Architecture Of The Craft—Let It Be Pure.

This mania for things classic was not confined to literature , it extended to architecture as well . Nothing was considered worth tho attention of persons of refined taste nnless it was fashioned after some Greek or Roman model . The Grand and beautiful Gothic edifices which

the genius of our operative Brethren had designed and constructed , and which they had bequeathed as a precious legacy to posterity , were pronounced by fche learned asses to bo mere monuments of barbaric ignorance—piles of stone and mortar , without fcho least claim to architectural merit .

Ono of tho fruits of this stupid prejudice was the Greek Episcopal Throno in the choir of Winchester Cathedral . About half a century ago people began to come to their Ronses , and to perceive and admit the merits of early

English literature , and fche matchless beauty and grandeur of our old Gothic Cathedrals nnd Churches ! . Then ifc was soon seen that a piece of classic architecture looked as much out of place in n Gothic structure as would

a modern fine gentleman among a band of steel-clad knights . As a matter of course the Greek throne waa speedily removed , and something more appropriate substituted .

Now , ifc appears to me that most of the improvements , which some brethren seek to effect in speculative Masonry , nre just as much out of place as was thafc Greek throne in that old Gothic church . There aro many things which are worthy of all

admiration in those institutions to which they legitimately belong , but which have no connection or affinity whatever with Masonry . Onr system of morality and philosophy has its

own peculiar character , and our Fraternity is just as distinct from all other associations , religious and benevolent , as was the Gothic architecture of our operative predecessors from every other order , either ancient or modern .

Consequently , when anything pertaining to some different school of moral architecture is introduced into our spiritual temple , ifc is found to be totally out of harmony with its surroundings . The Masonic body is composed of men of various

denominations and of almost every shade of reli gious belief ; and , such being its composition and character , ifc is very clear that discourses which would be quite proper and commendable , if given in a church or afc a missionary meeting , may be both inappropriate and offensive when delivered before an assembly of Craftsmen .

The same objection applies to lectures on total abstinence , prohibition , and kindred themes , patriotic orations and political speeches , because the Masonio Fraternit y embraces all nations and all parties , and does not make the abstaining from meat and drink of any kind a test of fitness in a candidate for admission .

Customs and regulations , also , which have been found to work well in other societies are , for the most parfc , found entirely inapplicable to the Masonic system , because , while these societies act on the principle of giving money return for a money payment , Masonry insists that all who enter

its portals should be influenced by pure and unselfish motives only , that their acts of benevolence toward their brethren shonld spring from the free , spontaneous impulses

of a heart inspired by brotherly love and compassion , and that the amount bestowed should nofc be determined by any fixed rule , but really by the requirements of the case and the ability of the giver to give .

Masonry is not a chnrch . It is not an institution which seeks to make converts to any sect whatever , or to interfere with the religious opinions of its members in the slightest degree . It is not a temperance teetotal society . It is not a benefit clnb .

Let those who seek to improve it keep these truths in view , and remember the Greek throne , which the wiseacres of a past age set amid the Gothic arches and the mullioned windows of William of Wyckham ' s Cathedral . — New York Dispatch .

Under the auspioea of fche Devonshire Lodge of Freemasons , Glossop , the members and a number of friends had a pionio to York on Wednesday , the 15 th inat ., the party being conveyed in saloon carriages . Upon arrival at York , the Cathedral , museum , and gardens wero visited , and a pleasant hoar was spent in viewing a portion of the old oity walls . Dinner and tea was partaken of at the Boyal Station Hotel .

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Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon was held , on the 21 st ult ., afc the Masonic Hall , Granby Street , Devonport , under the banner of Lodge Friendship , No . 16 . Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford H . Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., Prov . G . M . presided , supported by Bros . Capt .

G . S . Strode-Lowe D . P . G . M ., J . M . Hifley P . P . G . S . W . as S . W .. F . B . Westlake P . G . J . Warden , F . Crouch P . G . D . of England P . P . G . J . W . as D . C , H . J . Langmead P . P . G . Purs , as P . G . I . G ., H . Stocker P . G . D . of England P . G . Secretary as Chaplain , A . J . Verdi P . G . M . O ., F . Taomas

P . G . J . O ., W . H . Kelland P . G . Treasurer , W . Powo P . G . S . B ., J . Gidley P . G . Tyler , C . G . Withell and R . T .

Parsons P . G . Stewards , and a large number of Past Officers . The P . G . Secretary reported that there had been 62 initiations during the year , and that there were now 499 contributing members against 482 in the previous year , an increase of 17 . The P . G . M . was desirous of

calling the attention of the Officers to fche necessity of making np the returns of each Lodge to 31 sb December , and forwarding them before 31 st March to the Provincial Grand Secretary . Any Lodge offending by non-compliance with that rule would incur the displeasure of the P . G . Master .

The Prov . G . Treasurer reported receipts , £ 71 12 s , and a balance in hand of £ 22 15 s . He explained that the diminution of the annual balance thus shown had arisen throngh there having been two P , G . Lodges held , and a balance of over £ 8 allowed to stand over from previous

years , which had now been paid . The Provincial Committee recommended that out of tbat balance seven guineas should be voted to a distressed brother of Lodge 16 , who , although in the prime of life , had been obliged to resign

his occupation through having become totally blind ; fifty guineas to the Devon Educational Fund ; and five guineas to the Mark Benevolent Fund . The reports were adopted ; W . Bro . J . Old field was elected Prov . Grand Treasurer . Tho P . G . M . invested as the Officers for the year ensning : —

Capt . G . 8 . Strode-Lowe D . P . G . M . Dr . Evans Senior Warden J . B . Gover Junior Warden J . Griffin M . O .

M . Axworthy S . O . Lewis Stevens J . O . Rev . L . Maurice Chaplain J . Oldfield Treasurer

W . Taylor llegistrar H . Stocker Secretary F . Meadway Senior Deaoon W . J . Peogelley Junior Deacon J . Shepherd Inspector of Works A . J . Wilcocka Director of Ceremonies

W . King Assist . Dir . of Cers . G . Gurney Sword Bearer T . Worledge Standard Bearer R . T . Parsons Org . E . Andrews Assist . Secretary C . G . Withell I . G .

W . Westcott " ) Sholts Hare I gtawarda W . Eoutlege C stewards Parnell Hannaford J Jas . Gidley Tyler

Bros . John Lane P . G . S . O . of England , Rev . Dr . Lemon P . G . Chaplain of England , S . Jones P . G . S . D . of England , F . Crouch P . G . J . D . of England , W . Vicary P . P . G . S . W ., G . R . Barrett P . P . G . J . W ., E . Aitken-Davies P . P . G . J . W ., J . B . Gover P . G . J . W ., J . Oldfield P . G . T ., H .

Stocker G . J . D . P . G . Secretary , were appointed the Provincial Committee for the year . On the proposition of Bro . Stocker a Committee was appointed to revise the Bye-laws of the P . G . Lodge , and submit them for adoption at the next annual meeting . The Committee will consist of R . W . Bro .

the P . G . M ., Bros , tbe D . P . G . M ., the P . G . Secretary , and four brothers elected by the P . G . Lodge : —Bros . J . B . Gover and J . R . Lord , Plymouth ; Jno . Lane , Torquay ; and H . Jerman , of Exeter . In the evening the brethren dined together at the Freemasons' Club , Plymouth . The D . P . G . M . presided , and a pleasant evening was passed .

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IMPORTANT NOTICE . —Confidential Advice free per post to all in weak and failing health , with loss of strength and vitality . Fifty years experience in Nervous Ailments . Address , the Secretary , 3 Fitzallan Square , Sheffield . Form of Correspondence Free . Write to-dav . 60 years experience . All diseases arising from impurity of the blood absolutely cored .