The local authority over English Freemasonry in China has hitherto been centred ina District Grand Lodge which had its head-quarters in Hongkong; and a resident in Hongkong has always been chosen for the post of District Grand Master. Inconvenience, however, having been felt at Shanghai, owing to the distance from headquarters and the time consumed in case of reference, the Freemasons of North-China D.G. have for some time been requesting a division of the District. The opportunity of Bro. Henry Murray's retirement, and of the M. W. Grand Master the Prince of ales' invitation to the. China Lodges to nominate his successor, was taken to press the claim; and while the Hongkong brethren naturally voted for their then Deputy District Grand Master Bro. Linstead, the Freemasons in the North unanimously asked that a District Grand Chaplain Lodge might be constituted at Shanghai, and that Bro. Gundry should be the first Grand Master. After some delay, the request for a division has been granted the M. W. Grand Mester, however—misled by a report of Bro. Gundry's intention to return to England, last summer,—overriding his nomination, and substituting home's name in. Sie petal necessary powers having been received, the new District Grand Lodge of Northern China was formally inaugurated Friday afternoon, with the ceremonial customary on such occasions. All Master Masons residing or staying in Shanghai were invited to assemble at the Masonic Hall at 4 o'clock, and about 80 responded to the invitation:
Lodge havin, been opened in the three degrees, Bro. jame formally announced my the appointment; and having laid the patent on the altar, proceeded to open the District Grand Lodge in due form; the Very Rev. Dean Butcher, acting as District Grand Chaplain, offering the following prayer Almighty God and Supreme Architect of the Universe, vouchsafe Thy bie this our present Convention.
Rulers wisdom and our unity and concord; and gui to the advancement of our ancient, free, and famous brotherhood, and tothe promotion of piety, science, and virtue, Amen.
Bro, Gundry, as Senior Past Master, then took the chair, Bro. Thorne retiring from the Lodge—and, having read the patent, announced that under that authority he was about to proceed with the ceremony of installation. Certain of the Grand officers were deputed to request Bro. Thorne to re-enter; and, he having been received with the ceremony befitting his rank, Bro. Gundry administered to him the obligation, and installed him in the Chair of District
then offered by the District Grand Chaplain: Grand Master. The following ral er was 0 Adorable Lord God, Maker of all things and Judge of all men, regard we beseech 'Theo with Thy special favor this our. present undertaking, and grant that the work which we now commence in 'Thy name, may endure Thy glory, and the temporal' and eternal good of Thy dependent creatures, Lat a scrupulous regard to the obligation which in Thy name, and under TI been entered into, disti 1 Lodge, that they, abounding in holy conversati ines, may become true and worth: of our venerable Order, and that their practice may in all things correspond with their profession.
Grand honours were then given, and solemn music played upon the organ, after which the District Grand Chaplain' read the 192nd Psalm.
The District Grand Master then proceeded to instal the following officers:
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.