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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 2 Article THREATENED MASONIC DISRUPTION Page 1 of 1 Article THREATENED MASONIC DISRUPTION Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article LONDON CHARITY UNION. Page 1 of 1 Article Obituary. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
London subscribers have so combined that their influence ! which is now so frequently lost can be used , for the benefit of those candidates who have bona-fide claims for thensupport . I await a further development of Bro . Tisley ' s proposed
scheme , and trust he will shortly be prepared with a cone of rules which will command the approbation of a large number of subscribers . In the meantime I am , dear Sir and brother , jours faithfully , A . K . G .
THE CORNISH BRETHREN AND TRURO CATHEDRAL . We take the following correspondence from the Western Morning News' : To the Editor of Ihe " Jlcstern Morning News . Sir . —1 was surprised that Bro . Emra Holmes was not set right by some oldvr members of the Craft at the P . G . L .
meeting at Redruth on Tuesday , when he gave notice that at the next meeting be shoo ! ¦ ¦ ' . move that a grant be made to the Truro Cathedral Fund . Surely he ought to have been told tbat Freemasons do not pay nioncv to P . G . L for them to give grants for th . e building of a State Church Cathedral , or , indeed , for the erection of a building belongng to any denomination . If the proposed grant be made ,
any brother may with as much reason ask for a grant towards the building of a Roman Catholic College or a Jews ' Synagogue . Freemasonry is a charitable institution , but I have yet to learn that the P . G L . would be exercising that viitue by assisting in the erection of a State Church Cathedral . If the P . G . L . would send a grant to Mr . Bolitho , or some other gentleman well-known in the West of
Cornwall , where considerable distress has for a long time existed , they would set a fine and telling example to that numerous band of ladies and gentlemen who think they are praising God by subscribing so many thousand pounds to build a cathedral while scores , aye hundreds , of I heir fellow creatures in the county are wretched and almost starving . —Yours fraternally , A FREEMASON .
( To the Editor of thc Western Morning News . ) Sir , —Will you let me say , in reply to my Brother " Freemason , " that to the best of my belief I did not give notice that at the next meeting of the Provincial Grantl Lodge 1 should move that a giant be made from the funds of the Provincial Lodge towards the Truro Cathedr . il . 1 stated that since our hst lodge a very important
meeting had been held at Truro , to consider a scheme for the erection of a cathedral there ; and , thinking tbat the Freemasons might assist , 1 proposed at thc next annual meeting to bring the matter bc ' ore the brethren . I then handed ii to the Provincial Grand Secretary the formal notice in writing , which was , to the best ut my recollection , couched in the following terms ( and which was , 1 suppose , taken
as read ) : — " Bro . Emra Holmes gave notice of motion that at the next meeting of thc Provincial Grand Lodge he would move , ' That in view e > f the erection of a cathedral at Truro for the diocese of Cornwall , a committee be appointed to solicit subscriptions , and th . it the Province of Devonshire be invited to assist , so that a lasting memorial of the Freemasons of Cornwall anil Devon may be erected
in the new edifice '" Time did not ailow of my explaining my objeel and desires as 1 could have wished , but 1 hope to hive an opportunity of de > ini _> so next year , when 1 trust " Freemason " vvill attend , and oppose my motion if he thinks fit . Whilst it is not my present intention to risk for a grant from Provincial Grand Lodge funds , 1 should certainly not
oppose any other brother who chose to tlo so ; and I join issue with your correspondent at once when he disputes the rig ht of Grai d Lodge so 11 appropriate its funds if it sees lit . " A Freemason " speaks so authoritatively on the subject that 1 should ( had I known less about it ) have taken it for granted that no body of Freemasons could do anything
so mons rous as to contribute towards the building or restoration of a State Church Cathedral , whatever that may be -, but as 1 happened some years since to be present at Gloucester when the beautiful rereJo . e given by the brethren of that province to the cathedral was unveiled in thc presence of fioo brethren by the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Sherborne , I may h : pardoned if I dispute
his dictum . Tlic Freemasons of Worcester put a beautiful stained g lass window into their cathedral , and the brethren of Durham have done the same in their own noble Minster . The Freemasons of Bristol , headed by their estimable Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Limeiiek , laid the foundation stone of the new nave to their cathedral , a-id restored at their own cost the Lady Chapel of St . Mary , Rcdcliffe ,
the noblest parish church in lMigUim . Thc Gloucester Masons restored the west front of Bath Abbey at a cost of £ 3000—all honour to them ; and 1 elo not despair , knovvng thc Masons of Cornwall as 1 do , of seeing my bn thren 11 tlrs province put their shoulders to the wheel , in spile of thc bigotry and intolerance of a lew men , who
surely do not know what 1-icemasoiiiy is , and mise an enduring monument in the first English Cathedr . il built since the Reformation , to thc gloiy of the Great Architect of the Universe , and a worthy liicniori il of the Freemasons of thc iiinciiemh century . Your obedient vert-ant , EMIIA HOI . MKS .
Fowey , Cornwall , Sth Augur-. t , lS ; S . Sir , —1 have duly p .-rused a letter signed " Freemason" respecting the proposed grant to the in \ v cathedial at Truro as per notice of Mr . Emra Holmes . It vvill be well lo 11 member that il is but a uotii-e , and will doubtless share the fate of a similar proposition made in Grand Lodge on behalf of St . Pauls Cathedral , tec Thc Society of Free and . \ cccptcd Masons ( as youi conespoiiilent ob
Original Correspondence.
serves ) is not sectarian , and , therefore , any such use of the funds in Cornwall will not be tolerated by the members No blame is attached to the authorities , for it was but a notice of Mr . Holmes'intention to make a proposition some twelve months hence , which will , we know , be met by a direct negative , and we feci certain vvill not soon be renewed . Another brother may , if he likes , give notices to
propose a grant on behalf of thc new Baptist Chapel at Retlrutb , or to aid the Wesleyan Chapel at Hayle , the Jews' Synagogue at Falmouth , or the Roman Catholics at Camborne , but we anticipate few would be found to second any such propositions , and should Mr . Holmes not withdraw the notice in question he will not at least complain of any apathy as to the matter when the vote is to be taken .
T . W . M . Plymouth , ioth August , 18 7 8 . Sir , —1 think it right to state that , when , at the meeting at Redruth , Mr . Emra Holmes intimated to me his intention to give notie-e of a motion with ieference to the cathedral for the next annual meeting , and asked if I saw any objection to his doing so , 1 certainly did not
understand that his i lea was to propose a grant from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and 1 am very glad to sec that the explanation given by him in your edition of Friday agrees entirely with my own impression . I could see no objection to his giving such a notice as that which , as he states , and as I believed , it was his intention to give , but , even at the risk of exposing myself to the charge of "bigotry and intolerance , " I must say
that I should greatly doubt the propriety of expending any portion of the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the object proposed . I refrain from expressing myself more strongly , because , in the event of sucti a proposal being mooted , precedents may be quoted of which I am ignorant ; but Mr . Holmes has evidently no intention of making such a proposal , and 1 shaH hz surprised if we hear anything more about it . Yours obediently ,
MOUNT EDGCUMBE , P . G . M . of Cornwall . Cotehele House , August nth , 1 S 7 S .
Threatened Masonic Disruption
THREATENED MASONIC DISRUPTION
We lake the fellowing sensible letter from the North British Daily Mail of August 12 th : — Sir , — l'lie Mnit oi Tuesday iasl contains an account of tbe meeting of Grand Lodge , held 0 : 1 the previous day at Edinburgh , and gives an explanation of the Masonic " situation" which , besides being inaccurate , is partial
both as regards the extent and the character of the information conveyed . To correct this , to some extent at least , it may be well to inform such of your readers as take an interest in the matter , that thf dissension which unfortunately exists in the Grand Lodge ia not of recent origin , as your report woulel seem to indicate . For years , many yeais , the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge was , by
the law as then in force , composed of the Masters of the lodges in the Edinburgh district , eighteen in number , with a like number chosen by Grand Lodge from its membership—thirty-six in all . Owing to this arrangement it was felt , not only in Glasgow , but throughout the Craft in the provinces , tint the metropolitan as opposed to the provincial influence was tori great , the Grand Committee brri . ig
the executive , and , so to speak , the factotum of Grand Lodge . Dissatisfaction , aggravated by the commission of gross irregularities , in respect t > cash and otherwise , by certain of the ofiieials of Giaud L edge , was the result ; and this went on until the beginning of the present year , when the constitution of the Grand Commiitce was altered , the brethren composing it being now . in deference to the
wish of those who had been dissatisfied , elected by Grand Lodge from ils members , irrespective of the localiiy in which the lodges that they repics . nt are situated . In justice t-i the much-maligned Edinburgh brethren , it should be statccl that the change was not oppose : ! by tticm , and was adopted unanimously , and was hailed with general suisfaction as piling the way for harmony and
prosperity , the irregularities referred to luting been effectually put a stop to previously . When the new Grand Committee came tj lie formed in February last at the meeting of Grand Lodge , it turned out , to the surprise of many , that the Edinburgh , or as it might more fittingly be called , the Giand Lodge influence , instead of being neutralised , was rather increased , a large majority of those elected holding
to the mode of conducting Grand Lodge affairs which had pic . ailed under the old regime . It should be mentioned thai , on the occasion of the election of the new Grand Committee , a great amount of organising anil manoeuvr ing to influence thc flection was most improperly carried on by self-constituted leaders both in Edinburgh and Glasgow , but it is not propiblethat this had much effect either
one way or another upon thc result of the election . Disappointment were now-added to dissatislaclion on thc put of a number of the brethren in and around Glasgow , and the opposition which had hitherto been carried on upon points of principle be-cime factions—whatever the majority did being met with " contradiction for ils own dear sake " , " and a determined effort was male by the leaders of the
opposition , who organised a larye body of their supporters to assist at the meeiing of Grand L idge in May in overturning the proceedings of the Grand Committee , in which they were so far successful . From what then transpired it bicime apparent to Ihe Craft throughout the country
th it il wn ; time to do something to put a stop to this scatiilal , and accordingly the nu-mbers of the Grand Lorlge fro'ii the cast , west , iioiih , anil south , turned out in large numbers and Irom gieat distances , at th .: meeting on the 5 th instant , to uphold ihe supremacy of Grand Lodge , an J , il possible , brin J abou' . a more satisfactory slilc of affairs .
Threatened Masonic Disruption
Your reporter must have been misinformed as to the expenses , travelling or otherwise , of partisans being paid , as such was not the case to any extent , the contest having assumed a new character , being not between Edinburgh and Glasgow , or the east and west , but between Glasgow on the one hand , and the rest of Scotland from Aberdeento Dumfries , and from Ayr to Dunbar , on the other , and
the upshot was that , when those who had gone out to win found themselves outnumbered , they left the meeting in a body . The points on which diversity of opinion exists , not being of public interest , need not be introduced here . One of them , however , being alluded to by your reporter —the appointment of Grand Master at the ensuing election—it may not be out of place to say that the high
chaacter of Bro . Henry lnglrs , of Torsonce , and his eminent services to the Craft for nearly a quaiter of a century , entitled him to the highest honour which the Grand Lodge can bestow . This is universally felt and admitted by the Order , both at home and abroad , and no considerable section in Glasgow or elsewhere thinks differently . The formation of a new Grand Lodge in the West of Scotland ,
which , according to your report , was freely talked of , is not such an easy matter as many seem to imagine . Apart from the totally inadequate nature of the present circumstances to justify such a step , it would be impossible for such a body to receive the recognition of other Grand Lodges , without which it would be worthless , and to that extent a delusion and a snare . —I am , Sec , No FACTION .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The General Committee met on thc 14 th instant , when Bro . Col . Creaton , presided . There were also present Bro « . S . Rawson , J . Marsh Case , G Bolton , ' J . G . Stevens , W . F . Nettleship , Thos . Cubitt , C . J . Perceval , Jas . Willing ,
jun ., W . Hale , Jno . Bellamy , C . F . Hogatd , Charles Lacey , and others . The death was reported of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , the Treasurer , and one of the trustees of the Institution . The Chairman reported that tenders had been received
for building the gardener's lodge at Croydon , that that of Mr . Martin Taylor had been accepted ; that the corner stone had been laid on Tuesday , and that the buildings would be completed in about ten weeks . The death of one annuitant was reported , and four petititions were received and placed on the list .
London Charity Union.
LONDON CHARITY UNION .
A meeting was holden in the Freemasons' Tavern , on Thursday , August 15 , under the presidency of Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , for the purpose of forming a London Charity Union , in order to support London Masonic Charities , the furtherance of the claims of the London candidates for the Charities , and thc interchange of votes
with Provincial Charity Commitfces . A resolution to form a " Lonetan Union " was unanimously agreed to , and the meeting adjourned to Wednesday , August 21 st , at five o'clock , at Freemason ' s Tavern , to consider the bye-laws and appoint a Committee . All brethren interested in the subj rec are invited to attend the adjourned meeting .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . ROBERT BAG 3 HXXV . We regret to have to announce the death of that worthy old Mason , Bro . Robert Bagshaw , Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Essex , and P . G . M . and P . G . Snpt . of the Province of Essex , who expired at his town residence , 42 , Gloucester-sq ., on Wednesday . He formerly represened Harwich in the Liberal interest , at the same time as his athcr , when the borough returned two members .
Occupying , as freemasonry does , a prominent position among the rec ^ gnise-d institutions of the land , and vvhich has for its ultimate end the amelioration of the condition and elevation of mankinel , it is to be expected that the combined efforts of the Fraternity would be elirected to the final accomplishment of this laudable undertaking . Founded on thc purest principles of morality , and enforcing
its tenets , as Freemasonry does , by precepts bascei upon and deduced from the Divine Uw , we have sufficient grounds to foster the hope of great results from the united efforts o ! those whose lives " linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection . " Viewed simply in the sight of a social institution , it has claims upon society which call for serious thought and calm investigation .
But if we would understand and appreciate its true mission , our thoughts must take a wider range and grasp those nobler objects which are the legitimate offspring of the great principles on which the institution rests . The founelatiou of every virtue is truth . To be good and true , is the first lesson which Masonry teaches . To know , and do the truth , is the grand end proposed ; and when this shall
have been accompanied , then , and not until then , will the true mission of the institution of Masonry have been fulfilled . —Srand Master Carkley if Mississippi . In accordance with an order issued by the Duke of Bedford a fortnight ago , all Sunday tra ling is henceforth to be prohibited at Covent-garden Market .
Thc reason for the introduction of the new rule is said to be that a rather noisy s-t of people were attracted to thc market , and that the decorum which should be observed on Sunday was occasionally disregarded , but the natural wish ol the superior officers that their subordinates should have as lillie as possible to do on the Sabbath Day also influenced them largely in asking for the alteration .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
London subscribers have so combined that their influence ! which is now so frequently lost can be used , for the benefit of those candidates who have bona-fide claims for thensupport . I await a further development of Bro . Tisley ' s proposed
scheme , and trust he will shortly be prepared with a cone of rules which will command the approbation of a large number of subscribers . In the meantime I am , dear Sir and brother , jours faithfully , A . K . G .
THE CORNISH BRETHREN AND TRURO CATHEDRAL . We take the following correspondence from the Western Morning News' : To the Editor of Ihe " Jlcstern Morning News . Sir . —1 was surprised that Bro . Emra Holmes was not set right by some oldvr members of the Craft at the P . G . L .
meeting at Redruth on Tuesday , when he gave notice that at the next meeting be shoo ! ¦ ¦ ' . move that a grant be made to the Truro Cathedral Fund . Surely he ought to have been told tbat Freemasons do not pay nioncv to P . G . L for them to give grants for th . e building of a State Church Cathedral , or , indeed , for the erection of a building belongng to any denomination . If the proposed grant be made ,
any brother may with as much reason ask for a grant towards the building of a Roman Catholic College or a Jews ' Synagogue . Freemasonry is a charitable institution , but I have yet to learn that the P . G L . would be exercising that viitue by assisting in the erection of a State Church Cathedral . If the P . G . L . would send a grant to Mr . Bolitho , or some other gentleman well-known in the West of
Cornwall , where considerable distress has for a long time existed , they would set a fine and telling example to that numerous band of ladies and gentlemen who think they are praising God by subscribing so many thousand pounds to build a cathedral while scores , aye hundreds , of I heir fellow creatures in the county are wretched and almost starving . —Yours fraternally , A FREEMASON .
( To the Editor of thc Western Morning News . ) Sir , —Will you let me say , in reply to my Brother " Freemason , " that to the best of my belief I did not give notice that at the next meeting of the Provincial Grantl Lodge 1 should move that a giant be made from the funds of the Provincial Lodge towards the Truro Cathedr . il . 1 stated that since our hst lodge a very important
meeting had been held at Truro , to consider a scheme for the erection of a cathedral there ; and , thinking tbat the Freemasons might assist , 1 proposed at thc next annual meeting to bring the matter bc ' ore the brethren . I then handed ii to the Provincial Grand Secretary the formal notice in writing , which was , to the best ut my recollection , couched in the following terms ( and which was , 1 suppose , taken
as read ) : — " Bro . Emra Holmes gave notice of motion that at the next meeting of thc Provincial Grand Lodge he would move , ' That in view e > f the erection of a cathedral at Truro for the diocese of Cornwall , a committee be appointed to solicit subscriptions , and th . it the Province of Devonshire be invited to assist , so that a lasting memorial of the Freemasons of Cornwall anil Devon may be erected
in the new edifice '" Time did not ailow of my explaining my objeel and desires as 1 could have wished , but 1 hope to hive an opportunity of de > ini _> so next year , when 1 trust " Freemason " vvill attend , and oppose my motion if he thinks fit . Whilst it is not my present intention to risk for a grant from Provincial Grand Lodge funds , 1 should certainly not
oppose any other brother who chose to tlo so ; and I join issue with your correspondent at once when he disputes the rig ht of Grai d Lodge so 11 appropriate its funds if it sees lit . " A Freemason " speaks so authoritatively on the subject that 1 should ( had I known less about it ) have taken it for granted that no body of Freemasons could do anything
so mons rous as to contribute towards the building or restoration of a State Church Cathedral , whatever that may be -, but as 1 happened some years since to be present at Gloucester when the beautiful rereJo . e given by the brethren of that province to the cathedral was unveiled in thc presence of fioo brethren by the Provincial Grand Master , Lord Sherborne , I may h : pardoned if I dispute
his dictum . Tlic Freemasons of Worcester put a beautiful stained g lass window into their cathedral , and the brethren of Durham have done the same in their own noble Minster . The Freemasons of Bristol , headed by their estimable Prov . Grand Master , the Earl of Limeiiek , laid the foundation stone of the new nave to their cathedral , a-id restored at their own cost the Lady Chapel of St . Mary , Rcdcliffe ,
the noblest parish church in lMigUim . Thc Gloucester Masons restored the west front of Bath Abbey at a cost of £ 3000—all honour to them ; and 1 elo not despair , knovvng thc Masons of Cornwall as 1 do , of seeing my bn thren 11 tlrs province put their shoulders to the wheel , in spile of thc bigotry and intolerance of a lew men , who
surely do not know what 1-icemasoiiiy is , and mise an enduring monument in the first English Cathedr . il built since the Reformation , to thc gloiy of the Great Architect of the Universe , and a worthy liicniori il of the Freemasons of thc iiinciiemh century . Your obedient vert-ant , EMIIA HOI . MKS .
Fowey , Cornwall , Sth Augur-. t , lS ; S . Sir , —1 have duly p .-rused a letter signed " Freemason" respecting the proposed grant to the in \ v cathedial at Truro as per notice of Mr . Emra Holmes . It vvill be well lo 11 member that il is but a uotii-e , and will doubtless share the fate of a similar proposition made in Grand Lodge on behalf of St . Pauls Cathedral , tec Thc Society of Free and . \ cccptcd Masons ( as youi conespoiiilent ob
Original Correspondence.
serves ) is not sectarian , and , therefore , any such use of the funds in Cornwall will not be tolerated by the members No blame is attached to the authorities , for it was but a notice of Mr . Holmes'intention to make a proposition some twelve months hence , which will , we know , be met by a direct negative , and we feci certain vvill not soon be renewed . Another brother may , if he likes , give notices to
propose a grant on behalf of thc new Baptist Chapel at Retlrutb , or to aid the Wesleyan Chapel at Hayle , the Jews' Synagogue at Falmouth , or the Roman Catholics at Camborne , but we anticipate few would be found to second any such propositions , and should Mr . Holmes not withdraw the notice in question he will not at least complain of any apathy as to the matter when the vote is to be taken .
T . W . M . Plymouth , ioth August , 18 7 8 . Sir , —1 think it right to state that , when , at the meeting at Redruth , Mr . Emra Holmes intimated to me his intention to give notie-e of a motion with ieference to the cathedral for the next annual meeting , and asked if I saw any objection to his doing so , 1 certainly did not
understand that his i lea was to propose a grant from the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and 1 am very glad to sec that the explanation given by him in your edition of Friday agrees entirely with my own impression . I could see no objection to his giving such a notice as that which , as he states , and as I believed , it was his intention to give , but , even at the risk of exposing myself to the charge of "bigotry and intolerance , " I must say
that I should greatly doubt the propriety of expending any portion of the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge for the object proposed . I refrain from expressing myself more strongly , because , in the event of sucti a proposal being mooted , precedents may be quoted of which I am ignorant ; but Mr . Holmes has evidently no intention of making such a proposal , and 1 shaH hz surprised if we hear anything more about it . Yours obediently ,
MOUNT EDGCUMBE , P . G . M . of Cornwall . Cotehele House , August nth , 1 S 7 S .
Threatened Masonic Disruption
THREATENED MASONIC DISRUPTION
We lake the fellowing sensible letter from the North British Daily Mail of August 12 th : — Sir , — l'lie Mnit oi Tuesday iasl contains an account of tbe meeting of Grand Lodge , held 0 : 1 the previous day at Edinburgh , and gives an explanation of the Masonic " situation" which , besides being inaccurate , is partial
both as regards the extent and the character of the information conveyed . To correct this , to some extent at least , it may be well to inform such of your readers as take an interest in the matter , that thf dissension which unfortunately exists in the Grand Lodge ia not of recent origin , as your report woulel seem to indicate . For years , many yeais , the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge was , by
the law as then in force , composed of the Masters of the lodges in the Edinburgh district , eighteen in number , with a like number chosen by Grand Lodge from its membership—thirty-six in all . Owing to this arrangement it was felt , not only in Glasgow , but throughout the Craft in the provinces , tint the metropolitan as opposed to the provincial influence was tori great , the Grand Committee brri . ig
the executive , and , so to speak , the factotum of Grand Lodge . Dissatisfaction , aggravated by the commission of gross irregularities , in respect t > cash and otherwise , by certain of the ofiieials of Giaud L edge , was the result ; and this went on until the beginning of the present year , when the constitution of the Grand Commiitce was altered , the brethren composing it being now . in deference to the
wish of those who had been dissatisfied , elected by Grand Lodge from ils members , irrespective of the localiiy in which the lodges that they repics . nt are situated . In justice t-i the much-maligned Edinburgh brethren , it should be statccl that the change was not oppose : ! by tticm , and was adopted unanimously , and was hailed with general suisfaction as piling the way for harmony and
prosperity , the irregularities referred to luting been effectually put a stop to previously . When the new Grand Committee came tj lie formed in February last at the meeting of Grand Lodge , it turned out , to the surprise of many , that the Edinburgh , or as it might more fittingly be called , the Giand Lodge influence , instead of being neutralised , was rather increased , a large majority of those elected holding
to the mode of conducting Grand Lodge affairs which had pic . ailed under the old regime . It should be mentioned thai , on the occasion of the election of the new Grand Committee , a great amount of organising anil manoeuvr ing to influence thc flection was most improperly carried on by self-constituted leaders both in Edinburgh and Glasgow , but it is not propiblethat this had much effect either
one way or another upon thc result of the election . Disappointment were now-added to dissatislaclion on thc put of a number of the brethren in and around Glasgow , and the opposition which had hitherto been carried on upon points of principle be-cime factions—whatever the majority did being met with " contradiction for ils own dear sake " , " and a determined effort was male by the leaders of the
opposition , who organised a larye body of their supporters to assist at the meeiing of Grand L idge in May in overturning the proceedings of the Grand Committee , in which they were so far successful . From what then transpired it bicime apparent to Ihe Craft throughout the country
th it il wn ; time to do something to put a stop to this scatiilal , and accordingly the nu-mbers of the Grand Lorlge fro'ii the cast , west , iioiih , anil south , turned out in large numbers and Irom gieat distances , at th .: meeting on the 5 th instant , to uphold ihe supremacy of Grand Lodge , an J , il possible , brin J abou' . a more satisfactory slilc of affairs .
Threatened Masonic Disruption
Your reporter must have been misinformed as to the expenses , travelling or otherwise , of partisans being paid , as such was not the case to any extent , the contest having assumed a new character , being not between Edinburgh and Glasgow , or the east and west , but between Glasgow on the one hand , and the rest of Scotland from Aberdeento Dumfries , and from Ayr to Dunbar , on the other , and
the upshot was that , when those who had gone out to win found themselves outnumbered , they left the meeting in a body . The points on which diversity of opinion exists , not being of public interest , need not be introduced here . One of them , however , being alluded to by your reporter —the appointment of Grand Master at the ensuing election—it may not be out of place to say that the high
chaacter of Bro . Henry lnglrs , of Torsonce , and his eminent services to the Craft for nearly a quaiter of a century , entitled him to the highest honour which the Grand Lodge can bestow . This is universally felt and admitted by the Order , both at home and abroad , and no considerable section in Glasgow or elsewhere thinks differently . The formation of a new Grand Lodge in the West of Scotland ,
which , according to your report , was freely talked of , is not such an easy matter as many seem to imagine . Apart from the totally inadequate nature of the present circumstances to justify such a step , it would be impossible for such a body to receive the recognition of other Grand Lodges , without which it would be worthless , and to that extent a delusion and a snare . —I am , Sec , No FACTION .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
The General Committee met on thc 14 th instant , when Bro . Col . Creaton , presided . There were also present Bro « . S . Rawson , J . Marsh Case , G Bolton , ' J . G . Stevens , W . F . Nettleship , Thos . Cubitt , C . J . Perceval , Jas . Willing ,
jun ., W . Hale , Jno . Bellamy , C . F . Hogatd , Charles Lacey , and others . The death was reported of Bro . Samuel Tomkins , the Treasurer , and one of the trustees of the Institution . The Chairman reported that tenders had been received
for building the gardener's lodge at Croydon , that that of Mr . Martin Taylor had been accepted ; that the corner stone had been laid on Tuesday , and that the buildings would be completed in about ten weeks . The death of one annuitant was reported , and four petititions were received and placed on the list .
London Charity Union.
LONDON CHARITY UNION .
A meeting was holden in the Freemasons' Tavern , on Thursday , August 15 , under the presidency of Bro . Lieut .-Colonel Creaton , for the purpose of forming a London Charity Union , in order to support London Masonic Charities , the furtherance of the claims of the London candidates for the Charities , and thc interchange of votes
with Provincial Charity Commitfces . A resolution to form a " Lonetan Union " was unanimously agreed to , and the meeting adjourned to Wednesday , August 21 st , at five o'clock , at Freemason ' s Tavern , to consider the bye-laws and appoint a Committee . All brethren interested in the subj rec are invited to attend the adjourned meeting .
Obituary.
Obituary .
BRO . ROBERT BAG 3 HXXV . We regret to have to announce the death of that worthy old Mason , Bro . Robert Bagshaw , Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Essex , and P . G . M . and P . G . Snpt . of the Province of Essex , who expired at his town residence , 42 , Gloucester-sq ., on Wednesday . He formerly represened Harwich in the Liberal interest , at the same time as his athcr , when the borough returned two members .
Occupying , as freemasonry does , a prominent position among the rec ^ gnise-d institutions of the land , and vvhich has for its ultimate end the amelioration of the condition and elevation of mankinel , it is to be expected that the combined efforts of the Fraternity would be elirected to the final accomplishment of this laudable undertaking . Founded on thc purest principles of morality , and enforcing
its tenets , as Freemasonry does , by precepts bascei upon and deduced from the Divine Uw , we have sufficient grounds to foster the hope of great results from the united efforts o ! those whose lives " linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection . " Viewed simply in the sight of a social institution , it has claims upon society which call for serious thought and calm investigation .
But if we would understand and appreciate its true mission , our thoughts must take a wider range and grasp those nobler objects which are the legitimate offspring of the great principles on which the institution rests . The founelatiou of every virtue is truth . To be good and true , is the first lesson which Masonry teaches . To know , and do the truth , is the grand end proposed ; and when this shall
have been accompanied , then , and not until then , will the true mission of the institution of Masonry have been fulfilled . —Srand Master Carkley if Mississippi . In accordance with an order issued by the Duke of Bedford a fortnight ago , all Sunday tra ling is henceforth to be prohibited at Covent-garden Market .
Thc reason for the introduction of the new rule is said to be that a rather noisy s-t of people were attracted to thc market , and that the decorum which should be observed on Sunday was occasionally disregarded , but the natural wish ol the superior officers that their subordinates should have as lillie as possible to do on the Sabbath Day also influenced them largely in asking for the alteration .