; and several others whose names were not clearly expressed . The business of the evening commenced at five o ' clock with an ample list to be disposed of , consisting ot four raisings , one passing , and one initiation . The lodge having been opened and thc minutes of thc last lodge read and confirmed , the lodge was opened in the Second

Degree , and Bros . Whiffen , Craddock , Reid , and Dobson questioned as 10 the progress they had made in the science , and their answers being considered satisfactory , the lodge was opened in the Third Degree , and they were raised to thc Sublime Degree . The lodge was then lowered to thc Second Degree , and , after a preliminary examination , Bro . W . Koolman was passed to the degree of a F . C . The

lodge vvas then resumed to the First Degree , when Mr . R . Bachelor , who had been regularly balloted for anel approved as a candidate was admittcel ancl duly initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Some communications having been made by brother Joseph Nunn , the Secretary , the lo ' dge was closed in due form and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , at which , in

consequence of the indisposition of the W . Master , Bro . Hines , the Immediate Past Master , took the chair . On the withdrawal of the cloth , the W . Master ( pro . tem . ) proposed "The Queen and the Craft , " who , as the mother and descendant of a Freemason , had always felt the deepest interest in the welfare of the Craft . The toast was heartily responded to . " The Health of his Royal Highness

Reports Of Masonic Meetings .

the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipful Grand Master , was then given , and received with the usual honours . The other formal toasts were afterwards proposed and responded to . The acting W . Master said that he had then to some extent a painful duty to perform , as he hacl to introduce thc name of their W . Master , who had been obliged lo leave on account of indisposition , and who had requested him to

take his place . Their W . Master had that night given them an earnest of what he could do , although it was not long since that he had only just stepped over the threshold of Freemasonry . He had been obliged to retire , but he had left him ( Bro . Hines ) , in full power to do all that might be required to make them comfortable , his worst wish being that they might be all happy , contented , and

delighted while they remained in the Royal Jubilee Lodge . He therefore asked them to rise and drink to the health of the W . Master , which was readily responded to . The W . Master ( pro tem . ) said the next toast he had to propose placed him in somewhat an invidious position , in as much as he had to put himself forward amongst the Past Masters , although he had been put into the position of W .

Master . He trusted , however , that they would lose sight of whoever vvas in the chair , and only do honour to the Past Masters . He had been astonished by the Past Masters of the lodge , and as long as the G . A . O . T . U . should spare them , and allow them to permeate the Royal jubilee Lodge , he trustee ! that they would continue to astonish young Masons . When they approached the Past

Masters , it was as it were silling at the feet of Gamaliel , for it was from them that they received instruction and education up to the highest point . For himself , he vvas but a juvenile member amongst the Past Masters , but he hoped in time to be placed in the same category as they now enjoyed , and when one or two of them had passed away , then perhaps there might be an opening for minor minds

like himself ( laughter ) . He gave " The Health of Bros . Dodson , Dann , and Durkin , " P . M . ' s of the Royal Jubilee Lodge . Bro . E . Dodson , in returning thanks for the P . M . ' s , said they were very pleased that the W . Master ( pro tem . ) had so good an opinion of their own body . They were also pleased at the manner in which their health had been proposed , and could assure them that

they would do everything in their power that could add to the happiness cf the brethren . His brother on his left ( Bro . Joseph Nunn ) , was more able to reply on behalf of the fast Masters than himself , but at the same time he took the opportunity of expressing their thanks for the manner in which their health had been proposed and responded to . He concluded by proposing "The Health of Bro . Hines ,

W . M ., " who , during his year of office , had discharged his * duties with great ability . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . Chalk ' one of the visitors , sung " The Village Blacksmith , " in a style which delighted all , and he vvas rewarded with unanimous and enthusiastic applause . Bro . Hines , in responding , thanked the brethren for the very kind way in which his health had been proposed and responded to , although ,

his Bro . Doclson had gone a long distance to say something good of him , but he thought some of his observations and compliments were unmerited , although he could sincerely say that he had endeavoured to do his best to carry out his duties . He knew perfectly well that he had omitted many things he ought to have done , and dine things that ought to have been left undone , but if they

were pleased with him he was well satisfied , and trusted that any shortcomings on his part woultl be blotted out of their recollections . The W . M . said the next toast he had to propose was a most pleasurable one to any brother who occupied the chair in his parent lodge . The toast he had then to propose vvas the health of one whom he had now the pleasure of calling brother , who had married himself to

them , and was no longer a bachelor —( cheers , and loud laughter)—one who had the courage to have the outer world and come into the Jubilee Lodge . He had been waiting ever since half-past two , although the summons said it would behalf-past six before he could be initiated , so that it would be seen he felt some interest in becoming a Freemason . He hatl g-me

through the trying ordeal in a proper manner , and had come out of it unscathed , and he ( the W . M . ) was sure that he would never regret the step that he hacl taken . He would long remember the nighton which he vvas initiated in tlie Royal Jubilee Lodge , and the beautiful tenets to which his attention had been called by the W . Master , which he had been good enough and kind enough to make . He

exhorted him to be careful of what he had been taught , and to practise out of the lodge what he had been taught within it , ancl when his friends discovered thechange which had taken place in his conduct , it would only be explained when they afterwards found out that he had become a Mason . He concluded by proposing "Thc Health of their newly-initiated Bro . Bachelor . " Bro . Bachelor returned thanks , and

expressed his desire to do everything in his power to benefit tbe lodge , and endeavour to gain the respect of every member . The W . Master then proposed " The Visitors , " giving them a hearty welcome , for which Bros . Greenwood and H . Thompson severally returned thanks . One or two other toasts were given , and the evening ' s amusement was most harmoniously brought to a close .

LODGE OF JOPPA ( No . 188 ) . —The brethren ^ tliis lodge met on Monday , the 4 th inst ., at the Albion Hotel , Aldersgate-strcet . Bros . Muller , W . M . ; Spiegel , S . W . ; Hymann , J . W . ; Campion , S . D . ; Baker , J . D . ; Isaacs , I . G . The minutes of the previous meeting , after debating with respect to the informal election of Treasurer , were confirmed . Brother Wynman was raised in a creditable manner by the W . M . Several poor Masons applied

for relief , which was readily granted . After closing the lodge , 74 brethren sat down to a banquet , as usual at thc lodge of Joppa . Thc usual loyal toasts were proposed , and as customary afterwards " The W . M . " " The P . M , " " The Visitors , " " The Joppa Benevolent Fund , " and " The Officers , " and each was respectively responded to . FAITH LODGE ( No . 141 ) . —This lodge held its last meeting at Andcitdn ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , on Tucsd ay ' ,