Isle Of Man Mastership.

The reason that was so was that he loved the ritual , which was of so glorious a character that if a Brother did not perform the ceremonies properly it was better for him not to undertake them at all . This reads as solemn as the scriptural warning , about the millstone round the neck . —" Municipal Journal . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

" A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

ON Friday , 24 th inst ., the remains of our dear Bro . John Hernaman were found in bed , he having expired in the night of angina pectoris . For upwards of thirty years he was Master at Rich ' s Grammar School , Lambeth , and there as well as at King ' s College , St . Paul ' s College , Cheltenham ,

and many other places , he was held in the highest respect . Passing away at the early age of fifty-three , and while in full work , it was not remarkable that on Tuesday morning the Church of St . Mary , Lambeth , was literally crowded with co-workers and friends of our deceased Brother . Dr . Macnamara , M . L . S . B ., Bros . Joseph Bate P . M ., S . E . Bray ,

M . A ., Charlie Woods P . M ., Messrs . Barker , Robertson , and Yeldham were there as representing the London School Board , under which , for ten years , he had acted as Organiser of Evening Continuation Schools . Many Masonic friends were present , including Bros . C . Wilson P . M . P . Z ., C .

Castell P . M ., Geo . Powell P . M . P . Z ., Walter Smith P . M . The clergy of the parish were supported by Dr . Wace , Principal of King ' s College , and the Hon . the Rev . Canon Pelham ( former Rector ) , who took the service in the Church . As Bro . Hernaman was a past President of the Lambeth

Teachers Association it is needless to say that many Teachers came to pay their last tribute of respect to their departed colleague . The coffin was literally covered with beautiful wreaths . A full choir took part in the service , singing with much feeling the Psalm , also the hymns , " God our Help in

ages past , " and " Lord in this Thy mercy ' s day . " When the service was over the body was conveyed to Cheltenham , for interment on Wednesday . Bro . John Hernaman was distinctly a character . Kind , loving , courteous , persevering , and enegetic , he always made an impression among those

with whom he worked . About a year since he lost his sister , who had acted as his housekeeper , and as he was very sensitive this worried him . Some other little troubles also came of late , but as a whole his life must have been a happy one . His pupils are holding good appointments in all parts

of the world , and they will miss his kind letters and valuable advice . The Brother who acted as his medical adviser little thought that the end would be so sudden . Truly " a good man and true " has passed away , and one whose place it will be very hard to fill .

A Subject For Masonic Students.

A SUBJECT FOR MASONIC STUDENTS .

MASONIC archieology , so much and happily studied to-day , has much in store to edify and gratify the Masonic student . Unaccountably neglected or carelessly looked into in former days , it safely retains a vast deal to startle and reward . an investigating generation . As we lift the veil which shrouds the past from our often anxious gaze , v ? e sea how much there is which

lends an interest and charm to Masonic studies . We are treading , so to say , an almost " terra incognita ; " we are opening , on that " debatable land " with striking results to industry and perseverance . The history of our orient origin soon falls into shape , and cohesion and regularity give it form and splendour , and the authenticity of its mural halls and classic columns , and a dazzling

light illumines as a revelation the occultism of its long-hidden mysteries as discerned by the pagan philosophers , Pythagoras and Socrates , and other gropers in the realm of darkness , to hnd a ray of light upon which to hang the subsistence of their hope in immortality . If still here and there , enveloped in the clouds which age and carelessness have thrown around it , if on this and that

footway we shall have to tread with cautious steps and "bated breath , " if we cannot as yet speak quite decisively on many undecided points , on many a prominent subject , yet we ought to rest satisfied with the progress we have made . We ought to cheer ourselves with our sense of the clearer knowledge , archaeologically , we possess than did our forefathers , who seemed to have contented themselves with persistent repetition and

habitual stumbling . From them Freemasonry was ; for them it had , as for us , many charms and attractions , and they were content to take it for what it was , without inquiring too closely into its antecedents , its birth , parentage and education . But still , as the mind of man is always more or less inquiring , a history had . to be found for it , and which in that time of general apathy on similar subjects admirably suited the requirements of an uncritical epoch .

Hence the attempts from Hutchinson , which may be said to have culminated in Oliver , to explain historical difficulties , and to solve insuperable enigmas ; and to square the all but impossible contradictions of chronology . To-day , when the authentic school has been at work , Masonic archaeology is before us in great effect .

freemasonry is now a wonderful organisation in the world . What is its origin ? What is its actual bearing on the multiform development which society and the world assume before our eyes to-day ? What is its connection with ages dead and gone , the organisations , the guilds , the secret associations , the

mystic chapels which Time , ever relentless , if it has destroyed irrevocably their local habitation and name , and the verity of their original existence ? These are the questions we seek and want answers to ! Masonic archaeology has therefore before it a pleasant , a needful and a wholesome task . To remove errors and lighten up obscurity , to rectify what

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Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , WOOD GREEN , LONDON , N . SUPPORTED BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS . Grand Patron—HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN . President—H . K . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., M . W . G M . Patrons rex ottcio ) - ^™ ' H 0 R THE EARL AMHERST , M . W . PRO G . M . . matrons ( ex oj / ictoj ^ RT . H 0 N . THE EARL OF WARWICK , R . W . DEP . G . M . Treasurer—CHARLES E . KEYSER , ESQ ., P . G . DEACON , PATRON OF INSTITUTION Bankers—LONDON & WESTMINSTER BANK , LTD . ( BLOOMSBURY BRANCH ) , HIGH HOLBORN , LONDON , W . C . 2337 Boys haVe received the benefits of the Institution since its foundation in 1798 . 283 Boys are noW being Educated , Clothed , and Maintained , and special grants are also made to 17 unsuccessful candidates at the Centenary elections . The ONE HUNDEED AND FIRST ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL will be held on 28 th June 1899 , under the Presidency of W . BROTHER CHARLES E . KEYSER , Ifl . A ., F . S . A ., J . P ., FAST ORAHO DEACON , Treasurer and Patron of the Institution . The services of Brethren as Stewards ( representing Lodges or Provinces ) and Ladies , are earnestly requested , and will' be gratefully acknowledged . CONTRIBUTIONS EARNESTLY SOLICITED . Secretary—J . MORRISON McLEOD , VICE PATRON , 6 FREEMASONS' HALL , LONDON , W . C .