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Article FREEMASONRY IN 1885. ← Page 2 of 4 Article FREEMASONRY IN 1885. Page 2 of 4 →
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Freemasonry In 1885.
limited , and the appointments are for life , or at all events during good behaviour , it is clear that such installations cannot be of very frequent occurrence . In 1 SS 5 , however , there have been no less than seven brethren installed as P . G . Masters , namely , Lord Kensington , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . South Wales West , vice Col . Lloyd Philipps , deceased ; R . W . Bro . T . W . Tew , P . G . D ., as P . G . M . West Yorkshire , vice Sir H . Edwards , Bart ., C . B .,
resigned ; Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . Durham , in succession to the late Marquis of Londonderry , K . P . ; Lord Harlech , P . G . M . N . Wales ; and Sir Offley Wnkeman , Bart ., P . G . M . Shropshire , in succession to the late R . W . Bro . Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., who was P . G . M . of N . Wales and Shropshire ; the Earl of Jersey , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . Oxfordshire , in succession to the late Duke of Albany , K . G . ; and R . W . Bro . Col . Wm . Stuart , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . of the newly-erected
province of Bedfordshire . In the case of Bros . Tew and Sir Hedworth Williamson , they were inducted into office by the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., the former at a grand gathering of brethren at Leeds , and the latter at a similarl y distinguished assemblage in Durham . Lord Leigh , P . G . M . Warwickshire , had the privilege of installing the Earl of Jerseyi while in the other three cases the ceremony was performed b y Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , who was assisted by Bros . Phiibrick , G . Reg ., F . Richardson , P . G . D ., and other dignitaries of Grand Lodge .
Other events , which are of secondary importance when compared with the foregoing , have occurred during the year , and among them may be mentioned the presentation of addresses to tbe Prince of Wales , G . M ., at Leeds , and still more recently at Birmingham . At Leeds advantage was taken ol'his Royal Highness ' s visit in July , for the purpose of opening the new buildings of the Yorkshire College , by the Masters of the several lodges
meeting in that town to congratulate his Royal Highness and extend to him that hearty and loyal greeting which always awaits him on such occasions ; while at Birmingham a similar address was presented by Lord Leigh on behalf of the brethren of the province of Warwickshire , on ' lhe occasion of the Prince ' s visit to inaugurate the Suburban Hospital founded as an adjunct to the General Hospital by Mr . J affray .
Among still less important occurrences must be mentioned the Masonic entertainment given at ihe Mansion House towards the close of his term of office by the ex-Lord Mayor , Bro . Alderman Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . W ., to the members of the University of London Lodge , No . 2033 , of which he is the W . Master , the members of Grand Masters ' Lodge , No . 1 , of which he is a Past Master , to the Grand Officers of the
Province of Wiltshire , of which he is a P . P . G . S . W ., and the officers of the Lansdowne Lodge of Unity , No . 626 , Chippenham , of which he is a Past Master . Among the numerous recognitions of personal merit we cannot omit referring to the testimonial presented to our old friend and brother , G . Parker Brockbank , G . Std . Br . of England , who , during a Masonic career extending over more than forty years , has rendered most valuable
services to the Craft throughout his Province of East Lancashire , but more especially to the lodges in Bolton , where he resides . There have also been many celebrations , of greater or less consequence , the centenary anniversaries of the Tyrian Lodge , No . 253 , Derby , the premier lodge on the roll of Derbyshire , and of the Lodge of Unions , No . 256 , being the moit noteworthy . But these minor events , what are they else but the cumulative
evidence of the zeal and activity by which all ranks in English Masonry are animated , and the prosperity which has attended the efforts both of lodges and individual brethren during the past year ? Taken separately , they will be found locally or personally interesting ; taken together , they bear out the statement we made at the outset of this summary , that the year which is now on the eve of being completed has been one of sound , solid progress . More than this is not greatly to be desired .
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY . As the Royal Arch goes hand in hand with Craft Masonry , of which it is the complement , it will not engage our attention for long , its fortunes being affected favourably or adversely by the same circumstances and in the same manner as those of the Craft , but to a lesser extent . Thus it has gained in strength during the past year to the extent of 17 new chapters , of
which five have been attached to London lodges , nine to provincial lodges ( four West Yorkshire , one Hants and Isle of Wight , one Kent , one Leicester , one Northumberland , and one Nottingham ) , and three to lodges abroad ( one British Burmah , one New South Wales , and one Punjaub ) . It is worthy of remark that among the new London chapters is one attached lo a lodge high up on the roll of England , namely , the Israel , No . 205 , and
it must be gratifying to the members of that lodge to know that the Israel Chapter , as it is called , starts under such auspicious circumstances with Comp . C . F . Hogard as its first M . E . Z . As regards the provinces there have been two important changes in the personnel . Sir Henry Edwards having been succeeded as Prov . G . Superintendent of West Yorkshire b y Comp . T . VV . Tew , and the late Duke of Albany , P . G . Superintendent of Oxfordshire , by Comp . the Rev . H . A . Pickard . Both these appointments will be of advantage lo the Degree , and it must be very gratifying lo the
numerous circle of friends and well wishers of Comp . Pickard to find that his merits as a R . A . Mason have been so worthily recognised . The post of Prov . G . Superintendent in Durham , rendered vacant by the death of the Marquis of Londonderry , has not yet been fiiled , neither have any arrangements been made in respect of the now sub-divided Province of North Wales and Salop , of which the late Bro . Sir W . Williams-Wynn , Bart ., was Prov . G . Supt . as well as Prov . G . Master . There is this to be said of the
new Province of Shropshire , as well as of that of Bsdfordshire . that neither as yet can boast of the requisite number of private chapters to justify their erection into R . A . provinces . The work of revising the regulations of the Degree has been completed , and the new code will , no doubt , be accepted by Supreme Grand Chapter at its Convocation in February next . It is also well to state that G . Chapter has resolved on holding its convocations for the future in the Grand Hall , and as a result of this move we may anticipate that greater importance will attach lo the meetings of this branch of constitutional Masonry . The step is worthy of commendation .
MARK MASONRY . There must be many leading members of this branch of Masonry who can recollect clearl y enough the comparatively humble position itoccupied 30 years since , when' there was no supreme authority to regulate and direct
the proceedings of the Mark brethren . But . hopeful as they must have been of the future when it was resolved to establish the Mark Grand Lodge , they must be surprised at the amazing success which has attended the establishment of that body , and the immense amount of popularity with which the Mark is everywhere received . The promoters of schemes which hav . e a
Freemasonry In 1885.
reasonable chance of success are notoriously sanguine ; but the most sanguine among the Mark brethren of 1855 can hardly have anticipated that within the brief space of 30 years the roll of Mark G . Lodges should number 360 , of which all but a few in London that prefer holding directly from Grand Lodge are distributed among 44 provinces , at home and abroad , while the number of brethren who have been registered as Mark Masons
falls but very little short of 21 , 000 . Its finances , too , are in a prosperous condition , there being at the close of the half-year to 30 th September , 1885 , investments , in respect of the General , Benevolent , and Educational Funds , amounting in the aggregate to £ 7100 ; while the cash balances in hand or at bank were slightly in excess ol £ 500 . We imagine if the picture of Mark Masonry as it is at the close of the year 1 S 8 5 could have been placed by
anticipation before the founders of Grand Lodge some 30 years ago , they would have shaken their heads dubiously , and said , " It is too good to be true . " Yet there is no doubt about its truth . During the past 12 months warrants for 15 new lodges , ranging from 346 to 3 60 , both inclusive , have been granted , and the number of brethren advanced during the same period is 1480 . The number of Royal Ark Mariner certificates issued is 216 , and the
number of newly-warranted lodges of that Degree—which is attached fo the Mark as the Royal Arch is to the Craft—four . The 17 th Anniversary Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was held at the Crystal Palace on 22 nd July , under the presidency of Lord Egerton of Tatton , D . G . M . M . M . and Prov . G . M . M . M . of Cheshire , supported by a Board of 8 7 Stewards ( including one lady Steward ) , realised over £ 1721 , or more than double the
product of any previous Festival . The Benevolent and Educational Funds are doing good service , and there has this year been established an Annuity Fund both for indigent Mark brethren and the widows of Mark brethren . These are the facts which stand out prominently as illustrating the prosperity of the Mark Degree , and if further evidence in the same direction is needed , we have it in the advancement in Junelast , in the Isaac Newton
University Mark Lodge , No . 112 , Cambridge , of his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales , and the nomination at the late winter half-yearly communication of Mark Grand Lodge of his father , the Prince of Wales , as Mark Grand Master for the ensuing year , the Prince having expressed his willingness to accept that position if duly elected , as there is no doubt he will be , in June next . We may go so far as to suggest as yet another
indication of Mark prosperity that its Grand Lodge has been , and indeed still is , engaged in a battle royal with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec , though we believe we are right in stating that for the time , at alTevents , the difference between the twosupreme authorities is in a position of suspended animation . However , we will not press this suggestion too earnestly , or our friends may charge us with being careless and irreverent . Suffice it to say
that , great as has been the progress of the Mark Degree during the last two or three years , it has been quite eclipsed by the wonderful successes achieved during the current year . We will also add that the work of extension has been supplemented by a conscientious indulgence in the task of organisation ; that is to say , the regulations of the Grand Lodge have been submitted to a most complete revision , and the revised code was accepted at a Special
Grand Lodge held on the last day of November . I here is nothing else of great importance to record in connection with the past year ' s proceedings of our Mark brethren than that the usual Moveable Grand Lodge was held during the summer in Liverpool ; that the meeting was largely attended , and that everything passed off most satisfactorily . May we be in a position to speak a twelvemonth hence in similarly encomiastic terms of the progress made during the year in this popular branch of Masonry .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The same measure of laudation must be assigned to the proceedings of the several Masonic bodies which may be grouped together under this head . In the case ol the Supreme Council , 33 , of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , we have nothingfurther to do in order to satisfy ourselves of this , than to turn over the pages of its register of members , who have been largely
increased in number during the year , while , in respect of its financial position , we may judge of its soundness from the Grand Treasurer-General ' s statement of account on the 1 st July , when , after a most careful scrutiny of the various assets and liabilities , there appeared to the credit of the Supreme Council a balance in the shape of capital amounting to ^ 15 , 885 . The Great Priory of the Order of the Temple appears to be in a similarly
flourishing position , both as regards membership and financial position , the Auditors ' report , dated the 30 th April , showing balances on the General and Benevolent Funds , and in hand for petty cash , amounting together to close on . £ 669 , and that after the purchase on behalf of the two funds of stock amounting to nearly £ 359 , costing ^ 400 . The report of the Council showed that three changes had taken place in the roll of Provincial Priors , Sir
Knight Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner Davy having been installed Prov . Prior of Devonshire , in place of Sir Knight L . P . Metham , resigned in April last , Sir Knig ht C . P . Chater being the new Prov . Pi ior of China , vacant since 1881 , and Sir Knight A . Morrell Saunders , Prov . Prior of Madras , vice Lieut .-Col . A . W . O . Saunders , resigned . It is also noteworthy that the Province of Staffordshire and Warwickshire has been extended so as
to include within its limits the county of Leicester . Still greater progress has been made by the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , which has braced itself up to the promising sphere of work before it . It has already a new code of laws , and with so energetic a Grand Recorder as Sir Knight C . F . Hogard , there is little doubt that this branch of Chivalric Masonry will attain a position worthy of its ancient fame . Nor have the Allied Degrees been otherwise than most prosperous , thanks to the Rev .
Canon Portal , M . III . Grand Master , and Bro . C . F . Matier , P . D . G . M ., Grand Secretary , who both work assiduously to promote the success of the body . There are now 20 subordinate councils , including the Time Immemorial—five in number—with every prospect of a further increase in the years to come . In fine , the Chivalric and other Degrees of Masonry have had their share in the general prosperity which has been the lot of our Society in its principal and subsidiary branches during the year 1885 .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . Notwithstanding the untoward political and commercial circumstances of the year , our Institutions have fared extremely well . The Festivals were not so productive as in 1883 , but if we take into account the supplementary gathering in August , when the memorial stone of the new premises of the
Boys School was laid by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , the grand total in respect of Festival receipts slightly exceeds £ 45 , , which , though ^ 2000 less than was received in 1883 , is about £ 3000 ahead of last year ' s totals . Or , if we omit from the reckoning the sums subscribed at the Boys ' School supplementary Festival , there will appear a difference between 1883 and 1885 of about £ 3000 in favour of the former , and as between 1884 and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In 1885.
limited , and the appointments are for life , or at all events during good behaviour , it is clear that such installations cannot be of very frequent occurrence . In 1 SS 5 , however , there have been no less than seven brethren installed as P . G . Masters , namely , Lord Kensington , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . South Wales West , vice Col . Lloyd Philipps , deceased ; R . W . Bro . T . W . Tew , P . G . D ., as P . G . M . West Yorkshire , vice Sir H . Edwards , Bart ., C . B .,
resigned ; Sir Hedworth Williamson , Bart ., P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . Durham , in succession to the late Marquis of Londonderry , K . P . ; Lord Harlech , P . G . M . N . Wales ; and Sir Offley Wnkeman , Bart ., P . G . M . Shropshire , in succession to the late R . W . Bro . Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn , Bart ., M . P ., who was P . G . M . of N . Wales and Shropshire ; the Earl of Jersey , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . Oxfordshire , in succession to the late Duke of Albany , K . G . ; and R . W . Bro . Col . Wm . Stuart , P . G . S . W ., as P . G . M . of the newly-erected
province of Bedfordshire . In the case of Bros . Tew and Sir Hedworth Williamson , they were inducted into office by the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., the former at a grand gathering of brethren at Leeds , and the latter at a similarl y distinguished assemblage in Durham . Lord Leigh , P . G . M . Warwickshire , had the privilege of installing the Earl of Jerseyi while in the other three cases the ceremony was performed b y Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec , who was assisted by Bros . Phiibrick , G . Reg ., F . Richardson , P . G . D ., and other dignitaries of Grand Lodge .
Other events , which are of secondary importance when compared with the foregoing , have occurred during the year , and among them may be mentioned the presentation of addresses to tbe Prince of Wales , G . M ., at Leeds , and still more recently at Birmingham . At Leeds advantage was taken ol'his Royal Highness ' s visit in July , for the purpose of opening the new buildings of the Yorkshire College , by the Masters of the several lodges
meeting in that town to congratulate his Royal Highness and extend to him that hearty and loyal greeting which always awaits him on such occasions ; while at Birmingham a similar address was presented by Lord Leigh on behalf of the brethren of the province of Warwickshire , on ' lhe occasion of the Prince ' s visit to inaugurate the Suburban Hospital founded as an adjunct to the General Hospital by Mr . J affray .
Among still less important occurrences must be mentioned the Masonic entertainment given at ihe Mansion House towards the close of his term of office by the ex-Lord Mayor , Bro . Alderman Sir R . N . Fowler , Bart ., M . P ., P . G . W ., to the members of the University of London Lodge , No . 2033 , of which he is the W . Master , the members of Grand Masters ' Lodge , No . 1 , of which he is a Past Master , to the Grand Officers of the
Province of Wiltshire , of which he is a P . P . G . S . W ., and the officers of the Lansdowne Lodge of Unity , No . 626 , Chippenham , of which he is a Past Master . Among the numerous recognitions of personal merit we cannot omit referring to the testimonial presented to our old friend and brother , G . Parker Brockbank , G . Std . Br . of England , who , during a Masonic career extending over more than forty years , has rendered most valuable
services to the Craft throughout his Province of East Lancashire , but more especially to the lodges in Bolton , where he resides . There have also been many celebrations , of greater or less consequence , the centenary anniversaries of the Tyrian Lodge , No . 253 , Derby , the premier lodge on the roll of Derbyshire , and of the Lodge of Unions , No . 256 , being the moit noteworthy . But these minor events , what are they else but the cumulative
evidence of the zeal and activity by which all ranks in English Masonry are animated , and the prosperity which has attended the efforts both of lodges and individual brethren during the past year ? Taken separately , they will be found locally or personally interesting ; taken together , they bear out the statement we made at the outset of this summary , that the year which is now on the eve of being completed has been one of sound , solid progress . More than this is not greatly to be desired .
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY . As the Royal Arch goes hand in hand with Craft Masonry , of which it is the complement , it will not engage our attention for long , its fortunes being affected favourably or adversely by the same circumstances and in the same manner as those of the Craft , but to a lesser extent . Thus it has gained in strength during the past year to the extent of 17 new chapters , of
which five have been attached to London lodges , nine to provincial lodges ( four West Yorkshire , one Hants and Isle of Wight , one Kent , one Leicester , one Northumberland , and one Nottingham ) , and three to lodges abroad ( one British Burmah , one New South Wales , and one Punjaub ) . It is worthy of remark that among the new London chapters is one attached lo a lodge high up on the roll of England , namely , the Israel , No . 205 , and
it must be gratifying to the members of that lodge to know that the Israel Chapter , as it is called , starts under such auspicious circumstances with Comp . C . F . Hogard as its first M . E . Z . As regards the provinces there have been two important changes in the personnel . Sir Henry Edwards having been succeeded as Prov . G . Superintendent of West Yorkshire b y Comp . T . VV . Tew , and the late Duke of Albany , P . G . Superintendent of Oxfordshire , by Comp . the Rev . H . A . Pickard . Both these appointments will be of advantage lo the Degree , and it must be very gratifying lo the
numerous circle of friends and well wishers of Comp . Pickard to find that his merits as a R . A . Mason have been so worthily recognised . The post of Prov . G . Superintendent in Durham , rendered vacant by the death of the Marquis of Londonderry , has not yet been fiiled , neither have any arrangements been made in respect of the now sub-divided Province of North Wales and Salop , of which the late Bro . Sir W . Williams-Wynn , Bart ., was Prov . G . Supt . as well as Prov . G . Master . There is this to be said of the
new Province of Shropshire , as well as of that of Bsdfordshire . that neither as yet can boast of the requisite number of private chapters to justify their erection into R . A . provinces . The work of revising the regulations of the Degree has been completed , and the new code will , no doubt , be accepted by Supreme Grand Chapter at its Convocation in February next . It is also well to state that G . Chapter has resolved on holding its convocations for the future in the Grand Hall , and as a result of this move we may anticipate that greater importance will attach lo the meetings of this branch of constitutional Masonry . The step is worthy of commendation .
MARK MASONRY . There must be many leading members of this branch of Masonry who can recollect clearl y enough the comparatively humble position itoccupied 30 years since , when' there was no supreme authority to regulate and direct
the proceedings of the Mark brethren . But . hopeful as they must have been of the future when it was resolved to establish the Mark Grand Lodge , they must be surprised at the amazing success which has attended the establishment of that body , and the immense amount of popularity with which the Mark is everywhere received . The promoters of schemes which hav . e a
Freemasonry In 1885.
reasonable chance of success are notoriously sanguine ; but the most sanguine among the Mark brethren of 1855 can hardly have anticipated that within the brief space of 30 years the roll of Mark G . Lodges should number 360 , of which all but a few in London that prefer holding directly from Grand Lodge are distributed among 44 provinces , at home and abroad , while the number of brethren who have been registered as Mark Masons
falls but very little short of 21 , 000 . Its finances , too , are in a prosperous condition , there being at the close of the half-year to 30 th September , 1885 , investments , in respect of the General , Benevolent , and Educational Funds , amounting in the aggregate to £ 7100 ; while the cash balances in hand or at bank were slightly in excess ol £ 500 . We imagine if the picture of Mark Masonry as it is at the close of the year 1 S 8 5 could have been placed by
anticipation before the founders of Grand Lodge some 30 years ago , they would have shaken their heads dubiously , and said , " It is too good to be true . " Yet there is no doubt about its truth . During the past 12 months warrants for 15 new lodges , ranging from 346 to 3 60 , both inclusive , have been granted , and the number of brethren advanced during the same period is 1480 . The number of Royal Ark Mariner certificates issued is 216 , and the
number of newly-warranted lodges of that Degree—which is attached fo the Mark as the Royal Arch is to the Craft—four . The 17 th Anniversary Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was held at the Crystal Palace on 22 nd July , under the presidency of Lord Egerton of Tatton , D . G . M . M . M . and Prov . G . M . M . M . of Cheshire , supported by a Board of 8 7 Stewards ( including one lady Steward ) , realised over £ 1721 , or more than double the
product of any previous Festival . The Benevolent and Educational Funds are doing good service , and there has this year been established an Annuity Fund both for indigent Mark brethren and the widows of Mark brethren . These are the facts which stand out prominently as illustrating the prosperity of the Mark Degree , and if further evidence in the same direction is needed , we have it in the advancement in Junelast , in the Isaac Newton
University Mark Lodge , No . 112 , Cambridge , of his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales , and the nomination at the late winter half-yearly communication of Mark Grand Lodge of his father , the Prince of Wales , as Mark Grand Master for the ensuing year , the Prince having expressed his willingness to accept that position if duly elected , as there is no doubt he will be , in June next . We may go so far as to suggest as yet another
indication of Mark prosperity that its Grand Lodge has been , and indeed still is , engaged in a battle royal with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec , though we believe we are right in stating that for the time , at alTevents , the difference between the twosupreme authorities is in a position of suspended animation . However , we will not press this suggestion too earnestly , or our friends may charge us with being careless and irreverent . Suffice it to say
that , great as has been the progress of the Mark Degree during the last two or three years , it has been quite eclipsed by the wonderful successes achieved during the current year . We will also add that the work of extension has been supplemented by a conscientious indulgence in the task of organisation ; that is to say , the regulations of the Grand Lodge have been submitted to a most complete revision , and the revised code was accepted at a Special
Grand Lodge held on the last day of November . I here is nothing else of great importance to record in connection with the past year ' s proceedings of our Mark brethren than that the usual Moveable Grand Lodge was held during the summer in Liverpool ; that the meeting was largely attended , and that everything passed off most satisfactorily . May we be in a position to speak a twelvemonth hence in similarly encomiastic terms of the progress made during the year in this popular branch of Masonry .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The same measure of laudation must be assigned to the proceedings of the several Masonic bodies which may be grouped together under this head . In the case ol the Supreme Council , 33 , of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , we have nothingfurther to do in order to satisfy ourselves of this , than to turn over the pages of its register of members , who have been largely
increased in number during the year , while , in respect of its financial position , we may judge of its soundness from the Grand Treasurer-General ' s statement of account on the 1 st July , when , after a most careful scrutiny of the various assets and liabilities , there appeared to the credit of the Supreme Council a balance in the shape of capital amounting to ^ 15 , 885 . The Great Priory of the Order of the Temple appears to be in a similarly
flourishing position , both as regards membership and financial position , the Auditors ' report , dated the 30 th April , showing balances on the General and Benevolent Funds , and in hand for petty cash , amounting together to close on . £ 669 , and that after the purchase on behalf of the two funds of stock amounting to nearly £ 359 , costing ^ 400 . The report of the Council showed that three changes had taken place in the roll of Provincial Priors , Sir
Knight Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner Davy having been installed Prov . Prior of Devonshire , in place of Sir Knight L . P . Metham , resigned in April last , Sir Knig ht C . P . Chater being the new Prov . Pi ior of China , vacant since 1881 , and Sir Knight A . Morrell Saunders , Prov . Prior of Madras , vice Lieut .-Col . A . W . O . Saunders , resigned . It is also noteworthy that the Province of Staffordshire and Warwickshire has been extended so as
to include within its limits the county of Leicester . Still greater progress has been made by the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine , which has braced itself up to the promising sphere of work before it . It has already a new code of laws , and with so energetic a Grand Recorder as Sir Knight C . F . Hogard , there is little doubt that this branch of Chivalric Masonry will attain a position worthy of its ancient fame . Nor have the Allied Degrees been otherwise than most prosperous , thanks to the Rev .
Canon Portal , M . III . Grand Master , and Bro . C . F . Matier , P . D . G . M ., Grand Secretary , who both work assiduously to promote the success of the body . There are now 20 subordinate councils , including the Time Immemorial—five in number—with every prospect of a further increase in the years to come . In fine , the Chivalric and other Degrees of Masonry have had their share in the general prosperity which has been the lot of our Society in its principal and subsidiary branches during the year 1885 .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . Notwithstanding the untoward political and commercial circumstances of the year , our Institutions have fared extremely well . The Festivals were not so productive as in 1883 , but if we take into account the supplementary gathering in August , when the memorial stone of the new premises of the
Boys School was laid by the Baroness Burdett-Coutts , the grand total in respect of Festival receipts slightly exceeds £ 45 , , which , though ^ 2000 less than was received in 1883 , is about £ 3000 ahead of last year ' s totals . Or , if we omit from the reckoning the sums subscribed at the Boys ' School supplementary Festival , there will appear a difference between 1883 and 1885 of about £ 3000 in favour of the former , and as between 1884 and